| Valley City State University | |
| Established: | 1890 |
| Type: | Public university |
| Academic Affiliations: | Space-grant |
| President: | Alan LaFave [1] |
| Students: | 1,658[2] |
| Former Names: | Valley City State Normal School (1890–1921) Valley City State Teachers College (1921–1963) Valley City State College (1963–1986) State University of North Dakota at Valley City (1986–1987) |
| City: | Valley City |
| State: | North Dakota |
| Country: | United States |
| Athletics Affiliations: | NAIA – NSAA |
| Colors: | Cardinal Red & Blue |
| Sports Nickname: | Vikings |
| Parent: | North Dakota University System |
| Website: | www.vcsu.edu |
Valley City State University (VCSU) is a public university in Valley City, North Dakota. It is part of the North Dakota University System. Founded in 1890 as Valley City State Normal School, a two-year teachers' college, it was authorized to confer bachelor's degrees in 1921 and changed its name to Valley City State Teachers College. With an expansion in programs outside teacher education after World War II, it became Valley City State College in 1963. In 1986, it was renamed State University of North Dakota-Valley City and a year later received its current name.
VCSU offers more than 65 undergraduate programs and multiple online graduate programs including a Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Science in Business Information Systems degrees. [3] In 2015, VCSU graduated 302 students, the largest class in its 125-year history.
VCSU is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]
The campus of Valley City State comprises 55 acres in Valley City, ND. The campus borders a forested hillside to the south and the Sheyenne River to the north. It has been listed as the most beautiful campus in North Dakota.[5]
There are several notable buildings on campus:[6]
FootbridgeThere is a footbridge that spans the Sheyenne River that leads to the front door of the university. The bridge connects campus with the city of Valley City. Originally, the bridge was built out of wood in 1892 to connect the Normal School with town. In 1901, a suspension bridge was built and cost $1,940. In 1992, a teenager attempted to drive a car across the bridge and damaged the decking, beams, cable anchors and railing. The bridge was restored and reinforced and brick planters now sit at both entrances to prevent a similar situation.
VCSU has had 15 different presidents since its founding. The following individuals have served as presidents of the school and later university.[9]
The Valley City State athletic teams are called the Vikings. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing as a member of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) as a founding member since the 2013–14 academic year.[10] The Vikings previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2011–12 to 2012–13; and in these defunct conferences: the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) from 2000–01 to 2010–11; and the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) from 1922–23 to 1999–2000.
Valley City State competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, softball, track & field and volleyball.