Feb 12th, 2018
This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles: • President’s Column: What our enrollment growth tells us about VCSU
• Book Fair sponsored by VCSU’s SNDU begins today
• Milender-Toppen to speak on nutrition guidelines at museum Thursday
• Johnsgard bird drawings on display in Rhoades
• Beauchman photographs on exhibit at CHI Mercy Health
• Business Department hosts 26th annual Emerging Leaders Competition
• 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 3 p.m. the Friday before publication. President’s Column: What our enrollment growth tells us about VCSU Margaret Dahlberg, Ph.D., interim president
You are likely aware that VCSU's spring 2018 enrollment is up in comparison to last year at this time, or any previous January. We achieved a record spring semester enrollment of 1,500 students, following a fall 2017 record enrollment (1,522 students) as well. Some of the programs that have seen growth this spring are Elementary Education (plus 33 students), Music (plus 12), and Fisheries and Wildlife Science (plus 6).
The growth at VCSU is partly the vision and work of three recent presidents. Dr. Chaffee focused on online education and building a graduate program to serve our regional educators; Dr. Shirley focused on increasing student numbers in the sciences, along with a new building (Rhoades Science Center) to support recruiting and to house the resulting program growth. Both presidents set an enrollment goal of 1,500 students, and, while this number was not attained during their tenure, Dr. Mason was able to build on their work to reach that number in fall 2017.
Reaching this enrollment goal tells us some important things about VCSU.
First, it indicates that students are staying here rather than moving on to a larger campus or leaving school before they complete a degree. That shows we have engaged their interest, made them feel welcome and supported, and offered valuable coursework and experience that connect them to their intended career paths.
Second, it shows that campus leaders who envisioned new programs in education, science, and music had a good sense of the quality programming we could offer that would draw students to our campus. Dr. Chaffee (new graduate program), Dr. Shirley (science program growth), Dr. Mason (new graduate degree), and Dr. Skroch (online music) had it right, and now we are seeing the results of their hard work.
Third, it makes the dedication of faculty and staff to our students visible. We have amazing employees here who care deeply about the success of our students—something students here experience every day in the classroom, at the Business Office counter, in the Student Center. Wherever they turn, people know their names and make them feel part of the community.
Fourth, it says that VCSU is a dynamic place that is interested in continuous improvement. We are connected to the changing needs of the region, students' career goals, and improving approaches as we engage and work with diverse student generations.
And finally, it says that we have strong support from our community and alumni. We know that money is tight, both in our budget and yours, and we—and our students—are grateful for your generosity that helps support scholarships, facility improvements, and athletic activities. Together, we are making life better for our students and our future.
Book Fair sponsored by VCSU’s SNDU begins today A Scholastic book fair sponsored by the VCSU chapter of Student North Dakota United (SNDU) will be held Monday–Wednesday, Feb. 12–14, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. in McFarland 123.
Contact Heather Kvilvang at heather.kvilvang@vcsu.edu for more information. Milender-Toppen to speak on nutrition guidelines at museum Thursday Susan Milender-Toppen, family and community wellness agent for NDSU Extension Barnes County, will speak on “WW I Nutrition: Then and Now” on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Barnes County Museum.
Milender-Toppen’s lecture will examine U.S. Food Administration guidelines from World War I and compare them with present-day U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines. Milender-Toppen served 19 years as nutritional director in the Valley City Public Schools; she holds a Master of Education degree from VCSU.
Part of season 19 of the Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series, the event is open to the public free of charge. Johnsgard bird drawings on display in Rhoades Ten prints of bird drawings by renowned ornithologist Paul Johnsgard are now displayed on the second floor of Rhoades Science Center. The prints are on loan from Archie Moore, professor emeritus of science, who taught at VCSU from 1964–95.
Johnsgard, professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, was born in Fargo and did his undergraduate work at NDSU. He has authored more than 50 books on birds and the natural sciences.
Pictured are Moore and Andre DeLorme, VCSU science department chair, in front of three of the Johnsgard prints. Beauchman photographs on exhibit at CHI Mercy Health Photographs by Alice Beauchman, administrative assistant for the VCSU science and mathematics departments, are on display currently in an exhibition at the Mercy Art Gallery at CHI Mercy Health in Valley City.
Beauchman taught photography to more than 2,300 VCSU students over the years.
The gallery is open to the public free of charge from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Business Department hosts 26th annual Emerging Leaders Competition The VCSU Business Department, with help from the VCSU DECA chapter, hosted its 26th annual Emerging Leaders Competition on campus on Wednesday, January 31.
The event was the largest attended on record with 20 schools, 26 advisors and 410 students participating. The department offered 10 tests and 23 individual and team role-play events, along with quiz bowl events.
The day feature an opening ceremony, event competition, quiz bowl, and an awards ceremony, along with a planetarium show for entertainment.
The competition was judged by 23 volunteers, including business professionals from the Business Department’s advisory board, business personnel from the Valley City area, VCSU DECA members, and VCSU alumni, faculty, staff, and retirees.
The department is grateful for the support of the State Supervisors for Marketing Education/DECA, Business Education/FBLA, and Information Technology/Skills on hand to help run the prep portion of the events and quiz bowl.
Thanks are also given to Pete Smithhisler and Enrollment Services staff for welcoming participants to campus; Wes Anderson for running two packed shows in the planetarium for students and advisors; Kari Stricklin, Student Center staff, and Sodexo staff for helping guide students and feeding the large group in a timely fashion; and Facilities Services staff for their help in arranging the event.
Yet another great example of how “We All Row.” Thanks all!
(Pictured are participants from Fargo Davies High School, the overall winners of the competition.) Viking sports update Men’s Basketball
Wednesday: VCSU 96, Trinity Bible College 57
Saturday: VCSU 92, University of Jamestown 91
The Viking men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to five games with two victories this weekend, including a 92-91 win over rival University of Jamestown. Justyn Galloway scored on a putback with 0.4 seconds left to secure the win. VCSU is now 13-15 overall and 6-9 in the NSAA. The Vikings close out the regular season Feb. 16 at Waldorf University.
Women’s Basketball
Wednesday: VCSU 119, Trinity Bible College 43
Saturday: University of Jamestown 70, VCSU 62
The VCSU women’s basketball team had its nine-game winning streak come to an end Saturday with a 70-62 loss at Jamestown. VCSU is now 21-4 overall and 12-3 in the NSAA. The Vikings end the regular season Feb. 16 at Waldorf University.
Track & Field
Peyton Halverson placed eighth in the NSAA Women’s Indoor Pentathlon held Saturday at Jamestown. Halverson set collegiate personal records in the 60 hurdles, high jump and long jump. The Vikings also took a handful of athletes to the SDSU Indoor Classic on Friday in Brookings, S.D. Complete results from both meets can be found at www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2919.php.
Softball
Saturday: VCSU 5, Dakota Wesleyan 1; VCSU 6, Northern State 5 (10 innings)
Sunday: VCSU 13, Minnesota-Crookston 3; VCSU 3, University of Jamestown 1
The Viking softball team opened its season with a 4-0 record this past weekend, sweeping its four games at the Presentation College Dome Tournament.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 16: WBB/MBB @ Waldorf University, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17: Track & Field @ NSAA Indoor Championships (Brookings, S.D.)
Feb. 17: Softball @ Presentation Dome Tournament, 10 a.m./noon
Feb. 18: Softball @ Presentation Dome Tournament, 10 a.m./noon
What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City… Monday, February 12
7:30 p.m. Minnesota Opera Artists Recital, Vangstad Auditorium
Tuesday, February 13
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
6 p.m. VCSU Junior Naturalists Nature Arts & Crafts, Rhoades Science Center, Room 135
Wednesday, February 14
Ash Wednesday
Valentine’s Day
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
Thursday, February 15
Payday
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Student Center Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room
Friday, February 16
Chinese New Year
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Waldorf University, Forest City Iowa
Saturday, February 17
Pinochle Tournament, Valley City Eagles Club (Feb. 17–18)
Viking softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament (Feb. 17–18), Aberdeen, S.D.
Sunday, February 18
Monday, February 19
President’s Day
No VCSU classes; offices closed
Tuesday, February 20
11 a.m. General Student Recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
Wednesday, February 21
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
Thursday, February 22
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Student Center Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room
Friday, February 23
Viking softball vs. Viterbo University, Presentation Dome, Aberdeen, S.D.
7:30 p.m. Choir Concert, Vangstad Auditorium
Saturday, February 24
5–10 p.m. Dakota Valley Fowlers Chapter of Delta Waterfowl Annual Banquet, Valley City Eagles Club
Sunday, February 25
Viking softball vs. Dickinson State University, Presentation Dome, Aberdeen, S.D.
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