Hotline // July 23, 2025

President's Column: “The College Tour” featuring VCSU on upcoming episode

Film Crew Coming to Campus Sept. 8-12

By Dr. Alan LaFave, President, Valley City State University

For the past several years, VCSU has enjoyed outstanding growth in the size, scope, and quality of our institution. In fact, the past three semesters in a row we have seen record-breaking enrollment. We will soon be re-opening McCarthy Hall, which was renovated to house the School of Education and Technical Education programs. We recently completed the installation of new turf at Dacotah Bank Field and are now in the construction process of the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center – funded by private donations.

I am thrilled to share more incredible news that will put Valley City State University in the national spotlight this fall. From September 8-12, VCSU will host a film crew from The College Tour, a hit television series available on Amazon Prime Video and other major streaming platforms. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our campus, and we want our entire Viking family—past and present—to share in the excitement.

The College Tour showcases campuses across the country through the voices and stories of their students. And this September, it’s our story that will be told.

The Amazon Prime TV series was brought to life by some of Hollywood’s most renowned producers. Created by Alex Boylan, a former winner of The Amazing Race, the series was inspired by his niece’s journey to find the perfect college. Our episode will showcase Valley City State University’s story through the genuine perspectives of our students. The College Tour is available to stream for free on The College Tour app and website, which reaches over 60,000 high school counselors nationwide.

This initiative represents much more than a moment in the limelight. It’s a strategic and powerful marketing effort that will introduce VCSU to prospective students and families around the world. The College Tour reaches tens of thousands of high school counselors and is streamed by students, parents, and educators searching for the right college. There is no better time to share the magic of our university—our academic excellence, our strong sense of community, our recent campus facility transformations, and the unique programs and people that set us apart.

The series will feature about 10 students and recent graduates to serve as the storytellers of this episode. These individuals will be featured on screen, sharing personal insights and experiences about everything from campus life and athletics to academic programs and fine arts. I can’t think of a more authentic and inspiring way to tell the VCSU story than through the voices of those who live it every day. We look forward to sharing real stories from our students and alumni that reflect the spirit and excellence of Valley City State University and our community.

As the President of Valley City State University—and a proud Viking myself—I know how much this community means to all of us. Now, we have a chance to let the world see it too.

VCSU, M State celebrate innovative Tech Ed transfer pathway

Photo: Dr. Matt Borcherding, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at M State (left), and Larry Brooks, Vice President for Academic Affairs at VCSU.

Unique collaboration benefits students with cost savings and convenience, aims to address workforce shortage

Moorhead, Minn. – Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) and Valley City State University (VCSU) held a press conference today, July 17, to celebrate their unique partnership on a seamless transfer pathway for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education.

This pathway program provides students with a flexible, timely and cost-effective way to become K-12 trade and industry teachers, and it aims to address a regional workforce shortage by increasing the number of high-quality graduates entering the field. Graduates will have the skills and knowledge needed to teach in the areas of manufacturing, automotive service, diesel equipment, powersports and construction management.

Leaders from both M State and VCSU spoke at the press conference, held at the Oscar Bergos Center on M State’s Moorhead campus.

“This is a novel, student-focused partnership that addresses a desperate need for skilled technology educators in this area of Minnesota and North Dakota,” said Dr. Matt Borcherding, M State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The program prepares students with the technical knowledge and teaching skills to thrive in today’s classrooms, and they benefit from coordinated advising, shared support services and distance-delivered coursework that makes it easier to balance education, life and work.”

“VCSU is excited to partner with M State on this unique teacher education program,” said Larry Brooks, VCSU’s vice president for academic affairs. “This collaboration provides a flexible and affordable high-quality program that prepares graduates to enter the field of technology education. Nationwide, the number of technology and engineering educators is declining. This partnership helps meet critical workforce needs of our region by addressing the teacher shortage.”

Under the agreement, students who earn an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from M State can transfer to VCSU to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Technology Education – without losing time, money or credits. Students complete their general education requirements at M State, at the M State tuition rate, and then finish their VCSU bachelor’s degree courses online or at one of M State’s four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. Both institutions adhere to state and national accreditation guidelines ensuring teacher quality.

As an added benefit, students can complete their required student teaching internships at schools within their communities, eliminating the need to move or travel to another area.

Dr. Peder Gjovik, director of the Don Mugan CTE Leadership Center at VCSU, remarked, “Our agreement acknowledged today is not simply a collaboration between neighboring states but a template for other institutions of higher education across our nation to follow, to ensure technology education needs are addressed and satisfied in the decades ahead.”

For more information about the Technology Education program, contact M State’s Dean for the School of Applied Technology, Dr. Mark Bannatyne, at mark.bannatyne@minnesota.edu or 218.299.6718, or VCSU’s Director for the Don Mugan CTE Leadership Center, Dr. K. Peder Gjovik, at peder.gjovik@vcsu.edu or 701.845.7448.

Photo: Larry Brooks and Dr. Matt Borcherding, along with Dr. Mark Bannatyne, Dean for the School of Applied Technology at M State, and Dr. Peder Gjovik, Director for the Don Mugan CTE Leadership Center at VCSU.

About VCSU

Valley City State University is a member of the North Dakota University System and is located in Valley City, N.D. VCSU offers more than 65 areas of study and is the leading North Dakota university in preparing K-12 teachers. Learn more at www.vcsu.edu.

About M State

A member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, M State (Minnesota State Community and Technical College) serves more than 10,000 students in credit and non-credit courses each year in over 70 career and liberal arts programs online and in-person at its four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. The college also partners with communities to provide workforce development services and other responsive training programs to 500 businesses and thousands of annual participants.

VCSU Faculty and Graduates Receive ITEEA Awards

From left, Andrew Coe, Dan Catizone, Clay Mannie, Peder Gjovik, and Lisa Krumwiede accept the ITEEA STEM School of Excellence for their respective schools.

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University faculty and alumni received numerous awards and recognitions at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) annual conference in April.

The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for technology and engineering educators to gain comprehensive professional development and networking experiences. VCSU personnel attending were Dr. James Boe ‘91, Dr. Peder Gjovik ‘77, Lisa Krumwiede ‘17, and Clay Mannie ‘16.

Gjovik, Krumwiede and Mannie accepted a banner designating VCSU as a STEM School of Excellence, along with Purdue University and Oswego State University. Two VCSU graduates, Dan Catizone ‘24 and Andrew Coe ‘22, received a STEM School of Excellence award for Mahweh Township Public Schools in New Jersey.

VCSU Department of Technology faculty members Lisa Krumwiede and Clayton Mannie co-chaired the ITEEA Teacher Excellence Awards. North Dakota teachers recognized were Byron Borgen, Keely Heidel, and VCSU alum Dan Houston, BS ‘94

Schools from across the United States received Program Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding schools in technology and engineering education. VCSU alumnus Annette Beattie ‘08 was recognized for her outstanding middle school program at Valley City Public Schools. The Secondary Program Excellence award was awarded to the Bismarck Career Academy and accepted by alumni Dalon Grimm ‘16, Baron Blanchard ‘11, Michael Crouse ‘13, and Brenden Horner ‘21.

Clay Mannie was recognized as one of eight recipients of the Outstanding ITEEA State Champions for his work organizing activities of the ITEEA within the state of North Dakota. Clay also set up a table during the STEM Showcase which offered him the opportunity to show a design challenge high school teachers could use to deliver lessons on design and tool making.

A Maley Outstanding Graduate Student Citation was awarded to Krista Little ‘24. Krista’s capstone research was titled A Review of Methods to Increase Female Engagement and Enrollment in Technology and Engineering Education Classes.

Blaire Thrasher, MEd ‘10, VCSU adjunct instructor and ITEEA Teacher Effectiveness Coach (TEC) and an ITEEA Engineering by Design (EbD) curriculum writer, delivered several EbD workshops at the conference.

Dr. Boe ’91 was honored with the ITEEA’s highest honor, induction into the Academy of Fellows.

For more information about VCSU’s Technology Education and STEM Education programs, visit https://www.vcsu.edu/departments/technology/

Dan Houston ’84 receives an ITEEA Teacher Excellence Award.

VCSU Professors Attend North Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NDCTM) Summer Conference

Harmony Richman, NDTCM Past-President,  Jessica Haut, NDTCM Treasurer, and Joan Klein attended the two-day math conference in Minot, N.D. This organization supports elementary, secondary and university level math teachers across the state as they work to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics.

‘Illuminating Possibilities: Empowering Students to Dream Big with Mathematics’ featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Jo Boaler, a prominent figure in the field of mathematics education, guest speaker, Cathy Williams, a co-founder of YouCubed, a research center at Stanford University and banquet speaker, Ryan Hanson, a secondary principal from Devils Lake, N.D.

There were thirty breakout sessions to explore, emphasizing visual representations, engagement through activities, problem solving discussions and the impact of growth mindsets in mathematics.

Rasmussen named Difference Maker

Mike Rasmussen, building services, received the Difference Maker award for July.

He was nominated by Student Affairs for his hard work in overseeing the cleaning and maintenance of McFarland Hall.

His nomination read, “Mike is always a joy to talk with and seems to always have a positive attitude while at work. He is a dedicated and hardworking member of the VCSU campus community and often goes above and beyond to help others. We are very fortunate to have Mike Rasmussen on our team and we want to formally thank him for all he does.”

Congratulations, Mike!

VCSU Night at the F-M RedHawks

The VCSU Alumni Association invites you to join alumni and friends at Newman Outdoor Field for an F-M RedHawks baseball game on Thursday, August 7! 

6:02 p.m. Gates Open | Social Hour and Picnic
7:02 p.m. Game Time

Tickets are $20 per person and includes a reserved game ticket for Section A and an all-you-can-eat picnic, including hot dogs & pulled pork served with potato salad, potato chips, pop, and water.

Please contact the VCSU Foundation & Alumni Office to reserve your ticket by stopping at the office or calling 701-845-7203.

Viking Sports Update

Viking Golf Scramble – Valley City State University hosted its annual Viking Golf Scramble on Friday, June 13 at Bjornson Park Golf Course in Valley City, N.D. A total of 17 teams and 68 golfers were in attendance.

Shelly Ellig Field – VCSU Athletics is excited to announce the Shelly Ellig Field turf replacement is underway. The existing turf saw its first season in 2011 where Viking Football has played 68 home games along with over 1,000 practices. Viking Softball has also played numerous games and practices over the years.

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

August 6
New Student Orientation

August 26
VCSU classes begin

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/