Hotline // January 4, 2023

Valley City State University offering Cardiographic Technician course

Valley City State University (VCSU) will offer an eight-week course for individuals interested in becoming certified Cardiographic Technicians.

The course, Allied Health 102, will begin Jan. 9, at VCSU, and is a hybrid online and in-person course. It will be taught by VCSU faculty and long-time area nurse and adjunct faculty member Alana McClellan.

After successful completion of the course, students will be prepared to take the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) examination. The certification is required for individuals working as Cardiographic Technicians. These positions can include performing electrocardiograms (ECGs), heart-related monitoring, stress testing and ECG interpretation.

“There is a need for more individuals who are certified as Cardiographic Technicians locally and nationally,” VCSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “This course is being offered to help train more people to fill this critical workforce need.”

The course will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m., with a pre-class meeting in early January to help students prepare. Course materials will cover basic function of the heart, interpreting ECG strips, identifying pathologies of the heart and preparation for the CCT exam.  The course will end on March 3.

“This course is a great example of productive partnerships,” President Alan LaFave said. “Taking steps to meet this need for technicians is the result of years of partnership and support from the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation. We are grateful to have the VCBCDC and various employers in Valley City open doors with new career paths for students.”

Individuals interested in taking this course must first apply to VCSU as a non-degree seeking student at apply.vcsu.edu. Once accepted, individuals should contact Dr. Hilde van Gijssel for more information at hilde.vangijssel@vcsu.edu or by calling 701-845-7337.

To schedule an interview about this course, contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft by emailing tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu or calling 701-845-7227.

Jacob Knapek: the Plant Guy

by Garret Fettig, ’23 

As a high school student in St. Cloud, Minn., Jacob Knapek had no idea he’d spend his future days thinking about grass.

Not just any grass — specifically, native prairie grasses. Though Minnesota is the Midwest’s most forested state, there’s more to their terrain than trees. Prairie once covered one-third of Minnesota’s 86,000 square miles. Today, less than 1% of that landscape remains.

When Knapek learned this during a high school Minnesota Ecology class, it changed the course of his future. A seed of interest in natural science sprouted in him that eventually lead to Valley City State University.

Read the full story at https://www.vcsu.edu/jacob-knapek-the-plant-guy/.

Fenster attends human services symposium

Emily Fenster, associate professor of sociology, attended the 2022 National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) national symposium held online Oct. 19-21. The theme was “Human Services: Emerging Trends and Future Directions in Practice, Pedagogy, and Research,” and attendees included educators, practitioners and students in areas related to human services. She attended sessions on a wide range of topics including: professional quality of life, critical consciousness, compassion, student mental health and advocacy.

Viking Sports Update

Women’s Basketball
Dec. 30: Univ. of Jamestown 75, VCSU 54
The Viking women’s basketball team wrapped up non-conference play this past week with an 8-6 overall record. VCSU jumps back into NSAA action this weekend with games at Dakota State and Bellevue.

Men’s Basketball
The VCSU men’s basketball team is currently 7-7 overall. The Vikings play Wednesday night at Martin Luther College and then resume conference play with games Friday and Saturday at Dakota State and Bellevue.

Upcoming Events
Jan. 4: Men’s Basketball at Martin Luther College, 7 p.m. (New Ulm, Minn.)
Jan. 6: WBB/MBB at Dakota State, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Madison, S.D.)
Jan. 7: WBB/MBB at Bellevue University, 3/5 p.m. (Bellevue, Neb.)

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

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/

January 4
7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.)

January 6
5:30/7:30 p.m. WBB/MBB at Dakota State (Madison, S.D.)

January 7
3/5 p.m. WBB/MBB at Bellevue University (Bellevue, Neb.)

Community Club meetings

• Valley City Community Band – every Thursday, VCSU Center for the Arts Room 171
• 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.