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Title: Augsburg Now Summer 2006
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I Summer 2006 & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 4 A SMOOTH TRANSITION page 2 FEATURES 17 The Frame years— a journey toward vision by Betsey Norgard 22 Augsburg’s original MBAs: The Class of 2006 by Bethany Bierma...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I Summer 2006 & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 4 A SMOOTH TRANSITION page 2 FEATURES 17 The Frame years— a journey toward vision by Betsey Norgard 22 Augsburg’s original MBAs: The Class of 2006 by Bethany Bierman 27 On tour with the Augsburg Choir by Judy Petree 30 Those Lutheran Ladies by Betsey Norgard DEPARTMENTS 2 Around the Quad 7 Sports 8 Commencement 2006 12 Sixth Annual International Programs Photo Contest 14 Supporting Augsburg Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College 35 Alumni news 37 Class notes TABLE OF CONTENTS 40 Auggie Thoughts Summer 2006 Vol 68, No. 4 A college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augsburg College is an equal education/employment institution. Editor Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza rumpza@augsburg edu Staff Writer Bethany Bierman bierman@augsburg.edu Staff Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Media Relations Manager Judy Petree petree@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing and Communications Christopher Moquist moquist@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni Relations Heidi Breen breen@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu On the cover: Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg Augsburg President William Frame (right) and President-elect Paul Pribbenow (left) have enthusiastically worked together for a smooth administrative transition. College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad From one president to the next— in smooth transition I n what President William Frame calls a rather remarkable and unusual occurrence in higher education, both he and President-elect Paul Pribbenow jointly spoke to the spring gathering of faculty and staff in March. Frame explained what he understands as a complex relationship between continuity and change, as both he and the incoming president individually and jointly continue to increase the “clarity of the College’s self-definition” as well as “the speed at which it is being realized” during the transition period. (In a gesture to ease at least the visual transition, Frame turned just before introducing Pribbenow and donned a bow tie, calling reference to the incoming president’s signature accessory.) Pribbenow lauded and affirmed the defining work that has been carried out by the Augsburg community in articulating its vision. “I would not be here,” he commented, “if I did not find your aspirations inspiring and compelling.” Pribbenow takes office on July 1, and his inauguration has been set for Oct. 20. The next issue of Augsburg Now will outline his administration’s priorities and introduce his leadership team. William Frame donned a bow tie to signal his “profound regard” for his successor. Both retiring president William Frame (left) and incoming president Paul Pribbenow (right) spoke to faculty and staff in March. Chris Kimball will be chief academic officer at California Lutheran University C hristopher Kimball, provost and vice president for academic affairs, left Augsburg May 31 to assume the same position at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., beginning in July. Kimball, a member of the history faculty since 1991, was appointed dean in 2000 and provost in 2004 when that position was created. His impact at Augsburg is seen in the areas of curricular reform, calendar changes, teaching loads, several new programs, and the “internationalization” of the campus. “I have been blessed to work at Augsburg during a time of great change, 2 especially in the articulation of our mission and vision,” said Kimball. “California Lutheran University, located in an economically vibrant and culturally diverse region, offers a wonderful opportunity to continue that work.” President William Frame stated, “… Chris’ gifts, some of which were shaped in the process of giving our College new vitality and sharp direction, have been acknowledged by a fine institution in current need of them.” In May, the Department of Business Administration presented Kimball with a plaque recognizing his support of business studies and his “entrepreneurial spirit.” Summer 2006 Farewell to the Frames—a ‘gentle roast’ and a proper tribute 1 2 3 O n April 21, more than 300 faculty and staff gathered to honor and show appreciation to Bill and Anne Frame, and to entertain them with some ‘gentle’ roasting. Augsburg’s Gospel Praise provided music, with returning special guest artist Jennifer Grimm ’99. Gift presentations were made and the Frames offered an Augsburg rendition of Woody Guthrie’s song, “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You.” Frame reflected on his time at Augsburg. “These years have been a great gift to us … because they’ve given us the possibility for growth … And new understanding about this great business of education—where it comes from, what it changes, why it’s crucial for the salvation of humankind. … “This place gave us a chance to think through [a great calling] more deeply and better than ever we would have had a chance to do otherwise. So, we’re grateful. We’re grateful to you and we’re grateful to Summer 2006 this place and its great lineage in history.” When asked by Augsburg Echo about his plans for retirement, he mentioned one specific project—an old boat with “at least a year’s worth of work before it’s ready for the water.” On April 30, a more proper “Celebration of Music and Worship for the Presidency of Bill and Anne Frame at Augsburg College” was held at Central Lutheran Church. ELCA presiding bishop Mark Hanson ’68 presented the keynote address. Three music groups—Augsburg’s Gospel Praise, Masterworks Chorale, and the Augsburg Centennial Singers—each sang several pieces. Campus pastor David Wold read a series of tributes received honoring the Frames, including an ode written by Wartburg College president Jack Ohle and his wife, Kristy, and a proclamation from the City of Minneapolis declaring this day to be “Bill and Anne Frame Day.” 4 1 Bill and Anne Frame enjoy some of the lighter minutes of the “roast” in their honor. 2 Campus pastor David Wold reads the proclamation from Mayor R.T. Rybak declaring April 30 “Bill and Anne Frame Day” in the City of Minneapolis. 3 President Frame picked up his guitar to join Gospel Praise in “I Saw the Light” at Central Lutheran Church. 4 Assistant director of alumni relations and former football coach Jack Osberg ’62 leans in close to extend his greetings above the jazz and gospel music. 3 Campus News Honors for distinguished teaching and learning Association, and the American Association of School Administrators. Selection to the network, part of ECS’ National Center for Learning and Citizenship (NCLC), commits its members to further service to promote civic engagement for all students. Erickson serves as chair of the Minneapolis School Board. Hannah Dietrich’s research paper wins national award Dietrich visited the sex offender treatment program at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility and learned about the pre-release transition program. She became interested in finding out if offenders really understood the registration process and if they became more compliant and submitted better verification after completing the program. Together with Steblay, she crafted a research plan that became her senior honors project. Dietrich is now in the master’s program in experimental psychology at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Orientation leaders receive awards Congratulations to the faculty and staff who received awards for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning from the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College: Teaching—Phil Adamo (standing, left), history Mentoring—Dixie Shafer (seated, center), Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) Service to Students—Heather Feehan (standing, right), Chris Pegg (seated, right), Scott Krajewski (seated, left), Robert Bill (standing, center)—all from Information Technology. Joe Erickson selected for national network Joseph Erickson, education, has been named to the “100 District Leaders for Citizenship and Service-Learning Network.” The network includes school board members and district superintendents across the country selected by a panel representing the Education Commission of the States (ECS), the National School Boards 4 Hannah Dietrich’s honor project research with Professor Nancy Steblay was named Best Undergraduate Paper. Hannah Dietrich, a 2005 psychology graduate, has received the American Psychology-Law Society’s 2006 Award for Best Undergraduate Paper. She presented her research and received the award at the AP-LS meeting in March in St. Petersburg, Fla. Her paper, “Predatory Sexual Offenders: Post-Treatment Registration Compliance and Recidivism” is the result of research she did in collaboration with psychology professor Nancy Steblay. Dietrich became interested in studying disorders after taking an abnormal psychology class. She landed an internship at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, working in the Predatory Offender Registration Unit, and connected with a supervisor who included her in many areas of the work. Augsburg’s student orientation leaders participated in the National Orientation Directors Association Regional Conference in Minneapolis. In the Undergraduate Case Study competition, Greg Hildebrandt ’08 won the Best Problem Solving Award, and Sarah Black ’09 received the Best Communication Award. Student Activities director Marc Skjervem presented on the changing culture of college students using online communities and the consequences students face with the misuse of websites. Wrestlers are second in nation in academics For the ninth year in a row, Augsburg finished in the top 10 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Scholar All-America team program, finishing second among more than 100 NCAA Division III wrestling institutions, with a 3.42 team grade point average. The top team, Messiah College (Pa.), had a team GPA of 3.47. Augsburg is the only school in NCAA Division III wrestling to finish in the top 10 both in competition on the mat and in the academic team competition in each of the nine years that the NWCA has awarded an academic team national championship. ■ Summer 2006 ‘Zyzzogeton’— the last word A ugsburg launched a new tradition this year with “Zyzzogeton,” a four-day celebration of student and faculty work—from artistic performances to student research posters. Taking its name from the last entry in Webster’s Third New International dictionary, the celebration is meant to wrap up and highlight the breadth and depth of scholarship at Augsburg. Art exhibits, faculty and student recitals, faculty research roundtables, student research posters, film projects, theatre productions, museum installations, and more filled the calendar of events. (In the dictionary, “zyzzogeton” is defined as a genus of South American leaf hoppers.) Visitors to campus during this time included high school students who came on Drama Day to learn more about the theatre arts program, and middle school students with developmental disabilities and peers taking part in the annual Metro Arts Festival with Augsburg’s music therapy students. A lighter highlight of the celebration was a vigorous debate, Lefse vs. Lutefisk, in which four scholars—President Frame (political science), Lori Brandt Hale (religion), Joan Griffin (English), and Ken Kaminsky (mathematics)—took sides to argue and defend the Norwegian delicacies from the viewpoints of their academic disciplines. The judges were Norwegian bunad-clad members of the Augsburg Associates, and guests were treated to the delicacies of each, including their aromas. (And, yes, the lutefisk side was declared the winner.) Top left: The spring theatre production, Metamorphoses, by Mary Zimmerman, uses contemporary language and imagery to explore ancient myths. Center: Biology major Ben Sonquist explains his research to physics professor Ben Stottrup. Bottom left: Physics professor Mark Engebretson shared his research on geomagnetic pulsations in Earth’s space environment. Summer 2006 5 Larry Ragland retires after 21 years P rofessor Larry Ragland was one of the founding members of the Computer Science Department and retired in May after 21 years teaching in both that department and mathematics. He has stayed at Augsburg, he says, for the same reason he tells prospective students they should come—to be in a supportive environment where students and faculty work closely together. While computing has changed greatly over two Professor Larry Ragland served as one of the founding decades, he says, the discipline faculty of the computer science department and retired of computer science has not. after 21 years at Augsburg. “When I started, we showed students the ‘on’ switch and unmanned flights. how to use a mouse … We operated in Ragland recalls his first assignment at an entirely different way then,” Ragland Augsburg as chair of the Academic says. Now, with a comprehensive campus Computing Committee, with a goal to network and the global Internet, “we hire a full-time academic computing have changed how we relate to the director. That finally happened in 1990. world.” At Ragland’ s retirement celebration, Ragland reflects on the fact that he Professor Karen Sutherland said the has spent his entire career working in a department will miss his “advice, cool discipline that didn’t exist when he went ideas, ability to keep them calm, and to college. His first degrees were in sense of humor.” Junior Cory Nathan mathematics, and he started out teaching spoke for students, thanking Ragland for in public schools. “putting up with us and teaching us a His interest in computer science thing or two along the way.” developed while he worked in the Apollo Ragland has no definite plans yet for Space Program in Houston. During the retirement. He says he has room for one period in which the manned program big “yes” for a project, but has no idea recovered from its tragic fire, Ragland yet of what that project will be. worked on computer displays for Joy Bartlett leaves Education Department E ducation professor Joy Bartlett retired from Augsburg in December 2005 and moved to Las Vegas. Since 2001 she has taught orientation to education, reading methods, and technology in the classroom. 6 She fondly recalls the warmth of the Augsburg community and the enthusiasm of her students. Also, she enjoyed helping students in the McNair program and the Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity office with their research. Sandi Lallak leaves Augsburg for Arizona A fter 23 years at Augsburg working with students in the CLASS program, Sandi Lallak retired in May and moved with her husband to Mesa, Ariz. When Lallak began working in the Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS), she recalls, CLASS had one computer, little technology, and mostly provided advocacy for students with disabilities—about 10 of them. An endowment from the Groves Family in 1988 enabled the program to grow and make the commitment to become a premier program. Lallak researched the field to learn about available adaptive technology, traveled to visit programs, and helped create a small lab on campus. She and colleague Sadie Curtis began to tape textbooks. Within three years, the program grew to provide services and accommodations to over 100 students. Lallak and Curtis spent nearly a decade developing the systems, databases, and procedures for CLASS as it is today, including its student workers. “I’m so honored to have been able to make this happen,” she says. With new technology, Lallak says, “students are reading better, retaining, and comprehending better.” Lallak became the first accommodations specialist she knows about; Curtis is now a physical disabilities specialist in the ACCESS program. While CLASS currently serves about 190 students, past students remain an important part of Lallak’s life. A double bulletin board jammed with photos of past students—weddings, babies, vacations— covered a corner of her office. Lallak has no definite plans in retirement, but many ideas for volunteer opportunities in Arizona. Summer 2006 Sports For current sports information, scores, and schedules go to <www.augsburg.edu/athletics>. Carol Enke retires from coaching by Don Stoner I “ ’ve never looked at any part of my job as a ‘job’,” said Carol Enke, who has coached Augsburg’s softball team for 21 seasons and taught in the Health and Physical Education Department for 19 years. “I always say that I’m going to ‘school.’ I never say that I’m going to ‘work.’ “I’ve looked at this as fun. I get paid to come in here and do this—interact with students and interact with studentathletes.” Enke left her coaching position at the end of the 2006 season, while continuing to work in the HPE department. In 21 seasons at Augsburg, Enke has compiled 302 career victories, while coaching six players who have earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-American honors and 28 players who have earned all-region honors (entering the 2006 season). Along the way, Enke has touched the lives of hundreds of softball players, along with hundreds of HPE majors who are continuing her legacy in classrooms all over the region. In 2001, the senior class selected her as one of three Honored Faculty. “I’ve enjoyed watching the students grow,” Enke said. “I have them in a 200level class in their first or second years, and I ask myself, ‘Are they really going to make it in the teaching profession?’ Then when they are in the 300-level classes their junior and senior years, you see that these kids have made a lot of progress and they’ll be OK.” Enke was a standout athlete in multiple sports in her hometown of Janesville, Wis.—she was inducted into her hometown’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995—and played collegiate softball at the University of Minnesota. She coached for three seasons, two as head coach, at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School before coaching her first season at Augsburg in 1986. Enke initially worked part time at Augsburg, while completing her master’s degree at Minnesota. And in her early Summer 2006 Softball coach Carol Enke, flanked by players (left to right) Sarah Mueller ’09, Sarah Green ’09, and Katie Johnson ’08, cheers on the team in her last game as coach after 21 seasons. Enke will continue teaching in the health and physical education department. years, she felt that Division III Augsburg would be just a step in her career to bigger goals. “Way back when, I thought that someday I’d move up to coach Division II or Division I softball. Then, it happened that I started to teach more courses in the [HPE] major and I really enjoyed that along with coaching. After that, I never thought about moving up to Division II or Division I.” Do I remember very many games? Heck, no. Do I remember the fun we had? Absolutely. —Carol Enke, softball coach Enke has developed a close-knit, family atmosphere with her softball teams, encouraging the players’ families to be active in the program during the short spring season. In the past, she has taken the players on off-season adventures and team-building activities, such as crosscountry skiing, winter camping, snow tubing, and rock climbing. She has also encouraged her studentathletes to be active in multiple activities on campus. Several of her players compete in multiple sports at Augsburg, while also serving as members of clubs and organizations on campus. “With the softball teams, our athletes aren’t one-dimensional,” Enke said. “We’ve got them going in all directions, more than ever before. That’s just how well-rounded they are, and we encourage that. We tell them that they have four years here, and they should ‘bite off as much as they can chew.’ If you want to play two or three sports, do it. If you want to be active in campus activities, do it. Take advantage of what you’re getting for your tuition.” There have been many changes in college softball during the 21 years of Enke’s tenure, including in bat technology. “When I started here, a bat was $29.95. Now bats can cost over $200,” she said. But what hasn’t changed with Enke’s Auggie teams is the fun atmosphere she encourages, along with the life skills she teaches, both in the classroom and on the softball diamond. “It keeps me young,” she said. “Just the relationships with the students and student-athletes, getting involved in their lives. Letting them know that you are someone they can come to. I really like that, and I like to watch them grow in all areas of their lives—not just as student, not just as an athlete, but as the person as a whole. “I’ve loved the people, the teammates and the coaches, all the relationships we’ve had. Do I remember very many games? Heck, no. Do I remember the fun we had? Absolutely.” ■ 7 COMMENCEMENT 2006 The 137TH YEAR of Augsburg College PAUL CUMINGS RECEIVES MARINA CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE AWARD Faculty and students grab one more farewell in Augsburg’s longtime tradition of faculty cheering on their students as they process to the ceremony. Libby Henslin, admissions and operations coordinator for Augsburg’s Rochester program, graduated with a major in religion and shared the day’s excitement with her daughter, Rebecca, who earned a degree in social work. Paul Cumings, an international relations major and student body president, was selected as the 2006 recipient of the Marina Christensen Justice Award. Each year, this honor is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies Augsburg’s motto, “Education for Service.” Cumings came to Augsburg from AmeriCorps, serving at the Brian Coyle Center on the West Bank in Minneapolis. He worked two years in the college readiness program, helping junior high and high school students first consider going to college and then helping them prepare the skills to gain acceptance. On campus he served in numerous service and leadership roles—as resident adviser, as director of food and clothing drives, as a co-sponsor of the “get out the vote” efforts, and as a leader in neighborhood Somali programs. As a Sabo Scholar, Cumings helped Augsburg make connections between public policy and service, laying groundwork for future Sabo Scholars. The award recipient must have demonstrated a dedication to community involvement as characterized by the personal and professional life of Marina Christensen Justice, who reached out to disadvantaged people and communities. President William Frame congratulates student body president and Sabo Scholar Paul Cumings, who was awarded the 2006 Marina Christensen Justice Award. 8 Summer 2006 EXCERPTS FROM THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS “An Augsburg Education: Vocation and the Social Good” —Peter Agre ’70, M.D. I would like to use this occasion to reflect on my life and share some of the lessons I have learned. While an Augsburg student I became a die-hard advocate for the liberal arts tradition … Proud chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg (left) straightens the hood of his former student, Dr. Peter Agre ’70, who was the Commencement speaker and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The accolade was read by Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, a student of Agre’s at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The Honorable Walter F. Mondale reads the accolade for the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree awarded to James A. Johnson, former executive assistant to Mondale and CEO of Fannie Mae. Lisa Prytula ’04, ’06 MAN, who completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing and finished a master’s degree, spoke on behalf of the graduate students. I was a student here in the 1960s—an era notable for extreme turmoil in our country. During my years in high school and as an undergraduate, I lived through the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy. My years here coincided with unprecedented social disturbances resulting from conflicts between white supremacists and civil rights workers, between supporters of the war in Vietnam and antiwar protesters. Despite the consternation experienced elsewhere, those of us at Augsburg enjoyed an island of tranquility where issues and events such as these could be discussed with respect and civility. Augsburg College has never been a school for privileged members of the establishment. Augsburg recognized the importance of inclusion at a very early time and has long been a leader in providing educational opportunities for the Native Americans and other ethnic minorities. Augsburg’s commitment to students with physical disabilities had just begun in the 1960s. Similar to previous generations of Augsburg students, many of my classmates were from the working class, often the first members of their families to attend college. … But this is not the tradition prevailing at the so-called “prestige” colleges and universities in the United States where it is rare to have first generation students or students with parents holding blue-collar jobs. Clearly the working class of America is being excluded from many institutions of higher education. This makes me even prouder of the modest roots of Augsburg students, for as the late Kirby Puckett reflected, “It doesn’t matter where you come from. It only matters how you play the game.” And I always felt that my classmates at Augsburg learned to play the game extremely well. This was due in part to the splendid Augsburg faculty—perhaps most outspoken among them was my father, Courtland Agre, whose unbridled enthusiasm and exuberant encouragement directed many of us into professional and graduate schools. … While my generation, the “Baby Boomers,” has achieved unprecedented prosperity, I sincerely feel that we have failed to improve the world to a state better than it was when we received it from our parents. In fact, I fear that the world is in worse shape now. If this continues, we will be the first generation in memory to fail in such an important endeavor. We all know what the problems are: damage to the environment, continued war, prevalence of famine and untreated disease in the developing world, violent crime and poverty in our inner cities, the epidemic of drug abuse, failure to provide adequate health care to all Americans, and the staggering $9 trillion national debt which will fall on your generation. Education has never been more important than in the current time of growing antiintellectualism in America. It is really shocking when you think that less than half of all Americans read a single book last year. As Mark Twain informed us, “The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” I fear the emphasis in our country has now become one of fixing the blame rather than fixing the problem. The polarized special interests have caused gridlock in our national government where the two major parties can seemingly agree on nothing. Let me suggest that the hour is late and we must stop the face-slapping and join hands and concentrate all of our attention on fixing the problems. It is often said that “the genius of this immigrant nation is that we have always found our center,” and I believe that we need to do so urgently. … Thank you and congratulations. The full Commencement Address is at <www.augsburg.edu/president/commencement06.html>. Summer 2006 9 COMMENCEMENT 2006 BACCALAUREATE HOMILY (EXCERPTS) WILLIAM V. FRAME, PRESIDENT Physician assistant graduate Tara Rick is the center of attention as she receives her master's hood from PA director Dawn Ludwig. “Separating Together” [I]n John’s Gospel and the Book of Acts, Jesus is preparing the disciples for their new assignment—dispersal, one by one, each on his own, into the world for the sake of the great commission. He suggests that they can sustain themselves in the midst of their independence only if they remember before leaving that they were transformed from a motley crew of fishermen, tax collectors, and other workaday professionals into a “community.” But this recollection will strengthen them for the independent journeys just ahead only if they repair the terrible rip in the fabric of their collegium caused by Judas’ betrayal. Hence, before the reprise of community can be undertaken, Judas’ empty position must be filled. And it is, by one Mattias, who is called up from the apostolic bench (which appears to have been deeper than that of the Timberwolves) by a drawing of lots. … You and I are separating—together—and the good news is that we’re separating from a place that gave each of us something to be separated from. … [from] a community of learning, in which ideas of the transforming kind, experiences (sometimes of the embarrassing kind—some, entailing success, and some, failure and frustration), gave us new life and, therefore, identity. … Like us, in the hands of the College, the disciples had been molded into something new by their particular course of study, faculty, and classmates. Their capstone course culminated in the resurrection. Yours came to a more conventional conclusion a week ago. But neither we now, nor the disciples then, are yet prepared for separation. Until we recognize that we were transformed by our time together; until we confess that each of us is now becoming someone—not the realization of some persona prescribed at or even before birth—but a self created by a million incidents of concourse, a thousand recollections of experience, a hundred moments of revelation. Until we begin becoming ourselves, we shall lack the independence of the world that vocation requires. To stand in the midst of the life each of us is about to undertake—either of a job search, employment, or retirement—and to render service to our neighbor, we must know who we are and how we got that way. That knowledge is of identity; it constitutes the protective suit, even though not fully woven, that allows us to live in and serve the world without being wholly fused with it. … But what we have learned here—about ourselves, the world, and God; what the disciples learned about themselves—remains beyond our grasp and theirs without the great final examination known as saying goodbye! Until we address our separation—seriously; until we face the fact that we are leaving people who have meant the world to us—teachers, friends, 10 Sunny Olise receives his master’s hood from director Robert Kramarczuk in Augsburg’s first MBA class. parents (that you now realize you didn’t leave four years ago but are now, finally going to leave—today!)—we are not tempered for the new immersion in the world. Until we know who and what we have become, we cannot maintain our independence in the world when we are out there in it, on our own. Goodbyes force us each to meet ourselves face to face, as Achilles did in The Iliad. That means that we have put our affairs in order—so that they may be abandoned; we have to repair the rents in the fabric we knit in the College cocoon in order that we might be released from it—a beautiful butterfly capable of flying into the maelstrom of life without danger to bring a glimpse of beauty to a dour and broken world. … And so—let us, to each other, both now and this afternoon, say, “Goodbye!” And in so doing, we shall each bear the College with us, out into the world—a shield and a buckler of the vocational life that fulfills the requirements of the great commission in the kingdom on the left. That last great goodbye gives us the capacity and even the need for reunion. If done right, it allows us to soon again say—here, at the intersection of Riverside and 22nd—“Hello! It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you!” To read the full Baccalaureate Homily, go to <www.augsburg.edu/president/baccalaureate06.html>. Summer 2006 THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE CLASS OF 2006 3,420 Attended the ceremony 3,600 Cookies and petit fours served at the reception 752 Class of 2006—346 traditional day students, 162 weekend students, 39 students in the Rochester program, 13 from United Hospital, 1 from 3M; and 191 graduate students in six programs 580 Graduates marching 490 Enjoyed Commencement Brunch 350 Attended Commencement Dinner 125 Faculty marching in the procession 58 Age of the oldest graduate 20 Age of the youngest graduates 14 Flags representing countries of international graduates 2 Honorary degrees conferred 1 Retiring presidential couple—many thanks to Bill and Anne! countless Smiles and tears of happiness, gratitude, and appreciation Audra Johnson, a studio art graduate, has a jubilant smile on graduation day. The sociology department faculty take a moment to get photos of their graduates. Summer 2006 11 SIXTH ANNUAL International Programs Photo Contest 1 2 3 7 1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT AUGSBURG, second place. “Melting Pot.” Kamilla T. Fossem, Norway. 2 PEOPLE PORTRAITS, first place. “Yo confío.” Kathryn Jones ’08. San Salvador, El Salvador. 3 PEOPLE PORTRAITS, third place. “Begging Musicians.” Richard Garnett ’08. Cuernavaca, Mexico. 4 5 LOCAL PEOPLE, second place. “Video Games vs. the Acropolis.” Katharine Mahon ’06. Athens, Greece. LOCAL PEOPLE, third place. “A Journey through an African Desert.” Therese DeMay ’06. Swakopmund, Namibia. 12 8 6 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT AUGSBURG, first place. “The Old and the New Minneapolis.” Martin Garnes, Norway. 7 CITYSCAPES, third place. “Untitled.” Britta Boyum ’06. Lofoten Islands, Norway. 9 8 LOCAL PEOPLE, first place. “Bearing the Load.” Kelsey Nolan ’06. Sontule, Nicaragua. 9 PEOPLE PORTRAITS, second place. “Familia.” Megan L. Schiller ’06. Nicaragua. 10 CITYSCAPES, second place. “Cusco by Night.” Joelle Bickel ’07. Cusco, Peru. 11 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT AUGSBURG, third place. “A Frozen Falls.” Martin Garnes, Norway. 12 CITYSCAPES, first place. “Fishing Industry.” Britta Boyum ’06. Harstad, Norway. 13 BEST OF SHOW. “Waca Wasi Wardrobe.” Joelle Bickel ’07. Waca Wasi, Peru. Summer 2006 4 5 6 10 11 12 Summer 2006 13 13 Supporting Augsburg Gift of $4 million gives green light to Gateway by Betsey Norgard A $4 million naming gift from Donald ’53 and Beverly (Halling) Oren ’55 has provided the funding needed for Augsburg to proceed with the $18.5 million Gateway Building. On May 5 the Augsburg Board of Regents granted approval for the College to pursue the financing needed to begin construction this summer. A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Sept. 8, with building completion in fall 2007. Donald Oren ’53, an Augsburg regent emeritus, is chairman of the board of Dart Transit Company, founded by his father in 1934. The trucking and logistics company ranks 53rd of the Top 100 Carriers nationwide. Beverly (Halling) Oren ’55 has taught school and worked as vice president of human resources at Dart Transit. She remains a principal and adviser to the company, and currently serves on Augsburg’s Board of Regents. Three of their children are involved with Dart Transit—David, president; Daniel, vice president; and Bradley, general manager. Daughter Angela Anderson is mother to one-year-old Samuel. “We are pleased and honored to participate in Augsburg’s growth by being part of the Gateway project,” says Beverly Oren. “The business school is of special interest as it offers an opportunity for students to experience the entrepreneurial Donald ’53 and Beverly (Halling) Oren ’55 spirit. Also, Augsburg’s commitment to promoting vocation provides a very worthy goal.” The Gateway Building will be Augsburg’s link to its surrounding community and city, and a distinctive “front door” on Riverside Ave. It will easily connect the College with the CedarRiverside area, the University of Minnesota’s West Bank, and the FairviewUniversity Medical Center across the street. The building is a four-story combined administrative, commercial, and residential center. It will provide new homes for the Alumni Conference Center, the StepUP Program, the Master of Business Administration program, the Gage Family Art Gallery, and offices for Institutional Advancement. Community residents and organizations will be encouraged to use meeting space in the new Gateway. On the first floor, retail stores such as Barnes and Noble will serve not only the campus community, but staff and patients of the hospital across the street and the West Bank and Cedar-Riverside communities as well. The top three floors will provide student housing—upperclass students on the second floor and StepUP students on floors three and four. From Riverside Ave., a central Gateway plaza welcomes visitors to campus. Circling the plaza are Hoversten Chapel, Lindell Library, and the Gateway Building, representing the College's commitments to faith, reason, and service. For Augsburg’s StepUP program, which provides students in addiction recovery the support and skills they need to succeed in college, the Gateway Building will centralize their office, counseling, and residential space. It’s about “having a home where we’re all together,” says StepUP director Patrice Salmeri, and will give students who complete the program the “ability to stay longer and mentor younger students.” In eight years, StepUP has grown to over 50 students, and they have maintained an 83% abstinence rate while in the program and a grade point average of 3.0. Augsburg is a national leader in the recovery school movement; Salmeri currently serves as president of the national organization. The Augsburg MBA program, which after only two years is now the state’s third largest, will gain much needed and more suitable classroom, technology, and study space in Gateway for its small-class learning. Save the date! GATEWAY BUILDING CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING Friday, September 8 Noon 14 Summer 2006 Gateway’s ground floor will welcome alumni and visitors, and provide a gathering space to meet over coffee and enjoy exhibits in the Gage Family Art Gallery, which will move from Lindell Library to a more accessible location in the new building. “[T]he connection to the wider community will be greater than ever before,” says Kerry Morgan, coordinator of galleries and exhibits. “The easy access from Riverside will be welcoming to off-campus visitors; and Augsburg students, staff, and faculty will continue to find inspiring and thought-provoking art where they work, live, and study.” Planning for the Gateway Building has been carried out in conjunction with the Riverside Corridor Project development, funded partially with an early campaign gift from James A. Johnson, former banking administrator and public servant. The project brings together West Bank partners—the Cedar-Riverside Business Association, the West Bank Community Development Corporation, the University of Minnesota, Augsburg, Fairview-University Medical Center, and others—to envision a thriving urban village that links to the light rail system. The City of Minneapolis has begun to develop a small area plan for the entire Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. “One issue the plan will consider is how to make Riverside more comfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists,” says Beth Elliott, principal city planner. “More retail stores and outdoor seating opportunities will also help in adding vibrancy to that section of the corridor.” She says the Gateway Building can be “an example that others can follow if they are thinking about redevelopment.” Honoring a graduate by honoring the College A s a nontraditional student past the usual graduation age, Matt Van Zant seemed just a bit too old for the traditional card with a money pocket. So Frank McKinney, a close family friend, Matt Van Zant ’06 called Augsburg and asked how he could make a gift to the College instead, in honor of Van Zant. Van Zant came to know McKinney, a corporate lawyer, in Ohio where Van Zant grew up. “He encouraged me and stressed the importance of ethics,” Summer 2006 Van Zant says. “[He] is a believer in education and encouraged me to remain in school and do well.” McKinney said he was proud of Van Zant, that after many years he would return to school for his degree. Van Zant works as an operations analyst in the healthcare field. He enrolled in Weekend College in fall 2001 to begin a major in management information systems (MIS). One of the common themes he found in his classes fits right in with what he remembers learning from McKinney. “People who work with data, who manage sensitive and confidential information,” says Van Zant, “are and should be held to higher standards of performance and integrity.” Juggling full-time employment with full-time study was difficult, and Van Zant says he tried to take it just one term at a time. “It helped to work on coursework almost every day and try to remain current with the material.” His strategy worked, so much so that he will begin an MBA degree in the fall, looking forward to “the opportunity to develop strategic decision-making skills.” McKinney says he enjoyed making the gift to Augsburg in Van Zant’s name and that Van Zant also enjoyed it. To McKinney, “it just seemed the appropriate thing to do.” He says now he’ll just wait for Van Zant’s master’s degree. 15 Construction begins on Melby Hall addition by Betsey Norgard n a chilly, cloudy May 5, a crowd gathered on the south side of Melby O Hall to ceremonially mark the groundbreaking for the $6.1 million new south wing, named the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Complex. Augsburg regent and emcee Mike Freeman, in describing the expansion, called it “lots of much-needed space to show our Auggie pride.” He drew attention to the efforts that had made the project possible, especially noting that every coach had put together a plan to reach former students and athletes. He read a statement from lead naming donors Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy, who Kennedys. “Your gift is exciting, and we so appreciate it.” The Kennedy Sports and Recreation Complex includes the Alan and Gloria Rice Wrestling Center and the James and Katherine Haglund Fitness and Recreation Center, as well as other named spaces: the Lavonne (Johnson) Peterson ’50 Conference Suite; Lute Olson ’56 Hall of Champions; “Doc” Johnson ’52 A-Club Office; and the Gamma House Hospitality/Classroom. Work has already begun on the new south wing; construction is expected to be completed in spring 2007, with the official opening in fall 2007. weren’t able to be in attendance, saying that their “family is proud and excited to be part of this [project].” Kennedy was an All-American wrestler and, as co-captain of the team, led Augsburg to a runner-up spot at the NAIA national finals, marking the beginning of Augsburg’s longtime dominance in small-college wrestling. President William Frame drew attention to Augsburg student-athletes and the leadership they bring to the life of the campus. Football linebacker Michael Matson ’06, speaking on behalf of studentathletes, directed his remarks to lead donors Alan Rice, Jim Haglund, and the Front row (L to R): Major gifts director Donna McLean; regent and lead donor Jim Haglund; Board of Regents chair Jean Taylor '85; assistant dean and head wrestling coach Jeff Swenson ’79; lead donor Alan Rice; regent Mike Freeman; and President William Frame. Melby groundbreaking—twice! When Rev. Clifford M. Johnson, ’34 (’30 Acad, ’39 Sem) received his invitation to attend the May 5 ceremonial groundbreaking for the expansion of Melby Hall, he remembered that he still 16 had a 46-year-old photo from the day he held a shovel to break ground for the new Melby Hall. Johnson, age 95, has been part of the Augsburg community since 1926 when he entered the Augsburg Academy. He has been a fundraising leader, a regent and board chair, and a director of development over the years. In 1993 he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. He recalls the excitement in 1960 of constructing the first athletic facility for Augsburg. Until then, he says, the basketball team played on the court in the basement of Old Main. He also remembers that the invocation that day was given by Lutheran Free Church president Rev. T. O. Burntvedt ’12. Johnson was thrilled to be part of this new excitement this year and to see that earlier photo at the ceremony, enlarged to poster size and sitting on an easel. Just announced … $1 million gift has been received A from Norman and Vangie Hagfors for the renovation of the chapel in Old Main and the creation of a home for Augsburg’s Center for Faith and Learning. Read more in the next issue. Summer 2006 The FRAME years a journey toward vision BY BETSEY NORGARD W William Frame, the 10th president of Augsburg, is not typical of his nine predecessors. He is not a Midwesterner, nor is he of Norwegian background or an ordained Lutheran minister. From his nine-year tenure, he leaves a long litany of new programs, partnerships, and much-needed capital improvements. But, much more significant is that he leaves an Augsburg that has renewed its self-identity, and that has crafted and refined a vision representing the deepest thinking any college could undertake about its own mission or “institutional vocation.” In the foreword to Augsburg’s revised vision document, The Augsburg Vocation: Access and Excellence, Frame describes this vision not as his, but as “drawn from the soul of the College.” It is an idea—vocation—that “has been calling Augsburg to its work since the founding.” Frame points to his time at Augsburg as the continuation of a vocational journey that began as a young instructor at Kenyon College, that immersed him in the urban life of corporate banking and finance, and then took him back into academia. All along, the work he did served to shape, nurture, and refine a strong, personal sense of vocation. At Pacific Lutheran University, he came to understand Martin Luther’s two-dimensional world of faith and reason, one in which students explored vocation as both learning through faith to understand themselves and learning through reason to prepare for careers and service in the world. Top, left: President Frame (right) and ELCA presiding bishop Mark Hanson ’68 (left) find a moment for conversation at Commencement. Staff photo Middle, left: Bill and Anne Frame enjoy talking with passersby at Augsburg’s State Fair booth. Staff photo Bottom, left: President Frame occasionally joins the Augsburg Jazz Ensemble with his guitar. Summer 2006 17 At Augsburg Frame discovered the theology of Luther’s close colleague, Philip Melancthon, who authored the Augsburg Confession and advocated the participation of Christians in civic affairs. This German theological duo became the basis for Frame’s model of education and the hallmarks of Augsburg’s vision: vocation, service, civility, diversity, and community. Remarkably, in retrospect, the agenda for the Frame years seemed set even before he became president. In summer 1997, shortly before taking office, he was interviewed for Augsburg Now, and was asked to identify the three most important agenda items for Augsburg College as it prepared for the 21st century. Nine years later, his responses at that time seemed predestined: 1. finding “communal clarity about our purpose”—who we are and what we do; 2. determining “how we adapt what we’re up to, to what properly serves the world” … i.e., what we must do to carry out our mission; 3. figuring out “how we do all that” … finding “a form of life on campus that allows us to do all this thinking in a fully civil, candid, ingenious, participative way.” Clarifying the vision In the first two years of Frame’s presidency the entire campus engaged itself in a highly collaborative process, which included commissions charged with producing working papers around issues that would form the groundwork for a vision document. English professor Joan Griffin, describes that period: “When Bill Frame became president of Augsburg, the College suddenly became Lutheran. I’m exaggerating, of course, but despite the required religion courses and daily chapel, our Lutheran identity was something that we took for granted: we did not always connect it with how we go about doing our work. 18 “But then Bill arrived, and even the least theologically sophisticated among us became familiar with the kingdom on the right and the kingdom on the left, freedom, paradox, and of course, most of all, vocation. Bill changed the Augsburg lexicon.” Griffin and physics professor Mark Engebretson were charged with shaping the 250 pages of discussion into the College’s first vision document, Augsburg 2004: Extending the Vision, approved by the Board of Regents in 1999. Five years later, as 2004 approached, Frame again called the campus community into discussion about updates to the vision. Again, Griffin and Engebretson compiled a revised vision document, The Augsburg Vocation: Access and Excellence, that succeeds in bringing vision and practice closer together. Tracy Elftmann ’81, vice president for institutional advancement and former regent, commented, “The leadership Bill brought to our visioning work is nothing short of extraordinary. The clarity of purpose in Augsburg’s vision provides balance, meaning, and motivation to our daily work. We know who we are and what we are here to do. “Let’s be clear,” she continued, “this is not Bill’s vision for Augsburg—it’s our vision. We wrote it, we work it, we live it. The collaborative effort to bring this work to full fruition was laborious but well worth the effort.” Tom Morgan, vice president for planning and market development, added additional context. “Through Bill’s leadership we have rediscovered who we are and clarified where we need to go. More than simply words on a page, we have been inspired to rededicate ourselves to a course that was charted at the time of the College’s founding.” Carrying out the vision The most significant result of the revisioning process was the launching of a new general education curriculum to imprint the core values of the vision. Griffin led a faculty team that crafted a new Core Curriculum. Combined with the depth of study in a major, this would prepare students for careers and service in the world. Ideas of vocation, citizenship, and engagement are reflected in the signature elements of the Core Curriculum— Search for Meaning courses to explore vocation; the first-year program that Summer 2006 Staff photo The LEGACY of WILLIAM FRAME’S YEARS at AUGSBURG (1997-2006) New programs • New general education—Core Curriculum • Scholastic/Corporate Connections • New master’s degrees—education, nursing, physician assistant, and business administration • Youth and family ministry major • Finalizing and naming first endowed chair—Christensen Chair in Religion • Growth of StepUP program • Degree programs in Rochester Community partnerships/collaborations: • Nursing degree programs at United Hospital and Rochester • Augsburg-Capella innovative“brick-click” courses • Faith in the City—plus the spin-off Augsburg Academy for Health Careers • Clinical Lab Science program with Fairview Capital buildings/improvements: • New Hall—apartment-style residence hall • Groundbreaking for Melby Hall expansion includes learning about and connecting with the city; experience gained through internships, research, community service, and global study; and a keystone summative seminar. Combined with a liberal arts foundation and skills development, students prepare to become effective, informed, and ethical citizens. Important to Augsburg’s vision are a number of new programs that provide access to education for students who lack it for various reasons: Scholastic Connections, a scholarship program that matches students of color with alumni of color in mentoring relationships; StepUP, a nationally-recognized program that provides support to students in addiction recovery to help them succeed academically; and graduate programs to help students understand the world through a lens of vocation. Augsburg’s vision has taken the College into many new and innovative partnerships. A program in Rochester now serves 300 students, mostly from Mayo Clinic and IBM, who wish to complete baccalaureate and some graduate degrees. An unusual partnership with Capella University involves Augsburg faculty developing and teaching online courses. One of Frame’s key leadership roles was helping to found Faith in the City, a collaboration of seven urban Lutheran institutions in Minneapolis that together seek to improve the quality of life in the community. Included is the year-old Augsburg Academy for Health • Link between Library and Sverdrup/Memorial— Sverdrup renovation, new atrium • Christensen Center renovation—welcome and gathering area, coffee shop, gallery space • Purchase and renovation of Augsburg House • New signage on Mortensen Hall and on I-94 • Upgrading of residence halls • Replacement of Edor Nelson Field turf • Overall beautification of grounds • Sale of Ice Arena to gain lease-back arrangement and capital • Added two new parking lots and upgraded security • Purchased additional perimeter properties around campus Administrative • Creation of Enrollment Center as one-stop shop • Creation/consolidation of Center for Service, Work, and Learning • Creation of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) from McNair program Awards/Recognition • 2006—Augsburg Medal Left: President Frame poses for a moment with the directors of the ethnic programs at the annual Scholastic Connections dinner in October 2005. (L to R) Bao Thao, Cindy Peterson, Frame, Emiliano Chagil, and Trena Bolden Fields. • 2006—award from Lutheran Educational Council of North America Top: First-year students hear from the president on City Service Projects day during their Augsburg Seminar. • 2004-05 chair of Minnesota Private College Council Summer 2006 • Project director for Council of Independent Colleges’ 19 Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission seminars • 2006—Toby LaBelle award from StepUP to Anne and Bill Frame • 2003-04 president of the ELCA Council of College Presidents Careers, a joint charter school with Fairview Health Services that prepares high school students for careers and vocations in health care. Augsburg, under Frame’s leadership, has gained considerable recognition for its visioning work. Elftmann stated, “College presidents across the country consistently ask Bill how Augsburg was able to capture its essence, its purpose, its wholeness so well. Bill’s contributions have established Augsburg as a national leader in terms of strategic direction and future focus. “ The College was recognized by The Princeton Review and Campus Compact as a “college with a conscience.” It consistently ranks high for service-learning programs and is one of 12 colleges selected for excellence in first-year programs. Frame has served as president of the ELCA Council of College Presidents, as chair of the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC), and as project director for the Council on Independent Colleges (CIC) seminars reflecting on vocation and institutional mission. He also has received awards from the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) and Augsburg’s StepUP program, who selected Anne and Bill Frame for the 2006 Toby LaBelle Award for support of its ideals. Changing the culture Frame’s third agenda item from his 1997 interview was the creation of a campus culture that would support and model the mission and vision. His first task was confronting what he called “militant modesty,” the difficulty of the College to “toot its own horn.” He immediately put a great deal of attention on both tangible improvements—fixing up and painting residence halls, landscaping, new facilities—and more deep-seated changes, such as making Augsburg salaries more competitive. Griffin says that Frame has been able to get Augsburg to “think big about ourselves”—in both small ways, like the campus improvements, as well as bigger ways, with new programs and initiatives. “I think we’re becoming more willing to 20 embrace our complexity—and also our promise,” she said. The Frame presidency has been one very much shared by both Bill and Anne Frame. Anne has been active in a number of Augsburg programs, contributing her business expertise, hospitality, and much volunteer time. She told faculty and staff that after long consideration of how to describe her role at Augsburg, she had recently been introduced in a way that seemed very comfortable to her—“this is Anne Frame, she’s a member of the Augsburg community and happens to be married to our president.” Hospitality, from the theological sense to a simple friendly welcome, has become a hallmark of the vision—and one in which Anne has played a significant role. Their sharing of Augsburg House as a center for college hospitality has opened new dimensions in how community members relate to each other. In March Bill Frame articulated Augsburg’s vision of hospitality: “[Our college] welcomes the stranger as a gift to a learning community composed of students, many in the guise of faculty and staff colleagues, who cannot proceed in their own quests for vitality and hope without constant contact with a diverse array of learning styles and even learning capacities, each one at least beginning to feel that deep and absorbing hunger to know.” In an interview with Augsburg Echo, Frame recently reflected on what he considers his proudest moment—“having our envisioning work recognized as distinctive by candidates and their sponsors for the 11th presidency of the College.” And, indeed, President-elect Paul Pribbenow told faculty and staff in March, “I would not be here if I did not find your aspirations inspiring and compelling.” Griffin offered an Augsburg community perspective: “I think at least part of the excitement of the approaching Pribbenow era is that Bill brought us to a point where we can imagine how much farther we can go.” Since February, when Pribbenow was chosen by Augsburg regents, an unusual The Frame years in print William Frame has published a collection of writings and speeches from his years as president at Augsburg College. He says it intends to both “provide a record of the principal stops on the faith and reason journey on which I was sent when elected as Augsburg’s 10th president,” and to share his connection with Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. The book’s preface was written by the Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Published by Lutheran University Press in Minneapolis, the book is available in bookstores, online, and at <www. lutheranUpress.org>. Proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to Augsburg’s annual fund. collaboration has developed. Frame invited Pribbenow to share the podium with him in March at the College’s all-faculty and all-staff meeting. Mark Hanson ’68, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), summarizes the impact of the Frame years, “… Bill draws upon the great themes of the Lutheran Reformation and weaves them into the mission of a Lutheran urban college in the 21st century. When Bill Frame speaks, I want to ask him to stop after each sentence so that we can ponder the depth of his wisdom.” In every way, the Frame presidency has been one of introspection and distinction, even to his legendary eloquence and penchant to speak long. Quipped student body president Paul Cumings, “He will be missed. Even his dry humor and lengthy lectures.” ■ Summer 2006 At Augsburg House—since 1998 Frequency of events: about twice a week Events held: 430 In 1998, the Augsburg Board of Regents authorized the purchase of a house for the home of the president and a gathering place for campus events. In January 2006 Anne Frame talked to the Board of Regents about hospitality at Augsburg House. Following are excerpts of her talk. People who have attended: 8,600 Catering by Augsburg-Sodexho staff (as of January 2006) Staff photo HOSPITALITY and the House BY ANNE FRAME I I’ve been asked to think about some of the ways my work with Augsburg is applied to implementing the idea of hospitality. The Augsburg Vocation, our vision document, talks about community and intentional diversity– language that conceived of this College as a welcoming place, where persons are accepted, perhaps because of their differences, and where a community is developed that contributes to the learning for all of us. Much of my work takes place away from this Riverside campus. From the beginning, Bill and I—ironically, as the newcomers—took as our job helping the various constituents of the campus feel at home here. We have visited alumni and friends of the College in many locations to let them know what is going on now at Augsburg, and specifically to emphasize that they are welcome here. That they, as a part of Augsburg’s history, therefore have a place in its present. And, as we have learned much from their stories and memories, we hope they have strengthened or rekindled their bonds to this place. We have been privileged both to live at Augsburg House and to use it frequently for College events. A plaque in the entry hall—carved by a Norwegian in Iowa—states our purpose: In this place we extend to our guests the friendship and hospitality of the Augsburg Community in loving memory of Adeline Marie Rasmussen Johnson ’31 and through the Summer 2006 generosity of James and Kathleen Haglund and Milton and Dorothy Kleven. So we are acting for the community and have practiced that hospitality to student groups, to faculty and staff, to the regents, the parents and alumni and friends of the College, to neighborhood and community groups who may not know Augsburg well. We have done this in as many different forms as we can think of: with receptions, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, conversations. We bring these groups together for food and fellowship, for study and discussions. We feel that getting to know each other better, spending time together, and talking about the College together helps us to be a stronger community. Frequent remarks I hear as people learn how many groups and events are at Augsburg House each year come in one of two forms, the first being, “You must get really tired of having so many people at your house.” (The answer is a very clear “no.”) The other comment is, “You must really be a party person!” I don't think that’s quite the case, either. But these two questions have caused me to try to express what it is that I do like about using Augsburg House in this way. What do I get out of it? The answer is … getting to know the wide and diverse constituency that is Augsburg—learning histories and connections, hearing staff and faculty speak across their areas of expertise, and listening and discussing ideas with each other. Bill and Anne Frame welcome the community to Augsburg House. What a rare privilege this is. It has given me an appreciation of this place that is deeper than I could have discovered elsewhere. It has widened my horizons, expanded my understandings, and has made this College house truly “home” to me. What we do at the house is intentional, and I believe it’s consistent with trying to build our community, as stated in The Augsburg Vocation, “the development of a sense of connectedness that leads to lasting relationships.” The author of the Book of Hebrews exhorts his readers: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” And I’m convinced there are at least a few angels hanging around Augsburg. 21 Augsburg’s original MBAs The Class of 2006 BY BETHANY BIERMAN 22 Summer 2006 The AUGSBURG MBA Nathan Appel joined the army right out of high school in Colorado and spent several years in the service. He eventually came to Minnesota to attend the university but “became tired of rollerblading from Timbuktu to a class where another student taught us.” So he transferred to another college, taking evening classes to finish his undergraduate degree in management. His campus? A hotel conference room in the suburbs. His cohort? Number 327. Later, with his career at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage well underway, Appel decided to return to school for his Master of Business Administration degree. He was about to choose another program when he received an MBA postcard from Augsburg. He came to an information session and was sold. His new campus? A small, fully functioning campus in the heart of Minneapolis. His cohort? Number 1. “It’s kind of cool … We are the original,” Appel says. A JUMP-START LAUNCH This May, Augsburg graduated the first four sections, or cohorts, of its new Master of Business Administration program—a total of 84 students. The 20-month program evolved from eight years of discussion, research, and planning by members of the business department, with Professor David Schwain serving as the chief designer. “In the feasibility study, our researcher found that our business program ranked third best business program in the state by those students taking the GMAT,” says John Cerrito, chair of the Department of Business Administration. “Of course, we did not have a grad program at that time, which the two programs that ranked higher did, so we felt we’d have good acceptance in the market. When we introduced the MBA, we met with instant success.” In fact, recruiting one group to start the program doubled into two, as 44 students responded by the time the MBA began in fall 2004. The initial goal of four cohorts by the end of three years was met within four months of launching the program. It was these students who became Augsburg’s first MBAs in May. THE CAPTAIN Since its launch 20 months ago, under the direction of Robert Kramarczuk, the MBA program has grown to over 300 students. Kramarczuk’s international career had included teaching at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, running several successful businesses, and starting up six other graduate educational programs. He was already enjoying retirement, but the Augsburg call was too good to pass up. He was attracted to Augsburg’s commitment to service-learning, Top: MBA director Robert Kramarczuk places a hood on Kristen Schell, one of 84 in the first class of MBA graduates. Bottom: Sarah Anton offers a comment to her classmates in Cohort 3. Summer 2006 23 “In the real world, you don’t function on your own. You rely upon other people.” —CHRISTINE WAGGONER ’97, ’06 MBA which became an integral component in the MBA. “The program reflects very well Augsburg’s mission—service to others,” Kramarczuk says. “It’s a hallmark of our program.” One group of MBA students spends time in the Somali community. All are involved in field projects where, as a team, students work with an organization for 10 to 11 months. Kramarczuk says that these sorts of experiences put Augsburg’s MBA students “ten levels above” those in other programs. “The other key factor is that we consider really good leaders to differ from others by being able to think critically … That’s woven into the entire program.” Even with six other successful program starts, Kramarczuk considers Augsburg’s unique. “We look at it from a different perspective. We look at it as your life’s purpose or vocation, with the MBA being a critical leg in this life’s journey… We tell our students, ‘After you get this MBA, you’ll say this is probably one of the most important decisions you’ve made in your life.’” Jamie Schiller, MBA coordinator, and graduate As a requirement for Christine Waggoner pause from the action of an MBA admission to the program, each softball game. applicant must personally interview with Kramarczuk. “It’s humbling to hear them share and discuss THE CURRICULUM their goals and aspirations and how the The intense curriculum includes finance MBA fits into this process. … I consider and economics, local and global issues, myself almost like a peer. I love my organizational management, and students, and I think they kind of like leadership ethics. Through application me.” and research, students learn to Like him they do, and at a recent implement ideas and communicate vital event they presented Kramarczuk with an statistical, financial, and other critical award. Accolades include these words business-related data in an evolving work from Babette Blumenauer of Cohort 4: environment. “He has started this program that will The required field project, which change my life course. … I am not just a serves as the thesis for the MBA, often number or an obscure student here. Dr. responds to real-world requests that Kramarczuk … gives me time, shows he come to the program from business and cares, and he knows my name. And that industry. has meant a lot to me.” “Book learning is very different from Announcing • • • • • • NEW MBA GRADUATE CERTIFICATES Finance Financial planning Human resource management International business Marketing management Music business management Graduate certificates provide applied, practical, graduate-level training to enhance skills and advance careers. In addition, they can later be applied toward a master’s degree. Certificates can be earned in as few as six months with courses meeting one evening per week for seven weeks. Cohorts will form beginning this fall. For information, call 612-330-1390. 24 real-life experience,” says Christine Waggoner of Cohort 2. “It’s that real-life experience that is discussed and studied in this program.” Waggoner earned her bachelor’s degree from Augsburg in 1997. “Given my positive experience as an undergraduate, I cannot tell you how excited I was when I received the postcard announcing that Augsburg was starting an MBA program,” she says. “At Augsburg, the professors know you. They tailor their teaching methods to the students in their class. They share their personal stories … [and] successes and failures they’ve gone through.” “When you finish, you will be at a higher level of leadership and decisionmaking,” Kramarczuk says. Additionally, because of the liberal arts background, an Summer 2006 Augsburg MBA graduate will be more of a “cosmopolitan” thinker. Waggoner confirms this. “I have a new outlook on the way I view myself and my career. I have a lot more confidence in my ability to lead, manage, and make strategic business decisions.” A significant number of students have been offered new jobs and promotions as a result of what they have taken away from the MBA program. LIFE IN THE COHORT The cohort model has been critical to the success of the program. It allows students to build relationships and become almost like family to each other as they travel together through the sequence of courses. “Taking classes as a member of a cohort has really enriched my learning experience,” says Waggoner. “Classes are sequentially ordered so that students build upon learned skills, and those skills are continually reinforced throughout the program. The program is organized so students can focus on learning.” This even includes providing a warm meal before each evening class. “[Students] have an opportunity to sit together,” says Kramarczuk. “They are from different professions, different parts of the Twin Cities. They sit down to really communicate about class work, personal life, professional life.” “In the real world, you don’t function on your own,” Waggoner says. “You rely upon other people.” “You learn a lot from the students, too,” adds Appel. “There are people of diverse backgrounds—professional backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, age groups…” This group atmosphere extends beyond the classroom to social events and celebrations. Appel formed and managed a softball team with players representing multiple cohorts. They ordered Augsburg caps and jerseys and even won a game. “We were beyond awful, but we had a lot of spirit!” Waggoner says. “When Cohorts 3 and 4 came on board, we had a little party at Kramarczuk’s Deli,” reminisces Appel. “Bob [Kramarczuk] wrote a ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ song and made them sing it.” The parody was titled “Auggie, the Adult Professional.” These kick-off dinners have become a tradition, with older cohorts welcoming new ones. Other social events have included the students’ families, giving them a chance to meet classmates and professors. Already, a graduation celebration is in the planning, where awards will be handed out and, in line with tradition, Kramarczuk’s musical parodies will probably be sung. THE CAMPUS MBA director Bob Kramarczuk (left) and Auggie Eagle (right) lead Cohorts 3 and 4 in their “initiation” song. The opportunity to study on a “real” campus also attracts students to the program. “Here, you come to school,” Appel says. “There’s people with laptops, people studying, there’s the bookstore… When I meet my cohort outside of class to study, we meet at the library. You feel like you “[My classmates are] people I respect… very smart people. Just like family.” —SUNNY OLISE ’06 MBA MBA graduate Nathan Appel, originator of the MBA softball team, strikes a pose. Summer 2006 Nigerian-born Sunny Olise came to the U.S. to study business and appreciates the small-group atmosphere in Augsburg's MBA program. 25 are in school… Now, actually coming to campus just feels more like I’m at an institution of higher learning and all that goes along with that.” Nigerian-born Sunny Olise began studying in Lindell Library while he was an undergraduate business student at another school because he found it to be a more calming and productive place for him to work. So when he heard the ad for Augsburg’s new MBA program on the radio, he said to himself, “Yeah, it’s a good school.” Olise called Kramarczuk and told him the story of how he woke up one day after working for the Nigerian government for 21 years wanting to “try something new.” The two later met in the coffee center of Christensen Center. At the end of their visit, Kramarczuk said, “Congratulations, Sunny. You’re in!” “I didn’t even know he was interviewing me,” Olise says, laughing. From there, Kramarczuk took Olise to the bookstore to purchase his books. Less than two years later, Olise is one of the Cohort 4 graduates. He describes his group as “people I respect… very smart people. Just like family.” “In addition to the knowledge you get from the MBA program, there’s a lot of prestige attached to it,” says Olise. “I work full time, I have a full-time family, I attended school, and I’m a chess addict… I have no regrets whatsoever. None.” COMING OF AGE Kramarczuk considers the number of students pretty close to the maximum the College can currently support, although he sees a huge potential for growth. In response to a particular need, Augsburg now offers the full MBA program at Thrivent Financial’s corporate center in downtown Minneapolis. Several students have transferred in from nearby programs, and Kramarczuk anticipates an eventual 100 students at the Thrivent location alone. Augsburg also launched its first MBA cohort in Rochester in fall 2005, its second last winter, and will add its third this fall. 26 “Augsburg is a very traditional institution, while the MBA is a very entrepreneurial effort. There’s continual adjustment that’s had to happen on both ends,” Kramarczuk says. “It’s seems to be progressing well.” “We want to continue to develop graduate business programs geared toward executives. We are also developing MBA programs in specific concentration areas such as international business,” says Cerrito. Putting their MBA “It’s kind of scary being the first class of MBAs, but Augsburg’s reputation in the metro and in the region is solid,” Appel says. “The undergraduate business program has a really good reputation. Hopefully we’ll piggyback off of that. … I’m banking on Augsburg’s reputation carrying weight. I think it will.” ■ For more information about the MBA program, go to <www.augsburg.edu/mba>. (L to R): Derek Zielin, Max Boller, David Sandvig, Matthew Barrett, Sarah Anton, Scott Kretzschmar TO WORK Many MBA students seek out the program to help them advance in their current positions. For some students in Cohort 3, however, the program provided the foundation for a new business venture. One particular group of students began talking during breaks, after class, and, of course, over the pre-class dinners. At these dinners, student Sarah Anton says, “We learn about our families, our goals, our plans for the future.” These discussions led to the creation of Minnesota Business Consultants, LLP (MBC), a group of five men and Anton. “Each member brings a different expertise to the group that comes out of our diverse career paths,” she says. MBC specializes in strategic planning and profit maximization for small- to medium-size businesses. “Guiding businesses that might wish to re-evaluate their current financial picture” is the mission, according to Anton. “We see using the contacts we’ve gained from Augsburg to develop a client base and to develop a niche in an industry where small businesses are struggling. We believe small businesses are an important part of our Minnesota culture.” MBC is starting out in rental office space, and each consultant will maintain his or her current job until MBC is able to support them fully. “It’s a natural progression of the excellent talent pool that Kramarczuk puts together,” says Anton. “It would surprise me if there aren’t more businesses formed out of the MBA cohorts.” Summer 2006 on tour with the AUGSBURG Choir STORY AND PHOTOS BY JUDY PETREE HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW WROTE, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” As the Augsburg Choir set out on its European concert tour they would come to understand the meaning of Longfellow’s words. From May 8-21, under the direction of Peter Hendrickson ’76, the choir toured Budapest, Hungary; Prague and Kutna Hora, Czech Republic; and Dresden and Leipzig, Germany, where the tour ended at the American Choral Festival. The 66-voice choir sang in basilicas that took their breaths away, in churches that dated back to the 1300s, and in one of the finest concert halls in Europe. Their audiences included U. S. citizens living in Europe as well as people who could speak little or no English. The choir learned that it wasn’t the words they sang, but rather the music they made that touched hearts and brought smiles—and sometimes even tears—to the people who came to hear them. They also learned how music is indeed a universal language, and that experiences like these also create bonds among themselves that last across continents and time. On the return trip home, tenor Hayes Kaufman ’09 said when he joined the choir his dad expressed his hope that someday he, Hayes, would come to appreciate the opportunity he was being given. “I think I already have,” Kaufman told his fellow choir members. “Thanks to everyone for this great trip, the memories, and opportunity.” H U N G A R Y, Summer 2006 C Z E C H R E P U B L I C , A N D G E R M A N Y 27 B U D A P E S T , K U T N A H O R A , P R A G U E , D R E S D E N , L E I P Z I G (1) The concert tour began at St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary, the city’s largest church. Not only its beauty and magnificence awed the choir, but also the sound of their voices. Tenor Tony Wallin ’08 said he couldn’t believe that “we, the Augsburg Choir, would ever have the opportunity to sing in such a place.” (2) In the small Czech town of Kutna Hora, once famous for its silver mines, the choir sang at St. Barbara’s Cathedral. Here, a few choir members take a break at intermission to catch a view of the town at night. (Front row, L to R) Aleah Tebben, Mike Schmit, Colin Callander, Kathryn Goerges (Back row, L to R) Stacey Zeutenhorst, Miranda Nelson, Eric Anderson, Adam Krumwiede, Tom Robinson and Kent Bodurtha. 1 In Prague, the choir sang at St. Ignatius, an active church run by Jesuit monks that was begun in 1665 and completed in 1671. 2 3 4 28 (3) At a stop in Krabcice, another small Czech town, the choir performed for an audience of senior citizens, most of whom knew no English. A highlight of the tour for many of the students was a song they sang in the Czech language, for which they received a standing ovation and compliments on their pronunciation. “This by far has been the best part of the tour for me,” said soprano Molly Shortall ’07, who enjoyed talking with one of the senior citizens after the concert. “It was better than the larger concerts because you could just feel that it meant so much to these people. These are people who had their culture taken away from them for so many years, and now you can see how much it must mean to them to get it back.” (4) The audience was sparse but very appreciative at Annen Kirche in Dresden, Germany, one of the only churches there to escape bombing during World War II. A woman in the front row was so clearly moved by the choir’s singing, she would direct along with Peter and, at times, smile broadly and cry quietly. Summer 2006 B U D A P E S T , K U T N A H O R A , K R A B C I C E , D R E S D E N , L E I P Z I G “It doesn’t always matter how many people are in the audience, said bass Dave Czepa ’06. He spoke for many of the choir members as he said, “that one lady and what this obviously meant to her made the whole concert worth it.” (5) In Leipzig, Germany—home to such famous composers as Bach and Handel—the choir visited St. Thomaskirche, where Johann Sebastian Bach was a cantor and where he is buried. They also toured St. Nicholaskirche, founded in 1165. 6 (6) The choir teamed up with the Northwestern College Choir of St. Paul to perform at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig for the American Choral Festival. They sang several songs as a massed choir, plus each choir performed on its own. Joining the choir was Augsburg alumna Nicole (Warner) Simml ’01. Simml now lives in Germany teaching voice and performing frequently. Performing solos are (L to R) Nicole (Warner) Simml; Krista Costin, Augsburg; Nathan Bird, Northwestern; and Dave Czepa, Augsburg. Directing is Northwestern choir director Timothy Sawyer, with Augsburg director Peter Hendrickson on piano. What was the most memorable part of the trip— the beautiful churches; the scenery; experiencing different cultures, food, and languages? Not according to many of the students. What they will remember most are the bonds and friendships they made with each other. Although the choir has been singing together all year, they found that sometimes it takes an experience such as this to get to know each other really well. Alto Kellin Pray ’08 said she really enjoyed being with others who enjoy the same thing. The sad part, she added, is now saying goodbye to the seniors whom they were just starting to really know. 7 5 8 (7) (L to R) Kellin Pray, Bri’Ann Wright, and Micah Erickson. (8) (L to R) Emily Denstad, Emma Stensvaag, and Adena Berg. (9) Mother’s Day greetings from Prague were sent home by Brian Halaas and Kari Aanestad. 9 Summer 2006 29 E very week more than 2,000 people fill the Plymouth Playhouse in the Twin Cities’ suburb for an afternoon or evening of laughter, sharing the lives of four women and their pastor in the church basement of the East Cornucopia Lutheran Church. The play, Church Basement Ladies, pays homage to the stalwart women who cooked for and served every church congregation. And it strikes a chord with anyone who grew up in the 1950s and ’60s across the Midwest, whether they be Lutheran, Methodist, or Presbyterian—it was all part of their own experience. Church Basement Ladies is based on the Scandinavian humor books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson, both 1968 Augsburg graduates. On stage the role of the church’s matriarch, Mrs. Lars Snustad, is played by Janet Paone ’83. For all three of them, their Augsburg experiences play big. Martin and Nelson came to Augsburg in 1964 as freshmen, each attracted to the big city and driven by the desire to escape a future as a farm wife. When they arrived, Augsburg was in the midst of great change, reflecting new college direction and leadership—the College had just merged into the American Lutheran Church after the demise of the Lutheran Free Church, and Oscar Anderson had just become president. Students were pushed to explore and understand the social and racial issues of the city around them, forever changing their worldviews. Nelson aspired to be a home economics teacher, but by the end of her “God knew that if there were going to be growing, self-sustaining, active Lutheran Churches in America, he would have to create a special species of people, so He created the Lutheran Church Basement Women.” —Growing Up Lutheran, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson, 1997 first semester had switched to political science, and then in her sophomore year to Scandinavian studies when the new major was announced. She studied Norwegian and was active in the Norwegian Club, which led to many opportunities, such as meeting the visiting King Olav V of Norway. Both Martin and Nelson felt comfortable at Augsburg. They loved the big city around them, but appreciated the small-town comfort of the campus. What they discovered was that smalltown Scandinavian Lutheran life was the same everywhere. Nelson recalls the many nights she and classmates from small towns across the Upper Midwest sat around in Gerda Mortensen Hall and talked about their common backgrounds. “We all grew up the same way,” Martin confirms. Students not from rural small towns were commuter students, and Nelson remembers stunning her city roommates by talking about eating cream on bread. So much so that she and others went shopping and demonstrated how it was made and eaten. Paone arrived at Augsburg 15 years later. By then Augsburg was less THOSE Lutheran ladies BY BETSEY NORGARD 30 Summer 2006 Top: Janet Letnes Martin ’68 began writing down her experiences growing up in rural North Dakota and calls herself a “NorwegianLutheran farm girl humorist.” Suzann (Johnson) Nelson ’68 used her Scandinavian studies to inspire the characters of rural Norwegian Minnesota in her books. Janet Paone ’83 has made a career in acting and voiceover work, and brings her Augsburg experience to the stage in Church Basement Ladies Bottom: From The Augsburgian, 1968. Bottom: From The Augsburgian, 1968. Bottom: From The Augsburgian, 1981. obviously Norwegian Lutheran and far more diverse, but it was because of the Lutheran church that Paone chose it. Her mother was Lutheran and her father was Catholic. She was raised in Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, but within her family she felt the stigma of being the child of a parent who “turned,” i.e., married outside the Lutheran faith. She feels her father’s family never really accepted her Lutheran mother. After applying to music schools in New York, she decided to stay home for college and chose Augsburg because she had always respected and enjoyed the Augsburg students who were counselors at Lake Wapogassett Lutheran Bible Camp. She had also considered the ministry, but she ended up in the theatre program. “There was definitely a Norwegian Lutheran influence at Augsburg,” Paone says. “There was a Scandinavian studies major, and most people’s names ended in –son, -sen, -gard, or –dal.” She also remembers the aesthetic influence of the “good” dinnerware with Scandinavian design used for special dinners. Martin and Nelson graduated in 1968, but neither returned to her small town. On a Norwegian Club trip to Decorah, Iowa, Nelson had met Ronald E. Nelson ’67; in March 1967 they were married in Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis. She studied Scandinavian literature in graduate school and for 10 summers directed Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village. Martin married shortly after college and began raising a family. More than a decade later, in 1983, while helping her mother-in-law research family history, she became frustrated at not finding much information about life in rural communities and decided to begin writing down what it was like growing up. Together with Allen Todnem ’64, also an Augsburg graduate, she co-authored Cream and Bread, and then Second Helpings of Cream and Bread. Martin and Nelson remained close friends. In 1994, on a whim, Martin suggested that Nelson should write a book with her, and Nelson quit her job the same day. Sitting around the kitchen table in their flannel nightgowns enjoying Summer 2006 31 REMEMBERING those Lutheran ladies BY DAVE WOOD IT WAS THE MID-1980S. I had recently been appointed book review editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune after a lengthy stint as English teacher at Augsburg and feature writer for the old Tribune. “Dave,” said the receptionist, “There’s an author out here in the lobby who wants to see you.” Wow. My first author. Who would it be? I trotted down to the lobby to discover a woman who looked like a pert middle-aged housewife from Hastings, Minn., which, in fact, she was. “Hi,” she said, thrusting an enormous layer cake into my paws. “I’m Janet Martin. I went to Augsburg back in the ’60s. I’ve written a book and if you’ll review it the cake is yours.” Looking back, I sincerely hope I wasn’t too condescending when I explained to Janet Letnes Martin that Star Tribune policy prohibited my taking gifts, blah blah blah. “OK,” she said, unflappable. “I’ll take back the cake. You take the book.” So there I was with Janet Letnes Martin’s first literary effort, Cream on Bread. I gave it a whirl. It was wonderful. As a minor ethnician of the times, I had read lots of this stuff, like Howard Mohr’s work, and I think I knew what was good. Janet Martin’s was excellent. No cheap shots. There were no big yuks in Cream on Bread, just lots of little ones. That’s because Janet Martin was smart enough to know that there aren’t a lot of big yuks in Lutherandom, but lots and lots of little ones. That’s why she became one of Lutheran humor’s most honest purveyors. Was I surprised? Yes. But I shouldn’t have been. I had taught for 10 years at Augsburg, not too many years after she had graduated. I had taught at four other schools before my arrival there and was continually surprised at the little college’s vitality and intellectuality. Sure, there was a streak of inferiority feeling running through the student body. The University of Minnesota students across Riverside Ave. called Augsburg “God’s Little Acre.” We had great music, science, art, and poetry, but the steam heat system in Old Main on a cold day sounded like the last 15 minutes before the H.M.S. Titanic went down. Nevertheless we had great 32 Dave Wood is a past vice-president of the National Book Critics Circle and former book review editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He taught English and journalism at Augsburg from 1969 to 1981. poetry readings, students went off to good graduate schools. Best, we all had lots of fun, parked right in the middle of a seedy old section of Minneapolis. But back to Janet Letnes Martin. Her first book was a success followed by many more, including one of my favorites, which involved Hastings housewife/detective Shirley Holmquist, a direct steal from Arthur Conan Doyle. In 1994, her Auggie classmate, Suzann Nelson of Grand Rapids, Minn., joined her and their books tumbled out, books like their monumental theological tract about Lutherans and Roman Catholics entitled They Glorified Mary … We Glorified Rice. They also performed two-woman shows, filling church basements across the Midwest. Ever since the Martin/Nelson success, I’ve been a bit jealous. I’ve tried my hand with ethnic humor. Like Martin and Nelson I grew up in a little Norwegian Lutheran town. But my stuff never lit any fires. Why did theirs? I’ve come to think that Augsburg College had a lot to do with it. Augsburg was traditionally on the outer fringe of the Lutheran establishment. Its supporting synod, the Lutheran Free Church, was always suspicious of clericalism, authority, big shots. An immigrant church, it had to survive by its wits. (Janet Letnes Martin, you see, didn’t actually think her layer cake would persuade me to review her book. It was just a way of tweaking my self-satisfaction, cutting me and the Star Tribune down to size.) And so the two pious girls from small farm towns came to God’s Little Acre in the heart of the Sinful City and found out one could love one’s church and have some fun with it, too. I look back more than a quarter century at the students like Martin and Nelson and wonder at their successes, many of which have just a bit of orneriness in common. It’s a wonderful tradition and the women who made church basements famous are definitely part of it. And so now the girls are moving out onto the national scene. Martin and Nelson are no longer girls, but I can’t help thinking of them in that way, for their girlish glee and for poking a little fun at the basements where they both spent hundreds of hours learning that certain concepts were “most certainly true.” I have only one bit of advice and that’s for Janet Letnes Martin. If and when you get to New York City, don’t bring a layer cake to the offices of the New York Times Book Review. The editor won’t get it. Summer 2006 copious amounts of both coffee and laughter, the two women began to capture recollections and memories as they spilled out. Nelson has said that it’s her job to jog people’s memories and their job to laugh. Their intention is never to make fun of anyone or anything. “There’s a fine line between making fun of something and having fun with it,” Martin told an interviewer. “Hopefully we’ll never cross it.” Three books came within the first six months. So far, they’ve written nine books together, the most popular being Growing Up Lutheran: What Does This Mean?, which won a Minnesota Book Award for humor. Requests for speaking engagements also started coming, and for several years Martin and Nelson crisscrossed each others’ paths as they spoke to church groups, women’s groups, and local organizations. Then they devised a comedy routine and began appearing together as “Those Lutheran Ladies”— nothing more than sharing their own backgrounds. An idea for a play came about when TroupeAmerica’s president and executive producer-director, Curt Wollan, hired Those Lutheran Ladies to perform for three weeks at the Medora Musical in North Dakota. Wollan invited a playwright-couple, Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke, to pen the script. Wollan, who had grown up as “Lutherans attending a Lutheran college in the ’50s and ’60s did not have to prepare themselves for any big culture shock. Some of them even shared the same last name— but were not related.” —Growing Up Lutheran, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson, 1997 president of his Luther League and the son of a dedicated church basement lady, encouraged Paone to take the part of matronly Vivian Snustad, the unequivocal and uncompromising queen of the church basement ladies in his fictional East Cornucopia Lutheran Church. Paone, a veteran character actress seen in Tony ’n Tina’s Wedding, pushed for revisions to the script through a workshop process in order to engage Mrs. Snustad more with the audience. This character is a curmudgeon, but works through her issues and begins to understand why things must eventually change—beginning with her consternation over the hymnals changing from black to red. Church Basement Ladies previewed at several locations before settling into its long run at the Plymouth Playhouse. Paone recalls opening in Fargo, where the cast was extremely nervous about how it would go over. Once the audience started laughing and didn’t stop, Paone remembers the “neat moment” between acts when the cast suddenly realized that “this thing is going to be huge.” Audiences react differently to the play, Paone says, and she can tell by what they laugh at whether the crowd (often comprised of large church groups) is Lutheran or Catholic. And, if they react most vividly to the physical comedy aspect, they probably aren’t churchconnected at all. Even if someone is not well versed in the ways of Martin Luther, she says, the play is still very accessible. “It’s about a [small] country church … it’s the social center, with many different layers.” Paone would love to pull more material from Martin and Nelson’s books for the stage, and Martin and Nelson would love to have the current actors stay involved with the East Cornucopia Lutheran Church. What’s next for Those Lutheran Ladies? When asked about it, Martin quickly replies, “Oh, ya, there’s lots more in it.” When they get together and start laughing, she says, “We just run with it … and sometimes we just blurt out the same thing.” And, to quote Martin Luther and the church basement ladies, “This is most certainly true.” ■ “If Scandinavian Lutherans could add one more feast day to the church calendar, it would be the feast of fish and flatbread … Unlike the Catholics who had to eat fish every Friday, Scandinavian Lutherans were only morally obligated to eat it once a year, and that was at the annual Lutefisk supper.” —Growing Up Lutheran, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson, 1997 Summer 2006 33 CHURCH Basement Troupe America, Inc. Ladies —you bet it’s a big hit! The cast of Church Basement Ladies (L to R): Janet Paone ’83 (Mrs. Lars Snustad—Vivian), Greta Grosch (Mrs. Gilmer Gilmerson—Mavis), Tim Drake (Pastor E. L. Gunderson), Dorian Chalmers (Mrs. Elroy Engelson-Karin) and Ruthie Baker (Signe Engelson—Karin’s daughter). BY ANY MEASURE, Church Basement Ladies is a monster hit. It has been running for more than 35 weeks at Plymouth Playhouse (scheduled through the end of 2006) at 101% occupancy. It now has a double cast and offers 10 or 11 shows per week. Curt Wollan, producer and director, found inspiration for the play in his own mother. After she died, Wollan was asked if the gift she left the church could be used for their greatest need, a new stove for the kitchen. He agreed, and it was named Lorraine in her honor, a seemingly fitting legacy. “We’re honoring people who are never honored … and who are under-appreciated,” says Wollan. “The play has been hugely popular with women who have worked in church basements, and with their daughters and granddaughters, who are remembering mom and grandmother.” He remembers being a Luther Leaguer in his own church when they’d sing, “Come out, dear ladies, come out, come out” so the women could be recognized, and they were always bashful about it. “They were the unsung heroes of the church—they kept it clean and fed, and the coffee going.” He says the play is universal—it doesn’t matter where or what church you’re in—every church has its basement ladies. The show just happens to be Norwegian Lutheran because it’s based on Nelson and Martin’s book, Growing Up Lutheran. The play is important, he says, because this part of church life is dying. “As women have started to work, there are fewer basement ladies and there is more catering,” says Wollan. “This 34 celebrates the past and its heritage.” Church Basement Ladies is preparing to embark on a ninestate, 50-city tour from January-March 2007, in mostly small towns throughout the Upper Midwest, but reaching as far as New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana. Then, they’ll wait a ye
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2006
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I Spring 2006 & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 3 OUR CITY … OUR CLASSROOM page 10 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Spring 2006 Vol 68, No. 3 FEATURES 10 17 DEPARTMENTS Our city ... our classroom 2 Around the...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I Spring 2006 & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 3 OUR CITY … OUR CLASSROOM page 10 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Spring 2006 Vol 68, No. 3 FEATURES 10 17 DEPARTMENTS Our city ... our classroom 2 Around the Quad by Betsey Norgard 5 Sports Teachers who lead, leaders who teach 6 Faculty-Staff notes 22 compiled by Betsey Norgard Supporting Augsburg— Access to Excellence: (The Campaign for Augsburg College) 25 32 inside back cover Alumni News Auggie Thoughts Calendar A college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augsburg College is an equal education/employment institution. Editor Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Photographer Stephen Geffre Media Relations Manager Judy Petree Sports Information Coordinator Don Stoner www.augsburg.edu On the cover: Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, From the beginning of her classes, first-year student Beckie Jackson begins to explore the opportunities around campus as an extended classroom. 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 On this page: Augsburg’s Enrollment Center is the one-stop shop for all the “business” of the College— registration, financial aid, transcripts, accounts, and more. Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad Paul Pribbenow is chosen as Augsburg’s next president Augsburg News Service P aul C. Pribbenow, president of Rockford College in Rockford, Ill., has been elected as the 11th president of Augsburg College by its board of regents. “We are confident that Dr. Pribbenow has all the qualities of leadership and passion needed to continue Dr. [William] Frame’s work at Augsburg College,” said Jean Taylor ’85, chair of the Board of Regents. “He has already demonstrated that he is an accomplished communicator, a person who can demonstrate his own sense of Christian vocation, a skilled administrator, and a visible leader, actively participating in the life of the campus and surrounding community.” Presidential search committee chair and regent Ted Grindal ’76 expressed his thanks and gratitude to the entire Augsburg community for their participation in the search process. “After a very thorough and successful search, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Pribbenow as Augsburg’s next president,” Grindal said. “In Paul Pribbenow, we feel we have found a successor who will not only carry on Augsburg’s commitment to being a college committed to a Christian understanding of vocation, but will maximize its exciting potential for the future.” “This is the work I believe I was called to do, and I look forward to serving as Augsburg’s next president,” Pribbenow said. “I firmly believe that my experiences and commitments are a remarkable fit for the mission and needs of the College.” Paul C. Pribbenow was born in Decorah, Iowa, in 1957. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology/political science from Luther College, and his master’s degree in divinity and his doctorate in social ethics from the University of Chicago. He has served as president of Rockford College since 2002. Since his arrival there, Pribbenow has launched several new educational initiatives, including working with faculty and staff to develop the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement. This program’s primary responsibility, according to Pribbenow, “is to find ways to work with students to integrate their education, co-curricular activities, spiritual experiences, and service to the community as part of an intentional vocational formation initiative.” He has also been an integral part of expanding Paul C. Pribbenow opportunities for the campus and its community to join together in a variety of collaborative efforts. He and his wife, Abigail, an arts administrator, have two young children. Pribbenow succeeds retiring president William V. Frame, and will take office on July 1. To read more, go to <www.augsburg.edu/news>. NEWSNOTES Agre to speak at commencement—two honorary degrees to be awarded Peter Agre ’70, Nobel Prize laureate for chemistry in 2003, will speak at the College’s 137th commencement on May 6. Agre is vice chancellor of science and technology at the Duke University School of Medicine. He will receive one of two honorary degrees approved by the Board of Regents to be conferred on that date. James A. Johnson will receive the second honorary degree. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in finance and lending, formerly with Fannie Mae and now as vice chairman of Perseus L.L.C. Johnson has been active in supporting the Gateway Building and development of the urban village concept along Riverside Ave. Johnson was Augsburg’s commencement speaker in 2002. 2 Outstanding physics students For the third time in six years, the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has named Augsburg’s chapter as an Outstanding SPS Chapter, this time for 2004-05. Fewer than 10% of the chapters nationwide receive this honor; Augsburg’s chapter was also named in 19992000 and 2002-03. Professor Mark Engebretson is chapter adviser. Jim Haglund honored Regent Jim Haglund was honored with the Hall of Fame award by the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC), a 1,000-member international organization. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty lauded Haglund as characterizing the “best of Minnesota.” Pawlenty also drew attention to Haglund’s leadership on the Augsburg Board of Regents. Spring 2006 Mexico social work consortium receives award Courtesy photo by Betsey Norgard A Spring 2006 Students in the 2004 spring semester program in Mexico visited the pyramids of Xochicalco to learn how pre-Hispanic cultures regulated the solar calendar. is noteworthy in several regards beyond the challenges of satisfying the needs and criteria of nine different institutions. Foremost, it makes possible a study abroad experience for social work students at colleges that can’t sustain their own individual programs. Also, because the program is ongoing, issues of social work in developing countries are constantly part of department discussions and curriculum. Returning students readily talk about the program as life transforming. “Students who return from Mexico have a window into the lives of Hispanic and Latino communities impossible to gain domestically,” commented social work professor Nancy Rodenborg. She said the department hopes to take advantage of this experience in working with Twin Cities’ Spanish-speaking populations. Also cited in the award is the program’s shared ownership and governance among the partner institutions in Minnesota and South Dakota—both public and private— allowing social work students equal access to study abroad. Rodenborg stated that a large part of the success of the program is due to the Center for Global Education’s expertise in offering international education and the resources available at its Mexico center. Courtesy photo ugsburg is part of a social work consortium that has been honored for its semester study program in Mexico. The consortium was awarded the 2006 Global Commission Partners in Education Award by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in recognition of “the contributions of individuals, organizations, and others as partners in advancing education for international social work.” The development of the BSW Mexico Consortium of the Minnesota/South Dakota Area, which includes both private and public institutions, was more than two years in the making and is remarkable for the complexity of issues it negotiates. The study courses meet all the schools’ curricular needs and allow social work students to participate without delaying their graduation date. Financial costs were worked out so that students pay only their home-school tuition (plus airfare), regardless of which partner institution they attend. The program, “Social Work in a Latin American Context,” is based at the Center for Global Education (CGE) study center in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and includes study of Mexican culture, intensive Spanish language instruction, a social work course, and either a field practicum or comparative social policy course. A several-week homestay gives students a chance to experience living with a Mexican family. There is also a two-week exchange with students in the School of Social Work at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City. Cultural content courses are taught by CGE staff, and the social work content is taught by a rotating visiting faculty member from one of the partner schools. Augsburg social work professor Barbara Lehmann is currently in Cuernavaca, teaching for the second year. The BSW Mexico Consortium model Social work students visited Tlamacazapa, a rural village where Claudia (in red, above) helped them learn to weave. Schools belonging to the BSW Mexico Consortium are Augsburg College, Bemidji State University, Bethel University, College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas, Metropolitan State University, St. Cloud State University, St. Olaf College, University of Sioux Falls, and Winona State University. For more information on the Mexico study semester, go to <www.augsburg. edu/global/swksem.html>. 3 Business students seek stronger connections through ABO by Betsey Norgard international presence and do a thorough analysis of its marketing department. It meant making the contacts, meeting with corporate officials, and following up on the research. Sometimes it’s even possible to tie ABO activities into coursework for some extra credit. A ugsburg business students realize the importance of stepping out of the classroom to gain “real-world” experience, and the Twin Cities offers them plenty of opportunities. The Augsburg Business Organization (ABO) aims to provide them a platform to do this. Students join ABO to learn more about the business world, to meet corporate leaders, and to network in search of opportunities for projects, internships, and future employment. Since ABO is student-run, they gain leadership and professional skills as they brainstorm, contact, and arrange for speakers and trips. Founded five years ago by business major Rod Gonzalez ’04, ABO currently has about 15 active students, with a number of others who participate in various events. In January, 12 ABO students traveled to Chicago for an activities-packed three days of visits to CEOs and businesses, following up on contacts from Augsburg’s Development Office. While there they visited three businesses—Chase Bank, Hydrotech Manufacturing Co., and the H&K law firm; plus, they met with executives and toured the Mercantile Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank. “The Chicago trip was a unique opportunity,” said senior business major and ABO member Nii Mensah, “in that it gave us an opportunity to see many different aspects of the city in both a business and urban sense.” Building a portfolio of experience Anthony Haupt, a senior from Red Wing, Minn., and the current president of ABO, has taken good advantage of opportunities in ABO for his own leadership growth. Last year after arranging for Greg Smith ’72 to be a guest speaker at ABO, he kept in contact with Smith, who is chief operating officer of Walden Automotive. It led to a summer internship at the Denny Hecker 4 Anthony Haupt, senior international business management major and president of the Augsburg Business Organization, hopes to involve more business professionals and Augsburg business alumni in the student organization. Automotive Group where Haupt did financial analysis and project management work. He and Smith still keep in touch, and Smith continues to suggest other contacts from whom Haupt can learn. “ABO has opened many doors for me, like the summer internship,” Haupt says, “and has put me in leadership roles with responsibility.” Haupt also strengthened his major in international business management with a semester study program in Barcelona, Spain, that included courses in international business and Spanish. He hopes his minor in Spanish will support future work with a company that has an international presence. He also completed an internship in a healthcare organization, and will seek opportunities to gain training in project management and/or account management after he graduates in May. Even as a part of their coursework, the business administration faculty push students to connect with the business community. Haupt cites his international marketing class in which students had to choose a Minnesota company with ABO seeks business contacts Haupt’s vision for ABO is for the organization to build a network of Twin Cities business professionals, especially Augsburg business alumni. What students hope to gain, he says, are relationships with the business community and access to business expertise, experience, and information. Business professionals should be assured, Haupt says, that Augsburg students are well-educated and eager to get their feet wet in the business world. He cites several examples of past student leaders, like the ABO presidents, who have transformed internships into job opportunities, and used their experiences as springboards into a career. How to connect with ABO ABO offers these ideas for connecting Augsburg business alumni and other business professionals with students: • Volunteer as a guest speaker at an ABO event • Participate in a resource network for business students • Host Augsburg business students at your company or workplace • Join the Take an Auggie to Lunch program • Help ABO with fundraising to support trips and other activities To learn more or participate in ABO activities, contact Anthony Haupt at <abo@augsburg.edu> with your name, class year (if you are an alumnus/a), title and place of work, and e-mail and/or telephone number. Spring 2006 Sports For current sports information, scores, and schedules go to <www.augsburg.edu/athletics>. Auggies inspire hoop dreams in neighborhood kids by Don Stoner H elping young members of the CedarRiverside neighborhood learn about the game of basketball was a “slamdunk” proposition for the Augsburg College men’s basketball team. In January, the Auggies invited 50 boys and girls from the Cedar-Riverside Community School, which primarily teaches immigrant children, to attend a morning basketball clinic at Si Melby Hall. Head coach Aaron Griess and members of the Augsburg squad showed children the basics of the game, then broke up into smaller groups to work individually with them. Each group took part in fun games with the Auggie players, where they were able to put their newly-learned skills into practice. The clinic ended with an impromptu dunking exhibition from members of the Augsburg squad, to the cheers of the youngsters watching. “We’re proud to be able to make a difference in the lives of young people who haven’t had the same opportunities that other children have, and we’re committed to helping build the community we live in,” said Griess, in his first season as Augsburg’s head coach. The clinic was organized by Griess and Mary Laurel True, associate director of Augsburg’s Center for Service, Work, and Learning. “Spending time with the kids, watching them laugh, and teaching them some basketball skills was a tremendous joy,” Griess said. “Each and every one of our students put their hearts into the short period of time they spent with the kids, and we’re all looking forward to the next opportunity.” ade h gr a, 4t Laur Fadum o, 4th grade Thank you, Auggies! “I had fun learning with you guys. It was important to me because when I grow up I will be a good basketball player.” —Abdullahi, 3rd grade “I learned basketball is not easy; it's hard, but it just looks easy.” —Sagal, 6th grade “Thank you for giving me inspiration to play basketball.” —Karina, 6th grade “In the summer I will love to show all of my friends what you have taught me. It really meant a lot to me when you taught me a lot of tricks.” —Muna, 4th grade The Cedar-Riverside kids yell “41, 41, 41…” to pull no. 41 Auggie junior Tait Thomsen to the floor. “I’ve learned new tricks and so much more. I felt like a professional basketball player. This is one of the best days of my life.” —Nasra, 4th grade Fifty-plus students from the Cedar-Riverside Community School watch in awe as Auggie senior Aaron Benesh dunks the ball. Spring 2006 5 Faculty and Staff PRESENTATIONS Tony Bibus, social work, presented a poster, “Working with Involuntary Clients in Slovenia,” about a study with Ljubljana University, at the Council on Social Work Education meeting in February. Bill Capman, biology, co-presented “Reef Aquaria in the Classroom and Teaching Laboratory: Learning Activities, Organisms, and Logistics” at the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA) in Washington, D.C. Emiliano Chagil, Hispanic/Latino Student Services, presented “Higher Education and Acculturation: The Contradictions Involved in Improving Your Life through Education while Sustaining Your Cultural Self,” at the annual Breaking Barriers Conference at the University of St. Thomas. Su Dorée, mathematics, led a paper session, “Countering ‘I Can’t Do Math’: Strategies for Teaching Underprepared, Math-Anxious Students,” at the annual joint meetings of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. At the same conference, Rebekah Dupont, mathematics, co-organized a panel discussion, “Firefighting, Paper Trailing, and Cat Herding: Everything You Wanted to Know to Be an Administrator but Were Afraid to Ask.” Teachers meeting teachers in Namibia by Gretchen Kranz Irvine F or over five years, my life has been exponentially enriched, professionally and personally, from my experiences in Namibia, Africa. I have been the trip leader for three summer study trips in 2000, 2003, and most recently last summer, July 1-22, 2005. I gathered a group of educators—classroom teachers, a preservice teacher, and teacher educators—to travel to Namibia to learn about the country and her people, focusing on the education system. In collaboration with the Center for Global Education, my goals for the trip were to introduce Namibia by visiting various locations; by hearing from Namibians working in a variety of sectors, especially teachers, principals, and faculty from the University of Namibia and teachers’ colleges; by accessing local media; and by being immersed in a culture so different from ours, and yet the same. I was pleased that our group bonded easily as a community and blended like a fine-tuned melody. We benefited from the two University of Namibia students preparing to be teachers who joined us and added depth to our understanding of schools and the influence of culture. A highlight for this trip was a oneday conference for teachers in the Windhoek area hosted by our group, with the help and facilitation of many others. We gathered at the Rossing Conference Center in Khomasdal, a suburb of the capital city, Windhoek— 50 people interested in schools, teachers, learners, and all areas related to education—for sessions titled “The Important Role of Teachers in NationBuilding.” The speakers, facilitators, and organizers were both Namibians and the members of our group. The results far exceeded what could be stated here. We explored large issues impacting all teachers. We built professional links—both individual and group—that would sustain relationships after we returned to the U.S. And we Courtesy photo Garry Hesser, sociology and metrourban studies, co-presented “Toward the Public Good: Maps, Lenses, and Models of Civic Engagement,” at the Association of American Colleges and Universities conference in November. Hesser also presented, with Ann Lutterman-Aguilar and Merrie Benasutti, “Crossing Borders: Exploring Vocation in a Multicultural/Global Context,” at the Nov. meeting of the National Society for Experiential Education. Marc Isaacson, MIS, presented “Statistical Literacy—Online at Capella University” at the American Statistical Association meeting. Cheryl Leuning, nursing, and Pandu Hailonga, CGE Namibia, co-authored and presented, “Transforming What is Known about HIV, AIDS, and Tuberculosis into Culturally Appropriate Protective Practices in Namibia and Tanzania,” at the July Tumaini conference in Tanzania. 6 A group of educators from Minnesota spent three weeks with teachers and educators in Namibia, based at Augsburg’s Center for Global Education. Augsburg participants are: Melinda Stockmann (front row, left), CGE-Namibia intern; Pandu Hailonga (back row, fourth from left), CGE-Namibia trip leader; Carol Knicker (back row, fifth from left), assistant professor of education; and Gretchen Irvine (back row, second from right), assistant professor of education and Augsburg trip leader. Spring 2006 Courtesy photo On a visit to the Haganeni Primary School in Walvis Bay, Namibia, the educators enjoyed meeting the students, or “learners.” Courtesy photo helped to respond to the need of all teachers to discuss important issues, realizing how vital it is for people involved in the process of educating our children and youth to have opportunities for dialogue and reflection. Because of the cultural differences unfamiliar to me, I appreciated working with the Namibians who helped to make the conference relevant and meaningful for everyone. It will be months and years before we can realize what this trip has meant to us as individuals. We have tried to spread the word about Namibia, a very silent country on the world stage. Our worldviews have been forever changed by images of Namibian teachers, of the children and youth, and of the life we witnessed in the coastal cities as different from the villages in the north. We heard the voices of Namibians telling of their past, and we learned about the current struggles toward the constitutional goals of their 16-year-old nation. We witnessed the joy of people together, and enjoyed being in the company of a youth group building their lives. And we read about the hopes and dreams of people looking toward the future. Our global vision has expanded as a result of this experience. I am grateful to the Center for Global Education staff—both here and in Namibia—whose expertise helped us create the best learning environment for our experience. In our own group, individuals acted beyond any expectations in caring for each other, challenging thinking, and with kindness to all. I have been a teacher for 38 years. The experiences I’ve enjoyed are true gifts to me as a teacher, and, also, to my students at Augsburg. Gretchen Irvine is assistant professor of education. Professor Gretchen Kranz Irvine presents an Augsburg folder to Augsburg alumna Fredericka Uahengo ’90, rector of the Ongwediva Teachers College in northern Namibia. Spring 2006 Read more about this travel seminar and conference on the participants’ blog at <web.augsburg.edu/~irvine/Namibia>. PRESENTATIONS Dallas Liddle, English, presented “Bakhtinian ‘Journalization’ and the MidVictorian Literary Marketplace,” at Oxford University’s First Annual Conference on the History of the Book, sponsored by their English faculty, in Nov. Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, Center for Global Education-Mexico, presented a theological perspective on the rights of women at the International Women’s Day conference in Cuernavaca, Mexico, in March 2005. She and Judy Shevelev, also with CGE-Mexico, along with five former students, co-presented two papers at the National Women’s Association conference in June. Diane Pike, sociology, presented the keynote, “Not Rocket Science: Teaching, Learning, and Engagement,” at the Oct. joint meeting of the Wisconsin and Illinois Sociological Associations and the Wisconsin Political Science Association. Marc Skjervem, student affairs, and Keith McCoy, residence life, presented a session, “Developing a Seamless FirstYear Experience on a Small Campus,” at the National Orientation Directors Association regional conference in April. NOTEWORTHY Markus Fuehrer, philosophy, is preparing a translation and commentary of Albertus Magnus’ Liber de homine (Treatise on Man). He is currently preparing an entry on Albertus Magnus at the invitation of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Brad Holt, religion, was elected to the national board of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality (SSCS), an international organization of people who teach Christian spirituality in colleges, universities, and seminaries. Patrice Salmeri, StepUP® program, was elected chairperson of the executive board of the Association of Recovery Schools (ARS). Milo Schield, business administration and the W.M. Keck Statistical Literacy Project, completed a textbook on statistical literacy, which is being used in Augsburg classes this spring. 7 Lynn Bollman, art, participated in the Third Biennial Printmaking Exhibition, in November, showcasing the work of 40 professors of printmaking at 22 Minnesota colleges and universities. History professor Jacqui DeVries’ article, “Rediscovering Religion after the Postmodern Turn,” was published in the spring 2005 issue of Feminist Studies and will also appear in the fall 2005 issue of the online History Compass. Pandu Hailonga, Center for Global Education-Namibia, published an article, “Violence, Rape, and Murder: Symptoms of Societal Disease,” in The Namibian in March 2005. Garry Hesser, sociology and metrourban studies, co-authored a chapter, “Liberal Learning and Internships in Sociology, in The Internship Handbook, edited by Richard Salem and published in 2005. Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, Center for Global Education-Mexico, published a chapter, “La reconstrucción de la iglesia,” in Los derechos humanos al interior de nuestra iglesia, edited by Guadalupe Cruz Cárdenas, published by Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir (CDD) in 2005. Phil Quanbeck II, religion, contributed to a collection, Teaching the Bible, published in October by the Society of Biblical Literature. An article by Quanbeck “Preaching Apocalyptic Texts” was published in the summer issue of Word and World. Department of Public Safety— Augsburg’s 411 by Betsey Norgard L ocked out? … Too hot in your room? … Need a jump for a dead battery? … Want to know when the hockey game starts? … Need a ride from the lightrail station? These are just samples of the questions fielded by the Department of Public Safety. Headed by John Pack, who came to Augsburg nearly three years ago after 13 years at the University of Minnesota, this office operates 24/7 and oversees the College’s switchboard communications, facilities management requests, campus security, and communications and emergency management. Pack tries to get the word out about their services, especially about campus safety. Each summer at orientation, he enjoys talking with new students and their parents. “The message is that Augsburg is in the heart of the city,” Pack says, “which brings tremendous opportunities, but also some challenges, mostly parking and security.” Public Safety strives to ensure that everyone in the Augsburg community feels safe. Escort services are available to any of the parking lots and for students who go back and forth from internships or service projects in the neighborhood. Security officers also provide rides to and from the nearby lightrail stops. A phone call from two stops away gets students a quick ride back to campus. Pack has initiated regular meetings of security personnel from Augsburg, the University of Minnesota, FairviewRiverside, College of St. Catherine, and the Minneapolis police to share information and coordinate prevention efforts in order to decrease incidents overall. A recent incident illustrates this cooperative relationship. At a building near the edge of campus, an intoxicated person, not part of the Augsburg community, slipped, fell, wedged his head between two pipes, and went into respiratory distress. Augsburg security officers on routine patrol noticed him and called 911. Officer Annie DeYoung stayed with the injured man, monitoring his medical condition, until rescue personnel arrived. Firefighters needed the Jaws of Life to free the man and rush him to the emergency room. The firefighters credited DeYoung with saving the man’s life—for assessing the situation quickly and applying the medical treatment that kept his airway and breathing clear until they arrived. Staff photo PUBLICATIONS/EXHIBITIONS/ PERFORMANCES HONORS/AWARDS/GRANTS Mark Strefeler, biology, received a $57,500 grant from Beckman Coulter’s matching grant program for a genetic analysis system to aid research in plant genetics and microbiology. It allows for gene sequencing, DNA fingerprinting, and molecular genetics. In his research with students, he carries out DNA barcoding for species identification and identification and isolation of genes for disease resistance in plants. John Pack, director of public safety, accepts a Certificate of Appreciation from Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak (left) and police chief William McManus for the College’s cooperation and for support to the Minneapolis Police Department. 8 Spring 2006 Photo illustration by Stephen Geffre Office space: or how I spent 18 years in the closet at Augsburg by Doug Green W hy I didn’t move out of my little hole in the wall of an office when I had the chance, I’ll never know. It’s one of the smallest spaces in the maze that is Memorial Hall, a former dormitory and the second oldest surviving building on campus. The room can’t be more than 6 x 6 and would be more suitable as a walk-in closet—or perhaps a very large coffin. My office desk, an old metal one of modest size and a rosy beige hue, faces the wall beneath an enormous Saul Steinberg print of America as viewed from Manhattan. Before I got my laptop, Manhattan was unfortunately hidden behind my computer, just as Minnesota has blotted out most of my New York past over the last 20 years. On the wall behind me as I sit at my desk, the floor-to-ceiling shelves are overflowing with books, papers, knickknacks (mostly mementoes from past students and pictures of my wife and son), and last year’s posters for campus events. The filing cabinet next to Spring 2006 the door obscures some of the shelves and is buried under debris. Confidential student records are now filed on top of the cabinet for easy access—even to passers-by in the hallway: It’s my version of the Freedom of Information Act. Behind the door and next to the desk is another freestanding bookcase, also overflowing and surmounted by stacks of texts and paper—for creative writing, I think. The walls and the hallway side of the door are plastered with notices, reminders, pictures drawn by my son, and posters of events I had a hand in— like the first GLBT alumni reunion and art show: “Out and About.” The window, however, I love best. When I sit at my desk and look out, it’s like Rear Window; I can spy on a whole set of neighboring offices. But if I push back just a little and face the outside, I see Augsburg’s little quad, an Edenic version of my little closet. Maybe that’s why I can’t leave: because this little cubby across the floor from an old dormitory bathroom that sports mold from the era of Warren G. Harding and College President George Sverdrup is the quintessential professorial space. Like the brain in Dickinson’s poem, my office “is wider than the sky.” My little cabinet contains a world of thoughts—from the books behind and beside me to the computer on my desk to the many visiting colleagues and students who come to share their inner lives with me. I need their stifling and stimulating proximity. My office is certainly no “proud, ambitious heap” nor “built to envious show,” but a place in which, like the Sidneys at Penshurst in Jonson’s famous poem, I can “dwell.” Doug Green is professor of English. This story first appeared in Augsburg Echo in September. 9 10 1 THE NEW GUTHRIE Only a mile away, the Guthrie Theater’s new home makes it even easier for actors and technicians to visit Augsburg seminars and teach as adjunct faculty. 1 3 2 Downtown Minneapolis 4 8 5 9 Augsburg College 6 7 2 CORPORATE DOWNTOWN Internships downtown with non-profits, Fortune 500, and other companies are but a quick lightrail or bus ride away for students and often lead to future career opportunities. Saint Paul 3 MEETING HIS CONSTITUENTS City Hall is his home base, but Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak enjoys getting out to meet the new students on campus. 4 PLAY BALL! The Twins, Vikings, Gophers—and the Auggies, for one game per season—compete several blocks away at the Metrodome. OUR CITY … OUR CLASSROOM 10 BY BETSEY NORGARD ➶ WHAT EXACTLY DOES BEING A COLLEGE OF THE CITY MEAN FOR AUGSBURG? WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT BRING TO THE AUGSBURG LEARNING COMMUNITY—TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF? If one were to look at just a TWO-MILE RADIUS AROUND AUGSBURG, what would be found? 5 HIGH-RISE MELTING POT Riverside Plaza is the hub of the most diverse neighborhood in Minneapolis—and a partner with Augsburg in its community programs and school. The answer is A LOT … the most diverse neighborhood in Minneapolis … the downtown business district … a Super Bowl pro-sports dome … a brand-new home for a world-class theater … a Big 10 university and teaching/research medical center… a quick train ride to the largest shopping mall in the country… miles of running, walking, and biking trails along the Mississippi River. Staff photo 6 A JUMP ON THE LIGHTRAIL Just a few blocks away, the lightrail train is a quick ride to downtown, the airport, and the Mall of America. 7 LEARNING FROM LIVE CORALS Biology professor Bill Capman lends expertise and some live corals to help teachers at Seward Montessori School set up and maintain a coral reef aquarium for their science classes. 8 WORSHIP IN THE CITY Central Lutheran Church is the majestic setting for Augsburg’s Advent Vespers, an annual celebration of word and music that begins the holiday season. Spring 2006 Here, we highlight some of the myriad opportunities our location offers to learn, serve, volunteer, intern, experience, shop, compete, perform, keep fit, have fun, and so much more! Teach. Reach. Feed. Lead. That’s the motto of the Campus Kitchens Project, based in Washington, D.C., that combines preparing and delivering meals, partnering in the community, training for employment opportunities, and providing service learning for students. Since opening on campus in 2003, the Campus Kitchen at Augsburg has served more than 25,000 meals to community organizations. The program, which is student organized and run, is based in the College’s food service facilities, and works with surplus food from the food service and local food banks. Two shifts of student volunteers each week prepare meals and deliver them to six locations the next day. The students spend time in each location, getting to know and talking with the people being served. Above, at Peace House in the Phillips neighborhood, junior Jeanette Clark talks with a visitor. She and other students deliver meals on Thursdays to the 30-50 people who drop in to Peace House for conversation, fellowship, and nourishment. During the summers, Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen operates a job training program to train and certify unemployed people in food management culinary skills to help them find jobs. 11 Trick or treat—dorm style Targeting a career Each Halloween, ghosts, goblins, and other costumed characters wander the halls of Urness and Mortensen Halls, going from door to door trick-or-treating. They’re neighborhood children invited to campus by LINK, the student service organization, for fun, games, treats, and, sometimes, a haunted house. LINK provides the candy, and students provide the fun for the kids. Tim Benson ’00, graduated with a business administration/marketing major and a minor in management information systems. Benson picked up his first downtown corporate experience at a summer internship with Accenture (then Andersen Consulting). He found it to be great preparation for the business world that he couldn’t have learned in a classroom— “protocols, unwritten rules, and business speak”—that helped him get a foot in the door at Target Corporation. He started as a business analyst and was eventually promoted to a supply chain expert. Now he is manager of an eight-person team in the kitchenware department, which is responsible for about 1,000 items and hundreds of millions of dollars in sales annually in all 1400+ Target stores. A day at the Soap Factory (map #10) As part of AugSem, their first-year seminar, students in ART 102 Design spent an afternoon at the Soap Factory. This turn-ofthe-century wood and brick warehouse, which formerly housed the National Purity Soap Factory, has been turned into an art gallery featuring work by emerging artists, and offering available studio space. The afternoon was part of City Service Projects Day, which started with a 20-minute walk to the gallery through the historic flour mill district. At the gallery, the students helped take down one show and prepare to install another. They cleaned floors, scrubbed and squeegeed walls, and moved furniture. The students got first-hand experience in what a gallery is—or not, i.e. it’s not just clean floors and bright lighting. Since a number of these students intend to major in art-related fields, this gave them an opportunity for a service project in something that really interested them. Plus, the gallery director told them that what they were able to do for the gallery in three hours would have taken the staff all week to complete. 12 (map #2) Staying connected with kids (map #9) Kristy Bleichner graduated from Augsburg in 2002 with a major in social work. While a student, she began to volunteer for Wednesday Night Out, a program sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church. For this, Trinity partners with community organizations, including Augsburg, to provide suppers for neighborhood families, giving them a place to gather and talk. After supper, Bleichner and other student volunteers take the children to a nearby gym for games, making it more convenient for their parents to talk with each other about family and community issues. Even after graduating nearly four years ago, Bleichner has wanted to stay connected with these families and continues to devote time to the Wednesday Night Out program. Spring 2006 A school of many cultures (map #5) Around-the-world food Five blocks from Augsburg lies the only school in the country located in a high-rise apartment building. The Cedar-Riverside Community School, a K-8 charter school sponsored by Minneapolis Public Schools, is in the midst of Minneapolis’ most diverse neighborhood, largely Somali and East African. The school serves mostly immigrant children, from nearly a dozen different countries, some of whom never had any formal education before arriving in the U.S. Each week nearly 30-40 Augsburg students tutor and mentor at the school, and provide instruction or support during the year in music, art, piano lessons, physical education, science, and health. Augsburg elementary education students in Professor Jeanine Gregoire’s science methods class teach hand-on science units at the school. In the photo, Pa Kou Yang ’05 is working with two second-graders. When Augsburg moved to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in 1872, it was home to a thriving community of Scandinavian immigrants. Again, it is a center for many people recently arriving in the U.S., primarily from Somalia and East Africa. The neighborhood has more than 20 restaurants, most of which serve ethnic foods; as well as ethnic clothing stores, grocers, and art galleries; and a Lutheran church and a mosque. As part of the first-year AugSem group, students visited area businesses and tried out some of the nearby restaurants. In this photo, a group sits around the table at Addis Ababa, an Ethiopian restaurant down the block from campus. Helping women stay fit at FOLC Caring for the mighty Mississippi (map #5) Eilidh Reyelts ’06 (facing front at right in photo), a senior biology and premedical major, began volunteering last year with Rachel Domier ’05 (left) at Family Opportunities for Living Collaboration (FOLC) at Riverside Plaza. This center encourages community members to work together at meeting the needs of neighborhood residents, many of whom are immigrants or refugees with little understanding of English or of American customs and health practices. Reyelts and Domier were both Lilly Interns and designed internships to explore areas within their vocational interests. Twice a week at FOLC they taught exercise to immigrant and refugee women, and helped them monitor their weight and blood pressure. Reyelts also is a Citizen Scholar through the Campus Compact program. As an AugSem leader, she took new students on a tour of the neighborhood and to FOLC. Reyelts’ vocational goals include a career in medicine or public health. Spring 2006 With the Mississippi River within a stone’s throw, Augsburg has joined the network of “river stewards” and has “adopted” a section of the river just downstream from campus. Planned activities involve students in litter clean-up, trail monitoring, placing stenciled warnings on storm drains to prevent pollution into the river, monitoring invasive species, and trail monitoring. In the summer, political science professor Joe Underhill-Cady teaches Environmental and River Politics, a course that looks at the challenges of balancing economic development, social justice, and environmental stewardship. Students spend time on the river and meet with people involved in river-related issues. 13 Courtesy photo H U R R I C A N E K AT R I N A : R E S P O N D I N G F R O M T H E H E A RT Medicine for both patient and doctor The days were long, the work was physically exhausting. What Augsburg alumni Paul Mueller ’84, M.D., and Rick Seime ’70, Ph.D., encountered in the hurricane-devastated areas of southern Louisiana was far worse than news reports could show. But, Mueller describes returning to Minnesota rejuvenated and thankful for the opportunity to help. Seime says he would do it again in a heartbeat. Mueller, an internist with a public health background, and Seime, a psychologist, both at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., served on different medical relief teams. They were a part of Operation Minnesota Lifeline, a collaboration of healthcare volunteers from Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, College of St. Catherine, and the American Refugee Committee. Sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Health, their work helped to 14 by Betsey Norgard bridge the crisis period by treating immediate medical needs and connecting people to resources until more permanent public health clinics were set up. For two weeks each, Mueller’s and Seime’s teams operated from a base in Lafayette, La., and were housed at a Baptist church. Each day they set out in vans supplied with medicines, supplies, and vaccines, to treat people in the field, most of whom were either Hurricane Katrina evacuees from New Orleans or residents of the areas ravaged by Hurricane Rita. The medical teams were multidisciplinary, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and others. But, everyone served as a mental health counselor because the need was so great. Many people had lost everything they owned, had lost contact with family members, and had lost their medications and medical providers. Many simply just needed to talk. Despite their adversities, Seime was “impressed with their resiliency, in the faith they had, and in the way they came together to help each other out.” Both Mueller and Seime remark about the gratitude expressed by hurricane victims for the care they received from the medical teams. In Johnson’s Bayou, La., a coastal town almost totally destroyed by Hurricane Rita, Mueller met Rhonda, “a salt-of-the-earth person” and one of a very few who had returned to her home. Above: Mayo Clinic internist Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 (left) and Sr. Romana Klaubaus (right), a nurse from the College of St. Catherine, posed with residents of Johnson’s Bayou (La.). There they met Rhonda (second from right), a local emergency medical technician, who helped them find and treat the residents who had moved back. Spring 2006 Courtesy photo left Lafayette at 4:45 a.m. and worked until 10 p.m. that night. The team consulted all day, but still could not meet with everyone seeking help. His most vivid memory is of Miss Cindy, who came to be vaccinated in Eunice, La. He listened to her story of riding out the storm in her apartment building in New Orleans. When the levees broke, she told of trying to get help to rescue the other tenants in her building, and of wading in the water to get to boats. Not all survived, and she told of an elderly man who had to turn back. They saw him drown without being able to offer assistance. Miss Cindy was so grateful for the medical team’s help that she baked a Cajun meal to thank them and drove it 35 miles to the church where Seime and his colleagues were staying. Drawing on his background in both internal medicine and public health, Mueller felt “called” to respond to the medical needs in Louisiana. Seime considered it a privilege to serve and was glad for the opportunity, even taking into account the 21 hours each way on the bus. Paul Mueller ’84, M.D., is a member of the Augsburg Board of Regents and serves on the Science Center Task Force. Rick Seime ’70 is a Distinguished Alumnus and member of Augsburg’s Science Advisory Board. Mueller’s medical team set up shop in a FEMA trailer park, where many evacuees were living in tents. Courtesy photo Donald Mattison ’66, M.D., a senior adviser at the National Institutes of Health and a U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) medical officer, led a team to Louisiana on Aug. 31, just after Hurricane Katrina struck, for a two-week deployment. Emergency medicine in a field hospital by Donald Mattison ’66, M.D. Mayo psychologist Rick Seime ’70 (right) and internist Dr. Daniel Hartigan (left) from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., pack the van with medical supplies and vaccines for the day’s assignment in the field. Even though the local gas station her husband owned had been destroyed, Mueller says she was “amazingly happy and optimistic, and determined to re-build.” He tells of how Rhonda knew everybody—those who had returned to town, their ages, what medicines they took, etc. She was a volunteer emergency medical technician and rode with the team in their van, taking them to each of the homes where returning residents could be vaccinated and treated. Seime spent one day on a team sent to New Orleans, where they treated people in a FEMA resource center. They Spring 2006 I was part of the second team of Public Health Service (PHS) officers deployed into Baton Rouge, La. Our initial assignment was staffing and coordination of a temporary hospital established in two buildings on the Louisiana State University campus—an acute care “emergency room” with intensive care unit (ICU) containing about 150 beds, and a lower acuity hospital containing 200-500 beds (depending on need). While both were operating as hospitals over about a 15-day period, approximately 15,000 individuals were “triaged” and about 3,000 admitted, cared for, and discharged. When the demand for acute care diminished, the smaller facility was closed and the lower acuity facility converted to a special needs shelter. At that point additional PHS officers were available to participate in needs assessment and establishment of surveillance systems with the state health department. Teams were also assigned to manage medical and mental health needs of first responders from New Orleans. Missions Donald Mattison ’66, M.D., was honored on campus last fall as a Distinguished Alumnus. during the “public health” period of the deployment included assessment and surveillance of hospitals, clinics, schools, public wells, food processing facilities, and shelters. The PHS officers I worked with during the deployment were dedicated, highly professional, and went far beyond what would be expected to meet the needs of Louisiana. I was honored to lead these officers and extremely proud of all of them. 15 Hurricane Katrina, a personal perspective by Shira Hussain I was recruiting in Wisconsin when Hurricane Katrina was set to hit the Gulf Coast. My dad was determined not to leave and actually held my family back from evacuating as soon as they wanted to. I even called home and was crying because I just didn’t have a good gut I just didn’t have a good gut feeling about this hurricane. feeling about this hurricane. Frequently people in New Orleans do not evacuate for hurricanes because they are so common, and people fear their houses will be looted if they leave. My parents, sister, and brother evacuated to Lake Charles, La., the day before the storm hit. I watched the news and was happy to see that the storm came and went. Then disaster struck on a whole new level. The minute the levees were declared breached, I knew things were going to get a lot worse. I saw the city under water and couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t hear from my family and friends and cried even more. I was finally able to reach my mom two days after the ordeal and cried for more positive reasons. Eventually, I got in touch with the rest of my family and also my hometown friends. Although I couldn’t explain why all of this happened, I did have the choice to find something positive out of all of it. Although I couldn’t explain why all of this happened, I did have the choice to find something positive out of all of it. The fact that my family and friends were alive is what kept me going. A few weeks later, my parents returned to the 16 Shira Hussain was on the road attending college fairs when she heard the news that her New Orleans neighborhood was under water. house, which was completely destroyed. Fortunately, my mom was able to get our family Bible and photos. They plan to rebuild in the same area. I, too, took a hard hit with all of this. I lost the house I grew up in and the schools I went to. Most of my hang-out of things as we think we are. (My parents, like so many others, are still waiting for their insurance checks and their trailer from FEMA). This whole experience gives us all so many reasons to be thankful. And it emphasizes that minor problems, petty grudges, and bad Helping my fellow “N’awlins” neighbors in any way I could was in turn helping me deal with everything. spots were gone, and the worst part was being so far away from my family during all of this. So I did what I could. I got advances on my checks and sent money home. I headed up fundraising efforts at Augsburg for hurricane evacuees. I even passed out my number as a resource to Minnesota locals who were hosting, donating to, and/or aiding evacuees. Helping my fellow “N’awlins” neighbors in any way I could was in turn helping me deal with everything. From all of this, I’ve truly accepted that nothing material lasts forever. I’ve also learned that we are not as in control intentions are really things we shouldn’t hold on to, because major things beyond our control will happen—both good and bad, easy and challenging. A family friend of ours did drown in her house while waiting for her nephew, who never came to get her. My mom took it particularly hard because she had wanted Miss Gerdy to evacuate with them. I just trust that she died peacefully in the house as I believe many people did who were stuck behind. Shira Hussain is senior admissions counselor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Spring 2006 Teachers who lead, leaders who teach EDITED BY BETSEY NORGARD Vicki Olson describes how teachers as leaders must be willing to take risks and to become positive influences in schools. O OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I’ve been reading about a topic dear to my heart—teacher leadership. At Augsburg, this concept undergirds our teacher licensure programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. What teacher leadership means to Augsburg’s Education Department is that the teachers we prepare have both the right and the responsibility to exercise leadership within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities. Recognizing that teachers lead within the classroom is not difficult; it is accepted enough to seem like common sense. But once you get beyond the classroom walls, the concept of teacher leadership is less well established. Some would say “teacher leadership” is an oxymoron. Principals lead, not teachers. They would go on to say that teachers carry out the will of the school district by teaching the designated curriculum, following the standards determined by the state, and upholding the expectations of the community. Teachers, in other words, follow the Spring 2006 direction of others who make the decisions, creating classrooms, in turn, where students learn what they are required to learn. This philosophy exists, but it isn’t the one we believe in or work from. Certainly our vision incorporates the idea that teachers have a responsibility to the school district, the state, and the community to educate students in the best ways possible. That’s a given. But rather than simply doing what they are told, we believe teachers must— truly must—see themselves as active participants in deciding what should be taught and how to teach it. In our vision, teachers come to the table with administrators, parents, other community members, and sometimes students to define what it means to be an educated person and then to map out how that education will happen within a given setting. Teachers count themselves among the grown-ups and accept the responsibility and risks from making the decisions they make. This conceptualization of “teacher” that includes an element of leadership frightens some. Responsibility and risk bring with them accountability, but along with that they also can bring a fine sense of exhilaration, energy, and eminent satisfaction in a job well done. Roland Barth, in Learning by Heart, says, “I think of a teacher leader as one who has a positive influence on the school as well as in the classroom … all teachers have the capacity to lead the enterprise down a more positive path, to bring their abundant experience and wisdom to schools.” Like Barth, at Augsburg we believe all teachers can be teacher leaders and share in leading the collective “enterprise” of making schools positive places with learning at the heart. Teachers who understand their role in this way—risks and all—are more likely to define teaching as their vocation rather than simply their job. Vicki Olson is associate professor of education. 17 Teachers who lead, leaders who teach M MARGARET KNUTSON ’91 Fifth-grade teacher at Orono (Minn.) Intermediate School Education is the second largest major at Augsburg, with approximately 500 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. How do Augsburg students carry the qualities of teacher leadership into their classrooms? Augsburg Now invited a number of alumni and faculty who have been recognized as leaders to reflect about their careers and how they have seen themselves both as teachers who lead and as leaders who teach. Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 2004 My goal is to inspire students to find the learner in themselves, to challenge themselves and to find meaning in their education. To that end I have always yearned to try new things in order to find ways to more effectively connect students to learning on a real and personal level. When I discover or create methods I find successful, I share these with colleagues at my school as well as lead workshops for schools around the state. So, being a teacher leader involves keeping your mind and eyes open for new methods, being a risk taker and pioneer in applying new methods, and then not being shy about sharing your successes with others ... and to humbly educate other teachers. Above: Maggie Knutson tries to keep her students engaged in ways that challenge and inspire them to find learning meaningful. 18 Spring 2006 J JOSEPH ERICKSON Professor in Augsburg’s Education Department, and chair of the Minneapolis Board of Education My personal philosophy of teaching is based on the assumption that my primary role is to motivate learners to gather information and develop themselves—I don’t make them learn. I think that’s a kind of leadership; sparking curiosity and motivating learners. I think that is central to good teaching. In my role on the school board, I’m constantly meeting people who have opinions about what should and should not be done in Minneapolis Public Schools. It’s hard to underestimate how much rumor and gossip is out there. My role is to help educate the public when I meet people who hold information that is wrong or misleading. More importantly, I try to make sure that I take every opportunity I can to inspire optimism and confidence in MPS’s future. Sometimes inspiring confidence is even more important than competent administration. Joe Erickson brings his school board leadership experience into his classrooms at Augsburg to help future teachers understand the issues affecting school districts. J JACKI BRICKMAN ’97 Mentor at Elizabeth Hall International Elementary School, Minneapolis From my second year of teaching, my classroom has been a public place— to current and new teachers, to district officials, politicians, and parents. Teachers are at their best in their classrooms facilitating learning, and when teachers open their doors to one another and make their classrooms a public place, we are able lead and teach at the same Teachers in Jacki Brickman’s school meet regularly in study groups to share their practices and strategies in order to help each other grow. J time. Both the teacher observing and the teacher being observed can grow in their practices if they engage in reflective conversation after this shared experience. JUDY SCHAUBACH ’68 President of Education Minnesota Being a teacher and a leader are for me inseparable. In my early years as a teacher I was a strong voice for ensuring a positive work environment that included advocating for professional development opportunities, insisting on compliance with state and federal laws, and working together with the administration to insure a safe and respectful learning environment. The more I took responsibility for these issues the more I grew as a professional. Being involved at the local level and gaining a sense of empowerment was what prompted me to get Spring 2006 involved at the state and national level. As a union leader I rely on my teaching experience to help policy-makers understand what needs to be done … I believe that teachers should not be passive bystanders to what is occurring in their classrooms, schools, or communities, nor should they be silent about policies and laws that have a direct impact on their profession and the students they teach. This philosophy has been the impetus for my leadership, even when it is sometimes difficult and may be controversial. 19 Teachers who lead, leaders who teach A ADAM THRONSON ’99 Social studies teacher at Coon Rapids (Minn.) High School 2005 Anoka-Hennepin School District Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) award Teachers are leaders by researching and implementing new strategies into their classroom. It means you take a risk. Teachers usually try methods that other teachers have found success with, but leadership comes when you blaze a new trail by trying something new. B BRUCE PALMQUIST ’84 Professor of physics and science education at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wash. Washington State Professor of the Year, named by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). I started teaching while I was a student at Augsburg. I tutored first-year physics students. This taught me that it takes more than good grades in a subject to be a good teacher. I learned that I needed to understand what the students knew and didn’t know before I could help them. … In general, a good teacher is one who leads by example. I try to make my science teaching methods courses relevant by developing interesting opportunities for my students to interact with children. My teaching methods students have been among the first at my university to teach science lessons in the local schools, to develop after-school science clubs, and to provide children with practice items for the Washington state science assessment. (To become better acquainted with Bruce Palmquist, see Auggie Thoughts on p. 32) 20 I have been a leader who teaches when I’ve accepted and encouraged the work of other teachers. This could be new programs like Link Crew or just cooperation dealing with the same student. I have been a teacher who leads by staying positive, supporting administration, and trying new things in my classroom. A ALLEN TRIPP ’69 English teacher at Rush City (Minn.) High School 2005 Leadership in Educational Excellence Award, selected by peers After 35 years of teaching English, I can look back and see many times where I have been both a teacher and a leader. The teacher role is six classes a day September through May. However, the leader role has grown on me over the years as I became more experienced in my profession and familiar with the people in the community. … Teaching ability and leadership skills are a necessary combination for any successful teacher. When I look back at my first year of teaching, I see I had the knowledge to teach effectively, but at times lacked the confidence to lead. By talking to experienced teachers and gaining experience in the classroom, the leadership skills evolved. When you demonstrate confidence in yourself as a teacher, you will clearly communicate goals to the students; and they gain confidence in themselves as learners. It’s a win/win situation. Spring 2006 A ALYSSA SNYDER ’98 President, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn. It is in the classroom where we have the most direct impact on our students; however, it cannot end there. As educators we must challenge one another’s ideas and philosophies through professional dialogue in order to gain insight into how to better meet the needs of our learners. My top priority is having high standards for all my students. This is why I feel fortunate to be an instructor in the Weekend College program. I want to influence potential educators to advocate for all of their students, not just the smart and well behaved. A true teacher leader is willing to do this by going against the status quo knowing the student must come first. When I can influence future teachers, I can impact more students positively. D DAN BRUSS ’75 Adjunct instructor in Augsburg’s Education Department J I have been connected to the teaching enterprise of higher education nearly 25 years. As a professor I saw myself not just as a champion of my area of expertise, but primarily as a role model, an individual concerned with the wide variety of struggles students have during their college experience. For me life in the classroom was seamlessly interwoven to the life outside of it. As a college president I still see my chief function as a role model, although now my teaching crosses constituency boundaries. As an administrator I look for the professor who can have the biggest impact on students’ lives. They generally have more lasting influence than programs or buildings. JOHN-MARK STENSVAAG ’69 Charlotte and Frederick Hubbell Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Law at the University of Iowa College of Law University of Iowa 2005 President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence All of my great teachers led by example. Every day, I try imperfectly to emulate what my greatest teachers showed me; every day, I expect my students to outshine me in their future endeavors. The enterprise is driven by love: love of learning, love of the subject matter, and love of the students. My greatest teachers led by illustrating such love. For me, “leading” is nothing more than striving to reflect their love to a new generation of students. A POSTSCRIPT: After this story was completed, announcement came of the appointment of Augsburg history professor Bill Green as interim superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. As he steps from the classroom into a leadership role in a difficult situation, Green has been quoted as saying that he is “first and foremost a teacher.” Spring 2006 21 Paulson family makes major gift to the Science Center Courtesy photo In December, John Paulson, together with Norma Paulson, pledged a $1 million gift on behalf of his family to name the front entrance and atrium of the new Science Center. This is the Paulson family’s second major capital gift to Augsburg. In 2001, the family provided major funding to complete the enclosed skyway link from Lindell Library to the two-story atrium between Memorial and Sverdrup Halls. “One does not have to be on campus long to see what an important need was met by the Paulson Link,” said Stephen Preus, director of development. “This new, special gift by the Paulsons will provide for an equally important and highly attractive space.” While Paulson is not an Augsburg alumnus, three of his children and a sonin-law graduated from the College—Mary Jo (Paulson) Peterson ’80, Laurie (Paulson) Dahl ’76 and David Dahl ’75, and Lisa Paulson ’80. The motivation behind the Science Center gift, however, may date back much farther than his family’s education. Paulson served in the Second Infantry Division during World War II and was part of the Allied invasion landing on D+1 at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, in June by Betsey Norgard Cory Ryan $1 million gift will name the new atrium John and Norma Paulson pledge $1 million for the Science Center atrium. (L to R) Dick Adamson, vice president for finance and administration; Jeroy Carlson, senior development officer; and Norma and John Paulson. 1944. He was a frontline soldier until July 28, 1944, when he was wounded during the St.-Lo breakthrough. Among the awards Paulson received were the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. In June 2004, Paulson and his wife, Norma, traveled to France to take part in the 60th anniversary commemoration of the event that proved to be the turning point of the war. The festivities brought together thousands of people—war veterans, military officials, local people and tourists, as well as Hollywood celebrities whose acting roles had recreated the battles on movie screens. Standing in his Army uniform, wearing medals depicting D-Day service, Paulson enjoyed the commemoration. Following the ceremony, however, he noticed lines of French citizens forming to At the 60th anniversary commemoration of D-Day, Norma and shake hands and request John Paulson met and talked with actor Tom Hanks. 22 autographs from the U.S. veterans. Puzzled, Paulson finally asked someone why he wanted a soldier’s autograph. “Don’t you understand,” the Frenchman told him, “you saved our country.” Paulson recounted how vivid an impression these words made. When he thought about the statistics—the staggering numbers of soldiers who were killed or wounded during the invasion— he realized that he was, in fact, a survivor. And with that realization also came the insight that he had been blessed with many gifts in his life that should be shared with others. “I believe it is important to leave this world in better condition than it was when we arrived,” Paulson said, “so contributing to Augsburg and other worthwhile organizations is part of this process.” The Science Center atrium girft is provided in memory of Lois V. Paulson, Rose E. Paulson, and Johnny E. Paulson, by the Paulson family—John R., Sr., and Norma Paulson, John Reid Paulson, Mary Jo Peterson ’80, Deborah Stansbury, Laurie Dahl ’76, and Lisa Paulson ’80. Spring 2006 Naming the ‘Doc’ Johnson A-Club Office Office in Doc’s memory. Their gifts, with additional gifts from Louie Morseth ’51, Roger Stockmo ’54, Leroy Nyhus ’52, and Virg Gehring ’57 have made it possible. In his senior year at Augsburg, Doc Johnson was elected president of AClub. Now, it is the A-Club vice president from that year, Ron Main, helping to perpetuate Johnson’s legacy as an Auggie. Archive photo Donnis “Doc” Johnson ’52, an Auggie who died at the age of 23, well before his time, will not be forgotten by his friends. Five of his classmates and friends have joined together to name the A-Club office in the new Si Melby South Wing in his memory. Raised in the small town of Newman Grove, Nebraska—the only Lutheran Free Church congregation in that state— Johnson followed his sister, LaRhea, and several relatives to Augsburg College, 400 miles away. He enrolled in 1948, majored in physical education, and became center on the football team. After graduation in 1952 and two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Johnson returned home to a teaching and football coaching position at the Elgin (Neb.) High School. This was to be his only year of teaching, as he died of bulbar polio in November 1954. Members of his high school football team served as pallbearers. Early last year, Doc’s cousin, Mark Johnson ’54, together with Augsburg development officer Ron Main ’56, proposed a plan to name the new A-Club by Betsey Norgard “Doc” Johnson (top row, no. 28) played on the 1951 football team, along with teammate, and now development officer and donor, Ron Main ’56 (middle row, no. 38). Connections Augsburg meets Thrivent challenge Augsburg received bonus funding of $5,415 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for successfully meeting the GivingPlus program challenge. About 450 Lutheran schools and social service agencies were awarded portions of an $800,000 grant from Thrivent for significantly improving participation in Thrivent’s GivingPlus program, which matches contributions to Lutheran institutions by its members. In order to qualify, Augsburg needed to increase GivingPlus by 588 member donors before December. It exceeded that with a total of 693, thereby also earning $78,805 in matching funds from Thrivent under the program. The bonus funds will be used for student scholarships, curriculum development, student-oriented activities, and campus improvements. Spring 2006 Barbara Gage, president of the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, was honored with the 2006 Leading Leaders award for lifelong commitment to family, career, and service to community. (L to R) Emily Anne Tuttle, Augsburg Board of Regents; Barbara Carlson Gage; and Tracy Elftmann, Augsburg vice president for institutional advancement. The Connections event, co-sponsored by Augsburg and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, also included speakers Janice Aune ’88, chairman/CEO of Onvoy, Inc.; Augsburg regent Gloria C. Lewis, president/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities; and Shira Hussain, Augsburg senior admissions counselor. 23 Sig Hjelmeland led fundraising efforts for 30 years Sigvald Hjelmeland ’41 was the second of four generations of Augsburg graduates and spent three decades at Augsburg leading fundraising efforts that made possible a number of major capital projects. He died on Dec. 25 at age 90. Hjelmeland returned to Augsburg in 1952 to serve as the College’s first director of development. Major campaigns he headed led to the completion of the George Sverdrup Library, Christensen Center, Urness Hall, and Foss Center. He is best remembered by colleague Jeroy Carlson ’48 as “meticulous.” In the late 1950s, as donor and giving programs were being created, Hjelmeland drew on his expertise and passion for detail to create a manual accounting system and bookkeeping procedures for donor gifts. This included the use of a bank book to help donors track their monthly pledge payments. In 1963, as the College moved through the transition from the Lutheran Free Church (LFC) into the American Lutheran Church, Hjelmeland, with his Norwegian LFC background, served a valuable role in helping many of Augsburg’s longtime LFC families stay part of and feel connected to Augsburg. “He spoke Norwegian and had a great sense of humor,” Carlson says, “not just American humor, but Scandinavian humor as well.” Hjelmeland’s relationships helped to foster a culture of philanthropy that has nurtured many of Augsburg’s current donors. In 1986, Hjelmeland, with his wife, by Betsey Norgard Three generations of Hjelmeland Auggies: Sigvald Hjelmeland ’41, who is survived by his wife, Helen; (back row, L to R) James Clarke and daughter Laurene (Hjelmeland) Clarke ’64; son John ’70 and Lynn (Benson) ’69 Hjelmeland; and granddaughter Jennifer (Hjelmeland) Stewart ’00. Helen, and son and daughter-in law John ’70 and Lynn (Benson) ’69, established a scholarship in the name of his father, John Hjelmeland, who graduated from Augsburg Academy, College, and Seminary. In 2003, Sig Hjelmeland received the Spirit of Augsburg award for his dedication and long service to the College. Hjelmeland is survived by his wife, Helen; two children, Laurene and John; seven grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. The family has directed memorial gifts to the Rev. John Hjelmeland Scholarship Fund. Faculty-staff giving boosts campaign From September through December, guided by a faculty-staff campaign committee, employees of Augsburg raised the bar on giving and encouraged awareness of a philanthropic culture. A generous matching fund, matches from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for its members, and contacts from committee members helped to significantly increase both the dollar amount and the rate of giving within the Augsburg community. 24 Through December 31, an additional total of $133,000 was given or pledged by employees of the College, beyond the $635,000 since the campaign’s launch. Even more important, however, was the increased rate of participation in the campaign—to more than doubling the overall rate of 17% in 2004-05. By the end of the year, the giving rate for full-time faculty and staff exceeded 50%. Spring 2006 AAlumni LUMNINews NEWS From the director of Alumni Relations… A ugsburg College is in the midst of many exciting changes this spring. Our first group of MBA students will graduate in May, along with candidates from our other master’s programs in leadership, education, nursing, physician assistant studies, and social work—plus our undergraduates from the day, weekend, and Rochester programs. Congratulations to you all! The campus face is changing, too. I hope that you have had an opportunity to view the artist renderings of the planned Science, Gateway, and Si Melby additions. We welcome you back to campus to tour the grounds this spring and summer—our grounds crew does an amazing job beautifying the campus! In Alumni Board news, three members will end their terms this spring. We would like to thank Beth Torstenson ’66, Andy Morrison ’73, and Paul Mueller ’84 for their dedication and hard work during their tenures. We hope to see them at many events in the future. Thank you! Alumni Relations, along with Advancement Services and Information Technology, are pleased to announce the newly launched Augsburg Online Community, which will help you stay informed and involved with Augsburg via the Internet. See the information below for details. Planning for Homecoming 2006 is well underway. This year’s theme is “Watch Us Soar,” and events are scheduled this September 25-30. Watch your mailbox for your Homecoming brochure in August. We have made changes to the usual Saturday activities, and we encourage all alumni, family, and friends to join us. We look forward to hosting you at an Augsburg event in the near future. Please let the Office of Alumni Relations know if you will be in the metro area this summer—we would love to show you the campus! Heidi Breen Director, Office of Alumni Relations Introducing Augsburg’s new online community A ugsburg’s online community has been developed just for you— alumni, friends, parents, and donors of the College. The new online community will help you stay informed and involved with Augsburg via the Internet. This is a great way to stay connected! Visit the site and register today so that you can take advantage of the great new features to keep you connected to your Augsburg friends and classmates. You’ll find: Alumni Directory • Learn where your classmates and friends are, and what they’ve been doing since graduation • Connect with other alumni in your area of the country • Update your personal profile so your classmates can get in touch with you Spring 2006 Class Notes Tell us what you’ve been up to! As part of your personal profile you can now submit class notes online for possible publication in Augsburg Now. programs, and of course, Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College. Giving online is easy and secure—and there’s no need to be a registered user to donate. Events Wondering what events are taking place for Augsburg alumni? The online community is the place to search and register for events specifically for alumni and friends of the College. Check back often to learn about upcoming Auggie Hours, parent events, or just to find out the most up-to-date news around the Augsburg campus. It’s EASY Simply go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni Online Giving You asked, and we listened! Making a contribution to Augsburg has never been easier. Simply visit Augsburg’s online community and click on the “Give Now” link to donate online. Otherwise, click on “Giving at Augsburg” to learn about planned giving, our various giving It’s FAST Moving? Changing your e-mail address? New addition to your family? Let us know instantly by logging in and updating your information. QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, first read through the information on the Augsburg online community website. If you still have questions, send an e-mail to <healyk@augsburg.edu>. 25 Alumni Events SUMMER AUGGIE HOURS Please join us for these upcoming alumni events (see also the college-wide calendar on the inside back cover for additional Augsburg events); unless otherwise noted, call 612-330-1178 or 1-800-260-6590 or e-mail <alumni@augburg.edu> for more information. March May 16 5 Graduation reception for all undergraduate and graduate business students, Marshall Room, Christensen Center, 4-6 p.m. April 9 Alumni tour to China departs 18 Alumni Board meeting, Christensen Center, 5:30 p.m. 18 27 Senior reception hosted by the Alumni Board in honor of the Class of 2006, East Commons, Christensen Center, 4:30-6 p.m. WECAN meeting (Weekend College Alumni Network), 6-8 p.m., Riverside Room, Christensen Center WECAN meeting (Weekend College Alumni Network), 6-8 p.m., Riverside Room, Christensen Center April Join a variety of alumni who are actively involved in the Twin Cities theatre community; location TBA. May W.A. Frost & Company, Historic Cathedral Hill—Dacotah Building, 374 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-224-5715 June Maynard’s Restaurant, 685 Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, Minn. (located in the southeast corner of Excelsior Bay on Lake Minnetonka), 952-470-1800 August Campiello, 1320 West Lake St., Uptown Minneapolis, 612-825-2222 June 20 Alumni Board meeting, Christensen Center, 5:30 p.m. 25 Rochester Weekend College graduation banquet, Rochester Country Club, 5-8 p.m. Commencement 2006 Augsburg Associates Spring Seminar Softball and baseball alumni receptions The Augsburg Associates invite you to their 20th Annual Spring Seminar, Saturday, April 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Foss Center. This year’s guest speakers include Augsburg professor of religion Brad Holt ’63, Tsehai Wodajo, and Ann (Tjaden) Jensen. Wodajo emigrated from Ethiopia 15 years ago and received her MSW from Augsburg in 1997. Jensen served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia after graduating from Augsburg in 1964. They are founders of REAL (Resources for the Enrichment of African Lives). Registration is $15 per person, payable in advance (this includes refreshments and materials). Call your old teammates and join us at these upcoming receptions! Softball alumni are invited to gather at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 20, prior to the game against Carleton College; for more information, contact Carol Enke at 612-330-1250 or <enke@augsburg.edu>. Baseball alumni are invited to gather at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 29, prior to the game against Macalester College; contact Keith Bateman at 612-330-1395 or <bateman@augsburg.edu>. 26 Auggie Hours are held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. Please join us! Reunion celebrations Attention Auggies from the classes of 1956, 1966, 1981, and Young Alumni 1990-2006: this is your reunion year! Plan now to join your classmates this September 25-30 for the annual Homecoming festivities and your reunion reception. Watch your mail and upcoming issues of Augsburg Now for complete details; please let us know your current e-mail address at <alumni@augsburg.edu>. You can also stay up-to-date by visiting the alumni website at <www.augsburg.edu/alumni>. Spring 2006 CLASS NOTES Class Notes 1956 Richard Thorud, Bloomington, Minn., has pursued a hobby of writing, illustrating, publishing, and marketing books since his retirement as a research and development engineer. His seventh book, Mette Marie’s Homestead Journal, is based on his mother’s childhood memories of living in a sod hut in North Dakota; for more information, go online to <www.amazon.com>. 1967 Rev. Harley J. Refsal, Decorah, Iowa, is a professor of Scandinavian folk art and Norwegian at Luther College. He has earned national and international acclaim for his figure woodcarving— including a St. Olav Medal in 1996 from the king of Norway. Besides teaching at Luther, he has written four books and numerous magazine articles. He’s also the star of an instructional video, Scandinavian Style Figure Carving with Harley Refsal, which earned a prestigious 2005 Telly Award. John N. Schwartz is serving as interim president and chief executive officer of St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center in Missoula, Mont. He previously served as interim president of Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford, Ore., and has 30 years of experience in the healthcare field and a long history in management. 1969 Allen C. Tripp was one of four Rush City, Minn., teachers selected by their peers for the Leadership in Excellence Award, which honors their teaching quality and commitment. The awards were presented in October at a banquet in St. Cloud. Tripp has been an English teacher at Rush City High School since 1970. In addition to teaching English, he has directed class plays and all school plays for 14 years and has been a junior high speech coach for 15 years. He has also served as an assistant track coach for 20 years. His wife, Linda, teaches first grade at Jacobson Elementary School. They have two sons, Ryen, 29, and Justin, 23. See more about Allen on p. 20. AUGGIES AT CARNEGIE HALL 1977 Timothy Strand was elected mayor of the City of St. Peter (Minn.) in November in a landslide victory. Strand, who by election time had served two years of a four-year term as a Ward II council member, was anxious to start his new role. “I’m very excited, and the first thing that comes to my mind is that I’m proud to have been elected,” he said in a postelection article in the St. Peter Herald. Patricia Clausen Wojtowicz, Largo, Fla., is manager of Jan (Pedersen) Schiff ’68 of Mill Valley, Calif., will be a guest conductor at Carnegie Hall on April 24, performing two works for women’s chorus and orchestra. The concert is part of MidAmerica Productions’ 2005-2006 concert series. Courtesy photo AUGGIE HONORS Ora Hokes ’90 of Minneapolis was one of 10 recipients of the 2005 Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service. The awards are an annual tradition of The McKnight Foundation, and each recipient exemplifies the life-changing difference one person can make through service. The following is reprinted from the award program: Ora Hokes is transforming the health of her community Sunday by Sunday. A member of the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 25 years, Hokes saw the alarming health-related risk factors affecting the African American community, and took action. In 2003, after years of service with the Sabathani Community Center and its Way to Grow program, she began volunteering with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Working with her pastor, she created the Health Sundays program to provide monthly health information to her congregation. Partnering with nurses and others from the congregation, and using additional resources from the American Cancer Society and the Stairstep Foundation’s Health Initiative, she implemented monthly blood pressure checks, distributed health information on sexually transmitted diseases, instituted a “Stomp Out Stroke” awareness program, and started the Promised Land Fellowship walking program which focuses on weight loss, nutrition, and exercise. “My mother was my inspiration,” Hokes says. “She had the gift of healing.” Hokes is a lifelong advocate for continuing education. She returned to school after her two children were grown, and has since received an Associate of Arts degree from Minneapolis Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augsburg’s Weekend College, a Master of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas, and a parent educator license from the University of Minnesota. It seems no challenge is too big for Ora Hokes. Spring 2006 27 Class Notes Courtesy photo ALUMNI PROFILE Mike and Gail Koski: Traveling the missionary road by Sara Holman ’06 Working in the mailroom, falling in love with a fellow coworker, graduating in four years, and preparing for a bright future were just a few of the things that Mike and Gail (Niederloh) Koski accomplished while attending Augsburg. However, finding their joint calling to become missionaries happened just months after their marriage. Married in October 1972, the following July carried the Koskis across the ocean to Africa. Mike, a 1971 graduate, came to Augsburg and studied history and secondary education. Gail graduated one year later with a B.A. in French secondary education. Both came from congregations that were involved in missionary work, yet each confesses that overseas missionary work had not been a part of their plan. When the inspiration came, Mike recalls, “It was an answer to prayer.” “We just understood that this was the way God would want us to use our gifts and abilities,” Gail said. Mike ’71 and Gail ’72 (Niederloh) Koski have traveled the world as missionaries since meeting and graduating from Augsburg more than 30 years ago. After 32 years of missionary work in Kenya and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), the Koskis are currently awaiting their next assignment. The couple works with the Minneapolis-based mission organization World Mission Prayer League (WMPL). When choosing a mission group, “WMPL resonated well. Its principles, policies, and practices fit the best,” Mike said. Every four years, the couple comes back to the United States on furlough. During this one-year break, the missionaries continue their work and await news about their future destination. The Koskis were called back in September 2005. The couple’s mission experience started in Zaire where they worked in a rural setting, often connecting with nomadic tribes. It was the couple’s responsibility to learn the language and culture and then present the gospel in a way that would be understood. Their time in Zaire was limited to only four months, and then their assignment changed. Kenya has been a very permanent place for the Koskis’ mission work. They spent many years in the agricultural parts of northern and western Kenya but have been stationed in the city of Nairobi for the past 10 years. Mike became assistant director of the Urban Ministries Support Group (UMSG) in 1995 and then moved up to the director position in 1999. Gail’s work has consisted of many facets: UMSG resource center librarian, ESL teacher, Sunday school supervisor, and mission hostess. She was also in charge of home-schooling their three children. Now fully grown, their children have all graduated college and live and work at various places within North America. The Koskis’ main goal in Nairobi was to help develop leadership within the Lutheran church. With strong leadership skills instilled, the church was able to discuss and respond to societal ailments such as poverty and HIV. To reach more people within the city, one church decided to split the congregation into five groups and build five new churches. Everything was planned and prepared ahead of time: pastors were found, worship teams were formed, and everything transitioned very smoothly. The five new congregations each held a special characteristic that made it fit perfectly into its new part of the city. For example, in the area where many university students lived, the church emphasized youth activities and provided a contemporary worship service. The couple’s greatest excitement is to see their fellow church members’ faith development. “We’ve been doing this for so long that we get to see young people grow into adults. We are able to see how their faith keeps growing and then how it impacts their families, vocations, and communities.” Kenya holds a special place in both the Koskis’ hearts. They enjoyed the vibrant colors and temperate climate, but it was the people-oriented culture and relaxed pace of living that really appealed to the couple. Being concerned about people and taking time to establish relationships is a big part of missionary work, and the Koski family praises God for the rich experiences that were shared in Kenya. Sara Holman is a senior English/communication studies major. 28 Spring 2006 accreditations at Forensic Quality Services, Inc., in Largo. Courtesy photo STENSVAAG-DARDA WEDDING (CORRECTION) 1979 1980 Nancy (Weatherston) Black, Cornelius, Ore., is a serial cataloger for Millar Library at Portland State University. Rev. David L. Norgard, West Hollywood, Calif., has established a consulting practice for churches and other nonprofits in the area of organizational development. He can be contacted at <davidnorgard@yahoo.com>. 1982 Kevin Gordon, International Falls, Minn., was quoted in an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper about his son, Ben Gordon, who is a sophomore forward on the University of Minnesota Gopher hockey team. Ben acquired his hockey skills growing up playing on outdoor rinks and from his father, a former International Falls High School coach and an Augsburg All-American. Spring 2006 The above photo from the July 2004 wedding of Rebecca Stensvaag ’01 and Paul Darda ’01, which features more than 40 Augsburg alumni, contained unintentional inaccuracies in the winter issue of the Augsburg Now. The correct information is as follows: ROW 1 (L to R): Cindy Huber Blummer ’01, Emma Stensvaag ’08, Ruth Casperson ’67, Hannah Mehus Stensvaag ’38, Rebecca Stensvaag Darda ’01, Paul Darda ’01, Nancy Strommen Stensvaag ’71, John-Mark Stensvaag ’69, Stephanie Johnson Sulzbach ’71, John Sulzbach ’69, Jean Boxrud Steen. ROW 2: Roland Blummer ’00, Mary Kay Johnson Stensvaag ’72, Ken Casperson ’70, Peggy Nelson Hintzman, Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46, Hans Strommen ’04, Andrea Johnson Strommen ’75, Bob Strommen ’74, Roy Steen. ROW 3: Normajean Johnson Strommen ’69, Saul Stensvaag ’72, Ann Peterson ’01, Tony Quance ’03, Tjersti Strommen ’07, Adam Thronson ’99, Marsha Strommen Olson ’68, Dawn Hofstad Strommen ’70. ROW 4: Peter Strommen ’69, Mary Nelson Eckberg ’70, Brad Fischer ’03, Heidi Peterson ’03, Mark Peterson ’01, Mary Ellen Strommen Lieber ’67, Tim Strommen ’70. ROW 5: John Eckberg ‘68, Ben Paul ’03, Ainy Carlson, Jeroy Carlson ’46, Phil Edstrom ’69, Luther Strommen ’40, Steve Strommen ’65. 1984 Bruce Palmquist, Ellensburg, Wash., was honored as the 2005 Washington State Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Palmquist is a physics and science education professor at Central Washington University, and is highly regarded for his commitment to improving public understanding of basic scientific principles and working to develop skills in the next generation of science teachers needed to successfully bring about a scientifically literate society. In his dual role as a physicist and a teacher educator, Palmquist has taken on many AUGGIES ON THE ROAD Courtesy photo Paul Daniels, archivist for ELCA Region 3 and archivist/curator at Luther Seminary, traveled to Chennai (Madras), India, to assist the Lutheran Heritage Centre at Gurukul Theological College on several projects. Daniels had served there 12 years ago when the archives center was just beginning its work of collecting and making available records of the 12 Indian Lutheran church bodies. Over the years he has maintained contact with the staff, working on issues of collection development, preservation, and program expansion. Daniels and his wife, Sally (Hough) ’79, director of parent and family relations at Augsburg, live in Golden Valley, Minn., and have two daughters, Kristin ’09 and Maren. Jennifer Tome ’99 (left) of Minneapolis visited Mary Olson ’74 (right) in October at Airlie Winery, Olson’s winery in Monmouth, Ore. Tome is a wine representative for Grape Beginnings. 29 Class Notes initiatives, including developing a new CWU program at Green River Community College in Auburn, called Project TEACH (Teacher Education Alliance for Colleges and High Schools). In 2004, Palmquist was also named the CWU Distinguished Public Service Professor. 1988 Brad Anderson, Plymouth, Minn., teaches biology and human genetics at Wayzata High School. He also serves as head football coach, and this past season led the Trojans to capture the 2005 state championship. He and his wife, Maari Anderson ’87, have two daughters, Barrett and Isabelle. 1990 Kay E. Baker, Savage, Minn., is an account director hired to set up the new Minneapolis office of the Jerome Group, a direct marketing support firm based in St. Louis, Mo. She was recently featured as a “Mover” in the business section of the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper. 1992 West Central Initiative in Fergus Falls, Minn., as a Connectinc Replication Project executive. She has several years of experience in the service industry, including serving as a board member for Restart Inc. 1996 Julie (Lindusky) Corcoran, Forest Lake, Minn., was elected in November to a four-year term on the ISD 831 School Board. She and her husband, Mike, have three children. Paul Wahmanholm, St. Paul, is an administrative intern for Dayton’s Bluff Elementary School in the St. Paul Public Schools district. Debra Carpenter has joined Courtsey photo HINTON-HANSEN WEDDING 1997 Lars P. Dyrud, Amesbury, Mass., was one of approximately 70 selected worldwide by the Young Scientists Award Panel to attend the Union RadioScientifique Internationale (URSI) General Assembly at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, India, last October. Participants were also given the opportunity to meet with the president of India at the Rashtrapati, the official presidential residence. 1998 Melanie Hinton ’04 married Mark Hansen in October; the couple resides in Kasson, Minn. Melanie is a registered nurse and assistant nursing supervisor at the Mayo Medical Center. Ann Rohrig, Lima, Ohio, married Stephen Jenkins in June, becoming a stepmother to two children. She is a social worker for a therapeutic foster care agency in Lima. AUGGIES IN THE MILITARY Lewis Nelson ’00, pictured here with his wife, Holly, is currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is in the U.S. Army serving with the 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), and is in charge of the signals intelligence analysis section for the brigade. Lewis’ wife and two children, Benjamin, 2, and Arianna, 9 months, reside in Clarksville, Tenn. The family maintains a website at <www.nelson downs.com> and welcomes any e-mail messages for Lewis at <lewis@nelsondowns.com>. 30 2000 Mauris De Silva, Miami, received a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota in May. He now works in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami’s Miller Medical School of Medicine. 2001 Greg Barrett, St. Paul, graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a master’s degree in gifted and talented education. Becki Frestedt, Seattle, received a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in June. She works for a community development organization, where she coordinates outreach for a land use study in the city. Beth Nordin, Minnetonka, Minn., was named vice president of information technology by CHS Inc., an energy and grain-based foods company. She previously served as vice president of operations for Capella Education. Prior to Capella, she held several positions with Pearson Education, including senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer. 2003 Shawn Smith was acquired by the Quad City Mallards from the Port Huron Flags. Smith is a rookie-defenseman who has appeared in 14 United Hockey League games this season split between the Fort Wayne Komets and the Port Huron Flags. Births/Adoptions Lisa (Svac) ’85 and Lee Hawks ’85 in New Brighton, Minn., adopted a son, Andrew John, in December. Spring 2006 Carley (Miller) ’94 and William Stuber in Shakopee, Minn.—a daughter, Kirsten Rae, in May. Carley is executive director of the St. Francis Regional Medical Center Foundation in Shakopee. Jay Lepper ’95 and his wife, Bronwyn, in Savage, Minn.—a daughter, Rowan Jane, in May. Jennifer (Polis) ’97 and Dan Debe in Minneapolis—a son, George William, in September. He joins older sisters Allison, 5, and Emily, 3. Jennifer can be reached at <jendebe@ yahoo.com>. Summer Joy (Sorenson) ’99 and Jeffrey Brackhan in Mondovi, Wis.—twin boys, Cole and Dakota, in February 2005. Heidi (Erickson) ’01 and Matt Segedy in Minneapolis— a daughter, Eleanor Catherine, in November. Matt is a pediatrician at South Lake Pediatrics, and Heidi is currently home with Nora. in November. Lisa (Ashbaugh) ’04 and Darrel Stange in Bertha, Minn.— a son, Nathan, in September. Lisa and Darrel married in October. In Memoriam Bertha D. Lillehei ’34, Minneapolis, died in January; she was 92. Following the example of her father, Lars Lillehei, who taught Greek at Augsburg, Bertha taught English at Augsburg in the 1930s and ’40s. Sigvald Hjelmeland ’41, Edina, Minn., died in December; he was 90 (see p. 24 for further details). Rev. Earl E. Dreyer ’56, Detroit Lakes, Minn., died in December of heart-related problems; he was 75. Ordained in 1959, he served parishes in Alexandria, Rochester, Canby, and Detroit Lakes. Holly Ebnet ’03 married Jeremy Knutson in August 2004; the couple resides in Hugo, Minn. Holly is pursuing an MBA at Augsburg, and Jeremy
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Title: Augsburg Now Winter 2005-06
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N Winter 2005-06 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 2 TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Winter 2005-06 FEATURES 10 Putting a fresh ‘face’ on Augsburg by Lynn Mena 12 Jeroy Carlson ’48—’Mr. Augsburg’ by Sara Holman ’06 ...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N Winter 2005-06 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 68, No. 2 TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Winter 2005-06 FEATURES 10 Putting a fresh ‘face’ on Augsburg by Lynn Mena 12 Jeroy Carlson ’48—’Mr. Augsburg’ by Sara Holman ’06 14 Physician Assistants—increasing healthcare access by Cynthia Hill 18 A chance to skate by Don Stoner 20 Faith in the City by Betsey Norgard DEPARTMENTS 2 Around the Quad 6 Sports 23 Vision, news of Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College 26 Alumni News 28 Homecoming 2005 32 Class Notes 40 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover Calendar A college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augsburg College is an equal education/employment institution. Editor Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Photographer Stephen Geffre Media Relations Manager Judy Petree Sports Information Coordinator Don Stoner www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post—consumer waste) On the cover: On this page: Samuel Gross ’03 shows off a sampling of merchandise that carries the Auggie Eagle athletic logo he created for the College, a project that began in a graphic design class. Photo by Stephen Geffre. The maroon banners on the Link between Sverdrup and Memorial Halls, and Lindell Library pale in comparison to the blazing fall colors of the maple trees alongside the library. Photo by Stephen Geffre. AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad New regents are elected to the board S even new members were elected to four-year terms on the Augsburg College Board of Regents at the annual meeting of the Augsburg Corporation in October. In addition, Gloria C. Lewis was reelected to a second six-year term. She is the executive director and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Twin Cities and serves on the Marketing and Executive Committees of the board. Esperanza Guerrero-Anderson A native of Nicaragua, Esperanza Guerrero-Anderson is founder, president, and CEO of Milestone Growth Fund, Inc., a nonprofit venture capital fund providing capital to minority entrepreneurs. She also serves on the boards of the Bush Foundation, Walker Art Center, Center for Ethical Business Cultures, and Chicanos-Latinos Unidos en Servicio (CLUES). Norman R. Hagfors Recently retired from Norsen, Inc., the management and engineering consulting firm he founded, Norman Hagfors is returning to the Board of Regents, where he served from 1989-2001. He is active in the community and his church. Jodi Harpstead Jodi Harpstead is vice president and chief advancement officer at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, where she leads marketing, fundraising, public 2 relations, and public policy. She has served on several boards, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley, as well as in numerous volunteer leadership positions. Dean Kennedy ’75 Fridley native Dean Kennedy graduated from Augsburg in 1975, where he was a four-year wrestler with conference and All-American honors. In 1996, he was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. He is president of Texakoma Oil & Gas Corporation and lives in Plano, Texas. Dean C. Kopperud Returning to the Augsburg Board of Regents where he served from 19982004, Dean C. Kopperud brings 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently he was national sales director for Oppenheimerfunds, Inc., in New York. Marie O. McNeff In 2000 Marie McNeff retired from Augsburg, where she served as professor of education and dean for over 30 years. As academic master planner during her last year before retirement, she led efforts to bring together faculty and staff in a campuswide learning community and created the blueprint to implement academic provisions of Augsburg 2004, the College’s first vision document. Paul S. Mueller, M.D. ’84 Dr. Mueller is an internal medicine consultant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He has served as Augsburg Alumni Board president and was an instrumental force in launching Augsburg’s Rochester program. The Augsburg Corporation is comprised of representatives elected by the assemblies of the Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northwest Wisconsin Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The bishops from these four synods serve as rotating ex officio members on the board. Bishops Peter Rogness of the Saint Paul Area Synod and Harold Usgaard of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod will begin their service in January. Advent Vespers video wins Emmy Last year’s video recording of Advent Vespers won an Upper Midwest regional Emmy for director Jeffrey Weihe at Twin Cities Public Television for best direction of a live recording. The 2004 recording will be shown again this year in the Twin Cities: TPT-2 on Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m. and TPT-17 on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 12 a.m., 6 a.m., and noon. Contact public television stations elsewhere for broadcast times. Winter 2005-06 Welcome to the Class of 2009 American Indian honors given While attending new student orientation with his daughter, Christina, Rory Waller decided it was time for him to pursue his own dream to teach. W hen President Frame welcomed incoming first-year students and their parents at orientation last summer, he didn’t realize he was recruiting one more student. Rory Waller, father of first-year student Christina, wrote, “During Christina’s new student orientation in August, President Frame addressed the new students and spoke about vocation. His words rekindled an old desire from my youth, in that I have always wanted to teach. Later that day during the Expo, I happened across the information table for the WEC program, and discovered that Augsburg offered a degree in education through the weekend program. Sometimes the signposts in life are subtle, and other times they just hit you right between the eyes. … [My family] backs me wholeheartedly in obtaining the goal I have set, and for this I am grateful. “Because of the weekend program at Augsburg I feel I have the opportunity to find my true vocation in life.” Christina is one of 320 new first-year day students. Of them, 41% are Lutheran. They represent 15 states, with 83% from Minnesota. Eleven percent of them are students of color. During their first week, on City Service Project day, first-year students volunteered 1,000 hours of service at 18 community sites. Recent grants received • $301,000 over three years from National Science Foundation (NSF) to physics professor Mark Engebretson for collaboration with the University of New Hampshire and University of Oslo to study northern lights in the Svalbard archipelago of northern Norway. • $500,000 from Lilly Endowment to sustain the work of “Exploring Our Gifts” through 2010. • A National Science Foundation grant to computer science professor Karen Sutherland for undergraduate research on questions involving the design of robot rescue teams, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota. Part of the NSF- Winter 2005-06 supported Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on Safety, Security, and Rescue at the University of Minnesota and University of South Florida. • Five-year grant from U.S. Department of Education for TRIO/Student Support Services to continue providing academic and personal support to help low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. • $10,000 from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for one year to provide health education programming primarily to student-athletes in areas of sexual assault, eating disorders, and nutrition. At their 20th annual conference in October, the Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA) named American Indian studies professor Sophia Jacobson (left) as the Outstanding Postsecondary Teacher, and sophomore Chris Adams (center) as the Outstanding Postsecondary Student. Cindy Peterson (right), director of American Indian Student Services, serves as secretary of the MIEA board. Augsburg again top-ranked In U.S.News & World Report’s 2006 listings of America’s Best Colleges, Augsburg was ranked 26th in the category “Master’s Universities-Top Midwestern.” Augsburg was included in the “Academic Programs to Watch For” listings of the 40 or so top programs in the country for both First-Year Programs and Service-Learning, and was the only Minnesota private college listed. For information go to <www.usnews.com>. Augsburg is also included in Colleges of Distinction, an online guide listing colleges that excel in providing the best places to learn, to grow, and to succeed. For information go to <www.collegesof distinction.com>. 3 Around the Quad President emeritus Oscar Anderson dies at 89 Augsburg News Service scar Anderson, Augsburg’s president from 1963-80, died Aug. 25 in Minneapolis following injuries suffered from a fall. He was 89 years old. While president, Anderson was credited with defining Augsburg’s role as an urban college, while not losing its roots as both a liberal arts institution and a College of the church. “My goal for Augsburg College was to make it an urban college, not only one recognized within the urban setting, but one utilizing the resources of a metropolitan setting,” he said in 1993 when the College dedicated Oscar Anderson residence hall in his name. “I think we got into the bloodstream of the city.” President emeritus Charles Anderson, who succeeded Oscar, said Oscar was instrumental, in terms of attitude, in bringing the College together with the city. “We always were here geographically,” Charles Anderson said, “but our institution moved considerably closer with the city in Oscar’s tenure. It was true then, and it remains so today.” Born in 1916 in Minneapolis, Oscar Anderson was educated at Minnehaha Academy and Augsburg before eventually receiving his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in 1938. He graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in 1942; his first pastorate was at Lake Harriet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, from 1942 to 1948. For the next six years he was the executive director of the International Young People’s Luther League of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He went on to complete graduate study at Union Theological Seminary in New York, an experience that heightened his awareness of contemporary trends in theological scholarship. From the mid-1950s until his appointment as president at Augsburg, he served as senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minn., where he established close ties with the 4 Rob Levine O President emeritus Oscar Anderson returned to campus at Homecoming 1990 to speak about Augsburg heritage. On one of his last visits to campus Oscar Anderson posed with his two successors, Charles Anderson (left) and William Frame (right). academic community—both at Concordia College and Moorhead State University. After coming to Augsburg, Anderson presided over a tremendous period of growth and evolution at the College. Six new buildings—Urness and Mortensen residence halls, Christensen Center, Music Hall, Murphy Place, and the Ice Arena—were built during his presidency. At his retirement, Board of Regents chair Clayton LeFevere noted that Anderson had signed more diplomas than all of his predecessors—approximately 4,600. Winter 2005-06 Archive photo A nationally known preacher, Anderson received many honors, including the Knight’s Cross First Class of the Order of St. Olav from the Government of Norway; the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International; the Distinguished Alumni Citation from both Augsburg and St. Olaf College; and the Distinguished Service Award from the City of Minneapolis. “Oscar Anderson was president of the College during two crucial decades and supervised our transition from a college in the city that wished it were in the country to a college fully engaged with the city that had grown up around it,” noted President William Frame. “As perhaps the best pulpit preacher of his time, Oscar employed a razor sharp and telling wit to guide the College and its alumni through this crucial transition. He had returned to the College frequently since his retirement and invariably brought that wit and powerful rhetoric with him.” Anderson’s wife, Leola, died in December 2004. In 1993, at the dedication of Anderson Hall, Anderson had paid special tribute to Leola and the Winter 2005-06 At the memorial service in Hoversten Chapel on Sept. 1, a photo display captured the life and service of Oscar Anderson. Archive photo Oscar and Lee Anderson greeted the Homecoming crowd at Parade Stadium in the 1960s. President Anderson led an estimated crowd of 800 faculty, staff, and students from campus to the Minneapolis Courthouse in 1965 in support of the Montgomery (Ala.) march. 17 years she presided as Augsburg’s first lady. “I call the two of us ‘Osceola,’ he said. “In my secret heart this will be ‘Osceola Hall.’” They are survived by their children, Donna Anderson Hoekstra ’68; Randall; Sheldon ’73; and Gracia Anderson Lindberg ’80. A memorial service was held in Hoversten Chapel on Sept. 1. The family has requested memorial gifts to the Access to Excellence campaign or the Leola G. Anderson Scholarship. ■ 5 Sports O by Don Stoner White House photo by Paul Morse Auggie wrestlers visit the White House n Oct. 12 the Auggies, winners of a record nine NCAA Division III national titles in the last 15 years, became the first Division III wrestling title team—and just the second college wrestling national title squad ever—to meet with the president at the White House. The University of Minnesota’s 2001 Division I national title team was the first to achieve this honor. The White House meeting was arranged between Augsburg coaches and U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert (RIllinois), the speaker of the House of Representatives and a former wrestler and wrestling coach. Other key people assisting in arranging the Fourteen Augsburg wrestlers and coaches, along with College officials and friends, accepted an invitation to meeting included Manchester the White House in honor of Augsburg’s longtime domination of small-college wrestling with nine national (Ind.) coach Tom Jarman and titles in 15 years. (L to R) President Frame, Joe Moon ’05, Dean Kennedy ’75, Justin Sorensen ’06, Alan Rice, Mike and Bev Chapman, assistant coach Sam Barber, President Bush, Jared Evans ’07, Marcus LeVesseur ’07, Ryan Valek ’06, Brad Tupa founders of the International ’06, Jamell Tidwell ’05, head coach Jeff Swenson ’79, and Mark Matzek ’05. Wrestling Institute and Museum, said Augsburg head importance of that achievement and coach Jeff Swenson ’79. because they were student-athletes at thanked me for mentioning it to him.” Instead of meeting in the Rose Augsburg College, they had this “I was motivated when [Bush] talked Garden, the normal site for team opportunity. They’ll never forget that as about the word ‘leadership’ and the receptions with the president, the long as they live.” qualities he said are necessary to have in meeting was held inside the Oval Office, Team members said the trip was also order to be an effective leader,” junior a rare occurrence. The Auggies met with a special honor for the hundreds of Jared Evans said. “This motivated me, the president for about a half hour, individuals in the past who have helped because as I looked around at my much longer than he normally spends establish Augsburg as a national power in teammates, coaches, President Frame, with teams in these kinds of meetings, small-college wrestling. Dean Kennedy, and thought about White House staff told Swenson. President Bush gave the Augsburg Augsburg wrestling and the Augsburg A total of 14 Augsburg individuals group a tour of the Oval Office and community, I realized I am surrounded made the trip, including head coach discussed a variety of subjects with the by a great number of leaders.” Swenson, assistant coaches Sam Barber team, Swenson said, including history “This experience obviously means a and Scott Whirley, and eight of the 10 and patriotic subjects and sports topics. lot to the whole team, but particularly All-Americans from the 2004-05 national The team presented Bush with an Jeff [Swenson] and the rest of the championship team. President William Augsburg wrestling singlet with “Bush” coaching staff that have been together for Frame also met with President Bush, printed on the back. so long and working for so long to along with team leaders Dean “He admitted that he was not a achieve what they have,” senior Ryan Kennedy ’75 and Alan Rice. wrestler, that his athletic passion is Valek said. “It meant a lot to me to have “To spend time with an active cycling,” Frame said. “[I] told him that that team together one last time. It was president is really an incredible feeling,” the wrestling team was consistently really an incredible experience to be part Swenson said. “For the rest of their lives, [among] the highest-performing of a group like that.” our wrestlers are going to remember that academically. … He acknowledged the 6 Winter 2005-06 Around the Quad Sally Daniels ’79 heads new parent and family relations office by Sara Holman ’06 A ugsburg has created a new office specifically aimed to provide service to the people behind the student—the parents. Most comparable Lutheran colleges, such as Luther or Concordia, have an alumni and parent relations office; however, Augsburg has gone beyond the common model. Augsburg’s Office of Parent and Family Relations is completely devoted to the family. Sally Daniels ’79, the new director of parent and family relations, said, “This position is not a fundraising component, so I can focus on service to the parents. That’s completely in keeping with Augsburg’s mission.” Daniels was asked to inaugurate this position not only because she has 26 years of experience in Augsburg’s undergraduate admissions office, but because she is also an Augsburg alumna and parent. Daniels’ Augsburg experience began in 1975 when she was a first-year student living on the fourth floor in Urness. She graduated in 1979 and eventually married her college sweetheart, Paul Daniels, also a 1979 Augsburg graduate. “Because I am an alum, it comes naturally to say what a cool place this is. I’ve told my Augsburg story many, many times,” Sally Daniels said. Both parents were very excited when their daughter, Kristin, also chose to come to Augsburg. Daniels will draw on this experience, as well as how she is handling being a Sally Daniels ’79 (right) takes her experience as an Augsburg student, former director of admissions, and, now as parent of first-year student Kristin (left) to a new role as director of parent and family relations. first-year college student’s mom, in her new position. This will help her build relationships with three different types of parents—the prospective parent, the current parent, and the parents of alumni. All of these parents have different questions, concerns, and needs as their children work through Augsburg. Daniels said, “I make sure parents and family members have someone to connect with about life at Augsburg, and specifically the life of their kids.” Parents who send their kids off to college for the first time have many questions, like how to deal with “letting go,” or how to handle the new adult who comes home in the summer. Daniels will have personal experience to share. By better caring for Augsburg parents, the College can improve the student’s experience. “Kids born after 1985, the millennium generation, have a close relationship with their parents,” Daniels says. She and her daughter, Kristin, have this type of relationship. “We’ve always been very close. We try to connect somehow each day,” Daniels said. Since Kristin studies at the place where her mother works, it’s easy for them to stay in contact. But, Sally says, “This is her college experience; the fact that she likes me is an extra bonus.” Right now, Daniels is hand-writing letters to all of the first-year parents. Since she worked in the admissions office last year, Daniels says, “I know the students; I’ve read their essays. I admitted them all. I’m hand-writing these notes because I think it’s important.” Daniels works with a parent council; and so far 119 parents have contacted her. Parents who do not live near the Twin Cities are sent minutes from the council meetings. It doesn’t matter where parents live; they can stay connected to Augsburg. Even though Parent and Family Relations has split from the Alumni Relations office, the two directors work closely together. Heidi Breen, the alumni relations director formerly headed both Alumni and Parent Relations, but now is solely in charge of alumni and has an assistant director, Donna Torgeson. “Donna, Heidi, and I have a very open door,” Daniels said. “We all want this new position to be successful.” Sara Holman is a senior English/ communication studies major and an intern in the Public Relations and Communication office. Alumni Relations Heidi Breen, new director of alumni relations, poses at Homecoming with Auggie Eagle. Winter 2005-06 Heidi Breen, who has worked at Augsburg for 19 years in the admissions and alumni relations offices, became director of alumni relations in August. Donna Torgeson, who was administrative assistant in the office, is now assistant director. Amy Sutton, formerly alumni director, is now director of corporate and foundation relations in the Development Office. 7 HOMECOMING 2005 Donald A. Anderson ’60 Janice L. Aune ’88 Donald Mattison ’66 Three honored as Distinguished Alumni by Lynn Mena Three alumni join 166 others as Distinguished Alumni of Augsburg College. Recipients are recognized for significant achievement in vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of Augsburg College. Donald A. Anderson ’60 is a retired two-term Minnesota senator and business owner. He served in the Minnesota State Senate from 1982 to 1990; between 1991 and his retirement in 1995 he also served as assistant to the commissioner of transportation, as deputy chief of staff to Governor Arne Carlson, and in the Department of Transportation-Aeronautics Department. For nearly 20 years, Anderson owned a Red Owl grocery store in Wadena, Minn., before selling to one of his sons in 1984. He graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in business and history. Janice L. Aune ’88 is chairman and CEO of Onvoy, Inc., a Minneapolis-based telecommunications services provider. Since her appointment in 2000, she has led Onvoy to a position of financial growth and has exceeded all financial performance expectations for the privately-held company. Prior to joining Onvoy, Aune served in various executive leadership positions at US West (now Qwest) and ended her 30-year career there as 8 president of the !NTERPRISE division and a senior officer. She graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in business management and finance. Donald Mattison ’66, M.D., is senior adviser to the directors of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Center for Research for Mothers and Children. He also serves as an adjunct professor at both the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. He has served as medical director of the March of Dimes Defects Foundation, and prior to that as dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was also professor of environmental and occupational health, as well as of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive services in the university’s School of Medicine. He graduated from Augsburg in 1966 with a B.A. in chemistry and mathematics. Winter 2005-06 First Decade and Spirit of Augsburg award recipients named by Lynn Mena Augsburg is pleased to announce the 2005 recipients of the First Decade and Spirit of Augsburg awards. The First Decade Award is presented to Augsburg graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and, in so doing, exemplify the mission of the College: to prepare future leaders in service to the world. Graduates from the day, weekend, and graduate programs are eligible. The Spirit of Augsburg Award honors alumni or friends of the College who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well being of Augsburg by furthering its purposes and programs. First Decade Award Spirit of Augsburg Award Aaron Cross ’97 formed his own business, Motivation on Wheels, in which he travels the United States delivering motivational speeches that stress the importance of seeing beyond daily obstacles in order to accomplish goals. Despite his physical challenges (Cross become a paraplegic as a result of a bicycle race crash in high school), he has kept his eye on a variety of targets— both literally and figuratively. He holds 15 national titles in archery, five world titles, and a bronze team medal from the 2004 Greece Para-Olympic games. In addition to archery, Cross is also a skydiver. He graduated from Augsburg in 1997 with a B.A. in communication. Richard J. Thoni is director of Augsburg’s Rochester Program. His exceptional and dedicated service to the College began in 1972 as a parttime instructor in the Department of Psychology and as a counselor in the Center for Student Development. Starting in 1975, he served as associate dean of students, and over the proceeding years he also served as acting vice president of student affairs; director of an extensive, yearlong community outreach project; director of Weekend College; vice president for enrollment management; and vice president for research and development. Thoni is most widely recognized for his leadership and achievement in the establishment of both the Weekend College and Rochester programs. He received his B.A. in English from St. Olaf College, and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. Andry Andriambololona-Jurcich ’98 graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in political science, international relations, and religion. She received her M.A. in intercultural communications from Luther Seminary in 2001. Jurcich is vice-president of Marketing and Company Relations for Invisik Corporation, a Twin Cities-based computer consulting company she co-manages with her husband, Matt Jurcich. Concurrently, she works as a professional non-profit development consultant with various Twin Cities non-profits, and is currently the acting executive director of Jordan New Life Community Development Corporation—a non-profit organization improving the lives of families in North Minneapolis. Jurcich also continues to stay involved with Augsburg as a member of the Pan-Afrikan Center’s Alumni Council, as a mentor with the Scholastic Connections Program, and as the alumni representative on the committee to select the new Augsburg president. Winter 2005-06 The Augsburg Centennial Singers were formed in 1993 to honor the 100th anniversary of the Augsburg Gospel Quartets. Since its formation, the Augsburg Centennial Singers have furthered the quartet’s mission to spread the Lutheran faith and the name and mission of Augsburg. Under the current direction of Al Reesnes ’58 (who took over after the original director, Dr. Merton Strommen ’42, retired) and assistant director Paul Christensen ’59, the group—which consists mainly of Augsburg alumni—are true ambassadors of Augsburg, performing across the United States and around the world. 9 PUTTING a FRESH ‘FACE’ on A U G S B U R G B Y 10 L Y N N M E N A P H O T O S B Y S T E P H E N G E F F R E Winter 2005-06 W hat began as a class project three years ago came full circle at this year’s Homecoming, where visitors were introduced to Augsburg’s newest “member.” The newly unveiled Auggie Eagle logo could be spotted all over campus—on team helmets and cheerleader uniforms; on sweatshirts, T-shirts, and baseball caps; on the balloons and decorations that dressed up various events; on students’ faces as temporary tattoos; and even on the gymnasium floor as an illuminated hologram. “The College is pleased to present its new athletics logo, and even more pleased to announce that its creator is one of our own—Class of 2003 alumnus Samuel J. Gross,” says Ann Garvey, dean of students. “The logo further establishes Augsburg’s identity and serves as a graphic component to the Auggie Eagle mascot that was introduced at Homecoming in 2002.” The logo first took shape a few years ago when the Office of Public Relations and Communication partnered with John McCaffrey, assistant professor of art. McCaffrey’s graphic design students were challenged to design an athletics logo for their final project. While the entire class created a wide range of exceptional designs, Gross’ logo was a strong favorite, and this year the College officially signed contracts to acquire it from Gross as its new athletics and merchandising logo. “Sam demonstrated that he was creative, dedicated, and driven by a purpose from his very first assignments in my Graphic Design class,” says McCaffrey, reflecting upon Gross. “Sam delivered excellent work that was always in excess of any project requirements. It immediately became apparent that he would succeed in the design field. He Winter 2005-06 dedicated himself to learning all that he could ensuring his future career direction.” Staff members in the public relations department were also impressed with Gross’ work, and quickly recruited him to work as a student graphic designer during his senior year. There he created designs for letterhead, flyers, greeting cards, brochures, and magazines. After he received his B.A. in studio art, he stayed on in the public relations department for the summer, and shortly thereafter landed his first full-time job as the graphic design and production coordinator at Sons of Norway in Minneapolis. Today, Gross serves as a graphic designer and production coordinator for TQ3Navigant Performance Group in Minneapolis, a division of Denver-based Navigant International, where he produces original marketing graphics, designing creative pre-trip travel packages for large corporate industries such as Best Buy, ING, T-Mobile, and Qwest. In addition, Gross is building a successful freelance business, 144design, creating works in traditional studio pieces as well as digital media, including digital retouching of photographs, custom logo design, illustration, and various print related materials. “The birth of 144design was inspired by a mentor and lifelong friend, my father,” writes Gross on his Web site, <www.invisik.com/144design/artist2.html>. “Born in rural Minnesota in 1980, the influence of art began in the earliest stages of my life,” continues Gross. “Impacted by those around me, I began my own pursuit of knowledge in the continually changing art and design world. “Two and a half decades into my life I am still chasing this aspiration of achieving artistic prominence in this transforming world.” This year, Gross designed logo and stationery pieces for expansion NAHL hockey team the North Iowa Outlaws, and is currently working on other expansion team logos. In July he designed the book cover for Daniel Boone and the Defeat at Blue Licks, written by Neal O. Hammon. Gross is also an accomplished painter, whose work was recently purchased by the Springfield Public Library in Minnesota for their permanent collection. His oils and photography have twice placed third in the annual Five County Juried Art Show in Minnesota. Gross, a former Auggie football and baseball player, has particularly enjoyed athletic logo design, and is pleased that his alma mater has chosen to use his work. “It’s really exciting and interesting to see my design carried out in so many different ways—on the uniforms, on the line of sweatshirts,” says Gross. “Plus, it’s great to give back as an alum.” ■ 11 Jeroy Carlson ’48 ‘MR. AUGSBURG’ by Sara Holman ’06 Jeroy Carlson ’48 has spent over 60 years on the Augsburg campus as a student, volunteer, alumni director, and development officer. Here, he sits in Old Main 17, which was Augsburg’s chapel and is now the art studio. AUGSBURG COLLEGE pastor Dave Wold paused, “Mr. Augsburg … well, I don’t know where the name got started. Everyone just refers to him as that. Anyone who mentions Jeroy always says ‘Jeroy from Augsburg.’” Why is Jeroy Carlson Mr. Augsburg? Really, the question doesn’t need to be asked. He just is. Carlson embodies everything that is Augsburg—from knowing its history to sharing its faith. “Jeroy’s commitment and love for Augsburg is pretty clear,” Wold said. “No one can be identified with Augsburg as much as Jeroy can. He has a network of friends I’ve never seen before.” Carlson has spent the last 42 years serving Augsburg, first as Augsburg’s alumni director and then as senior development officer. He has connected with hundreds of people through Augsburg and has been able to raise millions of dollars to help build the chapel, library, fitness center, football field, and theater (to name just a few). Carlson’s efforts can be seen all over campus, though he is quick to 12 protest, “I just ask for support. It’s really about what the donors have done for this college.” Being 82 years old, Carlson has spent the better part of his life on campus, not to mention the years he spent as a student. What would inspire someone to become so dedicated to a place? “I’m not here because of myself. I’m here because of the people who have given their lives to this place. I don’t want them to be forgotten. I’ve developed a purpose for living from their caring about me. Charles Anderson, Gerda Mortensen, Bernhard Christensen, Phil Quanbeck Sr., Joel Torstenson, Paul Sonnack, Dave Wold—these people have been my friends,” Carlson said. Carlson took his first step onto Augsburg soil in 1940. His high school basketball team had come to challenge Augsburg’s junior varsity team. Fortunately, Augsburg’s embarrassing loss didn’t keep him from applying to the College two years later. After spending one year on campus, Carlson enlisted in the Navy. On Monday, Dec. 10, 1945, Carlson was released, and the following Thursday he registered for classes. That Saturday he played for Augsburg’s basketball team. Carlson laughs as he recalls this memory. “I hadn’t even taken a class, but the coach needed me.” Sports have always been a passion for Carlson. He played baseball, basketball, and football while he attended Augsburg and was part of four MIAC championship teams. After graduating, Carlson spent 15 years teaching and coaching. During this time, he became part of the Augsburg Alumni Board and wrote an article titled “Why is Being a Christian Important?” for a Christian magazine that most alumni received. When the alumni director position became open, Carlson didn’t even have to apply. “Two people just asked me if I wanted to do it. It was the best move I’ve ever made.” In honor of his service, the alumni office was dedicated in 1991 as the Jeroy C. Carlson Alumni Center. While working at Augsburg, Carlson was able to stay active in the Athletic Alumni Association (the A-Club) and Winter 2005-06 also helped establish the Athletic Hall of Fame. He can still remember when the A-Club started. It was 1937, and the athletes wanted an honor banquet. Four people took it upon themselves to raise the money—a difficult task during the Depression years. They put on skits like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and charged 10 cents a person. Times were very different during Carlson’s student years. His tuition was $50 a semester, so he worked in the dining room, which was on the lower level of Memorial Hall. He worked with 18 other people, 16 of whom were in the choir. A lot of singing was done in the kitchen, and this was a treat for Carlson, since he wasn’t able to participate in both music and sports. By working five hours, Carlson was able to pay for his Winter 2005-06 Archive photo Archive photo In the 1948 Augsburgian, Jeroy Carlson ’48 was called a “standout player” on the 1947 basketball team, and he was selected for an all-state second team. Carlson (left), along with teammates Kenneth Walsh (center) and Al Mateyko (right), celebrate the Auggies’ 1947 baseball conference championship. room for one week—55 cents an hour went a long way back then. One not so pleasant memory Carlson recalls from the dining hall was dropping a tray on [dean of women] Gerda Mortensen. “I was lucky I didn’t get expelled,” he said. “Gerda knew it was an accident. Mortensen was a woman you never forget.” Carlson also went to school with Jim Lindell, for whose family Lindell Library was named in 1997. Lindell and Carlson both completed their first year at Augsburg together, and then each joined the Navy. However, upon returning to the Twin Cities, Lindell found he needed to transfer colleges because Augsburg didn’t offer a business degree. He enrolled across the river at the university but never forgot the best friends he made at Augsburg. Carlson has been fortunate in his long tenure at Augsburg to get to know the people behind the great names on campus. While it’s easy for students to grumble about tuition costs and for alumni to feel continually asked for donations, it’s the dedication of the people for whom Augsburg means so much—the people who work here and the people who learn here—that makes the difference. Carlson understands all of this. It’s why he has stayed so long. “After all these years, the attitude here is still the same. What I believe is here, and what’s happening at Augsburg is important.” ■ Sara Holman is a senior English/ communication studies major and an intern in the Public Relations and Communication office. 13 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS i n c r e a s i n g h e a l t h c a r e a c c e s s by Cynthia Hill photos by Stephen Geffre When Rob Carlson turned 40, he turned a career corner as well. He left the propane gas business to enroll in Augsburg’s very first class in the Physician Assistant (PA) program. Today, Carlson maintains a busy schedule treating recent immigrants and refugees at the Regions Center for International Health in St. Paul. He also sees patients at the Regions HIV Clinic and St. Paul Ramsey Public Health tuberculosis clinic. Jackie Osterhaus was also in Augsburg’s first class of PA students. She had worked as a laboratory technician and a clinical assistant, but wanted more out of a healthcare career. Yet with two small children, becoming a PA made Winter 2005-06 more sense than medical school. Osterhaus now handles a full caseload of patients in Belgrade, a tiny Minnesota town some 100 miles west of the Twin Cities. The Belgrade clinic is a satellite of the Paynesville Area Health Care System, which employs five PAs, a nurse practitioner, and seven physicians. Carlson and Osterhaus are among more than 170 graduates of Augsburg’s PA program since it was launched as Minnesota’s only PA preparation program in 1995. From rural towns to urban centers, these well-trained healthcare practitioners are living out the program’s mission of increasing healthcare access to underserved communities in Minnesota. What is a physician assistant? Physician assistants are not doctors, but they can do many things a doctor does, including seeing their own patients, making diagnoses, doing minor surgery, writing prescriptions, and ordering tests. “But here’s the caveat: we can’t do it on our own,” said Dawn Ludwig, director of Augsburg’s program who is a PA herself. “PAs are team providers who work under the supervision of a licensed physician. We can’t open our own practice.” That doesn’t mean the supervising physician is always in the next room. For example, Jackie Osterhaus staffs the Belgrade clinic four days a week, along with a nurse and laboratory technician, but without a physician on site. A physician from the Paynesville clinic 10 miles away provides regular telephone supervision and chart review to Osterhaus’s cases. “It’s definitely a team effort with ongoing communication and interaction with the supervising physician, but as a PA, I am ultimately responsible for my patients,” said Ludwig, who was named Minnesota Physician Assistant of the Year in 2002 by the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants. Because of the similar roles, it’s not uncommon for patients to be confused, said May Mua, an Augsburg graduate who also practices at the Regions Center for International Health. “My patients—primarily Hmong, Somalis, and recent immigrants from other countries who may never have had access to health care before—often call me ‘Dr. Mua,’” she said. “I’m always correcting them but it’s hard to get across the idea of the difference because they see me regularly for their care.” 15 A response to the healthcare shortage The physician assistant career is a relatively recent addition to the healthcare team, growing out of the Vietnam era when highly skilled medics returned from military service, Ludwig said. “At the time, we were seeing a shortage of physicians around the country and needed a new source of caregivers,” she said. To help fill the need, Duke University created the first formal physician assistant program in 1965. In the early ’90s, Augsburg was approached by the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants and asked to consider starting a physician assistant training program for the state. “People were going to other states for training and not returning to practice in Minnesota,” she said. “Augsburg’s mission of community and world service was right in line with the concept of physician assistants providing health care to underserved areas.” Initially offered as a two-year, postbachelor’s certificate, Augsburg’s program drew immediate interest, especially among people seeking a career change. “That first informational meeting at Augsburg was standing room only. There must have been 600 people there,” recalls Rob Carlson. Over 10 years, admission to the program, now offered as a three-year master’s degree, has remained highly competitive, reflecting Augsburg’s reputation and strong track record. This year’s class of 28 was culled from more than 140 applications. One thing that has changed is average age of applicants—from 34 at the outset to 27 currently, Ludwig said. “At first, the appeal was mainly to 16 folks already in some aspect of health care—nurses, laboratory assistants, emergency medical technicians, etc. But it is definitely becoming a first-career option for those looking for a career in medicine.” Cases in point: second-year PA students Kari Badali and Jodi Winters, both 2004 Augsburg bachelor’s degree graduates. “Before coming to Augsburg as an undergraduate, I read a magazine that listed a physician assistant as one of the top ten careers for women. I was interested in the medical field but not sure which direction to go. I researched schools offering a PA program and Augsburg was the only one in Minnesota,” said Badali ’04, a biology major. Winters, a biology and chemistry double major, added, “The reputation of the Augsburg program is what finally helped me make my decision.” High expectations, high performance Augsburg’s program is known for its academic rigor, in-depth clinical training, and track record of well-prepared graduates. Consider these indicators: • 100% pass rate on national certification examinations since the program’s inception. • Scores on the national certification examinations have never been below the 90th percentile (the Classes of 2001 and 2004 both ranked in the 99th percentile). • In recent years, every PA graduate has been employed within six months of graduation, 85% of them in Minnesota. Winter 2005-06 These successes grow out of high expectations and a demanding educational program that moves from a foundation of classroom study into direct clinical experience. In the first phase, students are on campus in courses in human gross anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical exam skills, research, and ethics and legal medicine. An orientation to the program’s mission of reaching the underserved is woven throughout this phase in courses on special populations and in annual service-learning projects. The clinical phase is next, structured much like a physician’s internship. Taught by physicians and supplemented by physician assistants and other healthcare providers, students progress through seven required rotations and one elective, each six weeks long, in healthcare facilities across the state. At least one rotation is required to be outside of the metropolitan area, in keeping with the program’s mission of addressing healthcare gaps across the state. Twin Cities native Debbie Maas did rotations in Deer River, Minn., a small community west of Grand Rapids. After graduation last year, she accepted a job at the Deer River clinic. About 25% of Augsburg graduates practice in rural communities and greater Minnesota. “I found I really liked the variety in a smaller clinic. There was great camaraderie with the physicians, and I learned so much,” she said. “This is truly family practice medicine. We see everything from OB-GYN to geriatrics.” The final component is a 12-week preceptorship—an intensive clinical experience required by only a few other PA programs. “This is the last piece of their education that ties everything together and solidifies all they’ve learned,” said Ludwig. “It gets them ready to go out and practice.” The personal touch Core to the Augsburg PA training is an emphasis on treating patients as individuals, not diseases. “We look for students who are able to handle a tough and rigorous program but who are also able to connect with patients on a personal level,” Ludwig said. “Physician assistants should be good at JACKIE OSTERHAUS (p. 14) graduated in Augsburg’s first class of physician assistants and enjoys the variety of patient care she gives in her work at the Paynesville Area Health Care System clinic in Belgrade, Minn. ROB CARLSON (left) and MAY MUA (p.16) are two of the three Augsburg graduates who are physician assistants at Regions Hospital’s Center for International Health. Second-year PA student CHENTEL DANGERUD (above) discusses health issues with a resident at the Danebo Home in Minneapolis during a health and wellness fair specifically for seniors. Winter 2005-06 listening and building trust with their patients.” Patricia Walker, M.D., director of the Regions Hospital Center for International Health, considers the clinic’s three physician assistants, all Augsburg graduates, “an absolutely vital part of our provider team.” “They are so talented that they are working at the level of other providers in our group on a daily basis, and rarely ask questions of the physicians. That being said, they also know when to consult us on difficult cases,” Walker said. “They provide outstanding clinical care and are very kind and compassionate.” In the future, demand for physician assistants is likely to continue to grow, according to Rodney McFadden, M.D., a physician with Internal Medicine and Geriatric Associates in Minneapolis and a preceptor of Augsburg PA students on rotation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. “Medical schools are producing about the same number of doctors each year, so as the population gets older, we will need more healthcare providers,” said McFadden. “Physician assistants play an important role and I see them becoming even more common to meet growing healthcare needs in our society.” ■ Cynthia Hill is a freelance writer in St. Paul who frequently writes about Augsburg College. 17 A C H A N C E T O S K AT E BY DON STONER The scene is like any other in hockeycrazed Minnesota on a weekday evening. A cacophony of noise inside a cold indoor ice arena. Young kids, some maybe just a few months from putting skates on for the first time in their lives, are learning the fundamentals of hockey. Coaches strain to be heard above the din. On one half of the rink, an older group has the ice. On the other, Janet Marvin and a couple of assistant coaches are working with girls ages 10 and under. Marvin yells encouragement to her young charges. “I want two hands on your stick all the time.” “When you find it, look up for your teammate and pass it to her stick.” “Good job, excellent! Nice job!” You look at the faces inside the masks, and that’s where you notice the difference. Most of the girls aren’t typical Minnesota hockey players. Most are Hmong, some are African-American, some are white. But if it weren’t for Marvin, it’s likely that none of them would be on the ice this night—or any night, for that matter. For the past seven years, Marvin, a 1986 Augsburg graduate, has been volunteering with young girls on the north and northeast neighborhoods of Minneapolis with the Edison youth hockey program. Along with her sister and a devoted group of volunteer women coaches, they have provided opportunities for young girls who wouldn’t otherwise have discovered the sport. For Marvin, it’s an extension of a family tradition to provide hockey opportunities to others. Her father, Cal, was a legend in hockey in the Upper Midwest. A U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer, he helped to start the men’s hockey program at the University of North Dakota, coached the U.S. national team in 1958, and founded and coached one of the most successful amateur hockey teams in American history, the Warroad Lakers. He helped to establish Warroad, a small town near the Canadian border in northwestern Minnesota, as a place synonymous with hockey. 18 “My dad did it for young men. He let young men play for over 50 years, and he had over 900 young guys that got to skate for him,” Marvin said. “What he did for the guys is what my sister and I are trying to do for young girls who want to play hockey. It doesn’t matter where they’re from, or what color they are, or what background they come from. If they want to play, we’ll get them equipment, we’ll find them a place to play, we’ll make sure they have transportation and make sure their fees are paid.” One of 12 children in the Marvin family, Janet Marvin grew up around hockey. “We grew up at the rink,” she said. “We folded programs, we cleaned the rink, we worked in the concession stands, we sold tickets. We did whatever we could do, because we wanted to be up there at the rink with Dad and the rest of the community. That’s what you did in Warroad. You were at the hockey rink.” She and her sister played hockey in their early years, but as they grew older, there were fewer opportunities for young women to play hockey in northern Minnesota. So she played basketball instead, eventually playing two seasons of junior college basketball and a season at the University of St. Thomas, before transferring to Augsburg for her senior season, 1985-86. She earned a degree in education from Augsburg and eventually worked for the Minneapolis public schools for 15 years. But hockey remained a major part of her life. She played competitively on adult teams for more than a decade, and also worked as a volunteer assistant coach on teams with her friend, Sue Ring-Jarvi. Marvin also served as an adult mentor for young kids in northeast Minneapolis, including youngsters who wanted to play hockey for Edison’s youth program. She eventually got involved with coaching at Edison, and helped to start the Edison girls’ youth program. Along the way, Marvin and her sister began bring out the best of their potential. … But her work with the hockey incorporating more young Hmong girls You can see how these coaches put their program doesn’t end there. The coaches from the neighborhood into the program. whole lives into coaching these kids. It organize year-round experiences for the “Because there weren’t enough kids makes all the work worth it.” girls, in order to keep them active and coming out, I started recruiting Hmong Since many family incomes may not together as a group. They’ve had camping girls. My sister and I are involved in the be able to support the expenses for their trips, barbeques, and trips to team Hmong community in mentoring kids and children to play, Marvin often dips into coaches’ cabins in northern Minnesota to getting kids involved,” she said. “It’s been her own pocket to pay for equipment, go skiing. a focus point for us to bring them into the uniforms, and supplies. “My parents gave us all the program and give them an opportunity to A shed in Marvin’s yard is full of opportunities. If you wanted to play, play. skate. But when we coach at Edison, we hockey equipment that she has either They wanted you to be involved,” Marvin coach anyone who wants to play said. “There’s so many kids who and who lives on the north side don’t have that opportunity, and I or northeast.” think that’s what my sister and I The program started from are trying to provide. We give one small team seven years ago them an opportunity.” to nearly 50 girls on teams for Last summer, Marvin and ages 10-under, 12-under, and fellow Augsburg alumnus John 14-under. This year, Edison has Evans ’82 received grant money two teams, with Janet Marvin from City Kids Inc., a north coaching the 10-under team and Minneapolis program, to provide Robin Marvin coaching the 12hockey instruction for north-side under team, along with a faithful children. About 30 kids took part group of volunteer assistants. in the summer-long program, “It’s an all-female staff, and portions of which were held at not one coach has anybody the Augsburg Ice Arena. Several involved with the program, Augsburg student-athletes which is very unique,” Marvin assisted Marvin in coaching said. “When you go to other during the summer program. associations, it’s always a dad or “The kids love the attention, a brother or an uncle who is and when the college kids came coaching the kids because there’s Janet Marvin ’86 plays less hockey these days so she can concentrate on the ice, I think it was a match on coaching. She makes it possible for girls like these at the Edison a connection. … We just have right away,” Marvin said. “The Youth Hockey Civic Arena in Northeast Minneapolis to learn hockey. females who want to come in kids know that when they come and coach. We’ve skated with to the rink, there’s going to be them in the women’s hockey associations, purchased or had donated to her by someone there that’s going to say ‘Hi’ to and they want to come in and give back. friends. It’s available for her players to them, ‘How are you doing,’ ‘You’re doing They see this program and they see that pick from. She often provides a good job,’ and giving them positive these kids need it, these kids want it, and transportation for team members to and feedback. That’s what these kids need.” these kids absorb it.” from practices and games in her van. Coaching has become a major part of The devotion that Marvin and the “Last year, my mom bought the whole Marvin’s life, so much so that she now other coaches have makes them positive 12-under team a brand new stick for plays less hockey herself in order to role models for the children they are Christmas. That was the first time our concentrate on coaching. coaching, said Marta Kurak ’98, a parent kids that we register had a brand new “The kids like it. They want to go to of two girls who have played hockey on stick,” she said. the rink. They want to play,” she said. Marvin’s Edison teams. Kurak now serves Marvin figures that she puts in 25 or “You see them skating around the rink as a manager for the 12-under team. more hours per week into the Edison and they have smiles on their faces. They “[The coaches] bring an energy to the hockey program, on a strictly volunteer might fall down or get a little hurt, but program. They are always positive and basis. She now also works for Ring-Jarvi’s they get up and they’re like, ‘OK, let’s go never say anything negative. They always sportswear business, in addition to again.’ They just want to be at the rink. … look for the positives in the girls,” Kurak working for a local flower shop. My heart’s really into coaching and said. “[Marvin] works with every kid to working with the kids.” ■ Winter 2005-06 19 Faith City in the Faith BY BETSEY NORGARD PHOTOS BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Envisioning a renewed public calling for the well-being of the city and its people In a twist on the realtor’s three magic words, the Faith in the City initiative might be described as “location, location, vocation.” This distinctive collaboration brings together seven urban-focused Lutheran institutions in Minneapolis and St. Paul. All of them are committed to improving the quality of life in their community and they all center their work around Lutheran ideas of vocation. They share a belief that more can be accomplished when people and organizations work together and when they share their particular expertise toward common goals. It’s a diverse group—Augsburg College, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Central Lutheran Church, Fairview Health Services, Luther Seminary, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans— 20 whose members contribute their expertise across the areas of health, education, social services, finance, publishing, and service in faith. The two synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Minneapolis and St. Paul are partners in the collaboration. After several years of informal discussions among the CEOs, a formal collective was launched in 2002 that draws its calling from a passage in the book of Jeremiah, “Seek the welfare of the city … for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” The collaborative seeks to renew that same concern to care for each other in the community that motivated the founding of their institutions a century or more ago. And, today, they are again finding some of the greatest community needs among recent immigrants. “[Faith in the City] has set before Lutheran institutions across the land a model which illustrates service leadership,” says President William Frame. “The CEOs became interested in Luther’s idea of vocation as a vehicle to draw their constituents out into the world in service and in collaboration.” They were encouraged by the extent of common purpose and overlap in their missions. Tom Morgan, Augsburg’s vice president for planning and market development, speaks of Augsburg’s perspective: “It’s a way for us to more deeply express and live out our commitment to the city, to service, and to strengthen and demonstrate our connection to the church.” Ci Winter 2005-06 Community initiatives Faith in the City serves as a catalyst for collaboration among people, neighborhoods, congregations, and others, primarily in the areas of health, education, and neighborhood. Each initiative has two or three member organization sponsors and appropriate strategic partners. Initiatives specific to Augsburg are: Augsburg Academy for Health Careers—Augsburg, together with Fairview Health Services, developed the first proposal to Faith in the City. Responding to the shortage of healthcare professionals, especially within increasingly diverse communities, a charter school was proposed, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to prepare students for careers and vocations in health care. The Augsburg Academy for Health Careers opened this fall with 61 students, a majority from diverse backgrounds, in grades 9, 10 and 11, with grade 12 to begin next year. Lutheran College House—A second initiative spearheaded by Augsburg, together with Luther Seminary, is the Lutheran College House, proposed for summer 2006. Students from six partner Lutheran colleges will live for a semester in the Phillips neighborhood to explore vocation, service opportunities, and leadership development. Augsburg/Central Nursing Center—Augsburg’s 10-year-old free nursing center at Central Lutheran Church that serves neighborhood residents at no cost was incorporated into the Faith in the City initiatives. Hands-on learning for health careers by Judy Petree Jasmine Smith, a junior, and one of 61 students at the new Augsburg Academy for Health Careers, travels from Maple Grove across the city everyday. She enrolled at the academy to pursue a career in the health field, particularly forensic science or neurology. In addition to her interest in the CSI television shows, she said she chose the academy for its small class sizes and the ability to work one-on-one with instructors. She recently interviewed for an internship at Fairview in the nursing department. Students at the academy are paired with Fairview health professionals as mentors. Together they explore the student’s talents and interests as related to vocations in the health field. Students use Fairview as a hands-on learning laboratory; they also take field trips to Mayo Clinic, and visit emergency care centers, hospitals, clinics, and science-related businesses and industries. All students receive training to become certified as emergency medical technicians, first responders, and/or certified nursing assistants. This will help them find employment during summers and after graduation. Mark Youngstrom, director of Augsburg Academy, is a former state education department specialist in English education and co-founder of the Perpich Center for the Arts in Golden Valley. “The primary purpose [of the academy] is to provide immigrant students and students of color with a solid academic education that enables them to advance in the educational system,” he said. “In addition, hospitals and healthcare facilities of all kinds are treating increasing numbers of patients from immigrant communities and communities of color, and they need employees who speak their languages and understand their cultures.” Youngstrom concludes, “Our ultimate hope is to raise the sights of our students so they can plan a future for themselves that includes higher education and a professional career.” Other initiatives include: The Wellness Connection—With the help of several neighborhood organizations and congregations, this center responds to Somali immigrants’ health needs, promotes healthy lifestyles, and connects them with appropriate medical providers. ty Personal Finance Center—Begun as a tax service for lowincome residents, this center has grown to offer a wide range of financial literacy tools for banking, home ownership, borrowing money, etc. Phillips Neighborhood Park, Library, and School—Faith in the City provides financial resources and volunteer service to help sustain these sites as vibrant neighborhood centers. Above left: Tom Morgan (left), Augsburg’s representative on the steering committee, and Jeri Nelsen (right), executive director, are finding that the Faith in the City Lutheran collaborative is an effective model for responding to community needs. Winter 2005-06 Jasmine Smith (right) and Ophelia Mensah (left) enjoy the small classes and one-on-one mentoring at the Augsburg Academy for Health Careers. 21 Leadership conference—Two annual conferences have brought together downtown faith and business leaders for discussion and mutual collaboration around faith and work. Leadership initiative—-For the second year, a program nurtures emerging leaders at member organizations through ongoing discussions of vocation and faith. The next steps Faith in the City is proving that greater good can come about through working together in collaboration than by individual organizations working in isolation. In a commentary written for the Star Tribune last year, Thrivent president and CEO Bruce Nicholson described Faith in the City’s process as “mission-based collaboration, an ideal model for holistically addressing pressing community needs.” Moving forward, the collaborative continues to seek strategic partners for specific initiatives as well as to engage Lutheran congregations in outreach to urban needs. Perhaps nowhere else in the nation could such an integrated community collaboration take place, and Faith in the City is beginning to garner attention. Tapped for leadership by Betsey Norgard 22 Executive director Jeri Nelsen, Morgan, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota CEO Mark Peterson presented Faith in the City at the national meeting of Lutheran Services in America (LSA) in April. The collaborative has also garnered significant attention from Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak. Nelsen says that Rybak sees Faith in the City as a model for collaboration with great potential for improving community well-being. Frame believes that Faith in the City has proven that, even within a highly competitive arena, nonprofits can combine resources to carry out their work more effectively. ■ Last fall Julie Olson ’90, ’04 MAL, dean of enrollment management, was part of the first “class” of Faith in the City’s Leadership Development Institute. Over several day-long sessions, the group participated in presentations and discussions on leadership, read books, and listened to the CEOs of Faith in the City member organizations talk about their own vocational paths—all woven around the concept of servant leadership. This first group bonded with each other to the extent that they couldn’t let go when the formal series ended. They continue to gather periodically for conversation, even as the second “class” of the institute has begun. The leadership initiative came about as member organizations felt a need to be better prepared for their next phase of growth. Olson says the program is about identifying emerging leaders within the organizations, and helping them discern their vocation—i.e., helping them feel “tapped,” or hear the call of an inner voice. In addition to getting to know their Faith in the City colleagues, participants gain valuable insight into their organizations—how they’re structured, issues they face, what’s ahead for them, and how they respond to their constituencies. The member organizations share a common Lutheran background, but some—Fairview, for example-—are less overt in their Lutheran heritage than others. Olson says that if you look at how they treat their employees, their staff and leadership development programs, and their missions, it’s all there. It may not be called Lutheran, or even Christian, but the organization effectively puts action behind their values in the model of servant leadership. “By the end, everyone was more comfortable with identifying themselves from a Lutheran organization and recognizing what’s special about that,” Olson said. “This is something that’s essential to our identity, and we mutually reinforced that with each other.” While this is the only “inward” initiative of Faith in the City, Olson says the leadership institute is about “building the strengths of the individual organizations to enable them to better serve their larger communities.” In this second year, a coaching component was added to the initiative, and Olson is one of two from the first group who will be coaching members of the second group. “It’s an honor to be asked and identified as an emerging leader,” she said. “Now I have the responsibility to carry out that gift.” Winter 2005-06 Scholarship brunch honors donors and students On Nov. 20, the Scholarship and Donor Brunch was the place where more than 170 Augsburg donors were honored for their generosity and commitment to Augsburg College. Scholarship donors, Heritage Society donors who have estate plans that include Augsburg, and Maroon & Silver Society donors, who give annual support at the leadership level for Augsburg scholarships, were all thanked. It was also the place where 100 students had the opportunity to meet the families behind the scholarships they've received. Student body president Paul Cumings, speaking on behalf of students, told the donors, “You give; it’s not required, but I’m here to tell you it’s appreciated.” Philip Rowberg Sr. ’41 had not been on campus since 1948. He recently endowed a scholarship in memory of his wife, Betty, who died last year. “I decided to fund a scholarship in appreciation of Philip Rowberg Sr. ’41 (left) recently endowed a scholarship in memory of his wife, Betty. At the brunch he met the scholarship’s first recipient, Evan Holmes ’06 (right). Winter 2005-06 the education I received here,” Rowberg said. “Nothing is more important than investing in the education of our young people.” The Philip and Helen Taylor Rowberg Scholarship gives preference to a student from rural Minnesota. Rowberg and his son, Philip Jr., were able to meet its first recipient, Evan Holmes ’06, from Janesville, Minn. Among other donors at the reception were the Rev. Orville ’52 and Yvonne (Bagley) ’52 Olson, and their son Jonathan. In 1993, the Olsons established a scholarship in memory of another son, Timothy, and in recognition of his devotion to Jonathan. “The scholarship is in honor of son Timothy. Our other son, Jonathan, has a disability, so we made our scholarship available to students in college who have special needs or are going into the field of special education. Nicky Cronin ’08, the recipient of the Olson scholarship, is a special education major in emotional/behavioral and learning disabilities. “Our giving has been out of profound gratitude to Augsburg for the many blessings we received as college students and over the years,” said Yvonne Olson. “I personally am one of 11 siblings, and eight of us have attended Augsburg. My husband and I graduated in the same class, and our daughter, Beth (Olson), and her husband, Scott Bouman, both graduated in the Class of 1977. That’s our connection to Augsburg.” “‘Tak for alt’—we noticed this saying on a lot of gravestones around Scandinavia,” Olson continued. “This saying is important to our family. It’s a symbol of gratitude and means ‘thanks for everything.’ ” The Rev. Orville Olson ’52 and his wife, Yvonne (Bagley) ’52 Olson created a scholarship in memory of their son Timothy and his devotion to brother Jonathan (center). They enjoyed meeting this year’s recipient, Nicole Cronin ’08 (back center). 23 Roarin’ and soarin’ to the finish at Si Melby At Homecoming 2005, hundreds of alumni, students, fans, friends, and even prospective students celebrated and cheered for the campaign to expand Si Melby Hall with a new south wing addition. It was a celebration of Auggie athletics past, present, and future. Emcee Tim McNiff, from KARE-11 TV, introduced coaches and athletic teams, fired up the crowd with achievements and successes of Augsburg’s athletic program, and extolled the benefits of the new south wing. A virtual video tour took the crowd through the proposed 27,000 new square feet that includes expanded classroom space, a fitness center, training areas, and more. The project was explained in depth by Jeff Swenson ’79, head wrestling coach and assistant dean for athletics, and regent and campaign co-chair Mike Freeman. The video also featured testimonials from current and former student-athletes and administrators. The Si Melby completion team, led by Freeman, has rallied volunteers to work with them to make sure that all Augsburg athletes and friends have opportunities to help Augsburg reach the goal. The team includes Dan Anderson ’65, Rich Colvin ’74, Mike Good ’71, Jane Helmke ’83, and Glen Person ’47. Staff support to the team includes Swenson and Development Office staff: Jeroy Carlson ’48, Jack Osberg ’62, Ron Main ’56, and Donna McLean. Momentum continues to grow as the team pushes toward the final goal, enjoying additional volunteer support from Bob Strommen ’74, “Butch” Raymond ’63, Rick Ekstrand ’72, Dave Andell ’71, Bob Martin ’71, Bruce Brekke ’70, and Erv Inniger. Each sport is also gathering alumni support to help complete the project so that Student-athletes cheered as coaches, teams, and alumni spoke at the athletic celebration. 24 Winter 2005-06 groundbreaking can occur as soon as possible. Augsburg is especially grateful to Alan Rice for making the first lead gift in the amount of $1 million and to Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy for the largest lead gift of $2 million, in addition to several others whose gifts helped kick off the campaign for the new south wing. For additional information on the Si Melby south wing addition, or to make a gift, go to <www.augsburg.edu/ campaign/athletic>, or call the Development Office at 612-338-0002 or 1-800-273-0617. The new South Wing will include spaces already named in honor of the following: Doc Johnson A-Club office Lavonne (Johnson) Peterson ’50 Hospitality and Conference Room and patio Luther (Lute) Olson ’56 Hall of Champions Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg Student Study and Computer Room “Gamma House” Hospitality Lounge and Classroom overlooking Nelson Field Rolf Erickson Hospitality Lounge and Classroom overlooking Nelson Field Many exciting opportunities remain to create a legacy in someone’s name for the new south wing. Contact Donna McLean at 612-338-4826 or <mclean@augsburg.edu> for further information. Winter 2005-06 Jeff Swenson ’79 (left), head wrestling coach and assistant dean, and Mike Freeman, Augsburg regent and campaign co-chair, kept the crowd fired up about Auggie athletic successes and the progress toward the new south wing of Si Melby Hall. Faculty and Staff Make It Happen Faculty and staff launched a campaign in September to increase giving to the Access to Excellence campaign among Augsburg employees. The goal of the faculty-staff campaign was to significantly increase the participation rate of giving from within the Augsburg community—a critical factor to funding agencies when reviewing grant proposals from the College. At the end of last fiscal year in May, the overall participation rate among the more than 800 faculty and staff employed by the College was 22%. As of Nov. 10, with more than half the current fiscal year remaining, that figure has risen to 29%. An even greater indicator of commitment to the campaign goals from within the College is the giving rate among full-time faculty and staff, and staff who work more than 50% of the time. As of Nov. 10, full-time faculty giving rose to 54%, while the rate among full- and nearly-full-time staff was at 41%. First-time givers and those who increased their current gifts were eligible for a full match from a special fund established by a group of faculty emeriti, faculty, and staff whose generosity enabled even small gifts to grow in size. In addition, new and increased gifts from members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans were also eligible for a 50% match from that organization. 25 AAlumni LUMNINews NEWS From the director of Alumni Relations… G reetings! As the new director of Alumni Relations, it is a great pleasure for me to have the continued opportunity to work with Augsburg’s alumni and our many Augsburg friends. In addition to myself, Donna Torgeson currently serves as assistant director of our newly re-structured Office of Alumni Relations. Donna finds herself busy working with the Class Agents, the Augsburg Associates, and also coordinating with the alumni group traveling to China this spring. You may have also worked with her on your reunion group this past year. I have been at Augsburg since 1986, when I began working in the undergraduate admissions office. In 2002, I joined the Alumni/Parent Relations office working with the Parent Council, Homecoming and Reunions, plus many events on and off campus. I am very fortunate to now be working closely with the Alumni Board—please take a look at the calendar on the next page and join us for one of many upcoming events. If you are interested in more information regarding opportunities to join the Alumni Board, or if you believe that you know an alum who should be nominated for our Distinguished Alumni, First Decade, or Spirit of Jon Thorson ’86 leads groundbreaking research with anti-cancer potential E mploying a simple new technique to manipulate the sugars that power many front-line drugs, a team of Wisconsin scientists, led by Augsburg alumnus Jon S. Thorson, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of WisconsinMadison, has enhanced the anti-cancer properties of a digitalis, a drug commonly used to treat heart disease. Reported in the August 8 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Thorson and the team describe a series of experiments that boosted the cellkilling potency and tumor specificity of the drug, derived from the foxglove plant and used to stimulate the heart. The drug is suspected to have anti-cancer properties, but its use to treat cancer has been little explored. The new work is important because it provides scientists and drug companies with a quick and easy way to manipulate the sugars found in chemicals produced in nature. According to Thorson, the technology 26 can be widely applied: “We’ve already taken this chemistry and applied it to many different drug classes. It’s possible to extend it to antibiotics and antivirals.” The new technique, according to Thorson, will play a prominent role in the new UW National Cooperative Drug Discovery Group, a consortium of UW scientists seeking to develop new anticancer drugs from natural products. Thorson joined the UW School of Pharmacy in the summer of 2001, and since moving to UW has been designated an American Society of Pharmacognosy Matt Suffness Awardee (2004) and a UW H.I. Romnes Fellow (2004). From 19962001, Thorson held appointments as an assistant member of the Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center and assistant professor of Sloan-Kettering Division, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, during which he was named a Rita Allen Foundation Scholar (1998-2002) and Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2000-2002). Augsburg awards, please go to <www.augsburg.edu/alumni> or call 612-330-1173. We are in the midst of an exciting year, and we hope that you’ll join us on campus for an athletic event, theatre production, musical performance, or one of several convocations scheduled this year. Please save the date for Homecoming 2006, and bring your classmates, family, and friends to our next ever-growing family picnic event on Saturday, September 30, 2006. Heidi Breen Director, Office of Alumni Relations Two alumni appointed to Alumni Board The Augsburg Alumni Board of Directors appointed two new members and elected Karina Karlén ’83 as president and Barry Vornbrock ’96 MAL as president-elect. To view the complete list and photos of board members, visit <www.augsburg.edu/alumni/board.html>. The new members are as follows: Dale E. Hanka ’60 Dale E. Hanka graduated from Augsburg with a B.S. in Scandinavian studies. He is a retired teacher, business owner, and financial planner. Jamie E. Smith ’04 Jamie E. Smith graduated from Augsburg with a B.S. in history. He is a real estate professional at Keller Williams Premier Realty in Woodbury, Minn. Winter 2005-06 Alumni Events Please join us for these upcoming alumni events (see also the college-wide calendar on the inside back cover for additional Augsburg events); unless otherwise noted, call 612-330-1178 or 1-800-260-6590 or e-mail <alumni@augsburg.edu> for more information. December February 10 15 11 Washington, D.C.: Alumni gathering honoring 2005 Distinguished Alumnus Donald Mattison ’66, M.D., Watergate Hotel, Executive Boardroom (Ballroom Level), 8 p.m. immediately following the Peace Prize Forum reception; registration is limited, please RSVP no later than Dec. 2 to 612-330-1598 or <rsvp@augsburg.edu> McLean, Virginia: President Frame will speak at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 703-356-3346, 9:45 a.m. 16 19 Auggie Hour at Beaujo’s Wine Bar & Bistro, 4950 France Ave. S, Edina, 952-922-8974, 5:30 p.m., featuring a wine tasting with Jenn Tome ’99 Honors Program alumni gathering, Christensen Center, 5:30-7 p.m.; please RSVP no later than Jan. 13 to 612-330-1598 or <rsvp@augsburg.edu> Scottsdale, Arizona: Alumni gathering at Winn and Maxine Wallin’s home, 4-7 p.m. 18 Tucson, Arizona: Gospel Praise at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 520-327-6521, time TBA 19 Tucson, Arizona: President Frame and Gospel Praise* at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 7:45 a.m., *8:45 a.m., and *11:15 a.m., 520-327-6521 January 10 Sun City, Arizona: President Frame will speak at American Lutheran Church, 623-974-2512; 5:15 p.m. gathering and light supper; 6-6:30 p.m., “Christian Civility: Is it a Sellout?” March 26 Annie at the Orpheum: Gather for brunch on campus prior to a performance of Annie at the Orpheum Theater; transportation provided FOURTH ANNUAL CONNECTIONS EVENT Augsburg alumnae are invited to attend Connections—A Women’s Leadership Event, cosponsored by Augsburg and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, on Feb. 11 from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Thrivent Financial Corporate Offices in downtown Minneapolis. Presenters at this fourth annual event include Gloria C. Lewis, president/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities and member of the Augsburg Board of Regents; Janice L. Aune ’88, chairman/CEO of Onvoy, Inc.; and Shira Hussain, senior admissions counselor at Augsburg College. This unique event brings together students, alumnae, and women throughout the community for a morning of networking, mentoring, and leadership development. Please join us for this incredible morning of empowerment and encouragement through the experiences and stories of the amazing women who attend! For more information and to register online, please visit <www.augsburg.edu/womenconnect>. Winter 2005-06 A-Club invites alumni on Baltic cruise The Augsburg A-Club invites alumni and friends of the College on an exciting and relaxing 12-day Baltic cruise with hosts Dick (Porkchops) and Jane Thompson on the Holland America Rotterdam Cruise Ship. The adventure begins July 28 in London, England, with stops in Norway, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. Group rates range from $2,548 to $4,300 per person; airfare depends on your city of origin. If you are interested, call the alumni office at 612-330-1178. You are encouraged to book early if you are using frequent flyer miles for your own air transportation. Most of the commissions for this cruise will be donated to the Augsburg A-Club Building Fund. So gather a group of Auggies—or honorary Auggies—and experience a true northern European adventure! Business alumni events All business alumni are invited to attend the Department of Business Administration’s Executive Management Lecture on March 4 from noon-1 p.m., in Christensen Center (speaker TBA). Alumni are also encouraged to attend the annual Spring Business Forum (speaker and date TBA). Please call 612-330-1191 or e-mail <heckers@augsburg.edu> for more information. 27 Homecoming 2005—Roarin’ & Soarin’ Auggie Style Augsburg alumni and friends gathered during Homecoming week for the annual Augsburg Associates Fall Luncheon at the Women’s Club in Minneapolis. The Auggies’ new head coach, Frank Haege, walked the sidelines during the Auggies’ nailbiting loss to Carleton College. Festive Auggie beads in maroon and silver decorated every tree, building, and statue during Homecoming weekend. 28 Above: The new Auggie Eagle logo, designed by Augsburg alumnus Samuel Gross ’03 (see p. 10) was illuminated on the floor of the gymnasium in Si Melby Hall during the athletics celebration. Left: The Augsburg community cheered on students who dared to compete in the comical, oversized boxing arena at Homecoming picnic. President William V. and Anne Frame performed at the student talent show in true 1920s style. Winter 2005-06 Photo by Charles Walbridge The Auggie cheerleaders kept spirits high at the Homecoming football game despite a disappointing 21-19 loss to Carleton College. Many students and alumni received Auggie Eagle temporary tattoos at the Homecoming picnic. Above: Linnea Evans and Andy Nelson were crowned as Homecoming Queen and King. Left: Simona “Fiery” Williams wowed everyone at the student talent show, taking top honors for her rap performance. Donald Mattison ’66, one of three alumni honored this year as Distinguished Alumni (see p. 8), spoke during the Homecoming chapel service Winter 2005-06 Photos by Stephen Geffre (unless otherwise noted) 29 Homecoming 2005—Roarin’ & Soarin’ Auggie Style GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CLASS OF 1955 (L to R) ROW 1 (front): Beverly (Omdahl) Nelson, Agnes (Tweet) Schaper, Beverly (Williams) Lundeen, Miriam (Greguson) Travis, Mary Jean (Danger) Holmquist, Wenona (Strandlie) Lund, Beverly (Jorgensen) Olander. ROW 2: John Mulliken, Richard Dronen, Delores (Eide) Berkas, Clinton Peterson, Maxine (Dahlin) Christ, Kenneth West, I. Shelby (Gimse) Andress, Beverly (Halling) Oren. ROW 3: Darrell Egertson, Arthur Lunow, Elmer Karstad, Duane Westfield, David Skaar, Robert Herman, James Anderson. ROW 4: Robert Sneitzer, Richard Mahre, Wesley Bodin, Wayne Thoreson, John Benson CLASS OF 1965 (L to R) ROW 1 (floor): Lyndon West. Lyle Olson, Marie (Bergh) Sandbo, Julie (Gudmestad) Laudicina, Joyce (Anderson) Pfaff, Judy (Thompson) Eiler, Gary Thyren. ROW 2 (chairs): Darryl Carter, Dorothy (Rasmussen) Nelson, Anita (Christopherson) Gransee, Eunice (Bergman) Dietrich, Sharon (Dittbenner) Klabunde, Adrienne (Strand) Buboltz, Larry Buboltz. ROW 3: Carolyn (Fernstrom) Anderson, Sharon (Kunze) Erickson, Jane (Huseby) Norman, Judith Reynolds, Wayne Fehlandt, Phyllis Borri, Mary (Tildahl) Meyers, Mary Ann Cogelow. ROW 4: Gerald Dahl, Dale Slone, Gracia Grindal, Bette (Bodin) Leeney, Karen (Lund) Orrill, Priscilla (Strecker) Feildhammer, Paul Fieldhammer, David Berg, Larry Nelson, Keith Dyrud, Dwight Olson, James Daugherty. ROW 5: Donald Anderson, Robert Klemenhagen, Robert Lee, Mary Ann Miller, Daniel Meyers, Ronald Blake, David Dyrud. ROW 6: Donald Hoseth, Gerald Hamlin, Gary Blosberg, Daniel Anderson. 30 Winter 2005-06 CLASS OF 1980 (L to R) ROW 1 (front): Lori (Elmgren) Binder, Kristin (Johnson) Hella, Laurie Fyksen-Beise, Christine (Edlund) Luk, Mary Carlson. ROW 2: Jeffrey Jarnes, Brett Batterson, Carolyn (Johnson) Spargo, Jacqueline (Brookshire) Teisberg, Claudia (Walters) Forsberg, John Carlson. ROW 3: Paul Sannerud, Jon Burnison, Gary Tangwall. CLASS OF 1995 (L to R) ROW 1 (front): Jonathan Arntz, Lisa (Carlson) Sackreiter, Soven Sackreiter (baby), Andy Sackreiter, Dan Deitrich, Theresa (Hoar) Magelssen, Trygg Magelssen (baby), Scott Magelssen. ROW 2: Erica Bentley, Amy (Torgelson) Forsberg, Aubrey Forsberg (little girl), Cory Forsberg, Olin Forsberg (baby), Andrea (Mathieu) Bedard. ROW 3 (back): Kirk Litynski, Mark Bedard, Nick Bedard (baby). Winter 2005-06 31 CLASS NOTES Class Notes 1951 John Garland, St. Paul, was recognized by the American Institute for CPCU and the Insurance Institute of America as an outstanding course leader. He has served as an institute course leader for 33 years, and currently teaches insurance for Hughes Group, LLC. Minn., is director of social services at Rose of Sharon Manor. 1968 1957 Marshall D. Johnson, Minneapolis, published a new book, The Evolution of Christianity: Twelve Crises that Shaped the Church, in May (Continuum). 1960 Lois (Richter) Agrimson, Eagan, Janet Letnes Martin, Hastings, Minn., and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson ’68, Grand Rapids, Minn., were featured in the Star Tribune for their musical, Church Basement Ladies, based on their books celebrating the foods and traditions of Lutherans. After successful trial runs in Grand Rapids, Fargo, St. Cloud, and Bismarck, the musical is settling in for a 14-month run at the Plymouth Playhouse. 1969 Barbara Hagel Stevens, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., retired in June; she taught second grade at Pilot Knob Elementary School in Eagan for more than 30 years. childhood experiences of her grandfather, King Olav V, the princess has written a tale about a little boy who becomes a prince in her first children’s book, Why Kings and Queens Don’t Wear Crowns. 1971 1973 Mike Sevig, Bloomington, Minn., and his wife, Else (Tallaksen) ’71, operate Skandisk, Inc., a company that distributes books and CDs (especially those related to Scandinavia) to specialty shops around the country. Last winter Skandisk secured the English language rights to publish a new fairy tale written by Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise and illustrated by one of Norway’s most celebrated artists, Svein Nyhus. Drawing from the Corrine (Froelich) Frank, Detroit Lakes, Minn., proudly reports that her son, Corporal Will A. Frank, is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps in San Diego (Miramar). He has served in Iraq and will be deployed again in December. He also plays tuba in the USMC Band. Courtsey photo AUGGIE REUNION 1974 Marlene (Chan) Hui, Bloomington, Minn., sadly notes the passing of her mother, Choi Wan Chan, in September. 1976 Rev. Gary Andersen, Bloomington, Minn., was installed as senior pastor of Community of the Cross Lutheran Church in June. He previously served Bethany Lutheran in Rice Lake, Wis. His wife, Diane (Forsberg) ’76, teaches English as a second language. 1977 These Auggies and their spouses gathered at Chautauqua, N.Y., and stayed at the Anthenaeum Hotel to share special memories of their 1953-1957 college years. Pictured on the hotel’s porch are: ROW 1 (L to R, seated): Gayle Engedahl Matson, Doug Herr, Verna Skovholt Barrett, Grace Forss Herr, and Marlys Holm Thorsgaard. ROW 2 (standing): Norman Matson and Arlen Thorsgaard (not pictured is Roger Barrett). 32 Lise LungeLarsen, Duluth, Minn., published her third children’s book in August 2004, Hidden Folk: Stories of Fairies, Dwarves, Selkies, and Other Secret Beings (Houghton Mifflin). LungeLarsen grew up in Norway, and her parents and grandparents filled her life with stories of elves, dwarves, and fairies. Now she shares those stories with children and the adults who read to them. Winter 2005-06 ALUMNI PROFILE Stan Waldhauser 100 years young: Community celebrates Knut Hoversten’s 100th birthday by Bill Vander Weele Reprinted by permission of the Sidney Herald in Sidney, Montana When Knut Hoversten [Class of 1930] was nine months old, he suffered from whooping cough. In May, he officially celebrated his 100th birthday. In between, there have been very few illnesses or other physical problems for the longtime Sidney resident. Because of rheumatism in his knees and hips, Hoversten uses a wheelchair, but appears to be in excellent health for someone who is a century old. He credits his long life to a harmonious family and living in Big Sky Country. “I watched my appetite very closely,” Hoversten said. “I don’t do any drinking or smoking.” He remembers being an 8-year-old boy and reading about proper diet during his mother’s trip to the doctor’s office. “I always had food that was tested by proper nutrition. I kind of studied a balanced diet all through my life. I studied the kind of vitamins food contained, especially food with good vitamins.” His daughters say Hoversten’s wife of 65 years, Hazel, also played an important role in his health. Hazel died in November 2004 at the age of 93. “She took awfully good care of him,” said daughter Julianne Mell ’64. “She was a nurse and made sure he ate right.” During the past year, Hoversten received the shocking news from his dentist that he had two cavities—the first in his life. Hoversten remembers, “I had to have all of my baby teeth pulled by a dentist because of the strength of my teeth.” Hoversten currently lives with his daughter, Carol Anderson, in Spokane, Wash. He remains busy during the day by reading, visiting friends, and seeing his greatgrandchildren. “My mom and dad used to come out and visit, so it’s been a second home for him,” Anderson said. Knut Hoversten celebrated his 100th birthday in May. Since his graduation from Augsburg in 1930, more than 40 members of the extended Hoversten family have also attended, including the family’s most recent Augsburg graduate, Kari Lucin ’03. The pair, along with the entire Hoversten clan, was honored in 2003 with the Distinguished Service Award. The oldest of 14 children (eight are still living), Hoversten attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis. He then went to the University of Minnesota, where he majored in chemistry, physics, and aeronautics. Years later, he finished his master’s degree at Montana State University. “He still reads and has been a student all his life,” said his daugher, Mell. Hoversten can speak several languages, including Norwegian, German, Greek, Latin, and French. “The best resources of medical sources are in German and Russian,” Hoversten said. He feels the greatest advances during his life came in the physics and medicine fields. “It started out pulling slivers out of your hand with a tweezers, and turned into working with DNA,” Hoversten said. Knut Hoversten ’30 He experienced many highlights during his 40 years of teaching. One memory he shared was building a rocket with a student in the 1950s and setting the rocket off from the baseball field. “It went pretty high,” he said. That student was Kendall Habedank, who is now a retired major general from the Air Force. Many students are thankful that Hoversten went into the teaching field. He was hoping to become a doctor, but because of the Depression, he couldn’t continue his education. “I ran out of money,” he said. “But I think his teaching was rewarding,” Mell said. “He was meant to be a teacher. I think he influenced more people than he would had he been a doctor.” Hoversten’s non-teaching activities included being a member of the Sidney Kiwanis Club for 58 years, a member of Pella Lutheran Church for 59 years, and director of the Methodist Church choir for 30 years. His many years of retirement featured teaching Norwegian at the Sons of Norway and working as a piano tuner. “I’ve got a good reputation in all of the area for being a good piano tuner.” When asked if he ever thought he would celebrate his 100th birthday, Hoversten said, “No. But I didn’t object to it.” Winter 2005-06 33 Class Notes Courtsey photo AUGGIES ABROAD AUGSBURG CENTENNIAL SINGERS 2006 FLORIDA APPEARANCES Concert Performances FEBRUARY 1 Trinity Lutheran Church and School 3016 S. Vine St., Kissimmee, Fla., 407-847-4204; 7 p.m. FEBRUARY 2 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 800 Tamiami Trail S, Venice, Fla., 941-488-4942; 7 p.m. FEBRUARY 4 Peace Lutheran Church 15840 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, Fla.; 6:30 p.m. (time tentative) FEBRUARY 5 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 777 Mooring Lane Dr., Naples, Fla., 239-597-1043; 3 p.m. FEBRUARY 6 First Presbyterian Church 9751 Bonita Beach Rd., Bonita Springs, Fla., 239-992-3233; 3 and 7 p.m. FEBRUARY 7 Grace Lutheran Church 327 C Ave. SE, Winter Haven, Fla., 863-293-8447; 7 p.m. Church Appearances FEBRUARY 5 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 777 Mooring Lane Dr., Naples, Fla., 239-597-1043; 8, 9:30, and 11 a.m. Hisham Al-Fergiani, an Augsburg alumnus from the 1970s, stands in the bookshop and press that he owns in Tripoli, Libya, called Dar Al-Fergiani Publishers. FEBRUARY 5 First Presbyterian Church 9751 Bonita Beach Rd., Bonita Springs, Fla., 239-992-3233; 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. 1979 1983 1984 1985 Judy Berkeland, Fairmont, Minn., recently became the Fairmont Area Schools’ new orchestra director. Her husband, Steve ’79, is senior pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. Les Heen and Barbara (Westerlund) ’89, Maynard, Minn., are enjoying life in the country, “with nothing but room to run, hills to roll down, and stars in the sky to find through the telescope,” says Barbara. Les is director of communications for Minnesota Farmer’s Union, located in St. Paul, and Barbara is an estate and businessplanning attorney, operating her own law practice in Maynard. They have two children, Christopher, 7, and Erik, 4. Laurie (Lindell) Miles, Apple Valley, Minn., recently moved back to Minnesota from California. She is a sales representative at Northwest Airlines. Norm Okerstrom and John Wahlberg ’86, owners of Excel Promotions, LLC, have entered into an agreement with Prime Advertising & Design, Inc., of Maple Grove, Minn., as an exclusive provider of promotional products, apparel, and corporate recognition items. Okerstrom and Wahlberg can be reached at <norm@excelpromo.com>. 1980 Bradley J. Imsdahl left his position as lead publisher of Quickfinder Handbooks, published by Practitioner’s Publishing Company of Fort Worth, Texas, to start a new publishing company called Tax Materials, Inc. His new company publishes quick reference tax guides to sell to CPAs and other tax professionals nationwide. He can be reached at <brad@thetaxbook.com>. 34 Franklin Tawah was featured as a “mover” in the business section of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He is assistant vice president of University Bank in St. Paul. Elizabeth (Ingersoll) Swanson, Minneapolis, received the Master of Sacred Music degree with an emphasis on conducting from Luther Seminary in May. She currently serves as the choir director for Glen Cary Lutheran Church in Ham Lake, Minn.; she plans to become ordained as an associate in ministry and seek a call as a full-time cantor/music director in the Twin Cities. Jean Taylor, Eagan, Minn., was elected to serve on the board of directors for Piper Jaffray Companies. Taylor is president of Taylor Corporation and serves as chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents. She also serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Private College Council and is a trustee of the Glen A. Taylor Foundation. Winter 2005-06 AUGSBURG ARTISTS Amy Rice ’93 is known in the Twin Cities’ art community for her bold stencil creations, inspired as much by pop art and Japanese printmaking as the graffiti art movement. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has cited Rice’s mural work as an example of how art has participated in the rebirth of Franklin Avenue. Rice is also known locally for her advocacy role on the behalf of artists with mental illness and recently received a national award for her efforts. Rice is a member of the Rosalux Collective, a vibrant and growing community of Twin Cities’ artists. Her work will be on display at the Rosalux Gallery’s upcoming Holiday Hoopla exhibit, Dec. 3-30 (opening reception Dec. 10, 7-11 p.m.). For more information and to view more of Rice’s work, visit the Rosalux Gallery online at <www.rosaluxgallery.com>. Mural on 11th and Franklin, Minneapolis, fall 2003 1986 Michael Berry was named executive vice president and chief financial officer of Dallasbased i2 Technologies, Inc. He previously served as senior vice president of Solutions Management at The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, Inc. 1987 Andrew Altenburg, New York, produces and hosts fundraising events through his company, Will Clark USA, which raises money for and awareness of AIDS causes under the umbrella name Bad Boys Events. He produced the Fifth Annual Bad Boys Pool Party in Palm Springs, Calif., in May, Winter 2005-06 Fisher Price Angel Spray paint and acrylic on canvas, 6” x 6” which raised $64,000 for L.A. Shanti, a nonprofit HIV/AID support organization in Los Angeles. He also executive produced a series of weekend events that brought another $13,000 to various Californiabased nonprofits. In the past eight years, Altenburg has been directly responsible for nearly a
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Title: Augsburg Now Summer 2005
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N Summer 2005 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 4 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE Staying connected I t seems the talk everywhere is about being “connected.” There’s the daily media buzz about camera phones, text messagi...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N Summer 2005 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 4 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE Staying connected I t seems the talk everywhere is about being “connected.” There’s the daily media buzz about camera phones, text messaging, chat rooms, etc., but here on campus the conversations focus more on meaningful ways to help our alumni stay connected to the College. While I was thinking about all of this, we received the sad news of the death of Augsburg’s President Emeritus Oscar Anderson. It was a quote included in a newspaper article that sparked more thinking about connections. In 1983, while speaking about liberal arts education, Anderson said that students needed to be as familiar with Captain Ahab in Moby Dick as with the computer HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey. “The computer is an extension of the brain, not a substitute for the mind.” To me, this really tells us that as we become more proficient in maintaining the technological connections, we should remember that it’s the fostering of deeper relationships that make people want to stay involved in the life and future of Augsburg. It’s the difference between being brain-connected and being heartconnected. Like family members who grow up and move away, we hope our students will leave us wanting to stay involved in what goes on at this place. We hope this relationship begins with the very first impression a high school junior gets as he or she is led around campus, and with each stop increasingly thinks, “This is the place I really want to be.” Or, when a full-time nurse or a stayat-home mom hangs up the phone, excited about the prospect of finishing college after receiving lots of encouragement from an admissions counselor. Once students are on campus, they discover many opportunities to forge this kind of relationship—with classmates, with athletic teammates, with professors in classrooms and labs, with academic advisers, and with people they meet as they explore the world off campus. Each year at Commencement, we send off our graduates confident that they’ll take their learning in directions that bring meaning to their lives. We fervently hope they stay in touch. After that the connections become more tenuous. Work and family life take over, and again we hope that somehow Augsburg fits into their careers and activities. This summer issue of the Now speaks to this whole process of building Augsburg relationships and keeping the “family” connected. You’ll share the excitement of the 600 graduates we sent off in May with Augsburg diplomas. You’ll be encouraged to return to campus for Homecoming festivities to catch up with old friends and connect with our current students. In the feature stories, you’ll meet bright, young music scholars who have graduated and followed their hearts and talents to places far and near. You’ll also meet students and faculty in our Mathematics Department, and learn how math studies and career exploration go hand-in-hand in a very personal process. And, you’ll read about some very remarkable donors to our Access to Excellence campaign—both Augsburg alumni and others—who are committed to building exceptional opportunities for future students. Alumni president Bill Vanderwall sums it up at the end of his column, “Be connected—stay connected!” And I’ll add, “Stay heart-connected!” Betsey Norgard Editor Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamholz ’04 Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V. Frame Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Amy Sutton Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jorgensen Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu 12 A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Summer 2005 Vol. 67, No. 4 FEATURES 21 Finding the right career formula by Betsey Norgard 25 Following the Hognander Scholars by Jessica Brown 10 12 16 2005 Fifth Annual International Photo Contest Commencement 2005 Vision, news from Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College DEPARTMENTS 21 2 Around the Quad 8 Sports 28 Alumni News 30 Class Notes 35 In Memoriam 36 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover Homecoming 2005 Preview On the cover: Three education students enjoy the serenity of the Quad to study after their summer school class. 25 Photo by Stephen Geffre. 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post—consumer waste) AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad President Frame announces retirement in 2006 Augsburg News Service W illiam V. Frame, who has served as president of Augsburg College since the summer of 1997, has announced plans to retire in the summer of 2006 following completion of his current term. In letters to regents and colleagues and in a talk before a gathering of staff and faculty on the campus, Frame said that he and his wife, Anne, have found the work both rewarding and demanding, with the principal rewards being a deeper understanding of the Lutheran idea of vocation and of the educational regimen that it requires. He saluted faculty, staff, regents, and other supporters of the College as “true partners” in his presidency. “Our work together has helped us draw Augsburg to new levels of recognition for advancing the cause of Lutheran higher education in the city and in the global society of the 21st century,” he said. “Together, we have brought new life and utility to Luther’s idea of vocation, and have organized our general education curriculum and now our graduate programs around this grand idea of the ‘called life of service.’ “Augsburg plays a unique role in the world of Lutheran education. Its service to the city, to the provision of accessibility to first-class educational opportunities for both traditionally-aged students and working adults, and its regard for faith and reason as interactive and mutually reinforcing modes of understanding gives us a special mission which you have helped us to see and pursue. No doubt my successor will rely as heavily upon your counsel and support as have I.” Jean Taylor ’85, president of Taylor Corporation and chair of the Augsburg Board of Regents, said she expects the search for the new president to occupy most of the next year. She has appointed H. Theodore Grindal ’76, partner in the law firm of Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. and vice-chair of the Augsburg board, to lead the search. Frame, who is the 10th president in Augsburg’s 136-year history, said that while much has been accomplished, he expects his final year to be filled with projects and opportunities. Among those is his continuing work on the College’s $55 million Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College, kicked off in April 2004. Some $41 million has been raised toward that goal, the largest in the College’s history. Prior to joining Augsburg, Frame was vice president for finance and operations at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. He has been a strong proponent of William V. Frame the tradition of Lutheran higher education, which he believes is based on the ideas of vocation and service and requires ongoing dialogue between faith and reason. His advocacy for vocation also has led to his national leadership among college presidents, currently serving as project director for the Council of Independent Colleges’ program designed to guide both current and prospective presidents in reflection about each leader’s sense of calling and its intersection with institutional mission. He also has taken leadership roles with the Minnesota Private College Council—as chair during the 2004-05 academic year—and the Minnesota Campus Compact. A L U M N I A S K E D T O S U B M I T N A M E S O F P R E S I D E N T I A L C A N D I D AT E S The Augsburg College Presidential Search Committee is continuing to seek names of potential candidates for the presidency and especially wants to hear from Augsburg alumni, parents, and close friends of the College during this process. Names of suggested candidates should be sent to Dr. Thomas B. Courtice of the Academic Search Consultation Service, Washington, D.C., who is assisting with the search. Nominators or prospective candidates may contact Courtice at <tom.courtice@academic-search.org> or at 614-405-9209. 2 Summer 2005 David Tiede named to first endowed chair D avid Tiede, president of Luther Seminary for 18 years, has been named to the Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion—the first endowed chair in Augsburg’s history. Known as one of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s preeminent theologians and educators, Tiede was selected following a nationwide search by the College. He earlier had announced his intention to retire from the Luther presidency in May 2005. His appointment to Augsburg begins in the 2005-06 academic year. The chair honors Bernhard M. Christensen ’22, the seventh president of Augsburg College and Seminary from 1938-62 and a central figure in drawing Augsburg fully into the study of liberal arts. Augsburg Seminary was later merged with Luther Seminary. In announcing the selection, Augsburg President William V. Frame noted, “David Tiede is a champion of the Augsburg ideals of vocation and service to the city. These ideals, along with Augsburg’s increasing attention to its role as a college of the church and in a global society—including the formation of a new Center for Faith and Learning under the auspices of our Lilly Endowment grant—were keys in attracting him to this new position.” As the Christensen professor, Tiede will carry out research and writing, including focus on Christensen’s legacy and work. He also will lecture and conduct on-campus workshops, represent the College at various events sponsored by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Fund, work with Augsburg students who have been designated as “Lilly Scholars” and who have demonstrated an interest in studying for ministry, and will seek ways to strengthen the College’s ties to key Christian leaders and communities. In accepting the position, Tiede noted, “Since the days of President Bernhard Christensen, Augsburg College has had a vision of academic excellence for the sake of vocation in the world. Summer 2005 Now faculty, graduates, and administrative leaders are bringing renewed focus, discipline, and strength to this vision. I am grateful the Christensen Chair will allow me to join them in helping make it happen.” Inez Schwarzkopf, former Augsburg regent and chair of the College’s Christensen Endowment Fund Committee, said Tiede graces the Christensen chair with a wide reputation as a scholar, a leader, and a churchman. “We are delighted that he has accepted this new challenge,” she said. “At the same time, the appointment honors Dr. Tiede by association with Augsburg’s solid legacy of scholarship, Christian spirituality, service, diversity, and ecumenism as embodied in the life and work of Bernhard M. Christensen.” Christopher Kimball, provost and dean of the College, who co-chaired the search committee with Schwarzkopf, said, “Tiede provides the College with a voice in the national conversation about the importance of church-related—in particular Lutheran—higher education. So, we are fortunate to have someone of that stature join the faculty.” Tiede’s teaching career began in 1967 as a summer instructor in Greek at Harvard Divinity School, where he became a teaching fellow in New Testament in 1969. Ordained in 1971, he served as associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, from 1972-75. In June 2000 he was elected vice president of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the U.S. and Canada. Two years later, he was elected president of ATS. He serves on the board of directors for In Trust magazine. Courtesy of Luther Seminary Augsburg News Service David Tiede, retiring president of Luther Seminary, is Augsburg’s first Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion. Tiede earned the B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, attended Princeton Theological Seminary, and received the B.D. degree from Luther Seminary in 1966. He earned the Ph.D. degree from Harvard in 1971 and began his career at Luther that same year, teaching New Testament, his specialty. In addition to ten books and textual notes, he has written dozens of scholarly articles and book chapters, done a number of audio and video productions, and served on numerous boards and committees for the church, in national and international religious organizations, and throughout the Greater Twin Cities. For the past three years he has been the initial chair of the new consortium, Faith in the City, composed of seven Lutheranbased organizations working collectively and with others to contribute to the wellbeing of the community. Oscar Anderson dies at 89 As Augsburg Now goes to press, we sadly report the death of President Emeritus Oscar A. Anderson, Augsburg’s eighth president, from 1963-80. Read the news release at <www.augsburg.edu/news/news-archives/2005/oscaranderson.html> and see the complete story in the next issue. 3 Around the Quad Larry Crockett recognized for Honors Program leadership omputer science professor Larry Crockett, who directed the Honors Program from 1988 through this past academic year, was honored by the College for his service and vision for the program over 16 years. Crockett will be on sabbatical leave during spring 2006 and return in the fall to teach in the Honors Program and computer science department. “His vision for the Honors Program has shaped its curriculum and the intellectual lives of its students,” said academic dean Barbara Edwards Farley at the April recognition gathering. “Establishment of the Honors Suite gave students a place to call their own; and Larry’s work on the Honors Web page and contributions to the National Collegiate Honors Council have brought the College national recognition,” she continued. For several years, Augsburg’s Honors Program Web site was the top-ranked honors page at both Google and Yahoo. Christopher Kimball, provost and dean of the College, said that Crockett “cares deeply about ideas, particularly those that should shape and be shaped by a liberal arts education.” Kimball recalled a conversation in which Crockett lamented that faculty only gather to take care of questions of governance and legislation, and no longer to converse about ideas. “We never talk about the important stuff,” Kimball recalled Crockett saying. “Those are the things that got all of us into academia.” Crockett’s teaching crosses disciplinary boundaries—computer science, philosophy, history of science, theology, and history. He has served in the clergy of the Lutheran church, and is currently a priest in the Episcopal church. Both former and current students testified to the impact that Crockett’s sometimes unorthodox, but always challenging, teaching made in their education. Erica Huls ’01 recalled the first day of Honors 101 when students were asked to 4 Staff photo C Larry Crockett catches up with former Honors Program students Erica Huls ’01 (left) and Stephanie Lein Walseth ’00 (right) at the reception honoring his leadership and service to the program. count the ceiling tiles in the classroom, before pondering why it was that people don’t sit around all day doing that. She said that Crockett’s goal was to teach them how to think, to make and defend arguments, and to find fallacies in others. “The program wanted us to look at subjects like religion, science, and technology, and see how they could live and work together, just as they live and work together in Dr. Crockett’s person,” she said. Senior Eric Dunens spoke about community. “[Crockett] created a program that surrounds its participants with the best Augsburg has to offer. He’s created an honors community that challenges its participants to reach their potential. He’s also created an honors community that encourages students to interact with other students and create a real community on campus.” Crockett participated on the Honors Program Design Team to develop a new proposal for the Honors Program. The proposal was approved by the faculty, and Crockett has worked with the team implementing the program, along with Robert Groven, the new Honors Program director. Bob Groven named Honors Program director Augsburg News Service R obert Groven, associate professor of communication studies, has been named to a threeyear term as director of the Honors Program. Groven holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Master of Arts in speech communication from the University of Minnesota. He is a 1989 graduate of Concordia College-Moorhead, where he participated in the honors program in humanities. Groven, who has been a member of the faculty since 1997, also is director of Augsburg’s award-winning forensics program and has led it to national prominence in recent years. In announcing the appointment, Christopher Kimball, provost and dean of the College, said, “Dr. Groven’s philosophy of education, his vision for an honors program education at Augsburg, and his commitment to student development and community building make him an excellent choice to assume leadership of the program.” Kimball noted that an Honors Program Council will be established this year to work with the new director to guide the development of the recently revised program. Kimball said that the Honors Program—as noted in its operational statements—both celebrates and enhances the signature elements of Augsburg’s Core Curriculum: Christian vocation, global citizenship, the importance of service, the value of diversity, and the role of the city in framing the College’s beliefs and values. About 115 students participate in the program each year. Summer 2005 Making room for mental illness P rofessor Dan Hanson’s family has struggled for a decade to understand and care for their mentally ill son and brother, Joel. The road has been difficult and, at times, seemingly hopeless. Hanson has transformed that journey into a book that aims to give hope and support to countless other families who also never expected to find themselves in this situation. At age 20, Joel Hanson was diagnosed with severe schizophrenia, and believes that he is God. He lacks the insight to understand why others can’t share his delusion and why he must inhabit his different reality alone. If he discontinues his court-ordered medication, he stops eating and drinking, and becomes severely ill and dehydrated. Dan Hanson explains that his book, Room for J: A Family Struggles with Schizophrenia, evolved in several ways. The simplest is that it started out as a personal journal. “Writing is often my way of dealing with difficult situations,” he says. “[My books] always emerge out of my own struggle.” As Hanson and his wife, Sue, sought care and support for Joel, they also began to consider a book that would help other families navigate the social services system, as well as deal with the sense of loss for a loved one who has become a totally different person. And, thirdly, Hanson wanted to include Joel’s own voice, his own writing about his self-identity, to demonstrate how he, too, Professor Dan Hanson struggles with family and others who don’t acknowledge or understand him for the person he believes he is. The book presents journal entries of the Hanson family members. They talk about good times, even during Joel’s illness, when the Joel they know shines through while out fishing or playing with a nephew. But there are also the most difficult times, when they fear for Joel, when he becomes psychotic, when they must confront him to force commitment, or when they discover he’s gone off medication and disappeared. What the Hansons and other families learn and face is that society does not deal adequately with mental illness. Many institutions and asylums were closed in order to mainstream the mentally ill into society, but the reality is that the programs by Betsey Norgard and support to accomplish this are severely underfunded and understaffed. Some end up reinstitutionalized in nursing homes, prisons, or state hospitals not designed to treat them—or they end up on the street and helpless. Ultimately, Hanson says, Room for J is about making room for Joel in the family, as well as challenging society to make room “for all our Js, and to find ways to do a better job of providing community-based programs that integrate people who cope with severe mental illness back into the community so they feel respected, yet are given the right kinds of program to survive and even thrive in the social structure.” Room for J has been welcomed and critically acclaimed. It was recognized as a “highlighted title” on an independent publisher’s Web site. Hanson appreciates hearing from others who find comfort in understanding that they need not face their challenges alone. Dan and Sue Hanson spoke about the book and insights the family has gained on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Speaking of Faith” program on July 17. That program can be heard at <speakingoffaith. publicradio.org>. Room for J: A Family Struggles with Schizophrenia was published last year by Beaver’s Pond Press. Augsburg gains a provost and three new deans Christopher Kimball Summer 2005 Barbara Edwards Farley Ann Garvey Julie Olson Last September, as part of a restructuring of the College administration, Christopher Kimball became Augsburg’s first provost, as well as continuing as dean of the College. In further changes to the Academic and Student Affairs division, three positions of dean were created. Barbara Edwards Farley became academic dean, while Ann Garvey is now dean of students. Formerly, both positions were associate deans. Julie Olson ’98, ’05 MAL , formerly director of the Enrollment Center, is the new dean of enrollment management, with responsibility for the Enrollment Center; day, weekend, and graduate admissions; and public relations and communication. 5 Around the Quad Music therapy celebrates past, present, and future by Jessica Brown F aculty, alumni, and friends of Augsburg’s music therapy program gathered in April to celebrate its 30th anniversary. They reflected on the growth of the program, affirmed a leading role for music therapy across many careers and vocations, and proposed a vision for its continued growth. The original vision for music therapy at Augsburg was that of longtime music department chair Leland Sateren ’38, who asked Prof. Robert Karlén to attend a national conference in this emerging field. Karlén was impressed, and invited Roberta Kagin to teach the first music therapy courses. She was eager. “As a college student,” she said, “I saw a demonstration by a talented composer and pianist who asked handicapped children to walk across the room to the beat of her piano music. If music had the power to influence the way these children could move, what else might lie in its power?” Today, Augsburg’s more than 100 music therapy graduates live around the world and work in a wide variety of careers and fields that serve people of all ages and needs—working with disabled children to maximize their learning potential, helping elderly people remain active and engaged, and combining music with many forms of treatment and therapy to promote healing and wellness. Keynote speaker Cheryl Dileo, from Temple University, recounted personal experiences from her career in which music therapy is introduced in situations of death and dying, i.e., of aiding people in the transition from life to death. Where communication can be difficult among family members, Dileo says, “songs help families express all the love they hold in their hearts to the dying patient,” as well as provide spiritual affirmation, healing, and a musical legacy. Speaker Bill Bowen spoke personally about the value of music therapy to 6 people with physical and cognitive challenges. He told of the instrumental role that music therapy and Professor Roberta Kagin played in the remarkable progress of his son, Edward “Major” Bowen, following surgery to remove a brain tumor. Kagin, honored as one of the original architects of the program and its current director, presented a slide presentation and oral history of Augsburg’s music therapy program and affirmed its place in Augsburg’s curriculum. “The music therapy major is firmly and without apology steeped in a liberal arts education,” she said. Students study a four-year liberal arts course, followed by an intense six-month internship with a music therapist. Above all, music therapy touches a very basic human need for creative expression. Kagin also spoke about music therapy within a Center for Creativity and Transformational Learning envisioned at Augsburg. In addition, a master’s degree in music and medicine is under consideration. Augsburg remains the Each year Augsburg music therapy students join with VSA Arts of Minnesota in a music festival for developmentally disabled children. only music therapy program among Minnesota’s private colleges. For information about music therapy at Augsburg, contact the Music Department at 612-330-1265. Jessica Brown is a communication specialist in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 2005 teaching and learning distinctions The 2005 awards for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning have been announced by the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Provost. TEACHING— Kristin Anderson (standing), associate professor, art ADVISING/MENTORING— David Wold (seated, left), College pastor and director of ministries, and Sonja Hagander (seated, right), associate College pastor SERVICE TO STUDENTS— Wendi Wheeler (seated, center), Weekend College academic coordinator Summer 2005 Terry Lewis retires from PA program T erry Lewis, clinical site director and faculty member of Augsburg’s physician assistant program, retired from Augsburg at the close of the 2004-05 academic year. He joined the PA program in 1995 as clinical coordinator, having spent several years prior as a physician assistant in the military. Lewis received his initial PA training in 1977 from the U.S. Army/Baylor University PA Program in Texas. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in 1983 from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich., and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2002 from the University of Nebraska. “Terry and I [joined Augsburg] when this program was new,” says Dawn Ludwig, PA program director. “Terry’s wisdom has been invaluable to me as this program was molded into the premier program it is today. … He is a kind and patient person and I will miss him greatly.” Over the course of his career in the physician studies field, Lewis has received numerous honors and awards, including the U.S. Army PA of the Year in 1990, presented by the surgeon general, as well as 40 additional military honors. He has presented numerous presentations around the world, and his work has been published in several PA reference works. Not one to stand still—even in retirement—Lewis has signed a one-year Getting the project done right P roject management is carried out in all kinds of organizations; and across the board, advances in computer technology and globalization of the workforce have required everyone to become smarter about managing work and resources. Within information technology, it has become a highly specialized field that others are beginning to notice. Business Administration professor Kathy Schwalbe has published a textbook, Information Technology Project Management, now in its fourth edition, that incorporates the guidelines of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), information that the Project Management Institute (PMI) uses as the basis for its certification. Even while the book is aimed at IT students, it is not so advanced to preclude others who could benefit from principles of good planning and management. After teaching a project management course for several years, Schwalbe decided to tackle the project of writing a book the way she would like it, using the PMBOK Guide as a basis and Summer 2005 by Lynn Mena Professor Terry Lewis contract with a small rural health clinic in Melba, Idaho (population 497). by Betsey Norgard advances in the field and updating Microsoft Project software. At her publisher’s request (Course Technology, a branch of Thomson Learning), she is also working on a new project management textbook, not geared toward Professor Kathy Schwalbe information technology projects, to be published including many examples in late 2005. and exercises to help Within the past two students understand and years, the second edition apply project management. Information Technology of Schwalbe’s book has Project Management, In every chapter, case been translated into translated into Japanese studies—both successes Chinese and the third and failure—feature actual edition into Japanese, applications of the project management reflecting the growth and interest framework. A companion Web site worldwide in the project management includes template files for creating profession. various project management documents, A senior project manager for IBM notes, quizzes, case studies, and links. In Germany commented that global IT five years sales of the book have companies—especially in Japan, China, exceeded 120,000 copies. and India—are creating career models On her Web site, Schwalbe explains for project managers based on PMI her intent to release a new edition of the certification credentials. book every spring, continually adding 7 Sports Augsburg nets record number of academic All-Americans by Don Stoner A Charles Walbridge ugsburg student-athletes set a new milestone for academic performance this season, as a record four athletes earned ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerica honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Senior wrestler Mark Matzek and junior Ryan Valek earned Academic AllAmerica men’s at-large honors, while junior baseball player Darren Ginther and track and field/cross country senior Riley Conway earned Academic AllAmerica honors in their respective sports. Four Auggie All-Americans represents the most ever in a single year. Since 1981, Augsburg student-athletes have earned 17 Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA. Matzek, a first-team men’s at-large Academic All-America honoree, is profiled in the story about honor athletes on page nine. Ginther, a first-team Academic AllAmerica selection in baseball, is a secondary education/social studies major with a 3.81 grade point average (GPA). He also earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors as well as American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings AllMidwest Region second-team honors in 2005. As the Auggies’ No. 2 starting pitcher, he finished as one of the top hitters in the MIAC this year, and was Darren Ginther Ryan Valek Riley Conway Augsburg’s fourth .400 hitter since 1988. Conway, a second-team Academic Cross Country Coaches Association All-America honoree, was the Auggies’ top Scholar All-America honors his senior year. runner in all seven cross country Valek was a third-team men’s at-large competitions in 2004, earning all-region Academic All-America honoree. He earned honors at the 2004 NCAA Division III wrestling All-American honors for the Central Regional in November. At the second time in 2004-05, finishing second MIAC championships in October, he nationally at 165 pounds. earned all-conference honorable-mention Valek is an accounting major with a honors. 3.789 GPA. He has earned National In track and field, Conway earned Wrestling Coaches Association Division III All-MIAC honors at the outdoor Scholar All-America honors in both 2004 conference championships in May. In the and 2005. indoor season, Conway set a school Top student-athletes from non-Division record as part of the distance-medley I programs, who have already earned relay squad. Academic All-District first-team honors, Conway had a perfect 4.000 GPA and are eligible for inclusion in the ESPN The graduated in May summa cum laude with Magazine Academic All-America program. an English major. He was an Academic They must have a GPA above 3.20 (4.0 All-MIAC selection his junior and senior scale) and have outstanding athletic years in both track and field and cross credentials. The Academic All-America country, and earned NCAA Division III ballot is voted on by a committee of CoSIDA members. In addition to the four Academic AllAmericans, Augsburg had three other student-athletes earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V honors, saluting the top student-athletes in a four-state area of the Midwest. Senior women’s hockey players Lauren Chezick and Laura Prasek were named to the Academic All-District V women’s at-large second team, and junior Millie Suk earned Academic All-District V first-team honors in women’s soccer. For a full list of Augsburg 2004-05 athletic award-winners, go to <www.augsburg.edu/athletics/sportsnews/ 0405athleticawards.html>. Augsburg wrestler Mark Matzek controls Wartburg’s Tyler Hubbard en route to a 4-2 win in a dual meet in February at Si Melby Hall. Matzek repeated as NCAA Division III national champion at 133 pounds in 2004-05. 8 Don Stoner is sports information coordinator. Summer 2005 Eight senior athletes are honored A ugsburg College honored eight senior student-athletes for 2004-05. Athletic awards are voted on by coaches in Augsburg’s men’s and women’s athletic departments. Five Auggies were named Honor Athletes, the highest honor the College gives its senior student-athletes for accomplishment, leadership, and character on the playing field and in the classroom. Three Auggie student-athletes were named Men’s Athletes of the Year. 2004-05 AUGSBURG HONOR ATHLETES Lauren Chezick rewrote the record book in women’s hockey at Augsburg. A three-year captain on teams that qualified for conference playoffs in three seasons, Chezick earned MIAC Player of the Year and American Hockey Coaches Association Division III All-American honors. Chezick was named to the Dean’s List five semesters and graduated with a 3.562 grade point-average (GPA) and a prelaw/communications major. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and served as a student-athlete mentor. Joe Cullen earned honors in both football and wrestling. In football, Cullen earned All-MIAC first-team honors in 2004 after honorable-mention honors in 2002 and 2003. In wrestling, Cullen earned NCAA Division III All-American honors in the 2003-04 season. He earned the wrestling team’s Auggie Award his senior season. Cullen was a mathematics major with a 3.500 grade-point-average. He has also earned numerous national and conference academic honors in both football and wrestling. Hannah Dietrich was a four-year member of both Augsburg’s cross country and track Summer 2005 and field teams and played women’s hockey two years. In cross country, Dietrich was a team captain and No. 3 runner her senior season. In track and field, Dietrich was a top middle-distance runner, earning three MIAC championships. In 2005, she qualified and competed at the national outdoor meet in the 1,500-meter run. A psychology major with a 3.672 GPA, she graduated with departmental honors in psychology, national honor and leadership society recognition, and numerous academic athletic and leadership awards. In 2004, she was voted Homecoming Queen. Adam Hoffmann, a three-year offensive line starter in football, was named to the Division III Preseason AllAmerica team by the D3football.com Web site in 2004, and was named to the Football Gazette Division III All-West Region third team at the conclusion of his senior campaign. A two-year captain, Hoffmann was voted the team’s top lineman by his teammates for three years, and earned the team’s highest honor, the Edor Nelson Auggie Award, in 2004. Hoffmann graduated with a 3.770 GPA as a finance major. He was an Augsburg Presidential Scholar and a student-athlete mentor. Mark Matzek, one of the top lightweight wrestlers in school history, won national titles at 133 pounds his junior and senior campaigns, while earning NCAA Division III All-American honors three times. Finishing his collegiate career with a 42-match winning streak, Matzek dominated his weight class in the 2004-05 by Don Stoner campaign. He earned the team’s Coaches Award his senior season, was the team’s Auggie Award winner his junior season, and earned the team’s Most Improved Wrestler award his sophomore season Matzek graduated as a mathematics and secondary education major with a 3.408 grade-point-average. 2004-05 AUGSBURG ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Mike Elcano has been a team leader throughout his career for Augsburg’s men’s soccer team. In 2004 he led the conference in overall scoring. He finished his career with Augsburg’s all-time record for goals with 35, and earned MIAC honors in two years. He graduated with a major in finance. Jeremy Nelson emerged as one of the top pitchers in recent years for Augsburg’s baseball team. He was Augsburg’s No. 1 starter throughout his four seasons, and earned MIAC and regional honors over two years. He graduated with a marketing major, was on the Dean’s List, and served as a studentathlete mentor. Jamell Tidwell was a four-year starter on the varsity squad and a fourtime qualifier for the NCAA Division III national championships. He earned All-American honors three times and finished his career with a 155-17 record, second best in wins in school history. A health and physical education major, he was one of 10 members of an Augsburg academic national team that finished sixth nationally in team GPA this year. Don Stoner is sports information coordinator. 9 Augsburg’s fifth INTERNATIONAL OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES PHOTO CONTEST 1 Scenic landscapes, first place. “MY CHAIR,” Jamie Schiller ’05. Venice, Italy. 2 Scenic landscapes, second place. “STRENGTH, SWEAT, AND SOUL,” Lindsay Plocher ’06. Cuernavaca, Mexico. 3 Scenic landscapes, third place. “BUILDING BRIDGES,” Lindsay Plocher ’06. Cuernavaca, Mexico. 4 Local culture, second place. “SAWADEE CROP,” Rachel Schuette ’03. Bangkok, Thailand. 5 Local culture, first place. “LUK LUK,” Rachel Schuette ’03. Chiang Mai, Thailand. 6 Augsburg students in a host setting, second place. “ON WATCH,” Sari Gallagher ’08. U.S. Virgin Islands. 1 3 2 10 4 Summer 2005 7 5 8 6 7 Augsburg students in a host setting, first place. “A TROPICAL MINNESOTA NIGHT,” Maria Roots Morland ’05. Minneapolis, Minn. 8 Augsburg students in a host setting, third place. “LAST DAY,” David Nash ’04. Edinburgh, Scotland. 9 Local culture, third place. “GAMBLING DURING RAMADAN,” Jake Renze ’05. Morocco. Summer 2005 9 11 COMMENCEMENT 2005 The 136TH YEAR of Augsburg College photos by Stephen Geffre (except as noted) TONY SCHADEN RECEIVES MARINA CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE AWARD The Augsburg campus provided fresh spring blooms as a backdrop for family photos. REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE CLASS OF 2005 ❚ Glenda C. Holste, representing graduate students ❚ Gretchen M. Hemmingsen, representing day students ❚ Nicholas J. Schumm, representing weekend students 12 Tony Schaden, a history major from Minneapolis, was selected as the 2005 recipient of the Marina Christensen Justice Award. Each year, this honor is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies Augsburg’s motto “Education for Service.” The student must have demonstrated a dedication Tony Schaden, a history major from to community involvement as Minneapolis, was honored with the 2005 characterized by the personal and Marina Christensen Justice Award during the Commencement ceremony. professional life of Marina Christensen Justice, who courageously and effectively reached out to disadvantaged people and communities. Schaden grew up in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and was a member of Trinity Congregation, where he has been a longtime volunteer with the Safe Place Tutoring Program. At Augsburg he has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as chaplain for the Pan-Afrikan Student Association for the past two years, as organizer of Peace Day in the Park, and as a member of the Outreach Ministry Team through Campus Ministry. He has done service-learning at Women against Military Madness, as well as volunteered with Campus Kitchens and mentored youth at the Wednesday Night Out program in the neighborhood. Among his numerous awards and honors are the Dean’s Award for student leadership, the Pan-Afrikan Ambassador of the Year Award for commitment to campus and community, the Win Wallin Scholarship, and the Bilkie Scholarship. Paul Cummings, president-elect of Augsburg’s student body, wrote this about Schaden: “Giving back to the community is part of Tony’s very nature. The courageous example he is setting within his community and family has given many people hope that they too may succeed in college. Tony is a role model in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. His actions in service to his family and community speak volumes about his true character.” In the coming year he will expand his work with youth mentoring and counseling, serving in Brazil and Africa under the auspices of the Wapagasset Luther Bible Camp. Students processed from Foss Center to Melby Hall for the Commencement ceremony. Summer 2005 “ON OUR OWN—AGAIN” Excerpts from the Baccalaureate Address William V. Frame, President, Augsburg College May 7, 2005—Ascension Sunday … The thing that Graduation has in common with the Ascension is separation. You are leaving us today and are henceforth and in a new way “on your own;” Jesus leaves the Disciples at Ascension. They are “on their own.” And so—What is the good news in this Separation—either yours from the College or the Disciples from Christ? Staff photo The Commencement concert featured performances by the Augsburg Choir and Augsburg Chamber Orchestra. If we stick with the relationship between you and us, a preliminary and happy interpretation is quite possible. Not that we’re glad to be rid of you … but your separation from the College is a necessary condition of your full engagement with the world. However successfully we have introduced you to the city and to the global society of which it is so much and evidently a part, Augsburg College remains a refuge and a training ground, a harbor ringed round by our core general education curriculum; an open cloister in which we can talk “… of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing wax—of cabbages—and kings … .” All that talking, and especially about such things as these, yields self-knowledge at exactly the rate at which it yields knowledge of the world. … But when we turn to the Easter Story itself, the good news lies deeper and is harder to detect. According to the lectionary passage from Acts, the first consequence for the disciples of their separation from Jesus is the loss of their special access to the Divine Plan. They ask: “Is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus responds: “It is not for you to know the time or period that the Father has set by his own authority.” Kathy Rumpza, advertising and graphic design manager for Augsburg’s public relations department, posed with her husband, Matt Rumpza, manager of Augsburg’s Central Support Services, prior to receiving her Master of Arts in Leadership. You can sense their stunned reaction. “After giving up everything of our own to follow you; after all that we've been through together-you leave! And at the same time cut us off from the very knowledge you’ve been so anxious to reveal to us. You've left us on our own in this world after pointing us time and again, especially recently, at the other world.” Before they have time to register this complaint with their ascending Lord, he imposes upon them a task—to be performed in his absence. For the sake of this task, he expects them “to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” … Both the good news and the good sense in this is camouflaged by the pathos of the separation. Just behind the fact that the disciplesand, through them, we—have been left on our own by the ascension, lies the fact that we were prepared for this independence by the whole of the Easter story—including the part of it here at issue. Christ’s refusal to answer the disciples’ request for knowledge of the Divine Plan—indeed, his general refusal to give us any detailed portrait of heaven-keeps our attention where the Gospel focuses it-not on the next world but this. The Easter story—all of it, including the ascension-gives us the tools (including a carefully confined ignorance) to take up, for the first time, life on our own. To read the complete address, go to <www.augsburg.edu/president/bacc05.pdf>. Christopher Kimball, provost and dean of the College, handed out honors cords during the Honors Convocation. Summer 2005 13 COMMENCEMENT 2005 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS: “IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF IT…” Dawn Ludwig, director of the Physician Assistant Program, placed a master’s hood on Patricia Rodriguez. Nicholas Schumm, Weekend College Class of 2005 representative, addressed the crowd at the Commencement ceremony. Following are excerpts from Parker J. Palmer’s Commencement address; download the complete address at <www.augsburg.edu/president/palmer05.pdf> … I was raised by a father who gave my two sisters and me the perfect graduation speech at breakfast every school day. Dad had a thousand aphorisms, brief and pithy sayings designed to point us kids in the right direction. Well, it seemed like he had a thousand, but he probably only had 50, which he recycled constantly. We’d be almost finished with breakfast, my sisters and I, when Dad would look at us and say, “Just remember kids, add a little ‘oomph’ to ‘try’ and you get ‘triumph.’ Now off you go!” Or on another day he’d look at us and say, “Just remember kids, there’s only one-letter’s difference between hero and zero. Now off you go!” … Now, if I had any sense I’d say “Off you go!” and sit down, having delivered succinct advice from a highly reliable source, my father. But there are a few more things I’d like to say … First, we never outgrow our need for teachers … as you go down the road called life after college, stay alert for your next teacher, and the next, and the next. It may be a family member, a friend, a child, a stranger, it may even be a socalled enemy. If the teacher does not appear, reach out for him or her. Your need for a teacher will draw that person to you if you make your need known. … A second lesson is this: whatever good and true thing you want to do, go ahead and take the first step … of course the big enemy of trust and risk-taking is fear. But here we can take good counsel from the religious tradition in which this college is rooted: “Be not afraid.” Those words do not say that you should not have fear, which we all do (at least I do); instead they say you need not be your fear. Right alongside our fear we have other places within us, places with names like hope, and faith, and trust. We can look at the world from those places instead of from our fears. … Here’s the third lesson: when you face into that fear as you step off the cliff … seek out people with whom you can tell it like it is. … A fourth lesson is this: know that you have an inner guide, an inner teacher, a true self who will be there for you when all else fails. … And finally, a fifth lesson … “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” Of course there are some things that you can get out of, and you should: a relationship that kills your spirit, a job that contradicts your most basic values … but there are other things that we can’t get out of, so we had better get into them. And one of them is to fully inhabit ourselves, which means making the most of our gifts and being honest about our shadows. … So congratulations to all of you, and many blessings for your journey. And, as my father would surely say, “Now off you go!” Parker Palmer (center), Commencement ceremony keynote speaker, was presented the Augsburg Medal by President Frame and Jean Taylor ’85, chair of the Board of Regents. 14 Summer 2005 Staff photo THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE Twin brothers Robert Amaya (left) and Renzo Amaya Torres (right) celebrated the day with their mother, who flew to Minnesota from Colombia to watch her sons graduate. 630 Candidates for graduation 355 Day program candidates 144 Weekend College candidates 85 Graduate program candidates (20 Master of Arts in Leadership, 35 Master of Social Work, 6 Master of Arts in Nursing, 16 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 8 Master of Arts in Education) 33 Rochester program candidates 9 United Hospital candidates 4 3M candidates 20-65 10 Jubilant students celebrated after the Commencement ceremony. Summer 2005 CLASS OF 2005 Age range of graduates in the Class of 2005 Countries other than the United States represented (Belarus, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, Sweden, and Vietnam) After the Commencement ceremony ended, students exited Melby Hall to join their families at the reception in Murphy Square. 15 Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy donate $2 million to Melby Hall expansion by Dan Jorgensen The proposed addition to Si Melby Hall, as shown from the southwest corner, is adjacent to Edor Nelson Field, facing 23rd Avenue South. All-American his senior year. He also was a two-time Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, and twotime MIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. In dual-meet competition, he lost only one match during his career and had 53 victories his junior and senior seasons. In 1996, he was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. He credits the discipline instilled in him by his coaches and mentors, particularly Mike Good ’71 (a current Augsburg regent) and John Grygelko (Augsburg’s head coach from 1973-80), as keys to his success. Good preceded Kennedy at both Fridley High School and Augsburg where he, too, was a champion wrestler. He went on to a successful business career in New York and has served on Continued on page 19 16 Dean Kennedy ’75 shared a moment of honor with his wife, Terry, when he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 for his career as an Auggie AllAmerican wrestler. Thanks to the generous gifts from Augsburg alumni and friends, the ceremonial groundbreaking for the south wing addition is scheduled for Oct. 29. Ground cannot be broken, however, until the remaining $1.5 million in gifts and pledges is secured. Contact the Development Office at 612-338-0002 or 1-800-273-0617. Summer 2005 David Santos/H. Larson Photography A former All-American wrestler and his wife have contributed $2 million to Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College in support of a major addition to the College’s athletic center, Si Melby Hall. The gift, made by Fridley natives Dean Kennedy ’75, and his wife, Terry, was announced recently by Augsburg President William V. Frame, who said the gift not only is “a magnificent gesture of support for the campaign, but also significant recognition for the work of coaches and others who shape the lives of those of our students and colleagues who are engaged in athletics.” Kennedy, an independent businessman, was the first four-time AllLutheran Tournament champion in the tournament’s history. And he was at the front end of what has been built into the most successful small-college wrestling program in the nation. In his senior year as co-captain, Kennedy led Augsburg to a runner-up spot in the NAIA national finals with a third-place finish at 142 pounds. In the ensuing 30 years, Augsburg has consistently finished among the top 10 in the nation, winning a record nine NCAA Division III national titles and taking second place seven more times. A four-year varsity wrestler for Augsburg, Kennedy was a 142-pound The Augsburg Fund annual goal of $1 million reached again Significant growth in alumni giving to The Augsburg Fund made an aggressive goal of $1 million reachable for the fiscal year ending May 31. The annual fund primarily supports student financial aid through scholarships and grants. Since this is unrestricted annual giving, gifts also may be used to provide for the critical needs of the College such as technology advancement and other strategic operations. “This is the second time in Augsburg’s history that $1million has been raised in one year for The Augsburg Fund,” said Stephanie Malone, director of the fund. “The standard has been set, so it should be an achievable goal in the future.” Significant giving this year came from the Alumni Board with 100 percent participation, the Board of Regents, and two class challenges generated by Alumni Board members and volunteer leaders, including the “Decade of the ’70s Challenge.” Ken ’74 and Linda (Bailey) ’74 Holmen provided the lead gift to the challenge, followed by more than 200 fellow alumni from the decade of the ’70s. Five alumni families from the 1970s—Rick Colvin ’74, Mark ’79 and Pamela (Hanson) ’79 Moksnes, Robert ’74 and Andrea (Johnson) ’75 Strommen, Philip ’79 and Julia (Davis) ’79 Styrlund, and Thomas Peterson ’70—issued a $50,000 challenge and 1:1 dollar match to ensure new levels of support and gifts of $100,000 to the College. “The Decade of the ’70s Challenge was a dollar-focused challenge that matched new and increased gifts to The Augsburg Fund,” said Malone. “We are pleased with the results and hope that next year other individuals will come forward and think of creative ways to sustain the College. “It was a highly successful year in terms of participation levels. First time donor giving rose 100 percent, and alumni giving increased from 20 percent to a participation rate of 25 percent.” Repeat and increased giving also were noticeable. All donors at the $10,000 level renewed their gifts, and new donors were added to the $25,000+ level, currently the top tier for gifts to The Augsburg Fund. Reunion year activities and volunteer involvement this year also sparked the growth of annual giving, led by Alumni Board initiatives. Class agents, who engaged their classmates through letters and contacts, were also extremely beneficial in helping to meet annual fund needs. “We will especially miss the efforts of class agent Wes Sideen ’58 who passed away earlier this year,” said Malone. He affected many Augsburg families by his vigor for life and commitment to his alma mater.” Giving to The Augsburg Fund is an important component of the $55 million capital campaign, Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College. “We hope alumni and friends of the College will continue to make The Augsburg Fund a priority,” Malone said. “We hope they continue to offer prayers and gifts of support and that the first gift they make every year is a gift to The Augsburg Fund as a way to ‘check in’ annually with their alma mater,” she continued. “After that we hope they will consider special opportunities based on the College’s priorities, like building and endowment initiatives. Gifts to Augsburg offer a future of access and excellence to our students.” For information on how to contribute to The Augsburg Fund, contact Stephanie Malone at <malone@augsburg.edu> or 612-338-4825. ■ Campaign progress $41.1M of $55M goal as of 7-31-05 Summer 2005 17 What is your dream job? For many of us, travel would play a part in our dream. The Reverend Dr. Arne Markland ’49, and his wife, Jean (Swanson) ’52 Markland, have lived their dream of seeing the world. Their gift for storytelling has landed them on the lecture circuit for a number of cruises—162 and counting. Arne first starting working on cruise ships as a chaplain and history lecturer and has amassed a repertoire of 156 lectures on countries and islands around the world. Jean shares her knowledge and expertise of how nutrition affects the brain. They have acted as destination art lecturers and have been fortunate to collect art on their travels. Their cruise travel has taken them mainly overseas. “We’re waiting to cruise to Sri Lanka, India, Havana, New Orleans, and Lake Wobegon,” said Arne. The Marklands have spent their lives encouraging people to enthusiastically embrace learning. Since graduating from Augsburg, Arne became a campus and parish pastor in Georgia, South Dakota, and Utah. He also served as a military chaplain for four years. Jean used her skills as a teacher and taught many different subjects in the public school system as a secondary school educator for 30 years. Recently the Marklands established an endowed scholarship to help support students who want to attend Augsburg from two high schools: Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, Minn., and Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, N.Dak. Arne grew up in the Norwegian section of Brooklyn, N.Y., but his parents sent him to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls for high school. Jean is from Bemidji, Minn., and has had an interest in Oak Grove Lutheran School. The scholarship is structured so if there are no students accepted to Augsburg from these high schools in a given year, the scholarship will be given to a current Augsburg student who will attend Luther Seminary or one who has an interest in secondary education. “We have always been interested in Christian education,” said Jean. “I liked the spiritual values of Augsburg when I was attending college. Augsburg has Courtesy photo Marklands endow a scholarship as they cruise into retirement Rev. Dr. Arne ’49 and Jean (Swanson) ’52 Markland are enjoying second careers as cruise ship lecturers while staying connected with Augsburg through an endowed scholarship. always stressed the values of serving and giving to others.” Perhaps like the Marklands you want to make student dreams a reality. After all, 85 percent of Augsburg’s students receive financial aid and scholarship support. Contact the Development Office at 612-338-0002 or 1-800-273-0617 to offer encouragement and significant financial assistance for students. ■ Ellingers support Science Center through student-faculty research Albert Einstein’s words, “It is high time that the ideal of success should be replaced by the ideal of service,” reflect the giving spirits of Patricia (Olson) ’71 and Mark ’71 Ellinger. The Ellingers, both biology majors at Augsburg, have enjoyed success in their careers and are now giving back in ways that will serve others. 18 Last year, they established an endowment, the Ellinger Faculty Scholar, to provide support for faculty research to include student collaboration. “We really appreciated how the research program was developed,” said Pat. “It is our way to support the new Science Center and faculty research because of the positive experiences we had at Augsburg.” “We were both drawn to Augsburg because of the strong science and biomedical programs and its Lutheran heritage,” continued Pat. Mark, who transferred to Augsburg during his junior year, echoed that: “I had a deep and continuing interest in the relationship of Summer 2005 Dean and Terry Kennedy, continued Augsburg’s board for the past three years. Just out of college in 1971, Good convinced Kennedy to come to Augsburg and then coached him his freshman year. Grygelko was Kennedy’s coach for his final three years. “I was fortunate to be on the varsity for four years and take my lead from good leaders who remain my lifelong friends,” Kennedy said. “It was such an important part of my life at the time, and it molded me and shaped my values as a person. “Terry and I have been blessed to be in the position to do this. We’re doing it for Jeff Swenson ’79, Mike Good, John Grygelko, and all the outstanding young men for whom the Augsburg wrestling program has meant so much. And now that we’ve thought it through and made the commitment, we’re feeling very good about it, both of us.” Swenson is current wrestling coach and assistant dean for athletics and recreation. Kennedy said he is a great admirer of Swenson’s coaching, but more importantly how he has shaped his team members into outstanding men who excel in the classroom and in society. “Augsburg has done a very good job in working with its student-athletes. I took great pride in the program when I was there, and 30 years later I’m still able to take pride. When I was at this year’s national tournament (in Northfield, Minn.) I was very impressed by Jeff’s work with these young men. They were articulate and, even with all their success, very humble. I attribute that to Jeff and his coaches. “You see a lot of successful ‘sports’ programs, but you don’t hear them talk about their graduation rates or inclassroom successes. But you do hear that at Augsburg. This is a college that teaches its students how to think critically and care about the world. I wanted to be supportive of that.” Kennedy said he also was spurred into making his gift by an earlier gift science and religion, which continues to captivate me.” Both of them enjoyed learning in smaller classes and taking a wide array of liberal arts in addition to the required biology courses for their majors. Taking Professor Robert Herforth’s Developmental Biology course influenced Mark significantly: it’s where he and Pat met, and it convinced Mark to pursue a Ph.D. Pat has never regretted following a career in medical technology suggested by her chemistry professor Courtland Agre. She went on to specialize in blood banking and obtained a master’s degree in health education. For many years both Mark and Pat Ellinger have mentored students about the importance of science careers and research. The Ellinger scholarship will further those efforts; and for its first recipient, biology professor Mark Strefeler, it will provide enhanced resources for his research and support for a student assistant. Summer 2005 made by Twin Cities wrestling legend Alan Rice—a non-Augsburg alum who donated $1 million to the campaign just a year ago. Kennedy said he had long known and admired Rice, and when he saw that kind of commitment from him, he knew that he, too, needed to step forward to insure that good facilities were available for future generations. The goal for the new facility is about $5 million, and nearly $4 million has now been raised. The College hopes to bring in the last of the money by fall and have a ceremonial groundbreaking soon thereafter. “I hope that Terry’s and my gift will not only spark interest in other generations of Augsburg athletes whose lives have been shaped by the College, but also by Augsburg alumni in general in support of the many other important projects, such as the new Science Center, that will serve so many students in so many different ways,” Kennedy said. ■ The Ellinger Faculty Scholarship has supported the collaborative research of biology professor Mark Strefeler and student assistant Andrea Carlson ’05. 19 Seed family endows StepUP to affirm others SM Adam Seed’s life changed when he attended Augsburg. “It took Hazelden and Don Warren, former StepUP SM director, to jumpstart me,” said Seed. “Don Warren saw my potential and made me believe in myself. He was always available to me and the other students.” Seed was one of the first students in Augsburg’s StepUP program, which supports students in recovery to achieve academic success. Now it’s Seed’s turn to share his passion for the program and offer his unique insight as co-chair of the StepUP Alumni Board. “His leadership, wisdom, and strong recovery are necessary assets for the Alumni Board,” said Patrice Salmeri, StepUP director. “I want to make a connection with others and come up with unique solutions to common problems,” Seed said. “I’d also like to help re-establish alumni connections and contribute to the decisions concerning StepUP’s present and future. StepUP is a major part of who I am today and its health and possibility for the future are very important to me. Augsburg’s part in my Vision is published by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor and Writer Lynn James Contributing Writer Dan Jorgensen Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza www.augsburg.edu/campaign 20 Jim and Adam Seed development was crucial. It’s my hope that students take the opportunity to get uncomfortable and grow in areas that typically don’t occur naturally.” Seed’s family also continues to be involved with StepUP because of the impact it had on his life. In 2003 the Seed family received the Toby LaBelle Award as the StepUP Family of the Year. Recently, they showed support for the program by answering the Parent/Family and Friend Challenge. “By endowing the StepUP program— both as a physical and financial resource—we hope to create more certainty for its future,” said Jim Seed, Adam’s father. “We appreciate what was available to Adam and to others. I’d also like to commend [President] Bill Frame on his dedication to this program and to Augsburg,” said Jim. “I appreciate the commitment and loyalty to the program shown by the Seeds,” said Salmeri. “Since its inception in 1997, when Adam was in the class of founding students, the program has grown from 23 students to 53 students. Our new home, [the] Gateway [Building], will house 84 students.” “The original model for the StepUP program evolved over the last eight years,” Jim Seed said. “Young people are living in a small community and supporting each other. Prior to StepUP it was something that was impossible for them to do on their own. It’s a transformational environment where students break through the memories of failure and then come back into that environment. “It’s a wonderful program. It will be affirming and visionary if this program is constructed and transported to other colleges and universities. StepUP is a paradigm for life. As a collective group we have to help each other.” ■ GATEWAY CONSTRUCTION FURTHERED BY CHALLENGE GIFTS Thanks to the generous support by the Seed family and others, StepUP’s Parent/Family and Friend Challenge met its goal. The challenge, set by Jim Johnson in the spring of 2004, raised $425,000 toward construction of the Gateway Building that will house the StepUP program. Johnson, a former CEO of Fannie Mae, likes the urban village concept of the planned mixed-use office/retail/residential Gateway Building. He also appreciates the collaboration between the University of Minnesota and Augsburg, with both institutions serving the neighborhood and addressing needs for retail and housing. Johnson has been supportive of education and a strong proponent of higher education. At Augsburg, Johnson honored his mother, Adeline (Rasmussen) ’31 Johnson, by establishing a scholarship in her name. Summer 2005 FINDING THE RIGHT CAREER F O R M U L A by Betsey Norgard TRYING OUT THE OPTIONS Senior Jennifer Geis has shaped her own career goals in just this way. She came to Augsburg having been turned on to math in the eighth grade and having studied two years of college math as a postsecondary student. But, she really didn’t have a career focus, and hadn’t even settled on a math major. After two years of Summer 2005 Staff photo S On one of the first nice days in spring, students in Professor Rebekah Dupont’s (second from left) class enjoyed solving their math problems outside on the Quad. Stephen Geffre tudying mathematics can open doors to increasing numbers of varied careers and jobs for students. Often called the “language of science,” mathematics provides a structure and the tools to solve many kinds of problems, especially within the increasing complexity of today’s sciences and technology. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2002 Jobs Rated Almanac, eight of the 10 “best jobs”—biologist, actuary, financial planner, computer-systems analyst, software engineer, meteorologist, statistician, and astronomer—all require complex understanding and interpretation of numbers. Even more telling of how mathematics is becoming “cool” is the popularity of the new CBS-TV show, Numb3rs, in which a mathematician helps the FBI solve crimes through mathematical modeling—constructing formulas to reveal patterns and predict behavior. Using mathematics as a complementary skill to a variety of disciplines makes it a valuable second major or minor. Augsburg students combine math with physics, computer science, biology, psychology, economics, as well as music, English, Spanish, and religion. While some students know they want to pursue a degree in mathematics, many students generally don’t enter Augsburg intending to major in math, or even to study it. So, how does the mathematics faculty help students sort out the possibilities for math in liberal arts, for teaching, for research, for graduate school, and for using math in both theory and application? “We encourage them to pursue opportunities for out-of-class experiences such as community service, undergraduate research, paper presentations, and internships,” said department chair Rebekah Dupont. “Then, as part of our advising, we talk about what they liked best, and what perhaps they didn’t. “Our focus is really on helping students to activate their potential by connecting them to opportunities they might not have known about.” Senior Jennifer Geis has taken advantage of internships, tutoring, and research to help her pursue a career in statistics. mathematics courses at Augsburg, she knew she was hooked. “When my professors realized I was spending more time in the math department than anywhere else, they encouraged me to improve my teaching and tutoring skills,” said Geis. She began assisting with grading and tutoring in calculus, linear algebra, statistics, and courses for non-majors. It was a course in actuarial science that really sparked her interest and led to her work with Professor Ken Kaminsky on the textbook he had just completed. While giving the textbook a trial run in one of his classes, Kaminsky asked Geis to help him proofread, review the ease of layout, and 21 Stephen Geffre Stephen Geffre Professor Ken Kaminsky tried out his new textbook with classes over several semesters, and tests his math cartoons with the readers of Augarithms, the bi-weekly department newsletter. Rhythm and ‘Rithmetic—Music professor Bob Stacke ’71 (left) and math professor Matt Haines (right) presented an interactive seminar for Augsburg faculty, staff, and students to demonstrate how counting beats in a measure is really mathematics. verify the accuracy of the answers— while also gaining a bird’s-eye view into how a professor engages in academic scholarship. Kaminsky encouraged Geis to pursue a double major in mathematics and actuarial science, which she is able to do through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) consortium, allowing students to take courses at four other private colleges when they’re not learned how to communicate clearly and how to explain myself carefully.” This summer, she left the business world to accept a research internship in statistics at North Carolina State University, funded through the National Science Foundation. This gives her an introduction to the wider application of statistics than actuarial science offers. Mathematics major Tim Bancroft, who is now at Iowa State University T E A C H I N G Mathematics professors Tracy Bibelnieks and Matthew Haines usually focus on helping college math majors head to graduate school or other careers. Recently, though, they have spent considerable time together with education specialists across the country studying the mathematical knowledge needed by college students who are preparing to become teachers. This is important because everyone is learning mathematics differently now than how it was taught years ago—even only five years ago. Starting in early grades, children begin playing games with numbers—tossing pennies and making charts to learn about probability, for instance. In each succeeding year, their classroom learning builds on and expands the knowledge and skills they already have. It means that elementary teachers need to develop a deeper understanding of numbers than just how to add two 22 available on the home campus. Geis put her skills into practice for a year as an intern at Allianz Life Insurance. She became part of a team implementing a major, new actuarial reserving system and feels fortunate to have been given a role and responsibility. Plus, she learned more. “Some of the most important things I’ve learned working at Allianz have nothing to do with math,” she said. “I’ve M A T H E M A T I C S T O numbers, or divide, or multiply. High school calculus teachers must understand how their students learned mathematics as they progressed through the grades—how their thinking developed and how they communicate mathematical concepts. Bibelnieks and Haines focused their research on mathematics content for students preparing to be elementary teachers who have neither a strong background in math nor an interest in teaching it. Already, together with Augsburg’s K-6 mathematics education specialist Linda Stevens, they’ve made content revisions in two mathematics courses. It has been a more difficult assignment than they imagined. “How you teach pre-service teachers [education majors] is different from how you teach somebody who’s going on to graduate school in math, says Bibelnieks. “You have to go out of your comfort zone T E A C H E R S and learn what it means to be an elementary teacher in some sense.” Bibelnieks, Haines, and Stevens received Minnesota State Education Department funding to work with current teachers on acquisition of content knowledge in mathematics and its application to classroom learning. An in-service workshop first focused on mathematics content; Bibelnieks, Haines, and Stevens then advised the teachers during the school year in class activities. The project goal was to develop a “professional continuum,” in which knowledge gained from current teachers informs how future teachers learn, who then go into the field, etc. This summer Bibelnieks and Haines presented papers at an international conference in Brazil outlining Augsburg’s new curriculum as well as Haines’ participation in a wider longitudinal study looking at where education students learn their mathematics. Summer 2005 Staff photo working on a master’s degree in statistics, was able to enter graduate school with solid research experience. He took a project from his Discrete Mathematics Structures class with Professor Su Dorée and developed a research project in combinatorics, which studies the arrangement of objects. For the cointrading game called Bulgarian Exchange, Bancroft took results from the solitaire version of this game and generalized the patterns and repetitive cycle of twoperson play. Together with Dorée, Bancroft presented his research at a national mathematics conference. Stephen Geffre Tim Bancroft began grad school with solid research and presentation skills from a project he carried out with Professor Su Dorée involving prediction of patterns in a coin-trading game. S T U D E N T S AT T H E CUTTING EDGE Professor Tracy Bibelnieks considers herself an applied mathematician, which in her words involves “using theoretical mathematics in innovative ways to solve rich business problems.” She previously worked as a consultant, applying mathematics to the analysis of huge customer databases to help companies address problems or maximize revenue in their marketing and promotional strategies. Bibelnieks is seeking to develop partnerships with local firms that would provide benefit to both the business world and to her Augsburg students. She is looking for rich business problems and projects that will engage students in research beyond the standard classroom theory and models. The mathematical theory involved has to be exacting and validated—risky for a company to undertake—but invaluable for students wanting to get their feet wet in the field. The research generated by such a business/academic partnership gives students an edge as they look for career opportunities in the marketplace. Moreover, it may give the business an edge in the marketplace through the development of new tools, techniques, and solutions for a wide range of business problems. In September, Jennifer Geis begins to work with Bibelnieks on a business partnership research project. Geis is excited because it will require her to learn more about applied mathematics in the business sector, including the use of programming and software, that will hopefully give her that extra edge as she pursues an advanced career in statistics. ENGAGED STUDENTS Professor Tracy Bibelnieks is developing business partnerships to provide problems and projects for students to research and gain experience in applied mathematics. Summer 2005 The mathematics department makes it easy for students to feel connected to R E A D P I — T H R O W P I E ! On 3-14 (March 14, that is), students in Unbounded, Augsburg’s math club, hosted a pi(e) fest, in honor of Pi Day. The event benefited Augsburg's “Ride the Wave” tsunami relief project. From noon until 3:14:15 p.m., students took turns reading the digits of pi— 24,401 at final count. Also, faculty and staff signed up to be “pied,” i.e., to have a whipped-cream minipie tossed at them for a donation— the larger the donation, the closer the pie subject would stand. faculty. Several years ago, a study room was set up in the department to encourage students and faculty to get to know each other. Students spend time there using the telephone or computers, or researching something in the small library. “I practically live in the math suite with the workroom and the study areas,” said Geis. “It’s great just having the professors there. They come in to eat lunch and help you through your homework right then and there.” Dupont adds that it also encourages a supportive environment in which upperclass students can help newer students. The department also brings students together in bi-monthly colloquia where they meet professionals in various fields of mathematics, learn about applications, and hear research presentations. Often the presenters are Augsburg alumni who enjoy keeping in contact with their former professors and getting to know current students. Augarithms, the department’s biweekly newsletter, complete with department news, colloquia information, puzzles, and even math cartoons provided by editor Kaminsky, keeps the department in touch. All of this is to encourage students to connect what they learn in classrooms 23 K E E P I N G A L E G A C Y A L I V E T H E G E O R G E S O B E R G S C H O L A R S H I P Professor George Soberg graduated from communicate to our students that we Augsburg in 1926, and then spent the think they show real potential in next four decades of his life teaching mathematics. As a department, we mathematics at his alma mater. For 32 believe in honoring the level of years he served as chair of the accomplishment seen in junior or senior Mathematics Department. mathematics majors, and also celebrating The 1965 Augsburgian dedication the strong performance and enthusiasm calls out his “constant concern for of a freshman in calculus. In addition, students and his ever-ready willingness since they are named scholarships, they to help them individually.” connect our current students with alumni Donald G. Murphy ’43 and Kenneth A. Gilles ’44 were two of Soberg’s and faculty emeriti. “A named scholarship is one of the students who wanted to keep his legacy many ways alumni give back to our alive and inspire future students to department. Mathematics alumni also achieve their educational dreams. In speak in our colloquia, connect students 2004, Murphy and Gilles endowed a with internship opportunities, serve on scholarship in Soberg’s name to be Augsburg’s alumni board, and participate awarded to a math major or minor. in programs such as the alumni “The value of such gifts to the mentoring program (funded by the Lilly department is immeasurable,” Endowment), which brings together commented Rebekah Dupont, alumni, current students, Mathematics Department chair. “The and faculty.” scholarships funded by these gifts Archive photo Professor George Soberg, who graduated from Augsburg and stayed to teach and chair the Mathematics Department for over 30 years, now has an endowed scholarship in his honor. 24 with real-world mathematics. Last year, Dupont and other faculty and staff from Augsburg attended the Engaged Department Institute in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Related Fields. Co-sponsored by Campus Compact and 3M Corporation, the institute aimed to help departments develop strategies to include communitybased work in both their teaching and scholarship and to seek ways to integrate service-learning, community-based research, and civic engagement into the curricula. For example, one of the first-year mathematics courses last fall that was part of the Augsburg Seminar student orientation included service-learning at the Cedar-Riverside Community School. Augsburg students worked with the elementary children to create a store, helping them understand what kinds of data they needed to make decisions about stocking the store, setting prices, etc. All in all, the department seeks to encourage students to explore the possibilities and to help them understand what it means to be successful in the sciences. It’s part of introducing them to the notion of vocation—helping them discover the opportunities within their own interests and abilities. Bibelnieks talks about helping them open doors, which they can leave behind if they wish, but supporting them toward success, not failure. For Geis, it’s made the difference. “All my professors have encouraged me to try things I didn’t think I could do,” she says. “I didn’t think I could get my internship this summer, but I was accepted. I didn’t think about pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. in statistics, but here I am prepping for my GREs. It’s been a lack of self-confidence, and they’ve always encouraged me to push myself from the limit to the next level, and I think that’s the most important thing.” ■ For information about Augsburg mathematics, go to <www.augsburg.edu/ mathematics>. Summer 2005 Music after Augsburg R FOLLOWING THE HOGNANDER SCHOLARS by Jessica Brown adio variety shows … opera … film scores … high school teaching … music education outreach … electronic music … jazz composition … Augsburg’s Hognander Scholars are out making their marks in music around the world. In 1998, the Orville ’36 and Gertrude (Lund) ’36 Hognander Family Fund was established to support Augsburg’s music department. Principally, it establishes the Hognander Scholars, juniors and seniors who receive merit awards for exceptional music performance and academic achievement. The award is based on a résumé, essay, and audition. Here is an update on the Hognander Scholars, now Augsburg alumni, from the past seven years. Stephen Geffre Aaron Gabriel ’00 (below), tenor, graduated with majors in both English and music performance. He is now director of cultural arts at the Sabes Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis, where he supervises the music, theatre, dance, art, literary, and cinematic arts programs. Center Playhouse, the youth theatre program he created does six productions a year and includes a Holocaust outreach program, touching 3,000 middle school age students; a classics series for teens interested in classic playwrights; and two summer musical theatre institutes based on the Wesley Balk training he received at Augsburg. In addition, Gabriel performs regularly with a number of local Twin Cities theatre companies, including the Minneapolis Musical Theatre, which won the Star Tribune Best Small Theatre Award in 2004 for Bat Boy, a musical in which Gabriel played five characters. Qiuxia (Hu) Welch ’99, French horn, was “recruited” to Augsburg by Professor Emeritus Robert Karlén, who met her while teaching at the Sichuan Summer 2005 Conservatory in China. After Augsburg, she studied in the graduate program of the University of Minnesota School of Music and has spent three summers teaching high school horn and performing at the Kendell Betts Horn Camp in New Hampshire. She and her husband, Kevin, are moving to China for several years to continue their teaching and performing careers. Chiho Okuizumi ’00 (above), euphonium, earned an Augsburg degree in music therapy, but also pursued an instrumental career. At Montclair State University she completed a master’s 25 FOLLOWING THE HOGNANDER SCHOLARS degree in euphonium performance, and she continues to play in the New York metropolitan area. She is currently pursuing a second degree at Montclair State University in music therapy. Okuizumi directs the REACH (Resources for Education And Community Harmony) program for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and produces orchestra concerts throughout the state. As a one-person production unit for the NJSO, she manages 120-150 concerts each year, serving 20,000 people. Jaime Kirchofner ’00, oboe, has carved out a busy performance and teaching career since graduating from Augsburg. She plays second oboe in the St. Cloud (Minn.) Symphony and regularly appears with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Amadeus Symphony, Great River Chorale, Minnesota Center Chorale, and chamber groups throughout central Minnesota. She currently has 40 piano and oboe students. Nicole (Warner) Simml ’01 (left), mezzo-soprano, has performed for audiences in the U.S. and abroad. In her junior year at Augsburg, she brought home top division honors in a regional voice competition. After graduating, she completed a master’s degree in classical voice from the Manhattan School of Music and moved to Germany. In December, she sang Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. “Without overflowing emotion, [Simml] convincingly uses the opportunity to sing unpretentiously and stylefully,” read a German newspaper in translation. 26 She is also an active member of the Gächinger Kantorei under the direction of Helmuth Rilling. She teaches voice and piano, and conducts a small community choir. Anna Brandsoy ’01, soprano, studied in Germany at the Mozarteum and the Münchner Singschule with Edda Moser on a scholarship from the Voices of Vienna. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota where she has performed in numerous operas. Last December, she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, South Dakota Region. Joe Tucker ’01, piano, is director of instrumental music at Como Park High School in St. Paul, where he has established an orchestra program which now boasts 40 members, has expanded the band program to two ensembles with a total of 85 students, and has led ensembles to top honors at state contests for four consecutive years. From Augsburg, he earned a master’s degree in music education from the University of Minnesota. He was recently recognized as an “outstanding teacher” in the 2005 edition of “Who’s Who in American Teaching.” Brendan Anderson ’02 (top right), saxophone and composition, made a name for himself as a composer even before leaving Augsburg. In his senior year, he led the Augsburg Choir and Concert Band in the premiere “I Believe,” his interpretation of the Apostles’ Creed in word and music. The work was later performed at the Crystal Cathedral in California during the Concert Band’s spring tour in 2003. In the past two years he has completed coursework in the UCLA film scoring program, and been commis- sioned to compose an arrangement of part of the Lutheran liturgy, as well as a piece for the Lutheran High School of Orange County (Calif.) Handbell Ensemble and Hollywood Brass Ensemble. This spring Anderson was nominated for Best Original Score at the 168 Hour Film Festival in Pasadena, Calif., for his score to the short film, Picket Guy. He lives in Arizona and works in the administrative offices of the Phoenix Symphony while continuing to compose both concert and film music. Lindsay Bonner ’02, soprano, sang in the Augsburg Choir, performed with the Gospel Praise ensemble, and appeared on the theatre stage. In 2002, she studied on scholarship at the Wesley Balk MusicTheater Institute and performed with Nautilus Music-Theater. For two years she has been in Austin, Texas, where she is a featured performer with the Lillian Kaufman Radio Drama and teaches voice lessons at Westlake High School. Bonner has also performed on Eklektikos, an Austin Public Radio variety program. Daniel Luedtke ’02, piano, is exploring the potential for creative expression Summer 2005 Stephen Geffre found in the experimental and electronic genre. He currently works on electronic music and sound design projects, as well as the post-production video editing for the Pilot Chicago Queermedia Conference 2004. In July he began work with the Video Data Bank in Chicago, Ill., a resource for videotapes by and about contemporary artists. Visitors and is performing the part of La Ciesca this summer in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. FritzHuspen is a teaching assistant and will begin to coach private vocal lessons in the fall. Mark Abelsen (’04), piano, has plans for graduate school in the near future, majoring in either piano or musicology. He currently works for the Schubert Club in St. Paul as a museum docent in the organization’s keyboard and manuscript museums, as well as assists with various recital series, scholarship competitions, and office duties. In addition, he serves as director of music ministries for Epiphany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and has a piano studio of 12 students. Gertrude Hognander with the 19992000 Hognander Scholars Jaime Kirchofner ’00 (left) and Chiho Okuizumi ’00 (right). THE HOGNANDERS: SUPPORTING MUSIC EXCELLENCE Orville ’36 and Gertrude (Lund) ’36 Hognander created a legacy in Augsburg’s music department that will encourage and support students for years to come. Emily Gerard ’03 (above), harp, studied harp at Augsburg with Kathy Kienzle, principal harpist with the Minnesota Orchestra. She went on to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where she studied with Gretchen Van Hoesen, principal harpist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. During her time there, she was able to participate in numerous master classes and perform repertoire with the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, and play second harp with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In May she earned her Master of Music degree in harp recital. Upon completing this degree, she returned to Minneapolis to join the faculty of the MacPhail School of Music. Maja Lisa FritzHuspen ’04 (top center), soprano, currently studies at the University of Iowa with Rachel Joselson and opera director Gary Race. Last fall she performed the lead role as the mother of Amahl in Amahl and the Night Summer 2005 While a student at Augsburg in the 1930s, Orville Hognander sang in the male quartet and the Augsburg Choir. He created and produced “The Hour Melodious,” a weekly radio program that brought the choir to a national audience. Gertrude (Lund) ’36 Hognander, studied music at Augsburg and went on to a career as a church organist and choir director. Andy Peterson ’05 (above with Professor Angela Wyatt), piano and saxophone, will complete his bachelor’s degree in music education following student teaching at Henry Sibley High School this fall. He is currently working on his composition Sound Carei's, a piece for saxophone and piano which was inspired by the music of Minneapolis jazz musician Carei Thomas. ■ Jessica Brown is a communication specialist in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. Together, they provided leadership support to Augsburg music. In 1994, they matched a $25,000 challenge to refurbish pianos and purchase equipment for the music department. The Hognander Scholar awards, aim to attract gifted students and to encourage current students. Orville Hognander died in 1997, and Gertrude Hognander in January 2005. They are survived by their son, O.C. Hognander, Jr. 27 AAlumni LUMNINews NEWS From the Alumni Board president’s desk… I n May I had the opportunity to attend Augsburg’s Commencement ceremony in Si Melby Hall. I also had the privilege to welcome new graduates into the ranks of over 19,000 alumni. Surveying the crowd, I was reminded that Augsburg graduates are prepared to lead and make a difference—wherever their community is and however defined. Augsburg graduates understand that the phrase “values proposition” goes beyond the business marketing context to include living out one’s life in service to community and others. Representatives from each graduating class spoke of their experiences and perspectives as learners. Glenda Holste, representing graduate-level students, shared a story that revealed the important value she places on her education. However, she didn’t mention her career as a member of the Pioneer Press Editorial Board. Her role at the Pioneer Press newspaper exemplifies the Augsburg spirit of leadership and service to others. Holste’s editorial responsibilities and op-ed writing reach many thousands of people each day—and her work ensures that readers have the opportunity to be informed on many viewpoints of important issues of the day. Another example of exemplary service is Dr. Jeanette Vought ’77, profiled on page 31 of this issue. Vought founded the Christian Recovery Center in Brooklyn Center, Minn., which helps many people get the mental health care they need. In today’s world of A-Club making connections with new look and Web site A n old Augsburg tradition has a fresh new face! Earlier this year, the A-Club Executive Committee approved a new logo for the organization that supports Augsburg athletics and physical education. “We hope the bold, clean look will increase awareness of A-Club events as well as our mission of helping today’s student athletes,” said John Harden, A-Club president. The block “A” is just the first step aimed at improving A-Club’s brand. Visitors will see the logo on the debut Web site (www.aclub.org). For the first time, A-Club members and friends can get the latest information on events, activities, fundraising efforts, and newsletters online. “It is critical to stay connected with all our members, and this Web site will help us take giant steps toward improved 28 communication,” Harden said. By browsing the site, visitors will also discover an exciting line of A-Club apparel featuring the block “A.” Hats, shirts, windbreakers, and even stadium blankets are now available online with proceeds benefiting Augsburg athletics and physical education. diminishing access for mental health services, particularly for lower income people, Vought’s service approach is particularly needed and inspiring. Each of us as alumni have the spirit of vocation and leadership potential of Vought and Holste. We are all at a starting point of some kind or another. If you haven’t already, I invite each one of you to connect or re-connect with Augsburg College. Along the way your life experience will grow and be enhanced, your community will benefit, and Augsburg will be enriched many times over. Be connected—stay connected! Bill Vanderwall ’93 WEC President, Alumni Board A-Club 5K Run/Walk The Augsburg College Athletic Alumni Club (A-Club) requests your participation in the Second Annual A-Club 5K Run/Walk. Join us for a fun morning of fellowship and running or walking in the crisp autumn air while helping to support student athletes at Augsburg. The event will take place Sunday, September 18. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at Melby Hall; race begins at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, please contact A-Club President John Harden at <jharden@hardeninc.com>. Second Annual A-Club 5K Summer 2005 Attention Auggies: Do you have the time and desire to help today’s student-athletes become tomorrow’s leaders? The Augsburg A-Club is looking for women and men who are willing to be active participants on the A-Club Executive Committee. The A-Club is a volunteer organization of former men and women athletes that depends on members to do what they can to help provide today’s student-athletes with opportunities for a quality athletic experience. We are looking for individuals who are dedicated to supporting the College, Augsburg athletics, and physical education. Most important, they must be willing to put in time as a volunteer. The time does not have to be significant, but they do need to be able to follow through on their commitment (we’re big on people doing what they say they will). Members must be able to attend brief quarterly Executive Committee meetings at the College and be willing to work on at least one A-Club committee: Golf, Hall of Alumni tour to China Centennial Singers Fall Schedule Enjoy fellowship, comfort, and enriching educational opportunities on the May 2006 Augsburg Alumni Association China tour: Sights and Spirits. Hosted by Brad Holt, professor of religion, this 15day tour scheduled for May 11–25, 2006, begins in Beijing and includes Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors, and a boat cruise down the Yangtze River past the Three Gorges, which will be flooded by a dam project at the end of this decade. The international city of Shanghai concludes this travel experience. In addition to visiting famous sites in China, the tour will include an investigation of the religions of China, including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, with special attention to the churches of China. Spaces are filling quickly; to add your name to the waiting list, call or e-mail the alumni office at 612-330-1178 or <alumni@augsburg.edu>. Summer 2005 Fame, Membership, Fundraising, Communications, Special Events, 5K Run/Walk, etc. Are you interested in joining our team? Do you know of someone who would be a good fit on a winning team? If you would like to know more, e-mail A-Club President John Harden (jharden@hardeninc.com), or Jane Helmke (jhelmke@kare.gannett.com). Thanks for your interest! September 25, 4 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church Moose Lake, Minn. October 22, 7 p.m. Salem Covenant Church New Brighton, Minn. October 1, 6 p.m. Augsburg Awards Banquet Christensen Center October 23, 7 p.m. Christ the King Lutheran Church Bloomington, Minn. October 2, 7 p.m. Golden Valley Lutheran Church Golden Valley, Minn. October 29, 7 p.m. Lakeville Arts Center Lakeville, Minn. October 9, 9 and 10:45 a.m. House of Prayer worship services Richfield, Minn. October 30, 7 p.m. Community of the Cross Lutheran Church Bloomington, Minn. October 9, 4 p.m. Westwood Lutheran Church St. Louis Park, Minn. October 17, 7:30 p.m. Wayzata Community Church Wayzata, Minn. November 6, 4 p.m. Our Savior's Luthera
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Title: Augsburg Now Winter-Spring 2005
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N Winter/Spring 2005 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 2-3 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE Learning by seeing and doing I usually write this piece at the very last moment, after all the page layout is complete and after ...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N Winter/Spring 2005 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 2-3 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE Learning by seeing and doing I usually write this piece at the very last moment, after all the page layout is complete and after we’ve proofed everything. At this point, the magazine is finally in order, and, freed of the editorial minutiae, I can more easily take in the content as a reader. I always seem to discover unexpected themes and threads among the stories. Sometimes they’re serendipitous, and sometimes it’s as if the stories fall together to create something greater than the sum of their individual parts. When I “read” through this issue, I was struck by how much of the content deals with learning outside the classroom. Moreover, the one story that is about classroom learning lauds the new ways that technology links us with classrooms, students, and teachers around the world. Experiential learning, the learning that takes students outside of books, and mostly outside of classrooms, is powerful. It’s an Augsburg hallmark, enhanced by the vast resources of the neighborhoods, city, and world around us. I felt the power of experience when student Anna Warnes talked about how the tsunami didn’t kill faceless people on the other side of the world, but people she knew and had learned from in Thailand. I also felt it in hearing from our nursing students who learned about Lakota culture and the inequalities of health care from the nurses and residents they met on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Names also became real faces and people for the school children participating in the Peace Prize Festival who had “adopted” Nobel Peace Prize laureates and spent months developing creative projects around their lives. And, after hearing Dr. Sima Samar speak at the Peace Prize Forum, it will be difficult to read about Afghanistan without thinking about the persecution and hardships she has endured in her life. The timing of the article in this issue about Professor Garry Hesser—honored as Minnesota Professor of the Year—was serendipity, but couldn’t have fit better with themes about experience in an Augsburg education. His vision, wisdom, and leadership at Augsburg and across the nation have enabled students to learn more fully through internships, service-learning, cooperative education, and by getting out of the classroom and into the community. So, read on and experience an education exemplified, I believe, by the phrase on many of the publications from our Center for Global Education—“See the world through their eyes, and your world will never be the same.” Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamholz ’04 Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V. Frame Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Amy Sutton Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jorgensen Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 Betsey Norgard Editor Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu 10 A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Winter/Spring 2005 Vol. 67, No. 2-3 FEATURES 22 22 Through the eyes of teachers, the eyes of students by Kathy Swanson, Anna Warnes ’05, Jeff Moores ’05, Sue Kneen ’04, and Rachel Schuette ’03 28 Learning with your heart by Judy Petree 8 10 13 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Forum Garry Hesser: Minnesota Professor of the Year Vision, news from Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College DEPARTMENTS 2 Around the Quad 6 Sports 17 Faculty/Staff Notes 34 Alumni News 37 Class Notes 43 In Memoriam 44 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover 28 Calendar 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) On the cover: The 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Forum brought together nearly 1,000 people to hear, consider, and discuss issues of women’s rights, honoring 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. Photo by Stephen Geffre. AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad NEWS NOTES Campus Kitchen receives honors The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg received one of nine Harry Chapin Self-Reliance awards given by World Hunger Year (WHY) to “outstanding grassroots organizations in the U.S. that have moved beyond charity to creating change in their communities.” WHY is devoted to finding grassroots solutions to hunger and poverty. Campus Kitchen at Augsburg is a partnership with The Campus Kitchens Project and local community agencies to use food donations from campus dining operations, student organizations, and Second Harvest Heartland in preparation of meals delivered to community service agencies. Since Augsburg’s program began in October 2003, over 10,000 meals have been served and 300 volunteers involved in Augsburg’s program. Thrivent grant will help strengthen planned giving program Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has awarded Augsburg $99,935 over two years to support the College’s plan to strengthen its planned giving program. The grant will expand Augsburg’s congregational outreach to inform, motivate, and engage Lutherans through seminars, individual visits, direct mail, and Web site content in the charitable giving options available to them. Rochester Program relocates After five years at the Rochester Central Lutheran School, Augsburg’s Rochester campus program moved closer to downtown with its new location at Bethel Lutheran Church. In January, the College officially celebrated the move and dedicated the new location. Speakers included Rochester mayor Ardelle Brede; Rev. Gary Benson ’70, Augsburg regent and minister of Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester; Rev. Norman Wahl ’75, executive pastor of Bethel Lutheran; and Pat Engstrom, a current graduate nursing student in Rochester who spoke on behalf of the Rochester students. Augsburg’s Gospel Praise, a student music ensemble that performs across the nation, also took part in the celebration. Robert Stacke ’71, the group’s director and chair of the Music Department, used the occasion to note that Augsburg would continued on page 3 2 A college with a conscience A ugsburg College is one of the nation’s best colleges fostering social responsibility and public service, according to The Princeton Review and Campus Compact. It is one of 81 institutions in the nation featured by The Princeton Review in its book, Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement, to be released in June. “A college with a conscience,” said Robert Franek, vice president for admission services at The Princeton Review, “has both an administration committed to social responsibility and a student body actively engaged in serving society. Education at these schools isn’t only about private gain: it’s about the public good.” The Princeton Review, an organization that prepares online test-prep courses, books, and other education services, partnered with Campus Compact, a national organization committed to the civic purposes of higher education, to choose the schools and develop the book. Colleges were also nominated by organizations with expertise in campus community service and engagement. Criteria included the college’s admission practices and scholarships rewarding community service, support for service-learning programs, student activism, student voice in school governance, and level of social engagement of its student body. From over 900 nominations, the list was shortened as editors collected data about the nominees’ programs and policies, and surveyed their students, faculty, and staff. Parker Palmer is the 2005 Commencement speaker P arker J. Palmer will present the Commencement remarks, “Living the Questions,” at the 2005 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7. Palmer, a respected writer, lecturer, teacher, and activist, focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change. His work speaks deeply to people in many walks of life. He serves as senior associate of the American Association of Higher Education, and senior adviser to the Fetzer Institute. He is the founder of the Center for Teacher Formation, which oversees the “Courage to Teach” program for K-12 educators across the country and a parallel program for people in other professions. Palmer’s work has been recognized with eight honorary doctorates, two Distinguished Achievement Awards from the National Educational Press Association, an Award of Excellence from the Associated Church Press, and major grants from the Danforth Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, and the Fetzer Institute. He has published a dozen poems, more than 100 essays, and seven best-selling and award-winning books, including A Hidden Wholeness, Let Your Life Speak, and The Courage to Teach. In 1998, The Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 administrators and faculty, named Palmer one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agendasetters” of the past decade. Winter/Spring 2005 New regents elected to board Frank Cerra, M.D. Anthony (Tony) L. Genia, Jr. ’85, M.D. T hree new members and one re-elected member were welcomed to the Augsburg College Board of Regents at their meeting in January. Re-elected to a second term is former Minneapolis city councilmember Jackie Cherryhomes ’76, a government relations consultant and current chair of Augsburg’s Government and Community Relations Committee. Frank Cerra, M.D. Dr. Frank Cerra is senior vice president for health sciences at the University of Minnesota, one of the most comprehensive academic health centers in the U.S. He graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton and received his medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine. In 1991, he came to the University of Minnesota as director of surgical critical care, and in 1995 was appointed dean of the Medical School. He is co-developer of the bioartificial liver, a device similar to a kidney dialysis machine. Anthony (Tony) L. Genia, Jr. ’85, M.D. Dr. Tony Genia graduated from Augsburg in 1985 with a major in biology. While a student, he served as president of the Intertribal Student Union. He earned a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, and Winter/Spring 2005 Beverly (Halling) Oren ’55 completed a residency in emergency medicine at the University of New Mexico Hospital in 1993. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine. His principal practice is at Fairview-University Medical Center in Minneapolis. Beverly (Halling) Oren ’55 Bev Oren graduated from Augsburg in 1955 with a major in history and a minor in English. She taught school for several years and then served as vice president of human resources during the 1980s and 1990s at Dart Transit Company, a nationwide trucking and logistics company of which her husband, Donald Oren ’53, is president. She remains a principal and adviser in the company. She currently serves on the boards of Minnehaha Academy and Dart Transit Company, as well as having formerly served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA, and the Covenant Pines Bible Camp. The new board members were elected to four-year terms by the Augsburg Corporation at its meeting in October. The Augsburg Corporation is comprised of representatives elected by the assemblies of the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northwest Wisconsin Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. NEWS NOTES begin offering music courses in Rochester next year. The Rochester Program began in fall 1998 with 65 nurses, mostly employees of Mayo Clinic, studying toward a bachelor’s degree completion. Now, at nearly four times that size, 230 students are currently enrolled in bachelor degree programs in business, management information systems (MIS), education, and nursing (BSN completion), as well as in the Master of Arts degree in nursing. Augsburg Academy needs high school students The Augsburg Academy for Health Careers is recruiting 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade students interested in math and science for its first class beginning this fall when doors open in St. Paul. The academy is a new charter school, sponsored by Augsburg, Fairview Health Services, and Faith in the City, a collaborative of seven Lutheran-based Twin Cities institutions. Centered on health as a vocation and a way of life, the free school receives grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Focusing on math and science within a regular curriculum, students will gain immediate skills, graduating with certification in CPR and first aid, and either as a nurse assistant or first responder. Mentoring and job-shadowing will begin in grades 9 and 10. For information, contact Linda Packard, Fairview Community Health Outreach, at 612-672-6322. Augsburg gains European partners Augsburg has established academic partnerships with universities in Poland, Slovenia, and Finland. Business professor Magda PalecznyZapp is co-coordinator of two partnerships—one with the Krakow University of Economics in Krakow, Poland, and the other with University of Ljubljana in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Opportunities will include faculty exchanges, research collaboration, curriculum development and teaching, and study abroad for students. Augsburg’s International Partners program has established a partnership with Arcada College in Helsinki, Finland, for students in business, economics, and MIS. All course credits taken there will apply to Augsburg majors. 3 Around the Quad A ugsburg’s Speech Team placed among the top teams in the state with a second place sweepstakes award in their division at the Minnesota College Forensic Association’s annual tournament in February. Since Minnesota teams routinely place in the top 20 nationally, the state tournament serves up some tough competition. “Our students have won awards at almost every tournament they attended this year,” said coach and communication studies professor Bob Groven, “and routinely beat some of the best competitors in the country. After placing second at nationals last year in our division, it’s nice to continue building our success.” According to assistant coach Brad Christ, Augsburg’s Speech Team has already this year amassed 22 finalist trophies, with several tournaments still left in the season. Senior Ryan Sobolik took top honors with a second place in Impromptu Speaking and fifth place in Communication Analysis. His success comes after three years of hard work. “It took me a while to get the hang of impromptu,” said Sobolik. “It’s tough because you don’t know the topic beforehand, and you only have two minutes to prepare your speech.” Erik Helgeson placed sixth in After Dinner Speaking, which requires presenting a funny speech about a serious topic. His The Augsburg speech team’s success grows with a second-place finish in the state tournament. (L to R) Francis Rojas ’05, Brian speech highlights the Mumford ’08, Ryan Sobolik ’05, and Erik Helgeson ’05 ways that “free speech zones” have been should be allowed to voice their opinion, abused to limit a protestor’s free speech even if those in power don’t always want rights. After working extensively in to hear the message. It’s important that radio, he feels a special connection to we preserve everyone’s right to protest.” this topic. “I really believe that everyone Augsburg presents Native American voices in film series F or the second year, the Augsburg Native American Film Series (ANAFS) has collaborated with local and regional film organizations to offer regional venues for Native American filmmakers. This year, ANAFS has partnered with a new film organization, Independent Indigenous Film Minneapolis (IIFM); continued to work with the Fargo International Film Festival; and is planning programs for fall 2005 with the University of Minnesota’s American Indian Student Association and IIFM. The series of films being shown on campus and in community locations aims to engage viewers in dialogue about indigenous film and forge collaborative relationships with the local Native American community. 4 The spring schedule of screenings has included a five-film documentary series at Augsburg with special hosts and panel discussions, and continued with a threeday series at the Center for Independent Artists that showcased local new media artists and the best of the Native American Voices selection from the Fifth Annual Fargo International Film Festival with a special panel of filmmakers. The fall schedule, still in the planning stage, would show a number of feature films at the University of Minnesota. The series is also linked to the American Indian Studies program’s Indigenous Filmmakers course, offering students an interactive environment in which to discuss issues of America’s history, contemporary culture, and social justice raised by Native filmmakers with community members. For a schedule of the remaining screenings or for more information, go to <www.augsburg.edu/ais/filmseries> or contact M. Elise Marubbio at 612-330-1523 or <marubbio@augsburg.edu>. Winter/Spring 2005 Staff photo Speech team wins sweepstakes award Auggies win national title while records fall Stephen Geffre by Don Stoner T ying national records with 10 AllAmericans, six wrestlers in national championship finals, and four wrestlers repeating as individual national champions, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its ninth NCAA Division III national championship in the last 15 seasons with a dominating performance in the national tournament, March 4-5, at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Augsburg put together the secondhighest point total for any championship team in Division III history, and the most ever for an Augsburg team at the national championship tournament. Augsburg claimed 10 All-Americans, a first in program history and the second such occurrence in Division III history. Augsburg head coach Jeff Swenson has guided 143 All-Americans in his 23 years of coaching (1980-84, 1986-present). Junior Marcus LeVesseur became just the eighth wrestler in Division III history, and the first in Augsburg history, to win three consecutive national titles, as he claimed the 157-pound crown. His 124-match collegiate unbeaten streak is now the second-longest winning Augsburg’s wrestling team claimed the NCAA Division III national championship on March 5 at St. Olaf College—its ninth wrestling national title in the last 15 seasons. streak in college wrestling history behind the 159 of Cael Sanderson at Iowa State (1998-2002). LeVesseur has yet to lose a collegiate wrestling match. Augsburg’s four repeat national champions all finished their seasons unbeaten, bringing the Auggies’ all-time national championship total to 39 in school history— and a record 35 in Division III competition. “Not only did they repeat, but they were undefeated champions—it’s almost unheard of at any level for a guy to do something like that—and to have a team that had four guys repeat and go undefeated in that year, it’s just mindboggling,” Swenson said. “This will be in the storybooks long after I’m done coaching.” Augsburg finished 14-1 on the season in dual meets, earning Swenson his 300th career coaching victory along the way. He is now 302-40 (.883 winning percentage) in his career. Don Stoner is sports information coordinator. A ugsburg has joined the Lutheran World Relief’s Wave of Giving campaign to rebuild resources in South Asia devastated by the December tsunami. Augsburg’s goal is to raise $35,000; while it will contribute to LWR’s overall rebuilding plan in the area, the focus will be on the rebuilding of a cyclone shelter/school in India. Student organizations have jumped on to “ride the wave” with creative fundraising events. For Valentine’s Day, the LINK, a student service organization, collected money for their singing telegrams and a raffle. Winter/Spring 2005 On March 13, Pi Day, the student math club, Unbounded, charged students money for the opportunity to “pi” their favorite professor—by tossing a whipped cream mini-pie at them. Students also took turns reading the digits of pi, reaching a grand total of 24,401. Augsburg’s Center for Global Education (CGE) and LWR have shared their common strong commitments to experiential education as a learning tool with trips over the past two years to Courtesy photo Ride the ‘Wave of Giving’ for tsunami relief Nicaragua to educate about the LWR coffee project and fair trade. Contact David Fenrick, Center for Global Education, for further information or to donate, at <fenrick@augsburg.edu> or 612-330-1669. 5 Sports Gridiron guru by Erin Peterson hen Jack Osberg ’62 walked off the football field for the final time as head coach of the Augsburg team following the Auggies’ game against St. Olaf at the Metrodome on Nov. 12, he departed as the winningest football coach in the school’s history. But for him, that legacy isn’t nearly as important as the one he’s had on a generation of players. Take Craig Peroutka ’99. Long before Peroutka ever donned an Augsburg uniform, he knew that Jack Osberg would be his college coach. As a senior at Faribault High School, the offensive lineman hadn’t attracted notice from any Division I or Division II schools, but he had caught the eye of Osberg. “Jack was the only one who took the time to visit me at my house after a high school football game,” he says. “He really took time to get to know me.” Peroutka would go on to be a part of the 1997 Augsburg squad that finished 10-2 and earned a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) crown for the first time since 1928, while advancing to the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals. Now a financial analyst, Peroutka says Osberg wasn’t just a football coach for him; he was a life coach. “He focused on values,” Peroutka says. “He didn’t want us to succeed just on the field, he wanted us to succeed in the classroom and in everything we did.” This is the kind of praise on which Osberg thrives. During his 14-year tenure as head coach at Augsburg, he’s garnered his share of accolades, from winning the MIAC championship to surpassing his former coach and mentor, Edor Nelson ’38, as the winningest football coach in Auggie history. But he’s much quicker to recount the weddings of former players he’s attended recently, and the friendships he’s formed with many of his players. He’s happy to talk about the successes of his players 6 not just on the gridiron, but in the business world. “I want my players to understand that there’s a bigger world than football, but that there are many things we can learn on the football field that will help us, whether it’s our careers, our relationships, our spirituality, or anything else,” says Osberg. It’s the wisdom of a coach who’s played the game for his entire life, and coached for nearly three-quarters of it. An Auggie himself, the offensive and defensive lineman played under the legendary Edor Nelson ’38, and he knew by the middle of his freshman year that he would coach. He spent 30 years teaching biology and coaching at Minneapolis Roosevelt, Bloomington Kennedy, and Wayzata high schools, where he says he quickly learned that good coaches aren’t necessarily the best athletes, they’re the best teachers. “You need to know how to motivate and work with young people,” he says. “I’ve always said that if I’m teaching a class of 30 students and I get 28 positive evaluations, I’ll wonder what I could Head football coach Jack Osberg ‘62 retires with the most wins in Augsburg coaching history. Charles Walbridge W Charles Walbridge Augsburg coach Jack Osberg shares his philosophy on football and life Coach Osberg celebrates with Auggie players in 2003 after a win over Hamline. Winter/Spring 2005 Archive photo begin to turn the have done for those program around, even if other two. Coaching they would not be the is the same way. I ones to finish first in want to be able to the MIAC. relate to all of the These days, says players.” Osberg, it’s tougher to While he’s had succeed than it used to plenty of role models be. Many players, even on and off the field, at the Division III level, his goal was never to are pressured to emulate the style of specialize in a single any of them. “As a Jack Osberg began his football sport, and with everyoung coach, I went career as an Auggie offensive and defensive lineman. improving technology, to a clinic and I heard play is far more [former Vikings sophisticated than it was when he was a coach] Bud Grant speak,” he says. “I player. came back with all these great Bud Grant “We have video tapes now that we ideas, but I wasn’t Bud Grant.” can just copy and give out,” he says. As he looked to many people for “We used to have just one 16-millimeter ideas, he ended up building his own film, and we couldn’t copy that. It was coaching philosophy and style. For better difficult to run, and it broke all the or worse, the young men who played for time.” him would look up to him, and he Even as players feel that they must stresses that he tries to be a role model do more work in the weight room and for them. He is demanding but respectful spend more time in the offseason of his players; he focuses on the preparing for the following fall, Osberg fundamentals of the game while tells them to find balance. College is a acknowledging that his players and his crucible, but it is only through the coaches have much to teach him. balance of sports and academics, work, “If you think you have all the answers and friendships that they will be to everything, you’re not going to make prepared to enter the world and the rest it,” he says. of their lives. As a Division III coach, Osberg hasn’t In retirement, he says he is looking had access to the kind of talent available forward to spending more time with his to large programs, but he’s a proponent wife, Nina, and six children and of making everyone—even those who grandchildren. He may also spend more will never be stars—feel valued. time on the golf course. But retirement “Jack made me think I could will be bittersweet because of the joy accomplish anything,” says Mike that his tenure at Augsburg has brought. Weidner ’83, a defensive end who played “I was here 40 years ago, and in that while Osberg was a defensive coordinator time buildings have changed, technology under Al Kloppen. “I was 6-feet-1 and has changed, and administrations have 177 pounds, and he convinced me I changed,” he says. “But the thing that’s could do the job. I don’t think we had stayed constant is the [encouragement] one guy who was over 200 pounds, but for individuals to be who they are. That he always got the most out of is something that persists.” everybody.” Osberg will remain on the Augsburg Indeed, he says one of the squads he staff, assisting in the school’s Alumni and was most proud of during his tenure at Parent Relations and Development areas, Augsburg was the group of players he to develop connections with athletic started with during his first year as a alumni and parents. head coach, in 1991. Augsburg had compiled an abysmal 7-61-2 record in Erin Peterson is a freelance writer based in the previous seven seasons, and he Minneapolis. marveled at the 1991 group’s ability to Winter/Spring 2005 Frank Haege to replace Osberg by Don Stoner F ormer Augsburg assistant coach Frank Haege has been named to replace retiring coach Jack Osberg. He will be the 14th head coach in the 74-season history of the school’s football program. Haege brings a 64-24 record as a professional football head coach to his new post at Augsburg. Most recently, Haege spent three seasons as head coach of the Arena Football League’s Las Vegas Gladiators, posting a 25-23 record (including playoffs). “I’m very excited about this position,” said Haege, 36. “Working at Augsburg, and at the small-college level, has always been a long-term goal for me. I’ve really enjoyed the 10 years that I coached in Arena Football, and I’ve had a lot of success at that level. But there is a lot more stability at the small-college level, and that is important to me and my family.” Haege served on the Augsburg staff under Jack Osberg as offensive coordinator from 1996-98. “Ever since I started coaching with Jack in 1996, I fell in love with Augsburg,” Haege said. “It is a great atmosphere in which to coach and teach. People work hard, have fun, and always look out for the student-athletes.” Don Stoner is sports information coordinator. 7 The 17th Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Peace Prize Festival Left: Dr. Sima Samar, chair of the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission, spoke about her struggle as an Afghan woman to become a medical doctor, establish the first hospital for women in Afghanistan, and continue her pioneering work on behalf of women in her country. Right: Augsburg student Sam Kanenwisher ’06 (left) presents a gift of the waters brought to this year’s forum to a representative of Luther College, which will host the Peace Prize Forum in 2006. Left: Students from CitySongs children’s choir performed at the forum prior to the Friday evening plenary session. Above: Augsburg was host in February to nearly 1,000 college, university, and community participants in the 17th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum honoring Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi of Iran. Above: National Public Radio producer Davar Ardalan spoke in a plenary session about rediscovering her native country of Iran and learning about the legacy her family left in the national struggle for reform. 8 Above: Augsburg student Katie Bickel ’05 participated on a student seminar panel examining human rights issues in China, Iran, and East Africa. Winter/Spring 2005 Above: Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet, spoke about the politics of food and consideration of food as the central issue through which to understand world politics. Above: Augsburg sociology professor Garry Hesser, with students Krista Dahlke and Riley Conway, presented to a standing-room seminar audience their research on demographics, resources, and revitalization in lowincome neighborhoods. Above: Students from the Prairie School of Dance in Eden Prairie performed a modern dance, “The Wall.” Above: Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and U.N. high commissioner for human rights, talked about her global experience as an advocate for human rights and the use of law to bring about social change. Above: A participant from one of the five sponsoring colleges brought water to the Peace Prize Forum cauldron. Winter/Spring 2005 Above: Ole Mjøs, chair of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Oslo, Norway, gestured in his greetings from Norway and spoke about the significance of the forum, sponsored by the five Norwegian Lutheran colleges. 9 Stephen Geffre G A R RY H E S S E R M I N N E S O TA P R O F E S S O R O F T H E Y E A R Augsburg News Service and Betsey Norgard 10 interdisciplinary metro-urban studies program. He was instrumental in the creation of Augsburg’s Center for Service, Work, and Learning—a center marking the marriage of the classroom and the city that has not only emerged as a hallmark of an Augsburg education, but also has served as a service-learning model across the nation. For 28 years Hesser has been a national leader in assisting students in taking fuller advantage of Augsburg’s urban location through wide-ranging internships, community servicelearning, and cooperative education. Education Award (National Society for Experiential Education) • 1998, Thomas Ehrlich Award for national leadership and scholarship in advancing the field of service-learning (Campus Compact) Stephen Geffre A ugsburg sociology and urban studies professor Garry Hesser was named 2004 Minnesota Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The day of the announcement, November 18, was proclaimed as “Dr. Garry Hesser Day” in Minnesota by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. A special chapel service and luncheon marked the day on the Augsburg campus. In reflecting on his time at Augsburg, Hesser said, “This has been an extraordinary place to be all these 28 years. The gift of community is about the greatest gift to be given to anybody in one’s life.” Hesser joined Augsburg’s Sociology Department in 1977. Since that time he has served as chair of the Natural and Social Sciences Division and chair of the His awards include: • 2004, Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning (Augsburg) • 2002, Distinguished Sociologist of Minnesota (Sociologists of Minnesota) • 2001, Pioneer in Experiential Professor of the Year Garry Hesser is introduced at a special chapel service by Frankie Shackelford, associate dean for teaching and learning enhancement. Winter/Spring 2005 Stephen Geffre Hesser represents the very best teacher any of us ever have had. He’s that teacher we think about with gratitude decades later. —Doug Grow Star Tribune columnist Hesser is Augsburg’s first recipient of the professor-of-the-year honor, which is given annually by the Carnegie Foundation and CASE, two Washington, D.C.-based organizations. It is the only national award that recognizes excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. More than 500 nominations were submitted. The nominees were evaluated on criteria including the impact on and involvement with undergraduate students, scholarly approach to teaching and learning, contributions to undergraduate education within the institution and community, and support from colleagues and students “In my view, Garry Hesser represents the best Augsburg College has to offer in respect to innovative teaching, engaged scholarship, and service to the institution and the community,” noted President William Frame. Augsburg provost and dean Christopher Kimball wrote, “His unique preparation as a theologian and sociologist has proven fertile soil in which to cultivate a teaching life. He does so with energy and care and thereby provides a compelling example of Christian vocation for his colleagues Winter/Spring 2005 and students.” Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Doug Grow led his column about Hesser’s honor by fantasizing about a time when media would get as excited about people who matter as they do about celebrities and sports stars. He wrote, “Hesser represents the very best teacher any of us ever have had. He’s that teacher we think about with gratitude decades later.” Hesser is past president of the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) and the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA). As a consultant, he has led workshops on service-learning and experiential education on over 50 campuses and at professional meetings. Hesser holds degrees from Phillips University in Oklahoma, Union Theological Seminary in New York, and the University of Notre Dame. He makes his home in the Seward neighborhood where he and his wife, Nancy Homans, have raised their five children, two of whom are Augsburg graduates. He is the author or editor of numerous publications and articles in the areas of experiential education, service-learning, and neighborhood revitalization. Courtesy photo At a luncheon in his honor, Garry Hesser acknowledged and greeted his friend and mentor Professor Emeritus Joel Torstenson ’38, founder of Augsburg’s Sociology Department, as Fran Torstenson looked on. In 2000, Prof. Garry Hesser and then-PanAfrikan Center director Joe Young taught an Interim course on civil rights history that included a 10-day bus tour to spots where historic civil rights events occurred—Selma and Birmingham, Ala.; Little Rock, Ark.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Atlanta, Ga. For most students, it was their first trip in the south, and left a strong impact as they immersed themselves in the history. Here, the group posed on the steps of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. 11 Robert Frost poignantly reminds us of roads not taken, as well as those that are taken. In 1984, I was engaged in a faculty development internship related to affordable housing policy and programs. I was preparing for a sabbatical leave to write a book with an economics colleague focusing on neighborhood revitalization using data that my students and I had collected from a sample of 500 Minneapolis residents. Then the dean called and invited me to accept an appointment as founding director of the newly funded Cooperative Education program, stressing the importance of faculty leadership in this new undertaking. My colleague wrote the book that we had planned together, but the alternate “road taken” enabled me to become one of the early faculty members who led in the “rediscovery” and validation of experiential education and servicelearning. Because there were so few faculty members whose colleges supported their involvement in servicelearning, I stood out and became president of the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE), which collaborated with Susan Stroud and Tim Stanton as they worked with the university presidents who founded Campus Compact. These were heady times for all of us in experiential education. I found myself at Wingspread on a task force which was deliberating on whether to call it “service-learning” and played a leadership role in NSEE when we convened Wingspread gatherings that produced the “Principles of Good Practice in Service-Learning,” designed a research agenda under the leadership of Dwight Giles, and commissioned the now classic NSEE three-volume Combining Service and Learning, edited by Jane Kendall. All this also opened the door to my becoming a FIPSE-NSEE consultant (which has evolved into the Campus Compact-AAHE Consulting Corps). This 20-year interchange and dialogue has enhanced our programs at Augsburg and 12 by Garry Hesser Stephen Geffre T H E R O A D TA K E N An unexpected career path and serendipity led Professor Garry Hesser to the forefront of leadership, as experiential education, and especially service-learning, was embraced and developed in higher education. the over 50 campuses where I have been privileged to conduct faculty and staff development workshops on experiential education and service-learning. Serendipity played a key role in recentering my teaching and scholarship in the very values that had led me into the academy in the first place, namely a desire to combine knowledge with civic engagement that could lead to thriving and integrated communities open to all. These opportunities have been gifts in a 20-year “faculty development process” and dialogue with colleagues from across the globe, enabling me to be a bridge between Augsburg, HECUA, and others on the cutting edge of experiential education. My teaching has certainly benefited from an expanded utilization of community-based pedagogy. And it would appear that Augsburg has also benefited from this disciplinary and interdisciplinary exchange. This summer two of my students will collaborate with me as we expand upon and synthesize the community-based research of other students over the past five years as we deepen our understanding of five Minneapolis neighborhoods and compare their community-building endeavors with five neighborhoods involved in Annie E. Casey’s “Rebuilding Communities Initiative.” I do not know the roads that I might have traveled by pursuing more traditional forms of scholarship. But the decision to focus my teaching and sociological journey on experiential education and community-based servicelearning has provided countless opportunities in higher education and the discipline of sociology. … My colleagues and students, both within the academy and the community, young and old, have shared their gifts and accepted mine. We have challenged and changed one another as a community of learners and engaged scholars. How could any professor ask for more opportunities than I have had or more reasons to celebrate the joy of being a teacher, a student, a sociologist, an urbanist, and a citizen? ■ Excerpted from the personal statement by Garry Hesser that accompanied his nomination as Professor of the Year. Winter/Spring 2005 ‘Many Houses’ author found Augsburg home With many men serving in the Armed Forces during World War II, most Augsburg students were women. It was here that writer Marie (Gjenvick) Knaphus ’45 found a home. “The entire school was like a family,” said Knaphus. “Augsburg means a lot to me. I received a good education and made many lifelong friends.” In addition to studying, Knaphus kept involved with oratory and debate, singing in the Mendelssohn Chorus, and participating in the International Relations Club and the Writers’ Club. At the same time, she was engaged in community and faith-based activities through Girl Scouts and the church. Making Iowa her home for many years, Knaphus last visited the campus in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of campus ministry among students attending state-supported colleges and universities. Shortly after leaving Augsburg, Knaphus served as counselor to Lutheran students attending the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was there that she met and married her husband, George, and together they became the ministry’s first counselors. During her visit, Knaphus was amazed at the growth of Augsburg’s Weekend College (WEC) and feels a connection with WEC students because, she, too, lived off campus. However, she took a streetcar to attend Augsburg. Winter/Spring 2005 A great-grandmother at 81, Knaphus continues to use her education and serve others. Currently she is working on her third book, this one about her father, a Norwegian immigrant. ■ Marie (Gjenvick) Knaphus ’45, then and now. “I am impressed with what’s happening to Augsburg today,” she said. “Students should work hard and take advantage of every opportunity to grow and develop their abilities. I feel Augsburg did this for me.” Knaphus also thinks “it’s important for alumni to help support the College. It takes so much money to run a college, and people who have benefited from it need to help.” She recently made a significant gift of stock to the Bernhard M. Christensen Endowed Fund “out of gratitude for a good education. It [Augsburg] offered me the incentive to go out and offer myself in service to others. I believe there is a place for the small college that has a mission like Augsburg.” Knaphus was fortunate to have Bernhard Christensen as a professor and keeps in contact with his widow, (Lilly) Gracia. “I have fond memories of Dr. Christensen’s religion class that pulled everything together for me. Attending Augsburg helped me crystallize my faith,” she said. Marie Knaphus’ story may be similar to yours. She held stock for many years and wanted to give to Augsburg instead of taking the capital gain from the sale of stock. Her gift helps build Augsburg’s endowment, and Knaphus benefits as well. Augsburg is focusing its endowment growth in three ways: • NEW FACULTY CHAIRS AND PROFESSORSHIPS Endowed chairs and professorships allow the College to attract and retain the most qualified and talented faculty. • NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS By expanding the current level of endowed scholarships the College is able to attract talented students from all backgrounds. • PROGRAM SUPPORT AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT A strong endowment is essential to sustaining distinctive programs, supporting innovative faculty-student research projects, and enhancing professional development programs for all faculty and staff. You may designate endowment gifts to areas of your specific interest.Your appreciated securities of stock, bonds, or mutual funds may be exempt from capital gains taxes when you transfer them to the College, and you may receive a tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities at the time they are transferred. Contact the Development Office at 612-338-0002 to discuss how your gift can best help others. 13 Goal reached through the 3M Foundation challenge grant The challenge went out this past fall to Augburg alumni and friends who are 3M employees to give back to their alma mater through the 3M Foundation Challenge Grant. “I think the 3M Foundation structured the grant appropriately,” said Ron Nelson ’68. “I am pleased to see we achieved the match.” Augsburg College and 3M partnered to Ron Nelson ’68 successfully raise $100,000 from 69 3M employees in support of the new Science Center. The special challenge match opportunity offered by the 3M Foundation ran for eight weeks. Under the 3:1 challenge, the foundation matched the $100,000 in contributions from employees, retirees, and friends with a $300,000 gift. Additionally, the foundation contributed a $200,000 grant to the new Science Center. “There is a long-standing relationship between Augsburg and 3M,” said Nelson. “This challenge grant gave many 3M employees and retirees an opportunity to reconnect with the College and play an important part in the capital campaign.” Sandra Wollschlager ’94 was compelled to contribute because “my education made a challenging 3M career possible. Many 3M employees completed degrees in a nontraditional fashion when taking Augsburg coursework. We obtained an 14 Augsburg degree while working full time and raising a family. “My daughter was one-year-old when I took my first Augsburg class. I commuted Sandra Wollschlager ’94 a long distance. Because Augsburg chemistry professors came to the 3M campus, it enabled me to juggle my work schedule so I could take classes. If it wasn’t for 3M and Augsburg making it easier for me, I wouldn’t have gone to college.” Nelson came from the small Minnesota town of Dawson, and life at Augsburg was his first introduction to the city. “It became my window,” said Nelson. “All is available within the city, and students should plug in culturally, through sports, and experience activities relative to societal diversity.” Students should “participate in the hands-on experiences made available in the classroom and the laboratories, and take advantage of the research work,” he said. “These are extremely important building blocks for the future.” “The connection with Augsburg to the scientific community is imperative,” said Wollschlager. “Students need to see and understand the big connections. 3M is a global company so it is involved in global issues. So what can we do to lessen global warming, for example? Students need to learn air and water transport modeling so they can see how the world is connected. “Our generation needs to make improvements in the environment (sustainable chemistry, technological advances) and we need to figure out how to educate the public about our improvements and, in general, the value of a science education/background.” “The contributions made in sciences are important to everyone,” continued Nelson. “We want the science programs to continue to be competitive and turn out leaders like Dr. Peter Agre ’70, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.” ■ MAKE A DIFFERENCE Many people made a difference through the 3M Foundation Grant Challenge—please consider how you can make a difference, too. Does your company offer a matching gift program? If so, please let us know. Remember, all gifts are tax deductible. Contact Sherry Jennings-King at 612-338-4823 or jenningk@augsburg.edu to discuss giving options. Vision is published by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor and Writer Lynn James Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza www.augsburg.edu/campaign Winter/Spring 2005 A FINE FIRST LADY Leola (Lee) Anderson served as the first lady of Augsburg College during her husband’s presidency from 1963 to 1980. President Emeritus Oscar Anderson focused on three main areas during his term in office: to meld Augsburg into its new family of colleges in the American Lutheran Church (it had been the college of the Lutheran Free Church); to experiment with programs that involved the city as a learning laboratory; and to strengthen the College academically, which resulted in an invitation to join the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). As the president’s wife, Lee was active in the Augsburg College Women’s Club, now called the Augsburg College Associates, and hosted College functions. She raised four children during her husband’s tenure, served on the first task force of the American Lutheran College, and was involved in the church. She is remembered as a warm, friendly person who cared deeply about social issues, was a strong advocate for women, and was close to her children. Family was very important to her, and, at age 86, she experienced the joy of seeing her first great-grandchild. TIME OF REMEMBRANCE Donna (Anderson) Hoekstra ’68 spoke at the memorial service about her mother, Lee Anderson. Excerpts are reprinted here with permission. “She was a lovely lady with a unique, one-of-a-kind personality and a name to Winter/Spring 2005 Archive photo In Memoriam Leola G. Anderson, April 17, 1916–December 4, 2004 Leola (Lee) Anderson match. Mom was generous with her myriad talents. She could sing beautifully, strum a guitar (though upside down and backwards), sew professionally, entertain with class, sashay with flair on the dance floor, draw and paint, and write with depth and feeling. Mom was generous with her treasures, too. She gave, with no strings attached, to her family, but she also gave to the far ends of God’s world to suffering people in places like Rwanda. Mom embodied for me Christian discipleship. She tried to live the godly life—her life bore the fruits of the Spirit: patience, kindness, goodness, compassion, and self-control. She exemplified how I wanted to live my life. Mom gave of herself in service to others. She was all too often selfless to a fault. In her early years she served as choir director, youth leader, Sunday school teacher, newsletter editor, and worked in various jobs to support the family during difficult times in Chicago. In her years as wife of a traveling Luther League director (that would be my dad), Mom formed the Traveler’s Aid group to provide mutual support for other staff wives. In her role as pastor’s wife, she served gracefully. I can remember food-laden tables at open houses and family gatherings at holiday times, Bible studies she led, sharing fresh insights, overflowing Christmas baskets for the poor, and quiet living room conversations with hurting parishioners. continued on page 16 LEOLA G. ANDERSON SCHOLARSHIP Appreciating the legacy a scholarship offers, in 2002 President Emeritus Oscar Anderson established the Leola G. Anderson Scholarship in Mathematics to honor his wife. “My wife had a love of math, but was a very modest person,” said Anderson.“I wanted to do something to honor her, so with agreement from my family, the Leola G. Anderson Scholarship in Mathematics was established.” It is designated that one or more students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need be awarded the scholarship. Special consideration is given to assisting women in mathematics. If you are interested in contributing to this scholarship, contact Jennifer Kahlow at 612-338-6540 or <kahlow@augsburg.edu>. 15 F In Memoriam, continued Mom was an open person. She opened her mind—especially during the 17 years at Augsburg. I found speeches she had given in front of learned college groups. And I remember a particular Mother/Daughter Banquet. Her talk was brilliant. How I admired her and was so proud to be her daughter. She opened her home—to the freshmen for Welcome to College Week, to friends we brought home, and to faculty for college functions. She opened her heart to students she tutored and to the needs of patients at Fairview Hospital. Books were her love from when she was young to just three months before she died. They informed her thoughts and shaped her opinions. I had a mom who was on the cutting edge, though often herself teetering precariously. With heartfelt empathy from her own personal loss, she championed the poor, the oppressed, and the disenfranchised. She fought for peace and justice through written word and voice forming the MS (Miscellaneous) group of gals to hone shared thoughts and strategies for change. She took on Enhancements made to Thrivent’s GivingPlus Program Thrivent Financial for Lutherans offers a charitable/match gift program to alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College. Changes to the program for 2005 include: • • • • • no minimum gift required, increased member giving range, multiple gifts option by members to same organization, equal membership status for gifts, and additional Lutheran organizations eligible. Contact Stephanie Malone, director of The Augsburg Fund, at 612-338-4825 or <malone@augsburg.edu> for details on how your participation benefits Augsburg. the “isms” of race, gender, and culture. My mom was a flaming liberal and an authentic feminist. She could talk your arm off sharing her causes. After her death, we discovered volumes of prose and poetry on all kinds of subjects. She will live on in her written words. Mom gave her love unconditionally. She saw God as unconditional lover and tried to model that love. She was generous, open, and loving even during her darkest times. Mom modeled for me how to give, how to really see the other person, how to serve, and how to love.” ■ SUPPORT STUDENTS Hurry! Your annual fund donation to The Augsburg Fund for this fiscal year must be received by May 31. Your tax-deductible gift will accomplish many things: help students by supplementing their tuition, provide enriching campus experiences, enhance technology and curriculum, and prepare future leaders for service in the world. Contact Stephanie R. Malone, director,The Augsburg Fund and Maroon & Silver Society, at 612-338-4825 or <malone@augsburg.edu>. Campaign Progress $37.5M of $55M goal as of 3-10-2005 16 Winter/Spring 2005 FACULTY /STAFFNotes NOTES Faculty/Staff Connecting with classmates around the world by Judy Petree new program at Augsburg connects students and faculties around the world via Web cam and e-mail, offering one way for students to gain global perspectives without leaving campus. Augsburg social work professor Rosemary Link, along with Robert Bill from Information Technology, received a State Department grant to develop the “Exploring World Cultures” project as a module in a social work class. Augsburg is the only Minnesota institution among the 10 funded grants. The goals of the project are to increase understanding of world cultures and systems of human service; to increase students’ abilities to explain their own culture and respect others; to identify the variety of cultures worldwide and to recognize their interdependence; and to develop crosscultural communication skills, including conflict management. Link said they began with schools where Augsburg already had connections. At the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, where student summer exchanges have become a tradition, Professors Gabi Cacinovic Vogrincic and Lea Sugman Bohinc were “delighted to participate in this venture.” A second project site is the National University of Singapore. The third partner, Tata Institute in Mumbai, India, has been delayed by technical and structural difficulties. To prepare for the project, Link and Bill visited the three overseas schools and researched their political, economic, historical, and social characteristics, plus technology resources. They received training at East Carolina University, where this technology concept initiated, to develop curriculum using video technology and to review steps to establish crosscultural relationships. They also prepared for the reality of different approaches to technology, firewall status, bandwidth issues, and availability of an academic technology team. Winter/Spring 2005 Stephen Geffre A Students in an Augsburg social work class “study” with classmates in Slovenia, pictured on the screen. Back row (L to R) Professor Rosemary Link, Kelly Sve, Cody Swanson, Stacy Anderson, Amanda Dowdy, Emily Lunemann, Dan Quance, Carolyn Herman, IT coordinator Robert Bill. Front row (L to R) Erin Olsen, Walter Gies, Shannon Rynders, Amanda Bockmann and Joelle Bickel. “One of the unique elements of the project is the opportunity to share innovations in teaching and local challenges with colleagues across the globe,” Link said, “and to understand different perspectives on issues which affect us all, such as health, migration, international adoptions, and conflict management.” The Augsburg students participating in the project are taking Social Work 257, Exploring Human Services in Global Context. They were matched with students in either Slovenia or Singapore and are exploring each other’s culture, social well-being, and current issues such as homelessness, SARS, and migration. Two logistical challenges, Link said, have been the different semester schedules and the time differences. The joys, however, far outweigh the challenges, and students even come in on Sunday evenings to ‘meet’ their Singapore classmates. “I didn’t know much about the rest of the world before this class,” fall semester class student Samantha Privratsky said. Another student, Brooke Vasseur, commented that this is “way cool to be making friends on the other side of the globe.” “Our colleague in Singapore, Dr. Ngoh Tiong Tan, is an expert in cultural conflict and mediation,” says Link. “His class was well underway when we joined in. His students gave excellent presentations and our students joined enthusiastically, although initially they were somewhat alarmed at the view of American culture from Asia.” She added that this was mitigated as students emailed each other and explored concepts of individualism and collectivism, as well as distinct characteristics of culture alongside common human needs. According to Link, the project director, and Bill, project technology director, “the project has been quite a roller coaster, but also enthralling, and students have said they will never forget it.” Judy Petree is media relations manager in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 17 Faculty/Staff Notes Toward spiritually-sensitive social work A calling to social work came to Leola (Dyrud) Furman at age 12 during a career session at a summer Luther League convention. She followed family members to Augsburg College and graduated with a major in sociology and minors in social work and religion. She then pursued graduate degrees in social work and human development. She taught social work for 25 years at the University of North Dakota. During that time it was a personal and spiritual crisis—the death of her husband from cancer—that called her to the forefront of a new movement in her field. While in the role of a client needing support during her husband’s illness, she realized that not only could spiritual support help people cope in a crisis, it could help them grow personally and spiritually. She understood the importance of spirituality and religion as necessary aspects of human identity. Her research connected her to Edward Canda, at the University of Kansas, who had recently founded the Society for Spirituality in Social Work. Together, they co-authored a textbook, Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, The Heart of Helping that was hailed as “a ‘state of the art’ expression of a newly re-emerging theme, spirituality.” This refers to the fact that social work’s roots came from the work of 19th-century religious charity organizations. Their book defines the values and issues inherent in spiritually-sensitive social work practice and offers practical guidelines and strategies. In 1997 Furman and Canda developed a national survey of social workers, asking their views on the appropriateness of religion and spirituality in social work practice—the first of its kind. The survey defined spirituality as search for meaning and purpose in either religious or nonreligious forms, and religion as “an organized set of beliefs and practices shared by a community related to spirituality.” The survey results showed that not only did social workers affirm a role for 18 the discussion of these topics (82%), but that many of them had already been doing it in various ways (75%). An important finding, however, was that 73% of respondents expressed a lack of any spiritual training. That began to change as social work schools developed curricula and new courses. Today, most textbooks integrate spirituality within discussion of treating the client as a whole person. Spiritually-sensitive social work practice is becoming especially relevant in diverse communities where an important way to reach ethnic minorities is through their faith and spirituality. Three years later, Furman repeated her survey in the U.K., with similar results. Then, building on connections she made while a visiting professor in Norway, Furman collaborated with Mari-Anne Zahl, a professor in social work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Trondheim) who has a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota. Zahl translated the survey instrument into Norwegian, and surveyed Norwegian social workers. The results, while similar to the U.S. and U.K., demonstrated cultural differences in religious institutions. The Norwegian Lutheran Church, until recently, did not have the same kind of social network and function as American church congregations, and social workers were not accustomed to considering religious referrals. Also, church attendance is less frequent there. Zahl sees the survey results as valuable. Social workers can understand better how discussion of religion can be appropriate and they gain insight into working with increasing numbers of immigrants arriving in Norway. “Since social work deals with everyday social functioning,” Zahl said, “[a client’s religion] is part of what social workers deal have to deal with. Are they open to, are they sensitive to, do they listen to, and are they comfortable enough to deal with that aspect of life?” by Betsey Norgard Adjunct social work professor Leola (Dyrud) Furman ’61 (left) and Norwegian social work professor Mari-Anne Zahl are collaborating to study social workers’ perspectives towards inclusion of religion and spirituality in social work practice, as thoroughly presented in the book Furman co-authored. This means that social workers need to have understanding of their clients’ culture, religion, and the place that religion plays in their culture. She said that while fewer than half of the survey respondents had any training in dealing with religious and spiritual issues, 70-80% of them said they desire it. With her husband, Hans Eriksson, who returned this year as visiting professor in Augsburg’s social work department, Zahl is in Minneapolis on sabbatical, continuing her collaboration with Furman. Zahl is compiling the Norwegian information and, along with Furman, is writing comparative studies of the three countries surveyed. Together, they are presenting at national social work meetings, and jointly teaching some of Furman’s classes. Leola (Dyrud) Furman ’61 is an adjunct professor at Augsburg and the University of Minnesota. She is a Distinguished Alumna of Augsburg College and associate professor emerita of the University of North Dakota. Mari-Anne Zahl is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work and Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Winter/Spring 2005 Presentations Laura Boisen and Maryann Syers, social work, have published articles and presented nationally on their integrative case analysis model, including at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in February. Blake Boursaw, Tracy Bibelnieks, Nick Coult, Matthew Haines, and Su Dorée, mathematics, presented at the annual meeting of the Mathematical Association of America-American Mathematical Society (MAA-AMS) annual meeting in January. Mathematics/ computer science major Dan Wolf ’05 presented a poster about his NSF-funded research last summer. Lars Christiansen and Diane Pike, sociology, led a teaching workshop, “Teaching Organizational Theory,” at the American Sociological Association in August. At that meeting, Pike became chair of the Undergraduate Teaching Section and the Ethics Committee. Jacqueline deVries, history, presented “New Women, New Religion: Feminism and the Victorian Crisis of Faith” at the American Historical Association meeting in January. David Fenrick, Center for Global Education, was an editorial team member in an issue group, “Effective Theological Education for World Mission,” at the Forum 2004 on World Evangelization in Pattaya, Thailand. He also presented “Transforming ShortTerm Mission through Service-Learning” at the Annual World Mission Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in St. Paul in March 2004. In November he co-presented a workshop, “Reciprocity Leads to Culture Learning,” at a workshop of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Annette Gerten and Lois Bosch, social work, presented a workshop on using creativity to enhance learning relevance for policy students at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference on Social Work Education in September. Winter/Spring 2005 Orv Gingerich, international programs and Center for Global Education, participated on a panel, “Why Do They Hate Us So Much? Encouraging Student Geopolitical Awareness in a Post-9/11 World,” at the Council on International Educational Exchange in November. He also participated in a panel, “Interdisciplinary Learning, Internationalization, and Study Abroad,” at the Study Abroad Curriculum Integration Conference at the University of Minnesota last April. Doug Green, English, read a poem “A Topography of Love,” now published online, at the Northfield Arts Guild Writers’ Night in November. He also presented a paper, “Estranging Bedfellows: Early Modern Cinema Today,” for the seminar on Shakespeare, Gender, and Sexual Orientation at the Shakespeare Association of America’s annual meeting. Garry Hesser, sociology, presented a paper co-authored with Augsburg students Riley Conway ’05 and Krista Dahlke ’06, “Rebuilding Communities: Comparing a National Model (Casey) and Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program,” at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in August. Norm Holen, art, emeritus, was present for the dedication of the F. Scott Fitzgerald alcove in the St. Paul Central Library, where his terra cotta bust of Fitzgerald was unveiled. Holen’s works have been included in two recent books, The Sculpture Reference Illustrated, by Arthur Williams (2005) and 500 Figures in Clay: Ceramic Artists Celebrate the Human Form (Lark Books, Sterling Publishing, 2004). Gretchen Irvine, education, was a panel member on “Service-Learning: Connecting Schools to the Community,” at the Minnesota Alliance of Black School Educators (MABSE) Education Summit in October. She also presented, “Learning Outcomes One Year Later” at the Hawaii International Conference on Education in January. Mary Jacobson and Vicki Olson, education, and Robert Bill, information technology, presented at the National Reading Conference on the study they have carried out focusing on teacher preparation in the state of Minnesota as it relates to reading. Mark Lester, Center for Global EducationNicaragua, spoke at Seattle University in the Salon Series, on “U.S. Consumption and the Needs of Developing Nations: A View from Nicaragua.” He also presented there on the U.S.Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and spoke to theology, business, and social work classes. David Matz, psychology, was a co-presenter of “The Social and Evolutionary Psychology of Hair Color Preferences on the Northern and Southern Prairie,” at the January meeting of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. Curt Paulsen, social work, with Cathy Paulsen, graduate programs, presented “From Spirituality to Empathy: Application to Dialectics in Marital Relationships,” at the National Council on Family Relations in November. He also presented “From Chaos to Order by Way of a Seven-Step Process from Freedom to Love” at the Lilly Conference West on College and University Teaching. Tim Pippert, sociology, presented “I Ain’t Seen Them in Awhile: Created Familites of Homeless Men” at the American Sociological Association annual meeting in August. Nancy Rodenborg and Lois Bosch, social work, presented a paper on using dialogue groups in teaching Master of Social Work students at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in February. 19 Faculty/Staff Notes Presentations (continued) Patrice Salmeri, StepUP, and Ann Garvey, student affairs, presented about Augsburg’s StepUP program to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Minneapolis branch, in September. Nancy Steblay, psychology, presented “Reforming Eyewitness Identification: Convicting the Guilty, Protecting the Innocent,” at a conference at the Cardozo Law School in New York. She also presented on lineup identification issues with real officers and real cases at the American PsychologyLaw Society conference in California, and on blind sequential lineup identifications in the field at a Hennepin County conference of law enforcement officers. Kathryn Swanson, English, served as a panelist for Theatre Unbound’s production of “Girls Got Pluck” and presented a paper titled “Ten Thousand Cups of Tea: American-born Chinese Women Sleuths” at the Popular Culture Conference in San Diego in March. reflection in a curvilinear magnetic field and formation of Alfvenic resonators on open field lines,” in the Journal of Geophysical Research, in 2005. In the same journal, Engebretson is lead author, along with co-authors Jennifer Posch ’94 and Brian Anderson ’82, at Johns Hopkins University; and acknowledged student contributors Geoff Shelburne ’05, Heather Greene ’05, Jon-Erik Hokanson ’05, and Ryan Nevin ’04, for “Ground and satellite observations of Pc 1-2 waves on open field lines poleward of the dayside cusp.” Engebretson is also a co-author of a study, “Density enhancement in plasmasphere-ionosphere plasma during the 2003 Halloween Superstorm: Observations along the 330th magnetic meridian in North America,” which recently appeared in Geophysical Research Letters. syllabi in international social work being published by the Council on Social Work Education. James Vela-McConnell, sociology, participated in a department chairs workshop at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. Publications Beth Alexander, physician assistant studies, was lead author of “Methods of Pain Assessment in Residents of Long-term Care Facilities: A Pilot Study” which appeared in the March/April issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Tony Bibus and Rosemary Link, social work, published a chapter, “The Impact of U.S. Welfare Reform on Children’s Well Being: Minnesota Focus,” in Promoting the Well Being of Children, Families, and Communities, edited by Harriet Ward and Jane Scott and published in 2005. Jacqueline deVries, history, published an essay, “Rediscovering Christianity after the Postmodern Turn,” in the winter issue of Feminist Studies and two essays, “Women’s Religious Organisations” and “Women’s Charity Organisations,” in A Change in Attitude: Women, War, and Society, 19141918, edited by Susan Grayzel. Mark Engebretson, physics, and David Murr ’92, at Dartmouth College, are coauthors of an article with lead author Slava Pilipenko, Institute of the Physics of the Earth in Russia, and frequent visiting scientist at Augsburg for “Alfven wave 20 Bill Green, history, published an article, “Brown, Adequacy, and Young Men Getting Real about One Big State,” in the December/January issue of Minnesota Law and Politics, about the desegregation of Minnesota schools and the legal doctrine of “adequacy.” Rosemary Link, social work, is co-author with Lynn Healy of a collection of model David Matz, psychology, co-authored “Cognitive Dissonance in Groups: The Consequences of Disagreement,” in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 88. He also co-authored “Social Norms and Identity Relevance: A Motivational Approach to Normative Behavior,” in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 30. Bruce Reichenbach, philosophy, published “Miracle Cure or Moral Quagmire?” about the ethics of stem cell research in the October issue of Covenant Companion. He also published “Dances of Death: SelfSacrifice and Atonement,” in Mel Gibson’s Passion and Philosophy, edited by Jorge J.E. Gracia and published by Open Court in 2004. He also authored “The Cosmological Argument,” for the online Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy in 2004. Nancy Rodenborg, social work, published an article, “Service to African American Children in Poverty: Institutional Discrimination in Child Welfare?” in the fall issue of Journal of Poverty: Innovations on Social, Political, & Economic Inequalities. Glenda Rooney, social work, is co-editor of the seventh edition of Direct Social Work Practice, published this year by Brooks/Cole. Winter/Spring 2005 An April 1999 article in Law and Human Behavior, by Nancy Steblay, psychology; Solomon M. Fulero; and students Jasmina Besirevic ’97 and Belia Jimenez-Lorente ’97— “The Effects of Pretrial Publicity on Juror Verdicts: A Meta-Analytic Review”—was one of the magazine’s top 10 downloaded articles in 2004. Francine Chakolis, social work, president of the Minnesota Alliance of Black Educators, coordinated a three-day summit on the Augsburg campus in October, “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,” addressing disparities in educational achievement. Kathryn Swanson, English, has been a team member for several accreditation site visits under the auspices of the Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association) and has served on readers’ panels and as part of the accreditation process. She is also an elected ARC (Accreditation Review Council) member. Honors/Awards Retiring football coach Jack Osberg ’62 was honored by Minnesota collegiate football coaches as the 2005 Man of the Year for his valuable contribution to football. Tony Bibus, social work, was elected chair of the Minnesota Board of Social Work, a board appointed by the governor that regulates social work practice in the state. Five Augsburg staff members won top honors at the annual awards banquet for the Minnesota Chapter of International Special Event Services (ISES) in March. Jodi Collen, event services, won the top prize for Best Event Logistics for her planning work on Homecoming 2004. She, Heidi Breen, alumni/parent affairs, and Marc Skjervem, student activities, won first place for Best Corporate or Non-Profit Event Planning—also for the weeklong Homecoming 2004. Kathy Rumpza and Sara Kamholz, public relations and communication, won top prize for Best Use of Graphic Design for the range of publications and promotional materials used for the 25th anniversary of Advent Vespers. Winter/Spring 2005 ‘Thirsty for God’ R eligion professor Brad Holt’s recent book seeks to help readers understand the thirst they experience in their relationship with God, but may not realize or understand. Thirsty for God is an updated and expanded edition of Holt’s work by the same name from 1993 that now broadens the survey of persons and institutions included under Christian “spirituality.” It expands the body of non-Western Christian materials and includes maps identifying locations of people and movements described. “This is a needed text for students and for the lay person,” says Holt, “to help them understand the global perspectives of Christian spirituality. It is not just about Europe and the U.S.” Holt makes the distinction between “spirituality” and “religion” within the context of 20thcentury scholar Baron von Hügel’s tripartite nature of religion as intellectual, institutional, and mystical. Holt equates spirituality with this mystical dimension, and thus a necessary component for well-rounded Christians. The book is accessible and free of the jargon that writer Kathleen Norris, by Betsey Norgard who is included in the book, refers to as “scary words” in the theological lexicon. Holt intends for this book to be as much about “formation”—what he calls “discovery of new being, new relationships, and new practices”—as it is about “information.” Each chapter contains spiritual practice exercises. Organized chronologically, the survey of Christian spirituality begins with early Christian times and carries forth into the 21st century to include such disparate Western contemporaries as Jean Vanier, Jim Wallis, Cesar Chavez, and Robert Schuller. From the Third World, Holt discusses, for example, the Virgin of Guadelupe, liberation spirituality, Pentecostalism, and African indigenous churches. Holt will travel to Italy for six weeks this summer, as one of 15 scholars in various disciplines selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), to study one of the subjects in his book, St. Francis of Assisi. The scholars will examine source texts and visual representations of the saint within his 13th-century world to better understand his meaning for today, beyond the popular images. Stephen Geffre Noteworthy Professor Brad Holt’s recent book expands the survey of Christian spirituality. 21 4 THROUGH THE EYES OF TEACHERS, THE EYES OF STUDENTS English professor Kathy Swanson and her husband, Jack, both former Peace Corps volunteers, led a group of nine Augsburg students to their Thai village home of 35 years ago for an internship in teaching English. The students lived Thai culture through the eyes of teachers Kathy and Jack; through the Thai teachers, some of whom are former students of the Swansons; and through the schoolchildren. Excerpts from the Augsburg students’ final papers describe their experience. 4 SEEING THE ‘REAL’ THAILAND I’ve never even seen the ocean!” …“I can’t wait to see Bangkok.”… “Do you think it’s safe?”… “Does the flight really take 26 hours?”… “I already miss my mom!” These were some of the comments we heard as nine Augsburg students, my husband, and I waited to board the first leg of the flight that would take us back to the place we had called home 35 years ago. Jack and I served as Peace Corps volunteers, teaching English in a small rural village, Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand, during the height of the war in Viet Nam. Now we were returning, for the second time, but with the responsibility of nine students, some of whom had not traveled beyond the Midwest. “We want to see everything through your eyes,” Jack had told the students. We all expected adventure, some chaos, and wonderful experiences. We knew these three weeks would open our students’ eyes and hearts; we didn’t know how significantly it would change their lives. Our family had returned to Thailand several years before the Augsburg trip and had found that Bangkok had become a huge, modern city, but that our village had remained essentially unchanged. Yes, there were now a 7-Eleven store that offered ice cream and pizza, an ATM machine, and Internet cafes, but the essence of Thailand was there. Prachuab had remained a sleepy, beautiful, fishing village. Walking through the market in the center of the village, we found piles of fish and shrimp 22 by Kathy Swanson from the morning’s catch, baskets of chilies ready for curries, mounds of chicken feet, stands with mangoes and sticky rice, and hills of pineapple, durian, and mangosteen fruit. Most importantly, we found that time had not erased memories we had for our former students and they for us. Returning to the schools where we had taught English, we found that several of our former students were now teachers. They welcomed us with gifts, hugs, and tears and we began thinking about sharing this magnificent place with Augsburg. “You can bring students to teach us,” we were told—and the seed was planted! After my course in Teaching English in Thailand was approved as an English elective, Jack and I began making plans for the trip. We knew that the heart of the experience was to be living and teaching in our village. We also wanted students to see parts of Thailand that tourists likely would miss. Arranging to be present in the village school when classes began after the rainy season, we planned to begin the adventure in Bangkok, then travel to Chiangmai, and then south to Prachuab Kirikhan. Most important to us was that our Augsburg students experience the real Thailand as we had so many years before. And so, after crossing many time zones, watching many inflight movies, and trying to sleep in cramped airline seats, 11 Auggies arrived in Bangkok, Thailand. Even though it was Winter/Spring 2005 2 midnight, traffic was heavy and the heat was oppressive. Too excited to sleep, we checked into the hotel and all set off down Sukhimvit Road. Smells of unrecognizable things, sights of unfamiliar occurrences, and sounds very non-Minnesotan overwhelmed us until we had to give in to sleep. We spent the next several days seeing Bangkok’s magnificent temples and palaces, sampling foods students had never imagined existed, holding giant snakes at the Pasteur Institute, winding through old Chinatown, riding in both tuk-tuks and the new skyway train, and trying to survive humid, 100+ degree temperatures. Ready for a respite, we flew north to Chiangmai. Here we were met by representatives from Payap University who made sure Midwest students understood proper and polite Thai behavior. “Don’t cross your legs so that your toe is pointing at anyone;”… “Never touch anyone on the head;”… “Wear skirts and long pants in the temples;” … “Acknowledge one’s social status by the appropriate wai (bow).” In Chiangmai, we learned about Thai history and culture, spent time at the night markets (after practicing bargaining in Thai!), visited a mountaintop temple, rode elephants through the jungle, trekked on a visit to hill tribes, and rode bamboo rafts down a jungle river. Despite these exciting events, I believe all the students would agree that the highlight of the trip occurred during a stop on our way to the airport as we were leaving Chiangmai. The grandma of one of our students, Rachel Schuette, and her church friends had sent handmade quilts with each of us. We had carried these 15 quilts until we stopped at an orphanage to deliver them to the children. Seeing excitement and joy on the faces of these children as they sang for us and finding tears on our own faces as we left them is a memory none of us will forget. After Chiangmai, we took a long, hot, Thai travelers’ trip by train south to Prachuab. Located on the Gulf of Siam, with the mountains of Myanmar to the west, Prachuab is unspoiled paradise. Here students marched to the secondary school, notebooks and lesson plans in hand, to join Thai students on that first day of the term. We were introduced and welcomed at the opening assembly and then began teaching. Moving from class to class, level to level, each class period, Winter/Spring 2005 Left: Kathy Swanson (back row, sixth from left) poses with students she and Jack taught in their Peace Corps days in Prachuab Kirikhan. Many are now teachers in the school where the Augsburg students practice-taught. Right: Nine students traveled to Thailand to practice-teach English with Professor Kathy Swanson and her husband, Jack, in the village where they had served as Peace Corps volunteers 35 years ago. (back row L to R) Jack Swanson, Carl Butler, Jeff Moores, (third row L to R) Kathy Swanson, Stephanie Nichols, Rachel Schuette, (second row L to R) Sue Kneen, Sabrina Jurey, Bekah Chell, (front row L to R) Annie Reierson, Anna Warnes. Augsburg students learned quickly how to gesture and communicate with just a few Thai words. Jack and I moved around with them, helping occasionally, but mostly sharing in this wonderful experience. After a few days, students felt at home. Every morning as we participated in the school’s opening ceremony, Thai students waved and welcomed us. One of our students received a Thai name, many received gifts, and all realized we were receiving much more than we were able to give. Teachers hosted a party for us toward the end of our time in Prachuab and we reciprocated the next evening. Some of our former students from our Peace Corps days joined us and led rounds of the Peter, Paul, and Mary songs we had taught them 35 years ago. There were no dry eyes in the room after we all joined Ratchana, one of my former students and now a teacher in the secondary school where Augsburg students had spent their time, in “To Sir, with Love,” the song she chose to honor us as teachers. Carrying gifts and e-mail addresses from their Thai students and unconsciously humming “500 Miles,” Augsburg students left Prachuab for Bangkok and Minneapolis. “Saying farewells amid smiles, hugs, and many tears, we promised to return someday soon—and I’m sure we will. For, as one student said, “There’s so much about the world I didn’t know. I thought this trip would change me; I just had no idea how much!” Kathy Swanson is professor of English and chair of the English Department. She directs the English as a Second Language program. 23 j TOUCHING MY HEART by Anna Warnes ’05 Above: For Anna Warnes, traveling in Thailand was an experience for all five senses; but most important were the friendships she made that touched her heart. Thailand is an experience, not just of the mind or for the eyes, but a complete immersion into the culture. Unless you stay at a pristine, exclusive hotel in Hua Hin, it is hard not to touch all five of your senses in Thailand. For me, Thailand was an adventure of smell, sound, taste, sight, and touch, and most importantly, an experience of the heart. The sounds of Thailand are like nothing else. After spending 26 hours on a plane listening to movies, people snoring, and babies crying, the drone of traffic is a welcomed sound in Thailand. Bangkok always had the sound of buzzing tuk-tuks in traffic and trains overhead, but it also had more profound sounds. The sound of complete silence in the wat (temple) with the many pagodas and the loud, but quite musical, sound of blind musicians singing into microphones as they wandered the streets come to mind. Chiangmai had the sound of rushing water over rocks as we slipped by in our open raft and the constant sound of bartering hill tribe women with their silver jewelry and colorful hats. Chiangmai also had the sounds of Doi Suthep with its deep bells booming over the hill and children playing amongst the tourists and monks. Prachuab had the sound of rain, whether misting or pouring, washing the market streets. Prachuab also had the 24 sound of monks blessing people in the early morning hours, speaking and singing prayers over women bowed before them. Amusingly, the national anthem was played at school every morning by the marching band and on the loud speakers, and it also played in my head for the remaining 23 hours of the day until my roommate would throw a pillow at me! My favorite sound of Thailand was the sound of singing. Several times the former students, Kathy, and Jack sang “500 Miles” by Peter, Paul, and Mary. It certainly wasn’t the beauty of the singing that struck me, but the fact that the students remembered all the words and sang them so faithfully. It was obvious that the students had been significantly moved by their teachers. As the students sang, you could see the love and appreciation exuding from them; so much so that it made my eyes water every time they would sing. When I heard the students sing, I could only hope that I too would have such an influence on a group of people. … Forming relationships with my students was an aspect of teaching that really touched my heart. I was able to get especially close to two of my students, Maew and Por. These students were extremely helpful to me in the classroom and they both wanted to learn English so badly. On the Friday evening of the teachers’ dinner, Maew and Por were able to eat dinner with me. I loved talking to them about anything from music to Por’s schooling abroad to my family and America. Maew and Por have e-mailed me several times since our group returned to the United States. They like to ask me questions about my jobs or different musical acts in the U.S. I think it is great that I was able to connect with these students in such a way that they feel comfortable e-mailing me and talking to me about their lives as well as mine. … Thailand is not a place that can be seen on a National Geographic episode and be fully comprehended. I had to smell the markets, hear the temple bells, taste the pineapple, see the countryside, touch the silk, and feel my gia (heart) warmed by the people in order to know Thailand. The exciting part of my experience in Thailand is knowing that there is so much more waiting for me to encounter when I go back. Anna Warnes completed her studies in December 2004 with a major in English. She plans to attend law school. Winter/Spring 2005 BECOMING A TEACHER 1 In his first teaching experience, Jeff Moores ’05 just barely got his feet wet in the classroom and left Thailand wishing he had more teaching opportunities, as well as anticipating his next return trip. “Tomorrow,” I wrote in my journal on Sunday, May 16, “I become a teacher.” Unofficially, of course, and I’m technically still very much a student; but, I’ll be stepping into a role, a job, that rivals that of prostitution for the title of the world’s oldest occupation. I’m feeling what every teacher—from Kathy in her initial teaching years, to Aristotle—must feel when faced with the daunting task of instilling knowledge upon youthful minds: nervousness, anxiety, fears of inadequacy. But mostly, I’m excited. Excited for something new, something frightening, an experience that might open my mind along with those of Thai students. … My most challenging teaching experience in Prachuab happened at the end of Thursday. … At 3 p.m. I returned to the English office to track down a teacher-less class to take over or an occupied class to observe. I was quickly told that Stephanie was teaching level 6/9. I hadn’t taught or observed a high grade level yet, so I thought it would be worthwhile to attend. … Outside the classroom, the slightly older students relaxed on the benches, some slumped over with the end of the day, others energetically giggled with friends. One thing was certain: Stephanie had not yet arrived. I looked at the students in a way that hopefully said, “I’m the teacher; time to start. Get in. Sit down.” Friendly, of course, but I wasn’t about to let the older students walk all over me. Meanwhile my head was reeling: Stephanie’s not here; my lesson plans are for younger students; are they expecting Stephanie? What if they already know everything I’m teaching them? A deep breath later, I calmly flipped through my Winter/Spring 2005 by Jeff Moores ’05 notebook as they settled down. Dictation. That was it, an exercise I had not yet utilized. I slowly read four sentences about a man going to a market and then returning home to eat dinner and watch TV. Their attentive gazes and lack of utterly confused looks encouraged me, but it was difficult to discern whether they were genuinely interested or if they were simply patronizing the new foreign teacher. A few of the boys, including one who sat in the middle of the front row, were energetic and active, sometimes scratching their heads and employing grimaces of misunderstanding or raised eyebrows of clarity. Stephanie showed up about halfway through the class, hopefully adding to any authority I had over the classroom. In the end we walked away not knowing what to conclude. I had felt a lack of influence with level 3/9, and now I felt a lack of respect from level 6/9. On top of it, inadequacy stemmed from having viewed [regular teachers] Charles and David wielding their experienced skills. The mere 10 pages of this essay cannot begin to explore the intense realizations I began uncovering about my future as a mentor, a teacher, a parent—an adult. Luckily, as I suspected it would, my thirst for Thailand continues. A week in Prachuab was not enough time teaching English. I wanted two, three weeks to practice my skills. I wanted to tutor university students and come into contact with all age levels. After my first trip, I predicted that I would definitely return to Thailand someday. I found myself in Bangkok’s busy streets sooner than I thought. Jeff Moores is in the Honors Program and is a senior majoring in English with a concentration in writing. He is news editor of the Echo. This was his second trip to Thailand. c 25 ef MY GOD AND YOUR BUDDHA— THE SAME, ONLY DIFFERENT by Sue Kneen ’04 As a religion major and a prospective seminary student, I was most anxious to see and experience Buddhism first hand. … As I really thought about it, there is much that our faiths have in common: God or Buddha, do good works, eternity or Nirvana, God is omnipresent or eternal nothingness, prayer, denying self, look to pastors/monks, churches and temples, worship, help the poor and taking care of your neighbor. There really isn’t anything so unusual—only different. I thought [our Bangkok tour guide] Panya’s comment summed it all up well as he said with great feeling, “My Buddha and your God, they are the same. When we are sad, we talk to Buddha. Sometimes we talk to a monk, and he makes us do better with what he says, but sometimes we don’t want to tell anyone, so we talk to Buddha. And we feel better; we feel lighter and THE REAL happier.” Now that sounds just like me and my God. I’d like to quote what I wrote in my journal as I stood on top of “Monkey Mountain,” listening to the hauntingly beautiful Buddhist music and the chanting of the monks, and the pungent aroma of their incense lifted to my ears and nose, and the cool breeze smoothed against my face: “It was a beautiful view from on top of the hill over the ocean, Prachuab Kirikhan, and a big sprawling temple to the west. What was especially significant to me was seeing the building where the monks had their evening meditation and hearing them chant and hearing their music. I will never forget that feeling. I imagined and hear them praising their God as I do mine (for lack of better words). It was a feeling and very real sense of oneness while very different. It was surreal and profound. I am thankful for this experience.” FACES IN THE Prachuab Kirikhan is located on the east coast of Thailand, on the Gulf of Thailand. It escaped the massive destruction of the tsunami that devastated areas farther south on the west coast. Of course, when the tsunami hit, everyone from the trip feared for his or her old and new friends. Anna Warnes was the first to hear news from Prachuab. “The day before the tsunami struck I received an e-mail from one of my Thai students. Maew, a sweet 12-yearold, wrote me one of her typical e-mails: ‘Hello Miss Anna, how are you? How are your studies? I am fine. My family went on holiday. It was fun,’ etc. “The next day I heard about the tsunami on the news. I immediately thought of Maew. I wrote her an e-mail: 'Maew, 26 Sue Kneen ’04 gained a rich introduction to Buddhism as she prepared for her own seminary studies. It seems I am very fortunate indeed to have been introduced to a culture such as this through the lens of respect and deep affection. … I will never be the same, and my daughters and those with whom I have the privilege to share about my trip will be able to see some of Thailand and foreign travel for themselves. Sue Kneen graduated from Weekend College in 2004 with majors in English and religion and is now studying at Luther Seminary. TSUNAMI are you safe? Were you hit by the wave?' I received a response within a day. Maew was in fact safe, although her father had been working near Phuket, and he was injured but alive. “By expanding the world classroom and making connections with people in Thailand, the tsunami affected real people, people I knew. The tsunami did not kill thousands of faceless people on the other side of the world; the tsunami killed people I may have met and learned from.” Winter/Spring 2005 C ONE STUDENT I MAY HAVE TOUCHED by Rachel E. Schuette ’03 SEEING THAILAND THROUGH KATHY AND JACK’S EYES “Kathy and Jack also had endless tidbits about Thai culture to share with us throughout the three weeks. Whether we received lessons about teaching English, how to eat at a Thai restaurant, or when to take our shoes off at a Buddhist temple, Kathy and Jack’s previous knowledge of Thailand was a critical part of the wonderful experience we shared.” —Jeff Moores “The entire trip was affected because Jack and Kathy led Rachel Schuette ’03 compiled a lesson plan book, in collaboration with Professor Swanson, with materials from the Augsburg students’ lessons “to show appreciation for the gracious welcome they received from everyone in Prachuab Kirikhan.” It has been three weeks since we returned home and I am still on “Thai time,” meaning I feel much more laid back and not really pushed to do anything in a hurry. … I learned so much from this experience; it is difficult to pinpoint the important issues. Being a teacher is not always about teaching test-ready material. It was not until about the third day of teaching in Prachuab that I realized this. I wasn’t there to teach them how to conjugate verbs perfectly, or to show them how to use articles all the time. I was there to learn from them and to hopefully share my culture with them. There was no test on Friday or review of information; the visit was much more than that. It was an experience that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. It will serve as a reminder every time I walk into a new classroom or job. It made me appreciate what I have here in America, but still understand that just because some people do not have these luxuries, they may be just as happy as I. It was apparent through the interactions among Professor Swanson, her husband, and the former Thai students that a lifetime connection can be made. Truly, for me, it was finding that one student whom I feel I may have touched, but who really touched me, that makes me say, “YES! That is why I went to Thailand.” ■ Rachel Schuette graduated in 2003 with a double major in English and secondary education/communication arts licensure. All photos were taken by participants on the trip. Winter/Spring 2005 the way, I suspect. On just a superficial level, the heat, the smells of the streets, some of the foods, and the different standard of living we enjoy could have easily been turned into disgust by travelers not accustomed t
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2004
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N Fall 2004 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 1 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE What is an Augsburg education? Joan Griffin, Augsburg’s director of general education, writes that an Augsburg education is an education for a...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N Fall 2004 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 67, No. 1 EEditor’s DITOR’Snote NOTE What is an Augsburg education? Joan Griffin, Augsburg’s director of general education, writes that an Augsburg education is an education for action. It is an education to prepare students to become effective, informed, and ethical citizens. It asks students to explore answers to the big questions within the context of values and beliefs that matter. At Augsburg students are challenged to discover the very best in themselves. The new Augsburg Core Curriculum, highlighted in this issue, truly gives distinction to an Augsburg education. The result of several years of thoughtful and deliberate collaboration, the new core curriculum offers a blueprint for a learning community that connects each and every element of the College’s mission with its vision. It respects and reflects the College’s heritage, including its vital role in the community, working in partnership to prepare students for responsible citizenship. Augsburg has long believed, before many other colleges around the country, that students learn best when combining their classroom learning with experience outside the classroom. In the Augsburg Core, every student is required to complete an Augsburg experience— through internships (and student teaching, practica, cooperative education, etc.), faculty-student research, service-learning, study abroad, or other off-campus immersion activities. Augsburg’s leadership role in this area has been affirmed repeatedly—most recently and importantly by the honor bestowed upon sociology professor Garry Hesser as Minnesota’s Professor of the Year, from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Hesser has also received national awards for his pioneering work in developing experiential education and continuing national presence in promoting it. Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and service-learning program have also received national and regional awards for their excellence in programs. The new Augsburg Core has good reason to make all Augsburg alumni proud of their Augsburg education. Enjoy reading about it, as well as about some important events in our campus life—Homecoming 2004, Advent Vespers 25th anniversary, and the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Festival in February. Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamholz ’04 Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V. Frame Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Amy Sutton Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jorgensen Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058–1545 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 Betsey Norgard Editor Greetings of the season Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Fall 2004 Vol. 67, No. 1 Features FEATURES 15 The Augsburg Core Curriculum: Educating for work, educating for life This special issue introduces readers to the new Augsburg Core Curriculum—the broad general education that forms the foundation for an Augsburg education. Signature elements of the Augsburg Core draw on the College’s heritage, values, and mission. 11 Vision The newsletter for Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College 4 Advent Vespers celebrates 25th anniversary year DEPARTMENTS Departments 2 Around the Quad 6 Sports 8 Homecoming 2004 Awards 27 Alumni News 30 Homecoming 2004 Photos On the cover: 34 Class Notes 40 In Memoriam inside back cover Calendar 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post—consumer waste) Over 300 first-year students begin their educational journey through the Augsburg Arch, the visual representation of their Augsburg education, at the Opening Celebration, where they are welcomed into the Augsburg community. Photo by Stephen Geffre. AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad Notes in brief Namibia center celebrates 10 years Convo series explores social justice themes PA students excel on exam The May graduates in the Physician Assistant Program received among the highest scores in the country on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants board examination. The Class of 2004 received a mean score of 613, ranking in the 99th percentile, as compared to the national mean score of 510. Augsburg’s program is Minnesota’s only PA training program; in 2002 it became a graduate program and received full accreditation. The Class of 2004 is the first to graduate at the master’s level. Augsburg moves up in college rankings Once again, U.S.News & World Report has included Augsburg in the top tier of its annual ranking of best universities, tied for 20th place—a move up from 24th place last year. The College is ranked among 142 institutions in the category “Best Midwestern Universities-Master’s” and is compared with other area colleges and universities that offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, The Princeton Review has once again included Augsburg among the 170 colleges named “Best in the Midwest,” based on student responses as well as on recognition by the media, other institutional leaders, and educational organizations. Augsburg was recognized for its dedication toward diversity. THE 17TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM February 11–12, 2005 www.peaceprizeforum.org 2 Center for Global Education Namibia director Pandu Hailonga welcomed guests of the center’s 10th anniversary celebration, with associate dean Orv Gingerich and President William Frame looking on. “Justice for All,” the theme of the 2004-05 Augsburg Convocation series, challenges consideration of how issues of justice bring into focus one’s gifts, interests, desires, and passions; and connects them with diverse careers, occupations, and ministries that benefit others and selffulfillment. The remaining presentations are: New MBA program in full swing Forty-four students filled two cohorts to launch the new Master of Business Administration program this fall, and additional cohorts will begin in winter and possibly spring. About 30 percent of the first class is made up of Augsburg alumni. The 20-month MBA program includes several cross courses with the Master of Arts in Leadership program and a strong emphasis on application of classroom learning to the business environment. Garry Hesser is prof of the year in Minnesota Nov. 18 was designated “Dr. Garry Hesser Day” in the state of Minnesota in honor of the announcement that Hesser had been named Professor of the Year in Minnesota by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Hesser was lauded in the citation for his pioneering efforts in developing experiential education, a hallmark of an Augsburg education. See the next issue of Augsburg Now for the full story. • JAN. 17—Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, with speaker Victoria Jackson Gray Adams, a spiritual, social, political, and civil rights activist. • FEB. 11—In conjunction with the 2005 Peace Prize Forum, former United Nations high commissioner for human rights and former president of Ireland Mary Robinson will speak about security in an unsecure world. • FEB. 16—Jane Jeong Trenka ‘95, award-winning author, will speak on transracial adoption and memory/writing as a site of resistance. • MARCH 4—Craig Kielburger, children’s rights activist and founder of Free the Children, in the 2005 Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics. • APRIL 11—2005 Sverdrup Visiting Scientist lecture, to be announced. For further information, call 612-330-1180 or visit <www.augsburg.edu/convo>. Fall 2004 Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College Fourth annual Scholastic Connections celebration Goal: $55 million $33 million Read more campaign news in Vision, the campaign newsletter, on p. 11. Welcome, Class of 2008! WELCOME TO 343 NEW FRESHMEN … • 10 states represented, with 81% from Minnesota Five new scholarship recipients and six returning scholars were honored along with their mentors at the fourth annual Scholastic Connections dinner and program in October. This program pairs student leaders of color with alumni mentors of color. The emcee for the evening was Vineeta Sawkar, news anchor at 5 Eyewitness News. The welcome was presented by actor and vocalist T. Mychael Rambo. Front row (L to R): Xia Xiong ‘05, Eloisa Echávez ‘94, ‘98 MEL, Melat Woldegebriel ‘05, Vineeta Sawkar, and Renzo Amaya Torres ‘05. Back row (L to R): Franklin Tawah ‘83, Alex Gonzalez ‘90, Nhia Lee ‘02, Saroja Thapa ‘06, Robert Amaya ‘05, Chris Adams ‘07, Maria R. Johnson ‘94, Adela Arguello ‘05, Jim Genia ‘87, Diane Love-Scott ‘98, Leah Carlson ‘01, and Audra Johnson ‘06. Forging exchanges with a Polish university Courtesy photo News: • 3M is partnering with Augsburg to raise $600,000 in support of the Science Center that will come through a combination of gift and challenge match. • 89% live in residence halls on campus • 37% are Lutheran • 11.3% are students of color • 2,600 hours of service-learning in the community given by first-year students as part of the Augsburg Seminar ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS … • 3,375 students (1,826 day, 1,090 weekend, 459 graduate) • Average age is 21 in day, 34 weekend, 33 graduate • Students from 40 states and 33 countries • Students of color—10.2% Fall 2004 Amidst their European and African travels last summer, President and Mrs. Frame, along with business professor Magda Paleczny-Zapp, visited the Cracow University of Economics in Poland, an institution of 20,000 students, to discuss exchanges of faculty and students in business and the social sciences. The university is also interested in starting a program similar to Augsburg’s CLASS program to support students with learning disabilities. (L to R): President William Frame; Anne Frame; Chancellor Ryszard Borowiecki; Professor Magda Paleczny-Zapp; Professor Janusz Teczke, vice chancellor for scientific research and cooperation; and Agnieszka Nawrocka, head, Office of International Relations. 3 Around the Quad ADVENT VESPERS celebrates 25th anniversary year ‘With Peaceful Wings’ offers theme of peace and comfort Augsburg College’s Advent Vespers program celebrates its 25th anniversary around the theme “With Peaceful Wings.” The four services, this year held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4 at 5 and 8 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, usually draw over 8,000 people. Advent Vespers combines more than 300 participants from choirs, instrumental ensembles, readers, and a full liturgical party. Through the majestic celebration of music and word, the message of Christ’s coming to the world is conveyed. Augsburg’s annual advent program began in 1979 around the vision of Larry Fleming, then-director of choral activities, to offer a service of meditation and prayer as a gift to the community during the advent season. The tradition continues today under the direction of Peter Hendrickson ’76, director of choral activities, and the Rev. David Wold, College pastor and director of ministries, with active support from Augsburg College students, faculty, and staff. “With Peaceful Wings” focuses on the message of assurance that in the wings of the Savior Jesus Christ rest and comfort 4 Fall 2004 SPECIAL BROADCAST Add this special 25th anniversary Advent Vespers broadcast to your holiday plans. can be found through all good and ill. The wings of the Savior provide the strength and shelter to live in the unconditional grace of God, and the strength and comfort to know the peace of God that passes all understanding, the peace of God that keeps hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The service provides an opportunity to reflect first on the coming of Jesus, initially announced by John the Baptist; second, on living in the promise that Christ will come again; and third, in knowing that Christ comes through people constantly and regularly, even now. To mark this special 25th anniversary, Augsburg College collaborated with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to produce a onehour program to be broadcast during Christmas week. The majesty of Central Lutheran Church and the intimacy of the service are captured by a multiple-camera production crew that followed the drama of the processions and recorded the splendor of the sounds from the choirs scattered through the sanctuary. The program is also offered statewide to the stations of the Minnesota Public Television Association, and nationwide, via satellite, to public broadcast services. Commemorative DVD, VHS, and CD recordings of this production will be available following the event. For more information about Advent Vespers, call 612-330-1444 or go to <www.augsburg.edu/vespers>. ■ Fall 2004 The service will be aired in Minnesota on Twin Cities Public Television: December 22, 8 p.m. on TPT2 December 23, 2 a.m. on TPT2 December 25, 10 a.m. on TPT2 and 7 p.m. on TPT17 Check local listings for broadcast times on public television stations. The 25th anniversary Advent Vespers broadcast is made possible through a major gift from the 11 Hoversten families who have supported Augsburg worship, music, and education programs for generations, and with additional support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION 5 Sports Women’s hockey celebrates 10 years ugsburg College has played a major role in the growth of women’s hockey, one of the fastest growing sports in recent years. As the first college or university in the Midwest to sponsor the sport on the varsity level in 1995, Augsburg was a leader in sparking major interest and impacting the lives of thousands of young girls and women. This year Augsburg celebrates its 10th season of varsity women’s hockey—an achievement that speaks volumes to the College’s commitment to the sport’s growth. Over the past decade, 97 young women have donned an Augsburg uniform, for a team that has gone 131-86-13 entering this season under Jill Pohtilla, the only head coach in the program’s history. “What I’m most proud of is that, year-in and year-out, the types of individuals who play here have great character and great motivation,” Pohtilla said. “They work hard, and they care a lot about the legacy they are going to leave behind.” When Augsburg announced in February 1995 that it was going to field a varsity women’s hockey program for the 1995-96 season, there were only 15 varsity teams nationally—all on the East Coast (members of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference) and none in the Midwest. Girls’ hockey was just starting at the high school level in Minnesota—the first state to sponsor a girls’ hockey high school state championship tournament —even before it became an Olympic sport. Both location and funding made Augsburg’s situation unique. In its announcement, Augsburg was believed to be the first collegiate team to fund its women’s hockey program on a level equal with the men’s program, in terms of equipment, uniforms, ice time, training, games, publicity, and awards. A Highlights from Augsburg’s first decade include: • 1995-96—Augsburg went 16-5 in its first season against club and women’s adult teams in the Midwest, including three games on the East Coast against varsity teams. • 1997-98—Augsburg faced the University of Minnesota in the Gophers’ first varsity contest. The crowd of 6,854 in Mariucci Arena remains the largest-ever crowd for a U.S. collegiate women’s hockey game. by Don Stoner • Winter 2003—Members of the team traveled to Italy and Austria to play and win three games against local club teams. A 10th anniversary dinner and program was held in November. For more information about women’s hockey, go to <www.augsburg.edu/athletics>. Don Stoner is sports information coordinator in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. • 1998-99—Augsburg won a share of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) title, which was the first Division III conference to sponsor the sport at championship level. • 1999-2000—Augsburg won the MIAC play-off to go to the Division III national championship, where they lost the national title series to Middlebury (Vt.). • 2003-04—The playoff semifinal game against the University of St. Thomas, a 6-5 loss, was the longest women’s hockey game in conference history, a two-overtime, 96-minute, 9-second marathon. A plaza in front of Augsburg’s Ice Arena was dedicated as “JC’s Place,” in honor of James “JC” Carey, athletic facilities director for 30 years. New seating and memorial plaques honor Carey, who died of heart failure in 2003 at the age of 54. The 1999-2000 women’s hockey team posed, following the Division III national championship, where they lost to small-college power Middlebury (Vt.). 6 Fall 2004 17 AUGSBURG COLLEGE HOSTS T H A N N UA L N O B E L P E AC E P R I Z E F O RU M Around the theme “Striving for Peace: Uniting for Justice,” Augsburg College will host the 17th annual Peace Prize Forum, Feb. 11-12, 2005. This forum honors the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and human rights activist who was recognized for her efforts for democracy and human rights. In cooperation with the Norwegian Nobel Institute, five Midwestern colleges of the ELCA—Augsburg College, Augustana College (Sioux Falls, S. Dak.), Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.), Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), and St. Olaf College—host the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside Norway. 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 Prize Fall 2004 by Betsey Norgard 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 first Nobel Peace Prize Forum took place in 1989 at St. Olaf College, and rotates each year among the five ELCA colleges. Augsburg last hosted the forum in 1999, and honored Peace Prize laureates Jody Williams and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Over the years, more than 21,000 participants have become involved in the forum, which has received an even broader audience through national and regional media coverage. The Peace Prize Forum program also includes a series of seminars and discussions of issues around the theme. Plenary speakers scheduled for the 2005 forum include: • Mary Robinson, the first woman president of Ireland and more recently United Nations high commissioner for human rights; • Davar Ardalan, a producer for National Public Radio based in Washington, D.C., who has lived in Iran under both the shah’s reign and that of the ayatollah’s; • Sima Samar, pioneer for almost 20 years in the cause for women’s rights in war-stricken Afghanistan; and • Frances Moore Lappé, author and global citizen who started a revolution in the way Americans eat. Her most recent book is You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear. For more information about the 17th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, go to <www.augsburg.edu/ppf> or call 612-330-1383. Children celebrate peace at the Nobel Peace Prize Festival More than 700 students from 27 Peace Site schools and youth groups across the Twin Cities will gather at the 10th annual Nobel Peace Prize Festival at Augsburg on Feb. 10. This year’s festival will honor Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The festival was first organized in 1998 as an expansion of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and in response to the growing interest to involve children and youth of all ages. The event is designed to connect students in grades K-12 with Nobel laureates. Students study a laureate or peace theme, create a related interactive exhibit or performance of their subject, and bring it to the one-day festival. Along with the Peace Prize Forum, the festival has the endorsement of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The 2004 festival honored Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter, who visited the J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul, Minn., along with the former first lady. ■ 7 HOMECOMING 2004 TWO HONORED AS 2004 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI T wo alumni join 164 others as Distinguished Alumni of Augsburg College. Recipients are recognized for significant achievement in their vocations and outstanding contributions to church and community, through years of preparation, experience, dedication, exemplary character, and service. Brian J. Anderson ’82 Dr. Brian J. Anderson graduated from Augsburg in 1982 with a B.A. in physics, mathematics, and religion. From 1983-1987, he served as a research associate at the University of Minnesota, where in 1987 he earned a Ph.D. in physics. In 1986 he returned to Augsburg as a visiting lecturer in physics, and in 1987 as an assistant professor of physics. During his two years on the Augsburg faculty, he was instrumental in securing a grant from the National Science Foundation for the establishment of a vacuum technology laboratory for advanced physics students. In 1988, Anderson relocated to the East Coast to serve as a postdoctoral associate at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he is currently a senior physicist. He also supervises the magnetic fields section of the APL’s Space Physics Group, and is a member of the science team for NASA’s Messenger mission to Mercury, among others. Anderson is internationally recognized in space physics for his innovative and wide-ranging contributions to the understanding of the dynamic particle and magnetic field environment of near earth space. In addition to his duties at Johns Hopkins, Anderson also serves as president of Division III (Magnetospheric Phenomena) of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, the international scientific association that brings together space scientists worldwide for biennial scientific congresses. He recently completed service as an editor for Geophysical Research Letters, the premier international journal of earth and space sciences. He was also a member of a panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences to provide guidance over the next 10 years to all U.S. government agencies in the areas of solar and space physics. Anderson is an active member of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick, Md., where he serves on the church council and on various committees. He also serves as an assisting minister in worship and is a regular participant in other congregational events. His wife, Dr. Leeann Rock, is a 1981 graduate of Augsburg. 8 by Lynn Mena Fern L. (Hanson) Gudmestad ’41 As a child growing up in Seattle, Wash., Fern L. (Hanson) Gudmestad learned about Augsburg from her uncle, the Rev. Frederick Iversen, an early 1900s graduate of Augsburg College and Seminary. Although she enrolled at the University of Washington—where she ultimately received a B.A. in art in 1941—she convinced her parents to send her to Augsburg for her sophomore year. Gudmestad’s time as a student on the Augsburg campus produced numerous lifelong bonds—particularly to one alumnus, the Rev. Lawrence Gudmestad ’39 (1983 Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus), whom she married. Three of their four children also attended the College—one graduating in 1965 and the other in 1968—as well as a daughter-in-law and a grandson, making theirs a four-generation Augsburg family. Gudmestad has remained a loyal and active alumna of the College, having served as an adviser to the College of the Third Age, as a longtime member of the Augsburg Associates, and on the committee assisting with the recent Lutheran Free Church celebration held on campus in June. In addition, she has been a regular contributor to The Augsburg Fund and a member of the president’s Maroon & Silver Society. She generously funded a pipe in Hoversten Chapel’s new organ for each of her children, and after her husband’s death in 1986 she directed memorial gifts to Augsburg. As a young woman in the 1940s and ’50s, Gudmestad answered the call to serve along with her husband during his years as a parish pastor in both Washington and North Dakota. As his partner, she managed a myriad of responsibilities, and in the 1970s and ’80s she held successive and increasingly comprehensive leadership positions in the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW) organizations, beginning as president of her local ALCW, later as president of the ALC’s Southeast Minnesota District ALCW Board, and ultimately as president of the national ALCW. Recognized as a wise and quietly powerful woman, Gudmestad’s special combination of faith and skills in leadership continues to bring many invitations to speak at events and participate on committees and boards. Fall 2004 HOMECOMING 2004 FIRST DECADE AND SPIRIT OF AUGSBURG AWARD RECIPIENTS NAMED FOR 2004 by Lynn Mena A ugsburg is pleased to announce the 2004 recipients of the First Decade and Spirit of Augsburg awards. The First Decade Award is presented to Augsburg graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and in so doing exemplify the mission of the College: to prepare future leaders in service to the world. Graduates from the day, weekend, and graduate programs are eligible. The Spirit of Augsburg Award honors alumni and friends of the College who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well being of Augsburg by furthering its purposes and programs. FIRST DECADE AWARD SPIRIT OF AUGSBURG AWARD Susan Arntz ’94 Arthur V. Rimmereid ’53 Susan (Horning) Arntz graduated from Augsburg in 1994 with a B.A. in political science and a minor in metrourban studies. In 1999, she earned a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University. Despite her young age, Arntz possesses a vast amount of knowledge and leadership skills related to public affairs and government, and has utilized these for an exemplary career in public service. Following her graduation in 1994, she served as an intern to Commissioner Peter McLaughlin of Hennepin County, Minn. During that same time period, she served as assistant administrator and economic development coordinator of the City of Chaska (Minn.), and from 1998–2001 as the assistant city manager of New Brighton, Minn. Over the last several years, she has served as the city administrator of Waconia, Minn. She has skillfully managed increasingly larger city projects, and has directed major projects in the rapidly growing community of Waconia. Clearly, Arntz is driven to excel in her chosen field of city management; she approaches the responsibilities and call of public service with tremendous enthusiasm and dedication. She has worked tirelessly to construct an innovative and successful partnership between the city and the development community and other agencies. Since 2001, Arntz has served as a member of Augsburg’s Alumni Board of Directors, contributing a valued voice of vision, reason, and influence. In addition to sharing her time with the College, Arntz is also a member of Augsburg’s Century Club. A woman of deep faith and Christian values, Arntz is an active member of her church and community. She and her husband, Jonathan ’95, have two children. The Rev. Arthur V. Rimmereid graduated from Augsburg College and Seminary in 1953 and 1956, respectively. His first call was to a parish in north central North Dakota—Bisbee Lutheran Church— where he served as pastor from 1956–1962. He then served as pastor of Advent Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, Minn., where he was asked to develop a new mission congregation. From 1967–1983, he served first as assistant pastor and then as senior pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minn. Rimmereid’s 27 years of distinguished parish ministry—in a rural community, in a mission congregation, and in a larger established congregation—served as excellent preparation for his next call to serve as assistant to the bishop of the Northern Minnesota District, ALC, from 1983–1987. He served in that capacity until the merger and was called to a like position in the new Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA, serving again as assistant to the bishop from 1988–1991. In 1991, he was elected bishop and served until his retirement in 1995. A strong supporter of his alma mater, Rimmereid often and proudly encourages others to attend the College and also to provide financial donations to support its programs and its mission. In addition, he is a regular participant and speaker at College events—particularly in chapel, where he shares his spirit of dedication, his love of people, and his message of faith. Rimmereid has distinguished himself as an active member of Kiwanis International for a number of years. He and his wife, Charlotte (Kleven) ’52, reside in Maplewood, Minn., where in addition to church activities, they are active volunteers in the community. A person of compassion and integrity, Rimmereid’s achievements and service exemplify the ideals and mission of Augsburg. Fall 2004 9 HOMECOMING 2004 THE NYDAHL FAMILY honored with the Distinguished Service Award by Lynn Mena T Courtesy photo he Distinguished Service Award recogizes “formative families” who have made a substantial and continuing contribution to Augsburg and to its mission in the world through their vocations, their philanthropy, and their citizenship. This year’s recipient is the family of Johannes and Tabitha Nydahl, honoring their Norwegian and Lutheran heritage and their generations-long connection to the College. Over the years, many descendents of Johannes and Tabitha have attended Augsburg, including their three sons, Theodore, Malvin, and Harold. The Nydahl family members, through their careers and avocations, have long illustrated Augsburg’s mission of “education for service,” and it is a great honor to recognize them with this special award. Johannes Ludvigson Nydahl was born Feb. 20, 1863, at Sondfjord, Norway, to Ludvig Olson Nydahl and Nille Johannesen Holsen. As the oldest son, Johannes stood to inherit the family farm. However, he relinquished this right in order to realize his dream of exploring the world. He considered going to South Africa or the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), but chose instead the United States, emigrating in 1882. When Johannes arrived in the United States, he first worked as a lumberjack in northern Minnesota and then as a stonemason in Minneapolis—the First Baptist Church was one of his masonry projects. By these jobs he earned enough money to attend Augsburg. Johannes’ wife, Tabitha, was born to immigrants on a southern Minnesota farm. She was the daughter of Torger T. Rygh, who arrived in America in 1845 along with several siblings and their parents. Johannes Nydahl Johannes graduated from both the College and the Augsburg Seminary, attending from 1883–1891. Although he was never ordained, he was deeply involved with the Lutheran community, and served as a vicar in Watertown, S.Dak., in 1891. He then served the College as a professor of history and Norwegian from 1891–1920, before beginning in 1920 as Augsburg’s head librarian, a post he held until his death in 1928. During his years at Augsburg he also served as an instructor at Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis from 1909–14. Among his many community and church activities were serving as Sunday school superintendent at Trinity Church, as president of the Minnesota Total Abstinence Society, secretary of the Folkebladet Publishing Company, treasurer and then president of the Board of the Deaconess Home, and secretary of the Lutheran Free Church, being listed as one of the 10 prominent men in the church’s development. An outstanding musician, too, Johannes was a member of the Augsburg Quartette, which toured throughout the 10 Johannes and Tabitha Nydahl pose with their six children. Pictured from L to R are: Ragna, Tabitha, Malvin, Agnes, Harold, Theodore, Johannes, and Valborg. upper Midwest and Michigan through the late 1880s and early 1890s. In 1895, the Quartette toured Norway, the first concert tour by Norwegians in America back to the fatherland. The Nydahls also were members of the Saga Hill community, a colony established in the 1880s by Augsburg professors, ministers, bankers, and professional men, most of them being members of Trinity Tabitha Nydahl Church who were deeply interested in the College and its success. They purchased 40 acres from a farmer in the Lake Minnetonka area where they built summer cabins. Johannes and Tabitha—who lived on the Augsburg campus for more than 30 years in what was to become known as West Hall when it became a girls’ dormitory—raised a family of six children. Ted became a history professor at the University of MinnesotaMankato, and later head of their Humanities Department; Mally became an orthopedic surgeon in Minneapolis after a standout athletic career in football, basketball, and baseball at the University of Minnesota. Harold became a pastor and counselor, and Ragna, Agnes, and Valborg all married Lutheran pastors and Augsburg graduates—Melvin Olson, Clarence Carlsen, and Torgney Kleven, respectively. All six children were great musicians, the three sisters singing in a much sought-after trio, and the three brothers being both singers and choir directors. This award celebrates the contributions and legacy of Johannes and Tabitha and the extended Nydahl family. Fall 2004 BY PAUL S. MUELLER, M.D. ’84 Scientific inquiry will reveal truth and lead to more questions “Where truth is, there is God.” —Miguel de Cervantes I give thanks and praise for my years at Augsburg. I am grateful for the knowledge I learned, the skills I acquired, and the experiences I had. But I am especially grateful for the professors, fellow students, and other individuals at Augsburg who encouraged me to think about science and the physical universe in the context of the Christian faith. Faculty members like John Holum, Earl Alton, Ralph Sulerud and others patiently spent countless hours with students like me, helping us not only to understand the universe, but also the relationship between the universe and God. Kermit Paulson and Mark Engebretson, persons of faith, encouraged my wife Nancy (Mackey) ’85 to pursue a degree in physics, an advanced degree in engineering, and ultimately careers in engineering and science teaching. To me, these teachers made physics understandable and God’s universe more spectacular. The desire for truth at Augsburg continues today. I am awed by the innovative education and research programs conducted by the science faculty. Seeking scientific truth at Augsburg is not simply memorizing and reciting facts. Instead, it is learning Fall 2004 methods of scientific inquiry that reveal truth and lead to more questions. The cycle of hypothesis, inquiry, discovery, and generating new questions and hypotheses about the universe leads to new knowledge and understanding. Whereas ignorance leads to fear and conflict, knowledge and understanding lead to comfort, joy, and peace. In other words, the truth makes us free. A tour of the current science building reveals how innovative and vital the science faculty is. This education is made complete by the Augsburg experience, a liberal arts education that places scientific truth in the context of other truths such as spiritual, humanistic, and philosophical truths. This milieu encourages the Augsburg science major not to seek just a job, but a true vocation, which Frederick Buechner describes as “the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” A major focus of the current campaign, Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College, is a new Science Center. It is widely acknowledged that the current Science Hall is inadequate to fulfill and sustain the vision for science education and research at Augsburg College. Despite the limitations of the current facility, the sciences at Augsburg have grown. In addition, the number of science majors, education opportunities, and research programs has grown. Indeed, the College and the science faculty have been very creative in using and modifying the current facility, which is now more than 50 years old, to meet new challenges as they arise. For example, the site of an active living coral reef on the second floor of Science Hall in the Biology Department is truly amazing. Yet, this example of creativity reflects the enthusiasm the Augsburg science faculty has for teaching and research irrespective of the facility. This enthusiasm has undoubtedly played a crucial role in the growth and success of the science departments. Nevertheless, the time has come for a new Science Center at Augsburg College. This center will provide an environment conducive to teaching and mentoring science students and conducting research (SCIENCE continues on page 12) Vision is published by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Lynn James Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Photographer Stephen Geffre Contributing Writers Lynn James Paul Mueller, M.D. ’84 www.augsburg.edu/campaign 11 3M Foundation partners with Augsburg in gift and matching grant challenge The 3M Foundation has announced a partnership with Augsburg College to raise $600,000 in support of its new Science Center. For every dollar donated by a 3M employee or retiree, the 3M Foundation will contribute three dollars. Under this 3:1 challenge, the foundation will match up to $100,000 in contributions from employees or retirees with a $300,000 gift. Additionally, the foundation itself is contributing $200,000 to the Science Center. The grant challenges the College to raise up to $100,000 in gifts and pledges from 3M employees and retirees between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, 2004, according to Alex Cirillo, Jr., vice president for the 3M Foundation. “This is a tremendous gift that provides Augsburg the opportunity to raise $600,000 in new funding for our campaign’s top priority—the new Science Center,” noted Sue Klaseus, Augsburg’s vice president for institutional advancement. “We are excited about the 3M Foundation leadership commitment.” Gifts toward the 3M Foundation challenge grant can come from any of its employees or retirees, Klaseus said, but the College’s primary effort will be geared toward the hundreds of Augsburg alumni and parents who work for the company. SCIENCE continued from page 11 at 21st-century standards. It will, in part, preserve and grow opportunities to explore science at Augsburg. Finally, the Science Center will be a major focal point of the Augsburg campus, where faith and reason are reconciled, where truth is loved and sought, and God is found. What can you do? • Keep Augsburg leadership, faculty, staff and students in your prayers. • Be an ambassador of Augsburg. Share with others, especially family, friends, and potential students, the good things that are happening at Augsburg, especially in the science departments. Encourage them to partake in the Augsburg experience, a place where the search for truth is encouraged and 12 nurtured, where science meets and honors God, and where seeking and finding the truth makes one free. • Get involved. Visit the campus and see what is happening at Augsburg. Attend alumni events. • Give generously to Augsburg. Consider joining the Maroon & Silver Society. Prayerfully consider committing to Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College. Include Augsburg in your estate plan (e.g., will, insurance policy, annuity). ■ Paul S. Mueller ’84, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., is a consultant at the Mayo Clinic Rochester and a member of the Science Advisory Board. He is a former president of the Augsburg College Alumni Association Board of Directors. 3M hosted a campaign “event” at its headquarters in November to help raise awareness for both the campaign and this special matching gift opportunity. Joining Klaseus at the event was Augsburg President William V. Frame, Provost Christopher Kimball, Professor Nancy Steblay, science faculty, students, and alumni. For additional details on this challenge, contact Sherry Jennings-King at 612-338-4823 or <jenningk@ augsburg.edu>. ■ SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 7, 2005 Friday Forum—noon-1 p.m. Featured speaker Senator Dave Durenberger Brown bag luncheon, Christensen Center Call 612-338-4821 for details JANUARY 29, 2005 Women’s Connections,Thrivent Financial 625 4th Ave., Minneapolis FEBRUARY 4, 2005 Friday Forum—noon-1 p.m. Brown bag luncheon, Christensen Center Call 612-338-4821 for details FEBRUARY 10, 11, and 12, 2005 17th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Festival and Forum, Augsburg College campus MARCH 4, 2005 Friday Forum—noon-1 p.m. Featured speaker Senator Mark Dayton Brown bag luncheon, Christensen Center Call 612-338-4821 for details MAY 16, 2005 Second Annual Healthcare Conference Details to follow www.augsburg.edu/healthcare Fall 2004 Director of development named After a national search, Stephen Preus assumed his role as director of development in October. “Preus brings a strong background of corporate and community experiences to the role,” said Sue Klaseus, vice president for institutional advancement. “Stephen articulated well his passion about Augsburg’s mission and vision. We feel confident that his expertise and external perspective will continue to enhance the success of Augsburg’s current capital campaign and our long-term advancement program,” she continued. Preus succeeds John Knight, who left Augsburg in May to pursue opportunities with his church, and interim director Richard J.Weiland, of Northfield. Prior to joining Augsburg, Preus owned CM IT Solutions in Edina, Minn., and was a longtime employee and officer of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its predecessor company Lutheran Brotherhood. Preus is active in numerous community organizations and lives in Burnsville with wife, Martha, and their two children. ■ CAMPAIGN CORNER • An anonymous endowment gift of $2 million was given this fall. • Thrivent Financial Services is offering alumni, friends of the College, faculty, and staff the opportunity to join Thrivent’s GivingPlus charitable/matching gift program. For details, contact Stephanie Malone, director of The Annual Fund, at 612-338-4825. • Broadcasting of Advent Vespers nationwide this year was made possible by generous lead gifts from the extended Hoversten family,Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and a number of other friends and alumni of Augsburg College. (Read about the broadcast on p. 5.) If you’d like to consider a gift to the Advent Vespers broadcast, funding is still needed. Contact Sherry Jennings King at 612-338-4823 by December 31 for this year’s pledge form. WE’VE MOVED Institutional Advancement moved from Smiley’s Point recently when Fairview Health Services exercised its option on Augsburg’s lease to house the Fairview Foundation. Vice President Sue Klaseus, administrative assistant Kathryn Croyle, and the Institutional Advancement and Alumni and Parent Relations departments are located in Science Hall 152. Development, Government and Community Relations, and Advancement Services are in downtown Minneapolis in the Crown Roller Mill Building next to the former Whitney Hotel, just off Washington Avenue near the new Guthrie Theater site. All email addresses are the same, but to contact individuals in the Crown Roller Mill building, please call the phone numbers listed. Fall 2004 KAY AHLSTROM 612-338-4818 STEPHANIE MALONE 612-338-4825 MELISSA BAWEK 612-338-4819 DONNA MCLEAN 612-338-4826 TRACY BECKMAN 612-338-6536 KIM OLMSTED 612-338-4827 DAVE BENSON 612-338-6539 STEPHEN PREUS 612-338-4828 JEROY CARLSON 612-338-4820 PHIL QUANBECK, SR. 612-338-6539 CHRISTIN CRABTREE-MCWETHY 612-338-4821 PATRICK SHEEHY 612-338-6533 KEVIN HEALY 612-338-6537 BARBARA HUTSON 612-338-4822 STEPHANIE STUART 612-338-6534 GEORGE SVERDRUP 612-338-6539 SHERILYN YOUNG 612-338-6535 SHERRY JENNINGS-KING 612-338-4823 JENNIFER KAHLOW 612-338-6540 SUE KLASEUS 612-338-6538 FAX 612-338-6542 MAIN OFFICE NUMBER 612-338-0002 RON MAIN 612-338-4824 13 Superb results through Class Challenge Strides to increase annual giving continue as “alumni participation for the past five years has increased to 20 percent,” said Stephanie Malone, Augsburg Fund director. For fiscal year ending May 2004, $825,000 was raised to support the lives and education of Augsburg students. New this year was the Class Challenge. “We issued a Class Challenge in hopes of involving more individuals in supporting their alma mater.” The criteria used included individuals who could be located within each class year and who held a day student status. Using the aforementioned criteria, the Class of 1937 had 100 percent participation. The Class of 1946 was the top giver, with an average gift size of more than $13,000 and a class participation rate of almost 81 percent. The class of 1985 also significantly increased their participation from past years. “We really appreciate the efforts of each of the Class Challenge participants,” said Malone. “The Augsburg Fund touches every aspect of the College at every moment of a student’s educational experience. It offers financial aid through scholarships and programs that transform students’ lives.” There are many stories of individuals giving to the Class Challenge who have never given to the College or who haven’t given on a consistent annual basis. Richard Koplitz ’48 has given to the College’s athletic programs in the past, but liked what he saw with the College expansion and wanted to support The Augsburg Fund. “Our annual fund support also was made possible by leadership donors, many of whom are Maroon & Silver Society members. Their gifts of $1,000 or more accounted for 75 percent of the annual fund goal this past year,” reported Sue Klaseus, vice president of Institutional Advancement and Community Relations. Augsburg’s goal is to nearly triple annual fund giving by 2006 to reach a 30 percent alumni participation rate. “This is a vibrant, evolving college,” said Malone. “Alumni giving to enhance the institution makes an Augsburg degree more meaningful. There are so many ways to support Augsburg, and contributing to the annual fund to support scholarships is one meaningful way.” ■ Contact Malone at 612-338-4825 or by e-mail at <malone@augsburg.edu>. Dorothy and Richard Koplitz ’48 CLASS CHALLENGE RESULTS (as of May 31, 2004) Class of Class Part. Class of Class Part. ’30 33.33% ’69 21.50% ’33 16.67% ’70 24.82% ’34 28.57% ’71 21.28% ’35 22.22% ’72 19.93% ’36 40.00% ’73 16.33% ’37 100.00% ’74 20.28% ’38 83.87% ’75 10.50% ’39 41.94% ’76 29.80% ’40 43.90% ’77 16.49% ’41 22.81% ’78 20.14% ’42 32.73% ’79 27.71% ’43 38.60% ’80 14.33% ’44 20.69% ’81 24.73% ’45 97.78% ’82 12.61% ’46 80.95% ’83 15.76% ’47 60.00% ’84 24.91% ’48 55.68% ’85 31.67% ’49 44.80% ’86 6.93% ’50 51.58% ’87 11.62% ’51 50.68% ’88 17.97% ’52 51.91% ’89 11.73% ’53 63.03% ’90 11.07% ’54 30.97% ’91 8.45% ’55 21.51% ’92 7.43% ’56 55.65% ’93 9.94% ’57 40.00% ’94 13.47% ’58 53.97% ’95 7.47% ’59 42.96% ’96 4.94% ’60 25.63% ’97 10.54% ’61 32.45% ’98 11.95% ’62 23.21% ’99 11.80% ’63 41.71% ’00 2.70% ’64 35.96% ’01 2.70% ’65 33.93% ’02 4.69% ’66 37.67% ’03 1.21% ’67 22.12% 27.27% ’04 0.29% ’68 14 TOTAL 20.57% Fall 2004 THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM Fall 2004 THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM core curriculum T H E A U CORE G S B UCURRICULUM RG THE AUGSBURG THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM is designed to E D U C AT I N G F OCURRICULUM R WORK, THE AUGSBURG CORE THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM prepare students to become effective, informed, and SM E D U C AT I N G F O R L I F E ethical citizens through their engagement in a THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM curriculum that: provides a liberal arts foundation and CURRICULUM promotes the THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE ▼ acquisition of intellectual and professional skills; THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM calls for common inquiry into questions of Christian ▼ faith and the search for meaning; and, THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM ▼ cultivates the transformative discovery of, and appreciation for, the student’s place ofCURRICULUM leadership THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE and service in a diverse world—vocatio and caritas. THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG CORE CURRICULUM THE AUGSBURG core curriculum E D U C AT I N G F O R W O R K , E D U C AT I N G F O R L I F E BY BETSEY NORGARD ▼ DESIGN BY KATHY RUMPZA When students look at colleges, one of the first areas they ask about is the list of majors or academic disciplines offered. Seldom are they as interested in other required courses, usually called the general education or core curriculum. What they don’t realize, however, is that this part of their college study is recognized within the higher education community to be as important as their major or area of specialization in preparing them for an increasingly technical, complex, and diverse workplace. Following extensive study, a national panel of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) issued a report in 2002 that makes the case for a “liberal” education, meaning one that will “help college students become intentional learners who can adapt to new environments, integrate knowledge from different sources, and continue learning throughout their lives.” A liberal education prepares students with skills beyond the theory and depth of a specialization that they will need to meet the challenges of a global society— critical thinking and communicating, the knowledge of how to learn, and the preparation for responsible citizenship. One hallmark of a liberal education is the integration of classroom learning with practical application through internships, community service, and other forms of experiential learning. A liberal and practical education educates students for responsible citizenship as well as for 16 ▼ work and careers. The good news for Augsburg is that educating for citizenship has always been part of an Augsburg education. Joan Griffin, Augsburg professor of English and director of general education, wrote in a recent discussion paper, “Education for citizenship may be trendy now, but as many of us discovered … it’s been in the bones of this College at least since September 1874 when the faculty approved a science division that would provide ‘a practical general education’ to prepare Norwegian immigrants to flourish as citizens of their new world.” In the area of experiential education, and especially in servicelearning where community service is integrated into classroom learning, Augsburg has been a national leader for many years. In 2003, U.S.News & World Report, in its “Programs to Look for,” included Augsburg among 20 schools nationwide as a “stellar example” of a service-learning program. PHOTOS BY STEPHEN GEFFRE previous general education course requirements spread over eight liberal arts “perspectives,” and—most importantly—that aligns it more closely with Augsburg’s vision document, Augsburg 2004: Extending the Vision. LAUNCHING THE AUGSBURG CORE In fall 2003, Augsburg launched the Augsburg Core Curriculum, or Augsburg Core, a new general education curriculum that incorporates the best practices from national research, that streamlines the At Opening Celebration, new first-year students process into Hoversten Chapel through the ballooned arch and through a line of welcoming faculty and staff. Fall 2004 For more than two years, several committees involving over 25 faculty and students worked to define the underlying principles of general education at Augsburg. Then, over several months a design team collaborated to construct the new curriculum. The full faculty discussed the proposal in open hearings and finally voted its approval. The Augsburg Core Curriculum Design Team CORE PRINCIPLES A number of key principles make up the heart of the Augsburg Core. Augsburg believes that students learn best in community. Thus, “learning communities” are at the center of the Augsburg Core. Students begin their college careers in the Augsburg Seminar learning communities, and they complete their careers in their major keystone communities. Both connect students with faculty and with fellow students. In the first year almost all courses are taught by full-time faculty, not adjuncts, to encourage these connections. The community of learners is strengthened by having all students share educational experiences at several places during their studies where common questions are considered and continually revisited. This is accomplished through common readings, through required courses, and through required experiences to which students apply their classroom learning. At the heart of the Augsburg Core are Joan Griffin, chair . . . . . . . .English Lori Brandt Hale . . . . . . . .Religion Dal Liddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . .English Merilee Klemp . . . . . . . . . . .Music Diane Pike . . . . . . . . . . .Sociology Ambrose Wolf . . . . . . . . . .Physics The result of this work over these several years is a carefully crafted, cohesive education that blends broad, general learning with depth in one or more specific areas and prepares students with tools to succeed. The Augsburg Core combines hallmarks of the College’s Lutheran (and, specifically, Lutheran Free Church) heritage, its long-standing commitment to educating students for service in the world, its commitment to provide access to a diverse learning community, and its location in the center of an urban area. Woven throughout are the themes of Christian faith, exploration of vocation, the city, diversity, and global awareness. It is an education distinctive to Augsburg College, and it offers a life-changing journey for students, truly a transforming education. Fall 2004 In their Augsburg Seminar, first-year students begin learning about the city in which they will study, live, and work by exploring its resources and opportunities and engaging in community service projects. Sociology professor Diane Pike (right) leads an AugSem group as they explore downtown Minneapolis streets. 17 the two signature courses called Search for Meaning that are required of all Augsburg students. In these courses, the themes most important to Augsburg’s mission and vision—vocation, identity, and Christian faith—are introduced and revisited as students begin to reflect in more substantive ways about these issues. The Core Curriculum is designed to be developmental. From the first year onward, the curriculum introduces shared themes through common experiences, engages students in the city, builds skills in the major, broadens perspectives through the liberal arts, requires application of learned theory, and, finally, pulls everything together in a keystone course before graduation. Augsburg students continually have Becoming an orientation leader is one way in which students can grow as leaders on campus. Here, during summer orientation, Laura Prasek ’05 helps a new student figure out his academic schedule for the first semester. 18 opportunities to develop leadership skills for service in society: through knowledge gained from the breadth of their liberal arts courses, through the embedding of skills development in their major courses, and through the many forms of experiential education in the Twin Cities or elsewhere where they can apply their classroom learning to practical situations. An Augsburg education places emphasis on the whole student, both in academic classroom study and activities outside of the classroom. Working in tandem with the academic curriculum is the co-curriculum, i.e., the rich variety of college life that includes support services such as advising, tutoring services, and accommodations for physical and learning disabilities, as well as student government, sports, residence life, campus ministry, and many other social organizations. All of this helps students build the confidence and skills they need to become leaders. Two significant aspects of an Augsburg education—the commitment to a diverse learning community and the importance of global awareness—are intentionally infused throughout both the core curriculum and the major, rather than being targeted in specific courses. Students will encounter these themes inherent in Augsburg’s identity throughout their studies. In several cases the themes are imprinted in a common experience. For example, the Effective Writing course, required of first-year students, includes a common text chosen for its culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse content. Throughout the core curriculum, students will encounter opportunities to experience and discuss the nature of human differences. The Augsburg Core is designed for all undergraduate students and is required of all, including those in the traditional day program, in Weekend College, and the Rochester program, albeit with some adjustments and slightly altered format for weekend and transfer students. While weekend and Rochester students do not participate in the firstyear program, they must fulfill all other requirements of the curriculum. For the most part, adult working students value the Augsburg Core for its emphasis on liberal arts, and they understand its application to their work or life situation. They often use their own workplace as the setting for a project to fulfill the Augsburg Experience. Many students also take advantage of shortterm study seminars to experience another country or culture. Augsburg’s Honors Program is rooted in the Augsburg Core and offers an enriched and interdisciplinary environment in which students explore the many dimensions of ideas and uses of knowledge. Its courses lead students through a specially-designed core curriculum for academically-qualified students. IMPLEMENTING THE AUGSBURG CORE In 2003, Augsburg’s Center for Teaching and Learning received a three-year grant from the Bush Foundation to help faculty implement the new Augsburg Core. During the past year, faculty have met in learning collaboratives to address best teaching and learning practices. The grant has also funded workshops, materials, and research collaborations. For faculty, the new core curriculum has resulted in a significant shift. Formerly, faculty members generally designed, taught, and evaluated their own courses within departments. The new curriculum calls upon faculty to Fall 2004 collaborate across departments and disciplines, since all courses now serve the broader goals of an Augsburg education, including embedded skills, service-learning, and other kinds of learning beyond the specific subject matter. “It’s work that will have as much payoff for faculty, if we do it well,” comments Diane Pike, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. “Faculty gain a much better understanding of how the curriculum meets its goals; it gives us an intentionality and explicitness that we didn’t have before.” The Augsburg Core’s distinction has not gone unnoticed. While higher education is clearly moving towards the “liberal education” called for in AAC&U’s national report, Augsburg shows clear leadership with its emphasis and commitment to service-learning and the development of learning communities. The College is actively participating in this national discussion and is being recognized for the distinctiveness and coherence of the new core curriculum. Representing the Augsburg Core graphically as an arch becomes an effective tool to explain the comprehensiveness of the curriculum as well as to help students navigate through the courses to graduation. Creating the Augsburg Core has been a self-examination of the most fundamental values of Augsburg’s heritage, mission, and vision. An Augsburg education is now more closely aligned with the vision of “transforming education” the College understands itself called to offer, helping students to find their place in the world and reach their potential. Provost Christopher Kimball sums it up on Augsburg’s Web site, “We are one college with one mission, offering one unique experience.” Fall 2004 The Augsburg Arch The Augsburg Arch visually demonstrates the structure, relationships, and coherence of the Augsburg Core Curriculum. It shows how the liberal arts, academic majors, and general education intersect, and how the liberal arts are foundational, both in content and skills. The keystone brings it all together and supports the whole as an integrated education. The Augsburg Core has three major components: ▼ The Signature Curriculum ▼ The Liberal Arts Foundation ▼ Skills Requirement The Signature Curriculum sets Augsburg apart from others. It includes both specific courses and elements of courses that engage students with the core values inherent in Augsburg’s mission and heritage. 1. THE SIGNATURE CURRICULUM Augsburg Seminar (first-year program) helps first-year weekday students make the transition to college in “learning communities” based on their major or other academic interests. In these courses students learn what it means to become a citizen of an academic community. Many of these courses also include an Engaging Minneapolis component, which introduces them to life in the Twin Cities—by exploring the local arts scene, studying environmental issues on the Mississippi, bicycling the downtown riverfront, tutoring neighborhood immigrant children, sampling the local ethnic cuisine, and much more. Search for Meaning 1 and 2—These two religion courses present Christian theology as well as non-Christian faiths and guide students in exploring and reflecting on Augsburg’s concept of vocation—discovering and using one’s own talents and passion in service in the world. Augsburg Experience—All students will complete a required experience that links their academic study to involvement in the broader community, either locally or globally. This experience can be study abroad, an internship, research with a professor, community service-learning, or an offcampus immersion experience. Senior Keystone—The required senior keystone course revisits conversations on vocation, now within the context of the major, and builds on the cumulative combining of theoretical classroom knowledge with experiential applications of it. It also reflects the developmental nature of the Augsburg Core—beginning with Augsburg Seminar, Search for Meaning, and Engaging Minneapolis; then adding growth in major skills and practical application in the Augsburg Experience; and, finally, a uniting of everything in the keystone. 2. THE LIBERAL ARTS FOUNDATION In order to learn and appreciate different ways of knowing and modes of inquiry, students take two courses from different departments in each of the four academic domains. Students may take “connections” courses that are team-taught and examine the liberal arts around themes and across disciplines. 3. SKILLS REQUIREMENTS Courses throughout the four years provide skills beyond the specialization that responsible citizens and successful employees need in the global workplace—in critical thinking, speaking, writing, and quantitative reasoning. Entrance assessments prepare students to take the courses that fulfill graduation requirements in these areas. Core skill requirements include writing, modern language, and lifetime fitness. 19 core curriculum Augsburg Seminar THE FIRST-YEAR PROGRAM BECOMING AN AUGGIE For most first-year students, college is a big change. It may be the first time they have left home or have lived in a city. Many will find that high school did not prepare them for the demanding work load of a college schedule or the cognitive challenges and skills that they will need to flourish in their new academic environment. Augsburg recognizes that first-year students need support as they make the transition to college and successful academic careers. Because of the attention that it pays to the experience of first-year students, Augsburg was named as one of 12 Founding Institutions in the Council of Independent Colleges’ Foundations of Excellence™ in the First College Year Project. Augsburg’s first-year program, Augsburg Seminar, introduces first-year weekday students to the Augsburg learning community. It helps them become intentional learners as they develop the skills and strategies that will lead to success in college. It introduces them to the signature themes of an Augsburg education: vocation, caritas, and community. It introduces them to what it means to be an educated person: an effective, informed, and ethical citizen. From their first day on campus, everything is geared to helping students get off to the right start. Augsburg Seminar courses join students, professors, peer leaders (AugMentors), and campus staff together in “learning communities” based on a student’s major or other academic interests. In these communities, students may work on joint projects, getting to know the Twin Cities cultural scene, meeting and tutoring newly-arrived immigrants in the neighborhood, and writing reflections on these experiences. On the day before classes actually begin, AugSem sections spend the afternoon in community service projects, mostly in the neighborhoods around campus. This year, Kristin Snartland is one of the AugSem students who rode the new lightrail from near campus to downtown, finding out how easy it is to get around. 20 first-year students worked a total of more than 1,000 hours on their AugSem community service projects. In the process they become acquainted with each other, explore the resources of the College community, get connected with the city—and have fun. Many students find college-long (and life-long) friends in their Augsburg Seminar. They get to know their professors—and their professors get to know them, both in class and outside the classroom in AugSem activities. Biology professor Bill Capman’s AugSem section is paired with the Introductory Organismal Biology course, which also includes a service-learning field project. This fall, his students visited a local nature preserve, Dodge Nature Center, to learn about and work to remove invasive plant species from their grounds. As part of their AugSem curriculum, Capman’s group spends time on broader topics—developing good study skills in the sciences, exploring biology and medical-related careers, and, for biology The AugSem/Biology 103 class spent time at the Dodge Nature Center, studying invasive plant species and helping to remove them from the preserve. Professor Bill Capman points out differences between the buckthorn to be removed and ash trees to Brittany Grudem (left) and Jennifer Moe (right). Fall 2004 A Somali community leader, Abdirizak Bihi, introduces an AugSem group to a Somali shop in the Cedar-Riverside area. The class was getting acquainted with Somali culture to prepare them for their later visits in the neighborhood to give people information about voting and registration. majors, getting to know upperclass biology majors and becoming involved in department activities. In Professor John Shockley’s Augsburg Seminar section with its paired Political Patterns and Processes course, students took advantage of the events around the presidential election to study the challenges and opportunities people face in trying the make the world safer and more peaceful. On the AugSem city service projects day this group visited shops and businesses around campus owned by Somali immigrants to learn about their culture. During the semester they met with people in the neighborhood about voting and voter registration. Getting off to the right start Over the past decade, Augsburg has intentionally developed a first-year program that helps incoming students ease the transition to both college life and to the city in which they’ll live, work, and find many kinds of opportunities. Because of this commitment and a readiness to evaluate and improve its program, Search for Meaning All freshman students are required to take the first of two Search for Meaning courses, Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning. This course explores the broad questions of existence—who we are, why we’re here, etc.—and examines the Christian notion of vocation as a lens through which one’s own life can be considered, informed by faith within the context of these larger questions. Some of the Search for Meaning Fall 2004 sections are paired with Augsburg Seminars, and some have community service-learning components. Religion professor Russell Kleckley’s Search for Meaning section is paired with music professor Merilee Klemp’s Introduction to Music and the Fine Arts, and together they co-teach the Augsburg Seminar. These two courses will jointly study larger questions of meaning in the context of the Judeo-Christian musical tradition—from medieval chanting to today’s rap music. The second Search for Meaning course invites students to think about the role that religion, the Bible, and their own beliefs play in the vocational choices they make in their lives. Students who are not Christian will consider their own religious and spiritual beliefs and how they affect their vocation and place in the world. Augsburg was named one of 12 “Founding Institutions” to participate in a national project to develop a model first-year program that can be used by small, private colleges to help their students reach graduation. The project, Foundations of Excellence™ in the First College Year, is co-sponsored by the Policy Center of the First Year of College and the Council on Independent Colleges. Funding for the two-year project is provided by Lumina Foundation for Education and The Atlantic Philanthropies. 21 core curriculum Engaging Minneapolis “MEETING” THE CITY The first-year orientation booklet tells incoming day students, “When you come to Augsburg, you arrive at the heart of a vibrant city.” While most students have probably visited the Twin Cities before, it was most likely while visiting family or as a tourist, which gave them little knowledge about studying, living, and working in this area. Engaging Minneapolis highlights the importance of Augsburg’s urban location and introduces new students to the resources, issues, opportunities, and diversity of the city. This is the urban context that enables Augsburg to fulfill its mission to prepare students as responsible citizens and leaders in service to the world. Engaging Minneapolis is not the name of a single course, but rather an added course component that makes intentional and substantial use of city resources. Courses with Engaging Minneapolis components are not about the city, but engage the city as a learning laboratory in which students study their particular liberal arts or general education subject matter. Activities in Engaging Minneapolis courses can vary widely— attending concerts and other cultural events, exploring the ethnic restaurants in the neighborhood, tutoring immigrant children or adults preparing for citizenship tests, helping care for community gardens, or discovering the many bike and walking paths along the Mississippi River near campus. Some of the Engaging Minneapolis courses also include courseembedded service-learning—an Augsburg signature. In these classes service experiences and reflective learning are integrated Bicycling Minneapolis is a lifetime fitness course that fulfills Engaging Minneapolis by exploring the history and culture of the city along its bikepaths and trails. 22 As part of her Search for Meaning course, Ashley Boyd helps Somali high school students with their homework and has opportunity to learn about their religion and culture. into the students’ coursework, and the community experience becomes a “text” for the course. Both the students and the community partners learn from each other. Very few colleges include service-learning in first year courses. Mary Laurel True, director of community servicelearning, says that community service is “part of who we are,” and that it’s important for new students right away to get a taste of what it means to be engaged in the community. Several of the AugSem paired classes work with new immigrants in the neighborhoods surrounding the College. In Professor Janelle Bussert’s Religion 100 class, students spend 15 hours at Trinity Lutheran Church in the CedarRiverside neighborhood helping Somali high school students with their homework in Safe Place, an afterschool program. The students study Islam in their religion class, and then find opportunities to talk further and ask questions of the Somali high school students about their religious traditions. Bussert says that some wonderful conversations have arisen while they work together. English professor Bob Cowgill’s Effective Writing students spend 15 hours during the semester working with adult immigrants, mostly from East Africa, at the Franklin Learning Center in the Phillips neighborhood near campus. The students review English lessons or help with flash cards as the adult learners study for citizenship tests. Cowgill’s English course investigates how one knows and accounts for identity through language. He says that his students benefit from meeting and working with the immigrants, and have remarked about how hard the immigrants work to learn English and become Americans. Fall 2004 core curriculum A LESSON IN COMPUTERS AND CULTURE Business/MIS professor Lee Clarke student wrote. “He handed me teaches a first-year course, MIS 175 a piece of paper that said, Principles of Computing for Business. ‘Thanks for helping me.’ It It’s an introductory course for was typed in real big, bold management information systems (MIS) letters. He then looked at me students to learn Microsoft Office and said, ‘Look, I learned how programs and how they are used in to use Word.’ ” business to reach goals and solve A disabled student business problems. thought he would not be able The course is designed to include an to help, but later wrote, Engaging Minneapolis component. That “Little did I know that I was part of the course, which Clarke calls about to prove myself wrong, the experience “text,” involves a very wrong.” The computer partnership with the Cedar-Riverside instructor told him that since Plaza Residents Resource Center. There, he was not able to actually do Augsburg students work 15 hours per Freshman business student Jerrad Honstad helps a Somali woman the computing for the at Riverside Plaza learn computer skills. semester as assistants in the computer residents, it was more class or open lab. The residents are beneficial for them, since mostly Somali refugees; many have they had to listen to the student’s One student wrote, “This experience limited English skills and some have never explanation and do the work themselves. helped me to meet [new immigrants], and touched a computer. For the young business students in I can look at the world and America in a Clarke requires three assignments that his class who have always had computers whole new light. … I feel that you can connect the subject matter with the in their lives, Clarke knows they are now learn more in the short 15 hours I worked service experience. In one, students reflect more aware of the disparities of wealth there than you can in some classes you go on the digital divide with its issues of and technology in the world. The to daily for a whole semester.” technology “haves” and “have-nots” and experience of working with new Another student talked about an talk about how the Resource Center helps immigrants, many of them close to the unforgettable moment after helping an the residents overcome these barriers. The students’ grandparents’ ages, also gave older man learn to use Microsoft Word. last assignment asks the students to reflect them a greater appreciation of culture “Then one day he came in quite as usual personally—what they learned at the and citizenship. but with a huge smile on his face,” the center and how it relates to their course. Keystone PUTTING IT TOGETHER If Engaging Minneapolis is the bookend on the front end of an Augsburg Fall 2004 education, the keystone experience is the final bookend. During the years in between, students delve into a major, build professional as well as life skills, apply their classroom learning, explore faith, and experience the city. The keystone course usually occurs in the senior year, close to graduation. The keystone in the Augsburg Core, as in architecture, provides the shape and support to the structural elements of the arch. It connects the broad liberal arts foundation with the professional skills and the in-depth study in the major. It helps students begin the transition to their after-college life. Learning goals include a revisiting of the critical conversations about vocation that were begun in the first Search for Meaning course. Attention is paid to reflection on vocation, leadership, and service in a diverse world. The value of the keystone, says MIS professor Nora Braun, who piloted an MIS keystone course, is that it’s time focused on thinking about all the pieces in an Augsburg education and what the student has done with them. “It’s a reflection and a pulling together of the total experience in and out of the classroom.” Braun asks her students to write an “education autobiography” that reflects on the identified outcomes of their Augsburg education. 23 core curriculum Augsburg Experience CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY Augsburg recognizes that today’s citizens need new kinds of competencies— abstract and complex problem-solving, systems thinking, and collaboration, among others. These are skills that cannot be learned in normal classroom activity alone, but are enhanced with direct experience in the workplace and community. In the Augsburg Core all students are required to complete an approved Augsburg Experience, one of the signature elements in the core curriculum that adds value to an Augsburg education. The Augsburg Experience can be completed in one of five ways: ▼ internships, cooperative education, practica, fieldwork, and clinicals ▼ faculty-student research ▼ community service-learning courses and experiences ▼ study abroad ▼ off-campus immersion experiences The Augsburg Experience, in short, links the theoretical with the practical, and links on-campus experience to the wider community. Every approved “experience” must engage the student in the community away from campus. To help them tailor an experience to their studies and interests, students work with faculty; the staff and resources of the Center for Service, Work, and Learning; and the Office of International Programs (OIP). Internships and cooperative education have traditionally been the most common choices for work-based 24 experiential education. Several professional studies majors already require student teaching, practica or fieldwork, and internships. Some Weekend College students who are working full time find they are able to develop an Augsburg Experience in their own jobs by compiling a formal plan, approved by the Center for Service, Work, and Learning, identifying a minimum of three learning outcomes that make deliberate connections between their education and work. Augsburg offers outstanding opportunities, especially in the sciences, for student-faculty research. Students work with their professors on original research that is usually more common at the graduate level. Through this, students learn to apply knowledge from their major and engage in the research process and in the discoveries, both successes and failures, that contribute to the body of knowledge in their discipline and benefit the wider community. Augsburg’s Physics Department collaborates on a number of ongoing research projects with major universities and government agencies, giving its students original research opportunities from their freshman year forward. The department enjoys an international reputation for research excellence, and its students have won several awards for outstanding presentations. Students can also meet the Augsburg Experience through courses with servicelearning components. A portion of course time is spent in service at the site, reflection, discussion, and related activities. Or, students can work at approved sites and carry out reflection activities with Augsburg faculty or staff members. Augsburg has built partnerships with more than 30 community organizations and is a recognized national leader and awardwinner. Students have a variety of choices for study abroad through the Center for Global Education’s study centers in Sociology and metro-urban studies students visited U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo ’59 on their study trip to Washington, D.C., last spring to talk with people in public service about their vocations and working “on the hill.” (R to L): Lois Olson, Center for Service, Work, and Learning; Jennifer Nacey; Jessica Howard; Lori Cain; Amanda Froiland; Ray McCoy; Ted Arrindell; Maria Belen Power; Adela Arguello; Krista Dahlke; Kendra Kahlow; Kate Loyd; and Garry Hesser, professor of sociology and metro-urban studies. Fall 2004 Central America, Mexico, and southern Africa. Also, the International Partners program offers opportunities in European countries where Augsburg has formal university partnerships and internship opportunities. Other programs are available with approval from OIP. The fifth possibility for an Augsburg Experience is through off-campus immersion. These are typically weeklong experiences away from campus where students are engaged in learning that helps them understand, apply, and appreciate their Augsburg education in a diverse, global society. One example of off-campus immersion includes the visits made by Weekend College nursing students to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. There they meet with public health nurses, shadow them in their daily work, and learn about Lakota culture. An English major looks at rap music by Keme Hawkins It was the summer before my senior year and I knew I wanted to apply to graduate school. It was important for me to get some research experience and quick. The University of Minnesota’s McNair Summer Research Program accepted me, and I worked with the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community under the mentorship of Dr. Oliver Williams from the College of Human Ecology, School of Social Work. It seemed a strange home for an English major, but my McNair adviser assured me that it would be a valuable experience. The Institute holds annual conferences that focus on specific aspects of domestic violence and this year’s conference theme was “Domestic Violence and the Hip-Hop Generation.” In keeping with the theme I tailored my research to complement the research already in progress and formulated a study that looked at whether or not people are influenced by the suggested gender identities in rap music and how that affected their dating and marital relationships. The scholar’s group reported weekly to the seminar, where we would be debriefed on each aspect of the research process: developing an introduction, explaining the significance of the study, forming a hypothesis, doing a literature review, forming methodology, compiling results, creating a discussion, and making recommendations for further study. The dispensing of our stipend was contingent upon completing each research step by a certain time, while also doing work to help prepare us for graduate school, like writing a personal statement, putting together a curriculum vitae, and making Fall 2004 a list of graduate schools to apply to. My research concluded with the Domestic Violence and the Hip-Hop Generation conference at York College in Queens, N.Y. Because my professor thought so highly of my work and was impressed with my knowledge of hiphop music and culture, I was invited to take part in a plenary session where I discussed the impact of sexist rap lyrics with the rap group Holla Point and practitioners who work to combat domestic violence. As an English major, entering the world of social science was not as unnatural or discomforting as I would have imagined. While the social sciences study human behavior, literature is a study of the human condition through non-fiction accounts and human imagination. Having the opportunity to do interdisciplinary work has not only given me another perspective on how to think more broadly within my own field, but it has also allowed me to get better focus on the kind of graduate program for my interest. African-American literature can offer me the best of those worlds—having a definite house or genre or body of literary work to study based in a social science is the ideal place for me. Keme Hawkins is a Weekend College senior English major and a McNair Scholar. Weekend College senior English major Keme Hawkins used her knowledge of hip-hop music and culture in research on domestic violence that she carried out last summer with a professor in the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Family at the University of Minnesota. 25 Meet Joan Griffin PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH D I R E C T O R O F G E N E R A L E D U C AT I O N Joan Griffin has lived and breathed the mission and values of Augsburg College. She is the co-author of the College’s vision document, Augsburg 2004: Extending the Vision, that was approved in 1999, and has also co-authored its update and revision, presented to the Board of Regents for approval in January 2005. Augsburg Now posed the following question to her: What are the most important core values from the College’s mission and vision that are now imprinted in the new Augsburg Core Curriculum? One, of course, is vocation … the idea that each student brings a unique set of talents and abilities and potential. We need to cultivate all of these abilities, not just the academic ones, but all the talents that students bring with them. Certainly, also important is citizenship, or “the city.” We tried to expand the notion of city, so that it’s not just an urban studies requirement, but it really has to do with providing an education for citizenship. The College has always done that; it’s part of why the College is a college rather than a seminary—early leaders were concerned with how to prepare Norwegian immigrants to become citizens. Right away we want students to know they they’ve come to a terrific place and that they can learn here, both inside and outside the classroom. We introduce this theme in Engaging Minneapolis and repeat it in the Augsburg Experience, where once again we ask them to go beyond the classroom and actually put into practice what they’ve learned in the classroom. For the first time we have overall goals in our curriculum—we want students to become effective, informed, and ethical citizens. The emphasis on ethics comes from our Lutheran heritage, but we want it to pervade the entire curriculum. Effective citizens need the skills of knowing how to write, to read, to think critically. Those skills should be addressed intentionally throughout the curriculum, but general education can be particularly accountable. We know too that effective citizens will need to function in a diverse society. Although we explicitly introduce the theme of diversity through the Many Voices Project in the first year, the new Augsburg Core calls for an infusion model of diversity whereby we’ll ask the entire curriculum—especially majors— to think about the skills and knowledge that their students will need to be responsible citizens of an increasingly global society. The Signature Curriculum does really hit these distinctive parts of an Augsburg education. The two Search for Meaning courses address vocation through the lens of our Lutheran heritage. The city, of course, we address within our metropolitan setting through the Engaging Minneapolis requirement. There is also the notion of caritas, the demand for God’s love to be enacted in the world. An Augsburg education is an education for action. We see this throughout the curriculum—in Augsburg Seminar, in Engaging Minneapolis, and in the Augsburg Experience. Contact information Office of Undergraduate Admissions Weekend College Admissions 612-330-1001 or 1-800-788-5678 admissions@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu/day 612-330-1101 wecinfo@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu/weekend 2 2 1 1 26 R i v e r s i d e A v e n u e , M i n n e a p o l i s , M N 5 5 4 5 4 For information about Augsburg’s Core Curriculum: Barbara Edwards Farley Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs 612-330-1024 farley@augsburg.edu w w w. a u g s b u r g . e d u Fall 2004 AAlumni LUMNINews NEWS From the Alumni Board president’s desk… ello Augsburg alumni! As the first Weekend College graduate to serve as Alumni Board president, I’ve been spending some time considering both the similarities and the differences among our alumni and their experiences. Augsburg has done an incredible job of creating educational programs that fit the contrasting needs of students. In years past, the College was smaller and offered fewer programs. Today, our students may choose from the weekend, Rochester, graduate, or traditional day programs. They may live on campus or they may commute from home. It’s only natural, then, that graduates of 20 or more years ago are likely to have very different memories from those who graduated more recently. In turn, this H also means that the “Augsburg experience” will mean different things for our alumni—their memories are unique and the connection each feels toward Augsburg varies. For example, many adult learners do not feel the same long-term association and affection for the College as do those students who live on campus. However, we all share in the traditions and events that have been treasured to this day, like Advent Vespers and Homecoming. One important goal of the Alumni Board is to help create meaningful relationships between all Augsburg students and alumni. We want everyone to share a deep “Augsburg experience” and a continuing connection with the College—which we believe will help to spread Augsburg’s educational and vocational values throughout the community. All alumni have one thing in common: the great benefit of an Augsburg degree, which does not differentiate between student types. Five alumni appointed to Alumni Board he Augsburg Alumni Board of Directors appointed five new members and elected Bill Vanderwall ’93 WEC as president and Karina Karlén ’83 as president-elect. To view the complete list of board members, visit the Alumni/Parent Relations Web site at <www.augsburg.edu/alumni>. The new members are as follows: T Buffie Blesi ‘90, ‘97 MAL Blesi graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in business administration and a Master of Arts in Leadership. She is senior vice president and director of operations for TCF Investments. Andy Fried ‘93 WEC Fried graduated from Augsburg Weekend College with a B.A. in management information systems. He is operations Fall 2004 and systems support manager for WindLogics, Inc. Calvin Hanson ‘98 Hanson graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in history. He is a senior admissions counselor at Augsburg. Joyce Miller ‘02 BS Nursing, Rochester Miller graduated with a Master of Arts in Nursing from Augsburg’s nursing program in Rochester, Minn. She is a registered nurse at the Mayo Clinic and an adjunct instructor at Augsburg. Elizabeth “Liz” Pushing ‘93 Pushing graduated from Augsburg with a B.A. in business administration. She is director of financial services at Providence Place. Of special note in this issue of the Augsburg Now is the article on page 28 about the newly formed Weekend College Alumni Network (WECAN). This group is already developing some great strategies on how we can better connect with current Weekend College students in order to establish a strong alumni relationship later. We value your input on how to accomplish this, so please call the director of Alumni/Parent Relations, Amy Sutton, at 612-330-1525, or e-mail <suttona@augsburg.edu>. You may also e-mail me at <bvanderwall@lssmn.org> with your ideas. I look forward to serving as your new Alumni Board president! Bill Vanderwall ’93 WEC President, Alumni Board Alumni Board elects first WEC alumnus as president ugsburg’s Alumni Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of Bill Vanderwall ’93 to serve as the 2004–2005 board president. Vanderwall is the board’s first Weekend College alumnus to serve as its president. “I am honored to bring in some new ideas to further connect Augsburg to nontraditional students,” says Vanderwall. “Personally, my degree from Augsburg has had great impact in helping me discern my vocational direction and in setting a course of action on how to get there—ultimately enabling me to work and live in a way that is consistent with my values.” Vanderwall was recently promoted to vice president of family services at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. He previously served as LSS’s senior director of housing services. A 27 Alumni News Augsburg student and alumni win legislative and judicial seats by Lynn Mena n November 2, an Augsburg graduate student and three alumni won seats in various legislative and judicial races, while two alumni—Sandy (Voss) Wollschlager ’94 and Kathryn Ness ’02 (both DFL)—were narrowly defeated by Republican incumbents for seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives. O Larry Hosch, MSW student Hosch (DFL) won a seat in the MN House, District 14B. He has served as mayor of St. Joseph for four years, and at 27 is the second youngest mayor in Minnesota history. He is also coowner of Lamar Homes & Remodeling, LLC, and is enrolled in Augsburg’s Master of Social Work program. LaJune Thomas Lange ‘75 The honorable LaJune Thomas Lange retained her seat as a judge on the Hennepin County 4th Judicial District Court. She has held this seat since 1986, previously serving as a judge on the Hennepin County Municipal Court (1985–1986) and as an assistant public defender for Hennepin County (1978–1985). She is also an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law, where she teaches international human rights and civil rights. She is an Augsburg Distinguished Alumna (2002) and a former member of the Board of Regents. Diane Loeffler ‘75 Loeffler (DFL) won a seat in the MN House, District 59A. A lifelong resident of Northeast Minneapolis, her career has been spent in public service. She has worked as a budget and policy analyst on education issues for state and local government. She currently works for Hennepin County in healthcare policy analysis on issues of services to seniors and persons with disabilities, health promotion and protection, and how to ensure more persons have access to affordable and effective health coverage. Martin Olav Sabo ‘59 Sabo (DFL) was elected to a 14th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, MN District 5. He has held this seat since 1979, previously serving as a representative of the MN House before his election to Congress. In 2003, he became the ranking member of the newly created Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. Sabo also serves on the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, where he is known on Capitol Hill as one of the leading voices on arms policy. An Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus (1976), he served for 12 years on the Board of Regents, and also received the College’s first honorary degree—the Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa)— in 2000. Weekend College Alumni Network (WECAN) established by Amy Sutton lumni of Augsburg Weekend College have established a group to represent and advocate for WEC students and graduates. Although initially launched a few years ago, the Weekend College Alumni Network (WECAN) has been reinvigorated in recent months. “The Weekend College program is such a vital part of Augsburg, and we want to bring attention to that,” said Andy Fried, a 1993 graduate who also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. “We believe that a group of alumni who have actually experienced the unique challenges of WEC students can be strong advocates for positive changes that will enhance the Augsburg experience for current WEC students.” A 28 WECAN members also hope to bring visibility to the value that WEC alumni and students bring to the College, as well as to develop programs and communications that provide support and encouragement to current WEC students. “Our opportunities to attend Augsburg have had a tremendous impact on our lives and we want to give something back,” says Fried. If you are interested in joining WECAN or have suggestions for the group, please e-mail Members of the newly established Weekend College Alumni Network (WECAN) gathered recently to strategize ways to represent and advocate for WEC students and alumni. Pictured here are (L to R, front row) Heather Birch ‘96 and Anne-Marie de Jong ‘01, and (L to R, back row) Andy Fried ‘93, Jeff Gilbertson ‘04, Bill Vanderwall ‘93, and Meri Pygman ‘93 (not pictured are Pete Hespen ‘92 and Terry Marquardt ‘98). Fall 2004 Alumni events calendar Please join us for these upcoming alumni and parent events (see also the college-wide calendar on the inside back cover for additional events): January April 11 Auggie Hour celebrating Augsburg authors, Shelly’s Woodroast (I-394 & Louisiana in Golden Valley), 5:30 p.m. 12 Auggie Hour on campus for graduates of the Honors Program (meet current students in the program and learn about the changes to the curriculum), 5:30 p.m. 18 Parent Association gathering, Augsburg House, 6-8 p.m. February 8 Auggie Hour luncheon on campus for alumnae business owners (pleas
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2004
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A P U B L I C AT I O N Spring/Summer 2004 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 66, No. 3-4 LLetters ETTERS Editor’s note I n 1924, at a time of many changes brought by the expansion of Augsburg’s academic program and the introduction of women stud...
Show more A P U B L I C AT I O N Spring/Summer 2004 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 66, No. 3-4 LLetters ETTERS Editor’s note I n 1924, at a time of many changes brought by the expansion of Augsburg’s academic program and the introduction of women students, Augsburgian editor Caleb Quanbeck wrote, “Now that we are increasing in numbers and have developed more comprehensive curricula will we be willing to assume the responsibilities which come with the greater Augsburg?” (See Auggie Thoughts, p. 44.) Over the years there is little doubt that the response has always been a resounding “yes.” As readers 80 years from now look back to this day and what is being written about the launching of the largest fundraising campaign in Augsburg’s history, I surmise they will note the same sense of watershed in the College’s life. Augsburg’s tradition of excellence and vision for educating in the sciences necessitates a new center and upgrade to the existing half-centuryold facilities. Our men’s and women’s athletic programs have no further capacity to stretch their space. We seek the addition of facilities on campus to help us nourish and grow the partnerships we’ve built in our neighborhood and community. And, to continue to make an Augsburg education available to many students, the endowment must grow. Through Augsburg Now, news and stories about the campaign, Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College, will be featured in a newsletter called Vision. In this issue, a special edition of Vision presents an overview of the campaign as well as stories about the generosity of donors who have already made significant contributions and about students who benefit from it. This year also marks a change in leadership on Augsburg’s Board of Regents. The six-year tenure of board chair Kathy Tunheim provided vision and direction for Augsburg to leap into national limelight as an innovator in education. For the first time in 40 years a graduate of Augsburg, Jean Taylor ’85, takes over the reins of leadership. Their perspectives on the College, its mission, and their roles are included in this issue. Other features offer different glimpses of service reflected in Augsburg’s motto, Education for Service. Jean Housh, wife of regent emeritus Allen Housh, brought to us a story she wrote about “Major” Bowen, a remarkable high school student and current Augsburg student, who has faced the greatest of challenges in recovery from a devastating brain injury. With the compassion and commitment of Augsburg staff and faculty working with his family, he was able to begin a college career. Stephanie Quick, an Augsburg graduate and seminary student, is also featured. Her efforts to collect donated prom dresses—that most likely would never be worn again—from parishioners at her home church in the Twin Cities and through her sister here at Augsburg, brightened the lives of Native Alaskan teenage girls who could not afford to buy a dress for their special evening. Editor Quanbeck wrote in 1924 that he hoped The Augsburgian would be “an instrument in helping people to realize that our school is doing a great work, an important work.” Augsburg continues this great work, and we take pride in sharing it with you in Augsburg Now. Betsey Norgard Editor Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Betsey Norgard A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Spring/Summer 2004 Vol. 66, No. 3-4 Features Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamholz ’04 Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V. Frame 6 18 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Postmaster: Send correspondence, name changes, and address corrections to: Augsburg Now, Office of Public Relations and Communication, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454. E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu by Dan Jorgensen and Lynn Mena Major Bowen: a story of courage and determination by Betsey Norgard Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Amy Sutton Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jorgensen A change in leadership A Major inspiration by Jean Spielman Housh 24 A Quick connection to prom dresses 16 Fourth Annual International Photo Contest 21 From Flatanger to Augsburg: A century apart by Betsey Norgard 23 Seeing abilities instead of disabilities by Judy Petree 27 Commencement 2004 by Judy Petree insert Vision 1–20 The newsletter for Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College Departments 2 Around the Quad 10 Sports 12 Faculty/Staff Notes 34 Alumni News 36 Class Notes 43 In Memoriam On the cover: 44 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover Homecoming Preview 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) Incoming first-year students in the Summer Bridge program (see p. 3) lined up in front of the wall measuring progress for the new $55 million campaign. In part, this campaign ensures the availability of an Augsburg education to a wide variety of students. (Photo by Stephen Geffre) AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad Augsburg launches $55 million capital campaign Augsburg News Service New Science Center needed to continue excellence in the sciences O n April 18 Augsburg kicked off a $55 million capital campaign—the most ambitious fund-raising effort in its 135year history—to seek funding for two new buildings, a major addition to a third, and support for the endowment to help fund scholarship opportunities for its students. Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College seeks $37 million for the three building projects, $13 million for growth to the endowment, and $5 million in growth to the annual operating fund. Nearly $30 million already has been raised. Individual gifts of at least $1 million have come from James and Kathy Haglund of Golden Valley, Minn.; Kinney L. Johnson ’65, of Boulder, Colo., Jean Taylor ’85 and Roger Griffith ’84 and the Glen A. Taylor Foundation; and Alan Rice of St. Paul. The centerpiece in the campaign will be a new Science Center and renovation of the College’s existing Science Hall, built in 1949. The project will both strengthen Augsburg’s tradition of excellence in the sciences and help expand science learning for both its own students and the community. The 58,000 square-foot Science Center will include teaching and research laboratories and three multi-use halls that will be used for classes, guest speakers, and community events. Renovation of the existing Science Hall, which will connect via skyway to the new building, will bring all of the science and mathematics programs together into one dynamic and interactive facility. “This new facility will be extremely important to Augsburg’s commitment to the health sciences,” noted President 2 William Frame. The center will provide space to help K-12 students explore careers in health science and solidly support Minnesota’s biomedical technology sector through the high quality education of talented science and math majors steeped in Augsburg’s liberal arts tradition. And, thanks to a planning grant from the State of Minnesota, architectural planning for the facility incorporates multiple “green” features in an environmentally responsible structure. The second major campaign project is the construction of a Gateway Building on Riverside Avenue. The building will serve as headquarters for both the College’s Alumni Center and its award-winning Center for Service, Work, and Learning. It also will house StepUP, Augsburg’s program for students in recovery, providing both residential and counseling space for the program. And, it will have space for retail opportunities to serve both the campus and the surrounding CedarRiverside community, including the University of Minnesota—in a model of public and private economic development for the neighborhood. A third building project is a major addition to Melby Hall, the College’s main athletic facility. The project will address pressing space shortages for Augsburg’s academic, intercollegiate, and recreational programs; it will provide classroom, workout, and competitive space, including a new Greco-Roman wrestling center, funded in part through a $1 million gift from Alan Rice of St. Paul. Funding for the endowment will focus on four key areas: several new faculty chairs and professorships, new endowed scholarships to provide access to students from a wide range of backgrounds, program support, and staff development. Augsburg’s first endowed chair, initiated through the campaign, will be named in memory of Bernhard M. Christensen, president of the College from 1938-62. Growth in The Augsburg Fund, the unrestricted annual giving fund, will be used by the College to meet its most pressing day-to-day needs. The five-year campaign, which began its “quiet phase” in fiscal year 2001 will run through 2006, the same year the College hopes to break ground on the new Science Center and Gateway Building. Giving toward the campaign has been broad-based with nearly 70 gifts of more than $100,000 already pledged. The campaign was kicked off— literally—on the Edor Nelson Athletic Field by College officials and hundreds of alumni, staff, and friends at a community festival on April 18. The festivities included a basketball youth clinic led by University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson ’56, a hockey clinic led by Minnesota Wild Wes Walz, music and theatre performances, children’s book readings, and science demonstrations. The evening prior to the festival, donors were entertained at a gala dinner. Augsburg’s last major campaign, the 21st Century Fund, raised $64 million from 1989 to 1997, with the $15 million James G. Lindell Family Library as its centerpiece. Read about Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College in Vision, the campaign newsletter, beginning after p. 22. Campaign goal—$55 million Capital projects . . . .$37 million • Science Center and renovation • Gateway Building • Melby Hall expansion Endowment . . . . . . .$13 million Annual Fund . . . . . . .$5 million Spring/Summer 2004 Around the Quad Dennis Barker—coach to world-class runners Congratulations, faculty! Promotion to professor by Betsey Norgard A ugsburg’s head track and crosscountry coach Dennis Barker spent two weeks in California this summer, but hardly on vacation. His trip took him to Sacramento for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in track and field where 10 of the runners he coaches hoped to earn a place in the Athens games. As a head coach for Team USA Minnesota, Barker has garnered national attention for the caliber of elite athletes who come to Minnesota to train with him—among them Carrie Tollefson, a native of Dawson, Minn., who became an NCAA-champion at Villanova, and is close to being an Olympian. In an article published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune prior to the trials and distributed nationally by the Associated Press, Barker is noted for his holistic approach to training, focusing Team USA Minnesota head coach Dennis Barker checks the time for one of his elite runners during training. 4 on bringing together all of a runner’s “physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual resources.” Barker coaches Team USA Minnesota at the University of Minnesota track facility and crafts the training to fit each runner’s strengths and needs. His runners trust him implicitly, and the notice being taken of him in the running world attests to this. In Sacramento, Tollefson failed to qualify in her best event, 5,000 meters, but won the qualifying trials in the 1,500 meters. She has one more “trial,” however, since Olympic rules require a minimum qualifying time, which she will have to meet by early August in order to compete in Athens. Another of Barker’s runners, Katie McGregor, came in fourth in the 10,000 meters, but may reach the top three team if one of them chooses not to compete in that event. During the spring, Team USA’s training sometimes overlapped with Augsburg’s track team practices. “It’s really not much different from coaching our athletes at Augsburg,” says Barker. “All the basic things apply. I think this has really helped the Augsburg runners, because they see what these levels of athletes do, how they apply their training, and how they believe in themselves and what they can accomplish.” For the Augsburg athletes, the elite runners were an inspiration. “We often shared training time together and were able to see how hard work and dedication pay off at whatever running level you are,” said Becky Welle ’05, a member of Augsburg’s cross country and track and field teams. “Each runner is unique with different goals and expectations, and Dennis does an amazing job in challenging all of his athletes to be their best, whether they compete at Division III level or for the Olympics.” Joseph Erickson Education Beverly Stratton Religion Promotion to associate professor Nicholas Coult Mathematics Susan Nash Nursing Tenure and promotion to team associate professor Jeanine Gregoire Education and Physics Robert Groven Communication Studies Ashok Kapoor Business Administration Joseph Underhill-Cady Political Science Tenure granted Cheryl Leuning Nursing Spring/Summer 2004 Ron Palosaari retires from long tenure R onald Palosaari, professor of English, began 39 years of distinguished service to the College in 1965, when he joined the English faculty as an instructor. He obtained bachelor’s degrees in both English and divinity from Bethel College and Bethel Seminary, respectively. After three years as a pastor he returned to graduate school, completing a master’s degree in English and a doctorate in American studies with an emphasis on American literature at the University of Minnesota. Prior to coming to Augsburg, he was a college instructor in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over the years, Palosaari successfully merged his professional fields of English and theology with an interest in society and social change. His sabbatical research in 1994 was also the topic of a lecture he presented at the Augsburg Associates’ 1994 spring seminar: “Jesus and Women.” It was Palosaari’s opinion that Jesus was a revolutionary: “He was very different from the typical Middle Eastern male of his time, an area which continues to be one of the most gender-bound regions of the world,” said Palosaari. Palosaari has remained an active member of several professional organizations and has served as a consultant for area businesses—always making use of his community contacts to enhance his teaching. He has read papers and conducted workshops at state, regional, and national conventions. In addition, Palosaari has shared his love of travel with the Augsburg community, hosting Alumni Association tours such as the “Spectacular Scandinavia” tour in 1995 in honor of the College’s 125th anniversary. He has also traveled to London on four occasions to teach drama. Palosaari has long been a favorite professor among students. He has received the Outstanding Faculty Award multiple times, an award given by graduating seniors to honor classroom teaching. “Ron Palosaari’s extensive knowledge brought to life not only literary works but the periods in which they were written, offering students a more complete sense of an author’s challenges, triumphs, and place in history,” said Kathy Fagen, an Augsburg Weekend College admissions assistant/counselor and current student. Farewell to Ginger Currey A fter working for 15 years in the Department of Business Administration as office manager and administrative assistant, Virginia “Ginger” Currey retired from Augsburg in January. Currey was the first full-time office manager in the department, the largest academic department at the College, that graduates over 200 students per year. She worked under three department chairs— Spring/Summer 2004 by Lynn Mena “Lectures were delivered with a passion that reflected his love for the academic discipline to which he devoted his life. For students fortunate enough to have taken one of his classes, this passion for literature was nothing short of contagious.” English professor Douglas Green fondly recalls Palosaari’s “Ask Ron” column in the Echo. “Ron’s column in the Echo was certainly essential to his enormous contribution to the life of the College over the years,” said Green. “In this column, he satirized just about every aspect of College life and of Augsburg’s various crises, as well as his own character, during his long tenure as an English professor.” Palosaari’s future plans include to “grow much older” and to “continue playing tennis without a backhand, bridge without a clue, and Scrabble despite being the weakest speller in the English department.” “I loved teaching students who were brighter and harder working than I ever was—and I always had some of those,” said Palosaari. “I got a special pleasure when students admitted they were starting to really like poetry, usually against their better judgment.” by Betsey Norgard Amin Kader, Milo Schield, and John Cerrito. On January 29, at her retirement reception, she was presented with a plaque that summarizes the appreciation of her colleagues. “As business department office manager, Ginger established administration procedures that each academic year set the standards for serving the needs of over 40 faculty members and hundreds of business administration students,” the plaque reads. “Over her many years of services to Augsburg College, Ginger earned the admiration of students, staff, and faculty. For 15 years, Ginger was the mainstay of the Business Administration Department. She was a dedicated colleague and a good friend.” The plaque doesn’t list the myriad other duties that Currey took on to assist the faculty, e.g., proctoring tests at the last minute, meeting visiting professors at the airport, and taking the extra steps to help students get the classes they need. Currey was also honored by the College as an Outstanding Employee in 2000, nominated by her department. Her commitment to community service included collecting pop can tabs from across the campus to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. 5 A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AT ITS SPRING MEETING ON MAY 1, THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE BOARD OF REGENTS ELECTED JEAN TAYLOR ’85 AS THE NEW CHAIR, TO SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM. SHE SUCCEEDS KATHRYN H. TUNHEIM, WHO IS RETIRING FROM A 12-YEAR BOARD TENURE, THE LAST SIX OF WHICH SHE SERVED AS CHAIR. TAYLOR IS A CO-CHAIR OF THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CABINET THAT OVERSEES THE CURRENT $55 MILLION CAMPAIGN. SHE HAS ALSO SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD’S MARKETING COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER ON THE REGENTS’ COMMITTEE. OTHER OFFICERS ELECTED TO TWO-YEAR TERMS ARE H. THEODORE GRINDAL ’76, VICE CHAIR; JOAN VOLZ ’68, TREASURER; AND TRACY ELFTMANN ’81, SECRETARY. IN THESE STORIES, THE OUTGOING AND INCOMING BOARD CHAIRS SHARE PERSPECTIVES ON BOARD LEADERSHIP, GOALS FOR AUGSBURG, AND THE AGENDA FOR THE COMING TERM. A LEGACY OF INSPIRED GOVERNANCE athy Tunheim likes to say that serving as the chair of a board of a college like Augsburg is a lot more like being a shepherd than a boss. And that, she adds, has been the key to helping shape a shared governance model that Augsburg has embraced, and that she believes other colleges and universities across the nation will strive to emulate in the decade ahead. Tunheim has just completed six years as chair of the Augsburg Board of Regents during a period that has seen the College erupt from what President William Frame once termed “militant modesty,” onto the regional and national scene as an innovative, forward-moving institution. And, despite Tunheim’s own modesty in describing her leadership of the board, Frame said it has been Tunheim’s vision and leadership that can be ascribed to much of the impetus of the College’s movement. K Kathryn H. Tunheim by Dan Jorgensen “Kathy Tunheim is, in the language of one of her admirers, ‘prismatically excellent’,” he said. “That is certainly apt as a description of her work as counselor to me, especially in respect to the Augsburg 2004 vision.” Tunheim said the feeling is mutual. “Those of us serving on the Board of Regents have learned that one of the most important things a college governing board can do is to take very seriously the role we play in the selection and performance of the president. I’m proud of the work of the president and pleased by the board’s partnership with the administration. But another less visible challenge has been transforming the work of the board itself. An institution’s lifeblood is its faculty and students—management, great staff, and volunteer leadership, in general, are critical. But so, too, is effective governance. BUILDING A SHARED GOVERNANCE “During these years of my chairmanship, I feel that our board, the faculty, and the administration have come to terms with our commitment to a healthy shared governance model. It gives the board a better sense of ‘who’s in charge here?’— because now we know that at a college everybody is! Bill Frame has been masterful in helping all of us—board, administration, and faculty—understand this shared governance model. It’s what makes colleges really work; it’s unlike the governance work that occurs in business, so it’s been a great learning experience for all of us as regents.” Just prior to becoming chair, Tunheim served on the search committee that brought not only Bill but also Anne Frame to the College. “We got a wonderful, dynamic duo in the Frames,” she said. “Anne’s professionalism and understanding of the needs and functions of the school make her not only a great partner for Bill, but a great asset for this institution.” continued on page 8 6 Spring/Summer 2004 AN ALUMNA’S CALL TO LEADERSHIP Jean Taylor ’85 s the newly elected chair of the Augsburg Board of Regents, Jean Taylor, president of Taylor Corporation, brings to the seat not only a broad base of knowledge and enthusiasm, but also the valuable perspective that comes with being an Augsburg alumna—an association that distinguishes her from the past several chairs, and which clearly fills her with equal measures of pride, purpose, and calling. “I approach this opportunity not as something that I sought, for indeed I did not,” says Taylor, who received a B.A. in business administration in 1985. “Rather, I truly believe that I was called to do this. It will for me be a tremendous challenge in many, many ways. At the same time, I am convinced that it will be one of the most rewarding and enriching things I will ever do. “I believe that in the coming two years I will discover much more about my own gifts, as well as how to strengthen their use,” continues Taylor. “I am humbled to have this opportunity to return the favor to Augsburg through A Spring/Summer 2004 by Lynn Mena my leadership—this place has changed my life in so many positive ways and I will always be indebted to this college. The history of Augsburg is rich, storied, and full of successes, and I will focus my energy on making the next two years the best ever in this college’s history.” Taylor, who has served on the board since 1994, is also co-chair of Augsburg’s Capital Campaign Cabinet, which oversees the College’s newly announced $55 million campaign—Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College. During her board tenure, she has chaired the Marketing Committee, and served on both the Regents’ and Executive committees. She also holds an M.B.A. in management support systems from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, earned in 1988. In addition to her board leadership at Augsburg, she is active in a number of other community and nonprofit organizations—all while raising a one- and a three-year-old with her husband, Roger Griffith ’84, who serves as chief financial officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and chief operating officer of the Minnesota Lynx professional basketball teams. “This is a wonderful ‘fit,’ not only from my point of view, but from our— the College’s—point of view,” says President William V. Frame. “Having Jean Taylor as the next chair feels right, seems right, and is right. “Jean has grown remarkably in management acumen during her 10 years as an Augsburg regent,” continues Frame. “This growth was recognized by her peers as a solid supplement to her notable collegiality and personal commitment to her alma mater. I am very glad of the prospect of serving with her over the next two years to accomplish the work to which we have agreed—to clarify and extend the College vision and to strengthen the integrity of the Augsburg brand.” SERVING THE COLLEGE Taylor organizes her goals as board chair under the framework of two distinct paths—those that serve the College, and those that serve the regents. “Looking at it from this perspective, I see three critical things that the College needs from me as board chair to accomplish over the next two years,” says Taylor. “One is to continue to extend Augsburg 2004 [the College’s vision document], not only in a way that supports the work that professors Mark Engebretson and Joan Griffin are doing in terms of refining that vision and taking it farther into the future. But also in terms of taking Augsburg 2004 deeper within the Augsburg community, so that as a whole we can all enjoy greater ownership and understanding of that strategy, and so that we’re able to share this strategy more broadly with our larger community. “When I talk about community, I believe Augsburg’s community has many layers,” continues Taylor. “There’s certainly the immediate and very important campus and Cedar-Riverside community that surrounds us, but there’s also the Minneapolis community, the Twin Cities community, and the Minnesota and Upper Midwest community. And I think as one considers Augsburg’s vision, we really also think about ourselves as part of the world community.” Taylor’s second goal is to steer the capital campaign toward a successful continued on page 9 7 A LEGACY OF INSPIRED GOVERNANCE (CONTINUED…) During Tunheim’s three terms as chair, the institution successfully added many new programs and partnerships, established a branch campus in Rochester, embarked on its first major capital campaign, reached new highs in enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and more fully engaged its alumni—something she has worked toward from the moment she took a seat on the board. “It should not be lost on our alumni, by the way, that up until Jean Taylor’s recent election as board chair, the past six chairs have all been non-alumni,” Tunheim said. RAISING E X P E C TAT I O N S O F AUGSBURG “When I first joined the board, I think the College was ranked lowest among the ELCA colleges in terms of alumni philanthropy. So my goal was to find a way to help change attitudes and set a collective expectation of ourselves as stewards of the school. I wanted alumni to think in terms of giving back: serving on the board, being partners in all that we needed and wanted to do. “I remember having breakfast in 1998 with the woman who was then chair of the College’s alumni association. I could clearly see she was frustrated, so I asked her, ‘What is it that you want from the College?’ Her answer was clear and immediate: ‘We want a degree from Augsburg to be more valuable in the future than it was when we got it.’ Together, I think we’ve been committed to ensuring that we create that future— and we all agree how important the College’s alumni are to making it happen.” Tunheim noted that when people look across the nation and point out the strongest higher education institutions, they are always the ones that have engaged, passionately loyal alumni. 8 “Augsburg has a lot of passionate and loyal alums,” she said, “but in the past we didn’t always find a way to engage them. But now, especially with Jean’s election, there are some great role models in terms of what alumni can and should do for their school. AT T R A C T E D B Y MISSION AND VISION “Having said that, I also want to point out that non-alums like me have seen something in Augsburg that attracted us to the mission and vision. That’s a tribute to Augsburg and its past leadership. My message about Augsburg to the marketplace is this: Augsburg College will be more important in the future landscape of higher education than it has ever been, because its strengths will serve the future needs of the community so well. But institutionally, we’re not ready to meet all the needs that will come to us—financially, or in terms of buildings and infrastructure. Our responsibility is to make sure that the College IS ready to serve as it is called to serve.” Tunheim, who is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and CEO of Tunheim Partners, a leading Twin Cities public relations firm, first came to Augsburg in the late 1980s to talk about how the College might improve its relationship with the city of Minneapolis. At the time, the city seemed to be courting institutions like St. Thomas, while Augsburg, already well-established and involved in the city, was being ignored. “I was struck by the many fine programs the College had and how little was known about them. As a professional in public relations, I was intrigued by what might be done to share that story. That’s what first attracted me to the board.” When President Charles Anderson decided to step down due to an illness, she was asked to lead the search committee for the new president, but declined initially, citing business obligations. But neither Anderson nor Barbara Gage, who was then board chair, would take ‘no’ for an answer. “Barbara told me that this is what I needed to do, that when you’re asked to do something for which you’re a good fit, you need to respond to the call.” Other highlights of her three terms, she said, were developing a better understanding and working relationship with members of Augsburg’s Corporation—the four Lutheran synods that “own” the institution; establishing the Regents’ Committee, a group that has been key to evaluating who is on the board, what their expectations are, and how new board members are recruited; and working with the president on setting a clear vision of what the College is and where it wants to go. “I was honored to be asked to serve on this board, and then to serve as chair, but I’m also extremely excited about where this College is now heading,” she said. “While other schools are working to discern their uniqueness or their future, Augsburg is already there. The light coming from Augsburg is inspiring already—I have no doubts about its strength and constancy.” ■ Spring/Summer 2004 AN ALUMNA’S CALL TO LEADERSHIP( CONTINUED…) conclusion, and third, to start the search for the next Augsburg president. “It is so critical to find the right leadership for the College,” says Taylor. “Augsburg has been absolutely blessed with incredible leadership in terms of its presidents, and I think Bill Frame has done a remarkable job during his tenure. So, we really need to establish a process to make sure that we find a new president who is truly called to be the next president of Augsburg and continue the legacy that has been created.” “And this goal is about helping board members to really understand their role and to understand more about the College, and putting each regent in appropriate leadership positions, so that not only two years from now, but five years from now we’ll have a group of regents able to utilize their talents to their highest capability.” SERVING THE BOARD Professionally, Taylor has an outstanding track record in leadership development. At Taylor Corporation, where she served first as vice president of development before becoming president in 2001, she has led several successful initiatives to revitalize and restate the organization’s core purpose and core values, formalize leadership development, alter its approach and philosophy to the role and use of information technology, and encourage and promote women in leadership roles. In 1998, CityBusiness magazine cited Taylor’s commitment to networking opportunities for women in business When Taylor looks at how her election as board chair can specifically serve the regents, she cites two main goals, beginning with a pledge to continue the work of outgoing chair Kathy Tunheim. “Kathy has done incredible things with this board,” says Taylor. “One aspect that she has undertaken that I would like to continue is to refine the governance roles at the College. I see three components to that leadership—the regents play a key role, as do both the administration and the faculty. I think there’s still critical work to do in terms of refining how these three leadership components work together—where do each of us take the lead responsibility, and where do we stand alongside the others in order to ensure that the College achieves its vision? “The second piece relative to the regents that I’ll focus on over the next couple of years is determining how we can most effectively utilize the talents of our regents,” continues Taylor. “We have an incredibly active and engaged group of regents; every time I’m in a full board meeting, I look around the room and I am just amazed and blessed that I’m sitting in this room with these incredible people whom I learn from all the time, and who put all this time and devotion into the College. Spring/Summer 2004 O U T S TA N D I N G BUSINESS LEADERSHIP when it selected her as one of its “40 under 40,” a prestigious group of 40 business professionals who have achieved distinction and risen quickly in their fields—and who are all under the age of 40. Prior to joining her father, Glen Taylor, at Taylor Corporation in 1994, Taylor was senior vice president of E.W. Blanch Co., a global reinsurance intermediary. As Taylor embarks on her two-year term as chair of the Board of Regents, it also represent her final years of a 12-year tenure as a board member. “Over the last 10 years I’ve learned so much about the history and the foundation of the College and where it came from,” says Taylor. “It’s incredibly satisfying for me to see the linkage between what the founders of Augsburg envisioned and all that Augsburg has accomplished over the ensuing 135 years—and then to witness how we’re currently extending that vision. “I am so impressed by the history of the College, and at the same time I am so excited about its future, because I think that Augsburg is positioning itself to have an even greater impact on its community. I’m incredibly proud to be an alumna of the College, and my pride continues to grow because I know that this college is just going to get better and better—our diamond is really going to shine.” ■ 9 Sports Wrestlers, track, and women’s hockey lead a solid year for Auggie athletics by Don Stoner A Division III second-place finish by the wrestling team, which tied both NCAA and school records with four individual champions and nine AllAmericans, respectively, and standout seasons for the track and field and women’s hockey teams paced a solid year for Auggie athletics. Senior Joe Moon earned the Outstanding Wrestler honors after scoring a 13-6 upset of top-ranked and four-time All-American Eduard Aliakseynka of Montclair State (N.J.) in the 174-pound national finals. Sophomore Marcus LeVesseur extended his school-record winning streak to 84 straight matches, finishing 40-0 and winning his second straight national title at 157. Juniors Mark Matzek, at 133, and Matt Shankey, at 125, each claimed a first national crown. The Auggies also finished third in the NWCA Scholar All-America Team program with a 3.39 team grade point average, the seventh straight top 10 ranking. Augsburg leads the nation with 81 NWCA Scholar All-Americans since 1983. Augsburg’s women’s hockey team, under coach Jill Pohtilla, finished 15-10-2 overall, 10-6-2 in MIAC play, earning a spot in the playoffs for the second season in a row. The Auggies closed with an eightgame unbeaten streak, going 9-2-2 in their final 13 games before ending with a 6-5, double-overtime loss to St. Thomas in the MIAC semifinals, a game played in a conference-record 96:09. Senior Annie Annunziato led the team with 36 points and was named to the Division III JOFA All-American West Region team, joining juniors Lauren Chezick and Melynda Kleewein on the AllMIAC first team. Freshman Stacy Anderson earned honorable-mention and All-Rookie recognition. And track and field, led by sprinters Mathew Shannon, Tonnisha Bell, and Alana Carter; hammer-thrower Jon Dahlin; and distance runners Ellen Waldow, Hannah Dietrich, and Angie Bergeson had 10 two All-American honors, eight MIAC titles, and 24 school records. At the MIAC indoors, Shannon, a senior, and Bell, a sophomore, earned Most Outstanding Performance honors. Shannon also earned MIAC Most Outstanding Indoor Track Athlete and USA Track and Field Minnesota Athlete of the Month honors, winning the men’s 400meter dash in a record :48.78. He also won the 55-meter dash and set or tied school records in the 55 and 200. Bell, Waldow, Dietrich, and Bergeson combined on the All-American distance medley relay team, finishing seventh nationally, and Bell set school and MIAC records in the 200 (:25.52 ), shattering the meet record by nearly a half-second. Senior Jon Dahlin won the hammer throw title and set a school record at 54.01 meters (177-feet, 2-inches). Waldow won the 800 in a school-record 2:16.36, breaking a mark set earlier by Bergeson. Waldow and Bergeson joined teammates Amy Mackner and Dietrich in winning the 3200-relay. In other 2003-04 sports highlights: • Augsburg finished with a 5-5 record (4-4 in the MIAC) in football, and 13-year head coach Jack Osberg became the alltime win leader with 60. Osberg’s teams have had seven .500-or-above seasons, second only to Edor Nelson’s eight .500or-above seasons. Auggie runner since 2001 to earn AllMIAC honors, with a 5,000-meter time of 19:24. • Under co-coaches Troy Nygaard and Laura Levi, Augsburg produced its finest women’s golf season in history. The Auggies tied their previous best-finish at the Minnesota Women’s Collegiate Golf Association championships—10th against all of the state’s Division II and Division III programs. Freshman Marisa Navarro blistered school records with a 85.63, 18-hole stroke average, and a 12th place finish in the MWCGA meet. • The men golfers—with just one senior—finished with a 314 spring stroke average, under 16th-year head coach Brian Ammann. The team was fifth in the MIAC, led by freshman Erik Helgerson, who earned all-MIAC with a 36-hole total of 154. • In women’s basketball, center Selina Theisen led both scoring and rebounding at 17.1 and 10, respectively, and was the only freshman selected to the 16-player All-MIAC first team. Theisen also was selected to the conference’s All-Rookie team, was named to the D3hoops.com All-West Region third team, and was named to the Freshman All-American team by Women’s DIII News. • Head coach Mike Navarre’s women’s soccer team finished 11-5-2 overall (5-42 in the MIAC), tied for the second-best record in school history. Sophomores Millie Suk and Nora Austin were named to the All-MIAC team. Senior Laura Hoffman closed her career as one of the school’s best goalkeepers, recording a 114-2 record, seven shutouts and a 0.95 goals-against-average. • Under first-year coach Keith Bateman, the young Augsburg baseball squad finished 16-22 (7-13 in the MIAC), nearly doubling its overall victory total from each of the previous two seasons. Sophomore pitcher Jeremy Nelson (allMIAC) had a 5-4 record and 2.91 earned-run average, throwing six complete games, striking out 33, and allowing only 15 walks and a .269 opponent batting average. • Augsburg’s cross country teams logged 29 personal-best times (19 women and 10 men). Ellen Waldow became the first Don Stoner is sports information coordinator in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. Spring/Summer 2004 Five senior athletes are honored F ive senior student-athletes received Augsburg athletic awards for the 2003-04 school year. Three Auggies were named Honor Athletes, the highest honor the College gives its senior student-athletes—Melissa Lee, Brandon Fox, and Mathew Shannon. Earning Augsburg Senior Athlete of the Year honors were Kristen Lideen and Joe Moon. Lee was also given the Julie Ellingson Leadership in Women’s Athletics award, an honor given periodically to female athletes who have displayed qualities of outstanding leadership and service to Auggie athletics. The award is named for Julie Ellingson ’98, a softball catcher who was a devoted worker in many aspects of Augsburg’s athletic department. 2003-04 HONOR ATHLETES Brandon Fox A three-year starter and four-year letterwinner in football, Fox earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second-team honors in both his junior and senior seasons. His senior year, he led the Auggies in tackles with 103. In 2003, he had the second-most tackles in the MIAC and led both the conference and team in tackles for loss. He added 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries his senior year. He was named the team’s Outstanding Player on Defense, Most Valuable Player, and earned the Edor Nelson Auggie Award in 2003. A business management major with a 3.63 GPA, Fox earned Academic All-MIAC honors twice and was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District second team in 2003. Melissa Lee Lee was a four-year starter in softball and also played basketball for two seasons at Augsburg. In softball, Lee will Spring/Summer 2004 go down as one of the “ironwomen” of Auggie softball history. Augsburg’s third-baseman played in every inning and started every game of her four-year career—141 games, 141 starts, and 964 innings. She closed her career with a .296 batting average and a.962 fielding percentage. A health and physical education major with a 3.507 GPA, Lee has earned Academic All-MIAC and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar Athlete honors three times. She is a Student-Athlete Mentor, copresident of the Augsburg College Education Students (ACES) program, and has been active as a student worker in many aspects of Augsburg’s athletics program. Mathew Shannon A 17-time All-MIAC performer, Shannon became the first Augsburg men’s track and field athlete to earn All-American honors in both indoor and outdoor events in the same year in 2003 at the NCAA Division III national championships. This season, Shannon placed fifth in the indoor 400 at the national meet, and qualified for the outdoor national meet in the 400. A three-time MIAC titlist, Shannon earned both the Outstanding Indoor Championships Performance and Indoor Track Athlete of the Year honors from MIAC coaches this season. He also was named USA Track and Field Minnesota Co-Athlete of the Month in April. A business and communication major with a 3.155 GPA, Shannon has earned Dean’s List honors. Shannon is also a recipient of a Scholastic Connections scholarship, which pairs students of color with alumni mentors in the community. by Don Stoner 2003-04 SENIOR ATHLETES Kristen Lideen Lideen emerged as a two-sport star at Augsburg. In soccer, Lideen earned AllMIAC honorablemention honors three years in a row as one of the top sweepers in the conference. In softball, Lideen became one of Augsburg’s best shortstops, holding career school records in three different categories—batting average (.444), hits (175) and doubles (38)—while sitting in the top 10 in school history in seven other career listings. Lideen is one of four players in school history to ever go through a single season without a strikeout. She earned All-Region and All-MIAC first-team honors each of her first three seasons in an Auggie uniform, and earned All-MIAC honors her senior year. In 2003, she earned NFCA AllAmerican honors. Lideen is a philosophy major at Augsburg. Joe Moon Moon won his first national title in wrestling this season with a dramatic upset performance at the Division III national championships, earning the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler honors in the process. Moon finished 392 his senior season and 105-14 in his three-season career at Augsburg. A twotime All-American in wrestling, Moon finished fifth nationally last season at 174 and earned the team’s Outstanding Freshman honors his first season at Augsburg. A marketing major, Moon was also a member of two academic national wrestling teams at Augsburg. Don Stoner is sports information coordinator in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 11 Faculty/staff notes Creating learning communities at Augsburg F rankie Shackelford, associate Learning Community that dean for teaching and learning took a group of 12 students enhancement, is a national and the two professors to resource leader in promoting the museums in the Twin Cities, concept of “learning Chicago, and Baraboo, Wis. communities,” and a key player The subject matter was not the in Augsburg’s development of content of the museums, but curricular learning communities. rather how the museum In 2000, Shackelford was designed and arranged the named one of 58 fellows of the content and how that reflects National Learning Communities the society that created it. Project (NLCP), funded by the Their study was based around Pew Charitable Trusts and a text on this subject and administered by the Washington discussion with its author. Center for Improving the Quality Associate dean Frankie Shackelford brings best practices from national Shackelford’s continuing learning community resources to Augsburg’s first-year program. of Undergraduate Education at commitment as a fellow of the The Evergreen State College. NLCP is to make site visits to Since then, she has twice served institutions who are community links classes together for a as a core resource person at NLCP’s experimenting with learning communities. common group of students often across summer institutes and presented at Thus far she has held workshops and academic disciplines and usually around a professional meetings. evaluated programs at Wofford College and theme. Besides the faculty and students in Last October, as part of a Midwestern Cottey College. At Augsburg she is active these classes, a learning community often network of learning community leaders, in the faculty-staff task force on includes academic advisers, residence life Augsburg hosted one of 10 day-long “Foundations of Excellence™,” whose staff, student peer leaders, and staff from Open Houses, where Shackelford and work will lead to a strengthening of campus support programs. other Augsburg faculty and staff learning communities in the first-year While serving as co-director of presented Augsburg’s first-year learning curriculum. Augsburg was selected as one professional development, Shackelford was community program, helping others to of 12 colleges in the Council of instrumental in the design and understand the concepts. Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate development of the eight-week Augsburg As associate dean, Shackelford oversees in this national study of ways to improve Seminar for all incoming first-year seven programs that promote student the first college year. More information on students, which was rolled out in fall 1998. academic development and faculty/staff this project is available at This orientation seminar for new day professional development. <www.brevard.edu/fyfoundations>. students is linked to one or two other The concept of learning community courses and includes student leaders as coinvites practices that bring together people teachers to help answer students’ questions NOTEWORTHY and programs on campus to help students about college life. The goal is to help find more meaning in the curriculum, she students transition to college life, connect Tony Bibus, social work, was resays. The approach is an intentional them to the larger campus community, and appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to a restructuring of students’ time, credit, and help them become self-reflective learners. four-year term on the Minnesota Board of learning experiences to build community Augsburg’s new Core Curriculum, Social Work, which is responsible for and to foster greater connections among licensing and disciplining social workers. launched last year, was inspired by the students, students and their teachers, and learning community model. “Learning Trena Bolden, Pan-Afrikan Center, and among disciplines. The learning communities provide the impulse to make Kenneth Turner, Student Support community movement has broad reach meaning across a student’s four years of Services, attended the 28th Pan-African across many kinds of educational learning,” says Shackelford. Leadership Conference at Minnesota State institutions with over 500 colleges and Co-curricular learning communities University in Mankato in February, along universities now registered at the (outside of academic classes) have also with students Hanna Habtemariam, “Learning Commons” Web site developed at Augsburg. Last year, under Hamza Yusuf, Anthony Schaden, (http://learningcommons. the leadership of professors Phil Adamo Robert Jones III, Dega Ali, and Audra evergreen.edu). and Lars Chrisiansen, the History and Johnson. In the curricular sense, a learning Sociology Clubs formed a Museum 12 Spring/Summer 2004 The art of making events shine by Betsey Norgard J odi Collen admits she belonging that Augsburg alumni, can’t go anywhere parents, and donors feel as they without noticing displays, return to campus—including the ways materials are used, current students. “I want current and how decorations are students to feel connected, and to arranged—in short, she walk away feeling that they were can’t turn off her job. part of the event,” Collen says. Collen is events She seeks to work more coordinator at Augsburg, closely with faculty and staff working in the Office of from the get-go, offering ideas to Events and Classroom creatively plan the event from Services. It’s her job—and the beginning, to gain greater her passion—to help make consistency across all campus every Augsburg event look events. professional, run efficiently, Collen considers herself Jodi Collen mixes a combination of inspiration, creativity, and purpose in and communicate the right lucky to know that events planning major events at Augsburg. messages. planning is truly a calling and Since coming to part of her vocation. She can While she entered the program for career Augsburg two and a half years ago, she trace that awareness to a keynote speech development, she has found that her feels lucky to say that she loves what she by David Merrill, a leader in her field own personal development has been does—and she knows she can do it well. (who has since become a friend and more rewarding than prospects of career Last year, Minnesota Meetings & mentor), at the first special events advancement. Her goal is someday to Events magazine named her the 2003 conference she was invited to attend. continue on for a Ph.D. and teach in the “Up-and-Coming Special Events “The minute he started speaking, I industry. Planner”; and the year before that, she knew this is what I’m supposed to do,” At Augsburg, she is responsible for was named one of the top five women to she says. Merrill connected her to the planning and managing summer watch in the Minnesota events business. right people and resources, and her conferences, weddings and receptions, She is currently president-elect of the career took off. and working with faculty and staff to Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of the During the summer, in addition to plan major campus events. International Special Events Society. managing summer events, Collen is Collen looks forward to working What put her over the top in working with the alumni office to plan more closely with Augsburg faculty and becoming noticed and in giving her Augsburg’s 2004 Homecoming, “Spark staff to plan the College’s major events. confidence was the opportunity to plan a Your Spirit,” to take place Oct. 2-9. Her goal is to increase the sense of major event last summer for her events industry colleagues. With only months to go before the annual conference of the International Special Events Society to be held in Minneapolis, Collen stepped in to plan one of the major evening events—a beach party. With the help of four dumptruck-loads of donated sand and lots of ingenuity, conference-goers partied with hula hoops and parasoled drinks on a sandy beach, with palm trees and beach cabanas—all downtown in Peavey Plaza. Collen recently completed a Master of Tourism and Administration degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., specializing in conference and events management. Spring/Summer 2004 13 Faculty/staff notes Postcards from Italy During February and March in the Christensen Center Gallery, art professor John McCaffrey exhibited 34 oil paintings of the sultry Italian landscape in the show “Postcards from Italy.” The paintings are evocative recollections of a visit McCaffrey made to the country several years ago. Though small in size, the works are bold interpretations of some of Italy’s most remarkable scenery and monuments. Captured in the brushwork are narrow streets and sun-baked cobblestones of old towns, the glory of Roman ruins, and the verdant beauty of the rolling Tuscan hills. Even in these small sizes, McCaffrey’s use of light to sculpt form, establish space, and construct volume is revealed upon close observation. John McCaffrey, art, measures to hang one of the 34 small oil paintings in his “Postcards from Italy” exhibit. “Vernazza” (2004) is one of the “postcards” that brought the Italian landscapes to life in the Christensen Center Gallery during the winter. Honors/awards Congratulations to the 2004 faculty and staff who received Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning Awards. Mark Engebretson, professor of physics, for teaching; Ann Klamer, director of residence life, for direct service to students; and Garry Hesser, professor of sociology and metro-urban studies, for advising/mentoring. Carol Barnett, music professor and composition instructor, was awarded the 2003 Nancy Van de Vate International Composition Prize for Opera from the Vienna Masterworks for her work, Snow, based on a short story by Konstantin Paustovsky. Janna Caywood ’04, social work, was inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, international sociology honor society. 14 Su Dorée, mathematics, received the Mathematical Association of America North Central Section’s Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics, presented in April. It is presented for extraordinarily successful teaching, influence beyond their own institutions, and fostering of curiosity and excitement about mathematics to students. Garry Hesser, sociology and metrourban studies, was honored by the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) for his 25 years of service. Ann Klamer, residence life, received the 2003 Linda Schrempp Alberg Outstanding Contribution to Minnesota Higher Education Award, presented by the Minnesota College Personnel Association in May. Alberg was director of student life and associate dean of students at Augsburg until her death in 1996. Cheryl Leuning, nursing, received an Alumni Achievement Award in 2003 from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.Dak. In the award nomination, she was described by her students and colleagues as “a superb teacher, an inspirational leader, and mentor.” Sports information coordinator Don Stoner, public relations and communication, was named CoWrestling SID/Publicist of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association, an organization representing journalists who cover amateur and college wrestling. Jeff Swenson ’79, assistant dean for athletics and head wrestling coach, was inducted in March into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association/David Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame. Spring/Summer 2004 Presentations/publications David Apolloni, philosophy, presented “Puzzles Concerning False Judgment in Plato’s Theatetus” at the 10th Annual Minnesota Conference on Ancient Philosophy in May. Tony Bibus and Rosemary Link, social work, and Michael O’Neal, sociology, presented a paper, “Analysis of Welfare Reform Using a Global Perpsective and Locally Mapped Conditions” at the 50th annual meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in March. Nora Braun, business administration/ MIS, published “Critical Thinking in the Business Curriculum,” in the March/April issue of The Journal of Business Education. Grace Dyrud and Bridget RobinsonRiegler, psychology, along with psychology senior Matthew Plitzkow, presented a poster session, “Lucky Next Time: The Effects of Luck Inducement and Delay on Predictions of Future Wins and Luck Ratings,” at the Midwestern Psychology Convention in April. They also presented at the American Psychological Society in May. Orv Gingerich and Kathy McBride, Center for Global Education, co-presented a session, “Experiential Education: Theory and Practice in Latin America,” at the 15th annual international conference of the Association of Academic Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (AAPLAC) in February. Shakespeare Bulletin published Douglas Green’s review of Joe Dowling’s production of Othello at the Guthrie Lab in the spring issue (22.1); his review of Ethan McSweeney’s Romeo and Juliet appeared in the summer issue (22.2). In April, at the annual Shakespeare Association of America meeting, Green participated in a dramatic reading of Antony and Cleopatra. (His drunken Lepidus was well received.) Spring/Summer 2004 Gretchen Irvine, education, participated on a panel on international travel experience at the National Society for Experiential Education conference in November. She also presented “Value Added to Global Study/Travel through the Use of Technology,” at the Hawaii International Conference on Education in January. Kenneth Kaminsky, mathematics, published Financial Literacy: Introduction to the Mathematics of Interest, Annuities, and Insurance, with a manual to accompany it, by University Press of America, Inc. in 2003. Jason Kemp, residence life, published “Ally Rally: Problem Solving with GLBTQ Allies on Campus,” in the spring 2004 UMR-ACUHO (Upper Midwest Region, Association of College and University Housing Officers) News. Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, Center for Global Education-Mexico, published “Educating about a Diversity and Global Issues Experientially: A Review of Simulations Games for Use in Community-Based Learning Programs,” in the fall 2003 issue of Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy. Dave Matz, psychology, co-authored “Social Norms and Identity Relevance: A Motivational Approach to Normative Behavior,” in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. He also co-authored an article in Current Psychology, 21. Regina McGoff, Center for Global Education, presented, “Study Abroad for Students in a Weekend College Program,” at the Student Abroad Curriculum Integration Conference in April. Susan O’Connor, education, co-authored a chapter about her five-month faculty exchange in Trondheim, Norway, in Sosialt arbeid: Refleksjon og handling (Social Work: Action and Reflection). Ron Petrich, education, has a selection in Teaching with Fire: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Teach, published by Jossey Bass. Petrich finished the first two-year Courage to Teach retreat series for K-16 educators and began a second series in May. Bruce Reichenbach, philosophy, contributed “Explanation and the Cosmological Argument,” to Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Religion, edited by Michael Peterson and Raymond Vanarragon, and published by Blackwells in England. Bridget Robinson-Riegler and Greg Robinson-Riegler published two texts: Cognitive Psychology: Applying the Science of the Mind (along with an instructor’s manual) and Readings in Cognitive Psychology: Applications, Connections, and Individual Differences,” both published in 2004 by Allyn & Bacon. Nancy Steblay, psychology, co-authored “Eyewitness Accuracy Rates in Police Showups and Lineup Presentations: A Meta-Analytic Comparison,” in Law and Human Behavior, 27. Andrew Tix co-authored “The Relational Context of Social Support: Relationship Satisfaction Moderates the Relations between Enacted Support and Distress,” in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29. He also co-authored an article in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, 51. Sean Truman, psychology, with students Francis Rojas, Danielle Banaszak, and Janessa Baier, presented “Maternal Substance Abuse and Ratings of Parent Behavior: Do Drugs Matter?” at the Midwestern Psychology Convention. Truman also co-authored “What Are They Thinking? The Mediating Role of Parental Cognitions in the Parenting Processes of Drug-Dependent Mothers and Fathers,” in the NIDA Research Monograph Series in 2003. 15 AUGSBURG’S FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ver 100 entries were submitted in O the fourth annual photo contest for international and off-campus studies. Winners were selected in three categories: scenic landscapes, local people in a cross-cultural setting, and Augsburg students in a host setting. All winning photos were displayed in Christensen Center. Entries were judged on the following criteria: cross-cultural content, artistic and technical quality, and reproducibility. To see all the winners, visit <www.augsburg.edu/international/ photocontest04>. A 1st Place A B B 16 Scenic landscapes. First place. “Prague from the Castle Wall,” Erik Helgeson ’05. Czech Republic Augsburg students in host setting. First place. “Dancing with Locals (Mike Boyle),” Erik Helgeson ’05. Cuba C Local people in a cross-cultural setting. First place. “Lunchtime,” Deb Olson, MA Nursing. Namibia Spring/Summer 2004 OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES PHOTO CONTEST C D D Augsburg students in host setting. Second place. “Namibian Dunes,” Jenna Bracken ’05. Namibia E Scenic landscapes. Second place. “On the Other Side of the Fence: Auschwitz,” Ariann Russ ’05. Poland F Augsburg students in host setting. Third place. “Candomblé,” Ana Gabriela Power ‘05. Brazil. E F Spring/Summer 2004 17 MAJOR BOWEN: a story of courage and determination by Betsey Norgard As Jean Housh (left) coped with surgery to remove a brain tumor, her strength and inspiration came from “Major” Bowen (right), whose brain tumor left him near death and in a coma. She helped direct his path to Augsburg. eople are brought together in unpredictable ways. The friendship between Augsburg freshman Edward “Major” Bowen and Jean Housh, wife of Augsburg regent emeritus Allen Housh, began one day in physical therapy at the Sister Kenny® Rehabilitation Institute, where both were recovering from brain surgery. Because of the friendship that developed from that day in the hospital, the Houshes are largely responsible for Major Bowen enrolling at Augsburg. Three years ago last January, Bowen was an All-State junior goalie on The Blake School’s hockey team. The night he and the team shut out Stillwater High School, he felt sick with what he thought was the flu. By the next evening he was fighting for his life as a tumor blocked the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through his brain. Emergency surgery to relieve the pressure, followed by another surgery a week later to remove the cyst, left him in a coma for six weeks. P 18 “The nurses told us his brain was injured like in a 60-mph crash through a windshield,” recalls Bill Bowen, Major’s father. Miraculously, on Major’s grandmother’s birthday, he began to awaken. Weighing only 95 lbs., he was unable to walk, talk, or eat. Thus began a long rehabilitation at the Sister Kenny Institute, at a clinic in Florida, at Courage Center, and at other out-patient facilities. At Sister Kenny, as he worked to take a few steps, then a few steps more, Jean Housh was also recovering from elective surgery to remove the same kind of cyst before it became the emergency that Major faced. She was undergoing therapy to regain balance, strength, and memory. Excerpts from her story about getting to know Major are on p. 20. By the fall, Bowen was able to return home, but was plagued by short-term memory loss, facial droop, and some balance difficulty. His father tells of how Rod Anderson, a former Blake teacher and hockey coach “unretired” and devoted his time to tutoring Major in the Bowens’ home. During winter semester, Bowen returned to Blake, with Anderson continuing to tutor him at the school. Bowen also began practicing Tae Kwan Do as part of his therapy, and has achieved a second degree purple belt. He is now in training to test for his red belt. Major Bowen graduated with his Blake class in June 2002, but his real achievement came earlier, during Blake’s final hockey game of the year. After weeks of incredible determination and hard work to get back on the ice, he skated out to tend the goal for the last 53 seconds as his team beat Minnehaha Academy. For this, City Pages in their 2002 Best of the Twin Cities, named him the Best High School Athlete. The following year the Bowens began exploring options for college. Sara Kyle, associate director of college counseling at Blake, suggested Augsburg. “[Augsburg] Spring/Summer 2004 for the class. is one of the best (if not the best) Bowen’s determination also impacted colleges in the nation for bright students Maurer. “One of the biggest lessons I with learning and/or physical learned from Major,” Maurer said, “is to challenges,” said Kyle. “I thought it never give up. … I think Major’s refusal would be a natural place for Major to to stop until he had accomplished his continue his education.” She connected best can be inspirational to us all. The the Bowens with Sally Daniels, whole experience was a great honor and Augsburg’s director of undergraduate will remain one of my fondest memories admissions. from my time at Augsburg.” Jean and Allen Housh were also During the second semester, Bowen instrumental in the decision to consider was scheduled for several surgeries and Augsburg. “While Augsburg was in the would miss a considerable number of back of my mind,” Bill Bowen says, “90 school days. He arranged with Gustafson percent of it was the encouragement of to do a directed study in history, centered Allen and Jean.” around the question of genocide and Daniels and the Houshes introduced focusing on Nazi Germany and the Pol Major and his parents to President Pot regime in Cambodia. William Frame and to Augsburg’s Center A highlight of the semester was a field for Learning and Adaptive Student trip to Washington, D.C., to the Services (CLASS), a premier program in Holocaust Museum. While in providing comprehensive support to Washington, the Bowens met with students with disabilities. Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton, a friend Major enrolled in the fall as a partof the family, who had been Major’ s time student with two classes—Spanish baseball coach and who had also been a and history. Bill Bowen credits both hockey goalie at Blake. professors—Kate Reinhardt in Spanish The year proved incredibly difficult, and Don Gustafson in history—with but rewarding, for Major. Bill Bowen being “absolutely wonderful” to Major. recounts that virtually every Gustafson wondered at first how he person at Augsburg “gave would manage to teach someone with 102 percent”—nothing was short-term memory problems in the just average concerning detail-laden discipline of history. “It Major’s experience. He will worked,” he said, “partly because Maj return to classes in the fall came with some excellent high school part-time and then evaluate background; partly because his father what the right course will spent hours and hours going over the be for the future. material with Maj, and Maj on his part The friendship between was not about to give up; and partly Jean Housh and Major because one of our very remarkable remains strong; Bill Bowen students, Eric Maurer, agreed to tutor. talks of how they spend “It was in our weekly meetings (and time reading together—a Eric often was part of them) on a one-topractice that began during one basis that I got a much better therapy to improve their understanding of Major, of his difficulties, and of his incredibly dogged determination.” Gustafson says that Bowen Major Bowen and Jean Housh ended up “at the top of the class in remain good friends and continue terms of effort and hours,” and to read together, a practice that earned a “very creditable 3.0” grade started in rehabilitation. Spring/Summer 2004 enunciation. While her story speaks to the strength she gains from Major, Bill Bowen says that Major thinks Jean is “one of his angels.” It’s clear that Bowen could not have succeeded at Augsburg without the CLASS program and without faculty and staff who became entirely engaged in helping him learn, as they also learned from him. Even outside of class, in one small but significant gesture, President Frame relinquished his reserved parking space to the Bowens so that Major’s shortterm memory loss could not prevent him from always knowing exactly where their car was parked. “Augsburg has been a wonderful experience for me,” says Major. “Each professor has been different, but also the same in being caring, kind, and understanding. They have each also been demanding, requiring me to work hard, complete my assignments on time, to push myself, and to learn the subject matter. Professor Don Gustafson worked with me extensively to become more self-reliant, to trust myself, to think, and to respond. I can never thank him enough.” ■ 19 A M A J O R I N S P I R AT I O N I owe my life to a young m a n n a m e d M a j o r. H e is a guy I’d only heard about in the neurosurgeon’s office. I was being examined and scheduled for brain surgery. But I had the luxury of setting a surgery date, calling family to Minneapolis to help out and bracing myself beforehand. Major, however, did not. According to my neurosurgeon, the 17-year-old hockey player was nearly brain dead the January night he was brought to Children’s Hospital. Imagine playing goalie for your hockey team and near death one day later. I couldn’t. … Eager to read all I could about my condition or anyone else who’d experienced it, I combed back issues of the Minneapolis Star Tribune sports section at the library until I found it. There it was in bold type across five columns of the January 9, 2001, sport page. ‘Blake Goalie Faces Surgery for Brain Tumor.’ Edward “Major” Bowen was his name and his story would change my life. … I wish I could say my surgery was easy. Although I did not feel a thing, my family and friends suffered greatly. It is only through God’s grace and mercy that I am here. … One cold March day [at Sister Kenny Institute], I saw the name Major Bowen handwritten on a label of a headrest on a wheelchair. Could it be the same Major Bowen? I wondered aloud to [my husband] Allen. If he’s here, I have to meet him. After all, he is the reason I went ahead with my surgery. I asked Matt, my OT therapist, if that was Major Bowen, the hockey player. Yes, it was, but due to confidentiality concerns, I couldn’t just walk up and start talking. Matt had to arrange it for us after getting Major’s parents’ approval. The next day, I was introduced to Major, and his parents, Bill and Pat. … The common denominator between Major and me was the same colloid cysts in our brains. A rare and benign tumor, colloid cysts reside in the third left ventricle and restrict the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. In my case, it caused considerable swelling and chronic headaches. by Jean Spielman Housh Major, however, experienced no warning signs or headaches. … After six weeks in Children’s Hospital, Major was released to the Sister Kenny Institute for therapy and rehabilitation. That’s where our paths finally crossed. I was a bit tentative about meeting him. I was concerned his parents might measure me against their son’s progress. Boy was I wrong. I have never been so warmly received. Behind Major’s wheelchair in the computer lab at Sister Kenny Institute, Major’s dad, Bill, shook my hand and thanked me for initiating our meeting. “It’s nice to know someone who had the same surgery as Major and who’s come out so well,” he told me. I tried to tell him that his son was my inspiration. Tears rolled down my face and I couldn’t get the words out. “I cry a lot,” I told him. He smiled, knowing exactly what I meant. Around the corner came Major’s mom, Pat. Awkwardly I began my story again. Lost in my tears were all the words I’d hoped to say. Words like ‘thank you for your son. Thank you for being such loving parents. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet my life’s inspiration.’ … During a follow-up visit last year, Dr. Nagib’s nurse practitioner, Therese O’Fallon, told me, “One day, maybe not soon, but one day, you’ll look back on this surgery experience as a gift. Some good will have come from it.” Brain surgery—a gift? Yeah, right. I brushed it off. But today, more than two years later, I’m beginning to see what she means. God has given me a gift of true inspiration in Major. Through him and my surgery, I’ve learned patience, determination, and what family really means. Today, the balance of good days and bad days clearly tips toward the positive. I’ve recovered most, if not all, of my short- and long-term memory. Although, I still lose my car in the Target parking lot and often have trouble remembering how many strokes I had on the golf course. Major and I read Lance Armstrong’s book It’s Not about the Bike last summer. We read it aloud to one another to improve our enunciation. Armstrong’s story of victory over cancer and winning the Tour de France is an inspiring and powerful one. But one no less inspiring than Major’s story of faith, courage, and strength. Jean Spielman Housh is a writer and wife of Augsburg regent emeritus Allen Housh. 20 Spring/Summer 2004 F R O M F L ATA N G E R TO A U G S B U R G : A C E N T U R Y A PA R T by Betsey Norgard THE SMALL coastal town of Flatanger, Norway, has sent two students to Augsburg College, almost exactly 100 years apart. While Ingwald Rosok may not have received a diploma in the spring of 1895 when he left Augsburg, Monica Dahle marched proudly across the stage in spring 2004. Dahle is a senior at Molde University College in central Norway and came to Augsburg as part of International Partners. This program, based on reciprocal agreements between Augsburg and European institutions that offer the equivalent of bachelor’s degrees, allows students from both Europe Norwegian student Monica Dahle stands in front of Old Main, built just three years after Ingwald Rosok, another student from her hometown, attended and Augsburg to take part Augsburg. of their study program at Ingwald Rosok, who attended partner schools. This preparatory class at moved to Arizona and lived there the rest Augsburg in 1894-95, left his enables them to Augsburg Seminary for of his life. small village of Flatanger 100 experience studying years before current student nearly five months until his Although Rosok’s mother was from Monica Dahle. abroad without money ran out. the Sverdrup family, there is no apparent interrupting or delaying In his memoir, Retrospect, Rosok tells close connection to Georg and George their studies. of wanting to go to school and learning Sverdrup, Augsburg’s second and fourth Because of International Partners and about Augsburg from a Norwegian grocer presidents, respectively. the scholarship that participants receive, in Minneapolis. He describes Augsburg’s When Dahle arrived at Augsburg last Dahle chose to come to Minneapolis and location as “in the block between Seventh winter, she recognized Old Main from Augsburg. When she began researching and Eighth Streets, and between 21st and photos she had seen in a history book. information about Augsburg, to her 22nd Avenues South.” He lists the faculty She was one of 34 Norwegian students in surprise and excitement she discovered a that year as six professors. book about Ingwald Rosok, also from Rosok did not want to be a minister Flatanger. He had come to the U.S. in Photo of Ingwald Rosok from Retrospect: An and chose to study engineering at the 1891, worked at a number of jobs in the Autobiography, by I. A. Rosok, edited by O. M. University of Minnesota instead of Norlie, copyright 1957 and printed by Lund Press, Upper Midwest, and attended the second returning to Augsburg. He eventually Minneapolis. Spring/Summer 2004 21 A C E N T U R Y A PA R T International Partners during the academic year, and took social work courses. For her internship, she learned about an agency in downtown Minneapolis offering a needle exchange program, and applied to work there. Her tasks included meeting with drug addicts, homeless people, and prostitutes—work and issues she had never encountered. “I learned so much,” Dahle said, “about nonjudgemental attitudes, about how to treat clients, and about the U.S.” She had not expected the level of culture shock she experienced. Her biggest challenge was language. Dahle said the people who came there often used street slang, but that she simply asked them what it meant. She loves to work with people, and dreams of finding similar ways to work with drug addicts in Norway. During spring semester, two events stood out for Dahle as highlights. In February, when Augsburg hosted the Peace Prize Festival for schoolchildren, she was one of two Norwegian students who greeted and escorted special guests Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister of Norway and director general emerita of the World Health Organization; and Knut Vollebæk, Norwegian ambassador to the U.S. 22 The second highlight was participation in Augsburg’s commencement ceremony. In Norway, college graduates are hosted at a dinner, but without the pomp and circumstance of an American ceremony. Because of the reciprocal agreements between colleges, International Partners students are granted special permission to participate in Augsburg’s graduation. EXCERPTS FROM Monica Dahle (right) and Beate Fjellanger (second from right) greeted Gro Brundtland, former Norwegian prime minister, and Knut Vollebæk, Norwegian ambassador to the U.S., at the Peace Prize Festival in February. “It was amazing, with all the people there,” Dahle remarked. “It’s a really big deal, and I’ve seen it on TV.” Her cap and gown went back to Norway with her as mementos. Dahle has her four-hour final exam to finish at Molde University College. Then she hopes to work for a year or so before possibly returning to the U.S. and Augsburg for a master’s program. ■ RETROSPECT: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY By Ingwald Andreas Rosok Edited by O.M. Norlie; copyright 1957 by I.A. Rosok. Minneapolis: Lund Press, Inc. 16 ATTENDING AUGSBURG We called on the Norwegian grocer. He advised me to go to Augsburg Seminary, which, at that time, was not only a theological seminary but also a college and an academy. It was a Norwegian Lutheran church school and was located in the block between Seventh and Eighth Streets, and between Twenty-first and Twenty-second Avenues South. I went there, and they took me and accepted my check without any question. … As already stated, Augsburg Seminary had three departments: The Preparatory (Academy) Department which took two years to finish; the College Department which took four years, and the Theological Department which took three years, a total of nine years. When this was completed one was ready to be ordained as a full-fledged Lutheran minister and to be assigned to some congregation as its pastor. The professors that year were: George Sverdrup, president; Sven Oftedal, vice president; John H. Blegen; Edward Hovde; J.L. Nydahl and T.S. Reimestad. When I told them what previous schooling I had had, I was assigned to the second preparatory class. It was a very good school and I enjoyed it very much. It certainly was much better for me than working in the woods in Wisconsin. I studied very hard, never missing any classes and spending all my waking hours in my room doing my homework. I started school at Augsburg Seminary December 7, 1894 and attended until April 13, 1895 when my money was all gone. Spring/Summer 2004 SEEING ABILITIES instead of disabilities Seeing the abilities of people rather than their disabilities has given Cilje Nybord Mosand a dream and a plan, which she has taken back to her native Norway this summer. Mosand, a social work student in the International Partners program at Augsburg, interned during the spring at a non-profit organization called Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, based in Minneapolis. Interact, a multidisciplinary arts center for adult artists with disabilities, features a large art studio and public gallery, rehearsal and performance space, a fulltime faculty of professional artists, a performing arts training program, and a theater company. Mosand was so impressed with Interact that she hopes to start a similar organization in the Scandinavian countries. “We have nothing like this in Norway,” Mosand said. “This has been such a wonderful experience. You don’t see the disabilities of these people, rather the abilities they possess.” During her internship, Mosand assisted the professional artists who work with the disabled artists in all aspects of the theater, from writing the script and by Judy Petree music, to acting. She even took part in the theater performance, playing the part— aptly enough—of a young woman named “Celia,” who is Norwegian. “We really liked having Cilje here,” said Eriq Nelson, performing arts instructor at Interact. “She gave our ‘artists’ individual support and always had time for listening to them. Many times the staff doesn’t have this kind of time.” Nelson added that when Mosand first came, they envisioned her as support staff, doing odd jobs such as filling out paperwork. But, she became so involved with the artists the original plans quickly flew out the door. “We have a large Norwegian population at the center and some have even been to Norway on tour, so they were excited about Cilje being from Norway. She liked being with the artists and they liked being with her.” Nelson said it was also fun to watch Mosand grow during her internship. “We even got her to be a part of the show. It was fun to see Cilje embrace that side of it. She was always willing to do whatever was needed to be done. She’s missed.” Actually, this is not Augsburg’s first encounter with Interact. A few years ago, education professor Susan O’Connor Top photo: At Interact, Cilje Mosand supported and worked with artists with disabilities, and joined them to perform in their production. Spring/Summer 2004 introduced Karl-Johan Johansen, an instructor from Sør Trøndelag University College in Trondheim, Norway, and Per Frederiksen, with PROFF, an organization serving people with disabilities, to Interact while they were visiting Minneapolis. As a result of that visit, Johansen and Frederiksen secured funding in Norway for a group from Interact to travel to Norway and Denmark to give performances. The artists that went on this tour were the same ones who formed a bond with Mosand. “What fascinated me about Interact is it’s so diverse,” Mosand said. “The mix of people from a rainbow of ethnic, age, and disability groups gives one the impression of being in an inclusive Garden of Eden.” The artists help the community understand that gifts are given to all people, Mosand said, and that vision is not lost nor even impaired by a disabling condition. “There are no superiors, inferiors; no staff versus clients. There is only the collegial mix of diverse people who are all focused on the same goals—the creation of beauty, the making of art.” ■ Judy Petree is media relations manager in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 23 A QUICK CONNECTION PROM DRESSES TO by Judy Petree Stephanie Quick’s passion for working with children and youth, especially those who struggle with lives of poverty and abuse, has taken her to a place far from her Midwestern roots in Mendota Heights, Minn.—to Nome, Alaska, a place so beautiful it’s hard to imagine life could be anything but ideal. Quick, a 2001 Augsburg graduate with a major in youth and family ministry, is currently working on a four-year Master of Divinity degree at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. She is in year three of seminary, which consists of an internship. Beauty surrounded by poverty The road to Alaska and her internship at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Nome came after she was accepted into a special ELCA program called Horizon. This program offers 22 unique internship sites across the world, including cross-cultural ministry, mission start congregations, and others at rural, urban, and international sites. Quick said that many of these sites, including her current one, cannot afford a second pastor, and provide excellent learning opportunities. Quick said Nome is a beautiful place, surrounded by ocean and tundra. She has seen wildlife from bears to reindeer to seals, eaten a variety of Eskimo foods including Eskimo ice cream (berries mixed with reindeer fat), muktuk (whale blubber), black meat (seal), reindeer, caribou, dried fish, greens, and herring eggs. But, she added, the stark reality is that all of this beauty surrounds a town plagued by alcohol abuse and poverty. “While this town of 3,000 people is in a unique setting, it is also very sad. You can find only two small grocery stores, yet the street is littered with bars and liquor stores. Alcohol abuse is a terrible factor in the community.” In fact, Quick said, it has gotten so bad that alcoholism in Nome and surrounding villages has nearly Above: Stephanie Quick, Class of 2001, is destroyed the Native American (Eskimo) traditional lifestyle. “Sadly, as a pastor, you hear using her seminary internship to work with many stories of family violence, sexual abuse, young people in an impoverished Nome, and substance abuse. There is so much tragedy here it is almost unbelievable.” Alaska church. She brought joy to the high Quick is called to many areas while serving school girls there, as 60 prom dresses she as an intern pastor. Some of her duties include preaching, leading worship, teaching, pastoral collected from family and friends back counseling, home visitations, serving as home were donated for Nome’s big dance. chaplain at the local jail, eating lunch with elders at the senior citizen’s center, and holding 24 Spring/Summer 2004 worship service at the nursing home. However, there is one area where her passion is strong. Quick is concentrating her efforts on working with youth in Nome, even starting a youth group at the congregation, which now draws more than 25 youth. “I have formed some pretty strong connections with some of the high school girls,” Quick said. “These girls have confided a lot of things to me. Recently they told me they couldn’t go to the prom because they couldn’t afford a dress.” While the town is plentiful with bars and liquor stores, Quick said there is not a clothing store to be found. The only way for these girls to get a dress would be to spend $343 on a plane ticket to Anchorage or make a dress. “None of these girls can afford a prom dress let alone fly to Anchorage to buy it. And many of the girls are being raised by their grandparents who just don’t have the time to make a dress.” Quick came up with an idea and she quickly enlisted the help of her sister, Rachel, who is a junior at Augsburg; her parents; and her hometown congregation, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in West St. Paul. “I thought, well, I still have my prom dresses, so I called up my mom and asked her to send them here. Unfortunately, she had just given them away to the Goodwill, but my sister, Rachel, still had hers.” Rachel was more than happy to not only ship her prom dress to Alaska, but to send out a campuswide e-mail asking others for their dresses and other prom accessories, such as shoes and purses. When Quick’s pastor at St. Stephen’s found out what she was doing, he made an announcement in church. Her plea was so successful, she received 60 dresses, the majority coming from Augsburg and St. Stephen’s Church in West St. Paul. After the shipment arrived in Nome, Stephanie Quick opened up a “Prom Shop” in the church basement. The ladies’ sewing circle at Our Savior’s Church volunteered to make alterations on the dresses. Quick said the girls were Spring/Summer 2004 “thrilled” with the dresses. “I’m really proud of my sister,” Rachel said. “She is such a kind person and she’s really grown attached to these girls in Nome. She was able to give them something we take for granted—a pretty dress and a really special night.” Quick said she wanted to do this for the girls “simply because I care about them, and feel that their opportunities shouldn’t be limited just because of their finances.” Reaching out Quick followed her passion and calling one step further when she volunteered to travel to a remote village in the wilderness, without running water or plumbing. She spent 10 days in a place called Shishmaref, a tiny island Eskimo village located 20 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The village is entirely Lutheran and is the northernmost ELCA congregation. Most people there still speak their native language of Inupiaq. Quick said the pastor there had resigned in the fall, and it has been difficult to even get an interim pastor, much less a permanent pastor. It is a very rustic place with honeybuckets for toilets and Ladies in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church snow or rainwater for volunteered their time to alter the drinking water. The only donated dresses for the girls. place to shower is at the “washeteria,” which costs money, she added, so obviously people don’t shower much. The roads are all dirt and the houses are primitive. Children, she said, run around very dirty, many visibly with lice. The town is filled with flies, and garbage and raw sewage leak from bins. “It looked straight out of a ‘Save the Children’ commercial,” Quick said. “It was a moving experience just driving down the street.” The only modes of transportation, she added, are fourwheelers; snowmobiles, which the Alaskans call snow machines; and dog sled teams. “I had some amazing visits with the people there,” Quick said, “including a group of elders who showed me some of their sewing. It was a neat experience sitting on the floor watching the Eskimo women sew things like slippers, mukluks, and Eskimo yo-yos out of seal 25 A QUICK CONNECTION TO PROM DRESSES skin and reindeer fur.” Quick’s love and passion for children took center stage there as well, in this remote village. She said the children were excited to see her and she organized many youth activities for them, including baking for elders and confirmation classes. Some days there were more than 50 children that showed up in the basement of the parsonage, which is used for a youth center. “We had a Sunday School turnout of 75 children which is great considering there are only 600 people in the village.” The church services were similar to the ones she helps out with in Nome, part of it being in their native language and part in English. “I have to brag a little that I’m doing quite well on the Inupiaq. The elders tease me that I am becoming an Eskimo!” Quick said because of the lack of a pastor or interim pastor, she was given special permission by the bishop and seminary to administer the sacraments. She presided over Holy Communion and performed her first baptism. The baptism, she added, was especially moving. “I had asked a woman in the congregation to present the candle and recite a special verse. She has cerebral palsy and told me she has trouble reading, so when she came up, she had the verse memorized. It was moving and a true moment of grace.” Augsburg’s transforming education Quick credits the encouragement she received from faculty and staff in the religion department while she was a student at Augsburg for steering her toward the path she is now following. In particular she remembers a lecture she heard about being called to serve God. “I still remember that lecture, and that confirmed my call from God. I began to look for a place to serve the church and I felt not only an internal call to the ministry, but an external call to serve God.” Quick said she wasn’t sure at that point what direction in ministry she wanted to pursue, but she loved the Youth and Family Ministry program and being involved in Campus Ministry, so that excited her about ministry with families. Quick will return to Chicago in the fall to finish her education. Where she will go from there is still a question, but she has many goals, one being a pastor in an inner city church working with families, children and youth; another opening an orphanage or working at an existing one, perhaps in Thailand; or even teaching religion, “especially if it was at Above: A stitch here and there to the Augsburg!” donated dresses made the high school “The education I received at Augsburg helped shape my life in a very positive way. Augsburg girls feel like queens of the prom. helped me realize that all things are possible through God.” ■ Judy Petree is media relations manager in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 26 Spring/Summer 2004 Students celebrate after receiving their honors cords from academic dean Christopher Kimball at the Honors Convocation on Friday, April 30. The Augsburg Chamber Orchestra performs at the Commencement concert on Friday, April 30, which featured solos by each of the four 2004 Concerto Aria winners: Miya Kunin ’04, violin; Maja Lisa FritzHuspen ’04, soprano; Nicholas White ’05, bass; and Keely Holcomb ’04, soprano. DR. SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON DELIVERS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS A graduate pays homage to her home state by taping a cutout of Texas to her mortarboard. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, spoke at the 2004 Augsburg College Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 1. It is said that Jackson has a “career distinguished by many historic firsts.” Jackson, a theoretical physicist, holds a Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics from M.I.T. and an S.B. in physics from M.I.T. She is the first AfricanAmerican woman to receive a doctorate from M.I.T., and is one of the first two African-American women to receive a doctorate in physics in the United States. Jackson is also the first African-American to become a commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is now the first woman to lead a national research university. Jackson has held senior positions in government, as chairperson of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); in industry and research, as a theoretical physicist at the former AT&T Bell Laboratories; and in academe as a professor at Rutgers University. While at the NRC, Jackson represented the United States as a delegate to the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. Among the number of professional organizations Jackson belongs to, she is president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Physical Society. Visit <www.rpi.edu/web/President/profile.html> for more information about Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Barbara Lehmann, assistant professor of social work, hugs a student during the procession from Foss Center to Melby Hall. 28 Spring/Summer 2004 COMMENCEMENT 2004 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS URGES EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, delivers the keynote Commencement address. Lois Bosch, associate professor of social work, places a master’s hood on a Master of Social Work student. Barbara Forshier, Weekend College Class of 2004 representative, addresses the crowd at the Commencement ceremony. Spring/Summer 2004 Following are excerpts from Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson’s Commencement address; read the complete address at <www.rpi.edu/web/President/speeches/augsburg.html> … A simple message from my own father has always motivated me. … He always would say to us: “Aim for the stars, so that you will reach the treetops, and at any rate, you will get off the ground.” In other words, if you do not aim high, you will not go far. He also believed that it was important to help somebody else along the way. I have taken my father’s advice throughout my career, and woven it into a common thread with three basic strands. They are excellence, leadership, and community. It was Aristotle who said, “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” After all, if you are going to spend precious time doing something, why not do it well? And, when you do things well, it becomes your habit. Secondly, leadership is a fundamental responsibility we all own. … Leadership encompasses a clarity of vision, an understanding of the broader context, as well as the articulation to share that vision with others. It takes perseverance, and requires very hard work, but an effective leader sets an example by working hard, by being ethical, and by inspiring others to do the same. … The final strand is community. What I mean by community also might be termed inclusiveness. In the global community in which we live, inclusiveness is key, because it is the estrangement of individuals, or of groups, or of peoples, or of nations that is responsible for the divisiveness that haunts us—that makes the world a more dangerous place. … Optimism also is part of my father’s legacy. As a result, I am determinedly optimistic about the future. Optimism and hope are contagious. … Indeed, it is a force for change, and it can move people to take positive action. … So, give generously. Aim high. Lead with your gifts. Stay positive. Look forward. Do not be discouraged. Lead with optimism. Challenge yourselves. Find joy in everyday life. If you do all of these, I am confident that you can lead us to a future of peace, a future of greater safety, security, and health for all—a future in which hope prospers, and love and service guide us. Now is your time. Be that future, and you can change the world. Three graduates smile for the camera during the ceremony in Melby Hall. 29 Gregory McKusky, who received a B.A. in physics, joins family and faculty in Murphy Park after the Commencement ceremony. A graduate poses for a picture following the ceremony. THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE 623 Candidates for graduation 347 Day program candidates 152 Weekend College candidates 83 Graduate program candidates (12 Master of Arts in Leadership, 30 Master of Social Work, 14 Master of Arts in Nursing, 24 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 3 Master of Arts in Education) 33 Rochester program candidates
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Title: Augsburg Now Winter 2003-04
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 A 4/5/04 7:28 AM P U B L I C AT I O N Winter 2003-04 Page 1 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 66, No. 2 Peter Agre ’70 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 7:28 AM Page 2 LLetters ...
Show more Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 A 4/5/04 7:28 AM P U B L I C AT I O N Winter 2003-04 Page 1 F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S Vol. 66, No. 2 Peter Agre ’70 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 7:28 AM Page 2 LLetters ETTERS Editor’s note I t is said that good things come to those who wait. This winter issue of Augsburg Now is all about both good things and waiting. You, the readers, are the ones who have been waiting for the winter Now (at least, editors always hope you are), even as we have already entered into early spring. On our part, it’s the good things that have caused us to wait on its production. About mid-winter, when the issue is usually mailed, we learned that Peter Agre, Augsburg Class of 1970 and 2003 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, was coming to campus in late February. Since our winter issue already included a story about Agre and the awarding of his Nobel Prize, we made the decision to delay production so that we could expand the article to include his memorable days with us here. It’s a rare and wonderful moment when a college can celebrate with one of its own, especially one whose vocation so richly embodies the mission of the College. For Agre, his time at Augsburg was a time of discovery and connections—exploring the subjects that piqued his interest and connecting with professors who made these subjects come alive and speak to him. While in medical school Agre turned to research, where he realized his talents in research could serve to greater benefit in seeking the causes of illness. And now, while he has the ear of the scientific world, he is a strong advocate for adequate funding in science education to enable all citizens to make responsible decisions about ourselves, our society, and our environment. The College also revels in the recognition our partnership with Cedar-Riverside Community School received, as Augsburg was lauded by the Carter Foundation and Campus Compact as an outstanding community partner. Read about that in Around the Quad. Plus, we feature the Campus Kitchen at Augsburg, a new community partnership program that has already brought us local media attention. Students and volunteers transform surplus food from the College’s dining service and a local food shelter into tasty meals that are delivered to several neighborhood community agencies. Last fall the College celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hispanic/Latino Student Services program, which provides support and encouragement to help these students succeed at Augsburg. You’ll read about the impact this program has in strengthening the appreciation of cultural richness within Augsburg’s learning community. So, good things keep happening. And, we move into spring with this winter issue—fully aware that in Minnesota there could well still be some wintery snowflakes falling as you read this in April. The next issue will be a combined spring and summer issue to bring you exciting news about Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College that Augsburg kicks off on April 18 with a community festival. Join us! Betsey Norgard Editor JIMMY CARTER IS HONORED AT THE NINTH ANNUAL PEACE PRIZE FESTIVAL AND VISITS CHILDREN AT J.J. HILL SCHOOL The Ninth Annual Peace Prize Festival at Augsburg brought together more than 700 area school children to honor President Jimmy Carter, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Displays and performances were presented around the lives of past peace laureates. Carter was not able to participate, but special guests included Gro Bruntland, former prime minister of Norway; Knut Vollebæk, Norwegian ambassador to the U.S.; and Professor Geir Lundestad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. On Feb. 21, while attending the 2004 Peace Prize Forum at St. Olaf College, President Jimmy Carter squeezed in a visit to a special “mini-Peace Prize Festival” at J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul, where children prepared skits about Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Carter was accompanied by his wife, Rosalynn, and President William Frame. Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454. Editor Betsey Norgard 11:50 AM Page 4 A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Winter 2003-04 Vol. 66, No. 2 Features Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kathy Rumpza Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamholz 8 Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V. Frame Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Amy Sutton An enormous honor for discovery of tiny proteins by Betsey Norgard 14 Dishing up recipes for learning and serving by Betsey Norgard Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jorgensen 16 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 by Betsey Norgard Postmaster: Send correspondence, name changes, and address corrections to: Augsburg Now, Office of Public Relations and Communication, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454. E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification. Augsburg College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu Connecting on campus— a home for Hispanic/ Latino students 19 Augsburg—a Keto family affair by Rebecca Welle ’04 Departments 2 Around the Quad 6 Sports 20 Alumni News 22 Homecoming 2003 Photos 26 Class Notes 35 In Memoriam 36 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover Calendar 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) On the cover: Peter Agre, Class of 1970, is congratulated by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden upon receiving the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. © 2003, The Nobel Foundation. Photo by Hans Mehlin. Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 5 AROUND QUAD Around THE the Quad NOTEWORTHY Augsburg launches MBA program In fall 2004, Augsburg will launch the charter class of its new MBA program. The 21-month program will meet in small cohort format, encouraging close collaboration with faculty as well as fellow students. For information, e-mail <mbainfo@augsburg.edu> or call 612-330-1101. Math student teams place high An Augsburg three-person math team finished fourth among 65 teams in November in the North Central Section Team Problem-Solving Contest sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. Another Augsburg team finished in the top half of the competition. Team members were Tim Bancroft, Andrew Held, Hung Nguyen, John Staton, David Wallace, and Dan Wolf. Physics student chapter is honored Augsburg’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students was selected as an outstanding chapter for 2002-03. The award letter highlights depth and breadth of “physics research, public science outreach, physics tutoring programs, hosting and representation at physics meetings, and providing social interaction for chapter members.” This is the second time in four years that Augsburg’s chapter has been among the top 10 percent recognized. New and continued physics grants Augsburg has received funding from the National Science Foundation and NASA for three multi-year research projects, each of which will provide funds for undergraduate student research. Professor Mark Engebretson heads up both NSF projects: the first, a five-year, $600,000 grant to support continued studies using the MACCS array of magnetometers in Arctic Canada; and the second, a threeyear, $426,000 grant with Dartmouth College to continue similar studies using data primarily from Antarctica. Professor Ken Erickson heads up Augsburg’s efforts to use data from NASA’s polar satellite to study magnetospheric substorms, and subsequent auroral displays. This $252,000 project is shared with Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory. Augsburg speech team scores top points at tourney C ompeting at the state and national levels against schools of all sizes, Augsburg Speech Team members have compiled a string of impressive victories. At the 22nd Annual Novice National Speech Tournament, held in early March at the Heather Nystrom ’05 and Ryan Sobolik ’05 Crystal Harles ’04 University of Houston, junior Ryan Sobolik Harles’ speech deals with international placed fourth in the nation in slavery and she said she tried to make the Extemporaneous Speaking, while the issue personal to help people understand Augsburg team garnered sixth place in the that their actions can make a difference in limited sweepstakes division. combating this situation. “There were so many excellent Junior Heather Nystrom took sixth speakers, I was proud just to make it to place in the same competition, with what the finals,” said Sobolik, of Fargo, N.Dak. she calls a “tough sell … trying to More than 50 colleges and universities, convince people to learn more about with over 1,000 competitors, participated statistical literacy, and apply it to their in the tournament. daily lives.” Through humor she tried to Earlier, at the Minnesota College keep people’s attention. Forensic Association’s annual state Augsburg’s team won a second place tournament, senior Crystal Harles won sweepstakes award in the limited entry second place in Oratory. This gives her a division at this state tournament. Coach bid as one of two Minnesota students to and communication studies professor Bob compete in the Interstate Oratory Groven says that this carries special weight Competition, the nation’s oldest and most since Minnesota’s state tournament prestigious oratory tournament, to be held presents some of the toughest competition in Phoenix in April. in the country. “Transforming the Profession of Health Care” Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Paul Batalden ’63 (left), Dartmouth Medical School, and Dr. David Leach, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, presented the 2004 Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics, “Transforming the Profession of Health Care.” This coincided with the twoday conference, “Building Minnesota’s Healthcare Workforce through Diversity,” sponsored by Augsburg, Minnesota Hospital Association, Fairview Health Services, and UnitedHealth Group at which presenters included Minnesota senator Sheila Kiscaden and former U.S. senator Dave Durenberger. 2 2 Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 6 Augsburg neighborhood partnership is honored Alumni, Friends, and Families— Come Celebrate! Augsburg Community Festival T he long standing relationship between Augsburg College and the Cedar-Riverside Community School was honored as one of six finalists for the new Carter Partnership Award that was presented by President Jimmy Augsburg and Cedar-Riverside Community School staff were Carter and his wife, honored at the Carter Partnership awards banquet. Rosalynn, as part of the Campus Compact director. “A president of the United States 10th anniversary event in February. The now knows who we are and what we’ve purpose of the award is to provide become. And Augsburg College has been recognition for outstanding campusthere for us all these years. They are what community partnerships. makes a true community school.” The award was presented to the Mary Laurel True, associate director of Grant Community School Collaborative of the Center for Service, Work, and Duluth. But, Mrs. Carter added, “Every Learning, said it was wonderful to be single one of the nominated partnerships recognized for a true, long-term, vital deserves recognition. It doesn't matter partnership. “It meant the world to us to who wins.” be able to let others know about our “It was a grand night for Cedarneighborhood and the immigrants who Riverside Community School,” said live here, and all the great work that we Stephanie Byrdziak, the school’s assistant do together.” Sunday, April 18, 2004 Noon–4:30 p.m. Campus-wide activities 12:30 Campaign kickoff, free food, and giveaways—on the Augsburg campus 12:45-4:30 Free activities for all ages • Free food, music, exhibits, reading corner • Science demonstrations • Lute Olson basketball clinic for boys and girls • Hockey clinic/open ice skating • Health screenings • Theatre production—Machinal • Art exhibits • Celebration service …and much, much more. You don’t want to miss it! Come back and join us on campus! Access to Excellence: The Campaign for Augsburg College Three new regents elected to board T he Augsburg Board of Regents welcomed three new members at its January meeting. Dan Anderson ’65, Dr. Marshall Stanton, and Emily Anne Tuttle were elected to six-year terms. Dan Anderson ’65 Dan Anderson was an All-American basketball player at Augsburg, and went on to play professional basketball with the Minnesota Pipers and as a charter member of the New Jersey Nets. He is now president of Swenson Anderson Financial Group in Minneapolis, with a network of planners across Minnesota and neighboring states. He is also regional director for Financial Network Investment Corporation, and a Winter 2003-04 general agent for a number of insurance companies. He serves on the board of Metro Hope Ministries. Marshall Stanton, M.D. Marshall Stanton is vice president, medical affairs for Cardiac Rhythm Management at Medtronic. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and is chairman of the Fellowship Committee of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Medical College of Virginia. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Mayo Medical School; he returned there to join the faculty and became director of the Cardiovascular Training Program. He also completed a fellowship in cardiology at Indiana University School of Medicine. Emily Anne Tuttle Emily Anne Tuttle was the first Democratic woman elected to the Minnesota Senate and specialized in healthcare policy. She was also elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. She currently serves on the Minnesota Humanities Commission and the boards of the Guthrie Theater, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and the Minnesota Community Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and earned her master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 3 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 7 Around the Quad A single book and black robes—a medieval experience by Dan Jorgensen T hirty-two Augsburg first-year students are already wearing their graduation robes, but they won’t be participating in graduation ceremonies in May. The students are part of an experiment that not only is teaching them about life in medieval times but also is blending seven disciplines into one exciting new crosscurricular program. The experiment, titled “Medieval Connections,” not only has both exceeded its professors’ broadest expectations, but it soon could serve as a model for other Augsburg courses and for liberal arts institutions across the nation. “When the College embarked on a new general education curriculum this academic year, faculty were encouraged to seek ways to present courses that were interdisciplinary in nature,” noted Phil Adamo, assistant professor of history and leader of the new program. Adamo has been so pleased with the results of the course that he plans to prepare a paper on it for possible publication in several national journals. A core group of Augsburg faculty, including Adamo; Kristin Anderson, art; Phil Quanbeck II, religion; Joan Griffin, Students in Medieval Connections learn from a single book chained in the library. 4 English; and Merilee Klemp, music, met and put together the basics for the course. Philosophy colleague Bruce Reichenbach, and Darcey Engen, theatre, joined them to form the seven disciplines represented by the course itself. “The key idea that stuck with us is that the In the Medieval Connections class, students wear robes, as university/college that students did in the Middle Ages. we know today comes out of the 12th century,” Adamo said. help teach but also to respond to one “Faculty and students wore robes another and students’ questions. In somewhat similar to those that they do addition, a wide range of faculty and today, although today, of course, they’re others who have learned about the primarily used in ceremonies like course have been “dropping in” to share graduation.” their knowledge and expertise on The students are both taught and everything from medieval armor to what it learn in a style reminiscent of the was like to be a “traveling Sophist.” educational experience faced by students One recent guest professor was a monk from the “High Middle Ages”—the years from St. John’s University who talked 1100-1300 A.D. To learn in this fashion, about monastic life, the Gregorian chant, both students and faculty attend class and how the Bible was written by hand, garbed in robes—the faculty members using a project to write a new Bible wearing the robes that signify their currently underway at his school as an academic background and highest degree example. earned; the students wearing the robes Students begin each class with a prayer that they ultimately will again wear on to the medieval “saint of the day,” working graduation day. While students do have in teams to prepare the prayers and access to modern learning devices, such as presentations on the saints. Thomas papers and ballpoint pens, they all have to Aquinas, for example, was selected learn from one single book—a large because he is the patron saint of all volume that was “constructed” by the students. There are also long-term projects professors in cooperation with art for each student, and the final class will be instructor Tara Christopherson, and is a medieval feast where some will cook, chained in the library where the students some will play or sing music, some will must go to read it. As students read, they juggle, and some will debate—all the can write “marginalia” (comments) in the kinds of things students might have done book’s margins about what they have read, in a big medieval feast of the time. thus providing reading help for their “I think it’s a bit of genius here,” classmates and others who follow. This is Quanbeck noted. “Thanks to Professor similar to what would have happened in Adamo, we’re combining the theatrical, the Middle Ages, Adamo said. experiential, and academic and turning it Sometimes a single professor teaches into something that makes it very for the three-hour class, but usually two memorable. It changes students’ habits or three professors come, not only to and how they learn.” Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 8 Basketball in a different league Vern Maunu by Betsey Norgard W Vern Maunu here might you find a thousand Twin Cities middle school and high school students on Sunday afternoons during the winter months? A logical answer might be the ski slopes or the malls, but in this case the answer is in church gyms playing in the AugsburgCongregational Youth Basketball League. Thirteen years ago, Augsburg College Pastor Dave Wold had concerns about young people and their connection to churches. Many dropped out of church after confirmation, and many young people in city neighborhoods had no connection to a church. Wold was interested in addressing these issues, as well as getting the word out about Augsburg College. Wold’s idea of a basketball league took shape when he realized how many church gyms in the metro area were not being used, and especially in thinking about how many students enjoy playing basketball but had no team to play on if they weren’t able to make their school teams. Wold and a group of youth directors and pastors developed the mission of the More than 100 Augsburg students, led by Pastor Dave Wold (right) help with various tasks during the Congregational Youth League Tournament at Augsburg in March. Winter 2003-04 Every game in the 70-church Congregational Youth Basketball League starts with devotions and ends with prayer, shared by both opposing teams. league “to provide relaxed yet structured games in a Christian setting, allowing kids an opportunity for fun and exercise while building relationships with teammates, opponents, and God.” Now, more than 70 churches and as many as 1,000 students play in church gyms on Sunday afternoons in the months of January and February. The season climaxes on the first weekend in March at a tournament on Augsburg’s campus. More than 100 Augsburg students help out at the tourney as referees, photographers, concessions workers, security people, etc. Wold, along with league director David Wrightsman and other youth professionals who run the league, seek to keep the tournament as low cost as possible. If churches can’t afford the full participation fee, which pays mostly for uniforms and referee fees, they find ways to subsidize them. As in any athletic division, there are rules. Each game begins with devotions and ends with prayer, shared by both opposing teams. During the game, there must be equal playing time for all team members. And, each team is strongly encouraged to take on service projects— in the church’s gym, in food programs, or in projects like Habitat for Humanity. The league has succeeded in bringing youth to the church. Half of the 70 teams last year were made up of senior high boys, and half or more of these players were not members of the churches for which they played. Some youth choose to play for a church team instead of their school team. Wonderful friendships form through the games. Teams from city and suburban churches get to know each other, and players build relationships with teammates, coaches, youth workers, and pastors. The story of Noah, an adopted Filipino high school student, is one example of the faith and love in this league. Noah has faced challenges all his life from a birth defect in his brain. He learned to love basketball and found tremendous support and friendship in his church team. His strength is in shooting, especially long shots. About five years ago in the tournament, the two finalist teams remained locked in a close game. In the final seconds, it was Noah who sank the ball from a long, half-court shot to win the tournament for his team. “That shows how great sport can be and how great people can be,” says Wold. For information on the Congregational Youth Basketball League, contact Pastor Dave Wold at 612-3301732 or <wold@augsburg.edu>; or David Wrightsman at the Urban Youth Ministry Project, 612-599-6911. 5 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 9 Sports Auggie women skate and tour in Italy, Austria Staff photo by Don Stoner M embers of the Augsburg College women’s hockey team took a trip of a lifetime during the Christmas holiday break, as they traveled to Italy and Austria, playing three games against local club teams and experiencing the beauty of the two countries. Ten Auggie players made the trip, along with head coach Jill Pohtilla, assistant coaches Barb Halbrehder and Bill Halbrehder, Augsburg staff, and several family members. The eight-day trip took the Auggies through the heart of northern Italy and to the historic cities of Florence and Rome. Members of the team raised money for two years to pay for the journey. “Having an opportunity to learn about another culture, first hand, is something the players will never forget,” Pohtilla said. “I had a similar opportunity playing hockey in Finland in 1980, and I will never forget some of the experiences I had.” On Dec. 29, after a day-long series of flights across the Atlantic, the Auggies arrived in Milan, met Marc Smith, their tour manager from GoPlay Sports Tours, and immediately began a day of sightseeing to help counteract the effects of jetlag. In Milan, Italy’s largest city, the team toured the Duomo, a stunning baroque cathedral with 3,400 statues and 135 spires, and walked across the city square to a huge downtown shopping area, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. After a night of needed rest in the nearby city of Bergamo, Augsburg was set to play its first game, against the Halloween Como team in the small town of Zanica. Women’s hockey in Italy is still in relative infancy, with only a handful of teams in the northern part of the country. So, with only nine skaters and a goalie, Augsburg was competitive against all of its opponents. In fact, Augsburg dispatched of 6 Members of the Augsburg women’s hockey team and others pose in front of the Colosseum in Rome. Front row (L to R) Jana Ford, Corrie Krzyska, assistant coach Barb Halbrehder, Kristin Johnson, Annie Annunziato, Maggie McDonald, Calla Lundquist, Britt Pennington, tour manager Marc Smith. Back row (L to R) Dale Ford, Jacob Ford, Molly Ford, Dottie Gilkerson, Christina Hughes, assistant coach Bill Halbrehder, head coach Jill Pohtilla, Kristin Opalinski ‘03; sports information coordinator Don Stoner, Stacy Anderson, Laura Prasek, athletic trainer Missy Strauch, Mari Johnson, Heidi Ford. Halloween Como by a 14-0 count. Freshman Stacy Anderson had a sixpoint day, with three goals and three assists, while senior Christina Hughes also had a hat trick (three goals). Senior Dottie Gilkerson, juniors Corrie Krzyska and Laura Prasek, and sophomores Calla Lundquist and Britt Pennington each scored two goals, while senior Annie Annunziato contributed assists. The team then moved on to the Alpine city of Bolzano, little city where the Auggies were then headquartered for three days. New Year’s Eve provided an incredible day and night of new experiences, including a two-hour bus ride deep into the Austrian Alps. As the team rode to Austria, jaws dropped at the stunning scenery of the Brenner Pass, one of Europe’s most famous trade routes. The team’s second game also provided a unique experience—a semi-outdoor rink in the small town of Kundl, Austria. The rink was enclosed, but two of the four sides were open to the elements. Many players said it was the first time they had played on an outdoor rink, which made for an interesting game. Like Italy, women’s hockey in Austria is also relatively new, but the Kundl Crocodiles provided some strong competition. The team even recruited other players from its league to play the Auggies, but in the end, the Minnesota players’ years of experience proved too much, as Augsburg won 6-0. Pennington was the star of the game, with a three-goal hat trick, with Gilkerson, Hughes, and Annunziato adding markers. Junior Jana Ford also got on the board for the Auggies with an assist. Augsburg outshot Kundl by a 2910 margin, with junior goalie Kristin Johnson getting her second straight shutout. “One of the funniest moments for me was when the Austrian team hosted a Winter 2003-04 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 10 the famed Trevi Fountain, you will Italy, the Bolzano Eagles. The return to Rome someday, and every game was played at the member of the Augsburg group threw Bolzano civic arena, the largest some coins in the water. hockey arena in the country, Augsburg’s final full day in Italy was with seating for more than a whirlwhind day of sightseeing across 7,000 spectators. Rome. Starting early, they toured the Augsburg scored three Colosseum, the fabled arena where goals in the first eight minutes gladiators battled before the emperors, of the game and claimed a 6-2 and traveled up the hill to the Roman victory to complete the trip. Forum, an archeological wonder from Anderson had her second hat ancient times. trick of the trip, with Prasek, From there, the group went to the Annunziato, and Krzyska Pantheon, the oldest complete structure adding goals. The Auggies Dottie Gilkerson (left) and Kristin Johnson (right) pose in Rome, a church of immense size and dominated from start to finish, with a member of the Kundl Crocodiles after Augsburg’s beauty. The day ended in the holiest of not allowing Bolzano’s goals 6-0 win in Kundl, Austria, on Dec. 31. sites, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, until the final two minutes of followed by a pizza dinner and a trip to the game. brief get-together after our game. The a gelato shop for some authentic Italian With the hockey complete, the language barrier was evident, and it ice cream. Auggies became tourists, as the journey took a line from Finding Nemo to break It was a trip filled with exciting went south into the fabled province of through. The players from both teams hockey, memorable sights, once-in-aTuscany. A night in the small city of knew the lines, ‘Keep swimming, keep lifetime moments, and an incredible Montecatini was followed by a day of swimming’ along with ‘Mine...mine... opportunity to come together as a team sightseeing in Florence, the city that mine.’ We all laughed hard about it,” in the process. spawned the Renaissance. Pohtilla said. From the Duomo church with its On the trip back to Bolzano, the Don Stoner is sports information unique “dome within a dome” design to team stopped for a couple of hours in coordinator and accompanied the team on the beautiful plazas, the Ponte Vecchio the Bavarian winter sports mecca of their trip. bridge and the stunning churches and Innsbruck, host city for two Winter public spaces, the day Olympic games. As the team arrived, a in Florence, while running race was taking place as part of short, was still the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, memorable. And providing a unique detour. several of the players Arriving back in Bolzano, the showed off their Auggies joined thousands of Italians at “power-shopping” the city’s soccer stadium for a grand skills as well. New Year’s Eve party, complete with Back on the bus bands, fireworks, and plenty of and the four-hour celebrating. journey to Rome New Year’s Day provided some of the where, yet again, the most incredible scenery of the trip, as scenery was the team traveled deep into the craggy outstanding at every high peaks of the Dolomite mountains, turn. The evening unique among the splinter ranges of the was spent in two of Alps. The cable car rides to the top of the most famous the mountain at a local ski area gave the places in Rome, the Auggies plenty of stunning views for Spanish Steps and the photo opportunities and time for Trevi Fountain. Jana Ford (2) and a Bolzano player pursue the puck during playing in the snow. Augsburg’s 6-2 victory over the HC Bolzano Eagles. Augsburg won According to legend, The next day, Augsburg had its last if you throw a coin in all three of its games against opponents from Italy and Austria, outscoring the foes by a 26-2 margin. game of the trip against the best team in Winter 2003-04 7 Staff photo Staff photo Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 11 AN ENORMOUS HONOR FOR DISCOVERY OF TINY PROTEINS PETER AGRE ’70, THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY by Betsey Norgard Augsburg’s focus on vocation centers on listening for and responding to a call in one’s life. Peter Agre’s illustrious career has exemplified this process of understanding one’s passions and talents, and discerning the work that would best use them in service to others. Last fall, Agre’s life was unexpectedly and dramatically changed by another call—a single telephone call that came at 5:30 in the morning on October 8. The voice on the other end spoke politely with a Swedish accent and informed him that he had won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2003. Since then, Agre’s life has been a whirlwind of travel, interviews, ceremonies, speeches, and thousands of e-mails. Highlights have been the Nobel week in Stockholm, honors at the White House, and, most recently, a hometown tribute befitting a high school and college hero. Agre is a Minnesota native, born in Northfield where his father taught chemistry at St. Olaf College. In 1959, Courtland Agre came to Augsburg as chemistry department chair, and within three years, with the help of new professors John Holum and Earl Alton, rebuilt and refurbished the department. Augsburg’s chemistry program then received the prestigious approval from the American Chemical Society. In his senior year at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Peter Agre was voted one of two most likely to succeed. He was not a focused student, however, and took more interest in the underground student newspaper than in his academic subjects. He refers to himself as a “handful” for his teachers. Already in his last year of high school, Agre began taking classes at Augsburg and then enrolled full time. Here he truly connected with several 8 Nobel winner Peter Agre returned to campus and visited the chemistry labs where he spent considerable time as a student in the late 1960s. Here, he chats with student Mike Starner about the day’s project. professors, most especially with John Holum in chemistry, and was able to complete a major in chemistry in twoand-a-half years, culminating in the decision to became a medical doctor. During medical school at Johns Hopkins University, Agre began gravitating toward research. “I wanted the kind of career where I could help people and do useful work that helped people—both as individual patients and by working on disease mechanisms,” Agre explains. “That’s what really got me into the science.” In his senior year in medical school, he began working in laboratories, rather than pursuing the advanced training of a specialty. After a three-year medical residency at Case Western Reserve University and a clinical fellowship at University of North Carolina, he returned to Johns Hopkins for a research fellowship in cell biology. In 1984 he joined the faculty and is now professor of biochemistry. It was his roommate in medical school who first connected him with a “hot” research lab on campus staffed by an international group of researchers, with whom he remains close. “It was actually the people doing science as much as the science that caught my interest,” Agre explains. “I never felt so excited about being with a group of individuals as with the people in this laboratory.” Some of these researchers traveled to Sweden to be with him at the Nobel ceremony. Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 12 Prize-winning research Agre was honored for his work in discovering the existence of proteins that he named “aquaporins,” that are responsible for the passage of water across cell membranes, a process essential to all living things. Agre’s discovery was a result of research serendipity—or “luck favoring the well-prepared,” as it was described in a Johns Hopkins press release. In 1991, while engaged in other research, his lab noticed a small, ubiquitous protein, which they isolated and cloned—and which later proved to be the longsought-after regulator of water movement across cells. (See sidebar on page 11). Agre shares the $1.3 million prize with Roderick MacKinnon, of Rockefeller University in New York, whose research studied similar questions of cell transport involving ions. Across the ocean and seven hours earlier, Augsburg students, staff, and faculty watched via live webcast the formal proceedings of the Nobel Prize Ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10. Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in Oslo, Norway), on Dec. 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, who bequeathed the endowment that funds the annual awards. For a week around this date, the 2003 laureates presented lectures, spoke at press conferences, made visits to academic and medical institutions in Scandinavia, and enjoyed the Nobel collegiality. Agre describes the week as “Cinderella-like, except at midnight everyone kept partying.” Agre received his gold medal at the The Nobel Prizes are awarded in highly formal prize ceremony, presented Stockholm, Sweden (except for the to him by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, surrounded by the royal family and prestigious academics. At the gala banquet, Agre presented a short “thank-you” speech on behalf of MacKinnon and himself (see p. 11). The Augsburg community was able to share in the festivities via a live webcast from Stockholm. In Christensen Center, a crowd gathered around a large computer Don Shelby (right), host of the afternoon show on WCCO radio, enjoyed a radio interview with Peter Agre and President Frame. monitor, under a A week in December Winter 2003-04 banner congratulating Agre, and cheered and clapped even while watching a very fuzzy screen image. Back home in Minnesota In February Agre returned to the Twin Cities for several days to visit his family, as well as to engage in yet another week of whirlwind activities and talks. His first stop in Minneapolis was at his high school alma mater, something he says he wanted to do for himself. His message to students there is one he repeated several more times during the week: “Whatever it is that captures your interest—you should go for it. There’s no limit in life. You can do whatever you want.” At Augsburg, to a filled Hoversten Chapel, Agre presented the same lecture about his research that he gave in Stockholm during Nobel Week. He likened the chance discovery of aquaporin water channels to that of driving along a gravel road in the middle of nowhere in northern Minnesota and suddenly coming upon a city of 200,000 people. “You think to yourself, ‘now this is really interesting,’ ” he quipped. While on campus, Agre had a chance 9 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 13 Agre and President William Frame testified before the Minnesota Senate Higher Education Budget Committee about the need for adequate funding for education. sequence of his findings that led to the aquaporin discovery and describing extensive research others have carried forward in expanding the knowledge and seeking medical applications. Courtland Agre was a chemist at 3M before and after his teaching career, working with a team of scientists to develop synthetic adhesives, and Peter Agre acknowledged that connection. Later, at the State Capitol, Agre appeared with President Frame before the Senate Higher Education Budget Committee to plead the need for science education and adequate funding for research and education. “Research is what lifts us,” Agre told the senators, and “no one is willing to pay for excellent research.” Without it, for example, he said, no new antibiotics can be developed to combat the growing immunity to current drugs. This critical research, especially in Third World countries, is not the kind of profitable research drug companies seek. With the image projected on a large screen beside him, Peter Agre presented his research on “aquaporins” to over 600 employees as part of Tech Forum series at 3M. to greet several of his former Augsburg professors—chemistry professors John Holum and Arlin Gyberg, math professor Henry Follingstad, and biology professor Ralph Sulerud, among others—and reiterated their contribution to shaping his science interests and career direction. During the week the Agre family also gathered on campus, a homecoming for 10 a number of Agre Auggies. Of Courtland and Ellen Agre’s six children, four are Augsburg graduates: Annetta Agre Anderson ’69; Peter ’70; James ’72, who serves on the Science Advisory Board; and Mark ’81. Courtland Agre died in 1995. At 3M’s Tech Forum, Agre spoke to a crowd of 600 or more, presenting the Cheerleading for science Agre enthusiastically talks about using his public forum this year to advocate for science education and the necessity for every person to be educated in science. With science an integral part of 21stcentury life, he stresses the importance Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 8:21 AM Page 13 PETER AGRE’S ‘THANK-YOU’ REMARKS ✷ DECEMBER 10, 2003 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Guests: AQUAPORINS Written in 1895, Alfred Nobel’s will endowed prizes for scientific research in physics, chemistry, and medicine. At that time, these fields were narrowly defined, and researchers were often classically trained in only one discipline. In the late 19th century, knowledge of science was not a requisite for success in other walks of life. Indeed, the 19th century painter James McNeil Whistler achieved artistic immortality despite failing chemistry at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an experience which he remembered with amusement saying, “Had silicon been a gas, I would have been a major general.” But the depth of science has increased dramatically, and Alfred Nobel would be astonished by the changes. Now in the 21st century, the boundaries separating physics, chemistry, and medicine have become blurred, and as happened during the Renaissance, scientists are following their curiosities even when they run beyond the formal limits Peter Agre, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry, used the opportunity when speaking on behalf of the two chemistry of their training. At the same winners, to laud and praise science teachers for their role in time, the need for general creating interest for their students. scientific understanding by the public has never been larger, and the penalty for scientific illiteracy never harsher. In his masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the 1982 [Nobel] literature prize, describes the isolated village of Macondo where the inhabitants suffer from their own naiveté, trading their hard-earned gold to gypsies for what they believe to be amazing inventions—a magnet, a magnifying glass, and even an enormous, transparent crystal that fascinated them being so cold it was painful to touch. What they regarded as the greatest invention of their time was only a block of ice. In a way, the inhabitants of Macondo resemble contemporary individuals without any background in science. Lack of scientific fundamentals causes people to make foolish decisions about issues such as the toxicity of chemicals, the efficacy of medicines, the changes in the global climate. Our single greatest defense against scientific ignorance is education, and early in the life of every scientist, the child’s first interest was sparked by a teacher. Ladies and gentlemen: please join Dr. Roderick MacKinnon and me in applauding not the Nobel laureates but the heroes behind past, present, and future Nobel prizes— the men and women who teach science to children in our schools. Tack så mycket. © The Nobel Foundation, 2003 Winter 2003-04 a chance discovery © 2003, The Nobel Foundation. Photo by Hans Mehlin. NOBEL BANQUET Water comprises about 70 percent of the human body and is constantly passing across cell walls. Peter Agre was the first to identify the particular protein that serves as the channel through which the water passes. It was a discovery of chance for Agre’s lab team. While researching blood cells, they noticed a commonly reoccurring mystery protein. It was a colleague of Agre’s who suggested that this might be the long-soughtafter water channel. By isolating, cloning, and introducing this protein into frog eggs, Agre’s team was able to confirm that it, indeed, allowed passage of water—and Agre named it Aquaporin-1. Since then, research around the world has explored the presence of additional aquaporins—or “water pores”—and extensively documented their existence in bacteria, plants, and mammals. Not all are equally understood, however. Agre quips that a particular one, Aquaporin-6, was “sent by God for our hubris in saying that we understand these proteins.” While Agre’s research does not yield immediate cures or treatments for disease, it has exploded the understanding of what he dubs this “molecular plumbing system” and provided explanations for physiological processes at sub-disease states. As Agre says, “We have the answer—now what is the question?” From here, research will focus on application of this information in studying a wide variety of diseases— kidney diseases, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Sjogren’s Syndrome, among them. Beyond that, Agre says that the research can also benefit biotechnology, and even agriculture. 11 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 8:21 AM Page 14 receiving something in translation. In his banquet speech at the Nobel Ceremony, Agre stated that “Our single greatest defense against scientific ignorance is education.” He then applauded the role of teachers, whom he called the “heroes behind past, present, and future Nobel prizes.” (See the full text of this speech on p. 11.) When talking with young people, he also encourages them to identify their heroes. One of Agre’s heroes he enjoys talking about is Nobel chemistry and Peace Prize laureate Linus Pauling, the eminent scientist whose unwavering opposition to nuclear testing led the fight to pass the limited test ban treaty. Pauling stayed with the Agre family while speaking in Minneapolis when Agre was a teenager, and the strong social conscience of the renowned scientist profoundly impacted Agre. Agre is taking advantage of his Nobel stature to speak out on issues affecting science research, especially against restrictions placed on research as a result of the war on terrorism. Together with other Nobel laureates, he has advocated on behalf of a former professor, Thomas Butler, who faced 69 felony charges and massive fines for the mishandling that he voluntarily reported of plague samples used in bioterror research. of being able to evaluate the validity of daily news, statements from government officials, and so on. People without science background are “totally at the mercy of the government or big companies that tell them a particular pollutant is not dangerous,” Agre says. Equally worrisome to Agre is the situation where decisions about foreign policy, such as signing the Kyoto Accord, are made by lawyers with no scientific background. Even though there are scientific advisors, he sees it as similar to 12 Learning for life In summing up, Agre believes that although science is important, liberal arts are critical to educate people in many different areas for a lifetime. He told the Senate higher education committee, “All the good in my life happened because of my education.” He believes that “part of being educated is learning that we learn our whole lives, and we need to … have some background in different cultures, study abroad.” Agre told the press that “the difference between laureates and the general public is that when we get up in the morning we really long to be at work.” That’s a statement of calling. ■ Courtland Agre taught chemistry at Augsburg for 17 years, from 1959 to his retirement in 1976. He also enjoyed an illustrious career in industry at both DuPont and 3M in the early research around synthetic adhesives. Agre revitalized Augsburg’s chemistry department and was recognized for his programs that brought high school students to campus. Under his leadership, Augsburg’s department received initial approval from the American Chemical Society. Agre’s last visit to campus was at Homecoming in 1995 when Peter Agre was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. Courtland Agre died a few weeks later, in October 1995, from cancer. His wife, Ellen, when interviewed about Peter’s Nobel Prize, told Minnesota Public Radio her daughter said that before his death, Courtland had stated that one day Peter was going to win the Nobel Prize. “Courtland would be rejoicing,” Ellen Agre told the interviewer. Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 8:22 AM Page 15 1 5 2 6 3 7 1 E. Milton Kleven ’46 and his daughter, Barbara Kleven Birky, are among the attendees at the dinner in honor of Peter Agre. 2 Bill and Kathy Urseth posed for a photo with Agre. 3 Augsburg regent James Haglund and his wife, Kathy, exchanged greetings with the Nobel Prize laureate. 4 Proud mother Ellen Agre enjoys the light moments of Peter’s presentation in the campus convocation about his research. 5 After his convocation in Hoversten Chapel, a throng of people waited to greet the Nobel laureate, including Philip Quanbeck Sr., to Agre’s left. 6 Agre reminisced with Professor Henry Follingstad, his former mathematics teacher, as members of the Department of Chemistry looked on. Clockwise, from lower left: Professor Joan Kunz, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Professor Arlin Gyberg, who taught Agre as a student; Professor Sandra Olmsted ’69, chemistry department chair; chemistry student Monica Koukal; and Follingstad. 4 Winter 2003-04 7 Dean Malotky ’71 (center) and Peter Agre were a year apart in the chemistry department. Cheryl (Rogalla) Malotky ’72 (left) looks on as they talked. 13 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 17 DISHING UP RECIPES FOR LEARNING AND SERVING by Betsey Norgard photos by Stephen Geffre Winter 2002-03 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 18 AS ANYONE WHO COOKS KNOWS, finding creative ways to combine ingredients is a challenge. In the Campus Kitchen at Augsburg, students receive surplus food from the College’s food service and other local food banks and transform these various ingredients into healthy and tasty meals for neighborhood residents in shelters and community programs. Augsburg is one of six campuses in the country to join The Campus Kitchens ProjectSM, a leadership development program of DC Central Kitchen. The project focuses on making use of recycled food, students in servicelearning, and teaching food preparation skills to the unemployed. It is also a great opportunity for volunteers from the campus and the community to combine talents. The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg opened in October with President and Mrs. Frame cooking the first meals under the direction of Augsburg’s Sodexho food staff. About 60 volunteers have been involved weekly since then, serving 100 to 300 meals—a total of more than 2,400 meals in the five months. Two or three nights a week, a team of LEFT PAGE, TOP—Freshman Nicholas Stuber (center) is one of the Augsburg Seminar (AugSem) students who worked in the Campus Kitchen as part of his religion and history classes. LEFT PAGE, CENTER—First-year students learn about the new Campus Kitchen at Augsburg. Front row (L to R): Chelsea Hosch, Megan Christensen, and Emily Squadroni. Back row (L to R): Micah Lenthe, Ted Toborg, Tayton Eggenberger, and Marisa Navarro LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT—Campus Kitchen supervisor Abby Flottemesch (right) and volunteer Bill Ogren ‘73 spoon out browned meat for the recipe being cooked up that evening LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM RIGHT—Senior Josh Reichow scoops out cans of chili as part of the meal he is making in the Campus Kitchen at Augsburg, with senior Rhia Gronberg working in the background. Up to 300 meals per week are delivered to neighborhood community programs. Winter 2003-04 Doug Klunk (center), Sodexho food service director at Augsburg, explains the kitchen facilities to the first-year Augsburg Seminar students who will be working in the Campus Kitchen program. volunteers assesses the food ingredients available that day, and cooks up meals of entrees, desserts, soups, etc. The next day another volunteer team delivers the food to one of three neighborhood agencies— Safe Place at Trinity Lutheran Church, the Brian Coyle Center Kids College, Catholic Charities’ Secure Waiting Place, and Peace House. “One thing I will never forget is just the look on their faces when they see that we have brought them some food,” said freshman Jennifer Ramos. “Along with being happy about the food, they are excited to see us.” Volunteers spend time at the centers after delivering the meals to get to know the people being served. One of Augsburg’s first-year seminars, or AugSem, included a service-learning component in the Campus Kitchen into paired religion and history classes. History professor Phil Adamo teaches Beginning of Western Culture, where students study how resources are collected, distributed, and controlled. Preparing and delivering the meals gave his students some first-hand understanding of how the process works. Project director Abby Flottemesch also helps the students organize additional activities—clothing drives, special events, and projects. In February, the student volunteers prepared a Valentine’s Day meal for teen parents and their children at the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis. The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg developed from the collaboration of the Center for Service, Work, and Learning and Sodexho, the College’s food service provider. “It’s a natural extension of our community service-learning interests,” President William Frame recently told the Minneapolis Star Tribune, adding that it fit Augsburg’s mission to be an “active citizen in the neighborhoods.” In addition to fulfilling their AugSem requirements, first-year students learn the broader lessons embodied in the Campus Kitchens motto—“Teach, Reach, Feed, Lead.” “At the end of the day I feel better knowing that I have made an impact on someone’s life,” says Ramos. ■ 15 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 19 CCO ONONCNANE CMTNPI NUGSE C T I N G —a home for Hispanic/Latino students by Betsey Norgard • photos by Stephen Geffre IN 2003, Augsburg’s Hispanic/Latino Student Services program celebrated its 10th anniversary. Established in 1993, it is the newest of the four programs that provide services for ethnic populations at the College. During its first decade, the program grew from the initial 13 students served to over 40 students who now receive assistance and academic support in areas of admissions, financial aid/scholarships, registration procedures, academic advising, personal counseling, and advocacy. The students also receive help to obtain internships, employment, and community referrals. While most activity in the program involves the day students, weekend and graduate students also take advantage of services on campus and community networking. Augsburg’s program is growing at the same time the Hispanic/Latino population in the state of Minnesota is experiencing a triple-digit percentage increase, according to the 2000 census data. The College’s location in the heart of the Twin Cities makes it accessible to Hispanic/Latino youth of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Augsburg’s commitment to a diverse student body enables it to offer the financial and academic resources to reach these students. Of the more than 40 students served this year, 12 are international students, while more than double that number come from the Twin Cities metro area. Eloisa Echávez, who received her 16 Dulce Monterrubio, from Mexico City, is both a senior international relations major and an enrollment counselor in the Enrollment Center. bachelor’s degree in 1994 and master’s degree in educational leadership in 1998, was the program’s founder and director for its first six years. She is now executive director of La Oportunidad, Inc., a St. Paul community agency. “During this time, I witnessed first hand how the support that Hispanic/ Latino students received made a great impact,” Echávez states. “I saw [them] grow in every area of their lives, carrying proudly Augsburg’s mission and becoming leaders in their respective communities.” For three years, Hispanic/Latino students have participated in Scholastic Connections, a College scholarship program that pairs students of color with alumni of color in mentoring Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 20 relationships. Adela Arguello, a junior from Nicaragua, double-majoring in finance and economics, is one of three students currently “connected” to an alumni mentor. ”This scholarship has been one of the instruments that has made possible the great experience of having a college education in the U.S.,” she says. “My mentor, Diane Love-Scott, and her husband, Rick, have both been great mentors and great friends in the past two years.” Love-Scott, who graduated in 1998 and now is a social worker for Hennepin County, was one of the first students involved in the program and speaks about its impact. “Getting connected to the Latino program and being part of its development was an honor. … Since there only were a handful of Latino students, it felt like we were a family. The Latino program allowed for a group of students to be heard and recognized that otherwise would simply just have ‘blended’,” she says. Plus, becoming active in the Latino group helps students connect with other activities on campus. “My involvement with campus life was greatly attributed to my participation in the Hispanic/Latino SCHOLASTIC CONNECTIONS Students Renzo and Robert Amaya Torres (second and third from left) and Adela Arguello (second from right) and mentors (left to right) Franklin Taweh, Eloisa Echávez, Maria R. Johnson, and Diane Love-Scott are part of the Scholastic Connections program, pairing students of color with alumni mentors. Hispanic/Latino program director Emiliano Chagil stands at the right. Student Association,” says Juliana Martinez, who graduated last year with an MIS major and business minor. “As a transfer student, it can be difficult to approach other organizations and find common grounds with its members. By founding this student organization, the Hispanic/Latino Student Services [program] opened the doors to host and support events together.” In 2001, Augsburg was recognized as a “2001 Educator of Distinction” by Saludos Hispanos, a Los Angeles-based career and education magazine and Web site for its efforts in outreach and Speaking on behalf of the mentors at the annual Scholastic Connections dinner, Diane Love-Scott ’98 commented that “a lot of the people sitting at these tables are a big part of what I am today.” Winter 2003-04 recruitment. Included in that are the College’s efforts to provide financial aid and scholarships above and beyond what is available through normal state and federal sources. Senior Victor Acosta received federal funding and academic support that are helping him excel as a physics major. He is the recipient of a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for math and science students and has spent two summers engaged in research funded by the National Science Foundation. Part of the College’s and program mission is to help students prepare for Juniors Renzo and Robert Amaya Torres, twin brothers from Colombia, spoke on behalf of scholarship recipients at the Thanksgiving reception for scholarship donors last November. 17 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 21 jobs in the workplace. Martinez found a position as a technology coordinator at a St. Paul community development center. Charles Barton, a 2003 graduate in education, who has been featured in a continuing series in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, has decided to bide his time until the right teaching job opens up. In the meantime, he mentors at-risk kids and manages a before- and after-school program at a metro-area school. Students from the various Hispanic/Latino countries bring their cultural traditions to Augsburg’s campus life. During Hispanic Heritage Month, mid-September to mid-October, a series of community speakers and presentations focused on cultural traditions and social issues in Mexico, and Central and South America. Each year in Chapel during Advent, the Hispanic/Latino students present Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and search for lodging. The campus community joins in singing the procession along, and then celebrates with the festive breaking of a piñata. Program director Emiliano Chagil believes that Augsburg will grow as a resource to the burgeoning Hispanic population. Augsburg’s weekend program is especially suited to help working adults in the Hispanic community complete an undergraduate education— the dream of many immigrants seeking better lives for their families. He credits ABOVE—Hispanic/Latino students and others in Augsburg’s chapel joined to sing the traditional songs of the celebration of Las Posadas that reenacted Mary and Joseph’s journey to find lodging for the Christmas night. LEFT—Emiliano Chagil, Hispanic/Latino Student Services director, congratulates Charles Barton as he graduated with a major in education last May 18 the support of the administration, especially that of Ann Garvey, associate dean for student affairs, in helping shape the direction of the ethnic programs. Chagil, a native of Guatemala who came to the Twin Cities in 1980, has a master’s degree in theology from the University of St. Thomas School of Divinity and considers himself a testament to what is possible. “The world is a wonderful world, but one must have faith, and believe in one’s self and trust others that our mission on Earth to better creation can only be accomplished with a community,” Chagil says. “Education is the right guidance for the journey. Our nation is waiting for leadership and one must consider the challenge. As commonly said in Spanish, ‘Dios primero,’-— ‘Let God be first.’ ” ■ CONNECTING ON CAMPUS CONNECTING ON CAMPUS CONNECTING ON CAMPUS CONNECTING ON CAMPUS CONNECTING Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 22 AUGSBURG A K E T O F A M I LY A F F A I R Winter 2003-04 many of his games, and is already looking forward to next year’s season. Outside of basketball, although Alex and Kevin attend classes on the same campus they hardly see each other. Alex’s MAL classes meet every other weekend, and Kevin studies during the week. Even so, they still find time to meet or talk every now and then—as when they needed to clear a mix-up on their e-mails. One of Kevin’s professors, unaware that Charles Walbridge When considering their options for higher education, this father and son duo from Forest Lake, Minn., had no intention of attending the same college. However, the educational paths of Alex and Kevin Keto led them both down different roads to Augsburg College. Alex, who is currently a marketing manager for Wendy’s International, Inc., came to Augsburg in September 2002 to enroll in the College’s Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program. He had been planning to pursue graduate education after his son completed high school, and wanted something different than an M.B.A. Augsburg’s MAL focus on leadership intrigued him as different from other comparable college programs. Believing that “you can never stop learning,” he felt he had found a “perfect fit” at Augsburg. He feels the leadership aspect of the program will benefit him in his job and give him a competitive edge. “I hope to take what I know,” he says, “and add some leadership to incorporate mentoring to develop some kind of leadership program.” Alex’s son, Kevin, choose a different road to Augsburg, which was in no way influenced by his father. Kevin entered Augsburg as a freshman last fall. A graduate of Forest Lake High School, he was involved in community service through the National Honor Society (NHS) and was the point guard on the varsity basketball team. As a team member and co-captain, he helped run basketball camps for younger players. Kevin’s college selection pointed Augsburg’s way because he wanted to attend a school that had diversity, that was in the city, and where he could continue to play basketball. To his great joy, he made the varsity team in his first year and found that college basketball was a new experience he really enjoyed. He also enjoyed having Alex in the stands at Stephen Geffre by Rebecca Welle ’04 Father and son Alex and Kevin Keto enjoy a rare moment together on campus. Both are Augsburg students, but their class schedules rarely overlap. Freshman guard Kevin Keto was drawn to Augsburg as a school in the city where he could continue playing basketball—and have his father in the stands for many games. Kevin was not the only Keto on campus, e-mailed him with praise for a paper he wrote, asking if it could be shared with the class. Much to the professor’s surprise, the e-mail went to Alex, who wrote back explaining the confusion. The professor than e-mailed Alex back thanking him for setting everything straight and complimenting the work of his son. Although Alex plans to complete his degree in the next year, Kevin will not be far behind. Because of advanced placement courses in high school, he is on an accelerated pace in his college studies. He has continued his service work from high school and is currently volunteering as a tutor for Somali children as part of his Christian vocation class. Kevin has already accepted a position for next year as a resident assistant in Urness Hall, where he will help new freshman find their way around new classes, a new campus, and new experiences. ■ Becky Welle is a senior communications major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communication. 19 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 23 AAlumni LUMNINews NEWS From the Alumni Board president’s desk… T hese are exciting times for Augsburg College and Augsburg alumni. Several months ago, the College launched the “Transforming Education” marketing campaign. Billboards, radio and magazine advertisements, and the Augsburg Web site reflect that which all Augsburg alumni know: “Be yourself at Augsburg, and leave completely changed.” One alumnus who exemplifies the transforming nature of an Augsburg education is Peter Agre ’70. Shortly after the campaign was launched, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Peter was one of two winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (see the feature story on p. 8 for details). Peter’s award is a fantastic honor and all Augsburg alumni can be proud of his achievement. Peter’s honor has personal meaning for me. While a senior at Augsburg, I traveled to Baltimore in the spring of 1984 to visit the Johns Hopkins University where I would matriculate in the School of Medicine that fall. Peter, early in his career at the time, warmly welcomed me to the city and into his home. He gave me an exhaustive tour of the city and the medical school and introduced me to many of his colleagues. Later, Peter was my teacher and mentor on the clinical wards. Despite his busy schedule, Peter always had time to talk and reminisce (especially about Minnesota and Augsburg). He was a terrific mentor and later a good friend and colleague. Congratulations, Peter! In Alumni Board news, Dan Anderson ’65, who joined the Alumni Board last year, recently accepted appointment to the Augsburg Board of Regents. One of Dan’s primary roles on the Board of Regents will be to represent the Alumni Board and alumni. Dan is a dedicated supporter of the College, and this appointment will surely benefit the entire Augsburg community. These truly are exciting times for Augsburg and its alumni. Within a Christian context, the College remains committed to an education that is academically excellent and “transforming.” One measure of the “transforming” nature of an Augsburg education is alumni participation in the affairs of the College. Indeed, alumni have not only increased their participation in alumni events, but have also increased their giving of time, talents, and financial gifts to Augsburg. On behalf of the Alumni Board, I thank you for your generosity! Paul S. Mueller ’84, M.D. President, Alumni Board A ugsburg alumni are invited to explore Lutheran heritage in Germany and Eastern Europe in a tour sponsored by the Alumni Association, October 15-27. This custom created travel program features the places of Martin Luther’s life and ministry in the German cities of Wittenberg and Eisleben, as well as a special worship service at the American Church of Berlin, where Augsburg alumnus Rev. Ben Coltvet ’66 is currently pastor. The itinerary also includes visits to Dresden and Leipzig, as well as to two of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities, Prague and Budapest. In addition, tour participants will have an opportunity to interact with the local Lutheran community in 20 Bratislava, Slovakia, where the Lutheran church dates back to the 16th century. Augsburg professor Dr. Mark Tranvik and his wife, Ann, will host this tour from the Twin Cities. Tranvik has taught reformation history at Augsburg for 10 years and has recently visited the places of Martin Luther’s life in Germany. Pre-registration is required by June 15. A tour information and education meeting will be held May 16 at 2 p.m. in the Christensen Center (Century Room). A tour brochure is available for download in the Alumni News section of the Now Online at <www.augsburg.edu/now>. For further Czech Tourist Authority Alumni tour features Lutheran heritage in Germany and Eastern Europe information, contact Alumni/Parent Relations at 612-330-1178 or <alumni@augsburg.edu>. Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 24 Second annual Connections event a success T SUMMER AUGGIE HOURS Auggie Hours are held the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Please join us! Staff photo he second annual Connections—A Women’s Leadership Event, cosponsored by Augsburg College and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, was held January 31. It was an inspirational morning for over 130 participants including more than 25 current Augsburg students. “What makes this women’s event unique compared to others is that we invite students to participate in this leadership development opportunity so The second annual Connections—A Women’s Leadership Event in January was a successful and they may network and be encouraged inspiring morning for over 130 participants. The by the experiences and stories of the presenters, pictured above, were: Front row (L to amazing women who attend,” said Sue R): Annette Minor, Tammera Ericson ’93, Julie Sabo ’90 (Back row): Anne Frame, Jennifer Martin, Klaseus, vice president of Augsburg’s I. Shelby Andress ’56, Jennifer Grimm ’99. Institutional Advancement and Community Relations. challenges of working in traditionally Presenters included Jennifer Grimm ’99, male-dominated industries, finding balance international recording artist; Jennifer between work and parenting, living a life Martin, senior vice president for corporate of service, igniting your passion to follow administration at Thrivent and an your dreams, achieving financial security, Augsburg Board of Regents member; Anne dealing with grief after caring for a Frame, a financial consultant and Augsburg terminally ill loved one, and more. leader; Annette Minor, attorney and In addition, participants were given the consultant with HD Minor, LLC; Tammera opportunity to break into smaller groups Ericson ’93, attorney and member of the for networking at roundtable conversations Columbia Heights City Council; Julie Sabo led by a host committee made up of ’90, former MN senator; and I. Shelby women leaders throughout the community, Andress ’56, consultant and owner of I. many of whom were Augsburg alumnae. Shelby Andress, Inc. Watch for details of the third annual Presentations were wide-ranging and event in upcoming issues of the Augsburg included motivational discussions of the Now! A-Club and AWAC merge A ugsburg’s two alumni athletics organizations—A-Club and the Augsburg Women’s Athletic Club (AWAC)—merged in November. This new joint venture unites all resources, talent, and passion into a single cause directed at supporting the success of Augsburg athletics. On the immediate horizon, the new A-Club will be a major fundraising force for the proposed South Wing expansion of Si Melby Hall. The project is an important and necessary step in upgrading facilities for all students, staff, Winter 2003-04 physical education majors, and intercollegiate athletes. Look for an expanded story about the merger in the spring/summer issue of the Augsburg Now. The new A-Club’s first joint golf tournament is June 28 at the 27-hole Pebble Creek course in Becker, Minn. Proceeds from this annual event underwrite various A-Club activities, including the Hall of Fame banquet. Contact the Athletics office at 612-330-1249 for more information. May Toby’s on the Lake, Oakdale June Solera, Downtown Minneapolis July Dock Café, Stillwater August Bar Abilene, Uptown Minneapolis 2004 Alumni Directory T he 2004 Augsburg Alumni Directory is underway. Have you returned your questionnaire or contacted the publisher (Harris) toll-free to verify your information? If you did not receive your questionnaire or have questions, contact Alumni/Parent Relations at 612-330-1178 or 1-800-260-6590 or e-mail <alumni@augsburg.edu>. Lutheran Free Church celebration A celebration of the tradition and heritage of the Lutheran Free Church is planned for Sat., June 12. All alumni are welcome to attend this special day of worship, “singspiration,” testimonials, lectures, and conversation. Preregistration is required by June 1; contact Alumni/Parent Relations for more information at 612-330-1178 or <alumni@augsburg.edu>. 21 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 25 HOMECOMING 2003 photos by Stephen Geffre Robert Stacke ’71, Augsburg associate professor of music, led the pep band at the Homecoming football game. Stan Waldhauser Members of the Class of 1993 gathered before the football game for a tailgating party to celebrate their 10-year reunion. The Augsburg Spirit Squad cheered the Auggies on to their victory over Carleton College. Fans expressed their Auggie pride at the Homecoming football game. 22 Knut Hoversten ’30 (right) and his family were honored with the 2003 Distinguished Service Award. Since Knut’s graduation from Augsburg in 1930, more than 40 members of the extended Hoversten family have also attended, including the family’s most recent Augsburg graduate, Kari Lucin ’03 (left). Students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered for the second annual Homecoming reception celebrating Augsburg’s four ethnic programs: the American Indian, Pan-Asian, Pan-Afrikan, and Hispanic/Latino student service areas. Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 26 Charles Walbridge Brenda Henrickson Capek ’63 gathered with fellow alumni and faculty at the psychology department’s 40th anniversary celebration and reunion. Staff photo Jeremiah Knabe and Katie Scheevel were crowned 2003 Homecoming King and Queen. Senior Jamie Smith, Auggie wide receiver, helped lead Augsburg to a 19-0 victory over Carleton College. Joel Nelson ’85 joined fellow alumni and faculty of biology, chemistry, math, physics, and psychology at the science alumni gathering. Staff photo Jane Jeong Trenka ’95 and Aaron Gabriel ’00 read their work at the English department’s wine and cheese reading and reunion. Trenka’s book, The Language of Blood: A Memoir (Borealis Books), is nominated for two Minnesota Book Awards and was chosen by the Barnes & Noble Discover New Writers Program as a fall 2003 selection. Ertwin Jones-Hermerding ’69 (pictured above) and the Rev. Hans G. Dumpys ’56 were honored at Homecoming Dinner as recipients of the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award. Other honorees included Tammera Ericson ’93 with the First Decade Award and both John Benson ’55 and Sigvald V. Hjelmeland ’41 with Spirit of Augsburg awards. Winter 2003-04 The Rev. Hans G. Dumpys ’56 (right), 2003 Distinguished Alumnus, enjoyed conversation following the Homecoming chapel service, which celebrated the golden anniversary Class of 1953 and featured guest speaker Rev. Arthur Rimmereid ’53. 23 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 27 2003 HOMECOMING 1953 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CLASS OF 1953 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Beverly Nystuen Carlsen, Gloria Parizek Thorpe, Darlyne Deem Lamb, Ruth Ringstad Larson, Marilyn Elness Froiland, Gloria Ostrem Sawai, Ruth Aaskov, Erland E. Carlson. Row 2: Don Dillon, Dorothy Strommen Christopherson, Dorothy Skonnord Petersen, Betty Manger Anderson, Helen Lodahl Amabile, Eleanor Baker Dahle, Phyllis Vik Swanson. Row 3: Leroy (Roy) Petterson, Donovan Lundeen, Jerome Engseth, Donald Oren, Dave Rykken, Joseph Vahtinson, Lorne Hill, James Hamre. Row 4: Duane Christensen, Quentin Goodrich, Bill Oudal, Art Rimmereid, Roy Dorn, Herman Egeberg, Mark Raabe, Arthur Shultz, Howard “Howie” Pearson. 1963 CLASS OF 1963 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Diane Lindberg Lee, Joyce Gustafson Hauge, Barbra Beglinger Larson, Brenda Henrickson Capek, Paul Rasmussen, Jerelyn Hovland Cobb, Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen, Nancy Joubert Raymond. Row 2: Marilyn Peterson Haus, Sara Halvorson Strom, Karen Tangen Mattison, Mary Jo Cherne Holmstrand, Mary Lower Farmer, Judy Hess Larsen, Faith Bakken Friest, Linda Johnson Merriam. Row 3: William Kallestad, Janet Evenson Potratz, Ron Starkey, Roger Bevis, Ellen Vlede Meliza, Brad Holt, Carol Anderson McCuen. Row 4: John Wanner, Glenn Peterson, Morris Bjuulin, Donald Gjesfjeld, David Steenson, Wayne Christiansen. 24 Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 28 1978 CLASS OF 1978 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Kevin Hoversten, Dennis Meyer, Jennifer Abeln Kahlow, Ellen Wessel Schuler, Debbie Zillmer Hoppe, Donadee Melly Peterson, Noreen Walen Thompson, Louise Dahl Wood. Row 2: Jonathan Moren, Bonnie Lamon Moren, Amy Jo Thorpe Swenson, Cindy Peterson, Lora Thompson Sturm, Susan Shaninghouse, Bev Ranum Meyer, Paula Winchester Palermo, Holly Crane Smith, Cynthy Mandl. Row 3: Tom Wingard, John Karason, Roberta Aitchison Olson, Dawn Heil Taylor, Kim Strickland, Julie Rasmussen, Kris Iverson Slemmons, Joel Hoeger, Steve Thompson. Row 4: Rick Swenson, David Backman, Eric Spore, David Wilhelm, Richard Swanson, Connie Lamon Priesz, Jerry Wood. Recipients of Augsburg’s DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD HOVERSTEN FAMILY (bottom left, L to R) Row 1 (seated): Chris Busch, Weston Busch, Tim Larson, Holly Mell, Janet Reily, Katelyn Mell, Megan Mell, Craig Mell. Row 2: Sister Mary Colleen Hoversten OSF, Garfield Hoversten, JoAnn Downing Osborne, Julianne Melll, Knut Hoversten, Chrestena Fixen, Marguerite Haster Hoversten, Phyllis Hoversten. Row 3: Lenice Gadmundson Hoversten, Joan Novy Hoversten, Kermit Hoversten, Ruth Hammer Hoversten, Jill Nafstad, Wendy Larson, Clara Amundson, Bernice Digre, Elizabeth Bade, Karina Peterson, Linda Singer, Chester Hoversten, Loretta Pletan Hoversten. Row 4: Allen Hoversten, Peter Hoversten, Francis Hoversten, Norman Mell, Kevin Hoversten, Chet T. Hoversten, Clenora Hoversten, Marjorie Hoversten, Paul Larson, Vincent Hoversten, Clifford Digre, Annette Hoversten Hanson, Clarence Hoversten, Lorna Hoversten, Roger Larson, Elise Larson, Tom Hoversten. Row 5: Kari Lucin, Gregg Nafstad, Andrew Busch, Laurie Busch, Kyle Hoversten, Shannon Swanson Hoversten, Tim Hoversten, Karla Singer, Pattie Sausser, Philip Hoversten, Jon Hoversten. Winter 2003-04 25 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 29 CLASS NOTES Class Notes Raymond Klym, Bloomington, Minn., was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the Minneapolis South High School Wall of Honor in April. He can be reached at <rklym@netzero.net>. 1948 Clarence “Bobb” L. Miller, Coral Gables, Fla., was elected to the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1995 and the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1997, both in Holyoke, Mass. 1953 Leland Fairbanks and his wife, Eunice, were honored by the mayor of Tempe, Ariz., when he declared August 16, 2003, as “Dr. Leland and Eunice Fairbanks 50th Anniversary Day” in tribute of their golden anniversary and their service to Tempe. Gloria (Ostrem) Sawai received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Canada’s Augustana University College 2003 Homecoming celebration in October. 1954 John “Jack” E. Seaver, Edgerton, Wis., is enjoying retirement with his wife, Lois. He can be contacted via e-mail at <loisseaver@msn.com>. 1957 Stanley B. Baker, Raleigh, N.C., published the fourth edition of School Counseling for the Twenty-First Century (co-authored by Edwin R. Gerler Jr.) by Pearson Prentice Hall publishers. The new edition features online 26 lessons and an Internet site. Baker is a professor of counselor education at North Carolina State University. 1959 Don C. Olson traveled to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, in August; it was his seventh year traveling as a mission worker. 1961 Kenneth J. Manske, Asheville, N.C., is a retired professor of chemistry from Mars Hill College. He and his wife, Janet, can be reached at <kjm39@charter.net>. Nellie Jones von Arx, Farmingville, N.Y., retired in June from Sunrise Medical Labs where she was a microbiology supervisor for 16 years. Prior work included 15 years as microbiology supervisor at North Shore University Hospital in Glen Cove, N.Y.; 10 years in medical technology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Minneapolis; and over two years in U.S. Peace Corps, Sabah, Malaysia. 1968 Frank Lawatsch, Benson, Minn., is hospital administrator at Swift County-Benson Hospital, which was recently honored as one of the top 100 rural hospitals in America. Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and president of the Lutheran World Federation, wrote a commentary published in the Oct. 18, 2003, St. Paul Pioneer Press (“Pope has been a fighter for Christian unity”) celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II. Hanson met with the pope last spring. Diane Tiedeman, Richfield, Minn., is enjoying her retirement from teaching for Bloomington Public Schools. She likes spending time with family and friends, planting flowers, and taking care of her lawn. 1970 Ray Hanson, Sterling, Va., received a “Lightning Award” from ITT Industries AES Division. He also celebrated the marriage of his daughter in June. 1971 Barbara (Lien) Nordaune, Glenwood, Minn., was elected to serve as associate grand conductress of the Order of Eastern Star at its 2003 Grand Chapter meeting in St. Cloud. In addition to her many duties, she will be traveling throughout the state and to other jurisdictions to represent the Grand Chapter of Minnesota. Barbara is a member of the Minnewaska Chapter #129 in Glenwood, and works as a computerized embroidery operator at Cowing Robards in Alexandria. Her husband, Lyndon, owns and operates MTM Marine. Mark Saari, Rush City, Minn., is principal of Rush City High School. 1965 Neil Sideen, Howard Lake, Minn., is public television coordinator for the City of Howard Lake and is involved in affiliated marketing on the Internet. He can be reached at <cable@howard-lake.mn.us>. ALUMNI ON THE ROAD Courtesy photo 1947 1966 Rodger T. Ericson, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, was deployed oversees to a forward operating location to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1967 Stuart Utgaard, Star Prairie, Wis., owns Sportsman’s Warehouse, a national chain of hunting, fishing, and camping stores that was featured in the December 2002 issue of Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine. Clinton Peterson, Tracy, Minn., participated in the National Festival of the States Concert Series in Washington D.C. in July as director of the Tracy Community Band. Forty band members presented concerts at the Navy Memorial, the Fairfax Retirement Village for military officers, and the Lincoln Memorial. The Tracy Community Band was Minnesota’s representative in this festival. Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 30 Rev. Arvid Dixen ’52 brings a Memorial Day message of peace by Jen Hass Reprinted by permission of Quad Community Press in White Bear Lake, Minn. Arvid “Bud” Dixen is convinced that most people think of Memorial Day as simply a sign of summer’s arrival. And he’d like to change that. Courtesy photo ALUMNI PROFILE The Korean War veteran and Circle Pines, Minn., resident said people could best spend their time this holiday weekend by visiting gravesites or war memorials. Even better, the 73-year-old Dixen suggests, is to get involved with the peace movement. His own history as a political activist is a long one, kindled by his war experiences and his religious training. After graduating from Augsburg College in 1952, Dixen was drafted into the military and was a combat engineer in the Korean War. He said the experience fighting at the tender age of 21 for more than a year—and his religious views about how Christians should react to war—changed his mind about the necessity of such conflict. “If people could live in dignity and basic peace, they’re not going to war,” he said. Dixen returned home a changed man, not unlike other soldiers who came back from the so-called “forgotten war.” He became a preacher after attending Luther Seminary and worked during the next three decades at churches across the Midwest. But it isn’t just peace that drove him into the streets and powered his sermons. Dixen was jailed for three days with Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1962 for demonstrating against Rev. Arvid “Bud” Dixen ’52 has worked to segregation in Albany, Ga. He helped promote the country’s first female Lutheran parish promote peace ever since his service as a pastor through the ranks at combat engineer in the Korean War. Edina Community Lutheran Church in the ’70s. Around that same time, he rallied church members to raise money for Dennis Banks and Russell Means, members of the American Indian Movement, who were arrested for taking control of Wounded Knee in South Dakota. “All of these things are tied together, to recognize the dignity and worth of every person,” he explained. Today, Dixen has kept busy as a member of Veterans for Peace, People of Faith Peacemaking, and the St. Paul Affinity Group, which is made up of volunteers with the international Nonviolent Peaceforce organization. He has continued being a minister on a part-time basis for a small ELCA Lutheran ministry called Kairos. And he still speaks out about basic human rights and how they apply to the modern day—though he’s just as likely to be enjoying classical music and reading with his cats, Mozart and Socrates, at his feet. “We’re audacious enough to think we can stop people from starting war,” he said. “But it isn’t just an effort being made by white people—this is a worldwide effort.” It’s a mission that has sent Dixen across the country to speak at political rallies and faith forums, to write cabinet members in President George W. Bush’s administration, and to contact reporters about how to best cover wars, speaking with local establishments like the Star Tribune and KARE-11. It has also sent him to protest locally, primarily at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Lake Drive in Circle Pines, where protesters gathered for the latest Iraqi conflict. Dixen isn’t a pacifist but believes in questioning all American military action. He emphasizes caring for other nations, keeping the peace, and obeying the Christian dictate to “Love your enemies.” “I consider myself a patriot,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m uncritical.” Winter 2003-04 27 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 31 Class Notes ALUMNI PROFILE David Cheung ’73: Tissue transplant pioneer Staff photo by Lynn Mena Peter Agre ’70 isn’t the only Auggie making news in the science community. Agre’s discovery of aquaporins and his resulting Nobel Prize in Chemistry (see p. 8) is but one very public example of the research and accolades enjoyed by many of Augsburg’s esteemed science alumni. In fact, alumnus David Cheung ’73 is currently engaged in groundbreaking research that could very well lead to a Nobel Prize of his own. Cheung, a tissue transplant researcher, has successfully developed new tissue treatment methods that allow nonliving animal tissue to be rebuilt in humans as living tissue. This is remarkable because not only has Cheung demonstrated that non-living animal tissue can become living tissue in humans—but he has also demonstrated that non-living animal tissue has the potential to actually grow once it has been transplanted into another species. “Ultimately, my goal is to reduce the need for allograft (human to human) transplant tissues or human living cells (such as fetal cells) used in other popular tissue engineering techniques,” said Cheung. David Cheung ’73 (center) a tissue transplant researcher, has successfully developed new tissue treatment methods that allow non-living animal tissue to regenerate and grow in humans as living tissue. He stopped by the Augsburg campus in December for a visit with chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg (left) and Sandra (Larson) Olmsted ’69, associate professor of chemistry (right). “I would never have dreamt that such a thing was possible when I was a chemistry major at Augsburg,” added Cheung, reflecting upon his journey from Augsburg to his current professional research and success. “Augsburg provided me with an environment of integrity and a value system that is consistent with the basic faith of the Lutheran church,” continued Cheung. “Along with academic training, guidance, and encouragement, this value system made me what I am today. It prepared me to face a world full of people who often compete with no rules, principles, or integrity. For that, I am so thankful to Augsburg.” After graduating from Augsburg in 1973 with a B.A. in chemistry, Cheung received a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. He received his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Southern California, where he first started working on tissue transplant research under Dr. Marcel Nimni (Nimni helped develop the Hancock Valve—an artificial heart valve made from pig heart valves mounted on plastic frames wrapped in Dacron cloth). Cheung stayed on at USC and joined the faculty at the USC School of Medicine (now called the USC Keck School of Medicine). In 1995, Cheung left USC to join the International Heart Institute of Montana Foundation (part of the University of Montana and St. Patrick Hospital and Medical Sciences Center in Missoula) as director of the Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory and as an adjunct associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences and biological sciences. In 2000, Cheung founded a medical device company called Philogenesis, Inc., located in Monrovia, Calif., a few miles from his home in Arcadia, where he has been working on the commercialization phase of his current research (he has been traveling back and forth between Montana and California every month for the past seven years). In addition, Cheung is a consultant to numerous medical device industries, as well as a volunteer associate professor in surgery and cardiology back at USC. Cheung and his wife, Chuane-Chuane, have two children: Rebecca, a pharmacist and fellow at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif.; and Philip, a junior majoring in bioengineering. Cheung’s sister, Pearl (a 1971 Augsburg alumna) is a researcher with Cheung at Philogenesis (coincidentally, Pearl and Peter Agre were chemistry lab partners as Augsburg students). “Science is about being able to think logically and creatively, an ability given by God,” said Cheung. “It is by God’s grace that I had an opportunity to receive my undergraduate education at Augsburg and continue on to a career in biomedical research after further graduate training. “I hope that Augsburg’s current students can be encouraged to hold on to their faith long after their years at Augsburg,” continued Cheung. “I hope they are inspired to challenge the world and become future leaders.” 28 Winter 2003-04 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 32 1972 1974 Tim Nelson and Karen (Brien) ’72 moved to Colorado in January 2003 to be closer to their grandchildren. Both of their granddaughters are redheads, in honor of greatgrandfather LuVerne “Red” Nelson ’43. Tim works in Broomfield as a real estate broker/consultant for Redhorse Real Estate, Inc. Larry Walker, Minneapolis, who writes under the name Lars Walker, is author of Blood and Judgment, a fantasy novel published in December (Baen Books). This is Walker’s fourth book for Baen Books. Larry was a guest lecturer last summer on the Royal Princess cruise ship during a cruise from England to Norway. He lectured on the Vikings, sharing information he has gathered in his book research. 1973 Cheryl Paschke was named Educator of the Year by Young Audiences of Minnesota. Cheryl has been an advocate of Young Audiences for many years, and most recently worked as their partner in the award-wining “Classical Initiative Project.” She is a K-12 fine arts specialist for Minneapolis Public Schools, working as an orchestra conductor, music teacher, and arts coordinator. Gary Anderson, Minneapolis, is a systems development manager at Traveler’s Express in St. Louis Park. He can be reached at <ganderson@temgweb.com>. Rev. Michael F. Nelson, Cokato, Minn., is pastor of North Crow River, Grace, and Redeemer Lutheran churches in the rural Cokato-Dassel area. He previously served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Cass Lake and Our Savior Lutheran in Federal Dam, both in Minnesota. His wife, Sue, teaches music at St. Peter’s Elementary School in Delano. Joyce (Catlin) Casey and her husband, Paul, recently relocated to Waconia, Minn., to be closer to Waterbrooke Fellowship in Victoria, where Paul is worship pastor. Joyce is a second grade teacher at Albertville Primary School, where she has taught for 25 years. Winter 2003-04 1975 Steven Walen, Lino Lakes, Minn., is a teacher for the Anoka-Hennepin ISD #11. 1976 Shari (Simonson) Hanson, Delavan, Minn., works at Winnebago Elementary. She recently helped move her daughter into the ninth floor of Urness for her freshman year. Shari can be reached at <shhanson@blueearth.k12.mn.us>. Marjorie Miller, Minneapolis, is executive director of Southeast Seniors, a living-at-home block nurse program. 1977 Andrew Stevens & Associates in Phoenix, as well as president of Women in Healthcare, an organization serving executive women involved in healthcare or healthcare related services. She received a graduate degree in organizational development and has been working as a career consultant for over seven years; she was previously a flight nurse for 15 years. Phil Olson, Bloomington, Minn., works at General Mills, Inc. He and his wife, Carol, have two daughters attending Augsburg. He can be reached at <meant2b1@mn.rr.com>. Rev. Jon Schneider, Minneapolis, is senior hospice staff chaplain at North Memorial Medical Center. He and his wife, Carol, have four children. 1978 David Wilhelm, River Falls, Wis., is a physician at Western Wisconsin Medical Associates. 1980 Paul B. Kilgore, Duluth, Minn., was featured in the November issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine. His short story, Roeschler’s Home, was a winner of the magazine’s 18th annual Tamarack award. 1981 Roselyn Nordaune, Plymouth, Minn., was featured in the “Super Lawyers 2003” section of the August issue of Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine. She has practiced family law since 1980 and is a founder of Nordaune & Friesen in St. Louis Park. Dennis Gilbertson, Rochester, Minn., is general manager of the Saturn dealership in Rochester. He has been a sales manager at three other Rochester dealerships over the past 16 years. He and his wife, Colette (Kehlenbeck) ’79, can be reached at <dennisgi@lupient.com>. Jean M. Herges, Phoenix, Ariz., was recently named Career Consultant of the Year by the International Association of Career Consulting Firms (IACCF). Herges is vice president of consulting at 1982 Judy (Bodurtha) Dougherty and her husband, Chuck, own the Cover Park Manor, a bed and breakfast in Stillwater, Minn. HOMECOMING 2004 Spark Your Spirit October 5–9 Football Game vs. Gustavus Adolphus Saturday, October 9, 1 p.m. Homecoming Dinner Saturday, October 9, 5:30 p.m. Reunion Celebrations Classes of 1954, 1964, 1979, and First Decade, 1999-2004 Watch your mail and upcoming issues of the Augsburg Now for complete details. You can also stay up-to-date by visiting the alumni Web site at <www.augsburg.edu/ alumni>. 1983 Laurie (Bennett) Halvorson ’99 WEC, St. Paul, is in her fourth year teaching fifth grade at Como Park Elementary School. 1984 Lisa (Rykken) Kastler and her husband, Brent, live in Champlin, Minn. Brent, who designed the magazine format for the Augsburg Now, has a new line of greeting cards called Fun Cards, which are available at local Kowalski stores. 1985 Irwin James Narum Silrum, Bismarck, N.Dak., became the new deputy secretary of state for North Dakota. He worked for 18 years for the ELCA, most recently as executive director for Camp of the Cross Ministries near Garrison, N.Dak. His wife, Marci, is a producer and anchor for a new 5 p.m. statewide newscast for the CBS affiliate in Bismarck. 29 Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:51 AM Page 33 Class Notes ALUMNI PROFILE Courtesy photo It all started at Augsburg by Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81 Following is a story submitted by Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81, in which she recounts how a gathering she planned in 1998 to reconnect with Augsburg friends has led to frequent, ongoing get-togethers. We came from various parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, mostly. I hadn’t seen many of these people in ages. We were still good friends but we had, over time, lost touch as we became embroiled in our individual lives. As the days and years passed, our paths crossed only occasionally. This wasn’t right! We had been together on the journey that transformed us into adults—there were so many precious memories that shouldn’t be lost on heavily scheduled calendars, professional obligations, or family responsibilities. I needed to see these people. So I decided to throw a party. I picked the day, time, and place—it would be in my backyard in south Minneapolis. I sent invitations to about 25 folks, and asked them to RSVP so I could plan food and beverages. I had heard from a few that they couldn’t make it, but I pretty much assumed that everybody else would. Hah, we have a good laugh at that today! Thanks to a get-together she planned in 1998, Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81 (front row, far right) succeeded in reconnecting with several Augsburg friends; the group now meets on a regular basis. Pictured here from a gathering in November are: Front row (L to R): Sally (Hough) Daniels ’79, David Soli ’81, Richard ’81 and Jean Ann Buller, Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81 (Back row): David ’79 and Susan Cherwein, Katherine Skibbe ’79, John and Lori (Labelle) ’82 Bartz, Paul Daniels ’79. At the prime time of the party, only two people had arrived, Paul ’79 and Sally (Hough) ’79 Daniels, and they called a few blocks from the house to see if it was still okay to show up as they hadn’t returned their RSVP. It turned out that they were the lucky ones; they were the first to meet my husband-to-be, Steven. That was the “real” reason for that first party. I wanted to introduce the man I was about to marry (a native of Butler, Pa., of Slovakian heritage, a graduate of Oberlin College and the Eastman School of Music, a Minnesota transplant), to my good friends from college days. Paul, Sally, Steven, and I had a great evening together. That could have been the end but instead it was just another beginning. I was confident that this idea of reconnecting Augsburg friends was a good idea. Steven and I tried again a few months later and this time the backyard was full of college chums. We talked and laughed and told stories and talked and laughed some more. Even the non-Augsburg spouses were quickly inducted into the Auggie family. Amazingly, it seemed as though we had never been apart. Then someone mentioned the ages of their children, or someone else revealed that they had held the same job since college, and even a few were approaching their 20th wedding
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2003
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: A PUBLICATION Fall 2003 FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Vol. 66, No. 1,4 ,,\ . 111 The Sciences at Augsburg octors, research psychologists , space physicists, mathematicians, teachers, and a Nobel laureateAugsbu rg enjo ys a long tradition of excellence in the sciences. I ...
Show more A PUBLICATION Fall 2003 FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS Vol. 66, No. 1,4 ,,\ . 111 The Sciences at Augsburg octors, research psychologists , space physicists, mathematicians, teachers, and a Nobel laureateAugsbu rg enjo ys a long tradition of excellence in the sciences. I am delighted to welcome you to this specia l issue of Augsburg Now focusing on our program s in the natu ral and behaviora l sciences and mathematics. Based in the liberal arts and sciences, an Augsburg education equips our diverse stud ent body to meet the needs of the highly techno logical 21st century. All of our stud ents gain skills that help them und erstand contemporary issues, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions. The new Augsburg Core Curri culum encourages interdisciplinary teachin g and coursewo rk. It also gu ides students to become thoughtful, effective leaders, mindful of their gifts and talents, in whatever field they enter. Augsburg science maj ors, the focus of this issue, receive a solid found ation for advanced work. Ou r science programs provid e many hands-o n experiences such as research with facult y, internships, and service- learnin g. For example, our qu arter-centur y partn ership with NASA has prov ided D We welcome your letters! Please write to: Editor Augsburg Now 22 11 Riverside Ave., CB 145 Minneapo lis, MN 5545 4 E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Fax: 612-330- 1780 Phone: 6 12-330- l! Sl Lellers for publication must be signed and include you r name , class year, and daytime telepho ne numb er. Th ey may be edi ted for length , clarity, and style. Read the full text or len ers at Now Online, <www.augsburg.edu/n ow>. research opportuniti es for stud ents far beyond what is available at many other small private colleges. Our communit y partnership s provide internships and other off-campu s learnin g expe riences. We eagerly anticipate the up comin g campaign for a new science facility. For 50 years, our Science Hall has served stud ents well, producin g remarkabl e achievements in its laboratories and classrooms. Our new center for the natur al and behaviora l sciences and mathematics will offer a state-of-the-art environm ent for teachin g and research , as well as a welcoming place for the communit y. In these pages, I invite you to meet our engaged facul ty, read about stud ents succeedin g beyond their expectations, and catch up with some of your fellow classmates and friends who have chosen many different paths in the sciences. ~ -plChristopher W. Kimball Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Dean of the College Letters to the editor Mystery Auggi e runn er from 1960 s photo come s forth Seeing the picture of Kofi Ann an on the track with two other runn ers [see Summ er 2003, Class Notes] concerns me. Without knowing, I may have been in the presence of one of the greatest minds of our time. How often does that happen? I started my freshman year in 1960 and participated and lettered in track and field. I held the school record for the high hurdl es for a while and ran some sprint races and pole vaulted as well. Wh en my wife saw the mystery picture she immediately said "The person in this picture looks ju st like you." I got out the magnifying glass, and sure enough it looked like me. I had bony legs and always had a pained look on my face durin g a race. Furth ermore, I hardly ever placed first- as the picture shows. - Gary Ellis '65 Miigw etch from Bonnie Wallace II write] with great humilit y and appr eciation for the wond erful celebration held Jun e 16 [see Summ er 2003, Around the Quad] for th e 25-year anniv ersary of th e American Indi an Stud ent Services Program . I want the Augsbur g and local American Indi an co mmuniti es to kn ow that the success of the pro gram depended on literally hundr eds of peopl e . ... I hold [Augsbur g President Emeritu s] Charles And erson in high regard for his genuin e belief in our work .... He supp orted the progra m's aut onomy, and that is evident today. Twenty-five years-th at's longevity! .. . I am so very pleased to be a part of th e history of this exce llent progra m. Miigwetch (th ank you , in the Ojib we language) to the Creator and all of you that made this poss ible. - Bonni e Wallace , Scholarship Director, Fo nd du Lac Reservation; and found er and former dir ector of Augsbur g's AISSP. Augsburg Now is publi shed qu arterly b y Augsbur g Co llege , 22 11 Rive rsid e Ave., Minn eapoli s, Minn eso ta 55454. AUGSBUR G NOW A PUBLICATION FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & Fall 2003 FRIENDS Vol. 66, No . 1 Editor Betsey No rga rd Features Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer Kath y Rumpz a Class Notes Coordinator Sara Kamhol z Photographer Steph en Geffre President 9 The Sciences at Augsburg In this special issu e abou t th e sciences at Augsbur g, stud ents, faculty, and alumni share Willi am V. Fram e th eir stori es of researc h in Antar ctica, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations chemistry in cosm etics, teach ing high school AmyS utlOn Director of Public Relations and Communication Dan Jor gense n O pini o ns expr esse d in Augsburg Now do no l n ecessa rily renecL o fficial Co llege policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Pos tm aste r: Send co rr es pon de nce , nam e changes , and addr ess corr ection s 10: Augsburg Now, om ce of Publi c Relations and Communication , 22 11 Riversid e Ave., Minn eapo lis, MN 55454. E-mail: now@au gsbur g .edu Teleph on e: 6 12- 33 0 - 118 1 Fax : 6 I 2-3 30-1 780 Augsburg Co llege , as <iffirmed in its mission , does not disc,im inat e on the basis of race, color, creed , religio n, nati ona l or etlmic origin , age, gender. sexual mie ntalion , marita l status , stat us with regard to public assistance , or disability in its ed ucation policies, admissions polici es, scholarsl iip a nd loan pr ogmm s, athletic and/or school ad m inist ered programs , excep t in tho se insta nces wliere religion is a bona fide occupationa l qualification . Augsburg College is co mmitt ed to pr-oviding reasonab le accommodations ro its emp loyees and its stud ents . biology, creatin g virtual reality, findin g su ccess in grad schoo l, and mu ch mor e. An overview story pull s together th e myriad activiti es in biolog y, chemistry, ph ysics , math emati cs , psycholo gy, and comput er science. Departments 2 Around the Quad 5 Sports 6 Homecoming awards 37 39 Alumni news inside back cover Calendar Class not es www.augsburg.edu 50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste) On the cover : First-year s tud en ts Sa.-ah Pesola (lef t) and Sara Ray mond (right) get so m e hands-on experience in chemisoy lab. Photo by Stephen Geffr e. Top rankings in college guides A ugsb urg has been named among the nation's best colleges in thr ee catego ries and ranked in th e top tier among Midwestern unive rsities. U.S. News & World Repon listed Augsburg (the only Minnesota school) among 20 of the nation 's best institutions for service learnin g. TIie Princeton Review includ es the Co llege in the 150 "Best for the Midw est," prai sing an outstandin g faculty, sma ll class sizes , and friendl y environm ent. Kaplan Publishing 's The Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges, 2004 includes Augs bur g and names it as one of the top five sc hoo ls that may be und errat ed , as judged by a nationa l survey of guidanc e counselor s. For the third year, Augsbur g is one of the best 201 in Great Collegesfor the Real World, selec ted for best demonstrating both the education and the opportunities to prepare stude nts for the real wo rld . Augsburg has been named one of 12 "foundi ng institut ions " nat iona lly to participate in a project joint ly sponsored by the Policy Center on the First Year of College and the Counci l of Indepe ndent Colleges (C IC) to develop a model of exce llence for the first college year. Pete r Agre wins Nobel Prize eter Agre, a 1970 graduate and Distinguished Alumnu s of Augsb ur g, was one of Lwo win ners of the 2003 Nobel Prize in che mistry. He is a professor and researcher at the John s Hopkin s University Schoo l of Medicine in Baltimore . His discovery of "aquapori n-1," a "cha nn el" that lets water pass in and out of cells represented a major breakthrough that has led to greater understanding of many inherited and acquired water balance disorders , such as kidney disease . After gradua ting from Augsburg , Agre received his medical degree from John s Hopkin s University School of Med icine and is now professor of biologica l chem istry there. Agre's father , the late Court land Agre, was chem istry professor at Augsburg from 1959-76. Three of Agre's siblin gs also auended Augsburg: Mark Agre '8 1, Annetta (Agre) Anderson '69, and James Agre '72 , who curre ntly serves on Augsburg 's Science Advisory Board . "The Chemis tr y Department is elate d at this news ," said chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg . "Those of us who had Peter P 2 ,4 uGSBURG NOW as a stud ent are not su rpri sed he has reached this level. It's no shock that he won the Nobel Prize in chem istry." Agre shares the chemistry prize with America n Roderick MacKinnon . Center for Teaching and Learning 2003-04 Convocation Series he fourth an nual Convocation Series presents a challenge to consider all work as voca tion-id ent ifying one's gifts and abilities, and using them in benefit to the communit y T The presentaLions include: Oct. 14. 2003 Sharon Da loz Parks , W hidbey Institute "Big Qu estions , Worthy Dreams " Nov. 12, 2003 Lee Hard y, Ca lvin Co llege "The Ch ristian 's Calling in th e Academy " Jan. 19,2004 2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Convoca tion Vanne Owe ns Hayes , Minneapolis Departme nt of Civ il Rights "Responding to the Ca ll" Feb. 18, 2004 Kathy Buck ley, co med ian "No Labe l, No Lim its " Feb. 26-27, 2004 2004 Batalden Symposium in Applied Ethics Paul B. Batalde n , M.D. and David C. Leach , M.D. "Transfor min g th e Profess ion of Health Ca re" A S79,000 grant from the Bush Foundation to the Center for Teaching and Learning will involve more than 100 faculty in studying student outcomes and assessment in the new Augsburg Core Curriculum. Pictured are (L to R) Frankie Shackelford, associate dean for teaching and learning enhancement ; Diane Pike, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning; and Terry Martin, administrative assistant. Not pictured is Carol Forbes, director of sponsored programs . Spring 2004 2004 Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture To be annou nced For informatio n , call 612-330-1180 or visit <www.augsburg .edu/ co nvo> . Follow Auggie Athletics NEWS • STATS• ALWAYS UPDATED Visit the Augsburg College Athletcis Web site, www .augsburg .edu/athlet ics Fall 2003 $1 million-an Fund first! he $1 million goal for Augsburg 's annual fund was reached for the first time in Co llege history durin g 2002-03. This 25 percent increase in giving over th e previous year was achi eved by a total of 1,928 donors. Often referred to as "the lifeblood of th e Co llege ," Augsbur g's ann ual fund supp orts the financial aid com mitm ent that allows the College to remain affordable for a wide variety of academically-qualified stu den ts. Last year, more th an 80 percent of Augsburg stud ents received $25 million in financial aid , includin g $9 million in Augsburg sc holarship s and tuition gran ts. Sixty percent of The Augsburg Fund total was contribut ed by the 185 memb ers of th e Maroon & Silver Society, th e College's leade rship-l evel dono rs. T Augsburg Congratulations, faculty! These donors pledge to support the financial aid commitm ent with annu al cash gifts of $ 1,000 to $25 ,000 for a minimum of four years . Much of the growth in The Augsburg Fund has occurred in the last six years , during the tenur e of President William Frame . When he ar rived at Augsburg , the annua l fund level was at 178 ,000. His push to increase th e level and comm itm ent lo annu al fund giving has resulted in its more than five-fold growt h. Augsb urg regent Tracy Elfunann '8 1, chair of th e Develop ment Commin ee, and Donn a McLean , dire ctor of The Augsb urg Fund , provided leaders hip for the fund 's success . Planning for Augsburg 's nexl capital campaign includes continu ed aggressive growt h of The Augsburg Fund . Promotion to professor Martha Johnson , speech , communicati on , and theatre arts Stuart Stoller , bu siness administrati on Tenure granted and promotion to associate professor Lois Bosch , social work Nora Braun , business admini stra tion Rona ld Fedie , chemistry Merilee Klemp , music James Vela-McConn ell , sociology J. Ambrose Wolf , ph ysics Tenure granted Karen Sutherland , co mput er science Welcome, new Auggies! Sport ing maroon Augsburg T-shirts, 22 Augsburg Seminar groups-the orien ta t ion seminar for freshmen-contributed over 1,400 hours of commun ity service on t he first day of school at 18 sites, mostly in the neighborhood . At Danebo Residence, students visited with senior residents , painted , and cleaned . Fall 2003 Jeann ette Clark, fr om Hop kins, Minn ., is one of t he 348 fre shm en in t he class of 2007. She moved int o Urn ess Hall on Aug . 31, getting some help fr om her parents in unpacking the boxes . A- UGSBURG NOW 3 Around the Quad Transforming our students, ourselves, our world "Do you believe you will be transformed by your college experience?" ore th an 94 percent of curr ent and prosp ective stud ents-da y, weekend , and grad-an swe red, "Yes." Now th e qu estion is , "what th ey will do wit h this transformative expe rien ce ." Th ese qu estions were part o f an exte nsive resea rch effort Augsb urg cond ucted rece ntl y in preparation for th e laun ch of a new brand ima ge, tag line, and marketin g camp aign for th e College. Th e resu lts o f this far-reac hin g effort are now being see n and heard all ove r campu s and throughout th e Twin Cities, wit h the Septe mb er laun ch of th e camp aign . Throug h billb oa rds and bus stop post ers, news pap er ads and radio spot s, a n ew Web site and man y oth er engaging vehicl es, Augsburg College is emb arkin g on this ex tend ed ca mp aign wit h a three-fold goa l: to captur e and pres ent th e uniqu e esse nce of its edu ca tional experience ; to raise awa reness and positive supp ort among key co nstitu ent s; and to dri ve the mission of Augsb urg College forward in an excit ing and dynamic new way. Both th e traditiona l day stud ent and th e wo rking adult are being Be yourself at Augsburg. And leave completely__ changed. chall enged to "Be yo urse lf at Augs bur g, and leave co mpl etely changed ." Th e theme of "Transform ing Ed ucat ion" deliv ers three int errelate d messages: trans forming stud ent s' uniqu e talents and int erests into ca lled lives of service ; tran sforming the edu cational exper ience itself to effec t st ud ent growt h and chang e; and , ultimat ely, transforming our community and wo rld through positive change . Inco ming and "vetera n " stud ents , faculty members , staff, alumni , donors , and co mmunity members-all are integral parts of this eve r-transforming ex perience ca lled Augsburg Co llege . Stay tun ed . More to co me. M 4 A-UGSBURGNOW Fall 2003 Sports Eight receive Athletic Hall of Fame honors by Don Stoner ugsbu rg Co llege honored eight form er ath letes duri ng Homeco min g wee kend , indu cted int o the Augsbur g Athl etic Hall of Fame at th e annu al banqu et on Oc l. 2. Th e Augsbur g Ath letic Hall of Fame was es tab lished in 1973 to recog nize ma le athletes who made spec ial co ntributi ons lo th e Co llege's athl etic hisw ry. In 1989, female athl etes we re first indu cted inlO the hall. Rec ipients are chose n each yea r on th e basis of performan ce in Augsbur g at hletics, se rvice lo th e sc hoo l, civic and profess ional ac hievement s , and leadership . A Honor ed as indu ctees int o th e Augsbur g Ath letic Hall of Fame are: Bob Adams '83 (wrestling) T he on ly Augsbur g wres tler to earn mu ltip le All-America n honors in a single seaso n, Adams wo n th e CAA Division Ill indi vidu al champi ons hip al 134 pou nds in 1983 and place d seco nd al the we ight class in th e NAlA champi onship meet, the only yea r Augsbur g co mp eted in both orga niza tions' national tourn aments . Adams won MIAC titl es in 1982 and 1983 and was Augsbu rg's Seni or Honor Athl ete in 1983. Michele Boyer '89 (softball, basketball) Boyer earn ed All-American honors in Fall 2003 1988 as a so ftball outfi elder, ea rnin g AllMIAC honors thr ee yea rs in a row. Her .495 bauin g ave rage in 1988 is th e best single-seaso n perform ance in sc hoo l history. In basketba ll, Boyer was one of only five players in sc hoo l history LO sco re more than 1,00 0 po in ts in her ca ree r, finishin g with 1,0 19 poin ts, and ea rn ed All-MIAC honors in 1986-87 and 1987-88. She was Augsburg's Senior Honor Athl ete in 1989. Kevin Gordon '82 (hockey) An NAIA All-America n in 1982 , Go rd on was a member of Auggie tea ms that wo n th e national champi onship in both 198 1 and 1982 , as we ll as thr ee straight MIAC championship s. He earn ed All-M IAC honors in both 1980 and 1982 , lead ing th e tea m in sco rin g both years . Gordon 's 30 goa l in 1979-8 0 are th e seco nd- mos t in a single seaso n ; he finished his caree r with 108 poin ts (57 goa ls , 51 ass ists ). Ray Hamilton '75 (basketball) An honora ble-mention All-American in 1975 , Hamilton playe d two seaso ns o f bas ketball al Augsbu rg, ea rnin g AIIMIAC and NAIA All-Distri ct honors both seaso ns and MIAC Mos t Valuable Player honors in 1974-75 , as the Auggies wo n th e MIAC champi onship and advanced LO th e NAIA distri ct champions hip game. He led th e Auggies in sco ring both of his seaso ns and in reboundin g his enior ca mp aign. Melanie Herrera '88 (track and field , volleyball) Herrera ea rn ed All-America n honors seve n Limes in trac k and field , dominating th e throwing eve n ls. She qu alified for national mee ts in the shot put all four yea rs in ollldoo r com pelilion and her final thr ee seaso n in indoor co mp elili on , win ning CAA Divi ion Ill national champ ionship s in 1987 out doo rs , and in 1988 in bo th indoo r and outd oo r co mp etiti on , where her reco rd -se ttin g effort st ill stands . She also played th ree sea a ns of volleyba ll al Augsbur g and was Aug burg's Senior Honor Ath lete in 1988 . Robert Lafleur '80 (soccer) A two- lime All-M IAC election (1 97879) and AIA All-Distri ct selection , LaFleur was a member of Auggie team s that wenl 43-15-10 in his care er, neve r finis hing low er than third in MIAC play. He was team capt ain his se nior seaso n. Jim Peterson '78 (hockey, baseball) In men's hocke y, Peter son was a memb er o f Augs bur g's first national champio nsh ip team , the 1978 AIA titl e team , and was a memb er o f Augsbur g's MIAC base ball champi on hip tea m in 1975. He earn ed All-MIAC honors twi ce in both ho ckey and base ball, was a member of th e IA All-Tourn ament Team in hocke y in 1978 , and ea rn ed Augsburg Senior Honor Athl ete honors in 1978 . David Trost '81 (track and field, basketball) Augsbu rg's firs t men's tra ck and field national meel qualifier, he finished thir d in the high j um p al th e AIA outd oo r na tiona l meel with a 2.14-meter (7-fee lO) effort , a school reco rd that still stands . He won the MIAC titl e in the high j um p in 1981. Don Stoner is sports inf onnation coordinato,: ,4uGSB RG NOW 5 Two named as 2003 Distinguished Alumni ni jo i~ 162 oth ers as Distin gu ished Alumni of Augsb u rg College. Recipien ts are recog niz ed for T s1wogmalum f1cant achievement m their voca u ons and ou tstandm g con tributi ons to chur ch and commun ity, by Lynn Mena th rough years of prepara tion , experience, dedication , exempl ary character, and se rvice. Hans G. Dumpys '56 Bishop Hans G. Dump ys gradu ated from Augsbur g in 1956 with a B.A. in histo ry. ln 1960 , he earn ed a B.D. from th e Luth eran Schoo l of Theo logy in Chicago , and was ordained by Hope Luth era n Chur ch in Detroit. He received a master's degree in th eology from Harvard Divinity Schoo l in 1965 , and purs ued doc toral stu d ies at Prin ceto n Theological Semin ary and Tuebin gen University in Germ any. He also studied at th e Advanced Institu te for Pastora l Studi es in Michigan , and th e Tan tur Ecu menical Inst itut e in J eru salem . Born in ibra i, Lithuania in 1933 , Dump ys has lived in th e U.S. since 1949. He was instrum ent al in th e renewal and reviva l o f th e Luth eran chu rch in Lithu ania after th e count ry regain ed ind epend ence from the Soviet Unio n. This includ ed training pas tors and teachers for the chur ch and contributin g as one of th e fou nders of th e University of Klaipeda's th eological sc hool in Lithu ania in 1992 . Du mp ys retired from parish mini stry in ove mb er, but continu es to serve as bishop of th e Lithu anian Evangelical Luth era n Chur ch in Diaspora, located in Chicago , for which he also serve d as chair of the syno d coun cil. In additi on , he has served pastora tes in Michigan , Massac hu setts , Canada, Iowa , and most rece ntl y at Lithu ani an Evangelical Lutheran Home Church in Chicago , Ill. In Febru ary, Dum pys was honored by th e Knights o f Lithu ania "in recog n itio n o f and grateful app reciation for ecum enical, spiritu al, cu ltu ral, and hum anit arian lifetime achievements in th e worldwi de Lith ua nian co mmunit y." In 1998, he was invited to th e Whit e House for the signin g of th e "Charter o f Partn ers hip" with th e Baltic republi cs. He has pr esent ed speec hes, se rm ons, in vocations, and greetin gs both nationally and in tern ationally, and has initiat ed , organiz ed , and presided ove r synod asse mbli es with delega tions from Ge rman y, Ca nada, and th e U.S. In honor of his wo rk for th e Luth eran chur ch in Lithuania and in th e ex ile Lithu anian communi ty, he was invited by Lithu ania's mini ster of cultur e to be an official represe nt at ive of North America's Lithu anian co mmunit y at th e ethni c world music festival in 1994 . Dump ys taught in Augsbur g's religion departm ent in 19651966. W hile pur suin g his gradu ate studi es, he was an assistant at Harva rd University's Memorial Church , and se rved as pastorin-residence and also assistan t to th e dean of inst ru ction at Prin ce ton Th eological Semin ary. He met his wife, Donn a , while at Augsbu rg. They live in Oak Park, Ill., and have two childr en , Jon and Chri sta. 6 A UGSBURG NOW Ertwin Jones-Hermerding '69 ErtJ ones-Hermerding graduated from Augsburg in 1969 with a B.S. in liberal arts speech, theatre, and physical edu cation , with a head coaching endors ement . He received an M.S. in curri culum and instru ction with an English emph asis from Mankat o State University in 1975. Jones-Hermerding retired this year after an exceptional 34-year teaching and coaching career for the Robbinsdale Independent School District. He was the first to teach improvisational theatre at the juni or high level. From 1969-1988 , he taught speech and theatre at Plymouth Junior High School, and directed 96 productions. The Children's Th eatre Foundati on of America recognized the Robbinsdale school district's theatre programs with an award for excellence in 1995;Jon es-Hermerding was specifically celebrated for creating "an extraordin ary middle school dram a progr am." Sin ce 1988 , J ones-Herm erdin g has taught speech , th eatre, litera tur e, oral int erpr etation , and acting at Coo per Senior High School. He also served as th eatre arts chair and audi tori um manage r. He dir ected over 50 produ ctions at Coo per, and his Introdu ction to Th eatre class was on e of only two in Minn eso ta where a childr en's th eatre perform ance proje ct is compl eted as part of th e curri culum , givin g stud ent s who can't particip ate in after-schoo l th eatre th e chance to exp erience th e thrill of crea ting and performin g in a sho w. In additi on to his strong juni or and senior high theatre programs, Jon es-Hermerding has also been a successful football coach. He coached at Plymouth Juni or High for 10 seasons and at Cooper Senior High for over 20 seasons (includin g 10 as head coach). He was honored as Lake Conference Coach of the Year in 1984 for his exceptional program. He inspired players to be role models for each other, and they work ed on team uni ty projects by organizing programs on chemi cal abuse, weight trainin g, and other relevant topics. He also institut ed a program that requir ed his players to check in with their teachers on a weekly basis regarding their academic performance and attitud e in the classroom . Jones-Herm erding has worked in summ er th eatre projects for th e Orono, Hopkins , and Robbinsd ale school districts, and as a staff member for Augsburg's summ er theatre institut e. He is an instru ctor and curri culum writ er for th e University of St. Th omas Cont inuin g Edu cation progra m, and has facilitated worksh ops for colleagues and serve d on many curri culum developm ent committ ees. He and his wife, Pat, have two childr en, Mee-lynn and Harper. Fall 2003 First Decade and Spirit of Augsburg award recipients named for 2003 bylynnMena A ugsbur g is please d to ann oun ce the 200 3 reci pients of the First Decade and Spirit of Augsbur g awards . Th e Firs t Decad e Award is presented to Augsbur g gra du ates of th e past 10 years who have made signifi cant progress in th eir prof ess iona l achievements and co ntributi ons to th e communit y, and in so doing exemp lify the miss ion of th e Co llege: to prepar e futur e leaders in se rvice to th e world. Graduates from th e day, weeke nd , and gra du ate programs are eligible. The Spirit o f Augsbur g Award honors alumni and friend s of the Co llege who have given exceptiona l se rvice that co ntribut es substanti ally to th e well being of Augsbur g by furth erin g its purposes and programs. RECIPIENT OF THE 2003 FIRST DECADE AWARD Tammera Ericson '93 Tamm era Ericson has successfully combin ed her interests in political science , urban stu dies, public service, and the legal profession-all while raising thr ee children. After serving as chair of the Columbi a Heights Charter Commission and as a member of its Planning and Zoning Comm ission, Ericson was appointed in 2002 to a task force charged with developin g city design guide lines. In addition , she helped start a nonprofit organization , Rising to New Heights, dedicated to improving the image of Columbia Heights . In 2002 , Ericson was elected to the Columbia Heights City Counci l, and was also appoint ed to concurr ent terms on the city's Econo mic Developme nt Auth ority and Housing Redevelopment Authority. RECIPIENTS OF THE 2003 In Jun e, she gradua ted summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of law, where she received the Stud ent Award of Melit , the Burton Award for Excellence in Legal Writin g, and the CALI Award for Excellence in Drafting and Negotiating Business Agreements. She volunt eers for the Minn esota Ju stice Found ation, giving presentations on legal topics to wom en living in a transitional housing cent er in St. Paul. In addition , she volunt eers for the Chrysalis Center for Wom en in Minn eapolis as part of the Pro Bono Attorn ey Safety Project. Throu gh this program , she works to help low-income victims of dom estic abus e obtain orders for protection. She is curr ently serving as a judici al clerk for the Minnesota Supr eme Court for one year before returnin g to the law finn Winthrop & Weinstein . SPIRIT OF AUGSBURG AWARD John Benson '55 Professor Emeri tus John Benson served more than 35 years as an ac tive memb er of Augsb ur g's religion department. After joining th e facult y in 1963 , he was promo ted to associate prof essor and gra nt ed tenur e in 1969 , th en promoted to full prof esso r in 1986. Benson also taught in th e phil osop hy depart ment and helped deve lop Augsb ur g's hum aniti es major in th e 1970s . In additi on , he taught a course entitl ed Deve lop ing a Mu lti-Cu ltural Perspect ive for th e Master of Arts in Leadership program , and tea med up wi th ph ysics prof essor Mark Engebretson to teac h a cou rse th at int egra ted sc ience with religion and sp iritu ality. Their co llabora tion led to two awards from the pr estigious J ohn Templeton Foundation 's annu al sc ience and religion co ur se pro gra m co mp etiti on. Throughout his years at Augsburg , Benson se rved on co mmitt ees too numerous to list. Beyond his co mmitt ee wo rk , he was at th e forefront of a numb er o f thin gs , mos t notably the introduction of co mput er techn ology to th e campu s in th e early 1980s. An avid go lfer, he also coac hed go lf at Augsburg for sev era l years . Benson and his ,vife, Doroth y, co ntinu e to be ac tive memb ers of th e Augsb ur g commu nit )'. Fall 2003 Sigvald Hjelmel and , the seco nd of four generati ons of Hjelmeland s to attend Augsbur g, return ed to Augsbur g in 1952 as th e Co llege's firs t dir ec tor of deve lopm ent. He headed the new ly establi shed Deve lopm ent Office and emb ark ed up on Augsbur g's first capital ca mp aign to raise fund s for the "Libra r)' Drive ." Th e camp aign excee ded its goal, and b)' 1955 , th e Co llege brok e ground on th e Sverdrup -Oftedal Libra ry. Th e success of th e camp aign led to Augsbur g's su ccess ful appli cation of acc reditation b)' th e North Centr al Association . Hjelmeland's man y contributi ons and proj ects begun durin g his )'ears al Augsburg includ ed Science Hall; Chri stense n Ce nt er; Urn ess Hall ; Foss , Lobec k, Miles Cent er for Wor ship , Drama, and Communi cati on ; and th e Tim es Buildin g (th e first co mm ercia l building donat ed to Augsbur g). In th e late 1980s , Hj elmeland es tablished the Rev. John Hjelmeland End owed Scholarship Fund in honor of his fathe r, an alumnu s of Augsbur g Academ)', Seminar )', and College. Even after his retir ement in 1982 , Hj elmeland volunt ee red his vas t ex perience as a developm ent co nsult ant from 1982 to l9 86. frU GSBURG NOW 7 Homecoming 2003 The Hoversten family honored with the Distinguished Service Award he Distinguished Service Award, inaugurat ed in its currenl form al Hom ecomi_ng 2001 with ~ e Strom~en _family, and last yea_r T award ed to the Quanbeck family, recognizes families who have made substanual and contmumg comnbuuons lo Augsburg-111 the by l ynnMena form of stud ents and gradu ates, ideas , reputation , and resources . . . Thi s year, we celebra te the Hoversten family, and th eir gene rations-long conn ecuon with Augsburg . The Hoversten story In 1806 , a youn g Norweg ian teacher namedj ohann es ja cobso n mar ried Anna Hoversten. She was a woman of prop erty on the rocky island of Renn esoy, up the coas t from Stavanger. So he took her surn ame , which came from an ou tcro ppin g of stone- "hoved sten" or headsto ne-on the farm she owned. J ohann es and Ann a had nin e childr en. It is the descendents of thr eeJacob , Knud , and Gun vor-who recognized that edu cation offered many more op portun ities in th e U.S. than in orway, and who u ltimatel y formed the Augsbur g conn ection. The Hoverstens and Augsburg Elias Hovers ten , son of Knud and Elen Hoversten, was a stern and practical man who farmed the land near Marshall, Minn ., in the first half of the 1900s. Wh en Elias' oldest son , Knut , grew imo a young adult , Elias feared that his so n's bad hip would prevent him from becoming a successfu l farmer. So in 1926 , he sent Knut to the city to get an Augsbu rg education . After Knut grad uated in 1930 , more than 40 members of the extend ed Hovers ten family also attended , includ ing the family's most recent Augsbur g alumn a, Kari Lucin '03 , da ughter of Kim (Hoversten) Lucin '76 and the Rev. Martin Lucin '74 , grandd aughter of Kermit Hoversten '50 , and grea t-gra ndd aughter of Elias Hoversten . Augsburg's motto, "Educatio n for Service," is also one of the Hoversten's strongest tradi tions , and the family has dedicated their labors to the ideal of service . Knut , the first Augsburg gradu ate, is now a retired chemistry teacher. Several other Hoverstens also became teachersand many entered the fields of medicine, 8 A-UGSBURG NOW law, ministry, busin ess, and agriculture. The Hoverstens recall Augsburg as a unifyi ng, centr al presence in their lives. M. Annett e (Hoverste n) Hanson '68 , daught er of Knut's broth er, the Rev. Chester E. Hoversten '44 , heard many stories abou t Augsburg durin g her childh ood . "Wh enever my dad and his friends or other family About 200 Hoversten family members gathered in Hoverst en members would get Chapel in 1989 for the dedication of the chapel_they funded . At left are: (standing) Allen Hoversten '64, L. Berniece Johnson , together, they would Knut Hoversten '30; (kneeling) Garfield Hoversten '50 and always talk about Clarence Hoversten '41 . At right are : (back row) Brian Augsburg ," Annelle said in Livingston, Kyle Hoversten , Rev. Joel Njus, Augsbu rg Pastor an article for the fall 2000 Dave Wold ; (front row) Rev. Thomas Hoversten ' 56, Rev. Chester J. Hoversten '60, Rev. Chester E. Hove rsten '44, and issue of the Augsbu rg Now. Augsburg President Charles Anderson . "And if you want ed to get married , you went to Augsburg," she continu ed the Augsburg campus . In recent years, the with a chu ckle. "I met my hu sband , family had hon ored the College with gifts Robert [Hanson '68] here. I think that and pledges of over $1 million as major while I was a stude nt , I didn 't auac h much support for the cons tru ction of the meanin g to the fact that so man y other College's Foss, Lobeck , Miles Center for family members had attended . But Worship , Drama and Communication and subsequently, it has become mu ch more to establish the Hoversten Endowment . important to me. What a rich, precious On April 22, 1989, Augsburg officially environm ent. " dedicated the chape l in Foss Cente r as the In Octo ber of 1985 , the Hoverstens Hoversten Chape l. Two months later, two gathered at the College for a reunion. It newly endowed Hoversten scholarships was during this time that they began were announced , the Hoversten Peace discussing a monum ent- a chapel at Scholarship and the Jacob and Ella Augsburg that would reflect their family Hoversten Scholarship. values and traditi ons. A gift of a chapel "During my days on campus I was not only expressed their gratit ude but also enriched in man y ways," said Lorna demons trat ed their comm itment to Hoversten '62 . "I received not only a edu cation , faith , and the college that so strong scientific education , but also a many family memb ers had au end ed. deeper knowledge of my religious ethnic Four years later, about 200 heritag e. I contribut e jo yfully to this Hoverstens and their relatives from all institu tion to enable present and futu re over the U .5. return ed for a special day on students to have similar experiences ." Fall 2003 AUGSBURG NOW Fall 2003 The sciencesat AugsburgCollegeoffer a rich educational environmentthat preparesstudentsto enter a variety of fields in science, medicine, research, industry, public service, and education. Rigorouscourseworkwithin a liberal arts curriculum, combined with internshipsand outstanding opportunitiesfor researchwith faculty give students the solid foundation they need to meet the highly technical demandsof our global society. This combinationof high quality teaching, the enormous resourcesof the city, and an expectation that each personcan make a difference in the world affords a powerfuleducation at Augsburg. design by Kathy Rumpza • photos by Stephen Geffre • art by Sam Gro ss theSCIENCES atAUGSBUR Educating professional scientists,effectiveleaders,and informed citizens by Cynthia Hill " Progress made in harnessing fusion as energy source." "World water crisis worsening. " " Brain research reveals clues to dyslexia ." "Meat suppliers asked to cut antibiotic use. " "CDC reports first cases of monkey pox." " U.S. sues over ban on genetically modified foods ." veryday headlin es like these fields and inform ed citizens with th e und ersco re the pervasive knowledge and crit ical thinkin g skills to influence of science in our lives . evaluate the imp act of scientific develop ments E While the st ud y of science has long been co nsidered part of a well-ro und ed libera l arts edu cation at Augsbur g, it has and weigh their mora l, ethi cal, and soc ial impli cations," she said . Augsbur g has a stro ng track record on grown more imp ortant than ever in a world increasingly shape d by scientifi c and techn ological developm ents. "Science matters come up in th e pu blic deba te continu ally, as we confront issues such as enviro nm ent al qu ality, adva nces in medicine, and the complexity of hum an be havior," says Nancy Steblay, professo r of psychology and facu lty liaiso n to Augsbur g's Science Advisory Board. "As a socie ty, we need both capable professionals in scientifi c and related Luci Sagehorn'03 combinedminors in biology and chemistrywith a studio art major. Fall 2003 ETER AGRE '70 eter Agre's decision to major in chemistry may have been a family matter. His father, Courtland Agre was a distinguished chemist in research at DuPont and 3M as well as a college professo r. He was one of the "founding fathers" of Augsburg's chemistry department and taught in it for 17 years. Afte r Peter Agre graduated from Augsburg, he went on to earn a medical degree at Johns Hopkins UniversitySchool of Medicine. His interest in biomedical resea rch led him to a medical residency at Case Weste rn Universityand a clinical fellowshipat Universityof North CarolinaChapel Hill. He returned to Johns Hopkins for a research fellowship in the cell biology department and has been a faculty member in the School of Medicine since 1984. Agre sea rched for answers as to how water moved from the cells within our tissues . He also wondered why some tissues, such as the linings of our lungs, were so much more permeable than others . In 1988 Agre discovered "channels " that allow passage of water in and out of ce lls. This major breakthrough resulted in many related studies in biochemistry, physiology, and genetics. From them , researchers have gained much greater understanding of inherited and acquired water balance disorders , such as kidney disease. P Biology and chemistry major KeneeshiaWilliams '03 spent a summerresearchingnutrient import and export in Augsburg'scoral reef aquariumwith biology professorBill Capman (above) and chemistry professorArlin Gyberg(not pictured). both fron ts, especia lly th e remarkab le many a elementary or seconda ry teac hers. numb er o f scient ists place d in ind ustry, Augsb urg's strong int ern shi p co nn ect io ns pub lic servi ce , edu cation , and socia l lead o th ers to pro fess ional o ppo rtuniti es servi ce organiza tio ns. Among th em a re in ind ustry and th e no npro fit wo rld. K- 12 teac hers, ph ysicia ns, and ot her Augsburg science gradua tes ca n be foun d hea lth care and ment al hea lth at Medt ronic , SciMed, Genera l Electr ic, prof essionals. Guid ant , and many oth er bo th large and In chemistry, for exa mpl e, half of all gradu atin g maj ors ove r th e pas t 25 years small co rp ora tio ns. At 3M in St. Paul in parti cu lar, Augsbur g maint ai ns a large have go n e o n to eith er earn Ph .D.s o r prese nce beca use of its longtime beco m e doc to rs , d en tists , or ph ar macists . partn ers h ip with th e corpora tio n for In th e sam e Lime fra me, m ore th an ha lf o f trainin g of scie nti sts . Simil arly, hos pit als, all physics maj ors have ent ered gra du ate co un seling age ncies, and environm ent al sc hoo l. A simil ar propo rtio n o f b iology and health nonp ro fits empl oy grad uates gradu a tes go o n to p rofess io na l and from Augsbur g's sc ience depa rt ments . gradu a te pro grams, includin g medi ca l Thi s reco rd o f ac hi eve ment grows out schoo l. In psyc ho logy, about half o f all of Augs bur g's uni q uely enr ichi ng gradu ates pur sue advanced stud y in areas edu ca tiona l environm ent -r igorous ranging from be haviora l gen etics to science co ur sework wi th in a libe ral arts co un selin g psyc ho logy as we ll a law, curr iculum , ou tstand in g opport u nities for medi cin e, and th eo logy. s tud ent -fac ul ty researc h and int ern sh ips , O ther scie nce majo rs begin th eir caree rs imm ediately after gra du ation , Fall 2003 and stro ng facult y mem ori ng and p rogra m su ppo rt . ,4 GSB RG NOW 11 "Our science condu cted indep endent and team research in progra ms set high the College's solid-state ph ysics lab as well as expectatio ns of what our summ er resea rch at both Stanford University stud ents can achieve," and th e University of California-Berkeley. said Mark Engebretson, ph ysics departm ent chair. HARDWORK, "Whil e Augsbur g is only BIG REWARDS moderately selective comp ared to so me other libera l arts colleges, it's what we do with and expect o f our stud ents andScholarship Fair, Weekend College n cassidy and biology major Jean Johnson ledthe possibility of producing low sugar the dietaryand diabetic consumer market. that is different. " One indi cator of qu ality is the fact that in the past seve n years, five Augsbur g science majors have been awarded Goldwater Scholarships , a pre mier national und ergradu ate science awa rd for stud ents in science and mathematics. Only 30 0 stud ents across th e count ry are selected each year. Augsb urg's mos t recent Goldwater Scholar is senior ph ysics maj or Victo r Acosta . He has Stud ents attain these high levels of scholarship because Augsbur g's program s are demandin g, said William Capman, chair of Augsburg 's bio logy departm ent. "Science at Augsburg is hard work, but it pays off," he said. "Our stud ents develop the strong found ation needed to succeed in gradu ate school and in science professions." Augsburg's biology program is design ed to develop both breadth and depth of knowledge in the field . "Our program is broadly based so that stud ents have more opportuniti es than they would with a more specialized degree," he said. "Stud ents gradu ate well-prepared for many different paths." Whil e each program requir es coursewo rk Mathematics professor RebekahDuponthelps studentsfind researchprojects and internshipsthat give them experience, combinedwith a solid foundationof theoretical and applied mathematics,for a variety of careers or advancedstudies. Fall 2003 end eavo r. Cur riculum tec hn o logy, it is diffi cult for th em to enh ance ments includ e co nve y a se ns e o f scie ntifi c exp lora tion rece ntl y-developed courses beca use stud ents are usu ally ex p ec ted to in polym ers, medicin al dupli ca te k now n res ult s ," sa id ch emi stry , mat eria ls scie n ce , Enge br etson of ph ys ics. beh aviora l m edi cin e , and developm e nt al int o new territo ry in every disc iplin e, ps yc hopath o log y. In work in g alongs ide Augs bur g facu lty o n add iti o n , pra c tici ng ind epend ent resea rch proj ec ts and w ithin sc ienti sts come to ca mpu s cours ewo rk . as adjun ct facu lty a nd gues t In the TeachingScholars Program,fundedby NationalScience Foundation,Augsburg science majorstaught middle-school children at the Cedar-RiversideSchool, involvingthem in "bottle biology"hands-onprojects like this, studyinggroundwater and its effects on habitats when percolatingthroughsoil. in oth er scien ce disci plin es , ma ny stud en ts pur su e a seco nd maj o r or a minor , of ten co mbinin g bi ology and ch emi stry o r a scie nce d iscip lin e wi th math em atics . Math emati cs is a popular ch oice beca use it is "th e language of scie nce, " sa id ma th ema tics p rofesso r Rebeka h At Augsburg , st ud ents are digg ing Bes t kn ow n is Augsbur g's work in speakers , he lpin g Augsburg space ph ys ics over th e pas t qu a rt er stay o n top o f sc ien ce's ce ntu ry, fund ed w ith gra nts from the rapidl y chang in g Na tio nal Science Foundation d eve lop men ts a nd NASA. Und er th e dir ec tio n of Engebretson But per haps no thin g is and fellow ph ysics prof essor Ken Eri ckson, mo re relevant and inOu enti a l students in deve lopi ng tomorrow 's num e rou s spa ce ph ys ics proj ec ts , both scie nti sts , do cto rs , ed uca to rs, a nd h ea lth have bee n ac tively in vo lved in on- a nd o ff-ca mpu s , and m any have a nd behaviora l specia lists than Augsburg 's co mmitm ent to un de rgra duat e resea rch , o ffer ing o pportuniti es unmat c hed in mos t o th er sma ll co lleges. Dupont. "It's co mpl em ent ary to so many o th er disci plin es ." For exa mp le, J ennif er Pa lm er '99 QUESTIONING, EXPLORING co mbin ed a ma th maj or wi th a ch emi stry minor. She wen t o n to ea rn a mas ter's Scie nce edu ca tion ad visory d egree in biostatisti cs at th e Un ive rsity of pane ls have lo ng str essed Minn eso ta and is n ow a bios ta tistician a t th e va lue of und ergrad uate Boston Scientifi c Co rporati on in th e resea rch ex perien ces, Twin C iti es . es pecia lly th e op po rtunit y With changing scie ntifi c tr end s and wor kpl ace requir ement s, th e pro gra ms n ot o nly str ess mas tery of th e to look for n ew, as o pp osed to ex pec ted , res ults . "Alth oug h stand ard fund a ment a ls but a lso ac qu ai nt st ud ent s laborator y co u rses co nvey with em erg in g fields of sci e ntifi c kn ow ledge abo ut curr en t Fall 2003 NSF funds provide 30 Augsburgscholarships each year for computer science and mathematics majors (CSEMS) in both the day and weekendprograms. Pictured here are: Firstrow (Lto R): Alex Krantz, Brian Bue, Sarah Sletten (Middle row): HeatherGreene, Kirsten Halvorson, Scott Kuhl (Back row}: Brian Ashbaugh, Paul Sanft. /T UGSBURG NOW 13 Chemistry major Jennif er Hagenspent her summerassisting ProfessorRon Fedie on NSF-funded research studying copolymers at the University of Minnesota. presented resul ts at nationa l scie nce conferences and in academic publi cation s (see story on p. 30). Similarl y, chemistry student J ennifer Hagen devoted her summ er to assisting che mistry professor Ron Fedie on a project to furth er necessary for this work. Engeb retso n said gradu ates rep eated ly tell him th ese kind s of experiences were a key factor in their decision to pursue adva nced degrees and science caree rs. "Their resea rch back gro und gave them an know ledge of block copolym ers condu cted at important sense of direction both during the Univers ity of Minnesota, as part of the th eir studies and durin g their later careers," NSF-fund ed Research Site for Edu cato rs in he said . According to the National Science Board's Science and Engineering Indicators 1998 report, only one-quarter of Americans understand the nature of scientific inquiry well enough to make informed judgments about scientific results reported in the media. Chemistry (RSEC) program. This grant provides While man y stud en ts assist in resea rch funding for faculty and students from smaller, outsid e of th e classro om, research primarily four-year colleges to collabora te and experiences are also emb edded int o the engage in cuttin g-edge research at research curri culum . For exa mpl e, in biology, severa l uni versities equipp ed with sophistica ted cours es within the major includ e what instrumentation and chemistry resources Capman calls "non-trivi al" original research Fall 2003 as maj or comp onents of th e labora tory work . Every biology maj or comp letes at progra ms. In psychology, a research proj ect is least two or thr ee such research proj ects requir ed of every maj or, and many before grad uating. stud ents go on to do furth er work wit h a "Through these long-term proj ects , students experience science the way a faculty member. "We stress research in our program scienti st does, " Capm an said. "They have because our stude nts need to become to figure out the hypo thesis, design and critical think ers. We want them to cond uct the experim ents , and int erpret question why claims are made, and to and present the research, wh ich often recognize both the strengths and means dealing with the ambiguities of limitations of research findin gs," said results." Bridget Robinso n-Riegler, chair of Worki ng in small group s, stud ents review the work of previous class projects Augsbur g's psychology departm ent. Research experience at Augsbur g to figu re out the nex t logical qu estion for often leads to int ensive off-campu s stud y. opportuni ties and int ernship s. "Throu gh these stud ent proj ects , we're Last summ er, for exa mple, j uni or actually bui ldin g our own body of ph ysics maj or Ryan Nevin went to Penn scien tific literatur e on popu lation Slate University for a research genetics, prot ozoa n eco logy, )'easl grow th , expe rience, while juni or Greg McKusky and other topics," Capm an said. He and soph omore Nigel Milbridge loo k add ed that this level of stud ent research part in proj ects with Augsburg physics goes far beyond many und ergradu ate professor Amb rose Wolf at the University Psychology professorGraceDyrud(center)and psychology studentsMatt Plitzkow(left) and Emily Beltz (right)exploredpossiblereasonsfor persistent gamblingby lookingat gamblingbehaviorwhen players receiveddifferentkindsof resultsin the slot machines. Fall 2003 ecause science affects nearly every aspect of modern life, Augsburg courses for non-science majors are aimed at building scientific literacy- the knowledge and understanding of scientific conce pts and processes required for personal decision-making , participation in civic and cu ltural affairs, and economi c productivity . B William Capman , chair of Augsburg 's biology department said , "We want nonmajors to become familiar with the scien ce issues facing our society. The object is to get them to the point where they can make sense out of a newspaper article about genetic engineering, health issues, human behavior, or the environment , for example. " The College's general education requir ement s include two science courses for non-scie nce majors. Offering s include courses specifical ly designed for the nonscience major, such as the elective Chemistry for Changing Times. Non-majors also participate in Augsburg 's Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibility program (SENCER), funded by the National Science Foundation. Through SENCER, biology and chemistry stud ents have engaged in hand s-on projects, such as analyzing water and invertebrate samp les from area streams and providing the information to a Hennepin Conservation District water-quality database. In turn , students are inform ed as to how the data is used by legislative, neighborhood, and environmental group s. Joan Kunz, chemistry professor and c hair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, has provided leadership for the SENCER program . She is ent husiastic about how thi s project brings together two critical element s in Augsburg 's mission-high quality science educa tion and an ethic of service to society. "Community environmental needs are served at the same time that science literacy is fostered in our student citizens," she said. hUGSB URG NOW 15 University of Minnesota 's Cedar Creek Natu ral Hiswry Area. After gradu atio n, he was hired as a research field manager in the program , and plans to cont inu e to grad uate school for an advanced degree in ecology. Augsburg science students have also participated in research at the Mayo Clinic, Argonn e atio nal Laboratory, ationa l Institut e of Health Summ er Research Program , and the University of Minnesota Sup ercomput er Institut e, to name just a few. Besides enri ching stud ent learnin g, Augsburg faculty-student research also contribut es lO the wider comm uni ty by advancin g scientific und erstandin g, ftercomplellqhisfreshma n year, RyanShea'06 found a research project working with Professor Ambrow Wolfin thesolidstatephysics lab. contribu ting to new appli cation s, and , in so me cases , in formin g public polic y. In psychology, Steblay's resea rch on false identifi cation in police line-ups , for exampl e, has contribut ed to th e U.S. Departme nt of Ju stice's new pro cedura l guide lin es for law enforcemen t regarding eyewi tn ess evidence . An exami nat io n of poverty patt ern s and th e census in th e Cedar Riverside neighborhood by Dupont and math ematics stud ents helped a non-p rofit organization frame its advocacy efforts . On yet anoth er level, resea rch serves as a "batt ery-c harger" for facult y, accordi ng to Engebretso n . "Researc h can be very exc itin g. It also remind s us that we as faculty are still Biology maj or JaredTrost '00 was offered a position at the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Natural History Centerfollowing his research internship there in ecology. learn ers and helps us maint ain humilit y in th e face of th e uni verse. We don 't have all the answe rs." of Minnesota's Materials Research Science and Engineering Cent er. Sometimes an off-campus expe rience leads A CULTURE 0 F C A R N G to a job . Go ldwate r Scholar Jared Trost '00, for example , pursu ed his interest in eco logy Stroll through Science Hall and you'll usually th roug h a se nior year research internship at th e find groups of stud ents hanging ou t in the Fall 2003 departm ent al office uit es. A strong se nse of co mmunit y is enjoyed by sc ience facult y and stud ents . "Beca use we teach our ow n labs , j oy," she said . Many Augsbur g scie nce gra du ates ON THE probably wou ld not have co nsidered 0 R I Z ON majo ring in sc ience or pursuin g scie nce have small classes , and advise our ow n careers with out thi s level of facult y majo rs , we spend a lot of tim e with our involvement and Augsb urg's support stud ent s and co me to kn ow th em well," progra ms. Science facult y wo rk clos ely said Capm an . with stud ents in Augsbur g's Cent er for ugsburg is extending its pledge to A prepare the scientists, health ca re and mental health professionals of the Robin so n-Riegler's psyc hology Learnin g and Adap tive Services (CLASS) futur e through collaborations with stud ents call her by her first name. "I and Access Cr nt er (for stu dents with like th at. Augsbur g is a place wh ere I ph ysical o r learnin g disab ilities) and the commu nity partners such as Fairview can get to know stud ents well enough to StepUP pro gram (for stud ents in Health Services, United Hospitals, and help guid e th em th rough thi s very recove ry from alco hol and dru g Hazelden. These alliances allow expanded tumu ltu ous tim e in th eir lives. " depend ency) . ed ucational oppo rtunities for studen ts as they prepare for careers as clinical "The undergraduate years are the last opportunity for rigorous academic study of math, science, and engineering by many of the future leaders of our society-who will have to make momentous decisions that involve science and technology. " -The National Research Council laboratory scien tists, nurses, and chemica l dependency counselo rs. Among the emerging initiatives are a new clinical laboratory science maJor to prepare health professionals in laboratory A ment oring relationship with Augsbur g has also supp orted medicine, in partner ship with Fairview stud ent s often leads to what chemistry's stud ent s from un de rrep rese nt ed group s Sandra Olm sted calls "head- to-h ead , in pur suin g gradu ate studi es after Health Services; an art iculated agreement soul-sea rchin g academic advi sing." co llege with a Ronald E. McNa ir Post- that allows more seamless connection Baccalaurea te Achievement grant. between Augsburg's and Hazelden's "Sometim es a s tud ent picks a career path based on admirin g so meo ne, not "lnclu sivity in our progra m is key to necessa rily on his or her ow n calling," Augsbur g's missio n ," said Du po nt. "By she said . givin g th em th e too ls and ex periences to educational programs; and the Augsburg Academy, a charter schoo l focused on Reca lling a s tud ent who had always build th eir co nfid ence and co mpetence, health careers, in partnership with want ed to be a doc tor, Olmsted said th at stud ents w ho might have bee n writt en Fairview Health Services, Luther Seminary, whil e workin g at a part-Lime jo b at a off can encl up succee din g." and othe r organizations. hospit al near campu s , th e yo un g man discovered he didn 't like being aro un d ick peo ple. As his adviser, Olm ted Robin so n-Riegler chara cterizes Augsbur g's app roac h to scie nce edu cation as "a laun ching pad for youn g helped h im ex plo re oth er paths. He peop le. You learn th eir dr eams , you see eventu ally went on to Yale University w hat th ey're good at, and and beca me a medical resea rcher. "We th em on ." try to help stud ent s discove r th eir Cy111h ia Hill wriles fr eque111 /y a/JouI Augsburg College and is a parlller <II Rw11111 el, Dubs and Hill. uniqu e talents and what brin gs th em Fall 2003 )' OU cheer • A- UG 8 RG NOW 17 MENTORING andNETWORKING BY PROFESSORS PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR STUDENTS by Dan Jorgensen ugsburg College Th e University of math ematics and Minn eso ta also serves science as a key summer student.s---in addit ion research site for Wolf to winnin g such and his students who prestigious awards as have worked at th e the Goldwater Material s Research Scholarship (five in the Science and past seven years)Engin eering Center often find themselves (MRSEC) for th e past in line for major four summe rs. There , su mm er research projects bring toge ther oppo rtuniti es and research ers from acceptance into some chemistry , ph ysics, of the nati on's leadin g material s scie nce, and grad uat e program s, engineerin g. In thanks in no small part addition to his physics to th e research work students Wolf has also (L to R) ProfessorsRonFedie, chemistry; J. AmbroseWoll, physics; and NicholasCoult, an d outside consultin g worked with students efforts of th eir professors. mathematics, offer their studentsadvancedresearchand internshipsopportunitiesbecauseof researching polymers , their own research, networking, and collaborationwith universities, researchinstitutions,and Faculty like icholas the same field as Fedie . industry across the country. Coult in math emati cs, "Polymers are at the Ron Fedi e in chemistry, heart of my work ," Fed ie labo rato ry as well as in places like Target and J. Ambro se Wolf in physics , brin g stated . "Because there are probabl y 200 or Co rporation , where th ey'll have th e both "real-wo rld " expe riences dir ectly to more local companies involv ed directly chan ce to use th eir math ematics skills . th eir classroom instru ction and pro vide with polym er use, the indu strial Fedie , who came to Augsburg in the facult y-stud ent resea rch parLnerships that applications are almost limitle ss. As a mid -1990s after earning his Ph.D . in help prepare th eir stud ents for graduat e chemist, you have higher th an a 70 ph ysical/polym er chemistry from th e sc hoo l, indu stry int ernship s, and job perc ent cha nce of working ,vith polymer Unive rsity of Minn eso ta, said many chemistry, so I'm pleased that we've op portuniti es . chemistry stud ents find resea rch or created a number of ties between Coult , who earn ed his Ph .D. in internship opportuniti es in places like app lied mathematics at th e Universi ty of Augsburg and th e industry . Through the 3M , Aveda, Aspen Resea rch , Hon eywe ll, RSEC collaboration we are able to give Co lorado , came to Augsbur g thr ee years Genera l Mills, and Medtronic . He has also our undergraduat es opportunities that ago after serving as a postdoc tor al been ab le to work in a team setting with only graduate students might get at other researc h asso ciate at the Institut e for one of his students at th e U of M's institutions. " Mathema tics and its App lications at th e Research Site for Educator s in Chemistry A course developed by Fedie , Th e University of Minn eso ta. With h is U o f M (RSEC), where Augsburg has a grant to Properti es of Polymers , has been th e only con nection s, he is assis ting in develop ing help und ergraduat e stud ents work und er regular undergr aduate course offered on oppo rtunities for stud ents to take th e sup ervision of Ph .D. advisers. this topic in the Associated Colleges of int ernship s at its St. Anthony Falls A 18 A-UGSBURG NOW Fall 2003 Lhe Twin Cities (ACTC ) consort ium. Polym er are long chain molecule that are eith er natural , such as D A, proteins , and cellul ose , or syntheLic. Synth etic polym er rang e from poly(e th ylene terep hthal ate) PETE, used to mak e sof t drink bottl es an d polyester fibers, to poly(s tyrene) PS, used for insulation and co ffee cups , to poly (ethylene ), the flexib le type used in plastic sheetin g and trash bags. It also can be blended for use in every thin g from car Lires to fabrics LO artificial turf. "Polymer ," Fedi e said , "are th e synthetic age of materials that we're in toda y. In many way , th e 1960s movie The Graduate s till has it correct- th e futur e is plastic s." Polym er study also carries over to ph ysics and th e thin films application s researc h that Wolf is doi ng. "Polym ers allow for flex ibilit y and co uld be used to make tran istors , the building blocks of co mput er chips . Thes e cou ld th en be sprayed onto any surface and logical elements created . Speci fically, th ey co uld be sprayed on non -r igid surfaces like clothing , si nce th ey are very thin and lightweight. If every thin g in a store , for example , had th ese sprayed-on pol ymer inform ation piec es, all items in a shoppi ng cart co uld be sca nn ed at th e sa me tim e without being taken from th e cart. It creat es grea t research possibiliti es for our stud ents ." Wolf's primar y research has centered on Magnetic RAM (MRAM) , a co mpl ex proc ess used for s torage densit y on th e read-h eads of co mput er hard drives. "MRAM will revolutionize comp uter memory and storage as we know it," he said . "Part of this research also is done in my Augsburg lab. We are working on basic equipm ent at this point , but the resea rch shou ld reac h 'publishable ' leve l during th e nex t academic year." Becau se of th e ex tensive researc h work Augsbur g stud ents have done not on ly at th e Univer ity of Minn eso ta, but in places like Wisco nsin , Corne ll, tanford, and Univers ity of CaliforniaBerkeley, th e Chemi Lry and Physics Departm ents are coo perating on crea tin g a bachelor 's degree in materials science for stud ent int erested in that area and Fall 2003 currently doing doubl e majo rs in phy ics and chemi try. Throu gh ACTC classes , th e new majo r also will serve Universi ty of t. Th omas engin eer ing majo rs. "Our new genera l edu cation curriculum pro vid es for th e co urse arrange ment for such a maj or," Wolf said . "And loca l industri es are int eres ted in this typ e of major. Its graduates will be very empl oyable, boLh loca lly and nat ionally; and it mirror s th e resea rch side in our coursework. " Wolf, who created Augsb urg's so lid Late ph ysics co ncentr ation , did postd octoral resea rch at Basel, Switzerland, and th e Nava l Re earch Laboratory in Washington , D.C., after earning his Ph .D. from the University of Ka in and th e Research Cent er in J0li ch , Germany. Th e new co ncent ration brin gs all of the ph ysics resea rch supp ort-s uch as co mput er program s and eq uipm entdir ectly in to th e classroo m. At th e same tim e, it provides elective co urses for stud ents majo rin g in chemistr y and math ematics . Cou lt's research also has brought new equipm ent LO Augsburg , primaril )' in th e form of co mput ers . The equipm ent is pur chased throu gh gra nt s from a Texasbased seismic-exp lora tion co mp any and i used to support his resea rch in co mputati onal method s in ap plied math emati cs. Augsburg tud ent resea rchers mak e heavy use of th e equipment both during th e summer and throughout the schoo l year. "I am working on severa l so ftware packages that use advanc ed math ematics to impro ve th e proces sing and analy is of data used in exp lora tion for oi l and gas ," Co ult sa id . "A math ema tical per pective allows us to have a precise und erstandin g of why a process do es or do e not work , and how it can be impro ved . My plan is LO ge t our tud ent dir ectly involv ed in this kind of work ." Coult has summer stud ents wo rkin g with National Scienc e Foundation-funded research . His stud ents build oftwar e th at will be appli cable to co mput ationa l research-solving prob lems by using th e comput er. Like his co lleagues in chemistr y and physics , ou lt ha helped start new classes, including Math 355 , um erical Mathematics and Comput ation , which lie at th e intersection of math emati cs and comp ut er science-his primary field of researc h. "This is an elective for both math ematics and computer science, and stud ents from th at clas arc well prepared Lo do co mput atio nal work in th e field ," he aid. "It is of int eres t LO stu de nts in th e sciences , too, especia lly thos e int erested in doing computational modeling. Genomics , where sc ienti ts will be sortin g th rough snippets of DNA, and bio-infomatic , wh ich deal s with pro cess ing and gathering in the biological scien es, are go ing to be growing fields where thi l rpe of training will be ideal. " • A- G BURG NOW 19 by 11111, Nor11rd handra Erdman came to Augsbur g with two years of co llege classes alread y on her tra nscr ipt , but had no particular major or caree r goal in mind . Now, one year after gra du ating, she has compl eted a master's degree and has begun a Ph.D. progra m al Yale University in sta tistics. "I never thought I'd be where I am toda y," Erdman reflected. and , as she loo ks ahead a cou ple of years, lhe statistic sh e's aimi ng for is lo beco me th e first African-A merican to compl ete Yale's doc toral progra m in statistics. Erdman came to Augsbur g after spendin g her ju nior and senior years of high schoo l at the University of Minn esota full lime taking general co urses. She chose Augsbu rg because of its small size and fou nd a co mfortable fit. She decided upo n a math maj or because the subj ect really challenged her, and becau se o f its exac tn ess and "how thin gs fall imo place." The fact that it's a science that can be carrie d out enti rely in one's mind , without too ls or lab experim ents, imrigu ed her. W hal made the real d ifference in Erdm an's experience at Augsbur g, howeve r, was selection as a McNa ir Scholar. Thi s federally-funded prog ram seeks to increase the number of gradu ate degrees earned by stu de nts from und erreprese nted segme nts of soc iety. Th e 18 stud ents who have been serv ed each year by the progra m, eith er lowincome first generation co llege stud ents, stud en ts of color, or other individu als und erreprese med in doc tora l progra ms, have been involved in research and oth er scholarly ac tivities lo p repare th em for doc toral studi es. Erdm an comp leted two research proj ects while she was an un de rgradu ate. For a summ er research proj ect in appli ed mat h, she used U.S. census co un ts to model the shifting residenti al palterns in the last four decades among blacks and C 20 ,4 UGSBURG NOW whit es in North Minn eap olis. She presen ted thi s research as an ora l presemation on campu s and as a session at the McNa ir Scholars conference at the University of Puerto Rico. Her seco nd resea rch proj ect was in pur e math , where she studi ed cominu ed fractions and tried to pro ve a series of openend ed qu estions. This resea rch was presented at a colloquium for mathematics, co mput er science, and ph ysics stud ents on campu s. As she began thinkin g about her voca tional choices , howeve r, it was a semester with math ematics prof esso r Ken Kamin sky that set th e course. "My favorite class was ChandraErdman'02 celebratedher Augsburg graduat ion probability and statistics," Erdm an with DixieShafer(left), McNairScholarsprogramdirector, said- she enjo yed the fun in and her mother , PaulaErdman(right).Erdmanis currentlya doctoralcandidatein statisticsat Yale University . probability and th e usefuln ess of statistics. Thi s int erest, combin ed with a requir ed teachin g experience in thought about gradu ate schoo l. As a first generation college stud ent , she grew up calculu s, which she really enjoyed , helped shape her goa l to teach at the with out role models to help her pur sue co llege level. edu cation or leach her th e process of learnin g. In fall 2002 Erdm an began a master's In the McNair program, she learned prog ram al Colum bia University. "I was how to co ndu ct and present research, terrified when I first go t th ere, thinking that everyo ne else was smarter than I what gradu ate schoo l is all about , and was," she said. "But after I started gettin g how to wril e appli cations and prepare for th e gra d schoo l exa ms. But, most A's, I felt I really did belong ." She imp ortant , she received lots of supp ort compl eted th e master's degree in a year. and encou ragement to gain the In seekin g doc tora l programs, confidence to succeed. "McNa ir help ed Erdm an loo ked not only at the schoo l's me to never feel alone," Erdman pro gra ms, but she also called its gra duat e reflected . stud en ts and talked with th em about She stays in contact with mathematics their ex periences . Yale's small size again professo rs Kamins ky and Rebekah see med like a goo d fit to pro vide the Dup ont , also McNa ir's resea rch director, comfort she so ught. Whil e im erviewin g as well as with Dixie Shafer, McNair there, she also conn ected wit h a facult y prog ram director. member who shared her int erest in Fo r so meo ne who admitt ed to not und ercoum ed popul ations and had a even kn owing what the Ivy League was , proj ect idea in mind for adju stin g the Erdman has already left her mark on on e count s. of its schoo ls and is ready lo tackle Erdm an admit s that before j oinin g the anoth er. • McNa ir Scholars progra m, she had not Fall 2003 LEARNING THEHUMANSIDEOF SCIENCE by Paul S. Mueller '84, MD hen sick people consult a physician Lo determin e the cause and treatment of their illness, they may also seek answers to existe ntial questions that science cann ot answe r (e.g., "Wh y me?"). Many patients rely on their spirint al beliefs and spirintal care providers to answ er these qu estions . Many patients , howeve r, also engage their ph ysician in existential discuss ions. As a physician who frequ ently conveys bad news to patients, my liberal arts edu cation at Augsbur g, mu ch more than my medical edu cation, has prepared me to participat e in these discussions . Unlike most of the hard sciences (e.g., ph ysics), medical science is inexact. At best, it is difficult to cond uc t research of organ systems (e.g., the heart and blood vessels) in iso latio n. Th e human body is a highly complex organism. Its organ systems are intertwi ned and exist in harm ony with each other. Furth ermore , medical science often involves ani mal research , the results of whi ch are extrapolated to hum ans . Whil e medical science is inexac t, clinical medicine is even more so . It is imp ossible for ph ysicians to appl y all of the techniqu es of the laboratory LO the patient's beds ide. In add ition, a patient is mu ch more than a biological organism. A patient has an emotional life, a sp iritu al life, and past experiences, all of which give meaning and purp ose LO life events, includin g illness. Furth ermore , like organ systems , patients do not exist in isolation. Rather, patients have relationship s with loved ones and communi ties. In fact, evidence is growi ng that psychological factors, spiritu ality, and interperso nal relationship s are importa nt determ inants W Fall 2003 of health , and seasoned phy icians recognize their imp ortance. Providing holis tic care by addressing the psychosoc ial, spiritual, and relational needs of patients leads to beuer health outcomes includin g recovery from illness. In 1984 , I gradu ated from Augsburg College with a B.A. in chemistry. I also completed the pre-med ical education requirements for medica l school. While in medical school and interna l medicine residency, I always felt my Augsburg science education was sufficient. While I certainly learn ed many facts at Augsbu rg, I also deve lope d a love of discovery th rough the scient ific method. I learned how to seek new knowledge by asking quest ions , developi ng hypo theses, and conducting expe riments--sk ills that I app ly LO my practice and research wday. Yet it was the Augsbur g libera l arts edu catio n that allowed me to thrive in clinica l medicine. Discussing a diagnosi s (e.g., cancer ) \vith a patient requires not only up- to-da te un ders tanding of the disease and its treatment , but also how such a diagnosis can impac t a perso n and his or her relations hips. Religion , philosop hy, ethics, art , and the other compo nents of a liberal arts education inforn1 me in ways that the ph ysical sciences do not. Not surpris ingly, it is from these areas, especially religion and philosoph y, that many patients draw meaning, pu rpose , and wisdom as they face and cope \vith illnesses. Like\vise, a liberal arts educatio n prepares physicians to empath ize and dialogue with patients as they face iIIness. Whil e the science major learns how to become a proficient scientist, the Augsburg liberal arts education informs the science major of other truths such as religious , phil osophi cal, and ethica l tru ths. Indeed , blind pur suit of cientific knowledge an d acceptance of scien tific materialism (i.e., the belief that everyt hing, including the hum an being, can be under wod as simply Paul S. Mueller'84, MD mauer ) can have devastatin g conseque nces. For examp le, the Nuremberg trials of Nazi physicians taught us that medical cience \vithoul conscience is un acceptable. A liberal arts edu cation inforn1s the Augsburg science major of what questions are worth answering and what it means LO be a scientist in the context of wday's world and its greatest needs . An Augsburg liberal arts edu cation also encourages scien ce majors LO seek and pursu e their vocation , or calling, rather than simply a job. Like patients , man y stud ents ask existential questions related LO vocation (e.g., "What is my purp ose in life?"). Science canno t answer these qu estions. On the other hand , a rich liberal arts educational experience can assist the stud ent in answering these questions . Some of my best memor ies of Augsburg are of long discussions \vith my professors related LO the meanin g and purpose of life. Indeed , I spe nt countl ess hou rs in these discussion s ,vith my mentor and adviser , Professor John Hoium of the Chem i try Departm ent. He taught me not on ly the principl es of organic chemistry, but al o helped me reconcile my faith with my know ledge of the physical uni verse. He role mode led vocation and what it meant be a conscientious scientist. These discussions inform ed me and helped hape my vocation , or calling-and continu e LO inforn1 Augsburg stud ents wda)( • Pau l 5. Muelle1; M.D., M.P.H., F.A. .P., is a con ulta11tat the Mayo Clinic Rochester a11dis president of che Augsburg College Alumni Association Board of Directors. ,4 GSBURGNOW 21 I BIOLOGY FORTHECLASSROOM by Betsey Norgard TEACHING THOSE WHO WIL[ IEACH eachers are often asked to recall past teachers in their lives who made differences along the edu cational journey.Jon Iverson '00 and Pete Ockuly '95 were biology majors at Augsburg. Both now teach science in public schools , and both readily talk about the differences biology professor Dale Pederson '70 , their adviser at Augsburg, made in their vocational decis ions . Iverso n teaches seventh- and eighthgrad e science at Anderson Open School in Minn eapolis, and Ockuly teaches biology at Champlin Park High School. Both believe that Augsbur g prepared them well to step into a classroom. Iverson and Ockuly are grad uates of a departme nt that prepares students for varying career paths-graduate or professional studies , secondary education, and industry and research positions. In all cases, it means equipping them with a solid foundatio n in biology Pederso n exp lains how difficult it has become LO under stand the leadin g edges of science without such a broad foundation . When he talks LO prosp ective seco nda ry schoo l teachers, he tells them how important it will be for them to "help [their] stud ents develop a useful und erstanding of th e fund amental aspects of biology, e.g. the cellular natur e of life, the cent ral dogma of information storage and expression , the correlations between cell divisions and pan erns of inh eritan ce, the unit y and diversity of life and evolution-above all, evolution. Whil e there are many hot topics in curr ent biology," he says, "most of them cannot be usefully addressed without such found ational knowledge and insight. " T 22 t4 UGSBURG NOW In addition to courses in biology, most biology majors also take six semes ters of chemistry and physics, and two semesters of mathematics . Iverso n says he felt this prepar ed him for a variety of science activities and teaching-more than many new teachers he knows who concentr ated in one major or focused on research. Ockuly feels his core science background is bett er than some of his colleagues. His perception is that his college training allowed him Loquick ly work at a level like that of his colleagues who had more extensive teachin g experience. Th e Biology Department's rigorous training begins with freshm an courses that includ e research projects throu gh which stud ents learn to und erstand science as process, how science knowledg e is acquired , and the limitations of sciencewhat types of qu estions it can and cannot ask. For futur e teachers , Pederson says, this will provid e grounding needed for them LO help their students , for example, if they become involved in science fair projects. "Teachin g science as process is not likely to be effective un less the teacher is experienced in research ," he says. "You can't learn how to do science by reading a book . ILtakes experience and mentorin g-a lot of mentoring." Th e departm ent also encourages students LO develop a sense of lifelong learnin g. "Th ere is no way that they can learn everything they need to know [at Augsburgl, but they'll know how to learn and teach th emselves," says Pederson. And , he hopes they take with them an enthu siasm and excitement for science. "You can't work in biology without BiologyprofessorDale Pederson'70 adviseshis studentsenteringteaching careershow important it will be for them to help their studentslearn the foundationand processof science to understand the growingcomplexities of life. developing a passion for it and a craving for the insights that continually reveal life to be both more complex and elegant than imagined ," he says. For his future teachers, Pederson says the depart ment also makes specific suggestions for courses to take. If, for instance, th e student hasn't had a plant biology course , Pederson recomm ends one, believing that plant biology should be part of th e high school curriculum . When speaki ng abou t their advising expe rience with Pederson, however, both Iverson and Ocku ly speak about it more from an intellectual than scientific persp ective. Both recall frequent Fall 2003 discussion s with Pederson about teaching, education , and edu cational systems . Iverson came to college already knowing he wanted to teach. He tells of recently cleaning out old paper s and finding a report from second grade in which he listed teaching as his choice for wha t he wanted to be when he grew up. He recalls Pederson as a "very, very, very tough teacher." "ln my first year I didn 't do very well in science ," Iverson says, "and I was thinking that I really shouldn 't do this . ln my second year 1 had [Pederson]. and he pushed me like no other instructor at Augsburg had. I think it was at that time I really started to develop intellectually. You could see it, not only in my grades , but in how mu ch I remembered after courses and in my attitud e toward other classes. "He taught me intellectually the effort it took and the patience it took to do science really well," Iverson says. Ock uly didn 't decide on teaching until late in his sop homore year. He can't pinpoint the actual decision , but can recall listening to teachers and thinki ng about how he wou ld explain the subj ect differently, or use different examp les. Ot her factors supp orted his decision to teach. He enjoyed coach ing yout h wrestling, and his wife, Kristi Ocku ly '95 , was in eleme ntary edu cation. Ockuly recalls thoughtfu l, and sometimes provoking, discussions he had with Pederson. "I remember specific conversat ions about Jon Iverson'00, a middle-school science teacher, can now appreciate the education system . It the "push" he receivedfrom his biology professors at Augsburgthat interested me to thin k and challenged him-and helps him seek the best from his students. talk about it, and perhaps helped push me into th ousands of doll ars because of the years education ," Ockuly says. "Dale was the or decades of research , design , and trials first person I ever had deep discussions that mad e it possible. wit h; he helped me realize that I wanted Pederson stresses that advisers at to teach. " Augsburg spend a great deal of time with In educating the ir own stud ents now; their students - in lectur es, in labs, in both Iverson and Ockuly want to impress one-on-o ne research, and in advising. how important science edu cation is for Students become comfortab le talking with everyone, not just for the stud ents who their advisers, mak ing it easier to discuss want to become scientists. how to select app ropr iate courses , "I believe the goal of science education experiences, and activit ies for tho se should be educating [students[ enoug h to stud ents . be able to vote on important science For stud ents go ing into classroom issues, to be able to deal with household teachin g, the departm ent can arran ge prob lems that they might have, or pra ctical teaching experie nces. Iverson prob lems at their businesses ," Iverson worked as a lab assistant , helpin g teach a says. "If their city decides to bui ld a stom1 biology class for non-majors . "The sewer, they should be able to hear opportuni ty to deal with tud ents who argum ents on both sides and really didn 't want to be th ere and didn 't then decide whether it's a have a good grasp on a lot of science " good thing or not." was a lot like th e middl e school science Ocku ly tries to help his classroom whe re he now teaches, he says. stud ents und erstand the At Augsburg, 10-15 students each year complexity of probl ems, in maj or in biology, chemi try, ph ysics, or additio n to the advantages , math wit h seco ndary teachin g in mindthat result from the explosion areas of current teacher shortages. Th ey of science and techn ology. have advisers in bot h their major He gives medical care as a discipline and in edu cation- something prim e example. What once not often the case in teacher training were friendl y hom etown progra ms. doctors' offices have given Advisers from th e two depa rtm ents way to techni cally-advanced depend on one anoth er, says Pederson , clinics. He tries to help his and co llaborate on planning scie nce Ideas from many of the discussions on educational systemsand stud ents und erstand how, for requir ements. "Th e bottom line," he science standardsthat Pete 0ckuly '95 fondly rememberswith Dale example, a small tub e for a says, "is th at both want the student to Pederson, his biology adviser, have found their way into 0ckuly's heart procedur e may cost succeed ." • biology classroom at ChamplinPark High School. Fall 2003 A-UGSBURGNOW 23 I ONTHEROAD TO by Betsey Norgard andr a Olmsted '69 , associate professor of chemistry, often wonders what her former classmates and stude nts are doing in the field and what she can learn from them. Sherry Jennings-King , director of corporat e, foundation , and governm ent relations , has wondered, in her new job , how she could gain ent ree to major area corporat ions to build institutiona l relation ships with the College. She happens to have a degree in chemical engine ering. So, they teamed up . Olmsted identified Augsburg chemistry alumni worki ng at area corporatio ns, and the duo visited them for lun ch and conversa tion. Olmsted and Jennings-King 's agendas were differentOlmsted was anxious to hear what th e alum s could tell her about new and chang ing ski lls in the workp lace and , from their perspectives , what emerging trends might impact Augsburg's chemistry curriculum . Jennings-King was hoping to build bridges that wou ld help bring internships , partnerships , and finan cial support to Augsbu rg. In meeting th e alumni , Olmste d says it opened her eyes to new and emerg ing opport uniti es for her students , especia lly in the combin ation of chemistry with ot her disciplines . One grad they visited combined chem istry with computer scie nce. He writ es softwa re that run s hosp ital instruments and allows th em to communicate across distances , enab ling doctors in remo te loca tions to access medical data and follow pat ient prog ress. He says his kn owledge of how chemistry works in the bod y mak es him a bett er software engineer because he can und ers tand the data in more depth . One person they visited is Dean Malotky '71, vice president and prin cipal at Barr Engineering. In his 25 years th ere he has been in on the ground level to develop assessment SherryJennings-King(right), ~irector of corporate, and remediation meth ods for waste foundation, and governmentrelations, and Sandra Olmsted disposal sites . Serving as an expert '69 (left), chemistry professoi, haveteamedup to connect witn ess in cou rt , he helps resolve with and learnfromchemisryalumni in the metro area. S 24 A-UGSBURGNOW legal battles fought over the extent of liability and share of cleanup costs that compa nies are assessed. He tells of a big case in New J ersey where thr ee maj or comp anies had to divide up the total cost of cleanup . Malotky 's job was to look at five or six different chemi cal manufa cturin g facilities to evaluate their products and by-products , as well as the raw materials that went into each facility, to determine th e extent to which they contribut ed to cont amin ation. Earlier in his tenur e at Barr, Malotky help ed wr ite th e specifications for analysis of samples at the companies where they were outsourced, in order to ensur e accuracy. After Augsburg, Malotky says he felt well prepared to pursue doctoral studi es at th e Un ivers ity of Wisconsin-Madison. Since joining Barr Engineering , he has helped the company grow from 40 employees to over 350 and win severa l awards as a good place to work. Shann on Hess , associate chemist at Aveda, gradu ated in 2000 and told Olmsted and J enning s-King, "I've loved my j ob since th e day I started two-and-ahalf years ago." Her work at Aveda, a cosmetics compa ny whose vision is "connecting beauty, environm ent , and well-being ," is challenging because of th e strict guidelines for using on ly naturallyderived materials. She explain s that instead of using synt hetic raw materials , Aveda chemists mu st try to replicate the benefits and perform ance with natur ally derived and organ ic raw materials. Hess' work is to acquire new organic essentia l oils for fragran ce formul as. She is in daily communi cation with supp liers, who may be comp anies in England , South Africa, Australia , or lavender farmers in France . Aveda also buys natural products from indigenous Fall 2003 Shannon Hess '00 uses her chemistry to create personal care products from naturally -derived and organic raw materia ls. Aveda and its co mmitm ent to environm ent al issues. She says that awareness of we llness is so methin g she wo rks with every da y, "thinkin g about what you put on your skin and in your body." While her plans may includ e graduat e schoo l some day, her work at Aveda is giving her the experience she want s to advance her car eer in th e persona l care industr y. J onath an DeVries '68 is a techni cal manage r at th e Medallion Laborato ries division of Gene ral Mills. For almos t 26 years he has been in th e forefro nt of und ers tandin g, develop ing anal ytical method s , and buildi ng sta nd ards for certain nutriti onal and food safety guid elines. His work has cent ered on th e infor mation co nsum ers read on the nutrition al labels o f foods th ey eat, with ex tra emphas is on th e term "dietary fiber." Prior to th e 1980s , "cru de fiber" was th e basic nutriti on label, but thi s excluded a significant portion of health y dietary fibers in the foods. DeVries was instrum ental in sta nd ardizing th e definiti on of dietary fiber Dean Malotky 's work takes him into courtrooms to present expert and in standardi zing and validatin g technic al information toward resolut ion of legal issues around meth ods of extrac tion and analysis for environmental contamination and cle an-up. genera tin g nutriti ona l labe ls , wo rkin g throu gh th e Associa tion of Officia l Analytical Chemists (now AOAC lNTER NATIONA L) , gro ups aro und th e wo rld , trying to which established internationa l guid elines for th eir und erstand and inco rpora te use of th eir raw mate rials as they are used in th eir usage. De Vries cred its professor emeritu s J ohn Hoium for cu ltur es. emph asizing a solid scie ntifi c found at ion and process At Augsbur g, a p lant biology co ur se for co ntinu al learnin g, ra th er than the spec ific body of with recent ly-retired Prof. Est her chem istry learn ed . DeVries wo uld advise stud ent s not McLaughlin spark ed Hess' int erest in Fall 2003 A-UGSBURGNOW 25 Olmst ed and Jennings -King plan to LO worry too mu ch about computer and other continue their visits with area chemistry techn ology that will change , but to "mast er the alumni. Jennings -King has already told learnin g pro cess an d the basics of the subj ect area, and Olmsted that it's tim e LO hit the road to loo k at all the data at their disposal before dr awing co nclu sions ." again. • From these thr ee chemistry alumni and others, the feedb ack Olmsted heard already has brou ght chan ges to the way chemistry majors are taught. First , a new sec tion o f a speec h course that focuses on how to present techni cal infor mation and research , including makin g presentation s to various audi ences , is being develop ed. Second , the fourJonathanOeVries ' work at GeneralMills over 25 years has involveddevelopinganalytical semes ter chemistry methodsand standardsfor nutritional and food safetyguidelines, especially concerning semin ar for juniors and dietary fiber. seniors has been revamped to be of greater value to what stud ents can expect after they leave Augsburg . Stud en ts will also get more hands-on expe rience in using instrum ents . Olmsted says stud ents need to feel comfortabl e about the kinds of instrum ents they may encount er in the wor kpla ce-no t only how LO use th em, but also how to int erpret th e data . "This will prepa re th em to be functioning chemists as well as fun ctionin g grad stud ents ," she says. Olmsted also heard alumni speak abo ut the imp ortance of understanding the patent process , especia lly important for stud ents pur suin g studies in publi c researc h instituti ons where protec tion of resea rch is para mount. Jenning s- King has see n ben efits as well. When she submits propo sals and comp anies ask how engaged Augsburg alumni at th eir co mp any are, J enning s- King can report co nfidentl y on their meetings . Th e College has estab lished new internships with these co mp anies and SherryJennings-Kingand SandraOlmsted'69 review sketchesfor the received in-kind donati on of new science building, which has beena topic of discussionin their eq uipm ent as well. visits to metro-areachemistry alumni. 26 .4UGSBU RG NOW by Lynn Mena ehind Lhe door of a small laboratory in the lower level of Sverdrup Hall, Augsburg senior Scott Kuhl is manipulatin g reality. Kuhl, an undergraduate research assistam, is part of the Departmem of Comput er Science's Localization Project, analyzing the cues Lhat people use to locate Lhemselves when the y ent er comput er-created virtua l environm ents. Kuhl has participated in the Nationa l cience Foundation-funded project since Lhesum mer of 2001. "Generally speak ing, we're trying to answer qu estions abo ut how people perceive thin gs," says Kuh l, a comput er science and mathematics doubl e major. "Similar research ha been done in outdoo r environments. We are dupli cating that work in a virtu al environment. We're imerested in seeing the difference between doing the experiments in a virtual environm ent versus a real environm ent. " The proj ect consists of two sets of experime nts , the first involving selflocalizatio n and the second dealing with rotational recalibration. The subjects in all of the experiments view the virtual environm ent by using a head-moum ed display. They can move freely, able to turn around or look up and down in the virtua l environment. Kuhl wrote computer programs to rend er the virtua l environm ents for bot h sets of experim ents . Karen Suth erland , Augsburg associa te professor of compu ter science , based the overall vision of the project and the set of localization experiments on her previous work in both robot and real-world localization . Experi ments in selflocalizatio n have been condu cted in the real world for many years. More recemly, researche rs have begun exp loring virtua l space and asking the question: "Do we use the same techniqu es to locate ourse lves in B Fall 2003 Scott Kuhl's head-mounted "glasses" give a manipulatedview of reality, as he uses a virtual environmentto study how people locate themselvesin a given space. virtua l space as we do in real space? " Th e project's set of rotationa l recalibration experim ents was developed by Kuhl, and is inspired by a research proj ect he participated in at the University of Utah the su mmer of 2002. "They had a tread mill-like system \vilh screens, where you walk straight ahead while the virtual wo rld is displayed on th e screens ," ays Kuhl. "As part of their research, they changed how fa t the virtual world moved as you walked . The world would , for exampl e, move twice as fast as it should have." This experie nce prompted Kuhl to pond er what wou ld happe n if instead of changing Lhe rate that the world moves as you walk straig ht , you changed the rate at which it moves as you rotate. "I'm interested in learnin g about the process of adjus tmem and how we might adj ust differemly in virtua l environments Lhan we do in real-world environments ," says Kuhl. In Kuhl's expe riments , participants put on the head-moumed display and are shown a comput er-generated wall with a post er on it. After viewing the poster , participants close their eyes and are instru cted to turn around in place so that Lhey are facing in the same direction as the y were origina lly Then , th y are told to look at a series of posters by follow ing a set of instru ctions. After these instru ctions, participants view another po ter, close their eyes, and turn around in a complete circle so they are facing the poster again . "I've parti cularly enjoyed the techni cal a pects of this research- although the psychological aspects are a bit of a challenge," says Kuhl. "It's really neat to relate what I've learned in my math ematics classes to what I'm doin g ,vith comp uter graphi cs." When the experiments are complete , the results will be compi led and analyzed statistically, comparing results of the previous real world and robot experiments with these. Th e rotational recalibration exl)eriments ,viii also erve as Kuhl's departm emal hon ors project. After he gradua tes Lhis sprin g, he plans to pursue grad uat e studi es in co mput er science. In addition to Lhi work, the co mput er science departm ent will be performin g experiments usin g a data glove in the virtual environm em , and is also using the lab to develop a comput er graph ics cour e that incorporat es virtua l reality topics . "I can see lots of opp ortuniti e in th e future to use our lab-n ot just for virtu al reality, but also for robotics-as we ll as a combination of th e two," says utherland . • ,4uGSBURG NOW 27 dam McWeLhy graduated with distincti on and with deparm1ental honors in psychology last spring. Four years earlier, he had learned about Augsbu rg's StepUP program and decided to app ly- a decision Lhat wou ld change his life. "I knew nothing about Lhe school and wasn't even Lutheran ," McWethy said. "But I knew I had a great oppo rtuni ty in this one-of-a-kind program ." McWeLhy was on e of approximatel y 40 stu dents in Lhe growing StepUP program, which provides a support ive environm ent to allow stud ents in recovery from add iction achieve academic success. McWeLhy's appreciaLion of StepUP's mission has now broughL him into leadership positions on StepUP's advisory board and , since graduation , on a StepUP alumni board . McWeLhy became a psychology major in his sophom ore year. "I came here because of StepUP, but it was the Psychology Department Lhat allowed me to find my niche and to excel." He curr ent ly works as a chilcVfamily advocate at Wayside Hou se- where he also completed his psychology internship . Th is program provides safe hou sing for women in recovery from chemical dependency. McWeLhy spends his time working with teams who are Lrying to accomplish what is best for the children of Lhe residents . He says he is "on the front line of a war to save kids' lives." McWethy has also worked on a numb er of research projects , most recently with Professor Nancy Steblay. For the past two years, McWethy and Steblay have collaborated on a project in psychology and law that includes Steblay's research colleagues at Lhe University of Texas-El Paso. Together, the team has collected and analyzed a massive amo un t of laboratory data addr essing three interrelated variables in the ju ry decision-making process: inadmissible evidence, judicial instruction to disregard this eviden ce, and type and timin g of such instrucLion. A pap er, which A 28 A-UGSBURG NOW At Augsburg, AdamMcWethy'03 discoveredhis passion for research in psychologythat helped him shape his goals in working with children. McWethy co-auth ored , was presented in Jul y at the International Interdisciplinary Psychology and law conference in Edinburgh , Scotland . McWethy's honors Lhesis was a section of this research and specifically investigated the impact of charging instru ctions that follow a trial. McWeLhy's internship and his research experiences are part of an education that allowed him "oppo rtuniti es to go above and beyond the classroom. " '
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Title: Augsburg Now Summer 2003
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: ¡¡ ¡¡ From the editor A :':1l,l^li:-,'ïï; îffi":: : 3:"' May 4, Augsburg concluded its l3,lth academic year, sending 534 graduates of the Class of 2003 into the world, making room for the incoming Class of 2007. The Commencement photo spread, starting on p. 13, features highlights fro...
Show more ¡¡ ¡¡ From the editor A :':1l,l^li:-,'ïï; îffi":: : 3:"' May 4, Augsburg concluded its l3,lth academic year, sending 534 graduates of the Class of 2003 into the world, making room for the incoming Class of 2007. The Commencement photo spread, starting on p. 13, features highlights from the weekend's festivities, including excerpts from the ceremony's keynote speakers, ABC News correspondent John McWethy and elder care advocate Laurie Duncan- McWethy This year, the College also bid farewell to four retiring members of the faculty and staff: economics professor Satya Gupta, biology professor Esther Mclaughlin, associate professor and librarian Grace Sulerud'58, and support of the College. Comprised of Augsburg alumni, alumni wives, faculty wives, and other friends of the College, the organization was founded in the fall of 1984. Since then, its members have raised over a half million dollars for Augsburg. The feature story on p. B pays tribute to this forward-thinking and enterprising group of women. Be sure to check out the winning entries of Augsburg's third annual international photo contest on p. 6. The contest provides an opportunity for students to share their best images from international and off-campus studies, and offers a glimpse into the different cultures explored by our students. Finally, Auggie Thoughts onp.24 features the Commencement speech presented by Christin R. Crabtree '03, Weekend College representative. Crabtree reminds us that "behind every new person you meet, there is a sea of faces." We may never know all the faces existing behind the lives we touch, but as Crabtree reflects, "we all have the opportunity to have a ripple upon the world we occupy ... we can positively affect our communities through the simple acts of smiling at our neighbors, voting at every election,, and advocating for our future generations, our children." -l Áu¡ *Jw ll* Lynn Mena Assistant Editor facilities assistant Mary Duffee. With a combined 93 years of service, all four leave distinct legacies to Augsburg; read their stories and plans for the future on p. 11. The Augsburg Associ.ates, who number around I00, is a service auxiliary dedicated to fundraising for a o s. S special projects and scholarships in We welcome your letters! Please wdte to: Edito¡ AugsburgNow 2211 Riverside Ave., CB I45 Minneapolis, MN 55454 E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Fax: 612-330-1780 Business administration chair John Cerrito celebrated with four graduating business seniors at the department's reception in April: (L to R) Kristina Truong, Peter Samargia, Suki Sylaphet, and Hugo Quintiliano. Phone:612-330-ll8l Letters for publication must be signed and include your name, class year, and daytime telephone number. They may be edited for length, clarity, and style. CORRECTIONS Karen Ackerman, who completed the Master of Arts in Nursing program this Ma¡ was incorrectly identified as Linda Ackerman in the photo on p. 1l of the spring 2003 AugsburgNow. On the same page, Gary Shinnick, pictured with professor emerita Bev Nilsson, was incorrectly identified as the Rev Bill Miller. Also in tl-re spring 2003 Augsburg Now, Carl Grulke's name was misspelled ln the story on p. 8. i Augsburg Now is published quarterly by: Office of Public Relations and Communication 221 I Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 612-330-r AucsBuRG Now Vol.65, No.4 Summer 2003 lBr now@augsburg.edu Features Editor I Betsey Norgard Assistant Editor Lynn Mena Graphic Designer The Augsburg Associates-providing service behind the front lines Kathy Rumpza by Betsey Norgard Class Notes Coordinator In the nearly 20 years since their founding, Sara KamhoÞ the Augsburg Associates have given to the College over a half million dollars from their fundraising efforts earmarked for special projects and scholarships. Photographer Stephen Geffre President William V Frame D¡rector of Alumni and Parent Relations 11 Amy Sutton Director of Public Relations and Communication Farewell to retiring faculty and staff by Lynn Mena Three retiring faculty members, with a combined 78 years of service to Augsburg, were granted emeritus/emerita status by the Board of Regents in May; in addition, one staff member, with nearly 15 years of service, retired in January. Dan Jorgensen Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy ISSN r058-r545 6 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services Augsburg College, CB 142 221 I Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Third Annual International Photo Contest f3 co**encement 2oo3 612-330-ló87 now@augsburg.edu Augsburg College, as affirmed its mission, does not discriminate on the basis oJ race, color, creeil, religion, national or ethnic origin, øge, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or disability in its education p olicie s, a dmis sions p olicies, s cholar ship ønil lo an pro gr ams, athletic anill or scho ol aâministered pro grdms, except Departments ir in those instances where religion is a bona Jiile occupøtional qualific ation. Au gsbur g C oll e ge is committed to proviiling reasonqble accommo ilations to its employees and its students. www.augsburg.edu 2 Around the Quad 4 Sports 17 18 Alumni News 24 Auggie Thoughts inside back cover Homecoming 2003 Preview Class Notes On the cover: Augsbur g s tu dent s, c ar ry ing Jlags rcprescnltng lhe countrics oJ origin oJ the Class of 2003 graduates,Ied the academic procession to the C omnrcnc 50 percent recycled paper (10 percerLt post-consumer waste) ement C eremony. Pho to by Stephen GelJre'03. I 0 I o ^ Presenting music therapy in China a D ïi:: î.1ïil5i"':",*i:,:n" ""' /a O tt a university faculty and students, as well as a s. Therapy-A Field Whose Time Has Arrived Around the World"-music number of dignitaries, could be felt in the therapy professor Roberta Kagin found that relatively few of the nearly 120 people who crowded into a room set up for just 30 people in Beijing, China, were familiar with the discipline of music therapy. Kagin was one of five music educators invited to present at a conference on music education reform, held at Capitol Normal University in Beijing. She says that Western music in general is sorely lacking in China, and that the Chinese concept of music education is more commonly understood as teaching people about music, not preparing teachers of music. "Students are hungry for anything we can give them," she commented, in reflecting on the great interest in her presentation and in music therapy in conference ambiance. Kagin reported that, "The opening ceremonies were an amazing array of flowers, speeches, and videos." general. The conference audience included à as so U While in Beijing, Kagin visited two other music schools-the premier Central Conservatory ol musìc and the Chinese Professor Roberta Kagin (right). chair of Augsburg's music conservatory, a more therapy program, was greeted with flowers in Beijing, China, where her presentation at a conference on music therapy was traditional program. As eagerly received and overfilled the meeting room, Zhou Shibin part of her own doctoral (center above) is an administrator at Capital Normal University study, Kagin met with who visited Augsburg in the winter o1 1996-97. members of the Huaxia Musical Ensemble, a group of music Kagin's host in Beijing was Zhou students playing traditional Chinese Shibin, an administrator at Capital instruments. A paper she wrote included Normal Universit¡ who visited research and field recordings of the Augsburg in the winter of 1996-97 and instruments. may return in the coming fall. American lndian Student Services Program celebrates 25th ann¡versary Æï}':::äffi ä":3öx'"'åïä:. a yearlong celebration of its 25th anniversary with a gala dinner May 16. Mike Freeman, master of ceremonies and Augsburg regent, welcomed guests, who included faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the College and AISSP The evening began with an invocation by the Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo of All Nations Indian Church, and an Honor Song by the Lakota Singers, led byJerry Dearly Cindy Peterson, director ofAISSB then presented the history of the program. Following dinner, those who have impacted and helped shape the program were honored with a "give-away." Receiving special recognition were former College presidents Oscar Anderson and 2 ,+UGSBURG NOW a a Charles Anderson; former AISSP director Bonnie Wallace and current director Cindy h Peterson; Joseph Aitken; President William Frame, academic dean Chris Kimball; Herald Johnson, assistant to the vice president of enrollment and market development; Tom Morgan, vice president of enrollment and market development; Ann Garvey, associate dean for student affairs; scholarship donors; and the Tribal Offices Committee. Charles Anderson, president of Augsburg from 1980-97, receives a "give-away" blanket from Bonnie Wallace, the first director of Augsburg's American lndian Student Services Program. Assisting with the give-aways at AISSP's 25th anniversary dinner are Sandi Lallak, a specialist with Augsburg's CLASS program (left), and Sadie Curtis, a specialist with Augsburg's Access Center (right). Summer 2003 I a o Parker Palmer visits Augsburg sS. r^ Flarker l. Palmer. Y m, Courage bestselling author oI to Teach,visited Augsburg lly''ay 17 as part of the College's Exploring Our Gifts program. In the afternoon, faculty, staff, and invited guests gathered for a workshop, where the respected teacher and activist discussed vocation. Using a Mobius strip, Palmer illustrated how one side represents a person's outer life-the roles played, the "stage-self"-and the other side represents the inner life, the Tvvo "backstage self." He then demonstrated how the two are combined, how "soul and role" intersect. In the evening, Palmer addressed the issue of education with a public presentation, "Honor Thy Teacher: Authentic Education Reform in an Era of Smoke and Mirrors." Palmer suggested a need to "support the heart of the teacher, and equip them as human beings to effect change in the troubled system we call education." Parker Palmer, an acclaimed writen teache1 and activist, presented a workshop and lecture May 17 as part of Augsburg's Exploring Our Gifts program students rece¡ve Hognander Award f, iark Abelsen and Maja Lisa are the 2003-04 recipients of the Hognander Award, the College's most prestigious music award. Mark Abelsen, of Duluth, Minn., is a senior piano performance major studying with associate professorJill Dawe. He participates as an accompanist on campus and in the chamber music program, where he enjoys working with singers and string players. In the future, he plans to pursue master's and doctoral degrees in accompanying or orchestral conducting. He was a featured soloist in the 2002-03 Concerto Aria concert. lYlrtl,ruuspen FritzHuspen, of Bismarck, N.Dak., is a Regents Scholar and senior vocal performance major studying with studio artist Susan Druck. She performs in the Augsburg Choir and vocal chamber music program. In April 2002, she won first place in the intermediate voice division of the annual Schubert Club competition. She was also featured as a soloist in both the 2001-02 and2002-03 Concerto Aria concerts. The Orville C. and Gertrude O. Hognander Family Fund was established to recognize exceptional music performance and achievement. The n 7 Maja Lisa ffi Mark Abelsen '04 FritzHuspen '04 scholarship is based on merit, specifically to provide encouragement to outstanding music students. Requirements include a resume, essay, and an audition of two musical selections. NOr{Wran¡t"Y it¡t!ïtt?rñtãrtE a a Augsburg hosts Antarctic research meet¡ng of national scholars s. r4 Physics professor Mark Engebretson (left) hosted a meeting at Augsburg in May of scholars from across the country participating in research in the Antarct¡c region, including Vladimir Papitashvili (center), f rom the National Science Foundation, and John Foster (right), from MlT. Summer 2OO3 President William V. Frame was elected president of the ELCA Council of College Presidents, representing the 28 colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Emeritus/emerita status granted Three retiring faculty members, with a combined 78 years ofservice to Augsburg, were granted emerituVemerita status by the Board of Regents in May: Satya Gupta, professor of economics Esther Mclaughlin, associate professor of biology Grace Sulerud, associate professor and librarian For more information, see the story about retinng faculty and stafJ on p. 11. ,4ucs¡unc ruow 3 2OO2-03 Twclvc I athletic year in review All-Arnclican honors; two national players ol the weel<; l5 national toLrrnament qualifiers in individual sports; l2 All-Region selections, two MIAC Players of the Year; 22 AII-MIAC honors; three AII-MIAC second-team honors; 35 AII-MIAC honorable mention honors, 14 MIAC Players/Athletes of the Week; 50 MIAC Academic All-Conference honors; seven Verizon Academic All-District selections, and l5 sport-specific Scholar All-America selections highlightecl the sports year. Wrestling The Auggie wrestlers saw their threeseason string of national championships ended by Wartburg (Iowa), but the Auggies finished second with six AllAmericans. Freshman Marcus LeVesseur went 44-0 to earn the national title at 157 pounds, Augsburg's 3lst individual national title. Football The Auggies finished the 2002 campaign with a 2-8 overall record ancl l-7 mark in the MIAC. championship meet, a one-position improvernent from last year's finish. Augsburg's volleyball team struggled this season, finishing 3-25 overall and l-10 in the MIAC. Men's soccer Augsburg finished 4-II-2 overall and 1-8-1 in MIAC play "i U Augsburg recorded one of its best finishes in school history in the NCAA Division III Central Regional at the encl of the season, as each of the 14 runners who competed at the regional rneet for Augsburg recorded a personal-best time. Augsburg's rnen placed l3th in the 25-team event, while the women finished 20th. Men's hockey Augsburg reached the conference postseason playoffs for the fifth time in the last six years. Ar,rgsburg finished 17-9-0 overall and 10-6 in MIAC pla¡ placing third. SeniorJaro Cesþ was the top scorer among MIAC players this season, standing 20th nationally among Division III players in points. Chesky was narned MIAC Player of the Year. After a two-season absence, Augsburg returned to the MIAC playoffs with a fifth-place conference standing, finishing the season l2-lI-3 overall, 10-6-2 in the MIAC. Sophomore Lauren Chezick was named MIAC Player of the Year; tl-ris season, she led the nation in total points and was second in points-per-game. Men's basketball Augsburg claimed its best record since 1995, finishingll-5-2 overall and 5-5-1 in the MIAC. Augsburg finished 1l-14 overall, S-12 in MIAC play Women's basketball Men's golf Augsburg finished Adjusting to a relatively young lineup, Augsburg finished fifth in the MIAC meet with a 482 27-hole total, finishing out of the top four in the MIAC meet for the first time since 1993. MIAC play Women's golf 4 ,+UGSBURG NOW 4,; Men's/Women's cross country Women's soccer Augsburg finished eighth at the MIAC ¡*4É-{tr In the MIAC meet, Augsburg's men placed eighth overall, while the Auggie women placed ninth. As a team, Women's hockey Volleyball byDonstoner 4-2I overall,3-20 in Baseball The Auggies showed strong improvement in team play finishing 9-24-2 overaTl and 4-16 in MIAC play Softball shortstop Kristen Lideen earned All American honors this season. Softball Augsburg finished the 2003 seasonT-29 overall and 4-18 in the MIAC. Shortstop Kristen Lideen (junior) led the team in virtually every offensive category, setting the third-best single-season batting average in school history. She set singleseason school records for hits, doubles, and total bases, and became.just the third player in school history to go through a season without a strikeout. Men's/Women's track and field Sprinter Mathew Shannon (junior) became the first Auggie male track and field athlete to ever earn multiple AllAmerican honors in track in one season, and earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors three times this season. Sprinter Tonnisha Bell (freshman) became just the second Auggie freshman to earn AllAmerican honors in track. For the most complete information on Augsburg Auggie athletics. visit <www. augsbu rg.ed u/at h let ics>. Don Stoner ís s¡rorts inJorntation coordtnator. Summer 2003 T I Five students earn top athletic awards !ive senior student-athletes received I athletic awards for the 2002-03 school year, voted by coaches in Augsburg's men's and women's athletic departments. Four Auggies earned Honor Athlete designation, the highest honor the College gives its senior student-athletes, and one eamed Augsburg Senior Athlete of the Year honors. career putouts are tops in school history. She has served as an year starter at Jay Howard, running back in football, Bramwell earned AII-MIAC business Augsburg StudentAthlete Mentor for two years and is a member of the MIAC Student Athlete Advisory Commiuee. With a 3.0 GPA, she has served as president of the Augsburg College Education Students (ACES) association, and is a two-time recipient of the Joyce Pfaff Academic Award for management-A women's athletics. three-year starter in men's basketball, Howard earned All- 2002-03 Senior Athlete of the Year 2002-03 Honor Athletes T.J. Bramwell, biology-A three- second-team honors in2002. He was a team co-captain in 2002 and received the football team's Auggie Award. With a 3.611 GPA, Bramwell earned Academic AII-MIAC honors and Verizon Academic All-District third-team honors in both his junior and senior seasons. Ricky Crone, marketing-A twotime All American in wrestling, Crone nation at 184 pounds this season, after finishing second coaches have been hired in four sports in recent months. Alumnus Douge Schildgen'90 was hired to lead Augsburg's baseball team. For the previous four seasons, Schildgen served as head coach at North Hennepin Community College, where he compiled a 49-44 record in his four seasons, finishing second in the competitive Minnesota Community College Conference twice and reaching state tournament and regional competition twice. InJanuary Augsburg hired Troy international business-A four- junior and senior seasons. He led the Auggies in scoring, rebounding, blocked time AII-MIAC firstteam recipient in shots, three-point baskets, and field-goal percentage. He was 10th in the MIAC in scoring his senior season, 18th in rebounding, and third in blocked shots. With a 3.593 GPA, Howard earned Academic AII-MIAC honors his junior and senior seasons. men's hockey, Cesky Jennifer Lemke, elementary educationA four-year starter in softball at catcher and first base, Lemke served as team co- 'Augsburg hires five new Goaches I ugsburg College has severa] new Flfu..r in the coaching ranks, as new Jaro Cesky, MIAC honorable mention honors his placed third in the Summer 2003 captain for two seasons. Her 631 nationally the year before. He earned MIAC and Great Lakes Regional championships, and was team co-captain his senior season. He earned the team's Auggie Award and was a part of teams that won the NCAA Division III national title in 2002 and finished second in 2003. With a 3.20 GPA, Crone earned NWCA Scholar All-America honors in 2003 and was a member of an academic national team that finished sixth nationally with a team GPA of 3.335. byDonstoner earned AHCA Division III AllAmerican first-team honors in 2002-03, Augsburg's 27th AllAmerican honor in men's hockey He was named MIAC Player of the Year for 2002-03, scoring 42 points. He was voted team Rookie of the Year his freshman season and team MVP his senior year. In March, Cesky was drafted by the Quad City Mallards, a minor league UHL team. byDonstoner Nygaard and Laura Levi to serve as cocoaches for the women's golf team. Nygaard currently serves as operaLions supervisor of the Eagle Lake Golf Course in the Three Rivers Park District (formerly Hennepin Parks) in Plymouth, Minn. Levi has worked as a golf instructor in the Three Rivers Park for the past two years, and is the golf courses' site coordinator for the LPGA/USGA Girls' Golf Program. In April, Cathy Skinner was hired as the new head coach for the volleyball team. Skinner brings 15 seasons of volleyball coaching experience to Augsburg, including eight years at the NCAA Division I level with Fordham, Princeton, and Drexel universities. ln May, Dave Johnson, who coached the Hudson (Wis.) High School girls' basketball team to six Wisconsin state tournaments and two state titles in the last eight years, rÃ/as hired as the Auggies' new women's basketball head coach. In addition to his coaching duties at Augsburg, Johnson will also direct the school's intramural athletics program and serve as equipment supervisor for the health and physical education department and the women's athletics program. ,4ucssunc Now 5 t' \'('r' I00 I'nir¡(':r \\,¡^c :;Lrl)ltìii1('(l ìn tllc 1lriril lrtrrrrurl ¡rlroto t orrtcl;1 for i ntclnltionlI ¿rrrrl of 1ì.clrr.rprr:; :;t Lrrl icl;. Wi¡rrrcr-¡; r,r,r'r"r' :;r'lcc:1ccl irr tllrt'i' clttc¡pric:;: :;cctric latrrl:;rlr¡ri':;, loclI ¡rco¡tIc irr l.r c r-os¡;-cnItrrlrI :;ctiin¡r,, irncI Au¡,,.1brrlt,, :itt-tcl(ìn1:ì ur u lrosi rjcttinlì. ¡\llr'r,inninu l)llotos wcrc c[isl)la)/ccl itr (.Ìrristcnscn I C.c:ntr:r'. Lnlries \,vcrc juclgccl on t]ìc lollor,r,ing cJ:itcrirì: cross-cullLll'irl contcnt, artistic tìncl Lcchnical cluiìlity, ancl r'cprocl ucibrìr ty Io 'r t' ltll llrt' rr innt'ts, r irit <w w\\r a Lt gsllulg. ccl u/i r tcl'r'r r : tiorul/ pho tocontcst03 >. Local people in a cross-cultural setting. Third place. A "Damara," Jamie Johnson '06. Namibia. Scenic landscapes. Second place. "Namib," Jamie e; &È,,e B Johnson '06. Namibia. Scenic landscapes. First Place. C Stacy Enger'04. Norway. "Little Piece of Norway," Local people in a cross-cultural setting. First place. D "Playing with Pigeons," Naomi Sveom '04. Argentina Augsburg students in a cross-cultural setting. First place. E "Traje tipico y tevas," Katie Nielsen '03. Guatemala. Scenic landscapes. Third place. "Nature's Embrace #2 " F Naomi Sveom '04. Argentina. 6 .+t (;srit lì(; Now Summer 2003 *: q Summer 2003 a ,,4ucsnunc n¡ow 7 PROVIDING SIRVICE BIH ND THE FRONT L NES by Betsey Norgard Behincl the neu' Welcome Desk in Cl.rristensen Center will soon appear a new plaque, thar-rking the Augsburg Associates for their funcling ancl support for the renovatìon of that space. They have also been thanked for similar projects in tl-re Augsburg Roorn, Marshall Roorn, and the Green Room in Foss Center. In the nearly 20 years since their founding, the Augsburg Associates have gi\¡en to the College over a half million clollars frorn their fundraising eflorts earmarked for special projects such as the Christensen Center rerìovation. The Ar.rgsburg CoÌlege Associates, 'uvho number around 100, is a sen'ice auxiliary cleclicatecl to fundraising lor special projects and scholarships in support ol the College. Nearly 20 years ago, in the fall of 1984, Gladys (Boxrud) Strornmen '46, Kate Anderson, and Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist '64 er.rvisloned an organization of Augsburg alumni, alurnni 1y11,s5, ancl other lriencls of the College-sirnilar to social and service organizations on other c:rm¡luses-ancl compilecl a list of potential members to invite to a luncheon. A nurnber of these women then hostcd thcir own luncheons. iuviting classmates ancl friends with Augsburg connections. Witl-rin a yeâr, the Associates grew to arouncl 60 members. For their initial funclraising events, they sponsored benefit performances at i.l'ives, facultl, o o s. bs' Ø Through its fundraising and membership, the Augsburg Associates have supported the College for nearly 20 years. Board members are: (seated, L to R) Birgit Birkeland '58 (treasurer), Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson '72 (president). Ruth Aaskov'53 (secretary); (standing, L to R) Lucy Hackbart, Grace (Kemmer) Sulerud'58, llene Holen, Lois (Black) Ahlbom '47,Barbara (Olson) Dettle '59. Dorothy Bailey, Maryon Lee, Mary Wick, Anne Frame, Jo Erickson. Board members not present are Dorothy (Floistad) Benson'56, Doris (Frojen) Bretheim '51,Terry Cook, and Joanne (St¡les) Laird '58 (vice president). 8 ,+UGSBURG NoW Summer 2O03 L q Associates'board by Helga Egertson, who had volunteered on similar sales with Ebenezer Society. A group of 80 or so women, who are experienced in the organization and appraisal of household goods, manage the sale and then take care of anything that didn't sell. From 1996 through 2002, with six or seven sales per year, the sales have netted $72,000 profit The new Welcome Desk in the recently renovated Christensen Center was funded by the Augsburg Assoc¡ates, and is but one of several examples of the Associates' generosity over the past 20 years. area theaters. The first, Tlrc Good Life, was only marginally successful in raising money, says Kate Anderson, a former Associates president and wife of Augsburg president emeritus Charles Anderson. "We were barely organized, and we were trying to do this at the same time." The two following projects, The Rainmaher and Gospel at Colonnus, were more successful. At that time, planning was underway at Augsburg for a new chapel, to be located in the new Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship and Communication. As the need for a new organ was discussed, Anderson recalls her proposal to the Associates-"Let's see if we can buy it for the College." Over a six-year period, they raised $250,000 to purchase the . Dobson organ in Hoversten Chapel. During the first decade of the association, their major fundraising projects were annual "Trash and Treasure" sales. For months, the group would collect donations of furniture, clothing, and other household articles for a giant sale. While quite successful, the sales were an enormous arnount of work to gather, categorize, and price the goods-and subsequently dispose of unsold items. Space was used in the old church that stood next to Melby Gyrn and in the gyrnnasium itself, meaning that everything had to be moved around to accommodate athletic schedules and other needs for the space. Summer 2003 for the Associates. These sales offer a service as well as After eight or so years, and when the church was torn down, the Associates provide a benefit for the organization. The Associates have received letters and cards of appreciation, mentioning that they are glad the money goes to support a worthy decided to end the era of the Trash and Treasure sales. cause, says Egertson. Managing estate and mo\/ing sales Anderson adds that their services are provided at times that can be very difficult for many people, some of whom already have connections to Augsburg. Each sale requires a team who spend a week or so in the home organizing, pricing, and preparing everything for sale, including washing all china and crystal Since 1996, the Associates have continued to raise funds for the College by selling household items, but now through the administration of estate and moving sales. The idea was first proposed to the a ! Avis Ellingrod (left) and Orlette Tatley (right) are kept busy ringing up and packing purchases at an estate sale in Burnsville in April. È L q Kate Anderson (right) and shopper Ruth Schuenke examined some of the jewelry items included in the Burnsville estate sale. ,4ucssunc fr¡ow 9 and polishing silver. They bring tables ancl sheÌr,ing to the sale Ìocation for clisplay On the Friday and Saturday sale days, approxirnately I0-12 r'olunteers are on hand, sor-netirnes finding a line of 20 people waiting for them at 6:30 a.rn. Customers range frorn professional clealers who follow their schedule of sales to neighbors and curious passers-b;'. Funding other special projects After the organ purchase, the Associates' second major fundraising project was furnishing the Special Collections room in the new Lindell Library The Associates raised $100,000 to create an attractive space with a proper enr¡ironr¡ent to house the special books and collections owned by the College, including the personal library donated by writer and activist Merideì LeSueur. Since then, the Associates have H ru r.w ÆHE LI fl m Graham, and Leola Josefson. renovated the Green Room in Foss Center, the Marshall and Augsburg roorns in Christensen Center, and, most recently, havejust funded creation of the Welcome Desk that greets visitors to the College center. Special lundraising projects are chosen by the Associates in collaboration with the College administration, identifying projects of the greatest need to the College. Festive hosts r7ïrr5 At Velkommen Jul 1999, among the festive hostesses were (L to R) Fern Hanson Gudmestad '41, Elaine f or Velkommen Jul The Augsburg Associates are perhaps rnost visible at the College's annual Velkommen Jul celebration for the community, held usually on the first Friday in December. Dressed in traditional Nordic folk costumes, they host the sumptuous table of Scandinavian Christmas goodies and attract visitors with sales of homernade and irnported Scandinavian gifts ancl holiday clecorations. For a number o[ years, the Associates have carried out the Over a six-year period, the Augsburg Associates raised $250,000 to purchase the Dobson organ in Hoversten Chapel. 10 ,4ucs¡uRc ruow planning ancl preparation for this popular event, as well as the baking ancl donating of many Scandinavian treats-flatbreads, lutunl¿ahe, sandbahelser; hransel¿ahe, and rosettes. Service in education Beyond fundraising, the activities of the Augsburg Associates include an annual educational seminar each spring. Speakers on various topics-some frorn the Augsburg faculty and staff-presenr sessions to which the public is aÌso invited. In addition, the Associates have endowed a scholarship offered to an Augsburg student each year. With a traditionally fernale membership, the Associates would welcome men and, especiall;', young people to their ranks. Not all mernbers need participate in the activities. For many, ¡þs organization provides a way to support the College, and higher levels of membership represent a significant portion of their annual funclraising. For inlormation about estate and moving sales or about the Augsburg Associates, contact 6 1 2-330- I 183 or 6i2-330-1171. I Summer 2003 Farewell to ,i FACULTY AND STAFF by Lynn Mena SATYA GUPTA Satya Gupta, professor of econotnics, began 27 years oï distinguished service to the College in 1976. He was granted tenlrre in 1982, and promoted to full professor in 1987. He obtained B.S. degrees frorn Agra University in Inclia, M.S. degrees from both Agra University ancl Southern Illinois University, ancl his Ph.D. from Southern lÌlinois Universì.ty. Prior to coming to Augsburg, he taught in India, Ethiopia, and Canada. "He was always very interested in his students," says Jeanne Boeh, associate professor and chair of economics. "His early work in peace studies was very l-relpful to the College." In 1981, Gupta and his wife were two of 531 appointees from colleges and universities throughout the United States for six-year terms as Danforth Associates. 'The purpose of the Danforth Associate Program is to recognize and encoLlrâge effective teaching ancl to foster activities that humanize teaching and learning for nlcrnbcrs ol campus cornrnunilies. In 1982, Gupta was awarded a grant lo conclut l a spccial serninat'on rninority education. In reflecting upon eclucatior-r ancl the role of educators, Gupta wrote in 1988, Summer 2O03 "We need education that produces not the physical or intelleciual, not the political or economics man only, but also the moral and spiritual mân-the whole man. We need to impart education that will help deveiop a meaningfui philosophy ol lile." Gupta anticipates having his hands full during retirement, helping to care for his new grandchild. ESTHER G. MCLAUGHLIN Esther Mcl-aughlin, associate professor of biology, began her career at Augsburg in 1989 as assistant professor of biology. She obtained her B.A. and Ph.D. clegrees i.n botany from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley in 1962 and 1968, respectively. Prior to Augsburg, Mclaughlin held adjunct faculty positi.ons teaching plant biology ât Carleton College, St. Olaf College, and the University of Minnesota. "However, much of the time I was a stayat-home nìother, until my younger daughter was a senior in high school," says Mclaughlì.n. Outsicle of teaching, Mclaughlin has co-eclited a two-volume book on ltrngi for Springer-Verlag, ancl is an active melnber of the Minnesota Native Plant Society. When she looks back on her career at Augsburg, Mclaughlin says she is most proucl of having inspirecl "a student or a career involving plants or fungi. She especially appreclates having had colleagues "who care as much as I do-or ms¡ç-¿þ6¡¡ biology and two" to choose teaching biology." She says she will miss her department and her students, but promises to "come back and annoy my clepartment from time to time, just in case they thought they coulcl get entirely away from me." "Esther Mclaughlin is a superb teacher whose enthusiasm, energy, and dedication is a joy to students ancl colleagues alike," says Dale Peclerson, associate professor of biology. "She has rno<leled rnany oI the best l)racl jces it] teaching: clear organization, thorough preparation, honest self-evaluation, and continual improvement. She has served as mentor both for students and colleagues. We have relied heavily on her philosophical perspective, her wellternperecl and good-humored insistence on rationality, and her willingness and ability to argue for those positions that improve the educational quality of our programs and the College ... she will be sorely missecl." In the long term, Mclaughlin looks forwarcl to spencling more time with her two chilclren and grandchildren, traveling wirh her husband (incluciing trips to Asia and South America to collect fungi), ancl ,4ucs¡unc ruow 11 Fa rewell to Retiring plans to volunteer at the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota, where her husbancl is curatclr of fungi. storytelling. "She has often entertainecl the library staff with stories of her travels GRACE K. SULERUD '58 Augsburg, both as a stticlent ancl as a librarian," adcls Susan Certain, accluisitions coordinator. Suierucl particì-tlarly enjoyecl worliing wìth the library stafl to clevelop the library's collections and expancl services. An Augsburg graduate fiom the Class of 1958, Grace (Kernmer) Sulerud returnecl to the College in 1.966 as a circulation librarian. She stayecl for 37 years, retiring as associate professor ancl collectior-r development/reference iibrarian. She also served as acting heacl librarian for one year, interirn co-clirector for another year, and taught children's literature in the education department for 14 years. She obtainecl a B.A. in English frorn Augsburg, ancl two M.A. degrees frorn the University o[ Minnesota (library science in 1968 and English literature in 1970). Her husband, Ralph L. Sulerud, is professor emeritus of biology. "Grace Sulerud played a number of roles as professor and librarian ... but her most important role has been as a model to others," saysJane Ann Nelson, director of Library Services. "She's modeled enthusiasm for learning, her own learning and that of others; eagerness to try new ways to serve stuclents or connect with faculty; and seemingly bounclless energy to work for peace and jr-rstice, to travel, and to serve on caÍìpus committees. Grace's legacy to Augsburg includes a strollg collection of books as well as strong relationships between the library and faculty" Many of Sulerud's colleagues are especially fond of her talent lbr 12 ,4UCSSURC NOW and overseas teaching experiences, ancl lras ¡rlovitlctì lristolical l)clsl)c( livc lr) rnany situations liom her years at "I'll rliss the work ancl daily encoLlrÌters with the people here who have so greatly enriched my life," says Sulerud. "I'rn pleased that I could spend so rnuch of my life at Augsburg, first as a siuclent and, after a few years of teaching here ancl abroad, as a librarian f'or over 30 years. "I expect to continue working on social issues such as affordable housing, spend time with friends and farnily, travel, paint a bedroom, and take more walks." MARY DUFFEE Mary Duffee came to Augsburg 1988 as facilities assistant in to the director of the newly instituted Department of Facilities, created to establish centralized scheduling on campus, as well âs to coordinate both on- and off-campus events. Duffee played an integral role in helping this departrnent, now known as Events ancl Classroom Services, to evolve from a rnanual schecluling process to the more sophisticated schecluling software cllrrently in use. "When I started at Augsburg lin 19991, Mary scheclulecl everything on huge hard copy books and then transferrecl recorcls to a software program," says Craig Maus, clirector of Events ancl Classroom Services. "The olcl software progranl wasn't so great, so tl-re College pr-rrchasecl a new prograrn." In the transition fronr tlre olcl progrâm to the new program, Duffee workecl hard to keep the carnplrs events schedule running smoothly ancl, for a tirle, was forced to scheclule everything three times-hard copy, olcl software, and new solÌware. Maus creclits Duffee with having been an invaluable member of the carnpus community. "She knew the campus, the departments, the phone ¡¡mþs¡5everything. She was a wonderful resource." Few at Augsburg know that it was Duffee who won a contest to name two Christensen Centel meeling loonìs upolì their renovations-the Cedar and Riverside rooms. Prior to Augsbr"rrg, Duffee worked in office adrninistration at the University of Minnesota, Golclen Valley Lutheran College, and Bethel College. "I discovered [early on] that working in an academic environment and Christian college community is my passion," says Duffee. "My position at Ar"rgsburg provided interaction with faculty, staff, students, and the general public. I will especially miss working with students, as I always enjoyed their vitality and energy. "The gift of retirement will provicle me with the opportunity to take more trips, watch more sunsets, take more walks, explore new bike paths, and savor relationships with friends and farnilyespecially the six little ones who call me 'Granchna.' Retirement will also enable me to try new opportr.lnities, such as special interest classes ancl part-tirne ernployment." I Summer 2003 È COMMENCEMENT2OO3 u The 134th year of Augsburg College s' ¡l l i Despite overcast skies and sporadic rain showers, spirits were high at this year's Commencement f estivities. ül () s. ra President William Frame presents Paul Peterson, a metro-urban studies major, with the Marina Christensen Justice Award for his commitment to community issues. REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE CLASS OF PAUL PETERSON RECEIVES MARINA CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE AWARD Paul Peterson, a senior metro-urban studies major, was selected as the 2003 recipient of the Marina Christensen Justice Award. Each year, this award is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies Augsburg's motto "Education for Service." The student must have demonstrated a dedication to community involvement as characterized by the personal and professional life of Marina Christensen Justice, who courageously and effectively reached out to disadvantaged people and communities. Peterson, from Minneapolis, has carried out a wide range of activities that led to his being selected for this award. Among them are internships with both the Lyndale Neighborhood Association and the Higher Education Consortium of Urban Affairs' Metro Urban Studies program. He has been an active member of MPIRG (Minnesota Public Interest Research Group) and the Coalition for Student Activism. In addition, he spent this past spring break on the Lilly grant "Community Development and Civil Service Exploration" trip to Washington, D.C. As one of his professors commented, "Paul represents the kinds of commitments to social and community building that Marina lived for." 2OO3 COMMENCEMENT,FUN FACTS, I Jean M. Gunderson, representing graduate students 3000 Attended Commencement Ceremonv I I Sarah R. Haberkorn, representing day school students 542 Served for brunch Christin R. Crabtree, representing Weekend College students 19 Cakes for t"he luncheon 1 Pair of graduating sisters with the same first name and the same major Summer 2003 4ucssunc Now t3 o a b s. O B' r^ Augsburg Chamber Orchestra director Paul Ousley poses with graduating orchestra students after the Commencement Concert. Pictured, L to R: Heidi Peterson, viola, business administration (marketing) major; Jody Montgomery, violin, music therapy major; and Callie Hutchison, violin, music performance Graduating senior and McNair Scholar Charles Barton (right) enjoys a moment with Emiliano Chagil, director of Augsburg's Hispanic/Latino Student Services, before the ceremony' major. CEREMONY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS THANK STEPUP PROGRAM, ADVISE GRADS TO FIND BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY -L () s. I don't have any magic words or easy answers, but what I do know is that each of you will progress in a way that's perfect for you. Clearly, you are embarking on the next stage of your very interesting life-no one else's. ... I wish to thank and bless the students, staff, and administrators of StepUP, starting with Don Warren, the founder of the program, to the current staff and participants. Your unrelenting vision and energy are making a critical difference in people's lives. I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our son [Adam] a safe, supportive, challenging, and demanding place to return to college. Thank you to Augsburg. -L George Kwangware, a management information systems major, celebrates before the ceremony. So you're about to take this amazingjourney called the rest of your life. Whatever you do, make a difference. You don't have to win a Nobel Peace Prize to have an impact. If you help someone else, you will help yourself. It's so simple, it's all right-and, in fact, it's wonderful-to have a passion for your job. But separate your job from your life. l'm one who has had a job that is very demanding, and have been gone a lot, but I have tried to separate those important parts of my lifethe job which takes me from home a huge amount of time, and still pay attention to my kids and my o a $ fi ,ì s. E Steven Grande (center), a history major and McNair Scholar; gathers with his parents after the Baccalaureate service, 14 4UCSSUnC NOW aur i e D un c an -M cWethy The Class of 2003 begins their graduation day in Hoversten Chapel, first at an early morning Eucharist service, then at the Baccalaureate service (pictured above), led by Augsburg campus pastors, Rev. David Wold (left) and Rev. Sonja Hagander (right). wife. ... You cannot imagine how relevant the building blocks and knowledge and experiences you've gained here will be in the rest of your life. ... What you've learned at Augsburg may not be the answers, but you've been given the tools to start asking the right questions, and that is critical. -JohnF. McWetlry Summer 20O3 o o s. COMMENCEMENT 2OO3 Eü' ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT JOHN MCWETHY AND ELDER CARE ADVOCATE LAURIE DUNCAN-MCWETHY DELIVER KEYNOTE SPEECHES ABC News correspondentJohn F McWethy and his wife, Laurie Duncan-McWethy, were the keynote speakers at the Commencernent Ceremony Sunday, May 4. The 2003 graduating class included their son, Adam (pictured on p. 24 with his fiancée, Christin R. Crabtree). Their other son, Ian, is a student at Fordham University in New York City Marissa Mapes, a communication major, joins fellow grads as they process to the ceremony, o B' q Faculty and staff line up to enter Melby Hall for the Commencement ceremony, SJ b u $ "We greatly admire Augsburg College and its StepUP program, in particular," Laurie commented upon accepting Augsburg's invitation to speak at this year's ceremon)¿ "Not only has the school been an asset to our son and family, but we find the College's role in education unique and filled with an exceptional mission. We are pleased to be part of the graduation exercises and a support to the Augsburg community" Laurie Duncan-WcWethy is the owner and president of an elder care management company called Choices for Aging and its affiliated daily money management company Paperwork Solutionstt for Seniors. She founded the company in l99t when she saw the need for assistance by older adults struggling to remain in their homes or deal with a care crisis. She graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and received her master's degree in health care administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In addition to her health care background, Laurie is a certified public accountant specializing in long-term care counseling and retirement planning. John F McWethy is chief national security and Pentagon correspondent, Washington Bureau, for ABC Nøws. An ABC correspondent since 1979, he reports on military and diplomatic aspects of U.S. foreign policy Widely honored for his work, John received three Emmy Awards for his reporting on Ross Perot, the Persian Gulf Waq and the Soviet military. He has also received the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award and the Overseas Press Club Award. He is also a graduate of DePauw University, and earned his master's degree from Columbia University's Pulitzer School of Journalism. Augsburg's StepUP program, founded tn 1997 by Don Warren, is a nationwide model providing resources and support for students in recovery from drug and alcohol dependenc;z After five years of service to recovering college students, and a career dedicated to student-centered education, Don Warren retired in the spring of 2002, handing his duties to StepUP's currenr director, Patrice Salmeri. s) Ê O s E H u ù u r4 E Patricia Gonzales (left) adds a master's hood to her academ¡c garb, as she receives her Master of Arts in Nursing diploma and degree from Cheryl Leuning, nursing department professor and chait. Summer 2003 John McWethy, ABC News correspondent, and Laurie Duncan-Mcwethy, elder care advocate, deliver keynote speeches at the Commencement ceremony. Their son, Adam McWethy, was among the members of the Class of 2003 listening in the audience. .Aucssunc r{ow 15 r U È s s. lb Desiree Jorgenson (center), a psychology major, Honors Program graduate, and McNair Scholar, shares a laugh with McNair Scholar program director Dixie Shafer (left) and Rebekah Dupont (right), assistant professor of mathematics, at the Commencement reception. A future Auggie grad tries on her mother's mortar board for size. THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE CLASS OF 2OO3 ) 534 Candidates for graduation I 315 Day program graduates I 148 Weekend College graduates I 38 Graduate students (5 Master of Arts in Leadership, è h 26 Master of Social Work, 7 Master of Arts in Nursing) 32 If I 13 a I Rochester Program graduates United Hospital Program graduate Countries of graduates (Bangladesh, Brazll, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Lebanon, Somalia, Tibet, Uganda, Ukrainia, and Zimbabwe 20-60 Age range of graduates in the Class of 2003 Karen Sutherland, associate professor of computer science, poses with computer science major Hoa Nguyen (right) and his wife (left) at the reception following the Commencement ceremony. h U s ù MASTER OF ARTS IN NURSING-CLAss OF 2OO3 Academic dean Chris Kimball (left) chats with Brad Motl (right), a mathematics and physics double maior, at the Commencement reception. Motl accepted a research assistantship at the University of Wisconsin in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. 16 ,4ucssuRc t{ow The Master of Arts in Nursing program celebrated its second class of graduates' Pictured, L to R, seated (faculty): Ruth Enestvedt, assistant professor of nursing; Bev Nilsson, professor emerita of nursing; and Cheryl Leuning, professor and department chair of nursing. Back row, L to R (graduates): Sandra Leinonen, Karen Ackerman, Brenda Becker, Deb Brown-Schumacher, Patricia Gonzales, Jean Gunderson, and Rae Ormsby. Summer 2003 ll I I From the Alumni Board president's desk... ¡/ll lJ n May 4, I had the privilege and hono, to address a new class of graduates at the l34th Commencement ceremony, and welcome them as official alumni of Augsburg College. The fall issue of the AugsburgNow will provide more information on the board's new leadership and members. Several dedicated board members have completed their terms, and we will endeavor to keep them involved in the Augsburg o Thirty years ago, I sat in the same Meþ Hall as a young graduate looking forward to new horizons, but feeling sad that I was leaving so many good friends. These years later, I still get seats in community together with some of my classmates once or twice a year. Being Alumni Board president has brought me back to campus, and now I have a new set of friends from different classes and programs. It has been a great experience to work with the College and the wonderful members of the Augsburg community As my term has ended, Dr. Paul Mueller'84 from the Mayo Clinic is slated to become the next president of the Alumni Board, with Bill Vanderwall'93 Andrew Morrison '73, 2OO2-03 Alumni Board president addressed the Class of 2003 at the Commencement ceremony in May. WEC as president elect. We are fortunate to announce that Lew Beccone'98 MAL; Dan W Anderson '65; Tom A. Peterson'70; Jacqueline (Brookshire) Tèisberg'80; Luann Watson '88,'02 MAL; and the Rev. Karsten Nelson '83 have been nominated to the board. Speaking of keeping involved with Augsburg, please contact the Alumni Board or AlumniÆarent Relations and let us know what interests you as alumni. We want all of you to know about the wealth of new programs at the College and the numerous opportunities for alumni to become involved with Augsburg. A good time will be had by all. Q72,,*-, Andrew Morrison'73 Alumni Board, president Lori Moline '82 rece¡ves women's business award I (ì s ffi:.ïi*' company specializing in religious travel wins a business award. But in April, creating *J Lori Moline'82 journeys of faith and pilgrimage earned Lori Moline'82 and her business partner, Martha Van Gorder, the honor of Emerging Business Owners of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Their travel company, CrossingBorders, Inc., based in Bloomington, Minn., creates church-related international tours that provide spiritual expression and religious education. Few businesses have faced such a series of challenges as CrossingBorders. First, the viability of one of their key travel Summer 2003 products was eliminated when the conflict erupted inJerusalem in late 2000. "The first destination for many Christian travelers," Moline and Van Gorder note, "is a journey to the Holy l¿nd." Ayear later there was the impact of September 1f , 2001, followed by a weak economy and the weakening U.S. dollar, and now the situation in Iraq. It has required strength and unwavering commitment to the long-term potential of their business mission. Van Gorder states, "We remain committed to helping U.S. cit2ens discover their Christian heritage, other cultures, and often times other faiths through international travel." To meet the challenges, CrossingBorders has expanded travel products, strengthened its overseas people-to-people connections, and focused on working with church leaders who put a high value on intemational travel. "We have witnessed," Moline said, "some church leaders embracing the belief that it is more important than ever to travel beyond our borders to understand our place in the world." With planning up to 18 months in advance, clients are preparing to travel to Greece, Turkey, Italy, England, Scotland, lreland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary Austria, and China. Tours created by CrossingBorders emphasize a combination of church heritage, cross-cultural, and spiritual experiences. Prior tour highlights include a choir performance in the church of a Slovak village to standing-room only, a pastor given permission to play one of France's greatest church organs with the tour group listening by his side, a church group meeting elderþ members of the Lutheran church in Dresden to hear how the church was bombed in WWII, and members sharing communion at the Christian Catacombs in Rome. ,4ucssunc Now 17 ta 1 939 The Rev. Alfred H. Sevig, Spicer, Minn., retired inJanuary 2002, alter 45 years as pastor in five parishes, and 15 years as part-time hospital chaplain/pulpit-supply. Last July, he had heart bypass surgery and has recovered well. He celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination in October. 1947 The Rev. Paul Blikstad, Salem, ¡a o Ore., continues in his l5th year St. Matthew Lutheran Church in as host of TheWillamette Renewal Radio Broadcas¿, a half-hour program sponsored by the evangelical churches of many denominations located in Salem. The broadcast can be heard Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m., Pacific time, at <www.kccs.org>. 1 956 The Rev. Ervin Overlund, Beaverton, Ore., retired in December, and was granted pastor emeritus status by Beaverton. He celebrates 41 years o[ ordained parish ministr¡ including 17 years ofparish ministry in North Dakota, 18 years of institutional chaplaincy in North Dakota and Canada, and six years as a visitation pastor. He and his wife, Sylvia (Moe) '58, can be reached via e-mail at <ekosao@attbi.com>. 1964 o o The Rev. James Parks, Columbia Heights, Minn., is s. à chaplain o[ Crest View Senior Housing nursing home, which provides a continuum of care for a U seniors. 1 Staten Island, N.Y., is the associate director of a museum housing the John A. Noble a Maritime Collection, which includes drawings, paintings, lithographs, and writings capturing the past century's "Age of Sail." The museum is part of Staten Island's Cultural Center. She recently retired from Lucent Technologies, where she was development manager. 1 à' 966 The Rev. Rodger Ericson was I recently featured in the Cambridge, Minn.,Stør newspaper. A lieutenant colonel for the U.S. Air Force, he was assigned to the Brooks City-Base in Antonio, Texas, as chaplain for the 3llth Human San Systems Wing and executive officer of the 3llth Mission Support Group. He has 23 years of military service. Alumni and friends of the College gathered at the Seattle Art Museum in March to attend a performance of the Augsburg Chamber Orchestra, Pictured, L to R: Anne Frame, David Fagerlie '76, and Bonnie (Johnson) '67 and Bryce Nelson. f8 ,4ucssunc Now is a victim advocate with C.O.PE., working to empower victims of domestic abuse/violence. She also has a side business of making creations from gourds and modified pine needle baskets. She can be reached via e-mail at <dav e7 5kay@netscape.net>. f 968 Michael Arndt, Thousand Oaks, Calif., received the Excellence in Theatre Education Award of the Kenney Center/American College Theatre. Festival at the American Theater Festival XXXV held in Logan, Utah, in February He is professor of drama at California Luthe¡an University in Thousand Oaks, and is co-founder and artistic director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Compan¡ a 965 Julie (Gudmestad) Landicina, Augsburg alumni and friends gathered at the Housh home in Arizona in March. Pictured, L to R: Anne Frame, President William Frame, Ruth (Ringstad)'53 and Marvin Larson, Lowell Ziemann'60, Jean and Allen Housh, and Vickie (Skor) '59 and Howie '53 Pearson. nicknamed the "earthship." Kay 1967 Kay Eileen (Nelsen) Jenness, Lal-uz, N.Mex., and her husband, Dave, are building an underground house in Laluz, professional theatre troupe that brings Shakespearean plays to life each summer in CLU's Kingsmen Park. The troupe also performs at other venues, coordinates apprentice programs, sponsors Theatre in Education programs in local schools, and organizes summer theatre camps for youth. 1969 Kathleen Adix, Plymouth, Minn., was featured in the New Hope-Golden Valley Sun-Post after being awarded the Arts Coordinator of the Year award from the Minnesota Alliance for Arts in Education (MAAE) in April. Kathleen is curriculum coordinator in District 28I, ,/'? where she has worked since 1969. 1972 Robert Engelson, Clinton, Iowa, is starting his eighth year as music department chair, fine arts division chair, and choir director at Mount St. Clare College. He is also president of the Board of Directors of Clinton Symphony Orchestra. His wife, Thea, is music director atZior' Summer 2003 ) r¡rrrcreff=filÏIiE Summer Auggie Hours al fresco! Come for the great patios and stay for the interesting speakers and networking opportunities! The Augsburg Alumni Board invites you to these popular summer alumni gatherings at local outdoor patios the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. July 8 Pickled Parrot Apple Valley, Minn. Facilitator: Norm Okerstrom '85 August Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clinton, and is pursuing her doctorate in music literature-voice at the University of lowa. Their son, Matthew, is in sixth grade. 197? Don Swenson, St. Paul, is vice president o[ operations at Bachman's, the largest privatelyheld retail florist in the United States. He gave a presentation entitled "Tèchnology and Problem Solving for Business," for the Augsburg Business Organization (ABO) in April. 1975 Subhashchand Patel was 12 It's Greek to Me Uptown, Minneapolis Facilitators: Jeni Falkman '0I At Patty Park'02 MAL RSVP to AlumniÆarent Relations if you can, or just show up and enjoy a summer evening catching up with old friends and learning something new. featured in the Montevideo American-N ews for practicing dentistry in Clarkfield, Minn., for 26 years. He and his wife, Annette (Hanson)'74,'89 MAL, reside in Clarkfield. 1977 Neil Paulson started Franklin Financial Corp., privately funded a /¡l¡IIñN,IIm¡iJfrr\rl ,REALIZING THE AUGSBURG VISION' an invitation from President Frame Members of the alumni, associates, and parents' advisory boards have been invited tojoin the regents. facult¡ and staff in identifying strategies and initiatives that will clarify the institutional vocation of the College and strengthen its capacity to serve it. President Williarn V Frame welcomes any comments or suggestions lrom aìl alumni; please send them by August 15 via e-mail to <frame@augsburg.edu> or to Augsburg College, CB 13f, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454. mortgage company that offers sub-prime loans to help customers rebuild their credit. William Reyer, English professor at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, is the 2003 recipient of the Jane FrostKalnow Professorship in Humanities, established to foster educational excellence in humanities teaching. Reyer has been a member of the Heidelberg faculty since t9B2 and serves as chair of the English department. 1978 Jonathan Moren, Eden Prairie, Minn., was elected vice president of the Minneapolis District Dental Societ¡ a chapter of the Summer 2O03 ;¡ " la Jackie (Kniefel) Lind '69, '94 MAL and Andy Fried '93 were recognized in April at the end of their terms on the Alumni Board of Directors for their leadership. Other outgoing board members include Paul Fieldhammer'65, Tom Hanson '66, Jeff Elavsky'68, and Christopher Haug '79. Minnesota Dental Association, in April. He also assumed responsibility as president of the United States Ski Association, Central Division, Region One board in May. He practices 1979 Linda Sue Anderson, Minneapolis, and Zach Curtis '97, appeared in the Twin Cities' area premiere of Lanford Wilson's in dentistry for both Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Booh o[ Days at the Theatre Pentagon Dental. Bates. Debra Axness, Charleston, living with her boyfriend, Larry aboard a The Rev. Louise Britts was featured in Norfh N¿ws for S.C., has been sailboat for almost three years. They left Duluth in 2000 and sailed through the Great Lakes to the Erie Canal, down the Hudson River to the Atlantic, over to Chesapeake Bay, and down the East Coast to the Florida Keys. They are currently anchored in Charleston, where Debra is working at the Medical University ol South Carolina as associate director of a computer lab for a research center that does compute-intensive work on the Round. Linda played Martha Hoch and Zach playedJames recently being ordained and installed as pastor of River of Life Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. She was previously the interim pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in afIrrù¡I¡Lrra[lltD 2003-2004 Alumni Board meeting schedule August 19 November 18 February l7 April20 brain imaging research. June Susan Shaninghouse, Minneapolis, is a primary teacher of a multi-age classroom at Meetings are open to the public and all alurnni are invited to attend. Meetings are held in the Minneapolis Room in Christensen Center at 5:30 p.m. For rnore information, visit the alumni Web site at <www.augsburg. edu/alumni>. ParkView Montessori School in North Minneapolis. She is pursuing special education licensing in EBD through coursework at St. Cloud State University and the Minneapolis Public School District. 15 4ucs¡unc ruow t9 Class Notes Boardman, Ore., and has served as the outreach minister and youth minister at several Minneapolis churches. 1 980 accepted the position of worship ministries pastor at Brooklyn Park Evangelical Free Church in fall 2001. He and his wife, Mary (Johnson) '80, reside in Champlin, Minn. The Rev. John E. Carlson 198f 1 Mary Beamish, La Crosse, Wis., married David Christensen in February. Mary is a copy editor at the Duluth News kibune and David is employed by St. Louis Janet Paone and Deb Pearson '83 were featured guess on the 983 Ruth Koscielah Show on KCCO radio in March. Janet was one of the original cast members of County. m o a Erica Benson '94= Path leads from basement to Beverly Hills s. à (J by Dan Jorgensen When Erica Benson '94 started on her career path she literally found herself with nowhere to go but up. That's because her first job was located in a basement. Benson, who now works for Beverly Hills-headquartered Kaleidoscope Films as a producer of movie and TV promotional spots, landed her first media job working out of the basement at the PBS affiliate ì.n Chicago. "I sort of got into my career by accident," she recalled. "I was in the promo department and soon I was on my way One job led to another until I eventually took the plunge and moved out to L.A. I went to a promo house and got experience doing network stuff, including movies. Eventually that Ianded me my job here at Kaleidoscope." work at A communication major, her first experience in the promotion field came through the news side when she landed an internship atKARE-1LN¿ws in Minneapolis. Erica Benson, a 1994 communication grad, successfully transitioned from her first media iob working out of the basement at the PBS affiliate in Chicago, to Beverly Hills-headquartered Kaleidoscope Films, pictured above, as a producer of movie and TV promotional spots. "While I wâs there I met this crazy yovîgproducer named Larry Watzman," Benson said. "He was always going out on shoots and sending me to fetch Bowie and Devo CDs for his spots. He pointed out that the great thing about TV promos is you get to wear many hats-writing, directing, producing, and sometimes editing-versus work in advertising where you are forced to specialize in one area. "I'd also have ro give a nod to MTV in shaping my career. I'm a pretty 'trendy' gal, so the thought of basically doing 'art' in and ever-evolving medium, AND getting paid for it totally rocked." a hip way, in an exciting Benson said she sort of "grew up" at Augsburg, where her father, Tom Benson'56 was the longtime director of Planned Giving, and not only helped raise money for the College's scholarship funds but also for funding many of the newer Augsburg buildings, such as Lindell Library With a tuition break because of her father's employrnent, she decided to try a year or so to see if she would like being a student where her father worked. "I stayed because I liked the small classes and individualized attention I got from my professors," she noted. Her principal Augsburg mentors, she said, were communication profess