VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Alumni Association announced that Dr. Joe Deutsch has been selected as the 63rd recipient of the VCSU Distinguished Alumni Award.
Deutsch and seven other VCSU alumni will be honored with awards during the annual VCSU Alumni Association Homecoming Honors Breakfast scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 in Valley City.
The Honors Breakfast provides the VCSU Alumni Association with an opportunity to present fellow alumni with Certificate of Merit awards, Alumni Service awards and the Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Valley City State University alumni/alumnae who have achieved prominence in their chosen field of endeavor. Dr. Deutsch graduated from Valley City State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. He is currently a Professor of Physical Education and Coaching at North Dakota State University, a position he has held for the last 20 years.
Starting as a K-12 PE teacher and coach, he got involved with NDSHAPE, serving as the treasurer. Twenty-five years later, he has served at every level of SHAPE America, from NDSHAPE to Central District SHAPE and even the SHAPE America board of directors. Joe was just elected President-Elect of SHAPE America. That is the highest office anyone can serve in the profession and means he will have served as President at every level of the profession.
“We are proud of the accomplishments Dr. Deutsch has obtained during his career. He has been a leader in the classroom, through SHAPE America and in his community. Each fall Dr. Deutsch returns to campus to talk to our seniors on the various levels of the profession. He truly is a Distinguished Alumni of VCSU,” said Kim Svenningsen-Hesch, Assistant Director for university Advancement and Alumni Relations.
Five alumni will be honored Sept. 21 with the Certificate of Merit award, which recognizes alumni for accomplishments, service or other noteworthy honors. This year’s recipients include Bill Engel, Torrington, Wyoming; Ryan Hanson, Devils Lake; Michael McNeff, Rugby; Anna Schwan, Groton, S.D.; and Kyle Vareberg, Tahlequah, Okla.
A pair of alumni will receive the Alumni Service Award, which was established in 2012 by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni or university friends who have attained exceptional achievement in their careers and have made significant contributions to the University through dedicated service, promotion, financial support or other efforts. Joan Heckaman, Dickinson, and Chet Pollert, Carrington, will receive the award this year.
The All-Alumni Honors Breakfast will be held at the VCSU Student Center beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 21. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $15 each and may be reserved by calling the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.
VCSU will also hold other awards events during Homecoming, including new inductions into its Music Hall of Fame and Athletics Hall of Fame.
Tricia Lebahn, John Monilaws and William Wieland are being inducted in the VCSU Music Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 20.
The VCSU Athletic Hall of Fame will also hold its induction on Sept. 20, adding five individuals and one team into its history: Erin (Maitland) Draper, Cara (Miller) Gylywoychuk, Brent Miller, Darin Walters, Amanda (Brown) Dechant and the 2010-11 women’s basketball team.
The Valley City State University Alumni Association is sponsoring a number of additional events to celebrate Homecoming 2024. For a complete schedule and more information visit vcsualumni.org or call the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.
