Search results

(61 - 80 of 8,626)

Pages

Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2011: Auggies Go Beyond
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes f...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes from President Pribbenow Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director On politics and informed citizens Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design t he creation of the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning a few years ago allowed us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our distinguished alumnus, Martin Olav Sabo ’59, whose life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. As we live out our mission and vision here at Augsburg, we, of course, are deeply engaged in helping our students to understand the electoral political process, which Congressman Sabo so ably served. In addition, our students are closely involved in local political and advocacy efforts, in public service internships, in get-out-the-vote campaigns, and in helping our many new U.S. neighbors to participate in U.S. electoral politics. At the same time, we also are deeply committed to the ideas and practices of a broader public claim—a claim that calls on all citizens to “get political”—to follow the call of our Augsburg colleague, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, who suggests that “Despite its bad reputation, politics is the way people in any setting deal with differences to get something done. Politics means creating alliances, negotiating, engaging people around self interests, using levers of change in a strategic way. Politics is how diverse groups of people build a future together … Politics is from the Greek root, politikos, ‘of the citizen.’” As Boyte reminds us, “For over two thousand years politics meant not parties or vertical relations with the state but rather horizontal engagement among citizens.” In other words, politics and getting political is the authentic and important work of citizenship, claimed by all of us as our birthright and moral obligation. One of my heroines in U.S. history is the great social reformer, Jane Addams, who lived and worked at Hull-House in Chicago for almost 50 years, helping her immigrant neighbors to practice citizenship—not because of a political system but because democracy is a social ethic, a way of living together in commu- nity, neighborhood, country, some of us think even, the world. She described democracy as a “mixed and thronged road” on which we all are travelers together, navigating our lives together. Surely, Miss Addams illustrated in her own life and work the ways in which mature citizenship—genuine politics—is meeting the needs of our neighbors, building stronger and healthier neighborhoods, finding common purpose and then the will to make it real, and learning to be what political philosopher and ethicist Jean Bethke Elshtain has called “chastened patriots,” those who love a cause or community or country but love it in ways that make it stronger, more responsible, and more faithful to common purpose. This is politics as common, public work. The great Illinois senator, Adlai Stevenson, who ran for president against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, was once said to have responded at a whistle stop to a supporter who shouted out, “All thoughtful Americans are with you, Adlai,” with this great line, “That won’t be enough.” For those of us committed to the public and civic roles of higher education, we know that one of our great challenges is to educate more informed and thoughtful citizens—work that is a central claim of Augsburg’s mission—and to challenge our students to help others become the same as they reclaim a sense that politics is not simply about who is in power and who is not, not simply about ideology and partisanship, not simply about winners and losers, but instead that politics is the work we all are called to do to ensure that our common purposes will be realized. Please enjoy the many stories in this issue of Augsburg Now that illustrate Augsburg’s commitment to educating informed citizens—a commitment that has implications for our work on campus, in our neighborhood, and around the world. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu fall 2011 augsburg now Features 7 Homecoming 2011 BY CHERYL CROCKETT 11 15 14 augsburg as a citizen BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 . 13 The Sabo Center Educating citizens and leaders 14 Course-based service-learning Learning beyond the classroom 15 The Bonner Leader program Developing future leaders 16 Community relations The College as an anchor 3 contents 10 7 On the cover Banners along Murphy Square, part of the commons Augsburg shares with the neighborhood, reflect the College’s commitment to service. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 17 What is the commons? BY JAY WALLJASPER 21 Annual report to donors BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Departments inside front cover 2 6 10 29 35 40 44 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies on the court My Auggie experience It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes Auggie voices Correction: The Summer 2011 issue of Augsburg Now reported that the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council awarded two $10,000 grants to Augsburg College. The awards were granted to Medieval Minnesota and OverExposure. Both programs work in partnership with the College. The grant to Medieval Minnesota was funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The grant to OverExposure, which worked in partnership with Centro Youth Workshop and Augsburg, was an Arts Learning Grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. quad around the NEWSNOTES U.S.News & World Report names Augsburg College a 2011 Best Regional College This fall, Augsburg was named to the 2011 top 30 “Best Regional Midwest Universities” by U.S.News & World Report. The ranking is based on assessment in 16 areas related to academic excellence. To find out more about the U.S.News & Word Report ranking, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Augsburg one of six to win Washington Center Higher Education Civic Engagement Award For its commitment to public service and community involvement, Augsburg was selected by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars to receive the Higher Education Civic Engagement Award. The College is one of six higher education institutions in the nation to receive the honor, which was awarded October 3 at The Washington Center’s annual luncheon, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Last May, the College was also one of six schools—and the first in Minnesota—to win the Presidential Award for Community Service, the highest federal honor available for service learning. PA students complete a unit on working with older adults by hosting a community health fair for residents of Augustana Apartments in downtown Minneapolis. Physician Assistant program is granted accreditation The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Continued Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2018. The Augsburg program went from a three-year accreditation cycle to seven—the longest that a program can receive. Dawn Ludwig, Augsburg PA program director, said, “Obtaining seven years of accreditation is a welcome reward and recognizes the dedication of the PA faculty and staff who work to make our program one of the best in the country.” Board of Regents MEMBERS ELECTED At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporate Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg Board of Regents and re-elected three members to second terms. RE-ELECTED REGENTS: Andra Adolfson, Business Development Director, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Inc. NEW REGENTS: Karen (Miller) Durant ’81, Vice President and Controller, Tennant Company Rolf Jacobson, Associate Professor, Luther Seminary Matt Entenza, Founder and Senior Fellow, Minnesota 2020 Bonnie Wallace, Scholarship Director, Fond du Lac Reservation, and Founder of The Bearheart Women's Foundation Jeffrey Nodland ’77, President and CEO, KIK Custom Products Gary Tangwall ’80, Wealth Advisor, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ 2 Augsburg Now Also appointed to three-year terms on the board, ex officio, are Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod of the ELCA, and Bishop Harold Usgaard, Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. Norwegian royalty VISIT AUGSBURG Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg College during October as part of their first trip to the United States since 1995. President Paul Pribbenow said the visit was an honor, particularly given the College’s deep commitment to peacemaking and global citizenship, and was a chance to provide the royal couple with a firsthand experience of the deep relationship between Norway and the College. The king and queen attended a worship service with Norwegian students from the region and guests, including the 28 Norwegian students attending Augsburg this semester through the International Partners program. The king and queen also visited Luther and St. Olaf colleges. To commemorate this visit, Augsburg installed a peace pole near the main entrance to the Foss Center. The peace pole celebrates the College’s Norwegian heritage, its relationship with the country and people of Norway, and its work with the Norwegian Nobel Institute to support peacemaking through the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The Augsburg College peace pole is constructed of stainless steel and copper, reflecting the College’s urban setting. Inscribed on two of the five sides of the peace pole are statements in Norwegian and in English: Må fred herske på Jorden and May peace prevail on Earth. The other three sides of the pole display the word “peace” or an equivalent word, reflecting the diverse populations that make up Queen Sonja with Abigail Pribbenow, Maya Augsburg’s communities in Pribbenow, and Olivia Szaj, daughter of Vice Minneapolis and around the world. President and Chief of Staff Chris Szaj. The MAL Integrated Graduate Studies cohort explores responsible leadership in downtown Minneapolis. New graduate program offerings This year, Augsburg launched new offerings for graduate students in leadership, social work, and business. INTEGRATED MAL The first cohort of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) Integrated Graduate Studies program began meeting in August. This two-year hybrid program uses a combination of online and intensive on-campus learning. Students met in August with Professor Garry Hesser for a one-week intensive session that included neighborhood excursions and visits with local business and community leaders, including Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP President Paul Pribbenow and his family dedicate a peace pole outside of Foss Center in honor of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. Augsburg also added a certificate in social entrepreneurship, a program that combines courses in the master of business administration, social work, and leadership programs. The curriculum is designed for students interested in obtaining the skills and competencies necessary for the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact, and recognizes the unique challenges, opportunities, and qualities associated with trying to create social value. For more information about this certificate, go to the Augsburg MBA website at www.augsburg.edu/mba. Fall 2011 3 quad around the Summer construction on campus Two capital projects were completed this summer on the Minneapolis campus: the Gage Center for Student Success on the link level of Lindell Library, and the creation of new offices for Undergraduate/Graduate Admissions on the lower level of Christensen Center. The Gage Center was made possible through a $900,000 gift from the Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Foundation. This generous gift allows the College to co-locate critical academic student services in a new learning commons at the heart of campus—further demonstrating Augsburg’s commitment to equipping all students for success. The Gage Center project involved relocation of a portion of the library collection from the link level to new, high-density shelving in the lower level of Lindell Library—a solution that enhances the efficiency of the College’s existing space in supporting student academic needs. Also during the summer, improvements were made to the locker rooms and public spaces in Si Melby Hall. Mortensen Hall, one of Augsburg’s oldest residence halls, received extensive upgrades to its student living and common spaces, including new flooring, plumbing and bathroom upgrades, kitchen cabinetry, shelving, light fixtures, and paint. To see a slideshow of more construction photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICES 4 Augsburg Now Nobel Prize winners visit Augsburg developing approaches for sharing our commons sustainably and equitably. The two-day event explored the concept of the commons (see story, page 17) and included a social gathering in Murphy Square, Minneapolis’ oldest public park, as well as a walking tour of the neighborhood and a bike tour of the commons in Minneapolis. Festival of the Commons In early October, Elinor Ostrom, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, spoke at Augsburg for the Festival of the Commons. This event was a joint project of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center that connects organizations, community leaders, and individuals in Courtesy photo 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum (March 1-3) In a master class held at Augsburg, Elinor Ostrom gives advice to area college students about commons-related work they are doing on their campuses and in their communities. This spring, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, will keynote the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 2. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an annual event that inspires students and other citizens to become active participants in peacemaking efforts around the world. For nearly 24 years, it has been the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside of Norway. De Klerk, who won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, is known for his work to end apartheid, a systemic policy of racial segregation. De Klerk supported the transformation of South Africa into a multiracial democracy and in recent years has continued his work on peacemaking efforts. Learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at www.peaceprizeforum.org. STUDENTS TAKE ON interfaith community service challenge This summer, Augsburg was chosen by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Throughout this academic year, students representing the Muslim Student Association, Campus Ministry youth ministry teams, ALAS (Allied Latinas/os), Interfaith Scholars, the Pan-Afrikan Student Union (PASU), the women’s track and field team, Campus Kitchen, and the Bonner Leader program will participate in service projects centered on Somali youth in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. In addition, the Interfaith Scholars program, which began formally last spring, will explore and develop the roles of students as public leaders around interfaith literacy and action at Augsburg. President Paul Pribbenow expressed the importance of the College’s commitment to this initiative. He wrote, “As we consider our interfaith work, we are convinced that dialogue and service must be interwoven in all we do. We believe that what we learned through re- Interfaith Scholars team members: Front [L to R] Halimo Abdulkarim ’13, Mai Yang ’13, Luis Hernandez ’14, Miriam Medina ’13, Macha Shatonova ’13, Megan Holm ’12. Back [L to R] Lonna Field, Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning project coordinator; Jorge Mondragon ’13, Pastor Sonja Hagander. Not pictured: Salma Ahmed ’12, Fardosa Hassan ’13, Griffith Orman ’15. cent efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue with our neighbors is something we must do each day. We must seek to live side-by-side, day-by-day, within our neighborhood. Interfaith living is what we must—and do—aspire to teach our students.” Fall 2011 5 auggies on the court Hard work shapes Auggie Honors student, athlete Shelby Vogel stands out in the classroom and on the volleyball court. The Auggie— a pre-med honors student double majoring in chemistry and physics—chalks it up to elbow grease. “I get good grades because I work hard,” Vogel said. “And I don’t feel good unless I work hard. I think that same mindset transferred to sports.” Although she’s a first-year student, she earned enough college credits during high school to enter Augsburg as a sophomore. Vogel was in the National Honor Society during high school and received two of Augsburg’s highest merit-based scholarships—the Regents’ Scholarship and the Courtland Agre Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming first-year students with exceptional academic achievements in science and who meet standards for national test scores and grade point average. Professor Larry Crockett, Vogel’s honors adviser, said that Vogel is setting some of the agenda for discussions in the Honors Scholar Citizen class. “She engages well and raises good questions, which is the heart of the honors academic enterprise,” Crockett said. “It’s what I like to call ‘academic jazz.’” Outside the classroom, Vogel excels on the court. She is a high school all-conference and Junior Olympic volleyball player and was team captain. One of Vogel’s favorite high school memories was going to the state championship during her senior year where she and her teammates beat their rival in the semifinal round. “It was happy and sad,” Vogel said. “We all had played to- 6 Augsburg Now gether since sixth grade, and we beat our rivals in the semifinals. But we lost the championship to a big school, and it was our last game as a team.” Augsburg’s head volleyball coach, Jane Becker, said she’s had her eye on Vogel since Vogel was a high school sophomore. “Shelby brings a maturity to the court that is rare in any athlete, let alone a first-year athlete,” Becker said. “Her priority on the court is that the team succeed. Her work ethic and team attitude have already earned her the respect of her teammates and will serve her as she enters the medical profession. We’re grateful Shelby is an Auggie on the court and in the classroom.” On the court as an Auggie, Vogel hopes to play at the NCAA Division III Tournament. Vogel visited a number of private colleges—most of them in rural settings like her home city of Sheldon, Iowa—before selecting Augsburg. “I wanted to be in the city. I graduated with 89 people in a town of about 5,000,” Vogel said. “I like it here because I’m in a big city on a small campus.” STEPHANIE WEISS 2011 homecoming HOMECOMING 2011 HAS COME AND GONE, but it has left lasting memories for the more than 1,200 Augsburg alumni, students, parents, and friends who participated in the festivities. Several events during the week sparked the homecoming spirit. A student/alumni networking reception provided students an edge in navigating their career paths as they met with alumni already seasoned in their professions. Sports enthusiasts reunited around an alumni baseball game at Parade Stadium. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated and awards presented at a special induction ceremony. The Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™, provided alumni and friends time to network and learn about community issues. Friday and Saturday came alive with a rich pastiche of “remember when” conversations as reunion classes each gathered to reconnect with one another and the College, including members of the class of 1961 who were inducted into the 50-Year Club. The Friday morning convocation honored six Auggies, and the celebration continued over a lunch, which featured Martha Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. Saturday morning featured the “Best of Augsburg” mini-lectures from three outstanding professors: Garry Hesser, David Murr, and robert tom. A 5K Fun Run Saturday drew alumni, students, and friends, all decked out in their Auggie gear for a morning run through the neighborhood. In the Gage Family Art Gallery and the Christensen Center Art Gallery, artwork from 23 alumni was on display, including ceramics, painting, drawing, multi-media, sculpture, photography, book arts, fiber arts, and printmaking. On Saturday in Murphy Square, more than 30 vendors at the Taste of Augsburg event served up a variety of inviting vittles. The weekend’s centerpiece was, of course, the football game against St. Olaf, and Auggie spirit was at a fever pitch. The celebration continued after the game at the Block Party where more than 600 Auggies gathered to enjoy live music and more fellowship. The crowning touch for an already unforgettable week was the Saturday evening Hognander Music Scholars reunion concert featuring some of Augsburg’s finest musicians from the past 12 years. CHERYL CROCKETT Save the date for Homecoming 2012, September 23 to 29. To nominate an Augsburg alumnus or alumna for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu. Fall 2011 7 2011 homecoming To see more photos of Homecoming 2011, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 8 Augsburg Now 2011 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Awards First Decade Award Spirit of Augsburg Awards Corky Hall ’71 Adam Seed ’01 Arlin Gyberg Founder and CEO of Stellus Consulting Vice President, Astra Ventures Inc. Chemistry Professor, Augsburg College I didn’t come to college for reading, writing, and arithmetic; I came for the three Es: Edor Nelson, Ernie Anderson, and Ed Saugestad. But I learned that it’s not about winning and losing on the field; it’s how you win, and lose, every day. Augsburg showed me how to live—how to win and how to lose—which makes us all champions in life. Giving to others, thinking about others, thinking less about oneself—this has been the key to my success. The less I think about myself, the happier I am. Augsburg taught me to manage in life without focusing on myself. It's given me everything I have today. One of the values that stands out at Augsburg is the community of learning experienced here. What has been most rewarding [over the years] are the alumni who stop by to visit, who are still connected. The strong alumni support has been important in the success of the College. I thank you, “family of Augsburg.” Athletic Hall of Fame Wayne Jorgenson ’71 Senior Vice President of Investments at UBS Financial Services In high school, I knew I wanted to be a stockbroker—an ethical one. When you do what’s right for the client, they become more than clients; they become friends. Whatever you choose to do in life, do what’s right. In your heart you will know what that is. Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: • Mike Burkhardt ’81, men’s hockey/ baseball • Carrie (Lind) Cabe ’01, women’s track and field • Stu Engen ’86, men’s basketball • Mitch Hegland ’91, wrestling • Kara (Seibel) Hoard ’96, women’s soccer • Matt Kretlow ’91, wrestling • Pat Piepenburg ’69, women’s basketball Norma Noonan Professor and former Director of the Master's of Arts in Leadership, Augsburg College After 45 1/2 years at Augsburg, I still believe it is a special place to work. The Augsburg spirit inspires our work and encourages our success. It nourishes us daily. The Augsburg community continues to be a place of learning, discovery, and collaboration. • Angie Rieger ’01, women’s hockey/ volleyball Judith Schaubach ’68 President of Education Minnesota, retired Education always seems to be a passion of mine. I know how important education was for me; I learned so many values here at Augsburg. Part of my success was being open to new things. You never know what door will open for you as you go through life. Take advantage of those opportunities. • Don Skoy ’73, football For biographies and more information about this year’s alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now homecoming alumni awards Fall 2011 9 my Auggie experience This is what an Auggie looks like: Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA At first glance, it might seem surprising that an accomplished physician and educator, one whose office walls are lined with plaques highlighting his achievements, would count an MBA program as one of the most valuable experiences of his career. But give him a few minutes, and Dr. Amit Ghosh will offer many reasons why the Augsburg MBA has been a highlight for him. As the director of the Mayo Clinic international program, a full professor in the Mayo College of Medicine, and the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Mayo Educator award, Ghosh had established a successful career as a physician and a diagnostician. “But what I could never do was see what was going on add depth to classroom discussions. “We ask all kinds of questions from all angles, and without any trouble the professor answers them.” After class, Ghosh said his professors often send additional articles and materials to continue the discussions. Ghosh also likes the team-based cohort model and the opportunity to learn from classmates who he said bring valuable and diverse points of view to the program. “I have learned so many things about business from the students in my cohort,” he said. Ghosh appreciates how his classmates challenge him. “They have forgotten I am a physician, and they really ing an organizational diagnostician. He said the program has changed not only how he approaches his work as a physician but also how he teaches at Mayo. “I teach a whole spectrum of learners from students to faculty and use the things I have learned in business school to highlight relevant areas related to service-delivery that I think are not stressed or are missing from medical education,” he said. Ghosh will complete the Augsburg MBA in “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” around me in the business world,” he said. So in 2009, Ghosh’s colleague, Augsburg College regent Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, suggested the MBA program. Now Ghosh is learning, through connections with both the faculty and the students in his Rochester MBA cohort, to become what he calls an “organizational diagnostician.” “At every point in our lives we define ourselves,” Ghosh said. “I thought in my journey with my career I needed to redefine myself, and my Augsburg education has helped me do that.” An esteemed educator in his own field, Ghosh holds the Augsburg faculty in high regard and appreciates the rigor of the curriculum. “I work in a world-class institution, and I can assess quality,” Ghosh said. “The professors at Augsburg are amazing.” Ghosh said his Augsburg MBA professors bring real world experience to the classroom, which is helpful because their experiences 10 Augsburg Now give me a run for my money.” In addition to the faculty and his fellow students, Ghosh said Augsburg staff members have enhanced his experience. He related a story about Ron Kurpiers, a librarian at the Minneapolis campus, who helped Ghosh with a paper. Kurpiers took time on a Sunday, while he was caring for a sick family member, to lead Ghosh step-by-step through the process of finding articles to write a paper. “He thinks like a student, but he works like a librarian,” Ghosh said. “It was as if he were sitting with me.” Perhaps Kurpiers’ extraordinary dedication is one reason why Ghosh now says looking at the library website to find articles is one of his favorite pastimes. His Augsburg education has helped Ghosh grow professionally toward his goal of becom- March 2012, and though he said he looks forward to finishing, it is clear that he does not want his Augsburg experience to end. Maybe, he said, as he matures as a manager, he could consider becoming a part of the Augsburg MBA faculty. Whatever the future holds for Dr. Ghosh, it is clear that he is proud to call himself an Auggie. “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 A T S R E E T A D A G L U AUGSBURG COLLEGE EDUCATES STUDENTS urban TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS, THOUGHTFUL center for debate democracy league STEWARDS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND community campus relations kitchen RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. THE AUGSBURG EXPERIENCE IS SUPPORTED BY AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED TO INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY IN ITS LIFE league ANDcampus WORK. AN AUGSBURG EDUCATION IS compact DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, GUIDEDbonner BY THE FAITH AND VALUES OF THE leader LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND SHAPED BY ITS service URBAN AND GLOBAL SETTINGS. learning sabo and citizenship high school mathematics center THE MISSION STATEMENT that Augsburg College launched last year begins with a statement of educational outcomes: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. There is a reason, President Paul Pribbenow said, that “informed citizens” appears first on that list. “It is a part of our legacy to equip our students to think of themselves as citizens in a democracy,” he said. “And this shapes our work through our statement of vocation: we believe we are called to serve our neighbor. That is faith, learning, and service linked.” BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 AUGSBURG AS A citizen BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING Fall 2011 11 SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING The Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning provides venues for Augsburg students and the community to learn from local and national civic leaders and connects students with civic engagement and service-learning opportunities. The components of the center are highlighted here. THE SABO PROFESSOR, SABO SENIOR FELLOWS, AND SABO SCHOLARS uphold Congressman Martin Sabo’s ’59 abiding faith in the role government can play in improving the lives of citizens. Sociology professor Garry Hesser, the Sabo Professor for Citizenship and Learning, is aided in his work by the Sabo Fellows: Senior Fellow for Academic Civic Engagement, Lars Christiansen, associate professor of sociology; Senior Fellow for Civic Agency, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship; Senior Fellow for Leadership and Change, Bill Green, associate professor of history; and Sabo Center Senior Fellow, Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org. The 10 Sabo Scholars collaborate with Congressman Sabo and Hesser to create opportunities for Augsburg students to engage more fully in civic and public life. See page 20 for more about the Sabo Scholars. (See story, page 13.) THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP collaborates with a variety of partners to promote active citizenship and public work by people of all ages. The center’s work is grounded in the belief that a healthy democracy requires everyone’s participation and that each of us has something to contribute. The center is involved in projects such as the Jane Addams School for Democracy, Public Achievement, the American Commonwealth Project, Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative, and more. (See story, page 13.) COURSE-BASED SERVICE-LEARNING is an integral part of an Augsburg College education. More than 35 courses per year include a service-learning component, bringing students into the community. The Engaging Minneapolis and Augsburg Experience curricular requirements reinforce this commitment to experiential learning. (See story, page 14.) THE CAMPUS KITCHEN program served 23,000 meals last year to residents of the community. Campus Kitchen sponsors a farmers’ market on campus during the growing season, provides growing space in the community garden, and also uses the garden to teach neighborhood youth. 12 Augsburg Now THE AUGSBURG BONNER LEADER program provides financial support through work study jobs, leadership development, and practical skill development for students who are dedicated to integrating community and civic engagement into their college learning experience. (See story, page 15.) Through participation in academic competitive debate programs, the MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE empowers junior high and high school students in Minneapolis and St. Paul to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. THE MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS LEAGUE identifies more than 3,000 Minnesota high school students with unusual mathematical ability and brings them together for study, competition, and recognition. MINNESOTA CAMPUS COMPACT leverages the collective assets of higher education institutions and communities, building partnerships and educating students to develop creative solutions to pressing public issues. The coalition brings together all types of higher education institutions dedicated to the civic purposes of higher education. It is also affiliated with the national Campus Compact network, which includes more than 1,100 campuses in all 50 states. As a college in the city, the role of Augsburg’s director of COMMUNITY RELATIONS is vital to establishing and maintaining quality relationships with community members and organizations. (See story, page 16.) the center EDUCATING CITIZENS AND LEADERS Perhaps one of Augsburg’s most important contributors to educating informed citizens is the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. Established officially in 2009 and named for Martin Olav Sabo ’59, Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District representative in the U.S. House for 28 years, the Sabo Center serves to connect the College to the greater community. The Sabo Center is the College’s hub for public outreach with Campus Kitchen and Augsburg Reads as well as with the Minnesota Urban Debate League, the Minnesota High School Mathematics League, and Minnesota Campus Compact. Also, through community service-learning classes and projects, and programs like The Sabo Scholars have dinner with Martin and Sylvia Sabo each semester. Bonner Leader, Sabo Scholars, and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC), the Sabo Center gives voice to the College’s mission of educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. And finally, with the support of the Sabo Center staff and College leadership, the director of community relations fulfills the center’s third purpose: to ensure Augsburg’s position in the community. The fact that Augsburg received the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service is due in great part to the programs and partnerships of the Sabo Center. This is the highest honor in the annual President’s Higher Education Community Serv- sabo sabo ice Honor Roll, and Augsburg was one of only six colleges and universities to receive this distinction. Harry Boyte, director of the CDC, articulates the role of the Sabo Center as a platform for interaction and relationships between the campus and the community. He said, “It’s a way to develop working relationships and engagement and a thematic and philosophical way to address the mission of the College. The public work at the Sabo Center allows serious conceptual thinking about citizenship—being a citizen is about more than being a ‘good person,’ and this provides the public frame to break it open and talk about it.” HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD The Center for Democracy and Citizenship initiated two major projects this fall to help reinforce the role of higher education in promoting active citizenship. THE AMERICAN COMMONWEALTH PROJECT fosters civic learning, public engagement, and stewardship in higher education. The project is a partnership among the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Office of Public Engagement. It will deepen connections and relationships and create policies, initiatives, and practices in public engagement efforts across higher education. THE FESTIVAL OF THE COMMONS, co-hosted October 7 and 8 by At the Festival of the Commons, groups discuss how the principles of the commons can be used to address today’s cultural, economic, political, and social divides. center for democracy and citizenship Augsburg College and On The Commons, focused on how society creates, uses, and manages the commons—things we all share and own together. The event featured keynote speaker Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Economics. Fall 2011 13 course-based service-learning LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM The community service-learning component of the Augsburg curriculum provides significant opportunities for Augsburg students and faculty to interact with the community and develop mutually beneficial relationships. Mary Laurel True, director of servicelearning, emphasized that service-learning is more than community service; it is part of the College’s commitment to the community. “This is about sharing our resources in all areas, asking what the community needs that we can provide,” she said. “It’s not just the courses, it’s the institution as a citizen.” The curricular aspect of service-learning begins at the summer orientation program for undergraduate students in the day program. Throughout their orientation experience, groups explore the neighborhoods and begin to learn about opportunities to engage with and learn from Augsburg’s neighbors. An Augsburg tradition for more than 15 years, City Service Day gives first-year day students an opportunity to serve in and learn about the community through service projects on the day before fall semester classes begin. This September, more than 400 students and their faculty leaders contributed 1,200 hours of service at local schools, community service centers, churches, and theaters. Students continue building neighborhood relationships in their first-year seminar called “AugSem.” AugSem groups are determined by a student’s anticipated major area of study, so AugSem courses and service-learning opportunities engage students in ways that often continue after their first semester at Augsburg. Every year, more than 35 service-learning courses include an experiential education component, which involves an average 14 Augsburg Now of 25 hours of off-campus service-learning in a semester. More importantly, True noted, students must reflect on their experiences. “They get credit for their reflection, not the time they spend in the community,” she said. One example of how service-learning enhances the educational experience is found in the Education Department, where a field service experience is included in all major methods courses. In fact, education majors at Augsburg will complete at least 120 hours of service-learning in different elementary or secondary classrooms before student teaching, according to Jeanine Gregoire, associate professor of education. Augsburg teacher candidates have opportunities to work with schools such as Seward Montessori and the Cedar-Riverside Community School. In cooperation with the classroom teachers, candidates learn how to build a curriculum to address the needs of all learners, including many who are English language learners from the Somali, Hmong, and Korean communities. “It’s a great experiential program for them to see how teaching and learning play out in the classroom,” Gregoire said. Gregoire added that some teacher candidates come to Augsburg with little experience in diverse schools, so service-learning provides a broader perspective on the classroom. “It takes them out of their comfort zone and forces them to think critically about the issues affecting the curriculum,” Gregoire said, “and they get an understanding about the complexities of teaching to eager, bright students who have a huge range of abilities.” Service-learning is an integral part of sociology professor James Vela-McConnell’s upper-division course on social problem analysis. Vela-McConnell chooses a social problem for the class to focus on, and students learn about the issue through traditional research, service in organizations, and intensive interviews with lay people and those who work in social service organizations. The goal, Vela-McConnell said, is to combine all the students’ work into a complete examination of a social problem. “By doing this as a class project and not an individual project,” Vela-McConnell said, “I emphasize that I am not the expert and I become part of the collective learning experience.” He sees this role as valuable for the students because it allows professor and students to connect as equals and to work together. These examples highlight how the learning experience can be enriched for students through service and show how Augsburg can benefit the community by sharing resources. True noted that many of the organizations involved in service-learning relationships with Augsburg have a small group of staff, so Augsburg students provide dedicated volunteer support that helps these organizations succeed and grow. “I think what we have going here is thick and deep and grassroots,” True said. “It’s a reciprocal relationship with the community. It’s a long-term commitment.” To see a video about James Vela-McConnell’s class, go to www.augsburg.edu/now service learning bonner leader DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS the bonner leader program The College’s commitment to the community has been extended through the Bonner Leader program. Now in its fourth year at Augsburg, the Bonner program connects 40 students to local partners including schools, community centers, churches, and other nonprofit organizations. Bonner students commit 10 to 12 hours per week working with the organizations as well as three to five volunteer hours per month. Kristin Farrell, director of the Bonner Leader program, said she believes the program affects students in multiple ways. “It changes the way they see themselves and their communities, and it changes the way they do academics. They see their education as a way to make change in the world,” she said. Bonner students meet as a group with Farrell three times monthly for training and enrichment, giving them a chance to reflect with their peers and to make connections to their classes. Through these experiences, Farrell said students uncover their gifts, and this discovery can lead to new direction in their education or career paths. ’13 ARIANNA GENIS Working with Urban Ventures creating a leadership development program for Latino students “Bonner has taught me the importance of being a part of a community and going out and really getting to know people. The people I have worked with in my placements have given me much more than I have to them.” Because Bonner students often make a long-term commitment to an organization, Farrell said the partners tend to expect more from the students than they would from a short-term intern or a volunteer. This provides opportunities for students to become deeply engaged in the work of the organization. Farrell added that the program shapes community leaders who are sought after by employers. “I think being in the Bonner Leader program gives students a leg up as they leave Augsburg,” she said. “Organizations want people who are knowledgeable about communities.” “The Bonner program provides a deep level of relationships to community partners and a very purposeful way of getting students immersed in the community,” Farrell said. It also connects Augsburg students to a network of more than 10,000 Bonner alumni—students focused on social justice issues who help connect Augsburg grads to opportunities beyond college and in communities outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. ’12 MALLORY CARSTENS Assisting with the school social worker and afterschool programs at the FAIR magnet school in downtown Minneapolis “I was undecided in my major, and Bonner really helped me grow into what I consider my vocation. It led me to social work and to a whole new set of values and interests. It really shaped my Augsburg experience.” ’12 CLAIRE BERGREN A community organizer at the Harrison neighborhood association in North Minneapolis “I came to Augsburg thinking I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people in some way. Now I realize that is not the best way for me, but I can help people through direct interaction with them. I am attracted to doing community organizing because you are so immersed in the experience and in the communities, and you become part of people’s lives.” To read about Bonner Leader Andy Rodriguez ’12 or view a video about the program, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 15 community relations community relations THE COLLEGE AS AN ANCHOR 16 Augsburg’s engagement in the community is deepened by its commitment to becoming an “anchor institution”—an organization that thinks and behaves as a citizen and contributes to community wealth building and local economies. The College serves as an anchor institution not only through service-learning and outreach programs but also through Steve Peacock, director of community relations. He sees his work as a complement to other Sabo Center programs, playing the behindthe-scenes role of representing Augsburg and developing relationships with community organizations. For more than three years, Augsburg has been a member of the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, which is currently chaired by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. The partnership, which includes the City of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and Pillsbury United Communities, provides a venue for neighborhood issues to be addressed in creative ways. One example is the road construction on Riverside Avenue, which began this summer. The members of the partnership saw this as an opportunity to change the character of the area and provide a welcoming, safe gateway to the neighborhood. Working with the City of Minneapolis, the partnership advocated for lighting, new green spaces, and other improvements to the Riverside corridor that would enhance the vitality of the neighborhood. “As an anchor institution, we have a responsibility to ‘place.’ It is in our self interest to ensure that the neighborhood is healthy, vibrant, and safe,” Peacock said. “But we also have a responsibility to strengthen our shared values.” Part of an anchor institution’s role is to support workforce development within a community. Augsburg has been involved in one such initiative as a host for the Urban Scrubs Camp, which is presented by HealthForce Minnesota with support from Boston Scientific. This one-week camp gives more than 70 inner city high school students a hands-on opportunity to learn about healthcare careers. It also helps to educate area youth, addresses the need for workforce development for local hospitals, and strengthens relationships with community partners. In 2011, nearly all of the students attending received a scholarship to the camp through the CedarRiverside Partnership. Augsburg also works closely with the Seward and Cedar-Riverside business associations to promote local businesses to the College community. “As a consumer and investor in the community, we are sensitive to neighborhood businesses and are helping to strengthen them as much as possible,” Peacock said. Augsburg Now In the past, Augsburg marketing courses have developed promotional campaigns for local businesses aimed at students, staff, and faculty. Last spring, a group of marketing students promoted the local restaurant, the Wienery, with a “wiener walk.” This year Cedar-Riverside restaurants, including the recently opened Afro Deli, participated in the Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming, and Augsburg will be involved in the “Franklin Frolic” to support Franklin Avenue businesses in early December. Because the College has a strong commitment to and sees itself as part of the community, Peacock finds his work very gratifying. “Augsburg is a really exciting place to do this kind of work. Building upon strong relationships and taking them to another level improves not only our opportunities but our neighbors’ as well.” EDUCATING INFORMED citizens At the September 2011 Augsburg Corporation meeting, President Paul Pribbenow described the College’s vision of neighborhood well-being related to the anchor institution movement. He said, “In major urban areas, higher education institutions have begun to think of themselves differently, not as places that have all the answers … but in fact places that want to enter into mutual conversation and mutual benefit for each other, for the sake of the city, for the sake of the neighborhood.” Pribbenow makes clear that the College’s role in the community is reciprocal. “We are moving away from a charity model,” he said. “It’s not what we can do for them but what we can do together.” In Augsburg’s mission, in its academic programs, in the common life of the College and its neighbors, and in outreach to the community, Augsburg lives out its commitment to service. Guided by the work of the Sabo Center, the College will continue its deep and lasting commitment to the community as it educates informed citizens who will build and sustain the communities in which they live and work. WHAT IS THE commons? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO US RIGHT NOW? BY JAY WALLJASPER, Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning Editor's Note: On October 7 and 8, the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a “Festival of the Commons” in partnership with On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center. This article, written by Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org and senior fellow of the Sabo Center, provides an explanation and examples of the concept of the commons in our world today. It’s an old idea—the chief organizing principle for human society for most of history—that’s now being rediscovered and reinvigorated all around the world. The commons means what belongs to all of us—and the many diverse ways we share it equitably and sustainably among each other and coming generations. It describes a sweeping set of practices that range from the intricate social structures of indigenous people to the ever-evolving networks of connection fostered by the Internet. And everything in between—natural and human-made. The commons is essential to our survival and happiness, touching our lives all day long—from the water with which we brush our teeth in the morning to the fairy tales we tell children at bedtime. The natural commons makes life itself possible thanks to air, water, biodiversity, and DNA. The cultural commons makes human civilization possible through the sharing of knowledge, language, inventions, stories, and art. The social commons makes our modern way of life possible through educational institutions, medical expertise, engineering know-how, and communication tools. Even the market economy depends on the commons for the natural resources and human capital that drive its profits, as well as the legal and regulatory systems without which it would fall apart. Unfortunately, the commons today is under assault. The natural environment continues to suffer devastation, including the specter of global climate disruption. Privatization policies fence us out of resources that once could be used by everyone, and budget-squeezed governments and civic institutions scale back on services upon which we depend. Meanwhile, many people are convinced their security and well being depend entirely on what they can possess individually, to the detriment of the common good. But the good news is that people everywhere are standing up to protect and promote what we all share. Some, inspired by the work of Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom (who visited Augsburg this fall; see page 5), are launching a movement to draw attention to all the ways that the spirit and practice of the commons can help solve the pressing problems of our time, including economic inequity, environmental decline, Fall 2011 17 social isolation, and political alienation. Many others are not familiar with the term at all but continue to roll up their sleeves to do crucial work in their communities, guided by their instincts for the common good. They are commoners, too. At this tumultuous moment in history, the commons provides us with a compelling vision of a society where “we” matters as much as “me.” THE WEALTH ALL AROUND US Examples of the commons in our daily lives • Air and water • Parks, libraries, streets, and sidewalks • Social Security, the National Weather Service, police protection, and other public services • Wilderness preserves and national forests • Wikipedia and open source initiatives • Musical styles, dance steps, and fashion trends • Biodiversity • The Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Koran, Zen Koans, Hindu Upanishads, Norse sagas, and indigenous tales of creation • Blood banks, soup kitchens, 12-step groups, museums, and other civic efforts • Oceans, Antarctica, and outer space GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR NET WORTH We are all co-owners of some very valuable assets Let me offer some good news about the state of your wealth. Sure, real estate values and the stock market look shaky these days, and no one’s job appears safe anymore. But what you possess individually accounts for only part of your true net worth. Each of us also owns a stake in some extremely valu- 18 Augsburg Now able assets: clean air, fresh water, national parks, the internet, civic institutions, cultural traditions, and more. Just like personal property, these things enhance our lives in countless ways—roads we travel, public spaces where we gather, medical and scientific breakthroughs we take advantage of, and accumulated human knowledge we use for free many times each day. In fact, without these commonly held resources, our modern society and market economy would never have gotten off the ground. When the economy appeared to be booming, many of us didn’t care about the commons; it hardly seemed to matter that the local recreation center was in disrepair and Social Security in trouble. Private health clubs and IRAs would meet those needs. But today, Americans are increasingly grateful for services and opportunities provided for us beyond profit-making ventures. But the news about our common wealth is not all good. It faces major threats. The financial crisis has created new pressures for federal, state, and local governments to slash critical services and programs that we depend on. Transit, public schools, libraries, medical assistance, social services, and parks have been on the chopping block in many communities. Fortunately, there’s a new movement of “commoners” from all walks of life who are standing up to protect things that we all share. More than just an activist cause, the commons is becoming a model for thinking differently about how we make decisions, manage resources, and think about responsibilities. BUSINESS BASED ON WHAT WE SHARE Latino entrepreneur—and Augsburg grad— returns to his roots with a local food project “Common sense” is a term entrepreneur Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03, uses with ever increasing enthusiasm to describe the local food initiative he is creating with immigrant Latino farmers in Minnesota. “I come from the commons,” said Haslett-Marroquin, who grew up in Guatemala, where his family still farms communal lands. “And I am going back to the commons.” Haslett-Marroquin, who graduated from Augsburg with a degree in business administration, is the co-founder of the fair trade Peace Coffee Company. In 2006, he founded the Rural Enterprise Center in Northfield, Minn., which, like many Midwestern communities, has attracted growing numbers of Latin American immigrants. In times of economic stagnation, many people worry that immigrants are taking jobs needed by native-born Americans. These fears are especially keen in small towns, where the impact of the continuing economic crisis hits hard. HaslettMarroquin, however, sees an opportunity that can benefit both immigrants and the community as a whole. He noticed that many people around Northfield were eager to eat more locally raised, healthy food but were unable to afford it or sometimes even find it. At the same time, he saw that Latino immigrants had lifelong experience as sustainable farmers but lacked the financial means to take up farming. The solution was obvious. Find a way to get Latino farmers back on the land and connect them with consumers seeking wholesome food. This is exactly what Haslett-Marroquin did in launching a free-range poultry cooperative, market garden, and family farmer training program, all designed to put good food on local dinner tables and income into the pockets of family farmers. “Agripreneurship” is how HaslettMarroquin described this effort to revive family farming for local markets by taking advantage of immigrants’ first hand knowledge of small-scale sustainable agriculture practices. “Commons sense,” he said, is another word for what he and his colleagues are doing. This small-farmer training center and coop is a shining example of an emerging co-op idea known as commons-based development—a strategy that strengthens the commons by making sure that economic expansion projects help the community as a whole. While commons work is often seen as an activist or community cause more than a business model, Hasslett-Marroquin’s projects embody fundamental commons principles: a commitment to future generations, a focus on sustaining the earth, and a means of providing a benefit to everyone. As Haslett-Marroquin said, “The commons is a very straightforward commonsense approach to creating systems that sustain society and sustain life on the planet.” COOPERATION IS NO TRAGEDY First woman to win Nobel Prize in Economics proves that common ownership does not inevitably lead to ruin izenship and Learning) has documented how communities around the world equitably and sustainably manage common resources such as grazing lands, forests, irrigation waters, and fisheries over the long term. A classic example is her field research in a Swiss village where farmers tend private plots for crops but share a communal meadow to graze their cows. While this would appear a perfect model to prove the tragedy-of-the-commons theory, Ostrom discovered that in reality there were no problems with overgrazing. That is because of a common agreement among villagers that no one is allowed to graze more cows on the meadow than they can care for over the winter—a rule that dates back to 1517. Ostrom has documented similar effective examples of “governing the commons” in her research in Kenya, Guatemala, Nepal, Turkey, and Los Angeles. YOU MAY ALREADY BE A COMMONER Many people view the commons as a tragedy rather than a fresh new worldview to help us move toward greater economic fairness, environmental harmony, and democratic participation. This notion was popularized by wildlife biologist Garrett Hardin in a 1968 essay in Science magazine, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” in which he described how people who share common resources will inevitably degrade them. Although Hardin later qualified his theory as applying only in specific situations, the phrase is still widely invoked to argue that privatized property is the only practical method for managing land, resources, or other valuable assets. The message is clear: Any kind of cooperative ownership will lead to ruin. But that blanket assertion was debunked two years ago when Indiana University political scientist Elinor Ostrom won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Through the decades, Ostrom (who spoke at Augsburg in October as part of a Festival of the Commons, organized by the Sabo Center for Cit- Ten ways to find out You may be a commoner if you: 1. Question the prevailing myth that all problems have private, individualized solutions. 2. Notice how many of life’s pleasures exist outside the money economy—gardening, fishing, conversing, playing music, playing ball, praying, watching sunsets. 3. Take time to appreciate and enjoy what the commons offers. (As the visionary Brazilian educator Paulo Freire once declared during an Augsburg College visit, “We are bigger than our schedules.”) 4. Keep in mind that security and satisfaction are more easily acquired from family and friends than from money. 5. Offer a warm smile or greeting to people you pass. The commons begins with connecting, even in brief, spontaneous ways. as if you own them (which, actually, you do). Tidy things up. Report problems, or repair things yourself. Initiate improvement campaigns. 7. Are interested in exploring ways that things you now pay for could be acquired in more cooperative ways—checking out DVDs at the library, perhaps, or quitting the health club and forming a morning jogging club. 8. Watch where your money goes. How do the stores, companies, and financial institutions you use help or harm the commons? This includes their impact on the environment and on poor communities around the world. 9. Share your knowledge ideas with online commons such as Wikipedia, online communities open-education projects, and open-access journals. Or you could form your own online community around what matters to you. 10. Think of yourself as a commoner and share your enthusiasm. Raise the subject in conversation, around the neighborhood and at work. Stand up against threats to the commons in your community and around the world. Speak out in favor of opportunities to expand the commons. These articles are updated from All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons (The New Press, 2011) and a flyer handed out at the Festival of the Commons on the Augsburg College campus October 7 and 8. Jay Walljasper, former editor of Utne Reader, is author/editor of All That We Share and editor of www.OnThe Commons.org. On The Commons, a commons movement strategy center, co-sponsored the Festival of the Commons at Augsburg. Walljasper was recently named a Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. 6. Treat common spaces in your community Fall 2011 19 it takes an Auggie A continuing legacy of public service It is hard to imagine a career more dedicated to public service and civic engagement than that of Martin Sabo ’59. One year after graduating from Augsburg College, Sabo was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. More than 45 years later, he retired from a distinguished 28year career in the U.S. House of Representatives. During that time, Sabo also served for 12 years as a regent for the College, was named an Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus, and received the first 2011-12 SABO SCHOLARS honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters Front Row [L to R]: Rachael Okerlund ’12, Angela Bonfiglio ’13, Katherine DeKrey ’12, Sylvia Sabo, Martin Sabo ’59, (Honoris Causa), conferred by the College. Katie Radford ’12; Back Row [L to R]: Adam Spanier ’12, Rachel Svanoe ’13, Eli Grobel ’12, Claire Bergren ’12, Sabo Today, Martin and his wife, Sylvia Sabo—parProfessor Garry Hesser, Arianna Genis ’13, Andrew Rodriguez ’13. ents of Auggies Karin Mantor ’86 and Julie Sabo ’90—continue their public service work by supportpublic service. By engaging these students in conversation about ing the Augsburg College Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, public service, the Sabo Scholars program carries forward the the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium. Sabos’ abiding faith in the role that government can play in imAs the stories on the previous pages show, the Sabo Center enproving the lives of citizens. compasses a wide-ranging set of programs that include the ColThe Sabo Center also annually convenes the Sabo Public Policy lege’s civic engagement, community-based involvement, and Symposium. Last year’s event was “2010 Healthcare Reform: What service-learning programs. Through the work of the center, Will It Mean for You (and The Nation)?” This year, in place of the Augsburg has earned national recognition as a college with a public policy symposium, the Sabo Center hosted the Festival of strong commitment to education for service. the Commons, featuring 2009 Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom, disIn addition, each year the Sabos, along with Sabo Professor cussing how society creates, uses, and manages “the commons”— Garry Hesser, work directly with 10 Augsburg juniors and seniors things we all share (see story, page 5). chosen as Sabo Scholars for their interest in and commitment to Through these programs, supported by the generous gifts and engagement in the political process, public policy, or careers in engagement of the Sabos and others, Augsburg creates opportunities for civic experiences and skill-building— inside and outside the classroom—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—and carries on the Sabos’ and the College’s important commitment to public service. REBECCA JOHN The 2011-12 Sabo Scholars kick off the academic year with conversation and dinner at the home of Sylvia and Martin Sabo. The Sabo Scholars meet monthly with Representative Sabo, Sabo Professor Garry Hesser, local alumni, and other leaders engaged in public service, policy-related work, and the political process. 20 Augsburg Now AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 2010-2011 Fall 2011 21 DEAR FRIENDS, It is no accident that the first four words of our mission statement are, “Augsburg College educates students...” I put the emphasis on the word “educates” because our academic program is at the heart of what we do as a college. The quality of that program—its innovative core curriculum rooted in vocational exploration, its focus on interdisciplinary inquiry, its commitment to student learning, its excellence and national recognition in several different disciplines—has been deeply influenced by private philanthropic support over the years, and this year is no exception. In fiscal year 2011, the College received nearly $9.3 million dollars in external financial support. Daily, we are reminded of this generous philanthropic investment on our campus: the buildings that house our academic programs, our offices, and our students; our ability to entice academically gifted students to enroll, to aid students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a college education, and to support students who show intellectual promise but may be lacking social or personal support structures that ensure success; and the talented faculty and staff who teach and guide the next generation of leaders. But this philanthropy—your philanthropy—has not only paid for buildings, scholarships, salaries, and resources; it has also advanced and continues to enhance and grow the quality of teaching and learning at Augsburg. • The impact of your gifts is realized in the remarkable number of students undertaking annual research projects that are funded through the Sundquist Science Scholars program, the Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunities (URGO) office, and the McNair Scholars program, among others. • It is exemplified in our robust Honors program that challenges students to think critically and perform to the very best of their abilities. • It is illustrated by the national recognition for Augsburg’s notable achievement of embedding service learning into our core curriculum and by the recognition of our graduates who successfully compete for the highest international academic honors and awards such as the Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Rhodes, Rossing, Rotary, and Udall scholarships. • It is embodied in the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, which guides and supports students as they seek to discern their vocations and in the Gage Center for Student Success, the College’s newest learning commons, which houses critical academic enrichment services in Lindell Library, at the heart of campus. The long and meaningful history of private investment in Augsburg makes a difference not only in resources but also in the quality of outcomes of our academic program. Our generous donors matter, your gifts matter, and we are grateful and humbled every day because you have been willing to translate your commitment to education, your love for this place, and your belief in our mission into financial support for our work. We believe that philanthropy is a place where your values and passions intersect—it is part of your vocation—and we celebrate the fact that you have found Augsburg a worthy recipient of your generosity and partner in your vocational journey. Thank you. Sincerely, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW PRESIDENT 22 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 2010-2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Where the Money Comes From 3% Other sources 2011 Endowment Market Value May 31, 2011 $33,268,034 4% Government grants 9% Private gifts and grants 11% Room and board As of May 31, 2011, we have annual realized and unrealized gains of 17.01% on our endowment. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is 3.44%, and the 10-year average annual return is 3.08%. We are committed to maintaining the value of principal gifts and to provide support to the College in perpetuity. 73% $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 Tuition $25.4 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $24.5 $22.7 $22.9 2% Where the Money Goes Student salary 4% Debt service 3% Equipment and capital improvement 44% Salary and benefits 3% Utilities 24% 2002 Financial aid 2003 2004 20% 2007 2008 “ WHY I GIVE “ I had such a wonderful education at Augsburg, and I think my whole philosophy of life and giving was developed here and in my family. I have given since I graduated … and I continue, I suppose, because I see the ongoing mission of education to serve others, and what I am most thrilled about these years is that Augsburg welcomes everyone…. I’m proud of the strides in everything from community service to Rhodes Scholars to you name it. We’re just getting better and better, and more diverse and wonderful. Leann Hanson Lake ’67 2006 2009 2010 2011 Endowment Assets (in millions) June 1, 2002 – May 31, 2011 Other “ 2005 ” I give to Augsburg because somebody else had given before me and that allowed me to attend a four-year private school that met all the needs I had. Hopefully my giving will do the same for another student. Marie Odenbrett ’01 ” “It’s our conviction, Kathy’s and mine, that God gives gifts that they might be used in the world. We started giving to Augsburg when we were seniors in Augsburg … way back in 1976. Augsburg has grown; we have seen it over the decades just become a better and better school, and we’re happy to be a part of that so that more and more people might be educated under the auspices of the church … that they might be better servants of the world.” Norman Wahl ’76, Kathy (Anderson) Wahl ’76 To hear more Auggies tell why they give, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 23 s e i g augANGING ARE CH E WORLD TH AUGSBURG RECOGNIZES DONORS with event series This summer Augsburg launched a new event series to recognize contributions at all levels and methods of giving. The series began in August with the Celebration of Philanthropy to recognize a broad range of annual, lifetime, and deferred gift donors. At this evening of activity and fellowship, guests had their photo taken with Auggie Eagle, shared why they support Augsburg in a video booth and on a large display board, and met student researchers. The evening ended with dessert and discussion and the presentation of a video showing how Auggies and donors are changing the world. The series continued with a September boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka for recent alumni donors to The Augsburg Fund. Upcoming events include a holiday dinner and Advent Vespers service in December for the College’s leadership and major gift donors, the annual Scholarship Donor Brunch for benefactors in April, and a class party for the winners of the 2012 student philanthropy competition. Individual invitations will be sent closer to the events. To see the video featured at the Celebration of Philanthropy, go to www.augsburg.edu/now celebration of philanthropy 24 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 LIFETIME GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000, including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College. Anonymous (6) Geoffrey ’89 and Kelly Gage Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Helen and Ernest† Alne Richard ’96 and Britt Gage James Lindell Sr. ’46† Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Scott and Gina Gage Susan Scott ’97 Lindquist and David Lindquist Catherine and Charles Anderson General Mills Foundation Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Martha Gisselquist ’86 Jennifer and Richard Martin Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson Michael ’71 and Ann Good Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 Marie and Larry McNeff Steven and Stephanie Anderson H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Gerard and Anne Meistrell Leona Radman Antholz ’41† Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold Phillip ’55† and Lynne Mueller Gronseth Robert ’70 and Sue Midness Earl and Doris Bakken Carolyn and Franklin Groves Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Guarani Foundation Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Marlys Backlund ’54 Morland and Robert† Morland Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden James and Kathleen Haglund Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka William and Stephanie Naegele Barbara and Zane Birky Hunt and Diane Harris George ’68 and Tamra Nelson Carl Blegen† Hearst Foundation Ida Nelson† Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen Loren Henderson† Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Joyce and John† Boss Donald Hennings Clifford and Martha Nylander† Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr Robert Odegard ’51† Rodney and Barbara Burwell Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander R. Luther Olson ’56 Bush Foundation O. C. Hognander, Jr. Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren Carlson Companies Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm John and Norma Paulson The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Allen and Jean Housh Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Judith Christensen Garfield Hoversten ’50 Richard Pautz ’37† Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Robert Hoversten George† and Elizabeth† Pennock Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Lester Hoversten† Glen Person ’47 Oliver Dahl ’45 Huss Foundation Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Glenda† and Richard Huston Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Theodore and Pamala Deikel Sandra and Richard Jacobson Addison and Cynthia Piper Deluxe Corporation Foundation James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs David Piper Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Kinney Johnson ’65 Harry and Mary Piper Tracy Elftmann ’81 Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Raymond Erickson ’50† Bruce and Maren Kleven Alan Rice Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem David and Barbara Kleven Olive Ronholm ’47† Ever Cat Fuels, LLC E. Milton ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven Curtis and Marian Sampson Philip and Laverne Fandrei Dean and Susan Kopperud Ward ’74 and Catherine Schendel Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Ruth Schmidt ’52† Jerry and Jean Foss Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn James and Eva Seed Julian Foss ’30† Harriett Kurek† Rodney Sill ’82 William and Anne Frame Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson John and Martha Singleton Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund Diane and Philip Larson Glen and Anna Skovholt Barbara and Edwin Gage George ’61 and Mary Larson David Soli ’81 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 25 Paul† and Lorene† Steen Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall Robert Wagner ’02 Genevieve Stelberg† Glen A. Taylor Foundation Scott Weber ’79 Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen and P. Dawn Heil ’78 Taylor and Jack Taylor† Larry Wefring Teagle Foundation Robert Wick ’81 Conrad Sunde ’15† Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Elsie Wildung† Leland and Louise Sundet Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson John ’74 and Marvel Yager Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford Lisa Zeller ’81 and Glenn Fuller Helen Sverdrup† Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Johan Sverdrup† Andrew Urness† Clair Strommen ’46† PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who made annual gifts of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Founders Society ($100,000 and above) Alvin John and Ruth Huss Anonymous (1) James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Cynthia Landowski ’81 Jones and Rick Jones Barbara and Edwin Gage Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Craig Jones E. Milton Kleven ’46 Dean and Susan Kopperud Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Douglas and Norma Madsen Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Jennifer and Richard Martin Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Regents’ Fellows ($50,000 - $99,999) Marie and Larry McNeff Marilyn McIver Helen Alne Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Rick and Jean Mofsen Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Jeffrey ’77 and Becky Bjella ’79 Nodland Alan Rice Lisa Novotny ’80 and Mark Flaten Vance and Darin Opperman Paul Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Regents’ Society ($25,000 - $49,999) Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52 Aaron Assad ’10 Philip Rowberg ’41 Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Alfred Assad Joseph and Lynn Schmitt Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach Michael ’71 and Ann Good James and Eva Seed Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 James Lindell ’46† Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg Christopher McIver Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen Curtis and Marian Sampson Donald ’53 and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren Jean Taylor 1985 and Roger Griffith ’84 Marilee Alne ’65 Schroeder and William Schroeder John and Norma Paulson Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf Rodney and Theresa Schott Robert Wick ’81 Michael and Pamela Sime John Schwartz ’67 John and Eleanor Yackel Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund John ’74 and Marvel Yager 26 Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall President’s Executive Cabinet ($10,000 - $24,999) President's Council ($5,000 - $9,999) Peter and Linda Vogt Andra Adolfson Anonymous (1) Renata Winsor Daniel 1965 and Alice Anderson Deloris Anderson ’56 Frank ’50† and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 President’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999) Carla Asleson ’91 Steven and Stephanie Anderson Anonymous (2) Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden and Paul ’63 Batalden Scott Anderson ’96 Matthew Entenza and Lois Quam Judith Christensen Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Larry Cole 1966 Carolyn Burfield ’60 Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Richard ’72 and Tamara Ekstrand C. Lee Clarke James and Kathleen Haglund Susan Engeleiter Liv Dahl Hunt and Diane Harris John ’82 and Joan Moline 1983 Evans Grant Dasher Richard and Dail Hartnack Leola Dyrud ’61 Furman Karen ’81 and Charles Durant Augsburg Now Tyler Uccellini ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Ronald Engebretsen Thomas Anderson ’72 Mark and Margie Eustis Jamie Fragola Charles and Catherine Anderson Jennifer and Dean Eyler Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Barbara Farley Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon Orvella Anderson Duncan Flann ’55 Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold Dawn Formo Gaylord (Corky) ’71 and Lori Hall Ann and Kenneth Ashton-Piper William and Anne Frame Lisa Svac ’85 Hawks Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel Robert Frantz and Janell Grazzini Frantz Bruce Holcomb ’90 and Caroline Vernon John Berg ’59 Andrew Fried ’93 Allen and Jean Housh Norman ’59 and Delores Berg JoAnne Digree ’68 Fritz and Barry Fritz J. Vernon ’47 and Irene Jensen John and Lorelei Bergman Barbara and Frederick Gaiser Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns Ann Garvey Carol Jones David ’68 and Lynn Boe Orval and Cleta Gingerich Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird Florence Helland ’54 Borman and Dennes Borman John and Carolyn Goddard Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin Louis Branca Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Robert ’71 and Cheryl Lindroos ’72 Martin Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and Tom Tim ’80 and Gail Gordon Christopher ’00 and Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod Breckenridge Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton Paul ’55 and Rosalind Britton Amy Gort Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Michael Brock Charles Gould ’76 and Gayle Kvenvold Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98 Charles and Barbara Green Beverly Omdahl ’55 Nelson Michael ’81 and Sheryl Burkhardt Sharlene and Gordon Griebenow Richard and Janet Neville Marion Buska ’46 Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom Norma Noonan Timothy and Frances Campbell William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Norman and Janet Carpenter Betty Johnson ’58 Haas Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Carrie and Peter ’02 Carroll Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott Carol Johnson ’60 Casperson Mark Hebert ’74 Stephen and Kay Sheppard Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Glen and Anna Skovholt Robert Clayman and Carol Miller Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill Arne and Ellen Sovik Margaret Clyde Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Joseph Cook ’89 Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Mark and Kathryn Weber Walter and Janet Cooper Paul Holmquist ’79 Jeremy Wells Robert and Mary Crosby Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt David and Susan White Pamela Herzan ’81 Crowell and Dring Crowell Ethel Holt George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Elizabeth Horton Sally Hough ’79 Daniels Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth Christopher and Britt Dougall Phoebe Hough Anonymous (1) Greg ’88 and Mary Duckson Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Ruth Aaskov ’53 Douglas and Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn Clarence Hoversten ’41 Phyllis Acker ’61 Julie Edstrom ’90 Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten James Agre ’72 Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Judy Thompson Eiler ’65 Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Thomas and LaDonna Hoy Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93 Avis Ellingrod Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Tammy Huddle-McGee and Mike McGee Beverly Almquist Mark and Lynette Engebretson Rebecca Beito ’67 Huseby and Ed Huseby ’66 Bruce ’60 Amundson and Joann Eliason ’62 Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson Richard Huston President’s Associates ($1,000 - $2,499) Stephen Erickson ’68 and Marilyn McKnight ’67 Brandon Hutchinson ’99 Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson Amundson Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld Deborah Hutterer ’99 and Gary Erickson Leif Anderson Duane Esterly ’75 Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Sheila ’05 and Lee Anderson L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem Arvild Jacobson ’51 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 27 28 Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes Allan Nelson John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson Rebecca John Debra and Robert Nelson Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61 John ’95 and Rachel Schultz ’95 Nielsen Carolyn Johnson ’80 Spargo and Lawrence Spargo Bruce Johnson ’68 Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Gary ’74 and Melody Johnson Wedel Nilsen ’45 David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson Merton ’59 and Jo An Bjornson ’58 Johnson Betsey and Alan Norgard Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson Eric and Elizabeth Jolly Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel Michael Kivley ’89 Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53 Nyhus Mary ’74 Stickelmeyer and Henry Havel Linda Klas ’92 Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted Benjamin Stottrup and Neota Moe Lowell ’54 and Janice Kiebach Kleven Wanda Warnes ’56 Olson and Ted Olson Beverly and Thomas Stratton Michael Klutho and Jill Manske Lee ’59 and Patricia Olson Ralph and Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49 Bruce L. Olson ’71 Leland and Louise Sundet Gregory Konat and Teresa Daly Linda Olup Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 George ’50 and Vivian Lanes L. Beth Buesing ’45 Opgrand Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Thomas and Kathy Langdon Laurie Nelson ’79 Orlow and Steven Orlow Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Kathryn Lange ’72 and Dennis Sonifer Tamera and William Ostlund Amanda Symmes ’11 Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson Beverly Ottum Christine Szaj George ’61 and Mary Larson Patricia Parker Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio and Paul Terrio ’87 Debora Liddell and John Westefeld Bonnie Carlson Pehrson ’62 LaJune Thomas ’75 Thomas-Lange and Patrick ’88 and Beth Lilja Barbara Petersen James ’67 and Laurie Lindell Karin Peterson Richard (Porkchop) ’61 and Jane Thompson Jean Lingen Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Brent Lofgren ’88 Corwin and Doris Peterson David and Martha Tiede Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth and Dennis Veiseth Noel and Sharon Petit Cassidy Titcomb and Scott Simpson Ronald London Ronald ’69 and Jane Petrich Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson Dana Lonn Diane Pike and Stephen Willett Beth Torstenson ’66 Marissa Hutterer Machado ’99 James and Kathryn Ramstad Frances Torstenson Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Marcia Thompson ’78 Turcotte and John Turcotte Donna McLean Lloyd ’63 and Linnea Raymond Andrea and Michael Turner Dennis ’78 and Beverly Ranum ’78 Meyer Timothy and Christine Ring Betty and Paul Tveite Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson Frances Roller Rockey Robert Wagner ’02 Deborah Anderson ’73 Miller and Timothy Miller Laura and Martin Roller Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Thomas ’86 and Susan Rogers - Miller Kevin ’91 and Amy Ronneberg Ronald Wahlberg ’70 Joyce Schroepfer ’02 Miller John ’77 and Gail Ronning Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund John and Margaret Miller Mary and Stuart Rose Lois Wattman ’76 and Douglas Shaw Eileen and Grant Mitchell Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64 Sarah West and Raymond Robertson Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Dennis ’67 Sackreiter and Karen Sackreiter Craig Wisness ’73 Lori Moline ’82 and Steven Olson Leo and Patricia Samson William Wittenbreer Thelma Monson ’41 Carolyn Hanson ’68 Schildgen and William Schildgen David and Catherine Wold Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Joyce Leifgren ’64 Young LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Mark ’76 and Debra Zellmer Sharon Lindell Mortrud ’64 Frankie and Jole Shackelford Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sandra Phaup ’64 Patricia and David Murphy David Soli ’81 Bruce ’71 and Kathleen Nelson Kathleen ’69 and Earle ’69 Solomonson Augsburg Now Thomas Lange ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 ORGANIZATIONS GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. 3M Foundation GMAC-RFC Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation Adolfson & Peterson Construction Google Give Presser Foundation Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Grafix Shoppe Quad Graphics The American Foundation Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett Ramstad Recovery Fund Ameriprise Financial Gray Wolf Ranch, Inc. RBC Foundation - USA Anderson, Helgen, Davis & Nissen Groves Foundation Regiscard International, Inc. Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie PA The I Box The Saint Paul Foundation A'viands Imaging Path Sheltering Arms Foundation Bank of America Imation Corporation Stellus Consulting LLC Best Buy Children’s Foundation Incredible, Inc. The Summit Group Bonner Foundation C. Charles Jackson Foundation Superior Family Dentistry The Bridgie Group, Inc. Kettering Foundation Target Foundation Bush Foundation KPMG LLP TCF Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Foundation John Larsen Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Carlson Family Foundation Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundation Carolyn Foundation Estate of Henry and Selma Lundene Travelers Companies, Inc. Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis Marcus McCoy Foundation Trillium Family Foundation CollegeNet McKnight Foundation Trust for Meditation Process Data Recognition Corporation Metropolitan Regional Arts Council UBS Foundation The Donaldson Foundation Minnesota Debate Teachers Association United Nations Foundation Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Minnesota Private College Foundation United Way of Rhode Island Eagle Elevator Corp MOA Marketing, Inc. US Bancorp Foundation ELCA National Science Foundation US Bank The Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Fund The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues W. K. Kellogg Foundation Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Network for Good Warren Foundation The Family Partnership The New York Academy Of Medicine The Washburn High School Foundation Formo Family Charitable Fund of the St. Paul Nilan Johnson Lewis Weber Marketing/Promotions, Inc. Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Gage Family Foundation NRG Energy Center Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Olup and Associates The Whitney Foundation General Aviation Services Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Women's Foundation of Minnesota General Mills Foundation Play-More Travel, Inc. Foundation Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 29 SVEN OFTEDAL SOCIETY, Supporting Augsburg’s mission into the future The following list recognizes individuals who have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College. 30 Anonymous (7) Avis Ellingrod Allen and Jean Housh Lois Black Ahlbom ’47 Denise Engebretson ’82 Ruth Hovden Paul H. ’57 Almquist and Pearl M. Almquist Edna Kastner Ericksen ’42 Chester ’60 and Clenora Hoversten Helen Alne Duane M. Esterly Clarence Hoversten ’41 Charles and Catherine Anderson Alice C. Evans Garfield Hoversten ’50 Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans Lorna L. Hoversten Deloris Anderson ’56 Alice Evenson Rev. Deborah Hutterer and Gary Erickson Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson John ’68 and Martha Fahlberg Leroy ’54 and Orpha Iseminger E. William Anderson ’56 Norman Ferguson Kathleen and Bruce Jackson Gary and Mary Anderson Roger L. Fisher Sandra and Richard Jacobson Keith O. Anderson ’54 and Beverly Anderson Halley Foss-Katter ’99 and Daniel Katter Sherry Jennings-King Lisa Petska Anderson ’86 and Morey Anderson Martha Fosse Palmquist Clair Johannsen ’62 William ’86 and Kelly Anderson William and Anne Frame Carolyn E. Johnson ’63 I. Shelby Gimse Andress ’56 Rev. Terry Frovik ’67 Edryce Johnson ’46 Betty Arnold Leola Dyrud Furman ’61 Jerry and Bonita Johnson Dorothy Bailey Ann Garvey Kinney Johnson ’65 Earl and Doris Bakken Virgil ’57 and Farolyn Johnson Gehring ’56 Mark ’54 and Thelma Johnson Andrew ’50 and Barbara Kolden ’50 Balerud Dr. Kenneth A. Gilles ’44 Oliver ’50 and Grace Gisselquist ’49 Johnson Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Ruth Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Elizabeth Anne ’82 and Warren Bartz Charles and Barbara Green Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert Nelson ’44 Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson Joan Griffin Ralph ’60 and Mary Jane Kempski Vera Thorson Benzel ’45 Gracia Grindal ’65 Mary Kingsley Norman ’59 and Delores Berg H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Jean Vettel ’51 Kiteley and Murray Kiteley Sidney ’57 and Lola Lindstrom ’50 Berg Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde E. Milton Kleven ’46 JoAnn Berg Bablitch ’73 Margery Kyvig ’64 Haaland and Sheldon Haaland Gloria Grant ’57 and Arthur Knoblauch Inez Schey ’77 and John Bergquist Gary Hagen ’71 Dean and Susan Kopperud Birgit Birkeland ’58 Donald J. and Sonja S. Hagestuen Gwen Johnson Krapf ’58 Ruth Anderson ’44 Blanshan and Ralph Blanshan James and Kathleen Haglund Paul Kwiecien and Rhonda Kwiecien Richard and Nancy Borstad Arvin Herbert Halvorson ’55 Lee Anne ’67 and Gene Lack Donald Bottemiller James and Corrine Hamre Calvin ’49 and Agnes Valvik ’47 Larson J. Bernhard ’48 and Hildur Anderson ’43 Bretheim Dale ’60 Hanka and Carolyn Hanka Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson Nancy Brown-Koeller ’74 Shirley Bondo Hansen ’44 George S. ’61 and Mary K. Larson Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson Anna J. Hanson Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Cynthia Hanson ’66 Luther and Janice Larson Judith Christensen Mark ’68 and Ione Agrimson ’68 Hanson Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson and Marvin Larson Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Julie (Gudmestad) and Joe Laudicina Oliver Dahl ’45 Betty Johnson Hass ’58 Dorothy Lee ’30 George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Lawrence and Lois Hauge Rev. Harris and Maryon Lee Sally Hough Daniels ’79 Rodney (Rock) A. and Jane M. Helgeson Ronald and Rebecca Gisselquist ’67 Lien Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth Living Trust Carolyn Benson ’71 Dauner and Daniel Dauner Robert ’55 and Karin Herman Susan Scott Lundquist ’97 Dallas ’63 and Sharon Day Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill John ’65 and Gracia Luoma Laura Kompelien Delavie ’92 Esther Tungseth Hinschberger ’49 Deborah Mahoney ’79 Richard A. ’55 and Audret S. Dronen Helen C. Hjelmeland Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main Beverly Durkee Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Ruben ’45 and Thelma Egeberg Ethel Holt Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Tracy L. Elftmann ’81 John Holum Karen Mateer and Terrance Metz Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Lucille Messerer Robert ’50 and Ruth Ann Paulson Naomi Christensen ’81 Staruch and Steven Staruch Dan ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’61 Meyers Harold E. Peterson and Pearl A. Peterson John and Lavene Steen Edith Middleton Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo Karla Krogsrud Miley Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Hazel Thorson Stoick Stoeckeler Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46 Jonathan ’78 and Bonnie Lamon ’78 Moren Quentin ’50† and Lucille Quanbeck Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen Orval and Bernell Moren Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 Robert B. and Marlys Backlund Morland Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Cecil Ramnaraine Mildred and Van Mueller Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Ronald ’69 and Susan Scott ’71 Swanson Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Nancy M. (Joubert) Raymond Gary Tangwall Jeanne Narum Paul Rensted ’87 Gary L. Terrio Vivian Nelsen Alan Rice LaJune Thomas Lange ’75 and Thomas Lange Rev. Carl O. Nelson Arthur ’53 and Charlotte Kleven ’52 Rimmereid Richard and Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson Pastor Hub Nelson ’54 Gregory and Barbara Ritter Frances Torstenson Kenneth and Vera Nelson Frances M. Roller Rockey Marcia Thompson Turcotte ’78 Mildred Nelson ’52 Barbara Rodvik Robert E. and Margaret H. Twiton Robert ’97 and Rose Nelson Laura Roller Robert ’65 and Kay Tyson Roger M. Nelson Rev. Lyle E. Rossing Morris ’51 and Bonnie Biere ’54 Vaagenes Norma Noonan Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Mark ’83 and Beth Voelker Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Audrey Nagel Sander ’51 Robert J. Wagner II ’02 James ’57 and Shirley Norman Marianne and Robert Sander Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Glenn and Ann Nycklemoe Robert Sander Jr. ’76 Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund Jonathan Nye Lars ’69 and Ann Sandven Colleen Kay
Show less

Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2011: Research In Focus
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 2 inside research Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Calculus Years of Life-Changing Workshop Good coffee, good cause International photo contest Sundquist Scholars Travel Vocation in interfaith context Chris Stedman ’08 page 20 the l...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 2 inside research Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Calculus Years of Life-Changing Workshop Good coffee, good cause International photo contest Sundquist Scholars Travel Vocation in interfaith context Chris Stedman ’08 page 20 the lens Serving Auggie athletics Under in focus Editor notes from President Pribbenow a Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. It instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheep-like passivity, and sets us at noting and contriving. Not that it always effects this result; but conflict is a ‘sine qua non’ of reflection and ingenuity. As I listened to these aspiring Auggies consider what Dewey intended, I was convinced that this quote gets at the heart of an Augsburg education. Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Conflict and learning s I write this column, there are reports from far and near of conflicts in the world that reflect fundamental questions about our values and aspirations. We have witnessed clashes on the Augsburg campus between different lifestyles and value systems. We have experienced shootings in our neighborhood and lived in the aftermath of violence in our community. We have seen mass gatherings in neighboring states reflecting deep divisions in visions of a good society and a good life. And we have felt the rising tide of freedom and democracy in nations around the world and the seismic shifts underway in political and social systems. The challenge we must face as a teaching and learning community is what we will do in the face of this conflict. Will we withdraw and wait to see what happens? Or will we find in the various conflicts the “stuff” of a liberal arts education and the inspiration to put our education to work in engaging the conflicts and seeking to make a difference in the world? I think it is fair to assume that the Augsburg community chooses the latter challenge. Recently, prospective Augsburg scholarship students were asked to reflect on a provocative quote from the great American educator and philosopher, John Dewey, who once wrote: Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Our students learn to observe and remember. Our students engage and learn from the messiness and complexity and conflict of the world through experiences on campus, in our urban neighborhood, and around the world. Our students—indeed our entire community—are shocked out of passivity to be informed, thoughtful, and courageous actors in the world. This issue of Augsburg Now offers ample evidence of Dewey’s argument for the links between conflict and learning. Chris Stedman’s journey through interfaith dialogues—a growing aspect of an Augsburg education—illustrates how our students face otherness and difference in considering their own callings in the world. The work of our MBA students helping neighborhood youth start a small business reflects the ways in which Augsburg’s location in the city shapes an education that does not flinch from the realities of urban life. And the good reports on student research projects offer important evidence of how an Augsburg education—across the disciplines—challenges our students to fight complacency, to push the edges of learning, and not to settle for what is expected. I am proud to report that in our classrooms and residence halls, on campus and out in the community, and indeed all around the world, Auggies are pursuing what John Dewey called us to be— informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. We are learning from our experiences of the complexities and messiness and conflicts of the world—and then we are getting to work in our own ways, with our distinctive gifts and callings. 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 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT spring 2011 Features 15 12 19 contents 10 26 On the cover Justin Ingebretson ’12 is an incredibly bright and talented young scientist whose story could get anyone excited about water fleas. He is one of six students featured in “Under the lens: Student research at Augsburg.” All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. augsburg now 10 Talking about faith and values 12 Good coffee. Good cause. 15 Calculus—and so much more 19 Under the lens: Student research at Augsburg 26 BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Chris Stedman learned how to focus on values and foster dialogue between faith communities and the nonreligious. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Augsburg MBA students complete a management consulting project and get much more than a grade. BY BETSEY NORGARD A workshop for introductory calculus also builds community and pushes students to engage in research and scholarship opportunities. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Student research is more than Bunsen burners and petri dishes. 2010 International Programs Photo Contest Departments inside front cover 2 7 8 9 29 32 36 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies in sports My Auggie experience Auggie voices Alumni news Class notes It takes an Auggie around the quad Augsburg hosts international symposium on music therapy Augsburg College will host the Ninth International Society for Music in Medicine Symposium, June 8-12. The conference will provide an interdisciplinary and international forum for exchange of achievements in the field, state-of-the-art research, and applications of music in medicine, music therapy, and counseling. Scientific research as well as creative and innovative concepts will be discussed, and visits to local hospitals and clinical sites are planned. Medical doctors, nurses, healthcare practitioners, and music therapists from 11 countries—Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the U.S.—will present their research on the use of music in medicine. Find more information and register for the symposium at www.augsburg.edu/musictherapy/ismm_home.html. NewsNotes Kemper Foundation selects Augsburg for scholarship Augsburg was selected as one of the Kemper Foundation’s Scholar Institutions, one of 16 institutions that best prepare students for organizational leadership. Each year, a first-year student is selected for a three-year scholarship and paid summer internship program funded by the Kemper Foundation in Chicago. Commencement 2011—speakers and honorary degrees May 7 Commencement—for day students and physician assistant graduate students Speaker: Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway, founder and president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters —Kjell Magne Bondevik and Ishmael Noko, Zimbabwean theologian and former general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation June 26 Commencement—Weekend College, Rochester, and graduate programs in business, education, leadership, nursing, and social work Speaker: Krista Tippett, writer and host of American Public Media’s Being Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters—Krista Tippett and Kwok Siu Tong, former executive vice president, United International College, China Nobel Peace Prize Forum relocates to Twin Cities The annual celebration of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum will evolve into a new format beginning in spring 2012. The forum will be held each year in the Twin Cities, organized by Augsburg in close partnership with the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. It will continue with the support of the other four Norwegian Lutheran colleges, with strong ties to area organizations that share a commitment to educating for peace, and with opportunities for deeper engagement between the United States and Norway. Three Auggies receive athletic awards Bruce Johnson ’68 Healing Wisdom of Africa Malidoma Patrice Somé, an elder of the West African Dagara tribe in his native Burkina Faso, spoke twice during the Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation in February. In the strife and stress of the modern, materialistic world, Somé offered insights on healing and reconciliation in bringing together “the visible worlds of nature and community” with the “invisible forces of the ancestors and Spirit.” 2 Augsburg Now Mike Good ’71 Jeff Swenson ’79 Men’s hockey assistant coach Bruce Johnson ’68 will be honored for his lifetime contributions to the growth of amateur hockey. In April, he will receive the American Hockey Coaches Association’s John “Snooks” Kelley Founders Award. Augsburg Board of Regents chair Mike Good ’71 and athletic director Jeff Swenson ’79 both will be honored in April by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter. Good, who is CEO of Southeby’s International Realty, will receive the chapter’s Outstanding American award, given to wrestlers who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers. Swenson will receive the Lifetime Service award for his long career as a national champion student athlete, distinguished 25-year coach, and athletic director. Nicaragua In January, several regents, senior administrators, faculty, and staff traveled to Augsburg’s Center for Global Education study center in Managua, Nicaragua. Several Augsburg regents spoke about their experience at the Board of Regents meeting that followed. Here are excerpts from regents Jodi Harpstead and Rev. Norman Wahl. A potter demonstrates his craft in Masaya, a region in Nicaragua known for its handicrafts. Strong women, incredible stories “In Nicaragua, we met the woman who heads the feminist movement in the country, and she gave me a t-shirt that says, “Todos los derechos para todas las mujeres” (All the rights for all the women). We met so many amazing women, like the women at the spinning facility, and we heard so many incredible stories of strong, beautiful, courageous women working to turn around their families and their country. Women in Nicaragua are getting microloans. Women are running businesses. Women make up most of the student body of the college we visited. We heard about young women who had worked for Father Cardenal teaching literacy. The Contras began to kill them one at a time, hoping that the others would run away and return home. But they refused to go home, and they continued to work until the Contras gave up when they realized their violence wasn’t getting anywhere. We also met the woman who is the rector of UCA (Universidad Centroamericana), a large, private, Jesuit university. She is the only woman in the world who leads a Jesuit university. And, of course, Nicaragua has already had a woman as president of the country; they’re ahead of us in that respect. We learned just how many women there are across Nicaragua who are working to develop their country—in different places, in different roles, and in different levels of work—and it was incredibly inspiring to see how much they are willing to risk for freedom.” Neighbor to so many people “I did not know I was a neighbor to so many people in Nicaragua, including the great people that Augsburg has working there. I can’t say enough for the Center for Global Education, and while I’ve always been supportive of Augsburg, I will be a much more vocal advocate of that kind of global travel and the great things it can do. I did not know that I was a neighbor to a bunch of potters who live in Masaya, a place that we visited one day. As we came in, everybody was busy—the matriarch who ran the pottery place, which was a tworoom hut with an outdoor place for a kiln and a throwing wheel—everybody was busy. They were busy mixing the clay, they were throwing clay, they were painting, they were etching, they were polishing. Everybody was so busy. We went through the whole process. And then at the end we had an opportunity to buy some of the very fine wares that this little family company put together. And as I looked up from where we were making our exchanges with the people, the whole family was gathered in the doorway to look to see how their products were being bought and enjoyed by those people from the United States. And I thought, wow, this is really selling merchandise at its very best—from the people who make it to the people who will enjoy it. They really are our neighbors, and I did not know that until this trip.” JODI HARPSTEAD, BOARD OF REGENTS REV. NORMAN W. WAHL ’76, BOARD OF REGENTS Learning about war and peace in El Salvador In January, students traveled with Religion Professor Bev Stratton to El Salvador to study REL 480: Vocation and the Christian Faith. We met with several speakers and visited different places, such as churches, a university, and a rural community, in hopes of learning more about their culture, history, and people. We primarily learned about their civil war (19791992) and about the roles faith and identity play in the midst of social injustice, oppression, and conflict. … We visited a church where Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated in 1980. … He became increasingly involved with the people and underwent a personal transformation, becoming a leader and a voice for the people. He once said, “If they kill me I will arise in the Salvadoran people.” … We also heard from speakers who experienced the civil war. We visited Suchitoto and took boats to an area where a massacre had taken place. A man who had endured the massacre spoke to us about his experiences as a child during the war, losing his family at age 9 in the massacre; he recalled memories with startling clarity. Outside of hearing intense personal stories, we also visited places of national interest, such as the U.S. Embassy and the National Assembly building. … Senior Adam Jacobsen commented on how remarkable it was that the people were so open to us, as Americans, in spite of [the U.S. money and support for the Salvadoran government during the civil war]. “They really understood that our government’s decisions at the time were not our own.” These experiences serve as testimony to what all of us hopefully learned from this trip: people are people, and no matter creed, religion, or race, we are all united by a common thread of humanity. KATELYN DANELSKI ’14 Read Danelski’s full story and see photos from her study in El Salvador at www.augsburg.edu/now. Spring 2011 3 Every spring, as long as February snowstorms don’t threaten, Augsburg College welcomes the best and brightest prospective Auggies to participate in Scholarship Weekend. In addition to an opportunity to meet with their future classmates and professors, students interview or audition for the President’s Scholarships and for Fine Arts Scholarships. On Friday evening, students are treated to The Big Show—a spectacle unlike any other experience they will have as Auggies. It’s a chance for them to relax and for the College to showcase its less serious side. The evening features performances by Bob Groven, director of Augsburg’s Honors program; history and medieval studies professor Phil Adamo; and President Pribbenow himself. This special event is for the eyes of Scholarship Weekend guests only—few current students, faculty, or staff are treated to the performance. The rumor is that Bob Groven is surprisingly funny and that Phil Adamo puts on a fantastic show. 4 Augsburg Now THE Scholarship Weekend 2011 BIG SHOW Reviews for the show keep coming in… Augsburg Honors program director Bob Groven poses as Conan O’Brien in a postcard mailing to Scholarship Weekend attendees—a prelude to what the audience would experience at the event. “I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO SEE CONAN AND THAT’S JUST NOT TRUE.” “BOB GROVEN DELIVERS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR. I SHOULD KNOW. I AM BOB GROVEN.” —Bob Groven, Honors program director I Know I Can Yo Se Que Puedo WENDI WHEELER ’06 Admissions counselors Peter Schattauer (left) and Justin Nash (right) and junior Sam Waskosky (center) read to third-graders at Seward Montessori School. Courtesy photo Auggies help third-graders get ready for college It may seem that third grade is a bit too early to begin thinking about going to college. But Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak doesn’t think so. Auggie Eagle doesn’t think so. And neither did the 2,700 Minneapolis third graders who participated in the “I Know I Can” College Awareness Day. On Thursday, Feb. 10, Augsburg elementary education majors joined staff from Augsburg’s Office of Admissions at Seward Montessori School. With Auggie Eagle also in attendance, they read to 60 students from the book, I Know I Can, written and illustrated by Wendy R. Rouillard. The book helps students begin thinking about how they can take steps, even in elementary school, to prepare themselves for college. By working on improving their skills and studying hard, the book suggests they can do anything they want when they grow up. Sam Waskosky, a junior education major and a Bonner Leader, read to one of the groups. Waskosky has been volunteering at Seward Montessori for several years. After she finished reading, she answered questions about Augsburg including what dorm life is like and whether or not college is “hard.” Auggies Devyn Pittorf and Alexis Stadstad also read to different groups. Brenda Hemmingsen, the Augsburg admissions visit coordinator, reminded students that part of getting into college involves getting good grades and having good attendance. She asked students to identify the subjects they would focus on, such as reading, math, and languages. The event, part of The Minneapolis Promise initiative designed to eliminate barriers to post-secondary education for Minneapolis youth, is a partnership of the Augsburg College Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, the Office of the Mayor (Minneapolis), RBC Wealth Management, Minneapolis Public Schools, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota College Access Network. Rod Gonzalez ’04 (right) and Mayor R.T. Rybak greeted children in the Windom Spanish Dual Immersion School on College Awareness Day. Rod Gonzalez, a native of Mexico, knows first hand the challenges of learning another language and succeeding well enough in school to get into college. He joined Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak on “I Know I Can” College Awareness Day as they read to third-graders in both English and Spanish at the Windom Spanish Dual Immersion School. The 20 to 30 children in the class were about half native Spanish-speakers and half Spanish learners. Gonzalez spoke Spanish with them, telling them about how he had decided he wanted to study business and make decisions about college. Asking the children what they wanted to do when they grew up elicited a variety of responses. “There were some who wanted to be firefighters and police, and there was one girl who wanted to be a paleontologist,” Gonzalez says. “Obviously they had been thinking about what they wanted to do in the future.” After Rybak read I Know I Can to the class, he and Gonzalez introduced themselves to each of the children. “We reminded them that in order to go to college, they had to start early, study hard, and do their homework,” Gonzalez says. Gonzalez graduated from Augsburg in 2004 with a finance major and French minor, and he studied in Paris. With help from the Center for Service, Work, and Learning, he interviewed with RBC Wealth Management and began a 12-month rotational program internship, which helped him discover his interests within the company and match his skills to jobs. For the past seven years he has worked at RBC as a fixed income strategist. In January, Gonzalez was honored with the 2010 Irv Weiser Diversity Award, which recognizes and rewards an individual in the company who exhibits RBC’s commitment to diversity. He recently moved to Chicago to continue his work with RBC Wealth Management and to begin an MBA program at the University of Chicago. BETSEY NORGARD Spring 2011 5 ‘A Tale of Two Cities’—a Report on Civic Health Minneapolis-St. Paul enjoys the highest civic health of any metropolitan area in the country, according to a report released by Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC). People in the Twin Cities are the most engaged in their communities—they are more likely to volunteer, to participate in community activities, to vote, and to engage with their neighbors. This healthy civic behavior correlates with greater economic well-being and individual health and happiness. The report, “A Tale of Two Cities,” is a joint project of the National Council on Citizenship (NCOC), the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, and the CDC. It compares Minneapolis-St. Paul with Miami, which is shown to be the country’s least civically engaged city. While the two metro areas differ in many factors, the report indicates that these differences—including demographic measures of education and income—do not explain the disparities in their civic engagement. The report identifies several areas that contribute to the higher levels of Twin Cities’ civic engagement: more school–community collaboration and civic learning, stronger family and social networks, higher trust and diversity in government, and higher voting rates. In a commentary for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and a blog posting for the American Democracy Project, CDC director Harry Boyte draws parallels to the Civil Rights movement, recalling when the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was formed to spread a “culture of civic empowerment” and promote nonviolence and a desire to change. Just as “the Montgomery Way” helped spread democratic © All rights reserved by The Bob Graham Center Harry Boyte, director of Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship and senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, participated in a project that compared levels of civic engagement in the Twin Cities and Miami. change in the South, Boyte believes in a Minnesota Way, which “teaches the skills of collaborative work across differences, connects institutions to the life of the communities, and generates a spirit of optimism that people can share their future together.” He points out that the “civic treasures” in Minnesota—including educational institutions like Augsburg that work across differences to foster a culture of civic empowerment—are critical factors in preparing students to discover how they can become agents of change to spread democratic hope and reform. Read more about “A Tale of Two Cities” and download a PDF of the report at www.ncoc.net/ttcrelease. Read Harry Boyte’s blog post at American Democracy Project at http://adpaascu.wordpress.com. BETSEY NORGARD Scholars at the Capitol On Monday, Feb. 28, 37 students and their faculty advisers from 14 colleges presented posters describing their research in various disciplines at the Minnesota State Capitol. From biology to psychology, engineering to English, this event showcased the breadth and quality of undergraduate research happening at Minnesota’s private colleges. Augsburg representatives were: Jessica Pfaffendorf and Professor James Vela-McConnell Facebook: Making the World More Connected? 6 Michael Wilson and Professor Eric Buffalohead The Impact of Intertribal Transmission on the Design Aesthetic of the Grass Dance Augsburg Now When President Paul Pribbenow came to Augsburg in 2006, he discovered a gap between the two sides of the small campus. “There was this natural divide… Melby and Kennedy [athletic facilities] on one side of campus, and, even though we’re a small campus, it seemed like the divide was both geographical and it was also symbolic in some ways—there wasn’t a connection between the two sides,” he says. His goal was to bridge the philosophical gap and to fully incorporate Augsburg’s intercollegiate athletic program into the broader campus community. In the pursuit, Augsburg has become an emerging leader in both the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. Since 2007, Pribbenow has served as chairelect and chair of the MIAC Presidents Council, leading a move to redefine the institutional leadership within the conference. He has also worked to increase its influence within NCAA Division III, the largest of NCAA’s three divisions. “We … think that the presidents need to be involved in the strategy and priorities of the conference, making sure that our student-athletes are having the kinds of experiences we want them to have. That’s the best of the Division III ideal.” Augsburg’s influence will not end with Pribbenow’s term. Augsburg’s faculty athletic representative (FAR) to MIAC, Tracy Bibelnieks, associate professor of mathematics, will begin a two-year term as chair of the FAR group this August. Athletic director Jeff Swenson also serves as chair-elect of MIAC’s athletic directors and will assume a two-year role as committee chair in 2013. A faculty athletic representative is a liaison between the faculty and athletics and an advocate for student-athlete affairs, while also serving as part of the conference’s chain of legislation. Bibelnieks will also serve on the conference’s Executive Committee. “The Division III philosophy of giving students an opportunity to excel in both the academic and athletic aspects of their experience here requires that we be able to have an understanding across the campus of what that balance looks like for students. Certainly, faculty play a significant role,” Bibelnieks says. “There has to be a check and balance in how you keep those wants and needs in balance with each other, both in the academic realm and the athletic realm.” DON STONER serving Auggie athletics President Pribbenow finishes his term as chair of the MIAC Presidents Council as Professor Tracy Bibelnieks begins her term as chair of the faculty athletic representatives. Jeff Swenson (not pictured) is chairelect of MIAC’s athletic directors. Spring 2011 7 my Auggie experience Like father, like daughter—Katie and Karsten Nelson For Katie Nelson ’14, the Augsburg experience is just beginning. But for her dad, Rev. Karsten Nelson ’83, it is simply continuing. When it came time for Katie to consider college, of course her father suggested Augsburg. In fact, he had been grooming her to be an Auggie since she was a child. “We were planting the seed when she was three years old,” Karsten says, “by throwing Augsburg sweatshirts on her.” But Katie was reluctant to enroll at her dad’s alma mater. On the day she came to campus for a visit, it was a dreary fall day. “I was thinking, ‘You know, dad, this is clearly your school. How in the world would I ever make it mine?’” Karsten says he remembers that first visit. “I was excited to give her a ride back home and find out what she thought. When she said she didn’t think it could be her school, it was one of those disheartening times where you say, ‘Oh no.’” After visiting several other area schools, Katie decided on Augsburg in part because of the location and the strong sense of community, but also because of its disability programs and attention to access for disabled students. “I love that Augsburg has tunnels,” Katie says. She knew she wanted a small campus with a close-knit community, a diverse campus with many opportunities, and an open and friendly place. “And Augsburg was definitely it.” In her first year of college, Katie has certainly made Augsburg hers—making new friends, getting involved as a tutor for neighborhood Somali residents, and even hosting weekly Disney movie-watching parties in her dorm room. Karsten Nelson was a student at Augsburg in the early 1980s, studying communication. He went on to graduate school at Luther Seminary and currently serves as pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Paul. He has also served on Augsburg’s alumni board. “There are a number of changes,” he says, noting that the buildings, the diversity of the student body, and the academic atmosphere are different than when he was in school. He also likes to tell Katie that the kitchen of the house where he used to live is in the same spot as the front doors of Oren Gateway Center. At the same time, Karsten says, a lot of things have stayed the same. “It has continued to be a place that has a great grounding of faith for people to explore and to wonder and to be challenged,” he says. Today Karsten is enjoying returning to Augsburg and seeing it through his daughter’s eyes. “It’s really fun to see Katie in her own setting with friends and connections.” He says that after one semester, Augsburg has exceeded his expectations in providing a sense of community, intellectual stimulation, and a foundation in faith for his 8 Augsburg Now daughter, “as well as her own growth and independence,” he adds. “Augsburg has drawn out more from Katie than we saw for her.” Katie receives services from Augsburg’s ACCESS Center, a unique program that provides services and support to students with documented physical disabilities. Her dad is grateful for the people who have provided assistance to her and allowed her to find independence. Katie says that not only the ACCESS staff but also her personal care attendants, her classmates, and people from the community are supporting her. “I can do almost anything on my own, and I have a lot more freedom to decide my own fate.” Both Katie and Karsten think of Augsburg as their home away from home. “It has been for me,” Karsten says, “and I think it is becoming that again.” WENDI WHEELER’06 auggie voices Vocation in an interfaith context I think about Augsburg’s mission statement and general education student learning outcomes—a lot. It makes sense. They shape and direct my work in and out of the classroom. At the same time, that very work, my colleagues, and my students inform my understanding of these statements and sustain my commitment to the realities and possibilities they create. At the center of my thought most recently is Augsburg’s call to intentional diversity coupled with our college-wide commitment to the theological exploration of vocation. All things considered, it was no surprise to me when I walked into my fall sections of REL 200 Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning II and encountered a wide array of religious traditions and commitments among my students: Buddhist, Muslim, Christian (Catholic, ELCA-Lutheran, LCMSLutheran, United Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and six or so other denominations), and students who identified as agnostic and atheistic. Some of them grew up in a tradition, others did not. And, at least six of my 55 students named the Shamanistic tradition as their own. In this rich and exciting pluralistic context, what am I called to do? How do I both express the depth and history and promise of the Christian, particularly Lutheran, understanding of vocation while affirming the presence and possibilities proffered by each student’s tradition? In the end, I invite students to conversation the only way I can—openly and honestly. I speak from my own particular context and perspective, and I invite them to do the same. I insert the voice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—who describes vocation as responsible action in response to God—into the conversation, and they insert the voices of Dorothy Day and the Dalai Lama, for example. In the title of my course I add parentheses around the word “Christian” and, together, my students and I add the words “and justice”: REL 200 (Christian) Vocation and the Search for Meaning and Justice. In this rich and exciting pluralistic context, this is what I am called to do. LORI BRANDT HALE is associate professor of religion and director of general education. The above is adapted from devotional thoughts she presented at Augsburg‘s Leadership Council. Spring 2011 9 faith & values Talking about faith and values BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 While Chris Stedman ’08 was studying religion at Augsburg, he avoided engaging in any conversations about the subject of his beliefs, God, or religion. So how did a student who wouldn’t talk about religion manage to graduate, go on to get a master’s degree in religion, and become a prominent and respected voice in interfaith dialogue? He stopped talking about religion and started talking about values. “I came to Augsburg after a number of years of struggling with religious identity and sexual orientation,” says Stedman, “but I felt like ministry was what I was called to do.” After his first semester, Stedman declared himself an atheist, but he kept quiet about it and continued pursuing a major in religion. In fact, he says he developed a negative stance on religion and God. “I didn’t really want to engage with it on the real world level.” Stedman worked with Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen program serving meals at the Brian Coyle Center once a week during his first year of college and eventually became a member of the leadership team. The Coyle Center serves many of the Muslim residents in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Even in this environment he was hesitant to engage in dialogue with anyone about faith or values. “One day I stayed a little late and had a conversation with a woman, and out of the blue she told me that sometimes she gets 10 Augsburg Now really nervous about going out in public because of her hijab [head scarf].” Normally, Stedman recalls, he would have ended the conversation, but he surprisingly found himself saying he could relate with the woman’s feelings because he felt nervous about going out in public with his boyfriend. “She asked what gives me strength and told me she got hers from Allah,” Stedman says. Later he realized the woman was inviting him into a conversation about values and about how they both lived in the world where people judged them, but he was unwilling at that time to talk more with her. It wasn’t until after graduation that Stedman began to open up about his values and beliefs. He was working in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities and had a particularly good relationship with one gentleman who often asked Stedman to read to him. One day, he recalls, the man asked Stedman to read from a Lutheran book of prayers. “My initial instinct was to say no,” Stedman says, but he read with the man. “I expected to feel either very irritated or to have a longing to return to something that was once so important to me, but I felt neither.” Instead, Stedman experienced relief and gratitude because he had shared in an important part of another person’s life. “We really lose out when we are afraid of those who have dif- CHRIS STEDMAN ’08 ferent beliefs from ours because it prevents us from engaging and developing meaningful relationships.” This experience served as the beginning of Stedman’s conversion from a silent religion major to a vocal member of the interfaith movement. Today he identifies as a secular humanist, reflecting a philosophy based on reason and compassion that does not include belief in a god. He writes often about seeking respect for religion among the community of nonbelievers, about identifying common values between believers and nonbelievers. Stedman went on to obtain a master’s degree in religion from the Meadville Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago. In the summer following his first year of graduate school, he began an internship with the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), a program founded by Eboo Patel. IFYC works with young leaders, primarily college students, helping to promote religious pluralism through service to the community. Stedman is currently the Interfaith and Community Service Fellow for the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University. He works with Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain, and author of Good Without God. Their work focuses on helping students initiate and organize interfaith service projects and creating positive com- munities for the nonreligious. In addition, Stedman is managing director of State of Formation at the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue. He is also founder of the blog NonProphet Status, a columnist for the Huffington Post, and the youngest contributor to the Washington Post’s On Faith blog. Currently, he is writing a book for Beacon Press. His speaking engagements focus on fostering positive and productive dialogues between faith communities and the nonreligious. In the few years he has been doing interfaith work, Stedman says he has learned the value of working and talking with those whose beliefs may be different but whose values are similar to his own. His message to young people, particularly those who are dissatisfied with religion or who identify as nonbelievers, is to get involved. “There is value in organizing around common values and a lot to be gained from working with and learning from religious communities,” Stedman says. He encourages young people not to simply wipe their hands of involvement with religious people but to find communities where their needs can be met. “I look back on my time at Augsburg and realize I was doing interfaith work, but I left the discussion out of it. Now I am so excited to reclaim that missed opportunity.” Spring 2011 11 good coffee. good cause. Wouldn’t it be great if you could complete a project for your graduate school class, earn a passing grade, and help someone else in the process? That is what happened for a group of Augsburg MBA students. Their management consulting capstone—an online marketing research project—has the potential to help one incredible organization and at least 1,500 young people in Minneapolis. When it came time for Lynn Harris, Darren Chaloner, and Kelly Ambourn to choose an organization to work with for their MBA project, they wanted to move beyond the obvious choices. Harris says they wanted to help a local social enterprise, so she did a bit of research and found CityKid Java. CityKid Java is a local for-profit coffee company located off Lake Street in Minneapolis’ Phillips and Central neighborhoods. Every dollar of their profit is returned to the community, specifically to their non-profit partner, the Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation’s youth programs. Urban Ventures’ youth programs provide mentoring, athletic teams, camps, leadership experience, and after-school programs for at-risk inner city youth. In 2010, CityKid Java gave $80,000 to Urban Ventures. The team worked closely with MarkPeter Lundquist, CityKid’s founder and vice president of Urban Ventures; Jenifer 12 Augsburg Now BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 CityKid Java founder Mark-Peter Lundquist is passionate about coffee and kids. Augsburg MBA students completed an assignment and got much more than a grade out of it. They got some great coffee and the good feeling that comes from giving back. Hagness, general manager of CityKid; and board member Joyce Hansen. They asked what CityKid needed, outlined the deliverables, and went to work. Hagness says the team provided marketing research and recommended tools and resources that CityKid could begin using immediately. “When they came to us, we really gave them a blank slate in terms of the website. We thought we knew some things about our market and our customers, but they really gave us some great tools and resources,” Hagness says. Ultimately the team developed a Web 2.0 marketing plan including a social media strategy for increasing traffic and sales and building awareness on the CityKid website. Harris says she was excited to see how their ideas could help the organization. CityKid took the team’s information, moved ahead with their recommendations, and even dedicated an employee as their “chief listening officer” to focus on social media. Harris says CityKid also invited the team back to share feedback and the action plan they created based on the team’s work. “We didn’t see this as just a project,” Harris says. “We really took this to heart.” (Photo above) CityKid Java’s Lindquist and general manager Jenifer Hagness (on right) talk with MBA students Darren Chaloner and Lynn Harris (on left) at the skatebard ramp at CityKid’s rec center. Spring 2011 13 coffee. good cause. good Throughout the six-month project, Lundquist and Hagness treated the MBA group as a part of their team. “They were very open to questions and made our job a thousand times easier,” says Chaloner. The students were invited to sit in on board meetings and tour Urban Ventures’ facilities. Harris says she even joined Lundquist and Hagness at a local roasters “cupping” experience. This project, however, had a much greater return on investment for the students. In addition to gaining consulting experience and practical application of marketing research principles, the team had an opportunity to give back to their community. They bought the coffee, of course, but they also shared the story of CityKid Java with their classmates, family, and friends. “You can’t work with CityKid Java and not tell the story,” Chaloner says. So that is what Harris and Chaloner have continued to do even after their project was complete—tell the story of CityKid Java. It’s one of good coffee for a good cause and the opportunity to get a good grade while working with great people. world setting value The courses in the Augsburg MBA program are designed to prepare students with content knowledge and theoretical application. The MBA consulting project puts this into practice in a real-world setting. To be successful in the management consulting project, students have to crystallize their knowledge into the real demands and needs of an existing for-profit, notfor-profit, or community service organization—they must use their education to be of service to an organization. This is where their learning becomes real, and of real value, in the world. Students have worked with a broad spectrum of companies from Fortune 100 companies to much smaller organizations such as local theaters and charter schools to individual entrepreneurs starting a company. About half of the recent projects have been with local nonprofits that serve the local communitites within Minneapolis and St. Paul. 14 Augsburg Now Lynn Harris and Darren Chaloner with Kelly Ambourn (not pictured) continue to share the CityKid Java story—and drink their great coffee! calculus and so much more BY BETSEY NORGARD A dozen or so first-year students in groups of threes and fours are talking, scribbling, erasing, and rewriting equations on the board. The professor watches and offers hints as needed. Two student leaders wander around, pausing to respond to questions or give a word of praise. Sometimes students work at tables, but rarely do they listen to a lecture. Welcome to Calculus Workshop, a twice-weekly elective workshop for students enrolled in Calculus I and II. Professor Rebekah Dupont is the Augsburg coordinator of the North Star STEM Alliance, a program that seeks to increase the number of minority students who complete degrees in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She developed Calculus Workshop as a strategy to help these students succeed in collegelevel mathematics courses. Spring 2011 15 The workshop particularly targets the needs of underrepresented minorities, firstgeneration college students, and women in majors that require calculus, but any student taking Calculus I or II who is interested in working collaboratively and setting high performance standards is welcomed. The first workshop began as a pilot in fall and spring last year, starting with 12 students. At the end of spring semester, the results were impressive. The mostly-minority students in the workshop achieved a 0.6 higher grade point average (GPA) than the Calculus I and II students not in the workshop, despite having entered college with an overall lower average ACT score and GPA. So, now in its second year, Calculus Workshop is an official department offering. Just why is it so successful? To begin with, Dupont grounds it in the research and best practices developed for STEM students participating in workshops linked to academic courses. She designed the workshop for students to preview the material to be presented in their calculus class, reinforce it, and synthesize it by working together to solve problems. The intent of the workshop is not remedial, but to promote high levels of academic excellence, which also promotes retention. Its major objective is to build community and collaboration among stu- Professor Rebekah Dupont coaches the students in Calculus Workshop. The North Star STEM Alliance is … A program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP). • The Minnesota North Star STEM Alliance is a partnership of 16 higher education institutions plus the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association. • Its goal is to double the number of minority students receiving bachelor’s degrees in STEM in a five-year period. • Its objectives are to provide support, tutoring, supplemental instruction; engage students through faculty mentorship and research; explore career directions; and build community among students. 16 Augsburg Now dents, who, in this case, are mostly in their first year. Not your classroom calculus Jazmine Darden took the pilot Calculus Workshop last year and credits it in large part for the grade she received in Calculus I. One factor for her was that the workshop is hands-on, not class lectures. “Workshop teaches in a different manner … There are many days that we, the students, are up at the chalkboard solving problems,” says Darden. “Or other times we are given worksheets and work in small groups … Workshop is a very team-oriented and group-oriented environment.” Darden also finds the workshop a comfortable environment. “Workshop is very diverse,” she continues. “It’s nice to walk into Workshop and see other students just like me. It gives us all an extra push to strive for success.” Mathematics + opportunities In addition to building community, the workshop has emerged as an effective means for Dupont to connect first-year students with leadership, academic, and research opportunities. In some cases, these are opportunities such as study abroad and Fulbright awards that wouldn’t be familiar to students whose parents have not attended college. “We have so many programs to support and help students, but they have to get connected to them,” Dupont says. “They have to hear about these opportunities and then start thinking about them.” Several of last year’s students have become McNair Scholars, which provides them summer research and ongoing support to apply to graduate school. Some have joined the North Star STEM program and work closely with Dupont. It was in this workshop where sophomore Fred Vedasto heard about the Minneapolis schools’ summer Guys In Science and Engineering (GISE) program, which brings middle-school boys to Augsburg for hands-on science exploration, with Augsburg students hired as mentors. “It was all about the kids for me,” Vedasto says. He loved feeling like a “big brother” while helping teach them science— it meant letting them have some fun and fool around, but also making sure they got the work done. Workshop big brothers and sisters Two student mentors assist Dupont in the workshop. These students also offer help beyond calculus. One of last year’s mentors, Research— jumping right in Gaby Hamerlinck, was a senior biology and math major. She says that she and junior Tom Lopez, another mentor, helped students prepare for exams, learn how to approach their professors, and answer questions about college life. “There were a few student-athletes in the group who did not think that a math major and collegiate sports could work in their schedule,” Hamerlinck says. “But being a multi-sport athlete as well, I was able to help them with time management, which allowed them to succeed on and off the field.” This year’s student mentors are Darden and Trevor Rodriguez Sotelo, both sophomores and workshop students from last year. They are closer in age to the workshop students and believe this makes a difference in connecting with their mentees around campus, sometimes eating and studying together. “Workshop has allowed me to build relationships with many first-year students in and out of the classroom,” says Darden. “I don’t like to be called a tutor to these students because I have built a relationship that is so much more.” “As a student leader, it’s important to be a positive role model in the classroom,” says Rodriguez Sotelo. “… but my biggest challenge has been how to be a positive role model of life. … I hope that if I can teach them a thing or two about schoolwork and also about everyday life, they will have a more enjoyable experience throughout their college career.” Students in the workshop are expected to set high goals for themselves. While first-year students do not usually begin research in their first year, Dupont seeks funding and encourages them to connect with faculty about research opportunities. Sometimes it takes a little push from Dupont—which is how Vedasto got into his physics research project last spring. “She was asking,” he says, “but it wasn’t a question.” With NASA funding, physics professor David Murr, junior Chris Woehle, and Vedasto developed a payload of instruments to measure light that was launched in a rocket 40 miles high as part of a nine-college project. Vedasto determined the rocket’s navigation using math calculations. He plans to continue research with Murr again this summer. Vedasto says the research helped him figure out his interests. “I always thought I wanted to be an electrical engineer, and my research confirmed this,” he says. “It was fun, interesting, and helped me get a feel for what I wanted to do.” Last spring, Dupont also helped Hamerlinck and first-year student Kayla Johnson secure funding for research with mathematics professor John Zobitz, who had taught calculus to both of them. They studied the spread of the flu through a contained population of Augsburg day students. With the project, Hamerlinck and Johnson had to face the challenges of learning how to present their research at poster sessions, which they did at three events in late spring. “It was a great experience, and I wish I had been able to do it sooner in my career at Augsburg,” Hamerlinck says. “But FRED VEDASTO ’13 [About getting involved in research] “Professor Dupont was asking us, but it wasn’t a question.” Spring 2011 17 KAYLA JOHNSON ’13 “I’m so glad I filled out that application for Workshop … Isn’t it crazy how one choice can make such a huge impact on someone’s life?” I’m so proud of Kayla for getting it done her freshman year!” Working together with Hamerlinck was great for Johnson. “Gaby pushed me, helping me with study skills, with balancing my time, and mainly showing me that I could do it.” This combination of faculty, upper-level student, and first-year student research is a nontraditional model, but proving especially important to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics, Zobitz says. “Gaby gave Kayla some helpful advice about courses and navigating a four-year degree that I (as her adviser) could not.” What does Zobitz see the students gain from the research experience? “The first-year students see a direct connection between their coursework and research topics,” he says. “For Kayla, I tried to give specific readings commensurate with her skills, typically tied to her calculus textbook.” “The upper-level students have an opportunity for reinforcement of previouslylearned skills by having to communicate with younger students,” continues Zobitz. “More importantly, this is an opportunity for mentorship and collaboration. … It was important to foster a sense of community 18 Augsburg Now that this is a shared, collaborative endeavor, rather than each person pursuing their own individual research.” Especially exciting for Dupont last summer was to secure research spots for all six of the North Star STEM workshop students by the end of their first year. An incredibly valuable experience Students have high regard for Calculus Workshop, even those who may have signed on reluctantly because of the extra time involved. One student, with a heavy work schedule in addition to classes, found out how valuable the workshop could be when his Calculus I grade improved from a failing first test to a score in the 90s on a subsequent one. Dupont enjoys watching the growth of the students. “At the beginning, going to the board was so hard for them,” she says. “They’re so smart and have ideas in their head, but they fear they’re wrong. For them, it’s about gaining the confidence to be on their feet and get to the point where they want to know how to fix what they do wrong and take that understanding to the next level.” Hamerlinck, who is now working toward a PhD in evolutionary biology on a scholarship at the University of Iowa, agrees: “The best part for me was watching the students grow more confident in themselves and their academic skills.” For Kirubel Gezehegn, a current student in the workshop who graduated from British schools in Zimbabwe, the transition to American college life was difficult. “The workshop prepared me for learning about American education, seeing that processes here are different, and it helped my understanding.” He welcomes the challenges—“I don’t want to breeze through and think about what I could have done with the time.” It’s clear, however, among all students, that a key to much of the workshop success has been the leadership of Dupont, whom Vedasto refers to as “the godmother of our class.” Darden says, “I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given in the last couple of years due to North Star STEM, Rebekah Dupont, and my upper-class mentors.” She says that there’s nothing she would rather do than “give back and try my best to give these opportunities to other students.” In an e-mail to Dupont, Johnson writes, “Without your help and my experience in Workshop, I would have missed out on so many opportunities.” She continues, “I’m so glad I said ‘why not?’ and filled out that application for Workshop. … Isn’t it crazy how one choice can make such a huge impact on someone’s life?” Student research at Augsburg It’s not uncommon to associate “research” with a scientific laboratory, microscopes, and tiny glass slides smeared with cells. But research at Augsburg is more than Bunsen burners and petri dishes. Every year students in the natural and social sciences, the humanities, and the arts conduct intensive 10-week summer projects as well as ongoing projects throughout the year. Last summer alone, students wrote music and screenplays, tested the water quality in Rice Creek, studied aggression in Girl Scouts, produced wearable art, and tried to find a body mass index for dogs—among other things. Student research is funded from a variety of sources: grants provided by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), the McNair Scholars program, a NASA Space Physics grant, the Northstar STEM Alliance, and Augsburg donors. The funds not only allow students to focus on their projects for 40 hours a week in the summer but also provide opportunities for them to travel to national conferences to present their work. Here we highlight the work of six outstanding Augsburg undergraduates—students whom we may see winning awards or publishing scholarly journal articles in the future. To meet some of these student researchers and many others, attend Zyzzogeton, Augsburg’s annual celebration of academic and artistic student achievement. The spring 2011 Zyzzogeton student research poster session will be held Wednesday, April 13 from 3-5 p.m. in the Oren Gateway Center atrium. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 To watch videos of four other students who spent last summer researching algae, biodiesel, dogs, and songwriting, go to www.augsburg.edu/now justin ingebretson The Effect of Dopaminergic Neurotoxins on Daphnia magna Swimming Behavior Faculty adviser, Matt Beckman Justin Ingebretson spent a good deal of his summer shooting video of swimming water fleas. Actually, he was filming perturbed water fleas, also known as Daphnia magna. The purpose was to understand the role that certain neurotoxins have in motor behavior, with applications for humans suffering from disorders like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Ingebretson presented his research at the national conference of the Annual Society for Neuroscience, where he says he was able to hold his head high next to students from multimillion-dollar research institutions. A member of the recovery community who at one time did not see college in his future, this promising scientist says, “I feel honored that the faculty and this college entrusted me to represent them.” 20 Augsburg Now becky shaheen Art Song: Poetry into Music Faculty adviser, Sonja Thompson You wouldn’t think a recipe or a letter to Miss Manners would make for a good song, but Becky Shaheen ’11 knows otherwise. A talented musician and composer in her own right, Shaheen researched the relationship between text and music using the art song, a classical form that incorporates piano and voice. She analyzed the work of different composers and wrote seven songs, one for each of seven composer-poet teams. Shaheen’s project emphasizes that research is not only for students in the sciences. “This project was created exclusively by me and really fed my passions,” she says. In addition to funding her summer research, the URGO program also provided funds for Shaheen to travel to the Vancouver International Song Institute where she workshopped her pieces with singers and composers. Spring 2011 21 tom lopez Construction of a Magnetic Needle Viscometer for Use in Research and Undergraduate Education Faculty adviser, Benjamin Stottrup Three years ago Tom Lopez, then a first-year mathematics and physics major, went to Google’s scholar database and typed the words “magnetic lipids.” No, these aren’t typical search terms for the average student, but Lopez isn’t the average student. A former construction foreman, Lopez entered Augsburg at the age of 27. He became interested in research after completing a project for his general physics course and meeting professor Ben Stottrup. Since that first summer, Lopez has had his research fully funded through the McNair program, a NASA Space Physics grant, the Computational Science Training for Undergraduates in the Mathematical Sciences (CSUMS), and the North Star STEM Alliance. He’s applied to graduate school and hopes one day to return to the classroom as a professor. “I want to be able to mentor students and introduce them to opportunities like the ones I have had at Augsburg,” he says. 22 Augsburg Now lucreshia grant Hair Is, Hair Ain’t: Black Women and the Meaning of Their Hair Faculty adviser, Jessica Nathanson When Lucreshia Grant shaved her head a couple of years ago, her friends started calling her “Mikey” and asking if she was going through some kind of phase. Then when she began growing dreadlocks, they asked if she was still going to be able to get a job after college. All this caused Grant to ask, “What does my hair mean?” Augsburg’s McNair research program allowed her to ask this same question of several black women. She learned that hair shapes women’s identities as well as their vocabularies, and she explored how black women’s attempts to change their hair were both an assimilation of a white standard of beauty as well as an exploration of the versatility of black hair. A sociology and psychology major with a minor in women’s studies, Grant hopes she can continue this research one day in graduate school. Spring 2011 23 walker krepps Quantitative EEG as a Bio-Marker for Addiction Risk Faculty adviser, Henry Yoon Sometimes research is boring. Even research that results in a new discovery can start out with some mundane tasks. But every once in a while, a student is able to be involved in research that has the potential to break new ground in its field. Such is the case with Walker Krepps and his work with psychology professor Henry Yoon. They have connected with a University of Minnesota team to examine brain waves that may predict the tendency toward addictive behavior in children of alcoholic and addict parents. What makes this so exciting for Krepps is the opportunity to conduct tests on a “perfect sample,” namely students in Augsburg’s StepUP® residential recovery community. 24 Augsburg Now kathleen watson The Dramaturgical Process in Context: Sketches of Eastern European Jews at the Turn of the Century Faculty adviser, Sarah Myers Theatre-goers have undoubtedly seen the listing of a “dramaturg” in the playbill at their local playhouse and wondered what it meant. Kathleen Watson wondered, too, and spent the first few days of her research project trying to figure out how to explain it. In the case of her project, Watson worked with theatre professor Sarah Myers to provide the historical and creative research for Myers’ play based on her family history. Watson immersed herself in Jewish culture and history, learning about Jews who entered the U.S. through Galveston, Tex., reading letters and looking at photos found in Myers’ grandmother’s attic, and even becoming a fan of klezmer music. “I learned some naughty words in Yiddish, too,” she says. Watson plans to attend graduate school for dramaturgy. “It gets under my skin. I could do it all day, every day.” And now she can explain what it is as well. Spring 2011 25 International Programs Photo Contest 3 explore experience 26 challenge discover Augsburg Now Photojournalism 1 First place “Comfort Women Protest” Tracy Olsen South Korea 2 Second place “Love and Heineken” Nora Dahlberg France 3 Third place “La Cueca” Erika Osterbur Chile Also winner of the People’s Choice Award 1 2 Landscape/Cityscape 1 First place “Seoul from Namsan Tower” Tracy Olsen South Korea 2 Second place “Nueva Esperanza” Katherine Walker El Salvador 3 Third place “Daybreak” Kate Woolever Thailand 2 3 1 Spring 2011 27 Portrait 1 First place “Bird Man” Nora Dahlberg France 3 Third place “A Blessing” Jeffrey Xiong Thailand 2 Second place “Gazing toward Change” Chelsie Duckworth Mexico 1 2009-10 Study Abroad by the Numbers 274 Augsburg students studied abroad 66% female and 34% male 14 Augsburg faculty-led programs 47% Studied in Latin America and the Caribbean 9% 2 Studied in Asia 31% Studied in Europe 11% Increase in students studying abroad from 2008-09 to 2009-10 28 Augsburg Now 3 auggie alumni news From the Alumni Board president … Dear fellow alumni, ransition takes many forms, and occurs at many points throughout our lives. Important to living with transition is our continued growth—growth through education, growth through volunteer work, or growth through professional development—and education is one of the many ways to spark that growth in our lives. Consider how you can embrace transition through learning—especially in a rich learning environment like the one at Augsburg College. Learning and enlightenment open doors of opportunity that you can only imagine—your first job, a promotion, or reflection on a satisfying career. Each has rewards that will benefit both you and the people with whom you interact. Continuing your education can provide a keen awareness in an ever-changing world, and can enable you to engage the world in a meaningful way, as well as adapt to new experiences and change more readily. Transition is a normal part of life! Why not consider the richness of opportunities to embrace transition by becoming an active alumnus/a, or by re-engaging with Augsburg? T JOHN STADLER ’07 MAL PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION P.S. The Alumni Board is looking for a few new leaders! To receive more information about becoming a member of this dynamic group, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. Alumni Board 2010-11 Front row (left to right): John Stadler ’07 MAL, Chris Hallin ’88, Maggie Tatton ’01, Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93; Back row (left to right): Jennifer M. Carlson ’91; Chad Darr ’04; Sharon Mercill ’09; Nancy Nordlund ’91, ’07 MAL; Holly Ebnet Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA; Sarah Grans ’01; Daniel Hickle ’95; Chris Ascher ’81; Michael Loney ’03 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. Spring 2011 29 auggie alumni news Young Alumni Council Estate sales group: Outreach + service = tangible outcomes A little history: The Augsburg College Associates began to conduct estate sales in 1996— 15 years ago. However, the idea of raising funds to help with College projects began with the founding of the Augsburg College Associates in 1984-85. The first very large and challenging project was funding a new pipe organ for Hoversten Chapel in the new Foss Center. The Associates held one gigantic “Trash and Treasures” sale in Melby Hall. It was a huge success and continued to be held each fall until the old music hall was razed and the Associates’ storage space was no longer available. Eager to find a new source of funds, the group began conducting estate sales in 1996. Coordination, leadership, and expertise over the years have been provided by scores of loyal, energetic volunteers. The Augsburg Associates have conducted a total of 62 sales through 2010, earning approximately $136,000, which has helped fund campus renovations, support for new buildings, and the establishment of several scholarships. The Augsburg Associates is a people-powered organization in need of constant refueling. The group is as strong as its numbers. Imagine the possibilities if they could increase the number of Associates and friends who would participate in this outreach and income-producing program. Contact Kate Anderson at 651-645-3262 or andersoc@visi.com if you are willing to be added to the list of estate sales associates. There is another way you can help that does not involve a commitment of time—help pass the word to your friends and neighbors about the Augsburg Associates’ estate sale services. Potential clients should contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085. The Young Alumni Council is busy planning great events for Summer 2011. Join the Augsburg College Young Alumni group on Facebook and check the alumni calendar for a full schedule. Front row (left to right): Cory Allen ’07, John MacCormick ’10, Lauren Back ’08, Teresa Barnhill ’08, Robert Wagner ’02, Ali Fitzpatrick ’11; Back row (left to right): Mark Matzek ’05, Maria Helgerson ’07, Jennifer Oliver ’07, Nick Slack ’02, Cody Tresselt-Warren ’09, David Lange ’08, Nick Swanson ’09, Megan Benrud ’10, Charles Sletten ’09, Beth Franklin ’09, Missy Motl ’06, Julia Mensing ’00, ’07 MBA Enjoy recordings of Augsburg’s music 2010 Advent Vespers service—music, liturgy, and hymns A two-disc set is $25. To order, go to www.augsburg.edu/vespers. Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings, 1949–1979 Three boxed sets, each with five CDs, plus a monograph about the life and career of Leland B. Sateren with each order: • From Opseth to Sateren (1949–1962) • Sateren Intermezzo (1964–1972) • Sateren Finale (1972–1979) Cost: $49 per box (5 CDs); $135 for all three sets (15 CDs), plus shipping and handling. To order, go to www.augsburg.edu/music/saterenCD.html or call the Augsburg College Bookstore at 612-359-6491. Watch for these— coming later this spring! The Augsburg Choir, “Stay with Us” Augsburg Jazz, Volume II My Song in 1 1 1 17 The 31st An nual Augsburg 30 Augsburg Now the Night College Adven t Vespers Alumni artists— call for submissions auggies VOLUNTEER 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. Each artist may submit up to three images. The submission deadline is June 24; 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. Feed My Starving Children In mid-January, 75 Augsburg volunteers of all ages gathered in Coon Rapids to work together with other volunteers to package meals for hungry children around the world. During the session, more than 22,000 meals were packaged, which would be made available through the Feed My Starving Children program. Thank you to all who participated in this effort, once again demonstrating the difference alumni continue to make living out the values gained as Augsburg students, giving back and helping others. Called to Lead: An invitation If you wonder where you are going in your professional and personal life and feel you could be doing something more significant, you are invited to explore “Called to Lead,” a four-week intensive experience for Augsburg alumni and friends of the College. Explore the challenges of leadership, the nature of servant leadership, the centered life, seeing things whole, and development of your strategic game plan. Facilitators include Professors Tom Morgan, Jack Fortin, and Norma Noonan. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning and the Center for Leadership Studies. Spend four spring mornings before work—April 26 and May 3, 10, and 17 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.—and emerge energized and renewed for new challenges in your life. For more information and an application, contact Norma Noonan at noonan@augsburg.edu. The total cost is $200, which includes books, weekly breakfasts, and all sessions. Registration closes April 11. Above left: Jennifer Oliver ’07 and Carolyn Mollner ’07 Left: Amy Forsberg ’95 and her children, Aubrey and Olin. A journey to the Holy Land with Professor Philip A. Quanbeck II Encounter the geography, places, and people of the Holy Land. Visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Caesarea, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, and much more on a journey departing in early January 2012. Woven into the itinerary are opportunities to share in dialogue with local community leaders. Return home with a broader and deeper understanding of a land that is holy for the world’s three monotheistic religions. The cost for this comprehensive program includes airfare from the Twin Cities and a carefully planned and paced schedule of activities The Mount of Beatitudes is topped by a Catholic chapel built by the Franciscan Sisters. and site visits—along with select accommodations, most meals, special educational programming, and a licensed guide throughout. To receive further information as details are finalized, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. Spring 2011 31 alumni class notes Frank Ario was featured on 50KARE-11 TV in Minneapolis in December, recalling his experience fighting in a tank batallion in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. He taught economics and philosophy at Washburn High School for 30 years, and in retirement he has volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis. He and Georgette (Lanes) ’50 have been married for more than 60 years. to share their building, including a Mennonite congregation and a First Nations worship center. Douglas Emerson was honored 66on January 15 as the Man of the Year by the San Benito County (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce. Since 2005 he has served as city councilman and in 2008 became mayor of Hollister, Calif. Nancy Brown-Koeller, received Margaret “Grit” Youngquist was in Marketing Awards given to the North American marketing organization at Kimberly-Clark Corp. She led a team that received the award for a workshop to educate about the challenges senior citizens face when shopping or using products or services. It was featured in the Wall Street Journal business section in September 2009. Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award from the Minnesota Department of Health that recognizes leadership and achievements in promoting good health for mothers, children, and youth. She is the adolescent health and healthy youth development coordinator for the Ramsey County Public Health Department. Richard Pearson was elected in November to the board of directors of North American State Bank of Willmar, Belgrade, and Elrose. He is now retired, after a 34-year career in senior financial positions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. 84ate vice president of develop- 74one of the seven 2010 Legacy 79awarded the 21st annual Betty Susan Nelson, Moline, Ill., re- Dr. Leland Fairbanks, Tempe, Ariz., in his retirement from the Indian Health Service and U.S. Public Health Service, is actively advocating a ban on smoking in tribal casinos. In 1983 he succeeded in passing a smoking ban at the Indian Health Service center in Phoenix, the first in the country at a health institution. 53 Lute Olson gave a speech in September in Minot, N.D., at a joint meeting of Minot service clubs as he was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame. 56 Rev. Ron Nelson, Winnipeg, 62Manitoba, is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, which opened its doors 11 years ago to serve the community, inviting a variety of ministries 67tired from Davenport (Iowa) Schools in June, where she was an elementary special education teacher. She coached Iowa’s 2010 Special Olympics National Games Tennis Team, July 17–24, in Lincoln, Neb., where the team played with professional tennis player Andy Roddick. Don Lenzen will retire on June 30 after 13 years as elementary school principal in the Pequot Lakes School District. He has been in education for 42 years. 69 Jerry Johnson, Bellingham, 70Wash., teaches mathematics at Western Washington University and was awarded the Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award. He was lauded for “drawing upon realworld experiences to illustrate math concepts and reach students with a variety of learning styles.” Catherine (Mork) 48Kordahl, Mora, Minn., shared this photo from 1946, standing with her friends in front of Old Main. Lars Walker is librarian and bookstore manager for the schools of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations in Plymouth, Minn. He is the author of several published fantasy novels, the latest of which is West Oversea, a Norse saga of mystery, adventure, and faith. Anne (Mollison) Klus is presi- 76dent and CEO of Trinity Uni- forms that will begin supplying uniforms for 51,000 healthcare providers around the country. She also is a music teacher and choir director at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. Ruth (Dahlof) Vedvik is a principal at Hardwick-Day, Inc., and has written The Financial Aid Handbook, with co-author and former Augsburg director of admissions Carol Stack. The book will be released in April by Career Press and is already online at Amazon and elsewhere. Bonnie (Lamon) Moren is an 78adapted physical education teacher/lead for Bloomington Schools. She recently received the Allen Burton Developmental Adapted Physical Education Award for outstanding efforts and contributions given to students with disabilities in the area of developmental adapted physical education by a teacher of elementary, secondary, or higher education. She has been teaching for 31 years. 32 Augsburg Now Carmela (Brown) Kranz, associ- ment of the Minnesota Medical Foundation in Minneapolis, received the 2010 Distinguished Service Award from District V of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), its top volunteer recognition for her 20 years of service. Tim Andrew was included on 88the second annual list of Top Lawyers 2010, as chosen by their peers, in Duluth-Superior Magazine. His firm, Andrew & Bransky PA, represents labor unions and employee benefit plans in Northeastern Minnesota. Karen Reed, Program III direc- 90tor at Coalinga State Hospital in Coalinga, Calif., and other music therapists celebrated 60 years of music therapy in the “Rock out the past … Roll into the future.” Earlier, in October, her staff honored her with an engraved silver journal on Bosses Day. Lisa Dietz received a 2010 Proj- 91ect Grant for Emerging Artists with Disabilities through VSA Minnesota. She is a fiber artist who has had a number of exhibitions and won prizes at the Minnesota State Fair for several years. Katie Knutson received a 2009-10 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy for part of WCCO’s promotion and marketing team in the one-time event sports category. Since June she has worked as sales and marketing director at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Anthony Patton has a new novel published, Treaty Violation, exploring murder and conspiracy in the spy world. Holly (Kolander) McCune, a 96former Minnesota Vikings Mary Lou (Mortensen) Nelson was awarded the 2010 Honorary Award, given by the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice, recognizing her many years of leadership with the United Nations Association. 45 Michelle (Wincell) and Bill 91Nielsen, Mendota Heights, Minn., welcomed baby Josephine May on October 9. She joins big sister Lena Kay, 3 1/2. Jennifer (Crego) and Chad Carls, Oak Grove, Minn., welcomed the birth cheerleader and 1998 Pro Bowl cheerleader, was recently interviewed for the “Where are they now?” magazine article about former NFL cheerleaders and players. She currently lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her husband and twin daughters and teaches Spanish part time. She and her daughters are also featured on pool product packages and boxes for Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies stores nationwide. Jackie (Heyda) and Joshua Ey- Mary Elizabeth (Brooks) and 98Jon Wroge, Norwood Young America, Minn., welcomed their beautiful and cherished gift, Aubry Ann, in April 2010. She joins big sisters Hannah and Kylie and big brother Cole. Leah (Spafford) and Taher 00of their fifth son, Isaac Victor, on March 24, 2010, who joins big broth- 02berg welcomed the birth of 02Omar, Brooklyn Center, Minn., ers Tommy, 8; Andrew, 7; Brock, 5; and Nick, 3. Chad teaches physics and chemistry in Anoka Hennepin District 11, and Jennifer is currently home with the boys. their daughter, Lydia Louise, on January 11. welcomed their son, Khalil Nur, home from Ethiopia. Jeff Ronneberg, in his second year as superintendent of the Spring Lake Park school district, was elected in the fall to the board of Learning Forward, a 13,000-member organization based in Oxford, Ohio. Trang Thanh Nguyen and her husband, Osman, welcomed their son, Noah, on Sept. 2, 2009, two weeks overdue. Trang and Osman met while she was pursuing her master’s degree in intercultural relations at Lesley University, and they were married five years later. Currently, Trang is a senior assistant director for multicultural recruitment at Wheaton College (Mass.), and Osman works as a bank examiner for the U.S. Treasury Department. They plan to return to Minnesota this year to be closer to family. 03estate for five years and re- Linda (Moffat) Sauber was ap- 94pointed director of client portfo- Judy Workman is a physician 98assistant at the Prior Lake Park Nicollet Clinic. Aaron Gabriel received a 2010 99Ivey Award in Minneapolis for his musical score for Madame Majesta’s Miracle Medicine Show. lio management services at Advantus Capital Management in St. Paul. Kjirsten Hoversten married Chris Probst on August 28. Nick Gruidl is a managing director in McGladrey’s Corporate Tax and Transactions practice and was a presenter on tax issues in a webinar for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., in October. Cheri Johnson has won the Second Year Winter Fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Mass., for 2010–11. She has also been hired as a fiction reader at the literary magazine Our Stories. Her novel excerpt “In San Jacinto” was published in the fall/winter 2009–10 issue of Cerise Press. 96 Tara (Cesaretti) and Chris 97McLeod ’00 welcomed a baby girl, Cora, on December 7. Trena Bolden Fields wrote and 00performed a one-woman show, Daring to Think, Move, and Speak, at Dreamland Arts in January. It is a series of monologues and spirituals featuring African American women of the Civil Rights Movement. Chad Moore has been in real cently joined Weichert RealtorsTower Properties in Brainerd. Kristen Opalinski is living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a communications specialist with the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA). Sarah Suter was named to the 2010 “Legal Elite” attorneys in Nevada, as chosen by their peers. She practices at the firm of Ryan Mercaldo & Worthington in Las Vegas in a variety of practice areas throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. Dara Fernandez, an attorney 04with Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker LLC, was named the Ala- Spring 2011 33 alumni class notes bama deputy representative for the Hispanic National Bar Association. She works in international law. Nikki Lemire and Kent Bodurtha ’08 were married in Hoversten Chapel on October 30. Khoi Tuan Nguyen lives in Irvine, Calif., and is a computer engineer. He is also pursuing music as a singer and a songwriter within the Vietnamese American community in Southern California. and Lindsay (Bonner) 08were married on August 28 in 02Matthew Pavelka are excited to anBrainerd, Minn. Kelly works at Med- Jason Stock joined his father’s roofing company, which has grown and diversified throughout the economic recession, becoming national leaders in sustainability solutions. They installed green roofs on major projects such as Target Center and Minneapolis City Hall. 09leader on a Thrivent Builds Laura Wade married Joe Machacek on October 9 in Lakeville, Minn. They are employed by Mystic Lake Casino and live in Burnsville, Minn. Ryan Davies and Michelle 05Arnhold were married in Grand Rapids, Minn., on June 19. Michelle works at University of WisconsinSuperior. Ryan is employed by Nortrax. They live in Duluth. Mike Matson is currently serv- 06ing a one-year internship at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Killeen, Tex., a church with many military families. He attended Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and the Chaplain School and Center in Fort Jackson, S.C. Following ordination, he aims to deploy as a military chaplain with an active Navy or Marine unit. Taylor Kroger and Tara Velde ’07 were married in Detroit Lakes, Minn., on August 14. Taylor works for Cappella University in Minneapolis, and Tara is a middle school math teacher in the Minneapolis School District. They live in Minneapolis. Graham Waite started a new business, Man Essentials, an online order service for men’s socks, Tshirts, and underwear. Rachel Forsberg and Tony 07Wernsing were married on June 12. 34 Augsburg Now Kameron Markworth and Lind- 05say (Plocher) ’06 were mar- Kelly (Torfin) and Phillip Ukes tox Scientific and Phillip works at Thomson Reuters. They live in Farmington, Minn. Gena Gilbertson was a co-team trip to Lautoka, Fiji's second-largest city, from October 31 to November 13 to build a two-bedroom home for Pastor Emosi Delana and his family. nounce the birth of their son, Leo Mack, born on January 7. Matthew graduated from the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston in May 2010 and is currently an emergency medicine resident at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. ried on July 10 in Stillwater, Minn. They currently live in Philadelphia where Lindsay is pursuing a master’s degree in music therapy through a teaching assistantship at Temple University. Kameron is a creative managing partner for a web publication, DrinkPhilly.com, while also seeking a performance and teaching career in music. Three Auggies were bridesmaids: Miya Kunin ’04, Megan (Feider) Druckrey ’06, and Kristi Billings ’06. Travis Lang joined Cornerstone Bank in Bismarck, N.D., as a mortgage loan consultant. Jennifer Ortloff began a new position in October as finance director for the City of Granite Falls, Minn. Previously, she was deputy city clerk in Brownton, Minn. Matt Carlson is head coach of 10the junior varsity soccer team and assistant varsity and goalkeeper coach at Stillwater High School, as well as goalkeeper coach at the University of St. Thomas. Trisha (Chevalier) and Jason 07Garvin were married on Au- gust 21. They live in Sauk Centre, Minn. Dan Kerrigan married Amber Knutson on August 21. Matthew Tonsager and Melissa 09Moberg ’10 were married by her father, Rev. Steve Moberg in Hoversten Chapel on August 14. Auggies included Dave Afdahl ’10, vocalist/pianist; Kendra Christiansen ’10, photographer; Seth Lienard ’11, videographer; Mikey Cunningham ’09, DJ; and Kristi Castelic ’10, personal attendant. Wedding party Auggies were Brian Gullick ’09, best man; Mackenzie Shiell ’10 and Kathryn Amberg ’10, bridesmaids; Rev. James Shiell ’54, Melissa’s grandfather and a reader. Graduate Programs Will Ruffin ’09 MAE, was awarded the Rochester “ABC 6 News Excellent Educator” recognition and was featured on ABC 6 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, and on the Good Morning show the next day. He was also recognized with the fifth-grade students, teachers, and his wife at his school. Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL, was interviewed by Shoreview Press in November about her business and background. After a career in financial services, she started her own company in 2009, KnowledgeSphere, a franchise business for AdviCoach, business coaching and advising services. Kevin Chou ’07 MBA and Jennifer (Tome) ’99 were married July 30 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in St. Paul. Kevin is an independent Oracle Retail guru and Jennifer recently started a wine brokerage. They love to travel the world and currently call Savage home with their children and two Boxers. Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ____________________________________________________________ Street address In Memoriam Hannah (Mehus) Stensvaag ’38, Minneapolis, age 94, on November 14. Adrian C. Tinderholt ’38, Fergus Falls, Minn., age 94, on November 27. Theodore M. Nelson ’41, Two Harbors, Minn., age 90, on July 30. Rev. Bennett Randolph Quanbeck ’45, Monticello, Minn., age 94, on November 13. Beverly (Tollefson) Uhlenberg ’60, Distinguished Alumna 1994, Grand Forks, N.D., age 72, on December 4. ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip code Mary Lee (Felrath) Ebeling Pichner ’62, of Owatonna, Minn., age 70, on January 10. ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone Grace Johnson ’63, Sandstone, Minn., age 71, on October 23. Is this a new address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ E-mail Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No Phyllis (Fredrickson) Stuckmayer ’64, Northfield, Minn., age 65, on January 11. ____________________________________________________________ Employer Rev. Loren Nelson ’67, Mahtowa, Minn., age 65, on October 21. ____________________________________________________________ Position IvaDell (Kleven) Rice ’48, Edina, Minn., age 80, on November 12. Glenda Potter ’76, Eagan, Minn., age 56, on January 3. ____________________________________________________________ Work telephone Lyla (Larson) Jystad ’49, Rochester, Minn., age 83, on August 12. Terri Monroe ’80, Pequot Lakes, Minn., age 59, on November 27. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No Thelma (Landsverk) Peacock LeBeau ’48, Eagle Butte, S.D., age 82, on October 3. Richard H. Aune ’50, St. Peter, Minn., age 82, on September 7. Rev. Benjamin Larson ’52, Ely, Minn., age 81, on November 13. Sigrunn Kvamme ’53, St. Paul, Minn., age 90, on September 28. Esther (Olesen) Freund ’54, Fremont, Neb., age 82, on November 9. Richard A. Mahre ’55, Richfield, Minn., age 77, on December 22. James A. Bye ’59, Redwood Falls, Minn., age 73, on December 12, 2009. Mary J. (Holmberg) Severson ’90, St. Anthony, Minn., age 65, on November 18. Susan (Doughty) Moes ’92, St. Paul, Minn., age 60, on November 11. Celeste O’Brien Haugen, former music faculty, Ft. Myers, Fla., on December 22. Howard E. Olson, former senior development officer and regent emeritus, St. Paul, Minn., age 89, on November 18. If yes, class year ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Spouse’s name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Spring 2011 35 it takes an Auggie A gift for the future Dean Sundquist ’81 has witnessed a few changes to Augsburg’s campus since his days as an undergraduate business major. He describes how, in the campus center during the spring of his senior year, he learned about the assassination attempt on President Reagan by watching a black-and-white television that, he quips, “probably used a coat hanger for an antenna.” Now, noting the facility renovations and technological revolutions of the past 30 years, he remarks simply, “It’s changed a lot.” Sundquist knows about progress. As chairman and CEO of Mate Precision Tooling, which specializes in metal products and laser technologies, he has not only survived the economic downturn, but also guided his company through product expansion and international growth. With offices in Minnesota, Sweden, Germany, China, and Malaysia, and more than 500 employees, Sundquist’s business is a worldwide leader in its market. To many Auggies, however, business success is not Sundquist’s biggest claim to fame. He is the founder of the Sundquist Scholars, a summer research opportunity for students in the sciences. Since 2006, the Sundquist Scholars program has provided funds and resources for five students per year to conduct summer research, either of their own design or in conjunction with a professor’s project. Sundquist claims that his interest in funding the research scholars stems from the opportunity to target his gift to a specific program. “It was more exciting than donating generally to the College,” he explains—adding quickly, “although that’s important too.” While Sundquist believes that the scholars program offers a wonderful educational experience for science students, he is also excited about the potential for their work beyond Augsburg. “Scientific improvements will propel the economy,” he explains. “Science is the way of the future for the health and living conditions of everyone in the world.” The Sundquist Scholars have certainly risen to the challenge. Among the first of these students was Brian Krohn ’08, who researched a groundbreaking method for developing bio-diesel. Krohn, Augsburg’s first Rhodes Scholar, earned a master of science degree in environmental change and management at Oxford University, and is currently pursuing a master of science in the history of science, medicine, and technology. Caryn Quist ’09, another scholar, researched orchid growth and development, was a Goldwater Scholar nominee, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. Besides providing a solid base for postgraduate study, the Sundquist Scholars program provides students the unique opportu- 36 Augsburg Now nity to perform high-level research in close partnership with a faculty mentor. Two of the most recent Sundquist Scholars, Trevor Rodriguez Sotelo and Gottlieb Uahengo, both current sophomores in the physics department, began their research on lipid biophysics the summer after their first year at Augsburg. Sundquist, who has met many of the Sundquist Scholars over the years, commends the students for their ambition and hard work. “They’re setting themselves up to go to grad school and to get jobs in research,” he says. “I’m awfully impressed. I really admire these students.” Sundquist has recently agreed not only to continue funding the program, but also to double its size. His donation will sponsor 50 more young scholars over the next five years. In addition, he has pledged to support the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion. He sees this project as an illustration of Augsburg’s distinctive interdisciplinary perspective. “These departments don’t seem like they would fit together,” he says, “but Augsburg showed me that they do.” Sundquist is humble about his contributions to Augsburg’s students. “If it works for them,” he says, “that’s my main criterion.” KAYLA SKARBAKKA ’09 is a writer living in Minneapolis. an augsburg legacy Michael Darling “After everything Augsburg did for me, it’s a bit of a no-brainer to give something back. That’s why I’ve named Augsburg College in my will. And even better, I’m able to say ‘thank you’ to Professor Emeritus Duane Johnson by designating part of my gift to an endowed scholarship fund in his name.” 1-800-273-0617 www.augsburg.edu/giving 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Celebrating in rural Nicaragua While traveling down a rutted road in rural Nicaragua, members of Augsburg’s Board of Regents came upon a massive crowd cheering and celebrating in the middle of the road. Wonder turned to shock as the crowd turned and began running at full speed toward their bus. In the midst of the crowd was a depressed-looking bull being pushed along. The people were celebrating the Feast of St. Sebastian, which this year contained not a running of a bull, but more of a dragging. To view photos of Augsburg’s Board of Regents trip to Nicaragua, go to www.flickr.com/photos/augsburgcollege
Show less

Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2012: Called To Inspire Peace
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2012 VOL. 74, NO. 2 inside called Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Auggie Pastors Nobel Peace Prize Forum Travel International photo contest Writers’ challenge of place Roger Griffith ’84 pagePersonality 20 to inspire peace not...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2012 VOL. 74, NO. 2 inside called Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Auggie Pastors Nobel Peace Prize Forum Travel International photo contest Writers’ challenge of place Roger Griffith ’84 pagePersonality 20 to inspire peace notes from President Pribbenow Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Innovation and excellence Senior Creative Associate-Design A s I write this, there is much conversation around the country about President Obama’s challenge to colleges and universities to stem tuition increases and make higher education more accessible. It is an important challenge and one we take seriously at Augsburg. In many ways, Augsburg’s longstanding commitment to access and excellence prepares us well to address the challenge. We have developed a strategic model for using College-funded financial aid to make college accessible for a diverse student body. We are involved in ongoing efforts to link academic planning, enrollment outlooks, and a sustainable financial model. We focus our attention as a campus community on ensuring that students are at the center of our lives and that their success is our primary objective. All of these efforts are mission-based and challenge us to be open to innovative ways to ensure that Augsburg’s excellence is sustained into the future. In fact, Augsburg 2019, our strategic map, names innovation and excellence as one of our three key pathways to our future. (The others are student success and telling Augsburg’s story in word and deed.) You will read in this issue of Augsburg Now about several innovative projects, including the Nobel Peace Prize Forum (see page 9), the American Commonwealth Partnership (see page 2), and the opening of the new Gage Center for Student Success (see page 3 and back cover). All of this said, however, we still must ask ourselves a fundamental question about higher education and about Augsburg in particular. That question is this: Is it worth it? Why would any of us—parents and students who pay tuition, alumni and friends who make gifts—invest the time and energy and money that college demands? It is a question I think a good bit about, though I certainly will admit my bias as a lifelong educator. In engaging in the important public conversations about the role of higher education for our economy and democracy, there is great value in re- visiting the reasons why the sort of education Augsburg offers is worth it—for our students, graduates, and the world. I find essayist and poet (and farmer) Wendell Berry’s words in his prose-poem “Damage” particularly instructive when he writes: “No expert knows everything about every place, not even everything about any place. If one’s knowledge of one’s whereabouts is insufficient, if one’s judgment is unsound, then expert advice is of little use.” Education, in other words, is not about taking someone else’s word for it. It is about finding our own way into an understanding of our world and our whereabouts so that we might use our education to make our whereabouts safer and healthier, and more fair and just. This is how we think about education here at Augsburg. Students come here not to be filled up with someone else’s knowledge but to find and ask their own questions, to test their own hypotheses, to create their own art and music, and to engage our neighborhood and world as they learn and serve. They come here to learn about themselves, to learn with each other and with our remarkable faculty, and to learn about the world they inhabit with all its diversity and complexity. And then in a few short years, we send them out from here to use their education in service and leadership in the world. We count on them to take the questions they have asked here and knowledge they have gained about their whereabouts, and then we watch with great pride and expectation how their Augsburg education makes the world a better place for all of us. Accountability for our plans and budgets? Indeed. Innovation and excellence in support of our students? You can count on it. But in the end, we must be passionate advocates for the value—the worth—of the sort of education Augsburg offers and the difference it makes for our students and the world. I thank all of you for your support and passion. Please share our amazing story! PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu 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 spring 2012 augsburg now Features 9 13 24 28 Nobel Peace Prize Forum COMPILED BY REBECCA JOHN WE ARE CALLED. auggie pastors. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 . 14 Bob Bagley ’58 16 David Lillejord ’86 18 Jeni Falkman Grangaard ’02 20 Peter Morlock ’90 22 Stephanie Quick-Espinoza ’01 9 contents 13 26 On the cover At the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Augsburg’s President Paul C. Pribbenow was joined by F. W. de Klerk, former South African president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Peter Agre ’70, 2003 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 24 26 28 International photo contest Auggie writers’ challenge COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 The personality of place—student break room BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Departments inside front cover 2 5 6 30 31 36 40 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad My Auggie experience Auggie voices Auggies in the front office Alumni news Class notes It takes an Auggie quad around the SportsExtravaganza American Commonwealth Partnership Augsburg was named coordinator of the nationwide American Commonwealth Partnership (ACP), launched in January by the White House Office of Public Engagement, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The ACP is rooted in the recognition that education should be— must be—delivered for the common good rather than be allowed to become an individual benefit only for those who can afford it. As coordinator, Augsburg will work to deepen connections and relationships and create policies, initiatives, and practices in public engagement efforts across higher education. Read more on page 6 of this edition of Augsburg Now. Auggies majoring in physical education had the chance in November to work with more than 225 grade school kids from 27 schools during the Sports Extravaganza. All the youth who attended have developmental and/or physical needs and participated in nine different activities designed with their needs in mind. The program is a chance for future teachers to get hands-on practice working with students. Academic ACCREDITATION education Youth Day Native American More than 250 Native American youth from grades 6 through 12 were on campus January 13 for Native American Youth Day. As part of their visit, the students from eight metro-area school districts had the chance to hear Olympian Billy Mills talk about living a drug-free, alcohol-free life. Mills, who was born and raised on the Pine Ridge (Lakota) Reservation in South Dakota, also spoke about “Unity through Diversity” in an evening presentation open to the public. 2 Augsburg Now The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Review Board granted Augsburg’s Education Department programs continued national accreditation until 2017. Accredited programs include initial licensure programs in elementary, secondary, and special education at the undergraduate and graduate level. NCATE also granted a two-year accreditation to advanced licensure programs. In addition, the department’s teaching and service to the community received the highest possible rating by the NCATE Review Board. nursing The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board of Commissioners granted accreditation to the College’s post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program for a term of five years, the maximum time frame granted for accreditation of new programs. Clair and Gladys Strommen EXECUTIVE LEADER SPEAKER SERIES The 2011-12 Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series kicked off in November with Steve Wehrenberg ’78, CEO of Campbell Mithun advertising agency. In February, the series welcomed Keith Wyche, a leading African-American executive and CEO of Cub Foods. The next event in the series, March 29, features Jim Owens, president and CEO of HB Fuller. All Strommen Executive Leader Speaker events are free and open to the public. C E L E BRAT I N G 3 0 Y E AR S GAGE CENTER CELEBRATION The Center for Global Education celebrates its 30-year anniversary of offering cross-cultural learning experiences that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions. During December, CGE hosted its first trip to Cuba since 2005. The program provided participants an opportunity to learn about politics, health care, food security, workers’ rights, and more. Beginning in the fall of 2012, Augsburg will conduct semester-long programs in Cuba with courses in history, political science, sociology, and Spanish language. The program will be coordinated by CGE in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, an organization based in Havana and dedicated to community development and national and international politics. Augsburg is one of only a handful of colleges to offer such a unique learning opportunity. Representatives of the Gage and Groves Family foundations joined Augsburg College staff and faculty in February for the grand opening of the Gage Center for Student Success and the Groves Center of Technology, located at the heart of campus on the second level of the Lindell Library. Celebration of Philanthropy Modeling Constructive Debate: The Celebration of Philanthropy, the second annual celebration of supporters and friends of the College, is June 7. The event is open to current annual donors who have made gifts of $1,000 or more in fiscal 2012, Sven Oftedal Society members, donors who have made cumulative gifts of $25,000 or more, and donors who have given to the College for 15 or more consecutive years. Invitations to the event will be mailed this spring. Augsburg’s annual Sabo Symposium modeled constructive debate in addressing some of the contentious issues surrounding K-12 integration funding in Minnesota. The panel included Peter Swanson and Scott Thomas, co-chairs of the Minnesota Integration Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force, who discussed their experiences on the task force to illustrate how people with differing perspectives can lead and model civil discourse in order to work together productively. Sabo Public Policy Symposium To learn more about the Symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Spring 2012 3 quad around the MANY VOICES BOLD VISIONS New academic programs The Augsburg College Board of Regents has approved two new graduate-level programs—the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing and the Master of Music Therapy—which will launch in the fall of 2013. The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing offers tracks in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Playwriting will be added in 2014. The MFA will be offered through a low-residency, hybrid model that includes online and face-to-face learning. The Master of Music Therapy will address changes to the minimum professional requirements for music therapists as set by the Music Therapy National Board. The program, offered via a combination of online and face-to-face learning formats, focuses on music and medicine, which is projected to be a growth field in nursing homes and hospice care. Also, the Augsburg College faculty approved an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher licensure program, an area of demand in K-12 education today. The program is currently pending final approval from the State of Minnesota and will be offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels of the College’s teacher education programs. Where Condor Meets Eagle NATIVE AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Frederic Luskin, director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, spoke February 11 at the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation about the process of letting go of hurt, helplessness, and anger, while increasing confidence, hope, and happiness. At this year’s Batalden Symposium in Applied Ethics, members of the Augsburg community explored the effects of youth on political change in Egypt through first-hand accounts from members of the EYouth (Engaging and Empowering Egyptian Youth) project, who described their experiences as part of the protests and their observations about the process of youth-led political change in Egypt. Kenna-Camara Cotton, director of Voice of Culture Drum and Dance, a Minneapolis-based Black dance company, performs an African dance at the January Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. Photo by Mark Chamberlain Augsburg Now The Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, held January 16, featured T. Mychael Rambo, local actor, vocalist, and educator. The convocation featured other local performers using poetry, song, dance, and imagery to explore the topic, “Now is the Time: Giving Voice to the Dream.” A full schedule of the 2011-12 Augsburg College Convocation series is available at www.augsburg.edu/convo. Augsburg’s Native American Film Series partnered with Phillips Indian Educators and the Parkway Theater to present a three-night film festival in March celebrating indigenous film, collaborations across national boundaries, and visual storytelling. The festival featured films by Bolivian and North American artists, many of whom attended the screenings and participated in audience discussions about their films. The festival title, Where Condor Meets Eagle, reflects the prophecy that when the condor (Bolivia) meets the eagle (North America), the Indigenous continent will be healed. 4 Convocation Series 2011-12 my Auggie experience Beating the Odds After completing her PhD from Yale in 2009, Chandra Erdman ’02 was in high demand. She was recruited for tenure track teaching positions at several universities, and the global banking firm Goldman Sachs also came calling with an attractive offer. But Erdman’s dream job was to work for the U.S. Census Bureau. Today, she is one of the 39 percent of Washington, D.C., residents who work for the government. She is a mathematical statistician in the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology, a group that makes up less than one percent of U.S. Census Bureau employees. She also happens to be the only African American ever to obtain a PhD in statistics from Yale University. There was a time, however, when Erdman did not care about graduating from high school, much less obtaining a college degree. But with the encouragement and support from those who recognized her potential, she has not only succeeded as a scholar, she has also landed her dream job. In the 10th grade, Erdman was truant 59 days; if she had missed 60 days, she would have been expelled. While speaking to mathematics students at Augsburg in January, Erdman said she had an “attitude” in high school. Despite her truancy and her bad attitude, she maintained a 4.27 grade point average (out of 4.33). At the end of her 10th grade year, she met a man who directed a program that helped inner city youth focus on their education. “I didn’t think college was an option for me,” Erdman said. Neither of her parents had graduated from high school, and in the low-income housing community where she grew up, she knew no one who had gone to college. Erdman enrolled in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEO) at the University of Minnesota. After two years, she transferred to Augsburg to complete her undergraduate degree in mathematics. “My only aunt who had been to college went to Augsburg,” she said, “and this just felt like the right place for me.” Erdman continued to excel at Augsburg as a McNair Scholar, a federally-funded program that assists first-generation and low-income students with preparation for graduate school. She also conducted faculty-led research, served as a supplemental instructor for Calculus I and II, and tutored in mathematics. Through McNair, and with the guidance of several staff and faculty members, Erdman realized that a graduate degree could be in her future. “They helped me along each step of the way, getting me prepared and helping me do what I needed to become a strong applicant to grad school,” she said. Erdman applied to and was accepted by three graduate programs in statistics. She chose Columbia, where she received a full fellowship. In the summer before graduate school and again following that year, Erdman participated in Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE), a program aimed at helping women prepare for graduate study in mathematics. She completed her master’s program in one year and then went on to Yale to pursue a PhD. When she finished her PhD program, Erdman applied to the Census Bureau and heard nothing from them for three months. Then she learned that the director of the statistical research division was speaking at a conference in Washington, D.C. She bought a train ticket and went to meet him. “At the end of his presentation, I walked up to him, handed him my C.V., and said, ‘I want to work for you.’” They talked, and he later invited her for an interview. Today Erdman works in the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology at the U.S. Census Bureau. “I wanted to work at Census because I wanted to look at good data, but I got put into the missing data methods group that only looks at bad data,” she said. Still, she loves her work and speaks enthusiastically about the projects in which she has been involved. Now that she is finished with school and settled into her career, Erdman hopes to find a way to mentor other young women through the EDGE program. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Spring 2012 5 auggie voices Higher Education as a Public Good In January, Augsburg joined the White House Office of Public Engagement, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the U.S. Department of Education, other education organizations, philanthropies, and businesses in launching the American Commonwealth Partnership (ACP) to begin a year of activity exploring how colleges and universities can reclaim their civic identity. At the heart of this initiative is the recognition that higher education should be—and must be—delivered for the common good rather than be allowed to become an AT THE CREST OF A WAVE For many years, Augsburg, with its mission of educating students to be “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders,” has resisted forces turning higher education into a private benefit rather than a public good. When the public opinion group Public Agenda recently sounded people’s views on the role of higher education, they found little awareness that colleges and universities can contribute to the health of neighborhoods, or that they educate students to be problem solvers with skills of working across differences. But describing these roles in focus groups also generated animated discussion and created hope. Many remarked that few places any longer teach such skills. There was the sense that the country is dangerously polarized and losing control over our collective future. On January 10 at the White House, many higher education groups launched a major new coalition, the American Commonwealth Partnership, to respond to the civic crisis. It has support from the Department of Education, which released a new “Road Map and Call to Action,” emphasizing citizenship education. Augsburg is the inaugural host institution for ACP, which seeks to mobilize colleges and universities in developing “civic identity, not simply civic activities.” By engaging in this exciting project, Augsburg is at the crest of a new wave of reengagement of higher education with communities and the world. DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP HARRY C. BOYTE is the director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College and serves as national coordinator of the American Commonwealth Partnership. 6 Augsburg Now individual benefit only for those who can afford it. As part of the dialogue about the role of higher education in building civic identity, we asked Augsburg faculty from various academic departments to provide their perspectives on how higher education serves the public good. Their responses are published here. For additional information on higher education as a public good, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. CITIZEN NURSES: A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH In our society today, people have become so medicalized that we often forget that health is not about the absence of disease but a place of belonging. At Augsburg College, the Department of Nursing has focused on returning to what nursing was originally intended to be about—relationships—by opening two drop-in community health centers. One of these centers provides care to people living on the streets of Minneapolis. This center has been in existence for almost 20 years, and the nurses there engage with 120 people each week. We listen, provide basic necessities, and take the time to make sure people feel they are supported and are part of a community. Our other drop-in center, the Health Commons at Dar Ul-Quba, is a new project focused on immigrant health in the CedarRiverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Our efforts at Dar Ul-Quba have been about trying to help people not only to understand our healthcare system but also to realize how they can practice health and healing as they did in their country of origin. The center also helps people come together to create the change they want to see in their neighborhood. To us, being citizen nurses means that we are working to strengthen our communities in ways that avoid the expert model. We see people as collaborators and co-creators. Through their experiences at the drop-in centers, Augsburg nursing students are changing their worldviews in ways that benefit our society. Our hope is to continue to do just that. NURSING KATIE CLARK is an instructor in Augsburg’s nursing department and serves as coordinator of the Augsburg Nursing Center. “ In exchange for services rendered to the neighborhood organization, Augsburg students are privileged to observe and learn about citizenship, democracy, and being a ‘steward of place.’ ” AUGSBURG: AGENT AND ARCHITECT OF DEMOCRACY AND STEWARD OF PLACE The work of Joel Torstenson, Bernhard Christensen, Myles Stenshoel, Vern Bloom, and Robert Clyde reveals the history of Augsburg’s role as agent and architect of democracy and steward of place and provides the context for our current activities. As I reflect and write about their work, I marvel at their insight, commitment, and capacity as agents and stewards of place, well before it was in vogue or even acceptable. I probably would not have remained in higher education were it not for Augsburg’s valuing such a commitment for faculty and welcoming me to be a part of this vision and endeavor. For 30 years, students in my Human Community and Modern Metropolis course have engaged in a service-learning experience in collaboration with the official neighborhood organizations surrounding Augsburg: CedarRiverside, Seward, Phillips, and Powderhorn. In exchange for services rendered to the neighborhood organization, Augsburg students are privileged to observe and learn about citizenship, democracy, and being a “steward of place.” In addition to seeing and feeling the value of grassroots efforts to take responsibility for a neighborhood and influence the wider political context, students have learned firsthand about community organizing, community development, and public service. Many students, as alumni, have expanded their sense of vocation, both as citizens and professionals, through these engagements with the commonwealth and as stewards of place. SOCIOLOGY GARRY HESSER is a professor of metro/urban studies and sociology at Augsburg College. To read Hesser’s complete submission, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. FROM COMPLEXITY TO COMPASSION In his book My First Summer in the Sierra, John Muir offered a sentiment which, more than 100 years later, represents as good a justification for higher education in contemporary society as one is likely to find in any college catalogue: “When we try to pick out anything by itself,” he says, speaking of the profoundly ecological nature of the world, “we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” To be sure, college campuses—meaning the empirical kind with living, breathing students, with staff, teachers, textbooks, trees, quads, and stadiums—sit squarely at the various junctures of this tangled-up creation, seeking from these vantage points to understand through intensive study the pressing issues, the timeless questions, and the persistent, ineluctable mysteries that unite our places in time and space with those of countless others. College is literally where and when we hope to experience the joy that comes with accessing the eternal through the particular. It is where we come to study, in our specific yet overlapping disciplines, the problems of the world so as to appreciate the complexity of all things—because it is, without question, an informed appreciation for complexity that inspires reflection and breeds compassion. ENGLISH COLIN IRVINE is an associate professor of English at Augsburg College and serves as the summer 2012 research coordinator for the College’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO). “ College is ... where we come to study, in our specific yet overlapping disciplines, the problems of the world so as to appreciate the complexity of all things. ” Spring 2012 7 ARTS-BASED CIVIC DIALOGUE Arts programs in higher education are all the more vibrant when a wealth of voices and bodies come together to create and discuss work. Community-engaged performance is progressive pedagogy; it’s theater by, for, of, and about the people—and it can be an integral part of a civic-minded college culture. Last winter, the student ensemble of The Living Newspaper Project: Everyone Has Something used collective research, writing, workshops, and performance to generate discussion about a taboo topic: the stigma attached to mental illness. They engaged with audiences through post-show talkbacks and panels, academic conferences, letters in the Augsburg Echo, and outreach to local community organizations. Next fall, students will be invited to tackle a Town Hall Nation project by creating short performances around campus that gen- THEATER ARTS erate civic dialogue on campus about students’ financial needs and crises. Town Hall Nation is a national engagement initiative inviting arts organizations, colleges and universities, and other community groups to create 30-minute events that demonstrate, present, or embody an ideal town hall meeting. Students of any major may audition for or volunteer to participate in the Town Hall Nation project, as with any other Theater Department production. SARAH MYERS is an assistant professor in Augsburg’s Theater Arts Department. “ Community-engaged performance is progressive pedagogy; it’s theater by, for, of, and about the people— and it can be an integral part of a civic-minded college culture. ” 8 Augsburg Now “ In transforming individuals, we transform our communities and our world. DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL AGENCY TO TRANSFORM OUR WORLD ” Higher education is often viewed as separate from the public arena, something accessible to a few and beneficial to only the individual. However, higher education greatly impacts the public good, and that impact is the true mission of higher education. In transforming individuals, we transform our communities and our world. In this era of globalization, individualism seems to serve little purpose. Preparing children to live in a global society is essential and should begin in the K-12 years. Higher education then is a continuation of that learning and a time to step out into the world. With this in mind, while higher education does serve the individual, the larger goal is the influence each individual will have on the greater public good. The impact of higher education is increasingly more visible and far reaching. More frequently, civic engagement has become part of higher education curriculum. The need for students to see and experience a more seamless connection to their acquisition and application of knowledge is essential. Knowledge is not only something centered in higher education institutions; it is also something constructed and exercised within the community. Knowledge then becomes transformative not only to the individual but to the broader community, society, and world. This is increasingly being seen through civic engagement projects such as Public Achievement, service learning, and travel abroad experiences where students and faculty “develop agency” through active rather than passive means that, in turn, inform theory and future practice. EDUCATION SUSAN O’CONNOR is an associate professor of education at Augsburg College. “I can really say that [the Nobel Peace Prize Forum] has changed my perspective of the world around us!” “Couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtprovoking and inspiring three days.” These are just two of the sentiments shared via social media by participants of the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, held March 1 to 3. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum exists to inspire peacemaking by celebrating the work of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Founded as a unique partnership between the Norwegian Nobel Institute and five Norwegian private colleges—Augsburg, Augustana (Sioux Falls), Concordia (Moorhead), Luther, and St. Olaf—the Forum this year moved to its new, permanent location in the Twin Cities. It is organized by Augsburg college in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and with ongoing sponsorship from the original college partners. With “The Price of Peace” as its theme, the 2012 Forum introduced a new format with topical tracks—Business Day, Arts and Music Day, Education Day, and Global Studies Day—to engage participants in exploring the relationship of stability and peace to business, to arts and music, to education, and to international policy. A number of tracks and events were sold out, including Business Day, the Education Festival, and Global Studies Day. In fact, as coverage by major Twin Cities media grew on the second day of the Forum, more than 200 additional tickets were sold for the closing day of the event. In addition to the tremendous attendance, the Forum fostered dialogue around the world through livestreaming. Students from Assumption University of Bangkok, American College of Norway, the Copenhagen Business School, Nagasaki University, and Nelson Mandela University of South Africa watched keynote addresses live, submitted questions, and engaged in dialogue about peace. For additional photos, video links, and social media quotes about the Forum, go to www.augsburg.edu/now NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM WE INSPIRE PEACEMAKING Spring 2012 9 THE 2012 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM 10 Augsburg Now THE 2012 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Spring 2012 11 “The prizes of peace, in fact, come to us in very little stages…but in order to claim them, we must be willing to pay the price…We have to be willing to recognize and celebrate the humanity of those whom we view as enemy…We must start from the place of believing that those who are opposed to us…are human beings with a story of their own to tell. We must start from an awareness that our side is not necessarily all good. The price of peace is the price of our pride…the certainty that we are right…the comfort that we are on God’s side…As we go out into our lives, be prepared to pay the price for peace—the price of uncertainty, the price of humility, the price of recognizing our connectedness as human beings.” —Naomi Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Forum “Call to Action” address, March 3, 2012 Augsburg College thanks the sponsors of the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, whose financial support and subject matter expertise helped make the 2012 Forum a success. We also owe thanks to the many volunteers, faculty, and staff from all of the participating colleges and universities. We are grateful for the perspectives shared by speakers, the participation of our student and community attendees, and the dedicated work of the volunteers who ensured this rich and vibrant event ran smoothly from beginning to end. Now that the 2012 Forum has concluded, we invite you to stay connected to the work of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum by signing up for e-mail updates at www.peaceprizeforum.org, and by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nobelforum) and Twitter (@NPPF). Finally, be sure to mark your calendars for March 7-9, 2013. We look forward to seeing you next year! BUSINESS DAY SPONSORS MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS SPONSORS 3M A Million Copies Initiative Borton Volvo Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation Minnesota Public Radio Nordic Home Interiors GLOBAL STUDIES DAY SPONSOR Oslo Center For Peace and Human Rights Foundation Winds of Peace Foundation Special thanks to our 2013 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM LEAD SPONSOR 12 Augsburg Now THE 25TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM March 7-9, 2013 Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs WE ARE CALLED. auggie pastors. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Last year, Bob Bagley ’58 submitted an idea for a story about his teacher, mentor, and friend, Mario Colacci. His submission sparked an idea. We decided to interview different generations of Augsburg pastors who have served in a variety of settings. We wanted to know who inspired them. We wanted to share their experiences and highlight the similarities and differences in their ministries. We wanted to know what they want our readers to know about their lives as servants. The following interviews are with pastors Bob Bagley ’58, David Lillejord ’86, Jeni Falkman Grangaard ’02, Peter Morlock ’90, and Stephanie Quick-Espinoza ’01. To read Bob Bagley’s story about Mario Colacci, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Spring 2012 13 14 Augsburg Now ’58 BOB BAGLEY Retired. First call in Papau New Guinea; served most recently part-time at Christ Lutheran in Lake Elmo, Minn. As a pastor, what did you learn that you didn’t expect to learn? Here’s the biggie: Bishop Rogness’ dad, Alvin Rogness…when I came to a rural parish after being in New Guinea, he said, “Bob, you use this small parish to better yourself for future ministry.” So here’s what I did. I made advanced standing in clinical pastoral education. I was endorsed for specialized ministry, which most pastors don’t make, specializing in chaplaincy work in hospitals. After my fourth parish, I went to Hazelden and did a four-year chaplaincy program. Then I was endorsed for veterans’ hospital ministry. I was a chaplain for a year at the big VA Hospital in Minneapolis. What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor? The first parish after Papua New Guinea was easy because it was a bunch of loving, Norwegian farmers. It was a good place to get re-acclimated to the American way of doing things after five years overseas. What are some of the most interesting or prominent changes you’ve seen in the church in your career or since you went to seminary? There’s a lot more support in empowering the pastors to do what they’re most gifted to do. You can’t do everything; you can’t be good at everything. I think a middle-sized parish should have a changeover of pastors every six years because in six years you’ve kind of done everything and it’s time to move on. The concept of the old Lutheran Free Church and many of the old ELC churches was that they were tired of the pastor doing everything and deciding everything, and they hardly needed a church council. The reaction to that was “We’re going to tell the pastor what to do.” Now it’s changed so that the pastors are empowered to do whatever they’re most gifted in. What are your own spiritual practices? Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement? I work with 60 global students at Luther Seminary who come from all over the world. I also did ministry with people with alcohol and drug issues. At Gethsemane Lutheran in Maplewood and where I am now, I established Stephen ministry, an outreach. I do more training to help others minister to people in great need. Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry? It would be where Jesus said to the whole church, “I send you.” The motto that I follow is: Go out and share the love of Jesus, and only if necessary, say something. Naomi (my wife) says too often I end up telling people I’m a pastor. She says, “You don’t have to say anything. Just be you.” What is one thing you wish non-clergy knew about your life/identity/call as a pastor? I’ve never been satisfied to stop growing in pastoral care and I’m available when people want to talk. The gift I learned from a Catholic priest in my chaplaincy training is this: He asked me what I consider to be my primary gift. I said, “I don’t know.” He said, “When you’re talking with someone, there’s just an automatic pipeline between your eyes and their eyes, and that removes all reluctance to talk.” I can get people to share stuff with me that normally would take four or five visits, but they know I care about them by just looking them in the eye. What is one of your most memorable services? At the VA Hospital, I touched the lives of people there who, if I hadn’t had special training, I wouldn’t have been able to help. One guy owned a million-dollar auto dealership, and he wouldn’t sign his will and he was dying. It was on a Saturday that I wasn’t even supposed to work. The people were waiting for me at the door saying I needed to come up and talk to their dad. I sat down with him and his son and had Holy Communion as a Lutheran priest (he was Catholic). When we were done, I said, “Your family is so upset. It’s unbearable for them that the doctor says you’re dying, and you haven’t signed your will.” He kept saying, “Nope. I got a few loose ends to tie up at the dealership.” In the end, I got him to sign his will by promising I would help him tie up the loose ends. A cheer went forth to the Lord above. The next day he was playing cards with his friends in the hospital, and three days later he died. What do you think you would be if you were not a pastor? I probably would have followed in my older brother Emil’s footsteps and have done some aspect of social work. When you meet God, what do you hope God says to you? Well, I would be meeting Jesus, not God, and he would say, “Well, welcome thou good and faithful servant.” Spring 2012 15 ’86 DAVID LILLEJORD Senior Pastor, Mount Calvary Lutheran in Eagan, Minn., until March 2012; now Senior Pastor, St. Andrew in Eden Prairie, Minn. 16 Augsburg Now As a pastor, what did you learn that you didn’t expect to learn? I mostly learn about myself—what I do well, what I can improve upon. As a little kid who grew up in a parsonage, I knew people inside and out and was able to see in them the really good and the really bad or indifferent. I knew the goodness and the wonderful nature of the church and the underbelly, so what I’ve learned in 20 years is mostly about myself. What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor? I think the issue is the number of people who simply are not attending church, even people that years ago would have naturally been inclined to find a new home, start a family, baptize their kids, go to Sunday school, and become involved in the life of the church. There’s a whole subset of people who simply have not engaged for myriad reasons. What are some of the most interesting or prominent changes you’ve seen in the church in your career or since you went to seminary? I think an awful lot of changes have happened in seminary training. When I attended 20 years ago, it was simply, “We need to teach you how to teach people the historical context and facts about the Bible.” I think now it is so much more, “What does this mean for our life?” I do think the younger people who do go to church want a direct connection between what scripture says and how it will connect with their lives. That means we have to make our message contemporary and even futuristic. What are your own spiritual practices? Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement? What is one thing you wish non-clergy knew about your life/identity/call as a pastor? I’m part of a team ministry, and I’m able to hear really good sermons delivered by my colleague. It’s hard to listen when you’re talking, so I’m fed in and through my colleague who preaches the gospel well. For guidance and encouragement, I’m so inspired by the members of the congregation. I’m always greatly fortified by the faith that parishioners have. I go in as a kind of spiritual lifeguard, and they end up humbling me. They encourage me because they live out their faith. It’s like a good teacher who is fed by the students. My biggest supporters are my wife and children. They are my lifeline—other than Jesus, of course. The importance of balancing all those three and the holistic nature of that continuum. Being a pastor today is different, thankfully, than when my dad was younger, which was you basically served the church, often at the expense of spending time with family. I have a wife (Joy) and three children: two in hockey and one in soccer who also rides horses. Also it’s important for members to know that the vast majority of pastors are trying as hard as they can. It’s just a very difficult and challenging job. Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry? I would say more of a theme or concept, one I learned from one of my many mentors. It is that God is in relationship with you through Jesus. It’s a declaration; it’s not a theory or something that needs to be validated. It’s just “God is,” and you explore how that’s true. You notice it, you name it, and you claim it. We had a healing service a number of years ago for a woman who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. We had never been asked to have a healing service before. So we constructed a service with the laying on of hands. Not that long after the healing service she went to the doctor and they did tests, and the cancer was gone. When we heard about the lack of cancer, even we were amazed. Who at Augsburg inspired or guided you, and how? What do you think you would be if you were not a pastor? The religion professors at Augsburg were helpful to my life of faith because they were “good” and solid Lutherans. I have heard stories of Lutheran colleges that tell students: “What you were taught in Sunday school and Confirmation was wrong.” Thankfully, the professors at Augsburg helped us look deeper into scripture through a Lutheran lens. After this long I can’t imagine what it would be; however, psychology also makes me tick. What is one of your most memorable services? When you meet God, what do you hope God says to you? It would probably be, “Your mom’s over here.” She died much too young, and I would love to see her again. Spring 2012 17 As a pastor, what did you learn that you didn’t expect to learn? It’s a huge learning experience … things from how to learn about sump pumps, budgeting, working with office managers, how to be tactful and graceful, how to balance a really chaotic life and come at it with some sensibility and some sense of peace—all of these are a big part of my learning experience. What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor? One is dealing with a local sugar producer. A lot of our people harvest beets, and we have a lot who work in the plant. Their union has been locked out since August. There are some people who aren’t union who are working 12-hour shifts now and can’t see their families. I also have people who are on the board there. So I don’t make any comments on the issue. It’s really messy, and there’s no one side to stand on. What are your own spiritual practices? Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and support? Spiritual practice for me means finding time for silence. Colin (husband) and I went to Taizé in France and got into the rhythm of simple prayer, silence, and meditation. I turn to colleagues and good friends who are in similar positions for guidance. There are some good seasoned pastors who have made themselves available to have conversations with, and certainly our bishop’s staff at the synod has a lot of experience. Who at Augsburg inspired or guided you, and how? Augsburg was a place that really rooted my faith in the world and really shaped the person I am today. Having not grown up in church, I was so young in faith when I came 18 Augsburg Now to Augsburg. The Religion Department faculty took time to respond to my questions, especially Janelle Bussert, Bev Stratton, Mark Tranvik, Lynn Lorenzen, Brad Holt, Phil Quanbeck, and Lori Brandt Hale. Pastor Dave Wold and Pastor Sonja Hagander were my first pastors, and they invited me into the language and liturgy of being Lutheran. The Center for Global Education taught me to see that faith isn’t just a personal relationship with God but a deep engagement with the world, especially in places of suffering; they helped me to see that God is with those who suffer. Augsburg prepared me to be a pastor before I began discerning the call to ordained ministry. Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry? There have been a lot of different verses that I’ve clung to at different times. Galatians 2:19-21. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. What is one thing you wish non-clergy knew about your life/identity/call as a pastor? I just want people to know I’m easy to talk to, and I’m not trying to get anything from them. I’m not here to tell people they are behaving badly. I’d rather just talk about the gospel. I want people to know we don’t fit into a mold, and pastors aren’t the guardians of the gospel. No one can claim ownership on the gospel. What is one of your most memorable services? I did a prayer service and funeral for a 54year-old man who had served on the board of a local company. There were over 1,000 people, and we had to have the funeral at a bigger church in town. There’s something strangely beautiful about a funeral. There’s no pretending. It’s an inevitable part of life. Sometimes it’s a celebration, but this one was special. Before I entered the church, I closed my eyes and was praying, and there was a beautiful light streaming in through the stained glass windows. It was a really meaningful service. I’m still reflecting on it and getting comments on it. Working with the family has been strangely affirming and grounding. When you meet God, what do you hope God says to you? What I hope I’d hear God say is, “I kinda like that Josh Ritter song, too.” The song is Thin Blue Flame, and it includes lyrics like: “Only a full house gonna have a prayer,” and “You need faith for the same reasons that it’s so hard to find,” and “And all wrongs forgotten and all vengeance made right. The suffering verbs put to sleep in the night.” What do you think you would be if you were not a pastor? If I knew, I would go be that. I don’t know! Sometimes I think I’d like to be a chef. I like the idea of making meals and baking bread and spending time with people. Part of me wants to design websites. The thing about being a pastor that is so appealing, other than the vocational call that brings you there, is that you have permission to be a generalist. You get to do a lot of different things. ’02 JENI FALKMAN GRANGAARD Pastor, Glyndon Lutheran Church, Glyndon, Minn. Spring 2012 19 As a pastor, what did you learn that you didn’t expect to learn? All kinds of stuff! One of the things that they can’t really teach you in seminary is how to get into a community and to become part of that community. You can’t really teach how to enter into the daily life and get a sense of the pulse of the community. What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor? One of the things I’ve found myself dealing with that I hadn’t thought of while I was in seminary is helping people with their dayto-day problems. There’s such a variety of things that may come up. One day you’re talking with someone about their medications, which I know nothing about, or you’re talking with someone about daily living and how it is to do that. What are some of the most interesting or prominent changes you’ve seen in the church in your career or since you went to seminary? One of the trends I’ve seen over the years is a wider inclusiveness, if you will, in an issue that’s near and dear to my heart. I’ve seen a concerted effort by the church to make their buildings and their worship services and facilities more accessible and more friendly to folks with disabilities. All the things that bring people in and into contact with the gospel are good stuff. What are your own spiritual practices? Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement? One of the challenges of being a pastor, especially in a setting like this, is where I go to feed myself, to “the well.” I have a men’s Bible study that I’m part of at 20 Augsburg Now church, and they have become the group where I go to get fed. I also meet regularly with my chaplain colleagues in the area, and we worship and pray together. Who at Augsburg inspired or guided you, and how? Without doubt major influences during my time at Augsburg would include the following people: Pastor Dave Wold, Don Gustafson, “Gabe” (Prof. Stephen Gabrielsen), Tom Rossin, and my fellow choir members (1986-1990). One of the things that I truly appreciate about Augsburg, even today, is the willingness to engage the idea of vocation and make intentional questions about the connection between faith and life. Throughout my time at Augsburg and even beyond that, these people were/are instrumental in my walk of life and faith. In broad strokes they helped to provide the arena in which my self-understanding and my sense of call were shaped and honed. Daily contact with these folks helped me to see vocation in action and also gave me the space and the courage to face and voice my questions. They were, and still are, willing to engage with me and push me in conversation and prayer. Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry? people who work only on Sundays. In this setting, people aren’t entirely sure what to do with you. One thing I wish folks would think of is the importance of spiritual stuff, the spiritual nature, and how that needs to be supported and fed. What is one of your most memorable services? We did a service on our Alzheimer’s unit to break up the winter blahs. We did a renewal of vows ceremony for one of the residents and her husband. They’d been married for 56 years. We had a big wedding party, and what was really neat is that on that unit, it’s kind of a crapshoot as to whether or not the resident will remember who their family members are. For that particular moment in that service, the wife, Alyce, walked out of the kitchen and she saw her husband, and her face lit up, and she came up to him and chucked him in the chin and said, “Let’s do this again, sweetie.” It was awesome. It turned out to be a meaningful experience for Alyce and her husband and their family because they’d never had a wedding. Their families didn’t like each other, so they eloped. And they both passed away within three months of that ceremony. The walk to Emmaus story resonates really highly with me, particularly in the work I do now. A lot of what I’m called to do is walk alongside people at the end of life. I also like Psalm 121. What do you think you would be if you were not a pastor? What is one thing you wish non-clergy knew about your life/identity/call as a pastor? “Hi, welcome home.” That’s the short answer. I think the perception is that pastors are A kindergarten teacher. When you meet God, what do you hope God says to you? ’90 AND GUIDO PETER MORLOCK Director of Spiritual Care, Cerenity Senior Care, St. Paul. Spring 2012 21 Senior Pastor, New Hope Lutheran Church/ Iglesia Luterana Nueva Esperanza in North Aurora, Ill. ’01 STEPHANIE QUICK-ESPINOZA 22 Augsburg Now Photo by Sally Ryan As a pastor, what did you learn that you didn’t expect to learn? How to get rid of chickens roosting in the sacristy! What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor? Racism. We often feel that our U.S. society is advanced and racism no longer exists, but we are ignorant to and/or ignore how it permeates our lives, culture, and even our church. It is difficult for me to see how racism has affected the lives of the people I have been in ministry with—from Inupiaq in Alaska, to Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica, to Mexicans and other Latinos in the Chicago area. What are some of the most interesting or prominent changes you’ve seen in the church in your career or since you went to seminary? A decrease in the intentionality of becoming an inclusive, multi-cultural church. I would like to see more support of ethnic ministries within our church. For example, there are no longer classes held in Spanish at the seminaries for Spanish-speaking student pastors. What are your own spiritual practices? Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement? I attend the Spanish worship service on Saturdays at the congregation my husband serves, San Andres Lutheran Church. The mostly Mexican congregation has a great love for the Virgin of Guadalupe (Mary). As a person firmly grounded in Lutheran tradition and faith, I have incorporated the Virgin into my spirituality and turn to her for guidance and encouragement. My Lutheran and Christian faith says that I only need to pray directly to God. I don’t need intercessors, though I find it comforting to ask the Virgin, as mother of our Lord Jesus and mother of all of us, to pray with me. Who at Augsburg inspired or guided you, and how? The whole religion department really inspired me, both academically and in my faith. Their classes were interesting and unique. The quality of the classes helped prepare me, even more than seminary, for ordained ministry. PQ2 (or Phil Quanbeck II), Janelle Bussert, and Lynne Lorenzen especially guided me by always being willing to lend an open ear to listen to my questions about my courses, future seminary plans, and just life in general. They are pastors who were my pastors and helped me become a pastor. Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry? I remember [Professor] Dick Hardel retelling the call of Isaiah to my Youth and Family Ministry class at Augsburg. After Isaiah said, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” I knew I was called to ministry and I also said, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” What is one thing you wish non-clergy knew about your life/identity/call as a pastor? A pastor is on call 24/7, which is really hard on your family life. It is even harder because my husband is a pastor, too. We have people wanting to talk to us starting at 7 a.m. and sometimes we even get calls at 3 a.m. What is one of your most memorable services? When I was a missionary in Costa Rica, one of the congregations I served was only youth and children. Holy Communion was always a powerful experience, as I watched sometimes 80 children come forward to the Lord’s table with their arms outstretched and their hands held out in front of them to receive the sacrament. During a worship service, I noticed that one small boy came through the communion line twice. It was only after the service, I realized it was because he came from an impoverished family and was hungry. After that, I gave every child a whole tortilla, rather then a small piece of bread or a host, during communion. What do you think you would be if you were not a pastor? A religion professor at Augsburg or a firstgrade teacher. When you meet God, what do you hope God says to you? Well done, good and faithful servant. Share your stories… We know these are just a few of the dedicated, inspiring Auggie pastors serving around the world. If you’d like to tell us who you are and what you’re doing, choose your favorite question from those we asked our pastors, and send an answer and a photo to now@augsburg.edu. Or, post it on your personal blog, on Facebook or Twitter, and send us a link. We’d love to hear from you! Spring 2012 23 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 24 Photo Contest A A “Tabacchi” Amanda Rowan ’13 Siena, Italy Landscapes/cityscapes, First place B “The Elder” Susie Mechtel ’13 Maasai Mara, Kenya Portraits, First place C “Afternoon Nap” Jasmine Zand ’12 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Portraits, Second place D E B “Autumn Fjord” Reed Johnson ’12 Flam, Norway Landscapes/cityscapes, Third place “Que Viva Cuba!” Danielle Goodwin ’12 Havana, Cuba Photojournalism, First place F “Iglesia El Rosario” Jakob Anderson ’12 San Salvador, El Salvador Photojournalism, Second place G “Chichicastenango, Guatemala” Danielle Goodwin ’12 Chichicastenango, Guatemala Portraits, Third place Augsburg Now H I C “Recess Stroll” Caleb Wagner ’12 Havana, Cuba Photojournalism, Third place “Shepherd’s Field” Jasmine Zand ’12 Beit Sahour, Palestine Landscapes/cityscapes, Second place To view more student photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. D F E H G I Spring 2012 25 AUGGIE WRITERS’ CHALLENGE ith the 2013 launch of the new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (see Around the Quad, page 4, and www.augsburg.edu/mfa), Augsburg will welcome even more aspiring writers to the College. To celebrate Augsburg’s tradition of creative writing excellence, we asked Augsburg English Department faculty to help us recruit Auggie alumni writers for a creative writing assignment. The assignment was to write a 250-word piece—of any genre—based on the photo below. We told the writers nothing about the photo—not when or where it was taken or by whom. Following are the stories they crafted. Read their stories first, then see the photographer’s story, below. W Write on! The Cat Kayla Skarbakka ’09, writing consultant, Walden University THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S STORY While studying in Augsburg’s Weekend College program, Philip Pelto ’10 made this self-portrait for a class. He wrote: The photo was taken at my condo in downtown Minneapolis. It’s looking east out over the Depot and the Guthrie Theater, and Augsburg is not too far off in the distance to the right. It’s a self-portrait, and I was experimenting with the lighting. I was trying to get a cool silhouette with the outside in focus. What I wound up getting is this really cool photo that reminds me of where I came from and where I am now. The photo conjures up feelings of success. I’m in my condo, surveying my city, taking it all in. There’s a sense that I’ve made it. Alan found the cat in Mom’s bed, under the sour-smelling comforter. It was a weasely thing, patchy, crusty-eyed. “Did you know about this?” he asked the girls. Erin was folding a sweatshirt, one of the syrupy ones, printed with wildflowers and the words Someone special calls me Grandma. She looked up and gasped. “Where did it come from?” she asked. Helen, who’d been sorting jewelry, glanced up and wrinkled her nose. “The question is, where is it going.” She’d always had an armored sensibility. “You know,” she added, “the boys are allergic.” Alan sat down by the cat. It flicked its tail, which was hooked and jointed like a broken finger. “Um,” said Erin, which was how she started most arguments. “I can’t really bring it on the plane.” “Well,” said Helen, “I certainly won’t take it home.” Alan offered no excuse, and they didn’t him ask for one. They rarely did. They’d had few tussles that day. Alan gave the girls credit for that. A debate about the sofa, one watery altercation regarding Dad’s old Dutch clock, but for the most part, they’d worked efficiently, tallying, dividing, and claiming. Alan claimed little. A bar stool, because one of his had broken. A crucifix, because Helen made him. But otherwise he’d chosen odd jobs, clearing the fridge and garage shelves, and stayed out of the way. It was a tactic he’d learned early on from Dad… To read more of Kayla Skarbakka’s story go to www.augsburg.edu/now 26 Augsburg Now Late Morning Window View Jeremy Anderson ’07, client relations manager, Furnituredealer.net First thing, stop at Charlie’s on the corner for a sweet chai on the go. Catch the rail and scroll the morning news. Work will start soon enough, bustling tables, shit shooting with the regs. Don’t let Old Rick ride you too much because tonight it’s microbrews along St. Anthony Main. Usual sites, different taste (order something the menu describes as dark and complex). Let ’em flow down and just talk and listen and talk back. Try and top ’em. Tell ’em, Tell ’em what you learned, what you read, who you ran into, that thing you Googled the other day and what popped up. Remember when? Remember when? Remember when? And all that shit. It’s good to let it blur. The best is when it blurs into something unclear. My head is warm. My arms, heavy and strong. There’s a pulse in these veins, an exciting calm to the night until eventually I’ll gaze back out this way with an arm snug around my Laura (maybe, hopefully) and a glass of pinot in my other hand as street lamps torch the dark dark sky. Profile Pic Orion Wisness ’03, technical consultant, Kroll Ontrack Here is a man who wants to keep you guessing. He looks away from you but commands your attention by looming large in the patio doors. He chooses a strong stance, a confident pose, all while hiding in the light of day right in front of you. But he appears more hat rack than human. An armless X meant to distract you from the finer points, the tiny details, which expose his personality. You suppose he is doing one of three things in decreasing order of profundity: practicing Zen Croquet, contemplating the evening’s dinner (the size of the grill suggests he consumes a fair share of red meat), or standing fully clothed in the sunlight in order to tan only his face. He has cats and creases in his pants. He’s tidy for sure, but he’s forgotten Mr. Whiskers’ ball near the door jamb. He prefers a shirt with a collar but won’t spring for a rug to wipe his feet when stepping from the balcony. A grocery bag near the grill contains the shadow of a Chihuahua, which makes you wonder why a man so tall would have so tiny a dog? You could puzzle yourself with questions all day, but what you want to do is tap him on the shoulder. The opposite shoulder from where you’re standing. Make him guess where you are, who you are, and what you’re doing. The Apocalypse, as Seen from Unit 24E Jaye Lawrence ’05 WEC, director of web communications, Carleton College Franklin liked order. Neatness. Discipline. He’d been a drill sergeant once, and it showed. You could take the man out of the Army but never the Army out of the man. Military experience was an asset. It kept him alive, and his ragtag band of survivors too. But that need for order? That was a problem. That just might be the thing that finally drove him mad. Franklin no longer lived in an orderly world. “You should be asleep,” chided a voice behind him, thready with age. “Weren’t you supposed to wake me for CQ duty at oh-three hundred?” Esther. Franklin didn’t turn or relax his stance, but the corners of his stern mouth twitched. He didn’t smile much, never had, and he sure as hell didn’t have occasion to anymore—but 83-year-old Esther Rosenberg from 23C, bona fide blue-haired lady, former bane of the condo board of directors, spouting military jargon? That tickled his funny bone. With a slow soft tread of orthopedic shoes, Esther crossed the room to stand beside him. Franklin inspected her with a sidelong glance, granting a curt nod of approval to the pistol accessorizing her polyester pantsuit. Esther always kept his rules. Many who’d been younger, faster, and fitter had not. “Why didn’t you wake me?” “I like seeing the sun come up again.” “Ah.” A sigh, light as a whisper. “Yes, I do too.” Esther patted his arm. She used her left hand, keeping the right free for the pistol. Franklin smiled. Witness Andrea Sanow ’09, administrative assistant, Augsburg College Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity They catch sight of each other’s shoes underneath a bathroom stall, and when they are washing their hands, they are too embarrassed to look each other in the eye. Then, they are strangers the next semester when they take Calculus together. They laugh about being two of the four girls in the room and they bond over the fact that they aren’t going to major in mathematics. And when Emily doesn’t come to class, Rachel worries. Em, where r u? My grandma died, take notes for me. And Rachel goes to the funeral. And they take classes together. And they live together and share clothes and try to learn to cook while they recount the jokes of every day. Then, Rachel travels abroad and one night, from somewhere in South Africa where she has gotten drunk for Em’s 21st birthday, she writes: Here’s what I see on my walk home: a tree that grows at a 90degree angle out of the sidewalk, a woman sitting with a baby, a spraypainted stencil of a tiny red man, a few kids who ask me to say something with my accent, and a man, who every day sees me walk back to my apartment and the triangle from foot to crotch to foot reminds me that somewhere we remember geometry or whatever and you are passing me a note and we’re meeting after class and you’re pissed—I’ve borrowed your favorite pair of shoes. Spring 2012 27 1 3 6 4 C 5 E B D A 7 personality of place STUDENT BREAK ROOM BY STEPHEN GEFFRE 28 Augsburg Now A TEXT MESSAGE GOES OUT AT MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 1. “HAPPY NEW YEAR! And we are working tomorrow. See you at 6:30 a.m.” The next morning, groggy students stroll into the facilities building, a small gray box behind the ice arena. They make their way through a maze of tools, vehicles, and junk into the far back corner, where they fall onto a plethora of salvaged couches and chairs. Then they fall back to sleep and wait for their boss, Bruce. 1 KOELE—A family tradition since 2006, the Koele brothers (Jason and Kyle) have worked on the grounds crew. The years in green are when only Jason worked, the years in white are when they worked together, and the year in blue is when Kyle was the lone Koele brother. 2 THE MANNEQUIN—She was found in a residence hall trash chute. Over the years, some of the more interesting items from the trash are added to her ensemble. Her accessories have come exclusively from the residence halls. 3 WEST HALL SIGN—The students gather unused and outof-date signs to use as decoration. Almost all of these are from the sign cache in the Luther Hall underground parking lot. 4 THE KUBB TROPHY—Kubb is an ancient Viking game that uses wooden sticks to knock over wooden blocks. The grounds crew and other facilities staff play Kubb in Murphy Square on their summer lunch breaks. Stats are kept throughout the seasons, and the top players are awarded the Kubb trophy (which never leaves the break room). 5 THE HEAD—Found in a residence hall trash chute, the head is used to torment student “B,” Brittany Hecker. It is placed by her when she is sleeping, put in her backpack, or just thrown at her to freak her out. 6 I-94 FLAG—The flags in the Urness/Mortensen hall parking lot along the I-94 corridor are replaced yearly, and the old, tattered flags are distributed among the student crew. Some have even found their way to students’ rooms. 7 THE FURNITURE—All of the furniture has been scavenged from residence hall move-out day in the spring semester. There are enough couches and chairs in the break room so that everyone gets their own, but the Lazyboy recliner is the softest and most coveted chair. It is, therefore, reserved for the grounds crew student supervisor’s hindquarters. 2 F This is a typical start to the new year for a group of Augsburg students who are lucky enough to work for Bruce Rowe, the College’s groundskeeper. With Bruce and assistant groundskeeper Arlen Madigan, these students make sure the grass is clipped, the flowers are pruned, the snow is shoveled, and the campus is maintained year round. One perk of their job is access to the grounds crew student break room— a mixture of reclaimed and repurposed items. According to Kyle Koele, the current student supervisor, the room holds a kind of history and acts as an unofficial museum of Augsburg College. STUDENTS IN PHOTO A—Kyle Koele B—Brittany Hecker C—Mary Hildestad D—Benjamin Grant E—Jacob Haehnel F—Meghan Novak Spring 2012 29 auggies in the front office Supporting the home team Roger Griffith ’84 Last season, he didn’t make any three-point shots, pull down any rebounds, or have any assists on the court. But Roger Griffith ’84, executive vice president of the Minnesota Lynx, did have a great season—in part because the Lynx brought home their first championship title, and in part because of the team’s dedicated fans. Griffith came to the Timberwolves franchise in 1994 as a finance officer. When the Lynx, Minnesota’s Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team, came to the state in 1999, Griffith took on the role of executive vice president. In that role, he is responsible for making decisions about the head coach and working with the coaching staff on player and personnel relations. He also maintains the team roster and oversees scouting and drafting functions as well as the signing of free agents. Basically, he said, his work supports the coaches so that they can focus on coaching. And that is how he contributed to the Lynx’ winning 2011 season. In October, the team completed its season, beating the Atlanta Dream in a three-game sweep of the WNBA championship series. It was the team’s first championship and first appearance in the playoffs since 2004. “The championship game was very nerve-wracking,” Griffith said. The team was behind at half-time, but Griffith said they weren’t worried. “We had always been a good second-half team, and we knew we had the skills and talent to pull ahead.” They did, but nearly lost their lead in the final minutes of the game. “It was stressful,” Griffith said, “but it was also fun and exciting to see the large number of fans who traveled to Atlanta to support the team.” Griffith said the Lynx fans are one of the best parts of his job. “Last year, through the whole season, it was great to be able to sit in the stands and look away from the game to see how much the experience meant to the people,” he said. “Our fans have been extremely loyal and supportive, and they got their payoff when we took the championship title.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 30 Augsburg Now alumni news FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear Auggies, n the time since my fall letter, I hope you enjoyed the holiday season with your family and friends, and I hope the new year has begun well for you. With help from our fellow alumni, we have been making a difference in our communities and engaging with our student body. In November, we focused on giving back to the community at our Alumni Board meeting. Partnering with Brian Noy, coordinator of Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen program, we participated in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich-making project and produced 250 sandwiches that were taken to a local homeless shelter. It was a fantastic project and the most fun I can remember ever having at a board meeting! In December, when thousands of Augsburg alumni and friends gathered at Advent Vespers, many brought basic hygiene supplies and warm clothing to donate to the Augsburg Central Health Commons (ACHC), housed at Central Lutheran Church. Alumni who attended the Auggie Night at the Races last summer did the same, helping the center to provide for community members in need. Auggies will have another opportunity to give back on June 5 by participating in a Feed My Starving Children event. Please see details on how to register in the information listed on page 33. I am pleased to announce that alumni engagement is at an all- i s e i augGEg T INVOLVED time high! Alumni event attendance is up by 25 percent compared to last year. We are thrilled to see this progress. It is due in part to your feedback that we have seen such great results. Knowing what events are meaningful and fun for you drives our program development. Thank you for your consistent feedback and participation. In February, the Alumni Board hosted the annual Student and Alumni Networking event. This event consistently attracts alumni who are passionate about being a resource to current students, while providing them the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni. If you or someone you know would like to help connect or get connected to alumni or students, please consider attending this event in the future. Another tool to reconnect you with Augsburg and fellow alumni is the Maroon Pages. This online tool helps recognize and promote alumni businesses on the web. It can be used as a marketing tool for the self-employed as well as a resource for students to reach alumni for job hunting or networking. Lastly, I want to lift up the Eye-Opener Breakfasts that are held quarterly at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul and the Strommen Executive Speaker Series, which takes place on campus on a regular basis. These events give alumni opportunities for personal and professional development by hearing from successful leaders within our community. Come to be inspired, to network with peers, and to reconnect with your alma mater. Go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni to learn about all the excellent resources available to Auggie alumni. ROBERT WAGNER II ’02 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT The Augsburg Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to serve on the Alumni Board. All alumni are welcome and encouraged to apply. The Alumni Board is a governing body of the Alumni Association. Together with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, it provides resources and opportunities to engage alumni with the College and each other through consistent communication, inclusive programming, and intentional relationship-building. To apply or get more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni/getinvolved. Spring 2012 31 alumni news What a Legacy! As an Augsburg graduate and as the director of parent and family relations at Augsburg, I was delighted to be a part of the first annual Legacy Family Reception, held at the Augsburg House on January 16. I attended with my two Auggie daughters (Kristin ’09 and Maren ’13) and their dad, Paul Daniels ’79. We had such a lovely evening connecting with other legacy families! Currently, 112 students enrolled in Augsburg’s traditional undergraduate program are part of a legacy family. In other words, each is a child and/or grandchild of an Augsburg graduate. At the reception, Wendy Delesha ’10 MAL said, “I am proud to be an Auggie and to have both of my children be Auggies, too. We will have graduates three years in a row: 2010, 2011, and 2012.” Another Augsburg grad who attended the reception was Howie Smith ’80. He said, “I loved my years at Augsburg and am so, so happy to have my son and daughter here now.” If you would like to encourage a member of your family to become an Auggie, please contact the Office of Admissions at www.augsburg.edu/ admissions and the staff will be happy to connect with your family member. SALLY DANIELS HERRON ’79 L to R: Kristin Daniels ’09, Maren Daniels ’13, Paul Daniels ’79, and Sally Daniels Herron ’79 L to R: Erica Wilson ’12, Cliff Wilson ’11, and Wendy Delesha ’10 MAL SAVE THE DATE FOR homecoming New events along with traditional favorites make this one of the best times to come back to campus. Reconnect with fellow alumni and favorite faculty, and experience the Augsburg of 2012. Watch www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for future information. 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. 32 Augsburg Now SEPTEMBER 24-29, 2012 Reunion Classes 50th Reunion—1962 25th Reunion—1987 40th Reunion—1972 10th Reunion—2002 30th Reunion—1982 Auggie IN RESIDENCE Last fall, Augsburg implemented a new volunteer program, Auggies in Residence—yet another great opportunity for alumni to visit campus to reconnect with the College and its students. Through this speaker series, alumni are invited by faculty to speak at a fall or spring class and then engage in a question-and-answer period with students. Of the 70-plus alumni who have volunteered to serve as an Auggie in Residence, those who have experienced this unique program have been gratified and happy with the opportunity to speak in the classroom and interact with future Auggies. If you think an Auggie in Residence experience is something you would enjoy and you want to share your time and talent, contact Pat Grans at gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329. Courtesy photo Feed My Starving Children JOIN US ON JUNE 5 Join the Alumni Board at Feed My Starving Children to help pack millions of meals for hungry children in 70 countries. Alumni and friends may volunteer on June 5, 6-7:30 p.m. or 8-9:30 p.m. Register to volunteer with the Augsburg College Alumni group at www.fmsc.org (click “join existing group”). Registration code for 6 p.m. is 205100 and for 8 p.m. is 205101. Last year 75 Auggies gathered together to pack 22,000 meals for hungry children around the world through the Feed My Starving Children program. We are hoping for even greater participation and impact during the upcoming June event. Pictured above [L to R] are Maria (Mitchell) Helgerson ’07, Jennifer Oliver ’07, Brandon Elegert, Stephanie Gnojek, Carolyn Mollner ’07, and Erik Helgerson ’07. Meet Sara Schlipp-Riedel ’06 The Augsburg College Alumni Association welcomes Sara Schlipp-Riedel as the new associate director of alumni and constituent relations. She comes to the department with nearly six years of event and project management experience and is thrilled by the opportunity to engage fellow Auggies. “My primary focus will be to connect with and engage our young alumni and recent graduates,” said SchlippRiedel. “We want to build awareness among current students that their connection with Augsburg doesn’t end once they have received their diploma, and our hope is that there will be a lifelong relationship. I want to develop programming across the board that will cultivate community, instill pride, and emphasize tradition.” Schlipp-Riedel lives in South Minneapolis with her husband, Aaron Riedel ’07, and their one-year-old son, Aidan. She can be reached at 612-330-1178 or schlipp@augsburg.edu. SAVE THE DATE auggie night AT THE RACES August 3, 5-7 p.m. Canterbury Park 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, Minn. Free admission, picnic buffet, and reserved seating provided. Go to www.augsburg.edu/ alumnievents to register. Spring 2012 33 alumni news AUGSBURG YOUNG ALUMNI HOLIDAY PARTY 2011 YOUNG ALUMNI summer series To register for Young Alumni events or to see the full calendar of events at Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni. May 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1900 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis Live music, one complimentary beverage, and appetizers provided. Courtesy photo PSYCHO SUZI’S MOTOR LOUNGE June 21, 6-9 p.m. Since it launched in 2009, the Young Alumni Summer Series has been an incredible success, engaging young alumni and recent graduates through unique programming. In 2011, the Young Alumni Council expanded the program to include a winter event by hosting the first Young Alumni Holiday Party in December at La Meridien Chambers Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The event was a huge success and will be added to future programming. YOGA BOAT CRUISE Afton Hudson Cruise Lines 500 1st St., Hudson, Wisc. $15 includes one-hour yoga session, boat cruise, appetizers, and one complimentary beverage. SPACE IS LIMITED. July 18, 5-7 p.m. MINNESOTA TWINS GAME Hubert’s and Target Field $30 includes ticket to game with seating in the Pavilion, appetizers, and two complimentary beverages at Hubert’s. 5-7 p.m. Pre-game at Hubert’s, 600 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 7:10 p.m. Twins vs. Orioles August 3, 5-7 p.m. Canterbury Park 1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee, Minn. Free admission, picnic buffet, and reserved seating provided. September 28, 6-8 p.m. HOMECOMING 2012: YOUNG ALUMNI RECEPTION Republic 221 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis Two complimentary beverages and appetizers provided. Join the AUGSBURG COLLEGE YOUNG ALUMNI FACEBOOK GROUP to get the full scoop! 34 Augsburg Now Courtesy photo AUGGIE NIGHT AT THE RACES L to R: Rebecca Lewis ’07, Aili Brom-Palkowski ’07, Felicia Faison ’09, and Shannon Olson ’07 save the date December 7, 8:30-11:30 p.m. YOUNG ALUMNI HOLIDAY—UGLY SWEATER PARTY Location TBD To register, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents. past meets present A Journey to the Holy Land: EXPLORING THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE PEOPLE Courtesy photo When the travelers heard about the work of the Parent Circle For 10 days in January, a group of 28 Auggies explored the Holy Family Forum (comprised of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian famiLand with Philip Quanbeck II, associate professor of religion, and lies who have lost family members in the conflict, and who support Ruth Johnson ’74, former Augsburg College Regent. peace, reconciliation, and tolerance), Turner was particularly imWhen the group arrived, Larry Turner ’69 was surprised at the pressed by the gentleman who spoke of losing his son in the last contrast in terrain—not only was it more rugged than expected, but parts looked like fertile farmland, especially around Galilee. In addi- week of military service. This Israeli father was soon drawn into the tion to the warm Palestinian welcome, he was struck by many of the historical sites, several of which Herod the Great had built—Masada, the palace in Jerusalem, and Caesarea (where Herod insisted on building a harbor, even though his architects advised against it). From a religious point of view, Turner said it was very moving to visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, Capernaum, Primacy of Peter, Gethsemane, and the Via Dolorosa—the very places Jesus walked some 2,000 years ago. For Turner, images of the region’s past were soon overlaid with realities of the Holy Land of today, especially on a tour bus when the guide pointed to a nearby village in Lebanon and then a fence bordering Syria. He noticed yellow signs reading “Danger, Mines” on a fence along the side of the road. Though Turner didn’t feel endangered during the trip, he Front Row [L to R]: Sandy Prince, Sally Daniels Herron ’79, Charlie Green, Barb Green, Ruth Johnson ’74, Sharon Carlson ’72, Terri Rummans, Mary Kinney ’04, Donna McLean; Middle Row [L to R]: Yousef Eideh (our guide), Larry Turner ’69, Sue Turner, found the most distressing aspect to be the Jennie Wilson, Phil Quanbeck II, Nancy Sampair, Susan Carlson, Liz Weninger ’92, Judy Coppersmith ’66, Lee Furman ’61; wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Back Row [L to R]: Barbara Bruce, Sharon Mortrud ’64, Scott Anderson ’96, Judy Reeve ’95, Jeff Gotfredson ’82, Kirk Gill, When Palestinian Lutheran pastor Rev. Paul Kilgore ’80, Becky Kilgore, Jim Weninger ’92, Heidi Hunter Mitri Raheb spoke to the group about his ministry in Bethlehem, he described three areas of focus: culture, forum, where he met a Palestinian who had also lost someone. As a education, and health. Culturally, the ministry helps Palestinians result, his thoughts about the conflict evolved from quite hawkish to deal with identity issues and obtain meaningful work, and it promore conciliatory. In pairs, members of the forum (one Israeli, one vides a place for concerts, art, and theater. Educating the youth is Palestinian) make regular visits to schools in an effort to help another priority since 55 percent of the population is under the younger people think more seriously about the human aspects as age of 18. Dar al-Kalima College, Bethlehem’s new Lutheran colthey consider military expectations. lege (the first in the Middle East), will certainly aid in those efforts Turner and his wife, Sue, have traveled a fair amount since he reas well, providing studies in art, music, communication, and mantired after 38 years with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, but agement. The ministry also offers opportunities in women’s sports, this trip was special, he said. It felt like a real pilgrimage for him. eldercare, and preventive health, helping people learn how to take CHERYL CROCKETT ’89 better care of themselves. Spring 2012 35 alumni class notes Norm Larsen and Jerome “JD” 34Detviler ’74 were inducted into the Saint Paul Park (Minnesota) High School Athletic Hall of Fame in November. Larsen was the head football coach at Park for 10 years and served as Park’s athletic director until his retirement in 1977. Detviler was a soccer, Nordic skiing, and track and field coach at Park. Herb Chilstrom, former presiding bishop of the ELCA, released his autobiography, A Journey of Grace: The Formation of a Leader and a Church (Lutheran University 54 Press). The book is a reflective account of his family roots, childhood, education, and pastoral and teaching career. It tells of his life as bishop, his role in the formation of the ELCA, and his ministry as the first presiding bishop. In June, Richard “Dick” Thorud 56was inducted into the Min- nesota Inventors Hall of Fame. The award was based largely on the 80 patents he was awarded as a principal research engineer with the Toro Company. Corrine (Froelich) Frank 73became a grandmother for the first time in December, when grandson Weston Leslie Frank was born. Steven Resnicek was ap- 74pointed interim director of the Bemidji State University concert choir for the spring 2012 semester. Resnicek is an adjunct faculty member in the music department at Bemidji State. David Larson and Kate Sholon- 77ski released their book, Wide auggieSNAPSHOTS Awake: Three Minutes a Day to an Inspired Life! in Novem- 36 ber. This volume is filled with personal stories of challenge, triumph, empowerment, and motivation. Linda (Slater) Thoni was se- 88lected by the Art Educators of Minnesota (AEM) as the Elementary Art Educator of the Year for the State of Minnesota. She has been employed by the Byron School District for 12 years. AEM annually recognizes teachers who have made significant contributions to AEM, the state of Minnesota, and their school or organization. Award recipients have demonstrated dedication, achievement, and professionalism in the art education field. Members of the class of ’81 met in October in Cable, Wisc., for 81their annual Augsburg reunion. Pictured [L to R]: Mary Beamish, a copy editor at the Duluth News Tribune who is rehabbing a 1920s house in Duluth; Susan (Dahlgren) Sackrison, a history teacher at Lakeville High School; Maureen Webster, a grandma, an Army mom, and a Title I teacher at Sunnyside Elementary in Mounds View; Laura Kasdorf, a master gardener who coordinates the Community Garden in Chippewa Falls, Wisc.; Mary Lou (Schlosser) Suss of Louisiana, who misses being able to grow rhubarb; Janna (Wallin) Haug, who just returned from four years with the ELCA Global Mission in Slovakia. Karla (Morken) Thompson graduated from 81the College of St. Scholastica with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in August. She has worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. for 30 years and is a staff physical therapist specializing in women’s health and vestibular rehabilitation. Heidi Anderson gave birth to Jim Lindell and Karri (Birkholz) 04Lindell ’03 were married on July 16, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Auggies in the wedding party were Kim Birkholz ’05, Britni (Morgan) Robertson ’05, Jeremy Robertson ’05, Travis Kalis, Tom Delisle ’04, Jeff Willihnganz ’04, Kyle Howard ’04, Jillian (Janicki) Howard ’04, Nick Collins ’04, Stefanie (Lindell) Lender ’98, Bruce Lender ’98, Jason Luhrs ’96, and Melissa (Luhrs) Gooder ’93. Karri is a brokerage product manager at Ameriprise Financial, and Jim is a corporate account manager at Choice Communications. They live in Maple Grove, Minn. Janine (Borchardt) Kellogg 93Soren Russell in May 2011. 04and her partner, Jennifer Heidi has worked for GE Lighting in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1999. Kellogg, welcomed baby boy Sawyer Jay on August 8. Becky (Welle) Winters and Paul 05Winters ’07 welcomed Maximilian Robert on August 17. Marette (Hoffman) 09Hahn married Justin Hahn on August 26, in Mendota Heights, Minn. Other Auggies involved included Leah Jarvi ’09 (bridesmaid), Shonna Fulford ’09 (personal attendant), Amber Stransky ’07 (personal attendant), and Kendra (Christiansen) Oxendale ’10 (photographer). Mateo Martin Irby was born on September 7, to Joanne K. Reeck-Irby and Cornelius M. Irby. Joanne is the director of campus activities and orientation at Augsburg. The Political History and Landmarks 91 In a January special election, Marathon Road in January. The film features Augsburg cross country/track and field head coach Dennis Barker, a trainer for Team USA distance athletes. The film was produced through Sanft’s company, Ideatap Studios. of South Africa and Namibia: AUGUST 2013 Courtesy photo Tom Kerr was named Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Reading Association. Kerr has served as the principal of BoydenHull Elementary School in Boyden, Iowa, for six years. Jennifer (Richter) and Dylan 92Susan Allen was elected to the 07Soberg ’06 welcomed baby After nearly eight years, Heather Johnston left the City of Minneapolis to become the CFO and director of administrative services for the City of Burnsville, Minn. In that capacity, she oversees finance, communications, community relations, city clerk, and information technology operations. In addition, she was recently appointed to the executive board of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. boy Alexander David on October 10. Emily Crook, a 2007 graduate and a current student in the Master of Arts in Education program, married David Hamm ’08 on October 8, 2010, in Duluth, Minn. Many other Auggies were in attendance to celebrate with the couple and their families. Angela (Barron) and Charles 08Brewer welcomed Emma Rose on November 17. In November, Dave Lange began a career at Ameriprise Financial in life insurance sales. George Hemmingsen and his Jesus (Alex) Hernandez Herrera was promoted to senior director, principal gifts, in the Northwestern University (Illinois) Office of Alumni Relations and Development in September. 95 Heather Savage has been writ- 01ing (under HK Savage) and editing and opened her own publishing company, Staccato Publishing. Staccato’s purpose is to help authors who want to publish their work but aren’t sure how to navigate the twists and turns on the road to publishing. 09brother Grant Hemmingsen, both 2009 graduates, are assistant basketball coaches at Kentucky Wesleyan College. George is in his second year with KWC and his first year as top assistant coach, and Grant is in his first year as assistant coach. Katie Wornson was named to the Volunteers of America-Minnesota board of directors in December. Volunteers of America is a nonprofit human service organization headquartered in Edina, Minn. Julia Sewell and her colleague Jennifer (Langman) and husband Kevin Reese welcomed Elsie Marie on November 8. 02 Tony Geckler completed a 05Master of Social Work degree from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas in August. In November, he passed his licensed graduate social worker examination. Augsburg cross country/track and field alumni Paul Sanft ’05, Dan Vogel ’05, Riley Conway ’05, and Tori Bahr ’09 released their documentary 10and partner, Don Patterson, are touring the United States spreading messages of youth voice and action, leadership, and educational reform through their 2011-2012 SWAG (Sharing Wisdom Amongst our Generation) tour concluding in April. Sandra (Albrecht) Sutton married Michael Sutton on August 27, 2010. The couple resides in Baldwin, Wisc., where Sandra works as a sponsor services analyst with Wells Fargo. Namib Desert Join Augsburg alumni and friends on this 12-day tour to learn about Namibia and South Africa’s shared political past and to see the popular tourist attractions and landmarks this history has created. Learn firsthand about this region’s struggle against apartheid while visiting the acclaimed Apartheid Museum, Cape Point where the Dutch conquerors landed and built a lighthouse, and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Tour the former black and colored townships in Windhoek and Johannesburg and hear from a cross-section of Southern African society. Discover how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, with a total membership of more than 700,000, mainly in Northern Namibia, played a significant role in opposition to apartheid and was part of the Namibian independence struggle. The Namibia portion of the trip will also include a visit to the Etosha Game Reserve and the Namib Desert, the site of the world’s highest sand dunes. This trip is offered by the Alumni Association in partnership with the Center for Global Education (CGE) at Augsburg College. For 30 years, CGE has provided cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes place, leading to a more just and sustainable world. To request more details about the trip, call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. namibia and south africa Minnesota House of Representatives to represent District 61B. Allen is the first Native American woman to serve in the Minnesota House. Spring 2012 37 A phone call. An e-mail. A diploma. When Jennifer Ivers ’13 e-mailed Larry Couture ’79 as part of her work with Augsburg’s IGNITE program, she couldn’t have imagined the chain of events that would transpire—or that she would end up with an internship as a result. Through IGNITE (Involving Graduates Now in Thoughtful Engagement), current Augsburg students connect with alumni to help them find ways to engage with the College. But when Ivers contacted Couture, she was surprised by his e-mail response. “He sent a short essay explaining why he wasn’t really excited about meeting with me,” she said. It turns out that Couture thought he graduated from Augsburg in 1979 but found out in 2006, when he tried to apply for admission to a graduate program, that his transcript was incomplete. Couture had been one religion course short of completing his graduation requirements in the spring of 1979 and had returned to Augsburg that summer to complete the final class. That course was never posted, but Couture didn’t suspect anything because he’d moved to a new apartment and thought perhaps his diploma had just been lost in the mail. After receiving Couture’s e-mail, Ivers told him that she would like to help him. She said she would forward his e-mail to her boss, who could bring his issue to the attention of the Dean, and together they would try to resolve the situation. “He said that after this long he didn’t think it really mattered, but if I could help, he thought that would be great,” Ivers said. And help she did. On February 1, more than 30 years after he thought he graduated, On February 1, more than 30 years after completing his graduation requirements, Larry Couture ‘79—pictured here with Jennifer Ivers ’13, a summer intern at Couture’s company—received his Augsburg College diploma. nt llege Commenceme 1979 Augsburg Co Larry Couture received his Augsburg College diploma and became a member of the class of 1979. Couture was so impressed with Ivers’ tenacity, as well as her speaking and writing skills, that he asked her to work as a summer intern for his company ECOSmarte, a Richfield, Minn.-based manufacturer of nonsalt, non-chemical water technology for ’79 LARRY COUTURE swimming pools and spas. The relationship has also led to an internship for a second Augsburg student. “This has been one of the more fulfilling aspects of my position,” Ivers said. “The IGNITE program aims to re-involve alumni on campus, and what’s a better way to involve someone than finally getting them their diploma?” WENDI WHEELER ’06 38 Augsburg Now Send us your news and photos Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at www.augsburg.edu/alumni. ____________________________________________________________ Full name ____________________________________________________________ Maiden name ____________________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended In Memoriam ____________________________________________________________ Street address Edward L. Evenson ’41, age 93, on September 28 ____________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Verlinda L. (Olson) Huus ’42, age 91, on September 19 Carol A. (Hibbard) Kirtley ’42, age 88, on October 22 Vivian A. (Larson) Loren ’43, age 89, on September 23 Is this a new address? q Yes q No ____________________________________________________________ Home telephone H. Daniel Frojen ’45, age 87, on September 18 J. Bernhard Bretheim ’48 on August 2 ____________________________________________________________ E-mail Ruth O. (Holm) Sawyer ’48, age 83, on January 18 Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No Evelyn (Green) Harris ’49 on June 29 John H. Wetzler ’49, age 88, on January 22, 2011 Raymond J. Bodin ’50, age 93, on October 27 ____________________________________________________________ Employer ____________________________________________________________ Position Jean (Kuklish) Knudsen ’50, age 83,
Show less

Title: Augsburg Now Summer 2011: Auggies Go Global
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW SUMMER 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 3 inside auggies Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Awesome Years of Life-Changing internships Commencement 2011 Ali Rapp ’11 Gage Center for Student Success Travel International Auggies Ask an Auggie expert page 20 Achievement in the ...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW SUMMER 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 3 inside auggies Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Awesome Years of Life-Changing internships Commencement 2011 Ali Rapp ’11 Gage Center for Student Success Travel International Auggies Ask an Auggie expert page 20 Achievement in the classroom Nick Ward ’11 go global notes from President Pribbenow Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Education off the main road Creative Associate-Design a s I write these words for the summer issue of the Augsburg Now—which includes stories illustrating Augsburg’s vision of educating global citizens—I am in Oslo, Norway, attending an international conference on the links between higher education and democracy, and also spending time with Augsburg students studying peace and conflict mediation at the University of Oslo. I am struck by how relevant Augsburg’s longstanding commitment to what I call an “education off the main road” is to preparing our students for life in the 21st century. A simple story illustrates my point. In a trip last fall to Augsburg’s Center for Global Education (CGE) campus in Windhoek, Namibia, I remember looking out at the sparkling lights as I was hosted at a dinner in an ultra-modern restaurant high above the city. All was well, it seemed, as I waited for my dinner companions to arrive. But the view from our perch above the city, nestled in an obviously affluent subdivision of the burgeoning city, belied my experiences earlier in the day. I had witnessed the remnants of an apartheid system. Formerly separate cemeteries for whites, colored, and blacks. Housing that was clearly demarcated by tribal class. Primary and secondary schools stratified by social class. A sprawling tin village—the so-called “informal settlements”—in which tens of thousands of Namibians lived in squalor, unable to find work after they arrived in the city and were left to their own devices to survive. Health clinics with waiting rooms full of women seeking both prenatal care and HIV tests. Non-governmental organizations struggling to serve the needs of indigenous people whose rights were neglected. The stark contrasts of the day were mindbending. My dinner companions arrived—a labor activist and a teacher working to improve education for indigenous people—and as I described our day in Windhoek, one of them commented that he was grateful I had witnessed these contrasts because too many outsiders come to Namibia and travel only “the main road,” from which all seems well. I had left that main road and experienced the real Namibia. My experience that day was a snapshot of what our CGE students encounter each semester in Namibia as they participate in intense experiences that open their eyes to the life-transforming dynamics of life in this developing country. Through extended homestays in both urban and rural areas, internships with organizations doing important social and educational work, classes that feature speakers who have firsthand experience of the tensions in Namibia’s life, and opportunities for significant interaction with Namibian people and culture, our students experience life off the main road in this remarkable country, just 22 years after it declared independence. And when these students return home to the U.S., we know they carry with them knowledge and experiences of this place and its good people that will shape the decisions they make about their own lives and what they might be called to do in the world. Some may return to Africa, perhaps as medical workers or teachers. But most will not, and, for them, we trust and know that their experiences off the main road in Namibia will help them understand their own privilege in an increasingly complex world—privilege that must be named and then put to responsible use in the search for equity and justice, both in their personal lives and in the systems they inhabit. Off the main road in Namibia, off the main road wherever Augsburg offers its distinctive education for global citizenship. I’m only beginning to understand how critical our work as a college is in transforming the lives of students and contributing to a different vision of our common future as global citizens. Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT summer 2011 Features 11 6 “Problem” students become problem solvers BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 14 21 Auggies are everywhere BY STEPHANIE WEISS . 16 Gloria Xinico Morales ’12 A girl of the world 17 Max Bregenzer ’12 Living life to the Max 17 Erica Lippitt ’12 Family teamwork creates a world of possibility 18 Jiahua (Holly) Huang ’12 Holly is a regular Minnesotan 8 14 18 Dat Nguyen ’11 contents Unlocking possibilities and potential at Augsburg 26 19 Faiza Abbas Mahamud ’11 A life that defies definition 20 Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14 Life in the United States: Different, but not weird 21 26 Real experience in the working world BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Commencement 2011 BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Departments On the cover International Auggies Gloria Xinico Morales, Alom Martínez, Zebokhon Tursunova, and Gottlieb Uahengo have fun at a Minneapolis landmark, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Spoonbridge and Cherry. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. augsburg now inside front cover 2 6 8 9 10 28 32 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad My Auggie experience Auggies on the track It takes an Auggie Auggie voices Alumni news Class notes quad around the NEWSNOTES National fellowship and scholarship awards Fulbright Awards, 2011-12 • Katie Edelen ’11, majoring in chemistry, biology, and environmental studies, received a Fulbright Research Grant to Norway. She will study and carry out research at the Peace Research Institute of Oslo. (See story page 10.) Urban Debate League success at nationals Two teams from the Minnesota Urban Debate League (UDL), part of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, were among the top 10 teams in the country at the National Urban Debate League (NAUDL) tournament in New York in April. A student debater from each of the two teams—Washburn and South high schools—placed seventh and eighth respectively in individual speaker competition. Newberry Library Fellowship to Michael Lansing Michael Lansing, assistant professor of history, received the Lloyd Lewis Fellowship in American History for 2011–12. The fellowship will support the ongoing work of his book-length research project on the Nonpartisan League. Norma Noonan honored for long-term direction of the MAL program Norma Noonan was honored this spring after stepping down as director of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program. Throughout her 18 years of directing and teaching in the program, Noonan has been both a leader and a shaper of leaders. Since the mid-’90s, Noonan has had an exceptionally steady hand in leading the ongoing development of the MAL program and the Leadership Center. Students have appreciated her accessibility, encouragement, and clarity. Although she is leaving the director position, Noonan will continue to teach at Augsburg and support the College’s commitment to leadership. 2 Augsburg Now • Jennifer Oliver, a graduate student in education and former financial aid counselor in the Enrollment Center, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Germany. Goldwater Scholarship—Math major Austin Wagner ’12 received Honorable Mention for a Barry S. Goldwater Scholarship. Newman Civic Fellows—Claire Bergren ’12 was honored by Campus Compact for her community work around racial justice and social issues linked to poverty. Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship—Katie Edelen will pursue graduate study in environmental management in 2012–13. Udall Scholarship—Kathy DeKrey ’12, an environmental studies and political science pre-law double major, has been awarded a Udall Scholarship for 2011–12. Top green power purchaser Augsburg College has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2010-11 top green power purchaser in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Augsburg College purchased more than 13 million kilowatt-hours of green power, representing 100 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage on the Minneapolis campus. This is the equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of more than 1,000 average U.S. homes or nearly 2,000 cars annually. EXCELLENCE in research In April 2011, Jeremy Anthony, a senior Presidential Award for mathematics major, represented Augsburg College in the Council on Undergraduate Research Posters on Community Service the Hill event. This event, held each year in Washington, D.C., showcased Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Awards Augsburg College earned two $10,000 grants from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for programs recognized for providing “high-quality, age-appropriate arts education.” Medieval Minnesota: This one-week boarding camp for students ages 14 to17 reimagines life during the Middle Ages. Students study medieval history, the Crusades, castle design, and the history of labyrinths. They also learn to build a medieval costume, juggle, dance, fence, and entertain. The camp, in its fifth year, attracts students from across the United States and Canada. For more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/medievalminnesota. Centro Youth Workshop: This summer photography workshop provides 10 youths from metropolitan Latino/Chicano communities the opportunity to develop technical and artistic photography skills. The program, which is in its second year, is a partnership between the College and Centro, a Minneapolis-based social service nonprofit. Learn more at http://overexposuremedia.org/. the research of 75 undergraduate stu- Courtesy photo Augsburg is one of six higher education institutions in the nation to receive the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service from the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is the highest award given that recognizes institutions for their commitment to and achievement in community service, and Augsburg is the only Minnesota school to receive this honor. In three previous years, the College has been named to the President’s Honor Roll with the additional designation of “With Distinction.” During the 2009-10 school year, Auggies contributed nearly 200,000 hours of community service to programs, including course-based servicelearning, Bonner Leaders, Campus Kitchen, community gardens, GEMS/GISE/STEM summer programs, Urban Scrubs Camp, and more. More than 1,700 students and 200 faculty and staff participated in service-learning last year. dents from colleges and universities across the country. L to R: Isanti mayor George Wimmer, Senator Al Franken, and Clayton McNeff ’91, vice president of research at SarTec Corporation. SENATOR FRANKEN visits Ever Cat Fuels On April 21, U.S. Senator Al Franken visited Ever Cat Fuels in Isanti, Minn., which can produce three million gallons of biodiesel each year using the Mcgyan Process. In 2008, the discovery of the Mcgyan Process began with student research by Brian Krohn ’08, along with chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg. The process received its first patent in March 2011. Augsburg receives second grant for Travelers EDGE Augsburg received a second gift from Travelers Insurance for their Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment (EDGE) program. This program focuses on college recruitment and retention of low-income and first-generation students. In Minnesota, the focus is specifically on students graduating from the St. Paul Public School district. The $100,000 grant will be used for Augsburg’s Travelers Pathways program for financial literacy training, which is open to all students. Current Augsburg juniors and seniors who graduated from a St. Paul public high school may be eligible to apply for a $5,000 annual scholarship, which brings with it opportunities for job shadowing, internships, and mentoring. Summer 2011 3 In Memoriam: Jessica Nathanson Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor and director of the women’s studies program and the Women’s Resource Center at Augsburg College, died April 5 of breast cancer. Nathanson’s passion for and knowledge of social justice and gender issues was instrumental in shaping the women’s studies community at Augsburg. Nathanson earned a BA from Wesleyan University and an MA and PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She co-edited the book Mother Knows Best: Talking Back to the “Experts” and enjoyed a wide following as a blogger on feminist issues. The following is an excerpt of an original spoken word piece read by Lucreshia Grant ’11 at the multifaith service in Hoversten Chapel to remember and celebrate Nathanson’s life. An excerpt from There are so much things to say By Lucreshia Grant ’11 For Jessica Nathanson There are so much things to say right now There are so much things to say There are so much things to say right now There are so much things to say … Friends, let me tell you If we had the time to recall every moment where in which this woman made me feel like I could levitate, I swear it’d take all day… This is a piece about praise today because, if there was bad between us I just can’t remember it I never knew I could float with pride this way. I came in here rusty and naïve, too big for my own britches You saw a light in me and followed it My writing then, was sloppy, holey and dishonest There are times when writing for an audience is just plain perjury And every time I lifted my pen from this paper in disbelief Turned my palms up in discouragement You calmly, proclaimed that “That must be the oppression talking.” That day I thought my heart would beat right through my ribcage I never imagined that someone might get it Get me, get this I love you, for the tears you allowed me to cry, often and The beauty you believed me to write And I can’t help believing that we were meant to be in a space like SVERDRUP 207 warm and complicated in the differences between us 4 Augsburg Now age, race, class, time, distance there is love in that and we confronted it daily learning that oppression sometimes smells like privilege and power doesn’t always have to be dominance you are my best memory about this place and I know we’re not done Cuz you African dance through my dreams Reminding me of the freedom I already keep, on my tongue You’re in my windpipe Part of the cadence and confidence in my voice You’re the social justice in my strut I won’t lower my head in fear again Eyes forward ready to stand completely still with another You gave me grace, honored me with respect Not just a Black woman on a stage to you…clap me a round of “thanks and that was beautifuls” But she knew the truth. Knew I was a Queen, believed my words and told me. There are so much things to say I have so much to say, but I can say nothing fully at all. Thanks for all the books and Reminding me that I can do this Thanks for believing in feminism enough to teach it. Thanks for loving us as much as you did Thanks for loving me It’s not over, we’re not done You’ll see Because This place became a home for me because you were in it It is better because you graced it Because you believed it I am better Jessica, thank you! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RETIRING TENURED FACULTY Retiring faculty were honored at the Faculty Recognition Luncheon on May 5. Nora Braun, Business Administration Nora Braun has been described as a role model for successfully balancing the demands of professional and personal responsibilities with incredible patience, integrity, and humor during her 14 years at Augsburg. A few of her contributions include participating in the College’s accreditation program, chairing a keystone collaborative, helping to design the business keystone course, and being involved in the initial design process for the Augsburg Master of Business Administration program. Braun enjoys writing and is the author of a children’s book that explores the life of the middle child. Francine Chakolis, Social Work Bruce Reichenbach, Philosophy Francine Chakolis graduated from Augsburg in 1978. Since 1983, her dedication to her colleagues and students has taken many forms. Always a proud Auggie, Chakolis was a formidable leader and the first director of the Master of Social Work program in the 1990s. Her colleague Tony Bibus used these words to describe Chakolis, “…spouse, mother, family, and COMMUNITY, with capital letters. She is also a teacher, activist, fighter, administrator, leader, and social worker.” Bruce Reichenbach began his teaching career at Augsburg 43 years ago. Students have always been at the top of his priorities, and they received the very best of Reichenbach’s passion and deep commitment to learning. He organized and led the writing team for the Lilly Grant and then served on its advisory board. As a logical outgrowth of the Lilly Grant to explore vocation, he worked on the development of an extended orientation for first-year and second-year faculty. Reichenbach is a prolific scholar, having written a dozen books and many articles, and is regarded for his expertise in helping faculty understand how to teach critical thinking. Dan Hanson, Communication Studies A 1986 graduate of the Weekend College program, Dan Hanson began taking classes when he was a vice president at Land O’Lakes. A dedicated colleague and teacher for 23 years, Hanson developed several courses, including the communication studies keystone course and a course for the Master of Arts in Leadership program. He is the author of several books, including A Place to Shine and Room for J: A Family Struggles with Schizophrenia. Hanson has devoted his energy and years of experience and expertise to the development of his students in both undergraduate and graduate program classes. Lynne Lorenzen, Religion At a reception honoring Lynne Lorenzen’s 22-year career at Augsburg, Professor Bev Stratton referred to Lorenzen as a trailblazer. A tireless advocate for gender rights on campus and in broader communities, Lorenzens’s collaboration on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) first sexuality task force 20 years ago laid the groundwork for the decision to recognize lesbian and gay clergy in committed, same-gender relationships. She played an important role in the design and development of the Augsburg/Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) women’s studies program. An active member and leader in the Lutheran church, Lorenzen’s classes at Augsburg also reflected her interests and focus on theology, church studies, and feminism. Charley Sheaffer, Computer Science Charley Sheaffer has been involved in several curricular development efforts in his department since he joined the College in 1997. He helped revise the computer science major to include the programming languages and compilers sequence. He was a co-creator of a three-credit cognitive science course, which was instrumental in increasing confidence among many students about their ability to handle college-level work. His colleague Larry Crockett said, “If the measure of a person is finally the ability to retain a gracious sense of humor in the face of all that life can present, then Charley is a remarkable person indeed.” Nan Skelton, Center for Democracy and Citizenship As co-director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC) at Augsburg College, Nan Skelton led the center’s external public work in civic education, reclaiming neighborhoods, and the democratic renewal of education. She is a co-founder of the Jane Addams School for Democracy; and she has been an architect of the Neighborhood Learning Community and, more recently, Learning in Cities (also called Sprockets), pioneering new approaches to learning and education. Prior to joining the CDC in 1994, Skelton served as assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education and provided leadership with the National Governors Association. Summer 2011 5 my Auggie experience Floating on the social media bubble If you’re a friend of Ali Rapp ’11 and weren’t a frequent visitor to the communication and film studies office where she worked on campus, you maybe “saw” her on Facebook and Twitter. And if you didn’t attend a class or go to a local restaurant with her, you may have kept up with the goings-on of Ali Rapp’s life—and maybe still do—through her blog, “No, I am a Cat.” Rapp was the social media intern for Augsburg’s admissions office since 2007. In this position, she maintained her own blog and managed other student bloggers on Homemade, the College’s unobstructed window on student life. 6 Augsburg Now The student bloggers kept prospective and current students entertained and up-to-date with real-life posts about classes, favorite professors, internships, experiences abroad, papers and projects, social events, and general commentary on life as an Auggie. Homemade follows a national trend among college admissions offices to engage and recruit students using social media. A May 2009 article from The Chronicle of Higher Education cites data from the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. It shows that in fall 2008, 61 percent of admissions offices were using social-networking sites and 41 percent had blogs, up from 29 percent and 33 percent, respectively, in 2007. Rapp thinks Homemade is an easy way to give new students a view of Augsburg that they might not get through visits with admissions staff. “Incoming students aren’t dumb,” she said. “They know that things go on that no one talks about. I think they appreciate our honesty.” Staying afloat in the social media bubble is more than writing and editing posts and reminding bloggers to blog. It’s also about using other social media tools such as Facebook and the microblog tool Twitter to raise awareness of the blogs. Throughout her internship, Rapp became more adept at promoting Homemade using unique accounts on those social media sites. Rapp said the key to staying on top of social media is to remember that it is always changing. “For me it’s a matter of realizing I can’t stop learning. If I stay off of Twitter and Facebook for too long, I will lose some of it.” To be sure, social media is growing in importance not only for recruiting new students but also for keeping current students, alumni, donors, faculty and staff, and the community engaged in the life of the College. Many campus departments including the Enrollment Center, Campus Kitchen, the bookstore, and the dining service rely on social media to keep students informed. Auggie Eagle is on Facebook, too. In the fall, Rapp will begin graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in communication studies with a focus on critical media studies. She hopes to continue research started as an undergraduate on computer-mediated communication and to explore the role of social media in the communication studies field. And just in case you’re wondering, “No, I am a Cat” has no meaning. At least none that Rapp can remember. She doesn’t have a cat at her Minneapolis home. She does, however, have a dog named Per. If you were following her social life through social media, you may have read about him on her blog, too. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Keeping up with social media @Augsburg College Throughout Augsburg College, many departments and programs are finding that one of the best ways to stay in touch with prospective and current students, alumni, and the community is through social media. BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE: Homemade—www.augsburg.edu/homemade President Pribbenow’s blog—follow at www.augsburg.edu/president FACEBOOK PAGES YOU SHOULD “LIKE:” Augsburg College—the official page of the College (2,879 followers) Augsburg College Alumni Association—all the alumni news you need, and a great way to connect with your Auggie friends (336 followers) Augsburg College Homemade—you guessed it (285 followers) Auggie Eagle—be Auggie’s friend (1,251 followers) FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @AugsburgCollege (1,088 followers) @paulpribbenow (258 followers) @auggieshomemade (107 followers) Number of followers listed are as of July 2011. auggies on the track More than an all-around guy At Augsburg, Nick Ward ’11 worked hard to be an all-around student-athlete—one who was as dedicated to his studies as he was to setting records on the track. In his last year of college, he put in extra time to add one more accomplishment to his list: All-American athlete. A physics and mathematics major originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Ward says he had no intention of participating in college track and wanted instead to focus on academics. Then a couple of his first-year friends talked him into joining the track team. Augsburg track and field coach, Dennis Barker, says Ward was a very coachable athlete and a good listener. “He always tried to absorb and understand the concepts behind what I asked him to do,” Barker said. “I think that’s partly the way he thinks as a physics student.” Barker was impressed with Ward’s commitment. “I don’t know anyone who studies as much as he studies,” Barker said. He speculates that track offered a chance for Ward to let loose after spending long hours in the lab and the library. “I think track and field maybe comes more naturally to Nick than physics, but that never stopped him from excelling,” Barker said. Being a member of the Auggie track team turned out to be a good choice for Ward. One of the top men’s sprinters in school history, he earned his first trip to national competition this spring when he competed in the men’s 55-meter dash at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indoor championships in Columbus, Ohio. Ward’s qualifying time of 10.73 seconds in the men’s 100-meter dash was the 17th-fastest among the 22 entrants in the event. Last season, Ward won the conference titles in the men’s 55-meter dash and men’s long jump at the MIAC indoor championships, while finishing second in the men’s 100meter dash and winning a conference title as part of the 400-meter relay at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) outdoor championships. In his first-ever appearance at the NCAA championships in May, Ward clocked a time of 11.07 seconds to record a 20th-place finish in the event. As one of the top sprinters in Augsburg school history, Ward will end his career having earned seven MIAC titles, 12 All-MIAC honors, and eight All-MIAC honorable-mention honors, to go along with eight school records. Off the track, Ward completed his studies with a 3.2 grade point average and conducted summer research in physics as a McNair Scholar and also through the North Star STEM Alliance program. He credits his academic success to faculty and staff who encouraged him, namely his physics adviser Ben Stottrup, Tina Tavera from the McNair Scholars program, and Rebekah Dupont who advises North Star STEM students at Augsburg. “They pushed me throughout my whole college career, making me apply for internships and for research opportunities off campus. I guess they motivated me to keep going,” he said. Ward applied to three graduate school programs and was accepted into the master’s program in electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. “Nick has such a great attitude and is always so excited about the opportunities he has,” Barker said. “I think he feels very fortunate to be at Augsburg, studying in a stellar physics department and being on the track team. I think he’s enjoying life here.” After four outstanding seasons and a successful academic career, Ward’s goal for the end of the season was to be named an AllAmerican in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and in the long jump. Unfortunately his name was not on the NCAA Division III list, but that doesn’t change the fact that Nick Ward is an impressive student and athlete. For Ward, a somewhat shy young man, talking about his accomplishments is one thing that does not come easily. “I guess I’m just trying to be an all-around guy,” he said. WENDI WHEELER ’06 AND DON STONER 8 Augsburg Now it takes an Courtesy photo Auggie Visionary leadership in support of student success In 1984, Skip and Barbara Gage’s oldest son, Geoff, made an unexpected choice. Though he had been determined to attend school in California, the high school senior decided after a tour of the Augsburg campus that he preferred to become an Auggie. At parent orientation the following fall, Skip and Barbara joined the campus community for the first time. “We couldn’t have been more pleased with the nurturing and caring environment provided at Augsburg,” Skip said. While they remained proud Auggie parents (all four of their children attended classes at Augsburg, and two graduated from the College), it didn’t take long for Skip and Barbara to take a more active role in the community. Just two years later, Augsburg President Charles Anderson asked Barbara to join the board of regents, where she served for 12 years, including four years as chair of the board. During the early years of Barbara’s service, she and Skip approached President Anderson to discuss ways to expand student support. “We’ve had distinct experience with learning differences in our family,” Skip said, but at that time, little research had been done on learning differences at the college level. In fact, according to the Gages, Augsburg and the University of Colorado, Boulder, were Barbara and Skip Gage Skip and Barbara have supported other campus projects through the years, including the Scandinavian Center, Lindell Library, Anderson Plaza, and the Gage Family Art Gallery. And, with their newest gift, the Gages once again reveal their enthusiasm for student support and innovative programming. The Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Foundation last spring announced that they will collectively contribute $900,000 toward the creation of the Gage Center for Student Success—a centralized place where all “We were so thankful that we had found a school that actually had ways to help students can go to enhance their learning and students with learning differences,” Barbara said. “We were excited to help achieve their academic goals. Construction for make the program larger and able to meet the needs of more students.” the center started this summer in Lindell Library. The center will be on the link level, the only two colleges they found that provided support services to creating space at the heart of the campus for the CLASS program as students with different learning abilities. well as numerous other academic success programs. Passionate about this cause, Skip and Barbara commissioned a Barbara noted the importance of having the learning center $30,000 study on programming to support learning differences. near the College’s technological resources and at a centralized loBased on this study’s findings, the Gages, together with the cation. Carlson Family Foundation, committed half a million dollars and “The center will be a part of the students’ daily lives,” she raised another half a million to institute a new program at said. “[The students who use the center] will become advocates of Augsburg, which evolved into the Center for Learning and Adaptive learning.” Student Services (CLASS). This program provides services to help The Gages believe that Augsburg’s leadership in student sucall students—regardless of learning style, preference, or need— cess is due in part to its mission for service. reach their full potential at Augsburg. “Augsburg has been wonderful in being inclusive in working “We were so thankful that we had found a school that actually with students of different needs,” Barbara said. “I’m so proud to had ways to help students with learning differences,” Barbara said. be a part of it.” “We were excited to help make the program larger and able to meet the needs of more students.” KAYLA SKARBAKKA ’09 Summer 2011 9 auggie voices Treating the system instead of the symptoms Katie Edelen ’11 wanted to be a doctor from the time she was five years old. She watched surgery on the Discovery Channel before naptime and begged her parents to let her be present at the birth of her two younger siblings. It wasn’t until she was in college and working with doctors in India that Edelen realized she did not actually want to be a doctor. Soon after she arrived at Augsburg, Edelen began looking for an opportunity to volunteer abroad to gain medical experience helping people in war-torn countries. She had been interested in Doctors Without Borders, so she contacted native health non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to find volunteer opportunities. In her junior year, Edelen landed in Chennai, India, where she shadowed doctors in government hospitals and another who brought internal medicine services to refugee camps, slums, and villages. “What really spoke to me were all the people who had been exposed to water-borne, preventable diseases because of unsafe sanitary conditions,” she recalled. Though she had been interested in environmental issues before traveling to India, there she began to see in a new way the consequences of peoples’ actions on the environment. She saw that issues related to health, education, poverty, and social justice were connected to environmental problems. “That is when I started to become interested in treatment of the systematic inequalities as opposed to putting a band-aid on the problem,” she said. This experience led Edelen to pursue other opportunities centered 10 Augsburg Now on water and its role in society. She took a course on environmental and river politics led by Augsburg political science professor Joe Underhill. She traveled to Uganda and worked with villagers on water access and conservation, even starting a “safe water and hygiene club” in the primary school. This summer, she will be in Norway on a Fulbright fellowship researching the correlation between armed conflict and water hazards and scarcity at the Peace Research Institute in Oslo. Following her time in Norway, Edelen will pursue graduate work in environmental studies on a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. A triple major in chemistry, biology, and environmental studies, Edelen said her education and experiences abroad have solidified her desire to work in the area of policy analysis and research. “I really see my vocational work and my background bridging the different realms of sciences and the humanities together to address problems,” she said. “The nexus between science, policy, and society can be messy and convoluted, but that’s what really excites me about it.” Edelen said her parents instilled in her the importance of taking initiative, encouraging her interest in medicine even before she began grade school. “I’ve always had a desire to make a difference in the world somehow. That’s what really motivates me. I want to use my gifts as a way to help the world.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 To read more about Katie Edelen, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. “PROBLEM” STUDENTS BECOME PROBLEM SOLVERS BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Visualize young people in our public schools making positive change in their communities. Who comes to mind? Probably not middle school students in the special education classroom—kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities who have difficulty paying attention and communicating with each other or their teachers. Typically, students in special education are labeled as troublemakers. They are marginalized, silenced, and given little choice in their daily school tasks. But a partnership between Augsburg College and Fridley Middle School hopes to change that. By giving students a voice in their education and allowing them to focus their time and energy on an issue they care about, this program has turned “problem” students into public problem solvers. Public Achievement in special education Piloted in the 2010-11 academic year, Augsburg’s program at Fridley Middle School (FMS) is a partnership involving Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC), the Augsburg special education faculty and students in the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program, and teachers and students from the school. The project began when Susan O’Connor, associate professor of special education at Augsburg, heard Dennis Donovan and Nan Skelton of the CDC speak about the Public Achievement model. This model for youth civic organizing was developed by the CDC’s Harry Boyte. In the classroom, Public Achievement serves as an empowerment tool that allows students to create change in an area that they select and take ownership of as a group. To O’Connor, Public Achievement seemed like a fit for special education classrooms. “It was like the self-advocacy tool we are always encouraging teachers to use with their students,” she said. “The kids with EBD (emotional/behavioral disabilities) are kids that typically don’t have a voice in their school work. They’re told what to do. They’re told how to act.” O’Connor and Donna Patterson from the Augsburg special education faculty learned how to implement Public Achievement in the classroom. They looked for a location to pilot the project and settled on FMS because two of the special educa- tion teachers—Michael Ricci ’07 and Alissa Blood ’07—are graduates of Augsburg’s teacher education program. Finally, they hand-picked five MAE students from the Critical Issues seminar course to work with the middle school students and then began weekly classes at Fridley in the fall term. A new way of teaching and learning The Public Achievement model identifies classroom teachers as coaches and places all responsibility for decision-making and action on the students. The middle school students identified two projects: one concerning alternative energy and another on homelessness. In each project, the students were responsible for designing every aspect. They created timelines, conducted research, contacted experts and members of the community to schedule speaking engagements or field trips, and communicated about their projects with faculty and students in their school. Cheryl McClellan, an Augsburg MAE student, worked with the “Solar Heroes” team on installing solar panels to light the school’s flag and a solar thermal to heat water for domestic uses at the school. “The idea is, the students decide who gets invited to be a part of the project. They find out how to contact people, send them an e-mail or call, and follow up with them,” McClellan said. At the end of the year, Solar Heroes had not been able to finalize the projects but pledged to con- Summer 2011 21 11 tinue working on fundraising initiatives for the solar panels. For many of the students, these were tasks they had never been entrusted to perform. In addition to learning about how it feels to be empowered, McClellan said students also came to understand that community organizing and advocacy is not always easy work. “You get a lot of ‘no’s,’ but they are learning the skills to move forward.” Kayla Krebs is one of the Augsburg MAE students working with “Team Making a Way,” the class focused on homelessness. Her students went to the State Capitol to speak with legislators and also made fleece blankets to donate to Families Moving Forward, a North Minneapolis shelter that provides services for families with children who are experiencing homelessness. Krebs saw her role in the classroom as a facilitator. “I learned how to be flexible and how to let the students’ voices shine.” For students with special needs, she says this is an important part of the learning process because “so many times, people tell them what to do.” Molly McInnis, an Augsburg MAE student, said the program has taught her a new way of teaching. “I have learned how to let the students make the decisions and drive their own project,” she said. “I can’t come in and be a teacher—I need to listen to them and let them lead.” Blood said the program was beneficial to her students because they struggle with taking responsibility. “This program has given them a sense of power and responsibility and taught them that what they think and do matters. They are much more committed and have a sense of pride in what they are doing.” By giving students the power to choose the issues they want to work on and the methods of solving problems, Donovan said the students have developed the capacity to become public problem solvers. That means they work to solve problems affecting the Augsburg-Fridley Public Achievement Team Back Row [L to R]: Dennis Donovan, Stephen Keeler, Cheryl McClennan, Alissa Blood, Steph Bloxham, Heidi Austin, *Barbara West Middle Row [L to R]: Michael Ricci, *Susan O’Connor, *Dee Vodicka, *Elizabeth Ankeny, *Donna Patterson Front Row [L to R]: Molly McInnis, Becki Hamlin, Kayla Krebs *Augsburg College Faculty 12 Augsburg Now “THIS PROGRAM HAS GIVEN THEM A SENSE OF POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY AND TAUGHT THEM THAT WHAT THEY THINK AND DO MATTERS. THEY ARE MUCH MORE COMMITTED AND HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING.” ALISSA BLOOD ’07 public and are doing it in a public way. The students created displays for cases outside their classroom, logos and posters for their projects, appeared on the FMS Friday radio broadcast, spoke at a luncheon at Augsburg, and held a public presentation at the school. “Kids that are marginalized really rise to the top when they are given power,” he said. “In education, we say it’s not an achievement gap—it’s an empowerment gap,” Donovan said. “We have to ask ourselves how we can empower teachers and students to learn about things that are meaningful to them and have a voice in their education.” Lessons for teachers One of the most important reasons for implementing this Public Achievement project was to drive institutional change, O’Connor said. “We want these students to be seen in a more positive light, not as trouble-makers.” She added that the Fridley students were noticed by their administrators and peers, recognized publicly for their work, and asked to contribute to future discussions. Another goal of the project was to bring lessons learned by the Augsburg students and faculty into the special education curriculum at Augsburg. The faculty are creating a three-year plan to integrate into the special education curriculum and hope to develop a Public Achievement coaching course that can be used in other departments. Donovan is excited to see how this project will affect Augsburg’s special education curriculum and students. “I think Augsburg students are going to be different teachers because of this experience,” he said. A former public school administrator, Donovan is passionate about working with teachers and helping them acquire new skills for the classroom. Helping the Fridley students find their voice and become more visible in their middle school community are outcomes that also had a strong impact on the Augsburg students who will one day lead their own classrooms. Heidi Austin, an Augsburg MAE student who worked with the Solar Heroes group, said that as a future teacher, this program makes her very hopeful. “It is so important to give kids an opportunity to see that they can make a difference,” she said. “I came in thinking there wasn’t going to be much progress with this project, but I’ve been totally blown away with what they’ve done.” Speaking to the Augsburg community at an event in May, McClennan said this project transformed the FMS culture, the students, and also transformed her personally in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “At my core I am a better parent, a better citizen, and a better teacher,” she said. She commented that the students have felt empowered by their accomplishments and the public recognition they received. “I have learned that these kids who are so often silenced have a strong voice.” To read more about the Fridley Middle School Public Achievement project, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Summer 2011 13 ERICA LIPPITT ’12 Erica, a Weekend College student, studied abroad in Mexico to learn Spanish. a Cuernavaca, Mexico San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala GLORIA XINICO MORALES ’12 ugsburg’s Office of International Programs (OIP) for more than 25 years has provided internationally recognized and award-winning programs to students who seek cross-cultural and hands-on learning abroad. The office also brings international students to campus. “Increasingly, a global perspective is critical to a liberal arts education,” said Orval Gingerich, assistant vice president for International Programs and director of the Center for Global Education. “Intercultural experiences—at home and abroad—are a way to bridge global and local issues.” During the 2009-10 school year, nearly 275 students studied abroad. At the same time, Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus was home to nearly 100 international students from about two dozen countries including Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Tanzania, Togo, and many more. In this edition of Augsburg Now, we present a snapshot of the stories of students with ties to Guatemala, Germany, Mexico, China, Vietnam, Kenya, and Yemen. Some traveled from Augsburg to other parts of the globe. Others came to Augsburg and the Twin Cities from far away home countries. Still others have graduated and are on to the next chapters of their stories. To learn more about OIP and its programs, go to www.augsburg.edu/oip. Gloria, an international student from Guatemala plans to study in Namibia this fall. auggies are ev 14 Augsburg Now MAX BREGENZER ’12 Max has traveled, studied, and lived in four countries, but was born and raised in Germany. Würzburg, Germany IBRAHIM AL-HAJIBY ’14 Guangzhon, China FAIZA ABBAS MAHAMUD ’11 Faiza went back to her home country of Kenya as an exchange student to help African women. Sana’a, Yemen Hue, Vietnam Holly, a student at United International College in China, came to the U.S. to study education at Augsburg. JIAHUA (HOLLY) HUANG ’12 Ibrahim hopes one day to return to his home in Yemen to start a non-governmental organization. Nairobi, Kenya DAT NGUYEN ’11 Windhoek, Namibia Dat, a recent graduate and international student, will be a graduate student at Dartmouth. verywhere BY STEPHANIE WEISS Summer 2011 15 GLORIA XINICO MORALES A girl of the world Gloria Xinico Morales has worked so hard at Augsburg since arriving during 2008 that she twice won outstanding student of the year awards—once during her sophomore year and again her junior year. The hard work that earned Xinico Morales these honors is fundamental to her personality. She doesn’t give up. She doesn’t quit. Xinico Morales was 18 when she first applied for—and was denied—a student visa. She wanted to study at Augsburg College, a school she has known of for her whole life because her father is director of the Center for Global Education in Guatemala. Xinico Morales wasn’t deterred by the denial. Top: A view of the mountains from Gloria Xinico Morales’ hometown of San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Bottom: Xinico Morales, left, is the oldest of three children. Here she is shown with her brother, Manuel, and sister, Nickte. Courtesy photos 16 Augsburg Now She waited the three months before she again could apply, and this time was approved. But the whole process pushed her college plans back by a full year. And as if that wasn’t enough, her visa was delivered to the wrong city the day before she was to fly to the United States. She drove to the city to pick up her visa. “After waiting one year and one week, I had two days to get here, unpack, and settle in,” Xinico Morales said. “I’d never been outside of Guatemala before.” But she still didn’t get to start at Augsburg right away. She said that by working with admissions staff, they decided she should study English for three months before starting college. It was a good plan. “Going to Global Language Institute was very helpful,” she said. “When I did start at Augsburg, it seemed the teachers talked really fast. I wasn’t comfortable with English, homework took a lot longer.” She kept plugging away. She joined the Spanish club and quickly was an officer. She joined Allied Latino/a Augsburg Students, and finally the International Student Organization of which she now is president. That’s not even all of it, though, because Xinico Morales said she can’t say ‘no.’ Being a student from another country can be challenging and students sometimes grapple with living life in two cultures. Xinico Morales grew up in Guatemala and was raised Catholic. She looks for answers to questions about varied perspectives in part through self reflection. “My life is like a tree,” Xinico Morales said. “The roots are the morals my parents taught me. When things get messy, that’s where I go. The trunk is my immediate family that is there for me no matter what. Then there are the leaves. The leaves go away and come back as I grow and change.” Lately, people have been asking Xinico Morales what she plans to do with her degree in international relations and minor in political science. She doesn’t know the answer. “Minneapolis is my second home. My life is built here, but Guatemala is where I belong, all my roots are there and my heart is there,” she said. “But I’ve become a different person and don’t fit there.” She hopes that she’ll find the answer in Namibia, in southern Africa, where she’ll study in the fall as an exchange student. “Namibia is a neutral place, a different country, a different continent,” she said. “It will help me make a decision from far away. Or maybe I’m just a girl of the world and I’ll go other places.” MAX BREGENZER Living life to the Max Max Bregenzer has traveled, studied, and lived in four countries—Germany, Spain, Argentina, and the United States—and he might not yet be done. Bregenzer, 22, was born and raised in Germany and now works in his home country for a large grocery wholesaler. The company, called Edeka, also is sending him to school. He studies for three months, then applies what he’s learned for three months. He’ll do that for a total of three years and at the end will have a holistic perspective of the company. It was through this model that Bregenzer came to Augsburg. He researched schools in the U.S. and found that Augsburg offered the classes he wanted, including human resources and project management, problem-solving for business, and international business. He said he also was lured by the arts and outdoor activities. “I learned about theatre and was totally surprised that everyone is biking here in the winter,” he said. This isn’t the first time Bregenzer has studied or lived abroad. He spent a year of high school in Spain. Then he went to Argentina to work with street youths as part of his civil service. Bregenzer is the oldest of three boys, and his family since about 1869 has owned a group of bakeries and cafés within 40 miles of his home city. You can see all the tasty-looking treats his family makes at Maxl Bäck (http://maxlbaeck.de). He hasn’t shut the door on the idea that he might someday work in the family business, but for now he is focused on learning and practicing regional store management. ERICA LIPPITT Family teamwork creates a world of possibility for WEC student Some people buy home study courses to learn Spanish. Some enroll in Spanish classes. And some people, like Erica Lippitt, go all the way to Cuernavaca, Mexico, to live and study. “I definitely achieved what I wanted in only four months,” said Lippitt, a single working mother and Weekend College student. “My son’s family is from Cuba and they say that my Spanish is getting good. We can communicate, and I understand them.” Studying at the Center for Global Education’s Mexico location was possible because Lippitt’s family pulled together. Her parents offered to care for her son, and Lippitt’s brother helped, too. Her father, a Lutheran pastor, even got a night job so the family could afford daycare for Lippitt’s son. “My parents pushed me,” she said. “They showed me this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Lippitt originally enrolled at Augsburg during 2001 for business administration. She said she left the school—also her mom’s alma mater—because Erica Lippitt visited the pyramids of Teotihuacan in Mexico City and the Xochicalco pyramids in Cuernavaca, Mexico, with friends she made on her travels. Courtesy photos she wasn’t focused. Lippitt moved to Florida to work and while there, met her son’s father. “I left Florida to escape an abusive relationship,” she said. “My dad is a pastor, and I wasn’t raised to live like that. I had to leave.” When Lippitt returned to Wayzata, she returned to Augsburg where she earned a 4.0 grade point average while working as many as 30 hours a week and raising her son. “It shows I am more focused, more determined. I am here because I want to learn, not because I have to be here.” Studying in Cuernavaca also opened new possibilities and ways of thinking. Erica now knows she wants to work in human resources for an international company. She’d also like to live and work in Mexico for a time so her son can experience living in a Spanish-speaking country. And finding ways to help other women is on her radar screen, too. “I’ve gained so much strength from my experience, that if there is something I can do to help other women, I’d like to,” she said. Summer 2011 17 JIAHUA (HOLLY) HUANG Holly is a regular Minnesotan In the 12 months Jiahua Huang was in the United States, she became a typical Minnesotan. Holly, as she prefers to be known in the U.S., liked the Minnesota State Fair and shopped at the Mall of America. And she got sick of snow. Huang, a student at United International College (UIC) in China, came to the U.S. to study education at Augsburg College. She learned about the college through an Auggie studying abroad at UIC. She wanted to learn about the United States’ culture and improve her English skills, and she was attracted to Augsburg because of its location. “It’s better for me to live in a city,” said Jiahua Huang was originally excited for snow, and her Huang, who comes friends were jealous that she was able to experience from a city of 1.6 milwinter. By April, though, she was ready for springtime. lion people. “Friends who went to [rural private colleges] said they were bored. But, when I got here, I asked where all the people were. I went to the State Fair, and I liked it a lot—all the people.” Huang was raised near Hong Kong. She has two older sisters and an older brother. Many families in China have only one child, but some are able to afford more children. “My parents wanted another boy, but got another girl,” she said. “Many friends would think from my name that I am a boy because my name means ‘handsome’.” Huang struggled with classes at first. “English is so hard,” she said. “I would listen to the professor, and I didn’t know what he was talking about. I would read the textbook, and I didn’t know what I was reading.” She also worked hard to become comfortable with cultural differences in the classroom. “In China, you raise your hand and stand up to participate,” she said. “Here, all the students talk. I wish I were more confident in class—I feel comfortable talking, but it also feels like I am being impolite.” Despite growing tired of the snow, Huang said she would like to return to Minnesota. She wants to go to graduate school at the University of Minnesota and teach Chinese while staying connected with her new friends in Minnesota. 18 Augsburg Now Success in the sciences started for Dat Nguyen when his photographer father lectured him on the solar system. It was 1995 and the two were taking pictures of the total solar Dat Nguyen, right, performs with folksinger Peter Yarrow of Peter, eclipse in Vietnam. Nguyen was Paul, and Mary more interested in how the camera and solar system worked than in the photos. Nguyen, who is Buddhist, said that his success also can be traced to selling candy at his mother’s store, and performing improvisational theater with American students visiting Vietnam in 2004. It was through these experiences that Nguyen learned to break out of his comfort zone. “As a Buddhist, we aren’t real loud or active. You have to break out of your shell and contribute,” Nguyen said. The American students that Nguyen’s family hosted invited him in 2005 to an improvisational theater camp in Colorado. “I didn’t expect to be invited to America when we hosted the students,” he said. “But I’ve found that if you do something voluntarily, without expectation, something automatically will come back.” In Nguyen’s case, that “something” turned out to be lifechanging relationships that resulted from his theater performances in Colorado. He met Peter Yarrow—of Peter, Paul and Mary—and later sang backup with Yarrow when the singer was in Vietnam for a fundraiser. He also connected with a group of families who offered to sponsor his education by providing his tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. In the sciences, Nguyen credits his success to the strong advising, encouragement and opportunities provided by his Augsburg professors, all of whom encouraged him to explore his curiosities and broad-ranging scientific interests. He will continue to feed his unlimited curiosity this fall as a graduate student at Dartmouth, where he has earned a full scholarship. He said he is looking forward to continuing his studies in a setting similar to Augsburg College—one with a smaller department where he can connect and interact with many people. DAT NGUYEN Unlocking possibilities and potential at Augsburg FAIZA ABBAS MAHAMUD A life that defies definition Faiza Abbas Mahamud moved a lot when she was young. First her family moved from war-torn Somalia to Kenya. Then the family moved four times in Kenya, including living at one time in a refugee camp. All the moving meant Mahamud wasn’t able to have one set of friends with whom to spend time, connect, and grow up. But she did have one constant—a dictionary. “As a child, textbooks had to be purchased. We couldn’t buy books, but we always had a dictionary. I feel like this is a tradition in our home,” she said. The moving stopped in 2004 when Mahamud’s family came to Minnesota. “My aunt put her life on hold to help us,” Mahamud said. “Aside from God, if it weren’t for my mom’s youngest sister, it would be hard for us to have a stable life.” Mahamud graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2007, then enrolled at Augsburg College. She went back to Kenya during 2010 as an exchange student to work for a United Nations agency in a variety of roles, including as a premarital counselor. “When I went back to Kenya, I was a totally different person,” she said. “I wasn’t the girl who wanted to get away from this country. Where is home for me? When I was in America, I would say ‘I’m going home.’ When I was in Kenya, I kept calling Minnesota home.” Mahamud, now a U.S. citizen, graduated in spring 2011 with majors in English and women’s studies and with a minor in chemistry. She’s now exploring options for graduate school but isn’t ready to confine herself only to the United States. “I want to be in Africa to help women who don’t have that second helping hand like my aunt,” she said. “I want to be in a position to make a difference in the lives of women and children.” And she still needs to finish reading the dictionary. “I spent so much time reading and using the words I learned,” she said. “But there are so many words I haven’t gotten to.” During her trip to Kenya, Faiza Abbas Mahamud learned beadmaking from the women of Narok who sold their goods at Maasai Mara. Courtesy photos Summer 2011 19 IBRAHIM AL-HAJIBY Life in the United States: Different, but not weird Ibrahim Al-Hajiby’s time in America is a study in contrasts. He first came to the United States during 2007 as a high school exchange student. He crossed the globe from Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a to Cloquet, Minn.—in the dead of winter. “I always seem to come to Minnesota in the winter,” he said. “In Cloquet, I loved McDonald’s double cheeseburgers. I would eat one every day. Even in winter, I’d ride my bike and the wheels would just spin in the snow.” Volunteerism and politics are different, too. “I live in one of the most conservative countries in the Middle East, and we have a tribal culture,” said Al-Hajiby, 20. “In Yemen, our schools are focused on academics— there isn’t the focus on serving the community.” Al-Hajiby volunteered time since first arriving in the U.S. and next year will serve as an officer of the International Student Organization. Al-Hajiby said that a key to his success in America is to embrace wherever he is living, and to be open to new experiences and people. “One of my host moms and I have a slogan: ‘It’s not weird, it’s different’,” Al-Hajiby said. Al-Hajiby said he misses and worries about his parents and sister but is glad that his brother also is in Minnesota Al-Hajiby is shown wearing the traditional clothing worn by men in his home country of Yemen. Courtesy photo 20 Augsburg Now Ibrahim Al-Hajiby said two of his favorite foods in the United States are hot dogs from The Wienery and double cheeseburgers from McDonald’s. this year. His country is in turmoil with protests against the government, and some demonstrations turn deadly. “I know people who have been killed,” he said. “My parents’ last words on the phone are that they are glad my brother and I are here and that we are safe.” Al-Hajiby is an honors student in chemistry and recipient of Augsburg’s International President’s Scholarship. He hopes one day to return to Yemen to start a non-governmental organization. “I really want to go back at one point and make a change,” Al-Hajiby said. “I feel like God has chosen me to pursue such a fine education so I can go back and help.” REAL EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKING WORLD BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 INTERNSHIPS, ONCE A NECESSARY STOP ON THE CAREER PATH OF ASPIRING PHYSICIANS, ARE NOW COMMON FOR MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS. WE TALKED TO FOUR AUGGIE INTERNS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES for college students to gain hands-on experience in their fields. In addition to practical training, internships can give students an inside view of a business or industry and help them broaden their professional networks. The internship experience often validates a student’s career choice, but it can also lead them to consider options they hadn’t before. Today an internship is part of many students’ college experience and perhaps a must for those hoping to be hired after college. According to a May 2011 Washington Post article, internships are common for 75 percent of U.S. college students. There are a number of reasons why students should and do take on internships, said Lois Olson, executive director of the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work at Augsburg. “Students get excited about what they are learning in the classroom and want to apply it in another setting.” Often, she said, students will tell her that an internship experience helps them better understand lessons from the classroom. “They say, ‘Now I understand why we needed to learn that.’ ” One of the most significant reasons for doing an internship relates to getting a job after college. “A prominent message from employers is that they want practical applied experience related to a student’s major on their résumé,” Olson said. “They want to know they are making a good hiring decision.” In fact, completing at least one internship during college can have great value beyond the learning experience. According to the 2010 Student Survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 42 percent of graduates with internships who applied for a job received an offer compared with only 30 percent for students who had no internship experience. In addition, students with internships tended to receive higher starting salary offers. As for internships leading to a job offer, Olson said technically a job cannot be promised in an internship situation. “Most students hope it will lead to a job,” she said. Olson added, “The reality is that many organizations will look to their interns to fill open positions should the opportunity arise.” The prominence of internships and the rise of importance in the hiring process means students should start thinking about an internship early. Olson said students who want to do an internship in their junior year should start the process of planning in their sophomore year. “The competition has really changed. It’s not as easy as making a phone call anymore,” she said. Because the process takes longer, Olson encourages students to dedicate as much time and attention to it as they would when applying for a job. Here we profile four students whose unique and challenging internships have given them insight into their chosen career fields and also helped them grow as future leaders. Summer 2011 21 What are you doing? I bring the children of major donors and long-time season ticket holders onto the field for batting practice so they can see what happens and meet the players. I also coordinate a few of the opening pitches. ’11 22 22 What have you learned? I have learned how much goes into the presentation of a professional sporting event. There is so much that you don’t see or hear about that’s behind the scenes to make a baseball game run. DAN BRANDT What is the value of your internship? Major: marketing Internship: Minnesota Twins public affairs office I have had a lot of unique experiences—meeting people, networking, and doing things out of the ordinary that most people don’t get to do. At some point I would like to have a career in this field, but it is very competitive. Augsburg Now Now Augsburg ’11 KRISTI VINKEMEIER Major: chemistry, biology minor Internship: Aveda Corporation/SarTec Corporation What are you doing? My internship is a joint project between Aveda and SarTec Corporation. We are using the Mcgyan reactor technology to synthesize new surfactant precursors from renewable resources. Surfactants are an important class of molecules and integral to the performance of shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. This new surfactant will be produced almost exclusively from renewable resources and is expected to be fully biodegradable. What have you learned? When you work in lab class, your professor says, “This is what you need to do, this is how you do it, and this is what you are going to get.” In industry, you don’t know what you are going to get. You have to keep strict notes. In lab you assume you’ll remember minor details, but in the real world you can’t remember from the first time to the fifth time. In industry, it’s not always clear as day what is going to happen. The learning curve is much greater. I’ve also learned about myself. Before this, I told everyone I didn’t like research. Now I love it. I need change, so research and development and the variety of tasks I’ve been able to do are a lot of fun. Originally I was strongly interested in becoming a physician assistant, but I have started to explore the idea of getting my master’s or PhD in chemistry. What is the value of your internship? I can’t explain how awesome an internship is. The companies are willing to work with a student who is learning. I wish everyone could have this opportunity. You learn so much about working with people in a real chemistry lab. If I went to a big school I don’t think I would have had the same opportunities as I have had here. Augsburg has great affiliations with companies. Here, the chemistry department [faculty] got to know me and know what I am interested in. Summer 2011 23 What are you doing? I have been researching the area around the proposed stops along University Avenue on the Central Corridor Light Rail line. I have looked at the cost of developing high-density housing units in the area. I have also looked at government policies that were changed, such as some zoning policies and parking regulations. I have had to look at the background information of the proposed stops and give their story. ’11 TOM THAO Major: sociology Internship: Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) What have you learned? I am getting more into urban planning and learning about the policies involved in implementing a big project into a city. What is the value of your internship? I would like to have a career in urban planning, so it’s been beneficial to go into the field and get to know people. I hope I can build up my résumé these next few years and then get a master’s in urban regional planning. But right now it’s about building the connections. ’11 GEOFFREY GILL Major: youth and family ministry, psychology minor Internship: Seeds of Change at St. Paul Central High School What are you doing? Seeds of Change is an after-school program directed toward African American males. We try to give them the support they need in their education and in their personal lives. Our main goal is to get the families involved in the kids’ lives. A lot of their parents don’t go to conferences and don’t know about their kids’ grades. We are inviting the parents to a family night where they come and get involved in conversations. We are doing a small play to portray their experiences in school and life. It’s a chance for them to literally tell their parents what is going on in their lives. At the end we give the parents an opportunity to talk about what they saw. My goal is to be a support for the students. I first of all want to be a listening ear and hear where they are in life and be with them. They talk about how they moved around all their life and they never had a stable home. A lot of them don’t have fathers in their lives. They talk about how their relationship with their parents isn’t good and how they have seen their parents at their lowest points. They didn’t know how to handle it so they found a way to cope. You see kids who get into drugs because it’s the only way that makes them feel normal. Some of them don’t go home sometimes; they just ride the bus all night. What have you learned? It has helped me immensely. I’ve been put in a leadership position as the artistic coordinator. I’ve learned how to be a leader, how to make decisions, and how to lead a group. It’s different leading a group of people who are going out to do volunteer work or working with kids, but having your own employees and needing to delegate and make sure they stay on top of it is different. It’s been totally new for me. I’ve learned the importance of being consistent and organized and on time. If you’re slacking on something, it starts to show. What is the value of your internship? It has prepared me for the real world. When I walk into a new job situation, I am confident that I will be able to step in right away. I feel comfortable working with young people because through the youth and family ministry major we were taught to focus on what youth really want—not just from a religious perspective but on a human level. When I come into a situation I am able to understand what a person really wants. Summer 2011 25 2011 commencment Commencement by the numbers 3,655 150 faculty lined 7 ½ Street and applauded graduates as they processed tickets redeemed 2 drummers 314 steps Bob Stacke, professor of music, was unable to lead the procession in May due to an injury, so he enlisted the help of Andrew Myers ’10. 718 participating graduates (May and June) 18 FLAGS 8 Augsburg Now 210 5,200 minutes of music, speeches, recognition, and applause from Christensen Center to Si Melby front steps 3 number of volunteers Kwok Siu Tong, founder of United International College in Zhuhai, China The Reverend Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway and founder and president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights The Reverend Ishmael Noko, general secretary (retired) of the Lutheran World Federation 70 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates representing countries of international students graduating 26 sandwiches served at postcommencement receptions honorary degrees conferred 6 bows 1 bow on Colin Stanhill’s beard, photo featured in the May 8 Pioneer Press. on President Pribbenow’s neck (at each ceremony) dnp The first graduates of Augsburg’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program are prepared to bring new perspectives to the nursing practice. Back Row [L to R]: Kristin McHale '08 MAN; Susan Loushin '03 BSN, '06 MAN; Mary Ann Kinney '04 MAN; Kaija Freborg Sivongsay '08 MAN Front Row [L to R]: Joyce Miller '02 BSN, '05 MAN; Katherine Baumgartner '05 MAN; Jean Gunderson '03 MAN; Deb Schuhmacher '04 MAN At this year’s June commencement, Augsburg College graduated its first cohort of students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The DNP program, which began in 2009, is the College’s first doctoral program. The DNP curriculum focuses on transcultural nursing in community life, and the program has given students new perspectives on treating people and illness. Katherine Baumgartner ’05 MAN has been a member of the nursing faculty since 2005. For her, the DNP program was a logical fit to expand her journey and practice and to strengthen and deepen her knowledge in transcultural nursing. An ongoing focus of her study and practice has been providing training and skill building for health promoters in indigenous communities in rural Guatemala. Baumgartner said the DNP program reminded her that her own experiences matter and encouraged her to go forward with her work in Guatemala. “I learned that the practical wisdom borne from my own experiences is not to be minimized,” she said. “That’s not a classic outcome but is so important to my work.” Joyce Miller ’02 BSN, ’05 MAN also has taught for the past five years in the Augsburg nursing program. Her career focus has always been on leadership, she said, and she felt the DNP program would add a different dimension of care to her practice. “This program has changed the way I look at the world and pa- 2011 tients and the way I envision health care,” Miller said. “I ask who isn’t being cared for and how we can make sure everyone is being cared for in the same way.” Miller said she has learned to value “metis,” a term that refers to collective wisdom, and to respect its role in the nursing practice. “There is tremendous wisdom that we can learn from indigenous healers,” she said. The nurses learned from the practices of healers in Mexico, Africa, and Native American traditions. “This program has given me the ability to stand back and respect everyone for who they are and what they bring,” Miller said. Jean Gunderson ’03 MAN was one of the first students to graduate from Augsburg’s nursing master’s degree program and is also one of the first doctoral graduates. A public health nurse for the majority of her career, Gunderson says she has dedicated her whole life to creating systems of care that resonate with cultural diversity. “This program has been lifelong learning for me,” Gunderson said. She added that the program has transformed her models of care and helped her recognize diverse ways of knowing. She also said she has been moved to honor and recognize indigenous wisdom and to work in partnership with healers. Both Miller and Gunderson said that being “pioneers” of the DNP program has been rewarding. “We jumped right in with huge faith and helped to co-create the program,” Gunderson said. “We felt like we were partners.” commencment Summer 2011 27 alumni news FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear fellow alumni, I t is with great honor and a humble acceptance that I will serve as your Augsburg Alumni Board president for the 2011-2012 academic year. Having been a part of the Alumni Board for three years, I am very fortunate to have been selected to lead our alma mater in connecting and engaging alumni. It is my goal to help create fun and efficient programs that will not only get you connected but will keep you engaged! I grew up playing golf, and I absolutely love the game! My favorite times are when I am heading off that first tee with either family or a group of buddies and we are reminiscing or razzing one another about past memories that bring a few laughs. It’s that type of bond that keeps us connected and eager to reunite. When I think of family, Augsburg is a place I keep close to my heart—the friends that I made and the new friends that continue to emerge. Over the past few years, the Young Alumni Council has helped reunite old and new friends with the Young Alumni Summer Series of events, attended by 1,500 alums. We have had a blast putting this program together and have enjoyed watching its success. Following Auggie Eagle on Facebook and Augsburg College on Twitter have been fantastic ways to stay in touch and relay information when groups are getting together. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 2011 graduating class! I look forward to seeing you at the 2011 Young Alumni Summer Series. We have another engaging and entertaining set of events in store for you, including Canterbury Park on August 5 and a Minnetonka boat cruise on September 15! Register at www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents or 612-330-1085. Auggies are literally all over the world! With more than 25,000 alumni, Auggies can be found from New Zealand to Denmark, the United States to Japan, and Minneapolis to San Diego. We are everywhere doing good things for our communities! The Alumni Board is rolling out a networking program, Augsburg Builds Connections, which will enable alumni professionals to provide information, encouragement, and support to current students and recent graduates. This flexible volunteer program will allow alumni mentors to connect with students via e-mail, phone, or face-to-face meetings and assist them in navigating their career path and achieving their professional goals. Read more about this program on the next page. Now, assisting Auggies is as simple as ABC! With all of this, I can’t help but be excited for the future. I wish you well and look forward to getting connected this year. Sincerely, ROBERT WAGNER II ’02 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT P.S. The Alumni Board would like to welcome our new members: Kathy Amos ’87, Heather Cmiel ’02, Kate Loyd ’05, and Jerry Poland ’92 Alumni Board of Directors 2011-12 Standing (L to R): John Stadler ’07 MAL (past president); Jennifer M. Carlson ’91; Sarah Grans ’01; Chad Darr ’04; Sharon Mercill ’09; Tracy Anderson ’95 (secretary); Julia Mensing ’00, ’07 MBA; Michael Loney ’03 (treasurer); Kate Loyd ’05; Chris Ascher ’81 (president elect); Kathy Amos ’87; Jerry Poland ’92; Dale Hanka ’60; Robert J. Wagner II ’02 (president); Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93; Daniel Hickle ’95 Seated (L to R): Holly Ebnet Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA; Sharon Engelland ’87; Chris Hallin ’88 Not Pictured: Heather Cmiel ’02; Lee Anne Lack ’67; Nancy Nordlund ’91, ’07 MAL; Carolyn Spargo ’80; Maggie Tatton ’01 28 Augsburg Now abc Augsburg Builds Connections CONNECTIONS HELP GRADUATES DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT After college, many graduates ask, “What am I going to do now?” Since he graduated from Augsburg, Cory Allen ’07 has helped several Auggies answer this question and find ways to share their gifts and talents with the world. “Augsburg is great about helping you understand your vocation, but it’s difficult to go the rest of the way,” he said. “You have to push yourself to discover what is next.” Allen works with students and graduates to help them understand their strengths and their weaknesses, what they do well and where they can improve. He said that knowledge might help in a person’s career but will also be beneficial in other areas of their lives. One recent graduate who has benefitted from Allen’s mentorship is Joe Lichtscheidl ’11. Allen helped Lichtscheidl improve his résumé and also gave him an “in” with a local company. Lichtscheidl said having a mentoring relationship with an alumnus who has gone through the job search is extremely helpful. “I feel that it keeps me from stressing out about getting a job in this tough economy because I have someone who has gone through it to help.” Sama Sandy ’08 reconnected with Allen at a Young Alumni Summer Series event, and the two continued communicating after that e w a Alumni mentoring volunteer opportunities will begin this fall night. Sandy said mentorship is a mutually beneficial relationship because both parties learn from each other. He added, “Mentorships are a fantastic way of networking in every sense because you are able to learn more about a person, potentially provide advice or assistance during times of struggle, and also get to be a part during the times of triumph.” For Allen, mentoring and working with others is simply “organic.” He said, “I think it’s my responsibility to pass on my knowledge and experiences, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see students go from the start of their senior year to a successful career.” SUPPORTING FELLOW AUGGIES IS AS EASY AS ABC The Augsburg Builds Connections (ABC) program is one of the many volunteer opportunities available to Augsburg parents and alumni. Volunteers in the program meet or correspond with students or graduates who are in the process of applying for a job or are interested in a career in their industry. Augsburg alumni and parents who participate in the ABC program have the opportunity to help Augsburg students navigate their career path. To learn more about Augsburg Builds Connections, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni/abc.html. Auggie alumnae seek to engage women through AWE In late 2009, a group of Auggie women gathered to respond to a challenge: how to effectively engage more women in the life of Augsburg College. They created AWE: Augsburg Women Engaged. In Spring 2010, Augsburg graduates convened to share their insights about meeting this challenge. These alumnae shared two key pieces of advice. First, alumnae desire to re-establish or strengthen meaningful connections with classmates, faculty, current students, and the College community. Second, women desire to make an impact in whatever they do. We invite all alumnae to be part of making strategic connections for the coming years for Auggie women. Participate in whatever way best suits your interests, circumstances, and availability. Contact any of the Advisory Council members or Donna McLean, director of development initiatives, mclean@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1556, to find out how you can be involved. AWE women gathered at Augsburg House on Wednesday, June 1. Pictured [L to R]: Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL; Donna McLean; Shelby Andress ’56; Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL; Cassidy Titcomb; Sherilyn Young; Kari Eklund Logan ’82 The AWE Advisory Council members are Shelby Gimse Andress ’56; Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL; Lisa Svac Hawks ’85; Kari Eklund Logan ’82; Jennifer Hipple ’09; Lori Moline ’82; Roz Nordaune ’77; Heidi Wisner Staloch ’93; and Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL. We thank them for accepting the challenge to engage more women in the life of Augsburg College. Summer 2011 29 alumni news YOUNG ALUMNI summer series To register for the Young Alumni events or to see the full calendar of events at Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni Friday, August 5, 5-7 p.m. AUGGIE NIGHT AT THE RACES Canterbury Park 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee Free admission, picnic buffet, and reserved seating Thursday, September 15, 6-8 p.m. BOAT CRUISE ON LAKE MINNETONKA Join other Young Alumni donors for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka with complimentary appetizers and beverages. Not a donor? Don’t miss the boat! Become a donor today at augsburg.edu/giving. Thursday, October 20, 7-8:30 a.m. EYE-OPENER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BREAKFAST sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ Town & Country Club 300 Mississippi River Blvd. N., Saint Paul $5 includes full breakfast buffet and networking Friday, October 21, 6-8 p.m. HOMECOMING 2011: AUGGIE HOURS Republic (formerly Preston’s) 221 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis Two complimentary beverages and appetizers provided 30 Augsburg Now 10% Auggie discount In an effort to attract Augsburg’s finest back to campus to continue their education, the Augsburg Master of Business Administration (MBA) is offering a 10% discount on MBA tuition to graduates of any of Augsburg’s undergraduate programs including Weekend College. The discount applies to students who begin the MBA program in September 2011 and will be applied to each course in the MBA program. Admission requirements and deadlines for the Augsburg MBA can be found at www.augsburg.edu/mba or by calling 612-330-1101. The Augsburg MBA is an accredited MBA that has recently become a formal candidate for global business accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP). Consider coming back to Augsburg for a two-year MBA program grounded in the liberal arts with a focus on local, national, and global business issues. Augsburg LIVE! webinar SEPTEMBER 21 Augsburg’s President Paul C. Pribbenow has traveled this year to ten cities and six states to engage the Augsburg community in discussions about the College’s mission, vision, and vocation, and to foster opportunities to advance the College’s key strategic initiatives. Alumni who have had the opportunity to hear from the president have left with a greater sense of pride in their alma mater and excitement for the future of the institution. The Augsburg LIVE! webinar is your chance to hear firsthand from President Pribbenow. Log in at www.augsburg.edu on Wednesday, September 21, at noon CT for a 30-minute conversation with President Pribbenow. See images of the campus master plan and hear stories of student success and excellence. Augsburg alumni experience the EMERALD ISLE Courtesy photo auggie involved in monitoring Japanese nuclear facility After the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Augsburg alumna Cynthia Jones ’81 was called upon to monitor nuclear safety of the affected Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site. Jones, a physics graduate and Augsburg College regent, is a senior staff member in the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and worked as part of NRC’s 24-hour Operations Center team in the aftermath of the earthquake. During mid-May, the NRC transitioned this 24hour monitoring to a Japanese regulatory office. Since that time, Japanese officials have been managing the recovery process for the site. Because of Jones’ early involvement in the response, she now is presenting at scientific conferences. During late June, she chaired a special session at the national Health Physics Society meeting in Florida on the response to the events. For continuing information on NRC activities in response to this event, go to www.nrc.gov/japan/japan-info.html. Early in May, Auggie alumni and friends journeyed through Ireland on an alumni tour led by Phillip Adamo, director of the medieval studies program and history department chair. Highlights from the group’s travels include a Dublin cruise on the river Liffey and sites such as the Rock of Cashel and Holy Cross Abbey. Travelers experienced the majestic landscapes at the Cliffs of Moher and explored the ancient fort of Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands. Traditional Irish music was enjoyed in the village of Dingle and the bustling city of Galway. The travelers are pictured in front of Kylemore Abbey, a working Benedictine abbey in the countryside of the Connemara. Front Row [L to R]: Phil Adamo, Fritz and Linda Morlock, Marya (Christensen) Farrell ’63, Jessica Motschenbacher ’08, Jean Moucha, Sara Naegeli, Sandi Prince ’05, Ted Naegeli, Clodaugh Horner (Irish guide) Back Row [L to R]: Trace Regan, Mary Ellen Kelly, John Greenfield ’66, Mary Jo Greenfield, Bob Farrell, Jennifer Carlson ’91, Sue Tesmer ’74, Nancy and Richard Borstad, Amanda Storm Courtesy photo Journey to the Holy Land With Religion Professor Philip A. Quanbeck II JANUARY 3-14, 2012 Travel with a community of Augsburg alumni and friends under the leadership of religion professor Philip Quanbeck II and Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74. Discover the geography, places, and people of the Holy Land. Visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Caesarea, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and much more. Woven into the itinerary are several opportunities to dialogue with local community leaders who give voice to the complex history and geopolitical issues of the region. Return home with a broader and deeper understanding of a land considered holy by the world’s three monotheistic religions. To register or request more information call 612-330-1525 or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu Summer 2011 31 alumni class notes 57the 50th anniversary of his or- Rev. Alfred Kaupins celebrated dination on June 11. 72Come Join Their Song (pub- Mark Shepperd's choral piece, lished by Beckenhorst Press) won the 2010 VocalEssence & American Composers Forum Christmas Carol contest. The world premiere performance was given by VocalEssence at their Welcome Christmas concerts in December 2010 and will be rebroadcast in December 2011 on American Public Media. Mark has served as minister of music at Woodbury Lutheran Church in Woodbury, Minn., since 1990. 98master’s degrees at Hamline Beverly Bushyhead earned auggieSNAPSHOTS University in nonprofit management 32 and public administration. Bev hopes to do some research and policy work after her graduation. Ann Jenkins has accepted a position as an intake investigator with Allen County Children's Services in Lima, Ohio. Matt Butler licensed his invention, the ROLLORS® lawn game, to Maranda Enterprises. Matt conceived of the game while he was serving in the Air Force in Afghanistan. The game has sold more than 25,000 copies. Julie Johnson, with Doug Otto ’05 and Drew Druckrey, released The Banks of the Little Auplaine, an experimental roots album that mines historic Upper-Midwestern folk music. Julie Johnson & The No-Accounts trio performed the song collection at a CD release show at the Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis in April. 99graduated in May 2010 with Kyran (Christianson) Cadmus her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. She finished her Master of Public Health degree in April 2011 through the University of Minnesota. Kyran lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, Pete. 00 Mauris DeSilva received recognition for a study on controlled delivery of antibiotics to wounds. His team of researchers received first place for their work at a poster competition. Meg (Schmidt) Sawyer married Jim Sawyer on October 9, 2010 in Shoreview, Minn. Meg works for Youth Encounter, a Christian nonprofit youth ministry organization, as the business communications executive. 04ated with an MFA in musical Deanne M. McDonald gradu- theatre from Minnesota State University Mankato. 07years as a bicycle courier in After serving for almost three New York City, Jenessa Stark moved to El Paso, Tex., to study midwifery at Maternidad La Luz midwife school. She was also featured in “Triple Rush,” a Travel Channel series about New York City bicycle messengers that aired this spring. 99Damion Spilman welcomed Sarah (Ginkel) Spilman and Elizabeth (Libby) Frances Spilman on December 6, 2010. She joins big brother Zane, 5. 00Nicki, welcomed son Foster Mac Gordon and his wife, 06Aaron Riedel ’07 wel- Sara Schlipp-Riedel and on March 9. 01welcomed their first child, Liam Carrie (Lind) Cabe and Chris Cabe comed son Aidan Theodore on February 22. Christopher, on March 20. 71-73together at Augsburg and have met Members of the Chi House lived annually since graduation. The group received mittens hand knit by Lennice Keefe. Making them was on her “bucket list.” Pictured [L to R] are Julie (Hagberg) Swaggert ’73, Marilyn (Moxness) Hall ’71, Carol (Pederson) Jorgenson ’72, Mary Lynn (Monson) Oglesbee ’72, Lennice “Sparkie” (Nordaune) Keefe ’72, Jill Steele ’72, and Mary (Boraas) Janotta ’73. Not pictured: Suzanne (Olson) Swanson ’73. Augsburg Now 09ried Tom Henry Fields III Emily (Tischer) Fields mar- 02Whaylen were married September 11, 2010 in Brooke (Stoeckel) Whaylen and Courtney Edina, Minn. Shelly Laugerman ’04 and Erica Champer ’04 were also in the wedding party. Brooke works as a hospitality sales director at an area convention and visitors bureau, and Courtney works in IT security software. on August 28, 2010 in Rochester, Minn. Other Auggies in the wedding party included Killa Martinez-Aleman ’08, Caris Warnock ’09, and Kasi (Clauson) Lange ’08. 08 Emma Stensvaag returned to the states in December 2010 after completing 27 months of service for the U.S. Peace Corps in Mozambique. 10program in clinical psychology at the California School of Leann Vice-Reshel has been accepted into the doctoral Professional Psychology in San Diego, Calif. She will begin the program in September 2011. Graduate Programs Timothy (Tim) Van Rooy ’89 MAL and Rob Wagner ’02 (new alumni board president) were chosen to help build a community with families in need through Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador. They helped build homes with families in need thanks to a multiyear, multimillion dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ and Habitat for Humanity International. Patrick Troska ’94 MAL was appointed executive director of the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation. In addition to providing leadership for the organization’s overall strategy, Patrick will be the lead contact for the foundation’s grantmaking strategies related to housing and transit. Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA has been named one of the 2011 Minnesotans on the Move by Finance & Commerce. The award honors professionals who are poised to make business history of their own during the coming years. Chris Wolf ’09 MAN recently published “A Head Injury Teaching Module for Pre-Hospital Assessment" in the February 2011 issue of Military Medicine Journal. Susan Nash, Augsburg College associate professor of nursing, was co-author. ENGAGING Homecoming October 16-22 2011 Join Augsburg alumni, parents, students, and friends in a fun-filled week of events and activities. New events have been added to this year’s schedule, including the Student and Alumni Networking Event following the Sabo Symposium on Wednesday, October 19, and the Alumni Art Exhibition on Friday, October 21. Homecoming Convocation will kick off the weekend’s events on Friday, October 21. At convocation, we will recognize the First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners, as well as members of the class of 1961. Don’t miss opportunities for fellowship and reminiscing at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon that afternoon or later that evening at Republic (formerly Preston’s). Experience the Best of Augsburg on Saturday, October 22, by attending a brief lecture from three of Augsburg’s outstanding faculty members: Garry Hesser (sociology, metro/urban studies), robert tom (studio art), and David Murr ’92 (physics). This year’s Taste of Augsburg pregame picnic on Saturday will include carnival-style booths operated by student, parent, and alumni groups. Following the picnic, cheer on the Auggies at the football game as they take on St Olaf. The Auggie Block Party is back by popular demand! Following the game, gather in the parking lot to the north of Si Melby Hall to enjoy food, entertainment, and camaraderie. The activities don’t end there— after the block party, attend the Hognander Music Scholars Reunion Concert at 6 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel. Homecoming weekend truly has something for everyone. For more information and to see a complete schedule, go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming. We look forward to seeing you there! go auggies! WITH THE SCIENCES • Beer Brewing 101 with physics professor Ben Stottrup. Saturday, September 17, 2-4 p.m. Great Waters Brewing Co., 427 Saint Peter Street, Saint Paul • Stargazing and Minnesota Starwatch Class with WCCO Radio meteorologist Mike Lynch and astronomy professor Mark Bransford. Saturday, October 1, 7-9:30 p.m. Quarry Hill Nature Center, Savanna Room, 701 Silver Creek Road, Rochester For more information and to RSVP, go to www.augsburg.edu/engage or call 612-330-1085. Summer 2011 33 ’72 ASK AN AUGGIE EXPERT Greg Fitzloff Certified barbecue cook-off judge How did you become certified as a barbecue judge? Since I retired five years ago, I’ve been doing a lot of volunteer work. I met a gentleman who was a caterer but also cooked for a living. He would call me and I would go over when he was testing recipes, and he said I should become a judge. There are a couple of professional societies for barbecue cooks, and they have a certification class and process for judges. I found out more about it and said, “Why not?” If you will, it kind of ended up on my own personal bucket list. Why is a judge so important? As the contests become more popular, the key is to draw in top teams, and they want to be sure the judging is done correctly. In the last several years there have been more people involved, and the prize money has grown significantly in the professional circuit. A winner in a recent contest won $10,000. That’s why the judging is so important. After retiring five years ago from a career in teaching and economic development, Greg Fitzloff started checking items off his bucket list. Now he travels around the country tasting chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork as a certified barbecue cook-off judge. We caught up with him at his cabin “up North” to find out more about this delicious-sounding job! What’s the key to a perfect barbecue? Two key words: low and slow. Cook it on low heat, 200 to 225 degrees, and slow. It takes time—anywhere from a couple of hours to 12 to 16 hours depending on the size and cut of meat. What are your favorite summer barbecue side dishes? I think the classics tend to go best. In the South and Southeast you see barbecue beans with a great variety of tastes. Further north and in the Midwest you see potato salad and cole slaw, of course. The other thing we’ve discovered over the years is that after you’ve been tasting barbecue all day, the thing that goes extraordinarily well is ice cream. I don’t know why. That nearest Dairy Queen generally gets a big hit after a contest. What criteria do you use in judging barbecue? It is fairly structured, but you are looking for three things. First is appearance—how the meat actually looks. Does it look like something you want to eat right away? Presentation is so important. The second is tenderness—is it cooked correctly? Each category has a slightly different process, but the questions are: Is it done? Is it cooked all the way through? Does the meat pull off the bone? And the final thing is the taste. Can you taste the meat? Does it taste good? We’re trying to judge to a certain sta
Show less

Title: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2017: Augsburg Now Spring-Summer 2017
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY SPRING–SUMMER 2017 | VOL. 79, NO. 2 COMING SEPTEMBER 2017 PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the power of both/and I am writing these notes on c...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY SPRING–SUMMER 2017 | VOL. 79, NO. 2 COMING SEPTEMBER 2017 PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the power of both/and I am writing these notes on commencement weekend when we have just sent the final graduates of Augsburg College into the world, full of promise and aspiration—as has been the case for almost 150 years. As you will read in this issue of Augsburg Now, the change of our name to Augsburg University will become official in September, and we will welcome the incoming class on Labor Day weekend. We are busy preparing for this exciting new era for Augsburg! For some, the name change may reflect a break with Augsburg’s past. For others, perhaps this is a welcome acceptance of the need to embrace the future. For the Augsburg community, however, the change is a remarkable opportunity to re-present Augsburg to the world—to tell a story that is about an abiding mission and identity shaped by faith, and academic and civic values, and at the same time to point to innovative and urgently needed responses to our dynamic environment. In other words, this change is about the pivot from “either/or” to “both/and.” This is about embracing the best of past, present, and future. This is about Augsburg University. The almost 1,000 Auggies who commenced into the world this spring reflect in their achievements and aspirations the foundation for embracing this change. Across undergraduate and graduate programs, the Class of 2017 achieved academic excellence of the highest order, excellence that defines a university: national and international honors for scholarship and service; exemplary undergraduate research that equips students for graduate work and professional opportunities; innovative community building that strengthens democratic engagement; and a commitment to equity in education that promises to change the world. At the same time, our newest graduates reflect the diversity that we expect in a university—diversity of ethnicity, thinking, life experience, identity, and ability—diversity not for its own sake but for the promise of a more robust, healthy, and just world. As I watched our diverse graduates cross the stage, I could not help but be filled with hope in our future leaders who already have learned to navigate difference in ways that unite rather than divide. In a final way, these newest Augsburg graduates offer a perhaps countercultural lesson about what makes for a great university. Though some imagine a university as big and bureaucratic and faceless, Augsburg has a vision to be a new kind of student-centered, urban university—small to our students and big for the world. The sense of community was palpable in our commencement ceremonies as graduates cheered each other and celebrated the relationships they have forged at Augsburg, lifelong relationships that engendered achievement and success. And propelled by those relationships, our graduates will indeed be “big for the world,” as they live Augsburg’s mission as “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” Here’s to the power of “both/and” and the promise of Augsburg University! Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Jessica Mueller muellerj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Kate H. Elliott Jen Lowman Day augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Faithfully yours, Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT AUGSBURG NOW Spring–Summer 2017 02 Around the quad 08 Preserving Norway’s treasures 12 Augsburg University name change 18 Winning the long game 24 Auggies connect 28 Class notes 33 In memoriam PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY On the cover Augsburg College will become Augsburg University effective September 1. Learn more about this historic transition on page 12. An Auggie passes by the first art installation in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. This new academic building, which will open in January 2018, celebrates Augsburg’s commitment to learning at the intersection of disciplines. Glass fritting on the lobby curtainwall depicts the pattern of Martin Luther’s handwritten score of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” overlaid with the cell structure of elm wood. “Knowing that light will pour through the tall glass of the Hagfors Center, and that people will pass through the reflected shape of the notes of this stirring hymn, ties the whole idea of the building together for me. Science, business, and religion, drawn together in space, time, and rhythm of the ages,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, who, with his wife, Abigail Crampton Pribbenow, sponsored the artwork. AROUND THE QUAD HONORING PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY Retiring Faculty RALPH BUTKOWSKI MAGDA PALECZNY-ZAPP Assistant Professor, Department of Biology—with the College since 2001 Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration—with the College since 1986 CASS DALGLISH NOEL PETIT Professor, Department of English— with the College since 1986 Professor, Department of Computer Science—with the College since 1984 PETER HENDRICKSON ’76 Associate Professor, Department of Music—with the College since 1994 BOYD KOEHLER Associate Professor, Library—with the College since 1967 SANDRA OLMSTED ’69 Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry—with the College since 1978 DEBORAH REDMOND Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies—with the College since 1981 STUART STOLLER Professor, Department of Business Administration—with the College since 1986 TARA SWEENEY Associate Professor, Department of Art—with the College since 1990 Auggies advocate at STATE CAPITOL The Augsburg community celebrated the Class of 2017 on Saturday, April 29. In a morning ceremony, 503 traditional undergraduate students were conferred their degrees. In the afternoon, the school recognized 469 adult undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students—50 of whom studied at Augsburg’s Rochester site. [Pictured]: Fatimah Kinaphone ’15, ’17 MBA receives her master’s degree hood. 2 AUGSBURG NOW PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE COMMENCEMENT Augsburg College students recently visited the Minnesota State Capitol to participate in advocacy events hosted by the Minnesota Private College Council. First, in February, two of Augsburg’s TRIO McNair Scholars took part in a Private College Scholars at the Capitol event that promoted the role undergraduate research plays in students’ educational and professional development. Then, in April, Auggies met with Minnesota representatives and senators for Day at the Capitol. These students advocated for several programs, including Minnesota State Grants, that help undergraduates afford higher education. [L to R]: Professor of Sociology Diane Pike advised McNair Scholar Devin Wiggs ’17, who was invited to present his undergraduate research project at Scholars at the Capitol. AROUND THE QUAD TICKETS ON SALE: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Visit nobelpeaceprizeforum.org to find ticket, presenter, and schedule information. PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 COURTESY PHOTO September 15-16 Each year, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum offers opportunities to learn from the world’s most celebrated, innovative, and dedicated peacemakers. Hosted and presented by Augsburg, the Forum invites attendees to turn abstract ideas into the skills our world needs for fostering better relationships and for building peace. In September, international guests from leading organizations will explore the theme “Dialogue in Divided Societies” and honor the work of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for its decisive contribution to building a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution of 2011. Electronics lab is electrifying!! Building the circuits of tomorrow, today. #MaroonMilestone @AugsburgCollege FUEL FINISH THERE IS, PERHAPS, NO GREATER CURE FOR STRESS than taking a moment to acknowledge the good. As Augsburg students soldiered through the last week of classes this spring—turning in final papers and finishing projects—they also made time to reflect on their achievements in 2016-17. Students posted, tweeted, and shared #MaroonMilestones on social media, and soon a powerful collective story came together. Whether it was winning athletic championships, landing job interviews, or beating cancer, Auggies finished strong. FOR THE CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS FUEL E FOR TH FINISH For those who posted #MaroonMilestones, Augsburg partnered with its food service provider, A’viands, to provide handdelivered treats and cheerful notes that offered additional fuel for the end of the term, though physics students kept their beverages safely stationed outside the lab (pictured above)! Read about the scope of prestigious academic achievements, awards, and honors earned by Auggies during the 2016-17 year at augsburg.edu/now. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 3 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 AROUND THE QUAD After a morning practice, goaltender Jordyn Kaufer ’17 and members of the Augsburg men’s hockey team presented Minasie Theophilos with a check for $5,000. In comments aired on KARE 11 news, Kaufer told Theophilos the sum was, “A token to give you thanks for your selflessness, your service, your care to the rink and the guys.” Honoring Luther’s legacy To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Augsburg is hosting a series of events this fall. Visit augsburg.edu/ccv/events for dates and details. 4 AUGSBURG NOW A SEASON OF REFORMATION CELEBRATIONS! In September, Augsburg will welcome the fourth presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, as an honored speaker for the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium. To mark Augsburg College Heritage Day in October, Associate Professor of Religion Mary Lowe will lead a discussion on the revolutionary life of Martin Luther. In November, award-winning musical group The Rose Ensemble will present “Welcome the People: The Musical Legacy of the Reformation.” To kick off the holiday season in December, Augsburg will host Advent Vespers with the theme “Welcome, Noble Guest,” inspired by Martin Luther’s hymn “From Heaven Above.” AROUND THE QUAD MINASIE THEOPHILOS has cared for Augsburg’s athletic facilities—most notably the ice arena— during his more than 25 years of service on the College’s custodial staff. Theophilos and the men’s hockey team developed a life-changing relationship that was shared by media outlets across the United States and around the globe. When members of the team learned that Theophilos’ mother had died in Ethiopia—a home Theophilos hasn’t seen for nearly 35 years—and that Theophilos missed her funeral because he didn’t have the money to visit, the team created a fundraiser. In less than 48 hours, the players and Auggies worldwide raised thousands of dollars for Theophilos to use to visit his family. Today, Theophilos and his wife are planning a trip to see his father and their families, thanks to a special friendship with the Augsburg athletes he has supported for decades. PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 FRIENDSHIP ON ICE … AND OFF right,’ ou raised ’em ‘y of y or g te ca “In the y team.” Augsburg hocke e th of s d ki e we give you th —Bob Collins, Minnesota Public Radio News Cut COURTESY PHOTO Who’s on first? Auggies are! This spring, the Augsburg baseball team kicked off its season at U.S. Bank Stadium, competing in four nonconference doubleheaders. The new Minnesota Vikings venue is only a stone’s throw (or a really strong pitch) from Augsburg’s campus. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 5 PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE ON THE SPOT IT’S SIMPLE MATH: Fewer people are entering the teaching profession, more are leaving it, and many educators lack the qualifications required to teach Minnesota’s increasingly diverse student body. These factors have prompted teacher preparation programs—including those at Augsburg—to adapt in support of more inclusive, flexible learning environments that accommodate a spectrum of needs and abilities. As the director of education programs at Augsburg’s Rochester location, Kaycee Rogers is working alongside colleagues and legislators to better support and retain teachers and to inspire a more diverse workforce. She is driven to ensure the next generation of Minnesotans experience a meaningful education through hands-on, relevant learning. Q: How does educating, training, and employing K-12 teachers with specialty backgrounds improve our schools? A: The demographics of our student population have changed given the influx of new populations into our welcoming state and education’s shift to incorporate students with special needs into the general classroom. Because of this, teachers with specialty licenses are in demand, and these positions are often tough to fill. Augsburg is leading the charge to offer broader licensures, which prepare teachers to succeed in today’s classrooms and qualify them for a wide range of teaching positions. Exposure to more teaching strategies and more specializations helps teacher 6 AUGSBURG NOW candidates adapt and innovate so they can offer students multiple access points for understanding. Q: A: What’s an example of an innovative teaching strategy? Students learn best when they’re engaged in experiences that matter to them. We’ve been incorporating real-world, student-led experiences into the classroom, and the results are impressive. Augsburg teacher candidates, for instance, are helping fourth- and fifth-graders write grants, speak to community groups, navigate teamwork, and participate in democracy. It’s been amazing to watch our teachers transition to more of a coaching role, while students PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH Education expert Kaycee Rogers describes how an inclusive, agile K-12 model can help Minnesota classrooms make the grade take the lead to apply classroom learning to issues and situations of meaning to them. Q: A: How do teachers recognize students’ home cultures and diverse experiences? Although “English as a Second Language” is a widely used term, we say, “English learners,” because it’s more accurate given that some students learn English as a third or fourth language. We also celebrate home culture and language rather than asking students to check their heritage at the door. In special education, we try to be more inclusive. It used to be that educators relied on what was called a medical model of diagnosis and treatment. Today, AROUND THE QUAD Outstanding EDUCATORS Share your ideas for Each year, Augsburg recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to creating an engaging academic learning environment. The 2017 recipients of the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards are: AUGSBURG’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 1869-2019 Visit augsburg.edu/150 to submit your suggestions. Alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff are invited to celebrate Augsburg’s 150th anniversary in 2019. What aspect of your Augsburg experience would you like to highlight during the sesquicentennial year? Were you connected to a team, an organization, or a department that made a difference? Would you like to see a reunion for your favorite activity—whether it was campus ministry, KAUG radio, student government, or a music ensemble? Let us know how to best honor Augsburg’s past, present, and future. Teaching Full-time faculty Joyce Miller ’02, ’05 MAN, ’11 DNP, assistant professor and Nursing Department chair Part-time faculty Alyssa Hanson ’01, mathematics and statistics instructor Scholarship William Green, professor of history Service Q: A: David Crowe, associate professor of biology How do we inspire a workforce that is more reflective of diverse classrooms? It’s well documented that students retain more information and have a positive view of education when they relate to teachers. We want to reach out to people who look like our students and come from the same backgrounds, particularly those already working as teacher aides or in other supporting roles. Growing teachers from within each community’s diverse population will beget more teachers of color and inspire some to remain in their community to make a lasting difference. Stella Hofrenning, associate professor of economics Dixie Shafer, director of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity PHOTO BY BOB STACKE ’71 we recognize that our role isn’t as much about changing someone as it is about using an approach that welcomes learners of different styles, that encourages support networks to address, adapt to, and respond to each young person. We seek to accept, listen, and innovate as we help students gain as much as possible to prepare them for a fulfilling life. Both approaches fall under an umbrella of universal design that can be applied to all students, regardless of ability. If our goal is understanding, then we must create multiple access points for students. We urge teacher candidates to get to know students, their families, and the community to appreciate the backgrounds coming together in each classroom. [L to R]: Stella Hofrenning, Dixie Shafer, William Green, Joyce Miller, David Crowe, and Alyssa Hanson. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 7 PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI 8 AUGSBURG NOW Juliane Derry ’00 works on an artifact from Norway’s national collection. As an objects conservator, she studies and preserves historical materials. BY LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA “As you can see, I’m not in my office,” says Juliane Derry ’00 answering a video call and gazing toward the cell phone resting in her outstretched palm. “It’s kind of a little crisis.” Behind her, a warehouse complex comes into focus. It looks tidy—for the most part—but there’s chaos emerging in what otherwise would be a meticulously organized space. Derry is standing in one of the storage facilities for Norway’s Nasjonalmuseet, the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, and she is responding to an immediate, all-hands-on-deck plea to mitigate an unnerving discovery in the archive: water. “Oxygen, light, and variations in humidity are the things that cause damage,” Derry said, hours later, offering a primer on the fundamental culprits in the degradation of historical materials. As a conservator for the national museum in Oslo, she plays a multifaceted role in the institution’s efforts to hold, preserve, exhibit, and promote public knowledge about Norway’s most extensive collections. Vestbanen – Downtown Oslo Future home of the Nasjonalmuseet Norway’s new national museum will open in 2020. Juliane Derry ’00 is working to prepare hundreds of objects for public display. Oslo, Norway SPRING–SUMMER 2017 9 PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI During her career, Derry has restored furniture, objects, frames, and gilded surfaces. 10 AUGSBURG NOW “There are so many different materials in our collection that we have textile, paintings, paper, and book conservators,” said Derry, who is an objects conservator specializing in furniture, frames, and gilded surfaces. She has studied restoration on three continents and has become an expert in both preserving national treasures and making new creations shine. Derry is someone who excels at finding connections between seemingly disparate areas. Her conservation work blends science with artistry, research with intuition, and the practical with the theoretical. Derry’s personal life has been filled with complementary relationships as well. She was born in Norway, and she lived there until age 15 when she, her sister, and her American mother moved from the tiny alpine town of Ål to the densely populated Twin Cities lying on the edge of Minnesota’s prairie. Later, as an Augsburg student, she focused on women’s studies, international relations, religion, and studio arts. “I took classes based on what interested me,” Derry said, shrugging her shoulders. “When you get out into the real world and meet new people you begin to realize that [some of them] followed a very narrow path. I’m not looking down on that in any way, but I appreciate the fact that I was able to experience so many different things.” As her former faculty advisor, History Professor and Director of General Education Jacqueline deVries acknowledges that Derry is the type of person who thrives in interdisciplinary programs like women’s studies. Now known as “gender, sexuality, and women’s studies,” the major includes courses in biology, English, history, political science, sociology, and other disciplines. And it seems Derry’s inclination toward diverse opportunities only increases with time. “Juliane’s path is fantastic. She totally wandered,” said deVries, who now counts Derry among her friends. “I think she’d laugh that I said that, but along the way she discovered a true passion.” Derry’s career in restoration and conservation began because misdirected mail literally came across her desk. Shortly after graduating from Augsburg, Derry worked as an assistant to buyers at Dayton’s, Minneapolis’ storied hometown department store chain. Even though she didn’t support staff in the furniture division, she received heaps of catalogs for that area. Eventually, a thoughtful colleague noticed her growing interest in woodworking and encouraged her to pursue her calling. After some networking and introspection, Derry signed up for a wood finishing program at a technical college—an experience that ultimately led to her launching a small business, obtaining an advanced degree, and developing industry contacts around the world. One of those connections is Don Williams, an author, educator, scholar, and furniture conservator who retired after serving the Smithsonian Institution for 29 years. Williams was a guest lecturer who instructed Derry during her Minnesotabased finishing program, and he became a mentor as she took her education and career to new levels. Williams has taught hundreds of students, and he’s noticed that those who succeed often have similar predispositions. “How many people do you know who are both scientists and artists?” he asked. “That’s what we are. If you are not consumed by creativity, this is going to be a miserable path for you. People need not only creativity but also curiosity.” For Derry, an eagerness to experiment and to learn has triggered some of her most defining life events. After working a handful of day jobs and operating an independent business in the U.S. for three years, Derry enrolled in an immersive, full-time restoration program near Florence, Italy. There she gained studio experience and new skillsets, including the ability to speak Italian through a crash course lasting a single month. After completing the restoration program, Derry moved with her wife, Jody Scholz ’97, to Norway. Derry was armed with a portfolio of recent work and ambition to relaunch her business in the Land of the Midnight Sun. “I ended up making a CD full of pictures of various restoration projects, and I made the rounds in town,” she said. “I looked up people in the yellow pages and then handed out my pictures. In the beginning I worked a little bit at a frame shop, and then I got a job in a gallery where I restored frames.” During the years since, Derry’s workload has grown to match her expertise, and sometimes her expertise has grown due to Derry prepares an Oslo city model from the 1930s for display in an architectural exhibit. PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI the requirements of her work. She earned a master’s degree at the University of Oslo’s Institute of Archeology, Conservation, and History by completing a project-based thesis that examined shellac, a sealant created using a resin secreted by insects. For this project, Derry conducted fieldwork in the rural Jharkhand region of India where villagers harvest stick lac—the key ingredient that becomes shellac and its by-products—and she analyzed the chemical characteristics of several samples at the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute where Williams served as her internship sponsor. “Investigative problem-solving” is one of the aspects Derry said she most enjoys about her field, and her liberal arts experience at Augsburg informs the way she approaches her assignments. She uses traditional techniques and materials in her conservation projects whenever possible, and her ability to think critically is paramount. While employed at a furniture restoration company, she was tasked with repairing beloved pieces used by the Oscarshall Summer Palace, the Office of the Prime Minister, and private clients. She also has served Fortidsminneforeningen, a nonprofit that preserves and protects monuments, including 40 of the stave churches located throughout Norway. “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust is not only a homily, it is an inexorable law of the universe,” said Williams, describing the vital role individuals like Derry play in preserving cultural heritage for future generations. “Everything is going back to dust. As conservators, it is our job—to the extent that is rational—to slow that process down and concurrently enjoy and extract the most utility from an artifact on its path.” Today Derry’s workdays primarily are devoted to making internationally important materials accessible to the general public. At the national museum, she has completed assignments that range from applying gold leaf on the frames of masterworks to cleaning a plaster-of-Paris city model measuring more than 100 square feet. And still, her current undertaking is the largest one yet. The Norwegian government is building a joint “all-arts” museum, which is slated to open in Oslo in 2020. Intended to be a dynamic arena for people to interact with the visual arts, the space requires new exhibits so curators and conservators are working hand-in-hand to select and prepare pieces for display. Derry is in the midst of locating, evaluating, cataloguing, and potentially repairing 400 pieces of furniture for the museum. It’s a process that requires passion and persistence—two words that also perfectly describe the manner in which Derry has shaped her career. She’s prepared to address new challenges if issues arise in a workshop, at a laboratory bench, or during the process of managing complex projects. Even in a soggy situation at a storage venue, Derry sees the annoyance of rewrapping objects impacted by a minor cooling system leak as an opportunity to formulate a plan for the future should staff ever need to address a true disaster. “She can pursue something with intelligence and diligence and still with a smile on her face,” Williams said. “That’s an unusual gift.” SPRING–SUMMER 2017 11 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY: SMALL TO OUR STUDENTS AND BIG FOR THE WORLD BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA O n September 1, “Augsburg College” officially will become “Augsburg University”—a change approved by both the Board of Regents and the Augsburg Corporation. For generations of Augsburg alumni and friends, it may seem like the place always has been called “Augsburg College.” That’s been the formal name of the school for the past 54 years. Over the course of the school’s history, nearly 24,000 people have completed degrees at Augsburg. With so many Auggie alumni accustomed to thinking of Augsburg as a college, why change the name? In short, the term “university” illustrates the breadth of Augsburg’s current reality and goals for the future. And, “while our name is changing,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, “the essence of who we are is not.” As the first seminary created by Norwegian Lutherans in America, the name Augsburg—chosen by the school’s founders in 1869 to honor the Augsburg Confession—always has defined the ethos of this institution and its mission to support those called to service in the world. Since its founding, Augsburg has been known by at least four different names. The name has shifted as the school has grown, but our commitment to an accessible, quality education has never wavered. Likewise, our dedication to the Lutheran principles of hospitality, service to the neighbor, and social justice is as steadfast today as ever. 12 AUGSBURG NOW In announcing the name change, Pribbenow affirmed that becoming Augsburg University “does not alter our dedication to integrating the liberal arts and professional studies or our commitment to being small to our students and big for the world.” Rather than moving Augsburg away from its roots, the name change helps Augsburg remain both faithful to its heritage and relevant to the educational needs of students in the 21st century. Ever evolving, always Augsburg: Growth in graduate programs From its early years, Augsburg stressed that a good education is practical and focused on educating ministerial candidates and theological students as well as farmers, workers, and businesspeople. So, it’s no surprise that Augsburg today offers a number of professional master’s and doctoral degrees — a mix of programs that makes Augsburg already more like a university than a college. While there is no fixed definition outlining the distinction between a “college” and a “university,” offering post-baccalaureate degrees commonly is associated with institutions named as universities. Augsburg’s first advanced degree program, the Master of Arts in Leadership, launched 30 years ago. Since then, 3,700 people have earned master’s or doctoral degrees from Augsburg. This past fall, Augsburg’s graduate enrollment reached a record high — representing 28 percent of total enrollment — and continued growth in Augsburg graduate programs is anticipated in the coming years. An international perspective Today, Auggies live and work all over the world. In many countries and cultures, the word “college” is associated with a high school-level education. Alumni who work in international settings have noted that they already refer to their alma mater as “Augsburg University” in order to avoid confusion. For the same reason, the name change also will help Augsburg be more attractive as a destination for international students, which represents a potential growth area for Augsburg. A view from the outside in With nearly 150 years of history, it’s no surprise that Augsburg is well known in the region—even among people who haven’t (or haven’t yet) studied here. What impact would a name change have on their perceptions of Augsburg? We asked the following groups to share their thoughts: • high school students, • parents of high school students, • high school counselors, • people considering getting an advanced degree, and • people who didn’t finish an undergraduate degree right after high school and are thinking about going back to school to earn a bachelor’s. These conversations generated several important insights, but the core takeaway is that Augsburg’s reality, reputation, and promise are aligned with the name change. Our reality and reputation. Conversations with members of the general community demonstrated that people associate the word “university” with a number of attributes that clearly apply to Augsburg. Specifically, people view universities as having high academic standards, a commitment to research, strong international programs, and diverse student populations. Augsburg has robust programs for scholarly research and global study, and is recognized nationally for its leadership in inclusion and equity. In many ways, Augsburg already embodies much of what people expect of a university. The promise of a student-centered university. We also learned from these conversations that Augsburg has a strong reputation for direct student-faculty engagement. We already know how important this is to our alumni, students, faculty, and staff, but it was gratifying to hear that members of the broader community also value Augsburg as a student-centered organization. This is something Augsburg needs to ensure does not change. Augsburg University will not become an institution marked by big campuses or large studentto-faculty ratios. Instead, as is articulated in our Augsburg2019 strategic vision, Augsburg will be a new kind of student-centered university, and just as we have done for decades, Augsburg will remain committed to educating students for lives of purpose in a vibrant, engaged learning community. Learn about the visual identity of Augsburg University on the following pages. Learn more about the Augsburg2019 strategic vision, the name change, and the logo update at augsburg.edu/now. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 13 AUGSBURG NAME CHANGE HISTORY 1869 1872 1892 1942 AUGSBURG SEMINARIUM THE NORWEGIAN DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN AUGSBURG SEMINARY AUGSBURG SEMINARY AUGSBURG COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY EMBRACING OUR LEGACY AND OUR FUTURE When Samuel Gross ’03 was a student at Augsburg, he designed the original Auggie eagle-head symbol as an assignment for one of his graphic design courses. The design was so good, Augsburg ended up buying the rights to the image and has used the eagle symbol for campus life, student organizations, and athletics for the past 15 years. During that time, Gross became an award-winning designer and creative director who founded his own graphic design firm, 144design, with a specialty in developing logos for clients. So, when Augsburg needed to update its logo as part of the transition to the Augsburg University name, it was a perfect opportunity to re-engage with Gross to envision and design the next-generation Augsburg logo. “Early on, our conversation about the logo confirmed that this project should be an evolution of the Augsburg brand, not a revolution,“ Gross said. “We wanted to preserve the strong recognition that has been built for Augsburg over time. “Our goal was to preserve and respect the historic nature of Augsburg’s logo — especially since it already has strong 14 AUGSBURG NOW [Top Left]: The Augsburg “A” shape is reimagined. [Top Right]: Samuel Gross ’03 works on Augsburg University’s visual identity in April 2017. [Left]: Gross shows off merchandise displaying the first eagle-head symbol shortly after he created it for Augsburg in 2003. energy and good familiarity — while at the same time creating a treatment that also embraces the future,” he said. The results, including the updated Augsburg logo, “A” icon, and eagle-head symbol are shown on the next page. Separately, the Augsburg seal — which is used on transcripts, diplomas, and other official documents — was updated by Augsburg staff Mark Chamberlain and Denielle Johnson ’11 and is shown on pages 16-17. 1963 2017 AUGSBURG COLLEGE AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Augsburg marks: honoring the legacy Augsburg logo Augsburg “A” icon Eagle-head symbol The Augsburg University logo is designed to feel familiar to people who are already acquainted with the College logo, connecting the new design with Augsburg’s legacy. In the new logo, the word “Augsburg” is more bold than the word “University.” This approach was informed by research suggesting that people’s strong associations are with the name, “Augsburg,” whether or not it is followed by “College” or “University.” The font selected for “Augsburg” conveys an established, academic feel, while the font for “University” provides a sleek, contemporary balance. The contrast of the two words creates a dynamic energy. By strengthening the design of the “A” icon — broadening its base and making the vertical strokes bolder — Augsburg will be able to use the “A” icon as a standalone graphic element much more frequently and effectively going forward. For example, current plans call for the “A” icon to be installed on the shorter ends of the sign on top of Mortensen Hall. This is one of the most visible signs in the region and will be updated this summer as part of the transition to “Augsburg University.” The eagle-head symbol is stronger and bolder with this evolution. Whereas the original design lost detail and contrast when translated to black-and-white treatments, the updated design is much more effective across a broader range of uses. Currently, designs using the updated eagle-head symbol are under development for an array of installations—from the Si Melby gym floor and the Edor Nelson athletic field scoreboard to the Christensen Center student lounge and merchandise sold in the Augsburg bookstore. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 15 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY SEAL: HISTORY AND MEANING Past seals T he seal conservation process began as Augsburg College explored the steps involved in changing its institutional name to Augsburg University. The seal enhances an original centennial symbol design and aligns with the institution’s current reality, reputation, and promise. THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE SEAL WAS BASED ON A CENTENNIAL SYMBOL CREATED BY PAUL KONSTERLIE ’50. THE LION REPRESENTS AUGSBURG’S NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE. AUGSBURG’S CENTENNIAL SYMBOL, CREATED BY KONSTERLIE. THE LAMP OF LEARNING DEPICTS SOUND SCHOLARSHIP. THE FONT WAS INSPIRED BY THE CENTENNIAL SYMBOL. THE SEAL FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FEATURED MARTIN LUTHER. 16 AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG WAS FOUNDED IN 1869 IN MARSHALL, WISCONSIN, AND MOVED TO MINNEAPOLIS IN 1872. THE CROSS DEPICTS THE SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND HIGHER EDUCATION. THE SILHOUETTE OF THE MINNEAPOLIS SKYLINE EMPHASIZES AUGSBURG’S METROPOLITAN RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES. THE DEEPLY THEOLOGICAL STATEMENT, “THROUGH TRUTH TO FREEDOM,” SUMMARIZES THE BELIEF THAT THE TRUTH SETS US FREE TO BE EDUCATED AND TO SERVE. THE EAGLE REPRESENTS U.S. DEMOCRACY. THE FOSHAY TOWER RETURNS TO THE CENTER OF THE SEAL AS A NOD TO AUGSBURG’S CENTENNIAL SYMBOL. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 17 PHOTO BY DON STONER PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY [L to R]: At an Auggie Compass event, panelists Mike Gallagher ’12, Katie Jacobson ’11, and Dan Brandt ’11 spoke to students about the journey from college to their careers. PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY [Left]: This fall, student-athletes engaged in team-building exercises led by U.S. Marines. 18 AUGSBURG NOW [Above]: Student-athletes kicked off evening workshops by dining together. WINNING THE LONG GAME BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Meaningful, relevant workshops equip students to excel in the classroom, competition, and their careers S tudent-athletes file past tables, stacking breadsticks on mounds of pasta, but this crew isn’t carb-loading for the next matchup. The nearly 550 students from Augsburg’s 19 sports teams are preparing to tackle Auggie Compass—a series of workshops and team-building exercises designed to inspire personal and professional success. After piloting the program in 2014-15, Augsburg Athletics recruited this year’s lineup of on- and off-campus partners to engage each class in issues relevant to each stage of their undergraduate lives. Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks said the biannual series starts a conversation with studentathletes, then builds upon those themes each year as Auggies develop the confidence, expertise, and support networks they need to navigate known and unknown challenges during college and after graduation. For instance, first-year students discussed study skills, time management, and wellness, while seniors learned about financial planning, living their values, and networking techniques. “When I moved into my first house, I didn’t know furnaces had filters, and that’s just one example of the many things I should’ve known—but didn’t—before graduation,” said Anderson Diercks, who spearheaded the program. “We developed Auggie Compass from the best aspects of similar programs and from conversations with our coaches, student-athletes, and alumni. Our students seem more aware of campus and community resources and better prepared to excel in the real world.” Panel of alumni shares lessons from ‘professional lumps’ Among the spring event’s most popular sessions was a student-athlete alumni panel, “Not Where They Thought They’d Be,” which—as the title suggests—invited alumni to share lessons from their not-so-straight-orsmooth paths to personal and professional fulfillment. Mike Gallagher ’12 was among the four panelists asked “not to sugar coat” their transitions to the workforce. “My first paid job out of college lasted 21 months before I was laid off with 25 SPRING–SUMMER 2017 19 PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY Auggie Compass workshops target needs and issues specific to the phases in student-athletes’ academic and personal journeys. Each session builds upon the previous event, equipping Auggies with a deeper understanding of their values, career preparation, and wellness practices. percent of the company’s workforce, and that’s just one example of the professional lumps we shared,” said Gallagher, an academic advisor at Walden University and the on-air host/ producer of Gopher Sports Update and MIAC Weekly. “Our stories reinforced that new graduates likely will have to do things they don’t enjoy as they work toward goals. But we encouraged them to channel the persistence and dedication they gained as athletes toward new challenges and to say ‘yes’ to any opportunity to better themselves or gain new skills.” Gallagher, also a freelance sports broadcaster and emcee, talked openly about his path, which is a fairly common one: going to college with hopes of playing professional baseball, then realizing he wasn’t any better than his teammates. Then, struggling to find balance within the fun, demanding routine of workouts, competitions, classes, and life until he walked across the commencement stage and into a 9-to-5 job without the sport, the people, and the routine he’d always known. “It is, indeed, a huge wakeup call,” he said. Women’s golfer Wendy Anderson ’17 was among the seniors who rotated through the panel discussion. The double major in music business and accounting said she valued sessions about financial planning and interviews, but the alumni 20 AUGSBURG NOW panel resonated with her the most. “I’m a type-A, perfectionist planner. Hearing their stories reassured me that I may not end up where I thought I might, but because of these types of sessions and my Augsburg experience, I’ll survive and hopefully have a fulfilling career,” she said. “I’m glad I attended sessions about fiscal responsibility, but workshops that encouraged us to consider our values and worth and to step outside our comfort zones were the most rewarding. Guidance from Auggie Compass sessions paired with the entirety of our experiences prepares us to achieve.” Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 is glad to hear student-athletes position Auggie Compass within the greater framework of their Augsburg education and athletic experience. The lessons and skills are interconnected, he said, strengthening one another. “Our athletes learn to win and lose with class, to embrace leadership, and to play their role—whatever that may be—to achieve a shared goal,” said Swenson, who has been a member of the Augsburg community for more than 30 years as a student, coach, and administrator. “These are all great lessons for life after sports, and Auggie Compass builds upon what teams and coaches are already instilling. At our core, we are about community and supporting these fine student-athletes on their journey. Auggie Compass prepares them to carry that legacy out to the world.” Building skills to navigate a complex environment Mike Matson ’07 knows all about Augsburg’s core principles. They guided him through his time as one of the College’s top linebackers, then through seminary, and now in his role as an assistant director of leadership gifts at the College. Matson said Augsburg’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community outfits students with empathy and poise to respectfully engage in meaningful conversations and authentic relationships. He talked with juniors about how to lead difficult conversations. “We live in a complicated world with complex people and issues, and those who are able to have difficult conversations in a respectful manner advance progress and understanding,” said Matson, who also serves in the Navy Reserves and as chaplain for the Minneapolis Police Department. “Instead of talking at the students, we challenged them to work through case studies. I can’t say I was all that surprised at how well they handled themselves, but I was impressed with how willing they were to share PHOTO BY DON STONER PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY This spring, members of the junior class headed to the gym for basketball and bean bag competitions with Special Olympics athletes, and in September, first-year students learned techniques to manage stress and practice mindfulness. vulnerabilities, speak about biases, and view situations through alternate perspectives. It was amazing to watch ‘community’ happen.” Unified tournament puts principles to practice Student-athletes didn’t only talk about ideals, they practiced them. Juniors headed to the Si Melby gymnasium to compete alongside 40 Special Olympics athletes in basketball and bean bag toss competitions. Jennifer Jacobs, who organized the volunteer effort, said the tournament underscored Augsburg’s commitment to service and inclusion. “We added [the unified competition] because civic engagement is one of the college’s co-curricular learning outcomes,” said Jacobs, then-assistant athletic director and assistant volleyball coach. “We decided to collaborate with Special Olympics because of an NCAA Division III partnership with the organization and because our ongoing involvement with the area chapter continually inspires our students.” Student-athlete Cody Pirkl ’18 had never interacted with Special Olympics athletes before the Auggie Compass event this spring. Initially, the baseball player had not been excited about the obligation on what otherwise would have been a free night. But as he said goodbye to Special Olympics teammates, the social work major said it felt like parting with dear friends. “We, as college athletes, become so focused on our own goals and everyday lives that we forget how rewarding it is to give back to others,” Pirkl said. “Our involvement with Special Olympics shines Augsburg’s positive light on our broader community, but it also gives us meaningful perspective. Watching the Special Olympics athletes’ pure love of the game reminded me how lucky I am and how much I love to play.” Pirkl said he and his teammates took a lot away from the mix of formats and engaging activities. That active structure was intentional, Anderson Diercks explained, as presenters played to student-athletes’ competitive nature. “For years, we had brought wonderful, inspiring speakers to campus once or twice a year to talk with students about hot topics or enduring life-aftercollege lessons,” Anderson Diercks said. “Although these experts offered great perspective and information, the format was a challenge, and we were never able to cover as many of the topics as we would have liked. The new Auggie Compass format allows us to engage each class in specific topics to prepare them for the next year and beyond. We can more easily adjust based on student feedback, and it’s a nice way to highlight our alumni and campus experts as well as celebrate community partnerships and resources.” Celebrating mindfulness and meditation One such resource is Jermaine Nelson, a meditation and mindfulness coach and yoga instructor. The former athlete urged students to seek mind-body connections as they strive to be more present. He also reminded them to give themselves grace during transitions and various phases of life. “It’s so easy for student-athletes to continue to eat and sleep how they did in college without the same level of activity, and then they look up one day and realize they are out of shape and out of sync,” Nelson said. “It’s important to anticipate, on the field and in life, so that you avoid injury and prepare for the next phase of your life.” Nelson wasn’t expecting to, but looking out at the dozens of student-athletes reminded him of his nephew, and Nelson got personal. His nephew was a promising college recruit, with plans to play in the NBA, but he broke down from all the pressure. “I wish he would have had a program like this when he was in school,” Nelson said. “Imagine all the heartache and recovery he would have avoided had he been offered the tools to cope and achieve without grinding himself into the ground. I worked with him, and he’s on a good path now, but it took a while. If Auggies can practice these techniques now, they’ll succeed.” SPRING–SUMMER 2017 21 Nelson’s talk reinforced some of the themes presented by Augsburg’s Center for Wellness and Counseling. For example, counselor Jon Vaughan-Fier and Beth Carlson, the center’s assistant director, co-facilitated “Becoming Resilient to Stress,” which challenged student-athletes to assess what drains them and to identify ways to recharge. In addition to discussing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and meaningful relationships—among other topics—students engaged in yoga, mindful breathing, and relaxation strategies. As a senior, Chuckie Smith ’17 took part in Auggie Compass workshops on financial planning, job search strategies, living authentically, and a variety of other topics. During the Compass program’s pilot year, the entire CWC staff also presented on a range of topics related to wellbeing, including body image, depression, healthy choices, and stress management, which Vaughan-Fier said is critically important for today’s overly busy student-athletes. “To emphasize the connection to sports and improved performance, we showed testimonials from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson about his ‘one play at a time’ mindset and New York Knicks President Phil Jackson’s philosophy of ‘one breath, one mind,’” Vaughan-Fier said. “We hope these tools help student-athletes as they strive to incorporate self-care practices into daily life.” According to a 2015 health survey, the top stressors among Augsburg students are: a death or serious illness of someone close, conflicts with roommates, parental conflict, and the end of a personal relationship. Director of the counseling center, Nancy Guilbeault, said the opportunity to interact with student-athletes about these and other topics is a proactive way to introduce the center’s role and resources. “Mental health and GPA are linked, and they affect your performance,” she said. “We want to make sure these studentathletes are working on their physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing. These sessions provide an overview and tips, but we also encourage them to follow up with one-on-one or group support.” 22 AUGSBURG NOW Financial stressors, professional communications among top concerns A key barrier to wellness, Guilbeault said, is stress related to finances—a worry that plagues many students, particularly studentathletes who might not have the time to hold a job or internship. To build upon the counseling center’s session, Auggie Compass introduced a practical question-and-answer session with Tommy Redae ’09 MBA, a treasury management sales consultant and vice president of Middle Market Banking for Wells Fargo in Minneapolis. “Talking with upper-class students, I focused on the importance of budgeting and managing credit for a healthy financial future,” Redae said. “I shared several of the many online tools and apps to help them stick to a budget and monitor credit for suspicious or fraudulent activities.” Also in the category of practical and purposeful guidance, Auggie Compass enlisted faculty mentors Carol Enke and Shana Watters to offer best practices for professional communications. The pair broke student-athletes into groups to review and assess emails students sent professors, many of them lacking clarity, starting with an informal “hey,” or displaying accusatory language. “Research shows that people read emails more negatively than intended, and therefore, communicating effectively in this medium reduces ambiguity and negative perceptions,” Watters said. “The students did a great job of improving the emails, and we hope they will apply the guidance we shared to communicate with professionals now and in the future.” Program reinforces Augsburg’s mission, commitment to students The blend of practical knowledge and conceptual, creative exploration reflects Augsburg’s care for and commitment to student-athletes, and it supports community-building across teams and among coaches, said Swenson. This year, the program added a track for coaches that focused on situational leadership, social media training, and a DiSC® behavioral assessment inventory. “We’re not offering Auggie Compass to check off the ‘personal development box,’” Swenson said. “The program was developed by former collegiate players, thinking about what they wished they would have known, so that our student-athletes can have more tools to reach for as they strive for success.” The creation and evolution of Auggie Compass embodies some of the innovation, self-reflection, and grit the program aims to instill. Anderson Diercks said organizers continue to have conversations with student-athletes, alumni, and experts to align sessions with players’ needs and to reflect the latest trends and topics. As a former athlete turned furnace-filter-changing adult, she knows greatness doesn’t come from perfection but from the drive to keep playing until you get it right. HOMECOMING THOUSANDS OF AUGGIES. ONE AUGSBURG. Celebrate the first Augsburg University Homecoming NEW NAME. SAME SCHOOL SPIRIT. Gather among friends to celebrate the memories and milestones that define your Augsburg experience. Whether it’s to participate in a reunion, see campus updates firsthand, or cheer on a favorite team, it’s time to register for this year’s historic Homecoming—the first as Augsburg University. Interested in organizing your reunion? October 13-14 Call the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. Find accommodation information, the event schedule, and more at: augsburg.edu/homecoming FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, s my second year as Alumni Board President comes to a close, I look back on the past several months with gratitude for what the Alumni Board has accomplished. We hope you have enjoyed recent alumni events, both on campus and off. At the start of my tenure, when I challenged the Alumni Board to change, not a little, but a lot, everyone stepped up to the plate and went to work. Today the board maintains more committees with fewer people on each, operates with clearly defined goals for each committee, and sustains a high level of engagement. We’ve also partnered with staff throughout the College to increase the board’s effectiveness and relevance. The Alumni Board continues to seek new pathways to connect with students, whether through mentoring, visiting classrooms, or simply sharing tips on LinkedIn. Students have said they enjoyed taking part in a Homecoming lunch last fall where they had the chance to share a table with distinguished alumni who pursued similar fields of study. We also held another successful Auggie Networking Experience in February, and if you couldn’t make it to campus, you’ll find some tips for reluctant networkers on page 27. In June, we transition board leadership. I’d like to welcome Nick Rathmann ’03 as Alumni Board President for the 2017-19 term. He is full of energy, has a passion for Augsburg, and is a dynamic leader with innovative ideas to take the Alumni Board even further. He is the athletic director at The Blake School, a longtime supporter of Augsburg as a member of the A-Club, and an all-around amazing volunteer. The Alumni Board is in great hands under his leadership. I’d also like to recognize Greg Schnagl ’91, who has led our Networking Committee for the past two years. His passion for creating meaningful connections between students and alumni has helped make the Auggie Networking Experience event bigger and better. I recently moved away from the Twin Cities for work, and I am so pleased to see alumni events scheduled across the U.S. more often. In the past two years, alumni gatherings have occurred in Denver, Las Vegas, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., and other cities. If you’re in the Minneapolis area, we hope to see you at some of this summer’s exciting alumni events! JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT SUMMER ALUMNI EVENTS Minnesota United Soccer Night June 21 | 7 p.m. Republic 420 SE 23rd Ave., Minneapolis Meet for an alumni reception at Republic from 4:30–6:30 p.m. before taking the light rail to TCF Bank Stadium for a game. 7 People. 7 Passions. 7 Minutes. July 7 | 7–9 p.m. Sisyphus Brewing 712 Ontario Ave. W., Minneapolis Hear idea-stirring talks from seven passionate Auggies. $10 covers your first beverage and light appetizers. Auggie Night at Canterbury Park July 21 | 5:30–7 p.m. 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN $5 reservation covers a buffet meal, $5 of Canterbury Currency, and reserved seating. Happy Hour Squared URBAN ARBORETUM Join the Alumni Board to sponsor a tree You can help transform Augsburg into an urban arboretum that serves as an educational and community resource in harmony with the environment. Join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a tree in the urban arboretum planned for Augsburg’s campus. The trees selected for this plan will surround the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota. All gift levels are welcome. The total cost to sponsor a tree is $25,000, which includes long-term care and maintenance. Help us reach this goal by December 2018! Visit augsburg.edu/giving for more information or contact Amanda Scherer, assistant director of leadership gifts, at scherera@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1720. 24 AUGSBURG NOW September 5 | 5–7 p.m. Brave New Workshop 824 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Join alumnae business owners Jenni Lilledahl ’87 and Jacquie Berglund ’87 for a happy hour with a purpose. Make sandwiches for a good cause and enjoy a FINNEGANS® as part of Augsburg’s annual City Service Day. For more information and registration, visit augsburg.edu/alumni. COURTESY PHOTOS AUGGIES CONNECT [Top]: Travelers pose at Wat Chedi Luang Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. TRAVELING WITH [Far Left–L to R]: Hans Wiersma and Lori Brandt Hale, Department of Religion faculty members and trip leaders, pose with Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations. AUGGIES This winter, 15 Auggies traveled to Thailand and Cambodia with Augsburg College Professor of English Kathy Swanson and her husband, Jack, as their hosts. “The trip was beyond amazing,” said traveler and Alumni Board President Jill Watson ’10 MBA. “Our hosts, Jack and Kathy Swanson, have a passion for the people and culture of Thailand that was contagious throughout the trip. They were always willing to share insights, recommend food (such as sticky rice and mango at a floating market) and go out of their way to help others and ensure everyone was having a great trip. “Memories that stand out include the elephant camp in Chiang Mai, Thai cooking school, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Light for Kids orphanage, and the food ... all the foods! “Traveling with fellow Auggies meant I [Near Right]: Travelers stand in front of the Castle Church in Germany where Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door. had at least one thing in common with so many people I had never met before. By the end of the trip, I had developed new friendships, and I will be keeping in touch.” Celebrating Lutheran heritage in Germany and the Czech Republic Last fall, another group of Auggies traveled to the land of Luther to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Religion Department faculty members Hans Wiersma and Lori Brandt Hale led a group of 30 Augsburg alumni and friends on a multi-city tour that included Dresden, Prague, and Wittenberg—the long-time home of Reformation catalyst Martin Luther. One of the highlights for Augsburg Alumni Director Katie (Koch) Code ’01 was the opportunity to be in Wittenberg on Reformation Day. The town marked the occasion with a festival, and the Augsburg group visited Castle Church where Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door. “At worship that morning we sang, ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God,’ which took me back to my Augsburg days enrolled in the Luther and the Reformers class with Religion Professor Mark Tranvik,” Code said. Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Jean Hopfensperger and photographer Jerry Holt accompanied the group to chronicle how Minnesotans observed the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In a story published after the group’s return home, Augsburg alumnae Carol Pfleiderer ’64 and Kathleen Johnson ’72 described how the trip itinerary offered participants opportunities to build and reflect on their faith. To view trip photos, visit augsburg.edu/now. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 25 A GIFT FOR AUGSBURG IN ROCHESTER Louise and Regent Emeritus Leland “Lee” Sundet will help Augsburg’s Rochester site grow thanks to a generous $1.5 million gift. The Rochester location attracts more than 350 working professionals to undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, health care, and nursing. As longtime supporters of Augsburg, including the Weekend College and Youth and Family Ministry programs, the Sundets have used their frugality to benefit others and to raise the profile of Augsburg. Several years ago, in an effort to better communicate Augsburg’s identity locally, Sundet helped form a marketing committee and was instrumental in choosing a new logo with a cross embedded in the “A.” He remains steadfast in his commitment to religion and religious freedom as essential to education. In his 88 years, Lee has never lost sight of the basics: thrift, generosity, and faith. “I also believe in old-fashioned discipline—‘don’t spend it till you’ve earned it,’” he said. Lee learned these principles early, growing up in Spring Grove, Minnesota, where most Norwegian-American community members attended the big Lutheran church. “My father died when I was six months old, and my mother PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH AUGGIES CONNECT was quite ill so she had to sell everything she had to pay the bills. She got $7.43 a month, and of that, 74 cents went to the church,” said Lee, who has embraced tithing ever since. A retired industrialist and manufacturer, Lee owned several companies, including Century Manufacturing, Goodall Manufacturing, Britt Manufacturing, and Fountain Industries. His business acumen earned him such honors as Minnesota’s Small Business Man of the Year and the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award. The couple has sponsored a business scholarship at Augsburg since 1992. Overall, the Sundets are impressed by the potential of Augsburg’s programs in Rochester and by the work of another community anchor, Mayo Clinic, which the couple believes shares their values. “Augsburg has come a long way, and I would love to see it grow in Rochester.” 26 AUGSBURG NOW “I have met people at Mayo who have gone through the Augsburg program, and I’ve seen what it’s done for them. It’s a wonderful thing,” Lee said. “It wasn’t easy to get it started, but it’s fun to look back on. Augsburg has come a long way, and I would love to see it grow in Rochester.” tips for the reluctant networker Augsburg College alumna Jenni Lilledahl ’87 was a featured speaker at the Auggie Networking Experience in February. As co-owner of the sketch and improvisational comedy theater Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, Lilledahl brought insight from the improv world to the crowd of nearly 300 alumni and students meeting to exchange career advice. No matter their personality or career, Lilledahl said, all people have anxiety about jumping into new conversations or taking new career paths. Here she shares tips for individuals to jump-start meaningful conversations and say “yes” to new experiences. 1. We all get uncomfortable, yet we cannot let this feeling control us. Instead, we must face our fears and immerse ourselves in new experiences. 2. Sometimes saying “yes” is easier than we think. Don’t rattle off 20 excuses; jump in with an open mind. 3. PHOTOS BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 Stop yourself from using the word “but.” Instead, use the reframing mindset of “yesand” to add something positive to each situation you are in. Don’t use excuses to squash new ideas, possibilities, or adventures. Rather, embrace them. 4. Be intentional about your communication. Don’t just be there. Be awake, aware, and connected to the other people in the room. 5. Have gratitude for the chance to develop relationships, share ideas, and try new things. People who create authentic connections with others are often more successful than those who possess only technical skills. Augsburg alumni and students participated in short improvisational exercises at the event. with the Young Alumni Council Auggies who have graduated from any Augsburg degree program in the past 10 years are invited to join the Young Alumni Council and help plan year-round activities for recent alumni. In the past, the Young Alumni Council has organized a Twins game outing, a financial planning talk and social hour at Summit Brewery, and an afternoon of ice skating at The Depot in Minneapolis. For Young Alumni Council Vice President Evan Decker ’12, taking part in the group provides opportunities to practice valuable life and business skills that he doesn’t necessarily hone in his day- to-day work, such as planning meetings and events, communicating with fellow alumni, speaking to groups, and networking. Serving the council also is a way to stay engaged with the College. “Some people feel there aren’t resources for them after graduation, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Decker said. “This group is here to help bridge that gap.” To join the Young Alumni Council, visit augsburg.edu/alumni. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1961 Last year, First Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Minnesota, recognized Arlan Johnson ’61 for 50 years of service to its choir as a singer and director. While a student at Augsburg, Johnson played in the band for four years and sang in the choir for two years. He enjoyed tours with the band and choir in the Pacific Northwest, and in 1960 he participated in an extended Alaskan band trip to the Anchorage Music Festival. After graduating from Augsburg, he completed his education requirements, student taught at Braham (Minnesota) Area High School with Herman Aune ’50, and finished a second major in biology. Johnson taught band and vocal music in Stewart, Minnesota, and elementary, junior high, and middle school band in Red Wing until his retirement. He and his wife, Phyllis, continue to live in Red Wing. 1967 5 0-Y E AR RE UNI ON HOMECOMING 2017 Associate Professor of Chemistry Sandra Olmsted ’69 retires after serving Augsburg since 1978. See page 2. 1971 Darrell Skogen ’71 retired after teaching for 46 years. He spent the past 41 years at St. MichaelAlbertville High School in Minnesota. Skogen is the longest-tenured employee in the history of the school district. He taught classes such as AP World History and AP U.S. History. Skogen continues to instruct part-time at the high school and records stats for its football program. He says that the school’s Class 5A football state championship victory in 2015 was the first in his 50 years walking the sidelines. 1974 Dr. Subhashchandra “Pat” Patel ’74 and Annette (Hanson) Patel ’73 donated their dental clinics in Clarkfield and Cottonwood, Minnesota, to Open Door Health Center of Mankato. Open Door will run satellite dental clinics in the towns. Pat retired in June 2016. Associate Professor of Music Peter Hendrickson ’76 retires after teaching at Augsburg for more than two decades. See page 2. 1977 40- YE A R R E U N I O N HOMECOMING 2017 In August, Neil Paulson ’77 was elected state committeeman for the Republican Party in Orange County, Florida. for Advanced Science and Technology. 1979 1990 Walter Ohrbom ’79 earned a doctorate in chemistry from North Dakota State University after graduating from Augsburg. He retired from BASF as a senior research associate with more than 120 U.S. patents. Over the years, he and his wife, Patricia, have traveled around the world to backpack, bike, canoe, and scuba dive. Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 draws connections between student athletes’ time on campus and leadership roles after graduation. See page 18. 1988 Kiel Christianson ’88 was promoted to full professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he conducts research on language processing, reading, and bilingualism. He is associate chair of the department, as well as leader of the Educational Psychology Psycholinguistics Lab and co-chair of the Illinois Language and Literacy Initiative, both in the Beckman Institute In July, Karen Jean Reed ’90, a music therapy major, was honored with the President’s Award at the Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church Of God in Christ 50th State Women’s Convention, held in Palm Desert, California. She also was nominated for the 50 Women of Excellence honor for her exemplary service and outstanding achievement in music and administrative service in local, church, district, regional, and state positions. Reed has excelled in music as a gospel saxophonist and in women’s ministry. She was recognized for exemplary service by Barbara McCoo Lewis, the assistant general supervisor of the Church of God in Christ International. Reed serves as the assistant regional missionary for the Santa Barbara region and also works with youth. Professionally, she is a program director at the Department of State HospitalsCoalinga, overseeing the treatment of sexually violent predators. She is the author of “Music is the Master Key.” AUGGIES NEAR AND FAR [L to R]: Sociology Professor Tim Pippert and Torstenson Scholars Ellen Sachs ’17, Emily Campbell ’17, and Jen Kochaver ’19 meet with Mark Johnson ’75 on campus. [Not pictured]: Torstenson Scholar Mark Daniels ’17. 28 AUGSBURG NOW Last fall, metro-urban studies alumnus Mark Johnson ’75 invited Sociology Professor Tim Pippert to the remote country of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. The pair distributed solar lights donated by Johnson to villages on the island of Tanna, which in 2015 suffered widespread destruction due to Hurricane Pam. For Pippert, the trip was an adventure of a lifetime and an opportunity to observe the relationships Johnson has developed with local people over the course of several previous trips. The connection between Johnson and Pippert was built, in part, through their involvement with Augsburg’s Torstenson Community Scholars program that supports undergraduate research. Since 2015, Johnson has funded research opportunities for Auggies engaged in the program, which is named in memory of Professor Joel Torstenson ’38, a founder of Augsburg’s Department of Sociology. This February, four Torstenson Scholars traveled with Pippert to North Dakota’s Bakken oilfield region to assess how residents have been impacted by oil exploration. From the Auggie Connections blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. 1992 2 5-Y EA R RE UNI ON HOMECOMING 2017 Scott Peterson ’92 has accepted a call to be the pastor at Lutheran Church in the Foothills in La Cañada, California. After living in Canada for more than 17 years, Peterson has returned to the U.S. to continue ministry within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 1993 Chad Shilson ’93 is the Minnesota women’s wrestling director for USA Wrestling. He has completed his 100th marathon and qualified for his fourth Boston Marathon. Marathon running has taken him to 36 states, including 29 states in the past two years. A dedicated daily runner, Shilson has run at least one mile per day for more than six years. 1996 Stephanie Harms ’96 and Kristin (Young) Miller ’91 are helping change the nation’s response to vulnerable individuals and families through their work in the supportive housing movement. Both Auggies work at CSH, a national nonprofit organization that connects housing with services for vulnerable populations. Based in New York City, Miller leads a successful CSH program that assists communities throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Harms serves as chief operating officer and leads CSH’s communications, administrative, talent, and human resource efforts. CSH has ended veteran homelessness in several communities throughout the U.S., created more than 100,000 homes for individuals and families, and changed public systems to address the root conditions that create turmoil in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families. ’05 ’03 1999 Peter Durow ’99 has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota for the 2018 ACDA-MN State 4-5-6 Girls’ Honor Choir. ACDA-MN has been committed to commissioning new choral works for all-state and honor choirs from Minnesota composers each year since 1975. Durow serves as visiting director of choral activities at St. Cloud State University. ’67 Juliane Derry ’00 blends science with artistry and research with intuition as a historic materials conservator. See page 8. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Andrea (Carlson) Conway ’05 and Riley Conway ’05 welcomed a son, Soren Jon, in December. Soren is the grandson of Jon Carlson ’79 and great-grandson of Jeroy Carlson ’48. Golf Association and president of Women in the Golf Industry. She also wrote an e-book titled, “Hit It, Alice! A Woman’s Golf Guide to Everything But the Swing.” Barb (Walen) Hanson ’67 became president of the Minnesota Golf Association at its annual meeting in November. She is the first woman to serve in this role. Since retiring from her teaching career, Hanson has been actively involved in the golf world, having served as president of the Minnesota Women’s Paul Putt ’03, ’15 MAE and his wife, Katie, celebrated the birth of a son, Theodore Howard, in October. ’05 ’67 ’03 Pete Pfeffer ’87, who holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, and his daughter, Maggie, served on a chiropractic and medical ’87 ’87 mission team in Kimana, Kenya. The team provided care and education to hundreds of Maasai villagers living in bomas and orphanages in an underserved area. Pete and his brother, Mike Pfeffer ’92, jointly own and serve as chiropractors for a HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehabilitation Clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota. In addition to private practice, Pete has taken on a national role with the HealthSource Corporation to provide training in technique and rehabilitation procedures for new franchises. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Mathematics and Statistics Instructor Alyssa Hanson ’01 is honored with a Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning award. See page 7. 2002 JCI Minnesota (formerly Minnesota Jaycees) selected Katie Lindenfelser ’02, founder of Crescent Cove, as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans for 2016. The mission of Crescent Cove is to offer care and support to young people with a shortened life expectancy and their families. The vision of Crescent Cove is to build and operate the first residential children’s hospice and respite care home in the Midwest. Started in 1950, the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans honor is Minnesota’s only statewide recognition program for outstanding young leaders ages 18-40 who have devoted themselves to improving their communities. The program acknowledges the efforts and accomplishments of young adults who contribute to Minnesota through their service, thought and influence, community involvement, or entrepreneurship. 2003 Reginaldo HaslettMarroquin ’03 published “In the Shadow of Green Man.” The book, published by Acres USA, chronicles Haslett-Marroquin’s upbringing in revolution-torn Guatemala and how he built his vision to develop a regenerative farming model that uplifts individuals and communities. Throughout the book, he shares the fable of the Green Man, a tiny and wise Guatemalan folk character whose stories teach the importance of respecting the natural world. HaslettMarroquin is chief strategy officer for Main Street Project, based in Northfield, Minnesota. Haslett-Marroquin has served as a consultant for the United Nations Development Program’s Bureau for Latin America and as an advisor to the World Council of Indigenous People. He was a founding member of the Fair Trade Federation, and was Director of the Fair Trade Program for the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy from 1995 to 1998. He also led the creation, strategic positioning, startup, and launch of Peace Coffee, a Minnesota-based fair-trade coffee company. Samuel Gross ’03 designs new university logo. See page 12. 2007 10-YEAR REUNION HOMECOMING 2017 Mike Matson ’07 helps teach student-athletes how to engage in difficult conversations. See page 18. Jenessa Payano Stark ’07 began a Master of Science in Nursing program at Yale University this past fall. She is studying in Yale’s Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner program. She received a prestigious National Health Service Corps Scholarship that pays her tuition and fees, and defrays her living expenses for three years in exchange for future service in an area with a shortage of health professionals. 2011 Dan Skaarup ’11 and Casey (Ernst) Skaarup ’11 welcomed a daughter, Eowyn River, to the world in December. Laura Schmidt ’11 and Sarah Witte ’12 launched a nonprofit, spiritually based community called Intertwine Northeast. The group’s mission is to be “made and moved by story, convinced by compassion, always in process, and about questions, not answers.” Mike Gallagher ’12 shares life lessons with current students. See page 18. 2014 Composer and percussionist Zack Baltich ’14 was featured in the 2017 Cedar Commissions. Baltich’s piece “ingress/passage” used contact microphones and uncommon performance techniques on marimba, glass bottles, and other found objects. The Cedar Commissions (formerly the 416 Commissions) is a flagship program for emerging artists made possible with a grant from the Jerome Foundation and has showcased new work by more than 30 emerging composers and musicians. Catherine Colsrud ’14 was one of 25 leaders who participated in the eighth cohort of the Native Nation Rebuilders Program sponsored by the Native Governance Center and the Bush Foundation. Representatives from 12 Native nations from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota were selected for the Rebuilders AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Kathleen (Watson) Bradbury ’12 and Krissy Bradbury ’12 welcomed Peter Gene to their family. ’12 Beckie Jackson ’10 received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching and is one of approximately 45 U.S. citizens traveling abroad through the program in 2016-17. In January, she headed to Botswana to spend five months conducting educational research. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected ’10 30 AUGSBURG NOW on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential. Jackson teaches at Moose Lake High School in Moose Lake, Minnesota. Nick Rathmann ’03 and wife, Shannon, welcomed a daughter, Finley Grace, in November. ’03 ’11 Several Augsburg College alumni serve as tutors and coaches with Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps. Tutors pledge one year of service in schools to help children become proficient readers by the end of third grade and proficient in math by the end of eighth grade. [L to R]: Charmaine Bell ’11, Kathleen Abel ’76, Joaquin Vences ’16, Kacie Carlsted ’15, Christine Fankhanel ’02, Amy Riebs ’18 MAE, and Alicia (Oppelt) Musselman ’14. ’91 Nancy Palmer ’91 joined the Minnesota Reading Corps September Program as a leadership component of a larger initiative to support tribes as they strengthen their governing capabilities. Colsrud serves the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe as the commissioner of administration, chief of staff, and acting commissioner of natural resources. Native Governance Center and Bush Foundation Rebuilders convened for four structured sessions during which they developed action plans to share knowledge with peers and their respective tribal governments. ’12 ’10 GRADUATE PROGRAMS Nursing Department Chair Joyce Miller ’02, ’05 MAN, ’11 DNP earns a Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning award. See page 7. Tommy Redae ’09 MBA helps Auggies prepare for a healthy financial future. See page 18. Rochelle Fischer ’14 MSW became a hospital administrator at Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center in January. For the past four years, she has been an assistant program director at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, Minnesota, providing day-to-day operational and administrative leadership for persons with complex behavioral health symptoms. ’03 ’11 Dan Klein ’15 MBA and Kaitlin (Astleford) Klein were married February 25 in Hollywood, Florida. Nicole (Egly) Olson ’15 MBA and Mark Olson were married February 24 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Institute and tutors students in kindergarten through third grade. ’91 Chris Stedman ’08, an interfaith activist and author, is joining Augsburg this spring as a fellow serving the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship where he will facilitate and build new community partnerships for non-religious and interfaith civic engagement. Stedman also will consult on the development of interfaith engagement programs at Augsburg. ’08 ’08 31 HEALING WATERS ’68 Jason Kusiak ’08 spends late winter and early spring long-lining for cod and haddock, and most of the year catching lobster. Fishing in long-established seaports near Gloucester, Massachusetts, gives Kusiak an appreciation for the area’s rich history and a healthy respect for those who made a living fishing the Atlantic in earlier times. “With fishing,” he said, “you can see the direct result of your work ethic.” Today Kusiak recognizes that his entrepreneurial inclination was shaped by Assistant Professor of Business John Cerrito and former staff member Peggy Cerrito, and that his drive for continual personal growth was influenced by his involvement in StepUP®, the College’s residential collegiate recovery community. While at Augsburg, Kusiak found that the College’s commitment to building strong community connections and emphasis on learning through experience resonated with him. He now seeks out opportunities to interact with new people, to give back, and to offer hope to individuals and families who struggle with substance abuse. He’s driven to invest in the future of his business and his community. ’78 From the Auggie Connections blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’83 [L to R]: This fall, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service President Linda Hartke met with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, at the LIRS Walk of Courage Award Gala. Albright and Hanson were honored at the event for their commitments to furthering equity for all people. ’68 ’71 Actor and performing arts educator Luverne Seifert ’83 won a $25,000 fellowship from the William and Eva Fox Foundation. He is part of a national cohort of artists supported by the foundation, which underwrites training and career development for performers. The support will enable Seifert to deeply explore his art and travel to France and Switzerland. In the past 25 years, he has acted at theaters in the Twin Cities and across the U.S. ’83 ’05 [L to R]: Margaret Marx ’78, Margo Casey ’78, and Cathy (Kaiser) Bloomquist ’78, all members of the original second step Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at ’78 ’06 32 AUGSBURG NOW Augsburg, continue their friendship today. The women gathered in Scandia, Minnesota, in September, and they share this photo as a reminder of the second step program’s impact on the nursing profession in Minnesota. Bob Stacke ’71 received an award from the Somali Museum of Minnesota on the occasion of the museum’s third anniversary last October. Stacke has provided music and photography services to the museum since its inception. ’71 Janeece (Adams) Oatman ’05, an Augsburg Alumni Board member, and Jim Gross, associate provost for academic innovation and strategic initiatives, were part of the Auggie team at the Rochester, Minnesota, Tour de Cure in October. ’05 Missy (Gaulke) Wilson ’06 completed her first Ragnar trail race and ’06 her third Ragnar overall race in September. She ran 15.2 miles on the Ragnar Trail Northwoods - WI in the Ragnar relay. Helen M. (Anderson) Johnson ’40, Hallock, Minnesota, age 96, on September 4. Eleanor C. (Christenson) Kline ’44, Minneapolis, age 93, on May 31. Marvin W. Johnson ’45, Rochester, Minnesota, age 93, on November 28. Olav Overold ’45, Cando, North Dakota, age 103, on January 23. Bonnie J. (Sorem) Anderson ’46, Cedar Falls, Iowa, age 92, on December 7. Delpha M. (Randklev) Berg ’47, Grand Forks, North Dakota, age 91, on September 12. Ray E. Gerlinger ’49, Overland Park, Minnesota, age 93, on December 4. Theodore C. Nystuen ’49, Altoona, Wisconsin, age 94, on January 19. Lorraine G. V. (Lundh) Qual ’49, Lisbon, North Dakota, age 93, on October 4. Joan L. (Sears) Ryden ’49, Cedar Hill, Texas, age 91, on October 18. Phebe D. (Dale) Hanson ’50, Minneapolis, age 88, on December 16. Evelyn I. (Shelstad) Kriesel ’50, Alamo, Texas, age 88, on September 21. Rhonda M. (Hektner) Lybeck ’50, Fargo, North Dakota, age 88, on January 29. Daniel Nelson ’50, Spicer, Minnesota, age 90, on February 14. Melvin E. Vigen ’50, Irving, Texas, age 88, on September 26. Arvild T. Jacobson ’51, Sun City, Arizona, age 93, on November 26. Donald H. Olson ’51, Henderson, Nevada, age 87, on December 19. Robert “Bob” R. Hage ’52, Hector, Minnesota, age 88, on December 16. William “Bill” J. Kuross ’52, Hopkins, Minnesota, age 87, on January 31. Charlotte M. (Kleven) Rimmereid ’52, St. Paul, age 86, on December 29. Roger V. Anderson ’53, Ottawa, Ontario, age 86, on February 11. Joan J. (Johnson) Kuder ’53, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, age 86, on December 19. Harry E. Olson ’53, Apopka, Florida, age 84, on October 7. Nola E. (Bengtson) Studer ’53, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 85, on September 5. Donna R. (Osland) Gaines ’54, Laguna Hills, California, age 84, on September 17. Ruth M. (Pousi) Ollila ’54, Minneapolis, age 84, on February 14. Betty J. (Dyrud) Oudal ’54, Rochester, Minnesota, age 85, on December 31. Arlene V. (Tollefson) Paulson ’54, Lake Oswego, Oregon, age 89, on September 20. Gary R. Rust ’54, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 85, on October 12. Robert “Bob” E. Twiton ’54, Brainerd, Minnesota, age 84, on February 26. Theodore “Ted” S. Berkas ’56, Minneapolis, age 88, on January 15. Robert A. Fundingsland ’65, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, age 73, on September 19. Sanford E. Egesdal ’56, Minneapolis, age 82, on October 3. Marie D. (Hafie) MacNally ’65, Minneapolis, on November 7. Robert A. Roos ’56, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, age 86, on September 3. Dale H. Peterson ’69, Sapulpa, Oklahoma, age 69, on November 27. Merlin J. White ’56, Fridley, Minnesota, age 86, on September 8. Anita M. (Lindquist) King ’70, Pella, Iowa, age 68, on September 1. Raymond Seaver ’57, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 82, on December 5. Chuck S. Marsh ’73, Puyallup, Washington, age 65, on November 14. Robert H. Gustafson ’59, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 84, on January 28. Colleen M. (Brown) Olson ’74, Shakopee, Minnesota, age 63, on August 20. John P. Martisen ’59, Minneapolis, age 81, on August 30. Sheila M. (Conway) Kortuem ’84, St. Peter, Minnesota, age 76, on August 26. Lloyd H. Reichstadt ’59, Flagstaff, Arizona, age 84, on November 21. Paul C. Casperson ’60, Dallas, Texas, age 77, on January 31. Wayne R. Juntunen ’60, Esko, Minnesota, age 83, on December 5. Karen O. (Egesdal) Trelstad ’61, Red Wing, Minnesota, age 79, on November 30. Coralyn J. (Lunsted) Bryan ’62, Minneapolis, age 77, on October 25. Joshua B. Lerman ’08, Louisville, Kentucky, age 33, on November 18. Angel G. Rodriguez ’15, Minneapolis, age 25, on January 3. Tyler G. Kotewa ’17, Fairmont, Minnesota, age 25, on December 7. Mark A. DiCastri ’18, Minneapolis, age 29, on February 27. Clair A. Johannsen ’62, Hagerstown, Maryland, age 79, on February 10. Paul W. Anderson ’63, Moorhead, Minnesota, age 77, on January 31. Gaylen K. Heggen ’63, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, age 75, on October 26. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before March 15. SPRING–SUMMER 2017 33 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 IN MEMORIAM PHOTOS BY COURTNEY PERRY 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Steve Wozniak inspires Auggies to ‘Learn Different’ Apple, Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak engaged the Augsburg community in a conversation that emphasized the importance of creativity, education, and innovation in an increasingly connected world. Wozniak launched Apple with Steve Jobs in 1976, revolutionizing the personal computer industry. Wozniak’s visit took place this winter during Scholarship Weekend, an opportunity for prospective students to compete for Fine Arts and Honors scholarships. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
Show less

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. Website: www.au / er nt ce rs gfo edu/ha r 2017 Opened: Decembe on illi m 3 Cost: $7 chitects Architect: HGA Ar rs and Enginee ough Contractor: McG Construction tion: Property descrip lines cip dis Combining three th wi e llid co es that sometim rs Cengfo Ha e th r, he ot one an siness and ter for Science, Bu tractive at an s te ea cr Religion gsburg UniAu e th to y wa te ga 21st Avenue versity campus on South. ing — The V-shaped build Reprinted with perm middle garden of drop-off. Green ro sections of the bu Moving inside ry, glass-enclosed area has seating, behind glass cur tory Outside, the four-s wall of American ced a pla re ich wh , ing ild bu a small suspe , has a brick by surface parking lot colap ch el where st by façade highlighted windows practice their re y or-coated square ba for better grade ation of difthat signify the loc rtments. holds windowsi pa de ic em ad ac t en fer taken from cam monly found Those colors, com rway, reflect on buildings in No Augsburg’s rwegian No ’s the university communicatio said HGA Lutheran heritage, dent, Rebecca ll Blanski. Bi l ipa inc pr n sig de the school has ate commitme nds hold The Hagfors’ grou sculpture to p s, re tal featu several environmen ter pond, ing muraled s wa among them a gray installation on en on the a community gard replicates the ating area in back side and a se musical nota e a double the front shaped lik ission of Finance & Commerce ©2018 * * + * * * SUMMER 2017 + 0 21st nal spaces at 70 offices and commu oms, labs, staff ing holds Tenants: The build ents: rtm pa eight academic de e, the four-stosiness, chemistry, bu , gy olo Bi d commons physics, psycomputer science, g, classrooms religion. d chology, math, an rtains, and a tall The an elm topped Intriguing tidbits: critical ended triangle a is ing Hagfors build n ca s nt de tu ge’s master element in the colle inneapeligion or pray M by plan, designed .assoc., es. The lobby nd d.a lun os olis-based ce Hall ien sills built of elm Sc said Blanski. 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.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 01
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: Pubﬁshed by the LITERARY ORGANIZATIONS OF AUGSBURG COLLEGE. Minneapolis, Minnesota IE!

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 02
Collection: Literary Journals

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 13
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: THE DIAL 11 tion to their squaws to recede into the back- grOund, and now the peace dance changes to one of war. Chief Black Foot steps into the foreground and begins to speak. In a deep, sonorous voice he tells of his forefathers, of their conquests and brave deeds. From his attentive listeners...
Show moreTHE DIAL 11 tion to their squaws to recede into the back- grOund, and now the peace dance changes to one of war. Chief Black Foot steps into the foreground and begins to speak. In a deep, sonorous voice he tells of his forefathers, of their conquests and brave deeds. From his attentive listeners come low sounds of approval and contentment. But listen! The chief speaks louder and more vehemently now. He reminds his tribe of how they have been forced out of their hunting grounds; of the fact that only a few children of this once mighty tribe remain; and that soon the great name, Black Foot, will be known no more. The faces Which before were listless now become stern and tense with anger, and these sturdy warriors grip their tomahawks firmly and madly as if they Were ready to dash out on the war-path. We have seen pictures of fierce-looking Indians, for in- stance those who stood about the captured Cap- tain John Smith waiting for the chief’s or- ders for the prisoner’s dispatch. Here are real Indians waiting for the significant little nod from their chief. He gives it, and the dance of war is on. There is a general and wild yell- ing, a swinging of hatchets and tomahawks, and a moaning 0f squaws. But it lasts not long. Why all this? There is no battle to fight. It is true they are captives, but their small‘ number forbids action. And as a fierce tiger that in vain has attempted to break the bars, they become quiet again, squat down about the fire, and watch the dying flames. Soon the last embers have died away. All is quiet; darkness closes in upon the scene, and we see no longer the Black Foot Indians. —~9 g/4 Goverlet of QSnow Abner Batalden, ’31 Fleecy and fluffy garment of white, Sparkling and glittering brightly for me! Thou art nature’s, light and fair, Covering the “Square”. As soft and tender as Mother’s delicate breast !— Rest thou, protect, and warm All that is bare and dreary and chilled, And sleeps in the “Square”! Calm and soothe—O, friend—my unrest. Though silent murmurings or luring falsities Would dull or darken my heart; Brighten me also ! As white, as pure, and as radiant too, I would wish my life !— Sparkling with the soul of beauty That meets my eye in the “Square”.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 14
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: @CSCI‘t %omance Beatrice Helland, ’31 It was night in the camp of the Tebu. A most beautiful night it was! As the moon rose it cast its beams ’mongst the tents and revealed dark figures talking quietly outside the doors. Hark! All faces were turned toward the east, from which direction soft music...
Show more@CSCI‘t %omance Beatrice Helland, ’31 It was night in the camp of the Tebu. A most beautiful night it was! As the moon rose it cast its beams ’mongst the tents and revealed dark figures talking quietly outside the doors. Hark! All faces were turned toward the east, from which direction soft music was heard. As they waited breathlessly, a figure glided up to the entrance of one of the tents, perhaps the poorest, but the most neatly kept. The figure was recognized as that of young Hussein, son of the chief of the Tebu tribe. When he reached the tent, he dropped at the feet of Zehu, the only daughter of Wekil, an old sage. When he had sung a poem of love, as is the custom in the Libyan desert, Hussein pleaded with the young damsel, saying, “Dear Zehu, most beautiful of the daughters of the great desert, I pray you come and keep for me my tent, and cook for me my meals, and be my loving wife.” To these pleadings Zehu answered with a solemn shake of her head. Fain would she have answered, as her mother and grandmother be- fore her had done, with a little tune of consent and love; but with her great, sorrowful eyes cast down she murmured, “No, there is Father. I cannot leave him, for he has often said that I am his only joy since my Mother Maho depart- ed for the land of goodness. I must stay to cook the rice and keep the tent for him.” In dejection Hussein turned away, and Zehu went to her straw mat to weep away the hours of darkness. Next morning Wekil said to Zehu, “Tomor- row, my daughter, is the day of festival. I will go to the valley of Kufra and pick there sweet dates, that we may join in the merry-making.” “That, dear Father, you must not do,” re- plied Zehu, “for you grow old, and your limbs are no longer strong. But rather I will go to this place, for I am sturdy, and I have made the journey before.” “Very well, then, but make haste, that you may return before night.” The young girl set out for the valley, ten miles from her home, riding on her own camel. The sun was high in the heavens when she reached her destination, so she quickly picked several baskets of the delicious dates. Then she lunched, filled her water-bags, watered her camel, and started for home. As Zehu turned homeward she noticed the perfect stillness of the desert. Soon, however, a breeze sprang up which became gradually stronger until the fine desert sand rose in circles and whirled around her, enveloping her as a cloud and obscuring her path. She realized with a pang that she was lost in a sandstorm, the terror of the desert-dweller. Zehu, being a daughter of the desert, knew it was best to keep going steadily. Night came, and the frenzied girl realized that if her camel should stop they would be buried in the sand. But she had been taught as a child that the beast would plod patiently on in spite of the raging wind; so she clung to it, seeking to shield her body from the blast by wrapping a coarse robe tightly about herself. Zehu ate some of the dates, of which she had a plentiful supply, but dared not drink much water, for one cannot tell how long a desert sandstorm may last. In the meantime, news went around in the camp that the daughter of Wekil was lost. A council meeting was held and old Wekil spoke thus, “My daughter, my only joy in life, my Zehu, went this morning to the valley of Kufra to gather dates. She went alone, accompanied by her camel only. My possessions are few, ‘but I would gladly give up all to have her back. Oh, that I had the strength of youth once more, that I might brave the storm and save my Ichild! But this useless body is for me now only a'hindrance and a mockery. If there be a young man here, valiant of heart, who will brave the fierce storm of the desert and bring back my Zehu, [he shall have her for his Wife.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 15
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: THE DIAL 13 Immediately two stalwart young men arose. The one was a prosperous camel trader, known throughout the region as a lover of camels —a haughty, avaricious man of the world. His camels shrank from his harsh treatment, and children instinctively drew back as he passed. He arose with a...
Show moreTHE DIAL 13 Immediately two stalwart young men arose. The one was a prosperous camel trader, known throughout the region as a lover of camels —a haughty, avaricious man of the world. His camels shrank from his harsh treatment, and children instinctively drew back as he passed. He arose with a swaggering air, a light of eagerness stealing into his cold, black eyes as he thought of the beautiful prize. Opposite him stood Hussein, with noble ‘brow drawn and jaws set, but in his eyes a look of infinite tenderness and longing. Looking from one to the other Wekil said, “I dare not choose who shall go for my daugh- ter, so I will permit both to go, and whosoever the gods wish shall have the reward, let him find her.” Hussein and the other went to the temples of their respective gods. They gave the priests gold, telling them to ask the gods which way to go in order to find Zehu, for she had doubt- less wandered far from her original course. Hussein’s priest told him to go to the east, and the other was directed to the south. They set out in the tempest, each with a mind and heart determined to find the object of his search, and to gain the reward. In the meantime the storm had increased in fury. Zehu had wandered for hours, her face and arms numb from the stinging sand, and s0 weary and aching that she seemed dazed. Suddenly out of the roaring of the Winds, she distinguished another sound. Could she be mis- taken? No, the tramp of camel’s feet and the shrill note of the bugle were too familiar to be mistaken. Summoning all her strength she answered with a shout. In a moment she recognized the form of a young man from her village. Now——who was it? Was it the lover of camels or the lover of Zehu? C’70’C7l/Cother Lawrence B ueide, ’31 How can I pay the debt I owe, Or thank thee for the love Which thou dost on thy son bestow,— Much like to His above! E’en now as I recall the Truth, You taught me to obey, I bless you for my happy youth. May God your care repay! I never will forget the home, The joys, the care, the love. Though far throughout the world I roam I’ll not forget thy love. ) Till now I’ve never lacked a friend, Abiding, kind, and true. However far on earth I wend, There’s none will be like you. Your path through life has oft’ been sad; You trod a rugged way. Your heart with love I would make glad, This happy MOTHER’S DAY. 0 God! For blessings undeserved, So richly poured on me, For godly parents and T'hy Word, Accept my praise to Thee.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 16
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: THE DIAL OCife Earner! Sitenhof, ’29 Life—what a world of mystery Lies hidden in thy mighty bounds. We stand on thy great sounding shore Seeking thy wonders to explore. Lingering yet we fain would move, As overwhelming longings come: Adventures—with hand and heart; Learning to view thee as thou...
Show moreTHE DIAL OCife Earner! Sitenhof, ’29 Life—what a world of mystery Lies hidden in thy mighty bounds. We stand on thy great sounding shore Seeking thy wonders to explore. Lingering yet we fain would move, As overwhelming longings come: Adventures—with hand and heart; Learning to view thee as thou art. Thy ebb, thy flow, thy storm, thy calm, They whisper low of One who rules, Who, in His marvelous emlbrace Controls the secret of thy face. Upon thy bosom to embark And toss upon thy restless wave Will be ineffable delight When faith doth triumph over sight. C'7he Quest Einar Ryden, ’29 I found an index leaf not long ago Torn from a book of verse; and as I read The names of famous poets, and below Their names the titles of their works, there fled Before me visions of another world; And I saw nature in its full array 0f glorious splendor. There at last unfurled I found the beauty of an endless day. How sad the man With soul that never grows, Who sees no beauty in the distant star, Who loves no beauty and no beauty knows ;— Then never to have lived is better far. Remember still that beauty’s endless day Will come if you but long for it—and pray.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 17
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: G7he (Secret of (Success Lawrence Hoff, ’30 “Get out of my house. Don’t ever darken the doors of your parental mansion again!” With these heated words and other expressions of greater vehemence my irate sire turned me out into a night of opaque darkness. Such stimuli are necessary at certain...
Show moreG7he (Secret of (Success Lawrence Hoff, ’30 “Get out of my house. Don’t ever darken the doors of your parental mansion again!” With these heated words and other expressions of greater vehemence my irate sire turned me out into a night of opaque darkness. Such stimuli are necessary at certain times for the making of bigger and better citizens. And this incident, trivial as it may seem to you, was no exception to the rule. It served its pur- pose in the making of a MAN. I, Theophilius Markam Beniditto Brown, sole owner and man- ager of the “Dinner Bell”, have something which I consider of great importance to tell to every aspiring, red-blooded American. I here- by request your very kind attention for the brief space of an hour while I impart to you some of the secrets of my success as a man of the business world. To begin where I left off before I made men- tion of my position in life, I shall ask you to recall the statement I uttered regarding my hasty exit from “Ye Olde House Where I was Borne.” The night was dark, sleety, and 0p- pressively warm. All I 'had with me Were the clothes on my back and tw0 suit-cases of wear— ing apparel, such as suits, shirts, and other every-day necessities. To be left thus to shift for myself was indeed tragic. Soon I realized that I was walking soberly down the road towards town and—. I shall ne’er forget the eery feel- ings I had as I crouched along the depot plat- form in that little, one-horse town, a rambling collection of pine-board shacks known to the community as Loneville. In fact I shudder even now as I recall the endless duration of that night. Game the dawn, and with it my still irate father. I believe he was sincerely regretful for his rashness of the evening previous, although he revealed no such emotion at the time. “Never again shall I allow you to run away from home on such short notice,” said he, as he cranked up the old Ford and ordered me to climb aboard. “Promise me you Will never put fire to the barn or smash up the radio and I’ll always be patient with you, my little man,” said father as we buzzed along merrily over the mile-and- a-half road back to “Ye Olde House Where I was Borne.” I had learned my great lesson. Home I re- mained until thirty years 1ater~fifteen years ago to-day—when dear father advanced me the necessary finances for carrying out my life am- bition: namely, the building of the “Dinner Bell”—the largest, finest, and only hotel in Loneville. For a thriving village with a popu- lation of almost one hundred-fifty, the hotel business is great. If I can pay off the first and second mortgage on it before they foreclose on me, it shall be mine——all mine. However, father has said that in case the un- forseen should happen, I can always return to a hearty welcome at “Ye Olde House Where I was Borne.” The Stream Orville M. Knutsen, ’31 Limpid, flowing waters gay, Laughing, babbling all the day, Rushing down the barren hills, Winding thru the rocks and rills, Cheerful, sparkling, rippling ever, Flowing onward, ceasing never: Drinking in the smaller streams, Till at last a river gleams With the ripples on its face, Dashing on at rapid pace—— Flowing onward into June, Singing many a merry tune To the budding apple-trees, Warbling birds and buzzing bees; 0n thy banks the early flowers, Brightened by the summer showers, Add new colors to the scene, Lighted by the river’s sheen.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 08
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: 6 THE DIAL getting a few shocks in his rack, was approach- ing the other with a reckless abandon that sat strangely upon him. For a “jag” meant a long rest, as all threshers know, and none better than old Bakken. Deeply interested in the outcome of this event, Gene failed to notice that \Vindy...
Show more6 THE DIAL getting a few shocks in his rack, was approach- ing the other with a reckless abandon that sat strangely upon him. For a “jag” meant a long rest, as all threshers know, and none better than old Bakken. Deeply interested in the outcome of this event, Gene failed to notice that \Vindy had un- loaded and that his turn had come until a sharp whistle from Windy aroused him. He started his horses with a flip of the lines and drove in close. There was an ominous hum; the feeder belt flew off the pulleys and struck the unsuspecting bay smartly on the flank. One powerful jerk of the team brought the rack clear of the pulley. They swung sharply from the separator; the load swayed once in the opposite direction and went over. Gene leaped clear of the load and started in pursuit of the galloping team, but he was no match for the frightened horses, hindered now only by the weight of the light truck. To the southwest lay a small coulee, and to- ward this the terrified horses seemed to be heading. Their arrival there would spell de- struction for the wagon, and likely for the horses as well. In the meantime, however, Suspenders had gone into action. Leaving his team at the rig he sprinted off at an angle to the course of the galloping team. In spite of his weight, he displayed remarkable agility and speed for the first ten yards. From that point on the air on the field seemed to become insufficient to his need. His gasps for air, while they increased the tension of his suspenders, failed to satisfy the cravings of his laboring muscles. Moreover, Windy in his empty rack had set out to head off the runaways. The big Swede, too, had set out for the coulee at a dog-trot. As the runaways saw Windy’s team approaching from the left, they swerved to the right with- out slacking their pace. This brought them into a course directly facing the lumbering Swede. In order to make sure that they should not pass on his left and still make the coulee, he turned toward his right. Seeing this, the runaways turned almost instinctively to their right. This brought them to the slight incline at the western end of the field. Spent by the run, they slowed down to a walk. They passed Bakken, who, leaning on his fork, had watched the whole proceeding. Now, however, his na- tive heroism asserted itself, and, approaching cautiously, he secured a firm grasp on the bridle of the nearest horse and shouted “Whoa!” in his most impressive manner. The tired horses, nothing loath, came to a full stop. Bakken tied the horses securely behind his rack, tossed on the last shock (there had been three), and drove in triumph toward the thresh— ing rig. Windy and the Swede turned to their own affairs, which, it seemed, lay also in the direction of the rig—the Swede first return— ing to his own team. Suspenders, indeed, had long since given up the chase. He was now returning to the rig. His breath was still coming in gasps—so much had the exertion taxed him. And now that the excitement caused by the runaway was over, the attention of all was focused upon the redoubtable Suspenders and upon the pair of straps over his shoulders with an almost hu- morous anxiety. Yes, the tragedy had occurred! One of the celebrated suspenders was hanging loose and useless. The other, howvever, was valiantly carrying on against fearful odds. He stopped at the tractor, and the crew gathered about him in mock concern. “Gimme them pliers,” was all ‘he said. ﬁg—
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 09
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: (/4 CScrap of gaper Addressed to Calvin Coolidge and F. B. Kellogg J. J. Skordalwold, ’81 “A scrap of paper,” quoth the doughty sages: Of man and his affairs on earth they know the gait From hoary chaos down thru all the ages To August twenty-seventh, nineteen twenty-eight. Thru all the realms of...
Show more(/4 CScrap of gaper Addressed to Calvin Coolidge and F. B. Kellogg J. J. Skordalwold, ’81 “A scrap of paper,” quoth the doughty sages: Of man and his affairs on earth they know the gait From hoary chaos down thru all the ages To August twenty-seventh, nineteen twenty-eight. Thru all the realms of life from whales to leeches They find that strife has been a sort of steady rule: With supercilious mien they whine: “This teaches That even nations must forever play the mule.” Some scraps of paper do attract attention: For instance, those from Sinai and from Runnymede; And right at home it’s worth our while to mention Our seventy-six and sixty-two—sweet freedom ’s seed. In human birth and life and desolation The sluggish slave sees “nothing new beneath the sun”; But seers of every age and every nation Agree a God-born plan of growth thru all does run. To make a heavenly dream of generations A cure for ills that never could be cured before Befits the youngest, strongest of all nations; And you who took the lead we honor and adore. A new-born. human conscience is the power You flung into a world of hate and love, of grief and mirth. In countless human hearts it’s bearing flower: Forever men shall glorify your names on earth.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 10
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: G(Dinning éssay of the LAMBDA EPSILON PHI ESSAY CONTEST The Committee of Judges have met some very interesting personalities in the essays which were submitted for consideration. Some are endowed with delightful imagination and enthusiasm; others are more serious and medi- tative by nature; a few...
Show moreG(Dinning éssay of the LAMBDA EPSILON PHI ESSAY CONTEST The Committee of Judges have met some very interesting personalities in the essays which were submitted for consideration. Some are endowed with delightful imagination and enthusiasm; others are more serious and medi- tative by nature; a few are very precocious for high school students,——and so on. But per- haps the most gratifying characteristic ob- served, in almost every instance, was a tenden- cy not to found a purposive education merely upon a self-centered and mercenary advantage, but rather upon service through a noble love of fellow men. The following essay by Miss Mayme Maki of Buhl, Minnesota, portrays representative high school thinking in a very pleasing manner. Then come Mr. Jack Westfall of Montevideo, Minnesota, and Miss Lorene McNiff from Or- tonville, Minnesota, with papers ranking in second and third places, respectively. Mr. West- fall’s submission contains a very well-develop- ed thought which gathers a dignified power as it proceeds; but technical errors hold it down in the second rank. As far as matured and comprehensive view of life is concerned, Miss McNiff’s essay is outstanding. She, however, conforms her writing more to the classical form, the dialog, which easily could have been mold- ed into a one-act play if an effective plot had ‘been introduced. We wish to express our gratitude to the Eng- lish instructors and superintendents who en- couraged their pupils to give written expresion to thoughts regarding this vital problem. A bner Batalden ~Chairman, Committee of Judges. C7he GZvay of the Star When I [hitched my toy-wagon to a star, how little I thought of the star! It was there—a mysterious, luminous desire drawing me on; but close at hand was the enticing toy-wagon, my mind. I filled the corners with gossamers on which Peter Pans could dance, but there was little fruit in the wagon, for experiences of childhood are remembered as little more than. delightful adventures. When my wagon was passing over a rough piece of road, a solicitous parent or thoughtful teacher cleared the way. As I grew older, the desire to straighten out my own difficulties grew strong. With my desire for self-reliance has come a new problem; I want to learn how to travel with other wagons on the highway of Life. I direct myself toward college gates in the hope that in passing through, I may pluck the fruit that will ripen into a well-lived life. I, a representative of the youth of to-day, look to a college education as an effective exercise in mental discipline, as the most adequate and most effiC1ent source of information concern- ing human experience, and as a place for learn- ing how to co-operate with the makers of To- morrow. I shall expect to find teachers with patience, wisdom, and vision that I may be helped in learning how to withstand the temp- tations of greed and envy in my struggles in a work—a—day world—that the full significance of the star be always before me. I look to a college education as an effective exercise in mental discipline. I already realize the truth in a recent biology lesson—“Habits of orderliness, concentration, and perseverance make for unity and for strength.” May col- lege days make me realize orderliness as such a necessity, concentration as such a successful effort, and perseverance as so sure a means of victory, that my mind may assimilate matter quickly and accurately. As the most adequate and most efficient source of information, a college education should provide quick access to the master-minds of history that have made the To-day that is evolving into To—morrow. History is so rich in the experiences of mankind, and life is so short and complicated, that few other facts than those pertaining to one ’s chosen vocation can be pried into. I think a college education Will
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 11
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: save me from blindly following numerous by- ways in the hope of finally finding the road along which I must travel. As every type of work becomes more and more specialized, one becomes less self-suffi- cient and more dependent on the understand- ing and co-operation of one ’s fellow men. Col-...
Show moresave me from blindly following numerous by- ways in the hope of finally finding the road along which I must travel. As every type of work becomes more and more specialized, one becomes less self-suffi- cient and more dependent on the understand- ing and co-operation of one ’s fellow men. Col- lege should not be merely a period of isolated study; there is no finer book of philosophy than the study of human nature that is active around us, and nothing broadens or advances thought more than the give and take of conver- sation or argument. I look forward to lessons in the happy, healthy competition and team- w0rk necessary for success. THE DIAL 9 My aim in getting an education is to obtain the accurate information, the mental discipline, and the training in co-operation with other minds, that will make my mind the unit of beauty and strength essential for a useful life. Then, there is the star——As I climb up the highway of Life, it will become more bright and clear; my vision may be dimmed by sor- row and care, but again I shall see the star shining ahead—doubly bright, high, ’high in the galaxy of stars of God’s heaven. And when my work on earth is done, that star will lead me Home. Min Mayme Maki, Bull], Minnemta. Mix: Jenni Stiming, Eng/ix}! Imtruttor (9n Gil/Cartyrdom Arthur R. Johnson, ’32 Whenever I relive my childhood experiences, I often find myself brooding over the hard lot that always seemed to fall on me, and on me alone. The incidents seem trifling to-day, but at that time they were as real and serious as only childhood can make them. After working myself almost to the point of tears over some greatly magnified injustice, I would find re- lief in imagining the occurrence of a dreadful calamity which would put an end to my suf- ferings, and also satisfy my desire for revenge. Most often the dreadful tragedy was my pass- ing away quietly and peacefully some night from overwork and exhaustion. What would follow, my imagination pictured in all its grati- fying and lurid details—the consternation of my parents the following morning (I preferred not to linger long on that), their realization of the cause of my death, the touching burial- scene (I shed tears myself over that), my par- ents’ full realization of their loss, the better treatment accorded the younger members of the family, and finally, the tend-er regard for my memory. In my more desperate moods, the calamity assumed the form of a more or less violent death by suicide. I would be found stiff and stark, suspended from the limb of a tree, or my body would be accidentally discovered in one corner of the cellar with the gruesome evidence of poisoning still in my hands. In either case a touching note would be left behind, stating that I had willingly forgiven all my enemies, that I harbored no ill-feelings whatever, and that I bequeathed to specified members of the family all my property, except the three silver dollars I had received from my aunt as a birth- day present, which were to go to charity. At other times my imagination would be stir- red into action by the thought of running away from home. This was a more rOmantic story, and besides, it had several advantages. The shock to my parents Would not be so great, and I would still be alive and able to come back—- after making my fortune—to live happily ever after. I distinctly remember one time when I had threatened to run away after having been rebuked and punished for something I had not done. Instead of doing so, however, I secreted myself in the grove near the house for a long, long time (about two or three hours, I believe). The “big scare” failed to materialize, however, and it was a very sheepish son that crawled in- to the house that evening. The “fatted calf” turned out to be a gentle rebuke; but as noth- ing further was said, my actions, for the next few days at least, were akin to those of the re- instated son.
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 12
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: C7he acest ﬂying émbers Theo. Jensen, ’30 If we paddle up the Missouri River about twelve hundred miles from the point where it joins the Mississippi, we find ourselves in that part of our great country where the East has ceased, and the West has begun. No longer do we see fertile fields,...
Show moreC7he acest ﬂying émbers Theo. Jensen, ’30 If we paddle up the Missouri River about twelve hundred miles from the point where it joins the Mississippi, we find ourselves in that part of our great country where the East has ceased, and the West has begun. No longer do we see fertile fields, prospering farinsteads, and thriving towns. At this place the river glides silently. between a range of high and rough hills, commonly called bad lands, and a wide expanse of dry prairies. With the excep- tion of some sage—brush and an occasional clump of cottonwood trees near the bank of the river, the plains are barren of vegeta- tion, and the high hills lie bleak and bare in the sun. The surroundings are desolate, and we feel extremely lonely, so lonely that even the few straggling horses eking their scanty living from what little they can find, seem good company. Do you see that little speck away over there where the river seems to turn in among the hills? If we transfer from our canoe to an aeroplane and ascend several hundred feet, we shall be able to see not a few of these little black dots sprinkled over the plain and among the Ihills. So widely are they scattered, or so obscurer hid away among the hills and trees, that were we on the ground, we should seldom be able to see more than one, or possibly two, from the same place. These little things that we see are houses, or rather shacks, some of which are constructed of roughly-hewn logs, but the majority are sod houses. In each of these dingy, little dwellings live Indians, real redskins. We are in the midst of the Black Foot Indian Reservation, a place set aside by the United States Government Where the small remnant of this tribe, who earlier in great numbers freely roamed on the plains, are doomed to spend their last days. Here the Indians lead a very passive existence. There are no battles to fight, and no game to hunt. Rabbits and a few coyotes may be seen, but how can such game interest one who used to carry a scalp at his girdle and track the bear and fell buffaloes? The squaw no more hoes and cracks corn, nor makes buckskin moc- casins for her brave, for the soil is not worth the tilling, and the buck no longer roams the plain. The life of the Indian has deteriorated into one of inactivity and sloth. His only di- version from this type of life is the trip to the village a number of miles across the plain, Where from the federal Indian agent he gets his monthly pension which sustains him till he returns again thirty days later. Not that he is satisfied to lead this type of existence, but what else can he do? As we see the restless- ness of the caged lion pacing to and fro be- hind the bars, so we note in these Indians an uneasiness and a longing for something they cannot get: freedom—freedom to roam about as is the nature of their blood. They are as a bird With clipped Wings, or we may liken them to a lbeautiful musical instrument sadly out of tune. Occasionally, however, these native children of the plain break away from their dreary mo- notony. Usually once or twice during the sum- mer they all assemble for a great feast, or powwow, in memory of bygone days. Each In- dian :brings his Wigwam, his squaW, and his papooses; then they live together in one great camp for several days. This reminds us of the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated by the Israel- ites in commemoration of their passage through the wilderness. rI‘he chief and all his braves are geared in the brightest of paint, feathers, and beads; and as they sit about the fire in the late evening passing the pipe round the cir- cle, we see in their features the revived Indian spirit. The old peace dance begins; slow and weary it is, for it lacks the real spirit. How can they dance and sing songs of peace? Are they not in the midst of a strange people? Are they not captives having been pushed back and forced to remain in this cheerless place? They are not at peace! The warriors jump «up, mo-
Show less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 03
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: THE DIAL Vol. I MAY, 1929 No. 1 ABNER BATALDEN, Editor-in-Chief Literary Editors Bun-iness Managers EMIL FOSSAN ADOLPH WINTHER THEO. JENSEN ERLING CHRISTIANSON TaMe of Content; i PRO LOGOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. A. Sveeggen 2 ...
Show moreTHE DIAL Vol. I MAY, 1929 No. 1 ABNER BATALDEN, Editor-in-Chief Literary Editors Bun-iness Managers EMIL FOSSAN ADOLPH WINTHER THEO. JENSEN ERLING CHRISTIANSON TaMe of Content; i PRO LOGOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. A. Sveeggen 2 “SUSPENDERS” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Martin Quanbec/z 3 “'A SCRAP OF PAPER” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J. J. S/zora’alsvold 7 THE WAY OF THE STAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mayme [VIa/zi 8 3 ON MARTYRDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Artlzur R. Johnson 9 3 THE LAST DYING EMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Theo. Jensen 10 A COVERLET OF SNow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abner Batalden 11 DESERT ROMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beatrice Helland 12 TO MOTHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .l . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lawrence Bueide 13 LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ernest Sitenhof 14- THE QUEST . . . . . .I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Einar Ryden 14- THE SECRET OF SUCCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lawrence Hoff 15 THE STREAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..0rShow less

Title: The Dial 1929, Page 04
Collection: Literary Journals
Search Result: 12m acogos From mind to word—from word again to mind, With wealth of wisdom from the ages drawn, Man’s store of knowledge ever passes on From min-d to word—from word again to mind. From heart to word—from word again to heart, Inwrought with love that like the sunlight beams, The fellowship of...
Show more12m acogos From mind to word—from word again to mind, With wealth of wisdom from the ages drawn, Man’s store of knowledge ever passes on From min-d to word—from word again to mind. From heart to word—from word again to heart, Inwrought with love that like the sunlight beams, The fellowship of mortals ever streams From heart to word—from word again to heart. From soul to word—from word again to soul, With purpose that we may the Father know, The love of God will never cease to flow From soul to word—from word again to soul. P. A. Sveeggen
Show less