Hotline // August 16, 2023

McCarthy Hall: The past and future of Teacher Education

Built as a place for college students to take their first steps as teachers, McCarthy Hall has shaped the future of thousands. It stands on the precipice of change with an imminent remodeling project that reinforces its true mission – to serve as a space for foundational education.

At first glance, McCarthy Hall stands at the edge of VCSU’s campus with dignified and purposeful presence. Upon closer inspection, the smooth sculptures adorning the stairway and shining terrazzo floors tell the story of a well-loved space built for activity and inspiration.

This space has remained in use, but mostly unaltered for almost 100 years. Now, McCarthy Hall is on the precipice of transformation.

In the early 1930s, the North Dakota Legislature used $115,000 to construct the Training School, now known as McCarthy Hall. This year, that same body approved $11.5 million to renovate the building. In total, the project will cost $13.5 million, the remaining portion being raised through generous supporters.

The renovation will breathe life into this historic space, but the story of this building was never about the bricks. The real story is told by those who remember the inspiring leadership of the College High School Principal, Thilda Vangstad ’29, or those who met the love of their life in one of the assembly rooms during study hall. This is a place that shaped people for life. Individuals that went on to shape the lives of others.

This is a space where teachers presented their first lesson, or conducted their first band rehearsal. This is where students saw first-hand how the care and attention from a kind teacher could transform a lifetime. This is the story of McCarthy Hall and the future home of VCSU’s School of Education.

A place to call home

Jay Cink’s early life was literally surrounded by VCSU. As a child, his family ran the long- gone grocery store that used to sit where the Memorial Student Center is currently. When he was old enough for school, he loved the sandbox and rocking horse in the kindergarten room just down the hall from the university president’s office. Cink’s first job outside of the family store was washing uniforms for the college’s athletic director Bill Osmon.

The relationship between VCSU and the training school also meant Osmon was Cink’s junior high gym teacher. College faculty were a part of the fabric of College High. They guided student teachers attending VCSU as they took their first step as teachers with real students like Cink.

“We had a great education. Some of the student teachers were fabulous,” Cink said. If the teacher in training was not a good fit for the classroom, “you only had to put up with them for 11 or 12 weeks,” he added.

Although the student teachers were numerous and varied in skill, the long-term faculty and staff at the school crafted a place in McCarthy Hall that felt like home for many.

Read the full story at https://www.vcsu.edu/mccarthy-hall-the-past-and-future-of-teacher-education/.

Valley City State University Partners with Williston State to open new daycare facility on Williston State College campus

Valley City State University is announcing a partnership with Williston State College to launch a new early childhood facility on the Williston State College campus.

The newly-minted Bright Beginnings Daycare will officially open on September 18, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. VCSU President Alan LaFave and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Larry Brooks will be in Williston for the grand opening.

VCSU faculty have worked with students from Williston State College for years to assist them in earning a four-year degree, most of those students being education majors focused on becoming teachers. This partnership will enable Williston students to finish their degrees online and teach in their hometown rather than relocating to Valley City to complete the same steps.

The Bright Beginnings Daycare will simultaneously provide childcare relief for working parents while offering hands-on practicum hours for students pursuing a degree in elementary education with an early childhood endorsement. “VCSU is proud to be doing our part to address the critical teacher shortages by developing solid partnerships with North Dakota two-year schools, and we couldn’t be happier to see this idea come to fruition,” said President LaFave.

“The faculty in our School of Education are second-to-none, and work tirelessly to ensure our students have enough practical experience and hands-on work that guarantees they are prepared for the classroom upon graduation,” said VPAA Larry Brooks. This program, among other partnerships, widen VCSU’s reach across the region to provide education to students passionate about education, helping them to become educators.

“The education these children will receive at Bright Beginnings is of a high-level; our students are well-equipped to teach learners of all ages” said Allen Burgad, Dean of the School of Education at VCSU.

VCSU to launch new program offering pathways for individuals with disabilities

Program developed in partnership with Minot State University through the Transitional Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) Grant from the U.S. Department of Education

Valley City State University is launching a new program to provide pathways for students with intellectual disabilities to succeed in higher education.

The VCSU program, Viking Pathway, is being developed through a partnership with Minot State University and the ND Inclusive Model Pathway for College and Career Training (IMPCCT) Consortium. The IMPCCT Consortium will help VCSU develop pathways for students with intellectual disabilities transition to higher education and succeed. This includes providing programs that focus on academic, independent living, socialization, self-determination, and integrated work experiences.

Staff from Minot State’s IMPCCT program traveled to VCSU during July to offer training and officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support training program faculty. VCSU faculty Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks, Heather Peschel and Janna Kohler attended the training.

“This program will provide the framework to help students with intellectual disabilities succeed at VCSU,” Brooks said. “We are excited for this program to create more opportunities for future students and increase their success in the workforce.”

After students have completed the program, they receive a meaningful credential to take into the workforce or they may elect to pursue additional education and training.

For more information about VCSU’s Viking Pathway, contact Heather Peschel at heather.peschel@vcsu.edu.

VCSU Foundation/Booster Board ‘Trip raffle’ is back

The winner’s choice ‘Trip Raffle’ sponsored by the VCSU Foundation/Booster Board is back! Tickets are being sold for $20 with a chance to win a trip for 2. Only 1,000 tickets are being sold and proceeds go towards athletic scholarships.

The winner can choose between trips to Scottsdale, Los Cabos, Napa Valley or Nashville. Runner-up drawing for 9 – $100 cash prizes. The drawing will be held on September 30, 2023 at halftime of the VCSU Vikings vs. Dickinson State football game.

If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket contact or stop by the VCSU Foundation & Alumni Office (alumni@vcsu.edu) or the VCSU Fieldhouse (deb.feuerherm@vcsu.edu).

Baughman article published in Medical Research Archives

Kiersten Baughman, Ph.D., professor for social science, recently published an article, Culture of Honor and COVID-19: Regional Mitigation Efforts in the United States During the Pandemic in Medical Research Archives. The article is available here: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v11i7.2.4176

Baughman also presented at the 16^th annual Global Studies Conference in Oxford, England July 19-21 at Oxford Brookes University. The title of her talk was Minimizing Violence in the Home: Comparing Resources Across Cultures.

Travel with VCSU through Europe

VCSU invites alumni and friends to join in on a nine-day trip to Europe. The trip includes a visit to the War Room in London, the Imperial War Museum, a ferry trip across the English Channel to the Beaches of Normandy, the town of Caen, Paris along with many other sites.

For more information contact Dr. Steven King at steven.king@vcsu.edu.

Kohler receives ‘Difference Maker’ award

Janna Kohler, director for career services, received the “Difference Maker” award for August. She was nominated by the Registrar’s and Financial Aid offices.

Part of her nomination read, “She is a positive, energetic addition to the services and support we provide our students. Janna’s continually looking for ways to improve what and how we offer these services. She is a great addition and is so appreciated.”

Congratulations, Janna!

Summer Vikes on Central set for September 7

Summer Vikes on Central, part of the Summer Nights on Central series, will take place September 7 on Central Avenue in Valley City.

Schedule of Events:

Viking sports update

Fall Sports start Friday

Valley City State University athletics begins competition this weekend as the VCSU volleyball team travels to Orange City, Iowa, for a pair of matches on Friday. Volleyball, football and golf all compete during August, while VCSU cross country and baseball begin their fall seasons in early September. All VCSU staff, faculty and students receive free admission to VCSU home games with their campus ID.

VCSU Ag Bowl set for Aug. 24

Valley City State University and First Community Credit Union are teaming up to present the 5th Annual VCSU Ag Bowl on Thursday, Aug. 24, in Valley City.

This year’s Ag Bowl features the first college football game of the season as VCSU hosts rival University of Jamestown in the 2023 season opener. Ag Bowl festivities, presented by First Community Credit Union, will start at 5 p.m. with a free meal, pre-game tailgating and numerous fun activities.

At 7 p.m., the VCSU football team squares off against Jamestown for the 124th time in school history.

Upcoming Events

Aug. 18: Volleyball at Northwestern College Tournament, 3/6 p.m. (Orange City, Iowa)

Aug. 24: Football vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25-26: Volleyball at Charger Invite (Sioux City, Iowa)

Aug. 29: Golf at Dickinson State Dual (Medora, N.D.)

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

Friday, August 18
Freshman move-in

Monday, August 21
Night classes begin

Tuesday, August 22
First day of classes at VCSU

Thursday, August 24
7 p.m. Ag Bowl, VCSU vs. Jamestown

Thursday, September 7
11 a.m. VCSU Convocation, McFarland Lawn
4 p.m. Summer Vikes on Central, Central Avenue

Find out what’s happening in the community on the Valley City Community Calendar: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/

Find out what’s happening at the VCSU Center for the Arts: https://www.vcsu.edu/center-for-the-arts/fine-arts-calendar/