President’s Column: Celebrating achievement, resilience, and new beginnings at Commencement
Greetings from Valley City State University!
As the calendar turns to December 19, 2024, the Valley City State University community will gather in Vangstad Auditorium to celebrate a special moment in the lives of our students: the Winter Commencement. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the hard work, perseverance, and determination that has brought our graduates to this point. But more than just a ceremony, it’s a day that speaks to the heart of who we are as a university, as a community, and as a place of transformation.
Many small universities across the country have abandoned the practice of holding a winter commencement in favor of a spring commencement only. We have continued to hold onto this ceremony and recognition of achievement for those who are completing their degree requirements at the end of this semester. This allows them to receive recognition from the university community and celebrate this important milestone with their family and friends. We have 17 students who will be recognized for the completion of their master’s degree and 103 for their undergraduate degrees.
As families, friends, faculty and staff look on, this will be a moment for reflection and gratitude—for all those who have supported the graduates, and for the graduates themselves, who have worked diligently to reach this significant achievement. We honor their commitment to learning and growth and recognize the importance of education as a tool for personal transformation in a rapidly changing world.
Jazmine (Hill) Truax has been selected to deliver the undergraduate reflection. Dr. Heather (Metcalf) Kvilvang ’98 will deliver the faculty reflection, and Dr. Casey Ryan will offer remarks on behalf of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.
Jazmine Truax graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Spanish minor and a reading certificate. After completing her student teaching at Eastwood Elementary in West Fargo, she was subsequently hired full-time and began teaching her own kindergarten class on November 4. Truax says the joy her students have for learning is contagious, and she is honored to be part of their education journey. Jazmine grew up in Wahpeton, N.D., where her mom is a kindergarten teacher and her main inspiration. Jazmine was an engaged student on our campus, serving as both a Viking Ambassador and a Learning Commons Tutor, along with being involved in band and choir. She plans to return to VCSU for her master’s degree in the future.
Dr. Heather Kvilvang will deliver the faculty reflection. She has been an impactful faculty member for 22 years in our award-winning education department. Heather is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies and serves as chair of the Teaching and Technology concentration for the graduate school. Kvilvang earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from VCSU and previously taught second grade. She also has a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from MSU Moorhead, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from NDSU. During her 22 years at VCSU, her focus has been to help her students become master teachers through working hard and having fun.
For many of our graduates, this day is about more than a degree. It’s about resilience. They’ve adapted to new learning environments, navigated a changing world, and balanced their academic lives with the other ups and downs that come with growing up. These graduates have shown perseverance, determination, and grit in their pursuit of a degree.
As the graduates walk across that stage and into the next chapter of their lives, we know the future holds big things for them. Whether they’re going on to further their education, starting a new career, or pursuing a dream they’ve carried with them for years, they are ready. They’ve been prepared here at VCSU—not just with knowledge and skills, but with the mindset to tackle whatever challenges come their way.
So, while this day marks an ending of sorts, it’s also the beginning of something exciting. For the students graduating on December 19, this is just the start. The experiences and lessons they’ve learned here will be their foundation as they go on to make a difference in the world. They are prepared, they are capable, and they are ready to leave their mark.
It’s a moment to step back and appreciate the hard work, the late nights, and the sacrifices that have led to this day. It’s a chance to look around and realize that, together, we’ve created something special here at VCSU.
We congratulate the class of 2024! You’ve earned this day. You’ve put in the work, and now it’s time to take pride in all you’ve accomplished. The entire VCSU community is proud of you, and we look forward to following your future successes. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll do next.