VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University will recognize more than 300 graduates during its annual Spring Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 17, inside the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. Curtis Biller will represent the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior Grant Larson, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Dr. Nicholas Galt.

The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed on VCSU’s YouTube channel.

Watch the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony

Visit the VCSU Commencement website

The 2025 Spring Commencement recognizes 24 graduate students and 294 undergraduate students who have earned their degrees over the past year.

Select Seniors will also be recognized at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony, which happens Friday, May 16. Various departments on campus will present awards to their graduating seniors at the Senior Awards Ceremony.

Undergraduate Speaker

Larson is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. He grew up on a farm near Leeds, N.D., and will be the fourth generation in his family to go into teaching. Larson has served as president of the VCSU Trap Club and was a member of VCSU’s trap team that won state championships in 2023 and 2025. He was a driving force in the effort to have VCSU Shooting Sports added as a competitive club sport. Larson has also been heavily involved in Fisheries Club, Wildlife Club and Chi Alpha, and was named 2024 Homecoming King. He worked as a resident assistant on campus and served as a New Student Orientation leader. Larson starts his teaching career this fall as the 6th grade history teacher at Watford City (N.D.) Middle School.

Faculty Speaker

Galt joined the VCSU Department of Science in 2016. He is an associate professor of science and teaches General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology and Genetics. A native of Carrington, N.D., Galt recently received the VCSU Senior Faculty Excellence Award, which is voted on by faculty, and the Student Senate Teacher of the Year award, selected by VCSU Student Senate. He is also head coach of the VCSU Shooting Sports Team and advisor for both the Trap Club and Pre-Professional Club. Through his passion for teaching and involvement, Dr. Galt consistently serves as a mentor, educator, and leader both in and out of the classroom. Galt resides in Valley City with his wife Jessica and their two children, Ava and Kade.

Photo: Dr. Nicholas Galt, left, and student Grant Larson will speak at commencement.

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