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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Valley City State University celebrated its inaugural winter commencement exercises on Thursday, December 17 in Graichen Gymnasium on the VCSU campus.

VCSU Marketing Director Greg Vanney said eighty candidates for degrees, including 9 Master of Education candidates, 44 Bachelor of Science in Education candidates, 26 Bachelor of Science candidates, and 1 Bachelor of University Studies candidate—were eligible to participate in the ceremony.

VCSU student Jessica Sanden provided the undergraduate reflection and Alan Olson, associate professor in the VCSU School of Education and Graduate Studies, provided the faculty reflection.

Sanden, an elementary education major with a minor in library media and information science, served on the Viking Campus Activity Board, Student Senate and the Teacher Education Committee.

Sanden challenged her fellow graduates to become difference makers…“to stand up, to speak up, to make something of yourself” and to enjoy ”the beauty of the journey we were challenged to begin at Valley City State.”

Olson received the 2015 Teacher Excellence Award for Senior Faculty. Olson reassured the degree candidates that they had learned critical-thinking skills and “were graduating with more than just knowledge in [their] program area.” Olson also reminded them that the VCSU community shared in their accomplishments…“We’ll be delighted to celebrate your successes today and in the future as well.”

Valley City State University will hold its 2016 spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 14.

 

 

 

Jessica Sanden of Valley City.