VCSU to host spring commencement on May 15

Valley City State University will hold a spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15, to honor its graduating class during the 2021 spring semester. VCSU will recognize 318 graduates – 278 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 36 will receive master’s degrees. All graduates recognized at the Virtual Commencement Ceremonies in May 2020 and December 2020 are also invited back to participate in the face-to-face ceremony.

The in-person ceremony will also be live streamed on VCSU’s Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings

President LaFave will preside over the commencement exercises. Graduating senior, Peyton Halverson, will deliver the undergraduate reflection, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Kevin Murphy, assistant professor of mathematics.

Alan LaFave has served as president of Valley City State University since December 2018. He previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.

Peyton Halverson, a VCSU senior from Cando, N.D., graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree after double-majoring in health science and chemistry. She also earned a minor in biology and has been accepted into dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Peyton plans to graduate from the UNMC College of Dentistry as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2025. She is a four-year student-athlete on the VCSU track and field team and also competed for the basketball and cross country teams early in her Viking career. She is a member of the Preprofessional Club, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Peyton was also a musician in the athletic band and served as a tutor for biology, chemistry and calculus.

Kevin Murphy, Ph.D., serves Valley City State University as an assistant professor of mathematics and was named the 2021 Student Senate Teacher of the Year. In selecting him as Teacher of the Year, student senators praised Kevin’s ability to connect with students and his dedication to their personal success and well-being. Kevin has been teaching at VCSU since 2018, first joining campus as an assistant professor of science. He holds a Ph.D. from the Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry University of Georgia. Kevin also holds a master’s degree from Portland State University, a bachelor’s from Eastern Oregon University and an associate degree from Chemeketa Community College.

Face coverings will be required for all attendees. Graduating students have received up to six tickets to distribute to family and friends who wish to attend.

Well wishes may be sent to the Class of 2021 on VCSU’s Kudoboard at https://vcsu.kudoboard.com/boards/kcnn9HJO/classof2021. Find or share commencement related content on social media by using #2021Vikings.