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Hotline

Hotline // September 22, 2022

Sep 21, 2022

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This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:

VCSU enrolls 4th largest freshman class in school history and sees growth in on-campus student population

 

21% enrollment growth over past decade

VCSU students walking across the footbridge on campus.
VCSU students walking across the footbridge on campus.

Valley City State University (VCSU) has, for the fourth time in school history, a freshman class of more than 200 students.

Enrollment information was released by the Office of the Registrar today. Overall enrollment at the university is 1,658 with 205 freshmen. Also included are upper-class students, students pursuing graduate degrees and dual credit students. For the fourth year in a row, the student body has eclipsed 1,650, and there are almost 300 freshmen and transfer students enrolled this fall.

“One of the areas we have seen positive momentum is the number of students choosing to live in our residence halls. We are very pleased with a 22% increase of students living on campus this semester,” VCSU President Alan LaFave said. “This positive occupancy rate reflects an increase in our freshman class size, along with more interest from our returning students to be an active part of our university community.”

VCSU has seen enrollment grow by 21% in the past decade. In that time frame, multiple programs and partnerships have helped ensure VCSU continues to meet student and community needs. This includes launching the new Master of Science degree in Business Information Systems and continued collaboration with North Dakota State University to offer a dual degree in Elementary Education. VCSU continues to assist, educate, and retain teachers through the Rural School Partner Benefit Program and the innovative substitute teaching component for students admitted to the VCSU School of Education. This week VCSU also received a $600,000 grant from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction that creates additional scholarship opportunities to address the teacher shortage in North Dakota.

“There are so many great things happening on our campus. Our full-time student population has increased from last year. It’s also important to note that our retention rates increased from last fall, indicating strong student satisfaction,” LaFave said. “You can feel the energy of full-time, on-campus students every day. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful students actively engaged on campus and in our community.”

VCSU receives $600,000 teacher preparation grant to address teacher shortage

 

Scholarships available for paraprofessionals and substitute teachers seeking a teaching license

Valley City State University (VCSU) has received a $600,000 grant from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to help prepare more teachers to fill critical teaching needs across the state.

VCSU Substitute Teacher Program participants Laken Breuer (center) and Darika Lemna served as student performance strategists while subbing at Jefferson Elementary in Valley City.
VCSU Substitute Teacher Program participants Laken Breuer (center) and Darika Lemna served as student performance strategists while subbing at Jefferson Elementary in Valley City.

The grant will fund the VCSU Grow Your Own scholarship program. This program offers scholarships to individuals aspiring to become a licensed teacher in North Dakota. It is specifically designed for paraprofessionals and substitute teachers working in North Dakota school districts.

“Valley City State University has one of the best teacher preparation programs in the nation. This grant allows us to offer scholarships to cover tuition costs for individuals working toward their teaching degree in North Dakota,” VCSU President Alan LaFave said. “We lead the state in preparing future educators and this grant opens doors for more individuals interested in joining the education workforce.”

Scholarships of $3,200 will be awarded through this program. This amount covers tuition costs for an entire semester for a full-time student. Scholarships available include:

  • Scholarships for two semesters for currently enrolled, or electing to enroll full-time, in VCSU’s Online Teacher Education Program. This program includes areas of Elementary, Business, English, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Social Science, and Technology Education.
  • Scholarships for three to four semesters for students seeking a teaching degree with a specialized endorsement area. Endorsements available include English Language Learners (ELL), Early Childhood/Kindergarten, and Special Education.

“Our graduates in the field change the lives of students every day,” Dean of the VCSU School of Education Allen Burgad said. “We are proud to have 1,438 VCSU alumni teaching or serving as school administrators in 148 different North Dakota communities. Our hope is this scholarship program will help more individuals pursue teaching as a career to inspire the next generation of leaders in our state.”

3rd Annual VCSU Alumni Motorcycle/Car Cruise this Saturday

Join us for the 3rd Annual VCSU Alumni Motorcycle/Car Cruise on Sept. 24. Registration will take place at Lokken Stadium from 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. with the cruise to follow at noon. The registration fee is $30 per entry. Motorcycle/Car cruise poster

The cruise stops include The Hungry Pelican (The Crossing), Punky’s Bar (Dazey, N.D.) and  J&L’s Bar & Grill (Sanborn, N.D.). Prizes will be drawn at each stop with a meal provided at the final stop. All proceeds will be donated to the V-500 Scholarship program which funds academic scholarships at VCSU. To pre-register, call the VCSU Alumni/Foundation Office at 701-845-7203 or email at alumni@vcsu.edu.

 

 

VCSU Planetarium presents ‘The Zodiac’ and ‘Let's Look Up’ this weekend

VCSU’s Planetarium presents The Zodiac and Let’s Look Up on Sept. 24 at 1 p.mThe planetarium is located in the Rhoades Science Center Room 309. The show is free and open to the public. The Zodiac -Let's Look Up Flyer

Valley City State University is home to the only planetarium in North Dakota. Our state-of-the-art Rhoades Science Center houses a Spitz 512 planetarium with a 24-foot domed ceiling and 50 reclining seats.

Each semester, VCSU students produce a new show to be used in the Planetarium. Our shows range from basic astronomy to exploring how Lewis and Clark used the night sky to aid in their exploration of North America.

Our planetarium is primarily used to educate area school and community groups but is also used for some classes at VCSU, like Astronomy and Earth Science. With no charge for shows, it’s easy to make the trip to our beautiful campus and have a one-of-a-kind celestial experience.

For more information about the VCSU Planetarium contact Wes Anderson, 701-845-0966.

Flu Shot/COVID Booster Clinic to take place Sept. 28

VCSU and City County Health District (CCHD) invites students, employees and family members to get your flu shot and/or updated COVID-19 booster shot on Wednesday, Sept. 28. The clinic will be held in the Student Center Skoal Room from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome and no appointment is needed. flu clinic poster

The deadline to reserve a COVID-19 booster has passed, but flu shots will be available. The next VCSU Flu Shot/COVID Booster Clinic will take place on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Remember, if you have not been vaccinated, it is not too late to start your primary COVID-19 vaccine series! Make an appointment with CCHD to get started or contact Betty Tykwinski at betty.j.tykwinski@vcsu.edu or 701-845-7305 with any questions you may have.

 

VCSU Alumni Association names seven 2022 honorees

Seven alumni were honored during the Valley City State University Alumni Association 2022 Homecoming celebration scheduled September 16 & 17.

On Saturday morning, an All-Alumni Honors Breakfast was held at the VCSU Student Center. The breakfast provided the VCSU Alumni Association with an opportunity to present fellow alumni with Certificate of Merit, Alumni Service, and Young Alumni Achievement awards.

Four alumni were honored with the Certificate of Merit award. The Certificate of Merit award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni for accomplishments, service or other noteworthy honors. This year’s recipients included:

  • Annette Beattie, Valley City
  • Jason Edwards, Fargo
  • Kim Schneider, Langdon
  • Marcy Svenningsen, Valley City

Two alumni received the Alumni Service Award. The Alumni Service Award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni or university friends who have attained exceptional achievement in their careers and have made significant contributions to the University through dedicated service, promotion, financial support or other efforts. The alumni honored this year included:

rhonda fairfieldRhonda (Hansen) Fairfield, Valley City
charlene stensonCharlene (Stromsodt) Stenson, Valley City

The Young Alumni Achievement Award adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association was established in 2012 to recognize VCSU’s more recent, outstanding alumni as they embark on their chosen paths and strive for greatness. The award is presented to recognize future leaders under the age of 40. This year, Nicholas Lee of Valley City received the award.

Nick LeeNicholas Lee, Valley City

 

VCSU Profile: Dual Credit Instructor Jamie Worden, ’19

Larimore Art Teacher Jamie Worden
Larimore Art Teacher Jamie Worden

Jamie Worden, ’19, has taught art at Larimore High School for 13 years. For the past five years, she has worked with Valley City State University to offer dual credit courses in her classroom. This September, she brought a group of students to campus to see what being a college art student was like for a day.

Read Jamie’s full profile here: https://www.vcsu.edu/jamie-worden/

Viking Sports Update

Volleyball
Sept. 14: VCSU 3, Dickinson State 0
Sept. 15: VCSU 3, Concordia College 0
Viking Volleyball swept a pair of home matches last week and is now 6-7 overall this season and 1-0 in conference play. 

Golf
Valley City State women’s golfers Hayley Shanks and Sydney Carlson each placed in the Top 10 after competing at the UMary Invite on Monday and Tuesday in Bismarck. The first round of the tournament was played Monday at Hawktree Golf Course while the tournament concluded Tuesday with the second round at Riverwood Golf Course.
Read more: https://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4493

Football
Sept. 17: Dickinson State 35, VCSU 10
VCSU Football dropped a non-conference game against Dickinson State last weekend. The Vikings travel to Presentation College on Saturday, Sept. 24. 

Baseball
Sept. 20: Mayville State 7, VCSU 3
Sept. 21: Jamestown 9 VCSU 2
Viking Baseball is now 1-2 overall during the fall season. The Vikings host Dickinson State on Saturday for a doubleheader. 

Softball
VCSU Softball hosts MSU-Moorhead on Saturday at 12 p.m. for a scrimmage at VCSU’s softball complex.  

Upcoming Events
Sept. 23: Cross Country at Dickinson State
Sept. 23: Volleyball at Waldorf University, 7 p.m.
Sept. 24: Softball scrimmage vs. MSU-Moorhead, 12 p.m.
Sept. 24: Volleyball at Viterbo University, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24: Baseball vs. Dickinson State, 3 p.m.
Sept. 24: Football at Presentation College, 7 p.m.

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

What's happening on campus - in town

This Week

September 24
Noon – 3rd Annual VCSU Alumni Motorcycle/Car Cruise, registration from 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. at Lokken Stadium
1:00 p.m. VCSU Planetarium presents The Zodiac and Let’s Look Up, Rhoades Science Center 309

Next Week

September 26-30
Valley City Public Schools Homecoming Week

September 28
10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. VCSU Flu Shot/COVID Booster Clinic, Student Center Skoal Room

Save the date

October 10
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Great Plains Food Bank, Epworth United Methodist Church

Community Club meetings

  • Valley City Community Band – every Thursday, VCSU Center for the Arts Room 171 (Find out more about the community band: https://www.newsdakota.com/2022/09/08/area-music-teacher-rekindles-valley-city-community-band/)
  • Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
  • Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7:00 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.