This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President's Column: Introduction of New Faculty
• Meyers composes new pieces, attends world percussion session
• Extended hours for Student Affairs
• Save the state money and earn an award
• DaVinha Moderates Debate on Legislative Session
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

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

President's Column: Introduction of New Faculty

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

New beginnings come with lots of traditions and enthusiasm – and that is the exact time of year it is for VCSU. Monday, Aug. 14 is our official welcome day for new and returning faculty. It is a day I absolutely love!

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest members of our full-time faculty: David Hanson, Kenneth Jimenez, and Kaley Mari.

David Hanson is coming home to Valley City to join our school of education and graduate studies following his retirement as the elementary principal in Wyndmere, N.D. – a position he held for 31 years. He earned his B.S. in elementary education from VCSU and a M.S in educational administration from Tri-College University in Fargo. David’s many accolades include the 2016-17 North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals Service to Children Award, the North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals National Distinguished Principal in 2008, and a Certificate of Merit award from the VCSU Alumni Association that same year. He was instrumental in Wyndmere Elementary’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2013. David and his wife, Tami, have two sons: Devin, who is in a Ph.D. program in psychology at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich., and Christian, who will complete a radiology tech internship in August. David enjoys playing golf and hopes to get back into tennis.

Like David, Kenneth Jimenez has an established relationship with VCSU having served as adjunct instructor of high and low brass at VCSU in 2016. We are excited to welcome him back as an assistant professor of music. His academic credentials include a Doctor of Musical Arts, trumpet performance, North Dakota State University; Master of Music, trumpet performance, University of Minnesota Duluth; and a Bachelor of Music, trumpet performance, University of Wyoming. When he is not teaching, Kenneth plays with the Fargo-Moorhead Kicks Jazz Band, as well as with the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. His hobbies include arranging music, disc golf, drawing and painting, building and repairing musical instruments, and creating 2D and 3D artwork for video games.

Kaley Mari joins VCSU as an assistant professor for the school of education and graduate studies. She holds a master’s degree in reading from Moorhead State University and a B.S. in elementary education from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. Kaley previously taught second grade at Centennial Elementary and Bennett Elementary in Fargo, served as interim director of Teacher Center in Fargo, and has been nominated for Fargo Public Schools Teacher of Year award twice!

We are so excited to welcome our newest faculty members, and I am confident they will nurture and mentor our students into purposeful futures. I look forward to introducing our new staff members in my next column. Celebrating the talents and promise of the newest members of Viking nation is another reason why it is a great day to be a Viking!

Meyers composes new pieces, attends world percussion session

Nicholaus Meyers, D.M.A., assistant professor of music, composed four original compositions over the summer: “Slightly Funky” for percussion and trumpet, “Music of the Spheres” for marimba quartet, “Wondering” for soprano voice and piano, and “Four Reflections” for solo marimba.

Meyers also received a grant and commission to compose an original piece for solo trumpet and band which will be premiered during the spring semester.

Along with composing, Meyers attended a weekend one-on-one session at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh to study world percussion with Elizabeth DeLamater, D.M.A. This will allow Meyers to spread further knowledge of multiculturalism to the students of VCSU through music.

The summer also found Meyers conducting the North Dakota Governor’s School Band for the sixth consecutive year.

Extended hours for Student Affairs

The Student Affairs departments including Counseling, Residence Life, Enrollment Services, Career Services (inclusive of CAVE), Financial Aid, and the Student Center will remain open until 5:15 p.m. during the first week of school to help better accommodate new and returning students.

Save the state money and earn an award

VCSU employees (and other state employees) who make suggestions that cut costs of state government are eligible for awards through the state's Employee Suggestion Incentive Program.

If your idea is approved, you will receive 20 percent of the first year’s savings realized, up to a maximum of $4,000. The cash award will be distributed 12 months after your idea has been implemented.

More information, along with a link to the suggestion form, can be found online at https://www.nd.gov/omb/state-employee/employment-and-compensation/suggestion-incentive-program.

DaVinha moderates debate on legislative session

Luis da Vinha, Assistant Professor of Geography and Political Science, moderated the public forum “2017 Legislative Impact” organized by the What in the World group at Valley City High School on July 27.

The forum discussed the impacts of the North Dakota State legislature 2017 session, particularly the impacts of the budget on the Valley City community.

Senator Larry Robinson and Representative Dwight Keifert discussed the political context underlying the budget, as well as answered the public’s questions regarding the challenges for the near future. Several local stakeholders also participated in the debate by providing an assessment of how the budget will affect their institutions and the community.

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

Monday, August 14
Faculty contracts begin
4 p.m. Staff/Faculty Golf Scramble, VC Country Club
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, August 15
Payday
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
4:30 Viking Family Picnic, Dacotah Pavilion at Chautauqua Park

Wednesday, August 16
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, August 17
8:30-10 a.m. Welcome back for all employees, Vangstad Auditorium
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Friday, August 18
11 a.m. Hotdogs and lemonade welcome for students and families, Library Mall
2 p.m. Staff Open Forum, McFarland 206

Saturday, August 19
Viking Volleyball scrimmage, Graichen Gymnasium

Sunday, August 20

Monday, August 21
8:30 a.m. Faculty Senate meeting, Froemke Auditorium, Foss Hall
10 a.m. Faculty Association meeting, Froemke Auditorium, Foss Hall
11:22 a.m. Total Eclipse of the Sun begins
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, August 22
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, August 23
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, August 24
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot

Friday, August 25

Saturday, August 26
Viking Volleyball @ Northwestern Tournament, Orange City, IA

Sunday, August 27