Hotline 7.19.21
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- Forward Together: Campaign Kickoff and Media Day this Wednesday
- President’s Column
- Get to know Hannah Anderson
- Emergency Broadband Benefit
- Heide appointed to Ad Hoc Committee
- Let’s Walk Valley City tonight
- JE Dunn to host fundraiser this Wednesday
- Sheyenne Riverfest set for Aug. 6-8
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Coronavirus update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
The VCSU Hotline online newsletter is published bi-weekly during the summer. The deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. Friday. Please submit articles to jerilyn.beckman@vcsu.edu.
Forward Together: Campaign Kickoff and Media Day this Wednesday

Join us as we kickoff our first-ever capital campaign, Forward Together: The Campaign for Valley City State University, to ensure the future of our school and a quality experience for each student. We’ll address our plans for updated athletic facilities, campus buildings, and enhancements to scholarships.
Join us as we officially launch our efforts:
- 1:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 21
- W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
All members of the community are encouraged to attend and learn more about our plans for the future. No registration is required.
- Learn more about this campaign at vcsu.edu/forwardtogether
- Read the full press release here.
President's Column: Moving Forward Together

Summer always seems to move a little slower on our campus without students filling the hallways, dorms and bleachers. But somehow this year summer feels different. This year we were ranked as the top Elementary Education program in the nation. We are well into preparations for reaccreditation this fall. Our successful athletic camps have kept the fieldhouse and turf busy. The staff in enrollment continue to welcome new students and acquaint them with campus.
The sense of excitement is growing as fall semester moves closer. In addition to the impending school year, this summer feels different because it is a turning point in our future as Vikings.
This Wednesday, July 21, we are launching the first-ever capital campaign in VCSU history. This is a $25 million effort to ensure our campus continues to provide the best educational experience possible to our students.
The campaign focuses on modernizing our campus to enable students to thrive during their time as here.
The growth and success of the past decades has propelled us forward, but also helped us identify our limitations. Our student body has simply outgrown our current student activity facilities. The W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse has remained essentially the same since it opened in 1960. When it was built, we had close to 100 Viking athletes. That number is closer to 300 now.
In addition to improving the athletic experience, the Forward Together campaign supports scholarships to ensure we make our educational experience accessible and affordable. The campaign also focuses on updating high-traffic areas like McCarthy Hall and the Student Center. These areas on campus will become collaborative spaces to ensure every student can learn comfortably and easily participate in activities.
Please join us this week as we officially mark the beginning of this campaign. We will be kicking off our efforts at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, at the Fieldhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the campaign, and see renderings of our vision of the future of VCSU. Learn more and view the renderings at VCSU.edu/ForwardTogether.
Thank you for your support of our campus and our students. Educating leaders of the future is important work and we could not do it without the support of our community, faculty, staff, alumni and students.
Go Vikings!
Get to know Hannah Anderson

The plan was a degree in English education but Hannah Anderson ’21 decided to change course by taking her writing and communication skills outside of her comfort zone.
Read more about Hannah at https://www.vcsu.edu/hannah-anderson/
Emergency Broadband Benefit
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit to help keep households connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Students who received a Pell Grant during the current award year meet the eligibility requirements. The entire details of the program can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
Heide appointed to Ad Hoc Committee

Erin Heide, assistant director for Enrollment Services, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Developing Programs and Services for College Counseling and Admission Professionals at Rural and Small-Town Schools and Colleges by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
The 20-person committee will be tasked with developing practical recommendations for creating online resources and support for counselors, college admission staff, students, and families living and working in rural communities and small towns.
Let's Walk Valley City tonight
Let’s Walk Valley City will be from 5-8 p.m., Monday, July 19 This annual event is free and all ages are welcome to walk, bike, blade or run. There will be over 25 booths with games, live music, art, food and prize drawings.
Participants should begin by registering at the City Park water fountain or the VCSU campus (corner of 4th Ave SW and Viking Drive). For more information check out barnesonthemove.org or call 845-8518.
JE Dunn to host fundraiser this Wednesday
JE Dunn will be hosting a lunch on July 21 to raise funds for the American Heart Association. The event will take place at the VCSU Gazebo at 11:30 a.m. Burgers, brats, hotdogs, sides and drinks will be served. Cash donations and freewill offerings will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Parking is available in the north lot by the walking trail.
Sheyenne Riverfest set for Aug. 6-8
The 2021 Sheyenne Riverfest is set for Aug. 6-8 in Valley City and Fort Ransom State Park.
The annual event includes a variety of river-related activities on or near the Sheyenne River. Organizers are hoping to set a world record for canoe and kayak launches on the Sheyenne River during this year’s Riverfest.
Raffle tickets to win a kayak or other prizes are available to purchase at local sponsors and the Rosebud Visitor Center in Valley City.
Activities on Saturday, Aug. 7, include the canoe and kayak launch, pontoon rides, fishing activities and more. For more information and the complete schedule of events visit https://valleycitynd.org/tourism_riverfest.php
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Everyone 16 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. VCSU health officials encourage everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.
City-County Health District is hosting many vaccine clinics offering all brands of the COVID-19 vaccines. Register for your COVID Vaccine today! If the scheduled dates and times of vaccine clinics do not work for you, call CCHD at 701-845-8518 to schedule an appointment.
Not sure if you want to vaccinate? Click on these links for more information:
- Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
- Key Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Myths and Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
Be a Viking Hero – Vaccinate!
Coronavirus Update
Stay informed about campus coronavirus information with the following resources. Click each link to learn more.
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City
Monday, July 19
- 5-8 p.m. Let’s Walk Valley City, start at City Park or VCSU campus
- 5:30-7 p.m. APOC Spaghetti Supper, Eagles Club
Tuesday, July 20
- Noon Rotary Club, VCSU
- 4-7 p.m. Family golf night, Bjornson Public Golf Course
Wednesday, July 21
- Noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
- 11:30 a.m. JE Dunn American Heart Association Fundraiser lunch, VCSU Gazebo
- 1:30 p.m. Forward Together Campaign Kickoff and Media Day, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
- 7:15 p.m. Music in the Park, City Park Bandshell
Thursday, July 22
- 7 a.m. Optimist Club, Vicky’s Viking Room
- Noon Toastmaster Club, VCSU
- 6:30 p.m. History of City Park, City Park Bandshell
Friday, July 23
- 7 p.m. Camp and Movie at Hi-Line Park
Wednesday, July 28
- Crazy Daze, downtown Valley City
- Noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
- 7:15 p.m. Music in the Park, City Park Bandshell
Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.