Hotline // April 6, 2022

President's Column - Spring is the air!

Greetings from VCSU!

With the gradual warming temps of late, the anticipation of the spring season is powerfully felt by all. We are thankful for the slow melt resulting in a diminished risk of flooding. We are appreciative of the permanent flood protection the VCSU campus enjoys thanks to a tremendous town-gown relationship we enjoy with Valley City.

In this column, I’d like to share a few highlights from the past month of activity and preview an exciting event coming up later in April.

On March 10, I was privileged to participate in a strategy review session with the Governor and his budget team at the capital in Bismarck. This was an opportunity to share some of VCSU’s successes during the past year and discuss our strategic vision for the future. The timing was perfect, as we are currently working to define and form our strategic plan for the next three years. Training sessions were held in mid-February and a planning committee made up of faculty, staff and students has been formed. This group, led by Dr. Kerry Gregoryk, meets weekly to strategize for our university’s continued success. As we contemplate what we collectively would like to see for VCSU in the future, it’s gratifying to have so many forward-thinking leaders participating in the process. Whether discussing curriculum development, program growth, facility enhancements, campus climate, or opportunities for professional development, the committee continues to place student success at the front of each discussion.

Two weeks later, on March 24, I had the opportunity to attend and perform at the North Dakota Music Educator’s Conference in Bismarck. I must admit that this came with an element of nervousness. As a college president, practicing and playing the clarinet is no longer at the top of my list of priorities. The concert was with the Missouri River Community Band, a volunteer adult band in the Bismarck-Mandan communities, conducted by retired Mandan band director, John Warren. I performed a lively version of “The Flight of the Bumblebee” with former students and quickly recalled the years of scale practice (especially the chromatic scale). It was a pleasure to be a part of a program that featured teachers and students performing together. The week also featured our music faculty and students representing VCSU in an exemplary fashion with a booth in the main convention hall and the initiation of Professor Jere Heide into Phi Beta Mu, an International Bandmaster’s Fraternity.

Finally, I’m excited to announce that there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Center for the Arts building on April 21 at 2 p.m. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend. This is the first new academic facility on our campus in many years and many of the individuals and leaders who helped make this possible will be in attendance. There will be a brief ceremony followed by a short concert performance and student-led tours. If you haven’t had a chance to see the facility yet, please join us if your schedule permits! More details will follow soon.

Go Vikings!

Day of Giving to take place tomorrow

The Viking Day of Giving, on April 7, is an opportunity for alumni and friends of VCSU to come together on one day to support the scholarship needs at our University.

Your gift can help ensure that our University continues to grow!

Consider making a gift today – no matter the dollar amount. What does matter is the impact you can have in transforming a young person’s life.

Text ‘Viking’ to 91999 or send a check to the VCSU Foundation.

Promote to Recognize artist talk and reception tomorrow

The VCSU Art Gallery presents Promote to Recognize by Mitchell Silkman starting March 31. The senior art show will run through April 14 in the Center for the Arts Gallery. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The artist talk/podcast will take place April 7 at 1 p.m. on VCSU’s YouTube page. Viewers can submit questions during the livestream.

A reception will follow in the Center for the Arts from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Deadline to submit for juried art exhibition this Friday

The deadline to submit art for the VCSU Student Juried Art Exhibit is quickly approaching. Students, enrolled in an art class during the 2021-22 academic year, are eligible to submit their work by April 8 at 11:59 p.m. Each student can submit up to 5 pieces of any media type. Artwork can be submitted by filling out the form here: https://myweb.vcsu.edu/art/juried-art-exhibition/

The show will take place from April 20 – May 9 in the Center for the Arts Gallery. Questions about the show can be directed to Angela Mircsov at angela.mircsov@vcsu.edu.

Hope Cleveland recital this Saturday

The VCSU Music Department will be hosting the senior recital of Hope Cleveland, soprano, on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. This program will contain music selections by Wolfgang Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, Antonio Vivaldi, Stephen Sondheim and Robert Wright. Cleveland will be accompanied by Sarah Larsen on piano. 

From Langdon, North Dakota, Cleveland is a senior music major with a minor in psychology. For vocal lessons, she studies under Anthony Rohr, assistant professor for music. During her time with the VCSU Music Department, she has participated in Concert Choir and University Singers. Cleveland will participate in spring graduation on May 14 and will officially graduate this summer. After graduation, she plans to go into a master’s program for music therapy. 

This recital will be held in the concert hall at the Center for the Arts with a reception to be held in the lobby afterward. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this recital; it is free to the public. This recital will also be livestreamed on the Valley City State University Music’s YouTube page.

Center for the Arts ribbon cutting set for April 21

Valley City State University invites you to join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the new Center for the Arts. The ceremony will take place on April 21 at 2 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

VCSU Business Department newsletter

The VCSU Business Department features recent student highlights in the Department of Business Newsletter.

Technology education professors attend ITEEA Conference

Valley City State University Technology Education assistant professors Elisa Krumwiede, Clayton Mannie, and Jason Dockter attended the 84th Annual International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Conference in Orlando, Florida on March 9-12.

VCSU’s Technology Education program takes great pride representing, planning, and preparing ITEEA’s teacher excellence awards for outstanding Technology Education and STEM teachers nominated and selected throughout participating states in the U.S. Beyond running this awards program at the conference, faculty members participated in a myriad of professional development and learning sessions related to Technology Education, STEM, and the new Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL).

March KHP newsletter available

In the March KHP Newsletter, Katie Juarez reflects on her student teaching experience: “Modifying activity for my students was something that my learning in KHP helped me to do. I learned about different ways to challenge my students, but also learned about ways to modify activities for them to be able to gain confidence in their skills as well.”

Read Katie’s full profile and more like it in the March edition of the KHP newsletter: https://www.smore.com/pgvkz

Upcoming Green Dot trainings

VCSU’s Green Dot will be offering Bystander Overview Trainings for employees on April 12, May 3 and May 17. To reserve your spot for one of the following training sessions, please contact kelsie.carter@vcsu.edu or kiersten.baughman@vcsu.edu. VCSU students are also welcome to attend.

Training sessions:
April 12 at 11-12:30 p.m., Student Center Skoal Room
May 3 at 11-12:30 p.m., Virtual Training
May 17 at 11-12:30 p.m., Student Center Skoal Room

Pommerer receives Difference Maker award

Susan Pommerer, building services, recently received the Difference Maker award. She was nominated by the Business Office.

Her nomination read, “Susan does a fabulous job taking care of any building she works in. She pays attention to detail and goes the extra mile. We have heard many compliments of her work in McFarland. She is always friendly and VCSU is lucky to have her! Good luck in the Center for the Arts.”

Congratulations, Susan!

Viking Sports Update

Softball
April 2: Bellevue 7, VCSU 2; Bellevue 14, VCSU 2
April 3: VCSU 7, Bellevue 4; Bellevue 11, VCSU 9
VCSU softball posted a 1-3 record during a road series at Bellevue. The Vikings are now 18-13 overall and 5-3 in conference play. VCSU hosts Viterbo for games Saturday and Sunday. 

Baseball
April 1: Viterbo 6, VCSU 3; VCSU 8, Viterbo 1
April 2: Viterbo 10, VCSU 0; VCSU 7, Viterbo 2
The Viking baseball team split its four-game series with Viterbo University last weekend. The Vikings moved to 14-16 overall and 5-7 in conference play. The Vikings travel to Presentation College for a series this weekend. 

Track & Field
Valley City State’s Kendra Odegard won the women’s javelin, and Hannah Gordon placed second in hammer throw as the VCSU throwers competed Saturday at the Cougar Open in Morris, Minn. Read more: https://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4372

Golf
Valley City State men’s golfer Rory Gentzkow finished in 15th place in a field of 45 golfers to lead the Vikings at the Hardrocker Invite Monday, hosted at the par-71 Arrowhead Country Club in Rapid City, S.D. Read more: https://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4375

Upcoming Events
April 8: Baseball at Presentation College, 2/5 p.m. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
April 9: Track & Field at University of Mary, 11 a.m. (Bismarck, N.D.)
April 9: Baseball at Presentation College, 12/3 p.m. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
April 9: Softball vs. Viterbo University, 1/3 p.m. (Valley City)
April 10: Softball vs. Viterbo University, 12/2 p.m. (Valley City)
April 11: Golf at Dickinson State Spring Invite (Dickinson, N.D.)
April 12: Baseball vs. Dickinson State, 2/4 p.m. (Valley City)

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

Ongoing

MWF: 1 – 2 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center

This Week

April 5
All day Region 5 Music Contest, Center for the Arts

April 8
7 p.m. VCSU Drama Club presents Food for Thought, Vangstad Auditorium

April 9
7:30 p.m. Hope Cleveland Senior Recital, Center for the Arts Performance Hall

Save the date

April 14
Great Plains Food Bank – register to volunteer here: https://www.greatplainsfoodbank.org/

April 21
2:00 p.m. Center for the Arts Ribbon Cutting, Center for the Arts

April 23
All day, 3 on 3 Bubble Bash, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Opera Ensemble Dinner and Showcase, Center for the Arts

April 24
2:30 p.m. Opera Ensemble Matinee, Center for the Arts

April 25
5 – 7 p.m.Valley City Kiwanis Pancakes & Sausage, VCHS Cafeteria ($8, preschool free) – meat raffle will be held at event

April 29
27th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction, Valley City Eagles Club
7:30 p.m. Spring Instrumental, Center for the Arts

May 1
7 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Connect Church

May 2
6:30 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Maryvale Convent

May 5
7 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Nome Schoolhouse

May 6
7:30 p.m. Spring Choral Showcase, Center for the Arts

Community Club meetings

• Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
• Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
• Rotary Club – Tuesdays at noon, VCSU
• Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church
• Barnes County Wildlife Federation – 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Grief Journeys for Adults Support Group – meet virtually, call Hospice at 701-845-1781 to take part

Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.