This week's Hotline! includes the following articles:

• President’s Column: Interim legislative committee meets at VCSU
• Sheyenne RiverFest to be held Saturday
• DeMuth named to SBHE Research Committee
• Richman selected as Khan Academy ambassador
• Blunck receives ‘Difference Maker’ award
• 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: Interim legislative committee meets at VCSU

Greetings from Valley City State University!

On Thursday, July 18, Valley City State University hosted the Interim Higher Education Funding Formula Review Committee on campus. We sincerely appreciate all that the legislature has done for higher education and VCSU during this past session and are very excited to move forward with final design work on our new arts and communication building. We enjoyed having the committee on campus and welcomed the opportunity to provide an update on the good things happening here at VCSU.

Dr. Margaret Dahlberg, vice president for academic affairs, reminded the committee of the VCSU vision statement: “As an innovative university, we deliver distinctive, learner-centered experiences.” We continually try new tools and explore options for academic offerings and course-delivery methods. We provide engaging, one-of-a-kind experiences as we focus on our niche areas, and strive to be learner-centered by focusing on students’ growth and development. When we make decisions, we always ask, “How will this impact the students?”

Evidence for our commitment to innovation can be found in the addition of two new academic degrees. The Bachelor of Applied Science degree offers pathways for students transitioning to a bachelor’s degree tailored to their needs in management, retail or entrepreneurial studies, while the Associate Arts degree (pending Higher Learning Commission approval) offers students an option if life circumstances necessitate leaving a bachelor’s program; the AA degree also helps support the workforce needs of the community.

The VCSU elementary education program continues to distinguish itself as one of the strongest programs in the state and region. With more than 300 students enrolled, the program directly helps fill teacher vacancies throughout the state. One component of the program allows paraprofessionals already working in the classroom to complete their degrees through our online course offerings.

Other areas of distinction include our Fisheries and Wildlife Science program, with over 60 majors, the Health and Wellness program with over 50 majors in physical education and an additional 30 in exercise science, and the online bachelor’s degree in music with over 30 majors.

Dr. Jamie Wirth shared a report on the activities of the Great Plains STEM Education Center at VCSU. This center, started by the late Dr. Don Mugan in 2010, leads the state and region in delivering outstanding professional development in integrative STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for K-12 teachers, administrators and students, both on the VCSU campus and on site at K-12 schools. Since January 2015, more than 2,000 K-12 teachers (including repeat attendees) in North Dakota have participated in one of our professional development workshops.

Perhaps the most exciting development of the STEM Education Center has been the creation and implementation of the Middle School STEM Academy hosted the past two summers on our campus. With the help of Dr. Gary Ketterling, STEM Center education coordinator, and several VCSU science faculty members, this academy immersed students from New Town (N.D.) Public Schools and Eight Mile School District (Trenton, N.D.) in a week-long program of experiments, field trips and study. The academy aims to expose students to both the college experience and the plentiful career opportunities in STEM-related disciplines.

It’s very exciting to witness the many positive developments in academic programs and STEM opportunities available for K-12 faculty, students and administrators. At VCSU, we will continue to respond proactively to the workforce needs of the state and region and provide programming to help ensure student success.

Go Vikings!

Sheyenne RiverFest to be held Saturday

The first annual Sheyenne RiverFest, an event celebrating the Sheyenne River, will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, in Valley City and at Fort Ransom State Park.

A mass canoe and kayak launch will take place at 9 a.m. at the landing at the Valley City National Fish Hatchery. Fish hatchery tours will be available from 9 a.m.-noon, with kids' fishing available at the pond at the hatchery. Information booths from a number of organizations will be set up in Chautauqua Park in Valley City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pontoon boat rides will be available at Chautauqua from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Informative river walks will also be set up at Chautauqua Park and City Park in Valley City, and disc golf will be available at City Park.

Fort Ransom State Park will also host a 9 a.m. canoe and kayak launch, along with river walks with a park ranger. It will also be Kids Day at the park featuring a bouncy house and other activities.

Sheyenne RiverFest is sponsored by the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and the Valley City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Raffle tickets with river-related prizes are available for purchase. For more information, call Mary Lee Nielson at 701-840-1580 or email info@hellovalley.com.

DeMuth named to SBHE Research Committee

David DeMuth, Ph.D., VCSU professor of mathematics and director of undergraduate research, has been named to the Research Committee of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. DeMuth will represent the nine NDUS campuses other than UND and NDSU.

The SBHE Research Committee will meet for the first time on July 31 at UND’s Tech Accelerator Committee. A Grand Forks Herald article on the committee can be found online at www.grandforksherald.com/news/education/3972948-New-SBHE-committee-will-focus-on-research-work-of-the-NDUS-campuses.

DeMuth played a lead role in developing the SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) program at VCSU; he serves as mentor for VCSU student Matthew Lein’s SOAR-funded project, “Construction Management System Prototype for Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.”

DeMuth has been active in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) for a decade; he works with the Fermilab in Illinois and frequently partners with researchers at UND and the University of Minnesota.

Richman selected as Khan Academy ambassador

Harmony Richman, VCSU instructor in education, has been named a Khan Academy ambassador.

Khan Academy provides free online teaching and learning resources for students, parents, and educators, including instructional videos and practice exercises, along with dashboards to measure progress.

The ambassador program recognizes Richman’s interest and expertise in using Khan Academy resources; she will lead local trainings and serve as an academy support expert for other teachers and academic coaches.

Blunck receives ‘Difference Maker’ award

Will Blunck, network administrator, recently received the "Difference Maker" award. He was nominated by his fellow colleagues in the Technology Services Department.

His nomination read, “Will Blunck has consistently demonstrated expertise, initiative, hard work and dependability. He is respectful and works well with others. Specifically, he has led efforts to update classrooms in preparation for the new laptops and has quickly become an expert for network and computer cabling, wireless access, door access and surveillance cameras. We are simply delighted to have him on the VCSU team.”

Congratulations, Will!

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, July 29

Tuesday, July 30

12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

Wednesday, July 31

Payday

noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Greg Hager, with ice cream provided by Midwest Dairy, City Park

Thursday, August 1

7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room

Friday, August 2

Saturday, August 3

Sheyenne RiverFest (canoeing, kayaking, pontoon rides, river walks and more), multiple locations, including Chautauqua Park, Fish Hatchery, Fort Ransom State Park

Sunday, August 4

Monday, August 5

Tuesday, August 6

12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

Wednesday, August 7

noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Oakland Family, with ice cream provided by Midwest Dairy, City Park

Thursday, August 8

7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room

6 p.m. In Knots Crochet Club, VCBC Public Library

Friday, August 9

Saturday, August 10

Sunday, August 11

Monday, August 12

Tuesday, August 13

12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

5:30 p.m. Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals, Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Wednesday, August 14

noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

6 p.m. Barnes County Wildlife Federation, Valley City Eagles Club

7:15 p.m. Music at the Park presents Demasi Brothers, City Park

Thursday, August 15

Payday

7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room

Friday, August 16

Saturday, August 17

Sunday, August 18

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