This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Scholarship established to honor Holcomb
• Alumna Veselka ’13 to present ‘Women at War’ at museum Thursday
• Russi exhibits at Crow Show in Fargo
• United Way to host ’Un-Run’ April 9
• Milner attends strength and conditioning clinic
• Thompson, Olson attend 2018 AACTE conference
• 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.

Scholarship established to honor Holcomb

A memorial scholarship in honor of the late Linda (Sundstrom) Holcomb ’66, professor emerita of education, has been established with the VCSU Foundation Office. The scholarship will be named the Linda and Lynn Holcomb Scholarship Fund.

Holcomb started her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in the Valley City Public Schools before she began her long career in teaching in elementary education at VCSU in 1974. She retired in 2005 from VCSU but continued supervising student teachers for many years.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student in elementary education. Preference will be given to students minoring in early childhood education.

Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund should contact the VCSU Foundation Office.

Alumna Veselka ’13 to present ‘Women at War’ at museum Thursday

Allison Veselka ’13, assistant curator of the Barnes County Museum, will present “North Dakota Women at War” on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at the museum. Veselka will speak on the involvement of Barnes County women in war efforts, including military service, home-front government service and defense-effort employment.

Part of season 19 of the Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series, the event is open to the public free of charge.

Russi exhibits at Crow Show in Fargo

Jenni Lou Russi, associate professor of communication arts, has a submission included in “The Great Winter Crow Show” at the Spirit Room on Broadway in downtown Fargo. Russi’s piece, “An Old Crow at the Red Raven,” combines her work in scenic art and stand-up comedy. 

The exhibition runs March 15–April 28, with the gallery open Monday–Friday, 1–5 p.m. A reception will be held Saturday, March 24, beginning at 5 p.m.

United Way to host ‘Un-Run’ April 9

Mark your calendars for the best fun run around—the United Way Un-Run—“all of the fun, but none of the run.” If you are a non-runner, this is a race for you. If you are a runner, we have room for you, too. 
 
Basically you pre-register on-line to not run. On April 9, you come out to the Eagles to pick up your registration packet (including race T-shirt and swag bag of goodies) and enjoy a carb-load spaghetti meal with other participants. Race starts and ends at the Valley City Eagles Club. 
 
All proceeds go to United Way to support local nonprofit agency groups in Barnes County. For more information, contact Barnes County United Way via email at barnesunitedway@gmail.com or call 701-840-4044. To register, visit bcuw_unrun.eventbrite.com.

Milner attends strength and conditioning clinic

Sarah Milner, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Human Performance, attended the 2018 National Strength and Conditioning Association’s North Dakota State Clinic in Bismarck on Feb. 24.

National, regional and local speakers provided information on cutting-edge research and its application in coaching and in strength and conditioning work.

Featured topics included “Periodization for People: Archetypes, Influence Strategies and Bridging the Gap” by Brett Bartholomew, strength and conditioning coach, author and consultant. His book is currently being used by several universities to help guide future coaches and professionals.

Scott Sahli, NSCA North Central regional coordinator, presented “What Do I Do for My Kid? Is Early Sports Specialization Good or Bad for Athletes? What Does the Research Say?”

The conference also included three hands-on sessions at Sanford POWER, including “Agility Progressions in a Team Setting” with Travis Anderson, a VCSU graduate and head strength and conditioning coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Thompson, Olson attend 2018 AACTE conference

Gary Thompson, Ed.D., and Al Olson, Ph.D., attended the 70th annual American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) conference held March 1–3 in Baltimore, Md.

Thompson attended AACTE conference meetings as a representative of VCSU and as the regional representative of the North Dakota Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (NDACTE).

Olson presented as a representative of VCSU and the NDACTE along with Sarah Anderson from Mayville State University, Stacy Duffield from North Dakota State University, and Becky Pitkin from the Education Standards and Practices Board. The presentation featured the NDACTE collaborative efforts to develop a valid and reliable student teacher assessment instrument that could be used at all the teacher-preparation institutions in North Dakota.

Viking sports update

Softball goes 11-3 on Tucson trip
The VCSU softball team wrapped up its spring trip to Tucson with an 11-3 record from March 11–18, winning nine of the last 10 games. The Vikings are now 20-6 overall this season. VCSU resumes conference play March 23–24 with games in Aberdeen, S.D., against Presentation College and Waldorf University.

Baseball posts 3-7 record in Tucson
The Valley City State baseball team completed its spring trip as well this week as the Vikings went 3-7 on their trip to Tucson. VCSU is now 6-12 overall. The Vikings are scheduled to play Presentation College and Waldorf University in games this weekend. The location of those games is up in the air due to weather forecasts and field conditions.

Lennon and Ferguson named Honorable Mention All-American
Valley City State University basketball seniors Lexi Lennon (West Fargo, N.D.) and Jayden Ferguson (Williston, N.D.) were both named Honorable Mention All-American this week. It is the third year that Ferguson has received the honor, and the second straight year for Lennon.

Upcoming Events
March 23–24: Softball vs. Presentation College/Waldorf University (Aberdeen, S.D.)
March 23–24: Baseball vs. Presentation College/Waldorf University (Forest City, Iowa)
March 24: Track & Field @ Black Hills State University

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, March 19

Tuesday, March 20
First day of spring
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, March 21
Noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, March 22
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
Noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, March 23
1 p.m. Viking softball vs Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D. (double header)
2 p.m. Viking baseball vs Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D. (double header)

Saturday, March 24
1 p.m. Viking softball vs Waldorf University, Aberdeen, S.D. (double header)
2 p.m. Viking baseball vs Waldorf University, Aberdeen, S.D. (double header)
Viking track & field @ Yellow Jacket Spring Open, Black Hills State, Spearfish, S.D.

Sunday, March 25
Palm Sunday

Monday, March 26

Tuesday, March 27
11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, March 28
Noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
3 p.m. Viking baseball @ Concordia College Moorhead, Minn.

Thursday, March 29
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
12 noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room
8:30-10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, March 30
Good Friday
Passover begins at sundown
No VCSU classes; offices closed
1 p.m. Viking softball vs. University of Jamestown, VCSU softball complex (double header)
1 p.m. Viking baseball vs. University of Jamestown, Charlie Brown Field (double header)

Saturday, March 31
1 p.m. Viking softball vs. University of Jamestown, VCSU softball complex (double header)
1 p.m. Viking baseball vs University of Jamestown, Charlie Brown Field (double header)
5–7 p.m. Debbie Miller SVFA Fundraiser “Wags & Whiskers,” Valley City Eagles Club

Sunday, April 1
Easter
April Fool’s day