This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• LaFave begins presidential tenure
• President’s Column: Looking forward, looking back
• Next Hotline! published Jan. 7
• Elementary education majors observe Personalized Learning
• Beckman receives ‘Difference Maker’ award
• Roelfsema named to Prairie Business ‘40 Under 40’ list
• On the Move program offered free to VCSU faculty and staff
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

LaFave begins presidential tenure

Alan LaFave, D.M.A., formally begins his service as president of Valley City State University today (Monday).

Selected for the VCSU presidency by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on Sept. 27, LaFave comes to VCSU after serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.

LaFave had served at Northern State University since 1991 in various capacities including tenured faculty, music department chair, associate dean, dean of graduate and extended studies, and dean of the school of fine arts. He had served as provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2015.

He holds a doctor of musical arts degree and a master‘s degree in music, both from Arizona State University, along with a bachelor’s degree from Northern State.

President’s Column: Looking forward, looking back

Margaret Dahlberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs, former Interim President

In ancient Rome, Janus was the god of beginnings and transitions; the month of January incorporates his name, which is certainly appropriate in our modern calendar. He is depicted with two faces, one looking forward, and one looking back. As we reach the end of the semester and the interim presidency at VCSU, he might also be seen as a symbol of the many new beginnings and transitions we experience this month.

Commencement was held in Vangstad Auditorium on December 13 for our fall graduates, including 10 graduate students and 111 undergraduates. This ceremony is called both “graduation” and “commencement” because of the Janus-like situation we are celebrating: students “graduate” by completing a program of study, and we celebrate their accomplishments (past endeavors); students also “commence” as they move into a new status with the university (they are now alumni) and the professional world of new careers, graduate programs, and exciting opportunities. Commencement is our time to reflect on our students’ achievements and growth, while wishing them well in the next stage of their life.

This month our campus has been experiencing a similar “Janus” situation, with the start of our new president, Dr. LaFave. I have really appreciated all your support and congratulations as I step away from the interim presidency—the Commencement ceremony last Thursday was my last official act as interim president. By the time you read this, Dr. LaFave will have officially begun his service as VCSU’s new president, although he has been actively involved behind the scenes in decisions and transition activities for at least the past month.

We have enjoyed a good year at VCSU, with record enrollment, U.S. News “Best College” recognition, and exciting innovative educational initiatives in our programs. I appreciate the hard work of our faculty and staff to keep VCSU activities moving forward this year. Now we anticipate the year ahead with new leadership and new challenges. We are so fortunate to have a new leader who understands the culture of smaller campuses and communities in the Upper Midwest, and who will quickly become both an advocate for VCSU and our liaison to the community and state.

The Roman god Janus looks both forward and back because beginnings and transitions don’t happen by themselves. As political theorist John Schaar writes, “The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” Please join us in welcoming Dr. LaFave to Valley City as we create our new future together.

Next Hotline to be published Jan. 7

Hotline will not be published over the holidays.

The next issue will be published Monday, Jan. 7.

Elementary education majors observe Personalized Learning

Elementary education majors in Education 322, Language Arts Methods, traveled to Harrisburg, S.D., for a Personalized Learning (PL) field trip with their instructor, Joan Klein (pictured). The groups visited South Middle School and Journey Elementary School on Nov. 30.

VCSU students observed Coaching Workshops (small-group learning), Personal Flex (students working on their own), Group Flex (students collaborating together) and Seminars (teacher-led discussions).

At Harrisburg, middle school students design their own daily schedules from a “play list,” choose how they learn their standards, work at a pace appropriate for each student, and decide how they demonstrate mastery of the material. Elementary students are grouped by their learning needs, not by their grade levels. They showcased their preferred learning styles, proficient technology skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Student panels were conducted by second through eighth grade students, who answered questions about Personalized Learning. These young students demonstrated outstanding speaking abilities, dedication to their learning, self-motivation and collaborative working skills. Their stories and experiences expanded the observations and provided additional learning opportunities about Individualized Instruction, Project Based Learning and Personalized Learning.

This learner-centered observation experience in Harrisburg aligns with the innovative vision developed by the VCSU School of Education and Graduate Studies (SEGS). In researching learner-centered instruction, 14 VCSU faculty members have traveled to Harrisburg School District this semester.

Beckman receives ‘Difference Maker’ award

Jerilyn Beckman, digital content specialist, received the “Difference Maker” award on Dec. 13. She was nominated by the Enrollment Services Office.

The nomination read, “Jerilyn has helped strengthen our outreach to prospective students by posting photos and stories from our events, following campus visit guests on social media, and keeping our enrollment services website information up to date. We enjoy working with her and believe she is a difference maker at VCSU.”

Congratulations, Jerilyn!

Roelfsema named to Prairie Business ‘40 Under 40’ list

Stephanie Roelfsema, director for residence life at Valley City State University, has been named to Prairie Business magazine’s 2018 “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes 40 of the top business professionals under the age of 40 in the Northern Plains.

Roelfsema is featured in the December 2018 issue of Prairie Business magazine along with 39 other young professionals who are making “significant impacts in their chosen professions, industries and communities.”

Congratulations, Stephanie!

Read more at www.vcsu.edu/news/10689/vcsus-roelfsema-named-to-prairie-business-40-under-40-list.

On the Move program offered free to VCSU faculty and staff

VCSU is a proud partner of On The Move, and all employees are encouraged to join the physical activity program which starts Jan. 1 and runs through March 15. VCSU employees can join for free as the university has received a grant to pay the $15 membership fee.

This year there are many great incentive gifts, including an On the Move T-shirt and a $5 coupon for fruit or vegetables—another great reason to join today! Visit www.citycountyhealth.org/on-the-move.html to register online. Remember to choose the “paid by employer” membership option and select VCSU from the drop down list.

Viking sports update

Men’s Basketball
Saturday: University of Jamestown 87, Valley City State 73
The Valley City State men’s basketball team is now 3-8 overall. The Vikings are off for two weeks before playing Dec. 29 at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D.

Women’s Basketball
Wednesday: University of Jamestown 56, Valley City State 54
The Viking women’s basketball team is now 4-6 overall this season. The Vikings will travel to San Francisco, Calif., for two games Dec. 28-29 at the Menlo College Classic.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 28-29: Women’s Basketball @ Menlo College Classic, 4 p.m./4 p.m. (San Francisco, Calif.)
Dec. 29: Men’s Basketball @ Mount Marty College, 4 p.m. (Yankton, S.D.)
Jan. 4: WBB/MBB @ Waldorf University, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Jan. 5: WBB/MBB @ Viterbo University, 3/5 p.m.
Jan. 11: WBB/MBB vs. Dakota State, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Jan. 12: Track & Field @ NDSU Thundering Herd Classic
Jan. 13: WBB/MBB vs. Bellevue University, 1/3 p.m.

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, December 17

Tuesday, December 18
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, December 19
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, December 20
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room
7:30 p.m. Magical Medora Christmas, Vangstad Auditorium
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, December 21
First day of winter

Saturday, December 22

Sunday, December 23

Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve
VCSU offices closed

Tuesday, December 25
Christmas Day
VCSU offices closed

Wednesday, December 26
Kwanzaa begins
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, December 27
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room

Friday, December 28
4 p.m. CT Viking women’s basketball vs. Menlo College, San Francisco, Calif.

Saturday, December 29
4 p.m. CT Viking women’s basketball vs. Our Lady of the Lake University, San Francisco, Calif.
4 p.m. CT Viking men’s basketball @ Mount Marty college, Yankton, S.D.

Sunday, December 30

Monday, December 31
Payday

Tuesday, January 1
New Year’s Day, VCSU offices closed

Wednesday, January 2
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, January 3
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room

Friday, January 4
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa

Saturday, January 5
3 and 5 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Viterbo University, LaCrosse Wis.

Sunday, January 6

Monday, January 7
Spring Semester evening classes begin at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, January 8
Spring Semester first full day of classes
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, January 9
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, January 10
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, January 11
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs Dakota State University, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Saturday, January 12

Sunday, January 13
1 and 3 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs Bellevue University, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse


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