This week's Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President’s Column: Embracing change and valuing tradition
• Experience Summer Nights on Central beginning July 11
• Jenrich named ‘Staff Member of the Quarter’
• Robinson named ‘Difference Maker’
• Jimenez presents on early cornet at national instrument conference
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

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

President’s Column: Embracing change and valuing tradition

Greetings from Valley City State University!

It’s no surprise that VCSU has a long and storied tradition of providing education to the citizens of North Dakota. A significant and founding principle of that long-standing tradition is in preparing the next generation of teachers for our state and beyond.

I was proud to report — and brag a bit — to the House and Senate appropriations committees that more than 1,400 teachers and school administrators in North Dakota are graduates of VCSU! It’s paramount for us to not lose sight of our traditional purpose and mission while pursuing growth and change. Staying on the leading edge of innovative programs will position us well as we enter our next chapter as a university.

Lately I’ve fielded many questions regarding progress on our new $32 million arts and communication building on campus. Here is a progress report as of this writing:

• A campus committee comprising students, faculty, and staff has been formed to meet with the architects and design team.
  
• The committee has met several times with the architects to make important decisions on space needs and design, keeping in mind the future needs of the art, communication, and music programs to allow and encourage enrollment growth.
  
• A construction manager will be selected in the next month.
  
• Site preparation work, including soil survey samples, will begin this fall.
  
• Ground breaking will take place in the spring of 2020.

Summer is also a time for renovation and repair work on campus. I hope you’ve had the opportunity to walk through or drive by campus in recent weeks. The lush green space and beautiful trees help make VCSU the most beautiful campus in North Dakota!

The addition of the “Welcome to Valley City State University” sign on the retaining wall at the west entrance to campus is impressive! Also, we are thankful to the Alumni Association for providing a new “Welcome Alumni” sign on the north side of the walk bridge.

The track project is nearing completion, curb and gutters have been replaced, and plans for other facility repairs, including roof work on McCarthy, the Osmon Fieldhouse, and the Student Center, along with new sidewalks, tuckpointing, and new seats for Lokken Stadium will continue through the summer.

Maintaining our focus on providing the best academic, athletic and co-curricular opportunities for our students will continue to inform our work as we move forward, all the while embracing change and adhering to our tradition of excellence.

Go Vikings!

Experience Summer Nights on Central beginning July 11

Experience live music and community fun in downtown Valley City on Thursday evenings this July with Summer Nights on Central. The band lineup includes Tripwire starting it up on July 11, with October Road performing on July 18 and Slamabama closing it out on July 25.

Enjoy live music, fun for the kids, late-night shopping and food from a variety of vendors. Beverages will be served by the Valley City Eagles Club (wristbands required for ages 21-plus). Vendors open at 5:30 p.m. and concerts run from 6-9 p.m. on Central Ave.

Admission is free with all ages welcome. Come on down!

Jenrich named ‘Staff Member of the Quarter’

Haley Jenrich, administrative and assessment assistant in the School of Education and Graduate Studies, was recently named “Staff Member of the Quarter.”

Her nomination read, in part, “Haley works with a wide variety of students, faculty, cooperating teachers, and administrators. She communicates with hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and individuals with questions for SEGS each year. Haley is willing to ask questions, seek information, and has an attitude for lifelong learning. The knowledge and awareness she possesses are ultimately helpful for teacher candidates progressing through the program. Haley has not only displayed a willingness to learn, but has been enthusiastic about learning about her work and VCSU related matters. Haley is a positive promoter for VCSU and the teacher preparation program.”

Congratulations, Haley!

Robinson named ‘Difference Maker’

Larry Robinson, executive director for university advancement, was recently presented with the “Difference Maker” award. He was nominated by the Financial Aid and Registrar’s offices.

His nomination read, “Larry Robinson exemplifies the VCSU culture and principles. His pride and dedication are obvious. His many years of loyal support to VCSU, the community, region and State of North Dakota are invaluable. The involvement in VCSU fundraising, managing a large scholarship endowment and serving for years in the North Dakota Legislature are just the start of the long list of accomplishments. Larry truly displays the ethics, integrity, and values of VCSU and does it with pride.”

Congratulations, Larry!

Jimenez presents on early cornet at national instrument conference

Kenneth Jimenez, D.M.A., assistant professor of music, presented a lecture-demonstration titled “The Early Cornet: An Underdog Story” at the American Musical Instrument Society’s national conference on May 16. Jimenez discussed the playing characteristics and historical use of cornets from the early 19th century and performed brief musical excerpts using an early-19th-century cornet from his own collection. 

The American Musical Instrument Society is one of the largest scholarly bodies dedicated to the study of musical instruments. The 2019 conference, held May 15-18 at the Carolina Music Museum in Greenville, S.C., featured presentations and performances by scholars from across the United States, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as a tour of the Joe and Joella Utley Collection of Brass Instruments, one of the largest of its kind worldwide.

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

Monday, July 1

Tuesday, July 2
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

Wednesday, July 3
12 noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club
7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Hance & Andrus, City Park

Thursday, July 4
Independence Day
No VCSU classes – offices closed
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicki’s Viking Room

Friday, July 5

Saturday, July 6

Sunday, July 7

Monday, July 8

Tuesday, July 9
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

Wednesday, July 10
12 noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club
7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Paul Leier & Karaoke, City Park

Thursday, July 11
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicki’s Viking Room
Barnes County 4-H Achievement Days, ND Winter Show Event Center
6-9 p.m. Summer Nights on Central event featuring entertainment by Tripwire

Friday, July 12
Barnes County 4-H Achievement Days, ND Winter Show Event Center

Saturday, July 13

Sunday, July 14

Monday, July 15
Payday

Tuesday, July 16
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

Wednesday, July 17
12 noon Kiwanis, VC Town & Country Club
7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Blind Joe, City Park

Thursday, July 18
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicki’s Viking Room
6-9 p.m. Summer Nights on Central event featuring entertainment by October Road

Friday, July 19

Saturday, July 20

Sunday, July 21

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