Hotline 8.16.21
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- COVID-19 Campus Information
- Providing the best quality and affordability in the state
- Meet Dr. Jaycee George
- Ethan Bakken named ‘Difference Maker’
- VCSU Green Dot trainings available
- Kiersten Baughman participates in Cengage series
- Viking Sports Update
- 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.
COVID-19 Campus Information

VCSU is planning to return to a full campus experience for the fall 2021. To do this safely, we are encouraging all members of campus to get vaccinated and every member of campus to make safe decisions in regard to wearing a mask, physical distancing and hand washing.
You are valued. Get vaccinated.
Free vaccines are available.
Register online, or walk in and get your free COVID vaccine. Open to all VCSU students, employees/employee family and the community. Clinic sponsored City County Public Health District, they are open
Tuesday, August 17
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Skoal Room, Student Center
Friday, August 20
12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Skoal Room, Student Center
Tuesday, August 24
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Skoal Room, Student Center
Providing the best quality and affordability in the state

It’s well-known that Valley City State University has one of the premiere education programs in the nation. We have dedicated faculty and staff who pride themselves on preparing students to become educators. Early last week, our campus had the pleasure of hosting members of the North Dakota Legislature’s Interim Higher Education Committee. During a presentation, the North Dakota University System reported on the number of teachers graduating from every state school.
The chart had a clear leader in terms of institutions preparing teachers. Valley City State led the way. In 2019 we had 177 education graduates. By comparison, the next closest institution was 60 graduates behind VCSU. Valley City State has prepared more teachers than any other school, including privates and publics, in the state since 2013.
In addition to producing the most education graduates, our students and program continue to get rave reviews. A survey of our recent education graduates found that 97% would recommend the program to someone interested in becoming a teacher. We have the highest retention rate in the state, 72% for first-time, full-time students. We have the highest four-year graduation rate of all the four-year regional schools.
These numbers don’t just happen. They reflect years of dedicated work to develop high-quality educational opportunities. Today, I’d like to also acknowledge the efforts our faculty and staff have made to ensure the Viking experience is an affordable one as well.
Paying for college has been a hurdle for many to overcome. We are trying to take the hurdles out of the race.
Two years ago, we reduced the technology fee by 10% and have not raised it since. This doesn’t mean our technology offerings are reduced. In fact, they were amplified last year during different types of learning with COVID. We simply made it more affordable. We have incorporated open educational resources to save our students $1.5 million in textbooks since 2016.
Our Foundation plays a key role in student success and last year alone allocated $1.86 million in scholarships. Previously, one-time scholarships were provided to first year students only, but now our scholarship program includes a portfolio of attractive renewable scholarships. We appreciate the significant effort our Foundation has made to provide financial assistance to students through the course of their study, thus helping smooth the way for attaining their degree and successful careers as alumni.
A member of the Higher Education Committee asked where our University stands in terms of loan debt upon graduation. The average per NDUS graduate in the state is $28,792. Our average is almost $2,000 below the state average.
We will continue to work diligently to provide high-quality educational experiences for our students in an affordable way, and we look forward to building partnerships locally, in the state and across the nation to accomplish this goal.
Go Vikings!
Meet Dr. Jaycee George

Earning a doctorate and starting a business during a global pandemic may seem daunting — but not for Valley City State University (VCSU) alumna Dr. Jaycee George.
She spent her earliest years in various places across Canada, and eventually landed in Valley City to study health sciences.
After completing years of required education successfully, Dr. George feels proud of the success she’s achieved. “After seven and a half long years of schooling, to see it finally pay off and see that what I’m doing is helping people, that’s a big accomplishment.”
Read more about Dr. George and her practice, Willow Creek Chiropractic at https://www.vcsu.edu/meet-dr-jaycee-george/.
Ethan Bakken named ‘Difference Maker’

Ethan Bakken, strength and conditioning coach, recently received the Difference Maker award. He was nominated by athletics staff .
His nomination read, “Ethan has gone above and beyond in 2020-21 to insure that our student-athletes safely returned to the VCSU weight room to prepare for the season. He spent hours researching best practices and Covid protocols for collegiate weight rooms so that VCSU could confidently train safely. In addition, he kept records to insure we were able to contact trace when cases emerged in Athletics. He is available as a mentor and motivator and has high expectations for the student-athletes not only in the weight room, but while competing and in the classroom. He leads by example and is planning a safe summer workout schedule for our student-athletes that choose to be in Valley City over the summer.”
Congratulations, Coach Bakken!
VCSU Green Dot trainings available

VCSU has a new power-based violence prevention program on campus called VCSU Green Dot. The mission of the new program is to empower our VCSU employees and students with active bystander skills through awareness, programming, and education resulting in a culture where power-based violence will not be tolerated, and everyone does their part to provide a safe campus.
We are offering 2, 1-hour overview trainings for faculty and staff for Employee Welcome Week. On Thursday, August 19, from 8:30 to 10:00 and on Friday, August 20, from 1:30 to 3:00. Both trainings will be located in McCarthy 257. Please RSVP to with Kelsie Carter or Kiersten Baughman to reserve a seat.
To celebrate and bring awareness about these upcoming trainings, we will be bringing back our Flamingos! They will contain a QR code that will bring you to our OneStop page where you can meet our trainers and find opportunities for additional training.
Since the beginning of August 2021, we have trained 67 employees and 23 students. Our VCSU Volleyball Team were trained in the 1-hour Overview training just last week. Before August ends, we hope to double these numbers in employees and students.
We are starting a VCSU Green Dot Student Organization that would begin meeting in September. The student organization will help with training other students and employees as well as creating events that are fun and interactive for everyone on campus that encourage everyone to start #LivetheGreenDotWay. If you would like to join the organization or know someone that would be great to have on our team, please reach out to Kelsie.Carter@vcsu.edu or Kiersten.Baughman@vcsu.edu
If you are interested in staying up to date with our VCSU Green Dot group and what events or future trainings we have planned, please go to our OneStop page and/or join our social media accounts on Facebook: @VCSUGreenDot
If you have questions, please reach out to Kelsie.Carter@vcsu.edu or Kiersten.Baughman@vcsu.edu.
Kiersten Baughman participates in Cengage series

Kiersten Baughman, associate professor of social science, participated in Cengage’s Reclaiming the JOY of Teaching summer wellness series on August 5. The series featured a one-hour virtual talk on the science of sleep called “Sleep: What Is It Good For?” A recording of the talk will be available soon.
Viking Sports Update

Volleyball hosting scrimmages Wednesday
The Valley City State University volleyball team is hosting a scrimmage day for area college teams Wednesday at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. The Vikings will play three scrimmages starting at 10 a.m. against North Dakota State College of Science, University of Jamestown and Mayville State. Fans are welcome to attend.
Football hosting Ag Bowl on Aug. 26
The VCSU football team hosts rival University of Jamestown for the season opener and the third annual VCSU Ag Bowl on Thursday, Aug. 26. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lokken Stadium. Tailgating, a free meal and other Ag Bowl festivities begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the gate for adults and $4 for students. VCSU employees are admitted free, and several local sponsors also have free tickets available for their customers.
Century Club kickoff event on Aug. 19
The VCSU athletic department is hosting its Century Club Kickoff in conjunction with a Viking football scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 19. The Booster Board will be grilling a free meal of burgers and hot dogs at the tailgate shelter located at Lokken Stadium. VCSU fans and supporters are invited to stop by for the meal and watch the VCSU football team scrimmage M-State Fergus Falls.
People joining the Century Club will be able to register and pick up their season passes that night, and the VCSU Bookstore will also be on site selling Viking Apparel. The Century Club Kickoff runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the stadium. The football scrimmage starts at 5 p.m. There is no charge to attend the scrimmage or the Century Club kickoff.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 18: Volleyball Scrimmage Day vs. NDSCS, UJ, Mayville, 10 a.m.
Aug. 19: Football scrimmage vs. M-State Fergus Falls, 5 p.m.
Aug. 26: Football vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m. (Season Opener, Ag Bowl)
Aug. 27-28: Volleyball at Firestorm Tournament (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Aug. 29-20: Golf at Jimmie Fall Invite (Jamestown, N.D.)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City
Monday, August 16
- 8 a.m. New Employee Welcome & Breakfast, Student Center Skoal Room
- 9 a.m. New Employee Onboarding, Student Center Skoal Room
- 9:45 a.m. APAC Meeting, Student Center President’s Room
- 11 a.m New Staff Onboarding, Student Center Skoal Room
- 12:30 p.m. Faculty Senate Meeting, Student Center Presidents and Norway Room
- 4:30 p.m. Staff/Faculty Golf Scramble, Valley City Country Club
Tuesday, August 17
- 8 a.m. Continental Breakfast for employees, Student Center Cafeteria
- 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. All VCSU Employee Convocation, Student Center Cafeteria
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. COVID Vaccine Clinic (free and open to community), Student Center Skoal Room
- Register at vcsu.edu/COVID
- 1 – 2 p.m. University Promotion & Tenure Committee, Student Center President’s Room
- 2 – 4 p.m. L2L Faculty Meeting, Student Center Norway Room
- 4:30 p.m. VCSU Annual Family Picnic
Wednesday, August 18
- 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. All Faculty Meeting, Rhoades 102
- noon All employee $5 lunch, Student Center Viking I
- noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
- 3-4 p.m. Higher Learning Commission Information meeting, Vangstad Auditorium
Thursday, August 19
- 7 a.m. Optimist Club, Vicky’s Viking Room
- 8:30 a.m. Green Dot Training, McCarthy 257
- 9 a.m. L2L Faculty with Student Mentors meeting, Student Center Skoal Room
- Noon – 4 p.m. Defensive Driving Course, Rhoades 102
- 2 – 4 p.m. Academic & Scholastic Standing Committee meeting, McFarland 317
- Noon Toastmaster Club, VCSU
- 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Century Club Fall Kickoff, Lokken Stadium
- Summer nights on Central
Friday, August 20
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Welcome students & families picnic, Library Mall
- noon – 2:30 p.m. COVID Vaccine Clinic (free and open to community), Student Center Skoal Room
- Register at vcsu.edu/COVID
- 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Green Dot Training, McCarthy 257
Tuesday, August 24
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. COVID Vaccine Clinic (free and open to community), Student Center Skoal Room
- Register at vcsu.edu/COVID
- Noon Rotary Club, VCSU
Wednesday, August 25
- First Day of school for Valley City Public Schools and St. Catherine School
- noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
- 5 – 7 p.m. Back to School Luau, Faith Lutheran Church
- 6 – 8 p.m. 2021 VCSU Marketplace, McFarland Lawn
Thursday, August 26
- 7 a.m. Optimist Club, Vicky’s Viking Room
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Forward Fest: Bank Forward Community Appreciation Lunch, Bank Forward in Valley City
- Noon Toastmaster Club, VCSU
Sunday, August 29
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2021 VCSU Rummage Palooza