This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President’s Column: Two for the record books
• Legislative update
• Graves named ‘Student Employee of Month’
• Undem earns grant certificate
• Teacher of the year records podcast on teacher recruitment/retention
• Da Vinha publishes paper on state-building
• Business Department hosts 25th annual Emerging Leaders Competition
• Redfearn presents at NDACDA conference
• Student blog ‘Voyager’ launches
• Monthly Sunday brunch to be offered in cafeteria
• 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.

President’s Column: Two for the record books

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

Two for the record books

Recently I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with two Viking student-athletes who epitomize the characteristics of determination, grit, and perseverance—basketball players Jayden Ferguson and Georgia Williams. With relentless focus, both Jayden and Georgia have risen in the ranks of career scoring leaders at VCSU, with Jayden securing the fourth spot among Viking men with 1,558 career points, and Georgia ranked 11th among Viking women with 1,150 career points. Georgia has also knocked down 173 career 3-pointers, just four away from breaking the school record. (These stats were recorded prior to their games Friday, Feb. 10, at Bellevue.)

They are also both honor students. Jayden, a physical education major earned a spot on the President’s Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) this fall, while Georgia, a health science major, earned her place on the Dean’s Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.99 GPA).

Impressive stats and GPAs. But what struck me during our conversation is the experience and passion they share for what is takes to be a champion and how that serves them in their daily lives—past, present and future. Here are a few observations I took away from our conversation.

• Choose well. Because both Jayden and Georgia had nurtured their talents at an early age, they were highly sought-after student-athletes. They had many choices for where to study and compete, but each expressed deep gratitude for the decision to attend VCSU. Jayden describes his time at VCSU as very productive, fueled by the support of faculty. Georgia, a transfer student, was frustrated by her previous coaches’ relentless focus on only basketball and was grateful to meet Coach Jill DeVries, who told Georgia that she would need more than basketball to be successful in life—especially as a female. Jayden and Georgia are grateful for VCSU’s emphasis on both the student and the athlete; they credit faculty and coaches for guiding their VCSU journeys in purposeful ways. I believe this long-term focus sets them apart from many of their peers and will contribute to their continued success.

• It is always about the team and the greater good. I was surprised that neither Georgia nor Jayden were exactly sure which all-time scoring position they held (they have both been climbing the rankings this season). They are rightfully proud of their hard-earned individual accomplishments, but both were adamant that any focus on individual success was simply a distraction to the team. Georgia shared that she focuses on Coach DeVries’s message that it takes five players to win, regardless of who is on the floor. She underscored this notion with a recent aha moment regarding a member of an opposing team. That player was the leading scorer in the conference, certainly a candidate for conference MVP. But the player far outshined her team, and the MVP award was given to another player whose scoring was significantly lower but who contributed much to a more successful team. Jayden added that the feeling of success is amplified and so much more powerful when it encompasses the entire team. What I learned from Georgia and Jayden is that although I try to be a good team member in a variety of areas in my life, they live this philosophy every day, developing “muscle memory” that will serve them well throughout their lives.

• Leadership is about responsibility and accountability—and for more than just yourself. Similarly, both Jayden and Georgia talked about their awareness of the moments they transitioned from team member to team leader—the significant shift in responsibility and how as leaders they are held accountable for not only their personal actions but the actions of other team members. Georgia talked about her coach calling her out during a game and asking “Why are you allowing this to happen on your team?”—even though she may have been experiencing her personal best. I smiled as I listened, feeling great empathy and admiration for their understanding, an awareness that will serve them well in their futures.

• Be prepared for any situation. It is not just about time on task but about how you use that time. Each day we have 86,400 seconds to spend. Jayden and Georgia are very cognizant of how they spend each moment of their time and the discipline it takes to excel. Two athletes may practice the same amount of time, but the quality of those practice hours is not equal. Same in life. They both talked about how they pushed themselves and worked on honing their strengths as well as developing other skills. Jayden shared that often one or two plays at the end of the game can determine who will win. He thought that the Patriots won the Super Bowl because the coach had a two-point conversion in his playbook; he was prepared. That is why he and Georgia work hard at preparing for any situation—always working at expanding their playbook. I know I personally feel better prepared to lead when I adopt the discipline to expand my knowledge and skill set just as Jayden and Georgia do.

• Listen to the message and learn; don’t be distracted by how the message is delivered. I sit behind the team; I’m a close sideline observer as the coaches motivate their teams through a variety of means. Sometimes those strategies involve “moments of intensity.” When I asked about this, I was very surprised by the depth of wisdom conveyed as Georgia replied, “It’s important to listen to the message and learn; don’t be distracted by how the message is delivered.” That is excellent advice and something I will ponder for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Jayden and Georgia. I hung on their every word—impressed by their maturity and insight. I took pages of notes, awed by these young people who are firmly rooted in who they are and how to positively engage in our world as Difference Makers. I am so proud of them, their coaches, their faculty mentors, and their families and friends who help shape the hearts, minds, and character of champions. Jayden and Georgia are definitely two more reasons why it is a great day to be a Viking!

Legislative update

NDUS staff continue to monitor legislative activity carefully and share information with President Mason and other system presidents and key administrators weekly via conference call. Legislative tracking info can be found at inside.ndus.edu/legislative (log in with your system password).

A reminder that was shared in Friday’s conference call is that the appropriations bill for higher education is one of the last pieces of legislation to be passed through the legislature.

Currently, work on the bill continues in the Senate appropriations committee. Once considered by the whole Senate, the bill will then move on to the House at Feb. 24 crossover. Typically, the House looks at the bill and makes its changes, with a conference committee comprised of members from both the Senate and House working out the details to come up with a bill satisfying both legislative bodies. Often that happens at the metaphorical 11th hour and 59th minute of the session, at the end of April or early May.

In other words, it will be a while before we know exactly what the legislative appropriation and its impact on our budget looks like.

District 24 Senator Larry Robinson recently issued a legislative report that was covered on NewsDakota.com. The Feb. 9 article can be found online at www.newsdakota.com/2017/02/09/district-24-state-senator-larry-robinson-report-audio/.

At the end of the article, Senator Robinson mentions upcoming Legislative Forums throughout District 24; he and District 24 Representatives Dwight Kiefert and Daniel Johnston have been invited to participate in three more Legislative Forums in Valley City on March 4, April 1 and April 15.

The forums—open to the public and sponsored by the Valley City Chamber of Commerce—are held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Upcoming locations are as follows: the Hi-Liner Activity Center (HAC) at Valley City High School on March 4, the Skoal Room of the VCSU Student Center on April 1, and the Valley City Eagles Club on April 15.

Graves named ‘Student Employee of Month’

Darius Graves has been named “Student Employee of the Month” for December 2016–January 2017.

According to his nomination, Graves was chosen for the award for “being a shining example of a dedicated student employee. He is always prompt and diligent in his work with Facilities Services in McFarland Hall. Darius took on extra responsibility when his supervisor was out of the office, offers additional assistance without being asked, and worked hard even after suffering a broken hand in football.”

Good job, Darius!

Undem earns grant certificate

Lacey Undem, Business Office payroll and grants manager, earned a Grants Management Certificate in December 2016.

To earn the certificate, Undem completed a curriculum of four core courses and three electives.

Congratulations, Lacey!

Teacher of the year records podcast on teacher recruitment/retention

A podcast recorded by alumna Amy (Ashley) Neal ’96, 2016 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, is featured on the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) website at www.nwea.org/blog/2017/podcast-amy-neal-2016-north-dakota-teacher-year/.

Neal, who teaches kindergarten at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Minot, N.D., speaks about teacher recruitment and retention, citing her return to VCSU for Homecoming 2016 and playing off the tagline “We All Row!” in her six-minute podcast.

Da Vinha publishes paper on state-building

“Creating Frankenstein States: The Persistent Quest for the Ideal Modern Polity” by Luis da Vinha, assistant professor of geography and political science, was published in the latest edition of Conjuntura Global, a journal of the Federal University of Paraná (Brazil).

Da Vinha uses Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” as an analogy for understanding the current development of the international state-building agenda, particularly the underlying principles guiding intervention.

The paper analyzes the Enlightenment Project’s quest for progress and perfection and how those ideas still thrive in the international organizations involved in post-conflict state-building interventions.

The article can be found online at revistas.ufpr.br/conjgloblal/article/view/50542.

Business Department hosts 25th annual Emerging Leaders Competition

On Jan. 25, faculty in the Business Department hosted the 25th annual Emerging Leaders Competition, with local business, DECA and FBLA students invited to campus to compete. More than 250 students and advisors from 14 areas schools attended the event.

A great way for area students to practice for their state events, the competition featured testing and role-playing events, with the department recognizing the top three finishers in each event. The day began with a welcoming ceremony and moved into the 30-event competition. A new competition this year was the BreakoutEdu challenge, in which teams of students and advisors competed to achieve the fastest time breaking into a locked box using educational-based clues. Another fun challenge was the quiz bowl, in which teams of students competed in an academic quiz game based on business topics. The planetarium was open for two shows for students to watch between events, and the day concluded with an awards ceremony.

Next year’s event is scheduled for January 31, 2018.

Redfearn presents at NDACDA conference

Christopher Redfearn, D.A., assistant professor and chair of the department of music, presented a session at the North Dakota state conference of the American Choral Director’s Association on Feb. 3. His session, “Developing Healthy Vocal Tone in Elementary Singers,” was designed to give K-12 and collegiate choral directors additional knowledge in teaching the art of singing to young children. Topics included philosophy of young child singing, differences in adult and child vocal physiology, the phonation process, and causes for intonation issues in young singers.

Redfearn currently serves on the state board for NDACDA.

Student blog ‘Voyager’ launches

“The Viking Voyager”—a student blog developed by student Morgan Nalley and Jonna Ziniel, assistant professor of communication—showcases work from different classes, activities and offices across campus.

Read the blog at thevikingvoyager.com. Contact Nalley or Ziniel with submissions.

Monthly Sunday brunch to be offered in cafeteria

Sodexo will begin offering Sunday brunch in the Student Center cafeteria on the first Sunday of the month, beginning March 5. Brunch will also be served on Easter Sunday, April 16.

Serving will run from 9–11 a.m.; Viking Grounds will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Brunch cost is $11.41 for adults, $6.46 for ages 4–8, and 3 and under free.

Viking sports update

Geisler named NSAA Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Sophomore student-athlete Seri Geisler was named the NSAA Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on Feb. 7 after breaking a school and conference record at the Bison Open on Feb. 4. Her shot-put throw of 13.19 meters, a new VCSU and NSAA record, qualified her for the NAIA Indoor National Championships.

Viking athletics hosting luncheon Friday, Feb. 17
VCSU Athletics will host a monthly luncheon at the Valley City Town and Country Club on Friday at noon. Fans and supporters are invited to hear VCSU baseball and softball coaches and student-athletes talk about the 2017 season. The country club is offering a $10 buffet meal in conjunction with the luncheon.

Women’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 66, Bellevue University 56
Saturday: VCSU 69, Dakota State 59
The Viking women locked up the No. 3 seed for the NSAA Tournament after a pair of road victories this weekend. VCSU has now won five games in a row and is 20-7 overall and 11-3 in conference play with two home games remaining this weekend.

Men’s Basketball
Friday: Bellevue University 82, VCSU 61
Saturday: VCSU 90, Dakota State 75
VCSU’s men’s basketball team split a tough road trip this weekend, ending it with a 15-point victory at Dakota State. The Vikings are now 15-13 overall and 7-7 in conference play—tied for fifth in the NSAA standings with two games remaining.

Track & Field
VCSU track & field brought a handful of athletes this past weekend to the large SDSU Indoor Classic, the final tune-up before the NSAA Indoor Championships on Feb. 18 in Brookings, S.D. Results from the SDSU Classic an be found at www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2541.php.

Softball
Saturday: VCSU 4, Minnesota–Crookston 1; SW Minnesota State 2, VCSU 1 (9 innings)
Sunday: VCSU 4, Presentation College 1; Northern State 1, VCSU 0 (8 innings)
The Viking softball team opened the 2017 season with four games at the Presentation College Dome Tournament. VCSU went 2-2 with both losses coming in extra innings.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 17: WBB/MBB vs. Presentation College, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Feb. 18: Track & Field @ NSAA Indoor Championships (Brookings, S.D.)
Feb. 18: Softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament, 10 a.m./12 p.m.
Feb. 18: WBB/MBB vs. University of Jamestown, 3/5 p.m.
Feb. 19: Softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament, 4/6 p.m.

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, February 13
Manufacturing Day at the State Capitol
Women’s and men’s track and field @ NSAA Multi-Event Championships, Jamestown, N.D.
7:30 p.m. Victoria Hammel and Farren Rowan recital, Froemke Auditorium
7:30 p.m. Addiction Recovery Redemption presentation by Pro BMX racer Tony Hoffman, Vangstad Auditorium

Tuesday, February 14
Valentine’s Day
noon Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, February 15
Payday
noon Kiwanis meeting, VCSU Student Center Skoal Room

Thursday, February 16
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Student Center Norway Room
6 p.m. VCSU Junior Naturalists youth creating time, Rhoades Science Center 102
7:30 p.m. “Almost Maine,” VCSU Theatre, Rhoades Science Center

Friday, February 17
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. Presentation College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
7:30 p.m. “Almost Maine,” VCSU Theatre, Rhoades Science Center

Saturday, February 18
28th Annual North Dakota Pinochle Tournament, Valley City Eagles Club(Feb. 18-19)
NSAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Brookings, S.D.
10 a.m. and noon Viking softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament
3 and 5 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. University of Jamestown, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
7:30 p.m. “Almost Maine,” VCSU Theatre, Rhoades Science Center

Sunday, February 19
4 and 6 p.m. Viking softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament

Monday, February 20

Tuesday, February 21
noon Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, February 22
noon Kiwanis meeting, VCSU Student Center Skoal Room

Thursday, February 23
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters meeting, VCSU Student Center Norway Room

Friday, February 24
2 p.m. Viking softball vs. Viterbo University, Aberdeen, S.D. (doubleheader)

Saturday, February 25
North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs Festival, Froemke Auditorium
10 a.m. Viking softball vs. Waldorf University, Aberdeen, S.D. (doubleheader)
5 p.m. Dakota Valley Fowlers Chapter of Delta Waterfowl Annual Banquet, Valley City Eagles Club

Sunday, February 26
2 p.m. Viking softball vs. Bellevue University, Aberdeen, S.D. (doubleheader)