VALLEY CITY, ND (VCSU) – Valley City State University (VCSU) celebrated the success of more than 100 graduates Thursday afternoon at the Tenth Annual VCSU Winter Commencement Exercises.
VCSU president Alan LaFave presided over the ceremony in historic Vangstad Auditorium where 17 students were recognized for completion of master’s degrees and 103 students for undergraduate degrees.
“Our graduates have proven they are prepared to enter the workforce and make a difference,” said President Alan LaFave. “We value the contributions they made on campus, whether it’s through athletics, the arts, student organizations or student government. We are proud of our students graduating today.”
Jazmine (Hill) Truax – an elementary education graduate – delivered the undergraduate reflection.
“In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced, we’ve had the rare opportunity here to slow down and build relationships that go beyond the surface,” said Truax, speaking to her fellow graduates in the audience. “At Valley City State, our professors knew us—not just as students in their classes, but as individuals with personalities and passions. We were never just a number. We were individuals with unique perspectives and stories. Our professors weren’t just lecturers—they were mentors, advisors, and often, friends.”
Truax is the ninth teacher in her family to graduate from VCSU and has already started a full-time job as a kindergarten teacher in West Fargo.
Dr. Heather (Metcalf) Kvilvang – associate professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies – delivered the faculty reflection. “All of us here are so proud of you,” she said, addressing the graduates directly. “You’ve all had challenges to overcome but you overcame them. You stayed focused and kind… All of us here know you can achieve anything you set your mind to. And you can do with kindness. After all, it’s the Viking Way.”
VCSU has now conferred 27,909 undergraduate degrees and 652 master’s degree in his proud history dating back to 1890.
