Photo: VCSU students and staff in the Fisheries & Wildlife program are pictured with alumni Dick Monson.
Note: This story originally appeared in the April 2024 edition of The Bulletin. 

VCSU Alum Provides Support for Fisheries & Wildlife

The VCSU student experience for Fisheries and Wildlife majors is about to get even better. Already a respected and popular program because of its hands-on, in-the-field approach to learning, the Fisheries and Wildlife program has received an influx of money from a private donation designed to further enhance the program.

VCSU alum and long-time supporter Dick Monson has made a significant donation to the university which will directly support the Fisheries and Wildlife program with annual funds dedicated to scholarships and equipment upgrades.

Monson, a retired farmer from the Valley City area, has been a long-time supporter of VCSU and respects the work that conservation professionals do in North Dakota.

“This program is truly exceptional, and I am honored to contribute to its continued growth,” said Monson. “I firmly believe in the value of education that prepares students for meaningful careers in natural resource management. Supporting their success is an investment in the future of our environment and our state.”

Monson’s gift will fund educational infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment, renewable scholarships, and innovative research initiatives, ensuring VCSU continues to lead the state in natural resources education and workforce development.

“This generous gift opens doors for our students, providing the tools and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Dr. Bob Anderson, Professor in the VCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program. “From scholarships that attract top-tier talent to field experiences that prepare them for real-world challenges, this support is a game-changer. This gift is an amazing testament to Dick’s commitment to conservation and to training the next generation of natural resource professionals.”

A 1974 graduate of Valley City State, Monson and his late wife Karen both earned elementary education degrees from VCSU. Karen taught kindergarten for 27 years at St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Valley City. Dick eventually went into farming and the couple made their home on a farm west of Valley City.

Since then, Monson has seen native habitats disappearing across the North Dakota landscape. The wildlife that depends on those habitats are also going away. Monson says well known species such as the American Bumblebee and Monarch Butterfly may soon be listed as threatened or endangered due to loss of native habitat.

“I have spent many of the best days of my life in native prairie pastures and cattail wetlands,” he said. “It is my hope that the students graduating from the Fisheries and Wildlife Department will carry the mission forward to preserve the natural world around us and not destroy it as was done in the past.”

About VCSU Fisheries & Wildlife

The VCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program is the leading undergraduate program of its kind in North Dakota, offering three concentrations: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Law Enforcement. Graduates of the program are employed in every county across the state and beyond, addressing a significant demand for trained professionals in natural resource management. Since 2020, the program has consistently enrolled an average of 70 students, with a goal to expand enrollment to 100 students in the coming years.

The Fisheries and Wildlife Department plans to use Monson’s gift to fund yearly scholarships for its students, upgrade old equipment used in field projects and labs, and purchase new educational tools or software. Rapidly evolving technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), geographic information systems (GIS), and drones— can now be more easily acquired and worked into VCSU’s curriculum.

These advancements will allow students to stay at the forefront of natural resources management. Additionally, the funding will equip science labs with the latest equipment to deliver hands-on learning experiences.

“This gift will bolster our efforts to grow the program, attract students to North Dakota, and provide unparalleled educational opportunities,” said Cory Anderson, Executive Director of the VCSU Foundation. “It demonstrates the commitment of donors like Dick Monson to supporting not only VCSU but the broader community and workforce of our state.”

Monson’s donation was part of a $1.47 million dollar package from numerous donors that the VCSU Foundation submitted to receive a $747,000 match from the ND Challenge Grant Fund. Monson’s donation has been earmarked specifically for the Fisheries and Wildlife program. To learn more about VCSU’s Fisheries and Wildlife program, visit www.vcsu.edu/fw.

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