This week's Hotline includes the following articles:

• President’s Column — Forward Together: Building on a Tradition of Excellence
• Support the Faculty/Staff Giving Campaign
• Celebrate fall equinox at Medicine Wheel Park tonight
• Faculty and Staff Art Exhibition reception to be held Tuesday
• Alumni to be honored at Honors Breakfast on Saturday morning
• VanHorn inducted into CSTAND Hall of Fame
• Anderson attends Wildlife Society conference
• Reule presents at NDRPA conference
• 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.

Forward Together: Building on a Tradition of Excellence

Greetings from Valley City State University!

Homecoming is always a special time to welcome alumni back to campus, invite the community to participate in many events, and engage the students, faculty and staff in fun and memorable activities.

The week of September 23-28 is filled with exciting activities and events for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Valley City community. Beginning with the 37th annual Bill Osmon Fun Run on Monday at Lokken Stadium, continuing with a parade down Central Avenue and a Viking football game, and concluding with a student and alumni dance at the Eagles Club on Saturday night, a plethora of activities are available for all.

An exciting and unique addition to this year’s homecoming festivities is the inauguration celebration culminating with the inauguration ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. in W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. This ceremony, open to the community, will include VCSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as colleagues from other NDUS institutions, the chair of the State Board of Higher Education and the NDUS chancellor, and many delegates from across the region and nation. Delegates from as far away as Arizona, Michigan and Missouri will be participating in the ceremony.

I look forward to showcasing our university and community to all those joining us for the festivities. I sincerely hope that members of the Valley City community will join us in celebrating the university and our outstanding partners in higher education.

I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected as the 14th president of Valley City State University and have sincerely enjoyed these past nine months in the office. While I was appointed president on September 27, 2018 (exactly a year from the inauguration date!), I formally began my duties on December 17, 2018. During this time, we have accomplished many great things together, and I anticipate even more forward momentum and success in the days, months and years ahead.

In addition to the ceremony itself on Friday morning, I especially want to invite you to the inaugural recital on Thursday, September 26, at 7 pm and the Transit Authority Concert on Friday, September 27, at 8 p.m. Both of these events are free and open to the public.

If you are able to come to the recital, you will enjoy hearing Dr. Robert Spring, professor of clarinet at Arizona State University (and my former teacher) perform…and even a performance or two from me! Other special guests on the recital will include VCSU music faculty, alumni and friends.

Transit Authority, recognized as the premier Chicago tribute band, will be playing a two-hour show of Chicago’s greatest hits. I can assure you that it will be a tremendous show with appeal to audience members of all ages!

Two of the special characteristics I admire at VCSU are the tremendous “family feel” we enjoy on campus and the outstanding town-and gown-relationship we share with the local community. I hope you will be able to join us for homecoming and inauguration events, and I look forward to seeing you and visiting with you.

Go Vikings!

Support the Faculty/Staff Giving Campaign

“When asked about my financial support for VCSU and V-500, I think of the saying ‘Charity begins at home’ for a few reasons. First of all, I like that my support goes to students whom I see and interact with daily where I work. They are utilizing it to build strong futures for themselves so I can see a direct benefit resulting from my giving. I feel at home at VCSU due to the great people I work with and the caring climate they have built for our students, so I naturally choose to contribute here. I also know my support will be used well by the foundation. It’s a terrific investment in current Vikings and future professionals who will undoubtedly make a huge impact in their futures.” — Kerry Gregoryk, Director for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

Colleagues, Kerry’s testimonial above reminds me that we all play such an important role in helping our students succeed. I am thankful for your efforts and also grateful for your participation in our faculty and staff giving campaign!

There are several options for contributing, and the amount and focus of your gift is entirely up to you. V-500 academic scholarships, Century Club athletic scholarships, Friends of Business, Friends of the Library, or Friends of Music are just a few of the options. Won’t you consider joining Kerry and me and supporting our students in their pursuit of their collegiate and career goals?

Please contact the Foundation Office for more information or to complete a donation form. Thank you for your consideration! — President Alan LaFave

Join in the inauguration events

Please join in the inauguration events — including the recital, ceremony, reception and concert — this Thursday and Friday.

The inaugural recital, Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Vangstad Auditorium will provide audience members an opportunity to see and hear President LaFave perform on clarinet, alongside both his undergraduate clarinet teacher, James Gai (formerly of Northern State and Central Missouri State universities), and his graduate teacher, Robert Spring (Arizona State University).

VCSU faculty instrumentalists performing include Daniel Becker, clarinet; Jerrold Heide, euphonium; Kenneth Jimenez, trumpet; and John LeTellier, piano. VCSU faculty vocalists Robin Allebach, soprano, and Christopher Redfearn, tenor, will also perform.

Joining the recital are musicians from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., where LaFave previously taught and served as provost. These include Darci Bultema, soprano, and William Wieland, piano. Wieland is a VCSU alumnus. Aberdeen-area musicians performing include Dennis McDermott, flugelhorn, and Paul Dutt, guitar.

The recital will feature music by Schubert, Gershwin, Schumann, and Mendelssohn and others.

The inauguration ceremony itself will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

At the inauguration ceremony, LaFave will receive the formal investiture of office from Nick Hacker, chair of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, and Mark Hagerott, Ph.D., chancellor of the North Dakota University System. The ceremony will be live streamed at www.vcsu.edu/inauguration/livestream.

A reception at Epworth United Methodist Church, adjacent to Osmon Fieldhouse, will follow immediately after the ceremony.

The Chicago tribute band Transit Authority will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, on the McFarland Lawn on campus, with an inclement weather location in Osmon Fieldhouse.

The events above — the recital, the ceremony, the reception and the Transit Authority concert — are all open to the public free of charge.

Celebrate fall equinox at Medicine Wheel Park tonight

Celebrate the fall equinox at Medicine Wheel Park this evening (Monday, Sept. 23).

The Buffalo River Native American Singers and Dancers will perform at 7 p.m. Following the performance, telescopes will be available for a star party after twilight.

Faculty and Staff Art Exhibition reception to be held Tuesday

An artists reception for the Faculty and Staff Biannual Art Exhibition will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the McCarthy Gallery.

The exhibition, which opened Sept. 9, will run through Oct. 4. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge.

Alumni to be honored at Honors Breakfast on Saturday morning

Several Valley City State University alumni will be honored during the VCSU Alumni Association 2019 Homecoming celebration to be held Friday-Saturday, Sept. 27- 28.

On Saturday morning, the Alumni Honors Breakfast will be held at the VCSU Student Center cafeteria beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Honors Breakfast provides the VCSU Alumni Association with an opportunity to present fellow alumni with Certificate of Merit, Alumni Service, and Distinguished Alumni awards.

Six alumni will be honored with the Certificate of Merit Award, adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni for accomplishments, service or other noteworthy honors. This year’s recipients include Galen Brantley, Soldotna, Alaska; Kevin Bratland, Enderlin, N.D.; David Griffin, Bismarck, N.D.; Scott King, Malta, Montana; Rhonda (Schneekloth) Nudell, Buffalo, N.D.; and Wayne Steiner, Wahpeton, N.D..

Alumni Service Award recipients include George Berger, Binford, N.D., and Teresa (Pritchard) and Todd Christiansen, Valley City. The Alumni Service Award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni or university friends who have attained exceptional achievement in their careers and have made significant contributions to the university through dedicated service, promotion, financial support or other efforts.

The Distinguished Alumni Award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni/alumnae who have achieved prominence in their chosen field of endeavor. The nominee must have received national or international recognition and must have been identified as an expert in the individual’s chosen field. This year Mel McNea, North Platte, Nebraska, will be recognized as the 61st recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

The public is invited to attend the all Alumni Honors Breakfast on Saturday, Sept 28. Tickets are $10 each and may be reserved by calling the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7403 or by emailing kim.hesch@vcsu.edu.

The Valley City State University Alumni Association is sponsoring a number of additional events to celebrate Homecoming 2019.

Friday, September 27

• Alumni welcome back ice cream social at 2:30 p.m. in the Student Center Lounge.

Saturday, September 28

• Homecoming Parade (10:30 a.m.) down Central Avenue in Valley City.
  
• First Annual VCSU Alumni Motorcycle/Class Car Cruise following the parade. This fun run and cruise is open to anyone wanting to ride their motorcycle or drive their classic car. Stops include Ashtabula Crossing, Punky’s Bar (Dazey), and J&L’s Bar & Grill (Sanborn). There is a $20 entry fee. All proceeds raised will be donated to the V-500 Scholarship program. The first 75 participants will receive an official VCSU Homecoming bandana. To preregister, call 701-845-7203.
  
• Viking Tailgating at Lokken Stadium starting at noon.
  
• VCSU football with the Vikings hosting Dakota State University in the homecoming game. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at Lokken Stadium.
  
• Postgame All Alumni & Friends Social following the football game at the Valley City Eagles Club.

For more information about the 2019 VCSU Homecoming festivities, contact the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.

VanHorn inducted into CSTAND Hall of Fame

Shannon VanHorn, Ph.D., professor of communication arts, was inducted into the Communication, Speech, and Theater Association of North Dakota’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Friday, Sept.13, held in conjunction with the CSTAND conference. VanHorn joins 66 others who were previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1987.

The CSTAND Conference was held September 12-14 in Mandan, N.D. At the conference, VanHorn served on the following panels: “Mental Wellness and Emotional Labor,” “Resources for Research, Activities, and More,” and “Fear of Failure.”

CSTAND is comprised of communication educators, speech, debate, and Student Congress coaches and directors of theatre at both the K-12 and higher ed levels from throughout North Dakota.

Anderson attends Wildlife Society conference

Bob Anderson, professor of science, attended the Central Mountains and Plains Section (CMPS) of The Wildlife Society Conference in Bismarck, N.D., August 22-24. Anderson participated in all aspects of the conference. The membership at the conference voted to grant official status to VCSU’s Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, which as a new chapter had previously been on probationary status.

The Wildlife Society provides a forum for discussion of ecological issues among natural resource professionals; it enables its membership to pursue conservation of natural resources and to inform the public on ecologically wise uses of natural resources in support of a conservation ethic. The CMPS is specifically concerned with approaches to effective management of nine western states plant and animal communities.

Reule presents at NDRPA conference

Jonna Reule, associate professor of communication arts, presented at the North Dakota Recreation & Park Association’s state conference on Sept. 11. In a session on social media, she shared many tips and strategies with individuals from across the state on the importance of social media and how to build an audience. The NDRPA state convention was held in Valley City on Sept. 10-12 with a conference theme of “Expect the Unexpected.”

Viking sports update

Volleyball
Friday: Waldorf University 3, VCSU 2
Saturday: Viterbo University 3, VCSU 1
The Viking Volleyball team dropped a pair of hard-fought matches this weekend to start conference play, falling to 4-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play. VCSU is on the road at Dakota State and Bellevue University this weekend.

Baseball
Wednesday: Mayville State 9, VCSU 5
The Viking baseball team is now 2-4 overall. VCSU will play its home opener Monday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. against the University of Jamestown.

Cross Country
The Valley City State cross country teams had eight runners compete Saturday at the St. Olaf Invitational. The Viking women finished the 6K race in 11th place with five runners competing. Three Vikings raced the men's 8K race. Find complete results at: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/3516

Golf
The Viking Golf teams had four individuals finish Top 10 at the UJ Fall Invite last week in Carrington, N.D. VCSU’s men placed fourth out of seven teams, while the Viking women finished third out of four teams. Read more at the links below.
Men: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/3509
Women: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/3508

Upcoming Events
Sept. 23: Golf @ Dickinson State Invite Day 2, 10 a.m. (Medora, N.D.)
Sept. 23: Baseball vs. Jamestown, 6 p.m. (Valley City)
Sept. 27: Volleyball @ Dakota State, 7 p.m. (Madison, S.D.)
Sept. 28: Football vs. Dakota State, 2 p.m. (Valley City)
Sept. 28: Volleyball @ Bellevue University, 2 p.m. (Bellevue, Neb.)

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

Monday, September 23
Homecoming week begins!
Viking golf @ Dickinson State Invite, Dickinson, N.D.
4 p.m. 37th Annual Bill Osmon Fun Run, Lokken Stadium
4–6 p.m. Farmers Market in former Shopko parking lot
7 p.m. Fall Equinox with performance by Buffalo River Native American Singers and Dancers, Medicine Wheel Park
7:30 p.m. Homecoming Coronation, Vangstad Auditorium

Tuesday, September 24
11 a.m. LaFave’s Faves, Student Center
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center
4 p.m. Faculty art exhibition reception, McCarthy Hall 3rd floor

Wednesday, September 25
11:30 LaFave’s Faves, Student Center
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
7 p.m. Talent Show, Vangstad Auditorium

Thursday, September 26
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
11 a.m. Pep Rally, Graichen Gymnasium
11:30 a.m. LaFave’s Faves, Student Center
6:30 p.m. In Knots Crochet, VCBC Public Library
4–6 p.m. Farmers Market in former Shopko parking lot
7 p.m. Inauguration recital featuring President Alan LaFave, Vangstad Auditorium

Friday, September 27
10 a.m. Inauguration of Dr. Alan LaFave as the 14th president of Valley City State University
11:30 a.m. Inauguration reception, Epworth United Methodist Church
2:30 p.m. Alumni Ice Cream Social, Student Center Lounge
3 p.m. Campus Tours, beginning at Student Center Lounge
5 p.m. Hall of Fame Social, Valley City Eagles Club
6 p.m. Hall of Fame Banquet & Ceremony, Valley City Eagles Club
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.
8 p.m. Transit Authority concert, Campus Green (weather back up in W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)

Saturday, September 28
8:30 a.m. Alumni Honors Breakfast, Student Center Cafeteria
10:30 a.m. Homecoming parade
11 a.m. First Annual VCSU Alumni Motorcycle/Classic Car Cruise
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Viking Tailgating, Lokken Stadium
2 p.m. Viking football vs. Dakota State University, Shelly Ellig Field
2 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.
5 p.m. Post game and All-Alumni social, Valley City Eagles Club
9 p.m. Student and Alumni dance, Valley City Eagles Club

Sunday, September 29

Monday, September 30
4–6 p.m. Farmers Market in former Shopko parking lot

Tuesday, October 1
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VCSU Student Center

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

Thursday, October 3
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
4–6 p.m. Farmers Market in former Shopko parking lot

Friday, October 4
Ployhar Honor Band, Vangstad auditorium
7:30 p.m. Faculty recital, Froemke auditorium

Saturday, October 5
3 p.m. Ployhar Honor Band Concert, Vangstad auditorium

Sunday, October 6
VCSU student showcase recital, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

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