Hotline // May 14, 2025

President's Column: End of Semester and Planning for Summer

By Alan LaFave, President of VCSU

Greetings from VCSU!

As we conclude a very successful spring semester, I’d like to take a moment to share some updates on campus projects and priorities we will be addressing during the coming summer months.

We are pleased and excited that the McCarthy Hall project is nearing completion. This renovated facility will become the new home for our renowned School of Education and Technical Education. The renovations have been extensive and include all new HVAC systems, windows, tuck-pointing, classrooms, conference rooms, labs, and office spaces. A unique highlight of the renovation includes a spacious and welcoming entrance foyer which is climate controlled. This new space is a dramatic improvement to the former breezeway that served as a connection between McFarland and McCarthy Halls. We are excited to provide a modernized space for delivering our top-notch education program to current and future students.

You will soon see extensive activity around Lokken Stadium. The first project will include complete replacement of the field turf at the stadium. While the lifespan of this turf is typically 10 years, we have managed to utilize the same field for the past 12 years. The wear and tear are showing and the safety to our student-athletes will be greatly enhanced with the new playing and practice surface. Plans are for this replacement to happen in June, following football camps.

Bid opening for the indoor practice facility on the south side of “The Bubble” will be happening very soon with an anticipated June groundbreaking ceremony. This amazing new addition to campus is funded completely from private donations and will serve the entire athletic department, campus, and make a significant impact on our community. More details will follow soon!

Prior to this groundbreaking, the current throwing cages for the track and field program will be relocated. Additional summer athletic upgrades include refinishing the Graichen gym floor, a visitor locker room refresh in Graichen, and a reconfiguration of the seating at The Bubble.

Additional upgrades will be addressed this summer in McFarland Hall (painting), Allen Memorial Library (2nd floor lounge), Student Center (new ceiling tile and lights), McCarthy Hall (new elevator), and campus wide parking lot striping. The residence halls will also be upgraded with 2nd floor window replacement on McCoy Hall and maintenance work throughout each residence hall.

I’d like to end today’s column with a sincere thank you to all our faculty, staff, and students for a tremendous year of record-breaking enrollment, student and faculty achievements, a continued reputation of excellence, and quality experiences in and out of the classroom.

We wish all our graduates a successful journey as they enter the workforce or continue their education with professional or specialized training. I’d also like to send special congratulations to the VCSU trap team – which recently won a state title in the team division – and our spring sports athletes for their recent success in state competitions and conference honors.

Go Vikings!

The Forge open mic night set for May 14

Editors of “The Forge,” VCSU’s literary journal, invite the campus and community to attend an open mic event in celebration of the publication of the 2025 issue. The event will take place in the Larry Robinson Center for the Arts Lobby on Wednesday, May 14, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Students who have been selected to appear in “The Forge,” as well as their friends and family, are invited to read their work, talk about their art and meet the editors.

VCSU hosts Colombian violinist May 14

The Valley City State University Department of Language and Literature invites the public for a night of poetry, stories and violin music Wednesday, May 14, at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

The evening includes a solo concert by Olga Chavarro, a distinguished violinist from the University of Quindío in Armenia, Colombia. Her concert, Strings of Colombia: A Musical Journey with Olga, begins at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Performance Hall.

Prior to the concert, the Language and Literature Department is hosting The Forge Open Mic Night in the lobby. Students and employees who submitted entries for The Forge, VCSU’s literary journal, can perform their pieces for the public. The winning entries from the most recent issue of The Forge will be announced. Families are welcome to attend.

The Forge Open Mic Night runs from 5-7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Lobby. Chavarro’s concert starts at 7 p.m. inside the CFA Performance Hall.

Both events are free and open to the public. The night is sponsored by the VCSU Department of Language and Literature.

About Olga Chavarro

Olga Chavarro is a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra at the University of Quindío in Armenia, Colombia. She began playing violin at the age of 9, and her musical journey has taken her across several countries, including festivals in Mexico and Argentina. She also spent a year in France, where she worked as a teaching assistant. Currently, she serves as the coordinator of the English area in the Business Administration program at the University of Quindío.

VCSU Commencement Set for May 17

Valley City State University will recognize more than 300 graduates during its annual Spring Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 17, inside the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. Curtis Biller will represent the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior Grant Larson, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Dr. Nicholas Galt.

The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed on VCSU’s YouTube channel.

Watch the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony

Visit the VCSU Commencement website

The 2025 Spring Commencement recognizes 24 graduate students and 294 undergraduate students who have earned their degrees over the past year.

Select Seniors will also be recognized at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony, which happens Friday, May 16. Various departments on campus will present awards to their graduating seniors at the Senior Awards Ceremony. The event will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Undergraduate Speaker

Larson is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. He grew up on a farm near Leeds, N.D., and will be the fourth generation in his family to go into teaching. Larson has served as president of the VCSU Trap Club and was a member of VCSU’s trap team that won state championships in 2023 and 2025. He was a driving force in the effort to have VCSU Shooting Sports added as a competitive club sport. Larson has also been heavily involved in Fisheries Club, Wildlife Club and Chi Alpha, and was named 2024 Homecoming King. He worked as a resident assistant on campus and served as a New Student Orientation leader. Larson starts his teaching career this fall as the 6th grade history teacher at Watford City (N.D.) Middle School.

Faculty Speaker

Galt joined the VCSU Department of Science in 2016. He is an associate professor of science and teaches General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology and Genetics. A native of Carrington, N.D., Galt recently received the VCSU Senior Faculty Excellence Award, which is voted on by faculty, and the Student Senate Teacher of the Year award, selected by VCSU Student Senate. He is also head coach of the VCSU Shooting Sports Team and advisor for both the Trap Club and Pre-Professional Club. Through his passion for teaching and involvement, Dr. Galt consistently serves as a mentor, educator, and leader both in and out of the classroom. Galt resides in Valley City with his wife Jessica and their two children, Ava and Kade.

VCSU hosts Scholar Symposium

The Scholar Symposium was held Tuesday, May 6, in the main lobby at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

The annual event provided undergraduate students the opportunity to showcase research and other academic projects developed over the past year. The student-designed projects showcased this year represented 10 departments across campus. The event also included presentations by the recipients of grants from the VCSU Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) advisory committee.

Multicultural Affairs hosts meal for AAPI month

The Multicultural Affairs Office recently hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Month (AAPI) cultural celebration focused on building belonging, honoring identity and promoting cross-cultural learning. As students and staff gathered over a shared meal, the event became more than a celebration—it became a reflection of VCSU’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

Mark Nelson, vice president for student affairs, shared, “It was a joy to see students and staff gather over a shared meal and connect in ways that affirm our vibrant campus community.”

At VCSU, students who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander represent approximately 1.1% of the student population, with cultural ties that span from Hawai‘i and Alaska. While modest in number, these students bring deeply-rooted traditions, cultural perspectives and experiences that deeply enrich the fabric of our university.

“When students feel seen, valued, and supported, they’re more likely to thrive—not just academically, but as whole people. That’s why we center inclusive excellence in everything we do,” noted Jocelyn Santana, director for office of multicultural affairs.

Echoing the spirit of the event, Sarah Wangrud, administrative assistant for student affairs, shared: “The Hawaiian BBQ was more than a meal—it was a celebration of Polynesian culture and a moment of connection. During a stressful time in the semester, it brought joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging. Events like this remind us why inclusive spaces matter.”

Ka’ua Nishigaya, a student who attended the event, said “It was good being able to eat a home cooked meal with my brothers! It tastes like home.”

2025 Viking Awards

The Valley City State University athletic department held its annual Viking Awards on Monday night, recognizing senior student-athletes and announcing its major student-athlete awards.

VCSU’s Athlete of the Year was awarded to Ashlyn Diemert (women’s basketball/softball) and Tayshaun Robinson (track and field). The Viking Impact award was given to JayCee Richter (volleyball/women’s basketball) and Avery Thorsgard (football) and Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Macy Fridgen (volleyball) and Jordan Mount (track and field).

The Iron Viking award goes to student-athletes who are standouts in the weight room and went to Judson Seliskar (baseball) and Makenzee Stone (softball). The Golden Crutch award, given to the student-athlete who is a model patient for VCSU’s athletic trainers, encourages others in the training room, and continually works hard at making their health a priority, went to Avery Thorsgard (football).

The 2024-25 Viking Athletics highlight video was also debuted Monday night.

Senior Spotlight: Peyton Zaun

Name: Peyton Zaun
Hometown: Valley City, N.D.
Major/Minor: Chemistry & Health Science 
Graduation Year: 2025

What made you choose those majors?
I chose my majors because I’ve always had an interest in biological sciences and chemistry, as well as scientific discovery.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities on campus?
I was on the Men’s Basketball team for my first two years and a member of the Pre-Professional’s Club.

What has been your favorite memory from VCSU so far?
My favorite memory from VCSU was traveling to Palm Springs, Calif. with my mentor, Dr. Hilde van Gijssel, to present my research at the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society’s annual conference. I also got married this year! My wife, Madi, and I met at VCSU our freshman year. I proposed to her last June and we got married in March! She has been a great supporter of mine and will be a great nurse as she graduates with her RN degree this year!

Where is your favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on VCSU’s campus is the scientific research lab on the 2nd floor of the Rhoades Science Center. I enjoy doing lab work there, as well as doing homework in the calm and quiet environment.

Why did you choose VCSU?|
I chose VCSU because I knew that I would be able to form connections with classmates and professors that I couldn’t do at larger universities.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about coming to VCSU?
My advice for future VCSU students is to form a close connection with your advisor/mentor, as they do a very good job at guiding you through school as well as life!

Viking sports update

TRACK & FIELD
Valley City State earned 12 All-Conference awards and four conference titles at the NSAA Meet held May 8-9 in Dickinson. Karly Just was named Most Valuable Athlete and NSAA Women’s Athlete of the Year. Olivia Backus also cleared 1.66 meters in the high jump at the conference meet to qualify for nationals. Backus and Kendra Odegard (javelin) will compete at the NAIA National Outdoor Championships May 21-23 in Marion, Ind.

Upcoming Events:
May 21-23: NAIA National Outdoor Championships (Marion, Ind.)

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

April 21 – May 17
VCSU Juried Student Art Exhibit, LJR Center for the Arts Gallery

May 14
5-7 p.m. The Forge Open Mic Night, LJR Center for the Arts lobby
7 p.m. Strings of Colombia: A Musical Journey with Olga, LJR Center for the Arts

May 15
Employee Recognition Dinner, Student Center

May 16
Senior Awards, LJR Center for the Arts

May 17
10 a.m. VCSU Commencement, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/