Alumni News

Get your tickets and Get Groovy for the 29th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction!  Tickets for the 29th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction: Get Groovy, Vikings are now on sale!  Tickets are $70, fitting for this year’s 70’s-themed event on April 26, 2024 at the Valley City Eagles Club. Purchase tickets here or by …

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Robinson to retire from VCSU with more than 50 years of service to ND Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced the official naming of the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts to honor Robinson’s long and successful career at VCSU. The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved …

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The 29th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction Presents: Get Groovy, Vikings on April 26, 2024 at the Valley City Eagles Club. This year’s theme will be 70’s. Auction tickets are $70 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. “The scholarship auction has become the event of the season for …

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Headcount of 1,747 students paired with highest FTE during spring semester in school history Valley City, ND – Valley City State University has set another enrollment record with 1,747 total students enrolled for Spring 2024. This includes 1,628 undergraduate students and 119 graduate students. The semester also set a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) record at …

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Yesterday -The Beatles Tribute, a Las Vegas show band, will bring their critically acclaimed show to the Valley City Eagles Club on December 1 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the V-500 Scholarship Fund. The band has performed around the world portraying musical icons, The Beatles, transporting its audience to a bygone …

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The Valley City State University (VCSU) Foundation announced the 2023 Viking Day of Giving will be Tuesday, Nov. 28. The Viking Day of Giving is an opportunity for alumni and friends of VCSU to come together on one day to support scholarships for students at VCSU. “A scholarship is life-changing for so many VCSU students and their families and it makes a …

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Homecoming activities will continue through Saturday, Sept. 23. Valley City, ND – The Valley City State University (VCSU) Foundation and Alumni Association is excited to welcome Alumni back to VCSU for Homecoming weekend of September 22 and 23. “We’re eager to welcome back alumni, family, and friends back to campus,” Executive Director for Advancement Cory …

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1,754 students enrolled reflects 20 years of growth Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced it has enrolled the largest number of students in a fall semester in school history. There are a record 1,754 students in total enrolled at VCSU this semester. That number includes 1,628 undergraduate students, the most …

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Eight Alumni will be honored during the Valley City State University Alumni Association 2023 Homecoming celebration scheduled for September 22 & 23. On Saturday morning, an all-Alumni Honors Breakfast will be held at the VCSU Student Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Honors Breakfast provides the VCSU Alumni Association with an opportunity to present fellow …

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Built as a place for college students to take their first steps as teachers, McCarthy Hall has shaped the future of thousands. It stands on the precipice of change with an imminent remodeling project that reinforces its true mission – to serve as a space for foundational education.  At first glance, McCarthy Hall stands at …

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The 28th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction will be held April 28, at the Valley City Eagles Club. The theme is “A Night at the Track” and attendees are encouraged to dress in racing attire of any kind. Auction tickets are $60 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. …

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The VCSU Foundation will participate in Giving Hearts Day on Thursday, Feb. 9 for the 7th consecutive year. In 2022, 235 generous donors raised $18,524. Those dollars help VCSU students through scholarship support in addition to hosting alumni gatherings, award programs, Homecoming activities, and publish the alumni newsletter The Bulletin. On Thursday, Feb. 9, supporters …

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Dr. Bob Anderson came to Valley City State University in 2005 to build a Fisheries and Wildlife Program. Now his students are researching, protecting and managing critical parts of our ecosystem and landscape. When Bob Anderson was hired at Valley City State in 2005, he had a straightforward objective: build a Fisheries and Wildlife program. …

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The VCSU Foundation & Alumni office invites all alumni and friends of the University to our upcoming events in Arizona (Feb 3 and 4). This is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out what’s new at VCSU from our President, Dr. Alan LaFave! 

103 Graduates to Receive Degrees Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) will host winter commencement ceremonies at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, December. 15, in Vangstad Auditorium. Slightly over 100 students will walk across the stage to receive their degrees. There will be 90 undergraduate degrees awarded including 54 Bachelor of Science in Education, …

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Five VCSU alumni share their thoughts on the wins, challenges and hope they see in new teachers graduating from their alma mater VCSU alum and elementary school principal Sara Schafer, ’89, loves her job. “I have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth,” she says, laughing. Schafer loves working with students, teachers …

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The 19th annual James D. Ployhar Honor Band will perform in the VCSU Center for the Arts Performance Hall on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. A variety of classical and modern band literature will be performed by 95 students selected from 20 schools across North Dakota and South Dakota, featuring selections arranged by Ployhar. “We are …

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The Center for the Arts will be busy this upcoming academic year with many performances and shows for audiences on campus and in the community. The Art Gallery will have a robust season featuring two visiting artists, an art historian talk, five senior exhibitions, and shows featuring artists from the campus, community, and region.   …

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The Valley City State University Foundation and Alumni Association welcome Alumni back to campus for VCSU Homecoming the weekend of September 16 and 17. “We love seeing familiar faces and welcoming our Viking family back to campus,” Executive Director for Advancement Cory Anderson said. “It’s a great chance for our Alumni to catch up with …

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25th consecutive year VCSU has been ranked by the publication Valley City State University (VCSU) today announced it has been ranked as the top regional public college in North Dakota by U.S. News and World Report. The 2023 U.S. News Best Colleges report was released this morning. VCSU has been ranked for 25 consecutive years. …

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The VCSU Foundation recently announced that the Forward Together Capital Campaign has surpassed the $6 million mark.  The latest contributions have come from the Valley City Eagles Club Gaming Committee; Valley City Visitors Committee; Puklich Chevrolet Buick GMC (Valley City) and Missouri River Energy Services (Sioux Falls, S.D.).  “We are pleased with the support we …

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The 27th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction will be held April 29, at the Valley City Eagles Club. The theme is “Back to the 80’s” and attendees are encouraged to dress in 80’s fashion trends. Auction tickets are $60 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. “The scholarship auction …

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The Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a very popular savings program for millions of Americans. It is a structured retirement tool that provides additional financial security at the time of retirement.

It is important to understand that IRA Accounts are subject to RMD’s (Required Minimum Distributions). RMD’s are legally mandated withdrawls that begin to affect an IRA once the investor turns 72 years of age or 70 ½ if they reached 70 ½ in 2019.

The exciting benefit of an IRA is that Congress has enacted legislation to provide for a permanent IRA Rollover. The provisions of this legislation allow you to roll over up to $100,000 annually to a charity of your choice, tax free. Yes, tax free. To qualify, the funds must be transferred directly to our foundation.

Valley City State University recently awarded five high school students with the McCready Scholarship. On March 8, the students were surprised with the news during a virtual meeting with President Alan LaFave, Sheldon Greywater, admissions counselor, and Kim Svenningsen Hesch, assistant director for university advancement. This year’s recipients are Brooke Anderson, Josie Dallman, Cameron Pero, Mackenzie …

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The VCSU Foundation & Alumni office invites all alumni and friends of the University to our upcoming events in Arizona (Feb 4 and 5). This is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out what’s new at VCSU from our President, Dr. Alan LaFave!

Come and join us – get reconnected with VCSU and do some reminiscing with fellow alumni.

The VCSU Foundation will participate in Giving Hearts Day on Thursday, Feb. 10 for the 6th consecutive year. In 2021, 243 generous donors raised $26,800. Those dollars help VCSU students through scholarship support in addition to hosting alumni gatherings, award programs, Homecoming activities, and publish the alumni newsletter The Bulletin. On Thursday, Feb. 10, supporters …

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The Forward Together Capital Campaign at Valley City State University is gaining momentum. More than $5 million has been committed to the campaign to date. “We are off to a great start, and it has been amazing to see so many individuals and organizations support this campaign,” VCSU President Dr. Alan LaFave said. “This campaign …

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The Valley City State University Foundation and Alumni Association are welcoming Alumni back to campus for VCSU Homecoming the weekend of Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. “We love seeing familiar faces and welcoming our Viking family back to campus,” Executive Director for Advancement Cory Anderson said. “It’s a great chance for our Alumni to catch …

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Fifteen Alumni will be honored during the Valley City State University Alumni Association 2021 Homecoming celebration scheduled October 1 and 2. An all-Alumni Honors Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, at the VCSU Student Center. At the Honors Breakfast the VCSU Alumni Association will present fellow alumni with Certificate of Merit, Alumni Service, …

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Campaign to Enhance Facilities and Scholarships for Students Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) will officially launch the Forward Together Capital Campaign at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. All members of the community and members of the media are invited to attend. The event will be …

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Valley City State University is establishing a VCSU Coaches Hall of Fame with the intent of honoring alumni who have went on to successful and impactful coaching careers. Inductees to the VCSU Coaches Hall of Fame will receive the Osmon Icon Award, which is named in recognition of longtime coach and athletic director Bill Osmon for […]

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By Garret Fettig, VCSU Student Writer Alaska and North Dakota alike boast freezing winters, beautiful scenery, and abundant natural wildlife, but Dr. David Woods noticed a difference all the same.   Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Woods flew into North Dakota for the first time in August 1998 to attend fall football practice at Valley […]

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The 26th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction will be held Friday, May 21, at the Valley City Eagles Club. The cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the “Better Together” theme for this year’s event. Attendees are encouraged to dress in VCSU attire to show their true Viking pride. […]

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Valley City State University has announced plans to hold an in-person commencement ceremony on May 15, 2021. It is VCSU’s first in-person commencement ceremony since December 2019. Both the May 2020 and December 2020 commencements were virtual events due to COVID-19 precautions. “While we are still finalizing specific details, it is with great excitement that […]

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Valley City State University has the top ranked elementary education program in the nation according to rankings recently released by Study.com. VCSU leads the list of the Best Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Degree Programs compiled at Study.com. The rankings list 50 schools nationwide, including several universities in the Midwest. “We’re very proud of the students, […]

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When did you graduate from VCSU? I graduated in 2019.  Where are you currently working? I’m a 9–12th grade math teacher at Linton High School.  What made you choose VCSU? I chose to attend VCSU because I liked the smaller campus. I also enjoyed how friendly everyone on campus was. It truly felt like a second home.   What do you think prospective […]

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Valley City State University has set spring enrollment records for the sixth consecutive year, according to official spring term 2021 numbers released Tuesday by the university. VCSU reports a total headcount of 1,632 students this spring, including 1,501 undergraduates and 131 graduate students. Both the total headcount and undergraduate headcount are spring enrollment records, surpassing […]

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What year did you graduate from VCSU? I graduated in 2019.   Where are you working right now? I’m currently attending school at Northwestern Health Sciences University, studying chiropractic.   Why did you choose to attend VCSU? I chose to attend VCSU because of the small school atmosphere. It appealed to me because it felt more like a family than a school. […]

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Valley City State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 17, to honor its graduating class during the 2020 fall semester. VCSU will recognize 95 graduates – 81 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 14 will receive master’s degrees.  The VCSU virtual ceremony will play on the university’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. […]

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The VCSU Foundation announced Friday that more than $22,000 was raised for VCSU student scholarships during the first Viking Day of Giving on Nov. 12.  The 24-hour fundraising blitz included contributions from 133 donors that totaled $22,400. All money raised goes directly to student scholarships at Valley City State University.  “On behalf of the students […]

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Valley City State University’s Larry Robinson has been named the Respected Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northern Plains Chapter. Robinson, the executive director for advancement at VCSU, received the award during a virtual National Philanthropy Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12. Robinson was one of two North Dakota recipients […]

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Valley City State University has set enrollment records with a total headcount of 1,676 students and an undergraduate headcount of 1,541, according to official fall term 2020 figures released by the university. The 1,676 total headcount surpasses the previous record of 1,665 set in fall 2019, and the undergraduate headcount of 1,541 surpasses the previous […]

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Valley City State University has been ranked fourth among public regional colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report in its “2021 U.S. News Best Colleges” guidebook. VCSU has now appeared in the U.S. News “Best College” rankings for 23 consecutive years, and the university has been ranked in the top five Midwest […]

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During this challenging year, the Valley City State University Foundation and Alumni Office continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic to make decisions regarding events, gatherings and meetings based on university, state and national guidelines, while keeping the health and safety of the campus community, alumni, friends and the Valley City community in mind. As a […]

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Greetings from Valley City State University! As we continue to plan and anticipate welcoming faculty, staff and students back to campus in a few short weeks, I’d like to share some personal perspectives on the appreciation I have for our entire campus and Valley City community for the incredible efforts to collaborate and assemble a […]

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Testing event this week City County Health will be hosting a Community wide COVID-19 testing event on Wednesday, August 5th from 4pm to 5:30 pm at the Lokken Stadium parking lot. VCSU employees and students are welcome to attend this event. There will be 200 tests available. If you plan to attend, please preregister at: […]

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SBHE resolution regarding face coverings Good afternoon everyone! I am passing along the resolution passed by the State Board of Higher Education at yesterday’s meeting. This resolution helped guide our most recent COVID-19 health and safety update. Resolution in Support of Mask Policies I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing, rejuvenating, and healthy summer! […]

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VCSU alumnus Mark Zinke ’16 spends his days teaching in the gym and coaching on the field. By night he is busy designing and selling gear to people who are proud to represent their North Dakota roots. Tell us about yourself. I live in Mandan with my wife, Steph, and son Liam (20 months). I […]

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Greetings from Valley City State University! We celebrated a major milestone in the history of VCSU this past week — the official groundbreaking for the Center for the Arts. We were so pleased to be joined by faculty, staff, students, local and state leaders, and friends of the university, along with representatives from HGA Architects, […]

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