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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2017: Auggies Make an Impact
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing...
Show more An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On celebration Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame, was fond of pointing out our “militant modesty,” the tendency to avoid touting our accomplishments for fear that we might be accused of boasting. Whether occasioned by our Lutheran faith tradition or Scandinavian roots (or some combination thereof), this modesty meant that often our good work as an institution was hidden under a bushel. Now, as someone steeped both in Lutheran and Scandinavian ways, I may have occasionally fallen victim to that same modesty, but perhaps I am being rehabilitated because there is just so much to celebrate at Augsburg these days! We can no longer hide our light, as this issue of Augsburg Now most clearly illustrates. Whether it is our name change to Augsburg University, officially celebrated in early September; the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum in mid-September, attracting international attention for this remarkable gathering of Nobel laureates and other peacemakers; the progress on the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, our signature academic building to open for classes in early January 2018; or one of the myriad other signs of good work—like the renewal of our McNair Scholars program, preparing first generation and students of color for graduate and professional school—I just can’t deny the need to celebrate! So, here’s my point. I’m all for humility and modesty in pursuing the mission-based work we are called to do for our students and our community. The gifts we share as a community—our values and commitments, our faculty and staff, our alumni and partners, and our inspiring students—these truly are gifts to be stewarded responsibly, not exploited. But it is not boasting when we celebrate how those gifts come together and are deployed to achieve our distinctive calling in the world: to be small to our students and big for the world, to educate students as informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. In fact, I might argue that not celebrating what has been achieved means that we miss the opportunity to proclaim what God has done in our midst and how others are invited to join us in the work we are called to do. We live in a world marked by a sense of scarcity; Augsburg models what it means to model the way of abundance. We choose abundance, and we celebrate all that God has made possible at Augsburg University—surely a beacon of light and hope in the world. Faithfully yours, Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Asha Sorenson sorenso3@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Kate H. Elliott Jessica Mueller All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official University policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu AUGSBURG NOW Fall–Winter 2017 The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is located near the corner of 21st Avenue South and South 7th Street on Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus—a site strategically selected to further connect the University to the community. 02 Around the quad 19 Women of influence 08 Annual report to donors 22 Auggies connect 10 Augsburg University Day 26 Class notes 12 The fatherhood bonus and the motherhood penalty 32 In memoriam 16 Nobel Peace Prize Forum On the cover The Augsburg University quad featured vibrant autumn colors this October. Photo by Kevin Healy. Inset photo by John Solem, University of Massachusetts Amherst. that Augsburg University’s quad now boasts a splash of color. At more than 82 feet wide, the vinyl graphic installed on Science Hall’s eastern-facing facade is nearly impossible to miss. The design pairs an excerpt from Augsburg’s strategic vision statement with vibrant hues chosen to reﬂect the accent colors on the exterior of the new Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which stands northwest of Science Hall and is blocked from view in the quad. One of the priorities outlined in Augsburg’s 2016 campus master plan is to extend the quad from the west edge of campus, through the existing campus core, and on to Murphy Square. This vision requires the demolition of Science Hall, which will be possible only after departments and program offices now housed in the facility relocate following the completion of the Hagfors Center. The timeline for this work is not yet determined, so, in the near term, those strolling through the heart of campus or navigating nearby streets will see Science Hall stand as an illustration of Augsburg’s vision to be “small to our students and big for the world.” 160 Y E A R S A G O Fifteen years before Augsburg moved in next door, Edward Murphy donated land for the first city park in Minneapolis— what is now Murphy Square. For years prior, the parcel had been used as a cow pasture. 1937 1857 LOOKING BACK: DECADES OF AUGSBURG HISTORY BEFORE AFTER ARCHIVE PHOTOS 8 0 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg elected an erudite and scholarly teacher, Bernhard Christensen ’22, ’25, to be president. He led the institution for nearly 25 years, during which time Augsburg made vigorous efforts to expand and enhance academic offerings. 1967 IT WOULD BE OVERLY MODEST to claim 5 0 Y E A RS A GO Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel played for more than 3,000 people in Si Melby Hall on Nov. 10, 1967. According to an Augsburg Echo review, the lengthiest applause was reserved for the song, “To Emily, Wherever I Might Find Her.” The same year saw the openings of Urness Hall and the Christensen Center, with the Marshall Room at the time serving as a faculty lounge to the resentment of the Echo’s editorial board. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN CURB APPEAL AROUND THE QUAD Where faith and public life meet 30 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg began offering its first graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in Leadership. Augsburg now offers nine post baccalaureate programs and set an enrollment record this fall with 1,035 master’s students. 2007 40 Y E A R S AG O Construction began on what is now the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, which would open a year later, bringing the entire music department under one roof for the first time in 100 years. AN AUGGIE THROWBACK PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER 1987 1977 The Rev. Mike Rusert [center] and members of Intertwine NE meet on a Sunday morning to plan a December 10 launch event designed as an inclusive experience for young adults interested in being part of an intentional spiritual community. PHOTOS BY DON STONER It is no secret that the gap between young adults and Christian congregations is widening. The good news, though, is that young people are not rejecting faith or religion; many are living out their faith through political activism, the arts, environmental stewardship, and interfaith engagement—places where public life and faith intersect. Bridging this gap will require congregations to adapt and innovate. To support this adaptive work, Augsburg’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation has launched a five-year project, called the Riverside Innovation Hub, with $1.5 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. In its first year, the Riverside Innovation Hub will work with an interdisciplinary research team of Augsburg faculty to study 12 local congregations that are effectively engaging young adults in their communities. Using the lessons learned from that research, the program will recruit and train a cohort of youth to serve as coaches, working alongside approximately 15 partner congregations committed to new ministry with young adults. “Partner congregations can then apply for two-year innovation grants to implement their programs in 2019 to 2021,” said Kristina Frugé, program manager for the Riverside Innovation Hub. At the end of that experience, all program participants will share their key learnings. Augsburg will publish the results and share the outcomes and insights through conferences and workshops. “Vocation is at the center of this project,” Frugé said. “For congregations, it’s about discerning their call in relationship with their young adult neighbors. For young adults, it’s about a connection with a Christian community who can accompany them in exploring how faith and public life intersect in ways that matter most to them.” Melissa Lee ’04, Augsburg’s head softball coach, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before an August Minnesota Twins game at Target Field as part of the team’s annual Lutheran Night festivities. Lee joined former St. Olaf pitcher the Rev. Charlie Ruud, with the pair dressed in costume as historical husband and wife duo Martin Luther and Katharina (von Bora) Luther in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the 1517 Protestant Reformation. Ruud previously served as a Campus Ministry intern at Augsburg. 1 0 Y E A RS A GO In 2007, Oren Gateway Center opened, connecting Riverside Avenue with the James G. Lindell Library, which opened a decade earlier. OGC will lose the distinction of being Augsburg’s newest building when the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is completed in late 2017. FALL - WINTER 2017 3 A N O T H ER F IV E YEARS OF SERVING SCHOLARS Every year, more than two dozen undergraduate students participate in Augsburg’s McNair Scholars Program, an intensive 21 months of graduate school preparation that opens doors to some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. What’s more, these McNair Scholars are from populations who statistically are less likely to have the opportunity to pursue advanced research and doctoral degrees—firstgeneration college students with financial need and/or students from racial and ethnic populations who are underrepresented in Each year, Augsburg selects two graduate education. McNair Scholars to represent Now, with a five-year renewal of its grant, the University at the Minnesota Private College Scholars Showcase Augsburg’s McNair Scholars, a federal TRIO at the Minnesota State Capitol. program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will be able to continue supporting these students’ pursuit of advanced degrees through at least 2022. The McNair Scholars Program was created by the U.S. Congress in honor of Ronald E. McNair, one of the first African American astronauts in the U.S. space program. Augsburg’s program provides graduate school preparation workshops, travel to a national research conference, hands-on scholarly research projects with faculty mentors, and more. Since 2007, according to “Tina” Maria Tavera, director of the McNair Scholars Program, Augsburg McNair Scholars alumni have completed or are currently pursuing more than 30 master’s degrees, 19 doctoral degrees, two medical school degrees, and two doctor of pharmacy degrees. With nearly $1.2 million of future funding, Augsburg is excited to see further program success. Augsburg awarded $475,000 to infuse sustainability in university life Augsburg University has new opportunities to live out its commitment to sustainability on campus, in the community, and among institutional partners thanks to nearly half a million dollars in new grant funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, a Minnesota-based foundation that believes colleges and universities can serve as models of operational sustainability for society at large. Using the grant award, Augsburg will facilitate student internships and other experiences at sustainability-focused organizations, strengthen and expand course offerings in Environmental Studies, fund student and faculty research, integrate In 2015, the Margaret sustainability and wellness A. Cargill Foundation contributed $1 million to across the academic the campaign to build the curriculum, and more. Hagfors Center for Science, “The next breakthrough Business, and Religion. in sustainability could come from a student majoring in communications, philosophy, or education,” said Allyson Green, Augsburg chief sustainability officer. “For all of us to live on this planet sustainably and equitably, we need all perspectives, experiences, types of knowledge, and skill sets to be part of the work.” Did you know? AN OC C A S IO N TO C E LE B R AT E Augsburg event series honors Reformation anniversary Augsburg held a series of events this fall marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. To kick off the series, Augsburg was honored to host ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for two events: the Christensen Symposium, which focused on interfaith friendships, and a panel discussion with representatives of #DecolonizeLutheranism, a grassroots movement challenging long-held patterns of white power and privilege in the ELCA and stereotypes of what it means to be Lutheran. The series continued in October, in observance of Heritage Day, when Mary Lowe, associate professor of religion, invited community members to consider Martin Luther’s perspectives on bodies and creation. Lowe explained how—even today—Luther’s theology relates to complex issues. Lowe discussed themes related to climate change, gender and sexuality, abuse, and deforestation. In November, award-winning musical group The Rose Ensemble presented “Welcome the People: The Musical Legacy of the Reformation.” The ensemble creates musical performances and educational programs that connect audiences to compelling stories of human history, culture, and spirituality from around the world. The celebration ends with this year’s Advent Vespers, the theme of which is inspired by Luther’s hymn, “From Heaven Above.” Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Augsburg’s Reformation event series and Advent Vespers. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AROUND THE QUAD MAKING HISTORY VISIBLE In the basement of Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, a team of researchers is working to map the history of racial segregation in Minneapolis. The group is unearthing racial restrictions buried in Minneapolis property deeds to create the first comprehensive visualization of historical racial covenants for a U.S. city. The project, called Mapping Prejudice, started with Augsburg’s Historyapolis Project, which seeks to illuminate the history of Minneapolis and has traced the roots of the city’s present-day racial disparities through historical research. To date, Mapping Prejudice researchers have found around 5,000 property deeds containing language that historically restricted ownership of residential properties by race. Enforcing these restrictions has been illegal in Minnesota for more than 60 years, but the records provide insight into the racial segregation that persists in Minneapolis neighborhoods. “Minneapolis is known for its parks, high-quality schools, and progressive politics,” said Kirsten Delegard, director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence. “Yet we have the highest racial disparities in the country.” Delegard said racial covenants were once pervasive in many U.S. cities and were instrumental in remaking the racial landscape of Minneapolis, which had not always been segregated. As many as 10,000 or more Minneapolis property deeds may contain such racially restrictive language. One of those properties is the Augsburg House, a residence on West River Road in Minneapolis that the University purchased in 1998. “When I saw the information that the Mapping Prejudice team had compiled for south Minneapolis, I suspected that Augsburg House originally had a racially restricted deed,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Nearly every new development in south Minneapolis in the early 20th century carried those types of restrictions.” The property’s 1926 deed didn’t initially show up in the project’s electronic search process because the document was handwritten, but Delegard was able to locate the deed manually. The University has sought legal counsel regarding options for clarifying that Augsburg does not support discriminatory restrictions on the property. “At the same time, we want to ensure we maintain the historical record represented by the deed,” Pribbenow said, “so that we never lose track of the disgraceful manners in which covenants were used to segregate our communities and to inﬂict real harm on so many.” The Mapping Prejudice project is a massive undertaking, so the group strives to engage volunteers in the work. Many Augsburg students have become involved, including two history students who did semester-long internships last year helping build a digital map display and an entire history The Mapping Prejudice team includes Kevin Erhman-Solberg ’14 [left], a University of Minnesota graduate student in geographic information science; Penny Peterson [center], a veteran property records researcher; Kirsten Delegard [right], director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence; and Ryan Mattke [not pictured], a map and geospatial information librarian from the University of Minnesota. class that is working with the project throughout the fall semester this year. Several sociology classes got involved this past spring and summer, helping develop the program’s volunteer outreach strategy. Students from Pribbenow’s honors seminar also helped transcribe deeds this past spring, and a cohort of Augsburg first-year students engaged in the work as part of City Service Day at the beginning of the 2017 academic year. “We absolutely could not have developed the project without this kind of participation from both students and faculty,” said Delegard, who is continuing to seek funding that will allow the project to get even more students involved in all aspects of the work. Go to augsburg.edu/now to link to an interactive map illustrating the spread of racially restrictive deeds across Minneapolis during the first half of the 20th century and to learn more about getting involved in Mapping Prejudice research. FALL - WINTER 2017 5 AWARDS 2017 Top 25 LGBTQ-friendly Colleges & Universities: Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in 2017. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Top 50 nationally for contribution to the public good: Augsburg was the No. 2 institution in Minnesota named by Washington Monthly in its 2017 Master’s Universities rankings. The list rates schools based upon their contribution to the public good in three categories: social mobility, research, and service. Top 25 schools for service-learning: Augsburg has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Top 25 Colleges and Universities for Service Learning. The sole Minnesota school on this list, Augsburg requires volunteering in the community as an instructional strategy. Schools garnering recognition were nominated by fellow institutions, college and university presidents or deans, and chief academic officers. At its September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation elected four additional members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three currently serving members. In addition, in accordance with the bylaws for Augsburg University, two bishops were appointed as ex-officio board members this fall. Augsburg University welcomes these new regents and thanks them for their service. • Eric J. Jolly, president and chief executive officer of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Jolly previously served on the Augsburg Board of Regents from 2008-2015. • Cynthia G. Jones ’81, senior level advisor for nuclear safety and analysis at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jones previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2010-2012. • Dean Kennedy ’75, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Texakoma Oil & Gas Corporation. Kennedy previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2005-2013. • Karolynn Lestrud ’68, retired photography and publishing industry professional; former board member in historic preservation and performing arts organizations; and active volunteer in arts, education, and theater. COURTESY PHOTO Elected to a new four-year term in 2017: Eric J. Jolly COURTESY PHOTO Recognition for being student-centered: For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student engagement in the learning process in their ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The student engagement score is based largely on results of a student survey that addresses how challenging classes are, whether they foster critical thinking and prompt students to make connections to the real world, and how much interaction the students have with faculty and other students. WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Cynthia G. Jones ’81 COURTESY PHOTO Best Regional Universities: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg among the best universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on factors including average firstyear retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. BOARD OF REGENTS Elected to a second four-year term: • Wayne Jorgenson ’71, senior vice president of wealth management at UBS Financial Services Inc. • Dennis Meyer ’78, chief marketing and business development officer at Robins Kaplan LLP • Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Elected to a third four-year term: • Ann Ashton-Piper, president of the IT consulting firm The Bridgie Group Appointed as ex-officio members of the Board of Regents for a three-year term: • The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod • The Rev. Steven H. Delzer, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Dean Kennedy ’75 PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG Augsburg University is consistently recognized for excellence. This year’s accolades include: Karolynn Lestrud ’68 S T C FA AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT Communications expert describes history and peril of “fake news” WHILE THE TERM “FAKE NEWS” IS RELATIVELY NEW, the phenomenon, of course, is not. People throughout time have been motivated to share false information in ways that give it the appearance of legitimacy or to discredit accurate information in order to serve their own interests. Newer, digital media channels have made the tools to do so readily available and more effective, according to Jenny Hanson, assistant professor of communication studies, film, and new media. What’s more, social media sites tend to present users with information that confirms existing biases. In her classes, Hanson teaches students the media literacy skills necessary to be critical consumers of the news. Q: A: What is the history of “fake news” in media? Fake news has been around for centuries; it’s probably as old as humans’ ability to communicate. People seem to have a natural desire to tell tall tales. After all, spectacles draw crowds and outlandish stories trend. Fake news took off with the invention of the printing press in 1439, in part because stories were difficult to verify and mass distribution meant news could travel relatively quickly. A journalistic code of conduct toward objectivity and the practice of fact-checking did not yet exist. Stories about strange beasts, hideous crimes, and falsified scientific discoveries sold papers, and for advertising-supported publications, that was the goal. As journalism evolved and as newspapers came to rely on subscription models, impartiality and accuracy became guiding principles. In the 1980s, standards changed when cable TV made the 24/7 news cycle a reality. Next, the internet created alternate—and rapid— means of news distribution and increased access to content-creation tools among the general population. Today, new reasons for using fake news are emerging: to distract, to challenge existing knowledge, and to raise doubt about the validity of information, all in order to favor particular interests. In this way, calling something “fake news” and creating fake news both can be used to advance political, social, or personal interests in a way that functions more like propaganda. Calling something fake triggers a reaction in us to question and doubt, thereby decreasing our confidence in the information and opening us up to different possibilities. Q: A: What are the potential real-world implications? There are immense implications when news is inaccurate. Journalists understand that if they misreport, misquote, or just plain get the story wrong, there are often legal implications, damage to the outlet’s reputation, and harm to those wronged. When fake news is used as propaganda, it threatens the very legitimacy of news itself, inviting us to believe what is most aligned with our own ideologies rather than what actually is. The damage can be widespread, creating lasting impacts that go on to shape industry, policies, procedures, culture, artifacts of history, and society. Q: What can individuals do to protect themselves from falsities and to process news and information critically? A: There are many actions people can take to become savvy information consumers. The advice we tell students includes getting your news from a variety of sources, seeking connections on social media who have viewpoints differing from your own, and reading beyond the headline and before sharing information. In a critical reading, check the author’s credentials, watch out for emotional appeals or outrageous claims, look to see that sources are named and are experts in their fields, review the article date for context, and consider your own bias. Understand the source and their interests, and be sure websites are the official sites and not ones intended to mimic another’s appearance. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the line between falsehood and satire. FALL - WINTER 2017 7 2016-17 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT When you give to Augsburg, you aren’t just supporting a private university—you’re paving the way for students to make a living, make a life, and make a community. The impact of your generosity can be seen in the lives of thousands of students who are now embracing financial security, finding their vocation, and following their calling. TO DONORS ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $40.5 $38.3 May 31, 2017—$43,878,362 $32.4 $28.2 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 $43.9 REVENUE BY SOURCE $29.8 75% 8% 7% $24.5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of May 31, 2017, Augsburg University’s endowment had annual realized and unrealized gains of 12.19 percent. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 8.21 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 4.34 percent. The University is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to Augsburg in perpetuity. Your philanthropy is creating an Augsburg that will be SUSTAINABLE, 7% 3% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 38% 33% 20% 4% 3% 2% 1% Salaries and Benefits Financial Aid Operating Expenses Debt Services Utilities and Insurance Student Compensation Capital Improvement FAITHFUL,and RELEVANT long into the future. Thanks to you and other committed friends, Augsburg is preparing students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to serve and lead in our communities, schools, places of worship, and businesses. During fiscal year 2016-17, more than 9,300 individual donors gave $17,216,961 through cash gifts, pledges, and planned gifts. Augsburg Fund supporters provided the University with more than $1.1 million in unrestricted, discretionary funds to improve the student experience. Tuition Room and Board Private Gifts and Grants Other Sources Federal Grants MAKE A LIVING When juggling the rigors of family life, owning three businesses, and coaching high school sports, starting a graduate program might not hit the top priority list for many people. But for Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA, the benefits of pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree to further his career and build greater financial security for his family were worth the effort. “My graduate experience was an eye opener. It reminded me where I came from, and where I wanted to be in the future,” said Tadros. “My classmates had unique abilities and talents, and I learned so much from them.” Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA Shika Addo Memorial Scholarship Tadros now serves as a guest lecturer for Augsburg finance classes, sharing life lessons with undergraduates. With his degree, and your gifts, he looks to the future with confidence, knowing that his kids will be well provided for and that his impact will extend beyond his career. MAKE A LIFE As a shy, small-town kid, Kevin Tran ’18 would never have believed it had someone told him that as a college student he would become a board member for three student organizations, travel abroad with the choir, work as an intern for US Bank, and volunteer in the community in his free time. Tran began to really come out of his shell by living his life through the Auggie experience. “When I came [to Augsburg], I didn’t know what to expect. In high school, I was just really all about my work. Augsburg exposed me to who I am supposed to be ... I became more independent, more knowledgeable, more vocal, and more myself.” Kevin Tran ’18 Leland and Louise Sundet Scholarship Because of you, Tran has found his calling and is planning to pursue his dream by working in marketing for the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. MAKE A COMMUNITY Singing, studying, social work, public policy, and reconstructing the criminal justice system. These are among the top priorities for Augsburg student Alexa Anderson ’19. Anderson may be a proud member of the Honors Program and Augsburg vocal ensembles, but the deeper she dives into her studies as a social work major, the more motivated she has become to change her community through restorative justice. Alexa Anderson ’19 Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s Scholarship in Choral Music “Augsburg has completely changed me as a person, specifically regarding how I view my role as a member of a community,” she said. “Before coming here, I didn’t understand how important being an active member of a community was. Through my classes, volunteering, internships, and living in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, I now believe that in order for a community to succeed, its members must act and live in a way that encourages understanding, acceptance, and unity.” A NEW DAY, A NEW KIND OF UNIVERSITY BY JESSICA MUELLER AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY DAY was a moment of celebration—a time to honor and appreciate the abiding principles on which Augsburg was founded and an opportunity to consider Augsburg’s commitment to shaping the world for generations to come. Augsburg marked the transition from college to university through a commemorative day full of fun and fellowship. And, although Augsburg College officially became Augsburg University on September 1, the campus threw its proverbial hat in the air a few days later—on September 5, the day Augsburg formally welcomed its most diverse incoming class in school history. OPENING CONVOCATION On September 5, Augsburg’s Class of 2021 rose early to participate in the grand finale of their welcome week: Opening Convocation. New students marched across campus, past rows of cheering faculty and staff, and toward Hoversten Chapel with pride (and maybe a few sheepish grins), to engage in a historic beginning for them and for their school: the commissioning of Augsburg University’s inaugural first-year class. This year’s event featured elements linked with Augsburg’s commitments to faith, diversity, and vocation: Lutheran hymns, interfaith blessings, and international flags representing the countries from which Augsburg students come. President Paul Pribbenow encouraged new Auggies to do justly, love mercy, walk humbly ... and follow him on Twitter. And that was just the beginning. A MOMENT TO REMEMBER Following Opening Convocation, the Class of 2021 processed from the chapel to the quad where they were met by stilt walkers, local musicians, Haitian and Somali dancers, and the smells of dishes as varied and diverse as the neighborhoods surrounding Augsburg’s metropolitan campus. More than 800 students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University convened to feast on sambusas, Mexican tacos, cotton candy, brats and sauerkraut, and, in some cases, all of the above. 10 AUGSBURG NOW Students had nearly two hours to take in their surroundings, grab food, pose at the Auggie photo booth, and assemble hygiene kits for the Augsburg Health Commons, which serves unsheltered persons throughout Minneapolis. Many even had time to read a proclamation, signed by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, naming September 5, 2017, Augsburg University Day. A UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY In the afternoon, more than 500 students, faculty, and staff gathered in small groups and dispersed throughout Minneapolis to listen to, learn from, and volunteer with local partners and nonprofits with ties to Augsburg. In total, the Class of 2021 donated nearly $35,000 in service work at more than 20 Twin Cities locations. The entire string of events—from the convocation, to the celebration, to the service-learning opportunities—demonstrated that Augsburg’s name change was much more than updated monument signs (though they do look nice), letterhead, and websites. The name change was a collaborative effort to share Augsburg’s story—the narrative of a place that’s deeply embedded in its community, that richly lives out its traditions, and that points to a bolder vision of what a student-centered, urban university can be … small to its students, and big for the world. FALL - WINTER 2017 11 The fatherhood BONUS a n d th e PENALTY motherhood BY KATE H. ELLIOTT G r o un d b r e a k i n g r e s e a rch by alum na M i c he l l e B u d i g ’ 9 3 s h eds light on wage ga p b e t we e n f a t h e rs and m others Michelle Budig’s story is deeply woven into her pioneering research to expose gender inequality and examine family policies in the workforce. The product of an outspoken dental receptionist and a pious electrician— who staked the yard with opposing political signs—Budig learned from a young age to question, wonder, and voice her beliefs. In preschool, for example, she insisted her class change the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to remove “and with the girls be handy.” But despite her early and strong advocacy for girls’ rights, Budig still believed that as an adult she would have to choose between motherhood and a meaningful career. Indeed, at 22, she married her Augsburg sweetheart, nurse practitioner Peter Landstrom ’91, but then waited almost 20 years—until 12 AUGSBURG NOW after she secured tenure as a sociology professor—to adopt their daughter, Lucy. Her beliefs about how things should be were tempered by her understanding of how things actually are. It may be no surprise, then, that Budig focused her scholarly research on the impact of parenting across gender—specifically the wage inequities between fathers and mothers across the pay scale. Her latest findings, currently making rounds in The New York Times and the like, assert that although the gender pay gap is decreasing (women now make about 76 cents for every man’s dollar), wage inequalities among parents who work are increasing. Overall, fathers incur an average wage increase of more than 6 percent with each child, while women experience, on average, a 4 percent decrease in salary per child. Fatherhood, ultimately, is considered a “valued characteristic, signaling perhaps a greater work commitment, stability, and deservingness,” said Budig, Sociology Department chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mothers, on the other hand, are often perceived as “exhausted and distracted at work,” rendering them less productive. Beyond perception, other significant contributors to the discrepancy include that women often take time off to care for children and bypass higher wages for mom-friendly roles. “Kids are seen as a privilege, not a right, so if you want to have them, you must pay the price,” Budig said, referencing a view some hold. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SOLEM, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST TY Michelle Budig ’93 is an award-winning professor and author whose research interests focus on gender, employment, labor markets, earnings, stratification, and family. FALL - WINTER 2017 13 But it’s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less,” Budig said. Using sophisticated statistical techniques on a large sample of U.S. workers, Budig found that parenting exacerbates earnings inequalities within genders depending on income. The “fatherhood bonus,” as she calls it, is highest for the most advantaged men—married, white, college graduates with professional jobs. Unmarried, black men in non-professional occupations, for instance, receive minimal—if any—bonus. The motherhood penalty is smallest among women who earn above the 90th percentile of female workers, with women at the very top of the income distribution experiencing no wage penalty. Low-to-average earning women incur the greatest motherhood penalty, Budig found. “I always thought that women who made the most would have the most to lose, but that is certainly not the case, and it makes complete sense when you consider factors and stressors influencing populations at the top and bottom of the pay scale,” Budig said. “Fathers and mothers earning lower wages often rely on fragile networks of free child care, and when a grandmother or friend is sick or doesn’t show, those parents can’t make it to work. Conversely, parents who can afford it, secure reliable, consistent child care operated by licensed professionals.” Additionally, lower-earning men and women statistically are more likely to have children, Budig said, which leads to higher penalties for those families. Accessible child care among policies to close the gap Budig suggests two policy shifts to reduce the gap: publicly funded, high-quality child care for babies and toddlers and nontransferable paid leave for both mothers and fathers. The “nontransferable” part is critical, Budig reiterated, as “evidence suggests that if fathers can transfer leave to a female partner, they will.” “Access for all to high-quality, reliable, licensed child care options would certainly even the playing field for both parents and children,” Budig said. “Think of all the stress it would alleviate from low-income families relying on less dependable child care. Businesses would likely be more productive with a more resilient, consistent workforce. And children growing up in low-income situations would benefit from the same instruction and care as wealthier families, giving those young ones a stronger start.” This approach is not new. Many Scandinavian countries, which support publicly funded child care and offer incentivized paternal leave, report smaller It' s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less.” Wider wage gaps among lower-earning individuals are exacerbated by the fact that people tend to marry within socioeconomic situations, Budig adds, so low-earning couples take greater hits, while highly paid duos keep climbing. 14 AUGSBURG NOW or no parental pay gaps. In contrast, countries with entrenched gender roles, like Germany, where new mothers are expected to take a year or more off work, report the highest motherhood penalties. “Workplace policies matter,” Budig Budig’s 19-page curriculum vitae details the more than $725,000 in grants she’s received, including some from the National Science Foundation, and lists her articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review. She regularly contributes to national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, Money Magazine, and the Washington Post. said. “Most of my life, I had to choose between being a mother and having a meaningful career, and unless progressive policies are adopted, the parental and economic gaps will persist.” The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ranked the United States last in a study the intergovernmental organization conducted about the national paid maternity leave policies of its member countries. The average amount of paid leave time for mothers among its 35-member countries was a little more than one year, as of 2016. Budig notes there is progress on the state level, citing California’s paid family leave, which allows family members to take time off to care for a loved one or to bond with a new child entering their life (either by birth, adoption, or foster care). Without a comprehensive federal approach, however, Budig warns of the implications of inconsistencies across states. “It’s encouraging to see states and companies take action, but it leads to inequities among states and industries, which may only add to our country’s increasing divide,” said Budig, who has testified before Congress and the United Nations about the implications of her research. “More universal support will reduce wage gaps, promote greater equality, and better prepare our children to be productive members of society.” The culture is shifting as men embrace female roles But beyond evolutions in policy, Budig sees hope in the young people she interacts with as a professor and mentor. They expect both parties—and want both partners—to be involved in maintaining the household. Single-paycheck families are difficult to sustain, and popular books and blogs are encouraging mothers to shed the mom guilt, cast aside the superwoman expectations, and go order a pizza for dinner. “Believe me, I get it. Even with the most supportive husband, who as a nurse, experiences his own gender stereotypes, I still slip into unrealistic expectations,” said Budig, who earned a master’s and doctorate in sociology from the University of Arizona. “Our marriage is a constant conversation, and splitting up the chores by room works for us.” A 2016 PayScale Gender Pay Gap Report found that men still out-earn women in every state in the union, but Vermont is the closest to equality, with women earning 84.8 percent of what men earn overall, as opposed to Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Wyoming where women earn from 71 to 73 percent of their male counterparts’ income. The national average is 76 percent, per the report, which does not factor in years of experience, education, or job title. When such national statistics were first calculated in the 1970s, it was about 60 percent. Mentors pushed her to live with a ‘heart for service’ Budig lost both her parents nearly two years ago. She often wishes she could talk with her mom about her latest research, knowing her mom would get a kick out of hearing about innovative solutions to promote equality and increase access for women. “My mom was wildly supportive of my work, but I’ll never forget the first time she read a major study I published about the wage gap. I was driving, and she was in the back seat. She looked up and said, ‘Michelle, everyone knows women earn less than men. That’s what you’ve been working on?’ Gee, thanks, mom,” Budig said. “I think she would have appreciated this last batch of research and what I’m focused on next, which involves female entrepreneurs and a study about the motherhood penalty in Israel.” Although there is no replacing a driveand-talk with mom, Budig is not short on inspiring female mentors. At Augsburg, where she majored in English and sociology, Budig sought out educators to support her journey. Sociology Professor Diane Pike has taught Auggies for more than three decades, and Budig certainly stands out. “Michelle had a seriousness and sophistication about intellectual ideas and work that was exemplary, and being a first-generation student, she never lost sight of the privilege it is to pursue higher education. She set the bar high for herself, and we’ve been following her career ever since,” said Pike, who specializes in organizational analysis, sociological theory, and research methods. “There is nothing better than seeing one of your students succeed at such a level. Michelle’s a big deal in sociology, speaking at top conferences and advocating for important change. She has a rare ability to convey complex data and theories to general audiences, and we are very proud of her.” Budig’s Auggie roots run deep, and both she and Landstrom commit themselves to its mission through caregiving and advocating for change. Augsburg gave them a way of looking at the world and approaching life that will never leave them, Budig said. “The greatest takeaway from Augsburg is our desire—the responsibility, really— to give back and live with a heart for service to others. Every day, we try to live out that change in our personal and professional lives.” FALL - WINTER 2017 15 N I E U G O DIAL SOCIETIES D E D I V I D 20 17 N ob e l Pe a ce P rize Forum li s o p nea n i M — [Above] Representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet are joined on stage by Peace Scholars and other participants at the closing ceremony of the Forum. [Left] During a break, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureates posed for photos in front of a three-story mural featuring their images along with dozens of other past laureates. N obel Peace Prize laureates, world leaders, and renowned peacemakers came together this fall as Augsburg University hosted the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis. As an international peace congress, the Forum united honored guests, students, and community members in considering the globally significant, multidimensional nature of peace by examining topics that ranged from disarmament and human rights to economic development and environmental sustainability. This year’s Forum kicked off with several hundred attendees filling Augsburg’s Si Melby Gymnasium to listen to the incredible, true story of the 2015 Nobel Laureates—leaders who inspired a sharply divided nation to find common ground and, ultimately, form one of the world’s newest democracies. During a conversation presented in both English and Arabic, representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue 16 AUGSBURG NOW Quartet described an arduous and inspiring peacemaking model in which members of business, labor, human rights, and law disciplines crafted a sustaining democratic constitution through peaceful dialogue. Recognized collectively with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to building a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet is made up of leaders from four key organizations in the north African nation’s civil society. In the tense early moments of the Arab Spring uprisings, the Quartet exercised its role as a mediator and demonstrated the power of civil communication in sensitive political circumstances. Perhaps no other Forum experience better illustrated the event’s overarching theme: Dialogue in Divided Societies. Nobel Peace Prize Forum art festival Augsburg University has served as the Nobel Peace Prize Forum’s official host since 2012, but in recent years, the event itself has taken place at several conference venues across the Twin Cities. Bringing the Forum back to Augsburg this fall gave global peacebuilders the opportunity to experience the unique, urban beauty of the University’s location and to engage with a large-scale outdoor art exhibition on display across campus. In the spirit of fostering dialogue during the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, artists from across the United States collaborated on installations that highlighted the layered and often overlapping complexity of finding solutions to global issues. The art exhibition was curated by Christopher Houltberg, assistant professor of art and director of Augsburg’s Design & Agency program, a student-run design studio experience that teaches design thinking and problem-solving in graphic design. One of the most talked-about installations at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum was a Hex House constructed in Murphy Square. Designed by Architects for Society, a nonprofit seeking to enhance the built environment for disadvantaged communities, the Hex House is a prototype for dignified, low-cost, flexible housing that’s easy to deploy in emergency situations. Given that the Forum dates fell just after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought havoc and destruction to the Caribbean, Texas, and Florida, the Hex House was a timely opportunity to see how smart design can address critical community needs. Building peace in the greater Twin Cities, around the world Throughout the four days of the 2017 program, attendees participated in dozens of breakout sessions led by globally recognized leaders in the fields of international development and peacemaking. Participants had the opportunity to meet and hear from national and world leaders—including Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Kåre Aas, Tunisian Ambassador to the United States H.E. Fayçal Gouia, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. Other often-recognized presenters at the event included former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who is seeking to end gun violence, and Barbara Bush, who founded the Global Health Corps organization to mobilize young leaders to support health equity. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum also prompted attendees to consider local peace-building needs, convening conversations focused on present-day issues in the Twin Cities. Students, community members, and facilitators worked through difficult discussions on respecting and honoring sacred spaces, bridging political differences through civil dialogue, and addressing cross-generational injustice. These mediated conversations went beyond campus to places that brought the topics to life. For example, part of the dialogue on preserving Native American sites took place in suburban Eagan at Pilot Knob, an area that was an indigenous gathering place and sacred burial ground for centuries. “It’s entirely fitting that these important conversations are happening at Augsburg University as part of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum,” said the Forum’s Program Director Joe Underhill, reflecting on the entire event. “A university is a place where civic dialogue on difficult topics is not only allowed, but highly encouraged,” said Underhill, an associate professor of political science at Augsburg. “It is only through that kind of dialogue that we are going to move toward any mutual understanding on these issues.” [Far left] Augsburg Design & Agency students created numerous large-scale art installations to convey the theme, Dialogue in Divided Societies. [Near left] The Hex House, a low-cost, emergency housing prototype, showcased how smart design can create humane solutions during crises. FALL - WINTER 2017 17 JOIN US FOR THE 30TH [Above] Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Methodist Bishop Bruce Ough visit the Red Rock, a boulder that is located at a United Methodist Church in Newport, Minnesota, and considered sacred by the Dakota people. The 2017 Forum included site visits addressing local peace-building topics. September 19–22, 2018 Augsburg University [Left] Interactive art installations allowed Forum attendees to participate in creating displays that reflected their own perspectives on peacemaking. PRESENTED BY LEAD SPONSORS ® SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS 45 0 100 3 18 AUGSBURG NOW #93C33A 0 70 85 0 #F76 WOMENOF INFLUENCE BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Augsburg outscores national average of female coaches, supports inclusive culture across Athletics department “Only priests and participants’ fathers can be anywhere near the pool,” three St. Catherine’s nuns echoed in protest as Augsburg’s 1963 swim instructor, Malcolm “Mac” Gimse, led then-20-year-old Joyce Pfaff ’65 and three other physical education majors onto the pool deck. Gimse reluctantly exited the building, but as the Auggies lined up at water’s edge, “GO AUGSBURG” boomed from the stands. Pfaff looked up, and there was her instructor, wearing a big smile and a clerical collar. Call it obstinate or call it resolute, but Pfaff adopted that tenacity—and it helped her climb over, chisel away, and bust down a decade’s worth of walls in women’s athletics and coaching prior to the passage of Title IX, a federal law that allows women access to any federally funded educational program or activity. So, it comes as no surprise that Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director is “beyond proud” that a recent report ties Augsburg with Macalester College as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s schools with the most female head coaches. Head Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Coach Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL leads a team practice. FALL - WINTER 2017 19 PHOTO BY CYNDI NIGHTENGALE, CYNBADMEDIA This distinction, out of the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Women and Girls in Sport, is particularly encouraging as national studies point to dramatic decreases in women coaching women’s sports. When Title IX was passed in 1972, women coached 90 percent of women’s collegiate athletic teams. Today, only about 40 percent of those teams are led by female coaches, according to the NCAA. Augsburg hits national average out of the park Pfaff coached at a time before women’s athletics were afforded official equipment or facilities. In fact, Pfaff helped build Augsburg’s first softball field. Today, she remains confident in Augsburg’s ability to advance equality. According to the Tucker Center, Augsburg leapt from having slightly more than 36 percent female head coaches in 2014 to nearly 73 percent in 2017. “Think of how far we’ve come,” Pfaff said. “Augsburg’s first volleyball coach, Mary Timm ’81, could ‘afford’ to coach for us because she had a full-time job as a day care supervisor, and she used vacation time to travel with the team. Today, Augsburg has more women’s teams (11) than 20 AUGSBURG NOW men’s (10), and the Athletic Department works hard to create an equitable, forward-thinking, and inclusive culture.” Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 and Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks appreciate the Tucker Center’s acknowledgement of Augsburg’s dedication to women’s athletics. University leaders are ever-vigilant in their efforts to support all coaches, staff, and student-athletes in achieving a well-balanced life. “Coaching demands all of you and more, with 365-day recruiting on top of practices, planning, and leading studentathletes in competition and out in their everyday lives,” said Swenson, who has worked at Augsburg for more than 36 years. “We are committed to work-life integration. The best coaches are fulfilled, healthy, and productive members at home and in the community— an approach to life we want to mirror for our student-athletes.” Anderson Diercks recruits coaches and advises studentathletes interested in transitioning from court to clipboard. She is keenly aware of the factors contributing to the diminishing number of female coaches across the U.S. and emphasizes that even if you’re in a position of success, there’s still room for improvement. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics. —Kelly Anderson Diercks, associate athletic director “College athletic departments need to do a better job of recruiting and retaining women coaches through mentoring, professional development, and supportive cultures,” she said. “And it is critically important that this conversation is not just about women coaching women. It should be about women in coaching, which includes women coaching boys and men. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics.” Popularity of women’s athletics contributes to decline in coaching equity The NCAA’s findings suggest that a major factor contributing to the decline of women coaching women is, ironically, tied to the boom of women’s athletics. With increased popularity came expanded staffs and higher salaries, attracting men—particularly longtime assistant coaches—to lead women’s teams. And while 60 percent of women’s teams are coached by men, according to the study, women guide only about 3 percent of men’s teams. Roughly 80 percent of collegiate athletic directors are men. Is a solution to ignore gender? “Absolutely not,” Anderson Diercks said. “Like any dimension of diversity, to ignore or deny a part of someone’s identity does not allow them to show up as their fullest and best self, and then we all miss out. There is richness in diversity, and women are an important part of that diversity, especially in the athletic arena.” A coaching job is demanding, with long hours, travel, and high expectations, but those pressures can be overcome, Swenson said. The more universities exemplify work-life balance, the more family-oriented student-athletes, regardless of gender, will be drawn to the profession, he added. Negative perceptions still cast a shadow Stigmas, misconceptions, and high stakes also contribute to the decline in women seeking and maintaining leadership roles in university athletics, according to the NCAA. Interviews with female coaches across the U.S. drew out comments about increasing demands, assumptions about female coaches’ sexuality, and perceived gender bias. Augsburg Women’s Hockey Head Coach Michelle McAteer said if she could squash an assumption curbing female coaches, it would be the belief that “all women are catty and emotional.” “Since women hold fewer leadership positions in all realms— from athletics and business to politics—we are put under a microscope and our actions are generalized,” she said. “Women in leadership need to become the norm and not the exception in order to combat these myths so we can get onto the business of empowering those we lead (and winning games).” And she would know. McAteer, who led the Augsburg women’s hockey team to its highest MIAC finish since the ’90s, played for female coaches throughout her high school and college years. These models of “strength, resolve, and compassion” gave her confidence and an awareness of her role now, as a coach, to model those values for the next generation, she said. “It’s a responsibility I care deeply about.” For Pfaff, this and other reflections from today’s women coaches signal that the legacy she and others fought to instill is [L to R]: Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kathryn Knippenberg and Graduate Fellow Taylor Tvedt ’19 MAL greet a prospective student. holding strong. Sure, there always is yet another contest to win, she said, but what’s the fun in not having a fight? The best part, for Pfaff, is knowing that Augsburg is on the right side of the field—maybe even the infield she helped grade for Augsburg’s first softball diamond. FALL - WINTER 2017 21 AUGGIES CONNECT AUGSBURG WOMEN ENGAGED: COURTESY PHOTO Dear alumni and friends, It’s an exciting time for Augsburg University, and the Alumni Board aims to infuse positive energy from Augsburg’s big events this fall in our year-long agenda. The board’s objective is to advance Augsburg’s mission by making the most of the time, talents, and treasure found in our alumni group. Each year, the Alumni Board plans events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and serve together. The 2017 Summer Series was an example of this work. Auggies attended a Minnesota United soccer game, took part in Auggie Night at Canterbury Park, and listened to Augsburg community members give presentations on a range of topics at the 7 People 7 Passions 7 Minutes event at Sisyphus Brewing. Alumni Board members also hosted Happy Hour Squared at Brave New Workshop, which featured a twist on a traditional social hour— attendees enjoyed beverages while making 1,500 sandwiches for unsheltered people in the Twin Cities. It is fun watching the talents of fellow Auggies come to life at our social events, and our upcoming calendar is available online: augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Using your time and talents to make connections with current students is simply one of the best ways to stay connected with Augsburg, so stay tuned for details about the upcoming 2018 Auggie Networking Experience on February 6. Auggies also can join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a tree in the Urban Arboretum planned for Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. The trees selected for the first phase of this plan will surround the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota. All gift levels are welcome. As the Alumni Board continues to advance the mission of the University through events and networking, we invite you to join us. We work hard, and we make sure we don’t forget to have fun, as well. MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION The Augsburg Women Engaged Philanthropy Council has grown in the past year. Augsburg alumnae formed AWE in 2009 to unite women with shared interests and passions through events, mentorship, and philanthropy. Today, AWE inspires women to connect, learn, and give. AWE highlights: Connect—Members gathered at Homecoming for a painting party to prepare pieces of a mural titled “Emergence” that will be installed in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn—AWE hosted a discussion following the 2016 Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation and a pre-concert reception at the annual Woman Voice: Voice of Hope choral performance. Give—Members raised more than $100,000 for the “Emergence” mural and are engaged in planning to raise an additional $1 million for scholarships. AWE’s participation has nearly doubled during the past year and includes Augsburg women from all generations, degree programs, and career fields. COURTESY PHOTO FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT AWE Philanthropy Council members [L to R]: Debby (Fredrickson) Crowley ’76, Danielle Stellner ’07, Joni Marti ’05 MAL, Lori Moline ’82, Martha Truax ’16 MAL, Shelby (Gimse) Andress ’56, Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL, Cheryl Jensen ’86, Donna McLean, and Kris (Peterson) Pearson ’78. Not pictured: Rachel (Olson) Engebretson ’98, Dr. Lisa Latham ’83, Diana Pierce ’16 MAL, and Cindy (Winberg) Sisson ’83. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about joining AWE. 22 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT Celebrate STEPUP ® PROGRAM MARKS 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS COURTESY PHOTO A Heidi Bausch ’07 ugsburg University’s StepUP Program is in its 20th year of empowering students in recovery to achieve academic success. StepUP held its annual gala October 28. The gala was an evening of inspiration and fellowship in which emcee Don Shelby, an Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist and person in recovery, welcomed nearly 500 Auggies, families, friends, and advocates for recovery. Each year, the StepUP Gala is organized by a committee of volunteers with support from Augsburg staff. The 2017 committee co-chairs were Gina Gage and Cindy Piper. Two of the evening’s highlights were the keynote address by alumna Heidi Bausch ’07 and the presentation of the Toby Piper Labelle Award to the James and Sally Dowdle and Pat and Jeanne Dwyer families. Bausch is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her graduation from Augsburg, where she studied psychology and philosophy, was an active member in the StepUP community, and worked for the Center for Wellness and Counseling. Today Bausch lives out a passion for serving the recovery community. She is pursuing a doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Her clinical practice included an internship at The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s residential program for young people and work at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview inpatient unit for youth facing chemical and mental health difficulties. Bausch also works with the Minnesota Psychology Association to promote legislation aimed at improving behavioral health care quality. This year, Bausch partnered with her StepUP Program roommate, Samantha Yerks ’06, to launch Singularity Behavioral Systems & Technology, a business that develops clinical software products for the mental health field. Go to augsburg.edu/stepup to learn more about the StepUP Program and its fundraising gala. FALL - WINTER 2017 23 introduces high school students to health science careers When University alumni and community members step up to help make an Augsburg program succeed, everybody wins. Since 2008, Augsburg University has hosted Metro Scrubs summer camps that offer high school students a glimpse into health science careers. Through workshops and hands-on activities, students gain insight into career paths that range from veterinary medicine and public health to physical therapy and nursing. The success of the weeklong program— formerly known as Urban Scrubs— hinges on faculty involvement and volunteer engagement through which working professionals teach workshops and mini-courses. This year, an Augsburg alumna and the parent of two Auggie alumni stepped in to offer their expertise—and to learn a thing or two from their pupils. Jenny Kelley ’85 pursued a nursing degree after completing her Augsburg education and now serves as a nurse and asthma educator at the Hennepin County Medical Center in COURTESY PHOTO METRO SCRUBS PROGRAM Nearly six dozen students participated in Augsburg’s Metro Scrubs Camp this summer. One of nine such programs for Minnesota high school students, Metro Scrubs is a collaborative effort of Augsburg University, HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and St. Catherine University. Minneapolis. Kelley initiated a Metro Scrubs class by asking students to inhale and exhale through a narrow cocktail straw, an exercise that highlighted how difficult it is for someone with asthma to breathe. Kelley noticed that her students were from a diverse array of backgrounds, but previous knowledge of asthma was something that unified the group. “I felt I was having an impact on students from many different cultures and different communities,” Kelley said. “Yet, everyone knows somebody with asthma, so this education is helpful in ensuring people use their inhalers the right way.” One out of 12 people in the U.S. is diagnosed with asthma. For Kelley, leading a Metro Scrubs course was a way to teach young people about the medical condition and to spur interest in careers that could help tackle this pressing health care need. For Dr. Robert “Bob” Florence, a primary care internist at Allina in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, teaching Metro Scrubs students was an opportunity to reconnect with the basics. Florence knows Augsburg well through his children, Jeffrey Florence ’02 and Beth Florence ’08, and he noted that teaching high school students was a reminder about the importance of clear doctor-patient communication. “I show the students what it’s like to do an office call with a patient, explaining the types of interactions I have with patients, along with the best and worst ways to handle certain scenarios,” Florence said. “I began teaching the class because the students hadn’t been exposed to primary care in the other Metro Scrubs sessions, and I wanted to teach them what they could and should expect.” While it can be difficult to fit extra opportunities into a physician’s hectic schedule, Florence said leading Metro Scrubs classes has been worthwhile. “It has helped me to be a better physician and taught students interested in medical careers valuable lessons,” he said. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities with Metro Scrubs Camp. 24 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT GIFT EXPANDS MARINE AQUARIUM FACILITY for study of biological diversity When the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens for classes in January 2018, the new building will feature a state-of-the-art marine aquarium facility thanks to the generosity of donor Fritz Grimm, who made a substantial gift to fund the project. Twenty years ago, Associate Professor of Biology William “Bill” Capman created a large multi-tank coral reef aquarium system on campus to inspire interest in biological diversity, to serve as a teaching and research tool, and to provide living specimens for lab demonstrations. In the years since, the aquaria have been integral to Capman’s teaching, making interaction with marine life a unique aspect of Augsburg’s biology laboratory experience, exposing students to biodiversity they would not see elsewhere, and promoting careful stewardship of the world’s ecosystems. Capman has been passionate about aquatic life since his childhood. He and Grimm, as fellow members of the Twin Cities Marine Aquarium Society, have known each other for years. Grimm is the former proprietor of a store selling items for keeping coral, fish, and other sea life, and has assisted Capman in past efforts to care for Augsburg’s aquaria. For Grimm, sponsoring Augsburg’s marine environments is a way to support quality work already underway and build on it for the future. Grimm’s gift is enabling Augsburg to significantly expand its marine facilities to include a 350 gallon coral reef aquarium and six additional 60-90 gallon tanks housing additional diverse organisms, along with a research lab for studying coral biology and captive breeding of coral reef fish. “We rely on places like this to inspire people,” Grimm said of Augsburg’s marine aquarium expansion. “How should people know they need to care about seahorses and coral without ever seeing them?” Grimm is concerned by the known degradation of natural environments, pointing to the fact that a significant portion of the world’s coral are becoming more susceptible to disease and are dying due to increases in water temperature and pollution. “If anyone is going to inspire the future generation to do something about it, it will be Bill,” Grimm said. During a presentation to the Minnesota Aquarium Society, Bill Capman demonstrates how he creates artificial reef structures for new aquaria. COURTESY PHOTOS FALL - WINTER 2017 25 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1950 Carl Vaagenes ’50, a retired pastor, helped to translate the mission articles of Georg Sverdrup. Vaagenes was inspired to translate Sverdrup’s sermons for future generations and did this as a member of The Georg Sverdrup Society. In 1898, Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, co-founders of Augsburg Seminary and College, published their sermons at the founding of the Lutheran Free Church but without their names. In “Aand og Liv” (“Spirit and Life”), they reveal their mind and heart for the church and for Augsburg. 1952 Millie Nelson ’52 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in recognition for her dedication to Augsburg University. Before retiring, Nelson worked at Augsburg for decades. In her role as Christensen Center manager, she guided student assistants who described her as professional, competent, knowledgeable, and kind. These former students acknowledged that Nelson embodied the spirit of Augsburg. 1957 Stan Baker ’57 received the Ella Stephens Barrett Award for excellence in professional leadership and counseling from the North Carolina Counseling Association during its annual conference in February in Durham, North Carolina. 1964 Garrett “Gary” Waldner ’64 and his wife, Nancy, celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. They have three sons and four grandchildren. Waldner is active in the real estate appraisal field, specializing in litigation valuations. 1966 After graduating from Augsburg, Ron Blake ’66 went on to Luther Seminary and has pastored several churches before retiring in 2009 as a pastor with dual membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Blake and his wife remain active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington. They have two children and four grandsons. 1968 Bruce Benson ’68 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. Benson served as campus pastor at St. Olaf College for 30 years and has been a board member at church camps in Minnesota, Montana, and Ohio. He graduated cum laude from Augsburg with a Bachelor of Arts in English, earned his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 1972, and further earned a degree in Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1980. Benson hosts a radio program called, “Sing for Joy,” which is broadcast on 140 radio stations in the United States, carried by cable networks, and broadcast in 40 countries in and near Africa. 1970 Mark Francis ’70 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming and was recognized for his leadership in the Arizona school system. After graduating from Augsburg with a music degree, Francis founded the Arizona School for the Arts in 1995. ASA became one of the top charter schools in the state. Today, Francis is a deputy associate superintendent within the Arizona Department of Education. He is an active member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, which he has served in a number of capacities, including as congregational president, treasurer, and music leader. In June, Ray Hanson ’70 retired and moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one day later. He completed his career with Goldbelt Raven, where he provided scientific and technical assistance to the chemical forensics program at the Department of Homeland Security. 1972 In May, Rob Engelson ’72 received the Distinguished Service Award from Ashford University at its commencement ceremony in San Diego. The award acknowledged 21 years as a faculty member and five years as a member of the Faculty Senate. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’01 ’05 ’76 26 AUGSBURG NOW ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1973 Terry Lindstrom ’73 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg with degrees in chemistry and biology, Lindstrom received his doctorate in biochemistry with a pharmacology minor in 1977. He went on to complete postdoctoral research at Michigan State University from 1978 to 1979. During his career, Lindstrom led research teams that obtained patents for prescription medications Evista and Cymbalta. In addition to Lindstrom’s many scientific achievements, he and his wife, Janet Lindstrom, have provided 16 full Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity summer scholarships for Augsburg students during the past five years. 1974 Thomas Koplitz ’74 has been elected to the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted at a September ceremony held in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 1977 Augsburg honored Inez Bergquist ’77 with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. As the current president of Waltman Associates, Bergquist has more than 35 years experience in fundraising and is an expert in the area of nonprofit management. She served on the Augsburg University Alumni Board for eight years and on the Augsburg Parent Council for four years. Bergquist authored several books on families of wealth including the “Book of Minnesota Family Trees.” She also is a Wells Foundation board member. 1978 Phyllis Bartel ’78 published “Scooter ‘n’ Oaks: A Cat Adoption Story” in October 2016. As Bartel’s premier work, this fictionalized tale teaches children about the pet adoption process with compassion and gentle humor and shares similar themes with human adoption. 1979 Dave Boots ’79, who was inducted into Augsburg’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004, was named to the University of South Dakota Vermillion’s Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in October after retiring in 2013 with the 14th most wins in Division II men’s basketball history. He led the Coyotes to 23 consecutive winning seasons from 1989-2011, 10 NCAA Division II tournaments, six NCC titles, and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 1993 and 1994. At the Division I level, Boots also won a Great West Championship in 2010. Boots began his coaching career at Anoka Ramsey Community College and spent six years coaching at Augsburg before arriving in Vermillion. Sally (Hough) Daniels Herron ’79 is the new parish and communications administrator for Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Leah Abdella ’76 retired in 2016 from a 40-year teaching career in the field of special education. At Augsburg, Abdella earned a double major in music and music therapy as one of the first three music therapy majors. Abdella stays fulfilled in retirement through volunteer work and flute performance at assisted living residences, nursing homes, and churches. She also stays active in ballet classes and yoga. She is a former member of the Andahazy Ballet Company. ’76 Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations at Augsburg University, married Chris Code in April during an intimate ceremony at the Guthrie Theater—where the couple met while both on staff. The wedding was officiated by Code’s father, the Rev. Jack ’01 ’14 Former hockey and football player Paul Holmquist ’79 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Holmquist was a key member of Augsburg teams that dominated in the late 1970s, earning the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national title in 1979 and qualifying for NAIA national tournament play all of Holmquist’s four seasons. The teams he competed with also won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1978 and 1979. He was named a team MVP in the 1978-79 season, the same time period in which he earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors. 1980 Paul Kilgore ’80 wrote a novel, “The Broken Key,” that is available through online and retail outlets. 1985 Brian Ammann ’85 has been running the Minnesota School of Basketball in Apple Valley and Golden Valley for 12 years. He is the former head basketball coach at Augsburg. 1987 Lee Ann (Burson) Hohenstein ’87 left a 20-year career in mortgage banking to follow her dream and become a staff writer for the Mille Lacs Messenger. She also opened Restoration Books and Gifts in Crosby, Minnesota. Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Koch, and was witnessed by sibling Jason Koch ’93 and sister-in-law Heather Johnston ’92. Allison (Cornell) Broughton ’05 and Matt Broughton ’06 welcomed new baby Nicholas James in June. Nicholas joins big brother Calvin, age 4. ’05 This August, Samantha Cantrall ’14 and Austin Smith ’14 were married in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, by Augsburg Professor of Computer Science Larry Crockett. The couple met in Augsburg’s Urness Hall in 2010, and both graduated from the Honors Program in 2014. They have taken Samantha’s mother’s last name as their wedded name and will be known as Samantha and Austin Wolf. ’14 FALL - WINTER 2017 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1991 Kristin Dragseth Wiersma ’91 had an outstanding volleyball career at Augsburg, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Wiersma played three seasons of volleyball, earning All-MIAC and Academic All-MIAC honors in 1990, and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1989. She remains in the top 10 players in school history in three career statistical categories: kills per-set, attack percentage, and digs per-set. A team co-captain in 1990, Wiersma also served as an assistant coach at Augsburg in 1991. 1992 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Juli Gustafson ’92 played two years of softball at Augsburg earning All-MIAC honors as a shortstop in both 1991 and 1992, while also earning National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-West Region honors in 1991. Her .395 career batting average is the third-best in school history. She also ranks third in career slugging percentage and sixth in career doubles. Gustafson was a member of Auggie teams that went 47-22 in her two seasons. Though he only competed in one season of wrestling at Augsburg, Bret Sharp ’92 made the most of it. He went 43-2-1 with 15 pins and 95 takedowns, won the MIAC title at heavyweight, and finished third at the NCAA Division III national tournament in the 1991-92 season, where he helped to clinch a second-place national team finish for the Auggies. Sharp was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. He competed his first three seasons at Drake University in Iowa. 1993 Dr. Jason Koch ’93 was appointed president of Southdale Pediatrics, where he has worked for the past 16 years. Wrestling star Gary Thompson ’93 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-year competitor in wrestling, Thompson completed his Auggie career with a 91-40-1 record, finishing fourth at the 1993 NCAA Division III national championships and earning All-American honors. He was a MIAC champion, a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar AllAmerican, and a two-time Academic All-MIAC honors student-athlete. Thompson was a member of Augsburg squads that won the NCAA national championship in 1993 and finished second and third in other years. 1994 Chris Terrell ’94 was promoted to vice president of finance for Medtronic’s Cardiac and Vascular Group Global Operations. Terrell joined Medtronic in 2003 and most recently served as a senior director of operations in finance, where he drove finance strategies for nine manufacturing locations. 1995 Dual sport athlete Marty Alger ’95 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. In football, Alger set an Augsburg program record for career rushing yardage, which stood until 2014. In 1992, he became the first Auggie ever to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season. He earned All-MIAC honors in football in both 1992 and 1993. As an Auggie wrestler, he qualified for the 1993 NCAA Division III national tournament after winning the MIAC title at 190 pounds. 1997 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Eric Rolland ’97 was a leader on some of the most successful men’s golf teams in school history. He led squads that won the MIAC championship in 1995 and recorded second-place finishes in 1994 and 1996, while competing in three straight NCAA Division III national tournaments. Rolland AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and Timothy Stepka were married July 15 in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Their ceremony was officiated by Josh Corrigan ’11, and their wedding party included Augsburg alumni Katie (Christensen) Beadell ’11, Korri (Yule) Corrigan ’11, Tim Lund ’12, Amy Jo Opsal ’12, and Tyler Phillips ’12. ’11 28 AUGSBURG NOW In July, Enrico Barrozo ’14 and Mara (Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 were married at Augsburg University’s Hoversten Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Mike Matson ’06. The newlyweds live in Gainesville, Florida, where Enrico is pursuing a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics at the University of Florida, and Mara teaches middle school science. ’14 Rebecca (Welle) Winters ’05 and Paul Winters ’07 welcomed a daughter, Maisy Beverly, in May. She joins siblings Max, who is six years old, and Millie, who is three years old. ’05 Matt Tonsager ’09, co-owner of Gullton Wood, and Melissa (Moberg) Tonsager ’10 welcomed a daughter, Adalind Kay Tonsager, in April. ’09 earned All-America honors in 1995, AllDistrict honors in 1997, and All-MIAC honors in 1995 and 1996. Since 2014, he has served as Augsburg’s men’s and women’s golf head coach. 1999 Elizabeth (Petrik) Brown ’99 had an outstanding goaltending career on the Augsburg women’s soccer team, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown started all but one game of her collegiate career, finishing with 34 career victories, including a then-school-record 13 in 1995. She stands second in school history in career shutouts, fourth in career wins, and eighth in career win-loss percentage. Her 1.69 career goals-against-average is 10th-best in school history. Cheri Johnson ’99 wrote two book series released this fall for young readers. “Origins: Urban Legends” and “Origins: Whodunnit” are high-interest, low-readinglevel books that target upper-elementary and middle-school students. The books will be distributed by Lerner. Johnson also is working on a performance project in Minneapolis called “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” with the music ensemble Zeitgeist; her sister, Julie Johnson ’98; and actor, director, and filmmaker D.J. Mendel. “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” tells a tale set in an evil house in St. Paul. ’11 ’14 ’05 ’09 ’00 Devoney Looser ’89 published a new ’89 book, “The Making of Jane Austen,” which was named in Publishers Weekly’s list of Best Summer Books of 2017 (nonfiction). This May, Lewis Nelson ’00 graduated from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business with a Master of Business Administration degree. Nelson left a 15-year military and government career and is seeking the next challenge. Nelson resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his three children. ’00 ’89 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2000 The Rev. Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00 has accepted a term-call as the associate interim pastor at Saving Grace Lutheran, Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She will serve and work alongside its faithful congregation and pastor, the Rev. David Irgens, during a time of great transition and growth. Brown will serve Saving Grace Lutheran for one year until the congregation places a call for a permanent associate pastor. 2001 James Shropshire ’01, former assistant director of public safety at Augsburg, is the new director of campus safety at Grinnell College. At Augsburg, Shropshire also served as a Title IX adjudicator and investigator. Besides revising diversity training, Shropshire’s agenda for campus safety at Grinnell will include updating the department’s software, computers, and other equipment. 2002 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Chrissy (Baune) Bloemendal ’02 was a 16-time AllMIAC selection in cross country (three times) and track and field (13 times). The team’s No. 1 runner her final three seasons in cross country, Bloemendal finished sixth in the MIAC championships in 2001 and 13th in 2000. In track and field, she won the MIAC title and qualified for the NCAA Division III outdoor national championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2002, finishing ninth nationally. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 30 AUGSBURG NOW ’15 Two years ago Heather Cmiel ’02 left 13 years of communications agency life behind to go corporate. She now serves as global marketing communications strategist within 3M Healthcare. Cmiel spends her free time as president of Minnesota Public Relations Society of America. She also leads a contemporary worship band. 2003 Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03 is the founder and director of the Rural Enterprise Center, a program of Main Street Project, a nonprofit organization focused on rural development. Haslett-Marroquin also serves on the boards of the Northfield Area Foundation, the Northfield Area United Way, and Fifth Bridge, a nonprofit organization promoting volunteerism. 2005 Ryan Bosshart ’05 is a vice president of services at phData, a global leader in big data consulting and managed services. Most recently, Bosshart was a principal sales engineer at Cloudera. 2006 Michelle Dirtzu ’06 is a new marketing manager at Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms based in Los Angeles, California. Dirtzu has 10 years of experience in the grocery-retail-produce business. Previously, she was a marketing director for North Shore Living Herbs, in marketing with Flagstone Foods, and in brand management with Supervalu. Dirtzu earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Opus School of Business at the University of St. Thomas in 2014. Brenda Valentine ’06 welcomed her son, Jackson James Valentine Rice, in April. 2007 A managing partner of business planning at the American Public Media Group, Danielle Stellner ’07 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg, Stellner went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 2016. She was recruited for the board of Isuroon and Secretary, and she is the active co-chair of the AWE Philanthropy Council at Augsburg. In addition, Stellner serves the Friendship Academy of the Arts as a board member and expansion committee member. 2008 Tony Landecker ’08 serves as a portfolio manager in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Minneapolis-St. Paul field office and is responsible for assisting with the management of local housing stock. Landecker was named the Minnesota Civil Servant of the Year by HUD’s Federal Executive Board for helping others find the comfort of a home in the aftermath of a disaster. In 2016, he left his home and family to spend time helping Baton Rouge flood victims, leading a team that found permanent housing for 130 families initially placed in temporary shelters. Rachel Shaheen ’15 and Christopher Kopp ’15 were married in July. The bride and groom were joined by fellow Augsburg alumni [L to R]: Becky Shaheen ’11, Patrick DuSchane ’13, Laura Schmidt ’11, Jakob Anderson ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olson ’11, Lily Moloney ’15, Mary Stickelmeyer ’74, Emily Knudson ’15, Kate Gray ’15, Tyler Dorn ’15, and Alisha Esselstein ’15. ’15 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Curtiss Schreiber ’08 is now an associate at the law firm Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC in Chicago. 2011 Jennifer Weber ’11 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for her dedication to Minneapolis’ CedarRiverside community and in recognition for the projects she has initiated in the Twin Cities area. Before graduating from Augsburg with a triple major in emotional/ behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and American Indian studies, Weber created an American Indian resource library for the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education Program. Weber has been involved in many community projects and is a crisis prevention and interventions trainer at the Charter School Special Ed Network. She is also a certified school coach, teacher, and member of the Cedar Riverside Community School Board. 2012 Katie Radford ’12, ’18 MBA started a new position at Fairview Health Services as a training consultant. She helps facilitate individual and team development sessions for professional growth. 2014 Maren Daniels ’14 teaches elementary visual art at Hiawatha Academy Morris Park in Minneapolis. 2015 Awale Osman ’15 serves as a community innovation associate at the Bush Foundation. He has experienced much change: coming to the U.S. from war-torn Somalia and Kenyan refugee camps to learning English as a third language and graduating with high academic honors. His work as a change agent has included expanding after-school opportunities for Somali youth; impressing upon Congress the value of federal TRIO programming; and activating safe spaces for women, people of color, and queer students. 2016 Victoria Linstrom ’16, Andrew Kleidon-Linstom ’16, Bridgette Henry ’16, and student Mitch Ross ’18 formed the Open Door Theater where Linstrom serves as the executive director, Kleidon-Linstom is the artistic director, Henry is the company manager/dramaturg in residence, and Ross is the marketing director. Muna Mohamed ’16 received a scholarship at the University of Minnesota to pursue a Master of Science degree in behavioral aspects of physical activity. At the university, Mohamed conducts research on East African mother-daughter physical activity. 2017 Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Eron Godi ’17 to the Young Women’s Cabinet, part of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota that aims to improve opportunity for women ages 12 to 24 by bringing together nonprofits, businesses, government, philanthropic organizations, and young women to create plans for building equity. Godi was one of 25 women selected statewide for a cabinet position. Emily Gregg ’17, former Augsburg women’s soccer defender, was named one of 174 nationwide recipients of a $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship honoring her achievements as both a scholar and an athlete. A biology major with a 3.72 GPA, Gregg is the first Auggie to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship since 2014. Gregg will attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She hopes to someday work as a wildlife/large animal veterinarian. Anna Renner ’17 has been accepted to the Clarkson University Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Potsdam, New York. Dua Saleh ’17 had one of her songs played on “The Current” radio station. She performs music and poetry at Twin Cities venues. Riley Siddorn ’17 was among nearly 450 summer interns at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Interns seek out new ways to explore their career fields and engage NASA’s international scientific community in Goddard projects. Siddorn, who majored in physics, held an internship in ionospheric physics. The internships covered a wide spectrum in science-related areas, from planetary science to sounding rockets to Earth science. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Doris Rubenstein ’93 MAL won the silver Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Award for her book, “The Journey of a Dollar,” at the association’s 29th annual award ceremony in Portland, Oregon. Kathleen Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP; Joyce Miller ’02, ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; Katherine Baumgartner ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; and Cheryl Leuning, former Nursing Department chair, co-authored an article, “The Citizen Nurse: An Educational Innovation for Change,” which was published in the Journal of Nursing Education. Jamie Heitzinger ’11 MPA earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications by completing specialty training from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She works at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. Ryan Stopera ’11 MSW/MBA is a social worker and social entrepreneur. He serves as a program analyst for the Graves Foundation and teaches in Augsburg’s Social Work Department. Stopera enjoys building community through art, cycling, and rock climbing in his spare time. Allison DeGroot ’15 MAL is the new head women’s soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The women’s soccer program competes at the highest level in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, and DeGroot is looking forward to working with players to help the program reach its potential. DeGroot was an assistant coach at Augsburg from 2012 until 2016. Angela Mejdrich ’15 MAE is the new director of administration at Spirit of the Lake Community School in Duluth, Minnesota. She provides lead support and oversight of several administrative and business matters. Mejdrich has more than 20 years of teaching and administration experience, most recently as vice principal of St. Michael’s Lakeside School. Thomas Hirsch ’16 MPA is a new physician assistant at the Essentia Health–Hermantown Clinic in Minnesota. FALL - WINTER 2017 31 PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG IN MEMORIAM Alfred W. Walck ’40, Urbandale, Iowa, age 96, on April 27. Addell L. (Halverson) Dahlen ’43, Minneapolis, age 96, on June 2. Carl G. Gilbertson ’43, Battle Lake, Minnesota, age 96, on April 14. Arlene L. (Dunham) Sandberg ’43, Madelia, Minnesota, age 95, on May 12. Muriel R. (Ruud) Frosch ’45, Winona, Minnesota, age 94, on July 26. Lorene M. (McGinnis) Hansen ’49, Clear Lake, Iowa, age 92, on July 7. Lorraine (Telander) Hendershot ’49, Mora, Minnesota, age 89, on March 29. Phyllis (Erickson) Quanbeck ’49, Salem, Oregon, age 89, on June 28. Donald P. Sateren ’49, Long Beach, California, age 96, on June 18. Russell G. Solheim ’49, Racine, Wisconsin, age 96, on July 8. Marilyn L. (Larson) Forslund ’50, Moline, Illinois, age 94, on May 26. Roger C. Mackey ’57, Saint Paul, Minnesota, age 83, on July 20. David C. Siedlar ’71, Huaian City, Jiangsu, China, age 68, on March 19. Norman O. Landvik ’50, Port Angeles, Washington, age 89, on April 6. Warren L. Anderson ’59, Grand Marais, Minnesota, age 84, on March 16. Bradley W. Shoff ’77, Akeley, Minnesota, age 62, on June 18. Arnold R. Aasen ’51, Fridley, Minnesota, age 88, on July 23. Carrol A. Bakken ’59, Rushford, Minnesota, age 82, on March 18. John A. Faeth ’89, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 51, on April 3. Elden O. Landvik ’51, Duluth, Minnesota, age 92, on July 3. James D. Slarks ’51, Saint Peter, Minnesota, age 92, on June 27. LeVon M. (Paulson) Dinter ’52, Edina, Minnesota, age 86, on March 18. Mildred C. Hetager ’52, Minneapolis, age 103, on June 30. Donald W. Siegel ’53, Minneapolis, age 89, on April 6. Peter L. Hauser ’62, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 76, on July 10. Michael L. Kropp ’95, Albert Lea, Minnesota, age 49, on April 2. Gerald W. Mortenson ’62, Stone Lake, Wisconsin, age 79, on March 31. Charity Thunder ’99, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, age 71, on July 1. Paul S. Monson ’63, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, age 76, on July 12. Jacob R. Collins ’03, Austin, Minnesota, age 36, on August 25. Gary W. Paulson ’63, Willmar, Minnesota, age 75, on June 10. Christopher G. Frame ’09, Minneapolis, age 33, on March 20. Richard E. Kuehne ’64, Walker, Minnesota, age 76, on August 7. Elnora C. (Hanson) Beireis ’54, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, age 84, on July 27. Ronald A. Hanson ’65, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, age 74, on July 17. Mary Ann E. (Fox) Domholdt ’56, Mentor, Ohio, age 83, on April 5. Terence W. Rindal ’66, Crystal Lake, Illinois, age 82, on August 12. Mark D. Lukitsch ’20, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, age 19, on August 5. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 15. 32 AUGSBURG NOW JOIN US FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NORMAN AND EVANGELINE HAGFORS CENTER FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 4–5 p.m. | Alumni and Community Open House Hagfors Center, Augsburg University 700 21st Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 RSVP by January 8 at augsburg.edu/alumni/events. Send questions to Hannah Walsh ’14, advancement assistant, at walsh@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1098. FALL - WINTER 2017 33 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Thousands of Auggies. One Augsburg. Augsburg’s 2017 Homecoming celebration was held October 12–14, a festive weekend when alumni, students, and community members took part in more than 35 events, including reunions for the classes of 1967, 1977, 1992, and 2007. In all, more than 600 alumni from different generations visited campus to show their Auggie pride and mark the first Homecoming as Augsburg University. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Title: Si Melby Hall, groundbreaking ceremony, facing southeast, 1960.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Lindell Library, construction of atrium, 1997.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Lindell Library, construction of third floor, facing north, 1996.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Augsburg College campus, aerial view facing northwest, 1993.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Christensen Center, basement, circa 1970.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Old Main (1872-1948), laboratory.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Augsburg College Master Plan, Ultimate Development, 1964.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Old Main (1872-1948), demolition, center and east wing, facing southeast, 1949.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Lindell Library, construction of third floor, facing east, 1997.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Old Main (1872-1948), demolition, west facade of west wing, facing southeast, 1948.
Collection: Photographs

Title: Foss Lobeck Miles Center, main floor plan, 1984.
Collection: Photographs

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