Hotline 8.23.21
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- COVID-19 Campus Information
- Kelsie Carter named ‘Difference Maker’
- Reule named Scholar of the Year
- Zahn participates in Reading Praxis Test panel
- Viking Sports Update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
The VCSU Hotline online newsletter is published weekly during the school year. 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 24
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Skoal Room, Student Center
Kelsie Carter named ‘Difference Maker’

Kelsie Carter, mental health counselor, was recently named a “Difference Maker.” She was nominated by the Financial Aid & Registrar’s offices.
Her nomination read, “Kelsie is deserving of the Difference Maker award for a number of reasons. The following are just a few to name:
- Extended and diverse counseling services provided during the COVID pandemic
- VCSU Green Dot Campus Coordinator
- Involvement in New Student Orientation
- Staff Senate leadership in her role as VP
Kelsie is very approachable and compassionate about everything she does and is involved in. She is a great asset to VCSU!”
View the full list of Difference Makers at my.vcsu.edu/employees/staff-senate/recognition-at-vcsu/difference-makers/
Reule named Scholar of the Year

Jonna Reule, Ph.D., associate professor for communication arts, was named Scholar of the Year for the Communication Speech and Theatre Association of North Dakota (CSTAND). She will be honored at the CSTAND awards banquet in Mandan, N.D. on Sept. 18 during the annual conference.
Congratulations, Dr. Reule!
Zahn participates in Reading Praxis Test panel

Cindy Zahn, Ph.D., associate professor of education and director of reading, was invited to the North Dakota State Capitol on Aug. 11 to participate in a panel of highly qualified reading experts throughout the state. Zahn and the panel were asked to select a Reading Praxis Test that individuals will complete who are pursuing a teaching career in the state of North Dakota. The panel was asked to review two tests. Dr. Rebecca Pitkin, executive director of the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board, affirmed that during the recent Legislative Session, House Bill 1388 mandated that teacher education departments need to ensure their students have competencies in “beginning reading instruction based on scientifically and research-based best practices” (originally the science of reading). Those who do not have evidence of coursework will need to take a test. Predictably, this will include those with an out-of-state license and those who became licensed through the American Board competency-based program. Many other states have already implemented one of the two tests with determined cut scores. Consequently, Zahn and the panel objectively chose between the two Praxis tests for the state of North Dakota to adopt and use within a year.
Viking Sports Update

Football hosting Ag Bowl on Thursday
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 $10 at the gate for adults. K-12 students and VCSU staff and students are free. Several local sponsors also have free tickets available for their customers.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 23: Volleyball Scrimmage at University of Jamestown, 6:30 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
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, more info at https://www.valleycitynd.org/
- 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
- 7 p.m. Ag Bowl, Lokken Stadium
Sunday, August 29
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2021 VCSU Rummage Palooza, more info at https://www.valleycitynd.org/pages/rummage
Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.