Media Release
April 1, 2003

German-Russian learning resources donated to VCSU Library

Allen Memorial Library
Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota

Michael M. Miller, bibliographer and creator of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, established in 1978 at the North Dakota State Universities Libraries, Fargo, is donating to Valley City State University's Allen Memorial Library a special collection of learning resources about the Germans from Russia who settled in North Dakota, the Central and Northern Plains, and the western Canadian prairie provinces. The learning resources contain information about their life, history, culture, folkways, and foodways in North Dakota, the Northern Plains, and South Russia (today near the Black Sea, Odessa, Ukraine).

Miller, a native of Strasburg, ND, is a 1964 graduate of VCSU and recipient of the 2002 Certificate of Merit from Valley City State University, Valley City, ND. Miller writes: "VCSU has many alumni and current students with German-Russian roots. I am pleased to present these books, videotapes, and maps to enrich the North Dakota collection and provide scholarly resources for the campus and Valley City communities."

Darryl Podoll, Director of Library Services at VCSU states: "This major donation of Germans from Russia learning resources will enable our students, faculty, and all North Dakota citizens to access to these important learning materials. Michael Miller will present his gift at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2003, at the VCSU Allen Memorial Library's Reference Room. The public is cordially invited to attend this presentation. Refreshments will be served. There will be historic Germans from Russia displays for viewing on loan from the NDSU Libraries.