VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University (VCSU) will host spring commencement at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11 at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse in Valley City, ND.

President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior, Madison Yoder, and the faculty reflections will be presented by Dr. Travis Knapp. The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed at YouTube.com/@VCSUVikings.

Madison Yoder is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education. Yoder grew up in Dickinson and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Valley City State University was her dream school due to the nationally-recognized teacher education program. While on campus, she served as the Student Body President for two years, participated in English Club, Spanish Club, served as a crew leader for New Student Orientation and a member of the Education Advisory Board. She enjoys the methodical approach used to solve math problems. Yoder aims to make math friendly and approachable for all students. She completed her student teaching at Dickinson Middle School and has been hired by the school as a full-time 8th grade math teacher.

Travis Knapp, Ph.D., joined the VCSU Language and Literature Department in 2022. He teaches writing, literature and linguistics. Knapp, who grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Oklahoma State University, and has a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in English Literature. Knapp enjoys conversations with students, discussing different ideas and seeing if conversations can change the way someone thinks about something. Knapp lives in Valley City and enjoys going for walks and being involved in music communities, including playing trumpet in the Valley City Community Band.