This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Sheyenne High theatre production in McFarland on Sunday afternoon
• VanHorn chosen NCA director-elect in Philadelphia
• Da Vinha, Dutton present at international studies conference
• Kringlie family wins tennis award
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 4 p.m. the Friday before publication.

Sheyenne High theatre production in McFarland on Sunday afternoon

VCSU Theatre will host West Fargo Sheyenne High School Theatre’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in Theatre 320 in McFarland Hall.

Peter Filichia, New York City theatre critic and columnist, saw the comedy production in West Fargo in October and called it one of the top 10 high school shows he has attended.

The performance is a fundraiser for Sheyenne High Theatre’s participation in the 2017 American High School Theatre Festival held each August in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sheyenne High will be the first school to represent North Dakota in this prestigious program.

Tickets for the production will be available at the door; cost is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

VanHorn chosen NCA director-elect in Philadelphia

Shannon VanHorn, Ph.D., director of distance learning and faculty development, attended the National Communication Association (NCA) conference in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 9–12.

VanHorn was elected director-elect of the NCA Educational Policies Board. She will assume the directorship and become a member of the organization’s governing body, the Executive Council, in January 2018.

In addition to chairing several panels, VanHorn presented “Broaching Difficult Subjects: A Toolbox for Traditional and Online Courses” with Carolyn Calloway-Thomas from Indiana University. She also participated in the Legislative Assembly, representing the Communication and the Future division as its past chair.

VanHorn attended several sessions on teaching and learning, including panels on universal design, the scholarship of teaching and learning, experiential learning, and teacher misbehavior in the classrooms (face-to-face and online).

Da Vinha, Dutton present at international studies conference

Luis da Vinha, assistant professor of geography and political science, and Anthony Dutton, associate professor of history, participated in the International Studies Association’s 2016 Midwest Conference, held in St. Louis, Mo. on Nov. 17–18.

Dutton and da Vinha organized the panel “Changing Minds, Changing Policies,” where they served as panel chair and discussant. The panel discussed the role of perceptions in influencing international politics, highlighting the dynamic nature of foreign policy beliefs.

Dutton also presented a paper titled “Perception over Pragmatism: The Boundaries of Rational Action in Mongolian Policymaking.”

Da Vinha presented a paper titled “The Carter Administration’s Changing Geographic Mental Maps of the Persian Gulf Region” and served as chair and discussant for the “International Politics and the Media” panel.

Kringlie family wins tennis award

The family of Erik Kringlie (director of data centers and virtualization) was named the USTA Northern Tennis Family of the Year at the organization’s conference at the Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington, Minn., on Nov. 18.

Susan is a member of the Valley City Tennis Association, North Dakota Tennis Association and USTA Northern Board of Directors. She assists in running local tournaments, including the Valley City Junior Open, and coordinates efforts of the North Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame. She and Erik also organize all Junior Team Tennis (JTT) efforts in the area, while Erik serves as advisor and coach of the VCSU Viking Tennis Club.

Both are also extremely active with the high school program in Valley City and work tirelessly in raising money to grow the game in Valley City. Erik also maintains all website and social media platforms and produces a newsletter for the Valley City Tennis Association.

Son Hale is a sophomore at Valley City High School, where he has been on the tennis team for three years. He has played JTT for two years and serves as a volunteer assistant for the 10U Spring Park and Rec program. He plays junior tournaments and has volunteered for Valley City Tennis Association programs, Tennis on Campus, Junior Tournaments and parades.

Kai is a sixth grader at Washington Elementary and has played junior tournaments in both 10U and 12U. He has played JTT for two years and was a member of the 12U team that qualified for the USTA Northern Section Championships in 2016. He was the winner of the 12U Boys Sportsmanship Award at the JTT Area Championships and volunteers for VCTA programs, Rally the Family, Tennis on Campus, Junior Tournaments and parades.

“Quite simply, the Kringlie Family is tennis in Valley City,” nominators Kevin Allan and Oliver Summers said. “They are very passionate about tennis and seek to get and keep the community involved with tennis at all levels from summer tournaments, Junior Team Tennis, Tennis on Campus to adult summer leagues. The Kringlies are givers and share their passion of tennis with others. They are true servant leaders and ambassadors for the sport.”

Congratulations, Kringlies!

Viking sports update

Men’s Basketball
The Viking men defeated Crown College 85-58 at home Friday night. They stand at 7-4 for the season with conference beginning this weekend.

Women’s Basketball
The VCSU women rolled over Crown College 102-27 in the Osmon Fieldhouse Friday night. The Vikings, now 7-3, begin conference play this weekend.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 2: W/M Basketball @ Mayville State, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Dec. 3: W/M Basketball @ Presentation College, 3/5 p.m.
Dec. 5: Women’s Basketball vs. Concordia College (Moorhead), 7 p.m.

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, November 28

Tuesday, November 29

12:05–1:05 p.m. Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, November 30

Payday
VCSU Salvation Army Bell Ringing Day
noon–1 p.m. Kiwanis meeting, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, December 1

7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room
Thursday night shopping in Valley City
6 p.m. Parade of Lights
7:30 p.m. Christmas at St. Catherine’s concert, St. Catherine’s Church, Valley City

Friday, December 2

5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Mayville State University, Mayville, N.D.
7:30 p.m. Instrumental concert, Vangstad Auditorium

Saturday, December 3

3 p.m. Community School of the Arts ensembles concert, Nazarene Church, Valley City, N.D.
3 and 5 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D.

Sunday, December 4

Monday, December 5

7 p.m. Viking women’s basketball vs. Concordia College (Moorhead), W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Tuesday, December 6

11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05-1:05 p.m. Rotary Club meeting, VFW

Wednesday, December 7

12-1 p.m. Kiwanis, Valley City Country Club

Thursday, December 8

7 a.m. Optimists Club meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room
Thursday night shopping in Valley City

Friday, December 9

5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. Dakota State University, W.E. Osmon Fieldouse

Saturday, December 10

5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. Bellevue University, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Sunday, December 11

Mawlid al-Nabi begins at sundown