Hotline // May 8, 2024

VCSU announces Gary Tharaldson and family will donate largest gift in university history

$5 million gifted to the Forward Together Capital Campaign

Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced the largest gift in university history. Gary Tharaldson ’67, and family have given $5 million as part of the Forward Together Capital Campaign. The campaign supports much-needed facility upgrades and student scholarships.

The gift will help jumpstart an expansion to the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse – VCSU’s main athletic building. The facility was built in 1960, when VCSU had 111 athletes. Today, there are almost 300 Viking athletes on campus.

“This gift will be transformative for our campus and community,” President Alan LaFave said. “The Forward Together campaign will bring our campus into the future with updated facilities and new momentum for our students, athletes and employees. We are excited and grateful for the bright future this gift will provide for future Vikings.”

The first phase of the Forward Together capital campaign is underway with work to renovate McCarthy Hall into the future home for the School of Education. The second phase of the campaign is the Fieldhouse expansion project, which includes a turfed multi-purpose indoor practice facility, new strength and conditioning areas, and several locker rooms.

“Our alumni help make Valley City and our state a special place. We are so grateful when alumni support our current students. A gift like this is a game-changer for our campus and it’s an exciting time to be a part of VCSU,” Executive Director for University Advancement Cory Anderson ’89, said. “This is a huge step toward our future and ensuring the experience for future Vikings is a high-quality educational experience.”

“We are thankful for the tremendous support we have received from the Tharaldson family, alumni, business community, faculty, staff and many other friends of the university,” director of the Forward Together campaign Larry Robinson said. “The generous gift from the Tharaldson family will go a long way to capping off a very successful effort. The resulting campus improvements will have a huge impact on VCSU and our entire region for years to come. We owe a big thank you to all of our donors.”

“This gift will have a huge, positive impact for our student athletes,” Athletic Director Dennis McCulloch said. “We firmly believe in the work of helping our students find success through competition, hard work and academics. The expansion of athletic facilities will help our students focus on those important aspects of a college career.”

For more information about the Forward Together campaign or to schedule an interview please contact Tammy Jo A. Taft, director of marketing and communication, by emailing tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu or calling (701) 845-7227.

The Forge Open Mic Night tonight

The Forge, VCSU’s literary and arts journal, will be holding its annual open mic event for all contributors included in the 2024 issue on Wednesday, May 8, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Center for the Arts lobby.

The campus and community are invited to attend this celebration of VCSU’s talented writers and artists. Copies of the publication will also be available that evening.

Senior Awards Recognition this Friday

The VCSU Senior Awards Recognition event will take place this Friday, May 10 at 1 p.m. in the Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall. The awards will also be livestreamed on the YouTube channel and on the Facebook page.

Award presentations from all VCSU departments will be made to graduating seniors. A dessert social, sponsored by the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office, will follow the award presentations in the Robinson Center for the Arts Lobby.

If you have questions, please email kim.hesch@vcsu.edu.

VCSU Spring Commencement ceremony set for May 11, 2024

See information about VCSU Graduation and Spring Commencement ceremonies here.

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) will host spring commencement at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11 at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse in Valley City, ND.

President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. Biller, will represent the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior, Madison Yoder, and the faculty reflections will be presented by Dr. Travis Knapp.

The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed at YouTube.com/@VCSUVikings and the Facebook page.

Madison Yoder is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education. Yoder grew up in Dickinson and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Valley City State University was her dream school due to the nationally-recognized teacher education program. While on campus, she served as the Student Body President for two years, participated in English Club, Spanish Club, served as a crew leader for New Student Orientation and a member of the Education Advisory Board. She enjoys the methodical approach used to solve math problems. Yoder aims to make math friendly and approachable for all students. She completed her student teaching at Dickinson Middle School and has been hired by the school as a full-time 8th grade math teacher.

Travis Knapp, Ph.D., joined the VCSU Language and Literature Department in 2022. He teaches writing, literature and linguistics. Knapp, who grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Oklahoma State University, and has a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in English Literature. Knapp enjoys conversations with students, discussing different ideas and seeing if conversations can change the way someone thinks about something. Knapp lives in Valley City and enjoys going for walks and being involved in music communities, including playing trumpet in the Valley City Community Band.

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft by emailing TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu, or calling 701-845-7227.

Employee Recognition Dinner this Thursday

The President’s Office is pleased to announce that the VCSU Employee Recognition Dinner will be held Thursday, May 9, at the VCSU Cafeteria in the Student Center. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m. with meal to follow at 6 p.m.

Recognitions for the 2023–2024 academic year will include retirements, years of service, Difference Maker, Staff Employee of the Quarter, degree and professional certification completion, tenure and promotion, Student Advocate of the Year, Teacher of the Year and faculty excellence.

The following will be recognized that evening:

The “Difference Maker” Award 2023-24

• Aleisha Kiser
• Marcia Pritchert
• Janna Kohler
• Taylor Henningsgard
• Benjamin Ferguson
• Stephen Langved
• Ryan Boll
• Brittany Nathan
• Paul Thilmony
• Wayne Kuntz
• Seth Auka
• Erin Edinger

Employee of the Quarter Award 2023-24

• Melinda Schwab
• Sarah Wangrud
• Rachel Bopp
• Patsy Winkler

Completion of Degrees & Professional Certification 2023-24

• Bridget Blunck
• Dr. Taylor Long
• Sara Schmuhl
• Sarah Wangrud

Faculty Awarded Promotion

• Gratia Brown
• Dr. Emily Fenster
• Dr. Rachelle Hunt
• Angela Mircsov
• Dr. Alexander Jorgensen

2023-2024 Student Advocate of the Year
Dr. Erin Klingenberg

2023-2024 Teacher of the Year
Dr. Travis Knapp

Years of Service
5 Years

• June Baude
• Kiersten Baughman
• Joe Bowen
• Abigail Bremer
• Gratia Brown
• Kelsie Carter
• Yang Du
• Kayla Elston
• Jacob Frey
• Deedra Froemke
• Elisa Krumwiede
• Barbara Mattson
• Laquone Robinson
• Beverly Rohrbeck
• Angela Saxlund
• Anthony Wendel
• Dustin Yorek

10 Years

• Scott Andersen
• Brian Bakke
• Megan Banderet
• Sharon Bratrud
• Aleisha Kiser
• Kevin Knight
• Amber Olson
• Rebecca Thebo
• Linda Trzpuc

15 Years

• Rachelle Hunt
• Jackie Owen
• Jenni Lou Russi
• Jodi Shorma

20 Years

• Louis Wieland

25 Years

• CJ Kotta
• Brad Mills
• Kari Stricklin Kamrowski
• Shannon VanHorn

30 Years

• Gregg Horner
• Dennis McCulloch

Faculty Excellence Awards
Heather Peschel
Dr. Travis Knapp
Dr. Heather Kvilvang

Retirements

• Larry Robinson (1975-2024)
• Dr. Erin Klingenberg (1990-2024)
• Jody Henjum (2000-2024)
• Paula Larson (2008-2024)
• Jackie Owen (2009-2024)
• Kathleen Bennett Zaun (2010-2024)
• Kaley Mari (2017-2024)
• Kay Johnson (2020-2023)

President's Column: Research, results, rewards

On Tuesday, April 30, we were treated to an exceptional display of student research projects and proposals in the Robinson Center for the Arts. The organization of the day was led by Dr. Emily Wicktor, and this year’s symposium was filled with an impressive array of work!

The research process involves engaging in inquiry above and beyond the activities of a typical lecture class. This year’s symposium provided more than 55 undergraduate students with the opportunity to showcase their research, writing, and other creative projects. Spanning five departments; Art, Business, Computer Systems and Software Engineering, Language and Literature, and Kinesiology and Human Performance, the event highlighted a broad representation of academic areas of interest. The presentations were done individually and in groups across 16 unique courses or special university programs.

A small sampling of the projects included:

• Seasonal Movement of Walleye in Fox Lake, North Dakota
• Impact of iPads in the Secondary Classroom
• AI Robotic Surgery: Ethical or Inhumane?
• Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
• Ethics and Security of Autonomous Vehicles
• Artificial Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion
• Legal and ethical considerations in remote work

Student recipients of the 2023-24 SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) award and the EPSC0R (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) award. Faculty members from the Science, Social Science, and Music departments also presented some of their research related to their disciplines.

A special highlight of the day included an informative and thought-provoking presentation from NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott entitled, “Living and Working with Intelligent Machines: Suggesting a Way Ahead” in conjunction with the VCSU Scholar Symposium. Chancellor Hagerott’s commitment to advancing issues impacting higher education is well-informed and greatly appreciated.

Research is alive and well at VCSU! We thank and congratulate all who participated. Special thanks to the faculty who mentored and supported the students in these efforts.

Finally, I’d like to express deep appreciation to all who participated and supported the VCSU Scholarship Auction on April 29, 2024. The event raised more than $125,000 which will directly support and enhance student scholarships. We are very fortunate to live and work in a community that is so supportive of our campus! Thank you to all alumni, friends and patrons, faculty, staff, and students for your participation!

Go Vikings!

VCSU Trap Shooter Brings Home 1st in Male Singles Trap at State Contest

The Valley City State University (VCSU) Trap Club competed in the North Dakota State Collegiate Trap Shoot on Saturday, April 27.

Kaden Schafer, a freshman majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, earned the title for 1st Place Male in Singles Trap with a 93/100 after a two-round shoot-off to break a three-way tie. VCSU’s top shots for the day were Kaden Schafer, Logan Heen, Brooke Gaudry, Grant Larson and Derek Jacobs.

“It was great to participate in this event and compete against other collegiate level teams from our region,” club advisor and professor Dr. Nick Galt said. “Trap is such a competitive sport and it’s great to have high-level competitors to compete against.”

Next fall, VCSU will launch an intercollegiate Shooting Sports team.

“It was a windy day and I was glad to hit 93 in those conditions,” Schafer said. “It always impresses me how much respect there is between competitors even in a high-stakes shoot-off.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the VCSU Trap Club or the new Shooting Sports team can contact Dr. Galt at nicholas.galt@vcsu.edu or by calling 701-845-7459.

Senior Spotlight: Madison Yoder

Meet Madison Yoder, a Math Education major, from Dickinson, ND. Yoder led students on campus as the Student Body President and now has started her career as a math educator. Between teaching systems of linear equations, functions and scatter plots, she is preparing to speak during the annual commencement ceremony on May 11, 2024.

Hometown: Dickinson, ND
High School: Dickinson High School
Area of Study at VCSU: Math Education

How did you land at VCSU?
I actually only applied to VCSU. It was my dream school. VCSU has the best education program in the state and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I haven’t always known what kind of teacher, so when I got to VCSU I started with an English education degree and a math minor. I ended up briefly double majoring and then realized that English is more of a personal passion of mine and I wanted to teach math.

What do you like about math and teaching math?
I mostly love math because it’s very methodical and very black and white. It’s also one of the subjects that can prevent people from graduating the most, so it’s an interest of mine to be a good math teacher that is friendly and approachable.

What activities did you participate in while attending VCSU?
I was the president of Student Senate and of the student body for two years. I was in English Club, Spanish Club and a crew leader for New Student Orientation. I coached speech and debate at the high school and was a member of the education advisory board. I was really impressed with the involvement student senate was able to accumulate, especially at the North Dakota Student Association (NDSA) conferences. We went from a delegation that was present but not really participating to one of the fiercest and most well-attended delegations. VCSU always had something to say and brought legislation to the table. I think that is something I helped cultivate. I think that bled on to campus. People knew who was on student senate and knew what they were doing. We were approachable and made ourselves respected and respectable.

What did student senate accomplish that you are proud of?
We were very loud about grading policies and ended up producing a survey where students could submit concerns or kudos about certain professors. We also revived the meeting between student senate and the wellness center administration. That was a concern for students and we got it restarted. We also passed a resolution about social justice that I was proud of.

Did VCSU prepare you well for your teaching career?
I do think I was well prepared. I was offered a job before my third week of student teaching was done. I applied as soon as I got here, and was offered the job because of the glowing letters of recommendation I had from professors and my supervising teacher. I immediately called my professors and was crying. I said, “Because of you, I’m living my dream.” Another teacher at my school is earning his Master’s degree through VCSU and told me he has learned more in his year than during his entire undergraduate experience. Our faculty in the math department are excellent. I felt so prepared.

What skills will you take with you for life?
VCSU above everything teaches you to be a lifelong learner. I feel like that is something I’ll always have with me.

VCSU Juried Art Exhibition now showing

The Student Juried Art Exhibition is now on display in the Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery through May 10.

This exhibition displays the talent of student works featuring a variety of mediums including paintings, drawings, photography, digital work and sculptures. Juror for the show is Anna Jacobson, Director of Education and Exhibition at the Jamestown Art Center.

The reception will take place on May 1 from 3 p.m – 4 p.m with an award ceremony at 3:30 pm. The award ceremony will be recorded and posted on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube channel and Facebook page for those who cannot attend.

Viking sports update

Baseball
The VCSU Baseball team finished 3rd at the NSAA Postseason Tournament, posting a 2-2 record. The Vikings end the season with a 21-33 overall mark, finishing third in the conference in both the regular season and postseason.

Softball
The Valley City State softball team took 3rd place at the NSAA Postseason Tournament, going 3-2 during the tournament in Dickinson. The Vikings end the year with a 28-22 overall record and took 2nd place in the regular season standings.

Track & Field
VCSU Track & Field competes at the NSAA Outdoor Track & Field Conference Championships on Thursday and Friday. The conference meet is being held in Madison, S.D.

Live Results: https://results.blacksquirreltiming.com/meets/37303

Viking Awards
The VCSU Athletic Department held its annual Viking Awards ceremony this week. Major award winners are below.
Athletes of the Year: Sadie Hansen and Jaiden Peraza
Viking Impact Award: Saige Forseth and Avery Thorsgard
Newcomers of the Year: Logan Gronberg and Takao Cookson
Iron Vikings: Alyssa DePoorter and Keeton Clark
Golden Crutch: Joelle Lamontagne

Upcoming Events
May 9-10: NSAA Track & Field Conference Championships, 12:30 p.m./10:00 a.m. (Madison, S.D.)
May 22-24: NAIA Track & Field National Championships (Marion, Ind.)

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

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/