This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President's Column: Recognizing contributions of a Difference Maker
• Social Science Department organizes Undergraduate Research Panel
• V-500 faculty position filled
• Spaghetti feed to benefit Museum
• USAF Heartland of America Band performing Oct. 23
• Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band performing Oct. 26
• 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 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

President's Column: Recognizing contributions of a Difference Maker

Last Tuesday I awoke with a smile. I knew it was a special day, a day to say thank-you to one of our own—alumnus Garth Weber, VCSU Class of 2012. Garth has dedicated more than 330 volunteer hours to ensure that Medicine Wheel Park endures as a premiere attraction for residents and visitors to Barnes County.

So, with a big smile and the childlike excitement of Christmas morning, I joined Larry Robinson, executive director of the VCSU Foundation, and Joe Stickler, professor emeritus and founder of Medicine Wheel Park, to travel to Great River Energy’s plant in Spiritwood—where Garth works as a chemist—to surprise him with the foundation’s Difference Maker Award.

We arrived at Spiritwood Station and were greeted by Garth, sporting a big but humble smile. We were escorted into the conference room where his Great River Energy coworkers waited to join in the celebration.

Larry began the event by thanking Garth’s colleagues for sharing this important moment with us. He went on to describe Garth as an individual who is constantly giving back in a big way. Garth’s involvement with Medicine Wheel Park dates back to the start of his student days, and a decade later his commitment has not waned. His service to tending the flower beds and other areas of the park has had a positive impact on so many.

Garth shared a story that one day his mom was giving him a hard time for spending so much time at Medicine Wheel Park; after all, her flower garden also needed some attention. He explained to his mom that although her flower garden brought her much joy, Medicine Wheel Park was enjoyed by everyone who visited. That, Professor Stickler remarked, is a clear signal of a deep understanding and embodiment of the volunteer spirit.

That same spirit of volunteerism led to the creation of the park. In 1992, Professor Stickler and his students began work on Medicine Wheel Park. The project soon expanded beyond the walls of the classroom to involve the community. The park now features two solar calendars: a horizon calendar (the medicine wheel) and a meridian or noontime calendar. Other aspects of this unique 30-acre park include Native American burial mounds, a solar system model, a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail and other woodland trails, several scenic overlooks of the Sheyenne River Valley and Valley City, and the 3,000-square foot perennial flower garden. If you have not been to Medicine Wheel Park recently, I encourage you to take advantage of the weather and visit soon.

Larry also thanked Great River Energy for their commitment to communities. Among their many community-support initiatives is a program that pays employees up to 12 hours a year so that they may participate in outside volunteer activities, along with a good-neighbor award which recognizes employees who assist people in their communities during non-business emergencies. Great River Energy also supports the VCSU Foundation’s scholarship fundraising efforts.

Garth is the second recipient of the Difference Maker Award, adopted by the foundation to recognize friends of the university who have made significant contributions through dedicated service, promotion, financial support, and/or other efforts. Garth clearly embodies the notion of Difference Maker, and recognizing his commitment to Medicine Wheel Park and Valley City State University is yet another reason why it’s a great day to be a Viking!

Social Science Department organizes Undergraduate Research Panel

The Social Science Department organized an Undergraduate Research Panel at the 2017 Northern Great Plains History Conference, held in Grand Forks. The panel, chaired by Anthony Dutton, Ph.D., and commented by Luis da Vinha, Ph.D., provided Social Science students with an opportunity to showcase and discuss the research they have been carrying out at VCSU.

The panel was composed of presentations from Niklas Ernst (“Government and Academia: A Comparative Analysis”), Miles Libak (“Broken Treaties and Split Barrels: A Look at Resource Exploitation and Environmental Degradation of Native American Lands in the Dakotas, 1851-2017”), Stephanie McCann (“The Heroes of Barnes County in World War II”), and Madeline Bennett (“Re-Drawing Borders of Peace and War: A Political Geography of State Partition”).

V-500 faculty position filled

The V-500 Board of Directors extends a thank you to Sharon Bratrud, professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Human Performace, who has stepped forward to join Angie Williams as a faculty representative on our board. The VCSU staff is represented by Erica Buchholz and Kelli Heath. We are very thankful for their willingness to help us with our V-500 membership campaign!

If you have a current V-500 membership, thank you. If you are not a current member, please consider becoming one. Stop by the VCSU Foundation Office and see how easy it is to join V-500. Remember, it takes two, V-500 and YOU!

Spaghetti feed to benefit Museum

The Barnes County Historical Society is holding a free-will donation spaghetti feed Oct. 23, from 5-7 p.m., at the Valley City Eagles Club. The proceeds from this event will help support the Barnes County Museum.

USAF Heartland of America Band performing Oct. 23

The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band Offutt Brass is performing Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Vangstad Auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public.

Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band performing Oct. 26

The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band will play two concerts in Valley City on Oct. 26. First, at the Sheyenne Care Center at 6:30 p.m. and second, in Vangstad Auditorium at 8:10 p.m.

Both performances are free and open to the public.

Viking sports update

Football
Saturday: Dakota State 31, Valley City State 28
The Viking football team rallied all the way back from a 21-0 deficit, but suffered a last-second loss to Dakota State on Saturday. VCSU drops to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the NSAA.

Volleyball
Friday: Bellevue University 3, VCSU 1
Saturday: VCSU 3, Presentation College 1
Viking volleyball went 1-1 at home this weekend. The Vikings are now 12-10 overall and 6-5 in the NSAA. VCSU sits in fourth place in the NSAA standings.

Cross Country
The Viking men’s team placed second and four Vikings ran in the Top 20 Saturday as the cross country teams raced at the Mount Marty Invite. Grace Miller had the top finish for VCSU, placing sixth in the women’s race. On the men’s side, Dennis Gonzalez placed 7th, Dylan Olson was 8th, and Orin Rambow placed 18th.

Upcoming Events
Oct. 23: Men’s Basketball vs. Minot State, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: Volleyball @ Waldorf University, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28: Football @ Presentation College, 1 p.m.
Oct. 28: Volleyball @ Viterbo University, 2 p.m.
Oct. 28: Women’s Basketball vs. College of Saint Mary, 3 p.m.

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

Monday, October 23
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
7:30 p.m. USAF Brass Group, Vangstad auditorium
5–7 p.m. Free-will donation spaghetti feed for the Barnes County Museum, Valley City Eagles Club

Tuesday, October 24
11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, October 25
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club

Thursday, October 26
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
5:30 p.m. Rotary Club 12th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting Social, Barnes County Museum
6:30 p.m. The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band, Sheyenne Care Center (8:10 p.m. performance in Vangstad Auditorium)
7:30 p.m. Never Trust a City Slicker or Two Skunks and a Trunk (melodrama), Lisbon Opera House (nightly October 26 through 29)
8:30-10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, October 27
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa

Saturday, October 28
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chuck Wagon Dinner, Congregational Church (deliveries available – 845-1977)
1 p.m. Viking football @ Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D.
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Viterbo University, Lacrosse, Wis.

Sunday, October 29

Monday, October 30
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
7:30 p.m. Dr. Nariaki Sugiura & Professor Keith Teepen piano concert, Froemke auditorium

Tuesday, October 31
Payday
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
6–7:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat, First Church of the Nazarene

Wednesday, November 1
noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club
7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Mayville State University, Graichen Gymnasium

Thursday, November 2
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
4 p.m. Farmers Market, Shopko parking lot
8:30-10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, November 3
5 p.m. Barnes County Wildlife Federation buffet banquet & auction, VC Eagles
4 p.m. Viking volleyball @ University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.

Saturday, November 4
Cross country NSAA championship, Jamestown, N.D.
1 p.m. Viking football @ University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.
4 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Dickinson State University, Dickinson, N.D.

Sunday, November 5

Go to www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.