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Hotline

Hotline // September 5, 2024

Sep 4, 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:


President's Column: Vikings celebrate Fall 2024 semester

Greetings from VCSU!

President Alan LaFave and wife Kari pose with VCSU student at the VCSU Marketplace

The beginning of each academic year is filled with excitement and anticipation of the new semester, and these past two weeks have exemplified this excitement across our campus.

Our planning efforts and anticipation for fall semester have come to fruition – we are finally beginning our new academic year. For most educators and campuses, the return of students combined with the resumption of classes, athletic activities and campus events, is one of the most anticipated and celebrated moments of the year.

During the week of August 19-23, we welcomed new faculty and staff and held our annual in-service activities for returning employees. It provided an opportunity to share some of the positive developments on campus. Exciting progress was made to our physical campus in several areas this summer, including the start of a major renovation to McCarthy Hall which will house our School for Education. We also made interior changes at the student center and in residence halls, along with updates at the football stadium and inside the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse main arena. I encourage you to take some time to stop by campus this fall and see some of these updates.

Welcome week was also an important time to reconnect with friends and colleagues and make plans for the coming year. We met collectively and in departments to discuss our plans for continued growth in excellence and programming. VCSU’s vision: “As an innovative university, we deliver distinctive, learner-centered experiences” is at the center of all conversations we have regarding student success and continuous improvement.

At the end of the week, new freshmen began moving into residence halls and upper classmen started returning to VCSU. There was a visible flurry of activity on campus and in the community. I’ve heard many positive comments from several returning students regarding the campus improvements that have taken place during this summer.

Excitement and anticipation filled the air as new students began arriving, carting belongings and getting settled in their residence hall . Parents, perhaps feeling a bit unsettled in dropping off their sons and daughters as they start a new chapter here at VCSU, experienced a whole range of emotions.

Parents are placing trust in their students as they transition to adulthood. They’re also placing their trust in VCSU to provide not only an education but an experience, and to protect and keep their young adults – our students – safe and well as they learn and grow. Our work is always vital and important, but you can imagine the responsibility we feel.

Orienting new faculty, staff and students to Valley City is an important part of the onboarding process. New students participated in a structured and fun “Viking Voyage” program designed to introduce them to our campus, community, and the plethora of resources available to help them be successful.

Many of these folks are new to our state and community. We all appreciate the warm and hospitable welcome provided by businesses and residents and look forward to continuing development of partnerships as we navigate through this exciting academic year!

Additionally, we are looking forward to celebrating the outstanding town – gown relationship VCSU and Valley City enjoy with the “Summer Vikes on Central” event scheduled for September 12. This is a tremendous event that brings businesses, vendors, community members, and our VCSU faculty, staff, and students together to celebrate the beginning of the school year and help introduce our new students to the community. We hope you will join the festivities as the student body is led across the historic walk bridge – led by the dynamic VCSU marching band – into the business district.

If you see or meet one of our new Viking family members crossing the footbridge to downtown, I hope you will consider greeting them, finding out a bit about their background, and welcoming them to the community!

Go Vikings!

VCSU to induct five individuals and one team into the Vikings Athletic Hall of Fame

Valley City State University will induct five individuals and one team into the Vikings Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.

The Class of 2024 includes Erin (Maitland) Draper ’03, Cara (Miller) Gylywoychuk ’02, Brent Miller ’02, Darin Walters ’02, Amanda (Brown) Dechant ’11 and the 2010-11 Women’s Basketball Team.

The individuals and team will officially be inducted into the Vikings Hall of Fame during VCSU Homecoming Weekend at a banquet on Friday, Sept. 20 held at the Valley City Eagles Club. A social will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Dinner will start at 6 p.m. with an induction ceremony to follow.

Tickets for the banquet are $20 and can be purchased by calling the VCSU Foundation & Alumni Office at 701-845-7203 or online. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, Sept. 13.

All campus convocation next week

All Campus Convocation Thursday, Sept. 12 11-11:50 a.m. McFarland Front Lawn Students sitting on blankets on the lawn at convocation in 2023All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to attend the All-Campus Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 12. The event will take place on McFarland Front Lawn at 11 a.m.

Summer Vikes on Central set for Sept. 12

VCSU students walking downtownValley City State University is once again partnering with Summer Nights on Central to host the third annual Summer Vikes on Central on Thursday, September 12, in downtown Valley City.

The event features live music by Tripwire – a national touring cover band – along with numerous booths and activities. Summer Vikes welcomes incoming and current VCSU students to Valley City and introduces them to local businesses and community members in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

Summer Nights on Central is a series of street dance events held each summer on Central Avenue in downtown Valley City featuring live music, late night shopping, food and beverage vendors and more. Booths and vendors open at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and live music begins at 6 p.m.

The VCSU freshmen class will join President LaFave at the VCSU footbridge before the event. From there, the VCSU Marching Band will lead the group downtown to join the community. All current VCSU students and members of the VCSU Viking Family are invited to meet at the footbridge at 5:30 p.m. for the march to downtown.

VCSU students will have a chance to dunk band director Tara Dahl and strength and conditioning coach Will Rakowski into the dunk tank this year.

Businesses are encouraged to set up a booth where they can provide information, freebies, drawings, games, giveaways or college student discounts. Those interested can sign up at https://www.valleycitytourism.com/summernights

Summer Vikes on Central is a free public event for all ages. The community is encouraged to attend and join VCSU students in the last downtown party of the summer.

 

VCSU Co-Hosting AI Conference on Sept. 26

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

Graphic poster promoting 2024 North Dakota AI Conference

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – 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. Find more information about the speakers or register here.

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.

 

WHAT: North Dakota AI Conference

WHEN: Sept. 26, 2024

WHERE: Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts, Valley City State University

101 College Street SW, Valley City, North Dakota

About NDUS The North Dakota University System is a unified system of higher education governed by the State Board of Higher Education. Organized in 1990, the system includes two research universities, four regional universities and five community colleges.

The mission of the State Board of Higher Education and the Chancellor of the North Dakota University System is to unleash the potential of higher education in the state to enhance the quality of life, and the social and economic vitality of all served by its public colleges and universities.

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 opened 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.

 

Meet Exercise Science graduate Clarissa Schlottman ’24

Meet Clarissa (Hilary) Schlottman, a Minnesota volleyball player whose passion for athletic training led her to VCSU. Within the last few months, Clarissa completed her undergrad, got married and started grad school to pursue her Master of Athletic Training.


Clarissa Schlottman receiving degreeHometown: Elk River, Minn.
Major/Minor: Exercise Science and Rehabilitation major with a coaching certificate and strength and conditioning certificate.
Graduation Date: May 2024
Favorite sport to play: Volleyball
Favorite sport to watch: Basketball and Baseball

What brought you to VCSU?
I loved the small town setting of campus and that it was easily walkable with small class sizes. I also played volleyball as a freshman and having that opportunity helped me to chose Valley City.

What did you enjoy about your time on campus?
I enjoyed getting the chance to get to know my professors in my department along with my preceptors in the athletic training room. I had a lot of fun at bingo nights and enjoyed how quiet and calm campus is. I appreciated that as I was leaving Valley City I could say I created a relationship with my professors that will last well beyond my four years here.

Why did you choose Exercise Science and Rehab?
I have wanted to be an Athletic Trainer since I was in middle school. Valley City used to have a Bachelors for Athletic Training program that has now become part of their Exercise Science program so it was a no brainer. There are still Athletic Training based classes in the degree so this program set me and many others interested in sports medicine up for success because of the foundation offered. The degree covers everything from basic nutrition, to orthopedic assessment, to how to properly execute lifts in the weight room. It really set me and my peers up for success in graduate school.

Did the classes you took at VCSU help prepare you for your career?
I have a hard time believing that another school could set me up as well as VCSU did. The opportunities offered at a smaller university are amazing. My time in the athletic training room allowed me to see and practice what I was learning in the classroom and there is no better way to learn. My professors and preceptors were extremely knowledgeable in their fields and as a student you get a chance to soak up all that knowledge. I met people during my four years that I know I can reach out to in the future when needed and that is awesome.

What would you like to do after graduation?
I started graduate school this summer (2024) at NDSU in their Masters of Athletic Training program. I also recently got married and once done with graduate school hope to find a job back home in Minnesota.

Do you have any advice for incoming students in the Exercise Science program?
Ask all the questions you have because seriously no question is dumb. Take the opportunities presented to you for field experience, as you will learn so much more there than just in the classroom alone. Lastly, don’t be afraid to make friends and read ahead of time, trust me, things will make a lot more sense.

What was your favorite class and why?
I had two favorite classes, field experience and orthopedic assessment. I loved field experience because I got to put what I was learning in the classroom to the test and practice it. I also was exposed to a lot more things that happen in the athletic training world than I would have without it. My second favorite class was orthopedic assessments because that is when we got to learn special tests that are performed to rule in and rule out orthopedic diagnoses. This will be a large part of my career going forward that I need to be confident in so being able to learn it here and in grad school is very beneficial.

Viking sports update

Volleyball
Valley City State’s Sadie Hansen and Delani Clarke were named NSAA Players of the Week after leading the Vikings to a 3-1 record at the Siouxland Invitational last weekend. VCSU is now receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll released Wednesday.

Football
VCSU Football dropped its season opener to Minot State, 38-7. The Vikings play at Augsburg University this Friday night with kickoff at 8 p.m.

Golf
VCSU Golf opened its season at the ND College Open at Prairie West and Riverwood Golf Courses last Thursday and Friday. Kathleen Vetter placed seventh (84-88) and Sydney Carlson finished in 10th (87-87) to lead VCSU. Find the full recap here.

Upcoming Events
Sept. 6: Football at Augsburg, 8 p.m. (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Sept. 7: Volleyball at Viterbo Tournament – Judson, 12 p.m. | No. 17 Viterbo, 2 p.m. (La Crosse, Wis.)
Sept. 7: Golf at DSU Dual, Village Greens, 11 a.m. (Moorhead, Minn.)
Sept. 8: Softball scrimmage vs. Bismarck State, 12 p.m. (Valley City – VCSU Softball Complex)
Sept. 10: Volleyball vs. Concordia, 7 p.m. (Valley City – The Bubble)

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

September 12
11 a.m. All Campus Convocation
5:30 p.m. Summer Vikes on Central

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/