VCSU Commencement Set for May 17
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.
The post VCSU Commencement Set for May 17 appeared first on Valley City State University.
Latest VCSU News
- Hotline // June 25, 2025This week’s Hotline includes the following articles: VCSU breaks ground on Tharaldson Family Athletic Center Students named to Spring 2025 honor rolls VCSU Foundation Recognizes Donors VCSU Student Affairs hosting “Lunch Talks” for Parents Frey receives ‘Difference Maker’ award Johnson attends North Dakota Music Teachers Association State Conference Meet Emma Marsing Viking Sports Update What’s … Continue reading "Hotline // June 25, 2025" The post Hotline // June 25, 2025 appeared first on Valley City State University.
- Emma MarsingHometown: Green River, Wyo. Expected graduation year: May 2026 Major, minor, certificates: Communications Major with a concentration in Digital Media Management and a Minor in Psychology. Favorite spot to study: My house! Why did you choose VCSU? I chose VCSU because of the various concentrations it had for Communication Majors. I was able to find a … Continue reading "Emma Marsing" The post Emma Marsing appeared first on Valley City State University.
- Students named to Spring 2025 honor rollsValley City State University has released its President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the spring 2025 semester. The President’s Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 12 semester hours or more of VCSU classes for which grade points are earned with a 4.0 grade point average. Click here to view the President’s … Continue reading "Students named to Spring 2025 honor rolls" The post Students named to Spring 2025 honor rolls appeared first on Valley City State University.
- VCSU Student Affairs hosting “Lunch Talks” for ParentsValley City State University Student Affairs is hosting a series of summer “Lunch Talks” for parents and family members of current and future students. Various directors within the Student Affairs office will host individual online sessions to engage and inform family members about their designated area on campus. Parents are encouraged to attend as many … Continue reading "VCSU Student Affairs hosting “Lunch Talks” for Parents" The post VCSU Student Affairs hosting “Lunch Talks” for Parents appeared first on Valley City State University.
- VCSU Foundation Recognizes DonorsVALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Foundation recognized donors who hit new levels of giving this year during a Donor Recognition Luncheon, held June 16 on campus. Donors who reached new levels of lifetime giving at $25,000 or above were recognized during the ceremony. “VCSU has so many great supporters, whether it … Continue reading "VCSU Foundation Recognizes Donors" The post VCSU Foundation Recognizes Donors appeared first on Valley City State University.
- VCSU breaks ground on Tharaldson Family Athletic CenterVALLEY CITY (VCSU) – A decades old dream is about to become reality for Valley City State University. More than 250 people were on hand Thursday to celebrate groundbreaking for the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center, showing their enthusiasm for the project and appreciation for the private donors who helped make it possible. “We truly are … Continue reading "VCSU breaks ground on Tharaldson Family Athletic Center" The post VCSU breaks ground on Tharaldson Family Athletic Center appeared first on Valley City State University.
