VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University is hosting a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated McCarthy Hall on Friday, Sept. 26.

After a yearlong complete remodel, McCarthy Hall reopened to students and employees in August as the new home for VCSU’s renowned School of Education and the Department for Technology and STEM Education. The Ribbon Cutting is the culmination of a project that modernized the building and brought first-class education spaces to VCSU’s students. The remodel was headed by PCL Construction and designed by Foss Architecture and Interiors.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, in McCarthy Hall classroom 104. Following the ceremony, VCSU is offering guided tours of the building and an ice cream social until 3 p.m.

“I’m happy we were able to preserve this historic facility and renovate it to its grandeur,” said President Alan LaFave. “McCarthy Hall will serve as the destination school of education for our state and region for the next 50 years. This will have an incredible positive impact for our community, the teacher workforce in North Dakota, and for the cutting-edge educational experiences that our faculty provide to students.”

McCarthy Hall was built in the early 1930s and initially used as a training school for prospective teachers attending VCSU. The building later housed a wide variety of VCSU courses including technology education, art and psychology.

“The ribbon cutting at McCarthy Hall marks a proud milestone for PCL Construction,” said Trent Johnson, vice president and district manager for PCL’s Midwest operations. “Leading the renovation of this historic building was an honor, as we transformed it into a vibrant, modern space for VCSU’s School of Education. Collaborating closely with university partners, we preserved its legacy while enhancing functionality and connectivity. This space is built for the future, where educators will be inspired, and innovation will thrive.”

The renovation of McCarthy Hall is part of the first-ever capital campaign project at VCSU. The $13.5 million project was made possible through the generous support of donors, VCSU funds and $11.5 million allocated by the North Dakota Legislature and approved by former Gov. Doug Burgum.

“During the design of the McCarthy Hall renovation, Foss Architecture & Interiors celebrated its 125th anniversary—a milestone that made the project especially meaningful,” said Adam Peterson, architect and principal at Foss Architecture. “Just as VCSU has been preparing educators for over 125 years, our firm has been shaping the built environment for generations of students. To bring these two legacies together in one project was an incredible honor, and it reflects our shared commitment to creating inspiring, future-focused learning spaces that continue to serve students for decades to come.”

About Valley City State University

Valley City State University is a member of the North Dakota University System and located in Valley City, N.D. VCSU offers more than 65 areas of study and is the leading North Dakota university in preparing K-12 teachers. Learn more at www.vcsu.edu.

About PCL Construction

PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com

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