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Hotline

Hotline // August 14, 2024

Aug 14, 2024

A newspaper backdrop with a white chevron and the words Hotline, The weekly newsletter of Valley City State University

This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:


VCSU Art Gallery presents visiting artist exhibition: “Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid”

Crawl, walk, run words written over image of woman, cow and milk jugs
Ryan Stander

The VCSU Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts (CFA) Gallery announces visiting artist Ryan Stander’s solo exhibition “Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid” which opens to the public on Monday, August 19, and runs through Thursday, October 3.

Stander’s work explores the shaping of place, memory, and religion through interdisciplinary artworks incorporating printmaking, sculpture, book arts, and photography. Stander encourages viewers “to piece together meaning through loose associations, rather than explicit illustration.”

We invite the Valley City community to learn more about Stander’s artwork and process at an artist talk in the choir room of the CFA at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 2. A reception will follow in the CFA Gallery and lobby until 5:30 p.m.

A virtual exhibit of “Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid” will be available on the VCSU Art YouTube channel. The Artist Talk will be live-streamed on the Art Department’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

 

North Dakota Conference to examine ‘Being Human and Working in the Age of AI’

From Eric Jensen, Strategic Communications North Dakota University System

Researchers, industry practitioners, educators and thought leaders comprise a list of presenters scheduled Sept. 26 for the inaugural North Dakota AI Conference hosted at Valley City State University (VCSU) at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the evolving relationship between humans and AI in the context of work, society, personal development and what it will mean for all North Dakotans.

The event theme is “Being Human and Working in the Age of AI.” Presenters will explore how users can leverage the transformative power of AI while maintaining human connection across all sectors of society.

“Every day, we see the advancement in AI technologies and the expansion of its uses. AI is here and is altering how we live, work and interact with one another,” said North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott. “It’s important for all North Dakotans to understand the implications for AI use and development, particularly how it will challenge the use of our humanity, creativity and compassion for one another. This conference will be a great opportunity to have these conversations so we can better prepare for the future ahead.”

The North Dakota AI Conference is $60 for early-bird registrants until Sept. 9, after which registration will be $80. To register and for more information, visit dda.ndus.edu/2024-northdakota-ai-conference

Keynote speakers for the conference include the Honorable James E. Baker who is the director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and professor at the Syracuse College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president and professor for the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of West Florida, also will present. El-Sheikh’s talk, titled “Building an AI-enabled Future Workforce,” will focus on how AI is transforming the workforce and how academic institutions can prepare skilled professionals who recognize AI’s benefits and pitfalls and are ready to use technologies across all sectors and work roles.

Also joining the event during a “fireside chat” will be Chancellor Hagerott and Monsignor James Patrick Shea, University of Mary president. They will share the stage to focus on the conference’s theme of “Being Human and Working in the Age of AI.”

Additionally, several panels will feature presenters from multiple professional disciplines, including those in business, government, education, health science and technology.

The statewide conference is a partnership between Valley City State University, University of Mary, the Dakota Digital Academy, North Dakota University System, North Dakota Information Technology and North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

Meet music graduate Hillary Orban

Meet Hillary Orban, a Mozart-loving flute player from South Dakota who found her melody at VCSU and earned the title of Outstanding Music graduate.


Headshot of Hillary Orban
Name: Hillary Orban
Hometown: Ethan, SD
Major/Minor: Music Major
Graduation Date: May 2024
Favorite type of music to listen to: A little bit of everything, but I love show tunes, classical music, and country music. 🙂
Favorite type of music to play/perform: I love playing anything by Mozart or the other big composers. I love singing show tunes and arias.
Favorite instrument to play: Flute or Piccolo
Favorite musical artist: I have too many to count!

What landed you at VCSU? After two major surgeries initially putting my college studies on hold at the tail end of my sophomore year, I got married and decided I wanted to raise our 7 kids. When our baby was almost ready to go to preschool, I was offered a choral job from a school, but felt unprepared as I hadn’t completed the music education degree I had begun. We began searching for an online school that offered music and came upon Valley City State University. Everyone was so kind from the start and that’s what hooked me. I was so thankful to find a school that was willing to work with me to help me achieve my goals.

What did you enjoy about your time studying music online? The faculty! They are all the best, hands down! I also loved that I could work, be a mom to my kids, and still work toward my goals!

Why did you choose music as a degree? I wanted to be a music teacher, so it was an easy place to start. I love music. It’s always been a passion of mine.

Did the classes you took at VCSU help prepare you for your career? Absolutely! All of them!

What would you like to do after graduation?
I have already been offered and have accepted a position as 7-12 Choir and 5-12 Band director at our local school. I am going to apply to our state alternative certification education program to obtain my teaching license. Long term, I would love to get my master’s and continue on to my doctorate. My dream is to teach college-level classes.

Do you have any advice for incoming students in the music program online?
Don’t leave your assignments for the last minute. Try your best to stay on top of all of your work. That may mean other things have to take backseat, and that’s okay. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors. They are there to help you and want to see you succeed as well!

What was your favorite class and why?
Do I have to choose?!! There were so many great classes! All of the professors are amazing, and I truly enjoyed all of my classes. Secretly, conducting is a major passion of mine, so by default, I’d say Conducting with Professor Heide was my favorite, along with all of my Vocal instruction classes with Dr. Cunningham.

Viking sports update

Volleyball

Volleyball teamThe Valley City State volleyball team has been ranked No. 22 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the national office announced Wednesday. The Vikings open the season this Friday and Saturday at the Keiser Viper Sports Academy Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla. Games are slated for Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT. Live stats will be available for all games and live video will be pay-per-view.

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

A backdrop featuring the HiLine bridge and a white chevron with the text Valley City Community

August 23-25
VCSU Welcome Weekend

August 27
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/