This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President's Column: Viking Pilots propel the university forward
• Hotline moving to every other week for summer
• Dieken to give art lecture at museum May 18
• Cantelo garners first library research award• VCSU group attends athletic training symposium
• VanHorn named consulting editor
• Viking sports update
• What’s going on at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every other Monday from May 8 through August 14. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

VCSU President’s Column: Viking Pilots propel the university forward

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

Viking Pilots propel the university forward

I dedicate my column today to the 2017 VCSU Viking Pilots: seniors Jordan Bushaw (software engineering), Jaycee George (health science), Morgan Nalley (communication/marketing), Steven Velarde (business administration/management), and Joe Wright ’17 (communication), and juniors Niklas Ernst (social science), Paige Fettig (elementary education), Kathleen Gallais (athletic training), Steph McCann (history education/psychology), Paige Meyer (elementary education), Oscar Suniga (business administration/marketing), and Katelyn Willer (mathematics education).

According to VCSU student Jarin Blumhagen, chair of the Viking Pilot Selection Committee, the staff of “The Blizzard” yearbook founded the Viking Pilot Award in 1931. The purpose of the award was to honor those individuals engaged in a multitude of campus activities and acclaimed for their participation in college life. At the time, the recipients were known as the “propellers.”

I really like the name “propeller,” for certainly these select group of students have propelled our campus forward through their unselfish service and leadership. And, of course, the newer Viking Pilot name is equally apropos as it better captures our brand while also honoring the concept of direction-setting. No matter what you call these students, they are indeed the epitome of VCSU Difference Makers!

Here are some of the ways their roles are described:
• Always setting an example for VCSU
• Never hesitant to offer help to those in need
• Someone who through their campus engagement has made others smile and laugh
• A student who does everything possible to make VCSU a great place for students to live and learn
• A person who ensures that VCSU is a welcoming and positive place to be
• Responsible, caring leaders who have left campus in better shape than when they arrived freshman year

Collectively, these students have indeed left their footprint here and positively shaped the student experience. They have served as student employees and members and leaders of honor societies and academic organizations. They participated in the shared governance of the university through Student Senate. They have served as peer mentors, tutors, and residence assistants. Some are student athletes, and one is an NAIA Champion of Character. They sing in choirs and play instruments in various music ensembles. Some played in pep band, and another served as the Viking mascot.

They are Viking Ambassadors and New Student Orientation Leaders, and they plan student events through the Viking Campus Activities Board. Recipients of numerous scholarships, they have participated in undergraduate research and internships. They are from North Dakota as well as other states and even other countries. They have created moments of celebration and joy, and offered a hand to those in need. They are indeed VCSU Difference Makers.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank and celebrate these student leaders, those who came before them, and those who will follow—for they are truly the reason why it is a great day to be a Viking!

Hotline moving to every other week for summer

The Hotline newsletter will move to an every-other-week publishing schedule after this issue for the summer. The next issue of Hotline will be published May 22.

Dieken to give art lecture at museum May 18

Karri Dieken, assistant professor of art, will speak on “Fibers and Polymers: Art through Collaboration” on Thursday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at the Barnes County Museum. Dieken’s lecture is part of season 19 of the Barnes County Historical Society Lecture series.

As a mixed media artist, Dieken is interested in fibers and polymers as mediums for documenting moments in time, considerations for collecting data, re-creating patterns, and engaging in community-based performances and installations. She holds a master of fine arts degree from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Black Hills State University.

The lecture is open to the public free of charge.

Cantelo garners first library research award

The staff of Allen Memorial Library is proud to present the library’s first undergraduate research award to Darrien Cantelo for her project “Throwers Ten,” presented at the 2017 Student Scholar Symposium.

The award is given to the student whose project best demonstrates facility with information literacy concepts and skills, as described in the Association of College & Research Libraries’ “Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education.”

Criteria for judging include the student’s identification of information needs, use of appropriate information sources, effective organization and synthesis of information, participation in and contribution to the scholarly conversation, and ethical use of information. The library staff thanks symposium co-chairs Katie Woehl and Jodi Shorma for providing this opportunity to recognize exemplary student scholarship at VCSU.

VCSU group attends athletic training symposium

A group of VCSU athletic training students and faculty attended the North Dakota Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium April 21–22 in Fargo. Current EMS (emergency medical services) guidelines, mental health and student-athlete populations, leadership, cupping and Graston Technique were the main topics discussed at this year’s clinical symposium.

At the luncheon, VCSU student Kaisa Morstad was awarded the John Quick Scholarship, awarded to only one North Dakota athletic training student each year.

VCSU attendees pictured include (front) Emily Gadberry, Brittany Nathan, Brandi Aranda and Kendra Stokes, and (back) Collin Muilenburg, Darrien Cantelo, Anthony Whirlwindsoldier, Kaisa Morstad, Chris Brogdon, Tiffany Jewett, Austin Rinas, Angela Poole, Sharon Bratrud, Taylor Pudwill, Emerald Damge, and Rachelle Hunt.

Viking Tennis holds fundraiser and awards banquet

On Saturday, April 29, VCSU Viking Club Tennis held its third annual Tennis Play-A-Thon fundraiser. Team members and Coach Erik Kringlie were each challenged to play 50 total games within a 5-hour time limit to raise money for both the club team and the Valley City Tennis Association (VCTA) to help Valley City youth tennis. All team members and even Coach Kringlie managed to reach all 50 games with about 30 minutes to spare, raising just over $1,800 for Valley City tennis!

The club was lucky to have several community members, VCSU faculty and staff, Hi-Liner boys team members and Viking Club Tennis alumni at the courts to compete with during the day. Refreshments were provided throughout the day by the VCTA.

That evening, the Viking Club Tennis team closed their 12th season with their annual awards banquet at the Valley City Country Club. The Vikings finished the season ranked second in the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section and finished eighth overall at the Sectional Championship. Seniors Alex Conlon and Strella Navalta were honored for their achievements over the years both on and off the court as VCSU students and Club Tennis members.

“We had another amazing year with so many talented players and tons of travel around the Northern Section,” said Coach Kringlie. “Our team is so thankful for the incredible support we get from the VCSU campus, Valley City community and the VCTA!”

Award winners for the 2016–07 season included Paige Fettig (Most Dedicated, Women), Dustin Miller (Most Dedicated, Men), Melissa Pedersen (Most Improved, Women), Brandon Miller (Most Improved, Men), Strella Navalta (Spirit Award and Oustanding Senior), Clarissa Olson (MVP, Women), Alex Conlon (Senior Four-Plus Years and co-winner, Most Improved, Men) and Dalton Ondracek (co-winner, Most Improved, Men).

VanHorn named consulting editor

Shannon VanHorn, Ph.D., director of distance learning and faculty development, has been named a consulting editor for the inaugural issues of the Journal of Communication Pedagogy.

Sponsored by the Central States Communication Association, this refereed online journal provides members with the opportunity to publish research and teaching ideas.

VanHorn will work with editor Scott Myers of West Virginia University as a sounding board for any issues/problems he may encounter and a tie-breaker/referee for articles when needed.

Viking sports update

Baseball: NSAA Tournament
Friday: VCSU 5, Viterbo 3
Saturday: VCSU 4, Mayville State 3
Sunday: Mayville State 5, VCSU 4
The Viking baseball team is 2-1 so far at the NSAA Tournament and will play Mayville State on Monday for the Bracket B Championship at 2 p.m. in Valley City. The winner moves on to the NSAA Championship Game at 5 p.m.

Softball: NSAA Tournament
Friday: VCSU 9, Dickinson State 1; Jamestown 9, VCSU 1
Saturday: VCSU 15, Presentation College 3; Jamestown 5, VCSU 0
The Viking softball team went 2-2 this weekend at the NSAA Tournament in Dickinson. VCSU finishes the season with a 21-31 overall record.

Track & Field
The Valley City State track & field team racked up an individual meet title and 10 Top 5 finishes on Saturday at the Ron Masanz Classic in Moorhead, Minn. It was VCSU’s final meet before the NSAA Championships on Thursday and Friday in Jamestown. View results at http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2673.php.

Koskela named NSAA Athlete of the Week
Valley City State junior Lenzel Koskela was named the North Star Athletic Association Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. Koskela won the 400-meter dash at the Al Cassell Relays.

Upcoming Events
May 8: Baseball vs. Mayville State, 2 p.m. (NSAA Tournament, Valley City; winner plays in championship game at 5 p.m.)
May 11: Track & Field @ NSAA Outdoor Championships, 3 p.m. (Jamestown, N.D.)
May 12: Track & Field @ NSAA Outdoor Championships, 10 a.m. (Jamestown, N.D.)

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, May 8
2 p.m. Viking baseball vs. Mayville State, Valley City (NSAA Tournament, winner plays in championship game at 5 p.m.)

Tuesday, May 9
noon Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, May 10
noon Kiwanis meeting, Student Center Skoal Room
7 p.m. Crop Walk for Hunger, Faith Lutheran Church

Thursday, May 11
3 p.m. Viking track & field @ NSAA Outdoor Championships, Jamestown, N.D
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters meeting, Student Center Norway Room
5:30 p.m. VCSU employee recognition dinner, Student Center Cafeteria

Friday, May 12
10 a.m. Viking track & field @ NSAA Outdoor Championships, Jamestown, N.D.

Saturday, May 13
10 a.m. VCSU spring commencement, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse (reception following ceremony at Student Center cafeteria)

Sunday, May 14
Mother’s Day

Monday, May 15
Payday

Tuesday, May 16
noon Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, May 17
noon Kiwanis meeting, Student Center Skoal Room

Thursday, May 18
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters meeting, Student Center Norway Room

Friday, May 19

Saturday, May 20

Sunday, May 21

Monday, May 22

Tuesday, May 23
noon Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, May 24
noon Kiwanis meeting, Student Center Skoal Room

Thursday, May 25
7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters meeting, Student Center Norway Room

Friday, May 26
Ramadan begins at sundown

Saturday, May 27

Sunday, May 28

Monday, May 29
Memorial Day
No classes; VCSU offices closed