Yesterday we began our look at the establishment of Valley City State University. It was this month, January of 1889, that Hugh McDonald first introduced legislation calling for the establishment of an agricultural college at Valley City. Although, Valley City lost its bid for the school to Fargo, it was able to strike a deal that would constitutionally mandate the placement of a State Normal School, or teachers’ college, in Valley City. However, the North Dakota Constitution did not provide financial support for such an institution, and early attempts by Valley City failed to get the needed funding. Greater movement towards the establishment of the school occurred in March of 1890, when Governor John Miller signed into law a bill that began the organization of the normal school in Valley City. Again however, no funding was made available, and in the early months of 1890, it seemed as if the establishment of a normal school in Valley City would be a painfully long process.

Although no funds were allotted for the new school, the new board of the Valley City Normal School held its first meeting on July 1, 1890. Land for the new school was donated by the local judge, while local citizenry provided donations for the schools start.

Valley City State Normal School opened its doors on October 13th 1890 with no money allotted from the state. It was opened and funded entirely through the donations of citizens eager to see the school open. The people of Valley City calculated that if their school could find success in its first months, it could win the support of the State Legislature, who would be unwilling to close a successful institution by withholding funds. After a few setbacks, Valley City’s optimism was rewarded and Governor Andrew Burke signed legislation appropriating $10,000 for the operational and building expenses of the new school in March of 1891. Further funding came from the sale of bonds. The school was now able to begin construction of its own campus, and better pay its own faculty.

Valley City State Normal School has since transformed into Valley City State University; a University that boasts excellent educational instruction, offers a Masters of Education degree program, and access to advanced multimedia technology to further the education of all of its students. Working from a rocky start this month in January of 1889, Valley City State University has transformed itself into one of North Dakota’s prize educational institutions.

Written by Lane Sunwall

Sources
http://www.vcsu.edu/info/
www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndirs/
www.nd.gov
Welsh, Donald H., Cornerstones: A Centennial History of Valley City State University 1890-1900. Valley City, North Dakota: Valley City Times Record, 1900.

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