Hotline // May 7, 2025

Student Senate Announces 2025 Viking Pilot Awards

Photo: From left, Grant Larson, Beth Mehus, LilyBeth Townsend, Grace Reep, Tara Dahl and Grace Mueller have received the Viking Pilot Award.

Six Valley City State University students have been honored with the 2025 Viking Pilot Award in recognition of their substantial contributions to campus.

Grant Larson (Leeds, N.D.), Beth Mehus (Finley, N.D.), LilyBeth Townsend (Wahpeton, N.D.), Grace Reep (Dawson, Minn.), Tara Dahl (Hazelton, N.D.) and Grace Mueller (Wimbledon, N.D.) received the award, which is presented by VCSU Student Senate and selected by a joint committee of VCSU students, faculty and staff.

The Viking Pilot Award was founded in 1931 and remains a prestigious honor. The award is annually presented to upper class campus leaders who have made substantial contributions to the campus during their time at VCSU.

Grant Larson is graduating this spring with a degree in elementary education, and a minor in STEM education. He has been the president of the Trap Club on campus and was a driving force behind VCSU’s addition of Shooting Sports as an official club sport. He has also served as a Resident Assistant in the dorms and as a New Student Orientation (NSO) Crew Leader, and has been heavily involved in both the Wildlife Club and Fisheries Club.

Beth Mehus is graduating this spring with a degree in English and minors in both marketing and digital marketing. Beth has been the public relations manager for Student Senate and is an editor and web creator for The Forge, the student literary magazine at VCSU. She held student positions in both Career Services and Sports Information and has served as a tutor, Viking Voyage Mentor and NSO Crew Leader.

LilyBeth Townsend will graduate in 2026 with a degree in English education. LilyBeth has been a member of the English Club, Drama Club, Social Justice Council and Student Senate while at VCSU. She has served as both a resident assistant and assistant hall director in the dorms, along with being a Viking Voyage Mentor and a NSO Crew Leader. She has worked as a campus tutor and as a student employee in the Language and Literature Department.

Grace Reep will graduate in 2026 with a degree in history education. Reep is the current president of VCSU Student Senate and previously served as secretary. She has also been involved in History Club and the Social Justice Council at VCSU. Reep has held positions as a Resident Assistant, Viking Voyage Mentor and Viking Ambassador, along with working in the library and serving on the campus student advisory committee.

Tara Dahl graduates this spring with a degree in music education. During her time at VCSU, Dahl has been heavily involved in numerous band and choir ensembles and was a member of the newly formed Speech Team this year. She served as Drum Major for the athletic band, leading the group during their performances at home athletic events. Dahl has also been a Viking Voyage Mentor and a Viking Ambassador, and she has worked in both the library and enrollment services office.

Grace Mueller is graduating this spring with a degree in English and a minor in music. She has served as the president for both the English Club and the Spanish Club, along with being involved in the Social Justice Council, Sigma Tau Delta and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Grace has worked as a resident assistant in the dorms, night manager at the Student Center and as a campus tutor. She has served as both a Viking Voyage Mentor and an NSO Crew Leader.

The Viking Pilot award is sponsored by VCSU Student Senate. Nominations can be made by all students and employees. Honorees are selected each spring by a joint committee of VCSU students, faculty and staff.

VCSU Announces McCready Scholars

Valley City State University has selected four incoming freshman students to receive the prestigious McCready Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year.

The McCready Scholarship is the highest scholarship available at VCSU and covers full funding for tuition, fees and books for the student’s first four years at Valley City State University.

Kristyn Bauer, Ann Muggli, Kalyssa Nelson and Avery Backus were all selected in April to receive VCSU’s top scholarship award starting this fall.

Kristyn Bauer is from Zap, N.D., and her parents are Laura and Michael Bauer. She plans to be active in several student clubs on campus, including Speech, Chi Alpha and Student Senate.

Ann Muggli comes to VCSU from Fullerton, N.D. Her parents are Scott and Cherie Muggli. Ann plans to compete for VCSU’s volleyball and track and field teams.

Kalyssa Nelson is from Fargo, N.D. She is the daughter of Kelly Nelson and Greg Nelson and plans to study Spanish Education.

Avery Backus is a native of Sandy, Utah. She is the daughter of Brooke Backus and Bill Backus. Avery has committed to playing both basketball and track and field at VCSU.

About the McCready Scholarship

In 2004, Dr. Richard and Ardis (Severson) McCready established the McCready Scholars Endowment at Valley City State University. Each McCready scholar receives full funding for tuition, fees, and books. The scholarship is re-awarded annually for a maximum of four years of support to those who maintain a 3.5 grade point average and make yearly progress toward their degree.

“The McCreadys believed in lifelong learning and therefore set up an endowment to support students at VCSU. They started with a scholarship in honor of a former faculty member and in 2004 set up their own scholarship endowment. This is our largest renewal scholarship to date,” said Kim Svenningsen Hesch, assistant director for university advancement.

Dr. Richard McCready ‘49, served many years as a professor of quantitative systems at Arizona State University. In 1982, the VCSU Alumni Association presented McCready with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Ardis (Severson) McCready ‘47, served many years as a legal secretary and public school teacher.

VCSU hosts Colombian violinist May 14

The Valley City State University Department of Language and Literature invites the public for a night of poetry, stories and violin music Wednesday, May 14, at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

The evening includes a solo concert by Olga Chavarro, a distinguished violinist from the University of Quindío in Armenia, Colombia. Her concert, Strings of Colombia: A Musical Journey with Olga, begins at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Performance Hall.

Prior to the concert, the Language and Literature Department is hosting The Forge Open Mic Night in the lobby. Students and employees who submitted entries for The Forge, VCSU’s literary journal, can perform their pieces for the public. The winning entries from the most recent issue of The Forge will be announced. Families are welcome to attend.

The Forge Open Mic Night runs from 5-7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Lobby. Chavarro’s concert starts at 7 p.m. inside the CFA Performance Hall.

Both events are free and open to the public. The night is sponsored by the VCSU Department of Language and Literature.

About Olga Chavarro

Olga Chavarro is a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra at the University of Quindío in Armenia, Colombia. She began playing violin at the age of 9, and her musical journey has taken her across several countries, including festivals in Mexico and Argentina. She also spent a year in France, where she worked as a teaching assistant. Currently, she serves as the coordinator of the English area in the Business Administration program at the University of Quindío.

VCSU Commencement Set for May 17

Valley City State University will recognize more than 300 graduates during its annual Spring Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 17, inside the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. Curtis Biller will represent the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior Grant Larson, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Dr. Nicholas Galt.

The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed on VCSU’s YouTube channel.

Watch the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony

Visit the VCSU Commencement website

The 2025 Spring Commencement recognizes 24 graduate students and 294 undergraduate students who have earned their degrees over the past year.

Select Seniors will also be recognized at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony, which happens Friday, May 16. Various departments on campus will present awards to their graduating seniors at the Senior Awards Ceremony.

Undergraduate Speaker

Larson is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. He grew up on a farm near Leeds, N.D., and will be the fourth generation in his family to go into teaching. Larson has served as president of the VCSU Trap Club and was a member of VCSU’s trap team that won state championships in 2023 and 2025. He was a driving force in the effort to have VCSU Shooting Sports added as a competitive club sport. Larson has also been heavily involved in Fisheries Club, Wildlife Club and Chi Alpha, and was named 2024 Homecoming King. He worked as a resident assistant on campus and served as a New Student Orientation leader. Larson starts his teaching career this fall as the 6th grade history teacher at Watford City (N.D.) Middle School.

Faculty Speaker

Galt joined the VCSU Department of Science in 2016. He is an associate professor of science and teaches General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology and Genetics. A native of Carrington, N.D., Galt recently received the VCSU Senior Faculty Excellence Award, which is voted on by faculty, and the Student Senate Teacher of the Year award, selected by VCSU Student Senate. He is also head coach of the VCSU Shooting Sports Team and advisor for both the Trap Club and Pre-Professional Club. Through his passion for teaching and involvement, Dr. Galt consistently serves as a mentor, educator, and leader both in and out of the classroom. Galt resides in Valley City with his wife Jessica and their two children, Ava and Kade.

VCHS students recognized at VCSU Dual Credit Writers Conference

VCSU’s literary journal “The Forge” introduced the inclusion of the writing of dual credit English students from Valley City High School students a few years ago; however, this year’s “The Forge” invited submissions that include narrative and descriptive essays, expository essays, persuasive essays and research papers from all of VCSU’s dual credit English students in ENGL 110 College Composition I and ENGL 120 College Composition II.

VCSU dual credit high schools represented include schools in Kindred, Northern Cass, Central Cass, Lisbon, Edgeley, Valley City, Litchville-Marion and Oak Grove. Submissions were blind-judged and given rankings (1st and 2nd place and Honorable Mention).

The dual credit English writing award winners were recognized during VCSU’s Dual Credit Writers Conference hosted on May 6, in coordination with VCSU’s Scholar Symposium showcasing best work from VCSU students.

Faith Schmidt, VCHS – 1st place, essay titled “The Tide”
Brenna Storly, VCHS – 2nd place, essay titled “Breath versus Wind”
Kailee Nielson, VCHS – Honorable Mention, essay titled “The Unthinkable”
Abby Wangrud, VCHS – Honorable Mention, essay titled “Working in an Assisted Living Home versus the Fast Food Industry”

Dramstad named Difference Maker

Congratulations to Debbie Dramstad, web accessibility/application specialist, who recently received the Difference Maker award for May.

Debbie was selected by the Administrative Assistants group, who said, “Debbie’s unwavering commitment to accessibility and her genuine compassion have made a profound impact here at VCSU. Her patience and guidance when helping others with documents, PDFs, or websites ensure everyone feels confident and supported. Debbie’s dedication and kindness are truly inspiring, making her pillar of positivity and support for all of us.”

Your work is appreciated, Debbie!

Viking sports update

SOFTBALL
The Vikings earned six NSAA All-Conference awards and one NSAA Gold Glove award for the 2025 season. After suffering an early loss to Jamestown in the NSAA Postseason Tournament, VCSU defeated Dakota State, Mayville State and Dickinson State to earn its way to the NSAA Championship where the Jimmies once again defeated the Vikings. VCSU ends its season with a 26-23 overall record and an 11-9 mark in conference play.

BASEBALL
VCSU Baseball earned three All-Conference nods and Freshman of the Year in Alexis Velasco for the 2025 season. VCSU concluded its season at the NSAA Postseason Tournament after falling to Bellevue and Dakota State. The Vikings finished the season with a 20-32 overall record and a 4-16 mark in conference play.

TRACK & FIELD
VCSU competed at the UMary Tune-Up and Cobber Open on the week, highlighted by Karly Just’s school record time of 17:56.23 in the 5000-meter. VCSU also earned 19 top eight finishes at the Cobber Open before heading to the NSAA Championships this week.

Upcoming Events:
May 8-9: Track and Field at NSAA Championships (Dickinson, N.D.)

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

April 21 – May 17
VCSU Juried Student Art Exhibit, LJR Center for the Arts Gallery

May 12
Athletic Awards Night, LJR Center for the Arts

May 14
5-7 p.m. The Forge Open Mic Night, LJR Center for the Arts lobby
7 p.m. Strings of Colombia: A Musical Journey with Olga, LJR Center for the Arts

May 15
Employee Recognition Dinner, Student Center

May 16
Senior Awards, LJR Center for the Arts

May 17
10 a.m. VCSU Commencement, 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/