Hotline // August 10, 2022
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- President’s Column: Summer Vikes on Central and the Power of Partnership
- Offutt Brass band to perform next week
- Buchholz named Vice President for Business Affairs
- Krumwiede named ‘Teacher Educator of the Year’ by ND Association of Career Technical Educators
- Pre-service teachers travel abroad
- Farmers Union Insurance supports VCSU’s Capital Campaign
- Owen presents at virtual session
- Burgum announces International Music Camp founder Dr. Merton Utgaard as recipient of Rough Rider Award
- Dramstad becomes certified accessibility professional
- Viking Sports Update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
President's Column: Summer Vikes on Central and the Power of Partnership
Greetings from VCSU!
The Summer Nights on Central evenings have been a Valley City tradition since 2019. Attracting between 500-1,000 people, the events feature live music, late night shopping, food and beverage vendors, and opportunities to connect with friends and become acquainted with the local business community.
We value the excellent town-gown relationship between Valley City State University and the community and are excited to partner in this endeavor on September 8 featuring live music by Slamabama. This event will welcome incoming and current VCSU students to Valley City and introduce them to local businesses and community members in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
In a symbolic and visible display of the important connection between our university and community, the 2022 incoming freshman class, along with current students, athletic teams, staff, faculty, and VCSU Viking family members will meet at the footbridge and walk as a group to join the event. Our plans are to meet at the footbridge at 5:30 p.m. on September 8 to make the trek downtown. All who are interested are invited to join us!
The collaboration and mutual support of our university and community are part of what makes this place so special.
Another example of this type of partnership is the work our campus, the Dakota College at Bottineau and the Valley City – Barnes County Development Corporation have done to support healthcare education. Our three entities have been working to develop courses and training related to electrocardiogram, or EKG, technology. We successfully hosted EKG training on campus last year and worked to develop an online version of the course that includes a unique simulator for students to get experience reading EKG strips.
As the need for EKG-trained workforce continues to grow, we are now looking for an instructor dedicated to teach these courses. If you know of someone who would love to teach in this capacity feel free to share our website, www.vcsu.edu/jobs with them.
Go Vikings!
Offutt Brass band to perform next week
The Offutt Brass band will perform on campus Aug. 18 at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Center for the Arts Performance Hall.
Offutt Brass is the six-member brass and percussion component of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band. 
Check out their music at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiG3-lOQ8s92gdoZpr1q6YEnBHUT3frug
Buchholz named Vice President for Business Affairs
Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced Erica Buchholz will serve as the next Vice President for Business Affairs (VPBA). Buchholz was appointed as an interim in this position earlier this year. 
“Erica is an excellent addition to our leadership team,” VCSU President Alan LaFave said. “We are fortunate to have her skills and perspective at the table and I’m thrilled she will be filling this role for our campus. Through her work in the business office, we have had clean financial audits for seven years in a row. Her leadership, attention to detail and vision will help guide our university into the future.”
The VPBA is responsible for leading all business and facilities operations and is a key member of the President’s cabinet.
Buchholz attended VCSU and earned a Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management. In the fall of 2010, she joined the VCSU team as an Accounting Assistant and has been a leader ever since. In 2014 she was promoted to the Controller position and served as the Staff Senate President from 2019 to 2020.
This summer, VCSU has successfully completed six operational audits and the Facilities Department on campus has overseen multiple projects. This includes updating air handling systems, upgrading climate control systems to improve efficiency and improving various areas of academic studies on campus.
Krumwiede named ‘Teacher Educator of the Year’ by ND Association of Career Technical Educators
Lisa Krumwiede, assistant professor for technology, was recently honored as the North Dakota Association of Career Technical Educator’s “Teacher Educator of the Year” at the ND Department of Career and Technical Education Professional Development Conference.
Krumwiede holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Language Arts Endorsement, a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Science, and a M.Ed. Degree in Technology Education with a STEM Certificate. Her experiences as an elementary teacher have been integral in the transition to a fully online instructor in a teacher prep program where her expertise is STEM education. Combining her pedagogical skills from being in the classroom with ongoing professional development in the area of online engagement, Lisa has found a passion for bringing innovative and creative approaches to her courses to engage her learners and foster relationships in a non-traditional environment.
Pre-service teachers travel abroad
Eleven pre-service teachers traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England with Joan Klein, assistant professor for the School of Education, to explore the educational systems of these countries. Visiting both private and public schools, VCSU students met with school leaders focused upon ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC). Through presentations, tours and conversations with middle school students, best practices were identified and explored. Rich discussions showcased the shared experiences all countries are navigating in our ever-changing educational world.
The tour coincided with the week-long celebration of the Queen’s 75th Jubilee! Highlights from the study abroad experience included a tour of Oxford University, High Tea at The Dome, West End theatre, landmarks of London and a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The School of Education will continue to lead global education explorations, visiting K-12 schools in various Italian cities in May 2023.
Farmers Union Insurance supports VCSU’s Capital Campaign
Farmers Union Insurance, Valley City, recently made a contribution to VCSU’s Capital Campaign Forward Together. According to Larry Robinson, VCSU Capital Campaign Director, “We are very appreciative of the support we have received from Farmers Union Insurance, not only for their support of our Capital Campaign, but their ongoing support of Valley City State University.” VCSU is fortunate to have friends like Farmers Union Insurance. They are clearly “Making a Difference’ in Valley City and at Valley City State University.
Owen presents at virtual session
Jackie Owen, disability support services and testing coordinator, 
presented a virtual session, “Relationships Between Years of Teaching Prior to No Child Left Behind, Overexcitabilities, and Teachers’ Feelings of Loss and Grief Following the Implementation of No Child Left Behind” at the 15th International Dabrowski Congress 2022 held in Denver this July. Owen found that imaginational overexcitability–high creativity–was correlated with feelings of loss and grief. The study suggests that some of the most creative K-12 teachers may have been most impacted by feelings of loss and grief as a result of the implementation of No Child Left Behind.
Owen said systemic questions that should be asked of both school districts and teacher education programs include “Which practices implemented during No Child Left Behind are conducive to promoting creativity in teachers and in students?” and “Which teaching practices stifle creativity, and thus, potentially stifle positive critical outcomes?”
Burgum announces International Music Camp founder Dr. Merton Utgaard as recipient of Rough Rider Award
In late July, the late Dr. Merton Utgaard ’40 became the 47th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.
Dramstad becomes certified accessibility professional
Debbie Dramstad, web accessibility and application specialist, recently passed the IAAP – Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competency (CPACC) examination. She is now one of 1,769 CPACCs worldwide.
The IAAP CPACC program aspires to define what accessibility professionals are expected to know, increase the quality and consistency of the work performed by accessibility professionals, provide accessibility professionals with a credential as evidence of their commitment to the accessibility field, provide employers, the accessibility community and the public with a metric to measure and assess the accessibility competence of current and/or prospective employees, provide colleges, universities, and vocational programs with clear educational outcomes and a curriculum outline for teaching accessibility and to strengthen the community of practice among accessibility professionals.
Viking Sports Update
VCSU Student-Athletes Return to Campus
Valley City State University football and volleyball student-athletes have returned to campus for preseason practices. The programs are both set to open their 2022 seasons in the next two weeks. VCSU Volleyball hosts Montana State-Northern for the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. VCSU Football will travel to rival University of Jamestown for the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.
VCSU Athletics Upcoming Events
Aug. 17: Volleyball Scrimmage Day, 11 a.m. (Graichen Gym/W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Aug. 18: Volleyball vs. MSU-Northern, 10 a.m. (Graichen Gym, VCSU Season Opener)
Aug. 25: Football at University of Jamestown, 7 p.m. (VCSU Season Opener)
Aug. 26-27: Volleyball at Briar Cliff Tournaments (Sioux City, Iowa)
Aug. 29: Golf at Dickinson State Dual (Washburn, N.D.)
Sept. 1: Football vs. Concordia-Moorhead, 7 p.m. (VCSU Ag Bowl)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
This Week
August 10
7:15 p.m. Music in the Park, SueAnn Berntson & Family, City Park Bandshell
Save the date
August 15
Welcome Week begins for employees
August 17
7:15 p.m. Music in the Park, Maasjo Sisters, City Park Bandshell
August 19
Freshman move-in day
August 20-21
Viking Voyage Welcome Weekend
September 8
11 a.m. VCSU Convocation, McFarland Lawn
5 p.m. Summer Vikes on Central, downtown Central Avenue
Community Club meetings
- Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
- Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
- Rotary Club – Tuesdays at noon, VCSU
- Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church
- Barnes County Wildlife Federation – 2nd Wednesday of the month
- Grief Journeys for Adults Support Group – meet virtually, call Hospice at 701-845-1781 to take part
Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.