This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Chili Cook-Off and Community Olympics to be held tonight
• VCSU student and alumni exhibit in Jamestown
• Bodine named a ‘Difference Maker’
• Blood drive a success at VCSU
• Dieken presents artist talk
• Ross participates in ACTE National Policy Seminar
• Bookmark This! Notes from Allen Memorial Library
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
• March birthdays

Chili Cook-Off and Community Olympics to be held tonight

The North Dakota Winter Show Chili Cook-Off and Community Olympics, sponsored by the Valley City Chamber of Commerce, will be held tonight, Monday, March 7, at the Winter Show Event Center.

The Chili Cook-Off begins at 5:30 p.m., and the Community Olympics begin at 7 p.m.

VCSU students, captained by the VCSU Student Sub-Unit of the American Fisheries Society and led by co-advisors Chris Carpenter and Rick Ross, have teams entered in both events; please come out to the Winter Show and support them.

(VCSU is the defending champion in the Chili Cook-off; pictured are last year’s team members with President Mason and Kay Vinje of the Valley City Chamber of Commerce.)

VCSU student and alumni exhibit in Jamestown

“The Proofs,” an exhibit of works by Valley City State students and alumni, is on display at the Jamestown Arts Center. The exhibit opened March 3 and will run through April 2. The gallery is open free of charge weekly Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Featured artists include Michael Birchler, Katarina Boychuk, Brock Drenth, Megan Fuller, Cassy Gilbertson, Kaitlyn Huss, Kaylee Johnson, Esther Keeling, Ashley Smethers, Hayden Swanson, Megan Trautman, Hailie Wilds and Brenna Winters.

A reception, open to the public free of charge, will be held Friday, April 1, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Stay for a Bobby Vee tribute concert, “Vee Sings Vee,” by his son, Robby Vee, at 7:30 p.m. Student tickets for this event are $10; members pay $20 and non-members $25. Call 701-251-2496 to purchase tickets.)

In an effort to engage more college students in their programming, the Arts Center approached VCSU art faculty to consider mounting a student art exhibition. This is the first time the Arts Center has opened the gallery exclusively to students—the educational opportunity provides students a taste of what is required when mounting an off-campus gallery exhibition and gives them a helpful addition to their résumés.

The VCSU arts students are also involved in designing sculptural bike racks for the Arts Center’s Hansen Arts Park, teaching classes for Artful Happy Hour and at the Anne Carlsen Center. These collaborations are essential, providing the Arts Center with needed help and creativity and the students with “real world” experience.

Bodine named a ‘Difference Maker’

At a brief ceremony held Tuesday, March 1, Kari Bodine, administrative assistant in Student Affairs and Career Services, was named a “Difference Maker” at VCSU.

She was nominated by the Financial Aid and Registrar’s offices; according to the nomination, “Kari has been a great addition to VCSU. Throughout the transitions that have occurred in her area, she has handled the changes with confidence and enthusiasm. She is very professional, calm, and always has a smile on her face! Her positive attitude is a wonderful asset.”

Congratulations, Kari!

This is the fifth “Difference Maker” award given after a subcommittee of Staff Senate updated the former “Difference is Me” award. Each month, an office group is asked to nominate someone they feel is a “Difference Maker” for them. The Difference Maker subcommittee includes Tuya Dutton, Kelli Heath, Adam Longmore and Jessica O’Day.

Blood drive a success at VCSU

The VCSU Blood Drive held Feb. 4–5 was a success, with 74 people volunteering to donate blood and 53 able to give. More than a dozen people gave blood on the automated 2RBC machine, which collects two units of red blood cells during the donation, so a total of 65 blood products were collected. There were 15 people who donated for their first time.

Betty Tykwinski and Denise Beaver-Eslinger coordinated the drive, and the Student Nurses Organization sponsored and assisted with recruiting donors, publicity, providing refreshments, and registering donors.

Others who assisted the day of the drive included Aubrey Even, Betsy Sprague, Renee Wert, Korynn Miles, Sarah Rippley, Caitlin Grumbo, Kayla Brown, Tawnya Fisher, Shannon Hagen, Lindsey Saxberg, Kalsie Beyer and Amanda Hinrichs. VCSU advertised and provided space to hold the drive. Sodexo provided cookies and refreshments.

Donations will help meet the blood needs of many patients in 108 regional hospitals served by United Blood Services.

Dieken presents artist talk

Karri Dieken, assistant professor of art, presented an artist’s talk, “Paper, Print and Installation” at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, N.D., Feb. 26. The talk addressed Dieken’s participation in a current Plains Art Museum exhibit, “The Road and the Swarm,” featuring works by Dieken and Minnesota artist Patrick Vincent.

Dieken presented an artist talk on Paper, Print and Installation at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, Friday February 26th. The lecture covered the current body of work The Road and The Swarm, a collaborative exhibition by both Dieken and artist Patrick Vincent.

Pictured are Dieken and VCSU art students who attended the talk.

A closing reception for the exhibit will be at the museum on March 24 from 6–8 p.m.

Ross participates in ACTE National Policy Seminar

Rick Ross, associate professor of career and technology education, participated in the Association for Career and Technical Education’s National Policy Seminar held in Washington D.C, February 29–March 2, 2016. The policy seminar focused on legislation and its impact on career and technical education (CTE). This year’s seminar was important because of the passing of the “Every Student Succeeds Act.”

While at the seminar, Ross participated in workshops on legislation, especially in the areas of student achievement, teacher recruiting, teacher retention, and the Higher Education Act.

Ross also visited with several legislators about the impact CTE has in filling jobs for the “New Economy” that several states, including North Dakota, are experiencing. Ross scheduled meetings with Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, and Rep. Kevin Cramer all from North Dakota.

He also met with staff from the offices of Sen. Michael Enzi (Wyo.), Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), Rep. Glenn Thompson (Pa.), Eric Seleznow (deputy assistant secretary of U.S. Department of Labor), and Mark Mitsui (deputy assistant secretary, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in the U.S. Department of Education).

Ross focused his visits with legislators on teacher recruitment and retention for the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act that will be debated in both the Senate and House this year. Legislator support for CTE is strong; Ross was pleased that all three North Dakota federal legislators are part of their respective CTE caucuses.

Bookmark This! Notes from Allen Memorial Library

Let us know how we’re doing
We want to hear from you! The annual library satisfaction survey is open for business, and we are eager for input from faculty and staff. What are we doing well? What could we do better? The survey can be found at vcsu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_b1rEjAfn4Afsk05.

Take our trial databases for a test drive
Throughout March the library is offering trial access to six databases. Be sure to check out Flipster, which provides access to full color popular magazines that you can read on your computer or mobile device, and RKMA Business Reference (www.rkma.com/vcsu/Allen/), which includes a number of business handbooks covering recent consumer behavior and market research.

Other databases on trial include eHRAF Arachaeology and World Cultures, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and The Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World. Find links to all of the trial databases at library.vcsu.edu/vp.htm?p=1905.

VCSU librarians to attend Library Technology Conference
On March 16–17, Tuya Dutton, electronic resources librarian, and Al Bernardo, user services librarian, will attend the ninth annual Library Technology Conference (libtechconf.org/about-libtech/) at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.

Dutton will present a session titled “Why CORAL?” (2016libtechconference.sched.org/event/69eq) about an innovative open-source solution for managing electronic resources.

Viking sports update

Men’s Basketball selected for national tournament
The Valley City State men’s basketball team has been selected to participate in the NAIA National Tournament as an at-large team. The No. 23-ranked Vikings open the 32-team tournament at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10, in Point Lookout, Mo. VCSU plays No. 12 Tennessee Wesleyan in the first round.

Live radio coverage of the game can be heard on AM1490 KOVC and streamed online at portal.stretchinternet.com/naia/.

Track & Field
VCSU freshman Seri Geisler competed in the women's shot put Saturday at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Johnson City, Tenn. Geisler took 21st at the meet, improving her seed by one place, with a throw of 12.56 meters (41 feet, 2 1/2 inches.)

Baseball
Saturday: Midland 7, VCSU 1; Midland 12, VCSU 2
Sunday: Midland 10, VCSU 4; Midland 2, VCSU 1
The Viking baseball team opened its spring season this past weekend with four games at Midland University in Fremont, Neb. The Vikings went 0-4 for the weekend and are now 3-11 overall, including their 10 fall games. VCSU heads to Tucson, Ariz., for 10 games from March 12–20.

Upcoming Events
March 10: Men's Basketball vs. Tennessee Wesleyan, 8:30 a.m. (NAIA National Tournament, Point Lookout, Mo.)
March 12-20: Baseball @ Tucson, Ariz. (spring break trip)
March 12-20: Softball @ Tucson, Ariz. (spring break trip)

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, March 7

ND Winter Show through March 12 (go to www.northdakotawintershow for full schedule)
5:30 p.m. Chili Cook Off, North Dakota Winter Show Event Center
7 p.m. Community Olympics, North Dakota Winter Show Event Center
7:30 p.m. Guest artist Elias Mokole, baritone, performance, Froemke Auditorium

Tuesday, March 8

7:30 p.m. Spring Choral Concert, Concert Choir and University Singers, Epworth United Methodist Church

Wednesday, March 9

Thursday, March 10

8:30 a.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Tennessee Wesleyan, NAIA National Tournament, Point Lookout, Mo.
9 p.m. FCA/CRU meeting, Skoal Room

Friday, March 11

10 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium

Saturday, March 12

Sunday, March 13

Daylight saving time begins

Monday, March 14

Region 2 High School Instrumental Contest on VCSU campus
Spring Break week

Tuesday, March 15

Pay day

Wednesday, March 16

Thursday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day
9 p.m. FCA/CRU meeting, Skoal Room

Friday, March 18

Saturday, March 19

Sunday, March 20

First day of spring
Palm Sunday

March birthdays

7 Everett Walker
8 Dennis McCulloch
13 Gilbert Kuipers
17 Bonita Roswick
17 Caroline Walters
18 Jerzy Bilski
18 Jody Klier
18 Loren Lemer
20 Joseph Munowenyu
25 Paula Larson
26 Leslie Kalmbach
27 Laurel Westby