Hotline // May 3, 2023
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- VCSU announces 2023 Faculty Excellence Awards
- Juried Art Show this week
- Spring Pops concert this Friday, May 5
- Edinger receives ‘Difference Maker’ award
- Employee Recognition Dinner on May 11
- Viking Sports update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
VCSU announces 2023 Faculty Excellence Awards
President Alan LaFave has announced the Valley City State University Faculty Excellence Awards for 2022–23, recognizing “exceptional dedication and commitment to students and the university by outstanding teaching, scholarly activities or university service.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Teather Sundstrom, Ph.D. – Senior Faculty (associate or full professor) award
- Gratia Brown, M.F.A – Junior Faculty (instructor or assistant professor) award
- Joan Klein, M.Ed – Special Appointment Faculty award
- Kai Western, Ph.D. – Adjunct Faculty award
Read the full release at https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-announces-2023-faculty-excellence-awards/.
Teather Sundstrom
Gratia Brown
Joan Klein
Kai Western
Juried Art Show this week
The VCSU Art Gallery presents the Juried Art Show this week, May 1–5. Students enrolled in an art class during the 2022-23 academic year were able to submit up to 5 entries. The pieces will be judged by Amanda Starr, VCSU alum and Hope Page high school art teacher. A brief awards presentation will take place this Thursday, May 4 in the gallery at 3:45 p.m.
Spring Pops concert this Friday, May 5
VCSU Department of Music presents Spring Pops concert this Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Performance Hall. The Commercial Music Ensemble, directed by Professor Dustin Mallory will be featured as well as Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Kathryn Rolf and Caleb Lawson on piano. 
Student conductors for the show include Alexis Busch, Theodora Dimmer, Tanner Douville, Elizabeth Gazeley, Isabelle Haugen and Abigail Marfell.
Concert Choir will perform a variety of pieces including hits like Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World as well as traditional numbers such as The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby.
The Commercial Music Ensemble’s selection includes songs by Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Marvin Gaye, Thomas Rhett and more.
Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
Edinger receives ‘Difference Maker’ award
Erin Edinger, Director for Residence Life, was recently chosen to receive the “Difference Maker” award. She was nominated by the Facilities Management team. 
Her nomination read, “Erin Edinger is a difference maker at VCSU because she puts in a significant effort to help make the residence halls a better place for our students to live and thrive. Erin is an exceptional communicator; she is always available for students and staff with concerns and she keeps the facilities department informed of any housing needs and updates. Erin has a great rapport with the facilities staff, making them feel valued and working with them to ensure that projects run smoothly. Erin is very organized and is flexible and accommodating to any changes that may arise. Erin always has a positive attitude and a bright smile with a willingness to work with everyone. Her passion to make VCSU a better place is evident in everything that she does, and she is a significant asset to our campus.”
Congratulations, Erin!
Employee Recognition Dinner on May 11
The President’s Office is pleased to announce that the VCSU Employee Recognition Dinner will be held Thursday, May 11, at the VCSU Cafeteria in the Student Center. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m. with meal to follow at 6 p.m.
Recognitions for the 2022–2023 academic year will include retirements, years of service, Difference Maker, Staff Employee of the Quarter, degree and professional certification completion, tenure and promotion, Student Advocate of the Year, Teacher of the Year and faculty excellence.
Those who will be recognized will be contacted by the President’s Office and offered two free tickets to the dinner. All other employees will be offered one free ticket. Additional tickets may be purchased for $25/person. Tickets can be picked up at the President’s Office, Business Office or Student Center Info Desk before April 26.
The following will be recognized that evening:
The “Difference Maker” Award 2022-23
- Cory Anderson
- Tony Wendel
- Terry Jones
- Nicholas Galt
- Jacob Frey
- Mitchell Silkman
- Taryn Ceglowski
- Sarah Wangrud
- Kenneth Jimenez
- Angela Mircsov
Employee of the Quarter Award 2022-23
- Haley Jenrich
- Julie Christ
- Kay Johnson
- Brandon Bouma
Completion of Degrees & Professional Certification 2022-23
- Tammy Jo Anderson Taft
- Michael Baughman
- Taryn Ceglowski
- Ann Dorman
- Debra Dramstad
- Jessica Gortmaker
- Janna Kohler
- Bonita Roswick
Faculty Awarded Promotion
- Amber Ussatis Aberle
- Greg Brister
- Kenneth Jimenez
- Tammy Katuin
2023 Student Advocate of the Year
Janna Kohler
2023 Teacher of the Year
Taylor Mounts
Years of Service
5 Years
- Jerilyn Beckman
- William Blunck
- Brandon Bouma
- Jason Dockter
- Debra Dramstad
- Erin Heide
- Jerrold Heide
- Carolyn Holen
- Tammy Katuin
- Alan LaFave
- Chasity Lovell
- Tim Michaelson
- Angela Mircsov
- Danica Tarabanovic
10 Years
- Kari Bodine
- Anna Bratsch
- Emily Fenster
- Nicole Kneeland – Sodexo
- Jennifer M. Larson
- Mark Potts
- Bonita Roswick
- Brenda Tyre
15 Years
- Paula Larson
- Leslie Kalmbach
- Loree Morehouse
- Jonna Reule
- Jamie Wirth
25 Years
- Diane Olson
Faculty Excellence Awards
Adjunct Faculty Award of Excellence:
Kai Western, Ph.D.
Special Appointment Faculty Award of Excellence:
Joan Klein, M.Ed
Junior Faculty Award of Excellence:
Gratia Brown, M.F.A
Senior Faculty Award of Excellence:
Teather Sundstrom, Ph.D.
Retirements
- Andre DeLorme (1996-2023)
Viking Sports Update
Softball
VCSU Softball finished the regular season as the No. 2 seed in the North Star Athletic Association. The Vikings faced No. 7 Waldorf in the opening round of the NSAA Tournament. The NSAA Softball Tournament runs May 5-8 in Dickinson.
Baseball
Viking Baseball is the No. 7 seed for the NSAA Postseason Tournament running May 5-9 in Dickinson. VCSU faces No. 2 seed Dakota State in the opening round on Friday.
Track & Field
Viking Track and Field has a busy week, competing at three different meets from April 26-29. A highlight of the week included senior Taylor Sargent qualifying for nationals in the 100 meter hurdles.
Golf
The VCSU golf teams wrapped up their season this week by competing at the NSAA Conference Championships. Hayley Shanks, Sydney Carlson and Grant Inniger all earned 2nd Team All-Conference by finishing in the Top 14. 
Upcoming Events
May 5: Track & Field at NDSU Tune Up, 12 p.m.
May 5-8: Softball at NSAA Tournament, 4 p.m. (Dickinson, N.D.)
May 5-9: Baseball at NSAA Tournament, 5 p.m. (Dickinson, N.D.)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
Friday, May 5
Spring Pops Concert
Wednesday, May 10
Wind Ensemble Concert
Thursday, May 11
5:30 p.m. Employee Recognition Dinner, VCSU Student Center Cafeteria
Friday, May 12
Senior Awards Ceremony
Saturday, May 13
10 a.m. VCSU Spring Commencement, W.E. Osmon Field House
Find out what’s happening in the community on the Valley City Community Calendar: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/
Find out what’s happening at the VCSU Center for the Arts: https://www.vcsu.edu/center-for-the-arts/fine-arts-calendar/