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Augsburg Now Spring 2010
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Augsburg Now Spring 2010: Out Of The Box Auggies
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102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning t...
Show more 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning to learn Pursuing an ideal education page 20 Connecting the dots for good IGNITE program box Auggies 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 2 Editor Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Director notes from President Pribbenow Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Multiply your mind by giving it away Photographer a Webmaster/Now Online s this issue of Augsburg Now illustrates, the Augsburg community is engaged in many efforts and initiatives that are best characterized as innovative—or “out-of-the-box,” as they’re called here. In fact, I believe deeply that there is something about Augsburg and its mission that lends itself to this sort of entrepreneurial spirit, this willingness to try new ways of doing things in service to our students and neighbors. Just think of the last 30 years of new programs at Augsburg— the Weekend College; the expansion to seven graduate programs; the Augsburg campus at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester and at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington; the Augsburg Core Curriculum ––(AugCore), with its expansive framework for educating students in the liberal arts and in the world; the CLASS office, providing support for students with learning differences; the StepUP program, meeting the needs of students recovering from addictions; and the list goes on and on. All examples of how Augsburg is on the leading edge of providing an excellent education in new and innovative ways. I’ve recently been reading literature on helping organizations to embrace and sustain a culture of innovation—that is, to create organizational cultures that are constantly looking for new and different ways to do things, to make products, to deliver services; to save souls, educate students, heal the sick. Recently, I happened upon the writing of Mark Federman, a Canadian scholar whose writings on innovation include this provocative suggestion: “Multiply your mind by giving it away.” And Federman means exactly what he says—be generous, be charitable, give instead of always taking. Because when you are generous with your mind, with your knowledge and education, you help to create organizations and neighborhoods and agencies and churches and schools that are marked not by the scarcity of the world but by the abundance of what’s possible when generosity of mind and heart and spirit is our guiding principle. How will you give away your mind in the communities and organizations you serve? I constantly find examples of such generosity of mind right here in the Augsburg community, and you’ll see them in the stories featured here. For example, I’m struck by the ways in which staff member Brian Noy and his many colleagues who run our Campus Kitchen program are illustrating this generosity of mind and spirit. In addition to the ongoing preparation and delivery of 2,000 meals a month they serve to our neighbors in Phillips and Cedar-Riverside, they have focused our attention on the important role that food plays in our lives—as sustenance for our bodies, as fellowship for our community, as politics and economics in our neighborhood and world. They have multiplied their minds by giving them away to all of us. And the results are staggering— a community garden on the edge of campus that brings together neighbors and students and children, a Farmers Market that brings organic farmers from across the region to campus, composting of leftover everything in the cafeteria, and so much more—abundance through generosity. The gift of an education, an Augsburg education, calls all of us to this generous undertaking of multiplying your mind and knowledge and experience by giving it away so that it serves God’s abundant intentions for God’s people and world. That is the sort of innovation that is at the heart of Augsburg’s mission and vision. I’m proud to share in this significant work. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Jeff Shelman shelman@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 au w 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:30 AM Page 3 spring 2010 Features 10 14 6 10 14 10th annual International Programs Photo Contest 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy by Betsey Norgard 17 auggies out of the box 20 34 20 Pursuing an ideal education by Wendi Wheeler ’06 23 In the neighborhood contents by Jeff Shelman 28 augsburg now Departments 2 5 8 9 37 40 44 Around the Quad Auggies on the ice Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience 25 Learning to learn—without any A, B, Cs by Jeff Shelman 28 Connecting the dots for good by Bryan Barnes 31 IGNITE-ing Auggie spirit by Betsey Norgard 34 The Bod Pod by Betsey Norgard 36 Out of the box partnerships by Rebecca John On the cover It’s impossible to arrange many of the programs, people, and partnerships at Augsburg neatly into a box. With their creative perspectives and unique features, the stories here show how Augsburg often looks and acts “out-of-the-box.” All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 4 around the quad Auggies win 11th national wrestling title With eight All-Americans and three national runner-up individuals, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its 11th NCAA Division III national title in the last 20 seasons in March in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Augsburg finished with 110.5 points, 10 points better than second-place Wisconsin-La Crosse’s 100.5. Defending national champion Wartburg (Iowa) was third with 83.5 points, Coe (Iowa) was fourth with 76.0 points, and Delaware Valley (Pa.) was fifth with 50.5 points. In his second year as Augsburg’s head wrestling coach, Mark Matzek ’05 was named Division III National Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association—and at age 27, is the youngest head coach to ever win a Division III wrestling national title. Augsburg assistant head coach Jared Evans ’07 was named National Assistant Coach of the Year by the NWCA. “It was nine individual efforts that created this team national championship,” Matzek said. “I’m proud of each and every one of the guys who wrestled, and I’m proud of each and every one of the guys in this program.” The final session of the tournament completed a unique first for the Auggies—the first time Augsburg has won a national title without an individual national titlist. The feat has occurred just twice before in the 37-year history of the Division III championships. Have you seen the new signs? The new LED “Augsburg” atop Mortensen Hall now serves as a beacon to commuters who pass by on Interstate 94 and as a marker of Augsburg’s location. To read more and see a video of the construction, go to the “Auggie Sign” page on Facebook. Photo by Caleb Williams Auggie wrestlers, students, families, and friends celebrated Augsburg’s 11th national championship. 2 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 5 Augsburg receives five Fulbright awards In the past weeks, three Augsburg students, one faculty member, and the Center for Global Education have all been notified that they have received Fulbright awards for next year. May graduates Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will both teach English in Vietnam during the 2010-11 academic year. Bethany Hellerich, a 2009 graduate who is spending this year as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, will teach English in Indonesia. All three have plans to further their education after their year abroad, as Olsen will apply to medical school, Le has deferred admission to pharmacy school, and Hellerich is interested in a public health graduate program. Seven Augsburg students have been awarded Fulbrights over the past three years and the College has been recognized as a top producer of winners. Hellerich said Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity office (URGO) deserves credit for working with students and pushing them to believe that they can have success. “I’m just fortunate that [URGO director] Dixie Shafer exists and magical things happen when she works with you on your application,” Hellerich said. “She’s very helpful with giving good and detailed feedback.” English professor Colin Irvine will spend the next academic year traveling the length of Norway as a Fulbright Roving Scholar in American Studies. Courtesy photo College mourns the death of faculty Professor Don Steinmetz, who taught in the Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies Department for 41 years, died of an apparent heart attack on Dec. 28. He was 71. His son, Erik Steinmetz, is a member of Augsburg’s Computer Science Donald Steinmetz Myles Stenshoel Department faculty. Don Steinmetz served as chair of the department and taught courses in German and Spanish. He also taught Chinese and linguistics within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium. Professor Emeritus Myles Stenshoel died on March 26 following a short illness. He taught at Augsburg for 28 years and continued to teach part time in retirement. In 1965 he came to Augsburg and established the Political Science Department the following year. His interests were in politics and religion, and he was deeply committed to social action. Also mourned is Neal Thorpe ’60, former faculty member and a Distinguished Alumnus, who died in Vancouver, Wash., on March 3. Jens Olsen and Heidi Le Colin Irvine In this role, Irvine will prepare presentations on American studies topics and visit schools across Norway to provide opportunities for Norwegian teenagers to learn about the United States. Based in Oslo, he will likely give between 250 and 300 presentations across the country. “I’ve always been interested in the possibility of working or teaching overseas,” Irvine said. “This roving scholar program was perfect.” In addition, the Center for Global Education also received its fifth Fulbright-Hays Group Project award and will host a four-week curriculum development program for teachers during July and August in Namibia. Editor’s Note The last issue of the Now had a story, “Augsburg’s first travel to Egypt.” Alas, we have received a note from social work Professor Emerita Edwina (Eddie) Hertzberg, who tells us it isn’t so. “In 1979, for the January Interim, the College sponsored a course, Social Services and Public Policy in a Developing Country: Egypt, 1979,” she writes. “I was the faculty instructor, assisted by former adjunct professor Nagwa Farag and two of her colleagues from Helwan University in Cairo. My request to Professor Farag had been that we get as close to Egyptian people as possible so that our experience include the depth that only such engagement can provide. Eleven students, Augsburg and St. Olaf, from a variety of disciplines, participated in the month-long program. … [I]t was a remarkable educational and life-impacting experience for us all, students and faculty alike.” Spring 2010 3 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 6 around the quad Yi started out the semester in the back of the room, about as far away from me as possible. He showed relatively little interest; his homework and test grades were poor. Yet when I called on him he responded with reasonable answers. Like others hiding in the back row, Yi had potential; he just needed some personal attention and prodding. I took to writing notes on his homework encouraging him to move forward and talk to me. One afternoon he appeared in my office, and we talked for an hour about many things—about the class, how he came to United International College (UIC), and his goals. Eventually he closed the office door and wanted to talk about the injuries his uncle experienced in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the fear was still too great and he left. Yi did move forward, began to interact with me, and soon his work, tests, and comments improved remarkably. He began to enjoy thinking philosophically. Through a special arrangement, Augsburg made it possible for me to teach philosophy during the fall semester at UIC in Zhuhai, China. In three classes I was privileged to work with 120 bright Chinese students. A new, English-medium liberal arts college on the mainland, UIC is an experiment to provide a more Western style of education to the Chinese. China is dramatically changing as it attempts to educate its population, and UIC is one of eight brand-new universities built in Zhuhai in the last 10 years. “I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves.” In Introduction to Philosophy we read Plato’s Apology, where Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth by getting them to question those in authority who claimed that they knew when they really didn’t. I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves. By the end of the term over half of the students were engaging me in the classroom discussion, raising questions and objections and making the class their own. Courtesy photo Philosophy, religion, and Chinese food Professor Bruce Reichenbach with students (from left) Daisy, Serena, and Charlene enjoy noodles and discussion after class in Zhuhai, China. My Philosophy of Religion students and I would walk down to the student canteen on Friday for lunch and conversation. Jiang sat next to me and between bites of noodles asked, “Do you really believe in God?” Teaching Philosophy of Religion provided both a challenge and opportunity, as both the students and I looked for a common ground of understanding between our two cultures and worldviews. Once the initial barriers of passive learning were put to rest, the classroom boiled with discussion, questions, challenges, and good humor. Here, too, the students would linger. Tony periodically stayed around for an hour, his phenomenology book in hand, to inquire how Heidegger would view these ideas. Self taught in philosophy, he was eager to connect the course ideas with his own reading. Three Augsburg students and four recent graduates, serving as teaching assistants, also joined the UIC community, providing cross-cultural connections that will continue to develop as students and faculty visit each other’s campuses in the years ahead. At the end of the term two of my classes took my wife and me to Chinese restaurants to show their appreciation. We toasted friendship and a wonderful semester as we affirmed that we all liked philosophy and Chinese food. BRUCE REICHENBACH Professor of philosophy 4 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 7 Auggies on the ice Chris Johnson—A third-generation hockey star Chris Johnson certainly has an impressive hockey pedigree. Chris is the son of Mark Johnson, a member of the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980 U.S. Olympic team, a pro hockey star, and coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silver-medal hockey squad. He’s the grandson of “Badger” Bob Johnson, one of the greatest coaches in American hockey history—who also happened to attend Augsburg for a year before transferring to the University of Wisconsin. And his siblings all played hockey on various teams. But Chris Johnson has also made a name for himself as a leader of the Auggie men’s hockey team. A native of Verona, Wis., Johnson had a terrific career as an Auggie, scoring 41 goals with 74 assists for 115 points in his 104-game career. He had a goal or assist in 15 of Augsburg’s 27 games this season, including seven multiple-point efforts. Johnson’s squads reached the MIAC postseason playoffs in three of his four seasons, including two with him as team captain. He earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors all four seasons and All-American honors last year. Off the ice, Johnson will also be remembered as a top hockey player. He’s a member of Augsburg’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has helped lead hockey ministry and Bible-study groups of student-athletes. He’s also worked with the Herb Brooks Foundation’s “Rink Rats” program, teaching hockey skills to students from the Seward Montessori School. Johnson is a finance major with a 3.4 GPA. “Hockey was everywhere when we were growing up, in a good way, not in a pressure way,” Johnson told columnist Rachel Blount of the Star Tribune in a January feature. “We all got to play at the same high school as my dad. He taught us that even though we might have a last name that helps, it doesn’t matter if you don’t work hard. But he also told us that at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.” This season was a special one for the Johnson family. Since the U.S. women’s hockey team was based at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., prior to the Olympics, Mark—who took a leave of absence from his job as coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team to lead the Olympic squad—had ample opportunities to be with his son in the Twin Cities. Mark attended several of his son’s games at Augsburg, and the two met weekly for dinner and father-son bonding. In a “Profiles of Excellence” feature on the CollegeSportingNews.com website by Rich Mies in January, Chris Johnson said that his experience at Augsburg has been a positive one. “I’ve received a great education here,” he said, “and I cherish the relationships I’ve made here with teammates, coaches, teachers, and friends. I’ve grown up a lot while I’ve been here.” He also said he may consider following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and coach hockey someday. DON STONER Spring 2010 5 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 8 International Programs 1 Photo Contest Portraits 1st place: Matt Anderson “Soccer at Le Sacré Coeur” Paris, France 2nd place: Sandra Meyer “Yes” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Dan Thewis “Friday at Al-Azhar Mosque” Cairo, Egypt Landscape/cityscape 1 1st place: Norah Thompson “Villa Joyosa, España” Madrid, Spain 2nd place: Malena Thoson “Municipal Dump” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Elizabeth Robinson “Work Will Set You Free” Berlin, Germany Photojournalism 1st place: Dan Thewis “Cairo at Midnight” Cairo, Egypt 2nd place: Norah Thompson “El niño en Madrid” Madrid, Spain 6 Augsburg Now 1 3rd place: Sandra Meyer “Nonchalant” Managua, Nicaragua 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 9 3 2 3 3 2009 2 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 2 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 10 auggie voices How girlfriends do theology “Doing Theology with Girlfriends,” or DTwG as it is known, is not your typical Bible study. Sonja Hagander, associate pastor at Augsburg, started DTwG because students told her they wanted a Bible study on campus. “But you can’t always call it a ‘Bible study,’” Hagander says, “because that means it’s difficult or boring or only for people who already understand the Bible.” So DTwG gives women at Augsburg a chance to connect, to support each other, and to relate their own life experiences to scripture. This group of girlfriends gathers once a month to share stories of their lives and to “do” theology. The idea for DTwG came as Hagander reflected on how she loved spending time with her own girlfriends and on the importance of relating to other women. When the group gathers each month, one woman shares a story from her life. The others then share their own feelings and memories related to the story. Hagander chooses a reading or two from the Bible, which the women use to dig deeper into their experiences. Finally, they ask how what they’ve learned might change their daily lives or the way they practice their faith. On the last Monday in January, one student talked about what it means to “truly experience” nature as she related the story of her family’s vacation in Denali National Park. “I sat there for hours, looking out for miles, reflecting and praying and trying to figure out my place within God’s beautiful creation,” she said. 8 Augsburg Now Hagander passed out copies of Psalm 23, and the girlfriends identified their own green pastures and still waters. For one, a late-night jog around the lakes in Minneapolis was a way for her to connect to nature. Another experienced the majesty of creation while watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Then Hagander asked the group to examine the dark and destructive side of nature using Job’s account of a fire-breathing, stone-hearted leviathan. This led to a discussion about the massive loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. One woman marveled at the faith that kept some people alive as they waited for days to be pulled from the rubble of destroyed homes, churches, and schools. “Today is a gift that we get to use in the best way possible,” Hagander said, asking how the women could take this discussion into their lives. This hour wasn’t a gab session or group therapy. But it wasn’t an ordinary Bible study either. There were no right answers or theologically sound interpretations. Just coffee and tea, comfortable chairs, a pink candle, and a chance to share. That is how girlfriends do theology. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Back row (L to R): Amy Wenzel, Whitney Pratt, Pastor Sonja Hagander, Ally Streed, Sara Thiry, Emily Wiles; Front row (L to R): Lonna Field, Carly Facchini, Dixie Scruggs, Marrta Wyatt, Angelica Erickson, Sylvia Bull 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 11 it takes an Auggie A young woman meets her many grandmothers Last year, Krystal Mattison ’10 studied in Korea. Many students who study abroad are profoundly affected by the experience. For Mattison, a history and American Indian studies major from St. Paul, spending the year abroad was a life-changing opportunity to bond with her new grandmothers. Mattison is the granddaughter of a “comfort woman.” During World War II, thousands of Korean women were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Some of these women did not survive their ordeal, and many were unable to have children as a result of their treatment. Furthermore, the women were unable to talk about their experiences until many years later. Her grandmother died when Mattison was five years old, but she heard the story from her father. While in Korea, Mattison spent time at the House of Sharing, an organization in Seoul that houses and cares for the surviving comfort women. She says that after she told them about her grandmother, the women became her adopted grandmothers (halmonis), even giving her the Korean name Soo-Jeong. “They spoiled me, holding my hands and feeding me,” she says. She learned from the women, who now think of themselves not as victims but as survivors and activists, that speaking out against violence is an important part of the healing process. “This experience brought me so much completion that I had to do something.” That “something” was to connect with Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor of women’s studies and director of Augsburg’s Women’s Resource Center. After Mattison shared her grandmother’s story and her own experience in Korea, the center agreed to donate the proceeds from its annual benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues to the House of Sharing. Eve Ensler’s episodic play began off-Broadway in 1996. Each year The Vagina Monologues and other theatrical productions are presented across the country by women on college campuses on V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. “Since the purpose of performing this show is to fight violence against women by raising awareness about the issue and funds for organizations who do this work, we feel like it was a tremendously successful event,” says Nathanson. “The performances were excellent,” she adds, “beautifully and powerfully delivered.” This year’s production raised more than $800 through ticket sales and donations, which amounts to 940,000 Korean won. “This is such a personal issue for me, and I think it’s amazing that the women of Augsburg took it on,” Mattison says. At the end of each Augsburg performance, Mattison gave a speech about her grandmother. “I felt like she was there with me.” The Vagina Monologues was directed by Julia Sewell, a senior psychology major from Minneapolis. The cast included Irene Abdullah, Veronica Berg, Kia Burton, Amber Davis, Rebecca Dickinson, Sarah Gillund, Annika Gunderson, Lucreshia Grant, Elizabeth Hanson, Brandy Hyatt, Valencia McMurray, Lily Morris, Kris Ness, Magdalen Ng, Shannon O’Brien, Yasameen Sajady, Leann Vice-Reshel, Rochelle Weidner, and Courtney Wiley. WENDI WHEELER ’06 During Krystal Mattison’s year in Korea, she became friends with women, like her own grandmother, called “comfort women,” who were abused by the Japanese military during World War II. These survivors became grandmothers to her, and this year she found a way to help support them. Spring 2010 9 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:33 AM Page 12 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM 10 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 13 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Striving for Peace A Question of Will March 5–6, 2010 In cooperation with the Norwegian Nobel Institute, five Midwestern colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) sponsor the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The colleges, all founded by Norwegian immigrants, sponsor the forum to give recognition to Norway’s international peace efforts and to offer opportunities for Nobel Peace laureates, diplomats, scholars, students, and the general public to engage in dialogue on the dynamics of peacemaking and the underlying causes of conflict and war. The Peace Prize Forum is the Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside Norway. Augsburg College Augustana College Concordia College Luther College St. Olaf College This year’s Peace Prize Forum was held March 5 and 6 on the Augsburg College campus, and honored the work of 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland. The other plenary speakers were Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, and Leymah Gbowee, executive director of Women Peace and Security Network-Africa. Prior to the forum, the 15th annual Peace Prize Festival brought together approximately 800 school children and youth to learn about the importance and influence of the Nobel Peace Prize and to honor President Ahtisaari. For more photos of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Peace Prize Festival, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Spring 2010 11 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 14 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM The Peace Prize Forum is grateful for the support of our sponsors: this year’s host, Augsburg College, for providing the platform and for staging this important event. Together, with all of you in the audience, I look forward to learning from a leader this evening, a man who’s been inspiring in his steadfast belief in peace and transformative in his approach. May we all leave this conference energized by the power of one voice and committed to engaging collaboratively with each other to further the process of achieving peace. Thank you.” Alex Gonzalez ’90 (right), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Pribbenow meet Ahtisaari. Ann Parriott, vice president for human resources at H.B. Fuller, extended greetings at the forum’s opening ceremony. “Good evening. It’s a pleasure to be here with you tonight to help introduce this year’s conference. H.B. Fuller Company is honored to serve as the lead sponsor for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. We’re delighted to help welcome our very special guest speaker, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, and pleased to help and encourage ongoing dialogue and discussion on the topic of peace and conflict resolution. “As a company operating in more than 100 countries for many of our 120-plus years, H.B. Fuller has long embraced the value of diverse global perspectives to solve problems, address challenges, and maximize opportunities in the business sector. We are truly excited to help bring this year’s program to you and by so doing help provide a platform for dialogue, discussion, and diverse perspectives on an issue that affects all of us as global citizens. “We salute the Norwegian Nobel Institute and our academic sponsors, including 12 Augsburg Now Alex Gonzalez ’90 represented Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ at the forum. Parriott poses with President Martti Ahtisaari (center) and President Pribbenow. Ann and Todd Parriott converse with Augsburg’s MBA director, Steve Zitnick (left). “As a faith-based membership organization, Thrivent Financial seeks to help enable its members to demonstrate their care and concern for others. While organizationally it does not have a global focus, Thrivent Financial does help its members have a global impact through programs such as Thrivent Builds Worldwide and through various Lutheran relief organizations that have a global reach.” Alex Gonzalez, FIC, CLTC, is a partner with the Stonebridge Group. He is a 1990 Augsburg graduate and a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 15 Tim McGough (center) greets Ahtisaari and Pribbenow. McGough Construction and “Bright Green” As a result of their extensive experience with “green” construction and knowledge of sustainable building practices and products, McGough has created the Bright Green sustainable program. A guiding principle of the program is to find creative ways to apply sustainable practices to construction projects in a cost-effective manner. This would include exploring techniques for reducing waste and applying eco-friendly operating practices. McGough has adopted green strategies throughout their company to test cleaning products and utilize advanced recycling strategies. This focus on energy conservation and minimizing waste enables it to export these practices to the construction site and provide useful advice to clients. The centerpiece of Bright Green is the Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence consists of several sustainability specialists who can provide information and advice to organizations who are considering the implementation of criteria developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) or adopting proven practices to reduce the negative environmental impacts of building design and construction. The center draws upon outside research and industry data, as well as lessons learned “on the ground” from McGough Construction projects. Indeed, McGough is a long-standing member of the USGBC and is a founding sponsor of the local Mississippi Headwaters Chapter in Minnesota. The sustainability specialists in the Center of Excellence maintain active roles in local chapter committees, enabling them to stay well-informed about the most recent developments in sustainable design and construction. McGough, in collaboration with Augsburg, will apply these practices to the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, spoke in dialogue with President Ahtisaari at the forum. “In the long term, we can never win the fight [against terrorism] by military means. We need to find out why people are willing to give their lives and we need to address the root causes of terrorism.” Nordic Home Interiors Tim McGough (left) and Mike Hangge, with McGough Construction, speak with Barbara Farley, Augsburg’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. EVENT CONTRIBUTORS: Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation Mary T., Inc. Wells Fargo Winds of Peace Foundation The Omari rug/wall hangings donated to the forum were woven by Nordic Home Interior’s partner, Everest Handicraft Industries, in Katmandu, Nepal. They were hand-knotted in the primitive Nepalese/Tibetan art form of Tibetan wool with 100 knots per square inch. The dove design is Indian silk. DONORS: Baker Tilly Faegre & Benson Norway House Spring 2010 13 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 16 “ I T ’ S A B O U T F R I E N D S H I P, L E G A C Y, G O O D F O O D , H E R I T A G E , A G I N G — A L L O F T H O S E . ” JIM PEDERSON ’56 On a cold, crisp February morning, photographer Stephen Geffre and I follow Jim Pederson ’56 through ankle-deep snow up a slope to a small log cabin that overlooks Swede Lake. This log cabin, near Star Prairie, Wis., sits on the farm that was homesteaded by Pederson’s great-grandparents in 1872 and that he and his brother, Dwight ’60, now own. They grew up on the farm, moved away to begin their own lives, and now return often with their families and friends. Our reason for being there is to visit the site of an annual celebration that has occurred on the second Saturday of November for the past 50 years. It’s an afternoon each year when Jim and Elaine Pederson host friends and family in the small log cabin for mulled cider and treats before heading to nearby West Immanuel Lutheran Church for lutefisk dinner. This church dinner is a 75-year tradition that now attracts more than 1,200 people for lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, and more. THE BEGINNING OF ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS Jim Pederson says it’s difficult to put a label on this annual gathering. It’s about friendship, legacy, good food, heritage, aging—all of those. Star Tribune columnist Original furniture, art, and history provide the setting for the pre-lutefisk dinner gathering that fills the cabin in November each year. 14 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 17 BY BETSEY NORGARD Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy Jon Tevlin, who attended last November’s half-century celebration, described it as “an iconic Midwestern living postcard that turned 50 years old Saturday.” At first it was just an annual trek to the lutefisk dinner, but as years went by and friends began to gather beforehand at the farm, the camaraderie there became as important as the meal that followed. While to the Pedersons the gathering marks the final event of the farm’s social season, many of the attendees consider it the beginning of their holiday festivities. Pederson really can’t put his finger on just what glue has held so many of them together for so long. The short answer, he says, is that it was a group of Augsburg friends who started coming out to the country for a church dinner. “The better answer,” he adds, “is that some of us developed friendships that included faculty members who were our mentors and with whom we greatly enjoyed informal times outside the classroom.” Faculty from the 1950s who became regular attendees include Phil Quanbeck Sr., Paul Sonnack, Joel Torstenson, Ralph and Grace Sulerud, and others. For nearly 20 years, retired history professor Carl and Val Chrislock spent many of their summers at the farm, where Carl did a great deal of writing and where Val tended her flower and vegetable gardens. When there were deaths, spouses and families often continued to participate. “Many of us were deeply interested in public service of some kind, whether teaching, the ministry, public policy, or politics,” says Pederson. In the 1950s, when academic freedom was restricted and McCarthyism caused colleges to shy away from controversy, he credits Augsburg and the leadership of President Bernhard Christensen for encouraging political expression and organization. “Augsburg practiced academic freedom while in some institutions it was only preached,” Pederson says. “Political organizations were encouraged on campus. Faculty encouraged students to become involved in political campaigns, and Political Emphasis Week brought speakers from the whole political spectrum. “It was in this cauldron that lasting friendships developed and continued beyond graduation. While politics was a strong interest of a few, the friendships persisted regardless of the chosen vocation,” Pederson says. It all started with the five Auggie Norwegian bachelors who, as students, lived together above Larson’s grocery store— Martin Sabo ’59, Jim ’56 and Dwight ’60 Pederson, Harlan Christianson ’57, and Erwin Christenson ’58. In 1959, Jim and Elaine Pederson (who were not yet married) and Harlan and Lori Christianson decided to drive out to Star Prairie for the lutefisk dinner. Elaine was a student nurse at Deaconess Hospital and Augsburg, and this trip became her introduction to the farm, to lutefisk, and to her future Pederson in-laws. Each year thereafter has brought additional invited friends and families. On November 14, 2009—the 50th anniversary—the count was 67. The group now includes the families and friends of Jim and Elaine and their children, Michelle and Kirk, a 1987 grad; his fiancée Molly; grandchildren Madeline, Emma, and Ginny; and Dwight and his wife, Marion, also a Lutheran Deaconess nurse; daughter Denise; and grandchildren Laura, Thomas, and Helenya. AUGSBURG STORIES PLAY OUT OVER THE YEARS Pederson says he’d like to tie the story of the 50-year gatherings to what they learned at Augsburg. “‘Education for Service’ we thought of as just a phrase, but it really did mean a lot to us—whether in ministry, nursing, government, or politics. It played out, and that’s an important part of the story for me.” The Augsburg-connected stories include the political career of Martin Sabo, which dates back to the days of the five Norwegian bachelors. Pederson, who served as student body president and was active in student political groups, became manager in 1960 for Sabo’s state house endorsement campaign. “And he never lost an election after that,” Pederson comments, about Sabo’s long and distinguished legislative career, marked by his retirement in 2007. In another Augsburg story, Chrislock, who was a regular at the November gatherings, stayed on the farm while he wrote his 1991 book, Watchdog of Loyalty: The Minnesota Commission of Public Safety during World War I. Emeriti professors Ralph and Grace Sulerud, close friends of the Chrislocks, Spring 2010 15 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 18 Courtesy photo “WE HOPE THIS CARRIES ON FOR ANOTHER 50 YEARS— S O , Y O U N G E R G E N E R AT I O N , W E ’ R E C O U N T I N G O N Y O U . ” ELAINE PEDERSON enjoyed the old farmstead and lake so much that they now have a house there, just down the hill from the log house. And so, the Augsburg connections continue. THE MEANING OF PLACE THE LOG HOUSE AND LEGACY Pederson’s log house, the current gathering place, wasn’t part of the original farm. The original log house disappeared long ago, and Pederson had always wanted something like his great-grandfather built in the 1870s. In 1972, he found neighbors wanting to get rid of an old log house on their farm, and he jumped at the opportunity. Courtesy photo The Pederson ties date back more than 130 years in the community—to that farm now in its sixth generation and to the church originally chartered by his grandparents and their neighbors. The log house to which people come each November is for him an icon of family and heritage. In the invitation letter for last November’s gathering, Pederson mentioned a recent book that weaves together themes of story, place, calling, and purpose. Claiming Your Place at the Fire, by Richard Lieder and David Shapiro, challenges those entering “the second half of their life” to consider these themes in finding purpose in what they choose to do during their elder years. Pederson sees the old farm as the locale where at this annual event these themes of aging and legacy play out. “This is a time where family and friends share life experiences, the happenings of the last year, perhaps recalling mentors from college or elsewhere, many of whom are no longer with us; reminiscing about the good times; the not-so-good times; commiserating over losses or illnesses; sometimes engaging in a bit of gossip. Sometimes it’s small groups huddling to solve the world’s problems.” Collectively, they recall stories, redefine place, renew callings, and reclaim purpose. “Oh yes, and there’s the country church dinner, the ostensible reason for the gathering,” adds Pederson. “Each year, however, we hear some say they really come for the hour or two they spend together before the big meal, sipping cider Norwegian traditional goodies, and sharing treats they bring.” Auggies in the group of 67 at the 50th gathering last November included: (Front row, L to R):, Winnie (Nordlund) Anderson ’61, Elaine Pederson, Vicki (Skor) Pearson ’59, retired art professor Phil Thompson. (Back L to R) Kiel Christianson ’88, Jim Pederson ’56 (not visible) holding granddaughter Ginny, Kirk Pederson ’87 (turned away), Pearl Almquist, Paul Almquist ’59, Eunice Helgeson ’69, professor Garry Hesser, retired librarian Grace Sulerud. 16 Augsburg Now The “five Norweg ian bachelors” re united in 2002 wi Erickson ’56 (cen th Rod ter). (Clockwise, from left): Marti ’59, Harlan Chris n Sabo tianson ’57, Dwigh t Pederson ’60, Er Christenson ’58, win and Jim Pederson ’56. An eclectic mix of history and heritage, the one main room of the cabin is barely able to contain the crowd that gathers. Hanging on the walls are the farm’s homestead documents and old photos; some of the furniture is original. Rosemaling and other memorabilia fill the area. A loft offers sleeping space, and an enclosed porch was added for additional room. In addition to Jim and Dwight, the old farmstead has incorporated the Pedersons’ younger generations. Jim and Elaine’s son, Kirk, has his place on the farm where he and his family enjoy the summer. Their daughter, Michelle, enjoys the solitude and serenity of the farm both in summer and winter. So, as years go by, and the annual lutefisk group continues, children and grandchildren play greater roles. “In 1959,” Pederson says, “none of us could have predicted that 50 years later we would speak of a remarkable tradition that we hope will continue far into the future.” Last November 14, after some traditional Norwegian folk music and hymns, Elaine Pederson announced, “We hope this carries on for another 50 years—so, younger generation, we’re counting on you.” To read more and see photos from earlier gatherings, go to www.augsburg.edu/now a 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 19 X O B E H T F O OUT s e i g aug ON PAPER , Augsburg College looks a lot like most other liberal arts colleges. We have similar courses, departments, and programs. We teach students to think critically and to lead responsibly in the world, which is what other schools also aim to do. And our students, staff, and faculty don’t look much different than those at the big school across the street or the small campuses across the river. But in person we look and act differently. At Augsburg, we try to put our own creative spin on things and to look at issues from different perspectives. For example, this year some of our first-year students and a group of faculty spent an entire semester working together on a big problem in our first “I-Term.” In another example, students in the Honors program create their very own courses, write and edit their own scholarly journal, and together shape their own learning environment. And, one of our alums has found a very creative way to do community service while also running a thriving business. The stories in this issue represent just a few of the “out-of-the-box” programs, people, and partnerships that make us uniquely Augsburg. Spring 2010 17 18 Augsburg Now 50 students, 5 professors, 1 big problem. Last fall’s I-Term students discussed three big challenges in the non-graded Fate of the Earth course. I-Term students focused on food, fuel, and media in the course. What’s a great way to engage alumni? Introduce them to current students who have similar majors or interests and let them swap stories. In the end, everyone benefits. Yearbooks are keepsakes that link alumni to their college days. IGNITE I-TERM 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 20 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 21 HONORS houses in the Honors program. Items such as an olive-leaf crown are emblems for specific I-Term students focused on food, fuel, and media in the course. OUT OF THE BOX The Honors program consists of a combination of classes, students, structure, and a whole lot of creativity. FINNEGANS As a student, Jacquie Berglund ’87 dreamed of helping the working poor. Today her sense of vocation drives her to take leaps of faith that make life better for others. NEIGHBORHOOD Working closely with Cedar-Riverside and Seward residents is just one of the ways we live out our vocation to serve our neighbors. Somali students help their classmates learn more about the symbols and dress in Muslim culture. 100% of the profit from every bottle sold provides help at the grassroots level. Spring 2010 19 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 22 PURSUING AN IDEAL EDUCATION Imagine your ideal college education. What classes would you take? Who would teach them? What kind of students would you study with? What activities would you take part in? Where would you travel? When Robert Groven set out to restructure the Augsburg College Honors program, he asked faculty and students these sorts of questions. At first, he said, they were silent. “They had just accepted that college is the way it is,” Groven said. But then, they flooded him with ideas. Students wanted more academic challenge and to be pushed by faculty. They wanted courses to include more content and classroom experiences to be more active and engaging than in high school. They wanted to learn outside the classroom and to have opportunities for unconventional learning experiences—the exact sort of education that a small college in the city can provide. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 The current Honors program house presidents are (clockwise, from front): Adam Spanier, Katie Radford, Becki Iverson, Andrew Fox, David Ishida, Jonathan Chrastek, Kathleen Watson, and Charlie Olson. 20 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 23 UNCONVENTIONAL COURSES Three aspects of Augsburg’s Honors courses distinguish them from courses in other college honors programs. First, each class is specifically created for the Honors program. In other words, it’s not a matter of adding an assignment or text to an existing course or simply creating a new title, Groven says. The content of Honors courses is enriched and the pace is accelerated as well. Second, Honors courses are intentionally interdisciplinary—multiple faculty from different departments teach in each class. This spring, for example, the senior keystone course was taught by faculty whose disciplines include sociology, social work, metro-urban studies, art, English, and theatre. Augsburg’s Honors students in the Liberating Letters class stepped back into ancient Greek times to put Poseidon on trial for the murder of Odysseus’ men and fleet. (L to R): Eric Dooley, Nikki Johnson, Becca Dickinson, and Patrick DuSchane. president, Paul Pribbenow, is one of the lead instructors, focusing on his study of Jane Addams, founder of the settlement house movement. The course, Legacies of Chicago: Ideas and Action in Place, was conceived by Lars Christiansen of the sociology and metrourban studies departments. The course examines how particular places are incubators for unique ideas and actions. In addition to studying about the traditions and concepts that originated in Chicago, the class traveled to the Windy City to experience the “place” firsthand. Finally, each course has a “signature” experience—an unconventional way of learning that involves a high level of effort and also includes a public display of what the students have learned. Students are usually enthusiastic about these experiences, Groven says, because the tasks are generally open-ended and students have more freedom to make decisions about what they learn and how they learn it. In Liberating Letters, a first-year humanities course, students put texts, authors, or fictional characters on trial, serving as judge, jury, prosecution, and defense. But before this class begins, students have to pass a test. In fact, in order to gain admission into the first session, they are required to recite the first stanza of Homer’s Odyssey from memory, solve a riddle about Greek mythology, and present the “prophecies” of three different people who know them well concerning where that student will be in 10 years. A second type of course, which is likely more-than-ideal for many students, is the Student Created Learning Experience, or SCLE. Aptly named, these are classes created by students based on their interests. SCLEs can essentially become an independent study course for one student or 20 students and can be open to all Augsburg students. One of the more popular SCLEs, which generated a great deal of interest when it was first introduced and again this year, was The Art, Science, and History of Brewing. In addition to learning about brewing from the perspective of different disciplines, students also brew two batches of beer and invite guest judges to evaluate the fruits of their labors. This year senior theatre arts major David Ishida created an SCLE on swordplay to fulfill 21 An olive-leaf crown is the emblem of the Hesser Servants House in the Honors program. OUT OF THE BOX The result of all that questioning was a student-centered program where students take responsibility for their own learning, with the full support of the faculty and the resources they need to achieve their goals. “We believe that an ideal education will be different for every student,” Groven says. “We know no one can reach an ideal goal, but we believe the process of exploring and pursuing ideals is essential to college education.” By striving for the ideal, the program has become one where students routinely go above and beyond the requirements outlined in their syllabi. “We set a very high bar, and we insist that they get there. But they set a much higher bar for themselves than we ever would.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 24 very receptive and energized,” Crockett says, “ … not just in the classroom but on campus.” Crockett has engaged 14 current students as research assistants who will read and critique work that he is presenting at an international conference. “I hope they really come at me,” he says. “I’m counting on them to find fresh answers.” EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER Honors senior Nicholas Blixt experiments with ingredients in The Art, Science, and History of Brewing class. a physical education credit but also to explore his interest in medieval history and culture. STUDENTS WHO LOVE TO LEARN Interesting classes and outstanding faculty certainly can combine for a compelling honors program, but the character and quality of the students make Augsburg’s program unique. “We are trying to look beyond good grades and test scores,” Groven comments. “We want intrinsically motivated learners—students who see ideas as living vehicles for human expression and change.” Computer science professor Larry Crockett, who was once the Honors program director, has taught in the program for many years. While he says Honors students are pushed to rise above expectations and challenge each other, he is especially enthusiastic about the extraordinary energy coming from this year’s incoming class. “These students are willing to dig into issues and are 22 Augsburg Now There’s more to Honors at Augsburg than fun classes and energetic students. Honors also provides leadership and scholarship opportunities and fosters an environment where students often start their own activities or groups. “Part of our philosophy is that as much learning should happen outside the classroom as inside,” Groven says. Students are organized into houses, each of which focuses on a different area: scholarship, social justice and service, stewardship, and citizenship. Each house plans and promotes activities and also elects two house presidents who serve on the Honors Council. With faculty advisers, the council sets the policy for the program and helps solve problems. One officially organized non-classroom learning opportunity is the Honors Review, a student-run, student-edited interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate scholarship. Taylor Norman, a senior English major and Honors student, is the current editor-in-chief. This year the Review extended its reach and received 43 submissions from undergraduates all across the country. After articles are selected for publication, Norman and her editorial staff check citations, verify research, and then engage the author to revise and edit. “We wanted to create a scholarly environment with lots of dialogue,” Norman says. All Honors activities and programs serve to support students so they can pursue their academic goals. “Honors tries to show students what amazing talents and abilities they have,” Groven says, and they find countless ways to apply their academic learning. For example, senior Jessica Spanswick, who majored in international relations and minored in peace and global studies, studied in Namibia for a semester and served as a Peace Scholar in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Her opportunities to volunteer for World AIDS Day in Namibia and to travel as a scholar to Chiapas, Mexico, gave her valuable hands-on global experience. Honors program students have received many of the highest national and international academic awards available; they have been Fulbright scholars, Goldwater scholars, the College’s first Rhodes scholar, and students who have won National Science Foundation grants—and that’s still just the tip of the iceberg. Part of the program’s mission is to encourage students, many who never thought of themselves as award-winning scholars, to apply for scholarships and publication so that their work can be recognized. These courses, the faculty who teach them, the students who take them, and the learning opportunities that happen outside the classroom all come together to try to create an ideal education for Augsburg Honors program students. “I never think of the Honors program as being done,” Groven says. “The best program will always be different because we are constantly adapting to new technologies, new students, and new problems.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 25 Sophomore Madeline Roe helps a Somali student with her work as part of Trinity Lutheran Congregation’s Safe Place Homework Help program. Across the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and the nation, stories of neighbors and colleges clashing bubble to the surface featuring real town vs. gown tension. Augsburg’s philosophy, however, is very different. Augsburg isn’t building walls or installing large steel gates on campus to keep the outside world out. Instead, Augsburg is reaching further out into the Cedar-Riverside and Seward neighborhoods and, in the process, the College founded by Norwegian Lutherans is working closely with the largest concentration of Somali immigrants in the United States. WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY We believe we are called to serve our neighbor. That is Augsburg’s statement of institutional vocation. Live the experience. Love the city. Learn by living. Those words hang on banners along Riverside Avenue. While the first is formal and the second much more conversational, both, however, sum up what Auggies do. On a near daily basis, Augsburg students BY JEFF SHELMAN spend part of their afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Congregation helping young Somali children with topics ranging from spelling and sentence construction to subtraction and social studies. Several times a week, Auggies serve food in the gym at the Brian Coyle Community Center as part of the Campus Kitchen program. First-year Auggies in the Bonner Leaders program work with nonprofit organizations, most within a mile of campus. 23 OUT OF THE BOX IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Let’s say one person wanted to match the amount of community service that was completed by Augsburg students during the 2008-09 school year. What would it take? Since Auggies performed 67,000 hours of community service last year, someone would have to work for 2,791 24-hour days—more than 7.5 years—or 8,375 eight-hour work days. That’s a staggering total for a college with 2,000 traditional undergraduates and 4,000 total students. That work has led to Augsburg’s inclusion as one of the top 25 schools in the country for service-learning by U.S.News & World Report and the Carnegie [Foundation] Classification for Community Engagement. Earlier this spring, Augsburg became the only Minnesota college or university and one of only four ELCA schools to be named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction. The President’s Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to volunteering, 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 26 service-learning, and civic engagement. “We are very proud and honored to be included in the President’s Honor Roll,” Augsburg president Paul C. Pribbenow said. “Civic work and serving our neighbor are at the core of Augsburg’s efforts to educate students for democracy.” Last school year, 900 Augsburg students participated in service-learning and 1,200 students participated in more than 20 hours of community service per semester. Much of the community service takes place in course-embedded service-learning, something that has been part of education at Augsburg for years. MORE THAN JUST SERVICE Augsburg’s work in Cedar-Riverside and Seward, however, is about more than simply donating time; it is also about trying to make the neighborhood safer, more vibrant, and create opportunities for the state’s newest immigrant population. Pribbenow currently chairs the CedarRiverside Partnership, a group that includes larger institutions in the neighborhood including Augsburg, Fairview hospitals, and the University of Minnesota. “There’s a level of trust being built,” said Steve Peacock, Augsburg’s director of community relations. “There are conversations taking place that weren’t before. There’s the coordination of infrastructure and planning among the institutions.” Much of the work has been around safety in the neighborhood. Last summer, for example, the members of the partnership provided funding to ensure security at the Brian Coyle Community Center. There has been much more communication among security at Fairview and Augsburg, the University of Minnesota, and Minneapolis Police Departments. Augsburg has also worked in the neighborhood in other ways, ranging from providing meeting space to sometimes even trying to build bridges. Last year, more than a dozen reporters and editors from the Minneapolis Star Tribune sat in a room in Oren Gateway Center with a dozen or so Somali community leaders and elders. The Somali leaders talked of good things going on in their community that don’t get covered. Star Tribune editors said they would like to tell more stories, but finding Somalis willing to talk is challenging. The Somali leaders—who arrived in the United States having never experienced freedom of the press—gained a better understanding of how the media work. Reporters and editors left with new contacts and resources. CHANGE TO THE CAMPUS Augsburg’s involvement in Cedar-Riverside has led to a change on campus as well. With each passing fall, the number of Auggies of Somali descent grows. This fall, The Somali yarn weaving hanging in President Pribbenow’s office symbolizes the partnership between Augsburg and the East African Women’s Center. there are about 50 Somali students on campus. For some of them, Augsburg was the first college they ever knew. For others, there is a comfort in attending Augsburg. Halimo Adan is a first-year student who grew up in Seward and can see the Augsburg sign atop Mortensen Hall from her home. She’s among the growing number of students on campus wearing both an Augsburg sweatshirt and a hijab, the head covering worn by Muslim women. “People don’t ask stupid questions, they’re very open minded,” said Adan, who came to the U.S. when she was 9 years old. “Even though I’ve been here most of my life, when you get asked questions all the time, you feel like you don’t belong.” But at Augsburg, neighbors are always welcome. First-year students file into the Northern Clay Center to help with clean-up on City Service Day. 24 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 27 For Daley Konchar Farr, the lack of grades was motivation for signing up, but the discussions and professors’ involvement were more rewarding aspects of I-Term. LEARNING TO LEARN WITHOUT ANY A, B, CS 25 OUT OF THE BOX BY JEFF SHELMAN 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 28 It isn’t quite a chicken or egg kind of question, but it is an academic conundrum along the same line. Just how important are grades on a college campus when it comes to actual learning? Do grades really reflect how much a student has learned? Or do students do just enough to get the grade they want? And what happens if you take letter grades and numerical marks completely out of the equation? That’s what 50 Augsburg first-year students, five professors, and several staff members tried to find out this past fall. The Integrated Term, Fate of the Earth 101: Consumption of Food, Fuel, and Media in Contemporary Culture, was more than just a different way to package and deliver several general education courses; it was a semester that challenged many of the standard conventions about what a college education is or should be. There were no traditional letter grades for this learning community nor was there a static syllabus passed out on the first day. This was a term that focused on doing, on students having a say in what they would be evaluated on, and on professors writing detailed evaluations about both what students had accomplished and where they needed to continue to work. Sitting lifeless in the back row and regurgitating enough facts to pass wasn’t an option this term. “This was much more work than grading,” English professor Robert Cowgill said. “But I thought it was a major success.” Most of the students—many of whom were drawn to the I-Term because of the environmental focus or the alternative evaluation method—agreed. Daley Konchar Farr called the semester-long experiment empowering. Veronica Berg said she was pushed to do things she wasn’t sure were possible just one semester into her college career. Katelin Grote called the whole thing life changing. Some of that was because the I-Term, which showed just how parts of a liberal arts education are interconnected, was their entire load for the semester. I-Term students who successfully completed the course received credit for English 101 or 111 (writing), Religion 100 (Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning I), History 101 (Western Civilization), Sociology 101 (Introduction to Human Society) and AugSem (first-year seminar). They also completed their Engaging Minneapolis requirement. REASONS FOR NOT GRADING When a group of professors returned from a conference at The Evergreen State College in Washington in 2007, the goal was to find a way for Augsburg to experiment with a learning community model of teaching as well as non-traditional evaluation methods. Over the next two years, the professors worked with the dean’s office to make this a reality. How was this term going to be structured? Were groups such as Faculty Senate supportive? How would students receive credit? How would the narrative evaluations fit into the very traditional transcript? Once hurdles were cleared, plans were set for a three-year pilot program of the nongraded Integrated Term. The faculty designers of the I-Term hope that the students who spend a semester focused on learning instead of simply making a grade will have higher retention and graduation rates. The longer-term outcomes of the experiment won’t be clear for several years, but this group and subsequent groups of I-Term students will be tracked by the College. While the word “experiment” is often tossed around rather loosely on college campuses, the I-Term is certainly unique. Sociology professor Lars Christiansen, an I-Term faculty member who has studied alternative evaluation methods, said that about 15 colleges and universities across the country have experimented with non-graded courses. Some are completely nongraded while others are partially graded The role of media in contemporary culture was a focus for I-Term students. 26 Augsburg Now or have reverted back to traditional grading. Alverno College in Milwaukee is one of the only schools in the Midwest that is grade free. No grades, however, doesn’t equal no evaluation. In almost every case, I-Term students had a greater grasp of where they stood. They worked very closely with the two English professors on their writing, and received regular written feedback from the other faculty members. “It was kind of like tough love,” Maryam Ayir said. “You knew exactly what you had to work on.” Konchar Farr signed up for the ITerm both because of the subject matter, and also because of lack of traditional grades. “Grades are false motivation,” she said. “In high school, I didn’t get anything out of getting As if I didn’t learn. [Here], I really appreciated that things were so discussionbased and how involved the professors were. They were so dedicated to our work.” For Christiansen, the best thing from the semester is that Augsburg now has the framework in place to continue experimenting with alternative evaluation methods. There is now the ability for the narrative evaluations to accompany a student’s transcript. And there is also at least some appetite from students to not have a semester of work boiled down to simply a number. “The majority of students said it was a good Courtesy photo 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 29 Kwame Collins and other students from the I-Term attended the 350.org event at the State Capitol that was part of an international focus on the climate crisis. LEARNING BY DOING Unchained from the burden of grades, students could concentrate on really learning and figuring out what truly motivates them. And without traditional exercises like exams, students in Fate of the Earth 101 demonstrated their advancement through semester-long projects that incorporated something under the broad umbrella of food, fuel, or media. One group of students met with staff members from Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office about how the bodies of women are portrayed in advertisements. Pushing Best Buy to be more environmentally friendly in its stores was what another group sought. Others looked into the feasibility of Augsburg capturing solar energy and purchasing more locally grown food. “Those are the kinds of things we were hoping would happen,” Christiansen said. “We were hoping through the experiences of the I-Term that [students] were here to learn and that they were here to understand themselves as possible change agents—and that collaboration is an essential component.” And while most courses end as soon as that final exam is completed, a number of the I-Term students are continuing with the ongoing work of their projects. For example, Berg was part of a group that created the website www.mnhomelessyouth.org. Those students met both with representatives from Minneapolis Public Schools and a group working on homeless issues, before and during the spring semester. “It didn’t just end at the end of the course,” history professor Phil Adamo said. “They continue to be engaged.” Because of what they were asked to do, many of the I-Term students accomplished more than they thought possible just months removed from high school graduation. “We were learning at a different level, we were getting to project ourselves at a bigger level,” Berg said. “To sit at the table as a contributor with some of these agencies was something I didn’t think I’d be able to do for many years.” That theme was a common one. “One thing we repeatedly heard was the notion that they were empowered with what they were able to accomplish by the end of their first semester in college,” religion professor Lori Brandt Hale said. “They were surprised and excited about how they will be able to leverage that moving forward.” CHANGING TEACHING METHODS Like the other I-Term professors, Colin Irvine is back teaching more traditional courses this semester. An English faculty member, Irvine has a collection of writing and literature classes this spring. But Irvine acknowledges that he is teaching differently this semester. And the I-Term had much to do with that. “It made me complicate my classes,” he said. “I’m not content with the way I was teaching before. I’m not content with the assignments I was giving. I’m making them more fun, more relevant, and harder to assess. I can’t allow myself to teach the way I’ve always taught.” Irvine talked about a conversation with a biology major who is taking his environmental literature course this season. The student said he’s been doing the reading, working hard, and attending writing lab sessions. “But he said, ‘I don’t know how I’m doing,’” Irvine said. “I told him, ‘Are you kidding me? That’s exactly what I want you to do, you’re figuring it out, you’re doing great.’” Because just like the I-Term students who have adjusted to courses with traditional grading, almost everyone involved in the experiment has a better idea of what motivates them and just how important learning is. I-TERM CREATORS/DESIGNERS Phil Adamo, History, Medieval Studies Lars Christiansen, Sociology, Metro-Urban Studies Robert Cowgill, English, Film Studies Stacy Cutinella, Lindell Library Lori Brandt Hale, Religion Colin Irvine, English, Environmental Studies Nathan Lind, Information Technology Alyson Olson, TRIO Student Services Beverly Stratton, Religion PROJECTS THE STUDENTS WORKED ON • Addressing women’s body representations in advertising by creating a legislative bill requiring advertisers to indicate the presence of airbrushing and similar touch-ups • Website that centralizes resources for homeless youth in the Twin Cities • Energy-producing exercise bicycles at Augsburg’s Kennedy Center • Reducing water waste at Augsburg • Increasing local food sourcing at Augsburg, particularly meat and cheese • Assisting in developing curbside composting in Minneapolis • Reducing paper waste at Augsburg bookstore • Improving environmental practices at Best Buy • Composting at Maple Grove High School 27 OUT OF THE BOX experience to not have grades and they liked the ongoing evaluation,” he said. “It shows me that if you provide it, people will try it, and many will like it. Why don’t we make it an option generally? It’s not dissimilar to our transportation system. Until the last few years, many didn’t believe they had options other than driving. The I-Term is akin to the Hiawatha (light rail) Line: Once a viable alternative is provided, people may see it as useful and desirable.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 30 CONNECTING THE DOTS FOR GOOD BY BRYAN BARNES “I read this article in Time magazine, interviewing all of these 80- and 90-year-old people,” said Jacquie Berglund ’87. “The overwhelming feedback from their question, ‘If you could change one thing, what would it be?’ was that they all wish they had taken more risks.” That was 1983, when Berglund was in her first year at Augsburg College. Since then, she has faced many risks on her way to building one of Minnesota’s most successful social enterprises—an enterprise that uses beer sales to fund its community foundation. One of her first risks? Backpacking through Europe during her sophomore year in the face of parental disapproval. “My parents didn’t want me to do it,” Berglund said. “[My English professor] said, ‘Jacquie, you should absolutely do it. Let’s come up with a way for you to get credit for it here.’” With that, Berglund ventured across the Atlantic for six weeks under the banner of an Augsburg creative-writing course. Her experience fostered a travel bug that would lead her back for a seven-year long stay in France after Augsburg. “[Backpacking] helped me to think globally and really changed my perspective,” Berglund said. “That was a powerful turning point for me.” Graduating from Augsburg in 1987 with a degree in communication studies Jacquie Berglund ’87 knew that with passion and patience she could fulfill her dream of making a difference in her community. 28 Augsburg Now and a minor in political science, Berglund combined an interest in nonprofits with her travel experience to pursue work in international development. By 1990, she had taken an internship in Paris at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the same group that helped administer the Marshall Plan after World War II. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Berglund found herself working with the best entrepreneurial minds at OECD to develop regional economies in former Soviet bloc countries. “We were training government officials, and these guys were all communists—they didn’t want to learn [about how to build free markets],” Berglund said. “I felt like we went in and did all of this work and spent all of this money, and I don’t know what impact we really had. Then I thought, ‘you know, I think the real work is done at the grassroots level.’ I would see the people at the grassroots level in these countries and they were really making a difference, and I thought, ‘that’s where I have to be. I’ve got to get there.’ I just didn’t know how I was going to get there, but that’s where I wanted to go.” While at OECD, Berglund earned her master’s degree in international relations from the American Graduate School in Paris. However, by 1997 Berglund found herself needing expensive back surgery, so she returned to the Twin Cities to work as marketing director for her old friend, Kieran Folliard, restauranteur and owner of Cara Irish Pubs LP. One of Berglund’s duties as marketing director was to help Folliard distribute charitable gifts in the Twin Cities. They found themselves Finnegan’s Inc. created the Finnegan’s Community Fund to distribute 100% of profits to local community projects. giving grants to any organization that asked. Eventually, their CFO put the brakes on their charity bonanza and told them they needed a better strategy. Berglund agreed: she recognized from her OECD days that the Cara Pubs money wasn’t making the desired impact. Berglund had also just attended a conference in Washington, D.C., on self-sustaining nonprofits. “That’s when I thought: we sell beer all day,” Berglund said. “What if we create our own beer, and we choose to give all of the profits from this one beer to our own foundation, and then we pick one cause, and we really make a difference? It took me a little while to sell Kieran on the idea.” With that, Berglund and Folliard set about creat- ing Finnegan’s Irish Amber, named in reference to James Joyce’s final work. They contacted James Page Brewing Company in Minneapolis to help them create the beer, eventually selecting one recipe from over 40 options provided by the brewmaster. At this point, Berglund and Folliard realized that running Finnegan’s and its community foundation would consume all of Berglund’s time. That left one choice: quit Cara Pubs and focus on Finnegan’s, or let the idea die. Berglund bought the Finnegan’s recipe for $1 from Folliard. “That was kind of scary, leaving that job, from having a good salary to no salary,” Berglund said. “It was very scary. It was rather terrifying. I’ve had a lot of terrifying moments—I must handle stress well. I’m still waking and talking and not in a straitjacket.” Starting in 2000, Berglund created forprofit Finnegan’s Inc., which donates all of its profits from beer sales to her nonprofit 29 OUT OF THE BOX S 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 31 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 32 creation, which is now called Finnegan’s Community Fund. She taught herself the beer trade. James Page produced Finnegan’s on contract, but she was responsible for selling it to distributors. “I didn’t even know what a keg fee was,” Berglund recalls. Finnegan’s community focus sold the beer. Distributors, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in the Twin Cities were sympathetic to Berglund’s cause—and it helped that the beer was popular during the burgeoning craft brew craze. Though she wasn’t turning a profit yet, Berglund was able to make a $2,000 donation in her first year of operation. Then, James Page Brewing Company shut down in 2002. “I was a mess—I was totally a mess,” Berglund said. “I started to panic: ‘If they go out of business, I’m going to go out of business.’” Thinking quickly, Berglund contacted Mark Stutrud, founder of Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul. “They really didn’t do contract brewing, but I think that [Stutrud] appreciated the community-mindedness of what I was doing,” Berglund said. “Plus, I already had a list of accounts, so I already had a proven track record that I could make this thing work.” To this day, Finnegan’s is produced at Summit. In 2003, Finnegan’s made its first profit. By 2009, Finnegan’s was selling 4,300 barrels per year to 475 restaurants and 600 liquor stores in Minnesota and beyond—which translated into $30,000 for the Finnegan’s Community Fund. That money, in addition to direct donations, is being used to fund local grassroots community organizations that are helping the working poor. “When I came back from France, I 30 Augsburg Now Berglund often considers her own experience growing up as motivation for her drive to do good for others. volunteered in St. Steven’s shelter in Minneapolis,” Berglund said. “I got to see for myself … a lot of these guys get up to work factory jobs at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. I saw how many of these guys were working and still homeless.” The needs of the working poor strike a personal chord for Berglund. Growing up, her father started working as a janitor before moving up the ranks, while her mother was a waitress. “I remember as a kid not being able to participate in church activities because we didn’t have the money,” Berglund said. “I feel so fortunate to be able to have done all of the things that I do. I think that, ‘Boy, it’s nice to give back a little bit.’ We owe a bit of gratitude.” That background helps explain Berglund’s drive to build a self-sustaining nonprofit that can help the working poor regardless of government grants or philanthropic whims. But it also comes down to faith in your vocation. “Whenever I do speaking engagements, that’s my whole thing: It’s about following your passions, and then at some point, the dots will connect. Even though it seems so remote that they could possibly connect,” Berglund said. “When I came back and was working in the pub, I thought, ‘What am I doing here? How does this connect to this whole dream job I had of international development projects?’ I just had faith that it’s going to come—I’m going to find it. It’s kind of that whole ‘calling’ thing at Augsburg—I knew I was going to find it, it was just going to take a minute.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 33 IGNITE-ING AUGGIE SPIRIT BY BETSEY NORGARD Senior Brittany Goff is the intern who matches students and alumni for visits and leads the student team. 31 OUT OF THE BOX One student heard about a fire that broke out in one of the houses on campus in the 1970s. Another enjoyed hearing perspectives from a studio art major about his work at a financial organization. A third met with an alum who fondly remembers the tasty cinnamon rolls that students often got in Morton Hall in the mid-1950s. Twenty students working in the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office recently completed the first year of Project IGNITE. They’ve been meeting with alumni to learn more about the role that the College played in the lives of the alumni and to share stories and experiences about Augsburg then and now. Senior Brittany Goff is the intern who directs the students’ work for Project IGNITE. Once she hand-matches students and alums who share similar majors and/or interests, a letter from President Pribbenow is sent explaining the program and alerting the alum to a future call from a student. The student will invite the alum to a meeting preferably on campus or at a convenient coffee shop. That first contact can be a little daunting for students, but knowing they share interests makes it easier. Melissa Herrick, a 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 34 communication studies and art sophomore, says it tells the alum that “this is not a random call; there’s a reason I’m calling you,” which, in her case, is to share with them what art at Augsburg is like now and to hear about their experience studying art at Augsburg. STUDENTS CONNECT WITH ALUMNI On a cold day last fall, Herrick met with Patti Lloyd ’83, who owns a web development and interactive marketing company. While Lloyd was an international business major and not an art major, the two immediately discovered common interests in web design. Herrick was trying to plan a webpage for an arts project and was delighted to get some ideas from Lloyd. “We had a great meeting,” says Lloyd, “and when she left, I think she felt comfortable that all the resources were there for her project.” One of the meetings that Goff enjoyed was with a physician. In the conversation, Goff, a psychology major, learned about the physician’s medical practice that has included a psychologist and a nurse, enabling him to offer both physical and mental testing and care. “This was really a great experience for me,” Goff says, “to help me consider my future career and the option to be in a practice like that.” Adam Spanier, sophomore class president and an Honors student, says he has met many interesting people through Project IGNITE. His favorite aspect of the program, he says, is “hearing the many different bits of advice and wisdom that alumni have to offer.” 32 Augsburg Now Sophomore Adam Spanier enjoys hearing the advice alumni can give to current students. to-face relationship with a person who is going through the experience.” Haug and his partner returned to campus in December for the Advent Vespers dinner and enjoyed talking with people they knew and meeting others. ALUMNI ENJOY RECONNECTING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE Most alumni contacted in Project IGNITE are graduates who have not been active in alumni activities or participated recently in events. Re-engaging with their alma mater through Project IGNITE has also been enjoyable for them, especially seeing the College through the eyes of current students. Christopher Haug ’79 was one of the alumni Spanier met last fall. “What benefited me the most,” Haug says, “is that I felt I was connected again with my school. There’s nothing like a face- Pat Grans, the Project IGNITE volunteer coordinator, follows up with the interests and/or requests that students bring back from the alumni visits. She crafts individual plans recommending events and volunteer opportunities that could include speaking in a class, inviting a student to job shadow, or helping with registration at an event. Or, Grans can seek to create a tailored opportunity based on the alum’s interests. Grans has now developed volunteer job descriptions and oversees all aspects of recruiting, training, scheduling, supervising, and recognizing volunteers. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 35 Project IGNITE means Involving Graduates Now In Thoughtful Engagement. A three-year project funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Project IGNITE is designed to serve as a model to help other colleges and universities engage their alumni. What makes Project IGNITE an out-of-the-box program and readily transferable are several components that together offer lifelong alumni connections: • One-to-one interaction between students and alumni—who better to talk about the college experience and re-engage alumni than current students? • Mutually beneficial matching of student and alumni majors and interests • Individualized and ongoing follow-up from a volunteer coordinator to keep engagement and energy alive In the project’s first six months at Augsburg, both attendance at events and volunteering have increased. Of the alumni the IGNITE students have visited during this time, 14% have now attended College events. Nearly 76% have expressed interest in volunteering; and of those, 20% have begun. More than 1,800 hours of volunteer time have been logged. Kim Stone, director of alumni and constituent relations, is excited by the results. She attributes success to the total package Project IGNITE makes possible—engaging students in the alumni program before they graduate, encouraging ongoing attendance at alumni events, and keeping alumni connected to campus through meaningful volunteering. For more information or to arrange to meet with an IGNITE student, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. “WELCOME TO AUGSBURG” Larry Menzel ’67 retired three years ago from a long career as a Kmart executive in 17 locations across the Upper Midwest. Working with people was what his job was all about, and in retirement he wanted to be able to continue that. When volunteer coordinator Pat Grans sent a mailing about Augsburg’s new volunteer program, it sparked his interest. Despite the fact that he hadn’t been on campus since graduation, he still felt a connection. “Since my wife was gone from the house regularly on Friday mornings, I thought it would be a good time for me to do something, too,” Menzel says. He called Grans to talk about volunteering. Grans suggested that he staff the welcome desk in Oren Gateway Center on Friday mornings, and he thought that sounded good. In addition to helping people find their way around the building and answering questions, he also provides help to the Institutional Advancement staff. Soon he found himself at Homecoming and other events, which pleases his wife, too, as she sees him doing things he enjoys. His advice to current students he meets? “Study hard, find a rewarding life, and follow the principles of God, family, and work—in that order.” Melissa Herrick, an art and communication studies major who is working on a web project, found a natural connection with Patti Lloyd ’83, the owner of a web development company. 33 OUT OF THE BOX HAS PROJECT IGNITE MADE A DIFFERENCE? 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 36 6 3 7 4 1 3 3 2 34 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 37 6 5 THE BOD POD lives upstairs in the Kennedy Center kinesiology lab. It’s a high-tech apparatus that provides fast, safe, and accurate measurements of body composition, detailing fat and lean body mass. It provides useful information for measuring the effectiveness of exercise and nutrition, fine-tuning top athletic performance, and tracking the progress of obesity and disease. Since Bod Pods are found mostly in fitness facilities and elite training centers, Augsburg’s health, physical education, and health fitness majors are fortunate to have this in their learning portfolio. Used primarily in kinesiology and exercise physiology classes, students learn how to run the Bod Pod, interpret the results, and incorporate recommendations into specialized training plans. If you are interested in being measured in the Bod Pod, contact Professor Tony Clapp at clapp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1618. THE BOD POD 1. The Bod Pod 2. Data acquisition box—interprets test data coming from the Bod Pod measurements 3. Computer hardware that processes all measurements, manages data, and provides customized printouts of the test data 4. Calibration standards—Weights used to calibrate the Bod Pod before each person is measured, to assure accuracy when the person’s weight is entered 5. “Fast Eddie”—The Auggies’ own skeleton used in health and physical education classes. He arrived when the Kennedy Center opened in 2007. 6. Anatomical charts most likely dating from the opening of Science Hall in 1949, recently found rolled up in a storage closet. They’re now taking on new life in the Health, Physical Education, and Health Fitness Department. 7. Professor Tony Clapp, demonstrating the Bod Pod procedure: • Wear spandex-type swimsuit or bike shorts and a swim cap • Sit in the Bod Pod while measurements take about 30 seconds • Get printouts of test results in about five minutes 35 OUT OF THE BOX 4 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 38 OUT-OF-THE-BOX PARTNERSHIPS BY REBECCA JOHN The annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum (see story on page 10) is the result of just one of the many unique partnerships at Augsburg College. It is the only program or academic affiliation of the Norwegian Nobel Institute outside of Norway. Here are a few more examples of Augsburg’s out-of-the-box partnerships. NEIGHBORHOOD COLLABORATIONS The Cedar-Riverside Partnership was founded in 2008 to foster collaboration among existing community organizations—the African Development Center, Pillsbury United Communities, West Bank Community Coalition, the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program, and the West Bank Business Association—and local government bodies and institutions, including the city and county, the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and Augsburg College. “The goal of the partnership,” says Steve Peacock, Augsburg director of community relations, “is to leverage these organizations’ collective resources to strengthen Cedar-Riverside as a vibrant place in which to live, learn, and work.” The partnership is chaired by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. BUSINESS FEASIBILITY Augsburg plays an active role in the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program (MISP), a unique partnership with the Mayo Clinic that offers an experiential learning opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students. Through the program, undergraduate science and business students from select Minnesota private colleges are teamed with MBA project leaders from either Augsburg College or the University of St. Thomas to evaluate the commercial potential for patent ideas submitted through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property. This year, Augsburg had five teams working on projects—two in Rochester and three 36 Augsburg Now in Minneapolis—which presented their findings and recommendations to professionals at the Mayo Clinic in March. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT The Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) was founded in 1975 by five liberal arts institutions—Augsburg, Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas—to provide cooperative programs and services for students, faculty, and administrators. In 2009, the consortium’s Chief Academic Officers Council, chaired by Barbara Farley, Augsburg’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, renewed its efforts to explore common areas of academic opportunity using a focus on “sustainable urban development.” “This theme truly ties us together as colleges in the Twin Cities,” Farley says. “Broadly defined, it includes education, health care, transportation, housing, and environmental concerns, offering a rich platform for exploring strategies for enhancing shared academic programs.” PARTNERS ON CAMPUS In recent years, two of Augsburg’s community partnerships have become integrated into the College: Campus Kitchen and the Minnesota Urban Debate League—both of which operate under the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. In 2003, Augsburg became the fourth college campus in the U.S. to join the Campus Kitchens Project. The program provides meal preparation and delivery to neighborhood organizations, nutrition and food preparation classes for area youth, and outreach to the surrounding neighborhood through the continuously expanding community garden. Augsburg is the first college to wholly integrate its Campus Kitchen as part of the College. The Minnesota Urban Debate League has had a relationship with Augsburg since 2004 and became part of the College in summer 2009. This move allowed the league to focus less on administrative operations and more on reaching urban middle and high school students. In the past year, the program doubled to 350 students and teaches important skills like research, writing, thesis development, and public speaking. CONNECTING YOUTH TO CHURCHES Now in its 19th year, the Augsburg College Congregational Youth Basketball League partners with dozens of metro-area churches to involve junior high and high school boys and girls in an annual basketball league that emphasizes fun, service, sponsorship, participation, relationships, and growth in one’s faith. The program was founded by Augsburg pastor Dave Wold to help keep youth connected to churches. The league starts in January each year and culminates in a March tournament on Augsburg’s campus that involves more than 1,000 players, coaches, officials, and volunteers from Augsburg and area churches. “The program is very successful at enabling our churches to connect with a greater number of young people,” Wold said, “providing the opportunity for them to have some fun; get some exercise; build relationships with teammates, coaches, youth workers, and pastors; and have an encounter with God.” To learn about other out-ofthe-box partnerships, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 39 auggie alumni news From the Alumni Board president … Dear Alumni and friends, a 2010 s I write this article we’ve headed into the spring season, and a couple of words appear in my mind: renewal and growth. We can see our world transform around us with a renewed sense of purpose—growth. Trees are beginning to bud, early flowers are beginning to show their bright colors, and I think this lifts our spirits and warms our hearts to the possibility and purpose of our world. It is this renewal and growth I want to discuss with you in this my last article as president of the Alumni Association, as it chooses new leadership in June. One of my main goals this year was that of growth for the Alumni Association—not only in size, but also in commitment and involvement in activities and events that enrich and add value to your life. Every year, the Augsburg Alumni Association’s Board of Directors spends a great deal of time in the creation, planning, and execution of events designed to raise awareness, renew involvement, and create a sense of community among alumni. Looking back on the year, alumni have had opportunities to come together in ways we have not been seen in many years. Ex- HOMECOMING amples of this are the more than 700 alumni who attended the Canterbury Park event last August, the capacity turnout for events such as the Winter Wine Tasting, the Eye-Opener Breakfast Series, and the Young Alumni Council events, as well as alumni attendance at the Guthrie performance of Macbeth. These events and activities are just a few that have been exceedingly well received; and the leadership of the Alumni Association as well as the College’s dedicated staff from the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office plan to enhance what has been a very successful year. I am very grateful for having the opportunity to represent the alumni this year as well as for all of the hard work and dedication of those who helped make this year so successful. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming years and plan to continue contributing to this wonderful organization dedicated to the alumni of Augsburg College. I wish you a wonderful spring—please continue to check back with the College, as something new will always be springing to life. DANIEL HICKLE ’95 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT October 14-16, 2010 Reunion Classes 60th Reunion—1950 25th Reunion—1985 50th Reunion—1960 10th Reunion—2000 40th Reunion—1970 Recent Grad/Young Alumni Reunion—2001–2010 If you would like to help make your reunion a success, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for updates and reunion information. Spring 2010 37 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 40 auggie alumni news preciate works I already knew—Michelangelo’s David, the ceiling When I returned to Augsburg in fall 2004 after dropping out a year earlier, I was eager to reform the lackluster study habits that had of the Sistine Chapel—and discovered wonderful artists—Bernini, plagued my academic career. At every fork in the road, I purposeCarravaggio—I previously knew nothing about. fully chose the path I previously would never have considered. And Between visits to churches and museums, we made time for that’s how I, a young man who spent his entire adolescence hating wine tasting on a Tuscan vineyard and a tour on an olive farm. to travel, jumped at the chance to study in El Salvador. Food and drink took on greater significance while in Italy. An exThere, we witnessed previously unimagined poverty and became pansive dinner coupled with lively conversation regularly served as inspired by countless acts of resilience. The little free time availan evening’s event. My roommate, a chatty substitute science able was spent in discussions, journals, and books. There were no teacher from Lester Prairie named Gordon, celebrated his 70th moments wasted and no words ignored. birthday in Orvieto during one of our four-course dinners. That summer, I studied literature in France, and over the next The trip to Italy allowed me to escape the stresses of home for a two years, I went on to study in Nicaragua, Uganda, Rwanda, and couple weeks and infused me with a new appreciation of visual art. Tanzania and volunteered on a mission trip to Mexico. It was a fitting continuation of the travel experiences I began while Upon graduating in May 2007, I feared my opportunities to con- studying at Augsburg. tinue traveling oversees had vanished. The expansive summer and JEREMY ANDERSON ’07 holiday breaks were gone; the immediate walls of my work cubicle provided no horizon to look beyond. Fortunately, I spotted a chance to break the monotony—Professor Kristin Anderson was leading a travel seminar to study Italian art and architecture. In November, I boarded a plane alongside 25 other seminar participants. During our journey through Padua, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Orvieto, the ancient ruins in Pompeii, Naples, Rome, and Vatican City, we viewed wondrous landscapes, observed countless works of art, and walked through dozens of secularly decorated churches. Day by day, my learning regarding ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and baroque art and architecture grew, thanks to the knowlTravelers to Italy posed for a photo in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. (Back row, L to R): Mary Johnson, Judy Reeve ’95, Heidi Hunter, Luke Anderson ’60, Gracia Luoma ’66, Jim Hoseth ’68, Gordon Houk, Larry Turner ’69, Grace Bergstrom, Sue Turner, John Luoma ’65, edge shared by Professor Max Carlson ’09, Kim Stone, Jeremy Anderson ’07, Jason Stone. (Front row, L to R): Art professor Kristin Anderson, Kathy Wilson, Joanne Anderson. I came to better apCress, Susan Hoseth, Mary Rogers, Jill Reister, Deanna Carlson, Amy Kessler, Rose Becker ’04, Sharon Carlson ’72, Susan Carlson. 38 Augsburg Now Photo by Larry Turner ’69 Journeying to Italy 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 41 The Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings will be available soon! Three boxed sets, each containing five CDs, present remastered recordings of the Augsburg Choir over 30 years, from 1949–79. Included with each order is a monograph by Bill Halverson ’51 about Leland B. Sateren’s life and career. Cost: $49 per boxed set; $135 for all three boxed sets, plus shipping and handling. For information about availability and ordering, go to www.augsburg.edu/music. The Young Alumni enjoyed some late summer rooftop lawn bowling at Brit’s Pub in September. (L to R): Jay Cavanagh, Rob Wagner ’02, Mike Fasching ’02, Britt Fasching ’02, Ben Carlson ’02, ’09 MBA, and Leah Omar. Young Alumni Summer Series The Young Alumni Summer Series is back in 2010 with exciting new events and favorites from last year. • Seven Corners kick-off party—May 21, 5–8 p.m., at Preston’s • Networking at Fuji-ya in Uptown—June 17, 5–7 p.m. • Minnesota Twins game at Target Field—July 15, 7 p.m. • Auggie Night at the Races, Canterbury Park—Aug. 5 • Summit Brewery tour—Aug. 21, 1 p.m. • End of Summer Bash—Sept. 16, 5–7 p.m., at Seven UltraLounge For more information and to register, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents and join the Young Alumni group on facebook. To get involved in the Young Alumni Council, call 612-330-1178 or e-mail storma@augsburg.edu. auggies GO GREEN The Augsburg Alumni Association is going green The Augsburg College Alumni Association is reducing print mailings and relying more on technology to get the word out about events. To stay in the loop, update your contact information at www.augsburg.edu/alumni or e-mail the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu to receive NOW@Augsburg, the monthly news and information e-newsletter. You can also stay up to date by becoming a friend of Auggie Eagle on Facebook. Tourism Ireland Journey to the Emerald Isle Celtic crosses like this one in County Offaly are vivid reminders of Ireland’s rich history. (Note change of date to May 2011) Join friends from the Augsburg College community in early May 2011 for an in-depth journey through Ireland with Phillip Adamo, associate professor and chair of the History Department, director of Augsburg’s medieval studies program, and experienced study tour leader. He looks forward to returning to Ireland with alumni and friends to explore centuries of heroic history including sites dating to 9,000 BC. Experience the intense rugged beauty of land carved from the sea contrasting with the meticulous gardens of stately castles. Discover the spirit and historic significance of Celtic Christianity, visiting ancient monastic communities where Christianity flourished during the Dark Ages. Celebrate contemporary Irish culture with passion-filled music and food at local pubs. To receive additional updates on the tour and be among the first to receive a tour brochure by late June, contact Alumni Relations, 612-330-1178 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Don’t hesitate to be included on the interested list as the alumni tour to Italy last year filled quickly and had a waiting list. Join us at the information session on Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m., Oren Gateway Center. Spring 2010 39 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 42 alumni class notes 53Ariz., was recognized by AmerDr. Leland Fairbanks, Tempe, icans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) with the 2009 ANR Smokefree Hero of the Year Award during the National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Phoenix, Ariz. on June 9. He is the longtime president of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS). 56son) ’60, Baxter, Minn., were Len Brown and Mavis (Daniel- featured on brainderddispatch.com for their tradition of traveling the region to find and enjoy lutefisk dinners. In 2007, they went to 13 dinners; in 2008, they visited 12; and last year there were 8. Coaches Association (MSHSCA) for leadership in promoting the mission of MSHSCA. He retired in 2007 after a 40-year career teaching mathematics and coaching football, mostly in Alexandria. 69ored as the recipient of the Mary (Strom) Dyrud was hon- 2010 Peter Hess Memorial Faculty Recognition Award on February 22 at the Spring Awards Ceremony at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, Minn. She has taught there since 1993 and currently teaches Spanish; she and her husband, Loiell ’62, live in Thief River Falls. 58 71Grove, Minn., was selected as 60 74Minn., was named director of 67soccer coach at Bloomington 93lumbia Heights, Minn., was (Minn.) Kennedy High School from 1967–1992 was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in October. Following retirement in 1992, he served as student activities coordinator until 2001. named to the 2010 “Rising Stars” list by Minnesota Law & Politics, which highlights outstanding attorneys who are under the age of 40 or have fewer than 10 years of practice. She works with the Winthrop & Weinstine law firm in the real estate and campaign finance practice groups. Jerry Peterson, hockey and Tammera (Ericson) Diehm, Co- Christy (Larsen) Branes, Maple Mabeth (Saure) Gyllstrom was recently featured in the Fergus Falls Daily Journal in a story about her background and work in retirement as director of the Zion Lutheran Church choir in Amor, Minn. She currently lives on Otter Tail Lake, Minn. the 2010 Delano (Minn.) Teacher of the Year. She has taught in the district for over 20 years, plus a fouryear stint in Portugal teaching English. She currently teaches second grade. Steven Reznicek, Bemidji, Ruth (Carlson) Olson was inducted into the Faribault High School Hall of Fame on October 1. For 20 years she coached gymnastics, kept score for volleyball, reported for track meets, etc. as the sports liaison between the junior and senior high schools. It was her Augsburg career as an Auggiette on the women’s basketball team, however, that earned her the Hall of Fame spot, because of the Auggiettes’ pioneering efforts in promoting women’s sports. 62 Rev. Jim Quitno and his wife, Mary, Spirit Lake, Iowa, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2009. Jim retired from the pastorate in 2002 after being at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake for 27 years, but both he and Mary remain active volunteers in retirement. Last year Jim was honored with the June Character Counts Spotlight Award. Dennis Kalpin, Alexandria, Minn., was honored with the George Haun Award last October, given by the Minnesota State High School 40 Augsburg Now the Varsity Singers of Bemidji State University. Otherwise, he is “mostly retired.” 76 Gwedolyn (Peyton) Jackson, Lakeville, Minn., was reappointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to a four-year position on the Board of the Minnesota State Academies. She is the director of human resources and administrative services with the Edina (Minn.) Public School District. The board governs the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, both in Faribault. 77Minn., a storyteller and chilLise Lunge-Larsen, Duluth, dren’s author, visited Concordia College (Moorhead) and Cable, Wis., in February. At Concordia, she visited the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library to teach classes in children’s literature and told stories from Norwegian folklore. She was in Cable the day before the Birkebeiner ski race and told the story of the race that is recounted in her book, The Race of the Birkebeiners. 00and her husband, David, wel- 00her husband, Eric, Blaine, Daria (Reboin) Gordhamer, comed their fourth child, Andrew, on Oct. 6. Big brothers Elijah (6) and Abram (2) and big sister, Eva (4), love him very much. They live in Apple Valley, Minn. Kathleen Lindquist-Blilie, and Minn., announce the birth of their daughter, Anne Elizabeth, born May 6, 2009. She joins her siblings, Andrew (7-1/2), Alexander (5), and Erin (2-1/2). 74their own 35th reunion on Gull Lake, on the same weekend as Lambda House reunion Ten Auggie women, all 1974 grads, had Homecoming last fall. The women began as freshmen on the first floor in Urness, then moved to the ninth floor as sophomores, and then lived at Lambda House (no longer standing) as juniors and seniors. They’ve continued to see each other several times a year and now have begun taking longer trips together. All live in Minnesota, except for Barb (Ruud) Revueltas who lives in Los Angeles. Three women are married to Auggies, who lived together in a house around the corner from Lambda House. The 10 women are Linda (Lundeen) Dunn, Linda (Bailey) Holmen (married to Ken Holmen ’74), Laurie (Johnson) Thorp (married to Tim Thorp ’74), Barb (Ruud) Revueltas, Marlene (Chan) Hui, Debbie (Rowley) Hasti, Mary Ratzlaff, Diane (Johnson) Moen, Carla (Johnson) Velenchenko, Chris (Henry) Thompson (married to Gary Thompson ’74) 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 43 velopment in Minnesota in July 2009 with TMP Worldwide Advertising and Communications, a full-service recruitment marketing ad agency headquartered in New York. 00 Leslie (Lucas) Wiede ’07 MSW and her husband, Matthew, welcomed twin boys, Lucas and Hunter, on April 3, 2009. 81color paintings of Minnesota 91superintendent of the Spring Jeff Ronneberg became the new Lake Park (Minn.) School District at the beginning of the year. For the past seven years, he has served the district as assistant superintendent. Mary (Primm) Lingen’s water- 01 Sarah (Wilhelm) married Chris Uwimana in Burnsville, Minn., on October 24, surrounded by family and friends. Sarah is a buyer at Supervalu and Chris is a business analyst at DRC. They live in Bloomington, Minn. landscapes were on display at the James Wegner Art Gallery on the West Campus of Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn., in October. Since graduating from Augsburg, she has had more than 30 solo exhibits and numerous group and juried exhibitions. Kurts Strelnieks accepted a position as vice president-account executive, managing existing client relationships, at First Business Capital Corp. in Madison, Wis., in February. 82in October of the Conservation Mike Kilgore was the recipient 02 Jackie (Heyda) married Joshua Eyberg on Nov. 27. She is in her seventh year of teaching in the New Prague (Minn.) Area School District and is a first-grade teacher at Eagle View Elementary School in Elko New Market. They live in Burnsville, Minn. Minnesota Leadership Award for his work as chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, a Minnesota Legislature advisory body in charge of “restoring, protecting, and enhancing of Minnesota’s wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.” 83at KARE-11 TV, was inducted 95Ariz., stopped working in the Matthew Gooding, Sun Lakes, restaurant business to return to school to become a medical assistant. He expects to graduate in March. 96January to the Carlson Board Richard Gage was elected in of Directors. He is vice president of the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation and works at Nebulous/YourMLSsearch.com. Martha (Kenney) Spriggs, who teaches at Andersen United Community School, was surprised and honored with a Milken Educator Award, one of two given in Minnesota that recognizes outstanding teachers. 99a new position as city finance Teresa Walters recently began director in Farmington, Minn. Previously she had been in the same position in Waseca, Minn. Jane Helmke, managing editor into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle in September by the Upper Midwest Chapter. Silver Circle members have displayed superior contributions to the television history and/or NATAS for at least 25 years. 88named the New York 2009 Anne Panning was recently 03 03 Peter Samargia married Angela Gustafson on August 15 in Biwabik, Minn. They traveled around Lake Vermillion on a houseboat for their honeymoon. Peter runs his own business, Attitude Goaltending, LLC, and is a goalie coach for the Augsburg men’s hockey team. Angela is a property manager for Colliers Turley Martin Tucker. Emily Gerard and her husband, Craig Maus, welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Lilia, on November 17. Pictured are Craig and Emily, with Lilia and Caroline. Jeffrey Nodland was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Texas Petrochemicals Inc. He is currently the president, CEO, and a director of KIK Custom Products. 80came director of business de- Marianne (Lundberg) Kulka be- Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She was also awarded the Lillian H. Fairchild Award by the University of Rochester for her book, Super America. Her latest work has appeared in West Branch, Ascent (www.readthebestwriting.com), River Teeth, and Women and Gender, a Pearson Longman textbook. She has recently started a blog about reading, writing, teaching, travel, and family called www.thepapersandwich.blogspot.com. 01awarded a 2009 TRiO AchievRev. Rozenia Fuller was ers Award from the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP). The award recognizes outstanding former participants in the federal TRiO programs who have made significant civic, community, or professional contributions. She was also recently inducted into the 2009 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Hall of Fame. 03finance and human resources Betty J. Vangorder, director of at Apex Print Technologies, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership, and excellence in financial operations. In her job, she is responsible for managing financial reporting for the company, budgeting, forecasting, overseeing 18 employees and performing human resources duties. Spring 2010 41 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 44 alumni class notes 06Minn., was awarded his certiLance Campbell, Stewartville, fied public accountant license last fall and was promoted to senior accountant at Wolter & Raak, Ltd. in Rochester, Minn. Michelle (Connolly) married Matthew Ariola on July 11 at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, Minn. They honeymooned in Alaska and now live in Blaine, Minn. Michelle is a kindergarten teacher in Sorteberg Elementary School in Coon Rapids and Matthew is starting his own plumbing business. 06wife, Sophia, welcomed the 06MBA,Woodbury, Minn., re- 08(Peloquin) married on June arrival of a son, Parker Andrew, on August 27. Sam is a fourth-year divinity student and the student association vice president at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif. cently left her corporate job in downtown Minneapolis to pursue her passion with a career in real estate. She joined The Snyder Team at Re/Max Results in Woodbury as a residential realtor. 20, 2009. Sarah is a youth minister in Cottage Grove, Minn., and Bryan is a second-year law student at St. Thomas. They currently live in Woodbury, Minn. Sam Kanenwisher and his Kyle Loven performed his visionary solo puppet show, my dear Lewis, both in Seattle where he now lives and in Minneapolis in March at the Open Eye Figure Theatre as part of an emerging artists program. A Seattle arts and culture paper called him a “visionary new puppeteer” and a “burgeoning genius.” See story at http://augnet.augsburg.edu/news archives/2010/03_08_10/kyle_loven. html Erin Schmoeckel ’08 Bryan Ludwig and Sarah James Palan recently began as account executive in the advertising department at the Rochester PostBulletin. He was formerly a personal banker with Associated Bank. Becky (Wolf) and Joe Kaarbo ’06 were married on October 3 in St. Louis Park, Minn. Becky works at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the Involvement and Leadership Office. Joe is the imaging coordinator at Berkley Risk Administrators in Minneapolis. Auggies in the wedding included Joel Wolf ’02, Josh Wolf ’05, Chris Docken ’06, Erik Reynolds ’06, Carrie (Ohnerheim) Wolf ’02, and Evan Boyce ’07. 09cluded Christine Esser ’09, Shawn Boonstra ’09, and Jason Jefferson ’09. Stacey is a substitute teacher in Stacey (Kinder) married Ryan Plasch in August 2009 in Farmington, Minn. Auggies in the wedding party in- Lakeville, Farmington, and Burnsville; Ryan is a mental health counselor for South Metro Human Services. Gerard, Fridley, Minn., 07Minnesota Certified Public Ac- 09Jenna and her sister own Bravo! Procountant license and currently works Nechia Agate received her as a senior consultant for the Business Advisory Services practice at Grant Thornton in Minneapolis. Carolyn Mollner also earned her Certified Public Accountant certificate last fall. She works at Best Buy as a senior tax analyst. 42 Augsburg Now ductions and created a two-woman musical revue, “Christmas Again?” that spoofed Christmas customs. It ran at the Sunshine Factory in New Hope, Minn., during Christmas last fall. Jenna is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Kathryn MacAulay is currently one of the 14 Fulbright English Teaching Assistants in Malaysia, and is living in Kemaman, Terenganu. Graduate Programs Erik Bredeson ’06 MBA married Tasha Clifford on May 30, 2009, in Kihel, Maui, Hawaii. Erik works in medical sales; they live in St. Louis Park, Minn. Ryan May ’07 MBA was recently hired at Risdall McKinney Public Relations (RMPR) as a vice president. Sarah Marie (Larson) ’07 MSW married Leon Peter Kyalo on October 3. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 45 Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ____________________________________________________________ Street address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Is this a new address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone In Memoriam ____________________________________________________________ E-mail Johnson, Vernel ’42, Tucson, Ariz., age 90, on Oct. 20, after a long illness. English, Dr. Nancy ’73, Duluth, Minn., age 57, on Aug. 8, of cardiac arrest. Myrvik, Quentin ’45, Caswell Beach, N.C., age 88, on Dec. 13. He is a 1960 Distinguished Alumnus. Hain, Ramon “Ray” ’81, Roseville, Minn., age 50, on Nov. 21. ____________________________________________________________ Employer Agrimson, Robb Joel ’83, St. Paul, age 49, on Jan. 6. ____________________________________________________________ Position Woodcock, Delores ’89, Bloomington, Minn., age 83, on Dec. 12. ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Connors, Patrick ’07, Vail, Colo., age 28, on Dec. 30. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No Midtling, Rev. John ’49, Minneapolis, age 86, on Oct. 20. Elmberg, Rev. Donald ’50, Mound, Minn., age 85, on Dec. 29. Rust, Alice (Gjesdahl) ’53, Burnsville, Minn., on Dec. 30. Foss Jr, Alfred “Bud” ’54, Hot Springs, Ark., age 77, on Oct. 28. Seaver, Dean ’60, Le Sueur, Minn., age 73, on Jan. 12. Thorpe, Neal O. ’60, Vancouver, Wash., age 71, on March 3. He taught biology, served as department chair at Augsburg College, and is a 2001 Distinguished Alumnus. Hovland, Rev. Peter ’62, Mora, Minn., on Dec. 21. VanDeVoorde, Elaine, Rochester, Minn., on Oct. 26. She was a Master of Arts in Education student in Rochester. Mark, Cindy, Cedar Lake Township, Minn., age 61, on Dec. 13, of cancer. She taught in Augsburg’s program at the Minnesota Women’s Correctional FacilityShakopee. Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No If yes, class year ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Wrightsman, Rev. Bruce, Decorah, Iowa, age 75, on Oct. 4, of heart failure and amyloidosis. He taught math, physics, and philosophy at Augsburg College, 1960–63. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Hunt, Duane ’62, Lakewood, Colo., on Nov. 13. Spring 2010 43 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 46 my Auggie experience Aquila Tapio ’10 MAE Naadamaadiwin—Helping one another When she was growing up, Aquila Tapio said she never really knew what she wanted to do. “I just wanted to help people,” she said. Until recently, Tapio and her husband helped Native American children as foster parents through the Indian Child Welfare Act program. And then after the birth of her second child, she decided it was time for her to return to the workforce. “I wanted to help Native American kids and keep doing the work we were doing at home,” she says. So when Tapio discovered Augsburg’s tribal special education program, she knew she had found the right fit. Naadamaadiwin, Ojibwe for “helping one another,” is a partnership between the University of Minnesota-Duluth Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Language Revitalization and the Augsburg College Master of Arts in Education program. Naadamaadiwin is a special education licensure program in emotional behavioral disorders and learning disabilities with a focus on the unique needs of Native American children. For Tapio, a member of the Oglala Lakota in South Dakota, working with Native children and families through the education system is important because education is a “touchy issue” for Native Americans. “We need teachers who know where people come from and who understand the history and trauma families have experienced,” she says. “Having a Native teacher provides comfort to students and their parents.” Tapio is completing her student teaching this term at Longfellow Humanities Magnet School in St. Paul. She says the Naadamaadiwin program has given her a new way to give Native children the consistency and support they need. “No matter how many times you have to tell them something, they will pick it up,” she says. “They are capable. They can do anything.” Naadamaadiwin is a two-year cohort-based program with classes meeting primarily online. For more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/admissions/mae/ and click “Licensure Options.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 44 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 47 Lisa Zeller and Glenn Fuller are founding partners of the The Phaedrus Group (1994), a national training and consulting firm. Lisa Zeller ’81,’89 MAL and Glenn Fuller an augsburg legacy “In addition to an education, Augsburg provided me with the confidence and skills to think critically, to see what’s possible, and to create opportunities. I want to make sure that future generations have this same opportunity. 1-800-273-0617 www.augsburg.edu/giving So, when Glenn and I sat down to do our estate planning and consider our legacy, it was important for us to commit a percentage of our estate to Augsburg College.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 48 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 2031 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Second Augsburg Powwow The Augsburg Indigenous Student Association hosted a traditional powwow on Saturday, March 20, in Si Melby Hall. To view more photos from the powwow, go to www.flickr.com/photos/augsburgcollege.
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Augsburg Now Summer 2012
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Augsburg Now Summer 2012: Auggies Are Achievers
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The economics of education Auggies on the road Commencement 2012 Calculus and coffee Gage Center for Student Success Homecoming 2012 preview auggies ARE achievers SUMMER 2012 | VOL. 74, NO. 3 inside AUGSBURG NOW notes from President Pribbenow Vice President of Marketing and Communic...
Show more The economics of education Auggies on the road Commencement 2012 Calculus and coffee Gage Center for Student Success Homecoming 2012 preview auggies ARE achievers SUMMER 2012 | VOL. 74, NO. 3 inside AUGSBURG NOW notes from President Pribbenow Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu The Augsburg Promise Senior Creative Associate-Design A s I recently watched our almost 1,000 graduates of the Augsburg Class of 2012 walk across the stage to receive diplomas, I couldn’t help but be proud of their many accomplishments and successes as Augsburg students. Our remarkably diverse graduates—from various backgrounds, of various talents, on their way to various professions—are the most tangible signs of our strategic commitment to the success of all our students. And yet, the news media and popular opinion would have us believe that there are storm clouds rising in higher education. Some even call it a “tsunami.” Students unprepared for college, students who do not persist or graduate, students who will not get jobs (or, at least, not the jobs they want), students with too much debt. And conversely, colleges and universities that do not meet student needs, institutions that are too bureaucratic and expensive, colleges and universities stuck with an “old” model of teaching and learning. At Augsburg, we are deeply aware of these concerns. In fact, this issue of Augsburg Now includes an overview of the complex economics of higher education because we understand that topics such as this are too important to leave unaddressed. At the same time, we recognize that the markers of student success—graduation rates, academic achievement, or getting into graduate school or the workforce—also must be pursued. The story about our new Gage Center for Student Success shows just one way we are focused on ensuring that our students have the support they need to complete their Augsburg education. So, rather than allow various social and economic trends to define our reality, we are dedicated to planning for our future in ways that are both strategic, that is, focused on what is most essential and important to our mission as a college, and also studentcentered, that is, always mindful that we must do our best for all of our students. We articulate this commitment to student success in a concept we call the Augsburg Promise. It is the relationship we form with our students to ensure their success, and it has three key components. It is, first of all, centered in our commitment to helping our students discern and live their vocations (or “callings”). The concept of vocation—inherited from our Lutheran Christian theological tradition and embedded in the Augsburg curriculum—is not merely about selffulfillment. It is a deeply nuanced way of helping students explore their gifts and commitments, understand the arc of their lives, and embrace how their work in the world—whatever it may be—has significance. At the heart of the Augsburg Promise is the claim that our students will be better prepared for the world because of our work together in the classroom, in residence halls, on athletic fields, and in our neighborhood. The second component of the Augsburg Promise is our focus on academic growth and achievement in terms of both access—how our students are welcomed as part of our diverse community—and excellence—the standards we set and the support we offer to ensure that their education is of the highest order. Our students come to Augsburg with a variety of gifts and talents. Our promise to them is that this educational experience like no other will challenge them to grow as students and as citizens. So, yes, they will attain traditional academic success, and be recognized with honors and awards, but they also will experience the growth and achievement that is recognized in lives of meaning and significance in the world. Finally, the Augsburg Promise is about equipping our students for the lives they will lead in the world. Higher education—especially an education grounded in the liberal arts—must aim at ensuring that our students are educated across a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. At the same time, a college community like Augsburg must also consider how students are formed with certain skills and habits that will prepare them for citizenship and leadership. Whether in the classroom or community, in student organizations or residence halls, on playing fields or international travel, we must have an integrated sense of how our students are “educated to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” That is our mission—and that is our promise so that all Augsburg students might be successful. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Senior Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu augsburg now summer 2012 Features 12 19 30 28 6 10 12 17 The economics of education BY REBECCA JOHN Speaking of money BY REBECCA JOHN, STEPHANIE WEISS, AND WENDI WHEELER ’06 Commencement COMPILED BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND STEPHANIE WEISS Faculty retirements COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS 19 . GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 22 Nic Adducci ’15 contents 23 Rachel Hastings ’15 40 26 Andrena Murphy ’15 28 Calculus and coffee BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Departments inside front cover On the cover Four friends pose for the camera before lining up for the commencement procession. See more photos from the May and July commencement ceremonies at www.augsburg.edu/now. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 2 27 30 31 32 37 40 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad It takes an Auggie My Auggie experience Auggie voices Alumni news Alumni class notes Auggies on the ice quad around the Celebrating Student Success Scholarships and fellowships Augsburg students earned a range of prestigious accolades during spring semester. Some of the awards include the following: Fulbright Scholars: Adam Spanier ’12 and Rosalind “Rose” Sybrant ’12 were awarded English teaching assistantships. Spanier will teach in the Czech Republic during 2012-13, while Sybrant will teach in Venezuela. Augsburg College is recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. Gilman International Scholarships: Seven Auggies received Gilman International Scholarships from the U.S. State Department to study overseas this summer and fall. Auggies will study in India, Jordan, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand. Augsburg was awarded more Gilman Scholarships than any other Twin Cities college or university this academic year. Goldwater Scholarship: Joe Buchman ’13, who is studying chemistry, was awarded an honorable mention in the Goldwater Scholarship competition. He will spend the summer doing off-campus research at the University of Minnesota as a Student Summer Fellow for the Lupus Foundation of Minnesota. Kemper Scholars Program: Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14, an international relations/international business major, was named the College’s second Kemper Scholar. Students in the Kemper program get academic scholarships and stipends to cover the costs of two summer internships in major nonprofit and forprofit organizations. Augsburg is one of only 16 U.S. liberal arts colleges with the Kemper Scholars Program distinction. 2 Augsburg Now Student research awards and achievements Winner of international contest: Work by biology major Alex Sorum ’13 on a bacterium that affects about 80 percent of cystic fibrosis patients won an international American Association for the Advancement of Science Angela Bonfiglio ’13 was named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2013. This award, presented by Campus Compact, honors college student leaders who have demon(AAAS) poster competition strated their investment in finding solutions to the challenges that face our this spring. Sorum won communities. the student poster competition in the medicine and Newman Civic Fellow: Angela Bonfiglio ’13 public health category at the 2012 AAAS was named a Newman Civic Fellow by international meeting in Vancouver, B.C. Campus Compact. The award recognizes Sorum said that one of the rewards of inspiring college student leaders who work attending the conference was experiencing to find solutions for challenges facing their how going to a small liberal arts college communities. Bonfiglio has rebuilt has made him competitive with students Community Link, a campus service organiat large research universities. zation, doubling its membership while deepening its issue-based work. In North Minneapolis, she is researching community perceptions on the achievement gap and working to close that gap. She coordinates an afterschool program at Redeemer Lutheran Church to ensure that youth have homework help and an evening meal. She is dedicated to social justice, including environmental work, youth develAlex Sorum ’13 conducts research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that opment, interfaith work, affects cystic fibrosis patients. and racial equality. Zyzzogeton celebrates work of 67 students: Augsburg celebrated the creativity and research of 67 underKirubel Gezehegn ’14, a physics and chemistry major from Zimbabwe, discusses his graduate students during research with physics professor Mark Engebretsen at the 2012 Zyzzogeton student research poster exhibition. mid-April at the annual Zyzzogeton poster session. Meeting of Nobel Laureates: Augsburg ColThe festival—which included work by stulege student Kirubel Gezehegn ’14 attended dents from 17 academic departments— the 2012 Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laurewas a chance for students to present their ates in Lindau, Germany. The meeting research to the Augsburg community and brings together 31 chemistry and physics practice public speaking. A “zyzzogeton” laureates and an equal number of invited is a green leaf-hopper as well as one of the students. Gezehegn also will study chemlast words in the Webster Collegiate Dicistry this summer at Johns Hopkins Univertionary, a fitting symbol to mark the end of sity in the labs operated by Nobel Laureate the academic year. Peter Agre ’70. Auggies are doing off-campus research across the United States at: • Argonne National Laboratory, Physics • Baylor University, Biology • Carleton College, Summer Mathematics Program for Women Undergraduates • Harvard University, National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU), Bioengineering, Scientific Computing, Robotics and Materials Science and Engineering • Loyola University, Biology • Mayo Clinic, Neurobiology • National Institute of Standards and Technology, Cell Systems Science Group • Oakland University, NSF-REU, Mechanical Engineering • Rochester Institute of Technology, NSFREU, External Graph Theory and Dynamical Systems • Texas Christian University, Physics • University of Georgia, NSF-REU, Microbiology • University of Minnesota, Lillehei Heart Institute 11th time since 1998 that the team finished in the top 10. On the mat, the team placed second at the NCAA Division III National Championship. National Society of Black Engineers conference At the end of March, physics majors Gottlieb Uahengo ’13, Mohamed Sheikh-Mohamed ’14, Amir Rose ’14, and Fred Vedasto ’13 attended the National Society of Black Engineers conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. The conference included workshops and programming for grade school, collegiate, graduate, technical, professional, and international entities of the society. Uahengo said he was intrigued by his “ability to draw several parallels between [his] Augsburg education and some of the physics behind the technology of companies such as Boeing, Nearly 70 undergraduate students presented their research at the 2012 Zyzzogeton Lockheed Martin, and poster session. Zyzzogeton, held near the end of the spring semester, is the College’s annual festival of student creativity and scholarship. 3M, and to see the real-world applications of the many concepts studied in class.” Travel was funded through the NorthStar STEM The Augsburg College wrestling team during Alliance, a program intended to double the 2011-12 stood out in the classroom and on number of African-American, the mat. Auggies claimed the highest team Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Alaska grade-point average in the National Wrestling Native, and Pacific Islander students Coaches Association Division III Scholar Allreceiving bachelor degrees in science, America program, with an overall GPA of technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 3.73. This is the second time Augsburg has earned this top academic honor and the Scholar All-America Program Summer 2012 3 quad around the Celebrating Student Success (continued) Travelers EDGE Five Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment) scholars from Augsburg will complete internships with Travelers this summer. Three Auggies—Simon Tekle ’13, Ger Lao ’13, and Dustina Granlund ’14—will work in Travelers’ information technology (IT) department. Mai Yang “Maya” Vue ’13 will intern as a cash control analyst, and Mee “Kanee” Lee ’14, will research diverse markets in the Twin Cities. Travelers EDGE seeks to increase the pipeline of underrepresented students to college, help them to graduate, and build awareness of careers in the insurance and financial services industry. This was Augsburg’s second year as a recipient of a Travelers EDGE grant. Thrivent Leadership Fellows Augsburg’s Thrivent Leadership Fellows, a group of students working to engage the Augsburg community in service, organized an annual multicultural dinner at the Brian Coyle Center during April. The event featured foods that represented the cultures in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Thrivent Leadership Fellows work to strengthen on- and off-campus communities through organized volunteer events and activities such as cooking classes for local shelters, food shelf drives, and tutoring sessions. The Thrivent Leadership Fellows: Front Row [L to R]: Christine Smith ’13, Janelle Holte ’13, Maya Keith ’13, Shana Strong ’13, Masha Shatonova ’13; Back Row [L to R]: Paul Hunt ’13, Jordan Skrove ’13, Billy Mzenga ’13 4 Augsburg Now Celebration of Philanthropy The 2011-12 fiscal year was one of the most successful fundraising years in Augsburg’s history with nearly $14 million raised to support programming, scholarships, buildings, and research. One of the ways the College celebrated this success was by welcoming more than 250 donors and volunteer leaders to campus for the annual Celebration of Philanthropy in June. W.K. Kellogg FOUNDATION The W.K. Kellogg Foundation during May funded a three-year, $1.2 million grant to support Sprockets, a St. Paul-based educational program operated in partnership with Augsburg College’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. WKKF is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to areas where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority locations in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, and New Orleans, and internationally in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org. National Science Foundation Grant Augsburg College Women’s Varsity Lacrosse Augsburg College announced this summer that it will launch the first collegiate women’s varsity lacrosse team in Minnesota. Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing high school girls’ sports in the state and is currently offered as a club sport at Augsburg. The College’s new varsity team will begin competing during spring 2014. A coach, who will join the staff this fall, will spend the first year recruiting and building the team. By offering women’s lacrosse, Augsburg will be able to expand the number of student-athletes who attend Augsburg for their post-secondary education and increase the total number of female student-athletes at the College. Augsburg was awarded a National Science Foundation grant of nearly $600,000 to support scholarships for undergraduates majoring in sciences or mathematics. The AugSTEM scholarships will provide as much as $7,500 per year to upper-division students. The grant brings to nearly $3 million the College’s total active awards from the NSF. Partial funding is provided by the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program under Award Number DUE-1154096. MANY VOICES BOLD VISIONS Convocation Series 2011-12 MusicEnsembles Augsburg College’s music ensembles performed regionally and nationally during the 2011-12 school year. Numerous performances were given around the metro area, including the U.S. premiere performance of John Ireland’s “Psalm 42” by the Masterworks Chorale and a rousing year-end performance by Augsburg Jazz Instrumental Vocal Ensemble at Famous Dave’s in Minneapolis. Each of the College’s three touring groups follow a fouryear travel rotation that includes national, international, and two regional tours. The Augsburg Symphony Orchestra and the Augsburg Choir went on national tours this year. The orchestra traveled to Florida during winter break, while the choir after commencement toured Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. The Augsburg Concert Band performed throughout northern Minnesota and Wisconsin during spring break, and performed several joint concerts with local high-school and college bands. The concert band will travel to Turkey in May 2013. The Sverdrup Convocation, held April 17, created the opportunity for the community to learn about NASA’s Mercury Surface Space Environment Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission. Brian J. Anderson ’82, deputy project scientist with the mission and a physicist with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, discussed the Mercury mission and whether there is a moral imperative for space exploration. The Rochester Convocation on May 15 was a chance for Auggies to learn about the work of Shanna Decker, a ninetime national award winner for her volunteer accomplishments. Decker’s presentation, “Love Wins,” provided insight into her “Hearts of Hope” project and her family’s co-founding of the nonprofit “Brighter Tomorrows” for families touched by childhood cancer. Decker also has mentored, supported, and visited nearly 1,000 people throughout the world who are amputees or cancer patients. To see photos from the convocation series, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Summer 2012 5 { The ECONOMICS of EDUCATION BY REBECCA JOHN A bubble. An eruption. An explosion. These are just some of the words used in news reports this year to describe college costs and higher education loan debt. While these headlines may grab attention, they unfortunately are not very useful in helping people fully understand the multifaceted topic of college affordability. As Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in a May 9 University Business article, a more accurate though admittedly less exciting headline might be: “A Complex Combination of Economic Factors Increases College Costs and Loan Debt for Certain Students.” As mundane as that headline seems, continued public dialogue is important and timely because many students and families today face real challenges in figuring out how to pay for college. This article provides a brief overview of four core areas related to the economics of higher education: the value of a postsecondary degree, key cost drivers in higher education, changes in government aid, and tuition and student loan debt trends. 6 Augsburg Now VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION { Ironically, if it weren’t for the significant benefits of a college education, the public debate about the cost of college likely would not be nearly as heated. If people didn’t desire the outcomes of and opportunities afforded by having a college education—if they merely thought the price was too high—they would just simply stop going to college. But that is not the case. Instead, the difference between having a college degree and not having one has become even more pronounced as more and more jobs require higher education. The Georgetown University Center on Education predicts that 63 percent of jobs in 2018 will require some form of postsecondary education. Already, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, high school graduates earn less than 70 percent of the income of bachelor’s degree holders. Moreover, as was evidenced in the recent recession, people with 63 percent of jobs in 2018 will require some form of postsecondary education. – THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER ON EDUCATION college degrees are much less likely to be unemployed than those with only high school diplomas. In 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for high school graduates was 9.4 percent, whereas people with bachelor’s degrees or higher were unemployed at only a 4.3 percent rate. So, while rising tuition costs and student debt may raise questions about erosion of the ROI (return on investment) of a given college degree, the larger, societal concern is that the required investment— and, therefore, the benefits—of higher education may be out of reach for a growing portion of our population, no matter how promising the return. COLLEGE COSTS An oft-cited book in the discussion of rising college costs is David Feldman’s and Robert Archibald’s Why Does College Cost So Much? (Oxford University Press, 2010). The Augsburg College Board of Regents dedicated a portion of its January 2012 board meeting to a discussion of this book to better understand the key cost drivers in higher education and how those costs affect students and tuition. Many factors affect college costs, but Feldman and Archibald, economics professors at the College of William & Mary, demonstrate that costs steadily have risen during the past 30 years in all personal-service industries that employ highly educated labor. Increasing costs have occurred not only in higher education but also in A one-on-one relationship between a faculty member and a student is critical for student comprehension and engagement. } – JEANNE BOEH, AUGSBURG COLLEGE ECONOMICS PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT dentistry, health care, and legal services. Significant productivity advancements in other industries—for example, automation and robotics in manufacturing—have increased the demand for, and therefore the price of, highly skilled labor. As a result, labor-cost increases have affected all personal-service industries, including colleges and universities, which employ some of the most highly educated people in our country as faculty, staff, and administration. This phenomenon is called “cost disease,” said Jeanne Boeh, Augsburg College professor of economics. Boeh, who served as president of the Augsburg Faculty Senate in 2011-12, participated in the College’s Board of Regents discussion of Feldman’s and Archibald’s book. She is a frequent commentator on economic trends for the Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, and Twin Cities Public Television’s “Almanac.” “In higher education,” Boeh explained, “capital and labor have not been substitutes but complements.” For example, using course management software such as Moodle may enhance collaboration and streamline administrative activities, but it doesn’t reduce the labor involved in teaching or learning in the same way that manufacturing automation does. Online courses also have been affected, resulting in higher operating expenses than originally anticipated. “Augsburg offers several programs in a blended format—merging in-class time with online learning,” said Boeh, who has taught all types of classes at Augsburg. “And we will continue to evolve course formats to take advantage of online technologies where they are most effective.” But no matter the format, Boeh said, “a one-on-one relationship between a faculty member and a student is critical for student comprehension and engagement—not only for any class lectures but also for in-class assignments and projects as well as out-of-class work.” So, while online formats offer attractive benefits—including making lectures available to a broader set of learners and providing flexibility to working adults pursuing advanced degrees—they have not, to date, offered a “perfect” substitute for individual attention from highly qualified faculty. As a result, the trade-offs between cost and quality in higher education exist whether course delivery is in-class or online. Summer 2012 7 { By 2009, institutional grant aid [from Minnesota private colleges] was triple the state’s contribution. GOVERNMENT AID – MINNESOTA PRIVATE COLLEGE COUNCIL Share of Minnesota general fund spent on higher education 18% 17.3% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6.9% 6% 4% Percent of General Fund Appropriated to Higher Education 2% Forecasted Percent of General Fund Appropriated to Higher Education 0% 1967 1975 1983 1991 1999 2007 2013 Chart 1: The percent of the State of Minnesota’s budget appropriated to higher education has declined steadily in the past 20 years. Financial aid trends for Minnesota undergraduates FIGURES IN MILLIONS $1,800 2009 borrowing by Minnesota undergraduates and their families surpassed $1.6 billion. $1,600 $1,400 $1,200 By 2009, grant aid from institutions was triple the state’s commitment. $1,000 By 2005, grant aid from institutions was double the state’s commitment. $800 $600 $400 In 1991, institutions and the state each provided about $80 million in grant aid to Minnesota undergraduates. $200 $1991 1995 State Grants (actual) 1999 Federal Grants (actual) 2001 2005 Institutional Grants (actual) 2007 2009 Total Loans (actual) Chart 2: Since 1991, grant aid from Minnesota private colleges grew to three times the amount provided by the state, while student loan debt increased eight-fold. 8 Augsburg Now Minnesota Private College Research Foundation analysis of Minnesota budget data 20% Minnesota Private College Research Foundation analysis of Minnesota Office of Higher Education biennial survey of aid awarded The financial aid that students receive from the state grant program is an important part of the resources they have to pay for their college education, said Jay Benanav, Augsburg’s director of government relations. “And, while the state has increased the overall dollar amount allocated to support higher education in the past 20 years, this aid has not kept pace with rising higher education costs,” he said. “So, today, state grant aid constitutes a much smaller portion of a student's overall resources for college.” The Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC)—an organization representing 17 private colleges in the state, including Augsburg—has been actively engaged with the Minnesota Legislature on the topic of higher education funding. Chart 1, compiled by the MPCC, shows the declining share of the state’s general fund that has been spent on higher education costs during the past several decades. Because state support covers a smaller proportion of college costs today, a larger portion is falling to students and their families. In fact, the proportion of college costs that families cover has gone up faster than the overall cost of college. To help offset the growing burden on families, Minnesota’s private colleges have increased the aid they provide to students through their endowments and operational budgets. Chart 2, again from the MPCC, shows the dollar amount of college costs covered by Minnesota state grants, federal grants, MPCC collegefunded grants, and student loans. The chart provides data from 1991 to 2009, a period during which student loan debt soared and grant aid from Minnesota private colleges grew to three times the amount provided by the state. NET TUITION AND STUDENT LOANS “Financial counseling is embedded in our admissions process,” As noted earlier, in addition to loans and government aid, many students also receive financial aid directly from their colleges or universi- Edstrom said, “and our financial aid staff work hard to make sure students and parents understand what they are taking on when they ties. This means that the out-of-pocket expenses (or “net tuition”) borrow.” that a given student pays will be less than the published tuition (or Even people with significant financial experience should (and do) sticker price) for that college or university. How much less varies from seek help navigating the financial aid process, said Paul Terrio, student to student based on multiple factors—including the family’s Augsburg’s director of student financial services. “Financing college financial situation, the student’s academic standing, and numerous is a substantial investment for families, and it’s an investment that other factors that enrollment offices take into consideration. has a major impact on one of the most important people in their This variation means that the net tuition one student pays will lives,” Terrio said. “So, naturally, people want to make sure they’re not be the same as another student, even at the same institution. As a result, it has become increasingly important for students and families to understand their specific financial aid package at each institution the student is considering before making a final choice, or before assuming that a certain college is financially out of reach. Even with financial support from colleges, how– JULIE EDSTROM ’90, ’04 MA, AUGSBURG VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT ever, borrowing has increasingly become a necessary part of how families of all socioeconomic doing the best they can. backgrounds pay for college. Average U.S. undergraduate student “But since college financing is something people do only a couloan debt for 2010 graduates was $25,250, according to the Projple times in their lives, most are not experts in the process,” he said. ect on Student Debt, an initiative of the nonprofit Institute for ColAs a result, every family, no matter their income level or financial lege Access & Success. The average debt of Augsburg graduates was $24,311 that year. sophistication, can benefit from working with a financial counselor In addition to being lower than the national average, Augsburg’s stu- who, according to Terrio, can “help them focus on their own scenario dent loan debt average compares favorably with the averages for rather than on averages and statistics reported in the news, which other higher education institutions in the state of Minnesota, said may have little to do with the specific family’s financial situation.” Julie Edstrom ’90, ’04 MA, Augsburg vice president for enrollment management. { Augsburg’s average student debt in 2010 was $24,311, which compares favorably with other higher education institutions in Minnesota. } } When one steps back from the headlines, it’s easier to see how college costs aren’t driven by one simple factor alone but, instead, are determined by a mix of state, federal, institutional, and individual factors. It’s easier to see, as well, how changing one factor invariably puts pressure on other factors. In the end, the challenge for Augsburg College—and every higher education institution—is to find a sustainable balance among these factors—state and federal government aid, institutional support, and student or family contributions—in a way that keeps higher education within reach for students of academic ability from all backgrounds. At Augsburg’s July 1 commencement, honorary degree recipient David Mathews, president and chief executive officer of the Kettering Foundation, focused his commencement address on the value—specifically the public value—of higher education. Mathews previously served as secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under former President Gerald Ford and as president of the University of Alabama. Read his commencement address at www.augsburg.edu/now. Summer 2012 9 SPEAKING of MONEY BY REBECCA JOHN, STEPHANIE WEISS, AND WENDI WHEELER ’06 It’s scary. Students don’t like it. Parents don’t like it. But for any family with a student in college, money matters, and talking openly about finances is a critical part of figuring out if and how an individual can afford college. It’s a path toward determining whether the costs of college are a good investment for students, and often, their families. It’s also a path toward understanding individual and family philosophies connected to saving, spending, and philanthropy. Augsburg College is committed to talking with students and families about all these issues and sees these sometimes complex conversations as tools to build good decision-making as well as valuable investments in a family’s future. STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Paying for college is a significant undertaking for families, regardless of their family household income. To help plan for this investment, families need to start talking about their finances long before they’re actually facing tuition payments. “The place to start is by focusing on what the family values and how they make choices about what they buy and how they use the money they have,” said Carly Eichhorst, Augsburg College associate director of financial aid. “When we are working with families, we don’t start by talking about the mechanics of financial aid and student loans; we start by understanding their values.” It’s also beneficial to include both the student and the parent or parents in the conversation, added Paul Terrio, director of student financial services. “We see a difference between families who have had conversations about how they plan to pay for college and families where only some of the members—either the parents or the student—are 10 Augsburg Now involved in the financial discussion,” he said. “It’s a much more productive conversation if all of the family members are vested in the plan.” In order to help support and foster these important family conversations, Augsburg has embedded financial aid counseling into the undergraduate admission process. So, when a first-year undergraduate student receives her or his acceptance letter from Augsburg, the letter clearly states, “The next step is to schedule your first-year meeting,” and invites them to make an appointment with the College’s student financial services staff. Augsburg also has linked financial planning with academic planning in the adult undergraduate program to ensure that adult undergraduate students and their families have resources to help navigate the system of financing college. As a result of this intentional effort to invite families into the student finance discussion, as of June 1, nearly 45 percent of firstyear students who had made their initial fall deposit had also scheduled an appointment with Augsburg’s financial services staff. With sessions continuing through the summer, a majority of firstyear students and their families will have the opportunity to discuss their financial plans with the College before classes start in the fall. “Our goal in working with families is to help them develop a comprehensive plan for the entire college degree, not just to figure out how they can pay for the first semester,” Terrio said. A comprehensive plan includes outlining how much the student or family will need to pay and how long they will need to make payments on any student loans taken out to cover college costs. “Our role is not to prescribe financial solutions or provide a specific answer for how to pay for college,” Eichhorst said. “We are working to help families identify and understand their options.” By gaining a shared understanding of their options, families can enhance their financial literacy and equip themselves to plan for— not just wish for—the means to pursue a college degree. STUDENT PHILANTHROPY Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. – WARREN BUFFETT Auggies give. Every year. This simple instruction forms the basis of the goal for Augsburg’s Student Philanthropy Week, an annual program designed to make students aware of how donor support benefits them and to teach students, from the beginning of their college careers through their graduation, about the importance of giving back to their alma mater. The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations and the staff of The Augsburg Fund sponsor several programs for students throughout the academic year. To coordinate these programs, staff work closely with the Augsburg Stewards, a group of current undergraduate students who support philanthropic efforts at the College. Each spring, Student Philanthropy Week includes a virtual “donor scavenger hunt” where students use daily clues, conduct library research, and visit donor-named locations on campus to guess the identity of one of the College’s major donors. The first student to accurately identify the donor wins a gift card. The annual Feed the Pig campaign and the senior class giving campaign encourage students to begin donating to Augsburg. To participate in Feed the Pig, students receive a piggy bank in the fall and, throughout the school year, collect spare change to fill up their banks. Classes compete to raise the most money and to engage the greatest number of student participants. The money raised funds a scholarship for a student in the winning class. These activities highlight the fact that, every year, Augsburg relies on thousands of alumni, parents, friends, and students to ensure that Auggies have access to an outstanding, affordable Augsburg education. MONEY MATTERS The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life. – HENRY FORD At Augsburg College, students and staff have turned inside out the federal mandate that all colleges and universities deliver financial literacy programs. Instead of delivering top-down programs of expert panelists or lectures, Augsburg involves students as key partners in creating and developing the school’s financial literacy program. A key goal of the program is to help students open the door on conversations that typically are difficult and sometimes uncomfortable—conversations about personal and family finances, budgeting, and the cost of college. “If you make public the stuff you usually hide, you can change individual behavior,” said Carly Eichhorst, associate director of financial aid. “But you have to start by being open with your own story.” Having students shape the conversation is critical to helping them learn how to make good financial decisions today and in the future. That’s because research shows that knowledge retention soars to 75 percent when learning is practiced by doing, compared with 20 percent retention when we learn by listening. “This is hard stuff to talk about,” Eichhorst said, “but when students see their friends sharing and grappling with tough ideas, it becomes easier and more acceptable to open up about their own stories.” The College’s annual Money Matters program runs for a week during the spring and includes a range of events and activities to help students and their families talk openly about financial topics. In addition to counseling sessions and opportunities to connect with financial experts, 2012 Money Matters activities included: • A student panel in which five Auggies from different socioeconomic, cultural, and faith backgrounds talked about how they make college work financially. Some student panelists also shared their stories with a Star Tribune reporter. Later in the spring, some of the students participated in a student loan and student finance roundtable with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. • My Money Secret, a participant-generated project in which students, staff, and faculty posted their money secrets in the skyways on campus. The secrets were hung on a line using clothespins—a display that was intentionally meant to invoke the feeling that participants were “airing their laundry,” Eichhorst said. Some students shared tips for saving, while other students disclosed habits of overspending. Because investing in a college education is such a significant undertaking, Augsburg is committed to helping families build financial literacy from the first oncampus encounter through a student’s full experience. By beginning the process of talking about money at the very start, students and their families not only learn important information about how to better manage their finances, but also have the chance to consider how they want to use their money—through saving, spending, and giving. Summer 2012 11 E Commencement May 5, 2012 A F D 12 Augsburg Now During the commencement processional, faculty line 7 ½ Street and applaud as graduating students walk from Christensen Center to Si Melby Hall. The tradition marks the transition from student to graduate and allows faculty to show respect for the students. The ceremony also is a bookend to the Auggie experience. Four years earlier—on their first day of class—faculty welcomed incoming students with applause during the opening convocation ceremony. A Faculty greet passing students with waves and handshakes and sometimes even give students a high-five or hug. B Members of ethnic student groups often wear sashes that denote their membership. Here, a group of students who are members of the PanAfrikan Student Union wear stoles made of Kente cloth that originates in Ghana, West Africa. C Students can be seen wearing bow ties, a fashion phenomenon that started to take hold in 2006 when Paul C. Pribbenow was installed as president of Augsburg College. Pribbenow has a reputation for his bow tie collection, and the bow tie often makes an appearance when students dress in formal wear. D Colored cords represent honors given by the College, academic departments, and the Honors program. Candidates for Latin honors—students graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude—receive maroon and gray cords. Students who complete requirements of the Augsburg College Honors program wear gold cords. Other cords indicate departmental honors. E Students can line up in whatever order they choose. Because there is no formal order, being the last person in line—and, therefore, the last to cross the commencement stage—has become a coveted spot. Students will jockey for the position and stall during the procession, and the last person to cross the stage usually makes a grand statement of it. F Like many faculty members, Phil Adamo, associate professor and chair of the History Department, breaks from the reception line to congratulate a student in the procession. B C Summer 2012 13 In 2007, Augsburg started the tradition of holding two commencement ceremonies—the first in early May for the undergraduate day students and the Masters in Physician Assistant program graduates, and the second in late June for Weekend/Evening College, Rochester undergraduate, and the remaining master’s degree program graduates. A President Paul C. Pribbenow and Jodi Harpstead, chair of the Board of Regents, shake hands with every graduate who crosses the stage. For the July commencement ceremony, that was roughly 300 hands. B Tom Kelsey and Lori York of the Registrar’s office perform a well-choreographed dance to make sure the President always has a diploma holder in his hand the moment a graduate crosses the stage. C A large stack of diploma holders will be whittled down to almost nothing during the ceremony. In case you are wondering, the holders are empty. Diplomas are mailed to the graduates after their final grades are processed by the Registrar. D Master’s and doctoral degree candidates in business administration, education, leadership, nursing, and social work sit on the left side of the gym. E Graduates of the Weekend/Evening College and Rochester programs sit on the right side of the gym. F Handing out diplomas is like an assembly line: grab your name card, follow the faculty marshal to the front of the gym, hand over your name card, cross the stage as your name is called, shake hands with the Board chair, take diploma in your left hand while shaking hands with President Pribbenow and smile while your photo is taken, proceed down the ramp, smile for another photo and be sure that the front of the diploma holder is facing forward, return to your seat, breathe a sigh of relief. To view more commencement photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. 14 14 Augsburg Now Augsburg Now E A C Commencement July 1, 2012 D F B Summer 2012 15 Augsburg grad students mix philosophy of social work with drive for business Leading nonprofits increasingly want top-level leaders who understand complex financial issues, can implement strategic business practices, and are able to serve diverse local and global communities. Recognizing the changing expectations and requirements of nonprofits, Augsburg College in 2009 began offering a dual Master of Arts Degrees in Social Work (MSW) and Business Administration (MBA). The College’s first two MSW/MBA graduates completed their dual degrees this spring. “We chose to respond to changing dynamics. More and more, leaders of nonprofits, if they want to continue moving up the ladder, need the same business skills as their counterparts in the forprofit world,” said Steven Zitnick, who during June retired as director of the MBA program. Those with a Master of Arts in Social Work can, if they choose, progress to a different point in their career with formal business training, said Lois Bosch, director of Augsburg’s Master of Social Work program. “Larger social service agencies want business leaders for their business acumen,” Bosch said. “Increasingly, they also want people who are trained formally to understand the needs of their clients.” Jana Nicolaison ’12, one of Augsburg’s MSW/MBA dual degree graduates, said the program provided her the knowledge and tools to manage social service programs by understanding the business behind the programs. “I have the confidence to advocate for clients on the macro level because I under- stand all aspects of the services they receive,” Nicolaison said. The dual degree program isn’t just a good idea for those who want to lead social service agencies, though. “There’s an emerging trend of social entrepreneurship that opens another path for joint MSW/MBA students to pursue,” Zitnick said. “Through Augsburg’s combined curriculum, we can meet the vocational needs of this type of contemporary MSW student.” One such potential social entrepreneur is Miki Peterson ’12, who hopes to use her skills and insight to bring critical healthcare services to underserved markets. “We operate in a complex economic, societal, and political landscape. I now have the knowledge and diversity of skills to bring critical health care services to underserved markets,” Peterson said. “I have insights gleaned from both social services and business administration to allow me to accomplish this goal in any corporate, small business, or non-profit setting.” STEPHANIE WEISS To learn more about the dual MSW/MBA, go to www.augsburg.edu/msw or email mbainfo@augsburg.edu. “I have the knowledge and diversity of skills to bring critical health care services to underserved markets.” MIKI PETERSON ’12 MSW/MBA Miki Peterson ’12 MSW/MBA and Jana Nicolaison ’12 MSW/MBA 16 Augsburg Now HONORING our retired faculty Augsburg College celebrated the accomplishments and dedication of faculty during the spring Faculty Recognition Luncheon and formally thanked 10 faculty for their service. Below are brief biographies of those who finished their careers as Auggies. The group contributed more than 240 years of service to the College. Anthony Bibus III, professor of social work, joined Augsburg during 1992. He served the College as department chair, as faculty parliamentarian, and on key faculty committees. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of St. Thomas and the University of Virginia, respectively, and a doctorate in social work from the University of Minnesota. Shelley Burkhardt, instructor of education, worked as the special education program director at Rochester and as an adjunct faculty member. She received a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso and completed master’s-level studies at Winona State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, and the University of Minnesota. Prior to her work with Augsburg, Burkhardt served as the director of special education for the Rochester Public Schools, where she also was a special education teacher. C. Lee Clarke, assistant professor of business, started his career as a Lutheran parish pastor and then spent 20 years working in management information systems. He joined Augsburg during 2000 as a faculty member Front Row [L to R]: Glenda Dewberry Rooney, professor of social work; Norma Noonan, professor of political science; Lynn Lindow, associate professor of education; Grace Dyrud, professor of psychology; Steven Zitnick, director of the Master of Business Administration; Back Row [L to R]: President Paul C. Pribbenow; Bradley Holt ’63, professor of religion; Arlin Gyberg, professor of chemistry; Anthony Bibus III, professor of social work; C. Lee Clarke, assistant professor of business; Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Barbara Farley. Retiring faculty not pictured: Shelley Burkhardt, instructor of education in the Business Administration Department. Clarke co-taught with religion faculty and served as faculty adviser for Augsburg Seminar, a program to help first-year students learn about the Augsburg community and participate in neighborhood service programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Capital University, a Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas. Arlin Gyberg, professor of chemistry, started his career at Augsburg during 1967. He taught general and analytical chemistry for science majors and chemistry courses for non-science major students. He is one of several co-founders of the Mcgyan process reactor, a continuous flow device that is used to produce biodiesel from plant material. He maintains close connections to alumni in local industry (at companies such as Aveda, General Mills, and SarTec, to name a few) over the years. He earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Bradley Holt ’63, professor of religion, began his teaching career during 1978. His scholarly interests revolved around the history of Christian spirituality and Christianity in a global context, and he is the author of Thirsty for God: A Brief History of Christian Spirituality. Holt taught theology in Nigeria for 10 years. He graduated from Augsburg with bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy and received a Bachelor of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary, and a Master of Philosophy and doctorate from Yale University. Lynn Lindow, associate professor of education, joined the College during 1985 as a member of the Health and Physical Education Department. She subsequently took a position in the Department of Education and was a K-12 expert. For seven years, she served as chair of the Education Department. Lindow also helped with the department’s reaccreditation. She received a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Mankato, a master’s degree from Summer 2012 17 North Dakota State University, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Norma Noonan, professor of political science, served Augsburg for more than 45 years, joining the faculty during 1966. She was instrumental in the development of the Master of Arts in Leadership, the College’s inaugural graduate program offering, and served as program director for 18 years. She chaired the Political Science Department, served on key faculty committees, and was a mentor to many. Noonan received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University, respectively, and a doctorate in Russian and East European Studies from Indiana University. Glenda Dewberry Rooney, professor of social work, began working at Augsburg during 1992. An expert in direct social work practice, she served as department chair and taught in advanced clinical placement courses. Her research and teaching interests include child welfare, particularly where racial disparities exist. She is the author of one of social work’s most widely used texts. Rooney received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of North Texas, a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in social work and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota. Maryann Syers, associate professor of social work, joined Augsburg during 1998. Her teaching experience was strengthened by her previous private clinical practice and ongoing research working with women of color, sexual minorities, and persons with physical disabilities. She was a leader in conceptualizing content for the Master of Social Work program’s multicultural clinical practice concentration. Syers also served on the Personnel Policies Committee and Faculty Senate. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University and a master’s of social work and doctorate in social welfare from the University of Minnesota. Steven Zitnick, director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, joined Augsburg during 1999. Prior to that, he served as a military officer and held senior executive positions in human resources and organizational development in the private sector, including at H.B. Fuller. In 2008 Zitnick was named director of the Augsburg MBA program. He helped launch MBA study abroad programs in Argentina, Chile, Germany, and Russia and launched the Mini-MBA program with Luther Seminary. Zitnick received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Shimer College, a master’s degree in human resources management from the University of Utah, and is on track to complete a doctorate from Tilburg University in the Netherlands during retirement. On May 3, faculty gathered at the annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon to celebrate a successful academic year and to recognize their colleagues’ accomplishments. The program honored retiring faculty members, recipients of tenure and promotion, milestone years of service, and recipients of the Distinguished Contribution to Teaching and Learning awards. 18 Augsburg Now GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Who comes to the Gage Center for Student Success and the Groves Technology Center? At one time or another, nearly every student at Augsburg does. I have to write a paper. I’m here to use the computer lab. I am a Weekend College student, and I'm planning to graduate next year. I'm here to plan out my degree progress with an academic adviser. I have ADHD and struggle with reading. I’m here to use the software program that helps me read my textbooks. I am visually impaired. I’m here to talk to an adviser about the services that can help me at Augsburg. I am having a tough time with one of my classes. I’m here to see a tutor. I’m the first person in my family to go to college. I am here because I heard you have a program to help people like me learn how to be successful in school. I’m a pretty good student, but I really have trouble with time management. I’m here to learn how to be better at that. Spring 2012 19 success INTEGRATING ACADEMIC SUPPORT tradition of bringing programs and services together to improve the student service experience. As in the case of the Enrollment Center—which first opened in 2000 and combined the offices of academic advising, the registrar, financial aid, and financial services—co-location benefits students because all services are in one convenient location. In addition, when staff work closely together, they often discover new ways of working that lead to new initiatives and better student service. The Gage Center staff is evaluating a caseload management software tool that will allow them to build connections for students and refer them to additional resources. Gort said the software will help to create a network of student support that extends beyond the Gage Center. “We’re at the start of a really cool project, and we have high hopes for what this is going to be,” she said. While staff and students are still learning how the Gage Center will function to best meet students’ needs, Gort said she has been pleased with the outcomes so far. GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS At one time, academic support services at Augsburg were scattered across campus. One program was tucked around a few corners in a basement. A few others were in Science Hall. While seeking out and asking for help is already difficult for some students, having support staff in different locations made getting help even more complicated. To address this situation, Augsburg moved all of these academic support services to the new Gage Center for Student Success, which opened on the second floor of the Lindell Library in January. The center provides a one-stop shop for students to access academic advising, tutoring, academic accommodations, assistance with learning and physical disabilities, academic skills coaching, and other support services. “The Gage Center helps us see how students can benefit by having people and programs together,” said Amy Gort, dean of Arts and Sciences. Co-locating the offices in Lindell has made student support services more visible on campus and provides greater access for students. And with all support staff in proximity with one another, the center is the first step in creating a seamless experience of academic support for students. The Gage Center follows an Augsburg 20 Augsburg Now “What is great about this group of staff is that each program has a history of being innovative, constantly evaluating, and looking for opportunities for students to have an even better experience.” Nearly every graduate and undergraduate student at Augsburg comes into contact with the Gage Center staff or services at least once—and usually multiple times—in her or his college career. The center provides a one-stop shop for students to access academic advising, tutoring, academic accommodations, assistance with learning and physical disabilities, academic skills coaching, and other support services. GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Gifts from the Gage and Groves family foundations allowed Augsburg to create an integrated and highly visible academic support services center. The Gage Center for Student Success, which officially opened in January, includes the Groves Technology Center, the Groves Accommodations Lab, meeting rooms, testing rooms, and staff offices. DEPARTMENTS IN THE AUGGIES ARE ACHIEVERS GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS ACADEMIC ADVISING supports students in achieving their educational and vocational goals. THE ACADEMIC SKILLS OFFICE provides coaching to help students develop skills and strategies for academic success, and also works with students in the Conditional Admit Program (CAP) and Augsburg Advantage St. Kate’s (AASK) program. THE CENTER FOR LEARNING AND ADAPTIVE STUDENT SERVICES (CLASS) provides services and accommodations for students with attentional, learning, and physical disabilities. THE GROVES TECHNOLOGY CENTER provides computer workstations for all students and adaptive software programs, such as speech recognition software and screen readers, for learners with special needs. TRiO/STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, helps students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to complete their college education. TUTORING AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION is available for most courses; the type of support offered depends on the course and student demand. ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS Augsburg College is committed to ensuring all students have access to the campus resources and tools they need to succeed. To support this commitment, the College recently formed an accessibility committee of more than 50 staff and faculty from 16 departments. One of the committee’s primary responsibilities is ensuring the College meets the obligations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recent revisions to the ADA as well as legal settlements at other colleges and universities make the committee’s work especially timely. One of the more high-profile lawsuits was a case brought against Penn State University by the National Federation of the Blind, which settled in 2010 for $150,000. The settlement cited inaccessible technology for blind and print-disabled students and is now serving as a guideline for institutions nationwide to review accessibility of technology and facilities. As part of its charge to ensure the College meets its obligations, the Augsburg accessibility committee is conducting an audit of campus facilities and technology, delivering training to faculty and staff, and working to identify a compliance officer. The work of the committee to identify and address accessibility issues helps mitigate risk for the College as it strives to live up to its commitment to student success. Summer 2012 21 A NEW approach to learning For most of his life, Nic Adducci ’15 was the kid who couldn’t read or write. The kid who had to go to the principal’s office to take his pill every day. The kid with a learn- said, when educators, students, and parents were just beginning to understand learning disabilities. “I was the only student in a small class with a learning disability. I was the kid who had emotional and behavior problems, and when I had a NIC ADDUCCI “I have to give credit to the CLASS office for giving me the support that I needed to really be successful, but I also have to credit the professors who really pushed me to see something more in myself than what I had been taught in the past 27 years of my life.” ing disability. Today, due in part to support he receives from Augsburg’s Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS), Adducci made the dean’s list with a 4.0 grade-point average. A double major in business management and psychology with minors in economics and political science, he has shed much of the stigma associated with having a learning disability and has found success at Augsburg. In the second or third grade, Adducci was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It was a time, he 22 Augsburg Now bad day, [the question] was, ‘Did you take your pill today?’” he said. “That was the foundation for my educational experience, and that followed me everywhere I went,” Adducci said. The labels and messages followed him to the workplace where he was a project manager for an educational testing company. “I thought that I couldn’t do a lot of things because I believed I couldn’t rely on myself.” In 2006, Adducci was told he needed to complete a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for his job. A co-worker who had gradu- ated from Augsburg through Weekend College recommended the program, and Adducci found himself back in the classroom. For several years, he took a class here and there while he continued to focus primarily on his work and personal life. Then in 2011, he realized he needed to make his education a top priority. He enrolled as a full-time student in the College’s day undergraduate program and moved onto campus. That’s when education changed for Adducci, and he discovered his passion for learning. “I approached my professors and the CLASS office right away,” he said. “They really didn’t accept the ‘I’m a bad writer’ excuse I used when I was younger, and they showed me that there was a different way for me to approach learning.” Adducci’s biggest learning-related challenge is reading. “It’s hard to concentrate and my retention is really low,” he said. The accommodations provided through CLASS include extra time to take exams, working with a notetaker in classes, and using the Kurzweil software program that reads his textbooks aloud for him. In two semesters as a full-time student, Adducci not only raised his grade-point average and made the dean’s list, he also landed a position as a residence life adviser for next year and made an impression on his classmates and instructors. “Nic made a marvelous contribution to the class,” said assistant professor of business administration John Cerrito, whose human resource management class Adducci took in the spring semester. “He was mature, serious, and a very positive student,” Cerrito said. “He is a real credit to Augsburg.” At Augsburg, Adducci said, he is able to attain a level of academic success that he hadn’t ever come close to in his life. “People saw something valuable in me in areas where I thought that I would never be able to accomplish anything,” he said, “and that gave me the motivation to actually put the effort in. Then I was successful.” Photo by Sally Ryan A TYPICAL college student In many ways, Rachel Hastings ’15 is a typical college student. She takes Spanish class, sings in a choir, eats in the cafeteria, and works out in the fitness center. But she is also atypical—a student who uses her ears and fingers to find her way through campus and through life. She’s training for a marathon, learning arias by ear, and spreading joy throughout the Augsburg campus. A sophomore from Maple Grove, Minn., Hastings has been legally blind since birth. Through the Gage Center for Student Success at Augsburg College, Hastings gets individualized support services and accommodations that help her succeed. The photos that follow show a typical day in the life of this atypical college student. Hastings checks to see if she is at the studio office for her voice lesson with vocal coach Susan Druck. RACHEL HASTINGS Laughing as they finish lunch, Hastings and a group of friends talk about their upcoming finals and what they need to do before school lets out for the summer. Summer 2012 23 1 2 3 independence 1 By touching her right hand to the treadmill every three or four steps, Hastings keeps her position on the machine during her daily workout. Hastings has completed two half marathons and is planning to run the Twin Cities Marathon in October. 2 “Hi Rachel, it’s Noah,” a student says as he meets Hastings. But Noah Sievert does not need to identify himself because Hastings recognizes his voice. To her, a voice is as distinct as a face is to a sighted person. 3 The complex nature of music theory means that Hastings needs accommodations for this course. Hastings took adapted music theory Pressing on her belly button to physically remind herself to breathe from her diaphragm, Hastings works on the piece “Mi Sueño” during her voice lesson with vocal coach Susan Druck. from assistant professor of music Doug Diamond as a summer independent study course. 4 Before she gets even two steps into a classroom, a classmate hops up and says, “Rachel, there is an open spot right over here.” One of the few times Hastings requires help is when she needs to navigate a full classroom with her cane. 5 Practicing on a baby grand piano is one of the perks of being a music therapy major whose main instrument is the piano. Since she does not read Braille music, Hastings learns music by ear, but she has perfect pitch, which makes learning easier. After a year of finding her way around the campus, Hastings has memorized almost every inch of the grounds. The only thing that will throw her off is an object that is left in an unpredictable place. 5 See more photos and hear Hastings talk about her experiences at www.augsburg.edu/now. Summer 2012 4 25 Augsburg’s TRiO/Student Support Services (SSS) program. Programs like AVID and TRiO/SSS help first-generation and lowincome students succeed in college. For students in high school, these programs provide Blue ribbons and gold medals. These are preparation for college entrance exams, what we normally associate with being assistance with college research and applica“first.” But for Andrena Murphy ’15, being tion, and information about the financial aid first—the first in her family to go to college— application process. On college campuses, meant making new connections, proactively these programs help students find resources seeking advice, and learning new skills. and support to complete their degree. During high school, Murphy said, her Murphy applied for and was accepted to mother encouraged her to do well but didn’t Augsburg’s TRiO/SSS program. She attended THE FIRST in her family share some of the lessons she has learned with the incoming TRiO students. During the past academic year, Murphy met regularly with her TRiO/SSS adviser to update her academic plan and to talk about the challenges of balancing school with family time, social life, volunteering, and her job. She said that her time management skills and even her eating habits improved in her first year of college. She also learned how to make connections with professors and to reach out to them for advice. “That’s something I never did in high school,” she said. ANDRENA MURPHY When Andrena Murphy ’15 saw her first initial in the flower garden outside Memorial Hall, she took it as a sign that Augsburg was the place for her. insist that she go to college. Though her mother had taken some community college courses, neither she nor Murphy’s two older sisters had obtained a college degree. And each of them had been able to find a good job without a college education. “Nobody in my family knew what college was like,” Murphy said, “so no one could help me figure out if it was right for me.” Murphy used her senior year of high school and the resources of her high school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness program to help determine if college was the next step for her. Through AVID, Murphy discovered 26 Augsburg Now TRiO’s Summer Bridge program in July and August 2011 to begin her Augsburg career. Summer Bridge is a five-week residential program in which students take introductory religion and public speaking courses and attend academic support seminars, workshops, and other activities to help provide for a smooth transition to school in the fall. “It was fun to be in an atmosphere where I could keep learning through the summer,” Murphy said. She appreciated getting a head start on classes, learning what college was like, and meeting her classmates and professors. This summer, she will be a residential peer mentor for Summer Bridge and will Murphy also was involved with the Bonner Leader program during the school year. Through Bonner, she served as a youth development and enrichment coordinator at Kaleidoscope Place, an after-school program for elementary and junior high school students. Murphy officially will enter the Education Department this fall. She’s excited about her education classes and about becoming an elementary teacher one day. “When I look back, there were a few teachers who really made a difference for me, and I want to do that for someone.” it takes an Auggie Gift to future students allows son’s memory to live on at Augsburg “Nathan Schott’s life is an inspiration to me, and I’m humbled and honored to receive a scholarship in his name, a scholarship that is about future possibilities, not past liabilities.” These are the words of Alexandra Stoiaken ’13, recipient of the inaugural Nathan R. Schott Scholarship. Nathan Schott came to Augsburg as a first-year student in September 2009. His time at Augsburg was short, but significant. He touched the lives of faculty, staff, and students like Alexandra. He had a unique ability to make connections within the Augsburg community. Nathan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of six. He passed away at the end of his first year of college. Yet Nathan continues to make a difference in the lives of Auggies, present and future. Teri and Chuck Schott, Nathan’s parents, established the Nathan R. Schott Scholarship to honor Nathan’s life and to give other students an educational opportunity in a supportive community. The scholarship provides support for students who, like Nathan, participate in the Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS) program. CLASS provides services and accommodations for students with attentional, learning, and physical disabilities. “Augsburg was the right place for Nathan,” Nathan’s father, Chuck, said. “He had a feeling of belonging, and this was a place where he could participate and contribute to the makeup of the community.” Teri Schott, Nathan’s mother, added, “The scholarship is a chance to see that the spirit of Nathan continues. It means he’s still a part of this place.” “[Nathan] always had a ready smile for me when we passed in the halls,” Stoiaken said. “There was real joy in his life, and he shared it easily.” Stoiaken, who manages life with cerebral palsy, said she was inspired by Nathan. “By receiving this scholarship, I will always endeavor to make Nathan and his family proud. Like Nathan, I will never allow my disease to define me. I will live life to its fullest, finding inspiration wherever I can.” DOUG SCOTT, DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP GIFTS If interested in supporting this or similar scholarship funds, contact Doug Scott at 612-330-1575 or scottd@augsburg.edu. “By receiving this scholarship, I will always endeavor to make Nathan and his family proud. Like Nathan, I will never allow my disease to define me. I will live life to its fullest, finding inspiration wherever I can.” ALEXANDRA STOIAKEN ’13 Nathan Schott in his senior year at Maple Grove High School. [L to R]: Teri Schott, Alexandra Stoiaken ’13, and Chuck Schott at the 2011 brunch for Augsburg scholarship donors and recipients. Courtesy ph oto Summer 2012 27 calculus AND BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Fog-covered mountains, roosters crowing at 4 a.m., dinner by candlelight, 60-foot waterfalls, and calculus. Strange components in a college class, maybe, but for seven students and two faculty members, this was reality during the 2012 spring break. In the course MAT 496: The Calculus of Sustainability, students spent the first eight weeks of the spring semester studying coffee plantations of Nicaragua. With this knowledge, they created projects ranging from calculating the carbon footprint of coffee production to building a largescale differential equation model that would be used while in Nicaragua. Once in-country, students were asked by the farm families with whom they stayed for feedback and advice on an ecotourism model the farmers were creating. The farmers, all members of the GARBO coffee cooperative in the Peñas Blancas region of Nicaragua near the Honduran border, were exploring diversifying their income by inviting tourists to learn about and stay on the plantation. So although they had prepared projects for months before arriving in Nicaragua, the students set them aside and put the needs of the farmers in the forefront. The class came up with ideas like creating a map of the cooperative and installing a water filtration system. They also suggested paving the roads and creating a store to sell convenience items to tourists as well as products grown on the plantation. When all was said and done, the students learned that when working in a place like Nicaragua, plans can change quickly. Adaptation and the willingness to think on your feet are great skills to have when trying to apply complex mathematics in a real-world situation. 28 Augsburg Now coffee See more photos, hear the students talk about their experiences, and watch video of the class at www.augsburg.edu/now. Summer 2012 29 Courtesy photo my Auggie experience Posts from the road Summer Travel 2012 The Augsburg Choir U.S. Tour The Augsburg Choir, under the direction of Peter Hendrickson ’76, toured the Midwest in May. With stops in Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, the choir performed nine concerts and had opportunities to connect with potential Auggies and their families as well as alumni and friends of the College. Teaching English in Thailand This was the fifth year that English professor Kathy Swanson and her husband, Jack, took students to teach English in Thailand as part of a short-term study abroad course through the Center for Global Education. In addition to teaching for 10 days in the village of Prachuap Khirikhan, the students learned about Thai culture and history, sailed on the Gulf of Siam, rode elephants, and tried to stay cool in the 120-degree heat. See photos from the 2012 Thailand course at www.flickr.com/photos/augthailand. International Management and Finance in Germany For four weeks in May and June, a group of German students and professors from Karlsruhe, Germany, paired with Augsburg students and assistant business professor Marc McIntosh to study international business practices. The group met for two weeks in Europe, visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg and witnessing firsthand the financial crisis that was occurring in Europe at that time. They also went to the Frankfurt stock exchange and experienced the volatility in the financial market as a result of the crisis, McIntosh said. Then, back in the U.S., the students visited three companies with strong ties to Germany and gained insights into how to do business in overseas markets. Finally, the students participated in an intensive business simulation game with teams competing to maximize shareholder value through the launches of multiple product offerings. The Augsburg students teaching English in Thailand pose outside of the Wat Benchamabophit, a temple in Bangkok. study abroad program coordinated through Augsburg’s Center for Global Education. An excerpt from Underhill’s blog: Election day is notable for its calm. Everyone is voting and waiting; my sense is that people are still feeling that they are in a dream, not sure that this can really be happening, and wondering if they will wake up in the morning to find the military back in power, or in fact with a leader they have chosen. The city is quieter than usual, less traffic and crowds, with people staying home to vote. Read more of the Egypt 2012 blog for more about the elections, the extreme traffic in Cairo, and sharing a plane ride with former President Jimmy Carter at http://augsburgegypttrip2012.blogspot.com. Social Service in a Global Context: Namibia and the U.S. During July, a group of 25 Master of Social Work (MSW) students studied in Namibia and South Africa accompanied by Lois Bosch, professor and MSW program director, and Nancy Rodenborg, associate professor and chair of the Social Work Department. The group visited social service agencies, hospitals, schools, and other venues. Auggies abroad in 2012-13 • 30 Augsburg Now 28 students participated in summer programs in Austria, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Jamaica, Jordan, Spain, and the United Kingdom • Political and Civic Engagement in Egypt Political science professor Joe Underhill and Mohamed Sallam, director of Pan-Afrikan student services at Augsburg, led students to Egypt in May to study youth movements and social change. The group visited cultural sites, villages, an ecotourism resort, and a Bedouin camp, observed the historic presidential election, and examined ongoing efforts to rebuild the country in the wake of the 2011 revolution. The combined political science and history course, Political and Civic Engagement in Egypt, was a faculty-led (including summer 2012) 41 students took part in summer short-term faculty-led programs including programs in Egypt, Germany, and Thailand • 27 students will study abroad in fall semester • 6 students will study abroad for the full 2012-13 academic year Read more posts from the road in the Augsburg Abroad blogs at www.augsburg.edu/augsburgabroad/blogs.html. WENDI WHEELER ’06 auggie voices In a room of her own In A Room of One’s Own, writer Virginia Woolf asserts that “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” This critical feminist essay, first published in 1929, examines the obstacles that women writers faced in a literary tradition that was, at the time, dominated by men. It was in a room of her own, a quiet space where she could remove herself from the distractions of college social life, that Erika Hammerschmidt ’04 began to write her first book while she was a student at Augsburg. A private room is beneficial for students with Asperger’s syndrome (AS), an autism spectrum disorder that affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others. Students with AS are characterized by poor social skills and restricted interests, but they typically possess great knowledge in specific areas and have extensive vocabularies. Hammerschmidt was diagnosed with AS at the age of 11. “In some ways, having Asperger’s is a gift,” she said. “I have a good memory and a gift for logical thought. And I can get very focused.” As a student, however, Hammerschmidt said she was easily distracted and had trouble concentrating on schoolwork because of anxiety she felt about her social life. Augsburg’s Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS) program, one of the student support resources available in the Gage Center for Student Success, helped Hammerschmidt deal with the social aspects of college. “They helped me get a single room, a ‘room of my own’ as Virginia Woolf wrote. It helped me get started on a lot of projects and stay focused on them.” The ability to focus helped Hammerschmidt complete her book, Born on the Wrong Planet. First published in 2003, it is a collection of poems, short stories, and For Erica Hammerschmidt ’04, living with Asperger’s syndrome makes her feel as though she is an alien on Earth, and she taps into that alienation to create art. In her hands is a language she created. It's tactile, and is made up of disk and small sculptural objects that are put together to create words and sentences. Her tactile language offers others a chance to experience and feel how different she feels because the language is intuitive to her, and completely foreign to others. “[Augsburg’s CLASS program] helped me get a single dorm, a ‘room of my own’ as Virginia Woolf wrote. It helped me get started on a lot of projects and stay focused on them.” ’04 ERIKA HAMMERSCHMIDT essays using alternating voices to illustrate the complexities of Hammerschmidt’s life with Asperger’s. A revised edition was published in 2008 by the Autism Asperger Publishing Company. Since graduating from Augsburg, Hammerschmidt has continued writing in the Minneapolis apartment she shares with her husband, John Ricker, whom she met at Augsburg. In 2011, the couple co-authored Kea’s Flight, a science fiction novel that Hammerschmidt said is “like [George Orwell’s] 1984 for autistic people.” The couple also speaks about living with autism spectrum diagnoses to special education students, teachers, and parents of children with autism. In 2005, they were featured speakers at the Annual Autism Society of Minnesota Conference. To learn more about Hammerschmidt and her work, go to www.erikahammerschmidt.com. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Summer 2012 31 alumni news FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, t hank you for the opportunity to serve as the Alumni Board president. We are welcoming five new Auggies to the board (see their biographies below) and are excited about the ideas and gifts they bring. This year, we will build on the work that has already been done by the Alumni Board and make an effort to reconnect even more alumni to Augsburg. My experiences as a member of the men’s soccer team keep me connected to Augsburg. We won the MIAC championship in 1980 and went undefeated that season. Many of my soccer teammates are still friends to this day. Several of my former teammates attended the student-alumni networking event held on campus this past February, and it was great to see them give back by sharing their experiences with current students. At the networking event, 60 students met with 50 alumni who hosted tables for students to ask about specific careers; my table was for those interested in financial services. I talked with several students for an hour, and I’ve since met with two of them to personally guide them on their career paths. You can stay connected to Augsburg by attending one of many events hosted by the Alumni Board this year, including Homecoming during the week of September 24 to 29. Read more about the activities scheduled for Homecoming on page 33. You’ll find information about more upcoming events on the following pages, and we will continue to update you in the monthly NOW@Augsburg e-newsletter. Be sure to read it when it comes to your inbox. I’d like to see you at an event this summer or at Homecoming. When we meet, I hope you’ll tell me your ideas for staying connected to Augsburg! CHRIS ASCHER ’81 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT New Alumni Board Members Five Auggies were recently elected to three-year terms on the Augsburg Alumni Board. Frank Grazzini ’96 helps run TelemetryWeb, Inc., a software startup he co-founded. After earning his degree in accounting, he worked in finance and now is focused on general business management. Grazzini said he would like to see the alumni connection to Augsburg begin at commencement. After graduating, Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett ’01 served Augsburg in event and classroom services and in advancement services. Now that Odenbrett works in donor relations at Macalester College in St. Paul, her desire to stay connected with Augsburg led her to join the Alumni Board. Lisa K. Olson ’79 lives in Washington, D.C., and is president and owner of a business and clinical research consulting firm. Several in Olson’s family are Augsburg graduates, and her grandfather, Henry P. Opseth, was head of the Music Department and the first director of the Augsburg Choir. Nick Slack ’02 has a degree in business administration and is currently a manufacturers’ representative for sporting goods companies in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. While at Augsburg, Slack was active in student government and wrestling. After graduating, he served as an Augsburg wrestling coach for seven years. He is also a member of the Augsburg Young 32 Augsburg Now Front Row [L to R]: Holly Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, Marie Odenbrett ’01, Jill Watson ’10 MBA; Middle Row [L to R]: Nick Slack ’02, Lisa K. Olson ’79, Kathy Amos ’87, Rob Wagner ’02, Chris Hallin ’88; Back Row [L to R]: Michael Loney ’03, Heather Cmiel ’02, Tracy Anderson ’95, Jerry Poland ’92, Chris Ascher ’81 Not pictured: Jennifer Carlson ’91, Sharon Engelland ’87, Sarah Grans ’01, Frank Grazzini ’96, Dan Hickle ’95, LeeAnn Lack ’67, Sharon Mercill ’05, Nancy Nordlund ’91, John Stadler ’07 MAL Alumni Council. Jill Watson ’10 MBA is a business analyst for Land O’Lakes. Watson said she wants to facilitate opportunities to increase alumni engagement and participation at Augsburg events as well as in the recruitment process. If you have ideas for alumni involvement, forward them to the Alumni Board at alumni@augsburg.edu. CHERYL D. CROCKETT ’89 Join Us for homecoming SEPTEMBER 24-29 Whether or not you are celebrating a reunion this year, Homecoming is a perfect reason to return to campus to reconnect with former classmates and enjoy the Augsburg spirit! Join Augsburg alumni, parents, students, and friends in a fun-filled week of Homecoming events and activities. This year marks many milestones for the College that will be recognized during Homecoming, including the 25th anniversary of the Master of Arts in Leadership program, which will be celebrated following the Sabo Symposium on Wednesday, September 26, and the 30th Anniversary of Weekend/Evening College (WEC), which will be celebrated at the WEC Alumni Reunion Breakfast on Saturday, September 29. New events have been added to this year’s Homecoming schedule, including a Faculty and Faculty Emeriti Meet and Greet Reception, an Augsburg Cabaret Reunion and sing-along on Friday, September 28, and a Latino/a Alumni Reunion Breakfast on Saturday, September 29. Homecoming Convocation will start the weekend off on Friday morning, September 28, when we will recognize the First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners, as well as members of the class of 1962. Don’t miss the opportunity for fellowship and reminiscing at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon that afternoon or at the 10-year, 25-year, and 30-year reunions at Republic (formerly Preston’s) Friday evening. Experience the Best of Augsburg on Saturday morning, September 29, when you can hear a brief lecture from two of Augsburg’s outstanding faculty members—Darcey Engen ’88, associate professor and chair of theater arts, and James Vela-McConnell, professor of sociology. Before the football game on Saturday, enjoy the Taste of Augsburg event with fun for the whole family, including carnival-style booths operated by student, parent, and alumni groups. That afternoon, cheer on the Auggies at the Homecoming Football Game as they take on Bethel College. The Auggie Block Party is back by popular demand! Following the football game, gather in the parking lot north of Si Melby Hall to enjoy food, entertainment, and camaraderie. It’s a wonderful way to conclude the Homecoming weekend. Homecoming has something for everyone. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.augsburg.edu/homecoming. We look forward to seeing you in September! reunion classes 60th Reunion—1952 50th Reunion—1962 40th Reunion—1972 30th Reunion—1982 25th Reunion—1987 10th Reunion—2002 Summer 2012 33 alumni news Networking at Work In the past year, the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations partnered with Career Services and the Alumni Board to host two student-alumni networking events. These events provide an opportunity for current Augsburg students to have one-on-one interactions with alumni from a variety of professions and also allow alumni to share their professional experience and insight. Several lasting connections were made at these events, including one between Janeece Oatman ’05 and Julie Bednark ’13, who met during Homecoming 2011. The two found they have a shared passion for high-energy, intense projects, and they connected immediately around their Augsburg experiences. Their conversation sparked a connection that led to a friendship and an internship opportunity for Bednark with the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure annual bike ride, for which Oatman is the director. Oatman said she feels good about giving back to the College by offering a unique experience for a current Augsburg student. “Julie was so approachable, smart, worldly, and willing to work hard,” she said. Following her internship, Bednark plans to volunteer for the Tour de Cure to maintain her connection to Oatman and to the American Diabetes Association. Chris Ascher ’81 and Dennis Som ’12 met at a networking event, but their true connection began after Som invited Ascher to lunch and they discovered a mutual passion for the world of finance. Som was inspired by Ascher’s character, goal-setting structure, and willingness to be a resource for current Augsburg students. Now the two connect regularly via email to share personal and professional developments. Both agree that a long-term mentor/mentee relationship is in the cards. Oatman and Ascher agreed they would return to participate in future alumni and student networking events to recapture the sense of gratification and pride that comes from “Auggies supporting Auggies.” Make your own connection with a current Auggie at the next alumni and student networking event that will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. SARA SCHLIPP-RIEDEL ’06 Julie Bednark ’13 and Janeece Oatman ’05 Dennis Som ’12 and Chris Ascher ’81 auggies supporting auggies 34 Augsburg Now s ‘Augsburg Start’ Mentor Program SHARE YOUR SUCCESS WITH A NEW AUGGIE! Do you remember your first days as a new Weekend/Evening College student? Navigating a new campus? Balancing work, life, and family? Learning about resources and success strategies? Now that you are an Augsburg WEC alum, you can give back to Augsburg and share your experience and success by becoming a mentor for a new Augsburg WEC student this fall. Augsburg Start is a mentor outreach program focused on pairing new Augsburg for Adults/Weekend College students with an alumna/us mentor who will support them in their first term. Once paired with a new student, you will be asked to connect with them in the first week and at least two other times in the term and be available as a resource for help and support in person, by phone, or by email. Each mentor/mentee relationship is different, but here are some ways to be an Augsburg Start mentor: • share your strategies for success as an adult student • encourage the student to connect with their faculty adviser so they will be ready to register for the next term • help the student reach out to student support programs • be sure the student knows how to use Moodle and Augnet • connect the student with the library and its resources For more information, visit www.augsburg.edu/alumni/getinvolved or contact Pat Grans in Alumni Relations at 612-330-1329 or gransp@augsburg.edu. BUILDING CONNECTIONS FROM THE ground up When Yemissrach (Yemi) Melka ’15 met Guy Wojtowicz ’81 in March, she had several questions in mind to help her learn about the personal and professional journey of the Augsburg grad. But she was in for a surprise—one that would bring a unique experience to the general chemistry students at Augsburg. During the visit, Wojtowicz told Melka about his family, many of whom are Auggies, including his son Zach who has completed his second year at Augsburg. He also talked about his professional career, describing some of the chemical and agricultural projects currently underway at the stucco and plastering company that he founded with his brother in 2006. The project that took Melka by surprise involves a compound that can be sprayed on depleted soil to significantly increase its fertility. Wojtowicz said the compound could also be instrumental in remediating contaminated soil without having to excavate and remove the soil to a toxic disposal site. As a chemistry major and an international student from Ethiopia, where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy and soil depletion has been an issue, Melka was excited about exploring the application of the technology in her home country. She couldn’t wait to tell [L to R]: Yemissrach Melka ‘15, Guy Wojtowicz ‘81, assistant professor of chemistry Vivian Feng her professor, Vivian Feng, about the chemistry lesson she received outside of class. Feng was impressed with the capabilities of the compound and brought it into a first-year general chemistry classroom for students to use in the environmental chemistry section of the course. Generally, Feng said, first-year students don’t work with commercial compounds used in the real world, so Melka’s discovery provided a rare, hands-on learning opportunity for her classmates. Melka met Wojtowicz through her involvement in IGNITE (Involving Graduates Now In Thoughtful Engagement), a program launched in 2009 with a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™. Students in IGNITE conduct face-to-face visits with alumni to learn more about their Augsburg experience and their interest in volunteer opportunities at Augsburg. If you have an interest in meeting with an IGNITE student representative, contact Pat Grans, volunteer coordinator, at 612-3301329 or gransp@augsburg.edu. CHERYL D. CROCKETT ‘89 Summer 2012 35 alumni news save the dates Saturday, October 13, 1-3 p.m. FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOGRAPHY AND BOAT TOUR auggie IS FLYING SOUTH THIS WINTER! Join President Paul C. Pribbenow and Augsburg alumni and friends in Arizona for the following events. To register or for more information call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. Saturday, February 16, 2 p.m. AUGSBURG RECEPTION At the home of Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson, Sun City The Anderson home is located two blocks northwest from the American Lutheran Church in Sun City. Taylors Falls, Minn. Augsburg’s resident photographer, Stephen Geffre, will provide insight into what makes for a successful photo and share stories and images from his “365 Project.” This unique event will be held on the St. Croix River aboard the Taylors Falls Queen excursion boat of Wild Mountain/Taylors Falls Recreation, owned by Amy Raedtke Frischmon ’92. Register at www.augsburg.edu/ alumnievents. Thursday, October 18, Noon CT AUGSBURG LIVE: STATE OF THE COLLEGE Hear first-hand from President Paul C. Pribbenow about the College’s priorities for this academic year on this hour-long webinar. See images of the campus, hear stories of student successes, and learn about how the College continues to live out its mission and promise to students and its community. To register, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Saturday, February 16, 6 p.m. RECEPTION AT HEARD MUSEUM Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix Featuring The Couriers quartet from the Augsburg Centennial Singers AUGSBURG CENTENNIAL SINGERS: ARIZONA TOUR Sunday, February 17 - American Lutheran Church, Sun City Sunday, February 17; 8, 9:15, and 10:45 a.m. Monday, February 18 - The Church at Litchfield Park, KING OF GLORY CHURCH SERVICES Litchfield Park King of Glory, 2085 East Southern Ave., Tempe Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow will be the guest preacher Tuesday, February 19 - Desert Hills Lutheran, Green Valley Sunday, February 17, 6 p.m. RECEPTION At the home of Lute ’56 and Kelly Olson, Tuscon Featuring The Couriers quartet from the Augsburg Centennial Singers Thursday, February 21 - Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, Sun Lakes Friday, February 22 - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Fountain Hills Saturday, February 23 - Vista de la Montana Methodist Church, Tucson Sunday, February 24 - Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, Gold Canyon 36 Augsburg Now 62newly published book on sciKen Olson is the author of a alumni class notes 57lished two books: Daily Walks Rev. Neal Snider recently pub- with Saints and Sinners and Walking Together through the Bible. ence and religion, Lens to the Natural World: Reflections on Dinosaurs, Galaxies, and God. In addition to parish ministry, since 1988 Olson has been a research associate in paleontology for the Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University. Olson and his wife Rochelle (Jerve) Olson ‘63 live in Lewistown, Mont. head High School in Kalispell, Mont. Davis was an All-American wrestler at Augsburg College in 1973. 76called to serve as the senior Mary (Ronning) Gilthvedt was 70 In May, Jim Fischer was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. Fischer has been the track and cross country coach at University of Delaware since 1982. He joins the previous 293 inductees enshrined at the Delaware Sports Museum since 1976. 74gence, a story about “a smart Scott Seal published Conver- guy with a mediocre life” that takes the reader from the frozen snowbanks of Minneapolis to the icy halfpipe snowboard courses of Valles Marineras on Mars. Scot Davis, a two-time national coach of the year and the “All-Time National Wins Leader” in high school wrestling, according to Wrestling USA Magazine, has been named head wrestling coach at Flat- pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, Minn. in July 2011. 83’88, and four other profes- Luverne Seifert, Darcey Engen sional performers will debut a new site-specific production of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard in five historical homes in July and August. The production, which will travel to Blue Earth, Kenyon, Little Falls, Taylors Falls, and Worthington, Minn., will also feature four local community actors and musicians from each community. 84a new position as an accountPamela (Schey) Durfee began ant with Mullinax Concrete Services in Buffalo, Wyo. AUGSBURG CELEBRATES 40 Years OF WOMEN’S ATHLETICS Courtesy photo Joyce Pfaff ’65 Lavonne Peterson ’50 auggie SNAPSHOTS In celebration of the 40th anniversary of women’s athletics at Augsburg, as well as the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the College will present two alumnae with the “One of Our Own” award. On Saturday, November 10, Joyce Pfaff ’65 and Lavonne (Mrs. Pete) Peterson ’50, will join Ernie Anderson ’37, Edor Nelson ’38, Lute Olson ’56, and Ed Saugestad ’59 as “One of Our Own” award recipients for their contributions to Augsburg College and the Athletic Department. In addition, female athletes from each decade will be chosen for the All-Decade Teams to honor and recognize some of Augsburg’s most outstanding athletes from the past 40 years. Save the Date: All athletic alumnae are invited to join in the celebration on Saturday, November 10! 04Krepela ’04 MAE and her Bethany (Bierman) 72promoted to the rank of Kristin L. Rajala was colonel, Dental Corps, in the Minnesota Army National Guard in a ceremony on April 14 at Camp Ripley, Little Falls, Minn. Rajala is currently assigned as the officer in charge of the Dental Section within the Medical Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Minnesota Army National Guard. Her civilian career is practicing dentistry in Brainerd and Willmar, Minn. husband, Jim, welcomed a daughter, Kaija Joyce, on August 19, 2011. Bethany worked at Augsburg from 1998 to 2007 in admissions and in marketing and communication. She currently works as a Twin Cities-based development officer for Luther College. 05Schornstein and Matt Megan (Ehresmann) Schornstein ’04 welcomed Elsie Mae on November 18. 05Nathan Saj welcomed Ellen (Kvitek) Saj and baby boy Benjamin James on March 14. Jim and Kelly Matthias welcomed baby Adeline Grace on February 7. Jim is a liaison for computing in the Information Technology department at Augsburg. 07recently received her Katherine Jane Gavin doctor of medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Summer 2012 37 86Teacher of the Year at Trinity High 99celebration of the Girl Scouts Michael Johnson was named School in Trinity, N.C. Johnson teaches theater and is the director of dramatics at the school. 87vice president of Venture Bank. In January, at the centennial of Minnesota, Linda Stuart was honored as a “Woman of Promise” by the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys. Brian Brakke was appointed senior 89 Devoney Looser, professor of English at the University of Missouri, published a video titled The Untidy History of Sisterhood about her research on Jane Austen, Jane Porter, women’s writings, old age, and roller derby. The video is available on the SyndicateMizzou website. Looser also directed a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar for College Teachers on “Jane Austen and Her Contemporaries” this summer. Charles Skemp (MAE licensure) received a 2012 Whitney & Elizabeth MacMillan (WEM) Foundation Outstanding Educator Award for Teacher Achievement in May. Skemp is a teacher at Henry Sibley High School in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan school district. 92coach and founder of Life Illumi- Jennifer Chou authored a chapter titled, “Wine Savvy—Business and Social Wine Smarts” in the book Socially Smart & Savvy, a book of experts’ secrets for success. 01tenant by the Minnesota State Robert Zak was promoted to lieu- Patrol. Zak is the director of fleet and asset management and is stationed in St. Paul. In May, Mary Grundhoefer (MAE licensure) received the Teacher of Excellence Award in the Cambridge-Isanti School District where she teaches English, writing, and media studies. 04ter’s degree in finance from the Hans Strommen received his mas- University of St. Thomas. He works for UnitedHealthcare as a senior financial analyst. Sharol Tyra, a professional certified nation Presentations and Coaching, was elected to the Minnesota Coaches Association board of directors. 05Stolle was named 2011 Educator In February, Bethany (Schneck) 93time All-American, Joe Hoialmen, of the Year by the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators. Stolle is a senior developer for youth resources for Sparkhouse, the ecumenical division of Augsburg Fortress publishers. was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame in April. 08math teacher at St. Paul Prepara- Former Auggie wrestler and three- 95 In June, Hans Skulstad was named chair of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee. Michael Gooding was hired as a medical assistant with Sun Life Family Health Center in Sun Lakes, Ariz. In May, Dan Forseth, science and tory School in St. Paul, was awarded the Science House High Flyer Award by the Science Museum of Minnesota Professional Development Group. 10year of graduate school at Alliant Leann Vice-Reshel finished her first e w a Augsburg Women Engaged Update AWE believes… • women have knowledge, experience, and wisdom to share with the Augsburg community. • a relationship with Augsburg enriches the lives of alumnae. • we can be the catalyst for tapping the potential of women to connect, learn, and give. In July 2011, AWE hosted its first Action Team gathering, presenting opportunities for women to connect, learn, give, and be actively involved in the Augsburg community. Since then, more than 150 Auggie women have engaged with Augsburg through AWE programs and events. The second AWE Action Team gathering is scheduled for August 1. Join us to find a project or team that fits your interests and availability. AWE is thrilled to thank the 26 women who have stepped forward to support the future Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Special thanks to Roz Nordaune ’77, one of the first women to join AWE, for her matching gift, which brings the group’s fundraising total to $50,000. In the second phase of this “AWE-Inspired” effort, AWE will invite 50 women to join them in raising $100,000 by December 31! Augsburg welcomes new participants to AWE. Contact Sherilyn Young at 612-330-1462 or youngs@augsburg.edu for more information. CONNECTING. LEARNING. GIVING. University in San Diego, Calif. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. The Political History and Landmarks of Namibia and South Africa Join Augsburg alumni and friends in August 2013 on this 12-day African tour through Namibia and South Africa’s political past and the popular tourist attractions and landmarks this history has created. Learn firsthand about this region’s struggle against apartheid and discover how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia played a significant role in the Namibian independence struggle. Tour the former black and colored townships in Windhoek and Johannesburg, and hear from a cross-section of southern African society. 38 Augsburg Now This trip is offered in partnership between the Alumni Association and the Center for Global Education (CGE) at Augsburg College. For 30 years, CGE has provided cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes place, leading to a more just and sustainable world. To request more details about the trip, call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ____________________________________________________________ Street address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone ____________________________________________________________ Email Okay to publish your email address? ❑ Yes ❑ No In Memoriam ____________________________________________________________ Employer Dr. Donald F. Holm ’39, Edina, Minn., age 94, on March 9. ____________________________________________________________ Position Victor “Vic” E. Miller ’42, Edina, Minn., age 92, on December 1. Andrew “Andy” Balerud ’50, Visalia, Calif., age 84, on February 11. Jennings I. Thompson ’51, Bloomington, Minn., age 88, on January 18. ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Gordon Odegaard ’52, Washington, D.C., age 81, on January 14. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? ❑ Yes ❑ No C. Arthur Shultz ’53, Rancho Cordova, Calif., age 80, on January 9. If yes, class year ________________________________________________ Rev. Leroy J. Iseminger ’54, Sioux Falls, S.D., age 80, on March 10. ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name Lawrence E. Nerheim ’56, Oak Park, Calif., age 76, on January 11. Conrad E. Fristedt ’58, Alexandria, Minn., age 81, on March 8. K. Benjamin Skurdal ’59, Williston, N.D., age 78, on March 14. Roger A. Bevis ’63, Bloomington, Minn., age 70, on January 29. Joanne Clare Koester ’75, Red Wing, Minn., age 58, on May 12. ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ____________________________________________________________ Brenda L. (Salberg) Peterson ’75, Brooklyn Park, Minn., age 58, on April 1. ____________________________________________________________ Karen I. Quenroe ’76, Canby, Minn., age 56, on April 30, 2011. ____________________________________________________________ Audrey A. Banks ’89, Minneapolis, age 77, on October 19. ____________________________________________________________ David J. Holland, ’91, Berkeley, Calif., age 43, on January 24. Jennifer “Jen” M. DeGolier ’99, Minneapolis, age 36, on April 27. Jennifer “Jenni” L. Buth ’01, Bloomington, Minn., age 35, on March 30. ____________________________________________________________ ❑ I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Brian Hartmann ’03, St. Louis Park, Minn., age 50, on May 4. Summer 2012 39 auggies on the ice Scoring in science and hockey Balancing academics and athletics can be demanding for college student-athletes. For Brandon Bukowski ’12, a double major in biology and chemistry with his sights set on medical school, managing academics and a hockey schedule was challenging. But Bukowski shone in the classroom and on the ice, graduating summa cum laude with honors in biology and leading his team as one of the top hockey defenders in the conference. Bukowski came to Augsburg after three years playing junior hockey with the Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Neb., and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets in North Dakota. Chris Brown, Augsburg’s men’s hockey coach, had been in contact with Bukowski since high school, but Bukowski was interested in playing for a Division I school. “I never thought Augsburg was for me, but I was impressed with the hockey team and the strong science program,” he said. Studying biology while playing hockey required support from his coaches and commitment to time management. “In hockey, science majors are not common,” Bukowski said. Some of his courses required 12 hours of lab work each week, but he said his coaches always found a way to make his schedule work. “At Augsburg, the coaches emphasize that we are students first and athletes second.” At Augsburg, students interested in pursuing graduate school are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research in order to prepare them for advanced study. For two summers, Bukowski conducted research with biology assistant professor Jennifer BankersFulbright through Augsburg’s office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), which funds 10 to 12 weeks of summer research for more than 30 students each year. Bukowski and Bankers-Fulbright studied a bacterium that is responsible for substantial mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis. 40 Augsburg Now Bankers-Fulbright said she appreciated Bukowski’s enthusiasm and dedication. “Brandon has a very strong work ethic and this, combined with his intellectual curiosity and drive, made him a valuable part of my lab,” she said. Bukowski also participated in Mayo Innovation Scholars, a program involving Mayo Clinic Ventures and the Minnesota Private College Council. As a member of a team including undergraduate science and business majors and an MBA student, Bukowski researched the efficacy of a potential product and conducted market analysis for the product. His academic skill earned Bukowski Auggie awards as the men’s student-athlete with the highest grade-point average in 2011 and 2012. On the ice, he was a fouryear letter winner, appearing in 85 career games with 14 assists and 15 points, and the team qualified for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs three times during his tenure. Bukowski plans to apply to medical school next year and wants to become an orthopedic surgeon. For the summer following graduation, he has applied to a Med Scribe program at Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA) in which he would shadow a physician and learn about the medical field by documenting patient history and observing exams. WENDI WHEELER ’06 At the annual Auggie Awards, the Augsburg College athletic programs roll out the maroon carpet to celebrate team and individual successes. For the promotional posters, Augsburg College photographer Stephen Geffre shows student-athletes in formal wear participating in their sport. To see more of these striking action shots, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. augsburgLEGACY AN “Scholarships energize students! Providing scholarships energizes us!” PHILIP AND JEAN FORMO Phil and Jean Formo are always excited to meet a student who has received a scholarship from the Jerome and Winifred Formo Scholarship or the David J. Formo Scholarship. And soon, the Formos will be able to meet Augsburg students who will receive support from the Andreas Helland Scholarship. Phil comes from an Augsburg legacy family. His parents, Jerome and Winifred Formo, both graduated in 1937. His brother, David, graduated in 1964 and served in the U.S. Navy. And Phil’s grandfather, Andreas Helland, taught at Augsburg Seminary and College for 35 years. The Formo scholarships, started in memory of the family’s loved ones, create a family legacy while ensuring financial support for future Augsburg students. Jean and Phil have also provided for an estate gift that will continue to build these scholarships after their deaths. Meeting the students who receive scholarships from their family’s legacy is energizing to Phil and Jean. “Best of all for us,” Phil said, “these scholarships help us stay vitally connected to Augsburg College and to its students.” The Augsburg College development team has many creative ways to help accomplish your Augsburg philanthropic and legacy goals. To learn more, call 612-330-1575. www.augsburg.edu/giving 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Commencement 2012 Rebecca Hamlin, the representative for the class of 2012, hugs her son Marlowe Lindberg before the July 1 commencement ceremony. In her speech to the graduates, Hamlin shared how students at Fridley Middle School taught her about peace when she taught them about civic engagement through the Public Achievement program. To read more about Public Achievement at Fridley Middle School, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Augsburg Now Fall 2011
Title
Augsburg Now Fall 2011: Auggies Go Beyond
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes f...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes from President Pribbenow Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director On politics and informed citizens Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design t he creation of the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning a few years ago allowed us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our distinguished alumnus, Martin Olav Sabo ’59, whose life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. As we live out our mission and vision here at Augsburg, we, of course, are deeply engaged in helping our students to understand the electoral political process, which Congressman Sabo so ably served. In addition, our students are closely involved in local political and advocacy efforts, in public service internships, in get-out-the-vote campaigns, and in helping our many new U.S. neighbors to participate in U.S. electoral politics. At the same time, we also are deeply committed to the ideas and practices of a broader public claim—a claim that calls on all citizens to “get political”—to follow the call of our Augsburg colleague, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, who suggests that “Despite its bad reputation, politics is the way people in any setting deal with differences to get something done. Politics means creating alliances, negotiating, engaging people around self interests, using levers of change in a strategic way. Politics is how diverse groups of people build a future together … Politics is from the Greek root, politikos, ‘of the citizen.’” As Boyte reminds us, “For over two thousand years politics meant not parties or vertical relations with the state but rather horizontal engagement among citizens.” In other words, politics and getting political is the authentic and important work of citizenship, claimed by all of us as our birthright and moral obligation. One of my heroines in U.S. history is the great social reformer, Jane Addams, who lived and worked at Hull-House in Chicago for almost 50 years, helping her immigrant neighbors to practice citizenship—not because of a political system but because democracy is a social ethic, a way of living together in commu- nity, neighborhood, country, some of us think even, the world. She described democracy as a “mixed and thronged road” on which we all are travelers together, navigating our lives together. Surely, Miss Addams illustrated in her own life and work the ways in which mature citizenship—genuine politics—is meeting the needs of our neighbors, building stronger and healthier neighborhoods, finding common purpose and then the will to make it real, and learning to be what political philosopher and ethicist Jean Bethke Elshtain has called “chastened patriots,” those who love a cause or community or country but love it in ways that make it stronger, more responsible, and more faithful to common purpose. This is politics as common, public work. The great Illinois senator, Adlai Stevenson, who ran for president against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, was once said to have responded at a whistle stop to a supporter who shouted out, “All thoughtful Americans are with you, Adlai,” with this great line, “That won’t be enough.” For those of us committed to the public and civic roles of higher education, we know that one of our great challenges is to educate more informed and thoughtful citizens—work that is a central claim of Augsburg’s mission—and to challenge our students to help others become the same as they reclaim a sense that politics is not simply about who is in power and who is not, not simply about ideology and partisanship, not simply about winners and losers, but instead that politics is the work we all are called to do to ensure that our common purposes will be realized. Please enjoy the many stories in this issue of Augsburg Now that illustrate Augsburg’s commitment to educating informed citizens—a commitment that has implications for our work on campus, in our neighborhood, and around the world. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu fall 2011 augsburg now Features 7 Homecoming 2011 BY CHERYL CROCKETT 11 15 14 augsburg as a citizen BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 . 13 The Sabo Center Educating citizens and leaders 14 Course-based service-learning Learning beyond the classroom 15 The Bonner Leader program Developing future leaders 16 Community relations The College as an anchor 3 contents 10 7 On the cover Banners along Murphy Square, part of the commons Augsburg shares with the neighborhood, reflect the College’s commitment to service. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 17 What is the commons? BY JAY WALLJASPER 21 Annual report to donors BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Departments inside front cover 2 6 10 29 35 40 44 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies on the court My Auggie experience It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes Auggie voices Correction: The Summer 2011 issue of Augsburg Now reported that the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council awarded two $10,000 grants to Augsburg College. The awards were granted to Medieval Minnesota and OverExposure. Both programs work in partnership with the College. The grant to Medieval Minnesota was funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The grant to OverExposure, which worked in partnership with Centro Youth Workshop and Augsburg, was an Arts Learning Grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. quad around the NEWSNOTES U.S.News & World Report names Augsburg College a 2011 Best Regional College This fall, Augsburg was named to the 2011 top 30 “Best Regional Midwest Universities” by U.S.News & World Report. The ranking is based on assessment in 16 areas related to academic excellence. To find out more about the U.S.News & Word Report ranking, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Augsburg one of six to win Washington Center Higher Education Civic Engagement Award For its commitment to public service and community involvement, Augsburg was selected by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars to receive the Higher Education Civic Engagement Award. The College is one of six higher education institutions in the nation to receive the honor, which was awarded October 3 at The Washington Center’s annual luncheon, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Last May, the College was also one of six schools—and the first in Minnesota—to win the Presidential Award for Community Service, the highest federal honor available for service learning. PA students complete a unit on working with older adults by hosting a community health fair for residents of Augustana Apartments in downtown Minneapolis. Physician Assistant program is granted accreditation The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Continued Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2018. The Augsburg program went from a three-year accreditation cycle to seven—the longest that a program can receive. Dawn Ludwig, Augsburg PA program director, said, “Obtaining seven years of accreditation is a welcome reward and recognizes the dedication of the PA faculty and staff who work to make our program one of the best in the country.” Board of Regents MEMBERS ELECTED At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporate Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg Board of Regents and re-elected three members to second terms. RE-ELECTED REGENTS: Andra Adolfson, Business Development Director, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Inc. NEW REGENTS: Karen (Miller) Durant ’81, Vice President and Controller, Tennant Company Rolf Jacobson, Associate Professor, Luther Seminary Matt Entenza, Founder and Senior Fellow, Minnesota 2020 Bonnie Wallace, Scholarship Director, Fond du Lac Reservation, and Founder of The Bearheart Women's Foundation Jeffrey Nodland ’77, President and CEO, KIK Custom Products Gary Tangwall ’80, Wealth Advisor, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ 2 Augsburg Now Also appointed to three-year terms on the board, ex officio, are Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod of the ELCA, and Bishop Harold Usgaard, Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. Norwegian royalty VISIT AUGSBURG Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg College during October as part of their first trip to the United States since 1995. President Paul Pribbenow said the visit was an honor, particularly given the College’s deep commitment to peacemaking and global citizenship, and was a chance to provide the royal couple with a firsthand experience of the deep relationship between Norway and the College. The king and queen attended a worship service with Norwegian students from the region and guests, including the 28 Norwegian students attending Augsburg this semester through the International Partners program. The king and queen also visited Luther and St. Olaf colleges. To commemorate this visit, Augsburg installed a peace pole near the main entrance to the Foss Center. The peace pole celebrates the College’s Norwegian heritage, its relationship with the country and people of Norway, and its work with the Norwegian Nobel Institute to support peacemaking through the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The Augsburg College peace pole is constructed of stainless steel and copper, reflecting the College’s urban setting. Inscribed on two of the five sides of the peace pole are statements in Norwegian and in English: Må fred herske på Jorden and May peace prevail on Earth. The other three sides of the pole display the word “peace” or an equivalent word, reflecting the diverse populations that make up Queen Sonja with Abigail Pribbenow, Maya Augsburg’s communities in Pribbenow, and Olivia Szaj, daughter of Vice Minneapolis and around the world. President and Chief of Staff Chris Szaj. The MAL Integrated Graduate Studies cohort explores responsible leadership in downtown Minneapolis. New graduate program offerings This year, Augsburg launched new offerings for graduate students in leadership, social work, and business. INTEGRATED MAL The first cohort of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) Integrated Graduate Studies program began meeting in August. This two-year hybrid program uses a combination of online and intensive on-campus learning. Students met in August with Professor Garry Hesser for a one-week intensive session that included neighborhood excursions and visits with local business and community leaders, including Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP President Paul Pribbenow and his family dedicate a peace pole outside of Foss Center in honor of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. Augsburg also added a certificate in social entrepreneurship, a program that combines courses in the master of business administration, social work, and leadership programs. The curriculum is designed for students interested in obtaining the skills and competencies necessary for the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact, and recognizes the unique challenges, opportunities, and qualities associated with trying to create social value. For more information about this certificate, go to the Augsburg MBA website at www.augsburg.edu/mba. Fall 2011 3 quad around the Summer construction on campus Two capital projects were completed this summer on the Minneapolis campus: the Gage Center for Student Success on the link level of Lindell Library, and the creation of new offices for Undergraduate/Graduate Admissions on the lower level of Christensen Center. The Gage Center was made possible through a $900,000 gift from the Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Foundation. This generous gift allows the College to co-locate critical academic student services in a new learning commons at the heart of campus—further demonstrating Augsburg’s commitment to equipping all students for success. The Gage Center project involved relocation of a portion of the library collection from the link level to new, high-density shelving in the lower level of Lindell Library—a solution that enhances the efficiency of the College’s existing space in supporting student academic needs. Also during the summer, improvements were made to the locker rooms and public spaces in Si Melby Hall. Mortensen Hall, one of Augsburg’s oldest residence halls, received extensive upgrades to its student living and common spaces, including new flooring, plumbing and bathroom upgrades, kitchen cabinetry, shelving, light fixtures, and paint. To see a slideshow of more construction photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICES 4 Augsburg Now Nobel Prize winners visit Augsburg developing approaches for sharing our commons sustainably and equitably. The two-day event explored the concept of the commons (see story, page 17) and included a social gathering in Murphy Square, Minneapolis’ oldest public park, as well as a walking tour of the neighborhood and a bike tour of the commons in Minneapolis. Festival of the Commons In early October, Elinor Ostrom, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, spoke at Augsburg for the Festival of the Commons. This event was a joint project of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center that connects organizations, community leaders, and individuals in Courtesy photo 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum (March 1-3) In a master class held at Augsburg, Elinor Ostrom gives advice to area college students about commons-related work they are doing on their campuses and in their communities. This spring, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, will keynote the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 2. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an annual event that inspires students and other citizens to become active participants in peacemaking efforts around the world. For nearly 24 years, it has been the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside of Norway. De Klerk, who won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, is known for his work to end apartheid, a systemic policy of racial segregation. De Klerk supported the transformation of South Africa into a multiracial democracy and in recent years has continued his work on peacemaking efforts. Learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at www.peaceprizeforum.org. STUDENTS TAKE ON interfaith community service challenge This summer, Augsburg was chosen by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Throughout this academic year, students representing the Muslim Student Association, Campus Ministry youth ministry teams, ALAS (Allied Latinas/os), Interfaith Scholars, the Pan-Afrikan Student Union (PASU), the women’s track and field team, Campus Kitchen, and the Bonner Leader program will participate in service projects centered on Somali youth in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. In addition, the Interfaith Scholars program, which began formally last spring, will explore and develop the roles of students as public leaders around interfaith literacy and action at Augsburg. President Paul Pribbenow expressed the importance of the College’s commitment to this initiative. He wrote, “As we consider our interfaith work, we are convinced that dialogue and service must be interwoven in all we do. We believe that what we learned through re- Interfaith Scholars team members: Front [L to R] Halimo Abdulkarim ’13, Mai Yang ’13, Luis Hernandez ’14, Miriam Medina ’13, Macha Shatonova ’13, Megan Holm ’12. Back [L to R] Lonna Field, Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning project coordinator; Jorge Mondragon ’13, Pastor Sonja Hagander. Not pictured: Salma Ahmed ’12, Fardosa Hassan ’13, Griffith Orman ’15. cent efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue with our neighbors is something we must do each day. We must seek to live side-by-side, day-by-day, within our neighborhood. Interfaith living is what we must—and do—aspire to teach our students.” Fall 2011 5 auggies on the court Hard work shapes Auggie Honors student, athlete Shelby Vogel stands out in the classroom and on the volleyball court. The Auggie— a pre-med honors student double majoring in chemistry and physics—chalks it up to elbow grease. “I get good grades because I work hard,” Vogel said. “And I don’t feel good unless I work hard. I think that same mindset transferred to sports.” Although she’s a first-year student, she earned enough college credits during high school to enter Augsburg as a sophomore. Vogel was in the National Honor Society during high school and received two of Augsburg’s highest merit-based scholarships—the Regents’ Scholarship and the Courtland Agre Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming first-year students with exceptional academic achievements in science and who meet standards for national test scores and grade point average. Professor Larry Crockett, Vogel’s honors adviser, said that Vogel is setting some of the agenda for discussions in the Honors Scholar Citizen class. “She engages well and raises good questions, which is the heart of the honors academic enterprise,” Crockett said. “It’s what I like to call ‘academic jazz.’” Outside the classroom, Vogel excels on the court. She is a high school all-conference and Junior Olympic volleyball player and was team captain. One of Vogel’s favorite high school memories was going to the state championship during her senior year where she and her teammates beat their rival in the semifinal round. “It was happy and sad,” Vogel said. “We all had played to- 6 Augsburg Now gether since sixth grade, and we beat our rivals in the semifinals. But we lost the championship to a big school, and it was our last game as a team.” Augsburg’s head volleyball coach, Jane Becker, said she’s had her eye on Vogel since Vogel was a high school sophomore. “Shelby brings a maturity to the court that is rare in any athlete, let alone a first-year athlete,” Becker said. “Her priority on the court is that the team succeed. Her work ethic and team attitude have already earned her the respect of her teammates and will serve her as she enters the medical profession. We’re grateful Shelby is an Auggie on the court and in the classroom.” On the court as an Auggie, Vogel hopes to play at the NCAA Division III Tournament. Vogel visited a number of private colleges—most of them in rural settings like her home city of Sheldon, Iowa—before selecting Augsburg. “I wanted to be in the city. I graduated with 89 people in a town of about 5,000,” Vogel said. “I like it here because I’m in a big city on a small campus.” STEPHANIE WEISS 2011 homecoming HOMECOMING 2011 HAS COME AND GONE, but it has left lasting memories for the more than 1,200 Augsburg alumni, students, parents, and friends who participated in the festivities. Several events during the week sparked the homecoming spirit. A student/alumni networking reception provided students an edge in navigating their career paths as they met with alumni already seasoned in their professions. Sports enthusiasts reunited around an alumni baseball game at Parade Stadium. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated and awards presented at a special induction ceremony. The Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™, provided alumni and friends time to network and learn about community issues. Friday and Saturday came alive with a rich pastiche of “remember when” conversations as reunion classes each gathered to reconnect with one another and the College, including members of the class of 1961 who were inducted into the 50-Year Club. The Friday morning convocation honored six Auggies, and the celebration continued over a lunch, which featured Martha Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. Saturday morning featured the “Best of Augsburg” mini-lectures from three outstanding professors: Garry Hesser, David Murr, and robert tom. A 5K Fun Run Saturday drew alumni, students, and friends, all decked out in their Auggie gear for a morning run through the neighborhood. In the Gage Family Art Gallery and the Christensen Center Art Gallery, artwork from 23 alumni was on display, including ceramics, painting, drawing, multi-media, sculpture, photography, book arts, fiber arts, and printmaking. On Saturday in Murphy Square, more than 30 vendors at the Taste of Augsburg event served up a variety of inviting vittles. The weekend’s centerpiece was, of course, the football game against St. Olaf, and Auggie spirit was at a fever pitch. The celebration continued after the game at the Block Party where more than 600 Auggies gathered to enjoy live music and more fellowship. The crowning touch for an already unforgettable week was the Saturday evening Hognander Music Scholars reunion concert featuring some of Augsburg’s finest musicians from the past 12 years. CHERYL CROCKETT Save the date for Homecoming 2012, September 23 to 29. To nominate an Augsburg alumnus or alumna for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu. Fall 2011 7 2011 homecoming To see more photos of Homecoming 2011, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 8 Augsburg Now 2011 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Awards First Decade Award Spirit of Augsburg Awards Corky Hall ’71 Adam Seed ’01 Arlin Gyberg Founder and CEO of Stellus Consulting Vice President, Astra Ventures Inc. Chemistry Professor, Augsburg College I didn’t come to college for reading, writing, and arithmetic; I came for the three Es: Edor Nelson, Ernie Anderson, and Ed Saugestad. But I learned that it’s not about winning and losing on the field; it’s how you win, and lose, every day. Augsburg showed me how to live—how to win and how to lose—which makes us all champions in life. Giving to others, thinking about others, thinking less about oneself—this has been the key to my success. The less I think about myself, the happier I am. Augsburg taught me to manage in life without focusing on myself. It's given me everything I have today. One of the values that stands out at Augsburg is the community of learning experienced here. What has been most rewarding [over the years] are the alumni who stop by to visit, who are still connected. The strong alumni support has been important in the success of the College. I thank you, “family of Augsburg.” Athletic Hall of Fame Wayne Jorgenson ’71 Senior Vice President of Investments at UBS Financial Services In high school, I knew I wanted to be a stockbroker—an ethical one. When you do what’s right for the client, they become more than clients; they become friends. Whatever you choose to do in life, do what’s right. In your heart you will know what that is. Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: • Mike Burkhardt ’81, men’s hockey/ baseball • Carrie (Lind) Cabe ’01, women’s track and field • Stu Engen ’86, men’s basketball • Mitch Hegland ’91, wrestling • Kara (Seibel) Hoard ’96, women’s soccer • Matt Kretlow ’91, wrestling • Pat Piepenburg ’69, women’s basketball Norma Noonan Professor and former Director of the Master's of Arts in Leadership, Augsburg College After 45 1/2 years at Augsburg, I still believe it is a special place to work. The Augsburg spirit inspires our work and encourages our success. It nourishes us daily. The Augsburg community continues to be a place of learning, discovery, and collaboration. • Angie Rieger ’01, women’s hockey/ volleyball Judith Schaubach ’68 President of Education Minnesota, retired Education always seems to be a passion of mine. I know how important education was for me; I learned so many values here at Augsburg. Part of my success was being open to new things. You never know what door will open for you as you go through life. Take advantage of those opportunities. • Don Skoy ’73, football For biographies and more information about this year’s alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now homecoming alumni awards Fall 2011 9 my Auggie experience This is what an Auggie looks like: Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA At first glance, it might seem surprising that an accomplished physician and educator, one whose office walls are lined with plaques highlighting his achievements, would count an MBA program as one of the most valuable experiences of his career. But give him a few minutes, and Dr. Amit Ghosh will offer many reasons why the Augsburg MBA has been a highlight for him. As the director of the Mayo Clinic international program, a full professor in the Mayo College of Medicine, and the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Mayo Educator award, Ghosh had established a successful career as a physician and a diagnostician. “But what I could never do was see what was going on add depth to classroom discussions. “We ask all kinds of questions from all angles, and without any trouble the professor answers them.” After class, Ghosh said his professors often send additional articles and materials to continue the discussions. Ghosh also likes the team-based cohort model and the opportunity to learn from classmates who he said bring valuable and diverse points of view to the program. “I have learned so many things about business from the students in my cohort,” he said. Ghosh appreciates how his classmates challenge him. “They have forgotten I am a physician, and they really ing an organizational diagnostician. He said the program has changed not only how he approaches his work as a physician but also how he teaches at Mayo. “I teach a whole spectrum of learners from students to faculty and use the things I have learned in business school to highlight relevant areas related to service-delivery that I think are not stressed or are missing from medical education,” he said. Ghosh will complete the Augsburg MBA in “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” around me in the business world,” he said. So in 2009, Ghosh’s colleague, Augsburg College regent Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, suggested the MBA program. Now Ghosh is learning, through connections with both the faculty and the students in his Rochester MBA cohort, to become what he calls an “organizational diagnostician.” “At every point in our lives we define ourselves,” Ghosh said. “I thought in my journey with my career I needed to redefine myself, and my Augsburg education has helped me do that.” An esteemed educator in his own field, Ghosh holds the Augsburg faculty in high regard and appreciates the rigor of the curriculum. “I work in a world-class institution, and I can assess quality,” Ghosh said. “The professors at Augsburg are amazing.” Ghosh said his Augsburg MBA professors bring real world experience to the classroom, which is helpful because their experiences 10 Augsburg Now give me a run for my money.” In addition to the faculty and his fellow students, Ghosh said Augsburg staff members have enhanced his experience. He related a story about Ron Kurpiers, a librarian at the Minneapolis campus, who helped Ghosh with a paper. Kurpiers took time on a Sunday, while he was caring for a sick family member, to lead Ghosh step-by-step through the process of finding articles to write a paper. “He thinks like a student, but he works like a librarian,” Ghosh said. “It was as if he were sitting with me.” Perhaps Kurpiers’ extraordinary dedication is one reason why Ghosh now says looking at the library website to find articles is one of his favorite pastimes. His Augsburg education has helped Ghosh grow professionally toward his goal of becom- March 2012, and though he said he looks forward to finishing, it is clear that he does not want his Augsburg experience to end. Maybe, he said, as he matures as a manager, he could consider becoming a part of the Augsburg MBA faculty. Whatever the future holds for Dr. Ghosh, it is clear that he is proud to call himself an Auggie. “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 A T S R E E T A D A G L U AUGSBURG COLLEGE EDUCATES STUDENTS urban TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS, THOUGHTFUL center for debate democracy league STEWARDS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND community campus relations kitchen RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. THE AUGSBURG EXPERIENCE IS SUPPORTED BY AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED TO INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY IN ITS LIFE league ANDcampus WORK. AN AUGSBURG EDUCATION IS compact DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, GUIDEDbonner BY THE FAITH AND VALUES OF THE leader LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND SHAPED BY ITS service URBAN AND GLOBAL SETTINGS. learning sabo and citizenship high school mathematics center THE MISSION STATEMENT that Augsburg College launched last year begins with a statement of educational outcomes: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. There is a reason, President Paul Pribbenow said, that “informed citizens” appears first on that list. “It is a part of our legacy to equip our students to think of themselves as citizens in a democracy,” he said. “And this shapes our work through our statement of vocation: we believe we are called to serve our neighbor. That is faith, learning, and service linked.” BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 AUGSBURG AS A citizen BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING Fall 2011 11 SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING The Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning provides venues for Augsburg students and the community to learn from local and national civic leaders and connects students with civic engagement and service-learning opportunities. The components of the center are highlighted here. THE SABO PROFESSOR, SABO SENIOR FELLOWS, AND SABO SCHOLARS uphold Congressman Martin Sabo’s ’59 abiding faith in the role government can play in improving the lives of citizens. Sociology professor Garry Hesser, the Sabo Professor for Citizenship and Learning, is aided in his work by the Sabo Fellows: Senior Fellow for Academic Civic Engagement, Lars Christiansen, associate professor of sociology; Senior Fellow for Civic Agency, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship; Senior Fellow for Leadership and Change, Bill Green, associate professor of history; and Sabo Center Senior Fellow, Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org. The 10 Sabo Scholars collaborate with Congressman Sabo and Hesser to create opportunities for Augsburg students to engage more fully in civic and public life. See page 20 for more about the Sabo Scholars. (See story, page 13.) THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP collaborates with a variety of partners to promote active citizenship and public work by people of all ages. The center’s work is grounded in the belief that a healthy democracy requires everyone’s participation and that each of us has something to contribute. The center is involved in projects such as the Jane Addams School for Democracy, Public Achievement, the American Commonwealth Project, Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative, and more. (See story, page 13.) COURSE-BASED SERVICE-LEARNING is an integral part of an Augsburg College education. More than 35 courses per year include a service-learning component, bringing students into the community. The Engaging Minneapolis and Augsburg Experience curricular requirements reinforce this commitment to experiential learning. (See story, page 14.) THE CAMPUS KITCHEN program served 23,000 meals last year to residents of the community. Campus Kitchen sponsors a farmers’ market on campus during the growing season, provides growing space in the community garden, and also uses the garden to teach neighborhood youth. 12 Augsburg Now THE AUGSBURG BONNER LEADER program provides financial support through work study jobs, leadership development, and practical skill development for students who are dedicated to integrating community and civic engagement into their college learning experience. (See story, page 15.) Through participation in academic competitive debate programs, the MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE empowers junior high and high school students in Minneapolis and St. Paul to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. THE MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS LEAGUE identifies more than 3,000 Minnesota high school students with unusual mathematical ability and brings them together for study, competition, and recognition. MINNESOTA CAMPUS COMPACT leverages the collective assets of higher education institutions and communities, building partnerships and educating students to develop creative solutions to pressing public issues. The coalition brings together all types of higher education institutions dedicated to the civic purposes of higher education. It is also affiliated with the national Campus Compact network, which includes more than 1,100 campuses in all 50 states. As a college in the city, the role of Augsburg’s director of COMMUNITY RELATIONS is vital to establishing and maintaining quality relationships with community members and organizations. (See story, page 16.) the center EDUCATING CITIZENS AND LEADERS Perhaps one of Augsburg’s most important contributors to educating informed citizens is the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. Established officially in 2009 and named for Martin Olav Sabo ’59, Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District representative in the U.S. House for 28 years, the Sabo Center serves to connect the College to the greater community. The Sabo Center is the College’s hub for public outreach with Campus Kitchen and Augsburg Reads as well as with the Minnesota Urban Debate League, the Minnesota High School Mathematics League, and Minnesota Campus Compact. Also, through community service-learning classes and projects, and programs like The Sabo Scholars have dinner with Martin and Sylvia Sabo each semester. Bonner Leader, Sabo Scholars, and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC), the Sabo Center gives voice to the College’s mission of educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. And finally, with the support of the Sabo Center staff and College leadership, the director of community relations fulfills the center’s third purpose: to ensure Augsburg’s position in the community. The fact that Augsburg received the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service is due in great part to the programs and partnerships of the Sabo Center. This is the highest honor in the annual President’s Higher Education Community Serv- sabo sabo ice Honor Roll, and Augsburg was one of only six colleges and universities to receive this distinction. Harry Boyte, director of the CDC, articulates the role of the Sabo Center as a platform for interaction and relationships between the campus and the community. He said, “It’s a way to develop working relationships and engagement and a thematic and philosophical way to address the mission of the College. The public work at the Sabo Center allows serious conceptual thinking about citizenship—being a citizen is about more than being a ‘good person,’ and this provides the public frame to break it open and talk about it.” HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD The Center for Democracy and Citizenship initiated two major projects this fall to help reinforce the role of higher education in promoting active citizenship. THE AMERICAN COMMONWEALTH PROJECT fosters civic learning, public engagement, and stewardship in higher education. The project is a partnership among the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Office of Public Engagement. It will deepen connections and relationships and create policies, initiatives, and practices in public engagement efforts across higher education. THE FESTIVAL OF THE COMMONS, co-hosted October 7 and 8 by At the Festival of the Commons, groups discuss how the principles of the commons can be used to address today’s cultural, economic, political, and social divides. center for democracy and citizenship Augsburg College and On The Commons, focused on how society creates, uses, and manages the commons—things we all share and own together. The event featured keynote speaker Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Economics. Fall 2011 13 course-based service-learning LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM The community service-learning component of the Augsburg curriculum provides significant opportunities for Augsburg students and faculty to interact with the community and develop mutually beneficial relationships. Mary Laurel True, director of servicelearning, emphasized that service-learning is more than community service; it is part of the College’s commitment to the community. “This is about sharing our resources in all areas, asking what the community needs that we can provide,” she said. “It’s not just the courses, it’s the institution as a citizen.” The curricular aspect of service-learning begins at the summer orientation program for undergraduate students in the day program. Throughout their orientation experience, groups explore the neighborhoods and begin to learn about opportunities to engage with and learn from Augsburg’s neighbors. An Augsburg tradition for more than 15 years, City Service Day gives first-year day students an opportunity to serve in and learn about the community through service projects on the day before fall semester classes begin. This September, more than 400 students and their faculty leaders contributed 1,200 hours of service at local schools, community service centers, churches, and theaters. Students continue building neighborhood relationships in their first-year seminar called “AugSem.” AugSem groups are determined by a student’s anticipated major area of study, so AugSem courses and service-learning opportunities engage students in ways that often continue after their first semester at Augsburg. Every year, more than 35 service-learning courses include an experiential education component, which involves an average 14 Augsburg Now of 25 hours of off-campus service-learning in a semester. More importantly, True noted, students must reflect on their experiences. “They get credit for their reflection, not the time they spend in the community,” she said. One example of how service-learning enhances the educational experience is found in the Education Department, where a field service experience is included in all major methods courses. In fact, education majors at Augsburg will complete at least 120 hours of service-learning in different elementary or secondary classrooms before student teaching, according to Jeanine Gregoire, associate professor of education. Augsburg teacher candidates have opportunities to work with schools such as Seward Montessori and the Cedar-Riverside Community School. In cooperation with the classroom teachers, candidates learn how to build a curriculum to address the needs of all learners, including many who are English language learners from the Somali, Hmong, and Korean communities. “It’s a great experiential program for them to see how teaching and learning play out in the classroom,” Gregoire said. Gregoire added that some teacher candidates come to Augsburg with little experience in diverse schools, so service-learning provides a broader perspective on the classroom. “It takes them out of their comfort zone and forces them to think critically about the issues affecting the curriculum,” Gregoire said, “and they get an understanding about the complexities of teaching to eager, bright students who have a huge range of abilities.” Service-learning is an integral part of sociology professor James Vela-McConnell’s upper-division course on social problem analysis. Vela-McConnell chooses a social problem for the class to focus on, and students learn about the issue through traditional research, service in organizations, and intensive interviews with lay people and those who work in social service organizations. The goal, Vela-McConnell said, is to combine all the students’ work into a complete examination of a social problem. “By doing this as a class project and not an individual project,” Vela-McConnell said, “I emphasize that I am not the expert and I become part of the collective learning experience.” He sees this role as valuable for the students because it allows professor and students to connect as equals and to work together. These examples highlight how the learning experience can be enriched for students through service and show how Augsburg can benefit the community by sharing resources. True noted that many of the organizations involved in service-learning relationships with Augsburg have a small group of staff, so Augsburg students provide dedicated volunteer support that helps these organizations succeed and grow. “I think what we have going here is thick and deep and grassroots,” True said. “It’s a reciprocal relationship with the community. It’s a long-term commitment.” To see a video about James Vela-McConnell’s class, go to www.augsburg.edu/now service learning bonner leader DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS the bonner leader program The College’s commitment to the community has been extended through the Bonner Leader program. Now in its fourth year at Augsburg, the Bonner program connects 40 students to local partners including schools, community centers, churches, and other nonprofit organizations. Bonner students commit 10 to 12 hours per week working with the organizations as well as three to five volunteer hours per month. Kristin Farrell, director of the Bonner Leader program, said she believes the program affects students in multiple ways. “It changes the way they see themselves and their communities, and it changes the way they do academics. They see their education as a way to make change in the world,” she said. Bonner students meet as a group with Farrell three times monthly for training and enrichment, giving them a chance to reflect with their peers and to make connections to their classes. Through these experiences, Farrell said students uncover their gifts, and this discovery can lead to new direction in their education or career paths. ’13 ARIANNA GENIS Working with Urban Ventures creating a leadership development program for Latino students “Bonner has taught me the importance of being a part of a community and going out and really getting to know people. The people I have worked with in my placements have given me much more than I have to them.” Because Bonner students often make a long-term commitment to an organization, Farrell said the partners tend to expect more from the students than they would from a short-term intern or a volunteer. This provides opportunities for students to become deeply engaged in the work of the organization. Farrell added that the program shapes community leaders who are sought after by employers. “I think being in the Bonner Leader program gives students a leg up as they leave Augsburg,” she said. “Organizations want people who are knowledgeable about communities.” “The Bonner program provides a deep level of relationships to community partners and a very purposeful way of getting students immersed in the community,” Farrell said. It also connects Augsburg students to a network of more than 10,000 Bonner alumni—students focused on social justice issues who help connect Augsburg grads to opportunities beyond college and in communities outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. ’12 MALLORY CARSTENS Assisting with the school social worker and afterschool programs at the FAIR magnet school in downtown Minneapolis “I was undecided in my major, and Bonner really helped me grow into what I consider my vocation. It led me to social work and to a whole new set of values and interests. It really shaped my Augsburg experience.” ’12 CLAIRE BERGREN A community organizer at the Harrison neighborhood association in North Minneapolis “I came to Augsburg thinking I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people in some way. Now I realize that is not the best way for me, but I can help people through direct interaction with them. I am attracted to doing community organizing because you are so immersed in the experience and in the communities, and you become part of people’s lives.” To read about Bonner Leader Andy Rodriguez ’12 or view a video about the program, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 15 community relations community relations THE COLLEGE AS AN ANCHOR 16 Augsburg’s engagement in the community is deepened by its commitment to becoming an “anchor institution”—an organization that thinks and behaves as a citizen and contributes to community wealth building and local economies. The College serves as an anchor institution not only through service-learning and outreach programs but also through Steve Peacock, director of community relations. He sees his work as a complement to other Sabo Center programs, playing the behindthe-scenes role of representing Augsburg and developing relationships with community organizations. For more than three years, Augsburg has been a member of the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, which is currently chaired by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. The partnership, which includes the City of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and Pillsbury United Communities, provides a venue for neighborhood issues to be addressed in creative ways. One example is the road construction on Riverside Avenue, which began this summer. The members of the partnership saw this as an opportunity to change the character of the area and provide a welcoming, safe gateway to the neighborhood. Working with the City of Minneapolis, the partnership advocated for lighting, new green spaces, and other improvements to the Riverside corridor that would enhance the vitality of the neighborhood. “As an anchor institution, we have a responsibility to ‘place.’ It is in our self interest to ensure that the neighborhood is healthy, vibrant, and safe,” Peacock said. “But we also have a responsibility to strengthen our shared values.” Part of an anchor institution’s role is to support workforce development within a community. Augsburg has been involved in one such initiative as a host for the Urban Scrubs Camp, which is presented by HealthForce Minnesota with support from Boston Scientific. This one-week camp gives more than 70 inner city high school students a hands-on opportunity to learn about healthcare careers. It also helps to educate area youth, addresses the need for workforce development for local hospitals, and strengthens relationships with community partners. In 2011, nearly all of the students attending received a scholarship to the camp through the CedarRiverside Partnership. Augsburg also works closely with the Seward and Cedar-Riverside business associations to promote local businesses to the College community. “As a consumer and investor in the community, we are sensitive to neighborhood businesses and are helping to strengthen them as much as possible,” Peacock said. Augsburg Now In the past, Augsburg marketing courses have developed promotional campaigns for local businesses aimed at students, staff, and faculty. Last spring, a group of marketing students promoted the local restaurant, the Wienery, with a “wiener walk.” This year Cedar-Riverside restaurants, including the recently opened Afro Deli, participated in the Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming, and Augsburg will be involved in the “Franklin Frolic” to support Franklin Avenue businesses in early December. Because the College has a strong commitment to and sees itself as part of the community, Peacock finds his work very gratifying. “Augsburg is a really exciting place to do this kind of work. Building upon strong relationships and taking them to another level improves not only our opportunities but our neighbors’ as well.” EDUCATING INFORMED citizens At the September 2011 Augsburg Corporation meeting, President Paul Pribbenow described the College’s vision of neighborhood well-being related to the anchor institution movement. He said, “In major urban areas, higher education institutions have begun to think of themselves differently, not as places that have all the answers … but in fact places that want to enter into mutual conversation and mutual benefit for each other, for the sake of the city, for the sake of the neighborhood.” Pribbenow makes clear that the College’s role in the community is reciprocal. “We are moving away from a charity model,” he said. “It’s not what we can do for them but what we can do together.” In Augsburg’s mission, in its academic programs, in the common life of the College and its neighbors, and in outreach to the community, Augsburg lives out its commitment to service. Guided by the work of the Sabo Center, the College will continue its deep and lasting commitment to the community as it educates informed citizens who will build and sustain the communities in which they live and work. WHAT IS THE commons? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO US RIGHT NOW? BY JAY WALLJASPER, Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning Editor's Note: On October 7 and 8, the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a “Festival of the Commons” in partnership with On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center. This article, written by Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org and senior fellow of the Sabo Center, provides an explanation and examples of the concept of the commons in our world today. It’s an old idea—the chief organizing principle for human society for most of history—that’s now being rediscovered and reinvigorated all around the world. The commons means what belongs to all of us—and the many diverse ways we share it equitably and sustainably among each other and coming generations. It describes a sweeping set of practices that range from the intricate social structures of indigenous people to the ever-evolving networks of connection fostered by the Internet. And everything in between—natural and human-made. The commons is essential to our survival and happiness, touching our lives all day long—from the water with which we brush our teeth in the morning to the fairy tales we tell children at bedtime. The natural commons makes life itself possible thanks to air, water, biodiversity, and DNA. The cultural commons makes human civilization possible through the sharing of knowledge, language, inventions, stories, and art. The social commons makes our modern way of life possible through educational institutions, medical expertise, engineering know-how, and communication tools. Even the market economy depends on the commons for the natural resources and human capital that drive its profits, as well as the legal and regulatory systems without which it would fall apart. Unfortunately, the commons today is under assault. The natural environment continues to suffer devastation, including the specter of global climate disruption. Privatization policies fence us out of resources that once could be used by everyone, and budget-squeezed governments and civic institutions scale back on services upon which we depend. Meanwhile, many people are convinced their security and well being depend entirely on what they can possess individually, to the detriment of the common good. But the good news is that people everywhere are standing up to protect and promote what we all share. Some, inspired by the work of Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom (who visited Augsburg this fall; see page 5), are launching a movement to draw attention to all the ways that the spirit and practice of the commons can help solve the pressing problems of our time, including economic inequity, environmental decline, Fall 2011 17 social isolation, and political alienation. Many others are not familiar with the term at all but continue to roll up their sleeves to do crucial work in their communities, guided by their instincts for the common good. They are commoners, too. At this tumultuous moment in history, the commons provides us with a compelling vision of a society where “we” matters as much as “me.” THE WEALTH ALL AROUND US Examples of the commons in our daily lives • Air and water • Parks, libraries, streets, and sidewalks • Social Security, the National Weather Service, police protection, and other public services • Wilderness preserves and national forests • Wikipedia and open source initiatives • Musical styles, dance steps, and fashion trends • Biodiversity • The Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Koran, Zen Koans, Hindu Upanishads, Norse sagas, and indigenous tales of creation • Blood banks, soup kitchens, 12-step groups, museums, and other civic efforts • Oceans, Antarctica, and outer space GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR NET WORTH We are all co-owners of some very valuable assets Let me offer some good news about the state of your wealth. Sure, real estate values and the stock market look shaky these days, and no one’s job appears safe anymore. But what you possess individually accounts for only part of your true net worth. Each of us also owns a stake in some extremely valu- 18 Augsburg Now able assets: clean air, fresh water, national parks, the internet, civic institutions, cultural traditions, and more. Just like personal property, these things enhance our lives in countless ways—roads we travel, public spaces where we gather, medical and scientific breakthroughs we take advantage of, and accumulated human knowledge we use for free many times each day. In fact, without these commonly held resources, our modern society and market economy would never have gotten off the ground. When the economy appeared to be booming, many of us didn’t care about the commons; it hardly seemed to matter that the local recreation center was in disrepair and Social Security in trouble. Private health clubs and IRAs would meet those needs. But today, Americans are increasingly grateful for services and opportunities provided for us beyond profit-making ventures. But the news about our common wealth is not all good. It faces major threats. The financial crisis has created new pressures for federal, state, and local governments to slash critical services and programs that we depend on. Transit, public schools, libraries, medical assistance, social services, and parks have been on the chopping block in many communities. Fortunately, there’s a new movement of “commoners” from all walks of life who are standing up to protect things that we all share. More than just an activist cause, the commons is becoming a model for thinking differently about how we make decisions, manage resources, and think about responsibilities. BUSINESS BASED ON WHAT WE SHARE Latino entrepreneur—and Augsburg grad— returns to his roots with a local food project “Common sense” is a term entrepreneur Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03, uses with ever increasing enthusiasm to describe the local food initiative he is creating with immigrant Latino farmers in Minnesota. “I come from the commons,” said Haslett-Marroquin, who grew up in Guatemala, where his family still farms communal lands. “And I am going back to the commons.” Haslett-Marroquin, who graduated from Augsburg with a degree in business administration, is the co-founder of the fair trade Peace Coffee Company. In 2006, he founded the Rural Enterprise Center in Northfield, Minn., which, like many Midwestern communities, has attracted growing numbers of Latin American immigrants. In times of economic stagnation, many people worry that immigrants are taking jobs needed by native-born Americans. These fears are especially keen in small towns, where the impact of the continuing economic crisis hits hard. HaslettMarroquin, however, sees an opportunity that can benefit both immigrants and the community as a whole. He noticed that many people around Northfield were eager to eat more locally raised, healthy food but were unable to afford it or sometimes even find it. At the same time, he saw that Latino immigrants had lifelong experience as sustainable farmers but lacked the financial means to take up farming. The solution was obvious. Find a way to get Latino farmers back on the land and connect them with consumers seeking wholesome food. This is exactly what Haslett-Marroquin did in launching a free-range poultry cooperative, market garden, and family farmer training program, all designed to put good food on local dinner tables and income into the pockets of family farmers. “Agripreneurship” is how HaslettMarroquin described this effort to revive family farming for local markets by taking advantage of immigrants’ first hand knowledge of small-scale sustainable agriculture practices. “Commons sense,” he said, is another word for what he and his colleagues are doing. This small-farmer training center and coop is a shining example of an emerging co-op idea known as commons-based development—a strategy that strengthens the commons by making sure that economic expansion projects help the community as a whole. While commons work is often seen as an activist or community cause more than a business model, Hasslett-Marroquin’s projects embody fundamental commons principles: a commitment to future generations, a focus on sustaining the earth, and a means of providing a benefit to everyone. As Haslett-Marroquin said, “The commons is a very straightforward commonsense approach to creating systems that sustain society and sustain life on the planet.” COOPERATION IS NO TRAGEDY First woman to win Nobel Prize in Economics proves that common ownership does not inevitably lead to ruin izenship and Learning) has documented how communities around the world equitably and sustainably manage common resources such as grazing lands, forests, irrigation waters, and fisheries over the long term. A classic example is her field research in a Swiss village where farmers tend private plots for crops but share a communal meadow to graze their cows. While this would appear a perfect model to prove the tragedy-of-the-commons theory, Ostrom discovered that in reality there were no problems with overgrazing. That is because of a common agreement among villagers that no one is allowed to graze more cows on the meadow than they can care for over the winter—a rule that dates back to 1517. Ostrom has documented similar effective examples of “governing the commons” in her research in Kenya, Guatemala, Nepal, Turkey, and Los Angeles. YOU MAY ALREADY BE A COMMONER Many people view the commons as a tragedy rather than a fresh new worldview to help us move toward greater economic fairness, environmental harmony, and democratic participation. This notion was popularized by wildlife biologist Garrett Hardin in a 1968 essay in Science magazine, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” in which he described how people who share common resources will inevitably degrade them. Although Hardin later qualified his theory as applying only in specific situations, the phrase is still widely invoked to argue that privatized property is the only practical method for managing land, resources, or other valuable assets. The message is clear: Any kind of cooperative ownership will lead to ruin. But that blanket assertion was debunked two years ago when Indiana University political scientist Elinor Ostrom won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Through the decades, Ostrom (who spoke at Augsburg in October as part of a Festival of the Commons, organized by the Sabo Center for Cit- Ten ways to find out You may be a commoner if you: 1. Question the prevailing myth that all problems have private, individualized solutions. 2. Notice how many of life’s pleasures exist outside the money economy—gardening, fishing, conversing, playing music, playing ball, praying, watching sunsets. 3. Take time to appreciate and enjoy what the commons offers. (As the visionary Brazilian educator Paulo Freire once declared during an Augsburg College visit, “We are bigger than our schedules.”) 4. Keep in mind that security and satisfaction are more easily acquired from family and friends than from money. 5. Offer a warm smile or greeting to people you pass. The commons begins with connecting, even in brief, spontaneous ways. as if you own them (which, actually, you do). Tidy things up. Report problems, or repair things yourself. Initiate improvement campaigns. 7. Are interested in exploring ways that things you now pay for could be acquired in more cooperative ways—checking out DVDs at the library, perhaps, or quitting the health club and forming a morning jogging club. 8. Watch where your money goes. How do the stores, companies, and financial institutions you use help or harm the commons? This includes their impact on the environment and on poor communities around the world. 9. Share your knowledge ideas with online commons such as Wikipedia, online communities open-education projects, and open-access journals. Or you could form your own online community around what matters to you. 10. Think of yourself as a commoner and share your enthusiasm. Raise the subject in conversation, around the neighborhood and at work. Stand up against threats to the commons in your community and around the world. Speak out in favor of opportunities to expand the commons. These articles are updated from All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons (The New Press, 2011) and a flyer handed out at the Festival of the Commons on the Augsburg College campus October 7 and 8. Jay Walljasper, former editor of Utne Reader, is author/editor of All That We Share and editor of www.OnThe Commons.org. On The Commons, a commons movement strategy center, co-sponsored the Festival of the Commons at Augsburg. Walljasper was recently named a Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. 6. Treat common spaces in your community Fall 2011 19 it takes an Auggie A continuing legacy of public service It is hard to imagine a career more dedicated to public service and civic engagement than that of Martin Sabo ’59. One year after graduating from Augsburg College, Sabo was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. More than 45 years later, he retired from a distinguished 28year career in the U.S. House of Representatives. During that time, Sabo also served for 12 years as a regent for the College, was named an Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus, and received the first 2011-12 SABO SCHOLARS honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters Front Row [L to R]: Rachael Okerlund ’12, Angela Bonfiglio ’13, Katherine DeKrey ’12, Sylvia Sabo, Martin Sabo ’59, (Honoris Causa), conferred by the College. Katie Radford ’12; Back Row [L to R]: Adam Spanier ’12, Rachel Svanoe ’13, Eli Grobel ’12, Claire Bergren ’12, Sabo Today, Martin and his wife, Sylvia Sabo—parProfessor Garry Hesser, Arianna Genis ’13, Andrew Rodriguez ’13. ents of Auggies Karin Mantor ’86 and Julie Sabo ’90—continue their public service work by supportpublic service. By engaging these students in conversation about ing the Augsburg College Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, public service, the Sabo Scholars program carries forward the the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium. Sabos’ abiding faith in the role that government can play in imAs the stories on the previous pages show, the Sabo Center enproving the lives of citizens. compasses a wide-ranging set of programs that include the ColThe Sabo Center also annually convenes the Sabo Public Policy lege’s civic engagement, community-based involvement, and Symposium. Last year’s event was “2010 Healthcare Reform: What service-learning programs. Through the work of the center, Will It Mean for You (and The Nation)?” This year, in place of the Augsburg has earned national recognition as a college with a public policy symposium, the Sabo Center hosted the Festival of strong commitment to education for service. the Commons, featuring 2009 Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom, disIn addition, each year the Sabos, along with Sabo Professor cussing how society creates, uses, and manages “the commons”— Garry Hesser, work directly with 10 Augsburg juniors and seniors things we all share (see story, page 5). chosen as Sabo Scholars for their interest in and commitment to Through these programs, supported by the generous gifts and engagement in the political process, public policy, or careers in engagement of the Sabos and others, Augsburg creates opportunities for civic experiences and skill-building— inside and outside the classroom—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—and carries on the Sabos’ and the College’s important commitment to public service. REBECCA JOHN The 2011-12 Sabo Scholars kick off the academic year with conversation and dinner at the home of Sylvia and Martin Sabo. The Sabo Scholars meet monthly with Representative Sabo, Sabo Professor Garry Hesser, local alumni, and other leaders engaged in public service, policy-related work, and the political process. 20 Augsburg Now AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 2010-2011 Fall 2011 21 DEAR FRIENDS, It is no accident that the first four words of our mission statement are, “Augsburg College educates students...” I put the emphasis on the word “educates” because our academic program is at the heart of what we do as a college. The quality of that program—its innovative core curriculum rooted in vocational exploration, its focus on interdisciplinary inquiry, its commitment to student learning, its excellence and national recognition in several different disciplines—has been deeply influenced by private philanthropic support over the years, and this year is no exception. In fiscal year 2011, the College received nearly $9.3 million dollars in external financial support. Daily, we are reminded of this generous philanthropic investment on our campus: the buildings that house our academic programs, our offices, and our students; our ability to entice academically gifted students to enroll, to aid students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a college education, and to support students who show intellectual promise but may be lacking social or personal support structures that ensure success; and the talented faculty and staff who teach and guide the next generation of leaders. But this philanthropy—your philanthropy—has not only paid for buildings, scholarships, salaries, and resources; it has also advanced and continues to enhance and grow the quality of teaching and learning at Augsburg. • The impact of your gifts is realized in the remarkable number of students undertaking annual research projects that are funded through the Sundquist Science Scholars program, the Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunities (URGO) office, and the McNair Scholars program, among others. • It is exemplified in our robust Honors program that challenges students to think critically and perform to the very best of their abilities. • It is illustrated by the national recognition for Augsburg’s notable achievement of embedding service learning into our core curriculum and by the recognition of our graduates who successfully compete for the highest international academic honors and awards such as the Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Rhodes, Rossing, Rotary, and Udall scholarships. • It is embodied in the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, which guides and supports students as they seek to discern their vocations and in the Gage Center for Student Success, the College’s newest learning commons, which houses critical academic enrichment services in Lindell Library, at the heart of campus. The long and meaningful history of private investment in Augsburg makes a difference not only in resources but also in the quality of outcomes of our academic program. Our generous donors matter, your gifts matter, and we are grateful and humbled every day because you have been willing to translate your commitment to education, your love for this place, and your belief in our mission into financial support for our work. We believe that philanthropy is a place where your values and passions intersect—it is part of your vocation—and we celebrate the fact that you have found Augsburg a worthy recipient of your generosity and partner in your vocational journey. Thank you. Sincerely, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW PRESIDENT 22 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 2010-2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Where the Money Comes From 3% Other sources 2011 Endowment Market Value May 31, 2011 $33,268,034 4% Government grants 9% Private gifts and grants 11% Room and board As of May 31, 2011, we have annual realized and unrealized gains of 17.01% on our endowment. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is 3.44%, and the 10-year average annual return is 3.08%. We are committed to maintaining the value of principal gifts and to provide support to the College in perpetuity. 73% $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 Tuition $25.4 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $24.5 $22.7 $22.9 2% Where the Money Goes Student salary 4% Debt service 3% Equipment and capital improvement 44% Salary and benefits 3% Utilities 24% 2002 Financial aid 2003 2004 20% 2007 2008 “ WHY I GIVE “ I had such a wonderful education at Augsburg, and I think my whole philosophy of life and giving was developed here and in my family. I have given since I graduated … and I continue, I suppose, because I see the ongoing mission of education to serve others, and what I am most thrilled about these years is that Augsburg welcomes everyone…. I’m proud of the strides in everything from community service to Rhodes Scholars to you name it. We’re just getting better and better, and more diverse and wonderful. Leann Hanson Lake ’67 2006 2009 2010 2011 Endowment Assets (in millions) June 1, 2002 – May 31, 2011 Other “ 2005 ” I give to Augsburg because somebody else had given before me and that allowed me to attend a four-year private school that met all the needs I had. Hopefully my giving will do the same for another student. Marie Odenbrett ’01 ” “It’s our conviction, Kathy’s and mine, that God gives gifts that they might be used in the world. We started giving to Augsburg when we were seniors in Augsburg … way back in 1976. Augsburg has grown; we have seen it over the decades just become a better and better school, and we’re happy to be a part of that so that more and more people might be educated under the auspices of the church … that they might be better servants of the world.” Norman Wahl ’76, Kathy (Anderson) Wahl ’76 To hear more Auggies tell why they give, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 23 s e i g augANGING ARE CH E WORLD TH AUGSBURG RECOGNIZES DONORS with event series This summer Augsburg launched a new event series to recognize contributions at all levels and methods of giving. The series began in August with the Celebration of Philanthropy to recognize a broad range of annual, lifetime, and deferred gift donors. At this evening of activity and fellowship, guests had their photo taken with Auggie Eagle, shared why they support Augsburg in a video booth and on a large display board, and met student researchers. The evening ended with dessert and discussion and the presentation of a video showing how Auggies and donors are changing the world. The series continued with a September boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka for recent alumni donors to The Augsburg Fund. Upcoming events include a holiday dinner and Advent Vespers service in December for the College’s leadership and major gift donors, the annual Scholarship Donor Brunch for benefactors in April, and a class party for the winners of the 2012 student philanthropy competition. Individual invitations will be sent closer to the events. To see the video featured at the Celebration of Philanthropy, go to www.augsburg.edu/now celebration of philanthropy 24 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 LIFETIME GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000, including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College. Anonymous (6) Geoffrey ’89 and Kelly Gage Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Helen and Ernest† Alne Richard ’96 and Britt Gage James Lindell Sr. ’46† Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Scott and Gina Gage Susan Scott ’97 Lindquist and David Lindquist Catherine and Charles Anderson General Mills Foundation Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Martha Gisselquist ’86 Jennifer and Richard Martin Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson Michael ’71 and Ann Good Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 Marie and Larry McNeff Steven and Stephanie Anderson H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Gerard and Anne Meistrell Leona Radman Antholz ’41† Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold Phillip ’55† and Lynne Mueller Gronseth Robert ’70 and Sue Midness Earl and Doris Bakken Carolyn and Franklin Groves Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Guarani Foundation Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Marlys Backlund ’54 Morland and Robert† Morland Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden James and Kathleen Haglund Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka William and Stephanie Naegele Barbara and Zane Birky Hunt and Diane Harris George ’68 and Tamra Nelson Carl Blegen† Hearst Foundation Ida Nelson† Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen Loren Henderson† Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Joyce and John† Boss Donald Hennings Clifford and Martha Nylander† Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr Robert Odegard ’51† Rodney and Barbara Burwell Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander R. Luther Olson ’56 Bush Foundation O. C. Hognander, Jr. Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren Carlson Companies Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm John and Norma Paulson The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Allen and Jean Housh Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Judith Christensen Garfield Hoversten ’50 Richard Pautz ’37† Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Robert Hoversten George† and Elizabeth† Pennock Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Lester Hoversten† Glen Person ’47 Oliver Dahl ’45 Huss Foundation Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Glenda† and Richard Huston Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Theodore and Pamala Deikel Sandra and Richard Jacobson Addison and Cynthia Piper Deluxe Corporation Foundation James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs David Piper Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Kinney Johnson ’65 Harry and Mary Piper Tracy Elftmann ’81 Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Raymond Erickson ’50† Bruce and Maren Kleven Alan Rice Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem David and Barbara Kleven Olive Ronholm ’47† Ever Cat Fuels, LLC E. Milton ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven Curtis and Marian Sampson Philip and Laverne Fandrei Dean and Susan Kopperud Ward ’74 and Catherine Schendel Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Ruth Schmidt ’52† Jerry and Jean Foss Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn James and Eva Seed Julian Foss ’30† Harriett Kurek† Rodney Sill ’82 William and Anne Frame Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson John and Martha Singleton Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund Diane and Philip Larson Glen and Anna Skovholt Barbara and Edwin Gage George ’61 and Mary Larson David Soli ’81 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 25 Paul† and Lorene† Steen Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall Robert Wagner ’02 Genevieve Stelberg† Glen A. Taylor Foundation Scott Weber ’79 Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen and P. Dawn Heil ’78 Taylor and Jack Taylor† Larry Wefring Teagle Foundation Robert Wick ’81 Conrad Sunde ’15† Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Elsie Wildung† Leland and Louise Sundet Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson John ’74 and Marvel Yager Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford Lisa Zeller ’81 and Glenn Fuller Helen Sverdrup† Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Johan Sverdrup† Andrew Urness† Clair Strommen ’46† PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who made annual gifts of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Founders Society ($100,000 and above) Alvin John and Ruth Huss Anonymous (1) James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Cynthia Landowski ’81 Jones and Rick Jones Barbara and Edwin Gage Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Craig Jones E. Milton Kleven ’46 Dean and Susan Kopperud Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Douglas and Norma Madsen Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Jennifer and Richard Martin Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Regents’ Fellows ($50,000 - $99,999) Marie and Larry McNeff Marilyn McIver Helen Alne Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Rick and Jean Mofsen Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Jeffrey ’77 and Becky Bjella ’79 Nodland Alan Rice Lisa Novotny ’80 and Mark Flaten Vance and Darin Opperman Paul Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Regents’ Society ($25,000 - $49,999) Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52 Aaron Assad ’10 Philip Rowberg ’41 Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Alfred Assad Joseph and Lynn Schmitt Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach Michael ’71 and Ann Good James and Eva Seed Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 James Lindell ’46† Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg Christopher McIver Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen Curtis and Marian Sampson Donald ’53 and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren Jean Taylor 1985 and Roger Griffith ’84 Marilee Alne ’65 Schroeder and William Schroeder John and Norma Paulson Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf Rodney and Theresa Schott Robert Wick ’81 Michael and Pamela Sime John Schwartz ’67 John and Eleanor Yackel Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund John ’74 and Marvel Yager 26 Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall President’s Executive Cabinet ($10,000 - $24,999) President's Council ($5,000 - $9,999) Peter and Linda Vogt Andra Adolfson Anonymous (1) Renata Winsor Daniel 1965 and Alice Anderson Deloris Anderson ’56 Frank ’50† and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 President’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999) Carla Asleson ’91 Steven and Stephanie Anderson Anonymous (2) Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden and Paul ’63 Batalden Scott Anderson ’96 Matthew Entenza and Lois Quam Judith Christensen Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Larry Cole 1966 Carolyn Burfield ’60 Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Richard ’72 and Tamara Ekstrand C. Lee Clarke James and Kathleen Haglund Susan Engeleiter Liv Dahl Hunt and Diane Harris John ’82 and Joan Moline 1983 Evans Grant Dasher Richard and Dail Hartnack Leola Dyrud ’61 Furman Karen ’81 and Charles Durant Augsburg Now Tyler Uccellini ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Ronald Engebretsen Thomas Anderson ’72 Mark and Margie Eustis Jamie Fragola Charles and Catherine Anderson Jennifer and Dean Eyler Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Barbara Farley Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon Orvella Anderson Duncan Flann ’55 Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold Dawn Formo Gaylord (Corky) ’71 and Lori Hall Ann and Kenneth Ashton-Piper William and Anne Frame Lisa Svac ’85 Hawks Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel Robert Frantz and Janell Grazzini Frantz Bruce Holcomb ’90 and Caroline Vernon John Berg ’59 Andrew Fried ’93 Allen and Jean Housh Norman ’59 and Delores Berg JoAnne Digree ’68 Fritz and Barry Fritz J. Vernon ’47 and Irene Jensen John and Lorelei Bergman Barbara and Frederick Gaiser Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns Ann Garvey Carol Jones David ’68 and Lynn Boe Orval and Cleta Gingerich Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird Florence Helland ’54 Borman and Dennes Borman John and Carolyn Goddard Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin Louis Branca Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Robert ’71 and Cheryl Lindroos ’72 Martin Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and Tom Tim ’80 and Gail Gordon Christopher ’00 and Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod Breckenridge Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton Paul ’55 and Rosalind Britton Amy Gort Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Michael Brock Charles Gould ’76 and Gayle Kvenvold Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98 Charles and Barbara Green Beverly Omdahl ’55 Nelson Michael ’81 and Sheryl Burkhardt Sharlene and Gordon Griebenow Richard and Janet Neville Marion Buska ’46 Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom Norma Noonan Timothy and Frances Campbell William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Norman and Janet Carpenter Betty Johnson ’58 Haas Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Carrie and Peter ’02 Carroll Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott Carol Johnson ’60 Casperson Mark Hebert ’74 Stephen and Kay Sheppard Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Glen and Anna Skovholt Robert Clayman and Carol Miller Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill Arne and Ellen Sovik Margaret Clyde Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Joseph Cook ’89 Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Mark and Kathryn Weber Walter and Janet Cooper Paul Holmquist ’79 Jeremy Wells Robert and Mary Crosby Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt David and Susan White Pamela Herzan ’81 Crowell and Dring Crowell Ethel Holt George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Elizabeth Horton Sally Hough ’79 Daniels Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth Christopher and Britt Dougall Phoebe Hough Anonymous (1) Greg ’88 and Mary Duckson Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Ruth Aaskov ’53 Douglas and Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn Clarence Hoversten ’41 Phyllis Acker ’61 Julie Edstrom ’90 Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten James Agre ’72 Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Judy Thompson Eiler ’65 Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Thomas and LaDonna Hoy Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93 Avis Ellingrod Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Tammy Huddle-McGee and Mike McGee Beverly Almquist Mark and Lynette Engebretson Rebecca Beito ’67 Huseby and Ed Huseby ’66 Bruce ’60 Amundson and Joann Eliason ’62 Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson Richard Huston President’s Associates ($1,000 - $2,499) Stephen Erickson ’68 and Marilyn McKnight ’67 Brandon Hutchinson ’99 Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson Amundson Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld Deborah Hutterer ’99 and Gary Erickson Leif Anderson Duane Esterly ’75 Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Sheila ’05 and Lee Anderson L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem Arvild Jacobson ’51 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 27 28 Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes Allan Nelson John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson Rebecca John Debra and Robert Nelson Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61 John ’95 and Rachel Schultz ’95 Nielsen Carolyn Johnson ’80 Spargo and Lawrence Spargo Bruce Johnson ’68 Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Gary ’74 and Melody Johnson Wedel Nilsen ’45 David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson Merton ’59 and Jo An Bjornson ’58 Johnson Betsey and Alan Norgard Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson Eric and Elizabeth Jolly Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel Michael Kivley ’89 Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53 Nyhus Mary ’74 Stickelmeyer and Henry Havel Linda Klas ’92 Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted Benjamin Stottrup and Neota Moe Lowell ’54 and Janice Kiebach Kleven Wanda Warnes ’56 Olson and Ted Olson Beverly and Thomas Stratton Michael Klutho and Jill Manske Lee ’59 and Patricia Olson Ralph and Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49 Bruce L. Olson ’71 Leland and Louise Sundet Gregory Konat and Teresa Daly Linda Olup Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 George ’50 and Vivian Lanes L. Beth Buesing ’45 Opgrand Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Thomas and Kathy Langdon Laurie Nelson ’79 Orlow and Steven Orlow Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Kathryn Lange ’72 and Dennis Sonifer Tamera and William Ostlund Amanda Symmes ’11 Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson Beverly Ottum Christine Szaj George ’61 and Mary Larson Patricia Parker Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio and Paul Terrio ’87 Debora Liddell and John Westefeld Bonnie Carlson Pehrson ’62 LaJune Thomas ’75 Thomas-Lange and Patrick ’88 and Beth Lilja Barbara Petersen James ’67 and Laurie Lindell Karin Peterson Richard (Porkchop) ’61 and Jane Thompson Jean Lingen Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Brent Lofgren ’88 Corwin and Doris Peterson David and Martha Tiede Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth and Dennis Veiseth Noel and Sharon Petit Cassidy Titcomb and Scott Simpson Ronald London Ronald ’69 and Jane Petrich Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson Dana Lonn Diane Pike and Stephen Willett Beth Torstenson ’66 Marissa Hutterer Machado ’99 James and Kathryn Ramstad Frances Torstenson Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Marcia Thompson ’78 Turcotte and John Turcotte Donna McLean Lloyd ’63 and Linnea Raymond Andrea and Michael Turner Dennis ’78 and Beverly Ranum ’78 Meyer Timothy and Christine Ring Betty and Paul Tveite Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson Frances Roller Rockey Robert Wagner ’02 Deborah Anderson ’73 Miller and Timothy Miller Laura and Martin Roller Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Thomas ’86 and Susan Rogers - Miller Kevin ’91 and Amy Ronneberg Ronald Wahlberg ’70 Joyce Schroepfer ’02 Miller John ’77 and Gail Ronning Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund John and Margaret Miller Mary and Stuart Rose Lois Wattman ’76 and Douglas Shaw Eileen and Grant Mitchell Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64 Sarah West and Raymond Robertson Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Dennis ’67 Sackreiter and Karen Sackreiter Craig Wisness ’73 Lori Moline ’82 and Steven Olson Leo and Patricia Samson William Wittenbreer Thelma Monson ’41 Carolyn Hanson ’68 Schildgen and William Schildgen David and Catherine Wold Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Joyce Leifgren ’64 Young LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Mark ’76 and Debra Zellmer Sharon Lindell Mortrud ’64 Frankie and Jole Shackelford Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sandra Phaup ’64 Patricia and David Murphy David Soli ’81 Bruce ’71 and Kathleen Nelson Kathleen ’69 and Earle ’69 Solomonson Augsburg Now Thomas Lange ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 ORGANIZATIONS GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. 3M Foundation GMAC-RFC Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation Adolfson & Peterson Construction Google Give Presser Foundation Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Grafix Shoppe Quad Graphics The American Foundation Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett Ramstad Recovery Fund Ameriprise Financial Gray Wolf Ranch, Inc. RBC Foundation - USA Anderson, Helgen, Davis & Nissen Groves Foundation Regiscard International, Inc. Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie PA The I Box The Saint Paul Foundation A'viands Imaging Path Sheltering Arms Foundation Bank of America Imation Corporation Stellus Consulting LLC Best Buy Children’s Foundation Incredible, Inc. The Summit Group Bonner Foundation C. Charles Jackson Foundation Superior Family Dentistry The Bridgie Group, Inc. Kettering Foundation Target Foundation Bush Foundation KPMG LLP TCF Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Foundation John Larsen Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Carlson Family Foundation Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundation Carolyn Foundation Estate of Henry and Selma Lundene Travelers Companies, Inc. Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis Marcus McCoy Foundation Trillium Family Foundation CollegeNet McKnight Foundation Trust for Meditation Process Data Recognition Corporation Metropolitan Regional Arts Council UBS Foundation The Donaldson Foundation Minnesota Debate Teachers Association United Nations Foundation Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Minnesota Private College Foundation United Way of Rhode Island Eagle Elevator Corp MOA Marketing, Inc. US Bancorp Foundation ELCA National Science Foundation US Bank The Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Fund The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues W. K. Kellogg Foundation Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Network for Good Warren Foundation The Family Partnership The New York Academy Of Medicine The Washburn High School Foundation Formo Family Charitable Fund of the St. Paul Nilan Johnson Lewis Weber Marketing/Promotions, Inc. Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Gage Family Foundation NRG Energy Center Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Olup and Associates The Whitney Foundation General Aviation Services Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Women's Foundation of Minnesota General Mills Foundation Play-More Travel, Inc. Foundation Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 29 SVEN OFTEDAL SOCIETY, Supporting Augsburg’s mission into the future The following list recognizes individuals who have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College. 30 Anonymous (7) Avis Ellingrod Allen and Jean Housh Lois Black Ahlbom ’47 Denise Engebretson ’82 Ruth Hovden Paul H. ’57 Almquist and Pearl M. Almquist Edna Kastner Ericksen ’42 Chester ’60 and Clenora Hoversten Helen Alne Duane M. Esterly Clarence Hoversten ’41 Charles and Catherine Anderson Alice C. Evans Garfield Hoversten ’50 Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans Lorna L. Hoversten Deloris Anderson ’56 Alice Evenson Rev. Deborah Hutterer and Gary Erickson Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson John ’68 and Martha Fahlberg Leroy ’54 and Orpha Iseminger E. William Anderson ’56 Norman Ferguson Kathleen and Bruce Jackson Gary and Mary Anderson Roger L. Fisher Sandra and Richard Jacobson Keith O. Anderson ’54 and Beverly Anderson Halley Foss-Katter ’99 and Daniel Katter Sherry Jennings-King Lisa Petska Anderson ’86 and Morey Anderson Martha Fosse Palmquist Clair Johannsen ’62 William ’86 and Kelly Anderson William and Anne Frame Carolyn E. Johnson ’63 I. Shelby Gimse Andress ’56 Rev. Terry Frovik ’67 Edryce Johnson ’46 Betty Arnold Leola Dyrud Furman ’61 Jerry and Bonita Johnson Dorothy Bailey Ann Garvey Kinney Johnson ’65 Earl and Doris Bakken Virgil ’57 and Farolyn Johnson Gehring ’56 Mark ’54 and Thelma Johnson Andrew ’50 and Barbara Kolden ’50 Balerud Dr. Kenneth A. Gilles ’44 Oliver ’50 and Grace Gisselquist ’49 Johnson Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Ruth Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Elizabeth Anne ’82 and Warren Bartz Charles and Barbara Green Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert Nelson ’44 Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson Joan Griffin Ralph ’60 and Mary Jane Kempski Vera Thorson Benzel ’45 Gracia Grindal ’65 Mary Kingsley Norman ’59 and Delores Berg H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Jean Vettel ’51 Kiteley and Murray Kiteley Sidney ’57 and Lola Lindstrom ’50 Berg Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde E. Milton Kleven ’46 JoAnn Berg Bablitch ’73 Margery Kyvig ’64 Haaland and Sheldon Haaland Gloria Grant ’57 and Arthur Knoblauch Inez Schey ’77 and John Bergquist Gary Hagen ’71 Dean and Susan Kopperud Birgit Birkeland ’58 Donald J. and Sonja S. Hagestuen Gwen Johnson Krapf ’58 Ruth Anderson ’44 Blanshan and Ralph Blanshan James and Kathleen Haglund Paul Kwiecien and Rhonda Kwiecien Richard and Nancy Borstad Arvin Herbert Halvorson ’55 Lee Anne ’67 and Gene Lack Donald Bottemiller James and Corrine Hamre Calvin ’49 and Agnes Valvik ’47 Larson J. Bernhard ’48 and Hildur Anderson ’43 Bretheim Dale ’60 Hanka and Carolyn Hanka Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson Nancy Brown-Koeller ’74 Shirley Bondo Hansen ’44 George S. ’61 and Mary K. Larson Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson Anna J. Hanson Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Cynthia Hanson ’66 Luther and Janice Larson Judith Christensen Mark ’68 and Ione Agrimson ’68 Hanson Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson and Marvin Larson Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Julie (Gudmestad) and Joe Laudicina Oliver Dahl ’45 Betty Johnson Hass ’58 Dorothy Lee ’30 George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Lawrence and Lois Hauge Rev. Harris and Maryon Lee Sally Hough Daniels ’79 Rodney (Rock) A. and Jane M. Helgeson Ronald and Rebecca Gisselquist ’67 Lien Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth Living Trust Carolyn Benson ’71 Dauner and Daniel Dauner Robert ’55 and Karin Herman Susan Scott Lundquist ’97 Dallas ’63 and Sharon Day Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill John ’65 and Gracia Luoma Laura Kompelien Delavie ’92 Esther Tungseth Hinschberger ’49 Deborah Mahoney ’79 Richard A. ’55 and Audret S. Dronen Helen C. Hjelmeland Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main Beverly Durkee Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Ruben ’45 and Thelma Egeberg Ethel Holt Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Tracy L. Elftmann ’81 John Holum Karen Mateer and Terrance Metz Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Lucille Messerer Robert ’50 and Ruth Ann Paulson Naomi Christensen ’81 Staruch and Steven Staruch Dan ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’61 Meyers Harold E. Peterson and Pearl A. Peterson John and Lavene Steen Edith Middleton Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo Karla Krogsrud Miley Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Hazel Thorson Stoick Stoeckeler Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46 Jonathan ’78 and Bonnie Lamon ’78 Moren Quentin ’50† and Lucille Quanbeck Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen Orval and Bernell Moren Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 Robert B. and Marlys Backlund Morland Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Cecil Ramnaraine Mildred and Van Mueller Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Ronald ’69 and Susan Scott ’71 Swanson Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Nancy M. (Joubert) Raymond Gary Tangwall Jeanne Narum Paul Rensted ’87 Gary L. Terrio Vivian Nelsen Alan Rice LaJune Thomas Lange ’75 and Thomas Lange Rev. Carl O. Nelson Arthur ’53 and Charlotte Kleven ’52 Rimmereid Richard and Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson Pastor Hub Nelson ’54 Gregory and Barbara Ritter Frances Torstenson Kenneth and Vera Nelson Frances M. Roller Rockey Marcia Thompson Turcotte ’78 Mildred Nelson ’52 Barbara Rodvik Robert E. and Margaret H. Twiton Robert ’97 and Rose Nelson Laura Roller Robert ’65 and Kay Tyson Roger M. Nelson Rev. Lyle E. Rossing Morris ’51 and Bonnie Biere ’54 Vaagenes Norma Noonan Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Mark ’83 and Beth Voelker Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Audrey Nagel Sander ’51 Robert J. Wagner II ’02 James ’57 and Shirley Norman Marianne and Robert Sander Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Glenn and Ann Nycklemoe Robert Sander Jr. ’76 Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund Jonathan Nye Lars ’69 and Ann Sandven Colleen Kay Watson ’91 and Mary McDougal Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Ward C.Schendel ’74 and Catherine L. B. Schendel Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw Leroy Nyhus ’52 Carolyn Hanson ’68 Schildgen and William Schildgen Robert Weagant ’49 H. Arlan Oftedahl ’64 Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz Dr. Scott J.M. Weber ’79 Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom Barbara Setterholm Larry Wefring Gordon ’63 and Janice Olson Rosemary Shafer Mark Wheeler ’87 Janet Halaas ’79 Delphine Shaw Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann Mr. Joseph Black and Dr. Lisa Olson Rodney Sill ’82 Peter ’49 and Alice Berg ’51 Wilcox Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar Woodrow Wilson ’53 L. Beth Buesing Opgrand ’45 James Smith ’94 Renata Rolf Winsor Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren Russel ’50 and Virginia Thompson ’50 Smith Bill Wittenbreer Kenneth and Lillian Ysteboe ’51 Ose David Soli ’81 Joyce Leifgren Young ’64 Ervin ’56 and Sylvia Moe ’59 Overlund Evelyn H. Sonnack ’43 Edmund ’53 Youngquist and Rose Youngquist John and Norma Paulson Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Lisa Zeller ’81 and Glenn Fuller James Swanson Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 31 CONSECUTIVE GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years. 30 years or more Laverne Moe ’48 Olson and Paul Olson Bettye and Howard Olson Ruth Aaskov ’53 Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson Joyce Opseth Schwartz ’45 Margaret and Raymond Anderson Glen Person ’47 Jacqueline ’80 and John Teisberg Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Mary Wick Lois Black Ahlbom ’47 Jay Phinney ’79 Fred ’60 and Janet Engelmann Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans Charles and Catherine Anderson James ’61 and BettyAnn Redeske Sonia Overmoen ’62 Gullicks and Milton Gullicks Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Olive Ronholm ’47† Arvin ’55 and Twila Halvorson Kristin Anderson Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker Ruth Schmidt ’52† Wayne Johnson ’58 LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden and Paul ’63 Batalden Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf Daniel ’70 and Ingrid Kloster ’69 Koch John Benson ’55 James ’54 and Ethel Nordstrom ’55 Shiell Donna McLean Vera Thorson Benzel ’45 Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar Bonnie Johnson ’67 Nelson and Bryce Nelson Doris Frojen Bretheim ’51† Evelyn Amundson Sonnack ’43 Margaret Nelson Foss Nokleberg ’48 Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson Eunice Stenshoel Jonathan Nye Linda Carlstedt ’63 Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46 James ’64 and Rose Parks Joyce Catlin ’73 Casey and Paul Casey Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen David Proctor ’63 Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud Judith Sandeen ’72 Leonard ’52 and Anabelle Hanson ’51 Dalberg Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson Robert Wick ’81 James Ericksen ’69 Allan Tonn ’75 Ruth Ann Gjerde Fitzke ’67 Sheldon ’49 and Margery Manger ’47 Torgerson 20-24 years Alan 1967 and Marilyn Albaugh ’67 Gierke Beth Torstenson ’66 Charles ’63 and Lois Luthard ’65 Anderson Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Frances Torstenson Birgit Birkeland ’58 Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Rebecca Helgesen ’67 Von Fischer and Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten Marlys Ringdahl ’53 Gunderson† and Charles Thomas Von Fischer Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main E.Margaret Sateren Trautwein ’37† Kristin Settergren ’86 McGinness and Cynthia Hanson ’66 25-29 years Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Betty Johnson Hass ’58 Frank ’50† and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans Jack ’49 and LeVerne Berry Ray Anderson ’49 Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt Marilyn Pearson ’76 Florian and Kenneth Florian Mary Twiton ’59 Bosben and Robert Bosben Gloria Johnson ’51 Paul and Judy Grauer Rachel Rohde ’76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist Mark ’54 and Thelma Johnson Joan Johnson ’53 Kuder and Calvin Kuder Norman and Ilene Holen Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Duane and Ruth Johnson Jerome Kleven ’58 Marjorie Wilberg Hauge ’50 James Kottom ’52 Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49 James ’61 and Caroline Holden Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird William ’52 and Edith Kuross David and Catherine Wold Brent Lofgren ’88 Lee Anne Lack ’67 Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson Leroy Nyhus ’52 George ’61 and Mary Larson Sylvia Kleven Hanson ’50 Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Sharon Dittbenner ’65 Klabunde and Pauline Sateren Arlin Gyberg Steve McGinness Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom Martin ’59 and Sylvia Lee Sabo 32 Susan Lageson ’77 Lundholm and Mark Lundholm Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Gunderson Richard Klabunde La Vone Studlien ’58 James Lindell ’46† Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey Maryon and Harris ’57 Lee Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson Marie and Larry McNeff Thomas ’63 and Gloria Joyce Wadsworth Addell Halverson Dahlen ’43 Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson Leland ’53 and Eunice Fairbanks Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander Mildred Nelson ’52 Paul ’62 and Susan Grover Robert ’56 and Mary Erickson ’58 Lockwood Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Douglas 1966 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and Avis Ellingrod Mary Mether ’69 Sabatke and Bruce Sabatke Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld John ’50 and Norma Shelstad Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill Burton Haugen ’72 Mark and Ann Tranvik E. Milton Kleven ’46 Leanne Phinney ’71 and Mark Schultz Leif Anderson Victor ’42 and Rhoda Miller Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Arlin Becker ’88 LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Michael ’64 and Carla Quanbeck ’64 Walgren Gary ’65 and Jean Blosberg Ruth Pousi ’54 Ollila Ordelle Aaker ’46 Jeff Christenson ’82 Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Janet Niederloh ’58 Christeson and John Christeson Daniel ’51 and Lois Pearson Roxanne Raunschnot ’82 Buchanan and Laura Bower ’91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe James Swanson Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 Jim Buchanan Sally Hough Daniels ’79 Gary ’68 and Janice Bell ’70 Schmidt Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Mark and Lynette Engebretson Dorothy Swanson ’51 Julie Edstrom ’90 Steven ’81 and Kathy Grinde Gary and Barbara Glasscock Judy Thompson Eiler ’65 Jean Venske ’87 Guenther and Stephen Guenther Glenda† and Richard Huston Ellen Stenberg Erickson ’51 Sylvia Hjelmeland Audrey Nagel Sander ’51 Bruce and Jean Inglis Glen and Marlys Johnson Ronnie ’62 and Karen Scott Doris Wilkins ’63 Johnson and Charles Johnson Rob ’80 and Lori LaFleur John ’52 and Mary Peterson ’54 Leak Patrick ’72 and Nancy Marcy 15-19 years Jack ’53 and Darlene Lundberg Carlos Mariani Rosa Suzanne Overholt ’67 Hampe and John Hampe Douglas ’76 and Rebecca Nelson Meca Sportswear Inc Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Rosemary Jacobson ’69 James ’57 and Shirley Norman Howard ’53 and Vicki Skor ’59 Pearson Janet Batalden ’61 Johnson and Dennis Johnson ’61 Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted Richard Sandeen ’69 Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz Heidi Wisner ’93 Staloch and Mark Staloch Elizabeth Pushing ’93 Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Ronald ’58 and Naomi Stave Edmund ’53 and Rose Youngquist Paulette Nelson Speed ’67 Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Betty and Paul Tveite Margaret Anderson Karla Morken ’81 Thompson and Thomas Thompson LeRoy ’52 and Carole Anenson Mark ’79 and Janelle Tonsager 10-14 years Catherine Berglund ’73 Becker and Charles Becker Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Anonymous (2) Anthony and Kathy Bibus Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Richard and Nancy Borstad Luther ’68 and Joanne Kendrick Gertrude Ness Berg ’51 Bruce ’64 and Nancy Braaten Millard ’52 and Dorothy Knudson Hans ’56 and Donna Dumpys William Capman Quentin ’50† and Lucille Quanbeck Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Peggy and John Cerrito Nora Anderson ’83 Sillerud and Jon Sillerud Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Judith Christensen John ’79 and Rebecca Lundeen ’79 Aune William and Anne Frame C. Lee Clarke Michael Burden ’85 Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Larry and Cheryl Crockett Ann Erkkila Dudero ’86 Bruce Johnson ’68 Lois Mackey Davis ’58 Norma Noonan Richard ’69 and Cheryl Nelson ’70 King Suzanne Doree Betsey and Alan Norgard George ’50 and Vivian Lanes Helga and Darrell ’55 Egertson Rebecca ’88 Pfabe and Maurice Higgins Roger ’50 and Donna Wang ’52 Leak Curtis ’84 and Jody Eischens Joyce Romano and Walker Brents Jacqueline Kniefel ’69 Lind Duane Esterly ’75 Glen and Anna Skovholt Marie Hafie ’65 MacNally and Thomas MacNally Terry ’67 and Pauline Frovik Beverly and Thomas Stratton John ’59 and De Anne Martinsen Ann Garvey Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller John ’69 Harden and Barbara Hoganson Janet Cooke ’59 Zitzewitz and Donald Zitzewitz Edor ’38 and Dorathy Nelson Gerald ’59 and Maxine Hendricks Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold Larry ’65 and Marilyn Nelson Peter ’92 and Becky Hespen Dorothy Bailey Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson John ’70 and Lynn Benson ’69 Hjelmeland Daniel and Irene Brink James Plumedahl ’57 Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes Joseph ’53 and Connie Cleary Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe James ’59 and Joanne Horn Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 33 Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw Dianne Detloff Joan ’94 and Mark Johnson William ’86 and Kelly Anderson Arvid ’52 and Sylvia Ostergaard ’62 Dixen Martha Johnson Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson Stanley ’51 and Joyce Erickson Theodore ’68 and Michelle Johnson Warren ’69 and Carolyn Bey Norman Ferguson Benjamin and Christine Kent Carolyn Burfield ’60 Muriel Ruud ’45 Frosch and Gerald Frosch Linda King ’78 Orla Christensen ’56 and Joan Englund Diane and Bradley Glorvigen Joan Kunz Wayne ’63 and Bernadine Christiansen Michael ’71 and Ann Good James ’67 and Laurie Lindell Connie Arndt ’96 Clausen and Andrew Clausen Muriel Hagen Smith and Wade Kilgore Smith Marissa Hutterer Machado ’99 Janet Braaten ’68 DeGaetano and Frank DeGaetano James ’53 and Corrine Hamre Raymond Makeever Doran Edwards Evelyn Green ’49 Harris and Edward Harris Jon ’58 and Judith Matala Lois Hofstad ’58 Esselstrom and Michael Esselstrom Robert ’55 and Karin Herman Tara Cesaretti 1997 McLeod and Marvin ’74 and Lana Felderman Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh Katharine Kuchera ’84 Gruber and Craig Gruber Robert ’54 and Marilyn Ingman Michael Navarre David ’76 and Lorna Halaas Alice Jacobsen ’53 Vicki and Daniel Olson Wayne ’68 and Lois Batalden ’69 Hansen Carol Knutson ’85 Steven O'Tool ’74 Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Christine Lanoue ’00 Landherr and Jeff Landherr Patricia Solum Park ’02 Carol Rubbelke Jernberg ’75 J. David ’62 and Kathleen Lystig Patricia Parker Karen Johnson ’66 Jennifer and Richard Martin Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert Nelson ’44 Jane Ann Nelson Dale ’70 and Patti Pederson Randall ’76 and Susan Lundell Douglas ’66 and Randvig Norvold Drew ’89 and Molly Privette Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue Gordon Odegaard ’52 Jerry ’83 and Susan Warnes ’88 Quam Erika Staub ’51 Niemi and Wayne Niemi Linda Wichmann ’70 Oja and James Oja Donavon ’52 and Ardis Roberts Cynthia Peterson Kristen Olsrud ’80 Philip Rowberg ’41 Frances Roller Rockey Arnold ’52 and Betty Paulson Michael Schock and Leslie Baken Thomas Ruffaner ’98 Bonnie Carlson Pehrson ’62 Frankie and Jole Shackelford Donohue ’56 and Marilyn Sarff Kathryn and Daniel Schwalbe Charles Sheaffer Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Sandra Phaup ’64 Steven ’65 and Chynne Strommen Gertrude Egeland ’48 Sundsted and Jens Sundstad Sharon Johnson Sullivan ’70 Barbara and Eugene Thompson Kenneth and Jane Syverson Joan and Charles Threet Richard (Porkchop) ’61 and Jane Thompson Paul ’87 and Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio Bonnie Jamieson ’69 Wedel and John Wedel Sue Thompson ’85 Charleen and Donald Weidenbach The Whitney Foundation Richard ’56 and Darlene Thorud Lyndon ’65 and Diane West William Wittenbreer Michael ’85 and Rhonda Riesberg ’84 Tjaden Kurt Clark ’94 Sharon and Stephen Wade Deborah Fredrickson Crowley ’76 Christopher ’00 McLeod ALUMNI GIVING BY CLASS YEAR The following list indicates the percentage of alumni from the traditional day program in each class year who made a gift during 2010-11. Total participation for all class years is 17.39%. 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 34 33.33% 0.00% 0.00% 50.00% 22.22% 36.36% 36.36% 33.33% 34.62% 25.00% 21.43% 22.58% 30.43% Augsburg Now 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 29.27% 40.68% 46.34% 38.93% 37.14% 45.65% 39.42% 37.27% 32.56% 38.98% 38.53% 43.00% 48.72% 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 39.44% 42.02% 36.05% 39.22% 30.77% 29.17% 31.58% 34.58% 32.91% 24.56% 21.20% 24.80% 26.39% 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 26.62% 23.68% 19.90% 19.26% 19.92% 22.79% 19.24% 17.52% 17.69% 15.11% 11.07% 13.50% 10.71% 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 10.59% 7.62% 13.85% 11.16% 10.96% 7.14% 11.31% 10.04% 11.90% 8.75% 6.81% 8.26% 10.89% 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 6.22% 7.41% 6.02% 6.16% 5.76% 6.58% 6.60% 5.34% 8.12% 4.38% 6.69% 5.94% alumni news Volunteer opportunities at Augsburg FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT A-Club ou will be happy to know that the Augsburg spirit of serving the community is still alive and well. President Obama honored Augsburg College with the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service. Augsburg was one of only six colleges in the U.S. to receive this award—and with more than 850 schools in competition, this is no small accomplishment! Augsburg’s community involvement has focused on students giving back their time, both on the day before each new school year begins, and on projects throughout the year. This commitment to service is not new to Augsburg and is something that alumni experienced as students. The Alumni Association works to continue providing opportunities for alumni to give back by organizing events like Feed My Starving Children and Habitat for Humanity, plus partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters on the recent “Annie” event at the Children’s Theater. I enjoy this model so much that at our November meeting, the Alumni Board participated in a Campus Kitchen project preparing food for our surrounding neighbors! In this spirit of giving, the Alumni Association has added a philanthropic component to many of our favorite annual events. This summer at Auggie Night at the Races at Canterbury Park, alumni donated hundreds of supplies and pairs of new socks to the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, a free drop-in community health service in downtown Minneapolis. The Canterbury donation drive was such a success that we are having another donation drive at Advent Vespers in December. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or supplies such as soap, toothpaste, adult socks, diapers, Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medication, ointments, or Band-Aids to the Vespers services to help out the needy during the holidays. Our alumni continue to give their time to the College and to students by serving as mentors, speaking in the classroom, serving on committees, volunteering at events, and assisting with special projects. If you would like to get involved and serve as an Augsburg volunteer, please contact Pat Grans, volunteer coordinator, at gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329. Y The organization of former and current Augsburg College athletes and supporters promotes a quality athletic experience by supporting Augsburg student-athletes and the Athletic Department. ABC (Augsburg Builds Connections) Mentoring Program Augsburg Builds Connections mentoring program enables alumni professionals to provide information, encouragement, and support to students. This flexible volunteer program allows mentors to connect with students via e-mail, phone, or face-to-face meetings and assist them in navigating their career path and achieving their professional goals. Alumni Board The Alumni Board is a governing body of the Alumni Association. Together with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, it provides resources and opportunities to engage alumni with the College and each other through consistent communication, inclusive programming, and intentional relationship building. Auggie in Residence This program is a way for our alumni to come back to the College and share their career expertise with students, faculty, and staff. This flexible program creates a unique opportunity for alumni to speak about their vocation. Augsburg Associates The Associates support Augsburg through fundraising events, including estate sales and Velkommen Jul food and craft sales. The group supports special projects and scholarships. Augsburg Women Engaged Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) nurtures and strengthens alumnae engagement with Augsburg, cultivating interest and passions through connecting, learning, and giving. Join an AWE Action Team or support an AWE Inspired event for an awesome experience. Parent and Family Council This committee includes parents and family members of current and former Augsburg students. The Parent and Family Council will help you stay up-to-date with campus events and feel more closely connected with your son or daughter and the College. Young Alumni Council This volunteer committee plans and coordinates events for alumni who graduated within the last 10 years and serves as an advisory group to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations. Sincerely, For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities contact ROBERT WAGNER II ’02 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Pat Grans, Volunteer Coordinator 612-330-1329 or gransp@augsburg.edu volunteer@augsburg.edu Fall 2011 35 auggies stay involved Dear fellow alumni, There are a number of ways to get involved, and being involved is a great way to stay connected to your college and fellow alumni. alumni news Maroon Pages 36 Augsburg Now Members of the Young Alumni Council enjoyed bowling at Pinstripes in June. [L to R] Rob Wagner ’02, Cory Allen ’07, David Lange ’08, and John MacCormick ’10. Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series featuring Steven Wehrenberg ’78, CEO, Campbell Mithun THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011, 5 p.m. Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Pat Peterson, Vice President of Research and Development, Aveda Corporation THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012, 7 a.m. Town and Country Club, St. Paul Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series featuring Keith Wyche, CEO, Cub Foods THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012, 5 p.m. Courtesy photo Young Alumni enjoyed a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka in September. [L to R] Angie Neuhaus ’08, Felicia Faison ’09, Shannon Olson ’07, Emily Anderson ’07, and Agnes Kigwana ’09. Huge Success for the 2011 Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College YOUNG ALUMNI Student and Alumni Networking Reception summer series THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012, 6-8 p.m. Oren Gateway Center, Augsburg College Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series featuring Jim Owens, President and CEO, H.B. Fuller THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012, 5 p.m. Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture presenting Brian J. Anderson ’82, Mercury MESSENGER deputy project scientist, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012, 7:30 p.m. Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg College To register for these and more events, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents. With an attendance of more than 600, this year’s Young Alumni Summer Series provided alumni with unique opportunities to connect with other Auggies and explore the greater Twin Cities. The series included dueling pianos at the Shout! House, bowling at Pinstripes, and a beautiful evening boat ride on Lake Minnetonka. The series is supported by the outstanding leadership of the Young Alumni Council, which is dedicated to providing dynamic social and personal enrichment opportunities for Auggies and to keeping them engaged with their alma mater. DECEMBER Augsburg’s alumni webpage now includes a new opportunity for Auggies to promote their products and services to other Auggies through networking. The success of the new service, called Maroon Pages, depends on user participation. When you enter your own industry, profession, position, and location in the profile form online, a link to your information will be available to others seeking your products or services. To join this network, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni, click on “Maroon Pages,” create your account, and click again on the “Maroon Pages” box. You can enter and update your profile information at the link for your name, and help assure that Augsburg’s alumni records are current. The profile page also includes the search form that will yield ever-increasing detail about potential business connections— especially as more and more Auggies complete their profiles. Please spread the word to other Auggies about this exciting new tool. In addition to promoting your product or services in the new Auggie Maroon Pages, attend one of the many upcoming networking events that provide an opportunity for professional development and to connect with other Auggies. Courtesy photo Connect with Auggies on the 9 By popular demand, the Young Alumni Council is pleased to announce a Winter 2011 event. Save the date of December 9! Details to follow. abc The ABCs of Networking Recent Auggie graduates who are seeking employment in a challenging economy are discovering a new resource these days. Augsburg’s new mentoring program, Augsburg Builds Connections (ABC), puts parents, alumni, and friends of the College in touch with students or graduates who are in the process of navigating their career path. Through ABC, students and graduates can receive information about an organization or learn how to pursue a career in an industry. When Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 confronted the work world after graduating with a political science degree, he considered what direction his career ought to take and how to gain some “real world experience.” He knew he wanted to stay in higher education and was pleased to get some interviews, but, like many other job seekers, he heard lots of “no’s” in the process. With an interest in fundraising, he decided to reach out to the Augsburg development office for suggestions, and they told him about the ABC program. Krouse-Gagne called Pat Grans, the volunteer coordinator, and mentioned an interest in fundraising, which he had thoroughly enjoyed as a student caller for The Augsburg Fund. Grans checked her database for matches and put him in touch with Carmela Kranz ’84, an alumna who works for the Minnesota Medical Foundation at the University of Minnesota. Through meetings and e-mails, they have worked to build their mentoring relationship. With more than 25 years’ experience in the fundraising/advance- Augsburg Builds Connections Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 with mentor Carmela Kranz ’84 of the Minnesota Medical Foundation at the University of Minnesota. ment industry, Kranz said she has a strong urge to “give back” because she feels fortunate to have worked for organizations that provided opportunities for professional and personal growth. She sees the mentor program as a “nice way to reconnect with Augsburg” and a way to pass along “snippets of information and advice” to those just entering the field. She sees networking and relationships as key, and is pleased that she was able to assist Krouse-Gagne in finding a job as an annual fund assistant at St. Catherine University. When they celebrated over lunch, they decided to stay in touch and to meet as needed. Krouse-Gagne is pleased that there was no pressure from the ABC program with regard to time commitment or answering lots of questions, and he encourages other students and graduates to take advantage of this opportunity as well. “There is no promise that it will get you a job,” he said, “but it sure helped me.” CHERYL CROCKETT, ALUMNI VOLUNTEER Auggie Admissions Liaisons Help Attract Potential Students A new volunteer opportunity provides a chance for Auggie alumni, parents, and friends of the College across the country to connect with prospective students attending college fairs. Dozens of these fairs are held each year, giving high school students and their families an opportunity to survey the college scene and find the best fit for them. Now, with the help of volunteers, Augsburg is able to have a presence at even more of these important events. Kathleen Boggess ’66 and Terry Lindstrom ’73 agreed to staff the Augsburg table at an Indianapolis college fair in September. There they related their own personal stories about Augsburg and responded to questions about the College. Boggess said she and Lindstrom enjoyed s e i g g u aARE EVERYWHERE swapping stories from their Augsburg days and added that potential students enjoyed hearing from them about “learning for service” in Augsburg’s unique urban setting. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer at one of these events, contact Pat Grans, volunteer coordinator, at gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329. Volunteers receive a packet of information in advance, including answers to frequently asked questions, a list of available classes, a Fast Facts sheet, and an Augsburg polo shirt to wear at the fair. Fall 2011 37 go auggies! Courtesy photo Courtesy photo 20ho1m1ecoming 10-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 2001 25-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1986 Front Row [L to R]: Skylar Hanson, Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett, Anne (Osberg) Moore. Back Row [L to R]: Mike Reed, Adam Perkins, Erin Moore, Maggie Tatton, Sarah Grans, Merry-Ellen Krcil Schwan, Ann Peterson, Katie Koch. Front Row [L to R]: Steve Olsson, Leslie (Gilberson) Bonshire, Vickie (Ruud) Frazier, Corey (Greeder) Johnson, Lynn (Pendergast) Fering, Craig Fering, Diana (Wilkie) Buffie. Back Row [L to R]: Margaret Rog, Thomas Ott, Karin (Sabo) Mantor, Barb (Niesen) McGlynn, Debra Balzer-Plagemann, Patrick Guernsey, Terry Koenck, Gretchen (Luehrs) Marble, Michelle (Swift) Steen, guest, Mitch Porter. 40-YEAR REUNION— CLASS OF 1971 1. Mary Bjerke Stacke, 2. Sally Carlson Bredehoft, 3. Pat Ellinger, 4. Leanne Phinney, 5. Stephanie (Johnson) Sulzbach, 6. Pam Petersen Nungesser, 7. Kay (Hendrickson) Owen, 8. Darrell Skogen, 9. Sue Casey, 10. Nancy Hedstrom Simonetti, 11. Jane Catlin Bracken, 12. Marilyn Buschbom Lueth, 13. Illa Monda Alexander, 14. Christy Larsen Branes, 15. Pamela (Rinehart) Albu, 16. Susan Drake King, 17. Paula (Jones) Iverson, 18. Bonnie (Board) Niles, 19. Barb Mikelson, 20. Sherry Roach Corwin, 21. Joan Youngren Palm, 22. Tim Casey, 23. Wayne Jorgenson, 24. John Jenneke, 25. Dennis Hendrickson, 26. Bill Eggers, 27. Corky Hall, 28. Thom Berkowitz, 29. Bob Martin, 30. Mike Scott, 31. Nancy Paddock Brenny, 32. David Benson, 33. Philip Hoversten, 34. Sue Scott Swanson, 35. Rachel Hendrickson Julian, 36. Gary Hagen, 37. Mark Ellinger, 38. Bruce Nelson, 39. David Benzel, 40. Ruth Schroeder Duffy, 41. Art Scheunemann. 41 26 13 Augsburg Now 29 23 36 37 38 28 11 32 31 30 20 22 21 14 19 8 9 2 3 18 7 4 35 33 15 10 1 38 39 40 24 25 12 27 5 34 17 6 16 reunion classes 50-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1961 First Row [L to R]: Judy Fosse Snider, Mary Lou Baker Christenson, Karen (Egesdal) Trelstad, Leola Dyrud Furman, Pat Swanson Kreuziger, Joan Gibson Labs, Pat Eide Ponto, Oscar Blegen. Second Row [L to R]: Ted Botten, K. Duane Larson, Carol Oversvee Johnson, Winnie Nordlund Anderson, Pat Nordlund Toussaint, Marie (Gjerde) Schlink, Agnette Duncan, Carol (Anderson) Geldert. Third Row [L to R]: Jim Holden, Lloyd Bakke, Dennis Kalpin, Verna Stokke Tweiten, Phyllis Acker, Berna (Nelson) Hanson. Fourth Row [L to R]: Arlan E. Johnson, Larry Gallagher, Keith Leiseth, Dick “Porkchops” Thompson, Cameron Liebenow, Ken Nelson, Bruce Westphal, Marilyn Saure Breckenridge. SILVER AUGGIES—CLASS OF 1960 AND EARLIER First Row [L to R]: Ruth Aaskov ’53, Margaret Moe Sannerud ’50, Joyce Hanson ’56, Grace Sulerud ’58, Lorie Christianson ’59, Inez Schwarzkopf ’59, Marolyn Halverson ’51, Bev Omdahl Nelson ’55, Dolores Flaa Bjerga ’51, Dora Quanbeck ’49, Joan Baxter Larson ’51. Second Row [L to R]: E. W. (Bill) Anderson ’56, Ellen Erickson ’51, Leola Johnson ’51, Arvin Halvorson ’55, Garfield Hoversten ’50, Bill Halverson ’51, Ruth (Ysteboe) Engelstad ’56, Lillian (Ysteboe) Ose ’51, Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom ’58, Eunice (Nystuen) Sortland ’50, Morris Vaagenes ’51, Herbert Hanson ’51. Third Row [L to R]: Dan Pearson ’51, Wallace Pratt ’51, Quentin Johnson ’51, Leroy Nyhus ’52, Jeroy Carlson ’48, Bill Anderson ’56, Robert Paulson ’50, Philip Quanbeck ’50, Allan Sortland ’53. Fourth Row [L to R]: Don Gilberg ’60, Neal Snider ’57, Glen Gilbertson ’52, Orval Moren ’57, Loren Woolson ’51. Fall 2011 39 alumni class notes The V. Benson Pavilion at Mark Lund was recognized by 58Methodist Stone Oak Hospital 69Luther College for 25 years of in San Antonio, Tex., was dedicated on March 9 in recognition of Vernon L. Benson, MD, the founding chief of staff. Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann (Ath- 60letic Hall of Fame 1986) has begun a new career writing classic Western short stories in his semi-retirement. Several have been published at bookstogonow.com. Look for “The Last Manhunt” and “Duel in Springfield.” Darryl Torrin retired as pastor of his congregation in Denver, Iowa, in 2010. He and his wife have moved to Cedar Falls and are enjoying their retirement and new neighbors. auggieSNAPSHOTS 66 40 service at a faculty recognition dinner on May 12. Lund has been on the Luther faculty since 1978; he has served as a professor of economics and international studies and director of international education. Jane Helmke, long-time KARE 8311 TV veteran and award-winning news journalist, was promoted to be the station’s news director in September. During her 28-year career with the station, she has worked in almost every department in the newsroom, including production, news and sports, and special projects. She has served as managing editor, where she worked primarily with digital platforms, including overseeing KARE11.com, Metromix.com, MomsLikeMe.com, highschoolsports.net, and mobile ventures. Dan Schueller, a member of the Gopher Wheelmen team, qualified to race in the UCI Track Cycling Masters World Championships in Manchester, England, in October. He raced in the Men’s 50-54 category. A few more riders from Minnesota raced along with him, and his wife, Carolyn Schueller ’90, traveled with him. After more than 21 years, 89Glenn Quanbeck retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and was hired as a civil service employee for the U.S. Army working in Brussels, Belgium. Heather Muir earned her PhD 90in sport management from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. Her dissertation examined the television coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic ice hockey games, looking for differential portrayals based on the players’ gender. This fall she will teach at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Kristof Nordin and his wife, 91Stacia, came to Malawi, Africa, in 1997 to work on issues of HIV/AIDS prevention. They are now teaching about sustainable agricultural methods and linking them to better nutrition. Stacia currently works with the Ministry of Education to implement sustainable garden practices into the more than 5,000 primary schools in the country, and Kristof has become a fulltime trainer to the hundreds of Maria (Mitchell) Helger- 07son and Erik Helgerson welcomed Adam James Helgerson on May 5. were among 25 racers who participated in the five auggiesfirst annual Cure CMD (congenital muscular Andrea (Kaul) Naab 07married Jesse Naab ’06 dystrophy) Race for the Cure in St. Paul on August 6. Pictured are [L to R] Karsten Nelson ’83, Jared Sundvall ’14, Katie Nelson ’14, Jenna Leahy ’14, and Lauren Haberman ’14. They helped Cure CMD raise $9,000 for research to find treatments for people affected by CMD. on May 21 in Edina, Minn. Maggie Grage married 07Jake Hockenberry on David Siedlar and Ray Yip ’72 recon- 71nected in Beijing in early August after 40 years. The two didn’t know they were both in China until Ray did some research and found his friend. Augsburg Now Melissa Kapellen Dvo- 05rak PA and Matthew Dvorak welcomed their first son, Thomas Anthony Dvorak, on June 7. June 25 in Hopkins, Minn. The couple resides in West Des Moines, Iowa, where Maggie works as a teacher in the Urbandale Community School District and Jake works as manager and trainer of the customer service department at an anime licensing/distributing company in Grimes. 09 Valerie (Anderson) Capra MSW married Jason Capra on May 27. people who visit their demonstration plot each year (www.neverendingfood.org). Their four-year-old daughter Khalidwe, which means “good characteristics of a person” in the local language of Chichewa, was born in Malawi. Corey Davison joined Tenet Healthcare Corporation as senior director of government relations based in Dallas, Tex. He will lead Tenet’s state government relations activities and oversee core government relations programs such as Tenet-PAC and grassroots advocacy. Larry Anderson completed the 92seventh revision of his book Raptured Alive: Return of a Prodigal Son. Anthony Weeks MSW was se- Kristen Opalinski was ac- 03cepted in 2009 into the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. Kristen served in eastern South Africa, working at the Lutheran diocese offices, coaching soccer (with AIDS awareness), painting murals in the children’s ward at the local hospital, and working with retreats. At the end of that YAGM year, she became a media specialist for the Lutheran Communion of Southern Africa (LUCSA), uniting 15 churches in 10 countries. She created a communications network to connect member churches, designed and maintains the LUCSA website, designed logos for their programs and ministries, and travels extensively, primarily dealing with AIDS and anti-malaria initiatives. Rachel (Quick) Pennig and 94lected as a winner for the 38th 06Matt Pennig welcomed Jack Student Academy Awards for his film Imaginary Circumstances, made at Stanford University. Dee Ann Sibley was awarded a 95McKnight Artist Grant to study the high key process in photography. Angela Ahlgren is a visiting as- 98sistant professor in the School of Theater at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She recently completed her PhD in theatre history with an emphasis in performance as public practice at the University of Texas at Austin. In May, Ross Murray ’09 MBA was hired as the director of religion, faith, and values at GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). 00 The Minnesota Brass Drum 01and Bugle Corps from St. Paul, Minn., an all-ages drum and bugle corps that competes in the Drum Corps Associates circuit, won the World Championships in Rochester, N.Y., in August. This is the first time that the corps was honored with this distinction. In addition, the horn line was named the top horn line in the competition. Michael Reed, director of bands at Cedarcrest Academy and Beacon Academy in Maple Grove, Minn., is a music tech with the Corps brass line. Alexander Pennig on June 18. Laura Henry married Huck 07Tate on September 9 in St. Paul. Laura is the daughter of Chuck and Lavon Emerson-Henry ’74 and the granddaughter of Victor Emerson ’48 and Rona (Quanbeck) Emerson ’48. The couple will make their home in Vadnais Heights, Minn. Explore Your Life’s Calling Tom Morgan, executive director of the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning, recently hosted a conference with representatives from seven area Lutheran colleges. Following the conference, a common awareness emerged about exploring one’s vocation as a defining feature of Lutheran higher education. From this conference came Vocation for Life, a workshop designed to nurture the vocations of alumni through discovery of gifts, ongoing exploration, and promotion of calling in all stages of their lives. This fall Morgan, in partnership with other Lutheran colleges, collaborated on the design and delivery of the Vocation for Life programs and activities. Pilot workshops took place in Rochester, Minn., and Rockford, Ill. Watch for information on future opportunities in your area to participate in this exciting self-exploration. In Memoriam Robert Arnold Karlén, Augsburg professor emeritus of music, passed away peacefully of natural causes on August 19. Professor Karlén joined the music faculty at Augsburg College where he taught his entire 42-year career. He served as chair of the Music Department from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1986 to 1989. He was instrumental in expanding course offerings and creating three new degree programs for the Music Department: music performance, music education, and music therapy. He also founded and conducted the Augsburg Orchestra and played a key role in the design and completion of the Augsburg College Music Hall in 1977. Memorials may be given to the Robert Karlén Chamber Music Scholarship. This fund was established in 2002 and is awarded annually to a music student, with preference given to students who demonstrate exceptional promise as woodwind and/or brass chamber music performers. Fall 2011 41 In Memoriam James G. “Jim” Lindell, Sr. ’46 James G. “Jim” Lindell, loyal Augsburg alumnus, former member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents, and generous benefactor of the Lindell Library, passed away on August 25. Lindell attended Augsburg College in 1942-43. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46, serving in World War II in the Pacific, and attained the rank of petty officer second class. Jim began his employment with West Publishing in 1947 and worked there 44 years. In the 1960s he was an Alumni Association board member, and from 1970-82 he served as a regent of the College. His relationship with Augsburg grew into a family legacy spanning 50 years, with seven members of his family attending and graduating from Augsburg. The Augsburg library, which opened in 1997, was named for the Lindell family through the generosity of James and Jean Lindell. When the family made the decision to fund the library project, Lindell expressed pride in the spirit of Augsburg, saying, “My personal feelings from the first days I visited Augsburg were shaped by students showing their good attitudes toward each other and the closeness of belonging to the school. This feeling still prevails for me….” Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow, in his message to the campus community following Lindell’s passing, wrote this about Lindell: “Jim's passion for Augsburg and for ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff might have one of the finest small college libraries in the country leaves a legacy that will shape an Augsburg education for decades to come. Even as the Lindell Library is transformed through additions of the learning commons and the Gage Center for Student Success, Jim’s legacy is proving its relevance to the future of teaching, learning, and scholarship at Augsburg.” Augsburg’s library, opened in 1997, is named for the James G. Lindell family. 42 Augsburg Now Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended In Memoriam ____________________________________________________________ Street address E. Margaret (Sateren) Trautwein ’37, Brooklyn Center, Minn., age 95, on September 10. ____________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Einar M. Cannelin ’38, Homewood-Flossmoor, Ill., age 97, on June 26. Is this a new address? q Yes q No Gerald "Gerry" Philip Benson ’39, Ft. Collins, Colo., age 96, on July 8. Elwood J. Lundeen ’42, St. Paul, age 90, on May 28. Rev. LuVerne L. "Red" Nelson ’43, Westby, Wisc., age 91, on June 24. ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone ____________________________________________________________ E-mail James "Jim" G. Lindell Sr. ’46, Woodbury, Minn., age 87, on August 25. Merle Arthur Weflen ’47, Spicer, Minn., age 84, on July 12. Doris C. (Frojen) Bretheim ’51, Minneapolis, age 83, on June 1. Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ Employer Kenneth R. Hansen ’51, Bloomington, Minn., age 80, on April 18. Merle T. Knutson ’51, Lakefield, Minn., age 87, on June 16. Gloria Ruth (Ostrem) Sawai ’53, Edmonton, Alberta, age 81, on July 19. ____________________________________________________________ Position Mary Lee (Peterson) Leak ’54, Edina, Minn., age 78, on June 17. ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Sheldon Lee Nascene ’58, Pine City, Minn., age 75, on October 15, 2010. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No Stanley L. West ’60, Racine, Wisc., age 73, on May 28. If yes, class year ________________________________________________ Darold D. Kamrath ’61, Litchfield, Minn., age 73, on January 31. ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name Rev. Orville “O.K.” Anderson ’64, Sioux Falls, S.Dak., age 68, on August 1, 2010. John T. Clawson ’67, Minneapolis, age 66, on August 17. Mark A. Jensen ’68, Annandale, Minn., age 65, on June 13. ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ____________________________________________________________ Joyce J. (Gronli) Clark ’72, Spicer, Minn., age 60, on November 17, 2010. ____________________________________________________________ David G. Langness ’75, Saint Charles, Miss., age 56, on April 25. Marjorie A. (Seeger) Ramsey ’85, Isanti, Minn., age 47, on June 5. ____________________________________________________________ Jerry Ann Black ’85, age 77, on July 16. ____________________________________________________________ Janice L. Phinney ’98, St. Paul, age 58, on July 30. ____________________________________________________________ Jason Stevens ’15, Rochester, Minn., age 19, on September 20. q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Professor Emeritus Robert A. Karlén, Bethesda, Md., age 87, on August 19. Fall 2011 43 auggie voices Neighborhood resource broker: Mary Laurel True Mary Laurel True conducts business wherever she goes—whether she’s headed to lunch at the Afro Deli on Riverside and 20th avenues, walking across campus for a meeting with a faculty member, or on the way home in her bumper-sticker-clad car. That’s because True’s “business” is connecting with the community, and as a 20-year resident of the Seward neighborhood, she has a lot of contacts. True’s relationship with the neighborhood and Augsburg began when she was still a college student at St. Catherine University. In 1979, she traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico through the Center for Global Education. She later moved to the West Bank and became involved in local politics, and then she returned to Seward in 1989 after graduate school. True was hired by Augsburg in 1990 as the coordinator of community service learning. “At the time,” she said, “nobody really knew what that meant for a college.” Her job began by finding ways to add service-learning experiences to the curriculum, but she said it has morphed into much more. “I see myself, and I think the College does too, as someone who sees what’s going on in the community and brings that to campus but also sees what the College has and brings it to the community.” Today, True calls herself a “resource broker” between Augsburg and the community. Her role as director of community service-learning involves connecting faculty to people and organizations where students can not only be involved in service but also meet their professors’ learning objectives. To that end, True partners with faculty in departments including athletics, biology, education, English, environmental studies, mathematics, physics, religion, sociology, social work, and studio art. She connects them to organizations such as Bethany Lutheran Church, Brian Coyle Community Center, Mixed Blood Theatre, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Our Saviour’s Housing, and the Seward Montessori School. “If you spend most of your time in the community that you are going to be engaged with, then not only do you understand it deeply but you’re also much more accountable.” True said she sees her role as a partner to the faculty, helping them become engaged with the community. “They use the community as a text,” she said. She noted that the faculty’s commitment to engaging with the world makes her work easy and enjoyable. “Our faculty come here because they want to be in the city. They believe we have a lot to learn from the community,” she said. As a Seward resident, True has become deeply involved with neighborhood organizations and causes. Because she is a neighbor 44 Augsburg Now to the organizations with which Augsburg partners, she feels it is important that she be trustworthy and committed. “If you spend most of your time in the community that you are going to be engaged with, then not only do you understand it deeply but you’re also much more accountable.” True demonstrates her commitment through volunteer work with local organizations, including Bedlam Theatre, the People’s Center, the East African Women’s Center, and the Somali American Education Center. As an artist, she is also interested in the local music and arts scene, and she and her husband are involved with the Seward Co-Op. “I really love this institution,” True said. “I believe in the work that I do because I think Augsburg really walks its talk. I feel so proud of this place and of how the community values who we are and what we do here.” So if you see Mary Laurel True out talking to Somali women from the neighborhood resource center or stopping into the Afro Deli for lunch, she isn’t out of the office avoiding work. She is simply doing her job. WENDI WHEELER ’06 THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM returns to Augsburg The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an international event designed to inspire peacemaking. Now in its 24th year, the forum moves to its new Minneapolis-based format and will be co-hosted by Augsburg College in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Augsburg is honored to continue this event with the support of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, our sister Norwegian Lutheran colleges, and our community partners who share our commitment to education for peace. The 2012 forum is scheduled March 1 to 3, and will welcome former president of South Africa F. W. de Klerk as keynote speaker. President de Klerk, who won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, was the last state president of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from 1989 to 1994. He is best known for engineering the end of apartheid and for supporting the transformation of South Africa into a multi-racial democracy. In recent years, his passion for peace continues through his work addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century, such as building multicultural societies, rethinking immigration policy, and understanding global economic forces. Learn more and sign up for e-mail updates about the 2012 Peace Prize Forum at www.peaceprizeforum.org. 24TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM • MARCH 1-3, 2012 • F.W. DE KLERK, KEYNOTE SPEAKER Erica Salkas ’11 performs a dance choreographed by David DeBlieck ’88, theater arts instructor, in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, hosted at Augsburg College. Photo by Kendra (Christiansen) Oxendale ’11 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Norwegian Royal Visit In October, Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway attended a worship service at Augsburg College with President Paul and Abigail Pribbenow as well as 300 Norwegian students studying in the U.S. The King and Queen stopped at Augsburg as part of their eight-day visit to Minnesota and Iowa. Following the service, Augsburg dedicated a peace pole in Their Majesties’ honor. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Augsburg Now Summer 2014
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Augsburg Now Summer 2014: An Active Education
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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The Class of 2014 reflects Grants gain ground Spotlight on research Faithful and relevant AN EDUCATION ACTIVE SUMMER 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 3 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kat...
Show more The Class of 2014 reflects Grants gain ground Spotlight on research Faithful and relevant AN EDUCATION ACTIVE SUMMER 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 3 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW An alternative narrative of higher education Our colleague, Harry Boyte, who heads Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship, recently argued in The Huffington Post that America needs an alternative narrative of higher education, one that focuses not on meritocratic excellence, but on “cooperative excellence...[the] principle that a mix of people from highly varied backgrounds can achieve remarkable intellectual, social, political, and spiritual growth if they have the right encouragements, resources, challenges, and calls to public purpose.” And, as Harry further points out, we have the makings of this alternative story of higher education in institutions like Augsburg, with its rich heritage of faith, learning, and service. And so we do, as this issue of Augsburg Now so compellingly illustrates. You hear it in the stories our recent graduates tell about what they love about Augsburg—its people, its location, its diversity, its commitment to service and justice, its educational experience like no other. You hear it in the tributes to retiring faculty members like Donald “Gus” Gustafson and athletic legends like Edor Nelson ’38 and Ed Saugestad ’59—even as you read the accomplishments of this year’s distinguished teachers and scholars, future legends. You hear it in accounts of innovative theater programming, bringing together students from Augsburg and the University of Minnesota to perform a groundbreaking production of Peer Gynt at the university’s arboretum. You hear it in the voices of students and alumni sharing their vocational journeys, shaped in this remarkable community. The power of the Augsburg story is that it is not new—it is what I call “the saga of Augsburg” (see my recent essay, “Lessons on Vocation and Location: The Saga of Augsburg College as Urban Settlement” at augsburg.edu/president/presentations), a story that is grounded in our rich history as a college dedicated to the Lutheran Christian faith, to the power of a liberal arts education, to vocational discernment, and to our urban setting. And it is a story more relevant than ever, as it counters the ways in which higher education is viewed as a commodity to be purchased, a ticket simply to a successful career, a stepping stone instead of a firm foundation. Our society needs an alternative story about higher education in order to recover its soul. Augsburg offers such a story in both its history and its aspirations as a 21st century “student-centered urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” And now we need to recruit a corps of storytellers—good folks like you—who know this story well and are willing to stand with us to share it with the world. In our tradition, that is called evangelism. Will you join us? Integrated Communication Specialist/Augsburg Now Project Manager Laura Swanson swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President for Advancement Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu summer 2014 AUGSBURG NOW Features 12 9 16 23 12 16 24 29 Faithful and relevant BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA We love Augsburg EDITED BY LAURA SWANSON What is it? BY LAURA SWANSON Grants gain ground COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS Departments inside front cover Notes from President Pribbenow 02 Around the Quad 09 My Auggie experience 15 Auggie athletics 23 Auggie voices 30 Alumni news 35 Alumni class notes 15 24 38 In memoriam 40 It takes an Auggie On the cover Each summer, Augsburg College students complete on-campus research activities across a wide range of academic disciplines. Learn about Auggies’ recent projects on page 24. Correction: The Spring 2014 issue of Augsburg Now included an archival photo of Science Hall as part of the My Auggie experience story. The caption accompanying the image should have noted that the building, in its early years, housed the home economics department in addition to the offices, laboratories, and rooms named. All photos and archival photo compilations by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. AROUND THE QUAD Excellence in teaching and learning Choir performs throughout Ireland The 2014 Distinguished Contributions recipients [L to R]: Shana Watters, Phil Adamo, and Stacy Freiheit. Each year, the Augsburg College faculty recognizes select colleagues with the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards—acknowledging those who have demonstrated outstanding support for students through teaching, advising, and mentoring. The 2014 recipients include: The Augsburg Choir delivered their annual Bon Voyage Performance May 2, then traveled to Ireland for an international tour. The group performed in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Newbridge; they also took time to visit the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s rugged western coast. To read more about their trip, visit the students’ blog at engage.augsburg.edu/ augsburgchoir. EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING: Stacy Freiheit, associate professor of psychology “As a professor, [Stacy] ensures that she engages students in the material that she is teaching and makes it personal…She is very creative and open, and implements a multitude of methods to help students learn—from videos, to interviews, to live demonstrations.” —Amineh Safi ’14, psychology and political science major Day at the Capitol EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP: Phil Adamo, associate professor of history and director of the Medieval Studies Program “[Phil] has an ability to fold students into his scholarship, providing them with rich and meaningful experiences that develop them as young scholars.” —Dixie Shafer, director of Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING AND MENTORING: Shana Watters, associate professor of computer science “[Shana] really shines. She is interesting; she is supportive; she has high expectations; she is fun. She takes her responsibility to her students very seriously, but never takes herself too seriously. As a result, she has been a remarkable mentor to many students, even those who have not chosen to pursue computer science.” —Carrie Shidla, Augsburg program manager and assistant director of academic advising 2 Augsburg Now Brid Henry ’16 meets Minnesota State Sen. Charles Wiger during the Day at the Capitol event. This spring, Augsburg Day at the Capitol gave students a voice in the important debate surrounding the Minnesota State Grant program. Augsburg students met with lawmakers and wrote letters advocating continued support for this important financial aid. City and state officials judge ‘The Great Economic Debate’ Courtesy of University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital at [L to R]: Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman, and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. MASTER OF MUSIC THERAPY Augsburg’s music therapy program has provided students with a holistic approach to health care through music medicine since 1974. To build on that tradition, Augsburg is launching a music therapy graduate program in the Twin Cities beginning this fall. The Master of Music Therapy (MMT) program will engage students in life-changing experiences and experiential learning, and foster a holistic view of the use of music in health, healing, and well-being. For more information about the MMT, visit augsburg.edu/mmt. The Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL)—a program of Augsburg College—in May hosted its second Mayor’s Challenge. Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman, and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges served as judges for a student debate resolving that the North American Free Trade Agreement has been beneficial for the economy of Mexico and the United States, specifically Minnesota. This spring, MNUDL also hosted its first Spanish Debate Invitational, a Spanish tournament for Twin Cities middle and high school students, as a way to make forensics available to more students and to help extend the reach of the positive work of MNUDL. Courtesy photo STROMMEN SPEAKERS SERIES This April, the Strommen Executive Speakers Series, which brings local business leaders to campus to share insight and expertise, featured Jon Campbell, executive vice president of Wells Fargo. With 36 years of banking experience at Wells Fargo, Campbell presented “Finding Vocation in Corporate Philanthropy,” touching on his career path, which has been characterized by a strong emphasis on community service. CONNECT. NETWORK. LEAD. Summer 2014 3 AROUND THE QUAD Honoring our retired faculty WILLIAM ARDEN DONALD “GUS” GUSTAFSON Assistant Professor, Business Administration Professor, History Joined the College – 2005 Education – bachelor’s, Gustavus Adolphus College; master’s and PhD, University of Wisconsin Education – bachelor’s, New York University; master’s, Northeastern University (Boston); MBA, Boston University “One of my most memorable experiences as a teacher was my first time in a classroom. I taught a graduate marketing course (at another institution) and walked out of class the first night saying, ‘I haven’t had this much fun in a job in a long time!’” Joined the College – 1961 Gustafson thrives most on the sheer delight of teaching— students from his classes usually remember Rasputin, Alsace-Lorraine, and Che Guevara. GRETCHEN IRVINE Assistant Professor, Education RUTH ENESTVEDT Joined the College – 1993 Assistant Professor, Nursing Education – bachelor’s, College of St. Teresa; master’s, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; PhD, University of Minnesota Joined the College – 1999 Education – bachelor’s, St. Olaf College; master’s and PhD, University of Minnesota “We assume that people are experts in their own lives. We provide useful, relevant service that respects what the person brings to the situation.” MARK ENGEBRETSON Professor, Physics Joined the College – 1976 Education – bachelor’s, Luther College; Master of Divinity, Luther Theological Seminary; master’s and PhD, University of Minnesota One of the most important features of Engebretson’s work is sharing it with his students. His research grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation have supported dozens of undergraduate student research opportunities that educate and motivate science students. 4 Augsburg Now “I believe in using the community as a research tool and bringing the community into the classroom through resource speakers. Respect for the unique characteristic of each student is essential.” JEFFREY JOHNSON Associate Professor, Physics Joined the College – 1985 Education – bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, and PhD, University of Minnesota Johnson likes to teach quantum physics and astronomy, which, he says, “allows me to give my students an appreciation of the wonder and weirdness of our universe.” ASHOK KAPOOR Associate Professor, Business Administration Joined the College – 1998 Education – bachelor’s and master’s, University of Delhi; master’s and MBA, University of Minnesota; PhD, Temple University “Augsburg is different from other institutions in that we have a vocational aspect to our education, which fits in with my thinking. I tell my students that they can do whatever they want, as long as they excel. They will then be happy in life.” DAWN LUDWIG Director and Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies Program Joined the College – 1995 Education – bachelor’s, University of Colorado-Denver; master’s and PA Certificate, University of Colorado Health Science Center; PhD, Capella University One of the guiding principles in Ludwig’s approach to teaching is to help students maintain a focus on service to others, and to always be aware of how one good deed can bless another person’s life. ROBERT STACKE ’71 Associate Professor and Department Chair, Music Joined the College – 1990 Education – bachelor’s, Augsburg College; master’s, University of St. Thomas; PhD, University of Minnesota “I am very proud of the number of students who have a chance to be involved in Augsburg’s music program. One of the benefits of attending a liberal arts college is having the opportunity to perform even if you are not a music major.” Faculty Recognition Luncheon This spring, Augsburg celebrated the careers and contributions of retiring faculty members at the Faculty Recognition Luncheon. The event included a program and a display of recent scholarship and teaching materials. CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS Scholarships and fellowships Augsburg students earned a range of prestigious accolades during spring semester, including the following: BARRY GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP Eric Bowman ’15, a biology and chemistry major and McNair Scholar, received an honorable mention in the Barry Goldwater Scholarship competition. The Goldwater Foundation provides $7,500 undergraduate scholarships to students who plan to pursue a research career in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathmatics) field, and the scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields. Bowman was one of only eight Minnesotans to receive an honorable mention this year. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, careeroriented internships abroad. Since 2008, 36 Auggies have been awarded a total of $150,000 from the Gilman International Scholarship. This spring, sociology and psychology major Pa-Loo Lor ’14 studied at Augsburg’s exchange partner, Hong Kong Baptist University. This summer, GaoSheng Yang ’14 studied and interned in Shanghai. She is an international relations major with a minor in management information systems. And this fall, biology major Fowsia Elmi ’15, international business and finance major Smeret Hailom ’15, and sociology major Ayan Khayro ’15 will study in Turkey; and music major Elizabeth Fontaine ’16 will study in Indonesia. HAWKINSON AWARD The Hawkinson Foundation for Peace & Justice has awarded Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14 the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship was created by the Foundation to encourage students who have already demonstrated a 6 Augsburg Now commitment to peace and justice to strive for peace and justice both in their educational pursuits and in their personal and professional lives. KEMPER SCHOLARS PROGRAM Najma Warsame ’17, a communication studies student, was named the College’s fourth Kemper Scholar. Students in this prestigious program, which is funded by the James S. Kemper Foundation, receive academic scholarships and stipends to cover the costs of two summer internships in major nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Augsburg is one of only 16 U.S. liberal arts colleges with the Kemper Scholars Program distinction. NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOWS AWARD Vincent Henry ’15 was named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2014. The Newman Civic Fellow Award is a Campus Compact distinction recognizing students who­—through service, research, and advocacy—work to identify the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. PHILLIPS SCHOLARSHIP Each year, the Minnesota Private College Council awards six scholarships from the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota to students who attend its 17 member institutions. This year, two of the six were awarded to Augsburg students Sagal Ali ’16 and Muna Mohamed ’15. Ali will work on a project that addresses the high risk of obesity and the rise of diabetes among Somali women, while Mohamed’s project will focus on engaging Muslim women in sports while honoring their religious and cultural beliefs. 2014 PRESIDENTS’ CIVIC ENGAGEMENT STEWARD AWARD The Augsburg student group Students for Racial Justice won the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award at the Minnesota Campus Compact Summit that took place this spring. This award recognizes those who have advanced their campus’s distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting civic engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement. Student research awards and achievements ROSSING PHYSICS SCHOLARS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ZYZZOGETON 2014 Two Augsburg College students have been named Rossing Physics Scholars for 2014-15. Juan Tigre ’16 and Fikre Beyene ’16 will receive $10,000 and $7,000, respectively. The Rossing Fund for Physics Education Endowment in the ELCA Foundation was established in 2005 for physics majors at the 27 ELCA colleges. TRAVELERS EDGE SCHOLARS AND TRAVELERS INTERNSHIPS Stella Richardson Hohn ’15 and Lee Thao ’15 are interning in St. Paul and Hartford, Conn., respectively, as part of the Travelers Insurance Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment (EDGE) program. This program focuses on college recruitment and retention of low-income and firstgeneration students, and enhances awareness of careers in the insurance and financial industries. In Minnesota, the focus specifically is on students graduating from both the St. Paul and Minneapolis public school districts. Five additional Auggies—Lorreal Edwards ’16, Liban Elmi ’16, Lyton Guallpa-Naula ’16, Angela Hernandez ’16, and Seng Vue ’16—also will complete internships at Travelers Insurance in St. Paul. This group will participate in professional and leadership development workshops supported by the Kemper Foundation to prepare for their internship opportunity. VANN FELLOWSHIP Michelle Grafelman ’15, an Augsburg Presidential Scholar, was awarded the $5,000 Vann Fellowship in Biomedical Ethics at Mayo Clinic. As a summer fellow, she is working with physician and research mentors within Mayo’s Program in Professionalism and Ethics to examine issues such as end-of-life care, genetic therapies, and patient consent, among others. Zyzzogeton is an opportunity to hear about the exciting scholarship happening on campus. This year, more than 80 students presented their research and creative activity to the Augsburg community in the annual spring poster session, which is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), the McNair Scholars program, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. SUMMER 2014 OFF-CAMPUS RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS This summer, several Auggie researchers will be building their skills to support graduate school admissions and careers in the sciences. • Elly Bier ’14—physics; National Institute of Standards and Technology • Weih Borh ’16—chemistry; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (LSAMP Summer Research Program) • Chris DeVet ’15—chemistry; CIMA Labs pharmaceuticals • Becca Freese ’16—biology and mathematics; University of Minnesota (Summer Institute in Biostatistics) • Kirubel Frew ’14—chemistry; working with Armon Sharei and Katarina Blagovic at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively • Cedith Giddings ’15—biology; University of Minnesota (CHE-CTSI Advanced Research Program and Undergraduate Research Program) • Michelle Grafelman ’15—biology; Mayo Clinic (Vann Fellowship in Bioethics) Summer 2014 7 CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS • Daniel Hildebrandt ’15—biology and chemistry; Mayo Clinic (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) • Taylor Kuramoto ’15—mathematics; University of Tennessee, Knoxville (National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis) • Oscar Martinez ’16— chemistry; Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla. (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows Program) • Bethany Marlette ’14—biology; Mayo Clinic • Yemi Melka ’15—chemistry and international relations; Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, D.C. • Lily Moloney ’15—chemistry; Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows Program) • Promise Okeke ’15—biology; Harvard Stem Cell Institute of the Harvard Medical School • Andrew Roehl ’15—chemistry; Colorado State University (Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates) • Ben Swanson ’15—chemistry; Northwestern University (Materials Research Science & Engineering Center) • Sadie Tetrick ’16—physics; Dartmouth College Physics Department 8 Augsburg Now POSTERS ON THE HILL Each spring, the Council on Undergraduate Research hosts its annual undergraduate poster session, Posters on the Hill, in Washington, D.C. At the event, students meet members of Congress, funding agencies, and foundations, and have the opportunity to advocate for undergraduate research programs. Summa cum laude English graduate Margo Ensz ’13 was among the top 10 percent of applicants selected to present and received an honorable mention for her URGO summer research project, “Analyzing the Persistence of a Sense of Place Among Young Adults in the Technology-Rich, A-Contextual 21st Century,” advised by Colin Irvine, Augsburg College associate professor of English. SCHOLARS AT THE CAPITOL During spring semester, Augsburg TRIO McNair Scholars Amineh Safi ’14 and David Fowler ’14 participated in the 11th annual Private College Scholars at the Capitol event. Each private college in Minnesota annually selects two students to attend the event and present their research. Safi’s research topic, “Racializing Islam: Newspaper Portrayal of Crime Involving Muslims and Islam,” is a descriptive content analysis examining how crimes involving Muslims are portrayed in the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Fowler’s research focused on methods for studying heart development and function in the model organism Daphnia magna. MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE PEASANTS AND TROLLS, COLLABORATIONS AND CHALLENGES BY STEPHANIE WEISS ▲ Nearly 1,000 theatergoers visited the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for Peer Gynt’s three-day run. The character of Peer Gynt was played by University of Minnesota student Joe Kellen. I ▲ Peer Gynt visits the troll kingdom in an attempt to marry the troll princess. Imagine it’s spring and you are at a site USA Today named as among the nation’s 10 greatest places in America to smell the flowers. You start to meander along a footpath that will lead you through a natural habitat of trees and ferns to rolling prairie and lowlands, all while birds sing after a long winter. As you round the corner from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s visitor center, you come across a small homesteader’s cabin. It’s nestled among the trees. A group of people, dressed as peasants from the 1800s, bicker with one another. You’ve just walked smack into the middle of the set of Peer Gynt, a play by Henrik Ibsen, being performed by students from Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The site-specific performance—a production shaped by the unique place in which it is performed and that relies upon existing landscapes and features to serve as the stage and sets—was the first time the two schools collaborated and probably the first site-specific production of this ▲ [Top of page] An audience watches an opening scene from Peer Gynt, a production by Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s historic Berens Cabin serves as the backdrop for dialogue between the Peer Gynt character and his mother, seated on the wheelbarrow. Summer 2014 9 said. “We thought the universe might like them to meet. We wanted to see new alliances formed and to create more opportunities for artistic intersections because theater and artists are best served when more and more connections can be made.” The staging of this classic Norwegian tale at a Minnesota landmark also was a testament to the academic excellence driven by Augsburg faculty and alumni who create multifaceted student-learning experiences. “Faculty know that in order to develop students’ abilities to think critically and to solve problems— essential 21st-century skills—we need to expose them to hands-on opportunities to work together, to interact with people who think differently from themselves, and to provide time to reflect upon and voice what they learn,” Engen said. STUDENTS CO-CREATE SCRIPT That multi-layered complexity drew students to the story. Boo Segersin ’15, an Augsburg theater major pursuing A children’s playground serves as the set for a scene in Peer Gynt. Existing landscape features are used to stage site-specific theater. ▲ scale for Twin Cities’ theatergoers. “This adaptation demanded new partnerships between schools and with many theater artists—puppeteers, movement specialists, musicians, [and] fight choreographers. We pummeled students with new experiences and gave the audience a spectacular performance,” said Darcey Engen ’88, associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s Theater Arts program. Collaborating with the University of Minnesota allowed Engen and her counterpart, Luverne Seifert ’83, to assemble the large cast required by the play: about 40 student actors in all. And the complexity of the script meant students would build new skills in collaboration, forge friendships, and nurture the beginnings of new professional networking relationships in the tightly connected world of Twin Cities theater. “It seemed odd to Darcey and me that each night there were groups of students creating all of this amazing artistic energy, and they were only three blocks away from one another,” Seifert minors in musical theater and Norwegian, said she was drawn in by the density of Peer Gynt. “I read the play over winter break and wondered how we could do it. It’s on mountains. It’s in mountains. There are trolls. Just the landscapes were a challenge in themselves,” Segersin said. The students worked with Sarah Myers, Augsburg College assistant professor of theater arts, to adapt the script and halve the length of the play. “I was nervous to work on the script, but one of the best parts was working— as a full cast—with Sarah to cut things down,” Segersin said. “We found the ‘red thread,’ the core storyline that runs through the script, and, with that, found our way.” That thread allowed the students to take the play from the three-hour adaptation by famed Minnesota poet Robert Bly to a compact 90 minutes that was accessible to newcomers of all ages but that remained engaging and challenging for seasoned theatergoers. It’s quite a feat when one considers that Ibsen’s original was a hefty seven hours. Boo Segersin ’15 (top) played the role of Solveig, a young woman who leaves her family and insists upon living with Peer Gynt in his hand-hewn cabin. The role of Peer Gynt’s mother, Åse, was played by Nikki Whittaker ’17 (bottom). ▲ 10 Augsburg Now ▲ Nearly 40 performers were involved in the Peer Gynt wedding scene. ▲ Students worked with professional master puppeteers to build and coordinate the movement of a giant raven puppet with a nearly 20-foot wingspan. NAVIGATING CULTURE, CAST, WEATHER, AND LANDSCAPE Wrestling with the script of the play—a story of loss due to procrastination and avoidance followed by redemption late in life—was just one of the challenges faced by students. They also had to identify features in the arboretum’s landscape that could serve as sets, deliver their lines in open-air scenes with acoustics affected by the landscape and ambient noises not usually present in a theater, and learn original music, all while getting to know the culture and student performers from another school. Then there were the logistics for which no planning can be done. “Because of the variables involved, site-specific theater provides attendees the chance to see what is a once-in-alifetime performance and to leave having been an active traveler in the play,” Engen said. “For performers, there’s a textured chaos that you can’t plan for and that forces you to think fast and improvise within boundaries. It leaves you exhausted and exhilarated at the end.” Being faced with those challenges was just what Engen and Seifert wanted for students. The two worked closely to co-direct students in this first-ever collaboration between the schools. “Students learned to perform to the moment at hand,” Engen said. “Sometimes that meant changing the energy and volume of lines to overcome wind or a noisy attendee. Other times it meant staying in character but improvising when a young child persisted in trying to break into the scene.” Segersin said that it was a rewarding experience to work with peers from the University of Minnesota and to perform for the nearly 1,000 attendees who visited the arboretum for the production. “This beautiful thing happened: We became a team,” Segersin said. “And now, sometimes, when I sleep, I dream about them.” BUILDING PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS The relationships and networks, though, extend beyond just the student peers at the two institutions. Engen used the production to help students connect with other theater professionals. “Students built experience in creative problem-solving with some of the Twin Cities’ foremost theater professionals, including master puppeteers, musicians, and movement professionals,” Engen said. “It was a chance for students to explore the many ways to work in theater and to challenge themselves to meld these disciplines.” Seifert added that making connections with artists across disciplines and fields is critical for the future of theater and the artists. “These students now can reach out to one another to collaborate on future projects,” he said. “This model allowed us to give students an understanding of how major companies in regional theater increasingly are combining resources to produce shows.” That goal wasn’t lost on Segersin, who was invited to work as a summer intern with Sod House Theater, a production company founded by Engen and Seifert. “We’re still working out what it means. But I will have the chance to work with the performance of Peer Gynt at sites around the state, to meet professional Twin Cities’ actors and local actors, and to network,” Segersin said. Summer 2014 11 give experience perspectives equipped work explore practice live care beneficial center seek explore beliefs understand evolving seen passions citizen boldly beneficial tell important seen strengths hear world human articulate calling love meaning foundations competence A scholars expanding welcoming give diverse respectfully society propelled God meaning leadership seek desire gifts inquiry views true moral diversity H skill human callAugsburg Now 10 faithful strengths shared center T articulate path beliefs appreciation discussion conversation nurturing relationships opportunity citizen learn Lutheran explore expand value connect religion reflection life I growing journey traditions interfaith responsive asking answers life service skill profound rise care work true dynamic vocation effective gifts challenging path F answers integrity views Christensen connect passions & Relevant Faithful BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA experience theology service vocation reflect Pictured [top to bottom]: Whitney Pratt ’11, Cody Tresselt-Warren ’09, and Jessica Spanswick ’10 Photo by Thomas Kosa ith careers in accounting, education, Grappling with vocation military service, and pastoral ministry, One of the aspects that Auggies in the Christensen Scholars and Interfaith Scholars programs valued most about the experience was the dedicated time to learn and to grapple together with difficult topics and questions. “Having that regular, dedicated time for discussion helped us to better articulate our gifts, strengths, and passions,” said Emily Wiles ’10, a youth and family ministry major who this spring earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary. “We pushed each other to articulate our positions, which helped me really connect with what I think and who I am,” she said. As a result, “things that I might have otherwise taken for granted, I came to ‘own’ as my gifts.” In having to express and explain your perspectives, Wiles said, “you really get to know yourself better.” Also beneficial, according to several alumni, was the opportunity to reflect on the full meaning of vocation. “My generation is going to have 15 different jobs or careers in our lifetimes,” said Cody Tresselt-Warren ’09, who majored in accounting and religion at Augsburg and today is a tax accountant at Wells Fargo & Company. “You think, when you’re in college, that once you graduate and get a job, you’re set,” he said. But there are so many other important layers—from family obligations to the needs of the wider world—that, “you have to interpret your calling from a number of perspectives. It’s a dynamic, evolving journey.” Sylvia Bull ’10 agreed, noting that, especially in the U.S.—a generally career-oriented culture—it is important to expand the view of vocation beyond just a job or career. Bull, an international relations and religion double major who this spring completed her third year at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J., sees faith as serving an important role in considerations about vocation. We need to “open our eyes of faith to see all of the things that we do in our lives as part of God’s call,” she said. six recent Augsburg alumni are finding that their undergraduate experiences studying vocation and interfaith leadership are paying off well beyond their college years. These Auggies participated in the Christensen Scholars and Interfaith Scholars programs at Augsburg—programs that provide scholarships for students to take upper-level religion courses that thrust them deep into topics of faith, religious diversity, service, theology, and vocation. Meeting on weeknight evenings throughout the academic year, students engaged with these topics—and each other— through focused discussion, inquiry, service-learning, and reflection. The number of scholarships available each year is limited, so getting into the program is a competitive process, involving writing an essay and obtaining a recommendation from an Augsburg College faculty or staff member. Students accepted to the programs earn four religion credits and a $2,000 scholarship for the year. But, according to some of the early alumni from the programs, the value of the experience extends well beyond course credit and financial support. Pictured [left to right]: Peter Weston Miller ’10, Emily Wiles ’10, and Sylvia Bull ’10 Summer 2014 13 And “even if faith is not explicitly part of the conversation,” said Jessica Spanswick ’10, who today works as director of career services at Globe University, “it is a profound, shared human desire to seek and find meaning in our lives.” fully effective.” To function as a citizen in today’s world, “you have to understand how people think and the beliefs on which they base their social and moral codes.” Welcoming difficult conversations In the end, these Auggies agreed that the programs’ greatest value was that they equipped participants to ask challenging life questions—seemingly simple (but, actually, not-sosimple) questions like, “Where have you come from—and where are you going?” and “How do you know you’re on the right path?” Consistently, all of these alumni said it was the questions—not the answers—that were most meaningful to them. In fact, they have each continued the practice of asking and reflecting on difficult questions and they shared some of the questions they regularly encounter in their lives today: Asking tough questions Alumni from these programs also shared an appreciation for how their experiences helped them develop the listening and interpersonal skills to learn from and understand others. “We learned to step boldly and respectfully into difficult conversations,” said Peter Weston Miller ’10, “meeting people where they were at, where God had uniquely called them to be.” Weston Miller, an English major who also completed his Master’s of Divinity at Luther Seminary this past spring, said these conversations taught the participants how to “build relationships based on human integrity and dignity, not just [based on] topics” that they agreed upon. “We learned to know ourselves better through the eyes of others, despite different backgrounds, political leanings, and socio-economic statuses,” he said. In particular, alumni from the programs valued the opportunity to interact and work with people who bring different faith perspectives. “Speaking with people from many different faith backgrounds helped me learn to listen to and understand others’ views and beliefs,” said Spanswick, who majored in international relations at Augsburg and recently completed her MBA at Globe University. In her current work, Spanswick meets people from many different cultures, and she noted that their cultural practices often differ because of faith traditions. Whitney Pratt ’11, who majored in economics at Augsburg and serves as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, agreed that interfaith competency is an important life skill. “Religion is such an important facet of our lives,” she said. “Most of our political struggles center around topics that stem from the moral foundations” that different groups of people use to guide their behaviors and interactions in society. “You can try to build intercultural competence, but without understanding religion,” Pratt said, “you won’t be • “Am I questioning my current path because I don’t like it [today] or because it’s really not my calling?” • “How do I remain true to my Lutheran beliefs and still operate in an ecumenically diverse organization?” • “How will what I want to say affect this other person?” • “If this current path is not my calling, what’s the best step to take to explore what is right?” “As our lives and our world change,” Weston Miller said, “we need to keep asking these questions in order to keep ourselves expanding, growing, nurturing, and propelled forward in God’s calling for all of us.” Continually asking these questions and searching for meaning helps us to see the world not just as it is, Wiles added, but as it could be. reflection • And, the question that Martin Luther is famous for: “What does this mean?” learn care journey leadership life welcoming pathdiverse call world appreciation respectfully discussion citizen moral calling competence 14 Augsburg Now skill passions opportunity work answers FROM GAME TIME TO LIFETIME Influence of Auggie icons shapes alumni and today’s campus August 18 marks the 100th birthday of legendary Augsburg College coach Edor Nelson ’38. Nelson is one of the elite Augsburg coaches who profoundly impacted the College’s athletic programs and whose influence echoed in the lives of student-athletes beyond their competitions on athletic fields, rinks, and courts. At Augsburg, the legacies of renowned coaching staff and faculty live on in the facilities that carry their names, are exhibited in their own philanthropy, and can be seen in the generosity they inspire in others. Bruce Nelson ’71, son of Edor Nelson, said coaches such as his father grew up in an era in which sacrifice for the greater good was common, and coaches played larger roles in the lives of student-athletes than simply running drills. “These coaches taught student-athletes about commitment and that a team is bigger than the individuals,” said Bruce, who lives out what he learned—in part—by serving as president of the Augsburg A-Club, a service organization of former and current Auggie student-athletes and friends of the College. Bruce knows from first-hand experience that student-athletes see, understand, and appreciate the ways their mentors continue to influence their lives as they move on to new opportunities. “Very few athletes, when they’re older, talk about wins and losses. They talk about camaraderie, support, and struggles,” Bruce said. “They remember that my dad helped them get jobs out of college—that the support didn’t stop after graduation.” Nelson is one of a group of long-tenured coaches who are pillars in the Auggie community. Others include: • Ernie Anderson ’37–Coach of Augsburg’s men’s basketball team from 1947-1970, Anderson also was athletic director for 33 years from 1947-1980. His tenure inspired the Ernie Anderson Court in Si Melby Hall. • Marilyn Pearson Florian ’76–Coach of Augsburg’s women’s volleyball team from 1981-1998, she also was the women’s athletic director from 1988-2007. She increased the number of women’s sports and of female student-athletes. AUGGIE ATHLETICS • Edor Nelson ’38–An Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame member, Nelson coached football from 1947-1969 and baseball from 1946-1979. Augburg’s outdoor athletic field bears his name. • Lavonne Johnson Peterson ’50–“Mrs. Pete” led the ‘Auggiettes’ basketball team in 13 unbeaten seasons from the 1950s to the 1970s and was an instructor until 1980. Augsburg named the health and physical education center in her honor. • Joyce Anderson Pfaff ’65–A pioneer in women’s athletics and in the establishment of varsity women’s sports, Pfaff was Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director, serving from 19721998. She also taught for 43 years. • Ed Saugestad ’59–Coach of the men’s hockey team from 1958-1996, Saugestad’s championship teams claimed three NAIA national and six MIAC state titles. One of Augsburg’s hockey rinks is named in honor of Saugestad, who passed away in March. • Jeff Swenson ’79–Wrestling team coach for 25 years, Swenson has served the past 10 years as athletic director. Auggies brought home 10 national wrestling titles under his leadership, and the wrestling wall of fame bears his name. Today the commitment of these coaches continues to be honored through philanthropic initiatives by alumni whom they inspired. Corky Hall ’71, Augsburg’s first men’s hockey All-American, is challenging fellow student-athletes-turned-Augsburg-alumni to raise funds for a named space in the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR) to honor Saugestad. (Read more about Saugestad’s legacy on page 33.) Mark Rabbe ’53, one of Edor Nelson’s baseball players, is funding a faculty office in the CSBR to honor the coach. And additional challenges are underway to honor the centennial of Edor Nelson’s birth. These Augsburg alumni—and many others who have stepped up to join a philanthropic challenge—demonstrate that alumni athletes recognize the role coaches played in positively shaping their lives and are willing to seize the opportunity to make a positive impact on the Auggies of tomorrow. Summer 2014 15 WE LOVE AUGSBURG THE CLASS OF 2014 SHARES MEMORIES, STORIES, AND TAKEAWAYS FROM THEIR TIME AS STUDENTS EDITED BY LAURA SWANSON This spring, hundreds of new alumni celebrated their graduation at Augsburg College Commencement ceremonies. While these events often are treated as a conclusion—the grand finale at the end of years of study and hard work—it’s important to remember that commencement, in its very definition, marks a beginning or start. As Augsburg’s newest graduates prepared to launch into new challenges and opportunities with an Augsburg degree in hand, we began to wonder, “What was it about this campus…this curriculum…this College that they came to appreciate during their time as students?” So, we asked. And the Class of 2014 answered. This list, in no particular order, includes a brief sample of the things Auggies love about Augsburg. While it cannot represent all of the College’s valued traits, it does help depict just how unique the institution is. Our students, our alumni, our location, our heritage, and our mission help influence this place, just as the College—in turn—shapes many of these entities. Let’s take a look at why there’s so much to love about Augsburg College and why it’s such a privilege that WE ARE CALLED AUGGIES. 16 Augsburg Now 2 1 The mission AUGSBURG COLLEGE EDUCATES STUDENTS TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS, THOUGHTFUL STEWARDS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. Working to be “Green by 2019” “I love [Augsburg’s] effort to make the world a better place through means such as eliminating the It says it all, doesn’t it? “I love Augsburg’s commitment to being an institution that prepares students for life beyond academics.” —KIMBERLY CLUB ’14 carbon footprint.” —MITCHELL FUCHS ’14 MSW Intentional diversity “I appreciate Augsburg’s dedication not only to being a diverse community but also to giving students the opportunity to fully acknowledge this through various assignments and campus activities.” —SIERRA BARGER ’14 That small-college feel 4 “Augsburg is big enough to fit your needs, and small enough that you’ll be noticed.” Summer 2014 17 The faculty Professors, teachers, faculty members, instructors, mentors, and friends. The Class of 2014 used many names to describe the people at the head of the classroom and the backbone of their education. And, not surprisingly, these people were the most-cited aspect to love about Augsburg. “The faculty are top notch and some of the most caring and conscientious people I have ever met.” —HOLLY HANSON ’14 MAN “Professors are understanding and accommodating of nontraditional students’ individual circumstances.” —MAYA SUTTON ’14 MAE “I love the close-knit community between students and professors.” —ANDREW DENT ’14 Life in the city Augsburg is the only college of the ELCA located in the heart of a large urban area, and students use the Twin Cities as a metropolitan classroom where they can engage with College neighbors, community partners, and companies large and small. 6 7 “I love Augsburg because of its strong commitment to its mission and its dedication to being a College of the city. I have never been anywhere that has a clearer sense of its identity or that has tried harder to be a ‘good neighbor.’” —MARTHA TRUAX ’14 MAL, DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING Athletics Augsburg teammates develop bonds akin to a “second family.” From hockey to swimming and from basketball to lacrosse, approximately 450 students participate in varsity athletics at the College each year. It’s a good thing maroon is always in style. “The bond that was built over the years of workouts, practices, games, wins, losses, and just hanging out was one of the biggest benefits to me throughout my college career.” —GARY MARISCAL ’14 8 18 Augsburg Now The dress code Okay, okay. Wearing Norwegian sweaters to Velkommen Jul and bowties with formalwear isn’t actually required. But, it’s fun! Experiential education Augsburg was the first Minnesota college or university to receive the Presidential Award for Community Service. Each fall, incoming first-year and transfer students participate in City Service Day—a day on which the students volunteer at organizations matched to their degree programs and learn in the neighborhoods that surround Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. Undergraduate students begin their experiential education on Day 1, and it’s a priority that extends throughout each of Augsburg’s degree programs. 9 “I learned how to be a ‘citizen professional,’ and work collaboratively with others to solve problems.” —JUDY SCHLAEFER ’14 DNP Global learning opportunities Cohorts Augsburg undergraduate and graduate students take courses around the world. Whether studying business in Germany, nursing in Namibia, or psychology in Slovenia, Auggies find that learning and living in a foreign culture catalyze academic, intercultural, and personal leadership skills and Some of Augsburg’s programs follow a cohort model that allows students to travel together from course to course, fostering strong relationships between classmates and outlining a clear path toward a degree. “The cohort model for the MBA program allows for great camaraderie!” —AVA BEILKE ’14 MBA responsible global citizenship. 12 Dining together in Rochester “Meals for the Rochester students kept [our] energy up for long evening classes.” —HEIDI OCHTRUP-DEKEYREL ’14 Small class sizes 13 Augsburg’s undergraduate classes average 13 to 17 students, which allows Auggies to learn from—and with—their professors and classmates. Summer 2014 19 Nearby restaurants When it comes to dining out, the CedarRiverside neighborhood has something for everyone. 15 “I love that I can get a gyro, chicken curry, or Chicago-style hot dog all within a couple blocks of my dorm.” —SAMANTHA CANTRALL ’14 Tracy’s (just across I-94 on Franklin Avenue) serves up the “Augsburger,” which features two beef patties, sharp cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and a side of school spirit. Yum, yum. “Tracy’s is amazing and within walking distance!” —EMMA WINEGAR ’14 Auggie Days Leading up to the start of the fall semester, this on-campus orientation for incoming first-year students is so memorable that people think of it as a highlight of their Augsburg experience—even four years later. Part of the fun includes a Neighborhood Challenge relay in Murphy Square. The campus Not every school is so lucky as to have a 7 ½ Street on campus. “I love that you can walk anywhere on campus in less than 10 minutes.” 16 —MOLLIE KING ’14 Peers (of course) “The people—friendly, genuine, and approachable.” —DENISE HERRERA ’14 MAL, SENIOR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR “I love the ability to build life-long relationships with people from many different backgrounds and from many different places around the world.” —MATTHEW SCHIRBER ’14 20 Augsburg Now StepUP® Augsburg’s StepUP Program helps students champion lives of recovery, achieve academic success, and thrive in a community of accountability and support. StepUP annually serves more than 100 students and is the largest residential collegiate recovery program in the U.S. 18 The skyline 19 The Minneapolis campus has an eagle-eye view of downtown that’s perfectly fitting for the Auggie mascot. (We’ll let you know how things are coming on the new Vikings stadium). “There’s a stellar view of the city from the top of Mortensen.” —JOE VOKRACKA ’14 On-campus art galleries, pop-up exhibits… The staff 20 21 …guest speakers, music ensemble performances, and research festivals. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that there’s always something happening at Augsburg. Each spring, Zyzzogeton celebrates the creativity and scholarship of undergraduate students. It’s fun to say—and to attend. The College also hosts scholars and professionals at the leading edge in students’ academic disciplines and showcases artwork by visiting artists and Auggies. The exhibition spaces around campus transform multiple times each year in order to present an array of innovative and inspirational pieces. Zyz·zo·ge·ton “I love the changing art exhibits.” —WHITNEY WORLEY ’14 MPA You name it; they do it. In many ways, Augsburg locations are like small cities unto themselves where students eat, sleep, shop, socialize, learn, and live. Augsburg staff members foster an exceptional student experience at locations in Minnesota and around the world. “I love the super helpful and nice financial aid advisers, and the wellorganized Registrar’s Office staff.” —HOLLY REDDY ’14 The changing seasons Winter sometimes can last a tad too long, but Minnesota’s seasons certainly add variety to Augsburg’s academic calendar. Each year the Quad features fall colors, spring blooms, summer picnics, and winter snow angels, which means the weather outside helps to emphasize the timeliness of the College’s in-house traditions. Summer 2014 21 Nearby sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes Home of the Greenway and the Chain of Lakes, Minneapolis has 92 miles of on-street bikeways and 85 miles of off-street paths, not to mention an abundance of pedestrian-only zones. “I love running and walking on the River Road.” —LAUREN RICE ’14 24 A snapshot of graduation The graduating class of 2014 added more than 750 Auggies—from our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs—to the College’s alumni ranks. Commencement ceremonies held May 3-4 featured the theme “Thoughtful Stewards,” which was inspired by the College’s mission statement and reflected the Augsburg communi- Arts and culture Minneapolis has world-class museums, a vibrant dance scene, and more theater seats per capita than any U.S. city outside New York. It’s no wonder Minneapolis was named one of America’s most creative cities, and it’s no surprise that Auggies take advantage of the visual and performing arts in their midst. “I love seeing new work at the Playwright Center just down the road.” —HANNAH YOUNGQUIST ’14 22 Augsburg Now ty’s passion for social justice and sustainability. To see additional photos or watch Commencement ceremony videos, go to augsburg.edu/now. 25 Its influence “Augsburg changed how I think.” —PETER MOORE ’14 MAL Philosophy The AUGGIE VOICES BEHIND A CAREER She’s a lawyer, a seasoned business operations executive, a mother of two, a biotech entrepreneur, and a restaurant owner. She’s also a philosophy and political science double major, and an Auggie. In the years since she graduated from Augsburg College, Naomi Williamson ’78 has charted a career path that has taken her into multiple, disparate industries and types of organizations. “I like the challenge,” Williamson said. Each new opportunity introduces “a new orbit of people and a different knowledge area.” Indeed: After completing her bachelor’s degree, Williamson went on to earn a law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School and worked as a litigator at Larkin Hoffman, one of Minnesota’s largest full-service law firms. From there, she joined Honeywell, where she spent 15 years in contracts, marketing, sales, process quality, and supply chain management. After that, she helped a medical pathologist with a successful biotech start-up, and, then, in 2007, she started a restaurant with her husband, Roger Kubicki, and veteran restaurant owner Michael Kutscheid—while also working on the side as an aircraft manufacturing contracts and negotiations consultant. Williamson’s appetite for digging into a challenge and seeking new knowledge was evident even before she launched her professional career, however. She fell in love with philosophy, she said, after trying to make sense of the writings of Immanuel Kant. “It took me four hours to read 40 pages” she said. “I didn’t fully understand it, but I thought that if I did, I might be able to find the answers I was looking for.” This willingness to do the hard work to make sense of things is so consistently woven into Williamson’s educational and career choices that it appears to be more of an internal drive, a calling, than a choice. “I just can’t get myself on easy street,” she joked. “I’m always doing something to make sure that my next step is just as hard as the last one.” Naomi Williamson ’78 is co-owner of Sanctuary, a restaurant in Minneapolis’ Mill City district. Of all her career experiences, Williamson said that the restaurant business is “far and away the most difficult.” BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA Summer 2014 23 What is it Scenes from undergraduate students’ ON-CAMPUS RESEARCH BY LAURA SWANSON Each summer, undergraduate students at Augsburg College work directly with faculty mentors to complete individually designed research projects and creative activities. Auggies seeking to enhance their education gain rich, hands-on experience by participating in research opportunities sponsored by the College, funded through grants and private gifts, or offered through federal programs. Students from all disciplines can participate in summer research. This year, their topics included designing a tool to sample motor vehicle pollution; examining immigrants’ influence in community organizations and politics; cloning and characterization of Daphnia magna, a water flea; and analyzing the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act on Minneapolis youth, among many others. During the research process, students often use specialized materials and technologies, investigate complex and specific concepts, and explore existing scholarship and literature. Can you match each summer research image with its academic discipline? History 2 Photo by Bill Capman CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE ITEMS? Exercise Science English 5 24 Augsburg Now Social Work Leading IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ONE KEY WAY Augsburg College delivers on its commitment to experiential education is through undergraduate research projects in which Auggies employ their talents and passions. On campus, these projects are funded through several sources, including Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), National Science Foundation and corporate grants, private donations, and the McNair Scholars program—a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and designed to increase graduate degree attainment by students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or members of groups underrepresented in graduate education. 3 Chemistry Physics Political Science Women’s Studies Courtesy image 1 Economics 4 Biopsychology Computer Science Biology Mathematics 6 ANSWERS Summer 2014 25 Q: What is it? A: A column that contains a catalyst and through which a stream of reactants move. Reactants are substances that undergo change during a chemical reaction, and “flow chemistry” is a process that gets its name from the movement of these materials. Chemistry ALAN MEDINA-GONZALEZ ’16 Major: Chemistry, Minors: Biology and Mathematics Research mentors: Z. Vivian Feng, associate professor of chemistry; and Michael Wentzel, assistant professor of chemistry Alan Medina-Gonzalez ’16 chose to participate in summer research because it granted him the opportunity to spend more time in the lab optimizing a chemical reaction, which is a fun—albeit time-consuming—puzzle he enjoys solving. “I wanted to see what it was like to work on a project all day long versus only going into the lab four hours per week as part of a class,” he said. Medina-Gonzalez’s research involved setting up chemical reactions using flow chemistry—a process that helps make reactions more “green” by allowing chemists to lessen waste generation and to improve energy efficiency and safety. His research goal included producing a variety of molecules, including acetaminophen—the primary active ingredient in Tylenol and other medicines—to demonstrate the uses of flow chemistry in the pharmaceutical industry.   Q: What is it? A: A foam roller, a tool that breaks up fibrous tissue in order to increase muscle elasticity and circulation flow. Exercise Science CAN YOU GUESS? 26 Augsburg Now BRIANA FELTON ’14 Major: Exercise Science, Minor: Psychology Research mentors: David Barrett, assistant professor of health, physical education, and exercise science; and Tony Clapp, associate professor of health, physical education, and exercise science Briana Felton ’14 chose a summer research project that will help to prepare her for the dream of attending graduate school to study physical therapy. Felton is a member of the Augsburg women’s soccer team, and she loves sports and fitness. Athletes commonly use a foam roller on their muscles for self-myofascial release—a process that applies pressure to trigger points within muscle tissue and is thought to cause the tissue to relax and become more flexible. Although the use of foam rollers has become a common practice in therapy and fitness centers, few peer-reviewed studies have examined its effectiveness. For Felton’s research project, she conducted a study in which middle-aged adult males participated in an exercise program utilizing foam rollers. Felton then assessed the study participants’ balance and functional movement patterns using industry-standard tests to see whether their scores improved over the course of the study. Higher scores have been shown to correlate with a person’s decreased risk of injury.   To read a brief overview of Felton’s research findings, go to augsburg.edu/now. Biopsychology Q: What is it? A: An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording cap, which is used to capture the brain’s electrical activity while at rest or engaged in mental activity. BRAD MARCY ’15 Major: Biopsychology, Minor: Chemistry Research mentor: Henry Yoon, assistant professor of psychology Research conducted on substance use disorders often extends to either the biological or the behavioral aspects of addiction. This summer, Brad Marcy ’15 took on the challenge of combining both of these aspects into a single study incorporating behavioral information— in this case, a person’s age of first alcoholic drink (AFD)—and biological data, which was derived from brain patterns collected through EEG scans. Marcy and other Augsburg psychology students gathered data by working with student volunteers, including those in the College’s StepUP® program, which serves students who are in recovery from addiction. Marcy’s research project involved processing and analyzing participants’ EEG data in order to identify telltale signs of being at biological or genetic risk for dependence in these brainwave patterns. He then examined whether an association exists between this biological information and AFD. By evaluating these variables, Marcy can later assess their usefulness in refining the diagnosis of substance misuse. Q: What is it? A: The examination of journal articles, images, and academic texts—illustrated here— are key aspects of student researchers’ literature review process. A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area. AWALE OSMAN ’15 Major: Communication Studies, Minor: Women’s Studies Research mentor: Adriane Brown, assistant professor of women’s studies “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” said Awale Osman ’15, a McNair research scholar whose project almost perfectly aligned with his desired career path. Osman began his undergraduate education at a community college before transferring to Augsburg, and his research project involved examining the establishment and evolution of women’s studies, the emergence of gender and masculinity studies, and current dialogue regarding the field. This work allowed him to combine his interests in communications and women’s studies into a project that enhanced his academic skills. Osman would like to return to a community college one day—this time as a professor instead of as a student. Osman chose his research topic in order to establish a foundation in the research he hopes will be incorporated in a future doctoral program that will, eventually, lead to a teaching role in higher education. “I realize I have to be grounded to be successful in my track,” he said. “So, I’m going for it.” Women’s Studies MORE ANSWERS Summer 2014 27 Biology Photo by Bill Capman Q: What is it? A: The parasitic plant dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) attached to a host plant from which it acquires all its water and nutrients. LUCY BUKOWSKI ’16 Major: Biology, Minor: Environmental Studies Research mentor: Bill Capman, associate professor of biology Courtesy image Augsburg College students have studied the interactions between dodder and its host plants since 2008, and this summer Lucy Bukowski ’16 worked on an experiment testing the hypothesis that a decline in the health of the host plant triggers the dodder to flower. Bukowski’s project benefitted from the help of a plant pathologist at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who offered greenhouse space, thus providing a larger growing area and better growing conditions for Bukowski’s research.   Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the dodder project. Q: What is it? A: The Bengali pronoun “Ētā,” which is similar to the English pronoun “it.” PRITI BHOWMIK ’15 AND BRAM OOSTERLEE ’16 Majors: Computer Science Research mentor: Shana Watters, associate professor of computer science Computer Science As international students, Priti Bhowmik ’15 and Bram Oosterlee ’16 were attracted to research linked with the official languages of their home countries. In 2011, Bhowmik left Bangladesh to attend Augsburg, and she seized the opportunity to use her background in the Bengali language in combination with her computer science major. Her research project fell in the field of computational linguistics—a branch of linguistics in which computer science techniques are applied to the analysis of language and speech. She explored whether the pronoun “Ētā” has the same cognitive status as the English pronoun “it.” That is, whether a Bengali speaker, in determining what Ētā refers to in a sentence, uses his or her short-term memory in the same manner that an English speaker does when determining what the word “it” refers to. Oosterlee, a student from the Netherlands, performed a similar study by examining the cognitive status of the Dutch pronoun “het.” Bhowmik and Oosterlee’s work ultimately will contribute to developing systems that enhance how computers extract information, summarize text, and translate language. One example of the usefulness of these processes is that they increase the likelihood of returning accurate content descriptions when doctors use digital medical reference materials to find information that pertains specifically to a disorder.   28 Augsburg Now GRANTS GAIN GROUND Funding enhances the Augsburg experience How can you better predict the weather on Earth—or in space? Why do elementary students learn the way they do? And what makes one person attracted to another? Augsburg faculty and students are committed to asking difficult questions and seeking equally complex answers. Each year, the College’s faculty, staff, and students apply for—and receive—prestigious grant awards to fund research, continued scholarship, and academic travel opportunities. There’s tough competition among grant-seeking institutions, but Augsburg continues to gain ground and to obtain funding for new projects. That’s because when Auggies recognize an opportunity to improve teaching, advance scholarship, or enhance the student experience, they ask another great question: WHY NOT? Participation grows across campus. More and more departments and groups are seeking grants as a way to enhance students’ educational experience, to build the hands-on problem-solving skills employers and graduate schools demand, and to propel Augsburg’s research scholarship to the next level. This past year, 13 academic departments and groups—up from just seven departments the previous year—submitted grant proposals, including: 1. Biology 8. Nursing 2. Chemistry 9. Physics 3. Education 10. Psychology 4. History 11. Social Work 5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration 12. Sociology 6. Mathematics 13. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 7. Management Information Systems Here’s a brief overview of Augsburg’s recent grant achievements: Augsburg ranks as top-tier NSF grant recipient. Augsburg College was ranked the top private college in Minnesota for the total dollar amount awarded by the National Science Foundation in 2012. With three grants totaling just more than $1 million, the College ranked third among all Minnesota institutions—behind only the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Faculty steer student involvement. Tremendous faculty dedication is part of the mix, too. More than 50 faculty and staff members are the driving force behind the College’s 38 active grants. These teachers coach and guide 324 students in rigorous research related to climate change, human health, understanding addiction, and more. COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS GRANTS BY THE NUMBERS Augsburg received 18 new grant awards in 2013-14—up from just seven two years earlier At the time this publication went to print, Augsburg had 14 grant proposals still pending, representing a total of $3.2 million NEW GRANTS 2012-13 2013-14 17 GRANT PROPOSALS 24 7 $1.6 MILLION 18 NEW GRANTS In 2013-14, Augsburg submitted 24 grant proposals— up from 17 the prior year 1% The BREAKDOWN of grants* by sponsor type PRIVATE GRANTS 10% STATE GRANTS 89 % FEDERAL GRANTS GRANT PROPOSALS *Does not include grants secured by Corporate and Foundation Relations Summer 2014 29 ALUMNI NEWS ways to get involved FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT A-Club I Dear alumni and friends, have served as a member of the Augsburg College Alumni Board for more than six years, and I am looking forward to taking on the role of president. During my time on the Alumni Board, I have seen an increase in the level of our alumni engagement with the College, and I am inspired by the alumni who were generous on Give to the Max Day; the alumni who volunteered by planning reunions or mentoring current students; and the alumni who have invested in Augsburg’s top priority—the campaign for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Like many of you, I care deeply about this College. Augsburg is one of the most diverse private colleges in Minnesota, serving more than 2,700 undergraduate students and 838 graduate students participating in nine advanced degree programs. Augsburg is committed to its Lutheran heritage with an eye on the 21st century. At this year’s Commencement, we welcomed hundreds of new members to our Alumni Association. As alumni, we are a product of Augsburg College and benefit from its local and national reputation. Alumni play a vital role in the rich history, present success, and future vision of the College. I invite you to join me and fellow Auggies who are making a difference in the life of the College. Sincerely, CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Photo by Mark Chamberlain ALUMNI BOARD Front Row [L to R]: Chris Hallin ’88, Marie Odenbrett ’01, Jill Watson ’10 MBA, Sharon Engelland ’87, Melissa Hoepner ’92, Patricia Jesperson ’94, Adriana Matzke ’13; Back Row [L to R]: Brent Peroutka ’02, Adrienne Kuchler Eldridge ’02, Meg Schmidt Sawyer ’00, Sarah Grans ’01, Nick Rathmann ’02, Tracy Severson ’95, Rick Bonlender ’78; Not Pictured: Rachel Engebretson ’98, Frank Grazzini ’96, Holly Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, Michael Loney ’03, Sharon Mercill ’09, Jerry Polland ’92, Greg Schnagl ’91, Nick Slack ’02, Nick Swanson ’09 The Augsburg College Alumni Board is pleased to welcome new members. ADRIENNE KUCHLER ELDRIDGE ’02 graduated from Augsburg with a major in youth and family ministry and a minor in sociology. As a student, she was involved in Campus Ministry and Residence Life, served as an orientation leader, and studied abroad. Today Eldridge works at River’s Edge Academy charter school. This fall, she will begin a graduate program at St. Catherine University, where she plans to study ethics and leadership. “I chose Augsburg for my college education as an undergrad student because of the Youth and Family Ministry program and [the College’s] solid Lutheran values. My experiences at Augsburg were always hands-on, service-oriented, and growth-filled.” 30 Augsburg Now All new Alumni Board member photos by Mark Chamberlain. The A-Club is an organization of former and current Augsburg College athletes—as well as friends of the College—committed to providing student-athletes with the opportunity to have a quality athletic experience. A-Club members participate in events, service projects, and fundraising initiatives that support Auggie athletic teams, the athletic department, and the mission of the College. Alumni Board The Alumni Board is the governing body of the Alumni Association. Together with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, the Alumni Board provides resources and opportunities to engage alumni with the College and each other through consistent communication, inclusive programming, and intentional relationship building. Auggie in Residence The Auggie in Residence program is a way for alumni and friends of the College to share their professional expertise and vocation. This flexible program allows the community to connect with current students, faculty, and staff members through a variety of opportunities that range from speaking to a class to having lunch with a student organization. Augsburg Builds Connections (ABC) The ABC mentoring program is designed to enable alumni and parent professionals to provide information, encouragement, and support to students. This flexible volunteer program allows mentors to connect with students via email, phone, or face-to-face meetings and assist them in navigating their career paths and achieving their professional goals. Augsburg College Associates MELISSA HOEPNER ’92 attended Augsburg from 1988 to 1990 before transferring to California Lutheran University where, in 1992, she graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in art. Today, Hoepner is a human resources consultant. As an alumna, she has remained involved by serving as a mentor for current students. She has also served as a member of the church council at Peace Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., and is a programming volunteer with the Twin Cities Human Resources Association. PATRICIA JESPERSON ’94 graduated from Augsburg’s Weekend College with a major in business administration and minor in marketing. She serves as the area vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Jesperson’s career in business has been distinguished by her extensive volunteer experiences in the areas of program development and diversity. “While I see Augsburg as innovative and inclusive in its approach to education, I also see this as a time for significant change and opportunity in private, four-year educational programs—a time that drives the need to think beyond the box in light of competition from MOOCs [Massive Open Online Courses], for-profit colleges, technical programs, the economy, etc. It’s an exciting time to be part of a team invested in Augsburg’s long-term success.” ADRIANA MATZKE ’13 graduated from Augsburg’s Weekend College with a degree in business management. She serves as the director of financial assistance and admissions coordinator for The Blake School. Matzke served a year on the parish council at her church, and on Blake’s original diversity committee. She and her husband served as presenters with World Wide Marriage Encounter. “I am confident that serving on the Alumni Board will be a positive way for me to give back to the community and to stay connected to a school that I felt so a part of for the last few years. I am a strong advocate for the [adult undergraduate] program and would love to help find ways to support other students.” NICK RATHMANN ’02 graduated from Augsburg with a degree in education. As a student, he played on the baseball and basketball teams and worked in the athletics office. His experience as a student prepared him for his career serving as the director of athletics and PK-12 physical education department chair for The Blake School. Rathmann volunteers for his church, and serves on The Blake Road Collaborative. “Serving on the Alumni Board will give me an incredible opportunity to give back to a school that has given me so much. Augsburg was a transformational experience for me, and anything I can do to help others have that same type of experience is important to me.” MEG SCHMIDT SAWYER ’00 graduated from Augsburg with a major in business administration and a minor in information systems. As a student, she played hockey, softball, and golf. She was involved in Campus Ministry, a contributor for The Echo, a Regents and Community Service Scholar, and part of the studentathlete mentor program. Today she is the chief communications officer for Youth Encounter. She has served on the A-Club Board, and was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame for women’s hockey in 2012. “I had a life-changing experience at Augsburg College and welcome the opportunity to give back to the College that made me who I am today.” GREG SCHNAGL ’91 graduated from Augsburg with a major in management and minors in economics and management information systems. As a student, he played football and hockey. He is the founder and editor of TeacherCentricity.com. Schnagl is pursuing an advanced degree in educational leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He taught elementary and middle school for the past twenty years, both nationally and internationally. His most recent position was in the Centennial School District where he also served as a coach and board member for Centennial Youth Hockey Association. “I am looking to deepen my commitment to Augsburg by engaging in a leadership role designed to facilitate the financial and personal participation of alumni and promote the benefits of an Augsburg education to future students.” The Augsburg College Associates is a service auxiliary of volunteers whose mission includes fundraising for special projects and scholarships. The Associates’ commitment to the College is evident in the group’s ongoing support of fundraising events including estate sales, Velkommen Jul, and the Scandinavian boutique. Funds raised each year support special projects and scholarships. Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) AWE is a catalyst for tapping the potential for women to connect, learn, and give. AWE members believe all women have knowledge, experience, and resources to share. Therefore, Augsburg alumnae are invited to make meaningful connections with and for women by participating with an AWE Action Team. Campus Kitchen The Campus Kitchen program at Augsburg College makes healthy food accessible to people in and around the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood while also providing opportunities for service learning, leadership development, and engagement between the College and community. Campus Kitchen serves 2,000 meals a month at community centers, provides about 80 community garden spaces on campus, hosts two farmers markets, and offers educational programming to the community. College Liaisons Augsburg College Liaisons are alumni, parents, and friends of the College from across the U.S. and around the world who serve as an extension of the College by connecting with prospective students at college fairs. Dozens of fairs are held each year—in high schools, churches, hotels, and conference centers. College Liaisons help to describe the Augsburg experience to interested students and their families. Summer 2014 31 Augsburg Centennial Singers honor Al Reesnes ’58 The Augsburg Centennial Singers, men of faith sharing that faith through songs of praise, honored Al Reesnes ’58 by performing a special concert in mid-May at House of Prayer Centennial Singers [L to R]: Paul Christensen ’59, Mert Strommen ’42, and Al Reesnes ’58 Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Reesnes served as director of the group for 11 years and will move from his leadership position to a vocalist role with the ensemble. Paul Christensen ’59 succeeded Reesnes as director of the Singers. Christensen is the third director for the group, which was established in 1993 under the direction of Mert Strommen ’42. The chorus originally was formed by former Augsburg quartet members who came together to sing for the College’s Homecoming celebration. The group traveled to Norway in 1994 to mark the centennial of the first Augsburg College gospel quartet, and toured again in Norway in 2001. Courtesy Photo A 500-year anniversary celebration in Germany, October 2016 On October 31, 2017 Lutherans worldwide will mark the 500th anniversary of when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. Augsburg College is rooted in the faith and values of the Lutheran church and is offering alumni and friends of the College the opportunity to learn about this heritage. For travelers interested in discovering more about the Germany of Luther and the Reformation, October 2016 is a great opportunity to make the pilgrimage! Join Hans Wiersma and Mark Tranvik, Augsburg College religion faculty members and Reformation 32 Augsburg Now historians, for an enriching experience in the Land of Luther. The tour itinerary includes stops in the German cities of Berlin, Dresden, Eisenach, Erfurt, and Leipzig and in Prague, Czech Republic. This is an opportunity to explore the connections among people, cultures, and historical events while examining the Reformation as an ongoing influence in the 21st century. To receive updates about this alumni tour as plans are finalized, email alumni@augsburg.edu, or call 612-330-1085 to be included on a mailing list. Photo by Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 ALUMNI NEWS ways to get involved Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) Alumni Board The MAL Alumni Board engages MAL students and alumni in advancing the Center for Leadership Studies at Augsburg College. Parent and Family Council The Parent and Family Council includes parents and families of current Augsburg students, and helps Augsburg families stay up to date on campus events and feel connected with students and the College. Scholastic Connections Scholastic Connections is a scholarship and mentorship program for high-achieving undergraduate students of color at Augsburg College. The program is designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degrees. Through career planning and development support, it prepares them to be engaged, successful citizens of the world upon graduation. StepUP® Advisory Board StepUP is a program for men and women pursuing a college education while in recovery from addiction. The StepUP Advisory Board increases philanthropic support for, and visibility of, the program’s endowment. Young Alumni Council This volunteer group is comprised of alumni who have graduated within the previous 10 years. The Young Alumni Council’s mission is to provide dynamic and engaging social and educational opportunities for alumni. Members serve as an advisory council to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations. To participate, email alumni@augsburg.edu. AUGSBURG ALUMNI HONOR Archive p hotos ED SAUGESTAD ’59 THROUGH FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE Ed Saugestad ’59 is “plain and simply, a legend,” according to Jeff Swenson ’79, Augsburg College athletic director. Saugestad led the Auggie men’s hockey team to 503 victories and three national championships. He was football coach and athletic director. The ice arena’s main rink carries his name. But the legacy of “Big Man,” who died in March of pancreatic cancer after serving Augsburg for 39 years and retiring in 1996, goes far beyond athletics. As a soft-spoken teacher, mentor, and source of courage and inspiration, he made a difference. If Corky Hall ’71 is any indication, he also instilled generosity and gratitude. “He is the person who kindled the fire in me, and I think he did that for many, many people,” Hall said. He and his wife, Lori, led the charge to name Saugestad Hall in the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR) with their $25,000 pledge—a first step toward the $150,000 naming goal and a tribute to the CSBR as a visual symbol of strength and connection. When we build the CSBR, “[Augsburg’s] facilities will grow to match the quality of our faculty,” said Hall. “Coach had a huge effect on all of us.” A gifted athlete who became both hockey and football captain, Hall had few academic expectations when he entered Augsburg. His parents hadn’t finished high school, no one in his family had attended college, and homework was a foreign concept. Yet, one day, he managed to ace a test in Saugestad’s tough physiology class. “Ed was the first person to tell me that I was smart,” he recalled. “He set me on a path I wouldn’t have found otherwise.” That path led him to a career that included starting, with classmate Bill Urseth ’71, one of the nation’s leading promotional marketing agencies, U.S. Communications, U.S. Restaurants, and U.S. Studios; launching a brand consultancy, Hall Batko; and founding Stellus Consulting, which helps corporate leaders envision and brand their companies. It also led him to realize that great mentoring builds strong bridges—between athletics and academics, between teachers and students, and between gratitude and giving back. “Augsburg needs great facilities for athletes to develop their academic side,” he said. “Ed made the bridge for me between athletics and academics, and if I hadn’t gotten strong academics at Augsburg, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I want to give a gift that says ‘thank you’ to Ed for making such a difference in my life.” Hall has found that his fellow Augsburg alumni have similar gratitude for Saugestad’s commitment and are willing to echo his “thank you.” “Corky is so respected by the Augsburg community that, when he steps forward, he sets a tone with his leadership. That’s the momentum we need,” said Keith Stout, Augsburg College director of principal gifts. “He wants everyone involved, participating at any level. If they’re grateful for their time with Ed, it’s their chance to honor his legacy.” By May, the initiative had raised $105,000. “He deserves it,” Hall said. “Ed did so much to make our lives better. Now it’s our turn.” Get Social Find Augsburg Alumni across a variety of social media channels. “Like” the Augsburg College Alumni Association on Facebook for fun contests, trivia, photos, news, and more. facebook.com/AugsburgAlumni Tag @Augsburg_Alumni in your tweets, and the College may help share your news. Or, simply follow @Augsburg_Alumni on Twitter to learn about upcoming events and read College updates. twitter.com/augsburg_alumni Make connections with fellow Auggies and join discussions about careers and networking through the Augsburg College Alumni group on LinkedIn. goo.gl/UJ9BkO Check out the “Auggies through the ages” board on Pinterest for a slice of College history. pinterest.com/augsburgcollege Visit Augsburg’s YouTube channel for a video archive of alumni lectures, events, and more. youtube.com/augsburgcollege No matter where you are in the world, you can join the Augsburg College social media conversation! Summer Spring 2014 2014 17 33 ALUMNI NEWS HOMECOMING 2014 SEPTEMBER 22-27 IS BACK! Save the date for Give to the Max Day 2014. On Thursday, November 13, Augsburg College once again will participate in Give to the Max Day, a one-day online giving event in which donors around the world support their favorite Minnesota nonprofits. Give to the Max Day is also a competition, and last year Augsburg raised more money than any other Minnesota college or university. A total of 837 donors gave more than $313,000 to Augsburg in just 24 hours. Augsburg also placed fourth among all nonprofits overall. Many alumni, parents, and friends took to social media throughout the day to share Augsburg’s rankings and to keep tabs on the College’s progress. Augsburg faculty, staff, and students from across campus are preparing for another successful Give to the Max Day by setting up their own fundraising projects and encouraging donors to support Augsburg causes close to their hearts—such as volleyball, student research funding, the StepUP® program, and more. There is no limit to the number of projects donors can give to. In fact, many Augsburg donors gave to multiple projects last year. Watch for updates about Give to the Max Day in the coming months. For more information, contact Martha Truax at 612-330-1652 or truaxm@augsburg.edu. 34 Augsburg Now Homecoming 2014 is a great time to come home to Augsburg. Alumni, families, and friends—get ready for a fun-filled week of celebration. New events along with old favorites make this one of the best times to visit campus. Go to augsburg.edu/homecoming to find additional information and to register. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Friday, September 26 Saturday, September 27 Homecoming Convocation with Distinguished Alumni Awards Taste of Augsburg Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Recognizing the First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners. Faculty and Faculty Emeriti Meet and Greet Old Main, 4 p.m. Reconnect with faculty from your time at Augsburg College and take the opportunity to meet current faculty from a variety of departments. Auggie Hours Old Main, 6 to 8:15 p.m. Back by popular demand, this homecoming social hour is being brought to campus. Homecoming Weekend Fireworks Murphy Square, 8:15 p.m. All are invited to kick-off homecoming weekend with a full fireworks display. Murphy Square, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event includes carnival-style booths operated by student groups, alumni, and local restaurants, as well as games, inflatable bounce houses, and fun for the entire family. Homecoming Football Game vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Edor Nelson Field, 1 p.m. Cheer on the Auggie football team as they take on the Gustavus Gusties. Auggie Block Party Parking Lot K, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Immediately following the football game, enjoy live music, s’mores, and more. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 77 70 Ray Hanson is working for TASC, Inc. Hanson is a scientist working on countermeasures for multi-drugresistant bacteria. 72 Kathleen Edmond joined the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP as counsel with the business litigation group in Minneapolis. She most recently served as chief ethics officer at Best Buy. Edmond serves as an advisory board member for the University of St. Thomas Law School where she provides curriculum guidance for the master’s degree in organizational ethics and compliance. She is also an executive fellow at the Center for Ethical Business Cultures at the University of St. Thomas. Sonja (Daniels) Zapchenk has served Eaglecrest, a Presbyterian Homes community in Roseville, Minn., for 20 years and is now recreation and volunteer director. She is also the intergenerational coordinator, which provides the special opportunity to lead activities for senior residents and the toddlers and preschoolers who attend a childcare center in the same facility. 74 William “Bill” Axness is the 2014 Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Hallie Bruce Memorial Lecture Award recipient. The award is presented to an individual of high moral character, good citizenship, and high professional ideals who has made significant contributions to the profession of pharmacy in Minnesota. Axness is a pharmacy manager at Allina Hospice and Palliative Care. 79 Rev. David Halaas was installed as pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. 87 Jenni Lilledahl co-founded the new Twin Cities location of Gilda’s Club after losing her AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 69 Janis “Matty” Mathison had a banner year in 2013. She organized Walk to School programs at several schools, served on the Board of Shawano Pathways (a Shawano, Wis., group promoting safer and better pedestrian and cyclist opportunities), raised $20,000 in matching grant funds for sister, Teri Svare, to cancer. Gilda’s Club serves cancer patients and those who love them. Named after Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer, this new clubhouse is a place where cancer patients and their families and friends can de-stress in the mind-body studio, take a nutrition class in the kitchen, and meet with others for emotional and social support. Not only is Gilda’s Club an oasis for those touched by cancer, it offers all of its services free of charge. 62 Shawano Pathways, and led the effort to host a supported bike tour of Shawano County called Bike the Barn Quilts. Wisconsin Public Television came to Shawano to interview her about the bike tour, which in its first year drew 180 participants and 50 volunteers. Mathison also organized a large fundraiser for a former student who was battling brain cancer. These and many other community contributions earned Mathison the “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” award for Shawano County. This year, she is planning the second Bike the Barn Quilts ride, organizing a Let’s Get Moving! campaign, and finalizing maps for Park to Park walking and biking routes in the city of Shawano. She also was among the inaugural inductees into the new Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. 89 Sue Hakes has been selected as a 2014 Bush Fellow. The Bush Foundation is committed to supporting and developing leaders who are better equipped and better networked to effectively lead change. The work of the fellowship is to blend opportunities for personal development with efforts to effectively engage with others. In January, Luther Seminary honored Pastor Ron Nelson with the 2014 Faithfulness in Ministry Cross Award, which recognizes seminary alumni who have demonstrated exemplary ministries as a symbol of the multitudes of graduates who serve faithfully wherever they are called. 90 Jennifer Carlson moved back to Washington, D.C., in fall 2011. In December 2013, she accepted a position with Evolent Health as director of technical project management for data warehouse client implementations. She was in Italy for 10 days this past October. Summer 2014 35 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 89 Brynn (Mundahl) Watson was honored by Lockheed Martin with a 2013 Full Spectrum Leadership NOVA Award. The company grants the NOVA Award to select employees who have made outstanding contributions to customers, business, and strategic goals. In a workforce of more than 115,000, only 58 awards were granted in 2013. in income. As part of his award, Thrivent Financial will donate $5,000 in his name to VEAP, and he will be recognized at a national conference in front of his peers. 89 Devoney Looser has taken a position as professor of English at Arizona State University. She and her husband, George Justice, are Jane Austen scholars and were featured in a chapter of Deborah Yaffe’s book, Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom. 90 Alex Gonzalez, a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents, received the 2013 Thrivent Financial “Volunteer of the Year” award for work in his community. Gonzalez is one of three financial representatives recognized for community involvement and generosity out of the more than 2,400 Thrivent Financial representatives nationwide. Gonzalez works with Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), an organization with service programs that help alleviate the financial stress that low-income individuals and families face as the result of unexpected expenses or lapses Beth (Josephson) Cronk completed the master of library and information science degree through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December. She is the Meeker County librarian for Pioneerland Library System. 01 Carrie (Lind) Cabe earned a master of arts degree with a community education administration emphasis from the University of St. Thomas in 2013. She is the community resources and adult involvement coordinator for Edina Public Schools Community Education. 08 Sara Horishnyk is enrolled in the arts and cultural management graduate program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. 06 Maureen Parker Marrandino with her husband, Martin Marrandino, and son, Cyrus, welcomed daughter Penelope Carol on January 11. 06 Sara Schlipp-Riedel and Aaron Riedel ’07 welcomed daughter Charlotte Elizabeth on New Year’s Eve 2013. 10 In April, Roxanne (Johnson) Nelson accepted a new job as a rebate assistant at Donaldson Company in the engine aftermarket rebate program. 68 Augsburg Now Maja Lisa FritzHuspen was married May 25, 2013, to Don Roupe. Auggies from the Class of 2004 attending included Adam Nugent, Carolina (Chiesa) Nugent, and Jennifer (Holm) Schmitt. FritzHuspen is selfemployed as an opera singer and voice teacher. 93 In February, a Rotary Club in Loveland, Colo., honored Earl Sethre with its Citizen of the Year Award. The award recognizes a non-Rotarian in the community who lives out the four-way test, which asks the questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Sethre stood out to the selection committee because of his charitable work and the number of groups he serves. 36 04 09 Abby Ferjak married Becca Seely on September 1 at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn. Attendants included Bethany Hellerich, Stephanie (Holman) Hubbard, and Kayla Skarbakka, Augsburg College alumnae from the Class of 2009. 12 Alison (Witt) Ellertson married Cory Ellertson ’11 in June 2013. Four Auggies pictured at the wedding are [L to R]: Ashley Kappes ’11, Alison, Cory, and Brittany Rueb ’11. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Beth Franklin was featured in a Star Tribune article in which she described how her studies led her to a “dream job” as a Certified Public Accountant at a firm serving writers, artists, and musicians. At Augsburg, Franklin had a double major in music business and accounting. The article quoted her as saying, “I thought I’d work in international business or for Sony in New York. The first day of class, the professor said, ‘Accounting is the most fun you could have with a pencil.’ I took my first test and aced it. I decided, ‘I like this.’” 09 06 While at Augsburg, Kasey Yoder started coaching youth hockey and has seen his hard work pay off. During 2013-14, his first year at Orono (Minn.) High School, he took his team to the state hockey tournament. He also was selected Section 2A Coach of the Year. Yoder says one of the most exciting challenges in coaching high school hockey is keeping the kids focused, especially with everything else they have going on in their lives. Yoder works to help young people find balance while still being committed to success at the arena. WE ARE CALLED. AUGGIES. Andrew Kent served as goalie coach for the Finland women’s hockey team during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. A goalie for the Augsburg men’s hockey team from 2005 to 2009, Kent turned his love of hockey into a profession and serves as a director of goaltender development for MEGA Goaltending, a Twin Cities-based development center for hockey goalies. He also has served as a volunteer goalie coach for the University of Minnesota’s women’s hockey team for the past four seasons, which led to his role on the Finland coaching staff for the Olympics. 09 14 GRADUATE PROGRAMS While studying elementary education at Augsburg, Josh Thelemann founded a nonprofit organization that takes at-risk kids off the streets and provides programs that give them a fair shot. He named it SOS (Saving Our Schools). RESOURCE promoted Heidi Kammer ’00 MSW from director of its center for recovery services to vice president of chemical and mental health. She is regarded highly by her peers and has a passionate commitment to RESOURCE’s mission of reducing the disparities experienced by the people they serve. Once functioning as two separate divisions, RESOURCE’s chemical and mental health programs are in the process of being integrated. Susie Schatz ’09 MSW was named director of advocacy and volunteer services for St. Paul-based Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, the state’s oldest and largest human service organization. In the new position, she oversees advocacy efforts to improve services and public policies for people served by the statewide organization. She also oversees volunteer efforts across Minnesota that advance the mission of Lutheran Social Service. John Cerrito wrote the article “It’s Not About Getting a Job, It’s About Finding a Vocation,” for College News. In the story, he described how internship opportunities at a Twin Cities radio station helped him discover and develop an enjoyable career before he completed his degree. 11 Summer 2014 37 In memoriam JOHN AND NORMA PAULSON The Atrium-Link, funded in part by the Paulson family, is adorned with a Dala horse, a nod to John’s pride in his Swedish heritage. The link is named in memory of John’s parents, Rose E. and Johnny E. Paulson, and is dedicated by John R. Paulson, Sr., and his children, John Reid Paulson, Mary Jo (Paulson) Peterson ’80, Deborah Stansbury, Laurie (Paulson) Dahl ’76, and Lisa Paulson ’80. This summer, scenes of remembrance and honor unfolded on the the Center for Science, Business, and Religion—a capital project John’s daughter Lisa said is fitting given her family’s numerous beaches of Normandy as World War II veterans and their loved career ties to the health, science, and business fields. ones marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day—the battle recogAugsburg College President Emeritus William Frame recalls nized as the largest sea invasion in history. The occasion was that John and Norma were passionate about their family and reminiscent of commemorations attended years ago by John and friends, their hobbies and interests, and their call to better the Norma Paulson, caring parents of Augsburg alumni and generous world. “They were a sight from the 1930s—John driving Norma benefactors of Augsburg College. John returned to France several in a Packard touring car up to Augsburg House, stamping down times as a D-Day +1 survivor. Norma joined him as a passionate to applause…more of his panache than of his great car,” Frame steward of history. And, together, they formed a couple who— said. “That’s the way they ‘drove up’ to the dedication of the when abroad—could unite people across countries and—when at Link” and their gifts to the College. home in Minnesota—could connect a congregation, campus, or Throughout their lives, John community. and Norma connected the past to John, who passed away June the present and future. Whether 7, 2012—68 years to the day Norma was funding fieldtrips for after D-Day +1—and Norma, grade school students from her who passed away March 5, are hometown of Redwood Falls, remembered for their commitMinn. to visit the Minnesota ted involvement in Twin Cities Historical Society in St. Paul or organizations ranging from Rotary John was contributing to an organ to Shriners, and from the Classic fund that allowed young musiCar Club of America to the Purple cians to practice, the Paulsons Heart Association. The Paulsons ensured future generations could were successful in their careers— At the 60th anniversary commemoration of D-Day, engage with varying aspects of John as a builder and Norma as a Norma and John met and talked with actor Tom Hanks. history. banker—and made deeply meaningAugsburg College Pastor Emeritus David Wold recalls the ful philanthropic gifts throughout their lives. Paulsons as “people of tremendous faith and commitment.” While neither John nor Norma attended Augsburg, three of “I learned so much from John in my days at Calvary Lutheran John’s children and a son-in-law are alumni of the College—Mary Church and in my years at Augsburg College,” Wold said. “I Jo (Paulson) Peterson ’80, Laurie (Paulson) Dahl ’76, David Dahl ’75, learned about patriotism…about work ethic, about family, and Lisa Paulson ’80. The couple’s lifetime gifts to Augsburg about resiliency through tragedy, about benevolence, and about exceed $2 million. In 2001, the Paulson family provided major Packards.” funding to complete the Atrium-Link that connects Lindell And, Wold says he learned about the Paulsons’ “commitment Library via skyway to an atrium between Memorial and Sverdrup to the young and the old and to those in between.” halls and, in 2006, they were early donors to the campaign for 38 Augsburg Now In memoriam Ruth A. (Guldseth) Kallevig ’43, New Hope, Minn., age 92, on January 29. Cora A. (Rishovd) Steen ’44, Phoenix, Ariz., age 93, on January 26. Tenner C. Thompson II ’45, Alexandria, Minn., age 89, on December 23. Willis H. Johnson ’47, Willmar, Minn., age 88, on November 1. Carroll N. Anderson ’48, Madison, Wis., age 89, on April 6. Sylvia G. (Sateren) Elness ’48, Turlock, Calif., age 87, on December 1. Carl N. Germundson ’48, New Brighton, Minn., age 92, on February 24. Gloria (Gregguson) Johnson ’48, Golden Valley, Minn., age 87, on April 23. Richard “Dick” V. Lucas ’50, Jordan, Minn., age 87, on January 18. Ida Marie (Eggen) Benson ’51, Wanamingo, Minn., age 83, on December 24. Wayne E. Sampson ’51, Stillwater, Minn., age 84, on February 22. Bernice E. Broberg ’52, Dunseith, N.Dak., age 83, on February 13. Glenn E. Sieth ’52, Appleton, Wis., age 84, on January 31. Professor Emeritus Erwin D. Mickelberg ’54, Bloomington, Minn., age 87, on May 3. Helen (Halvorson) Hjermstad ’55, Jacksonville, Fla., age 80, on March 17. Ruth L. (Loland) Jarvis ’56, Greenacres, Wash., age 79, on March 30. Arthur N. Johnson ’58, Crystal, Minn., age 82, on December 1. Gary E. Turner ’58, Hemmet, Calif., age 78, on April 13. Marcus W. Johnson ’59, Moundsview, Minn., age 76, on November 27. Ock “Peggy” H. (Kim) Moss ’59, Longwood, Fla., age 78, on January 11. Professor Emeritus Edwin J. Saugestad ’59, Minneapolis, age 77, on March 20. Audrey M. (Halvorson) Hovland ’61, Alexandria, Minn., age 76, on February 25. Jeanette “Jeanie” L. (Robinson) Thorpe ’62, Kandiyohi, Minn., age 73, on February 27. Judy (Thompson) Eiler ’65, Minneapolis, age 70, on January 25. John A. Fundingsland ’69, Eden Prairie, Minn., age 67, on November 26. Stephen E. Smestad ’70, St. Clair, Minn., age 65, on February 2. Lavonne “Vonnie” L. Pearson ’73, St. Paul, age 63, on April 19. Kevin L. Boettcher ’84, Eagan, Minn., age 52, on March 23. Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at augsburg.edu/alumni. ______________________________________________________ Full name ______________________________________________________ Maiden name ______________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ______________________________________________________ Street address ______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Is this a new address? q Yes q No ______________________________________________________ Home telephone ______________________________________________________ Email Okay to publish your email address? q Yes q No ______________________________________________________ Employer Richard T. Olson ’86, Minneapolis, age 55, on December 9. ______________________________________________________ Position Sean A. Danforth ’91, Monticello, Minn., age 45, on February 1. ______________________________________________________ Work telephone Susan G. (Strawn) Strawn-Whitney ’94, Excelsior, Minn., age 48, on April 27. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No Melinda R. Longfors ’02, Maple Grove, Minn., age 34, on January 28. ______________________________________________________ Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable) Rae S. Ormsby ’03, Pine Island, Minn., age 68, on February 14. Professor Emerita Beverly C. Durkee, Edina, Minn., age 83, on March 31. If yes, class year___________________________________________ Your news: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Wayne C. Johnson ’58, Minneapolis, age 83, on March 10. Summer 2014 39 IT TAKES AN AUGGIE AN AUGSBURG LEGACY LARRY AND CHERYL ’89 CROCKETT Whether they are traveling five states by motorcycle from Minnesota to Tennessee, he’s teaching across two of Augsburg College’s academic departments, or she’s pursuing an undergraduate degree while raising toddlers, there’s one thing Larry and Cheryl ’89 Crockett know well: How to cross boundaries to arrive at a destination that expands their horizons and inspires others. 40 Augsburg Now The Crocketts have a shared love for exploring the richness that exists at the intersections of seemingly different frontiers. For more than 30 years, Larry has served as an Augsburg professor of religion and computer science. During that time, Cheryl has experienced— both as a student and as an Augsburg volunteer—the rich conversations that cross disciplines at the College. That’s why the Crocketts decided to make a $50,000 estate gift to the Augsburg College campaign for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR). Both Larry and Cheryl recognize that students in today’s world must engage in discussions and solve complex problems in a multinational world where science, business, and religion intersect. And, they’re helping to pollinate those conversations by supporting the CSBR: Augsburg’s boundary-breaking academic building. BY STEPHANIE WEISS To read more about Larry and Cheryl or to learn about the Center for Science, Business, and Religion, go to augsburg.edu/now. GET IT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Get the print edition of Augsburg Now, and more, on your Apple or Android tablet. Current and previous digital issues of Augsburg Now are moving out of Apple Newsstand and into a new standalone app called “Augsburg Gallery,” available on your Apple or Android tablet and offering readers even more dynamic content. This digital experience allows you to interact with the content in a whole new way. The new Augsburg Gallery app includes the latest issue of Augsburg Now and a special publication called President’s Messages 2012-14. To find this new app on your tablet, search for “Augsburg Gallery” (include the quotation marks in your search) on the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, go to augsburg. edu/now/tablet. These tablet versions are available. AUGGIE HAS AN APP FOR THAT! Augsburg Gallery app The current issue is available in the new Augsburg Gallery app. Photo by Tom Roster 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Auggies go green! Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow was one of several Auggies to take an inaugural ride on the Metro Transit Green Line during its grand opening June 14. The Green Line runs from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis and is the second Light Rail Transit (LRT) line to pass through Cedar-Riverside—the only neighborhood in the Twin Cities with access to both LRT lines. The addition of the Green Line expands student access to jobs, internships, and experiential education opportunities; enhances safety in the neighborhood; and contributes to a vital urban environment for all who live and work in the area.
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Augsburg Now Fall 2014
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Augsburg Now Fall 2014: Learning Without Limits
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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Study abroad shapes lives 24 hours on campus Homecoming 2014 An Auggie shines on screen LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS FALL 2014 | VOL. 77, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kat...
Show more Study abroad shapes lives 24 hours on campus Homecoming 2014 An Auggie shines on screen LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS FALL 2014 | VOL. 77, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW Semper reformanda—the gift of reformation I am writing these notes on Reformation Day— October 31—the occasion on which we celebrate the legacy of our Lutheran Christian tradition and the ways in which that legacy has shaped the sort of college Augsburg has become. There are many gifts of our Lutheran heritage that are worth noting—the concept of vocation, our commitment to serve the neighbor, the call to critical and humble inquiry—but these days I’m especially focused on the gift of semper reformanda, the reminder that we must always be open to change, to reform, and to imagining better ways to do God’s work in the world. A year ago, the Augsburg College Board of Regents affirmed our strategic plan, Augsburg2019, with its bold vision that we will be “a new kind of student-centered urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” (To review the plan, go to augsburg. edu/Augsburg2019.) And then they charged the Augsburg community—faculty, staff, students, and alumni—with the work of making our vision a reality. That is the meaningful and urgent work we are now pursuing on campus and in the world. As we undertake this important work, we are keeping the gift of semper reformanda firmly in mind as a lens for deciding how we will achieve our vision. Across campus and beyond, we are thinking about how we can be innovative and entrepreneurial. Three simple ideas are guiding our thinking and action: • We innovate out of abundance, the belief that we can do more together than we can do alone. We share our individual gifts so that the good of all might be served. • We innovate in community, the sense that there is wisdom and experience within our community that needs to be engaged to ensure a vibrant future for Augsburg. • We innovate for the world, affirming that what we do as a college ultimately serves our call to serve the neighbor. In these three ideas—innovation out of abundance, in community, and for the world—we have the markers of our daily life at Augsburg. In this issue of Augsburg Now, you see glimpses of this innovation in all corners of our community. Start with the remarkable work of staff photographer, Stephen Geffre, whose photodocumentary of 24 hours in the life of Augsburg reminds us of all the gifts we enjoy as a community. Celebrate with us the various recognitions and awards we have received as a college—research and cultural grants, top rankings for our academic and co-curricular programs, 40 years of music therapy, 30 years of the Augsburg Associates, and fundraising success on many fronts! And then listen to the voices of Auggies on campus and around the world—young alumni, Auggie football players, our 2014 Homecoming alumni award recipients, and alumni from our global education programs; you’ll hear the poetry of a college community boldly moving toward its 150th anniversary, faithful to its heritage and at the same time relevant to the needs of the world. Finally, please take a moment to review our annual report to alumni and donors—as well as our results from the November 13 Give to the Max Day. I am deeply grateful for all of you who have joined with us to support the important work of our college. May semper reformanda be our rallying cry as we live into our ambitious vision. Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu fall 2014 AUGSBURG NOW Features 10 28 08 10 20 28 Annual report to donors Study abroad shapes lives BY CHRISTINA HALLER 24 hours on campus BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Homecoming 2014 Departments 16 20 inside front cover Notes from President Pribbenow 02 Around the Quad 07 It takes an Auggie 14 Auggies on the field 16 My Auggie experience 30 Auggie voices 31 Alumni news 36 Alumni class notes 44 In memoriam 14 30 On the cover Light from Lindell Library illuminates Augsburg College’s Minneapolis campus on a fall evening. See photos of the College throughout the 24 hours that make up a day: pages 20-27. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. AROUND THE QUAD 2014 Top 50 LGBT-friendly Colleges & Universities In 2014, Campus Pride recognized Augsburg as an institution where community members develop supportive and inclusive understandings related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Augsburg was featured on Campus Pride’s Top 50 LGBT-friendly list, which reflects various colleges’ and universities’ progress toward making their institutions welcoming to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual. Augsburg was named among institutions that have achieved the highest ratings across all benchmarks for inclusive policies, programs, and practices. 2015 Military Friendly School Augsburg was named a 2015 Military Friendly® School, a list compiled through extensive research and a survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide that are approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Military Friendly Schools have gone above and beyond to provide transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education. Top 50 college for nontraditional-aged students Augsburg College was named one of 50 Top Colleges for Older Students by BestColleges.com. Augsburg was listed at No. 9—making it the highest ranked Minnesota college—and was recognized for its hybrid learning format, percentage of students older than age 25 (31 percent), and schedule flexibility. Winds of Change magazine recognizes Augsburg The American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Winds of Change magazine selected Augsburg as one of the Top 200 Colleges for Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Augsburg was one of only five Minnesota institutions to make the list, which was published in a special college issue designed to inform and inspire college-bound students. 2 Augsburg Now Augsburg College’s commitment to interfaith and community service work was nationally recognized in October when the College was named one of five finalists in the United States for the prestigious 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. More than 500 schools competed for this prominent national award that celebrates outstanding achievements in and commitment to interfaith and community service work. AUGSBURG N OW This past summer, Augsburg Now staff invited Augsburg College alumni AN ACTIVE EDUCATION and friends to provide feedback on the publication. Participants responded to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Readership Survey, which offers the opportunity to compare Augsburg survey results with those acquired at more than 250 other institutions. If you were one of the survey participants, thank you! Your responses will help guide Augsburg Now content planning in the future. Look for an overview of the survey findings in the Spring 2015 magazine. The Class of 2014 refl ects Grants gain ground Spotlight on research Faithful and relevant 3 “Best in the Midwest” Augsburg College was designated a “Best in the Midwest” institution in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings. Augsburg’s ranking was 23 in the Regional University Midwest category. This is up from 2013, when Augsburg ranked 26. SUMME R 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 2014 AUGSBURG A FINALIST FOR NATIONAL INTERFAITH AWARD INSIDE COLLEGE AWARDS BOARD OF REGENTS WELCOMES NEW CHAIR AND MEMBERS Dr. Paul S. Mueller ’84, staff consultant and chair, Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, was elected chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents at its May 2014 meeting and began his term July 1. Mueller will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected four new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected five members. Dr. Paul S. Mueller ’84 Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Diane Jacobson is professor emerita of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, where she taught from 1982-2010. She serves as the director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and on the advisory board of Augsburg College’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation. Diane Jacobson • Dr. Steve Larson ’72 is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Riverside Medical Clinic, a multi-specialty medical practice in Riverside, Calif., where he oversees 130 health care professionals. • Earl Sethre ’68 is vice president and part owner of Jorgensen Laboratories, a veterinary instruments company in Loveland, Colo. • Dean Sundquist ’81 serves as chair and chief executive officer of Mate Precision Tooling, a Minnesota business with offices in Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States. Dr. Steve Larson ’72 Elected to a second or third term: • Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, senior vice president of Northland Securities in Minneapolis • André J. Lewis ’73, director of marketing and community affairs and president of the RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation Earl Sethre ’68 • The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, former Fourth Judicial District Court Judge for the State of Minnesota and Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa in Minnesota • David L. Tiede, president emeritus and professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary • Norman W. Wahl ’76, executive pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn. Ann Svennungsen, bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod, and Rick Hoyme, bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, were appointed ex-officio to a three-year term. Dean Sundquist ’81 Fall 2014 3 AROUND THE QUAD Faculty grants National Science Foundation grants support hands-on student research experience Nancy Steblay, professor of psychology, has been awarded $134,219 from the National Science Foundation for a project investigating eyewitness identification errors (NSF SES-1420135). Augsburg College will receive funding over the next three years as part of a collaboration with Iowa State University. Researchers will conduct laboratory experiments using police investigation data and audio files to test theoretical ideas related to lineup bias, witness confidence statements, and more. This project will provide hands-on research experience for up to 18 Augsburg undergraduate students.* Mark Engebretson, professor emeritus of physics, was awarded a three-year, $396,635 grant to continue collaborative research regarding the magnetosphere and ionosphere, areas of the Earth’s space environment. The project extends a long-standing relationship with the University of New Hampshire and aims to further the scientific community’s understanding of geospace phenomena and improve the capability to forecast and characterize major space weather events. Such events may cause disruptions in electronic communications, degrade the accuracy of GPS technology, disable satellites, and damage the electrical power grid. The funds from Federal Award ID Number PLR-1341493 will support research training for up to six Augsburg undergraduate students over the project period.* Chemistry professor to collaborate on Department of Energy research David Hanson, assistant professor of chemistry, is collaborating with Colorado State University to develop computer models that more accurately represent the growth rates of particulate matter suspended in the Earth’s atmosphere. By synthesizing research data from new laboratory experiments as well as past observations, the research team will establish an understanding of the mechanisms of nanoparticle growth. These results will then be integrated into models to assess the role of new particle formation on the Earth’s climate. This research is made possible by a grant through the Department of Energy (Award Number DE-SC0011780). Over the next three years, Augsburg College will receive $79,705 to support Hanson’s research activities. Additionally, this project will provide hands-on research training for an undergraduate student.** **Editor’s note: This material was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Russian Academy of Sciences honors Augsburg physics professor The Institute of Physics of the Earth, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, honored *Editor’s note: Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommenda- Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson with the Otto Schmidt Medal Award. Engebretson tions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not was recognized for his fruitful and sustainable collaboration with Russian researchers necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. in space physics and planetary geophysics. For more than 30 years, he has conducted research at Augsburg College and has gathered data using ground-based observatories located at high latitudes in Arctic Canada, in Scandinavia, and in the Antarctic. This research has garnered more than $2.2 million in grant funding since 2008. During his career at Augsburg, Engebretson has been awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding. 4 Augsburg Now Augsburg professors’ books GAIN ACCLAIM Sweetness #9 Augsburg Assistant Professor and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing mentor Stephan Eirik Clark has garnered a great deal of media attention since his debut novel, “Sweetness #9,” received publicity on “The Colbert Report” as part of host Stephen Colbert’s effort to raise awareness of and interest in new novels. “Sweetness #9” is a comic satire, family story, and profound examination of cultural anxieties. LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUGGIE! More than a dozen Augsburg College students took part in prestigious off-campus research opportunities during summer 2014. Promise Okeke ’15, an Auggie biology major, interned and researched at Harvard Medical School’s Stem Cell Institute. The institute released a video in which Okeke described his experiences growing up with malaria, his departure from his home country of Nigeria to study at Augsburg, and his determination to make an impact on the malaria epidemic. At the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Okeke networked with Harvard entrepreneurs and professors as he began to explore the business side of health care. To watch the Harvard Stem Cell Institute video, go to augsburg.edu/now. The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII Augsburg Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing mentor Jack El-Hai recently won the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction for his book, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII.” El-Hai’s book tells the story of the remarkable relationship between U.S. Army Psychiatrist Capt. Douglas M. Kelley and the elite of the captured Nazi regime, particularly Hermann Göring. El-Hai was interviewed about this work for a History Channel program set to air next year. Cedar-Riverside neighbors launch program A $200,000 grant awarded to Augsburg College and The Cedar Cultural Center is supporting a program to build cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Somali culture through music. The grant will be used to launch a first-of-its-kind, two-year project titled, “Midnimo: Music for Unity, Campus, and Community.” Through Midnimo, the Somali word for “unity,” Augsburg students, Cedar-Riverside residents, and the general public will engage in a series of educational and experiential events. One of only six grants of its type presented in the U.S., the award was made as part of the highly competitive Building Bridges: Campus Community Engagement grant by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Fall 2014 5 AROUND THE QUAD CONVOCATION SERIES 2014-15 First held in 1990, the Augsburg College Convocation Series is an annual speaker series that incorporates longstanding endowed and special programs. This fall, the series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber and her presentation, “The spirituality of being a total screw-up.” Bolz-Weber is the pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver and the author of The New York Times best-selling book “Pastrix” and the blog “Sarcastic Lutheran.” Compiled by Mark Chamberlain In October, the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation welcomed Rick Hanson, PhD, neuropsychologist and senior fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, in Berkeley, Calif. The theme of his presentation was based on The New York Times best-selling book, “Hardwiring Happiness: Turning Passing Experiences into Lasting Inner Strength and Peace.” SAVE THE DATE The 27th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation Join us on Monday, January 19, at 1 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, for a celebration honoring one of the United States’ visionary civil rights leaders. Learning at Augsburg College is more than textbooks and tests. Augsburg is committed to helping students discern and live their vocations and to inspiring them to explore their gifts and passions. This year, the College’s efforts garnered a boost when the nonprofit Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation awarded Augsburg $150,000 to fund paid internships during the 2014-15 academic year. As one of 10 Minnesota colleges to receive a grant award from Great Lakes, Augsburg has used the funds to form new partnerships with for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations offering internships that support learning on and off campus. Courtesy photo STROMMEN SPEAKERS SERIES The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Speakers Series at Augsburg College, which brings local business leaders to campus to share their insights and expertise, kicked off in November with Stan Hubbard, chairman and CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., and his presentation, “Success from any angle: Lessons learned from a lifetime in broadcasting.” The series continues in February with CEO of PadillaCRT, Lynn Casey. 6 Augsburg Now IT TAKES AN AUGGIE AUGGIES GIVE GIVE TO THE MAX DAY: AUGSBURG COLLEGE CELEBRATES A FIRST-PLACE FINISH TWO YEARS IN A ROW On November 13, Augsburg College celebrated a record day of giving through its participation in Give to the Max Day. A one-day online giving event, Give to the Max Day is a contest among Minnesota nonprofits in which donors support their favorite organizations and schools. Augsburg competed in the “Colleges and Universities” category and, for the second time, raised more money than any other Minnesota college or university. The College also set a one-day giving record—more than 1,300 donors gave more than $430,000 to Augsburg in 24 hours. Because of the College’s first-place finish, Augsburg also received a prize of $17,500 from GiveMN, the parent organization of Give to the Max Day. Like last year, faculty, staff, and alumni developed projects to raise funds for 34 different departments across campus—from biology to women’s lacrosse. Donors were able to give to a fundraising project close to their hearts—and, in many cases, supported multiple projects. Augsburg students got in on the fun, too. Christensen Center was abuzz with activity as students helped spread the word and thanked donors via social media. Students recruited their friends to give and watched the results throughout the day. The generosity continued off-campus as donors gave from 45 states and as far away as Colombia, Norway, and Scotland. Thanks to the alumni, parents, students, and friends who made this year’s Give to the Max Day a success! Fall 2014 7 Augsburg College 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Augsburg College’s total fundraising for fiscal 2013-2014 was $14,619,536, marking the third year in a row in which gifts to the College exceeded $10 million. The philanthropy of more than 4,600 donors this past year has helped Augsburg attract talented students and the dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them. These gifts provide financial aid, building and maintenance support, and instructional and other resources that allow Augsburg to provide a quality education to nearly 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. Your gifts help Augsburg educate future thinkers, stewards, leaders, and citizens of our world. Here are just three of the outstanding Auggies whom your generosity helps support. Malia Thao ’16 is studying accounting and finance. Originally from St. Paul, Thao received the Gary Tangwall Scholarship. Steven Saari ’15, a special education and English double major from Princeton, Minn., received the Dagny Christensen Scholarship. 8 Augsburg Now The Robert and Joyce (Engstrom) Spector Scholarship was awarded to Kristine Volz ’16, a chemistry major from Blue Earth, Minn. REVENUE BY SOURCE Tuition 69% Room and board 12% Private gifts and grants 11% Government grants 4% Other sources 4% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY Salary and benefits 43% Financial aid 28% Operating expenses* 17% Equipment and capital improvements 4% Debt service 3% Utilities and insurance 3% Student salaries 2% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. $38.3 $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 $25.4 2004 $29.8 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $24.5 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE May 31, 2014 $38,330,460 $34.6 2014 As of May 31, 2014, Augsburg had annual realized and unrealized gains of 10.9 percent on the Augsburg College endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 8.53 percent and the 10-year average annual return is 4.45 percent. The College is committed to maintaining the value of the principal in order to provide support to the College in perpetuity. (IN MILLIONS) Visit augsburg.edu/giving/report for our 2014 Honor Roll of Donors. Fall 2014 9 STUDY ABROAD SHAPES LIVES OF MEANING AUGGIES FIND THEIR CALLINGS IN THE FAR REACHES OF THE WORLD BY CHRISTINA HALLER CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE SINCE 1982 and with locations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, and Nicaragua, Augsburg has provided thousands of people cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions and challenge students’ perceptions about global justice and human rights. Nationally recognized with various awards for its 10 Augsburg Now ties, the center most recently won a 2014 award for Best Practices in International Education Exchange from NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. NASPA seeks to recognize domestic and international colleagues and institutions for exceptional work related to international higher education. Courtesy photo the United States and from 300 educational institutions have studied abroad in more than 40 countries through Augsburg College’s Center for Global Education and Experience. Nearly 80 percent of those—now living and working throughout the globe—credit their study abroad experience with having a strong impact on their work lives. It’s accepted as common wisdom that studying in another culture yields recognizable benefits including personal growth, intercultural development, foreign language improvement, and the formation of friendships. Less well explored is how being immersed in another culture plays a role in helping people discern their callings and find employment within their vocation. This past spring, the center conducted a survey to gather data about its programs, specifically the impact of programs on the personal and professional lives of participants. The survey found that 79 percent of summer and semester program alumni feel their experience abroad has had a strong effect on their ability to secure employment after graduation. To find out how studying abroad influences the lives of its participants, we talked to Auggie alumni about their experiences, how studying abroad helped shape their careers and lives, and what they would like current students to take away from it all. work in experiential and educational travel opportuni- Courtesy photo More than 10,000 people from across MEET OUR EXPERTS ERIC CANNY Eric Canny is the dean of global education at Augsburg College. Prior to joining Augsburg, he was executive director of International Learning at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. He has held international leadership positions at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He received his bachelor’s in fine arts and master’s in education from New York University in New York City. He is completing his doctorate in global executive leadership with a focus on higher education at the University of Southern California, Rossier’s School of Education in Los Angeles. BRUCE SHOEMAKER ’81 Courtesy photo Bruce Shoemaker, a metro-urban studies and sociology major, studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico, in 1980. This experience led to more than 30 years of international development work in Southeast Asia where he has focused on natural resource conflict issues by helping local communities resist the loss and exploitation of their land, rivers, and forests by outside investors and companies. STEPHEN HINDLE ’89 Stephen Hindle, a history major, studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and in Nicaragua and Honduras during 1988. Today, he is the director of Asia Pacific at Pearson Clinical and Talent Assessment where he oversees staff across five countries, developing models to explain talent management issues for clients and also developing and executing solutions to solve organizational problems. Auggies discover their calling around the globe IN A STUDY BY THE INSTITUTE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS, two-thirds of 17,000 alumni surveyed credit their education abroad with influencing their lives by opening up an interest in or passion for another culture. It’s that passion that leads students to lifelong careers in global work. “You should follow your passion,” Eric Canny, Augsburg dean of global education, confirmed. “I always say I ‘fell into’ global [education]. But I think it’s critically important for students’ academic and personal growth to study abroad.” Bruce Shoemaker ’81 believes that not only does studying abroad create an interest in global work, but it also helps graduates obtain that work. “Having international experience lets employers know that you have challenged yourself; that you have stepped outside of your comfort zone—done something innovative, creative, and new,” he said. “It is one of those things that allows you to broaden your perspectives and—in my case—bring about social change.” That experience helps students to get ahead in life, too. “Never stop asking questions…recognizing assumptions, evaluating arguments, and drawing the correct conclusions,” Stephen Hindle ’89 said. “I learned this through my experiences studying abroad and that is why I have dedicated my life to teaching in one form or another.” So, we wanted to know, if studying abroad so dramatically shaped the lives of these Auggie alumni, what influence could it have on current and future college students’ career paths? We asked our experts. See their responses on pages 12-13. Fall 2014 11 Help support vocational discernment HOW STUDYING ABROAD CAN… “Studying abroad didn’t help me to discern my vocation, “As I studied and traveled through Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras, I realized that I WANTED it literally became my vocation. TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP OTHERS I was just really into traveling, reach their goals and fulfill their potential.” –HINDLE and THE INTERNATIONAL WORK GRIPPED ME AND BECAME MY CAREER. “THERE OFTEN IS NO OTHER EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE THAT WILL BE AS TRANSFORMATIONAL AS STUDY ABROAD. My participation…led to a WE NEED TO REACH STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT JUST lifelong interest in interna- INTERESTED IN A VACATION ABROAD, BUT IN THE SOCIAL tional development and justice JUSTICE FOCUS, WHO MAY NOT REALIZE WHAT ALL THEIR issues.” –SHOEMAKER OPPORTUNITIES ARE.” –CANNY “IT OPENED MY EYES TO THE WORLD outside of the United States. It made “I would challenge anyone to find a “STUDYING IN CUERNAVACA, MEXICO, WAS career that isn’t somehow global today. EYE OPENING—ESPECIALLY LEARNING It doesn’t matter what you do, there is probably somehow a global connection. Even if you don’t work in global—study- 12 ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE. WE LIVED WITH VERY POOR FAMILIES IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND GOT A GOOD UNDERSTANDING ing abroad helps students to gain those OF WHAT THEY WERE FACING, INCLUDING sought-after ‘soft skills’ that can apply THINGS LIKE INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL INJUS- to any major.” –CANNY TICE.” –SHOEMAKER Augsburg Now Ignite an interest in global work me realize that people around the world have similar desires and needs, and helped me understand that we can make a difference if we put our minds to it and work in a cooperative manner with the people living in the areas that need assistance.” –HINDLE Translate across cultures “Mexico [where I studied abroad] is certainly different culturally from Southeast Asia where I do my work, but I was able to develop the skills needed to RELATE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM MYSELF.” “Being a middle-class boy from a small town in Minnesota, I really had no understanding of other cultures. And yet, after all my travels around the globe, it still strikes me as fascinating how children play the same games, parents fear and rejoice over their children in similar ways, and WE ALL STRIVE FOR THE SAME THINGS.” –HINDLE –SHOEMAKER “PEOPLE WHO STUDY ABROAD KNOW HOW TO READ PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY’RE USED TO READING THE INTERPRETATION OF DIFFERENT CULTURES. IT’S ABOUT HAVING AN ‘OPENNESS TO THE OTHER.’ YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ABROAD TO BE EXPOSED TO DIVERSITY. LOOK AT AUGSBURG’S INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY—INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON THIS CAMPUS HELP GIVE THE CLASSROOM A TRULY GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.” –CANNY “I LEARNED RESPECT—for myself, I learned that life is not fair but that with hard work, a good idea, and luck you can sometimes turn things around. I learned that information is key—learn as much as you can about your surroundings.” –HINDLE study abroad usually have great interview skills; they know how to navigate complex situations; it can increase their sense of self worth and their survival skills.” –CANNY “ONE IMPORTANT SKILL I GAINED WAS CRITICAL ANALYSIS. WHEN LIVING IN ANOTHER CULTURE, YOU NEED TO DO A LOT OF REAL THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE BEING TOLD VERSUS WHAT THE REALITY IS. ADDITIONALLY, IT HELPED ME TO DEVELOP A CROSS- Develop skills for the workforce but more importantly for others. “STUDYING ABROAD IS REALLY CHALLENGING. Individuals who CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, REFINE COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND LEARN TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE AND PERSPECTIVES FROM OTHER CULTURES.” –SHOEMAKER Fall 2014 13 HERE WE STAND FOOTBALL TEAM EMBRACES OUR LUTHERAN HERITAGE Uniting members of a team is one of a coach’s biggest responsibilities and challenges; teams with cohesion amplify their success on and off the field. At Augsburg, football coaches Frank Haege and Mike Matson ’06 have articulated a shared vision that has struck a chord with their team and also honors the College’s heritage. Since Fall 2012, the team has embraced the motto, “Here we stand, we can do no other.” What’s unique about this motto is its historic and Lutheran roots. One day, Haege, head football coach, and 14 Augsburg Now BY KELLY ANDERSON DIERCKS Matson, assistant football coach and chaplain to student athletes, were talking about the history of Augsburg College and the Reformation. Matson explained the Augsburg Confession, a period in the 1500s when Martin Luther was put on trial for his religious stance—and ordered by Catholic leaders to recant his writings and criticisms of the Church. Luther’s response was that he could not and would not. “Here I stand, I can do no other,” Luther is reported to have said. Haege found this story so powerful that he assigned AUGGIES ON THE FIELD Matson the duty to serve as unofficial team historian. Matson was charged with sharing with the team’s players the history of each week’s opponent, including background on the school’s religious affiliation. At the first team meeting, Matson told the team that the “Here we stand” motto—a revision of Martin Luther’s words—is in the DNA of the College and that, as Auggies, the players are called to go forth boldly. Over time, the motto evolved. What began as a history lesson and locker room banner became a call and response by the third game of the 2012 season. In the locker room before the team ran out on to the field, Matson yelled, “Where do you stand?” and the team answered, “Here we stand.” The call and response went back and forth until the Auggies were motivated for victory. The team embraced this new segment of the pregame warm-up and has been doing the rouser ever since. For the coaches and players, the slogan is a way to articulate that, together, all are stronger on the field and in their daily lives. Haege said Matson is the perfect vehicle for this uniquely Augsburg message. “Mike is our motivation guy,” Haege said. “He has an unbelievable passion for [the College]. He’s a natural emotional leader—for Augsburg, for Lutheranism, and for our football program.” As an Augsburg student, Matson was a junior captain on the football team during Haege’s first season as head coach. Matson earned All-American honors and finished his Auggie career as one of the best linebackers in the College’s history. In 2011, Matson graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and in 2012 was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He now serves his call through a joint position with Augsburg and Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. “Augsburg is a special place, and football is a microcosm of that,” Matson said. “Augsburg teaches students about being part of something bigger than yourself. Augsburg challenges students to be willing to be vulnerable, to be willing to stay out on the margins of life where the Gospel calls us.” The players certainly have bought in and the program is headed in a positive direction. The Augsburg football team finished with a 7-3 overall record in 2012—the debut season of the new team philosophy, which marked the team’s best finish since its 1997 MIAC Championship. The football program views its slogan as long-term. It’s about team. It’s about unity. And, it’s about what can happen when those two things come together. “I think we are tapping into something that transcends coaches, sports, and time. This motto ties us to our past,” Matson said. “It’s an identity that we can claim. An identity we can be proud of.” Fall 2014 15 MEET KUOTH WIEL MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE BY LAURA SWANSON SHE’S AN ACTRESS. A MODEL. A HUMANITARIAN. AN AUGGIE. A nd, if you ask this Augsburg College alumna about her past few years, she’d likely add to the list of descriptors, “a person blessed by an enormous leap of faith.” During her final semester at Augsburg, Kuoth Wiel ’13 landed her debut film role in “The Good Lie,” a drama that tells the story of a family-like group of Sudanese refugees who are offered shelter in the United States more than a decade after militia attacks in their home country left them orphaned and homeless. While the characters themselves are fictional, the film is based on the experiences of thousands of real refugees—people sometimes dubbed the “Lost Boys of Sudan”—who immigrated to the U.S. in the thousands before Sept. 11 prompted authorities to suspend a resettlement program. As People magazine suggests, Reese Witherspoon is the film’s biggest name, but the real stars of “The Good Lie” are her castmates. In the movie, Wiel plays the character Abital, the 19-year-old sister of one of the Lost Boys. In reality, Wiel has personal ties to the conflict in Sudan. She was born in an Ethiopian refugee camp to Sudanese parents and lost her father at age 3 after he was killed while working as a United Nations medic in the Sudanese Civil War. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1998, spent her childhood in Faribault, Minn., and as a young adult moved to Minneapolis to attend Augsburg, study social psychology, and model part time. Today, Wiel calls West Hollywood, Calif., home. She has appeared in more publications and on more television shows since the film’s release at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival than she can recall, and she’s driven to use her brush with stardom to serve her community and spread messages of hope and empowerment among people who have been displaced due to global conflict. Auggies on and off campus have followed Wiel’s personal storyline since she earned her movie star status, so we’re delighted to share a brief reflection on Wiel’s experience in her own words. All images on this page are courtesy of ©Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Top left: A scene from “The Good Lie.” Top right: Film director Philippe Falardeau speaks with Kuoth Wiel (center) and her cast mates. Lower left: “The Good Lie” movie poster. Fall 2014 17 Q&A: MEET KUOTH WIEL ’13 Not all students at Augsburg or anywhere else, for that matter, receive the opportunity to act in a feature film. How did this come about? I have to give thanks to the power of social media. A friend of mine saw the opportunity to audition on his Facebook page and forwarded it to me. They were looking for Sudanese actors and actresses around the U.S. and around the world. I sent in my bio and then they sent me the script. I read it and fell in love. Then I sent in a video made on my MacBook of me going over my life; it was nothing professional. I didn’t hear back for a month, but [finally they said], “Okay, we want you to meet with the director.” A week later, I flew to Atlanta to rehearse with the cast, and that’s how it all began. When you decided to say “yes,” sign your contract, pack your bags, and head off to Atlanta, what did people say? I had already told my mother and my girlfriends. My mother—she was at first taken aback by it. She said, “Are you going to finish school? You only have one month left, so why are you going to leave school just like that?” I felt like I gave it to a higher power; I can’t control this. Luckily, I was in 18 Augsburg Now a position where I had finished all my exams, and I had finished everything except for my final essays for my seminar class. I was very fortunate to be in the position…where my teachers were very excited for me and allowed me to Skype to stay on track. It’s about knowing the background for each character; they made sure that we knew our story. The director really helped me in controlling my emotions and knowing when to remind me to call on my background as a refugee or recall something that I had lost in my life. Why do you think it was important for “The Good Lie” to cast Sudanese actors? How did your own life experiences allow you to relate to the character? It is the experience of being in a war. My character and I had parallel worlds but lived in different times. She was a Lost Girl; I was never away from my parents in that sense, but we share the same story of going through this traumatic event and wanting to leave it. It helped a lot. I mean the journey definitely put into perspective how far I have come from Sudan to Ethiopia and then to America. I didn’t remember it very well because I was a child, but now I know what this conflict was—it put into life the story of people who I can relate to. In the film you play Abital, who you mentioned was a Lost Girl. How did she fit into the storyline? Abital becomes a significant figure throughout the story in that [the Lost Boys] try to find her again because they are separated from her when they come to America. How did the director or other members of the film crew help you get into character and deepen your understanding of this person? What was a typical day like for you on the film set? Or, was every day completely different? You’re given a different scene each day…sometimes you wake up as early as 4 a.m., and sometimes you don’t [wake up] until noon. And, so, it all depends on what time they want to shoot. I’d wake up in the morning and then have a van come pick me up to go to set. Once you get there, they do the hair and makeup and the wardrobe and then, after that, you stay in your trailer until All images on pages 18-19 are courtesy of ©Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Page 18: In this scene from “The Good Lie,” the characters learn they will be separated from one another in the United States. Page 19: Auggie Kuoth Wiel (center) is shown with Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon (right). they come get you to do the scene. Sometimes they give you a few hours [to] stay in your trailer and get into character. They didn’t want a lot of interaction with other actors there. It was important to make sure you just concentrate and get yourself physically and mentally ready for the next scene. Did you feel that “The Good Lie” was a job, or did you think, “How could this possibly be work?” For me, I felt like it was a job. Not a job in the sense where you show up and mechanically do things, but it was a job where you are responsible to give this character life like a real person. I felt like I owed that to this story. Sure, you get to meet cool people, but it was a responsibility for me to portray this person—to show the world how this person lived—and it was my responsibility to do it well. The best-known actress in this film is Reese Witherspoon. Were you pinching yourself when you met Reese? I love her. I think I was a little shocked. When you meet someone who you admire, it becomes a totally different experience. She was very nice, actually. She came and introduced herself to me, and we just talked. She’s very down to earth. Is acting something you want to pursue in the long run? Can you tell me about your vision for the future? I love it. Right now I’m exploring different realms of acting. I’m doing improv. I want to learn how to regulate my emotions in a better way so that I can do it in different scenes. I would really love to perfect [acting], that’s why I’m studying it in greater depth. What has been the most surprising aspect of working on “The Good Lie?” I would say the traveling. I traveled a lot. A lot. I literally lived in airports…I had to get used to adjusting to different situations and knowing what to bring, what not to bring, what to look out for, and stuff like that. And, when we went to South Africa, that was my first time back to Africa so that was a really good experience for me. I just felt that anywhere in Africa was home. Things have been busy for you the past couple of months—to say the least—but what do you hope to achieve through your humanitarian work in the future? Right now we are working on raising awareness. The producers have set up The Good Lie Fund, which you’ll find after the film—TheGoodLieFund.org. This raises money for people in the refugee camps right now. Our main priority is to raise money for aid. We’re also working with UNICEF. When we were in Nashville we sent a message for the kids who are [in refugee camps]. We talked about our own experience in the camps and tried to give people hope. An Augsburg education emphasizes that vocation is not simply finding a job but, instead, using your passions and talents to serve the world. How has this experience shaped your calling in life? I remember writing about that—initial thoughts on what I wanted to do—my senior year. I knew I wanted to give back to my community, but I also wanted to use [my vocation] as a message of empowerment for women because there are girls, like me, in refugee camps who probably don’t know that there’s a better life out there. I always tell people I came from a place where I thought there was nothing left. But, I’m here. So, for me, I think it’s to raise the message of hope for women. To see images from the Minnesota premiere of “The Good Lie,” go to augsburg.edu/now. Fall 2014 19 24 24 HOURS AT 2211 RIVERSIDE AVENUE A day in the life of Augsburg College For nearly 145 years, Augsburg College has been going about its work of creating thinkers, leaders, and world citizens in the heart of Minneapolis. This work isn’t confined to a typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. The work stretches throughout the 24 hours that make up a day. This photo essay is a glimpse into the vibrant community of Augsburg and the neighborhood that shapes the work the College does in our world. (Editor’s note: All images in this story were taken from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., September 22 and from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., September 24.) 5:29 a.m. Abennut Tulu, custodian, starts his BY STEPHEN GEFFRE day at 5 a.m. in Kennedy Center when he grabs his custodial gear. Tulu, a recipient of a 2013-14 Outstanding Staff Award, makes his 6:19 a.m. first order of business getting the The lights on Edor Nelson Field still are off when Adam Maronde, Augsburg College third-floor classrooms cleaned, orga- strength and conditioning coach, calls out to members of the women’s hockey team: nized, and ready each day for faculty “Twenty seconds of rest, ladies.” The team is doing interval training. Players are bent and students. over, breathing hard. “Ten seconds, push yourselves to finish strong,” he says. “Five, four, three, two, one, go!” The student athletes bolt upright to do another wind sprint, wrapping up their early morning practice while most people on campus still slumber. 20 Augsburg Now 6:43 a.m. Groundskeeper Bruce Rowe, who retired in November after 31 years of service to the College, changes from street shoes to work boots. Rowe’s day will start in a few minutes when his student worker arrives and the two tackle cleaning the garbage chutes in each of the residence halls. 8:40 a.m. “Use your fingers to feel the edges of the vein. Now anchor the vein and quickly and confidently slide the needle in,” said alumnus Tom Towle ’14 (not pictured) to Rachel Johnsrud ’15 (left) as she practices a blood draw on classmate Kevin Hein ’15. Most blood draws that happen on campus are for blood drives, but this one is part of the Clinical Phase Transition course in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. The CPT course combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences for the students prior 7:51 a.m. Not-yet-caffeinated students wait in line for their morning coffee at to beginning the clinical phase of the program and completing 13 months of rotations. Einstein Bros. Bagels in Christensen Center. Classes start at 8 a.m. Fall 2014 21 10:03 a.m. “I think it is like this. What does this knob do? I think I just broke it!” Laughter erupts from Nia Ross ’17 (right), Nikki Whittaker ’17 (center), and Callie Jones ’17 (left) as the three women use, for the first time, this specific film gear. Ross’s film, “Best Friends,” is her directorial and screenwriting debut and will star Whittaker and Jones. 10:48 a.m. Augsburg College is one of only a few colleges in the United States that has time set aside each weekday for chapel. These 20 minutes a day offer attendees time to reflect on faith and to learn from members of the community. Seth Lienard ’11, Augsburg College senior event planner, addressed chapel attendees on the topic of coming home during Homecoming Week. Lienard was a recipient of a 2012-13 Outstanding Staff Award. 1:17 p.m. 11:56 a.m. Janet Morales, program manager of the College Access Large elm trees in the Quad cast dappled shadows across the Partnership, plucks a handful of potatoes from her plot heart of campus. The trees, each more than 60 years old, have in the Augsburg College community garden. The gar- been silent witnesses to a growing, changing campus. den, which has about 80 plots, is open to members of the Augsburg College community and Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. 22 Augsburg Now 2:20 p.m. Purple, yellow, yellow, purple, purple...Each color corresponds with a kernel on a cob of corn. The students in this genetics class, led by Matthew Beckman, assistant professor of biology, are recording the distribution of kernel colors to learn about genetic patterns of inheritance. 3:19 p.m. “Try holding your hands in the air, wiggling your fingers, and moving your body like a spooky tree blowing in the wind,” says Mark Sedio, a music instructor and director of the Cedar Singers. “Now sing the line again.” Incorporating movement into choral rehearsals enhances the singers’ delivery. 4:10 p.m. Students study and relax on the lawn of Old Main, which was built in 1901. Fall 2014 23 4:34 p.m. Upon his return from Washington, D.C., Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow is greeted by his family’s dog, Auggie. Pribbenow was in the nation’s capital to attend the Fourth Annual President’s White House Forum on Interfaith and Community Service where the College was named a Presidential Awardee 6:47 p.m. finalist for this prestigious national award. “Cross away from him to stage right when he In 2010, Augsburg College won the Presidential Award for Community Service, the premier presidential award for community service work. starts the line. Now, try the scene from the top,” says Martha Johnson, professor of theater arts, as she directs students in rehearsals of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” While the set still is under construction, Johnson, who has taught at the College for 26 years and 6:27 p.m. is retiring later this year, can envision how things As the late-summer sun starts to set, a student passes through the will look on opening day. Paulson Link that connects Lindell Library to Sverdrup Hall. 24 Augsburg Now 7:50 p.m. The Cedar-Riverside business district glows in the background while MBA students attend a marketing course. The class is led by Bill Arden, assistant professor of business. When Augsburg opened its doors in 1869, the College was in Marshall, Wis., and had only three professors. Today, with campuses in Minneapolis and Rochester, Augsburg College has 396 partand full-time faculty members. 9:40 p.m. Auggies gather on Edor Nelson Field for a screening of “22 Jump Street” on the new scoreboard. In addition to being used for community-wide events such as films on the 9:19 p.m. Intramural sports are about community, friends, and fun. Augsburg College’s co-ed volleyball games pit teams of six players against one another, and given the high use of the College’s athletic facilities by varsity teams and classes, it’s often the case that field, the scoreboard adds a fun dimension to home athletic games with video introductions of players and instant replay. In addition, Auggie student workers get hands-on skills programming and managing this top-notch technology. intramural teams take the court when other students start settling in for the night. Fall 2014 25 10:54 p.m. “It’s all over. We’re dead,” says Nywong Vang ’16 (right) to Siew Thao ’16 (left) while playing “League of Legends.” Their sparsely decorated dorm room on the main floor of Anderson Residence Hall doesn’t have a TV. But it does have four laptops, three fish tanks, and about 100 feet of network cables squiggling across the floor. Vang continues his gaming while Thao studies aspects of the game on the Internet. 12:28 a.m. “Incarnation” is a vibrant, stained glass window by August Molder, a refugee from Estonia who in the late 1960s was an artist in residence at the College. The window, best seen at night and from 11:44 p.m. the outside of Christensen Center, provides a brilliant contrast to the Ben Richer ’18 reaches for a ball after losing a monochromatic squares and rectangles of the building’s exterior. point to Nicole Logeais ’18 in their nightly game Molder has a scholarship named after him that is awarded annually of pingpong. The two are reported by their friends to an art student. to spend most evenings in the lobby of Mortenson Hall playing the game. 26 Augsburg Now 1:16 a.m. At all hours of the night, bright lights shine on the second floor of Science Hall. These grow lights sit over the biology department’s collection of “Wisconsin Fast Plants,” a variety of plants used as model organisms in many educational settings. The little green plant is used in biological research because it grows, well, fast—allowing faculty and students to conduct many experiments in just one semester. 3:05 a.m. During the course of a year, Department of Public Safety staff log thousands of miles at night patrolling the College’s 23-acre campus and sur- 24 rounding neighborhood. Many miles are covered by Officer David Wanstall. To see additional photographs taken during the 24 hours of this project, go to augsburg.edu/now. 4:52 a.m. In the early morning hours, even Interstate 94 is quiet and practially empty. But if you look closely, lights are on in Mortenson Hall as some students already are rising to greet another day. 24 HOURS AT 2211 RIVERSIDE AVENUE Fall 2014 27 HOMECOMING 2014 Thank you for joining us for our Homecoming 2014 celebration. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s events, October 8-10. If you are interested in serving on your alumni reunion committee or volunteering to help plan Homecoming 2015 events, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. The procession of the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS First Decade Award Distinguished Alumni Award Honors an Auggie who graduated during the past 10 years and who exemplifies the mission of the College. Honors alumni in recognition of a significant achievement in their vocation; for outstanding contribution to church and community. VICTOR ACOSTA ’04 An Augsburg physics major, Acosta completed his PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2011. He is a research engineer with Google X. “I want to thank the StepUP® Program… the McNair Scholars Program…and the Physics Department for some of my fondest memories.” Spirit of Augsburg Award Honors alumni and friends of the College who have given of their service to substantially impact the well-being of Augsburg’s mission and programs. JACQUIE BERGLUND ’87 Berglund, a political science and communications major, in 2000 founded Finnegans, a charitable beer company that donates 100 percent of its profits to programs that alleviate hunger. “This place—Augsburg College—really was where I found my calling and it was truly where I decided I wanted to make the world a better place.” GARRY HESSER Hesser is the Sabo Professor of Citizenship and Learning Emeritus at Augsburg and also teaches in the Master of Arts in Leadership and Honors programs. “If there’s been a theme, a set of gifts here at Augsburg…it’s been a sequence of being invited in.” MICHAEL R. GOOD ’71 After 36 years in real estate, Good became the national campaign chair for Augsburg’s Center for Science, Business, and Religion. His inspirational drive has created new momentum for this essential building. “It’s great to be called. And it’s great to be called an Auggie.” DEAN R. KENNEDY ’75 Kennedy, founder of Texakoma, one of the most respected small, private oil exploration companies in the United States oil and gas industry, continues to be one of Augsburg’s most generous supporters. “A common question that I get asked is, ‘How did a guy from Fridley get started in the oil business?’ and I say the seed was started right here at Augsburg College.” REV. MARK S. HANSON ’68 This fall, Hanson joined Augsburg as a Distinguished Fellow in the Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation. He has served as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, president of the Lutheran World Federation, and pastor for three congregations. “The future of Augsburg depends on all of us encouraging our children and grandchildren…to root their lives in this community of learning and service.” reflection LIFE OF AUGGIE VOICES WEAVES GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY Mark Twain said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. On any given day, Josh Linde ’07 knows he was born to create love, joy, and opportunities for others. He’s doing exactly that today. As a dedicated family man. As a successful social entrepreneur. And as a cofounder of Ethnotek Bags, a socially responsible company that builds high-quality laptop and travel bags that feature ethically sourced handmade textiles. Linde will tell you that although the process of uncovering his vocation took twists and turns, it’s Augsburg College that deserves the credit for giving him the skills and practice to unearth where his gifts and talents meet the world’s needs. “My whole education at Augsburg could be subtitled, ‘Vocation.’ I learned to be meditative. Directional. I learned to write and reflect and repeat that practice many times,” Linde said. “This reflection and practice has informed every decision I’ve made since being at the College.” And he isn’t kidding. Linde feels tremendous pressure to make Ethnotek Bags a stable venture. Families and villages across the globe—in Ghana, Guam, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam—depend upon the company for a living and to help maintain their cultures. His ability to question deeply and reflect laid the foundation for what has become the nontraditional business practices that put the company’s global partners in the driver’s seat and that give Linde the assurance he’s living out his vocation Submit a Class Note by December 31 for the spring 2015 edition of Augsburg Now to be entered into a drawing to win Ethnotek’s Vietnam 5 Wayu Pack. Use the form on page 43 or go to augsburg.edu/alumni/connect. 30 Augsburg Now BY STEPHANIE WEISS to create opportunities for others. “We ask our partners what their time is worth and then we pay that price. We don’t negotiate lower prices, and we aren’t looking to reduce those costs,” Linde said. The company offers its partners a generous delivery time of 90 days, a bonus for on-time delivery, and a premium for early delivery. The extended delivery window is important for the company’s partners, many of whom work out-of-doors and can encounter significant weather-related work delays. But for Linde, it makes Ethnotek Bags’ approach all the more rewarding. In the end, each bag made and sold by the company is an individual and complex story with the power to maintain cultures and change lives for the company’s suppliers and customers. “Our bags have three layers of existence—utility, beauty, and as a living story,” Linde said. “When you own one of our bags, people ask about and reach out to touch the bag. Each bag creates a connection to and meaningful conversation about the people who made it.” “My whole education at Augsburg could be subtitled, ‘Vocation.’” ­—JOSH LINDE ’07 ALUMNI NEWS FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, A s you may recall, President Pribbenow in the fall 2013 issue of Augsburg Now shared that the Augsburg College Board of Regents launched a strategic planning initiative in January of that year. The outcome of that work is a strategic vision statement that looks out to 2019, Augsburg’s sesquicentennial year: In 2019, Augsburg College will be a new kind of studentcentered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world. This vision statement calls for the College to build on its key strengths, which include experiential learning, academic excellence, and strong alumni networks. A core part of the College’s plan is being “At the Table” by providing opportunities that enable students to discover their gifts, discern their vocations, and open doors to careers. One of the College’s greatest resources—we, the alumni—could be playing an even more crucial role in achieving the College’s commitment to increase internship opportunities available to students and graduates. Such hands-on roles are increasingly essential for amplifying the campus learning experience and competing successfully for jobs after graduation. As alumni, we can provide students with opportunities and guidance that will prepare them for an important first step on their vocational journey. I had the pleasure of connecting with then-junior Gary Mariscal ’14 two years ago at the Student and Alumni Networking Event. It was my pleasure to talk with him during his interview process with National Sports Center, which led to his selection as a sports administration and event management intern. I also was able to connect him with Auggie alumni who have supported him in the process of finding meaningful work. More recently, I celebrated with Gary when he decided to accept a position as a baseball fellow at Augsburg College, a role that will allow him to pursue a graduate degree through the College’s Master of Arts in Leadership program, while gaining experience coaching and mentoring students. He is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to make a difference at Augsburg. Recently, the College community mourned the loss of two Augsburg legends, Ed Saugestad ’59 and Edor Nelson ’38. As I have reflected during the past year on the influence these coaches and educators have had on the lives of hundreds of students, and the legacy they created at the College, I’ve begun considering my own legacy and the influence I want to have as an alumni leader. I am not a legendary coach or a member of the faculty but I am a member of the Augsburg community and I, too, can make a difference. As alumni, we all can make a difference at Augsburg by participating in a student and alumni networking event, speaking in a classroom, representing your company at an Auggies Connect with Employers event, or posting a job or internship opportunity with Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Please join me in assisting current students on their vocational journey. It is one of the most important ways that alumni can ensure that Augsburg College and its students are “At the Table.” Sincerely, CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT P.S. Save the date for the next Student and Alumni Networking Event: Tuesday, February 10. Find out more at augsburg.edu/alumni. Augsburg College’s annual Student and Alumni Networking Event. Fall 2014 31 ALUMNI NEWS This summer, hundreds of Auggies of all ages gathered on Edor Nelson Field to celebrate the 100th birthday of legendary Augsburg College athlete, coach, and instructor Edor Nelson ’38, who led the Auggie football and baseball teams during a career that spanned four decades. His birthday festivities corresponded with the dedication of a new, state-ofthe-art video scoreboard in his honor. Ten days later, Edor passed away. He was honored in a memorial service on September 5. “Few people in Augsburg’s history could claim as long and lasting an impact on this college as Edor Nelson,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “He touched the lives of many here at Augsburg through his years as football coach, his years as baseball coach, and his support in building the wrestling and men’s hockey programs.” Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 said, “I’m so grateful that we had a chance to honor Edor on his 100th birthday. It’s an event that all of us in the Augsburg community will remember forever.” Bruce Nelson ’71, current president of Augsburg’s A-Club service organization, said that his father’s support of athletes extended far beyond the playing field and graduation. This is why lead donors for the scoreboard project, Dan ’65 and Alice Anderson, Rick ’74 and Nancy Colvin, Rick ’72 and Tammie Ekstrand, Harvey ’52 and Joanne (Varner) ’52 Peterson, Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe, Alan Rice, and many others, chose to donate to the project to honor their coach and mentor. Fundraising efforts for the new scoreboard have not yet met a $300,000 goal. To make a gift honoring Edor, contact Keith Stout, assistant vice president of major gifts, at 612330-1616 or stoutk@augsburg.edu. Donors to the scoreboard will be listed on a special plaque to be installed later this academic year. In his 100 years, Edor represented true Auggie spirit as a soldier, educator, father, husband, and coach. Consider honoring his legacy with a philanthropic gift to athletics that will positively influence Auggies of tomorrow. Join Augsburg College ON STAGE AT CARNEGIE HALL Peter Hendrickson ’76, Augsburg associate professor and head of choral activities, and members of The Augsburg Choir and the Masterworks Chorale will perform at New York City’s historic Carnegie Hall on March 22. Hendrickson has opened this performance opportunity to all choir alumni who would like to participate. Rehearsals for the concert begin in January and take place on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9:45 p.m. in the choir room on the Minneapolis campus. Repertoire for Augsburg’s portion of the concert will be Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque” and Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna,” performed with a full orchestra. Email hendricp@augsburg.edu for additional rehearsal and performance details. 32 Augsburg Now Ticket information will be posted on augsburg.edu/alumni. Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends are invited on a New York City tour to coincide with the performance. The March 19-23 trip will include a visit to Carnegie Hall to see The Augsburg Choir, an Augsburg alumni reception at Scandinavia House, local tours led by Augsburg professor and our resident NYC expert Joe Underhill, a Broadway play, and four nights at the Sheraton Manhattan Times Square. Contact tour leader Sally Daniels Herron ’79 for more information at 612-330-1525 or herron@augsburg.edu. ALUMNI STEP FORWARD with gifts to recognize Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Arlin Gyberg With graduates who have gone on to become research scientists, university professors and physicians, a biodiesel entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar, and a Nobel Prize recipient, Augsburg College Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Arlin Gyberg’s legacy already reaches far and wide. Alumni are recognizing this long-serving and award-winning professor by giving gifts to name a Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for Gyberg in the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Steve ’72 and Catherine Larson launched this $250,000 initiative with a lead gift of $125,000. Steve, an infectious disease specialist and the CEO and board chair of Riverside Medical Clinic in Riverside, Calif., and one of the newest members of the Augsburg Board of Regents, still acknowledges Gyberg’s influence on his life and career after more than 40 years since graduation. “Arlin’s influence on my vocation and life cannot be measured,” Steve said, and he recognizes that the CSBR will influence the entire Augsburg College community. “A new building can bring new vitality,” he said. “I have seen it happen with our own medical group’s building. When we got a new building, it really enhanced our reputation. I think [the CSBR] will do the same for Augsburg.” The newest donors to join in honoring Gyberg are Jon ’68 and Sharon DeVries. The couple, who has already given $50,000 to the CSBR for faculty offices, is giving an additional $10,000 to honor Gyberg. Gyberg became a faculty member at Augsburg in 1967 during Jon’s senior year. While Jon never took a class with Gyberg, the two got to know each other when Jon worked in the research lab next to Gyberg’s office. “Arlin is energetic, practical, friendly, outgoing, and realistic,” said Jon, who is a respected chemist at General Mills and has been inspired by Gyberg’s impact on the College. Today Gyberg’s research focuses on environmental topics. He remains active in his research in areas as multi-faceted as catalytic systems to produce biofuels, active ingredients in energy drinks, over-the-counter children’s medicines, algae as a source of biodiesel and bioethanol, and the conversion of wood fibers to other useful chemicals. His consulting work includes serving Fortune 500 companies, such as 3M and Xcel Energy, and government and educational institutions. Donors to the Gyberg initiative are turning to fellow alumni to help raise the final $50,000 needed to fund the CSBR lab. If you are interested in joining fellow alumni to honor Gyberg, send your gift, marked Gyberg Initiative, to: Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454. For gifts of appreciated securities, life insurance, or bequests, contact Doug Scott at 612-330-1575 or scottd@augsburg.edu. Celebrating Lutheran heritage and the Reformation A custom Augsburg College travel program is being designed and planned to celebrate the 500th anniversary of when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany, which marked the beginning of what became known as the Reformation. The tour will occur October 27 to November 6, 2016, and include a visit to Wittenberg on October 31, the date on which the town celebrates Reformation Day with a parade, medieval fair, special church service, and evening concert. The tour itinerary also includes stops in the German cities of Berlin, Dresden, Eisenach, Erfurt, and Leipzig, and in Prague, Czech Republic. Join Mark Tranvik and Hans Wiersma, Augsburg College religion faculty members and Reformation historians, in discovering the lives and ministries of Martin and Katie Luther and influential Lutheran musicians J. S. Bach and Paul Gerhardt. Learn about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century German theologian and martyr, and Jan Hus, a 15th century Czech church reformer. Hear about the church’s role in the Peaceful Revolution that brought down the Berlin Wall and remember the sobering days of WWII at Buchenwald concentration camp. Explore the close connection among people, culture, and historical events, while understanding the Reformation as an ongoing influence in the 21st century. To receive updates about this alumni tour as plans are finalized, email alumni@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1085 to be included on a mailing list. Fall 2014 33 ALUMNI NEWS DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC THERAPY CELEBRATES 40th anniversary, new master’s degree program, and dedication of an interactive musical plaza This fall, Augsburg College’s Department of Music Therapy commemorated the 40th anniversary of its undergraduate program with a celebratory dinner in Hoversten Chapel. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to hear from keynote speaker Alan Turry, the managing director of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy in New York City. Doug Schmitt, vice president of Minneapolis-based Schmitt Music Company, presided as master of ceremonies. Established in 1974 by Roberta Kagin, associate professor of music, the Department of Music Therapy provides students with a holistic approach to health care through music medicine. This year also marks the inception of the new Master of Music Therapy, the College’s ninth graduate degree program. The MMT program prepares students for careers in the growing music therapy field within hospitals, clinics, schools, and other organizations. The evening concluded with the dedication of the installation of three outdoor, interactive musical instruments, which will be known as the “Ode to Joy” Music Plaza. These instruments, located on the south side of the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, serve as a reminder of the importance of music in everyday life and will be enjoyed by members of the campus community and beyond for years to come. BILL NYE ‘THE SCIENCE GUY’ SPEAKS AT AUGSBURG ON VALENTINE’S DAY Bill Nye “The Science Guy” will share his love for science when he speaks February 14 at Augsburg College’s Scholarship Weekend in an address that is open to the general public. Nye, who will talk about “How Science Can Save the World,” will speak with academic depth and humor about planetary science, climate change, evolution, 34 Augsburg Now environmental awareness, and more. “We’re excited to host Bill Nye during our Scholarship Weekend when bright students from across the United States visit campus to compete for our top academic scholarships,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “We want to give these scholarly, prospective Auggies the chance to grapple with some of the world’s deepest questions so they can experience what Auggies are called to do each and every day.” Last year, during the 2014 Scholarship Weekend, nearly 100 prospective students and the public had the opportunity to be challenged by deep questions of compassion and humanity posed in a talk by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Nye, a mechanical engineer and seven-time Emmy Award winner as host and head writer of the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” program, will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Augsburg College’s Si Melby Gymnasium. Ticket information for Augsburg College alumni is posted online at augsburg.edu/now. CELEBRATE 1984… 1994… 2004… 2014 AUGGIES DEDICATION LEADSCHOLARSHIPS 30 Years! AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE A labor of love “It was a little mustard seed of an idea,” said Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46, remembering the early days of the Augsburg College Associates, which this fall celebrated three decades of service to the College, resulting in about $1 million in total giving. From their earliest days, the Associates focused on making connections, hosting events to raise awareness of Augsburg, and providing fundraising and volunteer leadership. Between 1985 and 1996, Trash and Treasure Sales brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the College. Since then, the Associates have devoted countless hours to organizing, cleaning, pricing, and selling household items at estate sales that have raised funds for large-scale projects. [L to R]: Founding members: Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist ’64, Catherine Anderson, Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46. PRESIDENTS AND CO-CHAIRS AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES 1985 1986 1987-88 Associates’ gifts shape campus Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46 Helga Egertson and Roselyn Krause Peg Arnason and Marianne Sander Take a walk around Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, and you will see the impact of the Associates’ work on nearly every corner. Enjoy the sound of the Dobson Organ in Hoversten Chapel? You can thank the Associates’ $250,000 contribution for that. Walk through Christensen Center, and see the welcome desk, Augsburg Room, and Marshall Room, which were supported by the Associates. Down the street, the renovation of the Ailene Cole Green Room in Foss Center and the Special Collections Room in Lindell Library were made possible by the Associates’ generosity. And, when the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens, the Adjunct Faculty Suite will be named in recognition of the Associates’ $50,000 gift to the building. The Associates’ dedication and generosity also includes funding scholarships that total about $120,000. 1989 1997-03 Avis Ellingrod Krumkake and Bunads – the Associates’ hospitality 2003-04 Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson ’91 2005-06 Lois (Richter) Agrimson ’60 In 1996, the Associates became involved with Augsburg’s annual open house, Velkommen Jul, a celebration of Norwegian culture replete with traditional foods—such as lefse and krumkake—and folk costumes—known as bunads. In 2010, the group started the Kaffe Stuga booth, providing traditional Norwegian coffee at the signature Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming—as well as the annual Spring Tea. When Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg in 2011, Associates wearing traditional Norwegian attire greeted Their Majesties. In 2012, the organization received the Spirit of Augsburg award. For 30 years, the Associates’ fellowship, fun-loving spirit, and dedication to the College have remained true. As current president Lennore Bevis ’69 said, “The whole attitude of our organization is members giving of themselves and serving the community.” Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson ’91 and Marianne Sander 1990-93 Carla (Quanbeck) Walgren ’64 1993-95 Peg Arnason 1995 Maf Berg and Helga Egertson 1996 Helga Egertson and Avis Ellingrod 2007-10 Barbara (Beglinger) Larson ’63 2010-13 Joyce (Gustafson) Hauge ’63 2013-14 Lennore (Bylund) Bevis ’66 To read an extended story about the Augsburg College Associates, go to augsburg.edu/now. Fall 2014 35 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1958 Gwen (Johnson) Krapf is retired from her position as an associate in ministry with the ELCA and now enjoys beating the drum in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra) of Lehigh Valley, Pa. RTO members are musically challenged on certain instruments, but do their best and have a lot of fun in the process. The RTO is an international phenomenon that originated in Scotland, but there are only five such groups in the U.S. 1960 Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann’s third book, “Zeke’s Western Short Stories,” is now available on amazon.com. Legendary characters Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok come alive in the historical stories. These adventures will entertain Old West fans and just about anyone who enjoys a good short story. work field. He has become very involved in Norwegian heritage and genealogy. Bill Chartrand resides in Anthem, Ariz., and stays busy volunteering, scuba diving, playing percussion, and singing with ProMusica Arizona. He plans to marry his partner of 25 years, Neil “Terry” Froyd. Laurene (Hjelmeland) Clarke retired from a career of teaching grades 1-8 in California, Nebraska, and South Dakota. As of this June, she will be married for 50 years to James E. Clarke, a Presbyterian pastor. They have three children. Dallas C. Day is still active in business and training his son to succeed him. He has four children, and resides in Vancouver, Wash., with his wife, Sharon (Porter) Day. REUNION 1964 Carolyn (Aadland) Allmon is married to Philip Allmon and works as a demand forecasting consultant. She is an organist and sings in Augsburg’s Masterworks Chorale. Andrew Berg is married to Jean (Amland) Berg ’65, and they have four children and eight grandchildren. He received his master of social work and has spent nearly 40 years in the social Avis (Hoel) Dyrud remains busy as an organist, pianist, and choir director at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Thief River Falls, Minn. Her husband, Phil Dyrud, passed away in 2006 following a bone marrow transplant. She has five children and 22 grandchildren. Dennis J. Erickson has been married to the love of his life, Mary Lou (Ervin) Erickson, for more than 49 years, and has been a New Mexico resident for four decades. A retired physicist, he held positions at both Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California. He continues to be an active Lutheran layman at parish, synod, and regional levels. Margery (Kyvig) Haaland and her husband, Sheldon, have two daughters and live in Marshall, Minn. She serves on the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, plays organ at St. Lucas Lutheran, and is active in the Southwest Minnesota State University Booster Club and Senior College. Merton Strommen ’42, a pioneer in youth ministry, released his 17th book, “The Amazing Hand of God: My Story of a Lifetime in Youth Ministry,” which is available through Lutheran University Press at lutheranUpress.org and for Kindle tablet at amazon.com. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Charlotte (Gerdeen) Oswood Fruehauf is presently a roadie for her husband, Dave Fruehauf, who has a banjo band. She and her late husband, Christian Oswood, were married for almost 40 years and had three sons. She remarried in 2006 and lives in Maple Grove, Minn. Sharon (Woolson) Groff and her husband served as missionaries for 18 years in Bolivia with World Mission Prayer League. She attended Lay Ministry Training Center at North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minn. She taught Spanish and English as a second language in Colorado and Minnesota. Raúl “Ray” Jackson has been married to Ruth Wilsey ’65 for 50 years. They live in Hastings, Minn., and have three children and seven grandchildren. Ann (Tjaden) Jensen lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Jon Jensen. After graduation, she and then-husband, Bill Chartrand, were Peace Corps teachers in Ethiopia. This led to the formation of a multiracial family and spurred their efforts to create a nonprofit to educate girls in Ethiopia. Ellen (Paulson) Keiter has spent her career as a chemistry professor at Eastern Illinois University. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1954 Anyone who has ever loved a dog will enjoy Herb Chilstrom’s fourth book, “My Friend Jonah – and Other Dogs I’ve Loved.” In a foreword to the book, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar writes, “As Bishop Chilstrom shepherds us through the lessons his dogs have taught him, from loyalty and discipline and companionship to forgiveness, curiosity, and rest, he makes us think about the big issues in life: how to live, how to treat others, and even how to die.” Income from book sales will honor Joel 36 Augsburg Now Torstenson, who was professor of sociology at Augsburg for more than 30 years. Part of the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion will be named for Torstenson. As Chilstrom puts it, “Torstenson coaxed this small town Minnesota boy out of his zones of comfort and into the real world of need.” The book may be ordered online at huffpublishing.com or by mailing a check to Chilstrom Books, 1211 Pine Pointe Curve, St. Peter, MN 56082. Enclose a check for $22 per book. Postage and sales tax, where applicable, are included. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES REUNION 1964 Jack Kelly has three children. He lives in Moscow, Idaho, with his wife, Karen Kelly, and keeps busy with reading, choral singing, and travel. Sharon (Lindell) Mortrud lives in Park Rapids, Minn., and enjoys lots of travel along with church activities, gardening, and serving on the local hospital auxiliary. Sharon (Swanson) Knutson spent her career working with the University of Minnesota-Extension Service. She helped develop the “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” program designed to help provide families practical information about inheritance and transfer of non-titled personal property through workshops, resources, and more. Mary (Fenrick) Olson and Ted Olson met at Augsburg and just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They spend winters in Florida and enjoy keeping up with their eight grandchildren. Arla (Pedersen) Landon is active in Democratic-Farmer-Labor politics related to issues of social justice, peace, and fairness. She keeps busy after retirement with a rich variety of activities, including church, plays, concerts, dinners out, and volunteering. Karla (Krogsrud) Miley lives in Rock Island, Ill., has two sons, and enjoys quilting, gardening, and traveling. Anita (Martinson) Mock is married to Dean Mock and lives in Nelson, Wis. She works part time in special needs education for K-12. She also sings in the Lyster Sisters group, plays piano, loves berry picking, and keeps busy with her nine grandchildren. Jim Parks lives in Plymouth, Minn. with his wife, Rose Ann. Retired since 2005, Jim still appreciates Augsburg’s roots in the Christian faith and its location in the heart of Minneapolis. “We were not at college on the edge of a corn field,” he writes. Faye (Sawyer) Phillips shares that she fills her days in Fullerton, Calif., with church, family, bridge, and travel. She works as a docent at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and as a member of a retired senior volunteer patrol for the Fullerton Police Department. Ron Poeschel officiates basketball, umpires baseball, and enjoys golfing, singing in the choir, and volunteering at church. Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist lives in Sun City West, Ariz., with her husband, Stewart Morton. She is president of Women of the ELCA 1981 Bev Benson has been a prosecutor for 28 years; her career includes 25 years in Hennepin County and 3 years in Stearns County. She has specialized in the prosecution of domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, and homicides. Taunya Tinsley ’90 is a professional counselor and owner of Pittsburgh-based Transitions Counseling Services and Life Skills Program, which specializes in organizational development, multicultural training, spiritual and Christian counseling, sports counseling, and development through sports. She is enrolled at United Theological Seminary in the Doctor of Ministry program and will focus on sports chaplaincy. She was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming 2014. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. for Lord of Life Lutheran with 258 female members in 16 circles. last year went to Australia and New Zealand. Joyce (Nelson) Schrader taught in elementary schools in Roseville, Minn., and Littleton, Colo. She lives in Friendswood, Texas, and enjoyed a late summer trip to Norway this year. Carla (Quanbeck) Walgren and Michael Walgren live in Plymouth, Minn. Carla sings in the church choir and sews banners and liturgical hangings for church. Michael is an active member of the Augsburg Centennial Singers and the Courier Gospel Quartet. Linda (Hamilton) Senta relishes singing in the Duluth Superior Symphony Chorus of Duluth, Minn., and another choir, as well as volunteer work and travel. Olivia (Bylund) Smith and her sister, Lennore Bevis ’66, both have homes on Big Hanging Horn Lake in Minnesota. They have traveled together the past few years, and Diane (Kalberg) Watson lives in Happy Valley, Ore., and after a 25-year career in music sales and education, now plays piano, keyboard, and organ in her husband’s gospel quartet. 1986 Nicholas C. Gangestad was appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer at 3M this summer. His 27-year career at 3M encompasses financial leadership positions across several businesses in multiple locations, including Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the United States. Fall 2014 37 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Ann (Johnson) Wollman and her husband, David, spent their careers in Christian college teaching and administration. She is active in volunteer academic work and co-leads a grief support group at church. They read, bike, walk three miles daily, garden, and are very active in church. Elizabeth (Johnson) Wolsky and her husband, Dennis, enjoy sailing, golfing, and gardening, spending time in Florida in the winter, and attending events for their five grandchildren. 1965 George Johnson has been teaching at a university in Lahore, Pakistan, for more than three years. 1972 Tom Fischer received recognition and a plaque for 40 years of service to the high schools of Minnesota as a Minnesota State High School League official. He officiated his 40th Minnesota State Track and Field Championships in June. 1973 Joyce (Leifgren) Young reports that life is good in Minneapolis. She loves gardening, bike riding, studying Norwegian, travel, volunteering for social justice and her church, and more. Cris Gears retired from a life of service to the public. He most recently served as superintendent of Hennepin County’s Three Rivers Park District. During his tenure, he oversaw completion of many projects, including the building of a new park in St. Anthony Village, a new nature center in Dayton, and new cross-country ski trails in Maria (Hicks) Johnson ’94 has served on the board of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit La Oportunidad for 15 years. A retired, bilingual English/Spanish teacher, Johnson serves as a mentor in Augsburg’s Scholastic Connections program. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. the district. He also was integral in helping build cooperative relationships with cities in the district. Gears worked for the public interest in other positions, including as recreation program director for the City of St. Louis Park, city manager for the City of Excelsior, director of facilities for Kitsap County, Wash., and others. REUNION 1974 Darlene (Anderson) Anderson is the past president of the Minnesota division of the American Cancer Society. She has retired from her career in medicine. Carolyn (Stepanek) Beatty retired after 36 years as a medical technologist at Memorial Blood Center. She lives in Minneapolis and is involved in volunteer activities with church and spiritual listening. Nancy Brown-Koeller recently retired from Kimberly-Clark after 30 years in marketing research. She received a certificate in gerontology in 2014 and has started a training and consulting business, AgingUp. She conducts ImaginAging Workshops and teaches part time at Lakeland College. She is active with Sierra Club and trails advocacy groups. With husband, John Koeller, she is working to visit as many national parks as possible. Nancy writes that she attends Advent Vespers every year at the 4 p.m. service. Wouldn’t it be great to have a coffee hour with classmates beforehand? Sharon (Holt) Garland and Richard Garland ’75 have two children and reside in Minnetonka, Minn. She enjoys genealogy and gardening. Jeff Gorham has a fun fact to share: If you ever eat anything from the Kraft Foods Group, chances are, he worked on the process line that produced it. He was unable to attend the reunion, but looks forward to seeing everyone at the 50th. Bryon Gustafson lives in Plymouth, Minn., and enjoys travel, photography, genealogy, and volunteering at church. Janet (Durkee) Hohn is owner and president of Hohn and Hohn, Inc., a tile contractor. She also spends time racing sailboats and gardening. Donn Johnson lives in Faribault, Minn., and keeps busy with travel, model trains, and his six grandchildren. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1986 David H. Johnson has joined Faegre Baker Daniels’ Minnesota government relations practice as a partner. Johnson represents clients in a range of matters before state and federal agencies, the Minnesota Legislature, and local units of government. Prior to joining the law firm, Johnson led the government affairs practice at Best & Flanagan. From 1997 to 2002, he served in the Minnesota Senate, focusing on transportation, energy, and economic development issues. He served as a Majority Whip in 2001-02. 38 Augsburg Now 1996 Brittany (Lynch) Jakubiec and other 1995 and 1996 Auggies and their families camp together annually to celebrate years of friendship. From left to right: Stephanie Harms ’96 and her husband, Tom Shaw ’95; Jennifer (Cummings) Ackland ’96 and her husband, Brian Ackland ’95; Natasha (Solberg) Sheeley ’96 and her husband, Dave; Jodi (Monson) Markell ’96 and her husband, Nate; Connie (Arndt) Clausen ’96 and her husband, Andy; Wendy Laine ’96; Brittany (Lynch) Jakubiec ’96 and her husband, Mike. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Ruth Johnson, married to Associate Professor of Religion Philip Quanbeck II, graduated from Mayo Medical School in 1978. Her professional interests include women’s health, medical education, and spirituality in medicine. She has led groups of students and adults on trips to Greece and Turkey, and to Israel. it enjoys bipartisan support. The resolution says Senate acknowledgment of the injustice would “educate the public and future generations regarding the impact of this law on women and prevent a similar law from being enacted in the future.” He is hopeful that his grandmother’s citizenship will be restored posthumously. Brenda Kay (Roble) Lieske retired as director of community education in Jordan, Minn., and, this fall, ran for city council. She enjoys the freedom that comes with retirement, and stays active with walking, biking, yoga, book club, and Bunco. 1976 Steve Reznicek is a retired K-12 principal and is now an adjunct professor in the music department at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. Rebecca (Peterson) Sullivan is a leader in a companion synod relationship between the SWMN Synod of the ELCA and the southeast diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa. She lives in Mankato, Minn. Becky (Ranum) Wenz retired after 32 years working as a medical technologist in hospitals, clinics, and research. She lives in Firth, Neb., and appreciates travel, church, crochet, reading, and time with family and friends. John Yager is retired. He is taking a course in outdoor emergency care, and enjoys the chance to pursue his second act in life. 1975 When Dan Swalm was researching his family history, he first heard about the Expatriation Act of 1907 that required United States-born women who married foreigners to take the nationality of their husband. His grandmother, Elsie Moran, was affected by this law, and Swalm took her case to the office of U.S. Sen. Al Franken. A resolution, which has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, stands a good chance of passing because Jeff Mueller has been named director of operations for Norway House after serving 10 years as secretary on its board of directors and as vice president of strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Norway House, Mueller served for more than six years as a business growth advisor and consultant at Enterprise Minnesota, helping Minnesota manufacturers grow their businesses and compete more profitably in today’s marketplace. Mueller also spent more than 20 years in banking and finance with U.S. Bancorp and Wells Fargo & Co. He has been involved in multiple Norwegian-American organizations, including four years as president of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce, secretary of Syttende Mai Minnesota, along with leadership in numerous other groups. 1978 Rick Bonlender has a new job with American Bank in Albert Lea, Minn., as the market president in southern Minnesota. Bruce Shoemaker ’81 discusses how studying abroad influenced his life. See page 10. 1985 Kathy Kuross was selected as a finalist for the UNIT4 innovation award. UNIT4 is the owner of Agresso, which runs Augsburg’s HR, finance, and registration software systems. Among the innovations recognized were Kuross’s work converting Augsburg’s course credit system to a semester credit system, combining all programs to a semester calendar, and automating processes within the software. 1987 Caroline (Krapf) Clifford is the director of special events and advancement services at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. She is raising two teenage sons. 1989 Kristin Eggerling is passionate about preserving wild places, reading, and exposing kids to the outdoors. She works as a freelance writer, community activist, and parent. She writes about natural resources and serves on her local library board and a number of regional and state boards focused on sustainability and conservation. She has worked in the public health field, coordinated watershed education, taught sociology at the University of Minnesota Crookston, Cheryl (Solomonson) Crockett lives in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and has three children—two of whom have degrees from Augsburg. She does volunteer writing and editing for the Augsburg alumni office, and enjoys motorcycle trips with her husband, Larry, an Augsburg professor of computer science. Stephen Hindle ’89 talks about how college shaped his future on page 10. Mary (Zastrow) Hoel retired from her career as an elementary Montessori teacher. She now plays saxophone in a community band, participates in church choir, takes art classes, and attends exhibitions. Three of her four children hold degrees from Augsburg. Eloisa Echavez ’94, ’98 MAE created Augsburg’s student services program for Latinos in the 1990s and has served as executive director of Minneapolisbased La Oportunidad for the past 15 years. This nonprofit assists lowincome Latinos of all ages in achieving educational success, improving financial stability, and maintaining supportive, peaceful families. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. and served as the administrator of the Environment and Agriculture Budget Committee at the Minnesota Senate. She has also served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. In addition to her sociology degree from Augsburg, Eggerling holds a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Manitoba. She recently published “Breath of Wilderness,” the story of Sigurd Olson’s love for wild places and how that love transformed his life. It inspired him to play a key role in the movement to preserve wilderness throughout North America, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Devoney Looser lives in Phoenix, where she is a professor of English at Arizona State University. Among her present interests are Jane Austen, libraries, and roller derby. Find out more at devoney.com. Mark Muhich was re-elected to the board of directors for the Range Mental Health Center. Muhich, who has served on the board since 2006, studied English and political science at Augsburg. He went on to study law and now practices in Virginia, Minn. Spring 2014 Fall 2014 17 39 37 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2004 Brian Eayrs, a former Augsburg College quarterback, is director of research and development for the Seattle Seahawks. His father, Mike Eayrs ’72, held the same position with the Vikings and now is with the Packers. Mike was inducted into the 2014 Augsburg Hall of Fame. Melissa (Wingard) Fossum lives in San Diego, Calif. She is married to a U.S. Marine and has two children, Hunter and Hannah. Deanne McDonald moved to Chicago three years ago and spends her free time exploring and participating in the vibrant culture of the city. In 2011, she completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in musical theater at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn. and filmed there in August. McDonald graduated with a degree in studio art and a focus in graphic design. Joshua Linde ’07 keeps culture alive, one bag at a time. See page 30. 2009 Kristin Daniels has moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. She began attending California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., this fall in pursuit of a master of science degree in counseling. Michael Buller graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, was ordained to ministry, and was called to serve the congregations of Emmanuel and Galchutt Lutheran Churches in North Dakota. 2003 2006 Sarah Jane (Elhardt) Perbix, who majored in music and marketing communication, performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” where she played keyboards and sang backup with Minnesota’s rising-star, Jeremy Messersmith. Perbix also is a member of the band Cloud Cult. Mike Matson ’06 influences Auggie athletics on and off the field. See page 14. Maggie McDonald is an executive producer and creative director for the indie film, “What Doesn’t Kill You.” This narrative feature was written by two filmmakers from Boston 40 Augsburg Now Christian Shada and a group of Auggie friends from the classes of 2003 and 2004 have been visiting different campgrounds and cabins since graduation. Today there are mini-Auggies, new-Auggies, and a couple of Auggies on the way. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Reneya (Mayberry) Peterson was married on June 25, 2011, to Philip Peterson at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul. She has been working as an analyst at U.S. Bank for the past five years. 2007 Rev. Sara Quigley Brown is pursuing a Masters of Public Administration degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is a chaplain with the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains. 2010 Nick Swanson ’09, ’12 MBA is producer and host of “Claim Your Trophy,” a TV show that provides information about outfitters who can help individuals prepare for once-in-a-lifetime hunting or fishing events. Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin have picked up the program. 2000 Jamie (Simmons) Kaufman is pursuing an MD at University of Minnesota Medical School. Jessica Spanswick traveled for several weeks in South America to learn Spanish and to teach. She started her travels in Bogotá, Colombia. Peter Weston Miller completed his studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, was ordained to ministry, and began his first call as an ELCA pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in New Brighton, Minn. Emily Wiles graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, was ordained to ministry, and began her first call as pastor in the ELCA at Faith Lutheran Church in Avon, Ind. 2010 Taylor (Norman) Davis married Josh Davis in November 2013 at the Historic Concord Exchange in South St. Paul, Minn. Josh, who is an armorer and craftsman, made Taylor’s engagement ring and wedding band set. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2012 Kristin Bunge graduated with a major in psychology and minor in Spanish. She is attending Tennessee State University for her master’s degree in counseling psychology. She is excited to get to know new people, a new school, and a new city, but will miss Minneapolis and the opportunity to be on Augsburg’s campus. The University of California, Berkeley is the choice of economics major Brianna Noland for her master’s degree in statistics. Elly Bier, a physics and chemistry graduate, is attending Duke University, where she is pursuing a doctorate in medical physics. Kendall Pruitt has been hired by Augsburg exchange partner United International College in Zhuhai, China. Christa Blaquiere, a chemistry major, is attending the University of Saskatchewan to pursue a PhD in organic chemistry. Marisol Campusano, a social work graduate, is studying at the University of Minnesota in pursuit of a master’s degree in social work. Brian Grande ’11, a data analyst associate for the Community Health department at Fairview Health Services, serves as a mentor in Augsburg’s Scholastic Connections program and as a board member for La Oportunidad, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that serves the Latino population. He assisted at La Oportunidad’s 2014 Latino Youth Peace and Leadership Conference, held at Augsburg. Management and finance major Jeffrey Hoberg is pursuing a master of business administration at Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas. Adam Langer is pursuing his MD at University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth. Lindsey Niederhaus, who studied chemistry and Spanish at Augsburg, is pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy at University of Minnesota. 2013 Rosie Benser, a sociology major and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a PhD in sociology at Syracuse University. Bao Bui majored in international relations at Augsburg and is attending the University of Trier in Germany to pursue a master’s degree in international economics and public policy. Brittany Kimball, a biology major at Augsburg, is a first-year medical student at Mayo Medical School. Peter Larsen, a political science, international relations, and religion major, is attending Georgetown University, where he is pursuing a doctorate in government. Jamila Lee is seeking a master’s degree in international counseling psychology at the University of St. Thomas. James “Bear” Mahowald, a sociology major, will pursue a doctorate in international studies at the University of Washington Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Will Matchett is pursuing a PhD in biomedical sciences at the Mayo Clinic. Luke Mueller studied history and mathematics at Augsburg and is now studying at Harvard University for a master’s degree in biostatistics. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Zamaya Taylor works at Hennepin County Medical Center as a certified phlebotomist in the outpatient lab. She plans to apply to graduate school this winter. Gottlieb Uahengo, a physics major and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at University of California, Riverside. Ali Wolfe, a biology and chemistry graduate, is enrolled at George Washington University in the physician assistant program. Kuoth Wiel ’13 shines in the new feature film, “The Good Lie.” See page 16. 2014 Urton Anderson is studying for a master’s degree in Professional Accounting at the University of Texas at Austin. Sierra Barger, a psychology alumna, has been accepted at the University of St. Thomas to pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Casey Bargsten is a freelance filmmaker. Katelyn Berens attends the College of St. Scholastica and is pursuing a master’s degree in athletic training. Katherine Berger is enrolled in Augsburg’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Kendra Bostick is working as a personal care assistant at Accra Care. Shannon Brankley is employed at Allina Health Systems as a registered nurse. Natalya Brown works for United International College in Zhuhai, China. Ameriprise Financial has employed Weston Burns as a financial adviser. Samantha Cantrall is working as a web marketing intern at Lifetouch. Anya Cleaver is employed as an administrative assistant at KRW International. Kimberly Club is employed as a community organizer at Friendly Streets. Casey Collins is a development assistant with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Catherine Colsrud was named commissioner of administration for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Colsrud holds a degree in business administration. Aaron Crenshaw is a business analyst with Ameriprise Financial. Vy Dam is an associate auditor at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause. Dereck Dasrath, is enrolled at the University of Minnesota pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Spring Fall 2014 2014 17 37 41 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Andrew Dent is studying library and information science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Elena Eveslage is employed as co-coordinator of Augsburg College Campus Kitchen. Casey Gintner is working in document management services at Night Owl. Nikolas Giwojna is pursuing a Master of Business Taxation degree at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Dustina Granlund has been hired as a project administrator at Travelers Insurance Companies. Katrina Hadler is an event assistant at Peak Entertainment. Ashley Hartman is a marketing assistant at Wilbur-Ellis. Alex Hein is a management trainee at Enterprise. Daniel Heu is employed in nutrition services at Fairview. Delissa Hernandez is employed as an accountant at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Luis Hernandez, a physics graduate, is pursuing a doctorate in material engineering at North Carolina State University. Elizabeth Hilgendorf attends the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and studies nursing. Abeni Hill was hired by United International College in Zhuhai, China. Kelsey Hlavac was hired by Grace Lutheran Church as director of Christian education and youth ministry. Brett Howe is a business analyst with United Health Group. Rayka Huq is a treasury accounting intern at Wells Fargo & Co. 42 Augsburg Now Chris Howard is a hotel manager at Marriott. Danielle Jackson is working as an associate educator at Minneapolis Public Schools. LaTrice Jones is a business analyst for CSM Corporation. Quintin Joseph is working in customer service at USA Today. McKay Karl is employed as a security counselor with Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Laura Keehn is employed as a cytotechnologist with VAMC. Khomson Kerati-thamkul, a chemistry and math graduate, is studying at University of Iowa for a doctorate in chemistry. Jamie Kienitz is working as a registered nurse and is employed by Fairview. Ravi Kimal serves as store executive team leader at Target. Kevin McKenna, a psychology graduate, is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University. Emily Rutten works for an adult rehabilitative mental health services program at Metro Psychology Support Services. Brian Moynihan is working as a baseball coach at South High School. Amineh Safi will study public policy at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Cody Nehiba, an economics graduate, is pursuing a doctorate in economics at the University of California, Irvine. Matthew Schirber is pursuing a master’s degree in advocacy and political leadership at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Katherine Nelson is working as a business analyst at Target. Samuel Schwartz is employed by United International College in Zhuhai, China. Nial Nelson-Hopkins is employed as a video editor in motion graphics for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Natalie Newberry is employed as a behavioral health intake social worker at Northpoint Health and Wellness Center. Carley Olson is pursuing a graduate degree in clarinet performance at the University of Minnesota School of Music. Meredyth Krug is working as a field organizer for Al Franken for Senate. Magaly Ortiz Aucapiña works for United International College in Zhuhai, China. Elizabeth Lopez Vazquez is employed by United International College in Zhuhai, China. Michael Pawlick is working as a financial advisor with Mutual of Omaha. Andrew Lund, a chemistry graduate, is attending University of Minnesota Dental School for his Doctor of Dental Surgery. Anna K. Peterson is an intern with the Washington County Historical Society. Zach Malecha is serving as a youth director at All Saints Lutheran Church. Anna C. Peterson has been accepted into the Master of Music in Performance program at the University of Iowa. Tiffany Mathews is working as a senior registered sales associate with Piper Jaffray. John Peterson is working as a production supervisor at UTC Aerospace Systems. Benjamin Mattson, a psychology graduate, is studying at St. Cloud State University for his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Holly Reddy is studying for a master’s degree in divinity at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Chiquila McCall is working as a social work administrator at Augsburg Fairview Academy. Amir Rose, a physics alumnus and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a doctorate in mechanical engineering at University of California, Riverside. Megan Sheridan is working as a dialysis technician with Fresnius. Austin Smith is in the leadership development program at Ameriprise Financial. Lavasha Smith is employed as a family support worker for The Family Partnership. Sheri Stevens is working as the medical coding manager at Fairview Medical Group. Micheale Tesema was hired by United International College in Zhuhai, China. Catherine Thao is working as a tutor at Minnesota Reading Corps. Jordan Van Dyk is employed as a promotion specialist with Gander Mountain. Samantha Vance is employed as a behavior therapist with Minnesota Autism Center. Ashley Waters, chemistry alumna and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a doctorate in chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. Anna Weitz is a program counselor with Pinnacle Home Services. Patrick Werle is pursuing a master’s in creative writing at Hamline University in St. Paul. Brittney Westgard is employed as a shelter advocate at St. Stephens. Emma Winegar is employed as a technical services problem solver at Epic. Vivieng Xiong is working at Travelers Insurance Companies as a senior account manager. Allison Zank, chemistry alumna and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a doctorate in chemistry at North Carolina State University. Submit a Class Note by December 31 for the spring 2015 edition of Augsburg Now to be entered into a drawing to win Ethnotek’s Vietnam 5 Wayu Pack. Use this form or go to augsburg.edu/alumni/connect to submit your Class Note. See story on page 30. Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at augsburg.edu/alumni/connect. ______________________________________________________ Full name ______________________________________________________ Maiden name David Zastrow has been hired by the ELCA as a young adult in global mission. He also is working as a marketing intern for the Minnesota Wild. ______________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ______________________________________________________ Street address Katherine (Zelz) MacDonald is studying at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a master’s degree in library science. ______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Is this a new address? q Yes q No GRADUATE PROGRAMS ______________________________________________________ Home telephone Jill Watson ’10 MBA is now a senior business analyst at ManageForce. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA received the 2013-14 District 6 Toastmaster of the Year award at the Toastmaster Leadership Institute annual meeting. This is one of the highest awards given to an individual for exceptional contribution and dedication to Toastmasters. District 6 has 10 divisions, 60 areas, 290 clubs and more than 5,000 members in Minnesota and Central Ontario, Canada. Jennifer Umberger ’11 MBA, director of university marketing at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Penn., was named to Lehigh Valley Business’s Forty Under 40 list. The winners were selected based on their professional accomplishments, leadership, vision, and community service. Umberger was appointed director of university marketing in 2012. She also serves as Midwest territory director for philanthropy for Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Send us your news and photos Phillip Petersen ’14 MBA is working as a business systems analyst II at Ameriprise Financial Services. Augsburg College men’s and women’s cross country head coach Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL finished 11th in the women’s 10,000-meter run at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. It was the 18th time Peyton has finished in the top 11 in various USA distance and cross country championships since 2009. ______________________________________________________ Email Okay to publish your email address? q Yes q No ______________________________________________________ Employer ______________________________________________________ Position ______________________________________________________ Work telephone Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No If yes, class year___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable) Your news: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Spring 2014 Fall 2014 17 43 In memoriam Edor C. Nelson ’38, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., age 100, on August 27. Darlin L. (Christensen) Johnson ’52, Kennewick, Wash., age 88, on August 3. Myra H. (Arends) Hennes ’64, Maple Grove, Minn., age 71, on May 24. Lois L. (Couture) Kyrklund ’38, Eden Prairie, Minn., age 97, on June 18. Arden J. Ramlo ’52, Eden Prairie, Minn., age 85, on May 11. Ordean L. Grant ’66, St. Charles, Minn., age 81, on July 21. Gretha M. (Halvorson) Loken ’38, Zumbrota, Minn., age 98, on August 1. Donald A. Norum ’54, Bemidji, Minn., age 81, on July 3. Robert “Bob” A. Holthe ’71, Red Wing, Minn., age 69, on June 5. Mabel A. (Nelson) Kingstad ’41, Williston, N.Dak., age 95, on June 28. James W. Anderson ’55, Bloomington, Minn., age 83, on June 8. Elwood A. Lepel ’74, West Richland, Wash., age 62, on August 8. Elizabeth M. (Pfutzenrenter) Bellinger ’43, Lake Forest, Calif., age 92, on July 27. Beverly F. (Omdahl) Nelson ’55, New London, Minn., age 80, on July 6. Lana M. (Pegors) Smith ’81, Eagle Grove, Iowa, age 61, on June 26. James H. Hanson ’45, Des Moines, Iowa, age 83, on June 30. Dorothy M. (Floistad) Benson ’56, Minneapolis, age 82, on June 8. Robert R. Wick ’81, St. Louis Park, Minn., age 54, on May 13. Barbara “Bobbie” (Larson) Buescher ’47, Midland, Texas, age 88, on June 13. David G. Jansen ’56, Crookston, Minn., age 79, on July 6. Kathleen K. Dooley ’85, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., age 72, on June 1. Donna M. (Quanbeck) Jacobson ’48, McVille, N.Dak., age 87, on June 25. Melvin W. Larson ’56, Las Vegas, Nev., age 85, on May 17. Thomas G. Furlong ’88, Minneapolis, age 50, on April 28. Clarence L. Miller ’48, Montgomery, Ala., age 92, on July 22. Kenneth G. Hagen ’58, Lake Mills, Wis., age 77, on May 11. Lara J. Elhard ’90, Hastings, Minn., age 46, on July 25. Robert “Bob” M. Segerstrom ’48, Burleson, Texas, age 86, on June 30. Donald A. Olsen ’60, New Brighton, Minn., age 83, on August 21. Ann M. (Hennessy) Russett ’94, Hanover, Minn., age 44, on May 31. Esther D. (Tungseth) Hinschberger ’49, Graham, Wash., age 88, on July 3. John D. Baxter ’61, Savage, Minn., age 88, on August 1. Hans O. Watson-Moklebust ’02, Des Moines, Iowa, age 35, on August 19. Verna M. (Sheveland) Anderson ’50, Minneapolis, age 85, on August 4. Barbara J. (Engen) Gilbertson ’61, Richardson, Texas, age 74, on January 31. Mary “Molly” E. Malone Chottepanda ’09, Hopkins, Minn., age 32, on May 29. Carol P. (Mickelson) Anderson ’51, Spicer, Minn., age 85, on July 24. Severt O. Score ’61, St. Cloud, Minn., age 85, on July 26. Lora P. Steil ’14, Decorah, Iowa, age 51, on May 25. Dorothy L. J. Swanson ’51, Minneapolis, age 86, on May 28. Harlin H. Haack ’62, Lakeville, Minn., age 86, on June 14. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 15. 44 Augsburg Now New to the Augsburg Gallery App 2014 If you want to get a glimpse into life at Augsburg, download our campus tour on your iPad or Android tablet by searching for the term “Augsburg Gallery.” View photos of campus and listen to students who live, work, play, and study on campus every day. The above publications also are available on the Augsburg Gallery App. 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Falling in love with nature’s canvas The St. Paul Pioneer Press recognized Augsburg College as one “of the best spots to absorb fall colors in the Twin Cities area.” While Augsburg’s entire Minneapolis campus features vivid shades of maroon, orange, and gold during autumn, it was the row of maple trees along the south side of Lindell Library that garnered the publication’s attention. The location also is a favorite for artists such as Larry Rostad, shown here, who created a watercolor beneath a canopy of spectacular fall foliage.
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Augsburg Now Fall 2016
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Augsburg Now Fall 2016: United in Community
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Play with purpose The space to learn An ambitious approach Homecoming 2016 FALL 2016 | VOL. 79, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the gif...
Show more Play with purpose The space to learn An ambitious approach Homecoming 2016 FALL 2016 | VOL. 79, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the gifts who are our students Last spring, a small group of Regents, faculty, staff, and alumni were charged by the Board of Regents with exploring long-term strategy for Augsburg, especially in light of shifting demographics, economic trends, and volatility in higher education. It was an inspiring process as we reflected on how Augsburg would remain faithful to its historic distinctions, while at the same time being relevant to a changing world. Perhaps the most compelling conclusion of the Futures Group was that Augsburg would be its best self in the years ahead as it remains radically student-centered, meeting students where they are and equipping them for lives of meaning and purpose. It is not a unique claim, this idea of being student-centered, but it is understood in diverse ways across higher education. For some, the claim means that students are customers or clients who deserve high-quality service. For others, it means that students are lumps of clay to be formed and shaped with particular values. For still others, the claim means that students are deeply engaged in the governance of the college or in its administrative decision-making. At Augsburg, though, the claim of being radically student-centered means something very different. For our community, each student is a gift, a gift to be received with gratitude and humility, a gift that surprises and engages us, a gift that changes us. Each summer, I tell our incoming students that their gifts of intellect and leadership and passion will make Augsburg a more faithful and successful college, even as we accompany them on their educational journeys. And I mean it. This issue of Augsburg Now illustrates well how the gifts who are our students have made all of us better. Read about alumna Maya Santamaria ’94, an entrepreneur whose Augsburg education has shaped her community work in Minneapolis. Witness the stories of our remarkable student-athletes, partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota to show how intellectual differences need not get in the way of teamwork and sportsmanship. Hear the stories of this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Spirit of Augsburg awardees, whose lives are testaments to how Augsburg’s mission is lived out across the world and generations. And perhaps most powerfully, learn about how Gov. Mark Dayton declared August 29, 2016, as Augsburg College Equity Day in Minnesota, recognizing Augsburg for its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice. As one staff member told me on that special occasion, this work is “a love letter to our students,” a recognition that our remarkably diverse students, who come to us with their many experiences and talents, are gifts that have changed us forever and for the better. What gifts we have been given for almost 150 years! They ground our vision to be “a new kind of student-centered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” Faithfully yours, Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writer Kate H. Elliott augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu. AUGSBURG NOW Fall 2016 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 This fall, Augsburg College hosted the national Lilly Fellows Program Conference. The event focused on the theme, “Reformed and Always Reforming: Faith, Science, Art, and Culture,” and featured the Rev. Paul Oman, founder of Drawn to the Word ministry, who painted an artistic expression of the Reformation. 02 Around the quad 22 Homecoming 2016 08 Annual report to donors 24 Auggies connect 10 Play with purpose 27 Class notes 16 The space to learn 20 An ambitious approach 32 In memoriam On the cover Augsburg College students show their school spirit at the 2016 Homecoming pep rally. Learn more about the celebration on pages 22-23. Photo by Caroline Yang. Inset photo by Courtney Perry. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING SCALES HEIGHTS The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is on track to open for classes in January 2018. In the six months since the April 29 groundbreaking, McGough Construction and its subcontractors have completed the concrete work for the partial basement and most of the four floors of the north wing, and the three floors of the west wing. As the cement work has finished, the team has undertaken installation of electrical conduit, plumbing, and framing for interior walls. Weekly construction updates are available at augsburg.edu/hagforscenter. 2 Augsburg Now The Hagfors Center brings together the study of global business, advanced science and technology, and religious dialogue. It is home to eight academic departments: Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Mathematics Physics Psychology Religion Structural rendering of the Hagfors Center courtesy of McGough Construction COLLEGE AWARDS 2016 President’s Interfaith and Community Service Honor Roll—Finalist with Distinction: Augsburg College was one of five finalists in the United States named to the prestigious President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction in the interfaith community service category. This is the seventh year the College has earned this recognition. The AugSTEM Scholars Program, funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, supports students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The scholars participated in Zyzzogeton, a celebration of student research. Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report named Augsburg one of the best universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on factors including average first-year retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, studentto-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. $1 MILLION GRANT PREPARES STUDENTS for graduate school, meaningful work The National Science Foundation awarded Augsburg College a highly competitive $1 million grant for continued support of the AugSTEM Scholars Program. Under the direction of Professor Rebekah Dupont, the program will provide scholarships to as many as 80 academically talented students with financial need who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and math. The four-year grant is part of NSF’s work to address the need for a highquality, diverse workforce. With a traditional undergraduate student body that is more than 35 percent persons of color, Augsburg is well positioned to support this goal. The program provides direct financial support, delivers hands-on learning, offers research opportunities, and pairs each student with a faculty mentor. Research shows this combination of hands-on learning and close mentorship is highly effective in helping students leave college ready for graduate school and the workplace. Augsburg recognized for being studentcentered: The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student engagement in the learning process in their inaugural ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The student engagement score is based largely on results of a student survey that addressed how challenging classes are, whether they foster critical thinking and prompt students to make connections to the real world, and how much interaction the students have with faculty and other students. Auggie earns “Most Promising Young Poet” national honor Donte Collins ’18 was named the “Most Promising Young Poet” by the Academy of American Poets this fall. His poem, “what the dead know by heart,” previously won Augsburg’s John R. Mitchell Prize, which qualified him for the prestigious competition. Collins is a theater major who is active in the local, regional, and national spoken word and poetry scene. Collins told Minnesota Public Radio that he plans to use the $1,000 prize from the award to self-publish his first collection of poetry, a chapbook called “autopsies.” PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 Editor’s Note: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 1565060 and 1154096. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities: College Choice ranked Augsburg No. 13 of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities in 2016 for having strong programming and solid support services that meet the physical, social, and academic requirements of students with learning disabilities and special needs. Best LGBT Friendly Colleges and Universities: College Choice ranked Augsburg among the 50 Best LGBT Friendly Colleges and Universities in 2016 for having a strong and proven history of creating quality programming for the LGBT community and its allies. Fall 2016 3 Augsburg partners with MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO to deliver Strommen Engagement Series A new partnership with Minnesota Public Radio means the Augsburg College Strommen Engagement Series is poised to spark dialogue on some of the state’s pressing contemporary issues. The reimagined Strommen Engagement Series was created in collaboration with MPR as part of the “Conversations on the Creative Economy” program hosted by Chris Farrell. He is a senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and personal finance program. For the 2016-17 academic year, MPR and Augsburg will explore: • Living in Recovery—Working in a Culture of Alcohol: A discussion on the health cost to a business when employees are chemically dependent and how professionals in recovery are working to remove the stigma of addiction and the culture of drinking in business. • Global Food in a Farm-to-Table World: A discussion on how companies are adapting to environmental and consumer demands to be more sustainable and still grow food for 7 billion people. • Worship in the Workplace: A discussion about the business advantages of accommodating the faith traditions of employees and how leaders navigate these situations. • Banking on the Unbankable: A discussion on how financial institutions create both a business product and a social good for people who traditionally would not have access Go to augsburg.edu/now to financial tools. for details. Governor declares ‘AUGSBURG COLLEGE EQUITY DAY’ Gov. Mark Dayton declared Aug. 29, 2016, “Augsburg College Equity Day” in recognition of the College’s commitment to equity and justice, and its efforts to close the opportunity gap in Minnesota. President Paul Pribbenow met with leaders of the Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board to discuss Minnesota’s educational achievement gap among children and youth of diverse backgrounds. The state has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation, and Augsburg is working to ensure all students of academic ability have access to higher education. The College’s pledge to this work includes limited debt pathways to graduation, setting aside dedicated housing for homeless students, increasing financial aid literacy, supporting faculty in creating inclusive classrooms, and increasing access to course materials. The College was applauded for this leadership through a compelling editorial, “Augsburg College leads the call for campus equity,” written and published by the Star Tribune editorial board on Aug. 30. ARCHIVE PHOTO PHOTO BY BRIANA ALAMILLA ’17 NOW AND THEN: AUGGIE HOMECOMING [Left]: Current students play dodgeball in Si Melby gymnasium. [Right]: Jan (Koepcke) Steller ’66, a member of this year’s 50th reunion class, snaps the football during a 1965 coed Homecoming matchup. 4 Augsburg Now All good Homecoming celebrations need some friendly competition, right? This year, Augsburg College students got into the competitive spirit at a dodgeball tournament that pitted Auggie against Auggie in a battle testing speed, agility, and … fashion sense. The event’s companion costume contest proved to be a lighthearted update on a long-time tradition. Coed sporting events have been part of Augsburg Homecoming for decades, and the outfits seem to get better with time. See highlights from Homecoming on pages 22-23. AROUND THE QUAD SOOTHING SOUNDS: Auggies compose music for pediatric patients Music therapy major Tristan Gavin ’16 records a composition for use at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. COURTESY PHOTOS CONVOCATION SERIES 2016-17 Augsburg College’s annual convocation series offers the community meaningful opportunities to engage with contemporary issues and to hear from speakers who are renowned in their fields. In September, the series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring bestselling author, public theologian, and social activist Jim Wallis and his presentation, “The Bridge to a New America.” Wallis is president and founder of Sojourners, a nonprofit, faith-based organization whose mission is to put faith into action for social justice. In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation welcomed Kristin Neff, an education psychologist and associate professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas at Austin. Her presentation was titled, “Self-Compassion: How to be an Inner Ally Rather than an Inner Enemy.” Augsburg College music therapy students created original compositions to help patients and families at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital get better sleep. During the 2016 spring semester, students in the Music Therapy Senior Seminar course taught by Annie Heiderscheit, director of the Master of Music Therapy program, wrote lullabies as part of a community partnership. The music therapy students worked with music business students and their advisor, Augsburg Instructor Dain Estes, to produce high-quality recordings for use on the hospital’s network of digital, interactive health care features. Individuals can choose to play the calming tunes using devices in their hospital rooms. The Auggies’ compositions also are part of a pilot study that is exploring whether listening to music helps improve sleep quality in patients and families who use it in the pediatric intensive care unit. SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Monday, Jan. 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All events are free, public, and held in the Foss Center. For detailed information, go to augsburg.edu/convo. Fall 2016 5 BOARD OF REGENTS Jeffrey Nodland ’77 Nicholas Gangestad ’86 WELCOMES NEW CHAIR AND MEMBERS Jeffrey Nodland ’77, president and chief executive officer of KIK Custom Products, was elected chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents at its April 2016 meeting and began his term July 1. Nodland will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected six new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three members. Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo Rachel Pringnitz ’02, ’07 MBA • Nicholas Gangestad ’86, senior vice president and chief financial officer of 3M • Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA, a staff consultant, professor of medicine, and medical director of internal practice at Mayo Clinic • Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, an ordained Lutheran pastor serving All Nations Indian Church of the United Church of Christ and executive director of the Council for American Indian Ministry of the UCC • Rachel Pringnitz ’02, ’07 MBA, operations administrator for the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic • Jill Nelson Thomas, philanthropist and board member for multiple nonprofits, including Family & Children’s Services of Oklahoma • Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW, former president and chief executive officer of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches PHOTOS BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN Elected to a second or third term: Jill Nelson Thomas Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW 6 Augsburg Now • Mark Eustis, an organizational leadership and governance advisor for health systems • Alexander Gonzalez ’90, financial consultant at Thrivent Financial • Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund HOME SWEET HOMEPAGE: Augsburg launches redesigned website College and university websites are often the first place students turn to for reliable information when they research schools. This fall, Augsburg unveiled a website redesign offering prospective students a fresh experience and encouraging them to learn more about the College. The new look took more than a year to research, plan, design, and develop. Now this work is on display on the site’s top-level sections, which showcase how Augsburg positively influences Auggies from their first day in class to decades after graduation. Visit augsburg.edu to see the new design. AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT A look at erratic weather and climate change with John Zobitz “Do we live in the tropics?” In early fall, a Minneapolis Star Tribune article asked this question. While readers surely answered “no,” the story described the recent soggy summer in which Midwestern Regional Climate Center weather data showed the Twin Cities got twice as much rain as usual in August, contributing to the fourth-wettest summer since records began in 1895. Associate Professor John Zobitz studies math and how it relates to climate. Scientists point to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as one of the culprits in global warming. Zobitz uses mathematical modeling to conduct environmental science research on several topics, including carbon uptake. For years, Zobitz has helped media make sense of unusual weather across the country. He commented on record-setting snowfall in Buffalo, New York, following a November 2014 blast, as well as the return of wintry weather during an April 2013 whiteout in Augsburg’s own backyard. Here’s a glimpse into the world of climate science—an area where the forecast can have more to do with mathematical formulas than tomorrow’s high temp. Q: How can mathematicians’ expertise help environmental scientists and climatologists? A: Mathematicians test and evaluate hypotheses through mathematical and computational models. We model and benchmark future global temperatures based on current scenarios, hopefully providing an informed context for climate policy decisions. Q: A: Hasn’t the Earth always warmed and cooled throughout history? Yes, but what is alarming is both the amount and the rate of the increase. The global monthly temperature has been warmer than average for 360 consecutive months (that’s every month during the past 30 years). That persistent global pattern underscores a shift in global temperature beyond natural temperature cycles. Q: A: Do unusually cold temperatures in an area dispute global warming? No. An important thing to remember is that global temperature represents an average across a global network of monitoring stations. Climate change will affect each area differently: some areas might warm and some areas may cool, but the overall trend of global temperature is increasing. Q: A: Do you think climate change is inevitable? A key concept in calculus is the accumulation of smaller pieces to one larger whole. If we want to reduce climate change, small changes in our daily lives such as driving less and reducing waste, together, may accumulate to a large effect. Q: What does it mean to our future, as human beings, if climate change continues as it has in the past 30 years? A: We need to recognize that we live in a rapidly changing world where “normal weather” is the exception rather than the rule. Adapting—and innovating— in an environment of constant change will become key for success. Fall 2016 7 ALISON RANUM ’17 NAZIH SAFI ’17 Hometown: Minneapolis Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota Studying: Biology and Exercise Science Studying: Mathematics and Management Information Systems Roy and Eleanor Krohn Scholarship With thanks: “College is an expensive investment, and without the donors who have been so kind to help me along the way, attending Augsburg College would not be an option for me. Thank you so much.” 8 Augsburg Now Beverly Durkee Mathematics Scholarship With thanks: “Thank you for your continuous support of student learning. It feels good to know that I go to a college where the alumni really care about furthering their alma mater.” REVENUE BY SOURCE 2015-16 AUGSBURG COLLEGE 67% ANNUAL REPORT TUITION TO DONORS 19% T 3% PRIVATE GIFTS AND GRANTS 7% o the people who understand that together we can build and shape a campus, a community, and the world for lifetimes to come, thank you. To the people who are hard-working, inspired, and trying to make a difference and impact the future locally and internationally, thank you. To the 4,965 individuals who gave $17,689,103 for multiple programs, projects, and funds, thank you. To the community who gave $1,551,262 to the Augsburg Fund, thank you. Thank you for making this community a place where we are developing informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Whether you were a student 50 or five years ago or are a friend of Augsburg College, Auggies like you are what keep an Augsburg education sustainable, faithful, and relevant long into the future. ROOM AND BOARD GOVERNMENT GRANTS 4% OTHER SOURCES EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 41% SALARIES AND BENEFITS 31% FINANCIAL AID 13% OPERATING EXPENSES* 7% CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 3% Thank you. 3% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. DEBT SERVICE UTILITIES AND INSURANCE 2% STUDENT SALARIES ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $40.5 May 31, 2016—$39,412,669 MIKE SHAW ’17 Professor Jeanne Boeh and Mr. Bernhard Fleming Economics Scholarship $32.4 Augsburg College’s influence: “Augsburg has pushed me to do my absolute best at school and forced me to think how I can use the skills I am developing to help my community.” $28.2 $27.8 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 Hometown: Minneapolis Studying: Business Administration and Economics $38.3 $29.8 $24.5 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 As of May 31, 2016, Augsburg College had annual realized and unrealized losses of 3.23 percent on the College endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 3.52 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 3.49 percent. The College is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to the College in perpetuity. Special Olympics Minnesota and Augsburg College team up BY KATE H. ELLIOTT 10 Augsburg Now All eyes are on a group of athletes in college basketball jerseys. There are short ones, tall ones, fast ones, and slow ones—some having good days and others feeling off their game. An athlete flies through the air, dunking a ball. High-fives, cheers, and clapping echo through the rafters. Moments later, voices rise. “No, no, the other way,” shouts an encouraging spectator trying to prompt an athlete dribbling with authority toward the wrong basket. A foul, some underhand throws, and then a pause for a player with a medical issue. Play resumes. More commotion. Sneakers skid across the gym floor as the spectrum of abilities and disabilities blurs. Then, the buzzer sounds, but the final score isn’t the focus given the diversions of smiling, sweaty faces and celebratory exchanges among athletes. The February game brought together teams comprising athletes from Augsburg College, Hamline University, and Special Olympics Minnesota—the first in a series of ongoing Unified Sports competitions that pair individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Auggie participation reflects the Augsburg Athletic Department’s broader effort— spearheaded by its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee—to engage student-athletes in meaningful, life-changing community service. And in this game, everyone wins: dozens of student-athletes such as Sean Adams ’17 are building lasting bonds and gaining a more sophisticated understanding of ability; Minnesota’s more than 8,000 Special Olympics athletes such as Alec Kelsey are gaining confidence, training, and lifelong friends; and PHOTOS BY MATT HIGGINS, MIAC Augsburg alumni such as Steele Krause ’16, are leading informed, engaged lives after graduation. Krause said volunteerism through Augsburg transformed his idea of service from “checking a box” to a way of life. “At Augsburg, my idea of service evolved from logging hours to serving with purpose and gaining a true understanding of each organization,” said the former men’s basketball player now living in Denver. “Last week, I stopped by the Colorado Special Olympics office to learn more about ways to get involved.” Augsburg’s embrace of unified competition in the past year has intensified personal connections and impact, said Adams, a captain of Augsburg’s men’s cross country and men’s track and field teams. “Out there on the court, it didn’t matter whether someone had a disability or not; we were all working toward a common goal and all had strengths to contribute to the team,” he said, reflecting on a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Special Olympics D-III Week Unified Basketball Tournament held in April at Macalester College. “Playing alongside others—next to their pure love for the game and competition—reminds me why I love sports.” The winner of each Augsburg-Hamline Unified Rivalry competition—such as the basketball game pictured—earns the “Unified Hammer,” a trophy similar to the ceremonial sledge hammer passed since 2005 between the schools each time their varsity football teams square off. Fall 2016 11 In February, a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete had the chance to skate the Minnesota Wild flag to center ice during an Augsburg College men’s hockey game. The Minnesota Wild hosts several events each year to celebrate “The State of Hockey,” and Augsburg facilitated this unique partnership between SOMN and the professional sports team. PHOTO BY KEVIN HEALY Augsburg has partnered with Special Olympics since 2011, when NCAA Division III formally began supporting the organization’s efforts to provide year-round training and competition for more than 5.3 million children and adults in 170 countries. But Augsburg upped its game in 2016 by committing to pair with Special Olympics Minnesota each month of the academic year. SOMN named Augsburg a Champion School, one of only five institutions in the state recognized for student leadership and advocacy, campus involvement, and participation in Unified Sports. Michael Kane, vice president of SOMN’s area programs and initiatives, said the organization is eager to strengthen existing collaborations, including regional bowling championships, hockey tournaments, and the organization’s most popular fundraiser, the Polar Plunge—during which Auggies, along with thousands of Minnesotans, jump into icy lakes. Augsburg’s passionate drive to advance understanding, acceptance, and healthy living is elevating SOMN’s reach and reputation, particularly among the next generation. “Augsburg College is a great example of an institution striving to make inclusion a reality,” Kane said. “Students and staff have fully embraced Special 12 Augsburg Now Olympics Minnesota by volunteering at competitions and planning to host a wide variety of events and activities. Hundreds of Augsburg students have stood up to make these events and activities possible.” Guiding Augsburg’s increased involvement is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a group of about 50 student-athlete volunteers committed to enriching the student experience through a range of relevant service opportunities. Jane Becker is Augsburg’s head volleyball coach and athletic community service coordinator, and Jennifer Jacobs is an assistant athletic director, assistant volleyball coach and advisor for SAAC, overseeing the student-run organization with representation from all of Augsburg’s 21 teams. The pair talk at length about the importance of student-athletes connecting with the community. Augsburg student-athletes and teams host clinics and open gyms for neighboring schools, help area churches renovate, and build partnerships—like the Unified Rivalry with Hamline—to foster lasting friendships and healthy competition. Becker and Jacobs lift up the committee’s work with Special Olympics because it advances the lessons of determination, teamwork, and heart that coaches promote on the court and in the field. They hear of perceptions changed and career paths adjusted because of these meaningful experiences. “Our student-athletes are putting in long hours of competition, making grades, and then giving themselves to others,” said Jacobs. “The amount of time and energy our student-athletes dedicate to Special Olympics and other volunteer opportunities is inspiring. They are committed to making an impact, relationship building, and experiential learning.” Rachel Frantz ’17, co-president of SAAC, said she and her peers are energized by the heart and competitiveness of Special Olympics athletes. She has friends such as Tom, who competes in speed walking and swimming. Non-verbal, Tom communicates through sign and body language. “His favorite gesture,” Frantz said, “is his signature hug that last about three minutes.” It’s hard to let go of those types of connections. “Special Olympics athletes teach me how to come as I am and do my best. They support one another and foster a positive environment where each athlete can grow,” said the biology major, who has participated for the past six years in Special Olympics events, including jumping in an icy lake during the Polar Plunge, competing in a unified basketball game, and volunteering at basketball, swimming, and track and field events, which happen to be her favorite. “The athletes are always congratulating all of their competitors, regardless of their finish,” Frantz said. “I love cheering them on as they achieve a new personal record or finish a difficult race.” Beyond friendships and lasting memories within the community, these experiences inspire bonds among Augsburg student-athletes as well as the general student body, many of whom also serve Special Olympics. Frantz, a competitor in lacrosse, cross country, and track, who likes snorkeling, rock climbing, and choir, might not have gotten to know Adams, who plays guitar and acts in his roommate’s short films. But, through SAAC, the two have volunteered together, growing closer with every project. “It’s been a privilege to build upon the good work of those who led the committee before us,” said Adams, who serves as co-chair of SAAC’s volunteering committee. “The evolution to unified competitions and partnerships AUGSBURG AS A CHAMPION SCHOOL Augsburg is one of only five Special Olympics Champion Schools in Minnesota. The designation is granted to institutions that excel in three areas: Unified Sports, student leadership and advocacy, and campus involvement. • Unified Sports: Augsburg student-athletes participate alongside Special Olympics Minnesota athletes in clinics and competitions. In partnership with Hamline University, Auggies cofounded the first Unified Rivalry in Minnesota. Special Olympics Minnesota created the Unified Hammer trophy given to the winner of these competitions throughout the year. • Student Leadership and Advocacy: The more than 50 student-athlete leaders on Augsburg’s StudentAthlete Advisory Committee work with SOMN to activate students, engage faculty, and promote communities of acceptance. • Campus Involvement: Augsburg student-athletes have enthusiastically recruited students to create teams for the Polar Plunge and other key SOMN events held throughout the year. The campus also has held Respect Campaigns, including Spread the Word to End the Word, which discourages people from using demeaning, offensive, or inaccurate terms. “Our events are volunteer driven, and I’m just not sure what we would do without Augsburg student-athletes volunteering at every turn,” said Devin Kaasa, the college partnership and competition manager for SOMN. “Their work fosters respect and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities and changes actions and attitudes among their peers without intellectual disabilities.” Members of the Augsburg football team volunteer at the 2016 Fall Games organized by Special Olympics Minnesota. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA with other colleges in the area is expanding our reach and feels more authentic and influential than cheering from the sidelines.” Friends across the river, Hamline’s SAAC advisor and women’s volleyball coach Becky Egan and senior softball player Mary-Clare Couillard, said they, too, have big hopes to grow from several rivalry games to multiple contests and volunteer efforts throughout the year. “Our campuses can have such a positive impact for Special Olympics athletes, and I hope to see us doing all that we can to help out,” said Couillard, who has interned with Special Olympics since June. Egan echoed her sentiments. “Since our campuses are so close, it is easy for our student-athletes to travel and stay excited about volunteering,” Egan said. “The more inclusive we become with other schools in our conference, the healthier the competitions become across our other sports, and it broadens connections among all our student-athletes.” PHOTO BY MATT HIGGINS, MIAC 14 Augsburg Now passing year. During a January 2016 game against Saint Mary’s University, the Augsburg College women’s hockey Devin Kaasa, the college partnership team recognized more than 100 Special and competition manager for SOMN, Olympics athletes in attendance with a is the main contact for schools in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the game. MIAC as they build and strengthen their Proceeds from puck purchases for a relationship with the nonprofit. Kaasa, halftime “Chuck-A-Puck” competition whose brother has participated in Special benefitted SOMN. The following Olympics for 20 years, said he has been weekend, the hockey players volunteered showcasing positive Augsburg-Hamline at the Special Olympics Minnesota State outcomes to promote similar interactions Poly Hockey Tournament. among the conference’s 13 schools. In early March, Auggies raised more “Our athletes look up to studentthan $1,000 for the 19th annual Polar athletes because of Plunge event at their abilities and Lake Calhoun in “Augsburg College is a great energy. To some, Minneapolis. The example of an institution striving 2016 plunge season these college to make inclusion a reality.” students are like raised more than –Michael Kane professionals, and $3.9 million for playing alongside Special Olympics’ them is such a thrill,” Kaasa said. “I athletic, health, and leadership love Augsburg because they are always programs for children and adults with up for trying a new idea, and I can intellectual disabilities. always count on them to serve.” Just this September, members of Augsburg’s involvement with SOMN the Augsburg football team helped out has been diverse and expansive, with SOMN’s Fall Games where athletes growing in size and scope with each competed in equestrian, softball, bocce, and golf events. Each month, the NCAA Division III features a Special Olympics Spotlight Poll, asking fans to vote on one of three compelling stories highlighting efforts at various institutions and conferences. With 1,300 votes, the MIAC won the July spotlight (and $500 toward its next Special Olympics event) for hosting the first-ever conference-wide unified tournament. Mark Kelsey’s son, Alec, was among the 50 Special Olympics athletes who competed alongside student-athletes from Augsburg, Carleton, Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas in an eightteam, double-elimination tournament held during the fifth annual NCAA Division III Week in April. At 6-foot-2, 25-year-old Alec loves basketball, lives for the moment, and never looks for an excuse to quit, even after a seizure on the court. “Special Olympics athletes represent the best of what sports has to offer—no fear, no nerves, no hate, all heart,” said Kelsey, who started the West Metro Warriors Special Olympics delegation in the Twin Cities 10 years ago. “Alec rarely gets through a game without a seizure, but I cannot tell you how excited and proud he and his fellow athletes are to play with college studentathletes. We were particularly impressed with Augsburg’s showing at the tournament … while one team played, the other team cheered with Special Olympics athletes. It was magical, and I can only hope those Auggies were so moved in such a deep and positive way that they become forever advocates for inclusion and acceptance.” As a recent graduate, Krause regularly reflects on the intersection of athletic, religious, and academic experiences he enjoyed at Augsburg. His time learning to live with purpose “sparked a craving for personal and communal excellence” and a desire to create a stable, nourishing, and joyful environment for his community. “Being involved with SOMN was humbling and gratifying … and being able to use my knowledge and skills within various sports is empowering,” said Krause, a former SAAC copresident who works as an account manager for Pacific Office Automation. “I am extremely proud to be an Auggie, and I will always refer myself as such. Augsburg’s commitment to community is astounding, and it keeps getting better every year.” At Augsburg, Krause said, he learned that volunteering is as much about selfreflection after the experience as it is about the outcome of the service. Only then can people begin to understand more about the world around them and assess (and possibly adjust) their attitudes and actions. “I no longer just show up to volunteer and then leave when the job is done,” he said. “It sticks with me, urging me to think about how my involvement and experiences shape my life, and how I can continue to make a difference.” To learn more about Augsburg’s athletic teams and service, including Auggie involvement with Special Olympics, go to augsburg.edu/now. [Far left]: The Augsburg-Hamline Unified Rivalry series began with basketball games and has grown to include several activities. The schools hosted a flag football game in October and will sponsor a softball game this spring. [Center photos]: Augsburg football players helped facilitate softball and bocce ball activities at the 2016 Fall Games series organized by Special Olympics Minnesota. [Far right]: Athletes take a break from the action during a MIAC conferencewide unified basketball tournament held in April at Macalester College. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA Fall 2016 15 S. E I G G U A . BE D U O R P D. BE E L L A C E B AUGSBURG COLLEGE’S 2016 HOMECOMING CELEBRATION was held Sept. 22-24—a festive PHOTO BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ‘11 weekend when alumni, students, and families took part in new events and beloved traditions. More than 500 alumni from 64 different graduation years attended celebrations, including reunions for the classes of 1966, 1976, 1991, and 2006. PHOTO BY REBECCA ZENEFSKI Ten Auggies were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame after being welcomed to the ceremony by current student-athletes. During a Homecoming lunch with alumni award recipients, students were invited to share in discussion with recipients of the First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni awards. In an evening ceremony, six alumni and two honorary Auggies received awards and were recognized for their generous service to the world. 22 Augsburg Now PHOTO BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ’11 PHOTOS BY COURTNEY PERRY The Taste of Augsburg featured 38 booths—most hosted by student groups—and offered games, entertainment, and food, including the Augsburg Chemistry Society’s liquid nitrogen ice cream. Augsburg won the football game against Carleton College, and alumni, families, and students stayed after the game to enjoy s’mores at an Auggie Block Party featuring the band Broken Spoke. Bob Stacke ’71 This year, 30 Homecoming events celebrated the best of Augsburg, from an all-band reunion to Auggie Talks led by alumni, staff, and faculty experts. The Centennial Singers and an alumni band led by Professor Emeritus and Spirit of Augsburg Award recipient Bob Stacke ’71 invigorated the chapel at a worship service where Associate College Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres welcomed all Auggies with a “Home Calling” message. Fall 2016 23 AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, T he Alumni Board has made exciting changes to better serve Augsburg College graduates and current students. We reorganized our board committees, and we’re already seeing the fantastic engagement and work of two new groups. • The new Parent and Family Committee shares information about Augsburg and its services with families. We’re thankful to the Parent and Family Committee for helping students move into campus housing this fall. Committee chair Howie Smith ’80 joined Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’11 MBA to help with first-year student move-in day. Committee members Derek Francis ’08 and Hannah Dietrich Swanson ’05 assisted with new student orientation. The committee hosts two parent and family nights per year, and the next event is March 2. • Rick Bonlender ’78, Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA, Adriana Matzke ’13, and Brad Randall ’13 on the new Adult Education Committee will focus on the growing adult undergraduate and graduate studies alumni communities. I attended Augsburg College as an MBA student from 2008 to 2010, and I’m inspired by this work. Whether you remember your time at Augsburg as a cohort, a class, or a team—as a grad student, traditional undergraduate, or adult undergraduate—there is a place for all in the upcoming events at the College. The MBA networking event on October 25 was a welcome chance to see former cohort members for a mini-reunion and to get involved mentoring a future Auggie MBA. As a board, we strive to better serve the College, our fellow alumni, and— perhaps most importantly—Augsburg’s current students. We’re looking ahead to our next Alumni-Student Networking event on February 8. Last year, we had 260 participants—a record-breaking attendance that included students, alumni, and faculty. Thanks to all who helped recruit attendees, facilitate introductions, and open doors for Auggies! I look forward to our continued service and engagement with the Augsburg community. JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT 24 Augsburg Now For more information about alumni events, see augsburg.edu/now. The StepUP® Program at Augsburg College has had a successful year. As the largest residential collegiate recovery program in the United States, StepUP is regarded as the gold standard for programs of its kind. Now in its 20th year, StepUP empowers students to champion lives of recovery, achieve academic success, and thrive in a residential community of accountability and support. StepUP celebrated its annual gala October 29, and the event focused on the theme of “hope.” The gala is an opportunity to reduce the stigma often associated with substance use disorders by raising awareness—and honoring the accomplishments and contributions—of StepUP’s 100 students and 750 alumni. At the gala, emcee Don Shelby, an Emmyaward-winning former news anchor and person in recovery, welcomed supportive Auggies, families, friends, and advocates for recovery. Peter Hubbard ’10 spoke about his work with StepUP alumni to create chances for StepUP students to learn about life after graduation, network, and explore concerns with those who have followed a similar path. The Barbara and Skip Gage family received the Toby Piper LaBelle award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to education at Augsburg. The Gage’s dedicated support of the CLASS program, Lindell Library, Gage Family Art Gallery, and Gage Center for Student Success furthers Augsburg’s ability to live out its mission of serving the diverse needs, gifts, and experiences of its students. In addition, the contributions of The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation were recognized with the inaugural Keystone Award for institutional support. To continue the deep success of the StepUP Program, the College has launched an endowment campaign for the program. The campaign is nearly halfway to its goal of raising $10 million by 2017. The endowment will allow the College to increase enrollment in the program, to maintain StepUP’s unparalleled community experience, and retain StepUP’s exceptional counselors and staff. Visit augsburg.edu/stepup to learn more. AUGGIES CONNECT GENEROSITY OF ALUMNI fuels research, hands-on opportunities for Auggies Two influential Augsburg College alumni, Terry Lindstrom ’73 and Dean Sundquist ’81, have found that giving back to their alma mater is a way to inspire young researchers to pursue their passions. They have chosen to support the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity, known as “URGO,” which aligns students’ interests in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), social sciences, humanities, and the arts with research by faculty. Each year, research by more than 20 Augsburg students is funded by the College for 10 weeks each summer. Because of the committed support of Lindstrom and Sundquist, 16 additional scholars participate in URGO and receive a stipend. This financial support is critical to providing the hands-on, skills-based training students need to successfully apply to graduate school and to shape meaningful careers. “Fundamentals are absolutely essential,” Lindstrom said, “but it was the research experience that helped me determine what I wanted to do.” Lindstrom and his wife, Janet, plan to fund URGO students for the next three years, just as they have since 2013, and will ensure the perpetuity of their scholarships through their estate plan. “Everyone deserves to find the career that creates passion,” said Lindstrom, who retired in 2010 as a distinguished research fellow at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, where he spent 31 years in drug discovery and development. Eager to find real-world applications to benefit society, Lindstrom earned his PhD in pharmacology and biochemistry at the University of Minnesota after his Augsburg graduation. He led the research teams that resulted in a half-dozen patents for life-changing pharmaceuticals, including Evista for osteoporosis and Cymbalta, used as an antidepressant and for bone and muscle pain. He visited campus this past summer to meet faculty and student researchers—including four students he sponsored directly: Josh Kuether ’18, Taylor Mattice ’18, Adam Pancoast ’18, and Ellyn Peters ’18. Similarly, since 2006, Sundquist, a member of the College’s Board of Regents, and his wife, Amy, have sponsored research by URGO students. Sundquist visited campus this summer as well to meet with the 12 students he sponsors and learn His campus visit was a chance to see the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in students as they researched projects with their mentors, including Assistant Professor Matt Beckman, Associate Professor Vivian Feng, and Assistant Professor Michael Wentzel. “These URGO students are very smart and very impressive. They go on from Augsburg to graduate school and medical school and business school with research experience and the confidence to succeed at the next level,” Sundquist said. Ultimately, generosity of people like Lindstrom and Sundquist has had a transformational effect on thousands [L to R]: Terry Lindstrom ’73 watches as chemistry student Taylor Mattice ’18 draws out a chemical reaction scheme from her summer research project with Assistant Professor Michael Wentzel, her faculty mentor. about their research. As chairman and CEO of Mate Precision Tooling, a worldwide leader in metal products and laser technologies, he has a global perspective and understanding of how scientific improvements propel the economy. of students. Alumni create learning opportunities that prepare students to solve real-world problems, develop lifelong relationships with peers and faculty, and deliver a uniquely Augsburg summer. Fall 2016 25 Augsburg women inspired to fund transformative mural in new academic building For women who are driven to lead and participate, meeting a fundraising goal for Augsburg College doesn’t mean your work is done. It just means it’s time to engage in another meaningful challenge to continue positively impacting the lives of Augsburg students, faculty, staff, and the CedarRiverside neighborhood. That’s just what Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) is doing through the leadership of Lisa Svac Hawks ’85, vice president of external communications for UnitedHealthcare, who was moved to make a lead gift to fund a mural planned for the interdisciplinary Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. “When I learned about the way Augsburg is bringing these disciplines together under one roof, I knew this was something distinctive and powerful,” said Hawks. “The Hagfors Center will measurably contribute to shaping greater leaders for tomorrow.” The mural that AWE will fund, titled “Emergence,” incorporates the image of monarch butterflies with references to symbiosis, textile traditions, geometry, faith, home, prayer, and identity. The $150,000 project will express the College’s commitments to hospitality and serving the neighbor, two core principles of the Lutheran tradition in which the College is rooted. The large-scale mural will adorn the staircase at the end of the west wing. Making the lead gift for this powerful installation, which will be created by muralist Greta McLain, came naturally to Hawks. “Art has a special way of helping us experience what it means to come together in a new way. Art helps us visualize new futures. It helps us connect to big concepts and to engage emotionally with them so we can see ourselves in big ideas,” Hawks said. 26 Augsburg Now “As a group of women, we believe that art connects the heart and head. By funding this mural as a permanent beacon in the Hagfors Center, we invite everyone to connect our heads and our hearts, so our hands can get to the good work.” For McLain, the collaboration between space, artist, community, and construction can take many forms. “We all are asking: In what ways are we shaping the future leaders we need to address the challenges of the future?” she said. AWE is undertaking this new challenge and commitment to the greater Augsburg College community at the same time it successfully closes out another project for the Hagfors Center. This group of 70 women already raised $130,000 to sponsor a student study lounge in the building. The AWE-Inspired Philanthropy Council invites all Auggie women to join them in sponsoring “Emergence.” They supported a Give to the Max Day project to raise funds for the work, and are partnering with Donna McLean and Martha Truax ’16 MAL in Institutional Advancement to reach their goal of $150,000 in gifts and pledges by December 31. Email mclean@augsburg.edu or truaxm@augsburg.edu for more information. To see work available for sponsorship in the Hagfors Center, including 21 pieces created by faculty, staff, alumni, and artists who have exhibited previously in Augsburg galleries, visit augsburg.edu/now. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1960 The newest book by Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann ’60 is “America’s First Centennial and the Old West: 1876 A Year to Remember.” This book presents prominent events in the Western Territories during the United States’ centennial year. Incidents of 1876 described in the book include: the Little Bighorn conflict, Wild Bill Hickok’s murder, the capture of Jesse James’ gang, and Bat Masterson’s first gunfight. 1968 The Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, received the Walk of Faith Award from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service on October 26 in recognition of his career in service to the Lutheran community. The ELCA is the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination. Hanson was ordained in 1974 and has since served as a pastor for three Minnesota congregations, as bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod, and as the president of the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva. Hanson is an advocate for migrants and refugees. He currently serves as the executive director of the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg College. Regent Emeritus Ron Nelson ’68 was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. He retired from 3M after 33 years with the company and spent 11 years as vice president and controller. A captain for the baseball and basketball teams at Augsburg, Nelson was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He is one of the owners of Thawzall, LLC, located in Alexandria, Minnesota, and is a member of the board of Oakdale-based Hearing Components, Inc. Nelson lives in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and is an active member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. His wife, Mary Kay (Belgum) Nelson ’68, passed away in July after a courageous 11-year battle with leukemia. They were blessed in their ALUMNI AND ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME AWARDEE PHOTOS BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ’11 marriage with a focus on faith and their family, including daughters Kristy and Becky. 1971 Professor Emeritus and Retired Chair of the Augsburg College Music Department Robert “Bob” Stacke ’71 was honored with the Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming. In retirement, he pursues his passion for photography and continues to be a guide and mentor for music and arts alumni as the leader of Bob’s Band, an ensemble comprised primarily of Augsburg jazz band alumni. Since 2001, he has volunteered at a music camp in Haiti during his summers to share the joy of music with children. 1972 Ray Yip ’72 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. Yip is an international public health leader who has had a significant impact on global public health in the areas of nutrition, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and tobacco control. He has held positions with UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 2015, he has served as special advisor with a focus on health and clean energy for bgC3, a thinktank and incubator founded by Bill Gates. Yip lives in Beijing with his wife, Florence Bannicq. 1983 Tim Schultz ’83 has been named private client services market leader for Arizona Bank & Trust, a division of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. He most recently served as regional wealth manager at Johnson Bank and chief operating officer for the western region of BMO Private Bank. 1987 Richard Bahr ’87 released his book, “Amazed: Why the Humanity of Jesus Matters,” in June. The book provides a one-of-a-kind look at Jesus through the lens of his humanity. Bahr and his wife, Carla, operate the Threshold to New Life ministry (threshold2newlife.org), providing relief and restoration to homeless persons. Bahr coordinates the volunteers for a daily breakfast held at Minneapolis’ Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, which serves more than 40,000 meals per year. His blog can be found at richardbahr.com. Amy Hyland Baretz ’87 had an outstanding pitching career on the Auggie softball team, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. She set the school record for career victories, twice earned All-MIAC honors, and was a member of an Auggie squad that won the MIAC title and reached the NCAA Division III national tournament in 1984. She also played volleyball at Augsburg. Following graduation, she became the owner of franchise businesses in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Fall 2016 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1988 Lee RoperBatker ’88 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. She is president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and she has spent her career working to further gender equality, create equal opportunities, and build pathways to economic security for women and girls. Roper-Batker founded and serves on the executive committee of Prosperity Together, a nonpartisan coalition of public women’s foundations that, at the White House in November 2015, publicly committed $100 million to improve the economic security of low-income women and their families in America. 1990 Matt Staehling ’90 is the new city administrator for St. Cloud, Minnesota. He has served the city for 20 years, most recently as the city attorney. 1992 Augsburg volleyball star Tina (Kubes) Peterson ’92 was a dominant player in the early ’90s, securing AllMIAC honors, earning a season MVP nod, producing impressive numbers as an outside hitter, and serving as a multi-year captain. Peterson, who was inducted in the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame, also was a member of the Auggie women’s basketball team. Following her graduation, Peterson has used her health and physical education degree as a teacher and coach. She has coached volleyball and track athletes in Minnesota’s New LondonSpicer school district. Joel Tveite ’92 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his successes on the baseball, basketball, and golf teams. Tveite was an all-around talent for Auggie baseball, pitching and playing third base. On the mound, he set school records with 28 complete games, 253 innings pitched, and 36 starts. He earned AllMIAC honors and was a team captain. Since graduation, Tveite has worked in accounting and management positions, and he has been active in baseball and basketball leagues as a player and coach. for Entrepreneur of the Year at the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce small business awards luncheon. She was also a 2016 nominee for the Excellence in Leadership Award at the I-94 West Chamber’s small business awards breakfast. Candidates were judged on business strategies, drive for excellence, financial success, and community involvement. 1993 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Schiltz ’93 was a dominant wrestler for the Auggies in the early ’90s who earned three All-American honors and qualified for national tournament competition four times. He was a MIAC champion in wrestling as well as an offensive and defensive lineman for Augsburg’s football team. Schiltz was a team captain for both sports. Since graduation he has worked in university athletics. Today he serves Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, as a wrestling assistant coach and department equipment manager. Sharol Tyra ’92, professional certified coach, certified professional co-active coach, mentor, makeup artist, and president of Life Illumination Coaching & Image (lifeillumination.com), and a Lord of Life Canticle Choir member was the 2016 finalist Jodi (Divinski) Walfoort ’93 received recognition for her time on the Auggie cross country and track teams when she was inducted AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’08 ’06 28 Augsburg Now ’09 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Walfoort competed in her first athletic season in 1991 at the age of 25 when the Auggies re-started the cross country program. She made the most of her two years as a runner, earning All-Region honors twice, and she was voted a two-time MVP. After Augsburg, Walfoort became an IT professional and went on to start a commercial real estate company. 1994 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bill Gabler ’94 transferred to Augsburg and competed in wrestling, football, and baseball. As an Auggie wrestler, he twice earned All-American honors, won a MIAC championship, and was on the program’s first NCAA Division III national title winning team. He later served as an Augsburg assistant coach who helped guide the Auggies to two NCAA national championships. In football, Gabler was a starting middlelinebacker, and in baseball he was the starting shortstop. He has enjoyed a career in sporting goods, fundraising, and corporate promotions. 1996 Robert Anderson ’96 was the first Auggie football player to earn All-American honors, and the former ’11 defensive lineman was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. Some of Anderson’s athletic achievements at Augsburg include setting school records for sacks, being named a MIAC conference lineman of the year, and serving as a cocaptain. Following his graduation, Anderson has worked as a sales director for the software industry in locations including Australia, Austria, China, Germany, New Zealand, and Singapore. Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bill Kriesel ’96 is one of the top defensive backs in Augsburg football history. He set a single-season school record for interceptions, was named a team MVP on defense, earned All-MIAC first-team honors, and served as a co-captain. Following his graduation, Kriesel played professional football in Germany, earned his MBA, and served on the Augsburg football coaching staff, among other roles. Since 2013, he has worked as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Jodi Markworth ’96 was hired as the new principal at Cedar Ridge Elementary in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She had been principal at Sheridan Hills Elementary in the Richfield (Minnesota) School District. Hernan Moncada ’06 is the new principal at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion, a K-6 elementary school in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. ’06 Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Twins baseball game on August 6. The Augsburg nursing grad and Alumni Board member was given the honor for his community work including homeless outreach and assistance with UnitedHealth Group, his family’s commitment to quality disabled living situations, and his work on the Tix for Tots advisory board. ’08 Former men’s basketball player Jim South ’96 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. South was a four-year starter for the Auggies, and he holds Augsburg’s career record for field-goal percentage. He earned All-MIAC honors in basketball three times and also played on the Augsburg baseball team for three seasons. Following graduation, South worked for CocaCola before obtaining a law enforcement degree. He also is an active volunteer who serves as an assistant coach for a high school basketball team. 1997 Derrin Lamker ’97 received Augsburg’s Excellence in Coaching Award in recognition of his impressive career. After quarterbacking Augsburg’s football team to a MIAC championship and several of its best seasons in school history, Lamker moved into teaching and coaching. He served as head coach at Osseo (Minnesota) High School for 11 years, winning three Northwest Suburban Conference titles, two section championships, and a Minnesota Class 6A state title. This season he became the offensive coordinator Brian Gullick ’09 and Matt Tonsager ’09 are custom woodworkers of furniture, games, and décor. Their business is Gullton Wood, and the pair created a set of Augsburg College bean bag boards used at Homecoming in September. ’09 Amy (Satnik) Bachman ’11 and her husband, Blair, welcomed a baby girl, Mackenzie Peach, on March 3. ’11 Fall 2016 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES at Edina (Minnesota) High School, and he also has coached basketball and baseball. Dwayne Lowman ’00 has been appointed to the inaugural advisory board of Definitely Someday, a nonpartisan firm that helps Minnesotans prepare for a future run for political office. Sweden, which was attended by Pope Francis. Laudert says, “I am beyond thankful, inspired, and thrilled at this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful to the Metropolitan New York Synod and my congregation for the chance to do this. [I am] even more thankful for our partnership in the gospel and the ecumenical mission we share together.” 2004 2008 2000 Melissa “Mel” Lee ’04 has taken the reins as interim head softball coach during the 2017 Augsburg College athletic season after serving as an assistant with the program for the past 12 years. She will continue her duties as an assistant athletic director and an instructor in Augsburg’s health and physical education program. In addition, as a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Lee is one of two 2016 recipients of the Mary Nutter Scholarship. The educational grant will fund Lee’s attendance at the 2016 NFCA National Convention. 2006 Kyle Loven ’06, a Seattle-based performance and visual artist, was recognized with the First Decade Award at Homecoming. His work combines puppetry, projections, objects, sound, and other art forms with the human presence. Since moving to Seattle in early 2009, Loven has created and toured his original works. His shows have premiered at venues such as the acclaimed Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and Seattle’s On the Boards. Loven is the recipient of grants from the Jim Henson Foundation and numerous arts organizations based in Washington state. 2007 Wolfgang Laudert ’07 attended the ELCA Grace Gathering this summer and made a pilgrimage in October to the Taizé community in France as the result of receiving a leadership development grant. His European trip ended on a journey to the joint Lutheran-Catholic ecumenical prayer service commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Lund, 30 Augsburg Now Matthew Dunn ’08 received his doctorate in sociology from the University of California-Riverside in June. He is married to Gabriela Oliva Dunn. They live in Murrieta, California. Sara Horishnyk ’08 earned a master’s degree in arts and cultural management from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is now working at Twin Cities Public Television. 2012 Angelica Erickson ’12 graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in arts and cultural management. Her thesis was, “Every Child is a Work of Art: Helping Children Heal through the Arts after Multiple Traumatic Experiences.” Andrew Fox ’12 is the new manager of the 180-year-old Mendota, Minnesota, home of Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota’s first governor. Fox is the point person in a partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society and the Dakota County Historical Society. The state will own and preserve the Sibley site, while the county will staff and operate the three restored houses on the property. Fox studied medieval history at Augsburg. Kimberly Simmonds ’12, with the MonDak Heritage Center in Sidney, Montana, coauthored the book, “Sidney,” in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. 2013 Anthony Gore ’13, Steven Schwartz ’13, Ryan Bachman ’14, and Shea Drenkow ’14, all members of the Minneapolis-based band Porno Wolves, recorded the live album “Young Moon Rising” on a cold evening last winter. The friends formed the rock ’n’ roll band in 2012. 2015 Riley Hunter ’15 has a new position as assistant service desk analyst in the IT department at Securian Financial Group in downtown St. Paul. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Derek Nord ’04 MSW is the new director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University. Nord previously was associate director of the Research and Training Center on Community Living, part of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA placed third in the 2016 District 6 Toastmasters International spring convention held in April in Minneapolis. Ghosh competed in the international speech category. District 6 is comprised of 290 clubs and 5,000 members. It serves most of Minnesota and southern Ontario, Canada. Jeremiah Dagel ’15 MPA has joined the urgent care department at the Essentia Health Saint Mary’s Detroit Lakes (Minnesota) Clinic. As part of the urgent care team, Dagel will treat medical conditions that require immediate attention but that are not life-threatening. AUGGIES HONORED Karim El-Hibri was recognized with the First Decade Award at Homecoming. He is a strategic advisor and founding board member of the El-Hibri Foundation, which focuses on peace education and interfaith cooperation through grants and awards that recognize leadership, and programs that promote learning and inclusion. He holds a BA in international relations from the American University School of International Service, and graduated from the StepUP® Program at Augsburg. El-Hibri lives in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS area with his wife, Carley, and two children, Roula and Sami. Norman and Evangeline Hagfors received the Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in recognition of their leadership in the campaign for the Center of Science, Business, and Religion. As community leaders and longtime friends of Augsburg, the Hagfors embody Augsburg’s faithfulness to education grounded in the Lutheran faith and relevant to the evolving needs of our students and the world. Norman served as an Augsburg College Regent from 1989-2001, providing active participation during a critical stage of the College’s growth. In October 2005, he was re-elected to the Augsburg Board of Regents. A chapel on the third floor of the new building will be named for Evangeline’s father, the Rev. Elnar Gundale ’33, who graduated from Augsburg College and Augsburg Seminary and went on to serve as a pastor in the Lutheran Free Church and ELCA. Heidi Kammer-Hodge ’00 MSW joined Jackson Recovery Centers in Sioux City, Iowa, as a vice president and chief operating officer. KammerHodge’s position at Jackson comes after serving at Resource in Minneapolis for the past 17 years, where she held many leadership roles, most recently as a vice president. ’07 ’00 ’00 ’08 ’14 On July 23, Brett Cease ’07 married Julia Besser in Grand Portage, Minnesota. Auggies in the wedding party included [L to R]: Micah Erickson ’07, Chris Swanson ’07, Eriks Dunens ’06, and Lava K.C. ’07. ’07 Brian Krohn ’08 and Kari Aanestad ’08 welcomed a baby girl, Seora Eileen Aanestad Krohn, on May 11. ’08 Five Auggies received their white coats this fall as part of the incoming University of Minnesota Medical School class. Congratulations to [L to R]: Anna Weitz ’14, David Bergstrand ’14, Michelle Grafelman ’15, Mahad Minhas ’12, and David Fowler ’14. ’14 ’15 Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA and David Lindahl were married May 21 in Dellwood, Minnesota. ’15 31 In memoriam Philip A. Horne ’40, San Rafael, California, age 99, on August 7. Paul S. Paulson ’49, Spokane, Washington, age 87, on June 12. Robert D. Goodrich ’57, Big Lake, Minnesota, age 83, on April 22. Ruth C. (Kveen) Rydquist ’40, Fargo, North Dakota, age 98, on July 23. Idelle S. (Nornes) Bagne ’50, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, age 89, on May 6. Judith A. (Sather) Suther ’57, Totowa, New Jersey, age 80, on May 18. Lila A. (Israel) Erickson ’41, Minneapolis, age 97, on May 20. Charlotte A. (Ellingson) Ennen ’50, Dublin, Ohio, age 88, on May 17. Philip H. Johnson ’60, Belleville, Wisconsin, age 79, on June 20. Morris E. Ulring ’42, Minneapolis, age 95, on February 5. Kenneth A. Hengler ’50, Eagan, Minnesota, age 91, on May 19. Ernest I. Knutson ’43, Spooner, Wisconsin, age 95, on May 21. John T. Garland ’51, Saint Paul, age 86, on August 26. Ronald H. Stanley ’60, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, age 78, on July 22. Gloria (Burntvedt) Nelson ’43, Minneapolis, age 94, on June 21. Olive L. (Nilsen) Zoller ’51, Marine On Saint Croix, Minnesota, age 87, on July 30. Kenneth A. Gilles ’44, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, age 94, on June 2. Ralph W. Hofrenning ’45, Fargo, North Dakota, age 94, on May 31. 32 Rebecca “Becky” A. (Skonnord) Johnson ’52, Valley City, North Dakota, age 86, on April 26. Lois M. (Black) Ahlbom ’47, Saint Paul, age 91, on May 9. Mildred R. (Zustiak) Baerg ’53, Anoka, Minnesota, age 85, on July 15. Myrtle C. (Skurdal) Bar ’49, Williston, North Dakota, age 91, on August 19. Edmund R. Youngquist ’53, Northfield, Minnesota, age 91, on May 30. Augsburg Now Phyllis E. (Ebrenz) Wagner ’60, Minneapolis, age 78, on July 11. Theodore “Ted” P. Botten, Jr. ’61, Rochester, Minnesota, age 77, on June 29. Jacob “Jack” A. Mayala ’61, Kimball, Minnesota, age 77, on June 12. John D. Heruth ’62, Rochester, Minnesota, age 75, on June 25. David L. Faust ’63, Green Isle, Minnesota, age 76, on May 30. Elaine L. (Legaarden) Swanson ’63, Maitland, Florida, age 75, on May 14. Dolores A. (Sheppard) Carrico ’74, Wyoming, Minnesota, age 86, on March 8. Linda L. (Benson) Pederson ’64, Frederic, Wisconsin, age 75, on June 23. Audrey C. (Jorgensen) Hanson ’77, Lewiston, Idaho, age 90, on March 21. Gary M. Ellis ’65, Hendricks, Minnesota, age 74, on June 27. Scott A. Hugstad-Vaa ’77, Apple Valley, Minnesota, age 60, on June 2. Michael J. Marcy ’65, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 73, on June 16. Paula A. (Beckley) Beckley-Gildner ’78, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, age 65, on June 8. Larry D. Cole ’66, Minneapolis, age 73, on May 18. Mary Kay (Belgum) Nelson ’68, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, age 69, on July 18. Christine A. (Toedt) Olson ’70, Delano, Minnesota, age 67, on June 6. Donald F. Deming ’71, Fort Mill, South Carolina, age 69, on June 14. Lillian M. (Sedio) Mattson ’71, Excelsior, Minnesota, age 67, on August 1. Marian T. (Jauquet) Finger ’83, Baraboo, Wisconsin, age 89, on April 5. Scott E. Herceg ’00, Minneapolis, age 44, on August 12. Cynthia L. (Cramer) Reed ’11, Rochester, Minnesota, age 59, on August 18. Assistant Professor of Music Douglas Diamond, Minneapolis, age 59, on May 27. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 19. IT PAYS TO BE AN AUGGIE ALUMNI DISCOUNT Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Arts in Nursing Master of Arts in Education Master of Arts in Leadership Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Master of Music Therapy Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Master of Social Work augsburg.edu/grad/discount GRADUATE PROGRAM TUITION DISCOUNT FOR ALUMNI Many of Augsburg College’s current graduate students are alumni who earned their first degree at Augsburg and returned to pursue further education. Become a part of this growing group and take advantage of our Alumni Tuition Discount—a savings of $80 per credit! Auggie graduates who’ve earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from Augsburg qualify for this alumni discount. gradinfo@augsburg.edu | 612-330-1101 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Pedestrians take priority This fall, Open Streets Minneapolis allowed community members to stroll, skate, and cycle on roads closed to cars near Augsburg’s campus. Open Streets events held across the city throughout the summer promoted healthy living, local business, sustainable transportation, and civic pride. As an anchor institution in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Augsburg used the celebration to further its commitment to place-based community building, organizing live music and a fashion show for attendees to enjoy.
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Augsburg Now Spring 2016
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Augsburg Now Spring 2016: High-Impact Learning
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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Navigating uncharted waters Playing it forward An exploration of faith HIGH-IMPACT LEARNING SPRING 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weis...
Show more Navigating uncharted waters Playing it forward An exploration of faith HIGH-IMPACT LEARNING SPRING 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On serendipity in education I vividly recall the moment in 1977 when a conversation with a religion professor at Luther College, my alma mater, offered me a way of thinking about my vocational journey that has changed my life. When I admitted my doubts about following my dad’s path to the ministry, the professor shared his own journey to divinity school and the study of theology, the sort of study I had begun to explore in his class. The rest is history, as they say. I went on to study ethics and theology in divinity school and to pursue my own calling for leadership in higher education. A moment of serendipity that changed my life—unexpected, unplanned, and so very meaningful—made possible by a teaching and learning community and a teacher that created the opportunity for such moments. Such serendipity in education is a hallmark of the educational experience at Augsburg. I’m sure you have your own stories of the faculty or staff member, maybe the fellow student, or perhaps the community member who offered you the insight, the experience, the counsel, or the challenge that shaped your path. This issue of Augsburg Now reminds us of the people and experiences that continue to offer Augsburg students the promise of serendipity in their education. From award-winning teachers and researchers like Phil Adamo of the History Department and Henry Yoon of the Psychology Department to inspiring guest speakers like LeVar Burton (yes, the “Star Trek” and “Reading Rainbow” star) and Dr. Donald Warne (an American Indian medical doctor challenging us to pay attention to public health issues on reservations). From nationally recognized efforts like our StepUP® program for students recovering from addiction to the Nobel Peace Prize Forum that inspires all of us to be peacemakers in our communities. Serendipity in education happens for all of us because of these people and programs, and because of this College’s deep commitment to such experiences. One particular moment from last fall stands out for me. Our groundbreaking River Semester gave 12 students the educational experience of a lifetime as they spent the entire semester on the Mississippi River (see page 16). When I went to St. Louis to meet with the River Semester students and faculty halfway through the semester, I heard tale after tale of serendipitous experiences along the river. But then one student took me aside and said that for Associate Professor Joe Underhill, who organized the class, this was the trip he had always dreamed about, given his passion for the river. And, the student continued, Joe could have done the trip with his family or friends—surely an easier way to spend nearly four months on the river? Instead, the student said, he chose to do it with us, his students. He chose to do it with his students. That, my friends, is the “stuff” of serendipity in education. Teachers who choose to create the space for serendipity to happen—in the classroom, in the cafeteria, on the playing fields or performance stage, even on the Mighty Mississippi. May it always be so. Faithfully yours, Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu Contributor Kate H. Elliott augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Email: now@augsburg.edu AUGSBURG NOW Spring 2016 02 Around the quad 08 Playing it forward 14 An exploration of faith 16 Navigating uncharted waters 24 Auggies connect 27 Class notes 32 In memoriam On the cover: Auggies paddle past the Gateway Arch in St. Louis as part of a semester-long journey following the Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans. See page 16. Photo by Whitney Curtis. Correction: In the Fall 2015 issue of Augsburg Now, the story “From Riverside Ave. to Riverside, CA” omitted that Matthew Dunn ’08 was among several recent Augsburg College graduates to pursue an advanced degree at the University of California-Riverside. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. Augsburg College students walk through Lindell Library—a building that will connect to the future Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn more about the Hagfors Center on page 3. AROUND THE QUAD IGNITING PASSION, FINDING HARMONY Convocation Series sparks conversation 2 Augsburg Now The Augsburg College Convocation Series each year offers the community a chance to hear from leaders and visionaries who spark important discussion and educate about the challenges and opportunities of today’s generation. The first event in 2016 was the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in January, featuring Chuck D, leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group Public Enemy, and his presentation, “Race, Rap, and Reality: Supporting Our Youth in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as They Face the Unique Challenges of Today.” The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in February welcomed Dr. Donald Warne—professor and chair of the Department of Public Health in the College of Health Professions at North Dakota State University, and senior policy advisor to the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board—whose presentation was “Traditional Lakota Approaches to Health Disparities: Connecting People and the Environment.” The Koryne Horbal Lecture in March featured Nekima Levy-Pounds, attorney, law professor, and president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. Courtesy Photos Hip-hop pioneer and best-selling author Chuck D addresses hundreds of attendees at the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. AROUND THE QUAD Exterior rendering of the Hagfors Center E L A S N O TICKETS CONSTRUCTION STARTS In May, Augsburg College will begin the construction of its newest and largest academic building, the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. The interdisciplinary Hagfors Center embodies Augsburg’s commitment to student learning, urban placemaking, and thoughtful stewardship. The building design features classrooms and labs that are configurable to support experiential learning as well as other teaching and learning formats. These spaces will be constructed on a modular framework that allows for flexibility to meet the College’s long-term needs. The building will anchor the west side of campus and welcome the College’s neighborhood with an “open arms” design facing the adjacent residential community and embracing the on-campus community gardens. The Hagfors Center also will be the most environmentally friendly building on campus, seeking a LEED Silver certification for its Mock-up offices sustainable design. As part of the building planning process, Augsburg constructed life-size models of two proposed configurations for faculty and staff offices. The office concepts were on display in Lindell Library so community members could stop by to check out the look and feel of the spaces. Students (and even some faculty members) made themselves at home in the offices by taking time to study, check email, and read, all the while bringing new meaning to the phrase, “open-door policy.” Children’s rights advocate to keynote peace-building event Augsburg College will host the 28th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum June 6–8, inviting global leaders and the general public to explore pressing peacemaking issues faced by people across the globe. This year’s forum will honor and feature a keynote address by Kailash Satyarthi, joint winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. For decades, Satyarthi has been tireless in his advocacy for child rights, education, and child labor reform in India. While in Minneapolis, Satyarthi will join other peace-building experts to explore human rights and democracy, disarmament, sustainability, and inclusivity. Courtesy Photo THIS SPRING College moves forward on new academic building Get tickets and learn more at nobelpeaceprizeforum.org. The first classes will be held in the Hagfors Center in January 2018. Go to augsburg.edu/hagforscenter to keep track of project developments. Spring 2016 3 Historyapolis project wins ALICE SMITH PRIZE Twin Cities middle schoolers participate in a Somali debate initiative led by the Minnesota Urban Debate League. [Top to bottom]: Kirsten Delegard, who serves as a scholar-in-residence in the Augsburg College History Department, and Michael Lansing, associate professor of history, were presented the Alice Smith Prize for best public history project completed in the previous calendar year by the Midwestern History Association. The Historyapolis Project was created when Delegard realized that the citizens of her hometown of Minneapolis craved complex stories about the city’s past that would help them understand how it became the wonderful and intricate place that it is today. Augsburg students are deeply involved with the project, which aims to make the city’s history accessible and helps instigate community dialogue around challenging aspects of local history. Visit historyapolis.com for more information. Signature urban debate program REACHES MILESTONE Augsburg College’s Minnesota Urban Debate League program provides services, support, and materials to more than 750 students engaged in competitive academic debate at 40 high schools and middle schools across the Twin Cities metro area. This year marked the first time that the state debate championship featured two teams from the Minnesota Urban Debate League: St. Paul’s Highland Park and Minneapolis’ Washburn high schools. Led by Executive Director Amy Cram Helwich and Faculty Adviser Robert Groven, an Augsburg communication studies professor, the program helps increase school engagement and connectedness, which boosts young people’s confidence in their academic abilities. The program’s impact is shown through a 100 percent on-time high school graduation rate and a 99 percent college acceptance rate for debaters. “No other out-of-school program accomplishes such significant gains,” according to Groven. 4 Augsburg Now Photo courtesy of Lisa Lynch Minnesota Urban Debate League participants dominate 2016 state championship The Historyapolis Project invites Augsburg College students and community members to conduct research to help interpret the history of Minneapolis. [L to R]: Citizen-researcher Rita Yeads and Anna Romskog ’15 view city planning photographs from the 1930s in the Minneapolis City Archives at City Hall. AROUND THE QUAD Professor Phillip Adamo peers out of his office in Memorial Hall. Phillip Adamo named 2015 Minnesota Augsburg College was named No. 6 on Best Value Schools’ 2015 list of 20 Best Value Colleges or Universities in Minnesota. eetable Rankings are based on graduation rate, net price, acceptance rate, #AuggieP and 20-year net return on investment. e rid Augsburg College’s Phillip Adamo, professor of history and director of the Honors Program, was named the 2015 Minnesota Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Adamo was recognized for his accomplishment in a proclamation by Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges who declared November 19, 2015, “Dr. Phillip C. Adamo Day in the City of Minneapolis.” Adamo is the second Augsburg College faculty member to be honored by Carnegie/CASE. In 2004, Professor Emeritus of Sociology Garry Hesser earned the prestigious award. Tw PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR Augsburg deemed a ‘best value’ college Spring 2016 5 ON THE SPOT Henry Yoon examines addiction risk Augsburg College Associate Professor Henry Yoon oversees the biopsychology major and leads the Augsburg Biopsychology Lab. One area of his research involves studying disorders related to the inability to inhibit socially inappropriate or even illegal behaviors such as the use of illicit substances that can lead to addiction. Yoon uses neurophysiological techniques including EEG to capture and analyze the brain’s electrical activity to identify telltale signs of biological or genetic risk for substance dependence. Yoon works collaboratively with the StepUP® Program, Augsburg’s residential recovery community, and the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychology. Ultimately, Yoon’s research may help refine the biological tools used in the diagnosis of substance addiction. Q: A: What prompted your interest in studying addiction? Substance use disorders are both common and costly—many of us have personal issues with substance use or know someone who does, including our family members. Plus, addiction is often connected to other major psychiatric disorders in systematic ways. It is important to understand the core factors underlying addiction for intervention and treatment purposes. Q: One of the brainwaves you focus on— the P3—has been studied in relation to childhood disruptive disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adolescent substance dependence, and adult antisocial behaviors. What’s the link among these areas? A: Collectively, these disorders reflect a tendency toward behavioral disinhibition, which may be expressed in various ways over development through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Evidence shows that this tendency is highly heritable—in other words, influenced by genes. The P3 brain measure is significant because it may signify who is at risk for these disorders. For instance, my colleagues and I showed that P3 is itself highly heritable and can be used to predict who will develop these types of disorders over a 12-year span. So, we reason that the P3 can serve as a red flag. 6 Augsburg Now Q: Despite recognition of the biological and genetic nature of substance use disorders, social stigmas persist. Could improved scientific literacy play a role in reducing these stigmas? A: I think a cautionary tale from my field’s history can help address this question. In the 1940s-70s, the concept of the “schizophrenogenic mother” was popular in the psychiatric literature. This term implied that mothers who interacted with their children in a cold, rejecting, and aloof manner caused schizophrenia in those children. Another version of this, in relation to autism, was the “refrigerator mother,” which carried a similar implication. Later scientific research rejected these incorrect and harmful notions and instead showed that such disorders largely involve genetic/biological factors. The same trend can be observed with regard to addiction. For instance, it is now known that substance use disorders are influenced by genetic background to a degree comparable to other complex medical conditions such as diabetes or coronary heart disease. Of course environmental factors are also important, but overall this shows that combating addiction is not a matter of willpower or flawed character. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Yoon’s research. This colorful graph shows a representation of the P3 brainwave activity that Henry Yoon has been investigating in relation to behavioral disinhibition. Abnormalities in the P3 wave have been shown to correlate with addictive behaviors. AROUND THE QUAD StepUP Gala ® Research, study, and offer your two cents breaks fundraising record In March 2015, Melissa Motl, circulation coordinator in Augsburg’s Lindell Library, started posing questions to students on a whiteboard as a way to gain more information about how students use and view the library. She asked questions like, “What can you get at the library that you can’t get anywhere else?” and “What would you like to see the library do differently?” It garnered such great feedback that she decided to continue asking questions as a fun and interesting way to find out more about Auggies. Each year, Augsburg College’s StepUP Program supports dozens of students as they achieve academic success and sustain lives of recovery from substance use disorders. Augsburg is home to the largest collegiate recovery community in the United States, and its work receives generous support from numerous corporations, foundations, individuals, and families. The program received a noteworthy boost this year when its philanthropic gala raised $419,000 from ticket sales, sponsorships, and individual gifts—a sum that nearly doubled the amount raised the previous year. Former WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby was the master of ceremonies and the featured keynote speech was by Anne Thompson Heller ’08, a StepUP alumna who has founded [L to R]: Broadcaster Don Shelby joins and championed recovery U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Augsburg organizations at collegiate, College President Paul Pribbenow state, and national levels. at the StepUP Gala. Who ever came up with this question is EVIL!! You can’t make me choose! :( wars “We have some really creative and thoughtful students here at Augsburg, and I think that’s why we always get great responses. Some are thoughtful, and some are silly or witty,” said Motl. Who ever came up this question “Your lackwithof is EVIL!! 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Whoever came up At the 15th annual Sports Extravaganza, Augsburg College physical with this question education and exercise science students used knowledge gained in the is of EVIL!! You can’t “Your lack rs wa classroom to deliver smiles to a record 307 grade-school and middle-school makeme!” me choose! :( faith disturbs children with physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities. For the event, -Darth Vader Auggies created activity stations in the Augsburg athletics dome and assisted children as they played. The Star Tribune published several Sports Extravaganza photos and described participants’ enthusiasm as “Flying high without leaving the ground.” Visit augsburg.edu/now. V Spring 2016 7 PLAYING IT FORWARD AUGGIE COACHES CREATE CYCLE OF GIVING BACK BY CHRISTINA HALLER Division III athletics is the sweet spot for student-athletes—they compete on teams and nurture deep, meaningful relationships with their coaches and peers, and at the same time have the freedom and time to explore other activities and passions while having a strong focus on academics. These reasons, among others—the competition, camaraderie, discipline, and love of the game—are why more than 500 Augsburg students participate in varsity and intramural sports every year. The welcoming and supportive Augsburg College Athletics Department has had a profound impact on many student-athletes, which in return has sparked a desire in many former players to give back to youth as leaders, mentors, and friends. Here is a glimpse into the lasting influence of Auggie athletics on alumni through the decades. 8 Augsburg Now Whitney Restemayer ’10 is the first woman in the state of Minnesota to coach a team to a hockey state title, the 2015 Minnesota State High School Girls’ Hockey Tournament Class A Championship. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids, teaching the game, and mentoring players off the field. Being a student-athlete at Augsburg taught me many valuable lessons and allowed me to strengthen my leadership skills. Many people from my athletic upbringing have influenced the way I teach young men about soccer and life. I must admit, Auggie soccer coaches Greg Holker, Jonathan Schaefer, and Nate Hitch had a profound influence on me during college. The most gratifying thing about coaching is seeing my boys grow into young men and become contributing members of the community. I was a kid who was influenced in so many positive ways by several people in my athletic path. For me to have the opportunity to give back a fraction of my time is the most gratifying thing in the world. VAN HONG ’11 Enterprise risk analytics consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Minneapolis; youth soccer coach at Park Valley United and co-founder of Spam F.C. College Scholarship Foundation in St. Louis Park, Minnesota SUE (MEIER) ZIEGLER ’80 Physical education and health and wellness teacher and head volleyball and track coach at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/ Senior High School in Lincoln, Nebraska Photos by Matt Ryerson I was involved with basketball and track as an Auggie. I would credit the whole Augsburg Health–Physical Education Department and coaches for supporting me—people like longtime athletic director and men’s basketball coach Ernie Anderson ’37 were always looking out for athletes’ best interests. I believe I received a quality education in a Christian environment, and feel blessed to be in a similar situation now. I hope I have had an impact on helping shape young people’s lives through education and athletics, too. Students teach me life lessons every day. The impact that they have had on my life has been invaluable—on relationships, commitment, and learning. I love seeing where my former students and athletes go on in the next step of their lives— from college to starting their families to excelling in their careers. Spring 2016 11 Everything I got from sports as a player— the love of the game, the friendships, the teamwork, the cohesion—sparked a desire in me to coach. I started playing sports at a young age and experienced coaches who I really clicked with, and I knew that I wanted to be able to give back to athletes in the same way. I had a great experience at Augsburg. Playing two sports, being a health and physical education major, and working within the Athletics Department allowed me to meet many people who had a great influence on my life. I have been very lucky to achieve a lot of success in my short coaching career. Being able to be a part of something so great on ice allowed me to also be a part of something great off the ice. The relationships that I have developed with many of the girls I have coached is second to none. WHITNEY RESTEMAYER ’10 Physical education teacher at Challenger Elementary School and assistant girls’ softball coach and head girls’ hockey coach at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota JAMELL TIDWELL ’05 Assistant administrator, athletic director, and middle school football and track coach at Valley Middle School of STEM, and high school wrestling coach at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota I feel like God put athletics in my life to keep me out of trouble so that I could get to where I am today. If I didn’t have wrestling in my life, there’s no way I’d currently be working toward my doctorate. I didn’t have a dad growing up, so when I was a studentathlete at Augsburg, Auggie wrestling coaches Jeff Swenson ’79, Sam Barber, and Donny Wichmann ’89 took me under their wings and taught me how to be a student, how to be an athlete, how to be a man, and how to be successful. I hope that by being a coach, I can show kids that, through athletics and working hard in school, you can achieve anything. I always tell my players, you have to be a student first and an athlete second. AN EXPLORATION OF FAITH PRESTIGIOUS $467,000 GRANT FOSTERS STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT IN YOUTH THEOLOGY INSTITUTE BY STEPHANIE WEISS “J esus is in the generosity business,” said Amber Kalina ’15 when she quoted from Walter Brueggeman’s theology of abundance at an Augsburg College chapel service. “That means being constantly alert to any mismatch between the generosity of God and the needs of people.” Certainly, Augsburg was given a great and generous gift this winter when the College was awarded a prestigious three-year Lilly Endowment Inc. grant of $467,000 for the Youth Theology Institute. This residential summer camp program explores deep and meaningful questions of faith and vocation through classes, service work, and reflection. The competitive grant ensures that this program will continue the work of helping young people discern their vocations. Kalina’s homily was part of a visit to her home state of Minnesota to pursue the next step in her vocational journey: Attending seminary to become ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The journey of this youth and family ministry graduate, however, started in the the summer of 2010 14 Augsburg Now when she was a junior in high school in Perham, Minnesota. It was then that she attended Augsburg’s Youth Theology Institute at the encouragement of her youth pastor. “I would grill my youth director about everything. He had heard about the Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute, and he encouraged me to attend because I just couldn’t stop asking questions,” Kalina said. “At the Institute, I was challenged and pushed to think about and explain what I actually think about faith.” DIVERSE EXPERIENCES IN A DIVERSE ZIP CODE The 13-year-old Youth Theology Institute engages young people in grades 10-12 in deep theological questions and vocational discernment through community-based and classroom learning, worship, reflection, and solitude. The program, which has touched more than 200 young people since its inception, is an example of how Augsburg College lives out its vision to educate people for lives of purpose across disciplines and beyond the classroom. “This grant supports Augsburg’s continued commitment to intentional diversity and to modeling what it means to be a Lutheran college of the 21st century, located in the heart of one of the nation’s most diverse ZIP codes. It equips young people with theological and vocational skills and helps them learn what it means to practice their faith, with its commitments to education, radical hospitality, and serving your neighbor,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. LEARN, PRAY, AND PLAY TOGETHER Since its inception in 2004, the Youth Theology Institute—a program of Augsburg’s Bernhard M. Christensen Center for Vocation—has explored themes germane not only to the College, but also to current events. Augsburg’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning shaped the 2015 program, which explored interfaith action, a deeply compelling topic for participants and the College, particularly given Augsburg’s setting in the midst of a neighborhood with a growing Muslim population. The Lilly grant will allow the Augsburg College Youth Theology Institute to expand upon its history of success while increasing programmatic goals, including: • Development of a cohort of youth ministers from regional churches, synods, and multicultural and ethnic-specific congregations, interested in enhancing vocational discernment and theological reflection among youth. Photo by Mark Chamberlain Amber Kalina ’15 serves Abundant Life Together, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This Alt Year program in Toledo, Ohio, provides young adults a chance to explore in community subjects including vocation through reflection, leadership, relationships, and service. • Growth in the number of participants from 20 in 2016 to 40 by 2019 while also strengthening relationships with attendees, their families, their pastors, and their churches. • The creation of a mentor program to allow college-age students to help high school students develop practices and skills for theological reflection. • An increase in connections to the four synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that form Augsburg’s governing structure—Minneapolis, St. Paul, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northwest Wisconsin. • Continuation of scholarships for Youth Theology Institute alumni to attend Augsburg College. “We learn together, pray together, play together, explore the city together, and discern God’s work in our world together.” − Jeremy Myers Youth Theology Institute program director and associate professor of religion Participants in the program are respectfully challenged in every activity to dig deep into their perspectives and biases to uncover their beliefs. “We learn together, pray together, play together, explore the city together, and discern God’s work in our world together,” said Associate Professor of Religion Jeremy Myers, the Youth Theology Institute program director. For her part, Kalina hopes the grant prompts others like her to find their paths. “Young people are so eager to learn,” Kalina said. “But if there is nothing at home to welcome their questioning or to guide them, it is difficult. Home church congregations have to be involved. Participation from our churches provides a chance for all of us to show young people that abundance exists in Christian community and that abundance is meant to be shared with everyone.” Augsburg College will welcome the 2016 class of Youth Theology Institute students to campus from June 19–24. Participants from across the country will explore meaningful questions related to social and environmental justice, the role of the congregation in these questions, and how one can both love and be frustrated by community. To learn more, visit augsburg.edu/acyti. Spring 2016 15 Navigating uncharted waters First-ever River Semester pushes boundaries of experiential learning By Kate H. Elliott The River Semester was billed as an experiential learning opportunity: engage in a full load of political, environmental, and physical education courses—reinforced by a research project—while canoeing down the Mississippi River from its headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. But for the 12 Augsburg College students, two faculty members, teaching assistant, and two guides who completed the first-of-its-kind trek from August to December, it was so much more. For it was on those waters that the crew learned to appreciate the quiet, to be curious about the world around them, and to seek knowledge. They learned to be prepared, to make friendship a fine art, and most importantly to enjoy the 8 Augsburg Now moment. And they didn’t just learn about the river so much as become enamored of it, so much so that many of them feel unsteady back on solid ground. The Mississippi became their muse, teacher, personal trainer, and confidante. They dreamt alongside its calming waters and paddled through its more turbulent channels. Soon, its problems became their problems: urban stormwater runoff, the economic decay of river towns, and invasive flying carp smacked them—literally—in the face. And so, what started as an interesting, immersive experience has become a sobering call to restore and protect one of the United States’ most iconic natural wonders. Spring 2016 17 Ricky Taylor ’17, a film and graphic design major, captured the crew’s three-month journey and many of the social, economic, political, and cultural forces gripping the river as he gathered footage for a feature-length documentary. He plans to premiere “Learning to Listen: Our Semester on the River” this summer. “We learned by living, meeting the people, and witnessing the issues that illustrate the complexities plaguing the river,” Taylor said. “We met Carl, a shrimper who once walked on land that is now six feet beneath water, and we paddled past sediment that was filling in the river’s largest lake (Lake Pepin near Red Wing, Minnesota). We read about levees being ‘big bad wolves’ but then saw them protect families just trying to make their way through life. A portion of Louisiana is being swallowed up by the ocean, a culture disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico, largely due to agricultural practices that help feed our nation. “Somewhere along the way, I slipped out of the boat and into the Big Muddy. Every day I think about the river—about the paddling, the friends, the food, the learning—longing to be back there. Mud runs through my veins, and the only word I can find to describe the experience is ‘love,’ and that’s not a word I take lightly.” A gripping odyssey The trip had all the elements of any good adventure story: There was a steadfast leader, Joe Underhill, who has been engaged in environmental politics for 30 years and had been dreaming about this trip for almost as long; an epic journey paddling nearly 700 miles in 24-foot handmade cedar-strip voyager canoes; and a compelling cast of characters, including the student who’d never camped, the chipper morning person, and a student about to drop out who found his calling en route. There were unexpected moments, including an emergency appendectomy outside Mark Twain’s hometown, an open mic night harmonizing with the locals of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and a visit to the Michael Brown memorial in Ferguson, Missouri. And finally, there were lots of emotions—all of them, really. Underhill knew the trip would be an odyssey in every sense of the word. The professor of political science, environmental studies, and international relations had been planning “ Mud runs through my veins —Ricky Taylor ’17 and networking for 15 years to realize the River Semester. He tested the waters in 2001 by organizing a three-day field trip from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to St. Paul. Five-day and 10-day excursions followed before he proposed the semester experience in 2012. “This is where Augsburg stands out from other institutions,” said Underhill, who has organized interdisciplinary trips throughout the world. “Augsburg values experiential learning, place-based pedagogy, and innovative approaches so much that it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ we can make this happen but ‘how.’ Yes, we had three years of sorting out logistics, but the College continues to empower and support faculty to engage in this type of work, and you only have to talk with one of these students to grasp the impact.” Once logistics were in place, Underhill’s years of contacts at organizations such as the National Park Service rushed in to participate— offering guest lectures, exclusive tours of historic sites, hot meals, and lodging. Wilderness Inquiry, a Minneapolis-based outfitter that has partnered with Augsburg for years, provided logistical expertise and risk management planning as well as guides, food, and equipment. Erik Ophaug, a Wilderness Inquiry program manager, said the outfitter is proud to be at the forefront in creative endeavors that increase students’ access to and connection with the natural world. “This was the longest expedition we have run, in terms of number of days on the river, in our 40-year history of supporting educational and expeditionary outdoor adventures,” Ophaug said. “It was inspiring to watch these students truly soak up and process all of the little moments that make up the culture, politics, ecosystem, and history of the Mississippi River watershed.” Guide Emily Knudson ’15 had paddled with Underhill on a 10-day canoe trip as part of a River Politics course her senior year. When she learned the semester-long excursion wouldn’t materialize until after she would graduate, the determined triple major in environmental studies, English literature, and Spanish secured a job with Wilderness Inquiry in hopes of gaining a staff position on the trip, which she did. Charged with almost every logistical task, from planning mileage and booking campsites to grocery shopping and monitoring weather conditions, Knudson also served as a supplemental instructor and intern for Augsburg. She led study sessions and presented lectures in their outdoor classrooms (or the nearest city’s laundromat or public library in bad weather). “Educational experiences like this are important because they make you think so much more deeply about the course content. Instead of memorizing facts about the lock and dam system for a test, we were paddling through the pools the dams created, hearing stories from locals, and camping on the islands built to replace those flooded out decades earlier. In a couple years, I will forget almost everything I memorized, but I will never forget my learning in action,” said Knudson.  Guitar  Headlamp  Rain gear  French press  Rubber boots Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn which items the River Semester crew couldn’t live without. Self-discovery on the riverbanks Glen Gardner ’17 was considering taking a year off from school when he saw the River Semester publicized in the cafeteria. He signed up, and somewhere along the pilgrimage, the Montana native realized he wants to teach art. Gardner is back at Augsburg this semester, majoring in studio art and art education. “Having the time to unplug and reflect about my life helped me realize my passion for art education. I have always been interested in the arts, but I hadn’t really thought about teaching until I discovered that I loved spreading the feelings I find in art to other people as much as I enjoy making art,” Gardner said. “I want to extend my knowledge and passion beyond myself and use art to promote living in a way that is not wasteful to the world.” Spring 2016 19 Hearing this, Underhill is proud. Provoking self-exploration was not his motivation for organizing the trip, but the sense of vocation students found down river is certainly the journey’s most fulfilling outcome. Admittedly, he took a leap of faith selecting the crew. He didn’t pick a team of students with similar interests, backgrounds, maturity levels, and outdoor experience. He picked a team that reflects Augsburg’s commitment to nurturing a diverse community of resilient, driven, and faith-filled citizens. As you can imagine, the initial weeks included some whining and a few cold stares, but before long, this dynamic group evolved into a harmonious tribe. Forging lasting bonds Taylor was nervous about the trip, not because of the physical demands or the elements (he was an Eagle Scout and grew up a “river kid” in north-central Wisconsin). As the crew’s videographer and documentarian, Taylor was most concerned about getting his new Nikon, Sony video camera, and two GoPros wet. But even more so, he was terrified of the quiet—for those moments when people would start sharing information about their lives. He was finishing up his second semester at Augsburg in the College’s StepUP® Program, the nation’s largest residential collegiate recovery community. Now sober for two years, Taylor said he burned bridges between himself and others before he entered recovery. “My peers on the River Semester were some of my first friends in a long time. It was truly a fresh start,” he said. “On the trip, I heard things that were strange to my ears: ‘Ricky, you’re a good person,’ ‘You’re kind,’ and ‘I’m amazed by you.’ I always looked around, thinking, ‘Are you sure you’re talking to me?’ It was the first time in years that I felt good, felt worth, and felt confidence. People trusting and caring for me is more precious to me than anything, and I developed everlasting bonds with this crew.” Brian Arvold ’80 witnessed that closeness when he welcomed home his daughter, Hannah, who was one of the first two students to sign up for the trip. When the crew stepped off the train at a welcome home rally in midDecember, Arvold said, the students ran into their families’ arms, and then they all ran back—to each other. 8 Augsburg Now “It was touching for all of us to see,” said Arvold, who was waving a canoe paddle painted with “River Semester” as the train slowed to a halt. “You may want a lot for your child, but lifelong friendships are at the top of the list. Knowing that these students will be there for each other through life’s ups and downs is comforting. “We’d talk to Hannah along the trip, and we could hear her growing more socially and culturally aware, but we also detected a real sense of confidence. Paddling that entire river empowered our daughter as she was placed in settings where she had to stand up for herself, push through, and create solutions. Augsburg is truly on the forefront—a small college doing great things. It’s neat to see them embrace learning without four walls.” Wading through analysis, navigating partnerships Hannah Arvold ’18 was able to channel her professional pursuits into a research project focused on nutrition and the environmental impacts of farming. On the first leg of their trip, she calculated the caloric intake and expenditure of her peers, noting which foods provided the best sources of energy. Near the end of their voyage, she recorded the agriculture industry’s negative impacts on the river, including gasoline and pesticides seeping into groundwater. “Caring about the health of your body,” Arvold said, “is just as important as the health of the land it is grown on. “I created an ‘I  the Mississippi’ bumper sticker and gave it out to people along our trip for freewill donations,” Arvold said. “We donated $500 of the money raised to purchase science equipment for the International School of Louisiana where we presented many of our research findings to more than 160 fourth- and sixth-graders.” Each student conducted a research project, and many of them involved collaborations with external partners throughout the United States. Noah Cameron ’17 worked with Minnesota artist Monica Haller, known for the “Veterans Book Project,” which captures interviews and data from dozens of soldiers, refugees, and journalists affected by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cameron used a hydrophone to record underwater noises while on the river and then paired them with social and cultural recordings, which he plans to use for future collaborations with Haller. “It seems that intense, mindful listening is a difficult task nowadays, and some people have no reason to listen. I was given a reason, and I learned much about the nature of sound, silence, noise, and listening,” the political science major said. “My project acknowledges that the river has something to say, which it certainly does. One thing the river told me was that it is polarized; its waters are either filled with the sounds of mechanical engineering or with quiet ecological or hydrologic characteristics. “Similarly to how I thoughtfully listen to the systems of the river, I realized that we—as a society—should thoughtfully listen, which is not the same as agreeing, to our government and each other. I viewed the river like our government—this massive, daunting entity that we seem to have little effect on. However, as we moved down that river and as we took classes about both the nature of the river and the nature of democracy, we learned that we do affect that river, and we do affect our government.” Blair Stewig ’18 connected with the river on a molecular level, studying how the concentrations of various chemicals influence ecosystems. Throughout the trip, she collected water quality data like that of the National Park Service’s “State of the River Report.” She also collaborated with Reuben Heine, a geology professor at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, to gather sonar data about subaqueous dunes, or sediment bed forms at the bottom of the river. “My main focus was on the accumulation of nitrates in the Mississippi and its effect on the Gulf of Mexico. The molecule, commonly found in fertilizers, seeps into the river system from agricultural and urban runoff, feedlots, sewage treatment plants, and more. This excess results in a ‘Dead Zone’ in the Northern Gulf of Mexico each late spring and summer,” said Stewig, who is majoring in biology and chemistry. “What does that mean? An influx of nutrients results in an algae bloom. When these algae die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean, where they are consumed by bacteria, which depletes the area of oxygen. Some marine life sense the lack of oxygen and leave, but others die as a result. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Dead Zone costs the U.S. seafood and tourism industry $82 million per year.” Lark Weller, who collaborated with Stewig on behalf of the National Park Service, said Stewig’s data will inform brochures and fact sheets about excess nitrates in a river system that provides water for upwards of 15 million people. The research these students conducted is compelling, Weller said, but their connection to the river is even more impressive. “I suppose it’s possible to complete a college degree without really ever understanding the broader context of the world around you—but not for River Semester students. It is clear the experience dramatically changed the lives of every single student who accepted the challenge. They have returned with a new and expansive sense of self, place, and world,” said Weller. Memories keep rollin’ along The next leg of this journey: The documentary. Taylor produced several short videos chronicling the trip, which are at augsburg.edu/river, and he’s looking forward to sharing the experience through his forthcoming feature-length film. For now, the River Semester crew continues to process the issues they know and to reflect upon their moments together: rows of sleeping bags dotting the shore as they looked up at an ebony sky studded with millions of heavenly diamonds; waking at 3 a.m. to paddle from darkness to dawn; and swaying in hammocks tied to the tall willow trees of remote river islands. So, if you see members of this motley crew sleeping outside, don’t judge. They’re just longing to be back on the water, where they grew stronger and a bit wiser, having realized that the issues gripping the Mississippi River are as sophisticated as its ecosystems. That enlightenment has influenced the way they now see the world, with varying shades of compromise and understanding. They reenter their lives with renewed purpose, fueled by an empowering sense of community, the ability to adapt, and the ache for life’s next adventure. “ It feels good to say, ‘I know the Mississippi.’ But, of course, you don’t—what you know better is yourself and the Mississippi has helped. —River Semester student journal entry From trickling headwaters to the WIDE AND MIGHTY OCEAN River Semester participants share memorable events along the river Beginning in 2003, Augsburg College Associate Professor Joe Underhill began incorporating short Mississippi River trips—three-, five-, and 10-day excursions—into his environmental politics curriculum. He first presented the idea of a semester-long trip to College leadership in 2012, and then three years of logistical discussions and planning followed. This past fall, Underhill and biology instructor Thorpe Halloran shoved off from St. Paul with 12 students, two guides, and a teaching assistant. Here are a few highlights from their journey. AUG. 28-30: Held an orientation at the Mississippi River headwaters to introduce courses, review canoeing and water safety basics, and discuss topics such as American Indians’ perspectives on the environment and sustainability. 1 SEPT. 1: Chris Coleman, mayor of St. Paul, joined nearly 100 Auggies, family members, and high school students at the launch of the nation’s first-ever River Semester. Dozens of attendees paddled in a flotilla of 24-foot voyageur canoes to South St. Paul. 2 SEPT. 5-7: Studied the water quality and impact of farming, including increased sediment load on the river. Sampled water alongside fisheries biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 3 “Without a current and with a brutal head wind, paddling Lake Pepin was probably one of our most challenging days.” —Lily Moloney ’15 SEPT. 12-17: Joined faculty and students from Winona State University for stream ecology labs and discussion on the impact of the lock and dam system. 4 OCT. 3: A rough paddle through the pool above Lock and Dam No. 13, one of the widest pools on the upper river. The crew struggled through fierce winds to avoid submerged tree stumps left over 5 from before the dam was built. One of the canoes sustained a bad crack, which the crew repaired at camp. OCT. 7-10: Met with local farmers and a nonprofit environmental group that organizes river cleanups, tree plantings, and other conservation efforts. The crew also engaged a field lab with Reuben Heine, geography professor at Augustana College in Illinois. 6 OCT. 20-21: When the crew paddled into author Mark Twain’s hometown, Izzie Smith ’18 began to suffer from stomach pain. By midnight, she had been diagnosed with appendicitis, and the next morning she had surgery. Two weeks later, Smith rejoined the group in Memphis. Even with all the excitement, the team still engaged in a lively discussion about Huck Finn and literary figures born along the Mississippi. 7 OCT. 29: The last morning of their journey on the upper river, the crew woke up at 3 a.m. to paddle for a few hours in the dark to catch the sun rise over the river. They ended their sunrise paddle on the Mississippi’s banks north of St. Louis, from which vans shuttled the crew past the Chain of Rocks, an exposure of bedrock in the Cuivre River. 8 9 NOV. 2: As part of Underhill’s course, Democracy in the American Heartland, students traveled to the Michael Brown Memorial—the site of the August 2014 shooting death of a black teenager by a white policeman, which prompted national commentary on racial discrimination and gun control. President Paul Pribbenow joined the group for a tour through the city and discussions with residents. “Standing at that memorial in the middle of the road was a deeply unsettling experience— there was no way it could or should have been otherwise.” —President Paul Pribbenow NOV. 16: The team paddled past expansive sandbars and islands full of wildlife at the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers. Waters in this area can rise and fall as much as 70 feet and swirl around canoes. 10 NOV. 26: Thanksgiving in New Orleans: The crew enjoyed an abundance of fried turkey and comforting side dishes at their hostel as they visited with fellow travelers from more than a dozen countries. 11 12 DEC. 11: Travel by train to Chicago. “The train back to Chicago was spent doing a lot of work on our finals, but it was also a time to reflect on everything we experienced on the trip.” —Blair Stewig ’18 1 ITASCA STATE PARK, MN HARRIET ISLAND, ST. PAUL 2 LAKE PEPIN 3 4 WINONA, MN CLINTON, IA HANNIBAL, MO 5 6 CHICAGO, IL 12 QUAD CITIES 7 LOUISIANA, MO 8 FERGUSON, MO 9 10 CHOCTAW ISLAND, TN DEC. 14-15 The crew traveled by train from Chicago to the Twin Cities and joined in a “good-bye” hug upon arrival at Union Depot in St. Paul. As part of the River Semester welcome back celebration, Augsburg graphic design and typography students created an interactive gallery exhibit chronicling the voyage. Learn more at augsburg.edu/now. NEW ORLEANS, LA 11 Spring 2016 23 AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT 24 Augsburg Now Courtesy Photo T oday’s Augsburg College students seek to make a difference, and it’s been a privilege to interact with them as they gather to meet alumni, discuss vocation, and pick up targeted professional advice at recent events. Last fall, the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work hosted a Career and Internship Fair and welcomed young Auggies who sought to make connections with employers and internship hosts. Shortly after the event, nearly two dozen Augsburg alumni returned to campus to join panel discussions about their academic and career stories across a range of disciplines and professions. These events were part of a five-week major and career exploration series that provided nearly 175 students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of degrees and occupations. This series was made successful thanks, in part, to the Augsburg College alumni who served as panelists. Thank you to all Auggies who shared your vocation and insight with students! Most recently, I was humbled by the talent, drive, and thoughtfulness I saw all around me at the annual Alumni-Student Networking event in February, where hundreds of alumni mingled with current students and faculty, received free professional profile photos, and listened as alumni addressed the importance of informational interviewing, mentoring, and using social media to connect. Regardless of where we are in our professional lives, I think we all have something to offer to or gain from such events. Events like these make me proud to be an Auggie. If you shared your experiences with students in the past year, you helped to inspire Auggie pride. Whether you’re connecting with students, networking with graduates of all class years, contributing to The Augsburg Fund View videos that illustrate the to support College initiatives, or planning a impact of student internships gift to fund an endowed scholarship, we are so at augsburg.edu/now. grateful. As Augsburg moves into the future, alumni can help the College live out its vision—to educate students for lives of purpose—across the disciplines, beyond the classroom, and around the world. You can engage your employer in identifying Auggies as candidates for employment, internships, or mentorships by posting opportunities at your company on the AugPost job board found at augsburg.edu/alumni. I joined the alumni board because I wanted to see Auggies help other Auggies and make a difference. Each time I attend an Augsburg event, I learn more about what current students are up to, and I want to do everything I can to help them succeed. Won’t you join me? UNIQUELY AUGSBURG TRAVEL IN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA JANUARY 3-15, 2017 In January, English Professor Kathy Swanson and her husband, Jack, will lead an educational trip through Thailand and Cambodia. After arriving in Bangkok, travelers will tour the Grand Palace, visit the temple at Wat Po (the Reclining Buddha), shop for tropical produce, and sample local cuisine cooked on boats at a floating market. From there they will continue to Chiang Mai to ride elephants, perfect their culinary skills with a cooking class, and volunteer at an orphanage. The trip will conclude in Siem Reap, Cambodia, at Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. This thought-provoking tour has been customized specifically for Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends, and there’s still time to learn more and participate. Contact Katie Koch ’01, director of Auggie Engagement, at kochk@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178 if you are interested in learning more about Augsburg’s travel opportunities. To learn more, go to augsburg.edu/alumni/travel. AUGGIES CONNECT ALUMNA COMBINES CREATIVITY AND CHEMISTRY through career at 3M Capstone dinner celebrates SUCCESSFUL BUILDING CAMPAIGN This winter, as part of the annual Advent Vespers festivities, Augsburg College held a dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history and to recognize the generosity of all who made the Campaign for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion possible. More than 200 donors attended, including members of the Board of Regents and many alumni supporters. President Paul Pribbenow offered his sincere thanks to Norman and Evangeline Hagfors and all donors to the new building. Chair of the Board of Regents Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 shared his gratitude and recognized the incredible leadership and commitment of Mike Good ’71 [pictured above], who served as national chair for the campaign that exceeded its $50 million goal. After becoming involved with the 3M STEP program as a high school student, Audrey Sherman ’97 [pictured] became an inventor at age 20. Now a scientist with 3M, Sherman is credited with nearly 80 patents, some created with other Augsburg alumni working at the Minnesota-based company. Sherman’s most recent patent is for a versatile material with the potential to improve cosmetics, insulation wrapping, and electronics. Two of her favorite patents involve using pressure-sensitive adhesives to transport light and making a solvent-free duct tape. She also helped discover a new solution for restickable diaper tape. Sherman feels that her Augsburg minor in art has been an important factor in pursuing her inventions, enabling her to blend creativity with her skills in chemistry. Today she mentors St. Paul high school students interested in science and gives talks to juniorhigh and middle-school students about careers in science and technology. Share your ideas for AUGSBURG’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION years Augsburg alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff are invited to help celebrate the College’s 150th anniversary in 2019. What aspect of your Augsburg history would you like to celebrate during the sesquicentennial year? Were you connected to a team, a club, or a department that made a difference? Would you like to see a reunion for your favorite activity—whether it was the Echo newspaper staff, a sport, Lutheran Youth Encounter, the Augsburg Choir, or theater? How best would you like to honor Augsburg’s past, present, and future? Visit augsburg.edu/150 to submit your ideas and find monthly updates on planning already underway for the sesquicentennial celebration. Spring 2016 25 AUGGIES CONNECT ALUMNI ASSIST STUDENTS on their path to physician assistant career [L to R]: Augsburg College alumnus Tom Towle ’14 MPA leads thenstudents Scott Harder ’15 MPA and Christina Pekoske ’15 MPA through the steps of starting an IV. 32 26 Augsburg Now I n the classroom and in the field, Augsburg College alumni help today’s physician assistant students gain a glimpse into the professional world they’re preparing to enter. Through clinical work and course instruction, alumni share their experience in a high-demand field. Augsburg’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program was the first of its kind in Minnesota and admitted its inaugural class in 1995. The full-time graduate program educates generalist physician assistants oriented toward service to underserved populations in rural and urban settings. The physician assistant (PA) concept has evolved over time but continues to increase in relevance. In alignment with health care industry demand, the PA’s role continues to expand. The Augsburg PA program’s long history in Minnesota is advantageous, according to Jenny Kluznik ’13 MPA, assistant professor of physician assistant studies. PA students spend approximately half of their graduate program in a didactic—or classroom—phase. The latter half of the program is spent in the community where students complete clinical rotations that change every five weeks. Augsburg’s PA alumni serve as educators and lecturers for a course series in clinical medicine and also serve as hosts for the hands-on field work. Meredith Wold ’07 MPA is a guest lecturer for the program and an adjunct faculty member. She works as a hospitalist PA with an internal medicine team at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. As an undergraduate, Wold was focused almost exclusively on medical school, but during her final year in college she was struck by the teamwork she witnessed between a doctor and a PA in surgery. Now, after nearly a decade in her profession, Wold values the team-based work of taking care of hospitalized patients. She weaves clinical episodes from her career into her lectures, which serve to remind students of the whole patient—not just the upcoming exam. Melissa Oeding ’10 MPA, another guest lecturer, agrees. “As a recent graduate, I can relate to the student experience, understand how students learn, and provide real-world insight and advice regarding what to expect as a practicing PA,” said Oeding, who works at Minneapolis’ Hennepin County Medical Center. She’s stimulated by the chance to sit on the other side of the lectern. “It renews an excitement for my work and career and reminds me just why I started out in the program,” she said. “I feel extraordinarily blessed to have been trained and trained well at Augsburg.” Guest lecturer Olga Trouskova ’13 MPA sought out Augsburg’s PA program in part because of its emphasis on serving the underserved. “I went into medicine to provide answers and to heal,” Trouskova said. “Now I understand that great medicine cannot happen without building relationships and trust with my patients.” She also is a hospitalist PA at Regions and, during her weeks off, serves as a family practice PA at Westside Community Health Services/La Clinica, a community clinic. Trouskova makes a point of including real patient stories in her presentations to remind students that PAs treat patients, not diseases. For students, there’s no match for hearing these types of lessons from alumni, according to Wold. “It shows a level of alumni commitment toward the program and the next generation of Augsburg PAs,” she said. “Early on after graduation I felt a duty, a professional responsibility really, to give that back.” And teaching is its own kind of gift, according to Trouskova. “By teaching others, I have learned as well,” she said. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1960 Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann ’60 continues to write. His newest book, “Gunslingers and Baseball,” is a collection of Western historical fiction, essays, and baseball stories. It is available on Amazon. 1965 From his time at Augsburg, Allen Anderson ’65 fondly remembers his music professor Leland Sateren ’35, the Burgundy Singers, dorm life, and choir tours. Today, Anderson is still involved with choral music and enjoys golf, woodworking, activities in his community and at his church, travel, and participation in Lutheran Men in Mission. He and wife, Joyce, have two children who graduated from Augsburg. They travel to New Zealand on occasion to visit their son and his family. Gary Blosberg ’65 says that his current position is “reclined.” He is retired after 26 years as a finance manager at General Electric and 23 years in the U.S. Navy. He thanks chemistry professor Courtland Agre for sharing his wisdom when he said: “You don’t need to know everything; you just need to know where to find the answers.” Blosberg still sings with the Centennial Singers, the Masterworks Chorale, and other groups. He is proud to be a father and grandfather. Connie (Ekeren) Cameron ’65 teaches at Honors Mentor Connection, is on the Fringe Festival Board, sings in the St. Joan of Arc Choir, and is involved in politics, travel, and the League of Women Voters. Her fondest memories of Augsburg include the Kappa House girls, professor Anne Pederson’s literature wonderful teachers and role models. Among Dietrich’s most treasured Augsburg memories are the excellent convocation speakers and the great friendships she made. Today, she and husband, Franklin, enjoy their grandsons, their involvement at Central Lutheran Church, and traveling. She also volunteers with literature; and professor of history Carl Chrislock ’37 for his effective use of anecdote to enliven history. Dyrud spends his time reading, golfing, and traveling. He and wife, Marilyn, have three children who are all involved with theater, and they enjoy seeing their children’s work. In October, Janis “Matty” Mathison ’69 was honored by the American Planning Association’s Wisconsin Chapter as its Citizen of the Year for her leadership in working with local residents and planners to promote healthy living and active lifestyles in eastern Wisconsin’s Shawano County. Last year was the third year of Bike the Barn Quilts, an area bike tour that she spearheaded. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. classes, and her roommate of four years Carol (Welch) Langness ’65. Cameron thanks the team behind the Christmas smorgasbords; Ailene Cole, speech professor; Orvald Haugsby, math professor; Leland Sateren ’35, music department head; and Phil Quanbeck Sr. ’50. She and husband, Bill, have three sons and one grandchild. Eunice (Bergman) Dietrich ’65 thanks home economics faculty Ruth Segolson, Ruth Sonsteng, and Katherine Peterson for being daughter, Kari, at Dakota City, the 1900s village in Farmington, Minnesota. The Dietrichs also have a son, Hans. The faculty members who most influenced David Dyrud ’65 as a student were philosophy professor Paul Sonnack ’42 for his intensity; New Testament Greek and Latin professor Mario Colacci for his flamboyance; professor of English Gerald Thorson ’43 for his Hush Puppies (Dyrud’s favorite shoes); professor of English Anne Pederson, for her affection for Mark Gjerde ’65 retired in 2004 from 3M. He enjoys traveling with wife, Jan (Lunas) Gjerde ’68, and spending time with their grandchildren at a lake home. He remembers Gerald “Jerry” Pryd ’66 and Paul Dahlen ’66, his friends who died in a plane crash while they were Augsburg students. Gjerde was influenced by professor of math George Soberg ’26 and professor of philosophy Paul Sonnack ’42. The Gjerdes lived in Brussels from 1995-97 while Mark worked for 3M. They have two sons and four grandchildren. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1960 This group of alumni were friends during college but had little contact since graduating. They were reunited at the 2015 Homecoming celebration and barely scratched the surface in terms of catching up. Now retired, the five Auggies plan to get together again soon. [L to R]: The men and their previous careers: Arden Flaten ’60 (science teacher), Myron Carlson ’60 (pastor), Don Gilberg ’60 (band teacher, piano tuner), Iver Christopherson ’60 (high school principal), and Neuman Berger ’60 (attorney). 1974 The National Tile Contractors Association recently honored Janet (Durkee) Hohn ’74 with its Tile Person of the Year award. Hohn was the third woman to receive this honor in the six decades it has been presented. For more than 20 years, Hohn has operated a one-person, high-end residential tile and stone installation company. She has served as president of the Twin Cities Local Tile Contractors Association, as a board member and technical methods and standards committee member for NTCA, and most recently as chairperson of the NTCA training and education committee. Spring 2014 2016 Fall 2014 17 27 37 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES One Augsburg College memory treasured by Glenn Hamberg ’65 is the teaching style and effectiveness of W. LaMarr Kopp in German class. Other faculty members who influenced Hamberg as a student were Mario Colacci from the department of New Testament Greek and Latin, Courtland Agre from chemistry, Gerald Thorson ’43 from English, and Paul Sonnack ’42. Hamberg’s present interests include crossword puzzles, computers, movies, Jeopardy, volunteering, travel, and spending time with his grandchildren and wife, Sandra (Edstrom) Hamberg ’66. Jerry Hamlin ’65 works part time. He likes to volunteer and to travel in his free time. He treasures his memories of Augsburg basketball games, the convocation with Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, and feeling like every day was a good day. He was most influenced by Donald Gustafson and Carl Chrislock ’37 in history, and Sheldon Fardig in education. Hamlin and wife, Jari, have four children and 10 grandchildren. James Harbo ’65 has a full-time dental practice in New York. He enjoys visiting his two grandchildren in Pennsylvania, doing church work, reading theology, participating in a book club, and aging well! He fondly remembers his dorm friendships, baseball, Augsburg Choir concerts, and soaking up the culture of Minneapolis. The past 50 years have heightened his appreciation of his years at Augsburg where, he says, there was “much goodness and inspiration.” Harbo and wife, Amy, have three children. Today you can find Peter Jacobson ’65 woodworking, volunteering, or traveling. He and wife, Lynne, have two children and two grandchildren. His fondest memories of Augsburg include dorm life all four years, Augsburg basketball, being a resident assistant, and spending afternoons in the physics lab. He was most influenced by physics professor Theodore “Ted” Hanwick. 28 Julie (Gudmestad) Laudicina ’65 and husband, Joe, love to travel and recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a cruise on the Danube River. She also enjoys gardening, reading, leading a book club, and living in New York City. She has been a civil wedding officiant for 10 years and has married more than 300 couples from around the world. Some For 12 years, David Raether ’78 wrote for TV comedy sitcoms, including “Roseanne.” After building his career, he took a break to focus on his family and found the job market had changed completely when he attempted to return to the field. After struggling and becoming homeless, he says, he discovered that he was far more resourceful and resilient than he had ever dreamed. Raether delivered a TEDxAmherst talk and wrote a book about his experiences titled, “Tell Me Something, She Said.” From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. of her memories of Augsburg include listening to choir practice, freezing at football games, enjoying her many friends, and participating in student government and chapel. She was most influenced by faculty members Phil Quanbeck Sr. ’50, professor of religion; Anne Pederson, professor of English; and Philip Thompson, professor of art. She also remembers Dean of Students Glen Johnson and Dean of Women Fern Martinson. Laudicina would most like to thank her parents, both Augsburg alumni, for encouraging her to live and learn with a strong set of values. Sharon (Dittbenner) Klabunde ’65 plays in a mountain dulcimer band, and loves to travel and garden. She remembers chapel time from her days at Augsburg and also living in a house as a freshman where, she says, there were three women to a room who shared one dinky closet. She enjoyed working in the cafeteria. Bette (Bodin) Leeney ’65 and husband, Jack, love their home in Florida. They have a pool and use it a lot. She likes to garden and to welcome the family, mostly in the winter! Her treasured memories of Augsburg focus on the good values she learned and kept with her. She remembers the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and how difficult that was. She admired Dean of Students Peter Armacost, who supported her when her father passed away. Her psychology and social work professors inspired her to get her master’s degree in social work. She and Marie (Bergh) Sandbo ’65 met freshman year and have remained friends for 50 years. They share the same birthday. Carol (Welch) Langness ’65 and husband, Gary, spend every January to April in the East African city of Iringa, Tanzania, along with their synod partners in the Iringa Diocese. They have two children and three grandchildren. As a student, John Luoma ’65 was influenced by Mario Colacci, professor of classical languages; Carl Chrislock ’37, professor of history; and William “Bill” Halverson ’51, professor of religion. He treasures memories Augsburg Now of chapel, serving as student body president, and Augsburg’s emphasis on vocation, service, and faith active in love. Luoma is a minister of education at Hope Lutheran, The Villages. He is a Via de Cristo coordinator, a Diaconate teacher, and likes to travel and bowl. He and wife, Gracia (Nydahl) Luoma ’66, have two sons. Their oldest son, Aaron, passed away in January 2015. LeRoy Martinson ’65 retired in June 1998 after 33 years of teaching math and coaching skiing. Now he stays active with tennis, volleyball, and five grandchildren. He lives with wife, Micki, in Cross Lake, Minnesota. His memories of Augsburg are of his math teachers, his coaches, and student teaching with Ms. Anderson. He was influenced by professor of math George Soberg ’26, professor of physical education Howard “Howie” Pearson ’53, and Coach Edor Nelson ’38. Martinson is a member of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Dan and Mary (Tildahl) Meyers ’65 met during their freshman year at Augsburg. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary, Dan has worked for AdvisorNet Financial for 50 years, and it’s been 50 years since he graduated from Augsburg. Dan remembers playing basketball and baseball, and he was influenced most by Ernie Anderson ’37 and Edor Nelson ’38. He would thank Milt Kleven ’46, if he could, for funding his scholarship. Dan keeps busy with work, golf, reading, and basketball. Mary enjoys walking, reading, caring for a grandson, and traveling. She treasures the friendships she made at Augsburg and meeting Dan there. Carl Chrislock ’37 and her world history class helped her realize she wasn’t a history major. Mary says that Augsburg has been an influence in their lives for 50 years. Whether they return for athletic games, homecoming or concerts, it always feels like coming home. The Meyers have two children and three grandchildren. Larry Nelson ’65 thanks Theodore “Ted” Hanwick, of the Physics Department, for his challenging and thorough classes. Nelson’s Augsburg education provided a solid foundation for his career in science education. He enjoyed teaching various areas of biology, in addition to wilderness-based experiential education. His fondest Augsburg memories are of morning chapel, convocations, studying in the library, concerts, sporting events, and social activities. Nelson says Augsburg also prepared him for continued spiritual growth. Today, he likes to travel, read, garden, volunteer, do house maintenance, and spend time with his family. He and wife, Marilyn, have two daughters and five grandchildren. Becky (Walhood) Nielsen ’65 remembers her good friends from Miriam House. She and husband, Steve Nielsen ’64, have three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Their granddaughter, Morgan Kenny ’17, attends Augsburg. Lois Peterson ’65 would thank Mimi Kingsley, professor of Spanish, for telling her that she had “a gift for language.” Peterson is fluent in Spanish, and she visited Mimi in Chile prior to her death. Today, Peterson enjoys traveling and has been to Costa Rica, Mexico, Norway, and Spain. She remembers being in a class Bill Halverson ’51 taught in Old Main when the news came of President John F. Kennedy’s death, and watching the Beatles for the first time while in The Grill. She loves life in Denver, where her children live nearby. Leland Sateren ’35 most influenced Sharon (Bjugstad) Ronning ’65, and she has spent her life involved in music. She sings in the Masterworks Chorale, directs a church choir, and teaches piano. Other activities include knitting, spending time at her cabin, and enjoying her four children and eight grandchildren. She met husband, Don Ronning ’66, in the Augsburg Choir. Don passed away in 2000. Marie (Bergh) Sandbo ’65 and husband, Hans Sandbo ’63, will celebrate 50 years of marriage this year. Marie likes to travel, spend time with grandchildren, and serve on the Heritage Committee at church, all while continuing to run a small business from home. Her treasured memories of Augsburg include the friendships made and her studies in library science. Don Gustafson, Martha Mattson ’28, Ruth Aaskov ’53, Dick Husfloen ’60, and Pat Parker are the faculty and staff who most influenced Marie. Two of the Sandbos’ three children graduated from Augsburg. 1991 On October 13, 2015, David Johnson ’91 was promoted to Colonel in the North Dakota Army National Guard. He is a senior Army chaplain for the state. Johnson also is an ELCA pastor serving as a full-time chaplain for the North Dakota Army National Guard. He has been serving in this call for the past 12 years. Previous to this role, he served parishes in central and eastern North Dakota. Terry Simonson ’65 and wife, Patricia, live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he serves as a half-time chaplain at a residence for seniors. Three generations share their home, and his three granddaughters are the joy of his life. The memories of Augsburg that he treasures are good times spent with roommates and learning Greek and Latin (his major). Erwin Mickelberg ’54 was influential in Simonson’s decision to attend Augsburg. These days, he is interested in quantum physics and continues to explore the subject. 2006 Heather (Nystrom) Finholm ’06 and husband, Jeffrey, announce the adoption of their twin sons, Joseph and Matthew, born April 30, 2015, and adopted on July 27, 2015. 2007 Lázaro G. Payano Stark was welcomed into this world at home with the help of his midwives on April 3, 2015. He is the son of Jenessa Payano Stark ’07 and Geomar Payano Stark. The family resides in south Minneapolis. This fall, seven Auggies served on the varsity football coaching staff at Osseo (Minnesota) High School and helped lead the team to its first Class 6A state championship. The group of Augsburg alumni included Jack Osberg ’62, Derrin Lamker ’97, Mark Joseph ’01, Andy Johnson ’04, Jordan Berg ’09, Royce Winford ’09, and David Tilton ’12. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Spring 2016 17 37 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Win Stiefel ’65 taught school in Alaska and now lives with wife, Gracia (Olson) Stiefel ’66, in Glennallen, Alaska. He spent 10 years teaching at a Bible college and 10 years in Russia helping Evangelical churches. These days he drives a school bus, enjoys 10 grandchildren and a great grandchild, cuts firewood, and volunteers at missions. He remembers traveling with the wrestling team, canoeing on the Mississippi River, and listening to the Basin Streeters. If he could thank someone, it would be the old man outside Cedar Ave. Mission who asked him and others whether or not they were saved. Steve Strommen ’65 likes to spend his days playing “Old Timer” softball, bird hunting, appreciating winters in San Diego and summers at a Minnesota cabin, performing home renovations, and enjoying his family and grandchildren. He has many memories from athletics at Augsburg, including three championship basketball teams and a championship in baseball. The most influential people during his time at Augsburg were Carl Chrislock ’37 and coaches Ernie Anderson ’37 and Edor Nelson ’38. He and wife, Chynne, have two children and five grandchildren. Sharon (Topte) Taeger ’65 and David Taeger ’65 recently moved to Camrose—a city in Alberta, Canada—after living for 19 years in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Sharon likes to read, paint, and socialize. David likes to listen, watch, and marvel at the growth and development of children, especially their four grandchildren. He also enjoys reading and being with friends. David received his M.Div. from Northwestern Theological Seminary. He was most influenced by Mario Collacci and Carl Chrislock ’37 while at Augsburg. Sharon and David have two children. Virg Vagle ’65 would thank Ernie Anderson ’37, Edor Nelson ’38, and Ed Saugestad ’59 for being influential during his time at Augsburg. Vagle enjoys golfing, traveling, and being with his grandchildren. He and wife, Pat, have seven children and 12 grandchildren. Lyndy West ’65 fondly remembers playing in the concert band and in the Basin Streeters, a group that performed for Augsburg basketball games. He entered Luther Seminary after graduating from Augsburg and served parishes in Los Angeles, inner-city Chicago, and Minnesota. He officially retired in 2012. He says the smartest thing he ever did was to marry Diane Haas in 1969. They have four children and four grandchildren. They like to bike, travel, read, participate in music at their church, and lead polka services. He thanks his parents for encouraging him and his siblings to attend Augsburg. 1967 John Schwartz ’67 is in his sixth season with the acclaimed Apollo Chorus of Chicago, which was formed in 1872. Schwartz serves as vice president of its board. Auggie singers in the Chicago area can audition to join this 130-member chorus. Details can be found at Apollochorus.org. 1975 Glen Teske ’75 is enjoying the adjustment to retirement after working for 40 years in the IT department at Hennepin County. Among his treasured memories as a student at Augsburg are business administration classes, tutoring other students, and the friendships he made. He also remembers playing four years of basketball and winning the MIAC conference title in 1975. He thanks professor of history Khin Khin Jensen, adviser and professor of business Keishiro Matsumoto, mentor Jeroy Carlson ’48, and coaches Butch Raymond ’63 and Erv Inniger for their impact on his life. 1979 Laura (Rolfe) Matuska ’79 has been selected as WeCAB’s part-time community outreach fundraiser. WeCAB provides door-to-door supplemental transportation in the Westonka and eastern Carver County service areas for people who are unable to drive to medical appointments, church, social events, the grocery store, or the food shelf. Matuska has significant experience working with seniors and clients, providing case management to support transitions through all levels of senior living. She has launched volunteer programs, developed a hospital-based domestic abuse intervention program, and is a successful grant writer. Matuska also has worked with many volunteers in a variety of positions. 1980 The new Bill Simenson Quintet recently debuted at The Nicollet. Leader Bill Simenson ’80 (trumpet) has been performing professionally in the Twin Cities for nearly 30 years. After earning his degree in music and political science at Augsburg, he attended the University of Trondheim in Norway where he studied music at the graduate level. Catch the Bill Simenson Orchestra, a larger ensemble, once a month at Jazz Central in Minneapolis. 1981 Rob Hubbard ’81 tells the story of the hilarity, irreverence, and imagination of the Brave New Workshop in his new book, “Brave New Workshop: Promiscuous Hostility and Laughs in the Land of Loons.” The book, from The History Press, celebrates the marvelous, unexpected, and absurd history of this one-of-a-kind comedy institution. The owners of Brave New Workshop are John Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl ’87. 1987 Tammy Jo Rider ’87 received a 2015 Leadership Award from the 2015 2013 Amanda Rowan ’13 and Jordan Lakanen ’14 married August 8, 2015. Auggies in the wedding party included: Eric Lakanen ’02, Stephanie Nelson ’13, Rachel Rixen ’13, and Ashley (Carney) Wolke ’13. 30 Augsburg Now Top row [L to R]: Tyler Dorn ’15 and Alisha Esselstein ’15 were married on June 20, 2015, at Sugarland Barn in Arena, Wisconsin. Many Auggies participated in and attended the wedding. Bottom row [L to R]: Best man Alex Obanor, Augsburg Department of Public Safety officer; Dustin Parks ’16; Keisha Barnard ’16; bridesmaid Alia Thorpe ’15; bridesmaid Lily Moloney ’15; maid of honor Rachel Shaheen ’15; ceremony musician Becky Shaheen ’11; and officiant Rev. Mike Matson ’06. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES After graduation, Joshua Harris ’08 moved to Baltimore drawn to the service opportunity of working with Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest inter-collegiate communityservice-oriented fraternity founded by African-Americans. Harris serves as managing editor of APA’s journal, “The Sphinx.” He works with other community leaders in Baltimore on many initiatives, including one to build a network of individuals, businesses, and organizations that can provide internships, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities for high school students. He returned to Minneapolis in fall 2015 to speak on a panel at the Augsburg Young Alumni Council’s networking event at Surly Brewing Co. Harris is running for mayor of Baltimore. Learn about his campaign at harrisforbaltimore.com. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Southeast Minnesota affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 1991 Bill Koschak ’91 was hired as the chief financial officer at YA, which is an industry market leader in delivering omni-channel marketing promotions for the nation’s most respected brands. Before joining YA, Koschak was vice president of finance and CFO for the convenience and foodservice business at General Mills. 2000 Lewis Nelson ’00 joined the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business MBA for Executives. He blogs about the experience at wanderingveteran.com. 2007 Barrozo is studying the development of novel gene therapy treatments for human diseases caused by persistent viral infections and mutations of the genome. The goal of his research is to develop safe and effective strategies for treating these diseases. He also has worked as a Post-Baccalaureate Research Program Scholar at the University of Georgia. 2015 Hannah Frey ’15 has an AmeriCorps position in the Community Technology Empowerment Project, which helps bridge the “digital divide” for new immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She serves at Roseville (Minnesota) Library as a digital literacy coordinator for adult technology programming and outreach. Kati (Tweeten) Bergey ’07 married Brandon Bergey on October 18, 2014. Kati teaches sixth grade for MabelCanton Public Schools in Mabel, Minnesota. Heidi Heller ’15 has accepted a job as a historian and researcher with Hess Roise Historical Consultants. 2012 GRADUATE Lauren Grafelman ’12 graduated with her MBA from Hamline University in August 2015. William “Billy” Hamilton ’12 graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in May and received news that he passed the Minnesota Bar Exam in July. He began work as a public defender in training at the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office. He has found his vocation! 2014 Enrico Barrozo ’14 is pursuing a doctorate in genetics and genomics at the University of Florida, supported by the McKnight Doctoral, UF Graduate School, and Top-Up fellowships. Ava Beilke ’14 MBA formed her own social media consulting business, Paragon Social (paragonsocialco.com or @paragonsocialco on Twitter), with the desire to help individuals and small businesses excel in social media. Beilke studied communications in undergrad and pursued her MBA to round out her business expertise. She now fuses her creative skills with her business savvy to create the most effective social media efforts. Katie Koch ’01 is the new Director of Auggie Engagement at Augsburg College. Koch comes from a diverse background of performing arts management, having most recently worked at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University as an event and administrative manager. Koch worked for nearly five years at the Guthrie Theater as an assistant to former director Joe Dowling, where she supported the Guthrie Board of Directors and highprofile visiting artists. During her time at Augsburg, Koch was a member of The Augsburg Choir, Augsburg Concert Band, and Augsburg Jazz and Gospel Praise. She served as an admissions ambassador, a student coordinator for new student orientation in 1999 and 2000, and wrote for the Augsburg Echo. Spring 2016 31 In memoriam Dwight E. Elving ’37, Mercer Harvard E. Larson ’50, Island, Washington, age 99, on September 17. Greeley, Colorado, age 86, on September 14. James K. Horn ’59, Lino Lakes, Minnesota, age 83, on November 26. Isabella “Bella” (Frazier) Sanders ’73, Park Rapids, Evelyn B. (Wibeto) Stone ’41, Alexandria, Minnesota, age 98, on November 26. Wesley N. Paulson ’51, Eugene “Pete” S. Peterson ’59, Gregory J. Semanko ’73, Altoona, Wisconsin, age 88, on December 2. Jackson, Minnesota, age 78, on October 17. Dassel, Minnesota, age 64, on September 16. J. Maurice “Maury” Erickson ’42, Vermillion, South Dakota, age 95, on September 10. Walter L. Dilley ’52, Paynesville, Minnesota, age 88, on October 14. Peter M. Locke ’60, South St. Paul, Minnesota, age 82, on November 30. Brent M. Amundson ’78, Colorado Springs, Colorado, age 61, on December 3. Helen L. (Fevold) Nelson ’43, Woodrow W. Wilson ’53, Gayle J. Arvidson ’61, Newburgh, Minneapolis, age 94, June 4. Lincoln, Nebraska, age 97, on September 11. Indiana, age 84, on December 25. David C. Eitrheim ’79, Menomonie, Wisconsin, age 58, on January 1. Chester E. Hoversten ’44, Northfield, Minnesota, age 93, on November 16. Joyce E. (Gronseth) Limburg ’44, Erling B. Huglen ’54, Roseau, Minnesota, age 83, on December 19. Harvey L. Jackson ’61, Park River, North Dakota, age 78, on September 28. Morgan S. Grant ’82, Willmar, Kelly M. Williams ’92, Edina, Minnesota, age 45, on August 25. River, North Dakota, age 51, on October 13. Apple Valley, Minnesota, age 93, on October 10. Allan J. Kohls ’54, Minneapolis, age 87, on October 4. John D. Sorenson ’62, Hickory, North Carolina, age 75, on November 2. Elise H. (Hoplin) Anderson ’45, Marvin S. Undseth ’54, Salem, Lee E. Keller ’63, San Edina, Minnesota, age 96, on October 13. Oregon, age 90, on October 12. Bernardino, California, age 80, on August 27. Edgar A. Emerson ’46, Minnesota, age 81, on September 30. Perham, Minnesota, age 90, on December 3. Guilford “Guy” L. Parsons ’47, Minneapolis, age 94, on September 17. Ruth E. (Thompson) Larson ’48, Clearbrook, Minnesota, age 92, on December 26. Rolf Heng ’55, Fergus Falls, Elmer Karlstad ’55, Warroad, Minnesota, age 91, on November 14. Alfred E. Kaupins ’57, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, age 88, on November 25. Joyce (Hanson) Holbrook ’65, Lincoln, California, age 72, on December 27. Edythe “Edie” (Berg) Johnson ’65, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 72, on October 1. Marilyn J. Larson ’65, Estes Park, Colorado, age 73, on November 3. Lawrence “Larry” C. Pratt Jr. ’57, Joyce A. (Schuchart) Hagerty ’66, Minnesota, age 88, on October 16. St. Anthony, Minnesota, age 81, on July 12. Oneida, Illinois, age 72, on December 4. Paul I. Roth ’49, White Bear Eldri R. (Johanson) Salter ’57, Lake, Minnesota, age 90, on November 21. Pocatello, Idaho, age 80, on September 8. Philip “Phil” A. Walen ’70, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 67, on September 9. Arne Simengaard ’49, Dennis F. Gibson ’59, Edina, Russell “Jeff” J. Quanbeck ’71, Fridley, Minnesota, age 88, on November 28. Minnesota, age 83, on September 5. Bloomington, Minnesota, age 67, on December 1. Allen J. Moe ’48, Dawson, Minnesota, age 85, on October 1. Minnesota, age 55, on August 28. Thomas D. Orstad ’93, Park Earl R. Kinley III ’94, Eagan, Minnesota, age 55, on December 18. Christine L. (Quandt) Edinger ’99, Madison, Wisconsin, age 49, on December 19. Judith A. (Gretz) Roy ’99, Minneapolis, age 68, on September 24. Traci M. Singher ’12, ’15 MSW, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 44, on December 1. Dustyn B. Hessie ’13, Minneapolis, age 27, on June 15. Augsburg College Women’s Basketball Head Coach William “Bill” L. McKee, New Brighton, Minnesota, age 62, on August 27. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before January 10. 32 Augsburg Now EXPERIENCE AUGSBURG NOW ONLINE Fresh look, more interaction Enjoy several new features on the Augsburg Now magazine’s companion website. Thanks to a site upgrade, it’s possible to: • Manage your magazine subscription and delivery method • Read articles on mobile devices with ease • Share favorite stories and photos on social media • View exclusive slideshows and videos • “Go green” by opting for digital content instead of print • Submit class notes and share good news AUGSBURG.EDU/NOW 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 LeVar Burton encourages the next generation Actor, director, writer, producer, and educator LeVar Burton—best known for his roles in “Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Reading Rainbow”—inspired prospective students to make positive change in the world. Burton’s presentation took place this winter during Scholarship Weekend, an annual event where prospective students compete for the President’s and Fine Arts scholarships.
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Augsburg Now Summer 2016
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Augsburg Now Summer 2016: Carving the Way Forward
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Beyond the scoreboard National champion to local hero Leadership and conflict CARVING WAY THE FORWARD SUMMER 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 3 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Summer 2016 Director of News a...
Show more Beyond the scoreboard National champion to local hero Leadership and conflict CARVING WAY THE FORWARD SUMMER 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 3 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Summer 2016 Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On thoughtful stewardship Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Augsburg’s mission statement says that we educate students to be “thoughtful stewards” as well as “informed citizens, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” I imagine some may read “thoughtful stewards” and think about church fundraising campaigns or care for the environment, the typical places we consider stewardship—and both important causes! At Augsburg, though, thoughtful stewardship is a much more compelling claim. It goes beyond simple acts of giving or environmental care. It is a way of living, an ethic that teaches us how to live in the world. And it is at the heart of an Augsburg education—from how we engage students with the community to help them discern their gifts and gain a holistic understanding of the needs of our world (see page 16) to the deep listening and conversation we embed in our classes, such as in the Master of Arts in Leadership course that was integrated with this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum (see page 20). Also in this issue of Augsburg Now, you will read about the genuine privilege I had to deliver a major address on stewardship to Cargill employees worldwide. In that address, I said: “… stewardship involves a practice of standing up, speaking up in a manner that reflects—and makes clear—our values. The challenge for the good steward—as a parent or manager or citizen—is to pursue practices that help connect us with the deeply held values and commitments that characterize our personal and corporate lives. “The truth is that many people do not think about the reasons for their actions. They act, and they expect others to accept their action at face value. But good stewardship demands reflection, then the courage to act based on our convictions, and to do so overtly so that we are publicly accountable for how our actions reflect our values. Only in that link is there integrity in human life.” At Augsburg—as reflected in the stories that follow in these pages—we educate students to embrace their many gifts, to understand the obligations they have to steward those gifts, and to appreciate the important work of taking a stand for the values and commitments that honor the gifts and contributions of each of us. Thoughtful stewardship—a way of life for all of us. I give thanks for a teaching and learning community that is blessed with and inspired by our remarkable legacy and mission. I give thanks for the privilege of being a faithful steward of all the gifts that make Augsburg such a rare place. Faithfully yours, Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu Contributor Ryan Nichols ’16 augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi brought energy and passion to the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Forum sponsored by Augsburg College. Following three days of dialogue on peacebuilding, he and his wife, Sumedha Kailash, joined Forum attendees in a Bollywood-style dance party for the conference’s finale. 02 Around the quad 20 Leadership and conflict 08 From national hampion to local hero 23 Auggies connect 14 Beyond the scoreboard 27 Class notes 16 The city: Course content and classroom 32 In memoriam ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. On the cover: Construction crews work on the footings for the main lobby of the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, an interdisciplinary building that will open in 2018, anchoring the west side of the Augsburg College campus. See page 2. Email: now@augsburg.edu All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. FROM THE GROUND THIS BUG’S-EYE VIEW captures the April 2016 groundbreaking ceremony for Augsburg’s Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. The celebration included hundreds of Augsburg College alumni, students, donors, neighbors, and faculty and staff members, as well as city and county officials. The new academic building is slated to open in January 2018. 2 Augsburg Now Pictured [L to R]: Outgoing Augsburg College Board of Regents Chair Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Naming Gift Donors Evangeline Hagfors and Norman Hagfors, Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow, National Fundraising Campaign Chair Michael Good ’71, Augsburg College Provost Karen Kaivola, and 2015-16 Day Student Body President Duina Hernandez ’16. Summer 2016 3 AROUND THE QUAD $50,000 grant funds RECYCLING PROGRAM EXPANSION Student-faculty-staff collaboration improves campus sustainability D A U Q E H T D N U O AR NEW RESIDENTS HONORING Retiring Faculty SET MEMORIAL HALL KATHY ACCURSO ABUZZ Instructor, Department of Education— with the College since 2012 KATHERINE BAUMGARTNER Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing—with the College since 2005 Hives installed to bolster honey bee population RONALD FEDIE It has been decades since the last students moved out of Memorial Hall; the dormitory was converted to office space in the late 1960s. However, a new group of inhabitants moved in this spring when The Beez Kneez organization installed beehives on the building’s rooftop as part of an urban apiary partnership program. Augsburg joined the program to further the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to creating green spaces within the city. Recently, honey bee populations have been decreasing due to parasites and the misuse of pesticides. The on-campus hives will help rebuild the local population and pollinate Augsburg’s plant life. Those worried about getting stung can rest easy—honey bees are not aggressive and will not sting unless threatened. 4 Augsburg Now Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry—with the College since 1996 FEKRI MEZIOU Professor Emeritus, Department of Business Administration—with the College since 1987 VICKI OLSON Professor Emerita, Department of Education—with the College since 1987 CELEBRATING STUDENT Augsburg College can boost its efforts to divert organic and compostable items from trash and other recycling thanks to a $50,000 recycling grant from the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department. The funding will be used to purchase indoor and outdoor bins, rolling carts, and signage to foster increased composting of organic material and the proper disposal of mixed recyclables. Go to augsburg.edu/green to learn about Augsburg’s Environmental Augsburg’s commitment to offering facilities that are welcoming, sustainable, Stewardship Committee, Facilities and and designed for educational excellence. Custodial staff, and the Augsburg Day Student Government’s Environmental Action Committee collaborated to submit the grant proposal. “Thousands of people touch the campus in some way during the course of one year,” said Amber Lewis ’17 MAE, an Environmental Stewardship Fellow who supports on-campus sustainability initiatives. “In addition to students, faculty, and staff, guests join our community for graduation ceremonies, sporting events, performances, convocations, summer camps, conferences, and workshops. This presents us with an opportunity to share a clear message about the importance of recycling in our community.” SUCCESS Read about the wide range of prestigious academic achievements and awards earned by Auggies during the 2015-16 year at augsburg.edu/now. AUGSBURG EXHIBITION SHINES in Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover World-renowned feminist art activists the Guerrilla Girls recently “took over” Minneapolis and St. Paul to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Augsburg College was among more than two dozen arts and cultural institutions that hosted exhibits and events highlighting gender and race inequalities and promoting artistic expression. The Guerrilla Girls, who wear gorilla masks and use the names of famous female artists as pseudonyms, were on campus for the opening reception of “Reconfiguring Casta,” a site-specific installation for the Christensen Center Art Gallery. Combining prints and paintings, artist Maria Cristina Tavera addressed the social concept of race and the issue of socio-racial classifications. Tavera, known on campus as “Tina,” also serves as the director of Augsburg’s McNair Scholars program, which seeks to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society. Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow delivered the keynote address for Cargill’s annual ethics week this spring. Pribbenow is recognized as one of the nation’s most engaging commentators and teachers on ethics, philanthropy, and American public life. His talk, “Promises to Keep: An Ethic of Stewardship,” reached Cargill employees located in Minneapolis and around the world. Summer 2016 5 AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT What does it mean to matter?  What does it look like to matter? With the Black Lives Matter movement, questions of racial equity have ignited important—and difficult— conversations in communities and courtrooms, on political campaign trails, and on college campuses. Augsburg College Professor William “Bill” Green studies and writes about history and law. His most recent book, “Degrees of Freedom: The Origins of Civil Rights in Minnesota, 1865–1912,” chronicles conditions for African American Minnesotans and others in the half-century following the Civil War. Today, Minnesota and the nation are very different than they were in the postbellum period that Green examined, but tightly woven threads unite contemporary events with those occurring more than a century earlier. COMMENCEMENT 2016 Students of color, award winners, and former KARE 11 anchor stand out at graduation Augsburg College celebrated students completing degrees in the traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate programs through commencement ceremonies held April 30. The 2016 traditional undergraduate class is the most diverse in the College’s history and comprised of more than 42 percent students of color. Commencement keynote speaker Michael Botticelli, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, addressed ceremony attendees and was awarded an honorary doctorate. Michael Good ’71 also was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his service to the College. Eleanor Barr ’16 earned the Marina Christensen Justice Award, and Kim Chisholm ’16 received this year’s Richard Thoni Award, recognizing exceptional contributions to their communities. Teaching and learning award winners Augsburg recognizes individuals or groups who have made exemplary contributions to creating an engaging academic learning environment. The 2016 recipients of the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards are: Teaching Former KARE 11 News anchor Diana Pierce ’16 MAL earned her Masters of Arts in Leadership and participated in commencement this spring. “The program at Augsburg gave me exactly what I wanted to add to my skillset for a new adventure,” Pierce said on KARE 11 in April. Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science Research Michael Lansing, associate professor and History Department chair Service Dulce Monterrubio, director of Latin@ Student Services 6 Augsburg Now Q: What prompted your interest in studying the history of African Americans in Minnesota? A: In 1860, a slave woman was freed in a Minneapolis courtroom. In the aftermath, citizens in the communities of St. Anthony and Minneapolis for days walked the streets eyeing their neighbors, waiting for the smallest provocation to spark violence. We were on the verge of seeing our own little civil war erupt in Minnesota over the issue of slavery. Ultimately, Minnesotans’ attention was averted by news of the Confederate bombardment of the federal installation of Fort Sumter. Upon hearing the news, Minnesota was the first state to send volunteers into the Union Army. Seven years later, it would be the first state to extend voting rights to black men, pre-dating the ratification of the 15th Amendment. I felt compelled to understand this dynamic. Q: When Minnesota granted suffrage to people who are black, what implications did this have in citizens’ lives? ELCA college conference Students, faculty members, and staff from two dozen colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America came together this summer as Augsburg hosted the annual Vocation of a Lutheran College Conference. The event featured a partnership with Interfaith Youth Core—an organization renowned for uniting young people of different religious and moral traditions for dialogue around shared values. IFYC Founder Eboo Patel [pictured speaking] discussed the colleges’ role in preparing students for life in a religiously diverse world. ‘Degrees of Freedom’ in Minnesota’s past and present A: [L to R]: Michael Lansing, Dulce Monterrubio, and Joe Underhill. In a practical sense, the implications were non-existent. There simply weren’t enough black voters in Minnesota to influence political leaders or affect public policy. Symbolically, however, during a time of mounting economic dislocation coupled with the spread of white supremacy, it raised the bar, not just in terms of the broader virtue of racial equality, but, more fundamentally, stressing the need for true leadership that called on ordinary people to overcome their baser instincts and choose to act with common decency. Q: And yet you’ve said that race is “written between the lines” of early Minnesota history, rather than spoken about directly. What do you mean? A: The fact that the black population was so small made it easy for historians and opinion makers to draw rosy pictures of racial exceptionalism without needing to be checked by a more balanced reality. Without the “significant other” whose history was hidden in footnotes, it became easy to believe what one wanted to believe. But could it really be true that Dred Scott was the only slave to live in Minnesota? Could Frederick Douglass be the only African American to be denied service in a prestigious hotel in St. Paul, even though the proprietor was a friend of his and an officer in the Union Army? Could the paucity of discrimination lawsuits in the 19th century really mean there was no discrimination in restaurants and taverns? Q: Today’s Black Lives Matter movement involves participatory democracy— participation by many and with more diffuse leadership than the civil rights movements of the 1960s. When you look at the Black Lives Matter movement, what strikes you, considering the lens through which you write your books? A: In 1965 when the civil rights movement pressed for voting rights, the powerful symbolism of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X joining forces placed pressure on the President of the United States to shepherd through Congress the Voting Rights bill and sign it into law. Federal protection of the right to vote was a moral issue. But it was the union of two leaders who embodied opposing approaches to advancing civil rights that heightened a sense of urgency to enact the bill. The moral: As long as there are no “inside”-“outside” forces simultaneously working for the same clearly defined issue, advocates on either side of the spectrum can be marginalized and eventually dismissed. I don’t see a rival force to Black Lives Matter that is pushing for the same ends but through different means. This isn’t the fault of BLM, but the absence of a “significant other” should be a concern to them, nonetheless. History can only provide suggestions on how or even whether to proceed. The Minnesota Book Awards honored Green with the 2016 Hognander Minnesota History Award. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Green’s research. Summer 2016 7 Devean George ’99 was the first NCAA Division III player ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft—and he played professionally for more than a decade. Now retired from basketball, he’s gone back to his roots to help revitalize the Minneapolis neighborhood where he grew up. BY CHRISTINA HALLER 8 Augsburg Now November 3, 1999. The Los Angeles Lakers are debuting in their brand new home, the Staples Center, with an unveiling ceremony followed by a game against the Vancouver Grizzlies. A crowd of 20,000 fans is packed inside, waiting for NBA stars Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal to make opening remarks. But instead, the Lakers players decide to encourage their newest rookie to address the crowd. The lights go down, and all becomes still. In less than 30 seconds, it’s go time. “No, guys, don’t make me do this! I don’t know what to do,” whispers a 22-year-old Devean George ’99. But his pleas were met with laughter. “I just remember shaking in my boots. There are tens of thousands of people here, and I’m going to be out at center court—all eyes on me,” recalls George. “So I get out there, and it just clicked. It was easy.” George credits his education in communication studies from Augsburg for helping to prepare him for that life-changing moment, as well as all of his public speaking engagements from that point forward. “As an NBA player, you have a camera with that big, red light in front of your face every day,” George said. “You have to know how to conduct yourself and communicate effectively. And all those communication classes I took at Augsburg come into play.” After high school, George enrolled at Augsburg assuming he would play basketball for the Auggies, earn a degree, and find a job in business. But his “hoop dreams” became a reality pretty early on in his Augsburg career. “When I recruited Devean, he was about 6'2" and 170 pounds,” said former Augsburg basketball coach Brian Ammann ’85. “Fortunately for Devean, he grew about five inches and put on 50 pounds by his sophomore year. And his hard work paid off in big ways.” George was the first NCAA Division III player ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. He was the 23rd overall pick in 1999, chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers—one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. George is now retired from the NBA after playing 11 seasons and becoming only the seventh player in history to win a league championship in each of his first three seasons. He has since found a successful career in real estate development and a passion for giving back. George played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2006. In 2006, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and played in Texas until 2009. He then joined the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California, in 2009 until his retirement in 2010. George was raised by devoted, hardworking parents in the Willard-Hay neighborhood of north Minneapolis and still calls the Twin Cities home — a place he loves for its friendly people and four seasons. His current work focuses on helping to improve his childhood community. 10 Augsburg Now Summer 2016 11 After George joined the NBA, he started volunteering his time in schools and after-school programs. He noticed many of the children he visited didn’t have stable housing, which significantly affected their security and education. “That’s when I decided helping kids and families would be the foundation of what I do,” said George, who has two young sons. He founded Building Blocks, a nonprofit organization committed to providing quality housing, community development, and programming for youth and families. “If you don’t have stable housing, you’re not going to care about schooling, safety, or eating healthy. If we get those families into stable housing, then they can focus on those other things,” George said. George’s first affordable housing project opened this spring—The Commons at Penn in north Minneapolis, an income-restricted, 47-unit workforce apartment building that also includes an on-site health and wellness facility, an after-school program, a fitness center, a toddler playground, and a grocery store. Long-term, George would like to help create a more family-friendly community in north Minneapolis—a community that provides greater amenities for its residents. So far, The Commons at Penn has been a successful addition to the neighborhood. “[The] Commons at Penn achieves multiple city goals: creating new, highquality, affordable housing options [and] increased residential density along a key commercial and transit corridor, and bringing in commercial activity and services,” said Andrea Brennan, director of Housing Policy and Development for the City of Minneapolis. “This project sets us on a promising course to continue development at this important north Minneapolis node.” George is planning phase two of The Commons at Penn, which will go up right across the street from the existing mixed-use building. He also is developing housing complexes in South Carolina and Louisiana, and has been contacted by fellow professional athletes who would like to see a change in the neighborhoods where they were raised. In addition to literally helping build a solid foundation for families through stable housing, George also helps build a strong foundation for young people through mentorship programs like Read to Achieve. “The kids think that [NBA players] are not human beings because we know how to play basketball,” said George. “If I can tell a kid to go to school and not to do drugs, and just because I can play basketball he’ll listen to me, I’m going to try to use that to my advantage.” George is also busy instilling the values of compassion and service in his own two sons, ages 7 and 4. For starters, they learn to share by donating their toys to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have any. “They’re still young, but I started teaching my boys early on a way of giving and understanding. I explain to them that this [lifestyle] isn’t normal; they’re in a blessed situation,” George said. “I’ve been able to achieve a lot of things. But I know I’ve had a lot of help along the way.” 12 Augsburg Now WORKFORCE HOUSING offers reduced rent to people who are gainfully employed (and don’t qualify as low-income), yet still struggle to afford market-rate housing. It’s explained by the Urban Land Institute as housing that is “affordable to families earning 60 to 100 percent of area median income.” Workforce housing commonly is targeted for essential workers in a community, such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, social workers, and nurses. Summer 2016 13 BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA THE CITY: COURSE CONTENT AND CLASSROOM Each semester, painting and drawing classes typically occur in what originally was an Augsburg College chapel. Old Main 100 is an inspiring place with 25-foot ceilings and soaring windows. On-campus studios offer focused spaces for students to learn about visual art media, methods, and creative expression. For 25 years, Associate Professor and Art Department Co‑Chair Tara Sweeney has taught foundational drawing principles in Old Main with what she calls “as few spectators and distractions as possible,” and in recent years she also has led short-term international travel courses in which students develop the same skills without the support of a traditional studio. This spring, Sweeney and her Minneapolis-based students traveled close to home as they stepped beyond the boundaries of the campus studio, choosing to forgo a controlled setting to embrace learning opportunities present in public areas that are as complex and challenging as they are diverse. “Instead of creating a still life with the same old props, I utilized the city as subject matter and classroom,” Sweeney said. “Students were as actively engaged in creative placemaking as they were in making drawings — effectively shaping the physical and social character of whatever neighborhood, museum, coffee shop, or landmark we chose as a drawing site.” A CORE CHALLENGE In the article “The Power of Experiential Education,” nationally recognized education scholar and professor Janet Eyler noted that a central challenge for liberal arts educators like Sweeney—and indeed the entire Augsburg College faculty—is to “design learning environments and instruction so that students will be able to use what they learn in appropriate new contexts.” That is, to successfully “bridge classroom study and life in the world and to transform inert knowledge into knowledge-in-use.” In a drawing course, for instance, students develop technical skills while exploring individual subject matter and creative expression. It is perhaps the latter of these elements that came into clearer focus when Sweeney took her students out in the community. The artists “made connections with strangers and learned things about themselves in the process,” Sweeney said. They become comfortable creating art in the midst of daily life and finished the course with “real skills and the right tools to continue drawing wherever they find themselves and wherever inspiration finds them.” JUST A GLIMPSE At Augsburg, students across disciplines and degree programs benefit from faculty instruction that integrates experiential learning opportunities with traditional instructional methods, thereby linking course concepts with real-world applications. The pages that follow offer a glimpse at a small sample of the faculty and students who use Minneapolis as their classroom. 16 Augsburg Now Johanna Goggins ’16 works on a sketch in the solarium at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Summer 2016 17 ARTS AND THE CITIES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENV 120: Students clad in safety gear and earplugs to dampen the deafening noise weave their way through a Eureka Recycling processing plant. Environmental Science focuses on understanding and resolving problems humans have created in the natural world. The course includes hands-on learning opportunities that make complex scientific concepts more approachable and applicable for students. “The city is the perfect place for these types of experiences to happen—it’s all right at our fingertips: a wastewater treatment plant, power plant, recycling center, and public transit,” said Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Emily Schilling. “We can observe the detrimental effects humans are having on the environment, and we also can see some of the ways we are trying to mitigate that impact.” MIS 375: HON 230: Students in Augsburg College’s Honors Program join Minnesota Orchestra performers onstage following a symphony event at Orchestra Hall. As an interdisciplinary course, “Arts and the Cities” unites film, music, theater, and visual art — offering students the chance to peruse Picassos, soak in Shakespeare, and mingle with musicians. Together, students and teachers explore the role of the arts in a culturally dynamic urban setting. “Students enjoy the experiential nature of this course,” said Associate Professor of Music Merilee Klemp ’75. “They often comment that it presents them with opportunities that they would not have on their own and deepens their understanding of the role of the arts in their lives long after the course is over.” 18 Augsburg Now E-COMMERCE Students speak with Abdirahman Mukhtar, a youth program manager at Pillsbury United Communities’ Brian Coyle Center. Mukhtar oversees the Sisterhood Boutique, a secondhand clothing store that serves as a training ground for young women to learn about entrepreneurship, business, community partnerships, and sustainable fashion. Through their discussions with Mukhtar, the Auggies began to apply some of their fundamental course concepts in a real-world setting. Summer 2016 19 2016 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM LEADERSHIP & CONFLICT BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi shared his vision for global compassion during the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. More than 300 students, academics, activists, and thought leaders participated in three days of discussion and presentations to advance peacebuilding. O R G A NI ZI NG PA RT N E RS 20 Augsburg Now MED IA SPO N SO R GRADUATE STUDENTS STUDY GLOBAL COMPASSION AT THE 2016 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Conflict is a pervasive characteristic of human interaction. This is the opening line of the summer syllabus for Augsburg College’s Master of Arts in Leadership course, “Navigating Local & Global Conflict: Interfaith Dimensions.” The statement underscores how important it is for leaders to develop the ability to navigate and inspire others in the face of conflict and sets the stage for the work of analyzing leadership in the context of real-world situations. By design, the course is integrated with the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, for which Augsburg is the host sponsor. “The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is a gem,” said history and leadership studies professor Jacqueline deVries. It’s a oneof-a-kind event that allows students to learn through direct engagement about the contexts and complexities involved in conflict. deVries, who also serves as director for Augsburg’s general education program, co-taught the course with Martha Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, and Tom Morgan, professor of leadership studies. Held annually in Minneapolis, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum is one of only three programs officially associated with the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The Forum’s mission is to inspire peacemaking by focusing on the work of Nobel Peace Prize laureates and by engaging students and the wider community with national and global leaders in the process of peacebuilding. The Forum provided the students in the graduate course with direct access to leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations whose work involves navigating complex, real-world challenges that range from food security to civil unrest to poverty and climate change. The students used examples from the Forum, as well as from their own lives, to analyze conflict involving religious diversity in their communities, examine contemporary issues in a historical perspective, and develop a view on what effective leadership looks like (or might look like) in actual situations. Students come to the Master’s of Arts in Leadership program with experience PEACEB U ILD IN G PARTN ER- SPONSORS Summer 2016 21 AUGGIES CONNECT Martin Olav Sabo ’59 leaves mark on Augsburg College community in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. In gathering during a lunch break to share reflections about what they were learning at the Forum, the class observed that it is not possible to be effective as a leader without knowing what’s going on in the world. The Forum, they said, was a prompt for thinking about how a leader would approach addressing challenging topics and situations in their work. Too often, people are so wrapped up with their jobs and family and school that they don’t think about the difficulties others are facing in the world. It’s not that people don’t care about these topics, one student said, but they often just don’t pay attention to the issues on a daily basis. Being at the Forum offered a level of understanding that may not happen in a classroom, the students said. In fact, during the Forum the students directly engaged with difficult topics, and it required a conscious choice to hear the tragic stories about topics like child slavery and human trafficking. This is where our general population may be falling short, one student observed—choosing to turn away instead of understanding the reality of these issues. The Master of Arts in Leadership program, however, equips individuals to turn toward—rather than away from— challenging issues in order to seek solutions and inspire others toward a common goal. The program is designed to prepare leaders who are ethically and morally responsible, who can see beyond immediate concerns, and who are sensitive to the complex problems that organizations face. By using the Nobel Peace Prize Forum as a classroom, these students worked to understand both the systems that contribute to conflict and the systems that effective leaders can use to address it. “WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE DEMAND” Top [L to R]: Dean Jarrow ’16 MAL and Dele Odiachi ’17 MAL Bottom: [L to R]: Jacqueline deVries; Margaret PowellMack ’17 MAL; Kevin Stirtz ’17 MAL; Subashini Ambrose ’18 MAL; Tom Morgan; Eric Miamen ’04, ’14 MBA, ’16 MAL; David Nyssen ’16 MBA, ’17 MAL; Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi; Howie Smith ’80, ’19 MAL; Satyarthi’s wife, Sumedha Kailash; MAL Director Alan Tuchtenhagen; and Brad Beeskow ’17 MAL. 22 Augsburg Now For example, some students thought that business was potentially the most powerful force for addressing the issues discussed at the Forum; others argued that the biggest changes will come when consumers demand it, quoting comments by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, who, in his opening remarks, said, “We have to change the demand.” Another student observed that every person has a powerful “what’s in it for me” filter and noted that, if we don’t translate the message in a way that addresses this filter, it will not be effective. And, although the class agreed, the students also recognized that people are often motivated not just by what benefits them directly, but also by generosity and helping others—by what, as one student phrased it, satisfies a need of the heart. BY STEPHANIE WEISS Former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59, who passed away on March 13 at age 78, was a lifelong public servant and renowned Augsburg College alumnus who exemplified the progressive approach and personal integrity that were modeled in his Lutheran upbringing and education. The work he and his wife, Sylvia, devoted to guiding the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium—all of which create opportunities for civic experiences and skillbuilding inside and outside the classroom—will leave a lasting legacy at Augsburg. Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow said that Sabo’s “life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. The Sabo Center gives Augsburg the ongoing opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our dear friend.” One year after graduating from Augsburg College, Sabo—then 22—was elected to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his tenure, he became the first member of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor party to serve as Speaker of the House—a post he held from 1973-78. He went on to serve for 28 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, retiring in 2007. At the same time that Sabo served in Congress, he volunteered 12 years to Augsburg College as a member of the Board of Regents. The College named Sabo a Distinguished Alumnus and awarded him its first-ever honorary degree. Sabo was distinguished in all he undertook and, in 2006, was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for outstanding work and dedication to NorwegianAmerican relations. Congressman Sabo and Sylvia Sabo are parents of Auggies Karin Mantor ’86 and Julie Sabo ’90. Summer 2016 23 AUGGIES CONNECT New to the Alumni Board Five Auggies elected to serve three-year terms on the Augsburg College Alumni Board will network with and mentor current Auggies, build community with alumni, and provide a vital link between the College and graduates. TRAVEL IN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA JANUARY 3-15, 2017 To learn more, go to augsburg.edu/alumni/travel. Derek Francis ’08 School counselor, Minneapolis Public Schools “Through the awesome community and volunteer opportunities at Augsburg, I realized I was passionate about working with youth. Augsburg’s value of service to the community transformed my life.” Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL President, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce “I am eager to give back to the school that has given me so many opportunities, such as political internships with [former U.S. Rep.] Martin Sabo ’59 and MN Sen. Bill Luther, which began my career.” MAKES LASTING IMPACT With its Give to the Max Day gifts, the Biology Department funded new research opportunities for two students: Oksana Burt ’17 and Davy DeKrey ’17 [pictured]. 24 Augsburg Now Business development, Gravie “A continuing passion of mine is to grow our networking efforts, both for employers and individuals as they connect with Auggie alumni.” Online giving day supports students, faculty, programs Auggies last fall made Augsburg College No. 1 in the annual Give to the Max Day challenge. This year, Give to the Max Day is November 17, and the College is calling on alumni to push Augsburg into the top spot for the fourth year in a row. In 2015, in just 24 hours, more than 1,000 Auggies—many of whom were first-time donors—generously stepped up to give more than $240,000 to Augsburg. As a result, Augsburg ranked first among all participating Minnesota colleges and universities, and earned a $10,000 bonus. Alumni support on Give to the Max Day has a lasting impact and supports new opportunities for students. Funds raised last year supported the expansion of on-campus research; the purchase of a 3-D printer for the mathematics and statistics department; production costs for Howling Bird Press, the student-run book publishing project in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program; and trips by athletic teams for competition, education, and community service. This November, alumni also can give to scholarships that honor the legacy of music, research, and civil service at Augsburg. Gifts are being sought to honor the work of Leland Sateren ’35, U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo ’59, the StepUP® program, and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity, which connects students with new and existing research and scholarship on campus, across the United States, and around the world. Anyone can donate any amount on Give to the Max Day. Schedule your gifts online at givemn.org beginning November 1. Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA Janeece Oatman ’05 Development director, American Diabetes Association “I have a passion for committee-building, and I am interested in networking opportunities, reconnecting with campus, and fellow Auggies.” Brad Randall ’13 Mechanical maintenance planner, Xcel Energy “As a graduate of Augsburg’s Adult Undergraduate program, I am interested in mentoring Augsburg alumni in all fields.” [L to R]: Lewis Istok ’18 and Abigale Enrici ’18 create a two-material print using a 3-D printer purchased with Give to the Max Day funds. Jordan Brandt ’17 throws a pitch on the baseball team’s 2016 spring break trip to Arizona. The team raised more than $17,000 on Give to the Max Day 2015. Back row [L to R]: Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA; Brad Randall ’13; Mary Prevost ’12 MBA; Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA; Jay Howard ’03, Nick Rathmann ’03; Hanna Dietrich ’05; Rick Bonlender ’78; Patricia Jesperson ’95; Melissa (Daudt) Hoepner ’92; Howie Smith ’80, ’19 MAL; Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett ’01; Greg Schnagl ’91. Front row [L to R]: Adrienne (Kuchler) Eldridge ’02; Meg (Schmidt) Sawyer ’00; Adriana Matzke ’13; Janeece Oatman ’05; Chau “Tina” Nguyen ’08; Jill Watson ’10 MBA. Not pictured: Derek Francis ’08; Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL; Nick Swanson ’09 Q&A with tour guide and Professor of English Kathy Swanson Q: A: How many times have you traveled to Thailand? What keeps bringing you back? My husband and I lived in Thailand as Peace Corps volunteers for two years and have returned eight times since. We return because we feel Thailand is our “second home.” We love Thailand’s beauty—from the huge city of Bangkok to the mountains of northern Thailand in Chiang Mai to the small beach town where we lived. We also have many dear friends, some former students and colleagues, with whom we love to reconnect. Q: A: Can you share with us a memory from a trip you led with Augsburg students? We have shared our love of Thailand with Augsburg students during five trips and have so many good memories. Former Auggies still share their memories and pictures of the trips with us. Some of these students became English language learner teachers because of their experience teaching English in our former school. I remember one student, for example, who was hesitant about going so far away from home and to such an unfamiliar place. She had been my student in several classes and seemed to trust me when I encouraged her, so she took the big step. We are still in contact after many years and she has written about her trip to Thailand as being “lifechanging.” She stepped out of her comfort zone and experienced things she could have never imagined, gaining confidence and self-awareness. Q: A: Who should take this trip? Anyone who values expanding a worldview, learning about a new culture, and experiencing beauty. Summer 2016 25 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES AUGGIES CONNECT Martin Sabo ’59 leaves a lasting legacy. See page 23. 1960 Rev. Dennis Glad ’60 and Barbara Glad of St. Francis, Minnesota, have led nearly 1,000 volunteers on mission trips to 14 Caribbean islands, Costa Rica, and Belize over the past 25 years. Working on a volunteer construction team, the Glads and their crew have built schools, clinics, churches, orphanages, and more. In April, the couple received WCCO Radio’s Good Neighbor Award, and they are now in the station’s Good Neighbor Hall of Fame. In 1999, Rev. Glad retired after serving in the United Methodist Church for more than 40 years. empowering dreams Travelers EDGE® grant affords students pathway to success In March, Augsburg was awarded a $115,000 grant to continue offering Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment), a program that provides underrepresented students with scholarships, paid internships, and mentorship in an effort to break down barriers and provide long-term opportunity. The highly successful program, now in its sixth year at Augsburg, is poised to have 15 Travelers EDGE scholars on campus this fall—its largest cohort yet. This prestigious program—open to only 12 colleges in the United States—has lifetime payoffs for students, including the chance to find challenging and rewarding careers in the insurance and financial services industry. To get there, each Travelers EDGE scholar works with a career coach and a professional mentor at Travelers and participates in financial literacy programming. Marlene Ibsen, vice president of community relations at Travelers, said Augsburg was already doing great work and made for a natural Travelers EDGE partner. “Everything and everyone we encountered at Augsburg, including President Pribbenow and throughout the organization, made us think, ‘This is a team of people who really get it and would be outstanding additions to the Travelers EDGE collaborative,’” said Ibsen. Students in the program receive financial 26 Augsburg Now scholarships and something that, in the long run, pays even greater dividends— networking contacts. “Once they begin immersing themselves in the professional development workshops and start to build relationships with Travelers employees, students quickly learn that the networking and professional coaching they are getting will be of significant use to them in the long term,” said Janet Morales, Augsburg’s director for the program. So far, Augsburg has had 23 Travelers EDGE scholars participate in the program and some have gone on to accept full-time positions with Travelers. Dustina Granlund ’14 is one of the Travelers EDGE alumni who works at Travelers. Granlund had two internships at the company, including one in Hartford, Connecticut. As an intern, she helped develop new and more efficient reporting systems that are still in use today. Granlund said her mentor helped her understand how school applies to the real world by encouraging her to accept and take on challenges, to network, and to push herself beyond her comfort zone. “My Travelers EDGE scholar work taught me business etiquette, interviewing techniques, and résumé writing,” she said. “It helped connect me with resources at Augsburg that I didn’t really know about.” Travelers EDGE connected Granlund with staff in Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work who helped Granlund become more comfortable seeking regular advice on graduate school. Morales sees that the value of the program goes far beyond job experience. “Travelers EDGE is confidence building,” she said. “Our scholars do not typically have any corporate experience prior to becoming a part of Travelers EDGE, nor do they have family members with that experience, so starting their professional journey within insurance and financial services can be intimidating. However, Travelers EDGE gives the scholars opportunities to learn and build their skills within a safe space. The end result is that they can imagine themselves with a career in insurance and financial services, which they couldn’t before.” 1964 Roger Johnson ’64 was presented with the Donald Clark Memorial Award at Minnesota Hockey’s annual banquet in April. The award is given to an individual who has been dedicated to the grassroots growth and development of youth hockey in Minnesota. Johnson was the head coach for boys’ hockey in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, from 1965 until 1972 and then was varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach for the next 27 years until 1999. He is a substitute teacher and a volunteer general manager for the boys’ hockey team. 1969 Royce Helmbrecht ’69 graduated with a degree in education. Today, 47 years later, he works as a substitute teacher with students who struggle to get through school. He also teaches jail inmates for the GED program. fundraisers. Her leisure activities include gardening, walking, biking, and reading. Michael Good ’71 celebrates at groundbreaking ceremony. See page 2. jazzy food songs. Sullivan attended Augsburg as a flute student, studied broadcasting at Brown Institute, and has worked in radio and as a voice-over artist. After appearing at venues that draw swing dancers, she teamed up with Laurie to create the duo Retro Swing Sister. Three years ago at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota, three parishioners took on a Lenten art project to create a mosaic for their church entry. Led by Barb (Durkee) Mikelson ’71, the committee also included Emilie Moravec ’07 and Jon Daniels ’88. The design, primarily Mikelson’s work, echoed the stained glass window design in the church’s sanctuary created by the late August Molder, an Augsburg professor. Mikelson served the past 12 years as director of her church’s early childhood education center, All God’s Children Learning Center, and retired in January. The school’s leadership is now in the able hands of another Auggie, Courtney GadboisBrumbaugh ’95. From the Auggie Connections blog. Read more at augsburg.edu/alumni/blog. He says the Lord intervened in his life and directed him to Augsburg, and he feels blessed to have followed the Lord’s direction. 1971 Mary (Soulen) Johnson ’71 is the new branch assistant at Minnesota’s Aitkin Public Library. She especially enjoys working with children at the library and at the Aitkin Children’s Center. As a volunteer at Wild and Free in Garrison, Minnesota, she helps with feeding animals and assists with Merilee Klemp ’75 uses the city of Minneapolis as her classroom. See page 16. 1982 Maryann Sullivan ’82 and Rhonda Laurie have been entertaining listening audiences and swing dancers for the past three years. In February, the two performed “Swingin’ a la Carte” as part of the Jazz@ St. Barney’s concert series at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, reflecting the singers’ love of cooking through Scott Whirley ’82 and Henry Gerten ’98 were inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, prior to this year’s NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships. Whirley and Gerten are the ninth and 10th Auggies to be inducted into the NWCA Division III Hall of Fame. Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 breaks ground on Augsburg’s new, signature academic building. See page 2. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1967 In March, the Rev. Terry J. Frovik ’67 and his wife, Pauline, were invited by Archbishop Nemuel Babba to participate in the installation service for the Rev. Peter Bartimawus, who was elected Bishop of the Gongola Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN). The service took place in Bartimawus’ home village of Guyuk. 1992 Rosanne Newville Bump ’92 plans events, including the St. Paul Winter Carnival as president and CEO of the Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation. She received her MBA in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has stayed in touch with many of her Auggie classmates over the years, and is pleased that both the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the Cinco de Mayo organizations benefit from the help of Augsburg interns as they plan events. She lives with her husband of 28 years, Jeff Bump ’85, and their three daughters (Madelyn, Ella, and Julia) in River Falls where she served for nine years as CEO of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. Summer 2016 27 2000 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Brian Ammann ’85 reflects on one of the standout athletes he coached. See page 8. 1988 Building hope In March, Bob Strommen ’74 volunteered for a Habitat for Humanity project in Nicaragua. He joined cousins Tim ’70 and Dawn (Hofstad) ’70 Strommen, and Judy (Knudson) Strommen ’77, and was overwhelmed by the magnitude of poverty in the small village where they worked. The trip was Tim’s third visit to the same site. Bob writes, “Prior to our venturing out, we had an orientation led by our Nicaraguan Habitat leader, Aleandra, who reported that there was a need for more than 600,000 homes in Nicaragua—either new builds or fixing up existing homes in desperate need of repair. And we were going to build one home. At the time I thought, ‘What difference will this make? How do you tackle such an overwhelming need?’” Upon meeting the eventual homeowner, her daughter, and grandchildren, Bob soon learned that their work in that one week would make a lifechanging impact for the family. He’d considered the impact they would make on the family of the house, but did not comprehend the impact that the people and volunteering would have on him, saying: “My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be.” Jeff Judge ’88 successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at Minnesota State University. His thesis was “Spirituality in Higher Education: A Narrative Analysis of its Use by Leaders for Decision-Making.” Judge graduated from Augsburg with bachelor’s degrees in music education and Spanish, and received a master’s in Spanish from Middlebury (Vermont) College. He lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with his wife, Jeannie, and their three teenagers: Nico, Danny, and Clare. He is the dean of the humanities division at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. 1989 Troy Bakker ’89 received a doctorate of science degree from Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. Stephen Hindle ’89 has been appointed practice lead at the partner level for Aon Hewitt’s assessment and leadership practice for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He also is the face of Aon Hewitt in these markets. His responsibilities include commercial management of all assessment and leadership business across 14 countries as well as all operations, solution development, and mergers and acquisitions activity in these markets. He is based in Singapore with his wife of more than 21 years, Adean, and their two daughters, Claudia and Madeleine. 1996 As twin sisters, Kaja Foat ’96 and Zoe Foat ’96 have shared a lot in life—a last name, a love of color and nature, and a vision for a more ethical world. In 2002, the sisters followed their shared vision to create FOAT. Their goal was to offer a refreshing, eco-conscious alternative in women’s fashion, starting with yoga apparel. Since then, they’ve expanded their designs to additional lines of one-of-a-kind garments and wedding gowns, and their workspace to studios in Minneapolis and Charleston, South Carolina. Devean George ’99 builds neighborhood pride alongside community housing in north Minneapolis. See page 8. 2000 Augsburg theater alumni Stephanie Lein Walseth ’00, Quinci Bachman ’15, and Jorge Rodriguez ’15, and Professor Emerita Martha Johnson participated in the Full Circle Theater Company’s return engagement of “Theater: A Sacred Passage.” Lein Walseth and Johnson are two writers of this original performance piece, devised by the core artists of Full Circle from their personal journeys into theater. Their stories embody the challenges and transformational experiences they have had in becoming theater artists and how their lives and work reflect the changes in the theater community during the past two decades. The piece incorporates acting, storytelling, choreography, and music. Bachman was production coordinator, stage manager, and sound designer. Rodriguez served as set and technical director and lighting designer. Johnson was dramaturge and assistant director. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. 1992 Heather Johnston ’92 (second from left) was invited to speak at the annual conference of the Municipal Finance Directors of Israel in Eilat, Israel. Johnston is president of the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Johnston serves as the city manager for Burnsville, Minnesota. 28 Augsburg Now 1999 [L to R]: J. Roxanne Prichard, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, and Jeanne “Birdie” (Ramacher) Cunningham ’99, associate director of health and wellness, have created and launched the Center for College Sleep at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. 2005 Jon Dahlin ’05 participated in track and field at Augsburg, and he set a national record in the hammer throw that still stands. He went on to compete nationally and internationally in Highland games. He competed in states including California, Florida, and Texas, and he also competed in Iceland. He traveled to Gyor, Hungary, as part of Team USA for the 2015 World Highland Games Championship where he squared off against 15 athletes from around the world. He was pleased to record one of his best performances ever in caber (tossing a 175-pound wooden beam), and finished in seventh place. Dahlin lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and works as a software developer at Barr Engineering, focusing primarily on creating web applications. He also is a sports photographer who covers NFL games. Jenni Fisher ’05 and Jade Boettcher ’15 MAE were united in marriage on January 20 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Boettcher received his Master of Arts in Education from Augsburg and is a special education teacher at John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota. Fisher received her bachelor’s from Augsburg and is a clinic assistant at Planned Parenthood in Rochester. Brandon Green ’05 is a new managing partner at MG Resources. Before joining the company, Green spent nearly 18 years with Griffiths Corporation. 2007 James Lekatz ’07 wrote the music for “The Snow Queen,” which was presented at Stages Theatre in Hopkins, Minnesota, in March. This summer, Lekatz worked with a group of students with autism on a production of “The BFG” as part of a program called CAST, Creative Accepting Sensoryfriendly Theatre. He will be assistant director on a production called “Twinkle Twinkle,” as part of Stages Theatre Company’s theater for the very young, and he will compose Stages’ next dance/ ballet piece, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” to be performed next spring. 2008 Andrew Webb ’08 volunteers his time to assist local and global communities as they recover from natural disasters and tragedies. He encourages others through a letter-writing campaign and invites groups, such as area high schools, to join him in his dedication to this mission. Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00 received her chaplain badge for the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains Ministry, a statewide nonprofit that serves police and fire personnel. The program follows a strict training that mirrors the training of police officers. Brown will return to the Twin Cities in August to attend a clinical pastoral education residency through which she will receive certification to become a hospital chaplain. 2000 Ross Murray ’00, ’09 MBA, has been issued a call from the Metropolitan New York Synod in New York City to be consecrated as a diaconal minister and focus on LGBT advocacy at GLAAD. He and Richard Garnett ’07, ’09 MBA were married in April. 2001 Sarah (Grans) Peterka ’01 married Erik Peterka on December 12. Several Auggies were at the celebration including: Carrie Lind ’01, Skylar Hanson ’01, Laura Hahn ’02, Erica ’01 and Jason ’01 Bryan-Wegner, Ben Hoogland ’00, Larye ’98 and Melissa (Moyle) Pohlman ’00, Lenise Butler ’01, and Birgitte Simpson ’13. 2010 Jennifer (Mathwig) Ortloff ’10 became joint owner of the public accounting firm of Peterson Juergensen Hemerick & Co. in Hutchinson, Minnesota, after five years with the firm. Prior to becoming an owner and before earning an accounting degree at Augsburg, she worked on the administrative side of the company. Ortloff is a native of Brownton, Minnesota, and worked for the city of Brownton while completing her degree. 2005 When Claire Pettry ’05 moved to Ohio in the fall of 2015, her Augsburg College connection played a key role in helping her form friendships in her new locale. She met Chris Ascher ’81 and wife, Susan, and the three became fast friends who completed a 5K run on Thanksgiving. 2003 Megan and Jay Howard ’03 welcomed their son, Elias John, on April 28. Lisa Svac Hawks ’85 sees Augsburg College as a “pillar of faith,” one of the reasons she chose the College and why she continues to be involved. She served six years on the Alumni Board and is a founding member of Augsburg Women Engaged. Hawks is vice president, external communications, for United Healthcare Services. She is focused on helping simplify the complicated health care landscape for the consumers so that they can live healthier lives. In her spare time, Hawks enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing golf and other sports. She also enjoys coaching her 10-year-old son Andrew’s baseball team, which she has done for the past three years. From the Auggie Connections blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2011 Patrick Siegel ’11 is the proud owner of Robusto & Briar cigar store and lounge in Lakewood, Ohio. The establishment is made for all who appreciate a fine cigar and conversation-worthy décor. He got hooked on the cigar business when, as a student at Augsburg, he was hired by the Golden Leaf shop, where he bought his cigars. He and wife, Nicole, who grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, decided to settle in Lakewood. Robusto & Briar specializes in hand-rolled products that are kept in a 15-by30 foot humidor. The shop offers about 400 types of cigars and about 50 kinds of tobacco. 2012 The Minnesota Women’s Press published an article on Interfaith Youth Connection, a program for high school and college-age youth that promotes interfaith understanding and service. The article includes comments from Fardosa Hassan ’12, Muslim student program associate at Augsburg College and program coordinator of Interfaith Youth Connection. By holding regular conversations and yearly service events, the group seeks to give youth “a way to be proud of who they are in whatever faith background they [believe], while reducing prejudice and misconception,” Hassan said. “In the midst of what is going on today, this is something we need.” Patrick Sayler ’12 is the new general manager of Co-op Natural Foods in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Before returning to Sioux Falls three years ago, he spent 16 years in the Minneapolis area managing cafes and retail shops. As the general manager of Co-op Natural Foods, he will oversee an established business that employs approximately 20 people and does more than $2 million a year. He is completing work on a degree in business management/marketing and project management at the University of Sioux Falls. 2014 Allison Zank ’14 has been named a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow for 2016-17. Zank will receive a $34,000 annual stipend and $12,000 costof-education allowance to assist her in achieving a research-based graduate degree. An NSF GRFP indicates to graduate schools that a student is a top undergraduate scientist in the nation. Zank conducted summer research on biofilms with Augsburg Associate Professor Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright as well as at the University of Minnesota’s Dental School. Zank also has spent time conducting research in industry. At Augsburg, she was named an URGO Scholar, McNair Scholar, AugSTEM Scholar, and Goldwater Scholar. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this fall. GRADUATE 2015 Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP presented at a breakout session for Fairview Health Services’ Somali Cultural Health Day in April. Her topic was “Critical decision making and chronic illness.” Clark connected her previous bedside nursing experience with her current experience working with Somali community members at the Health Commons in the CedarRiverside neighborhood. Her focus was to teach health care providers to deliver culturally congruent care to marginalized populations. She concentrated her efforts on reducing the role of stereotypes and assumptions in the patient-provider relationship. Jordan Holm ’15 competed in the 2016 Olympic trials in the 85-kilogram weight class for Greco-Roman wrestling at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on April 6. Holm was one of three athletes automatically earning the No. 1 ranking. He graduated from Augsburg with a business degree in marketing. Duina Hernandez ’16 lets dirt fly at an Augsburg groundbreaking ceremony. See page 2. Evan Berg ’10 MBA was hired as assistant vice president and loan officer at the Janesville State Bank in Janesville, Minnesota. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics/ business administration from Winona State University and an MBA from Augsburg, as well as eight years of experience in credit analysis and lending with Farm Credit and several banks. AUGGIE CONNECTIONS: a new, personalized newsletter Whether it be in the classroom, cheering on your favorite Auggie team, or supporting the on-campus groups that mean the most to you, Augsburg College emphasizes a direct, personal experience for its students and alumni. In today’s world where information is coming from all angles and at all times, personalized, meaningful information is more important than ever. The Alumni Association recognizes this and is taking a step to provide more pertinent and timely information about what’s happening at Augsburg. Beginning this summer, Augsburg is offering a personalized e-newsletter that will be delivered on a schedule of your choosing, in a format you want. No more monthly Now@Augsburg emails. The Auggie Connections newsletter is now in your hands. Choose the topics you are most interested in: Auggie athletics? Theater and music? Science? Want to hear it all? With your new, improved Auggie Connections newsletter, you won’t miss a thing. The first personalized Auggie Connections newsletter arrived in your email inbox in late June. If you haven’t yet set your preferences, check your email for the message titled “Augsburg College - delivered YOUR way,” to get started. To update your contact information, email alumniupdate@ augsburg.edu. 2009 Benjamin Austin ’09 and Michelle (Anderson) Austin ’11 were married December 19 in St. Paul. They met at Augsburg during her sophomore year and his senior year. Schuyler (Dunhaupt) Tilson ’10 graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul in January with a focus in Indian law. She recently passed the Minnesota bar and became a staff attorney for the Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court. She holds undergraduate degrees from Augsburg in history and American Indian studies. 2012 Muneer Al-Hameed ’12 won the Dancing with the Twin Cities Celebrities Charity Ball in February. Augsburg alumna Carla Beaurline ’91 was a judge this year and a 2015 Dancing with the Twin Cities celebrity dancer. FRESH LOOK, INCREASED INTERACTION Nic Thomley ’06 MBA was named to the 2016 Class of Henry Crown Fellows and the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute. This growing network unites a worldwide community of entrepreneurial leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy, and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our time. Thomley is an accomplished entrepreneur in the human services industry and the founder of companies that provide an array of services to persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Thomley is the founder and 30 Augsburg Now CEO of Morning Star Financial Services and the founder and chairman of Summit Fiscal Agency and Pinnacle Services, Minneapolis. Thomley was named a 2015 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and, in 2006, was named to Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30, America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs” list and to the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. In 2010, Thomley was presented with Augsburg’s First Decade Award, which honors graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community. Enjoy several new features on the Augsburg Now magazine’s companion website. Thanks to a site upgrade, it’s possible to: • Read articles on mobile devices with ease • Share favorite stories and photos on social media • View exclusive slideshows and videos • Manage your magazine subscription and delivery method • “Go green” by opting for digital content instead of print • Submit class notes and share good news SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and births. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/connect to submit your announcements. Mike Polis ’10 has started Backboard Media, based in Northeast Minneapolis. Check it out at backboardgroup.com. 2010 augsburg.edu/now Entrepreneurial leader recognized 2010 2013 Kuoth Wiel ’13 cofounded the NyaEden Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to provide basic survival necessities to disadvantaged women and children throughout Africa. She is an actress, model, and humanitarian whose debut film role was in “The Good Lie,” a drama starring Reese Witherspoon that tells the story of a group of Sudanese refugees who are offered shelter in the United States. Wiel was born to a Sudanese mother and father in an Ethiopian refugee camp following her parents’ escape from war-torn Sudan. As a young adult, Wiel moved to Minneapolis to attend Augsburg and study social psychology. Visit nyaedenfoundation.org to learn more about the organization’s work to foster girls’ and women’s safety, empowerment, independence, dignity, self-esteem, and self-respect. Fall 2015 37 Summer 2016 31 In memoriam Chester R. Heikkinen ’40, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, age 99, on November 24. Helen (Quanbeck) Nichols ’44, Monticello, Minnesota, age 94, on April 27. Frederick “Fred” M. King ’71, Onalaska, Wisconsin, age 73, on February 5. Helen E. (Berg) Peterson ’46, Minneapolis, age 92, on November 23. Martin O. Sabo ’59, Minneapolis, age 78, on March 13. Kenneth J. Dahlberg ’80, Colorado Springs, Colorado, age 62, on December 21. Doris M. Rear-Hustad ’46, Blanchardville, Wisconsin, age 90, on March 18. Gary A. Hoonsbeen ’60, Crystal, Minnesota, age 77, on March 7. Brenda L. Fredrick ’82, Strawberry Point, Iowa, age 57, on April 23. Loren M. Thorson ’46, Green Valley, Arizona, age 96, on March 8. Robert N. Martin ’61, Dracut, Massachusetts, age 81, on March 22. Janice C. Olson ’84, Lakewood, Washington, age 79, on January 19. Robert “Bob” E. Lee ’47, Hallettsville, Texas, age 92, on March 3. Norbert W. W. Mokros ’61, Duluth, Minnesota, age 77, on January 25. Melissa A. Lawrence ’88, Minneapolis, age 59, on March 1. Aagoth E. (Hanson) Hansen ’48, Willmar, Minnesota, age 89, on January 4. Sherman P. Coltvet ’62, Rochester, Minnesota, age 75, on January 30. Marilyn J. (Cederstrom) Teubert ’88, Waconia, Minnesota, age 84, on November 23. Paul D. Hilton ’51, Cumberland, Wisconsin, age 86, on January 28. Eugene M. Nelson ’51, Colorado Springs, Colorado, age 86, on January 11. Lillian K. (Ysteboe) Ose ’51, Benson, Minnesota, age 87, on January 5. Leonard E. Dalberg ’52, Solvang, California, age 90, on April 21. Randall “Randy” Fischer ’52, Lynchburg, Virginia, age 85, on February 5. Robert C. Ingman ’54, Minneapolis, age 85, on September 3. Charles “Bob” R. Hudgins ’62, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 75, on December 12. Charles W. King, Jr. ’62, Sun City West, Arizona, age 76, on December 17. Philip O. Sidney ’63, St. Paul, age 75, on April 10. Mary M. Lindgren ’64, Minneapolis, age 74, on March 15. David A. Mallak ’65, Austin, Texas, age 72, on February 10. Steven H. Steinke ’65, Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, age 68, on January 26. Robert R. Benson ’67, Preston, Minnesota, age 70, on December 23. Karl B. Lunder ’70, Red Wing, Minnesota, age 69, on March 12. SAVE THE DATES: SEPTEMBER 22-24 New events and schedule! William “Bill” J. Schutt ’75, Watertown, South Dakota, age 74, on February 2. Richard “Dick” L. Berg ’57, Minneapolis, age 85, on February 3. Vera C. (Alberg) Hafstad ’50, Owatonna, Minnesota, age 86, on March 11. Augsburg Now Dayne W. Sather ’55, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 86, on January 25. Joyce I. (Engstrom) Spector ’70, Minneapolis, age 68, on April 1. Mary (Mortensen) Nelson ’45, Minneapolis, age 92, on January 22. Arnold H. Skaar ’48, Edina, Minnesota, age 91, on February 2. 32 Dale W. Quanbeck ’54, Grand Forks, North Dakota, age 84, on January 18. Carol R. (Pasquarella) Liedtke ’89, Shorewood, Illinois, age 73, on December 5. Diane P. Ondrey ’94, Minneapolis, age 80, on February 19. Jean W. (Thompson) Rondeau ’94, Minneapolis, age 77, on April 12. Sandra K. Berg ’98, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, age 69, on January 26. Conrad D. Meyer ’98, Merida, Mexico, age 66, on April 3. . S E I G G U A E B . D U O PR E B . D E L BE CAL Barbara (Steinle) Huckle ’00, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 55, on April 16. Jason C. Magnon ’13, Georgetown, Texas, age 25, on January 15. Go to augsburg.edu/homecoming to register and see the new events this year. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before May 10. 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 The Augsburg Choir joins Barry Manilow on stage The exceptional talent and hard work of the Augsburg Choir was rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing backup during Grammy-award winner Barry Manilow’s farewell tour. Members of the choir sang three of his hits in an encore at the Xcel Energy Center: “I Write the Songs,” “Miracle,” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).”
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Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2017
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Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2017: Auggies Make an Impact
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing...
Show more An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On celebration Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame, was fond of pointing out our “militant modesty,” the tendency to avoid touting our accomplishments for fear that we might be accused of boasting. Whether occasioned by our Lutheran faith tradition or Scandinavian roots (or some combination thereof), this modesty meant that often our good work as an institution was hidden under a bushel. Now, as someone steeped both in Lutheran and Scandinavian ways, I may have occasionally fallen victim to that same modesty, but perhaps I am being rehabilitated because there is just so much to celebrate at Augsburg these days! We can no longer hide our light, as this issue of Augsburg Now most clearly illustrates. Whether it is our name change to Augsburg University, officially celebrated in early September; the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum in mid-September, attracting international attention for this remarkable gathering of Nobel laureates and other peacemakers; the progress on the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, our signature academic building to open for classes in early January 2018; or one of the myriad other signs of good work—like the renewal of our McNair Scholars program, preparing first generation and students of color for graduate and professional school—I just can’t deny the need to celebrate! So, here’s my point. I’m all for humility and modesty in pursuing the mission-based work we are called to do for our students and our community. The gifts we share as a community—our values and commitments, our faculty and staff, our alumni and partners, and our inspiring students—these truly are gifts to be stewarded responsibly, not exploited. But it is not boasting when we celebrate how those gifts come together and are deployed to achieve our distinctive calling in the world: to be small to our students and big for the world, to educate students as informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. In fact, I might argue that not celebrating what has been achieved means that we miss the opportunity to proclaim what God has done in our midst and how others are invited to join us in the work we are called to do. We live in a world marked by a sense of scarcity; Augsburg models what it means to model the way of abundance. We choose abundance, and we celebrate all that God has made possible at Augsburg University—surely a beacon of light and hope in the world. Faithfully yours, Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Asha Sorenson sorenso3@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Kate H. Elliott Jessica Mueller All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official University policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu AUGSBURG NOW Fall–Winter 2017 The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is located near the corner of 21st Avenue South and South 7th Street on Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus—a site strategically selected to further connect the University to the community. 02 Around the quad 19 Women of influence 08 Annual report to donors 22 Auggies connect 10 Augsburg University Day 26 Class notes 12 The fatherhood bonus and the motherhood penalty 32 In memoriam 16 Nobel Peace Prize Forum On the cover The Augsburg University quad featured vibrant autumn colors this October. Photo by Kevin Healy. Inset photo by John Solem, University of Massachusetts Amherst. that Augsburg University’s quad now boasts a splash of color. At more than 82 feet wide, the vinyl graphic installed on Science Hall’s eastern-facing facade is nearly impossible to miss. The design pairs an excerpt from Augsburg’s strategic vision statement with vibrant hues chosen to reflect the accent colors on the exterior of the new Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which stands northwest of Science Hall and is blocked from view in the quad. One of the priorities outlined in Augsburg’s 2016 campus master plan is to extend the quad from the west edge of campus, through the existing campus core, and on to Murphy Square. This vision requires the demolition of Science Hall, which will be possible only after departments and program offices now housed in the facility relocate following the completion of the Hagfors Center. The timeline for this work is not yet determined, so, in the near term, those strolling through the heart of campus or navigating nearby streets will see Science Hall stand as an illustration of Augsburg’s vision to be “small to our students and big for the world.” 160 Y E A R S A G O Fifteen years before Augsburg moved in next door, Edward Murphy donated land for the first city park in Minneapolis— what is now Murphy Square. For years prior, the parcel had been used as a cow pasture. 1937 1857 LOOKING BACK: DECADES OF AUGSBURG HISTORY BEFORE AFTER ARCHIVE PHOTOS 8 0 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg elected an erudite and scholarly teacher, Bernhard Christensen ’22, ’25, to be president. He led the institution for nearly 25 years, during which time Augsburg made vigorous efforts to expand and enhance academic offerings. 1967 IT WOULD BE OVERLY MODEST to claim 5 0 Y E A RS A GO Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel played for more than 3,000 people in Si Melby Hall on Nov. 10, 1967. According to an Augsburg Echo review, the lengthiest applause was reserved for the song, “To Emily, Wherever I Might Find Her.” The same year saw the openings of Urness Hall and the Christensen Center, with the Marshall Room at the time serving as a faculty lounge to the resentment of the Echo’s editorial board. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN CURB APPEAL AROUND THE QUAD Where faith and public life meet 30 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg began offering its first graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in Leadership. Augsburg now offers nine post baccalaureate programs and set an enrollment record this fall with 1,035 master’s students. 2007 40 Y E A R S AG O Construction began on what is now the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, which would open a year later, bringing the entire music department under one roof for the first time in 100 years. AN AUGGIE THROWBACK PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER 1987 1977 The Rev. Mike Rusert [center] and members of Intertwine NE meet on a Sunday morning to plan a December 10 launch event designed as an inclusive experience for young adults interested in being part of an intentional spiritual community. PHOTOS BY DON STONER It is no secret that the gap between young adults and Christian congregations is widening. The good news, though, is that young people are not rejecting faith or religion; many are living out their faith through political activism, the arts, environmental stewardship, and interfaith engagement—places where public life and faith intersect. Bridging this gap will require congregations to adapt and innovate. To support this adaptive work, Augsburg’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation has launched a five-year project, called the Riverside Innovation Hub, with $1.5 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. In its first year, the Riverside Innovation Hub will work with an interdisciplinary research team of Augsburg faculty to study 12 local congregations that are effectively engaging young adults in their communities. Using the lessons learned from that research, the program will recruit and train a cohort of youth to serve as coaches, working alongside approximately 15 partner congregations committed to new ministry with young adults. “Partner congregations can then apply for two-year innovation grants to implement their programs in 2019 to 2021,” said Kristina Frugé, program manager for the Riverside Innovation Hub. At the end of that experience, all program participants will share their key learnings. Augsburg will publish the results and share the outcomes and insights through conferences and workshops. “Vocation is at the center of this project,” Frugé said. “For congregations, it’s about discerning their call in relationship with their young adult neighbors. For young adults, it’s about a connection with a Christian community who can accompany them in exploring how faith and public life intersect in ways that matter most to them.” Melissa Lee ’04, Augsburg’s head softball coach, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before an August Minnesota Twins game at Target Field as part of the team’s annual Lutheran Night festivities. Lee joined former St. Olaf pitcher the Rev. Charlie Ruud, with the pair dressed in costume as historical husband and wife duo Martin Luther and Katharina (von Bora) Luther in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the 1517 Protestant Reformation. Ruud previously served as a Campus Ministry intern at Augsburg. 1 0 Y E A RS A GO In 2007, Oren Gateway Center opened, connecting Riverside Avenue with the James G. Lindell Library, which opened a decade earlier. OGC will lose the distinction of being Augsburg’s newest building when the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is completed in late 2017. FALL - WINTER 2017 3 A N O T H ER F IV E YEARS OF SERVING SCHOLARS Every year, more than two dozen undergraduate students participate in Augsburg’s McNair Scholars Program, an intensive 21 months of graduate school preparation that opens doors to some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. What’s more, these McNair Scholars are from populations who statistically are less likely to have the opportunity to pursue advanced research and doctoral degrees—firstgeneration college students with financial need and/or students from racial and ethnic populations who are underrepresented in Each year, Augsburg selects two graduate education. McNair Scholars to represent Now, with a five-year renewal of its grant, the University at the Minnesota Private College Scholars Showcase Augsburg’s McNair Scholars, a federal TRIO at the Minnesota State Capitol. program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will be able to continue supporting these students’ pursuit of advanced degrees through at least 2022. The McNair Scholars Program was created by the U.S. Congress in honor of Ronald E. McNair, one of the first African American astronauts in the U.S. space program. Augsburg’s program provides graduate school preparation workshops, travel to a national research conference, hands-on scholarly research projects with faculty mentors, and more. Since 2007, according to “Tina” Maria Tavera, director of the McNair Scholars Program, Augsburg McNair Scholars alumni have completed or are currently pursuing more than 30 master’s degrees, 19 doctoral degrees, two medical school degrees, and two doctor of pharmacy degrees. With nearly $1.2 million of future funding, Augsburg is excited to see further program success. Augsburg awarded $475,000 to infuse sustainability in university life Augsburg University has new opportunities to live out its commitment to sustainability on campus, in the community, and among institutional partners thanks to nearly half a million dollars in new grant funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, a Minnesota-based foundation that believes colleges and universities can serve as models of operational sustainability for society at large. Using the grant award, Augsburg will facilitate student internships and other experiences at sustainability-focused organizations, strengthen and expand course offerings in Environmental Studies, fund student and faculty research, integrate In 2015, the Margaret sustainability and wellness A. Cargill Foundation contributed $1 million to across the academic the campaign to build the curriculum, and more. Hagfors Center for Science, “The next breakthrough Business, and Religion. in sustainability could come from a student majoring in communications, philosophy, or education,” said Allyson Green, Augsburg chief sustainability officer. “For all of us to live on this planet sustainably and equitably, we need all perspectives, experiences, types of knowledge, and skill sets to be part of the work.” Did you know? AN OC C A S IO N TO C E LE B R AT E Augsburg event series honors Reformation anniversary Augsburg held a series of events this fall marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. To kick off the series, Augsburg was honored to host ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for two events: the Christensen Symposium, which focused on interfaith friendships, and a panel discussion with representatives of #DecolonizeLutheranism, a grassroots movement challenging long-held patterns of white power and privilege in the ELCA and stereotypes of what it means to be Lutheran. The series continued in October, in observance of Heritage Day, when Mary Lowe, associate professor of religion, invited community members to consider Martin Luther’s perspectives on bodies and creation. Lowe explained how—even today—Luther’s theology relates to complex issues. Lowe discussed themes related to climate change, gender and sexuality, abuse, and deforestation. In November, award-winning musical group The Rose Ensemble presented “Welcome the People: The Musical Legacy of the Reformation.” The ensemble creates musical performances and educational programs that connect audiences to compelling stories of human history, culture, and spirituality from around the world. The celebration ends with this year’s Advent Vespers, the theme of which is inspired by Luther’s hymn, “From Heaven Above.” Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Augsburg’s Reformation event series and Advent Vespers. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AROUND THE QUAD MAKING HISTORY VISIBLE In the basement of Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, a team of researchers is working to map the history of racial segregation in Minneapolis. The group is unearthing racial restrictions buried in Minneapolis property deeds to create the first comprehensive visualization of historical racial covenants for a U.S. city. The project, called Mapping Prejudice, started with Augsburg’s Historyapolis Project, which seeks to illuminate the history of Minneapolis and has traced the roots of the city’s present-day racial disparities through historical research. To date, Mapping Prejudice researchers have found around 5,000 property deeds containing language that historically restricted ownership of residential properties by race. Enforcing these restrictions has been illegal in Minnesota for more than 60 years, but the records provide insight into the racial segregation that persists in Minneapolis neighborhoods. “Minneapolis is known for its parks, high-quality schools, and progressive politics,” said Kirsten Delegard, director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence. “Yet we have the highest racial disparities in the country.” Delegard said racial covenants were once pervasive in many U.S. cities and were instrumental in remaking the racial landscape of Minneapolis, which had not always been segregated. As many as 10,000 or more Minneapolis property deeds may contain such racially restrictive language. One of those properties is the Augsburg House, a residence on West River Road in Minneapolis that the University purchased in 1998. “When I saw the information that the Mapping Prejudice team had compiled for south Minneapolis, I suspected that Augsburg House originally had a racially restricted deed,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Nearly every new development in south Minneapolis in the early 20th century carried those types of restrictions.” The property’s 1926 deed didn’t initially show up in the project’s electronic search process because the document was handwritten, but Delegard was able to locate the deed manually. The University has sought legal counsel regarding options for clarifying that Augsburg does not support discriminatory restrictions on the property. “At the same time, we want to ensure we maintain the historical record represented by the deed,” Pribbenow said, “so that we never lose track of the disgraceful manners in which covenants were used to segregate our communities and to inflict real harm on so many.” The Mapping Prejudice project is a massive undertaking, so the group strives to engage volunteers in the work. Many Augsburg students have become involved, including two history students who did semester-long internships last year helping build a digital map display and an entire history The Mapping Prejudice team includes Kevin Erhman-Solberg ’14 [left], a University of Minnesota graduate student in geographic information science; Penny Peterson [center], a veteran property records researcher; Kirsten Delegard [right], director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence; and Ryan Mattke [not pictured], a map and geospatial information librarian from the University of Minnesota. class that is working with the project throughout the fall semester this year. Several sociology classes got involved this past spring and summer, helping develop the program’s volunteer outreach strategy. Students from Pribbenow’s honors seminar also helped transcribe deeds this past spring, and a cohort of Augsburg first-year students engaged in the work as part of City Service Day at the beginning of the 2017 academic year. “We absolutely could not have developed the project without this kind of participation from both students and faculty,” said Delegard, who is continuing to seek funding that will allow the project to get even more students involved in all aspects of the work. Go to augsburg.edu/now to link to an interactive map illustrating the spread of racially restrictive deeds across Minneapolis during the first half of the 20th century and to learn more about getting involved in Mapping Prejudice research. FALL - WINTER 2017 5 AWARDS 2017 Top 25 LGBTQ-friendly Colleges & Universities: Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in 2017. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Top 50 nationally for contribution to the public good: Augsburg was the No. 2 institution in Minnesota named by Washington Monthly in its 2017 Master’s Universities rankings. The list rates schools based upon their contribution to the public good in three categories: social mobility, research, and service. Top 25 schools for service-learning: Augsburg has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Top 25 Colleges and Universities for Service Learning. The sole Minnesota school on this list, Augsburg requires volunteering in the community as an instructional strategy. Schools garnering recognition were nominated by fellow institutions, college and university presidents or deans, and chief academic officers. At its September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation elected four additional members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three currently serving members. In addition, in accordance with the bylaws for Augsburg University, two bishops were appointed as ex-officio board members this fall. Augsburg University welcomes these new regents and thanks them for their service. • Eric J. Jolly, president and chief executive officer of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Jolly previously served on the Augsburg Board of Regents from 2008-2015. • Cynthia G. Jones ’81, senior level advisor for nuclear safety and analysis at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jones previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2010-2012. • Dean Kennedy ’75, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Texakoma Oil & Gas Corporation. Kennedy previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2005-2013. • Karolynn Lestrud ’68, retired photography and publishing industry professional; former board member in historic preservation and performing arts organizations; and active volunteer in arts, education, and theater. COURTESY PHOTO Elected to a new four-year term in 2017: Eric J. Jolly COURTESY PHOTO Recognition for being student-centered: For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student engagement in the learning process in their ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The student engagement score is based largely on results of a student survey that addresses how challenging classes are, whether they foster critical thinking and prompt students to make connections to the real world, and how much interaction the students have with faculty and other students. WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Cynthia G. Jones ’81 COURTESY PHOTO Best Regional Universities: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg among the best universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on factors including average firstyear retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. BOARD OF REGENTS Elected to a second four-year term: • Wayne Jorgenson ’71, senior vice president of wealth management at UBS Financial Services Inc. • Dennis Meyer ’78, chief marketing and business development officer at Robins Kaplan LLP • Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Elected to a third four-year term: • Ann Ashton-Piper, president of the IT consulting firm The Bridgie Group Appointed as ex-officio members of the Board of Regents for a three-year term: • The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod • The Rev. Steven H. Delzer, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Dean Kennedy ’75 PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG Augsburg University is consistently recognized for excellence. This year’s accolades include: Karolynn Lestrud ’68 S T C FA AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT Communications expert describes history and peril of “fake news” WHILE THE TERM “FAKE NEWS” IS RELATIVELY NEW, the phenomenon, of course, is not. People throughout time have been motivated to share false information in ways that give it the appearance of legitimacy or to discredit accurate information in order to serve their own interests. Newer, digital media channels have made the tools to do so readily available and more effective, according to Jenny Hanson, assistant professor of communication studies, film, and new media. What’s more, social media sites tend to present users with information that confirms existing biases. In her classes, Hanson teaches students the media literacy skills necessary to be critical consumers of the news. Q: A: What is the history of “fake news” in media? Fake news has been around for centuries; it’s probably as old as humans’ ability to communicate. People seem to have a natural desire to tell tall tales. After all, spectacles draw crowds and outlandish stories trend. Fake news took off with the invention of the printing press in 1439, in part because stories were difficult to verify and mass distribution meant news could travel relatively quickly. A journalistic code of conduct toward objectivity and the practice of fact-checking did not yet exist. Stories about strange beasts, hideous crimes, and falsified scientific discoveries sold papers, and for advertising-supported publications, that was the goal. As journalism evolved and as newspapers came to rely on subscription models, impartiality and accuracy became guiding principles. In the 1980s, standards changed when cable TV made the 24/7 news cycle a reality. Next, the internet created alternate—and rapid— means of news distribution and increased access to content-creation tools among the general population. Today, new reasons for using fake news are emerging: to distract, to challenge existing knowledge, and to raise doubt about the validity of information, all in order to favor particular interests. In this way, calling something “fake news” and creating fake news both can be used to advance political, social, or personal interests in a way that functions more like propaganda. Calling something fake triggers a reaction in us to question and doubt, thereby decreasing our confidence in the information and opening us up to different possibilities. Q: A: What are the potential real-world implications? There are immense implications when news is inaccurate. Journalists understand that if they misreport, misquote, or just plain get the story wrong, there are often legal implications, damage to the outlet’s reputation, and harm to those wronged. When fake news is used as propaganda, it threatens the very legitimacy of news itself, inviting us to believe what is most aligned with our own ideologies rather than what actually is. The damage can be widespread, creating lasting impacts that go on to shape industry, policies, procedures, culture, artifacts of history, and society. Q: What can individuals do to protect themselves from falsities and to process news and information critically? A: There are many actions people can take to become savvy information consumers. The advice we tell students includes getting your news from a variety of sources, seeking connections on social media who have viewpoints differing from your own, and reading beyond the headline and before sharing information. In a critical reading, check the author’s credentials, watch out for emotional appeals or outrageous claims, look to see that sources are named and are experts in their fields, review the article date for context, and consider your own bias. Understand the source and their interests, and be sure websites are the official sites and not ones intended to mimic another’s appearance. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the line between falsehood and satire. FALL - WINTER 2017 7 2016-17 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT When you give to Augsburg, you aren’t just supporting a private university—you’re paving the way for students to make a living, make a life, and make a community. The impact of your generosity can be seen in the lives of thousands of students who are now embracing financial security, finding their vocation, and following their calling. TO DONORS ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $40.5 $38.3 May 31, 2017—$43,878,362 $32.4 $28.2 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 $43.9 REVENUE BY SOURCE $29.8 75% 8% 7% $24.5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of May 31, 2017, Augsburg University’s endowment had annual realized and unrealized gains of 12.19 percent. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 8.21 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 4.34 percent. The University is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to Augsburg in perpetuity. Your philanthropy is creating an Augsburg that will be SUSTAINABLE, 7% 3% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 38% 33% 20% 4% 3% 2% 1% Salaries and Benefits Financial Aid Operating Expenses Debt Services Utilities and Insurance Student Compensation Capital Improvement FAITHFUL,and RELEVANT long into the future. Thanks to you and other committed friends, Augsburg is preparing students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to serve and lead in our communities, schools, places of worship, and businesses. During fiscal year 2016-17, more than 9,300 individual donors gave $17,216,961 through cash gifts, pledges, and planned gifts. Augsburg Fund supporters provided the University with more than $1.1 million in unrestricted, discretionary funds to improve the student experience. Tuition Room and Board Private Gifts and Grants Other Sources Federal Grants MAKE A LIVING When juggling the rigors of family life, owning three businesses, and coaching high school sports, starting a graduate program might not hit the top priority list for many people. But for Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA, the benefits of pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree to further his career and build greater financial security for his family were worth the effort. “My graduate experience was an eye opener. It reminded me where I came from, and where I wanted to be in the future,” said Tadros. “My classmates had unique abilities and talents, and I learned so much from them.” Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA Shika Addo Memorial Scholarship Tadros now serves as a guest lecturer for Augsburg finance classes, sharing life lessons with undergraduates. With his degree, and your gifts, he looks to the future with confidence, knowing that his kids will be well provided for and that his impact will extend beyond his career. MAKE A LIFE As a shy, small-town kid, Kevin Tran ’18 would never have believed it had someone told him that as a college student he would become a board member for three student organizations, travel abroad with the choir, work as an intern for US Bank, and volunteer in the community in his free time. Tran began to really come out of his shell by living his life through the Auggie experience. “When I came [to Augsburg], I didn’t know what to expect. In high school, I was just really all about my work. Augsburg exposed me to who I am supposed to be ... I became more independent, more knowledgeable, more vocal, and more myself.” Kevin Tran ’18 Leland and Louise Sundet Scholarship Because of you, Tran has found his calling and is planning to pursue his dream by working in marketing for the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. MAKE A COMMUNITY Singing, studying, social work, public policy, and reconstructing the criminal justice system. These are among the top priorities for Augsburg student Alexa Anderson ’19. Anderson may be a proud member of the Honors Program and Augsburg vocal ensembles, but the deeper she dives into her studies as a social work major, the more motivated she has become to change her community through restorative justice. Alexa Anderson ’19 Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s Scholarship in Choral Music “Augsburg has completely changed me as a person, specifically regarding how I view my role as a member of a community,” she said. “Before coming here, I didn’t understand how important being an active member of a community was. Through my classes, volunteering, internships, and living in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, I now believe that in order for a community to succeed, its members must act and live in a way that encourages understanding, acceptance, and unity.” A NEW DAY, A NEW KIND OF UNIVERSITY BY JESSICA MUELLER AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY DAY was a moment of celebration—a time to honor and appreciate the abiding principles on which Augsburg was founded and an opportunity to consider Augsburg’s commitment to shaping the world for generations to come. Augsburg marked the transition from college to university through a commemorative day full of fun and fellowship. And, although Augsburg College officially became Augsburg University on September 1, the campus threw its proverbial hat in the air a few days later—on September 5, the day Augsburg formally welcomed its most diverse incoming class in school history. OPENING CONVOCATION On September 5, Augsburg’s Class of 2021 rose early to participate in the grand finale of their welcome week: Opening Convocation. New students marched across campus, past rows of cheering faculty and staff, and toward Hoversten Chapel with pride (and maybe a few sheepish grins), to engage in a historic beginning for them and for their school: the commissioning of Augsburg University’s inaugural first-year class. This year’s event featured elements linked with Augsburg’s commitments to faith, diversity, and vocation: Lutheran hymns, interfaith blessings, and international flags representing the countries from which Augsburg students come. President Paul Pribbenow encouraged new Auggies to do justly, love mercy, walk humbly ... and follow him on Twitter. And that was just the beginning. A MOMENT TO REMEMBER Following Opening Convocation, the Class of 2021 processed from the chapel to the quad where they were met by stilt walkers, local musicians, Haitian and Somali dancers, and the smells of dishes as varied and diverse as the neighborhoods surrounding Augsburg’s metropolitan campus. More than 800 students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University convened to feast on sambusas, Mexican tacos, cotton candy, brats and sauerkraut, and, in some cases, all of the above. 10 AUGSBURG NOW Students had nearly two hours to take in their surroundings, grab food, pose at the Auggie photo booth, and assemble hygiene kits for the Augsburg Health Commons, which serves unsheltered persons throughout Minneapolis. Many even had time to read a proclamation, signed by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, naming September 5, 2017, Augsburg University Day. A UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY In the afternoon, more than 500 students, faculty, and staff gathered in small groups and dispersed throughout Minneapolis to listen to, learn from, and volunteer with local partners and nonprofits with ties to Augsburg. In total, the Class of 2021 donated nearly $35,000 in service work at more than 20 Twin Cities locations. The entire string of events—from the convocation, to the celebration, to the service-learning opportunities—demonstrated that Augsburg’s name change was much more than updated monument signs (though they do look nice), letterhead, and websites. The name change was a collaborative effort to share Augsburg’s story—the narrative of a place that’s deeply embedded in its community, that richly lives out its traditions, and that points to a bolder vision of what a student-centered, urban university can be … small to its students, and big for the world. FALL - WINTER 2017 11 The fatherhood BONUS a n d th e PENALTY motherhood BY KATE H. ELLIOTT G r o un d b r e a k i n g r e s e a rch by alum na M i c he l l e B u d i g ’ 9 3 s h eds light on wage ga p b e t we e n f a t h e rs and m others Michelle Budig’s story is deeply woven into her pioneering research to expose gender inequality and examine family policies in the workforce. The product of an outspoken dental receptionist and a pious electrician— who staked the yard with opposing political signs—Budig learned from a young age to question, wonder, and voice her beliefs. In preschool, for example, she insisted her class change the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to remove “and with the girls be handy.” But despite her early and strong advocacy for girls’ rights, Budig still believed that as an adult she would have to choose between motherhood and a meaningful career. Indeed, at 22, she married her Augsburg sweetheart, nurse practitioner Peter Landstrom ’91, but then waited almost 20 years—until 12 AUGSBURG NOW after she secured tenure as a sociology professor—to adopt their daughter, Lucy. Her beliefs about how things should be were tempered by her understanding of how things actually are. It may be no surprise, then, that Budig focused her scholarly research on the impact of parenting across gender—specifically the wage inequities between fathers and mothers across the pay scale. Her latest findings, currently making rounds in The New York Times and the like, assert that although the gender pay gap is decreasing (women now make about 76 cents for every man’s dollar), wage inequalities among parents who work are increasing. Overall, fathers incur an average wage increase of more than 6 percent with each child, while women experience, on average, a 4 percent decrease in salary per child. Fatherhood, ultimately, is considered a “valued characteristic, signaling perhaps a greater work commitment, stability, and deservingness,” said Budig, Sociology Department chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mothers, on the other hand, are often perceived as “exhausted and distracted at work,” rendering them less productive. Beyond perception, other significant contributors to the discrepancy include that women often take time off to care for children and bypass higher wages for mom-friendly roles. “Kids are seen as a privilege, not a right, so if you want to have them, you must pay the price,” Budig said, referencing a view some hold. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SOLEM, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST TY Michelle Budig ’93 is an award-winning professor and author whose research interests focus on gender, employment, labor markets, earnings, stratification, and family. FALL - WINTER 2017 13 But it’s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less,” Budig said. Using sophisticated statistical techniques on a large sample of U.S. workers, Budig found that parenting exacerbates earnings inequalities within genders depending on income. The “fatherhood bonus,” as she calls it, is highest for the most advantaged men—married, white, college graduates with professional jobs. Unmarried, black men in non-professional occupations, for instance, receive minimal—if any—bonus. The motherhood penalty is smallest among women who earn above the 90th percentile of female workers, with women at the very top of the income distribution experiencing no wage penalty. Low-to-average earning women incur the greatest motherhood penalty, Budig found. “I always thought that women who made the most would have the most to lose, but that is certainly not the case, and it makes complete sense when you consider factors and stressors influencing populations at the top and bottom of the pay scale,” Budig said. “Fathers and mothers earning lower wages often rely on fragile networks of free child care, and when a grandmother or friend is sick or doesn’t show, those parents can’t make it to work. Conversely, parents who can afford it, secure reliable, consistent child care operated by licensed professionals.” Additionally, lower-earning men and women statistically are more likely to have children, Budig said, which leads to higher penalties for those families. Accessible child care among policies to close the gap Budig suggests two policy shifts to reduce the gap: publicly funded, high-quality child care for babies and toddlers and nontransferable paid leave for both mothers and fathers. The “nontransferable” part is critical, Budig reiterated, as “evidence suggests that if fathers can transfer leave to a female partner, they will.” “Access for all to high-quality, reliable, licensed child care options would certainly even the playing field for both parents and children,” Budig said. “Think of all the stress it would alleviate from low-income families relying on less dependable child care. Businesses would likely be more productive with a more resilient, consistent workforce. And children growing up in low-income situations would benefit from the same instruction and care as wealthier families, giving those young ones a stronger start.” This approach is not new. Many Scandinavian countries, which support publicly funded child care and offer incentivized paternal leave, report smaller It' s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less.” Wider wage gaps among lower-earning individuals are exacerbated by the fact that people tend to marry within socioeconomic situations, Budig adds, so low-earning couples take greater hits, while highly paid duos keep climbing. 14 AUGSBURG NOW or no parental pay gaps. In contrast, countries with entrenched gender roles, like Germany, where new mothers are expected to take a year or more off work, report the highest motherhood penalties. “Workplace policies matter,” Budig Budig’s 19-page curriculum vitae details the more than $725,000 in grants she’s received, including some from the National Science Foundation, and lists her articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review. She regularly contributes to national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, Money Magazine, and the Washington Post. said. “Most of my life, I had to choose between being a mother and having a meaningful career, and unless progressive policies are adopted, the parental and economic gaps will persist.” The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ranked the United States last in a study the intergovernmental organization conducted about the national paid maternity leave policies of its member countries. The average amount of paid leave time for mothers among its 35-member countries was a little more than one year, as of 2016. Budig notes there is progress on the state level, citing California’s paid family leave, which allows family members to take time off to care for a loved one or to bond with a new child entering their life (either by birth, adoption, or foster care). Without a comprehensive federal approach, however, Budig warns of the implications of inconsistencies across states. “It’s encouraging to see states and companies take action, but it leads to inequities among states and industries, which may only add to our country’s increasing divide,” said Budig, who has testified before Congress and the United Nations about the implications of her research. “More universal support will reduce wage gaps, promote greater equality, and better prepare our children to be productive members of society.” The culture is shifting as men embrace female roles But beyond evolutions in policy, Budig sees hope in the young people she interacts with as a professor and mentor. They expect both parties—and want both partners—to be involved in maintaining the household. Single-paycheck families are difficult to sustain, and popular books and blogs are encouraging mothers to shed the mom guilt, cast aside the superwoman expectations, and go order a pizza for dinner. “Believe me, I get it. Even with the most supportive husband, who as a nurse, experiences his own gender stereotypes, I still slip into unrealistic expectations,” said Budig, who earned a master’s and doctorate in sociology from the University of Arizona. “Our marriage is a constant conversation, and splitting up the chores by room works for us.” A 2016 PayScale Gender Pay Gap Report found that men still out-earn women in every state in the union, but Vermont is the closest to equality, with women earning 84.8 percent of what men earn overall, as opposed to Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Wyoming where women earn from 71 to 73 percent of their male counterparts’ income. The national average is 76 percent, per the report, which does not factor in years of experience, education, or job title. When such national statistics were first calculated in the 1970s, it was about 60 percent. Mentors pushed her to live with a ‘heart for service’ Budig lost both her parents nearly two years ago. She often wishes she could talk with her mom about her latest research, knowing her mom would get a kick out of hearing about innovative solutions to promote equality and increase access for women. “My mom was wildly supportive of my work, but I’ll never forget the first time she read a major study I published about the wage gap. I was driving, and she was in the back seat. She looked up and said, ‘Michelle, everyone knows women earn less than men. That’s what you’ve been working on?’ Gee, thanks, mom,” Budig said. “I think she would have appreciated this last batch of research and what I’m focused on next, which involves female entrepreneurs and a study about the motherhood penalty in Israel.” Although there is no replacing a driveand-talk with mom, Budig is not short on inspiring female mentors. At Augsburg, where she majored in English and sociology, Budig sought out educators to support her journey. Sociology Professor Diane Pike has taught Auggies for more than three decades, and Budig certainly stands out. “Michelle had a seriousness and sophistication about intellectual ideas and work that was exemplary, and being a first-generation student, she never lost sight of the privilege it is to pursue higher education. She set the bar high for herself, and we’ve been following her career ever since,” said Pike, who specializes in organizational analysis, sociological theory, and research methods. “There is nothing better than seeing one of your students succeed at such a level. Michelle’s a big deal in sociology, speaking at top conferences and advocating for important change. She has a rare ability to convey complex data and theories to general audiences, and we are very proud of her.” Budig’s Auggie roots run deep, and both she and Landstrom commit themselves to its mission through caregiving and advocating for change. Augsburg gave them a way of looking at the world and approaching life that will never leave them, Budig said. “The greatest takeaway from Augsburg is our desire—the responsibility, really— to give back and live with a heart for service to others. Every day, we try to live out that change in our personal and professional lives.” FALL - WINTER 2017 15 N I E U G O DIAL SOCIETIES D E D I V I D 20 17 N ob e l Pe a ce P rize Forum li s o p nea n i M — [Above] Representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet are joined on stage by Peace Scholars and other participants at the closing ceremony of the Forum. [Left] During a break, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureates posed for photos in front of a three-story mural featuring their images along with dozens of other past laureates. N obel Peace Prize laureates, world leaders, and renowned peacemakers came together this fall as Augsburg University hosted the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis. As an international peace congress, the Forum united honored guests, students, and community members in considering the globally significant, multidimensional nature of peace by examining topics that ranged from disarmament and human rights to economic development and environmental sustainability. This year’s Forum kicked off with several hundred attendees filling Augsburg’s Si Melby Gymnasium to listen to the incredible, true story of the 2015 Nobel Laureates—leaders who inspired a sharply divided nation to find common ground and, ultimately, form one of the world’s newest democracies. During a conversation presented in both English and Arabic, representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue 16 AUGSBURG NOW Quartet described an arduous and inspiring peacemaking model in which members of business, labor, human rights, and law disciplines crafted a sustaining democratic constitution through peaceful dialogue. Recognized collectively with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to building a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet is made up of leaders from four key organizations in the north African nation’s civil society. In the tense early moments of the Arab Spring uprisings, the Quartet exercised its role as a mediator and demonstrated the power of civil communication in sensitive political circumstances. Perhaps no other Forum experience better illustrated the event’s overarching theme: Dialogue in Divided Societies. Nobel Peace Prize Forum art festival Augsburg University has served as the Nobel Peace Prize Forum’s official host since 2012, but in recent years, the event itself has taken place at several conference venues across the Twin Cities. Bringing the Forum back to Augsburg this fall gave global peacebuilders the opportunity to experience the unique, urban beauty of the University’s location and to engage with a large-scale outdoor art exhibition on display across campus. In the spirit of fostering dialogue during the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, artists from across the United States collaborated on installations that highlighted the layered and often overlapping complexity of finding solutions to global issues. The art exhibition was curated by Christopher Houltberg, assistant professor of art and director of Augsburg’s Design & Agency program, a student-run design studio experience that teaches design thinking and problem-solving in graphic design. One of the most talked-about installations at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum was a Hex House constructed in Murphy Square. Designed by Architects for Society, a nonprofit seeking to enhance the built environment for disadvantaged communities, the Hex House is a prototype for dignified, low-cost, flexible housing that’s easy to deploy in emergency situations. Given that the Forum dates fell just after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought havoc and destruction to the Caribbean, Texas, and Florida, the Hex House was a timely opportunity to see how smart design can address critical community needs. Building peace in the greater Twin Cities, around the world Throughout the four days of the 2017 program, attendees participated in dozens of breakout sessions led by globally recognized leaders in the fields of international development and peacemaking. Participants had the opportunity to meet and hear from national and world leaders—including Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Kåre Aas, Tunisian Ambassador to the United States H.E. Fayçal Gouia, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. Other often-recognized presenters at the event included former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who is seeking to end gun violence, and Barbara Bush, who founded the Global Health Corps organization to mobilize young leaders to support health equity. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum also prompted attendees to consider local peace-building needs, convening conversations focused on present-day issues in the Twin Cities. Students, community members, and facilitators worked through difficult discussions on respecting and honoring sacred spaces, bridging political differences through civil dialogue, and addressing cross-generational injustice. These mediated conversations went beyond campus to places that brought the topics to life. For example, part of the dialogue on preserving Native American sites took place in suburban Eagan at Pilot Knob, an area that was an indigenous gathering place and sacred burial ground for centuries. “It’s entirely fitting that these important conversations are happening at Augsburg University as part of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum,” said the Forum’s Program Director Joe Underhill, reflecting on the entire event. “A university is a place where civic dialogue on difficult topics is not only allowed, but highly encouraged,” said Underhill, an associate professor of political science at Augsburg. “It is only through that kind of dialogue that we are going to move toward any mutual understanding on these issues.” [Far left] Augsburg Design & Agency students created numerous large-scale art installations to convey the theme, Dialogue in Divided Societies. [Near left] The Hex House, a low-cost, emergency housing prototype, showcased how smart design can create humane solutions during crises. FALL - WINTER 2017 17 JOIN US FOR THE 30TH [Above] Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Methodist Bishop Bruce Ough visit the Red Rock, a boulder that is located at a United Methodist Church in Newport, Minnesota, and considered sacred by the Dakota people. The 2017 Forum included site visits addressing local peace-building topics. September 19–22, 2018 Augsburg University [Left] Interactive art installations allowed Forum attendees to participate in creating displays that reflected their own perspectives on peacemaking. PRESENTED BY LEAD SPONSORS ® SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS 45 0 100 3 18 AUGSBURG NOW #93C33A 0 70 85 0 #F76 WOMENOF INFLUENCE BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Augsburg outscores national average of female coaches, supports inclusive culture across Athletics department “Only priests and participants’ fathers can be anywhere near the pool,” three St. Catherine’s nuns echoed in protest as Augsburg’s 1963 swim instructor, Malcolm “Mac” Gimse, led then-20-year-old Joyce Pfaff ’65 and three other physical education majors onto the pool deck. Gimse reluctantly exited the building, but as the Auggies lined up at water’s edge, “GO AUGSBURG” boomed from the stands. Pfaff looked up, and there was her instructor, wearing a big smile and a clerical collar. Call it obstinate or call it resolute, but Pfaff adopted that tenacity—and it helped her climb over, chisel away, and bust down a decade’s worth of walls in women’s athletics and coaching prior to the passage of Title IX, a federal law that allows women access to any federally funded educational program or activity. So, it comes as no surprise that Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director is “beyond proud” that a recent report ties Augsburg with Macalester College as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s schools with the most female head coaches. Head Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Coach Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL leads a team practice. FALL - WINTER 2017 19 PHOTO BY CYNDI NIGHTENGALE, CYNBADMEDIA This distinction, out of the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Women and Girls in Sport, is particularly encouraging as national studies point to dramatic decreases in women coaching women’s sports. When Title IX was passed in 1972, women coached 90 percent of women’s collegiate athletic teams. Today, only about 40 percent of those teams are led by female coaches, according to the NCAA. Augsburg hits national average out of the park Pfaff coached at a time before women’s athletics were afforded official equipment or facilities. In fact, Pfaff helped build Augsburg’s first softball field. Today, she remains confident in Augsburg’s ability to advance equality. According to the Tucker Center, Augsburg leapt from having slightly more than 36 percent female head coaches in 2014 to nearly 73 percent in 2017. “Think of how far we’ve come,” Pfaff said. “Augsburg’s first volleyball coach, Mary Timm ’81, could ‘afford’ to coach for us because she had a full-time job as a day care supervisor, and she used vacation time to travel with the team. Today, Augsburg has more women’s teams (11) than 20 AUGSBURG NOW men’s (10), and the Athletic Department works hard to create an equitable, forward-thinking, and inclusive culture.” Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 and Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks appreciate the Tucker Center’s acknowledgement of Augsburg’s dedication to women’s athletics. University leaders are ever-vigilant in their efforts to support all coaches, staff, and student-athletes in achieving a well-balanced life. “Coaching demands all of you and more, with 365-day recruiting on top of practices, planning, and leading studentathletes in competition and out in their everyday lives,” said Swenson, who has worked at Augsburg for more than 36 years. “We are committed to work-life integration. The best coaches are fulfilled, healthy, and productive members at home and in the community— an approach to life we want to mirror for our student-athletes.” Anderson Diercks recruits coaches and advises studentathletes interested in transitioning from court to clipboard. She is keenly aware of the factors contributing to the diminishing number of female coaches across the U.S. and emphasizes that even if you’re in a position of success, there’s still room for improvement. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics. —Kelly Anderson Diercks, associate athletic director “College athletic departments need to do a better job of recruiting and retaining women coaches through mentoring, professional development, and supportive cultures,” she said. “And it is critically important that this conversation is not just about women coaching women. It should be about women in coaching, which includes women coaching boys and men. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics.” Popularity of women’s athletics contributes to decline in coaching equity The NCAA’s findings suggest that a major factor contributing to the decline of women coaching women is, ironically, tied to the boom of women’s athletics. With increased popularity came expanded staffs and higher salaries, attracting men—particularly longtime assistant coaches—to lead women’s teams. And while 60 percent of women’s teams are coached by men, according to the study, women guide only about 3 percent of men’s teams. Roughly 80 percent of collegiate athletic directors are men. Is a solution to ignore gender? “Absolutely not,” Anderson Diercks said. “Like any dimension of diversity, to ignore or deny a part of someone’s identity does not allow them to show up as their fullest and best self, and then we all miss out. There is richness in diversity, and women are an important part of that diversity, especially in the athletic arena.” A coaching job is demanding, with long hours, travel, and high expectations, but those pressures can be overcome, Swenson said. The more universities exemplify work-life balance, the more family-oriented student-athletes, regardless of gender, will be drawn to the profession, he added. Negative perceptions still cast a shadow Stigmas, misconceptions, and high stakes also contribute to the decline in women seeking and maintaining leadership roles in university athletics, according to the NCAA. Interviews with female coaches across the U.S. drew out comments about increasing demands, assumptions about female coaches’ sexuality, and perceived gender bias. Augsburg Women’s Hockey Head Coach Michelle McAteer said if she could squash an assumption curbing female coaches, it would be the belief that “all women are catty and emotional.” “Since women hold fewer leadership positions in all realms— from athletics and business to politics—we are put under a microscope and our actions are generalized,” she said. “Women in leadership need to become the norm and not the exception in order to combat these myths so we can get onto the business of empowering those we lead (and winning games).” And she would know. McAteer, who led the Augsburg women’s hockey team to its highest MIAC finish since the ’90s, played for female coaches throughout her high school and college years. These models of “strength, resolve, and compassion” gave her confidence and an awareness of her role now, as a coach, to model those values for the next generation, she said. “It’s a responsibility I care deeply about.” For Pfaff, this and other reflections from today’s women coaches signal that the legacy she and others fought to instill is [L to R]: Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kathryn Knippenberg and Graduate Fellow Taylor Tvedt ’19 MAL greet a prospective student. holding strong. Sure, there always is yet another contest to win, she said, but what’s the fun in not having a fight? The best part, for Pfaff, is knowing that Augsburg is on the right side of the field—maybe even the infield she helped grade for Augsburg’s first softball diamond. FALL - WINTER 2017 21 AUGGIES CONNECT AUGSBURG WOMEN ENGAGED: COURTESY PHOTO Dear alumni and friends, It’s an exciting time for Augsburg University, and the Alumni Board aims to infuse positive energy from Augsburg’s big events this fall in our year-long agenda. The board’s objective is to advance Augsburg’s mission by making the most of the time, talents, and treasure found in our alumni group. Each year, the Alumni Board plans events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and serve together. The 2017 Summer Series was an example of this work. Auggies attended a Minnesota United soccer game, took part in Auggie Night at Canterbury Park, and listened to Augsburg community members give presentations on a range of topics at the 7 People 7 Passions 7 Minutes event at Sisyphus Brewing. Alumni Board members also hosted Happy Hour Squared at Brave New Workshop, which featured a twist on a traditional social hour— attendees enjoyed beverages while making 1,500 sandwiches for unsheltered people in the Twin Cities. It is fun watching the talents of fellow Auggies come to life at our social events, and our upcoming calendar is available online: augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Using your time and talents to make connections with current students is simply one of the best ways to stay connected with Augsburg, so stay tuned for details about the upcoming 2018 Auggie Networking Experience on February 6. Auggies also can join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a tree in the Urban Arboretum planned for Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. The trees selected for the first phase of this plan will surround the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota. All gift levels are welcome. As the Alumni Board continues to advance the mission of the University through events and networking, we invite you to join us. We work hard, and we make sure we don’t forget to have fun, as well. MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION The Augsburg Women Engaged Philanthropy Council has grown in the past year. Augsburg alumnae formed AWE in 2009 to unite women with shared interests and passions through events, mentorship, and philanthropy. Today, AWE inspires women to connect, learn, and give. AWE highlights: Connect—Members gathered at Homecoming for a painting party to prepare pieces of a mural titled “Emergence” that will be installed in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn—AWE hosted a discussion following the 2016 Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation and a pre-concert reception at the annual Woman Voice: Voice of Hope choral performance. Give—Members raised more than $100,000 for the “Emergence” mural and are engaged in planning to raise an additional $1 million for scholarships. AWE’s participation has nearly doubled during the past year and includes Augsburg women from all generations, degree programs, and career fields. COURTESY PHOTO FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT AWE Philanthropy Council members [L to R]: Debby (Fredrickson) Crowley ’76, Danielle Stellner ’07, Joni Marti ’05 MAL, Lori Moline ’82, Martha Truax ’16 MAL, Shelby (Gimse) Andress ’56, Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL, Cheryl Jensen ’86, Donna McLean, and Kris (Peterson) Pearson ’78. Not pictured: Rachel (Olson) Engebretson ’98, Dr. Lisa Latham ’83, Diana Pierce ’16 MAL, and Cindy (Winberg) Sisson ’83. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about joining AWE. 22 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT Celebrate STEPUP ® PROGRAM MARKS 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS COURTESY PHOTO A Heidi Bausch ’07 ugsburg University’s StepUP Program is in its 20th year of empowering students in recovery to achieve academic success. StepUP held its annual gala October 28. The gala was an evening of inspiration and fellowship in which emcee Don Shelby, an Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist and person in recovery, welcomed nearly 500 Auggies, families, friends, and advocates for recovery. Each year, the StepUP Gala is organized by a committee of volunteers with support from Augsburg staff. The 2017 committee co-chairs were Gina Gage and Cindy Piper. Two of the evening’s highlights were the keynote address by alumna Heidi Bausch ’07 and the presentation of the Toby Piper Labelle Award to the James and Sally Dowdle and Pat and Jeanne Dwyer families. Bausch is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her graduation from Augsburg, where she studied psychology and philosophy, was an active member in the StepUP community, and worked for the Center for Wellness and Counseling. Today Bausch lives out a passion for serving the recovery community. She is pursuing a doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Her clinical practice included an internship at The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s residential program for young people and work at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview inpatient unit for youth facing chemical and mental health difficulties. Bausch also works with the Minnesota Psychology Association to promote legislation aimed at improving behavioral health care quality. This year, Bausch partnered with her StepUP Program roommate, Samantha Yerks ’06, to launch Singularity Behavioral Systems & Technology, a business that develops clinical software products for the mental health field. Go to augsburg.edu/stepup to learn more about the StepUP Program and its fundraising gala. FALL - WINTER 2017 23 introduces high school students to health science careers When University alumni and community members step up to help make an Augsburg program succeed, everybody wins. Since 2008, Augsburg University has hosted Metro Scrubs summer camps that offer high school students a glimpse into health science careers. Through workshops and hands-on activities, students gain insight into career paths that range from veterinary medicine and public health to physical therapy and nursing. The success of the weeklong program— formerly known as Urban Scrubs— hinges on faculty involvement and volunteer engagement through which working professionals teach workshops and mini-courses. This year, an Augsburg alumna and the parent of two Auggie alumni stepped in to offer their expertise—and to learn a thing or two from their pupils. Jenny Kelley ’85 pursued a nursing degree after completing her Augsburg education and now serves as a nurse and asthma educator at the Hennepin County Medical Center in COURTESY PHOTO METRO SCRUBS PROGRAM Nearly six dozen students participated in Augsburg’s Metro Scrubs Camp this summer. One of nine such programs for Minnesota high school students, Metro Scrubs is a collaborative effort of Augsburg University, HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and St. Catherine University. Minneapolis. Kelley initiated a Metro Scrubs class by asking students to inhale and exhale through a narrow cocktail straw, an exercise that highlighted how difficult it is for someone with asthma to breathe. Kelley noticed that her students were from a diverse array of backgrounds, but previous knowledge of asthma was something that unified the group. “I felt I was having an impact on students from many different cultures and different communities,” Kelley said. “Yet, everyone knows somebody with asthma, so this education is helpful in ensuring people use their inhalers the right way.” One out of 12 people in the U.S. is diagnosed with asthma. For Kelley, leading a Metro Scrubs course was a way to teach young people about the medical condition and to spur interest in careers that could help tackle this pressing health care need. For Dr. Robert “Bob” Florence, a primary care internist at Allina in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, teaching Metro Scrubs students was an opportunity to reconnect with the basics. Florence knows Augsburg well through his children, Jeffrey Florence ’02 and Beth Florence ’08, and he noted that teaching high school students was a reminder about the importance of clear doctor-patient communication. “I show the students what it’s like to do an office call with a patient, explaining the types of interactions I have with patients, along with the best and worst ways to handle certain scenarios,” Florence said. “I began teaching the class because the students hadn’t been exposed to primary care in the other Metro Scrubs sessions, and I wanted to teach them what they could and should expect.” While it can be difficult to fit extra opportunities into a physician’s hectic schedule, Florence said leading Metro Scrubs classes has been worthwhile. “It has helped me to be a better physician and taught students interested in medical careers valuable lessons,” he said. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities with Metro Scrubs Camp. 24 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT GIFT EXPANDS MARINE AQUARIUM FACILITY for study of biological diversity When the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens for classes in January 2018, the new building will feature a state-of-the-art marine aquarium facility thanks to the generosity of donor Fritz Grimm, who made a substantial gift to fund the project. Twenty years ago, Associate Professor of Biology William “Bill” Capman created a large multi-tank coral reef aquarium system on campus to inspire interest in biological diversity, to serve as a teaching and research tool, and to provide living specimens for lab demonstrations. In the years since, the aquaria have been integral to Capman’s teaching, making interaction with marine life a unique aspect of Augsburg’s biology laboratory experience, exposing students to biodiversity they would not see elsewhere, and promoting careful stewardship of the world’s ecosystems. Capman has been passionate about aquatic life since his childhood. He and Grimm, as fellow members of the Twin Cities Marine Aquarium Society, have known each other for years. Grimm is the former proprietor of a store selling items for keeping coral, fish, and other sea life, and has assisted Capman in past efforts to care for Augsburg’s aquaria. For Grimm, sponsoring Augsburg’s marine environments is a way to support quality work already underway and build on it for the future. Grimm’s gift is enabling Augsburg to significantly expand its marine facilities to include a 350 gallon coral reef aquarium and six additional 60-90 gallon tanks housing additional diverse organisms, along with a research lab for studying coral biology and captive breeding of coral reef fish. “We rely on places like this to inspire people,” Grimm said of Augsburg’s marine aquarium expansion. “How should people know they need to care about seahorses and coral without ever seeing them?” Grimm is concerned by the known degradation of natural environments, pointing to the fact that a significant portion of the world’s coral are becoming more susceptible to disease and are dying due to increases in water temperature and pollution. “If anyone is going to inspire the future generation to do something about it, it will be Bill,” Grimm said. During a presentation to the Minnesota Aquarium Society, Bill Capman demonstrates how he creates artificial reef structures for new aquaria. COURTESY PHOTOS FALL - WINTER 2017 25 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1950 Carl Vaagenes ’50, a retired pastor, helped to translate the mission articles of Georg Sverdrup. Vaagenes was inspired to translate Sverdrup’s sermons for future generations and did this as a member of The Georg Sverdrup Society. In 1898, Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, co-founders of Augsburg Seminary and College, published their sermons at the founding of the Lutheran Free Church but without their names. In “Aand og Liv” (“Spirit and Life”), they reveal their mind and heart for the church and for Augsburg. 1952 Millie Nelson ’52 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in recognition for her dedication to Augsburg University. Before retiring, Nelson worked at Augsburg for decades. In her role as Christensen Center manager, she guided student assistants who described her as professional, competent, knowledgeable, and kind. These former students acknowledged that Nelson embodied the spirit of Augsburg. 1957 Stan Baker ’57 received the Ella Stephens Barrett Award for excellence in professional leadership and counseling from the North Carolina Counseling Association during its annual conference in February in Durham, North Carolina. 1964 Garrett “Gary” Waldner ’64 and his wife, Nancy, celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. They have three sons and four grandchildren. Waldner is active in the real estate appraisal field, specializing in litigation valuations. 1966 After graduating from Augsburg, Ron Blake ’66 went on to Luther Seminary and has pastored several churches before retiring in 2009 as a pastor with dual membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Blake and his wife remain active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington. They have two children and four grandsons. 1968 Bruce Benson ’68 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. Benson served as campus pastor at St. Olaf College for 30 years and has been a board member at church camps in Minnesota, Montana, and Ohio. He graduated cum laude from Augsburg with a Bachelor of Arts in English, earned his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 1972, and further earned a degree in Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1980. Benson hosts a radio program called, “Sing for Joy,” which is broadcast on 140 radio stations in the United States, carried by cable networks, and broadcast in 40 countries in and near Africa. 1970 Mark Francis ’70 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming and was recognized for his leadership in the Arizona school system. After graduating from Augsburg with a music degree, Francis founded the Arizona School for the Arts in 1995. ASA became one of the top charter schools in the state. Today, Francis is a deputy associate superintendent within the Arizona Department of Education. He is an active member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, which he has served in a number of capacities, including as congregational president, treasurer, and music leader. In June, Ray Hanson ’70 retired and moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one day later. He completed his career with Goldbelt Raven, where he provided scientific and technical assistance to the chemical forensics program at the Department of Homeland Security. 1972 In May, Rob Engelson ’72 received the Distinguished Service Award from Ashford University at its commencement ceremony in San Diego. The award acknowledged 21 years as a faculty member and five years as a member of the Faculty Senate. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’01 ’05 ’76 26 AUGSBURG NOW ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1973 Terry Lindstrom ’73 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg with degrees in chemistry and biology, Lindstrom received his doctorate in biochemistry with a pharmacology minor in 1977. He went on to complete postdoctoral research at Michigan State University from 1978 to 1979. During his career, Lindstrom led research teams that obtained patents for prescription medications Evista and Cymbalta. In addition to Lindstrom’s many scientific achievements, he and his wife, Janet Lindstrom, have provided 16 full Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity summer scholarships for Augsburg students during the past five years. 1974 Thomas Koplitz ’74 has been elected to the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted at a September ceremony held in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 1977 Augsburg honored Inez Bergquist ’77 with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. As the current president of Waltman Associates, Bergquist has more than 35 years experience in fundraising and is an expert in the area of nonprofit management. She served on the Augsburg University Alumni Board for eight years and on the Augsburg Parent Council for four years. Bergquist authored several books on families of wealth including the “Book of Minnesota Family Trees.” She also is a Wells Foundation board member. 1978 Phyllis Bartel ’78 published “Scooter ‘n’ Oaks: A Cat Adoption Story” in October 2016. As Bartel’s premier work, this fictionalized tale teaches children about the pet adoption process with compassion and gentle humor and shares similar themes with human adoption. 1979 Dave Boots ’79, who was inducted into Augsburg’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004, was named to the University of South Dakota Vermillion’s Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in October after retiring in 2013 with the 14th most wins in Division II men’s basketball history. He led the Coyotes to 23 consecutive winning seasons from 1989-2011, 10 NCAA Division II tournaments, six NCC titles, and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 1993 and 1994. At the Division I level, Boots also won a Great West Championship in 2010. Boots began his coaching career at Anoka Ramsey Community College and spent six years coaching at Augsburg before arriving in Vermillion. Sally (Hough) Daniels Herron ’79 is the new parish and communications administrator for Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Leah Abdella ’76 retired in 2016 from a 40-year teaching career in the field of special education. At Augsburg, Abdella earned a double major in music and music therapy as one of the first three music therapy majors. Abdella stays fulfilled in retirement through volunteer work and flute performance at assisted living residences, nursing homes, and churches. She also stays active in ballet classes and yoga. She is a former member of the Andahazy Ballet Company. ’76 Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations at Augsburg University, married Chris Code in April during an intimate ceremony at the Guthrie Theater—where the couple met while both on staff. The wedding was officiated by Code’s father, the Rev. Jack ’01 ’14 Former hockey and football player Paul Holmquist ’79 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Holmquist was a key member of Augsburg teams that dominated in the late 1970s, earning the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national title in 1979 and qualifying for NAIA national tournament play all of Holmquist’s four seasons. The teams he competed with also won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1978 and 1979. He was named a team MVP in the 1978-79 season, the same time period in which he earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors. 1980 Paul Kilgore ’80 wrote a novel, “The Broken Key,” that is available through online and retail outlets. 1985 Brian Ammann ’85 has been running the Minnesota School of Basketball in Apple Valley and Golden Valley for 12 years. He is the former head basketball coach at Augsburg. 1987 Lee Ann (Burson) Hohenstein ’87 left a 20-year career in mortgage banking to follow her dream and become a staff writer for the Mille Lacs Messenger. She also opened Restoration Books and Gifts in Crosby, Minnesota. Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Koch, and was witnessed by sibling Jason Koch ’93 and sister-in-law Heather Johnston ’92. Allison (Cornell) Broughton ’05 and Matt Broughton ’06 welcomed new baby Nicholas James in June. Nicholas joins big brother Calvin, age 4. ’05 This August, Samantha Cantrall ’14 and Austin Smith ’14 were married in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, by Augsburg Professor of Computer Science Larry Crockett. The couple met in Augsburg’s Urness Hall in 2010, and both graduated from the Honors Program in 2014. They have taken Samantha’s mother’s last name as their wedded name and will be known as Samantha and Austin Wolf. ’14 FALL - WINTER 2017 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1991 Kristin Dragseth Wiersma ’91 had an outstanding volleyball career at Augsburg, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Wiersma played three seasons of volleyball, earning All-MIAC and Academic All-MIAC honors in 1990, and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1989. She remains in the top 10 players in school history in three career statistical categories: kills per-set, attack percentage, and digs per-set. A team co-captain in 1990, Wiersma also served as an assistant coach at Augsburg in 1991. 1992 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Juli Gustafson ’92 played two years of softball at Augsburg earning All-MIAC honors as a shortstop in both 1991 and 1992, while also earning National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-West Region honors in 1991. Her .395 career batting average is the third-best in school history. She also ranks third in career slugging percentage and sixth in career doubles. Gustafson was a member of Auggie teams that went 47-22 in her two seasons. Though he only competed in one season of wrestling at Augsburg, Bret Sharp ’92 made the most of it. He went 43-2-1 with 15 pins and 95 takedowns, won the MIAC title at heavyweight, and finished third at the NCAA Division III national tournament in the 1991-92 season, where he helped to clinch a second-place national team finish for the Auggies. Sharp was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. He competed his first three seasons at Drake University in Iowa. 1993 Dr. Jason Koch ’93 was appointed president of Southdale Pediatrics, where he has worked for the past 16 years. Wrestling star Gary Thompson ’93 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-year competitor in wrestling, Thompson completed his Auggie career with a 91-40-1 record, finishing fourth at the 1993 NCAA Division III national championships and earning All-American honors. He was a MIAC champion, a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar AllAmerican, and a two-time Academic All-MIAC honors student-athlete. Thompson was a member of Augsburg squads that won the NCAA national championship in 1993 and finished second and third in other years. 1994 Chris Terrell ’94 was promoted to vice president of finance for Medtronic’s Cardiac and Vascular Group Global Operations. Terrell joined Medtronic in 2003 and most recently served as a senior director of operations in finance, where he drove finance strategies for nine manufacturing locations. 1995 Dual sport athlete Marty Alger ’95 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. In football, Alger set an Augsburg program record for career rushing yardage, which stood until 2014. In 1992, he became the first Auggie ever to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season. He earned All-MIAC honors in football in both 1992 and 1993. As an Auggie wrestler, he qualified for the 1993 NCAA Division III national tournament after winning the MIAC title at 190 pounds. 1997 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Eric Rolland ’97 was a leader on some of the most successful men’s golf teams in school history. He led squads that won the MIAC championship in 1995 and recorded second-place finishes in 1994 and 1996, while competing in three straight NCAA Division III national tournaments. Rolland AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and Timothy Stepka were married July 15 in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Their ceremony was officiated by Josh Corrigan ’11, and their wedding party included Augsburg alumni Katie (Christensen) Beadell ’11, Korri (Yule) Corrigan ’11, Tim Lund ’12, Amy Jo Opsal ’12, and Tyler Phillips ’12. ’11 28 AUGSBURG NOW In July, Enrico Barrozo ’14 and Mara (Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 were married at Augsburg University’s Hoversten Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Mike Matson ’06. The newlyweds live in Gainesville, Florida, where Enrico is pursuing a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics at the University of Florida, and Mara teaches middle school science. ’14 Rebecca (Welle) Winters ’05 and Paul Winters ’07 welcomed a daughter, Maisy Beverly, in May. She joins siblings Max, who is six years old, and Millie, who is three years old. ’05 Matt Tonsager ’09, co-owner of Gullton Wood, and Melissa (Moberg) Tonsager ’10 welcomed a daughter, Adalind Kay Tonsager, in April. ’09 earned All-America honors in 1995, AllDistrict honors in 1997, and All-MIAC honors in 1995 and 1996. Since 2014, he has served as Augsburg’s men’s and women’s golf head coach. 1999 Elizabeth (Petrik) Brown ’99 had an outstanding goaltending career on the Augsburg women’s soccer team, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown started all but one game of her collegiate career, finishing with 34 career victories, including a then-school-record 13 in 1995. She stands second in school history in career shutouts, fourth in career wins, and eighth in career win-loss percentage. Her 1.69 career goals-against-average is 10th-best in school history. Cheri Johnson ’99 wrote two book series released this fall for young readers. “Origins: Urban Legends” and “Origins: Whodunnit” are high-interest, low-readinglevel books that target upper-elementary and middle-school students. The books will be distributed by Lerner. Johnson also is working on a performance project in Minneapolis called “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” with the music ensemble Zeitgeist; her sister, Julie Johnson ’98; and actor, director, and filmmaker D.J. Mendel. “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” tells a tale set in an evil house in St. Paul. ’11 ’14 ’05 ’09 ’00 Devoney Looser ’89 published a new ’89 book, “The Making of Jane Austen,” which was named in Publishers Weekly’s list of Best Summer Books of 2017 (nonfiction). This May, Lewis Nelson ’00 graduated from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business with a Master of Business Administration degree. Nelson left a 15-year military and government career and is seeking the next challenge. Nelson resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his three children. ’00 ’89 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2000 The Rev. Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00 has accepted a term-call as the associate interim pastor at Saving Grace Lutheran, Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She will serve and work alongside its faithful congregation and pastor, the Rev. David Irgens, during a time of great transition and growth. Brown will serve Saving Grace Lutheran for one year until the congregation places a call for a permanent associate pastor. 2001 James Shropshire ’01, former assistant director of public safety at Augsburg, is the new director of campus safety at Grinnell College. At Augsburg, Shropshire also served as a Title IX adjudicator and investigator. Besides revising diversity training, Shropshire’s agenda for campus safety at Grinnell will include updating the department’s software, computers, and other equipment. 2002 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Chrissy (Baune) Bloemendal ’02 was a 16-time AllMIAC selection in cross country (three times) and track and field (13 times). The team’s No. 1 runner her final three seasons in cross country, Bloemendal finished sixth in the MIAC championships in 2001 and 13th in 2000. In track and field, she won the MIAC title and qualified for the NCAA Division III outdoor national championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2002, finishing ninth nationally. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 30 AUGSBURG NOW ’15 Two years ago Heather Cmiel ’02 left 13 years of communications agency life behind to go corporate. She now serves as global marketing communications strategist within 3M Healthcare. Cmiel spends her free time as president of Minnesota Public Relations Society of America. She also leads a contemporary worship band. 2003 Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03 is the founder and director of the Rural Enterprise Center, a program of Main Street Project, a nonprofit organization focused on rural development. Haslett-Marroquin also serves on the boards of the Northfield Area Foundation, the Northfield Area United Way, and Fifth Bridge, a nonprofit organization promoting volunteerism. 2005 Ryan Bosshart ’05 is a vice president of services at phData, a global leader in big data consulting and managed services. Most recently, Bosshart was a principal sales engineer at Cloudera. 2006 Michelle Dirtzu ’06 is a new marketing manager at Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms based in Los Angeles, California. Dirtzu has 10 years of experience in the grocery-retail-produce business. Previously, she was a marketing director for North Shore Living Herbs, in marketing with Flagstone Foods, and in brand management with Supervalu. Dirtzu earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Opus School of Business at the University of St. Thomas in 2014. Brenda Valentine ’06 welcomed her son, Jackson James Valentine Rice, in April. 2007 A managing partner of business planning at the American Public Media Group, Danielle Stellner ’07 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg, Stellner went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 2016. She was recruited for the board of Isuroon and Secretary, and she is the active co-chair of the AWE Philanthropy Council at Augsburg. In addition, Stellner serves the Friendship Academy of the Arts as a board member and expansion committee member. 2008 Tony Landecker ’08 serves as a portfolio manager in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Minneapolis-St. Paul field office and is responsible for assisting with the management of local housing stock. Landecker was named the Minnesota Civil Servant of the Year by HUD’s Federal Executive Board for helping others find the comfort of a home in the aftermath of a disaster. In 2016, he left his home and family to spend time helping Baton Rouge flood victims, leading a team that found permanent housing for 130 families initially placed in temporary shelters. Rachel Shaheen ’15 and Christopher Kopp ’15 were married in July. The bride and groom were joined by fellow Augsburg alumni [L to R]: Becky Shaheen ’11, Patrick DuSchane ’13, Laura Schmidt ’11, Jakob Anderson ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olson ’11, Lily Moloney ’15, Mary Stickelmeyer ’74, Emily Knudson ’15, Kate Gray ’15, Tyler Dorn ’15, and Alisha Esselstein ’15. ’15 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Curtiss Schreiber ’08 is now an associate at the law firm Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC in Chicago. 2011 Jennifer Weber ’11 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for her dedication to Minneapolis’ CedarRiverside community and in recognition for the projects she has initiated in the Twin Cities area. Before graduating from Augsburg with a triple major in emotional/ behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and American Indian studies, Weber created an American Indian resource library for the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education Program. Weber has been involved in many community projects and is a crisis prevention and interventions trainer at the Charter School Special Ed Network. She is also a certified school coach, teacher, and member of the Cedar Riverside Community School Board. 2012 Katie Radford ’12, ’18 MBA started a new position at Fairview Health Services as a training consultant. She helps facilitate individual and team development sessions for professional growth. 2014 Maren Daniels ’14 teaches elementary visual art at Hiawatha Academy Morris Park in Minneapolis. 2015 Awale Osman ’15 serves as a community innovation associate at the Bush Foundation. He has experienced much change: coming to the U.S. from war-torn Somalia and Kenyan refugee camps to learning English as a third language and graduating with high academic honors. His work as a change agent has included expanding after-school opportunities for Somali youth; impressing upon Congress the value of federal TRIO programming; and activating safe spaces for women, people of color, and queer students. 2016 Victoria Linstrom ’16, Andrew Kleidon-Linstom ’16, Bridgette Henry ’16, and student Mitch Ross ’18 formed the Open Door Theater where Linstrom serves as the executive director, Kleidon-Linstom is the artistic director, Henry is the company manager/dramaturg in residence, and Ross is the marketing director. Muna Mohamed ’16 received a scholarship at the University of Minnesota to pursue a Master of Science degree in behavioral aspects of physical activity. At the university, Mohamed conducts research on East African mother-daughter physical activity. 2017 Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Eron Godi ’17 to the Young Women’s Cabinet, part of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota that aims to improve opportunity for women ages 12 to 24 by bringing together nonprofits, businesses, government, philanthropic organizations, and young women to create plans for building equity. Godi was one of 25 women selected statewide for a cabinet position. Emily Gregg ’17, former Augsburg women’s soccer defender, was named one of 174 nationwide recipients of a $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship honoring her achievements as both a scholar and an athlete. A biology major with a 3.72 GPA, Gregg is the first Auggie to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship since 2014. Gregg will attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She hopes to someday work as a wildlife/large animal veterinarian. Anna Renner ’17 has been accepted to the Clarkson University Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Potsdam, New York. Dua Saleh ’17 had one of her songs played on “The Current” radio station. She performs music and poetry at Twin Cities venues. Riley Siddorn ’17 was among nearly 450 summer interns at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Interns seek out new ways to explore their career fields and engage NASA’s international scientific community in Goddard projects. Siddorn, who majored in physics, held an internship in ionospheric physics. The internships covered a wide spectrum in science-related areas, from planetary sc