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Title: Augsburg Bulletin March 1951, Page 02
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Institutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to...
Show moreInstitutional Chaplaincy Service ALEXANDER BORREVIK, Institutional Chaplain The work of the Chaplaincy Department of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Minnesota has become well known to the Lutherans of this aiea since its activities were accelerated by the appointment of Rev. Frederick Norstad to the directorship of the department in 1949. In addition to training Lutheran pastors to serve as hospital chaplains in larger urban areas of Minnesota, Mr. Narstad is also giving clinical training to others who Will be serving in the state hospitals for the mentally ill. Rev. Aleyander Borrevik, an alumnus of Augsburg College and Seminary, is one of the chaplains serving through Lutheran Wel— fare Society. His work consists in serving Lutherans in the hospitals, sanitariums, and correctional institutions of the Duluth area. In the article which follows, Mr. Borrevik gives an insight into the reason for the need of such service and the type of training required. —E. T. “General cure of souls seems at times about as eHective as putting drops into a patient‘s ey es from a third-story window . . . Unless we come to the ground floor with our 'drops“ and get new life into our personal cure of souls, it is very evident that the people at large will be left with- out our ministry." So writes E. G. Culien, Bishop of Tampere. Finland. What pastor hasn't felt his inadequacy in dealing with the people who have special needs? It may be an emotionally disturbed child in the parish. Often it is the family in which there is an inadequate r'llild. or it may be a mentally ill person. In every com- munity there are multitudes of alcoholics who need the friendship and constructive help of a counsellor. Occa- sionally an unwed mother ﬁnds herself desperately in need of counselling and sympathetic understanding. Then there is the delinquent youth, probably the fruit of a broken home, who needs help. In every congregation there are a number of repressed persons who ﬁnd them- selves in deep water continually because of a fundamental lack of knowing and directing their own normal drives. These and many more people with special needs must be reached by the resources of the Gospel. And what Chris- tian worker hasn't felt his helplessness in being able to properly minister to his people? it has been stated. erroneously or otherwise. that many Christian ministers have been living so exclusively in the atmosphere of the church that they have failed to acquaint themselves with the realms of darkness and the depths of human depravity. Their feet are, so to speak. not on the ground. Their understanding of people-—their deeper motivations and difﬁculties. their strengths and weak- nesses is inadequate. Accordingly they fail to meet the deeper needs of troubled souls. A tremendous challenge has come to the church of late. Leading doctors and psychiatrists are recognizing the tre- mendous resources of religion and are asking that clin- ically trained men of God make their contribution to the rehabilitation of people ‘in physical or mental illnesses. The term "psychosomatic medicine". used freely of late. Rev. Alexander Borrevik means that man is not just chemistry. Man’s illness is not purely maladjusted chemicals. It may be that, but it very likely hinges on nialadjusted thinking or lack of faith and peace of soul. Often guilt feelings or terriﬁc hostility in a patient bring about physical or mental illness. The doctor or psychiatrist working together with the chaplain or pastor minister to the total personality. Jesus said again and again. “Peace be unto you". This peace which is the fruit of being in tune with God is recognized as of great value by leading scientiﬁc men today. We are try- ing to meet this great challenge by adding to our semin- aries special courses in pastoral clinical training. Augs- burg. Luther. and Northwestern Theological seminaries are conducting such courses under the able and inspiring leadership of Chaplain Frederic Norstad, Chief of Chap- laincy Services of the Lutheran Welfare Society of Min- nesota. The Minnesota Mental Health Chaplaincy train- ing is also under his able direction. May the Lord bless us as we continue to bring the love and healing of Christ to our many brethren who have special needs. (- ’o’ooooo”o'ooo'oooo~~'m~"~'-~ Annual Alumni Banquet, Thurs., May 31, Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church i l l t t \ \ \ t t l t t t c "OnooomOOONON'W'mW AUGSBURG BULLETIN Published bi-monthly and one additional issue in April by Augsburg College and Theological Seminary at Minneapolis, Minnesota, tinteer as second-class matter March 21, 1947 at the post ofﬁce .1! Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vol. Xll. No. 2 MARCH. 1951
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 1998
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection

Title: Augsburg Now 1990s, Augsburg Now

Title: Augsburg Now October 1975
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection

Title: Augsburg Now Winter 2020-21
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: What it takes to fight a pandemic Confronting the Minnesota paradox Student-athletes’ off-and-on sports seasons Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist WINTER 2020–21 | VOL. 83, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE WHAT I...
Show more What it takes to fight a pandemic Confronting the Minnesota paradox Student-athletes’ off-and-on sports seasons Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist WINTER 2020–21 | VOL. 83, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE WHAT IT TAKES TO FIGHT A PANDEMIC: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND MUTUAL AID (PART 1) From parking lots and phone calls to hospitals and research labs, Auggies use a multifaceted approach to confront the global crisis of a lifetime by Kate H. Elliott Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Featured Stories Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email One November afternoon, Natalie Jacobson, coordinator of Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen, opened an email from someone she didn’t recognize. It was short and to the point: First-year Auggie Sam Kristensen ’24 explained that he had collected 17 bags of canned and nonperishable food items from those who dared to enter Sign up for Email Newsletter his Halloween yard maze through a fog-lit skeleton shack and animatronic troll swamp. The business major said he was glad his ghoulish creativity could feed dozens of Submit Your Alumni News Augsburg students and residents in surrounding Minneapolis neighborhoods. “The email made my week,” Jacobson said. “We’ve been CONNECT WITH US consumed with coordinated relief e orts; Sam’s email was a great reminder that everyone and anyone can Natalie Jacobson joins Nick Keener ’20, Campus Kitchen student leadership team member. (Courtesy photo) make a di erence.” Kristensen is one of hundreds in the Augsburg community who have come together in both planned and unplanned ways to support those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, which to date has infected an estimated 28 million and killed more than 500,000 Americans. From sta and students sewing and donating face masks to medical personnel advancing policies and caring for patients, members of the Augsburg community are making a lasting impact on the front lines of disease prevention and support. These are a few of the many stories of Auggies combating the virus and its e ects with compassion, faith, and ingenuity. Serving up hope Jacobson manages donations like Kristensen’s o ering while working with a team of students and volunteers to facilitate integrated food access programs to address hunger on and near campus. According to the National Association of Student A airs Administrators in Higher Education, more than 38% of students at four-year institutions are food insecure, and 15% are homeless. Before the pandemic, Augsburg students accessed free food at the Campus Cupboard in the basement of Science Hall. Students could stop in ve days a week to select a bag of fresh and non-perishable items, no questions asked. The Campus Kitchen also made outreach e orts to support community gardens and meals, rescue unsold produce at farmers markets, and educate the public about food as wellness. Yamile Hernandez ’22 works in the Campus Cupboard. (Photo by Courtney Perry) When the pandemic hit, Campus Kitchen turned up the heat. The team moved its refrigerators, freezers, and shelves of food to a large conference room in Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. Campus Cupboard transitioned to an online order form, with student workers, like nance major Yamile Hernandez ’22, delivering orders on campus or making contactless deliveries to students living in the Twin Cities. The cupboard serves between 25 and 75 students each week. “It’s rewarding to know we’re helping others, especially in such hard times, and we’re using up food that would have gone to waste.”—Yamile Hernandez ’22 “Many people have found themselves without a job or having less work, which makes it di cult to keep up with expenses,” said Hernandez. “Having access to healthy, free food helps alleviate a bit of that stress.” Campus Kitchen intensi ed e orts to address health and wellness disparities in neighborhoods surrounding Augsburg. Because so many organizations and community centers were already in partnership with Augsburg, Jacobson said, they were quick to respond to increased needs during the pandemic. “We heard about an opportunity to apply for CARES Act grant funding on a Tuesday, and the application was due that Thursday. Campus Kitchen rallied together with the Health Commons, West Bank Community Development Corporation, and the People’s Center to pull an application together, and we received $22,000, which we spent in a week on nonperishable food items, personal and household cleaning products, as well as food storage equipment, including refrigerators and freezers. The Campus Kitchen volunteers [L to R]: Hank Hietala, Ellen Finn, and LaToya Taris-James (Courtesy photo) grant will enable us to provide students and neighbors with access to healthy foods on a regular basis and at an increased capacity.” In March, the Sabo Center launched the Neighborhood Food Initiative in partnership with M Health Fairview. The initiative brings together a variety of community partners to support collaborative approaches that increase access to healthy food in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. “Since the summer, we have distributed food weekly to the West Bank CDC and People’s Center,” Jacobson said. “Many households in Cedar-Riverside now see this service as a key piece of meeting their basic food needs.” Drives of support Augsburg parking lots have been preferred drop-o locations for food and supply drives. In June and again in late September, Augsburg Women Engaged supported weeklong drives to support the Campus Cupboard and ShareShop, which provides students with free or for-rent bedding, games, clothing, kitchenware, appliances, and other home goods. The group collected 400 pounds of food and household supplies, plus $5,405 for the Campus Kitchen. On June 1, Steve Peacock, community relations director at the Sabo Center, and a cadre of masked volunteers lined up in a parking lot near the edge of campus. The group collected donations from an estimated 550 cars that drove through during a two-hour drive to collect a number of items, mostly personal hygiene products and diapers, for the Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center nearby. “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and donations,” Peacock said. “While we were out there, collecting items, we saw athletic teams lined up to collect supplies on the other side of the athletics complex. It’s a testament to the innovative, communityfocused, and generous spirit of Augsburg.” “Our mission to support students and be an anchor for the community seems relevant and central to our lives now more than ever.”—Steve Peacock Augsburg has also encouraged donations to the Student Emergency Fund, which was established last March to support students with nancial hardships and provide relief for basic needs, including food, rent, transportation, and medication. Auggies gather donations for the Twin Cities community outside Augsburg’s Kennedy Center. (Courtesy photo) In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis has distributed food to hundreds of neighbors each week. This summer, Augsburg Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres showed up with more than 25 Auggie students, sta , and faculty, most of whom didn’t know each other, to serve food. “This was just one microcosm of the work Auggies have and continue to do across the Twin Cities,” Lind-Ayres said. “The student body inspires and teaches me what it means to be ‘informed citizens.’” ‘Auggies are resilient’ Lind-Ayres and the Campus Ministry team have worked to provide moments of hope and belonging throughout the year. They shared prayers on their blog once a day from March to May and now post prayers weekly as a way for Auggies to lift up concerns and hopes for people and situations. On Fridays, the team has hosted 8 minutes and 46 seconds in chapel and on Zoom for “Silence, Prayer, and Pastoral Presence” to remember George Floyd and others and to focus on the call for racial justice. The Muslim Student Association, under the direction of Fardosa Hassan ’12, has provided opportunities for safe, socially distanced Friday prayer. In addition to leading reduced-capacity in-person worship in Hoversten Chapel, recorded worship, and virtual discussions, Lind-Ayres and University Pastor Babette Chatman ’06 serve on the COVID-19 Response Team. This diverse group of sta members gathers up to ve times each week to review COVID19 cases on campus, engage in contact tracing, provide support for students in quarantine or isolation, and gure out ways to keep the community safe. “We spend a lot of time on the phone or texting with students o ering words of encouragement, answering questions, and troubleshooting issues together as we manage the realities of COVID-19 on campus,” said Lind-Ayres. Assistant Athletic Director Melissa Lee ’04 serves on the COVID-19 Task Force. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Melissa Lee ’04, assistant athletic director and softball head coach, serves on the COVID-19 Task Force. Lee is one of several sta members responding to the helpline set up for Auggies to access the latest information and resources. In the spring, she and others were answering helpline phone calls and emails in shifts seven days a week. As tra c has decreased, phone calls go directly to voicemail. Team members respond to messages and emails as soon as possible. To parents, students, faculty, and sta , Lee said, “Continue to be gritty. Continue to be safe. We can and will all get through this together. Auggies are resilient.” Augsburg stories on COVID-19: What it takes to ght a pandemic, part 2: Research and health care Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic Top Image: Auggies gather and distribute food and donations through programs like Campus Kitchen and Campus Cupboard. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook athletics mutual aid Twitter Class of 2004 Pinterest Class of 2022 LinkedIn Email Community Engagement COVID-19 Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST What it takes to ght a pandemic: Research and health care (Part 2) YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE What it takes to ght a Confronting the Minnesota Stay the course: O -and-on pandemic: Research and paradox sports seasons prove health care (Part 2) - on February 22, 2021 Auggie student-athletes’ resilience - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE WHAT IT TAKES TO FIGHT A PANDEMIC: RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE (PART 2) From parking lots and phone calls to hospitals and research labs, Auggies use a multifaceted approach to confront the global crisis of a lifetime by Kate H. Elliott Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Featured Stories Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP sees resilience every day as executive director of Augsburg’s Health Commons, which are drop-in health centers led by the nursing program with a model focused on caring for those in the community who are marginalized. Guests are not required to show identi cation, and medical professionals don’t wear scrubs or stethoscopes in order to increase relatability and public trust in health care workers. Sign up for Email Newsletter Her focus at the Augsburg Central Health Commons is with individuals who are experiencing homelessness or who are marginally housed in Minneapolis, and the Health Commons in the Submit Your Alumni News Cedar-Riverside neighborhood provides care for residents, many of whom are East African immigrants. As an assistant professor of nursing, Clark teaches primarily in the graduate nursing program Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP (Courtesy photo) through courses that emphasize social justice, health disparities, and civic engagement. CONNECT WITH US The Augsburg nursing program, Clark said, is unique because faculty and students are embedded in the community. Other schools often see that work as “extra service” and send students to nonpro ts, but Augsburg considers place-based work as central to the educational experience. Hospitality and healing “We help students serve and explore the world we live in, and we’re with them when they do it,” Clark said. “They get uncomfortable and lean into the biases they may have and really get involved in a community to understand the issues from the people who experience them.” “You can’t come up with answers if you don’t know the problems.”—Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP When COVID-19 hit, the Health Commons at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis was one of the Augsburg’s Health Commons received donations from the community, including 27,200 bottles of water from UP Co ee Roasters and a grassroots fundraising campaign organized by Bethany Johnson ’19, ’23 DNP, whose family owns the business. Johnson (left) delivered water to the Health Commons with husband, David Chall (middle), and daughter, Olivia Chall, in April 2020. (Courtesy photo) only drop-in health centers that continued to stay open. At the height of the pandemic, Clark said staying open meant standing outside, passing out hygiene kits, and bringing meals and supplies to encampments of unhoused people. “Many of our students are adult learners seeking bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Some of them have dealt with furloughs or are at the bedsides of patients, holding up the [touchscreen] tablet for family members to say goodbye, and adapting to constant changes in health care environments. Then they have school in addition to their own stressors at home, like juggling kids or responding to family members who say, ‘COVID isn’t real.’ These students want to get involved and tackle the issues in their communities, and they are doing it! I get chills talking about it.” Ellen Kearney ’23 DNP is one of Clark’s students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner program and also a registered nurse at a Twin Cities intensive care unit. Kearney admitted that despite extensive safety measures, it was scary to be indoors at the Health Commons with patients early in the pandemic. But the work—her passion—is critical, she added. Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP (left) and President Paul Pribbenow at an Augsburg Bold event in the fall. (Courtesy photo) “Before COVID-19 we were able to serve between 50 and 100 people each Monday and Thursday,” said Kearney. “Now we can only see 12 people each day we are open. But because our hours have not changed, it has been nice to have a longer period alone with each guest if they chose to stay and talk. I’ve been able to learn about one guest’s upcoming trip to her home country in Africa and her worries about traveling, and I have been able to follow up with one older man while I do his foot care. It has been hard to not open the doors fully, especially now that the weather is colder and knowing there are so few public spaces open, though it is clear that we need to stay capped for everyone’s safety. While the scale of the Commons is small, the impact is large.” When Augsburg temporarily restricted students from working at the Commons, volunteers and Augsburg alumni, like Emily Pierskalla ’20 DNP, stepped in to keep doors open. The most challenging aspect of working as a registered nurse is ricocheting through stages of grief, which Pierskalla said is emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. She avoids news about COVID-19 and social media because it can trigger haunting memories. “I have ashbacks of the faces of patients I’ve seen die while their loved ones cry watching through an iPad or seeing my own co-workers struggling to breathe after getting sick,” said Pierskalla, who has worked for eight years at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. “It has taken a lot of therapy, self-care, and e ort to keep the burnout from causing me to become bitter and angry, or worse, apathetic to the world and society.” She has also worked as a nurse practitioner at CVS MinuteClinics, administering COVID-19 tests and helping people understand their test results and quarantine recommendations—e orts that have immediate practical e ects. “When I’m at the Commons or out in the camps, I actually feel like I’m helping to create the world I want to live in.”—Emily Pierskalla ’20 DNP Ray Yip ’72 has extensive global health experience, including work in Qinghai, a sparsely populated Chinese province. (Courtesy photo) Advocates for change Auggies are working across the globe to create policies and medical solutions to realize that better world. Dr. Ray Yip ’72 is a global health specialist serving as special advisor to the Gates Venture on China Partnership Development. For the past 22 years, he has assisted the Chinese government in improving its public health system, with a focus on disease control and response capacity. When COVID-19 began spreading in January, Yip was in Beijing. “I was impressed with how aggressive the outbreak was in Wuhan, and I predicted that China would be able to get it under control by April. To my pleasant surprise, China achieved that seemingly impossible task by mid-March.” In February, he returned to his home in upstate New York, from Ray Yip ’72 (Courtesy photo) which he has advised several organizations about COVID-19-related issues and provided a range of companies with updates about the progress of vaccine development worldwide. “This pandemic, which we knew would happen sooner or later, requires strong government leadership as well as commitment and partnership with the private sectors for the solutions.”—Ray Yip ’72 “More than 23 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told me the United States had the know-how and capacity to contain this epidemic. After all, I was sent to China to help them to build such capacity. My prediction was so o , I hate to admit it. We all su er dearly from the dire consequence of horrible mismanagement, which largely has to do with leadership failure. It was particularly painful to watch the CDC get sidelined, and public health measures became politicized.” The heroes of the pandemic, Yip said: health care workers. “Most people do not realize the risk and danger of those health care workers taking care of the COVID patients, especially in the early phase when protective gear was in short supply. A disproportionate number of them got infected and died. If I were my younger version, I would not hesitate to join them in on the front lines. I am grateful for their service and sacri ce.” Interview with Dr. Ray Yip '72 · Augsburg University Alumni Association was Live Follow Share Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, regional vice president for Mayo Clinic Health System’s Southwest Wisconsin region, oversees thousands of such workers attending to patients in two hospitals and eight clinics. He manages COVID-19 response through policy decisions and exploring new treatments while treating the disease in his own patient panel. “It is weighty from a psychological standpoint, as you try to be a leader in such an ever-changing, high-stakes environment, knowing the lives you impact,” said Mueller, who has served as an Augsburg regent and as the campaign chair of Great Returns: Augsburg’s Sesquicentennial Campaign. “But every day I walk the halls of our hospitals and clinics and see the resilience and ingenuity of our sta who have delivered on the promise of medicine. Nurses greet me with a smile behind personal protective equipment. They are busy Paul Mueller ’84 (Courtesy photo) but feel called and up to this work. With a can-do attitude, we are caring for patients in the darkest of times, administering novel treatments, and preparing to safely roll out vaccines. “We’re still in the thick of it. If you think of it like a marathon, we are at mile marker 19. But if we can maintain resilience and hope, we will nish the race and be better for it.”—Paul Mueller ’84 “This pandemic has shown us that we all breathe the same air, and it is the one thing that is unifying our entire planet. While the virus rages on killing people, we continue to see the brilliance of the human spirit—beacons of hope and optimism, compassion and resilience, integrity and ingenuity.” Caring for patients, fueling research Brittany Kimball ’13 is a third-year resident at the University of Minnesota in internal medicine and pediatrics. The pandemic has taken its toll on her and other residents, as expectations are in ux and workloads are stressful and exhausting. Virtual visits are di cult because of a lack of internet and personal connectivity, Kimball said. Loneliness has infected the hospitals. Last week, Kimball watched a nurse gently care for a patient isolated from visitors, playing his favorite music as he died. “The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly compounded patients’ conditions. Children are missing well visits and Brittany Kimball ’13: “Getting my rst COVID-19 vaccine at Masonic Children’s Hospital—which I encourage everyone to do as soon as it becomes available to them!” (Courtesy photo) immunizations. Cancer patients require COVID-19 tests prior to chemotherapy, sometimes missing a treatment because they have the virus. Many of my primary care patients with diabetes are wary of clinic visits, thus making it harder to [measure doses of] their medications,” said Kimball, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Augsburg. “Most troublesome, the pandemic has compounded inequities for already marginalized people. Some of my patients don’t have internet, while others don’t have access to a regular phone. For some patients, limited English pro ciency can make getting set up on a virtual platform more di cult. Brittany Kimball ’13 (left) and her co-resident work at the Minneapolis Veterans A airs Health Care System. (Courtesy photo) “Patients dealing with addiction and trying to maintain sobriety have told me that their usual coping mechanisms—like getting together with other people who are sober or participating in a faith community—have become inaccessible. For patients living in poverty, balancing virtual school and frontline jobs has been incredibly stressful and sometimes impossible. It’s often people living in poverty that are doing frontline work that makes them more likely to be exposed to the virus, like working in a restaurant, public transit, or in a store.” “We need to gure out how to make telemedicine more equitable.”—Brittany Kimball ’13 Her dream has long been to be a doctor, so despite the challenges, she pushes on—driven to pursue a fellowship in hematology-oncology. As a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Kimball is particularly interested in caring for adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood diseases. “As an 18-yearold in my rst semester at Augsburg, I was guring out dating while bald, chemo after classes, and trying to study when my brain felt foggy and my body felt sick,” she added. “Sometimes I needed a bit more guidance and support than a typical adult patient, but not in the same way that a much younger child might. Teens and young adults don’t t neatly in the pediatric or adult-centered models of care, and I hope I can make that better.” Hamdi Adam ’18 is similarly driven to make a di erence. As a doctoral student of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, Adam followed his bachelor’s in biology from Augsburg with a master’s degree in public health at the University of Minnesota. Adam studies cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurocognitive disorders. He is focused on investigating the impact of COVID-19 on chronic conditions, which can lead to higher risk of mortality, especially among people with existing risk factors, like high blood pressure and diabetes. “At some point down the road, I’ll probably get the chance to utilize COVID-19 data to assess the relationship between COVID status and various chronic disease conditions in population-based research studies and hopefully add valuable and timely information to the Hamdi Adam ’18 (Courtesy photo) base of existing literature,” said Adam, who—as a rst-generation Oromo American—is interested in applying his research to address health disparities a ecting people of color. “It feels good to know that your studies and work are for the betterment of people. With research, sometimes you feel like your work is so detached from the true health problems you are attempting to address, but I like to think that epidemiologic research provides the basis for informing more direct actions, such as health policy development and e ective community-based interventions.” Another researcher, Will Matchett ’13, earned a doctorate in virology and gene therapy from the Mayo Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He works as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota, where he will spend up to ve years acquiring training that will allow him to run his own lab. Between April and August, his research focused exclusively on developing a SARS-CoV-2 test to measure the speci c antibodies that block the virus from entering cells. Since September, his focus has shifted to testing a COVID-19 vaccine being developed at the University of Minnesota. Will Matchett ’13 used a plaque assay to quantify the amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus in a sample at the University of Minnesota biosafety lab in August 2020. (Courtesy photo) Increasing and diversifying COVID-19 testing Does all the medical terminology sound like a foreign language? That’s how Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL described her rst few weeks as the higher education operations lead for Minnesota’s COVID-19 Testing Work Group. Since 2009, she has worked at Augsburg, the last six of those years as director for the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. But since June, the Sabo Center has put her “on loan” to Minnesota’s State Emergency Operations Center to work with a team of experts to launch Minnesota’s testing plan in collaboration with colleges and universities. Subgroups are assigned to areas such as long-term care, child care and schools, community testing, hotspots, case investigation and contact tracing, research, data, purchasing, and contracts. Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL (Photo by Courtney Perry) “My work at Augsburg prepared me for this role in a variety of ways. The role is necessarily collaborative and involves recognizing that di erent people have di erent roles to play and respecting those di erent perspectives and sets of expertise.”—Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL “Civic engagement work is like that, too. I’ve also been thinking a lot about the Master of Arts in Leadership program, which I completed in 2018. This work is like having a master class in leadership and public health every day.” In April, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a “moonshot goal” of 20,000 tests per day in the state, at a time when only about 2,000 tests were being performed daily, Eschenbacher said. The testing work group increased capacity and made that moonshot goal by the end of June. “Since then, we’ve been continuing to increase and diversify COVID testing, and make sure that the people who most need it have access to it. During the week of Thanksgiving, our daily average for testing across the state was more than 57,000,” she added. “Testing is an important tool in controlling the spread of COVID-19, and making testing accessible regardless of income or location is an important equity issue.” Eschenbacher has spent her days planning and data-modeling as it relates to higher education, consulting with speci c institutions in the wake of outbreaks, guiding higher education testing, and organizing partnerships for case investigation and contact-tracing. She facilitates webinars and other information pieces about saliva testing, serves as state incident commander for community testing events, and helped coordinate mass testing of 18- to 35-year-olds prior to Thanksgiving. More recently, she has served as incident commander for a community vaccination site. “It feels like a cliché to say this, but it is an absolute honor to do this work. We talk a lot about vocation at Augsburg, and I guess I would say that vocation can sneak up on you. I never would have dreamed of doing the work I’ve done since June, but it feels like purpose.” These are only a handful of the Auggies who are living out their passionate purpose to bring an end to this crushing pandemic and, in the meantime, to soften the blow. Augsburg stories on COVID-19: What it takes to ght a pandemic, part 1: Community collaboration and mutual aid Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic Top Image: Augsburg’s coronavirus guidelines, including face coverings and physical distancing in classrooms and public places, helped protect Auggies from COVID-19. Professor and Chemistry Department Chair Joan Kunz instructs in the Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email biology Class of 1972 Class of 1984 Class of 2010 Class of 2018 Class of 2020 Class of 2023 Community Engagement Doctor of Nursing Practice mutual aid research health care Class of 2013 Master of Arts in Leadership Class of 2014 COVID-19 Master of Arts in Nursing Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Confronting the Minnesota paradox What it takes to ght a pandemic: Community collaboration and mutual aid (Part 1) YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE What it takes to ght a Confronting the Minnesota Stay the course: O -and-on pandemic: Community paradox sports seasons prove collaboration and mutual - on February 22, 2021 Auggie student-athletes’ aid (Part 1) resilience - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE CONFRONTING THE MINNESOTA PARADOX Signi cant racial disparities exist in a state with a liberal reputation, but some are seeking ways to close the gaps by Gita Sitaramiah Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Featured Stories Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Robert Harper ’16 remembers the rst time he was called the nword. His family had moved to Minnesota from the South Side of Chicago, seeking a better life. Since then, he’s achieved that better life, earning an undergraduate degree from Augsburg University and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public A airs. He is now a supplier diversity director for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Sign up for Email Newsletter “I think I’ve had a unique experience escaping poverty on the South Side of Chicago and North Minneapolis, only to be confronted with the daily decisions made by white people that only re-create those Submit Your Alumni News circumstances of oppression,” Harper said. Robert Harper ’16 (Courtesy photo) While he’s now a working professional in a state that prides itself on being “Minnesota nice,” Harper never gets too comfortable, recalling that painful moment when he was walking to middle school and a passing driver shouted the racial epithet at him. More recently, on CONNECT WITH US a trip to northern Minnesota, Harper was told while visiting Gull Lake, ‘You don’t belong here,’ by a white man. “It’s moments like that when you’re trying to do better, ‘pull yourselves up by your bootstraps,’ that society reminds you that there’s a glass ceiling for some,” Harper said. “Some people constantly remind you that they decide how far you go, what rooms you enter, and in the case of George Floyd, whether or not you live.”—Robert Harper ’16 Exposing the paradox George Floyd’s murder three miles from Augsburg University put an international spotlight on not only the experiences of Black people at the hands of the criminal justice system but also the reality of the disturbing “Minnesota paradox.” That’s how University of Minnesota Professor Samuel Myers describes how Minnesota has such a high quality of life and a history of progressive politicians but is one of the worst places to live for Black people. “Measured by racial gaps in unemployment rates, wage and salary incomes, incarceration rates, arrest rates, home ownership rates, mortgage lending rates, test scores, reported child maltreatment rates, school disciplinary and suspension rates, and even drowning rates, African Americans are worse o in Minnesota than they are in virtually every other state in the nation,” Myers said. The numbers illustrate the bleak story: Samuel Myers (Courtesy photo) Only 25.3% of Black households in Minnesota own homes versus 76.9% of white households, according to census data, a stark divide given that home ownership is considered the leading contributor to household wealth. The median household income for Black households in the state is the lowest of any group at $41,570, about half of what Asian and white households earn. In the Twin Cities, African Americans represent 9% of the overall population, but are incarcerated at 11 times the rate of whites who represent 76% of the population, the NAACP reported last year. Only 21.7% of Black people hold bachelor’s degrees or higher versus nearly 40% overall. Meanwhile, between 2010 and 2018, the fastest growing racial group in Minnesota was the Black population, which grew by 36%, adding more than 96,500 people. Many are immigrants but face the same backdrop of a state that hasn’t historically acknowledged that discrimination plays a role in the Black story here, Myers said. “When it comes to race in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, there was this instinctive belief that we already know what the problem is, that it’s not really a problem, and since it’s not a problem, we don’t need to nd answers,” Myers said. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded the inequities. The unemployment rate for Black Minnesotans in the aftermath of pandemic shutdowns rose to 15.3% last July, up 9 percentage points from a year earlier, versus 6.3% for white workers, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported. According to a Pew Research report published in December: “Among Black Americans, 71% know someone who has been hospitalized or died because of COVID-19.” Kevin Ehrman-Solberg ’15 (center right) and the Mapping Prejudice Project team found inequities in housing documents throughout Minneapolis’ history. (Courtesy photo, 2017) The path to today’s Minneapolis High pro le police killings of Black men in this region—including George Floyd, Philando Castile, and Jamar Clark—have heightened the protests and urgency for change. The viral video of Floyd’s murder with his neck under the knee of a Minneapolis police o cer seemed to dawn a new era in the ght for justice. Protesters took to the streets for weeks around the globe. Gra ti images of Floyd sprang up worldwide, even on a West Bank barrier in the Middle East. CEOs of Fortune 500 corporations in Minnesota wrote an open letter of outrage. Athletes of all races took the knee before matches to show their support for racial equity. In the city of Minneapolis, at the center of the controversy, there was swift action against the o cers, something unprecedented. “Despite decades of police incidents that resulted in the deaths of people of color, today’s actions by the mayor represent the rst time in modern history that Minneapolis police o cers were red within 24 hours for unjustly murdering a citizen,” said Michael Lansing, associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s history department, in a May 26 series of tweets about the Minneapolis Police Department. (Lansing’s comments on the history of uprisings and Minneapolis police were also carried by The Washington Post and Mother Jones.) Now, many are acknowledging the systems that are behind today’s Minneapolis. Even the South Minneapolis street where George Floyd was killed is in a historically Black working-class and middle-class neighborhood created by housing segregation, Lansing said in his tweet series. Indeed, Mapping Prejudice Project, a team of community members, Associate Professor Michael Lansing (Photo by Stephen Ge re) geographers, and historians based at the University of Minnesota, have unearthed thousands of racial covenants in Minneapolis that reserved land for the exclusive use of white people. Those restrictions served as powerful obstacles for people of color seeking safe and a ordable housing. Racial covenants, dovetailed with redlining and predatory lending practices, depressed homeownership rates for Black residents. They also limited access to community resources like schools and parks. While contemporary white residents of Minneapolis like to think their city never had formal segregation, those racial covenants did the work of Jim Crow in the Twin Cities, said Kevin EhrmanSolberg ’15, a co-founder of Mapping Prejudice. “The reputation of Minneapolis is that it’s a liberal bastion, yet there’s a racist reality that people live in.”—Kevin Ehrman-Solberg ’15 Professor William Green (Photo by Courtney Perry) Looking forward with a pragmatic lens While the period following George Floyd’s murder looked like a change moment, Augsburg University’s M. Anita Gay Hawthorne Professor of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies William Green worries that the momentum started to diminish as the summer progressed. “The challenge that we face is to do the hard work to de ne what change means, and second, how to get at the root of the problems that lead to disparities in society.” Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan Weinhagen looks ahead to the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder and to the question of how much progress has been made in raising awareness about and working to eliminate the disparities experienced by people of color. “[Closing the racial divide] is not going to be resolved in a year. It’s going to take more time, but it’s going to have to be far more rapid than anything we’ve done to date.”—Jonathan Weinhagen The implications of these disparities are wide-reaching, with government o cials and the business community concerned that a growing population that isn’t able to fully participate in or bene t from the economy will threaten the vitality of the state as a whole. Jonathan Weinhagen (Courtesy photo) “To have a large and growing part of our economy be marginalized is a huge disadvantage to all of us because it takes a huge part of the population out,” said Susan Brower, Minnesota’s demographer. The NAACP’s 48-page Twin Cities Economic Inclusion Plan issued in 2019 calls for a comprehensive, multi-pronged policy agenda anchored by ve basic principles: economic sustainability, education, health, public safety and criminal justice, and voter rights and political representation. The role of education Many are looking to young people to be the lasting change. The nonpro t Generation Next in Minneapolis has emerged to support children from “cradle to career,” envisioning a future in which “every child has the academic, social, and emotional skills to thrive in a globally uent world.” Alan Page, retired Minnesota Supreme Court justice, and Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, proposed in 2020 amending Minnesota’s constitution to give every child a civil right to a quality public education. They de ne the current approach as a system that works well for children from well-to-do families but fails children from low-income families. “A quality education is without question the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty and create a society in which everyone can fully participate,” Kashkari and Page wrote in the Star Tribune. “It doesn’t just change one child’s life. It has the potential to improve the future for generations to come and lead to a more productive, vibrant society for all of us.” Meanwhile, Augsburg University is positioned to be a statewide leader in the turnaround, with years of intentional work on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I certainly feel that higher education is the clearest path to a middle-class life or better,” Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow said. Augsburg University's Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Augsburg’s e orts to address disparities and work toward equity After the murder of George Floyd only a few miles from campus, Augsburg University introduced in June the Justice for George Floyd Initiatives to focus on working to heal the community, creating leadership and structures that make tangible change, and ensuring accountability for the work of undoing racist systems. New e orts were introduced to combat systemic racism, including a critical race and ethnicity studies department; diversity, equity, and inclusion training; and a requirement that all faculty and sta complete antiracism training. Augsburg also canceled classes and suspended operations June 4 and 5 so students, faculty, and sta could have an opportunity to grieve. “We acknowledge the pain, fear, and trauma faced by the Augsburg community—especially our students, faculty, and sta of color—remain a lived reality every day,” Pribbenow said. “This work by Augsburg will be persistent, resolute, courageous, and integrated into everything the university does.” This ongoing work includes several components: Augsburg named William Green, professor of history, the inaugural holder of the M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professorship of critical race and ethnic studies. The university is employing new accountability for inclusive, antiracist leadership across the institution and reviewing Augsburg’s major academic and administrative policies and practices with a special focus on undoing bias and discrimination and enhancing student success. Augsburg created a scholarship in memory of George Floyd and established a fund that matched donations from students, faculty, and sta for organizations doing important work, especially for Black-owned businesses and nonpro t organizations. Augsburg appointed the rst Chief Diversity O cer, Joanne K. Reeck, in 2016 and became home in 2019 to The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, the nation’s largest workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion conference. These moves are an important continuation of Augsburg’s e orts to build and maintain an equitable and inclusive campus that became a strategic focus in 2006, resulting in Augsburg welcoming its most diverse incoming rst-year class ever in 2017. Students of color are now in the majority of traditional undergraduates, making Augsburg one of the most diverse private colleges in the Midwest. As Augsburg is learning in its own community, Minnesota’s multifaceted disparities require a multifaceted approach that summons individual and collective willpower to align impact with intent. Despite Harper’s success after graduating from Augsburg, he views the disparate outcomes as a call to action, even forming his own economic development consulting rm, R.D.T.H Consulting, focused on social impact in addition to his day job. “It doesn’t have to be this way.” Top Image: Minneapolis is a city with a liberal reputation, but racial disparities persist. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Class of 2015 Twitter Class of 2016 Pinterest LinkedIn Diversity and Inclusion Email economics Faculty Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Stay the course: O -and-on sports seasons prove Auggie student-athletes’ resilience What it takes to ght a pandemic: Research and health care (Part 2) YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE What it takes to ght a What it takes to ght a Stay the course: O -and-on pandemic: Community pandemic: Research and sports seasons prove collaboration and mutual health care (Part 2) Auggie student-athletes’ aid (Part 1) - on February 22, 2021 resilience - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE STAY THE COURSE: OFF-AND-ON SPORTS SEASONS PROVE AUGGIE STUDENTATHLETES’ RESILIENCE After a pause on competitions due to COVID-19, Auggies are ready to get back in the game by Kate Norlander Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Athletics, Featured Stories Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The COVID-19 pandemic put a major pause on 2020’s athletic competitions. The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postponed the fall sports season. In January the league announced plans for a modi ed winter season for basketball, hockey, indoor track and eld, and swimming and diving (though it’s not o cially part of the MIAC, wrestling will follow the same guidelines). Auggies can’t wait to get back in the game. Many student-athletes have been practicing their sports since elementary school. During the past year, the pandemic disrupted participation in activities that have been important to their lives. But Augsburg’s Athletics sta and student-athletes have met this challenge with a commitment to the health and safety of the community. This willingness to put safety rst means that student-athletes Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News are now able to compete. In order for student-athletes to participate in sports this year, the NCAA created rules designed to promote safety. Augsburg Athletics also made sure that strong safety measures were in place, which CONNECT WITH US has helped students feel a bit more at ease during an anxious time. Devon Hannah ’21, a guard on the men’s basketball team, said, “We have the freedom to decide whether or not we feel comfortable with an activity. The Athletics Department is handling this well, keeping us safe physically and mentally, too.” Coaches play an important role in student-athletes’ lives, which means they are often among the rst people to learn when a student receives a positive COVID-19 test result. This means that they are not only helping students develop skills in their sport; they are also watching out for the safety of their team. Devon Hannah ’21 (Courtesy photo) Corrina Evans ’21, a middle blocker on the women’s volleyball team, said, “The coaches and trainers are sharing campus resources like the Center for Wellness and Counseling. They have check-in times when we can talk about anything, and they will call or text us: doing contact tracing, helping us understand how to quarantine correctly if we have to do that, and making sure we have everything we need.” Changes to practice and competition Corrina Evans ’21 (Courtesy photo) Even with precautionary measures in place, there are times when teams have to pause their practice, whether a teammate tested positive for COVID-19 or a rising number of cases in Minnesota required universities to temporarily close workout and sports facilities, which occurred in the fall and early winter. Read more about Auggies ghting the pandemic.  When they’re able to practice, Augsburg’s student-athletes gather in pods that have gradually increased in size as they were safely able to do so. While the smallest pods have allowed students to practice their sports safely and to control the spread of the virus, they’ve also presented a challenge. “It’s di cult to get to know each other and to gel as a team,” Hannah said. “Practices are very di erent,” said Evans. “You can’t see people’s faces because of the masks. But we’ve been able to move up into bigger pods, which gives us a more normal team chemistry and allows us to have a full team practice and do some scrimmaging. The challenges are more mental than physical.” In early January, the MIAC gave teams the go-ahead to compete again, although competitions are limited and spectators are not allowed. (Augsburg has o ered free livestream viewing for all home events and some road events.) Students in sports that present a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission must get tested three times each week in order to practice and compete—measures well worth it for eager players and coaches. “It’s exciting to be able to get back to playing and feel in the groove again,” said Colleen Enrico ’14, assistant athletic director, volleyball assistant coach, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor. Melissa Lee ’04 (left), assistant athletic director and softball head coach, leads softball practice in Augsburg’s dome in February 2021. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Prioritizing mental health Augsburg Athletics had already begun addressing the mental health of student-athletes before the pandemic. In the summer of 2019, all coaches and sta took an eight-hour course in mental health rst aid, which can provide support for student-athletes and coaches until they can speak with mental health professionals. Mark Wick, men’s hockey assistant coach, has recently taken on new, temporary duties at Augsburg as he sets up a mental health advocacy program for Augsburg Athletics. “We need to know how to deal with what is happening now, but in ve to 10 years, people still will be dealing with losing jobs or loved ones,” Wick said. “Hopefully it won’t be as bad as it is now, but how we use this time can help prepare us for growth.” Augsburg University @AugsburgU September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and @AugsburgU Assistant Hockey Coach @coachwick23 will hold a golf tournament to raise awareness, as this subject is very personal to him. “It’s OK to reach out and ask for help,” Wick told @WCCO. Augsburg Assistant Hockey Coach Mark Wick's Push For Suicide Awa… September is Suicide Awareness Month. And on Tuesday, Augsburg University assistant hockey coach Mark Wick will hold a golf … minnesota.cbslocal.com 7:30 PM · Sep 29, 2020 18 5 Copy link to Tweet Fostering the Auggie Experience Enrico reported that in past years, student-athletes met with the entire team sta on a weekly basis, but this year they are meeting with a di erent coach each week. This allows them to be more open and build better relationships with their coaches. As in past years, coaches touch base with students about their lives outside of their sport so that, for instance, if they are struggling with classes, the coach can suggest resources for help. This year coaches are also making a point of paying attention to upcoming events so that they can suggest activities that might help student-athletes better connect with their fellow students. It’s been a tough year for everyone, and that has been particularly true for rst-year students who were unable to participate in many traditional activities at the end of their senior year in high school and now have begun their college experience under di cult conditions. For that reason, Enrico said, coaches have made a point of connecting third- and fourth-year students with rst-year and other new students. Augsburg Athletics @AugsburgAuggies Check out some photos from a recent Augsburg women's basketball practice! ﬂickr.com/photos/1463682… #d3hoops #AuggiePride 7:43 PM · Jan 14, 2021 7 3 Copy link to Tweet Di erent teams have di erent approaches to these connections. In volleyball, coaches have suggested podcasts that each student can discuss with a di erent teammate each week. “We want them to get outside of volleyball, so the podcasts might be on topics such as banking or racial diversity,” Enrico said. Fostering these connections—between teammates, between each student-athlete and coach, and between student-athletes and the wider Augsburg community—is, perhaps, one of the most important things coaches can do for their student-athletes this year. All of them help these students feel a sense of community. In Enrico’s words, “the Auggie experience is community.” Top image: The COVID-19 pandemic has required temporary closures and reopenings of workout spaces, including Augsburg’s weight room, with students’ health in mind. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook athletics Twitter college sports Pinterest COVID-19 LinkedIn mental health Email sports Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic Confronting the Minnesota paradox YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE What it takes to ght a What it takes to ght a Confronting the Minnesota pandemic: Community pandemic: Research and paradox collaboration and mutual health care (Part 2) - on February 22, 2021 aid (Part 1) - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG’S IN-HOUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIST GUIDES AUGGIES THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC On the Spot Q&A with Associate Professor Alicia Quella by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Remember those days of uncertainty in March 2020, when we had more questions than answers, and before most of us used terms like “coronavirus” and “social distancing”? The United States saw an increase in COVID-19 infections, and some states—including Minnesota—applied stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread. Weeks before that in ection point, Augsburg University administrators, faculty, and sta convened a COVID-19 task force. Sign up for Email Newsletter Not all educational institutions have an epidemiologist on sta , but Augsburg is fortunate. One of the task force’s principal leaders is Alicia Submit Your Alumni News Quella, associate professor and director of Augsburg’s physician assistant program. As an educator with a PhD in epidemiology and experience in public health settings around the world, her expertise CONNECT WITH US has proved invaluable for the university’s grasp of the evolving global crisis and Augsburg’s response to maintain the health and safety of community members. Associate Professor Alicia Quella (Photo by Courtney Perry) Between elding student questions about the coronavirus, volunteering at COVID-19 testing sites, and ensuring the Augsburg community can trace contacts and reduce transmission on campus, Quella shared some perspectives on her work and where we go from here. Q: How have you been involved in Augsburg’s outbreak planning and COVID-19 response? A: I serve on the pandemic task force, a university-wide team of people that assembled after it was apparent that COVID-19 would signi cantly a ect institutions of higher education across the United States. We collaborate regularly with epidemiologists from the Minnesota Department of Health to implement public health guidelines for campuses. We started to meet daily to coordinate issues involving classrooms and labs, athletics, residence halls, dining services, facilities, and global education. We started a COVID-19 Response Team, which comprises sta and faculty across campus who implement health protocols and support students and personnel who have illness, have COVID-19, or have been exposed to it. R.John @raccajohn Neither rain nor SNOW can keep @AugsburgU's Dr. Alicia Quella from working the walk-up/drive-up COVID-19 testing location @PeoplesCenter Cedar Riverside Clinic 1:50 AM · Oct 21, 2020 3 See the latest COVID-19 information on Twitter Q: What were your rst thoughts when you heard about COVID19 and considered its implications for the Augsburg community? A: When news of a novel coronavirus was circulating in China, I was immediately concerned because I had studied the epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) during my doctoral work through the University of Iowa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. In 2003, SARS quickly spread to 29 countries, so I knew that this would be a major issue in the United States. Q: At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the most important things for the public to understand and do? A: To reach herd immunity [when a signi cant portion of a community is immune to a disease and thereby makes spread unlikely] we all need to continue to ‘bubble’ and limit the number of close contacts, wear face masks, socially distance, and get vaccinated. I also encourage the students and my patients to be creative and nd ways to keep active and engaged— start a new hobby, do something outdoors, and reach out to relatives and friends who may be isolated right now. Q: What do you see in the post-COVID-19 world? A: Colleges and universities have seen a rapid di usion of innovation in how they are using technology to deliver curriculum, participate in athletics, and maintain operations. This energy and innovation will have to continue to promote widespread vaccine uptake. Vaccine hesitancy is an issue, especially in communities of color that have been disproportionately a ected by COVID-19 because of structural racism. Augsburg will need to make this a top priority moving forward. Q: What’s a memorable moment of the past year that made an impact on you? A: As an epidemiologist and a physician assistant, I’ve had the opportunity to continue to see patients and work with Augsburg students, sta , and faculty. I recently received the COVID-19 vaccine and have felt humbled and honored to now be able to continue to work more safely in the community. Top image: Associate Professor Alicia Quella’s experience as an epidemiologist has helped maintain the health and safety of the Augsburg community. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Read more Augsburg stories on COVID-19. Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Academic Departments Physician Assistant Studies Pinterest Community Engagement LinkedIn COVID-19 Email Faculty Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Notes from President Pribbenow: Come and see! Stay the course: O -and-on sports seasons prove Auggie student-athletes’ resilience YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents Augsburg’s recent awards, Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and rankings, and recognition - on February 22, 2021 reelected members - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW: COME AND SEE! by Paul C. Pribbenow Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook Go  Around the Quad, President's Letter Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email In the Christian church, the liturgical season before Lent is called Epiphany, a time when we re ect on the good news that God has broken into human history and that we are called to share that good news with all of creation. There is a wonderful invitational character to Epiphany, in which we ask each other and our neighbors to “Come and see” all that God is doing in our midst. In that spirit, this issue of Augsburg Now invites all of us to come and see what the Augsburg community is doing in its 151st academic year, in the midst of a global pandemic, to live out our mission. In these pandemic times, Augsburg students, faculty, and sta have brought great imagination, resilience, and courage to our work together. I am so proud of what they have accomplished, and I invite you to come and see … Come and see the gift of the surprises we found in how we teach and learn, how we keep our community and neighborhood safe and President Paul Pribbenow (Photo by Courtney Perry) healthy, how we live out our most deeply held commitments and values, and how we are open to new and innovative ways of living and working. Paul Pribbenow @paulpribbenow I’m out and about, delivering yard signs to the @AugsburgU Class of 2024! Here’s Vanessa - a proud new Auggie. #augsburgbold #auggiepride Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US 4:13 PM · Jun 30, 2020 95 5 Copy link to Tweet Come and see how we answered the call to serve our neighbors even when we must navigate the challenges of a virus, economic disruption, and racial reckoning. Our focus on supporting local businesses, meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness, ensuring that all of our students have the resources they need to be successful, and nding ways to feed the hungry—all these illustrate how our community embraces its commitments to our neighbors. Come and see the promise of abundance in a time and world too often characterized by scarcity. We believe deeply in what the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone proclaimed: “We all do better when we all do better.” Our abiding commitments to equity and inclusion—and our aspiration to be an anti-racist university—lead us to robust engagement with each other and with the wider community so that all will do better. Augsburg University is a distinctive community, de ning in its life and work a vision for higher education in the 21st century. I am deeply grateful for the support of alumni and friends, whose generosity and engagement help us live into our vision to educate Auggies as stewards of an inclusive democracy. Come and see. Faithfully yours, Paul C. Pribbenow, President Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Community Engagement Pinterest Diversity and Inclusion LinkedIn Faith Email President Paul C. Pribbenow Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg Board of Regents welcomes new and reelected members Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Augsburg Board of Regents Augsburg’s recent awards, epidemiologist guides welcomes new and rankings, and recognition Auggies through the reelected members - on February 22, 2021 COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG BOARD OF REGENTS WELCOMES NEW AND REELECTED MEMBERS by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The Augsburg University Board of Regents meeting in October 2020 included celebration of the election of new and continuing regents. James Hereford and Veena Iyer were elected to their rst four-year terms. Nick Gangestad ’86, Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, Jill Nelson Thomas, and Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW were elected to second four-year terms. Pam Moksnes ’79 was elected to a third four-year term. Sign up for Email Newsletter Finally, Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson and Bishop Ann Svennungsen were appointed to serve three-year terms as ex o cio members of the board. Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US Nick Gangestad ’86 James Hereford Veena Iyer Pam Moksnes ’79 Jill Nelson Thomas Laurie Skow-Anderson Ann Svennungsen Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Alumni News And Updates Class of 1992 Pinterest LinkedIn Board of Regents Master of Social Work Class of 1979 Email Class of 1986 Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg’s recent awards, rankings, and recognition Notes from President Pribbenow: Come and see! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg’s recent awards, epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! rankings, and recognition Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG’S RECENT AWARDS, RANKINGS, AND RECOGNITION by Briana Alamilla '17 Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Each year, Augsburg University is recognized for its academic excellence, student-centered community, and commitment to educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Augsburg’s recent awards and rankings include: 2020 Best Colleges by Money Most Transformative Colleges 2020–21 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly® 2020 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities, Midwest region by Campus Pride Top 30 in the Country Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News 2020 Best Colleges For Financial Aid by LendEDU CONNECT WITH US 79th in the United States 2nd in Minnesota 2020 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Minnesota by BestValueSchools.com 2021 Best Universities, Midwest region by U.S. News & World Report 3rd in Most Innovative Schools 4th in Campus Ethnic Diversity 7th in Undergraduate Teaching 14th in Best Colleges for Veterans 15th in Best Value Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Augsburg University’s Department of Business Administration was recently accredited for the undergraduate and Master of Business Administration programs. View more of Augsburg’s awards and rankings. Top image: Augsburg’s Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Augsburg In The News Pinterest LinkedIn Awards and Recognition Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Playwrights’ Center partners with Augsburg to o er courses with leading playwrights Augsburg Board of Regents welcomes new and reelected members YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE PLAYWRIGHTS’ CENTER PARTNERS WITH AUGSBURG TO OFFER COURSES WITH LEADING PLAYWRIGHTS by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The Playwrights’ Center and Augsburg University announced a new partnership to o er accredited courses taught by the nation’s leading playwrights. Through online courses, students connect with peers and faculty members from across the United States. The courses, o ered through Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience, are guided by Augsburg’s Theater Department in conjunction with the Playwrights’ Center. “With these courses, students will learn with and from writers at the top of their eld, seeing what it takes to have pieces published and performed,” said Patrick Mulvihill, Augsburg’s assistant provost for global education and experience, in an interview with Broadway World. Sign up for Email Newsletter Top image: An Augsburg student tours the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. (Photo by Stephen Ge re) Submit Your Alumni News Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Academic Departments Pinterest Experiential Education LinkedIn Email Fine And Performing Arts Theater CONNECT WITH US Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson receives 30th NSF grant, continues space weather study Augsburg’s recent awards, rankings, and recognition YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT CONTACT US PROFESSOR EMERITUS MARK ENGEBRETSON RECEIVES 30TH NSF GRANT, CONTINUES SPACE WEATHER STUDY by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook Go CURRENT ISSUE  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Mark Engebretson, Augsburg University professor emeritus of physics, received a ve-year grant totaling $805,744 from the National Science Foundation (Award Number 2013648). This grant supports the continued operation and data analysis of the Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies, which is used to study near-Earth space weather, such as solar winds that may disrupt communication and navigation systems. It represents the 30th research study on which Engebretson has served as the principal investigator through NSF funding. Engebretson has led several research projects—including some with Augsburg student-researchers—studying ionospheric and space physics in collaboration with European and NASA satellite programs. Nearly 100 Augsburg students have gained paid research experience working on these research projects. Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson (Photo by Stephen Ge re) Engebretson has authored or coauthored more than 300 scholarly research articles on topics related to space weather. View more grants news. Share this: Tags: Facebook Faculty Grants Twitter Pinterest The Sciences LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21 Sign up for Email Newsletter  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Star Tribune, and Minnesota Urban Debate League cosponsor justice reform essay contest Playwrights’ Center partners with Augsburg to o er courses with leading playwrights Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AND LYNX, STAR TRIBUNE, AND MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE COSPONSOR JUSTICE REFORM ESSAY CONTEST by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email In Fall 2020, Augsburg University’s Minnesota Urban Debate League joined the Star Tribune news company and the Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves professional basketball teams in cosponsoring a youth essay contest focused on criminal justice reform. Minnesota students ages 10 to 18 were invited to submit a written essay, video, or audio recording that described local or national changes that could reduce racial injustice and inequities in the criminal justice system. MNUDL determined the top 10 entries, which were judged by a panel of coaches from the Timberwolves and Lynx and representatives from local organizations, including MN Rise and The Minneapolis Foundation. Editor’s note: Winning submissions were announced February 27 in the Star Tribune. Share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News Email CONNECT WITH US Tags: Augsburg In The News Minnesota Urban Debate League Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg awarded $10,000 Minneapolis Foundation grant Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson receives 30th NSF grant, continues space weather study YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG AWARDED $10,000 MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION GRANT by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email In September 2020, the Minneapolis Foundation announced that it would award more than $500,000 in grants to 40 organizations in the Twin Cities. Following the increased public dialogue about public safety after the killing of George Floyd, the grants aim to reduce violence, address systemic inequities, and provide community support. The Minneapolis Foundation’s Fund for Safe Communities awarded $10,000 to Augsburg University to elevate the voices of middle- and high-school students through debate on the topic of criminal justice reform. Other grant recipients are organizations working to support art projects, mediation, mental health services, civil rights education, and community healing while addressing police violence and public safety. Top image: Demonstrators in Summer 2020 marched with a banner that was created as a part of Augsburg’s One Day in May art campaign. (Photo by Leon Wang) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Community Engagement Pinterest LinkedIn Diversity and Inclusion Grants Submit Your Alumni News Email CONNECT WITH US Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST Sign up for Email Newsletter NEXT POST  Faculty members William Green and Timothy Pippert assume new professorships Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Star Tribune, and Minnesota Urban Debate League cosponsor justice reform essay contest YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG LAUNCHES THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP by Kate Norlander Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email This fall, Augsburg University launched the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which advances education and support for Augsburg students and alumni in the disciplines of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The center’s focus is on the practice and psychology of innovation and entrepreneurship. Cory Erickson, an instructor in Augsburg’s Master of Business Administration program, leads the center. The center provides practical educational material for Augsburg students and alumni through a variety of events and activities. These opportunities include: a speaker series Sign up for Email Newsletter cooperative projects between student teams and local companies support for students who are building organizations that impact social causes through innovation and entrepreneurship Submit Your Alumni News support for student entrepreneurs the creation of student teams drawn from the science and business departments to solve problems for new startups CONNECT WITH US student contests o ering awards and potential funding for new ventures research and scholarship through a think tank the promotion of internships for students in the for-pro t, nonpro t, and government sectors. Top image: Instructor Cory Erickson leads the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Academic Departments Pinterest LinkedIn Business Administration Email Experiential Education MBA Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  NSF grants Augsburg $3 million for STEM students Faculty members William Green and Timothy Pippert assume new professorships YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE FACULTY MEMBERS WILLIAM GREEN AND TIMOTHY PIPPERT ASSUME NEW PROFESSORSHIPS by John Weirick February 22, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Professor of History William Green was named the inaugural M. Anita Gay Hawthorne Professor of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies, e ective September 1, 2020. The position was created on the recommendation of a working group of students, faculty, and sta who developed a vision for a new academic department in critical race and ethnicity studies at Augsburg University. Related: Professor William Green comments on “Confronting the Minnesota paradox” Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News Professor of Sociology Timothy Pippert was named the inaugural holder of the Joel Torstenson Endowed Professorship, e ective September 1, CONNECT WITH US 2020. This professorship is made possible through the generosity of Mark Johnson ’75, who also supports the university’s Torstenson Scholars program. Top image: Professor Timothy Pippert teaches a sociology class in Hagfors Center. (Photos by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Academic Departments Diversity and Inclusion Pinterest Class of 1975 Faculty LinkedIn Email Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Hawthorne History Sociology Torstenson Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg launches the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Augsburg awarded $10,000 Minneapolis Foundation grant YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE NSF GRANTS AUGSBURG $3 MILLION FOR STEM STUDENTS by Kate Norlander Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Augsburg University will receive $3,075,000 of a $5 million grant award from the National Science Foundation to support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (often referred to as STEM). The project will provide scholarships, internships, and research experiences for nearly 200 students over a ve-year period beginning in the 2020–21 academic year at Augsburg, Century College, Minneapolis College, and Normandale Community College. These institutions will work together to provide seamless pathways for students to transfer from two-year to four-year STEM programs. Scholarships of $7,500 to $10,000 will be awarded to students pursuing majors in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, food science, mathematics, and physics. These students will be connected to internships and research experiences through partner organizations SciTech, UpTurnships, and MnDRIVE, as well as through Augsburg’s undergraduate research programs. This is the third phase of a program initiated by Augsburg and funded by the NSF. Grants in the prior phases Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News funded scholarships for 111 STEM students, 100% of whom graduated and went on to pursue careers or continue their education in STEM elds. CONNECT WITH US The project will be led by Rebekah Dupont, Augsburg’s director of STEM programs and associate professor of mathematics, working in collaboration with principal investigators from the other participating institutions. Top image: Associate Professor Rebekah Dupont is director of STEM programs at Augsburg. (Courtesy photo) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Experiential Education Grants Pinterest LinkedIn The Sciences Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg hosts bold new speaker series Augsburg launches the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG HOSTS BOLD NEW SPEAKER SERIES by Stephen Jendraszak Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Augsburg Bold is a series of initiatives designed to help Augsburg University students continue to thrive during the pandemic and to enjoy the distinctive experience o ered at Augsburg. As part of that work, during Fall 2020, the university quad was set up as a physically distanced outdoor seminar room, enabling up to 60 attendees to take part in a series of remarkable presentations. All presentations were also livestreamed via Zoom. R.John @raccajohn Thank you, @GovTimWalz and @GwenWalz for sharing your thoughts on servant leadership with @AugsburgU today. #AugsburgBold Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US 5:15 PM · Oct 5, 2020 7 Copy link to Tweet 3 Students had the opportunity to hear from several speakers: Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP spoke about her work building relationships with those in our community who are experiencing homelessness and helping to ensure that their basic needs for food, shelter, and health care are met. Olivia House ’20 discussed the summer of resistance by Black youth. Jodi Harpstead, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, spoke about what she’s learned through her work during the pandemic. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Gwen Walz discussed their experience in education and leadership. Watch recordings of selected speakers at augsburg.edu/bold. ‹ › Augsburg Bold speakers included Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP, and Gov. Tim Walz and Gwen Walz. Students, sta , and faculty attended the socially distanced events on Augsburg’s campus or watched the livestream online. (Photos by Rebecca Slater) Top image: Augsburg’s quad was decorated for the Augsburg Bold speaker series. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Class of 2020 Twitter Pinterest Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Arts in Nursing On Campus LinkedIn Events Email Experiential Education Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Forum on Workplace Inclusion to host rst virtual conference NSF grants Augsburg $3 million for STEM students YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE FORUM ON WORKPLACE INCLUSION TO HOST FIRST VIRTUAL CONFERENCE by Stephen Jendraszak Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, based at Augsburg University, will host its 33rd annual conference as a virtual event March 8–12, 2021. Workplaces have struggled during the past year to navigate a digital, distanced work environment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, social protests centered around racism and the unjust deaths of Black people at the hands of police have also brought greater attention to overwhelming disparities in economics, education, health care, housing, and public safety. This year, the forum asks: What will it take to start a workplace revolution that moves us from talk to Sign up for Email Newsletter action? Submit Your Alumni News Learn more and register to attend at forumworkplaceinclusion.org. Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Community Engagement Forum on Workplace Inclusion Pinterest Diversity and Inclusion LinkedIn Events CONNECT WITH US Email Experiential Education Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg Homecoming (at a distance) Augsburg hosts bold new speaker series YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG HOMECOMING (AT A DISTANCE) by Briana Alamilla '17 Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Homecoming 2020 celebrations looked a little di erent than previous years. Though social gatherings were restricted, the Augsburg Student Activities Council found creative ways to celebrate with a series of events during the week of September 21—some virtual and some physically distanced: Cider and canvas: Spread out in the quad, students created paintings in the style of artist Bob Ross. Create your own PopSocket: Participants made their own Augsburg-branded phone grip accessories. Drag and lip sync battle: Students competed by submitting videos of themselves lip-syncing to a song. Movie night: The lm “Queen & Slim” was screened in the quad. Homecoming royalty coronation ceremony: Homecoming court members were announced and royalty were crowned. Top image: Students participate in an outdoor event sponsored by the Augsburg Student Activities Council. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email CONNECT WITH US Tags: Events Homecoming On Campus Student Activities And Achievements Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Cedar-Riverside supply drives support neighborhood Forum on Workplace Inclusion to host rst virtual conference YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE CEDAR-RIVERSIDE SUPPLY DRIVES SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD by Briana Alamilla '17 Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the damage some businesses experienced following the murder of George Floyd, put a strain on Augsburg’s Twin Cities community as many local stores temporarily closed and access to public transportation was reduced. In June and August, Augsburg University organized supply drives in partnership with the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Drivers in more than 550 cars participated in the supply drives, and their donations were delivered to the Brian Coyle Center through several dozen trips. “This is our community; this is our neighborhood,” one volunteer said. “So when our neighbors are hurting, we step forward and do what we can to help.” Read more about Auggies’ e orts to support the community: “What it takes to ght a pandemic.” Sign up for Email Newsletter Augsburg University @AugsburgU Submit Your Alumni News Augsburg’s supply drive was a success! Thank you to all who donated and volunteered to help out our so loved Cedar-Riverside community. It is in times like these where we must all come together as the thoughtful stewards that we are. #AuggiePride CONNECT WITH US 9:51 PM · Jun 1, 2020 91 15 Copy link to Tweet Top image: Auggies collected donations for the Twin Cities community in Summer 2020. (Photo by Joe Mann) Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Community Engagement Pinterest Diversity and Inclusion LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg names George Floyd Memorial Scholarship recipients Augsburg Homecoming (at a distance) YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG NAMES GEORGE FLOYD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS by Briana Alamilla '17 Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Augsburg University created the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, which is designed to support outstanding third- and fourth-year students who have a strong understanding of Black experiences and U.S. history while showing leadership in advancing racial justice e orts. Each selected student received a $5,000 scholarship. Augsburg named the ve inaugural scholarship recipients: Aisha Abdi ’21 is majoring in management information systems and marketing. Quran Al-Hameed ’21 is majoring in psychology. Mallory Ferguson ’21 is majoring in communication studies. Sign up for Email Newsletter Kaltun Hassan ’22 is majoring in computer science. Nadirah McGill ’21 is majoring in music business. Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US Aisha Abdi ’21, management information systems and marketing Quran Al-Hameed ’21, psychology Kaltun Hassan ’22, computer science Nadirah McGill ’21, music business (Courtesy photo) Mallory Ferguson ’21, communication studies Read more about Augsburg’s Equity and Inclusion Initiatives. Share this: Tags: Facebook Class of 2021 Twitter Class of 2022 Pinterest LinkedIn Diversity and Inclusion Email Scholarship Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Prospective students and their families engage with virtual campus tour Cedar-Riverside supply drives support neighborhood YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ENGAGE WITH VIRTUAL CAMPUS TOUR Multimedia platform o ers a glimpse of Augsburg from afar by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA Share this: Facebook February 22, 2021 Twitter  Around the Quad Pinterest LinkedIn Email For the past year, Augsburg University’s virtual tour has showcased the Minneapolis campus’ facilities and resources as it has been challenging to conduct in-person visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a multimedia interactive map with photos and videos, the virtual tour simulates an on-the-ground campus experience. The virtual tour o ers a look at Augsburg’s residence halls and athletic facilities, details about academic buildings and green spaces, and a peek inside performance Sign up for Email Newsletter venues and practice rooms. The virtual tour launched in March 2020 to help out-of-state and international populations visualize the campus. From its launch in March, Submit Your Alumni News 2020, through February 1, Check out the virtual tour at augsburg.university-tour.com. 2021, the virtual tour has had 32,421 visitors. The top states visitors are from are CONNECT WITH US Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and California. Share this: Tags: Facebook On Campus Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg TRIO/Student Support Services earns fth consecutive U.S. Department of Education grant Augsburg names George Floyd Memorial Scholarship recipients YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG TRIO/STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES EARNS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA Share this: Facebook February 22, 2021 Twitter  Around the Quad Pinterest LinkedIn Email The U.S. Department of Education announced that Augsburg University was awarded a federal Student Support Services ve-year grant of nearly $300,000 annually to help more students succeed in and graduate from college. This is the fth TRIO/SSS grant awarded to Augsburg, which has hosted the project since 2001. Each year, Augsburg TRIO/SSS serves about 160 undergraduate students. The TRIO/SSS program is designed for students who are the rst in their families to attend post-secondary education, students who are low income, or students with disabilities. The grant funds an array of services including academic skill development, academic advising, tutoring, nancial aid advice, and nancial literacy. “Augsburg TRIO/SSS has established a reputation for helping students navigate Sign up for Email Newsletter higher education to achieve their academic goals,” said Aly Olson, director of Augsburg TRIO/SSS. Submit Your Alumni News “Students know their TRIO advisor is looking out for their best interests and helps them through the tough decisions of college life. We are thrilled to be able to continue this important work at Augsburg.” —Aly Olson Aly Olson (Photo by Courtney Perry) CONNECT WITH US The federal government contributes about 70% of the funds needed to support Augsburg’s TRIO/SSS project. The university contributes the remaining program funds. Top image: Brooklyn Jones ’22, clinical psychology major and sociology minor, attends a Summer Bridge class in 2019. (Photo by Bob Stack ’71) Share this: Tags: Facebook Grants Twitter TRIO SSS Pinterest LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg receives grants for equity in education and remote learning Prospective students and their families engage with virtual campus tour YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG RECEIVES GRANTS FOR EQUITY IN EDUCATION AND REMOTE LEARNING by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA Share this: Facebook February 22, 2021 Twitter  Around the Quad Pinterest LinkedIn Email This fall, Augsburg University received $250,000 in grant funding from the State of Minnesota to address equity in education and remote learning needs among students of color, Indigenous students, and those who are disabled or low-income. The funds came through two awards under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief grant. One award provided direct aid to teacher candidates who needed to pay unexpected costs posed by the pandemic during their student teaching semester and coursework. The second award was geared toward making hardware and software available to more students to support them in their switch to online learning. This support included additional laptops for checkout, noise-cancelling headphones, digital tablets for art and math courses, training resources for successful online learning, new digital video resources in the library, and captioning of instructional videos to increase accessibility. The GEER grant program was a redistribution of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds. Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News View more grants news. Top image: A redistribution of federal CARES Act funds provided support for Augsburg students’ online CONNECT WITH US learning. (Photo by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Grants Twitter Remote Learning Pinterest LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  In memoriam, Winter 2020–21 Augsburg TRIO/Student Support Services earns fth consecutive U.S. Department of Education grant YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE IN MEMORIAM, WINTER 2020–21 Remembering and honoring Auggies by Amanda Symes '09, '15 MFA Share this: February 22, 2021 Facebook Twitter  Auggies Connect, In Memoriam Pinterest LinkedIn Email Below we recognize the alumni and friends whose noti cations of death were received between March 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021. 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970| 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | Faculty 1940s Fern L. (Hanson) Gudmestad ’41, Minneapolis, age 101, on June 3. Wayne E. Peterson ’43, Palm City, Florida, age 99, on November 14. Sign up for Email Newsletter Thelma I. (Erickson) Mckenzie ’44, Hollandale, Wisconsin, age 96, on July 1. Helen V. (Odden) Pederson ’45, Spooner, Wisconsin, age 96, on May 5. Submit Your Alumni News Doris K. (Larson) Walen ’45, Alamo, North Dakota, age 97, on October 3. Martha E. Fosse Palmquist ’46, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 96, on November 22. CONNECT WITH US Lowell O. Larson ’47, Claremont, California, age 95, on May 10. Arnold J. Oie ’47, Glencoe, Minnesota, age 96, on August 1. Margery A. (Manger) Torgerson ’47, Circle Pines, Minnesota, age 94, on March 30. Esther P. (Bakken) Crosby ’48, Moorhead, Minnesota, age 95, on June 19. John E. Hanson ’48, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 93, on October 1. Jean A. (Tibke) Vane ’48, Visalia, California, age 93, on October 20. John F. Anderson ’49, Minneapolis, age 96, on December 22. June (Carlson) Gustafson ’49, Lincoln, Nebraska, age 92, on September 28. 1950s Louis L. Ennen ’50, Dublin, Ohio, age 94, on July 7. Lilian J. (Johnson) Ingersoll ’50, Lexington, South Carolina, age 96, on June 5. Phillip A. Quanbeck ’50, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 93, on December 1. Mary L. (Johnson) Froiland ’50, Iron River, Wisconsin, age 91, on October 22. Orville E. Meland ’51, River Falls, Wisconsin, age 93, on October 27. Caroline J. (Borsheim) Melhus’ 51, Minneapolis, age 90, on May 31. Arvid D. Dixen ’52, Minneapolis, age 89, on May 20. Harold J. Hansen ’52, Normandy Park, Washington, age 90, on April 17. Luther J. Larson ’52, Sparta, Wisconsin, age 89, on July 6. Mildred A. Nelson ’52, Minneapolis, age 91, December 5. Alvin H. Nygard ’52, Fargo, North Dakota, age 96, on July 31. Yvonne M. (Bagley) Olson ’52, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 88, on March 16. Orville L. Olson ’52, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 89, on June 6. Ronald A. Berge ’53, West Fargo, North Dakota, age 88, on March 15. Robert O. Bruder ’53, Minneapolis, age 91, on August 9. Donald V. Dillon ’53, Minneapolis, age 89, on July 17. Kent B. Quanbeck ’53, McVille, North Dakota, age 90, on April 6. Gloria M. (Halverson) Boyum ’54, Kenyon, Minnesota, age 88, on December 19. George W. Fisher ’54, Lexington, South Carolina, age 88, on May 11. Wallace L. Hafstad ’54, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 88, on March 30. Janis R. (Larson) Hanson ’54, Canby, Minnesota, age 92, on October 2. Vivian (Waisanen) Ryden ’54, Northglenn, Colorado, age 87, on May 4. Richard M. Hagestuen ’55, Bismarck, North Dakota, age 87, on October 28. Robert M. Herman ’55, Minneapolis, age 86, on June 8. Vicent Peterson ’55, Hutchinson, Minnesota, age 87, on November 11. Richard H. Stensrud ’55, Mesa, Arizona, age 87, on August 25. LeRoy E. Nevin ’56, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 86, on June 7. R. Luther Olson ’56, Tucson, Arizona, age 84, on August 27. Bruce W. Rorvig ’56, Kalispell, Montana, age 85, on August 18. Duane J. Solem ’56, Edina, Minnesota, age 91, on May 2. Elizabeth A. (Mortensen) Swanson ’56, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 86, on November 6. Robert Jeska ’57, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, age 85, May 21. Erwin J. Moe ’57, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 88, on April 28. Robert C. Oslund ’57, Silver Bay, Minnesota, age 89, on December 4. Ronald B. Welde ’57, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, age 86, on September 4. Ardis H. (Lee) Zunich ’57, Miles City, Montana, age 82, on July 18. Robert L. Bagley ’58, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, age 84, on November 23. Bonnie (Sandvig) Erickson ’58, Canton, South Dakota, age 83, on May 9. Alice M. (Lindell) Lindgren ’58, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 83, on September 11. Marlene (Hegg) Ridens ’58, Montevideo, Minnesota, age 85, August 19. Donald J. Hagestuen ’59, Aitkin, Minnesota, age 83, on October 29. Arlene B. (Selander) Hill ’59, Allegan, Michigan, age 82, on September 11. Rhoda M. (Monseth) Huglen ’59, Roseau, Minnesota, age 83, on August 19. Heinrich Kopka ’59, Staples, Minnesota, age 85, on November 28. Walter W. Lundeen ’59, Minneapolis, age 89, on December 20. Richard G. Sletten ’59, North Oaks, Minnesota, age 82, on August 13. Peggy K. (O’Neil) Swensen ’59, Fargo, North Dakota, age 82, on April 11. Sharon K. (Grodt) West ’59, Chisago City, Minnesota, age 83, on March 16. 1960s Gordon Grinely ’60, Eau Galle Township, Wisconsin, age 82, on June 25. Marcia S. (Refsal) Sanders ’60, Chandler, Arizona, age 81, on October 13. Kermit L. Valleen ’60, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 83, November 16. Paula J. Bjorkley Carlson ’62, Madras, Oregon, age 80, on December 5. Allan P. Tveite ’62, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 80, on November 18. E. Nelvin Botten ’63, Stanwood, Washington, age 91, on September 16. Bernard E. Debar ’63, Minneapolis, age 89, on May 11. Helen A. (Anderson) Gildseth ’63, Duluth, Minnesota, age 78, on March 17. Lois J. (Bailey) Parson ’63, Braham, Minnesota, age 80, August 19. Clarice A. Sta ’63, Minneapolis, age 84, on April 9. Patrick J. Sullivan ’63, Miltona, Minnesota, age 79, on June 26. Lannette Y. (Haire) Reshetar ’64, Andover, Minnesota, age 77, on April 8. Lesley K. (Schwarten) Schmid ’64, Blaine, Minnesota, age 78, on June 12. Joyce M. (Nelson) Schrader ’64, Friendswood, Texas, age 77, on June 28. Susan L. Kyllo ’65, Spring Park, Minnesota, age 78, on December 16. Sharon (Tofte) Taeger ’65, Camrose, Canada, age 77, on April 4. Sharon L. (Wagner) Johnson ’66, Atikokan, Canada, age 76, on November 29. Sandra (Johnson) Kotval ’66, Spring Valley, Wisconsin, age 76, on October 15. Irene (Seltvedt) Yost ’66, Dickinson, North Dakota, age 77, on July 21. David E. Sylvester ’67, Cloquet, Minnesota, age 81, on October 29. Ruthe M. (Tollefson) Enstad ’68, Prior Lake, Minnesota, age 75, on October 15. Marvin J. Haara ’68, Hutchinson, Minnesota, age 76, on August 26. Ellen M. (Larson) Johnston ’68, Mankato, Minnesota, age 73, on August 16. Merrill D. Ronning ’68, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 75, on August 18. John P. Weinard ’68, Bloomington, Minnesota, age 81, on December 12. Douglas S. Anderson ’69, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 72, on April 10. Mervin F. Larson ’69, Excelsior, Minnesota, age 73, on August 30. 1970s Gloria J. (Wohlers Livingston) Hutchinson ’70, Falcon Heights, Minnesota, age 71, on July 1. Kathy J. (Kropelin) Cracraft ’71, Minneapolis, age 70, on July 13. Michael J. Hostetler ’71, Andover, Minnesota, age 71, on August 7. Joann S. Bell ’72, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 70, on August 9. Vicki C. (Linder) Lind ’72, Rosemount, Minnesota, age 70, on November 4. Je rey P. Ross ’72, Sheburn, Minnesota, age 64, on April 26. Jean L. (Bridges) Wachs ’73, Minneapolis, age 68, on June 4. David W. Finson ’75, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 67, on June 17. Douglas A. Fish ’75, Hastings, Minnesota, age 68, on November 24. Lois B. Wattman ’76, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 66, on September 28. Gregory J. Bannon ’77, Albertville, Minnesota, age 66, on August 15. 1980s Sandra J. Holm-Cyr ’82, Rich eld, Minnesota, age 72, on April 15. Arlene D. Hiles ’86, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 87, on September 11. 1990s Richard A. Gillitzer ’91, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, age 53, on May 24. Judith A. Francis ’92, Mound, Minnesota, age 80, on October 12. John S. Austin ’93, Minneapolis, age 70, on December 1. Debra J. Clark-Corley ’93, Gary, Indiana, age 65, on April 6. Nancy C. Sallman ’93, Minneapolis, age 65, on September 14. Violet E. (Schmitz) Rocek ’94, Minneapolis, age 85, on December 6. Eileen J. (Bridgeman) Biernat ’98, New Brighton, Minnesota, age 74, on September 4. 2000s Dylan E. Cook ’00, Christchurch, New Zealand, age 44, on September 7. Kelly A. (Duncan) Norden ’00, Minneapolis, age 42, on October 3. Philip R. Johnson ’04, Nisswa, Minnesota, age 56, on April 11. Michael R. Kuhlmann ’04, Minneapolis, age 39, on August 11. Christopher R. Hunnicutt ’08, Green Bay, Wisconsin, age 35, on March 27. Barton M. Lund ’08, Stuart, Florida, age 56, on December 12. 2010s Quinten P. Bissonette ’12, Spring Valley, Minnesota, age 43, on May 5. Shane M. Potter ’15, Garrison, Minnesota, age 31, on December 13. J. Parker Foley ’16, Duxbury, Massachusetts, age 27, on October 21. Maricio M. Mata-Thelen ’17, Minneapolis, age 26, on October 31. Kevin J. Baxter ’19, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 29, on November 2. 2020s Abdirizak A. Abdullahi ’21, Minneapolis, age 21, on April 26. Faculty Augsburg University’s Center for Global Education and Experience Guatemala Site Director Fidel Xinico Tum, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, age 60, on September 12. Submit address changes and nominations for remembrances to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Share this: Tags: Facebook Twitter Alumni News And Updates Pinterest LinkedIn Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Augsburg receives $50,000 grant for Travelers EDGE® Augsburg receives grants for equity in education and remote learning YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Give to the Max Day recap and sustaining Augsburg’s future - on January 26, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE AUGSBURG RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT FOR TRAVELERS EDGE® by John Weirick February 18, 2021 Share this: Facebook  Around the Quad Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email The Travelers Companies, Inc. gave a $50,000 grant to Augsburg University in September 2020 to support Travelers EDGE. The program—which stands for Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment—provides scholarships, internships, job shadowing, professional development opportunities, and career advice. More than 100 Augsburg students have participated in the program since 2007. “There is much more to be gained from Travelers EDGE than solely professional development,” said Ann A. Ulring, program manager at Augsburg’s Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. “By the time scholars graduate, they are con dent, career-focused, and empowered to share who they are and what they have to o er.” EDGE scholar Samantha Lopez ’22, who completed a summer internship at Travelers, said, “Travelers has opened so many doors for me. It was amazing to learn rsthand what goes on inside a corporation and nd out I can do the work. Travelers provided me with the support, skills, and con dence I need to pursue a business career.” 2020–21 Recipients Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US Aaron Davis ’24, Business Management Yer Her ’23, Marketing Pa Houa Lee ’23, Marketing Hamza Jamari ’22, Marketing Duaa Katabay ’23, Business Management Curtis Love ’23, Marketing Samantha Lopez ’22, Communication Studies PangDao Xiong ’24, Marketing View more grants news. Top image: Samantha Lopez ’22 is one of several Travelers EDGE scholars at Augsburg. (Photos by Courtney Perry) Share this: Tags: Facebook Class of 2022 Twitter Grants Pinterest Strommen Center LinkedIn Email Supporting Augsburg Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  Give to the Max Day recap and sustaining Augsburg’s future In memoriam, Winter 2020–21 YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Augsburg’s in-house Notes from President Augsburg Board of Regents epidemiologist guides Pribbenow: Come and see! welcomes new and Auggies through the - on February 22, 2021 reelected members COVID-19 pandemic - on February 22, 2021 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. News and Media Ok Make a Gift Search Augsburg.edu HOME PREVIOUS ISSUES ABOUT Go CONTACT US CURRENT ISSUE GIVE TO THE MAX DAY RECAP AND SUSTAINING AUGSBURG’S FUTURE Thank you for supporting Augsburg during Give to the Max Day! by Amanda Symes '09, '15 MFA Share this: January 26, 2021 Facebook Twitter  Auggies Connect Pinterest LinkedIn Email Sign up for Email Newsletter Submit Your Alumni News CONNECT WITH US This November, Augsburg had a record-breaking Give to the Max Day in terms of donor participation and dollars raised. Here are the highlights: • $531,704 was raised across 41 projects, setting a new record. • 1,898 total donors gave, the most we’ve ever seen. • Gifts came from 41 states. • 56% of our 41 projects (23 projects) were fully funded, and many others were very close to fully funded. • One couple gave to 17 projects. This day continues to energize our students, faculty, and sta every year, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish next year. Watch this video from our students who would like to say a quick thank you. Make a di erence all year round Each year, 20% of the annual gifts to the Augsburg Fund come during Give to the Max Day. But giving to the Augsburg Fund matters all year round: We use these dollars to make a di erence for Auggies right away through scholarships, instruction and academic support, student programs, and other areas of the largest funding needs at Augsburg. Gifts to the Augsburg Fund touch the life of every student, faculty member, and sta member. More than 1,000 donors contribute to the fund each year, and you can join them. Make a di erence today. Give to the Augsburg Fund. Giving creates a ripple e ect for the future of Augsburg When a water droplet hits the surface of a pond, it causes a ripple much larger than the original drop. This is how your gift a ects Augsburg. Glass water droplet sculptures, created by Rhode Island artists, represent the expanding e ect that donors provide for the Augsburg community. Learn more about these water droplets and how endowed scholarships propel Augsburg’s work into the future. Lisa Smith and Dave Smith Sharon Mortrud ’64 (Courtesy Dennis Meyer ’78 and Bev ’78 (Courtesy photo) photo) Meyer (Courtesy photo) Share this: Tags: Facebook Augsburg Support Twitter Pinterest Give To The Max Day LinkedIn Scholarship Email Winter 2020–21  PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST  How to Build a Women’s Wrestling Program from Scratch Augsburg receives $50,000 grant for Travelers EDGE® YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE In memoriam, Winter 2020– 21 - on February 22, 2021 Undergraduate Admissions Majors and Programs Adult Undergraduate Admissions Course Catalog Graduate Admissions Accreditation Campus Tour Consumer Disclosures About Augsburg Inside Augsburg The Augsburg University website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on Campus Map our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing A-ZtoDirectory your web browser. By browsing their use. Review Augsburg's privacy policy for more details. 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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2020
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW As we concludeour yearlongcelebration of Augsburg's150th anniversary, in the midst of thesehistorictimes, I havebeenreflectingon someof the mottosand slogansAugsburghasusedthroughoutits history.Fromour foundingscripturalmotto-"And the Word becamefleshand live...
Show more NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW As we concludeour yearlongcelebration of Augsburg's150th anniversary, in the midst of thesehistorictimes, I havebeenreflectingon someof the mottosand slogansAugsburghasusedthroughoutits history.Fromour foundingscripturalmotto-"And the Word becamefleshand livedamongus" (John1: 14)-to the familiar "Educationfor service,"to the morerecent"We believewe arecalledto serveour neighbor,"to the iconic phrasefirst usedas part of Augsburg's100th anniversary and nowfeaturedon our universityseal,"Throughtruth to freedom,"eachphrasepointsto abidingvaluesthat are at the heartof the educationAugsburgoffersto its students. I am particularlystruck by the claim madein that centennialmotto,and I wonderwhat it might mean to explorehow"Throughtruth to freedom"shapesour teachingand learningcommunityin the midst of these pandemictimes. In a recentpresentation,Professorof ReligionMary Lowe offereda provocativechallengewhensheaskedus what it might meanto educateour studentsfor freedom. Whata counterculturalnotion! Educatedfor freedomfrom ignorance,from oppression,from divisionand hatredand violence.Educatedfor freedomto makethe worldmorefair and just and healthy,to be goodneighbors,to take careof creation.Educatedfor freedomfor the sakeof the world,for the goodof others,for the promiseof wonderand creativity. At Augsburg,the possibilityof this educationfor freedom is groundedin claimsof truth. Aboveall, a theological claim of the truth of the gospelof JesusChrist-stated so powerfullyin that foundingscripturalmottofrom the first chapterof John'sgospel-a truth that makesall things possiblein our livesandwork in the world.At the same time, it's the truth wefind in our commitmentto a liberal arts education-to the belief in scientificknowledge,in socialanalysis,in artistic expression,in culturalwisdom. Andfinally, it's the truth we find in the livedexperiences of our studentsand the communitiesfrom whichthey come, truths that residein rituals andtraditionsand practicesthat invite us into worldsrich in knowledgeand wonder. "Throughtruth to freedom"strikesme as a compelling responseto this momentwhenwe find ourselvesliving at the intersectionof three pandemics.TheCOVID-19 pandemichasdisruptedall aspectsof howwe live and work,and it haspointedlyi11ustratedthe tensionbetween public healthand economicwell-being.Followingin the wakeof that pandemic,an economicpandemicthreatens our socialfabric with massiveunemployment and business closuresworldwide.And, mostrecently,the racial inequities exacerbated by the senselessmurderof GeorgeFloydby Minneapolispoliceofficers-along with countlessBlack, Indigenous,and otherpeopleof colorwho'veexperienced similar racismandviolence-havecreateda third pandemic that threatensto tear our countryapart.Surelythis unchartedintersectionof crisespresentsuniquechallenges for all of us as citizens,tryingto imaginehowwe will navigateto someas yet unknownfuture. The questionwe will ask at Augsburg-a questionat the heartof our academicmissionand our commitment to socialjustice-is, "Whereis the truth in the midst of thesepandemics?" Whatis the truth aboutkeepingeachotherhealthy in the face of a novelcoronavirus? Whatis the truth in an economythat, moreand more,deepensremarkable inequities?Whatis the truth in centuriesof systemic racismand oppression? Andthe truths we will find, always evolvingand emergingand transforming,will free us for the workwe are calledto do as "informedcitizens,thoughtful stewards,critical thinkers,and responsibleleaders"Augsburg'smission! Let us go forwardtogetherinto the next 150 yearsof Augsburg'slife recommittedto educationguidedby the beliefthat throughtruth there is indeedfreedom.I can only wonderwhatsucha counterculturalbeliefwill meanfor storiesyet to be told. Staystrong,safe,andwelI. Faithfullyyours, PAUL C.PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT AUGSBURG NOW Spring-Summer 2020 VicePresident and Chief Operating Officer Rebecca John'13MBA Associate VicePresident and Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Jendraszak Director ofMarketing Laura Swanson Lindahl '15MBA Director ofPublic Relations andInternal Communications GitaSitaramiah Assistant Director of Marketing, Creative Denielle Stepka '11 Marketing Copywriter John Weirick Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla '17 EDITOR'S NOTE Whenwe beganmakingthis magazinein early2020, the worldwas markedlydifferent than the onewe inhabit today.AugsburgNowstaff delayedthe magazine'stimeline due to the impactof the COVID-19 pandemicon the university'soperations. Mostof the storiesand eventsdescribedhereinoccurredbeforeit becamenecessary to shift to manyworkingfrom home,online gatherings,and other modifiedoperations to slowthe spreadof the virus. Becausewe wantedto sharetheseremarkablestoriesand Auggieaccomplishments as soonas possible,our team decidedto releasethis issuein digital-onlyformat, a first in the magazine'shistory. -John Weirick,editor Project Manager JuliKramer Communications and Social Media Consultant KateNorlander Advancement Communications Specialist KaiaChambers Senior Communications Specialist forPrincipal Gifts Amanda Symes '09,'15MFA WebManager JoeMann Contributing Writer KateH.Elliott Augsburg Nowis published by Augsburg University 2211Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN55454 Opinions expressed inAugsburg Now donotnecessarily reflect official university policy. ISSN 1058-1545 02 AROUND THE QUAD AWOMEN'S WRESTLING 10 HOWTOBUILD PROGRAM FROM SCRATCH 18 MISTAKEN IDENTITY 24 HONORING AUGGIES 25 AUGGIES CONNECT 28 CLASS NOTES 32 INMEMORIAM Onthecover: Augsburg commemorates aneventin itshistory andreflects onits significance fortoday. See page2 andpage8. Allphotos byCourtney Perry unless otherwise indicated Send address corrections to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Send comments to now@augsburg.edu. COMMENCEMENT 2020 On Friday, May 29, and Sunday, May 31, Augsburg University celebrated commencement virtually. Taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, Augsburg was among numerous institutions nationally that hosted virtual celebrations to recognize graduating students. The streamed online event opened with speeches from Provost KarenKaivolaand President PaulPribbenow. Personalized slides for graduates included photos and messages that the students submitted. Friends and family posted comments to the video stream as they watched the event. Students took to social media to share their graduation posts using the hashtag #AuggieGrad. Once it's again safe to host large gatherings, Augsburg wi 11 plan an in-person ceremony for the Class of 2020 that will include many more familiar commencement traditions. ONE DAY INMAY This year's commencement celebration featured a central theme, chosen in April, that connected defining moments in Augsburg's history with its contemporary reality. Uplifting the university's longstanding commitments to equity and inclusion, the theme "68/20: One Day in May" called the university community to explore the actions and outcomes of events in 1968 to consider their relevance for 2020. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Augsburg canceled classes on May 15, 1968, and hosted a series of workshops and lectures. Augsburg faculty and local Black community members led conversations focused on racism, politics, power, education, and violence-significant tensions in American life in 1968. This year, Augsburg presented honorary degrees during the virtual commencement, recognizing two leaders of the historic One Day in May in 1968: the Hon. LaJune ThomasLange'75 and MahmoudEl-Kati. Augsburg owes a debt of gratitude to the leaders of One Day in May, an event that continues to inform and inspire the university community to engage in efforts for equity and justice. Their contributions to our society and to Augsburg resonated strongly in the virtual commencement ceremonies, which took place just days after George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police. Blackartists,alongwith Indigenous andotherstudentsandcommunity members of color,ledanart campaign to upliftOneDayin Mayduring Augsburg 's sesquicentennial celebration. e Hearaudiorecordings fromtheeventin 1968,andseemoreOne I Dayin Mayart, includinga bannerthat appeared in TheNew Yorker, at augsburg.edu/now. rt at u s ur Fac ulty, vvorkS 1 prese nt g.StgJl SERIES SPEAKERS THE ART OFAUGSBURGCONVOCATION The Augsburg University Convocation Series is an annual As part of the university's yearlong celebration of its 150th speaker series that includes long-standing endowed and anniversary, KristinAnderson, professor of art history and special programs. Recent presenters included: archivist, curated an exhibition of works by Augsburg art faculty dating back to the origin of the department in the 1950s. The exhibit included works by early department members, such as HansBergand IvanDoseff,former longtime faculty members, including NormHolenand PhilThompson, and current faculty members Stephen Geffre,ChrisHoultberg, DanIbarra,roberttom, LyzWendland,and others. 1. DeAnna Cummings, chief executive officer of Juxtaposition Arts, who shared a presentation at the Horbal Lecture in November called "Putting Creativity to Work 2025: Stronger Communities Through Local Art and Design" 2. John S. Wright, professor emeritus of English and African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota, who delivered "Where Do ,,1.··.f ,. .. > • " -~ We Go From Here: Chaos or Community" at the 32nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in January 3. Kwame Anthony Appiah, professor of philosophy and law at New York University, who presented "Ethics, Identity, and Cosmopolitanism" at the Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in March Thefacultyartexhibitwasdisplayed intheChristensen Center ArtGallery. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AROUND THEQUAD Hearst Foundation awards Augsburg I Lto R:President PaulPribbenow, PeterHeegaard, andMikeChristensen $75,000 FOR LEAD FELLOWS PROGRAM URBAN INVESTORS FINDSNEWHOME ATAUGSBURG Last November,Augsburg University's Sabo Center for Democracyand Citizenship and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work welcomed a new campus partner: Urban Investors. Formerly known as Urban Adventure, this program helps bankers understand the challenges and opportunities within cities through experiential learning opportunities. The program also facilitates partnerships between public, private, and LEAD Fellows, a program of Augsburg University's Sabo Center for Democracyand Citizenship, this winter received $75,000 from the Hearst Foundation, Inc. to support students as they pursue in-depth, long-term, community-based work at paid internships. The program name stands for Leaders for Equity, Action, and Democracy. nonprofit groups and promotes investment and community development Students spend that move families out of poverty, revitalize neighborhoods, improve two to four years engaged schools, and build economic opportunity. in public work projects that address social /i: THE AUGSBURG ~iPODCAST:SEASON3 issues such Augsburg 's LEAD Fellows program is affiliatedwiththe far-reaching Bonner Program that aimsto transform students, communities, andcampuses throughservice. as education, homelessness, racial justice, and poverty while also The first two seasonsof the participating in a peer learning cohort. The LEAD Fellows program is unique in Augsburg Podcastfeatured that it offers students a pathway to generate faculty and staff sharing stories income while also making a difference and growing as leaders. The program is cohort- of their work with students. The third season, launched in March, based with a strong support framework that takes a new approach and invites helps students to develop connections with students and a recent graduate peers and mentors, build their sense of MIDCO to discuss their experiences with internships and the ways belonging, and hone their leadership skills. The Hearst Foundation award will fund in which Augsburg has helped the pay students receive for their internships support their personal and educational goals. and will enhance cohort activities, including semiannual retreats and biweekly gatherings. Listentothenewseason at • I augsburg.edu/podcast or inyourpodcast app. Barclay Bates'18 SPRING SUMMfR ?020 5 AROUND THEQUAD HONORING RetiringFaculty Several faculty members are entering retirement following years of dedicated service to Augsburg University. Augsburg is grateful for their commitment to advancing the university's mission and supporting TheDoctor ofPsychology inClinical Psychology degree launches to meetgrowing demand This past November, the university introduced its second doctoral program: a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Augsburg's first, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, began in 2010. Augsburg worked with former Minnesota School of Professional Psychology faculty and staff to provide continuity for students who were student learning within and beyond the classroom. JOHN CERRITO AssistantProfessor , Department of Business-joined Augsburgin 1983 MARGARET FINDERS Professor , Department of Education-joinedAugsburg previously enrol led in the program housed at Argosy University. After in 2014 the closure of Argosy in March 2019, Augsburg earned accreditation to become Minnesota's only MARK FUEHRER university offering an in-person PsyD program in A 9' clinical psychology. Augsburg is now accepting applications. augsbu rg.edu/psyd Professor , Department of Philosophy-joined Augsburgin 1971 Employment of Iicensed psychologists and related occupations is projected to grow 13. 7% from 2016 to 2026 in DAWN KADERABEK '18 DNP the United States. "We are pleased to offer this PsyD program as a way to meet the in 2015 growing demand for mental health services statewide," said Monica VIRGINIA MCCARTHY Devers,Augsburg University dean of professional studies. Associate Professor , Department of Nursing-joined Augsburgin 2011 Instructor , Department of Nursing-joinedAugsburg NANCY RODENBORG Augsburg winsCampus Compact ImpactAward Professor , Department of SocialWork-joined Augsburgin 2000 Campus Compact, a network of universities across the United States MICHAEL SCHOCK that are committed to public engagement in higher education, honored Associate Professor , Department of SocialWork- Augsburg University as an inaugural joinedAugsburgin 1993 recipient of the Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation. NANCY STEBLAY Augsburg was selected for its work Professor , Department of Psychology-joined Augsburg in developing partnerships with the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood on page18.) in 1988(Readaboutherresearch MARTHA STORTZ and advancing environmental BernhardM. Christensen Professor of Vocation and Religion-joinedAugsburgin 2010 sustainability, interfaith leadership, and equity and racial justice . 6 AUGSBURG NOW • Watchthevideousedto introduce Augsburg at theawardceremony at augsburg.edu/now. MARK TRANVIK Professor , Department of Religion-joinedAugsburg in 1995 At a specialchapelservice duringtheJanuary2020 AugsburgUniversity Board of Regentsmeeting,Bishop AnnSvennungsen of the Minneapolis AreaSynodof the Evangelical LutheranChurch in Americaofficiallyinstalled BabetteChatman '06, left, as andJustinLind-Ayres Augsburg's universitypastors. Augsburg community launches on-campus lending shop to reduce wasteandpromote reuse Augsburg's Environmental Stewardship Committee and Campus Cupboard food pantry collaborated in Fall 2019 to pilot a President PaulPribbenow shares Augsburg's storyat ~ the ~r~~~::~i•i:~:::~~: ~~~:i~~~® the O new resource: the Share Shop, which offers a wide variety of items for free, short- Augsburg story during a session called, "Hospitality is Not term checkout. The Share Shop currently Enough: An Institutional Journey From Diversity to Inclusion and Equity" at The Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference. features board games, small appliances, office supplies, sewing kits, sports equipment, tools, and much more. Augsburg, home of The Forum on Workplace Inclusion since last summer, is "proud to partner with the forum to help expand The Share Shop follows the same hours of operation as Augsburg's Campus diversity, equity, and inclusion skills, so our students can fully participate and succeed in the workforce," Pribbenow said. Cupboard and is located in the lowest level of Science Hal I, adjacent to the university's longstanding "free table," where Auggies place items they no longer need and wish to offer to new owners. For Fall 2020, the Campus Cupboard will relocate to the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship in the lower level of Anderson Residence Hall to accommodate new operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Share Shop will remain in Science Hall, and the two student-run The 32nd annual, three-day conference attracted more than 1,500 people from around the world and across sectors. TheStarTribunerecentlypublishedan article featuringSteveHumerickhouse , executivedirectorof the forum, in which he explainedthe importanceof creating safe placesfor diffic uIt conversations . A VI Visit augsburg.edu/now to readthe article: "Howthe TwinCities becameoneof the largesthubsfor workplacediversityand inclusion." initiatives wi 11 continue to work together. • Visit augsburg.edu/green/shareshop and inside.augsburg.edu/foodshelf to learnmore. SPRINGSUMMrn 20?0 7 ONTHESPOT How One Day in May in 1968 forced Augsburg to reevaluate its posture and practices regarding racism and education HanaDinkuserved as director of Augsburg University's Pan-Afri kan Center from March 2019 to July 2020. Her most recent project at Augsburg, "One Day in May," was featured on WCCO-TV this spring, prior to Augsburg's virtual commencement (see page 2). Between her work leading programs and supporting students, she out Ii ned the importance of Augsburg's history and present moment. Q. Whywas OneDayin May sucha pivotalmoment • for the Augsburg community in 1968? the story and understood the significance of One Day in May, it took on a life of its own. Directors A. of International Student Services, LGBTQIA+ mission and values. In the wake of Dr. Martin and the administration to build and promote a Luther King Jr.'s assassination, higher education sesquicentennial campaign about One Day in May. One Day in May forced Augsburg to recognize • all the ways it had failed to live up to its Student Services, and Multicultural Student Services worked with faculty member LeonWang institutions across the country saw a wave of protests and a demand for structural change. One Day in May was Augsburg's response to the moment. The community speakers, Augsburg students, staff, and faculty who participated shed light on systemic white supremacy in the Augsburg community and the nation. This public acknowledgment created a What is onecomponent of OneDayin Maythat ; is especiallyrelevantfor ourcurrentsocialand politicalenvironment? Q A. All aspects are relevant, but if I had to identify • one particular component, it would be the level of transparency and accountability that helped demand to decolonize the curriculum at Augsburg. move Augsburg in the right direction. The Eurocentric core of the education system is Q. the clearest example of how our institutions are Howdidthe reintroduction of OneDayin May • ariseand becomethe themeof this year's commencement ceremony? A When I started my job at Augsburg, one of my ; mentors, community elder MahmoudEl-Kati, embedded in white supremacist ideology. This is why we gathered this year to begin the creation of a Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies department. Q. Whatdo youhopeis accomplished throughthe • reintroduction of OneDayin May? told me the real history of Black folks at Augsburg. Elder Mahmoud was one of the community speakers at One Day in May and spent years working closely with the Pan-Afrikan Center. Very few people on A My goal for this campaign was to help Black ; students understand and appreciate the battles fought by those who came before them. I want Black campus knew about One Day in May and the students and other marginalized students to know contributions of Black students, staff, and faculty. that we are a part of Augsburg history; we are not After learning that Augsburg's sesquicentennial guests at this institution. When the whole Augsburg book, "Hold Fast to What is Good," didn't mention community understands this, we will see the kind it, I worked with other Augsburg leaders to make of institutional changes that marginalized students, One Day in May the theme for the university's staff, and faculty have demanded for years. 2020 M LK Day celebration. As more people heard AROUND THEQUAD newest trip: RickStevespartners withAugsburg'sParticipateinCGEE's Centerfor GlobalEducation andExperience Hunger andHopeinGuatemala non-essential travelresumes, travelers Planaheadfortravelto Guatemala When will getan insideglimpseof Guatemala and When well-known travel author, activist, and media personality Rick Steves went to Central America to film segments for his new public television special, "Hunger and Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala," he called on Augsburg staff to provide expert guidance and introductions to community leaders and regional organizations committed to ending hunger and extreme poverty. That's because Augsburg's Center for Global Education and Experience has a vast network in Guatemala and has offered educational programming in the country since 1985. visit manyof the sameplacesdepictedon "RickStevesHungerandHope:Lessons from EthiopiaandGuatemala." Fromthe charmingcolonialcityof Antigua, to LakeAtitlanandits surrounding volcanoes, to the colorfultapestryof Mayanhistory,there is an abundance of thingsto do,see,andlearn. One of the key people Steves spoke with during the production of his television special was FidelXinico,director of Augsburg's CGEE Guatemala programming. Xinico set up Steves' trip logistics from Guatemala and served as a cultural guide and language translator. He is a trilingual Guatemalan citizen of the Kaqchikel Maya ethnic group. SusanPeacock,a CGEE program coordinator based out of Registration openfor: Tripl: April 11-18,2021 Trip2: June13-20,2021 Trip3: August8-15, 2021 Minneapolis, connected Steves and Xinico and helped shape the direction of the television show. Augsburg is now planning a travel program for the general public that will take participants to inspiring destinations in Guatemala. Augsburgsenior scholar published in A V 1 Visitgo.augsburg.edu/hope to learnmoreandregister. HarryBoyte,senior scholar of public work philosophy at Augsburg's Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, co-wrote an article that was published in Time magazine. Boyte's piece offered an analysis of the 2020 United States presidential race and suggested that a compelling campaign TIME MAGAZINE would appeal to Americans as engaged citizens rather than disgruntled consumers: "Emphasize a citizenship A W Finda link to the article at augsburg.edu/now. message for government to be a partner, not a savior." SPRING-SUMMER 2020 9 A WOMEN'S WRESTLING PROGRAM FROM SCRATCH BYKATE H.ELLIOTT Augsburg Athletics continues trailblazing trendwithMinnesota's onlycollegiate women's wrestling team "I already feel bad for my future children," joked Bel Snyder'23. "They are going to have to hear the story of Minnesota's only collegiate women's wrestling team over and over again." Snyder is one of 10 women wrestlers who made history at Augsburg during the 2019-20 year-a academic quarter century after the university founded the NCAA's first women's hockey team in the Midwest, followed by Minnesota's first varsity women's lacrosse team in 2014 . That pioneering spirit drew Snyder to Augsburg, which received a Breaking Barriers Award in February at Minnesota's National Girls and Women in Sports Day event at the Minnesota History Center. "I have never felt such close bonds or such support," added Snyder, who's an elementary education transfer student. "I am going to bleed maroon and gray for the rest of my Iife." SPRING-SUMMER 2020 11 GREEN BUT GREAT It's a youngteamwith sevenfirst-yearand three transferstudentswho had neverwrestledfor an alIwomanteam until now.Therosterincludessomeof the nation'stop competitors,includingEmilyShilson '23, who'sconsideredthe top womanrecruit in the country by somewrestIing newsoutlets.The 19-year-oldfinance studentqualifiedto wrestlefor a spot in the 2020 TokyoOlympicGames(whichhavebeenrescheduledfor 2021 becauseof the COVID-19 pandemic). Howdid a buddingteamrecruitsuchchampions? MeetWomen'sWrestlingHeadCoachMaxMejia,a formerHarvardwrestlerwhobecamea women'sand skills coachfor Arizona'sSunkistKidsWrestlingClub, whichproduced55 Olympicmedalistsin both men'sand women'swrestling. "In wrestling,youcancontrolyourdestinymorethan othersports.It's not aboutheightor speed.Champions havementaltoughness,diIigencefor detaiI, anda hungerto win," he said. "My goalis to producethe best womenleadersin the world.Whentheygraduate,I want themto understandhowthesetraits convertto success in the realworld.And I wantthe employersto gobble them up becausethey recognizewhatcomesfrom that levelof leadership,dedication,andgrit," he said. Mejiafocuseson process,knowingresultswill follow. Heseeksto understandeachathletes'hopesand motivationsso he can helpthem playto their strengths for bothathleticsand careersuccess. Mejiaempowers eachwrestlerto set herowngoals:"I knowI havethe disciplineto do anythingI put my mind to, and I'll havea greatmindsetwhiledoingit," said kinesiology majorSavannah Vold'22. "He doesn'tseeus as weare but as we couldbe," saidVayle-rae Baker'23, whoranksat the top of her weightclass."Thenhe pushesus throughself-doubtor whateveris holdingus back.I take morerisks,and I'm seeingthe rewards." Thosestrengthsareshowing.Withan overallrecordof 4-2, AuggieWomen's Wrestlingrankedamongthe top 10 programs in the NCAAasthe teamheadedintothe inauguralCliff KeenNationalCollegiate Women's Wrestling Championships in earlyMarch.Augsburg finishedin ninth placeasa team,whileShiIsonclaimedthe nationaltitle to closeout herinauguralcollegiateseason. "My goalistoproduce t ebest women leaders inthewofd." 12 AUGSBURG NOW NCAA NAMES WOMEN'S WRESTLING AN'EMERGING' SPORT In January,NCAADivision11 and Division111 votedto addwomen's wrestlingto its list of Emerging Sports for Women;in June,DivisionI voted in agreement. Thenextmilestone for the wrestlingcommunitywill be to reachat least40 NCAA-affiliated varsitywomen'swrestIingteams, which is requiredto achieveofficial NCAA Championship status.At present , about 35 NCAAschoolssupportwomen's wrestlingteams. Augsburg AthleticDirectorJeff Swenson '79 is optimistic."Wehaveno doubtwomen 's wrestlingwill buildon our reputationas a 'wrestlingschool,' with our men'steamhavingsecuredits 13th nationaltitle in 2019. "In 1995, Augsburgmadehistory with the region'sfirst women'sice hockeyteam,and nowyou're uniqueif youdon't offerwomen'shockey.Then in 2014, Augsburg startedthe NCAA's first varsitywomen'slacrosseteamin Minnesota, and now,herewearewith women'swrestling,"hesaid."Augsburg continuesto be a pioneerfor women's athletics,andwe'reinvestedin the successof women'swrestling." Men'sWrestlingCo-Head CoachJim Moulsoff is thriIledthat Augsburgis creatingopportunities for womento wrestleat the collegiatelevel.Girls' wrestlingis the fastestgrowinghigh schoolsport,accordingto the U.S. WrestlingFoundation, yet Minnesota andWisconsin areamongthe 30 states that haven'tmadegirls' wrestlingan officialsport." "Forthe past18 years,I havehelped out at juniorfreestylesummertrainings, and it's beenamazingto seethe growth of women'swrestlingfromnogirls in attendance to hundredseachyear,"said Moulsoff,the 2015 and2019 National Wrestling Coaches Association Division111 NationalCoachof the Year. TEAM OF'FIRSTS' MENTORS YOUNG GIRLS Members of the women'swrestling teamalsoaredrivento sharetheir knowledge andpavethe wayfor the nextgenerationof womenwrestlers. Everyoneof the student-athletes has liveda first-the first girl on a high school'swrestlingteam,the first match a competitorforfeitedbecausehe "didn't wantto wrestlea girl," the first time shesawwomen'swrestlingat the Olympics(in 2004). Theyembracethe strengthgainedfromthosemoments, but it is ti mefor morewomento have opportunities to wrestle. Nineyearsago,MinnesotaUSA WrestIing beganhostingopengymsat AugsburgeverySunday,andfourgirls attendedthe first session.Earlierthis year,about60 girls showedup every week,evenwith weekendtournaments pullingsomeaway.Bakersaidsheand herteammates consistentlyvolunteered to coachand mentorthe girls,who rangedfrom6 to 18 yearsold. "I startedwrestlingwhenI was9, and I wasthe onlygirl on that team andthe onlygirl on my middleand highschoolteams,"Bakersaid. "I SPRING SUMVER 7020 13 look forward to coaching and connecting with the girls each week. My teammates and I want to show them they can do this, and show them there will be teams for them when they go to college." ChadShilson'93, women's wrestling director and coach for Minnesota USA Wrestling, said lifelong friendships seem to emerge at every practice, as girls experience wrestling with those who are similar in strength, weight, flexibility, size, and goals. "They get to be the iron that sharpens other iron," he said. The result: some of the top women wrestlers in the country, if not the world, have come out of the open gyms-"hungry for the sport and everything it has to offer," added Shi Ison, the father of top-ranked Augsburg wrestler, Emily Shi Ison. Coach Mejia hopes to collaborate with USA Wrestling and other organizations to offer even more camps and open gyms (when it's safe and appropriate for public health regarding the coronavirus) for the estimated 300 girls who are wrestling at some level in the state. When they graduate from high school, Mejia said, "I want them to have no doubt that Augsburg is the place to be." ~i ti,\ 'WEKEEP PLAYING. WEPERSIST' Word has gotten out. Alumni and friends of the university AR "'1S fjJ DEFENSE SOAP Augsburgplacedseventhin the NCAA women'sdivisionat the Multi-Division NationalDualMe are tweeting their praises and sharing news coverage of the historic team. Children's book author and public speaker, ShellyBoyum-Breen '97, said the university's investment in women's wrestling is also an investment in girls and women in general. "I was fortunate to be at Augsburg when women's hockey started, and I saw lives changing before my eyes. I know firsthand the impact that continues to make on those women's lives," said BoyumBreen, who taught physical education and coached women's basketball at Augsburg. "When we invest in women and our diverse communities, we invest in what's possible. We have to show it in action through media coverage. Kids need to hear these stories-boys and girls. "Look at the decision-makers, the percentages of coaches, the funding gaps, and the near media blackout of women's professional and collegiate sports. And yet, we keep playing. And people keep watching. Because of the support that exists, we persist," said Boyum-Breen, also established grants to pay sports "When weinvestin females who fees and equipment costs that functioned andourdiverse communities,as barriers to participation for some Minnesota girls. weinvestin what's possible." Augsburg women's hockey coaches 14 AUGSBURG NOW know better than most the kind of investment and persistent leadership required to create and sustain a vibrant women's athletics program. "To be a leader-it's scary," said founding Women's 2020 USMARINE CORPS/NWCA MUL Tl DIVISION IATIONAL DUAL MEET 7'ff PLlfC=. WOMENNCAA et in Louisville,Kentucky,in January. Hockey Head Coach Jill Pohtilla. "I've seen Augsburg, time and time again, make bold moves based on what makes sense and what is right," said Pohtilla, who was inducted into the Women's Hockey Association of Minnesota Hall of Fame in 2006. The women's wrestling program has made an immediate impact in the Athletics Department and has increased expectations for success, said Michelle McAteer,Augsburg's women's hockey head coach. "Coach Mejia was able to bring in a large and talented class for the inaugural season, and it's clear how skilled, determined, and committed these women are," she said. "They are representing Augsburg and our Athletics Department with great pride, and growing the profile of their sport at the same time. "They are making history, living history," McAteer added. "It's a special team doing very special things." ■ Seepage16 for a brief historyof women'sathleticsat Augsburg. ABRIEF HISTORY OF WOMEN'S ATHL 16 AUGSBURG NOW TICS ATAIJGSBIJRG SPRINGSUMMER 2020 17 REAL PEOPLE IN REAL CASES computers with a software program Eyewitness identification of criminal perpetrators is a staple form of evidence San Diego; and Tucson, Arizona. in courts of law. developed specifically for the field "Think of eyewitness memory like audio transcripts to examine the 855 I ineups in four cities: Austin, Texas; association between witness comments Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and lineup selection, finding that an North Carolina; cities provided lineup photos and eyewitness identification decisions, instant identification by an eyewitness was less likely to produce an error than when the witness was deliberative. NatalieJohnson '18, who's pursuing a residue, or other physical evidence," investigator reports, and audiotapes of master's degree in counseling psychology Steblay said. "You don't want to the verbal exchange between the I ineup at the University of St. Thomas in St. contaminate it." administrator and eyewitness during Paul, Minnesota, was one of the students each lineup procedure. A startling who listened to police audiotapes and the top national experts in eyewitness discovery emerged from a pattern of coded them based on whether the identification. cases when lineup administrators, who decision-making process was immediate social psychologist who has conducted were also the case detectives, knew who or deliberative. research on eyewitness memory, pol ice the suspects were and behaved in a procedures, and eyewitness evidence leading fashion with the eyewitnesses. Steblay, along with Wells, is among As an experimental for 30 years, she is often cal led upon by defense attorneys to testify when they believe a suspect is being wrongly accused based on faulty identification. Her abi I ity to speak with authority on the subject has been reinforced She and other students were startled to realize that the police push for a conviction could, in some cases, influence LEARNING E'ROM LINEUPS Augsburg student researchers by her research findings. Assisted by collected data and assessed 190 Augsburg student researchers, Steblay real lineups for fairness or bias. "It's and Wells led studies that, for the first powerfu I to bring students into research how criminal cases are pursued. "Doing the work on police lineups made me realize how flawed our system can be," she said. "It made me realize our criminal justice has a long way to go." SeanAdams'17, who is currently a legal assistant, said he was shocked by time, sought to understand and predict by saying, 'Here's the problem of how poorly some of the lineups were eyewitness identification errors using wrongfu I convictions, and let's figure out constructed. actual I ineups. how to solve them,"' Steblay said. Before these studies, scientific Psychology majors made up the The tests were designed to include fake witnesses, and these mock psychology's understanding of research team at Augsburg, adding witnesses in Augsburg's laboratory eyewitness identification accuracy was laboratory skills to what they learned in studies represented the worst possible based almost exclusively on controlled the classroom. Steblay and 27 student scenario: a witness with no memory of the offender. Mock witnesses shou Id laboratory researchers studies that conducted not be able to pick the pol ice suspect the first and from a lineup at a rate higher than second studies chance. "The worst lineup I saw had across multiple such a leading description that the simulate eyewitness experiences. Steblay and Wells were awarded a "It's powerful to bring students into research by saying, 'Here's the problem of wrongful convictions, and let's figure out how to solve them."' National Science 20 The Augsburg students coded 102 experiment. Data was collected from The field data collected in these trace evidence, such as blood, gunshot existed unti I th is study. semesters. [laboratory] witnesses picked the pol ice Verbal suspect 80% of the time," Adams said. exchanges "That shou Id have statistically less than 20% of the time." been Lineups Foundation grant to pursue a four-phase between pol ice lineup administrators and eyewitnesses should be constructed so that the study from 2014 to 2018. The research to crimes were audio-recorded. There suspect and the fillers (innocent people followed up on their prior work, in which police lineups were presented to real had never been an analysis of recorded added to the lineup) match the suspect verbal comments from actual witnesses description. eyewitnesses by detectives using laptop because such recordings had never AUGSBURG NOW RELEVANT RESEARCH Along with stunning insights into eyewitness identification, these studies brought to light more questions worth exploring. The research resulted in 12 conference poster presentations involving 23 students, and it fostered two student honors projects and spinoff projects that are ongoing. "It was time-consuming, important. but it was I think the student researchers had a sense of the importance," Steblay said. "It was really fun to work with them. Their work enabled me to complete the project." Augsburg student researchers saw the subject material's importance for effective law enforcement practices as well as its resonance with people beyond their research group. When AustinConery'17 began researching how to predict eyewitness identification errors, he discovered that his Augsburg University research project was a hot topic with friends and family. "Every party or every family event, someone would ask what was going on at school, and I could talk about the research for hours because it was so relevant," Conery said. Besides a view into a major criminal justice system issue, students said the research opportunity gave them practical experience. Conery said the research gave him the confidence to read, understand, and apply studies in his current job as a site director at a children's mental health provider, PrairieCare. "It was a great way to implement the things I was learning in class," he said. "It gave me the place to think critically in a control led environment." As Adams considers his future work, he's looking back to his time at Augsburg. "I've been thinking of what I enjoyed in college, and a lot of it was the work I did with Nancy," he said. TURNING RESEARCHrlNDINGS INTO PRACTICALPOLICIES Steblay'sinfluencemaynot makeher a householdname,but her researchfindings are beingput to practicaluse in a varietyof ways. Minnesotajudgesviewa webinarmoduleshecreated,"EyewitnessScience: Protectionand Evaluationof EyewitnessIdentificationEvidence,"as part of their judicial e-learning program.Steblayalso pubIisheda chapterin the 2019 book, "PsychologicalScienceand the Law." Thefindingsof the researchby Steblay,Wells,and Augsburgstudent researchers are leadingto majorreformsnationally.The best practices includecritical stipulations:that lineupsmust be double-blind,meaning the administratingofficerdoesn'tknowwhothe suspectis, and that the non-suspectfillers in the lineup must resemblethe suspectand match the descriptionof the offenderthat wasprovidedby the eyewitness. "Thereare hundredsof thousandsof policeofficerswho are using theseeyewitnessidentificationprotocolsthat we didn't use20 years ago,and they don't knowNancySteblay'sname,"said William Brooks, a policechief in Norwood,Massachusetts. Brookstravelsthe countrytraining policeon what he regardsas groundbreaking science-backed best practicesfor lineups."I don't think there'sbeenas wide of an impact in otherareasof investigation as in howwe dealwith eyewitnessmemory,"he said. In mid-May,MinnesotaGov.Tim Walzsignedbipartisanlegislation that requiresuniformscience-backed eyewitnessidentificationpractices for all law enforcement,which goesinto effect in early2021. Sti11, the eyewitnessidentificationbest practicesface resistance."Some of it is individualpolicejurisdictionsjust not wantingto be told howto do things," Steblaysaid in an interviewwith YahooNews."Sometimespolice or prosecutorssaythey don't want rulesto be so rigid, becausethen if we just violateoneof the rules,then that ruins our prosecutionor we can't catch the bad guysor whatever.Sothey feel like it's underminingtheir ability to do the goodjob that they shoulddo. "I don't seeit that way," Steblaysaid. "I just think theseare not difficult changes."Steblayviewsthe recommendedlineup reformsas a meansto strengthen eyewitnessevidenceand reducethe likelihoodof a mistakenidentification. The InnocenceProject,a nonprofitfoundedin 1992 to exoneratethe wrongly convictedthroughDNAtesting, hasworkedto passlawsthroughoutthe countrythat embracethe scientificallysupportedbest practicesadvancedby Steblayand Wells. "Whenwe beganour work,a handfulof stateshadembracedbest practices. Todaymorethan half of the statesin the countryhaveadoptedkeyeyewitness identificationreforms,"said RebeccaBrown,the nonprofit's policydirector. Steblayhopesmorepolice departmentswi11 enactthesereforms."Wehave at leastpart of the answerto howpolicecan reducemistakenidentificationand wrongfulconvictions."■ 22 AUGSBURG NOW States where c:ore eyewitness reforms have been implemented through legislation, c:ourt action, or substantial voluntary c:omplianc:e: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, NewJersey, NewMexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah,Vermont, West Virginia andWisconsin viaInnocence Project SPRING-SUMMER 2020 23 The Gage tam i ly is part of a legacy Skip and Barbara have supported many campus projects that has supported valuable throughout the years, including Anderson Plaza, the Gage Center student services that are crucial to for Student Success, the Gage Family Art Gallery, the James G. Augsburg University's identity and community. Lindell Library, and the Scandinavian Center, which cultivated knowledge and interest in Scandinavian culture on campus for Edwin"Skip"Gagepassed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Skip and his wife, Barbara CarlsonGage,have been integral to the Augsburg community Piper LaBelle Award for their consistent support of young people for many years. Al I four of their children attended Augsburg, In his professional life, Skip built what came to be known as 15 years. In 2016, the Gage family was honored with the Toby in recovery. including alumni GeoffGage'89 and Rick Gage'96. Barbara the Carlson Marketing Group. He served as chair and then chair served on the Board of Regents, including four years as emeritus of the lnnerCity Tennis Foundation and worked with chair of the board and as co-chair of Augsburg's Access to Barbara in many community efforts with the Banyan Community, Excellence campaign. Northside Achievement Zone, and Urban Ventures. Skip and Barbara initiated the Center for Learning and Skip's vision aligned with Augsburg's institutional calling and Accessible Student Services and contributed substantial time reinforced the university's commitments to global perspectives, and gifts to the StepUP ® Program. Skip believed the values living faith, active citizenship, and meaningful work. Skip and taught as part of the fabric of Augsburg's community have been Barbara's gifts and leadership over the years have sustained as important as the educational experience and the culture of Augsburg's commitment to serve its students and neighbors. family and service that is imparted to all of Augsburg's students. Through the Gage family's leadership, CLASS was established. "The Gage family has and continues to have a significant impact on the Augsburg community," said DonnaMclean, former In 1989, Skip and Barbara commissioned the first study that Augsburg director of leadership gifts. "Thanks to the generosity evaluated learning disability programs at the college level. They of the Gage family, the lives of so many students have been partnered with Augsburg faculty to build a learning disability meaningfully enhanced through CLASS and other campus endowment program, and Skip led the drive to raise $500,000 programs that provide impactful learning experiences." ■ in addition to $500,000 24 AUGSBURG NOW his family pledged. THE STAGE Sesquicentennial project shares story through song The Augsburg University Department of Music had a unique opportunity to produce Other sesquicentennial projects and perform "Tienda," a new chamber opera by Augsburg Assistant Professor of Music To commemorate Augsburg's 150th ReinaldoMoyaand opera lyricist Caitlin Vincent, which premiered February 21 and 22. anniversary, the university invited faculty This production, presented as a part of Augsburg's sesquicentennial celebration, was performed in Foss Center's Hoversten Chapel and included a cast of student singers, and staff to apply for funding to support unique projects that aligned with their the Augsburg Choir, and the Augsburg Orchestra. The opera tells the story of Luis interests and expertise while uplifting Garzon, a Mexican musician who immigrated to Minneapolis in 1886 and opened a Augsburg's mission, academic excellence, small Mexican grocery store, or tienda, in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the 1920s. Garz6n's and traditions. These projects showcased store served as a community hub for new arrivals from Mexico, many of whom had the university's history, its distinction in fled the Mexican Revolution and found work toiling on the sugar beet farms of rural the arts, and its high-quality scholarship. Minnesota. "Tienda" explored the immigrant experience: what must be left behind- Learn more about sesquicentennial and what cannot be forgotten-on . projects at augsburg.edu/150 the journey to a new home. STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND A Student Emergency Fund was established in March to support Augsburg students with financial relief as we al I grapple with the challenges of COVID-19. In these disruptive times, many students are experiencing the loss of income and jobs as segments of the economy shut down, struggles to provide for their families, obstacles in returning home to out-of-state residences, and uncertainty about their ability to finance their Augsburg education. With this fund, students are able to request emergency funding for basic needs, including food, rent, transportation, funding for academic materials-such Giveto the StudentEmergency Fundat augsburg.edu/giving . and wireless internet-to and medication. They may also request as books, supplies, laptop computer rentals, ensure their education is not impacted by a lack of attainable resources. SPRINGSUMMfR 2020 25 AUGGIES CONNECT AUGGIES IN NATION'S CAPITAL BEGIN SERIES OFALUMNI GATHERINGS Last October, a group of Augsburg alumni gathered in Arlington, Virginia, for a dinner and reception hosted by JeffPeterson'63. At the end of the gathering, JessicaSpanswick'10 suggested the group should spend more time together. AUGGIES whatprogram doyouwanttolift upforGiveto theMaxDay2020? Spanswick coordinated the group's next gathering for a social hour and trivia in Washington, D.C., the following month. That's how the informal OMV-area (the district, Maryland, and Virginia) Augsburg alumni group was born. With help from Augsburg's Institutional Advancement team, they were able to invite even more Auggies in the area to attend social hours, networking events, and dinners. In February, Augsburg staff met with Give to the Max Day 2019 was a huge success for programs across campus! $421,000 RAISED 1,656 DONORS the group to discuss how to increase alumni involvement across the country Auggie passion is the fuel that drives and support the university through Give strong donations on Give to the Max to the Max Day 2020. Day, and that's why it's Augsburg's Want to plan an alumni gathering in your biggest fundraising area when pandemic health precautions allow? Email alumni@augsburg.edu to receive help reaching out to fellow Auggies. day of the year. It's exciting and inspiring to hear your personal stories about Augsburg and Auggiesmeetin the Washington,D.C.,area. why you're passionate about supporting a particular project. What do you want to I ift up at Augsburg? Send in a 45- to 90-second video of yourself sharing what you were most passionate about at Augsburg, and you might be featured in the next Give to the Max Day campaign. 0 Sendin a video,volunteer,or hel~ lead a projectin Novemberby contacting ChrisBogen'09,campaigncoordinator,at bogen@augsburg.edu by September1, 2020. Lto R: ChrisBogen'09, RobynHiestand '98, KariArfstrom '89,Jonathan Chrastek '10,Jessica Spanswick '10,KatiePendo'10, KaiaChambers 26 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNEC LIFELONGAUGGIE FRIENDSHIPS Connections that flourishedat Augsburgspanacrossyearsand miles [L to R]: DerekFrancis'08, BryanLudwig '08, Greg Hildebrandt '08,andSamaSandy'08 broughttheir families togetherfor an eveningof fun earlierthis year.Thegroup members tout themselvesas the "1107Family,"namedfor the numberof the roomtheysharedin Mortensen Residence Hall. TheFacebook postfromtheir meetupshowshowa friendship betweenfourAuggiesbecamea close-knitgroupof 17. A groupof Auggieswhocelebratelife milestones togethergatheredfor the 70th birthdayof SueGibbons Casey'71 [front,center].She'ssurrounded by[clockwise]Pam(Hermstad) Santerre(attendedAugsburg1968-69), Ginny(Dahlen)Baali'72, Kris(Parbst)Rohde'72, KathyQuick'72, Nancy '72. (Olson)Hrdlicka'72,and Linda(Engstrom) Akenson TheseAugsburgalumniand "5th FloorGirls"of UrnessTowerinitially reunitedafter their graduationat mini-reunionsand holidays.In recentyears,theytooktrips to destinationslike Boston;MyrtleBeach,SouthCarolina;andStillwater,Minnesota. Picturedare[front, L to R]:Stacy(Waterman) Newton'01, SaraThedinga '01, Merry-Ellen (Krcil)Bryers'01, andAnn(Peterson) Fisher'01. [Back,L to R]:Amy Carlson'01, LauraWaldon'01, Emily(Brinkman) Waldon'01,JaimeKingsley Loso'01,and EricaHuls'01. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • SPRING-SUMMER 2020 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES The MinnesotaIntercollegiate AthleticConferencefeatured EdorNelson'38 in the LegendaryLeaders seriesreleasedon its websiteand social media. Nelson, who passedawayin 2014, wasan instructorfor the healthand physical educationdepartmentfor 32 years, coached Augsburg'sbaseballteam from 1946 to 1979, and led the programto sevenMIACtitles. He alsowasAugsburgfootball'sheadcoach, and he helpedstartthe men'swrestlingprogram and relaunchmen's hockey. 1938 LelandFairbanks '53, MD, was selectedas the Commissioned OfficersAssociationRetireeof the Yearby the United StatesPublic HealthService. The award, which recognizesexcellence in serviceand volunteeractivities, was presentedduring a virtual meetingin June. Fairbanks'career has includedwork focused on family health, holisticcare, smoke-free communities, and training other health professiona Is. 1953 of Fame in 1988 and created an athletic lettering programfor female student-athletes in 1989. & Augsburg AthleticDirector JeffSwenson '79 ,;;, shares hisoptimism aboutAugsburg's new women's wrestling program. Seestoryonpage10. & ChadShilson '93comments onAugsburg's ,;;, women's wrestling program, inwhichhis Emily ShiIson'23,competes. Seestoryon daughter, page10. & ShellyBoyum-Breen '97connects thelaunch ,;;, ofAugsburg's women's wrestling withtheneed totell moresportsstories thatinclude females and diverse communities. Seestoryonpage10. CanisiusCollegein Buffalo, New York, hired MartinHlinka'99 as an assistantcoachfor its men's hockey program. After his work as an assistant coach with the SalzburgRed Bulls junior program, Hlinka servedas a lead on-ice skills instructorwith SynergyHockeyin St. Louis. The MinnesotaIntercollegiate Hlinka scored 125 points in 85 gamesfrom Athletic Conferencefeatured MarilynPearsonFlorian'76 in the Legendary 1995 to 1999 while on Augsburg'shockey team, and he also playedfootball, earning Leadersseries. PearsonFloriancoached All-Americanstatusas a kicker. Hlinka women's basketballand volleyballat playedprofessionalhockeyfor 15 years in Augsburgand also was the women'sathletic director. During her tenure, Augsburgadded the American HockeyLeague, United Hockey League, and Germany. four MIACwomen'ssports, including cross country, golf, ice hockey, and swimming and diving. She also initiated the induction NickRathmann '03 completed of women into Augsburg'sAthletic Hall his final term on the Augsburg 1999 1976 2003 Alumni Boardof Directors. He has been on the boardfor the past sevenyears, serving in executiveleadershiprolesfor four years, including a two-yearterm as board president. Rathmannnow continuesvolunteeringhis time by servingon the A-Club board. JasonEdwards '04 has been teaching sixth grade science and readingat DiscoveryMiddleSchoolin Fargo, North Dakota, for 11 years. He also coachesgirls crosscountryand track and field at FargoDaviesHigh School.The USA Trackand FieldAssociationchose him as the Coachof the Yearfor Girls CrossCountry, and he is the North Dakotarepresentative for the "40 under 40" coachingawardfrom Coachand Athletic Directormagazine. While at Augsburg, he competedin crosscountry and track and field, earningschool recordsin the indoor600 meterdash and indoor4x400 meter relayteam. 2004 Andr~a(Ladda)Brown'05 receivedan awardfor her accomplishmentswith the City of Minneapolis'PoliceConductOversight Commissionregardingthe body-worncamera policy, which led to the discoveryof ketamine abuse by paramedicsand policeofficers. Her work also led to the creationof the MPD dashboard, where race disparitiesstatistics and officer misconducthave been made public and searchable, and the co-responder model-mental health professionals accompanyingpolice officersrespondingto 2005 AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 28 AUGSBURG NOW ALUMNI CLASS NOTES calls-which startedas a pilot programin Minneapolisand is now used in NewYork, Texas, and Utah. [Editor'snote:Theseevents occurred prior to the murder of GeorgeFloyd by Minneapolispolice.] Artist AlisonPrice'08 was featured in the Minnesota Women'sPressregardingher new series of art, "WitnessingWaves." Price, a child of two immigrantparents, talked about a stump alongthe MississippiRiverand howthe river'swatersaided migrationto the region.This pieceof nature influenced Price'scollection, which startedduring her time at Augsburg. "The seriesis imbuedwith symbolism. DNAstrandsweavealongthe riverbanksand through the rootsand ground, reminding us of our interconnectedness with all, reinforcingthe ideathat we are fundamentallytied to each other and the planet," Pricesaid. 2008 TannerWiseman '15 and friends from Lakeville, Minnesota, filmed the series"DestinationFear," which aired on the TravelChannellast fall. The showfollows the group'scross-countryroad trip where they stayedovernightin 10 haunted places. The group beganmakingvideostogetherfor YouTubein middle schooland high school, and this show indulgestheir passionfor exploringabandonedplaces. 2015 ~ Legalassistant SeanAdams '17researched ~ eyewitness identification procedures withan Augsburg facultymember. Seestoryonpage18. McCleave , who outlinedthe organization's effortsto highlightthe historyof Native boardingschoolsand the impact they had on Nativecommunities. ~ Austin Conery '17researched thereliability ~ ofeyewitness testimonies andnowuseshis experience to understand andapplystudiesin hisrole at a mentalhealthprovider. Seestoryonpage18. 2018 ChungEangLip'18 wrote about his career path in the public healthfield for ColumbiaUniversity's MailmanSchoolof Public Healthstudent voiceswebpage.He focused on the importanceof kindnessand storytellingon his journeyto becominga public health professiona I. DianaPierce'16 MALnarratedand produced a documentary, "CountryMusic: Made in Minnesota," which aired on PioneerPBS last September. The half-hourdocumentary toucheson storiesabout artistsfrom the Minnesotacommunitiesof Alexandriaand Dovray; as well as the WE Festin Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and the FlameBar in Minneapolis.The programfeaturesinterviews with artistsfrom DetroitLakes, Minneapolis, and Pipestone, Minnesota, plus otherfigures who contributedto the developmentand popularityof country music in the state. ~ Natalie Johnson '18contributed to National ~ Science Foundation-funded research that evaluated thereliability of eyewitness identification. Seestoryonpage18. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Christine DiindiisiMcCleave '13 MALis the executivedirector of the NationalNative American BoardingSchool HealingCoalition, formed in 2012 , which seeksjustice and healingfor NativeAmericanchildren and their descendants. The organizationrecently receiveda $10 million grant from the KendedaFundthat will support a new 10year plan focused on education, advocacy, and healing.MPR NewsinterviewedDiindiisi ~ SUBMIT A ~ CLASS NOTE Tellusaboutthenewsinyourlifeyournewjob,move, marriage, and milestones. Visitaugsburg.edu/now to submityourannouncements. & W EricArlein'12 and Theresa(Bulger) Arlien'14 welcomeda daughter, Cora, last July. Jenessa (Payano) Stark'07 graduated from YaleUniversitywith her Masterof • Sciencein Nursingwith specialtiesas a certified nurse midwifeand women'shealth nurse practitioner. Tofulfill the health professionalshortagearea serviceobligation of her NationalHealthServiceCorps scholarship, she is movingto NavajoNation to work as a full-scope midwifeat a tribally run Indian HealthServicehospitalin Arizona.She will be accompaniedby her husbandand children, includinga son, Zaiel, whom the family welcomedin January. Kristin(Daniels) Overton '09 and husband, Jesse, welcomedthe birth of • twin boys, Mattisand Henry, lastSeptember. Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin '03 • delivereda convocationaddressat CarletonCollegein Northfield, Minnesota, last October. He is a founding memberof the NationalFairTradeFederation, startedthe fair-tradePeaceCoffeeCompany, and is presidentand CEOof Regenerative AgricultureAlliance, a Minnesota-based nonprofitorganizationthat worksto develop regenerativefood supply chains and to advocateagainstextractiveagriculture. Haslett-Marroquinis alsothe author of "In the Shadowof GreenMan," in which he tells storiesfrom his upbringingin Guatemala and shareshis visionfor regenerative farming practices. A SylviaBull'10 (pictured on the right) • was ordainedas an Evangelical LutheranChurch in America pastor in 2017 and has servedas associatepastor of Faith LutheranChurch in Bismarck, North Dakota, for three years. SPRING SUMMER 2020 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Augsburg University Men's Wrestling hosted an alumni night in February, celebrating the national championship anniversariesof the teams from 1970, 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2010 before a wrestling match against Concordia College-Moorhead . Photo by Caleb Williams. ChrisStedman'08 wrote a new book that will be published in October. The book, "IRL: Finding Realness, Meaning, and Belongingin Our Digital Lives," explores being human in our increasingly digital world and is availablefor pre-order. AugsburgUniversityMen's Basketballhostedan alumni reunion in Januarythat included a pick-up game, lunch, watching the men'steam take on Concordia College-Moorhead, and a social hour. Auggiesfrom several generationsjoined in the festivities. Auggiealumni leadthe men's basketballprogramsat both Augsburgand Concordia. Assistant CoachCharlieScott'07, '15 MAL and the Auggiesdefeatedthe Cobbers, who were led by Head CoachGrantHemmingsen '07. Adrienne KucklerEldridge '02 joined the staff of Augsburg's ChristensenCenterfor Vocation. She coordinatesthe theologyand public leadershipundergraduate program, is the program director for the AugsburgYouth Theology Institute, and is the director of the Public Church Scholars program, an accelerateddegree pathway that allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in theologyand public leadership and a Master of Divinity in five years.The program is a partnership betweenAugsburg and LutheranSchool of Theology at Chicagofor students who are called to ministry and public leadershipas an ordained pastor. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS JoeSeehusen '00 married Kathryn Tighe on a ranch in Grand Lake, Colorado, in September. The couple resides in the Denverarea, where they work in real estate. Seehusenencourages his Auggie friends to reach out the next time they're in Colorado. 30 AUGSBURG NOW ToriBahr'09, a medical doctor at the complex care clinic of Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, was presentedwith Augsburg University's2019 First DecadeAlumni Award in January. Bahr previouslyworked at the Universityof MinnesotaMedical Center's InternaI Medicine-Pediatrics Program, where she becamechief resident. Bahr's new position at Gillette Children's Hospital includes treating patientswith medically complex diseases, using advanced technology, and championing transition care. BrentStolle'03 and Bethany (Schneck)Stolle'05 welcomed their second son, Isaac, in February 2019. Isaacjoined his three-year-old brother, Weston. Bethany is the design research lead for Blackboard, an education technology company. Brent works for Nvidia as a software engineering manager. The family lives in Kirkland, Washington. DerrinLamker'97 was named Augsburg Universit Footballhead coach in December. Lamker played baseball, basketball, and football as an Auggie student-athlete. During his football career, he wa< the MinnesotaIntercollegiateAthletic Conference MVPand led the Auggiesto a MIACtitle in 1997, the same year he received KodakAll-American Honors. Lamkerwas named the Northwest Suburban ConferenceCoach of the Year in 2007, 2013, and 2014 during his tenure as head coach of OsseoHigh School, where he coached for 11 years and won a class 6A state championship. Beforetaking the head coach position at Augsburg, Lamkeralso servedas offensive coordinatorand head coach at Edina High School. Augsburg University Footballhosted an alumni gathering in Januaryto hear from Lamker and to meet the incoming coaching staff, which includes GregClough'86, defensivecoordinator, and JackOsberg'62, volunteer coach. Alumni who graduated between 1971 and 2019 attended y I The City Pagespublication featured the work of Jose LuisVillasenor'99 and the nonprofit organizationhe founded, Tamalesy Bicicletas, which existsto empower youth, develop healthy Latinx and immigrant communities, promote sustainable transportation, increase accessto healthyfoods, and improvethe environment. The organization'scommunity garden in south Minneapolis providesspace to teach urban farming and lay the groundwork for sustainablelocal food. / In September, City Pages featured DuaSaleh'18 for their work in poetry, rapping, and singing. Saleh released"N0r" in 2019, and "ROSETTA" in 2020, EPsproduced by Psymun, the St. Paul, Minnesota, producer whose connectionswith mainstreamhip-hop provide broader exposure for Twin Cities performers. As the recipient of the Cedar Commissions emerging musicians program, Saleh performed "Strings and Heart Beats," a project described as "an immersiveAfrodiasporic experience." AlissaNollan'09 marriedJames Nystromin St. Anthony, Minnesota, lastJuly.The wedding party includedJennifer Nollan'89, Whitney (Holman) Mead'10, and KatiePendo'10. MarkMuhich'89 was hired as managing attorneyto supervise public defender services in Minnesota'sCarlton and St. Louis counties. Muhich is a Hibbing, Minnesota, nativewho has been a part-time public defender at the St. LouisCounty Courthousein Virginia, Minnesota. Muhich previouslytaught politicaI science and criminal justice at Mesabi Range Collegeand taught in the law enforcement program at VermilionCommunity College. MikePolis'10 welcomed a second child, Sophia June, in January.His first child, LydiaMae, lovesbeing an older sibling. Polis is in his secondyear of real estateand is excitedfor anotheryear of selling and buying homes. KelseyCrockett'06 and wife, Stacey, welcomed a child, MasonAvery Crockett, into their family in January. Kelseycontinued his software management work when the family moved from Nashvilleto Dallasfor Staceyto begin a doctoral programat the Universityof Texas-Southwestern. In December, Michelle Basham '00 was elected as the new presidentand CEOof YWCAMinneapolis. Bashampreviouslywas the executivedirector at The Bridgefor Youth, servedas CEOof YWCADelaware, and held leadershippositionsat CommonBondCommunities, FamilyWise , and the MinnesotaDepartmentof Human Services.She also co-foundedthe Nonprofit EmergingLeadersAcademy. P.C. Hillstrom'07, director of educationaI equity at OsseoArea Schools, received two statewide honors this year: the Outstanding Administrator of the Year award from the Minnesota Indian Education Association and the Ron McKinley "All My Relations" award from the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership. Hillstrom has worked for Osseo Area Schools since 2015. BrothersDaveKerkvliet'95 and TimKerkvliet '01 were featured on the EducationMinnesotawebsite when they introducedfour band studentsof Sebeka, Minnesota-where Daveteaches-to the rock band 311 at a performanceat The Armory in Minneapolis. Davehastaught band for 24 yearsand is a lifelong musicianand fan of rock bands. He connected those passionsand organizedthis meetingbetween his studentsand lead singerand guitarist Nick Hexumand drummer ChadSextonprior to 31 l's performance. SPRING SUMMER 2020 31 ClarenceT. Hoversten '41 , HerbertW. Chilstrom '54, Green Valley, Arizona, age 88, on January 19. M. KennethGjerde'61 , MarilynJ. Gisselquist '73, Fairfield, Montana, age 83, on December 22. Minneapolis, age 90, on February 21. DonaldJ. Dill '54, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, age 86, on December 15. Ruth(Stenson)Kalpin'61, Falls, South Dakota, age 95, on January 27. Alexandria, Minnesota, age 80, on November 10. Zee AnneA. (Zimmerman) Reishus'73, Wood Lake, DorothyC. (Quanbeck) Johnson '48, BeverlyM. (Jorgensen) Olander'55, DonaldN. Myhres'61, Lee, North Branch, Minnesota, age 92, on February 18. Rochester, Minnesota, age 86, on November 18. Illinois, age 95, on November 13. HenryW. Roufs'49, San Diego, WandaE. (Warnes)Olson'56, RobertJ. llstrup'62, Minneapolis, age 82, on September 25. age 97, on October 10. Lewiston, Minnesota, age 84, on November 14. EllenA. (Paulson)Keiter'64, Minnesota, age 91, on January 29. GlennC. Thorpe'56, Mendota Charleston, Illinois, age 77, on December 10. RusselM. Smith'50, Heights, Minnesota, age 85, on February 8. JeanneS. (Wanner)Morreim'66, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 91, on November 21. RobertG.Jamieson '57, Edina, Cloquet, Minnesota, age 76, on January 26. Hendricks, Minnesota, age 101, on November 6. EileenM. Quanbeck '46, Sioux KermitF.Hoversten '50, Austin, PhyllisG. (Knudson) Seim'58, MarjorieK. (Danielson) Johnson '53, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 83, on January 24. St. Paul, Minnesota, age 88, on December 4. JosephP. Nystuen'59, Cold WilmerJ. Oudal'53, Eagle River, Spring, Minnesota, age 82, on November 10. Alaska, age 88, on February 2. MargaretA. (Lundahl)Ruesch'59, 32 AUGSBURG NOW WalterJ. Bradley'78, Davenport, KatharineE. Skibbe'79, Minneapolis, age 62, on October 7. IreneW. (Waslien)Stemmer'88, Wayzata, Minnesota, age 93, on November 8. JaniceK. (Thompson) Crockett'68, age 91, on December 29. Rochester, Minnesota, age 88, on December 17. DianeL.Loeffler'75, Minneapolis, age 66, on November 16. Iowa, age 63, on February 9. Minnesota, age 86, on January 16. Raymond P.Strot'51, Minneapolis, LeroyM. Petterson'53, Minnesota, age 68, on January 24. Worthington, Minnesota, age 83, on December 30. Shakopee, Minnesota, age 73, on January 15. BruceA. Vassar'93, Edina, age 57, on December 6. ThomasL. Docken'69, Stacy, LouJean J. (Gulbransen) Reid'94, Minnesota, age 73, on December 9. Austin, Minnesota, age 73, on January 20. VirginiaK. (Golberg)Baynes'70, Lee(Gilbert)Schotzko'04, Afton, Portland, Oregon, age 71, on September 14. Minnesota, age 49, on October 1. BenjaminM. Blair'14, Decorah, Iowa, age 31, on January 26. The "In memoriam" listings in this publication include notifications received before March 1. AuGSBURG UNIVERSITY ® DIGITAL-ONL ISSUE 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Pieces ofhistory After the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and protests calling for justice in Minneapolis and around the nation, MollyMontana'23 went to Lake Street to capture the work of local artists that emerged on walls and plywood boards covering the windows of numerous businesses. "I wanted to tell the story of the pain and rage that people of color have felt," she said about the images she captured for a photography class project. "I wanted to capture something meaningful, and these displays were just that. They are a piece of history." augsburg.edu/now
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2019:
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: BEFORE TODAY BEYOND TOMORROW FALL–WINTER 2019 | VOL. 82, NO. 1 AUGSBURG NOW Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Associate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On s...
Show more BEFORE TODAY BEYOND TOMORROW FALL–WINTER 2019 | VOL. 82, NO. 1 AUGSBURG NOW Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Associate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On seeing and being seen We see you! This summer, Assistant Professor Joaquin Muñoz from our education department greeted our incoming students with a powerful message. He said that every one of them deserved an adult who loved them unconditionally. He then looked out at our remarkable students and told them that he loved them. He said, “I see you,” and “I will do all I can to ensure that you are successful at Augsburg and beyond.” Joaquin was speaking to students of color and indigenous students in particular, but this is our promise to all our students: “We see you” is at the center of Augsburg’s commitment to meet students where they are and walk alongside them as they pursue their educational goals. What does it mean to say that “we see you”? It means that your life experience, your vocational journey, your path to Augsburg is important to us and will be taken seriously as we work together to ensure your success. It seems especially fitting as we launch our 150th anniversary—our sesquicentennial— that we renew our promise to meet our students where they are, to see them in all of their astonishing and diverse life experiences, and to accompany them as they pursue an Augsburg education. Our promise to see our students is evident in all of our celebrations of our 150th anniversary. For example, the remarkable “Each, Together” art project—part of an international initiative known as “Inside Out”—is featured in this issue of Augsburg Now (see page 16). More than 1,200 photographs are displayed on buildings across campus: images of current students, faculty, staff, and alumni alongside those of historic figures like Bernhard Christensen ’22, Augsburg’s fifth president, who looks at me each day as I pull into my campus parking spot! Every time I look at those photographs, I think about how they reflect our commitment to seeing each other, to recognizing that our various journeys to Augsburg and beyond are part of a remarkable narrative that has unfolded over the past 150 years. Since our founding in 1869 and through the decades that followed, our institution has grown and changed, yet our commitment to our foundational promise has remained the same. We see you, we love you, and together we will fulfill our abiding promise that Augsburg is “small to our students and big for the world.” Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of Marketing Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah sitarami@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Creative Denielle Stepka ’11 stepkad@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Elizabeth Kästner kaestner@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter John Weirick weirick@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Kaia Chambers chamberk2@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Contributors Kate H. Elliott Jen Nagorski ’08 Lisa Renze-Rhodes Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official university policy. ISSN 1058-1545 AUGSBURG NOW Fall–Winter 2019 During Augsburg’s annual community engagement and service event—now known as City Engagement Day—first-year students volunteer at Twin Cities-based organizations at the start of the academic year. On September 3, more than 650 students in Augsburg T-shirts worked alongside faculty and staff. Some sites included community gardens and a river cleanup with the National Park Service. The Class of 2023 is Augsburg’s largest ever. See the back cover. 02 Around the quad 16 Face value 08 Annual report to donors 22 10 A September to remember 26 Auggies connect 12 Building on an early lead 15 Honoring Auggies Balancing the books 28 Class notes 32 In memoriam On the cover: Portraits of community members—past and present—create a tapestry of faces that celebrate, recognize, and honor the individuals who have contributed to Augsburg University during the past 150 years. Read more on page 16. All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated Send address corrections to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Send comments to now@augsburg.edu. PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER AUGSBURG’S LARGEST CLASS KICKS OFF ACADEMIC YEAR WITH VOLUNTEERING PHOTOS BY SHAWN NIELSEN AROUND THE QUAD Augsburg launches TRANSIT PASS FOR UNDERGRADUATES Augsburg University now offers the Auggie Pass, a universal transit pass that gives undergraduate students unlimited rides on buses and light rail in a first-of-its-kind partnership between Metro Transit and a Twin Cities university. Augsburg’s student government approved increasing the green fee by $5 to $20 per semester to pay for the Auggie Pass in order to reduce students’ out-of-pocket costs while improving their chances of accepting jobs and internships that involve a commute. Day Student Government is officially responsible for overseeing the green fee that supports sustainability efforts. The Auggie Pass is valid throughout the school year and is paid for from both the student green fee and university operating funds. All traditional undergraduate students who pay the semester green fee are eligible for the pass at no additional cost. “As someone who uses the bus every day, it’s great not to have that financial burden,” said Skye Ryge ’20, who advocated for the pass. “It’s really economically advantageous to students who pay for school, like me, to not have to choose between textbooks and bus fare.” 2 AUGSBURG NOW President Paul Pribbenow named FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow was named an Outstanding Fundraising Professional for his effective, creative, and inspiring leadership. The highest honor bestowed upon one of its members, the award was presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the International Fundraising Conference in San Antonio this spring. “The impact of Paul Pribbenow on the organizations he has served is only exceeded by the impact he has had on the entire fundraising profession,” said AFP President and CEO Mike Geiger. “It is fair to say that fundraising—and how we look at ethics and philanthropy—would look differently without the contributions of Paul. His work will serve as one of the cornerstones of the profession for years to come.” QUIZ: OLDER OR YOUNGER THAN AUGSBURG? VARSITY WOMEN’S WRESTLING TEAM Augsburg announced earlier this year the addition of a varsity women’s wrestling team. This new team continues the pioneering tradition in women’s athletics at Augsburg, which now has the only varsity women’s wrestling team in Minnesota. In 1995, Augsburg became the first college in the Midwest to sponsor a varsity women’s ice hockey team. Then, in 2014, Augsburg became the first collegiate institution in Minnesota to sponsor a varsity women’s lacrosse team. The women’s wrestling team is competing this academic year under head coach Max Mejia, who most recently served as women’s and developmental coach at the Sunkist Kids Regional Training Center in Tempe, Arizona. Mejia, a 2015 graduate of Harvard University, has helped coach a World Team Trials champion and another finalist; two senior national team members; a U.S. Open champion, finalist, and placewinner; and four Arizona high school state champions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The first recorded baseball game occurs. Abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman are born. Leaders sign Norway’s constitution. Abraham Lincoln serves as president of the United States. Victor Hugo publishes the novel “Les Misérables.” Pharmacist John Pemberton invents Coca-Cola. The first automobile with an internal combustion engine is invented. Answers: 1. Older; 1846. 2. Older; 1818 and 1822. 3. Older; 1814. 4. Older; 1861–65. 5. Older; 1862. 6. Younger; 1886. 7. Older; 1807. MINNESOTA’S ONLY In honor of Augsburg’s founding in 1869, the university is celebrating the past and the present with sesquicentennial events all year long. Think you know history? Test your knowledge: Identify whether each of the events below is older or younger than Augsburg. German scholars and artists join RIVER SEMESTER PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Augsburg University’s third River Semester launched in August as part of a prestigious German initiative to explore the Mississippi River. “Mississippi. An Anthropocene River” is a German research project involving many communities and initiatives along the river with a focus on climate change. Joining Augsburg students are German travelers, including artists, authors, journalists, and scholars from the Max Planck Institute and the Goethe Institute. This year’s River Semester voyagers departed from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and, for 100 days, are paddling portions of the Mississippi River to reach New Orleans. The students will earn 16 to 19 credits. FALL–WINTER 2019 3 AROUND THE QUAD NEW AUGSBURG BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS At its annual September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation elected four new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three members. Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Sylvia Bartley, senior global director, Medtronic Foundation • Ellen Ewald, co-owner and executive advisor at Tysvar LLC and mobileAxept in Minneapolis • John O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of Educause; former president of North Hennepin Community College in Minneapolis • John Schwartz ’67, retired hospital administrator at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago and former general manager of SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Schaumburg, Illinois Sylvia Bartley Upgraded training room boosts athletes’ efficiency Augsburg’s athletic training room has moved to a larger, substantially upgraded space in Si Melby Hall. In this new space, sports medicine support staff from on and off campus—including team physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and dietitians—can work collaboratively with athletic trainers to better serve Augsburg’s more than 500 student-athletes from 22 varsity sports. Philanthropic gifts paid for the upgrades, with student-athletes gaining the benefit of more efficient scheduling. “The ability to serve multiple teams at the same time in the larger space, with state-of-the-art equipment, will be the biggest advantage and benefit for the student-athlete,” said Missy Strauch, Augsburg’s head athletic trainer. Ellen Ewald Augsburg hosts inaugural HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM Elected to a third term: • Karen Durant ’81, retired vice president and controller of Tennant Company, Golden Valley, Minnesota • Matt Entenza, attorney in private practice in St. Paul, Minnesota, and former Minnesota state representative • Jeff Nodland ’77, retired president and chief executive officer of KIK Custom Products John O’Brien The Human Rights Forum at Augsburg University welcomed about 800 students, thought leaders, global changemakers, and activists this fall. In partnership with the Human Rights Foundation, which also produces the Oslo Freedom Forum, the two-day event at Augsburg brought together participants from a variety of institutions and locations around the world. The first day explored human rights issues in authoritarian regimes, and the second day focused on racial justice, indigenous rights, and environmental sustainability. John Schwartz ’67 See the full list of Board of Regents members at augsburg.edu/about/leadership. 4 AUGSBURG NOW 2019 Media Sponsor Learn more at augsburg.edu/humanrightsforum. OREN GATEWAY CENTER lobby renovation provides aesthetic convenience The Oren Gateway Center lobby and adjoining Nabo cafe were redesigned and renovated during the summer, creating more inviting campus meeting spaces. The Nabo security gate was relocated to allow access to the bookstore and seating area beyond the cafe’s hours of operation. Key pieces of kitchen equipment also were upgraded. This project was funded by A’viands, Augsburg’s food service provider, as part of its most recent dining contract with the university. Augsburg names inaugural Augsburg welcomes Sundquist Endowed Professor of Business Administration This fall, Augsburg named Business Department Chair Jeanne Boeh the Sundquist Endowed Professor of Business Administration. The Sundquist professorship supports business administration, Augsburg’s largest academic department with the most undergraduate students on campus. Boeh, a professor of economics, has been teaching at Augsburg since 1990 and often appears in media interviews and on business panels using her talent for bringing complex business concepts to life. “Jeanne Boeh will lead Augsburg’s efforts to attract top business faculty, thanks to this generous endowment,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “She is known as a faculty leader on campus and for her strong commitment to students as they prepare for careers in business.” This endowed professorship is named for alumnus Dean Sundquist ’81, an Augsburg Board of Regents member and chairman and CEO of Anoka, Minnesota-based Mate Precision Tooling. Sundquist and his wife, Amy, have made several major investments in Augsburg. The Forum on Workplace Inclusion has a new home at Augsburg University. Previously based at the University of St. Thomas, the forum is the nation’s largest workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion conference designed for national and global audiences. The forum has served as a convening hub for those seeking to grow professional leadership and effective skills in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging people, advancing ideas, and igniting change. “The Forum on Workplace Inclusion is excited to begin a new chapter at Augsburg University,” said Steve Humerickhouse, executive director of The Forum. “We look forward to the amazing things we can create with our new Auggie family.” FALL–WINTER 2019 5 ARCHIVE PHOTO From disease to remedy: How nostalgia offers a psychological boost A special vacation with family members you miss. That unforgettable meal at your favorite restaurant with your favorite person. The album you used to listen to nonstop during the ups and downs of high school. You’re happy you have those pleasant memories, but you’re also sad they’re over. You are experiencing nostalgia. Throwback TV shows, retro fashion, and reboots of toys, trinkets, and stories from decades ago have people wondering if American culture is at its peak in terms of nostalgia—and how long it can last. Bridget Robinson-Riegler is a professor of psychology at Augsburg University. Taking a moment between writing a cognitive psychology textbook, research, and teaching and learning with her students, she explores what psychology can tell us about nostalgia’s appeal. Q: A: What is nostalgia? How does it relate to memory? Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for one’s past. The emotion is deeply social and bittersweet but predominantly positive. Nostalgic memories are recollections of atypical life events (e.g., vacations) that involve close relationships (e.g., family, friends) or events from childhood. We view these experiences with rose-colored glasses so negative aspects are often not remembered. We miss those experiences and yearn to relive them. Q: A: Where did the idea of nostalgia originate? The word “nostalgia” is a compound of two Greek words that essentially mean a sad mood originating from a desire to return to one’s native land. The word was coined in the 17th century by a medical student who was helping Swiss mercenaries working in France. He observed symptoms of sadness, loss of appetite, insomnia, cardiac 6 AUGSBURG NOW palpitation—things we would diagnose as post-traumatic stress disorder today. Much of the early interest in nostalgia focused on how to stop these thoughts because it was considered a disease and the resulting symptoms prevented individuals from performing at their military best. Q: A: How does nostalgia affect people psychologically? Nostalgic remembering is most likely to occur in times of loneliness, negative moods, or feelings of meaninglessness. It is basically a coping mechanism to deal with distress. Rather than being the problem (the disease, as it was conceptualized when the term was first coined), it is the way we cope (more like the remedy or cure). Even if we may feel bad and disconnected in our current life, we can “relive” a time when we felt good and were not lonely. Reconstructing memories and projecting ourselves into the future are interdependent cognitive processes that share a system in the brain. So, when we think about a time when we were socially connected and at our “personal best,” these feelings stretch out into our future, and we become hopeful and consequently feel better. Q: A: How is nostalgia active in society today? Given the state of the world— climate change, ups and downs in the economy, racist acts, problematic government leadership—it is not surprising that nostalgic thinking is common. This type of societal distress can lead to personal nostalgia and to collective nostalgia in which people long for a time when they viewed the world as a better place, even if it wasn’t. So there is a resurgence of old TV shows, vinyl records, throwback uniforms for athletic teams, retro clothes, and other products. We seek comfort with familiar products from childhood or from a time when the world was viewed as “better” or “easier.” Visit augsburg.edu/now to read more about nostalgia. COURTESY PHOTOS 2019–20 CONVOCATION SERIES Augsburg University’s annual convocation series provides dedicated time during the academic year to hear from outstanding leaders and visionaries. In October, this year’s series kicked off with the Bernhard Munib Younan M. Christensen Symposium featuring Munib Younan, retired bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran World Federation, and Hamdy El-Sawaf, founder and psychotherapist at the Family Counseling Center and imam of Masjid Al-Iman in Hamdy El-Sawaf Minneapolis. Through their presentations, each shared personal experiences and religious perspectives Join us January 20, 2020 on hope, reconciliation, and resiliency for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All convocation events are free and open to in the midst of suffering and struggles the public. Visit augsburg.edu/convo. that often are intensified by religious convictions and differences. SAVE THE DATE: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES PROGRAM moves to new Minneapolis location The physician assistant studies graduate program moved into a renovated, leased space in the Riverside Park Plaza building. The building’s location, at 701 25th Avenue South in Minneapolis, puts it among the medical facilities of the University of Minnesota Medical Center and the Masonic Children’s Hospital and just a short walk from the Augsburg University campus. The program’s move in August came after four years at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. The new space, which features an increased footprint for classroom and clinical lab instruction, supports potential future departmental growth and allows the program faculty, students, and staff to engage with Minneapolis campus activities. “The curriculum was redesigned to be more case-based and hands-on, and this new space will allow for a more creative and innovative learning environment,” said Alicia Quella, the physician assistant studies program director and department chair. AROUND THE QUAD AWARDS AND HONORS Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg one of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest in 2019. This year, Augsburg is No. 13, which makes it the top Minnesota school on the list. Augsburg is also ranked ninth for undergraduate teaching, eighth in its support for veterans, top in the state and sixth overall for innovation, and fourth in promoting social mobility. Rankings are based on average first-year retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, and other information. Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review: The Princeton Review again named Augsburg one of the Best in the Midwest for academic excellence this year. 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges: College Consensus, a new college review aggregator, recognized Augsburg in its survey of 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges of 2019. College Consensus works to bring attention to schools that other ranking publishers overlook. Top Schools for Indigenous Americans: In 2019, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Winds of Change magazine selected Augsburg as one of the Top 200 Schools for Indigenous American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Top Military Friendly School: Augsburg was again named a Military Friendly® School, a list compiled through extensive research and a free, data-driven survey of more than 10,000 Veterans Administration-approved schools nationwide. FALL–WINTER 2019 7 2018–19 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS You are a part of a large community of Augsburg donors. We are so grateful for the generosity of this community of people who support our mission. AUGSBURG BY THE NUMBERS ACADEMICS STUDENTS 16.2 average class size 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio 50+ undergraduate majors 10 graduate degrees 2,005 traditional undergraduate students 76% of traditional undergraduate first-year students live on campus Data from 2018–19 academic year 27% of Augsburg undergraduates are first-generation college students 47% of traditional undergraduates are students of color 38 U.S. states represented by the undergraduate student body 44 countries represented by the undergraduate student body 97% of traditional undergraduates receive some form of financial aid AUGSBURG DONORS ENSURE OPPORTUNITIES Parents: Hazen and Kathy Graves • Hazen: Retired partner at Faegre Baker Daniels law firm • Kathy: Principal for communications and planning firm Parenteau Graves • Priority: Support higher education institutions that serve students with physical disabilities When Hazen and Kathy Graves toured Augsburg with their son, Sam Graves ’16, they found that it offered the unique assistance Sam needed as a young man with cerebral palsy who uses a power wheelchair. “As we learned more about the support Augsburg offers to students with various kinds of challenges, we came to understand that Augsburg had been doing this for a long time,” said Hazen. Sam graduated with a degree in psychology. The idea of supporting Augsburg financially occurred to both Hazen and Kathy independently, and they decided to donate $50,000 to endow a scholarship. “Access to higher education is a big issue,” Hazen said, “and we’re just doing our little part.” Find more donor stories at augsburg.edu/giving. AVERAGE GIFT SIZE $2,565 NUMBER OF DONORS LAST YEAR 9,966 Alumni: Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 • Brian: PhD in physics at the University of Minnesota, taught at Augsburg, joined Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory • Leeann: MD from the University of Minnesota, pathologist at Frederick Memorial Hospital • Priority: Expand students’ academic opportunities and multidisciplinary efforts Husband and wife Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 are donating $50,000 to endow the Raymond E. and Margaret J. Anderson Scholarship in honor of Brian’s parents’ legacy, as well as in honor of Brian’s brother, Augsburg Physics Professor Emeritus Stuart Anderson ’78. Brian’s father, the late Raymond E. Anderson, joined Augsburg in 1949 as a speech and communications professor. Brian’s mother, the late Margaret J. Anderson, came to Augsburg in 1967 and became library director. Endowing a scholarship is “a formal way of maintaining our relationship with Augsburg while ensuring more opportunities for students in the future,” Brian said. • Retired clinical psychologist who studied at the State University of New York—Buffalo and Michigan State University • Priority: Equitable representation of women in education and leadership, including in faculty roles, administration, and political offices Linda Giacomo was the first in her family to attend college. She empathizes with immigrant struggles, recalling impoverished grandparents who left southern Italy to become naturalized U.S. citizens and parents who could not afford their children’s college tuition despite holding four jobs combined. “Education is transformative in a way that gives you so much power and choice. People should not be denied that opportunity because they have no money,” she said. Noting that women earn 26% less than men but carry two-thirds of the nation’s college debt, Giacomo designated a $30,000 outright gift to the Augsburg Women Engaged Scholarship as well as a generous estate gift. “To not be generous, to not share what you have with those in need, is heartbreaking,” she said. “In making these gifts to Augsburg, my heart is full.” ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $48.1 May 31, 2019—$49,644,712 $40.5 $38.3 $32.4 $31.5 $28.2 $49.6 $43.9 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $29.8 $24.5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 REVENUE BY SOURCE EXPENSES BY SOURCE 39% Salaries and benefits 34% Financial aid 19% Operating expenses 3% Utilities and insurance 2% Debt services 2% Student compensation 1% Capital improvement Friend: Linda Giacomo WHERE GIFTS ARE FROM 72.57% Individuals 14.70% Corporations 12.73% Foundations 79% Tuition 8% Room and board 6% Gifts and private grants 3% Government grants 2% Endowment income 2% Other GALA AT A GLANCE • 1,000 Auggies attended the gala. • Thanks to our generous guests, we raised a total of $1.4 million in support of Augsburg’s mission. • Paul Mueller ’84 and Nancy (Mackey) Mueller ’85 issued a challenge and pledged to match every gift at the $1,000 level dollar for dollar up to $100,000. 1 A SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER 2 SESQUICENTENNIAL GALA It wouldn’t be right to mark 150 years of Augsburg with a small affair—so we threw a huge, once-in-a-lifetime party. On Friday, September 27, Auggies of all kinds dressed up and headed to Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel—The Depot in downtown Minneapolis for the Sesquicentennial Gala, a night of dinner, dancing, revisiting the university’s history, and rallying support to propel Augsburg into the next 150 years. 10 AUGSBURG NOW 3 1) Gala attendees pose for a photo. 2) Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a guest speaker for the evening, takes a selfie with Augsburg Day Student Government leaders Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20 and Lucia Davila ’20. 3) Provost Karen Kaivola and students dance to live music. PHOTO BY LAUREN FALK HOMECOMING 2019 Auggies continued the celebration Saturday, September 28, with a full day of Homecoming festivities, including Taste of Augsburg, a chapel service, the football game, and the Augsburg Music Department Collage Concert. The classes of 1969, 1979, and 2009 celebrated milestone reunions. Donte Collins ’18 embraces English Professor Doug Green. “Auggie, you are called into the world. Into your wonder. Your why. To wrestle with reason. To spot the problem. And propose new parts. To walk toward your fears. To find the heart. We are Called. We are Auggies.” —from “We Are Auggies,” a spoken-word piece written and performed by Donte Collins ’18 PHOTO BY BOB STACKE '71 Campaign Chair Paul Mueller ’84 joins President Paul Pribbenow on stage. “Augsburg is astonishing. Which is really to say that the people of Augsburg are astonishing—Brilliant. Committed. Resilient. You might try to hide it or downplay it, but it is undeniably, unequivocally, tangibly bursting forth from everything you do. It has been nearly 15 years since I first stepped on campus. And, today, the world is noticing Augsburg, what it is, and does, and stands for. Not just in the Twin Cities, but nationally and internationally.” —from President Paul Pribbenow’s gala remarks FALL–WINTER 2019 11 BUILDING ON AN EARLY LEAD BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Athletics secures NCAA grant to fund first-of-its-kind position supporting culture of inclusion Hop, step, and jump. Hop, step, and jump. Training for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Chris Dixon could think of little else than the triple jump cadence. Hop, step, and jump. Hop, step, and jump. Then at practice, hop, step, and crack—followed by intense pain, doctors, and confirmation that his Olympic dreams shattered along with his ankle. Dixon spent the next few years figuring out who he was off the field—the place where athletic ability and subsequent praise had become closely linked to his sense of identity. It was a journey as difficult—if not more so—than his climb to peak performance. During that dark, confusing time, he promised himself: If I’m ever in a position to help others transition to life after sports, I will. Since July, Dixon has served as Augsburg University’s director of athletic diversity and inclusion and assistant coach for the men’s and women’s track and field teams. He is eager to return to the field as a coach, and he has a game plan to use the new role to promote a culture of inclusion. This job is personal, Dixon said. “I was one of only a few African American kids in elementary school. People would ask to touch my hair, and I felt different until fifth grade, when I performed in front of my peers and teachers at a district track meet,” he said. “For the first time, I felt accepted and embraced, and from then on, my identity was as an athlete. I loved it, don’t get me wrong, but it was difficult to adjust once I left the arena.” Dixon never had an African American teacher or coach other than a friend’s dad who, after selling insurance all day, volunteered for Dixon’s high school track and field team. “I had amazing coaches and teachers, but I never saw myself in those roles,” he said. These and other life experiences inform his outlook on this new role and emphasize the importance of his presence at Augsburg, where he also teaches Introduction to Kinesiology. “I am meeting student-athletes and talking with them about the challenges they face. I am working to be a presence on campus— to break down stereotypes for some and to be a role model for others,” he said. “Alongside student-athletes and our athletics administration, I want to create or enhance academic resources, life-skills development, and networking opportunities.” Personal connections and consistent, centralized support are critical to the success of underrepresented studentathletes, Dixon said. “Augsburg is already ahead of the game. The student body is diverse, and there are many resources across campus that support inclusion. I plan to work with and build on what’s already there.” A plan—starting with breakfast Student-athletes attend a networking event hosted by Chris Dixon. 12 AUGSBURG NOW As the sun rose on the second Thursday in October, Dixon greeted several tables of student-athletes seated in The Commons in Christensen Center. The young men of color connected with each other over breakfast before hearing advice from Jareck Horton, district sales manager at PDC IDenticard, and Augsburg Football Assistant Coach Keanon Cooper. Dixon plans to invite successful men of color from a range of professions to these monthly networking socials, and he will hold similar events with other groups. Alicia Schuelke ’20 MAE, graduate assistant coach for track and field, said she and other students are thrilled with Dixon’s enthusiasm and vision for the role. “In a world where, many times, the odds are stacked against us, leaders of color provide hope and strength,” said Schuelke, a student in the Master of Arts in Education program. “I came to Augsburg for the MAE program, but I was pleasantly surprised to find how diverse the campus is, and it is my absolute favorite part of my learning experience. “If we can move the needle toward a more diverse group of leaders that better represent our country’s demographics, then students of color will begin to understand that the sky’s the limit in terms of their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations.” athletics r u o d n a s nt-athlete e d u t enhance s r e o id e s t g a n e r lo c “A ment, p , I want to n lo e io t v a e r d t is ills admin es, life-sk c r u o s e r academic unities.” t r o p p o g rkin INCLUSION and netwo RSITY AND —CHRIS ECTOR DIXON, DIR E IC DIV OF ATHLET FALL–WINTER 2019 13 AUGGIES Position the result of NCAA diversity grant Dixon’s position is largely made possible through a two-year NCAA Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant, which provides financial assistance to member institutions who create full-time, entry-level administrative positions for people who identify as an ethnic minority and/or a woman, according to federal guidelines. The grant also supports professional development and formalized mentoring. Augsburg was one of only 20 institutions and conference offices selected to receive the grant this cycle, and it is the third award for Augsburg in the past decade. The university first secured the Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant during the 2012 to 2014 cycle to fund Jennifer Jacobs’ role as assistant director of NCAA compliance and assistant volleyball coach. In 2014, Augsburg received the NCAA’s Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, which funds fulltime, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions during a fiveyear commitment. Jacobs’ role then evolved into assistant athletic director of external relations and diversity and inclusion, in addition to her role as assistant volleyball coach. She is now head volleyball coach at Augustana University. Augsburg’s Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks said the department is driven to advance diversity and inclusion. “Embracing and connecting students of all backgrounds and experiences is the right thing to do, but it is also smart,” she said. “More diverse teams are often stronger teams. They produce student-athletes who are better prepared to excel in play and in life.” Anderson Diercks is a product of the NCAA’s diversity grants, first as an intern for the Minnesota Intercollegiate 14 AUGSBURG NOW Athletic Conference and then as an assistant director. The experience, Anderson Diercks said, transformed how she operates as a leader in a maledominated profession. More than a decade has passed, but she remains in contact with the mentor assigned to her during the internship. “These are critical opportunities for women and minorities to enter into leadership positions with tremendous personal and professional resources designed to equip them with the tools and outlook to navigate difficult roles,” said Anderson Diercks, who formerly served as chair of the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship selection committee. “We are particularly excited about Coach Dixon’s position because, to our knowledge, it is the only role of its kind.” Augsburg is ‘ahead of the game’ Ali Spungen, associate director of Division III for the NCAA, said that about 130 positions have been awarded through diversity grants during the past five years—that’s more than $36 million in funds for positions and professional development. Augsburg, Spungen said, stands out as a leader in the division, which is well positioned to meet the needs of diverse populations. “Division III allows student-athletes to play the sports they love within departments also focused on their academics and social engagement,” said Spungen, also a past grant recipient. “These positions empower leaders like Coach Dixon to thrive, which inspires and encourages students. Augsburg clearly cares for its student-athletes and is willing to dedicate time and resources to ensure they are successful and well-rounded.” Dixon is ready and grateful to come full-circle—to be the coach and teacher he never had and to prepare others for the transitions he never saw coming. ARCHIVE PHOTOS IN MEMORIAM Merton Strommen ’42 and Gladys Strommen ’46 Merton Strommen ’42 and Gladys Strommen ’46 were a part of a family legacy at Augsburg that has spanned generations. The Strommens have widely shared their gifts and talents with the university, and their impact on the Augsburg community will be felt for many years to come. Mert Strommen died September 2. Youth ministry was the core of his life’s work—as campus pastor at Augsburg and founder of Search Institute, which has an international impact on youth work through research. Mert and his wife, Irene (Huglen) ’44, started the Youth and Family Institute at Augsburg and also created the David Strommen Endowed Fund for youth ministry. Mert also served on Augsburg’s Board of Regents, founded and directed the Augsburg Centennial Singers, and was awarded Fellow status by the American Psychological Association for his pioneering research in psychology and religion. Gladys Boxrud Strommen passed away May 26. Gladys and husband, Clair ’46, who passed away in 2001, have served and supported Augsburg in many significant ways over their lives and created a lasting legacy through their work and dedication. Gladys was a supportive partner to Clair in developing his career in business and leadership with Strommen & Associates and Lutheran Brotherhood, now known as Thrivent Financial. Gladys served on the Board of Regents, co-founded the Augsburg Associates, and hosted many alumni gatherings in her homes in Minnesota and Florida. Through a generous gift, the family established the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work in 2014 in recognition of their personal commitment to create meaning and purpose in work and life. “Clair and Gladys Strommen are forever woven into the fabric of Augsburg through their commitment to lives filled with purpose and meaning,” said Lee George, executive director of the Strommen Center. “Through the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, Clair and Gladys’ legacy is realized in students who commit themselves to exploring their values, passions, and skills and understanding how they can be put to use in the world.” The Strommens also commissioned a sculpture in front of Christensen Center and have two endowed funds: a scholarship fund and a program fund for the Strommen Center. As President Paul Pribbenow said in his campus announcement of Gladys’ passing, “Her loss is a big one, but her legacy will continue to be felt by generations of Auggies to come.” FALL–WINTER 2019 15 Face Value BY LISA RENZE-RHODES Dakota and Ojibwe. Norwegian and Irish. Art installations celebrate individuals, expound on Augsburg’s history, and expand the boundaries of community. Somali and Ethiopian. On and around the land that today houses Augsburg University’s Minneapolis campus, they celebrated births and mourned deaths. They spoke languages of love and laughter, stress and sorrow. They built families, businesses, and dreams. They were here and many are gone, at once everywhere and nowhere because in the blistering pace and abundant distractions of the human ecosystem we all inhabit, it’s natural that we forget who came before us. But what if—even for a moment—we turned our attention to who we were and who we are right now? To who worships next to us, or walks by us in the grocery, or shares an apartment wall? “On This Spot” and “Each, Together” bring into focus the history of the campus and the surrounding neighborhood, and the people who are the Augsburg of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What would we discover if we intentionally took notice of who we are and where we’ve come from? This idea is at the core of new art and historical exhibits that cover collectively four city blocks on 12 of Augsburg’s building facades and 37 window panes around campus. As part of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration, artists and designers at the university wanted to give the community a chance to reflect on their history and their people. So the works, dubbed respectively “On This Spot” and “Each, Together,” bring into focus the history of the campus and the surrounding neighborhood, and the people who are the Augsburg of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. FALL–WINTER 2019 17 ‘Humans at the center’ Photographers capture portraits at Augsburg events to use in “Each, Together.” “Each, Together,” the larger of the two projects, is a Group Action of the international “Inside Out: The People’s Art Project” initiative that launched in 2011 after a French street artist, known only as JR, won that year’s TED Prize. First awarded in 2005, the TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Prize has become synonymous with visionary thinking meant to spark change throughout the world. Winners of the award—including educators, artists, chefs, journalists, and even former President Bill Clinton—have used the $1 million prize to fuel specific community projects, like healthy food initiatives and educational innovations. The winning projects all have one thing in common: They are designed to make people engage in their communities. In the case of artist JR’s project, his vision was to create works that “shine a light on the unsung and give everyone the dignity they deserve.” And he hoped that beyond his capacity as one artist, people around the world would join in the celebration of others. To date, more than 260,000 people in 129 countries have participated in different versions of the project featuring faces displayed on billboards, buildings, sidewalks, and in digital collections. Augsburg is one of the latest communities to answer the call. “We saw that invitation, that there was a related, common ethos to what we have here at Augsburg, and that the project was similar to public works we’ve done here,” said Christopher Houltberg, Augsburg associate professor of art and design. “It’s really about putting humans at the center.” SOCIAL MEDIA Spotlight My former college roommate had eagle eyes today and found me! Responses edited for length and clarity. —ERICA HULS ’01 Hey, look who I found! #AugsburgFamous —SETH RUETER Look ma I made it!!!!! @AugsburgU wahooo!!!! #sesquicentennial —APRIL JOHNSON ’18 18 AUGSBURG NOW So a team that included a curator, nine photographers, and three designers—Houltberg, Maggie Royce ’15, and Indra Ramassamy ’18—worked for several months between Fall 2018 and Summer 2019. The photographers attended between 15 and 20 campus events, all working to capture as many faces as possible to best tell the Augsburg story. “The way we went about it was really organic,” Houltberg said. “We started going to events around campus in Fall 2018 and then in the springtime, trying to get to as many different ones as possible. There’s a really big holiday event called Advent Vespers, and a lot of alumni come to that.” All told, the group took more than 900 photos and gathered about 300 additional images of historic Auggies. “It’s very democratic; everyone is given the same amount of space,” Houltberg said. “From our president, Paul Pribbenow, to people who work on our janitorial staff, to our students, to our former mayor, R.T. Rybak. “As we were defining the parameters [of the ‘Each, Together’ project] it was a fun surprise for us to see who self-identified as part of Augsburg.” Bigger dose of Augsburg R.T. Rybak, current president of the Minneapolis Foundation, was the mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2014. He said it would be impossible to think of the growth and development of the city without considering the role Augsburg has played in that history. “I’ve conservatively said 1,000 times in public speeches that the neighborhood where Augsburg is, is our Ellis Island. One wave after the other washes in and the next wave builds on top, and it’s something that no one wave could have created in isolation,” Rybak said. That’s most certainly the story of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood that surrounds Augsburg and the story of Minneapolis as a whole. “... I often think we just need a bigger dose of Augsburg. We need to realize that offering that ladder of opportunity to someone else makes all of us able to climb higher. We are better together.” —R.T. Rybak, former Minneapolis mayor “Augsburg is a shining example of the very best parts of Minneapolis’ history. The university represents opening doors to people with strange names like Johnson or Anderson or Rybak, and keeping those doors open for people with names that come from Africa, Asia, and places across the globe. “When I get down about what’s fracturing our deeply divided country and world today, I often think we just need a bigger dose of Augsburg. We need to realize that offering that ladder of opportunity to someone else makes all of us able to climb higher. We are better together.” Houltberg said the “together” ideal is at the heart of the exhibit. “As individuals we are showing up, and collectively we can do something greater than what we can do on our own,” he said. “I loved seeing the portraits blocked together, seeing people stop and take selfies. There are people who say, ‘I recognize who that is!’” Forward facing, historic reflections Kristin Anderson, a co-creator of these projects as well as a professor of art history and Augsburg archivist, said she’s only heard good things about the exhibit. “I have seen emails and tweets—sometimes emotional—with people responding to the wall as a whole, as well as to their individual images,” Anderson said. The community is responding to the historical revisit that “On This Spot” installations provide, too, she said. That exhibit features enormous panels that share Augsburg moments that photographers captured decades ago. The campus life of yesteryear includes images of young bobby soxer women from the 1940s in saddle shoes and flowing skirts in contrast with men wearing formal suits while tramping across a snowcovered campus. I’m so proud to be part of the @insideoutproject at @augsburguniversity in honor of the Sesquicentennial! —NIK LINDE ’15 FALL–WINTER 2019 19 “It has been a fun way to bring some old photographs to life and to show how the campus is layered on the site. Those ‘lost’ buildings displayed on the walls of the current buildings help to connect us to our past, reminding us of the imagination and commitment of our predecessors,” Anderson said. The two exhibits are being admired by community members who see the campus regularly and by those who keep up with Augsburg from a distance. Killa (Martinez Aleman) Marti ’08 came to Augsburg from her home in Honduras. Marti said she brought her own values with her when she enrolled, “but Augsburg put them to work. The Auggie community showed me that I wasn’t crazy to want a career with meaning.” “Those ‘lost’ buildings displayed on the walls of the current buildings help to connect us to our past, reminding us of the imagination and commitment of our predecessors.” —Kristin Anderson, university archivist For Marti, “Each, Together” perfectly sums up her experience at Augsburg. “My career is an intersection of what I love to do with the opportunity to serve,” said Marti, an attorney in Atlanta. “To think critically, to be socially and community-minded—all of the things I exercise in my life were supported and further developed at Augsburg.” Houltberg said it’s difficult not to consider the greater impact that art, especially a work like “Each, Together,” has. “Having a group of artists, designers, and photographers come together to make something this beautiful and to see it up and fully functioning is pretty great,” he said. “It has created a tangible thread between all of us, which transcends 150 years and all our history,” said Ramassamy, who worked with the team to design “Each, Together.” “We live in a visual world yet we can be unaware of each other,” she said. “This project is making us aware of one another, making us pay attention, making us curious about the person in the portrait above or to the left or right of us.” “I love watching people who are walking down the streets looking at the portraits,” Houltberg said. “There’s an element of surprise to it that’s really fantastic. Sometimes the tendency is to put people in big groups. But if you look at these portraits, look at the eyes, and look at the humans who are represented here, you see just how wide a spectrum of humans we are. Anytime we can show the humans and not the institution, we win.” “On This Spot” installations show how Augsburg’s landscape, architecture, and people have changed in the past 150 years. 20 AUGSBURG NOW BY THE NUMBERS Each, Together A crew works to install a portion of the 1,246 portraits that make up “Each, Together.” 302 HISTORICAL 143 STAFF 1,246 PORTRAITS 517 STUDENTS 103 ALUMNI 92 FACULTY 29 COMMUNITY MEMBERS installations 37 photographers 60 INCOMING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS 3,475 1 2 building facade SQUARE FEET curator window panes 9 3 10 building facades 3 designers 12,710 SQUARE FEET 1 curator BY THE NUMBERS On This Spot designers Members of the university’s faculty and staff launched a number of special projects, including “Each, Together” and “On This Spot,” to commemorate Augsburg’s anniversary year. See other sesquicentennial projects at augsburg.edu/150. Catch a glimpse of the Augsburg of yesteryear, thanks to “On This Spot” displays on window panes around campus. FALL–WINTER 2019 21 Mary Taris ’04 is a graduate of Augsburg’s Adult Undergraduate program, which was ranked ninth in Best Colleges’ 50 Top Colleges for Older Students. g n i c n Bala s k o o b the LIOTT BY KATE H. EL Augsburg alumna starts a publishing company, creates the diverse book list she wished she had Y oung Mary Taris ’04 was so thankful to be a girl. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority required children of different genders to have separate bedrooms, so while her brothers had to share a room, Taris had her own. Through reading, her bedroom walls grew into a mythical grove where she’d encounter a prince or sit for tea with Frog and Toad. “I escaped into books. Or maybe,” she said, “I disappeared in them.” Books gave her the life she longed for, but those beloved tales were someone else’s story. She was 20 before she read a book with black characters. Now 55, the retired teacher is driven to change that narrative. Last August, at the historic James J. Hill Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, Taris stood in front of family and friends to voice her dream, Strive Publishing, into existence. The startup—based out of her Twin Cities home—supports emerging authors of picture books and young adult novels that are culturally relevant, contemporary, and relatable to kids of all shades, abilities, and experiences. “Everyone has a story, and those stories build bridges to connect us all,” said Taris, a graduate of Augsburg University’s Adult Undergraduate program, a flexible degree program that pairs on-campus FALL–WINTER 2019 23 classes with online coursework in a dozen undergraduate majors. “Too often, authors conform to narrow industry standards driven by profit, but I refuse.” At Strive, Taris and her team work to create pathways for writers and artists from all backgrounds to write about their own experiences and a wider array of identities. Publishing stories that represent and connect Strive Publishing has released three titles by local African American authors, and several more books are in the works with upcoming launch dates. Taris’ efforts have been featured nationally and celebrated locally, with invitations to conduct workshops at schools, partner with established publishing companies, and co-sponsor the inaugural African American Voices in Children’s Literature Contest in partnership with Free Spirit Publishing. “Strive is more than a company; it’s a mindset,” she said. “I was a runaway teen mom who finished high school while striving to raise a son and work for a better life.” That determination led her to enroll in Augsburg’s elementary education program. Juggling work and family, it took Taris eight years to graduate, but she walked across the commencement stage and into the classroom where she taught a range of grades and subjects (mostly English) for 15 years. “I became the first person in my family to earn a college degree,” she said. “It had been my dream since childhood.” Augsburg left a mark on Taris, as classes exposed her to inequities in education and literature. Taris reframed those inequities as opportunities. Now, years later, Barbara West, director of student teacher placement at Augsburg, recalled Taris’ embrace of story-filled, relevant learning. While student-teaching, Taris invited a Japanese friend to talk with students who were reading a novel about a Japanese girl during World War II. On her lunch hour, Taris met with eighth-graders to advise on a student-produced newsletter. She sought to incorporate diverse voices and stories into the curriculum. “Augsburg taught me to consider the whole child and to understand the classroom as a life-giving space where you can listen and let people tell their stories,” she said. “As a teacher, I struggled to find diverse texts.” Taris also struggled when administrators brought speakers and books that reinforced cultural stereotypes and limited experiences rather than providing real cultural and ethnic diversity. “I wish they would have, instead, given kids diverse books or brought in local authors who looked like the students.” Celebrating voices that defy stereotypes Taris launched Strive in 2016 while teaching full time, but three years later, she took early retirement to dedicate herself fully to the publishing company. Taris remains an educator, though, as a mentor to young authors and as an advocate for change. She challenges communities, schools, and publishing houses to invite new titles that can find their way onto more readers’ nightstands. Ricardo Peters is among Strive’s “founding authors,” as Taris calls them, and he says he is indebted to “Miss Mary” for her guidance and encouragement. Peters’ book— the first in a fantasy series— sold out within months. The 35-year-old stands out, Taris said, because he is a black man who loves and lives the arts like few others. “Plenty of black men are deeply connected to their artistic side, but society doesn’t celebrate that expression,” Taris added. “Our sons are not all basketball and hip hop. Ricardo defies that stereotype, and his work will lead others to do the same.” Peters had been dreaming up stories since he filled stapledtogether notebook paper with “Transformers” stickers. Publishing a book remained his dream, but it wouldn’t have happened without Taris. “I had been working on this series for nine years and likely would have sat on it forever,” said Peters, who works as a reading instructor at Kumon Math and Reading Center of Maple Grove. “But Mary presented me with this opportunity, she believed in me, and I am eternally grateful.” Strive Publishing’s Book List “Under a Cloven Sky” and “A Wild Nature Embraced” by Ricardo Peters Books one and two in the young adult fantasy series, “The Scorched Heavens,” in which the fate of two nations rests on the city’s young princess and her protector. “Red’s Adventures: The Egg Pie” by Donna Gingery The hilarious first book in a picture book series for children, this story follows the precocious Red, who grows up in Alabama under the watchful eye of her grandmother. “Story to Story: A Strive Short “Isaiah’s Sunglasses” Story Series,” Volume 1 by Linda Miller This collaborative book A short, rhythmic story for project aims to celebrate and children about family, hope, empower emerging authors acceptance, and learning about different types of people. and illustrators. “Who Can I Be?” by Arielle Grant Created by Strive’s founding illustrator, this is a story of a girl who sees her potential through the example of women in her community. Representation in literature on the rise but has ‘a long way to go’ Mary Taris ’04 with two of her children, Jermaine Taris and LaToya Taris-James, who both work with Strive Publishing. Making stories more accessible runs in the family This sentiment is shared among the authors who work with Taris. Her children are equally inspired by her, so much so that they joined the Strive team. Her oldest son, Jermaine Taris, is a book illustrator. Her 16-year-old daughter, Grace Taris-Allen, serves as “quality control,” happily reading manuscripts; and her eldest daughter, LaToya Taris-James, assists with marketing and social media. “My mom makes things happen,” said Taris-James, a student leadership program coordinator for Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. “She is resourceful and passionate, with a unique way of connecting with and inspiring others. “When I was 12, she introduced me to ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe. It was the first piece of African literature I had read on my own, and it shaped my view of black people across the African diaspora and helped connect me with my heritage.” Through Strive, her mother is making those connections on a broader scale, said Taris-James, who hasn’t fallen far from the tree. Along with a friend, Taris-James created a social impact initiative known as Rooftop (or RFTP) that uses storytelling to engage communities in dialogue around difficult, often polarizing, issues. Mother and daughter are both driven to make stories of all kinds more accessible and communal. “I felt called to create Strive, and to be honest, it’s been difficult to wear so many hats and break through,” Taris said. “Where I have come to see the greatest need is for a safe space for all people to tell their stories, whether they get published or not. I’m working with PopUp Think Tank to gather ideas for how Strive can make the greatest impact, and it’s feeling more like a social enterprise than trying to operate as a traditional publishing house. Whatever Strive looks like in a year— or five years—I know it will be moving the dial.” The Cooperative Children’s Book Center researched and compiled statistics about the number of children’s books and young adult literature published by and about people of color, American Indians, and those of First Nations. “Every year, we see amazing books by and about people of color and first/native nations. There just aren’t enough of them,” CCBC Director Kathleen Horning reflected in the ongoing study’s abstract. “The more books there are, especially books created by authors and illustrators of color, the more opportunities librarians, teachers, parents, and other adults have of finding outstanding books for young readers and listeners that reflect dimensions of their lives and give a broader understanding of who we are as a nation.” 1985 2,500 Children’s books published in the United States 0.72% Children’s books written or illustrated by black people 2018 3,312 Children’s books published in the United States 17.8% By or about Asian Pacific people 17.5% By or about black people 12.8% By or about Latinx people 1.6% By or about American Indians/First Nations FALL–WINTER 2019 25 AUGGIES CONNECT ARCHIVE PHOTO Create inclusive and engaging experiences for fellow Auggies The Alumni Board is the governing body of the Augsburg Alumni Association. The board exists to guide the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations in serving the valued alumni, parents, and friends who make up the Auggie community. All alumni are welcome and encouraged to join the Alumni Board. See the job description and apply at augsburg.edu/alumni under “Leadership Boards,” or contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at codek@augsburg.edu. New video available: MARTIN SABO ’59 Video of an interview with late Congressman Martin Sabo, whose rise to politics was supported by Augsburg University students, will be available later this year at the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship website, augsburg.edu/sabo, thanks to an Augsburg Sesquicentennial Project award that paid for an updated video description and closed captioning. One year after graduating from Augsburg, Sabo —then 22— was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his tenure, he became the first member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to serve as Speaker of the House, and he went on to the U.S. House of Representatives, retiring in 2007. Sabo died in 2016. COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO Serve on Augsburg’s Alumni Board Augsburg’s first ALL-SCHOOL REUNION Mark your calendar for the All-School Reunion during Homecoming: September 26, 2020. More than 150 enthusiastic Sesquicentennial Stewards have committed to help plan Augsburg’s inaugural All-School Reunion. Volunteers are the heart of this sesquicentennial year of events, and this work is not only more fun but is strengthened by their participation and input. Volunteers assist with the All-School Reunion’s schedule, entertainment, venues, and marketing. Visit augsburg.edu/150. 26 AUGSBURG NOW YOU CHIMED IN: SESQUICENTENNIAL FAVORITE FACULTY IN FOCUS HERITAGE TRIPS Augsburg Now staff asked the university’s Facebook followers for their most memorable professors. Here are a few of their responses, edited for length and clarity. NORWAY ARTS AND CULTURE May 8–18, 2020 $4,800 “Mary Lowe—I had a lot of memorable professors, most of them dear to me, but she and I worked so closely together in my last years of my degree that I cannot think of Augsburg without thinking of her. She is a wonderful, insightful, funny mentor who held me accountable and helped me reach heights I wouldn’t have dreamed of initially.” —TIMOTHY PAUL BISHOP JR. ’18 GERMANY July 15–26, 2020 $5,300 “Merilee Klemp ’75—So many lessons learned from her, both music and life. It’s impossible to forget those in your life who have taught, pushed, encouraged, and mentored as well as she does. She’s an incredible human being with such a kind, wonderful soul. Thank you for everything!” —JENNIFER SCHMITT ’04 Hosted by Religion Department faculty Lori Brandt Hale and Hans Wiersma Oberammergau, Germany COURTESY PHOTOS “Oh, do I have to choose? Matthew Maruggi in the Religion Department—he completely changed how I looked at religion, opened my mind to new perspectives, and taught me the meaning of ‘vocation.’” —GINA MARIE GAINOUS ’15 CAMPUS TOUR Hosted by Theater Professor Darcey Engen ’88 and Luverne Seifert ’85 National Theater, Norway “Kristin Anderson—I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without her! She taught me how to think critically about the built environment, ask the hard questions, and think about all of my research from the standpoint of race, class, and gender. She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever known.” —KACIE LUCCHINI BUTCHER ’13 Take a limited-edition In honor of Augsburg’s 150th anniversary, three trips hosted by expert faculty guides will celebrate the university’s heritage in Germany and Norway. NIDAROS PILGRIMAGE August 4–13, 2020 $3,300 Hosted by Vice President for Mission and Identity Sonja Hagander Nidaros Cathedral, Norway Learn more at augsburg.edu/alumni/travel or contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at codek@augsburg.edu. Two walking tours are available on campus this year: “Augsburg Nooks and Crannies” and “Augsburg Campus: Past and Present.” Led by Kristin Anderson, university archivist, each tour lasts one hour and is limited to 20 people. The tours move through indoor and outdoor spaces to learn about the evolution of the campus from 1872 to the present. The Nooks and Crannies tour includes a visit to the old chapel and gymnasium in Old Main, the Old Main attic, an Art Deco filling station, and other little-known spots of interest. Augsburg Campus: Past and Present Augsburg Nooks and Crannies • • • • • • Wednesday, April 8 Wednesday, April 22 Tuesday, May 5 Wednesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 29 Wednesday, May 6 Save your spot on a tour. RSVP required: eventrsvp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104. FALL–WINTER 2019 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1961 Jim Holden ’61 wrote a new book called “Heron Thieves, a Bat Out of Hell, and Other Flyfishing Stories, Essays, and Poems.” Holden has been a fly fisherman for more than 40 years, and the book highlights his experiences on trout streams. 1965 Dwight Olson ’65 presented President Paul Pribbenow a copy of his book “Northern Lights: The Beauty of the Forgotten Scandinavian Enamel Artisans” for Augsburg’s library in celebration of the university’s sesquicentennial. 1969 Cheri (Kraskin) Best ’69, Pam (Fredrickson) Gunderson ’69, Sue Kelly ’69, Linda (Stewart) Miller ’69, Margi Ness ’69, and Anna (Stivland) Olsen ’69 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Augsburg with a trip to Boulder, Colorado, in May. 1973 David Colacci ’73 and partner Susan Ericksen, both classically trained theater professionals, were featured in a Star Tribune news story that detailed their success as audiobook narrators. The couple records their audiobook narrations in their St. Louis Park, Minnesota, home. They have each narrated more than 500 titles. 1978 This year, Augsburg’s Excellence In Coaching Award recognized Ken Novak Jr. ’78. Novak led high school boys basketball teams at Blaine and Hopkins to 17 state tournaments, the most of any boys basketball coach in Minnesota history. After winning three consecutive state titles and seven in a 10-year span (2002– 11), Novak was named ESPN RISE National Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013, and in 2019 he was inducted into the second class of the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. 28 AUGSBURG NOW 1987 Andrew Altenburg ’87 joined KPMG in a senior associate role in May 2019. He previously worked as an events manager for The Bank of Tokyo for three years. As a freelance event planner, his clients included MNG, Louis Vuitton, Colgate-Palmolive, and The Carlyle Group. From 2005 to 2015, he produced and emceed 470 bingo events, which raised $250,000 for dozens of LGBTQIA+ organizations. He also is a wedding officiant and cartoonist, posting his work at jumpingforjoy.net. He lives with his partner, Matthew, and their parrot, Lulu, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York City. Minasie Theophilos ’87 received the Distinguished Athletic Service Award in honor of his decades-long support of Augsburg’s student-athletes and coaches. A custodian in Augsburg’s athletic facilities, Theophilos has grown close to many people in Auggie athletics including the men’s hockey team. He came to Augsburg as a student in 1983 from Ethiopia and had not been able to return to his home for more than 30 years. In 2017, after the death of his mother, the men’s hockey team raised more than $7,500 to fund a trip for Theophilos to see his family, who now live in Norway. 1993 Tanya Schwartz ’93 was named the seventh police chief of Burnsville and is the first woman to hold the post. Schwartz has been with the police department for 23 years, beginning as a patrol sergeant and then serving as detective sergeant and captain. 1994 Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL became president of Augsburg’s Alumni Board. She currently serves on several boards including the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. She joined the Alumni Board in 2016 because of her deep connection to the university and support of its mission. 1999 The first NCAA Division III player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, Devean George ’99 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. George led the Auggies to two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and berths in the NCAA Division III national playoffs, earning conference MVP honors both times. He finished his college career with 2,258 career points and 868 career rebounds, both second in school history, and a 23.5 points-per-game average, the best in school history. George has played with three NBA teams and works to develop affordable housing in North Minneapolis. Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Scott Hvistendahl ’99 was Augsburg baseball’s starting centerfielder as well an AllAmerican wide receiver on the football team. He was the first player to break the NCAA career receiving yardage record held by NFL legend Jerry Rice, finishing his career with 285 receptions for 4,696 yards. He now stands 14th in NCAA all-divisions history in career receiving yardage. Hvistendahl was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, twice earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, and won the Gagliardi Trophy for his performance in academics, athletics, and community service. Qiuxia (Xia) Welch ’99 and Kevin Welch, co-founders and owners of Boom Island Brewing, hosted Augsburg’s first “beer choir” in the spring. The couple started their company in 2011 focusing on Belgian-style beers, and they recently relocated the business to a new space in Minnetonka, Minnesota. 2002 Crescent Cove, a hospice home for children founded by Katie Lindenfelser ’02, was featured in a New York Times story. Lindenfelser, the executive director and an Augsburgtrained music therapist, opened the St. Louis Park, Minnesota, care facility in 2018. Crescent Cove offers respite and hospice care to children and is the only facility of its kind in the Midwest. 2003 Kristen Opalinski ’03 began a new professional chapter as the manager for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This role includes managing communications, providing staffing for EIR committees and events, extending hospitality to ecumenical and interreligious partners at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, and serving as the ELCA representative at various EIR meetings held both domestically and internationally. This is a new position designed to meet the needs of the everchanging ecumenical and inter-religious landscape and the expansion of the church’s ecumenical and inter-religious commitments. Opalinski also serves as a writer for Living Lutheran Magazine. 2004 Max Langaard ’04 was featured on “Good Morning America,” where he shared his journey as a teacher and also his time as a mentor and coach at a nonprofit called Playworks in Oakland, California. Playworks helps schools and youth organizations create a place on the playground for every child to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Langaard also received NBA Finals tickets from the television show. Adam Langer ’12 and wife, Alyssa, welcomed their first child, Addison, in November 2018. Dual sport athlete Kristen Lideen ’04 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. As softball shortstop, Lideen was the lone Auggie to hit better than .400 in their career (.444). Her 38 career doubles remain a school record, while her 18 doubles and 89 total bases in 2003 are both single-season school records. In soccer, Lideen played as a sweeper for an Auggie defense that recorded a 1.04 goals-against-average in her four seasons. Lideen earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors three times as a soccer athlete and earned All-MIAC first-team honors four times as a softball player. 2008 Greg May ’08 was hired by the University of Minnesota’s hockey program as the new director of hockey operations. May spent the previous three years as the hockey head coach and associate athletic director at the Blake School in Minneapolis. While playing hockey during his time at Augsburg, he was a MIAC All-Conference honoree. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Christina Olstad ’00, ’05 MSW began her new role as dean of students at the University of Wisconsin—Madison in July. Olstad previously was the interim assistant vice president for student affairs, housing, and residence life at Towson University in Maryland. She has worked in higher education administration for nearly two decades, beginning with her time at Augsburg. 2009 Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard ’09, ’16 MSW passed her Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker exam in April. The late Donny Wichmann ’89—a three-time Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, a national tournament All-American, and a longtime assistant coach who was a part of 10 NCAA Division III national championship teams with the Auggies—was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame in August. Augsburg Men’s Wrestling Co-Head Coach Tony Valek ’12, ’14 MAL and wife, Kassi (Goranowski) Valek, welcomed a son, Hudson Ricke, in June. Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and Timothy Stepka welcomed a daughter, Halle Jo Jean, on September 30. FALL–WINTER 2019 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Bobby Rose ’16 married fiancée, Amber, in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, in May. Mara (Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 and Enrico Barrozo ’14 welcomed a daughter, Ryna, in June. Carlson Inc. announced the appointment of Richard “Rick” Gage ’96 as its non-executive chair of the board in August. Gage is the founder and former CEO of YourMLSSearch. com, a director of the World Childhood Foundation, and is on the board of the Carlson Family Foundation, where he has served for more than 20 years. Tyler Heaps ’13, manager of analytics and research for U.S. Soccer, was on the staff of the USA national women’s soccer team that celebrated a World Cup Championship victory in July. Heaps, who helped play a part in the team’s seven-game win series to clinch the title, said it was “one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences” of his life. Heaps’ work in data analysis and use of video coverage enhances skills on the field and helps athletes better prepare for their competition. Read more of this story at augsburg.edu/alumni/blog. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Hayley (Thomas) Ball ’12 and Emerson Ball ’14, ’19 MSW welcomed a daughter, Zara, on March 13. Jessica Barker ’97, Amy (Bowar) Mellinger ’97, Tara (Cesaretti) McLeod ’97, Christa Winkelman ’97, and Jane (Ruth) Zirbes ’97 gathered for their annual girls’ trip in Las Vegas. Since their days at Augsburg, they’ve planned yearly trips and remained close friends. 30 AUGSBURG NOW Two rural Osakis, Minnesota, churches—with roots dating back to the early days in the state’s history—are thriving with the help of their new intentional interim pastor John Douglas Hopper ’68. Hopper, who lives in Delano, Minnesota, and spends weekends at Salem and Sauk Valley Lutheran churches. He began a one-year pastorate on October 21, 2018. Stephanie Putzier ’16 MBA serves Minnesota Women of Today at the state level as the internal vice president, a position in which she oversees the organization’s internal programming. Putzier received the Programing Award of Excellence for her commitment and efforts. She has been an active member of the organization since 2002. Ross Murray ’00, ’09 MBA received the Living Loehe Award at Wartburg Seminary’s commencement in May. The award was given in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the 10th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s steps toward inclusion for LGBTQIA+-identified people, and his calling as a deacon to engage in LGBTQIA+ advocacy in the church and the world. Murray is the senior director of education and training at GLAAD Media Institute and is the founding director of The Naming Project. Read more of this story at augsburg.edu/alumni/blog. K. Marshall Williams Sr. ’78 received the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service from Oklahoma Baptist University. Williams, who has served as pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia for more than 35 years, accepted the award on June 10 during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Kristy Millering ’06 became the new director of finance at Winona Area Public Schools. Millering began this role after eight years in finance at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, most recently as a senior internal auditor. She also worked as an accountant for McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing and owned her own dance studio. Jason Oare ’05 and wife, Erin, welcomed a daughter, Remedy Faith, in April. Amber (Stransky) Caswell ’07 and husband, Tavid, welcomed a daughter, Olivia Sandra Donna, in June. Mary Christine Kane ’94 released her first book of poems, “between the stars where you are lost.” Kane also works in marketing and volunteers for the arts and animal rescue initiatives. Her poetry and nonfiction works have appeared in journals and anthologies including Bluestem; The Buffalo Anthology, Right Here, Right Now; Ponder Review; and Sleet. FALL–WINTER 2019 31 IN MEMORIAM Gladys I. (Boxrud) Strommen ’46, Edina, Minnesota, age 93, on May 27. Gladys H. I. (Vigen) Hallstrom ’56, Thief River Falls, Minnesota, age 87, on March 27. Omar N. Gjerness ’47, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 97, on July 19. Sylva M. (Dahl) Kubicek ’56, Lake Crystal, Minnesota, age 83, on March 18. Prudence V. (Hokanson) Nystuen ’47, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 93, on July 3. Mary J. (Christiansen) Meyer ’56, Miami, age 84, on April 7. Barbara (Ekse) Carlson ’48, Minneapolis, age 92, on April 1. Catherine A. (Mork) Kordahl ’48, Fertile, Minnesota, age 96, on June 28. Lorraine W. (Weltzin) Peterson ’49, Hastings, Minnesota, age 94, on May 28. Sheldon L. Torgerson ’49, Minneapolis, age 92, on May 26. Gordon N. Berntson ’50, Fargo, North Dakota, age 93, on April 25. Wayne H. Wickoren ’50, Fargo, North Dakota, age 92, on July 7. Elizabeth A. Becken ’51, Shoreview, Minnesota, age 90, on June 3. Harriet M. (Haller) Brown ’52, Hastings, Minnesota, age 89, on May 11. Evonne L. (Emerson) Johnson ’52, Faribault, Minnesota, age 88, on March 9. Duane L. Addison ’53, Minneapolis, age 88, on April 18. Robert L. Lindquist ’53, Worthington, Minnesota, age 87, on April 28. Arthur V. Rimmereid ’53, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 87, on June 24. Jeannine L. (Torstenson) Blanchard ’54, Fresno, California, age 86, on March 6. Oliver K. Vick ’54, Lancaster, Wisconsin, age 88, on March 22. 32 AUGSBURG NOW Marvin L. Dooley ’59, Eagle Grove, Iowa, age 95, on July 20. Edean A. Berglund ’73, Lacey, Washington, age 67, on April 11. Nancy J. (Thompson) Peterson ’75, Minneapolis, age 65, on May 27. Bonnie M. Goetzke ’76, Memphis, Tennessee, age 65, on April 19. Pamela S. Slette ’76, Albert Lea, Minnesota, age 65, on June 21. James A. Hanson ’59, Dodge Center, Minnesota, age 88, on July 6. Marcia G. (Thompson) Turcotte ’78, Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 97, on July 19. Donald E. Jorenby ’59, Woodbury, Minnesota, age 81, on March 19. Michael J. Riley ’84, Brainerd, Minnesota, age 58, on July 25. Bonnie J. (Martinson) Storley ’59, Minneapolis, age 81, on March 31. Donald D. Wichmann ’89, Minneapolis, age 53, on July 16. Arden S. Flaten ’60, Hastings, Minnesota, age 82, on May 4. Thad D. Firchau ’92, Mankato, Minnesota, age 48, on March 23. Marlin B. Aadland ’62, Delta, British Columbia, age 82, on May 30. Marna R. Brown ’93, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 49, on March 28. Jerome C. Barney ’62, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 81, on July 9. Theresa D. (Holt) Wimann ’94, Baraboo, Wisconsin, age 60, on May 7. LeRoy E. Lee ’63, Solon Springs, Wisconsin, age 79, on March 25. Gerald A. Carlson ’64, Pine, Arizona, age 78, on June 19. Lennore A. (Bylund) Bevis ’66, Minneapolis, age 75, on July 28. Verland E. Kruse ’66, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 83, on March 23. Richard E. Andersen ’68, Phoenix, age 73, on June 2. Russell K. Jones ’69, Mercer, Maine, age 71, on May 9. Raymond J. Wesley ’69, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 77, on July 27. Daniel L. Knak ’72, Hastings, Minnesota, age 69, on July 19. Mary S. (Wozniak) Sergeant ’99, Kansas City, Kansas, age 61, on May 25. Mauris N. De Silva ’00, Jackson, New Jersey, age 46, on July 31. Robin A. Olsen ’01, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 48, on April 28. Amanda J. Kelley ’09, Ave Maria, Florida, age 38, on May 25. Patrick J. Inman ’11, Rochester, Minnesota, age 41, on July 9. Matthew C. Blackburn ’15, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 36, on August 19. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 1. ARCHIVE PHOTOS Augsburg community – 1931 L L A G N CALLI S E I G AUG . LL A N A E M E W —AND 1970 1975 2004 N O I N U E R L O ALL-SCHO 020 R 26, 2 SEPTEMBE LIS MINNEAPO s at Follow update u/150. augsburg.ed opportunity e m ti fe li a -in Join this once ith to celebrate w every class, program, e e r g e d y r e ev e, every decad ity. urg commun b s g u A e th everyone in TURN THE PAGE to see the Class of 2023. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PHOTO BY TOM ROSTER 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Augsburg enrolls historic first-year class A record-setting 636 undergraduate first-year students started at Augsburg University this fall. The Class of 2023 marks the third year in a row in which a majority are students of color. All told, the university now has 2,159 students in the traditional undergraduate program, which is also a record for Augsburg.
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2018: Remarkable Achievements
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Literary scholar on skates Athletic facility spotlight Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A Research and student success REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director...
Show more Literary scholar on skates Athletic facility spotlight Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A Research and student success REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On “Yes, and … ” I teach the Honors Senior Seminar each spring, which is always a highlight of my year, and one of the class sessions introduces students to the history and practice of improvisation. I invite members of our theater faculty and local improv performers to come to class to help us understand why improv is so important to places like Chicago (think Second City) and Minneapolis (think Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop). Then the fun begins. The improv artists invite us to the front of the classroom where we are taught some basic improv skills. Embarrassment aside, these sessions are full of life lessons. My favorite exercise goes like this: one student makes a statement related to an assigned topic. Perhaps the topic is the weather, and the student proclaims, “Wow, is it hot.” The next student then answers, “Yes, and ... I’m sweating like a faucet.” The next student continues, “Yes, and ... my faucets often leak.” You get the point. No one is allowed to say “No” or even “Yes, but … ”—it’s always “Yes, and … .” That’s how improv works, and I believe that’s how Augsburg works when we are at our best. We live in a “No” and “Yes, but … ” world—a world of scarcity that keeps us from risking ourselves in relation to others. Improv teaches us the way of abundance, a way that finds we are better together. “Yes, and … ” builds upon the gifts of others to help us live healthier, more just and compassionate lives together. The anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson offers this helpful word: “Improvisation and new learning are not private processes; they are shared with others at every age. We are called to join in a dance whose steps must be learned along the way, so it is important to attend and respond.” This issue of Augsburg Now is full of stories of “Yes, and … ”—including highlights of our planning for next year’s sesquicentennial celebration, Augsburg’s 150th anniversary. What a grand celebration it will be, as we recall the abundance of our founding in 1869, the decades of educating students for lives of meaning and purpose, and the promise of Augsburg’s mission in the years ahead. Yes, and ... it will be good! Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah sitarami@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Elizabeth Kästner kaestner@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 stepkad@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter John Weirick weirick@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Kaia Chambers chamberk2@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Katie (Koch) Code ’01 Kate H. Elliott Kelly O’Hara Dyer Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official university policy. ISSN 1058-1545 AUGSBURG NOW IN FOCUS: Fall–Winter 2018 Surprising sights worth a first (or second) glance 02 AROUND THE QUAD This fall, Philadelphia-based artist Margery Amdur created mixed media installations in Augsburg’s Christensen and Gage Family galleries. Amdur’s art emphasizes the creative process and incorporates unusual materials— including cosmetic sponges. The exhibition was presented as part of a collaboration among Augsburg, Bethel University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and St. Catherine University in conjunction with the publication of the book “Creative Practices for Visual Artists.” 08 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 10 NO PLAIN JANE 14 CARVING PATHS FOR THE FUTURE 16 THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE DOME 20 BANNER YEAR IN STUDENT SUCCESS 23 AUGGIES CONNECT 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 32 IN MEMORIAM On the cover: Undergraduate researcher and biology major Angelica Diaz-Juarez ’20 waters plants in Augsburg’s Hagfors Center grow room. Learn about Auggies’ research experiences on page 20. COURTESY PHOTOS Inset cover photo by Deanna Dent, Arizona State University All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated Here’s a new take on the “spring thaw.” Virtually all summer and fall, the Augsburg Ice Arena was iceless, which allowed construction crews to complete facility improvements, including installing a more environmentally friendly refrigerant system and upgrading the ice sheet floors from sand to concrete bases. Augsburg’s two-rink facility opened in 1974 and is used extensively—not only by the university’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, but also by community groups, youth sports leagues, figure skating clubs, and recreational skaters. Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu THAT’S GROOVY. Augsburg students celebrate the start of the school year Have you ever seen a dance floor filled with people swaying to the sound of … silence? That’s what a silent disco looks like. But the amusement was anything but muted for those who took part in an Auggie Bash hosted by the Augsburg Student Activities Council this past September. Participants wore wireless headphones tuned in to one of several audio channels playing a variety of music styles. This unusual approach to parties encourages dancers to move and groove their own way and to let their uniqueness shine as brightly as their neon headwear. THE AUGSBURG PODCAST Listen to the podcast online at augsburg.edu/podcast or download episodes from iTunes. 2 AUGSBURG NOW Hear Augsburg University faculty and staff share stories of their work with students in their own words. Launched this fall, the Augsburg Podcast is a new, 18-episode series offering a variety of perspectives on the university’s most important work: educating students for the future. StepUP makes NATIONAL HEADLINES NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt put Augsburg University’s StepUP® Program in the spotlight this May by showcasing its success in helping students in recovery complete their college education. NBC’s Catie Beck interviewed Neil King ’18 about the support he received from StepUP as a full-time student at Augsburg. Beck also interviewed StepUP Progam Director Tamarah Gehlen. “We always say that no one should have to choose between recovery and a college education,” Gehlen said. King, who began using drugs at age 14, discovered the StepUP Program four months into his recovery. “I really learned to believe in myself and my skills and capabilities,” said King, who’s now pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. UNIVERSITY AWARDS Top 200 Schools for Indigenous Americans: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Winds of Change magazine selected Augsburg as one of the 2018 Top 200 Schools for Indigenous American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. THE PARADOX OF PEACE: The 30th Nobel Peace Prize Forum INAUGURAL PHOTO BY REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER The Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis marked its 30th anniversary in September. The forum, hosted and presented by Augsburg University, celebrated the achievements of the 2016 Nobel Laureate, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and the 2017 Laureate, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, represented by Executive Director Beatrice Fihn. The program explored the intertwining complexities and paradoxes of water, conflict, and peace. “The paradox of peace lies in the paradox of the human condition— that we are capable of great love and great cruelty, that we are always a mix of some amount of ability and vulnerability. To achieve peace, we often have to fight for it,” said Joe Underhill, Augsburg associate professor of political science and director of the forum. Schwartz Professor of Choral Leadership and Conducting This fall, Augsburg named Kristina Boerger the inaugural John N. Schwartz Professor of Choral Leadership and Conducting. Boerger leads a visionary program honoring Augsburg’s legacy of engaging both music majors and non-music majors across campus. “Kristina Boerger has collaborated with leading composers and artists in creatively advancing the field of choral study and performance,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Her work has garnered national recognition, and we’re excited to have her join Augsburg.” With a strong commitment to inclusion, access, and equity, Boerger brings to Augsburg a long and diverse professional practice of exploring music from varied cultures. She has worked in public school, collegiate, community, and professional settings. In addition to her achievements in commissioning and premiering new works, Boerger served as director of three choirs that earned critical acclaim from The New York Times. She holds degrees in music education and conducting from the University of Illinois. Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg one of the Best Universities in the Midwest, ranking the university No. 5 among the Minnesota schools on the list for undergraduate teaching, No. 10 on best value schools, and No. 14 for most innovative. Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review: This year, The Princeton Review again named Augsburg one of the Best in the Midwest for academic excellence. Best Value in Minnesota: Best Value Schools ranked Augsburg No. 6 on a 2018 list of 20 Best Value Colleges or Universities in Minnesota. Rankings are based on graduation rate, net price, acceptance rate, and 20-year net return on investment. Top LGBTQ-friendly Colleges and Universities: Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list of the top 30 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in 2017 and 2018. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Augsburg delegation honors Mandela centenary An Augsburg University delegation that included administrators and Board of Regents members traveled to Namibia and South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s centenary celebration. While there, Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow visited the university’s Namibia operations and met with students. Here, he’s pictured in Cape Town with guide Shireen Narkedien. COURTESY PHOTO AROUND THE QUAD Augsburg adopts test-optional admissions policy NEW AUGSBURG BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS Matthew Entenza, senior advisor on energy and the economy to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, was elected chair of the Augsburg University Board of Regents at its October 6 meeting. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected three new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected six members. Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Mark Johnson ’75, retired city planner and former president of Sonju Motors in Two Harbors, Minnesota • Terry Lindstrom ’73, drug discovery consultant and former Eli Lilly distinguished research fellow in Indianapolis, Indiana • Nancy Mueller ’85, physics and chemistry teacher in Rochester, Minnesota Mark Johnson ’75 Elected to a second or third term: • Diane Jacobson, former director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Terry Lindstrom ’73 for Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, senior vice president of Northland Securities, a Minneapolis securities brokerage firm Nancy Mueller ’85 • LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, former co-vice chair of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias in the Courts and of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Gender Fairness in the Courts • Dean Sundquist ’81, chairman and chief executive officer of Mate Precision Tooling in Anoka, Minnesota • David Tiede, former president and professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota See the full list of Board of Regents members at augsburg.edu/about/leadership. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG ACHIEVES LEED Gold Certification Dr. Steven Larson ’72, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Riverside Medical Clinic in Riverside, California • This past spring, the Augsburg faculty approved a pilot test-optional admissions policy, making submission of ACT or SAT test scores optional for fall 2019 first-year and transfer undergraduate student applicants, except in specific circumstances. “The test-optional admission policy aligns with Augsburg’s mission of intentional diversity and is expected to increase the university’s pool of completed applicants each year,” said Nate Gorr, assistant vice president for innovation. For a number of student populations, standardized test scores may not reflect an accurate indication of academic ability—including, for example, people without access to test preparation courses and tutors, those who can’t afford to retake the test, people with learning and physical differences, and English language learners. This policy change also aligns with Augsburg’s holistic admissions process, which looks at quantitative metrics and beyond. The application-review process allows Augsburg to maintain the university’s academic standards and ensure Augsburg admits students with the capacity to succeed. Augsburg University’s new signature interdisciplinary building—the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion—achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In keeping with Augsburg’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Hagfors Center was designed to incorporate elements that maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact, both in its construction and throughout its operational lifetime. LEED is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. HAGFORS CENTER RIVER SEMESTER 2018 A group of 15 Augsburg University students, two professors, and two guides departed August 24 in 24-foot voyageur canoes to spend the semester studying, researching, and living on the Mississippi River. The students and their guides are traveling nearly 1,000 miles, making stops to camp at several locations. The River Semester, led by Associate Professor of Political Science Joe Underhill, is a unique 100-day, hands-on, interdisciplinary program. Students earn 16 credits studying biology, environmental science, health and physical education, and political science. This is Augsburg’s second time conducting the program; the first was in 2015. Experiential education is a trademark of students’ Augsburg experiences. “We do this because we think this is the best way to learn both about the Mississippi River and about what’s going on out in the world,” Underhill said. Students return to the Twin Cities on December 1. COURTESY PHOTOS 2018–19 CONVOCATION SERIES In October, Augsburg’s annual convocation series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring author and educator Rahuldeep Gill and his presentation, “Who Are ‘We?’ A Sikh Perspective on Vocation, Justice, and Death.” Through his lectures and workshops, Gill works to build pluralism and crosscultural relations to inspire connected communities on campus, in the workplace, and in the marketplace. In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation welcomed Gloria Burgess, pioneering scholar, author, and international inspirational speaker. Her presentation was titled “Greatness Lives in All of Us!” SAVE THE DATE: Join us Monday, January 21, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All convocation events are free, public, and held in the Foss Center. For more information, go to augsburg.edu/convo. FALL–WINTER 2018 5 A look at environmental privilege with social worker Christina Erickson Whether it’s popping up in social media news feeds or emerging in conversations held around the dinner table, the concept of “privilege” is rising in the public consciousness. “Privilege has become a serious area of inquiry in recent years,” said Augsburg Professor of Social Work Christina Erickson. “White privilege and male privilege have hit the spotlight, as have racial disparities in policing and the #MeToo movement highlighting harassment and sexual assault. Environmental privilege is a related phenomenon, and, while it seems to be an understudied area of privilege (and not the only one), it is still important, probably more than we realize.” Erickson teaches courses in environmental justice and social change, and she’s taking on the challenge of exploring environmental privilege in greater depth. She is the author of “Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice,” a textbook designed to bring an understanding of environmental privilege into social work curricula. Q: A: How do you describe environmental privilege? Environmental privilege is having access to a resource simply because of your social identity categories—race, age, gender, income, and geography. Studies have shown that if you have a higher income, you likely have more green space near your home, work, or school. Not to mention owning a cabin, attending summer camp, or even seeing people who look like you at our most beautiful natural spaces. If you use all the water you want for your daily self care and other activities without thinking about it, you have environmental privilege. Q: A: Is environmental justice similar to social justice and, if so, how? Environmental justice and social justice are intricately linked in ways that we have only begun to discover and name. For example, kids living in neighborhoods with poor air quality are missing school due to asthma more than 6 AUGSBURG NOW kids breathing clean air. If you can’t go to school, your chances for school success, which leads to adult success, are inhibited. Q: Can you describe environmental injustices and the disparities some groups face? A: In 1987, research found that waste facilities were most often near neighborhoods of people of color, many of them containing toxic waste. Even our own Minnesota nuclear power facility, located near Prairie Island Indian Community, is an example of how some people are forced to live closer to environmental burdens than others. Q: A: Why is it important to reflect on our own privilege, and how can we dismantle it? Dismantling privileges is one of the ways we create social change. When we think about creating shifts in society, we generally need to stop certain behaviors—such as racist hiring practices or sexual harassment—to integrate new behaviors to take the place of the old. Augsburg already has taken a stand on water—we encourage our entire campus community to refill water bottles from our own taps, which environmental studies students tested for safety. Q: How does your social work background align with your work in environmental justice? A: For most of my life I viewed myself as a social worker who was an environmentalist. It wasn’t until coming to Augsburg, collaborating on our interdisciplinary environmental studies major, working with my social work colleagues on privilege and oppression, and participating in our Environmental Stewardship Committee that I began to recognize myself, in an integrated way, as an environmental justice social worker. AROUND THE QUAD MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE receives renewed support from three area foundations The Minnesota Urban Debate League, a program of Augsburg University, entered the 2018–19 school year with a full head of steam thanks to funding and partnership support from three Twin Cities grantmakers. • With a $25,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, MNUDL will launch a program centered on building financial literacy skills. Young women will learn financial concepts using the format of academic debate, which breaks down abstract concepts and makes them more relevant. Funds from this grant also will offer a cohort of women and gender-nonconforming students the opportunity to attend The Advocacy Unit, an advocacy skills training summer camp that takes place on Augsburg’s campus. • MNUDL will reach even more students in St. Paul Public Schools using a $40,000 grant from the St. Paul Foundation. MNUDL will add four middle school programs over the next two years. Funds also will make it possible for MNUDL to expand culturally specific debate programs for Spanish-speaking and Somali students. • A $40,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation will provide general operating support, helping MNUDL expand a variety of priorities, including increasing summer camp opportunities for middle and high school students. AUGGIE STYLE: Athletics apparel, then and now Forty years of serving American Indian students In October, Augsburg’s American Indian Student Services celebrated its 40th anniversary. The program has been a national model of success since 1978. Approximately 130 students representing more than 25 tribes are enrolled part time or full time in Augsburg’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Special invitees to the 40th anniversary reception included Bonnie Wallace, Augsburg regent emerita and the first director of the AISS program, as well as current Board of Regents members Eric Jolly, Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, and Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW. Today Augsburg University’s varsity athletes wear high-performance gear that aligns with their high-caliber capabilities. Many Auggie teams are sporting new uniform styles following Augsburg’s name change and a recent partnership with BIG Athletics to supply athletes with adidas apparel, uniforms, footwear, and accessories over the next five years. Here’s a glimpse at how current styles compare to those worn in years gone by. See other athletic uniforms at augsburg.edu/now. 1979 1930 1998 1975 ARCHIVE PHOTOS 2017–18 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thank you. Your giving supports current and future Auggies as they gain skills and knowledge to thrive in their careers, pursue advanced scholarship, and achieve in leadership roles after graduation. Learn more about opportunities to support an Augsburg education at augsburg.edu/giving. ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE May 31, 2018—$48,136,083 $40.5 $38.3 EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 38% 33% 19% 4% 3% 2% 1% Salaries and benefits Financial aid Operating expenses Debt services Utilities and insurance Student compensation Capital improvement $32.4 $28.2 $39.4 $29.8 $24.5 2007 2008 Fiscal year 2017–18 operating budget: $68,736,254 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 As of May 31, 2018, Augsburg University had annual realized and unrealized gains of 10.19 percent on the university endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 7.11 percent and the 10-year average annual return is 4.70 percent. Augsburg is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to the university in perpetuity. $123.6 PHYSICAL PLANT VALUE REVENUE BY SOURCE 76% 7% 7% 7% 3% Tuition Room and board Private gifts and grants Other sources Federal grants $48.1 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 $43.9 $103.4 May 31, 2018—$123.6 million $73.9 $75.6 $73.8 $70.8 $68.7 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 $67.9 $65.5 $63.6 $65.5 $62.8 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 The quality and value of Augsburg’s physical plant is on the rise. The largest recent contributor is the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which was completed in November 2017. Augsburg University is stronger and more vibrant than ever. Investments in priorities like scholarships, experiential learning, research, and faculty mentorship change the trajectories of students’ lives. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends who helped Augsburg raise $18,187,380 during fiscal year 2017–18. The philanthropy of more than 9,400 donors will help the university attract talented students and the dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them. THIS IS WHAT GRATEFUL AUGGIES LOOK LIKE THIS IS WHAT A PEACE SCHOLAR LOOKS LIKE Lex Dorfman ’18 Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship, Helen (Mohn) Henderson Scholarship, Mary E. (Mimi) Johnson Scholarship, Hoversten Peace Scholarship Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota Studying: Religion, Spanish, and Leadership Lex Dorfman ’18 spent her summer in Norway studying alongside students from around the world. As one of two Peace Scholars selected at Augsburg this year and funded by the Hoversten Peace Scholarship and other donors, Dorfman’s time in Lillehammer and Oslo was part of a robust program designed to pair academic inquiry with real-world dialogue and to give students an introduction to the field of conflict studies. For Dorfman, the Peace Scholar program aligns with many of the topics she’s explored throughout her college experience. Also an Augsburg Interfaith Scholar, Dorfman called on her own multicultural background to found a Hillel organization on campus and to foster new opportunities to build connections between people from diverse backgrounds. “Augsburg has offered me a personal, hands-on education,” she said. “I have been able to create an organization on campus, interview Jewish leaders, and collaborate with a variety of students because of Augsburg’s engaging and small-but-powerful community.” THIS IS WHAT AN ALL-AMERICAN LOOKS LIKE Alex Wilson ’19 Arne and Jean Markland Scholarship Hometown: Oak Grove, Minnesota Studying: Biology Alex Wilson ’19 can put the title “All-American” next to his name in two different contexts. Competing in his first NCAA Division III National Championship tournament last March, the Auggie wrestler earned All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at 149 pounds. He also was among eight Augsburg wrestlers to earn the Division III Scholar All-America distinction from the National Wrestling Coaches Association based on student-athletes’ GPAs. Whether he’s facing an opponent on the mat or looking to ace an exam, Wilson has a drive to excel that will serve him well as he applies to competitive graduate programs and pursues his dream of becoming a physician assistant. For Wilson, Augsburg is a place where there’s harmony between athletic and academic achievements. “Augsburg has helped me develop as a student and as an athlete by giving me all of the resources I would ever need to be successful,” Wilson said. “Faculty support creates an atmosphere where it is possible to succeed in whatever you do.” THIS IS WHAT AN ENGAGED CITIZEN LOOKS LIKE Baoyia Kong ’19 Leola G. Anderson Scholarship, William and Anne Frame Scholarship, Adeline Marie (Rasmussen) Johnson Scholarship Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota Studying: Social Work and Psychology Baoyia Kong ’19 has the guts to just dive in. When she studied at Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience site in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the social work major interned at a grade school, helping administrators infuse inclusive practices into the school’s operations and culture—and honing her Spanish skills along the way. Whether studying in Minneapolis or Mexico, Kong sees Augsburg as “a community with so many opportunities.” Kong has enhanced her academic experience by seeking out opportunities beyond the classroom, completing an additional internship with Hennepin County, volunteering at a medical clinic in Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, playing intramural volleyball, and joining the Augsburg Asian Student Association and Hmong Women Together campus organizations. Kong said her Augsburg experience has shaped her as a leader because the university encourages students to be engaged in topics that align with their passions and creates “spaces for all to grow and flourish in their education.” FALL–WINTER 2018 9 O N N I A L PJane EIRICK BY JOHN W and introduce her properly into the world,” said one of Jane Austen’s characters, “and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.” For a line published in 1814’s “Mansfield Park,” it prophetically resonates in the life and work of Augsburg alumna Devoney Looser ’89. Looser earned a doctorate in English and women’s studies, holds extensive credentials as a professor who has served at leading universities, and has written and contributed to dozens of books, scores of academic journals, and even more book reviews. When national and international publications need an expert on 18th-century literature, British women writers, or Jane Austen, they want Looser—if they can catch her before roller derby practice. Looser grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. College seemed like a distant dream, both because of the financial barrier and the fact that she came from a family with no college degree in sight. Her perspective changed when she applied to Augsburg and earned a President’s Scholarship for her academic merit. “That made all the difference in terms of my ability to go to college. Augsburg gave me an incredibly generous opportunity with that scholarship,” Looser said. PHOTOS BY DEANNA DENT, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FALL–WINTER 2018 11 Looser wasn’t outwardly confident, but she caught the eye of Cathie Nicholl, an English professor who taught at Augsburg for nearly 30 years until her retirement in 1999. Though Looser was somewhat quiet, Nicholl said, “her written work was always wonderful. She’s really blossomed a lot since then.” Looser first became enthralled with Jane Austen’s writings through a literature class with Nicholl, who has maintained correspondence with Looser through several decades. “I had no idea at the time how significant, how important [that connection with Nicholl] would turn out to be to my life—to a path toward a future in [literary] work.” Douglas Green, a professor of English who’s taught at Augsburg since 1988, met Looser when he first arrived at the university. “She was exceptional. We had a real conversation about literature,” said Green, a poet and scholar who teaches Shakespeare, drama, and writing as well as gender, sexuality, and was very shy at 18, and to see the same faces who could tell me, ‘You can do this,’ made a big difference in my believing in myself.” For a suburbanite, moving to the heart of Minneapolis was an education in itself. “Being in an urban area, being able to live among other students was amazing,” Looser said. “Augsburg’s student body was very diverse. Being in class alongside students from all over the world was mind-blowing. It made me reimagine my role in women’s studies at institutions including the University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, University of Wisconsin—Whitewater, Indiana State University, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She is described as a thoughtful and wise mentor who empathizes with firstgeneration college students. Her ability to reflect on and relate to the challenges others face is something Looser shares with the central figure of her academic work: Jane Austen. Did Austen predict roller derby? women’s studies. Though literature was central in feeding Looser’s ravenous appetite for knowledge, people and experiences also offered lessons beyond the classroom. “There were lots of things at Augsburg that brought me out of my shell,” Looser said. “I 12 AUGSBURG NOW the world, and what my world could be, and how I was part of their world.” Engaging with a variety of people and ideas has served Looser well in her literary pursuits and academic experience alike. She has held positions teaching English and “Austen is one of the most psychologically perceptive observers in all of the history of the novel,” said Jenny Davidson, a novelist and professor of English at Columbia University who connected with Looser over their shared professional interest in 18th-century literature. Known for romantic plots steeped in English society, including “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility,” Austen’s writings have been in print continuously for nearly 200 years and retain an unassailable foothold in contemporary art and culture. Who was Jane Austen, really— and how did she become what she represents now? That’s the focus of Looser’s latest book, “The Making of Jane Austen,” which earned high praise among literary peers. It was named a Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book for nonfiction, featured in CNN interviews, and reviewed in The Economist, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Looser’s remarkable scholarship has led to an abundance of prestigious opportunities, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in support of one of her current projects: a book about unheralded British sister novelists Jane and Anna Maria Porter. Davidson offered a scholar’s perspective: “The project on the Porter sisters is a genuine project of reclamation, of rewriting an injustice of literary history: these were two extremely widely read and well-regarded novelists whom literary history has essentially dumped in the trash.” Because of Looser’s background, Davidson believes, the firstgeneration college graduate is attracted to the works of underdogs and can convey their stories empathetically and authoritatively. Perhaps her affinity for the underdog is part of what drew Looser to a lesser-known sport— roller derby. Nearly a decade ago, Looser and her friend Katie Carr, a special collections librarian at the University of Missouri where Looser was a professor of English, reconnected over a mutual sense that they needed a change. Angela Rehbein, one of Looser’s then-graduate students who is now a professor of English at West Liberty University, joined them to skate at a roller rink’s retro night, where members of a local roller derby team invited the three to derby practice. It sounded fun, so they accepted. Roller derby is a sport in which two teams of five players in roller skates line up on a track. The “jammer” on each team tries to maneuver past the “blockers” on the opposing team, and it all happens in a series of two-minute increments called “jams.” Players force opponents off the track or block them with their shoulders, chests, and hips. Because it’s full-contact, they wear helmets, mouthguards, knee pads, and elbow pads. It’s customary for derby players to create personas based on names that use a play on words. Carr dubbed Looser “Stone Cold Jane Austen,” a mashup of Looser’s literary expertise and professional wrestler Steve Austin’s stage name. Looser is now a faculty advisor to the roller derby team in addition to her work as a professor of English at Arizona State University. She still remembers the coaches who patiently taught her to play derby, which perhaps unexpectedly refreshed her perspective on higher education. “It’s humbling to start out as a complete newbie, and being laid flat and embarrassing myself,” she said. “It put me in headspace that made me realize how students must feel their first year of college, when you didn’t know what you were doing, and it was terrifying.” People who know Looser best—like Carr, Rehbein, and her former doctoral student Emily Friedman—point to Looser’s knack for transforming her interests into excellence. “There’s this world-renowned academic and also someone who plays roller derby and excels at it. She is an incredibly generous friend and an amazing wife and mother,” Carr said, referring to Looser’s sons and husband George Justice, a fellow Austen scholar and British literature professor at Arizona State University. “I learned a lot from Devoney’s incredible work ethic and her generosity toward her students and toward other scholars,” added Rehbein, who appreciates Looser’s influence both in and beyond the classroom. The same is true for Friedman, who has also worked on Austen scholarship and now serves as a professor of English at Auburn University. Friedman observed Looser’s simultaneous commitment to hard work and a rewarding life outside of it, and how “she keeps them dancing rather than in conflict and fighting.” Like Jane Austen and many icons before her, Looser will maneuver past any limitations in her path. “She’s the hardest worker I know,” said Friedman. “I’m just trying to skate in her tracks.” Looser’s next book topic: CARVING PATHS for THE FUTURE Theater professor Darcey Engen ’88 helps plan a forward-looking 150th anniversary celebration BY STEPHEN JENDRASZAK D arcey Engen, professor of theater arts, has been on both sides of an Augsburg education: student and professor. As a leader on campus, she brings both perspectives to bear. Thinking from a student perspective, she understands the intense obligations today’s students face and, with her colleagues, implemented a series of changes to make it possible for students from all backgrounds and enrolled in any major to participate in Augsburg’s theatrical productions despite family or work commitments. As a faculty member, Engen observed that faculty in the arts sometimes struggled to receive appropriate credit for their artistic and scholarly work, so she advocated for revisions to promotion and tenure guidelines to address the issue. Now, she’s been asked to call on those twin perspectives in a new leadership role: helping to guide the commemoration of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial during the 2019–20 academic year. In a recent interview, Engen shared her views on the university’s 150th anniversary, the important contributions faculty will make in commemorating the occasion, and what makes Augsburg unique in American higher education. 14 AUGSBURG NOW SE R AT I ON 1869-2019 SQ U IC ENTEN N CE IAL LE B “ One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we are more like the real world than other colleges and universities. The needs of the real world around us are present in everything we do.” You are a co-chair of the sesquicentennial committee. What do you hope this milestone will do for Augsburg? I hope that it gives us a moment in time to understand our past, mark where we are now, and look forward. It’s an opportunity for us to appreciate those who came before us, what we’re doing in the present, and those who will inevitably follow after us. What does this occasion mean to you as both an alumna and a faculty member? In our costume shop, there are boxes and boxes that say things like “summer hats.” Those labels were handwritten by my professor, Ailene Cole, the former chair of the theater department, before she retired in her 80s. When I’m in the costume shop and see her handwriting, I’m reminded of her and what she did for me and all her students. That inspires me to do the same for my students. As a former chair myself, now, I am part of a legacy, which gives me a lot of satisfaction. I’m aware that all of us, chairs and faculty, are so privileged to be able to create an atmosphere where our students can thrive as artists. I keep the past with me as I try to carve out paths for the future with my students. How are faculty members going to be involved in marking this significant moment in the life of the institution? I’m very grateful that we were able to make resources available for faculty to create scholarly projects that reflect sesquicentennial themes. The support opens the door for these scholarly projects, whether they be permanent works or ephemeral experiences, to be installed or occur during our yearlong celebration. They will honor and mark the 150th anniversary and also give faculty the opportunity to expand the good work they do, which is ultimately to support our students. I understand that the number of proposals for faculty sesquicentennial projects exceeded your expectations. What does that enthusiasm say to you? It was amazing to get all the proposals for such thoughtful projects. It goes to show you that we faculty members all have in us, no matter how busy our days can sometimes be, a great love for this institution. What kinds of projects are faculty members working on, and what are they trying to achieve? There’s so much incredible work being done, but I’ll offer a few examples to give you an idea of the scope of the effort. Sonja Thompson, assistant professor of music, is working on an original musical—with original music—about Augsburg, embracing both the rocky and exceptional moments in our history. Her team is interviewing as many people as possible and conducting story circles where students, staff, alumni, and friends can share their Augsburg experiences to inform the production. Erik Steinmetz, assistant professor of computer science, is building an app for exploring Augsburg’s campus now and at various points in history via augmented or virtual reality. The idea is that if you’re on campus, you can look around through your phone and see what a particular part of campus looked like at another time. And if you’re not here, you can virtually explore those same environments. We’re hoping to create online experiences that capture as much of the art and activity and scholarship happening on campus that year as possible. As Augsburg prepares to commemorate 150 years, what stands out for you? I’ve toured a lot of colleges; I’ve taught at two other universities. One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we are more like the real world than other colleges and universities. The needs of the real world around us are present in everything we do. Augsburg’s plans to celebrate the sesquicentennial are developing, and updates will be posted at augsburg.edu/150. FALL–WINTER 2018 15 Augsburg alumna Katia Iverson ’12 orients newcomers to the United States amid mounting uncertainty and narrowing policies 16 AUGSBURG NOW The Augsburg Air Structure—and the rest of the Minneapolis campus—looked practically otherworldly following a record-breaking April 2018 snowstorm. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE DOME THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE BY KATE H. ELLIOTT DOZENS OF BUSES en route from 25 Minnesota school districts pause on 23rd Avenue to unload hundreds of students in grades three through six at the Augsburg University Air Structure (aka the Augsburg Dome). The air lock opens, and grinning youngsters wheel, walk, and run into the 360-by-216-by-63-foot inflatable bubble lined with activities to exercise their cognitive, emotional, and physical muscles. Augsburg has held this one-day Sports Extravaganza for nearly 20 Novembers. Do the math: that’s more than 4,000 children, teachers, and paraprofessionals who have visited campus, and two decades of Auggies who have applied their health, physical education, and exercise science coursework to the field. HPE instructor Carol Enke said the event wouldn’t have started without the dome. “Imagine funneling hundreds of kids with mental and/or physical disabilities into Si Melby Hall via untold batches of elevator trips,” she said. “Without the air structure, this dual community engagement and learning opportunity would have never taken off. “Every year, teachers tell us that students ask about the event from the first day of classes, and we see that excitement as kids meet others and participate in activities they might have assumed were inaccessible to them.” FALL–WINTER 2018 17 AN EXPANSIVE GATHERING PLACE Sports Extravaganza is one of several community events squeezed into the dome between softball and lacrosse games and practices for baseball, track and field, golf, soccer, and football. Physical education classes, intramural activities, alumni events, and more also vie for the space, which features four batting cages, a driving range net, and four soccer goals. About 35 campus and community groups schedule the space each year, according to Greg Holker, the men’s soccer head coach, who helps manage dome schedules as part of his dual role as athletic facilities assistant manager. Thousands of people use the dome for a total of about 3,000 hours during any given year. “Regular users include our sports teams, HPE classes, camps, the Minneapolis United Soccer Club, and other prominent academies and associations,” he added. “During Super Bowl LII this year, a large corporation hosted a Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition, and the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee filmed a commercial in the space.” Each November, more than 500 student-athletes join coaches, staff, and administrators to erect the weather-proof 18 structure. It’s a Herculean effort that illustrates the university’s cooperative, all-in attitude, according to Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79. Come May, after 12-hour weekdays and about 18-hour weekend days, the dome is put away in about three hours, again by a campus-wide team. Swenson said the dome has substantially increased Augsburg’s workout space. “Nobody appreciates the air structure more than our spring sports,” Swenson said. “Access to a climate-controlled regulation field in our backyard gets them in the game earlier in the season without interruptions due to weather.” The university also is able to offer physical education classes, including golf and soccer, in the spring. Eric Rolland ’97, men’s and women’s golf head coach, said without the dome, spring offerings would be limited to indoor activities like bowling. And while Rolland enjoys throwing a strike as much as the best of them, the former All-American golfer said he has enjoyed the ability to teach golf throughout the year. “It’s a lifelong sport that can enhance your career, given that so many business meetings occur on the golf course,” said Rolland, who has taught golf classes for the past five years. “Students make lasting friendships, too, as the dome transforms into a giant driving range where students visit as they perfect their swings.” AUGSBURG NOW The Augsburg University women’s lacrosse team competed in the dome in Spring 2018. THE DOME ‘SAVED OUR SEASON’ Talk of spring takes Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04 back to April, when the Twin Cities experienced its snowiest and fourth-coldest April on record, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which reported 26.1 inches of the white stuff and an average high of 47.4 degrees. “It was the winter that would never end,” said Lee, who is in her 15th season on Augsburg’s coaching staff. “Other teams in our conference have to rent out dome space or practice on hard gym floors incapable of mimicking competition, so when the weather is bad, those players may catch—or try to catch—their first deep pop fly of the season during a game. We made the playoffs last year, and I believe the dome contributed to that success.” Then-senior-outfielder Katie Parker ’18 was among the Augsburg softball players who spent the majority of the 2018 season under the dome. Playing inside requires adjustment, she said, with rules against catching deflected balls (to avoid injuries), turf vs. dirt, and many lights, rather than the sun’s sole beam. But the snowy season didn’t faze the native of Lakeville, Minnesota. “It’s our home turf, literally, so we practice in the space long before our first game,” said Parker, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in elementary education with a focus on special education. “I loved the sense of community and cooperation as we worked side-by-side with student-athletes on other teams to take down and set up fence panels and goals, depending on the sport. Coach Lee also worked hard and stayed up late to make sure other area softball programs could access to the dome to finish out their seasons.” Will this year be a repeat of last season? The Farmers’ Almanac indicates ‘no,’ Coach Lee said, but the Minnesota native jokes the state’s weather is as unpredictable as a curve ball. What is not inconsistent, she added, is Auggies’ willingness to work together—snow or shine. Assistant Baseball Coach Zach Bakko ’18 echoed Lee’s appreciation for the dome’s ability to bring athletes across Augsburg’s 21 sports together with each other, the campus, and greater community. Bakko spent several seasons fielding balls under the dome lights as an Auggie outfielder. “Whether it be quarterback Quinn Frisell ’19 throwing out routes to his agile receivers, golfer Brett Buckingham ’21 working on his swing, or soccer forward Ashley St. Aubin ’20 figuring out another way to score a hat trick, I’ve been able to see athletes in other sports work to maximize their potential,” said Bakko. Plus, “The space allows our campus to give back to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of young athletes [through camps and clinics].” “Having worked for athletics, I’ve met the real heroes of the dome—athletics administrators, coaches, and all the maintenance staff—managing scheduling, cleaning, and every other task that arises,” he added. “That willingness to come together and do what’s needed, regardless of whether it’s in your job description, has expanded my understanding of the word ‘team.’” Find bonus content and fun facts about the dome at augsburg.edu/now. Augsburg community members work together to assemble the dome each fall. First installed in 1993, Augsburg’s original dome was one of the premier inflatable air structures in the Midwest. FALL–WINTER 2018 19 Undergraduate research gives students an edge BY GITA SITARAMIAH The summer before his third year at Augsburg, Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 was paid to research Earth’s magnetosphere. He worked in a lab on campus under the direction of a physics faculty member. And he discovered a passion for space physics. Beyene’s research, which was funded by Dean ’91 and Amy Sundquist his first summer and TRIO McNair Scholars for the second, helped him stand out in national scholarship competitions. The following year, he was awarded a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national program that provides financial support to undergraduates who show the promise of becoming leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Then, Beyene’s Augsburg advisors helped him successfully apply for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, providing him with more than $100,000 for graduate school. Now a Ph.D. student in space physics at UCLA, Beyene credits his Augsburg undergraduate research experience with getting him where he is today. “You don’t see the level of personal coaching at other schools like you do at Augsburg,” he said. “I really appreciate that about Augsburg.” Augsburg’s undergraduate research opportunities are paying off for students like Beyene, who compete alongside the nation’s top students to land high-profile fellowships, internships, and scholarships as well as selection to highly competitive graduate programs. In fact, Augsburg had a banner year in 2017–18, with a record number of students earning prestigious awards and fellowships. 20 AUGSBURG NOW Here are some highlights: • Augsburg had six Fulbright winners named this past year and has been listed five times in The Chronicle of Higher Education as a top producer of Fulbrights for master’s level institutions. The previous singleyear record for Augsburg was four. Since 2008, Augsburg’s Fulbright winners total 29. • An Augsburg student was one of just four Minnesota recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship last year. Out of 1,280 applicants nationwide, 211 were named. • Three Auggies were Critical Language Scholarship winners in the first year that Augsburg undergraduates pursued this fellowship. Only 10 percent of applicants nationwide receive this award. Two of the students were selected to study Swahili in Tanzania; the third, to study Mandarin in Taiwan. • Another two Auggies were Public Policy and International Affairs Program winners. Only 20 percent of applicants nationally are accepted into this program. One of the Augsburg winners studied at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The other student spent seven weeks at University of California—Berkeley in a law-focused program. • For the first time ever, an Augsburg student won a Boren Award, which honors undergraduates studying language in areas underrepresented in study abroad programs. The Auggie, who studied Swahili at the University of Florida this past summer, is continuing to study the language and culture in Tanzania this semester. He will commit to one year of paid federal government service after graduation. Undergraduate research boosts the résumés of Auggies like Holly Kundel ’19, who looked for a rare dragonfly in Twin Cities area wetlands. Many of these accomplishments are the result of Augsburg’s decade-plus commitment to providing undergraduate research opportunities for students. Two programs are responsible for much of this success: the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity and the McNair Scholars program. URGO, now in its 14th year, offers an 11-week, on-campus, faculty-led undergraduate research experience with 50 students each summer. Students receive support throughout the research process from a faculty mentor, participate in weekly seminars, and engage in roundtable discussions with fellow student researchers to hone their communication skills. URGO also advises students about national fellowships, graduate school, medical school, and other health sciences. The McNair Scholars program is a federally funded program designed to prepare students from groups currently underrepresented in graduate school for doctoral studies to some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. The program currently serves 26 students a year and includes 21 months of graduate school preparation workshops, travel to national research conferences, and hands-on scholarly research projects with faculty mentors. Through these programs, talented Augsburg students are earning prestigious national opportunities that they otherwise may not even have known about. “Many [of the students] who win awards and fellowships had never even heard the word ‘Fulbright’ before they were in this program,” said Dixie Shafer, URGO director. When students start their first summer research experience, Shafer said, they’re looking around wondering how they got selected. “You can tell they’re a little bit nervous,” she said. “By the end, when they’re giving oral presentations and submitting projects, they’re the experts in the room. Their level of confidence has grown.” Students agree that they gain key skills from research and writing in partnership with faculty members, presenting their work at conferences, and receiving hands-on guidance from advisors about how to translate those experiences into top fellowships, internships, scholarships, and graduate programs. And they often go on to other off-campus research experiences to expand their curricula vitae. Blair Stewig ’18, currently a Fulbright scholar in Poland, first did summertime research at Augsburg in a biophysics lab. She successfully applied for an Augsburg grant to do research while canoeing the Mississippi River during the 2015 River Semester experience, then did summer research with the Minnesota Lupus Foundation at the Mayo Clinic. The next summer, she conducted cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. FALL–WINTER 2018 21 three URGO advisors on her medical Currently, Stewig is conducting school applications. research on colorectal cancer at the “It was almost like they knew International Institute of Molecular more about my story than I did,” and Cell Biology in Poland and will Bagonza said. shadow physicians and volunteer at Shafer sees this type of faculty and the Maria Skłodowska Curie Memorial staff interaction with students as a Cancer Centre. key part of helping students evolve. “Without my research experience “Faculty and staff believe in students and the support of staff and faculty and then the students start believing at Augsburg, I don’t think I would in themselves,” she said. have had the confidence to apply for the larger competitive research experiences,” said Stewig, who plans to apply for combined M.D./Ph.D. programs in the future. Similarly, two months into her first year at Augsburg, biology major Vision Bagonza ’17 regularly started visiting the URGO office and mapping her trajectory to medical school. “They were with me every step of the way,” she said. In her first summer research project, Bagonza worked on genomics research with Associate Professor and Biology Department Chair Matthew Beckman. “That Fieldwork experience inspired Holly Kundel ’19 to apply for was instrumental to my doctoral programs in freshwater ecology. understanding of what was going on throughout the field,” Fourth-year biology major Holly she said. Kundel ’19 chose Augsburg after The following summer, she meeting faculty on a campus tour and researched biomedical ethics at Mayo Clinic, and she spent her third summer learning that she would be able to do research directly with them. researching malaria at Johns Hopkins. The summer after her first year, These experiences set the stage for her Kundel began her paid research on participation in the Mayo Innovation the rare Spatterdock Darner dragonfly Scholars program, where she learned in Twin Cities area wetlands. Kundel, about the complexities of the FDA who loves being outdoors during approval process when bringing Minnesota summers, was drawn to innovation to market. Finally, Bagonza the project after approaching Biology was awarded a full scholarship to the and Environmental Studies Assistant Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Professor Emily Schilling and learning Medicine after working closely with 22 AUGSBURG NOW that the research entailed doing fieldwork. Since then, Kundel has received other grants to support her research with Schilling. “It’s nice to work with a faculty member who knows exactly what my strengths and weaknesses are,” Kundel said. This year, Kundel received a Goldwater Scholarship, providing tuition assistance for her fourth year at Augsburg, and the associated prestige is expected to set her apart in her applications for doctoral programs in freshwater ecology. “I wouldn’t be applying to the graduate programs I am this fall if I hadn’t done this research at Augsburg,” Kundel said. While many in the URGO Summer Research Program are science majors, other disciplines are represented as well. English literature major Abigail Tetzlaff ’18 studied patterns in language and rhetorical uses in poetry and prose. Currently a Fulbright Fellow in Berlin, she is an English teaching assistant and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in English literature to ultimately become a university professor. “Especially for undergraduates studying within the humanities, it isn’t very common to come out of college with a research experience already complete,” Tetzlaff said. For Beyene, if not for the direct support from faculty and his McNair Scholars and URGO advisors, he wouldn’t have considered himself graduate school material. “Being at UCLA now, I realize how fortunate I was to have programs like McNair and URGO,” he said. AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT + COURTESY PHOTO Dear alumni and friends, As always, the fall season at Augsburg was full of excitement. This past August, for only the second time, our community sent a group of Auggies to explore the Mississippi on a River Semester off-campus study experience. Over the course of the semester, these students will spend 100 days paddling down the river while learning about history, politics, and the environment, and having the adventure of a lifetime. Then, as the calendar turned to September, the community welcomed returning students to a new academic year and ushered in the first-year students who make up the class of 2022. At Homecoming in October, we honored an accomplished group of Distinguished Alumni. We found inspiration in hearing their stories and learning about their achievements, and we were reminded of the talent and dedication that Augsburg alumni exhibit across a vast spectrum of vocations and commitments. Augsburg alumni are, indeed, remarkable professionals and amazing people. This year, I’m especially excited to serve on the Augsburg Alumni Board as its members strive to increase the ways in which they give to the university. I have personally committed to giving 50 hours of my time to Augsburg. I plan to attend events, mentor a student, and help reconnect the Auggies in my social network with the university. If, like me, you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of others in our Augsburg community, you’ll find that there are many ways to connect with Augsburg in support of students. • Consider attending the Auggie Networking Event coming up in February. This is an opportunity for alumni to help students practice valuable interpersonal skills that will benefit them in their future job searches and careers. • Join us for the 2018–19 Auggie Take Out student mentoring program. • Reconnect with Augsburg by volunteering with the Alumni Office or the Alumni Board. We’re always looking for people to join our leadership boards. • Volunteer to usher at Advent Vespers or to serve in another capacity. In all of the ways that Augsburg has shown up for you, it is now the time to show up for Augsburg. You can find information about these and other volunteer opportunities at augsburg.edu/alumni. I hope you will consider sharing your time and talents with the university this year. * + + HOMECOMING 2018 Nearly 525 Auggies attended the Augsburg University Homecoming celebration held October 11–13. Alumni, students, and community members gathered for a festive weekend featuring more than two dozen events that united the university’s remarkable legacy with its contemporary identity. If you are interested in serving on an alumni reunion committee or volunteering to help plan Homecoming 2019, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT + PHOTOS COURTESY OF REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER * PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGET DONOVAN FALL–WINTER 2018 23 A LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM: Augsburg students of the ’60s reflect on the past 50 years In 1964, folk singer Bob Dylan released his album and song “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which served as a call for change to address the social injustices he saw in the world. For the group of young students entering what was then Augsburg College that same year, his words would prove prescient. College is a transformational time for students, but for members of the class of 1968, the impact was especially pronounced. The Augsburg graduating class of 1968 witnessed the United States live through some of the worst upheavals in the nation’s history. In late 1963, President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. By 1968, assassinations also would claim civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the late president’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as well as political activist and leader Malcolm X. At the same time, the country was becoming violently divided over social issues, including civil rights and the increasingly unpopular war in Vietnam, with ever-larger numbers of young people being drafted and sent to southeast Asia to fight. In response, Augsburg students began to march for peace and civil rights and to take part in programs like Augsburg’s Listening Witness, which brought them to live and work in impoverished and racially segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and elsewhere. It was fitting, then, that at this year’s Homecoming celebration, 1968 alumni celebrating their 50th reunion delivered an Auggie Talk titled “The Baby Boomer Effect: How Four Years Affected 50.” The five speakers—Michael Arndt ’68, Kim Gudmestad ’68, Ted Johnson ’68, Augsburg Board of Regents member LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, and Joey Sylvester ’68—said their time at Augsburg shaped the course of their lives. They described how education empowered them to pursue lifelong work in the areas of diversity, justice, public leadership, and social activism. “I think [those times] had a profound effect on many of us as individuals, and it certainly had a profound effect on Augsburg,” said Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, an alumnus who went on to serve as a pastor and the third presiding bishop of the Evangelical 24 AUGSBURG NOW Lutheran Church in America. “For me, Augsburg provided an immersive experience so that those changing realities, those cultural conflicts, and those strivings for racial justice and peace in southeast Asia weren’t just topics that one was reading about or subjects in a classroom. They became lived experiences.” Hanson, who is now the executive director of Augsburg’s Christensen Center for Vocation, said he’s seen the university change as a result of activism originating in those pivotal mid-’60s years. He points to increasing diversity in the current student body—the result of an intentional commitment to inclusion, equity, and intercultural competency. Like Hanson, Myrna Sheie ’68, co-chair of the 1968 reunion events, went on to work with the ELCA after graduation. She reflected that she had entered college without much experience with diverse cultures but saw both herself and Augsburg change during her college years. “When I started at Augsburg, I was both naïve and unaware of the diversity we lacked,” she said. “Over the next four years, my classmates and I were exposed to ideas, concepts, and lifestyles—both inside and outside the classroom—that challenged us intellectually, socially, and personally. I became less naïve as my eyes and heart became more open.” A laboratory for life When Arndt, one of the Homecoming Auggie Talk presenters, reflects on his college experience, his memories often connect the time he spent on campus with dramatic life events that followed it. Shortly after graduation, Arndt was drafted from his first teaching job and sent to Vietnam as a member of the Army’s First Cavalry division. He served in the jungle near the Cambodian border and saw heavy military action that killed seven of his friends. During that time, Arndt says he recited the Shakespeare he’d learned during college to calm himself. AUGGIES CONNECT CELEBRATING A SEASON OF HOPE ARCHIVE PHOTOS 39TH ANNUAL ADVENT VESPERS Today, Arndt is chair and professor of Theatre Arts and Dance at California Lutheran University and the artistic director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company. He calls on his experiences as a veteran and artistic professional to use theater to help treat fellow veterans suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. “There was a time after I got out of the army when I felt that the country was going to dissolve into civil war,” he said. “There was such a divide and … a real sense that we were going to end up in total chaos. In talking with my college students today, there’s a sense of that now. [But] I think one of the things we’re saying is that those of us who felt that strongly in 1968 tried to work to make a difference. And many of us did.” Hanson concurs. “All that was taking place in the Twin Cities, in the country, and in the world in those four years became, for so many of us, not just objects of study, but context in which we were being formed for our future lives and vocations. And that’s still to this day what is particularly unique about Augsburg— it takes its context as the laboratory for life, not as something from which we seek to flee.” Augsburg’s Class of 1968 is working to raise $68,000 in scholarship funds for future students. Learn more about this initiative and their Auggie Talk at augsburg.edu/now. For more than three decades, Augsburg University has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons with Advent Vespers, a magnificent experience of music and liturgy, focusing on the theme of preparation and culminating in the joyful celebration of the Incarnation. Advent Vespers is set in downtown Minneapolis in the sanctuary of Central Lutheran Church, and this year Advent Vespers services will occur November 29–December 1. To learn more or request reservations, visit augsburg.edu/music/vespers. VELKOMMEN JUL Velkommen Jul is one of Augsburg’s most beloved traditions. It’s an event that celebrates the university’s Norwegian heritage and ushers in the Advent season. Come join us Friday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m., in Hoversten Chapel for a special chapel service—with Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish carols, Scandinavian dancers, and the Gospel read in Norwegian. Wear your Scandinavian sweater, if you have one; it’s a tradition to take a group sweater photo! Following chapel, the festivities continue in Christensen Center. Shop in the boutique for unique gifts and homemade goodies, and make sure to visit the buffet featuring lefse, krumkake, and other treats. The buffet is complimentary, but donations are greatly appreciated. All proceeds from the event support Augsburg student scholarships. FALL–WINTER 2018 25 COURTESY PHOTOS AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY 1869-2019 SAVE THE YEAR Join us in honoring the traditions of Augsburg’s rich history and celebrating the remarkable progress we have made in educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. A yearlong series of events including a sesquicentennial gala will commemorate our deep roots and recognize our present opportunities and future endeavors as we become a new kind of urban university. Subscribe to the sesquicentennial events digital calendar to participate in these community celebrations. Visit augsburg.edu/150. NOVEMBER AUGGIES TRULY GIVE TO THE MAX Each year, Auggies around the world respond generously to support the breadth of programs and experiences offered by Augsburg University. In total, over the past five years, Augsburg has raised more than $1.5 million through Give to the Max Day efforts. And even if you missed the opportunity to participate this year, you can find information about our fundraising results and learn more about additional ways to support the university at augsburg.edu/giving. 26 AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG SESQUICENTENNIAL TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES Plan ahead to participate in exciting alumni trips commemorating Augsburg’s sesquicentennial. Overseas trips are planned to locations in Norway and Germany that are central in Augsburg’s history. In May 2020, Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg University professor of theater arts, and her husband, Luverne Seifert ’83, head of undergraduate theater performance at the University of Minnesota, will lead a tour exploring the rich and vibrant arts and culture of Norway. The tour will include plays, concerts, and historical landmarks as well as an opportunity to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway. At the same time, a tour exploring Norway’s peace work, government, and environmental agencies will be co-led by Bettine Hoff Hermanson, Norway Hub managing director, and Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science and director of environmental studies. This trip also includes the opportunity to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway. In July 2020, Rev. Sonja Hagander, Augsburg University pastor and director of ministries, will lead a hike to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway—a pilgrimage made by travelers for more than 1,000 years. Along the way, the group will learn about history and culture, and experience firsthand some of the most beautiful nature in the world. Also in July 2020, Augsburg associate professors of religion Lori Brandt Hale and Hans Wiersma—who led the 2016 alumni tour for the anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation—will lead a tour to Bavaria, Germany, with stops in Nuremberg, Salzberg, and additional nearby locations. The tour also includes tickets to the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play, which first opened in 1634 and has been performed every 10 years since. Contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations, at codek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178 if you are interested in learning more about Augsburg’s travel opportunities. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1942 The French government posthumously awarded Chester Hendrickson ’42 the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for his service and work in Normandy during World War II. 1958 Grace (Kemmer) Sulerud ’58 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for her faithful service to Augsburg across her time as a student, librarian, faculty member, and alumna. After graduating from Augsburg in 1958 with a degree in English, she became a junior high English teacher and an elementary librarian in U.S. Air Force Department of Defense Schools in Germany, Japan, and Libya. Sulerud earned master’s degrees in library science and English, served as the treasurer of the Augsburg Associates, and continues to stay involved at university events. She personifies Augsburg’s calling to humbly serve in a variety of ways. 1968 David J. Melby ’68, Ph.D., received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming and was recognized as a psychologist, executive leader, and advocate who embodies faithful service in true Auggie form. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augsburg and master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling psychology, he has worked as a CEO and has served on the boards of organizations relating to behavioral health care, health practices, and housing. As a thoughtful steward and responsible leader, his work has created healthier, more fulfilling lives for many. 1971 The St. Michael-Albertville (Minnesota) Coaches Association Hall of Fame Committee selected Darrell Skogan ’71 as a Hall of Fame inductee. This fall marks Skogan’s 51st season as statistician for the school district. He also has umpired, run clocks, and coached girls’ basketball and softball throughout his tenure with the district. 1972 John Sherman ’72 was honored with two awards for his work as a sports journalist. Sherman received the Outstanding Media Award from the Minnesota State High School League and the Spinnaker Award from Minnetonka School District. While at Augsburg, Sherman was the editor for the school newspaper and played baseball and soccer. Since graduating 46 years ago, he has served on the Sun Newspaper staff in Edina, Minnesota. Terry Lindstrom ’73 and Mark Johnson ’75 joined the Augsburg University Board of Regents. See page 4. Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 explains how the university’s dome gives Auggies a competitive advantage. See page 16. 1982 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Andrews ’82 was a key defender on Auggie men’s hockey teams that won NAIA national titles in both 1980–81 and 1981–82, while winning MIAC titles and reaching the NAIA tournament all four years of his career. Andrews accumulated 29 goals and 60 assists for 89 points in his college career, and he earned All-MIAC honors in 1981–82 and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1980–81. Former basketball star Brad Nelson ’82 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. An All-MIAC guard in 1981–82, Nelson was a three-year member of the Auggie men’s basketball team, averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his career. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on Augsburg’s MIAC runner-up team in 1981–82, and averaged 7.8 points on the Auggies’ MIAC title (later forfeited for use of an ineligible player) and NAIA national tournament team in 1980–81. 1984 Mayo Clinic Health System— Franciscan Healthcare named Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 the vice president of its Southwest Wisconsin Region. As a regional leader, Mueller will manage operations out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He completed his undergraduate degree at Augsburg and has spent the past nine years chairing Mayo Clinic’s Division of General Internal Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. Nancy Mueller ’85 joined the Augsburg University Board of Regents. See page 4. Darcey Engen ’88 employs perspectives both as a student and as a faculty member to plan Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebrations. See page 14. 1989 The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced that Carolyn (Ross) Isaak ’89 was inducted into the NCAA Division III Track and Field Athlete Hall of Fame in May. Isaak set several records as an Augsburg athlete, including the 400-meter hurdles record that stood until 2014. Isaak, a five-time national champion and nine-time All-American, is Augsburg’s first athlete ever to be inducted into this Hall of Fame. Literary scholar Devoney Looser ’89 was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2018 and will complete a biography of forgotten sister novelists. See page 10. Brynn Watson ’89 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. She is an award-winning leader in the aerospace industry for her technical experience, executive leadership, and tireless advocacy of STEM education for youth. She earned a mathematics degree from Augsburg and a master’s degree in applied mathematics before she gained several director- and vice-president-level positions in technology and engineering companies. She now serves as vice president for the Future Enterprise Program for Lockheed Martin. Watson’s spirit and accomplishments mirror the tenacity of Auggies around the world who ascend to prestigious positions among today’s leading companies. 1995 Wrestling star Randy Eastman ’95 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Eastman was a three-time NCAA Division III All-American in the 167-pound weight class, finishing second nationally in the 1994–95 campaign, third in 1993–94, and fifth in 1992–93. A transfer from Mankato State, he was a member of Augsburg teams that won the national titles in both 1992–93 and 1994–95, while FALL–WINTER 2018 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES finishing fourth in 1993–94. Eastman won two MIAC titles and was a conference runner-up in his Auggie career. Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Tom Layte ’95 was a dominant wrestler for the Auggies in the mid-’90s. Layte competed at Augsburg in the 1994–95 season after transferring from Western New England College, and he made the most of his Auggie campaign, going 44-4, winning the NCAA Division III national title at 150 pounds, and earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the national championships as the Auggies won the team national crown. He later served as an Augsburg assistant coach and was head coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Augsburg volleyball star Carolyn Tuohy ’95 was a dominant player in the mid-’90s, playing three seasons as a middle hitter, earning All-MIAC honors in 1994, and receiving All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1992. Tuohy, who was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame, was a team co-captain in 1994 and finished her career with 878 kills in 2,566 attack attempts. She was voted the team’s MVP in 1992. 1997 Derrin Lamker ’97 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his successes on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. A quarterback in football, Lamker led the Auggies to the 1997 MIAC title and a spot in the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals. He earned All-MIAC honors in 1996 and 1997. He was the conference MVP in 1997, in addition to earning All-America honors and finalist honors for the Gagliardi Trophy (Division III Player of the Year). Joe Lavin ’97 had an outstanding pitching career on the Augsburg baseball team. An ace during the mid-’90s, Lavin earned All-MIAC and All-Midwest Region second-team honors in 1995, while earning conference Player of the Week honors multiple times. He had a 1.42 ERA in conference play with five complete games, a shutout, and 41 strikeouts against only 16 walks and 32 hits in 1995, while winning three games on the mound in 1994 and four in 1996. Eric Rolland ’97, the Augsburg men’s and women’s golf head coach, teaches students a lifelong sport each spring in the campus dome. See page 16. 2000 Jasha Johnston ’00 and Carrie (McCabe) Johnston ’02 opened their third restaurant, Mortimer’s, in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis. The new venue features live music, an updated menu, and a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to their new venture, the Johnstons own Nightingale Restaurant and Tilt Pinball Bar. 2002 Three-sport athlete Brenda (Selander) Mitshulis ’02 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Mitshulis was an All-MIAC honoree in 2000 and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honoree in 1999 in soccer, where she finished her career with 15 goals and four assists for 34 career points. She led the Auggies in scoring in three seasons. In hockey, she was a member of the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 MIAC title squads and the 2000 national runner-up team. She also played two seasons of softball. 2003 Dual sport athlete Rachel Ekholm ’03 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. One of the best softball players in school history, Ekholm earned All-MIAC honors three times, while earning NFCA All-Region honors twice. As a pitcher, she won 39 career games AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’70 ’76 28 AUGSBURG NOW ’84 ’90 ’12 with a 2.45 ERA and 347 strikeouts. She hit .389 and holds school records for home runs, triples, RBI, and slugging percentage. She also played in 60 career games in basketball, averaging 9.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04 said the Augsburg air structure helped save the team’s 2018 season. See page 16. 2006 This year, Augsburg’s Excellence in Coaching Award recognized Jim Gunderson ’06. Gunderson is in his fourth season as football head coach at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, after serving for 14 years as an assistant coach. He has also served as track and field head coach since 2012. In football, his team won the Minnesota Class AAAA state title in 2017, with Gunderson being named the Minnesota Football State Class AAAA Coach of the Year. 2008 graduating from Augsburg with a degree in communication studies, he has devoted his career to public leadership and making a difference in his community. He ran for mayor of Baltimore in 2016, becoming the youngest person ever to run for the office. He also sits on the boards of several Baltimore community initiatives and is the co-founder of a nonprofit fostering revitalization. Brian Krohn ’08, Ph.D., received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. After earning a degree in chemistry, researching biofuel, and becoming Augsburg’s first Rhodes Scholar, Krohn founded companies Mighty Axe Hops and Magic Wizard Staff. He earned a doctorate from the University of Minnesota as an Environmental Protection Agency Fellow and master’s degrees from the University of Oxford in environmental change and science. He was an Innovation Fellow at the U of M’s Medical Devices Center and is CEO of Soundly, an app-based therapy to reduce snoring—an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Joshua Harris ’08 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. His life and work in the past 10 years embodies Augsburg’s pursuit of social justice, equity, and inclusion. Since Nikki Rajala ’70 published “Treacherous Waters,” her second novel in the “Chronicles of an Unlikely Voyageur” series. A career ESL teacher, Rajala retired from the St. Cloud School District in 2004 and lives in Rockville, Minnesota. ’70 Jeff Mueller ’76 was honored by Norway’s King Harald V, who bestowed the rank of Knight First Class in the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. Mueller, director of administration and finance at Norway House, Minneapolis, is a past president of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its board of directors. He also has been active in the Syttende ’76 Killa Marti ’08, J.D., received a First Decade Award at Homecoming because she embodies Augsburg’s values through her thoughtful stewardship, critical thinking, and rigorous pursuit of justice and equity. After graduating from Augsburg with a major in international relations and a minor in economics, Marti earned a law degree so that she could serve immigrant communities. She has worked with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and several law firms, has founded her own law practice in the Atlanta area, and has worked tirelessly for her law clients in districts and cases where the decks were stacked against them. Former Augsburg cheerleader Cassandra Roschen ’08 returned to Fairmont High School to coach the cheerleading squad. Roschen, a former Fairmont cheerleader, taught current students sideline cheers and routines. She also extended her service to include team building and community outreach with the squad. Chris Stedman ’08 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming for his robust intellectual engagement as an informed citizen and critical thinker. A religion major with minors in English and social welfare, he earned a master’s degree in religion from Meadville Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago. He was the founding executive director of the Humanist Center of Minnesota, founded the Yale Humanist Community, and was a humanist chaplain at Harvard. Stedman is the author of “Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious” (Beacon Press, 2012). Mai Committee, the Norwegian Independence Day celebration, the annual troop exchange program with the Minnesota National Guard and the Norwegian Home Guard, and Torske Klubben. Mueller (right) is pictured with Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Kåre R. Aas, who presented the order of merit medal at Norway House. The HGA firm hired Mary Claire Olson Potter ’84 as a health care business developer and senior associate. ’84 ’90 In June, former Augsburg football player David Stevens ’90 hosted a Disability Dream and Do Camp alongside the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, an American minor league baseball team based in Upstate New York. CBS affiliate WBNG covered Stevens’ story and time with the Rumble Ponies. Stevens, who led six other athletic camps this summer, was the only double amputee to play three seasons of football for the Auggies. He later played for the St. Paul Saints and tried out for the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys. Janelle (Christensen) Nelson ’12 welcomed a daughter, Kennedy Elaine, in April. Nelson majored in art history. Her grandfather also attended Augsburg. ’12 FALL–WINTER 2018 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2011 Laura (Schmidt) DuSchane ’11 and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA opened a new business venture called Fretless Marketing that provides social media and event marketing services for small businesses. Their company website is fretlessmarketing.com. Ted Nielsen ’11 started a new job at Edward Jones as a financial advisor. Nielsen assists individuals and families with long-term investing. Nielsen previously worked with Thrivent and graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in English. 2012 Kimberly Simmonds ’12 was promoted to a program assistant with the City of Minneapolis. Simmonds majored in history at Augsburg before receiving her master’s in public administration in 2014. 2013 Alexandra Buffalohead ’13 started a new role as manager of art and cultural engagement with the Native American Community Development Institute. Buffalohead earned a bachelor’s degree in studio arts at Augsburg. She has since served as a graphic designer for the American Indian Cancer Foundation and as a communications officer for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Tyler Heaps ’13 is a manager of analytics and research at the United States Soccer Federation. SportTechie, an online resource devoted to covering topics at the intersection of sports and technology, interviewed Heaps regarding his work within the federation tracking players and opponents using innovative technologies. Heaps is working to standardize analysis and support across all soccer levels and teams to ensure the federation can effectively track players within the system. The Chicago Tribune wrote about Dustin Ritchea ’13, who returned to live and work in his hometown of Chesterton, Indiana. Ritchea serves as a promotions director for Indiana Dunes Tourism and also works as an actor, producer, songwriter, and writer. 2015 Nikki (Ludwig) Darst ’15 started a new job with Black Line Group as a research and development tax manager. She graduated from Augsburg with a degree in accounting management. Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 participated in undergraduate research that contributed to success after graduation. See page 20. 2017 Jack Swift ’17 recently started a new role with In The Groove Music as a publishing assistant. As an Augsburg student, Swift majored in business administration with an emphasis on music business. Vision Bagonza ’17 conducted research through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity. See page 20. 2018 The NBC Nightly News featured Neil King ’18 in a story about his success at Augsburg in the StepUP® Program. After graduating from Augsburg and StepUP, King started a master’s degree in integrated behavioral health at the University of Minnesota. The Twin Cities Arts Reader interviewed Brid Henry ’16 regarding her work in the Minneapolis theater scene. Henry has performed in the Minnesota Fringe Festival and has directed and co-produced the first year of the Minneapolis branch of the Future Is Female Festival. Henry chose to study theater at Augsburg because the university’s program was ranked among the top opportunities outside of New York. 30 AUGSBURG NOW Blair Stewig ’18 and Abigail Tetzlaff ’18 delved into student research with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity. See page 20. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Matthew Halley ’97 MSW serves as executive director for Cookie Cart, a nonprofit youth program that equips young people with employment and life skills. Halley was interviewed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press for an article highlighting the program’s continuing success since its founding in 1988. Halley is focused on expanding the program by adding more youth workers. This spring, Education Minnesota named Kelly (Sheehan) Holstine ’12 MAE the 2018 Teacher of the Year. An English teacher at Tokata Learning Center, an alternative high school in Shakopee, Holstine created a new English curriculum and developed policies that the school has implemented. Lavender Magazine featured Holstine’s accolades and focus on diversity in education. As Teacher of the Year, Holstine is an ambassador for 86,000 teachers in Minnesota. Chung Eang Lip ’18 started a new role as a graduate school teaching assistant at Columbia University in New York City. Lip is working on a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in infectious disease epidemiology. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’16 St. Olaf College hired Gregory Mitchell ’18 as a wide receivers coach for the 2018 season. Mitchell was a receiver on the Augsburg football team. He previously coached receivers at Centennial High School and Southwest High School. Augsburg alumnus Scott Cooper ’13 returned to the university this August as a full-time staff member serving as an alumni engagement manager. Cooper started his undergraduate degree at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, before transferring to Augsburg in 2011 where he completed a bachelor’s degree in communication. Cooper was a member of the Augsburg Choir and the 2012 and 2013 Auggie football teams. Prior to ’13 SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE joining Augsburg’s Alumni and Constituent Relations staff, Cooper served in Minneapolis Public Schools’ high school special education programs. In his free time, Cooper has enjoyed public speaking engagements in which he has discussed his experiences as an Auggie football player. ’12 Rick Wolke ’12 and Ashley (Carney) Wolke ’13 welcomed Aurora Jo Wolke on AUGGIES HONORED Orville “Joe” Hognander Jr. received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for his thoughtful stewardship and responsible leadership. Although he was not a student at Augsburg, he is a noteworthy Auggie through and through. His grandfather was an Augsburg graduate more than 100 years ago, his parents were highly involved in the music program, and his ties to alumni and faculty run deep. A retired naval officer and private investor now living in Edina, Minnesota, Hognander’s longstanding involvement with Augsburg speaks to a family history of commitment and engagement, particularly in the continued support of Augsburg’s Department of Music. ’16 ’13 Professor Emeritus John Holum, Ph.D., received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming. A beloved retired professor whose legacy spans more than 30 years, Holum is a prolific writer who has published dozens of scientific textbooks and peer-reviewed papers. He came to Augsburg with a doctorate in organic chemistry and taught chemistry until his retirement in 1993. Holum, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, has demonstrated a lifelong passion for academic excellence and support for students on their educational journeys. ’12 ’09 Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. ’15 January 8. Rick and Ashley both majored in business administration/economics. Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard ’09, ’17 MSW and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA were married on September 23, 2017, in Stillwater, Minnesota. There were several Auggies in attendance. Pictured are [front, L to R]: Seth Lienard, Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard, Morgan (Bray) Thompson ’09, Amanda (Chmiel) Spence ’09 ’09 [back, L to R]: Wade Wojick ’11, Ryan Wilsey ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olsen ’11, Luke Lienard ’16, Aaron Rosell, Stefan Swanson, Sheridan Lienard, Lindsey Graff ’11, and Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11. Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA and her husband, David, welcomed a son, Lawson Robert, on April 26. ’15 ’10 Jonathan Chrastek ’10 and Katie Pendo ’10 were married on July 7 in Leesburg, Virginia. Several Augsburg alumni joined the couple as they celebrated their wedding, which was officiated by Sylvia Bull ’10 and Emily Wiles ’10. Augsburg alumni Alissa Nolan ’09, Nick Blixt ’10, and Cait Kortum ’10 were in the wedding party, and Kate Edelen ’11 was in attendance. ’10 FALL–WINTER 2018 31 IN MEMORIAM Lydia C. (Mitlyng) Pokrass ’35, Ashburn, Virginia, age 104, on May 29. Eunice C. (Knudson) Iverson ’42, Richmond, Minnesota, age 97, on September 9. Joyce M. (Reitan) Knutsen ’43, Fridley, Minnesota, age 93, on May 30. Richard J. Koplitz ’45, Minneapolis, age 95, on June 15. Lenore “Beth” B. (Buesing) Opgrand ’45, Wilmington, North Carolina, age 95, on May 25. Adele L. (Anderson) Cupit ’46, Walnut Creek, California, age 94, on May 26. Jack E. Jacobsen ’46, Minneapolis, age 95, on January 11. Duane J. Christensen ’53, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 87, on May 7. Clara A. (Hookom) Cobb ’54, Willmar, Minnesota, age 85, on May 26. Daniel “Dan” E. Peterson ’66, Clear Lake, Minnesota, age 75, on March 4. Niles R. Schulz ’66, Minneapolis, age 74, on July 10. James E. Leschensky ’67, Minneapolis, age 73, on March 25. John “Johnny” M. Burke ’94, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 54, on March 20. E. William “Bill” Anderson ’56, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 84, on May 16. Judith A. (Anderson) Woods ’67, Brainerd, Minnesota, age 73, on March 7. Rebecca E. Rehfeld ’95, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 62, on February 19. Lloyd C. Grinde ’56, Minneapolis, age 92, on July 1. Dolores “Dee” M. (Larson) Fagerlie ’72, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 90, on August 23. Phyllis A. Lee ’96, Frederick, Maryland, age 76, on January 18. Russell C. Lee ’56, Albuquerque, New Mexico, age 86, on August 17. Roger K. Ose II ’56, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 84, on May 9. Sidney D. Berg ’57, Minneapolis, age 88, on May 29. Kathleen E. Tinseth ’74, Minneapolis, age 66, on September 4. John R. Burgeson ’75, Andover, Minnesota, age 66, on May 19. Leroy H. Conyers ’57, Marshall, Minnesota, age 88, on June 13. Margaret “Marie” (Salmonson) Marx ’78, Scandia, Minnesota, age 89, on September 7. Arthur E. Marben ’47, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 95, on July 14. Charles H. Erbstoesser ’58, Little Falls, Minnesota, age 88, on July 18. Estelle M. (Uleberg) Swanson ’47, Madelia, Minnesota, age 92, on August 2. Stephanie J. (Torgerson) Sipprell ’81, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, age 59, on May 5. Harlan J. Jacobson ’59, Ashby, Minnesota, age 81, on July 20. Milan J. Sedio ’48, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 94, on May 18. Joyce K. (Johnson) Rudi ’62, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 85, on August 29. Mary J. Andersen ’84, Afton, Minnesota, age 61, on March 10. Richard J. Thorvig ’49, Minneapolis, age 93, on August 4. Lynn B. Lundin ’50, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, age 90, on May 29. Verna M. (Haverly) Brue ’51, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 90, on July 16. Gloria A. (Metcalf) Kubnick ’63, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, age 77, on July 12. Susan D. (Graff) Mills ’96, Fargo, North Dakota, age 65, on July 3. Scott W. Schuck ’97, Minneapolis, age 63, on August 31. John M. Welch ’07, Sudbury, Massachusetts, age 34, on June 30. Marlene M. Taylor ’09, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 31, on May 16. Jennifer L. Lovering ’10, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 29, on April 26. Cheryl L. Miller ’10, Altoona, Wisconsin, age 52, on August 9. Jon “Ryan” R. Benson ’12, Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 40, on June 1. Karlton “Karl” I. Bakke ’64, Roseville, Minnesota, age 77, on July 18. Jon M. Leverentz ’92, Hopkins, Minnesota, age 67, on August 16. Jacalyn “Jackie” S. (Ruschmann) Pederson ’14, Danbury, Wisconsin, age 65, on August 28. Bruce E. Braaten ’64, Prior Lake, Minnesota, age 76, on May 27. Alisa J. (Norvold) Leonard ’93, Northfield, Minnesota, age 48, on July 8. David “Alex” A. Jenny ’16, Kansas City, Missouri, age 29, on May 27. Charlotte K. (Jensen) Duty ’65, St. Joseph, Missouri, age 75, on March 24. A. Richard Petersen ’51, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 89, on August 21. Cengiz Gokcen ’66, St. Pete Beach, Florida, age 74, on August 5. AUGSBURG NOW Linda J. (Skay) Weinberg ’87, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, age 69, on March 13. Alice E. (Barden) Mapes ’96, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 56, on August 24. Eileen M. (Henkemeyer) Saldana ’91, Minneapolis, age 82, on January 6. Erika R. (Staub) Niemi ’51, Tucson, Arizona, age 91, on April 16. 32 David R. Berken ’94, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 50, on May 19. Duncan D. Flann ’55, Overland Park, Kansas, age 85, on April 9. Helen “Merle” M. (Houser) Campbell ’47, Newberg, Oregon, age 94, on June 27. Donald L. Sween ’49, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 93, on April 25. Scott D. Syring ’93, Minneapolis, age 48, on August 24. Shirley A. Sopkiewicz ’93, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 60, on February 27. John E. Sorlien ’93, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 55, on July 19. Cole R. McAdam ’17, Faribault, Minnesota, age 23, on April 7. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 15. VISIT CAMPUS ALUMNI Whether you’re on campus often or haven’t been back in years, there’s always something new to see. Schedule a personal tour by contacting the alumni office at 612-330-1329 or alumni@augsburg.edu. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS Augsburg could be right for you. Traditional undergraduate students who are children or spouses of Augsburg graduates or the siblings of current Augsburg students are eligible for a minimum scholarship of $16,000 per year. Schedule a campus visit at augsburg.edu/visit. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Augsburg’s press box, completed in 2008, was made possible by gifts from Oliver Dahl ’45, John ’36 and Christine Haalan, E. Milton “Milt” Kleven ’46, Glen Person ’47, President Paul C. Pribbenow, Dick “Pork Chop” Thompson ’61, and Gunner and Mary Wick. Augsburg press box name commemorates Campus Pastor Emeritus Dave Wold Augsburg University dedicated the press box at Edor Nelson Field in honor of the late Rev. Dave Wold during the Auggie football team’s home opener this fall. Augsburg’s campus pastor from 1983 to 2013, Wold died April 21 at age 72. In addition to his service to the Augsburg community as a faith leader, Wold was a constant presence in the Augsburg athletics community, serving as public address announcer for football, men’s basketball, and wrestling home competitions, along with events in many other sports. The breadth of Wold’s pastoral care supported generations of Auggies, and he is beloved by alumni and Augsburg community members around the world. PHOTOS BY KEVIN HEALY 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2019:
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Auggie friendships Learning across abilities Sesquicentennial preview The new age of artisans SPRING–SUMMER 2019 | VOL. 81, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Spring–Summer 2019 Director of Mark...
Show more Auggie friendships Learning across abilities Sesquicentennial preview The new age of artisans SPRING–SUMMER 2019 | VOL. 81, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Spring–Summer 2019 Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW Augsburg at 150 It is indeed remarkable for any of us today to stand in the shadows of an institution that has existed for 150 years. Institutions such as Augsburg University—no matter their meaningful legacy and inspiring mission—are viewed with some skepticism by a citizenry more and more committed to going it alone. I am privileged to lead Augsburg on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and dedicated to ensuring that our academic mission and democratic engagement remain firm for the next 150 years. In that way, the history of Augsburg is in service of going forward together. There are four themes that I believe are at the heart of this university’s identity. The themes are abundance, generosity, engagement, and service. Throughout Augsburg’s 150 years, there is ample evidence that the interplay of those themes has helped to shape what Burton Clark has called “the saga” of Augsburg. A saga is more than a story or a parable. It is an unfolding narrative anchored in mission, values, rituals, and objects. This issue of Augsburg Now offers us a glimpse of the ways in which our saga continues to unfold in rich and meaningful ways. From the yearlong celebration of our sesquicentennial, to urgent interfaith and human rights initiatives, to new academic programs, to the remarkable accomplishments of the many alumni, faculty, and students featured in these pages—we are reminded again and again of how Augsburg is both faithful to its historic values and relevant to the needs of the world today. Augsburg alumni David Cherwien ’79 and Gracia Grindal ’65 painted with music and words this saga of faith, educational aspirations, and public service in a hymn commissioned for my inauguration in 2006. The final stanza of the hymn proclaims: Send, oh God your Holy Spirit, Give us wisdom, love, and faith. Faith enough to move a mountain, Love that died to conquer death. Wisdom crowned with healing leaves, Truth made flesh to set us free. Let your glory bear rich fruit, Growing from your sturdy roots. Alleluia, Alleluia! And so we join with the company of saints and witnesses who have lived in the shadows of our beloved Augsburg to renew our vow to hold fast to all that is good. Faithfully yours, Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah sitarami@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Elizabeth Kästner kaestner@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 stepkad@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter John Weirick weirick@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Kaia Chambers chamberk2@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Katie (Koch) Code ’01 Kate H. Elliott Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official university policy. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT ISSN 1058-1545 AUGSBURG HOSTS ANNUAL INTERFAITH GATHERING This February, 130 young people from across Minnesota came together at Augsburg University for the fifth annual Interfaith Youth Day of Service presented in partnership with Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. Augsburg students, staff, and faculty offered programming assistance for the youth-designed initiative tailored to those in grades 6–12 and aligned with the United Nations’ observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week. The event featured a keynote address, breakout workshops, musical performances, and service projects before attendees concluded their day on campus with an Augsburg tour. 02 Around the quad 24 Auggie friendships 08 All in the family 27 Auggies connect 12 Learning across abilities 28 Class notes 15 A year of celebration to honor 150 32 In memoriam 19 The new age of artisans On the cover: Augsburg’s Hagfors Center supplies an illuminating contrast to the backdrop of downtown Minneapolis. All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu AROUND THE QUAD AROUND THE QUAD AUGGIE RESEARCH WOWS AT THE ROTUNDA Augsburg TRIO McNair Scholars Breanne Sande-Martin ’18 and Andy Thao ’20 presented their research during the 16th annual Private College Scholars at the Capitol event this January. As a member of the Minnesota Private College Council, Augsburg was invited to send Auggies to the event, which recognizes the scholarship of students and the efforts of their faculty advisors. Psychology student Sande-Martin presented her research on “The Impact of Smartphone Notifications on Proofreading Accuracy.” Biology student Thao shared his “Exploration of Local Field Potentials and Spiking Activity in a Genetic Model of Schizophrenia.” FOSTERING FUZZY FEELINGS A new venue, a grand scale Augsburg University will host this year’s commencement ceremony May 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. This is the first time Augsburg will use the multi-purpose facility that’s home to the Minnesota Vikings as the site for commencement events. In making this change, Augsburg is responding to consistent concerns raised by graduating students regarding the limited number of tickets available for their guests to attend on-campus ceremonies which were held most recently in Si Melby Hall’s gymnasium. Augsburg will use a portion of U.S. Bank Stadium, and the change in venue and dramatic increase in total available seats will enable all graduates, their families, their friends, and members of the Augsburg community to celebrate together. HONORING Two faculty members are retiring this spring following years of dedicated service to Augsburg University. Augsburg is grateful for their commitment to advancing the university’s mission and supporting student learning within and beyond the classroom. ROBERTA KAGIN Professor, Department of Music—joined Augsburg in 1974 DAVID CONRAD HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM at Augsburg THE AUGSBURG PODCAST: SEASON 2 After a popular first season of the Augsburg Podcast, season 2 kicked off with President Paul Pribbenow, Campus Pastor Rev. Sonja Hagander, and Professor of English Doug Green [pictured], among others. The podcasts offer wide-ranging perspectives on the university’s critical work of educating students for the future. Listen to the new season at augsburg.edu/podcast or in your podcast app. AUGSBURG NOW Announcing the Retiring Faculty Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration—joined Augsburg in 2000 2 PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE COURTESY PHOTO COMMENCEMENT 2019 At the Ed Saugestad Rink, pucks glide across the ice and stuffed animals fly through the air. In January, Augsburg students on the women’s hockey team and in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program collaborated to host a teddy bear toss in which fans pitched plush toys onto the ice during the first intermission in the Auggies’ home contest against Gustavus Adolphus College. The teddy bear toss concept originated in Canada in the early 1990s and has grown in popularity through support from hockey teams at the collegiate and professional levels. The 48 toys collected January 19 were donated to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, where each year up to a dozen Augsburg physician assistant students complete clinical placements as part of their studies. Fans also created greeting cards with encouraging messages for hospital patients. Building on a 30-year history with the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and as part of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration, Augsburg is launching a new event this fall: the Human Rights Forum at Augsburg. The event will bring students, thought leaders, global changemakers, and local activists together to explore innovative ways to take action in our ongoing pursuit of racial justice, indigenous rights, and environmental sustainability domestically and globally. The Human Rights Forum will be held October 28-29 on Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus and is open to the public. Tickets will go on sale this summer. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 3 AROUND THE QUAD MEDIA COVERAGE WORTH MENTIONING THE GOLDEN NIGHT GLEAMS; STUDENTS GROOVE The Augsburg Student Activities Council treated Auggies to a formal, Roaring ’20s-inspired event that added zest to campus following a stretch of bitter cold winter weather. A NEIGHBORLY GESTURE Augsburg University students distributed jackets, blankets, children’s toys, and meals to families in need at a homeless encampment near Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis in November. “It’s basically in [Augsburg’s] backyard, and helping the community is a really big thing for me,” student Tyler Johnson ’22 told Fox 9 reporter Christina Palladino. This day of service was the brainchild of Augsburg student Inam Al-Hammouri ’20, and other students quickly joined. “Cooking a hot lunch and serving it to hungry families out in the cold is not something most college kids would do on a Saturday, but these youth at Augsburg University are not just your average students,” the Fox 9 reporter said. “The students believe it is their responsibility to take action and empower their generation to build bridges to those less fortunate.” A NOTEWORTHY LINEUP Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder journalist Charles Hallman wrote about this year’s Augsburg University women’s basketball team when its starting lineup included five African-American students—a moment believed to be a first in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Augsburg University students Arianna Jones ’20, Camille McCoy ’20, Tamara McLenore ’20, Camryn Speese ’20, and Kaezha Wubben ’20 made history at the November 19 game against the University of Wisconsin— Superior, the story said. Go to augsburg.edu/news to learn more about the university’s media buzz. 4 AUGSBURG NOW COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO The three-story mural “Emergence” adorns the Hagfors Center’s west stairwell. NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHES: The Augsburg University Convocation Series is an annual speaker series that includes long-standing endowed and special programs. Recent presenters included: • Terrance Kwame-Ross, associate professor in the Department of Education at Augsburg, who delivered “Our Conversation with Dr. King: Class in Session” at the 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in January. • Jin Y. Park, professor of philosophy and religion and founding director of the Asian Studies Program at American University, who shared a presentation at the Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in March called “Ethical Imagination: Buddhist-Postmodern Approaches.” • Pamela Ronald, distinguished professor in the Plant Pathology Department and the Genome Center at University of California—Davis, presented “Serving Up Science: Plant Genetics and the Future of Food” for the General Leif J. Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture in April. Augsburg University is accepting applications for a new Master of Arts in Education program that offers a non-licensure track for teachers and educators looking to enhance their skills within and beyond the classroom. This program includes 30–31 credit hours and can be completed in less than two years. Students have the opportunity to choose from two concentrations: Culture and Community, which focuses on the tools educators need to navigate complex systems and co-construct curriculum with their students, and Community Engaged Learning, which looks at the problems students, schools, and communities face when seeking meaningful change. FOR CONVOCATION SERIES AN ARTFUL COLLABORATION The artwork in Augsburg’s Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion always captivates eyes. Recently, the collection also attracted the ears of Minnesota Public Radio listeners. That’s because MPR highlighted the successful partnership between Augsburg and Forecast Public Art, which helped guide the university’s effort to commission original art for the campus’ newest academic building. Now in its 40th year, Forecast Public Art is regarded as one of the nation’s leading nonprofits committed to communityengaged design and placemaking. Augsburg benefitted from the organization’s expertise as the university worked to acquire art to reflect the diverse communities that make up the Augsburg student body and to knit together the various academic disciplines housed in the Hagfors Center. Today, the facility has more than 25 art pieces on its walls and six works of art built into its structure. AUGSBURG WELCOMES LEADING SCHOLARS MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION Go to augsburg.edu/gpe to learn more about the Master of Arts in Education. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 5 AROUND THE QUAD WOMEN’S ATHLETICS ARCHIVE NEARS THE FINISH LINE The James G. Lindell Library’s digitization lab team has been working with an impressive collection of projector slides and photographs that document women’s athletics at Augsburg from the time Title IX took effect in 1972 to the present. With more than 7,000 images, this archive will become one of the largest online collections of women’s athletic history in the country when processing is complete in Fall 2020. The collection was started by Joyce Pfaff ’65, retired Auggie coach, instructor, and director of women’s athletics who launched several women’s teams and The Augsburg women’s basketball team posing for a served the university for 43 years. photo in the locker room, 1978. Gwen Walz is still surprised to be addressed as first lady. “I sometimes walk right past people or don’t turn around when someone says it because I just don’t hear it like I hear ‘Gwen,’” said Walz, whose husband, Tim, became Minnesota’s governor in January. While Walz may not be used to being called first lady, she’s jumping into the role. She’s the first Minnesota first lady to have an office at the state Capitol and plans to focus on education and corrections as policy issues. Walz also recently joined Augsburg University as an independent contractor serving in two roles: as special assistant to the president for strategic partnerships and as a fellow in the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. Here is a glimpse into her connection to Augsburg and new life. President Paul Pribbenow has described you as a friend of Augsburg. How have you worked with Augsburg in the past? Q: A: A: President Pribbenow and I met in Rochester when Tim (then U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 1st congressional district) asked us to facilitate a series of community-wide conversations on education. Through this partnership, I knew that I shared Augsburg’s deep commitment to equity. Q: You are the first Minnesota first lady to have an office at the state Capitol. Why was that presence important to you? A: Tim and I work closely together. We do our work differently at times, though, so having our own spaces is important. I also work with the staff very closely, so it is more convenient for them if I have an office near them. I am still learning how to best use this space to do meaningful work and build meaningful relationships. 6 AUGSBURG NOW Your mother, Linnea Wacker ’60, is an Auggie. What did she say when you told her about coming to work at Augsburg? She told me that I had better bring my “A” game. My mom told me that Augsburg is a very important place, and I must make sure I am prepared to bring focus and energy to the task. The mission of Augsburg University is very important to her, and she wants to make sure I help advance it! My mother was a teacher and first-generation college graduate. She and my father, a long-time educator, are committed to providing opportunities in education for everyone. Q: You started your career as an elementary school teacher. How does your passion for teaching and learning suit your roles at Augsburg and the Capitol? A: On the campaign trail, Tim and I both used the phrase that teaching was not just how we paid our bills; it’s how we live our lives. I have never been able to separate things in my life; I have a pretty holistic approach to who I am and what I bring to something. I have a lot to learn from Augsburg and the people here. All of that informs how I am thinking about how I might best serve all of the people of Minnesota. Search or browse at archives.augsburg.edu. Insta Augsburg: A few square snapshots showing significant #AuggiePride. Q: What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time now that you’ve moved to the Twin Cities? A: Each Sunday evening, I invite my three sisters and their families to have dinner. Everyone who can come does, and it is lovely to have a moment to pause as one week ends and another begins—we all sit a little longer at the table. We even have dessert on Sunday evenings! @riverside_innovation_hub COURTESY PHOTOS Q: Use Augsburg’s digital archive to find every Echo issue dating to the 1890s, as well as photographs, yearbooks, oral histories, videos, speeches, and more. Head under heels Auggie image shines in anthology “Illuminated,” a photo by Ava Fojtik ’21, will appear in plain china (plainchina.org), a national anthology of undergraduate creative writing and art based at Virginia Commonwealth University. Fojtik’s artwork was first published in the 2018 issue of Murphy Square, Augsburg’s literary and visual arts journal. Fojtik pursues portrait photography as a hobby while studying religion, theater, and English literature at Augsburg. She said she’s particularly fond of “Illuminated” because the image is expressive without showing an individual’s face. The image is part of a larger collection titled “Pity Party” that focuses on the themes of absurdity and things being upside down. Recognize those limbs and laces? They belong to Adam Ruff ’18. The Augsburg greenhouse @orchidhunter She’s beauty, she’s grace, she stinks up the entire place. It’s the voodoo queen herself, Amorphophallus konjac, serving sinister lewks and foul odors to attract pollinators. #plantdiversity @augsburgauggies SPRING–SUMMER 2019 7 All in the Family I t could have been worse. Their parents could have made them hold hands (or even smile). But after each game during last year’s Auggie football season, the parents of the team’s four sets of siblings lined the eight players up for a Kodak moment. “We loved the tradition, but there was a bit of that ‘Come on, mom’ feeling, especially when they made us take a photo before our last game,” said wide receiver Nick Heenie ’19, whose not-so-little brother, Frank Heenie ’23, protects the Auggie line. “We were all so in the zone that we look mean, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It was such a special year and an honor to play with brothers.” Rounding up the octet was easy, especially after home games, when those same parents—led by the Heenie family—prepared meals for 80 players and their families. Head Football Coach Frank Haege said the team traditionally shares food and fellowship after one home game each year, but the siblings’ parents united the Auggie football family in an unforgettable way during the 2018 season. “It was such a joy to coach four sets of siblings last year, particularly 8 AUGSBURG NOW BY KATE H. ELLIOTT since I have twin boys, and I played football with my brother,” said Haege, whose 9-year-old son, AJ, spends so much time with the team that he maintains an Auggie locker. “Our team always feels like family, but we were especially close last fall. It reinforced that Augsburg is where students learn to be part of something bigger than themselves.” Coaching four sets of siblings at one time was unprecedented for Augsburg Athletics, but siblings are not uncommon. Haege estimates he has coached eight sets of siblings during his 15-year tenure. In addition to football, siblings have competed on several teams recently: The Wilson twins dominated the wrestling mat, the Everett sisters commanded the lacrosse field, and the O’Conner brothers scored big on the ice. Relatives on the roster The list of sibling alumni who have played together at Augsburg could fill a football roster, not to mention the generations of families with Auggie pride running through their veins. An example: Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 wrestled and coached for 25 years at Augsburg. His sister, Marie (Swenson) Hechsel ’90, played volleyball. Her son, Matt Hechsel ’15, wrestled, and her daughter, Stephanie Hechsel ’19, played volleyball. Augsburg women’s ice hockey’s Megan Johnson ’19 also is playing out a family legacy. Her grandfather, Bob “Badger” Johnson, attended Augsburg for a year before transferring to the University of Wisconsin—Madison, where he secured seven NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championships. Her father, Mark Johnson, was a member of the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980 U.S. Olympic team and coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silvermedal hockey squad. Megan’s brother, Chris Johnson ’10, ’14 MAL, slapped the puck around for Augsburg and later served as men’s ice hockey assistant coach for seven seasons. It was during that time Megan picked Augsburg over the University of Wisconsin, where her grandfather, father, and two other siblings played. Although the colors of their jerseys differed, every member of the Johnson family has donned No. 10. Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Michelle McAteer said that although Megan no longer has a sibling at Augsburg, members of the team Mustafa Adam ’18, left, and his brother Shihab Adam ’22 “Augsburg—even beyond the field—is a tight-knit community, where everyone looks out for one another. Teachers care about your education and are always willing to provide you with extra academic support. At Augsburg, they truly care about you as an individual, and they will do whatever they can to ensure that you succeed inside and outside of the classroom.” — Linebacker Mustafa Adam ’18, a three-time cancer survivor who studied business and economics and plans to go to medical school SPRING –SUMMER 2019 9 are like family. Third- and fourthyear student-athletes have begun to mentor newcomers, calling each other big and little sisters, respectively. on the football roster was “a dream come true.” But he doesn’t have one brother on the team. “I have 80,” said Mustafa, a two-time team captain and nominee for Mayo It was such a joy to coach four sets of siblings last year.” “These mentor relationships are lasting, and it’s an intentional effort players established to support each other on and off the ice,” McAteer said. “As a two-time team captain, Megan has been integral in helping us foster that sense of togetherness.” Family legacies are part of the game To Haege and others, the influx of legacy families and sibling teammates is no coincidence. Augsburg draws families, he said, because the campus feels like a family and students know they will gain a solid education and passionate sense of vocation. Older siblings often make recruiting easy, Haege said, by “talking up the program naturally,” as they share their good experiences with siblings. Mustafa Adam ’18 said having his younger brother, Shihab Adam ’22, 10 AUGSBURG NOW Clinic’s 2018 Comeback Player of the Year Award, which honors college football players who have returned to the field of play after overcoming major life challenges. Mustafa sat out his first year at Augsburg when the cancer he beat in high school returned just prior to signing on at Augsburg. He played the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons, but the disease returned at the conclusion of his second season, in which he finished second in tackles (93) in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He underwent chemotherapy and had to have his right ear amputated to prevent the cancer from spreading. In Fall 2018, he returned to the field and played in all 10 games. “I know it pained Shihab and all my teammates to see me go through this disease, but having a little brother only further motivated me to keep my head up and stand strong throughout this whole process,” said the linebacker from Wisconsin. “Envisioning the football field was truly the driving force behind my will to fight. I was willing to persevere through anything to accomplish my dream to play college ball, and my willingness to fight inspired many of my teammates to look inside themselves to find their ‘why.’ Going through this—together—has created lifelong bonds and friendships.” Siblings and teammates keep each other on track Nick Heenie ’19 said growing close to dozens of teammates from different states, cultures, and life experiences has broadened players’ worldview. The football team’s inclusive culture, Nick said, has inspired him to explore and appreciate Augsburg’s setting in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. The Heenies room with brothers linebacker Xavier Hanson ’23 and defensive lineman Christopher Hanson ’19. “So our moms always know where to get ahold of us,” Frank added. Wrestling twins Aaron Wilson ’21 and Alex Wilson ’20 also share a residence, not to mention a major—biology. The two are rarely apart. “I started wrestling in kindergarten. Alex started a year later, and we both dreamed about wrestling at Augsburg as kids,” said Aaron, whose proudest moment was being ranked nationally alongside his brother. “We knew it would make us the best versions of ourselves on and off the mat. Augsburg’s small class sizes have allowed me to make meaningful relationships with my professors and pursue research of my own.” Lacrosse player Delaney Everett ’18 is equally ambitious, with plans to own an accounting firm. Having sister, Demey Everett ’20, by her side has pushed the midfielder to achieve in competition and in the classroom. Head Lacrosse Coach Kathryn Knippenberg has had a front row seat to the dynamic duo’s inspiring support. “The two are in sync on the field, and their intuitive play challenges the rest of the team to follow suit,” said Knippenberg, who is in her sixth season at Augsburg. “Their majors are different—biology and accounting—but Augsburg’s impressive academic programs were able to support both their interests. Not many schools in the area offer lacrosse along with such diverse academic options.” ‘Here’s to quadruplets in 2021’ The Kordah brothers are a few years beyond graduation, and these stories of campus life and sibling bonds call up fond memories for the former Augsburg soccer players. Lekpea Kordah ’15 is raising two kids while working as a high school administrator and as a certified tax professional. Barinedum Kordah ’17 works in health care administration in the Twin Cities. Adulthood keeps them from kicking the ball around together, but they do find time to talk about the “good old days as Auggies,” while they watch professional soccer, Barinedum said. Campus, he added, became home to them after their nine-member family migrated from Nigeria. “I learned some of my greatest lessons at Augsburg. On the field, my brother taught me to never give up and to work with intensity,” said Barinedum, a defender who majored in exercise science and minored in psychology. “Coach [Greg] Holker taught us to consider details, which was tough because I wanted to just get out there and play. That study of each opponent and the game itself helped us outsmart our opponents and waste less energy than if we were always trying to beat them athletically.” Haege knows the Kordah brothers, as most coaches and players do. That’s how it works at Augsburg, he said. Players— siblings or not—don’t only support their team, they are among the loudest fans at all Auggie contests. Whether that sense of support stems from family connections or not, Haege doesn’t make that call. He does, however, predict the trend will continue. “Here’s to looking at quadruplets in 2021,” he joked. “The two are in sync ...” —Head Lacrosse Coach Kathryn Knippenberg Demey Everett ’20, left, and her sister Delaney Everett ’18 LEARNING ACROSS ABILITIES The Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services champions students with a broad range of disabilities on the path to academic success. BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Maura Gunter ’19 S ince second grade, Maura Gunter ’19 relied on accommodations for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a word processing disorder. So when she started college, Gunter knew the drill. But on her way to class that fall semester, Gunter’s vision blurred and a metallic taste coated her mouth. She lay in the snow for four hours before paramedics arrived. When she woke, doctors greeted the then 19-year-old with another diagnosis: epilepsy. As her peers at Colorado State University prepped for finals, Gunter was pricked and scanned for two weeks. Catch up, you can do this. Seizure. Someone stuffs a wallet in her mouth. Doctors: “Episodes might pass or might not. Try this medicine—no, this one.” Catch up, you can do this. Seizure. Hospital stay, stares, and bruises. “You need to find a way to complete assignments, Maura.” Can I do this? Brain throbbing. More pills. Less sleep. No. “When I started having seizures, I didn’t know [my illness] was considered a disability. Support services at my college at the time were fine but not personal. I didn’t have an advisor to help me navigate my college education with this invisible illness,” Gunter said. “So, nearly every time I had a seizure, I had to medically withdraw.” “I felt like such a failure—lost and alone” Without campus advocates and close teacher relationships, Gunter turned to doctor-prescribed opioids for support and became addicted. She found Augsburg University’s StepUP® Program—a residential recovery support community—and decided to transfer in 2015. Disability Specialist Anne Lynch 12 AUGSBURG NOW was there to greet her, then walk the Georgia native through her rights and responsibilities, documentation forms, exam scheduling, and more. When Gunter made the dean’s list, Lynch was the first person she called. “Anne has been my rock,” said Gunter, who plans to graduate in May with a degree in social work. “When people cautioned me against seeking departmental honors because they were worried ‘it’d be too much for me,’ Anne pushed me. She lets me determine and define my own limits. People don’t realize that it’s as equally stressful and offensive to be coddled as it is to not be believed and supported. Anne took the time to know me, to listen, and to empower me with information and guidance.” Sober since August 2014, Gunter thrived with newfound campus advocates and with caring professors at Augsburg’s tight-knit, affirming campus. Driving that advocacy and service is the university’s Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services, known as CLASS, where Lynch has worked for 20 years. The center’s influence is woven throughout every aspect of Augsburg: CLASS informs administrative policies, advises on housing accommodations, monitors updates to the physical campus, and ensures students’ dietary requirements are met. They offer professional development across campus, introduce assistive technologies, and meet one-on-one with professors about universal course design. Disability specialists connect with parents, meet regularly with students, and coordinate a range of accommodations—from exam and tutor scheduling to notetakers and sign language interpreters. The office serves those who need temporary accommodations, including injured student-athletes, and engages in community outreach and education. CLASS maintains a robust website with links to programs, software, and apps for anyone to access. When Lynch started in the late ’90s, she worked with about 30 students. Now, that number is 100. “It’s been amazing to see Augsburg embrace diversity and grow the reach and reputation of this critical office,” Lynch said. “CLASS empowers the students we serve, but our work also informs and inspires faculty, other students, and the communities in which we live and work. It’s a gift to see employers, faculty, parents, and even the students themselves shed misconceptions about disabilities after working with our office.” Lynch calls herself a partner. She spends her days partnering intentionally with each student—to listen, to solve problems alongside them, and to empower them to better understand themselves and their abilities. “‘Disability’ is not a bad word; it is tied to rights and protections,” she said. “I love when students get to a place where they can say, ‘Yes, I have a disability, but I am not a disability.’ Let’s move beyond the word and come up with solutions for making sure all students have the same opportunities afforded to others.” education and contribute their wisdom to solving the problems of the world.” A 2018 report from the American Collegiate Health Association indicated that in the past year, three out of five college students experienced “overwhelming anxiety,” and two out of five students were “too depressed to function.” With increased stressors and public services cutbacks, Carlson said, Augsburg has rallied to strengthen safety nets. “We strongly believe in helping students put together teams of support so they can navigate college successfully. For students with a mental health or other disability, CLASS is part of that team,” Carlson said. “Augsburg is blessed with faculty who ‘get’ mental health issues and want to support their students and advisees. Together, we help students feel connected on campus, and that sense of connection can increase students’ likelihood of success.” CLASS Director Kathy McGillivray said this focus on “together” is what distinguishes Augsburg and draws students to study and grow alongside the support of CLASS’s comprehensive services. “Our focus is on each individual student,” McGillivray said. “But we are part of a larger mission to connect Augsburg students to academic support, resources, and services that will help them create and achieve their educational goals. Prospective students see that seamless student support, all housed within the Gage Center for Student Success.” Within the Gage Center, CLASS includes the Groves Accommodations Lab, which provides assistive technology and testing accommodations for students with disabilities, and the Groves Technology Center, which is a fully equipped computer lab that is available to all students. Resources for students with disabilities are offered within a suite of services for all. “‘Disability’ is not a bad word” Augsburg’s team approach weaves a strong safety net Although her focus is on students, Lynch said the office invests a tremendous amount of time and energy in partnering with the campus community to ensure Augsburg meets its commitment to provide equal access to higher education and campus facilities. Among CLASS’s greatest collaborations is with Augsburg’s Center for Wellness and Counseling. CWC Assistant Director Beth Carlson said that with the strong connection between mental health and academic success, CWC staff have found their work with CLASS invaluable in helping students thrive. CLASS is distinct, Carlson said, in its deep connections with students and collaborative, creative approaches to overcoming complex situations. “Many students who are academically capable might not be able to graduate from Augsburg if they didn’t have the support of CLASS. In the past, a student with a significant mental health disability may not have been encouraged to go to college; now, our campus is much richer and more diverse because we’re embracing all of our students, supporting them as they gain a liberal arts Matthew Glaven ’21 has built a team at Augsburg. The history major serves on the board of Augsburg’s chapter of Women for Political Change, manages the baseball team, and has traveled overseas with fellow Auggies. CLASS is a major player on “Team Glaven,” given that the Minnesota native is deaf/hard of hearing and has cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult for him to write and speak. “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned at Augsburg is that you need to have a team, no matter who you are, to get through life. As your life goes through different stages, your team of personal and professional supporters evolves with you,” said Glaven, who uses ASL interpreters, a microphone for his hearing aids, notetakers, and testing accommodations. “CLASS also taught me that advocacy is key to getting what you need to make your life better. If you don’t advocate for yourself, you won’t be as successful.” That embrace of advocacy will serve him well as he plans to enter public office. The Queen fan and BBC-listening cat lover is driven to improve public health care, protect minorities, and continue to fight climate change, among other initiatives. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 13 The paw-fect solution Matthew Glaven ’21 Faculty advocates embrace universal design Glaven gained that passion for policy from instructors who were eager to make lectures and content accessible—educators like Rich Flint, assistant professor of mathematics, who teaches core math courses required of all students. In Spring 2009, Flint taught a pre-algebra course of 24 students, 10 of whom had documented disabilities. “If I hadn’t known the CLASS staff before that semester, I got to know them all very well that spring,” Flint said. “We now give all of our students a Math Anxiety Bill of Rights, which includes statements like, ‘I have the right to need extra help,’ and ‘I have the right to not understand.’ Many of us [math professors] include statements about relaxation on our exams. In fact, yesterday I proctored a Calculus 2 exam for a colleague that stated: ‘Relax. You have done problems like this before.’ Without our work with CLASS, I don’t know if we would be so attuned to using straightforward strategies that benefit all test takers.” Professor of Mathematics Suzanne Dorée said the department’s embrace of universal design is a habit that emerged from experience. Dorée has taught Auggies for 30 years. When she started, parents sometimes needed to attend classes to assist their children. Now, because of the resources and accommodations Augsburg has to offer, students are able to enjoy more independence, Dorée said. “I love a good problem, and there’s an element of creativity required in adjusting my teaching style to reach all my students. Over time you realize that the new practices you adopt are good for all students. For instance, I had a student who was blind so I began narrating everything I was doing on the board. It slowed me down but I noticed that all my students were processing the information better,” she said. “The difference between a 50-minute test and a 70-minute test’s ability to assess student learning is not significant, so I always write a 50-minute test for my 70-minute classes. English learners, students who didn’t get much sleep the night before, and students with test anxiety all appreciate the extra time to check their work.” That problem-solving can take many forms. During Gunter’s freshman year, it barked and was named Gus. Gus was Gunter’s service dog. He was trained to sense when Gunter might have a seizure and assist her if and when she fell. His vest detailed her diagnosis, which was helpful since doctors previously missed her medical ID bracelet three times, Gunter said, while “Gus was tough to miss.” “Was,” because Gunter hasn’t needed a service dog since identifying the proper blend of medicine, sleep, and support. The 24-year-old has been seizure-free for the past year, and Gus has enjoyed the time off to play with Gunter’s three other four-legged pals: Nelson, Susan, and Shana. Each of her pups, other than Gus, is a rescue with “some special needs,” Gunter adds, proudly. Health and stability, Gunter said, means she can set her sights on the horizon— toward research and graduate school. Lars Christiansen, associate professor of sociology, is collaborating with Gunter on research about street equity, city planning, and movement. This semester, Gunter is focused on roadside memorial ghost bikes, which are white-painted bikes placed near streets not safe or accessible to cyclists. She received travel funds to present her findings at the Midwest Sociological Society’s annual meeting in Chicago. “Augsburg gave me the tools and space to figure out my passion, understand my responsibilities, and advocate for my rights. A world that felt small years ago now seems open and exciting.” A year of celebration to honor Augsburg’s leading approach to disability services didn’t just happen. Paired with staff expertise and an inclusive campus culture, it took the vision and support of proud parents, alumni, and industry partners. Auggie mom and Regent Emerita Barbara Gage, who served on Augsburg’s Board of Regents for 12 years, led the charge to uplift Augsburg as a national leader in holistic student support services. In the 1980s, Barbara and her husband, Skip Gage, along with the Carlson Family Foundation, donated and raised funds to support the program that ultimately became CLASS. In 2011, the Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Family Foundation contributed $900,000 to create the Gage Center for Student Success. This centralized, supportive learning space in the James G. Lindell Library provides resources for all students—regardless of learning style, preference, or need. It houses the Office of Advising and Academic Excellence, TRIO/Student Support Services, and CLASS. A preview of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial plans: September 27, 2019, to September 26, 2020 ARCHIVE PHOTOS Sesquicentennial events calendar From 1869 to today Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration will feature diverse opportunities that uplift the university’s founding principles, honor its history, and look toward its future. Augsburg will: • Showcase academic excellence • Present historical elements • Tell its institutional story through art and design • Host high-impact experiences • Bring together thousands of alumni and friends from all generations Augsburg’s community-wide events will include a gala, reunions, convocations, art shows, concerts, book readings, theater performances, and lectures. Follow the sesquicentennial calendar today for easy access to event details, possible weather-related changes, and parking information. Here’s a glimpse at some of the signature events so you can start planning for this historic year. H O M E C O M I N G 2 0 19 September 23–28, 2019 New events along with traditional favorites make Homecoming one of the most festive times on campus all year. The majority of this year’s events will occur Saturday, September 28, and special reunions will honor the classes of 2009, 1979, and 1969. S E S Q U I C E N T E N N I A L G A LA September 27, 2019 Kick off Augsburg’s sesquicentennial at this once-in-a-lifetime event in downtown Minneapolis. This gala will acknowledge Augsburg’s history of pursuing the call to serve the community, and it will rally energetic support for the next 150 years of Augsburg University. I N A U G U R A L A LL- S C H O O L R E U N I O N September 25–26, 2020 This all-inclusive gathering is for Auggies from every class, every degree program, and every decade—Augsburg athletes, musicians, artists, scientists, student leaders, and everyone in between. Learn how to coordinate a reunion for a specific area of interest or identity by emailing Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at codek@augsburg.edu. Sesquicentennial book Augsburg is publishing an institutional history book as part of its sesquicentennial celebration. “Hold Fast to What is Good,” by History Professor Phillip Adamo, uses 10 objects from the university archives to tell stories from Augsburg’s first 150 years. Signed, limited edition, hardcover copies of this book are available for preorder until May 1, 2019. SESQUICENTENNIAL Register for Homecoming, purchase Sesquicentennial Gala tickets, learn more about the All-School Reunion, and order your commemorative book at augsburg.edu/150. COURTESY PHOTOS International travel opportunities BY JOHN WEIRICK Augsburg will host four alumni trips to locations in Germany and Norway that are central in the university’s history. Find details for each trip at augsburg.edu/alumni under “Travel.” NORWAY ARTS AND CULTURE Tentative dates May 8–18, 2020 The tour will include theater productions, concerts, and historical landmarks, and it will focus on the rich and vibrant arts and culture of Norway. Explore Norway alongside Augsburg Theater Program alumni, co-leaders Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg University professor of theater, and her husband, Luverne Seifert ’83, Minneapolis actor and instructor at the University of Minnesota. NORWAY NOW: EXPLORING PEACEMAKING, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND CLIMATE CHANGE GERMANY AND AUSTRIA FEATURING THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY Tentative dates July 15–26, 2020 This tour will focus on Bavaria, with stops in Nuremberg, Salzberg, and additional nearby locations. The hottest ticket in Europe every 10 years is to attend the centuries-old Oberammergau Passion Play. This trip includes prime seats for this once-in-a-decade experience. As members of the university’s Department of Religion, associate professors Lori Brandt Hale and Hans Wiersma have teamed up to share their expertise and offer a uniquely Augsburg experience. NIDAROS PILGRIMAGE IN NORWAY Tentative dates May 9–19, 2020 Tentative dates in July 2020 This tour will explore Norway’s peace work, government, and environmental agencies. This tour is co-led by Bettine Hoff Hermanson, managing director of the Human Rights Forum at Augsburg as well as the Norway Hub, and Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science, director of environmental studies, and director of the Human Rights Forum. Hike to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway—a pilgrimage made by travelers for more than 1,000 years. Augsburg University Pastor and Director of Ministries Rev. Sonja Hagander will lead the trek in which adventurous Auggies will learn about history and culture, and they will experience firsthand some of the most beautiful natural sights in the world. This trip is intended for experienced mountain hikers. For more information, contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, at codek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178. Matt Swenson ’91 displays artisan creations on the Minnesota Art Truck. During an economic downturn, a resurgence of skill-savvy craftspeople revived centuriesold traditions of making highquality goods in small quantities, harnessing the power of modern technology and local communities. Americans plunged into the Great Recession. A wave of new and seasoned workers alike struggled to navigate the economic uncertainty of fewer jobs and growing debt in an ever-changing global landscape. But while the economy grew stagnant, the creative efforts of workers did not. An artisanal phenomenon gained momentum, which affects not only what people buy and the jobs they seek, but also shifts consumer expectations around the country. This is no new trend; it’s actually an old one. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 19 FINNEGANS taproom in downtown Minneapolis LAGER IPA BELGIAN STOUT GROWLER PILSNER CASCADE PORTER PALE ALE BLOND AMBER PILSNER WEISSBIE MAIBOCK HEFEWEIZ DOPPELBO SAISON WITBIER BERLINER WEISSE GROWLER CASCADE PHOTOS COURTESY OF FINNEGANS The modern artisan movement— craftspeople who focus on distinct, skillfully made goods produced in small quantities, often by hand—has deep roots in the past, before the relatively recent industrialization that revolutionized the global market by providing more affordable products to more people. “The United States has had mass production of plentiful and relatively cheap goods for at least a century,” said Nancy Fischer, associate professor and chair of sociology at Augsburg University. “An appreciation for more traditional forms of making things—of craftsmanship—was a reaction to and coexisted with mass production.” Fischer, who has researched vintage fashion and is writing a book on vintage clothing consumers, said artisans in the pre-industrial 1800s could make a living running shops that sold everyday items like furniture, candles, or shoes. However, artisan endeavors today form a niche market, often as side jobs for extra cash and personal fulfilment more than a stable income or employment benefits. The focus is not just on a product; the artisanal approach also 20 AUGSBURG NOW focuses on the origin of the item, what it’s made of, and how it’s made. You’ve seen the items: artisanal breads and cheeses, small-batch ice cream, hand-crafted chocolate and hot sauce. Many major metropolitan areas— and a number of smaller communities as well—boast independent coffee roasters, artisanal pizzerias, and craft butchers of locally raised livestock. Custom jeans and hand-tailored leatherworks are neighbors to yoga instructors, artisanal pickle producers, and specialty popcorn shops in tiny storefronts. Even international corporations and fast food franchises attempt to pique consumer interest using the terms “artisanal” and “handcrafted,” much like they appropriated “gourmet” and “specialty.” Artisans appear in three oftenintertwined variations: 1. maker artisans who produce tangible products, 2. personal service artisans who offer curated experiences, and 3. knowledge artisans who bring together people and ideas to enhance social capital. “Artisans can look a lot different than what most would expect,” said Brian Krohn ’08, co-founder of Mighty Axe Hops, which supplies Minnesotagrown hops to craft brewers around the state. After studying chemistry at Augsburg and finishing graduate school, he became a serial entrepreneur, launching a company that uses 3D printing to make flame-emitting wizard staffs and founding Soundly, a smartphone app designed to reduce snoring. “A woodworker would normally be considered an artisan, but I think an experienced engineer who uses CAD [computer-aided design] and a CNC [computer numerical control] to mill wood or aluminum can also be an artisan.” To seek a simple explanation for the artisan economy’s proliferation would be to ignore the multifaceted appeal of such products and services, as well as the diverse array of people who sell and buy them. Consumer boredom, dissatisfaction with mass-produced options, and the feeling of overall instability could play a psychological role in the appeal of artisan alternatives. “When you think about the current state of economic inequality, recessions, an affordable housing shortage, multiple wars, everchanging technology, outsourcing of jobs, and terrorism, we live in a pretty uncertain world,” said Bridget Robinson-Riegler, cognitive psychologist and professor of psychology at Augsburg. “We value nostalgic products because they make us feel more secure. The new wave of such products is possibly indicative of a society in turmoil and people in angst searching for comfort.” The search for comfort doesn’t stifle the curious desire for variety, though. “If it’s beer, consumers are looking for something that is different, not formulaic,” Fischer said. “With woodworking items, ceramics, or clothing, they are looking for something that will last, as well as something that is unique.” Jacquie Berglund ’87 found a unique angle in a competitive market: craft beer with a cause. After graduating from Augsburg and studying in Paris, she returned to Minneapolis and co-founded FINNEGANS Brew Co., whose profits are donated to alleviate hunger in the markets that serve FINNEGANS beer. “When I started my beer company, there were a handful of breweries. There are now more than 150 in Minnesota. FINNEGANS needs to make high-quality beer, differentiate our brand as a FINNEGANS co-founder Jacquie Berglund ’87 social business with more than $1.3 million in impact, and connect with our consumers and supporters.” The craft beer boom is representative of the growing artisan movement in many industries. Almost half of the 150 breweries in Minnesota have opened in the past eight years, including Boom Island Brewing in Minneapolis, another brewery with an Auggie connection. Qiuxia Welch ’99 studied music at Augsburg and became a professional French horn performer and teacher. Today, she is Boom Island’s marketing manager and runs the business with her husband, Kevin, its founder and head brewer. “Most of Boom Island’s beers are brewed using traditional Belgian techniques,” Welch said. “This requires expensive ingredients, no preservatives, years of experience, and time. It’s difficult for the large breweries to do this.” Craft beer sales have grown to nearly 13 percent market share, according to the Brewers Association, which offers “certified independent craft” labels for breweries not owned by the handful of multinational corporations that have maintained dominant market share following the repeal of Prohibition. Because consumers pay more for craft beer, these corporations seek higher profits through consolidation, buying craft breweries with national reputations, and creating “craft” sub-brands to mass produce. “Mass production is not able to work with the small, local suppliers of ingredients like artisans can,” said Berglund, whose FINNEGANS pale ale features Krohn’s Minnesota-grown Mighty Axe Hops. “We have made more than 100 different beers in our taproom in the past 11 months with five barrelaged brews—mass production is not this nimble.” Though craft beer brewing and buying demographics skew toward Gen X and Millennial white males, some signs point to a more diverse artisan future. “More women, and particularly women of color, are playing important roles,” Welch said. “They are opening breweries, making great beers, and changing how we market and drink craft beer.” SPRING–SUMMER 2019 21 When you visit a Twin Cities craft brewery or farmers market, you also might see another kind of artisan: artist and curator Matt Swenson ’91, founder of the Minnesota Art Truck. Swenson displays local artists’ work in the truck to connect with people who don’t realize they can purchase original art at prices comparable to big-box stores while sustaining the local art community. “I don’t see art as just for the middle class or upper middle class or the wealthy. Art really is for everybody, and the more I get to interact with people, the more they see that themselves,” he said. Before he started this “food truck for the soul,” Swenson studied communication and English at Augsburg and worked in sales and marketing management for 13 years. Today, he feels lucky and grateful that his wife supported his departure from corporate America in search of creatively fulfilling work: “We had to adjust how we live, but she knows Minnesota Art Truck and founder Matt Swenson ’91 22 AUGSBURG NOW that it’s something I’m passionate about, and I think it can be sustainable.” Billy Mzenga ’13 is another Auggie who left the corporate world, turning his attention to graduate school and a new entrepreneurial initiative. The venture started when his wife, Megan, fine-tuned recipes of homemade almond butter, cashew butter, and peanut butter. In 2017, the couple launched these products into a small business: NutMeg’s Nut Butters. The Mzengas now live in Chicago and continue to develop new recipes. They distribute NutMeg’s products online and at farmers markets and Chicago-area grocery stores. Like FINNEGANS, NutMeg’s is a social enterprise. NutMeg’s donates half of its earnings to humanitarian nonprofits in Kenya. Staying nimble and avoiding stockholder pressures are key factors for artisan entrepreneurs like the Mzengas. “We are accountable to our customers to make sure we are providing a good product, and to the charities we partner with, making sure we provide them with financial resources,” Billy said. Billy believes his Augsburg University education equipped him to see how his purpose intersects with causes bigger than himself. “My experience there opened my eyes to the issues facing the world, Minnesota, and those who were on the front lines as problem-solvers,” he said. Berglund, whose social impact model with FINNEGANS inspired the Mzengas, can relate. “I got a strong sense of ‘We are here to serve others’ by going to Augsburg,” she said. “It shaped my world perspective and the way I designed and run my business.” Augsburg’s communal support was also obvious to Boom Island’s Welch when she arrived in the United States to study music. “I came from a very warm place in China,” she said. “I didn’t come to Minnesota prepared for the winter. Professor Roberta Kagin from the Department of Music sent out a campus email asking for donations of winter clothing. I don’t think I bought any clothes for two years after that.” Welch wants the same qualities of Augsburg in her business today. “This is a very caring community with an appreciation for a well-balanced life. I like to think Boom Island Brewing is the same,” she said. FOAT co-founders Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96, left, and Kaja Foat ’96 Boom Island Brewing’s Qiuxia Welch ’99 What prevents the artisan niche from drawing more consumers away from massproduced items? “The choice is between a $40 hand-crafted wood cutting board or a $7 one from Target,” Fischer said. “That kind of price differential for most Americans’ financial situation—which is more heavily weighted for folks with fewer resources—eliminates the choice, even if they would prefer the $40 cutting board.” The higher price doesn’t necessarily mean artisan products are luxury items. In fact, artisan entrepreneurs often justify the higher cost of crafted goods in pragmatic terms. With some massproduced products, Krohn is concerned that consumers will end up spending more money in the long run on subpar items that wear out rather than a quality item that lasts—“You get what you pay for,” as the adage goes. Augsburg alumni craft a variety of artisan goods and services. From a sociological perspective, the benefits of less expensive production and more affordable mass-produced goods come with the risk of exploitation of workers and the environment in the supply chain and manufacturing processes. “Organizations and activists have encouraged us for decades to question the unsustainable model of buying more cheap goods shipped from overseas where the pay, working conditions, and factory harms to the environment are jaw-droppingly horrible,” Fischer said. The relationship between quality, cost, and ethics is especially tangible in fashion. Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96 and twin sister Kaja Foat ’96 created FOAT, an environmentally conscious women’s fashion brand with a personal touch. Based in their Charleston, South Carolina, and northeast Minneapolis studios, they design, cut, and sew garments by hand rather than outsource the work. “We are not interested in massproducing our patterns and clothing overseas because it is important to us to produce our items ethically, locally, and with a lot of care,” Naselaris said. “When garments are mass-produced, they are designed with one body type in mind. Handmade garments are tweaked and tucked, pushed and pulled into a COURTESY PHOTOS shape that is both comfortable and complementary to the customer’s body.” Like FOAT, many artisans extend their care for customers and details to the overall industry and consumer expectations that NutMeg’s co-founders Billy Mzenga ’13, left, and Megan Mzenga influence business practices. “Most Americans are not accustomed to paying attention Artisans offer alternate products as to, or even caring about, how their well as an alternate story, a different products are made,” Naselaris said. way to engage with the American “There has to be a change of mindset.” tradition of consumerism. They invite FOAT encourages people to buy fewer others to see that more isn’t always well-made garments that last longer better, that making something beautiful rather than many poorly made products and enduring takes time. Many that tend to fall apart more quickly. consumers are rethinking their economic Billy believes many consumers are relationships in society: how they engage ready for change: “People are speaking with what they eat, what they buy, the with their dollars and moving their issues they care about, and ultimately, business to more locally owned, how they engage each other. locally made products.” “The craft-brew taproom has become a vital part of the community like you find in Old World Europe,” said Welch, who co-leads Belgium brewery tours to Will some consumers continue to stay tethered to a historic beer tradition. lack the financial resources to choose “Our typical customer wants to connect more artisanal options? Will others with the people who make and serve grow weary of paying more for local, their beer. They want to know where sustainable, quality products? Might their food and drinks come from, how this artisan movement form a robust they are made, and who made them. economy of the future? It doesn’t show This is how we lived for centuries. Now signs of slowing, perhaps because of artisans are back.” the connection between crafters and those enjoying the craft. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 23 Professor of Psychology Assistant Professor of Psychology They became colleagues at Augsburg roughly a decade ago. BY COURTNEY PERRY AND LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA Community is an undeniable fixture of the Augsburg experience, and nothing makes a campus feel small like the familiar faces of those who’ve become friends. Countless Auggies have forged lifelong connections—whether in an instant during their first days on campus or over time through shared classes, interests, residence halls, occupations, and stories. Here’s a taste of the many rich friendships that have grown at Augsburg and carried on across time and geography. Robinson-Riegler: “We’re both cognitive psychologists, so we have a mutual interest, which was probably the initial thing that brought us together. Then once we got to know each other, we just realized how similar we are.” Professor Bridget Robinson-Riegler, left, often stops into the office of Assistant Professor Ben Denkinger to talk about everything from their shared field of study to baseball. Major: Communication Arts/Literature and Secondary Education Denkinger: “We’re excited about the same things in psychology, and maybe riled up about the same things in politics and culture.” Meeting in the James G. Lindell Library, Joaquin Delgado-Ortiz, left, and Ann Sheely discuss a project she’s working on for her residence hall. Majors: Film and Communication Studies They helped each other on move-in day and became intramural soccer teammates. Harris: “Anthony is one of the greatest students I know in the area of academics . . . my grandad always used to say, ‘If you want to get good at something, then surround yourself with people who are already outstanding in that area.’ So I see him in that. He inspires me.” Villagrana: “Likewise, from day one, Mallory has always been positive—the energy he gives is positivity. Always smiling, always talkative. He’s never gloomy, you know? He brings this energy to the room. I’m just glad I met Mallory this year because I was pretty quiet and kept to myself last year. He’s a transfer student, and he’s older than me. He introduced me to a lot of people, and I made a lot of friends. His character has inspired me to be more open and more social in this environment at Augsburg.” 24 AUGSBURG NOW Major: Psychology Anthony Villagrana, left, and Mallory Harris head off to class. Majors: Life Sciences and Secondary Education After being assigned to the same lab group, they formed a friendship and ended up laughing their way through their final presentation for their course. Sheely: “One thing I’ve noticed about people at Augsburg is that everybody is really open and accepting and willing to just be there to help you. They’ll actually return your smiles, generally. So that’s been really helpful for me—not being afraid to reach out to people even if I don’t know them really well yet, and then friendships can grow.” Camryn Masse, left, and Jen Meinhardt study together, as they do at least twice a week, in Christensen Center. Major: English (Creative Writing) “That’s a cool pen.” One seemingly simple statement made in a 12:30 p.m. religion class on the first day of the semester sparked a friendship. Meinhardt: “We both transferred here from a different school— from the same school, in fact— but we didn’t know each other there. It’s been fun because we have the same perspective of someplace different—of going from a small community college to this school. The city is kind of different for us, and we didn’t know anybody else. For me, our friendship just gave me something more concrete and grounded at this school, which helped me transition better. And it’s given me somebody to study with. She’s inspired me to hit the gym; she’s inspired me to work instead of goof off. She kind of just keeps everything rolling.” Enrollment Communications and Event Specialist AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, COURTESY PHOTO Major: Elementary Education The Augsburg University Alumni Board supports the university’s mission by finding meaningful ways for our members to contribute their time, talent, and treasure. Members meet regularly to create and enhance events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and serve together. This fall, we partnered with the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work to co-host a mock interview event for current students. We then brought Auggies together again this February at our annual networking event. This year’s networking workshop offered students the chance to practice their networking skills in a friendly environment, and attendees heard from an impressive panel of alumni who discussed how networking helped further their careers. This spring, the Alumni Board has been busy working on events like an Augsburg Beer Choir, A-Club Spring Happy Hour, and our first All-School Reunion Stewards Meeting, which is coming up May 20. Of course, the big event we’re gearing up for is Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration. After we kick things off at the Sesquicentennial Gala and Homecoming 2019, the Alumni Board will focus on the ways it can support Augsburg at a number of additional low- or no-cost events and new, family-friendly opportunities. Augsburg’s sesquicentennial will truly be a year to remember, and you can learn more on pages 15–18. There are plenty of ways for alumni to give back to Augsburg as a volunteer this year. Consider becoming a Sesquicentennial Steward, joining the Alumni Board, or serving on one of our other leadership boards. It’s been a pleasure to serve as board president for the past two years. I’ve enjoyed working with current Alumni Board Vice President Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL, and I’m confident she will be a terrific Alumni Board president going forward. Assistant Director of Admissions PICK THE PATTERN Denielle Stepka ’11, a senior creative associate at Augsburg, has created patterns for elegant neckties, scarves, and—of course—bow ties inspired by art from around campus, Augsburg’s “A” mark, and university seal. Help decide which designs should be put into production. Take a look at the options and “like” your favorites on the Augsburg Alumni Association Facebook page: facebook.com/augsburgalumni. HAGFORS CENTER TRANSFORMS AUGGIE EXPERIENCE It's been three years since Augsburg University broke ground on the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, and 16 months since the facility opened for classes. These fast facts from the building’s inaugural year illustrate its remarkable impact and the new opportunities it affords Augsburg students, faculty, staff, and community members. FAST FACTS Go Auggies! Office space for They first worked together at another college but both found a home at Augsburg. NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT of Augsburg’s full-time faculty Sotos: “Someone saw us playing racquetball here together one day and asked us if we were married. I said, ‘Well, we’re not married, but I did marry him!’ because my wife and I officiated his and his wife’s wedding. It’s always good to have a familiarity with how people work best and what their strengths are, so it’s nice working alongside a friend.” 40% PARTICIPATE IN THE SESQUICENTENNIAL MUSICAL Colleagues who once competed for the same job, Maggie Sotos, left, and Josh Owens, right, are now friends on staff in Augsburg’s Admissions Department and opponents on the racquetball court during their lunch hour. Among the many faculty-led projects in development to celebrate Augsburg’s 150th anniversary is a new work of musical theater about the university community, past and present, to be performed in Spring 2020. Members of the community are invited to take part in every step of the process, from creating material to performing in the production. Learn more at engage.augsburg.edu/sesquicentennialmusical. 29 THE HAGFORS CENTER HAS: 139,000 square feet of collaborative learning areas with 32 open study spaces laboratories, four 30-seat classrooms, and the largest classroom on campus, which seats up to 100 people If you are interested in learning more about projects in the Hagfors Center or taking a tour, contact Heather Riddle at riddle@augsburg.edu. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1960 Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann ’60 wrote a new book titled “A Kaleidoscope of Baseball.” The publication shares quotes, poetry, stories, odd facts, and historical information related to baseball as a national pastime. Ziemann previously authored several books in the Old West genre. He studied mathematics at Augsburg. Jacquie Berglund ’87 discussed her craft beer company’s social impact and collaborations with local ingredients suppliers. See story on page 19. 1977 Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96 and twin sister Kaja Foat ’96 create fashionable, ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind women’s garments by hand. See story on page 19. The Augsburg men’s soccer program celebrated its 50th anniversary this fall with a lunch and reception attended by more than 100 Auggies. The celebration brought together Auggie soccer players from many decades and was led by a host of Augsburg alumni including Darcy Debing ’77, Gary Dahle ’79, Mike Kennedy ’79, Don Potter ’79, Vinnie Brooks ’07, Alex Hildebrandt ’10, and Van Hong ’11. Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 has deep family ties at Augsburg. His sister, Marie (Swenson) Hechsel ’90, played volleyball. Her son, Matt Hechsel ’15, wrestled; and her daughter, Stephanie Hechsel ’19, played volleyball. See story on page 8. 1982 Augsburg alumni Deb Krueger Knight ’82, Mike Cunningham ’10, Janice Gladden ’12, and Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’11 MBA offered networking and career advice as panelists at the 2019 Augsburg Alumni and Student Networking Event. Attendees gathered to practice networking skills, discuss career paths, and get to know other Auggies. Matt Swenson ’91 took inspiration from the food truck phenomenon and created a mobile opportunity to buy local art. See story on page 19. 1999 Tammy Sinkfield-Morey ’99, ’13 MAN, ’17 DNP received the 2018 March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the Year award. She is the first African-American recipient of this top honor, which recognizes experienced nurses’ community service and professional and personal development. Qiuxia Welch ’99 builds community around Belgian beer made with traditional techniques in Minneapolis. See story on page 19. 1998 Scott Erickson ’98 opened an independent insurance agency, State Insurance, in Otsego, Minnesota. The business serves all of Minnesota. 2003 Linnea Benton ’03 moved to Okinawa, Japan, with her husband who serves in the U.S. Navy. Her oldest child started kindergarten, and Benton, who graduated from Augsburg with a degree in English, volunteers in the school library to stay active in her field. 2004 Darin Rowle ’04, ’15 MSW accepted a manager role for the Department of Human Services HIV Program. Most recently, Rowle served JustUsHealth (formerly known as the Minnesota AIDS Project) as a director of prevention and coordinated care/integrated services. Rowle has more than 20 years of experience working with HIV-related concerns and helping people navigate complex social service and medical systems. of development at Fordham University School of Law. She and her family reside in Brooklyn, New York. They’re Auggie hockey stars, and they’re siblings. Meet Chris Johnson ’10, ’14 MAL and Megan Johnson ’19 in the story beginning on page 8. 2008 2013 Ben Katz ’08 produced a podcast mini-series for the New Yorker and New York Public Radio that tells the story of his wife investigating a family secret. Serial entrepreneur Brian Krohn ’08 demonstrates the breadth of diverse artisan endeavors in today’s economy. See story on page 19. 2005 MK Gibbs ’05 opened the Mary Katherine School, which is an early education center serving children and parents through infant, toddler, and preschool programs in Bloomington, Minnesota. 2009 Lisa Peterson ’09 is taking on additional leadership roles with the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce as she transitions from serving as its director of tourism to her new position as chamber president. Peterson studied marketing and business administration at Augsburg. 2006 Ramsey County named Kari Collins ’06 director of community and economic development. Collins worked as a community development manager with the city of Roseville, Minnesota, since 2016. She previously served as an assistant to the city manager of Roseville and as zoning administrator and board secretary for the city of Milwaukee. Evelyn Tsen ’09 and her husband, Alec, welcomed a baby boy, Abraham Fenlason, on January 18. 2010 The Litchfield Independent Review reported that Brandon Begnaud ’10 organized a Christmas cantata, “The Glory of Christmas,” at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he serves as director of worship and music. A graduate of Augsburg’s music program, Begnaud recruited for, led, and participated in the pre-Christmas cantata that included a choir of 53 singers and 29 instrumentalists. 2007 Grant Hemmingsen ’07 and his wife, Kari, welcomed a baby girl, Quinn Joann, on January 26. Hemmingsen is the men’s basketball head coach at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Molly (Shortall) Kaszuba ’07 and her husband, Brian, welcomed a baby boy, Jack, this winter. Kaszuba is an associate director Augsburg biopsychology major Alix Young ’13 taught psychology for two years in China’s Guangdong province following graduation and opened the Brain and Psychophysiology Lab at United International College. Now living in Houston, Young is a coordinator of clinical studies at MD Anderson Cancer Center. 2016 Former Auggie women’s basketball player Abbey Luger ’16 teaches and coaches at Transfiguration School in Oakdale, Minnesota. 2017 Kaylee E. Gueltzow ’17 is teaching English in Germany through the Fulbright Program. She lives in Greifswald and is traveling throughout Europe. 2018 Ricki Larson ’18 is a fourth-grade teacher in her first year serving her home district. Billy Mzenga ’13 and his wife, Megan, turned their hand-crafted nut butters into a small business that supports nonprofits in Kenya. See story on page 19. Brothers Mustafa Adam ’18 and Shihab Adam ’22 were among four sets of siblings on the 2018–19 Augsburg football roster. See story on page 8. 2015 GRADUATE PROGRAMS Awale “Wally” Osman ’15 and Felecia Zahner ’15 served as keynote presenters at Augsburg University’s TRIO/SSS 50th Anniversary Celebration in November. More than 130 of the program’s students, supporters, and graduates attended the event, which included a reception and dinner. Osman is also a new member of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership Network. He also serves as a community innovation program associate at the Bush Foundation and has received accolades from the Center for National Leaders, NAACP, TRIO, and the National Newman Civic Fellowship. Lekpea Kordah ’15 and Barinedum Kordah ’17 found that their brotherly bonds strengthened their Augsburg experience. See story on page 8. Carola Thorson ’07 MAL became the vice president of enrollment management at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, in September. Thorson served in several roles in Augsburg’s Admissions Department from 2003 to 2013, and she most recently was the executive director of admission and scholarships at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Physician assistant Sarah Pattison ’12 MSPAS joined the internal medicine department at Carris Health Clinic in Willmar, Minnesota, where she also assists in urgent care. She previously worked at High Point Family Practice in North Carolina. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Annika (Spargo) Eriksson ’09 and Carl Eriksson were married November 17 in Stillwater, Minnesota. ’09 Taneasha Muonio ’18 joined People’s Center Clinics and Services as a substance abuse program manager in May 2018. Just a few weeks before being hired, Muonio completed a case management internship at the People’s Center and earned her bachelor’s degree at Augsburg with a double major in biology and psychology. In her full-time role, ’18 ’09 ’18 28 AUGSBURG NOW ’01 ’05 ’13 ’87 Muonio serves 150 patients dealing with substance abuse concerns and works with doctors to integrate patients’ medical and behavioral health care. On November 11, Jill ’01 Mintz-Hoydl ’01 married Andrew Hoydl. Augsburg alumna Jeni (Eckman) Linnenberg ’01 [pictured, left] was in the wedding party. The Mintz-Hoydl family resides in Denver. ’05 Erika Hiland ’05 welcomed a baby girl in November. Shannon (Connaughton) Grindal ’13 and Erik Grindal ’13 welcomed a new baby who someday could be fourth-generation Auggie. ’13 Richard Bahr ’87 released a book about homelessness in Twin Cities. “Those People: The True Character of the Homeless” includes anecdotes about people with whom Bahr has worked and seeks to counter stereotypes and dispel myths about people experiencing homelessness. ’87 SPRING–SUMMER 2019 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Tina (Anderson) Boe ’04 bought a home in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and works for Aveda as a distribution supervisor. Her daughters are 6 and 8 years old. In September, longtime friends [L to R] Mary (Boraas) Janotta ’73, Jill Steele ’72, Mary Lynn (Monson) Ogelsbee ’72, Lennice “Sparky” (Nordaune) Keefe ’72, and Julie (Hagberg) Swaggert ’73 traveled to upstate New York. The Augsburg alumnae once lived together in Chi House and have been traveling yearly since their graduation. A highlight of their most recent trip was visiting Niagara Falls. Augsburg Assistant Volleyball Coach Colleen (Ourada) Enrico ’14 and her husband, Zach Enrico ’12, welcomed a son, George, on May 23, 2018. In December, Susie (Emmert) Schatz ’09 MSW was named vice president and chief advocacy officer for St. Paul-based Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Schatz now oversees state and national advocacy initiatives for the organization. Schatz joined LSS nine years ago as an advocacy manager, and she has received numerous accolades for her work, including the LSS CEO Leadership Award. Since 2011, Schatz has served as an adjunct instructor at Augsburg. This fall, Tina Nguyen ’08 and her fiancé helped connect more than 250 people at Minneapolis’ Franklin-Hiawatha homeless encampment with supplies and blankets. Nguyen also served on the Augsburg University Alumni Board. Allyson (Ruedy) Dooley ’13 and Eric Dooley ’13 welcomed twin boys in February named Jason Timothy and Lucas Anthony. Arianna Genis ’13 was the campaign manager for Jeremiah Ellison for Minneapolis City Council. Currently, she’s merging both her creative and political skills at Wellstone Action as a deputy communications director. Genis also creates a podcast, “Latina Theory,” to unite the voices of Latinx people in Minnesota. Kevin Butcher ’13 and Kacie Lucchini ’13 were married on August 18 at Surly Brewing’s Beer Hall in Minneapolis. Connor Krenik ’13 married the couple, who celebrated alongside family, friends, and fellow Auggies. The newlyweds live in south Minneapolis as they both pursue graduate school at the University of Minnesota. This fall, Reginaldo HaslettMarroquin ’03 received a lifetime Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurship. A graduate of Augsburg’s business administration and management program, Haslett-Marroquin is the principal architect of a poultry-centered regenerative agriculture model. As part of his new role with the Ashoka organization, Haslett-Marroquin contributed to a commentary on nonlinear farming that was published in Forbes in October. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Leah (Jacobson) Soland ’12 and Cody Soland were married this November in Owatonna, Minnesota. Leah graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in social work. 30 AUGSBURG NOW Alom (Martinez-Aleman) Walters ’13 and her husband, Seth, welcomed a baby boy, Søren James, in October. Former head coaches [L to R] John Grygelko and Jeff Swenson ’79 were among more than 200 attendees at the Augsburg wrestling program’s 70th anniversary celebration held this February. The reunion took place the same evening as Augsburg’s meet against rival Wartburg College—a competition known as the Battle of the Burgs. Anna (Ferguson) Rendell ’05 released a new book titled “Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul: 25 Devotions for Autumn.” This is her third book featuring devotionals for women and moms. Greg Schnagl ’91 published the book “Not My First Classroom: A Guide to Supporting Experienced Teachers in New Roles.” Schnagl earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at Augsburg and also holds master’s and doctoral degrees in education. He is the founder and owner of TeacherCentricity, which supports experienced educators. Schnagl is married to Molly (Fochtman) Schnagl ’92. Lauren Webber ’14 welcomed a baby boy in November. “MN Original,” an Emmy Awardwinning program produced by Twin Cities PBS, featured Alison Price ’08 and her painting series “Witnessing Waves” in an episode that aired in November. The artwork was created during her undergraduate years at Augsburg and was inspired by the trees of the Mississippi River gorge. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Augsburg alumni [L to R] Dave Ogren ’91 MAL and Eric Galler ’91 MAL visited Devils Tower, Wyoming, this October and participated in the KannonFall Charity Fun Rally. Devoney Looser ’89 visited Augsburg University in February to discuss her new book, “The Making of Jane Austen.” Looser, who was featured in the Fall 2018 issue of Augsburg Now, returned to campus for two days to meet with faculty and students. She is a professor at Arizona State University. SPRING–SUMMER 2019 31 Celebrate 150 years of Augsburg and launch another 150 years of Auggie legacies. IN MEMORIAM Gertrude E. (Larson) Franzen ’43, Hastings, Nebraska, age 97, on February 1. Marlys A. (Backlund) Morland ’54, Newberg, Oregon, age 88, on November 19. Thomas A. Steenberg ’58, Missoula, Montana, age 83, on October 20. Milton L. Anderson ’44, Willmar, Minnesota, age 96, on October 29. Grace M. (Larson) Anderson ’55, University Place, Washington, age 85, on September 22. Paul H. Almquist ’59, Edina, Minnesota, age 81, on November 7. Arnulf Maeland ’55, Royal Palm Beach, Florida, age 85, on February 7. Harry C. Collin ’60, Gold Canyon, Arizona, age 86, on December 21. Lorna M. (Wilberg) Sanders ’47, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 93, on November 20. Jeroy C. Carlson ’48, Edina, Minnesota, age 95, on November 20. James C. Record ’55, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 85, on May 20. Lorraine “Lee” M. (Gimmestad) Clyne ’48, Coldwater, Michigan, age 92, on November 19. Jeanette I. (Olson) Locke ’57, Lakeland, Minnesota, age 83, on February 10. Llewellyn “Llew” (Rustad) Smith ’48, Twentynine Palms, California, age 90, in August. John H. Olson ’57, Richfield, Minnesota, age 88, on October 31. Jean (Christenson) Sverdrup ’49, Edina, Minnesota, age 91, on September 12. Einar D. Unseth ’51, Lester Prairie, Minnesota, age 93, on January 2. Harvey M. Peterson ’52, Minneapolis, age 91, on December 10. Joan E. (Carlberg) Nordenstrom ’53, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 87, on September 8. Lowell H. Kleven ’54, Golden Valley, Minnesota, age 86, on October 11. 32 AUGSBURG NOW Gudwren “Goodie” L. (Ellingson) Belkholm ’58, Ogilvie, Minnesota, age 86, on January 20. Kenneth J. Belkholm ’58, Ogilvie, Minnesota, age 90, on January 28. Roger R. Brandt ’58, Sonoma, California, age 82, on January 8. Mabeth L. (Saure) Gyllstrom ’58, Minneapolis, age 82, on September 22. Betty J. (Johnson) Hass ’58, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, age 82, on November 4. Carl L. Hellzen ’58, Litchfield, Minnesota, age 83, on January 24. Gerald “Jerry” E. Hendricks ’60, Watertown, Minnesota, age 81, on December 10. Edward J. Olson ’60, Mauston, Wisconsin, age 86, on January 3. David G. Torgerson ’60, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 84, on April 9. Russell D. Osterberg ’63, Alexandria, Minnesota, age 82, on October 1. Jeffrey H. Barbour ’70, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 71, on January 27. Mary K. Ratzlaff ’74, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 66, on September 26. Elin K. Ohlsson ’77, Edina, Minnesota, age 63, on June 19. Francine B. Chakolis ’78, Minneapolis, age 73, on January 15. Carol L. (Watson) Saunders ’79, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 72, on November 1. Bonnie R. (Lindgren) Reeb ’81, Willmar, Minnesota, age 60, on October 3. Jeffrey C. Yue ’81, Wayzata, Minnesota, age 59, on January 10. Henry F. Groth ’64, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 77, on August 31. Bob S. Dayton ’90, Maplewood, Minnesota, age 52, on November 26. Diane K. (Rife) Notch ’64, Northfield, Minnesota, age 77, on November 28. Julie A. Tanner Fischer ’92, Minneapolis, age 48, on January 19. Dwight J. O’Bert ’66, Minneapolis, age 74, on February 4. George “Bruce” B. Sorrells ’07, Minneapolis, age 60, January 11. Lois A. (Barnaal) Ryan ’67, Lilburn, Georgia, age 73, on January 7. Frances E. Cleveland ’10, Minneapolis, age 48, on November 18. Linda D. (Letnes) Lewis ’69, Hastings, Minnesota, age 71, on January 3. + The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before March 1. Attract future leaders and eliminate barriers so more students can thrive at Augsburg and explore their vocations. Give any amount to the Sesquicentennial Scholarship to support students in financial need. augsburg.edu/giving Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PHOTO BY DON STONER 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Auggies win 13th national wrestling title In March, the Augsburg University wrestling team claimed its 13th NCAA Division III national championship, winning all four of its individual national title bouts. Seven Auggies earned All-American honors in the finals of the national tournament. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the university’s national tournament win.
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2018: Cultivating Connections
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Strengthening community Inspired design The best is ahead Welcome to America CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS SPRING–SUMMER 2018 | VOL. 80, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak j...
Show more Strengthening community Inspired design The best is ahead Welcome to America CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS SPRING–SUMMER 2018 | VOL. 80, NO. 2 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On unexpected connections There are many ways in which higher education is a leap of faith. Students come to campus brimming with curiosity and promise. Faculty and staff meet them where they are and seek those connections that lead to genuine learning. And, if all works as intended, promises are kept, learning happens, and our mission to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders is advanced. Easy, right? Or maybe not, because more often than not, those promises, that learning, and our mission are embedded in the daily, mundane, and sometimes messy interactions and intersections that define our lives together. One of the cornerstones of our educational leap of faith is the importance of the unexpected conversations and experiences that transform our learning and our lives. These serendipitous moments are at the heart of every aspect of our work at Augsburg. Serendipity is built into our curriculum, which emphasizes experiences in which students face the unexpected—in the classroom, the laboratory, the neighborhood, and around the world—with the belief that they will be changed and equipped for their vocations. It’s in campus life, where our remarkably diverse students are challenged in their daily interactions with each other to imagine what a vibrant democracy looks like—the unexpected ways in which people of different backgrounds and faiths and perspectives learn to live together. And it’s also in the ways we are designing campus spaces and facilities, including the remarkable Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion— which is highlighted in this issue of Augsburg Now. Nearly half of Augsburg’s faculty now call the Hagfors Center home, and, day by day, they are interacting with each other, forging new and unexpected relationships that are leading to new courses, new research projects, new ways of connecting students and faculty to the neighborhood. Students are making themselves at home in the building, enjoying departmental neighborhood spaces as well as group study rooms. There is an energy in the building that is itself serendipitous—who knows what unexpected connections will be forged to keep our promises, expand learning, and advance our mission. What are your serendipitous moments at Augsburg? Send them to me at augpres@augsburg.edu, and we’ll share what we learn in a future issue of Augsburg Now. In the meantime, thank you for taking the leap of faith that defines an Augsburg education! Faithfully yours, Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah sitarami@augsburg.edu Associate Director of Internal Communication Katie Langston klangston002@luthersem.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Elizabeth Kästner kaestner@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 stepkad@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter John Weirick weirick@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Asha Sorenson sorenso3@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Contributing writer Kate H. Elliott Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official University policy. ISSN 1058-1545 AUGSBURG NOW Spring–Summer 2018 ART THAT SPEAKS TO YOU On the cover: An art installation in the skyway connecting Augsburg’s new Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion with the James G. Lindell Library features dozens of unexpected word pairings that reflect a range of academic disciplines. The artist, Teri Kwant, also created inspirational wooden tabletops embossed with spiritual texts from a number of faiths and traditions to furnish casual study spaces [pictured] on the Hagfors Center’s first, second, and third floors. See story on page 10. 02 Around the quad 20 Welcome to America All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. 08 25 Auggies connect Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu 29 Class notes Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu 32 In memoriam Building bonds, strengthening community 10 Inspired design 18 The best is ahead AROUND THE QUAD Leah Phifer teaches Political Statistics and Methodology during Spring 2018. HONORING Augsburg instructor featured in Retiring Faculty TIME MAGAZINE The January 29 issue of Time magazine acknowledged the record-breaking number of women engaged in political campaigns this year and featured photos on its cover of nearly four dozen women running for office. With them was Leah Phifer, an Augsburg adjunct faculty member who teaches courses on politics, policy, immigration, and political methodology. Phifer, who at the time was running for the DemocraticFarmer-Labor nomination for the 8th district seat of the U.S. House of Representatives, was approached for the Time magazine cover story because of her involvement with VoteRunLead, an organization that provides candidate training to women of all parties for local and state level offices. Phifer has served Minnesotans through her work at the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. Several faculty members retired following years of dedicated service to Augsburg University. Augsburg is grateful for their commitment to advancing the University’s mission within and beyond the classroom. JEANINE GREGOIRE Associate Professor, Department of Education— with the University since 1996 DONNA PATTERSON Assistant Professor, Department of Education— with the University since 2006 KATHRYN SWANSON Professor, Department of English—with the University since 1985 CELEBRATING 2 AUGSBURG NOW STUDENT SUCCESS Read about the scope of prestigious academic achievements, awards, and honors earned by Auggies during the 2017–18 year at augsburg.edu/now. Board of Regents HONORED FOR LEADERSHIP Augsburg’s Board of Regents was awarded the 2017 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership for efforts including initiating an inclusive, five-year strategic planning effort and leading the institution’s largest-ever capital campaign. The formal recognition came in April at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges National Conference on Trusteeship held in San Francisco. This year’s honorees were chosen from approximately 40 nominations nationwide. “Traditionally, governing boards have stayed out of the public eye except when something goes wrong,” said Richard Legon, president of the association’s board of directors. “But it is important that we honor the best of us and inspire good governance practices in others. These boards’ stories represent some of the sharpest and most innovative thinking in the sector.” Now in its third year, the award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, recognizing his work as chair of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council in helping more than 4,000 interned students continue their college studies across the U.S. during World War II. AUGSBURG RECEIVES FUNDING FOR RIVER SEMESTER Augsburg University received $30,000 from Pentair for the River Semester, a high-impact educational program that combines rigorous coursework with an immersive field experience. Sixteen students will travel in four large voyageur-style canoes and camp alongside the banks and on the islands of the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and Memphis, Tennessee, from August to December 2018. All participants in this hands-on learning experience will earn 16 credits. PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE COMMENCEMENT 2018 Augsburg celebrates first commencement as a university. Augsburg University celebrated students completing degrees in the traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate programs during commencement ceremonies held April 28. The morning ceremony recognized 441 undergraduate students, and the afternoon ceremony honored 497 adult undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. The class of 2018 was the first class to graduate from Augsburg University. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 3 AROUND THE QUAD Pribbenow appointed to Governor’s Workforce Development Board AUGSBURG NAMED CHAMPION SCHOOL by Special Olympics Minnesota This fall, Augsburg was honored as Champion School of the Year by Special Olympics Minnesota. The award is given to a school or university that outperforms expectations in terms of student leadership, campus involvement, and unified sports—a program in which athletes with intellectual disabilities train and play sports together with partners without intellectual disabilities. According to Devin Kaasa, competition and training manager for Special Olympics Minnesota, Augsburg was selected for the many ways it supported the Special Olympics organization in 2016–17, including: • Participating in a unified rivalry with Hamline University, where the universities competed in flag football and unified basketball; • Engaging in significant volunteer activity, including at the Fall Games, where the Auggie football team filled volunteer spots in bocce and softball; • Holding a “Respect Campaign” and inviting Special Olympics Global Messenger Patrick Elmore to speak about his experience of school bullying; • Hosting “Special Olympics Week at Augsburg” in January 2017 with multiple activities and events; and • Taking the Polar Plunge at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) to raise funds. “Augsburg went above and beyond with its participation, and continues to exceed expectations with the program,” Kaasa said. 4 AUGSBURG NOW Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow to a three-year term on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. The board represents key leaders from business, education, labor, government, and communitybased organizations to advise the governor on Minnesota’s workforce system. “I’m proud to represent the state’s private higher education sector as a member of this board,” said Pribbenow, “and to have Augsburg engaged in an integrated effort linking government, employers, education, workforce centers, and employees to sustain a vibrant and equitable Minnesota economy.” The board, which meets quarterly, analyzes and recommends workforce development policies to the governor and the Minnesota legislature to ensure a globally competitive labor pool for the state. Augsburg continues to be top producer of U.S. Fulbright students In February, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs listed Augsburg University as one of the top U.S. colleges and universities in producing Fulbright students in 2017–18. Augsburg ranked No. 9 among 22 master’s institutions, the fifth time Augsburg was ranked on the list. The Fulbright program offers recent graduates and graduate students opportunities for research, study, and teaching in more than 140 countries. Since 2007, Augsburg University has had 28 Fulbright students selected for their academic merit and leadership potential. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH FLORES, © STAR TRIBUNE Interfaith TOUCHDOWN This winter, as the world’s attention focused on Minneapolis and U.S. Bank Stadium during Super Bowl LII, Augsburg also took a turn in the spotlight. Faith leaders from across the Twin Cities and a former Minnesota Vikings star gathered at Augsburg’s Edor Nelson Field to film a football-themed video organized by the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. The purpose was to raise funds and awareness to end homelessness through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and to promote unity across faiths, races, and politics. Augs burg launches #LOVELOCALWATER initiative Augsburg University is phasing out the use of bottled water to demonstrate a commitment to consume local tap water readily available to everyone on campus. Augsburg’s Environmental Stewardship Committee launched a #LoveLocalWater initiative in May 2017. This new policy aims to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and supports the provision of water as a human right, not a commodity. Since February 1, bottled water purchases have no longer been reimbursed or available at most events. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Augsburg’s green initiatives. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 5 ON THE SPOT Understanding the sharing economy with Jeanne Boeh When Super Bowl LII came to Minneapolis in February, an estimated 125,000 people descended on the Twin Cities for the big game. But where did they stay? How did they get around? Increasingly, consumers opted into the “sharing economy”—choosing services like Uber and Airbnb. So what exactly is the sharing economy? And how does it impact traditional industries, as well as the economy in general? Augsburg University Professor of Economics and Chair of Business Administration Jeanne Boeh weighs in on the increasing popularity of collaborative services. such as VRBO (lodging) and Turo (cars). Nonprofits are increasingly attempting to share services and equipment not to increase revenue but rather in an effort to reduce costs so that more of their budget can be used for their core mission. Q: How have new platforms influenced traditional industries like hospitality and transportation? A: Q: A: What is the sharing economy? The sharing economy allows individuals and groups to make money from underused assets like their cars or homes. Some economists speak of a new triple bottom line consisting not only of financial returns but also environmental and social benefits by connecting people and resources. The sharing economy also includes nonprofits sharing space or personnel with each other. Q: A: 6 Why are people drawn to participate in the sharing economy? Money is the primary motivating factor in many of the commercial enterprises AUGSBURG NOW Home sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO have had an additive effect. Uber and Lyft have served as a substitute for cabs, drastically reducing the volume of business for traditional taxis—I’ve heard by even as much as two-thirds in Los Angeles. Q: A: Are there drawbacks for providers and/ or consumers? Commercial sharing sites work well for those who are middle income or above, but people with lower incomes will have difficulty accessing most platforms without smartphones or technological prowess. Credit cards are often required by these services, also hampering the ability of lowincome consumers to access them. VRBO has attempted to minimize potential problems for both sides of a transaction by offering insurance options. For renters it serves to ensure that the rental will be available and as advertised. On the owner side, damage deposits are collected just as in a traditional rental. Consumers can also buy additional insurance at a low cost to cover any expensive accidental damage. The rapid increases in these markets make it clear that, overall, both providers and consumers are benefiting. Q: The Super Bowl was in Minneapolis in early February and there were widely publicized predictions of a huge uptick in sharing economy participants. Did we see that? A: Airbnb reported $3.7 million was spent on housing during the Super Bowl as a record-high 5,500 listings became available in the Twin Cities. The average last-minute rental was $286 per night. It helped the city because there were simply not enough hotel rooms available. Super Bowl visitors also spent hundreds of millions of dollars on food, shopping, and transportation. One must always be careful to not overemphasize the impact of such events on the underlying economy, especially in the long run. However, the homeowners and workers who earned extra money during the Super Bowl will continue to contribute to the local economy as they spend those earnings. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn the future of the sharing economy. AROUND THE QUAD Treasures in the Distinguished Teaching and Learning Award winners science labs Augsburg’s new Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion features 24 labs and 6,000 square feet of student-faculty research facilities. In the process of moving equipment from Science Hall into the Hagfors Center, Augsburg faculty members and students sorted through devices spanning a variety of applications and a range of eras. One of the oldest pieces of “lab equipment” still in use is a Waring blender from the 1950s. Although these gadgets were initially created as a kitchen tool, Matthew Beckman, associate professor of biology, said these blenders are used in student experiments to break up tissues and show that bacteria mate by exchanging genetic material. The newest lab device moved into the Biology Department was a NanoDrop spectrophotometer, which measures how much DNA or RNA a solution contains by calculating the amount of UV light it absorbs. Although initially purchased for genetics research, the device is broadly used by biologists and chemists at Augsburg. While it’s unlikely that faculty members or students have access to a spectrophotometer in their homes, Beckman said he does keep a Waring blender in his kitchen. As the saying goes, they don’t make ’em like they used to. Augsburg annually recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to creating an engaging academic environment. The 2018 recipients of the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards are: Teaching Dallas Liddle, Associate Professor, Department of English Elizabeth Klages, Instructor, Political Science Scholarship Mary Lowe, Associate Professor, Department of Religion Service Lois Bosch, Professor and MSW Program Director, Department of Social Work SAVE THE DATES: September 13–15 The Nobel Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis will mark its 30th anniversary in September. Hosted and presented by Augsburg University, the Forum is a platform to educate and inspire a new generation of peacemakers through the exemplary work of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. This year’s program is created around the work of the 2016 Laureate, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, who was instrumental in bringing the South American nation’s 55-year civil war to an end, and the 2017 Laureate, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, whose work drew attention to the consequences of nuclear weapons use and supported passage of the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty. [L to R]: Dallas Liddle, Mary Lowe, Lois Bosch, and Elizabeth Klages. Visit peace.augsburg.edu for ticket, schedule, and presenter information. COURTESY PHOTOS SPRING–SUMMER 2018 7 BY LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA his year, John and Kristian Evans started their Thursday mornings off right … and left. At the 6 a.m. DinoMights practices in the Augsburg Ice Arena, young players sometimes put their hockey skates on the wrong feet or jerseys on backward, focusing more on catching up with teammates than on the logistics of assembling pictureperfect uniforms. As a volunteer coach, Kristian describes the weekly 10-minute rush to outfit 20 elementary schoolers for the ice as “pure chaos.” After he and his fellow coaches ensure that skate laces are cinched tightly against players’ tiny ankles and the kids are safely in their gear, these volunteers prepare for a new challenge: channeling the young athletes’ enthusiasm into a successful practice. “It’s crazy how much energy the players have in the morning,” Kristian said. “It’s never a problem to wake them up; it’s always me who’s the sleepy one.” Fortunately, the players’ spirited attitudes are contagious, according to the Auggie, 8 AUGSBURG NOW who is studying communication, marketing, and political science. “They act like a shot of caffeine,” he said. It’s helpful that DinoMights practices leave Kristian with a boost of energy. The thirdyear student was enrolled in a full course load at Augsburg this fall and used his time outside the classroom to intern at a U.S. senator’s office, serve as a sports editor for the Augsburg Echo student newspaper, do play-by-play announcing for Auggie soccer teams, and promote the Nobel Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis as a student member of the Forum’s marketing team. Volunteering for DinoMights, Kristian said, was a way to carve out time in his schedule for one more thing he loves: hockey. DinoMights builds relationships with at-risk youth in South Minneapolis through hockey teams and training, tutoring and academic support, mentoring, and spiritual development opportunities. As one of approximately a dozen nonprofit organizations that lease athletic space at Augsburg each year—from the CedarRiverside Community School to the Minnesota Sports Federation broomball state tournament—DinoMights benefits from access to quality facilities that are otherwise scarce in the Twin Cities. A passion for hockey—and for Augsburg— runs in the Evans family. John, for instance, has been skating at the university for nearly 40 years. The Augsburg Athletic Hall of Famer played for Auggie men’s hockey teams that won four Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championships in 1981 and 1982. While earning two national titles was a thrill, John now looks back on his college days and acknowledges that it’s the relationships he developed with teammates, classmates, and faculty members that truly influenced his life. “It’s [L to R]: Kristian Evans ’19 and John Evans ’82 Kristian Evans ’19 helps a member of the DinoMights Squirt team prepare for hockey practice. Players are 10 or 11 years old. the friendships you remember,” he said. Decades ago, John chose to attend Augsburg because he wanted to live and work in Minnesota’s urban core and was drawn to the school’s pioneering emphasis on experiential education. Today, as fathers and sons go, John and Kristian appear to be more alike than different. Both men played hockey in Norway; John signed a pro contract after Augsburg, and Kristian played there following high school. When Kristian was searching for a college after his junior hockey eligibility expired, at first he thought he’d go to school anywhere but Augsburg, wanting to venture farther afield than his dad and mom, Joan (Moline) Evans ’83. Kristian’s desire to take an entirely new path soon gave way to the revelation that Augsburg’s metropolitan location and commitment to community involvement were a perfect fit for him, as well. And, much like his father, Kristian values the power of Auggie friendships. In January 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer, underwent surgery to remove a tumor, and began chemotherapy treatments to rid his body of any remaining cancer cells. He continued to attend Augsburg full time and learned to lean on his roommates for support, whether he needed help shaving his head after he began to lose his hair or someone to accompany him to chemo appointments. “I have friends who’d walk with me in the middle of winter to the East Bank hospital where I received care and sit with me for three hours before they had class,” Kristian said. “You don’t get that with every group of people, and that fact is never lost on me.” With his cancer in remission, Kristian sees his role with DinoMights as a way to strengthen an important network for Twin Cities youth who face challenges ranging from navigating life as first-generation Americans to living in single-parent households. “It’s amazing to be part of a group that says, ‘We understand that you’re going through some tough stuff, and we will help you in whatever aspect of your life means the most—whether that be through athletics or through faith or through education,’” he said. “That’s why we build communities of support—so that when one of us falls, there are other people who are willing to step in.” For Auggies like John and Kristian who’ve come to embrace Augsburg’s commitments to vocational discernment and civic engagement, DinoMights is just one example of the power of transferring the University’s educational framework to a real-world application. “If you can make one corner of your community better, then you can say you’re doing your part,” Kristian said. “This is what Augsburg teaches when it comes to vocation.” SPRING–SUMMER 2018 9 The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is the largest academic building on campus. It houses multiple academic disciplines, including biology, business administration, chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science, mathematics and statistics, physics, psychology, and religion. Several of these departments previously occupied space in Science Hall, which is located across 21st Avenue. BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA “Augsburg sees science as a search for meaning, a collaboration with nature, and a quest for quantitative understanding.” This statement was captured in a 2007 “science credo” authored by Augsburg faculty in the sciences. The credo proclaimed that Augsburg’s science programs should: • Emphasize science in context, seeking out and developing intersections among departments and programs. • Underscore the purposeful practice of science as an essential ingredient to citizenship. • Use Augsburg’s urban setting to highlight the relevance of science in our call to serve our community. This visionary thinking sparked the imagination of faculty leadership across disciplines and led to a vision for a new building concept: a center for science, business, and religion that would not only replace Augsburg’s outdated science facilities, but would foster interdisciplinary collaboration and embody Augsburg’s commitment to its community. That vision came to life this past January with the grand opening of the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, a signature academic building that celebrates Augsburg’s historic roots, contemporary relevance, and promising future. The Hagfors Center was made possible by the generosity of more than 1,200 donors, whose names appear on a glass wall outside one of the ground-floor classrooms. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 11 The exterior colors of the Hagfors Center reflect Augsburg’s Norwegian heritage, connect the decades of architecture represented on campus, and espouse the vitality of Augsburg’s urban setting. The Hagfors Center design complements the colorful residences in the neighborhood surrounding Augsburg. From Old Main to Oren Gateway Center, Augsburg’s campus comprises architectural styles from various decades. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HGA ARCHITECTS The Hagfors Center front doors open onto a brand new roundabout at the west end of South 7th Street, with a direct view to the main entrance of the Foss Lobeck Miles Center and the atrium of Hoversten Chapel. Inside the building, the west wing extends from the lobby at a diagonal that runs parallel to Riverside Avenue. It connects with the north wing in an “open-arms” embrace of the community garden, where neighbors and members of the campus community grow food, build relationships, and engage in hands-on learning experiences. (See story, page 28.) 12 AUGSBURG NOW Community Garden Riv ers ide Ave nue Hagfors Center Foss Center New Green Space Science Hall The Quad Murphy Square Inspiration for the color accents comes from images of brightly colored homes and buildings in Bergen, Norway. Gundale Chapel is named for Elnar Gundale ’33, who emigrated from Norway to the United States in 1930 and studied at Augsburg College and Seminary. He was ordained in 1937 as a Lutheran Free Church pastor and served several parishes for nearly 60 years. He and his wife, Catherine, raised six children (four of whom attended Augsburg). Their daughter, Evangeline, and her husband, Norm, are the named benefactors of the Hagfors Center. The multicolor “Trans:Perspective,” the sculpture in the glass sculpture that Gundale Chapel, was created by artist hangs in the Gundale Bebe Keith and sponsored through the generosity of Augsburg Board of Regents Chapel incorporates Chair Jeffrey Nodland ’77 and Becky textile designs from (Bjella) Nodland ’79. contemporary and ancient cultures and religions. The sculpture also includes glass panels without patterns—suggesting the future of Augsburg yet to unfold—as well as smudges, blurring, and distress to imply imperfection in the world, past and present. From one specific location in the Gundale Chapel, the 3-D sculpture takes on the shape of a cross—a perspective not viewable from any other spot in the room. See a video at augsburg.edu/now. The Hagfors Center anchors the west side of campus, providing new green space that will connect with the quad after the removal of Science Hall and create an open east-to-west pedestrian flow through to Murphy Square. FALL - WINTER 2017 15 The Hagfors Center’s expanded labs provide space for realworld experiments that take longer than a traditional 4-hour lab period. Its grow rooms allow students to cultivate plants for lab courses using modern plant science methods. There are modern meeting rooms for presentations with local businesses and entrepreneurs, aquaria that provide a handson experience with marine aquatic creatures like algae and sponges, and a food lab where students study the physics, chemistry, and social impact of our food systems. There’s even a collaborative makerspace where students build rockets, explore 3-D printing, and more. 14 AUGSBURG NOW PHOTO BY GAFFER PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY GAFFER PHOTOGRAPHY For many years, several Augsburg science departments had dedicated learning and gathering spaces in Science Hall. Augsburg incorporated these “department homes” throughout the new building—providing interactive learning spaces for all science, business, and religion students and faculty. The building also boasts multiple casual learning spaces, which are popular among students of all majors. In fact, during finals week in December 2017—before the building was even officially open—students filled the whiteboard walls in these spaces with notes and equations as they studied together for semester finals. In the skyway that connects the Hagfors Center with the James G. Lindell Library, custom glass etchings bridge disparate disciplines, both figuratively and literally. The etchings, which also make the skyway glass bird-safe, feature unconventional word pairings, such as “define divinity” and “love density,” that are designed to make people think. The skyway was funded through the generosity of John R. Paulson and Norma L. Paulson, whose family also sponsored the skyway link from Sverdrup Hall to Lindell Library. Learn more about the art in the Hagfors Center at augsburg.edu/now. The Hagfors Center is designed to meet the standards for silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a globally recognized symbol of sustainability. The building has two green roofs—one on a flexible, ground-floor learning space and one above the front entrance canopy. During construction, Augsburg exceeded its goal of awarding more than 10 percent of the project’s contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses. To ensure the building can adapt to evolving needs over the coming decades, each wing was built on a standard grid that allows walls to be reconfigured to create larger or smaller spaces as requirements change over time. The skyway glass art, “Both/And,” was created by artist Teri Kwant and sponsored through the generosity of Augsburg Board of Regents member Karolynn Lestrud ’68. The skyway art, “Both/And,” was created by artist Terri Kwant and sponsored through the generosity of Augsburg Board of Regents Member Karolynn Lestrud ’68. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 15 CE.COM FINANCE-COMMER E | $1.50 TAG PERIODICALS POS VOL. 131, NO. 14 2018 Project of the Year nter at A e C rs fo g a H e h T Building Blocks: —Design Build Institute of America-Upper Midwest Region “... Hagfors Center exceeds expectations.” —The Echo, January 19, 2018 “The Hagfors Center makes Augsburg more competitive.” —Neal St. Anthony, Star Tribune, March 3, 2018 “Augsburg is one of the most thoughtful, reflective partners that we’ve ever had.” —Bill Blanski, design principal, HGA Architects, Finance & Commerce, January 19, 2018 “We focused on our heritage … experiential learning, our diversity, and our call to serve. That resonated.” —Mike Good ’71, Augsburg regent emeritus and campaign chair for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion, Star Tribune, March 3, 2018 16 AUGSBURG NOW feet of classroo 139,000 square and Religion holds ess sin Bu ce, r for Scien y’s Hagfors Cente Augsburg Universitpolis. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz) helix. An elm tree ms embracing Ave. S. in Minnea reflective of ar communithe Cedar-Riverside uare feet sq ty — holds 139,000 staff offices of classrooms, labs, . It es and communal spac e than or m s ol’ ho serves the sc s. nt de 3,500 stu I BY FRANK JOSS and Name: The Norman er for nt Ce rs gfo Evangeline Ha and Religion Science, Business rsity at Augsburg Unive Ave. S., st 21 0 70 Address: lis po ea Minn gsburg. 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The it will m fro mpus trees. t ee str across from re in a tu fu e be demolished in th e green or marketing and m d ad move that will ons vice presispace, he said. t ou a John, points ed s made a passionThe architect enjoy ’s ge lle ent to art, from co e th th wi ing work is one of g ur painting (includsb ug leadership. “A An s). ell l, reflective stairw the most thoughtfu er had,” ev ’ve on the lobby glass partners that we e handwritten id. Blanski sa ation of Martin Lu FALL 2017 rtress is our ther’s “A Mighty Fo symbols th wi d God” — overlai ture. uc str ll ce ’s of the elm * WINTER 2018 e anchors the a circular oofs cover uilding. SPRING 2016 ity Augsburg Univers GROUNDBREAKING APRIL 2016 From groundbreaking to grand opening, construction of the Hagfors Center took 22 months, and was completed on time and under budget. FALL 2016 8 19, 201 Friday | January * PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEPHEN GEFFRE + PHOTOS COURTESY OF McGOUGH CONSTRUCTION GRAND OPENING JANUARY 2018 THE BEST IS AHEAD Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 plays a new role helping plan Augsburg’s 150th anniversary festivities BY GITA SITARAMIAH S ince arriving in 1975 as a first-year student, Jeff Swenson has built a storied legacy at Augsburg University. Swenson was a national wrestling champion as a student and joined the Augsburg coaching staff upon graduation. He then spent 25 seasons as one of the most successful amateur wrestling coaches in the U.S. As athletic 18 AUGSBURG NOW director since 2001, he has led the athletics program through a period of unprecedented growth and improvement. Now, Swenson is playing another key role at Augsburg as Sesquicentennial Steering Committee co-chair, shaping the anniversary festivities planned for the 2019-20 academic year. In a recent interview, Swenson shared his perspectives on the University’s 150th anniversary as well as the importance of academics and civic engagement for student-athletes and why he’s proud to be an Auggie. Despite all of the achievements for Augsburg and Swenson, he feels the best is still ahead. “I’ve never been more excited about Augsburg than I am today.” SE YOU ARE A CO-CHAIR OF THE SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THIS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WILL DO FOR AUGSBURG? It’s a great time to celebrate our rich history: 150 years, wow! That’s really something special. I’m hoping the sesquicentennial allows us to celebrate the past but also to look toward the next 150 years of Augsburg University. It’ll be a great time to bring people together: faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the institution. Selfishly, I’m looking forward to celebrating athletics’ place in the school’s history. In the past two decades, we were the first university in the state to start a women’s hockey team and a women’s lacrosse team. Last year, we made the playoffs in eight out of 10 sports—the most ever in school history. AUGSBURG ATHLETES ARE INTENTIONALLY CALLED STUDENTATHLETES. HOW DO YOU SUPPORT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT? They’re students first. Every one of our athletes gets a day off of training and games. Professors do understand the demands of students involved in athletics, and they work with the students to help them succeed. Ultimately, our goal is that all students graduate in four years. We want to recruit prospective students and tell them and their families that our students graduate in four years with high achievement in their courses. Our student-athletes’ cumulative GPA averages 3.23, and we’re proud of that. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS INCREASED COLLABORATION BETWEEN STUDENT-ATHLETES AND OTHER STUDENT GROUPS. WHAT’S BEHIND THAT, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE WILL DEVELOP FROM THIS PARTNERSHIP? It’s very intentional, and it’s one of my goals, along with President Paul Pribbenow. Our 2017–18 student body president BK (Bashiru Kormah) ’19 really pushed for it. BK is on the Augsburg men’s soccer team, and he organized a gathering at the president’s house of student-athletes and members of other student groups to talk about experiences and collaborative opportunities. Fostering an even more unified campus culture is hugely beneficial, and I think we’re doing that. We’re very involved with living out the University’s mission in the daily life of athletics. R AT I ON 1869-2019 SQ U IC ENTEN N CE IAL LE B AUGSBURG IS CALLED AS AN INSTITUTION TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBOR. WHAT’S THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN ATHLETICS? Community service can have a major lifelong positive impact on student-athletes. I will always remember one of my community service opportunities as an Augsburg student. I held a boy who had a severe cognitive disability. I bounced him on my knee, and my objective was to get him to smile. To this day, I remember that experience as much or more than any of the football games or wrestling matches I was in. The Augsburg athletics experience is really well-rounded. All of our student-athletes and coaches participate in at least one community service activity each year. Jane Becker, our head volleyball coach, is our director of athletic community service and engagement. Because of her efforts, we do many more community service activities than in the past. In the 2016–17 academic year our athletes finished with 4,652 community engagement hours and participated in the largest food drive on campus, collecting 410 pounds of food. We are on track to reach or exceed that amount for 2017–18. AS AUGSBURG PREPARES TO COMMEMORATE 150 YEARS, WHAT STANDS OUT FOR YOU? All the relationships stand out for me—from the time I was a student-athlete here and then throughout my career. I’ve seen 10 buildings constructed on campus, worked for four presidents, and held nine job titles, but it would all come down to the relationships more than anything else, including relationships with my coaches, students, faculty colleagues, and my teachers. HOW HAS AUGSBURG EVOLVED AS THE UNIVERSITY APPROACHES THE SESQUICENTENNIAL AND WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE AN AUGGIE? I love that Augsburg is student-centered. We’re at the forefront of society’s changes. We’re inclusive. We’re accepting. We’re innovative in our work. I think the focus in those areas has enabled us to stay ahead of our competition and is why students continue to choose Augsburg. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 19 WELCOME TO Augsburg alumna Katia Iverson ’12 orients newcomers to the United States amid mounting uncertainty and narrowing policies BY KATE H. ELLIOTT 20 Katia Iverson refuses to say “maybe.” She used to say it a lot, as a novice caseworker, unwilling to share disheartening news. But experience has vanquished the word from her vocabulary. “When a mother asks whether her kids qualify for assistance, and you respond with, ‘Well, maybe’ when you know the answer will become a ‘No,’ you give those families false hope,” she said. “It’s much better to be direct and clear: ‘Yes, we can help’ or ‘No, we can’t,’ and if we can’t, let’s not waste time and instead figure out a solution—together.” Iverson is part of a team of 15 “ex-maybe-ers,” who each year assist roughly 400 people—from world-class bodybuilders and doctors to farmers, models, and priests. She and her colleagues guide this cross-section of humanity through securing living arrangements, establishing benefits, landing jobs, and plotting out bus routes to school. Her clients couldn’t be more varied—some are single, while others have 13 children; some speak five languages, while others cannot read or write. But they all share the same status: refugee. Each fled their home country because of persecution based on race, religion, ethnicity, social group, or political opinion. They applied for refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which verified their claims. They applied for resettlement in the United States through a yearslong screening process before the U.S. Department of State invited them to pursue a direct path to citizenship. They arrived on planes, welcomed by strangers. “No one wants to be a refugee,” said Iverson, a team manager for the Minnesota Council of Churches’ Refugee Services. “Many have lived in terrible conditions and experienced unimaginable trauma. Nearly everyone dreams of returning to their homeland— to the family and friends who speak their language, observe their customs, and prepare familiar foods. “Being a refugee is their last option.” AUGSBURG NOW PHOTOS BY RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER, © STAR TRIBUNE Katia Iverson ’12 encourages a new arrival from a refugee family as he practices his English. SPRING–SUMMER 2018 21 he 90-day challenge Refugees resettling in the United States come through a state agency or one of nine voluntary agencies that have cooperative agreements with the State Department to provide reception and placement services. Minnesota Council of Churches’ Refugee Services has welcomed immigrants to Minnesota since 1985, and Iverson has done so on its behalf since 2013. “The clock is ticking from the time refugees walk off the plane. We have 90 days to help them start their lives in Minnesota,” said Iverson, who has welcomed hundreds of refugees to America’s shores. “The federal government provides slightly more than $900 per person to get each family started, but we rely on the support of faith communities, nonprofits, and individual volunteers to help these newcomers gain self-sufficiency.” Iverson is glad to work in one of the more welcoming U.S. states, with Minnesota having resettled more than 90,000 refugees since 1970. But increasingly critical rhetoric around refugees has made life on the front lines tough as the 28-year-old struggles with landlords hesitant to rent to “those people” and discrimination at new arrivals’ workplaces or schools. Increasing day-to-day challenges thicken amid confounding regulations and tightening policies. For the 2018 fiscal year, for instance, the federal government has capped refugee admissions nationwide at 45,000—the lowest in decades—and arrivals aren’t even on pace to reach half that number, 22 AUGSBURG NOW according to the United Nations. “There is fear and uncertainty, but for me, the toughest part of the job remains the short window of time I have with families,” Iverson said of her three-month timeline. “To make real progress, clients need to be open, but they have been telling their life story—almost on autopilot—for years, and trust doesn’t come easily for many of them, especially with strangers.” Building trust among the doubtful Ahmednor Farah has seen Iverson knock down walls of resistance. For four years, the native Somali worked alongside Iverson as a resettlement case manager and interpreter. Katia can flip a switch, he said, from boundless compassion—crying alongside a despairing client—to sober sincerity when she has to administer doses of reality. Clear boundaries within an expanse of empathy is the job. “Katia’s role is challenging, and only a person with her integrity can “Katia managed to learn Somali, as the majority of her clients were Somalis, and she pushes back at the systems working against these families to make sure they receive equitable and just support.” Her family has witnessed Iverson’s devotion. Younger brother, Luke Iverson ’15, roomed with Katia for several years. He comforted her when she would worry about “families not making it” and understood when Katia had to cancel plans in order to meet a new arrival or help negotiate with a landlord. “Sometimes Katia would leave the house at 11 p.m. to head to the airport, but she’d always be at work by 8:30 a.m. the next day, following up with those clients or others,” said Luke, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial in downtown Minneapolis. “Her life is unconventional, but it is the times of deep connection and joy that I believe feed her the most and remind her why she is doing this work in the midst of a climate that fights against her and these families.” It’s all worth it, Katia said. Minnesota has the highest number of refugees per capita nationwide, according to the U.S. Census and refugee-support agencies. With 2 percent of the nation’s population, Minnesota has 13 percent of its refugees. deliver the way she delivers,” said Farah, who now works as a human services representative for Hennepin County, where he said low-income families, including refugee arrivals, apply for food and cash benefits. “There is challenge and sadness in my job, but the positive far outweighs any negative. The resilience of these families is incredible. They are so present and bring with them long-held traditions—how to heal when we don’t Iverson helps refugee families through the steps of resettling in Minnesota, from renting a house to helping children acclimate to their new homes. have a doctor nearby or how to provide emotional healing to one another— that adds a richness to our world. They invite me into a deep foundation of wisdom, and that is a gift.” A heart for service, a passion for others Katia was meant for this work. From a young age, her parents drove their four children from the predominantly white suburbs of Minneapolis to engage in missions in the Phillips neighborhood and other low-income areas. This focus on service inspired Iverson to enroll at Augsburg University, nestled among some of the state’s most prominent refugee settlements. She was an international relations major until her introductory class focused on “the way nations and leaders interacted rather than the humans living in those nations,” Katia said. Mid-year, the then-first-year student headed to the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, during which world leaders and peacemakers interact with students and community members. Waiting for a keynote to begin, Katia struck up a conversation about career options with fellow Auggies sitting near her. A voice popped into the conversation: “I’m Professor Frankie Shackleford, and I’m developing a new major: cross-cultural studies. You should consider it.” Katia spoke with the professor of Norwegian—and continued to talk for four years—about the influence language has on our world and the insight people gain when they imagine life through others’ perspectives. “I continue to rely on the lessons I learned at Augsburg as I consider the impact of my work and what I bring to each home,” said Katia, who went on to participate in the Forum’s Peace Scholars program and graduate magna cum laude. “I am constantly analyzing the energy I bring, the questions I ask, and the way I ask them. I strive to be respectful and curious, to dress appropriately for each culture, and to make clients laugh. “Laughter is universal to all people, and it is key to my work. Intercultural interactions provide constant opportunities to laugh when we say or do something a bit off,” she added. “But when both the client and I come with a generous spirit, the response is laughter rather than offense or anger.” Refining her skillset Katia is comfortable being uncomfortable, which she credits to those formative mission experiences that empowered her to become a peer mediator in elementary school and then the first white student on the Maple Grove Senior High School Diversity Council. She embraced new opportunities at Augsburg—traveling abroad SPRING–SUMMER 2018 23 and enrolling in the Bonner Leaders Program, now the LEAD Fellows Program. Her brother, Luke, joined Katia in the service-based, workstudy experience that empowers undergraduates to integrate civic engagement and leadership development into their studies. Katia said the experience honed her ability to adapt, problem-solve, and relate to others. Every year, more than 70 courses at Augsburg include an embedded servicelearning component. Students average 25 hours per semester in servicelearning experience directly connected to course objectives and learning goals. Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL, director for Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, said the Iversons’ experiences reflect the transferable skills and culturally relevant outcomes the program is designed to inspire. “Our LEAD Fellows are engaged in long-term, in-depth communitybased work, and these opportunities are funded, which opens the door for many students who are often unable to engage in service learning because they need to pay the bills,” said Eschenbacher, who guides the 35-40 fellows each year. “Community partners are confident in our students, and some have empowered undergraduates to develop programs like an eight-week nutrition education class for Somali mothers. This is real, impactful work.” Progress emerges from collaboration At Augsburg, the two eldest Iverson siblings shared a focus on those in need but it is a bond with younger sister, Natalie Iverson, that has emerged as of late. Natalie is a secondary ESL teacher at Hmong College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 charter school in St. Paul. As it turns out, several of Natalie’s students are from families Katia serves as a case manager. “It makes me realize how powerful it would be if all systems were in communication, where a teacher could talk to a family’s caseworker and vice versa. I update Katia about a student, and she communicates it with those families, making the families feel seen, welcomed, and supported,” said Natalie, who works with students 11-20 years old. “I can offer her my advice as an educator when she’s got families struggling with school, and she can offer me perspective when I am lesson planning.” Earlier this year, for example, Natalie mentioned to Katia that she was teaching English vocabulary about household problems families might need to communicate to their landlord. Katia offered Hmong, Karen, and Thai language resources related to tenants’ rights, then followed with an ageappropriate presentation she modified from one designed for parents. The sisters maintain that immigrants are the greatest gift our society never knew it needed, and that we should lean into their stories and customs, rather than fear the unfamiliar. Katia urges people to do what they can, from welcoming a new family to the neighborhood, teaching English, writing elected officials, or sponsoring a refugee family through church. The possibilities are endless, Katia said, and there is a way for everyone to welcome others to our nation and set them up to become successful citizens. It’s not work; it’s a calling Has this work changed Katia? Yes. “Although her life is busy, and she is always moving, there are so many still moments of intimate spirituality in her work,” Natalie said of her sister. “Her work allows her to see people in all stages of their lives, both in a literal sense, and in a vulnerable, human sense. And I don’t think anyone can stay the same because of that.” Ahmednor Farah and Iverson show a newly relocated refugee family how to ensure the gas burners on the stove are safely turned off. 24 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, COURTESY PHOTO T he Augsburg University Alumni Board supports the University’s mission by finding meaningful ways for our members to contribute their time, talent, and treasure. Members meet regularly to create and enhance events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and serve together. Our focus this year has been on connecting alumni with current students. At an annual networking event in February, attendees took part in mock interviews, had their headshot photos taken by a professional photographer, and met with other Auggies working in their industry. Most importantly, students and alumni shared their experiences and stories, often creating longterm connections. Another way the Alumni Board worked to foster connections between Augsburg students and graduates was through piloting a new program called Auggie Take Out. The program matches alumni participants with students who have an interest in their occupation. The alumni volunteers take the students out for informational interviews over coffee or lunch as a way to initiate a mentorship. I had the chance to participate and enjoyed connecting with a second-year student on the football team who is interested in sports medicine. I was impressed by the questions he asked me and the ways Augsburg is helping him plan for his future career. As you consider opportunities to remain engaged with the Augsburg community, I encourage you to join the Alumni Board at an event that’s part of the Auggies in the City series. Learn more about the event series on page 27, and mark your calendar for upcoming outings to see the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota United FC, and Minnesota Lynx. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/events for details and discounted tickets. I invite you to join the Alumni Board as we continue to advance the Augsburg mission through events and networking. We work hard, and we have just as much fun. HOMECOMING October 11–13, 2018 Interested in organizing your reunion? Call the office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. augsburg.edu/homecoming Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT SPRING–SUMMER 2018 25 Alumna’s homegrown art featured in Hagfors Center Having grown up in rural Wisconsin, Amy Rice ’93 had always anticipated a life of farming. From a young age, she had an appreciation for art and enjoyed depicting the beauty of nature in her sketches. “I made art my whole life, but never let myself dream or be so bold as to think I could do it as more than a hobby,” she said. When selling her produce at farmers markets, Rice would display sketches of her flowers and tomatoes, incorporating information about the plants into her sketches. She used the drawings as a backdrop for her produce stand to entice more customers. Soon, her art became popular at the market, and people started inquiring about purchasing her work. When Rice realized that she could earn more from her art than from her crops, she decided to turn her hobby into a profession. In 2015, when Augsburg University launched an Art and Identity campaign, an initiative to bring original artwork into the new Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, Rice was already working on a long-term project to draw and write about every plant on her 40-acre northern Minnesota plot. Rice’s project connected science and religion by combining the documentation of plant life with the use of liturgical papers to form a type of collage. She also incorporated letterpress samples and her own Augsburg homework into the art pieces, making the project a perfect submission for the Art and Identity campaign. When potential sponsors were invited to view sketches of the art selected for the Hagfors Center, Stephen K. ’67 and 26 AUGSBURG NOW Sandra L. Batalden were immediately attracted to Rice’s “Six Minnesota Wildflowers to Meet and Know” sketches. “We immediately liked her work,” said Sandra, who shares with Rice an appreciation for the letterpress printing featured in the works. “Not only is she using original materials in her paintings, but the unusual botanical subject matter seems to fit perfectly in a building [that hosts] the life sciences. “In addition to botanical accuracy, Amy’s drawings transport us into an entirely new realm as leaves and flowers become frames for musical scores or other chosen texts woven into each piece. What a creative, beautiful expression for a university of the 21st century.” Rice’s artwork is displayed on the fourth floor of the Hagfors Center. Amy Rice ’93 is represented exclusively by the Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis. Each of the plants depicted is native to Minnesota, and five of the six grow in the St. Croix River Valley where Augsburg students do ecological research. The five are snow trillium (Trillium nivale), eared false foxglove (Agalinis auriculata), spatterdock (Nuphar variegatum), obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana), and sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale). The sixth wildflower, the Minnesota dwarf trout lily (Erythronium propullans), grows in only three counties of Minnesota and nowhere else in the world. COURTESY PHOTO O T M R A F M FRO AUGGIES CONNECT hosted a discussion at the “Waitress” pre-performance pie buffet about the significance of the all-female production team. For Auggies with children, popular family-friendly events included an afternoon at the Minnesota Children’s Museum with an Augsburg party featuring Auggie Eagle, coloring books, bow tie making, and a photo booth. Another event attracting families was the interactive learning session at the Minnesota Zoo at which a zookeeper brought animals to the Augsburg reception—including a lizard, a porcupine, and a chinchilla— for children to see and touch. Additionally, Auggie families and friends have embraced Minnesota sports as part of the Auggies in the City series. In January, Auggies watched the Minnesota Wild take on the Ottawa Senators, and four attendees won a drawing to ride the Zamboni machine. A number of current Augsburg University men’s hockey players attended the event and mingled with former Augsburg hockey team members. Events this summer included a St. Paul Saints game and—still ahead—a Minnesota Twins game in July and a Minnesota United FC match in August. For more information or to buy tickets for upcoming events, go to augsburg.edu/alumni/events. COURTESY PHOTOS Beginning this past fall, alumni, parents, students, and friends have had the opportunity to attend a number of events in the new Auggies in the City series that offers discounted tickets and Augsburg-specific programs to popular Twin Cities activities. The series includes arts and cultural programming, family-oriented outings, and athletic events. “Auggies love to explore and appreciate the community in which we live. We have had families, couples, and Auggie friends enjoy a variety of activities, ranging from zoo and museum visits to sports events and theater performances,” said Katie Code ’01, Augsburg director of alumni and constituent relations. The theater events have been a sellout success and included tickets to the Tony Award-nominated musical “Waitress,” fan-favorite “A Christmas Carol,” and the family singalong extravaganza “Annie.” The events were complemented with unique, Augsburgspecific receptions or activities. For example, Darcey Engen ’88, associate professor and chair of Theater Arts, SPRING–SUMMER 2018 27 AUGGIES CONNECT GENEROSITY COURTESY PHOTO BLOSSOMS in Augsburg’s community garden COURTESY PHOTO This spring saw the unveiling of the Medtronic Community Garden at Augsburg University. Nestled in the center of the open-arms design of the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion and facing the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, the innovative garden supports food sustainability and the community’s need to grow, sell, and eat healthy food. The garden was designed by Oslund and Associates, award-winning landscapers who describe the reimagined community garden for Augsburg University as “a place on campus to celebrate the diversity of plants, people, and the community it serves.” The innovative style of the community garden attracted interest from Fortune 500 company Medtronic, which donated $100,000 to officially name it the Medtronic Community Garden. “The Medtronic Foundation focuses on expanding access to quality chronic disease care among underserved populations worldwide, as well as supporting health initiatives in communities where Medtronic employees live and give,” said Sylvia Bartley, global director of Medtronic Philanthropy. 28 AUGSBURG NOW Sylvia Bartley, global director of Medtronic Philanthropy [L], takes a moment during the Hagfors Center grand opening celebration to talk with Augsburg Chief Sustainability Officer Allyson Green about the Medtronic Community Garden, which is nestled between the two wings of the building. “We are proud to sponsor the transformation of the Augsburg University community garden in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, where access to healthy foods is scarce,” Bartley said. “Providing opportunities for communities to cultivate their own natural foods is one of the ways the Medtronic Foundation strives to improve the lives of communities around the world.” According to Allyson Green, chief sustainability officer and program coordinator of Augsburg University’s Campus Kitchen program, the redevelopment of the garden has been an opportunity to further Augsburg’s ongoing sustainability work. Promoting food security, reducing food waste, and feeding students through Campus Kitchen programs are just some of the benefits of the on-campus community garden. Another key feature Medtronic provided $100,000 to fund Augsburg’s community of the garden is the garden expansion that will improve accessibility, provide consistent design for additional space for increasing plot demand, and enhance the planter beds— sustainability through compost management and other initiatives. The community garden expansion reflects some of which are Augsburg’s commitment to stewardship of natural resources, raised to make the student leadership around issues of nutrition and wellness, garden accessible and development of public spaces that are both aesthetically to individuals with pleasing and environmentally sound. mobility constraints, while others are traditional, ground-level planters. These distinct planter beds create a physical language that make them recognizable as part of the community garden, which will eventually enable Augsburg to expand the gardens in small pockets to additional locations across campus. The redesign project also widened the pathways between planters and introduced a series of benches throughout the garden to create a welcoming environment for gardeners and nongardeners alike, transforming the west edge of campus into a public green space for Augsburg and its neighbors. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1969 The chapel in Augsburg’s new Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is named for Elnar Gundal ’33. See page 13. Glen Peterson ’69 began teaching in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1969 and taught for 40 years at Lakewood Community College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He spent many years coaching and was the director of the ski/ snowboard school at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington, Minnesota. In retirement, he continues to help with instructor training. He and his wife, Kathy (Palmer) Peterson ’70, met at Augsburg, and daughter Jessica Peterson ’09 also attended Augsburg. 1943 Legendary high school coach and veteran Stan Nelson ’43 was honored in September by the Anoka, Minnesota, community. Following his World War II service, Nelson coached in Anoka for more than 30 years and won conference championships in ’55, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’72, and ’76, including 33 consecutive wins from ’62 to ’64. 1960 Retired ELCA pastor Rev. Byron Schmid ’60 received his Swiss citizenship and was honored when he returned to Switzerland in September for the 750th anniversary of Rubigen, his ancestral village. He has done extensive genealogical work to document his family history and lead family tours in both Switzerland and Norway. 1968 1976 In November, Larry Morgan ’76 was presented with the Lifetime Recognition Award by the Twin Cities Compensation Network for his work in compensation and human resources. Augsburg Board of Regents Chair Jeffrey Nodland ’77 and Becky (Bjella) Nodland ’79 sponsored a sculpture now on display in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. See page 13. 5 0-Y EA R R E UNI ON HOMECOMING 2018 Board of Regents Member Karolynn Lestrud ’68 sponsored an art installation for Augsburg’s newest skyway. See page 15. 1978 40- YE AR R E U N I O N HOMECOMING 2018 John Karason ’78 was among 100 Macy’s employees chosen for a national choir to premiere “Home For Christmas” by composer Wesley Whatley during the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. The choir rode atop the new Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree, caroling from Central Park to Herald Square. Grammy-nominated conductor Judith Clurman led the choir, and Broadway director Stephen Nachamie oversaw production. Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 shares his perspective on Augsburg’s upcoming 150th anniversary. See page 18. 1982 Rev. Scott Snider ’82, priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, was named ecumenical and interreligious officer for the diocese in July 2017. Snider is also the pastor of three Illinois parishes in Pierron, Grantfork, and Pocahontas. John Evans ’82 finds a volunteer opportunity unites his Augsburg legacy and desire to serve. See page 8. 1987 Scott Anderson ’87 retired from the City of Bloomington (Minnesota) Public Works Department in September after 30 years of service. Anderson currently owns the Scott L. Anderson Agency, LLC, an independent insurance agency in Maple Grove, Minnesota. 1990 Alisa “Al” Holen ’90 received tenure at the University of Southern Indiana and is now an associate professor of art and design, ceramics. She also was selected as one of the featured artists in the 2018 American Pottery Festival at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. She and her father, Professor Emeritus Norman D. Holen, were honored to present their exhibition, “Nature/ Nurture,” at the Northern Clay Center this past October. 1993 2000 2 5 - Y E A R R EUNIO N HOMECOMING 2018 Guillaume Paek ’00 was named interim athletic director at Burnsville High School, Minnesota. He was previously the athletic director at Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Brian Kuhl ’03, an associate at Mayer Brown law firm, and his wife, Jesca Kuhl, generously donate their money to build homes in Uganda. The couple met while Brian worked as a teacher in the Peace Corps. In addition to paying for two homes that house roughly 15 Ugandan children, the Kuhls also have paid for schooling for these children and more than a dozen others. ’03 ’03 Grant Hemmingsen ’07 is the new men’s basketball head coach at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. Grant worked his first college coaching job with his brother, George Hemmingsen IV, at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro. Grant [at left] is shown with his father, George Hemmingsen III, before a Cobbers basketball game. ’07 ’07 SPRING–SUMMER 2018 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2001 Trang Dinh ’01 was awarded the 2017 Excellence in Servicing Award from NorthMarq Capital. Dinh has 15 years’ experience as a portfolio analyst and asset manager, and is a respected, knowledgeable, and accomplished professional in her field. Mark Peterson ’01 recently concluded a successful season of coaching his son, Charlie, on his first- and second-grade soccer team. 2005 Allison (Cornell) Broughton ’05 and Matt Broughton ’06 welcomed new baby, Nicholas James, on June 10, 2017. Nicholas joins big brother Calvin, age four. Timothy “Tim” Stowe ’05 is the principal for Westwood Elementary School in Zimmerman, Minnesota. He previously served as principal and technology coordinator at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, Minnesota. 2008 10- YE A R R E U N I O N HOMECOMING 2018 Brian Krohn ’08 is launching a smartphone app called Soundly. Developed with funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, the app is designed to help people who snore through a voice-activated game that strengthens the muscles in the upper airway. Newly promoted high school guidance counselor Derrick Smith ’08 received the THRIVE Teacher of the Year award for his work with middle- and highschool students. He teaches math and social sciences to eighth, ninth, and 10th graders of diverse backgrounds at a nontraditional Christian school in Augusta, Georgia. 2009 Andrew “Andy” Kent ’09 has joined the University of Minnesota’s hockey program as the team’s AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Eloisa Echávez ’94, ’98 MAL, executive director of La Oportunidad, a social services organization in Minneapolis, was honored by the Minnesota Vikings in September as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. She received a $2,000 grant, which she donated to La Oportunidad. ’94 Margaret Johnson ’96 has committed to a year of service with Minnesota Math Corps. She will tutor students in Roseville, Minnesota, in eighth grade math. ’96 ’15 Alisha Esselstein ’15 and Tyler Dorn ’15 welcomed their son, Liam, on August 14. Kia Burton ’11 is Augsburg’s new alumni engagement program associate. Burton most recently worked at the MHC Culinary ’11 30 AUGSBURG NOW volunteer goalie coach. Kent has spent the last six seasons as the volunteer goaltending coach with the Gopher women’s program and will continue to work with both teams. He served as the goaltending coach for Finland’s Women’s National Team at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, and also served as the goaltending coach for the Augsburg men’s team from 2013 to 2017. 2010 In October, Joe Finstrom ’10 opened Lithium Mastering LLC, a mastering and music production studio in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Finstrom teaches at the Wirth Center for Performing Arts and plays cello in the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from Augsburg, Finstrom attended the Institute of Production and Recording, where he earned an associate degree in audio production and engineering. Katia Iverson ’12 and Luke Iverson ’15 describe the joys and challenges of helping new arrivals acclimate to life in the U.S. See page 20. 2013 Grant Niver ’13 founded Surrender Salmon in Minneapolis in 2016. Surrender Salmon specializes in distributing wild sockeye salmon from Alaska to Twin Cities restaurants, meal delivery services, and farmers markets. 2017 Katelyn “Katie” Davidson ’17 is the new sports and education reporter for the Pierce County Herald in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. While a student at Augsburg, Davidson worked at the League of Minnesota Cities in St. Paul, in the communications and public affairs department. She also worked part-time with Minnesota United FC professional soccer club in the public relations department. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Group assisting the accountant and the sales team. Prior to that, she was a sales coordinator at the St. Paul Hotel, in St. Paul, Minnesota. As an Augsburg student, Burton was a member of the Pan-Afrikan Student Union, worked as a Summer Bridge program mentor for TRIO/ Student Support Services, and served as a residence advisor in Urness Tower. She was also an Auggie Guide and worked in the James G. Lindell Library for four years. their production department. Nelson-Hopkins received a 2017 Emmy Award for his part in producing a commercial advertisement for Padres membership. Mortensen Hall roommates [L to R]: Karen (Sougstad) Richard ’79, Laurie (Nelson) Orlow ’79, Sue (Johnson) Drakulic ’79, and Deanna (Stanger) Feldner ’79 reunited in September. Sue Nelson ’67 received the President’s Award from the U.S. Tennis Association in October. Nelson organizes the Iowa All Stars event, a one-day tournament designed for athletes who compete in the Special Olympics. ’79 ’14 Nial Nelson-Hopkins ’14 is currently employed by the San Diego Padres in As of this past September, Tom Koplitz ’74 [right] and Bill Nelson ’74 are both in the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. They were co-captains of the 1974 Augsburg baseball team. ’74 ’67 GRADUATE PROGRAMS Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA recently was promoted to assistant director of marketing management in Augsburg University’s marketing and communication division, which serves both Augsburg University and Luther Seminary. In her new role, she will continue to serve as editor of Augsburg Now. ’94 ’96 Heather (Smith) Pokrzywinski ’16 MPA was hired by Essentia Health in the Moorhead (Minnesota) Clinic as a physician assistant. Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL, director of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, describes how Augsburg’s LEAD Fellows Program shapes students and alumni. See story, page 20. ’15 ’11 ’79 ’74 ’14 ’67 SPRING–SUMMER 2018 31 IN MEMORIAM Ruth C. (Gudim) Wold ’41, Mankato, Minnesota, age 100, on December 13. Hazel L. (Lanes) Angell ’42, Carmichael, California, age 97, on November 4. Sigfrid D. (Aadland) Lybeck ’42, Fostoria, Ohio, age 98, on January 10. Stanley R. Erickson ’51, Aitkin, Minnesota, age 90, on January 4. Hubert C. Hanson ’51, Lady Lake, Florida, age 92, on November 27. Harland A. Nelson ’51, Duluth, Minnesota, age 89, on January 31. Robert D. Larson ’56, Everett, Washington, age 87, on January 1. Harris W. Lee ’57, Edina, Minnesota, age 88, on December 27. James D. Plumedahl ’57, New Brighton, Minnesota, age 83, on September 8. Carl H. Woyke ’44, Minneapolis, age 95, on February 28. Marjorie L. (Lindberg) Sveen ’51, Naples, Florida, age 88, on February 5. Edryce Y. Johnson ’46, Fresno, California, age 92, on January 2. Evelyn I. (Breckey) Swenson ’51, Yakima, Washington, age 88, on October 9. Janet M. (Niederloh) Christeson ’58, Georgetown, Texas, age 81, on January 18. Borghild M. (Rholl) Gabrielson ’47, Sun City, Arizona, age 95, on December 13. Glen F. Gilbertson ’52, Edina, Minnesota, age 87, on October 17. Lois R. (Mackey) Davis ’58, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, age 86, on January 4. Agnes V. (Valvik) Larson ’47, Rochester, Minnesota, age 94, on January 4. David J. Robinson ’52, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 87, on July 24. Jerome F. Peterson ’58, Princeton, Minnesota, age 81, on January 25. Clifford V. Aaze ’48, Bloomington, Minnesota, age 89, on September 12. Alyce M. (Larson) Thureen ’52, International Falls, Minnesota, age 95, on December 18. Robert C. Westerlund ’58, Brainerd, Minnesota, age 83, on September 21. James W. Adair ’48, Florence, Montana, age 92, on September 11. Joyce D. (Jorgensen) Eckhoff ’53, Benson, Minnesota, age 86, on March 10. Janet L. (Andersen) Fredrick ’59, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, age 79, on October 9. Duane G. Lindgren ’48, Ponsford, Minnesota, age 93, on February 1. Kristian Frosig ’53, Lynnwood, Washington, age 89, on January 16. John D. Wilsey ’60, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, age 79, on February 20. Margaret L. (Nelson Foss) Nokleberg ’48, Northfield, Minnesota, age 92, on January 1. Lester D. Grafstrom ’53, Salol, Minnesota, age 87, on January 16. Jean C. (Floren) Honken ’61, Harley, Iowa, age 80, on February 17. Sylvia J. (Kolden) Strong ’48, Olympia, Washington, age 94, on November 3. Elaine L. (Hamberg) Elness ’54, Duluth, Minnesota, age 86, on November 12. Ella S. (Warnes) Lerud ’62, The Dalles, Oregon, age 77, on January 16. Calvin E. Larson ’49, Rochester, Minnesota, age 93, on December 20. Paul R. Britton ’55, Corona, California, age 84, on November 17. Carol J. (Jeckell) Arkell ’63, Lamberton, Minnesota, age 77, on November 27. Dorothy L. (Solheim) Schalk ’49, Racine, Wisconsin, age 90, on February 13. Mavis J. (Johnson) Holland ’55, Hendricks, Minnesota, age 84, on February 17. Carolyn E. (Johnson) Johnson ’63, Fullerton, California, age 76, on November 7. Robert G. Eftedahl ’50, Appleton, Wisconsin, age 89, on September 28. Kenneth W. West ’55, Reedsburg, Wisconsin, age 85, on December 6. Barbara A. (Johnson) Miller ’65, Marinette, Wisconsin, age 74, on October 18. 32 AUGSBURG NOW Joyce G. Boyum ’58, Minneapolis, age 86, on December 9. Timothy J. Leaf ’69, Minneapolis, age 71, on December 2. Robert J. Radebach ’71, Eagan, Minnesota, age 81, on February 3. Marilyn K. Bush ’72, Bloomington, Minnesota, age 69, on October 3. Burton L. Haugen ’72, Walker, Minnesota, age 67, on February 1. James E. Carlson ’73, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 66, on April 18. Mary E. (Benesh) Lundstrom ’73, Lafayette, Indiana, age 66, on September 30. George S. Mathison ’75, Brooklyn, New York, age 64, on September 24. Mark R. Johnson ’76, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, age 64, on November 23. Jane L. (Palumbo) Aubuchon ’82, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 58, on February 3. Mark A. Fulfs ’89, New York Mills, Minnesota, age 55, on December 15. Timothy P. Krenz ’89, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 56, on December 31. Mayrlo D. (Grodnick) Kincade ’91, Farmington, Minnesota, age 50, on February 17. Teresa M. (White) Shanks ’92, Shakopee, Minnesota, age 47, on February 18. Marcus Spiro ’19, Redmond, Washington, age 22, on January 25. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before March 15. MEET YOUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE. Get your Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Leadership, or both via the MBA/MAL dual degree at Augsburg University. ALUMNI DISCOUNT: Complete your MBA or MAL studies for less. Augsburg alumni receive an $80 per credit discount. Learn more at augsburg.edu/grad. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Following creative whims Described by National Public Radio as “a singer, rapper, poet, author, speaker, and all-around mogul,” renowned recording artist Dessa visited Augsburg University this spring to engage students and community members in a conversation about making a life and a living in music. During her talk, Dessa emphasized that creativity, resourcefulness, and honest enthusiasm are essential components of a musician’s journey. “Indulging one’s imagination is part of the task of being an artist,” she said.
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2021
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW Augsburg Associates’ roots and decades of service A smartphone app aims to de-escalate traffic stops INSIDE Photos: Augsburg then and now SPRING–SUMMER 2021 | VOL. 83, NO. 2 Student-athletes advocate for causes beyond the sports arena Vice President, Operations Rebecca Jo...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW Augsburg Associates’ roots and decades of service A smartphone app aims to de-escalate traffic stops INSIDE Photos: Augsburg then and now SPRING–SUMMER 2021 | VOL. 83, NO. 2 Student-athletes advocate for causes beyond the sports arena Vice President, Operations Rebecca John ’13 MBA AUGSBURG NOW Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communication Stephen Jendraszak Spring–Summer 2021 Director of Marketing Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the “new normal” Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah Assistant Director of Marketing Creative Denielle Stepka ’11 Creative Associate Hayley Selinski As we enter a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for our return to campus for our 152nd academic year at Augsburg, I am often asked what we have learned during the past 16 months that will be part of a “new normal” for our community. Certainly there is much that we have learned about the use of technology for teaching and learning, and for doing our administrative work—technology that will be an abiding and effective tool for the ways we work into the future. We also have learned important lessons about public health and not taking for granted our individual and common well-being. And then there are lessons about the fragility of our economic lives and the need to be laser-focused on our mission as we make decisions about revenue and expenses. But perhaps the most important and striking lesson we learned during the pandemic is that all of the work we have done the past few years to chart a strategic path for Augsburg—work that culminated in the creation in Fall 2019 of Augsburg150: The Sesquicentennial Plan—provided us with a framework for both navigating through these unprecedented times and for pursuing a sustainable future for our university. In other words, our planning deliberations, grounded in Augsburg’s mission to educate students to be “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders,” got it right as we named our highest aspirations and our strategic priorities. In particular, I am proud of the vision we cast for our future, which says that “As a new kind of urban, student-centered university, we are educating Auggies as stewards of an inclusive democracy, engaged in their communities and uniquely equipped to navigate the complex issues of our time.” Consider the claims we make in this vision statement: to embrace our urban setting, to keep students at the center of our lives, to pursue democratic engagement, and to equip our students to take on the most complex problems we all face. And we honored those claims as we lived through the pandemic: responding to the many needs of our students and neighbors as we kept each other safe and healthy; focusing on the flexibility our students required as they pursued their education primarily online; working together as a community of faculty, staff, and students to navigate an uncharted path; and leaning into the incredibly complex issues raised by the pandemic so that we might all learn from them. As I begin my 16th year as Augsburg’s 10th president, I am so proud of our community and excited about the future we will create together. It may not be normal, but it will be grounded as always in our mission and vision. Enjoy this issue of Augsburg Now with its engaging stories that make my case for Augsburg’s future. Senior Marketing Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator John Weirick Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 Communications and Social Media Consultant Kate Norlander Project Manager Juli Kramer Web Manager Nick Huseby Web and Email Coordinator Jennifer Thiel Advancement Communications Specialist Cara Johnson Contributors Kate H. Elliott Lisa Renze-Rhodes Stewart Van Cleve PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official university policy. augsburg.edu/now Around the quad The Auggies who refuse to ‘keep politics off the field’ How Augsburg’s student-athletes use their training and platform to advocate for causes beyond the sports arena 12 Senior Communications Specialist for Principal Gifts Amanda Symes ’09, ’15 MFA ISSN 1058-1545 Faithfully yours, 02 06 The Scandinavian work ethic that inspired the Augsburg Associates’ decades of service Though the Augsburg Associates group has ended, the impact of volunteer work over 37 years resonates 16 Can a smartphone app de-escalate traffic stop encounters between drivers and police? Auggie-created TurnSignl app provides an attorney on demand so everyone gets home safely 20 Augsburg then and now 26 28 31 Auggies connect A photo essay Alumni class notes In memoriam Augsburg MBA alumni created an app to make traffic stops safer. See the story on page 16. On the cover: Augsburg University celebrated graduates with an in-person commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 8, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Read more on page 2. All photos are by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. Send address corrections to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Send comments to now@augsburg.edu. URBAN ARBORETUM VISIT AUGSBURG’S GRANT-FUNDED PROJECTS BENEFIT AUGSBURG AND THE ENVIRONMENT Grants help shape Augsburg’s teaching and learning community In late 2020, the Council of Independent Colleges’ NetVUE program awarded a two-year, $40,000 grant to Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. The grant will help the university explore whether and how the academic, faith, and moral commitments that have shaped its identity inform and reflect its aspiration to be anti-racist and inclusive. The project will engage 12 members of the community— students, faculty, and staff—who will write a collection of essays that will be a blueprint for AUGSBURG CELEBRATES GRADUATES with virtual and in-person commencement ceremonies On Monday, May 3, Augsburg University celebrated commencement virtually with the release of a prerecorded video ceremony. The event included remarks from several presenters and personalized slides for graduates displaying photos and messages that the students submitted. The viewers posted comments to the videostream as they watched the event, and students took to social media to share their graduation posts using the hashtag #AuggieGrad. On Tuesday, June 8, Augsburg held an in-person commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Because the 2020 commencement ceremony was virtual in alignment with public health guidelines designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many graduates from the Class of 2020 opted to participate in the 2021 in-person ceremony, where attendees were asked to wear face masks and stay physically distanced from guests of different households. Visit YouTube.com/AugsburgU to find video recordings of Augsburg’s virtual and in-person events. 2 AUGSBURG NOW DID YOU KNOW? The traditional undergraduate Class of 2021 is Augsburg’s most diverse graduating class with 45.6% Indigenous students and students of color, an increase of more than 20% over the past three years. moving forward in these efforts. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Toxicity Reduction program awarded Michael Wentzel, associate professor of chemistry, a grant of nearly $15,000. The grant will be used in a two-year project to develop green chemistry as a unifying theme throughout Augsburg’s chemistry curriculum. While a number of green chemistry principles are woven into the curriculum, this work will coalesce these principles into a clear message across multiple courses, including courses taken by non-majors. Chemistry majors will end their studies with a new capstone course on green chemistry and toxicology. In addition, David Hanson, assistant professor of chemistry, is now in his third year of a four-year project funded by a $384,080 grant from the National Science Foundation (Award Number 1761638). Hanson is studying the formation and growth of new particles in the atmosphere. The results of his experiments are expected to lead to improved accuracy in predicting the influence of new particle formation on climate, health, and visibility. A GREEN OASIS IN THE CITY See the Augsburg University campus transition from summer to fall With the widespread availability of vaccines and effective public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, many students, faculty members, and staff are returning to on-campus activities with modified operations. Augsburg invites you to visit our beautiful Minneapolis campus to experience the diverse array of trees on a self-guided tour, complete with a map and descriptive signs, or a guided tour. The urban arboretum was made possible by generous donors and continues to provide environmental benefits, educational opportunities, and aesthetic appeal for Augsburg and the surrounding community. • Find a list of trees and a self-guided walking tour map, covering Augsburg’s campus and Murphy Square, at augsburg.edu/arboretum. • Want an in-person walking or golf cart tour of the urban arboretum, Hagfors Center, or other campus features? Contact Interim Vice President for Advancement Amy Alkire at alkirea@augsburg.edu. Board of Regents approves PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW’S CONTRACT through 2027 In its March meeting, the Augsburg University Board of Regents’ executive committee unanimously approved a multiyear contract renewal for President Paul Pribbenow, who joined the university in 2006 as its 10th president. “In an era when five- or six-year presidencies are common in higher education, President Pribbenow’s long-term leadership of the university has enabled Augsburg to achieve remarkable things,” said Matt Entenza, chair of Augsburg’s Board of Regents. “The university has become one of the most diverse private institutions in the Midwest during his tenure and has welcomed record-breaking first-year classes in the past two years. The university is fortunate to continue to have Paul’s transformational leadership through 2027.” Pribbenow is recognized as a leading Learn more about Pribbenow’s figure among the nation’s higher education work and presidency at augsburg.edu/president. private institutions and is an engaging teacher on ethics, philanthropy, and American public life. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 3 $ BUY $ $ $ $ $ Q: SELL Meme stocks, Robinhood, and what to know about the stock market today In early 2021, stocks of the companies AMC, BlackBerry, and GameStop made headlines—but not just for performing well. In a matter of days, some of these stock values increased by up to 30 times their previous price before a smartphone app called Robinhood restricted trading, angering some investors and propelling the situation into greater media attention. What happened, and what could that mean for people interested or invested in the stock market? Augsburg University’s Associate Professor of Business Marc McIntosh brings his financial expertise to help us understand some of these rapid changes and see the big picture of today’s stock market. COURTESY PHOTO funds. There has been a democratization in stock market investing. The bad news is that there are now lots of ways to lose money in the stock market if you or your financial advisor don’t have a fundamental knowledge of accounting and finance. Finally, the ugly part is that not only are gains magnified in a short period of time but losses are as well. If used wisely, Robinhood can be a tremendous way to build wealth through stock market investing. What are reliable principles or tactics for people just beginning to get involved in the stock market? A: Many famous investors such as Warren Buffett and John Bogle have argued convincingly that it’s very difficult to pick stocks that will outperform the overall market. In fact, there are several academic studies that prove that it’s almost impossible for the average mutual fund manager to “beat” the overall market. So, the sensible strategy is to put long-term savings into a broad-based market index fund. Many retirement plans have fund options indexed to the S&P 500 or the total stock market. Q: Q: A: What are “meme stocks,” and why have they become notable lately? A meme stock is any stock that’s seen its price skyrocket due to excessive trading volume from retail investors, mostly fueled by people on social media (primarily Reddit, TikTok, and Twitter). There are a lot of reasons why meme stocks have been so popular. It’s partly pandemicrelated, since some people had more time to gamble and speculate and may have extra money on hand due to government stimulus payments. Also, social media forums have made it a lot easier to follow trends. In the case of GameStop, the price had a tremendous run almost solely due to Reddit posts. 4 AUGSBURG NOW Q: What can we learn from what happened with AMC, BlackBerry, and GameStop stocks? What does that tell us about the stock market and how people are interacting with it? A: It’s important to distinguish between gambling and investing. The vast majority of people buying these stocks are gambling that their price will go up based on rumors and social media posts, which can be very dangerous. It’s really the equivalent of going to the racetrack and betting on horses or going to Las Vegas to play the slot machines. Investors, however, do much more research based on the fundamental financials of the company and assess the potential of the company based on either their analysis or input from What should Augsburg Now readers keep in mind about the stock market today and in the near future? a trusted, professional financial advisor. In other words, it’s OK to invest in a meme stock, but make sure you’ve done your due diligence on the company’s growth prospects. For example, does GameStop really have cutting edge technology, or is its business model antiquated? Q: Are tools like the investing app Robinhood (which offers no-fee stock trading) just a trend or an indication of a new direction for the world of investing? A: Robinhood is here to stay. The good news is that the app is extremely userfriendly, and the average investor can now make money in the stock market in ways that, until recently, were only available to institutions like pension funds and mutual A: First: On average, investing in the S&P has delivered returns higher than 10% since 1929. This dwarfs the returns you get by putting money in a savings account or investing in high-quality bonds. For the long haul, it’s important to have this return to retire comfortably. Second: The time people spend in retirement is getting longer as life spans have expanded due to health care improvements, so people need a huge nest egg to live comfortably—possibly into their 90s. Third: Due to the magic of compounding and starting earlier in one’s life, achieving this nest egg can be relatively simple. If average 25-year-olds invest $2,000 in the stock market a year (such as in an index fund that achieves 10% average returns), they could have more than $1 million when they retire at age 65. Wow! AROUND THE QUAD AUGSBURG STUDENTS EARN FULBRIGHT AWARDS This year, three Augsburg students earned Fulbright awards, and one has been named a Fulbright alternate candidate. Citlaly Escobar ’21 and Ciashia Shiongyaj ’21 both won Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships to Taiwan. Shamsa Ahmed ’21 won a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea. Terrence Shambley ’21, an alternate Fulbright English Teaching Assistant candidate, will teach English in Laos if additional funding becomes available. The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the program. Augsburg to launch CRITICAL RACE AND ETHNICITY STUDIES department, major Augsburg University is developing a new Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Department. The new department aligns with Augsburg’s mission and responds to a proposal developed by a group of students, faculty, and staff that was presented to the administration and approved by the faculty this year. A group of students, led by Black women, made similar (as-yet unrealized) demands after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. The department aims to meet the needs of today’s students with culturally relevant courses and pedagogy that both centers and equips them to think critically about their experience in the world. It will advance the university’s public mission through connections with the community. This year, the plan is to hire three new faculty in Pan-African, Latinx, and Asian American studies. Once they’re hired, Augsburg will review next steps, as well as how other departments can connect their own courses and faculty to the new department. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 5 PHOTO BY WARREN RYAN THE AUGGIES WHO REFUSE TO ‘KEEP POLITICS OFF THE FIELD’ How Augsburg’s student-athletes use their platform to advocate for causes beyond the sports arena BY KATE H. ELLIOTT 6 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING–SUMMER 2021 7 PHOTO BY WARREN RYAN Forward/midfielder Olivia House ’20 IN 2016, FIRST-YEAR STUDENT Olivia House ’20 kneeled during the national anthem before one of her first Auggie soccer matches. She was alone—the only Black person on the team, and the only person kneeling on either side of the field. For four years, House continued to kneel as a respectful gesture to highlight pervasive racial injustice. Fans and opposing players ridiculed her, she was the first on the bus after away games, and teammates unintentionally bruised her with microaggressions: “You’d look so pretty if you straightened your hair.” “So-and-so acts way Blacker than you.” “I always forget you’re Black.” “Even though I was vocal and open about what I stood for, my teammates didn’t see even half of who I was. I left so much of my identity at the door because there would be too many questions, too many things I’d have to explain about my identity and community,” said House, a designer and art director for a creative agency in Chicago. “Having to code switch from diverse classrooms and social advocacy groups to being the lone Black person on the team was exhausting.” Augsburg is among the most diverse private colleges in the Midwest—with students of color making up the majority of the last four incoming undergraduate first-year classes. On campus, House said she found her vocation: “to demonstrate the power of design to communicate stories and create a platform for voices who haven’t been heard.” And yet, her experience demonstrated more work is needed, even at the most equity-minded of institutions, and particularly in athletics, where 71% of student-athletes are white, according to a 2020 Augsburg internal survey. “Me simply stepping onto a soccer field as the only Black player is political in and of itself, without me saying a single word,” she said. “Had I ‘just played the game’ and ‘kept politics off the field,’ I would have perpetuated the myth that athletes’ sole purpose is to entertain. You can’t ask us to put all of our lives on display except for our thoughts and opinions. It doesn’t work like that.” Since House’s first year, the women’s soccer team has welcomed other student-athletes of color, and multiple soccer players and coaches have begun kneeling during the national anthem as matters of diversity and justice have remained prominent in conversations both on campus and across the United States. Augsburg Women’s Soccer Head Coach Michael Navarre watched House address a crowd on the quad in September 2020 as a speaker at Augsburg Bold, a series of presentations for students to hear about important topics for the broader community. After House detailed a summer of racial justice protests and rubber bullets, of murals and oral history projects, Navarre commended House as the spark that ignited the team and inspired other student-athletes to take a stand. “At the time, we felt as though we were supporting Olivia and our other players of color, but it wasn’t until the killing of George Floyd—just a few miles from Augsburg—that we truly began the difficult work that needed to be done,” said Navarre, who has led the women’s soccer team for 23 seasons. “That self-reflection and education illuminated how much more we could have been for Olivia and others, and how much more we are now because of her. Our team is driven to be leaders for social justice advocacy and action.” ‘An age of athletic activism’ Days after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Navarre asked the women’s soccer players to connect virtually each week to discuss topics and resources shared on what has become an 11-page document of articles, podcasts, self-assessments, and videos to spur awareness, community engagement, and education. Midfielder Jenn Bobaric ’22 designed a Black Lives Matter patch, and the team collaborated to design a warm-up shirt that read “Auggies against injustice.” The team supported several fundraisers and donation drives in honor of Floyd and Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old biracial Black man who was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Molly Conners ’22 led a collection of personal items and clothing for neighbors who frequent Augsburg’s Health Commons locations, which are nursing-led drop-in centers that offer resources and support. Taylor Greathouse, women’s soccer volunteer assistant coach and human resources assistant, said the team took to social media as a way to educate and advocate for others. “Instagram, in particular, was a way for our players and our program to demonstrate our alliance to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Greathouse said. “For example, we have studentathletes personally impacted by the unrest in Myanmar and Colombia, and we wanted our shirts, statements, and discussions to address issues of injustice around the globe. “I have learned more in the last two years about my own privilege than I have in my lifetime. It’s not enough for individuals to view diversity merely as racial diversity. We are doing ourselves and our students a disservice if we do not first educate ourselves about intersectionality,” Greathouse said, referring to the study of intersecting identities and dimensions of social relationships. Across the Athletics Department, teams created T-shirts, facilitated discussions, visited memorials, and engaged in community activism. Augsburg Athletics partnered with Augsburg Day Student Government to hold a town hall featuring the voices of student-athletes of color and other members of the Augsburg community. Chris Dixon, the university’s first director of athletic diversity and inclusion, facilitated this and other discussions and opportunities for community engagement. “When I arrived in 2019, I knew my position was an important one, but little did I know just how vital it would be to help our student-athletes, coaches, and staff process, learn, grow, and begin to heal—together,” said Dixon, who also serves as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s track and field teams. “We are in an age of athletic activism, and Augsburg is invested in this work to bring awareness and take a stand. We empower our students, coaches, and staff to have difficult conversations and use their status as leaders to advance causes that matter.” ‘We can’t wait for the tide to shift’ To focus the department’s efforts and conversations, Augsburg Athletics formed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in Fall 2020. The group of coaches and staff works closely with university administration and student-athlete advisory groups. Major initiatives include rewording of the national anthem introduction, offering training sessions, and developing a self-reported race survey of Augsburg student-athletes that revealed 71% of student-athletes are white, 12% are Black, 8% are Latinx, 5% are multiracial, and 4% are Asian. Results from a similar survey of coaches and staff are pending. “We didn’t need surveys to point out that we lack diversity in athletics, but we wanted to get a self-reported baseline to assess how our students perceive themselves and the department,” Dixon said. “This work is personal to me as a Black father the same age as George Floyd when he died. Athletics has always been a battleground for people to advance causes. We reach audiences who might not be exposed to these issues otherwise, both in the locker room and in the stands.” Dixon said that, although it’s difficult to turn inward and recognize gaps, Auggies are eager to learn and adopt best practices in recruiting and building inclusive team cultures. “We celebrate diversity efforts at the national and international levels of these sports, but we can’t wait for the tide to shift. We are striving to be more present in diverse neighborhoods and partner with programs that introduce these sports to people with a range of backgrounds.” In Fall 2020, the women’s hockey team gathered at George Floyd Square, where 38th Street and Chicago Avenue intersect in Minneapolis. The 24 student-athletes, coaches, and staff walked around in silence as they took in the flowers, pictures, and artwork that Michelle McAteer, women’s hockey head coach, described as “a mix of pain, sorrow, and inspiration.” “Our players were shocked at the long lists of African Americans killed by police, going back 20 years. We huddled and listened to each other, and the athletes’ perspectives were so powerful,” McAteer said. The team also gathered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. Alongside McAteer, Assistant Coach Ashley Holmes shared information she learned during a diversity, equity, and inclusion training. “We recognized we are two white women, and it was not easy or comfortable, but that is the reason why we should be doing this,” McAteer said. “We need to make these types of discussions more natural and ongoing. Avoiding talk and action because it’s not natural or easy is a big part of the problem. We’re not trying to lecture or convince but share information we’ve learned in a meaningful way.” McAteer said players have begun kneeling for the national anthem, sharing information on social media, and educating family members and friends. The team routinely partners with the DinoMights, an organization that mentors Minneapolis youth through hockey. Women’s hockey forward Lilia Scheid ’22 said this year changed her. “I’ve learned that I need to make my voice heard in the community because making change takes every single one of us,” she added. “I’ve learned what it means to be ‘not racist’ versus ‘anti-racist.’ Staying silent only hurts marginalized groups even more, so it’s important to have these tough conversations and speak out against 10 AUGSBURG NOW racial injustice.” Women’s lacrosse has been equally engaged. Teammates wore rainbow jerseys in support of a transgender player, who helped lead a discussion about transgender issues and terms. Augsburg Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kathryn Knippenberg said the team is working to be more than performative allies. “If one of my athletes feels called to protest but doesn’t have a ride, I will pick them up or find them a ride. If they want to kneel or don’t want to kneel, they know they have my support,” she said. “Yes, we are here to win, but we are also here to equip student-athletes with valuable life skills, to prepare them for conversations and experiences they are facing and will continue to face,” she said. “We want them to live out Augsburg’s mission to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders who are engaged in meaningful, transformative work.” Allowing vs. actively supporting All Augsburg teams agreed to adopt new wording to introduce the national anthem before each contest: “Augsburg University Athletics would like to recognize that the American experience has not been the same for everyone under the flag. As we continue the fight for equality and justice for all, we now invite you to respectfully express yourself for the playing of our national anthem.” “It’s not easy getting an entire department and body of student-athletes to agree on wording, but it was an important initiative of our Diversity and Inclusion Task Force,” Dixon said. “By having these words in front of the national anthem, we are acknowledging that we—as a university—actively support people in how they want to express themselves. There’s a difference between this statement and simply ‘allowing’ people to kneel or whatever.” Coaches and staff are expected to complete the Augsburg Diversity and Inclusion certificate program, which requires 18 credits of specified training and encourages additional training for advanced standing each year. In 2020, coaches and staff completed the NCAA Division III’s LGBTQ OneTeam Program, which stresses the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in college athletics and provides an overview of common LGBTQ terms, definitions, and concepts. The peer-driven educational program, which Dixon facilitated, also shares best practices to ensure all individuals may participate in an athletics climate of respect and inclusion, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation. “Social justice issues are incredibly important to us in the Athletics Department, and when our student-athletes are actively engaged in educating themselves about the current and historical context of what is happening and they are attempting to use their platform as student-athletes to create awareness and positive change, I feel incredibly proud of them,” said Kelly Anderson Diercks, who served as associate athletic director and director of compliance until July 2021. “Our student-athletes bring many identities and intersectionalities to Augsburg and their respective teams. To be the best we can be, we need to be able to show up fully as our true selves. This means we need to have spaces to talk about all those identities and intersectionalities and how the events facing our world play out differently for us all.” Recognition of these different identities and experiences led to Dixon’s position; Augsburg hired him as part of a 2019 NCAA Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant, which the university also received in 2012. In 2014 and 2021, the department received the NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, which also supports the hiring and mentorship of ethnic minorities and women in athletic leadership positions. Alicia Schuelke ’20 MAE, former assistant coach for men’s track and field, said students are thrilled with Dixon’s enthusiasm and vision for the role. “In a world where, many times, the odds are stacked against us, leaders of color provide hope and strength,” said Schuelke, a physical education teacher at Columbia Academy Middle School in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. “I came to Augsburg for the MAE program, but I was pleasantly surprised to find how diverse the campus is, and it is my absolute favorite part of my learning experience. “If we can move the needle toward a more diverse group of leaders that better represent our country’s demographics, then students of color will begin to understand that the sky’s the limit in terms of their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations.” House said she is encouraged by the department’s work to advance equity and inclusion. She appreciates the university’s willingness to be vulnerable and invite her and other people of color to share their experiences during this raw, unsettling time. But, as any athlete knows, one must dedicate lots of hours and effort to see results. Augsburg Athletics is putting in the work. “Yes, we are here to win, but we are also here to equip student-athletes with valuable life skills, to prepare them for conversations and experiences they are facing and will continue to face.” —Kathryn Knippenberg Kathryn Knippenberg (right) has served as head coach of Augsburg University Women’s Lacrosse since 2014. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 11 ARCHIVE PHOTOS PROJECTS FUNDED OR SUPPORTED BY AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES • Trash and Treasure Sales • Welcome party for the 2011 visit of Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway • Velkommen Jul buffets and boutique sales • Norwegian coffee at Taste of Augsburg Homecoming events • Christensen Center’s welcome desk construction • Foss Center’s Green Room renovation • Christensen Center’s Augsburg Room and Marshall Room renovations • Lindell Library’s special collections room creation • Hoversten Chapel’s Dobson pipe organ purchase • Christensen Scholars program funding • Various scholarships Augsburg Associates fostered community connections and raised funds to support the university’s work. THESCANDINAVIAN WORK ETHIC that inspired the Augsburg Associates’ decades of service Though the Augsburg Associates group has ended, the impact of volunteer work over 37 years resonates Community volunteerism is so much a part of the fabric of Norwegian life that they have a special name for it: dugnad. Pronounced doog-nahd, it’s the tradition of neighbors gathering for all kinds of communal pursuits—planting and tending to a community garden, spending time chatting with elders at a senior center, or painting a school building. Dugnads are something everyone not only plans for, but looks forward to. 12 AUGSBURG NOW By Lisa Renze-Rhodes Since the mid-1980s, Augsburg University has been home to a team of women who drew on their Norwegian or broader Scandinavian heritage to create their own dugnad. The group became known as the Augsburg Associates and helped to raise significant funds for their community. Now, after 37 productive years of service, the Augsburg Associates are disbanding. But their legacy will live on for decades to come. THE SOUNDS OF SERVICE “The intent, when it started, was to help out on campus where they needed help,” said Eunice Dietrich ’65. “The original Associates were spouses of faculty members and other women who had an ear to what was going on.” Dietrich, a former Associates board chair who earned a degree in home economics at Augsburg, said assistance was needed across all facets of campus life. From stuffing envelopes for alumni and donor mailings to setting up a “nice meeting space” for the university’s Board of Regents when they gathered, the Associates saw needs and then filled those voids. But it didn’t take long for the work to morph from occasional events to addressing a situation requiring a sound solution. “The Associates came out of the Lutheran tradition of ‘We’ll do anything for service,’” said Jerelyn Cobb ’63. So in the 1980s, when an idea began to circulate about bringing an organ to campus, the Associates orchestrated a plan. “In those days, people still didn’t have a lot of money, but they could give us donations of goods,” Cobb said. That’s how Trash and Treasure Sales began. Dishes, linens, and other household items were packed into boxes and readied for sale. Sporting goods and games were brought in. And furs, jewelry, and even gowns from the Dayton’s department store’s prestigious Oval Room were SPRING–SUMMER 2021 13 President Paul Pribbenow (center) talks with King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway during their visit to campus in 2011. But before Their Majesties graced the campus, the Associates had already begun making sure the heritage of the school’s founders was celebrated and remembered. Velkommen Jul, an annual celebration welcoming the seasons of Advent and Christmas, took hold with attendees donning thick, gorgeous Norwegian sweaters and sampling delicious traditional foods including krumkake cookies. The celebration has become a loved tradition in the Augsburg community, even among students who don’t necessarily have Scandinavian heritage. Money raised at Velkommen Jul and through estate sales and other efforts ultimately went to fund scholarships as well as the Christensen Scholars, a cohort of students who explore theology, faith, and vocation while engaging in communitybased learning experiences. That, said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow, is a lasting legacy for the organization: “Over many years, the Augsburg Associates have been faithful and generous supporters of Augsburg. Through their tireless efforts, the Associates have raised scholarship funds and have helped countless students pursue an Augsburg education. “The annual Velkommen Jul celebrations, graciously hosted by the Associates, highlighted our Norwegian roots, cleaned, pressed, and readied for a chance at a new life. The items were enough to fill a semitrailer, then eventually two. “Every Wednesday night, I’d have people come over, and we’d sort everything,” Cobb said. “All the dishes in one box, all the clothes in another, the sporting goods in another corner.” Then when the date of the sale neared, items were transferred from the trucks to the site of the sale. “The football team would come, and for two blocks we would line up next to each other and pass boxes into the gymnasium.” The first sale raised $600, Cobb recalled. The next year: $4,000. Then $10,000, $15,000, and $28,000. When everything was done and counted, the Trash and Treasure Sales netted a quarter of a million dollars. And Augsburg got its organ. WELCOME KING, QUEEN, AND CHRISTMAS Norwegian words echoed off the walls of classrooms and hallways when Augsburg was founded, so there was little surprise, though great delight, when King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited campus in 2011. The Associates were there to mark the day with special care— while wearing traditional Norwegian bunads, the proud folk outfits worn by men, women, and children on such occasions of cultural significance. ARCHIVE PHOTOS Augsburg Associates oversee food and drinks at Velkommen Jul in 1992. DID YOU KNOW? • The Augsburg Associates have raised about $400,000 through their group initiatives. • Members of the Augsburg Associates and their spouses have given more than $50 million to the university as a whole. • Within their 600-person membership, there were 38 households that were members of the Sven Oftedal Society, a group of some of Augsburg’s most generous donors. even as they welcomed new generations of diverse students, faculty, and staff. Personally, I am deeply grateful for the members of the Associates who have supported me and my family over the past 15 years as we worked together to advance Augsburg’s mission,” Pribbenow said. Though the time of the Associates’ dugnad has come to a close, some of the group’s members are continuing their volunteerism with another group: Augsburg Women Engaged. Since it was formed by a group of Auggie women in 2009, AWE has strengthened connections in the Augsburg community and encouraged philanthropy to keep the university’s hands-on education accessible to a broad range of students. These overlapping commitments shared by AWE and the Augsburg Associates demonstrate the deep-seated commitment to service that is so emblematic of Auggies of all stripes. For the women doing the work, the Associates were more than a service organization—they were family. “You give and you get, you feel good about what you’ve done. You don’t start out for that reason, but oftentimes when you’re volunteering, you get more out of it than what you give,” Dietrich said. “These women were so dedicated and did this work with such joy.” Anne Frame (left), the late spouse of Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame, was also a member of the Augsburg Associates. Read more about Anne’s life and work on page 32. Augsburg Associates roll lefse, a traditional Norwegian potato flatbread, for Velkommen Jul in 2011. 14 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING–SUMMER 2021 15 Can a smartphone app DE-ESCALATE TRAFFIC STOP ENCOUNTERS between drivers and police? BY GITA SITARAMIAH Auggie-created TurnSignl app provides an attorney on demand so everyone gets home safely Childhood friends and Augsburg University Master of Business Administration alumni Andre Creighton ’19 MBA and Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA understand the fear of driving while Black and being stopped by police. They both grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and knew the family of Philando Castile, a Black man who was fatally shot by an officer during a 2016 traffic stop in nearby Falcon Heights. “The interest in creating change started with Philando Castile. That was the initial gut punch,” Creighton said. “Flash forward to George Floyd in 2020, and it was like ripping off a Band-Aid to a wound that hasn’t healed. We decided we had to do something.” Creighton, an accountant, and Frelix, who was in sales for Sony Electronics, left their stable day jobs in 2020. They teamed up with attorney Jazz Hampton, who is also an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and the three Black men launched a new company providing a technology-based solution to de-escalate traffic stops by police. Andre Creighton ’19 MBA (left) and Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA to leave 18were motivated AUGSBURG NOWtheir stable jobs in 2020 to focus on launching the TurnSignl app. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 17 Timely launch The motto says it all: “Drive with an attorney by your side.” TurnSignl provides real-time, on-demand legal guidance from attorneys to drivers, all while drivers’ smartphone cameras record the interaction. The mission is to protect drivers’ civil rights, de-escalate roadside interactions with police, and ensure both civilians and officers return home safely at the end of the day. As is true of many startups, the three co-founders wear multiple hats. Hampton serves as CEO and general counsel. Creighton is the chief financial officer and chief operating officer while Frelix is the chief revenue officer and chief technology officer. When Daunte Wright was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, in April, that only accelerated their pace to bring the app to market. “This has been an issue plaguing Black and brown communities,” Frelix said. “We’re thankful to have the ability and skill sets to get this off the ground.” They introduced the TurnSignl app in May after they were able to leverage the public awareness of police stops ending tragically to raise more than $1 million to bring the app to market. How TurnSignl works Users open the app and immediately get connected to an attorney vetted by TurnSignl to guide them in order to de-escalate the encounter. Service launched in Minnesota and will be expanding to 10 states by the end of 2021. The founders also have created a foundation to provide service for those unable to pay for the app, which is available on the Apple and Google app stores. They expect the foundation to support 25% of the app’s user base. While the app is intended for anyone, there is increasing attention to how Black drivers are treated by police. Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11 reported in May that new data shows that the majority of drivers pulled over this year by Minneapolis police for minor equipment violations are Black: Black drivers accounted for more than half of those stops despite making up only about 20% of the city’s residents, according to city data. In St. Paul, Black drivers were almost four times more likely to be pulled over by police than white drivers, according to a Pioneer Press analysis of data from 2016 to 2020. Asian, Latino, and Native American drivers were stopped at roughly the same rate as white drivers, the Pioneer Press reported. The TurnSignl founders say their product is more than just an app. It’s a signal for change. “There’s no better opportunity to impact change than this moment, now,” Creighton said. Defense attorney Taylor J. Rahm is one of the lawyers who has joined TurnSignl to be on call for motorists. “Anything we can do to make sure these situations are safe and that no one gets harmed is something I hope any lawyer would want to get involved with,” he said. Sometimes, a motorist making sudden movements is interpreted as cause for alarm and can be construed by an officer as the driver going for a weapon or drugs, leading to potential conflict. “With TurnSignl, you have a lawyer on the phone to help individuals know their rights but also importantly know how to handle the situation so nothing goes wrong,” Rahm said. “The benefit is that the officer knows that there’s an attorney on the phone telling the person, ‘This is what you should do during the stop.’” The TurnSignl app has the potential to make traffic stops safer for police as well as motorists, said Mylan Masson, retired director of the Hennepin Technical College law enforcement program and a former Minneapolis Park Police officer. “Every traffic stop can be dangerous for police officers,” said the police training expert. The TurnSignal app “could give someone a calming sense that, ‘I’m not here alone.’” Business owner Phil Steger offers the app as an employee benefit for TurnSignl co-founders [L to R] Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA, attorney Jazz Hampton, and Andre Creighton ’19 MBA plan to expand the app’s services from Minnesota to 10 more states by the end of 2021. his 14-person Brother Justus Whiskey Company in Minneapolis, believing TurnSignl’s attorneys can act as mediators to keep a traffic stop from escalating into danger. “If you think you’ve been stopped unlawfully, most people don’t know that they still have to cooperate,” said Steger, who was previously an attorney for law firm Dorsey & Whitney. “You can still be taken to jail.” A TurnSignl attorney can advise in real time: “Every defendant has the right, if they think they have been stopped unlawfully, to challenge the case in court later,” he said. Business project for ‘the times we’re in’ As the TurnSignl founders prepared to launch the company, they turned to Augsburg’s MBA program to assist them in developing the business plan. “A key part of the Augsburg MBA experience is that we want students to have practical experience and apply critical thinking,” said George Dierberger, associate business professor and director of the MBA program. Students in the MBA program grapple with real-world challenges faced by local businesses via a management consulting project, which supported TurnSignl’s launch. This is just one of the many MBA program experiences in which students collaborate on projects, case studies, presentations, and simulations. The TurnSignl project represents Augsburg’s goals to be socially conscious, said Mike Heifner ’21 MBA, who worked on the pricing strategy of the TurnSignl business plan. “This was a good example of how capitalism could bring social value to society,” he said. Augsburg graduate student Stephanie Oliver ’21 MBA hopes the TurnSignl app will open new conversations and foster a different way of thinking about how police and civilians interact during traffic stops. “This project was my first choice because of the times we’re in,” she said. Oliver’s role in the MBA group was to analyze the research and data about traffic stops nationally by race. What she found was a system with inconsistent reporting about race and traffic stops across states. What was clear was that even after accounting for those inconsistencies, the disparities were apparent in stops involving people of color. One of the studies she reviewed was the Stanford Open Policing Project, which analyzed data from nearly 100 million traffic stops and found significant racial disparities in policing and, in some cases, evidence that bias also played a role. This didn’t surprise Oliver. Her husband is Black and was frequently pulled over when they first moved to their Twin Cities suburb years ago. Once, the police even questioned her then 5-year-old daughter about whether he was actually her father. “I ask why I’m being pulled over when officers approach my vehicle, and they get angry at me,” Oliver said. “But I have a right to know why I’m pulled over.” She worries about her two young Black sons but is optimistic that the TurnSignl app can start to change the dynamics during a police stop. “I know when my daughter goes to Augsburg this fall, I’m going to get this app for her.” The TurnSignl app is available on the Apple and Google app stores. Data on drivers and police traffic stops Key findings from the national data research Stephanie Oliver ’21 MBA gathered for the TurnSignl business plan: • On average, legal intervention death rates for Black men were 4.7 times higher than those of white men from 1979 to 1988, and 3.2 times higher from 1988 to 1997. (2002 American Journal of Public Health study) • Black men are 3 times more likely than other races to die from the use of police force. Oliver said this was particularly alarming as Black males make up only about 6% of the total U.S. population. (2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics Data 2010–14) • When driver race/ethnicity was visible, Black drivers were nearly 20% more likely to be the subject of a discretionary traffic stop than were white drivers. (2014 San Diego State University research) • Among males aged 10 years or older who were killed by police use of force, the mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals was 2.8 and 1.7 times higher, respectively, than that among white individuals. (Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Lethal Force by U.S. Police 2010–14) • Search rates for whites are significantly lower, at around 18% of the traffic stops, while search rates for Blacks and Hispanics total about 82%. (Compiled from Stanford Open Policing Project data for Connecticut; Illinois; North Carolina; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Texas; Washington; and Wisconsin; and municipal police departments in Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; Philadelphia; Plano, Texas; San Diego; and San Francisco) SPRING–SUMMER 2021 19 ARCHIVE PHOTO ThenNOW & AUGSBURG A photo essay ARCHIVE PHOTO BY JOHN WEIRICK AND STEWART VAN CLEVE, DIGITAL ARCHIVES AND RESEARCH SERVICES LIBRARIAN Augsburg women’s basketball plays against the College of Saint Benedict in Si Melby Hall, 2018. or 152 years, Augsburg has both changed and remained the same. Though the Augsburg community looks much different outwardly—campus layout and buildings, student body demographics and style of clothing, technology and teaching methods—the Auggie spirit continues to inspire faculty and staff to cultivate a vibrant learning environment in which students can engage in meaningful hands-on experiences. Enjoy these glimpses into the Augsburg of the past and the university of today. An image of Augsburg’s campus and the Minneapolis skyline in 1967, stitched together from three frames of an aerial camera shot in a promotional film. Part of Augsburg’s campus—including Old Main, two residence halls, and the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion—in 2018. ARCHIVE PHOTO PHOTO BY TOM ROSTER Auggies shoot hoops in Old Main gymnasium, circa 1945. F The Augsburg community poses in front of Old Main in 1931. 20 AUGSBURG NOW The Class of 2023 gathers in front of Old Main in 2019. This fall, group photos are planned for the Class of 2024 and the Class of 2025. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 21 COURTESY PHOTO ARCHIVE PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO ARCHIVE PHOTO The camera club in 1957 included [L to R] Jerry Matison ’59, Stan Quanbeck ’59, and James Nichols ’58. ARCHIVE PHOTO An Auggie wears virtual reality goggles in a new media class in 2019. ARCHIVE PHOTO Students work in a television studio, possibly in the basement of Memorial Hall (above, 1976), and at a video shoot in Foss Center (right, 2019). Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, who each served as Augsburg’s president, speak at a gathering of students in the first Old Main building (which was demolished to build Science Hall and Sverdrup Hall), 1897. ARCHIVE PHOTO PHOTO BY DON STONER A procession in a chapel service January 24, 2020. Students attend a Pan-Afrikan Student Union cookout in Murphy Square (left, 1998) and an event in the park to welcome students back to campus (below, 2019). Augsburg women’s track and field student-athletes prepare for a race (left, 1985) and hit the track (right, 2021). 22 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING–SUMMER 2021 23 AUGGIES CONNECT AUGGIES CONNECT ALUMNI BOARD FRENCH HOUSE The Augsburg University Alumni Board is an opportunity for alumni from all programs and class years to build relationships with each other and the university today. Members connect with institutional leaders, faculty, students, and staff to better understand and support Augsburg’s mission. We are excited to welcome the newest members to the board! Dave Stevens ’90 Navid Amini ’19 MBA Willie Giller ’19 Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20 Berlynn Bitengo ’21 Learn more about the alumni board. augsburg.edu/alumni In 1966, seven women moved into French House, a Minneapolis building adjacent to Augsburg’s campus that housed the remaining incoming first-year women who could not be accommodated in the residential housing on campus. They called themselves “the leftovers” and became fast friends who still get together at least once a year. The French House Friends traveled twice to Washington, where Linda Larson ’70 lives, and Larson has traveled annually to Minnesota, where the other six women live. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has gathered monthly via Zoom videoconferencing, and they are eager to gather in Minnesota this fall. “Augsburg fostered quality friendships that have remained with me today,” said Mary (Loken) Veiseth ’70. $ WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY $ In 2020, Augsburg University’s Institutional Advancement staff sponsored a series of virtual financial conversations hosted by Augsburg alumni with expertise in constructing a will and financial planning. The virtual events—called Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way—had such positive engagement from alumni that the events were hosted again this summer. ON THE HORIZON VIRTUAL EVENTS STRENGTHEN AUGSBURG COMMUNITY Last year, On the Horizon virtual events with President Paul Pribbenow engaged more than 500 Auggies and raised generous support for the Student Emergency Fund, the President’s Strategic Fund, student scholarships, and other key university efforts. This virtual event series was created to keep the Augsburg community up to date with the university’s ongoing work and adjustments during the pandemic. Five more On the Horizon events in the series were hosted during Spring 2021 with specific groups, such as retired faculty, former regents and regents emeriti, and current and former alumni board members. Find video recordings of the events at YouTube.com/AugsburgU. COURTESY PHOTO 100 Pictured in 2018 [front, L to R]: Diane Lempke ’69, Mary (Loken) Veiseth ’70, Linda (Radtke) Karkhoff ’70, Paulette (Olson) Odegaard ’70. [Back, L to R]: Susan (Olson) Williams ’70, Mary Ellen Buss ’70, Linda Larson ’70. Want to learn more about making a will and financial plans? Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog and search for “Where There’s a Will.” 24 AUGSBURG NOW NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AUGSBURG STUDENTS As part of Augsburg’s ongoing Great Returns fundraising campaign, the university set an ambitious goal of establishing 150 new endowed scholarships. As of Spring 2021, the university had received 100 new endowed scholarships! Augsburg is presenting water droplet sculptures to the first 150 donors who establish new endowed scholarships. These handmade sculptures represent the impact that donors make in the Augsburg community. When a water droplet hits the surface of a pond, the droplet causes a ripple that continues to expand. COURTESY PHOTO $ COURTESY PHOTOS Pictured top to bottom: • • • • • A private Facebook group FRIENDS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS JUST FOR AUGGIES Be a part of live virtual events, and interact with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and university leaders. 1. Log on to Facebook. 2. Search for “Auggie Connections.” 3. Select “Join group.” 4. Answer membership questions so we know it’s you. 5. Create a post to introduce yourself. Join the Auggie Connections private Facebook group. facebook.com/groups/auggieconnections To learn more about establishing a scholarship, contact: Amy Alkire Interim Vice President for Advancement 612-330-1188 | alkirea@augsburg.edu SPRING–SUMMER 2021 25 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES ANNA COX ’22 Augsburg Now staff asked the university’s Instagram followers for the resource they most appreciated as a student. Here are a few of their responses, edited for length and clarity. Student government! I learned how to advocate for myself and others. TRIO/SSS and Multicultural Student Services. BRITTANY KIMBALL ’13 The CLASS office helped me to be successful while [I was] undergoing cancer treatment. DESTYN LAND ’19 MARGARET ALBERS ’21 The openness and willingness of professors to help students along the way. Residence Life. Shoutout to the best supervisors ever, Eric, Ryan, and Seth. EVE TAFT ’18 Center for Wellness and Counseling. I’d probably never have gotten mental health treatment otherwise. Follow @augsburguniversity on Instagram. ARCHIVE PHOTO ARIANNA ANTONE-RAMIREZ ’20 NIKKI DARST ’15 The wonderful librarians! The 1947 and 1948 MIAC championship baseball teams were recognized at a Hall of Fame banquet in 1985. Pictured are [front, L to R]: Charles “Chuck” Bard ’50, Ken Walsh ’48, Art Marben ’47, Roger Leak ’50, Marvin Johnson ’49, Jennings Thompson ’51, Jeroy Carlson ’48. [Back, L to R]: Edor Nelson ’38 (coach), Ralph Pearson ’49, Duane Lindgren ’48, Arnold Henjum ’49, Robert Howells ’50, Bobb Miller ’48. 1974 SAVE THE DATE: ALL-SCHOOL REUNION Mark your calendar to join us for the All-School Reunion in Fall 2022. Read more Class Notes online and submit your alumni news. 26 AUGSBURG NOW augsburg.edu/alumni Charles “Chuck” Bard ’50 has always been a sports enthusiast. At Augsburg, Bard played football and baseball, notably serving as the second baseman on Augsburg’s 1947 and 1948 MIAC championship teams. However, the sport that Bard loved most—and the sport that brought him the most notoriety— was one he never played: hockey. Hockey wasn’t played widely when Bard was in school. By the time he started college, Augsburg had a hockey team. However, Bard already played football and baseball, and student-athletes were limited to participating in only two sports. Bard attended as many Auggie hockey games as he could and enjoyed watching the players out on the ice. After graduating in 1950 with a degree in physical education and a minor in journalism, Bard continued his passion for sports by co-founding the Decathlon Athletic Club in the late 1960s. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, it was the first private athletic club in Minnesota outside of downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. By 1978, Bard was still an avid hockey fan and a proud owner of Minnesota North Stars hockey season tickets. But he noticed that hockey didn’t have an award to honor the best collegiate players in the nation like other sports, so he decided his athletic club would start a nationally recognized hockey award. After consulting with the Los Angeles athletic club that started the John Wooden Award for outstanding collegiate basketball players, Bard established the Hobey Baker Award, named after a hockey legend. In 1981, the first Hobey Baker Award was given to Neal Broten. Broten played center for the University of Minnesota and the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team, which took gold at Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. Since that first award, the Hobey has honored 40 hockey players from around the United States. The award is given to a player who best demonstrates “teamwork, dedication, integrity, exceptional play, humility, and above all, character.” In 2007, Bard visited Augsburg’s campus to recognize longtime men’s hockey coach, Ed Saugestad ’59, who was a Hobey Baker Legends of Hockey honoree. COURTESY PHOTO 1950 You chimed in: Auggie launches national hockey award Augsburg alumna and former regent joins University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents COURTESY PHOTO AUGGIES CONNECT Ruth Johnson ’74, MD, was elected to the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents 1st Congressional District seat. Johnson studied chemistry and biology at Augsburg, where she earned a bachelor’s degree with summa cum laude honors; graduated from what is now Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine; and completed her residency at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. She served 16 years on Augsburg’s Board of Regents, was the chair of academic and student affairs, co-chair of the campaign cabinet, co-founder of the science advisory board, and vice chair of the regent’s committee. In 1996, Johnson was named a distinguished alumna of Augsburg. Read the full story on the aumni news blog: augsburg.edu/alumni/blog. SPRING–SUMMER 2021 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES COURTESY PHOTO 1986 Tamra (Pederson) Pyrtle ’86 and her horse, Bravo. 28 AUGSBURG NOW ALUMNI CLASS NOTES ‘Underestimate me; that will be fun’ Tammera Diehm ’93 ranked as a leading attorney Tamra (Pederson) Pyrtle ’86 excelled in school and in her career, yet she always made time for the playfulness of science and math. At Augsburg, Tamra pursued a chemistry degree. This was a significant challenge, particularly for a student with a double minor in mathematics and German. But Tamra’s persistent nature helped her earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, graduating with honors in 1986. “Obviously she was not afraid of a challenge. There is a saying of which she was particularly fond: ‘Go ahead, underestimate me; that will be fun,’” said Brett Pyrtle, Tamra’s husband. Tamra’s exceptional knowledge wasn’t always reserved for schoolwork. One night in 1983, she and her friends convinced members of the Augsburg football team to carry a Volkswagen Beetle into the student center. Tamra was able to direct the crew so they could do this without taking the doors off the entry. The geometry of this feat was lost on the maintenance staff, who had to remove the entrance doors to get the vehicle back out. In her first professional job, Tamra was hired as a lab supervisor for BuckbeeMears St. Paul. She was the first college graduate to hold the position, and she learned quickly how to balance her academic knowledge with practical skills required to meet the fast-paced demands of metal-etching production. She also learned how to stand up for herself in a plant where she was the only woman in technical management. After a few other positions handling instrumentation in a consulting lab, supervising etched metal operations, providing quality assurance analysis, and teaching advanced placement chemistry, Tamra joined Medtronic’s neuromodulation division as a senior quality engineer. She was quickly promoted to principal quality engineer and developed a reputation as the go-to resource for tough quality engineering and analytical challenges. Despite her technical jobs, Tamra continued to pursue fun applications of science, and she particularly loved how science and nature intersected. It was no surprise to her family when she sold her collector car to buy a thoroughbred horse named Bravo. Tamra learned as much as she could about veterinary care and medicine so that she could regularly administer Bravo’s shots herself. The communication between Bravo and Tamra was something special, said her parents, Wayne and Lynette Pederson. Bravo perked up when he saw Tamra coming and even recognized her vehicle. They had conversations and seemed to know what the other was saying. On December 13, 2018, Tamra passed away at the age of 55 after battling cancer for more than two years. She left behind her husband of 24 years, Brett; her parents, Wayne and Lynette; her brother, Carey Pederson ’88; and her sister, Kristin (Pederson) Merkel ’91. “All three of our children are Augsburg graduates, and our family ties to Augsburg run deep,” said Wayne. “Augsburg was a significant contributor to Tami’s success. We wish for other students to have the opportunities Tami had, and what better place to provide some assistance than at Tami’s alma mater.” Wayne and Lynette, along with Brett, established the Tamra Lynn Pederson Pyrtle Endowed Scholarship at Augsburg. This scholarship will be used to support students interested in pursuing a major in chemistry and who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Tammera Diehm ’93 was recognized as a distinguished leader in her field by Chambers USA, one of the world’s leading guides to the legal profession. Diehm’s work encompasses numerous aspects of real estate transactions, including buying, selling, leasing, development, and financing. She helps local and national clients of varying sizes navigate the complexities that come with owning and occupying real estate, such as zoning, land use, government approvals, and regulatory compliance. Like a true Auggie, Diehm aims to unlock the full potential of her team through motivational coaching and support. “I want to give our firm members the ability to build their own careers, offering flexibility and support while maintaining our firm’s core values and commitment to client service,” Diehm said. Accounting roles add up for Paula Diaz ’03, Northview Bank CEO Paula Diaz ’03 has been named president and CEO of Northview Bank, which has branches across Minnesota. After graduating from Augsburg with a degree in accounting, Diaz has enjoyed a robust career in finance. Starting out as a public accountant, she went on to become the finance director of Cummins NPower. She has been at Northview Bank since 2014, where she was the CFO prior to stepping into her new role. “Paula is prepared to be the new leader for Northview Bank. Her experience, knowledge, and people skills make her the logical choice,” said Ron Carlson, former president of Northview Bank. Trailblazing Auggie Abdulkadir Sharif ’20 continues geopolitical studies at Georgetown Abdulkadir Sharif ’20 studied political science and international relations at Augsburg and became Augsburg’s first student to win the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. He also received a Fulbright Scholarship, a Boren Scholarship to study Swahili in Tanzania (which he accepted instead of a Critical Language Scholarship, which he also won), and a Gilman Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to study in Namibia and South Africa. Sharif also participated in Princeton University’s Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship. He planned to teach English in Malaysia through the Fulbright program before travel plans were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he was reassigned to the Netherlands. He is pursuing a master’s degree in global politics and security with a full scholarship to Georgetown University. 1993 2003 2020 Read more Class Notes online and submit your alumni news. augsburg.edu/alumni SPRING–SUMMER 2021 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM Recently published Auggies Augsburg alumni, faculty, and students have published literature and earned the public’s attention during the past year. • Lowell “A.L. Shane” Ziemann ’60—“Alex, Hank & Hawk: Cowboys, Gunmen & Road Agents: A Novel of the American West” • David Nash ’06—“The Man in the Pines,” a novel and soundtrack • Joshua Phillip Johnson ’17 MFA—“The Forever Sea,” a novel • Robby Steltz ’18 MFA—“Nellie,” a short play that earned second place in the Virginia State One Acts competition • Khadijo “JoJo” Abdi ’19 MFA—One of the main authors that participated in the first Somali Community Book Fair in Burnsville, Minnesota Remembering and honoring Auggies 1950s Below we recognize the individuals whose notifications of death Augsburg received between January 1 and July 14, 2021. Alfred M. Sannerud ’50, Ham Lake, Minnesota, age 97, on June 28. 1940s • Tracy Ross ’19 MFA—“James Dean and the Beautiful Machine,” a book of poetry Hazel (Soiseth) Durfee ’41, Tampa, Florida, age 102, on March 10. • Kristine Joseph ’20 MFA—“Simply Because We Are Human,” a memoir Ebba A. (Johnson) Brooks ’42, Duluth, Minnesota, age 101, on January 12. • • Cole W. Williams ’22 MFA—Poems published in “Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine” and “Sh!t Men Say to Me: A Poetry Anthology in Response to Toxic Masculinity” Faculty member Anika Fajardo—“What if a Fish,” a novel that won the Minnesota Book Award for Middle Grade Literature • “Murphy Square 1975–2020: A Sesquicentennial Sampler of Literature by Augsburg Students”—Professor Emeritus Doug Green said, “More than 40 recent students from 2016 through 2019 served as co-editors, haggling over selections drawn from the entire digital archive of Murphy Square [Augsburg’s student-created literary and visual arts journal]. Megan Johnson ’19 designed the volume.” Evelyn H. (Sonnack) Halverson ’43, Edina, Minnesota, age 100, on February 14. Helen D. (Arnseth) Torvik ’44, Moorhead, Minnesota, age 98, on April 29. Marilyn L. (Rykken) Michaelson ’47, Coralville, Iowa, age 94, on June 10. Mildred A. (Thorsgard) Strand ’47, Remer, Minnesota, age 95, on March 28. Marian J. (Halverson) Tilleson ’48, Orfordville, Wisconsin, age 94, on March 6. Gloria V. (Swanson) Duoos ’49, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 94, on January 19. Read more Class Notes online and submit your alumni news. Robert S. Duoos ’49, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 97, on January 11. Emmet T. Oein ’50, Alexandria, Minnesota, age 93, on May 14. Dorothy E. Twiton ’50, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, age 92, on April 27. Robert L. Boxrud ’51, Hettinger, North Dakota, age 92, on March 18. Valborg Huglen ’53, Newfolden, Minnesota, age 96, on January 15. Harland P. Danielson ’58, Cadott, Wisconsin, age 89, on June 6. John R. Lingen ’53, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, age 90, on April 28. Richard L. Feig ’58, Minneapolis, age 84, on February 1. Vernon S. Stenoien ’53, Woodstock, Illinois, age 89, on March 4. Bonita M. (Griep) Ram ’58, Timberon, New Mexico, age 84, on February 20. Maryan A. (Knutson) Froland ’54, Granite Falls, Minnesota, age 88, on April 26. Curtis M. Lake ’59, Waldport, Oregon, age 90, on March 10. Edward O. Nyhus ’54, Minneapolis, age 88, on April 30. Allard J. Christenson ’51, Mahnomen, Minnesota, age 92, on February 25. Merton C. Phillips ’54, Salem, Oregon, age 88, on January 28. Merlin A. Johnson ’51, Grantsburg, Wisconsin, age 90, on February 2. Louis P. Rolf ’54, Faribault, Minnesota, age 91, on March 22. LaWayne N. Morseth ’51, Minneapolis, age 93, on January 10. Jerome C. Trelstad ’54, Santa Maria, California, age 89, on April 24. Donald C. Thorson ’51, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, age 92, on January 9. Norma J. (Sorenson) Fretheim ’55, Federal Way, Washington, age 87, on April 30. Marjorie A. (Haley) Eliason ’52, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 90, on January 29. James A. Johnson ’55, Sun City, Arizona, age 88, on June 21. Astrid (Braaten) Ongstad ’52, Devils Lake, North Dakota, age 91, on April 10. James S. Hamre ’53, South Pasadena, Florida, age 89, on January 3. Harriet R. (Bruder) Holtmeier ’53, Waconia, Minnesota, age 91, on May 29. Rodney O.J. Erickson ’56, Moorhead, Minnesota, age 86, on March 16. James W. Wennerlind ’59, Minneapolis, age 89, on March 12. 1960s Marlene L. Studlien ’60, New Hope, Minnesota, age 82, on June 17. Darrell G. Wiese ’60, Northfield, Minnesota, age 84, on January 9. Dennis J. Johnson ’61, Minneapolis, age 81, on March 26. Bruce W. Abrahamson ’62, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 80, on April 28. Donald E. Brynildson ’62, Garrison, Missouri, age 85, on May 6. Ingolf B. Kronstad ’62, Kirkland, Washington, age 80, on February 10. Lucile M. (Kunkel) Matison ’56, Glenwood, Minnesota, age 88, on April 1. Bonnie E. (Lassila) Curtin ’63, Minneapolis, age 79, on January 3. Thomas M. Warme ’57, Moneta, Virginia, age 85, on March 17. Gloria J. (Odegaard) Schlechter ’63, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 79, on January 13. Elyce E. (Lundquist) Arvidson ’58, Minneapolis, age 84, on April 1. Robert F. Soli ’63, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, age 83, on January 10. augsburg.edu/alumni 30 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING–SUMMER 2021 31 IN MEMORIAM Charles M. Piper ’64, Northfield, Minnesota, age 85, on March 27. Charlotte M. (Nordmark) Sween ’71, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 81, on May 2. Carolyn I. (Raymond) Vickers ’85, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 79, on January 21. William K. Ogren ’73, Minneapolis, age 70, on March 10. Stanley L. Hjermstad ’88, Sanford, Florida, age 88, on January 23. Dennis B. Reiman ’66, Farmington, Minnesota, age 78, on April 19. Derrell C. Wistrom ’74, Austin, Texas, age 74, on February 22. 1990s Steven L. Erickson ’67, Stanchfield, Minnesota, age 76, on June 28. Kathlyn H. (Faber) Norum ’75, Alexandria, Minnesota, age 80, on June 26. Tamera K. (Fillips) Shreve ’90, Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 54, on June 21. Richard G. Johnson ’76, Minneapolis, age 72, on April 23. Brenda K. Quade ’91, Rockford, Illinois, age 53, on February 4. 1980s Dawn C. Van Tassel ’95, Minneapolis, age 46, on April 7. Carol R. (Strand) Pattee ’66, Silverton, Oregon, age 78, on February 8. Duane M. Ilstrup ’68, Rochester, Minnesota, age 74, on February 9. Suzann B. (Johnson) Nelson ’68, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, age 74, on March 14. Judi E. (Romerein) Tsudo ’68, Minneapolis, age 74, on March 18. Erland J. Nord ’69, Elbow, Canada, age 91, on January 5. 1970s Ross L. Jacobson ’70, Janesville, Wisconsin, age 72, on June 7. Bonnie K. (Rosvold) Risius ’70, Bricelyn, Minnesota, age 72, on March 3. Vivian M. (Shannon) Holman ’80, Minneapolis, age 78, on February 15. Maureen T. (Conroy) Kurtz ’80, Shell Lake, Wisconsin, age 63, on July 6. James M. Ruud ’80, Minneapolis, age 78, on June 26. Lorraine G. (Herman) Bergquist ’82, Minneapolis, age 87, on March 4. Darrell C. Wistrom ’99, Austin, Texas, age 74, on February 22. 2000s Christian H. Anderson ’01, Shakopee, Minnesota, age 47, on April 11. Whitney J. Anderson ’09, Minneapolis, age 34, on June 17. 2010s Kevin P. Ehrman-Solberg ’15, Minneapolis, age 33, on June 12. Elizabeth (Quackenbush) Harper ’15, New Orleans, age 39, on March 3. Cole A. Linnell ’15, Rogers, Minnesota, age 29, on March 14. Faculty, staff, and friends Department of Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies Adjunct Instructor James Frankki, Minneapolis, age 59, on March 21. Professor Emerita of Nursing Beverly J. (Swenson) Nilsson, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 89, on November 10. Center for Global Education and Experience Mexico Site Staff Member Moisés Rios Bello, Cuernavaca, Mexico, age 50, on February 23. Center for Global Education and Experience Mexico Site Staff Member Maria “Isabel” Sanchez Hernandez, Cuernavaca, Mexico, age 48, on February 21. LONG-TERM STABILITY FOR LIFE-CHANGING EDUCATION SUSTAIN AUGSBURG’S MISSION THROUGH A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY What is a charitable gift annuity? A charitable gift annuity is a “split gift.” Part of your gift is used by Augsburg immediately to support our mission of educating students, and part of the gift is set aside to be invested to support future fixed payments to you. ARCHIVE PHOTO Benefits of a charitable gift annuity: Anne Frame, 84, passed away July 13, in Red Wing, Minnesota. She was the spouse of Bill Frame, Augsburg’s ninth president who served from 1997 to 2006. They were a part of Augsburg’s Sven Oftedal Society, a group of generous donors who have arranged a deferred gift to the university to provide student scholarships. Anne was involved in many parts of the Augsburg community, including as a member of the Augsburg Associates (see story on page 12). She welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to Augsburg House. She sang a folk song with Bill during a 2004 Auggie Variety Show, engaged with students at Augsburg’s Late Night Breakfast during finals week, and participated in a trip to China with Bill and other Minnesota private college presidents to increase the number of undergraduate student exchanges between the United States and China. Anne will be remembered for her Auggie spirit of dedication, generosity, and service. Submit address changes and nominations for remembrances to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. • • Added source of income—You will receive fixed annual payments for your lifetime. Long-term support to Augsburg—Unlike an immediate income annuity, the remaining value of your annuity will go to Augsburg instead of an insurance company after you pass away. “ • • Highly appreciated asset value—By donating assets in-kind, you preserve the full fair market value of the assets, rather than reduce it by selling it and paying capital gains taxes. Tax deductions—If you itemize deductions on your tax return, savings from the federal income tax charitable deduction of the gift portion reduce your gift’s net cost. Ron and Linda Ott ’85 chose to give a charitable gift annuity to Augsburg. I was always grateful for my time at Augsburg. A charitable gift annuity is a way for us to do something now that ensures Augsburg has funding. It also provides tax advantages and a little income back to us each year. Augsburg made the whole process very easy, even splitting our gift between a few different programs we want to support. We want to work with you to create a gift that best fits your circumstances. Contact us to learn more about supporting Augsburg students through a charitable gift annuity. 32 AUGSBURG NOW ” —Linda Ott ’85 Amy Alkire, Interim Vice President for Advancement | 612-330-1188 | alkirea@augsburg.edu Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 New mural welcomes Auggies back to campus A group of students from an Augsburg graphic systems class created a mural, “Divine Unity,” in the tunnel between Old Main and Science Hall. The mural represents unity existing among differences and unique individuals creating a space of community and happiness. Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Title: Augsburg Now Summer 2010: Auggies On Stage
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW SUMMER 2010 VOL. 72, NO. 3 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing StepUP program Environmental literature Travel 10 reasons to come back Coach Mark Matzek ® Commencement 2010 Exploring Our Gifts page 20 on Stage Editor Bets...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW SUMMER 2010 VOL. 72, NO. 3 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing StepUP program Environmental literature Travel 10 reasons to come back Coach Mark Matzek ® Commencement 2010 Exploring Our Gifts page 20 on Stage Editor Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu notes from President Pribbenow Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design A new mission statement and Commission Augsburg Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer o ver the past two years, the Augsburg community has been engaged in a lively and rich conversation about our character and identity. Augsburg last modified its mission statement nearly 20 years ago, and although much that defines Augsburg’s distinctive identity as a college of the church in the city has remained constant, there also have been some remarkable changes. The expansion of nontraditional undergraduate programs, several new graduate programs, campus sites in Rochester and Bloomington, significant work around the world, and continuing initiatives to meet the needs of diverse students have combined to make Augsburg a more complex and, I would argue in addition, a more innovative and faithful college. Given the reality of Augsburg’s current missionbased work, the College community explored together how we might state our mission in such a way as to affirm our abiding values and commitments, while also to articulate how the College’s circle of influence and impact has expanded. The result of those explorations is a wonderfully nuanced and meaningful new mission statement, enthusiastically adopted by the Board of Regents at its spring 2010 meeting. Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The new mission statement begins with a bold claim of our aspirations for our students as we send them out to live their callings in the world. As citizens, stewards, thinkers, and leaders, Augsburg graduates bring their education and experience to bear in all aspects of their lives and work. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community, committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. This important statement of our selfunderstanding is an explicit reference to our values as a participatory community—very much in line with our Lutheran Free Church heritage—dedicated to the common work of educating all of our students. At the same time, we reaffirm our abiding sense of the im- portance of intentional diversity—diversity of experience, background, and thought—that is supported by our theological, academic, and civic legacies. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and shaped by our urban and global settings. This closing sentence lifts up our core values: excellence across all academic programs, the particular gifts of our Lutheran faith, and the central role that our place in the world plays in the education we offer. The circle has been widened to reflect how Augsburg embraces its distinctive role in higher education. I could not be more pleased with the participation of the entire community in crafting this new mission statement. As we move into the next academic year, I am excited to announce an opportunity for all Augsburg alumni and friends to learn more about how our mission sets in place a clear map for our future. Beginning this fall, we will launch Commission Augsburg, a series of conversations that bring together those across the country who care about Augsburg to explore three strategic pathways for Augsburg’s work in the years ahead: Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu (1) We will create and sustain a culture of innovation and excellence. Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. (2) We will help all of our students to succeed. Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Jeff Shelman shelman@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 (3) We will tell Augsburg’s story in word and deed. ISSN 1058-1545 Please watch for opportunities to gather and to learn more about the key initiatives the Augsburg community intends to pursue in order to live out its mission and to honor its distinctive saga as a college of the Lutheran Church. Your perspectives will help shape Augsburg’s future. Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT a summer 2010 7 12 16 Features 24 contents 20 27 augsburg now 7 12 16 20 24 27 Commencement 2010 A step in the right direction by Wendi Wheeler ’06 10 reasons to come back to campus by Jeff Shelman Learning from the environment by Wendi Wheeler ’06 Nine years on the mats by Jeff Shelman Making connections by Wendi Wheeler ’06 Departments inside front cover On the cover Tessa Flynn ’05, community engagement manager and teaching artist with the Children’s Theatre Company, is one of the theatre alums who talks about making connections and the importance of those connections to their life after Augsburg. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 2 4 6 33 36 40 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience around the quad A project of steel Not many senior projects require countless hours spent shaping steel with a hammer and finishing it with sandpaper and steel brushes. But Josh Davis’ project wasn’t like most. For more than two years, Davis spent the vast majority of his free time working to construct a full suit of armor. The project, which was on display during Zyzzogeton—Augsburg’s celebration of student research and creative activity—was featured both in the Star Tribune and The Chronicle of Higher Education. The suit is made out of sheet steel of varying thickness and includes 20 individual pieces, many of which are smaller pieces riveted together, that fit like a puzzle to form the complete armor. Each leg, for example, is 13 separate pieces of steel, some of which were placed on top of each other to increase strength. Building the suit required Davis to shape the steel with a hammer—pounding heated steel over or into a form to produce the required curves—while using a pattern specially developed to fit him. Davis also made each of the buckles and straps on the suit. To call it a labor-intensive process would be an understatement. After originally keeping track of the time on the project, Davis stopped when he reached 1,000 hours, the equivalent of 25 weeks of eight-hour workdays. “The hardest part is finishing it,” Davis said. “I can rough out a form in an hour or two, but fine-tuning it, sanding out the hammer marks, and making the Josh Davis’ suit of armor took two years and hinges and buckles took a long time.” painstaking work to construct. Dal Liddle receives NEH summer research stipend Dal Liddle, associate professor of English, received a National Endowment for the Humanities summer stipend for travel to London to test a hypothesis he’s been formulating. Liddle, whose research focuses on Victorian literature, is spending three weeks in England poring over the private archives of the London Times and the early Victorian holdings of the British Library. Using Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, editorial articles from British papers, and Brontë’s Jane Eyre, he will try to test whether current theories about the historical development of technology will also fit the way British literature developed between 1800 and 1850. What if literary history turns out to change in some of the same ways that technological history changes? Could the history of novels and poems show some of the same patterns as the history of steam engines, microchips, and jet airplanes? “I'm taking a big chance,” he says about his research question. “There’s a big disprovability factor here, but if I’m wrong I want to prove it.” NewsNotes The Nursing Department launched a three-year Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Augsburg’s first doctoral degree, that prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership in transcultural and community/public health nursing. The DNP is a cohort program that begins in the fall. David Tiede, retiring after five years as the Bernhard Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, has accepted the interim presidency of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Two new summer camps are bringing young people to campus. Two week-long film camps in July bring high school students together to work with 16mm film, teaching them techniques for scripting, directing, and editing. The Minnesota Debate and Advocacy Workshop brings middle and high school students together with the state’s top coaches in a two- or three-week institute. The deaths of two retired faculty are noted. Robert Herforth, professor emeritus of biology, died on June 18. He is remembered as an extraordinary zoologist who remained very much engaged in current research throughout his life. Rosalie Clark, who taught in the Social Work Department from 1979 for more than a dozen years, died in January 2009. She brought perspectives on American Indian issues to faculty and students and encouraged social work graduates. AUGSBURG NEWS SERVICE 2 Augsburg Now Three faculty members retire from the classroom Julie Bolton—Theatre’s “artist-educator” Curt Paulsen—Social work professor, mentor Paul Grauer—Coach, mentor, teacher Thirty-five years ago, Julie Bolton, a professional actor, was hired part time to teach acting. She soon became full time, added courses, hired faculty, and began to build a theatre arts program, which she then chaired for 12 years, plus four more years when it became a new department. Building on her connections in Twin Cities theatre, Bolton both pushed students to get internships in the theatre community and helped them explore vocations in theatre. And, she brought theatre artists to campus to work with students. She hired faculty whose varied expertise helped create a comprehensive, professional theatre arts program within a liberal arts education. Bolton reflects with pride and gratitude on the collaboration in the mid-1980s that helped bring about Augsburg’s black box theater in Foss Center, with the support of President Charles Anderson, Dean Ryan LaHurd, and donors Barbara (Tjornhom) ’54 and Richard Nelson. Bolton considers herself an “artist-educator” and has used her theatre knowledge in the docent tours she gives at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. “If we are looking at Rembrandt’s Lucretia,” she says, “I introduce similar themes in Shakespeare’s epic poem Lucretia or Hamlet’s soliloquies.” In addition to expanding her role as a docent, Bolton also looks forward to spending time as grandmother to her five grandchildren. Social work professor Curt Paulsen often sang to himself on the way to his classrooms—just one indication of the joy he received every day in teaching. “Just as I have pushed my students,” he explains, “they have also pushed me, and I’m grateful for it.” He found continuing satisfaction in the “joint enterprise of reaching great understanding.” Paulsen taught both undergraduate and graduate students in the Social Work Department and, together with his wife, Cathy, taught a personality theory course to graduate students in the leadership program. He has also taught in the Religion Department and Honors program. Paulsen enjoyed most working with students who weren’t functioning to their ability. With respect, and in an atmosphere of intellectual rigor, he pushed them to their point of real reaction, with high expectations, helping them not only to learn, but to grow as people. It meant facilitating a process where students moved from answers to questions. Paulsen always considered liberal arts and crossing disciplines as “just the beginning of lifelong learning.” For him, “To gain a real understanding of human beings, one must go to the poets and to great literature.” Paulsen now anticipates more time for photography, reading, gardening, and for his family—Cathy, their two daughters and husbands, and four grandchildren. Paul Grauer says that even after 31 years, Augsburg has always been “exactly where I wanted to be.” He served long stints as coach, athletic director, and instructor, and he lists a whole series of strong relationships, high points, and changes that kept it interesting. A big change is the continual improvement of athletic facilities that has made it more likely that recruits will choose Augsburg—early in his tenure he recalls one hockey recruit who told him that Augsburg “had no curb appeal.” In addition, the continual development of the Health and Physical Education Department that now includes exercise science can prepare students for varied careers in teaching, fitness, and training. Grauer recalls 1997–98 as “a special, magical year,” when four Auggie teams— football, men’s basketball, men’s hockey, and wrestling—won conference championships and went to national playoffs, resulting in a wrestling championship and a hockey Frozen Four appearance. Among the high points was the celebration in 2007 of the 35th anniversary of Auggie varsity women’s sports, some of which pre-date the Title IX era. Grauer prepared and submitted early reports for Title IX that “showed we had to pay attention to equality,” and which spurred further expansion of women’s sports. Grauer will always remember the friendships, the colleagues, and the continual growth he’s seen both with the coaches and student-athletes in their training, resiliency, and good sportsmanship in a very competitive athletic conference. Grauer now looks forward to having more time to play his trumpet—especially at Augsburg in the brass ensemble. For Auggie sports news and schedules, go to www.augsburg.edu/athletics. BETSEY NORGARD Summer 2010 3 auggie voices Exploring Our Gifts— looking back over 8 years In 2002 Augsburg received a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to integrate a theological understanding of vocation into the life of the College over a five-year period. In 2007 the grant was renewed for $1 million to cover an additional three years. As of summer 2010, the funding from the Lilly Endowment has ended. The College has now established the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning in order to sustain a number of the programs of the Lilly Endowment grants and to support new initiatives on vocation. Mark Tranvik, associate professor of religion and chair of the Religion Department, was director of Exploring Our Gifts. He reflects about the impact of Exploring Our Gifts on Augsburg’s curriculum and experience. Q: Why did Augsburg apply for the Lilly Endowment grant? A: We should be clear that the Lilly Endowment grant didn’t introduce vocation to Augsburg College. Augsburg began as a seminary, and it had a sense of calling embedded into its DNA. Throughout much of its history, students, faculty, and staff came to the College out of a deep sense of calling. They saw their work here as an expression of what God wanted them to do with their gifts and talents. I think some of that sensibility was lost at a lot of our church colleges during the 1970s and ’80s, Augsburg included. But the idea of vocation never went away, and the Lilly Endowment money provided the school with an opportunity to bring new energy and imagination to the concept. In other words, it was natural for Augsburg to apply for the grant, given our heritage. Q: Why do you think the Lilly Endowment grant has been successful? A: The group who worked on the original application, led by Carol Forbes, Academic Affairs, and Bruce Reichenbach, Philosophy Department, did a wonderful job in making sure the proposal “fit” with the culture at Augsburg. Instead of “top-down” planning, they made sure to solicit proposals from a wide variety of groups on campus. They received more than 30 proposals for projects and were able to whittle that down to 16. When the money actually arrived to fund the projects, a campus-wide conversation had already been going on for some time. In my mind, the genius here is the way this is consistent with the ethos of the school. Augsburg is a college deeply rooted in the traditions of the Lutheran Free Church, and the egalitarian spirit of that church still pervades this community. 4 Augsburg Now Professor Mark Tranvik directed Exploring Our Gifts, Augsburg’s Lilly Endowment program to explore vocation. Q. Didn’t a lot of schools receive Lilly Endowment grants? What’s distinctive about Augsburg’s? A: The Lilly Endowment’s initiative on vocation was incredibly generous. More than 80 colleges and universities, many of them church-related, received grants. And to no one’s surprise, the grants seemed to work especially well at Lutheran schools. This is because the theology of vocation was developed in new ways by Martin Luther and the other reformers in the 16th century. Those places that trace their heritage back to the Reformation found it easier, in general, to talk about vocation on their campuses. One of the distinctive things about Augsburg is the way the College has been willing to integrate a theological understanding of vocation into its core curriculum. This has been one of the fruits of our discussion about vocation on campus. All Augsburg students are required to take two religion classes that have vocation at the center—Religion 100 and 200, Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning I and II, respectively. Furthermore, all students are asked to think about vocation again in their senior seminars. So, you could say that vocation serves as the “bookends” for the Augsburg educational experience. And we also hope that students will be asked in other classes to think about their sense of calling. Of course this will happen, but it’s more dependent on the inclination of individual instructors. Q: What about the specific vocation of ministry? How has the grant helped students who are thinking about working in the church? A: One program of the grant that has worked well in this area is the Lilly Scholars. Every year, 10 juniors or seniors were chosen to take part in a fullcredit seminar dedicated to thinking theologically about vocation and receive a scholarship from the grant. The main prerequisite for the course is to be interested in studying about vocation in-depth. And some of these students do not sense a calling in the institutional church, which is fine. But over half of the participants (about 50 over the eight years) have decided to study theology after receiving their degrees at Augsburg. This is one important way the College continues its long tradition of developing leaders for the church. Q: It is especially important for colleges to document their successes. Is there evidence that the programs of the Lilly Endowment grant have actually made a difference? Purpose: To integrate a theological understanding of vocation into the life of Augsburg College Programs 2002–2010 Total participants Alumni mentoring Student vocation assessments 265 1,962 International exploration 263 Lilly Scholars 82 Church leader development 100 Lilly Interns 54 Youth Theology Institute ~125 Orientation, Augsburg Seminar 2,600 Forums 2,450 Till & Keep journal (copies) Vocatio Chapel 3,600 ~3,600 Interreligious dialogue 471 Courtesy photo A: Augsburg has been fortunate in that it was selected, along with Luther College and Augustana College of Rock Island (both of whom also had received Lilly Endowment grants), to participate in a study by the Wilder Foundation that assessed how effectively vocation had been integrated into these schools. The results were gratifying. They showed significant progress made in helping students view their lives through the lens of vocation. For example, students who had exposure to Lilly Endowment programs were more likely (50% to 23%) to see their life as a “calling,” with a sense of purpose, than those who were not exposed to the grant. Furthermore, 91% of the class of 2007 reported that their understanding of vocation deepened while at college. Go to www.augsburg.edu/cfl to read the full study. Exploring Our Gifts—Augsburg’s Lilly Endowment grant program Q: The Lilly Endowment grant on vocation seems to be strongly rooted in the Christian tradition. Yet Augsburg also stresses the importance of diversity and the acceptance of people from a wide variety of faiths and backgrounds. How do you answer those who suggest that this stress on vocation is done at the expense of diversity? A: That’s a great question and one that many of us have struggled with during the time of the grant. I think I would answer it on two different levels. First, the emphasis on vocation is a way in which we are trying to be faithful to our mission statement and its claim that Augsburg will be “guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church.” We are a college of the church, and that is nothing about which we should be ashamed. As one of the Lilly vocation seminars, students in the Religion and the Christian Faith course in 2005 Second—and this is the point that is often misundertraveled to El Salvador to study the legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero and to explore the depth of stood—I would argue that our Christian faith and emphasis Christian vocation in daily life there. on vocation do not lead to exclusivity and the formation of a community of the like-minded. Jesus spent a good deal of his ministry breaking down walls and crossing so-called “forbidden” boundaries. In a similar vein, I would argue that an emphasis on diversity naturally flows from our Christian faith. We are not diverse in spite of being Christian. Rather, we are diverse because we are Christian. Now this can make life messy, especially for those who insist on nice boxes with neat straight lines. But as Christians we gladly welcome the “world” to our campus and the plurality of faiths and beliefs that come with it. We promise we won’t “coerce” anyone to be Christian (as if that would work!), but we do ask that a respectful and public discussion on faith occur. And we also insist that both sides be open to be challenged and changed. Summer 2010 5 it takes an Auggie StepUP® parents are grateful for support to students and families When Maureen and Harold Thompson realized their daughter Anne was not going to graduate from high school with her friends, they were devastated but not surprised. They knew that something was wrong and that their daughter needed help. Anne went into treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and then began attending daily recovery meetings. During this second phase of her recovery, she worked hard to complete her high school graduation requirements. Anne impressed her teachers and others with her hard work, and her parents thought the situation was under control. This sense of security and relief quickly faded when they discovered that Anne had relapsed. Anne returned to treatment, this time at the Hazelden Center for Youth and Families, where she learned about Augsburg College and the College’s StepUP program for students in recovery. Anne entered StepUP in 2004 and graduated from Augsburg in 2008. She is now a graduate student in higher education and student affairs at the University of Connecticut. “We feel that StepUP has allowed our daughter to attend college, continue with her recovery, and experience college life. Anne has learned to deal with the stresses of projects, schedules, papers, and exams while developing a safe and solid support network. She worked hard in class, and she has worked hard on her recovery. We don’t think this could have happened anywhere else.” Maureen and Harold remain thankful for all that Augsburg did for their daughter and continues to do for other students. That’s one of the reasons they consistently support the StepUP program, The Augsburg Fund, and more. “The StepUP program reinforces the belief that each program participant is accountable. They are accountable to themselves, to their peers, and to the StepUP staff. We believe that the program provided an environment that allowed Anne to blossom and grow, and allowed our family to heal.” “We believe that the program provided an environment that allowed Anne to blossom and grow, and allowed our family to heal.” “StepUP allowed me to go to college,” Anne says. “College is hard for students in general, but students in recovery have all the same challenges that others have and more. This program allowed me to have a ‘traditional’ college experience, which would otherwise be unavailable.” Maureen also noted, “It has been often said that someone with an addiction impacts at least four other people. We believe that StepUP not only helps the student, but it also helps the family, and for that we are eternally grateful.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 Courtesy photo Maureen and Harold Thompson are proud parents as their daughter, Anne, graduated from Augsburg and the StepUP program in 2008. 6 Anne speaks to a campus group about her experiences at Augsburg and in the StepUP program. Augsburg Now t n e m e c n e comm NS THE TRADITIO MORTARBOARD TASSELS There is no official color for bachelor’s degree tassels. Thus, Augsburg chose maroon and gray, and all undergraduate students wear this tassel. Tassels for graduate students are different. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Commission was established to standardize academic dress and to prescribe specific colors to represent different fields of study. This was the last time academic dress has been updated. Augsburg has six fields of post-baccalaureate study, each with a different color: business—drab; nursing—apricot; social work—citron; leadership—white; physician assistant studies—green; and education—light blue. Augsburg graduate program students and faculty all wear the colors of their fields. ‰ ‰ DOCTORAL DRESS The academic dress worn today has its roots in the 12th and 13th centuries when most scholars were clerics in monastic orders. Today’s doctoral robe is based on monastic robes; the hood, originally a cowl, was used to keep the head warm before indoor heating. Robes were formerly all black, but now institutions choose their own colors, and all official doctoral robes have three velvet stripes along the bell-shaped sleeves. Today, professors wear either an Oxford cap (the square mortarboard) or a Cambridge cap (the decorative, beretlike caps). This robe belongs to Nathan J. Hallanger, special assistant to the vice president of academic affairs. The four-foot doctoral hood is scarlet with blue trim, signifying a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. ‰ DRUM In 1991, music professor Robert Stacke ’71, a professional drummer, began to lead the procession of graduates through Murphy Square to Melby Hall. In this now-beloved tradition, faculty line the street and congratulate their students as they walk by. In 19 years, Stacke has never missed Commencement and has only once dropped the drum. Summer 2010 7 THE TRADITIONS HONOR CORDS Though a variety of colored cords and stoles show up on students’ shoulders at Commencement, two cords are officially given by Augsburg to undergraduate students. Students who have earned a grade point average of 3.6 or higher are candidates for Latin honors, shown by their maroon and gray cords. All students who have completed the requirements of the Augsburg College Honors program wear gold cords. Other cords indicate that the student has completed a departmental honors project. THE CROSS In 1988, Professor Emeritus Norman Holen created the cross used in Chapel and carried in Augsburg ceremonies. ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ 8 MACE The mace, like academic regalia, also originated in the Middle Ages. First used by medieval European bishops who were not allowed to carry swords into battle, the mace was useful as an armor-splitting weapon. By the 16th century, the mace was converted into a symbol of authority and was embraced by colleges and universities as a ceremonial icon. At Augsburg, the mace is carried into all official College ceremonies by the president of the Faculty Senate. Professor Emeritus Norman Holen created Augsburg’s mace in 1970, which, until 1988, was laid on a table during events. Holen was then commissioned to create a stand for it. MASTER’S HOODS Like tassels, the hoods given to master’s degree students have specific meaning. The main color of the 3.5-foot hoods is black, and they are lined with the colors of the college conferring the degree. The hood’s trimmings are three inches wide and correspond to the field of study. For example, the master’s hood shown here is given by Augsburg College (maroon and gray) in the field of nursing (apricot). commencement ‰ MAY 1, 2010 PRESIDENTIAL CHAIN OF OFFICE ‰ OTHER COLORS Augsburg College’s Chain of Office represents the president’s authority to head the university, and is worn by President Pribbenow at ceremonial functions such as Commencement. The chain is in fact not a chain but a maroon ribbon that suspends a medal imprinted with the College seal. The colorful stoles worn by African American students are made from a material called Kente cloth, which originates in Ghana, West Africa. The cloth was woven by the Asante people of Ghana and was exclusively made for Asante kings and queens. Now the stoles are given to members of the Pan-Afrikan Student Union (PASU) as a way to denote their fraternity and to connect them with their past. TEXT AND PHOTOS BY STEPHEN GEFFRE commencement JUNE 27, 2010 GRADUATES, FAMILIES, FACULTY, AND GUESTS CELEBRATE 2010 COMMENCEMENT MAY 1 COMMENCEMENT 416 undergraduate day students and physician assistant graduate students Speaker—Governor Tim Pawlenty Honorary degree—Father Fernando Cardenal, SJ, educator and activist, Nicaragua Marina Christensen Justice Award—Jessica Spanswick Jessica Spanswick graduated with a major in international relations and a minor in peace and global studies. She has been a Sabo Scholar in civic engagement, a Hoversten Peace Scholar, a Peace Prize Forum Peace Scholar, and a Lilly Scholar. Locally, she has worked with grass-roots organizations on environmental issues and has tutored Kenyan and Somali immigrants in a neighborhood program. Spanswick studied abroad in Namibia, and while there she worked on HIV/AIDS events and water rights issues. The Marina Christensen Justice Award honors a student who has 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. JUNE 27 COMMENCEMENT 492 weekend/evening and Rochester undergraduate students, and graduate students in business, education, leadership, nursing, and social work Speaker—Congressman Keith Ellison Honorary degree—Peter Heegaard, founder of Urban Adventure Richard J. Thoni Award—Michele Roulet Michele Roulet graduated with a major in studio art and a minor in religion. In immersing herself in student life at Augsburg, Michele provided leadership, community spirit, hospitality, and innovation within the adult programs. She served as Weekend College Student Senate vice president and president and as a student commissioner in Campus Ministry. Her leadership created the First Word gatherings, an on-campus faith community for adult students. In the wider community, she has worked with programs to combat hunger. The Richard J. Thoni Award is given to a weekend student who exemplifies the spirit of community involvement demonstrated by Rick Thoni’s career at Augsburg. To view slide shows and a video of Governor Pawlenty’s commencement address, go to www.augsburg.edu and click on the YouTube icon. commencement IT’S ALL ABOUT FAMILY AT AUGSBURG Jeff and Suzi Burt and their daugher, Crystal Studer, graduated together, all receiving nursing degrees. Studer is a nurse at the hospital in Austin. “Augsburg’s been great,” she says. “It’s made me a more well-rounded nurse, and the faculty is phenomenal.” A little more than a year after Suzi and Crystal began, Jeff returned to the program. “Mayo is in the process of going bachelor’sonly for RNs,” Jeff says. “If you have an [associate’s degree in nursing], you'll be required to go back. I just thought it was the best thing to do.” All three say there are benefits to having family members in the program at the same time. Suzi and Crystal were frequently in the same class, and since they also live across the street from each other in Blooming Prairie, Minn., they were able to share textbooks. They have also encouraged and motivated each other as they worked to balance work, school, and family. “As a married couple, it’s nice to be in the same thing because you know what each other is going through,” Suzi says. While excited to finish, all three found the program both rewarding and beneficial. “It’s been better than I thought,” Crystal says. “In your first two years, you learn a lot of skills. In these two years [at Augsburg], you learn why we do what we do. The content has all been really useful, and it has inspired me.” JEFF AND SUZI BURT AND CRYSTAL STUDER CAROL DEMULLING, SARAH DEMULLING, AND HEATHER DEKOK Jeff Burt was the first member of his family to enroll in Augsburg’s nursing completion program. He was working at the Mayo Clinic when he began taking classes at Augsburg in 2000. He stopped about three-quarters of the way through the program to allow his wife, Suzi, to enroll in a two-year nursing program at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn. In fall 2008, Suzi Burt and Crystal Studer, one of the couple’s daughters, enrolled at Augsburg, largely because of Jeff’s positive experience. Carol Demulling and her daughters Sarah Demulling and Heather Dekok all ended up in Augsburg’s business administration program for the same reason—they all knew the education they had wasn’t going to be enough. While all three have positions at Mayo Clinic and the two daughters have two-year degrees, they wanted more opportunities for advancement. “When I started work in the ’70s, you could have a high school education and work your way up,” Carol says. “To make moves Families have always been a big part of Augsburg—second- and third-generation Auggies, Auggies following the paths blazed by older siblings, and couples who met at Augsburg and inspired their children to attend. The June 27 Commencement, however, featured a new twist: two families of parents and children from Augsburg’s Rochester campus graduating together. The first is a mother, father, and daughter, all earning bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The second featured a mother and two daughters who studied business administration together. Carol Demulling (center) and her daughters Sarah Demulling (left) and Heather Dekok (right) graduated with business administration degrees. now, you need education.” Her daughter Heather was a little more blunt. “I graduated with a two-year degree in business in 2005,” she says. “And I realized that a two-year degree doesn’t do anything.” They all say their Augsburg education has been practical from the beginning. Dekok works in the international office at Mayo Clinic, and what she has learned about different cultures has been immediately applicable. “I work in an office full of women,” she says. “Some of the countries we deal with, they frown upon women in the workplace. You realize why you get some of the attitudes that you do at times.” Carol developed a complicated spreadsheet for a class project that is still being used by members of her office in the evaluation of grant proposals. As they finish at Augsburg, they’re happy to have experienced college together and appreciate the people they met through the process. “I didn’t really realize until the last two trimesters how many relationships we’ve built here,” Carol says. “People in the Mayo system, people at IBM. I’ve really enjoyed that and getting to know these people. We all have something in common.” JEFF SHELMAN Summer 2010 11 12 Augsburg Now step in the right direction A BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Editor’s note—In order to be respectful of the students in the StepUP program, their last names are not used. StepUP students wear purple cords when they graduate from Augsburg. GOING TO COLLEGE was never a part of Emily A.’s future plans. She dropped out of high school and eventually got her GED. When she first heard about StepUP®, she was in her late twenties and living in a sober house in St. Paul. “I thought my time had passed,” Emily said. “College was one of the mountains I just wasn’t going to climb.” But she called Augsburg and made an appointment with Patrice Salmeri, StepUP program director. “All the time she was talking to me, I was saying, ‘Yeah, yeah. Sounds great,’ but I had no intention of applying.” Then she met Chris Belbeck ’06, an admissions counselor and a StepUP alumnus. “He asked me, ‘What are you waiting for?’ and he wasn’t taking no for an answer.” So before she left campus that day, she had started filling out an application. Four years later, Emily graduated with honors from Augsburg this spring. “I didn’t have any goals when I was using,” she says. “But StepUP has taught me that I have amazing drive and potential.” Without StepUP, Emily says she doubts she would have even tried going to college. Since 1997, the StepUP program has helped students in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs learn similar lessons about themselves. To date, more than 400 students from across the nation have participated and have maintained an 85% abstinence rate while in the program. They are successful in sobriety and in the classroom, earning a collective 3.2 GPA at Augsburg. For many StepUP graduates, the thought of going to college was at one time unimaginable—never mind staying sober in school and getting good grades. But the StepUP community has given many students in recovery the opportunity to contribute to society in ways they never thought they would. (Photo at left) Emily A. ’10 and Tyler P. ’11 The community is the program Several colleges and universities sponsor 12-step meetings and provide academic support or counseling services for students in recovery. But StepUP goes further by offering chemical-free housing for students in what they refer to as a collegiate recovery community. “The community is a safe place where you feel supported,” says Scott Washburn, the program’s assistant director. The students guard and protect the safety of the community by holding each other accountable. While they are involved in StepUP, students meet individually with a StepUP counselor each week. They are required to attend two 12-step meetings per week and to maintain an active working relationship with a sponsor. Students also attend a weekly StepUP community meeting where they hear from outside speakers, discuss program business, share service opportunities, and celebrate even the smallest of victories. “Getting an A on a math test or just making it to the first day of class, those are chances for us to celebrate,” says Salmeri. “The little things really make a difference.” Achieving success—in sobriety, academically, and in the community—is part of the StepUP culture. “We build positive community norms that are geared toward succeeding, growing, and doing well,” Washburn says. “That’s why it’s different. That’s why it works.” The other component of StepUP that makes it stand out from traditional recovery programs is that the program is constantly shaped by student input. In particular, students serve on the leadership team, which meets regularly with staff to share what is happening in the community and to keep the program moving in the right direction. “The students really take initiative to make changes for the better in the community,” Salmeri says. This mature partnership, where staff and students work together, gives students the confidence to develop into leaders. Salmeri adds, “I can see the potential in them, and it is our role to help them realize it within themselves.” A perfect fit The idea for StepUP began when two students at Augsburg approached Don Warren, the former director of Augsburg’s Summer 2010 13 Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS), to ask for his help. The students shared with Warren how being in college was difficult for them. They struggled not only with the usual day-to-day challenges of college life but also with staying clean and sober. Warren turned to Dave Hadden, then the educational and vocational liaison at Hazelden, for his help. Washburn, who worked with Hadden at that time, said Hadden had developed an educational and vocational packet for patients coming out of treatment “to get them thinking about their direction in life,” Washburn says, but they didn’t have a college to recommend. In fact, Washburn says, “We would discourage young people from going to college straight out of treatment. We told them they needed a year of sobriety first and a really solid foundation.” Warren and Hadden’s idea for a residential program that would offer counseling and support proved to be just the foundation students needed to transition from treatment to college. In the fall of 1997, 23 students moved into Anderson Hall to begin college and the StepUP program. Thirteen years later, the program serves 72 students who live in Oren Gateway Center, a chemical-free facility that is also home to the StepUP staff offices. Washburn believes the StepUP program and its students have flourished at Augsburg due in part to the values shared by the program and the College. “Augsburg’s culture is about providing access and helping all kinds of students get the support they need to be successful,” he says. “That’s perfect for students like ours.” Also, as a private liberal arts college of the ELCA, Washburn says the Augsburg community is open to conversations about spirituality. In 12-step programs, students learn to rely on a higher power or a God of their understanding. “We work really hard with students to help them define their meaning and purpose …” Washburn adds. 14 Augsburg Now Students receive a medallion when they complete the StepUP program. Part of that purpose is being of service to others, another value in line with Augsburg’s mission. “We help students find a vision and see that no matter what they do, they can make a difference in the world,” Washburn says. Making a difference means being of service to the community—not just the StepUP community or the recovery community but at Augsburg, in the city, and throughout the world. Success through service Being a part of the StepUP community helps students maintain sobriety because it gives them a chance to help others. Being “of service” is an essential component of any 12-step recovery program, whether it is by sponsoring others, sharing in meetings, or even making coffee. Tyler P. has learned that success in college can come through helping others, not just from studying. After he faced serious consequences from his drug use, Tyler entered treatment at Hazelden. One of his friends from treatment, the only one he knew who had stayed sober, was in StepUP. Tyler saw that the young man was a good student and that he wasn’t getting high or drunk. For Tyler, that kind of life was hard to imagine. He enrolled at Augsburg in 2008 and now participates in the StepUP community, sharing his experience with other men as a sponsor. “I’ve earned more As through being of service to others than when I white-knuckled it for eight hours cramming for a test,” he says. In recovery, Tyler has seen students transform their lives. “I’ve seen guys go from not being able to sweep the floor when they first get sober to being able to run meetings, get on the dean’s list, and participate in life.” And Tyler’s life has also been transformed. “I was not an all-star student in high school, but I’ve found a lot of success here.” He’s been on the dean’s list for three semesters and has developed a network of sober friends. Most importantly, Tyler says being a part of the community has given him the chance to practice the principles he’s learned in his recovery program. A new way of living Salmeri says StepUP also helps students learn that they are leaders and role models, not only for other students in recovery but for all members of the Augsburg community. Students can serve in formal leadership positions in StepUP, in student government, as a member of residence life, or by participating in athletics. But many also become role models to their peers simply by becoming the people they were meant to be. When Julia G. first learned about the StepUP program, she had only been sober for a few weeks. As time passed and she neared the six-month mark of her sobriety, the minimum requirement for acceptance into StepUP, Julia realized that going back to college was possible for her. While in the program, students in StepUP are required to live on campus. This meant that Julia, who had been living in a sober house where she was the youngest resident, would now be the oldest woman in her residence hall. For the first month, Julia says she felt out of place because of the age difference. “I thought I was unique because I had more life experience,” she says. “I judged the other girls.” Eventually Julia began to realize she was more like the other students than she had thought. “We all had different experiences, but we also had something very important in common.” That sense of belonging helped Julia form “intense, involved relationships” with the other students. “For the first time in my life, I was a trustworthy person. It meant a lot to me that the other women looked up to me.” Today Julia has a degree, a career she calls “fantastic,” and a relationship with her nine-year-old son. And she’s stayed sober for seven years. “I really turned into myself at Augsburg,” Julia says. “StepUP showed me that anything is possible.” Moving in the right direction Over the years, StepUP has provided a safe, supportive community for hundreds of students. The program has allowed them to achieve the goal of college graduation while also staying clean and sober—a goal that was at one time overshadowed by their addiction. And the confidence students gain in StepUP keeps them going in the right direction after they move on from Augsburg. Witnessing this achievement is a great joy for Salmeri and the other StepUP staff. “The privilege of my position as director is to witness the growth of each student as they experience the transition into mature adults,” she says. For 10 years, Salmeri says her dream job was to work for Augsburg in the StepUP program. “After eight years of working here, I can still say it is my dream job. I feel honored and humbled to work with the students and their families.” “I am your biggest fan” Every year the StepUP program celebrates the accomplishments of its graduates— those who have completed their studies at Augsburg as well as those who have completed their residency with StepUP and will move off campus. The StepUP graduation ceremony is a special time set aside to recognize the outstanding achievements of the StepUP students and for the Augsburg community to hear their inspirational stories. The theme, chosen by the students on the StepUP leadership council, was “I am your biggest fan.” These are sentiments shared by Patrice Salmeri, StepUP program director, at this year’s ceremony: “… let this statement sink deep into your soul. Write it on a rock. Etch it on a tree. I am your biggest fan. I am rooting for you all the way. And it has been this way since your first contact with the StepUP program. Through the ups and downs, the difficulties and celebrations, life’s twists and turns—I am your biggest fan! Your legacy here at Augsburg and the StepUP program has already been left, and it is more than enough! Whether it was a kind word you said or being a consistent friend in another’s life, you may never know. But each of you has left their mark on this place and it is forever changed because of your presence.” A tradition at the StepUP graduation is for a student to read from “The Awakening,” an anonymous poem about recovery. This is an excerpt from the poem: You learn that, for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve … and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it’s OK to risk asking for help. Summer 2010 15 1 10 So try to jog your memory bank and answer this question: Just when was the last time you were on the Augsburg campus? And we’re talking about really being on campus. You know, park the car, get out, walk around, go into a building. Because giving a little wave when you see the sign atop Mort as you cruise down Interstate 94 doesn’t count. Has it been a year? Two? Five? That’s all right. We’re not going to judge. Everybody is busy, you don’t always get to Cedar-Riverside, we get that. But we also know that sometimes you just need a little inspiration. And that’s why you need to keep reading. Because while you only need one reason to come back to campus and remember the role that Augsburg played in shaping your life, we’re going to give you 10. So stop by, check the place out, see how much it has changed. And be an Auggie. 10 reasons to come back to campus BY JEFF SHELMAN 16 Augsburg Now 1 0 OREN GATEWAY CENTER If it has truly been a while since you’ve been on campus, well, this is Augsburg’s new front door. Located on Riverside Avenue, the Oren Gateway Center is the newest building on campus. The multipurpose building has classrooms, residences, offices, meeting rooms, and common spaces. And if you want to learn about alumni programming, our Alumni and Constituent Relations folks are located on the third floor. . 2 Campus model Yes, we know the Augsburg campus has a new look to it. But it isn’t a finished product either. In the lobby of Oren Gateway Center is a model that depicts what Augsburg’s campus master plan looks like. You can see where the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion will go. Once that is built, Augsburg’s urban campus will have green space from 20th Avenue to Kennedy Center. 3 GET SOME GEAR Let’s be honest, that Augsburg sweatshirt in your closet is looking pretty grungy, isn’t it? We can fix that. The Augsburg bookstore in Oren Gateway Center has many ways for you to show off some Auggie pride. A hat for the golf course? Check. A sweatshirt for fall weekends? Yep. Cool workout gear for the gym? We’ve got that too. Gear Summer 2010 17 4 EAT The food available on campus is no longer how you remember it. It isn’t mass produced and boring. It actually has, you know, flavor. The folks at Nabo, in Oren, will make a fresh sandwich or salad right before your eyes. There’s also homemade soup and even sushi. At the A-Club Grille in the lower level of Christensen Center, the options range from burgers to chicken sandwiches to wings, and fresh fries are an option. Our choice? We love Nabo’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (left). You’ll just need a few extra napkins. 5 VELKOMMEN JUL On the topic of eating, who doesn’t need some sweets as you head into Advent? Stop by campus on Friday, Dec. 3, and take part in the Augsburg tradition that honors our Scandinavian heritage. And if anybody can make treats the way your mother and grandmother did, it is the Augsburg Associates, a group of volunteers who support the College. 6 Athletic events For each of the past two years, Augsburg has been the most improved athletic program in the MIAC, and teams are making the playoffs with much greater frequency than ever before. Why not load up the family and watch some of our student-athletes show their Auggie pride? Our defending national champion wrestling team takes on rival Wartburg in the Battle of the ’Burgs on January 18, 2011. There’s a home football game each Saturday in September. Other schedules can be found at www.augsburg.edu/athletics. 18 Augsburg Now 8 7 Christensen Center We know how you work. You have a meeting somewhere in Minneapolis, it ends, and you proceed directly to Starbucks or Caribou. Right? If you’re near campus, why don’t you stop by Christensen Center? It’s a little different than last time you were here. Cooper’s will brew you up some good java and you can get a wi-fi password at the info desk. And you might meet some current Auggies. Art on campus There’s the Gage Family Art Gallery in Oren Gateway Center. There’s the Christensen Center Art Gallery. And there’s also a student gallery on the main level of Christensen. Stop by, see some of the cool stuff from local and Augsburg artists in the galleries and across campus. Exhibit information can be found at www.augsburg.edu/galleries. 9 DAILY CHAPEL There are days when you just need a little reflection, a reminder of what is really important. At Augsburg, there is time set aside to do just that. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:20 a.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:20 a.m., a 20-minute chapel service is held during the academic year. While daily chapel is considered a given by Auggies, it is very much a rarity for liberal arts colleges. Stop by and take a break from your busy day. 10 Homecoming If you are only going to make one trip to Augsburg in the next year, make it for Homecoming weekend, Oct. 15-16. Among the highlights is the expanded Taste of Augsburg prior to the football game against Concordia Moorhead. After the game with the Cobbers, stick around for the Auggie Block Party and see old friends and classmates. Summer 2010 19 E H T M O R F LEARNING t n e m n o r i v n E BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 College students who take a literature course expect to do a lot of reading. But few who register for a course titled “Environmental Literature” would imagine being asked to go camping, wear the same clothing for a week, or borrow someone’s book and not return it. A student wouldn’t expect this—unless he or she had taken a course from Colin Irvine, associate professor of English and environmental studies. In order to encourage his students to experience the literal and literary landscape more deeply, students in Irvine’s spring semester course found themselves taking on some creative challenges. In addition to reading books and taking exams, students were asked to observe a spot in nature and note its changes over time, learn to identify Minnesota’s birds, wear the same outfit for one week, spend 24 hours in the great outdoors, and go “off the grid” for an entire weekend. The point of these unusual assignments was to challenge students to move outside of their comfort zones. “I wanted, as Thoreau suggested at the outset of Walden, to wake them up to help them see their world—not the distant world connected with wilderness but the one they inhabit daily—as being connected to a dynamic, ultimately dangerous living, evolving world. I wanted them, in short, to feel challenged, unsettled, unsafe,” Irvine says. “It’s a risk when you put these kind of things in the syllabus, but I got away with it.” On the following pages, students share some of their blog and journal entries about Irvine’s challenges. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” HENRY DAVID THOREAU, WALDEN 20 Augsburg Now BECOME A BUDDING phenologist (pun intended) Select a plot of land and visit two to three times a week. Spend time in your place observing, recording, and reflecting on what you find, hear, note, and think. SPRING IN THE CITY It seems as if my professor was right in his recommendation to visit our sites twice a week. If I had followed his advice, perhaps I would be able to better appreciate my hillside. Where I stand right now, I am unsure as to how much has changed and how drastically so. The snow is slowly receding into an indistinguishable brown mass of diamond dirt. Wildlife can be heard through the dripping trees as well; the chattering squirrels, the squawking crows, the cooing mourning doves. Something that strikes me as I stand here is the indescribable sense of movement I feel from my site. The water from the once frozen crack in the concrete dam is now a dull trickle on the hill. In the right moment, a flash of sun bounces off of the stream and hits my eye. This sharp glint always jars me awake from my hypnotized state; I feel a bit silly admitting this, but I often lose myself in the sight of the hillside. It’s as if all of the attempts of description are fruitless as my words hold no candle to the majestic power of nature. The subtle movement of the water almost gives the land a pulse. With each trickle of the stream, the surrounding leaves shift and rearrange. The grass sways above the mud’s restless state and the flow of the dirty water draws me in; it’s almost as if the pulse of the hillside is acting as a siren. The movement in the grounds suggests a voice; a voice that beckons me to join with the land. To see my plot of land move, so see it breathe, this is an experience I have never had before. DAVE MADSEN ’11 THISONE’SFOR the birds Learn to identify the birds of Minnesota by their physical characteristics and by their calls. MARCH 1, 2010 I’m so pleased that now I know what a cardinal sounds like—a great mystery of my life, solved! There are three of them—two males and a huge female—that frequent my mulberry bushes and the neighbor’s tree, but somehow I’ve never made the connection before that they’re the ones whose song I wake up early to on work days. I’ve been late more than once on my way to the coffee shop; I can’t help but pause and watch them hop and flutter from branch to branch, circling each other in some birdish dance that I suspect is carefully organized, though I can’t tell what they’re doing. The downside of my new bird watching discovery is that I can’t whistle. When my dad would take me hiking as a little kid, I was constantly fascinated by his ability not only to identify birds by their calls but also to repeat them, and I’ve tried my whole life but never learned how to do the same. When I was five, I remember writing a list of things I had to learn how to do: zip zippers, cartwheel, snap my fingers, raise one eyebrow, tie my own shoes, and whistle. The cartwheel and the whistle have never been checked off. DALEY KONCHAR FARR ’13 Summer 2010 21 GOINGOFF the grid Go off the grid for three days—a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Though there are many reasons tied to this course that I am presenting you with this challenge, here are four of the most important: first, when we are plugged in, we are often tuned out to the natural sights and sounds specific and central to this course’s focus on landscape; second, when we are off the grid, we are more inclined to sync with those around us, an important consideration given the emphasis in this course on communities; third, unplugging means consuming less and thus preserving/conserving more; fourth (though not finally), much of today’s communications-based technology reinforces the idea that having instant access to information in small bits represents progress. Jessica was determined to go off the grid one weekend, but she was waiting for important news from her family. She received the call and then checked her e-mail to find a message from her graduate school program, which required her to log on and register for classes. She didn’t make it entirely off the grid—she didn’t call anyone and checked e-mail only twice a day. She wrote, “But I know, deep down, that this doesn’t count.” GOING OFF THE GRID: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (EXCERPT) I have become entirely trapped in our mechanized society. The demands placed on me are not the be-all and end-all of the world, but it is easy to define them as such. This being said, I do not completely resent the technology I have allowed to enter my life. My family has always been very close, and even now, as a senior in college, my parents call me at least three times a week to check in. I do not resent their phone calls, but I relish the contact I have with my family, it helps me feel connected to them. In the same way, some close friends that do not go to school here talk to me via various types of communication. It helps to keep us together when we cannot be physically together. I think there is a danger in setting aside the people we are physically present with for those who are distances away, but there is also a danger in shunning people we could be communicating with for those that are closer. I don’t think technology is evil; it, like everything else, can be used poorly and abused. The key is to use it wisely. I would like to try to go off-grid some other time, because there is no way to understand how to truly utilize technology if we don’t know what life is like without it. JESSICA FANASELLE ’10 “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” JOHN MUIR 22 Augsburg Now Bear Grylls HASGOT NOTHINGONYOU By the end of spring break, spend 24 uninterrupted hours in Minnesota’s great outdoors. 3/21 IT’S FREEZING!! We didn’t anticipate these temperatures. The night dragged on, freezing temperatures resulted in tossing and turning and shivering all night. I think we all learned a valuable lesson—it’s impossible to share a mummy bag. 24 hours later and the land seems unchanged except for the layer of frost that confirmed the freeze. It seemed like time froze along with the water in the bottle outside of the tent (note: always take the time to tuck the water bottle UNDER the tarp INSIDE the tent). It was hard to fully appreciate the hours without sun. No sleep, the shivers, numb toes, sounds like initiation criteria. It’s amazing how a few hours of pain and uncomfortable conditions can change how you feel about the outdoors, I’d been winter camping twice before but this was definitely more of a challenge. We may have underestimated the amount of preparation and anticipation that was needed but by morning it didn’t matter. MATIE MINASIE ’11 CAN I BORROW your book? Borrow Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit from someone—perhaps a stranger—and then convince that person to let you give the book away to someone else. I USED TO BELIEVE I used to believe, before coming to Augsburg, that ‘try’ was a useless word. I used to believe that if something couldn’t be accomplished fully, successfully, it wasn’t worth much. I used to believe that everything I did meant only what value could be found in final products. I think my journey away from this belief has taken place slowly over the last four years but it seems perfect and fitting to me that this Environmental Literature class, with its challenges, has come at the end of my Augsburg education. The challenges of this curriculum represent everything I was wrong about before coming here. Education, growth, things of beauty and worth are rarely born from end products. Trying to spend 24 hours outside, trying to spend a week not planning outfits each morning, trying to memorize Minnesota birds, trying to find a copy of Ishmael that someone would let me borrow then give away, trying to spend hours writing outdoors in the bitterness of February, these attempts taught me more about myself and the world around me than easily succeeding ever could have. Some of the challenges I completed, some I completed creatively, and some I failed but I don’t feel that any taught me less than another. Find all the Environmental Literature challenges at www.augsburg.edu/now One of the best examples of all this, I think, was the challenge to find a copy of Ishmael to borrow and give away. In my search, I learned who around me had read the book and wanted to talk about it when I’d finished (though none from that group still had the copy they’d read), who wanted to borrow it from me when I was done, and what it would mean for me to give up a book that had no intention of coming back to me in physical form. Now I understand, in a way I didn’t before, that a conversation with my father (who will receive Ishmael from me) about the book is worth more that the book’s long life on my shelf. When I couldn’t find a copy of Ishmael from anyone I knew, I ended up making a trade for the book at a used bookstore in St. Paul. “Ishmael?” the girl behind the counter said as she handed it over, “this book will change your life.” Having finished reading it, I know she was right but that she may not have understood entirely what she was saying. The book has changed my life, to be sure, but the journey to find it and the conversations that will come are life-changing things as well. We do not grow through successes, final products, and exams but through journeys, challenges, and trying things once, twice, or fifty times without fear of the result. MOLLY BUDKE ’10 Summer 2010 23 MARK MATZEK It was spring 2007 and Mark Matzek ’05 couldn’t sleep. He was 25 years old, had just finished his first full year of teaching mathematics at Apple Valley High School, and suddenly was faced with a significant life decision. Ever since deciding to become a high school teacher, Matzek’s goal was to return to his hometown of Ellsworth, Wis., coach his nephews on the wrestling mat, and teach math to his nieces. With only two coaches over the past 60 years, Ellsworth had become a wrestling power in Wisconsin, and continuing that interested Matzek. But Matzek was also an Auggie. The three-time All-American and two-time national champion had spent two years as a part-time assistant coach at his alma mater. So, three years ago Matzek had to make a choice. A math position opened in Ellsworth and plans would be made to make him the coach-in-waiting. At the same time, Jeff Swenson retired as Augsburg’s wrestling coach, the assistant coach was promoted, and Matzek was offered the full-time assistant coach position. “I kept waking up thinking Augsburg was the right choice,” Matzek says. Turns out it was. BACK ON TOP AT NO. 1 Fast forward three years and Matzek doesn’t have some of the worries that many 28-year-olds have. He doesn’t worry about whether that promotion is really going to happen. He doesn’t fret about that next job. And he isn’t in that wondering-what-is-next mode that seems to go along with that time of one’s life. 24 Augsburg Now Nine years on the mats BY JEFF SHELMAN Fresh off a Colorado vacation filled with mountain climbing, Matzek couldn’t be more comfortable with where he is. And for good reason. Sitting in his Kennedy Center office, Matzek has two pieces of serious hardware within arm’s reach. The first is for the NCAA Division III wrestling national championship that Augsburg won in March. The second is for Matzek being named Division III Coach of the Year. “There is no ‘what’s next’,” says Matzek, the youngest coach to ever win a Division III title. “This is where I want to be. It’s Augsburg. This is the premier small wrestling school in America. This is a dream job.” And this winter, the Augsburg wrestling program truly became Matzek’s program. With former coach/program architect/athletic director Jeff Swenson ’79 simply a spectator, Matzek led the Auggies to one of its most successful seasons in school history. The Auggies simply didn’t lose. A team with great balance, Augsburg was perfect in dual meets; it won every tournament it entered and the Auggies closed the season by winning their 11th national championship in the past 20 years. It was a season that included dual meet victories over the teams that finished both first and second in the Division II championship and a drama-free Division III national championship in which Augsburg clinched the title before the championship matches began. While there were certainly questions about whether Matzek would be able to keep the Augsburg wrestling program at the same level—the fact that he looks both younger than his age and younger than some of his wrestlers didn’t help—there is little question now. “I couldn’t be happier for Mark; they got the monkey off their back,” Swenson says. “You win one and then you don’t have to answer the question any longer. And I couldn’t be happier that I had nothing to do with it.” Matzek says he didn’t feel pressure to win that first title, but he also knows that there were people nationally who expected a misstep. “If Augsburg was ever going to falter, it was going to be the last two years,” he says. “And we finished second and first.” BUMPS ALONG THE WAY It was a little more than two years ago when Swenson walked into Matzek’s office and asked him to serve as the program’s interim coach. It was the end of July, the school year was less than six weeks from starting and Matzek was handed the keys. “Was I prepared as well as others in the nation? No,” Matzek says. “But I didn’t want it to go outside the Augsburg family. I didn’t really know what I had agreed to until I went home and told my wife.” The next eight months were a blur for Matzek, who at times was just trying to stay a step ahead of his wrestlers and make it to the next day. Because in addition to leading the Auggies, he was also part of the way through a graduate program at Concordia-St. Paul, a program that was much more manageable when he was an assistant coach. “I had three full-time jobs,” he joked. “I had Augsburg, I had my master’s program, and I had my wife. Our guys would study and I’d be there working on my homework at the same time.” Summer 2010 25 MARK MATZEK AT AUGSBURG 2001-05: Student-athlete Two individual national championships Three-time All-American The team won two national titles and had two runner-up finishes. 2005-2008: Assistant coach Augsburg won the 2007 national championship and finished third in both 2006 and 2008. 2008-09: Interim head coach Team rose to No. 1 in the national rankings and won the National Duals. 2009-10: Permanent head coach The Auggies completed a perfect season, winning every dual meet and tournament. Augsburg won its 11th Division III national championship in the past 20 years. Matzek was named Division III Coach of the Year. The Auggies finished second at the NCAA championships. While athletics may not be as cutthroat at the Division III level as it is, say, in the Big Ten, contests are still scored and it isn’t intramurals. “I didn’t want to just hold on and be a bridge from one coach to another,” Matzek says. “I wanted to win the title for those guys. It was a year of extreme highs and extreme lows for me. I was learning to manage all of the different guys, manage personalities and figure out that not all athletes were like me when I was in college.” Matzek was certainly more than just the guy to get Augsburg by. The Auggies defeated rival Wartburg, won the Division III National Duals, and entered the NCAA Championships ranked No. 1 in the country. “I knew we didn’t have as good of a tournament team as we did a dual meet team,” Matzek says. “We had a couple of injuries, and we had a couple of matches that didn’t go our way. After the first day I knew it was going to be tough.” The Auggies finished second, but Matzek did enough to ensure his future as Augsburg’s head coach. While the search 26 Augsburg Now committee did bring in two outside candidates to interview for the position, Matzek was hired. “Given the circumstances, he did a great job,” Swenson says. “We were a lowly-ranked team and he took us to the No. 1 ranking and a second-place finish. There was a real strong assumption with the committee that he had done a good enough job.” IN THE RIGHT PLACE NOW While Matzek has been a head coach for only two seasons—and only one season in which he knew the job was really his—he has impressed the guy who is both his boss and the architect of the Augsburg program. “I think Mark has become a quick expert at preparing his teams for competition,” Swenson says. “I think he gets it. I believe he has taken the Augsburg system and tweaked it to have Mark Matzek’s name on it. He’s done it by having a keen sense of what athletes need. “He’s a lot closer in age to his wrestlers. He knows how it feels to go through this. He’s really in tune to when the guys need to be pushed, need a day off, need rest.” Like anyone in a new job, the second year was easier for Matzek than the first. He had a better understanding of what the job entailed, there were fewer surprises, and he could learn from both high points and challenges of his first year. And when the Auggies reached the NCAA Championships, Matzek knew the work had been done. “I don’t want to sound cocky or arrogant, but we expected [the national championship], we expected to win it,” he says. “It wasn’t a real surprise.” While Swenson was happy for Matzek, Matzek was happy for his boss. “It was big for Augsburg wrestling to win it without Jeff in the wrestling room, it was a big relief for him and the search committee,” Matzek says. “They took a chance and it worked out.” And, as a result, Matzek is exactly where he wants to be. m c Making Connections making connections In theatre, as in life, finding success is often about who you know. But knowing the right people isn’t enough. In order to build the foundation for a thriving career in theatre, students need to form and maintain connections with the people and the places that make up the “theatre scene.” Perhaps this is one of the most important lessons that Augsburg theatre students learn. Through participation in AugSem, the Artist Series, internships, and by attending some of the hundreds of productions staged throughout the Twin Cities every year, stu- dents are challenged to go away from Augsburg, and sometimes outside of their comfort zones, in order to make connections in the BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 theatre community. Summer 2010 27 CONNECTING TO THE CITY From the beginning of her Augsburg education, Tessa Flynn ’05 says she was encouraged to get involved in the city. A theatre arts and mass communication major, she was particularly interested in the role of theatre in the public school system. She was fortunate to land an internship with the Children’s Theatre Company following her sophomore year, an opportunity that served as her introduction to critical literacy in the classroom. The Children’s Theatre’s Neighborhood Bridges program was started in 1997 by Jack Zipes, fairy tale scholar, and the Children’s Theatre Company artistic director, Peter Brosius. Using a variety of mediums such as theatre arts, storytelling, and creative writing, students work through issues in their lives and develop critical thinking and communication skills. “It’s like a little poison, this whole critical literacy thing,” Flynn says. “It gets in your system, and your teaching is forever changed.” Before Flynn’s last year of school, sociology professor Garry Hesser encouraged her to get involved with the Project for Pride in Living college house in the Phillips neighborhood. She lived there with other college students and tutored middle school students from the community. “I saw that my students needed to break a cycle of violence and poverty, and I became even more convinced that theatre could be an important part of that process,” Flynn says. “Being in the city, you get to have the Guthrie and so many other theatres as an extension of the classroom.” KATIE KOCH ’01/’05 Now Flynn is the community engagement manager and a teaching artist with the Bridges program at Children’s Theatre. She works with students in grades 3–8 and has 22 classrooms where she spends two hours a week. Flynn says the Bridges program engages multiple learning styles and allows students to recognize their individual skills. “When I see students shine in Bridges, who in other areas of the school day are thought of as low-achieving or who hide in the shadows, I am convinced that this is important work.” Flynn says she is grateful for the opportunities she had at Augsburg. “I don’t know if I would be where I am now if not for the encouragement of faculty to get involved in the city.” 28 Augsburg Now Katie Koch ’01/’05 also made many connections in the city that led her on a circuitous path—from campus to downtown Minneapolis to New York and back to Augsburg with a few more stops in between. Koch started out as a music major, but when her high school drama teacher took a position as stage manager at Hey City Theatre, longtime home of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Koch was given an opportunity to assist him. She worked as the assistant stage Katie Koch ’01/’05 manager and as an actor in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at Hey City for three years while she was in school. “I would be in Augsburg Choir with my hair in pin curls,” Koch said, “because I literally had to go straight from rehearsal to the theater.” She says it was the advice of Sonja Thompson, a piano instructor and vocal coach at Augsburg, that finally convinced her she could leave the music department. “She said, ‘You’re doing all this work in theatre … you don’t have to be a music major,’” Koch says. Instead of declaring a new major, Koch left school to stage manage the next show at Hey City, Smokey Joe’s Cafe. She then became an assistant stage manager for the Minnesota Opera, went on to work with Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, N.Y., and freelanced as a stage manager from Milwaukee to Miami. Eventually she came back to Augsburg and completed a degree in theatre. Koch, who was by then a theatre veteran, found herself in the classroom with younger students. “It was interesting to be tossed in with a group of young, eager students,” she says. But she formed relationships with students and even became a mentor to some. “It was exciting to watch such a talented group of artists learn and get ready to begin their careers.” After school, Koch worked at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts until a friend encouraged her to respond to a posting for the assistant to the director of the Guthrie. She went through several interviews including a very brief interview with Joe Dowling who, she says, asked her mostly about the professionals she’d worked with in her career. “I guess he’d already made the decision to hire me,” she says. She’s worked with Dowling now for three years. Koch maintains connections to Augsburg, sometimes serv- “I knew my experience at Augsburg wouldn’t end after graduation.” LEE FISHER ’06 Summer 2010 29 Justin Hooper ’07 (left) and Michael Kelley ’05 ing as a guest lecturer and hosting Augsburg student groups who visit the Guthrie. “A huge advantage for Augsburg and the theatre department is the city,” Koch says. “Being in the city, you get to have the Guthrie and so many other theaters as an extension of the classroom.” She adds that anytime she gets a chance to talk to Augsburg students, she tells them to take advantage of the opportunities to see high-quality performances in the city. “I say you need to sit in the seats and watch … this is your practicum.” GOING BEHIND THE SCENES Each year many aspiring actors come to Augsburg hoping to make a name for themselves onstage. And while many do just that, they also sometimes discover and develop their calling to work behind the scenes by getting involved backstage. This was the case for Lee Fisher ’06, Michael Kelley ’05, and Justin Hooper ’07. All three were very talented actors who performed in a variety of roles while at Augsburg, but each one also learned a lot about his craft while working on the technical side of shows. Fisher, who has taught English and directed the theatre program for five years at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, says that being a stage manager was an important part of his education. “When I was behind the scenes, it wasn’t 30 Augsburg Now about me. As an educator that has been very helpful,” he says. “Success happens when the focus is on what the students need and how I can help them.” Today he directs two major productions a year and frequently draws on his connections with Augsburg theatre faculty for advice about organizing shows. He’s sought out professors Michael Burden ’85, Martha Johnson, and Darcey Engen ’88 for help on developing a curriculum and organizing a show, and he says he wouldn’t be able to do what he’s done without their help. Fisher also stays in touch with education and English faculty who were instrumental in his education because he values the professional connections. “I knew my experience at Augsburg wouldn’t end after graduation,” Fisher says. He adds that his Augsburg professors continue to be sources of guidance and friendship. “That commitment to bringing in outside artists puts Augsburg one step higher than other college programs.” JUSTIN HOOPER ’07 Kelley and Hooper also had eye-opening experiences working backstage at Augsburg. Kelley says he came to college wanting to be a professional actor but became interested in other career possibilities after working in Augsburg’s scene shop for four years. And Hooper says his experience was all-encompassing because he worked on- and offstage. “There was always a lot of good discussion,” he adds, noting that theatre majors tended to spend a lot of time together and to continue their classroom discussions outside of class. “You see that everything in theatre is so connected.” Hooper is grateful for the opportunities he had to work with and get to know guest artists while he was a student. “In theatre, it’s all about who you know,” Hooper says. In addition to meeting professionals through faculty connections, he and all theatre students work with actors, directors, and designers from the community on Augsburg productions. “That commitment to bringing in outside artists puts Augsburg one step higher than other college programs.” The connections they made while studying theatre at Augsburg have contributed to their busy and sometimes complicated professional careers. Since graduation, they have acted in and directed shows, painted and designed sets, and written original and adapted works. They’ve been from Winona, Minn., to Acadia, Maine, and back. And now, in addition to maintaining their day jobs, the two are putting their blood, sweat, and tears into managing 3AM Productions, a small local theatre company. At 3AM, Kelley says they draw on their connections with other artists in the community to create unique and multidimensional productions. “We want every show to be something people aren’t used to seeing,” he says. He adds that they strive to provide a well-rounded “big theatre” experience to the patrons who are supporting their small theatre. “I think it’s what we do well.” During and after college, Steen worked in the box office at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. An actor friend there suggested she become a dramaturg, and eventually she went to Columbia to pursue an MFA. “When students see other actors on the great stages of this city, they can read their bios and see their training, and that helps them see how to get from Augsburg’s stage to another.” CARLA STEEN ’91 Because she had very little experience in the “creative side” of theatre, Steen says her MFA was an immersion experience. “I said, ‘Oh, so this is how all this works.’” Today Steen says it is interesting to come back to Augsburg because as a student she wasn’t really involved with the theatre department. She has taught and been a guest lecturer at the College, and she tries to see at least one production a year. Steen says theatre students in the Twin Cities are fortunate because of the opportunities to meet and see high-quality actors, directors, and artists. “When students see other actors on the great FINDING YOUR STAGE It takes more than theatre majors and faculty and staff to stage a production. Often many non-majors get involved in theatre in college but don’t end up in “the business” until later in life. Carla Steen ’91 is one student whose path to professional theatre went through the English and history departments at Augsburg. As a first-year student, she ran the light board for Julie Bolton’s production of Macbeth—with a set designed by Burden (then a graduate student at the University of Minnesota) and starring Engen as Lady Macbeth. But that was the end of her participation in theatre at Augsburg as a student. Instead, Steen, who has worked at the Guthrie for 12 years as a dramaturg and publications manager, studied literary criticism with English professor Doug Green and worked on a senior honors project under his direction. She also researched Shakespearean history and sources for her history senior seminar taught by Richard Nelson, now professor emeritus. “In many ways, that was the beginning of me thinking that research for theatre was an interesting thing I could do,” Steen says. Carla Steen ’91 Summer 2010 31 “We hire people because they are active and are creating their own work, not waiting for someone … And they also have some other passions that aren’t about theatre.” JENNI LILLEDAHL ’87 Jenni Lilledahl ’87 stages of this city, they can read their bios and see their training, and that helps them see how to get from Augsburg’s stage to another.” Another student who played a minor role at Augsburg and went on to a thriving career in theatre is Jenni Lilledahl ’87. As a student, Lilledahl took courses with Ailene Cole, now professor emerita. “She seemed like she lived and breathed theatre and was completely consumed with passion for the forum,” Lilledahl says. “She influenced me as an artist, and I always admired her from a distance.” Though Lilledahl took courses to obtain a minor in theatre, she felt the need to study in a more lucrative field. “I remember hearing voices saying, ‘You have to pay the bills and have a reliable income.’” Lilledahl majored in communication and public relations. After graduating and working in corporate public relations, she decided to try the “comedy thing,” so she started taking improvisation classes and met her future husband, John Sweeney. Eventually she jumped off the corporate ladder so that she and Sweeney could pursue their dreams, and the couple moved to Chicago 32 Augsburg Now and worked at The Second City. Then in 1997, along with Mark Bergren, the couple bought the Brave New Workshop from its founder, Dudley Riggs. “John and I had three or so years of experience in theatre but had a lot more business experience,” Lilledahl says. “I guess we were sort of the oddballs of the theatre community, but Dudley appreciated that we could manage the business as well as the artistic side.” As the current co-owner of Brave New Workshop and executive director of the Brave New Institute, Lilledahl oversees the theatre’s school, which reaches more than 150 students a week, and she conducts improvisation workshops around the country. She is also on the board for Gilda’s Club Twin Cities, an organization that provides emotional and social support for families impacted by cancer. Lilledahl returns to Augsburg at least once a year to speak in chapel. Often her advice to students, which she says is based on years of seeing who gets work and who doesn’t, is to get as much stage time as they can—wherever, whenever, and however—and to have a life outside of the theatre. “We hire people because they are active and are creating their own work, not waiting for someone,” she says. “And they also have some other passions that aren’t about theatre.” Lilledahl adds that an actor’s experiences outside of theatre help them bring life to a script and creativity to the stage. And perhaps that is what makes all these alumni successful. At Augsburg students are trained as actors, directors, and technicians, but they also learn how to become involved in their community as artists and as informed citizens. They understand that making connections is important to their careers and to their personal lives as well. They’re encouraged to explore many aspects of theatre, to develop their craft, and to work and learn at Augsburg and in the city. More than blocking and movement or scene study and character analysis, these are the lessons that will stick with them as they make their mark on the world’s stage. auggie alumni news From the Alumni Board president … Dear fellow alumni, ummer is in full swing, and that means one thing— lots of activities to enjoy with our families. Nobody celebrates summer quite as well as Minnesotans, and at Augsburg we are no exception. The Alumni Board has a number of family-friendly events planned for 2010 and 2011, and we hope you’ll join us! The annual Auggie Day at the Races, held at Canterbury Park on August 5, usually attracts more than 700 Augsburg alumni. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to enjoy an evening together. If you didn’t get to it this year, we hope to see you at Canterbury next year. Another summer favorite is the Minnesota State Fair. When you attend the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” this year, be sure to visit the Augsburg booth in the Education Building and tell us what you’re up to these days. Believe it or not, Homecoming is just around the corner—October 10–16. This year’s events feature something for everyone, including continuing education classes, Auggie Author Book Signing, alumni concerts, 5K fun run, football game against the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers, and much more. Don’t forget to stop by the Alumni Board booth at the Taste of Augsburg to learn how to get involved. This fun event has been expanded with more carnival-style booths for a great time for the whole family. The mission of the Alumni Board is to connect alumni with the College to enjoy the events, friendships, and company of fellow Auggies. Each year the board has a planning session to ensure that we support our mission to provide great, compelling programs that renew and sustain your interest in Augsburg. Some ideas for this year include an expansion of the Uniquely Augsburg series, similar to June’s Dead Sea Scrolls event at the Science Museum that featured Professor Phil Quanbeck II; networking events; volunteer opportunities; lectures featuring Augsburg’s beloved faculty; and more. Augsburg was a gateway to the future for us as students. Now, as alumni, we put the lessons we learned from Augsburg’s unequaled education into action every day. Thanks to the life-altering experiences we share because of our alma mater, those of us on the Alumni Board work hard to unite the alumni of Augsburg College. Enjoy the rest of the summer! I look forward to seeing you at the many alumni events. s Sincerely, Welcome, new Alumni Board members! At its June meeting, the Augsburg College Alumni Board welcomed four new members who will serve three-year terms. Tracy Anderson is a third generation Auggie. She graduated in 1995 with a major in communication and a minor in business administration. Tracy attended Augsburg as a post-secondary student, studied as a day student, and completed her degree in Weekend College. She is a realtor with Edina Realty in Edina, and looks forward to networking with alumni and becoming involved in the Augsburg community. Christopher Ascher, a 1981 graduate with a major in finance and minor in psychology, played on Augsburg’s soccer team and is an A-Club member. He is senior vice president and a branch manager for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Bloomington. He enjoyed meeting more than 80 alumni as host of the January alumni winetasting event. Sarah Grans is a youth and family ministry graduate from 2001, also with a minor in psychology. She is director of outreach and faith formation at St. Peder’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. As a student she was active in Campus Ministry and was co-commissioner during her senior year. She wants to give back to Augsburg and reconnect alumni in meaningful ways. Sharon Mercill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2009 in Rochester and is currently a student in the Master of Arts in Nursing program. When she attended an Alumni Board meeting for a study project and enjoyed connecting with other alumni, she decided to become more involved and join the board. She is the RN study coordinator of breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. JOHN STADLER ’07 MAL PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Summer 2010 33 auggie alumni news Eye-Opener Breakfasts and Speaker Series Are you looking for an opportunity to hear from Twin Cities business leaders? Are you interested in a chance to network with fellow Augsburg alums? Well, Augsburg— through a pair of programs—has opportunities for you. The Eye-Opener Breakfast Series is for Augsburg alumni who want to network and learn from either a business leader or an Augsburg professor. The Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series provides opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to hear from high-level business executives. Here’s a look at the first speakers of the next academic year for both programs with dates to mark on your calendar. President Pribbenow and members of the Alumni Board celebrated with graduating day program seniors at their reception in May. (L to R) Rob Wagner ’02, John Stadler ’07 MAL, Holly (Ebnet) Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, President Pribbenow, Dale Hanka ’60, Dan Hickle ’95, and Jennifer Carlson ’91. Eye-Opener Breakfast Series: The first event of the 2010-11 academic year will be held on Thursday, Sept. 30. In addition to breakfast and networking, attendees will hear from Nate Garvis, former vice president of government affairs and senior public relations officer for Target Corporation. Garvis will present his thoughts on innovative ways to share the work of building prosperous communities. Other EyeOpener Breakfasts will be held in 2011 on January 25 and May 10. The Eye-Opener Breakfasts are held at Town and Country Club in St. Paul, from 7–9 a.m. The cost is $5 person, which includes breakfast. RSVP by September 27 at www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series: Richard Davis, CEO of U.S. Bank, will be the featured speaker for the first event of the academic year on November 18, at 5 p.m., in Sateren Auditorium. Additional events will be held on February 3 and April 7, 2011. The speaker series is free and held on campus. 34 Augsburg Now 2010 Augsburg graduates were excited to join the Alumni Association as they celebrated their achievements at the Senior Reception. (L to R) Lisa Yankauskas, Rosine Johnson, Brenna McHugh, and Barbara Simmons. go es i g g u a Ruth A. Schmidt ’52—Distinguished alumna and educator Ruth Schmidt, the first female president of Agnes Scott College, benefactor to Augsburg’s Women’s Resource Center, and Distinguished Alumna, died on May 24 in Decatur, Ga. Schmidt graduated summa cum laude in 1952 with a major in English and minors in Spanish and library science. She continued to study Spanish, earning master’s and doctoral degrees, and taught Spanish at the high school and college levels, including at Wheaton College and the State University of New York at Albany. After her appointment as dean of humanities at SUNY Albany, she went on to become president of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., until her retirement in 1994. She remained active in retirement through travel, international development work, women’s social justice issues, and peace initiatives. Her legacy at Agnes Scott includes establishment of study abroad programs, and increased diversity among faculty and students. Professor Emerita Ruth Aaskov ’52 was a classmate of Schmidt’s, and they became lifelong friends. As students, both were close to Anne Pederson, their English professor and mentor. When Augsburg established the Women’s Resource Center in 2000, it was named in memory of Pederson and funded by a generous gift from Schmidt. 0 1 0 2 G N M O HOMEC e it! 2010 c n e i r e exp Block off your calendar for the weekend of October 15–16 and return to campus for Homecoming 2010’s fun-filled festivities. The Homecoming Convocation kicks off the weekend on Friday, Oct. 15, when First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners will be recognized. Professor Emeritus Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50 will provide the keynote remarks at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon. A number of Augsburg Experience lifelong-learning sessions are scheduled for Friday afternoon. In addition, the Auggie Author Book Signing and reading will take place prior to the Welcome Back Banquet. If you come to Saturday’s football game against the Concordia Cobbers, plan to get to campus long before the 1 p.m. kickoff. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Come back for Homecoming October 10–16 family-friendly Anderson Hall Homecoming 5K Fun Run, and campus tours are available from 10 a.m. until noon. Three hours prior to kickoff, the Taste of Augsburg in Murphy Square will feature carnival-style booths operated by student groups, alumni, and local restaurants. In addition to carnival-style food, there will be games, inflatable bounce houses, and fun for the whole family. Back by popular demand is the Auggie Block Party (in Parking Lot K, between Melby Hall and Riverside Ave.) following the football game. Join alumni, students, and friends for food, entertainment, and camaraderie. Join fellow Auggies and music lovers after the Block Party for a celebration concert in Hoversten Chapel honoring Professor Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63. Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for information. Summer 2010 35 alumni class notes Stan Nelson, Andover, Minn., Jerilyn (Bjugstad) Wibbens, 43was selected as one of the 67Mukilteo, Wash., founded the World War II veterans whose service would be honored by flying them to Washington, D.C., at no cost, to visit the World War II memorial. Stan is the last survivor of four Navy officers from a landing craft that participated in the D-Day invasion in June 1944; he still attends annual reunions. Northwest Nordic Ladies Chorus, based in Everett, Wash., to keep singing the Norwegian songs she learned in her family and to learn songs from the other Nordic countries. They regularly perform at Scandinavian events and senior centers. Vera (Peterson) Rachuy, West- Peter Agre was honored in 52brook, Minn., a retired 70June, along with four other teacher, discovered a love and talent for painting that began during a prolonged and severe winter when she started to sketch her and her daughter’s dogs. graduates of Norwegian Lutheran colleges, with the “Going Viking” Award by Norway House in Minneapolis. The award recognizes the contributions of Norwegian Americans to the region. Rev. Darryl Torrin, Cedar Falls, 66Iowa, retired on July 1 after serving for 39 years in active parish ministry. For the past 13 years, he has served at St. John Maxfield Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Denver, Iowa, where a retirement celebration was held on June 6. Alvina Strand Skogen, Eppen, N.D., is serving a two-year term as president of Western North Dakota Synodical Women’s Organization (Women of the ELCA). David Siedlar received the “Model Worker Award” from the Communist 71Party, City of Huaian, Jiangsu Province, China, in April, which was published in the party newspaper. Michael Good, Raritan, N.J., 71president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, LLC, and chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents, was named to the Inman 100, a list of the top 100 most influential leaders in real estate for 2009 by Inman News. department at Lake Superior College in Duluth. She has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in education from College of St. Scholastica, and a graduate certificate in educational computing and technology from University of Minnesota-Duluth. Kathy (Langemo) Dugdale, Su- 72perior, Wis., was named director of the business services Annette (Olsen) Hustad, Glenwood, Minn., is “Lena” in the comedy singing duo, “Tina and Lena,” along with Susan “Tina” Edwards. For 25 years, they have entertained audiences in the Upper Midwest and farther with music, humor, and fun. With degrees in music therapy and music education, she taught K-12 music for 10 years. In April they performed at the Lifestyles Expo in Alexandria. Lois (Wennen) Larson, White 80Bear Lake, Minn., was named to a one-year appointment as interim financial aid director at Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, effective Feb. 1. Joan (Maland) Mussa was re- 81cently named senior vice presiParticipants in the Master of Arts in Leadership study and cultural tour of Norway in June pause for a group photo in the mountain resort town of Geilo. Twenty-eight Augsburg faculty, alumni, students, and friends of the College took part in the customized MAL program done in conjunction with Diakonhjemmet University College in Oslo, Augsburg experts on Norway, and CrossingBorders travel company in the Twin Cities. Pictured are Ruth and Raymond Burgau; Paul ’65, Priscilla ’65, David, Karen, Andrew, Lynnsey, and Erika Fieldhammer; Professor Douglas Green; John Grafstrom and Carol Sime ’73; Pete and Glenda Holste ’05 MAL; Lucinda Hruska-Claeys ’10 MAL; Paul ’80 and Rebecca Kilgore; Professor Lynn Lindow; Roger and Linda Nielsen; Angeline and Jeanne Nelson ’09 MBA; Professor Norma Noonan; Patty ’02 MAL and Warren Park; Tawni Reller; Professor Linda Stevens; Professor Barbara West. Look for more about the MAL experiences in Norway at www.augsburg.edu/now 36 Augsburg Now dent for donor engagement, advocacy, and communications at the United States office of World Vision, one of the largest relief, development, and advocacy organizations in the world. Her responsibilities include overseeing the work of all private fund raising, government relations, advocacy, internet, publications, and additional communication functions. She and her husband, Mohammed, and their three children live near Seattle. Tessa Flynn, Minneapolis, ap- 05peared in the Frank Theatre Daniel Werner and Shayne 95Hamann, Little Canada, Minn., announce the birth of their daughter, Savannah, born on Feb. 20. Savannah joins her twin brothers, Drake and Dylan, age 3. Monica Fitzgerald, Washing- Ryan Carlson BA ’96 and BS ’02 and his wife, Lauren, St. Paul, an- 96nounce the births of identical twin daughters, Adelaine Elizabeth and Isadora Louise, on Feb. 14. Addy and Izzy join brother Quin, 4 1/2. The family lives in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. Ryan is an engineer for Seagate. Karen Reed, Atascadero, Calif., 82ton, D.C., is director of CIO 90was appointed program direc- University and the deputy director of the IT Accessibility and Workforce Division in the General Services Administration’s Office of Governmentwide Policy. In 2009 she was selected as a member of the Council for Excellence in the Fellow’s Program of the Partnership for Public Service, which focuses on servant leadership. tor in January at Coalinga State Hospital, the newest state mental health hospital in the California Department of Mental Health. She formerly served 18 years as a registered music therapist at Atascadero State Hospital. She continues to represent forensic psychiatric music therapy treatment at the national and regional music therapy conferences. Tim Asgrimson, Edina, Minn., Anthony Patton has published 83was recently named the chief 91his second novel, Unfaithfully financial officer of Kraus-Anderson Cos., where he has worked since 2007 as assistant chief financial officer. For 16 years prior to that he provided tax, auditing, and consulting services to the company. Yours, a love story in which he explores how hard-working couples can achieve happiness and success in the time it takes to watch a great movie. Sharon (Fairbanks) Romano, Minneapolis, has served as director of the Department of Indian Work of the St. Paul Area Council of Churches for the past year. 87 Kristin Eggerling, Hallock, 89Minn., is a freelance writer and has served on the board of Conservation Minnesota. A recent article on StarTribune.com featured her family’s outing to view the giant jack pine in Lake Bronson State Park. Nnamdi Okoronkwo, Minneapolis, an assistant city attorney with the City of Minneapolis, was appointed in April by Governor Tim Pawlenty to a four-year term on the Council on Black Minnesotans. Luann Roth, Columbia, Mo., has been appointed as education coordinator of the Mizzou Advantage, a collaboration of five programs of excellence at the University of Missouri. She will facilitate interdisciplinary curriculum and courses for these five areas. She has been an instructor in the English Department and is completing her doctorate in American film and folklore. Heidi (Wachholz) Boll, Minneapolis, was named vice president of sales for the Northeast Region of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. She joined the company in 2001 and has held several positions within it. 94 Lori (Langager) Higgins, Blaine, Minn., became president of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce in the Twin Cities in May. She has worked for the chamber since February 2009 and became its first female chief executive officer. Kari (Schroeder) Prescott, Minneapolis, took a new position as representative for Minnesota to the American Podiatric Medical Association in Washington, D.C., and will be kept busy with the current healthcare debate issues. Matthew Gooding, Sun Lakes, 95Ariz., graduated from a medical assistant program and is currently looking for and interviewing for jobs. Carye (Johnson) Bye, Portland company’s adaptation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis, which ran at the Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis during April. She is also on the board of the theatre. (Read more about her on p. 28). Jessica (Norman) and Eric 01Hafemeyer welcomed Kristen Marie on February 22. Kristen joins big sister, Lauren, 3. Christina (Boe) Anderson, 04Blaine, Minn., and her husband, Michael, welcomed their new daughter, Charlotte Marie, on Feb. 25. Chad Darr and his wife, Krista, welcomed a son, Hayden James, on May 5. Miranda Nelson, Chicago, 06began the clinical psychology PhD program at the University of Illinois at Chicago last fall. She plans on specializing in pediatric neuropsychology and will graduate with her doctoral degree in 2014. Dan Morlock, St. Paul, is site 97Ore., is owner of Red Bat 07leader of a before- and-after- Press, a print and design company. She wrote and illustrated a book, Hidden Portland: Museums & Collections, in 2010 with Bedouin Books. school child care program for the Roseville school district called Friendship Connection. Ted Schultz, Bloomington, 98Minn., started a new position as activities director at Minnetonka (Minn.) High School on July 1. He had served for six years in the same position at Bloomington Jefferson High School. Adam Erickson, Chanhassen, 00Minn., was appointed busi- ness banking officer at Anchor Bank in Eden Prairie. Prior to this he was a business relationship manager for Wells Fargo Bank. Maureen O’Shaughnessy was featured as a music therapist on WCCO-TV about her work with autistic children at Fraser Child and Family Center. Molly Shortall recently completed her master's degree at Manhattan School of Music. She has been in New York City for two years and works as a house musician at a large church in Brooklyn. This summer, she's singing the role of Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte. Summer 2010 37 Colonel Steven Charles ’76 receives Legion of Merit On May 1, Colonel Steven Charles ’76 received the Legion of Merit, the highest award not received for valor, which is awarded for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.” While Charles’ 30-year military career began in 1977 as a navy pilot, he received the Legion of Merit for his work as program manager from 2001 to 2007 in the 87th Air Force Element, and air director of joint operations, Air Force Element, U.S. Army Forces Command, 87th Battle Command Training Division in Birmingham, Ala. The citation states, “In this key leadership position, Colonel Charles served as project officer for nine major exercises and 15 Command Post exercises preparing over 30,000 Army troops for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.” His duties included training the soldiers how to call in close air support. By teaching soldiers how to talk to Air Force support, how to call in for help, and what protocols and information they needed, they could quickly be rescued, saving their own lives and those of other ground forces. He also developed a successful Train the Trainers program that provided understanding of joint operations within the modern battlefield. During his military career, Charles served two cruises aboard the USS Constellation where he had more than 200 carrier landings. He was chosen to become a Navy A-4 adversary pilot and graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School. He Rikki Starich, Lexington, Ky., was recently appointed assistant director of annual giving at Transylvania University in Lexington. In May she completed her Master of Education in higher education administration/ institutional advancement. Andrew Sinko, Blaine, Minn., a teacher in Spring Lake Park, Minn., has been accepted to a University of London doctoral program. Zac Wooten, New York, received his master’s degree from New York University and continues to express appreciation for the support of faculty at Augsburg. A.J. Hau and his brother, Chris, 10from Fort Collins, Colo., were signed by the Colorado Eagles hockey team. They both advanced through the Northern Colorado Youth Hockey and Colorado State University hockey programs. Christopher Stedman gradu- 08ated with a master’s degree in theology from Meadville Lombard Theological School of Chicago. 38 Augsburg Now Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will spend the 2010–11 academic year in Vietnam on Fulbright English Teaching Awards. Courtesy photo alumni class notes Colonel Steven Charles ’76 (left) received the Legion of Merit, presented to him in Birmingham, Ala., on May 1, by Brigadier General David W. Puster. crossed to the Air Force and was an instructor in both the F-111 Aardvark and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. In 1990, he appeared on national television as one of the two pilots flying a Stealth Fighter during their unveiling. He left active duty in 1991 and joined the Air Force Reserves before joining the 87th Division. He retired from the military in 2007 and is now a Boeing 767 pilot for Delta Air Lines. BETSEY NORGARD Graduate Programs Sarah Resor ’06 MAL and Eric Johnson, both of Robbinsdale, Minn., were married Feb. 27 in Oak Ridge Conference Center. Mike Bilden ’07 MAL, St. Louis Park, Minn., is coordinator of the new Adult Degree Completion Program in the College of Business and Economics at University of WisconsinRiver Falls. He has served as director of continuing education at North Hennepin Community College and director of adult and graduate admissions at Augsburg. Larry McGraw ’10 MBA, Owatonna, Minn., has been appointed senior vice president and chief credit officer of Home Federal Savings Bank in Rochester. Previously he spent eight years at United Prairie Bank in Mankato, Minn. Hector Matascastillo ’10 MSW is using his own experience and gift of compassion to help veterans when they return from war. Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ____________________________________________________________ Street address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip code Is this a new address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone In Memoriam ____________________________________________________________ E-mail Olsen, W. Donald ’34, Sioux Falls, S.D., age 99, on Dec. 20. Nelson, Gordon A., ’54, Cloquet, Minn., age 77, on April 9. Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No Paulson, Dr. Eric ’38, Spokane, Wash., age 92, on March 6. Wolden, Gerhard ’56, Minneapolis, age 82, on April 5. ____________________________________________________________ Employer Shebeck, Ethel (Sinner) ’38, Richfield, Minn., age 93, on November 14. Welch, Robert ’58, Burlingame, Calif., age 73, on March 28. Ronholm, Olive ’47, Golden Valley, Minn., age 84, on March 9. Peterson, Robert ’49, New London, Minn., age 83, on April 8. Schmeltzer, George W. ’61, Minneapolis, age 70, on March 31. Faue, Jeffrey L. ’68, Belle Mead, N.J., age 64, on April 15. ____________________________________________________________ Position ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No Bolstad, Nan (Haraseth) ’69, Jefferson, Ore., age 63, on March 2. If yes, class year ________________________________________________ Metz, Rev. Richard G. ’74, Sisters, Ore., age 63, on May 13. ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name Arney, Claudia (Odegaard) ’78, Clarkdale, Iowa, age 74, on April 17. ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Davis, Gerald ’51, Litchfield, Minn., age 82, on April 21. Haugan, Joan ’80, Spring Lake Park, Minn., age 80, on Feb. 14, 2009. Your news: ____________________________________________________________ Stenvig, Charles Selmer ’51, Sun City, Ariz., age 82, on February 22. Thayer, Nancybeth (Sedgwick) ’80, Hermantown, Minn., age 49, on June 30, 2006. Schmidt, Ruth A. ’52, Decatur, Ga., age 79, on May 24 (See story on p. 35) Reinhart, Laura Jane ’82, Livermore, Calif., age 49, on January 2. Hegland, Dagny (Quanbeck) ’50, Brandon, S.D., age 81, on March 17. Johnson, Esther ’50, Minneota, Minn., age 80, on April 15. Johnson, Rev. LeRoy ’50, Richland, Mich., on January 11, 2009. Kjos, Edwin ’54, Abbotsford, Wis., age 85, on March 31. Therres, Emmaline (Schlueter), Chaska, Minn., age 66, on April 2; former faculty member. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Summer 2010 39 my Auggie experience By all accounts—his own included—sophomore Gottlieb Uahengo had a difficult first semester at Augsburg College. Making the move to Minneapolis from his home in Namibia meant many changes. He missed his family and friends and got sick five times from the food. He was introduced to Mountain Dew and the effects of over-consumption. “I didn’t sleep for several days,” he says. And when he witnessed his first snowfall, a fellow student asked him, “Are you alright? You look disturbed.” Uahengo is a Legacy Scholarship student. His father graduated from the University of Minnesota and came to work in Augsburg’s Physics Department while his wife, Fredericka ’90, completed her degree in education. Gottlieb was actually born at Fairview Riverside Hospital but lived most of his life in Oshakati, Namibia, where his father is a pharmacist and his mother serves as the rector of Ongwediva Teachers College. When it came time to apply for college, Uahengo’s father said, “I’m sending you to Augsburg.” Because Uahengo wants to be an engineer, his father wanted him to study in a small school with a good physics department. “My father holds professors [Mark] Engebretson and [Jeff] Johnson in high esteem,” Uahengo says. “He told me I would get more out of my education at Augsburg than at a large, public university.” His father also told him to be prepared for the challenge of college life. “He said the best way to overcome adversity is to become part of the community, to take a leap of faith.” And that’s exactly what led to a better second semester and a successful first year at Augsburg for Uahengo. Greg Holker, Augsburg’s men’s soccer coach, said Uahengo looked frightened and overwhelmed when the two first met last summer. “I wasn’t sure he would amount to much as a soccer player because he seemed frail physically and psychologically,” Holker recalls. After a tentative start, Holker says the first-year player definitely made an impact on the team. “He scored a big goal against Buena Vista and took off in training from that point on,” says Holker. “He sought out improvement and soaked up as much information as he could. Rarely do I see a person that determined to learn and learn quickly.” Rebekah Dupont, whom Uahengo calls his mentor, says he displayed the same tenacity in his academics as on the soccer field. Dupont worked with him in Augsburg’s North Star STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program. He participated in the calculus workshop, a class in which students work together on challenging problems. He also got involved in a research project, something not many first-year students take on. “Gottlieb has very high expectations for himself, and I think this made adapting to so many new things all at once a challenge,” Dupont says. “As he feels more comfortable and confident, those high expectations and strong work ethic will serve him very well.” In addition to conducting research during the school year, Uahengo is working on a summer project with another student and professor Ben Stottrup of the Physics Department. This fall he will be an officer with Augsburg’s International Student Organization and will continue to play soccer. He also hopes to compete on the track team as a sprinter in the spring term. “When I set my mind to something, it’s hard to sway me,” Uahengo says. “I am always looking for a way to be engaged.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 40 Augsburg Now an augsburg legacy Joyce Young “I value the impact of my Augsburg education on my life and career … That’s why I am giving back through naming Augsburg as owner of a life insurance policy. Augsburg’s gift planning team, along with my financial adviser, showed me the great benefits.” 1-800-273-0617 www.augsburg.edu/giving Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 2031 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Courtesy photo Augsburg Choir tours China The Augsburg Choir and the choir from Guangxi Provincial Normal University in Guilin, China, pose for a giant group photo during the choir’s trip through China. For the choir’s China blog and photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/music.
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2010: Go Auggies! Homecoming 2010
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW inside FALL 2010 VOL. 73, NO. 1 Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds Travel Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium Augsburg annual report Coach Greg Holker page 20 go auggies! Homecoming ...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW inside FALL 2010 VOL. 73, NO. 1 Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds Travel Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium Augsburg annual report Coach Greg Holker page 20 go auggies! Homecoming 2010 Editor notes from President Pribbenow w Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Coming Home e celebrated Homecoming this year in grand fashion, welcoming more than 1,000 alumni, families, and friends at events during the week. I am mindful of the many ways in which coming home to Augsburg has meaning for alumni and those of us on campus. We all share in common this place and the experience that continues to shape our lives in the world. And when we “come home,” we mark just how powerful those connections and shared experiences are to our personal and common callings in the world. So what does it mean to come home to Augsburg? First, it is quite literally a homecoming to this place in the heart of Cedar-Riverside and Minneapolis, this campus home we have inhabited since 1872 when our Norwegian-American ancestors first settled here. Homecoming seems especially meaningful this year as our campus community is engaged in a Commission on Campus Space and Master Planning— exploring together what it means that we are in this urban setting and what our aspirations are for the future of Augsburg’s campus. During this year, we will plan for new buildings, landscape, and the responsible use of space. And we also will consider what it means that we are here in Cedar-Riverside, this neighborhood we share with various neighbors. How best do we honor our role as neighbor here? Second, homecoming also marks our return to a community, a gathering of those who share our commitments to education for service. There are clear distinctions in the nature of this community over time. We are much larger—we now count more than 4,100 students and 650 faculty and staff. We offer a wider range of academic programs—from our traditional day program to adult undergraduate and expanding graduate opportunities. We are increasingly diverse—in ethnic and religious background, in age and in socioeconomic Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu class, and in so many other ways. But at its core it is still Augsburg, a community grounded in offering a superior educational experience for all students that focuses on the intersections of faith, learning, and service. Augsburg is one of the most hospitable and welcoming communities I know, a place that believes deeply that access to education demands of us a commitment to justice for all God’s creatures. Finally, you come home to a mission, a character, and a set of values that abide over the years. Here, we still celebrate the Word made flesh. Here, we still share with our immediate neighbors an immigrant sensibility, the belief that education is at the core of a healthy neighborhood and democracy. Here, we still work together to ensure that all deserving students can receive an Augsburg education. Here, we still help each other discern our vocations and gain the skills and knowledge to live them out in the world. In the work and lives of our alumni, we have remarkable stories of how this distinctive Augsburg mission has made a difference in the world over the years. For those of us who are the current stewards of Augsburg’s mission, I urge you to listen to the stories of our alumni for they are our “epistles to the world,” our parables of what an Augsburg education means. You will be amazed by what they have accomplished. I hope those of you who came to Homecoming were able to meet our current students, because they are the most powerful statements of our mission, our aspirations to make a difference in the world. They are remarkable signs of what we can look forward to as Augsburg seeks to live out its mission to educate students who are “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” Welcome home to Augsburg! PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 fall 2010 Features 12 18 26 contents 22 12 18 22 26 29 29 augsburg now On the cover Auggies are awwwe-some! With boomsticks in hand, Auggies cheer on the football team at Homecoming. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. Homecoming 2010 She loves being an Auggie: Meet Martha Stortz by Wendi Wheeler ’06 The Sabo Symposium: Understanding healthcare reform by Betsey Norgard Celebrating our success by Wendi Wheeler ’06 Annual report to donors, 2009–10 Departments inside front cover 2 9 10 11 43 48 52 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies on the course Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience around the quad Partners in the park New Board of Regents members elected Murphy Square, the three acres that sit squarely in the middle of Augsburg’s campus, is the oldest park in the city of Minneapolis. It was given to the city by Edward Murphy in 1857, when he platted “Murphy’s Addition.” At that time, however, this first city park was quite far from the small settlements in St. Anthony and Minneapolis, and for 20 years or more the park served mostly as cow pasture. As Augsburg grew, the park became more and more surrounded by the College and incorporated into college life and traditions. Homecoming parades have flowed around it, science contraptions have been launched in the annual Agre Challenge, tents have held formal receptions for commencements and inaugurations, and many games of Frisbee, grills of hotdogs, and hours of sunbathing have taken place in the park. On October 16 at Homecoming, a formal partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was celebrated in which Augsburg assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the park. The partnership serves as the foundation for further cooperative efforts and engagement with the park board as Augsburg moves forward with campus master planning, including a proposed sweeping green landscape across campus. At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporation Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg Board of Regents, and re-elected three members to second terms. Elected for first, four-year terms are: Cynthia Jones ’81 Toby Piper LaBelle ’96 LaJune Thomas Lange Rev. David Tiede Cynthia Jones ’81, Senior Technical Advisor for Nuclear Security, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, Senior Vice President, Northland Securities LaJune Thomas Lange, Judge (retired), Fourth Judicial District of Minnesota Rev. David Tiede, Interim President, Wartburg Theological Seminary; Bernhard M. Christensen Professor Emeritus of Religion and Vocation Elected to second, four-year terms are: Richard C. Hartnack, Vice Chairman, Consumer Banking, U.S. Bancorp André Lewis ’73, President (retired), RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation Rev. Norman Wahl ’75, Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn. Christensen Symposium 2010 On October 3, Gracia Grindal ’65 presented the life and legacy of Bernhard Christensen, “Devoutly Would He Teach.” On October 4, the symposium continued with the inauguration of Martha Stortz as the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation (see page 18). Read Grindal’s address at www.augsburg.edu/now. Bruce Rowe, groundskeeper, begins his day beautifying Murphy Square. 2 Augsburg Now NewsNotes Urban Scrubs camp on campus Augsburg joined with HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, and the University of Minnesota to host a five-day Urban Scrubs camp. Students in grades 9–12, many from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, lived on campus and explored opportunities in healthcare fields. Commission Augsburg focuses on mission At its 2010 spring meeting, the Augsburg Board of Regents adopted a new mission statement for the College. Following two years of conversation about the character and identity of Augsburg, the new mission statement incorporates many changes that have come about in the past 20 years, including nontraditional undergraduate programs, graduate studies, a campus in Rochester, global study programs, and continuing initiatives to meet the needs of diverse students. The new Augsburg College mission is: “Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.” During this year, Commission Augsburg will present a series of conversations across the country for alumni, parents, and friends to learn about how the Augsburg mission sets a clear map for the future of the College. Watch for opportunities to meet and hear from President Pribbenow and others from the College. To learn more about Commission Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/president/initiatives/Commission.pdf. To learn more about events in your area, contact the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. Augsburg in the rankings: • The Princeton Review—one of 152 schools named “2011 Best in the Midwest,” based on excellent academic programs, visits to the schools, and reports from students. • 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction—115 colleges honored for commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. • “Cool Schools,” Sierra magazine’s 2010 rankings of colleges’ sustainability efforts. Augsburg placed number 102 in the top 162 schools across the nation. • Washington Monthly magazine’s 2010 rankings of best master’s universities in the nation, based on contribution to public good in three areas: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), producing cutting-edge research and scholarship, and community service. Augsburg placed 71 of 100. Grant to support low-income students The Travelers Company selected Augsburg to participate in the Travelers EDGE program, a five-year initiative that focuses on recruitment and retention of low-income students of color from the St. Paul public schools. Augsburg was one of a small number of colleges selected for the program because of its success in recruiting students from underrepresented populations. Pillsbury United Communities Award to Augsburg Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis gave its President’s Leadership Award this year to Augsburg College for “outstanding contributions to the Brian Coyle Center and the entire community.” The award especially recognizes MBA student projects, service-learning, community engagement, and initiatives with the Social Work Department. Gordon Nelson’s death is mourned Professor emeritus of sociology Gordon Nelson died on July 6 following complications from a stroke. He taught in the Sociology Department, including serving as chair of the department, from 1967 to his retirement in 2001. For decades he was a DFL activist, elected city official, and an aide to U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo. A memorial service was held in Hoversten Chapel on September 11. Welcome, Class of 2014 The first-year, Class of 2014, is one of the most diverse in Augsburg’s history. 419 first-year students Composition—41% students of color, 43% first-generation college students Gender—185 male (44%), 234 female (56%) Geography—351 Minnesota residents, plus 17 other states and 10 countries Total Augsburg student body—4,109 (2,132 traditional day students, 1,057 weekend undergraduate students, 920 graduate students) Fall 2010 3 “Gabe” retires after 47 years When asked how he prefers to be addressed, music professor Stephen Gabrielsen ’63 always responds, “My friends call me ‘Gabe.’” After 47 years on the music faculty, “Gabe” is retiring in December. At Homecoming in October, many former students, friends, and colleagues celebrated his work and legacy at a tribute concert. In 1963, while still a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Gabrielsen received an invitation from Music Department chair Leland Sateren to return to teach in Augsburg’s Music Department. Since then, Gabrielsen has also served as College organist and has played organ for chapel every day, which Pastor Dave Wold figures must add up to more than 5,000 services. Gabrielsen was at the organ for Augsburg’s first Advent Vespers service in 1980, and missed only two services in the 30 years since. He fondly recalls that first Advent Vespers service, which succeeded in creating what he and others had hoped for—an unusual spiritual experience through music and liturgy. “From the somber dark of Advent, the service grew to brilliant Christmas light, and down again to peacefully and quietly end … it was just magic.” A new organ for the chapel A high point during Gabrielsen’s tenure at Augsburg was the installation of the Dobson organ in the new Hoversten Chapel in the fall of 1988. “The building of our wonderful organ in the chapel would have to be a MOST exciting [highlight],” he says. “I will always be thankful that the Augsburg Associates financed the organ. They gave me free reign (within reason) to choose which stops would be in the organ. Every organist ought to have such an opportunity!” During the inaugural year of the new organ, Gabrielsen initiated a series of concerts called “Organ Plus” that featured musician colleagues and friends. Because the series grew so popular, Organ Plus became an annual event for the next decade. Gabe’s teaching innovations David Cherwien ’79 recalled at the celebration concert that he and other students often would arrive for one of Gabrielsen’s music classes and find a canon written out on the blackboard. The class would begin with all the students singing in parts. Music professor Merilee Klemp ’75 also remembers those canons as one example of how “Gabe was great at making music real, whether he was teaching theory or President Paul Pribbenow congratulated history—it was just his pracStephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 as he received tice of making music.” the Spirit of Augsburg award at Homecoming. 4 Augsburg Now Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 has played the organ for daily chapel since Hoversten Chapel opened in 1988. What may be the most vivid in many students’ memories of classes with Gabrielsen, however, were his dreaded “drop the needle” music repertoire tests, which he created as a way to bolster students’ knowledge. Serving the church as organist Gabrielsen is a fellow of the American Guild of Organists and studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany, as a Lutheran World Federation scholar. For 50 years he served as church organist in seven metro area Lutheran congregations, including 10 years each at Holy Trinity in Minneapolis and Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley. In addition, he often played recitals and dedicatory concerts when congregations purchased new organs. Music therapy professor Roberta Kagin was one of many former students and colleagues who offered personal notes to Gabrielsen at the tribute concert. She reflected on the 36 years they shared neighboring offices in Music Hall. The tribute she read to Gabrielsen described the care, devotion, and mentoring that he pays to each of his students. “Years after a student graduated, and we tried to track them down,” Kagin read, “we would always say, ‘Gabe will know’—and you not only remembered the students, but also knew their spouses and children.” At Homecoming Gabrielsen was also honored with the Spirit of Augsburg award (see page 15). In fact, his entire family shares the spirit of Augsburg, as Gabrielsen’s wife, Kathleen ’79, and their two children, Buffy ’89 and Joe ’91, have all attended Augsburg. Gabrielsen grew up in Norwegian communities, where his father, a Norwegian immigrant, was a Lutheran pastor. Many know that Gabe will now have time in retirement to search out and tell more of the Ole and Lena jokes for which he is legendary. Uff da. BETSEY NORGARD Embedded with the National Guard Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship collaborates with the Minnesota National Guard to offer opportunities for student journalists to spend a week embedded with the Minnesota National Guard during training exercises. Jenny Avery, a senior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing, went to the field each day with the soldiers to identify stories, shoot photographs, and conduct interviews. This is one of many examples of students enjoying personal experiences in their learning. A New Universe Courtesy photo by Jenny Avery ’11 24 May, 2010 I had never seen anything like it before. The split second of each fiery explosion was almost disturbingly beautiful as the smoke dispersed into fluffy clouds of ash. Each moment-long eruption took at least 45 minutes to prepare for, which is a generous estimate to say the least. Little did I know that so much preparation would go into a task that one could miss with a blink of an eye. Our van had been driving for about 20 minutes across the grounds where these sorts of exercises are held before we actually found the specific land that this particular event was holding. We parked a ways away though; the remainder of our journey we arrived by foot. I, the four other journalists involved in this embed, and Specialist Cassinos soon enough found the company we were told to meet with. A group of maybe 12 men were grouped near one of the bunkers on top of the hill. When we first laid eyes on the land spread out in front of us, all that could be seen was a plain of grass, a small little hut off in the far distance, and mounds of dirt and sand in between the outstretch of land from the bunkers and the cube-shaped building. About 15 to 20 minutes after we found the National Guardsmen at the bunkers, four enormous M113 vehicles started slinking their way towards us, making their way down the steep hill. We watched as these gargantuan machines lined up in one row facing the hut across the way. The back ramps from each of them slowly lowered themselves to the ground. Emerging then from each vehicle were 13 soldiers, preparing themselves and their equipment for their upcoming mission. I watched as a large, collective group jogged over to the heavilysanded portion of the landscape. Essentially, the mission was to set off the explosions on the land, and eventually inside the house. As the preparation continued, Lieutenant Matthew Sullivan explained to us the layout of what was about to come. “So basically what they’re going to do is breach the mine field here ... breach the wire opposite below, and then breach into the house. And there’s different levels. There’s gaul stage, block stage, and run stage, and for a training scenario it’s gonna be a little slower than what it would be in real life ... a real life operation. A real life operation, we’d be rollin’ in, throwin’ their targets. Boom.” Being such a great distance away from the company below, it was difficult to distinguish what the soldiers were doing precisely, but I got the gist that they were planting the explosives in the field and waiting for the cue to detonate. At some point I even saw a few men crawling across the dirt pit, possibly simulating how one may have to keep hidden in a real circumstance. “… You might wanna cover your ears,” a soldier pointed out. Taking his advice, I temporarily put down my camera and pressed my inner ears with my index and middle fingers. Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame burst out from the ground, and a moment later a thunderous rumble shook my entire body. My chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts inside of it, and then it was all over. Puffy mushrooms of smoke wafted into each other from the aftermath of the explosion. I watched in awe as the cushiony-looking matter spread into thin swirls, eventually disbursing itself evenly to blend back in with its invisible counterpart called air. Around me I overheard conversations from small groups, hearing the words but not registering what they were saying. I was too engulfed in the explosion and the rush that it gave me to even want to try and understand the clearly spoken English emitted from their mouths. Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame burst out from the ground, and a moment later a thunderous rumble shook my entire body. My chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts inside of it, and then it was all over. After the first or second explosion I was able to relocate to the lower bunker, the one closer to the wrecking site. The soldiers in that spot were just as lively if not more so. We cracked jokes about Monty Python and discussed laundry mishaps; for that spot in time we weren’t students and soldiers, we were just people. To read more of Jenny Avery’s story, go to www.augsburg.edu/democracy/videos.html Fall 2010 5 500 years ago in the old church buildings, pilgrim paths, and road markers.” He says that while he went there as a Lutheran pastor, part of a Lutheran Church with all its modern trappings, he came back with a much better understanding of the formation of the early Lutheran movement. “Those monks started Andrew and Sarah Wilson completed the 1,000-mile reading the Bible in a pilgrimage that Martin Luther made to Rome in new way that differed 1510. They presented “Here I Walk” as Augsburg’s Founders Day lectures in November. from the institutional church’s way,” he says. Wiersma’s “Here I Walk” experience caused him to reflect upon Luther’s own experience. Luther’s 1510 pilgrimage brought him to Rome, where he was scandalized by the conduct of clergy and the religious commercialism. Wiersma understood that Luther’s long journey back to Germany would have given the monk a long time to think over and talk about what he witnessed in Rome. Seven years later, he posted the 95 Theses, igniting the Reformation. BETSEY NORGARD Andrew Wilson Scholars of the Reformation gain deep knowledge by studying the writings of Martin Luther, but for Hans Wiersma it also became experiential when he spent four days walking in the footsteps of Luther’s pilgrimage to Rome 500 years ago. Just before fall semester classes began, Wiersma joined the project “Here I Walk,” led by Andrew and Sarah Wilson, two Lutheran ecumenical scholars, who retraced the entire 1,085-mile route walked by Luther from the monastery in Erfurt, Germany, to Rome. Wiersma walked with the Wilsons for 66 miles, from Erfurt to Coburg. Wiersma had met Andrew Wilson at a conference, and what resulted for Wiersma was a fortunate convergence of his disciplinary interest in Reformation studies, his research focus on the early Luther and the Augustinian monks who followed him, and Wiersma’s undergraduate background and continued interest in documentary filmmaking. The modern pilgrims followed the old pilgrim routes, sometimes spotting stone route markers from the 16th century. They followed the traditional rules of pilgrimage—prayers, scripture reading, chores, and conversation. “It gave me a sense of how 16th-century monks traveled,” Wiersma says, “and what it felt like.” He enjoyed the absence of modern distractions. As it was for the early monks, lodging could be found each night, with bigger towns conveniently spaced a day’s walk apart. What Wiersma brought back was an “appreciation of how much Europe is built on its past. It’s still easy to connect with Europe of Religion professor Hans Wiersma joined the “Here I Walk” pilgrimage during its first four days, from Erfurt to Coburg, Germany. 6 Augsburg Now Courtesy photo Here I walk ... Augsburg stands up When Taylor Foster heard that one of her friends had been assaulted because of his sexual orientation this fall, she decided to turn her anger into something positive. Her Facebook event, titled “Stand Up Against Hate,” was the beginning of a show of support that took Foster, and perhaps others in the Augsburg community, by surprise. In her Facebook posting, Foster wrote: As an Auggie and a member of the GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] community, I am outraged at the fact that these acts are being committed at such a diverse and accepting place as Augsburg. For, “The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to … intentional diversity in its life and work.” Intentional diversity is the key part in that statement. We need to make a statement that we are not going to tolerate hateful acts at Augsburg. We need to make it known that it is okay to be who you are …” Foster created the event expecting only her close friends to join. Just two days after she posted it, more than 600 people had responded to show their support. President Pribbenow, faculty and staff, and alumni across the country joined students and donned a specific color of the rainbow each day of the week of October 4. Students held a rally and prayer service and a march for equality on campus. Several local media outlets came to campus to interview Foster. “All of this attention and support was beyond my wildest dream,” she says. In his weekly update to the community, President Pribbenow wrote about the events. “This past week was especially difficult for our campus community because of the hateful and hurtful acts of some individuals. These actions were contrary to everything we value in honoring one another, as clearly stated in our mission. I’m very proud of our students who took the leadership in standing up for and demonstrating their support for the values we share as a community.” Foster says she feels members of the GLBT community now have a better understanding of how many allies are at Augsburg. She also believes the week of awareness-building activities helped allies and others see how GLBT people face discrimination in their lives. Most importantly, Foster says she hopes the Stand Up Against Hate event will continue to reinforce the message that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at Augsburg. “I was more than thrilled to see Augsburg come together as a community and stand up against hate. It made me proud to be an Auggie.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 Fall 2010 7 Exploring separate worlds On an October afternoon when icy winds and rain interrupted an unusually mild autumn, 15 Augsburg students and their professor donned boots, opened umbrellas, and took a stroll down Minneapolis’ Park Avenue. The group began in the Grand Hall of the American Swedish Institute, a Gothic mansion on the corner of Park and 26th, which once was the home of Swan Turnblad. Guided by Nina Clark, ASI’s director of programs and exhibits, they walked toward Franklin Avenue, learning about other historic homes where some of the city’s wealthiest families lived in the early 20th century. The students learned that many of the homes still standing are occupied by social service agencies that serve those without homes, people facing addiction and mental health issues, and immigrant families. This expedition was just one of the ways students were able to see the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth in the city. In “Separate Worlds: Comparing Homelessness and Affluence in the United States,” associate sociology professor Tim Pippert hopes to help students understand the variables of economic and housing stability. Through a combination of readings, speakers, and involvement in service projects, students learn about housing, financial stability, social networks, and the trend of increased homelessness in the United States. Hearing many different viewpoints, Pippert believes, will help students recognize and appreciate the reasons behind the increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor. Students will also hear from a variety of speakers throughout the semester, helping them to better understand the people and the issues. Youth and family ministry major Justin Daleiden says, “City council member Cam Gordon came into our class so we could discuss how homelessness is affecting our very neighborhood. Hearing these speakers from our city makes the subject a little more palatable.” “Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the best things that has ever happened in my life, and when people ask where I’m from, I say that I’m from Augsburg because this really is my home.” In addition to classroom work, these students are actively involved in the community by volunteering at places such as Peace House and Secure Waiting. Perhaps their biggest connection is with St. Stephen’s Human Services, whose mission is to end homelessness. “We’re beyond the classroom … in all sorts of arenas that this city offers,” Pippert says. These outside experiences help students relate what they are learning in the classroom to real people and present-day issues. 8 Augsburg Now Some of the homes of Minneapolis’ wealthiest families now serve as social service agencies. The Sumner T. McKnight mansion at 2200 Park Avenue is home to American Indian Services. “I think this is a great example in which we are able to learn about a specific topic and serve the community at the same time. I think more courses should incorporate some kind of service work like this one,” Daleiden says. Veronica Berg, a sophomore social work major, has a particular interest in Pippert’s course—before she came to Augsburg last fall, Berg was homeless. She says the class has given her insight into aspects of homelessness that she didn't encounter because of her age and the paths she chose. “I feel validated in this class, learning that my experiences haven’t been that strange and reading about individuals who have walked some of the same paths as me.” Berg says she is grateful for the support of faculty and staff at Augsburg and also for the opportunities she has received in college. “Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the best things that has ever happened in my life, and when people ask where I’m from, I say that I’m from Augsburg because this really is my home,” Berg says. For their final projects, students will compare the differences— social and physical—between the lives of the affluent and people who are without homes. Pippert hopes that through this course, students will develop a deeper understanding of how increasingly stratified American society is and think about ways to mitigate what he sees as a damaging and unjust trend. KATELYN DANELSKI ’13 AND WENDI WHEELER ’06 Auggies on the course Ladies of the links lift the team There was a time not all that long ago when simply getting enough players to field a complete team was a challenge for the Augsburg women’s golf program. As a result, the on-course performance of the Auggies wasn’t where it might have been. Johanna Frykmark (left below) and Stef Zappa (right below) have changed that. The two seniors have brought stability, seriousness, and increased levels of success to Augsburg’s women’s golf program. They have both been All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) selections, both have shown great im- provement on the course, and both will graduate at the end of this semester after three-and-a-half years on campus. “Without them, our team wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are now,” coach Ted Vickerman says. “They’ve really changed the mentality to where we want to do our best. We’re beating teams.” The two take pride in how the program has changed during their tenure. “Our first year, we were last in the conference, but we had fun doing it,” Zappa says. “Everybody’s improved. Both of us have had five or six stokes (average per round) of improvement.” At the MIAC championship meet—her final collegiate event—in early October, Zappa became the first Augsburg women’s golfer to earn multiple All-MIAC honors, finishing seventh, the highest-ever finish for an Auggie at the MIAC championships. Johanna Frykmark finished in 25th place and joins Zappa as the second of three Auggie women’s golfers to record 25th-orbetter finishes in three MIAC meets. Both appreciate their time at Augsburg and the role golf has played in their Auggie experience. “My first year was pretty rough,” Frykmark says. “I had a hard time fitting in and I missed home a lot. I’ve changed so much as a person since I came here. The golf team was a big part of that; they were my second family when I got here.” After completing her degree in international business and business management, Frykmark hopes to find a position with an international company that does business both in the U.S. and in her native Sweden. Zappa is on her way to becoming a teacher, spending this semester student-teaching first- and second-graders at Barton Open School in South Minneapolis. She’s also helping to coach volleyball at Minneapolis South High School. While that’s a heavy load, Zappa wasn’t going to walk away from the golf team. Zappa—who had a hole-in-one on her 20th birthday during a tournament at Carleton— didn’t practice with the team as often this fall as she would have liked. Instead, she practiced in the evenings and remained one of the team’s top golfers—that is, on a team much more stable than before Zappa and Frykmark arrived on campus. JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and Communication Office. Fall 2010 9 auggie voices Coach Holker becomes an Auggie Greg Holker knows that his class ring from Gustavus Adolphus College is in a box at his house. And he’s pretty sure he knows where his diploma is. But that is it. Those are the only tangible things the Augsburg men’s soccer coach has left from his time both as a player and as an assistant coach in St. Peter, Minn. Holker openly admits he didn’t think that was going to be the case when he took over the Auggie program in 2004. His goal was pretty simple: make Augsburg respectable, win some games, and put himself in position to become the next Gustavus coach. “I had a five-year plan,” he says. “I thought I’d be here three years and I’d be out.” But something happened along the way to mess up those plans—Holker became an Auggie. “The institution has evolved significantly over the six years I’ve been here and I’ve changed as well,” Holker says. “I started to embrace the institution and our work.” He also had success. In 2006 Holker led Augsburg’s men’s soccer team to a 13-victory season and a first-ever Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) playoff berth. In 2008 Augsburg reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Loras College in two overtimes. This past spring, however, brought out the truest example that Holker had genuinely become an Auggie. When the head soccer coach position at Gustavus opened, Holker was approached about the job and spent a day in St. Peter. Before the search moved any farther along, however, Holker pulled out of consideration. And this year, following a record-breaking season for men’s soccer, Holker was named MIAC Coach of the Year, and sophomore Chad Gilmer was named MIAC Player of the Year. The team won the MIAC playoff championship and advanced to the national tournament for the second time. It won the first round, but lost to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the second round. “At the end of the day, this is where I want to be,” Holker says. “I like being in the city and I like that there’s a very true identity here. I think I’m 100% in love with what this institution does. Seven years ago, this was a job. Now, it's a part of me.” And now he’s an Auggie. JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and Communication Office. 10 Augsburg Now it takes an Auggie The student Phonathon—Dialing for Augsburg dollars ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, alumni and friends of Augsburg might receive a call from a student who is working to secure donations to The Augsburg Fund. We asked some of the student callers to share their experiences and knowledge with our readers. COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Chris Fleming ’12 Psychology/Sociology major, Spanish minor First year as a student caller Q. What would you like students and alumni to know about giving back to Augsburg? A. When you do become an alum, remember that while you were in school someone made a way for you to get through college. Remember to always give back to the community that gave to you. I know we all say, “Well I will come back to visit and volunteer my time,” but sometimes you must go beyond. If you dig deep to give a few dollars to support another student, they will be able to give back when they graduate. It’s a domino effect. Elisabeth Clemans ’11 Pa Dao Yang ’11 Social work major, psychology minor Has been a caller for four years Sociology major Has been a caller for four years Q. Why should alumni and friends support The Augsburg Fund? Q. What have you learned about Augsburg through this work? A. I am a recipient of financial aid at Augsburg, so I want to thank all the alumni, parents, and friends who give to The Augsburg Fund. It’s really important for students like me because every gift increases the percentage of alumni who give back. That makes the College more reputable and helps me get a job after I graduate! A. What I have learned while working at The Augsburg Fund is the importance of keeping the alumni updated on Augsburg. For example, I talk about the new Oren Gateway Center or speak about events such as the chocolate tasting event at the History Center. It’s fun to talk to alumni about what is happening on campus and to listen to them speak about their experiences. Ember Russell ’11 Elementary education major Has been a caller for two years Q. Have you had any especially memorable calls? A. I was talking with a lady who had studied elementary education. It was really interesting to hear how much the Education Department has changed! She gave me amazing advice on what to do when I graduate. I really enjoyed the call, and she made her very first donation to The Augsburg Fund! Fall 2010 11 homecoming go 12 Augsburg Now auggies! experience it! Fall 2010 13 taste of augsburg 14 Augsburg Now 2010 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Robert Hanson ’68 A distinguished teacher in bio-organic and medicinal chemistry researche at Northeastern University. “Our three Augsburg wisemen were [Earl] Alton, [Courtland] Agre, and [John] Holum, and their gifts to us were: inspiring us to go far, preparing us with the intellectual and emotional skills to do that, and a dedication to service.” Don ’53 and Beverly (Halling) ’55 Oren Owners of Dart Transit, a transportation company nationally-recognized for leadership, innovation, and promotion of safety for its drivers. “You can choose a career in business and still contribute to society, and you can make a difference.” … “We met here, and that outweighs all other benefits the school had to offer.” First Decade Awards Morgan Davidsen ’00 Internationallyawarded filmmaker who recalls a special moment on the soccer field before a match after just hearing he had the lead in the next theatre production. “Thank you for being part of the greatest picture of my life.” “Augsburg gave me a place to listen and it taught me how to listen.” Stephen Gabrielsen ’63 College organist, music professor, and mentor to hundreds of students and alumni for 47 years. “My delight in being chosen is more significant when I consider all the people who could be standing here—dozens and dozens of students who have helped me become what I am.” Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA CEO of Pinnacle Services, a successful company now employing 600 people; Marine Corps veteran, political candidate, and world traveler. “I’ve chosen to live an unconventional life—for me, it’s about pursuing my dreams, doing what I’ve wanted to.” Jack Osberg ’62 Retired head football coach, teacher, and mentor who brought the football program to its best season in history and continues to feel the spirit of Augsburg shape his life. “The spirit of Augsburg moves through its people.” Athletic Hall of Fame Richard Spratt ’74 Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: Social worker dedicated to connecting people with community resources; adjunct instructor in Social Work Department. Jean Taylor Respected corporate CEO and leader; former Augsburg Board of Regents chair. Learned at Augsburg how to listen to what her life tells her and about values she holds. Spirit of Augsburg Awards • John Beatty ’91, wrestling • Reed Boltmann ’88, football/baseball • Jeff Dainty ’90, baseball • Brian DeClercq ’81 (posthumously), men’s hockey An African proverb says, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” • Natasha Hamann ’99, volleyball/women’s golf • Ann Knutson Brovold ’74, gymnastics • Astrid Larssen ’97, women’s soccer/women’s track and field For the bios and more information about this year’s alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now • Tom Weidner ’84, football • Don Wichmann ’89, wrestling Fall 2010 15 Augsburg dedicates Ed Saugestad Rink During Homecoming 2010, Augsburg officially named its main competition rink in honor of Ed Saugestad ’59, the coach who led the Auggies to national prominence in men’s ice hockey during his storied career. At the Oct. 16 ceremony, Auggies were able to see the changes that took place in the arena in preparation for the dedication. One change in the rink that fans will notice during the season was the addition of three murals depicting the Saugestad legacy as well as the history of men’s and women’s hockey at Augsburg College. Saugestad began his coaching career during his senior year, 1958, and coached the Auggies until 1996, compiling a 503-354-21 record. His Auggies won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) titles six straight years (197782), qualified for national tournament play 10 times, and won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship in 1978, 1981, and 1982. He coached 22 AllAmericans during his Augsburg career. Saugestad was named NAIA National Coach of the Year three times and MIAC Coach of the Year six times. 16 16 Augsburg Now ed saugestad ’59 augsburg hockey Augsburg Men’s Hockey Augsburg Women’s Hockey Augsburg College has had a long history of excellence in men’s hockey. The Auggie program dates to the mid-1920s, as one of the early entrants in MIAC play. The Auggies won state titles in both 1927 and 1928 coached by future U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Nick Kahler. After not fielding teams from the late 1920s to the late 1940s, the program finally was reestablished under coach Ed Saugestad, who actually began his head coaching duties while still a student at Augsburg in 1958. Under Saugestad, the Auggie program thrived, winning MIAC titles six years in a row (1977-82), while winning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national titles in 1978, 1981, and 1982. The Auggies have made appearances in national tournaments seven times in school history (five NAIA, two NCAA). After Saugestad retired, Mike Schwartz was named head coach in 1996, and he led the team to conference regular-season and playoff titles, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national championships in the 1997-98 season. Schwartz compiled a 124-11030 record during his Augsburg coaching tenure, and teams he coached made appearances in the MIAC postseason playoffs six times. Chris Brown was named the program’s head coach in 2006, and he has led the Auggies to MIAC playoff berths in three of the last four seasons. In 1995, Augsburg College made history by establishing the first intercollegiate women’s hockey program in the Midwest. The Auggies were one of the dominant teams in the early history of women’s hockey in Minnesota, winning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) regular-season titles in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, and the conference playoff title in 1999-2000. In 2000, the Auggies made history again, qualifying to compete in the first Division III women’s hockey national championship series, the American Women’s College Hockey Alliance tournament in Boston against Middlebury (Vt.). Over the first 15 seasons of Augsburg’s women’s hockey history, the Auggies have a 171-177-30 all-time record. A total of 150 players have competed as part of the Augsburg women’s hockey program in its first 15 seasons, all under head coach Jill Pohtilla. Pohtilla finished her career third among all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III women’s hockey coaches in career victories and 20th among all collegiate women’s hockey coaches in victories. Michelle McAteer was named the second head coach in program history in 2010. Hockey murals by Stephen Geffre Fall 2010 17 She loves being an Auggie… Many who make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela today take a scallop shell from the beaches of Galicia, where St. James is buried, to commemorate their journey. The shells served as the medieval equivalent of a water bottle for travelers and became a symbol of the route. Martha Stortz, however, did not keep a souvenir when she made the pilgrimage. At the occasion of her inauguration as the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, Augsburg gifted her with a shell and a painting of the apostle James by Peter Brandes [background]. Brandes calls St. James the “pilgrims’ apostle.” BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 18 Augsburg Now Meet Martha Stortz Shortly after she settled into her new home in Minneapolis, Martha Stortz (she prefers to be called Marty) did four things: she became a member of the Seward Co-op, she joined the Midtown YWCA, she took her bicycle in for “retooling” at the Hub, and she took herself on walking tours of the Seward, Longfellow, and Downtown East neighborhoods. And those activities, along with a genuine love for the city and an infectious enthusiasm for Augsburg’s mission, are what make her a true Auggie. Stortz came to Augsburg this summer as the second Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. She succeeds David Tiede, who retired and subsequently took a position as interim president of Wartburg Theological Seminary. The Christensen Chair holds multiple responsibilities including teaching in the Religion Department, serving as counsel to the president and Board of Regents, and chairing the advisory council for the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. Furthermore, the chair plays a fundamental role in the interpretation and advancement of Augsburg’s institutional vocation, its calling as a college. Stortz says she is honored to be at Augsburg and excited about her role in the College’s work. “I was quite taken with everything that you’re doing,” she says. “I love this city. This is a college in and for and with the city.” Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow says Stortz’ appointment affirms Augsburg’s vision and direction. “I am grateful for the experience and wisdom Professor Stortz brings to this important position, and for the leadership she will provide as we continue to explore what it means to be a Lutheran college in the city,” he says. Stortz served as a member of the core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and taught for 29 years at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She is an acclaimed scholar, teacher, and leader in the realms of the church, academia, and society at large. Her interest in the Christian pilgrimage has been an important part of Stortz’ personal and scholarly life. She has hiked part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the Way of St. James, in Spain. She and a colleague have also joined two groups—one in El Salvador and another in Mexico City—as they explore post-modern “pilgrimages” through educational immersion experiences. Though some might question her move from California to Minnesota, from theological education to higher education, and from seminary to college, Stortz feels as though she’s called to be at Augsburg and to bring her connections, an eagerness to share the College’s story with the community, and a commitment to her position. She believes that her experience in circles of theological education and religion and education will bring some meaningful connections to Augsburg. “I’m very enthusiastic about what’s going on here, and I think my key role is to make sure everyone knows what is going on.” “I’m eager to communicate Augsburg’s vision and its sense of a living and lively tradition that is engaged with the city, the community, and the world. I’ve been a writer, speaker, and teacher, and I would now harness those gifts in service of the College’s vocation.” When questioned about her decision, Stortz says, “I say to my friends, ‘You don’t know the Twin Cities, you don’t know how exciting it is to have colleagues in other disciplines and how vibrant those multidisciplinary conversations can be, and you don’t know Augsburg.’” Fall 2010 19 Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation Inaugural Address EXCERPTS FROM MARTHA STORTZ’ INAUGURAL ADDRESS, “LOCATION, LOCATION, VOCATION” “Tell me the landscape you inhabit, and I will tell you who you are.” —Jose Ortega y Gassett However much we claim space, making it our own, space also claims us, telling us who we are. Location shapes identity and gives the people who inhabit it a distinctive vocation or calling. Like the Irish monks, we too live accordingly. I want to look at three dimensions of Augsburg’s location—physical, historical, and spiritual—and probe how it shapes a vocation or calling that is distinctive to this College. Physical location … Augsburg is a college in, with, and for the city … [its] urban location is now central to the College’s identity. The Christensen Center and Memorial Hall do not square off an academic quadrangle; rather, the space between them opens to a public park. The plan for the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion … does not feature a closed quad; rather, it imitates the freeway. As the freeway enables crosstown traffic between the cities, so this new building opens to the neighborhood; it invites cross-campus traffic and cross-disciplinary conversation. Historical location The College was founded by the Free Church Norwegian Lutheran immigrants who settled in the Cedar Riverside area in the mid1800s—and never forgot that they’d been strangers in a strange land … Consonant with that history, the College has welcomed the various immigrant groups that make up this neighborhood: Hmong, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean. Moreover, Augsburg consistently saw itself as an institution of higher learning that provided access and excellence to students who simply couldn’t pay higher fees of other private schools. At times when it would have made more financial sense to go after wealthier families and their children, Augsburg elected to be faithful to its historic base. Spiritual location A tradition is not a museum piece, but a lively argument with the past, and throughout its history, Augsburg has loved a good fight. Incarnation and the neighbor stand as signal emphases of this tradition, the first witnessing to the fact that God entered the human condition—to the max. At its best, Lutheranism is a tradition that has always leaned into the neighbor, always learned from the neighbor, and always looked to the neighbor to supply that unexpected bolt of grace that makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). The Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning In the spring of 2002, the Lilly Endowment, Inc. awarded Augsburg College a $2 million grant to expand the College’s commitment to connecting faith and learning. As a result, Augsburg developed and implemented the Exploring Our Gifts program. After four years of successful programming (2002-2006), the Lilly Endowment awarded Augsburg a generous sustainability grant, matched by the College, to help support the project for an additional three years (2006-2009). As a direct result of the success and positive impact of Exploring Our Gifts, Augsburg College is committed to continuing this important work beyond the life of the Lilly grant. To this end, the College has created the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning (ACFL) to embody and build upon the convictions at the heart of Augsburg’s educational mission: “… to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” The work of the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning is guided by the lessons of Bernhard M. Christensen, president of Augsburg from 1938 to 1962. Christensen taught that: • Christian faith liberates minds and lives • Diversity strengthens vital communities • Interfaith friendships enrich learning • The love of Christ draws us to God • We are called to service in the world The Center’s work focuses on three areas of activity: 1. Student and alumni engagement—Supporting discovery and development of talents and gifts, discernment of vocation, and exploration of calling 2. Faculty and staff leadership—Developing curricular and programmatic offerings to guide the theological exploration of vocation 3. Public witness and outreach—Promoting Augsburg’s leadership in the pursuit and realization of individual and institutional calling For more information about the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning, or to read the full inaugural address and other presentations from the 2010 Christensen Symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 20 Augsburg Now Sammie Guck, Christensen Scholar WHEN SENIOR SAMMIE GUCK sees another Christensen Scholar on campus, she greets them with a simple but reverent, “Scholar.” “It’s just our way of acknowledging each other when we are out in the world,” Guck says. Guck is one of 10 students involved in the Christensen Scholar program. Named for Bernhard Christensen, Augsburg’s president from 1938 to 1962, the year-long seminar helps students explore the Lutheran concept of vocation and define their own calling. Every year 10 junior or senior students are selected for the Christensen Scholar program, which is sponsored by the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. The heart of the program is a monthly three-hour seminar devoted to texts drawn from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Authors include biblical texts, Augustine, Luther, and Flannery O'Connor. Topics can range from religious pluralism to the art of prayer. A philosophy major and religion minor, Guck says she appreciates the discussion-based seminar and the free exchange of ideas that happens among the scholars. “It’s not a professor saying, ‘Let me tell you what you should know.’” She adds that the scholars, who represent several different faith traditions, are very respectful of each other’s ideas and backgrounds. “It’s a great environment to share and explore,” she says. Guck says she is having a “senior year vocational crisis.” She met with religion professor Mark Tranvik, who leads the scholar seminar, to discuss the idea of vocation. “I grew up Catholic, so I have a different understanding of vocation than the Lutheran concept,” she says. Together Guck and Tranvik explored different ways that a person of faith can live out his or her vocation. “I realized that vocation doesn’t have to be one set thing, it can always be changing,” she says. Guck was considering graduate school but does not think she will begin immediately after graduation. Instead, she is looking into other ways that she can express her vocation through a career in editing or publishing. Whether she’s pursuing her master’s degree or working in a publishing house, two things are fairly certain for this Auggie. One—even after she graduates from Augsburg, she will continue to discern what her vocation is and how to make it a part of her life. And two—if she sees another Christensen Scholar walking down the street, they are sure to greet each other with the brief acknowledgement of the conversations they had at Augsburg. 21 Augsburg Now Fall 2010 21 Understanding healthcare R E F O R M BY BETSEY NORGARD On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It’s complex, difficult-to-understand legislation and is the product of an extremely contentious political process. On October 15, at its fifth public policy forum, Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a forum to decode and discuss the challenges and opportunities this legislation presents for Minnesota and the nation—that is, how the current healthcare system will change. The symposium was moderated by retired U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo and presented speakers who are leaders in the healthcare field. Donna Zimmerman, senior vice president of government and community relations at HealthPartners in Minneapolis, addressed the overall scope of the law and focused on the impact of provisions concerning changes to insurance coverage. “It is a major task to think about how to explain this major piece of legacy legislation our Congress has passed,” Zimmerman said. “I’ll try to demystify this big bill, and focus on what’s important for us in Minnesota.” Her presentation explained various provisions of the act that have already taken effect or are being phased in shortly; for example, extension of benefits to dependent children up to age 26, adding more preventive care without costsharing by consumers, and prohibition on insurance denial to children under age 19 for pre-existing conditions. Dr. Sanne Magnan, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, spoke about changes to health care itself and the interface with Vision Minnesota, Min- Demystifying the new healthcare legislation was the focus of the Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium on October 15. Panelists were (L to R) Martin Sabo ’59, moderator; Donna Zimmerman, HealthPartners; Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Department of Health; and Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, Community Health Innovations, Inc. nesota’s reform passed in 2008. Her message was that the federal reforms will not have as radical an effect in Minnesota as in some states because Minnesota’s quality and delivery of health care are already consistently higher than in many states. She spoke about how Minnesota is coordinating with federal initiatives to influence how health reform is implemented, “so that we can build on the innovative strategies Minnesota has been doing as well as learn from other states who have been doing health reform.” She compared provisions for reform in the new federal law with similar provisions in Vision Minnesota and showed how a number of them are already being implemented in this state. Magnan also explained that much of the difficulty in enacting reform stems from how the current healthcare system was set up. The incentives and payments for health care are made to doctors and providers for treatment of illness, and not for promotion and maintenance of health. Payment is made for office visits, hospitalization, tests, procedures, and drugs, rather than for better management of chronic disease, prevention, and promotion of wellness. Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, president of Community Health Innovators, Inc. and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, spoke about his longtime work to seek reform in the healthcare delivery system to provide everyone with easy access to a team of healthcare professionals who can provide comprehensive care at lower costs. Amundson offered a vision of the optimal healthcare model (see next page) that focuses on a team approach to ongoing, primary care in clinics, which includes clinical care as well as services in other areas that affect health. These clinics or “medical homes” must then be part of, or connected to, a system that includes specialty-care and hospital and emergency services. Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium 2010 Healthcare Reform: What Will It Mean for You (and the Nation)? October 15, 2010 Panel Participants: DONNA ZIMMERMAN, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations, HealthPartners DR. SANNE MAGNAN, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60, President, Community Health Innovations, Inc., and Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine MARTIN SABO ’59, Moderator; U.S. House of Representatives, 1978–2006 HEALTHCARE 22 Augsburg Now To see the slides from these presentations and view the video of the symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now E BY DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60 What is ideal healthcare delivery? The recent health reform legislation primarily focuses on helping more people get health insurance and on addressing some insurance injustices. It does not systematically address delivery system reform—how you receive health care—but elements of the act do support ongoing reform efforts. To understand this, you must have a clearer picture of what clinical and healthcare leaders see as a “reformed delivery system” and what we have been working towards—for years. Within the past few years a growing agreement has emerged on what an optimal delivery system should look like, both to be able to provide excellent and comprehensive care and to reduce costs. These are the key elements: First, your health care must be anchored by primary care clinicians—physicians (family practice, general internal medicine, pediatricians), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This ensures that you have a personal ongoing relationship with a clinician who is the “general contractor” for your health issues and who is your trusted partner. Second, you should be part of a clinic or system that provides a “medical home” with your primary clinician. Your medical home must serve as the first stop for ANY health issues that arise, short of critical emergencies. Further, your medical home should have: • An electronic health record to ensure immediate access to your history for all who treat you wherever they are located • More convenient access to your clinicians—same-day appointments, expanded hours, e-mail to your clinicians • Management of all referrals to specialists and other services you may need, ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication • Systematic management of common chronic diseases • Case management for people with complex and/or multiple health issues including monitoring of prescription drugs • Healthcare teams to expand clinical competency and services The emergence of primary care teams is one of the most important developments in recent years. I would describe the “optimal primary care team” as comprised of: • Primary care clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) • Mental health clinician • Social worker with family therapy skills • Nurse case manager for patients with complex conditions • Chronic disease care nurse • Patient educator • Pharmacist • Physical therapist or massage therapist Research has shown that with this range of skills a clinic or medical home can competently handle 80% or more of the health problems that it receives. It can care for the whole person and meet total needs. This is a radical change, but examples of this model now exist across the country. The third component is that every clinic or medical home must be part of an organized system of care that includes most specialty physicians, hospital and ER services, and other important services. If not within the same organization, at least there must be formal ties and relationships between the medical home and these other elements of a comprehensive healthcare system. Because our human condition is complex, people are affected by physical issues, mental health problems, family dysfunction, substance abuse, environmental exposures— and often a combination or all of the above. Clinical care is, therefore, also very complex if it is going to be relevant to the person’s needs and holistic in its aims. The combination of knowledge and skills represented in the optimal team described above brings the healthcare delivery system closer in alignment with human needs, with the foundation being “relationship-based” (versus “diseaseoriented”) care. The reform legislation recognizes the work by clinicians and leaders in defining what we seek as health reform goals. While it does not fundamentally change the current healthcare delivery system, it supports clinician-led reform by: • Recognizing the role of primary care clinicians and increasing financial support for training them • Providing bonus payments for care management of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees when needed • Providing financial incentives for establishing organized systems of care • Expanding wellness and preventive coverage in insurance plans • Funding research on the clinical effectiveness of various treatments • Creating a Center of Innovation The legislation is not radical. It builds on our current private insurance and delivery systems. It may not be able to address cost issues, but it does represent a huge step toward ensuring universal insurance coverage and a more effective delivery system. It also must be seen as a move to narrow the gap between healthcare “haves” and “have nots.” While there’s an immense amount of work ahead, it’s critical to understand that for clinicians and most healthcare leaders, there is no turning back. The whiff of something better, a humanizing system, is in the air and a national reform process is underway. I could not be more hopeful. Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60 is president of Community Health Innovations, Inc. in Shoreline, Wash. Fall 2010 23 Reflection by Adam Spanier ’12, film and English major Reflection by Khalid Adam ’12, economics major and Sabo Scholar I do not plan on becoming a doctor, a pharmacist, or anything else in the medical field, and I am no expert regarding topics like health insurance. Yet, the new healthcare system will affect me and everyone else in this country. In today’s tense political climate of rumored complete government takeover, socialized medicine, and “death panels,” misinformation consumes the media. This is precisely why it is important to sift out all of the ridiculous rumors and myths of the new healthcare bill in order to find some truth and understanding. And this is precisely why events like the Sabo healthcare symposium are important. As a Sabo Scholar, but perhaps more importantly, as an ill-informed citizen, I attended the Sabo healthcare symposium. Fortunately, the symposium panelists were all qualified experts of health care; there was no dumbing down or oversimplification of the topic as is evident on the 24-hour news channels. There was a bit of information I did not fully comprehend; however, I can safely admit that I walked away from the symposium knowing much more about the topic. Fortunately, it’s comforting to know that the very people I will directly depend on for my medical needs were involved in this discussion—doctors, nurses, health professionals, and other people involved in the medical field participated in the symposium. Events such as the Sabo healthcare symposium are exactly what this country needs right now. We need to stop arguing and have more conversations. Similar events are important because it will bring us together to better understand complex topics, and it will allow us to make more informed decisions in the future. So just why has health care spending gone out of control in the U.S., consuming nearly a sixth of gross domestic product (GDP) spending in 2008? Liberals say it’s the health insurance companies’ greed and the government’s inability to contain costs and to regulate the employer market for health insurance. Meanwhile, conservatives argue that it’s too much regulation, citing the growing budgets of government welfare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. They also cite overuse of healthcare resources as the main problem, making the problem of health care a “volume-control issue.” Despite these differing viewpoints, a few observations are unarguably universal: • The science of health care has advanced rapidly in the last 60 years, which has affected prices of medical inputs. • The increased health costs, outpacing growth in GDP, have adverse effects on the economic outcomes on industries with large percentage of workers with ESI (Employer Sponsored Insurance); this results in the loss of output and a de facto loss of jobs in those industries. • The current trend in the growth of per capita GDP spent on health care is unsustainable in the long term. Health spending in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the course of the past 50 years, from $27.5 billion in 1960 to $912.6 billion in 1993, and to a mind-boggling $2.4 trillion in 2008. It is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2017. To read more of Adam’s paper from his research on healthcare costs, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Reflection by Phong Le ’13 PA As a first year physician assistant (PA) student, I’m usually busy studying and spending any spare time with my family. Thus I’m afraid to admit I’ve not kept up with the latest news. I attended the 2010 healthcare reform symposium hoping to gain a better understanding of the reform and how it will impact my future as a PA. According to the HealthPartners presenter, the reform will increase insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans. Thus, demand for care will greatly exceed the supply of doctors. In addition, there is also pressure to find a high value but low cost delivery system. According to Dr. Bruce Amundson, these factors have led to a consensus of a team approach in which PAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) will largely fill the demand gap while still able to keep costs low. I was feeling pretty good about my job prospects as I listened to the presenters. However, numerous questions began to emerge as I thought beyond graduation. How far will the trickle-down effect from doctors to PAs and NPs to nurses to healthcare technicians go to increase care volume while decreasing cost? Will money dictate the quality or type of care I provide? Will I be forced to choose between quantity and quality daily? I left the symposium with more questions than answers. One thing I do know for sure is that the reform will happen whether we like it or not, and I believe that any movement toward increased access to care is great. However we should proceed with caution and responsibility to ensure we don’t compromise the quality of care in the process. This drives me to stay informed and involved so that, hopefully, we PAs as a group can help to shape and guide this inevitable health reform. HEALTHCARE 24 Augsburg Now Celebrating our SUCCESS BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 At Augsburg College, we don’t have a lot of traditions. Sure, we have Homecoming every year, and we’ve marked the holiday season with Advent Vespers for the past 30 years. But there’s no annual canceling of classes so that students can go to a local park to hear bands and eat bratwurst. President Pribbenow doesn’t trade places with a student for a day every year. And though we have some important athletic rivalries, none are so longstanding that the matchups attract fans far and wide. There is one thing, however, that Augsburg has done quite well for a long time: we are very adept at the Lutheran Scandinavian practice of not boasting about our accomplishments. Now, after years of celebrating achievements with an occasional internal announcement or a round of applause during daily chapel, we’ve decided it is time for our practice of humility to change. Fall 2010 25 Shift in expectations In the past, Augsburg’s tendency toward humility has kept our students from applying for national scholarships or to graduate school. But that trend is changing, thanks in part to the work of one woman—Dixie Shafer. As director of Augsburg’s office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), Shafer gives pep talks, takes her trademark green pen to students’ personal statements, and shepherds them through the often daunting graduate school application process. For a small, private college, Augsburg has an impressive résumé of national fellowships and scholarships. In 2010 alone, four Augsburg students were awarded Fulbright scholarships, bringing the total to nine awardees in the last four years, and Augsburg was recently named to The Chronicle of Higher Education list of top Fulbright-producing schools. Five students received Gilman scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year, and in 2009 one Augsburg student became the seventh Auggie to receive a Goldwater scholarship. And in 2008, lest we forget, Augsburg added its first Rhodes Scholar to the list of student achievements. Shafer’s work involves helping students conduct faculty-led research during the summer and school year, advising on the graduate and professional school application process, and helping students apply for fellowships and national competitions. In general, Shafer says she sees students who don’t believe they can be competitive at a national level. “I rarely meet a student who thinks that,” she adds. “We have a pretty humble group of students.” But she acknowledges the slow cultural 26 Augsburg Now Dixie Shafer, URGO director, holds a “bouquet” given to her by Brian Krohn ’08. Krohn fashioned the flowers from drafts of his Rhodes application essays. shift in expectations. “We have more students applying for national fellowships and more receiving them, and that allows others to know that they can do it.” Not just for elite schools Katie MacAulay ’08 was one of the humble students Shafer typically meets. In her junior year, she was studying abroad in Argentina and read a story about two Augsburg students who received Fulbright fellowships. “I had assumed it was a fellowship of the elite schools, one in which a smalltown, Midwestern girl with a relatively average résumé would be of little competition,” she says. But the article in- spired MacAulay, and she made an appointment to meet with Shafer on the day she returned to Augsburg. “Dixie handed me the Fulbright information book and told me to decide whether or not I was serious about applying. As she put it, ‘Once you start, there’s no turning back.’” MacAulay says her desire to apply was motivated out of curiosity to test her beliefs about Fulbrights being only for students from “prestigious” schools and to challenge personal feelings of inadequacy. “Dixie helped me realize that, although I maybe didn’t feel like I had the background, I certainly had the foreground.” Through the application process, MacAulay says, “I realized that your socioeconomic status and upbringing don’t play as large of a role in defining who you are and what you become.” That insight inspired her to stop feeling inadequate in comparison to others and gave her the motivation to challenge her own boundaries. In November, MacAulay completed a 10-month grant as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Terengganu, Malaysia. She says it has been the best experience of her life and a gift that will continue to benefit her in the future. “I am of the opinion that you can never have too many options. Be realistic about yourself, but don’t doubt your own uniqueness and abilities,” MacAulay says. She encourages other Augsburg students to apply for national fellowships and programs and to challenge their own ideas about being competitive at a national level. Educating the whole person Tina (Quick) Sandy ’08 is another student whose path was guided by Shafer’s counsel and by the gentle insistence of a few determined history professors. A first-generation student who says she almost didn’t come to Augsburg, Sandy is in her third year at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. At the end of her second year at Augsburg, Sandy saw a poster advertising the URGO summer research program. This program provides a stipend and housing for students who spend 200-400 hours of their summer conducting research under the supervision of a faculty member. To apply to the program, students must submit a research proposal. Sandy was reading the poster just days before the application was due. She had been taking a history class from Michael Lansing. “He pulled me aside one day and asked if I had consid- Tina Sandy ’08 is a third-year student at William Mitchell College of Law. ered a history major,” Sandy said. So she went to Lansing about the summer program, and the two of them drafted her proposal. That summer Sandy researched the history of the Ku Klux Klan movement in the Midwest, a project that led her specifically to document Klan activities in 1922 in Minneapolis. Throughout the entire project she worked closely with Lansing, especially on writing her final report. “He totally changed my ability to write,” Sandy says. “His red pen shaped my experience, and it served me well.” As a law student, Sandy says she feels much more confident in her writing abilities than some of her classmates who did not receive the same direction and support in their undergraduate programs. In her third year of college, Sandy began considering her plans beyond college with the encouragement of Lansing, history professor Jacqui deVries, and political science professor Joe Underhill. Sandy was considering law school. “We discussed her potential and then rallied the wagons to get her to think about her options,” Lansing said. He recalls that perhaps he tried to be too persuasive at times. “We wanted to see Tina set her sights wide because we knew that she had the potential to go to any institution. We wanted to see that for her because we knew that she could really shine.” “There were a lot of opinions in my ear about what I should do,” Sandy says. That’s when she went to visit Shafer. “She threw a lot of different ideas at me … ideas that opened my mind.” But Sandy says she had a “gut feeling” about law school. She wanted to stay in Minnesota to be close to her family and to her future husband, fellow Auggie Sama Sandy ’08. Because the law school application process requires significant time as well as money, Sandy opted to apply to one school only, something most students are encouraged not to do. The easy part was making the decision; the application process was another story altogether. She needed to study for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), pass it, and submit the necessary application materials, including several letters of recommendation and a personal summary, by the deadline. This she did while taking classes, working, and trying to have something of a social life. Sandy says Shafer was by her side through the entire experience. “She really ended up being my encourager and sidekick.” As a first-generation student, Sandy appreciated the support of someone who knew the process but also understood her own personal background. As Tina Sandy’s story illustrates, both faculty and staff can be instrumental in a student’s success. Lansing says that as a professor, he feels that he is called to educate the whole person. “I think that’s the point of a small college, thinking of a young person not just as a student but as a person becoming who they are. You want the very best for them.” Discovering and meeting challenges Melissa Robertson ’10 is another first-generation student who benefited from the support of faculty who saw her potential and persuaded her to go outside of her comfort zone. Their encouragement helped her meet the challenges of college and discover new opportunities. Robertson’s first year of college presented the common challenges of balancing school work and social life. She struggled, and her grades reflected that. But in her second year she became more serious about school as she focused on the natural sciences and mathematics. As she got to know her professors, they saw promise in her and directed her to study and research opportunities. “Dale Fall 2010 27 28 Augsburg Now school, work, and personal issues, Robertson says there were many times she wanted to give up and put off graduate school for a year. “But I told myself to keep on with the help of mentors, friends, family, and counseling support. I thought if I didn’t get in to any programs or didn’t like the places, at least I would have tried.” She applied to five programs, both master’s and doctoral in biostatistics and biology, and she was accepted to all five. Currently Robertson is studying on a full scholarship in the molecular biosciences program at Montana State University in Bozeman. From first day to graduation day There is more to student success than national scholarships and fellowships. For some students, whether they are 18 or 38 years old, the greatest achievement is simply to have arrived at Augsburg. In fall 2010, Augsburg welcomed the largest first-year class and the largest graduate school class in the College’s history. Within this student body is the potential for many stories of students who overcame the odds to get to college and to obtain a degree. Augsburg has an impressive history of assisting students who might not otherwise be successful in college—first-generation students including children of immigrant families, students in recovery from addiction, students with cognitive disabilities as well as physical disabilities, and nontraditional-aged students who are returning to college to complete a degree. Rich Osborn is an older-than-average student who found success through Augsburg’s weekend program. At the age of 69, Osborn completed his first bachelor’s degree and was one of the oldest Augsburg for Adults students to graduate. Read his story at http://bit.ly/djx2nN. Not only is Augsburg attracting a larger student body—the College is keeping students and helping them persist to graduation. Augsburg can boast an impressive 86% retention rate in the day college program from fall 2009 to fall 2010. That is an increase of 3% from last year and significantly higher than the national average of 73% for four-year private colleges and universities. All of this success is reason for Augsburg to celebrate and to share the stories of student success. Whether it’s the announcement of another Fulbright recipient, a National Science Foundation grant, or publication in a scholarly journal, these stories serve as inspiration and motivation for other Auggies to pursue their goals. Melissa Robertson ’10 is completing a master's degree in molecular biosciences at Montana State University. Kelly Gorham/MSU Pederson and Matt Haines suggested I think about biostatistics, a field that would combine biology and math. I knew I would have to go to graduate school, but at that point I hadn’t even thought about it,” she says. In the summer before her junior year, Robertson participated in a short-term study program to examine the biodiversity and environmental politics of New Zealand. She also conducted research with biology professor David Crowe in the URGO summer research program. “I was new to that type of research, but I was ready and willing to learn,” she says. “David was a very good mentor, always willing to help and always told me when I was doing a great job.” The URGO program presented a new challenge for Robertson, who says she was shy and had extreme anxiety about giving presentations. “Giving reports about my research in front of my fellow URGO people during roundtable discussions was awful for me,” she says, “and I didn’t even want to think about the final oral presentation.” But working with Crowe gave Robertson the confidence in herself as a scientist and a scholar. Shafer recalls the change she saw in Robertson throughout the summer and her enthusiasm about presenting her research in a graduate school interview. “To see her go from this quiet girl who could barely talk with other students to graduate school … what an accomplishment.” Robertson continued her research with Crowe during the academic year and also began, with Shafer’s help, the process of applying to graduate school. Between AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 2009-2010 Fall 2010 29 DEAR FRIENDS, This past year has been an extraordinary one for Augsburg College. Despite continued challenges in the economy, through the generosity and good work of the entire Augsburg community, we closed the fiscal year with a solid financial performance and entered the 2010-2011 academic year with a record number of students in our day, weekend, and graduate programs. While these achievements are significant, it is your ongoing and steadfast support for the education of our students that is most gratifying. As a college, we believe we are called to serve our neighbor, and I am humbled by and grateful for the Augsburg alumni, family, and friends who join with us in pursuing this calling. Our new mission statement—adopted last spring following two years of rich conversation across the Augsburg community—makes a bold statement of our aspirations for our students: We educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Never in the history of this institution has the world had a greater need for future leaders with these abilities. And never before have your gifts been more important to ensuring that this education remains within reach for our growing and increasingly diverse community of students. As we continue to live out our mission and provide a uniquely Augsburg education—an education defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by our Lutheran faith and values, and shaped by our urban and global settings—I ask for your abiding engagement and support. Your gifts make possible an educational experience like no other—one that challenges our students to recognize and live out their individual callings and, through those efforts, make a lasting difference in our world. Sincerely, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW PRESIDENT 30 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 2009-2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Where the Money Comes From Where the Money Goes 5% Government grants 6% Other sources 4% Debt service 2% 3% Equipment and capital improvement Student salary 4% 3% Private gifts and grants Utilities 12% Room and board 44% 24% Salary and benefits Financial aid 73% Tuition 20% Other $34.5 2010 Endowment Market Value May 31, 2010 $28,641,248 $30.5 $28.6 $26.7 $26.6 As of May 31, 2010, we have annual realized and unrealized gains of 14.65% on our endow$23.2 ment. Our five-year average annual return on $20.0 the endowment is 1.20% and the 10-year average annual return is 1.18%. We $16.4 are committed to maintaining $14.2 the value of principal gifts and to provide support to the $11.5 College in perpetuity. 1995 $33.7 1996 1997 1998 1999 $26.2 $25.4 $24.8 $22.7 $23.3 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Endowment Assets (in millions) June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2010 Fall 2010 31 SCHOLARSHIPS Gratitude On April 25, nearly 300 people, including donors, faculty, staff, and scholarship students gathered to celebrate gifts from the Augsburg community that make an Augsburg education possible for many students. Donors enjoyed the opportunity to meet the students who receive their scholarships. During 2009-10, 716 gifts to scholarships totaled over $529,000. Eight new scholarships were started last year: • L. Gracia Christensen English Scholarship • Inez Olson Schwarzkopf English Scholarship • Hazel Stoeckeler Art Scholarship • Judith (Olson) Nelson Health and Physical Education Scholarship • Jorgensen Sethre general scholarship • Dr. Lowell and Janice Kleven Scholarship for pre-medicine • Leonard and Winifred Leifgren Scholarship for students of color • Jerome and Winifred Formo Music Scholarship Simple Gifts Peter Miller graduated in May 2010 with a major in English and is the son of an ELCA pastor. He is now studying at Luther Seminary. Here are excerpts from his talk at the Scholarship Brunch on behalf of scholarship students. It is truly a gift to honor student success, engaged scholarship, and active citizenship knowing that each of these simple components is intertwined in my own story. This is a story about how simple gifts transform a community into a simple reality. … When I was a child, I used to love to listen to my mom play the dulcimer. She would play “Simple Gifts,” an old Shaker hymn while my brother and I would run around in the yard. ’Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free; ’Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in a place just right, It will be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gain’d, To bow and to bend we shall not be asham’d, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning and turning we come round right. As I recall my mom singing this song and my brother and I turning and turning until we were dizzy, I have come to value the message in these simple words. We celebrate the success of students because simple gifts are freeing, liberating, and life changing. Getting into college is a big deal and it changes you. As students are groomed in success, simple gifts allow us the freedom to engage fully in what we are learning and to develop into the leaders we ought to be, in a college that is just and right. With an Auggie-assemblage of strong leaders, 32 Augsburg Now we continue to build a neighborhood and a city of love and delight. And we, too, have an opportunity to invest in true simplicity where all people bow and bend and never are ashamed. Simple gifts spark the cycle toward a simple reality. I have seen the spark of a simple gift in the eyes of first-year students Peter Miller ’10 spoke on behalf of students at the as they acknowlScholarship Brunch. edge that Augsburg offers them more financial aid than any other school. And I have seen this simple reality come to life when a former scraping, struggling business major takes a few philosophy and religion classes and gets all 4.0s. I have watched it in a group of interfaith friends who never stand still long enough to watch the paint dry, whether they are doing service projects at a mosque down the street, a local church, or a nearby women’s center. That spark, that simple gift that I saw as an orientation leader, ignites a question—how do I become a part of this simple reality? But that was the spark in my eye, too, in the trust that somehow my family and the Augsburg community would help me afford a meaningful education and turn my gifts and theirs into something simple and beautiful. I had to turn from procrastination to participation in simple things like interfaith dialog, global carbon emission regulations, and ending poverty in Minnesota by 2020. I didn't say it was easy. I said it was simple. It is painting with a broad brush, or like we did at the mosque, with rollers and a taste for new colors. This is a simple reality. Ultimately, I believe the simplest gift is who we are and how we spend our time—the time to sing a song in the springtime, study hard, write a thank-you note, share a story, paint, or spare some change. I want to thank you all for your simple gifts and the countless hours you have given to Augsburg, for bowing and bending to the needs of this community and providing the spark for so many to be a part of this story. Together, we are a simple reality. ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 Scholarships for religion, campus ministry, and youth and family ministry The Augsburg community continues to keep the College’s roots as a seminary strong as it provides scholarship support to its students. More than 11% of the value of Augsburg’s endowment supports scholarships for students in religion, campus ministry, and youth and family ministry—a total of 36 scholarships (12% of the total number). Kou Lee is majoring in music and plays flute in the Augsburg Concert Band, the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra, and a woodwind chamber ensemble. His plans after graduation in 2011 are to pursue a graduate degree in music composition that will prepare him for a career as an orchestral director in a university—and hopefully return to Augsburg some day as a faculty member. He has a Hognander Scholarship for 2010-11. The scholarship brunch brought together nearly 300 donors and students to celebrate gifts from the Augsburg Community. A number of donors and recipients of these scholarships gathered at the Scholarship Brunch: (seated, L to R) Carl Vaagenes ’50, Ruth Vaagenes, Dora (Frojen) Quanbeck ’49; (behind them, L to R) Jessica Fanaselle ’10, Sarah Korbel ’12, Emily Wiles ’10, Peter Miller ’10, Morris Vaagenes Jr. ’51, Professor Karl Jacobson, Professor Hans Wiersma, Whitney Holman ’10, Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50, Harris Lee ’57, Ivory Phung ’13, and Maryon Lee. The Sven Oftedal Society exemplifies the legacy of this early Augsburg president whose leadership and commitment to the growth of Augsburg Seminary secured the financial future of the College. By reaching out to those who shared Augsburg’s vision of providing an education not only for its immigrant Norwegian preachers, but also for everyday people—teachers, farmers, and neighbors in the city growing around Augsburg—he ensured that Augsburg’s students would become responsible citizens and leaders in whatever they chose to do. Planned giving offers a variety of possibilities to provide significant financial benefit to the College while also providing continued income to its donors. Donors and their families can plan with their financial advisors and the College to determine what kind of gift plan (cash gifts, securities, stocks, and others) can be designed to recognize the donor’s commitment to the College and still serve their own financial needs. Planned gifts can be made outright or deferred into the future. For many alumni, families, and friends who are grateful for the education and experience of Augsburg in their lives but have no heirs, planned giving can help them ensure future students receive that same education. Fall 2010 33 I ’ M A N A U G G I E — The Augsburg Fund Your gifts to The Augsburg Fund help to ensure that Augsburg College can continue to support students and give them the opportunity to make the world a better place. What makes you an Auggie? Why do you give? Make a gift and share your story at www.augsburg.edu/auggie. Alex Gonzalez ’90 What makes me an Auggie? I’m an Auggie because of athletics and being a member of the football team. A lot of the close friendships I have are from sports, and I love to bring my kids back and see the games. And I met my wife here—you can’t get much more important than that! Beyond that, faith is a big part of what makes me an Auggie. What I’ve learned at Augsburg, I have carried forward with service to the world through my congregation and in the community. Why do I give? Augsburg has been such an important part of forming who I am, and I want to give back. Serving as a regent is a small way of helping to ensure that this institution continues to make an impact on other people’s lives. I give because I think it’s important to support the unique Augsburg experience. An Augsburg degree has a specific intention behind it—of service to the community. It’s a holistic foundation to approaching life in the world. 34 Augsburg Now Maria Mitchell Helgerson ’07 and Erik Helgerson ’06 What makes us Auggies? We were both drawn to Augsburg by the feeling of community and the opportunity to know people and to be a part of something. We loved our four years here and the relationships we built. We want to keep them going, and we’re so grateful to the Young Alumni Association for helping us do that. Why do we give? We give to Augsburg because we know colleges can’t function just on tuition, and we know that our gifts will be used to better the community and to make a place that is important for others. Augsburg meant a lot to us personally, and giving back helps give opportunities to other students. I’M AN AUGGIE! ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 LIFETIME GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000, including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College. Anonymous (5) Helen and Ernest† Alne Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Catherine and Charles Anderson Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson Leona Radman Antholz ’41† Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold Earl and Doris Bakken Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Barbara and Zane Birky Carl Blegen† Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen Joyce and John† Boss Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Rodney and Barbara Burwell Bush Foundation Carlson Companies The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Oliver Dahl ’45 Theodore and Pamala Deikel Deluxe Corporation Foundation Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Tracy Elftmann ’81 Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri Raymond Erickson ’50† Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Philip and Laverne Fandrei Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo Jerry and Jean Foss Julian Foss ’30† William and Anne Frame Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund Barbara and Edwin Gage General Mills Foundation Michael ’71 and Ann Good Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Lynne and Phillip ’55† Gronseth Carolyn and Franklin Groves Norman and Evangeline Hagfors James and Kathleen Haglund Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka Hearst Foundation Loren Henderson Donald Hennings Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm Allen and Jean Housh Garfield Hoversten ’50 Lester Hoversten† Robert Hoversten Huss Foundation Glenda† and Richard Huston Sandra and Richard Jacobson James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Kinney Johnson ’65 Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Bruce and Maren Kleven David and Barbara Kleven E. Milton Kleven ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven Dean and Susan Kopperud Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn Harriett Kurek† Paul ’86 and Rhonda Spitzer ’85 Kwiecien David Lankinen ’88 Diane and Philip Larson George ’61 and Mary Larson Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee James Lindell Sr. ’46 Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Jennifer and Richard Martin Marie and Larry McNeff Gerard and Anne Meistrell Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer Robert ’70 and Sue Midness Gay Johnson ’66 Minear and Spencer Minear ’66 Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller William and Stephanie Naegele Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson George ’68 and Tamra Nelson Ida Nelson† Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Clifford and Martha Nylander† Robert Odegard ’51† R. Luther Olson ’56 Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren John and Norma Paulson Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson George† and Elizabeth† Pennock Glen Person ’47 Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Addison and Cynthia Piper David Piper Harry and Mary Piper Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Alan Rice Curtis and Marian Sampson Ward C.Schendel ’74 and Catherine L. B. Schendel Ruth Schmidt ’52† James and Eva Seed Rodney Sill ’82 John and Martha Singleton Glen and Anna Skovholt David Soli ’81 Paul† and Lorene† Steen Genevieve Stelberg† Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen and Clair Strommen ’46† Conrad Sunde ’15† Leland and Louise Sundet Dean ’81 and Amy Sundquist Helen Sverdrup† Johan Sverdrup† Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall Glen A. Taylor Foundation P. Dawn Heil ’78 Taylor and Jack Taylor† Teagle Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Andrew Urness† Robert Wagner ’02 Scott Weber ’79 Robert Wick ’81 Elsie Wildung† Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL and Glenn Fuller Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2010 35 PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2009 TO MAY 31, 2010 The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously made leadership gifts to the College of at least $1,000. Founders Society ($100,000 and above) President’s Council ($5,000 - $9,999) Anonymous (1) Donald ’53 and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren Dean ’81 and Amy Sundquist Anonymous (1) Steven and Stephanie Anderson Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden Stephen ’74 and Janet Blake Bruce Brekke Karim El-Hibri ’08 and Carley Meinert Richard and Dail Hartnack Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr O. C. Hognander, Jr. Michael and Barbara Hubbard Eric Jolly Craig Jones Cynthia Landowski ’81 Jones and Rick Jones Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Gay Johnson ’66 Minear and Spencer Minear ’66 Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Jeffrey ’77 and Becky Bjella ’79 Nodland Lisa Novotny ’80 and Mark Flaten Donald Olsen ’60 Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52 Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg Marilee Alne ’65 Schroeder and William Schroeder Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf Kurt Schwarzkopf Charles and Ritchie Scribner Gloria Steinem Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Regents’ Fellows ($50,000 - $99,999) Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Alvin John and Ruth Huss Regents’ Society ($25,000 - $49,999) Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Sandra and Richard Jacobson Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven Estate of Gertrude Larson ’35† Jennifer and Richard Martin Estate of Myrtle E. Pedersen Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre Estate of Olive Ronholm ’47† Hazel Stoeckeler President’s Executive Cabinet ($10,000 - $24,999) Anonymous (2) Andra Adolfson Richard ’72 and Tamara Ekstrand Tracy L. Elftmann ’81 Matthew Entenza and Lois Quam Philip and Jean Formo Michael ’71 and Ann Good H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Norman and Evangeline Hagfors James and Kathleen Haglund Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Hunt and Diane Harris Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans Douglas ’66 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson Esther Johnson ’50† James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy E. Milton Kleven ’46 Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Marie and Larry McNeff Allan Nelson Norma Noonan Glen Person ’47 Paul Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Eunice Kyllo ’62 Roberts and Warren Roberts Philip Rowberg ’41 Judith and William Scheide Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen Jean Taylor ’85 and Roger Griffith ’84 Dick ’61 and Jane Thompson Frances Torstenson Robert Wick ’81 John ’74 and Marvel Yager 36 Augsburg Now President’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999) Anonymous (2) Deloris Anderson ’56 Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Robert and Mary Crosby Oliver Dahl ’45 Mark and Margie Eustis Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Lisa Svac Hawks ’85 Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt Allen and Jean Housh John ’47 and Irene Jensen Carol Jones Cynthia Ellman ’80 Kneisl and Gregory Kneisl Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird Thomas and Kathy Langdon Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod and Christopher ’00 McLeod Dennis ’78 and Bev Ranum ’78 Meyer Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Beverly Omdahl ’55 Nelson Roselyn Nordaune ’77 R. Luther Olson ’56 Mary and William O’Meara Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Sandra Phaup ’64 Curtis and Marian Sampson John Schwartz ’67 Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott Stephen and Kay Sheppard Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Betty and Paul Tveite Jeremy and Tracy Wells David and Susan White Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz President’s Associates ($1,000 - $2,499) Anonymous (3) Ruth Aaskov ’53 Robert and Kristine Ackerman Kate Addo Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg Craig Alexander and Roberta Kagin James ’58 and Beverly Almquist Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Charles and Catherine Anderson Leif Anderson Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Sheila ’05 and Lee Anderson I. Shelby Gimse ’56 Andress Frank ’50 and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold Ann and Kenneth Ashton-Piper Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel John Berg ’59 Norman ’59 and Delores Berg Daryl N. Bible David and Nancy Bieging Birgit Birkeland ’58 Kathryn and Jim Bishop Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns David ’68 and Lynn Boe Thomas ’78 and Julie Bramwell Alan Braun Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and Tom Breckenridge Michael Brock Richard Brustad Aimee Brynildson ’69 Trechok-Peters and Wayne Peters ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98 Robert and Brenda Bukowski Carolyn Burfield ’60 Marion Buska ’46 Christine Coury ’91 Campbell and Craig Campbell Timothy Campbell Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson Carrie and Peter Carroll Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson John and Peggy Cerrito Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Judith Christensen C. Lee Clarke Margaret Clyde Joseph Cook ’89 Pamela Herzan ’81 Crowell and Dring Crowell George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Sally Hough ’79 Daniels Sigrid Kvenberg ’48 Daniels Christopher and Britt Dougall Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn and Douglas Dunn Karen ’81 and Charles Durant Beverly Durkee Julie Edstrom ’90 Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Judy Thompson ’65 Eiler Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Avis Ellingrod Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Mark and Lynette Engebretson Susan Engeleier Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson Stephen ’68 and Marilyn McKnight ’67 Erickson Duane Esterly ’75 L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem Allison Everett ’78 and Kenneth Svendsen ’78 Jennifer and Dean Eyler Barbara Farley Carol Fier Duncan Flann ’55 Bill and Carmel Fogerty Dawn Formo William and Anne Frame Andrew Fried ’93 Leola Dyrud ’61 Furman Barbara and Frederick Gaiser Timothy and Kristin Gamrath Susan Gangsei ’76 and Gerald Glaser Ann Garvey Glen ’52 and Irvyn Gilbertson Orval and Cleta Gingerich John and Carolyn Goddard John and Donde Goldfine Ellen and Merrill Golliet Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley Paul and Judy Grauer Charles and Barbara Green Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson Clarence Hansen ’53† Robert ’83 and Lynne Harris Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr David ’67 and Karen Jacobson ’67 Haugen Gloria Hawkinson Mark Hebert ’74 Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Raymond Henjum ’55 Bruce Holcomb ’90 and Caroline Vernon Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes Paul Holmquist ’79 Elizabeth Horton Phoebe Hough Jessica Houlding Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten Clarence Hoversten ’41 Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten Jerelyn Hovland-Cobb ’63 and Clyde Cobb Tom ’72 and Karen Howe Katherine Hoyland Barnett Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh Barbara and Michael Hubbard Glenda† and Richard Huston Brandon Hutchinson ’99 Deborah Hutterer ’99 and Gary Erickson Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Rebecca John Bruce Johnson ’68 Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61 Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Mark Johnson ’75 Merton ’59 and Jo An Bjornson ’58 Johnson William and Patricia Kelly Michael Kivley ’89 Linda Klas ’92 Michael Klutho and Jill Manske Elsie Ronholm ’49 Koivula Carmela Brown ’84 Kranz and David Kranz Robert Kyle Kathryn Lange ’72 and Dennis Sonifer George ’61 and Mary Larson Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Martin Larson ’80 Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson Patrick ’88 and Beth Lilja Brent Lofgren ’88 Dana Lonn Wenona Strandlie ’55 Lund and Norman Lund Thomas ’68 and Carol Batalden ’68 Luukkonen Marissa Hutterer ’99 Machado Mark Mahowold Kay Malchow ’82 and Stephen Cook Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue Donna McLean Jan and William Mershon Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers Joyce Schroepfer ’02 Miller Eileen and Grant Mitchell Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Thelma Monson ’41 Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Sharon Mortrud Van and Mildred Mueller Mildred Nelson ’52 Wedel Nilsen ’45 Robert Nordin ’64 Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53† Nyhus Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted Bruce L. Olson ’71 Lisa Bradshaw ’79 Olson and Joseph Black Wanda Warnes ’56 Olson and Ted Olson L. Beth Buesing ’45 Opgrand Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg Beverly Ottum Patricia Parker John and Norma Paulson Barbara Petersen Corwin and Doris Peterson Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Karin Peterson Ron ’69 and Jane Petrich Carol Pfleiderer Jake and Katrina Phillips Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck and Philip ’50 Quanbeck Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Laura and Martin Roller Frances Roller Rockey Kevin ’91 and Amy Ronneberg John ’77 and Gail Ronning Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Milo and Cynthia Schield Ruth Schmidt ’52† Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Milan ’48 and Marian Sedio Harold and Phyllis Seim Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Frankie and Jole Shackelford Michael and Pamela Sime David Soli ’81 John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Royal C. Steen David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson Donald† and Annelies Steinmetz Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel Sonya Steven Beverly and Thomas Stratton Leland and Louise Sundet Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Jo Anne Sylvester ’68 and Larry Dieckman Christine Szaj Harold and Maureen Thompson Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2010 37 Dolores Thornes David and Martha Tiede Beth Torstenson ’66 Carol Trotter Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford Peter Turner Catherine and Albert Van Der Schans Julie Lien Vanderboom ’82 and Steve Vanderboom Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth and Dennis Veiseth Peter and Linda Vogt Joan Volz ’68 Robert Wagner ’02 Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Ronald Wahlberg ’70 Douglas and Janet Watsabaugh Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw John ’49† and Arnhild Werket Diane Pike and Stephen Willett Patrick Wiltgen William Wittenbreer David and Catherine Wold Joyce Leifgren ’64 Young Lowell ’60 and Margery Ziemann ORGANIZATIONS GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2009 TO MAY 31, 2010 The following list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College of $1,000 or more in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. 3M Foundation Accenture Foundation Adolfson & Peterson Construction Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Ameriprise Financial Amgen Foundation A’viands Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP F.R. Bigelow Foundation Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Bonner Foundation Bush Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation CollegeNet Data Recognition Corporation Dow Corning Corporation Drusilla Farwell Foundation Ecolab Foundation Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Fund Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Faegre & Benson Fairview Hospital Alumni Association H.B. Fuller Company Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation General Mills Foundation GMAC-RFC Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett Gray Wolf Ranch, Inc. Hearst Foundation Highland Prairie Speech and Debate Booster Club HJ, Inc. Hognander Family Foundation Huss Foundation Nilan Johnson Lewis W.K. Kellogg Foundation Kentron Foundation Kettering Foundation James G. Lindell Fund of the St. Paul Foundation Mary T. Inc McGough Foundation McKnight Foundation Merck Partnership For Giving Minnesota Private College Foundation Minnesota Debate Teachers Association Minnesota Department of Revenue Ms. Foundation for Women, Inc. My Sports Dreams, LLC Network for Good The New York Academy of Medicine Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust Northwest Area Foundation Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation Play-More Travel, Inc. PLH Foundation Presser Foundation Running All Over Addiction Schwab Charitable Fund Sheltering Arms Foundation St. Paul Public Schools Surdna Foundation, Inc. Target Foundation Target Community Relations TCF Foundation Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundation Twin Cities Orthopedics Foundation US Bancorp Foundation Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation Janet Watson Donor Advised Fund of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Wells Fargo Bank Winds Of Peace Foundation Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Zapevent, LLC S V E N O F T E D A L S O C I E T Y , Supporting Augsburg’s mission into the future The following list recognizes new members who have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College during the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Anonymous (3) Mr. Joseph Black and Dr. Lisa Olson Oliver Dahl ’45 Roger L. Fisher Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Donald J. and Sonja S. Hagestuen Rodney (Rock) A. and Jane M. Helgeson Allen and Jean Housh 38 Augsburg Now Lorna L. Hoversten Esther Johnson ’50† Gertrude Amundson ’35 Larson† Karla Krogsrud Miley Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Myrtle Pedersen Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Paul Rensted ’87 Olive Ronholm ’47 David G. Soli Hazel Thorson Stoick Stoeckeler Robert E. and Margaret H. Twiton Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Bill Wittenbreer Lisa Zeller ’81,’89 MAL and Glenn Fuller ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 CONSECUTIVE GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years. Consecutive Giving, 30 years or more: Ruth Aaskov ’53 Harold ’47† and Lois Black ’47 Ahlbom Kenneth ’61 and Marilyn Ellingson ’62 Akerman Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Raymond and Margaret Anderson Kristin Anderson Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Catherine and Charles Anderson I. Shelby Gimse ’56 Andress Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker Andrew ’50 and Barbara Kolden ’50 Balerud Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden John Benson ’55 Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel Doris Frojen ’51 Bretheim Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson James ’49 and Barbara Ekse ’48 Carlson Linda Carlstedt ’63 Joyce Catlin ’73 Casey and Paul Casey David ’72 and Michelle Karkhoff ’72 Christianson Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Leonard ’52 and Anabelle Hanson ’51 Dalberg Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson James Ericksen ’69 Ruth Ann Gjerde ’67 Fitzke Alan ’67 and Marilyn Albaugh ’67 Gierke Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Marlys Ringdahl ’53 Gunderson and Charles Gunderson Arlin Gyberg Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom Cynthia Hanson ’66 Betty Johnson ’58 Haas and Charles Hass Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans Howard ’51 and Nouaneta Hjelm Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt Gloria Johnson ’51 Marcellus ’54 and Thelma Johnson Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander Jerome Kleven ’58 Elsie Ronholm ’49 Koivula William ’52 and Edith Kuross George ’61 and Mary Larson Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey Marie and Larry McNeff Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Mildred Nelson ’52 Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson Laverne Moe ’48 Olson and Paul Olson Roger ’56 and Janet Ose Glen Person ’47 Robert ’68 and Alice Draheim ’68 Peters Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck James ’61 and BettyAnn Redeske Arthur ’53 and Charlotte Kleven ’52 Rimmereid James ’68 and Linda Gilbertson ’71 Romslo Olive Ronholm ’47† Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Ruth Schmidt ’52† Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf James ’54 and Ethel Nordstrom ’55 Shiell Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar Evelyn Amundson ’43 Sonnack Donald† and Annelies Steinmetz Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson Allan Tonn ’75 Sheldon ’49 and Margery Manger ’47 Torgerson Frances Torstenson Beth Torstenson ’66 Rebecca Helgesen ’67 Von Fischer and Thomas Von Fischer 25-29 years consecutive Frank ’50 and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Jack ’49 and LeVerne Berry Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson Leland ’53 and Eunice Fairbanks Marilyn Pearson ’76 Florian and Kenneth Florian Paul and Judy Grauer Paul ’62 and Susan Grover Sylvia Kleven Hanson ’50 Marjorie Wilberg Hauge ’50 James ’61 and Caroline Holden Rachel Hendrickson ’71 Julian and Bruce Julian Sharon Dittbenner ’65 Klabunde and Richard Klabunde Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven Joan Johnson ’53 Kuder and Calvin Kuder Martin Larson ’80 Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Irene Ppedahl ’45 Lovaas Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Gloria Burntvedt ’43 Nelson Paige Nelson ’74 W. Donald Olsen ’34† and Glenda Olson Bettye and Howard Olson Patricia Strecker ’64 Pederson and Dean Pederson Janet Griffith ’83 Sandford and David Sandford Joyce Opseth ’45 Schwartz Luther ’39 and Helen Strommen George ’46 and Jean Christenson ’49 Sverdrup Jacqueline ’80 and John Teisberg Margaret Sateren ’37 Trautwein Thomas ’63 and Gloria Joyce Wadsworth Gunnar† and Mary Wick David and Catherine Wold 20-24 years consecutive Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Julie Teigland ’69 Anderson and Gary Anderson Charles ’63 and Lois Luthard ’65 Anderson Ray Anderson ’49 Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Hamar ’34 and Wanda Severson ’40 Benson Theodore ’51† and Carolyn Berkland Birgit Birkeland ’58 Mary Twiton ’59 Bosben and Robert Bosben John and Carolyn Cain Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson Addell Halverson ’43 Dahlen Scott Daniels ’82 and Marcia Pape-Daniels LeVon Paulson Dinter ’52 Fred ’60 and Janet Engelmann Reynold Erickson ’41† Evangelical Lutheran Church in America John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans Edward Evenson ’41 Rachel Rohde ’76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Sonia Overmoen ’62 Gullicks and Milton Gullicks Kenneth ’58 and Aldemar Johnson ’57 Hagen Arvin ’55 and Twila Halvorson Herbert ’51 and M. Joyce Tallman ’52 Hanson Carolyn Hawkins Rodney ’62 and Jane Helgeson Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander Norman and Ilene Holen Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten Florence Retrum ’40 Hovland Wayne Johnson ’58 Ruth Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Duane and Ruth Johnson Marvin ’49 and Dorothy Quanbeck ’48 Johnson E. Milton Kleven ’46 Daniel ’70 and Ingrid Kloster ’69 Koch James Kottom ’52 Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird Lois Knutson ’62 Larsen and Paul Larsen Robert ’56 and Mary Erickson ’58 Lockwood Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2010 39 Brent Lofgren ’88 Susan Lageson ’77 Lundholm and Mark Lundholm Lynn ’50 and Miriam Hoplin ’50 Lundin John ’65 and Gracia Nydahl ’66 Luoma Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main Kristin Settergren ’86 McGinness and Steve McGinness Donna McLean Victor ’42 and Rhoda Miller LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Bonnie Johnson ’67 Nelson and Bryce Nelson Shirley Christensen ’75 Nickel and Daniel Nickel Margaret Nelson Foss ’48 Nokleberg Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust Robert Nordin ’64 Jonathan Nye Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53† Nyhus Maren Lecy ’83 Ogdie and Al Ogdie Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom Ruth Pousi ’54 Ollila Mary Olson John ’62 and Nina Osberg James ’64 and Rose Parks Daniel ’51 and Lois Pearson Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Donald Peterson ’49 David Proctor ’63 Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Norman ’59 and Ardelle Skovholt ’54 Quanbeck Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach Stephen ’76 and Karen Reinarz Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 Judith Sandeen ’72 Gary ’68 and Janice Bell ’70 Schmidt Kari Beckman ’81 Sorenson and Neil Sorensen La Vone Studlien ’58 Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and James Swanson Ruth Weltzin ’45 Swanson and Edwin Swanson Dorothy Swanson ’51 Swanson Janis Thoreson ’78 Robert Wick ’81 Pamela Zagaria 15-19 years consecutive Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson James ’88 and Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold John ’79 and Rebecca Lundeen ’79 Aune Ronald and Anna Marie Austin Dorothy Bailey The Batalden Advised Fund Christine Wacker ’87 Bjork and Steven Bjork Morris ’63 and Mavis Bjurlin David ’68 and Lynn Boe Daniel and Irene Brink Michael Burden ’85 David Christensen ’52 Joseph ’53 and Connie Cleary Judith Norman ’66 Coppersmith and Norman Coppersmith Ann Erkkila ’86 Dudero Avis Ellingrod 40 Augsburg Now Valborg Kyllo ’54 Ellingson and Phillip Ellingson Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld Dann Forsberg ’80 Joann Koelln ’72 Frankena Gary and Barbara Glasscock H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Lloyd Grinde ’56 Richard ’72 and Carol Habstritt Suzanne Overholt ’67 Hampe and John Hampe Jacquelyn Bagley ’51 Hanson and Kenneth Hanson Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr Burton Haugen ’72 Robert ’55 and Karin Herman Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Edith Hovey Glenda† and Richard Huston Rosemary Jacobson ’69 Janet Batalden ’61 Johnson and Dennis Johnson ’61 Morris ’52 and Marjorie Danielson ’52 Johnson Luther ’68 and Joanne Kendrick Carrie Kosek ’85 Knott and Gerald Knott Millard ’52 and Dorothy Knudson Duane and Mary Alyce Krohnke Annette and Henry Lucksinger, Jr. Bill and Anne McSweeney Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Mark ’88 and Tamala Morken Karl Nestvold ’54 Norma Noonan Betsey and Alan Norgard R. Luther Olson ’56 Gary ’65 and Jean Pfeifer ’64 Olson John and Norma Paulson Rebecca ’88 Pfabe and Maurice Higgins Jay Phinney ’79 Leanne Phinney ’71 and Mark Schultz Elizabeth Pushing ’93 Quentin ’50 and E. Lucille Quanbeck Barbara Hanson ’68 Raymond and David Raymond Joyce Romano and Walker Brents David ’53 and Janice Anderson ’54 Rykken Audrey Nagel ’51 Sander Ronnie ’62 and Karen Scott Nora Anderson ’83 Sillerud and Jon Sillerud Glen and Anna Skovholt Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Paulette Nelson ’67 Speed David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson Beverly and Thomas Stratton Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Diana Talcott Karla Morken ’81 Thompson and Thomas Thompson Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Mark ’79 and Janelle Tonsager Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Michael ’64 and Carla Quanbeck ’64 Walgren Jeanne Kyllo ’69 Wendschuh and Ronald Wendschuh Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann Janet Cooke ’59 Zitzewitz and Donald Zitzewitz Robyn Arnold ’80 Zollner† 10-15 years consecutive Anonymous (2) Ordelle Aaker ’46 Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Leif Anderson Dean ’74 and Janet Nelson ’76 Anderson Scott Anderson ’96 Margaret Anderson William ’86 and Kelly Anderson LeRoy ’52 and Carole Anenson Charles ’63 and Mary Jo Arndt Mary Arneson and Dale Hammerschmidt Susan Hanson ’82 Asmus and Kevin Asmus Lawrence ’52 and Jayne Balzer Dennis ’58 and Doris Barnaal Arlin Becker ’88 Catherine Berglund ’73 Becker and Charles Becker Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Gertrude Ness ’51 Berg Andrew ’64 and Jean Amland ’65 Berg Carolyn Berkland Warren ’69 and Carolyn Bey Anthony and Kathy Bibus Gary ’65 and Jean Blosberg Dennes ’57 and Florence Helland ’54 Borman Richard and Nancy Borstad Willard Botko Bruce ’64 and Nancy Braaten Roxanne Raunschnot ’82 Buchanan and Jim Buchanan Carolyn Burfield ’60 Einar Cannelin ’38 William Capman Gregory Carlson ’74 John and Peggy Cerrito Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Judith Christensen Orla Christensen ’56 and Joan Englund Jeff Christenson ’82 Janet Niederloh ’58 Christeson and John Christeson Wayne ’63 and Bernadine Christiansen C. Lee Clarke Connie Arndt ’96 Clausen and Andrew Clausen Cheryl Solomonson ’89 Crockett and Larry Crockett Laura Bower ’91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe Oliver Dahl ’45 Sally Hough ’79 Daniels Lois Mackey Davis ’58 Suzanne Doree Hans ’56 and Donna Dumpys Julie Edstrom ’90 Doran Edwards Judy Thompson ’65 Eiler Curtis ’84 and Jody Eischens David ’79 and Amy Eitrheim Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Kari Elsila and Michael Buescher Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Mark and Lynette Engebretson Ellen Stenberg Erickson ’51 ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 Lois Hofstad ’58 Esselstrom and Michael Esselstrom Duane Esterly ’75 L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem John ’68 and Martha Fahlberg Karen Faulkner Marvin ’74 and Lana Felderman William and Anne Frame Terry ’67 and Pauline Frovik Ann Garvey Barbara Gilbert ’81 John ’66 and Mary Jo Greenfield Cindy Greenwood ’05 Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 Steven ’81 and Kathy Grinde Julia Ose ’62 Grose and Christopher Grose Katharine Kuchera ’84 Gruber and Craig Gruber John and Laurie Grygelko Jean Venske ’87 Guenther and Stephen Guenther Lucille and Roger Hackbart Shirley Hansen Wayne ’68 and Lois Batalden ’69 Hansen John ’69 Harden and Barbara Hoganson Robert ’83 and Lynne Harris Lisa Svac ’85 Hawks Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Gerald ’59 and Maxine Hendricks Dawn Hendricks ’80 Irene Shelstad ’52 Henjum Rand ’82 and Kay Kennedy ’82 Henjum Peter ’92 and Becky Hespen Kristen Hirsch ’91 Montag and Paul Montag Sylvia Hjelmeland John ’70 and Lynn Benson ’69 Hjelmeland John ’81 and Karen Hofflander Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes Donald ’60 and Ruth Thorsgard ’59 Homme James ’59 and Joanne Horn Elizabeth Horton Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Tom ’72 and Karen Howe Rhoda Monseth ’59 Huglen and Erling Huglen Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Bruce and Jean Inglis Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes Doris Wilkins ’63 Johnson and Charles Johnson Bruce Johnson ’68 Douglas ’66 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson Glen and Marlys Johnson Margaret Johnson Carolyn Johnson ’63 Martha Johnson Karen Johnson Theodore ’68 and Michelle Johnson Joan ’94 and Mark Johnson Karen Johnson ’66 Suzanne Kelley ’69 Benjamin and Christine Kent James Kerr Richard ’69 and Cheryl Nelson ’70 King Linda King ’78 Carmela Brown ’84 Kranz and David Kranz Joan Kunz Rob ’80 and Lori LaFleur George ’50 and Vivian Lanes Andrea Langeland Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson Julie Gudmestad ’65 Laudicina and Joseph Laudicina John ’52 and Mary Peterson ’54 Leak Roger ’50 and Donna Wang ’52 Leak Jacqueline Kniefel ’69 Lind James ’67 and Laurie Lindell Rosemary and Andrew Link Arlene and Gene Lopas Olivia Gordon ’62 Lorents and Alden Lorents Jack ’53 and Darlene Lundberg Randall ’76 and Susan Lundell Marissa Hutterer ’99 Machado Marie Hafie ’65 MacNally and Thomas MacNally Gregory ’61 and Kay Hanenburg ’62 Madson Raymond Makeever Patrick ’72 and Nancy Marcy Carlos Mariani Rosa Julie Magnuson ’61 Marineau and Richard Marineau Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue Robert ’71 and Cheryl Lindroos ’72 Martin John ’59 and De Anne Martinsen Jon ’58 and Judith Matala Phillip ’62 and Karen Tangen ’63 Mattison Lillian and Vernon Maunu Dana Holmes ’81 McIntyre and Vernon McIntyre ’79 Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod and Christopher ’00 McLeod Meca Sportswear, Inc. Robert ’59 and Mary Lundquist ’60 Meffert Joan and Richard Meierotto David ’68 and Elaine Melby Robert Nelson ’44 and Helen Johnson-Nelson Ronald ’59 and Elizabeth Miskowiec Jonathan ’78 and Bonnie Lamon ’78 Moren Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Scott ’81 and Debra Musselman Michael Navarre Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Edor ’38 and Dorathy Nelson Larry ’65 and Marilyn Nelson E. Irene Lasseson ’38 Neseth† Erika Staub ’51 Niemi and Wayne Niemi Robert ’73 and Linda Nilsen James ’57 and Shirley Norman Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Edward ’54 and Winifred Nystuen ’54 Nyhus Richard ’69 and Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted Dean Olson ’00 Howard and Bettye Olson Vicki and Daniel Olson Cedric ’61 and Marlys Olson Donald ’53 Oren and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren Russell ’63 and Ruth Osterberg Steven O’Tool ’74 Ervin ’56 and Sylvia Moe ’59 Overlund Patricia Solum ’02 Park Patricia Parker Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Howard ’53 and Vicki Skor ’59 Pearson Dwight ’60 and Marion Pederson Dale ’70 and Patti Pederson Cynthia Peterson Linda Christensen ’68 Phillips and Gerald Phillips James Plumedahl ’57 Jill Pohtilla Drew ’89 and Molly Privette Jerry ’83 and Susan Warnes ’88 Quam Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Nicolyn Rajala ’70 and Bill Vossler Paul Rensted ’87 James ’75 and Jude Ring David ’59 and Arline Ringstad James ’63 and Patricia Steenson ’65 Roback Donavon ’52 and Ardis Roberts Thomas ’86 and Susan Rogers-Miller Frances Roller Rockey Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64 Philip Rowberg ’41 Thomas Ruffaner ’98 Mary Mether ’69 Sabatke and Bruce Sabatke Richard Sandeen ’69 Donohue ’56 and Marilyn Sarff Pauline Sateren Carol Watson ’68 Saunders Michael Schock and Leslie Baken Larry ’65 and Muriel Berg ’67 Scholla Arvid ’63 and Lillian Schroeder Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre Frankie and Jole Shackelford Charles Sheaffer John ’50 and Norma Shelstad Eugene and Margaret Skibbe Alan ’72 and Nancy Becker ’72 Soli Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Heidi Wisner ’93 Staloch and Mark Staloch Ronald ’58 and Naomi Stave Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo Bonnie Martinson ’59 Storley Steven ’65 and Chynne Strommen Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund John ’69 and Stephanie Johnson ’71 Sulzbach Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Kenneth and Jane Syverson Paul ’87 and Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio Barbara and Eugene Thompson Dick ’61 and Jane Thompson Sue Thompson ’85 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2010 41 Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard Richard ’56 and Darlene Thorud Michael ’85 and Rhonda Riesberg ’84 Tjaden Mark and Ann Tranvik Mary True Merry Tucker Betty and Paul Tveite Charleen and Donald Weidenbach John ’49† and Arnhild Werket Lyndon ’65 and Diane West Heidi Norman ’88 Wise and John Wise Edmund ’53 and Rose Youngquist Robert ’50 and Dee Ulsaker Joan Swenson ’78 Van Wirt Joan Volz ’68 Sharon and Stephen Wade Rebecca and Michael Waggoner Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Lois Wattman ’76 and Douglas Shaw ALUMNI GIVING BY CLASS YEAR The following list indicates the percentage of alumni from the traditional day program in each class year who made a gift during 2009-10. Total participation for all class years, 21%. 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 42 33.33% 66.67% 50.00% 20.00% 52.94% 25.00% 33.33% 29.63% 31.03% 31.25% 32.50% 38.89% 34.62% 47.73% 34.85% 42.39% Augsburg Now 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 35.62% 43.10% 49.46% 46.67% 36.59% 35.71% 44.44% 43.40% 55.56% 56.07% 36.17% 46.67% 35.17% 38.71% 32.09% 33.94% 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 31.63% 35.07% 34.60% 27.96% 20.32% 26.29% 26.30% 22.88% 24.01% 21.57% 21.55% 20.91% 23.19% 21.40% 16.67% 17.87% 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 16.29% 14.91% 13.91% 13.33% 13.10% 10.00% 12.61% 11.86% 12.18% 10.00% 11.33% 9.58% 10.71% 10.18% 6.98% 9.91% 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 12.18% 9.76% 11.29% 6.97% 4.69% 10.91% 7.64% 10.55% 5.43% 10.41% 7.53% 5.93% auggie alumni news From the Alumni Board president … Dear fellow alumni, A ugsburg has a time-honored tradition each year called “Homecoming.” Homecoming is a time of renewal—renewal of friendships, college experiences, and meeting new alumni while taking in the festivities of the week. The Augsburg Alumni Board is proud to be part of this and other events. The year 2010–11 is the year of bringing our alumni closer to the College. Our board members understand this as many of the members of the Alumni Board spent their formative years with the College, creating new friends that have passed the test of time. Part of the Alumni Board’s mission is to promote connections among alumni throughout the year. The board sponsors or participates in many of the events that bring alumni together. Some of these are: • Alumni awards that recognize Auggies who have made significant contributions in their fields of work and to the community, who have given service to the College, and who exemplify the mission and spirit of the College. • Social and business networking opportunities • Educational and enriching speakers • Fun events that promote engagement, such as the Auggie Night at the Races at Canterbury Park that attracts more than 700 alumni and family members each year. These are a few examples of how your Augsburg Alumni Board works for you to bring fun and enjoyment to your extended college experience. The board continues to look for ideas to expand our mission of reconnecting alumni to the College, and we would welcome your feedback on programs you feel would help fulfill our mission. This year promises to be fun with new traditions and events for all. We invite you to pass on the message to recent alumni and alumni from years past. We all have an opportunity to extend our college experience past Commencement. Best wishes to you all as you rekindle your relationship with Augsburg College. Sincerely, JOHN STADLER ’07 MAL PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Alumni get involved! Is it your New Year’s resolution to reconnect with old friends, network with other Auggies, and have fun? If so, join fellow Auggies at the following alumni events in 2011. Auggies Give Back: Feed My Starving Children Packing Session Saturday, January 15, 2011 9–11 a.m., Coon Rapids, MN Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Mark Eustis, CEO, Fairview Healthcare Tuesday, January 25, 2011 7 a.m., Town and Country Club, St. Paul, MN The Augsburg Centennial Singers Concert Tour February 8-20, 2011 California and Arizona Student and Alumni Networking Reception Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:30 p.m., Oren Gateway Center Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series featuring Michele Volpi, CEO, H.B. Fuller Thursday, April 7, 2011 5 p.m., Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall For more information on these and other alumni events go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni. Save the Date! Homecoming 2011 October 17–23, 2011 Reunion Classes 50th reunion—1961 40th reunion—1971 25th reunion—1986 10th reunion—2001 If you would like to help make your reunion a success, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for updates and reunion information. Fall 2010 43 auggie alumni news Auggies Give Back: Student philanthropy at Augsburg Executives share expertise in speaker series A popular trend in colleges across the nation is also taking Augsburg by storm— current students are giving back to Augsburg while they are still students. The Alumni and Constituent Relations student group, the Augsburg Stewards, are at the forefront of Augsburg’s wave. Under the direction of Amanda Storm, associate alumni director, the Stewards host a variety of events and activities to engage and educate students on how their experience at Augsburg is funded. Philanthropy Week, the first week in March, is a week-long awareness event that gives the student body an opportunity to participate in a variety of philanthropic activities that include voting where their donations go and posting how they give back to their community. There is a scavenger hunt on campus for a particular donor, with clues given about that donor and why they give back. These activities help students understand that while their tuition funds a major part of their education, the generosity of Augsburg alumni and friends also plays a significant role in their experience. New this year, students will have an opportunity to directly give back to fellow students through the “Feed the Pig” class gift challenge. All students receive a piggy bank and are encouraged to “feed the pig” their loose change throughout the semester. The money raised will benefit current Augsburg students through a scholarship awarded at the Scholarship Brunch in April. Think it can’t get any better? The class with the highest rate of participation will win a class party at the President Pribbenow’s home. auggies GIVE BACK Alumni artists—call for submissions Augsburg Alumni Juried Show 2011 The Augsburg art galleries are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for alumni to show their artwork in a juried exhibition featured in both the Gage Family Art Gallery and Christensen Center Art Gallery opening in early August 2011. Each artist may submit up to three images. The submission deadline is June 24, 2011; notifications of acceptance will be sent out July 12. For more information about the Augsburg Alumni Juried Show, go to www.augsburg.edu/galleries or e-mail gallery@augsburg.edu. 44 Augsburg Now The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series, launched in December 2009, brings major business leaders to the Augsburg campus to share their insights and expertise. Speakers during the past year include Alex Cirillo, vice president of 3M Foundation (now retired) and past president of 3M Canada; Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes; and Richard Davis, chairman, president, and CEO of U.S. Bancorp. The next speaker in the series will be Michele Volpi, president and chief executive officer of H.B. Fuller. He will speak on Thursday, April 7, at 5 p.m., in Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall. The series is co-sponsored by Augsburg’s Corporate Relations Office and the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Each presentation provides opportunities for alumni as well as students, faculty, and staff to hear unique insights into the current business climate and trends from a national or global corporate leader. Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings, 1949-1979 As part of the Augsburg Choir’s 75th-anniversary celebration, CD versions of remastered historical recordings of the Augsburg Choir from 1949–79 are available as the Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings. A monograph about Leland B. Sateren’s life and career written by William Halverson ’51 will be included with each order. The three boxed sets, each containing five CDs are: • From Opseth to Sateren (1949–1962) • Sateren Intermezzo (1964–1972) • Sateren Finale (1972–1979) Cost: $49 per box (five CDs); $135 for all three sets (15 CDs), plus shipping and handling. To place an order, go to www.augsburg.edu/music/saterenCD.html or call the Augsburg College Bookstore at 612-359-6491. For more information, call 612-330-1265. Call for nominations for alumni awards The Augsburg College Alumni Board seeks your assistance in identifying members of the Augsburg community to be considered for recognition. Please take a few moments to consider those who might be honored for the following awards. Your nominations and suggestions are critical in helping to build these important programs to celebrate the accomplishments of the Augsburg community. The awards will be given at the Homecoming 2011 Convocation on Friday, October 21. Distinguished Alumni Award Awarded to Augsburg College alumni in recognition 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. Augsburg alumni (graduates and non-graduates) are eligible. First Decade Alumni Award Awarded to Augsburg College graduates of the last 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. Spirit of Augsburg Award Honors Augsburg alumni or friends of the College who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well being of the College by furthering its purposes and programs. Alumni, friends, faculty and staff, and groups who have served the College are eligible. To make a nomination, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations for a nomination packet at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu. The deadline for award nominations is March 4, 2011. Members of the Young Alumni Council posed with TC Bear and Auggie Eagle at Young Alumni night at the Twins game in July, with more than 100 attending. (L to R) Rob Wagner ’02, Andrew Johnson ’07, Holly (Ebnet) Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, Amanda Rueb ’09, and Teresa Barnhill ’08. Young Alumni Summer Series: 2010 From baseball to a brewery tour, Augsburg Young Alumni have it going on! The Young Alumni had another awesome season in 2010, with more than 600 Auggies attending any of the six events held throughout the season, giving Auggies great opportunities to catch up with former classmates and meet new friends. The Young Alumni program is an initiative supported by the efforts of outstanding Young Alumni volunteers, dedicated to providing dynamic social and enrichment opportunities for their Auggie classmates, while keeping them engaged with their alma mater. Join Professor Phil Adamo on a journey to the Emerald Isle Join friends from the Augsburg College community in early May 2011 for an indepth journey through Ireland with Phillip Adamo, associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s History Department, director of medieval studies, and experienced study tour leader. Professor Adamo looks forward to returning to Ireland with a group of alumni and friends, May 2–12, 2011. Explore centuries of heroic history including sites dating to 9,000 B.C. and experience the intense rugged beauty of land carved from the sea contrasting with the meticulous gar- dens of stately castles. As director of medieval studies, Adamo enhances the tour with his special knowledge of the historic significance of Celtic Christianity and how Ireland’s ancient monastic communities flourished during the Dark Ages. The tour also celebrates contemporary Irish culture. To receive a brochure and registration form, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1178 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Registration is open and spaces are filling—please note that last year’s Italy trip sold out and had a waiting list. Fall 2010 45 60-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1950 Front row (L to R): Shirley Dahlen, Angeline (Rolland) Sorenson, Marjorie (Wilberg) Hauge; Back row (L to R): Edward Alberg, Philip Quanbeck, Raynard Huglen, Robert Paulson go auggies! 50-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1960 Front row (L to R): Marjorie (Moland) Wendt, Ramona (Pedersen) Settergren, Ruth (Carlson) Olson, LaVonne (Gravgaard) Iverson, Phyllis (Redenbaugh) Ose, Fay (Quanbeck) Matsunaga, Lois (Richter) Agrimson, Phyllis (Raymond) Berge, Carol (Johnson) Casperson; Row 2 (L to R): Linnea (Wacker) Whipple, Marlene Studlien, Nancy (Garland) Erickson, Carol (Hawkins) Svanoe, Dorothy (Larson) Henriksen, Phyllis (Dahlmeier) Fering, Ruth (Carlsen) Moen; Row 3 (L to R): Dwight Pederson, Dale Hanka, David Hanka, Stan West, Arden Flaten, Byron Schmid, Myron Carlson; Row 4 (L to R): Clayton Paulson, Bruce Amundson, Gerald Johnson, Lowell Ziemann, Jack Anderson, Dennis Glad, Richard Berge, Don Gilberg Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50 was the keynote speaker at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon, and reflected on “Then and Now, and Now and Then.” “It seems to me that when Augsburg College is doing its proper work, it is well aware of its past, but it’s looking not only backward, but forward. Perhaps there is in our future something new, and we should be looking for it.” 46 Augsburg Now 40-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1970 Front row (L to R): Sandy Swanson Mathisen, Bonnie Risius, Marjorie Tietz Peterson, Donna Hillesland Eastman, Nikki Rajala, Paulette O. Odegaard, Steve T. Johnson, Chris Flom Duncan, Karen Dohlen Johnson, LaRhae Knatterud; Row 2 (L to R): Barbara Ingvalson Anderson, Lynne Framstad Payne, Dawn Hofstad Stromman, Tim Strommen, Susan Olson Williams, Barbara Ellefson Ditty, June Gandrud Perrizo, Julie Thompson Lipelt; Row 3 (L to R): Gloria Wohlers Hatchinson, Mary Buss, Linda Larson, Lynn Anderson Haanen, Andrey Olmstead, Cheryl King, Gary Benson, Pam Jurdy Juul, Marilyn Hass Krambeer; Row 4 (L to R): Linda Munson Wahlstrom, Judy Benson Madsen, Sue Lindberg Sorenson, Janet Call Ulvin, Kathie Gildemeister Erbes, Timothy Toso, Paul Mikelson; Row 5 (L to R): Joyce Engstrom Spector, Mark Francis, David Ulvin, Terry Nygaard, John Hjelmeland, John Eidsvoog; Row 6 (L to R): Ray L. Hanson, Jane Cornelison Van Brunt, Dennis King 25-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1985 Front row (L to R): Nancy (Mackey) Mueller, Jean Taylor, Terri (Swanberg) Stoner, Shelly Johnson, Carmen (Elandt) Reibel; Back row (L to R): Ron Winterhalter, Norm Okerstrom, Jay Myers, Clay Gustafson, Rebecca (Melgaard) Newton, Kathleen Kuross, Lisa (Erickson) Gustafson At the Homecoming Welcome Back Banquet, John Eidsvoog ’70 played his own arrangements of several popular selections. He has a master’s degree in jazz composition and has played piano and synthesizers for numerous movies, TV shows, and CDs. In the ’80s, he was the musical conductor and pianist for many popular entertainers, including Andy Gibb, Jaye P. Morgan, and John Davidson. In recent years, Eidsvoog has worked in music preparation with his wife, Julie ’69, as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger. They currently work with such artists as Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, and Elton John. Eidsvoog’s CDs are available at the Augsburg Bookstore. Fall 2010 47 alumni class notes 50to move when his home in Rev. Lloyd Kallevig was forced Wadena, Minn., was destroyed by a tornado in June. 61retired teachers who shared Dennis Kalpin was one of the their memories in the country schoolhouse at the Douglas County (Minn.) fair in August. His career included 40 years of teaching, 47 years of coaching football, plus basketball, softball, track, and baseball. 62Hancock, Mich., and her husAlice (Heikkila) Kinnunen, band, Eldon, have spent 18 years in retirement working in Reynosa, Mexico, each winter, building homes for the poor, distributing goods, helping with medical care, schooling, etc. 64Minn., retired from the Rev. Marv Repinski, Austin, Methodist ministry six years ago, and is currently serving as interim pastor at Lansing Methodist Church, his fifth interim appointment. He also teaches world religion at Riverland Community College in Owatonna, and serves on the board of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. 70years with Wells Fargo Bank. Dakota Synod Assembly of the ELCA for 30 years of ordained ministry. David Ulvin, Edina, Minn., served as the senior commodore for the 2010 Minneapolis Aquatennial. He retired from teaching music in the St. Paul school system and now invests in multi-family residential real estate. 77fessor and chair of the English Paul Sedio retired after 36 73 Marti Lybeck’s dissertation on female homosexuality in Germany was named the State University of New York best dissertation in queer studies last year. She teaches history at University of WisconsinLaCrosse. Rev. Gary Wollersheim was reelected to a third six-year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA. He serves as co-chairman of the Illinois Council of Churches and chairman of the Region Five ELCA bishops. 76N.D., joined the staff of Rev. David Halaas, Williston, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota last summer and works from its Minot program office. He was honored by the Western North Department at Heidelberg University. He is a member of the Tiffin Glass Collectors Club and he volunteers at the Tiffin Glass Museum, giving tours and providing information about the glass production. 80Woodbury, Minn., received a Judy (Carson) Houck ’10 MSW, Hartford Scholarship in social work. She and her husband, Lee ’78, await their first grandchild in January. Kevin Kuntz joined TopLine Federal Credit Union in Maple Grove, Minn., as senior vice president of sales and service. Most recently, he was senior vice president and director of relationship banking at TCF Bank. 52Annabelle (Hanson) ’51, Rev. Len Dalberg, and his wife, Solvang, Calif., were honored by their 4 children and 11 grandchildren on their 60th anniversary at a seaside restaurant family dinner. Len is a visitation pastor at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang in his retirement. ence and Health at the university while completing her degree. She and her husband are blessed with three adult sons and a daughter-inlaw, all in the metro area. 88board of Caring Bridge. Janice Aune serves on the 82 Diane (Peterson) Kachel, Woodbury, Minn., received her Master of Biological Science degree from the University of Minnesota in April 2010. For the past four years, she has been assistant director of the Center for Lung Sci- 89English at University of Mis- Devoney Looser, professor of souri, was recently featured in the university’s research magazine, Illuminations, about her book project, a 63summer to celebrate the completion of a water well that provides 75Class of 1975 have been getting together during the year, espe- clean drinking water to the village of Okigwe. She is active in the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club, which received funding from the Rotary Foundation for the project. She is an associate professor of communications at California State University-Fullerton and has also taught in Belize as a Rotary teacher. “It was an enlightening and gratifying experience!” cially at Advent Vespers and the Auggie Night at the Races. Here, they enjoy a potluck dinner last summer at Brenda (Hoppes) Cattadoris’ house in Brooklyn Park, Minn. (L to R) Jo Koester, Jennie Hakes, Shirley (Christianson) Nickel, Brenda (Salberg) Peterson, and Brenda (Hoppes) Cattadoris. Carolyn E. Johnson, Fullerton, Calif., traveled to Nigeria in the 48 Bill Reyer, Tiffin, Ohio, is pro- Augsburg Now Since reconnecting some years ago, several women from the 97her husband, Justin, Blaine, 99Danielle, Maple Grove, Minn., 01last summer on Cape Cod. (L to R) Erica Huls, Stacy (Waterman) Newton, Minn., celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lauren Reese. welcomed their first child, Ella Lorraine, on December 14, 2009. Mark is a juvenile probation officer for Hennepin County and an assistant football coach for Osseo Senior High School. Emily (Brinkman) Waldon, Laura Waldon, Sara Thedinga. Jennifer (Coyle) Rhoads and Mark Joseph and his wife, The “Fifth-Floor Girls” from the Class of 2001 enjoyed a mini-vacation 02band, Taher Omar, Brooklyn 04Blaine, Minn., and her hus- Center, Minn., welcomed a baby girl, Scarlett Susan, on July 6. band, Michael, welcomed their new daughter, Charlotte Marie, on Feb. 25. Minneapolis, welcomed their daughter, Lauryn KyJune, on June 11. 073,000-mile bike trip on his Leah (Spafford) and her hus- 02ter Sølvei Mareta on May 24. She is welcomed by big sisters Lillian and Signe (Hillestad) and her husband, Aaron McKie ’05, welcomed daugh- Ellenora. biography of two 19th-century British sister writers, Anna Maria and Jane Porter. The article cites Devoney as “one of the nation’s most respected scholars of British literature and women’s writings.” Will Schroeder joined Kemin Food Technologies in Des Moines, Iowa, as research and development director. He founded and led Blue Sky Creamery and ice cream start-up business. 93Tell You a Story,” was shown in 97football coach at Osseo High Amy Rice’s exhibition, “Let Me the Central Lakes College Gallery in Brainerd, Minn., during September. She is the founder of Spectrum ArtWorks, Minneapolis. 95as vice president, employee Paul Martin was recently hired care and center services at the Lincoln National Corporation’s Lincoln Employer Market’s Group Insurance team. Jim Osberg married Jennifer Oberlag in Hot Springs, Ark., on Sept. 4. He is a sales rep for Medtronic; they live in Wayzata, Minn. Derrin Lamker has been head School for six years. In a recent interview he credits Augsburg coach Jack Osberg ’62 as teaching him the most important lessons of learning how to build relationships with his players. 99her husband, Kevin, Vadnais 01 Nicole Warner recently opened the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra’s season as mezzo-soprano soloist in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. She is the co-winner of the 2010 Bel Canto Chorus Regional Artists competition. 04a member of the USA 00husband, Larye Pohlman ’98, Rev. Melissa (Moyle) and her Brett Cease completed a bike that he named Tranquility, as he traveled from New York City through the Northeast and Canada on his way home to Bemidji. Go to www.homeinthewoods.wordpress.com. Stephanie Malone was hired by CaringBridge as development officer. Karen Lohr, Flagstaff, Ariz., is Women’s Sled Hockey Team and plays in Phoenix on the Coyotes sled team. She has been a hall director at Northern Arizona University. Leah (Holloway) Rudeen and Heights, Minn., welcomed the arrival of their third son, Drew Alexander, on Feb. 26. Drew joins big brothers Zachary (5) and Grant (3). Christina (Boe) Anderson, 06who made his onstage debut Dan Ryan was sworn in as a Rogers, Minn., police officer in September. He is a member of the Army Reserves and served time in Iraq. He completed the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Steve Herzog is a musician at the 2010 Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, playing the role of Rick in “Hollywood Hot!” with the LAB Theater. Previously, he held long-term engagements with the Mall of America and Carnival Cruise Lines. 08band, David Lange, announce Kasi (Clauson) and her hus- the birth of their daughter, Rubi Mae, on July 6. Kasi is the new head coach for Augsburg’s women’s swimming and diving team. Fall 2010 49 alumni class notes Running for Joe—an inspiration Running for Joe … it’s what powered Dan Vogel through his sixth marathon, one of the most grueling in the country—the Equinox course around the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks. Through 4,000 feet of elevation change on wooded ski trails and up and down a steep gravel road with potholes and loose shale, Vogel ran. It was a on a covered root only two miles into the race where he rolled his ankle, but kept running through the pain, the inspiration of Joe moving him on. Joe was Joe Vogel, Dan’s cousin who died last summer after a two-year battle with cancer. “Why am I doing this?” Dan wrote in the blog that followed Joe’s last year. “Because I BELIEVE. Joe’s ability to never take life for granted and make the most out of every day is what inspires me as I train and prepare for this race.” Dan Vogel graduated from Augsburg in 2005. He ran cross country and track and majored in marketing. Several quick experiences in the business world taught him, though, that sales and marketing—even when his team earned record-breaking revenues—were Dan Vogel ’05 honors his cousin Joe not for him. at www.runningforjoe.weebly.com 09sang under her stage name, Anna Dybdahl, who formerly Arianna, recently released a new single, “Fields of Gold,” on iTunes. Go to www.annadybdahl.com. and educator who founded a company, Jesenia Morales LLC, to work with women in small start-ups. She also teaches non-traditional students as an adjunct faculty member in the business department at National American University. 07Hodgdon ’04, announce the Andrea (Slack) and Clint birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Idelle, born May 24. They live in Savage, Minn. 08Sandy were married on July Cristina (Quick) and Sama Graduate Programs 10award as an English Teaching Laura Schoen ’09 MSW married Jeremy Liila on March 27 in Minneapolis. She works at Meridian Services. Augsburg Now Jesenia Morales ’08 MBA is a Naomi Muellner joined Portfolio Recovery Associates in Norfolk, Va., in July as vice president, Bankruptcy Services. Jody Giza ’04 PA joined Lakewood Health System as a physician assistant. Assistant in Malaysia this year. 06coach, strategist, accountant, BETSEY NORGARD Bethany Hellerich received a Fulbright award as an English Teaching Assistant in Indonesia. Nou Chang received a Fulbright 50 “I learned quickly after being hired by Augsburg cross country and track coach Dennis Barker that I work much better with people in person,” Vogel says. “My friends and family recognized that I had a passion for helping people improve their lives, whether in athletics, school, or life in general.” And Joe’s story on CaringBridge made him realize that “there’s much more to life than working a boring job and earning money.” So, as he says, he left his formal attire and skyscraper cubicle and found a perfect fit with the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Fairbanks at an at-risk youth drop-in center. There he hosts a radio show with his youth clients as guest DJs who also tell their stories, and he started music lessons with donated instruments. “At the same time,” Vogel says, “my heart is still in Minnesota with my friends and family.” I can’t wait to pick up where I left off back home and look for a similar job helping at-risk youth in Minneapolis.” Running for Joe was indeed powerful enough to get Vogel through the Equinox marathon, injured and exhausted and into 25th place out of 370 runners. “Had I not ruined my ankle,” he says, “I was shooting for a top-10 finish under 3:30:00.” Although he has a personal best of 2:49:47 for a road marathon, he’ll look for that same goal in the next trail marathon he runs for Joe. Kim Stone, director of alumni and constituent relations, and her husband, Jason, welcomed their son, Evan, on July 24. 24. Auggies in the wedding were groomsmen Greg Hildebrandt ’08 and Derek Francis ’08; bridesmaids Katie LaGrave ’08 and Halen (Haley) Bower ’08; usher Bryan Ludwig ’08; personal attendant Bethany George ’11; and singers Andrew Johnson ’07 and Maria (Mitchell) Helgerson ’07. Send us your news and photos In Memoriam Oliver C. Severson ’31, Minneapolis, age 100, on November 4, 2009. Amy Ruth Schmidt ’54, Waterloo, Iowa, age 78, on June 14. Signe (Berg) Halverson ’36, Dallas, Wis., age 95, on July 25. Clayton Brandt ’57, Richfield, Minn., age 78, on November 19, 2009. Ethel (Sinner) Shebeck ’38, Langford, S.D., age 93, on November 14, 2009. Sandra (Solseth) Hopkins ’59, Golden Valley, Minn., age 71, on May 16, 2009. Gerald Person ’39, San Diego, Calif., age 93, on June 27. Richard M. Olson ’59, New Hope, Minn., age 79, on October 17, 2009. Reynold M. “Eric” Erickson ’41, White Bear Lake, Minn., age 89, on January 22. Lowell Formo ’41, Meza, Ariz., age 91, on August 20. Mary Lou (Heusser) Wesley ’41, Seattle, Wash., age 90, on October 6, 2009. Agnes (Mortensen) Mosling ’48, age 87, on January 3. Elizabeth “Betty” (Westphal) Peterson ’48, New London, Minn., age 83, on June 25. Dr. Ordean L. Torstenson ’63, Madison, Wis., age 69, on July 20. He was faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine at University of Wisconsin and named Pediatrician of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatricians. Distinguished Alumnus, 1999. Clarence C. “Pete” Hansen ’53, Lakeville, Minn., age 78, on January 12. Duane Myrin ’53, St. Cloud, Minn., age 79, on February 13. Ints Busevics ’54, Minneapolis, age 80, on August 9. ____________________________________________________________ Street address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip code Is this a new address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ E-mail James Dahlager ’71, age 60, on July 31, 2009. Paul A. Green ’51, Roseville, Minn., age 82, on January 7. ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended David Lyle ’64, Sun Prairie, Wis., age 68, on June 9, 2009. Russell Manthie ’49, St. Ignatius, Mont., age 81, on December 4, 2009. Carol (Watson) Schweizer ’50, Minneapolis, age 81, on January 8. ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone Stanley Spangenberg ’64, Lake Jackson, Texas, age 67, on August 24. Robert C. Carlson ’50, Sioux Falls, S.D., age 84, on August 18. ____________________________________________________________ Full name Rev. Orville K. Anderson ’64, Sioux Falls, S.D., age 68, on August 1. Robert Lehman ’49, South Williamsport, Pa., age 84, on July 5. John Werket ’49, Sun City West, Ariz., age 85, on June 4. He was a world champion speed skater and competed in the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Winter Olympics. Distinguished Alumnus, 1972. Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. Kay (Schiller) Trapp ’76, Shoreview, Minn., age 55, on May 10, 2009. Katharine (Bushell) Durr ’80, Hillsborough, N.J., age 48, on February 3. Steve Nelson ’81, Cottage Grove, Minn., age 50, on January 4. David R. Schroer ’89, Shoreview, Minn., age 44, on February 12, 2009. Pamela (Tevlin) Christensen ’92, Plymouth, Minn., age 53, on October 6, 2009. Patrick D. Schmid ’95, South Range, Mich., age 41, on August 29. Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ Employer ____________________________________________________________ Position ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No If yes, class year ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Michelle Hollie ’07, MAL student, Minneapolis, on August 8. ____________________________________________________________ Matthew Gill ’09, Castle Rock, Colo., on September 18, 2009. ____________________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Fall 2010 51 my Auggie experience A pilgrimage to find my college mentor: Professor F. Mark Davis gether in the classroom (including a course in his specialty, Chaucer) and in department meetings (I was a student appointee to faculty meetings). He and his wife, Kay, once hosted Nancy and me in their south Minneapolis home at a gathering of English majors. He even had made the one-hour trip by car to Monticello to visit our hometown and meet my parents. More amazing than finding him after months of occasional searches was the discovery of his home in retirement in Silver Spring, Md., just weeks before my five-day visit to the same area. One evening, I determined, could be devoted to meeting with my mentor whom I had not seen since the early ’70s. Mark was waiting outside the entrance to his building in their sprawling retirement community. The professor I knew when he was nearing 38 (I was 22) appeared somewhat like the man in the 1970 picture that carried. For the next hour and a half, the four of us sat in their apartment, reflecting on careers, family and grandchildren, travel, what we read today, retirement activities, people from Augsburg we mutually knew. There were parallels in our lives: We both have sons in the San Francisco Bay Area. We chose our retirement cities to be near grandchildren. We have downsized from larger, single-family homes to urban housing complexes. We reflected, with personal satisfaction, on our working lives—college professor and dean of students In 1970, Donald Q. Smith ’70 invited his mentor, English Davis (right) and Smith, both now retired, were reunited Department chair F. Mark Davis, to his parents’ home in when the former student successfully searched for his (Mark), weekly newspapering (Don) and K-12 edMonticello, Minn. advisor and visited him in suburban Washington, D.C. ucation (Kay and Nancy). Time didn’t permit reminiscing about the courses we shared at And then came vital help from a most unlikely source: a financial Augsburg ... or how a former English major and a professor later aprecruiter combing a list of alumni in the Northwest. We had a friendly plied their studies in different pursuits. Nor did we reflect on the frevisit for an hour in a downtown Portland hotel, which ended cordially, even though I revealed that our estate planning directs an educational quent campus turbulence during the ’60s from protests against the Vietnam War to the necessary demands for justice and equality by gift not to Augsburg but rather to the foundation of the shared high school of my wife, Nancy, and me. That was acceptable to David Ben- both black Americans and women. As a gift, I brought a Wright-signed copy of Driving to Vernonia for son, who then asked: “Is there anything I can do for you?” Davis. In the fictional “Vernonia,” Edmund’s search for mentor “Yes, find Mark Davis!” I abruptly responded. Richard Vickerman was (in the author’s words) “awkward, suspenseThat he did, querying a contact at Augsburg I had not tried. First ful and tinged with risk.” Not so for me. Rather my personal (and to come to me from Benson was a chronology of Davis's educational successful) drive to find Mark Davis was easy to do, without risk, and degrees and positions. That led to an e-mail to his undergraduate fulfilling. school in Tennessee (Bryan College), which forwarded my e-mail to him. Within days, an e-mail arrived from my one-time professor. DONALD Q. SMITH ’70 Davis, who had come to Augsburg as English Department chair in Former editor and publisher of the Monticello, Minn., Times; he lives in Portland, 1968 when I was a junor, expressed delight at the contact. During Ore., where he occasionally writes “Don’s Column”-like pieces as if he still has a his first two years in Minneapolis, we spent considerable time tonewspaper deadline. He can be reached at donaldqsmith@yahoo.com. Courtesy photos “Who in your life do you consider your mentors?” Oregon author George Wright’s inquiry to me came from his own experience of locating a long-lost store manager who had once befriended him. Twenty-five years later, a search by Wright led to a reunion and frequent luncheon meetings. Pondering the importance of positive influences, especially in one’s early years, gave Wright a plot line for his 2009 book, Driving to Vernonia. I recently followed the lead of Wright’s protagonist, Edmund Kirby-Smith, whose search for his mentor takes him to a small Oregon town. I sought an important teacher in my life: Augsburg College English advisor Professor F. Mark Davis. Finding Davis was no small challenge. Internet searches were fruitless. No Augsburg contacts I made were helpful. A letter to another retired English professor revealed that Davis when leaving Minneapolis became a dean of a small, unidentified college in the East. 52 Augsburg Now an augsburg legacy Hazel Thorson Stoeckeler “While I’m not an Auggie by degree … I know Augsburg makes such a difference for so many students. Through my charitable gift annuities, I know my gifts will make a difference for future Auggies, and I receive added financial security.” 1-800-273-0617 www.augsburg.edu/giving Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 2031 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 City Service Day On the day before fall semester classes began, first-year students contributed more than 1,500 service hours by cleaning, painting, gardening, and helping out in the community. Here, a student works at In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2010: Out Of The Box Auggies
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning t...
Show more 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning to learn Pursuing an ideal education page 20 Connecting the dots for good IGNITE program box Auggies 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 2 Editor Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Director notes from President Pribbenow Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Multiply your mind by giving it away Photographer a Webmaster/Now Online s this issue of Augsburg Now illustrates, the Augsburg community is engaged in many efforts and initiatives that are best characterized as innovative—or “out-of-the-box,” as they’re called here. In fact, I believe deeply that there is something about Augsburg and its mission that lends itself to this sort of entrepreneurial spirit, this willingness to try new ways of doing things in service to our students and neighbors. Just think of the last 30 years of new programs at Augsburg— the Weekend College; the expansion to seven graduate programs; the Augsburg campus at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester and at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington; the Augsburg Core Curriculum ––(AugCore), with its expansive framework for educating students in the liberal arts and in the world; the CLASS office, providing support for students with learning differences; the StepUP program, meeting the needs of students recovering from addictions; and the list goes on and on. All examples of how Augsburg is on the leading edge of providing an excellent education in new and innovative ways. I’ve recently been reading literature on helping organizations to embrace and sustain a culture of innovation—that is, to create organizational cultures that are constantly looking for new and different ways to do things, to make products, to deliver services; to save souls, educate students, heal the sick. Recently, I happened upon the writing of Mark Federman, a Canadian scholar whose writings on innovation include this provocative suggestion: “Multiply your mind by giving it away.” And Federman means exactly what he says—be generous, be charitable, give instead of always taking. Because when you are generous with your mind, with your knowledge and education, you help to create organizations and neighborhoods and agencies and churches and schools that are marked not by the scarcity of the world but by the abundance of what’s possible when generosity of mind and heart and spirit is our guiding principle. How will you give away your mind in the communities and organizations you serve? I constantly find examples of such generosity of mind right here in the Augsburg community, and you’ll see them in the stories featured here. For example, I’m struck by the ways in which staff member Brian Noy and his many colleagues who run our Campus Kitchen program are illustrating this generosity of mind and spirit. In addition to the ongoing preparation and delivery of 2,000 meals a month they serve to our neighbors in Phillips and Cedar-Riverside, they have focused our attention on the important role that food plays in our lives—as sustenance for our bodies, as fellowship for our community, as politics and economics in our neighborhood and world. They have multiplied their minds by giving them away to all of us. And the results are staggering— a community garden on the edge of campus that brings together neighbors and students and children, a Farmers Market that brings organic farmers from across the region to campus, composting of leftover everything in the cafeteria, and so much more—abundance through generosity. The gift of an education, an Augsburg education, calls all of us to this generous undertaking of multiplying your mind and knowledge and experience by giving it away so that it serves God’s abundant intentions for God’s people and world. That is the sort of innovation that is at the heart of Augsburg’s mission and vision. I’m proud to share in this significant work. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Jeff Shelman shelman@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 au w 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:30 AM Page 3 spring 2010 Features 10 14 6 10 14 10th annual International Programs Photo Contest 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy by Betsey Norgard 17 auggies out of the box 20 34 20 Pursuing an ideal education by Wendi Wheeler ’06 23 In the neighborhood contents by Jeff Shelman 28 augsburg now Departments 2 5 8 9 37 40 44 Around the Quad Auggies on the ice Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience 25 Learning to learn—without any A, B, Cs by Jeff Shelman 28 Connecting the dots for good by Bryan Barnes 31 IGNITE-ing Auggie spirit by Betsey Norgard 34 The Bod Pod by Betsey Norgard 36 Out of the box partnerships by Rebecca John On the cover It’s impossible to arrange many of the programs, people, and partnerships at Augsburg neatly into a box. With their creative perspectives and unique features, the stories here show how Augsburg often looks and acts “out-of-the-box.” All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 4 around the quad Auggies win 11th national wrestling title With eight All-Americans and three national runner-up individuals, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its 11th NCAA Division III national title in the last 20 seasons in March in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Augsburg finished with 110.5 points, 10 points better than second-place Wisconsin-La Crosse’s 100.5. Defending national champion Wartburg (Iowa) was third with 83.5 points, Coe (Iowa) was fourth with 76.0 points, and Delaware Valley (Pa.) was fifth with 50.5 points. In his second year as Augsburg’s head wrestling coach, Mark Matzek ’05 was named Division III National Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association—and at age 27, is the youngest head coach to ever win a Division III wrestling national title. Augsburg assistant head coach Jared Evans ’07 was named National Assistant Coach of the Year by the NWCA. “It was nine individual efforts that created this team national championship,” Matzek said. “I’m proud of each and every one of the guys who wrestled, and I’m proud of each and every one of the guys in this program.” The final session of the tournament completed a unique first for the Auggies—the first time Augsburg has won a national title without an individual national titlist. The feat has occurred just twice before in the 37-year history of the Division III championships. Have you seen the new signs? The new LED “Augsburg” atop Mortensen Hall now serves as a beacon to commuters who pass by on Interstate 94 and as a marker of Augsburg’s location. To read more and see a video of the construction, go to the “Auggie Sign” page on Facebook. Photo by Caleb Williams Auggie wrestlers, students, families, and friends celebrated Augsburg’s 11th national championship. 2 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 5 Augsburg receives five Fulbright awards In the past weeks, three Augsburg students, one faculty member, and the Center for Global Education have all been notified that they have received Fulbright awards for next year. May graduates Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will both teach English in Vietnam during the 2010-11 academic year. Bethany Hellerich, a 2009 graduate who is spending this year as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, will teach English in Indonesia. All three have plans to further their education after their year abroad, as Olsen will apply to medical school, Le has deferred admission to pharmacy school, and Hellerich is interested in a public health graduate program. Seven Augsburg students have been awarded Fulbrights over the past three years and the College has been recognized as a top producer of winners. Hellerich said Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity office (URGO) deserves credit for working with students and pushing them to believe that they can have success. “I’m just fortunate that [URGO director] Dixie Shafer exists and magical things happen when she works with you on your application,” Hellerich said. “She’s very helpful with giving good and detailed feedback.” English professor Colin Irvine will spend the next academic year traveling the length of Norway as a Fulbright Roving Scholar in American Studies. Courtesy photo College mourns the death of faculty Professor Don Steinmetz, who taught in the Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies Department for 41 years, died of an apparent heart attack on Dec. 28. He was 71. His son, Erik Steinmetz, is a member of Augsburg’s Computer Science Donald Steinmetz Myles Stenshoel Department faculty. Don Steinmetz served as chair of the department and taught courses in German and Spanish. He also taught Chinese and linguistics within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium. Professor Emeritus Myles Stenshoel died on March 26 following a short illness. He taught at Augsburg for 28 years and continued to teach part time in retirement. In 1965 he came to Augsburg and established the Political Science Department the following year. His interests were in politics and religion, and he was deeply committed to social action. Also mourned is Neal Thorpe ’60, former faculty member and a Distinguished Alumnus, who died in Vancouver, Wash., on March 3. Jens Olsen and Heidi Le Colin Irvine In this role, Irvine will prepare presentations on American studies topics and visit schools across Norway to provide opportunities for Norwegian teenagers to learn about the United States. Based in Oslo, he will likely give between 250 and 300 presentations across the country. “I’ve always been interested in the possibility of working or teaching overseas,” Irvine said. “This roving scholar program was perfect.” In addition, the Center for Global Education also received its fifth Fulbright-Hays Group Project award and will host a four-week curriculum development program for teachers during July and August in Namibia. Editor’s Note The last issue of the Now had a story, “Augsburg’s first travel to Egypt.” Alas, we have received a note from social work Professor Emerita Edwina (Eddie) Hertzberg, who tells us it isn’t so. “In 1979, for the January Interim, the College sponsored a course, Social Services and Public Policy in a Developing Country: Egypt, 1979,” she writes. “I was the faculty instructor, assisted by former adjunct professor Nagwa Farag and two of her colleagues from Helwan University in Cairo. My request to Professor Farag had been that we get as close to Egyptian people as possible so that our experience include the depth that only such engagement can provide. Eleven students, Augsburg and St. Olaf, from a variety of disciplines, participated in the month-long program. … [I]t was a remarkable educational and life-impacting experience for us all, students and faculty alike.” Spring 2010 3 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 6 around the quad Yi started out the semester in the back of the room, about as far away from me as possible. He showed relatively little interest; his homework and test grades were poor. Yet when I called on him he responded with reasonable answers. Like others hiding in the back row, Yi had potential; he just needed some personal attention and prodding. I took to writing notes on his homework encouraging him to move forward and talk to me. One afternoon he appeared in my office, and we talked for an hour about many things—about the class, how he came to United International College (UIC), and his goals. Eventually he closed the office door and wanted to talk about the injuries his uncle experienced in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the fear was still too great and he left. Yi did move forward, began to interact with me, and soon his work, tests, and comments improved remarkably. He began to enjoy thinking philosophically. Through a special arrangement, Augsburg made it possible for me to teach philosophy during the fall semester at UIC in Zhuhai, China. In three classes I was privileged to work with 120 bright Chinese students. A new, English-medium liberal arts college on the mainland, UIC is an experiment to provide a more Western style of education to the Chinese. China is dramatically changing as it attempts to educate its population, and UIC is one of eight brand-new universities built in Zhuhai in the last 10 years. “I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves.” In Introduction to Philosophy we read Plato’s Apology, where Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth by getting them to question those in authority who claimed that they knew when they really didn’t. I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves. By the end of the term over half of the students were engaging me in the classroom discussion, raising questions and objections and making the class their own. Courtesy photo Philosophy, religion, and Chinese food Professor Bruce Reichenbach with students (from left) Daisy, Serena, and Charlene enjoy noodles and discussion after class in Zhuhai, China. My Philosophy of Religion students and I would walk down to the student canteen on Friday for lunch and conversation. Jiang sat next to me and between bites of noodles asked, “Do you really believe in God?” Teaching Philosophy of Religion provided both a challenge and opportunity, as both the students and I looked for a common ground of understanding between our two cultures and worldviews. Once the initial barriers of passive learning were put to rest, the classroom boiled with discussion, questions, challenges, and good humor. Here, too, the students would linger. Tony periodically stayed around for an hour, his phenomenology book in hand, to inquire how Heidegger would view these ideas. Self taught in philosophy, he was eager to connect the course ideas with his own reading. Three Augsburg students and four recent graduates, serving as teaching assistants, also joined the UIC community, providing cross-cultural connections that will continue to develop as students and faculty visit each other’s campuses in the years ahead. At the end of the term two of my classes took my wife and me to Chinese restaurants to show their appreciation. We toasted friendship and a wonderful semester as we affirmed that we all liked philosophy and Chinese food. BRUCE REICHENBACH Professor of philosophy 4 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 7 Auggies on the ice Chris Johnson—A third-generation hockey star Chris Johnson certainly has an impressive hockey pedigree. Chris is the son of Mark Johnson, a member of the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980 U.S. Olympic team, a pro hockey star, and coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silver-medal hockey squad. He’s the grandson of “Badger” Bob Johnson, one of the greatest coaches in American hockey history—who also happened to attend Augsburg for a year before transferring to the University of Wisconsin. And his siblings all played hockey on various teams. But Chris Johnson has also made a name for himself as a leader of the Auggie men’s hockey team. A native of Verona, Wis., Johnson had a terrific career as an Auggie, scoring 41 goals with 74 assists for 115 points in his 104-game career. He had a goal or assist in 15 of Augsburg’s 27 games this season, including seven multiple-point efforts. Johnson’s squads reached the MIAC postseason playoffs in three of his four seasons, including two with him as team captain. He earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors all four seasons and All-American honors last year. Off the ice, Johnson will also be remembered as a top hockey player. He’s a member of Augsburg’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has helped lead hockey ministry and Bible-study groups of student-athletes. He’s also worked with the Herb Brooks Foundation’s “Rink Rats” program, teaching hockey skills to students from the Seward Montessori School. Johnson is a finance major with a 3.4 GPA. “Hockey was everywhere when we were growing up, in a good way, not in a pressure way,” Johnson told columnist Rachel Blount of the Star Tribune in a January feature. “We all got to play at the same high school as my dad. He taught us that even though we might have a last name that helps, it doesn’t matter if you don’t work hard. But he also told us that at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.” This season was a special one for the Johnson family. Since the U.S. women’s hockey team was based at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., prior to the Olympics, Mark—who took a leave of absence from his job as coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team to lead the Olympic squad—had ample opportunities to be with his son in the Twin Cities. Mark attended several of his son’s games at Augsburg, and the two met weekly for dinner and father-son bonding. In a “Profiles of Excellence” feature on the CollegeSportingNews.com website by Rich Mies in January, Chris Johnson said that his experience at Augsburg has been a positive one. “I’ve received a great education here,” he said, “and I cherish the relationships I’ve made here with teammates, coaches, teachers, and friends. I’ve grown up a lot while I’ve been here.” He also said he may consider following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and coach hockey someday. DON STONER Spring 2010 5 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 8 International Programs 1 Photo Contest Portraits 1st place: Matt Anderson “Soccer at Le Sacré Coeur” Paris, France 2nd place: Sandra Meyer “Yes” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Dan Thewis “Friday at Al-Azhar Mosque” Cairo, Egypt Landscape/cityscape 1 1st place: Norah Thompson “Villa Joyosa, España” Madrid, Spain 2nd place: Malena Thoson “Municipal Dump” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Elizabeth Robinson “Work Will Set You Free” Berlin, Germany Photojournalism 1st place: Dan Thewis “Cairo at Midnight” Cairo, Egypt 2nd place: Norah Thompson “El niño en Madrid” Madrid, Spain 6 Augsburg Now 1 3rd place: Sandra Meyer “Nonchalant” Managua, Nicaragua 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 9 3 2 3 3 2009 2 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 2 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 10 auggie voices How girlfriends do theology “Doing Theology with Girlfriends,” or DTwG as it is known, is not your typical Bible study. Sonja Hagander, associate pastor at Augsburg, started DTwG because students told her they wanted a Bible study on campus. “But you can’t always call it a ‘Bible study,’” Hagander says, “because that means it’s difficult or boring or only for people who already understand the Bible.” So DTwG gives women at Augsburg a chance to connect, to support each other, and to relate their own life experiences to scripture. This group of girlfriends gathers once a month to share stories of their lives and to “do” theology. The idea for DTwG came as Hagander reflected on how she loved spending time with her own girlfriends and on the importance of relating to other women. When the group gathers each month, one woman shares a story from her life. The others then share their own feelings and memories related to the story. Hagander chooses a reading or two from the Bible, which the women use to dig deeper into their experiences. Finally, they ask how what they’ve learned might change their daily lives or the way they practice their faith. On the last Monday in January, one student talked about what it means to “truly experience” nature as she related the story of her family’s vacation in Denali National Park. “I sat there for hours, looking out for miles, reflecting and praying and trying to figure out my place within God’s beautiful creation,” she said. 8 Augsburg Now Hagander passed out copies of Psalm 23, and the girlfriends identified their own green pastures and still waters. For one, a late-night jog around the lakes in Minneapolis was a way for her to connect to nature. Another experienced the majesty of creation while watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Then Hagander asked the group to examine the dark and destructive side of nature using Job’s account of a fire-breathing, stone-hearted leviathan. This led to a discussion about the massive loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. One woman marveled at the faith that kept some people alive as they waited for days to be pulled from the rubble of destroyed homes, churches, and schools. “Today is a gift that we get to use in the best way possible,” Hagander said, asking how the women could take this discussion into their lives. This hour wasn’t a gab session or group therapy. But it wasn’t an ordinary Bible study either. There were no right answers or theologically sound interpretations. Just coffee and tea, comfortable chairs, a pink candle, and a chance to share. That is how girlfriends do theology. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Back row (L to R): Amy Wenzel, Whitney Pratt, Pastor Sonja Hagander, Ally Streed, Sara Thiry, Emily Wiles; Front row (L to R): Lonna Field, Carly Facchini, Dixie Scruggs, Marrta Wyatt, Angelica Erickson, Sylvia Bull 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 11 it takes an Auggie A young woman meets her many grandmothers Last year, Krystal Mattison ’10 studied in Korea. Many students who study abroad are profoundly affected by the experience. For Mattison, a history and American Indian studies major from St. Paul, spending the year abroad was a life-changing opportunity to bond with her new grandmothers. Mattison is the granddaughter of a “comfort woman.” During World War II, thousands of Korean women were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Some of these women did not survive their ordeal, and many were unable to have children as a result of their treatment. Furthermore, the women were unable to talk about their experiences until many years later. Her grandmother died when Mattison was five years old, but she heard the story from her father. While in Korea, Mattison spent time at the House of Sharing, an organization in Seoul that houses and cares for the surviving comfort women. She says that after she told them about her grandmother, the women became her adopted grandmothers (halmonis), even giving her the Korean name Soo-Jeong. “They spoiled me, holding my hands and feeding me,” she says. She learned from the women, who now think of themselves not as victims but as survivors and activists, that speaking out against violence is an important part of the healing process. “This experience brought me so much completion that I had to do something.” That “something” was to connect with Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor of women’s studies and director of Augsburg’s Women’s Resource Center. After Mattison shared her grandmother’s story and her own experience in Korea, the center agreed to donate the proceeds from its annual benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues to the House of Sharing. Eve Ensler’s episodic play began off-Broadway in 1996. Each year The Vagina Monologues and other theatrical productions are presented across the country by women on college campuses on V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. “Since the purpose of performing this show is to fight violence against women by raising awareness about the issue and funds for organizations who do this work, we feel like it was a tremendously successful event,” says Nathanson. “The performances were excellent,” she adds, “beautifully and powerfully delivered.” This year’s production raised more than $800 through ticket sales and donations, which amounts to 940,000 Korean won. “This is such a personal issue for me, and I think it’s amazing that the women of Augsburg took it on,” Mattison says. At the end of each Augsburg performance, Mattison gave a speech about her grandmother. “I felt like she was there with me.” The Vagina Monologues was directed by Julia Sewell, a senior psychology major from Minneapolis. The cast included Irene Abdullah, Veronica Berg, Kia Burton, Amber Davis, Rebecca Dickinson, Sarah Gillund, Annika Gunderson, Lucreshia Grant, Elizabeth Hanson, Brandy Hyatt, Valencia McMurray, Lily Morris, Kris Ness, Magdalen Ng, Shannon O’Brien, Yasameen Sajady, Leann Vice-Reshel, Rochelle Weidner, and Courtney Wiley. WENDI WHEELER ’06 During Krystal Mattison’s year in Korea, she became friends with women, like her own grandmother, called “comfort women,” who were abused by the Japanese military during World War II. These survivors became grandmothers to her, and this year she found a way to help support them. Spring 2010 9 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:33 AM Page 12 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM 10 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 13 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Striving for Peace A Question of Will March 5–6, 2010 In cooperation with the Norwegian Nobel Institute, five Midwestern colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) sponsor the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The colleges, all founded by Norwegian immigrants, sponsor the forum to give recognition to Norway’s international peace efforts and to offer opportunities for Nobel Peace laureates, diplomats, scholars, students, and the general public to engage in dialogue on the dynamics of peacemaking and the underlying causes of conflict and war. The Peace Prize Forum is the Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside Norway. Augsburg College Augustana College Concordia College Luther College St. Olaf College This year’s Peace Prize Forum was held March 5 and 6 on the Augsburg College campus, and honored the work of 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland. The other plenary speakers were Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, and Leymah Gbowee, executive director of Women Peace and Security Network-Africa. Prior to the forum, the 15th annual Peace Prize Festival brought together approximately 800 school children and youth to learn about the importance and influence of the Nobel Peace Prize and to honor President Ahtisaari. For more photos of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Peace Prize Festival, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Spring 2010 11 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 14 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM The Peace Prize Forum is grateful for the support of our sponsors: this year’s host, Augsburg College, for providing the platform and for staging this important event. Together, with all of you in the audience, I look forward to learning from a leader this evening, a man who’s been inspiring in his steadfast belief in peace and transformative in his approach. May we all leave this conference energized by the power of one voice and committed to engaging collaboratively with each other to further the process of achieving peace. Thank you.” Alex Gonzalez ’90 (right), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Pribbenow meet Ahtisaari. Ann Parriott, vice president for human resources at H.B. Fuller, extended greetings at the forum’s opening ceremony. “Good evening. It’s a pleasure to be here with you tonight to help introduce this year’s conference. H.B. Fuller Company is honored to serve as the lead sponsor for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. We’re delighted to help welcome our very special guest speaker, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, and pleased to help and encourage ongoing dialogue and discussion on the topic of peace and conflict resolution. “As a company operating in more than 100 countries for many of our 120-plus years, H.B. Fuller has long embraced the value of diverse global perspectives to solve problems, address challenges, and maximize opportunities in the business sector. We are truly excited to help bring this year’s program to you and by so doing help provide a platform for dialogue, discussion, and diverse perspectives on an issue that affects all of us as global citizens. “We salute the Norwegian Nobel Institute and our academic sponsors, including 12 Augsburg Now Alex Gonzalez ’90 represented Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ at the forum. Parriott poses with President Martti Ahtisaari (center) and President Pribbenow. Ann and Todd Parriott converse with Augsburg’s MBA director, Steve Zitnick (left). “As a faith-based membership organization, Thrivent Financial seeks to help enable its members to demonstrate their care and concern for others. While organizationally it does not have a global focus, Thrivent Financial does help its members have a global impact through programs such as Thrivent Builds Worldwide and through various Lutheran relief organizations that have a global reach.” Alex Gonzalez, FIC, CLTC, is a partner with the Stonebridge Group. He is a 1990 Augsburg graduate and a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 15 Tim McGough (center) greets Ahtisaari and Pribbenow. McGough Construction and “Bright Green” As a result of their extensive experience with “green” construction and knowledge of sustainable building practices and products, McGough has created the Bright Green sustainable program. A guiding principle of the program is to find creative ways to apply sustainable practices to construction projects in a cost-effective manner. This would include exploring techniques for reducing waste and applying eco-friendly operating practices. McGough has adopted green strategies throughout their company to test cleaning products and utilize advanced recycling strategies. This focus on energy conservation and minimizing waste enables it to export these practices to the construction site and provide useful advice to clients. The centerpiece of Bright Green is the Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence consists of several sustainability specialists who can provide information and advice to organizations who are considering the implementation of criteria developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) or adopting proven practices to reduce the negative environmental impacts of building design and construction. The center draws upon outside research and industry data, as well as lessons learned “on the ground” from McGough Construction projects. Indeed, McGough is a long-standing member of the USGBC and is a founding sponsor of the local Mississippi Headwaters Chapter in Minnesota. The sustainability specialists in the Center of Excellence maintain active roles in local chapter committees, enabling them to stay well-informed about the most recent developments in sustainable design and construction. McGough, in collaboration with Augsburg, will apply these practices to the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, spoke in dialogue with President Ahtisaari at the forum. “In the long term, we can never win the fight [against terrorism] by military means. We need to find out why people are willing to give their lives and we need to address the root causes of terrorism.” Nordic Home Interiors Tim McGough (left) and Mike Hangge, with McGough Construction, speak with Barbara Farley, Augsburg’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. EVENT CONTRIBUTORS: Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation Mary T., Inc. Wells Fargo Winds of Peace Foundation The Omari rug/wall hangings donated to the forum were woven by Nordic Home Interior’s partner, Everest Handicraft Industries, in Katmandu, Nepal. They were hand-knotted in the primitive Nepalese/Tibetan art form of Tibetan wool with 100 knots per square inch. The dove design is Indian silk. DONORS: Baker Tilly Faegre & Benson Norway House Spring 2010 13 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 16 “ I T ’ S A B O U T F R I E N D S H I P, L E G A C Y, G O O D F O O D , H E R I T A G E , A G I N G — A L L O F T H O S E . ” JIM PEDERSON ’56 On a cold, crisp February morning, photographer Stephen Geffre and I follow Jim Pederson ’56 through ankle-deep snow up a slope to a small log cabin that overlooks Swede Lake. This log cabin, near Star Prairie, Wis., sits on the farm that was homesteaded by Pederson’s great-grandparents in 1872 and that he and his brother, Dwight ’60, now own. They grew up on the farm, moved away to begin their own lives, and now return often with their families and friends. Our reason for being there is to visit the site of an annual celebration that has occurred on the second Saturday of November for the past 50 years. It’s an afternoon each year when Jim and Elaine Pederson host friends and family in the small log cabin for mulled cider and treats before heading to nearby West Immanuel Lutheran Church for lutefisk dinner. This church dinner is a 75-year tradition that now attracts more than 1,200 people for lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, and more. THE BEGINNING OF ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS Jim Pederson says it’s difficult to put a label on this annual gathering. It’s about friendship, legacy, good food, heritage, aging—all of those. Star Tribune columnist Original furniture, art, and history provide the setting for the pre-lutefisk dinner gathering that fills the cabin in November each year. 14 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 17 BY BETSEY NORGARD Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy Jon Tevlin, who attended last November’s half-century celebration, described it as “an iconic Midwestern living postcard that turned 50 years old Saturday.” At first it was just an annual trek to the lutefisk dinner, but as years went by and friends began to gather beforehand at the farm, the camaraderie there became as important as the meal that followed. While to the Pedersons the gathering marks the final event of the farm’s social season, many of the attendees consider it the beginning of their holiday festivities. Pederson really can’t put his finger on just what glue has held so many of them together for so long. The short answer, he says, is that it was a group of Augsburg friends who started coming out to the country for a church dinner. “The better answer,” he adds, “is that some of us developed friendships that included faculty members who were our mentors and with whom we greatly enjoyed informal times outside the classroom.” Faculty from the 1950s who became regular attendees include Phil Quanbeck Sr., Paul Sonnack, Joel Torstenson, Ralph and Grace Sulerud, and others. For nearly 20 years, retired history professor Carl and Val Chrislock spent many of their summers at the farm, where Carl did a great deal of writing and where Val tended her flower and vegetable gardens. When there were deaths, spouses and families often continued to participate. “Many of us were deeply interested in public service of some kind, whether teaching, the ministry, public policy, or politics,” says Pederson. In the 1950s, when academic freedom was