Hotline // May 28, 2025

VCSU to Break Ground on Tharaldson Family Athletic Center

Valley City State University will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, June 12, to celebrate the start of construction on its new athletic facility.

The Tharaldson Family Athletic Center will be located just south of the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse and will feature a spacious indoor turfed practice area, a modern weight room, a fully equipped training room and new locker room facilities. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and all members of the campus and the community are invited to attend.

The project is headlined by a $5 million lead gift from the Gary Tharaldson Family and is being funded entirely by private contributions through VCSU’s Forward Together Capital Campaign.

“June 12 will be an exciting day for VCSU, Viking athletics and the community,” said Cory Anderson, Executive Director for the VCSU Foundation. “Groundbreaking events aren’t just about dirt and shovels—they’re about belief. Belief in what this facility can do for the future of our student-athletes and for generations of Vikings to come. It stands as a tribute to everyone who invested in the future of VCSU and making this dream a reality.”

Weather permitting, the groundbreaking ceremony will be held outdoors at the future site of the new facility. Following a brief program, attendees will have the opportunity to walk a full-size outline of the building’s floor plan and view architectural renderings of the new spaces.

“These are transformative times at VCSU, and the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center is another bold step forward for our university,” said Alan LaFave, President of VCSU. “We are deeply grateful to the Tharaldson Family and all our donors who have supported this initiative.”

Dennis McCulloch, VCSU athletic director, says the new facility is a game-changer for the athletics program.

“This will enhance our year-round training opportunities, improve the student-athlete experience and help us remain competitive in recruiting and developing top talent,” said McCulloch. “We’re excited for what this means for the future of Viking Athletics.”

To learn more about VCSU’s Capital Campaign and the new athletic facility, visit the campaign website. 

Private Donation Will Enhance Fisheries & Wildlife Program

Photo: VCSU students and staff in the Fisheries & Wildlife program are pictured with alumni Dick Monson.
Note: This story originally appeared in the April 2024 edition of The Bulletin. 

VCSU Alum Provides Support for Fisheries & Wildlife

The VCSU student experience for Fisheries and Wildlife majors is about to get even better. Already a respected and popular program because of its hands-on, in-the-field approach to learning, the Fisheries and Wildlife program has received an influx of money from a private donation designed to further enhance the program.

VCSU alum and long-time supporter Dick Monson has made a significant donation to the university which will directly support the Fisheries and Wildlife program with annual funds dedicated to scholarships and equipment upgrades.

Monson, a retired farmer from the Valley City area, has been a long-time supporter of VCSU and respects the work that conservation professionals do in North Dakota.

“This program is truly exceptional, and I am honored to contribute to its continued growth,” said Monson. “I firmly believe in the value of education that prepares students for meaningful careers in natural resource management. Supporting their success is an investment in the future of our environment and our state.”

Monson’s gift will fund educational infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment, renewable scholarships, and innovative research initiatives, ensuring VCSU continues to lead the state in natural resources education and workforce development.

“This generous gift opens doors for our students, providing the tools and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Dr. Bob Anderson, Professor in the VCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program. “From scholarships that attract top-tier talent to field experiences that prepare them for real-world challenges, this support is a game-changer. This gift is an amazing testament to Dick’s commitment to conservation and to training the next generation of natural resource professionals.”

A 1974 graduate of Valley City State, Monson and his late wife Karen both earned elementary education degrees from VCSU. Karen taught kindergarten for 27 years at St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Valley City. Dick eventually went into farming and the couple made their home on a farm west of Valley City.

Since then, Monson has seen native habitats disappearing across the North Dakota landscape. The wildlife that depends on those habitats are also going away. Monson says well known species such as the American Bumblebee and Monarch Butterfly may soon be listed as threatened or endangered due to loss of native habitat.

“I have spent many of the best days of my life in native prairie pastures and cattail wetlands,” he said. “It is my hope that the students graduating from the Fisheries and Wildlife Department will carry the mission forward to preserve the natural world around us and not destroy it as was done in the past.”

About VCSU Fisheries & Wildlife

The VCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program is the leading undergraduate program of its kind in North Dakota, offering three concentrations: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Law Enforcement. Graduates of the program are employed in every county across the state and beyond, addressing a significant demand for trained professionals in natural resource management. Since 2020, the program has consistently enrolled an average of 70 students, with a goal to expand enrollment to 100 students in the coming years.

The Fisheries and Wildlife Department plans to use Monson’s gift to fund yearly scholarships for its students, upgrade old equipment used in field projects and labs, and purchase new educational tools or software. Rapidly evolving technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), geographic information systems (GIS), and drones— can now be more easily acquired and worked into VCSU’s curriculum.

These advancements will allow students to stay at the forefront of natural resources management. Additionally, the funding will equip science labs with the latest equipment to deliver hands-on learning experiences.

“This gift will bolster our efforts to grow the program, attract students to North Dakota, and provide unparalleled educational opportunities,” said Cory Anderson, Executive Director of the VCSU Foundation. “It demonstrates the commitment of donors like Dick Monson to supporting not only VCSU but the broader community and workforce of our state.”

Monson’s donation was part of a $1.47 million dollar package from numerous donors that the VCSU Foundation submitted to receive a $747,000 match from the ND Challenge Grant Fund. Monson’s donation has been earmarked specifically for the Fisheries and Wildlife program. To learn more about VCSU’s Fisheries and Wildlife program, visit www.vcsu.edu/fw.

VCSU Honors Graduates at 133rd Commencement

Valley City State University honored more than 300 graduates on Saturday during its 133^rd Commencement Ceremony.

Held at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, the 2025 Spring Commencement recognized 24 graduate students and 294 undergraduate students who earned their degrees over the past year at VCSU.

“One thing is abundantly clear, you have all been very involved in what has been a wonderful experience at VCSU and has led to our success,” said VCSU President Alan LaFave, who presided over the ceremony. “This is indeed a special place, and one that will fill your heart and mind with memories.”

A recording of the ceremony is available at www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. Photos from the ceremony are available online at VCSU’s Flickr Page.

Grant Larson (Leeds, N.D.) graduated with a degree in elementary education and delivered the undergraduate reflection.

“By far the most important thing that I learned at VCSU is that we didn’t have to wait for opportunities to come our way, we could create them ourselves,” said Larson, who helped organize and launch VCSU’s competitive trap shooting team.

Dr. Nicholas Galt, assistant professor in the Department of Science, delivered the faculty reflection.

“I can genuinely say my colleagues and I are going to miss you,” Galt said to the students. “You made an impact on my life and on this campus. Your hard work and resilience have led to tremendous academic and personal growth. You did it, and most importantly, you earned it. I want to say that again, you earned it.”

VCSU has now conferred 28,107 undergraduate degrees and 663 master’s degree in its proud history dating back to 1890.

Wicktor presents at 33rd Annual 18th- and 19th-Century British Women Writers Conference

Emily D. Wicktor, Ph.D., associate professor for language and literature, presented her paper, “Every Woman’s Book: When Richard Carlile Met Mrs. Edith Sperling …,” at the 33^rd Annual 18^th– and 19^th-Century British Women Writers Conference held May 15-17 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Wicktor’s paper addresses the surprising archival research adventures that occur when dealing with rare (especially censored) materials, which in this case involves a library-style “meet cute” between two 19^th-century British texts that share the same title of “Every Woman’s Book” but present radically different routes to ideal female happiness.

Russi serves as dialect coach and hair designer for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ production

Jenni Lou Russi, associate professor for communication arts, was the dialect coach (RP Standard British) and hair designer for “Pride and Prejudice” at Theatre B in Moorhead, Minn.

Jane Austen’s play is set in the Regency era. Russi cut and styled hair, designed and built a wig and hair pieces and coached actors and stage hands in quick changes. For her responsibilities as the hair designer, Russi researched the time period, previous productions, Austen’s world and the script for character descriptions, action and costume changes. 2025 marks Russi’s 50^th anniversary as a hairdresser. She became a hairdresser with the intent to design hair, wigs and costumes for theatre.

Dialect and voice production was a focus for Russi’s studies while earning her MFA in Acting at Kent State University. In addition to using these skills as an actor, she serves as a dialect coach for choirs and theatres. Russi came to VCSU in the Fall of 2009 as the Director of Theatre.

Pfeifer receives high school diploma and associates degree in the same week

Name: Taylor Pfeifer
Hometown: Reiles Acres, N.D.

Taylor Pfeifer, a senior at Northern Cass High School, recently celebrated a huge milestone in her education. Pfeifer earned her high school diploma as well as an associates degree from VCSU! Although the journey had its ups and downs, she was grateful for the opportunity to jumpstart her college education through dual credit courses.

What activities were you involved in during high school?

In high school I was involved with One Act, Science Olympiad, 4H (as vice president, president, and secretary), along with AIAS as a high school senior! (AIAS is the American Institute of Architecture Students at NDSU).

Did you have any mentors or teachers who were especially supportive during this time? 

Especially during my senior year, my most supportive teachers were Mr. Sitte and Mr. Krinke. They both encouraged me and kept me motivated through all the dual credit and college classes I took throughout high school, with Mr. Sitte offering me more flexibility considering my extensive workload in my senior year. Without their positivity, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much as I have in my high school years!

How did you manage the workload of high school and college at the same time? 

What helped me to manage both college and high school at the same time was setting reminders for homework and errands, creating a manageable schedule for myself, and completing homework in a timely manner after its been assigned. I enjoy being a busy individual which gave me a lot of motivation to handle high school and college at the same time.

How does this achievement impact your next steps after graduation? Are you planning on continuing your education? If so, where do you intend to go and what are you going to major in?

Getting my associates degree as I graduate high school means that I have significantly less classes to take in college and gives me more time to dedicate towards my major and the projects I’m assigned. Along with the possibility of more scholarships, getting my diploma and my associates gives me massive bragging rights. Going into college I plan to attend NDSU for Architecture, where I will hopefully attend my second year as an architecture student!

What advice do you have for current high school students taking dual credit classes? 

My best advice towards anyone taking dual credit classes is to persevere through the added challenge as it will save you significant time and money! Dual credit courses will help me have a less stressful workload in college and might be easier than an equivalent class that a college offers. Take on the challenge in your high school years so your college years will be less stressful!

Senior spotlight: Grant Larson

Last week, Grant Larson, student speaker for commencement, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education. Hailing from a farm near Leeds, N.D., Larson is the fourth generation in his family to pursue a career in teaching. Throughout his time at VCSU, Larson demonstrated a deep commitment to both his studies and his campus community.

What are some of the campus activities you were involved in? Any big accomplishments?
One thing I am especially proud of his authoring the petition for the Shooting Sports Team which is now a competitive club sport at VCSU. I also was the president of the VCSU Trap Club, a resident assistant, member of both the fisheries and wildlife clubs, member of Chi Alpha and a New Student Orientation (NSO) Leader. One of my favorite accomplishments was being part of the team when we received the state championship at both the 2023 and 2025 North Dakota Collegiate State Trap Tournament.

Where did you do your student teaching?
Tell us about that experience.
I did my student teaching at Washington Elementary here in Valley City. I was in a 6th grade science classroom with Katie Gordon as my cooperating teacher. It was an experience that taught me the value of resilience and never giving up when things get tough. It revealed to me how much of a positive impact a teacher can have on students, even in just a few short months. I aimed to have each of my lessons incorporate a real world skill so that a student could walk out with something meaningful.

What did you enjoy most about your time at VCSU?
I’ve enjoyed learning that there’s no need to wait for opportunities to come my way when I can create them myself!

What, or who, inspired you to go into teaching? What do you enjoy the most about the profession?
Ultimately, it was my family that inspired me to go into teaching. I will be the fourth generation in my family to do so. What I enjoy most about teaching is when I can hear students in the hallways excitedly telling their friends about the things they did in class, like aging a meteor fragment, holding an ancient Roman coin or reading a letter from a soldier who stormed the beaches of Normandy. It made the students want to come back as much as I did.

Do you have any plans set in place upon graduating?
After graduation, I will be moving to Watford City to start a job at Watford City Middle School as a 6th grade history teacher. I also plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in the near future.

Any last thoughts as you wrap up your time at VCSU?
My college journey has been more memorable and enjoyable than I would’ve thought possible; I leave feeling incredibly fortunate that I met so many good people along the way. I’d like to send a special thanks to Gannon and Breanne Larson, Katie Gordon, Dave Hanson, Dave Bass, Nick Galt, Al LaFave, Erin Klingenberg, and the friends I made along the way. My advice to fellow students would be to work as hard as you can to get the best grades possible, it will provide you with additional scholarships that can free up the funding for marvelous hunting expeditions! As I depart from VCSU, I think of Matthew 6:33, which says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’

Viking sports update

TRACK & FIELD
Valley City State University’s Oliva Backus and Kendra Odegard represented the Vikings at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. Viking senior Kendra Odegard took second at the NAIA National Championships in the javelin recording her fourth trip to nationals and third All-American performance. Backus, a sophomore, competed in the high jump recording a T28 finish.

Upcoming Events:
Friday, June 13: Viking Golf Scramble – Bjornson Municipal Golf Course

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

May 31
Land O’ Lakes Barbershop: West Region Spring Sing, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts
1 p.m. Free planetarium show, Rhoades 309

June 12
2 p.m. Tharaldson Family Athletic Center Groundbreaking Ceremony, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/