This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• VCSU President’s Column
• Laczkoski, Meyers to present faculty recital
• Pedersen to speak on Vietnam experience Tuesday
• VCSU Theatre opens ‘Lysistrata’ on Friday
• Bluegrass jam at museum Saturday afternoon
• Observe supermoon Sunday at Medicine Wheel
• Aus, Olson speak at N.D. educators conference
• Russell, Bernardo present at OER summit
• Listopad receives Freedom of Expression award
• Meyers named Yamaha Performing Artist
• Voice students participate in Minnesota NATS competition
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 4 p.m. the Friday before publication.

VCSU President’s Column

by Tisa Mason, Ed.D., CAE
Valley City State University President

Encouragement fuels hope

I just returned from the annual meeting for presidents of state colleges and universities renewed and reaffirmed in the mission, vision, and effectiveness of VCSU. Our team is making great progress on many important initiatives. One area in which we’re progressing is student persistence. Over the last 5 years VCSU has improved its student retention by more than 17 percentage points. This unusually rapid rate of improvement has put us in a position on par with the national average.

But VCSU is not about being average. We aim higher and work harder—especially when it comes to our students. Most important, we recognize that behind every statistic is a student, a real person whom we have an obligation to guide and encourage. And sure, not every student who leaves VCSU early is unsuccessful. Some may be enrolled in our pre-engineering program specifically designed for their transfer to UND or NDSU. Others may attend VCSU to complete general education requirements as a cost-saving strategy and then transfer to more expensive institutions with different majors. But there are indeed students who are not graduating, and we need to find more effective ways to help them succeed. That is why we continue to evaluate and refine current practices and adopt new strategies. I am so grateful for the time and energy our faculty and staff devote to getting better at supporting our students.

One aspect I especially admire about VCSU is that we have the courage to be introspective and innovative. One of my conference sessions called on universities to think deeply and differentiate between where students fail and where the university fails students—to adopt an “It’s On Us” posture rather than simply blaming students for not putting forth the effort to succeed. Researcher Robert Pace has long demonstrated that what an institution does can profoundly shape student effort and positively impact success. And even newer research by Robert Putnam indicates that often students who are not as well prepared for college do not lack in intelligence but rather in savvy. Our outreach and support of students is more critical than we sometimes realize.

I was most intrigued by new research from Gallup indicating that hope is critical to college student success. This make sense when you think about it. Ever tried to lose weight and get negative feedback from the scale? Motivated to eat more fruits and vegetables? Feel like weighing in the next day? Discouragement steals hope. Encouragement fuels hope, which results in success. I know from my experience at the Wellness Center that when I work with my trainer—who gives me information, shows me what to do, monitors my progress, and continues to encourage me—I am hopeful, focused, excited, and successful. Each week I get stronger and can do more. My trainer doesn’t remind me of what I can’t do, but instead reinforces the progress I have made and tells me how much closer I am to accomplishing my fitness goals.

I left the conference reminded how important it is to tell our students everyday how great they are, to encourage their hopes and dreams, to instill in them the importance of perseverance—of refusing to accept failure—and to love them to success. After all, this is how we create world-class athletes and how we should be creating world-class students. And the best news is that this quality of hopefulness and student support is a characteristic already alive and well at VCSU. That makes it a great day to be a Viking!

Laczkoski, Meyers to present faculty recital

A faculty recital featuring Jason Laczkoski on saxophone and Nicholaus Meyers on percussion will be held tonight (Monday, Nov. 7) at 7:30 p.m. in Froemke Auditorium in Foss Hall.

Pedersen to speak on Vietnam experience Tuesday

Vietnam veteran Dean Pedersen of Valley City will speak on his war experiences on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. in Rhoades Science Center 102.

The event is sponsored by VCSU’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society in recognition of Veterans Day.

VCSU Theatre opens ‘Lysistrata’ on Friday

VCSU Theatre will present “Lysistrata,” a classic Greek comedy by Aristophanes, in Vangstad Auditorium Nov. 11–12 and Nov. 17–19 at 7:30 p.m., along with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 12.

The cast and crew developed a contemporary script for the play, which was first produced in 411 B.C. Set during the Peloponnesian War, the story is based on Aristophanes's theory that women could end the war with a sex strike. The play is often produced and read in world literature, dramatic literature, and gender courses at universities.

Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, will be available at the door. VCSU faculty and staff are admitted free to the matinee on Nov. 12. All students from all schools are admitted free. This play is based on adult themes and may not be appropriate for children. For more information, call the VCSU Theatre Box Office at 845-7320.

Bluegrass jam at museum Saturday afternoon

The next Valley City Bluegrass Jam Session will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1–5 p.m. at the Barnes County Museum.

Beginning bluegrass musicians are welcome at the acoustic-only jam, which is open to the public free of charge.

Observe supermoon Sunday at Medicine Wheel

All “gazers upon the universe” are invited to view the November supermoon at Medicine Wheel Park in Valley City on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 4:45 p.m.

Moonrise will occur at 4:56 p.m. with sunset at 4:59 p.m. The actual moment of the full moon will occur early Monday morning.

The November supermoon is the closest full moon of the 21st century; the moon won’t come this close to earth again until November 2034.

More information about supermoons can be found at science.nasa.gov/news-articles/2016-ends-with-three-supermoons.

Aus, Olson speak at N.D. educators conference

Joan Oigawa Aus, Ed.D., and Alan Olson, Ph.D., presented at the 2016 North Dakota Fall Educators Conference in Bismarck on Oct. 13–14. The conference was attended by about 750 educators.

Aus presented both days. Her first presentation was titled “Coming Full Circle: Using Native American Cultural Traditions and Language to Teach Academic Writing,” and her second presentation was “Implementing the GO TO Strategies in Secondary Education Classes.”

Olson presented on the shared assessment efforts of the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NDACTE) with Stacy Duffield from North Dakota State University and Sarah Anderson from Mayville State University. The presentation, “Common Assessments Across North Dakota Teacher Education Programs,” covered their collaborative efforts to work on common assessments for student-teacher exit surveys, first-year teacher surveys, employer surveys and student-teacher evaluations from cooperating teachers.

Russell, Bernardo present at OER summit

Julee Russell, professor and chair of the Language and Literature Department, and Al Bernardo, user services librarian, presented at the North Dakota University System’s Open Education Resources (OER) Summit 2016 hosted by the University of North Dakota Oct. 27.

Russell and Bernardo spoke about VCSU’s efforts to incorporate OER into the curriculum. (Presentation co-author Diane Burr, professor and chair of the Kinesiology and Human Performance Department, was unable to attend the event.)

In two semesters, OER usage has saved VCSU students nearly $290,000 in textbooks costs. A video of the presentation is available online at vimeo.com/189999732.

Listopad received Freedom of Expression award

Steve Listopad, assistant professor of communication and student media director, received the Louis Inglehart SCJ Freedom of Expression Award from the Society for Collegiate Journalists at the Fall National College Media Convention held Oct. 26–30 in Atlanta, Ga.

Listopad was cited “for contributing to the freedom of expression for high school journalists and for starting a nationwide movement inspiring others to do the same” in regard to his support of North Dakota’s John Wall New Voices Act, which ensures the free-speech rights of students journalists.

Meyers named Yamaha Performing Artist

Nicholaus Meyers, D.M.A., assistant professor of music and director of bands and percussion, has been named a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Performing artist status with the world’s largest instrument manufacturer provides a special opportunity for Meyers, as well as his students and ensembles, to play a role in instrument manufacturing and specifications, along with music education research.

With the addition of Yamaha, Meyers now has endorsements with six of the leading instrument manufacturing companies in the world.

Voice students participate in Minnesota NATS competition

Robin Allebach’s applied voice students traveled to St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., to sing in the Minnesota National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Auditions, held Nov. 4–5.

The event provided an opportunity for VCSU singers to gain experience in auditioning and performing, as well as to hear and watch other collegiate singers perform in a competitive setting.

Sophomore Rochelle Van Bruggen placed in the semifinals for sophomore women. Other VCSU participants included Joseph Munowenyu III, Bernae Hertz, Jenny Riemann, Hannah Gress, Mariah Almklov and Brandi Aranda.

Viking sports update

Volleyball
Wednesday: VCSU 3, Mayville State 0
Friday: VCSU 3, Dickinson State 0
Saturday: University of Jamestown 3, VCSU 0
The Viking volleyball team closed out the regular season with past week, finishing with an 11-21 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play. VCSU earned the No. 4 seed for the NSAA Conference Tournament and will host Dickinson State at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Cross Country
The Viking Cross Country teams wrapped up their season with the NSAA Championships on Saturday in Dickinson. Dennis Gonzales led all Viking runners with a 10th place finish in the men’s race, which earned him all-conference honors. VCSU finished sixth as a team in both the men’s and women’s races. View complete results at www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2432.php.

Women’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 66, Judson University 45
Saturday: Cardinal Stritch 79, VCSU 63
The Viking women’s basketball team went 1-1 during the Cardinal Stritch Classic this past weekend in Milwaukee, Wis. VCSU (3-3) hosts Trinity Bible College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball
Friday: Dordt College 99, VCSU 72
Saturday: Northwestern College 86, VCSU 79
Valley City State’s men’s basketball team went 0-2 this weekend on a road trip to Iowa. VCSU (3-4) hosts Trinity Bible College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Players of the Week
Valley City State senior linebacker Nicholas McBeain was named the NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 31. McBeain recorded 21 tackles in a loss to Jamestown.

Upcoming Events
Nov. 8: Volleyball vs. Dickinson State, 7 p.m. (NSAA 1st Round)
Nov. 8: WBB/MBB vs. Trinity Bible College, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Nov. 10: Football @ Southeastern University, 6:30 p.m. CT (Lakeland, Fla.)
Nov. 11: Women’s Basketball @ York College, 8 p.m. (York College Classic, York, Neb.)
Nov. 12: Women’s Basketball vs. Bethany College, 1 p.m. (York College Classic)
Nov. 14: Men’s Basketball @ Augustana College, 7 p.m. (Sioux Falls, S.D.)

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

Monday, November 7

7:30 p.m. Laczkoski and Meyers faculty recital, Froemke Auditorium

Tuesday, November 8

Election Day
12:05-1:05 p.m. Rotary Club meeting, VFW
3 p.m. Dean Pedersen on Vietnam experiences, Rhoades 102
5:30/7:30 p.m. Viking women’s/men’s basketball vs. Trinity Bible College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
7 p.m. Viking volleyball NSAA play-off match, Graichen Gymnasium

Wednesday, November 9

noon–1 p.m. Kiwanis meeting, Valley City Town and Country Club

Thursday, November 10

8:30 a.m.–3.30 p.m. Stuff a Truck with Holiday Spirit!, Hi-Liner Activity Center
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room
5:30–7:30 p.m. Rotary Wine Tasting, Barnes County Museum
6 p.m. Viking football @ Southeastern College, Lakeland, Fla.

Friday, November 11

Veterans Day
No VCSU classes; VCSU offices closed
7:30 p.m. VCSU Theatre, “Lysistrata” opens (7:30 p.m., Nov. 11–12, 17–19; 2 p.m. matinee, Nov. 12)
Viking women’s basketball @ York Classic, York, Neb.

Saturday, November 12

Viking women’s basketball @ York Classic, York, Neb.
1–5 p.m. Bluegrass jam, Barnes County Museum

Sunday, November 13
4:45 p.m. Supermoon observation, Medicine Wheel Park

Monday, November 14

Viking men’s basketball @ Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Tuesday, November 15

Payday
11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05-1:05 p.m. Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, November 16

12-1 p.m. Kiwanis meeting, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, November 17

7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room
6 p.m. Junior Naturalists “Construct a Dreamcatcher” event, Fish Hatchery (bring your own feathers)

Friday, November 18

Viking men’s basketball @ Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Ill.

Saturday, November 19

Viking men’s basketball @ Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Ill.
3 p.m. Samantha Hintz senior recital, Froemke Auditorium

Sunday, November 20

Holiday Preview at area businesses, Valley City Chamber of Commerce