This week's Hotline includes the following articles:

• President's Column: Welcome new faculty members
• Da Vinha article published in ‘Brown Journal of World Affairs’
• Russi performs at Theatre B preview
• Viking Sports Update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

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

President’s Column: Welcome new faculty members

Alan D. LaFave, D.M.A.

Greetings from Valley City State University!

As part of Welcome Week activities on campus, we recently welcomed 10 new members of the faculty to the VCSU community. I’m excited by the energy, enthusiasm and experience they bring to their teaching positions with us, and I’m pleased to introduce them via the biographical sketches below. Note that several are renewing their ties to campus.

A native of Bemidji, Minn., Gina Aalgaard Kelly returns to VCSU as professor of social science and grants director; she was assistant professor and social science chair at VCSU from 2005-08. Prior to her return, Gina had served as associate professor of medical and aging sociology at North Dakota State University since 2011. She holds a Ph.D. in family social science from the University of Minnesota along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in sociology from NDSU. Gina has three children, Caemon, Avalon and Seamus, and her partner is Steve Neset. She fishes, runs marathons and plays the trumpet and piano.

Born and raised in northern Kentucky, Kiersten Baughman joins the Social Science Department as associate professor in psychology. Kiersten previously taught at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. She holds doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree from Morehead State in Kentucky. Kiersten and her husband, Mike, are joined in their household by three large dogs.

Abigail Bremer, new assistant professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies, is completing her doctorate in educational leadership at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she previously taught in the School for Teaching and Learning. Abigail and her husband, Marshall, have two sons, Maxwell and Mason, and she enjoys tennis, gardening, cooking and travel.

Gratia Brown has traveled north from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., to join the Art Department as assistant professor. She grew up in the New Haven, Conn., area and holds an MFA in ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Her academic interests include mixed media ceramic sculpture, fragments, and socially engaged art practice. Her husband is Spencer Dobson.

Sabrina Brown comes to Valley City State from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she earned a Ph.D. in earth and atmospheric science. Sabrina will be teaching in the VCSU Science Department as assistant professor of geology. In addition to her doctorate, she holds a master’s in earth and quaternary science, and a bachelor’s degree, both from Indiana State University. Sabrina’s partner is Nick Spendal.

Yang Du has joined the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department as assistant professor. Yang grew up in northeast China (where he says it can be as cold as North Dakota!) and earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from Beihang University in Beijing. He served as a visiting scholar in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NDSU in Fargo from 2009-11, and he is now a Ph.D. candidate (all but dissertation) in computer science there. Yang and his wife, Xin, look forward to fishing in the Valley City area.

Michael Kostick serves as assistant professor in the Kinesiology and Human Performance Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree in health and physical education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa., where he is also a doctoral student in curriculum and instruction. Michael is an avid fan of Pittsburgh sports teams and enjoys football, baseball, hockey, pickleball, ultimate and disc golf.

VCSU alumna Lisa (Bue) Krumwiede is now assistant professor in the Department of Technology. A participant in the VCSU/NDSU dual-degree program, she holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from VCSU and a bachelor’s in child development and family science from NDSU. Lisa also earned a master’s degree in technology education with a STEM certificate from VCSU. She played basketball for the Bison and professionally in Europe for two years after her undergraduate career. Lisa and her husband, K.C., have a daughter Clara and son Tommy, with a third child on the way.

Serving as Spanish instructor in the Department of Language and Literature is Brooke Sandoval, who grew up in Upsala, Minn. Brooke holds a master’s in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a bachelor’s in Spanish education from Concordia College in Moorhead. Mother to daughter Sofia and son Simon, Brooke is also a zumba enthusiast.

Alumna Angie Saxlund returns to VCSU as assistant professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies after teaching third grade at Aurora Elementary in West Fargo for 14 years. Angie will direct the online elementary education program. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from VCSU, she holds a master’s degree from Minot State University. Angie and her husband, Steve, are the parents of three daughters: Brooklyn, Peyton and Brynlie. She enjoys golfing and spending time with family and friends.

That’s an impressive group, and I’m so glad to have them with us this fall. Please join me in welcoming these outstanding faculty members to VCSU and Valley City! I’ll share information about our new staff members in the near future as we enter this new and exciting academic year.

Go Vikings!

Da Vinha article published in ‘Brown Journal of World Affairs’

Luis da Vinha, associate professor of geography and political science, authored an article in the latest edition of the “Brown Journal of World Affairs” titled “Maps of War and Peace: Rethinking Geography in International Affairs.” Da Vinha’s article challenges the current revival of geography’s deterministic account in explaining international affairs and foreign policy decision-making.

Traditionally, geography’s spatial attributes have been an essential explanatory variable in international relations theory. However, da Vinha emphasizes the role of geography’s intangible attributes as a key element informing decision-makers’ understanding of the international political environment. By embracing the concept of Geographic Mental Maps, da Vinha claims that geographic phenomena have no meaningful shape and significance until they are accorded place and identity in the social and cognitive worlds of human experience. Ultimately, da Vinha argues that understanding the distinction between space and place is critical for grasping the true potential of geography in understanding international affairs.

The Brown Journal of World Affairs is a semiannual journal of international relations and foreign policy produced at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. The complete article can be found at bjwa.brown.edu/25-2/maps-of-war-and-peace-rethinking-geography-in-international-affairs.

Russi performs at Theatre B preview

Jenni Lou Russi, associate professor of and chair of the Communication Arts Department, performed with Theatre B ensemble members in a scene from “The Last Schwartz” for the theatre’s season preview at the Hjemkomst Center on August 6. Founded in 2003, Theatre B provides a creative home for theatre professionals, including actors, designers and administrators. Former VCSU student Monika Browne-Ecker (seated in photo), Theatre B operations and production manager, also performed in the scene.

Viking sports update

Volleyball
Thursday: Montana-Western 3, VCSU 0
Friday: Univ. of Providence 3, VCSU 0; MSU-Northern 3, VCSU 1
Saturday: Montana Tech 3, VCSU 0
The Valley City State volleyball team opened the season this past weekend with four losses against tough competition at the Big Sky Challenge in Butte, Montana. The Vikings will hit the road Tuesday for an exhibition match at Bemidji State University.

Football
The Valley City State University football team opens the 2019 season at home Thursday night, hosting rival University of Jamestown in the 2019 VCSU Ag Bowl. A free meal, tailgating and games start at 5 p.m. at Lokken Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. A postgame fireworks show will take place immediately after the game.

Upcoming Events
Aug. 27: Volleyball at Bemidji State, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28: Volleyball Red-White Scrimmage, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29: Football vs. Jamestown, 7 p.m.

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

Monday, August 26
4 p.m. Fall semester classes begin

Tuesday, August 27
First full day of classes
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minn.

Wednesday, August 28
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
6:30 p.m. Viking club tennis organizational meeting, north tennis court complex
7 p.m. Viking volleyball red white scrimmage, Graichen Gymnasium

Thursday, August 29
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
7 p.m. Viking football vs. University of Jamestown, Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium–2nd Annual VCSU Ag Bowl
8:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, August 30
Murarrah begins at sundown
Payday

Saturday, August 31

Sunday, September 1

Monday, September 2
Labor Day
No VCSU classes - offices closed

Tuesday, September 3
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center
7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Trinity Bible College, Graichen Gymnasium

Wednesday, September 4
Viking golf @ Dickinson State Dual, Dickinson, N.D.
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, September 5
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky's Viking Room
11 a.m. All campus convocation, Vangstad Auditorium
8:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, September 6
Viking volleyball @ Baldwin City, Kas. – two match play
Faculty Art Exhibition Opens, VCSU Gallery on McCarthy Hall 3rd Floor

Saturday, September 7
Viking cross county @ Hardrocker Invitational, Rapid City, S.D.
9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Baker University, Baldwin City, Kas.
1 p.m. Viking football @ Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa

Sunday, September 8