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Hotline

Hotline 9.8.2020

Sep 8, 2020

This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President’s column: New faculty bring unique skills and experiences to campus
• Two free COVID-19 testing events to be held this week
• Robinson to receive fundraising award
Free Care19 Alert app available
• Face coverings on campus
• Coronavirus updates
• Complete the 2020 Census
• Viking sports updates
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published weekly during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. Friday.

New VCSU faculty, fall 2020New faculty bring unique skills and experiences to campus

Greetings from Valley City State University!

We’re very excited to welcome nine new faculty members to the VCSU ranks this fall. Although physical distancing has slowed our introductions, I trust that you will join me in welcoming this highly qualified, diverse group of educators to the campus and Valley City community. They’re excited to be here, and we look forward to them sharing their unique skills and experiences with students and colleagues alike.

Ekow Nyanfreku Ephrim joins the Art Department as assistant professor; he previously served as an associate instructor at Indiana University Bloomington. Ekow grew up in Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. He holds a master of fine arts degree in graphic design from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree, also in graphic design, from the University of Education in Winneba, Ghana. Within the design field, Ekow has specific interests in design for social impact, brand identity systems, visual storytelling, and data visualization. He enjoys cooking, biking, hiking and movies.

A new assistant professor in the Business Department, Mingwei Guo comes to VCSU from Fargo, where he served as a lecturer and graduate research assistant in the NDSU Department of Management and Marketing. Guo is currently in an NDSU Ph.D. program in transportation and logistics; he holds a master’s degree in finance from University at Buffalo – SUNY and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shandong University of Finance and Economics in Jinan, China, Guo’s hometown and the capital of Shandong province. His academic interests include last mile delivery, marketing strategy and corporate finance. A Boston Celtics fan, he is a professional-level gamer and enjoys road tripping; he’s traveled to 31 states thus far since his 2013 U.S. arrival. Guo and his spouse, Yuanjun Zhai, have a son, Albert.

Joining the Kinesiology and Human Performance Department as associate professor is Kanae Haneishi. Kanae comes to Valley City from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., where she served as senior lecturer and head women’s soccer coach. She holds a doctorate in sports pedagogy, coaching and physical education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a master’s degree in exercise science and sport studies from Smith College, a master’s degree from the University of Memphis in exercise science, and a bachelor’s degree in health and sport science from Juntendo University in Japan. Kanae helped the Christian Brothers University women’s soccer team win the NCAA Division II championship in 2002, and she was named the outstanding defensive player of the national tournament. She was also a member of the Japanese National Team that earned a silver medal at the World University Games in 2003. In addition, she played for the New York Magic, a semi-pro team, in the United Soccer League from 2003-10. Kanae and her husband, Matt Gross, have a six-year old son, Koji Haneishi-Gross, and two daughters, Niko (4) and Sora (2) Haneishi-Gross.

Janet Jahn has joined the School of Education and Graduate Studies as assistant professor of education. She previously served as a visiting assistant professor in education at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and as a fourth grade teacher in the Omaha (Neb.) Public Schools. She holds a doctorate in education from the College of Saint Mary, a master of arts in communication from New Mexico State University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming, along with a K-12 endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). A native of Lincoln, Neb., Janet is an avid Cornhusker football fan and has recently taken up golf. She and her husband, Art, have three adult children — two sons and a daughter. Janet is following a family tradition as an educator: her grandmothers were both elementary teachers, and her mother was first an elementary teacher and later an education professor.

Born and raised in southern Norway, Alex Jorgensen teaches political science in the Social Science Department. He holds three degrees in political science: a doctorate and a master’s degree, both from the University of Kansas, along with a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Alex previously taught at Winona State University in Minnesota and at Missouri State University in Springfield. He and his wife, Megan, have three young children: Noah (age 6), Elise (4) and Theo (1). Alex says that his kids keep him busy but when he has time he fixes things around the house and enjoys following Arsenal in the Premier League. Alex became a U.S. citizen in February 2020; he previously served in His Majesty The King’s Guard in Norway.

A 2011 graduate of VCSU in chemistry education and math education, Trent Kosel returns to his alma mater this fall as assistant professor of mathematics. In addition to his VCSU bachelor’s degree, Trent also holds a master’s in education from North Dakota State University through its Leadership Academy and a master of arts in teaching from Minot State. A two-year starter at quarterback for the VCSU football team during his undergraduate days, Trent coached football for nine years and serves as one of the heads of the Viking Football Oarsmen Club’s board of directors. Trent and his wife, Chelsea Hageman Kosel, are the parents of two sons, Theodore (21 months) and Kellen (born Aug. 19). Trent enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, sudoku, and card and board games. A native of Edgeley, N.D., Trent comes from a family of educators that range from specialists and teachers to administrators and professors.

Also returning home to his alma mater is Clayton Mannie, assistant professor in the Technology Department. His academic interests include building science and product design. Clayton earned a master’s degree from VCSU in technology education with a STEM concentration in 2016; he also earned a bachelor’s degree in technology education from VCSU in 2006. He previously worked as a carpenter for Artistic Homes in Bismarck and taught technology education at several North Dakota junior and senior high schools over 13 years. Originally from Hazen, N.D., Clayton enjoys running, building, golf and hockey. He and his wife, Rechaye, also a VCSU graduate, have a son Caleb.

A native of Sutton, Mass., Glenn Morello has joined the Science Department as assistant professor. Glenn previously worked in Hawaii as a quality control chemist at Cyanotech, a company that grows algae for use in health supplements. He also spent three years north of the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway, on a postdoctoral fellowship. Glenn holds a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from the University of North Texas and master’s and bachelor’s degrees, both in chemistry, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He and his wife, Lili, have an infant son, Matteo, born Aug. 13. Glenn enjoys playing sports, including soccer, hockey, roller hockey, and ultimate frisbee. He loves riding his bike, has a passion for birds, and is a semi-professional photographer.

Assistant professor Kenton Sandfoss teaches in the Business Department. His academic interests lie in the management field, and he holds two business administration degrees — a master’s and a bachelor’s — both from Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. Born and raised in northern Kentucky, Kenton comes to Valley City from the Ann Arbor, Mich., area, where he served as an assistant general manager at a McDonald’s and previously was general manager of a family-owned bowling center. His business experience also includes traveling throughout the Midwest as a regional merchandiser. Kenton bowled at the collegiate level and continues to compete nationally across the nation, sporting a 210 average. He also loves water sports ranging from riding jet skis and tubing behind a boat to whitewater rafting and canoeing.

What a wealth of personal backgrounds, experience and credentials this cohort brings to Valley City State! They represent a powerful addition to our teaching and learning community that will have an impact on our students for years to come.

Welcome, new faculty members. Go Vikings!

Two free COVID-19 testing events to be held this week

Two free COVID-19 testing events will be held this week in the West Fieldhouse Parking Lot.

The first, for both the Valley City and VCSU communities, will held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 3-5 p.m. The second, solely for the VCSU community, will be held Thursday, Sept. 10, from 11 am.-1 p.m.

Preregistration at testreg.nd.gov is encouraged; one only needs to register once.

Robinson to receive fundraising award

The Northern Plains Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has announced that Larry Robinson, VCSU executive director for university advancement, will receive one of two Respected Fundraising Professional Awards for 2020. The award will be presented formally on National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 12, 2020.

The Respected Fundraising Professional Award celebrates a passionate fundraising professional who exemplifies the highest standards of ethical practice and who effectively champions the cause of a nonprofit mission.

According to his award nomination, “Larry is the consummate role model for other fundraisers. He helps us see the value in developing long-term relationships and identifying projects that will align with the donor’s values. Larry approaches his work with kindness, respect, and authenticity. …Larry’s leadership impact on the university has been felt for over 40 years. He is a master at motivating others around him to rally around an issue, project, or goal.”

Free Care19 Alert app available

VCSU students and employees are strongly encouraged to download a free smartphone app, Care19 Alert, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by notifying users of possible COVID-19 exposure while protecting their privacy with technology developed by Apple and Google.

Care19 Alert uses Bluetooth proximity technology provided by both Apple and Google notification systems. The app provides proactive alerts and notifications to users based on anonymous keys exchanged between smartphones as users go about their daily activities.

Care19 Alert users will be notified if their device was in proximity of another device whose user tests positive for COVID-19. The app updates daily with positive COVID-19 results submitted by other users, which are then checked against the list of random keys that each device has encountered for more than 15 minutes in the last 14 days. 

People who use Care19 Alert must explicitly choose to turn on exposure notifications, and they can turn off the app at any time. The Apple-Google Notification System utilized by the app does not collect, use or store any device location, including for users who report positive results.

Users have the option to decide whether to report a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and identities are not known to Apple, Google or other app users. The system is only used for exposure notifications by official public health authorities and is not monetized.

The free app is available to download through the App Store and the Google Play Store. For more information, visit ndresponse.gov/covid-19-resources/care19.

VCSU students wearing facemasksFace coverings on campus

A reminder that all students, staff, faculty, affiliates and campus visitors are required to wear face coverings when interacting with others on the VCSU campus. The VCSU Safe Operating Procedures regarding face coverings can be found at onestop.vcsu.edu/support/solutions/articles/10000052288.

Coronavirus updates

Campus coronavirus updates can be found at www.vcsu.edu/coronavirus-information. Here you can find updates with news of positives cases within the campus community, along with information regarding impact to campus activities and facilities.

A dashboard detailing COVID-19 isolations and close contacts can be found at www.vcsu.edu/coronavirus-information/covid-19-dashboard/.

This information will be updated regularly as needed.

There is also a host of resources with detailed information for employees and students on OneStop at onestop.vcsu.edu/support/solutions/folders/10000082374.

Complete the 2020 Census

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the 2020 Census. Your response will influence the next 10 years of federal funding. That includes North Dakota’s share of funding for public health and aid during emergencies and disaster declarations. One missed resident is equal to a $19,100 loss in funding to North Dakota.

The census is safe, confidential and secure. Completing the census has never been easier and can be done by mail, phone and for the first time, online at www.2020census.gov.

Viking logoViking sports update

Volleyball
Saturday: Dakota Wesleyan 3, VCSU 0; Hastings College 3, VCSU 2
Sunday: Mayville State 3, VCSU 1

The VCSU volleyball team opened its season with three tough losses this past weekend, starting off the 2020 fall sports season at VCSU. Despite going 0-3, VCSU freshman setter Clarissa Hilary was recognized as the North Star Athletic Association Setter of the Week. Hilary tallied 124 assists in the three matches and twice recorded double-digit digs. 

Upcoming Events
Three other VCSU fall sports are currently scheduled to start competition this week. Viking Golf will travel to Mandan on Thursday for a dual against Dickinson State. VCSU football is scheduled to start the season Sept. 12 at Presentation College, and Viking cross country travels to Dakota State for a meet on Saturday. 

Sept. 10: Golf @ Mandan, N.D., noon
Sept. 12: Cross Country @ Madison, S.D., 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 12: Football @ Presentation College, 1 p.m. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
Sept. 13-14: Golf @ Jamestown Country Club, 1 p.m./9 a.m. (Jamestown, N.D.)

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Tuesday, September 8

Wednesday, September 9
3-5 p.m., free COVID-19 testing for Valley City and VCSU communities, West Fieldhouse Parking Lot

Thursday, September 10
noon, Viking golf at Mandan, N.D.
11 a.m- 1 p.m., free COVID-19 testing for VCSU community, West Fieldhouse Parking Lot
4-6 p.m. Farmers Market, Rosebud Visitor Center Parking Lot

Friday, September 11

Saturday, September 12
10:30 a.m., Viking men’s and women’s cross country at Herb Blakely Invitational, Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.
1 p.m. Viking football at Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D.

Sunday, September 13
1 p.m., Viking men’s and women’s golf at Jamestown Country Club, Jamestown, N.D. (Sept. 13-14)

Monday, September 14
4-6 p.m., Farmers Market, Rosebud Visitor Center Parking Lot

Tuesday, September 15
Payday

Wednesday, September 16
7 p.m., Viking volleyball vs. Dickinson State University, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Thursday, September 17
4-6 p.m., Farmers Market, Rosebud Visitor Center Parking Lot
6:30 p.m., Viking baseball vs. Mayville State University (9 innings), Charlie Brown Field

Friday, September 18
7 p.m., Viking volleyball vs. Presentation College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Saturday, September 19
1 p.m., Viking football vs. Waldorf University, Lokken Stadium

Sunday, September 20
1 p.m., Viking golf at Dickinson State University Invitational, Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora, N.D. (Sept. 20-21)