VCSU Art and Music Facility Officially Renamed Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

Robinson to retire from VCSU with more than 50 years of service to ND

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced the official naming of the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts to honor Robinson’s long and successful career at VCSU. The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved the renaming during their last meeting in March.

“Larry exemplifies the qualities and characteristics one would expect in the naming of a campus facility. He has garnered more than 25 individual awards and recognitions as a legislator throughout his tenure,” President Alan LaFave said. “At the conclusion of his 49 plus year career at VCSU, this is a befitting honor in recognition of his extensive contributions to our campus, community, and state. His career, achievements and legacy are worthy of this recognition.”

Larry Robinson graduated from Tappen High School and earned his B.S. degree in education from VCSU in 1971. He also earned his Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from NDSU. He started his career as a teacher in Warwick, N.D. then returned to VCSU as the Director of the Memorial Student Center and Student Activities/Auxiliary Services in 1975. In 1996, Robinson was hired as the first Director of the VCSU Foundation. In 2021, he stepped into the role of directing VCSU’s first-ever capital campaign. He and his wife Mary Lee reside in Valley City and are active community members.

Robinson served as a member of the North Dakota Legislature as a senator for District 24 from 1988 to 2019. He served in several leadership positions including on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Higher Education Committee and Veterans Affairs. His leadership helped facilitate funding for a new Veterans’ Home in Lisbon, flood protection for communities in the Sheyenne River Valley and the for the new VCSU Center for the Arts. The $32 million building was officially opened for students in the spring of 2022.

The Robinson Center for the Arts is the creative hub for all art and music on campus. The art facilities include a ceramics lab, printmaking, painting, and drawing studio, a woodshop, a photography studio and digital design lab. Music facilities in the building include a 350-seat performance hall, 100-seat choral room, a band rehearsal room, piano lab, recording studio and numerous practice rooms of various sizes.

A public celebration and dedication event is being planned for June 2024.

For more information, to interview Robinson, tour the facility or for more information please contact Tammy Jo Taft by emailing tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu or calling (701) 845-7227.