Oct 8th, 2018
This week's Hotline! includes the following articles: • President's column: The footbridge, connecting campus and community
• VCSU Alumni Association to honor alumni at Homecoming
• Milender Toppen to cover topic of coffee Thursday night at museum
• “Configurations of the Body” on display through Oct. 26
• Ziniel presents at CSTAND conference
• Van Gijssel attends environmental mutagenesis and genomics conference
• Fenster and Woehl present at N.D. General Education Summit
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication. President’s Column: The footbridge, connecting campus and community Margaret Dahlberg, Ph.D., Interim President
One of my earliest memories, perhaps from age 4 or 5, is walking across the campus footbridge with my cousin to meet my parents for lunch on campus. The planks beneath our feet were splintered and a few had wide enough gaps to frighten me. “What if I fall in?” I would ask my cousin, who always scoffed at the idea: “There is no way you could fit through that gap,” she would tell me. That bridge, connecting me to the campus and my parents at work, has been an emotional center for much of my life, and helped me feel that I was “coming home” 22 years ago when I started working at VCSU.
That footbridge has also been a central element in connecting campus and community, both literally and figuratively, since McFarland Hall was built in 1892. Dr. Welch, in his VCSU centennial history “Cornerstones,” notes that a wooden bridge was built in 1892 to make the campus more accessible, but the “cheap pine structure” had to be taken up and rebuilt every year when the ice went out. The Board of Management report in 1900 indicated that “The old wooden structure which has done service for the past eight years is about rotted out and will probably take its final departure when the ice goes out next spring.”
In 1901, Dibley and Robinson, a Fargo firm, constructed the current suspension bridge, described in the 1902 catalog as a “beautiful steel wire suspension bridge, which is itself a work of art.” The construction firm’s name and the date are visible at the entrance on each side of the bridge—look for it just above you as you enter. The Times-Record announced on Dec. 12, 1901, that “the new bridge is completed. It comes high, but we must have it.” It cost $1,940.
In 1901, the entrance to the bridge included signage and ornate white ironwork. The formal brick entrance on the north end was built in 1926 and dedicated as the “New Alumni Entrance.”
In August 1992, the bridge was closed because a teen-aged motorist attempted to drive across it. According to the Times-Record (August 20, 1993), it sustained damage to the decking, beams, cable anchors and railing. It was out of service from August 1992–June 1994 while it was carefully restored and reinforced. Circular brick planters were built in front of the entrance on each side to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate attempt to cross with a vehicle.
By this time, the wood decking was made of treated lumber, so there was less concern about rotted decking. This is fortunate, since the bridge was tested by flood several times in the next few years—first in 1997, when the water was less than a foot from the walkway, and then in 2009, when the floodwaters surged above the walkway by more than a foot. The wood planks had to be sanded and sealed, and bridge inspected for structural integrity before it was back in use in July 2009.
I still look down at the decking when I cross the bridge; my younger self would be relieved to note there are no rotting edges, no cracks or gaps. For me, this bridge connects my early past to my present experiences. For the city and the campus, this bridge represents over a century of connection, a relationship that has only been strengthened through financial challenges, floods, and mutual interests and support. It ties us together and makes us both—Valley City and VCSU—better.
VCSU Alumni Association to honor alumni at Homecoming The Valley City State University Alumni Association will celebrate Homecoming this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12– 13.
Activities will begin on Friday, Oct. 12, with lunch in the Student Center Cafeteria. This is also an opportunity for alumni to visit with our current students. The annual Welcome Back Ice Cream Social will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Allen Pedersen Gazebo located on the campus green near Graichen Gymnasium.
On Saturday morning, Oct. 13, the Alumni Honors Breakfast will be held at the VCSU Student Center beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Seven alumni will be honored with the Certificate of Merit award. This year’s recipients include Peder Gjovik ’77, Mark R. Hanson ’86, Joan (Leichtman) Heckaman ’67, Marcia (Knutson) Pritchert ’91, Clark Williams ’64, Heather L. (Schmit) Woods ’03 M.Ed. ’12, and Sheila (Lindeman) Zinke ’80.
Megan R. (Schmidt) Zarbano ’08 and Matthew C. Johnson ’01 will each receive the Young Alumni Achievement Award, and Kirsten Baesler M.Ed. ’10 will be recognized as the 60th recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Tickets are $10 each and may be reserved by calling the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7403 or email kim.hesch@vcsu.edu.
Other activities on Saturday include alumni games for both VCSU baseball and softball starting at 10 a.m., the homecoming parade at 10:30 a.m., the football game at 2 p.m. against Waldorf, and a post-game social at the Valley City Eagles Club at 5 p.m.
Read more at www.vcsu.edu/news/10665/vcsu-alumni-association-to-honor-alumni-at-homecoming. Milender Toppen to cover topic of coffee Thursday night at museum Susan Milender Toppen, family and community wellness agent for NDSU Extension Barnes County, will speak on “Uffda! Is Coffee Good for Me?” at the Barnes County Museum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.
Having a cup or two (or more) of coffee daily is common for many adults. Is coffee good for you or should you avoid it? This lesson explores the history of coffee, effects of caffeine, health aspects of coffee based on recent research, and preparation methods.
Milender Toppen holds a master of education degree from VCSU, along with two undergraduate degrees: one in food and nutrition, and another in corporate and community fitness, both from NDSU.
Part of season 20 of the Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series, the event is open to the public free of charge. ‘Configurations of the Body’ on display through Oct. 26 Cassie Nelson is proud to present her senior exhibition, “Configurations of the Body,” on display in the Viking I Gallery (Student Center) Oct. 8–26. The art talk and reception will also be held in the the gallery on Oct. 25.
The exhibition features a series of drawing medias depicting hands and various bones exhibiting the beauty of simplicity and delicacy of the body. Ziniel presents at CSTAND conference Jonna Ziniel presented at the annual conference and convention of the Communication, Speech, and Theatre Association of North Dakota (CSTAND) held Sept. 14–15 in Mandan, N.D.
Ziniel currently sits on the CSTAND board and assisted in planning this year’s conference. One of her panels was selected for presentation at the Central States Communication Association conference in April. Van Gijssel attends environmental mutagenesis and genomics conference Hilde van Gijssel, Ph.D., professor of science, attended and presented a poster at the 49th annual meeting of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society, held Sept. 22–26 in San Antonio, Texas.
Members in this society study the effect of chemical on the DNA of organisms. It brings together scientists from academia, industry and government agencies. The theme of the meeting was “Maintaining Genomic Integrity in the Face of Environmental Insult.” One of the keynote speakers related the data he collected on the water crisis in Flint, Mich.
For van Gijssel, attending the meeting is a way to keep informed about the newest developments in the field of genetic toxicology and to stay connected with other scientists. It provides a way of starting collaborations which will benefit the students.
A major change happening in the field is that technology now provides a way to look at thousands of data points in one cell and see how they change after exposure. This provides a more detailed view of the effects of toxic compounds than ever before. This meeting also stressed the need for bioinformatics, highlighting the need for students trained in both science and software engineering. Fenster and Woehl present at N.D. General Education Summit Emily Fenster, assistant professor of sociology, and Katie Woehl, associate professor of psychology, presented at the North Dakota General Education Summit at Dickinson State University on Sept. 28.
The goal of the summit was for faculty within the state to share unique examples of scholarly teaching. Their presentation— “Tribulations and Triumphs: Creating a Collaborative Approach to Student Research”—highlighted the yearlong research project students complete in their Understanding Statistics and Research Methods courses. Viking sports update Football
Saturday: VCSU 27, Dakota State 16
Valley City State scored the final 15 points Saturday as the Vikings picked up a road win at Dakota State University. VCSU is now 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the NSAA.
Volleyball
Wednesday: VCSU 3, Mayville State 1
Saturday: VCSU 3, Presentation College 2
VCSU volleyball went 2-0 on the road this week, including a five-set win over Presentation College where the Vikings rallied from a two-set deficit. VCSU is now 10-10 overall and 4-3 in the NSAA.
Cross Country
Three Valley City State runners placed in the Top 10 at the Jamestown Invitational held on Friday. Grace Miller took second place and Allyssa Weitkum was 10th in the women’s race. On the men’s side, Riley Roy-Lagasse placed sixth. See complete results at the links below.
Men: www.vcsuvikings.com/article/3138
Women: www.vcsuvikings.com/article/3139
Baseball
Sunday: Morningside College 4, VCSU 1
The Viking baseball team was only able to play five innings on Sunday as rain came and spoiled a scheduled doubleheader in Iowa. Game one was called after five innings due to rain, and game two was canceled. The Vikings finish the fall season with a 1-4 record.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 10: Volleyball @ Dickinson State University, 7 p.m. CT
Oct. 11: Volleyball @ Trinity Bible College, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13: Football vs. Waldorf University, 2 p.m. (VCSU Homecoming) What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City… Monday, October 8
VCSU Homecoming Week
4 p.m. 36th Annual Bill Osmon Fun Run, Lokken Stadium
7 p.m. Coronation, Vangstad Auditorium
Coronation reception, McFarland 2nd floor
Tuesday, October 9
11 a.m. Winnipeg Royal Ballet Student Preview, Froemke Auditorium
noon Career Services Resume and Cover Letter Workshop, Student Center Norway Room
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
Wednesday, October 10
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Dickinson State University, Dickinson, N.D.
10–1 p.m. Homecoming Decades Dance, Valley City Eagles Club
Thursday, October 11
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky's Viking Room
11 a.m. Viking Pep Rally, Graichen Gymnasium
noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Trinity Bible College, Ellendale, N.D.
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room
Friday, October 12
noon Alumni no-host luncheon, Student Center Cafeteria
2:30 p.m. Alumni welcome back ice cream social, Allen Pedersen Gazebo
3 p.m. Alumni campus tours
5 p.m. Hall of fame social, Student Center Skoal Room
6 p.m. Hall of fame banquet & ceremony, Student Center Cafeteria
7:30 p.m. Choir concert, Vangstad Auditorium
8 p.m. Alumni social celebrating class reunions and all Greek reunion, Valley City Eagles Club
Saturday, October 13
10 a.m. VCSU baseball alumni game, Charlie Brown Field
10 a.m. VCSU softball alumni game, VCSU softball complex
10:30 a.m. Homecoming parade
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Viking Tailgating, Lokken Stadium
2 p.m. Viking football vs. Waldorf University, Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium
5 p.m. Postgame and all-alumni social, Valley City Eagles Club
9–1 p.m. Alumni and student welcome home dance, Valley City Eagles Club
Sunday, October 14
Monday, October 15
Payday
Tuesday, October 16
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
Wednesday, October 17
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
Thursday, October 18
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, Student Center Norway Room
5 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Dawson Community College, Graichen Gymnasium
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room
Friday, October 19
5 p.m. Viking men’s basketball vs. Brandon University, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Waldorf University, Graichen Gymnasium
Saturday, October 20
10:30 a.m. Viking cross country @ Seminole Valley Stampede, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1 p.m. Viking JV volleyball vs. Viterbo University, Graichen Gymnasium
3 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Viterbo University, Graichen Gymnasium
3 p.m. Viking football @ Dickinson State University, Dickinson, N.D.
Sunday, October 21
2 p.m. Viking women’s basketball vs. Providence College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.
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