By Alan LaFave, VCSU President

Greetings from Valley City State University!

The start of a new academic year is upon us, and the energy on campus these past few weeks has been electric — a perfect blend of anticipation, new beginnings, and deep-rooted Viking pride.

New students moved into their residence halls on August 22, after new faculty and staff were welcomed on August 19. VCSU residence assistants, student mentors, faculty and staff all stepped up to welcome families and make our new students feel at home through their first few days on campus. We greatly appreciate all the volunteers – including numerous student-athletes – who helped move students into the residence halls, and our student mentors who assisted with the Viking Voyage activities.

Viking Voyage, VCSU’s version of Welcome Weekend for new students, gave our newest Vikings a genuine sense of belonging. They learned their way around campus and experienced some VCSU traditions, but they also built relationships and established support systems. Whether it was a high-five from a peer mentor, a warm smile from faculty and staff, or the buzz around campus during events, the message was clear: you are welcome here, and you matter.

I’ve enjoyed meeting so many new faces, watching returning students reconnect and first-years begin to carve out their own place in the VCSU story. From spirited games to late-night laughter and new friendships, the campus came alive in the best way. The feeling wasn’t just excitement — it was momentum.

And that momentum is only growing. Here are a few events driving that momentum this fall:

• The College Tour
  September 8 – 12, 2025
  Adding to the excitement this fall, The College Tour TV show will be on campus the week of September 8–12, capturing the personal stories of VCSU students and alumni. The College Tour is a nationally known series streaming on Amazon Prime. VCSU’s episode will highlight 10 current and former students and showcase what makes our campus community so special — the impact, value, and personal growth that define the Viking experience.
• Summer Vikes on Central
  Thursday, September 11, 2025
  And mark your calendars for Summer Vikes on Central on Thursday, September 11 — a favorite annual tradition that brings the VCSU family and the Valley City community together. The event begins with our campus community walking across the footbridge linking VCSU to the downtown business district — a symbolic and festive kickoff to an evening of music, food, games, and Viking spirit.
• McCarthy Hall Ribbon Cutting
  Friday, September 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
  We’re thrilled to celebrate the re-opening of McCarthy Hall – the new home for VCSU’s School of Education and the Department of Technology and STEM Education. This newly renovated space is designed to elevate teaching and technical learning for generations to come. The cutting-edge facility reflects VCSU’s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and student success. Our ceremony will honor the people and purpose behind this transformed building.
• Frontier Athletic Conference Membership
  This fall also marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Viking Athletics as we officially join the Frontier Conference! With a new schedule, an expanded number of conference opponents, and opportunities to compete on a broader geographic level, there’s a renewed sense of pride and anticipation among our student-athletes and fans. Be sure to catch the action and support our teams as they take on this new challenge.

So, here’s to what lies ahead — fresh starts, new spaces, national spotlights, spirited celebrations, and athletic excellence. The 2025 academic year is already shaping up to be one for the books, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

Go Vikings!

The post President’s Column: New Year Brings New Energy To Campus appeared first on Valley City State University.