This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Good-government discussion to be held on VCSU campus Wednesday
• Scholarship Auction set for April 20
• Viking Club Tennis named USTA National Team of the Year
• Woehl named Teacher of the Year, Student Advocate awards to Egeberg, Klingenberg
• Owen recognized as Difference Maker
• VCSU contingent participates in Fisheries Society meeting
• Meyers adjudicates in Washburn and Oakes
• SEGS represented at 2018 CAEP conference in Kansas City
• 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.

Good-government discussion to be held on VCSU campus Wednesday

“What is Good Government in North Dakota?”—a public conversation sponsored by the Northern Plains Ethics Institute at NDSU and ThinkND—will be held Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in the Skoal Room of the VCSU Student Center.

The program will include opening comments from moderators Luis da Vinha, VCSU assistant professor of social science, and Scott Hennen, North Dakota radio talk-show host. Following the opening comments, the moderators will lead the audience in discussion centered on the following questions: What makes good government? What makes a good legislator or governor? What makes a good citizen?

The discussion is part of a larger initiative to engage North Dakota citizens and academic experts in a discussion about ethics and trust in government. The elements of the initiative include:

• Five gatherings of academics and citizens around the state
  
• Participation in statewide conference programs and radio talk shows
  
• A series of Dakota Datebook programs on Prairie Public Radio
  
• A culminating event at the Heritage Center in Bismarck

The Bush Foundation and the North Dakota Humanities Council have provided grants in support of the project. The discussion in Valley City is also supported by VCSU Student Senate.

Scholarship Auction set for April 20

Come one, come all—it’s VCSU Scholarship Auction time!

VCSU will celebrate the 24th annual Scholarship Auction, Friday, April 20, at the Valley City Eagles Club.

Our theme for this year’s event is “Circus,” with the Valley City Eagles being transformed into the Big Top. Cost to attend is $45 per person, which includes both the live and silent auctions, a buffet dinner, two drink tickets and five chances to win $100.

The social hour and the silent auction begin at 5 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served from 6–7:30 p.m., and the live auction will kick off at 7 p.m. This is your chance to bid on some great deals while contributing to a great cause.

Scholarships are vital to VCSU’s success, and all proceeds from the auction go directly to V-500 and Century Club scholarships. The goal is to raise $80,000 this year for scholarships.

How can you help ensure the success of the auction?

• Donate a Item purchased or handmade for the live or silent auction
  
• Donate a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more for the Mystery Wine Table
  
• Purchase a ticket
  
• Attend the auction

To purchase tickets, stop by or call the VCSU Foundation Office at 701-845-7203.

Viking Club Tennis named USTA National Team of the Year

The VCSU Viking Club Tennis team has been named the National United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis On Campus Team of the Year. The team previously had been named USTA Northern Section Team of the Year at the 2018 Sectional Championships March 3–4.

The award recognizes the team’s involvement in its USTA On Campus section, youth tennis, high school programs and adult leagues in the community which promote the lifelong sport of tennis. The award also recognized the team’s ability to raise funds, host tournaments and grow membership from season to season.

“I am incredibly proud of this team!,” said Viking Club Tennis coach/advisor Erik Kringlie. “They work hard in practice, in matches and most importantly, off the court, to not only improve the team but have a positive effect on their university and their community.”

The team will accept the award at the USTA Semiannual Meeting/U.S. Open in New York from Sept.1–2, 2018. This is the second time the Viking Club team has been awarded the USTA Northern Section Team of the Year award but its first winning the national award.

Pictured (l to r) are team members Katie Clark (Valley City), Paige Fettig (Bismarck), Brandon Miller (Valley City), Dalton Ondracek (Valley City), Dustin Miller (Valley City), Clarissa Olson (Valley City) and Caitlyn Hunter (Williston).

Read more about the team’s national honor at www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/northern/VCSU.html.

Woehl named Teacher of the Year, Student Advocate awards to Egeberg, Klingenberg

Kathryn Woehl, associate professor of social science, received the Teacher of the Year award presented by VCSU Student Senate last week.

Pat Egeberg, director for health services and worksite wellness coordinator, and Erin Klingenberg, director for counseling services and assistant professor of social science, each received the Student Advocate award.

Owen recognized as Difference Maker

Jackie Owen, interim learning center coordinator and assistant professor of education, recently received the Difference Maker award. She was nominated by the Registrar’s and Financial Aid offices.

Her nomination read, in part, “In the short time that Jackie has been in the Learning Center, she has made substantial changes that have not only benefited students but the entire campus as well. She has gone above and beyond in the early stages of her appointment.”

VCSU contingent participates in Fisheries Society meeting

Science faculty members Casey Williams and Andre DeLorme, along with 12 Fisheries and Wildlife Science students, attended the 2018 annual meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) in Brookings, SD., Feb. 26–28.

DeLorme presented results of an ongoing mussel study titled “Impacts of Devils Lake Discharges on Mussel Populations in the Sheyenne River: An Update.”

VCSU students Morgan Berquist, Yari Villaneuva, Ethan Rasett and Cooper Folmer were named recipients of 2018 Northern Pike Scholarships.

Williams was presented with the Dakota Chapter AFS Robert L. Hanten Distinguished Professional Service Award in “recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement and improvement of fisheries science and relentless dedication to administering quality education to students.”

Meyers adjudicates in Washburn and Oakes

Nicholaus Meyers, D.M.A., assistant professor of music and director of bands, is often asked to adjudicate across the state of North Dakota. Recently he judged high school concert bands at large group performance evaluations (LGPE) in Washburn on March 8 and in Oakes on March 20. Over the two days at these locations, he adjudicated more than 30 concert bands.

SEGS represented at 2018 CAEP conference in Kansas City

VCSU School of Education and Graduate Studies faculty members Sheri Okland, Ph.D. (dean and associate professor); James Boe, Ph.D. (director of graduate studies and associate professor); and Alan Olson, Ph.D. (professor), attended the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) conference held in Kansas City, Mo., on March 14-15.

CAEP representatives communicated the most current expectations related to teacher preparation accreditation standards, and educators shared ideas for improving teacher preparation and meeting national accreditation expectations.

Olson presented as a representative for the 14-member institution Network for Excellence in Teaching (NExT) and Bush Foundation Teacher Effectiveness Initiative. (The NExT institutions include VCSU, NDSU, MSU-Moorhead, MSU-Mankato, St. Cloud State, University of Minnesota, Winona State, University of South Dakota, Augsburg, Bethel, Concordia-St. Paul, Hamline, St. Catherine and St. Thomas.) Olson was part of a five-member panel that included two representatives from the Region Education Laboratory at Marzano Research in Colorado and two representatives from Baker University in Kansas. The session was titled "Collecting Data from Program Completers: A Discussion of Challenges and Solutions."

Viking sports update

Outdoor Track & Field
The Valley City State University track and field team won four events and had 13 Top 3 finishes Saturday during the outdoor opener at Black Hills State University. Megan Johnson took first place in both the long jump and triple jump, and qualified for nationals in the triple jump with her mark of 11.45 meters. Mackenzie Huber won the women’s shot put, and Kyle Odegard won the men’s javelin competition. View complete results at: www.vcsuvikings.com/stats/2017-18/Track_and_Field/2018%20Yellow%20Jacket%20Spring%20Open.pdf.

Softball
Friday: Presentation College 5, VCSU 4; VCSU 9, Presentation College 2
Saturday: VCSU 2, Waldorf University 1; VCSU 6, Waldorf University 5
The Viking softball team went 3-1 during conference games this weekend in Aberdeen, S.D., including a wild walk-off win against Waldorf in the final game Saturday. VCSU is now 23-7 overall and 6-2 in the North Star Athletic Association.

Baseball
Thursday: Presentation College 11, VCSU 1; VCSU 8, Waldorf University 3
Friday: Presentation College 13, VCSU 4; VCSU 8, Waldorf University 7
Valley City State’s baseball team opened conference play with a 2-2 record last week during a triangular in Forest City, Iowa. The Vikings are now 8-14 overall and 2-2 in the North Star Athletic Association.

Upcoming Events
March 30–31: Baseball vs. University of Jamestown (location TBD)
March 30–31: Softball vs. University of Jamestown (location TBD)

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, March 26

Tuesday, March 27
11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium, Foss Hall
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
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 (doubleheader, location TBD)
1 p.m. Viking baseball vs. University of Jamestown (doubleheader, location TBD)

Saturday, March 31
1 p.m. Viking softball vs. University of Jamestown (doubleheader, location TBD)
1 p.m. Viking baseball vs. University of Jamestown (doubleheader, location TBD)
5–7 p.m. “Wags & Whiskers,” Debbie Miller SVFA Fundraiser, Valley City Eagles Club

Sunday, April 1
Easter
April Fool’s Day

Monday, April 2
No VCSU classes
2 p.m. Viking baseball vs. Presentation College (location TBD)

Tuesday, April 3
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, April 4
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
3 p.m. Viking baseball @ Dickinson State University, Dickinson, N.D.

Thursday, April 5
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, April 6

Saturday, April 7
Viking track & field @ Al Bortke Open, University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.
1 p.m. Viking softball @ Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. (doubleheader)
1 p.m. Viking baseball @ Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. (doubleheader)

Sunday, April 8
Viking golf @ Dickinson State Invitational, Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora, N.D. (April 8–9)
noon Viking baseball @ Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. (doubleheader)
1 p.m. Viking softball @ Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. (doubleheader)

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