By Alan LaFave, President of VCSU

Greetings from VCSU!

As we conclude a very successful spring semester, I’d like to take a moment to share some updates on campus projects and priorities we will be addressing during the coming summer months.

We are pleased and excited that the McCarthy Hall project is nearing completion. This renovated facility will become the new home for our renowned School of Education and Technical Education. The renovations have been extensive and include all new HVAC systems, windows, tuck-pointing, classrooms, conference rooms, labs, and office spaces. A unique highlight of the renovation includes a spacious and welcoming entrance foyer which is climate controlled. This new space is a dramatic improvement to the former breezeway that served as a connection between McFarland and McCarthy Halls. We are excited to provide a modernized space for delivering our top-notch education program to current and future students.

You will soon see extensive activity around Lokken Stadium. The first project will include complete replacement of the field turf at the stadium. While the lifespan of this turf is typically 10 years, we have managed to utilize the same field for the past 12 years. The wear and tear are showing and the safety to our student-athletes will be greatly enhanced with the new playing and practice surface. Plans are for this replacement to happen in June, following football camps.

Bid opening for the indoor practice facility on the south side of “The Bubble” will be happening very soon with an anticipated June groundbreaking ceremony. This amazing new addition to campus is funded completely from private donations and will serve the entire athletic department, campus, and make a significant impact on our community. More details will follow soon!

Prior to this groundbreaking, the current throwing cages for the track and field program will be relocated. Additional summer athletic upgrades include refinishing the Graichen gym floor, a visitor locker room refresh in Graichen, and a reconfiguration of the seating at The Bubble.

Additional upgrades will be addressed this summer in McFarland Hall (painting), Allen Memorial Library (2nd floor lounge), Student Center (new ceiling tile and lights), McCarthy Hall (new elevator), and campus wide parking lot striping. The residence halls will also be upgraded with 2nd floor window replacement on McCoy Hall and maintenance work throughout each residence hall.

I’d like to end today’s column with a sincere thank you to all our faculty, staff, and students for a tremendous year of record-breaking enrollment, student and faculty achievements, a continued reputation of excellence, and quality experiences in and out of the classroom.

We wish all our graduates a successful journey as they enter the workforce or continue their education with professional or specialized training. I’d also like to send special congratulations to the VCSU trap team – which recently won a state title in the team division – and our spring sports athletes for their recent success in state competitions and conference honors.

Go Vikings!

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