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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW: ON
'LEANING IN'
by Paul C. Pribbenow March 15, 2023
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW: ON
'LEANING IN'
by Paul C. Pribbenow March 15, 2023
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One of the great misperceptions of American higher ed ucation
is that colleges and universities are detached from the · real
world," ivory towers not concerned about the communities and
neighborhoods t hat surround t heir campuses. I am not here to
defend all of higher education- though there is p lenty of
evidence to rebut that misperception. Instead, I want to declare
that for Augsburg University, there has never been a question of
our commitment to what we ca ll "leaning in" to the pressing and
complex issues of our neighborhood, our country, and indeed
the world.
It's a commitment articulated in our Augsburg1 SO strategic
vision. which states: "As a new k ind of urban, student-centered
DF
university. w e are educating Auggies as stewards of an inclusive
democracy, engaged in their commun ities and uniquely
equ ipped to navigate the complex issues of our time." Leaning
in so that our students are educated and equipped for the world
that so needs their intellects, their passions, and their skills.
Sur ely this issue of Augsburg Now powerfu lly demonst rates an
array of ways in which this commitment to "leaning in" is lived
President Paul Pribbenow (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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out by our student s. faculty. staff, alumni. and allies. From
Associate Professor Katie Cla rk '10 MAN, '14 DNP and alumna Emily Bastia n '07 MSW, and t heir groundbrea king
w or k serving those exger iencing homelessness; to our new data science major with its strong focus on equity and
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social j ustice; to the contr ibutions of our colleague, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Wa lz, helping us to prepare more
teachers of color for our public schools; to t he resea rch of Assistant Professo r Kao Nou Moua, shedding light on t he
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experiences of Hmong entrepreneurs.
And t he list could go on and on with the da ily ways in which the Augsburg community- in its curriculum. community
engagement and public advocacy- is working to be good neighbors, to uncover and address systemic injustices. and
to support a more robust democracy.
El I]
In 2019, as part of Augsburg's 150th anniversary celebrations, Auggie alumnus and poet ext raordina ire Donte Collins
'18 penned a powerfu l ode to their alma mater, entitled ·we Are Auggies," which concludes with these lines:
"When shored, when sharpened. Guided. Here o system of roots. Strong. Striving. A system of roots weaving o new world.
Auggie, you ore called into the world.
Into your wonder. Your why. To wrestle
with reason. To spot the problem. And propose new ports. To walk toward your fears. To find the heart.
We ore Called. We ore Auggies."
May we all continue to lean in, to make our world
more j ust fair. and compassionate, to find the heart. I know we
will. because we are called Auggies!
Faithfu lly yours,
Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD
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Au~ burg alumna lands tOP. role at MPR News
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AUGSBURG ALUMNA LANDS TOP ROLE AT MPR
NEWS
by CharlK Hal ey
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Jane Helmke '83 was named executive edit or of Minnesota Public Radio News in
November 2022.
"I'm so honored to be a part of the inspiring team of exceptional journalist s at
MPR News at this point in my career," Helmke said . "Every day, we are wor king to
include and inform all of our audiences across Minnesota, including today's
Auggies! I'm excited to learn how w e can connect w ith and serve these thriving
young adult s w ith the news they want and need each day:
Prior to taking on this lead role at MPR, Helmke wor ked at NBC affiliate KARE 11
New s for 35 years. She st art ed t here as an int ern during her senior y ear at
Augsburg. and she left as the TV st ation's news direct or.
With her move t o MPR, Helmke jo ined two other Auggies in key roles at one of
Minnesot a's largest media organizations.
Jane Helmke '83, executive editor at
Jean Taylor '85 was named the CEO of Amer ican Public Med ia Group, the parent
company of MPR. in 2021. Before her work w ith MPR. Taylor was t he board chair
Minnesota Public Radio News
(Courtesy photo)
of Star Tribune Media. an executive consu lt ant for the Platinum Group, and the
CEO of Taylor Corporation.
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Andre Griffin '20 is t he commun ity engagement specialist for Carbon Sound, a new music stream from MPR t hat
launched in June 2022 in partnership w ith KMOJ radio. Carbon Sound, which also includes a website and app. is
ded icated t o celebrating the w ide-ranging influence of Black musical expression.
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For Helmke, jo ining MPR feels like "a wonderful, full-circle moment."
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"Every day now," she sa id, "I carry w ith me the Auggie pride of serving the great er good in our community. MPR News
is a place that allows me t o live this important value:
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Top image: Minnesota Public Radio News building. d o wntown St. Paul (Photo by Minnesota Public Radio)
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Uncovering the ex~riences of Hmong entreP.reneurs
Notes from President Pribbenow: On 'leaning in'
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Notes from President
Uncovering the exJleriences of
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Pribbenow: On 'leaning in'
Hmong entreJlreneu rs
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UNCOVERING THE EXPERIENCES OF HMONG
ENTREPRENEURS
On the Spot Q&A with Assistant Professor Kao Nou Moua
by CharlK Holey March 15, 2023 • Around the Quad
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For Kao Nou Moua, research is about storytell ing. The
Augsburg assistant professor of social w ork spent a yea r
gathering stor ies from Hmong business owners and
entrepreneurs to find trends in their experiences and to help
public and fi nancial agencies better serve the Hmong business
community. After present ing this research at t he first-ever
nationa l HMong Econo mic Advancement, Research. and Equ ity
(HERE) Conference late last year. Moua reflects on what she's
learned and what she's plann ing to study next.
Q : Tell us about your latest research, the HMong Economic
Advancement and Capacity Building Research Project.
Augsburg Asstscant Professo r of Social Work Kao Nou
Moua (Photo by Courtney Perry)
A: For that pa rticular project, I wor ked with a national
organization based in Eau Claire. Wisconsin, called HMong America n Leadership and Economic Develo pment
(HALED). While w orking at a d ifferent institution. I had started to build relationships wit h people in Eau Claire.
pa rticularly in the Hmong community there. They w ere really interested in looking at economic development among
Hmo ng Americans and t rying to und erstand the barriers to becoming a business owner based on the different
organizations. agencies, and fina ncial institutio ns that w ere supporting entrepreneurs.
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We had all of these anecdotal stories about Hmo ng business owners not being
able to access services. but there w asn't really any research. Being in the w orld
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that w e are in. in terms of needing research or data to support these stories. w e
w anted to be really mindful of being able to go to lawmakers and policymakers
and say, "These are the barriers that people are exper iencing, and these are the
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actual numbers of people who are experiencing these things: And so. that's
what we did . My research partners and I secured a grant from the state of
Wisconsin to do this economic project. By that time, I had transitioned to
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Augsburg. so I hired a social work student to w ork with me, to mentor them in
the social w ork research pro cess. I was w orking with students at t he University of
Wisconsin- Eau Claire as w ell.
We interviewed about 20 Hmong entrepreneurs in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We
did focus groups with Hmong farmers, w omen entrepreneurs, and young people
who were interested in ent repreneurship. It w as a wide range. And t he thing is.
I'm not a businessperson. I'm a social wo rker. So. it w as really kind of a leap for
me to put my mind in th is world of economic d evelopment. But my particu lar
Kao Nou Moua teaches her social wor k
class. (Photo by Court ney Perry)
lens as a social w orker w as: 'What are the barriers in o rganizations?" It's always
been my w ork to think about how w e can build culturally grounded services-in this case. w orking with banks and
state agencies and orga nizations.
Q : What were the results of this research?
A: The year lo ng project of data collectio n culminated in the HERE Conference in Eau Claire last September. It w as a
nationa l conference, the fi rst of its kind. to bring together Hmo ng entrepreneurs, lawmakers. other business owners.
and fi nancial institutions to really think about and look at the data.
There w ere a co uple of importa nt findings. One w as that Hmong women entrepreneurs have a v ery different
exper ience than what w e think of when w e think about ent repreneursh ip. Even within the Hmong community. there
are cultural barriers t hat exist for Hmong w omen entrepreneurs. That's something w e want to explore a little bit
more.
Another important find ing was that it wasn't so much about having translated materials or th ings like that; it really
w as a need for a sense of belonging in those institut ions so people could feel like they w ere w elcomed. Some of the
most heartbrea king stories that w e heard w ere people sharing about how they've been denied mult iple t imes (for
loa ns) fro m fi nancial institutions. but o nce they w ere able to have a wh ite colleague come and vouch for them. then
people at the bank w ere like. "Okay. I can trust t his person because they had a white person vouch for them." Those
w er e so me of the really hard stories.
Kao Nou Moua presents her research findings at the 2022 HERE Conference in Eau Clair e, Wisconsin. {Photo by
HALED)
Q : While you were conducting this research, was there anything that surprised you?
A: One t hing that did surprise me. especially when w e did the focus group with young people. was that they all talked
about the id ea of financial literacy. In high schoo l. they learn how to balance a checkbook. but t hey're like 15- they
don't have a checkbook. But now. here they are as college students, and t hey're like. "I would li ke to lea rn that now."
And w e had older adults who w ould say, "I want to lea rn more about inv est ments or the stock market." So. w e
learned that fi nancial literacy is something that needs to happen multigenerationally or intergener ationally. It is
something that needs to happen ov er time.
That was really important learning for the orga nizatio n that I w as w orking wit h. HALED w as able to shift their
prog ramming to be multigenerational. And the g reat thing was that also aligned with Hmong cultura l values. A lot of
the commun ity celebrations are also multigeneratio nal. So, this programming became culturally grounded all of a
sudden because we centered Hmong values in terms of learn ing about economic development.
Q: What comes next?
A: We got a really great response fro m the HERE Conference.
Many lawmakers or policymakers w ere super interested in us
coming into their individua l agencies to present o ur data. The
next phase is to continue to get mo re funding so t hat w e can do
more. Al ways in research, there's more research to be done,
and part of t hat is to continue to really focus on some of our key
findings and really expand on them. The other pa rt of it. for me
as a social w ork professor, is to always t hink about
opportunities to mentor student resea rchers.
Kao Nou Moua speaks with city of Eau Claire policymakers
at the 2022 HERE Conference. (Pho,o by HALED)
And then, we did ta lk quite a bit about this idea t hat Hmong
have a v ery entrepreneurial spirit. Because of their experience
of being persecuted and having to move fro m country to co untry and having to adapt. Hmong people have learned
how to be entrepreneurs and business owners. You ca n go to China and find Hmong people, you can go to Laos and
Thailand and Vietna m, and you can go here in St. Paul. Hmong have always figured out ways to be entrepreneurs. So.
I think that's the other line of resea rch that w e w ant to explore-what does a history of tr auma and w ar do to a
people? How do they adapt in new spaces? Entrepreneurship is o ne of those w ays that they've learned how to make
sense of their lives.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Top image: Kao Nou Moua sp eaks wit h students during her socio/ work class. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS?
by CharlK Haley March 15, 2023 • Auggies Connect
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"One of my f avorit e places to be w as at the benches in front of Hagfors." -Wyatt Vessey '22 v ia email
"Basem ent of t he Lindell Library! Best place t o study!" -Stephanie Quick Espinoza '01, '20 MBA v ia Faceboo k
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~
-"My favorit e place at Augsburg? The penalt y box at Ed Saugestad Rink. especially an hour before an Auggie
men's or w omen's hockey game. It 's quiet and peaceful (and. admittedly. cold!). Definit ely d ifferent than during
the exciting actio n of a ga me." -Don Stoner, Augsburg sports information director. via Tw itter
"Tw o of my favorite spots (are in Murphy Squa re). Taken at the beginning of f all sem est er '22." -Luke Schoper
'23 v ia Tw itter
"The quad" -Emily (O'Connell) Mireault '18 v ia Twitter
"Augsburg Men's Hockey l ocker Room. Second favorit e: Smiley's working for Don St oner late nights during w eb
1.0. Th ird: Commons between Urness and Mort. Fourth: Missy Strauch's training r oom. Fifth: John Cerrit o. Milo
Sch ield, Nora Brau n. and others' offices. Need I continue?" -Paul Putt '99, '15 MAE via Tw itter
"Easily the Hagfors Cent er hands down!" -Ethan Croll '23 v ia lnstagra m
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M cNair Scholars Program wins coml:!!lti tive renewal grant
Uncover ing the exl:!!lriences of Hmong entreP.reneurs
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In Memoriam, Winter 2022- 23
2022-23
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MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM WINS
COMPETITIVE RENEWAL GRANT
by Farrisr
March 15, 2023
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Augsburg's TRIO McNair Scholars Program r ecently secured a S1 .3 mill ion, five-year federal gra nt to support
operat io ns through 2027.
Named for Ronald E. McNair, an astronaut and physicist who w as among the fi rst Africa n Amer ica ns in the U.S. space
program, McNair Scholars is one of eight feder al TRIO programs fund ed by the U.S. Department of Education to
increase access to higher ed ucation for economically disadvantaged students.
McNair Scholars specifically aims to increase g raduate degree awards fo r first-generation college students w ith
financial need and/or members of traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate education, as defined by
federal gu idelines.
With the s1.3 million grant, Augsburg will continue to support a cohort of 26 McNair Scholars each y ear. Students
apply d uring their sophomore year to participate in the progra m as j uniors and seniors.
The hallmark of Augsburg's program is MCN 301: Research in
the Disciplines, taught by Associate Professor Amanda Case
and McNair Assistant Dir ector Cruz Rodriguez. In this 2-credit
course, students complete a research proposal under the
guidance of a faculty mentor. They spend 400 hours collecting
data. analyzing findings, and pr eparing a forma l presentation
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fo r a natio nal McNair r esearch confer ence in July.
The students also underta ke sign ificant preparation fo r
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graduate school outside of resea rch, from GRE study to an
intensive •boot camp" to develo p their applicatio n statements.
Amanda Case teaches her class. (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
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"McNair is a r igorous comm itment • said "Tina" Maria Tavera,
program director. •Each TRIO McNair progra m is designed for a particular population. We are fortunate our
programming is designed specifically for Augsburg students. Our numbers prove that our program at Augsburg
w orks."
El I]
In a highly competitive funding landscape, Augsburg's program has received continuous federal support since 2007.
Many of Augsburg's McNair alumn i have successfully gone on to graduate school. Twenty-one have completed or are
enro lled in a PhD program, 58 have completed o r are enrolled in a master's degree program, and 12 have completed
or are enrolled in other advanced degree programs (includ ing MD, MBA, Pha rmD. and PsyD).
Top image: 2022 Fall McNair Scholars: front row (left to right): Hafsa Hassan; Edward Stockard; Cynthia Faber; Logan
Br adley; back row (left to right): lfrah Edow; Jose Orozco Islas; Theo Wayo; Natnae/ Mu/u; Leeroy Doe; Alex Hernandez
Olivera; Drew Gross (Courtesy photo)
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Au~burg awards King Harald V of Norwav. honorarv.
degree
What's Y.Qur favorite SP-Qt on camQus?
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Uncovering t h e ex12eriences o f
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role at MPR New s
Hmong entr e12ren eurs
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AUGSBURG AWARDS KING HARALD V OF
NORWAY HONORARY DEGREE
by Sten.henjendraszak March 15, 2023 • Around the Quad
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l ate last y ear in Oslo, Augsburg Presid ent Pau l Pribbenow conferred upon King
Harald V of Norway the degr ee of Doct or of Humane l etters. hono ris causa .
"We are d eeply g rateful for Your Majesty's abid ing support of Augsburg
University and our sist er Norwegian-American colleges and universities
throughout t he more than t hree decades of your reign," Pr ibbenow sa id in his
ceremonial remarks. ·we share bot h a common heritage and profound
commitments t o peacemaking and global citizenship."
His Maj esty King Harald V of Norway acceded to the throne January 17. 1991 . The
king and his w ife. Queen Sonj a. visit ed Augsburg in 2011. This recogn itio noriginally scheduled for 2020 but delayed by t he pandem ic-w as part of
Augsburg's sesq uicentennial anniversary celebration.
Top image: An Augsburg student porticipoting in the Nor way_ Hub wears o Norwegian
King Harald V of Norway (left) and
flog while walking through campu s. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Augsburg's p, esident, Paul
Pribbenow, meet in Oslo. (Photo
by
Queen Sonja)
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M cNair Scholars Program wins com11etitive renewal grant
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role at MPR News
Hmong entre12reneurs
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ALUMNI CLASS NOTES, WINTER2022-23
by !Johnson March 15, 2023 • Auggies Connect. Class Notes (f',lumni/
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1960s
1962
On Nov ember 23. 2022. WCCO-TV ran a story on Augsburg football coach Jack Osberg '62. "Augsburg football
legend Jack Osberg.Qgens ug about life wit h wife's Alzheimer's disease." Osberg w as featured in the Winter
2021-22 issue of Augsburg Now.
1980s
1984
Paul Mueller '84. regional vice president for Mayo Clinic Healt h System in Sout hwest Wisconsin. Augsburg
regent emeritus. and current chair of Augsburg's Great Returns campa ign. participated as a pa nelist in a virtual
community forum. "A Tale of Two Viruses." hosted by Mayo Clinic in September 2022. The d iscussion focused on
the contrast between monkeypox and COVID-19.
1989
"Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters. Who Paved t he Way fo r Austen and the Brontes," by Devoney
Looser '89. was published in October 2022. The book w as on Apple's list of t he "Most Ant icipated Fall Books" in
nonfictio n. and it received a starred r eview from Kirkus. Looser was featured in the Fall 2018 issu e of Augsburg
Now.
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1990s
1991
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Carla Steen '91 was resident d ramaturg for Guthrie Theater's w orld premiere of "Sally & Tom."
1999
Real estate dev eloper Devean George '99 plans to build a modular-housing plant in Minneapolis' North Loop.
The plant. which will manufact ure mod ular units for multifamily housing. will create hundreds of jo bs from 2023
to 2025 paying S30 or more per hour.
Cheri Johnson ·99 is autho r of "Ann ika Rose: a novel manuscript that wo n the 2021-22 Wo men's Prose Prize
from Red Hen Press in Pasadena. California. In 2022. she also published "The Girl in Dulut h." a literary mystery.
under the pen name Sig rid Brown. Publishers Weekly selected the book for review. ca lling it an "affecting debut."
2000s
2000
Ross Murray ·oo. ·09 MBA. vice president of GLAAD Media Institute. led a training tour in Australia. Offerings
included a master class o n LGBTQ advocacy and support for leaders looking to make t heir o rganizatio ns more
LGBTQ-w elcoming and inclusive. Murray also met with the Aust ralian Film Television and Radio School to spea k
with faculty about teach ing students the impact of LGBTQ inclusivity in media representation.
2004
Mary Taris '04. founder and CEO of Strive Publishing and Str iv e Bookstore. w as one of the business owners
featured in a KARE 11 story about a 2022 holiday pop-up ma rket in downtown Minneapo lis.
2005
Eddie Frizell 'OS MAL w as confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2022 as the U.S. marshal for Minnesota. The first
Black U.S. marshal in Minnesota history. he leads the U.S. Ma rshals Service for the state.
2006
Wendi Wheeler '06, '13 MAL. spoke with a reporter about how a man holding a "You Ar e Loved" sign in
Moorhead. Minnesota. gav e her hope when she w as contemplating suicide. The sto ry. "A college stud ent ho ld ing
a sign on a Moorhead st reet corner saved her life." appeared in several Minnesota newspapers.
2009
Marette Hahn '09. directo r of academic and career excellence at Grand Ca nyon University. was nominated for
the Athena Valley of the Sun Founder's Aw ard.
Rachel Stud ier '09. ·12 MBA. chief operations officer of Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union. was na med a
Top Wo man in Finance by Finance & Commerce. wh ich cov ers business news in Minnesota.
2010s
2013
For the past three years. Kacie Butcher '13 has been director of the Public History Project at the University of
Wisconsin-Mad ison. a multiyea r effort to uncover and give voice to histories of discriminatio n and resistance at
the university. The project has resu lted in a physical exhibitio n. a digital exhibitio n w ebsite. curricu lar materials.
an event and lecture ser ies. and a final report. The proj ect is the fi rst of its kind in the nation in regards to scope
and its focus on public engagement.
2014and 2019
Sisters Fa iso Abdu lle '14. '20 DNP and lkraan Abdu lle '19 DNP are two of four nurses who founded Our Place
Residential Services. The business provides integrated support services to clients. including medical care. stable
housing. and the supportiv e ad ministrative and coach ing services needed to stabilize d isabled and ho meless
patients. The nurses and their business w er e featured in the August 28. 2022. Star Tribune story. "Four firstgeneration Somali American nurses started business to care for i;iatients in need."
2015
Alisha Esselstein '15 joined The Manely Firm. P.C.. as an associate attorney.
2018
Chung Lip '18 recently published "Hers." a memoir which reflects on his child hood experience growing up in
Cambod ia. Lip wrote the memoir to share his personal experiences growing up as an orphan. to inspire others.
and to promote resiliency among young people around the w orld .
2020s
2022
Tucker Robinson '22 is program coordinator for Change the Outcome. Robinson's story is part of a September
23. 2022. story in the Star Tribune. "After the loss of her son to the oi;iioid egidemic, a Minnesota mother seeks
to cha nge the outcome for others."
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Health Commons receives $SOK ~ui!Y.,grant
Augsburg awards King Harald V of Norwav. honora!Y.
degree
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HEALTH COMMONS RECEIVES $SOK EQUITY
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by CharlK Hal ey March 15, 2023 • Aroun d the Quad
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Augsburg Hea lt h Commons has received a $50,000 grant to
continue its work in advancing health equity thro ugh nursing.
The Health Equ ity Innovation Fund grant, awarded in early
January, came from AARP and the Center to Cha mpio n Nursing
in America, a j oint initiat ive of AARP Foundat io n, AARP, and t he
Robert Wood Johnson Foundatio n.
Augsburg Hea lt h Commons will use this funding to deepen its
w ork of providing free services to marginalized com mu nities.
The grant also allows Health Commons to consider expansio n,
including a possible new locat io n in North Minneapolis.
Executive Directo, Katie Clark (middle) and other
Augsburg faculty members pass out supplies co Health
Commons visitors. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
·we are moved beyond wo rds to be selected fo r this
opportunity," said Katie Clark '10 MAN, '14 DNP, associate professo r of nursing and executive director of Health
Commons. "These funds will not only help relieve some of the suffering people are forced to endure in the immediate
term, but will also help cult ivate ideas and solut io ns for the lo ng term in ca ring for people who experience
ma rginalization."
The first Augsburg Hea lth Commo ns drop-in center opened at Central Luthera n
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Ch urch in downtown Minneapolis in 1992. Most people seeking ca re there are
unhoused o r ma rgina lly ho used. In 201 1, a second location opened in Ceda rRiverside in response to a need for accessible health care services identified by
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members of the East African immigra nt commu nity.
Both locations center commu nity vo ices and are o perated by Augsburg nursing
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faculty, nursing and physician assistant volunteer s, students, and community
members. Everyone is w elcome, and all services are free.
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With this gra nt Health Commons will continue provid ing services at both
locat io ns as w ell as at local homeless encampments. Faculty will explore new
partnerships at other locations including in North Minneapolis in collaboration
with Augsburg's physician assistant program.
The grant will also support the educational m issio n of Health Commo ns by
providing paid research and pract ice internships fo r graduate nursing students.
Augsburg Physician Assistant Program
Director Vanessa Bester checks a
visitor's blood pressure at Health
Commons. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Augsburg H ea It h Commons is one of 16 organizations nat io nally to receive a
Health Eq uit y Innovatio ns Fund award for 2022.
Find out more about the grant or visit the Augsburg Health Commons w ebsit e.
Read more about the wor k at Augsburg Health Commons in this issue of Augsburg Now.
Top image: An Augsburg nursing faculty member sorts t hrough donated supp lies at Health Commons. (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
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AT 25, STEPUP LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
by Farrisr
March 15, 2023
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StepUP® at Augsburg Univ ersity is one of the origina l handfu l of
collegiate recovery programs in the United States. At its 25th
anniversary, it's also one of the largest and most
comprehensive.
Several factors account fo r the program's success over time,
including the residential facility in Oren Gateway Center, on-staff
chemica l dependency counselo rs, and strong connections to
Minnesota's recovery netw orks. But ask students, staff, and
supporters what makes StepUP more t han the sum of its parts,
and o ne answ er comes up ev ery time.
Interior lobby of Oren Gateway Ce mer (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
The magic is in t he community.
The number of U.S. collegiate recovery progra ms has grown to nearly 150 in the years since Augsburg jo ined Rutgers,
Texas Tech, and Brown University in starting its own program. But it's still unusual for an institution of Augsburg's size
to operate a program o n t he scale of StepUP. Rarer still is the level of fi nancial support donors have provided to
ensure the program's sustainability.
Early on, StepUP leadership set an ambitious goal to ra ise a $1 O
million endowment to provide funds fo r staff salaries and
programming costs into the future. Augsburg reached this
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fund raising milestone in 2022 thanks to the generosity of
supporters and alumni. Now, staff are focused on expand ing
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philanthro pic suppo rt for critical student needs, includ ing
tuition and housing.
"For young people in r ecovery, living in a residential commun ity
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like StepUP ca n make all the difference, but it's a big financial
commitment," said Martha Truax '16 MAL, director of
StepUP students give Oren Gateway Center dorm tours
leadership gifts fo r StepUP. "Going forward, w e w ant to be able
during their holiday party, December 2022. (Photo by
Courtney Perry)
to provide mo re tuition support and housing stipends so that
El I]
students don't have to face a choice between paying fo r college
and staying sober."
Director Ericka Otterson '1S MSW returned to Augsburg to lead StepUP in Janua ry, having previously w orked as a
StepUP administrato r and chemical dependency counselor from 2007 to 2014. Under her leadership, the program
will also explo re new pa rtnerships with local colleges and universities-including the University of Minnesota-to
reach mo re students.
"Despite increasing need, not
every school can afford to bu ild its
own collegiate recovery program fro m scratch," Otterson said.
"For institutions in the metro area, StepUP ca n help."
A recently fi nalized agreement wit h t he Univer sity of St. Thomas
allow s students to live in Oren Gateway Center and participate
in StepUP programming while still attending classes at their
home instit utio n. With a ca ring support netw ork on Augsburg's
campus and mo re tha n 800 program alumni, t hey'll be in good
compa ny.
StepUP alumnus Chris Allen '02 live paints a charity piece
at the StepUP Gala in 2021. (Photo by Rebecca Slater)
"A lot has changed in 25 y ears," sa id Nell Hurley, recruitment
and outreach manager. "But StepUP is stil l doing what w e set
out to do: To create a community of students who are in this together and supporting each other . That's what makes
it wo rk."
StepUP will hold its 25th anniversary ga la w ith emcee Don Shelby on May 13 at t he Radisson Blu hotel in
Bloomington. For tickets and more information, visit the StelJUP w ebsite.
Top image: StepUP students pose in Murphy Squore. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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PRIBBENOW NAMED TO NATIONAL HIGHER ED
ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP
by Sten.henjendraszak March 15, 2023 • Around the Quad
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In the fall, the U.S. Depa rtment of Ho using and Urban Development and Campus
Compact announced the HUD + Higher Ed Engagement Network, a new
collaboration to strengthen higher ed ucation community action. Augsburg
President Paul Pribbenow was one of three college presidents named to a 30member think tank of strategic leaders that will gu ide net work activities.
"Augsburg has long been engaged in vital placemaking w ork with our neighbors,
our students, and o ur employees," said Pribbenow, who also chairs the Central
Corridor Anchor Part nershiP- in Minneai;iolis. "It's an honor to be able to sha re
what we've learned about mutually sustaining partnerships in an urban setting
wher e w e have deep institutiona l roots."
The think tank will collaborate with HUD leaders to dev elop and disseminate
strategies for campuses to engage with HUD field offices and initiatives
nationwide. Member institutions wil l put these plans into action at the local level,
with the goal of build ing inclusive. sustainable. and thriving communities
Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow
through increased civic and community engagement. Focus areas will include
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
w orker empowerment materna l and infa nt health, evictio n prevention, landlord
out reach, housing security and access, broadband access and d igital literacy, and cultural competency.
"We are thrilled to partner with Campus Compact o n th is initiative," sa id Michele Perez. HUD's assistant deputy
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secretary for field policy and management, in announcing t he program. "Th is pa rtnership will bolster HUD's and the
members of the Higher Ed Engagement Netw ork's ability to serve our most vulnerable populations through the
higher education space. Together, w e will leverage our strong connections in our respect ive industries to enable a
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j ust equitable, and sustainable future:
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Top image: Downtown Minneapolis as seen f rom Augsburg's camp us (Photo by Mark Chomberloin)
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W omen's hockev. travels to Euro11e for games and growth
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WOMEN'S HOCKEY TRAVELS TO EUROPE FOR
GAMES AND GROWTH
by Douachee Lee March 15, 2023 • Around the Quad
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We'll sing the Auggie War Song,
We'll shout the battle cry,
We'll fight the Auggie battles,
Auggies ever, do or die!
Augsburg's school song could be heard overseas t his past Decem ber as the w omen's hockey t eam t raveled fro m
Helsinki, Finland, t o St ockholm, Sw eden, t o play t hree exhibit ion gam es against int ernat ional t eam s.
"We are grat eful and excit ed t o cont inue t he t rad it ion of an int ernat iona l t rip; said head coach M ichelle McAteer.
"Players often say it 's one of t heir best experiences to t ravel and com pet e overseas. It is t he ult im at e road t rip!"
Th is w as t he fifth int er national t r ip for Augsburg w om en's hockey. The t eam t rav eled w it h a group of m ore t han 70
people including coaches, st aff, and fam ily mem bers.
The Auggi es played ga mes against HIFK and Hollola from
Helsinki and Hammarby fro m Stockho lm.
Winn ing two of t he t hree gam es w as great , but t he r eal highlight
of t he t rip was int eract ing w it h players and coaches fro m other
count ries. After ev ery ga me, t he Auggies jo ined t he host t eams
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w it h a shared m eal t o connect about hockey and life.
Add it ionally, they to ured t he cit ies, visit ing local and fa mous
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sit es like t he Nobel Prize M useum and St ockholm City Hall. At
t he Vasa M useum, t hey saw a preserved w arship from 1628 and
learned about its history.
The Augsburg women's hockey team at a ski jump at ISKU
arena in Lahti, Finland (Coun:esy photo)
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"Int er nat io nal t ravel broadens our perspective as w e navigat e differ ent cultures, languages, and experiences. Doing it
t ogether creat es lifelo ng m em ori es and strengt hens our bond as a team," McAt eer said.
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Top image: The Augsburg women's hockey team at Stockholm City Holl, Sweden (Courtesy photo)
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An educator and catal~t for changg
Pribbenow named to national higher ed eng~gement
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AN EDUCATOR AND CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz focuses on equity and civic engagement in he r
partnership with Augsburg.
by Kate H. El/iorr
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In 2019. Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz j oined Augsbu rg University as special
assist3nt to the pres ident for strategic partnerships and 35 a fe llow in th e Sabo
Cen ter f or Dem ocracy and Cit ize nsh ip.
But Walts co nn ection to ca mpus bega n long before she was born . whe n her
mother steppe d out of ru ra l life in ce nt, 31Minnesota and onto a bus destined for
Augsburg. Li n nea (Wack er) Whi ppl e '60 was t he f irst person in her fa m ily t o
graduate from high schoo l. Why stop there?
·one of the most signifi cant indic;at ors of chil dren's future educational
atta inment is th e e du cat iona l ;attainm ent of their mothers." Walz said . "My mom
st;a rted co untry school at four yea rs of ;age because her brother wouldn't go to
school wit hout her, ;and she gra du;ate d fro m high schoo l at 17. I am gratefu l s he
ha d the d rive to lea ve her fa mily life and that Augsb urg- t hro ugh its fa ith a nd
alumni conn ections- fo und my mother in he, small town of 600."
Minnesma Fi,sc La dy Gwen
Walz (Photo oy Courmey Pe.ry)
And Augsbu rg didn't let Whipp le go . Wa lz sa id college advisors checke d in on he,
mother, who worked m;any hours to pay for sc hool. Professors encour;aged
Whipple. whose early educ;ation was in a one-room schoo lho use. to app ly for a postg,;ad u;at e teac hing position in
Hawaii.
"Th ey sa w her potential, a nd t hey didn't li mit my mother at ;a time when women had lots of limits." Wa lz a dd ed . "I
grew up he;a ring about that level of persona l support and Augsbu rg's drive to deve lop inform ed cit izens. th oughtful
steward s, critica l th inkers, ;and respo nsible le;ade, s. "
Whipple's tenure in Hawaii ended abruptly wh en her brother died in a fa rm accident. Deeply invested in family.
Whipple return ed to Minnesota. where she cont inued to teac h. met he, hu sba nd- also an e du ca tor- and r;a ise d four
da ughters.
Equity work with Pribbenow 'changed everything'
Li ke her parents. W;a lz became an educator ;an d marrie d an
educator. Tim Walz. Prior to being elected Minnesota's 41st
governor, Tim served from 2007 to 2019 as the U.S. House
represe ntative for the state's 1st cong, essional dist, ia. which
includ es the Ma nkato schoo l district wh ere the W;a lzes taught.
Tim and Gwen Walz spea k rn scudems as a part of the
Augsbu,g B~ld Spea ker Series, Occober 20 20. (Phom by
Rebecca Slace,)
"As educ;ators, ;and with Tim's role in governme nt. we were
brought into conversations about diversity and equity in the K12 system ," Walz sa id. ·we wanted someo ne to facilitate
disc uss ions in a way t h;at would honor a ll voices. and without
t hink ing twice , we reache d out to Augsburg President Pa ul
Pribbe now . We had see n and he;a rd that he is a m;an of the
mo ment wh o gets things done and achieves meaningful
outcomes."
The W;a lzes aske d Pribbe now to join a t;ask force to ;ad dress issues relate d t o diversity, equ ity. and incl usion in
Rochester schools. This experie nce. Walz sa id. "cha nged everything. " It's why she overlooked ot her job offers to
accept Pribbenow's invit;at ion to work for Augsb urg in 2019.
·we spe;a k t he sa me l;anguage," W;a lz sa id . "President Pribbenow is focused on t he right priorities. and he approaches
work with integrity and ;a coll;aborative, empowering spirit He's not afraid to take crea tive risks. and he embodies
wha t makes Augsb urg so inc,e dibly special."'
When Pribbenow as ked Walz to consider working for Augsb urg, he hadn't settled on a job title. He told her: 'There is
nothing you ca n't do. but you will figure it o ut wh en you get here. I ha ve some ide;as, but I ;am confident you will see
and do the work in front of you:
"His behef in me re minded me ofthe belief Augsburg had in my moth er. and I w;as sold."Walz said. "He and I both
knew we had ;a lot to work out. but he kn ew I ha d so mething to offer the un iversity, ;a nd I was eager to continu e t o
serve and work as ;an educ;ator.
"My mom always used t o sa y. 'Do the work t h;at is in front of you.' ;and as a ch ild. I th ought s he me;ant the dis hes."
Walz laughed . "H ere. I have ;an opport un ity to do tha t work ;a longside le;ade, s wh o aren't afraid to take on diffi cu lt
conversations ;and opportun it ies ."
The Augsburg commun ity. Walz said. is ma de up of administra tors. faculty. st;aff, a nd stud ents wh o s;ay. '"We are not
go ing to just ta lk about th e work. we a, e going to do the work, ;and not on ly do the work but lea d t he work.' The
un iversity e mpowers stude nts and rem inds us there is not always one way to do things."
Gwen Walz (ba ck row, second f<om right), Paul Pribbenow (back rnw, center). Abigai l Pribbenow (back row, second
from leIT), and o,her members of the Augsourg community gachere:l a, che MNU DL Mayors Challenge 10ch
Anniversa ry Fund.a iser in September 20 22 . (Photo by Cou.1:ney Per,y)
A 'confident disruptor'
Walz said he, work- both ;at Augsburg and ;as first lady of Minnesota- is not about power; it's about respo nsibil ity.
"My fi rst question to myse lf ;and ot hers is ;a lways. 'Wh om do we serve?' The ;answer ca n change. but in my work at
Augsburg, it's mostly focused on students. My ro le ;afford s me t he ability to m;a ke connea ions for people and to cut
t hrough re d t;ape." Wa lz sa id.
She w;as integral in implementing th e Auggie Pass. an a ll-you-can ride transit pass for e ligible Augsbu rg stude nts to
access the city's buses a nd light -r;a il tr;a ins. even during breaks. She has ;a lso helped build co nnections between
campus progra ms and st;ate age ncies t o offer internships and experie ntia l lea rning opportun ities .
·one effort I a m particularly excited about is my work with t he provost to encourage voting among ou, stud ents and
t o educate the m about t he safety of our voting systems.'' Walz said. "The Higher Educa tion Act of 1965 requires
un iversities to ha nd out vot er registr;ation card s, but there is no fund ing o, enforceme nt mechanism. We are looking
t o weave these and other civic engagement a nd education efforts into th e Augsburg experie nce:
As d irector of the Sa bo Center, Elaine Esche nbacher works directly with W;a lz to
integ, ate civic and community e ng;ageme nt. experiential education. and
democ,;acy bu ilding into th e Augsburg experie nce.
"I appreci;at e and ;ad mire Gwen's capac ity a nd interest in going deep on a topic.
She is ;a le;a rn er who a ims to kn ow more tha n s urface-leve l information."
Esc henbacher sa id. "She encourages us to be "confident disruptors' of systems
t hat d on't serve peop le. particularly the most vulnerable. I wrote tha t term on a
note and ha d it on my des k for a long time :
Esc henbacher adde d t h;at W;a lz inc, eases th e university's access to peop le ;and
syste ms. "People answer her phone calls." Eschenbac her sa id . "But more
importa ntly. Gwen brings deep knowledge of education that empowers students
to fu lly realize the ir potential. She brings rich experience in navigating and
c,e;at ing cha nge. and she brings a deep co mm itm ent and clear vision for equ ity
in educa tion ."
Elaine Eschenba cher, dioec:or of ,he
Sa bo Cemer (Photo b'/ Coun:ney Perry)
Equity in the classroom
Walz's work ;a lso focuses on teac her educa tion . One of her first meetings at Augsburg was wit h Audrey Le nsmire. an
assoc iate professor of education a nd t he founding director of the form er East Afric;an Student to Teacher Program
{EAsn. now kn own as th e Th rive Progr;a m. W;a lz w;anted to le;a rn m ore about the program's work to e mpower E;ast
Africa ns and other BIPOC stude nts to become lice nsed teachers. More t h;an 100 stud ents have be nefitted from the
progra m since 2013.
Lensmire refl ected on that first meeting: 'Wh en I wa lked into her a/flee. I was shak ing a bit. I didn't know wha t to call
her. It see med so weird to call someone 'first l;ady.' but s he told me t o ca ll her Gwen . She as ked great qu estions.
liste ned carefully. a nd t ook lots of notes. and I quickly re;a lize d how lucky Augsbu rg is to have her.... I introduced her
t o scholars a nd teachers beca use she wanted to hear their stories a nd needs. We bega n t o sha re ou r own histo ries
and expe rie nces. and we beca me friends."
The two d eve loped a gra duate course ca lled Connecting Policy. P, aa ice. and Advocacy for Ed uca tiona l Equ ity . It
combines th eir shared loves of writ ing, te;acher empowerm ent. a nd po licy ch;ange. In 2020. Le nsmi, e and W;a lz bega n
co-teaching the course. wh ich has become ;a core class in the Maste r of Edu cation program .
Lensmire s;a id Wa lz has taught her a lot about resea rch. a dvocacy. and complications wit hin government systems.
Walz is honest and thoughtful. Lensmire sa id. and has even given her daughter. a second-year Augg ie. lot s of ;advice
and green Jolly R;a nchers.
'A remarkable advocate'
Pribbenow sa id it s impress ive how Wa lz gracefully ba lances her dual roles at the un iversity. while ;a lso investing and
connecting personally with students in the classroo m. He benefits from he, "keen eye" in na viga ting complex politic;a l
circumstances to adv;ance the un iversity"s vis ion.
"Gwen h;as proven to be a remark;ab le advoc;ate for our students
and ou, miss ion.'' he sa id. "Her work on co mm un ity engage ment
projeas is always insightful and focuse d on moving work
forward . Her partnership with ou r education department to
prepare te;achers of co lor fo r ou, pub lic schools brings both he,
educational experience and he, advocacy skills to bear on this
c,itica l effort."
Gwen Wal, with members of <h e ~.ugsbu,g community
aITer hosting an on-campus e-ve m, A Conversation with
Fi,sc La:ly Gwen Walz and Gay Righcs Advocate Randy
Florke, in Ma.en 20 19 . (Fhoto oy Courmey Pe, ry)
He r prese nce. Pribbenow sa id. is a m ode l for the Augsbu rg
comm un ity . Walz is un like any ot her first lady in state history,
with an offi ce in the C;ap ito l and ;a robust policy portfolio
focused on e duc;at ion. Yet she keeps he, faith in foc us, ;and she's
maintained a "Minn esota nice· that often emerges from the
oven.
"Fou r d;ays before the election. we took a bus around to various stops to thank peop le wh o worked on the campa ign .
I didn't have ;a spe;a king role ;at these stops. but I wanted to convey my perso n;a l thanks ;and hono r their time and
ha rd work," Walz said. "I rolled up my sleeves and c;a lled all my volleyba ll moms ;a nd friends over to t he reside nce.
and we baked 1.400 gingersnaps fro m my g, a ndm othet s recipe and packaged the m with a note fro m me . Sma ll
gestures matte,. and I love sharing a bit of myse lf with ot hers."
Walz said she hopes her persona l ;app roach to leadership shows students they c;an ac hieve profess ion;a l success
while also prioritizing fam;ly and fa ith. Those priorities brought her to Augsburg, ;and th ey will continu e to drive her
work for the university .
"I c;an fa ll into the trap of always wis hing I could do more. give more. or be better. But I w;a ke up each morn ing with
devotions to center myse lf and ack nowledge that I ;a m doing wh;at I can. with what I h;ave. to the best of my ;ab ility.''
Walz said. "It's a privilege to be here now. working with Augsbu rg to he lp e du ca te students to ach ieve their potential
and- together - make a difference in this worl d. "
That is work worth doing, she s;a id. and it's right in front ofus.
Top image: Gwen Walz to /ks with the Augsburg comm unity. January 2013 (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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New data science major gives students an opportunity to make sense out of copious
amounts of complicated information.
by Lisa Renze-Rhodes March 15. 2023 .. Featured Stodes
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Driv ing d irections o n a cell phone. coupons for 25 cent s off pret zels at the grocery store. and w eather alert s w ar ning
of pot entially ser ious st or ms sha re one common thread: dat a.
From where people d rive. to what t hey buy. to w here they live. nea rly ev eryth ing in lif e is connected to the evercollect ed. extremely valuable info rmation that is gathered and int erpret ed t hrough data science.
But beyond giving businesses clues about when a f amily is r eady to replace a refrigerato r or t ake a tr ip t o the Grand
Canyon. dat a science ca n also be used in ways that bring equity and justice t o underserved and marginalized
communities.
It's w ithin that fram ew ork that faculty at Augsburg University
began piecing t ogether w hat is now a full-blow n dat a science
majo r. John Zobitz. professor of mathematics and data science.
said the new majo r- officially a Bachelor of Science in dat a
science launched in f all 2022- is a response to requests by
alumni and students for m ore oppo rtunities t o expa nd o n w hat
they w ere already lea rning in m ath and comput er science
classes. Student s can now minor in dat a science. t oo.
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"When we designed this m ajor. we tried to m ake it as flat as
John Zobitz, professor of m athem atics and data scien ce
possible. relative to prer equisit es." Zob it z said . "Student s ca n
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
st art the m ajor w ith either an introduction t o dat a science
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course. a comput er science course. or a mat hematics course.
That m akes it o pen t o first -year students and has r eally helped attract m ore students."
The m ajo r also draws students w ith a w id e range of int erests. Zobitz said. While data science can help consum ers get
free shipping on their dog's mo nthly food delivery. it ca n also be used to identify societ al challenges and inequities.
And mo re importantly. it can help find solutions t o specific pro blems.
Making a difference
There are m any w ays that dat a science m akes a concr ete differ ence in people"s lives. such as gather ing and
disseminating info rmation about pot ent ially da ngerous w eather. The Federal Em ergency Management Agency
estimat es that since 1997. dat a collect ed by aircraft w ith special storm predicting t echno logy and eq uipm ent have
improved predict io ns about hurr icane st o rm and landfall patt erns by 20%. Those life-saving ear ly warnings give mo re
people more t im e t o t ake necessary st eps to evacuat e o r prepare befo re a st o rm h it s.
And in issues of social justice. dat a ca n com e r ight alo ngside community organizers and other change agents.
prov iding real numbers t o bolst er t heir rationa le.
"A focus on equity. inclusion. and j ustice is built t hroughout the major.• Zobitz said. "How data influences how you
see the w orld- w hether it"s algorithm ic bias. why som e families get picked f or a loan and others don"t, o r in a
pa ndemic. how one"s pre-existing conditions ma ke them more susceptible t o ill ness."
Data t ells great st ories fo r people pay ing attention. he said.
John Zobitz talks with his data scien ce students. (Ph oto by Courtney Perry)
In a class that introduces the id ea of dat a science as a tool f or social j ustice. Zobitz has st udents consid er
transport ation availability in the Twin Cities. Suddenly. hist orical patterns of racism and inj ustice leap int o st ark
moder n-day relief. Redli ning-the discriminat ory pract ice of w it hhold ing fund ing t o purchase homes in so-ca lled "at risk" neighbor hoods that began in the U.S. in the 1930s and d isproportionat ely impacted Black f am ilies-continues t o
affect people. The practice ensured that f amilies of color. m any of who m w ere mov ing int o new areas as part of the
country"s Great Migration. w ere relegat ed t o less desirable neighbo rhoods. As a result. ma ny had t o liv e f ar aw ay
from w ork. decreasing their quality of life because of the sheer amount of tim e it t ook t o get t o and fro m t heir j obs.
Despit e a 1977 f ederal law that w as int ended to quell the practice of r edlining. the harm ful effects linger t oday.
"Student s st art t o translat e what they"re learning into w hat they're living: Zobitz said. "You st art t o hear st o ries like.
' My m om has t o take five buses t o get her w ork do ne.' They talk about their exper iences. and they st art having
conv ersat io ns w ith each other about w hat inform ation is needed t o ma ke educat ed recommendations fo r change."
Student stories
The int ersection of that inf or mat io n is what lured Dij one
Mehmeti "24 to the maj or.
"What drew m e into data science w as the connect io n betw een
dat a and social life." she said. "Applying those t wo t ogether
really made me int er est ed in it - that connection that you see
something. and it helps you d ig int o i t ev en more.
"Learn ing about redlining. crim e. t hen yo u dig into mo re
reasons why that happens ... t hat's w hy it"s so pow erful."
M ehmeti said . "The infor matio n could be considered hidden.
but it's not. It's int erconnected in so many d ifferent ways:
John Zobitz sp eaks with a stu dent during data science
class. (Ph oto by Court n ey Perry)
Students also lear n about the import ance of ethics in dat a collectio n. In that v ein. Ly Xiong '24 hopes t o o ne day
focus her w ork not necessarily o n what the dat a rev eals. but where it"s coming from.
"For m e. t he most important part is t he dat a itself - who is collect ing the dat a." Xio ng said. "The results w ould be
different if I'm collecting data in my community; they w ill trust me. But if I'm collecting dat a in another community.
they m ay not trust m e. So. it goes back t o: how are w e collecting the data?"
A lack of trust can y ield incomplet e dat a. Xio ng sa id. Her long-t er m goal is t o educate people about how t o creat e
dat a sets that better represent an issue and communities affect ed by it .
Those real-world applications are specifically driv ing Ridwan
Abdi '24.
"l"m Som ali." Abdi said . "I w ant to use data science t o do
st orytelli ng. The problems w e hav e in our community are that
so many young adults and t eens are st ruggling w ith drugs. So.
maybe I can use dat a t o educat e and partner w ith universities.
t o creat e someth ing that could help people t ake action."
All three it erations of the majo r are. in m any ways. exactly what
Zob it z ho ped fo r.
Stu d ents listen to Pro fessor John Zobitz's lect1.1re. {Pho to
by Courtney Perry)
"I like t o say that if you put your whole self in there. and br ing
your ow n experiences t o it. when you creat e a visualizatio n and see the power dat a has. people pick up on that. I
think it eliminates some of t hat ·1do n't believe you· that "s bound t o come from data." he said . · connecting it t o people
gives it pow er. instigat es change:
Alumni success
Alumni are responding t o the new major w ith excit em ent- and a little e nvy.
Nhu Putnam '12 graduated w ith ho nors in her double-m ajo r of fi nance and m athematics w ith an em phasis in
proba bility and applied mathem atics. She spends her days in data. doing r isk ana lysis and data analytics fo r WTW. an
insurance advisory firm headquart er ed in Lo ndo n.
"It's good f or Augsburg t o launch these programs. I really liked the d epartment of m athematics. and t his is the right
direction fo r Augsburg t o go," Putnam said. "Math is good. but applied math is w ay m ore pow erful. And dat a science
is one of the m ost pow erful w ays w e ca n use math in an applied way:
She sa id one gr eat example. fro m a corporat e perspect ive. is t hat data science can prov ide the evidence that
persuades a company t o invest in a particular social mov em ent.
"How can you use data science t o help a community? It's about : here's a t opic. what ever might be im portant t o your
community. and here"s what we've lea rned. What ca n you do w ith those r esult s? Can you get companies t o invest in
your project? Dat a science will be the future. If you"re good at it. and passionat e about it. you w ill be able t o effect
real change." Putna m said .
Bjorn Melin "20 agreed. Like Put nam. he double-majored. sp litting his tim e at Augsburg pretty evenly in the
mathematics and comput er science departm ents. Today. he"s a data engineer w ith 3M.
"I t ook the dat a v isualization class. and a big f ocus of it was on the ethics behind it. It's someth ing rve t alked about
w ith all my t eammat es in every prof essional setting I've had.... If som eone doesn"t understand t he ethical
implications behind this. ther e can be serio us repercussions. That's another reason t o support the m ajor. getting
people out t here w ho can com e in w ith a solid baseline of know ing how t o be safe and ethica l." he said.
"I was so excit ed w hen I f ound out they got this m ajo r launched." M elin said. "'I'm hopeful for them t o be able t o t each
the curriculum they've w ant ed t o. and what I'm really excit ed fo r is the •official" m erger bet ween comput er science
and t he m ath departm ent. It's exact ly w hat I w ish I could have taken back w hen I was ther e."
To lea rn m ore about Augsburg"s dat a science major. visit augsburg.edu/mscs.
Top image:John Zobitz teaches his data science class. (Phot o by Courtney Perry)
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1940s
Raymond C. Anderson '49, Minneapolis, age 96. on Sept em ber 18. 2022.
1950s
Garfield Q. Hoversten 'SO, Ed ina, Minnesota, age 96. on January 22. 2023.
Vincent W. Hoversten 'SO. San Rafael. Calif ornia, age 94. on Novem ber 23, 2022.
Ellen M. (Stenberg) Erickson '51 , Blaine, Minnesota, age 94, on July 28, 2022.
Robert D. Oudal '51 , Oro noco. Minnesota, age 93, on October 13. 2022.
Eleanor M. (Baker) Dahle '53, Cathlam et, Washington, age 91 , in December 2022.
Norman F.Johnson '53, Bloomington. Minnesota, age 91. on Oct ober 11, 2022.
Leland E. Evenson '54, M onticello, Minnesota, on December 2, 2022.
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Alan Mathiason '54, St. Pa ul, Minnesota, age 92. on July 16, 2022.
Arvin H. Halvorson '55, St. Paul. Minnesot a, age 91, on July 24, 2022.
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Norman E. Anderson '56, M aple Grove, Minnesot a. age 89, on October 8, 2022.
Robert D. Norby '56, Naples, Flo rida, age 90, o n Sept ember 5, 2022.
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Philip W. Heide '58, Rosemount. Minnesota, age 86, on October 30, 2022.
El I]
June A. (Aaskov) Griffin '59, Falmouth, Maine. age 87, o n August 4, 2022.
Delores M. Grupp Christianson '59. Mahom et, Il linois. age 86, on October 30. 2022.
Luther E. Romo '59. Braham, Minnesota, age 85, on October 1, 2022.
1960s
Donald A. Anderson '60, Nisswa, Minnesota, age 88. on August 12, 2022.
Jon R. Ellefson '60. Rosemount, Minnesota, age 87. on November 18. 2022.
Marjorie A. (Moland) Flom '60, age 84, o n November 22, 2022.
Lawrence E. Gallagher '61 , Crystal, Minnesot a. age 82, o n November 6, 2022.
Leroy C. Holmes '61 . Forest Lake, Minnesot a, age 88, o n November 5, 2022.
Paul R. Grover '62. Belvidere, Illino is, age 83, on December 14, 2022.
William O. Cowan '63, Dassel, Minnesot a. age 84, on June 6. 2022.
Charlotte A. (Gerdeen) Fruehauf '64, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 80. on Sept ember 4, 2022.
William F. Strom '64, Hast ings. Minnesot a. age 82, on July 19. 2022.
Paul E. Larson '65, Bloomington, Minnesot a, age 79, o n October 3, 2022.
Sylvia M. (Johnson) Strand '65, Sta nchfield, Minnesota, age 79. on Oct ober 22, 2022.
Gary Viken '65, Mound, Minnesota, o n August 17. 2022.
Russell H. Johns '66, M elbourne, Florida, age 84, on December 22, 2022
Martha E. (Weimer) Keaton '66. La Cr osse, Wisconsin, age 78, on July 21 , 2022.
John K. Meland '66, age 78, o n December 13, 2022.
Myrtis M. Ska rich '68, St. Paul, Minnesot a. age 76, o n July 24, 2022.
Patricia Piepenburg '69, Grov e City. Minnesota, age 75, on February 9, 2023.
1970s
Kenneth G. Casperson 70, Buffalo. Minnesota, age 78, on December 16, 2022.
Rosalee D. (Lyng) Vind '71 , age 73. on Oct ober 13, 2022.
Alice M. Johnson '72, Minneapolis, age 72, o n Sept ember 7, 2022.
Lee S. Lind '72, Rosemo unt. Minnesota, age 72, on Nov ember 28, 2022.
Julianne M. (Carlson) Pederson '73, age 71, Stillwat er, Minnesota, on Janua ry 3, 2023.
Laura H. Sutton '77, Hudson, Wisconsin, age 79. on July 10, 2022.
Mary K. (Hill) Walker 77, Northfield. Minnesot a. age 67, on July 16. 2022.
1980s
Gayle J. (Taylor) Stiller '81 , Longmont, Colorado, age 64, o n July 24, 2022.
Dawn C. (Jared) Robinson '85, Rockford, Minnesota, age 60. on Oct ober 19, 2022.
Nicole F. Hertzberg '86, St. Paul. Minnesota, age 61, on October 11, 2022.
Mark P. Limburg '89, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 59, o n November 15. 2022.
1990s
Peter T. Vedell '90. Rochest er, Minnesota, age 54. on November 25, 2022.
Kerry V. Owen '91 , Waldpo rt. Oregon, age 54. on December 24. 2022.
Terence J. Acers '92, Stillwat er, Minnesot a. age 53, on Nov ember 14, 2022.
Beryl J. Deskin '95 MA, Minneapolis, age 76, o n November 7, 2022.
Harry W. Lockrem '97, Roseville, Minnesot a, age 73, o n December 3, 2022.
2000s
James R. Erickson '00, Andover. Minnesota, age 55, on November 9. 2022.
Glen D. Meyer ·os, Byron, Minnesota, age 67, o n December 8, 2022.
Thomas M. Driscoll '07 MBA. Rosemount, Minnesota, age 50, o n Sept em ber 22. 2022.
2010s
Linda K. (Simmons) Berglund '22. Shoreview, Minnesot a, age 68, o n January 1, 2023.
2020s
Alexander C. Baker'26, Lakeville, Minnesot a. age 18, o n January 14, 2023.
Donors, Faculty, Staff, and Board of Regents
Sylvia A. Sabo, Minneapolis, age 85, o n October 26, 2022.
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Auggies work to serve Twin Cit ies residents wit hout homes
by CharlK Hol ey March 15, 2023 • Featured Stories
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In separate efforts to help unhoused people in Minneapolis, two members of the Augsburg
community take a similar approach.
They ask a simple questio n: "What do you need?"
Then, they w ork to provide services based o n people's self-id ent ified necessities.
"It's about meeting people where they're at." said Katie Clark '10 MAN. '14 DNP, associate
professor of nursing and execut ive d irector of Augsburg Health Commons. which provid es
free supplies and nurse consultations to anyone in need. Many peop le who access these
Katie Clark, associate
professor of nursing
and executive d ir ector
services are unhoused o r exper iencing housing insecurity.
"Oftentimes. health ca re providers are not trusted by people living on the st reet who feel like
they mig ht be st ereotyped or j udged when they enter a facility." Clark sa id . ·w e need to ask
people what their experiences are, what they deem necessary, and why t hey aren't able to
of Augsburg Health
Commons (Photo by
Courtney Perry!
get what they need:
Emily Bastian '07 MSW w orks wit h a similar philosophy- she led the creation of an entire
homeless shelter based on asking people about their specific needs. Aviva Village, wh ich
opened in December 2020, has received widespr ead attention because of its unique concept.
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Bastian. who is t he nonprofit Aviva's vice president of ending homelessness. said she and her
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tea m w ent to an encampment in a Minneapolis par k. "We asked them. what would it take for
them to come indoors? And many of the things that they sa id are things t hat w e are able to
put into practice at Avivo Village."
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Emi ly Bastian '07 MSW
(Courtesy photo!
Creating a shelter
Unlike most traditional ho meless shelt ers, Avivo Village lets
residents come and go as t hey please. Resid ents are not
separated by gender; they ca n have pets. and they can drink
legally. All these th ings are allow ed in response to Bastian's
conversatio ns with people living outdoors.
·we want people to know that we care about them and that
we're not shaming them for the choices that they're maki ng.
because t hey are t he ones living their life, not
us: Bastian said .
Avivo Village is made up of 100 tiny homes meant to be
The Avivo Village team (Courtesy photo)
tempora ry housing as residents w ork to find a mor e permanent
place to live. So fa r, mo re than 11 O people have successfully
moved on from Avivo Village into perma nent housing.
In additio n to temporary shelter. Aviva provides tho rough case
ma nagement to help people find housing. This includes services
aimed at addressing some of t he root causes of homelessness.
Avivo offers transitional recovery housing, which houses people
who are enrolled in the organization's chemical dependency
treatment program . Avivo also provides mental health services.
·case management supports people through all the bumps in
the road as t hey're lea rning to be a rent er o r as they're
......-.,,.~--
exper iencing some other trauma or barriers," Bastian said,
"because we truly, truly. truly believ e that everyone deserves
Avivo workers visit an encampm ent. (Courtesy photo)
housing and everyone is housable:
A range of services
While Hea lt h Commons does not provide housing. it offers ma ny services to support unhoused people. Like Bastian.
Clark wor ks to create a place wher e people feel accepted and safe wh ile asking for help.
Sometimes. people simply ha ng out at the Hea lth Commo ns locatio n in downtown Minnea polis' Cent ral Lutheran
Church.
"If you're experiencing ho melessness. oftentimes you can't go places and hang out without showing proof of why you
need to be ther e or without being harassed," Clark said. •so. sometimes peop le need a place where they can j ust sit
down. take their shoes off. and be part of what's happening."[/vc_column_text ][/vc_column][/vc_row)
a saf e space to
Graduate nursing student Claudia
Heal:h Commo ns is
Heal t h Commons v i sitors pick up
Rubio-Mendoz.a d istributes d iapers at
m eet and sp end t im e wi t h frien ds .
donated item s . {Photo by Courtney
H eal th Commons. (Photo by Courtney
(Photo by Cou rtney Perry)
Perry)
Perry)
The free supplies offered at Hea lth Commo ns include socks, hygiene products. and d iapers. Visito rs can meet
with Augsburg nursing students for basic healt h services such as having their blood pressure checked o r asking
questio ns about medical condit io ns.
"We're not providing clinical care or d iagnosing. but more just bridging t he gap bet ween meeting peop le where
they are and connecting them with services if they d eem it necessa ry." Clar k said .
A place to learn
Health Commo ns is not o nly a place where people ca n go to learn about
health ca re-it's also a place where any Augsburg student can learn about
serving a wide range of needs. including the needs of unhoused people.
More t han 1.600 students have volunteered at Health Com mons in the 30
y ears that it's been o pen.
"Health care providers often begin to have biases o r might act ually
stereotype people who are unhoused. So, Healt h Commons is r eally a first
step for nursing. physician assistant, or other students to unpack those
moments and cha llenge biases: Clark said .
"The complexities of peoples' circumst ances are better understood as
students bu ild relationships with people living on the st reet s," she said.
"And it's facult y-led. Students say having those real-life experiences has
been v ery meaningful, especially when t hey see faculty model it as well."
Amy Nelson, assistan t pr ofessor of
nursing, helps a Healt h Commons
visitor with a hand inj ury. {Photo by
Clark encourages students to pract ice compassio n in all their interactions
with people who visit Health Commons. She has ev en talked with some
Courtney Perry!
student vo lunteers who have experienced ho melessness t hemselves. "They
often share t hat they fi nd value in the approaches here, that shared
community." she said .
As a former Augsburg student. Bastian sa id her educatio n in the university's social w ork program informs the
w or k that she does today.
"(One) thing that Augsburg really d rilled into my head, and the master's of social w ork program very much so. is
the conversation around privilege, t he willingness to do that to ugh w ork personally to recognize what my own
privileges are, how that impacts how I see the world and how the w orld sees me, and in tur n my responsibil ity
based on that." she sa id .
Katherine Martin, assistan t professor of nursing (left), and Ph ysician's Assistan t Program Director Vanessa Bester
{m iddle) help visitors with foot care at Healt h Commons. {Photo by Courtney Perry)
Getting involved
Both Clar k and Bastian shared w ays that people ca n get involved in serving t he Twin Cities' unhoused
population.
Anyone is w elcome to volunteer at the Health Commons Cent ral Lut heran Church locatio n. but prio rit y is given
to Augsburg students. Vo lunteers can sign up o n the Health Commons w ebsite.
Health Commo ns also takes mo neta ry d onations on line. To do nate supplies. contact Clark at
clarkk@fillgsburg.edu.
Information about volunteering wit h o r donating to Avivo ca n be found on the organization's w ebsite.
"If people don't feel comfortable or don't know what to do, donating is a good w ay to st art " Bast ian said. •1
w ould also say that volunteer ing somewhere you can have interact ions that feel at a safe level for what yo u're
ready for is also a great w ay to get involved and to help."
Top image: Katie Clark and graduate nursing student Claudio Rubio-Mendoza help Health Commons visitors p ick out
free items that th ey need. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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Au~burg leads with direct admissions
In Memoriam, Winter 2022- 23
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AUGSBURG LEADS WITH DIRECT ADMISSIONS
by Farrisr
March 15, 2023
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Augsburg's w ork at the forefront of a movement to tr ansfo rm
college admissions has ga rnered national media attention .
l ast fall, the un iversity moved to a "direct admissions" approach
fo r undergraduate enrollment. In this mod el, known as
Augsburg Applies to You, students who meet a certain GPA
thresho ld are automatica lly offered admission. Most students
can complete the streamlined application fo rm in less than 10
minutes.
Ninety-nine percent of students offer ed d irect admissio n w ould
The admissions office at Augsburg University {Photo by
have been admitted under Augsburg's previous criteria. Now,
Courtney Perry)
they ca n move through t he process faster and take advantage
of d eeper pre-enrollment connectio ns.
Why flip the scr ipt? A simpler process benefits both st udents and staff. Under d irect admissions, the traditiona l roles
of applicant and gatekeeper are intentionally reversed to change the power dynamics in enrollment ma nagement.
In an interview with Inside Higher Ed, Robert Gould, vice presid ent for st rategic enro llment management sa id t hat
direct ad missions is "a d ream come t rue• for admissions staff, whose attention has shifted from reviewing paperwork
to connecting with students about Augsburg and what they hope to accomplish. "Those are the discussio ns that
motivated many of them to become admissions counselors'' in the first place, he said .
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Drawn by its promise to reduce barriers and promote equit y, many colleges and universities are beginning to explo re
direct ad missions through pilot programs. Augsburg is participating in tw o such pilots through the Commo n
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Application and the state of Minnesota.
But as reported by Inside Higher Ed, Augsburg's own streamlined application shows that the university "isn't w aiting"
on pilot progra ms to fully embrace the new model. In Nov ember, the Wall Street Journal noted t hat Augsburg's mov e
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toward a radically simpler process contrasts with ot her inst itutions whose more complex applications may undercut
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the goal of d irect admissions.
Augsburg's enrollment management divisio n has been wo rking to reduce barriers for sev era l y ears. Recent changes
to simplify the applicat io n- including test-free admissio ns, sho rt-answ er essays, and o ptional letters of
recommendation- hav e accompanied Augsburg's largest and most d iver se fi rst-year classes in history.
Top image: Augsburg students on campus (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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Au~burg named top_P.roducer of Fulbright Scholars
Meeting the needs
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by CharlK Hal ey March 15, 2023 • Around the Quad
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Augsburg University has aga in been named a Fulbright Top-Producing Inst itution fo r U.S. Scholars.
This designation w as announced by the U.S. Department of St at e's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs o n
February 10. It recognizes the colleges and universities that had the hig hest number of applica nt s select ed for the
2022-23 Fu lbright U.S. Scholar Program.
Each y ear, this elit e program select s approximat ely 900 facult y members or administrat ors fro m across the country
t o lecture. conduct research, or pursu e short - o r long-t erm professio nal proj ects abroad.
In the 2022- 23 academic year. Augsburg faculty members George Oierberger, Thomas '72 and Karen How e
endow ed professor for ent repreneurship, and Joseph Erickson, professor of education, w ere named Fu lbright
Scho lars. Dierberger's Fulbright took h im t o Letterkenny, Ireland, while Erickson is spend ing the spring in Lj ubljana.
Slovenia.
"The fact that w e hav e so many Augsburg professors w ho hav e been select ed t o participat e in t he program speaks t o
the q uality of our faculty and the support of the ad minist ration," said Dier berger, who serves as one of Augsburg's
faculty liaisons for Fulbright Scholars.
Augsburg has also been named a toR,.i;iroducer of Fulbright students am ong U.S master's institut ions, w ith three
student s receiving scholarships t o t each English abroad in 2021-22.
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"It is such a great achievement bot h faculty and student Fulbright awards, and it should be celebrat ed," sa id John
Zobitz, professor of mathematics and dat a science. Zobit z serves as Augsburg's other faculty liaison for Fu lbright
Scholars and w as a Fu lbright Scho lar him self in 2021.
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The Fulbright Program has been a cornerstone of int ernational education and cultural exchange for the Unit ed St at es
since 1946. The purpose of the program is t o inspire, innovat e. and contribut e to fi nding solutions for commun it ies
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and the w orld .
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Top image: The Quad at Augsburg's campus (photo by Courtney Perry)
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW-MULTIPLY
YOUR MIND BY GIVING IT AWAY: SHARING THE
GIFT OF VOCATION
by Paul C. Pribbenow Se12tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad. President's Letter
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW-MULTIPLY
YOUR MIND BY GIVING IT AWAY: SHARING THE
GIFT OF VOCATION
by Paul C. Pribbenow Se12tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad. President's Letter
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A few years back. I happened upo n the w ork of Mark Fed erma n.
a Canad ian scho lar whose writings o n innovation include th is
provocative suggestion: "Multiply your mind by giving it
away:
And Fed erman mea ns exactly what he says: be genero us. be
charitable. give instead of always taking. Because when you are
generous with your mind- with your knowledge and educatio n
and other gifts-you help to create organizations.
neighbo rhoods. agencies. churches. and schools t hat are
marked not by the scarcity of t he w orld. but by the abundance
of what is possible.
I w as thinking about Federman's challenge while serving on a
pa nel about how Lutheran colleges and universities might apply
•-~
lessons lea rned about vocation fro m w ork with o ur
D
T 1
r
~~!~~~o-:.J
undergraduate students to other impo rtant constituencies. The
following three themes emerged fro m o ur conversatio n:
v_.,
On our campuses, beyond
undergraduates
GREAT RETURNS AD
'
ST . 186 9
- - - """"---
President Paul Pribbenow (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Many coll eges and universities hav e g raduate progr ams in
professio nal disciplines like nursing. ed ucatio n. and social w ork.
wher e the concept of vocatio n can play an important role in shaping a professio nal career and life. At Augsburg. w e
created V-Portfolio. an online vocat io n portfolio for undergrad uate and graduate students to share artifacts from
their personal. academic. and professional j ourneys. V-Portfolio has prov ed a helpful tool for students to narrate the
many facets of a vocationa l journey. In addition to academ ic w ork. students share experiences as parents. as citizens.
as neighbo rs. and as professionals-creating that many-layered story of a life.
Across the vocational lifespan
Other important constituencies for our ca mpuses include prospective students and alumni. For exa mple. Augsburg
has hosted an annual Youth Theology Institute for high school students. Over the summer. these student learning
communities explo re pressing issues in the wo rld through a theological lens.
Alumni are another importa nt audience for our vocation lessons. At Augsburg. w e organized the Center ed life Series.
led by Jack Fortin. whose book. "The Centered life." has inspired many of us in our own vocatio nal w ork. Fortin
curates a series of sessio ns each semester (in person before the COVID-19 pandemic. but even mo re well-attended
online during the pandemic) that address a particular vocational theme. For example. o ne ser ies focused on the
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vocation of caregiving fo r a spouse with memory loss; another shared the concept of interrogat ing our institutiona l
saga. the w ork of appreciation and accountability for what German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer ca lled
our histo rical legacy.
Accompanying our faith communities
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We also have shared our vocat io n lessons with faith commun ities. in some w ays coming full circle to the traditions
that hav e given us the gift of vocat io n. Many of those fa ith communities are now seeking new ways to support the
vocational j ourneys of their members.
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The w ork of t he Riverside Innovation Hub. an initiative of Augsburg's Christensen Center for Vocation. comes
alo ngside local congregatio ns seeking to become public churches. A public church is committ ed to place-based
vocational discernment in the public square for the common good. In other w ords. the partner churches are pursuing
God's call for them to be in relationship with their neighborhoods in w ays that bring flourish ing and life. The Riverside
Innovation Hub explo res how the many resources of a college or university ca n be brought to bear in helping faith
communities be more responsive to the vocatio nal pursuits of their members. For example. leaders found that many
young people ca re deeply about environmental issues and don·t feel that their faith communities offer them
resources to pursue those commitments. The innovation hub brings scientists and artists and writers and
theologians fro m t he Augsburg faculty into conv ersat io n with fait h communities to help expand their understanding
of how they might accompany those young people in their passions for God's creation.
Alumni living out their vocations
Multiply your mind by giving it away. In this issue of Augsburg Now. you'll find stories of Augsburg graduates do ing
j ust that. Keenan Jones '13 is d riv en to emgow er and educate Black boys, who fall beh ind in every category the
United States uses to determine academic success and w ellness. After 13 years in the classroom. he started a
nonprofit for Black boys in grades 5-12 that focuses on literacy. empow erment. social justice. and social/emotional
healt h. Other Auggies' t ime and talents are focused on environm enta l justice: M aria Belen Power ·07 is an advocate
and o rganizer for Green Roots. an o rganization in her Boston-a rea suburb of Chelsea. Massachusetts. and w as
recently named to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Elan Quezada Hoffman '22 pursues his
calli ng thro ugh w ork as an environmental inspector for the City of Minneapolis.
We're fi nding new ways to share the gift of vocation and those lessons w e have learned with our undergraduate
students with others at all stages of life. We all are enriched by the joy of lives fa ithfully led.
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CamP.uS Welcomes Executive Director of Interfaith.
Celebrates the Life of Fuad EI-Hibri
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CAMPUS WELCOMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
INTERFAITH, CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF FUAD ELHIBRI
by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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Najeeba Syeed joined Augsburg as the inaugural EI-Hibr i
endow ed cha ir and executive d irect or of Int erfaith at Augsburg
in ea rly August . Syeed is an aw ard-w inning educator and expert
practi tio ner in the fields of confl ict resolutio n, mediation, and
int erfaith studies. Previously, she held faculty positions at
Claremont School of Theology, St arr King School for the
Ministry. and Chicago Theological Seminary, as w ell as execut iv e
leadership roles at the West ern Justice Center Foundation and
the Asian Pacific American Disput e Resolution Center.
In this new position. Sy eed will serve as a nationa l ambassador
for the int erfaith movement and w ill partner w ith ca mpus
leaders as a change agent for int er religious lear ning and living.
Her appointment fuels one of the goals of the Augsburg150
strat egic plan: t o advance the public purposes of an Augsburg
ed ucatio n by enhancing int erfaith leadership o n campus and
nationa lly. Interfaith at Augsburg: An Institute to Promot e
Interfaith Lear ning and Leadership was est ablished in 201 9 t o
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further the belief that r eligious diversity can be a constr uctive
force for the common good .
El·Hibri endowed chair and executive director of lnterfarth
at Augsburg, Najeeba Syeed. {Courtesy photo)
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In 2021, a significant gift from Fuad and Nan~ El•Hibri allowed
for the creation of the EI-Hibri endow ed chair and executive
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directorship for the institute. Fuad EI-Hibri d ied in Agr il 2022
after a battle w it h pancreatic cancer. A longtime friend of the
universit y. he made a tremendous mark o n Augsburg during the
past two decades.
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The EI-Hibris lea rned of Augsburg in t he ea rly 2000s, when their
son. Boa rd of Regents member Karim El•Hibri '06, participat ed
in the St egUP® Co llegiat e 12rogram. They served as t he
inaugural co-chairs of Augsburg's Presid ent's Council and,
Fuad and Nancy EI-Hibri. {Courtesy photo)
among other generous gifts t o the university, annually
sponsored lftar d inners for the campus during Ramadan.
President Paul Pribbenow r eflect ed o n the family's scope and sign ificance: "Fuad and h is family have been generous
w ith their time, w isdom, and gifts to support me and our community as we advance Augsburg's deep commit ment s
to collegiat e recovery. interfaith dialogue. and student success. Fuad was a role model for our student s as he
combined his faith, his business acumen. and his love for his family in all that he pursued. I will miss h im and know
that his legacy w ill live on at Augsburg and beyo nd ."
A business leader and ph ilanthropist Fuad w as the founder and executiv e chair man of Emergent BioSolutions
Corporatio n. chairman of East West Resources, and chairman of Aptevo Therapeutics. He also served as the founding
chairman of the EI-Hibri Foundat io n. which the family founded in 2001 to hono r Fuad's father . Faud said he w as
inspired by the univ ersal values of Islam and supported the foundation in its visio n of build ing an inclusiv e society
w her e everyone ca n t hrive in a diverse and inclusiv e world. He is survived by his w ife. Nancy; son. Kar im; daught ers.
Yusra and Faiza; and three grandch ildren.
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Notes from President Pribbenow- MultipJv. Your Mind b.v.
Giving It Awav.; Sharing the Gift of Vocation
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1960-69
1965
Marcia Schne ider '65 m et w it h Prof essor Emerit3 Kathryn
Swanson and her hus band . Jack, wh il e they were in Arizona .
M3rci3 was a part of a trip to Tha il3nd and Ca mbod ia that the
Swansons led in 2017.
1966
David Johnson '66, wh o received a doctorate in the histo,y of
religion from the Un iversity of low3, retu rn ed from te3ching as 3
vi sit ing prof ess or in Ch ina. His books include "West ern Thought
for Asian Rea ders" and " Ind ian Thought Bet wee n Tr3dit ion and
Marcia Schneider '65, Prolessor Cmerica Kathryn
Swanson, and her husband, Jack, in .¼izona. (Co un:esy
photo)
the Cultur e of Technology."
1967
Denn is M iller '67, prof esso r em erit us of food science and nutrit ion at Co rn ell Un iversity. i s one of th e part icipant s in
a r ese;arch proj ect t o t ransform nut r it i on and w;ate r use i n the poultry indu st ry t o improve its environmental impact
and enh;ance hum;an he;a lth . Th e U.S . Depa rtm en t of Ag,i cult ure fund ed t he resear ch through a $9 .95 m i llion gran t,
one of the largest grants ever award ed by t he USDA.
Thad Dan iel son '67 h;as r et ired from his boat shop and now te;aches a t wo-week cl;ass, The Fundam enta ls of
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Boat bu ildi ng, at t he Woo den Boat Schoo l i n Brookli n. Mai ne. He also wrote t he book, "An Int rodu ction t o Wood en
Boat Building: Alw ays M ore t o Le;arn."
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1969
Janis Mathison '69 was indu ct ed int o the At hlet ic H;a ll of Fam e at Shaw;a no Commun ity High School in Shaw;a no,
Wisc onsin . The honor rec ognizes her w ork as a coach and pioneer of w om en's ;at hl et ics at th e sc hool.
1970-79
1972
After 26 year s, Robert Engelson '72 has reti red from his r ole as a professor in th e Col lege of Arts and Sci ences at th e
Univer sity of Arizona Global Campus.
1973
She ldon Anderson 73 published a m emoi r, "Jum p Shooti ng to a Higher Deg, ee." whi ch chronicles his basketbal l
car eer in Mi nnea polis. West Ge rm any. and Poland, wh ere he did r esea rch fo r hi s doctorate.
1979
With more th;an 500 w ins in hi s prep coac hing ca ree r, Dougl as Greseth '79 h;as been nam ed boys basketbal l he;ad
coach ;at Bisho p M cL;a ugh lin Ca th olic High School in Spring Hil l, Fl or ida.
1980-89
1983
In November 2021, Luverne Seifert '83 directed a m elod,am;a, "The L;ast Tr;a in t o Wi nn ipeg." fo r t he Lyric Center for
the Arts in Vi rginia. Minnesota. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Co un cil supported t he pl ay w it h Rur;a l ;a nd Commun ity
Art Pr oj ect gr;ant fund ing .
Brian Hoffman '83 . associat e professor of anthrop ology at H;a m line University in St. Paul, M inn es ota, w as f eat ured in
an M PR st ory about th e exca v;ati ons he leads on ca m pus- m ost recent ly. th e r em ai ns of ;a St P;au l home nea r th e
corn er of Hew itt Avenu e and P;asca l St reet .
1984
Anne Mari e Erickson '84 has cr eat ed ;a website wit h ex ce, gts from essay.a she's written abou t livi ng wit h her
husband's 17 yea rs of dem entia.
1985
Jean Tay lor '85 w as na m ed t he CEO of Afll eric;a n Public M ed ia Group. th e paren t company of M inn esot a Publi c
Rad io, in 2021.
1988
Da llas M ill er '88 was indu ct ed into the At hlet ic Hall of Fam e for playing hockey ;at Kenn edy High Sch ool in
Bl oomi ngt on, Mi nn esot;a . Mi ller was indu ct ed int o Augsburg Univer sity's H;a ll of Fam e for his awar d-winn ing hockey
car eef.
1990-99
1994
M ichelle Steever '94 rece ived th e Outst and ing Librar ian Award from t he Rh ode Island Library Associ;at ion in 202 1.
She is t he school library m ed ia spec ialist for t he J;a m est own Sc hool Distr ict in Rh ode Island .
Jude II Anderson '94 ret ir ed after l eadi ng the Al liance of Auto Service Pr oviders-MN for near ly 26 yea rs.
1998
Rollo,s. a lawn ga m e by Matthew Butler '98, was fe;at ured i n th e Rol ling St on e article "Fro m Grill s t o Boombox
Speakers, These Are t he Pr odu cts We'r e Using L;abo r D;ay Weekend" (Se pte m ber 2, 202 1).
1999
Ka le Henry '99 was nam ed th e he;ad coac h of t he Forest Lake High School basebal l program. He is a previous wi nn er
of t he Mi nn esot;a St at e High School Base ball Coaches Assoc iat ion's Rob Forn;asiere Assista nt Co;ach oft he Ye;ar Award .
2000-09
2000
The Christ ian Cent ury i nte rvi ew ed Ross Murray '00, '09 MBA about his found ing of th e Nam ing Project . an ELCAbased camp for LGBTQ youth. Murray wrote t he book "M ade, Kn own, Loved: Devel opi ng LGBT-lnclu sive Yout h
M inist ry," and he is th e di rect or of news and fa it h i nit iat ives fo r t he Gay & Lesbian Al liance Ag;a inst Defa m;ati on
(GlADD).
Nathan Budde '00 completed the Iron m an Wisconsi n in 202 1. He f inished 77th out of r oughly 1,8 00 compet it ors ;and
seventh amon g t he 180 peo pl e in his age bracket .
2003
Kar i Luci n '03 has ret urned to The Globe newspaper in Wort hingto n. Minnesota. as commun ity ed it or. She w as
previously t he Globe's educ;at ion reporter and online content coo rd inat or.
Keneesh i a Williams '03 , MD , g;ave a TEDx t alk. "The Pro sperit y of Invest m en t A Journ ey From Murder Wit ness t o
T, aum;a Surgeon ." th;at uses he, life ex perience ;and m edi ca l expertise t o offer non-divi sive, proven solutions t o gun
vi ol ence in Am eri ca . Wil liam s is an assist an t professor of surgery ;at Emory Un iversit y in Atl;anta and d irect o, of
m ed ic;a l student ed ucat ion at Grady Memorial Hospital.
2005
Eddie Frizell 'OS MA L w as nom inated by Pres ident Joe Biden ;and con f irmed by t he U.S. Senat e ;as U.S. Mar sh;a l for
the District of M inn esot a. He pr evi ously served ;as chief of police for t he M et ro Tr;ansit Police Departm ent in
M inneapolis and St. Paul.
Christe Singleton '07 MBA was nam ed vice pres ident of Mi nn esot;a Gas at Center Point Energy. Minnesota's l;a rgest
natura l gas ut i lity .
2007
Travis Paul '07 MBA is t he regi on;a l ch;a ir of adm inist rat ion for Mayo Clinic He;a lth System i n Southw est M innesot a.
P;au l h;as 26 yea rs of prog, essive hea lt h c;are exper ience at M ayo Cli nic, includ ing 18 year s i n le;ade, ship rol es and
numerous ye;ars as ;a front-line nu rse.
Emily Bast ian '07 MSW, Aviva's vi ce presi dent of en ding homelessness, w as in terviewed by the Sta , T, ibune about
A vivo Vi llage in Mi nn ea polis. an indoor group ing of t iny houses offering s;af ety. com fo rt. and dignit y to 100 r esi dents.
2008
Anthony V ici no ' 08 is a found ing partner of lnvictus Ca pit al and co-;a uthor of "Passive Investing M;ade Simp le."
Nicholas Zeimet ' 08 MSW i s an assi st;ant professor of soci;a l work at Bethel Universit y in Arden Hills. Minnesota . He
has served ;as t he Mi nn esot;a Chapt er Pres ident of Syrian Am eri ca n Medical Society and h;as l ed a m en t al healt h
m iss ion t o Leba non and Jordan. He hol ds a volunt ee r posit ion w ith Mt. Sinai's Human Righ t s Pr ogram as a remot e
m ental hea lt h eval u;ator for th ose seeking ;asylu m o, ot her immigrat ion m att er s.
M ichael Henr ichsen '08 is l ead vocalist and rhythm gu itar pl;ayer for '80s cove r band Nile Wave, wh ich w as recently
f e;atured i n an ;article in 425 Magaz ine. The band has produ ce d a live album and h;as perform ed wit h Bil ly Idol three
t im es .
Katherine La Grave '08, digital fe;at ures ed it or fo r AFAR M ed ia, was named Lowell Thom;as Travel Journalist of t he
Year by th e Society of Americ;an Travel Writ ers in 2021.
Nicol e Richards '08, a certified pub lic account ant. w;as prom oted t o principal at Boeckerm ann , Graf strom & Mayer in
Bl oomi ngt on, Mi nn esot;a .
Dianna Rob inson '08 w;as promot ed t o m arket pres ident and director of private banki ng, communit y m ar kets at
Assoc iat ed Bank in Rochest ef. Minn es ota.
M ichael Graber '08 MBA has been ;appo inted pres ident and CEO of Toyo Ti re U.S.A. Corp.
2010-11
2011
Kyle Potswa l d ' 11 w as pro m ote d to vi ce president of commerci;a l l end ing ;at the Cit izens Ba nk Minn es ota L;akevi lle
branch .
Ell e Thoni '11 wrote t he mu si c;a l, " Queen B: A New Work of Hon eyb ee Fut ur ism." which t oured Mi nnesota farms ;and
green spaces in August 202 1.
2012
Emily Nicho ls '1 2 i s ge neral m anager of th e Ki m pt on Alt on Hotel in Sa n Franci sco's iconic Fisherman's Wh;ati
neighborh ood.
2013
As execu t ive di rect or ;and founder of M N Renewabl e Now, Kr istel Porter '1 3 i s working toward th e inst;a llati on of
solar syst ems in North M inn ea polis, among other envi ron m ental just ice projects.
2013 and 2019
Da ley Knochar Farr '13 ;and Maxim illian Bray '19 m arri ed Jun e
11. 2021, in New Or lean s. Connor Krenik '1 3, Kacie Lucchin i
Butcher ' 13. Kevi n Butcher '13, Morgan Thompson '09, and
Gabr ielle M ill er '09 wer e i n attenda nce.
2016
Rayna Lindsey '16 ;ap pears in season 9 of "Bel ow Deck" on
Br;avo.
Li sa Archer ' 16 MAN has been named ch ief nursing a/fleer fo r
Da ley Knochar Farr '1 3 and Max Bray '19 on t heir
we:lding day. (Courtesy pho:o)
M;ayo Clini c Hea lt h Syst em in Southwest Wi sconsin.
2019
Jeffrey Bol dt '19 MFA published hi s debut novel, " Blue L;ake." i n M;arch 2022 . Bol dt drew from his l egal and
environment al backg,ound t o writ e t he Wisconsi n-b ased thrill er.
2020s
2020
Ali son Uselman '20 w on the Wi sconsin Academy of Sci ence, Arts & Letters' 2021 Wisconsi n Peop le & lde;as Fiction
Contest for he, short st ory. "Honor Cord ."
2021
Isaa c Tade '21 st arted dem;a l scho ol at t he Univer sity of M inn esot a, wh er e he received t he Xhonga Scholar sh ip and a
N;at ion;a l Hea lth Service Corps Schol;arshi p.
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Environ mental act ivism takes many forms for Auggie advocates
by Lisa Renze-Rhodes
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Wildfi res raging across hundreds of t housands of acres cause devastating environmental and property damage. No
matter if someone is watching from the next town or fro m thousands of miles away. the destructio n is unmist akable,
unden iable, and gut-wrenching. Floods. fires, oil spills. and extreme heat grab head lines and attention- it's easy to
see the damage, to see the victims, to rally neighbo rs and st rangers ali ke for help.
But what happens when the threat isn't as o bvious? When there
aren't ma ny, if any, headlines? When strangers don't
understand, let alo ne lend support for the cause?
For Auggies w orking in environmental activism fields, the
challenges and w ork take o n many forms.
M aria Belen Power '07 is an advocate and orga nizer for
Green Roots, an enviro nmental j ust ice o rganization in her
Boston-a rea suburb of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Belen Pow er's
days are fi lled with educating fellow commun ity members. That
includes helping them questio n and hold accountable elected
leaders and other officials.
"It's very much a story w e see playing out all ov er the country;
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said Belen Power. "Enviro nmental justice is about protecting the
most vulnerable resid ents ... it's crucial to protect the
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communities where Black and brown and low -income residents
live.
"There's a direct correlatio n betw een access to g reen space and
Maria Beien Power '07 associate executive d irector at
blue space (sky), and hea lth care and q uality of life.•
Green Roois. (Ph oto courtesy o f Jesse Burke)
A member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Belen Pow er said climate and environmental
injustices hav e been occurring in the United States · ever since Europeans arriv ed on this land ." But as a modern
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movement, environmental justice has been present and recognized in some communities much longer than in
ot hers.
The Environmental Prot ect ion Agency notes that one of t he first moder n actio ns of the movement began in Memphis,
Tennessee. with t he Memphis Sa nitation Strike in 1968. Calls fo r fair pay and better w orking cond it io ns for the city's
w aste w orkers, most of whom were Black, marked o ne of the first times people of colo r fo rmally o rganized to oppose
w orkplace inequalities.
But the issue extends w ell beyo nd the w orkplace. Redlining.
which is the discriminato ry. government-sa nctio ned practice of
refusing mortgages or insura nce to home buyers in or near
African-Amer ican neighborhoods, occurred across the country
from the m id -1930s until it w as outlaw ed with the 1968 Fair
Ho using Act . Despite t he cha nge in the law, the damage w as
already done and remains an issue today, Belen Pow er said.
One of the more infamous examples of a public health
emergency was the water crisis in Flint Michiga n. There, starting
over the pasc 20 years, GreenRoots has restored more
in 2014 and stretching more than five y ears, Flint residents-
than two acres of urban salt marsh; created new parks;
and advocated for and overseen the development of
w aterfron t w alkways, educational signage, and p ub lic
access co th e w ater's ed ge. (Courtesy p ho to)
nearly 60 percent of whom were Black- couldn't care for their
pets. bathe. drink. or cook with the w ater flowing from faucets.
It w as contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria.
"The fact that there w as intentional misma nagement of public
w ater resources and that it had to do w ith certa in companies saving money, and people living in communities
drinking w ater that w as completely polluted, makes it o ne of the most prominent environmental j ust ice issues: she
said.
Problems facing t he Chelsea, Massachusetts. area wher e Belen Pow er and her neighbors wo rk and live include things
like the fight she and her o rganization have been invo lved in for six y ears and counting about where an electr ical
substation will be located. Other work includes continuing the organization's response to COVID-19, creating urban
ga rdens. and other long-term legislative issues like fighting fo r the right to secure energy from more economical
sources. These and other environmental j ustice issues are not unique to Chelsea; they are the unsung bat tles being
w aged across the nat ion.
Belen Power cred its her undergrad exper iences. and living in
the Twin Cit ies. for how she landed at GreenRoots.
"The education that I got at Augsburg r eally shaped who I am
and what I do," Belen Power said. "My political awareness was
f™tR ~~
shaped by my professors and the community- Augsburg has a
special place in my heart:
\(\ CPP1 .
The w ork is ha rd, and success looks different to t hose who are
""
in the midd le of changing how entire cultures and generations
consid er long-held beliefs.
5
• -
.orn Gordon!
GreenRoois actively organizes protests of power plants
"There are some really crappy days. r ea lly crappy weeks. but you
think about the victories." Belen Pow er said . "You j ust stay
that are detrim ental to their neighborhoods in
M assach usetts. Th ey successfully th w arted th e pr op osal
of a diesel power p lan t on the banks o f th e Chelsea Creek
in 2006. (Courtesy photo)
focused every day, build ing up power and event ually sh ifting
that pow er.
"Justice is not really w on; ev ery generation has to fight for it . We ca n have victories, and yet t hose victories hav e to be
re-w on with every generation," Belen Pow er said. "My kids are an amazing inspiratio n for me. I hope we are w ork ing
toward a society they can build on and make better."
Consider the why
An ey e toward future generatio ns motivates Elan Quezada
Hoffman '22, an environmental inspector for t he City of
Minneapolis.
Even though Hoffman is one of t he y oungest and new est in the
climate crisis fight, h is focus is on who and what is to come.
"The beginnings of the call to urgency for the climate w as
something I started learning about in high school. The urgency
Etan Quezada l-loffman '22 (back row, second from r ight)
and Augsburg's Environm ental Stewardship Committee.
w as communicated to me clearly, and I thought there's no point
(Courtesy photo)
in doing anything else: Hoffman said. "If someone doesn't take
responsibilit y for this and do the w ork that has to be done,
w e're all going to be lost ."
To improve the urban landscape, Hoffman sa id he and his colleagues respond to any pollution or sim ilar issues that
might arise- anything fro m no ise pollution, to water qua lit y testing, to erosion control. His agency also helps protect
the environment with tree distributio n and pollinator pro motion efforts.
But he said much of what he focuses o n is education. at his day
job and through the volunteer w ork he continues to do with
groups like Augsburg's Enviro nmental Stewardship Committee.
"Climate educat io n is a massiv e part of addressing the climate
crisis," Hoffma n said . "If you have a population of people who
don't care. noth ing will change."
How t hat education is offer ed, Hoffman said. is an importa nt
piece to sustainable action.
Members of Augsburg's Environmental Stewardship
Committee in their community garden plot outside the
Hagfors Cen ter. (Photo by Rebecca Stacer )
"When you hav e a one-on-one conversation wit h someone.
you're creating a relatio nship," he said . "Dialogue is happening
and t he message hits home. As environmentalists, w e need to
do a better jo b of getting into communities- not just preaching (through pamphlets and PSAs)- but having an actua l
conv ersat io n with someone."
The Environmental Stew ardship Committee at Augsburg is an effo rt nea r to Hoffman's heart . Like many t hings,
COVID-19 affected the team's ability to move some initiatives forward. But Hoffma n, who began working with the
group as an undergrad. is ho peful t he committee's outr each ca n begin again, especially on a long-range solar and
carbon neutra lity plan.
"It's o ur responsibility as students. faculty. and staff to say, 'We need to do better.'" Hoffman said. "It req uires a shift
in how w e th ink about w ellness, our economy, and society."
Encircling all of those issues is t he environment.
"It comes down to awareness. then actio n. All of us working together."
Read more:
Sowing seeds fo r tomo rrow
Student-led efforts to reduce, reuse. and r ecycle
Top image: GreenRoots is a comm unity-based organization dedicated t o improving and enhancing the ur ban envir onm ent
and public health in Chelsea and surrounding com munit ies. It does so through deep comm unity engagement and
empowerment youth leadership, and implementation of innovative proj ects and campaigns. (Courtesy photo)
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Many alumn i focused on environmental j ustice credit their d epth of understanding to opportunities they receiv ed at
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Augsburg.
Monica McDaniel, Augsburg's sustaina bility officer. said the
university community uses a multi-faceted approach to
intersectional environmentalism. which challenges advocates to
protect people as w ell as the planet. The un iversity does this
w ork through committees. including the student-led
Environmental Action Committee and t he Environmental
Stew ardship Committee. which includes st udents. faculty. and
staff.
How that plays out at Augsburg. McDa niel said. is through
holist ic programs o n campus and in surround ing
neighbo rhoods t hat consider not only what is needed now. but
how needs and protections can be ca rried out in the future.
Origina lly dev eloped by Bemidji State Universit y. the university's
·wellness model" derives from ancient Oj ibw e teachings that the
environment is the foundation that holds w ell ness. social health.
and economic health in place. Think of it like a solar syst em.
with the environment being the sun around which w ell ness.
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social health. and econo mic health orbit.
Augsburg's sustainability officer, Monica McDaniel.
(Photo by Rebecca Slater)
McDaniel sa id Augsburg's focus is on three areas: food
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sov ereignty (mak ing sure people have un impeded access to
healt hy nutr itio n). a mutua l aid circular economy. and renew able energy.
Augsburg supports more tha n 1OD commun ity garden plots and an indigenous med icina l garden. These gardens
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reflect the commun ities they serve. and every aspect is intentional- from the types of items planted. such as rue. a
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common herb used in East African cooking and medicine. to the ways each ga rden is tended.
"It's o ne w ay that w e've been trying to move beyo nd j ust
planting food and eating it." McDa niel said. ·we w ant a space
wher e people can see themselves represented. too."
On campus. the ShareShop supports the circular econo my
component. Made by students for students. the shop is a place
wher e small kitchen and other househo ld items ca n be
borrowed. swapped. or taken for use.
Each semest er. McDaniel sa id. the ShareSho p saves at least a
Augsburg's Environmental Stewardship Committee shows
the vegetables harvested from che communrty garden.
dumpster"s worth of items fro m being t hrown out . The lasting
effect. tho ugh. is about changing behavio rs.
(Photo by Rebecca Slater)
Some of that lasting impact is in the interest new students have
fo r a living and learning committee that focuses o n sust ainability. More t han SO students applied for 14 spots in t he
fall. McDaniel said.
"That demonstrates to me that this gener ation genu inely cares about these issues," she said .
Work continues on renewable energy efforts underway at the
university. From replacing less-effective light bulbs wit h LED
lighting and upgraded HVAC systems. to maj or initiativ es like
studying the possibility of o n-campus solar. the renewable
energy conversations invo lve all members of the Augsburg
community.
Across all fronts. McDa niel said. she t ries to keep one ey e on the
present and the other on what"s coming.
"Programm ing helps because it giv es us an immed iate win." she
said. "The challenge is looking at the systemic change w e're
Monica McDaniel and Environmental Stewardship
Committee students organize ShareShop donations.
(Photo by Rebecca Slater)
trying to implement."
Top image: Monica McDaniel ond students i n Augsburg's Environm ental Stewardship Com mittee discuss the plants in th e
comm unity garden plots outside t he Hagfors Center. (Photo by Rebecca Slater)
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Public phase of comprehensive fundraising campaign a success
by Norland SeJ2tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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On May 6, Augsburg University held an event to launch the public phase of its comprehensive fundraising ca mpaign.
Great Returns: We're All In. At t hat t ime. t he campaign had received mo re than 40,000 gifts from nearly 1 5.000
donors to r each approximately $105 mill ion of its $125 million goal. Today, the total raised has exceeded $112
million.
•
...
r'
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Great Returns Campaign Chair Or. Paul Mueller '84 speaks at the public launch of the Great Recums: We're All In
campaign on May 6. (Pho,o by Courtney Perry)
As a comprehensive campaign. Gr eat Returns: We're All In st rengthens Augsburg and supports current and future
students in numerous w ays. So far. do no rs have contr ibuted more than $26 mil lion toward creating or strengthening
139 endow ed scholarship funds and establishing five endowed professorships. Mor e than S10 million has been
raised for t he StepU P® Collegiate program Growth Endowment which provid es ongoing support for Augsburg's
recovery program.
Benefacto rs have also contributed more than $16 million to the
Augsburg Fund, which allocates unrestr icted. discretionary
dollars to improve t he student experience through academ ic
programs. technologies, student aid, and more. "These have
been a tough couple yea rs for all of us," said Pr esid ent Paul
Pribbenow. • s ut t he hardships of these years o nly remind us
that t he core of Augsburg to educate students as st ew ards of an
inclusive democracy is all the more important and all the more
critica l."
Great Returns: We're All In campaign public launch event
Endow ed funds can support specific scholarships,
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
professorships, o r specific programs. The univ ersity d raw s from
these inv estments every year. currently at a rate of 4.5%, which
ensures a steady str eam of funding that allows Augsburg to build programs and make mult i-y ear commitments.
A university with generous endowments is able to offer fi nancial aid and lear ning opportunities that better prepare
students to pursue their callings.
These are just a few of the w ays Augsburg's alumni and friends
have d emonstrated that they are "all in" to ensure a vibrant
future fo r Augsburg University. Campaig n gifts can enhance the
student experience by providing funds for hands-on resea rch
opportunities, st udy abroad experiences, or improvements to
the facilities wher e Auggies study, research, live, eat, relax. and
train. After celebrating Augsburg's sesquicentenn ial in 2019 and
20 20, Augsburg's community- "faculty, staff. students, alumni.
parents, friends, all who ca re d eeply about this place"-a re
setting the univ ersity up to thrive for another 1 50 years, said
Pr ibbenow.
Great Returns: We're All In is also the theme of the All-School
Reun ion to be held during Ho mecoming o n Friday. October 6Sunday. Octo ber 8. Co-chaired by Jeff Nodland '77 and Becky
Bjella-Nodland 79, t he celebratio n will include a gathering of
Auggie affinity groups and an award ceremo ny fo r the
Dist inguished Alumni Awards in the Hagfors Center.
The w eekend will also include the traditional Taste of Augsburg.
a ho me football ga me against St. John's University. a celebration
of 50 }'ears of Augsburg women's intercollegiate athletics and
All-School Reunion co-chairs Jeff Nodland 77 and Becky
Bjella-Nodland '79. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Title IX, and the dedicatio ns of t he renovated Si Melbywomen's
locker room (funded by a donatio n fro m Patricia Piepenburg '69), and the updated Si Melby w eight room. d edicated
to Donny Wichmann '89.
l ea rn more about Great Returns: We're All In and do nate to Augsburg's futur e.
Top image: Great Returns: We're All In wot erdrop. The water drop sculptures were given t o the first 150 benefactors who
chose to invest in on endowed scholarship during the Great Returns campaign.
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
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In summer 2021. Augsburg University launched t he Sankofa Circle FellowshiP- f or junior and sen io r st udent l eaders.
The f ellow ship is inspired by four Adinkra symbols that originat ed in Ghana. These symbols stand f or concept s such
as greatness. cha risma, and leadership; end urance and resourcefulness; unity and responsibility; and hope.
Through t he fellow ship, student s grow t heir networks. connect
w it h BIPOC ment ors, strengthen t heir leadership skills. and
benefit from a supportive. mot ivating cohort. Fellows receive up
to $5,000 f or t u it io n and $500 for books each yea r and
participate in a nat ional conf er ence about raci al and social
j ust ice.
In 2021- 22. 1 O Augsburg juniors participated in the f ellow ship.
Eight of those st udents w ill continue to participate as seniors.
The tw o open slots, one of w hich w as vacated by a student w ho
Fellows and mentors share a meat during a Sankofa Circle
Fellowship dinner in October 2021. (Courtesy photo)
graduated early, w ill be filled by seniors o n a wait ing list for t he
init ial cohort. Ten new j uniors w ill also join t he program.
Four Augsburg staff m embers support the f ellow s: Joanne
Reeck, vice president f or equity and inclusion; Chris Dixon.
athletic diversity and inclusion d irect or; Kate Gray, career
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services and alumni connections m anager f or t he St rommen
Center fo r M ea ningful Wo rk; and Kezia Burrows, Pan-Afrikan
Student Services program manager.
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Students formed meaningful connectio ns w it h the m entors and
each other over t he course of t he program's first year . By the
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end of the year. student f ellows described their relat ionships
w it h o ne another as familial. The init ial cohort's mentors
included the vice president of a bank, a nurse practit ioner, an
assistant principa l, a retired judge who f ounded a nonprofit. and
Kate Gray, center, and Joanne Reeck, left, help students
sign in at the Sankofa Circle Fellowship Kick-Off event in
September 2021. (Courtesy photo)
Augsburg's university past or. Alumn i and communit y members
w ho are interested in m entoring can em ail inclusion@augsburg.ed u.
To apply f or a f ellowship fo r t he 2023- 24 school year or learn more, visit t he Sa nkofa Circle FellowshiP- w eb page or
em ail inclusion@augsburg.edu.
Top image: Sonkofo fellows visited the YMCA Equity Innovation Center i n Morch 2022. (Courtesy photo)
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STUDENT-LED EFFORTS TO REDUCE, REUSE, AND
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Campus program s like Campus Cupboard and ShareSho p
reflect the university's environment al st ew ardship and social
consciousness.
Campus Cupboard is Augsburg's food shelf, wh ich provides
student s and recent alumni w ith access t o free food and other
essentials like t oilet paper and shampoo. The cupboard is open
fo r in-person sho pping in the basement of Anderson Residence
Hall, but the staff also make cont actless curbside and offcampus deliveries.
Augsburg students help gather donations for Campus
Cupboard during Athletics Day, 2018. (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
Serving students since 2013, Campus Cupboard is an essential
part of Campus Kitchen, wh ich ma nages more than 80
community ga rden plot s and delivers meals-made from d ining
services' surplus-to area youth programs, seniors, and community cent ers. Ca mpus Kitchen also hosts food demos,
shares recipes, and d istribut es excess produce fro m area farmers. Learn more about t he Ca mpus Cupboard and
w ays to donat e to this and other Ca mpus Kitchen initiativ es o n t he Ca mgus Kitchen w ebgagg.
Students creat ed the ShareShop in 2019 t o help the Augsburg community sav e mo ney and reduce consumptio n of
mat er ial goods, wh ile provid ing a space that fost ers community and informal learning about sustainable practices.
Locat ed in the basement of the Science Building, t he shop features free clothes and household goods such as kitchen
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appliances, furniture, sheet sets, and more. Some items are free wh ile others are available to check out .
The shop, which is open year round, expanded in 2021 t o offer a
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pop-up location in the Strommen Cent er for Meaningful Work.
Partner ing w it h Campus Cupboard, the satellit e location offers
nonperishable food, school supplies, clothes, and professio nal
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attire.
In spring 2022, t he shop held the inaugural M oveOut effo rt in
partnership w ith Residence Life. The partnership made it easy
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fo r students moving out of t he dorms to donat e small
appliances, furniture, fans, ki tchenware, clothes, and mo re t o
Items set out in ShareShop, which are free for all students
to keep and borrow. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
the ShareSho p rather than tossing unwanted it ems into
dumpsters. Donat e item s and lea rn more about Shar eShog.
Top image: Augsburg students help sort item s d onated to Sha reShop. (Photo by Rebecca Slot er)
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AUGGIE PODCASTS
by Briana Alamilla '17
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"Reth inking Manhood" by Destyn Land '1 9
"Rethinking Ma nhood" brings men t ogether to unlearn patriarchal masculinity and
int entionally makes space for men t o heal. grow. and learn in community.
"Stream of Life" co-hosted by Cassie Dong '18
"Str ea m of life" tells insp irational stories and offers insights about peace. conflict, and social
j ustice. Hear from leaders, advocates. and scho lars w ho hav e worked around the w orld t o
build sust ainable, positiv e peace.
"Beyond Friends" co-hosted by Mai Xee Vang '18, Pang Xiong '17. and Sunny Thao '19
A group of Augsburg friends started "Be)'ond Friends" to t ell their st ories. rooted in their
refugee and immigrant backgrounds. and reflect on how t hese identities are currently
helping them navigate ad ulthood.
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Global Harmo!!Y. Choir takes notes from musicians around
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WELCOMING PROVOSTO'LAUGHLIN; BOARD
GRANTS EMERITI STATUS TO RETIRING FACULTY
AND STAFF
by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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In early July, Augsburg welcomed Paula O'Lough li n as the
universit y's provost and sen io r vice president following the
ret irement of Karen Kaivola. O'Loughlin previously served as
provost and dean of t he faculty at Coe College in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, and in leadersh ip roles at Gustavus Adolphus College and
the University of Minnesota-Morris. As the university's secondranking officer after President Paul Pribbenow, O'Loughlin
holds a critical leadership position, with responsibility for the
institution's largest divisions, academic affairs and student
experience and success.
Provost Paula O'Loughlin. {Courtesy photo)
"When we ensure access to higher education, we support social
mobility in t he aggregate and the opportunity to write one's own
story for the ind ivid ual," O'Loughlin sa id . "Augsburg's well-known intentional pursuit of t hese values calls me to jo in
this community. The university is doing amazing work, and I'm excited to become a part of it."
Although she had yet to formally j oin the university, O'Lough lin attended the May meeting of Augsburg's Board of
Regents. During the meeting, the board approved faculty emeritus status for :
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•
Carol Enke, instructor of health. physical education, and exercise science;
•
W illiam Green, M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professor of critical race and ethnicity studies and professor of
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history;
•
Tom Morgan, professor of business administration and leadership stud ies;
•
Diane Pike, professor of sociology; and
•
Ph il Quanbeck II, associate professor of religion.
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Sarah Griesse, who retired as d ean of students earlier th is year, was granted staff emerita status. The board also
recognized four outgoing regents and thanked them for their d istinguished service: the Honorable Lajune Lange
'75, Toby LaBelle '96, Rev. Dr. David Tiede. and Steven Larson '71 .
President Poul Pribbenow and Provost Paulo O'Loughlin at Augsburg's 2022 opening convocation. (Photo by Rebecca Slater)
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FACULTY MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NAMED
PROFESSORSHIPS; NEWSATEREN CHAIR OF
MUSIC
by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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Jeremy Myers, associate professor of r eligion and executive
director of the Christensen Cent er for Vocation, was appoint ed
the Ber nhard M. Christensen professor of religion and vocation
in July. He succeeds Professor Emerit a Martha Stortz, who
retired in 2020. A d istinguished scholar in vocation and
congr egational ministry, Myers joi ned Augsburg in 2006 and has
facilitated t he Theology and Public Leadership d egree program,
the Youth Studies m inor, and the Augsburg Youth Theology
Institut e. The Christensen Chair was est ablished in 2005 t o
honor the legacy of Bernhard M. Christensen, w ho served as
president of what was then known as Augsburg College and
Seminary from 1938-1962. The chair provides public leadership
Jeremy Myers, Bernhard M. Christensen professor of
religion and vocation. {Photo by Courtney Perry)
in int erpr eting and advancing Augsburg's educat ional m ission,
pursues scholarship and teaches in the religion d epartment and serves as counsel t o the president and Board of
Regents.
Andy Aoki, professor of politica l science, was na med the M.
An ita Gay Hawthorne professor of crit ical race and ethnicity
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studies in June. He succeeds Professor Emeritus William Green,
who retired ea rlier this year. Aoki, w ho joined t he Augsburg
faculty in 1988, is a prolific writer and speaker about Asian
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American id entities and racial politics. During his t enure, Aoki
has served as chair of the depa rtment of political science, senior
fellow in the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, Faculty
Senate president and, most recently, cha ir of the department of
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critica l race and ethnicity studies. The Hawthorn professorship
honors the legacy of Margaret Anita GaY. Hawthorne, w ho
drew upon the concept of Pan-Afrikanism t o create a progra m
Andy Aoki, M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professor of critical
race and ethnicity studies. (Courtesy photo)
at Augsburg un ique t o any college in the country.
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Mary Elise Lowe, professor of religion, w as named the Bata ld en
faculty scholar in applied ethics in Spring 2022. A member of
Augsburg's faculty since 2003, Low e's w ork focuses on new
understandings of the human person w ith special attention t o
the doctrine of sin, the image of God, and human sexuality. Her
focus as Batald en Scholar w ill be on "embod ied ethics•- an
expa nsive cat egory that includes t raditional sexua l ethics as w ell
as questions of em bod iment that are often excluded from
traditional Christian eth ics. She w ill also focus on int ersectional
t opics, including d isability/ability, race, body image, and human
relationships. Funded by an endowment established by Abner
Batalden '36 and supported by his fa mily, the Batalden Faculty
Mary Elise Lowe, Batalden faculty scholar in applied
ethics. {Photo by Courtney Perry)
Scholar Progr am in Appl ied Ethics is designed to str engthen the
infusion of ethics and valu es on campus, so that ethical d iscourse and practice is enhanced as a hall mark of
Augsburg's student s, faculty, staff, and alumni.
A t ransformational gift from Board of Regent s member John
Schwartz '67 w ill creat e the Leland B. Sat eren '35 professor and
chair of music, a new endow ed professorship t o be held by t he
chair of the music department. An alumnus of the Augsburg
Choir barit one section and a steadfast supporter of Augsburg
student s. Schw artz has maintained a passion for choral music
throughout four decades as a healthca re executive and into
retirement. With 12revious gifts, he est ablished an endowed
choral professorship. a fund for chora l music, and an endow ed
scholarship. This latest gift w ill help advance the music
department w ith inclusion. access. equity, and belonging and
Board of Regents membe<, John Schwart z '67. {Photo by
advance t he department's work locally, regionally. and
Rebecca Stacer)
nationa lly among diverse const ituent s. It w ill also bring
expertise in music from beyond the Euro-Classical canon and/or in ethnomusicology.
The endow ed chair honors renow ned Augsburg chora l conductor and composer Leland Sateren '35, who d ied in
2007 at age 94.
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Min d bY. Giving It AWaY.: Sh aring
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THE URCHINS OF HAGFORS
by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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Blue tuxedo sea urchins glist en w ith brill iant red spines
that alt ernat e w ith iridescent blue bands. Their stunning
appeara nce and habit of grazing on algae m ake them
highly sought -after for coral reef aquariums, where they
are harmless to delicat e corals-"perfect herbivores," says
Bill Cap man, associat e prof essor of biology. Unfortunat ely.
w ild ocean collection typically involves a mort ality r at e of
upw ards of 75% for t hese delicat e invertebrat es.
Ent er Augsburg's marine fish and invertebrat e breeding
lab.
Bill Capman in Augsburg's marine fish and invertebrate
breeding lab. (Photo by Bill Capman)
Ov er t he past four summers, Ca pman and his
undergraduat e student researchers, including Kayla Cross ·21, Andrew Grace '24. and Grace Adams '23, have
develo ped a precisely calibrat ed m ethod fo r breeding urchins in captivity, from initiating spawning via mild heat
shock t o using round, black vort ex tubs t o simulat e t he w ay urchin larvae d rift in the o pen ocean. The students
ba lance indiv idual research projects w ith lab t asks, caring for d iver se marine life and grow ing phytoplankton on
sit e f or the urchin larvae t o eat.
Tucked away in a custom space on the second floor of the Hagfors Cent er, Capm an and his t eam have becom e a
m ajo r source of captive-bred urchins f or the aquarium trade. l ast yea r the lab held an exclusive supplier
contract w ith one of the w orld's largest m arine fish breeders. shipping hundreds of urchins at a time via a
collaboration w it h local m arine fish breeder Chad Vossen. Vossen Aquatics has been marketing. selling, and
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shipping m ost of the animals produced in Augsburg's marine breeding lab for several years. The m oney from
the sales supplem ents grant funding t o support lab o perations. including pumps, fish food. light s- and always
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m ore salt mix.
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300 p lus third generation urch ins sent
Red spine blue tuxedo u rchin April
Red sp ine b lu e tuxed o urchins June
to Biota, June 2022. (photo by Sill
Capman)
201 9. {photo by Bill Capman}
2020, day 108. (photo by Bill Capman)
Th is y ear's urchins are the great-great -great -grandchild ren of the initial bat ch shipped fro m Bali in 201 8. The
operat ion's success has attract ed significant int erest in t he w orld of marine breeding. and has environm ent al
ramifications as w ell. The mortality rat e am ong the thousands of urchins shipped from the lab has been nearly
zero, a subst antial conservation benefit compared to w ild harvest.
But for Capm an, it all comes back t o t eaching science and biodiversity. •our goa l w ith the breed ing lab is for
students t o have experience do ing research, from hypot heses, t o experim ent al design, t o dat a collectio n and
analysis. to presenting t heir find ings. And w ith o ur coral reef t anks, student s and visit ors observe a w id e
diversity of species and int eresting behav iors t hey would nev er otherwise encounter in Minnesot a."
Top image: Bill Copmon tends to Augsburg's sea urchin raising tubs. (Photo by Bill Capman)
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New Sateren Chair of Music
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Great Returns: We're All In
Pribbenow- MultiP-!Y. Your
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- on September 14, 2022
Mind bY. Giving It AWaY.: Sharing
Celebrates the Life of Fuad EI-
the Gift of Vocation
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CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2022
by Briana Alamilla '17
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Augsburg University celebrat ed t he Class of 2022 in a com m encem ent ceremony at U.S. Bank St adium in
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downtown M inneapolis-hom e t o t he Minnesot a Vikings. The ceremony recogn ized 382 undergraduat e
st udent s and 229 adult undergraduat e, mast er's, and doct oral st udents.
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Top image: Graduates outside U.S. Bonk Stadium ofter comm encement (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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On the SP.Qt: Ellie Olson
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• on September 14, 2022
Mind bY. Giving It AWaY.: Sh aring
Celebrat es t he Life of Fuad EI-
t h e Gift o f Vocation
Hibri
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ON THE SPOT: ELLIE OLSON
The director of Augsburg's Center for Wellness and Counseling stresses that meaning and
motivation matter now more than ever
by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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Ellie Olson w as making an impo rtant point when an off-screen request
demanded her attention. "One mo ment," she said, briefly d isappearing from
Zoom to deal with what turned o ut to be a d ead bug emergency.
like so many people in the summer of 2022, Olson's family was ho me under
COVID-19 restrictions, requiring her to j uggle remote wor k and child care. "What
w ere w e saying about the effects on focus and concentration?" she laughed.
retracing her train of thought. "It feels like w e really need to be having t his
conv ersat io n right now:
Olson directs the Center for Wellness and Counseling, which pr ovides counseli ng
to Augsburg students and promotes well-being across campus. She and her
tea m have witnessed firstha nd the mental and emotiona l effects of the last two
y ears. Those experiences. Olson said, shape her recommendations for meeting
our current moment with g race-ongoing d isruptions, new variants. and all.
Q: As a mental health professional, how would you describe this stage of
the COVID-19 pandemic? How are people responding to it?
Ellie Olson, director of Augsburg's
Cen ter for Wellness and Counseling.
(Pho to by Rebecca Slater)
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A: One of the th ings I r eally think is important to acknowledge is the level of energy that has been drained from us as
a result of the trauma of COVID. As w e move out of that trauma stage and what some researchers and the media
have call ed the "langu ishing'' phase, I always remind people t hat energy d rain is not j ust about the physical. It's
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emotional, it's cognitiv e, it's spiritual, it's social. And there's been so much drain. All the energy that's gone into
reth inking how we live our lives has had a huge impact o n where w e are now. It's still impacting how much energy w e
have to give to our lives and our responsibilities.
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I frequently present on this topic, and when I name this lack of energy and suggest that w e need to do less. I get a
sense of relief from a lot of people. We're not in th is fight-or-flight trauma like w e w ere during t he first mo nths of the
pa ndemic. but many of us don't feel a lot of energy o r engagement. and I think that's no rmal right now given what
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w e've been thro ugh. We need to giv e space to honor how hard people have been w orking, and to acknowledge that
the wo rk w e put in while st ruggling is meaningful, even apart fro m productivity and outcomes.
Q: How does this play out in your work with students and campus partners?
A: One t hing that has consistently become more present is the impo rtance of meaning. Being forced out of "normal"
over the past two y ears has really given people an opportun ity to tune in to what is and is not meaningfu l. If w e're
going to give our limited sources of energy to someth ing, it needs to have value; people w ant to engage, but t he
"budget request" has to eit her be high in meaning or low in energy.
Here's an exa mple: We have a counselor who facilitates a group about understand ing and w orking wit h emotions
that has been very w ell-receiv ed in years past. But this year, students just weren't engaging with it in the same way.
Instead of continuing to offer an experience that was kind of like a class. w e started a w alking group instead. We j ust
said, hey, come over to t he ewe, and w e're going to go fo r an hour-long walk in the neighborhood to explore and
connect, and then w e're going to come back and have dinner together. Maybe students don't have the mental
headspace to engage in ext ra lear ning after class, but they ca n go for a walk. This was a better fit fo r our students'
energy; it was better attended and a mo re connecting experience.
How else can w e adj ust t he things that w e're offering, so that they don't require as much energy or risk-taking as
some of what w e w ere doing in the past? We see mental hea lth and w ellness as not j ust the business of the ewe. It's
the business of everyone on ca mpus, and how w e st ep into that business differs by role.
Q: As we head into the fall, what are some strategies or techniques that can help people thrive right now?
The first thing I wou ld offer is not to go into this phase of life with the goal of retur ning to "no rmal," or t hat the people
around you will behav e like they did before COVID. I think w e hav e to go into this phase thinking about what our lives
are like now, and how w e can best create a structure t hat takes into account where w e've been as opposed to what
things used to be.
This is not going to feel good to the perfectionists in the w orldand I'm one of t hem-but part of this is lowering expectations of
yourself and the people around you. When we don't set realistic
expectatio ns that take into account where w e are now, then w e
j ust create more burnout, more stress, mo re self-cr iticism, and
less motivation. People are motivated when they feel like they
can meet o r exceed expectatio ns. It's important for us to
remember that in low ering expectations now, we're creating a
groundwork for people to be more productive in the future.
It's also important to acknow ledge that motivation is sometimes
created; it doesn't j ust arriv e. This is where setting low er
expectatio ns is really important. because some of us w ait to feel
like w e w ant to do a th ing instead of trying to create motivation
The Center for Wellness and Counseling hosts a var iety of
events, like Auggie Ooggie Days, which gives studen ts the
opportunrty to meet, pet, and des-cress with therapy dogs.
(Pho to by Courtney Perry)
by taking small actions. I tell students to set a really small goal.
and if you can't meet t hat goal, cool: that's data that w e need to set a smaller o ne. As we start to do that w e create
motivatio n rather than w aiting for mot ivation to find us.
l astly, have grace wit h yourself and others r ight now. Honest ly, grace is always important, so this is a trait t hat w e
could stand to utilize now and forever. Just to recognize that people are juggling a lot, that w e all have limited
capacity-and while w e may regain some capacity, we are still limited at th is point. To own that and give yo urself
some grace, and to give grace to t he people aro und you. Having grace and compassion for all that w e have been
through and are st ill going through can go a lo ng w ay in t his moment.
Top Image: Ellie Olson, director of Augsburg's Center for Wellness and Counseling. (Photo by Rebecca Slater)
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Global Education Site in Northern Ireland to O~n in
Si;iring 2023
Congratulations, Class of 2022
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GLOBAL EDUCATION SITE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
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by Farrisr
Sef.1tember 14, 2022 • Around the Quad
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M any schools and organizat ions have been f orced to scale back or eliminate st udy abroad opt io ns si nce t he COVID19 pandem ic. But w ith a commitm en t to int ernat ional educat io n t hat is un ique amo ng M idwest universit ies,
Augsburg's Center for Globa l Educatio n and Exper ience didn't just preserve existing offer ings- it's set t o expand
t hem.
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Students meet with and learn from people involved with the conflict and peace process in Northern Ireland.
(Courtesy photo)
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In Spring 2023, CG EE w i ll welcom e its first coho rt of st udent s t o
El I]
a new semest er-long program in Northern Ireland . Based at
Ulst er University in t he vibrant city of Derry- Lo ndonderry, t he
Conflict. Peace, and Transit ion i;irogram w ill crit ically exam ine
t he wo rk of j usti ce, reconciliat ion, and repair in relat ion t o the
hist ory and legacy of violen t conflict in the regio n. Coursew ork
w i ll focus on underst andi ng t he polit ics of t he Northern Ireland
conflict and t he t ra nsit io n to a sust ainable dem ocracy. St udents
w i ll also part icipat e in int ernshi ps at local peacebui ld ing
organizat ions and engage i n field visit s t o Belfast. the A nt r im
Coast. and t he border count ies of Fer managh, Tyro ne, and
A rmagh.
The Northern Ireland sit e adds a Europea n locat ion t o CGEE's
portf olio of glo bal program s in Mexico, Cent ral Am erica. and
Southern Afr ica . Each program offers a un ique model of handson lear ning rooted i n social j ustice and focused on d irect
Students pose at Ulster University's Magee campus, where
they will be IWing and spending a lot of their social time.
(Courtesy photo)
community engagem ent.
Top image: Students enj oy t he landscap e during on extended trip to rural ar eas in Northern Ireland. (Courtesy phot o)
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW: ON A
LEGACY OF HOSPITALITY AND LEADERSHIP
tty.Paul C. Prib/::t.enow
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW: ON A
LEGACY OF HOSPITALITY AND LEADERSHIP
tty.Paul C. Prib/::t.enow
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My wlfe, A biga il, and I lrst m et Anne Frame and Bill Frame, Augsburg's ni nth
president, so me 18 years ago wh en w e were chosen t o be p art of a new
program, sponsored by t he Council ofJ ndependent Colleges and designed by
Bill, that helped college presidents and t helr pa rtners to explore t he links
betw"ee n th eir ca llings or vocatj ons and the missio n,; of the instit uti on s t hey
served . At t hat point, I w as pn:'sjdent of Rockford Coll ege in Ill ino is, and o f
course, Bill and An ne were at Augsburg. It was a ren1arkab le exp erien ce for all of
us involved, and we remain friends and colleagues with many of those who
shared th e program w ith us. It w as during t hls ti me that we first witn essed t he
delightfu l partnership that Ann e an d Bill had created- in their m arriage, in t hei r
lead ershl p of the progr am, and in th eir wo rk at Augsburg. Tho see of us in th e
program came t o count on Bi ll for th oughtful and weighty treati:ses (0 11e of us
o nce exclaimed , · Give me a th esau rus!" w hen BHl"s vocabulary got to be a bit
m uch), whi le Anne's gr aciou s and cai rn presen ce brought u.s back to th e joy of
Pres;dent Paul Pribbenow (P oto by
Courtney Pe rry]
rhe work a1 hand.
Little did w e know that just a few m ont hs after the progr am con cluded , Abigail
an d I would be elected as An ne and Bill's successor s at Augsburg. It was during t he leadership transition an d over t he
past 15 years t hat I have co me to know t he many w ay s in wh[ch Anne's presence an d engagem ent wit h , he Augsburg
commun [ty during Bill's pres idency have made a lasting impact
Anne Fr am e passe d away t his past summer, but her legacy lfves o n in th e many ways her lffe an d wor k have graced
i:h e Augsburg co mmunity. I wouJd highllghtju st a few :
Ann e an d Bi[I m ade t'he case for and ,h en crea ted a place of w onderful hospitality and fe l[owshlp at Augsburg House,
the resfd ence for Augsb urg's president and f ami ly, but more importantly a place at wh ich t o gather st udents, fa cu lty,
staff. alu mni, and friends to ce lebrate a11 d build community. In fact, Anne and Bi ll set im porta nt trad it io ns at t he
house that we still ce lebrat e, incl udin g a fe.stive holiday party for n eighbors who are often inconvet1i em:ed by al l t he
ca rs pas ked alo ng West River Par kway f or our ga therings!
Ann e loved to engage wit h stud errts, participat ing in activit fes li ke Late Night Breakfasts at the end of each semester
and City Engagem ent Days at th e beginni ng of ea ch academic year. It was deeply m eani ngful to :students to see the
president and f amlly involved in t he lffe oft'he ca m pus.,
Ann e also served as a boa rd m ember for the Augsbu rg i\ssoclates, a group o f committed vo lu nteers wh o organized
furrdraising events to support student scholarshi ps. The annua l Vel kommen Yul celebr ations remain a highl ight of tn e
acad emic yea r, liftl11g up our Norwegian her it age.
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Fin ally, Ann e accompanied Bi ll on m any intern a1iona l tri ps-to Augsburg's sites in South Africa and Nami bl,a, 10
Norway as fXirt of our re[atio11shi p with t he Norwegian No bel Instit ute, and p erhaps most m em or ably to China with a
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group of M innesota prlvate col lege presi dents and part ners to e xplore a relationshlp wit h a n ewly f ormed liberal arts
college on t he mainl an d, now know n as United Inte rnatio nal Co.liege.
After Bill and Anne reti red from Augsbu rg in 200 6, they co ntinued t o be engaged in t h e Augsburg comm untty,
CONN ECT W ITH US
atte nding events, visit ing donors, cheeri ng us o n in our variou s efforts to m ake Augsbu rg t he remarkably diver ,;e
inst[tution it is t o day. At th e s,a m e t ime, it w as a joy for me to see t he mean in g that .t...n ne found in r et urnin g t o her
chose n prof ession- her calli11 g- as an accou11ti nt for vari ous orga rii zation s in th e Tacoma, Vllashington, area . In ,.hat
way, Arm e corrt inued to model fo r all of us w hat it m ea ns to follow t he divine ca!I, wh erever it leads us- even w hen
II
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the cal l l s surprising and un expected.
We celebra te t he w ays in which preslden1ial leadership over 150 yea rs-sha red in part ne rshi p with r emarkabl e
spouses-sets a foun dation fo r the work we do today!
Faithfu lly you rs,
Pau l C. Pri bbenow, President
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Provost !Ka ivo la to ret~re; Boardi ofi Regents BP..P.:roves
emeriU status fo r reUring Augg ies
Augsburg introduces .American Indian Recognition
Full Tuition Program
Augsburg int ro dllces Amer1ican
Pr ovost Ka ivola to r etire; Board
Student-created salads are
lrndian Recogn it ion Full Tu it ion
of Regents aP.:Qroves emeriti:
he!FJ:ing Augsburg !build a mor,e
Program
st.at us for ret irin g Augg ies
sustainab /le local economY.
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AUGSBURG INTRODUCES AMERICAN INDIAN
RECOGNITION FULL TUITION PROGRAM
by Kate Norlander
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Au,gsburg University is la unching one of the nation's first comprehensive fu ll-tuition program5 at a private institLJtion
to support and recogn ize the imp ortance of American Ind ian s within higher education.
In this context. Augsburg defin es "American Indi an" a.s an enrolled member of a federally recogfl ized American Indian
tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Canadian First Nation; a di rect descendant of a parent or grandparent wh o is an
enrolled member of the above; or a direct desce11dant of a tribally verified m ember of the above.
Unlike programs in many public institutions, Augsburgs program doe5 not li mit el igibility to Am•erican Indian students
who live in th e 5tate. In addition , t he Augsburg American lndian Reo::ogn ition Full Tuition Program provides access for
both full-tim e undergraduate students as well as adult learners in any of the university's degree completron
bachelor·s programs. This new program wi ll begin ln the Fall 2022 semester for both new and contlnu [ng eligible
students.
"O ne of our commitments at Augsburg is to bri11g an equity lens to affordability." said Augsburg President Paul
Pribbenow. "This orogram is one step toward recogn izing the profound cont ributions American Indian stuclet1ts and
,he ir commun [ties make to t he univers ity and w ithin higher edtJcatton more broadJy."
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Regent Eric JollY. described th e program as "groundbreaking am ong pr ivate unrversities nationwide.n He added, "At
the sa me t i111e, it is abs-olut-ely in liTie wfth A.ugsburgs long-sta nding commitments to intentiona l diversity and
incl usrve excellence. J hope t his is just the first of m any i nstitut ion s designi ng creative and equitable paths to
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education f or native an d First Nati ons people."
Students who apply for t he program do not need to be enrolled as an American lndia11 trib al member, establ ish
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residence on trust land, or be Min nesota residents.
Through th is program, Augsburg seeks to support and promote American Indians with in t he Augsburg i::on1n1u11 ity.
"My mom and dad told me my whol e life, you're going t o co llege. It was a 'where' and not an 'if.' What I needed from a
II
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school- the main thing t hat was going to make or break it-was if I cou [d afford it" said Reuben .K itto Stately'22. a
student from both t he Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation. "But the cu lture of the ca mpu s, the way t he Native
students support each other. was also a big se lli ng paint. Th is part af th e .south s[de of Minneapol is Is t he most
conce ntr ated urban Native population in the whole country."
"The system ic injustices that have limited access to higher ed ucation for many American In dian students need
5tru ctural solut ions; .said Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Joanne Reeck. "This program is one step that we as
a n institution can ta ke."
Lear n m are about the Am erican Indian Recogn ition Full Tt.1 ttlon Pr ogram.
Top image: Reuben Kitto Stately '22 is an Augsburg student from both the Red Lake Nation and Santee Sioux Nation.
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
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Notes from Preside tit
Pr ovost Ka ivo la to re t ire; Board
St udent-c reated sa liads are
Pribbenow: oin a legacy of
of Regenits aJ:):groves emerit f
he lQing Augsburg b uild a more
hosgita litY. and leadershiR
status for retir.ing Auggies
sustainable loca l economy
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PROVOST KAIVOLA TO RETIRE; BOARD OF
REGENTS APPROVES EMERJT1 STATUS FQ,R
RETIRING AUGGI.ES
by 5te1J_hen lendraszak
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Karen Kaivo la. Augsburg's provost and senior v ice presi-den of acad emic and
student affairs, will reti re at the end of 2021-22 acade m ic year. Si ri ce Kaivo la
joined Augsburg in 2013, her leadership of the facu lty has consistently reflected
unw av eri ng comm itme nts to teaching and [earn i11,g. In late 2019, Kaivola stepped
into an expanded role overseeiI g bot academic affairs ,;md student affairs-,
seeking new alignments and center ing both on a holistic view of student learning
and development ,I!., committee chaired by Timi Pieeert, Joel Torstenson
endowed pro essor of sociology, is in the midst o r a nationa l search to i dentify
her successo r .
At its October meeting. th e Augsburg University Board of Regents approved
acuity emeritus status for Milo Sch ield , prof essor of busi ness admin istration;
regent em ertta status for Ann Ashton-Piper, who r etired ··.-on t e board .a ter
12 years of servi ce; and staff emerit i stat s or [ong-serving employees Nancy
Prnvo:st Kat'len Kaivo la (Ar
Giuilbeault, James Trelstad-Porter. and M ary Laurel True.
ive
p, oto)
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At its February meeting, th e board approved faculty em eri ta status for Laura Boisen, professor of social w ork; and
staff emer[t [ statu s for Dianne Detloft Ann Garvey, and Mark Lester.
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Stucle nt-,c reat ed salads are rieiP-ing Augsburg bu ild a
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Notes from Presi dent Pribbenow: On a !egag.' of
hosgitalit]I. and le·adershiP-
YOU M .I GHT ALSO LIKE
Augsb urg introduces America n
Notes f r om President.
Student-created saiads are
Indian Recogn'itiori Full Tui:t ion
Prib benow: On a legm of
he lP-ing Augsb urg bui ld a more
Progr am
hosRltal ity and leadershiP-.
susta inable local economy
- on February 22, 2022
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STUDENT-CREATED SALADS ARE HELPING
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In Fall 2020, the 5,;Jbo Cent er for Democracy and Cit ize nsh ig launched Augsburg
loca l, an ef fort t o leverage Augsburg Un iversity's purchasing power to support
local bu sinesses. Through a partnership with Augsburg's dining services,
students and staff involved wrth Augsburg Local began conversations about
reimagining sustainabi lity, representation. cultur al competence, and bein g a
good neighbor by servin g healthy dishes featuri ng foods sourced fron1
environmentally susta inable loca l vend ors. A salad creation team was born in an
effort to support this tran sition.
The Sabo Center's sa lad creation tean1
includes staff and students from the
Environmental St eward ship Comm ittee,
Cam1;1 us Kitchen, and Augs.burg Local. The
team has drawn on the work of young
peopl.e from community partners. including
Stu de cs crea1ed salads wi,11 seasoriar,
lllcal~J s.ourced ingred ienss. [Courtes y
Pills.bury Unjted Commun ities· Waite House
photo)
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(in the Philli ps neighborhood in South
Minneapolis) and th e local nonprofi t Roots for the Home Team. which focuses on
mentoring teens t hrough community gardening and hands-on learning wi th
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chefs.
Augsburg's sa lad creation team r esearched
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,:i nd developed signature sa lads that were
Students partnered witn Ioca1
organizations rn source and creaire
fi rst sold in The Comn1on s last fa ll. The
salads. (Courtesy pnom)
development of seasonal . locally sourced
II IJI Iii
salads occurred through a seri es of
w orkshops during Summer 2Cl21 w ith participation from students, staff, faculty.
and community members with experti se from loca l vendors, farmers. and dining
services staff. Tri al in gredients came from The Good Acre (a Twirr Cities food
hub), the 5eward Commun ity Co-op, and other loca l vendors and far.mers to
support and develop their capacity to supply Augsburg dining services in the
long term .
Tllis co-cr eated sa lad projed serves as a stepping stone toward a gr eater
commitment to local and susta inable food procurement at Augsburg. A shift
toward loca l food purchilsing at Augsburg will help build a more sustalnab le local
Staff se ive suden,-<:reatecl sa lads in
The Commons for on-::-cmpus di ners .
economy.
(Court esy pnoto)
FoJlow @sustainable augsburg!d and ~gsburgloca l on lnstagram to see t he proj ect in action.
Lea rn more about Augsburg l oca l.
Tap image: Student-created salads were offered in The Com mons for on-campus diner;. (Courtesy photo)
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Sustai nability
\!Vi m,er 2021-.22
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Provost Kaivola t o r etire; Boar d of Regent s aggroves
em er it i status f or r etir ing Auggies
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A UG.SBURG'S INTERFAITH INSTITUTE ADDS NEW
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by Kate- Norlander
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In 2021 . Fuad and Nancy EL-Hibri gave a significant gi
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to Augsburg Unrversity to create the El-Hibri Endowed Chair
and Executive Directorship for the Interfaith Institute.
lnte aitll .at Augsburg: An Instit ute to Promote fnt erre[iglous Leadershi P-. WilS established in 2019 as part of
Augsburg's commitment to interfaith learning arid l eadership. The newfy endowed pos.ition will al low the university to
hrre a strategic lead er and distinguished schofar to provide directio
or the institute and serve as a member of the
acuity. The El-Hibr i chair wi ll seNe as a national ambassador ·or the intetia ith movement and wi ll partner w ith
campus leaders as a ch;:;nge agent for interreligiouo; learning and living.
The EI -Hibris' gift will help to f1Jlfi ll one o· tile go.:1ls of Augsburg1 50, the univer5ity's sesquicentennial strategic plan, to
advance the publ ic purp,os:es of an Augsburg education by enhancing interfaith leadersnip on campus and
,hroughout the nation.
~we live in a world that i5 religiouo;ly diverse, and allowi11g religions to thrive is a step in the right direction." said f1u ad
EI-Hibri "But it is not enough. Interfaith dia logue, l ea rning from one another, and engaging together in meaningful
work is what it's tru ly all about. The timing now is critical , and we hope thrs i5 just the beginning."
~we
ave a unique oppoitunity to burld an interfaith learning comm1Jnity that wi ll be a mode[ for all of igher
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education," Silid President Pa ul Pribbenow, ''The combination of Augsburg's interreHgi ous student body, with Fuad
and Na,
cys support and
coLmsel, wi ll create 1: e so
of academic and comm unit,; l eadersh ip the world needs today."
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Top i.mage: [L to RJ filancy and Fuad EI-Hibri (Courtesy photo)
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2021 St e•pUP Gala raises more than $425,0-00 for oncamQUS recovery_P- rogram
Student-created sa lads are hel P-iing Augsburg bu rid a
more susta in ab le local economy:
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2021 STEPUP GALA RAISES MORE THAN $425,000
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On Novembtei 1 3. a bout 300 In-p erson and 11ir.ual at;:en d ees ra ised more rha n 542.5,000 at Augsbur g"s annua l
Stee1UP® Psc,gram Gala. This year"s til e me, Now More Than Ever. emphasi;:ed t h e im portance of
,h-= su pp or>: Step UP
has provided for stud ents in recovery during a time when ma ny people h ave been isolat,ed an d In dang<=r oi r<'lapse.
Th e eve 11t was hosi-ed at Quincy Hall in Northea:.c Mirrn,;,apolis.
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Retired journalise De•1e N'mm e r se rved as the g,,le"s e mcee. IPh o 0 b)" R~b~cca Slace,)
0
James Augre '72 {left) and Bre nda Gauvin-Ch , dwO:I< l nN prese nt) received the 201 1 Toby Pipe r LaBelle Award for the s gnificant
1r:1pact triey have mcele ""rhe reY:.ove ry communr:y. To~y LaBelle "96 1, ,gr,,1 ;>"=<ented me ,ware!. [Ph~,o by Res0e~,~ Staterl
Augsburgs Seep UP Program ha,s coo.JCh ed many Iii-es s mce
It
began 111 7 gg; !Phom oy ~e~~cce 513ter)
Th: live «rttion olor,o roi ,od :a 15,500 fo r 5i,pUP. {Pt,o, o by Ro~«ca Slorer)
Ent icing Entmainme~, prnV<ded a fiery conclusion to rhe =m. (Ph~rn by Rebecca s ia,er)
Renee Mo st, dkecwr of cfle SeepU P Pru.gr<am, pos,es w"th Tu.e ke, Robinson 'l2. ,r,e gala's s:ud em: speaker. {Photo oy R~becca Slater)
Chris Al len '02 creacecl a worl< of an a, the es·em for the second wnsecm"" year_ Ttlis year's artwort was included in ch, aucrior,,
an □ Bo~rd of R•genc< m•m ~•• Cyru, B8th,j8 '09, '11 MBA'"~ B•cky Bsth•j• wc,n ,,,, 8rcwork, ,r,~nl;cs ro, ~•neM•Js dnna<lon
{l'hoco t,y Rebecca Slater)
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AUGSBLJR,G'S RECENT AWARDS AND RANKI .N GSWINTER 2021!-2.2
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This year, Augsbu rg is horiored to receive a var iety of awards and rarikings, includi ng new accolades for prod ucing
even 1nore Gi lman Scholars and for being .a religious universlty living up to LGBTQIA+ incl usive values.
Augsburg's r-ecent aw ards and r anki ngs in clude:
20-Year Top :P roducer of Gilman Scholars
Augs burg University was recogni zed by t he U.S. Departm ent of State's Bure aLr of Education al and Cu ltural Affa ir s for
having produced th e most Gilm an recipients over th e past 20 y ear s in t h€ sm all institu tions category. Si nce 2001, 77
Augsburg students. h ave been offered t he Be rijamin A. Gilman International Scholarsh ip, w hich enables stu den ts to
st udy abroad .
2021 Top 10 Re]igious Colleges Living Up to LG,BTQlnclusive Values by Camipus Pride
NBC News rer:io rted t hat Augsburg was one of only t hree rel igiously affiliat ed univers iti es th at received the highest
score of 5 on th e Lndex of si:hools r e,::ogn ized by Ca mpus Pride fo r be in g rel igi □ Lfi unjver sities t hc1t are LGBTQ--
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fr iendly.
Top 40 LGBTQ Friendly College·s and Univers.iti,es
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Augsburg w as agai n nam ed to CamQU S Pnde's list of the top 40 LGBTQ~riendly co lleges and universities in 2021.
Can1pus Pride is t he !ea ding national organization fo r creating safer, m ore LGBTQ-fri end ly co!leges and universities,
2021 Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review
Augsburg w as again nan1ed to The Prin[eton Review's list of t he best colleges c1nd un iversities in the Midwest base d
CO NN ECT WITH US
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0 11 academic excel lence.
2021 Best Regional Universities b,y U.S. News &
Worlld Report
•
4th in Best Undergradua t e Teaching
•
24th in Regional Univ er sities- Midwest
•
38th in Suppo rt fo r Vet erans
Vi ew m ore of Augiburg'.s c1w ards and ranking~.
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Musician and r;ioet D11.1a Saliehi '17 breaks boundaries
with ro le on Netflix.'s ·sex Edu cation'
2021 .Ster;iUP Galla ra ises more tha n ~425,000 for oncamt;iu s recovery grogram
YO U Mll GHl ALS O l l KE
1
1
Allgsburg intr oduces Amerkan
Notes from President
Provost Ka ivola to retire; Boaird
Indian Recogn it ion Fu l l Tu it ion
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MUSICIAN AND POET DUA SALEH '17 BREAKS
BOUNDARIES WlTH ROLE ON NETFLIX'S 'SEX
EDUCATION'
oy Briana AJamiffa '17 February 22, 2022
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Dua Saleh '17 plays t he new character Cal Bowman in the third season o the awa rd-winn i11g Netflix show"Sex
Education," a British teen comedy-d ram.a series. 5a leh's character is a11 American student from Minne.;ipofis whose
parents moved them to the United Kingdom. Like Ca l, the fi rst nonbinary character on the show·, Saleh is nonbrflal)'
and uses they/t hem pronouns. Saleh a d a non bin ary cons:u ttanr assisted Neftlix with t he scri pt.
The Sudanese-American musician, poet and actrvi5t began writing poetry their second year at Augsburg and
performed .at open mic events. Seeing people's positive responses encouraged Saleh to write songs and make music,
which led to the eventual release of two EPs. Previously, Saleh perforn1e<l in an underground theater in Minneapol is.
The Netflix show is their first pro essio11al acting role.
"I want people to eel v;;il idated," sareh told Netflix . "Cal ls a nonbinary, Black character, and I want people to th in ,
'O ,
my gosh, I can befi eve I've seen n1ys,elf on t is seri.es. I can believe I've seen myseff represented [n mainstream
media.'That's what I wan the most."
Read more alumni news, arid submit vour own l ife UR dates.
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Top image: Netflix subscrib ers con stream u5ex Education." a British teen comedy-drama. (Courtesy photo)
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Re,c ord -breaking number of.Augsburg donors rai,s e
nea rly $420,000 during Give to the Max Da)i'. 202 1
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Record-breaking number of
A lumni Class Notes,...S,Qring::
In Memoriarn,..SP-ring-Sumrner
Augsburg donors r aise nearly
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In November, Augsburg University p;irticipated [n a not er successful Give to the Max Day. The Auggie
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education for students today and into the future. The campaign concluded at the end of the ca lendar year.
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40% of projects were fully funded, while others came very close to
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At .Augsburg, we continue to focus on our students and make sure they have
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Thank you to everyone who helps to provide a solrd found.,tion of support for
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You can give to the Augsburg fund all year round. Each gift makes an impact
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Can a smartri hone api;i de-escal ate traffic :stop
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Mus idar11 and P-,o,et Dua Sa leh
Give to the Max DaY. reean and
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AUGSBURG NOW
Augsburg Associates’ roots and
decades of service
A smartphone app aims to
de-escalate traffic stops
INSIDE
Photos: Augsburg then and now
SPRING–SUMMER 2021 | VOL. 83, NO. 2
Student-athletes advocate for
causes beyond the sports arena
Vice President, Operations
Rebecca Jo...
Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
Augsburg Associates’ roots and
decades of service
A smartphone app aims to
de-escalate traffic stops
INSIDE
Photos: Augsburg then and now
SPRING–SUMMER 2021 | VOL. 83, NO. 2
Student-athletes advocate for
causes beyond the sports arena
Vice President, Operations
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
AUGSBURG NOW
Associate Vice President,
Marketing and Communication
Stephen Jendraszak
Spring–Summer 2021
Director of Marketing
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On the “new normal”
Director of Public Relations
and Internal Communications
Gita Sitaramiah
Assistant Director of
Marketing Creative
Denielle Stepka ’11
Creative Associate
Hayley Selinski
As we enter a new phase of the COVID-19
pandemic and plan for our return to campus
for our 152nd academic year at Augsburg, I
am often asked what we have learned during
the past 16 months that will be part of a
“new normal” for our community.
Certainly there is much that we have
learned about the use of technology for
teaching and learning, and for doing our
administrative work—technology that will be
an abiding and effective tool for the ways we
work into the future. We also have learned
important lessons about public health and not
taking for granted our individual and common
well-being. And then there are lessons about
the fragility of our economic lives and the
need to be laser-focused on our mission as we
make decisions about revenue and expenses.
But perhaps the most important and
striking lesson we learned during the
pandemic is that all of the work we have done
the past few years to chart a strategic path
for Augsburg—work that culminated in the
creation in Fall 2019 of Augsburg150: The
Sesquicentennial Plan—provided us with a
framework for both navigating through these
unprecedented times and for pursuing a
sustainable future for our university. In other
words, our planning deliberations, grounded
in Augsburg’s mission to educate students to
be “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards,
critical thinkers, and responsible leaders,” got
it right as we named our highest aspirations
and our strategic priorities.
In particular, I am proud of the vision we
cast for our future, which says that “As a new
kind of urban, student-centered university,
we are educating Auggies as stewards of
an inclusive democracy, engaged in their
communities and uniquely equipped to
navigate the complex issues of our time.”
Consider the claims we make in this vision
statement: to embrace our urban setting, to
keep students at the center of our lives, to
pursue democratic engagement, and to equip
our students to take on the most complex
problems we all face. And we honored those
claims as we lived through the pandemic:
responding to the many needs of our students
and neighbors as we kept each other safe
and healthy; focusing on the flexibility our
students required as they pursued their
education primarily online; working together as
a community of faculty, staff, and students to
navigate an uncharted path; and leaning into
the incredibly complex issues raised by the
pandemic so that we might all learn from them.
As I begin my 16th year as Augsburg’s 10th
president, I am so proud of our community
and excited about the future we will create
together. It may not be normal, but it will
be grounded as always in our mission and
vision. Enjoy this issue of Augsburg Now with
its engaging stories that make my case for
Augsburg’s future.
Senior Marketing Copywriter
and Editorial Coordinator
John Weirick
Communication and
Social Media Specialist
Briana Alamilla ’17
Communications and
Social Media Consultant
Kate Norlander
Project Manager
Juli Kramer
Web Manager
Nick Huseby
Web and Email Coordinator
Jennifer Thiel
Advancement Communications
Specialist
Cara Johnson
Contributors
Kate H. Elliott
Lisa Renze-Rhodes
Stewart Van Cleve
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg University
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
university policy.
augsburg.edu/now
Around the quad
The Auggies who refuse to
‘keep politics off the field’
How Augsburg’s student-athletes use their training and
platform to advocate for causes beyond the sports arena
12
Senior Communications
Specialist for Principal Gifts
Amanda Symes ’09, ’15 MFA
ISSN 1058-1545
Faithfully yours,
02
06
The Scandinavian work ethic that inspired
the Augsburg Associates’ decades of service
Though the Augsburg Associates group has ended, the impact of
volunteer work over 37 years resonates
16
Can a smartphone app de-escalate traffic
stop encounters between drivers and police?
Auggie-created TurnSignl app provides an attorney on demand
so everyone gets home safely
20
Augsburg then and now
26
28
31
Auggies connect
A photo essay
Alumni class notes
In memoriam
Augsburg MBA alumni created an app to make
traffic stops safer. See the story on page 16.
On the cover: Augsburg University
celebrated graduates with an in-person
commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 8,
at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Read
more on page 2.
All photos are by Courtney Perry unless
otherwise indicated.
Send address corrections to
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
Send comments to
now@augsburg.edu.
URBAN
ARBORETUM
VISIT AUGSBURG’S
GRANT-FUNDED
PROJECTS
BENEFIT AUGSBURG AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
Grants help shape Augsburg’s
teaching and learning community
In late 2020, the Council of Independent
Colleges’ NetVUE program awarded a two-year,
$40,000 grant to Augsburg President Paul
Pribbenow. The grant will help the university
explore whether and how the academic, faith,
and moral commitments that have shaped
its identity inform and reflect its aspiration
to be anti-racist and inclusive. The project
will engage 12 members of the community—
students, faculty, and staff—who will write a
collection of essays that will be a blueprint for
AUGSBURG CELEBRATES GRADUATES
with virtual and in-person commencement ceremonies
On Monday, May 3, Augsburg University celebrated
commencement virtually with the release of a prerecorded
video ceremony. The event included remarks from several
presenters and personalized slides for graduates displaying
photos and messages that the students submitted. The
viewers posted comments to the videostream as they watched
the event, and students took to social media to share their
graduation posts using the hashtag #AuggieGrad.
On Tuesday, June 8, Augsburg held an in-person
commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021 at
U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Because the 2020
commencement ceremony was virtual in alignment with
public health guidelines designed to prevent the spread of
COVID-19, many graduates from the Class of 2020 opted to
participate in the 2021 in-person ceremony, where attendees
were asked to wear face masks and stay physically distanced
from guests of different households.
Visit YouTube.com/AugsburgU to find video recordings of Augsburg’s virtual
and in-person events.
2
AUGSBURG NOW
DID YOU KNOW?
The traditional undergraduate Class of 2021 is Augsburg’s most
diverse graduating class with 45.6% Indigenous students and students
of color, an increase of more than 20% over the past three years.
moving forward in these efforts.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s
Toxicity Reduction program awarded Michael
Wentzel, associate professor of chemistry, a
grant of nearly $15,000. The grant will be used
in a two-year project to develop green chemistry
as a unifying theme throughout Augsburg’s
chemistry curriculum. While a number of
green chemistry principles are woven into
the curriculum, this work will coalesce these
principles into a clear message across
multiple courses, including courses taken
by non-majors. Chemistry majors will end
their studies with a new capstone course on
green chemistry and toxicology.
In addition, David Hanson, assistant professor
of chemistry, is now in his third year of a
four-year project funded by a $384,080 grant
from the National Science Foundation (Award
Number 1761638). Hanson is studying the
formation and growth of new particles in the
atmosphere. The results of his experiments
are expected to lead to improved accuracy
in predicting the influence of new particle
formation on climate, health, and visibility.
A GREEN OASIS
IN THE CITY
See the Augsburg University campus transition
from summer to fall
With the widespread availability of vaccines and effective public health
measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, many students, faculty members,
and staff are returning to on-campus activities with modified operations.
Augsburg invites you to visit our beautiful Minneapolis campus to experience
the diverse array of trees on a self-guided tour, complete with a map and
descriptive signs, or a guided tour.
The urban arboretum was made possible by generous donors and continues to
provide environmental benefits, educational opportunities, and aesthetic appeal
for Augsburg and the surrounding community.
• Find a list of trees and a self-guided walking tour map, covering
Augsburg’s campus and Murphy Square, at
augsburg.edu/arboretum.
• Want an in-person walking or golf cart tour of the
urban arboretum, Hagfors Center, or other campus
features? Contact Interim Vice President for
Advancement Amy Alkire at alkirea@augsburg.edu.
Board of Regents approves
PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW’S
CONTRACT through 2027
In its March meeting, the Augsburg University Board of Regents’
executive committee unanimously approved a multiyear contract
renewal for President Paul Pribbenow, who joined the university in
2006 as its 10th president.
“In an era when five- or six-year presidencies are common in
higher education, President Pribbenow’s long-term leadership of the
university has enabled Augsburg to achieve remarkable things,” said
Matt Entenza, chair of Augsburg’s Board of Regents. “The university
has become one of the most diverse private institutions in the Midwest
during his tenure and has welcomed record-breaking first-year classes in
the past two years. The university is fortunate to continue to have Paul’s
transformational leadership through 2027.”
Pribbenow is recognized as a leading
Learn more about Pribbenow’s
figure among the nation’s higher education
work and presidency at
augsburg.edu/president.
private institutions and is an engaging
teacher on ethics, philanthropy, and
American public life.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
3
$
BUY
$
$
$
$
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Q:
SELL
Meme stocks, Robinhood, and what to know about the stock market today
In early 2021, stocks of the companies AMC, BlackBerry, and GameStop made
headlines—but not just for performing well. In a matter of days, some of these stock
values increased by up to 30 times their previous price before a smartphone app
called Robinhood restricted trading, angering some investors and propelling the
situation into greater media attention. What happened, and what could that mean for
people interested or invested in the stock market?
Augsburg University’s Associate Professor of Business Marc McIntosh brings his
financial expertise to help us understand some of these rapid changes and see the
big picture of today’s stock market.
COURTESY PHOTO
funds. There has been a democratization in stock
market investing. The bad news is that there
are now lots of ways to lose money in the stock
market if you or your financial advisor don’t have
a fundamental knowledge of accounting and
finance. Finally, the ugly part is that not only
are gains magnified in a short period of time but
losses are as well. If used wisely, Robinhood can
be a tremendous way to build wealth through
stock market investing.
What are reliable principles or tactics for
people just beginning to get involved in the
stock market?
A:
Many famous investors such as Warren
Buffett and John Bogle have argued
convincingly that it’s very difficult to pick
stocks that will outperform the overall market.
In fact, there are several academic studies
that prove that it’s almost impossible for the
average mutual fund manager to “beat” the
overall market. So, the sensible strategy is
to put long-term savings into a broad-based
market index fund. Many retirement plans have
fund options indexed to the S&P 500 or the
total stock market.
Q:
Q:
A:
What are “meme stocks,” and why have
they become notable lately?
A meme stock is any stock that’s seen
its price skyrocket due to excessive
trading volume from retail investors, mostly
fueled by people on social media (primarily
Reddit, TikTok, and Twitter). There are
a lot of reasons why meme stocks have
been so popular. It’s partly pandemicrelated, since some people had more time
to gamble and speculate and may have
extra money on hand due to government
stimulus payments. Also, social media
forums have made it a lot easier to follow
trends. In the case of GameStop, the price
had a tremendous run almost solely due to
Reddit posts.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
Q:
What can we learn from what happened
with AMC, BlackBerry, and GameStop
stocks? What does that tell us about the
stock market and how people are interacting
with it?
A:
It’s important to distinguish between
gambling and investing. The vast
majority of people buying these stocks
are gambling that their price will go up
based on rumors and social media posts,
which can be very dangerous. It’s really the
equivalent of going to the racetrack and
betting on horses or going to Las Vegas to
play the slot machines. Investors, however,
do much more research based on the
fundamental financials of the company
and assess the potential of the company
based on either their analysis or input from
What should Augsburg Now readers keep in
mind about the stock market today and in the
near future?
a trusted, professional financial advisor. In
other words, it’s OK to invest in a meme
stock, but make sure you’ve done your
due diligence on the company’s growth
prospects. For example, does GameStop
really have cutting edge technology, or is
its business model antiquated?
Q:
Are tools like the investing app
Robinhood (which offers no-fee stock
trading) just a trend or an indication of a
new direction for the world of investing?
A:
Robinhood is here to stay. The good
news is that the app is extremely userfriendly, and the average investor can now
make money in the stock market in ways
that, until recently, were only available to
institutions like pension funds and mutual
A:
First: On average, investing in the S&P
has delivered returns higher than 10%
since 1929. This dwarfs the returns you get
by putting money in a savings account or
investing in high-quality bonds. For the long
haul, it’s important to have this return to retire
comfortably. Second: The time people spend in
retirement is getting longer as life spans have
expanded due to health care improvements,
so people need a huge nest egg to live
comfortably—possibly into their 90s. Third:
Due to the magic of compounding and starting
earlier in one’s life, achieving this nest egg can
be relatively simple. If average 25-year-olds
invest $2,000 in the stock market a year (such
as in an index fund that achieves 10% average
returns), they could have more than $1 million
when they retire at age 65. Wow!
AROUND THE QUAD
AUGSBURG STUDENTS EARN
FULBRIGHT AWARDS
This year, three Augsburg students earned Fulbright awards, and
one has been named a Fulbright alternate candidate.
Citlaly Escobar ’21 and Ciashia Shiongyaj ’21 both won Fulbright
English Teaching Assistantships to Taiwan. Shamsa Ahmed ’21
won a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea.
Terrence Shambley ’21, an alternate Fulbright English Teaching
Assistant candidate, will teach English in Laos if additional funding
becomes available.
The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the program.
Augsburg to launch
CRITICAL RACE AND
ETHNICITY STUDIES
department, major
Augsburg University is developing a new Critical Race and Ethnicity
Studies Department.
The new department aligns with Augsburg’s mission and responds to
a proposal developed by a group of students, faculty, and staff that was
presented to the administration and approved by the faculty this year. A
group of students, led by Black women, made similar (as-yet unrealized)
demands after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
The department aims to meet the needs of today’s students with
culturally relevant courses and pedagogy that both centers and equips
them to think critically about their experience in the world. It will advance
the university’s public mission through connections with the community.
This year, the plan is to hire three new faculty in Pan-African, Latinx,
and Asian American studies. Once they’re hired, Augsburg will review next
steps, as well as how other departments can connect their own courses
and faculty to the new department.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
5
PHOTO BY WARREN RYAN
THE AUGGIES WHO REFUSE TO
‘KEEP POLITICS OFF THE FIELD’
How Augsburg’s student-athletes use their platform
to advocate for causes beyond the sports arena
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
6
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
7
PHOTO BY WARREN RYAN
Forward/midfielder
Olivia House ’20
IN 2016, FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
Olivia House ’20 kneeled during the national anthem before
one of her first Auggie soccer matches. She was alone—the
only Black person on the team, and the only person kneeling
on either side of the field. For four years, House continued
to kneel as a respectful gesture to highlight pervasive racial
injustice. Fans and opposing players ridiculed her, she
was the first on the bus after away games, and teammates
unintentionally bruised her with microaggressions: “You’d look
so pretty if you straightened your hair.” “So-and-so acts way
Blacker than you.” “I always forget you’re Black.”
“Even though I was vocal and open about what I stood for,
my teammates didn’t see even half of who I was. I left so
much of my identity at the door because there would be too
many questions, too many things I’d have to explain about
my identity and community,” said House, a designer and art
director for a creative agency in Chicago. “Having to code
switch from diverse classrooms and social advocacy groups to
being the lone Black person on the team was exhausting.”
Augsburg is among the most diverse private colleges in the
Midwest—with students of color making up the majority of
the last four incoming undergraduate first-year classes. On
campus, House said she found her vocation: “to demonstrate
the power of design to communicate stories and create a
platform for voices who haven’t been heard.” And yet, her
experience demonstrated more work is needed, even at
the most equity-minded of institutions, and particularly in
athletics, where 71% of student-athletes are white, according
to a 2020 Augsburg internal survey.
“Me simply stepping onto a soccer field as the only Black
player is political in and of itself, without me saying a single
word,” she said. “Had I ‘just played the game’ and ‘kept
politics off the field,’ I would have perpetuated the myth
that athletes’ sole purpose is to entertain. You can’t ask us
to put all of our lives on display except for our thoughts and
opinions. It doesn’t work like that.”
Since House’s first year, the women’s soccer team has
welcomed other student-athletes of color, and multiple soccer
players and coaches have begun kneeling during the national
anthem as matters of diversity and justice have remained
prominent in conversations both on campus and across the
United States.
Augsburg Women’s Soccer Head Coach Michael Navarre
watched House address a crowd on the quad in September
2020 as a speaker at Augsburg Bold, a series of presentations
for students to hear about important topics for the broader
community. After House detailed a summer of racial justice
protests and rubber bullets, of murals and oral history
projects, Navarre commended House as the spark that ignited
the team and inspired other student-athletes to take a stand.
“At the time, we felt as though we were supporting Olivia
and our other players of color, but it wasn’t until the killing
of George Floyd—just a few miles from Augsburg—that
we truly began the difficult work that needed to be done,”
said Navarre, who has led the women’s soccer team for 23
seasons. “That self-reflection and education illuminated how
much more we could have been for Olivia and others, and how
much more we are now because of her. Our team is driven to
be leaders for social justice advocacy and action.”
‘An age of athletic activism’
Days after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police,
Navarre asked the women’s soccer players to connect virtually
each week to discuss topics and resources shared on what
has become an 11-page document of articles, podcasts,
self-assessments, and videos to spur awareness, community
engagement, and education.
Midfielder Jenn Bobaric ’22 designed a Black Lives Matter
patch, and the team collaborated to design a warm-up shirt
that read “Auggies against injustice.” The team supported
several fundraisers and donation drives in honor of Floyd and
Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old biracial Black man who was
fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center,
Minnesota. Molly Conners ’22 led a collection of personal
items and clothing for neighbors who frequent Augsburg’s
Health Commons locations, which are nursing-led drop-in
centers that offer resources and support.
Taylor Greathouse, women’s soccer volunteer assistant
coach and human resources assistant, said the team took to
social media as a way to educate and advocate for others.
“Instagram, in particular, was a way for our players and our
program to demonstrate our alliance to diversity, equity, and
inclusion,” Greathouse said. “For example, we have studentathletes personally impacted by the unrest in Myanmar
and Colombia, and we wanted our shirts, statements, and
discussions to address issues of injustice around the globe.
“I have learned more in the last two years about my own
privilege than I have in my lifetime. It’s not enough for
individuals to view diversity merely as racial diversity. We are
doing ourselves and our students a disservice if we do not first
educate ourselves about intersectionality,” Greathouse said,
referring to the study of intersecting identities and dimensions
of social relationships.
Across the Athletics Department, teams created T-shirts,
facilitated discussions, visited memorials, and engaged in
community activism. Augsburg Athletics partnered with
Augsburg Day Student Government to hold a town hall
featuring the voices of student-athletes of color and other
members of the Augsburg community. Chris Dixon, the
university’s first director of athletic diversity and inclusion,
facilitated this and other discussions and opportunities for
community engagement.
“When I arrived in 2019, I knew my position was an
important one, but little did I know just how vital it would
be to help our student-athletes, coaches, and staff process,
learn, grow, and begin to heal—together,” said Dixon, who
also serves as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s
track and field teams. “We are in an age of athletic activism,
and Augsburg is invested in this work to bring awareness and
take a stand. We empower our students, coaches, and staff to
have difficult conversations and use their status as leaders to
advance causes that matter.”
‘We can’t wait for the tide to shift’
To focus the department’s efforts and conversations, Augsburg
Athletics formed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in Fall
2020. The group of coaches and staff works closely with
university administration and student-athlete advisory groups.
Major initiatives include rewording of the national anthem
introduction, offering training sessions, and developing a
self-reported race survey of Augsburg student-athletes that
revealed 71% of student-athletes are white, 12% are Black,
8% are Latinx, 5% are multiracial, and 4% are Asian. Results
from a similar survey of coaches and staff are pending.
“We didn’t need surveys to point out that we lack diversity
in athletics, but we wanted to get a self-reported baseline
to assess how our students perceive themselves and the
department,” Dixon said. “This work is personal to me
as a Black father the same age as George Floyd when he
died. Athletics has always been a battleground for people
to advance causes. We reach audiences who might not be
exposed to these issues otherwise, both in the locker room
and in the stands.”
Dixon said that, although it’s difficult to turn inward
and recognize gaps, Auggies are eager to learn and adopt
best practices in recruiting and building inclusive team
cultures. “We celebrate diversity efforts at the national and
international levels of these sports, but we can’t wait for the
tide to shift. We are striving to be more present in diverse
neighborhoods and partner with programs that introduce
these sports to people with a range of backgrounds.”
In Fall 2020, the women’s hockey team gathered at
George Floyd Square, where 38th Street and Chicago
Avenue intersect in Minneapolis. The 24 student-athletes,
coaches, and staff walked around in silence as they took
in the flowers, pictures, and artwork that Michelle McAteer,
women’s hockey head coach, described as “a mix of pain,
sorrow, and inspiration.”
“Our players were shocked at the long lists of African
Americans killed by police, going back 20 years. We huddled
and listened to each other, and the athletes’ perspectives
were so powerful,” McAteer said.
The team also gathered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in
January. Alongside McAteer, Assistant Coach Ashley Holmes
shared information she learned during a diversity, equity, and
inclusion training.
“We recognized we are two white women, and it
was not easy or comfortable, but that is the
reason why we should be doing this,”
McAteer said. “We need to make
these types of discussions more
natural and ongoing. Avoiding
talk and action because it’s not
natural or easy is a big part of
the problem. We’re not trying
to lecture or convince but share
information we’ve learned in a
meaningful way.”
McAteer said players have begun
kneeling for the national anthem, sharing
information on social media, and educating
family members and friends. The team routinely partners with
the DinoMights, an organization that mentors Minneapolis
youth through hockey.
Women’s hockey forward Lilia Scheid ’22 said this year
changed her. “I’ve learned that I need to make my voice
heard in the community because making change takes
every single one of us,” she added. “I’ve learned what it
means to be ‘not racist’ versus ‘anti-racist.’ Staying silent
only hurts marginalized groups even more, so it’s important
to have these tough conversations and speak out against
10
AUGSBURG NOW
racial injustice.”
Women’s lacrosse has been equally engaged. Teammates
wore rainbow jerseys in support of a transgender player, who
helped lead a discussion about transgender issues and terms.
Augsburg Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kathryn Knippenberg
said the team is working to be more than performative allies.
“If one of my athletes feels called to protest but doesn’t
have a ride, I will pick them up or find them a ride. If they
want to kneel or don’t want to kneel, they know they have my
support,” she said.
“Yes, we are here to win, but we are also here to equip
student-athletes with valuable life skills, to prepare them
for conversations and experiences they are facing and will
continue to face,” she said. “We want them to live out
Augsburg’s mission to be informed citizens, thoughtful
stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders who are
engaged in meaningful, transformative work.”
Allowing vs. actively supporting
All Augsburg teams agreed to adopt new wording to introduce
the national anthem before each contest: “Augsburg
University Athletics would like to recognize that the American
experience has not been the same for everyone under the
flag. As we continue the fight for equality and justice for all,
we now invite you to respectfully
express yourself for the playing of
our national anthem.”
“It’s not easy getting an
entire department and body of
student-athletes to agree on
wording, but it was an important
initiative of our Diversity and
Inclusion Task Force,” Dixon
said. “By having these words in
front of the national anthem, we
are acknowledging that we—as
a university—actively support
people in how they want to express themselves. There’s a
difference between this statement and simply ‘allowing’
people to kneel or whatever.”
Coaches and staff are expected to complete the Augsburg
Diversity and Inclusion certificate program, which requires 18
credits of specified training and encourages additional training
for advanced standing each year. In 2020, coaches and staff
completed the NCAA Division III’s LGBTQ OneTeam Program,
which stresses the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in college
athletics and provides an overview of common LGBTQ terms,
definitions, and concepts. The peer-driven educational
program, which Dixon facilitated, also shares best practices to
ensure all individuals may participate in an athletics climate
of respect and inclusion, regardless of gender expression,
gender identity, or sexual orientation.
“Social justice issues are incredibly important to us in
the Athletics Department, and when our student-athletes
are actively engaged in educating themselves about the
current and historical context of what is happening and they
are attempting to use their platform as student-athletes
to create awareness and positive change, I feel incredibly
proud of them,” said Kelly Anderson Diercks, who served as
associate athletic director and director of compliance until
July 2021. “Our student-athletes bring many identities and
intersectionalities to Augsburg and their respective teams. To
be the best we can be, we need to be able to show up fully
as our true selves. This means we need to have spaces to talk
about all those identities and intersectionalities and how the
events facing our world play out differently for us all.”
Recognition of these different identities and experiences
led to Dixon’s position; Augsburg hired him as part of a 2019
NCAA Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant, which
the university also received in 2012. In 2014 and 2021, the
department received the NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching
Grant, which also supports the
hiring and mentorship of ethnic
minorities and women in athletic
leadership positions.
Alicia Schuelke ’20 MAE, former
assistant coach for men’s track
and field, said students are thrilled
with Dixon’s enthusiasm and vision
for the role.
“In a world where, many times,
the odds are stacked against us,
leaders of color provide hope
and strength,” said Schuelke,
a physical education teacher at Columbia Academy Middle
School in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. “I came to Augsburg
for the MAE program, but I was pleasantly surprised to find
how diverse the campus is, and it is my absolute favorite part
of my learning experience.
“If we can move the needle toward a more diverse group of
leaders that better represent our country’s demographics, then
students of color will begin to understand that the sky’s the
limit in terms of their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations.”
House said she is encouraged by the department’s work to
advance equity and inclusion. She appreciates the university’s
willingness to be vulnerable and invite her and other people
of color to share their experiences during this raw, unsettling
time. But, as any athlete knows, one must dedicate lots of
hours and effort to see results.
Augsburg Athletics is putting in the work.
“Yes, we are here to win, but we are
also here to equip student-athletes with
valuable life skills, to prepare them for
conversations and experiences they are
facing and will continue to face.”
—Kathryn Knippenberg
Kathryn Knippenberg (right) has served as head coach
of Augsburg University Women’s Lacrosse since 2014.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
11
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
PROJECTS FUNDED OR SUPPORTED BY
AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES
•
Trash and Treasure Sales
•
Welcome party for the 2011 visit of Their Majesties
King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
•
Velkommen Jul buffets and boutique sales
•
Norwegian coffee at Taste of Augsburg
Homecoming events
•
Christensen Center’s welcome desk construction
•
Foss Center’s Green Room renovation
•
Christensen Center’s Augsburg Room and Marshall
Room renovations
•
Lindell Library’s special collections room creation
•
Hoversten Chapel’s Dobson pipe organ purchase
•
Christensen Scholars program funding
•
Various scholarships
Augsburg Associates fostered community connections and raised
funds to support the university’s work.
THESCANDINAVIAN WORK ETHIC
that inspired the Augsburg Associates’ decades of service
Though the Augsburg Associates group has ended,
the impact of volunteer work over 37 years resonates
Community volunteerism is so much a part of the fabric
of Norwegian life that they have a special name for it: dugnad.
Pronounced doog-nahd, it’s the tradition of neighbors
gathering for all kinds of communal pursuits—planting and
tending to a community garden, spending time chatting
with elders at a senior center, or painting a school building.
Dugnads are something everyone not only plans for, but looks
forward to.
12
AUGSBURG NOW
By Lisa Renze-Rhodes
Since the mid-1980s, Augsburg University has been home
to a team of women who drew on their Norwegian or broader
Scandinavian heritage to create their own dugnad. The group
became known as the Augsburg Associates and helped to raise
significant funds for their community.
Now, after 37 productive years of service, the Augsburg
Associates are disbanding. But their legacy will live on for
decades to come.
THE SOUNDS OF SERVICE
“The intent, when it started, was to help out on campus
where they needed help,” said Eunice Dietrich ’65. “The
original Associates were spouses of faculty members and
other women who had an ear to what was going on.”
Dietrich, a former Associates board chair who earned a
degree in home economics at Augsburg, said assistance
was needed across all facets of campus life. From stuffing
envelopes for alumni and donor mailings to setting up a
“nice meeting space” for the university’s Board of Regents
when they gathered, the Associates saw needs and then
filled those voids.
But it didn’t take long for the work to morph from
occasional events to addressing a situation requiring a
sound solution.
“The Associates came out of the Lutheran tradition
of ‘We’ll do anything for service,’” said Jerelyn Cobb ’63.
So in the 1980s, when an idea began to circulate about
bringing an organ to campus, the Associates orchestrated
a plan.
“In those days, people still didn’t have a lot of money,
but they could give us donations of goods,” Cobb said.
That’s how Trash and Treasure Sales began. Dishes,
linens, and other household items were packed into boxes
and readied for sale. Sporting goods and games were
brought in. And furs, jewelry, and even gowns from the
Dayton’s department store’s prestigious Oval Room were
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
13
President Paul Pribbenow (center) talks with King Harald V and Queen
Sonja of Norway during their visit to campus in 2011.
But before Their Majesties graced the campus, the
Associates had already begun making sure the heritage of the
school’s founders was celebrated and remembered.
Velkommen Jul, an annual celebration welcoming the
seasons of Advent and Christmas, took hold with attendees
donning thick, gorgeous Norwegian sweaters and sampling
delicious traditional foods including krumkake cookies. The
celebration has become a loved tradition in the Augsburg
community, even among students who don’t necessarily have
Scandinavian heritage.
Money raised at Velkommen Jul and through estate sales
and other efforts ultimately went to fund scholarships as well
as the Christensen Scholars, a cohort of students who explore
theology, faith, and vocation while engaging in communitybased learning experiences.
That, said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow,
is a lasting legacy for the organization: “Over many years,
the Augsburg Associates have been faithful and generous
supporters of Augsburg. Through their tireless efforts, the
Associates have raised scholarship funds and have helped
countless students pursue an Augsburg education.
“The annual Velkommen Jul celebrations, graciously
hosted by the Associates, highlighted our Norwegian roots,
cleaned, pressed, and readied for a chance at a new life.
The items were enough to fill a semitrailer, then
eventually two.
“Every Wednesday night, I’d have people come over,
and we’d sort everything,” Cobb said. “All the dishes in
one box, all the clothes in another, the sporting goods in
another corner.”
Then when the date of the sale neared, items were
transferred from the trucks to the site of the sale.
“The football team would come, and for two blocks we
would line up next to each other and pass boxes into the
gymnasium.”
The first sale raised $600, Cobb recalled. The next year:
$4,000. Then $10,000, $15,000, and $28,000.
When everything was done and counted, the Trash and
Treasure Sales netted a quarter of a million dollars. And
Augsburg got its organ.
WELCOME KING, QUEEN,
AND CHRISTMAS
Norwegian words echoed off the walls of classrooms and
hallways when Augsburg was founded, so there was little
surprise, though great delight, when King Harald V and
Queen Sonja of Norway visited campus in 2011. The
Associates were there to mark the day with special care—
while wearing traditional Norwegian bunads, the proud
folk outfits worn by men, women, and children on such
occasions of cultural significance.
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Augsburg Associates oversee food and drinks at Velkommen Jul in 1992.
DID YOU KNOW?
•
The Augsburg Associates have raised about
$400,000 through their group initiatives.
•
Members of the Augsburg Associates
and their spouses have given more than
$50 million to the university as a whole.
•
Within their 600-person membership, there
were 38 households that were members of
the Sven Oftedal Society, a group of some
of Augsburg’s most generous donors.
even as they welcomed new generations of diverse students,
faculty, and staff. Personally, I am deeply grateful for the
members of the Associates who have supported me and
my family over the past 15 years as we worked together to
advance Augsburg’s mission,” Pribbenow said.
Though the time of the Associates’ dugnad has come
to a close, some of the group’s members are continuing
their volunteerism with another group: Augsburg Women
Engaged. Since it was formed by a group of Auggie women
in 2009, AWE has strengthened connections in the Augsburg
community and encouraged philanthropy to keep the
university’s hands-on education accessible to a broad range
of students. These overlapping commitments shared by AWE
and the Augsburg Associates demonstrate the deep-seated
commitment to service that is so emblematic of Auggies of
all stripes.
For the women doing the work, the Associates were more
than a service organization—they were family.
“You give and you get, you feel good about what you’ve
done. You don’t start out for that reason, but oftentimes when
you’re volunteering, you get more out of it than what you
give,” Dietrich said. “These women were so dedicated and
did this work with such joy.”
Anne Frame (left), the late spouse of Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame,
was also a member of the Augsburg Associates. Read more about Anne’s life
and work on page 32.
Augsburg Associates roll lefse, a traditional Norwegian potato flatbread, for Velkommen Jul in 2011.
14
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
15
Can a smartphone app
DE-ESCALATE TRAFFIC
STOP ENCOUNTERS
between drivers and police?
BY GITA SITARAMIAH
Auggie-created TurnSignl app
provides an attorney on demand
so everyone gets home safely
Childhood friends and Augsburg University Master of Business Administration
alumni Andre Creighton ’19 MBA and Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA understand the
fear of driving while Black and being stopped by police.
They both grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and knew the family of Philando
Castile, a Black man who was fatally shot by an officer during a 2016 traffic
stop in nearby Falcon Heights.
“The interest in creating change started with Philando Castile. That was
the initial gut punch,” Creighton said. “Flash forward to George Floyd in
2020, and it was like ripping off a Band-Aid to a wound that hasn’t healed.
We decided we had to do something.”
Creighton, an accountant, and Frelix, who was in sales for Sony
Electronics, left their stable day jobs in 2020. They teamed up with attorney
Jazz Hampton, who is also an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School
of Law, and the three Black men launched a new company providing a
technology-based solution to de-escalate traffic stops by police.
Andre Creighton ’19 MBA (left) and Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA
to leave
18were motivated
AUGSBURG
NOWtheir stable jobs in 2020 to focus on
launching the TurnSignl app.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
17
Timely launch
The motto says it all: “Drive with an
attorney by your side.”
TurnSignl provides real-time,
on-demand legal guidance from
attorneys to drivers, all while drivers’
smartphone cameras record the
interaction. The mission is to protect
drivers’ civil rights, de-escalate roadside
interactions with police, and ensure
both civilians and officers return home
safely at the end of the day.
As is true of many startups, the
three co-founders wear multiple hats.
Hampton serves as CEO and general
counsel. Creighton is the chief financial
officer and chief operating officer while
Frelix is the chief revenue officer and
chief technology officer.
When Daunte Wright was shot and
killed by a police officer during a traffic
stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota,
in April, that only accelerated their
pace to bring the app to market. “This
has been an issue plaguing Black and
brown communities,” Frelix said. “We’re
thankful to have the ability and skill sets
to get this off the ground.”
They introduced the TurnSignl app in
May after they were able to leverage the
public awareness of police stops ending
tragically to raise more than $1 million
to bring the app to market.
How TurnSignl works
Users open the app and immediately
get connected to an attorney vetted
by TurnSignl to guide them in order
to de-escalate the encounter. Service
launched in Minnesota and will be
expanding to 10 states by the end of
2021. The founders also have created a
foundation to provide service for those
unable to pay for the app, which is
available on the Apple and Google app
stores. They expect the foundation to
support 25% of the app’s user base.
While the app is intended for anyone,
there is increasing attention to how
Black drivers are treated by police.
Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11
reported in May that new data shows
that the majority of drivers pulled over
this year by Minneapolis police for
minor equipment violations are Black:
Black drivers accounted for more than
half of those stops despite making up
only about 20% of the city’s residents,
according to city data.
In St. Paul, Black drivers were almost
four times more likely to be pulled over
by police than white drivers, according
to a Pioneer Press analysis of data
from 2016 to 2020. Asian, Latino, and
Native American drivers were stopped at
roughly the same rate as white drivers,
the Pioneer Press reported.
The TurnSignl founders say their
product is more than just an app. It’s
a signal for change. “There’s no better
opportunity to impact change than this
moment, now,” Creighton said.
Defense attorney Taylor J. Rahm
is one of the lawyers who has joined
TurnSignl to be on call for motorists.
“Anything we can do to make sure
these situations are safe and that no
one gets harmed is something I hope
any lawyer would want to get involved
with,” he said.
Sometimes, a motorist making sudden
movements is interpreted as cause
for alarm and can be construed by an
officer as the driver going for a weapon
or drugs, leading to potential conflict.
“With TurnSignl, you have a lawyer on
the phone to help individuals know their
rights but also importantly know how
to handle the situation so nothing goes
wrong,” Rahm said. “The benefit is that
the officer knows that there’s an attorney
on the phone telling the person, ‘This is
what you should do during the stop.’”
The TurnSignl app has the potential
to make traffic stops safer for police as
well as motorists, said Mylan Masson,
retired director of the Hennepin
Technical College law enforcement
program and a former Minneapolis Park
Police officer. “Every traffic stop can be
dangerous for police officers,” said the
police training expert. The TurnSignal
app “could give someone a calming
sense that, ‘I’m not here alone.’”
Business owner Phil Steger offers
the app as an employee benefit for
TurnSignl co-founders [L to R] Mychal Frelix ’19 MBA,
attorney Jazz Hampton, and Andre Creighton ’19 MBA
plan to expand the app’s services from Minnesota to
10 more states by the end of 2021.
his 14-person Brother Justus Whiskey
Company in Minneapolis, believing
TurnSignl’s attorneys can act as
mediators to keep a traffic stop from
escalating into danger.
“If you think you’ve been stopped
unlawfully, most people don’t know
that they still have to cooperate,” said
Steger, who was previously an attorney
for law firm Dorsey & Whitney. “You can
still be taken to jail.”
A TurnSignl attorney can advise in real
time: “Every defendant has the right,
if they think they have been stopped
unlawfully, to challenge the case in
court later,” he said.
Business project for
‘the times we’re in’
As the TurnSignl founders prepared to
launch the company, they turned to
Augsburg’s MBA program to assist them
in developing the business plan.
“A key part of the Augsburg MBA
experience is that we want students
to have practical experience and
apply critical thinking,” said George
Dierberger, associate business professor
and director of the MBA program.
Students in the MBA program grapple
with real-world challenges faced by local
businesses via a management consulting
project, which supported TurnSignl’s
launch. This is just one of the many
MBA program experiences in which
students collaborate on projects, case
studies, presentations, and simulations.
The TurnSignl project represents
Augsburg’s goals to be socially
conscious, said Mike Heifner ’21 MBA,
who worked on the pricing strategy of
the TurnSignl business plan. “This was
a good example of how capitalism could
bring social value to society,” he said.
Augsburg graduate student Stephanie
Oliver ’21 MBA hopes the TurnSignl app
will open new conversations and foster
a different way of thinking about how
police and civilians interact during
traffic stops.
“This project was my first choice
because of the times we’re in,” she said.
Oliver’s role in the MBA group was
to analyze the research and data
about traffic stops nationally by race.
What she found was a system with
inconsistent reporting about race and
traffic stops across states. What was
clear was that even after accounting for
those inconsistencies, the disparities
were apparent in stops involving people
of color.
One of the studies she reviewed was
the Stanford Open Policing Project,
which analyzed data from nearly
100 million traffic stops and found
significant racial disparities in policing
and, in some cases, evidence that bias
also played a role.
This didn’t surprise Oliver. Her
husband is Black and was frequently
pulled over when they first moved to
their Twin Cities suburb years ago. Once,
the police even questioned her then
5-year-old daughter about whether he
was actually her father.
“I ask why I’m being pulled over
when officers approach my vehicle,
and they get angry at me,” Oliver said.
“But I have a right to know why I’m
pulled over.”
She worries about her two young
Black sons but is optimistic that the
TurnSignl app can start to change the
dynamics during a police stop. “I know
when my daughter goes to Augsburg this
fall, I’m going to get this app for her.”
The TurnSignl app is available on
the Apple and Google app stores.
Data on drivers and
police traffic stops
Key findings from the national data research
Stephanie Oliver ’21 MBA gathered for the
TurnSignl business plan:
• On average, legal intervention death rates
for Black men were 4.7 times higher than
those of white men from 1979 to 1988, and
3.2 times higher from 1988 to 1997. (2002
American Journal of Public Health study)
• Black men are 3 times more likely than
other races to die from the use of police
force. Oliver said this was particularly
alarming as Black males make up only
about 6% of the total U.S. population.
(2016 Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s National Vital Statistics Data
2010–14)
• When driver race/ethnicity was visible,
Black drivers were nearly 20% more
likely to be the subject of a discretionary
traffic stop than were white drivers. (2014
San Diego State University research)
• Among males aged 10 years or older who
were killed by police use of force, the
mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black
and Hispanic individuals was 2.8 and
1.7 times higher, respectively, than that
among white individuals. (Racial/Ethnic
Disparities in the Use of Lethal Force by
U.S. Police 2010–14)
• Search rates for whites are significantly
lower, at around 18% of the traffic
stops, while search rates for Blacks and
Hispanics total about 82%. (Compiled from
Stanford Open Policing Project data for
Connecticut; Illinois; North Carolina; Rhode
Island; South Carolina; Texas; Washington;
and Wisconsin; and municipal police
departments in Nashville, Tennessee; New
Orleans; Philadelphia; Plano, Texas; San
Diego; and San Francisco)
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
19
ARCHIVE PHOTO
ThenNOW
&
AUGSBURG
A photo
essay
ARCHIVE PHOTO
BY JOHN WEIRICK AND
STEWART VAN CLEVE, DIGITAL ARCHIVES AND
RESEARCH SERVICES LIBRARIAN
Augsburg women’s basketball plays against the College of
Saint Benedict in Si Melby Hall, 2018.
or 152 years, Augsburg has both
changed and remained the same. Though
the Augsburg community looks much
different outwardly—campus layout and
buildings, student body demographics and
style of clothing, technology and teaching
methods—the Auggie spirit continues to
inspire faculty and staff to cultivate a vibrant
learning environment in which students can
engage in meaningful hands-on experiences.
Enjoy these glimpses into the Augsburg
of the past and the university of today.
An image of Augsburg’s campus and the Minneapolis skyline in 1967, stitched together
from three frames of an aerial camera shot in a promotional film.
Part of Augsburg’s campus—including Old Main, two residence halls, and the Norman
and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion—in 2018.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
PHOTO BY TOM ROSTER
Auggies shoot hoops in Old Main gymnasium,
circa 1945.
F
The Augsburg community poses in front of Old Main in 1931.
20
AUGSBURG NOW
The Class of 2023 gathers in front of Old Main in 2019. This fall, group photos are
planned for the Class of 2024 and the Class of 2025.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
21
COURTESY PHOTO
ARCHIVE PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
ARCHIVE PHOTO
The camera club in 1957 included [L to R] Jerry Matison ’59,
Stan Quanbeck ’59, and James Nichols ’58.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
An Auggie wears virtual reality goggles in a new media class
in 2019.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
Students work in a television studio, possibly in the
basement of Memorial Hall (above, 1976), and at a
video shoot in Foss Center (right, 2019).
Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, who each served as
Augsburg’s president, speak at a gathering of students in the
first Old Main building (which was demolished to build Science
Hall and Sverdrup Hall), 1897.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
PHOTO BY DON STONER
A procession in a chapel service January 24, 2020.
Students attend a Pan-Afrikan Student Union cookout in Murphy Square (left, 1998) and an event in the park to
welcome students back to campus (below, 2019).
Augsburg women’s track and field student-athletes prepare for a race (left, 1985) and hit the track (right, 2021).
22
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
23
AUGGIES CONNECT
AUGGIES CONNECT
ALUMNI BOARD
FRENCH HOUSE
The Augsburg University Alumni Board
is an opportunity for alumni from all
programs and class years to build
relationships with each other and the
university today. Members connect with
institutional leaders, faculty, students,
and staff to better understand and
support Augsburg’s mission. We are
excited to welcome the newest members
to the board!
Dave Stevens ’90
Navid Amini ’19 MBA
Willie Giller ’19
Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20
Berlynn Bitengo ’21
Learn more about the alumni board.
augsburg.edu/alumni
In 1966, seven women moved into French
House, a Minneapolis building adjacent
to Augsburg’s campus that housed the
remaining incoming first-year women who
could not be accommodated in the residential
housing on campus. They called themselves
“the leftovers” and became fast friends who
still get together at least once a year.
The French House Friends traveled twice to
Washington, where Linda Larson ’70 lives, and
Larson has traveled annually to Minnesota,
where the other six women live. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, the group has gathered
monthly via Zoom videoconferencing, and
they are eager to gather in Minnesota this fall.
“Augsburg fostered quality friendships that
have remained with me today,” said Mary
(Loken) Veiseth ’70.
$
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY
$
In 2020, Augsburg University’s Institutional Advancement
staff sponsored a series of virtual financial conversations
hosted by Augsburg alumni with expertise in constructing
a will and financial planning. The virtual events—called
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way—had such positive
engagement from alumni that the events were hosted again
this summer.
ON THE HORIZON VIRTUAL EVENTS
STRENGTHEN AUGSBURG COMMUNITY
Last year, On the Horizon virtual events with President Paul Pribbenow
engaged more than 500 Auggies and raised generous support for the
Student Emergency Fund, the President’s Strategic Fund, student
scholarships, and other key university efforts. This virtual event series
was created to keep the Augsburg community up to date with the
university’s ongoing work and adjustments during the pandemic. Five
more On the Horizon events in the series were hosted during Spring
2021 with specific groups, such as retired faculty, former regents and
regents emeriti, and current and former alumni board members.
Find video recordings of the events
at YouTube.com/AugsburgU.
COURTESY PHOTO
100
Pictured in 2018 [front, L to R]: Diane Lempke ’69, Mary
(Loken) Veiseth ’70, Linda (Radtke) Karkhoff ’70, Paulette
(Olson) Odegaard ’70. [Back, L to R]: Susan (Olson)
Williams ’70, Mary Ellen Buss ’70, Linda Larson ’70.
Want to learn more about making a will and financial plans?
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog and search for “Where There’s a Will.”
24
AUGSBURG NOW
NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR AUGSBURG STUDENTS
As part of Augsburg’s ongoing Great Returns fundraising campaign,
the university set an ambitious goal of establishing 150 new endowed
scholarships. As of Spring 2021, the university had received 100 new
endowed scholarships! Augsburg is presenting water droplet sculptures
to the first 150 donors who establish new endowed scholarships. These
handmade sculptures represent the impact that donors make in the
Augsburg community. When a water droplet hits the surface of a pond,
the droplet causes a ripple that continues to expand.
COURTESY PHOTO
$
COURTESY PHOTOS
Pictured top to bottom:
•
•
•
•
•
A private Facebook group
FRIENDS
WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
JUST FOR
AUGGIES
Be a part of live virtual events, and interact
with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and
university leaders.
1.
Log on to Facebook.
2. Search for
“Auggie Connections.”
3.
Select “Join group.”
4. Answer membership
questions so we
know it’s you.
5. Create a post to
introduce yourself.
Join the Auggie Connections
private Facebook group.
facebook.com/groups/auggieconnections
To learn more about establishing
a scholarship, contact:
Amy Alkire
Interim Vice President for Advancement
612-330-1188 | alkirea@augsburg.edu
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
25
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
ANNA COX ’22
Augsburg Now staff asked the university’s Instagram followers for the resource they most
appreciated as a student. Here are a few of their responses, edited for length and clarity.
Student government! I
learned how to advocate
for myself and others.
TRIO/SSS and Multicultural
Student Services.
BRITTANY KIMBALL ’13
The CLASS office helped me
to be successful while [I was]
undergoing cancer treatment.
DESTYN LAND ’19
MARGARET ALBERS ’21
The openness and willingness
of professors to help students
along the way.
Residence Life. Shoutout to
the best supervisors ever,
Eric, Ryan, and Seth.
EVE TAFT ’18
Center for Wellness and
Counseling. I’d probably never
have gotten mental health
treatment otherwise.
Follow @augsburguniversity on Instagram.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
ARIANNA ANTONE-RAMIREZ ’20
NIKKI DARST ’15
The wonderful librarians!
The 1947 and 1948 MIAC championship
baseball teams were recognized at a Hall of
Fame banquet in 1985. Pictured are [front,
L to R]: Charles “Chuck” Bard ’50, Ken
Walsh ’48, Art Marben ’47, Roger Leak ’50,
Marvin Johnson ’49, Jennings Thompson ’51,
Jeroy Carlson ’48. [Back, L to R]: Edor
Nelson ’38 (coach), Ralph Pearson ’49,
Duane Lindgren ’48, Arnold Henjum ’49,
Robert Howells ’50, Bobb Miller ’48.
1974
SAVE THE DATE:
ALL-SCHOOL REUNION
Mark your calendar to join us for the All-School Reunion in Fall 2022.
Read more Class Notes online
and submit your alumni news.
26
AUGSBURG NOW
augsburg.edu/alumni
Charles “Chuck” Bard ’50 has always been a sports enthusiast. At
Augsburg, Bard played football and baseball, notably serving as
the second baseman on Augsburg’s 1947 and 1948 MIAC
championship teams. However, the sport that Bard loved
most—and the sport that brought him the most notoriety—
was one he never played: hockey.
Hockey wasn’t played widely when Bard was in school. By
the time he started college, Augsburg had a hockey team. However, Bard already played
football and baseball, and student-athletes were limited to participating in only two sports.
Bard attended as many Auggie hockey games as he could and enjoyed watching the
players out on the ice.
After graduating in 1950 with a degree in physical education and a minor in journalism,
Bard continued his passion for sports by co-founding the Decathlon Athletic Club in the
late 1960s. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, it was the first private athletic club in
Minnesota outside of downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul.
By 1978, Bard was still an avid hockey fan and a proud owner of Minnesota North Stars
hockey season tickets. But he noticed that hockey didn’t have an award to honor the best
collegiate players in the nation like other sports, so he decided his athletic club would
start a nationally recognized hockey award. After consulting with the Los Angeles athletic
club that started the John Wooden Award for outstanding collegiate basketball players,
Bard established the Hobey Baker Award, named after a hockey legend. In 1981, the first
Hobey Baker Award was given to Neal Broten. Broten played center for the University of
Minnesota and the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team, which took gold at Lake
Placid, New York, in 1980.
Since that first award, the Hobey has honored 40 hockey players from around the
United States. The award is given to a player who best demonstrates “teamwork,
dedication, integrity, exceptional play, humility, and above all, character.”
In 2007, Bard visited Augsburg’s campus to recognize longtime men’s hockey coach,
Ed Saugestad ’59, who was a Hobey Baker Legends of Hockey honoree.
COURTESY PHOTO
1950
You chimed in:
Auggie launches national hockey award
Augsburg alumna and former regent joins University of
Minnesota’s Board of Regents
COURTESY PHOTO
AUGGIES CONNECT
Ruth Johnson ’74, MD, was elected to the University of Minnesota’s
Board of Regents 1st Congressional District seat. Johnson studied
chemistry and biology at Augsburg, where she earned a bachelor’s
degree with summa cum laude honors; graduated from what is now
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine; and completed her residency at Mayo Graduate
School of Medicine. She served 16 years on Augsburg’s Board of Regents, was the chair of
academic and student affairs, co-chair of the campaign cabinet, co-founder of the science
advisory board, and vice chair of the regent’s committee. In 1996, Johnson was named a
distinguished alumna of Augsburg.
Read the full story on the aumni news blog: augsburg.edu/alumni/blog.
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
COURTESY PHOTO
1986
Tamra (Pederson) Pyrtle ’86
and her horse, Bravo.
28
AUGSBURG NOW
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
‘Underestimate me; that will be fun’
Tammera Diehm ’93 ranked as a leading attorney
Tamra (Pederson) Pyrtle ’86 excelled in school and in her career, yet she always made
time for the playfulness of science and math.
At Augsburg, Tamra pursued a chemistry degree. This was a significant challenge,
particularly for a student with a double minor in mathematics and German. But Tamra’s
persistent nature helped her earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, graduating with
honors in 1986.
“Obviously she was not afraid of a challenge. There is a saying of which she was
particularly fond: ‘Go ahead, underestimate me; that will be fun,’” said Brett Pyrtle,
Tamra’s husband.
Tamra’s exceptional knowledge wasn’t always reserved for schoolwork. One
night in 1983, she and her friends convinced members of the Augsburg football
team to carry a Volkswagen Beetle into the student center. Tamra was able to
direct the crew so they could do this without taking the doors off the entry. The
geometry of this feat was lost on the maintenance staff, who had to remove the
entrance doors to get the vehicle back out.
In her first professional job, Tamra was hired as a lab supervisor for BuckbeeMears St. Paul. She was the first college graduate to hold the position, and she
learned quickly how to balance her academic knowledge with practical skills
required to meet the fast-paced demands of metal-etching production. She also
learned how to stand up for herself in a plant where she was the only woman in
technical management.
After a few other positions handling instrumentation in a consulting lab, supervising
etched metal operations, providing quality assurance analysis, and teaching advanced
placement chemistry, Tamra joined Medtronic’s neuromodulation division as a senior
quality engineer. She was quickly promoted to principal quality engineer and developed a
reputation as the go-to resource for tough quality engineering and analytical challenges.
Despite her technical jobs, Tamra continued to pursue fun applications of science,
and she particularly loved how science and nature intersected. It was no surprise to her
family when she sold her collector car to buy a thoroughbred horse named Bravo. Tamra
learned as much as she could about veterinary care and medicine so that she could
regularly administer Bravo’s shots herself.
The communication between Bravo and Tamra was something special, said her
parents, Wayne and Lynette Pederson. Bravo perked up when he saw Tamra coming
and even recognized her vehicle. They had conversations and seemed to know what the
other was saying.
On December 13, 2018, Tamra passed away at the age of 55 after battling cancer for
more than two years. She left behind her husband of 24 years, Brett; her parents, Wayne
and Lynette; her brother, Carey Pederson ’88; and her sister, Kristin (Pederson) Merkel ’91.
“All three of our children are Augsburg graduates, and our family ties to Augsburg run
deep,” said Wayne. “Augsburg was a significant contributor to Tami’s success. We wish
for other students to have the opportunities Tami had, and what better place to provide
some assistance than at Tami’s alma mater.”
Wayne and Lynette, along with Brett, established the Tamra Lynn Pederson Pyrtle
Endowed Scholarship at Augsburg. This scholarship will be used to support students
interested in pursuing a major in chemistry and who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Tammera Diehm ’93 was recognized as a distinguished leader in her field by
Chambers USA, one of the world’s leading guides to the legal profession. Diehm’s
work encompasses numerous aspects of real estate transactions, including buying,
selling, leasing, development, and financing. She helps local and national clients of
varying sizes navigate the complexities that come with owning and occupying real
estate, such as zoning, land use, government approvals, and regulatory compliance.
Like a true Auggie, Diehm aims to unlock the full potential of her team through
motivational coaching and support.
“I want to give our firm members the ability to build their own careers, offering
flexibility and support while maintaining our firm’s core values and commitment to
client service,” Diehm said.
Accounting roles add up for Paula Diaz ’03, Northview Bank CEO
Paula Diaz ’03 has been named president and CEO of Northview Bank, which
has branches across Minnesota. After graduating from Augsburg with a degree in
accounting, Diaz has enjoyed a robust career in finance. Starting out as a public
accountant, she went on to become the finance director of Cummins NPower. She
has been at Northview Bank since 2014, where she was the CFO prior to stepping
into her new role.
“Paula is prepared to be the new leader for Northview Bank. Her experience,
knowledge, and people skills make her the logical choice,” said Ron Carlson, former
president of Northview Bank.
Trailblazing Auggie Abdulkadir Sharif ’20 continues geopolitical studies
at Georgetown
Abdulkadir Sharif ’20 studied political science and international relations at
Augsburg and became Augsburg’s first student to win the Pickering Foreign Affairs
Fellowship. He also received a Fulbright Scholarship, a Boren Scholarship to study
Swahili in Tanzania (which he accepted instead of a Critical Language Scholarship,
which he also won), and a Gilman Scholarship from the U.S. Department of
State to study in Namibia and South Africa. Sharif also participated in Princeton
University’s Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship. He planned to teach
English in Malaysia through the Fulbright program before travel plans were affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he was reassigned to the Netherlands. He is
pursuing a master’s degree in global politics and security with a full scholarship to
Georgetown University.
1993
2003
2020
Read more Class Notes online
and submit your alumni news.
augsburg.edu/alumni
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM
Recently published Auggies
Augsburg alumni, faculty, and students have published
literature and earned the public’s attention during the past year.
•
Lowell “A.L. Shane” Ziemann ’60—“Alex, Hank & Hawk:
Cowboys, Gunmen & Road Agents: A Novel of the
American West”
•
David Nash ’06—“The Man in the Pines,” a novel
and soundtrack
•
Joshua Phillip Johnson ’17 MFA—“The Forever Sea,” a novel
•
Robby Steltz ’18 MFA—“Nellie,” a short play that earned
second place in the Virginia State One Acts competition
•
Khadijo “JoJo” Abdi ’19 MFA—One of the main authors that
participated in the first Somali Community Book Fair in
Burnsville, Minnesota
Remembering and
honoring Auggies
1950s
Below we recognize the
individuals whose notifications of
death Augsburg received between
January 1 and July 14, 2021.
Alfred M. Sannerud ’50, Ham
Lake, Minnesota, age 97, on
June 28.
1940s
•
Tracy Ross ’19 MFA—“James Dean and the Beautiful
Machine,” a book of poetry
Hazel (Soiseth) Durfee ’41, Tampa,
Florida, age 102, on March 10.
•
Kristine Joseph ’20 MFA—“Simply Because We Are Human,”
a memoir
Ebba A. (Johnson) Brooks ’42,
Duluth, Minnesota, age 101,
on January 12.
•
•
Cole W. Williams ’22 MFA—Poems published in “Intima: A
Journal of Narrative Medicine” and “Sh!t Men Say to Me: A
Poetry Anthology in Response to Toxic Masculinity”
Faculty member Anika Fajardo—“What if a Fish,” a novel that
won the Minnesota Book Award for Middle Grade Literature
• “Murphy Square 1975–2020: A Sesquicentennial Sampler
of Literature by Augsburg Students”—Professor Emeritus
Doug Green said, “More than 40 recent students from 2016
through 2019 served as co-editors, haggling over selections
drawn from the entire digital archive of Murphy Square
[Augsburg’s student-created literary and visual arts journal].
Megan Johnson ’19 designed the volume.”
Evelyn H. (Sonnack) Halverson ’43,
Edina, Minnesota, age 100, on
February 14.
Helen D. (Arnseth) Torvik ’44,
Moorhead, Minnesota, age 98,
on April 29.
Marilyn L. (Rykken) Michaelson ’47,
Coralville, Iowa, age 94, on
June 10.
Mildred A. (Thorsgard) Strand ’47,
Remer, Minnesota, age 95, on
March 28.
Marian J. (Halverson) Tilleson ’48,
Orfordville, Wisconsin, age 94,
on March 6.
Gloria V. (Swanson) Duoos ’49,
Cambridge, Minnesota, age 94,
on January 19.
Read more Class Notes online
and submit your alumni news.
Robert S. Duoos ’49, Cambridge,
Minnesota, age 97, on January 11.
Emmet T. Oein ’50, Alexandria,
Minnesota, age 93, on May 14.
Dorothy E. Twiton ’50, Sturgeon Bay,
Wisconsin, age 92, on April 27.
Robert L. Boxrud ’51, Hettinger,
North Dakota, age 92, on
March 18.
Valborg Huglen ’53, Newfolden,
Minnesota, age 96, on January 15.
Harland P. Danielson ’58, Cadott,
Wisconsin, age 89, on June 6.
John R. Lingen ’53, Brooklyn Park,
Minnesota, age 90, on April 28.
Richard L. Feig ’58, Minneapolis,
age 84, on February 1.
Vernon S. Stenoien ’53,
Woodstock, Illinois, age 89,
on March 4.
Bonita M. (Griep) Ram ’58,
Timberon, New Mexico, age 84,
on February 20.
Maryan A. (Knutson) Froland ’54,
Granite Falls, Minnesota, age 88,
on April 26.
Curtis M. Lake ’59, Waldport,
Oregon, age 90, on March 10.
Edward O. Nyhus ’54, Minneapolis,
age 88, on April 30.
Allard J. Christenson ’51,
Mahnomen, Minnesota, age 92,
on February 25.
Merton C. Phillips ’54, Salem,
Oregon, age 88, on January 28.
Merlin A. Johnson ’51, Grantsburg,
Wisconsin, age 90, on February 2.
Louis P. Rolf ’54, Faribault,
Minnesota, age 91, on March 22.
LaWayne N. Morseth ’51,
Minneapolis, age 93, on
January 10.
Jerome C. Trelstad ’54, Santa
Maria, California, age 89, on
April 24.
Donald C. Thorson ’51, Chippewa
Falls, Wisconsin, age 92, on
January 9.
Norma J. (Sorenson) Fretheim ’55,
Federal Way, Washington, age 87,
on April 30.
Marjorie A. (Haley) Eliason ’52,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 90, on
January 29.
James A. Johnson ’55, Sun City,
Arizona, age 88, on June 21.
Astrid (Braaten) Ongstad ’52,
Devils Lake, North Dakota,
age 91, on April 10.
James S. Hamre ’53, South
Pasadena, Florida, age 89,
on January 3.
Harriet R. (Bruder) Holtmeier ’53,
Waconia, Minnesota, age 91, on
May 29.
Rodney O.J. Erickson ’56,
Moorhead, Minnesota, age 86,
on March 16.
James W. Wennerlind ’59,
Minneapolis, age 89, on March 12.
1960s
Marlene L. Studlien ’60, New
Hope, Minnesota, age 82, on
June 17.
Darrell G. Wiese ’60, Northfield,
Minnesota, age 84, on January 9.
Dennis J. Johnson ’61, Minneapolis,
age 81, on March 26.
Bruce W. Abrahamson ’62, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 80, on April 28.
Donald E. Brynildson ’62, Garrison,
Missouri, age 85, on May 6.
Ingolf B. Kronstad ’62, Kirkland,
Washington, age 80, on
February 10.
Lucile M. (Kunkel) Matison ’56,
Glenwood, Minnesota, age 88,
on April 1.
Bonnie E. (Lassila) Curtin ’63,
Minneapolis, age 79, on January 3.
Thomas M. Warme ’57, Moneta,
Virginia, age 85, on March 17.
Gloria J. (Odegaard) Schlechter ’63,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
age 79, on January 13.
Elyce E. (Lundquist) Arvidson ’58,
Minneapolis, age 84, on April 1.
Robert F. Soli ’63, Coon Rapids,
Minnesota, age 83, on January 10.
augsburg.edu/alumni
30
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING–SUMMER 2021
31
IN MEMORIAM
Charles M. Piper ’64, Northfield,
Minnesota, age 85, on March 27.
Charlotte M. (Nordmark) Sween ’71,
Plymouth, Minnesota, age 81, on
May 2.
Carolyn I. (Raymond) Vickers ’85,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 79, on
January 21.
William K. Ogren ’73, Minneapolis,
age 70, on March 10.
Stanley L. Hjermstad ’88, Sanford,
Florida, age 88, on January 23.
Dennis B. Reiman ’66, Farmington,
Minnesota, age 78, on April 19.
Derrell C. Wistrom ’74, Austin,
Texas, age 74, on February 22.
1990s
Steven L. Erickson ’67, Stanchfield,
Minnesota, age 76, on June 28.
Kathlyn H. (Faber) Norum ’75,
Alexandria, Minnesota, age 80,
on June 26.
Tamera K. (Fillips) Shreve ’90,
Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 54,
on June 21.
Richard G. Johnson ’76,
Minneapolis, age 72, on April 23.
Brenda K. Quade ’91, Rockford,
Illinois, age 53, on February 4.
1980s
Dawn C. Van Tassel ’95,
Minneapolis, age 46, on April 7.
Carol R. (Strand) Pattee ’66,
Silverton, Oregon, age 78, on
February 8.
Duane M. Ilstrup ’68, Rochester,
Minnesota, age 74, on February 9.
Suzann B. (Johnson) Nelson ’68,
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, age 74,
on March 14.
Judi E. (Romerein) Tsudo ’68,
Minneapolis, age 74, on March 18.
Erland J. Nord ’69, Elbow, Canada,
age 91, on January 5.
1970s
Ross L. Jacobson ’70, Janesville,
Wisconsin, age 72, on June 7.
Bonnie K. (Rosvold) Risius ’70,
Bricelyn, Minnesota, age 72, on
March 3.
Vivian M. (Shannon) Holman ’80,
Minneapolis, age 78, on
February 15.
Maureen T. (Conroy) Kurtz ’80,
Shell Lake, Wisconsin, age 63,
on July 6.
James M. Ruud ’80, Minneapolis,
age 78, on June 26.
Lorraine G. (Herman) Bergquist ’82,
Minneapolis, age 87, on March 4.
Darrell C. Wistrom ’99, Austin,
Texas, age 74, on February 22.
2000s
Christian H. Anderson ’01,
Shakopee, Minnesota, age 47,
on April 11.
Whitney J. Anderson ’09,
Minneapolis, age 34, on June 17.
2010s
Kevin P. Ehrman-Solberg ’15,
Minneapolis, age 33, on June 12.
Elizabeth (Quackenbush) Harper ’15,
New Orleans, age 39, on March 3.
Cole A. Linnell ’15, Rogers,
Minnesota, age 29, on March 14.
Faculty, staff, and friends
Department of Languages and
Cross-Cultural Studies Adjunct
Instructor James Frankki,
Minneapolis, age 59, on March 21.
Professor Emerita of Nursing
Beverly J. (Swenson) Nilsson,
Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 89,
on November 10.
Center for Global Education
and Experience Mexico Site
Staff Member Moisés Rios Bello,
Cuernavaca, Mexico, age 50, on
February 23.
Center for Global Education and
Experience Mexico Site Staff
Member Maria “Isabel” Sanchez
Hernandez, Cuernavaca, Mexico,
age 48, on February 21.
LONG-TERM STABILITY FOR
LIFE-CHANGING EDUCATION
SUSTAIN AUGSBURG’S MISSION THROUGH A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
What is a charitable gift annuity?
A charitable gift annuity is a “split gift.” Part of your gift is used by Augsburg immediately to support our mission of
educating students, and part of the gift is set aside to be invested to support future fixed payments to you.
ARCHIVE PHOTO
Benefits of a charitable gift annuity:
Anne Frame, 84, passed away July 13, in Red Wing, Minnesota. She was the spouse
of Bill Frame, Augsburg’s ninth president who served from 1997 to 2006. They were
a part of Augsburg’s Sven Oftedal Society, a group of generous donors who have
arranged a deferred gift to the university to provide student scholarships.
Anne was involved in many parts of the Augsburg community, including as a
member of the Augsburg Associates (see story on page 12). She welcomed students,
faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to Augsburg House. She sang a folk song with
Bill during a 2004 Auggie Variety Show, engaged with students at Augsburg’s Late
Night Breakfast during finals week, and participated in a trip to China with Bill and
other Minnesota private college presidents to increase the number of undergraduate
student exchanges between the United States and China. Anne will be remembered
for her Auggie spirit of dedication, generosity, and service.
Submit address changes and nominations for
remembrances to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
•
•
Added source of income—You will receive fixed annual
payments for your lifetime.
Long-term support to Augsburg—Unlike an immediate
income annuity, the remaining value of your annuity will
go to Augsburg instead of an insurance company after
you pass away.
“
•
•
Highly appreciated asset value—By donating assets
in-kind, you preserve the full fair market value of the
assets, rather than reduce it by selling it and paying
capital gains taxes.
Tax deductions—If you itemize deductions on your tax
return, savings from the federal income tax charitable
deduction of the gift portion reduce your gift’s net cost.
Ron and Linda Ott ’85 chose to give a charitable gift annuity to Augsburg.
I was always grateful for my time at Augsburg. A charitable gift annuity is a way for us to do something now that
ensures Augsburg has funding. It also provides tax advantages and a little income back to us each year. Augsburg
made the whole process very easy, even splitting our gift between a few different programs we want to support.
We want to work with you to create a gift that best fits your circumstances.
Contact us to learn more about supporting Augsburg students through a charitable gift annuity.
32
AUGSBURG NOW
”
—Linda Ott ’85
Amy Alkire, Interim Vice President for Advancement | 612-330-1188 | alkirea@augsburg.edu
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
New mural welcomes Auggies back to campus
A group of students from an Augsburg graphic systems class created a mural, “Divine Unity,”
in the tunnel between Old Main and Science Hall. The mural represents unity existing
among differences and unique individuals creating a space of community and happiness.
Twin Cities, MN
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WHAT IT TAKES TO FIGHT A PANDEMIC:
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND
MUTUAL AID (PART 1)
From parking lots and phone calls to hospitals and research labs, Auggies
use a multifaceted approach to confront the global crisis of a lifetime
by Kate H. Elliott
Share this:
February 22, 2021
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One November afternoon, Natalie Jacobson,
coordinator of Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen, opened an
email from someone she didn’t recognize. It was short
and to the point: First-year Auggie Sam Kristensen ’24
explained that he had collected 17 bags of canned and
nonperishable food items from those who dared to enter
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his Halloween yard maze through a fog-lit skeleton shack
and animatronic troll swamp. The business major said he
was glad his ghoulish creativity could feed dozens of
Submit Your Alumni News
Augsburg students and residents in surrounding
Minneapolis neighborhoods.
“The email made my week,” Jacobson said. “We’ve been
CONNECT WITH US
consumed with coordinated relief e orts; Sam’s email
was a great reminder that everyone and anyone can
Natalie Jacobson joins Nick Keener ’20, Campus
Kitchen student leadership team member. (Courtesy
photo)
make a di erence.”
Kristensen is one of hundreds in the Augsburg
community who have come together in both planned and unplanned ways to support those in need during
the COVID-19 pandemic, which to date has infected an estimated 28 million and killed more than 500,000
Americans. From sta and students sewing and donating face masks to medical personnel advancing
policies and caring for patients, members of the Augsburg community are making a lasting impact on the
front lines of disease prevention and support. These are a few of the many stories of Auggies combating the
virus and its e ects with compassion, faith, and ingenuity.
Serving up hope
Jacobson manages donations like Kristensen’s o ering while working with a team of students and
volunteers to facilitate integrated food access programs to address hunger on and near campus. According
to the National Association of Student A airs Administrators in Higher Education, more than 38% of
students at four-year institutions are food insecure, and 15% are homeless.
Before the pandemic, Augsburg students accessed free food at the Campus Cupboard in the basement of
Science Hall. Students could stop in ve days a week to select a bag of fresh and non-perishable items, no
questions asked. The Campus Kitchen also made outreach e orts to support community gardens and
meals, rescue unsold produce at farmers markets, and educate the public about food as wellness.
Yamile Hernandez ’22 works in the Campus Cupboard. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
When the pandemic hit, Campus Kitchen turned up the heat. The team moved its refrigerators, freezers,
and shelves of food to a large conference room in Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship.
Campus Cupboard transitioned to an online order form, with student workers, like nance major Yamile
Hernandez ’22, delivering orders on campus or making contactless deliveries to students living in the Twin
Cities. The cupboard serves between 25 and 75 students each week.
“It’s rewarding to know we’re helping others, especially in such hard times, and we’re using up food that
would have gone to waste.”—Yamile Hernandez ’22
“Many people have found themselves without a job or having less work, which makes it di cult to keep up
with expenses,” said Hernandez. “Having access to healthy, free food helps alleviate a bit of that stress.”
Campus Kitchen intensi ed e orts to address health and
wellness disparities in neighborhoods surrounding
Augsburg. Because so many organizations and
community centers were already in partnership with
Augsburg, Jacobson said, they were quick to respond to
increased needs during the pandemic.
“We heard about an opportunity to apply for CARES Act
grant funding on a Tuesday, and the application was due
that Thursday. Campus Kitchen rallied together with the
Health Commons, West Bank Community Development
Corporation, and the People’s Center to pull an
application together, and we received $22,000, which we
spent in a week on nonperishable food items, personal
and household cleaning products, as well as food storage
equipment, including refrigerators and freezers. The
Campus Kitchen volunteers [L to R]: Hank Hietala,
Ellen Finn, and LaToya Taris-James (Courtesy photo)
grant will enable us to provide students and neighbors
with access to healthy foods on a regular basis and at an increased capacity.”
In March, the Sabo Center launched the Neighborhood Food Initiative in partnership with M Health
Fairview. The initiative brings together a variety of community partners to support collaborative
approaches that increase access to healthy food in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
“Since the summer, we have distributed food weekly to the West Bank CDC and People’s Center,” Jacobson
said. “Many households in Cedar-Riverside now see this service as a key piece of meeting their basic food
needs.”
Drives of support
Augsburg parking lots have been preferred drop-o locations for food and supply drives. In June and again
in late September, Augsburg Women Engaged supported weeklong drives to support the Campus
Cupboard and ShareShop, which provides students with free or for-rent bedding, games, clothing,
kitchenware, appliances, and other home goods. The group collected 400 pounds of food and household
supplies, plus $5,405 for the Campus Kitchen.
On June 1, Steve Peacock, community relations director at the Sabo Center, and a cadre of masked
volunteers lined up in a parking lot near the edge of campus. The group collected donations from an
estimated 550 cars that drove through during a two-hour drive to collect a number of items, mostly
personal hygiene products and diapers, for the Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center nearby.
“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of
support and donations,” Peacock said. “While we were
out there, collecting items, we saw athletic teams lined
up to collect supplies on the other side of the athletics
complex. It’s a testament to the innovative, communityfocused, and generous spirit of Augsburg.”
“Our mission to support students and be an anchor for
the community seems relevant and central to our lives
now more than ever.”—Steve Peacock
Augsburg has also encouraged donations to the Student
Emergency Fund, which was established last March to
support students with nancial hardships and provide
relief for basic needs, including food, rent, transportation,
and medication.
Auggies gather donations for the Twin Cities
community outside Augsburg’s Kennedy Center.
(Courtesy photo)
In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May, Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church in the Longfellow neighborhood of
Minneapolis has distributed food to hundreds of
neighbors each week. This summer, Augsburg Pastor
Justin Lind-Ayres showed up with more than 25 Auggie students, sta , and faculty, most of whom didn’t
know each other, to serve food. “This was just one microcosm of the work Auggies have and continue to do
across the Twin Cities,” Lind-Ayres said. “The student body inspires and teaches me what it means to be
‘informed citizens.’”
‘Auggies are resilient’
Lind-Ayres and the Campus Ministry team have worked to provide moments of hope and belonging
throughout the year. They shared prayers on their blog once a day from March to May and now post
prayers weekly as a way for Auggies to lift up concerns and hopes for people and situations. On Fridays, the
team has hosted 8 minutes and 46 seconds in chapel and on Zoom for “Silence, Prayer, and Pastoral
Presence” to remember George Floyd and others and to focus on the call for racial justice. The Muslim
Student Association, under the direction of Fardosa Hassan ’12, has provided opportunities for safe,
socially distanced Friday prayer.
In addition to leading reduced-capacity in-person worship in Hoversten Chapel, recorded worship, and
virtual discussions, Lind-Ayres and University Pastor Babette Chatman ’06 serve on the COVID-19
Response Team. This diverse group of sta members gathers up to ve times each week to review COVID19 cases on campus, engage in contact tracing, provide support for students in quarantine or isolation, and
gure out ways to keep the community safe.
“We spend a lot of time on the phone or texting with students o ering words of encouragement, answering
questions, and troubleshooting issues together as we manage the realities of COVID-19 on campus,” said
Lind-Ayres.
Assistant Athletic Director Melissa Lee ’04 serves on the COVID-19 Task Force. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Melissa Lee ’04, assistant athletic director and softball head coach, serves on the COVID-19 Task Force. Lee
is one of several sta members responding to the helpline set up for Auggies to access the latest
information and resources. In the spring, she and others were answering helpline phone calls and emails in
shifts seven days a week. As tra c has decreased, phone calls go directly to voicemail. Team members
respond to messages and emails as soon as possible.
To parents, students, faculty, and sta , Lee said, “Continue to be gritty. Continue to be safe. We can and will
all get through this together. Auggies are resilient.”
Augsburg stories on COVID-19:
What it takes to ght a pandemic, part 2: Research and health care
Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic
Top Image: Auggies gather and distribute food and donations through programs like Campus Kitchen and
Campus Cupboard. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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RESEARCH AND HEALTH CARE (PART 2)
From parking lots and phone calls to hospitals and research labs, Auggies
use a multifaceted approach to confront the global crisis of a lifetime
by Kate H. Elliott
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February 22, 2021
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Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP sees resilience every day as executive
director of Augsburg’s Health Commons, which are drop-in health
centers led by the nursing program with a model focused on caring
for those in the community who are marginalized. Guests are not
required to show identi cation, and medical professionals don’t wear
scrubs or stethoscopes in order to increase relatability and public
trust in health care workers.
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Her focus at the Augsburg Central Health Commons is with
individuals who are experiencing homelessness or who are
marginally housed in Minneapolis, and the Health Commons in the
Submit Your Alumni News
Cedar-Riverside neighborhood provides care for residents, many of
whom are East African immigrants. As an assistant professor of
nursing, Clark teaches primarily in the graduate nursing program
Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP
(Courtesy photo)
through courses that emphasize social justice, health disparities, and
civic engagement.
CONNECT WITH US
The Augsburg nursing program, Clark said, is unique because faculty and students are embedded in
the community. Other schools often see that work as “extra service” and send students to nonpro ts,
but Augsburg considers place-based work as central to the educational experience.
Hospitality and healing
“We help students serve and explore the world we live in,
and we’re with them when they do it,” Clark said. “They get
uncomfortable and lean into the biases they may have and
really get involved in a community to understand the
issues from the people who experience them.”
“You can’t come up with answers if you don’t know the
problems.”—Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP
When COVID-19 hit, the Health Commons at Central
Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis was one of the
Augsburg’s Health Commons received
donations from the community, including
27,200 bottles of water from UP Co ee
Roasters and a grassroots fundraising
campaign organized by Bethany Johnson ’19,
’23 DNP, whose family owns the business.
Johnson (left) delivered water to the Health
Commons with husband, David Chall
(middle), and daughter, Olivia Chall, in April
2020. (Courtesy photo)
only drop-in health centers that continued to stay open. At
the height of the pandemic, Clark said staying open meant
standing outside, passing out hygiene kits, and bringing
meals and supplies to encampments of unhoused people.
“Many of our students are adult learners seeking
bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Some of them
have dealt with furloughs or are at the bedsides of
patients, holding up the [touchscreen] tablet for family members to say goodbye, and adapting to
constant changes in health care environments. Then they have school in addition to their own
stressors at home, like juggling kids or responding to family members who say, ‘COVID isn’t real.’ These
students want to get involved and tackle the issues in their communities, and they are doing it! I get
chills talking about it.”
Ellen Kearney ’23 DNP is one of Clark’s students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse
Practitioner program and also a registered nurse at a Twin Cities intensive care unit. Kearney admitted
that despite extensive safety measures, it was scary to be indoors at the Health Commons with
patients early in the pandemic. But the work—her passion—is critical, she added.
Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP (left) and President Paul Pribbenow at an Augsburg Bold event in the fall.
(Courtesy photo)
“Before COVID-19 we were able to serve between 50 and 100 people each Monday and Thursday,” said
Kearney. “Now we can only see 12 people each day we are open. But because our hours have not
changed, it has been nice to have a longer period alone with each guest if they chose to stay and talk.
I’ve been able to learn about one guest’s upcoming trip to her home country in Africa and her worries
about traveling, and I have been able to follow up with one older man while I do his foot care. It has
been hard to not open the doors fully, especially now that the weather is colder and knowing there are
so few public spaces open, though it is clear that we need to stay capped for everyone’s safety. While
the scale of the Commons is small, the impact is large.”
When Augsburg temporarily restricted students from working at the Commons, volunteers and
Augsburg alumni, like Emily Pierskalla ’20 DNP, stepped in to keep doors open. The most challenging
aspect of working as a registered nurse is ricocheting through stages of grief, which Pierskalla said is
emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. She avoids news about COVID-19 and social media
because it can trigger haunting memories.
“I have ashbacks of the faces of patients I’ve seen die while their loved ones cry watching through an
iPad or seeing my own co-workers struggling to breathe after getting sick,” said Pierskalla, who has
worked for eight years at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. “It has taken a lot of
therapy, self-care, and e ort to keep the burnout from causing me to become bitter and angry, or
worse, apathetic to the world and society.”
She has also worked as a nurse practitioner at CVS MinuteClinics, administering COVID-19 tests and
helping people understand their test results and quarantine recommendations—e orts that have
immediate practical e ects.
“When I’m at the Commons or out in the camps, I actually feel like I’m helping to create the world I
want to live in.”—Emily Pierskalla ’20 DNP
Ray Yip ’72 has extensive global health experience, including work in Qinghai, a sparsely populated Chinese
province. (Courtesy photo)
Advocates for change
Auggies are working across the globe to create policies and medical
solutions to realize that better world. Dr. Ray Yip ’72 is a global
health specialist serving as special advisor to the Gates Venture on
China Partnership Development. For the past 22 years, he has
assisted the Chinese government in improving its public health
system, with a focus on disease control and response capacity. When
COVID-19 began spreading in January, Yip was in Beijing.
“I was impressed with how aggressive the outbreak was in Wuhan,
and I predicted that China would be able to get it under control by
April. To my pleasant surprise, China achieved that seemingly
impossible task by mid-March.”
In February, he returned to his home in upstate New York, from
Ray Yip ’72 (Courtesy photo)
which he has advised several organizations about COVID-19-related
issues and provided a range of companies with updates about the
progress of vaccine development worldwide.
“This pandemic, which we knew would happen sooner or later, requires strong government
leadership as well as commitment and partnership with the private sectors for the solutions.”—Ray
Yip ’72
“More than 23 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told me the United States
had the know-how and capacity to contain this epidemic. After all, I was sent to China to help them to
build such capacity. My prediction was so o , I hate to admit it. We all su er dearly from the dire
consequence of horrible mismanagement, which largely has to do with leadership failure. It was
particularly painful to watch the CDC get sidelined, and public health measures became politicized.”
The heroes of the pandemic, Yip said: health care workers.
“Most people do not realize the risk and danger of those health care workers taking care of the COVID
patients, especially in the early phase when protective gear was in short supply. A disproportionate
number of them got infected and died. If I were my younger version, I would not hesitate to join them
in on the front lines. I am grateful for their service and sacri ce.”
Interview with Dr. Ray Yip '72
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Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, regional vice president for Mayo Clinic Health
System’s Southwest Wisconsin region, oversees thousands of such
workers attending to patients in two hospitals and eight clinics. He
manages COVID-19 response through policy decisions and exploring
new treatments while treating the disease in his own patient panel.
“It is weighty from a psychological standpoint, as you try to be a
leader in such an ever-changing, high-stakes environment, knowing
the lives you impact,” said Mueller, who has served as an Augsburg
regent and as the campaign chair of Great Returns: Augsburg’s
Sesquicentennial Campaign. “But every day I walk the halls of our
hospitals and clinics and see the resilience and ingenuity of our sta
who have delivered on the promise of medicine. Nurses greet me
with a smile behind personal protective equipment. They are busy
Paul Mueller ’84 (Courtesy photo)
but feel called and up to this work. With a can-do attitude, we are
caring for patients in the darkest of times, administering novel
treatments, and preparing to safely roll out vaccines.
“We’re still in the thick of it. If you think of it like a marathon, we are at mile marker 19. But if we can
maintain resilience and hope, we will nish the race and be better for it.”—Paul Mueller ’84
“This pandemic has shown us that we all breathe the same air, and it is the one thing that is unifying
our entire planet. While the virus rages on killing people, we continue to see the brilliance of the human
spirit—beacons of hope and optimism, compassion and resilience, integrity and ingenuity.”
Caring for patients, fueling research
Brittany Kimball ’13 is a third-year resident at the
University of Minnesota in internal medicine and
pediatrics. The pandemic has taken its toll on her and
other residents, as expectations are in ux and
workloads are stressful and exhausting. Virtual visits are
di cult because of a lack of internet and personal
connectivity, Kimball said. Loneliness has infected the
hospitals. Last week, Kimball watched a nurse gently care
for a patient isolated from visitors, playing his favorite
music as he died.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly compounded
patients’ conditions. Children are missing well visits and
Brittany Kimball ’13: “Getting my rst COVID-19
vaccine at Masonic Children’s Hospital—which I
encourage everyone to do as soon as it
becomes available to them!” (Courtesy photo)
immunizations. Cancer patients require COVID-19 tests
prior to chemotherapy, sometimes missing a treatment
because they have the virus. Many of my primary care
patients with diabetes are wary of clinic visits, thus
making it harder to [measure doses of] their medications,” said Kimball, who earned a bachelor’s
degree in biology from Augsburg.
“Most troublesome, the pandemic has compounded inequities for already marginalized people. Some
of my patients don’t have internet, while others don’t have access to a regular phone. For some
patients, limited English pro ciency can make getting set up on a virtual platform more di cult.
Brittany Kimball ’13 (left) and her co-resident work at the Minneapolis Veterans A airs Health Care System.
(Courtesy photo)
“Patients dealing with addiction and trying to maintain sobriety have told me that their usual coping
mechanisms—like getting together with other people who are sober or participating in a faith
community—have become inaccessible. For patients living in poverty, balancing virtual school and
frontline jobs has been incredibly stressful and sometimes impossible. It’s often people living in
poverty that are doing frontline work that makes them more likely to be exposed to the virus, like
working in a restaurant, public transit, or in a store.”
“We need to gure out how to make telemedicine more equitable.”—Brittany Kimball ’13
Her dream has long been to be a doctor, so despite the challenges, she pushes on—driven to pursue a
fellowship in hematology-oncology. As a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Kimball is particularly
interested in caring for adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood diseases. “As an 18-yearold in my rst semester at Augsburg, I was guring out dating while bald, chemo after classes, and
trying to study when my brain felt foggy and my body felt sick,” she added. “Sometimes I needed a bit
more guidance and support than a typical adult patient, but not in the same way that a much younger
child might. Teens and young adults don’t t neatly in the pediatric or adult-centered models of care,
and I hope I can make that better.”
Hamdi Adam ’18 is similarly driven to make a di erence. As a
doctoral student of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota,
Adam followed his bachelor’s in biology from Augsburg with a
master’s degree in public health at the University of Minnesota.
Adam studies cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurocognitive
disorders. He is focused on investigating the impact of COVID-19 on
chronic conditions, which can lead to higher risk of mortality,
especially among people with existing risk factors, like high blood
pressure and diabetes.
“At some point down the road, I’ll probably get the chance to utilize
COVID-19 data to assess the relationship between COVID status and
various chronic disease conditions in population-based research
studies and hopefully add valuable and timely information to the
Hamdi Adam ’18 (Courtesy photo)
base of existing literature,” said Adam, who—as a rst-generation
Oromo American—is interested in applying his research to address
health disparities a ecting people of color. “It feels good to know that your studies and work are for
the betterment of people. With research, sometimes you feel like your work is so detached from the
true health problems you are attempting to address, but I like to think that epidemiologic research
provides the basis for informing more direct actions, such as health policy development and e ective
community-based interventions.”
Another researcher, Will Matchett ’13, earned a
doctorate in virology and gene therapy from the Mayo
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He works as a
postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota, where
he will spend up to ve years acquiring training that will
allow him to run his own lab. Between April and August, his
research focused exclusively on developing a SARS-CoV-2
test to measure the speci c antibodies that block the virus
from entering cells. Since September, his focus has shifted
to testing a COVID-19 vaccine being developed at the
University of Minnesota.
Will Matchett ’13 used a plaque assay to
quantify the amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus in a
sample at the University of Minnesota
biosafety lab in August 2020. (Courtesy photo)
Increasing and diversifying COVID-19 testing
Does all the medical terminology sound like a foreign language?
That’s how Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL described her rst few
weeks as the higher education operations lead for Minnesota’s
COVID-19 Testing Work Group. Since 2009, she has worked at
Augsburg, the last six of those years as director for the Sabo Center
for Democracy and Citizenship. But since June, the Sabo Center has
put her “on loan” to Minnesota’s State Emergency Operations Center
to work with a team of experts to launch Minnesota’s testing plan in
collaboration with colleges and universities. Subgroups are assigned
to areas such as long-term care, child care and schools, community
testing, hotspots, case investigation and contact tracing, research,
data, purchasing, and contracts.
Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
“My work at Augsburg prepared me for this role in a variety of ways.
The role is necessarily collaborative and involves recognizing that
di erent people have di erent roles to play and respecting those
di erent perspectives and sets of expertise.”—Elaine Eschenbacher ’18 MAL
“Civic engagement work is like that, too. I’ve also been thinking a lot about the Master of Arts in
Leadership program, which I completed in 2018. This work is like having a master class in leadership
and public health every day.”
In April, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a “moonshot goal” of 20,000 tests per day in the state, at
a time when only about 2,000 tests were being performed daily, Eschenbacher said. The testing work
group increased capacity and made that moonshot goal by the end of June.
“Since then, we’ve been continuing to increase and diversify COVID testing, and make sure that the
people who most need it have access to it. During the week of Thanksgiving, our daily average for
testing across the state was more than 57,000,” she added. “Testing is an important tool in controlling
the spread of COVID-19, and making testing accessible regardless of income or location is an important
equity issue.”
Eschenbacher has spent her days planning and data-modeling as it relates to higher education,
consulting with speci c institutions in the wake of outbreaks, guiding higher education testing, and
organizing partnerships for case investigation and contact-tracing. She facilitates webinars and other
information pieces about saliva testing, serves as state incident commander for community testing
events, and helped coordinate mass testing of 18- to 35-year-olds prior to Thanksgiving. More recently,
she has served as incident commander for a community vaccination site.
“It feels like a cliché to say this, but it is an absolute honor to do this work. We talk a lot about vocation
at Augsburg, and I guess I would say that vocation can sneak up on you. I never would have dreamed
of doing the work I’ve done since June, but it feels like purpose.”
These are only a handful of the Auggies who are living out their passionate purpose to bring an end to
this crushing pandemic and, in the meantime, to soften the blow.
Augsburg stories on COVID-19:
What it takes to ght a pandemic, part 1: Community collaboration and mutual aid
Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through the COVID-19 pandemic
Top Image: Augsburg’s coronavirus guidelines, including face coverings and physical distancing in
classrooms and public places, helped protect Auggies from COVID-19. Professor and Chemistry
Department Chair Joan Kunz instructs in the Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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CONFRONTING THE MINNESOTA PARADOX
Signi cant racial disparities exist in a state with a liberal reputation, but
some are seeking ways to close the gaps
by Gita Sitaramiah
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February 22, 2021
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Robert Harper ’16 remembers the rst time he was called the nword.
His family had moved to Minnesota from the South Side of Chicago,
seeking a better life. Since then, he’s achieved that better life, earning
an undergraduate degree from Augsburg University and a master’s
degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of
Public A airs. He is now a supplier diversity director for the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
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“I think I’ve had a unique experience escaping poverty on the South
Side of Chicago and North Minneapolis, only to be confronted with
the daily decisions made by white people that only re-create those
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circumstances of oppression,” Harper said.
Robert Harper ’16 (Courtesy photo)
While he’s now a working professional in a state that prides itself on
being “Minnesota nice,” Harper never gets too comfortable, recalling that painful moment when he
was walking to middle school and a passing driver shouted the racial epithet at him. More recently, on
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a trip to northern Minnesota, Harper was told while visiting Gull Lake, ‘You don’t belong here,’ by a
white man.
“It’s moments like that when you’re trying to do better, ‘pull yourselves up by your bootstraps,’ that
society reminds you that there’s a glass ceiling for some,” Harper said.
“Some people constantly remind you that they decide how far you go, what rooms you enter, and in
the case of George Floyd, whether or not you live.”—Robert Harper ’16
Exposing the paradox
George Floyd’s murder three miles from Augsburg University put an international spotlight on not only
the experiences of Black people at the hands of the criminal justice system but also the reality of the
disturbing “Minnesota paradox.”
That’s how University of Minnesota Professor Samuel Myers
describes how Minnesota has such a high quality of life and a history
of progressive politicians but is one of the worst places to live for
Black people.
“Measured by racial gaps in unemployment rates, wage and salary
incomes, incarceration rates, arrest rates, home ownership rates,
mortgage lending rates, test scores, reported child maltreatment
rates, school disciplinary and suspension rates, and even drowning
rates, African Americans are worse o in Minnesota than they are in
virtually every other state in the nation,” Myers said.
The numbers illustrate the bleak story:
Samuel Myers (Courtesy photo)
Only 25.3% of Black households in Minnesota own homes
versus 76.9% of white households, according to census data, a
stark divide given that home ownership is considered the leading contributor to household wealth.
The median household income for Black households in the state is the lowest of any group at
$41,570, about half of what Asian and white households earn.
In the Twin Cities, African Americans represent 9% of the overall population, but are incarcerated
at 11 times the rate of whites who represent 76% of the population, the NAACP reported last year.
Only 21.7% of Black people hold bachelor’s degrees or higher versus nearly 40% overall.
Meanwhile, between 2010 and 2018, the fastest growing racial group in Minnesota was the Black
population, which grew by 36%, adding more than 96,500 people.
Many are immigrants but face the same backdrop of a state that hasn’t historically acknowledged that
discrimination plays a role in the Black story here, Myers said.
“When it comes to race in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, there was this instinctive belief that we already
know what the problem is, that it’s not really a problem, and since it’s not a problem, we don’t need to
nd answers,” Myers said.
The COVID-19 pandemic compounded the inequities. The unemployment rate for Black Minnesotans
in the aftermath of pandemic shutdowns rose to 15.3% last July, up 9 percentage points from a year
earlier, versus 6.3% for white workers, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic
Development reported. According to a Pew Research report published in December: “Among Black
Americans, 71% know someone who has been hospitalized or died because of COVID-19.”
Kevin Ehrman-Solberg ’15 (center right) and the Mapping Prejudice Project team found inequities in housing
documents throughout Minneapolis’ history. (Courtesy photo, 2017)
The path to today’s Minneapolis
High pro le police killings of Black men in this region—including George Floyd, Philando Castile, and
Jamar Clark—have heightened the protests and urgency for change. The viral video of Floyd’s murder
with his neck under the knee of a Minneapolis police o cer seemed to dawn a new era in the ght for
justice.
Protesters took to the streets for weeks around the globe. Gra ti images of Floyd sprang up
worldwide, even on a West Bank barrier in the Middle East. CEOs of Fortune 500 corporations in
Minnesota wrote an open letter of outrage. Athletes of all races took the knee before matches to show
their support for racial equity.
In the city of Minneapolis, at the center of the controversy, there was swift action against the o cers,
something unprecedented.
“Despite decades of police incidents that resulted in the deaths of
people of color, today’s actions by the mayor represent the rst time
in modern history that Minneapolis police o cers were red within
24 hours for unjustly murdering a citizen,” said Michael Lansing,
associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s history department, in a
May 26 series of tweets about the Minneapolis Police Department.
(Lansing’s comments on the history of uprisings and Minneapolis
police were also carried by The Washington Post and Mother Jones.)
Now, many are acknowledging the systems that are behind today’s
Minneapolis. Even the South Minneapolis street where George Floyd
was killed is in a historically Black working-class and middle-class
neighborhood created by housing segregation, Lansing said in his
tweet series.
Indeed, Mapping Prejudice Project, a team of community members,
Associate Professor Michael
Lansing (Photo by Stephen Ge re)
geographers, and historians based at the University of Minnesota,
have unearthed thousands of racial covenants in Minneapolis that reserved land for the exclusive use
of white people.
Those restrictions served as powerful obstacles for people of color seeking safe and a ordable
housing. Racial covenants, dovetailed with redlining and predatory lending practices, depressed
homeownership rates for Black residents. They also limited access to community resources like schools
and parks.
While contemporary white residents of Minneapolis like to think their city never had formal
segregation, those racial covenants did the work of Jim Crow in the Twin Cities, said Kevin EhrmanSolberg ’15, a co-founder of Mapping Prejudice.
“The reputation of Minneapolis is that it’s a liberal bastion, yet there’s a racist reality that people live
in.”—Kevin Ehrman-Solberg ’15
Professor William Green (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Looking forward with a pragmatic lens
While the period following George Floyd’s murder looked like a change moment, Augsburg University’s
M. Anita Gay Hawthorne Professor of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies William Green worries that
the momentum started to diminish as the summer progressed. “The challenge that we face is to do the
hard work to de ne what change means, and second, how to get at the root of the problems that lead
to disparities in society.”
Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan Weinhagen
looks ahead to the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder
and to the question of how much progress has been made in raising
awareness about and working to eliminate the disparities
experienced by people of color.
“[Closing the racial divide] is not going to be resolved in a year. It’s
going to take more time, but it’s going to have to be far more rapid
than anything we’ve done to date.”—Jonathan Weinhagen
The implications of these disparities are wide-reaching, with
government o cials and the business community concerned that a
growing population that isn’t able to fully participate in or bene t
from the economy will threaten the vitality of the state as a whole.
Jonathan Weinhagen (Courtesy
photo)
“To have a large and growing part of our economy be marginalized is a huge disadvantage to all of us
because it takes a huge part of the population out,” said Susan Brower, Minnesota’s demographer.
The NAACP’s 48-page Twin Cities Economic Inclusion Plan issued in 2019 calls for a comprehensive,
multi-pronged policy agenda anchored by ve basic principles: economic sustainability, education,
health, public safety and criminal justice, and voter rights and political representation.
The role of education
Many are looking to young people to be the lasting change.
The nonpro t Generation Next in Minneapolis has emerged to support children from “cradle to
career,” envisioning a future in which “every child has the academic, social, and emotional skills to
thrive in a globally uent world.”
Alan Page, retired Minnesota Supreme Court justice, and Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, proposed in 2020 amending Minnesota’s constitution to give every child
a civil right to a quality public education. They de ne the current approach as a system that works well
for children from well-to-do families but fails children from low-income families.
“A quality education is without question the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty
and create a society in which everyone can fully participate,” Kashkari and Page wrote in the Star
Tribune. “It doesn’t just change one child’s life. It has the potential to improve the future for
generations to come and lead to a more productive, vibrant society for all of us.”
Meanwhile, Augsburg University is positioned to be a statewide leader in the turnaround, with years of
intentional work on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I certainly feel that higher education is the clearest
path to a middle-class life or better,” Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow said.
Augsburg University's Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Augsburg’s e orts to address disparities and work
toward equity
After the murder of George Floyd only a few miles from campus, Augsburg University introduced in
June the Justice for George Floyd Initiatives to focus on working to heal the community, creating
leadership and structures that make tangible change, and ensuring accountability for the work of
undoing racist systems.
New e orts were introduced to combat systemic racism, including a critical race and ethnicity studies
department; diversity, equity, and inclusion training; and a requirement that all faculty and sta
complete antiracism training. Augsburg also canceled classes and suspended operations June 4 and 5
so students, faculty, and sta could have an opportunity to grieve.
“We acknowledge the pain, fear, and trauma faced by the Augsburg community—especially our
students, faculty, and sta of color—remain a lived reality every day,” Pribbenow said. “This work by
Augsburg will be persistent, resolute, courageous, and integrated into everything the university does.”
This ongoing work includes several components:
Augsburg named William Green, professor of history, the inaugural holder of the M. Anita Gay
Hawthorne professorship of critical race and ethnic studies.
The university is employing new accountability for inclusive, antiracist leadership across the
institution and reviewing Augsburg’s major academic and administrative policies and practices with
a special focus on undoing bias and discrimination and enhancing student success.
Augsburg created a scholarship in memory of George Floyd and established a fund that matched
donations from students, faculty, and sta for organizations doing important work, especially for
Black-owned businesses and nonpro t organizations.
Augsburg appointed the rst Chief Diversity O cer, Joanne K. Reeck, in 2016 and became home
in 2019 to The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, the nation’s largest workplace diversity, equity, and
inclusion conference.
These moves are an important continuation of Augsburg’s e orts to build and maintain an equitable
and inclusive campus that became a strategic focus in 2006, resulting in Augsburg welcoming its most
diverse incoming rst-year class ever in 2017. Students of color are now in the majority of traditional
undergraduates, making Augsburg one of the most diverse private colleges in the Midwest.
As Augsburg is learning in its own community, Minnesota’s multifaceted disparities require a
multifaceted approach that summons individual and collective willpower to align impact with intent.
Despite Harper’s success after graduating from Augsburg, he views the disparate outcomes as a call to
action, even forming his own economic development consulting rm, R.D.T.H Consulting, focused on
social impact in addition to his day job. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Top Image: Minneapolis is a city with a liberal reputation, but racial disparities persist. (Photo by
Courtney Perry)
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STAY THE COURSE: OFF-AND-ON SPORTS
SEASONS PROVE AUGGIE STUDENTATHLETES’ RESILIENCE
After a pause on competitions due to COVID-19, Auggies are ready to get
back in the game
by Kate Norlander
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February 22, 2021
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The COVID-19 pandemic put a major pause on 2020’s athletic competitions. The Minnesota
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postponed the fall sports season. In January the league announced
plans for a modi ed winter season for basketball, hockey, indoor track and eld, and swimming and
diving (though it’s not o cially part of the MIAC, wrestling will follow the same guidelines). Auggies
can’t wait to get back in the game.
Many student-athletes have been practicing their sports since elementary school. During the past year,
the pandemic disrupted participation in activities that have been important to their lives. But
Augsburg’s Athletics sta and student-athletes have met this challenge with a commitment to the
health and safety of the community. This willingness to put safety rst means that student-athletes
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are now able to compete.
In order for student-athletes to participate in sports this year, the NCAA created rules designed to
promote safety. Augsburg Athletics also made sure that strong safety measures were in place, which
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has helped students feel a bit more at ease during an anxious time.
Devon Hannah ’21, a guard on the men’s basketball team, said,
“We have the freedom to decide whether or not we feel comfortable
with an activity. The Athletics Department is handling this well,
keeping us safe physically and mentally, too.”
Coaches play an important role in student-athletes’ lives, which
means they are often among the rst people to learn when a
student receives a positive COVID-19 test result. This means that
they are not only helping students develop skills in their sport; they
are also watching out for the safety of their team.
Devon Hannah ’21 (Courtesy
photo)
Corrina Evans ’21, a middle blocker on the women’s volleyball team,
said, “The coaches and trainers are sharing campus resources like
the Center for Wellness and Counseling. They have check-in times
when we can talk about anything, and they will call or text us: doing
contact tracing, helping us understand how to quarantine correctly
if we have to do that, and making sure we have everything we need.”
Changes to practice and
competition
Corrina Evans ’21 (Courtesy
photo)
Even with precautionary measures in place, there are times when
teams have to pause their practice, whether a teammate tested
positive for COVID-19 or a rising number of cases in Minnesota required universities to temporarily
close workout and sports facilities, which occurred in the fall and early winter.
Read more about Auggies ghting the pandemic.
When they’re able to practice, Augsburg’s student-athletes gather in pods that have gradually
increased in size as they were safely able to do so. While the smallest pods have allowed students to
practice their sports safely and to control the spread of the virus, they’ve also presented a challenge.
“It’s di cult to get to know each other and to gel as a team,” Hannah said.
“Practices are very di erent,” said Evans. “You can’t see people’s faces because of the masks. But we’ve
been able to move up into bigger pods, which gives us a more normal team chemistry and allows us to
have a full team practice and do some scrimmaging. The challenges are more mental than physical.”
In early January, the MIAC gave teams the go-ahead to compete again, although competitions are
limited and spectators are not allowed. (Augsburg has o ered free livestream viewing for all home
events and some road events.) Students in sports that present a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission
must get tested three times each week in order to practice and compete—measures well worth it for
eager players and coaches. “It’s exciting to be able to get back to playing and feel in the groove again,”
said Colleen Enrico ’14, assistant athletic director, volleyball assistant coach, and Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee advisor.
Melissa Lee ’04 (left), assistant athletic director and softball head coach, leads softball practice in Augsburg’s
dome in February 2021. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Prioritizing mental health
Augsburg Athletics had already begun addressing the mental health of student-athletes before the
pandemic. In the summer of 2019, all coaches and sta took an eight-hour course in mental health rst
aid, which can provide support for student-athletes and coaches until they can speak with mental
health professionals.
Mark Wick, men’s hockey assistant coach, has recently taken on new, temporary duties at Augsburg
as he sets up a mental health advocacy program for Augsburg Athletics. “We need to know how to deal
with what is happening now, but in ve to 10 years, people still will be dealing with losing jobs or loved
ones,” Wick said. “Hopefully it won’t be as bad as it is now, but how we use this time can help prepare
us for growth.”
Augsburg University
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and
@AugsburgU Assistant Hockey Coach @coachwick23 will
hold a golf tournament to raise awareness, as this
subject is very personal to him. “It’s OK to reach out and
ask for help,” Wick told @WCCO.
Augsburg Assistant Hockey Coach Mark Wick's Push For Suicide Awa…
September is Suicide Awareness Month. And on Tuesday, Augsburg
University assistant hockey coach Mark Wick will hold a golf …
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Fostering the Auggie Experience
Enrico reported that in past years, student-athletes met with the entire team sta on a weekly basis,
but this year they are meeting with a di erent coach each week. This allows them to be more open and
build better relationships with their coaches. As in past years, coaches touch base with students about
their lives outside of their sport so that, for instance, if they are struggling with classes, the coach can
suggest resources for help. This year coaches are also making a point of paying attention to upcoming
events so that they can suggest activities that might help student-athletes better connect with their
fellow students.
It’s been a tough year for everyone, and that has been particularly true for rst-year students who
were unable to participate in many traditional activities at the end of their senior year in high school
and now have begun their college experience under di cult conditions. For that reason, Enrico said,
coaches have made a point of connecting third- and fourth-year students with rst-year and other
new students.
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Di erent teams have di erent approaches to these connections. In volleyball, coaches have suggested
podcasts that each student can discuss with a di erent teammate each week. “We want them to get
outside of volleyball, so the podcasts might be on topics such as banking or racial diversity,” Enrico
said.
Fostering these connections—between teammates, between each student-athlete and coach, and
between student-athletes and the wider Augsburg community—is, perhaps, one of the most
important things coaches can do for their student-athletes this year. All of them help these students
feel a sense of community. In Enrico’s words, “the Auggie experience is community.”
Top image: The COVID-19 pandemic has required temporary closures and reopenings of workout
spaces, including Augsburg’s weight room, with students’ health in mind. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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AUGSBURG’S IN-HOUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIST
GUIDES AUGGIES THROUGH THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC
On the Spot Q&A with Associate Professor Alicia Quella
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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Remember those days of uncertainty in March 2020, when we had
more questions than answers, and before most of us used terms like
“coronavirus” and “social distancing”?
The United States saw an increase in COVID-19 infections, and some
states—including Minnesota—applied stay-at-home orders to mitigate
the spread. Weeks before that in ection point, Augsburg University
administrators, faculty, and sta convened a COVID-19 task force.
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Not all educational institutions have an epidemiologist on sta , but
Augsburg is fortunate. One of the task force’s principal leaders is Alicia
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Quella, associate professor and director of Augsburg’s physician
assistant program. As an educator with a PhD in epidemiology and
experience in public health settings around the world, her expertise
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has proved invaluable for the university’s grasp of the evolving global
crisis and Augsburg’s response to maintain the health and safety of
community members.
Associate Professor Alicia Quella
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
Between elding student questions about the coronavirus, volunteering at COVID-19 testing sites, and
ensuring the Augsburg community can trace contacts and reduce transmission on campus, Quella shared
some perspectives on her work and where we go from here.
Q: How have you been involved in Augsburg’s outbreak planning
and COVID-19 response?
A: I serve on the pandemic task force, a university-wide team of people that assembled after it was
apparent that COVID-19 would signi cantly a ect institutions of higher education across the United States.
We collaborate regularly with epidemiologists from the Minnesota Department of Health to implement
public health guidelines for campuses. We started to meet daily to coordinate issues involving classrooms
and labs, athletics, residence halls, dining services, facilities, and global education. We started a COVID-19
Response Team, which comprises sta and faculty across campus who implement health protocols and
support students and personnel who have illness, have COVID-19, or have been exposed to it.
R.John
@raccajohn
Neither rain nor SNOW can keep @AugsburgU's Dr. Alicia
Quella from working the walk-up/drive-up COVID-19
testing location @PeoplesCenter Cedar Riverside Clinic
1:50 AM · Oct 21, 2020
3
See the latest COVID-19 information on Twitter
Q: What were your rst thoughts when you heard about COVID19 and considered its implications for the Augsburg community?
A: When news of a novel coronavirus was circulating in China, I was immediately concerned because I had
studied the epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) during my doctoral work
through the University of Iowa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. In 2003, SARS quickly spread to 29
countries, so I knew that this would be a major issue in the United States.
Q: At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the most
important things for the public to understand and do?
A: To reach herd immunity [when a signi cant portion of a community is immune to a disease and thereby
makes spread unlikely] we all need to continue to ‘bubble’ and limit the number of close contacts, wear face
masks, socially distance, and get vaccinated.
I also encourage the students and my patients to be creative and nd ways to keep active and engaged—
start a new hobby, do something outdoors, and reach out to relatives and friends who may be isolated
right now.
Q: What do you see in the post-COVID-19 world?
A: Colleges and universities have seen a rapid di usion of innovation in how they are using technology to
deliver curriculum, participate in athletics, and maintain operations. This energy and innovation will have to
continue to promote widespread vaccine uptake. Vaccine hesitancy is an issue, especially in communities of
color that have been disproportionately a ected by COVID-19 because of structural racism. Augsburg will
need to make this a top priority moving forward.
Q: What’s a memorable moment of the past year that made an
impact on you?
A: As an epidemiologist and a physician assistant, I’ve had the opportunity to continue to see patients and
work with Augsburg students, sta , and faculty. I recently received the COVID-19 vaccine and have felt
humbled and honored to now be able to continue to work more safely in the community.
Top image: Associate Professor Alicia Quella’s experience as an epidemiologist has helped maintain the health and
safety of the Augsburg community. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
Read more Augsburg stories on COVID-19.
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NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW:
COME AND SEE!
by Paul C. Pribbenow
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February 22, 2021
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In the Christian church, the liturgical season before Lent is called
Epiphany, a time when we re ect on the good news that God has
broken into human history and that we are called to share that good
news with all of creation. There is a wonderful invitational character to
Epiphany, in which we ask each other and our neighbors to “Come and
see” all that God is doing in our midst.
In that spirit, this issue of Augsburg Now invites all of us to come
and see what the Augsburg community is doing in its 151st academic
year, in the midst of a global pandemic, to live out our mission. In
these pandemic times, Augsburg students, faculty, and sta have
brought great imagination, resilience, and courage to our work
together. I am so proud of what they have accomplished, and I invite
you to come and see …
Come and see the gift of the surprises we found in how we teach and
learn, how we keep our community and neighborhood safe and
President Paul Pribbenow (Photo by
Courtney Perry)
healthy, how we live out our most deeply held commitments and
values, and how we are open to new and innovative ways of living and working.
Paul Pribbenow
@paulpribbenow
I’m out and about, delivering yard signs to the
@AugsburgU Class of 2024! Here’s Vanessa - a proud
new Auggie. #augsburgbold #auggiepride
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4:13 PM · Jun 30, 2020
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Come and see how we answered the call to serve our neighbors even when we must navigate the
challenges of a virus, economic disruption, and racial reckoning. Our focus on supporting local businesses,
meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness, ensuring that all of our students have the
resources they need to be successful, and nding ways to feed the hungry—all these illustrate how our
community embraces its commitments to our neighbors.
Come and see the promise of abundance in a time and world too often characterized by scarcity. We believe
deeply in what the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone proclaimed: “We all do better when we all do better.”
Our abiding commitments to equity and inclusion—and our aspiration to be an anti-racist university—lead
us to robust engagement with each other and with the wider community so that all will do better.
Augsburg University is a distinctive community, de ning in its life and work a vision for higher education in
the 21st century. I am deeply grateful for the support of alumni and friends, whose generosity and
engagement help us live into our vision to educate Auggies as stewards of an inclusive democracy. Come
and see.
Faithfully yours,
Paul C. Pribbenow, President
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AUGSBURG BOARD OF REGENTS WELCOMES
NEW AND REELECTED MEMBERS
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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The Augsburg University Board of Regents meeting in October 2020 included celebration of the
election of new and continuing regents.
James Hereford and Veena Iyer were elected to their rst four-year terms.
Nick Gangestad ’86, Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, Jill Nelson Thomas, and Noya
Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW were elected to second four-year terms.
Pam Moksnes ’79 was elected to a third four-year term.
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Finally, Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson and Bishop Ann Svennungsen were appointed to serve
three-year terms as ex o cio members of the board.
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Nick Gangestad ’86
James Hereford
Veena Iyer
Pam Moksnes ’79
Jill Nelson Thomas
Laurie Skow-Anderson
Ann Svennungsen
Marlene Whiterabbit
Helgemo
Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94
MSW
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AUGSBURG’S RECENT AWARDS, RANKINGS,
AND RECOGNITION
by Briana Alamilla '17
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Each year, Augsburg University is recognized for its academic excellence, student-centered community, and
commitment to educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders.
Augsburg’s recent awards and rankings include:
2020 Best Colleges by Money
Most Transformative Colleges
2020–21 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®
2020 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities, Midwest region by Campus Pride
Top 30 in the Country
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2020 Best Colleges For Financial Aid by LendEDU
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79th in the United States
2nd in Minnesota
2020 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Minnesota by BestValueSchools.com
2021 Best Universities, Midwest region by U.S. News & World Report
3rd in Most Innovative Schools
4th in Campus Ethnic Diversity
7th in Undergraduate Teaching
14th in Best Colleges for Veterans
15th in Best Value
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Augsburg University’s Department of Business Administration was recently accredited for the
undergraduate and Master of Business Administration programs.
View more of Augsburg’s awards and rankings.
Top image: Augsburg’s Hagfors Center. (Photo by Courtney Perry)
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PLAYWRIGHTS’ CENTER PARTNERS WITH
AUGSBURG TO OFFER COURSES WITH
LEADING PLAYWRIGHTS
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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The Playwrights’ Center and Augsburg University announced a new partnership to o er accredited courses
taught by the nation’s leading playwrights. Through online courses, students connect with peers and faculty
members from across the United States. The courses, o ered through Augsburg’s Center for Global
Education and Experience, are guided by Augsburg’s Theater Department in conjunction with the
Playwrights’ Center.
“With these courses, students will learn with and from writers at the top of their eld, seeing what it takes to
have pieces published and performed,” said Patrick Mulvihill, Augsburg’s assistant provost for global
education and experience, in an interview with Broadway World.
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Top image: An Augsburg student tours the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. (Photo by Stephen Ge re)
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30th NSF grant, continues space weather study
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PROFESSOR EMERITUS MARK
ENGEBRETSON RECEIVES 30TH NSF GRANT,
CONTINUES SPACE WEATHER STUDY
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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Mark Engebretson, Augsburg University professor emeritus of
physics, received a ve-year grant totaling $805,744 from the National
Science Foundation (Award Number 2013648).
This grant supports the continued operation and data analysis of the
Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies, which is used to study
near-Earth space weather, such as solar winds that may disrupt
communication and navigation systems. It represents the 30th
research study on which Engebretson has served as the principal
investigator through NSF funding.
Engebretson has led several research projects—including some with
Augsburg student-researchers—studying ionospheric and space
physics in collaboration with European and NASA satellite programs.
Nearly 100 Augsburg students have gained paid research experience
working on these research projects.
Professor Emeritus Mark
Engebretson (Photo by Stephen Ge re)
Engebretson has authored or coauthored more than 300 scholarly
research articles on topics related to space weather.
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Tribune, and Minnesota Urban Debate League
cosponsor justice reform essay contest
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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AND LYNX,
STAR TRIBUNE, AND MINNESOTA URBAN
DEBATE LEAGUE COSPONSOR JUSTICE
REFORM ESSAY CONTEST
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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In Fall 2020, Augsburg University’s Minnesota Urban Debate League joined the Star Tribune news company
and the Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves professional basketball teams in cosponsoring a
youth essay contest focused on criminal justice reform.
Minnesota students ages 10 to 18 were invited to submit a written essay, video, or audio recording that
described local or national changes that could reduce racial injustice and inequities in the criminal justice
system. MNUDL determined the top 10 entries, which were judged by a panel of coaches from the
Timberwolves and Lynx and representatives from local organizations, including MN Rise and The
Minneapolis Foundation.
Editor’s note: Winning submissions were announced February 27 in the Star Tribune.
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AUGSBURG AWARDED $10,000
MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION GRANT
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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In September 2020, the Minneapolis Foundation announced that it would award more than $500,000 in
grants to 40 organizations in the Twin Cities. Following the increased public dialogue about public safety
after the killing of George Floyd, the grants aim to reduce violence, address systemic inequities, and provide
community support.
The Minneapolis Foundation’s Fund for Safe Communities awarded $10,000 to Augsburg University to
elevate the voices of middle- and high-school students through debate on the topic of criminal justice
reform. Other grant recipients are organizations working to support art projects, mediation, mental health
services, civil rights education, and community healing while addressing police violence and public safety.
Top image: Demonstrators in Summer 2020 marched with a banner that was created as a part of Augsburg’s
One Day in May art campaign. (Photo by Leon Wang)
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AUGSBURG LAUNCHES THE CENTER FOR
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
by Kate Norlander
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This fall, Augsburg University launched the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which advances
education and support for Augsburg students and alumni in the disciplines of innovation,
entrepreneurship, and leadership.
The center’s focus is on the practice and psychology of innovation and entrepreneurship. Cory Erickson, an
instructor in Augsburg’s Master of Business Administration program, leads the center.
The center provides practical educational material for Augsburg students and alumni through a variety of
events and activities. These opportunities include:
a speaker series
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cooperative projects between student teams and local companies
support for students who are building organizations that impact social causes through innovation
and entrepreneurship
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support for student entrepreneurs
the creation of student teams drawn from the science and business departments to solve problems
for new startups
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student contests o ering awards and potential funding for new ventures
research and scholarship through a think tank
the promotion of internships for students in the for-pro t, nonpro t, and government sectors.
Top image: Instructor Cory Erickson leads the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
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FACULTY MEMBERS WILLIAM GREEN AND
TIMOTHY PIPPERT ASSUME NEW
PROFESSORSHIPS
by John Weirick
February 22, 2021
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Professor of History William Green was named the inaugural M. Anita
Gay Hawthorne Professor of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies, e ective
September 1, 2020. The position was created on the recommendation of a
working group of students, faculty, and sta who developed a vision for a
new academic department in critical race and ethnicity studies at
Augsburg University.
Related: Professor William Green comments on “Confronting the Minnesota
paradox”
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Professor of Sociology Timothy Pippert was named the inaugural holder
of the Joel Torstenson Endowed Professorship, e ective September 1,
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2020. This professorship is made possible through the generosity of Mark
Johnson ’75, who also supports the university’s Torstenson Scholars
program.
Top image: Professor Timothy Pippert teaches a sociology class in
Hagfors Center. (Photos by Courtney Perry)
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Augsburg awarded $10,000 Minneapolis
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NSF GRANTS AUGSBURG $3 MILLION FOR
STEM STUDENTS
by Kate Norlander
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Augsburg University will receive $3,075,000 of a $5 million grant award from the National Science
Foundation to support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students who are
pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (often referred to as
STEM).
The project will provide scholarships, internships, and research experiences for nearly 200 students over a
ve-year period beginning in the 2020–21 academic year at Augsburg, Century College, Minneapolis College,
and Normandale Community College. These institutions will work together to provide seamless pathways
for students to transfer from two-year to four-year STEM programs.
Scholarships of $7,500 to $10,000 will be awarded to students pursuing majors in biology, chemistry,
computer science, engineering, food science, mathematics, and physics. These students will be connected to
internships and research experiences through partner organizations SciTech, UpTurnships, and MnDRIVE,
as well as through Augsburg’s undergraduate research programs.
This is the third phase of a program initiated by Augsburg and funded by the NSF. Grants in the prior phases
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funded scholarships for 111 STEM students, 100% of whom graduated and went on to pursue careers or
continue their education in STEM elds.
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The project will be led by Rebekah Dupont, Augsburg’s director of STEM programs and associate professor
of mathematics, working in collaboration with principal investigators from the other participating
institutions.
Top image: Associate Professor Rebekah Dupont is director of STEM programs at Augsburg. (Courtesy
photo)
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AUGSBURG HOSTS BOLD NEW SPEAKER
SERIES
by Stephen Jendraszak
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February 22, 2021
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Augsburg Bold is a series of initiatives designed to help Augsburg University students continue to
thrive during the pandemic and to enjoy the distinctive experience o ered at Augsburg.
As part of that work, during Fall 2020, the university quad was set up as a physically distanced outdoor
seminar room, enabling up to 60 attendees to take part in a series of remarkable presentations. All
presentations were also livestreamed via Zoom.
R.John
@raccajohn
Thank you, @GovTimWalz and @GwenWalz for
sharing your thoughts on servant leadership with
@AugsburgU today. #AugsburgBold
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5:15 PM · Oct 5, 2020
7
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Students had the opportunity to hear from several speakers:
Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP spoke about her work building relationships with those in our
community who are experiencing homelessness and helping to ensure that their basic needs for
food, shelter, and health care are met.
Olivia House ’20 discussed the summer of resistance by Black youth.
Jodi Harpstead, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, spoke about
what she’s learned through her work during the pandemic.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Gwen Walz discussed their experience in education and
leadership.
Watch recordings of selected speakers at augsburg.edu/bold.
‹
›
Augsburg Bold speakers included Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP, and Gov. Tim Walz and Gwen Walz.
Students, sta , and faculty attended the socially distanced events on Augsburg’s campus or watched
the livestream online. (Photos by Rebecca Slater)
Top image: Augsburg’s quad was decorated for the Augsburg Bold speaker series. (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
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FORUM ON WORKPLACE INCLUSION TO
HOST FIRST VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
by Stephen Jendraszak
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The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, based at Augsburg University, will host its 33rd annual conference as a
virtual event March 8–12, 2021.
Workplaces have struggled during the past year to navigate a digital, distanced work environment brought
on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, social protests centered around racism and the unjust
deaths of Black people at the hands of police have also brought greater attention to overwhelming
disparities in economics, education, health care, housing, and public safety.
This year, the forum asks: What will it take to start a workplace revolution that moves us from talk to
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action?
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Learn more and register to attend at forumworkplaceinclusion.org.
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AUGSBURG HOMECOMING (AT A DISTANCE)
by Briana Alamilla '17
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February 22, 2021
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Homecoming 2020 celebrations looked a little di erent than previous years. Though social gatherings were
restricted, the Augsburg Student Activities Council found creative ways to celebrate with a series of events
during the week of September 21—some virtual and some physically distanced:
Cider and canvas: Spread out in the quad, students created paintings in the style of artist Bob Ross.
Create your own PopSocket: Participants made their own Augsburg-branded phone grip accessories.
Drag and lip sync battle: Students competed by submitting videos of themselves lip-syncing to a song.
Movie night: The lm “Queen & Slim” was screened in the quad.
Homecoming royalty coronation ceremony: Homecoming court members were announced and
royalty were crowned.
Top image: Students participate in an outdoor event sponsored by the Augsburg Student Activities Council.
(Photo by Courtney Perry)
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Cedar-Riverside supply drives support
neighborhood
Forum on Workplace Inclusion to host rst
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CEDAR-RIVERSIDE SUPPLY DRIVES SUPPORT
NEIGHBORHOOD
by Briana Alamilla '17
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February 22, 2021
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The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the damage some businesses experienced following the murder of
George Floyd, put a strain on Augsburg’s Twin Cities community as many local stores temporarily closed
and access to public transportation was reduced. In June and August, Augsburg University organized supply
drives in partnership with the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
Drivers in more than 550 cars participated in the supply drives, and their donations were delivered to the
Brian Coyle Center through several dozen trips.
“This is our community; this is our neighborhood,” one volunteer said. “So when our neighbors are hurting,
we step forward and do what we can to help.”
Read more about Auggies’ e orts to support the community: “What it takes to ght a pandemic.”
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Augsburg’s supply drive was a success! Thank you to all
who donated and volunteered to help out our so loved
Cedar-Riverside community. It is in times like these
where we must all come together as the thoughtful
stewards that we are. #AuggiePride
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9:51 PM · Jun 1, 2020
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Top image: Auggies collected donations for the Twin Cities community in Summer 2020. (Photo by Joe Mann)
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Scholarship recipients
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AUGSBURG NAMES GEORGE FLOYD
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
by Briana Alamilla '17
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Augsburg University created the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, which is designed to support
outstanding third- and fourth-year students who have a strong understanding of Black experiences
and U.S. history while showing leadership in advancing racial justice e orts. Each selected student
received a $5,000 scholarship.
Augsburg named the ve inaugural scholarship recipients:
Aisha Abdi ’21 is majoring in management information systems and marketing.
Quran Al-Hameed ’21 is majoring in psychology.
Mallory Ferguson ’21 is majoring in communication studies.
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Kaltun Hassan ’22 is majoring in computer science.
Nadirah McGill ’21 is majoring in music business.
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Aisha Abdi ’21, management
information systems and marketing
Quran Al-Hameed ’21, psychology
Kaltun Hassan ’22, computer science
Nadirah McGill ’21, music business
(Courtesy photo)
Mallory Ferguson ’21, communication
studies
Read more about Augsburg’s Equity and Inclusion Initiatives.
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with virtual campus tour
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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND THEIR
FAMILIES ENGAGE WITH VIRTUAL CAMPUS
TOUR
Multimedia platform o ers a glimpse of Augsburg from afar
by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA
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For the past year, Augsburg University’s virtual tour has
showcased the Minneapolis campus’ facilities and resources as it
has been challenging to conduct in-person visits due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. As a multimedia interactive map with
photos and videos, the virtual tour simulates an on-the-ground
campus experience. The virtual tour o ers a look at Augsburg’s
residence halls and athletic facilities, details about academic
buildings and green spaces, and a peek inside performance
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venues and practice rooms. The virtual tour launched in March
2020 to help out-of-state and international populations visualize
the campus.
From its launch in March,
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2020, through February 1,
Check out the virtual tour at augsburg.university-tour.com.
2021, the virtual tour has
had 32,421 visitors. The top
states visitors are from are
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Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and
California.
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Augsburg TRIO/Student Support Services earns
fth consecutive U.S. Department of Education
grant
Augsburg names George Floyd Memorial
Scholarship recipients
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AUGSBURG TRIO/STUDENT SUPPORT
SERVICES EARNS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT
by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA
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The U.S. Department of Education announced that Augsburg University was awarded a federal Student
Support Services ve-year grant of nearly $300,000 annually to help more students succeed in and graduate
from college. This is the fth TRIO/SSS grant awarded to Augsburg, which has hosted the project since 2001.
Each year, Augsburg TRIO/SSS serves about 160 undergraduate students.
The TRIO/SSS program is designed for students who are the rst in their families to attend post-secondary
education, students who are low income, or students with disabilities. The grant funds an array of services
including academic skill development, academic advising, tutoring, nancial aid advice, and nancial literacy.
“Augsburg TRIO/SSS has established a reputation for helping students navigate
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higher education to achieve their academic goals,” said Aly Olson, director of
Augsburg TRIO/SSS.
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“Students know their TRIO advisor is looking out for their best interests and
helps them through the tough decisions of college life. We are thrilled to be able
to continue this important work at Augsburg.” —Aly Olson
Aly Olson (Photo by Courtney
Perry)
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The federal government contributes about 70% of the funds needed to
support Augsburg’s TRIO/SSS project. The university contributes the remaining program funds.
Top image: Brooklyn Jones ’22, clinical psychology major and sociology minor, attends a Summer Bridge
class in 2019. (Photo by Bob Stack ’71)
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Augsburg receives grants for equity in education
and remote learning
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AUGSBURG RECEIVES GRANTS FOR EQUITY
IN EDUCATION AND REMOTE LEARNING
by Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA
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This fall, Augsburg University received $250,000 in grant funding from the State of Minnesota to address
equity in education and remote learning needs among students of color, Indigenous students, and those
who are disabled or low-income.
The funds came through two awards under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief grant. One award
provided direct aid to teacher candidates who needed to pay unexpected costs posed by the pandemic
during their student teaching semester and coursework.
The second award was geared toward making hardware and software available to more students to
support them in their switch to online learning. This support included additional laptops for checkout,
noise-cancelling headphones, digital tablets for art and math courses, training resources for successful
online learning, new digital video resources in the library, and captioning of instructional videos to increase
accessibility. The GEER grant program was a redistribution of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act funds.
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View more grants news.
Top image: A redistribution of federal CARES Act funds provided support for Augsburg students’ online
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In memoriam, Winter 2020–21
Augsburg TRIO/Student Support Services earns
fth consecutive U.S. Department of Education
grant
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IN MEMORIAM, WINTER 2020–21
Remembering and honoring Auggies
by Amanda Symes '09, '15 MFA
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Below we recognize the alumni and friends whose noti cations of death were received between March 1,
2020, and January 1, 2021.
1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970| 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | Faculty
1940s
Fern L. (Hanson) Gudmestad ’41, Minneapolis, age 101, on June 3.
Wayne E. Peterson ’43, Palm City, Florida, age 99, on November 14.
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Thelma I. (Erickson) Mckenzie ’44, Hollandale, Wisconsin, age 96, on July 1.
Helen V. (Odden) Pederson ’45, Spooner, Wisconsin, age 96, on May 5.
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Doris K. (Larson) Walen ’45, Alamo, North Dakota, age 97, on October 3.
Martha E. Fosse Palmquist ’46, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 96, on November 22.
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Lowell O. Larson ’47, Claremont, California, age 95, on May 10.
Arnold J. Oie ’47, Glencoe, Minnesota, age 96, on August 1.
Margery A. (Manger) Torgerson ’47, Circle Pines, Minnesota, age 94, on March 30.
Esther P. (Bakken) Crosby ’48, Moorhead, Minnesota, age 95, on June 19.
John E. Hanson ’48, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 93, on October 1.
Jean A. (Tibke) Vane ’48, Visalia, California, age 93, on October 20.
John F. Anderson ’49, Minneapolis, age 96, on December 22.
June (Carlson) Gustafson ’49, Lincoln, Nebraska, age 92, on September 28.
1950s
Louis L. Ennen ’50, Dublin, Ohio, age 94, on July 7.
Lilian J. (Johnson) Ingersoll ’50, Lexington, South Carolina, age 96, on June 5.
Phillip A. Quanbeck ’50, Maple Grove, Minnesota, age 93, on December 1.
Mary L. (Johnson) Froiland ’50, Iron River, Wisconsin, age 91, on October 22.
Orville E. Meland ’51, River Falls, Wisconsin, age 93, on October 27.
Caroline J. (Borsheim) Melhus’ 51, Minneapolis, age 90, on May 31.
Arvid D. Dixen ’52, Minneapolis, age 89, on May 20.
Harold J. Hansen ’52, Normandy Park, Washington, age 90, on April 17.
Luther J. Larson ’52, Sparta, Wisconsin, age 89, on July 6.
Mildred A. Nelson ’52, Minneapolis, age 91, December 5.
Alvin H. Nygard ’52, Fargo, North Dakota, age 96, on July 31.
Yvonne M. (Bagley) Olson ’52, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 88, on March 16.
Orville L. Olson ’52, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 89, on June 6.
Ronald A. Berge ’53, West Fargo, North Dakota, age 88, on March 15.
Robert O. Bruder ’53, Minneapolis, age 91, on August 9.
Donald V. Dillon ’53, Minneapolis, age 89, on July 17.
Kent B. Quanbeck ’53, McVille, North Dakota, age 90, on April 6.
Gloria M. (Halverson) Boyum ’54, Kenyon, Minnesota, age 88, on December 19.
George W. Fisher ’54, Lexington, South Carolina, age 88, on May 11.
Wallace L. Hafstad ’54, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 88, on March 30.
Janis R. (Larson) Hanson ’54, Canby, Minnesota, age 92, on October 2.
Vivian (Waisanen) Ryden ’54, Northglenn, Colorado, age 87, on May 4.
Richard M. Hagestuen ’55, Bismarck, North Dakota, age 87, on October 28.
Robert M. Herman ’55, Minneapolis, age 86, on June 8.
Vicent Peterson ’55, Hutchinson, Minnesota, age 87, on November 11.
Richard H. Stensrud ’55, Mesa, Arizona, age 87, on August 25.
LeRoy E. Nevin ’56, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 86, on June 7.
R. Luther Olson ’56, Tucson, Arizona, age 84, on August 27.
Bruce W. Rorvig ’56, Kalispell, Montana, age 85, on August 18.
Duane J. Solem ’56, Edina, Minnesota, age 91, on May 2.
Elizabeth A. (Mortensen) Swanson ’56, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 86, on November 6.
Robert Jeska ’57, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, age 85, May 21.
Erwin J. Moe ’57, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 88, on April 28.
Robert C. Oslund ’57, Silver Bay, Minnesota, age 89, on December 4.
Ronald B. Welde ’57, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, age 86, on September 4.
Ardis H. (Lee) Zunich ’57, Miles City, Montana, age 82, on July 18.
Robert L. Bagley ’58, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, age 84, on November 23.
Bonnie (Sandvig) Erickson ’58, Canton, South Dakota, age 83, on May 9.
Alice M. (Lindell) Lindgren ’58, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 83, on September 11.
Marlene (Hegg) Ridens ’58, Montevideo, Minnesota, age 85, August 19.
Donald J. Hagestuen ’59, Aitkin, Minnesota, age 83, on October 29.
Arlene B. (Selander) Hill ’59, Allegan, Michigan, age 82, on September 11.
Rhoda M. (Monseth) Huglen ’59, Roseau, Minnesota, age 83, on August 19.
Heinrich Kopka ’59, Staples, Minnesota, age 85, on November 28.
Walter W. Lundeen ’59, Minneapolis, age 89, on December 20.
Richard G. Sletten ’59, North Oaks, Minnesota, age 82, on August 13.
Peggy K. (O’Neil) Swensen ’59, Fargo, North Dakota, age 82, on April 11.
Sharon K. (Grodt) West ’59, Chisago City, Minnesota, age 83, on March 16.
1960s
Gordon Grinely ’60, Eau Galle Township, Wisconsin, age 82, on June 25.
Marcia S. (Refsal) Sanders ’60, Chandler, Arizona, age 81, on October 13.
Kermit L. Valleen ’60, Cambridge, Minnesota, age 83, November 16.
Paula J. Bjorkley Carlson ’62, Madras, Oregon, age 80, on December 5.
Allan P. Tveite ’62, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 80, on November 18.
E. Nelvin Botten ’63, Stanwood, Washington, age 91, on September 16.
Bernard E. Debar ’63, Minneapolis, age 89, on May 11.
Helen A. (Anderson) Gildseth ’63, Duluth, Minnesota, age 78, on March 17.
Lois J. (Bailey) Parson ’63, Braham, Minnesota, age 80, August 19.
Clarice A. Sta
’63, Minneapolis, age 84, on April 9.
Patrick J. Sullivan ’63, Miltona, Minnesota, age 79, on June 26.
Lannette Y. (Haire) Reshetar ’64, Andover, Minnesota, age 77, on April 8.
Lesley K. (Schwarten) Schmid ’64, Blaine, Minnesota, age 78, on June 12.
Joyce M. (Nelson) Schrader ’64, Friendswood, Texas, age 77, on June 28.
Susan L. Kyllo ’65, Spring Park, Minnesota, age 78, on December 16.
Sharon (Tofte) Taeger ’65, Camrose, Canada, age 77, on April 4.
Sharon L. (Wagner) Johnson ’66, Atikokan, Canada, age 76, on November 29.
Sandra (Johnson) Kotval ’66, Spring Valley, Wisconsin, age 76, on October 15.
Irene (Seltvedt) Yost ’66, Dickinson, North Dakota, age 77, on July 21.
David E. Sylvester ’67, Cloquet, Minnesota, age 81, on October 29.
Ruthe M. (Tollefson) Enstad ’68, Prior Lake, Minnesota, age 75, on October 15.
Marvin J. Haara ’68, Hutchinson, Minnesota, age 76, on August 26.
Ellen M. (Larson) Johnston ’68, Mankato, Minnesota, age 73, on August 16.
Merrill D. Ronning ’68, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 75, on August 18.
John P. Weinard ’68, Bloomington, Minnesota, age 81, on December 12.
Douglas S. Anderson ’69, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 72, on April 10.
Mervin F. Larson ’69, Excelsior, Minnesota, age 73, on August 30.
1970s
Gloria J. (Wohlers Livingston) Hutchinson ’70, Falcon Heights, Minnesota, age 71, on July 1.
Kathy J. (Kropelin) Cracraft ’71, Minneapolis, age 70, on July 13.
Michael J. Hostetler ’71, Andover, Minnesota, age 71, on August 7.
Joann S. Bell ’72, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 70, on August 9.
Vicki C. (Linder) Lind ’72, Rosemount, Minnesota, age 70, on November 4.
Je rey P. Ross ’72, Sheburn, Minnesota, age 64, on April 26.
Jean L. (Bridges) Wachs ’73, Minneapolis, age 68, on June 4.
David W. Finson ’75, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 67, on June 17.
Douglas A. Fish ’75, Hastings, Minnesota, age 68, on November 24.
Lois B. Wattman ’76, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 66, on September 28.
Gregory J. Bannon ’77, Albertville, Minnesota, age 66, on August 15.
1980s
Sandra J. Holm-Cyr ’82, Rich eld, Minnesota, age 72, on April 15.
Arlene D. Hiles ’86, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 87, on September 11.
1990s
Richard A. Gillitzer ’91, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, age 53, on May 24.
Judith A. Francis ’92, Mound, Minnesota, age 80, on October 12.
John S. Austin ’93, Minneapolis, age 70, on December 1.
Debra J. Clark-Corley ’93, Gary, Indiana, age 65, on April 6.
Nancy C. Sallman ’93, Minneapolis, age 65, on September 14.
Violet E. (Schmitz) Rocek ’94, Minneapolis, age 85, on December 6.
Eileen J. (Bridgeman) Biernat ’98, New Brighton, Minnesota, age 74, on September 4.
2000s
Dylan E. Cook ’00, Christchurch, New Zealand, age 44, on September 7.
Kelly A. (Duncan) Norden ’00, Minneapolis, age 42, on October 3.
Philip R. Johnson ’04, Nisswa, Minnesota, age 56, on April 11.
Michael R. Kuhlmann ’04, Minneapolis, age 39, on August 11.
Christopher R. Hunnicutt ’08, Green Bay, Wisconsin, age 35, on March 27.
Barton M. Lund ’08, Stuart, Florida, age 56, on December 12.
2010s
Quinten P. Bissonette ’12, Spring Valley, Minnesota, age 43, on May 5.
Shane M. Potter ’15, Garrison, Minnesota, age 31, on December 13.
J. Parker Foley ’16, Duxbury, Massachusetts, age 27, on October 21.
Maricio M. Mata-Thelen ’17, Minneapolis, age 26, on October 31.
Kevin J. Baxter ’19, Burnsville, Minnesota, age 29, on November 2.
2020s
Abdirizak A. Abdullahi ’21, Minneapolis, age 21, on April 26.
Faculty
Augsburg University’s Center for Global Education and Experience Guatemala Site Director Fidel Xinico
Tum, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, age 60, on September 12.
Submit address changes and nominations for remembrances to alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
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EDGE®
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AUGSBURG RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT FOR
TRAVELERS EDGE®
by John Weirick
February 18, 2021
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The Travelers Companies, Inc. gave a $50,000 grant to Augsburg University in September 2020 to
support Travelers EDGE. The program—which stands for Empowering Dreams for Graduation and
Employment—provides scholarships, internships, job shadowing, professional development
opportunities, and career advice. More than 100 Augsburg students have participated in the program
since 2007.
“There is much more to be gained from Travelers EDGE than solely professional development,” said
Ann A. Ulring, program manager at Augsburg’s Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. “By the time
scholars graduate, they are con dent, career-focused, and empowered to share who they are and
what they have to o er.”
EDGE scholar Samantha Lopez ’22, who completed a summer internship at Travelers, said, “Travelers
has opened so many doors for me. It was amazing to learn rsthand what goes on inside a corporation
and nd out I can do the work. Travelers provided me with the support, skills, and con dence I need to
pursue a business career.”
2020–21 Recipients
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Aaron Davis ’24, Business Management
Yer Her ’23, Marketing
Pa Houa Lee ’23, Marketing
Hamza Jamari ’22, Marketing
Duaa Katabay ’23, Business
Management
Curtis Love ’23, Marketing
Samantha Lopez ’22, Communication
Studies
PangDao Xiong ’24, Marketing
View more grants news.
Top image: Samantha Lopez ’22 is one of several Travelers EDGE scholars at Augsburg. (Photos by
Courtney Perry)
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GIVE TO THE MAX DAY RECAP AND
SUSTAINING AUGSBURG’S FUTURE
Thank you for supporting Augsburg during Give to the Max Day!
by Amanda Symes '09, '15 MFA
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January 26, 2021
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CONNECT WITH US
This November, Augsburg had a record-breaking Give to the Max
Day in terms of donor participation and dollars raised. Here are the
highlights:
• $531,704 was raised across 41 projects, setting a new record.
• 1,898 total donors gave, the most we’ve ever seen.
• Gifts came from 41 states.
• 56% of our 41 projects (23 projects) were fully funded, and many others were very close to fully
funded.
• One couple gave to 17 projects.
This day continues to energize our students, faculty, and sta every
year, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish next year.
Watch this video from our students who would like to say a quick
thank you.
Make a di erence all year round
Each year, 20% of the annual gifts to the Augsburg Fund come during Give to the Max Day. But giving
to the Augsburg Fund matters all year round: We use these dollars to make a di erence for Auggies
right away through scholarships, instruction and academic support, student programs, and other
areas of the largest funding needs at Augsburg.
Gifts to the Augsburg Fund touch the life of every student, faculty member, and sta member. More
than 1,000 donors contribute to the fund each year, and you can join them.
Make a di erence today. Give to the Augsburg Fund.
Giving creates a ripple e ect for the future of
Augsburg
When a water droplet hits the surface of a pond, it causes a ripple much larger than the original drop.
This is how your gift a ects Augsburg.
Glass water droplet sculptures, created by Rhode Island artists, represent the expanding e ect that
donors provide for the Augsburg community. Learn more about these water droplets and how
endowed scholarships propel Augsburg’s work into the future.
Lisa Smith and Dave Smith
Sharon Mortrud ’64 (Courtesy
Dennis Meyer ’78 and Bev ’78
(Courtesy photo)
photo)
Meyer (Courtesy photo)
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NOTES
FROM
PRESIDENT
PRIBBENOW
As we concludeour
yearlongcelebration
of Augsburg's150th
anniversary,
in the midst
of thesehistorictimes, I havebeenreflectingon someof
the mottosand slogansAugsburghasusedthroughoutits
history.Fromour foundingscripturalmotto-"And the Word
becamefleshand live...
Show more
NOTES
FROM
PRESIDENT
PRIBBENOW
As we concludeour
yearlongcelebration
of Augsburg's150th
anniversary,
in the midst
of thesehistorictimes, I havebeenreflectingon someof
the mottosand slogansAugsburghasusedthroughoutits
history.Fromour foundingscripturalmotto-"And the Word
becamefleshand livedamongus" (John1: 14)-to the
familiar "Educationfor service,"to the morerecent"We
believewe arecalledto serveour neighbor,"to the iconic
phrasefirst usedas part of Augsburg's100th anniversary
and nowfeaturedon our universityseal,"Throughtruth to
freedom,"eachphrasepointsto abidingvaluesthat are at
the heartof the educationAugsburgoffersto its students.
I am particularlystruck by the claim madein that
centennialmotto,and I wonderwhat it might mean
to explorehow"Throughtruth to freedom"shapesour
teachingand learningcommunityin the midst of these
pandemictimes.
In a recentpresentation,Professorof ReligionMary
Lowe
offereda provocativechallengewhensheaskedus
what it might meanto educateour studentsfor freedom.
Whata counterculturalnotion! Educatedfor freedomfrom
ignorance,from oppression,from divisionand hatredand
violence.Educatedfor freedomto makethe worldmorefair
and just and healthy,to be goodneighbors,to take careof
creation.Educatedfor freedomfor the sakeof the world,for
the goodof others,for the promiseof wonderand creativity.
At Augsburg,the possibilityof this educationfor freedom
is groundedin claimsof truth. Aboveall, a theological
claim of the truth of the gospelof JesusChrist-stated so
powerfullyin that foundingscripturalmottofrom the first
chapterof John'sgospel-a truth that makesall things
possiblein our livesandwork in the world.At the same
time, it's the truth wefind in our commitmentto a liberal
arts education-to the belief in scientificknowledge,in
socialanalysis,in artistic expression,in culturalwisdom.
Andfinally, it's the truth we find in the livedexperiences
of
our studentsand the communitiesfrom whichthey come,
truths that residein rituals andtraditionsand practicesthat
invite us into worldsrich in knowledgeand wonder.
"Throughtruth to freedom"strikesme as a compelling
responseto this momentwhenwe find ourselvesliving
at the intersectionof three pandemics.TheCOVID-19
pandemichasdisruptedall aspectsof howwe live and
work,and it haspointedlyi11ustratedthe tensionbetween
public healthand economicwell-being.Followingin the
wakeof that pandemic,an economicpandemicthreatens
our socialfabric with massiveunemployment
and business
closuresworldwide.And, mostrecently,the racial inequities
exacerbated
by the senselessmurderof GeorgeFloydby
Minneapolispoliceofficers-along with countlessBlack,
Indigenous,and otherpeopleof colorwho'veexperienced
similar racismandviolence-havecreateda third pandemic
that threatensto tear our countryapart.Surelythis
unchartedintersectionof crisespresentsuniquechallenges
for all of us as citizens,tryingto imaginehowwe will
navigateto someas yet unknownfuture.
The questionwe will ask at Augsburg-a questionat
the heartof our academicmissionand our commitment
to socialjustice-is, "Whereis the truth in the midst of
thesepandemics?"
Whatis the truth aboutkeepingeachotherhealthy
in the face of a novelcoronavirus?
Whatis the truth in
an economythat, moreand more,deepensremarkable
inequities?Whatis the truth in centuriesof systemic
racismand oppression?
Andthe truths we will find, always
evolvingand emergingand transforming,will free us for the
workwe are calledto do as "informedcitizens,thoughtful
stewards,critical thinkers,and responsibleleaders"Augsburg'smission!
Let us go forwardtogetherinto the next 150 yearsof
Augsburg'slife recommittedto educationguidedby the
beliefthat throughtruth there is indeedfreedom.I can only
wonderwhatsucha counterculturalbeliefwill meanfor
storiesyet to be told.
Staystrong,safe,andwelI.
Faithfullyyours,
PAUL
C.PRIBBENOW,
PRESIDENT
AUGSBURG
NOW
Spring-Summer
2020
VicePresident
and
Chief
Operating
Officer
Rebecca
John'13MBA
Associate
VicePresident
and
Chief
Marketing
Officer
Stephen
Jendraszak
Director
ofMarketing
Laura
Swanson
Lindahl
'15MBA
Director
ofPublic
Relations
andInternal
Communications
GitaSitaramiah
Assistant
Director
of
Marketing,
Creative
Denielle
Stepka
'11
Marketing
Copywriter
John
Weirick
Communication
and
Social
Media
Specialist
Briana
Alamilla
'17
EDITOR'S
NOTE
Whenwe beganmakingthis magazinein early2020, the worldwas markedlydifferent
than the onewe inhabit today.AugsburgNowstaff delayedthe magazine'stimeline due
to the impactof the COVID-19 pandemicon the university'soperations.
Mostof the storiesand eventsdescribedhereinoccurredbeforeit becamenecessary
to shift to manyworkingfrom home,online gatherings,and other modifiedoperations
to slowthe spreadof the virus.
Becausewe wantedto sharetheseremarkablestoriesand Auggieaccomplishments
as soonas possible,our team decidedto releasethis issuein digital-onlyformat, a first
in the magazine'shistory.
-John Weirick,editor
Project
Manager
JuliKramer
Communications
and
Social
Media
Consultant
KateNorlander
Advancement
Communications
Specialist
KaiaChambers
Senior
Communications
Specialist
forPrincipal
Gifts
Amanda
Symes
'09,'15MFA
WebManager
JoeMann
Contributing
Writer
KateH.Elliott
Augsburg
Nowis published
by
Augsburg
University
2211Riverside
Avenue
Minneapolis,
MN55454
Opinions
expressed
inAugsburg
Now
donotnecessarily
reflect
official
university
policy.
ISSN
1058-1545
02 AROUND
THE
QUAD
AWOMEN'S
WRESTLING
10 HOWTOBUILD
PROGRAM
FROM
SCRATCH
18 MISTAKEN
IDENTITY
24 HONORING
AUGGIES
25 AUGGIES
CONNECT
28 CLASS
NOTES
32 INMEMORIAM
Onthecover:
Augsburg
commemorates
aneventin
itshistory
andreflects
onits
significance
fortoday.
See
page2 andpage8.
Allphotos
byCourtney
Perry
unless
otherwise
indicated
Send
address
corrections
to
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
Send
comments
to
now@augsburg.edu.
COMMENCEMENT
2020
On Friday, May 29, and Sunday, May 31, Augsburg University celebrated commencement virtually.
Taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, Augsburg was among
numerous institutions nationally that hosted virtual celebrations to recognize graduating students. The
streamed online event opened with speeches from Provost KarenKaivolaand President PaulPribbenow.
Personalized slides for graduates included photos and messages that the students submitted.
Friends and family posted comments to the video stream as they watched the event. Students took
to social media to share their
graduation posts using the hashtag
#AuggieGrad.
Once it's again safe to host
large gatherings, Augsburg wi 11
plan an in-person ceremony
for the Class of 2020 that will
include many more familiar
commencement traditions.
ONE
DAY
INMAY
This year's commencement celebration featured a central theme, chosen in April, that connected
defining moments in Augsburg's history with its contemporary reality. Uplifting the university's
longstanding commitments to equity and inclusion, the theme "68/20: One Day in May" called
the university community to explore the actions and outcomes of events in 1968 to consider their
relevance for 2020.
Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Augsburg canceled classes on May 15,
1968, and hosted a series of workshops and lectures. Augsburg faculty and local Black community
members led conversations focused on racism, politics, power, education, and violence-significant
tensions in American life in 1968. This year, Augsburg presented honorary degrees during the virtual
commencement, recognizing two leaders of the historic One Day in May in 1968: the Hon. LaJune
ThomasLange'75 and MahmoudEl-Kati.
Augsburg owes a debt of gratitude to the leaders of One Day in May, an event that continues
to inform and inspire the university community to engage in efforts for equity and justice. Their
contributions to our society and to Augsburg resonated strongly in the virtual commencement
ceremonies, which took place just days after George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police.
Blackartists,alongwith Indigenous
andotherstudentsandcommunity
members
of color,ledanart campaign
to upliftOneDayin Mayduring
Augsburg
's sesquicentennial
celebration.
e
Hearaudiorecordings
fromtheeventin 1968,andseemoreOne
I Dayin Mayart, includinga bannerthat appeared
in TheNew
Yorker,
at augsburg.edu/now.
rt at
u s ur
Fac
ulty,
vvorkS
1
prese
nt
g.StgJl
SERIES
SPEAKERS
THE
ART
OFAUGSBURGCONVOCATION
The Augsburg University Convocation Series is an annual
As part of the university's yearlong celebration of its 150th
speaker series that includes long-standing endowed and
anniversary, KristinAnderson,
professor of art history and
special programs. Recent presenters included:
archivist, curated an exhibition of works by Augsburg art faculty
dating back to the origin of the department in the 1950s. The
exhibit included works by early department members, such as
HansBergand IvanDoseff,former longtime faculty members,
including NormHolenand PhilThompson,
and current faculty
members Stephen
Geffre,ChrisHoultberg,
DanIbarra,roberttom,
LyzWendland,and others.
1. DeAnna Cummings, chief executive officer of
Juxtaposition Arts, who shared a presentation at
the Horbal Lecture in November called "Putting
Creativity to Work 2025: Stronger Communities
Through Local Art and Design"
2. John S. Wright, professor emeritus of English
and African American and African Studies at the
University of Minnesota, who delivered "Where Do
,,1.··.f
,.
..
>
•
"
-~
We Go From Here: Chaos or Community" at the 32nd
annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in January
3. Kwame Anthony Appiah, professor of philosophy and
law at New York University, who presented "Ethics,
Identity, and Cosmopolitanism"
at the Batalden
Seminar in Applied Ethics in March
Thefacultyartexhibitwasdisplayed
intheChristensen
Center
ArtGallery.
4
AUGSBURG
NOW
AROUND
THEQUAD
Hearst
Foundation
awards
Augsburg
I
Lto R:President
PaulPribbenow,
PeterHeegaard,
andMikeChristensen
$75,000
FOR
LEAD
FELLOWS
PROGRAM
URBAN
INVESTORS
FINDSNEWHOME
ATAUGSBURG
Last November,Augsburg University's Sabo Center for Democracyand
Citizenship and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work welcomed
a new campus partner: Urban Investors. Formerly known as Urban
Adventure, this program helps bankers understand the challenges and
opportunities within cities through experiential learning opportunities.
The program also facilitates partnerships between public, private, and
LEAD Fellows, a program of Augsburg
University's Sabo Center for Democracyand
Citizenship, this winter received $75,000
from the Hearst Foundation, Inc. to support
students as they pursue in-depth, long-term,
community-based work at paid internships.
The program name stands for Leaders for
Equity, Action,
and Democracy.
nonprofit groups and promotes investment and community development
Students spend
that move families out of poverty, revitalize neighborhoods, improve
two to four
years engaged
schools, and build economic opportunity.
in public work
projects that
address social
/i: THE AUGSBURG
~iPODCAST:SEASON3
issues such
Augsburg
's LEAD
Fellows
program
is affiliatedwiththe
far-reaching
Bonner
Program
that aimsto transform
students,
communities,
andcampuses
throughservice.
as education,
homelessness,
racial justice,
and poverty
while also
The first two seasonsof the
participating in a peer learning cohort.
The LEAD Fellows program is unique in
Augsburg Podcastfeatured
that it offers students a pathway to generate
faculty and staff sharing stories
income while also making a difference and
growing as leaders. The program is cohort-
of their work with students. The
third season, launched in March,
based with a strong support framework that
takes a new approach and invites
helps students to develop connections with
students and a recent graduate
peers and mentors, build their sense of
MIDCO
to discuss their experiences
with internships and the ways
belonging, and hone their leadership skills.
The Hearst Foundation award will fund
in which Augsburg has helped
the pay students receive for their internships
support their personal and
educational goals.
and will enhance cohort activities, including
semiannual retreats and biweekly gatherings.
Listentothenewseason
at
•
I augsburg.edu/podcast
or
inyourpodcast
app.
Barclay
Bates'18
SPRING
SUMMfR
?020
5
AROUND
THEQUAD
HONORING
RetiringFaculty
Several faculty members are entering
retirement following years of dedicated
service to Augsburg University. Augsburg is
grateful for their commitment to advancing
the university's mission and supporting
TheDoctor
ofPsychology
inClinical
Psychology
degree
launches
to meetgrowing
demand
This past November, the university introduced its second doctoral
program: a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Augsburg's first,
the Doctor of Nursing Practice, began in 2010.
Augsburg worked with former Minnesota School of Professional
Psychology faculty and staff to provide continuity for students who were
student learning within and beyond the
classroom.
JOHN
CERRITO
AssistantProfessor
, Department
of Business-joined
Augsburgin 1983
MARGARET
FINDERS
Professor
, Department
of Education-joinedAugsburg
previously enrol led in the program housed at Argosy University. After
in 2014
the closure of Argosy in March 2019, Augsburg
earned accreditation to become Minnesota's only
MARK
FUEHRER
university offering an in-person PsyD program in
A
9'
clinical psychology.
Augsburg
is now
accepting
applications.
augsbu
rg.edu/psyd
Professor
, Department
of Philosophy-joined
Augsburgin 1971
Employment of Iicensed psychologists and
related occupations is projected to grow 13. 7% from 2016 to 2026 in
DAWN
KADERABEK
'18 DNP
the United States.
"We are pleased to offer this PsyD program as a way to meet the
in 2015
growing demand for mental health services statewide," said Monica
VIRGINIA
MCCARTHY
Devers,Augsburg University dean of professional studies.
Associate
Professor
, Department
of Nursing-joined
Augsburgin 2011
Instructor
, Department
of Nursing-joinedAugsburg
NANCY
RODENBORG
Augsburg
winsCampus
Compact
ImpactAward
Professor
, Department
of SocialWork-joined
Augsburgin 2000
Campus Compact, a network of universities across the United States
MICHAEL
SCHOCK
that are committed to public engagement in higher education, honored
Associate
Professor
, Department
of SocialWork-
Augsburg University as an inaugural
joinedAugsburgin 1993
recipient of the Richard Guarasci
Award for Institutional Transformation.
NANCY
STEBLAY
Augsburg was selected for its work
Professor
, Department
of Psychology-joined
Augsburg
in developing partnerships with
the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood
on page18.)
in 1988(Readaboutherresearch
MARTHA
STORTZ
and advancing environmental
BernhardM. Christensen
Professor
of Vocation
and
Religion-joinedAugsburgin 2010
sustainability, interfaith leadership,
and equity and racial justice .
6
AUGSBURG
NOW
•
Watchthevideousedto introduce
Augsburg
at
theawardceremony
at augsburg.edu/now.
MARK
TRANVIK
Professor
, Department
of Religion-joinedAugsburg
in 1995
At a specialchapelservice
duringtheJanuary2020
AugsburgUniversity
Board
of Regentsmeeting,Bishop
AnnSvennungsen
of the
Minneapolis
AreaSynodof the
Evangelical
LutheranChurch
in Americaofficiallyinstalled
BabetteChatman
'06, left,
as
andJustinLind-Ayres
Augsburg's
universitypastors.
Augsburg
community
launches
on-campus
lending
shop
to reduce
wasteandpromote
reuse
Augsburg's Environmental Stewardship
Committee and Campus Cupboard food
pantry collaborated in Fall 2019 to pilot a
President
PaulPribbenow
shares
Augsburg's
storyat ~ the
~r~~~::~i•i:~:::~~:
~~~:i~~~®
the
O
new resource: the Share Shop, which offers
a wide variety of items for free, short-
Augsburg story during a session
called, "Hospitality is Not
term checkout. The Share Shop currently
Enough: An Institutional Journey From Diversity to Inclusion and
Equity" at The Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference.
features board games, small appliances,
office supplies, sewing kits, sports
equipment, tools, and much more.
Augsburg, home of The Forum on Workplace Inclusion since
last summer, is "proud to partner with the forum to help expand
The Share Shop follows the same hours
of operation as Augsburg's Campus
diversity, equity, and inclusion skills, so our students can fully
participate and succeed in the workforce," Pribbenow said.
Cupboard and is located in the lowest
level of Science Hal I, adjacent to the
university's longstanding "free table,"
where Auggies place items they no longer
need and wish to offer to new owners.
For Fall 2020, the Campus Cupboard will
relocate to the Sabo Center for Democracy
and Citizenship in the lower level of
Anderson Residence Hall to accommodate
new operations during the COVID-19
pandemic. The Share Shop will remain
in Science Hall, and the two student-run
The 32nd annual, three-day conference attracted more than
1,500 people from around the world and across sectors.
TheStarTribunerecentlypublishedan
article featuringSteveHumerickhouse
,
executivedirectorof the forum, in which
he explainedthe importanceof creating
safe placesfor diffic uIt conversations
.
A
VI
Visit augsburg.edu/now
to
readthe article: "Howthe
TwinCities becameoneof the
largesthubsfor workplacediversityand
inclusion."
initiatives wi 11 continue to work together.
•
Visit augsburg.edu/green/shareshop
and
inside.augsburg.edu/foodshelf
to learnmore.
SPRINGSUMMrn
20?0
7
ONTHESPOT
How One Day in May in 1968 forced Augsburg to reevaluate
its posture and practices regarding racism and education
HanaDinkuserved as director of Augsburg University's Pan-Afri kan Center
from March 2019 to July 2020. Her most recent project at Augsburg, "One
Day in May," was featured on WCCO-TV this spring, prior to Augsburg's
virtual commencement
(see page 2). Between her work leading programs and
supporting students, she out Ii ned the importance of Augsburg's history and
present moment.
Q.
Whywas OneDayin May sucha pivotalmoment
• for the Augsburg
community
in 1968?
the story and understood the significance of One
Day in May, it took on a life of its own. Directors
A.
of International Student Services, LGBTQIA+
mission and values. In the wake of Dr. Martin
and the administration to build and promote a
Luther King Jr.'s assassination, higher education
sesquicentennial campaign about One Day in May.
One Day in May forced Augsburg to recognize
• all the ways it had failed to live up to its
Student Services, and Multicultural
Student
Services worked with faculty member LeonWang
institutions across the country saw a wave of
protests and a demand for structural change. One
Day in May was Augsburg's response to the moment.
The community speakers, Augsburg students, staff,
and faculty who participated shed light on systemic
white supremacy in the Augsburg community and
the nation. This public acknowledgment created a
What is onecomponent
of OneDayin Maythat
; is especiallyrelevantfor ourcurrentsocialand
politicalenvironment?
Q
A.
All aspects are relevant, but if I had to identify
• one particular component, it would be the
level of transparency and accountability that helped
demand to decolonize the curriculum at Augsburg.
move Augsburg in the right direction.
The Eurocentric core of the education system is
Q.
the clearest example of how our institutions are
Howdidthe reintroduction
of OneDayin May
• ariseand becomethe themeof this year's
commencement
ceremony?
A
When I started my job at Augsburg, one of my
; mentors, community elder MahmoudEl-Kati,
embedded in white supremacist ideology. This is
why we gathered this year to begin the creation of a
Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies department.
Q.
Whatdo youhopeis accomplished
throughthe
• reintroduction
of OneDayin May?
told me the real history of Black folks at Augsburg.
Elder Mahmoud was one of the community speakers
at One Day in May and spent years working closely
with the Pan-Afrikan Center. Very few people on
A
My goal for this campaign was to help Black
; students understand and appreciate the battles
fought by those who came before them. I want Black
campus knew about One Day in May and the
students and other marginalized students to know
contributions of Black students, staff, and faculty.
that we are a part of Augsburg history; we are not
After learning that Augsburg's sesquicentennial
guests at this institution. When the whole Augsburg
book, "Hold Fast to What is Good," didn't mention
community understands this, we will see the kind
it, I worked with other Augsburg leaders to make
of institutional changes that marginalized students,
One Day in May the theme for the university's
staff, and faculty have demanded for years.
2020 M LK Day celebration. As more people heard
AROUND
THEQUAD
newest
trip:
RickStevespartners
withAugsburg'sParticipateinCGEE's
Centerfor GlobalEducation
andExperience
Hunger
andHopeinGuatemala
non-essential
travelresumes,
travelers
Planaheadfortravelto Guatemala When
will getan insideglimpseof Guatemala
and
When well-known travel author, activist, and media personality Rick Steves went
to Central America to film segments for his new public television special, "Hunger
and Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala," he called on Augsburg staff
to provide expert guidance and introductions to community leaders and regional
organizations committed to ending hunger and extreme poverty. That's because
Augsburg's Center for Global Education and Experience has a vast network in
Guatemala and has offered educational programming in the country since 1985.
visit manyof the sameplacesdepictedon
"RickStevesHungerandHope:Lessons
from
EthiopiaandGuatemala."
Fromthe charmingcolonialcityof Antigua,
to LakeAtitlanandits surrounding
volcanoes,
to the colorfultapestryof Mayanhistory,there
is an abundance
of thingsto do,see,andlearn.
One of the key people Steves spoke with during the production of his television
special was FidelXinico,director of Augsburg's CGEE Guatemala programming.
Xinico set up Steves' trip logistics from Guatemala and served as a cultural guide
and language translator. He is a trilingual Guatemalan citizen of the Kaqchikel
Maya ethnic group. SusanPeacock,a CGEE program coordinator based out of
Registration
openfor:
Tripl: April 11-18,2021
Trip2: June13-20,2021
Trip3: August8-15, 2021
Minneapolis, connected Steves and Xinico and helped shape the direction of the
television show. Augsburg is now planning a travel program for the general public
that will take participants to inspiring destinations in Guatemala.
Augsburgsenior
scholar published in
A
V
1
Visitgo.augsburg.edu/hope
to learnmoreandregister.
HarryBoyte,senior scholar of public work philosophy at Augsburg's Sabo
Center for Democracy and Citizenship, co-wrote an article that was
published in Time magazine. Boyte's piece offered an analysis of the 2020
United States presidential race and suggested that a compelling campaign
TIME
MAGAZINE
would appeal to Americans as engaged citizens rather than disgruntled
consumers: "Emphasize a citizenship
A
W
Finda link to the article
at augsburg.edu/now.
message for government to be a
partner, not a savior."
SPRING-SUMMER
2020
9
A WOMEN'S
WRESTLING
PROGRAM
FROM
SCRATCH
BYKATE
H.ELLIOTT
Augsburg
Athletics
continues
trailblazing
trendwithMinnesota's
onlycollegiate
women's
wrestling
team
"I already feel bad for my future children," joked Bel
Snyder'23. "They are going to have to hear the story of
Minnesota's only collegiate women's wrestling team over
and over again."
Snyder is one of 10 women wrestlers who made
history at Augsburg during the 2019-20
year-a
academic
quarter century after the university founded
the NCAA's first women's hockey team in the Midwest,
followed by Minnesota's first varsity women's lacrosse
team in 2014 . That pioneering spirit drew Snyder to
Augsburg, which received a Breaking Barriers Award in
February at Minnesota's National Girls and Women in
Sports Day event at the Minnesota History Center.
"I have never felt such close bonds or such support,"
added Snyder, who's an elementary education transfer
student. "I am going to bleed maroon and gray for the
rest of my Iife."
SPRING-SUMMER
2020 11
GREEN
BUT
GREAT
It's a youngteamwith sevenfirst-yearand three
transferstudentswho had neverwrestledfor an alIwomanteam until now.Therosterincludessomeof the
nation'stop competitors,includingEmilyShilson
'23,
who'sconsideredthe top womanrecruit in the country
by somewrestIing newsoutlets.The 19-year-oldfinance
studentqualifiedto wrestlefor a spot in the 2020
TokyoOlympicGames(whichhavebeenrescheduledfor
2021 becauseof the COVID-19 pandemic).
Howdid a buddingteamrecruitsuchchampions?
MeetWomen'sWrestlingHeadCoachMaxMejia,a
formerHarvardwrestlerwhobecamea women'sand
skills coachfor Arizona'sSunkistKidsWrestlingClub,
whichproduced55 Olympicmedalistsin both men'sand
women'swrestling.
"In wrestling,youcancontrolyourdestinymorethan
othersports.It's not aboutheightor speed.Champions
havementaltoughness,diIigencefor detaiI, anda
hungerto win," he said. "My goalis to producethe best
womenleadersin the world.Whentheygraduate,I want
themto understandhowthesetraits convertto success
in the realworld.And I wantthe employersto gobble
them up becausethey recognizewhatcomesfrom that
levelof leadership,dedication,andgrit," he said.
Mejiafocuseson process,knowingresultswill follow.
Heseeksto understandeachathletes'hopesand
motivationsso he can helpthem playto their strengths
for bothathleticsand careersuccess.
Mejiaempowers
eachwrestlerto set herowngoals:"I
knowI havethe disciplineto do anythingI put my mind
to, and I'll havea greatmindsetwhiledoingit," said
kinesiology
majorSavannah
Vold'22.
"He doesn'tseeus as weare but as we couldbe,"
saidVayle-rae
Baker'23, whoranksat the top of her
weightclass."Thenhe pushesus throughself-doubtor
whateveris holdingus back.I take morerisks,and I'm
seeingthe rewards."
Thosestrengthsareshowing.Withan overallrecordof
4-2, AuggieWomen's
Wrestlingrankedamongthe top
10 programs
in the NCAAasthe teamheadedintothe
inauguralCliff KeenNationalCollegiate
Women's
Wrestling
Championships
in earlyMarch.Augsburg
finishedin ninth
placeasa team,whileShiIsonclaimedthe nationaltitle to
closeout herinauguralcollegiateseason.
"My
goalistoproduce
t ebest
women
leaders
inthewofd."
12
AUGSBURG
NOW
NCAA
NAMES
WOMEN'S
WRESTLING
AN'EMERGING'
SPORT
In January,NCAADivision11 and
Division111 votedto addwomen's
wrestlingto its list of Emerging
Sports
for Women;in June,DivisionI voted
in agreement.
Thenextmilestone
for the wrestlingcommunitywill be
to reachat least40 NCAA-affiliated
varsitywomen'swrestIingteams, which
is requiredto achieveofficial NCAA
Championship
status.At present
, about
35 NCAAschoolssupportwomen's
wrestlingteams.
Augsburg
AthleticDirectorJeff
Swenson
'79 is optimistic."Wehaveno
doubtwomen
's wrestlingwill buildon
our reputationas a 'wrestlingschool,'
with our men'steamhavingsecuredits
13th nationaltitle in 2019.
"In 1995, Augsburgmadehistory
with the region'sfirst women'sice
hockeyteam,and nowyou're uniqueif
youdon't offerwomen'shockey.Then
in 2014, Augsburg
startedthe NCAA's
first varsitywomen'slacrosseteamin
Minnesota,
and now,herewearewith
women'swrestling,"hesaid."Augsburg
continuesto be a pioneerfor women's
athletics,andwe'reinvestedin the
successof women'swrestling."
Men'sWrestlingCo-Head
CoachJim
Moulsoff
is thriIledthat Augsburgis
creatingopportunities
for womento
wrestleat the collegiatelevel.Girls'
wrestlingis the fastestgrowinghigh
schoolsport,accordingto the U.S.
WrestlingFoundation,
yet Minnesota
andWisconsin
areamongthe 30 states
that haven'tmadegirls' wrestlingan
officialsport."
"Forthe past18 years,I havehelped
out at juniorfreestylesummertrainings,
and it's beenamazingto seethe growth
of women'swrestlingfromnogirls in
attendance
to hundredseachyear,"said
Moulsoff,the 2015 and2019 National
Wrestling
Coaches
Association
Division111
NationalCoachof the Year.
TEAM
OF'FIRSTS'
MENTORS
YOUNG
GIRLS
Members
of the women'swrestling
teamalsoaredrivento sharetheir
knowledge
andpavethe wayfor the
nextgenerationof womenwrestlers.
Everyoneof the student-athletes
has
liveda first-the first girl on a high
school'swrestlingteam,the first match
a competitorforfeitedbecausehe
"didn't wantto wrestlea girl," the first
time shesawwomen'swrestlingat the
Olympics(in 2004). Theyembracethe
strengthgainedfromthosemoments,
but it is ti mefor morewomento have
opportunities
to wrestle.
Nineyearsago,MinnesotaUSA
WrestIing beganhostingopengymsat
AugsburgeverySunday,andfourgirls
attendedthe first session.Earlierthis
year,about60 girls showedup every
week,evenwith weekendtournaments
pullingsomeaway.Bakersaidsheand
herteammates
consistentlyvolunteered
to coachand mentorthe girls,who
rangedfrom6 to 18 yearsold.
"I startedwrestlingwhenI was9,
and I wasthe onlygirl on that team
andthe onlygirl on my middleand
highschoolteams,"Bakersaid. "I
SPRING
SUMVER
7020 13
look forward to coaching and connecting with the girls each
week. My teammates and I want to show them they can do
this, and show them there will be teams for them when they
go to college."
ChadShilson'93, women's wrestling director and coach
for Minnesota USA Wrestling, said lifelong friendships seem
to emerge at every practice, as girls experience wrestling
with those who are similar in strength, weight, flexibility,
size, and goals. "They get to be the iron that sharpens other
iron," he said.
The result: some of the top women wrestlers in the country,
if not the world, have come out of the open gyms-"hungry
for the sport and everything it has to offer," added Shi Ison,
the father of top-ranked Augsburg wrestler, Emily Shi Ison.
Coach Mejia hopes to collaborate with USA Wrestling and
other organizations to offer even more camps and open gyms
(when it's safe and appropriate for public health regarding
the coronavirus) for the estimated 300 girls who are wrestling
at some level in the state. When they graduate from high
school, Mejia said, "I want them to have no doubt that
Augsburg is the place to be."
~i
ti,\
'WEKEEP
PLAYING.
WEPERSIST'
Word has gotten out. Alumni and friends of the university
AR "'1S
fjJ DEFENSE
SOAP
Augsburgplacedseventhin the NCAA
women'sdivisionat the Multi-Division
NationalDualMe
are tweeting their praises and sharing news coverage of the
historic team. Children's book author and public speaker,
ShellyBoyum-Breen
'97, said the university's investment in
women's wrestling is also an investment in girls and women
in general.
"I was fortunate to be at Augsburg when women's hockey
started, and I saw lives
changing before my eyes. I
know firsthand the impact that
continues to make on those
women's lives," said BoyumBreen, who taught physical
education and coached
women's basketball at Augsburg. "When we invest in women
and our diverse communities, we invest in what's possible.
We have to show it in action through media coverage. Kids
need to hear these stories-boys
and girls.
"Look at the decision-makers, the percentages of coaches,
the funding gaps, and the near media blackout of women's
professional and collegiate sports. And yet, we keep playing.
And people keep watching. Because of the support that
exists, we persist," said Boyum-Breen,
also established grants to pay sports
"When
weinvestin females who
fees and equipment costs that functioned
andourdiverse
communities,as barriers to participation for some
Minnesota girls.
weinvestin what's
possible." Augsburg women's hockey coaches
14
AUGSBURG
NOW
know better than most the kind of
investment and persistent leadership required to create and
sustain a vibrant women's athletics program.
"To be a leader-it's
scary," said founding Women's
2020
USMARINE
CORPS/NWCA
MUL Tl DIVISION
IATIONAL DUAL MEET
7'ff PLlfC=.
WOMENNCAA
et in Louisville,Kentucky,in January.
Hockey Head Coach Jill Pohtilla. "I've seen Augsburg, time and
time again, make bold moves based on what makes sense and
what is right," said Pohtilla, who was inducted into the Women's
Hockey Association of Minnesota Hall of Fame in 2006.
The women's wrestling program has made an immediate
impact in the Athletics Department and has increased
expectations for success, said Michelle McAteer,Augsburg's
women's hockey head coach.
"Coach Mejia was able to bring in a large and talented class
for the inaugural season, and it's clear how skilled, determined,
and committed these women are," she said. "They are
representing Augsburg and our Athletics Department with great
pride, and growing the profile of their sport at the same time.
"They are making history, living history," McAteer added. "It's
a special team doing very special
things." ■
Seepage16 for a brief historyof
women'sathleticsat Augsburg.
ABRIEF
HISTORY
OF
WOMEN'S
ATHL
16
AUGSBURG
NOW
TICS
ATAIJGSBIJRG
SPRINGSUMMER
2020 17
REAL PEOPLE IN
REAL CASES
computers with a software program
Eyewitness identification of criminal
perpetrators is a staple form of evidence
San Diego; and Tucson, Arizona.
in courts of law.
developed specifically for the field
"Think of eyewitness memory like
audio transcripts to examine the
855 I ineups in four cities: Austin, Texas;
association between witness comments
Charlotte-Mecklenburg,
and lineup selection, finding that an
North Carolina;
cities provided lineup photos and
eyewitness identification decisions,
instant identification
by an eyewitness
was less likely to produce an error than
when the witness was deliberative.
NatalieJohnson
'18, who's pursuing a
residue, or other physical evidence,"
investigator reports, and audiotapes of
master's degree in counseling psychology
Steblay said. "You don't want to
the verbal exchange between the I ineup
at the University of St. Thomas in St.
contaminate it."
administrator and eyewitness during
Paul, Minnesota, was one of the students
each lineup procedure. A startling
who listened to police audiotapes and
the top national experts in eyewitness
discovery emerged from a pattern of
coded them based on whether the
identification.
cases when lineup administrators, who
decision-making process was immediate
social psychologist who has conducted
were also the case detectives, knew who
or deliberative.
research on eyewitness memory, pol ice
the suspects were and behaved in a
procedures, and eyewitness evidence
leading fashion with the eyewitnesses.
Steblay, along with Wells, is among
As an experimental
for 30 years, she is often cal led upon
by defense attorneys to testify when
they believe a suspect is being wrongly
accused based on faulty identification.
Her abi I ity to speak with authority
on the subject has been reinforced
She and other students were startled
to realize that the police push for a
conviction could, in some cases, influence
LEARNING E'ROM
LINEUPS
Augsburg student researchers
by her research findings. Assisted by
collected data and assessed 190
Augsburg student researchers, Steblay
real lineups for fairness or bias. "It's
and Wells led studies that, for the first
powerfu I to bring students into research
how criminal cases are pursued.
"Doing the work on police lineups
made me realize how flawed our
system can be," she said. "It made me
realize our criminal justice has a long
way to go."
SeanAdams'17, who is currently a
legal assistant, said he was shocked by
time, sought to understand and predict
by saying, 'Here's the problem of
how poorly some of the lineups were
eyewitness identification errors using
wrongfu I convictions, and let's figure out
constructed.
actual I ineups.
how to solve them,"' Steblay said.
Before these studies, scientific
Psychology majors made up the
The tests were designed to include
fake witnesses, and these mock
psychology's understanding of
research team at Augsburg, adding
witnesses in Augsburg's laboratory
eyewitness identification accuracy was
laboratory skills to what they learned in
studies represented the worst possible
based almost exclusively on controlled
the classroom. Steblay and 27 student
scenario: a witness with no memory of
the offender. Mock witnesses shou Id
laboratory
researchers
studies that
conducted
not be able to pick the pol ice suspect
the first and
from a lineup at a rate higher than
second studies
chance. "The worst lineup I saw had
across multiple
such a leading description that the
simulate
eyewitness
experiences.
Steblay and
Wells were
awarded a
"It's powerful to bring students
into research by saying, 'Here's
the problem of wrongful
convictions, and let's figure out
how to solve them."'
National Science
20
The Augsburg students coded 102
experiment. Data was collected from
The field data collected in these
trace evidence, such as blood, gunshot
existed unti I th is study.
semesters.
[laboratory] witnesses picked the pol ice
Verbal
suspect 80% of the time," Adams said.
exchanges
"That shou Id have statistically
less than 20% of the time."
been
Lineups
Foundation grant to pursue a four-phase
between pol ice
lineup administrators and eyewitnesses
should be constructed so that the
study from 2014 to 2018. The research
to crimes were audio-recorded. There
suspect and the fillers (innocent people
followed up on their prior work, in which
police lineups were presented to real
had never been an analysis of recorded
added to the lineup) match the suspect
verbal comments from actual witnesses
description.
eyewitnesses by detectives using laptop
because such recordings had never
AUGSBURG
NOW
RELEVANT
RESEARCH
Along with stunning insights into eyewitness
identification,
these studies brought to light
more questions worth exploring. The research
resulted in 12 conference poster presentations
involving 23 students, and it fostered two
student honors projects and spinoff projects
that are ongoing.
"It was time-consuming,
important.
but it was
I think the student researchers
had a sense of the importance,"
Steblay said.
"It was really fun to work with them. Their
work enabled me to complete the project."
Augsburg student researchers saw the
subject material's importance for effective law
enforcement practices as well as its resonance
with people beyond their research group.
When AustinConery'17 began researching
how to predict eyewitness identification errors,
he discovered that his Augsburg University
research project was a hot topic with friends
and family.
"Every party or every family event, someone
would ask what was going on at school, and
I could talk about the research for hours
because it was so relevant," Conery said.
Besides a view into a major criminal justice
system issue, students said the research
opportunity gave them practical experience.
Conery said the research gave him the
confidence to read, understand, and apply
studies in his current job as a site director at a
children's mental health provider, PrairieCare.
"It was a great way to implement the
things I was learning in class," he said. "It
gave me the place to think critically
in a
control led environment."
As Adams considers his future work, he's
looking back to his time at Augsburg. "I've
been thinking of what I enjoyed in college,
and a lot of it was the work I did with Nancy,"
he said.
TURNING RESEARCHrlNDINGS
INTO PRACTICALPOLICIES
Steblay'sinfluencemaynot makeher a householdname,but her researchfindings
are beingput to practicaluse in a varietyof ways.
Minnesotajudgesviewa webinarmoduleshecreated,"EyewitnessScience:
Protectionand Evaluationof EyewitnessIdentificationEvidence,"as part of their
judicial e-learning program.Steblayalso pubIisheda chapterin the 2019 book,
"PsychologicalScienceand the Law."
Thefindingsof the researchby Steblay,Wells,and Augsburgstudent
researchers
are leadingto majorreformsnationally.The best practices
includecritical stipulations:that lineupsmust be double-blind,meaning
the administratingofficerdoesn'tknowwhothe suspectis, and that the
non-suspectfillers in the lineup must resemblethe suspectand match
the descriptionof the offenderthat wasprovidedby the eyewitness.
"Thereare hundredsof thousandsof policeofficerswho are using
theseeyewitnessidentificationprotocolsthat we didn't use20 years
ago,and they don't knowNancySteblay'sname,"said William Brooks,
a policechief in Norwood,Massachusetts.
Brookstravelsthe countrytraining policeon what he regardsas
groundbreaking
science-backed
best practicesfor lineups."I don't
think there'sbeenas wide of an impact in otherareasof investigation
as in howwe dealwith eyewitnessmemory,"he said.
In mid-May,MinnesotaGov.Tim Walzsignedbipartisanlegislation
that requiresuniformscience-backed
eyewitnessidentificationpractices
for all law enforcement,which goesinto effect in early2021.
Sti11, the eyewitnessidentificationbest practicesface resistance."Some
of it is individualpolicejurisdictionsjust not wantingto be told howto do
things," Steblaysaid in an interviewwith YahooNews."Sometimespolice
or prosecutorssaythey don't want rulesto be so rigid, becausethen if we just
violateoneof the rules,then that ruins our prosecutionor we can't catch the bad
guysor whatever.Sothey feel like it's underminingtheir ability to do the goodjob
that they shoulddo.
"I don't seeit that way," Steblaysaid. "I just think theseare not difficult
changes."Steblayviewsthe recommendedlineup reformsas a meansto strengthen
eyewitnessevidenceand reducethe likelihoodof a mistakenidentification.
The InnocenceProject,a nonprofitfoundedin 1992 to exoneratethe wrongly
convictedthroughDNAtesting, hasworkedto passlawsthroughoutthe countrythat
embracethe scientificallysupportedbest practicesadvancedby Steblayand Wells.
"Whenwe beganour work,a handfulof stateshadembracedbest practices.
Todaymorethan half of the statesin the countryhaveadoptedkeyeyewitness
identificationreforms,"said RebeccaBrown,the nonprofit's policydirector.
Steblayhopesmorepolice departmentswi11 enactthesereforms."Wehave
at leastpart of the answerto howpolicecan reducemistakenidentificationand
wrongfulconvictions."■
22
AUGSBURG
NOW
States where c:ore eyewitness reforms have been
implemented through legislation, c:ourt action, or
substantial voluntary c:omplianc:e:
California,
Colorado,
Connecticut,
Georgia,
Louisiana,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Montana,
Nebraska,
Nevada,
New
Hampshire,
NewJersey,
NewMexico,
North
Carolina,
Ohio,
Oklahoma,
Oregon,
Rhode
Island,
Texas,
Utah,Vermont,
West
Virginia
andWisconsin
viaInnocence
Project
SPRING-SUMMER
2020 23
The Gage tam i ly is part of a legacy
Skip and Barbara have supported many campus projects
that has supported valuable
throughout the years, including Anderson Plaza, the Gage Center
student services that are crucial to
for Student Success, the Gage Family Art Gallery, the James G.
Augsburg University's
identity and
community.
Lindell Library, and the Scandinavian Center, which cultivated
knowledge and interest in Scandinavian culture on campus for
Edwin"Skip"Gagepassed away
Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Skip and his wife, Barbara
CarlsonGage,have been integral to the Augsburg community
Piper LaBelle Award for their consistent support of young people
for many years. Al I four of their children attended Augsburg,
In his professional life, Skip built what came to be known as
15 years. In 2016, the Gage family was honored with the Toby
in recovery.
including alumni GeoffGage'89 and Rick Gage'96. Barbara
the Carlson Marketing Group. He served as chair and then chair
served on the Board of Regents, including four years as
emeritus of the lnnerCity Tennis Foundation and worked with
chair of the board and as co-chair of Augsburg's Access to
Barbara in many community efforts with the Banyan Community,
Excellence campaign.
Northside Achievement Zone, and Urban Ventures.
Skip and Barbara initiated the Center for Learning and
Skip's vision aligned with Augsburg's institutional
calling and
Accessible Student Services and contributed substantial time
reinforced the university's commitments to global perspectives,
and gifts to the StepUP ® Program. Skip believed the values
living faith, active citizenship, and meaningful work. Skip and
taught as part of the fabric of Augsburg's community have been
Barbara's gifts and leadership over the years have sustained
as important as the educational experience and the culture of
Augsburg's commitment to serve its students and neighbors.
family and service that is imparted to all of Augsburg's students.
Through the Gage family's leadership, CLASS was established.
"The Gage family has and continues to have a significant
impact on the Augsburg community," said DonnaMclean, former
In 1989, Skip and Barbara commissioned the first study that
Augsburg director of leadership gifts. "Thanks to the generosity
evaluated learning disability programs at the college level. They
of the Gage family, the lives of so many students have been
partnered with Augsburg faculty to build a learning disability
meaningfully enhanced through CLASS and other campus
endowment program, and Skip led the drive to raise $500,000
programs that provide impactful learning experiences." ■
in addition to $500,000
24
AUGSBURG
NOW
his family pledged.
THE
STAGE
Sesquicentennial
project
shares
story
through
song
The Augsburg University Department of Music had a unique opportunity to produce
Other
sesquicentennial
projects
and perform "Tienda," a new chamber opera by Augsburg Assistant Professor of Music
To commemorate Augsburg's 150th
ReinaldoMoyaand opera lyricist Caitlin Vincent, which premiered February 21 and 22.
anniversary, the university invited faculty
This production, presented as a part of Augsburg's sesquicentennial celebration, was
performed in Foss Center's Hoversten Chapel and included a cast of student singers,
and staff to apply for funding to support
unique projects that aligned with their
the Augsburg Choir, and the Augsburg Orchestra. The opera tells the story of Luis
interests and expertise while uplifting
Garzon, a Mexican musician who immigrated to Minneapolis in 1886 and opened a
Augsburg's mission, academic excellence,
small Mexican grocery store, or tienda, in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the 1920s. Garz6n's
and traditions. These projects showcased
store served as a community hub for new arrivals from Mexico, many of whom had
the university's history, its distinction in
fled the Mexican Revolution and found work toiling on the sugar beet farms of rural
the arts, and its high-quality scholarship.
Minnesota. "Tienda" explored the immigrant experience: what must be left behind-
Learn more about sesquicentennial
and what cannot be forgotten-on
.
projects at augsburg.edu/150
the journey to a new home.
STUDENT
EMERGENCY
FUND
A Student Emergency Fund was established in March to support Augsburg students
with financial relief as we al I grapple with the challenges of COVID-19. In these
disruptive times, many students are experiencing the loss of income and jobs
as segments of the economy shut down, struggles to provide for their families,
obstacles in returning home to out-of-state residences, and uncertainty about their
ability to finance their Augsburg education.
With this fund, students are able to request emergency funding for basic needs,
including food, rent, transportation,
funding for academic materials-such
Giveto the StudentEmergency
Fundat
augsburg.edu/giving
.
and wireless internet-to
and medication. They may also request
as books, supplies, laptop computer rentals,
ensure their education is not impacted by a lack of
attainable resources.
SPRINGSUMMfR
2020 25
AUGGIES
CONNECT
AUGGIES
IN
NATION'S
CAPITAL
BEGIN
SERIES
OFALUMNI
GATHERINGS
Last October, a group of Augsburg alumni gathered in Arlington, Virginia, for a
dinner and reception hosted by JeffPeterson'63. At the end of the gathering,
JessicaSpanswick'10 suggested the group should spend more time together.
AUGGIES
whatprogram
doyouwanttolift
upforGiveto theMaxDay2020?
Spanswick coordinated the group's next gathering for a social hour and trivia
in Washington, D.C., the following month. That's how the informal OMV-area (the
district,
Maryland, and Virginia) Augsburg alumni group was born. With help from
Augsburg's Institutional
Advancement team, they were able to invite even more
Auggies in the area to attend social hours, networking events, and dinners.
In February, Augsburg staff met with
Give to the Max Day 2019 was a huge
success for programs across campus!
$421,000 RAISED
1,656 DONORS
the group to discuss how to increase
alumni involvement across the country
Auggie passion is the fuel that drives
and support the university through Give
strong donations on Give to the Max
to the Max Day 2020.
Day, and that's why it's Augsburg's
Want to plan an alumni gathering in your
biggest fundraising
area when pandemic health precautions
allow? Email alumni@augsburg.edu
to
receive help reaching out to fellow Auggies.
day of the year.
It's exciting and inspiring to hear your
personal stories about Augsburg and
Auggiesmeetin the Washington,D.C.,area.
why you're passionate about supporting
a particular
project.
What do you want to I ift up at
Augsburg? Send in a 45- to 90-second
video of yourself sharing what you were
most passionate about at Augsburg,
and you might be featured in the next
Give to the Max Day campaign.
0
Sendin a video,volunteer,or hel~ lead
a projectin Novemberby contacting
ChrisBogen'09,campaigncoordinator,at
bogen@augsburg.edu
by September1, 2020.
Lto R: ChrisBogen'09, RobynHiestand
'98, KariArfstrom
'89,Jonathan
Chrastek
'10,Jessica
Spanswick
'10,KatiePendo'10, KaiaChambers
26
AUGSBURG
NOW
AUGGIES
CONNEC
LIFELONGAUGGIE
FRIENDSHIPS
Connections
that flourishedat
Augsburgspanacrossyearsand miles
[L to R]: DerekFrancis'08, BryanLudwig
'08, Greg
Hildebrandt
'08,andSamaSandy'08 broughttheir families
togetherfor an eveningof fun earlierthis year.Thegroup
members
tout themselvesas the "1107Family,"namedfor the
numberof the roomtheysharedin Mortensen
Residence
Hall.
TheFacebook
postfromtheir meetupshowshowa friendship
betweenfourAuggiesbecamea close-knitgroupof 17.
A groupof Auggieswhocelebratelife milestones
togethergatheredfor the
70th birthdayof SueGibbons
Casey'71 [front,center].She'ssurrounded
by[clockwise]Pam(Hermstad)
Santerre(attendedAugsburg1968-69),
Ginny(Dahlen)Baali'72, Kris(Parbst)Rohde'72, KathyQuick'72, Nancy
'72.
(Olson)Hrdlicka'72,and Linda(Engstrom)
Akenson
TheseAugsburgalumniand "5th FloorGirls"of UrnessTowerinitially reunitedafter
their graduationat mini-reunionsand holidays.In recentyears,theytooktrips to
destinationslike Boston;MyrtleBeach,SouthCarolina;andStillwater,Minnesota.
Picturedare[front, L to R]:Stacy(Waterman)
Newton'01, SaraThedinga
'01,
Merry-Ellen
(Krcil)Bryers'01, andAnn(Peterson)
Fisher'01. [Back,L to R]:Amy
Carlson'01, LauraWaldon'01, Emily(Brinkman)
Waldon'01,JaimeKingsley
Loso'01,and EricaHuls'01. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
SPRING-SUMMER
2020 27
ALUMNI
CLASS
NOTES
The MinnesotaIntercollegiate
AthleticConferencefeatured
EdorNelson'38 in the LegendaryLeaders
seriesreleasedon its websiteand social
media. Nelson, who passedawayin 2014,
wasan instructorfor the healthand physical
educationdepartmentfor 32 years, coached
Augsburg'sbaseballteam from 1946 to 1979,
and led the programto sevenMIACtitles. He
alsowasAugsburgfootball'sheadcoach, and
he helpedstartthe men'swrestlingprogram
and relaunchmen's hockey.
1938
LelandFairbanks
'53, MD, was
selectedas the Commissioned
OfficersAssociationRetireeof the Yearby
the United StatesPublic HealthService.
The award, which recognizesexcellence
in serviceand volunteeractivities, was
presentedduring a virtual meetingin June.
Fairbanks'career has includedwork focused
on family health, holisticcare, smoke-free
communities, and training other health
professiona
Is.
1953
of Fame in 1988 and created an athletic
lettering programfor female student-athletes
in 1989.
&
Augsburg
AthleticDirector
JeffSwenson
'79
,;;, shares
hisoptimism
aboutAugsburg's
new
women's
wrestling
program.
Seestoryonpage10.
& ChadShilson
'93comments
onAugsburg's
,;;, women's
wrestling
program,
inwhichhis
Emily
ShiIson'23,competes.
Seestoryon
daughter,
page10.
& ShellyBoyum-Breen
'97connects
thelaunch
,;;, ofAugsburg's
women's
wrestling
withtheneed
totell moresportsstories
thatinclude
females
and
diverse
communities.
Seestoryonpage10.
CanisiusCollegein Buffalo, New
York, hired MartinHlinka'99
as an assistantcoachfor its men's hockey
program. After his work as an assistant
coach with the SalzburgRed Bulls junior
program, Hlinka servedas a lead on-ice skills
instructorwith SynergyHockeyin St. Louis.
The MinnesotaIntercollegiate
Hlinka scored 125 points in 85 gamesfrom
Athletic Conferencefeatured
MarilynPearsonFlorian'76 in the Legendary 1995 to 1999 while on Augsburg'shockey
team, and he also playedfootball, earning
Leadersseries. PearsonFloriancoached
All-Americanstatusas a kicker. Hlinka
women's basketballand volleyballat
playedprofessionalhockeyfor 15 years in
Augsburgand also was the women'sathletic
director. During her tenure, Augsburgadded the American HockeyLeague, United Hockey
League, and Germany.
four MIACwomen'ssports, including cross
country, golf, ice hockey, and swimming
and diving. She also initiated the induction
NickRathmann
'03 completed
of women into Augsburg'sAthletic Hall
his final term on the Augsburg
1999
1976
2003
Alumni Boardof Directors. He has been on
the boardfor the past sevenyears, serving
in executiveleadershiprolesfor four years,
including a two-yearterm as board president.
Rathmannnow continuesvolunteeringhis
time by servingon the A-Club board.
JasonEdwards
'04 has been
teaching sixth grade science
and readingat DiscoveryMiddleSchoolin
Fargo, North Dakota, for 11 years. He also
coachesgirls crosscountryand track and
field at FargoDaviesHigh School.The USA
Trackand FieldAssociationchose him as
the Coachof the Yearfor Girls CrossCountry,
and he is the North Dakotarepresentative
for the "40 under 40" coachingawardfrom
Coachand Athletic Directormagazine. While
at Augsburg, he competedin crosscountry
and track and field, earningschool recordsin
the indoor600 meterdash and indoor4x400
meter relayteam.
2004
Andr~a(Ladda)Brown'05
receivedan awardfor
her accomplishmentswith the City of
Minneapolis'PoliceConductOversight
Commissionregardingthe body-worncamera
policy, which led to the discoveryof ketamine
abuse by paramedicsand policeofficers.
Her work also led to the creationof the MPD
dashboard, where race disparitiesstatistics
and officer misconducthave been made
public and searchable, and the co-responder
model-mental health professionals
accompanyingpolice officersrespondingto
2005
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
28
AUGSBURG
NOW
ALUMNI
CLASS
NOTES
calls-which startedas a pilot programin
Minneapolisand is now used in NewYork,
Texas, and Utah. [Editor'snote:Theseevents
occurred prior to the murder of GeorgeFloyd
by Minneapolispolice.]
Artist AlisonPrice'08 was
featured in the Minnesota
Women'sPressregardingher new series
of art, "WitnessingWaves." Price, a child
of two immigrantparents, talked about
a stump alongthe MississippiRiverand
howthe river'swatersaided migrationto
the region.This pieceof nature influenced
Price'scollection, which startedduring her
time at Augsburg. "The seriesis imbuedwith
symbolism. DNAstrandsweavealongthe
riverbanksand through the rootsand ground,
reminding us of our interconnectedness
with all, reinforcingthe ideathat we are
fundamentallytied to each other and the
planet," Pricesaid.
2008
TannerWiseman
'15 and friends
from Lakeville, Minnesota, filmed
the series"DestinationFear," which aired on
the TravelChannellast fall. The showfollows
the group'scross-countryroad trip where
they stayedovernightin 10 haunted places.
The group beganmakingvideostogetherfor
YouTubein middle schooland high school,
and this show indulgestheir passionfor
exploringabandonedplaces.
2015
~
Legalassistant
SeanAdams
'17researched
~ eyewitness
identification
procedures
withan
Augsburg
facultymember.
Seestoryonpage18.
McCleave
, who outlinedthe organization's
effortsto highlightthe historyof Native
boardingschoolsand the impact they had on
Nativecommunities.
~
Austin
Conery
'17researched
thereliability
~ ofeyewitness
testimonies
andnowuseshis
experience
to understand
andapplystudiesin hisrole
at a mentalhealthprovider.
Seestoryonpage18.
2018
ChungEangLip'18 wrote
about his career path in the
public healthfield for ColumbiaUniversity's
MailmanSchoolof Public Healthstudent
voiceswebpage.He focused on the
importanceof kindnessand storytellingon
his journeyto becominga public health
professiona
I.
DianaPierce'16 MALnarratedand produced
a documentary, "CountryMusic: Made in
Minnesota," which aired on PioneerPBS
last September. The half-hourdocumentary
toucheson storiesabout artistsfrom the
Minnesotacommunitiesof Alexandriaand
Dovray; as well as the WE Festin Detroit
Lakes, Minnesota, and the FlameBar in
Minneapolis.The programfeaturesinterviews
with artistsfrom DetroitLakes, Minneapolis,
and Pipestone, Minnesota, plus otherfigures
who contributedto the developmentand
popularityof country music in the state.
~
Natalie
Johnson
'18contributed
to National
~ Science
Foundation-funded
research
that
evaluated
thereliability
of eyewitness
identification.
Seestoryonpage18.
GRADUATE
PROGRAMS
Christine
DiindiisiMcCleave
'13 MALis the
executivedirector of the NationalNative
American BoardingSchool HealingCoalition,
formed in 2012 , which seeksjustice and
healingfor NativeAmericanchildren and
their descendants. The organizationrecently
receiveda $10 million grant from the
KendedaFundthat will support a new 10year plan focused on education, advocacy,
and healing.MPR NewsinterviewedDiindiisi
~ SUBMIT
A
~ CLASS
NOTE
Tellusaboutthenewsinyourlifeyournewjob,move,
marriage,
and
milestones.
Visitaugsburg.edu/now
to submityourannouncements.
&
W
EricArlein'12 and Theresa(Bulger)
Arlien'14 welcomeda daughter,
Cora, last July.
Jenessa
(Payano)
Stark'07 graduated
from YaleUniversitywith her Masterof
•
Sciencein Nursingwith specialtiesas a
certified nurse midwifeand women'shealth
nurse practitioner. Tofulfill the health
professionalshortagearea serviceobligation
of her NationalHealthServiceCorps
scholarship, she is movingto NavajoNation
to work as a full-scope midwifeat a tribally
run Indian HealthServicehospitalin
Arizona.She will be accompaniedby her
husbandand children, includinga son,
Zaiel, whom the family welcomedin January.
Kristin(Daniels)
Overton
'09 and
husband, Jesse, welcomedthe birth of
•
twin boys, Mattisand Henry, lastSeptember.
Reginaldo
Haslett-Marroquin
'03
•
delivereda convocationaddressat
CarletonCollegein Northfield, Minnesota,
last October. He is a founding memberof the
NationalFairTradeFederation, startedthe
fair-tradePeaceCoffeeCompany, and is
presidentand CEOof Regenerative
AgricultureAlliance, a Minnesota-based
nonprofitorganizationthat worksto develop
regenerativefood supply chains and to
advocateagainstextractiveagriculture.
Haslett-Marroquinis alsothe author of "In
the Shadowof GreenMan," in which he tells
storiesfrom his upbringingin Guatemala
and shareshis visionfor regenerative
farming practices.
A
SylviaBull'10 (pictured on the right)
•
was ordainedas an Evangelical
LutheranChurch in America pastor in 2017
and has servedas associatepastor of Faith
LutheranChurch in Bismarck, North
Dakota, for three years.
SPRING
SUMMER
2020 29
ALUMNI
CLASS
NOTES
Augsburg University Men's Wrestling hosted an
alumni night in February, celebrating the national
championship anniversariesof the teams from 1970,
1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2010 before a wrestling
match against Concordia College-Moorhead . Photo
by Caleb Williams.
ChrisStedman'08 wrote
a new book that will be
published in October.
The book, "IRL: Finding
Realness, Meaning, and
Belongingin Our Digital
Lives," explores being
human in our increasingly
digital world and is
availablefor pre-order.
AugsburgUniversityMen's
Basketballhostedan alumni
reunion in Januarythat included
a pick-up game, lunch, watching
the men'steam take on Concordia
College-Moorhead, and a
social hour. Auggiesfrom several
generationsjoined in the festivities.
Auggiealumni leadthe men's
basketballprogramsat both
Augsburgand Concordia. Assistant
CoachCharlieScott'07, '15 MAL
and the Auggiesdefeatedthe
Cobbers, who were led by Head
CoachGrantHemmingsen
'07.
Adrienne
KucklerEldridge
'02
joined the staff of Augsburg's
ChristensenCenterfor Vocation.
She coordinatesthe theologyand
public leadershipundergraduate
program, is the program director
for the AugsburgYouth Theology
Institute, and is the director of the
Public Church Scholars program,
an accelerateddegree pathway
that allows students to complete
a Bachelor of Arts degree in
theologyand public leadership
and a Master of Divinity in
five years.The program is a
partnership betweenAugsburg
and LutheranSchool of Theology
at Chicagofor students who are
called to ministry and public
leadershipas an ordained pastor.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
JoeSeehusen
'00 married
Kathryn Tighe on a ranch
in Grand Lake, Colorado,
in September. The couple
resides in the Denverarea,
where they work in real
estate. Seehusenencourages
his Auggie friends to reach
out the next time they're in
Colorado.
30
AUGSBURG
NOW
ToriBahr'09, a medical doctor at
the complex care clinic of Gillette
Children's Hospital in St. Paul,
Minnesota, was presentedwith
Augsburg University's2019 First
DecadeAlumni Award in January.
Bahr previouslyworked at the
Universityof MinnesotaMedical
Center's InternaI Medicine-Pediatrics
Program, where she becamechief
resident. Bahr's new position at
Gillette Children's Hospital includes
treating patientswith medically
complex diseases, using advanced
technology, and championing
transition care.
BrentStolle'03 and Bethany
(Schneck)Stolle'05 welcomed
their second son, Isaac, in
February 2019. Isaacjoined his
three-year-old brother, Weston.
Bethany is the design research
lead for Blackboard, an education
technology company. Brent
works for Nvidia as a software
engineering manager. The family
lives in Kirkland, Washington.
DerrinLamker'97 was named Augsburg Universit
Footballhead coach in December. Lamker played
baseball, basketball, and football as an Auggie
student-athlete. During his football career, he wa<
the MinnesotaIntercollegiateAthletic Conference
MVPand led the Auggiesto a MIACtitle in 1997,
the same year he received KodakAll-American
Honors. Lamkerwas named the Northwest
Suburban ConferenceCoach of the Year in 2007,
2013, and 2014 during his tenure as head coach
of OsseoHigh School, where he coached for 11
years and won a class 6A state championship.
Beforetaking the head coach position at
Augsburg, Lamkeralso servedas offensive
coordinatorand head coach at Edina High
School. Augsburg University Footballhosted an
alumni gathering in Januaryto hear from Lamker
and to meet the incoming coaching staff, which
includes GregClough'86, defensivecoordinator,
and JackOsberg'62, volunteer coach. Alumni
who graduated between 1971 and 2019 attended
y
I
The City Pagespublication
featured the work of Jose
LuisVillasenor'99 and the
nonprofit organizationhe
founded, Tamalesy Bicicletas,
which existsto empower
youth, develop healthy Latinx
and immigrant communities,
promote sustainable
transportation, increase
accessto healthyfoods, and
improvethe environment.
The organization'scommunity
garden in south Minneapolis
providesspace to teach urban
farming and lay the groundwork
for sustainablelocal food.
/
In September, City Pages
featured DuaSaleh'18
for their work in poetry,
rapping, and singing.
Saleh released"N0r" in
2019, and "ROSETTA"
in 2020, EPsproduced
by Psymun, the St. Paul,
Minnesota, producer
whose connectionswith
mainstreamhip-hop
provide broader exposure
for Twin Cities performers.
As the recipient of the
Cedar Commissions
emerging musicians
program, Saleh performed
"Strings and Heart Beats,"
a project described as "an
immersiveAfrodiasporic
experience."
AlissaNollan'09 marriedJames Nystromin
St. Anthony, Minnesota, lastJuly.The wedding
party includedJennifer
Nollan'89, Whitney
(Holman)
Mead'10, and KatiePendo'10.
MarkMuhich'89 was
hired as managing
attorneyto supervise
public defender services
in Minnesota'sCarlton
and St. Louis counties.
Muhich is a Hibbing,
Minnesota, nativewho
has been a part-time
public defender at the
St. LouisCounty
Courthousein Virginia,
Minnesota. Muhich
previouslytaught politicaI
science and criminal
justice at Mesabi Range
Collegeand taught in the
law enforcement program
at VermilionCommunity
College.
MikePolis'10 welcomed
a second child, Sophia
June, in January.His
first child, LydiaMae,
lovesbeing an older
sibling. Polis is in his
secondyear of real
estateand is excitedfor
anotheryear of selling
and buying homes.
KelseyCrockett'06 and
wife, Stacey, welcomed
a child, MasonAvery
Crockett, into their family in
January. Kelseycontinued
his software management
work when the family moved
from Nashvilleto Dallasfor
Staceyto begin a doctoral
programat the Universityof
Texas-Southwestern.
In December, Michelle
Basham
'00 was elected
as the new presidentand
CEOof YWCAMinneapolis.
Bashampreviouslywas the
executivedirector at The
Bridgefor Youth, servedas
CEOof YWCADelaware, and
held leadershippositionsat
CommonBondCommunities,
FamilyWise
, and the
MinnesotaDepartmentof
Human Services.She also
co-foundedthe Nonprofit
EmergingLeadersAcademy.
P.C. Hillstrom'07, director of
educationaI equity at OsseoArea
Schools, received two statewide
honors this year: the Outstanding
Administrator of the Year award
from the Minnesota Indian
Education Association and the
Ron McKinley "All My Relations"
award from the Minnesota
Education Equity Partnership.
Hillstrom has worked for Osseo
Area Schools since 2015.
BrothersDaveKerkvliet'95 and TimKerkvliet
'01
were featured on the EducationMinnesotawebsite
when they introducedfour band studentsof Sebeka,
Minnesota-where Daveteaches-to the rock band
311 at a performanceat The Armory in Minneapolis.
Davehastaught band for 24 yearsand is a lifelong
musicianand fan of rock bands. He connected
those passionsand organizedthis meetingbetween
his studentsand lead singerand guitarist Nick
Hexumand drummer ChadSextonprior to 31 l's
performance.
SPRING
SUMMER
2020 31
ClarenceT. Hoversten
'41 ,
HerbertW. Chilstrom
'54, Green
Valley, Arizona, age 88, on
January 19.
M. KennethGjerde'61 ,
MarilynJ. Gisselquist
'73,
Fairfield, Montana, age 83,
on December 22.
Minneapolis, age 90, on
February 21.
DonaldJ. Dill '54, Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, age 86, on
December 15.
Ruth(Stenson)Kalpin'61,
Falls, South Dakota, age 95, on
January 27.
Alexandria, Minnesota, age 80,
on November 10.
Zee AnneA. (Zimmerman)
Reishus'73, Wood Lake,
DorothyC. (Quanbeck)
Johnson
'48,
BeverlyM. (Jorgensen)
Olander'55,
DonaldN. Myhres'61, Lee,
North Branch, Minnesota, age 92,
on February 18.
Rochester, Minnesota, age 86, on
November 18.
Illinois, age 95, on November 13.
HenryW. Roufs'49, San Diego,
WandaE. (Warnes)Olson'56,
RobertJ. llstrup'62, Minneapolis,
age 82, on September 25.
age 97, on October 10.
Lewiston, Minnesota, age 84, on
November 14.
EllenA. (Paulson)Keiter'64,
Minnesota, age 91, on January 29.
GlennC. Thorpe'56, Mendota
Charleston, Illinois, age 77, on
December 10.
RusselM. Smith'50,
Heights, Minnesota, age 85, on
February 8.
JeanneS. (Wanner)Morreim'66,
Lakeville, Minnesota, age 91,
on November 21.
RobertG.Jamieson
'57, Edina,
Cloquet, Minnesota, age 76, on
January 26.
Hendricks, Minnesota, age 101,
on November 6.
EileenM. Quanbeck
'46, Sioux
KermitF.Hoversten
'50, Austin,
PhyllisG. (Knudson)
Seim'58,
MarjorieK. (Danielson)
Johnson
'53,
Stillwater, Minnesota, age 83, on
January 24.
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 88, on
December 4.
JosephP. Nystuen'59, Cold
WilmerJ. Oudal'53, Eagle River,
Spring, Minnesota, age 82, on
November 10.
Alaska, age 88, on February 2.
MargaretA. (Lundahl)Ruesch'59,
32
AUGSBURG
NOW
WalterJ. Bradley'78, Davenport,
KatharineE. Skibbe'79,
Minneapolis, age 62, on
October 7.
IreneW. (Waslien)Stemmer'88,
Wayzata, Minnesota, age 93, on
November 8.
JaniceK. (Thompson)
Crockett'68,
age 91, on December 29.
Rochester, Minnesota, age 88,
on December 17.
DianeL.Loeffler'75, Minneapolis,
age 66, on November 16.
Iowa, age 63, on February 9.
Minnesota, age 86, on January 16.
Raymond
P.Strot'51, Minneapolis,
LeroyM. Petterson'53,
Minnesota, age 68, on
January 24.
Worthington, Minnesota, age 83,
on December 30.
Shakopee, Minnesota, age 73, on
January 15.
BruceA. Vassar'93, Edina,
age 57, on December 6.
ThomasL. Docken'69, Stacy,
LouJean
J. (Gulbransen)
Reid'94,
Minnesota, age 73, on
December 9.
Austin, Minnesota, age 73, on
January 20.
VirginiaK. (Golberg)Baynes'70,
Lee(Gilbert)Schotzko'04, Afton,
Portland, Oregon, age 71, on
September 14.
Minnesota, age 49, on October 1.
BenjaminM. Blair'14, Decorah,
Iowa, age 31, on January 26.
The "In memoriam" listings in this publication
include notifications received before March 1.
AuGSBURG
UNIVERSITY
®
DIGITAL-ONL
ISSUE
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Pieces
ofhistory
After the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and protests calling for justice in Minneapolis and around the nation,
MollyMontana'23 went to Lake Street to capture the work of local artists that emerged on walls and plywood boards covering the
windows of numerous businesses. "I wanted to tell the story of the pain and rage that people of color have felt," she said about
the images she captured for a photography class project. "I wanted to capture something meaningful, and these displays were
just that. They are a piece of history."
augsburg.edu/now
Show less
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Title
-
Augsburg Now Fall 2009: Making It Possible
-
Collection
-
Alumni Magazine Collection
-
Search Result
-
T V
.a
The Magazine of Augsburg College
English 111 Bishop Marl< Hanson
Annual report Velkommen Jul sweets
Homecoming 2009 Professor Lisa Jacl<
'J
!.,
þ
Ir
possrible
Editor
Betsey Norgard
norga rd@a ugsbu rg.ed
u
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza '05 MAL
ru mpza@augsburg.edu
fro...
Show more
T V
.a
The Magazine of Augsburg College
English 111 Bishop Marl< Hanson
Annual report Velkommen Jul sweets
Homecoming 2009 Professor Lisa Jacl<
'J
!.,
þ
Ir
possrible
Editor
Betsey Norgard
norga rd@a ugsbu rg.ed
u
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza '05 MAL
ru mpza@augsburg.edu
from President Pribbenow
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler'06
wheelerw@a ugsbu rg.ed u
Creative Associate-Design
Jen Nagorski'08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geff re@a ugsburg.edu
.
few years ago my good friend and predecessor as Augsburg's president, Bill Frame,
introduced me to Burton Clark's work on the
concept of saga as it relates to the distinctive character and identity of colleges and universities. A saga, according to Clark, is more than
story-all of us
a
have stories. A saga is more of a
mythology-a sense of history and purpose and
direction that is told in vocabulary and narrative that
accounts for a college's DNA, its essence even-and
it abides in the people, programs, and values that
define an institution.
Clark contends that not every institution has a
saga. Sometimes this is a function of not being true
to founding values. At other times it can be occasioned by a change of location or core mission. Still
other institutions have not found a way to link theìr
pasts, presents, and futures in a coherent narrative.
I believe firmly that Augsburg does have a saga,
and it runs deep in the culture and meaning of our
work here together. My exploration of Augsburg's rich
history has surfaced several themes that are central
to our saga. I think you will recognize them:
founders who believed that education should be for
all, no matter their circumstances, and that the
quality of that education should be of the highest
order because that is what God expects of those
faithful servants who have been given the gift to
teach. This is our distinctive gift for the world, an
educational experience like no other available to
those who might otherwise not have the opportunity.
This is our distinctive gift for students from many
different backgrounds and experiences. This is our
distinctive gift to have a community in which access
to education is celebrated and encouraged and, yes,
even demanded. We dare not keep back any of the
educational opportunity with which we have been
entrusted because it is our distinctive gift from our
You
will read in the following
rent students and alumni who have been welcomed
at Augsburg and offered a demanding and relevant
education that serves them for a lifetime. ln these
stories I trust that you will find-as I have come to
know in my experience here-that our saga, our
DNA, our values, and character lead us to pursue
the pursuit of freedom through a liberal arts
approach to learning, by serving our neighbor and
the world, and by the centrality of faith to our vision
Augsburg experience available to all who will be
formed by our college's rare and distinctive vision of
education for lives of meaningful work and faithful
of education.
service. lt's a saga worth retelling and celebrating!
Another central theme in our saga is powerfully
illustrated in the articles in this issue of the
Augsburg's high-quality education accessible to all
learning, and service. Our commitment to an accessible education is a remarkable legacy from our
Jeff Shelman
shelman@a ugsbu rg.edu
Sports lnformation Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.ed
u
l)irector of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@a ugsbu rg.ed
u
wwwaugsburg.edu
I
I
Augsburg Nowis published by
Augsburg College
f
I
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
I
i
221 1 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
0pinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
lr
I
l
ll
I
tssN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to
Advancement Services
cB t42
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
hea lyk@a ugsb
We believe deeply in making
those who seek to learn at the intersections of faith,
Director of l{ews and
Media Services
pages about cur-
ever more avidly a commitment to making an
/Vor.,r¡.
barnesb@a ugsburg.ed u
ancestors and our gracious and loving God.
Augsburg is shaped by an immigrant sensibility, by
Augsburg
Webmaster//far 0nline
Bryan Barnes
u
rg.ed u
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1 181
Fax:612-330-1780
fall 2009
Features
English 111
compiled by Wendi Wheeler '06
Velkommen Jul's sweet traditions
compiled by Betsey Norgard
Finding perspective
by
Jeff Shel
man
Iliscovering joy in the challenges of leadership
by
Jeff Shelman
Making Augsburg possible
by Wendi Wheeler '06
Annual report to donors, 2008-09
ct)
+,
É
-(¡)
+)
-O
(J
Depa rtments
4
Around the Ouad
6
Spotlight-Trip to Egypt
I
Auggies on the field
g
It takes an Auggie
12
Auggie voices
't3
Homecoming 2009
47
Alumni news
52
Class notes
56
My Auggie experience
0n the cover
Juventino Meza Rodriguez arrived in St. Paul from Mexico at age 15
Through determination, hard work, and a lot of support, he's one of
the many students helped into college by Admission Possible.
6 ffi
¡iFiw
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
6
(*,
fi
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First-year day students began their semester with
City Service Day, spending an afternoon working on
I
prolects in the neighborhoods around Augsburg.
ffiH
ì
llFrtar*-.-
.l.<^?*
oY
4
't
&^t
around the
Augsburg keeps going green
Sustainability Awareness Month
September on campus not only included the beginning of fall
classes, but a month-long series of events and activities
designed to raise awareness and change habits related to
sustai nabi I ity.
Sustainability Awareness Month (SAM) was the brainchild of
Augsburg students, several of whom participated in faculty-led
study abroad programs, including Sustainable Cities in North
America with Professors Lars Christiansen and Nancy Fischer in
the summer of 2008.
After students in the course worked with A'viands to create a
composting program in Augsburg's dining facilities last year,
their next step toward a more environmentally friendly and sus-
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Augsburg was the afternoon location of the West Bank Farmers Market each week, bringing
fresh, locally-grown vegetables to the Augsburg community.
tainable campus was a month of events.
"We want this to bring the campus together," said senior
Kjerstin Hagen, a leader on the project. "lt takes all of us to
e
make this happen."
Each week was centered around a different theme, with
tabling, information, activities, and speakers, including nationally known author and activist, Bill McKibben. The themes for
SAM were waste reduction and management, alternative trans-
portation, alternative energy and consumption, and connecting
communitìes through food.
Community Garden and Farmers Market
Augsburg's community garden increased this summer as an additional area was turned into garden plots. A total of 40 plots grew
produce and flowers for the Augsburg community and neighborhood residents and organizations.
didn't grow their own vegetables in the commugarden,
nity
fresh produce was available each week on campus
at the West Bank Farmers Market, a project of the Brian Coyle
Augsburg students joined 5,000 groups around the world that marked the lnternati0nal
Day of Climate Action sponsored by 350.0rg. The number signifies the highest safe level of
carbon emissions in parts per million.
For those who
Center and Augsburg Campus Kitchen. Three farm families sold
their locally-grown and eco-friendly vegetables and herbs during
the summer and into the early cold fall at Brian Coyle Center in
bring about action to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions to 350
ppm, deemed the highest safe level by NASA scientists.
Auggie students led bikers to the State Capitol for a rally on the
Capitol lawn, sponsored by the Will Steger Foundation, Oxfam, 1Sky,
and Augsburg in support of global climate change action. Rep. Betty
the morning and at Augsburg by Foss Center in the afternoon.
McOollum and Rep. Keith Ellison, among other legislators, told
those gathered to "keep your voices loud."
350 lnternational l)ay of Climate Action
Augsburg students planned a full day on October 24 as part of
the lnternational Day of Climate Action, the project of Bill
The bikers arrived back on campus in time to join a crowd at halftime on the footballfield for a photo that was posted online at
McKibben and 350.0rg. Activities around the world aimed to
and Day Student Body Government.
4
www.350.org. The halftime event was sponsored by Campus Ministry
Augsburg Now
I
7-
Mayor meets with students
After returning from New Zealand last summer,
Richmond Appleton '09 was so enthusiastic that he
wrote a letter t0 Minneapolis mayor
R.T. Rybak.
Applelon was in l{ew Zealand lor five weeks
with 25 students led by biology professor Brian
Corner and political science professor loe
Underhill to study Biodiversity and Environmental
Politics. "tveryone is aware of the environment,
of sustainability, of food production, and energy
use. From the north island to the south island,
everything is consistent."
Appleton, a senior environmental studies maior,
Ever Cat Fuels in lsanti, Minn., opened its plant t0 produce biodiesel from the Mcgyan process, which has
student, faculty, and alumni r00ts at Augsburg.
Ever Cat Fuels opens in lsanti
Minneapolis. He contacted Rybak, a strong sup-
What began as a student research project in a Science Hall laboratory made
another step toward changing how fuel will be produced in the future when Ever
porter of sustainability efforts, who welcomed
Cat Fuels held a grand opening for its biodiesel plant in late September.
wanted to bring ideas from l{ew Zealand back to
such a meeting.
Kjerstin Hagen'10, an American lndian studies
major who studied urban sustainability last summer in Portland, 0re., and Vancouver, 8.C., joined
The plant, located about 40 miles north of campus in lsanti, Minn., is expected to
produce about 3 million gallons of biodiesel per year when fully operational. lt represents the first large-scale application of the Mcgyan process of making biodiesel.
The Mcgyan process came out of research by Augsburg undergraduate and
Appleton at the meeting. She was one of the stu-
Rhodes scholar Brian Krohn'08 and creates biodiesel from waste oils. The process
dents involved in implementing Augsburg's com-
doesn't require food stock to work and doesn't create any waste products.
The Mcgyan process-named for Ever Cat Fuels founder and Augsburg alumnus
posting program and planning Sustainability
Awareness Month.
Ihe students shared their travel experiences
with Rybak and told him about ongoing sustainability efforts at Augsburg, many of which were initiated by students. "Augsburg is doing exactly what
I believe in," Rybak said.
The three agreed that informing and educating
the community is an important factor in promoting
urban sustainability. Rybak encouraged Appleton
Clayton McNeff '91, Augsburg chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg, and Ever Cat scientist Ben Yan-has certainly attracted a lot of attention.
"When I see something like this, it's everythingthat we talk about in
Washington," said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who spoke at the grand opening.
McNeff said Ever Cat Fuels is already planning to expand its facility in lsanti. ln
addition, the company is licensing the Mcgyan process, and it is expected that
other biodiesel facilities will be built across the country and the world.
McNeff also said that a donation to Augsburg's planned Center for Science,
Business, and Religion will be made for each gallon of biodiesel sold.
and Hagen to sign up for one of the city's committees so that they could continue lheir work outside
of Augsburg.
22nd Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Striving for Peace: A Question 0f Will
March 5-6, 2010 at Augsburg College
Honoring 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Martti Ahtisaari
lnternational peace negotialor
and former president of Finland
www.peaceprizeforum.org
Sponsored by Augsburg College, Augustana College (Sioux Falls), Concordia College
(Moorhead), luther College, and St. 0laf College
Fall
2009
5
around the
Augsburg's first travel to Egypt
As a child, I spent most of my summers in Egypt. When I became
language and culture. After learning about the history of Nubia and
director of the Pan-Afrikan Center, I proposed taking students to
Egypt so they could study in a country with both a rich history and
current events of interest. After a year-and-a-half of planning and
its relationship to Egypt, the students spent the day with a Nubian
community located in Aswan.
We later ventured to Hurghada, a city on the Red Sea located in
the Eastern Desert. We drove over an hour to visit a Bedouin community with only 30 members. Due to the harsh nature of the
desert, all of their water comes from a local well, and they raise
the animals needed to survive. We shared a meal with this community, which allowed the students to experience the vast expanse
and isolation of the desert. lt was eye-opening to see what it takes
to survive there.
0ur trip to Egypt evoked a lot of thoughts and feelings within
our students. They had to interact with people who speak different
languages, practice different religions, and come from a very differ-
collaborating with Professor Phil Adamo, who teaches ancient history at Augsburg, we arrived last May in Cairo wilh 22 students. We
began our journey in Africa's largest city, a 1,OOO-year-old metropolis that is home to more than 20 million people. Beyond Cairo,
our three-week excursion took us through Alexandria, Luxor,
Aswan, and Hurghada.
0ur two courses covered Ethnicity and ldentity in Ancient and
Modern Egypt, focusing on Egypt's ancient past and exploring its
modern identity, including a discussion of religion. Although Egypt
has an overwhelming Muslim majority there is also a significant
Orthodox Christian community. As such, students visited some of
the oldest lslamic mosques and Christian churches and monasteries in the world. 0ne stop was Al-Azhar University and mosque,
which is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the
world. We later went to the Hanging Church, one of the sites said
to have been visited by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Outside of Cairo,
we visited St. Makarios Monastery, another monastery on the Holy
Family's travels through Egypt.
ln discussing Egypt's place in the ancient world, we acknowledged that ancìent Egyptian
society is often over-romanti-
cized, Ieading to a diff iculty in
reconciling the past with the
current state of affairs. To give
context and help students
understand the many changes
Egypt has undergone, we
explored Egypt's relations with
its neighbors, both past and
present. Our f irst stop, Abu
Simbel, is an ancient temple
built by the Egyptians, in an
area then known as Nubia, to
show Egypt's dominance in the
region. Although Nubia is no
longer a separate kingdom, the
Nubian people have a distinct
6
Augsburg Now
È
ent worldview. We challenged stereotypes, explored history, and
dug deep into what it means to be an American traveling overseas.
cities, resorts, mountains, and deserts on our
quest to learn more about Egypt. lt was a wonderful experience to
take students to the place where my family originated, and I look
forward to possibly going back.
We traveled through
MOHAMED SALLAM
Director of the Pan-Afrikan Center and instructor in the Departments of Sociology and History
a7-
Two new regents elected to board
The Augsburg Corporation,
at its annual meeting in
September, elected two new
members to the Board of
NEW
Bt00MlNGIf)l{ CEI{TER-Augsburg students
can now study toward an MBA or a Master of Arts in
Leadership degree in Bloomingon at St. Stephen
Regents and re-elected six
lutheran Church, conveniently located near l-494
others.
and France Ave. For graduates of nearby
Elected to a four-year
term on the Augsburg Board
of Regents:
Ann Ashton-Piper (above
left)
Ann Ashton-Piper is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has worked
extensively in the information technology field and is president of The Bridgie
Group, a small lT consulting firm. She is active in her church, Peace Lutheran
Church in Bloomington, where she recently chaired the Call Committee. She
and her husband, Ken, who is an architect, are also active in theìr community,
supporting local nonprofit and charitable organizations such as Lake Country
School, Groves Academy, and the Children's Theater Company. They have five
children and live in Bloomington.
Normandale Community Gollege, a bachelor's
degree completion program (AA to BA)
i¡
communi-
cation studies or business administration is
planned at the new Bloomington Center.
NEW S()ClAl- W0R|íMBA DUAL DEGREE-A new
MSWMBA dual degree is specifically designed
for
MSW alumni who completed the Program I)evelop-
ment, Policy, and Administration (PDPA) c0ncentra-
tion; it will offer the knowledge, experience, and
values necessary for success in both business and
human services systems.
Lisa Novotny'80 (above right)
URBAII DEBATE IEAûUE AT AUûSBURG-llow part
Lisa Novotny'80 is vice president, Human Resources at General Mills, and
Augsburg's Sabo Genter for Citizenship and Learn-
has responsibility for human resource strategy and leadership across the sup-
ing, the Minnesota Urban Debate league (MNUI)L)
ply chain and iechnology organization. Prior to General Mills, she held similar
positions for Dain Bosworth and First Bank System. Novotny received her
sponsors six high school programs and three junior
Bachelor of Science degree in social work and Spanish from Augsburg College
St. Paul, serving several hundred students, teach-
ol
high school debate programs in Minneapolis and
in 1980 and a Master of Arts in industrial relations from the University of Min-
ers, and coaches. lt is one ol the college-readiness
nesota. She and her husband, Rev. lVìark Flaten, are members of Edina Community Lutheran Church. They have two daughters; one of them is a current
partnerships Augsburg supp0rts t0 provide access
to underserved and low-income high school stu-
Augsburg sophomore.
dents in the Twin Cities.
Elected to a second, six-year term was:
'65, chairman, Swenson Anderson Financial Group
"LlVE l-lFE
. Dan Anderson
AT THE STRETï
LEVEI"-Day student
body president Sam Smith welcomed first-year
Elected to second, four-year terms were:
Hagfors, founder and president (retired), Norsen, lnc.
. Jodi Harpstead, chief operating officer, Lutheran Social Service of lVìinnesota
. Dean Kennedy'75, president, TFI Securities
. Marie McNeff, academic dean (retired) and professor emerita of education,
. Norman
.
Augsburg College
Paul Mueller'84, physician and chair of internal medìcine, Mayo Clinic
students at the opening convocation with a mes-
sa!e: "At Augsburg my life and my learning have
been enriched by the constant reminder thal the
city and the community are the largest classrooms
you can find.
... Where I currently live,
on the
l3th floor of Mortensen Hall, the view of downtown
Minneapolis is both beautiful and intimidating. Up
that high, it's impossible to make out faces or
street signs. At street level, though, life in the
.,ì.;i; .:iii:¡ l1 ;i;i ;,; i,,'r!i i ¡ f\l¡;:.;!
"\'J
l i, ;
i ¡ r:r i i
i,
:.,i t r,'
r'
i ¡I I
r,,.
i:
¡i t
I
;!'.¡iiì;:ì : (i,;:lt!l:,¡lllt t'i:0ìli:rlr
j ;:r::rìrriûli: j:r, ii ii;ltilr,
r'.,i1Ìr
Cedar-Riverside and Seward neighborhoods
¡!{¡
1'
doesn'l seem as complicated, foreign, or hectic
as it appears from the bedroom. My hope [is that
I
youJ will evenlually learn to live life in the city at
iiq¡i'r'jr: i
;r,,1,
slreet level."
Fall
2009
7
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H
IIütrNrcNER
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ru
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tl
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it takes an
Campus Kitchen wins youth philanthropy award
{ugsburg's Campus Kitchen program was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the Outstanding Youth Award
for 2009 at National Philanthropy Day in Minneapolis in November. Augsburg students were recognized for the program they
largely plan and run that serves more than 1,700 meals each
month to low-income and homeless persons, and communities in
need in the Cedar-Riverside and Phillips neighborhoods.
The student leadership team of 8-12 Augsburg student volunteers provides the essential component for the program-people
power. Under direction of the staff coordinator and two student
interns, the team coordinates other volunteers for three cooking
shifts and six food deliveries each week. Meals are prepared, stored
overnight, and delivered the following day. The students also gìve
of their heart, providing conversation and offering companionship
to the individuals they serve.
The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg College was established in
October 2003 and is one of only 15 Campus Kitchen organizations
around the country. The program brings together the college dining
service, local community groups, and individuals to plan, prepare,
The Campus K¡tchen at Augsburg received the y0uth philanthr0py award, recognizing
lhe work ol the students and volunteers who serve 1,700 meals per month in the
neighborhoods around Augsburg.
deliver, and serve meals.
ln the past two years, Campus Kitchen has expanded its activities:
.
A'viands food service-From their arrival at Augsburg ìn June
2008, A'viands, a local food service provider, has embraced
Campus Kitchen and provides access to food that would otherwise be thrown away. Donations also come from community food-
.
. Summer Garden
and Nutrition Education Project-Augsburg students teach neighborhood youth from the Brian Coyle Community
Center and Somali Confederation about health, nutrition, garden-
banks and other institutions.
.
Communìty Supported Agriculture (CSA)-Campus Kitchen is the
site coordinator for all Augsburg CSA shares and receìves six
shares through Ploughshare Farm's Food for Folk Project.
Community garden-Over three years, Augsburg's community garden has provided space for neighborhood residents, Augsburg
employees, and community organizations to grow their own food.
ing skills, and cooking nutritious meals.
.
West Bank Farmers Market-ln partnership with the Coyle
Center, local farmers selltheir produce once a week during the
summer in the morning at Coyle Center and in the afternoon at
Augsburg-and often donate unsold food to Campus Kitchen.
. Service-learning-Augsburg
history students get hands-on learning about how resources are collected, distrìbuted, and controlled
in the "living text" of Augsburg's Campus Kitchen.
ln its six years, Campus Kitchen has been the recipient of three
awards recognizing the program's outstanding service and
achievements: Student Organization of the Year, given by
Augsburg College; Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award, given by
World Hunger Year in 2OO4; and the Great ldea Award, given by
America's Promise. Read more about Campus Kitchen at
www.
a
ugsbu rg. ed u/cam puskitchen.
BTTSEY NORGARD
flr
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View more photos and learn more about why Campus Kitchen was nominated
for the youth philanthropy award at www.augsburg.edu/now
Fall
2009 I
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age 77, Herb Chilstrom '54 got an offer he couldn't refuse. The retired ELCA
presiding bishop was invited to serve as interim director of the Linnaeus Arboretum
at Gustavus Adolphus College while its director is overseas for ayear. The transition
from Chilstrom's 50-plus years as pastor and bishop to administrative gardener, he
AI
tells his friends, was easy: "l'm going from tending flocks to tending phlox."
Chilstrom gained an appreciation and love for gardening from his mother, a gardener ahead of her time who, along with her husband, pul organically grown food
on their table. He pursued that interest in retirement when he studied to become a
.fu1
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master gardener.
"lt turned out to
be one of the most enjoyable educational experiences l've ever
had," he says.
When the Chilstroms moved to a townhome in St. Peter, Minn., Herb volunteered
his services to the arboretum. For seven years he nurtured flowerbeds back to
blooming beauty and created a vegetable garden behind the restored settlers'
cabin-which was a necessity for every settler, as well as his own family, During this
time the arboretum began to restore more than 80 acres back to its native prairie.
Now as interim director, he has enjoyed launching "The Linnaeus Order of
Nasturtiums," a cadre of volunteers who tend the arboretum's flora. lVlostly retirees,
the order has "taken off like gangbusters," Chilstrom says. Despite the initiation,
that is, which requires each volunteer to eat a nasturtium blossom laced with
cream cheese.
"People are almost begging to get into the order," says Chilstrom. He has
recruited 20 volunteers in two months, and all have passed the initiation.
For Chilstrom, this second "calling" also has theological roots. He says that
while Lutherans consider Christ's life, death, and resurrection in the Second Article
of the Creed as the heart of Christian faith, "we may have emphasized it to the
point where we don't appreciate as much as we should the First Article, about creation as the gift of God."
"Being involved in a place like the arboretum," Chilstrom continues, "gives me a
chance to create some balance, to be committed to making this place as beautiful
as it can be in a world that is quite broken, where we don't appreciate the gifts of
nature, and where there's so much desecration of the environment."
It's also a chance for some historical reflection. Chilstrom recounts how so many
settlers, including his great-grandparents, arrived in lVìinnesota penniless and
began breaking up the prairie, with disregard for Native peoples and their land.
"Now when we recapture part of that into native prairie, we are helping people
step back and think about what it was like for Native Americans to live here, how
they survived in that setting, and the beauty of the prairie," he says.
ln sum, Chilstrom says, "lfeel that in my retirement I've been uniquely blessed
to be located in a place like this where I can think about some of these good ihings
that are important to us."
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HfIMECOMING 2OO9
September 28-0ctober 4
Despite the rains and chilly weather, spirits were high at the 2009
Auggie Adventure, as hundreds of alumni, students, faculty/staff,
and friends celebrated Homecoming. 0ueen Jamie Krumenauer
and King Kevin Khottavongsa presided at the football game halftime festivities and cheered the Auggies despite their loss to
Hamline, 38-28. Alums sampled classes from Augsburg professors, met fellow alumni authors, enjoyed their reunions, and
ended the weekend with a bang at the fireworks display.
Fall
2009
13
'Ëff'{
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i
1
2009
Augg¡e Adventure
14
Augsburg Now
DISTINGUISHEIl ALUMNI
FIRST ]lECA]lE AWARIl
Tove Dahl'84 and Curt Rice'84
Tove Dah
l-Associate
Professor,
Psychology, University of Tromsø, Norway
Curt Rice-Director, Center for Advanced
Study in Theoretical Linguistics, University
Brenda Talarico, '99 PA
Assistant Professor, Physician
Assistant Program, Augsburg Col lege
of TromsØ, Norway
SPIRIT fIF AUGSBURG
AWARD
Phebe Hanson '50
Poet, teacher, founding member of
The Loft Literary Center
James E. Haglund, Augsburg Regent
Emeritus and Parent
President and Owner, Central
Contai ner Corporation ; Co-owner of
Spectrum Screen Printing
Joyce (Anderson) Pfaff '65
Professor Emerita of Health and
Physical Education, Augsburg College
2flO9 ATHLETIC HALL flF FAME
Bob Arvold '82, Wrestlìng
Joel Engel '87, lvlen's Basketball
Matt Farley'88, Baseball
Dallas Miller'88, lvìen's Hockey
Ruth 0lson '60, Women's Basketball
Sonja Slack Payne '91, Softbatt, Tennis
Drew Privette '89, Football, Men's Hockey
Richard Thorud '56
Daniel Roff '82, Football
Retired engineer, Toro Company
Stefanie Lodermeier Strusz '98, women's Basketball
@
For more aboul Homecoming and the alumni award winners, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now
Fall
2009
15
THE DESTINATION IS THE SAME: EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE. BUT THE PATHS
TO THAT CAN BE AS DIFFERENT AS DAY AND WEEKEND/EVENING.
For many, Augsburg College is a traditional liberal arts college with 18- to 22-year-olds
ENGLISH
living on or near campus. lt's the place where they went just a few months after graduating from high school and spent the next four years.
There is another side to Augsburg as well. lt's one where classes are held on Fridays,
Saturdays, Sundays, and some evenings. ln this evening and weekend program, students
are older, they are more likely to have a full-time job, and they often juggle more family
responsibilities than traditional day students. They study in both Rochester and
lVinneapolis, at four locations.
While the two groups are demographically different, the education they receive is as
close to the same as possible. For example, business majors in the day program take the
same courses as business majors in the evening and weekend program at all locations.
Where the education differs has more to do with the life experiences students bring to
the classroom.
As one way to see this, we talked to students and faculty members in a day and
weekend section of English 111. This class, Effective Writing, is one that nearly every
Augsburg student takes. As seen in their favorite books and authors, the younger day
students tend toward escape fantasy and horror fiction, exploring the dark and the
macabre. The older weekend/evening students show more interest in philosophy, psychology, and spìrituality-perhaps seekìng more understanding, meaning, and comfort
their lives. Enjoy "meeting" these Augsburg students.
COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER
16
Augsburg Now
in
by the numbers
EVENINû/WËEKENI)
UNI|ERGRADUATE
PR0GRAM (Minneapolis Campus)
DAY UNDERGRAI)UATE PR()GRAM
Total students enrolled: 809
Total students enrolled: 2,01 3
Average age: 35
Average age:
Male/female rat¡o: 37/63
21
Male/female ratio: 50/50
Students of color: l5%
Students of color (total): 25%
Students of color (first-year class): 42%
Fall
2009
17
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sweet trad¡t¡ons
Velkommen Jul is one of Augsburg's most popular traditions, a Scandinavìan
welcome to the holiday season. Augsburg alumni and friends look forward each
year to the splendid banquet of sweets and treats provided by the Augsburg
Associates.
Enjoy these cookie recipes that come from the hands and hearts of the
Associates. Some recipes date back generations to family members who
attended Augsburg Seminary in the late 1800s.
JOIN US AT VELKOMIVìEN JUL ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4,
BEGINNING WITH CHAPEL AT 10:15 A.M.
COMPILED BY BETSEY NORGARD
Fall
2009
19
{
{
Grandma Rand's Krumkake
1 pt. whipping cream
1 c. sugar
l tsp. vanilla
2 c. f|our
Pinch of salt
1 c. milk
Whip cream until stiff . Add sugar gradually. Mix vanilla and
add flour and salt, which have been sifted together. Add milk
slowly, beating constantly. Bake in krumkake iron, a teaspoon-
ful at a time (no more). Remove from iron and roll immediately.
Makes about 10 dozen.
Fattigmann
Berliner Kranser
Þ
6
6
6
2
6
egg yolks, 3 egg whites
Tbl. sugar
Tbl. cream
Tbl. melted butter
2 hard cooked egg yolks
Il2 c. sugar
2 raw egg yolks
1 c. butter
f
2-712 c. flour (use less)
fat for frying
cardamom seeds
lour
salt
van
Beat egg yolks and whites together until
illa
thick and lemon colored. Add sugar and
Mash cooked egg yolks with fork. Add sugar and
continue beating; add cream and beat
again; blend in butter. Crush cardamom
seeds to powder and add with enough
flour to make a dough f irm enough to roll
work into a wet and pasty mixture. Add raw egg
yolks and mix well. Add butter and mix. Add flour,
salt, and vanilla. Take dough about the size of a
walnut and roll into pencil shape about seven
inches long. Form a ring, overlap ends (like a pret-
Roll thin as paper, cut into diamond
shapes about 5 x
sprinkle with powdered sugar.
*
Augsburg Now
inches. Deep-fry
brown. Drain on absorbent paper and
e,
20
2-Il2
in hot fat 2-3 minutes or until golden
zel). Dip in raw egg white, then into crushed loaf
sugar. Bake a|325 degrees until light brown.
Mom's Rosettes
4,t
I
1
1
I
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbl. sugar
3/4 c. milk (can use whole or skim)
.#
dü
Il4 c. waler
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. f lour
canola or vegetable oil for deep frying
Heat oil in a deepfryer to 375 degrees. (Be sure to
have a thermometer in the oil as you fry the
rosettes and maintain an average of 375.) Put the
rosette iron in the oil as it heats-a hot iron and
oil temperature are most important for crisp
rosettes.
Jule Spritz
{
1 c. butter
1 tsp. almond extract
2-tl2 c. flour
Batter: ln a deep bowl, lightly whip the eggs, salt,
and sugar with a fork, just to mix. Don't overbeat
it. Combine the milk, water, and vanilla. Alternately add 1/3 of the liquid and 1/3 of the flour to
the egg mixture and repeat until all are mixed. lf
the batter isn't smooth, put through a sieve to
remove the lumps.
4 small egg yolks (or 3 large)
2/3 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream sugar and butter, add almond extract
and egg yolks and beat well. Add flour and
salt. Put cookie dough in cookie press and
press out cookies on cookie sheet. Decorate
Lay out paper toweling on cookie sheets to cool the
rosettes after frying. Have a bowl of sugar for dipping the hot rosette into after it comes off the iron.
with red and green sugar. Bake about 12
minutes at 400 degrees.
A couple of forks will be useful to remove the
rosette from the iron.
With hot oil and hot iron a|375 degrees, and
absorbent cloth or several paper towels ready,
quickly remove the rosette iron from the oil,
quickly shake off any excess oil over the deepfryer,
dab the iron on the paper towel, and quickly
immerse the iron into the rosette batter-not going
over the top edge of the rosette iron-and quickly
return the iron to the deepfryer. After about 15-20
seconds in the oil for a light brown color, gently
remove the rosette from the iron using a fork. Be
sure to keep the iron in the oil heating as the
rosette continues to brown; turn it with the forks to
get uniform browning; and remove from the oil
with the forks and place on paper toweling with
the hollow side down to drain off any excess oil
While warm, dip in sugar. Cool completely and
store in large cookie tin in a cool place. Makes
approximately 36 rosettes.
Fall
2009
21
Ð
perspective
BY JEFF SHTLMAN
I
22
Augsb
s'
Lisa Jack
It was a summer of mood swings
and wide-ranging emotions.
ln May, Lisa Jack found herself on the
cover of the los Angeles Times'Calendar
section. The Augsburg psychology professor had a camera around her neck as
is talk of a Paris showing of the photos
"The majority of students, they enjoy
being engaged and challenged," Jack
said. "l love challenging them and to be
that until two years ago were housed in a
chal lenged. "
basement box, Jack is far less interested
than she was even this summer.
That's because real life suddenly
While Jack's photos have been seen
across the globe and she has been inter-
While the 36 photos of 0bama are
now on display at Occidental, and there
reappeared.
0n July 25, doctors told Jack's
viewed by outlets ranging from The New
York Times to the television show Exfra,
Jack has never heard a word from
mother that she has ovarian cancer. ln
examining her family history, Jack and
Obama or anyone at the White House.
her sister were then told that they are
ings with Obama in recent years, is all
right with that. She understands the job
he has to do and that the photos are
from a long time ago. And she also has
display at a hip West Hollywood art
genetically predisposed for the disease.
And because there isn't a way to screen
for ovarian cancer, the only way for Jack
to protect herself would be to have sur-
gallery.
gery herself.
she sat cross-legged and dressed in
black in the California sun. Her 1980
photographs of now-President Barack
Obama-which were originally published
in
Time magazine-were about to go on
She had become the photographer
she wanted to be at the time she took
those photos when they were both under-
graduates at Occidental College. There
was now enough buzz about her work for
singer-songwriter Seal to check out the
photos. Her photographs captured what
she has described as Obama's youth and
playfulness. And she knew she wanted
some sort of platform."
With Jack needing to help provide
care for her mother in New York and
planning for a significant medical
procedure of her own, Jack was
pictures.
forced to adjust her teaching load
at the last minute. Jack was not
years.
New camera in tow, she spent part of
her summer in North Dakota shooting
photos of professional rodeo cowboys
and the livestock they ride. She began
conversations about some photography
projects. She was excited about rediscovering what she had once thought
would be a career.
"Once I purchased the camera, I went
to practice at the IUniversity of
able to teach an AugSem first-year
seminar and is llmited to one psychology internship course for
upperclass students.
"l was adamant that I teach
this semester," she said. "l have
to have a life. I can't be all cancer all the time. And I love to
teach. I have a class of seniors
and I know them all. lt'll be
fun."
Because while Jack's love
of photography was rekindled
Minnesota'sl Raptor Center," Jack said.
"When I put everything in my computer,
I said, '0h my God.' I didn't lose any
when she unearthed the
nearly 3O-year-old photos of
vision. "
Obama, she still wants to
All was great, right?
Not so fast. Because that part of the
summer seems so long ago.
some new-fou nd perspective.
"lt's an ugly, horrible, heinous disease," Jack said. "They call it the
silent killer. I've done a U-turn into a
cancer activist. But maybe it was the
point in finding those photos, to have
to continue telling stories through
That's why Jack began taking photographs again for the first time in many
Jack, who has had two chance meet-
teach. With an extremely outgoing personality and non-stop
professor
energy, Jack loves the classroom setting.
Fall
2009
23
Mafk
HanSOn calls it a "kicking and
screaming" calling. The son of a parìsh
pastor, Hanson had no interest in follow-
difficult times, ELCA presiding bishop Mark Hanson '68 finds
great joy in his calling and seeks to stay focused 0n Ggd's w3rk in the world.
Even through
ing his father into mìnistrY.
Sure, Hanson went to Union Theologi-
cal Seminary after graduating in 1968
from Augsburg with his wife, lone
(Agrimson) '68, but ihat was onlY
because he received a scholarship to try
it for a year. Even when he f inished up
at Union, Hanson went as far as to stand
in line to regìster to begin graduate
school classes in psychology before he
realized that wasn't what he wanted to
do with his life.
"l ended up going to therapy for six
months to f igure out what was going on
ìn my lìfe," Hanson says. "And it was
only after sìx months of therapy that
realized I was f ighting, for all the wrong
I
reasons, the call to ministrY."
Now, nearly 40 years later, Hanson
f
inds himself as the presìding bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America at one of the most challenging
times since the Lutheran Church in
America, the American Lutheran Church,
and the Association of Evangelical
Lutheran Churches merged to form the
ELCA in the late 1980s.
The nation's financial instability has
led to a downturn in contributions to the
church. The nation's changing demographics have left the ELCA as a graying
organization with ìts strength in parts of
the natìon that aren't growing. And, in
the wake of votes taken at August's
Churchwide Assembly on topics of
human sexuality and homosexual clergy
in committed relationships, there are
many individuals and congregations
pondering whether the ELCA is the place
for them.
And despite the current challenges
"I think that ìn anxious times that
have dimensions of conf lict in them, the
temptation ìs to go into enclaves of likeminded people to both reinforce the convictions one holds with those likeminded people, and often to articulate
that those whom you are not in agreement with are so wrong," Hanson says.
"l have worked to be very connected
relationally.
"ln a culture that is so polarized,
facing the ELCA, Hanson loves his job.
"l f ind great joy in what I do,"
especially around issues of personal
Hanson says, while sitting in his 11th-
morality, and tends to be increasingly
f
loor off ice that overlooks Chicago's
0'Hare lnternational Airport. "I use joy
very intentionally. Joy, for me, has its
source in my faith. I literally f ind great
joy in this call. I told a group of pastors
that I have the best call in the church
and what was fun was that a bunch of
them lìned up to argue with me about
why theirs is better. I liked that."
But Hanson acknowledges that these
times are challenging. And that's why
Hanson has spent-and will be spend-
ing-a
signif icant amount of time engag-
fractious, contentìous, and too often
mean-spirited, can we exemplify in our
witness another way to live-together
and honoring our dìfferences, but in the
context of our unity?"
J
im Arends, a I97 4 Augsburg gradu-
ate and current bishop of the LaCrosse
lWisc.l Area Synod,
saYS one
of Han-
son's biggest strengths as presiding
bishop is his ability to communicate in
general and to listen in particular.
"lt
is going to help, it can't but help,"
Arends says. "He respects you. I don't
ing in conversation, even if the actions
think I've ever seen anything even close
at the Minneapolis Convention Center
to disrespectful. With his authority and
height, he's still able to make people be
make things a little awkward and
u
ncomf ortable.
comfortable and relax around hìm.
That's tough with the height of his collar
and the big cross he needs to wear."
How does he do it? Hanson saYS some
of it is because of what he learned at
Augsburg. Because while there are challenges within the church, there are far
Discovering
in the
Challenges
of leadership
BY JEFF SHELMAN
Fall
't
2009
25
1l
more sign
if
icant issues-poverty, dis-
ease in third-world countries, and health
concerns among them-that the ELCA is
trying to tackle.
"The call for us as Christians is not to
be turned inward in conf lict with each
schools of higher education. We have
great colleges and universities in the
church, but I think Augsburg has really
positioned itself where I would want to
see a college of this church to be."
for work about 80% of the time.
"There are some days when I've gone to
the airport where I've given the United
desk my driver's license and said,
'l forgot
to look, where am I going again?"' Hanson
other and miss this moment to be
engaged in God's work in the world;
And as Hanson progressed from
parish pastor to bishop of the Saint Paul
Area Synod to, now, presiding bishop,
Augsburg gave me that perspective," he
Hanson sees a thread that goes back to
says. "Augsburg always reminded me
that whatever is going on with you,
Augsburg.
will have a lot to do with continuing com-
"My whole life has been shaped by
the intersection of intellectual curiosity,
faith, and how faith and intellect shape
one for a life in leadership," Hanson
says. "The phrase I use for what I got
from Augsburg and Union is an
unquenchable curiosity of faith and life.
I've never stopped being curious. I think
Augsburg fostered that. I'm going to be
free to ask questions and to serve my
neighbor, particularly the one who is
struggling with issues of justice and
munications, building relationships, and
leading a church that has members asking
serious questions about the future. While
the conversations and e-mails aren't
always positive from individuals concerned
about the ELCA's actions, Hanson remains
within your family, within the church,
there is a world that calls you."
That was true in the mid-to-late
1960s when Hanson studied sociology,
and it is true now as Hanson also
watches Augsburg as a parent. Four of
his six children have or currently are
attending Augsburg. His daughter
Alyssa, an alumna of the College, is also
teaching math in the Weekend College
program.
"When lone and I were at Augsburg,
we were invited, encouraged, challenged
to immerse ourselves in the city, CedarRiverside, North Minneapolis, and that
has not stopped," he says. "0ur daughter who is a senior there now has been to
Central America twice. The immersion
and context have grown from the immediate Cedar-Riverside neighborhood to
now the world.
"l'm all
26
over the world looking at
Augsburg Now
says with a laugh. "That's pretty bad. I'm
prepared for where I'm going, but there's a
lot of travel."
That travel, in the upcoming months,
upbeat.
"l
am proud to serve in leadership right
"l lead 70 million Luther-
now," he says.
ans in the world and lead the largest
Lutheran Church in the United States;
around Lake Harriet for Chicago's Edge-
that's just an amazing thing that I am
called into that sort of leadership. lf the
criticism begins to take a personal toll,
then I can no longer be an effective leader.
I think that the gospel is too good news for
me to get so discouraged that I can't, with
brook neighborhood, he's rarely there.
It's tough to be at home when you travel
great passion, proclaim the good news of
Jesus. "
poverty."
And Hanson has plenty of opportunities to be curious as presiding bishop.
While he and lone have traded the area
"We have great colleges and universities in the church, but I think Augsburg has
really pos¡t¡gned itself where I would want t0 see a college of this church t0 be."
rl
I
ï
H
ffi
\t'/ith more than 4,000 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs,
Augsburg College strives to create an intentionally diverse and vibrant community by welcoming students of varied backgrounds and experiences.
For many of the students who come to Augsburg, being an Auggie is a
dream come true because at one time in their lives, the idea of going to college was nearly impossible to imagine.
That's where Admission Possible comes in. This program, which was
founded in Minnesota in 1999 to help low-income high school students get
into college, has brought more than 100 students to Augsburg since its found-
H
ing. Ihis fall, 63 Admission Possible alumni joined the Augsburg community as
first-year students-more than any other private college in the country.
E
tr
Admission Possible made Augsburg possible for these students. Not only
has this program enriched the lives of students and their families,
it has also
benefited the Augsburg community.
Finding Admission Possible
Juventino "Juve" Meza Rodriguez'11 came to the U.S. from
Mexico when he was 15 years old. Unlike his parents or siblings,
Meza Rodriguez had been fortunate to attend school beyond the
sixth grade and, though he did not speak English, he was excited
m
H
m
about continuing his education in a Minnesota high school.
"l come from a low-income working family; my parents and
their parents didn't go to school. My mom made a big push for
education for her children because she wanted us to do something she wasn't able to do," he says.
Meza Rodriguez tested into the ninth grade and began classes
at Arlington High School in St. Paul. ln his neighborhood and in
his family, no one had gone to college. "As kids we always said
we want to be this or that," he says, "but realistically I wasn't
thinking that college would be a possibility for me. And my parents of course didn't think it was an option either."
ln his sophomore year, he dropped out of school, following his
friends who had started working and were making money. "l was
out of school for one week, and I did not enjoy life," he says. He
asked his parents to help him get back into school, and after
that week he appreciated his education more than he had before
"l knew I wanted something more, but I wasn't sure what that
was and I didn't have people around me who had done it either."
With a renewed enthusiasm for high school, Meza Rodriguez
asked a guidance counselor about college. "She told me
I
couldn't go," he says, but she eventually found a program for him
and suggested he apply. That program was Admission Possible.
From the moment he was accepted into the program, Meza
Rodriguez was on his way to college, but he was in unfamiliar
28
Augsburg Now
q F
n
Ð
territory. "When I told my parents that I wanted to go to college,
theyasked how I wasgoingtodo it. I said,'l have no idea."'
Because his parents were unable to support him f inancially
and because they had no experience with higher education, lVleza
Rodriguez says they left many of the decisions about school up to
him. "They would always say, 'Tu sabes lo que haces,'(You know
what you're doing). But I didn't know what I was doing."
Getting to Augsburg
l-lis Admission Possible coach did know what to do to navigate
the complicated and sometimes intimidating landscape of college application. Twice weekly in his junìor and senior years,
lVIeza Rodriguez met with his coach and other students. He prepared for the ACT and learned how to select a college that
matched his interests, complete the admissions applications,
and apply for financìal aid including scholarships.
Admission Possible also encouraged lVeza Rodriguez to make
connections at schools by going on campus visits and attending
education fairs. At one such fair for Latino students, he met Carrìe Carroll, Augsburg's assistant vice president of admissions.
"When I got to Carrie's booth, I told her I had heard about
Augsburg and she started asking me questions. We talked for two
hours," he recalls. "She was very welcoming and showed an
interest in me that other schools didn't bother to show." After
their meeting, Carroll e-mailed lVleza Rodriguez and encouraged
him to apply to Augsburg.
"I applied, and Carrie called my AP coach within six days and
said I had been admitted. I was the flrst student in my AP class
to apply and the first to get accepted."
il
I
I
Carroll says Admission Possible students are attracted to
Augsburg because of the f inancial aid that helps make college
possible for more than 90% of traditional day college students.
Two programs-Augsburg College Access Program (ACAP) and
the Augsburg Promise are aimed at assisting f irst-generation
and low-income students.
ACAP provides a four-year grant for students who have participaled in a college readiness program. The grant covers the cost of
luition not met with federal or state grants for students who are
Minnesota residents, have an ACT score of 20 or belter, and have
cunrulative grade point average of at least 3.25.
lVlore
a
importantly, Carroll says studenls come because ALrgsburg
has made an institutional commitrnent
to providing access for nrany
different types of studenls, to creating an intenlionally diverse cam
pus, and to engaging students in service to the conrmunity. All of
these commitments connect closely to Admission Possible values.
"At Augsburg, we are aware of the obstacles some students
have faced and will continue to face. We value our students." As
Fall
2009
in
29
Meza Rodriguez's case, Carroll says often a student will make
the choice to come to Augsburg, even though they have been
accepted elsewhere, simply because the Augsburg staff takes the
time to get to know them personally.
accessible to anyone, regardless of his or her background or
circumstances.
Beyond admission
onto their campuses." lt has also helped colleges and universities
address much of the stigma that is attached to low-income stu_
Meza Rodriguez says that Admission possible has also changed
campus atmospheres by introducing students who might not have
considered college in the past. ',Ap helps colleges get out of their
comfort zone," he says, "by welcoming more and more diversity
Once students are accepted and begin their college studies, they
still encounter
d
many challenges that can make staying jn school
iffic u lt.
dents, challenging the notion that they are low-achieving or unpre_
pared. ln fact, while the fall 2009 first-year class includes 40%
ln the past, a team of Admission posstble staffers did some
tracking and outreach to their alumni after they had started
college. Most of their assistance had been reactionary, however,
and they were often brought in when a student was in the midst
students of color, the average ACT score and class rank have
of a crisis.
pared for success and dedicated to making the most of their college
This year, Admission Possible has developed a structured col_
remained consistent among Augsburg's incoming classes over the
past four years.
Carroll agrees, adding that Admission possible students are pre_
on their individual campuses.
experience. "These are smart, capable students who work very hard
to succeed. They just need to be taught how to do this.',
Meza Rodriguez is just one example of the motivated and tal_
Ben Pierson is the college coach at Augsburg this year. Having
an office on campus is important because for Admissjon possible
ented students who find a fit at Augsburg through coilege readiness
programs. He received a president,s Scholarship, which recognizes
alumni, "AP" means "help." Students know they will find a caring adult in Pierson as well as a reliable source of information
academic achievement and leadership potential, and he is an
Honors program student. ln his three years at the College, he has
and support.
also been a senator in student government, helped found a Latino
lege program with coaches who work one-on-one with students
Pierson works with Augsburg's director of retention, the
Enrollment and Financial Services staff, admission counselors,
and with the other student support programs. His objective is to
maintain contact with students and help them find the resources
they need before they want or need to drop out.
student organization, and conducted summer research with
President Pribbenow as his mentor and adviser.
This fall Meza Rodriguez is studying poverty, inequality, and
social change in the Metro Urban Studies Term (MUST) through
HECUA, the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, and
is doing an internship with the Citizens League in St. paul. He
Making dreams poss¡ble
has also organized a group at Augsburgto help connect the more
than 100 Admission Possible alumni who are now enrolled at the
College readiness programs like Admission possible are just one of
College.
When he participates in Commencement, Meza Rodriguez knows
the many ways students find Augsburg and realize their dreams.
But this program benefits more than the students who enroll and
graduate.
Meza Rodriguez and the other Admission possible alumni fea_
tured here set examples for their peers, siblings, and their commu_
nities. Their experiences demonstrate that a college education is
@
30
will be an inspiration not only to members of his community but
to his younger siblings, ages 4 and g, whom he hopes will one
day follow in his footsteps. "My siblings can see that college is pos_
sible. So many people around me can now see that it is possible.,,
he
also
Learn about Adm ission possi ble at www.adm ission possi ble.org.
Read more about the other
Augsburg Admission possible
students pictured here at
wwuaugsburg.edu/now
Augsburg Now
lucky Dirie'13
Houa
lor '13
Farrington Starnes'12
È!
b¡
Fall
2009
31
DEAR FRIEI{tlS,
As I write to report to you on the successful completion to a most extraordinary year of economic challenges, I remain filled
with gratitude for your steadfast support to Augsburg College.
While each week last fall brought more bitter news than the previous regarding our financial institutions, we maintained a
watchful and cautious eye over our students, our revenues, and our gifts. I was so pleased and humbled that through these
difficult months our enrollments remained high, our programs strong, and your giving constant.
During this difficult year, your gifts made an Augsburg education possible for many students who would not have otherwise been able to continue theìr studies. At Augsburg, we are committed to providing the access for these students of differing faiths, cultures, and ethnicities to thrive and to become the
next leaders in creating safe and sustainable communities.
Together, we continue to learn how "We are called to serve our
neìghbor. "
Durìng this past year, as a teaching and learning community,
WE ARE CALLEI}
TO SERVE (lUR NEIGHB(lR
we also explored in many ways what it means to live more sustainably in the city. I was so proud of our students, who pushed the College for changes that made us better stewards of our
gifts and of God's creation. Augsburg is now a leader among educational institutions in the use of renewable energy, in support of alternative transportation practices, and in the adoption of a food composting program.
As we move forward, I ask for your abiding and increased participation and support in the next years as we continue to
work together for a stronger and more vibrant future for our college, and for our students.
S
incere ly,
*
L-
?
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW
PRTSIDENT
32
Augsburg Now
\
Your annual fund gift helps to
1
.., retain talented faculty, like chemistry professor
maintain Augsburg's low
2
...
l4:l
Vivien Feng, and
4
...
keep Augsburg affordable by providing a portion of the academic
scholarships and financial aid received by 90% of day students.
studenUfaculty rati0.
make it possible for curious and talented students to stay on campus
5
during the summer to engage in full{ime research with a faculty mentor.
3
...
provide up{o-date computers and technology services critical to
...
fund student programs and co-curricular activities, like campus
ministry, athletics, internships, and ethnic student services.
6
...
provide the special equipment, safety equipment, and supplies for
our science laboratories.
teaching and learning.
È1.
r,' ,ç $¡
"$,ft..,
t{Ol\¡b^
GIVING IN ACTI(¡NWhat Students and Alumni Say
Nate Johnson '11
Rossing Physics Scholar, StepUP program
Ali Rapp '11
Honors student, "Homemade" blogger
ln Augsburg's unique Honors program, Ali and her fellow students participate in deep discussions about controversial questions. "There's a degree of openness in Honors that you don't
find in other classes," she says. Another way Ali expresses
her-
self is through her blog on Homemade, the site that gives current and future Auggies a sense of what life is really like for
students at Augsburg. "We really get to the heart of issues, and
I'm glad we have that kind of freedom to be ourselves and to be
Junior Nate Johnson has an interest in how things work and
was drawn to the problem-solving part of physics. This year he
was named one of four Rossing Physics Scholars in the nation
by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Johnson grew
up in St. Croix Falls before entering substance abuse treatment
in high school. At Augsburg, Johnson is in the StepUp pro,
gram, a program that is much of the reason why he chose the
College and where he f inds community, support, faith, and discipline. "When I was looking at colleges, every time I went to
genuine."
Augsburg, I felt excited about it," Johnson says, "... other college settings felt daunting."
Your giving supp0rts personal growth in Augsburg's
Your giving supp0rts paths to healthy lives in Augsburg's
Honors program
StepUP program
re
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iffi
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u
EÐ
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F
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ll
I
I
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llll[l
il
I I¡l il fIrlI¡Eñ]
Shonna Fulford'09
Myles Stenshoel Scholarship
The Augsburg faculty did more
than just teach Shonna Fulford,
a 2OO9 graduate from Perham,
Minn. "They are truly there to
teach you what they know, to let
you discover things you may never
Annika Gunderson '11
have otherwise, and to help you
President's Scholar, world traveler
ln her three years as an Auggie, Annika Gunderson '1 t
succeed in everything you want to do," she says. As the recipient of the endowed scholarship for students pursuing careers in
political science, she also had the opportunity to get to know
has
almost spent more time away from Augsburg than on campus.
This international relations and Spanish major from Winona,
Minn., has studied abroad three times, spending five weeks in
is named. This student orientation leader and Homecoming
queen hopes to return to Augsburg some day, perhaps as a
Cuernavaca, Mexico; a semester in Central America; and
member of the administration.
another semester in Brazil. Gunderson suggests that all students take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities
Your giving supp0rts scholarships endowed to honor
Professor Emeritus Myles Stenshoel, for whom the scholarship
available to Augsburg students. "lt's important to be able to
challenge yourself to go beyond, to experience something unfa-
faculty careers and commitment
miliar."
Your giving supports life-changing experiences thr0ugh
Augsburg's Genter for Global Education
Michele Roulet '10
WEC Student Senate
Michele Roulet found Augsburg at the State Fair. Returning to college
after a two-year degree and full-time work, she enjoys working at her own
pace for "a chance to figure out who I am." The studio art major has
studied abroad in Central America and Europe. She has also found a
niche in the Weekend Student Senate and has served as its president,
making sure that Augsburg's weekend and graduate student voices are
represented on campus.
Your giving supports leadership in Student Government
Fall
2009
35
GIVING IN ACTIflNSupporting Augsburg Chemistry Students:
John and Marvel Yager
John Yager '7 4 was not a typical Augsburg f reshman. Although
born in Minnesota, he grew up traveling in a military family. He
picked Augsburg because his parents were expected to retire in the
Twin Cities; his uncle, Dr. 0. Lewis Zahrendt, was an Augsburg
graduate; and Augsburg's admissions materials were the most
appeal i ng.
It was a good choice. Yager says he considers Augsburg "one of
the most fortunate events of my life as far as my education was
concerned." His goal was medical school and he majored in chemistry and biology.
Yager credits his academic success to what he believes are still
the hallmarks of Augsburg's chemistry department-high levels of
integrity, dedication, and a commitment to achievement-as well
as the dedication of the chemistry faculty-Courtland Agre, John
Holum, Earl Alton, and Arlin Gyberg. Yager also credits his classmates, the "phenomenal group of very bright and hard-working students, who helped me work all the harder."
But even more crucial to his college success was the support
Yager received when his older brother, with whom he was living,
was tragically killed in an accident. ln coping with grief and trying
to decide whether to stay at Augsburg, Yager contacted Rick Thoni,
the director of student advisers, who arranged for housing options
that Yager needed to stay in school and supported him through the
While his first job involved hands-on chemistry, his subsequent
work has taken him into related fields and aspects of immuno-
chemìstry-q ual ity assurance, regu latory affairs, cl in ical trials, and
literature research and publications. He is a patent-holder on a
medical device used in endoscopy.
"l've had great opportunity to really apply chemistry," Yager
says, "to apply the discipline of what I've learned over the years to
a career that has been extremely rewarding personally." He notes
that while he didn't pursue a medical career, his work has contìnually helped people through development of better medical
products.
Yager currently'works for a new company,
Acist Medical
Systems, which manufactures products that help physicians
ing them reach out to me was something l've never forgotten,"
administer the contrast agent used in angiography.
Yager has continually remained connected to the Chemistry
Department and Augsburg. He has lectured in senior seminars,
Yager says.
served as a mentor to chemistry students, and coached students
After graduation Yager took additional chemistry courses and
worked as a pathology assistant at St. Mary's Hospital. While medical school did not become part of his future, in the pathology lab
through the hurdles of f inding their first jobs. He enjoys maintain-
crisis.
"Feeling that connection and that bond to the College, and feel-
he met Marvel, who also worked in the lab and later became his
wife.
Yager turned
to industry and took a position with an immunodi-
agnostics company, researching and manufacturing products that
improve medical diagnostic testing. Thirty-f ive years later he has
worked at all of the major immunochemistry companies in the Twin
Cities and has been on the cutting edge of medical research in
number of start-up companies.
36
Augsburg Now
a
ing this connection and being on campus once in a while.
"l just
feel at home," he says.
John and Marvel Yager value education and have supported
Augsburg chemistry students through the Augsburg College Chemistry Alumni Scholarship. At times, Yager has also been able to
provide an employer match to their funds.
"As my career has advanced and we've looked at our values as a
family," Yager says, "the idea of giving back has been fundamental."
Yager says that for them Augsburg is the natural place to give,
and with the scholarship endowment, the gift keeps giving.
T
2OO8.2OO9 FINAI{CIAt H¡ûHLIGHTS
Where the Money Comes From
Where the Money Goes
7o/o
3o/"
Government grants
3o/o
Equipment
and capital
improvement
2o/"
Other sources
Student salary
5%
\
3o/o
Debt service
\
Private gifts and grants
.3o/o
/utititi"t
t2/"
Room and board
ffi
m
ffi
$34.5
$33.7
$30.5
$26.6
$26.2
$24.8
2009 Endowment Market Value
$23.2
Ï22.7
$23.3
May 31, 2009
$20.0
$26,211,136
As
$r 6.4
of May 31, 2009, we have
annual realized and unrealized
losses of 2I.7% on our endowment.
$r 4.2
$11.5
Our five-year average annual return
on the endowment is .18%, and the
lO-year average annual return is
I.42%.
We are committed to maintaining the value of the principal
gifts and to provide support to the
College in perpetuity.
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
2ît7
2008
2009
Endowment Assets
(in millions)
June
l,
1
995
-
May 31, 2009
Fall
2009
31
llEAR FRIEI{llS,
It is my distinct pleasure to share with you news about the many gifts and contributions made to Augsburg College between June 1, 2008, and May 31,
2009. I am filled with gratitude at the generosity of our thousands of alumni,
parents, and friends who wholeheariedly supported the College during this past
year
of unprecedented economic challenges and uncertainty.
Together, for the benefit of our students and community, we were able to witness many successes and end our year with an operating surplus.
I'd like to
highlight just a few examples.
.
We increased the number of donors who made gifts during the year to a total
4,75L This support went to The Augsburg Fund, student scholarships,
capital projects, and fine arts, athletics, signature programs, and other
important i n itiatives.
of
¡
Perhaps most exciting, especially in a challenging economy, was the success of The Augsburg Fund, our fund for unrestricted gifts for
the College. For the second year in a row, it reached its $1 million goal, surpassing last year's mark for a total of $1,003,210 from
3,400 donors.
¡
Also for the second year in a row, I am proud to tell you
that we received 100% participation in The Augsburg
Fund from the Augsburg Board of Regents, the Alumni
Board of Directors, the President's Cabinet, and-for the
first time-the staff of the lnstitutional Advancement
Division. This was a gratifying sign of commitment from
WE Lfl(lK BACK WITH GRATITUDE
ANIl F(lRWARD WITH EXPECTATION
F()R A YEAR OF CflNTINUED
SUPPflRT FflR flUR STUDENTS
these key groups of leaders.
.
Augsburg also received 619 gifts totaling $387,000 to new or existing scholarship funds. Scholarships are a primary source of financial aid for many students at Augsburg, and we are again grateful for the 334 generous individuals who chose to establish or con-
tribute to these funds,
this new academic year with the largest enrollment and greatest diversity of any incoming first-year class, we look back with
gratitude and forward with expectation for a year of continued support for our students. I thank you for your continued, unfailing support.
As we enter
Sincerely,
JIRTMY R. WELLS
VICT PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
38
Augsburg Now
t¡FEÏIME ûIVI}IG
The following
list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given a minimum 0f $100,000, including
planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College.
'68 and Tamra Nelson
Ernest+ and Helen Alne
Phillip+'55 and Lynne Gronseth
George
Donald '60 and Violet Anderson
Carolyn and Franklin Groves
Barbara Tjornhom
Daniel '65 and Alice Anderson
Norman and Evangeline Hagfors
Robert'51+ and Carolyn Odegard
R. Luther Olson '56
'54 Nelson and Richard
Nelson
Brian Anderson '82 and Leeann Rock'81
James and Kathleen Haglund
Charles and Catherine Anderson
Hearst Foundation
Beverly Halling '55 0ren and Donald '53 Oren
Earl and Doris Bakken
Loren Henderson
John and Norma Paulson
Loren and Mary Quanbeck'77 Barber
Elizabeth '82 and Warren Bartz
Donald Hennings
Grace Forss
Robert '50 and Ruth Paulson
Glen Person '47
Paul '63 and LaVonne Olson
'63 Batalden
'57 Herr and Douglas Herr
Donald '39 and Phyllis Holm
Harvey
Sidney '57 and Lola Lidstrom '50 Berg
Allen and Jean Housh
Addison and Cynthia Piper
Barbara and Tane Birky
Garfield Hoversten '50
David Piper
Roy'50 and Ardis Bogen
Huss Foundation
Harry and lVlary Piper
John+ and Joyce Boss
Sandra and Richard Jacobson
Philip '50 and Dora Frojen'49 Quanbeck
Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed
Kinney Johnson '65
Mark'53 and Jean Raabe
Rodney and Barbara Burwell
James Johnson and Maxine lsaacs
Alan
Bush Foundation
Dean '75 and Terry Kennedy
Curtis and lVlarian Sampson
Carlson Companies
Bruce and Maren Kleven
Ward C. Schendel
The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation
David and Barbara Kleven
Ruth Schmidt '52
Richard '74 and Nancy Colvin
E. Milton Kleven '46
James and Eva Seed
David and lVìary Brandt '79 Croft
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Rodney
Theodore and Pamala Deikel
Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
John and Martha Singleton
Corporation Foundation
Darrell '55 and Helga Egertson
Rhonda
Tracy L. Elftmann '81
Diane and Philip Larson
Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri
George
Leland and Louise Sundet
Philip and Laverne Fandrei
Winifred Helland '37 Formo+ and Jerome
Formo'37+
James Lindell '46
Dean '81 and Amy Sundquist
Gary'80 and Deanna Tangwall
Jeny and Jean Foss
Jennifer and Richard Martin
P. Dawn Heil
William and Anne Frame
Barbara and Edwin Gage
General Mills Foundatìon
Marie and Larry McNeff
Teagle Foundation
Gerard and Anne lVeistrell
Hoyt '39+ and Lucille lVlesserer
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Robert '63 and Marie Tufford
Michael '71 and Ann Good
Robert '70 and Sue lVidness
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
'84 and Jean Taylor '85
H. Theodore '76 and lVlichele Grindal
Raymond '57 and Janice Grinde
Paul '84 and Nancy Mackey '85 Mueller
Robert Wagner '02
William and Stephanie Naegele
Ronald '68 and lvlary Kay Nelson
Scott Weber '79
Del uxe
Roger Griffith
Spitzer'85 Kwiecien and Paul Kwiecien '86
ice
'74
and Catherine L. B. Schendel
Sill '82
Glen and Anna Skovholt
Gladys Boxrud Strommen '46 and Clair
David Lankinen'88
Strommen'46+
'61 and lVary Larson
Harris '57 and Maryon Lee
Arne '49 and Jean Swanson
R
'52 and Joanne Varner '52 Peterson
'52
lVarkland
Glen A. Taylor Foundation
laylor'78
Robert Wick '81
Every effort has been made t0 ensure that all nanes are included and spelled correctly.
lfyou notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
*
Deceased
Fall
2009
39
PRESItlENT'S CIRCTE
GIFTS RECEIVTD JUNE 1, 2OO8 TO MAY 31, 2OO9
The following
list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously made leadership gifts to the College 0f $1,000 or more in
the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Ruth Aaskov'53
Margaret Clyde
Andra Adolfson
Joseph Cook'89
William '51 and Marolyn Sortland '51 Halverson
Elling and Barbara Halvorson
Peter '70 and lVìary Agre
Walter and Janet Cooper
Jill Hanau
Lois Richter '60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Brent Crego '84
Clarence Hansen'53
Edward '50 and Margaret Alberg
George
Craig Alexander and Roberta Kagin
Sally Hough Daniels '79
'72 and Janet Dahlman
Mark '68 and lone Agrimson
'68
Hanson
Jodi and Stanley Harpstead
Bartley Davidson '76
Hunt and Diane Harris
Julie Edstrom'90
Richard and Dail Hartnack
Leif Anderson
Judy Thompson Eiler '65
Christopher Haug'79 and Karl Starr
Deloris Anderson '56
Dantel'77 and Patricia Eitrheim
David '67 and Karen Jacobson
Daniel '65 and Alice Anderson
Richard '72 and Tamara Ekstrand
Helen Haukeness'49 and James Ranck
Robert'77 and Katherine Anderson
Brian Anderson '82 and Leeann Rock '81
Fuad and Nancy EI-Hibri
Lisa Svac Hawks '85
Avis Ellingrod
Mark Hebert '74
Catherine and Charles Anderson
Rona Quanbeck'48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
Philip'42 and Ruth Helland
Scott'76 and Lisa Anderson
Ronald Engebretsen
Leo Henkemeyer
Steven and Stephanie Anderson
Susan Engeleiter
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Frank'50 and Georgette Lanes'50 Ario
Christine Pieri '88 Arnold and James Arnold '88
Stephen '68 and lVìarilyn lVcKnight '67 Erickson
Donald '39 and Phyllis Holm
Dean '68 and Diana Olson '69 Ersfeld
L. Craig'79 and Theresa Serbus '79 Estrem
Linda Baìley '74 Holmen and Kenneth Holmen '74
Paul Holmquist '79
Richard '87 and Carla Bahr
lVlark and Margie Eustis
Joeì and Alice Houlton
Dorothy Bailey
John '82 and Joan Moline'83 Evans
Kermit '50 and Ruth Hoversten
Robert Barber'56
Allison Everett'78 and Kenneth Svendsen '78
Clarence '41 and lVarguerite Hoversten
Elizabeth '82 and Warren Bartz
Paul '63 and LaVonne Olson '63 Batalden
Barbara Farley
Jane and Patrick Fischer
Allen '64 and Lenice Hoversten
Philip '71 and Patricia Hoversten
Duncan Flann '55
Jerelyn Hovland '63 and Clyde Cobb
Paul '59 and Pearl Almquist
.James
'58 and Beverly Almquist
Jean Hemstreet'68 Bachman and Harold Bachman
Vera Thorson Benzel
'45
'67
Haugen
Dawn Formo
fom'72
Jerome Formo'37+
Joseph Hsieh'61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh
Birgit Birkeland '58
William and Anne Frame
Andrew Fried '93
Glenda and Richard Huston
Nancy Paulson '70 Bjornson and
JoAnne Digree '68 Fritz and Barry Fritz
Brandon Hutchinson'99
J. Ragnar Bjornson
Buffie Blesi '90 and John Burns
David '68 and Lynn Boe
Leola Dyrud Furman '61
Barbara and Richard Hutson
Karon Garen
Duane'68 and Diane llstrup
John '47 and lrene Jensen
Sidney'57 and Lola Lidstrom '50 Berg
Norman '59 and Delores Berg
John Berg'59
Ann Garvey
and Karen Howe
lVlichael and Barbara Hubbard
Anthony'85 and Traci Genia
Glen'52 and lrvyn Gilbertson
Carol Oversvee Johnson '61
Bruce Brekke
Orval and Cleta Gingerich
Michael Brock
Andrew and Carolyn Goddard
Ruth E. Johnson '74 and Philip Quanbeck ll
lVerton '59 and Jo An Bjornson '58 Johnson
Adam Buhr'98 and Laura Pejsa '98
Alexander '90 and Simone Gonzalez
Danìel Johnson'75
Robert and Brenda Bukowski
lVichael '71 and Ann Good
Gary'74 and lVelody Johnson
Carolyn Burfield '60
Shirley Larson '51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormìey
Craig Jones
Marilyn Saure '61 Breckenridge and
Tom Breckenridge
Charles Bush
Bruce '68 and Lois Hallcock '68 Johnson
Eric Jolly
Paul and Judy Grauer
Cynthia Landowski '81 Jones and Rick Jones
Carrìe and Peter Carroll
Charles and Barbara Green
H. Theodore '76 and lVichele Grindal
Jennifer Abeln
John and Peggy Cenito
lVabeth Saure '58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
Janet L. Karvonen-Montgomery and Alan
Keith '65 and Lynn Chilgren
Herbert'54 and E Corrine Chilstrom
David and Kathy Haaland
Norman and Evangeline Hagfors
Patricia and Paul Kaufman
C. Lee Clarke
James and Kathleen Haglund
Dean '75 and Terry Kennedy
Marion Buska '46
Christine Coury '91 Campbell and Craig Campbell
40
Augsburg Now
Carol Jones
'78 Kahlow and Larry Kahlow
lVontgomery
lVichael Kivley '89
Jellrey'77 and Becky Bjella '79 Nodland
Charles and Ritchie Markoe Scribner
Linda Klas '92
Norma Noonan
James and Eva Seed
E. lVlilton Kleven '46
Roselyn Nordaune'77
Adam '01 and Allison Seed
Elsie Ronholm Koivula '49
Lisa Novotny '80 and lVark Flaten
Phyllis '58 and Harold Seim
Joanne Stiles '58 Laird and David Laird
Richard '70 and Linda Seime
Kalhryn'72 Lange and Dennis Sonifer
Teny'7O and Vicki Nygaard
Leroy Nyhus '52
Ruth Ringstad '53 Larson and lVarvin Larson
Robert Odegard '51+
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Earl '68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen '70 Sethre
Norman '85 and Kim Asleson '84 Okerstrom
Stephen and Kay Sheppard
Harris '57 and Maryon Lee
Sandra Larson '69 Olmsted and Richard Olmsted '69
Chad '93 and lVìargaret Shilson
Thomas and Gratra Lee
R, Luther 0lson '56
David Soli '81
Andre Lewis '73 and Kathleen McCartin
Orville '52 and Yvonne Bagley '52 0lson
Earle '69 and Kathleen Kupka '69 Solomonson
Debora and John Liddell
William and Mary 0'lVìeara
Donald '53 and Beverly Halling '55 Oren
Allan '53 and Eunice Nystuen '50 Sortland
Alice Lindell '58 and Gordon '59 Lindgren
Mary Sue Zelle Lindsay and Hugh Lindsay
Beverly Ottum
Arne and Ellen Sovik
Patricia and John Parker
Carolyn Johnson
Dana Lonn
John and Norma Paulson
Robert and Joyce Engstrom '70 Spector
Kathy Lowrie
Robert'50 and Ruth Paulson
Richard '74 and Karen Pearson
Alan Petersen '58+
Harvey '52 and Joanne Varner '52 Peterson
Todd '89 and Amy Steenson
Karin Peterson
Gladys Boxrud Strommen '46
Eugene'59 and Paula Peterson
Corwin and Doris Peterson
Philip '79 and Julia Davis '79 Styrlund
Arne'49 and Jean Swanson '52 Markland
Ron '69 and Jane Petrich
Terry Marquardt'98 and Gary Donahue
Carol Pfleiderer
Jennifer and Richard lVartin
Sandra Phaup'64
Dean '81 and Amy Sundquist
Jeffrey'79 and Melissa Swenson
Nicole Swords '01 and April Leger '02
Jo Anne Sylvester '68 and Larry Dieckman
Gary '80 and Deanna Tangwall
Jean Taylor '85 and Roger Griff ith '84
Paul '60 and Nancy Thompsen
Dick '61 and Jane Thompson
lVlartin Larson
'80
James Lindell '46
Wenona '55 and Norman Lund
Thomas'68 and Carol Batalden '68 Luukkonen
Pamela and Robert lVlacDonald
Philip '79 and Diane Madsen
Kay Malchow'82 and Stephen Cook
Lyle '68 and Susanne Starn
'68
Robert '71 and Cheryl Lindroos
lVìalotky
'72 Marlin
Paul C. Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow
Donald '66 and Margaret fVattison
Karl D. Puterbaugh'52
Donna McLean
Philip '50 and Dora Frojen '49 Quanbeck
lVlark'53 and Jean Raabe
Tara Cesaretti
'97 lVcleod
and
Chrìstopher McLeod '00
Lori Lassi '80 Rathje and Tim Rathje'86
IVarie and Larry lVìcNeff
Clayton '91 and Denise Sideen
Beverly Ranum
'78
'94 McNeff
Meyer and Dennis Meyer'78
John
'62 and Ruth Sather '63 Sorenson
'80 Spargo and Lawrence Spargo
Donald and Annelies Steinmetz
lVìyles
and Eunice Stenshoel
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
Ralph and Grace Kemmer '58 Sulerud
Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach
Harold and Maureen Thompson
Eunìce Kyllo '62 Roberts and Warren Roberts
Gordon '52 and Gloria Parizek'53 Thorpe
E. Palmer Rockswold
David and Martha Tiede
Deidre Durand 'BB and Bruce lViddleton
John '68 and Linda Roebke
Frances Torstenson
Robert '70 and Sue Midness
Laura and Martin Roller
Lawrence '69 and Susan Turner
Frances Roller
Peter Turner
Timothy '74 and Deborah Anderson '73 Miller
John'77 and Gail Ronning
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
Joyce Schroepfer lVliller '02
Philip Rowberg'41
Gerald '48 and Judith
Betty and Paul Tveite
Julie Lien '82 and Steve Vanderboom
Paul '70 and Barbara Durkee
Gay Johnson
'71
lVikelson
'66 Minear and Spencer
lVlinear '66
Ryan
'59 and Sylvia Sabo
Robert Minicucci
Thomas'59 and Ruth Carlsen '60 Moen
Mark'79 and Pamela Hanson '79 Moksnes
Curtis and lVìarian Sampson
'70 and Dennis Veiseth
Norman '76 and Kathryn Anderson '76 Wahl
Judith and William Scheide
David and Sarah Warch
Thelma lVlonson '41
Carolyn Hanson '68 Schildgen and
Loìs
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan
William Schildgen
Ruth Schmidt '52
Jeremy and Tracy Wells
LaWayne
'51 and D. LaRhea Johnson '51
IVlorseth
lVlartin
Alne'65 Schroeder and William Schroeder
lVìary
'76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
John '49 and Arnhild Werket
Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz
James lVloulsoff
lVlarilee
Paul '84 and Nancy Mackey '85 Mueller
Suzanne Ziemann Schulz '87
Robert Wick '81
Donald Murphy '43+ Ruth lVurphy
John Schwartz'67
Diane Pike and Stephen Willett
Ronald '68 and lvlary Kay Nelson
lnez'59 and Lyall Schwarzkopf
David and Catherine Woìd
Mildred Nelson '52
Erik and Leigh Schwarzkopf
Todd Yeiter
Beverly Omdahl Nelson '55
Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott
Estate of E. lrene Lasseson Neseth '38+
Michael
'08
'71and Bonnie Scott
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
lf you notice an errot please clntact Kev¡n Healy at l-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
*
Deceased
Fall
2009
41
flRGANIZATIflNS
GIFTS RECTIVED JUNE 1, 2OOB TO MAY 31, 2OO9
The following
list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College 0f $1000 0r more in the 2008-2009 fiscal year
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Foundatjon
3M Foundation
Halleland Lewis Nilan Sipkins & Johnson PA.
Accenture Foundation
Hazelden Foundation
Al Franken for Senate
Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation
Hennepin County
Charles N. and Florence S. Hensel Education Fund
American Lutheran Church
Huss Foundation
Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi L.L.P Foundation
Ameriprise Financial
IBM Corporation
The Summit Group
Ameriprise Financial Employee Gift Matching
lnstitute of American Physics
TCF Foundation
Kresge Foundation
A'viands
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundatìon
Bassford Remele
lVìacalester College
UBS Foundation
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
lVarble Lutheran Church
Bonner Foundation
lVat Bandits Wrestling Club
US Bancorp Foundation
Vista De La Montaña United Methodist Church
Campus Kitchens Project, lnc.
The McGee Group
Wabash College
Collegiate lVìarketing
IVlDTA
Data Recogn ition Corporation
Merck Partnership For Giving
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support
Deloitte Foundatron
Minneapol is Public Schools
Winthrop & Weinstine, PA.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
M
Program
FPL Group Foundation, Inc.
nnesota Legislative Society
Minnesota Private College Foundation
i
The New York Academy
Gethsemane Professional & Benevolent Fund
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust
GI\4AC.RFC
Normandale Lutheran Church Foundation
E
N 0 FTE D At
The following
Research Corporation
National Trust For Historical Preservation
0f Medicine
Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation
General Mills Foundation
SV
Presser Foundation
S0G
IETY,
SupportingAugsburg's mission intothefuture
list recognizes those members wh0 have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College during 2008-09, becoming charter members of
the Sven Oftedal Society.
Daniel '65 and Alice Anderson
Anna J. Hanson
L. Beth Buesing Opgrand '45
E. William Anderson'56
Rodney E. and Arlene B. (Selander) Hill
John Peterson+
Keith and Beverly Anderson
Lorna Hoversten
Elìzabeth Anne and Warren Bartz
Sherry Jennings-King
Quentin '50 and E. Lucille Quanbeck
Nancy M. (Joubert) Raymond
Oliver Dahl '45
Clair Johannsen '62
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Gladys Boxrud Strommen
Sally Hough Danìels '79
Laura Kompelien Delavie '92
Paul Kwiecien and Rhonda Kwiecien
Robert '65 and Kay Tyson
Avis Ellìngrod
David W. Lankinen '88
fVìary Loken Veiseth
Duane M. Esterly
Luther and Janice Larson
Beverly Gryth
Al
lVlarvin and Ruth Larson
ice Evenson
Allison M. Everett and Kenneth
Svendsen
H
I
'52 Villwock+ and H.
Robert Villwock
Julie (Gudmestad) and Joe Laudicina
Robert Wagner '02
Rev. John and Grace (Nydahl) Luoma
Dr. Scott J.M. Weber '79
Rev. Terry Frovik
Lyle and Susanne lVìalotky
Ann Garvey
Orval and Bernell Moren
James and Corrìne Hamre
Roger lVì. Nelson
42
Gary Tangwal
Augsburg Now
,-t
c0r{sEcuTtvE ûtvtNG
The following
list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years.
lVlarcellus '54 and Thelma Johnson
Rachel Hendrickson '71 Julian and Bruce Julian
George'46 and Jean Christenson '49 Sverdrup
Jennings '51 and lVìary Schindler '48 Thompson
Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander
Allan Tonn '75
Sharon Dittbenner'65 Klabunde and
Sheldon '49 and Margery Manger'47 Torgerson
Consecutive Giving, 25 !€âts 0r nì0t0:
Ruth Aaskov'53
Harold'47 and Lors Black '47 Ahlbom
Kenneth '61 and lVìarilyn Ellingson '62 Akerman
Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation
Raymond and lVlargaret Anderson
Jerome Kleven '58
Frances Torstenson
Catherine and Charles Anderson
Lowell '54 and Janice Kleven
Daniel '65 and Alice Anderson
Elsre Ronholm Koivula '49
Margaret Sateren Trautwein '37
Rebecca Helgesen '67 Von Fischer and
Kristin Anderson
Joan Johnson
l. Shelby Gimse Andress '56
Frank'50 and Georgette Lanes'50 Ario
Stanley'57 and Mary Esther Baker
Archie Lalim '5O
George '61 and lVary Larson
Linda Larson '70 and C. jerry Sells
Harris '57 and lVìaryon Lee
lrene Ppedahl Lovaas'45
Roger'57 and Fern lVlackey
lVlarie and Larry McNeff
Paul'70 and Barbara Durkee '71 Mikelson
Spencer'66 and Gay Johnson '66 Minear
Andrew'50 and Barbara Kolden '50 Balerud
Paul '63 and LaVonne Olson '63 Batalden
John Benson'55
Vera Thorson Benzei '45
Jack'49 and LeVerne Berry
Doris Frojen Bretheim '51
Beth Torstenson '66
Richard Klabunde
'53 Kuder and Calvin Kuder
'60
Thomas Von Fischer
Thomas '63 and Gloria Joyce Wadsworth
David and Catherine Wold
20 -24 year s consecutive
Lois Richter '60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Charles'63 and Lois Luthard '65 Anderson
Julie Teigland '69 Anderson and Gary Anderson
Ray Anderson '49
Hamar'34 and Wanda Severson '40 Benson
Theodore '51+ and Carolyn Berkland
James'49 and Barbara Ekse'48 Carlson
Jeroy'48 and Lorraine Carlson
Thomas '59 and Ruth Carlsen
Thomas and Lonaine Morgan
Birgit Birkeland '58
Linda Carlstedt '63
Mildred Nelson '52
Mary Twiton
Gloria Burntvedt Nelson '43
John and Carolyn Cain
Carl '59 and Kathleen Aaker'62 Casperson
Paige Nelson '74
David '72 and lVlichelle Karkhoff '72 Christianson
Roselyn Nordaune'77
Wayne '69 and Pamela Bjorklund '69 Carlson
Addell Halverson Dahlen '43
Richard '74 and Nancy Colvin
Laverne lVoe '48 Olson and Paul 0lson
Orville '52 and Yvonne Bagley '52 Olson
Joyce Catlin
'73 Casey and Paul Casey
Lester Dahlen '39
Moen
'59 Bosben and Robert
LeVon Paulson
Bosben
Dinter'52
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
lVlarsha
Fred '60 and Janet Engelmann
Roger
Reynold '41 and lVarian Erickson
Ruth Ann Gjerde Fitzke '67
'68 and Dean 0lson-Strommen
'56 and Janet Ose
Patricia Strecker'64 Pederson and Dean Pederson
John '82 and Joan Moline'83 Evans
Marilyn Pearson '76 Florian and Kenneth Florian
Glen Person '47
Edward Evenson'41
Jerome Formo '37+
Robert'68 and Alice Draheim '68 Peters
Harvey '52 and Joanne Varner '52 Peterson
Rachel Rohde '76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist
Leonard '52 and Anabelle Hanson '51 Dalberg
James Ericksen '69
Alan'67 and lVarilyn Albaugh '67 Gierke
Shirley Larson '51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Janet Evenson
Paul and Judy Grauer
David Proctor'63
Raymond '57 and Janice Grinde
Philip '50 and Dora Frojen '49 Quanbeck
James'61 and BettyAnn Redeske
James '68 and Linda Gilbertson '71 Romslo
Olive Ronholm '47
'63 Potratz and Edward
Potratz
Leland '53 and Eunice Fairbanks
Paul '62 and Susan Grover
Sonia Overmoen'62 Gullicks and lVlilton Gullicks
Kenneth '58 and Aldemar Johnson
'57
Hagen
Evelyn Amundson Sonnack '43
Arvin '55 and Twila Halvorson
Herbert '51 and M. Joyce Tallman '52 Hanson
Philip '42 and Ruth Helland
Thomas'57 and Arlene Hofflander
Norman and llene Holen
Allen '64 and Lenice Hoversten
Florence Retrum Hovland'40
Ruth E. Johnson'74 and Philip Quanbeck ll
Donald and Annelies Steinmetz
Wayne Johnson
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
lVyles and Eunice Stenshoel
Duane and Ruth Johnson
Howard'51 and Nouaneta Hjelm
Gladys Boxrud Strommen '46
James '61 and Caroline Holden
Merton '42 and lrene Huglen '42 Strommen
Marvin'49 and Dorothy Quanbeck '48 Johnson
Daniel '70 and lngrid Kloster þ9 Koch
Bradley '63 and Linda Holt
Luther'39 and Helen Strommen
James Kottom '52
Gloria Johnson'51
Grace Kemmer '58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud
Joanne
lVìarlys Ringdahl
'53 Gunderson and
Charles Gunderson
Arlin Gyberg
lVabeth Saure '58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
Edward+ and Shirley Hansen
Sylvia Kleven Hanson '50
Betty Johnson '58 Haas and Charles Hass
Marjorie Wilberg Hauge '50
Marilyn Peterson
'63
Haus and George Haus
lVartín '59 and Sylvia Sabo
Ruth Schmidt '52
James'54 and Ethel Nordstrom '55 Shiell
Arnold '48 and Carol Skaar
'58
Stiles'58 Laird and David Laird
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correcily.
lf you notice an enot please clntact Kevin Healy at 1-800-2/3-06J7 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
*
Deceased
Fall
2009
43
l\4artin Larson '80
Robert '56 and lVary Erickson
'58
Lockwood
David '53 and Janice Anderson '54 Rykken
Scott Daniels '82 and lVlarcia Pape-Daniels
Ann Erkkila Dudero '86
Audrey Nagel '51 Sander
'68 and Janice Bell '70 Schmidt
Brent Lofgren'88
Dann Forsberg'80
Gary
Susan Lageson '77 Lundholm and lVlark Lundholm
Joann Koelln Frankena'72
Kevin '78 and Catherine Rosik '00 Shea
Lynn '50 and lVliriam Hoplín
'50 Lundin
'66 Luoma
Ronald '56 and Christine Munson '56 IVlain
Kristin Settergren '86 l\4cGinness and
Gary and Barbara Glasscock
Glen and Anna Skovholt
John '65 and Gracia Nydahl
Alexander'90 and Simone Gonzalez
Allan '53 and Eunice Nystuen '50 Sortland
Robert and Nancy Granrud
Paulette Nelson '67 Speed and John Speed
Lloyd Grinde'56
David '63 and Karen Henry'64 Steenson
Tito Guerrero
Steve McGinness
Donna lVlcLean
Bonnie Johnson
'67 Nelson and Bryce
Nelson
lll
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
Suzanne Overholt'67 Hampe and John Hampe
Dorothy Joy Swanson '51
Jacquelyn Bagley'51 Hanson and Kenneth Hanson
Jelfrey'79 and Melissa Swenson
Karla lVorken '81 Thompson and
Shirley Christensen '75 Nickel and Daniel Nickel
Christopher Haug'79 and Karl Starr
lVìargaret Nelson Foss Nokleberg '48
Carolyn Hawkins
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust
Rodney'62 and Jane Helgeson
Robert '55 and Karin Herman
Rodney'59 and Arlene Selander'59 Hill
Robert Nordin '64
Jonathan Nye
Thomas Thompson
Kenneth
'83 Ogdie and Al Ogdie
Norman '85 and Kim Asleson '84 Okerstrom
W. Donald '34 and Glenda Olsen
Edith Hovey
Glenda and Richard Huston
Rosemary Jacobson '69
IVìary
0lson
Lawrence'69 and Susan Turner
Jeanne lvl Kyllo '69 Wendschuh and
'74 and Linda Bailey '74 Holmen
Leroy Nyhus'52
lVìaren Lecy
Mark'79 and Janelle Tonsager
Ronald Wendschuh
Donald '89 and Melinda Mattox '91 Wichmann
Janet Cooke '59 Tilzewilz and Donald Zilzewilz
Robyn Arnold Zollner
'80
Kinney Johnson '65
James'64 and Rose Parks
Janet Batalden'61 Johnson and
10-14 years consecutive
Eugene'59 and Paula Peterson
Eileen Quanbeck '46
Dennìs'61 Johnson
Morris '52 and Marjorie Danielson '52 Johnson
Ordelle Aaker '46
Norman '59 and Ardelle Skovholt '54 Quanbeck
Luther'68 and Joanne Kendrick
The American Foundation
Paul '59 and Pearl Almquist
Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach
E. fVilton Kleven '46
Scott'76 and Lisa Anderson
Stephen '76 and Karen Reinarz
Carrie Kosek'85 Knott and Gerald Knott
Dean'74 and Janet Nelson '76 Anderson
Judith Sandeen'72
Janet Griffith '83 Sandford and David Sandford
Joyce Opseth Schwartz'45
Ronnie'62 and Karen Scott
Kari Beckman '81 Sorenson and Neil Sorensen
La Vone Studlien '58
lVlillard '52 and Dorothy Knudson
Leif Anderson
Duane and lVìary Alyce Krohnke
Scott Anderson '96
Lois Knutson '62 Larsen and Paul Larsen
lVargaret Anderson
Elizabeth Mortensen '56 Swanson and
Annette and Col. Henry C. Lucksinger, Jr.
LeRoy'52 and Carole Anenson
Bill and Anne McSweeney
Daniel '65 and Mary Tildahl '65 Meyers
Charles '63 and IVlary Jo Arndt
Robert '70 and Sue Midness
Mary Arneson and Dale Hammerschmidt
James '88 and Christine Pieri '88 Arnold
Viclor'42 and Rhoda Miller
Susan Hanson '82 Asmus and Kevin Asmus
Ruth Weltzin '45 Swanson and Edwin Swanson
Andrew Moen '87
Dorothy Bai ley
Norman H. Tallakson Charitable Trust
Alan Montgomery and
Lawrence'52 and Jayne Balzer
James Swanson
Jacqueline'80 and John Teísberg
Janis Thoreson '78
Dennis'58 and Doris Barnaal
Janet Karvonen-lVontgomery
Lawayne
'5i
and D. LaRhea .Johnson
'51
lvìorseth
Arlin Becker '88
'73 Becker and Charles Becker
'50 Berg
Adrian Tinderholt '38
Karl Nestvold'54
Catherine Berglund
Wells Fargo Educational IVatching Gift Program
Norma Noonan
Sidney '57 and Lola Lidstrom
Gunnar+ and Mary Wick
Betsey and Alan Norgard
Robert Wick '81
Robert Odegard '51+
Gertrude Ness Berg'51
Andrew '64 and Jean Amland
Pamela Zagaria
Ruth Pousi Ollila'54
Carolyn Berkland
Gary
'65 and Jean Pfeifer '64 0lson
'65
Berg
Anthony and Kathy Bibus
'65 and Jean Blosberg
15-19 years consecut¡ve
Brian Anderson '82 and Leeann Rock'81
Robert'77 and Katherine Anderson
R. Luther 0lson '56
Jack'62 and Nìna Osberg
John '79 and Rebecca Lundeen '79 Aune
-iohn and Norma Paulson
Dennes'57 and Florence Helland '54 Borman
Richard and Nancy Borstad
Willard Botko
Rosemarie Pace
Gary
Ronald and Anna Marie Austin
Daniel '51 and Lois Pearson
Bruce '64 and Nancy Braaten
The Batalden Advised Fund
Donald Peterson'49
Daniel and lrene Brink
Christine Wacker'87 Bjork and Steven Bjork
Rebecca
'63 and lVavis Bjurlin
Davìd '68 and Lynn Boe
Elizabeth Pushing'93
Quentin '50 and E. Lucille Quanbeck
l\4ichael Burden '85
Barbara Hanson
David Christensen'52
Joyce and Walker Romano
lVlorris
44
Augsburg Now
'88 Pfabe and lVìaurice Higgins
'68 Raymond and David Raymond
Roxanne Raunschnot'82 Buchanan and
Jim Buchanan
Eìnar Cannelin
'38
William Capman
Gregory Carlson '74
'65 MacNally and Thomas MacNally
John and Peggy Cerrito
lrene Shelstad Henjum '52
Marie Haf ie
Herbert'54 and E Corrine Chilstrom
Gregory'61 and Kay Hanenburg'62 Madson
Judith Christensen
Jeff Christenson '82
Rand'82 and Kay Kennedy'82 Henjum
Peter'92 and Becky Hespen
Kristen Hirsch '91 Montag and Paul Montag
Janet Niederloh '58 Christeson and
Sylvia Hjelmeland
Carlos Mariani Rosa
John '70 and Lynn Benson '69 Hjelmeland
Julie Magnuson '61 Marineau and Richard
John Christeson
Raymond lVlakeever
Patrick'72 and Nancy lvlarcy
C. Lee Clarke
iohn'81 and Karen Hofflander
Joseph '53 and Connre Cleary
Dean '57 and Jane Holmes
Donald '60 and Ruth Thorsgard '59 Homme
John '59 and De Anne lVartinsen
James'59 and Joanne Horn
Jon '58 and Judith lVlatala
Elizabeth Horton
Phillip '62 and Karen Tangen '63 lVattison
Lillian and Vernon Maunu
Dana Holmes '81 lVclntyre and Vernon Mclntyre '79
Tara Cesaretti '97 lVlcLeod and Christopher'00
Judith Norman '66 Coppersmith and
Norman Coppersmith
Cheryl Solomonson '89 Crockett and
Marineau
Donald '65 and Delores Hoseth
Larry Crockett
0liver Dahl '45
Kermit '50 and Ruth Hoversten
Tom'72 and Karen Howe
Sally Hough Daniels '79
Rhoda lVonseth
Lois Mackey Davis '58
Mark '88 and lVìarya lVlattson
Laura Bower '91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe
'59 Huglen and Erling Huglen
'83 Hultgren
Suzanne Doree
Bruce and Jean lnglis
Julie Edstrom '90
Darrell '55 and Helga Egertson
Judy Thompson Eiler '65
Carolyn Ross
Robert '71 and Cheryl Lindroos
'72 Mar|in
lVlcLeod
Meca Sportswear lnc.
Robert '59 and Mary Lundquist '60 Meffert
'89 lsaak and James
lsaak
Joan and Richard lVleierotto
Jeffrey '80 and Jacqui Jarnes
David '68 and Elaine Melby
Thomas '86 and Susan Miller
David '79 and Amy Eitrheim
'63 Johnson and Charles Johnson
Laurel Jones '69 Johnson and Larry Johnson
Bruce '68 and Lois Hallcock '68 Johnson
Daniel'77 and Patricia Eitrheim
Carolyn Johnson '63
Mark 'BB and Tamie lVlorken
Avis Ellingrod
Douglas'66 and Kathryn Wall '66 Johnson
Kari Elsila and lVlichael Buescher
Glen and Marlys Johnson
Rona Quanbeck'48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
Margaret Johnson
Paul '84 and Nancy Mackey '85 lVìueller
Scott '81 and Debra Musselman
Michael Navane
and Lynette Engebretson
Ellen Stenberg Erickson '51
Joan '94 and Mark Johnson
Doris Wilkins
Curtis '84 and Jody Eischens
Dean '68 and Diana Olson
'69 Ersfeld
Martha Johnson
Theodore '68 and lVlichelle Johnson
Duane Esterly'75
L. Cratg'79 and Theresa Serbus
'79
Estrem
'78 Kahlow and Larry Kahlow
Jennifer Abeln
'78
Moren
Edor'38 and Dorathy Nelson
Lany '65 and lVarilyn Nelson
Ronald '68 and Mary Kay Nelson
David '64+ and Johnson
lVlark
Ronald '59 and Elizabeth Miskowiec
Jonathan '78 and Bonnie Lamon
E. lrene Lasseson Neseth '38+
Steven '64 and Rebecca '64 Nielsen
John '68 and Martha Fahlberg
Suzanne Kelley'69
Robert '73 and Linda Nilsen
Karen Faulkner
Benjamin and Christine Kent
James '57 and Shirley Norman
William and Anne Frame
James Kerr
Donald '65 and Carolyn Francis
Richard '69 and Cheryl Nelson
lerry'67 and Pauline
North Dakota Community Foundation
'70 King
Linda King '78
Terry'7O and Vicki Nygaard
Edward '54 and Winifred Nystuen '54 Nyhus
Ann Garvey
Marie Gjenvick Knaphus '45+
Richard '69 and Sandra Larson '69 Olmsted
Barbara Gilbert'81
LaRhae Grindal Knatterud '70
Howard and Bettye Olson
Lorraine Vash '67 Gosewisch and David Gosewisch
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Cedric '61 and Marlys Olson
John '66 and Mary Jo Greenfield
Carmela Brown
Cindy Greenwood '05
Joan Kunz
Beverly Halling '55 Oren and Donald '53 Oren
ith '84 and Jean Taylor '85
H. Theodore '76 and Michele Grindal
Steven '81 and Kathy Grinde
Julia Ose'62 Grose and Christopher Grose
Jean Venske '87 Guenther and Stephen Guenther
Richard '72 and Carol Habstritt
Robert'80 and Lori LaFleur
George '50 and Vivian Lanes
Steven 0'Tool '74
Andrea Langeland
Ervin '56 and Sylvia Moe '59 Overlund
Marvin and Ruth Ringstad'53 Larson
Patricia Solum Park'02
Julie Gudmestad '65 and Joseph Laudicina
John '52 and lvlary Peterson '54 Leak
Roger'50 and Donna Wang'52 Leak
Jacqueline Kniefel Lind'69
Patricia and John Parker
James'67 and Laurie Lindell
Dwight '60 and Marion Pederson
Rosemary and Andrew Link
Dale Pederson'70
Arlene and Gene Lopas
Linda Christensen'68 Phillips and Gerald Phillips
Frovik
Roger Griff
Lucille and Roger Hackbart
Shirley and Hansen
John '69 and Barbara Harden
Robert'83 and Lynne Harris
Burton '72 and Rollie Haugen
Lisa Svac Hawks '85
Dawn Hendricks '80
Gerald '59 and lVaxine Hendricks
Olivia Gordon
'84 Kranz and David
Kranz
'62 Lorents and Alden Lorents
Vicki and Daniel 0lson
Russell '63 and Ruth Osterberg
Robert'50 and Ruth Paulson
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Howard '53 and Vicki Skor'59 Pearson
Leanne Phinney'71 and Mark Schultz
Jack'53 and Darlene Lundberg
James Plumedahl '57
lVlarissa Hutterer Machado '99
Jill Pohtilla
Every effort has been made to ensure that all nanes are included and spelled correctly.
lfyou notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
*
Deceased
Fall
2009
45
lnez Olson '59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf
Richard '70 and Linda Seime
Drew'87 and lVìolly Privette
Jerry '83 and Susan Warnes 'BB Quam
lVlark '53 and Jean Raabe
Dick '61 and Jane Thompson
Sue Thompson
'85
Nicolyn Rajala '70 and Bill Vossler
John Rask '71
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Gordon '52 and Gloria Parizek '53 Thorpe
lVarlys Holm '57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard
Charles Sheaffer
Richard '56 and Darlene Thorud
Paul Rensted'87
John '50 and Norma Shelstad
lVlìchael
James'75 and Jude Ring
David '59 and Arline Ringstad
James'63 and Patricia Steenson '65 Roback
Donavon '52 and Ardis Roberts
Stella Kyllo Rosenquist '64
Chad '93 and lVargaret Shilson
l\4ark and Ann Tranvik
Eugene and Margaret Skibbe
Gordon '57 and Karen Egesdal '61 Trelstad
'72 and Nancy Becker '72 Soli
Joyce Engstrom '70 and Robert Spector
Heidi Wisner '93 Staloch and l\4ark Staloch
Ronald '58 and Naomi Stave
lVìerry Tucker
Earl '68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen '70 Sethre
Alan
Philip Rowberg'41
'85 and Rhonda Riesberg '84 Tjaden
Betty and Paul Tveite
Robert'50 and Dee Ulsaker
Joan Swenson Van Wirt '78
Joan Volz
Richard Sandeen '69
Roger'54 and Bonnie Stockmo
Calvìn '51+ and Bonnie lVlartinson '59 Storley
Mary Mether'69 Sabatke and Bruce Sabatke
'68
Sharon and Stephen Wade
Pauline Sateren
Steven '65 and Chynne Strommen
Rebecca and Michael Waggoner
Carol Watson Saunders'68
Philip '79 and Julia Davis '79 Styrlund
Norman '76 and Kathryn Anderson '76 Wahl
Jan Pedersen '68 Schiff and Tom Schiff
John '69 and Stephanie Johnson '71 Sulzbach
Michael '64 and Carla Quanbeck '64 Walgren
Rodney and Elizabeth Schmidt
Kenneth Svendsen '78 and Allison Everett'78
l\4ichael and Leslie Schock
Stephen '76 and Antoinette Laux'77 Sveom
Lois '76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
John '49 and Arnhild Werket
Larry '65 and Muriel Berg '67 Scholla
Brian Swedeen '92 and Teni Burnor'92
Heidi Norman '88 Wise and John Wise
Arvid '63 and Lillian Schroeder
Diana Talcott
Edmund '53 and Rose Youngquist
Roger'62 and Jean Schwartz
Barbara and Eugene Thompson
ALUMNI GIVING BY CTASS YEAR
The following
list indicates the percentage of alumni from the traditional day program in each class year who made a gift during 2008-09
Total participation for all class years, 21%.
7934
1935
1936
r937
1938
1939
1940
T94T
40.007"
50.00%
50.00%
62.50y"
64.7'I"/"
25.00%
52.94%
L949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
37.36"/.
1970
24.37"/.
45.83"/"
24.307"
7994
t7.49y"
1981
7982
L8.97"/.
17.44%
1995
1996
7997
1998
1999
70.73%
13.92%
4.23%
9.72%
10a?
18.4I"/"
17.73"/.
17.42y"
13.46"/.
14.34%
15.69%
2004
2005
5.247"
9.45"/.
Lr.48%
7.58%
43.657"
47.75%
46.O9"/"
I97 4
26.42%
38.31%
36.88%
37.97%
40.76%
7975
24.68%
I976
23.5a%
1991
8.70%
2006
4.78%
I977
24.65%
23.92%
t992
70.o7%
993
ro.7t%
2007
2008
5.56y"
3.05%
48.t5%
1961
45.83%
L962
42.86%
1963
Augsburg Now
29.90ï.
46.4O"/o
19.09%
1958
1959
1960
1947
1948
46
37.447"
30.70y.
4L85"/.
34.357"
1979
1980
I957
t946
1944
34.75%
r
r972
r973
1945
1943
35.
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1984
1985
1986
7987
1988
1989
1990
40.63%
48.44%
38.10%
45.65%
48.72%
L942
i0%
L964
47.27%
33.52%
44.53%
50.86%
197
1978
26.IO"/.
25.,ry"
1
1132%
19.I2"/.
t2.20%
2000
2007
8.37%
2002
2003
8.74%
5A3%
alumni news
,fi,
,ì.
Dear valued alumni ancl friends,
s I write this article, we are passing
;! into autumn, and every year this
', brings a palpable sense of nostalgia and ref lection. This year I have been
considering some of the principles and
ideals I learned while a student and at
Augsburg.
As alumni we are all aware of the
another in our closely def ined lives. We belong to chatting commu_
nities, Facebook, MySpace, and thousands of other digital groups,
which could be argued constitute a community.
We cannot deny that technology has grven us the ability to stay
in contact and have more access to informatlon than ever before,
but the question we need to consider is, are we truly following our
duty and responsibllities of our fellowship in humankind?
Each of us will have a different answer to this question, but none
of us can deny that we are living in a time that needs all of us to
themes of vocation, caritas flove), and the duty to be an active part
of our community. These themes were the foundation of the educa_
actively be involved in the world we live. My call to dutyto each of
you, as alumni, is to take some time to rediscover the communities
tion we received from Augsburg and are stillthe foundation for stu-
in which you belong and consider how you can participate and
make a difference. A great place to start is by examining one
community in which you belong: Augsburg College. As a member of
the Augsburg community, a great first step would be to visit the
dents today.
However, my question is, what does each of these tenets mean
to us today, as alumni? Vocation and caritas are def ined without
much difficulty in our lives. We know that through our education
we are able to work in our various fields and through love have last_
ing and def inable relationships with our fellow human beings. But
in our hectic lives, how do we def ine our community?
The notion of community has gone through some interesting
changes over the years. We used to define community by main fac_
tors of geography and/or common goals and ideals. However, this
has evolved over the years with the advancement of digital capabil_
ities and how we communicate. Today we use Twitter, write brief emails, and compose quick text messages to communicate with one
Augsburg Col lege al umn i relations page, www.augsburg.edu/alum
and go to Get lnvolved. There are many opportunities to get
n i,
involved and volunteers are always needed.
I wish you all happy ref lections in this autumn season.
ù'* &*uDANITL HICKLE '95
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Alumni Board
Augsburg Associates
Campus lfitchen at Augsburg
Alumni mentors
Advent Vespers volunteers
GET INVÍ}NE.D
There's a place for youl
Learn more at www.augsburg.edu/alumni
Fall
2009
4l
.:
alumnl news
0ur 'Uniquely Augsburg' faculty add a special touch to alumni events
Have you ever wondered if those
Þ
costumes at the Renaissance Festival are really accurate? Did you
have any idea how the government's
€
stimulus billwould affect you? Ever
considered what it would be like to
see the ltalian countryside through
the eyes of an art historian?
These and many more are the
opportunities you have when
Augsburg faculty join you in the
Uniquely Augsburg alumni events
and programs. While not everyone is able to come to Augsburg's
campus, a number of professors are bringing the Augsburg experience to areas around the Twin Cities, sharing their expertise and
passions, answering questions, and helping interpret policies and
issues into news you can use.
Michael Lansing, assistant professor of history and director of
environmental studies, talked about the value of hands-on learning
in Augsburg's new environmental studies program. He led the Lake
Minnetonka eco-tour cruise in June, describing environmental
issues of the large lake and answering questions about its ecology.
Phillip Adamo (pictured left), associate professor and chair of
the History Department and director of medieval studies, hosted
lunch in Augsburg's tent at the Renaissance Festival and answered
questions about what's real and what's not. He also led a tour
around the grounds, stopping at a 16th-century lrish cottage
replica to give a glimpse of what life was like then.
When Auggies gathered in August for "Auggie Night at the
Races" in Shakopee, accounting professor Stu Stoller kicked off
the night with a presentation on "The Odds of Winning."
The quarterly Eye-Opener Breakfast Series provides alumni professionals an opportunity to start the day with networking and a
talk by an Augsburg academic. ln April, Economics Department
chair Jeanne Boeh spoke about the stimulus package, how it
affected the economy, and what it meant for most people.
The Uniquely Augsburg concept also extends to travel opportunities. The November tour to ltaly was led by art professor Kristin
Anderson, whose passions include the art, archìtecture, history,
and culture of this region.
Uniquely Augsburg alumni events have succeeded in engaging
alumni in great ways to experience an Augsburg education without
coming to campus. Watch for upcoming events in your area; the
next one may be just around the corner.
Keep up on all alúmnì events at www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
Journey to the Emerald lsle of lreland
à
Join friends from lhe Augsburg College community for an in-depth journey through lreland. Explore centuries of heroic history, visiting
archaeological sites dating lo S,000 BC. Experience the intense rugged
beauty of land carved from the sea, contrasling with the meticulous
gardens of stately castles. D¡scover the spirit of Celtic Christianity at
ancient monaslic communities where Christianity flourished during the
Dark Ages. Celebrate contemp0rary lrish culture with passion-filled
music and food at local pubs.
The tour departs in early 0ctober 2010 and will be hosted by
Augsburg faculty. A detailed tour brochure will be available in December. To receive the brochure, contact Alumni Relations, 6l 2-330-1
1
73
or alumni@augsburg.edu.
Kylemore Abbey, in County ûalway, the oldest ol the lrish Benedictine abbeys,
is one of the sites on the alumni itinerary in 0ctober 2010.
48
Augsburg Now
The Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings
Continuing the Augsburg Choir's
75th anniversary celebration,
Augsburg is proud to announce that
the Augsburg Choir
recordings from 1949-1979 will
CD versions of
Box 3: Sateren Finale
I972-73: An Ascription of Praise; includes Sateren's composition
by the same name
I974-7ú
Day of Pentecosf; includes Sateren's composition by the
same name
soon be available. These re-mastered historical treasures will be
I975-76: And Death Shall Have No Dominion; visiting director
released as The Augsburg Choir
1977-78: Here Comes Our Kingi includes Sateren's composition
legacy Recordings.
by the same name
ldar Karevold
I978-79: Gloria; includes the title piece by
leland
Lars Edlund
B. Sateren '35
Three boxed sets, each containing five CDs, will be produced:
Box 1: From Opseth to Sateren
1949-50: Augsburg Choir, with Henry P. Opseth conducting.
lncludes Jeg er saa glad, Praise to the Lord, and Song of Mary
I95I-52: includes Sateren's Cycle for Christmas and his arrange-
The Augsburg Cho¡r Legacy Recordings
will add to the richness of
the choral tradition of the past, present, and future. Dr. Bill
Halverson '51 has written a monograph about Leland B. Sateren's
life and career that will be included with the recordings. These
ment of The Sun Has Gone Down
1954-55: includes Sateren's Christmas Canticle
1956-57: includes Knut Nystedt's Cry Out and Shout
recordings will also confirm the historical and continued significance of Augsburg College as a place of preparation for service in
community and church.
The Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings will be available early
next year through the Augsburg College Bookstore. For information
196I-62: includes Sateren's His Compassions Fail
on ordering the CDs, go to the Music Department website,
Not
www.augsbu rg.ed u/m usic.
Box 2: Sateren lntermezzo
1964-65: includes music from the European tour, spanning 400
years of music from Corsi and Bach to Jean Berger
1967-68: Praise to God; includes Sateren's Seek
Not
Cost: $49 per boxed set; $135 for all three boxed sets, plus shipping and handling.
Afar for
Beauty
1969-7O: Thy Truth Within; includes Sateren's composition by the
same name
I970-7I: Make a Joyful Noise; includes Sateren's The Poor
and Needy
I97I-72:
The Redeemef includes Sateren's A Choral Cycle
The Redeemer
co8
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Fall
úrr
2009
49
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alumni news
Experience the beauty and culture of Norway
e
JC
\
Join Augsburg's Center
for Leadership Studies
e
for an educatìonal and
cultural tour to Norway,
The tour includes:
r
Five days in Oslo-located on a fjord, surrounded by hills, and
full of the excitement of a large, cosmopolitan city
.
A journey westward by motor coach through Kongsberg, the his-
June 5-15,2010. This
toric Numedal Valley, and Hardangervidda (the mountain
special ly-designed tour
plateau home of large reindeer herds) to stay in a charming traditional hotel in Geilo
includes visits to Oslo,
Kongsberg, Geilo,
o
A famously scenic train ride to the fjord village of Flåm and a
.
Two nights in picturesque and historic Bergen on Norway's
.
west coast
A journey south by motor coach and ferry to Stavanger, designated "European Capital of Culture" for 2008. Stavanger was the
Bergen, and Stavanger.
While in Oslo, the group
will be hosted
Diakon
cruise on the Aurlands and Naeroy Fjords
by
hjemmet
U n
iver-'
sity College, an Augsburg partner school that
maìn departure point for Norwegian immigrants to Amerìca. After
offers a master's degree
ExperiencethespectacularbeautyofNorway's invalue-based leaderfiordswiththeCenterforLeadershipStudies ship.Accommodations
nextlune'
wiil be on or near campus. Faculty from Diakonhjemmet will lead three morning sessions
to complement the travel, providing an inside perspective and an
opportunity to reflect on what is seen and learned.
an overnight stay, the tour departs for home from Stavanger.
Cost: $3799 (includes airfare, accommodations, in-country travel,
entrance fees during group excursions, tour guides, workshops at
Diakonhjemmet, and 15 meals). Space is limited to 26.
For information about the tour and a PowerPoint preview, con-
tact Patty Park at 612-330-1150 or parkp@augsburg.edu.
Welcome home, 0ld Main bell
augsburg
Augsburg's first 0ld Main building opened in 1 8i4, and until it was razed to build
Sverdrup Hall, its bell called the campus communityto meals and events.
This bell has recently come back to Augsburg, and will find a new place and pur-
pose 0n campus. We're planning a story about the bell in the spring issue of Augsburg
I'low,about its history, its travels, and its return home. Scouring our archives, we haven't
been able to learn much about it, or find it pictured in archive photos.
I)o you rememberthis ()ld Main bell? Please help us learn more about
how and when did
it-where
was it located,
it ring? What do you remember about it?
After the bell served its duty in ()ld Main,
il became part of Augsburg student traditions-participating
in sports and other student activities. What do you
remember-tell
us, even anonymously, if you wish!
E-mail information and stories to now@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1 181. We invite you to become
part of the "rest of the story" about the 0ld Main bell.
50
Augsburg Now
)
-r-
5g-Y[:Aft: ftliüNîoil|-$LAlifi
0r
ß59,
lyngdal, Walter Lundeen
HflMECOMING 2OOg
{g-YF,Aftj ftlîUNï01,f-$LA$$ ûF 1gõg
Front row (L t0 R): Arlene Uejima, Karl Sneider; Row 2 ([ to R): l{ancy (Rolfe) Rolfe-Bailey, Lynn
(Benson) Hlelmeland, Janice (Hawkins) Halvorson, Kristi Holden; Rows 3,4 combined (L to R):
Roberta (Halseth) clausen, J0an (Halverson) Holt, Diana (0lson) Ersfeld, Ardell (Th0rpe) Bengtson,
Ron Holden; Row 5 (L to R): Greg Clausen, Eunice Helgeson, Judy (Johnson Kangas) Lies, pam
(Fredrickson) Gunderson; Row ô ([ to R): Diane (Helgeson) carter, lois (peterson) Bollman, Julie
(Kreie) Eidsvoog, sue (Halvorson) Bjerkestrand; Row 7 (L to R): sharon (Mielke) Eian, shirley (Swee)
Seutter, Alvina (Strand) Skogen, Linda (Stewart) Miller, larry Turner; Rows B, I combined (l to R):
Jacqueline (Kniefel) [ind, Joel Branes, Daryl Miller, wayne carlson, pamela (Bjorklund) carlson,
25- I FA ft, ftElf$l,i0l,f
gLAf,-: 0f rue+
-
laurie (Ofstedal) Frattallone, [aurie ([indell) Miles, Sonja Thompson,
Carmela (Brown) Kranz, Kim (0lsen) Melotte, lisa (Rykken) Kasfler
(L to R)
Richard Fenton; Rows 1 0, 1 1 combined ([ to R): ûlen Peterson, larry Matthews, Bruce Mestemacheç
Mike Essen, Bob Bliss, Gary Boen
Fall
2009
51
ass nOtes
c
FlSheldon
Johnson beean in Sepas interim sJperintend
ent at lVleadow Creek (Minn.)
Christian School. He retired in 2000
after 33 years as superintendent of
the lVlonticello School District, and
has since served four prior stints as
an interim superintendent.
Ult.ro.r.
Richard E. Lund, MD, is a retired
radiologist, living in Edmonds, Wash
He and his wife, Ann, have been
married for 43 years and have five
grandchildren. rlxrad@aol.com
tltSusan
Nelson has been teachlne elementary special education for 23 years in ihe Davenport
(lowa) Community Schools. She
coached lhe 1995 and 1999 World
Games Special Olympics lowa tennis
teams and the 2006 National
Games lowa tennis team.
Uf
l!fllon
Uü.r
Hageseth retired in Sepo.itro m his 27 -year
tenure as co-founder and director of
the Counseling and Testing Center at
the University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse. He plans to pursue photography and woodworking, as well as
play tennis and golf, and volunteer
in the community.
Kathy 0lson entered the contest in
September for an at-large seat on
the Waverly (lowa) City Council. She
retired last year as CUNA Mutual
human resources director and
serves on two non-profit boards in
her community.
FSii;:
i'iåi,' H tilì:t
åi^
David Ctoss works at U N IVAC/
UNISYS Cadence Design Systems.
Robert Strandquist has taught high
school English around the world. He
has been a twolime Fulbright
exchange teacher, a scholar at
Oxford and in lreland, and has run
15 marathons. Now he's "tiredno, re-tired."
[arry Turner has raised a family,
retired from the Burlington Northern
Santa l-e Railway, served22 years in
the Naval Reserve, and now enjoys
opportunities to travel and expand
his photography hobby.
]
!
(Johnson) Sullivan
llSharon Ann
lJreceived the "Excellence in
Jacqueline (Kniefel) l¡nd'94 MAt
works at the Airport Foundation
MSP to recruit, train, and recognize
300 volunteers for Travelers Assistance. She completed her Master of
Arts in Leadership degree at Augsburg and has served as Augsburg's
Alumni Board president.
52
Jill (Beck) Burch works at Accenture
Kay (Peterson) Sauck is president
and CEO of Sauck Media Group, a
publishing company that she
founded in 2009 in Fairmont, lVlinn
She launched Womeninc magaÀne
in 2004. ln 2008, after a series of
personal tragedies, she started
Midwest Caregìver, which has now
become Caregiving in Ameñca.
Coming in spring 2010 is a third
publication called MN Rivers.
Bank.
at Best Buy.
Shari Kay (Hackbarth) Hunter completed an MBA at the Unìversity of
St. Thomas and works at Provincial
Karen Jensen works for the State of
Minnesota. After graduation she
look an Oulward Bound course,
found a passion for outdoor adventure, and has paddled around the
world. Five years ago, she lost her
husband, Jim Rada, when he died
while paddling a whitewater river.
Teaching Award" from the California
Council for Adult Education. She is a
kay@sauckmed ia.com
metropolitan ad ult education
¡nstructor at Hope Services, San
Jose, Calif., where she teaches life
skills to over 150 adults who are
developmentally disabled.
O,4ì Mary
Saturday evening lazz
show, Corner Jazz, on KBEM Radio,
after working for 12 years at Minnesota Public Radio.
't
f
(}rjworkshop in music therapy,
lJane (Catlin) Bracken, a firstlgraOe teacher at Cannon Falls
(Minn.) Elementary School, was
selected by her peers as the elementary Teacher of the Year in
Ann Sullivan began host-
Ctl,tnea
Q 2Xt]l
luedtke-Smith organized
a
"lVlusical Play: Learning through
Music," at the Fraser School last
February.
T flJanice Nelson is a new memt l,nu, of the board of directors ot
Southwest lnitiative Foundation in
Hutchinson, Minn. She is an attorney with the law firm of Nelson Oyen
Torvik in lVlontevideo, IVlinn., and
works with real estate, estate planning, elder law, and probate.
Lisa (Rykken) Kastler is program
executive at Youth Encounter and
oversees national and international
traveling ministry teams and weekend events. She has enjoyed opportunities to use her theatre studies in
youth minislry.
Kim Marie 0lsen taught elementary
and middle school and served as
a youth minister. Her husband
retired from active duty in the U.S.
Navy, and they are now settled in
Wisconsin.
Ja nuary.
@'/f-Wanda (Hemphill) Borman has
O¡Þworked, traveled to Europe
and Asia, and ¡s an instructor in the
Eagan Art House and manager of
the Eagan Ad Festival.
Liz (Peterson) Sheahan has worked
at Ministry Home Care, Inc., where
she has created Telly-award-winning
videos on home healLh and hospice
care used in fundraising.
(Strommen) Johnson is
J9'ùco-chairing
f,Andrea
Paul
St.
Children's
Hospital Association's CHAnging
Lives 60th Annual Ball. Proceeds
from the November 21 benefit go to
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of
M in
Kristi (Sanford) Goetsch enjoyed a
wonderful 30-year career in the
Seattle Public Schools from 19691999. Since then she has been
doing volunteer work with the elcierly
and teaching Sunday School.
management consulting firm,
Drakulic & Associates, which currently contracts in the operations
and development areas w¡th Hope
Chest for Breast Cancer.
t
f
nesota.
ÊRev. David Halaas was called
Uìo ,.ru.
as senior pastor at
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Williston, N.D.
Church of Christ and Nerstrand
(Minn.) United lVlethodist Church
A group of Auggies from the late 1970s found an occasion to get
together for dinner in Minneapolis last April.
Front row, L to R: Laura (Berg) Nelson '79, Steve Nelson'78, Steve
Wehrenberg'78, Sue (Johnson) Wehrenberg'79, Pam (Hanson) Moksnes
last summer.
'79, Lynn Schmidtke'79; Back row, Llo R: Steve Pheneger, LuAnn
(Johnson) Drakulic spent
$Sue
{22years working at Honeywell, and then left to run her own
Pheneger, Mark Moksnes'79, Tim Gordon'80, Ga¡l (Wagner) Gordon'80,
Karin (Larson) Monson, Greg Monson'79 (in back), Susan Streed
McNaughton, Bill Voedisch. Laurie (Carlson) Voedisch, Chris Geason '78,
Julie (Edson) Geason'79
7 8::'3f,:iii:i:l j;i1Ï,ïñ:;
J
I
Augsburg Now
)
rr
.þ
è
þ
q
Adrienne (Kuchler) Eldridge
Jason, welcomed a son, Hudson lsaiah, on
June 12. She is the program and
lff,¡
V-3.and her husband,
ø
organizational manager at the First
Lutheran Church and Bay Lake
q
Camp. aeke@hotmail.com
Q.flSven
9l.his
OEllir¡am Zien Edgar and Scott Edgar were married on July 5 in St. Louis
U UPark, Minn. Auggies in the wedding party included Molly Rivets'06,
Erlandson has published
fourlh book, Badass
Alia Sheirman'08, Laya Theberge'06, Dayle Vanderleest'04, Peter lindemann
'04, and Karley Kielty'07. Music professors Robert Stacke'71 and Ned Kantor played in the klezmer/jazz band. Miriam is orchestra director at J.F.
Kennedy High School in Bloomrngton, and Scott is completing his master's
degree in counseling and psychological services at St. Mary's University of
Jesus: The Serious Athlete and a
Life of Noble Purpose. Written for
"the most ¡ntense, focused, and
fiercest athletes," the book is rooted
in "Jesus' First and Greatest Commandment and his personal ethos
of radical other-centered love."
Minnesota.
Natasha Hamann is a family medicine physician at Allina Medical
Clinic in Buffalo, lVinn.
flfi.Sarah Huerta'06 MBA and
her
U Uhusband, C¡aig'09, wel-
comed theìr second child, Connor
Brian, on April 24. He joins big
brofher Brady,2-112.
(l
ÇAllison
(Cornell) and Matt
llUBroughton'06 were married
in
a small ceremony on June 27 . f he
couple lives in Hanover, N.H.,
where Malt is a graduate student in
physics at Dartmouth College and
Allison works for the Dartmouth
Medical School Development Offìce.
The photo was taken by Ryan
Bethke'09,
fì
Roper-Batker is the presiÚÚoent uÅo cro of the women's
Foundation of lVinnesota, which she
has served since 2001. She received
a diploma from the Higher Trade
Union College in lVloscow, where she
studied trade union movements.
flLee
Bethany Buchanan married
Micheal Scott, a high
school special education teacher, in
June 2008. A year later they started
Grace Homes-Williston House, a
residential care home for seniors in
lVlinnetonka. After working as a
O.tì
rll.Charles
social worker, Bethany graduated
from nursing school in 2001, and
worked at Fairview University Medical Center and Methodist Hospital
as a medical-surgical nurse prior to
opening the care home. ln 2003,
2004, and 2005 she did month-long
medical mission tours in Nigeria.
Tracy (Glumich) Hovland and her
husband, Erik, have a six-month-old
daughter, Ava.
June (Kirk) Nelson returned to West
Africa 15 months ago, where she
works at the Hopital Protestante in
Ngaoundere, Cameroon, a mission
hospital that trains Christian African
physicians to become surgeons.
Megan Renze has been in Florida for
10 years. She completed her Juris
Doctor degree at the University of
Miami Law School.
O OAaron
Shatol Tyra received a Star Award
2008 from the lVlinnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (N/l0LN)
in recognition of her commitment to
volunteering and dedication to influencing health care by advancing
professional nursrng leadership, particularly with the Metro Alliance Education and Service Collaborative for
Expanded Enrollment of Baccalaureate Nurses.
Petrasek married David
Alan Hurley on Oct. 28, 2008,
in Van Nuys, Calif. Paul works at
FedEx and David Alan works at the
VA Medical Center. They traveled to
Disneyland for a honeymoon and
Gabriel directed the
lJ
lJregional premiere of How Can
You Run with a Shell on Your Back
at the Stages Theatre in Hopkins,
lVlinn., in lVlarch. The musical won a
regional Tony award following its premiere in Chicago last year.
Chiho Okuizumi is program coordina-
tor at VH1 Save the lVlusic Foundation in New York City, which provides
access to instrumental music education to children in more than 1,600
public schools across the U.S.
OTPaul
r'l I
live in Avon, Calif.
Q$toucin da
(0lson) Bjorklund
rJ.rJ-works at Vascular Solutions,
I
nc.
employed at the time of her wedding
at Appleton Cardiology Associates in
Appleton, Wis., as a physician assistant. Kevin is a high school math
teacher and head track coach at
Clintonville High School.
Marcy received his MBA
the Carlson School of
Management, University of Minnesota, in 2008 and accepted a promotion to senior internal auditor at
Valspar in Minneapolis. He travels
fl
2Max
U úfrom
widely doing internal audits, including the U.S., Europe, and China. ln
2OO4 he married his wife, Jessica, in
a Celtic mass held in Syracuse, N.Y.
They live in lVinneapolis with their
Persian cat, Eleanor Rigby.
fddam Nugent and Carolina
U T(Chiesa) are living in College
fi
Station, Texas. Adam is studying for
a lVlaster of Landscape Architecture
degree at Texas A&M, and Carolina
is teaching at South Knoll Elementary School.
Bourn works as a promanager with youth
service agencies and the Minneapolis Public Schools on the North Side.
He has run for the Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board to keep parks
on the North Side safe and pro-
O FBrad
tlilgram
and has moved to Los Angeles.
grammed. He has received the Presidential Service Award for his work
with youth.
(l{¡
(l'fleremy
fl lEm¡ly Nugent'07 MA[, '09 MBA
lJ lis engaged to Nick Loiacano
Jennifer Langman married
Reese in Cameron, Wis.,
on August 9, 2008. Jennifer earned
a master's degree in health science
from Duke University and was
U-LKevin
Anderson adapted one
of his poems into a l0-minute
play, "Jones'n," which was produced
as part of the Bedlam Theatre's TenMinute Play Festival in May.
Uf
Fall
2009
53
prof ile
A Colombian Auggie in
Europe-
Paola Murcia '99
s
,1
È
How did a Latin American Auggie from Colombia end up in
Belgium via Minneapolis and Costa Rica?
Paola lVurcìa has lived in Antwerp, Belgium, for three years
now, working for Dole Fresh Fruit as the banana allocation
assistant for Europe. ln this role, she is the contact person
between the European market for Dole bananas and the production in Latin America.
This journey began in the mid-1990s when another Auggie
from Colombia introduced Paola to Eloisa Echavez, then the
director of Augsburg's Hispanic/Latino Student Services.
Echavez met with Paola's parents when she traveled in
Colombia, and they agreed to Paola's going to Augsburg.
She studied international relations, political science, and
Apart from her work, Paola Murcia '99 enjoys traveling in Europe and had a great view
ol the Thames in London from the london Eye ferris wheel.
French, and graduated in 1999. A year later, she took a posi-
tion in San José, Costa Rica, with Dole, and over the next six
years she was continually promoted and grew in the company
about those subjects," Paola says, "and it's important when
you live abroad that you try to blend in as much as possible.
toward the appointment in Dole's European division.
Also, to be open-minded!"
Shortly after arriving in Belgium, Paola ref lected on how she
felt Augsburg had provided a foundation for this new
When Paola arrived in Europe, for the first time she found
herself in a place where she didn't understand anything at all.
experience.
ln Antwerp, although most people speak English, the language
is Dutch (Flemish). But, since Belgium's off icial languages are
Dutch, German, and French, she could use her French from
Augsburg and fully appreciated the efforts of professor Pary
Pezechkian, who pushed her to master it.
As of now, Paola plans to stay in Europe, working in the
international f ield. She has studied Dutch and is striving to
"l have used what was learned in political
science and international relations to be the professional and the person I have
become," Paola wrote. "As Professor Norma Noonan puts it
better than I could, [she wrote to me,] 'You are living international relations, which is even better than merely studying ìt!
You are living the multicultural experiences that you have had
in all the countries through which you have passed."'
Paola would encourage current students to pay a lot of
attention to history and geography, as well as language.
"There is still an ìmage that Americans don't know much
perfect her French and German. She is also now accustomed to
the continental European winter, and she credits her years in
Minnesota for preparing her for this, as well.
BEÏSTY NORGARD
Shannon Olson works as a marketing
associate within a new type of teaming structure at Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans, called Professional
Office Practìces (POP).
0uincy Osborn joined the athletic
staf f at Ohio University as an assislanI coach in wrestling, after serving
in the same position for Augsburg's
wrestling team.
at an outdoor ceremony along the
Mississìppi River and drove to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon.
Daniel Manley is a police officer in
Glen Ridge, N.J. and saved the life
of a choking baby on the second day
on his job after having recently completed police academy training.
Alia Scheirman began her service in
the Peace Corps in Ukraine al the
fl QTasha Christensen married
l, [tNikolaus Browne on June l3
54
Augsburg Now
end of September.
fi
$Abigail Ferjak, with a major in
U üyoulh and
family ministry, is
beglnning study at Yale Divinity
Graduate College and wants to
explore the possibility of teaching in
a college setting.
Matthew Tonsager has joined the
Elm Creek Associates of Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans as a financial
associate with the organization's
Central l\4innesola Regional [inancial Office.
Of;ATUATI PfiO$f;AMIì
Jeff Falkingham '95 MAL received
favorable reviews from the Sherlock
Holmes Society of London for his
second novel, Sherlock Holmes: In
Search of the Source, released on
January 6, the 155th birthday of
Holmes, The historical f¡ction ¡s set
in l896 in Sl. P¿ul. Read Lhe review
at www.sherlockhol mes.org. u k/pdf/
DM290.pdf.
Send us your news and photos
Please
tell
us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don't forget to send photosl
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice,
0f program from a memorral service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg
llow
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 14È,2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
Full name
Maiden name
Class year or last year attended
ln Memoriam
[arson, Gertrude (Amundson)'35,
Denver, Colo., age 100, on Aug. 3.
Dahl, Jeffrey'74, Cottonwood,
Minn., age 56, on Sept.30.
Street address
Pautz, Richard'37, Minneapolis,
age 96, on July 4. Former athletic
director, director of public rela-
Treichel, Scott G.'76, Webster, Wis.,
age 55, on July 31.
City, State, Zip
tions, Augsburg regent emeritus,
and 7972 Distinguished Alumnus.
Ahlberg, Ruth C. '¿14, Chesterton,
Ind., age BB, on Aug. 25.
Johnson, Edwin 0. '44, Minneapolis,
age BB, on Aug. 16.
larsen, Marguerite (Greguson)'45,
Carlton, Minn., age 86, on July 4.
Strand, Carl '46, Owatonna, Minn.,
age 87 , on Aug. 12.
Wessman, Rev. Willis'48, Topeka,
Kan., age BB, on July 26.
ls this a new address?
O Yes D
No
Olsen, Daniel ,1. '78, Apple Valley,
IVinn., age 53, on May 4.
Mason, WilmaÆom-Ba-Equay (Windy
Woman) '81, Bemidji, Minn., age
61, on Sept.10.
Home telephone
E-mail
Ballot, Sarah (Carlson) '98, Minneapolis, age 33, in early July, in
an auto acc¡dent.
Okayto publishyoure-mail address?
Allegrezza, Genevieve'04, Anchorage, Alaska, age28, on Aug.3.
Employer
Johnston, Hannah (Bratzel)'07, St.
Paul Park, lVinn., age 27, on June
25, of cancer.
Position
OYes trNo
Work telephone
Garstenbrock, Walter '49, Austin,
Minn., age 86, on July 7.
Brown, Orpha (Grimsrud) '50,
Wick, Cheryl '11 PA, Rochester,
IVìinn., age 25, on July 25, of cardiac arrhythmia.
Phoenix, Ariz., and Portland, Ore.,
Druck, Rachel
age 80, on July 27.
Oct.17.
'12, age 23,
[alim, Archie'50, lVladison, Conn.,
age 80, on Aug. 9. 1990 Distin-
Sulzen, Zoya'12, Minneapolis, at
the end of July.
ls spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? O Yes
tr
No
lf yes, class year
on
Spouse's name
guished Alumnus.
Berkland, Rev. Theodore'51,'54
Sem, Grantsburg, Wis., age 80, on
June 20 of multiple myeloma.
Sortland, Rev. Howard'51, Plymouth, Minn., age 86, on Aug. 3.
Balerud, Paul'54, North Platte,
Neb., age 79, on Aug. 5.
Nelson, Judith (0lson) '65, Shell
Knob, lVlo., age 66, on Aug. 29.
Jones-Hermerding, Ertwin'69, Otter
Anderson, Margaret (Klinner), Edina,
Minn., age 86, on June 19, She
lVlaiden name
Your news:
taught home economics at Augsburg and was the widow of Ernie
Anderson'37.
Pedersen, Myrtle Edith, Hudson,
Wis., age 100, on Aug. 12.
Wrightsman, Rev. Bruce, Garnavillo,
lowa, age 75, on Oct. 4, of heart
failure and amyloidosis. He taught
in the Department of Religion and
Philosophy,1960-63.
O
I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Tail, Minn., age62, on Aug. 11, in
a motorcycle accident. 2003 Distinguished Alumnus.
Fall
2009
55
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221 1 R iverside Aven ue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
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To see
other photos of Auggie Eagle around
campus during the week of Homecoming,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now
What will Auggie do next?
As part of the Homecoming celebration, Auggie (or a paper
cutout of Auggie from the Homecoming brochure) wandered
around campus and had his photo taken for the online photo
of the week. Here Auggie is studying sociology in the library.
Show less
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Title
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Augsburg Now Spring 2009
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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Search Result
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AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2009
VOL. 71, NO. 2
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Photo
Years
of Life-Changing
contest winners Augsburg Choir, 75 years
Twin sisters, twin dreams Core to compost
Travel
How green is Augsburg? Studying sustainability
page
20 the neig...
Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2009
VOL. 71, NO. 2
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Photo
Years
of Life-Changing
contest winners Augsburg Choir, 75 years
Twin sisters, twin dreams Core to compost
Travel
How green is Augsburg? Studying sustainability
page
20 the neighborhood youth Green planning
Feeding
go
green
Editor
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
notes
from President Pribbenow
Generosity and Sustainability
t
his issue of the Augsburg Now offers many
inspiring stories of ways in which our community is learning about and practicing what
it means to live sustainable lives in the city.
I’ve been thinking a good bit lately about why the
Augsburg community has made such great progress
in living out its commitment to urban sustainability,
and I’ve found myself exploring the meaning of the
original motto for Augsburg Theological Seminary
and College, the bold claim found in John 1:14:
“And the Word became flesh.” I’m struck by how
this scriptural promise is both a statement of generosity and of sustainability. Augsburg College practices generosity most authentically when it lives as
the Word made flesh—sustainable, present, rooted,
of service, and faithful.
My teacher, Martin Marty, taught me that colleges
are indigenous communities—that is, they are native
to a particular place, a particular environment, a particular set of values, and practices that define the
institution—and that means something for the way
they live their lives.
What does it mean to think about Augsburg
College as an indigenous community? What does it
mean that the Word has become flesh and lived
among us here?
I lift up for our attention three simple aspects of
Augsburg’s identity—ways in which the Word becomes flesh here and the values we seek to sustain:
• The central focus of our identity is that wherever
Augsburg College is found—here in this neighborhood, in the city, in Rochester, or around the
world—our most authentic work is learning and
teaching. And the wonder of learning is that it involves acts of generosity and sustainability in its
every detail—from teachers who teach what they
love; to students who seek to learn out of curiosity
and passion; to texts that bear the wisdom of the
ages for our reflection; to conversations that help
us pay attention to the Word, to each other, and to
the world; to practices and commitments that help
sustain our environment.
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Design
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Webmaster/Now Online
Bryan Barnes
barnesb@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
• A second aspect of our identity is the way in
which this city, a particular place—much different
now than in 1869—is still a place that demands our
attention and respect and concern. Democracy still
is practiced in this place with our neighbors. Education still happens in this place with learners and
teachers all around us. Engagement and service still
are at the center of our lives with each other in this
place. Sustaining this urban place, this urban environment, is an act of generosity—for our diverse
neighbors, for our diverse selves, for the whole of
creation, now and into the future.
Jeff Shelman
shelman@augsburg.edu
• The final aspect of our identity is our firm grounding in the Christian faith—a confident faith that
frees us to learn, to live, to practice hospitality with
all of our neighbors, to be a force for good in the
world, to affirm our calling as people of faith and a
college of the church, to be God’s people in this
place, and to know that grace and truth abound
where the Word becomes flesh.
www.augsburg.edu
I celebrate the generosity that is Augsburg’s faithful
work in the world—the Word made flesh here, each
and every day. I celebrate the sustainability of our indigenous character, our indigenous work, and our indigenous place. And I recall the concluding words of
John 1:14 that remind us that the Word made flesh
is “full of grace and truth.” Oh, how the world needs
a Word of grace and truth. And here it is!
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
David Warch
warch@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
healyk@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
spring 2009
Features
6
10
12
Augsburg Choir - celebrating 75 years
by Betsey Norgard
16
30
Twin sisters, twin dreams
by Jean Spielman Housh
International Programs Photo Contest
14
20
23
auggies
go green
16 Toward a more sustainable Augsburg
by Betsey Norgard
contents
19 How green is Augsburg?
26
augsburg now
20 Environmental connections: Green starts here
by Jeff Shelman
23 Studying sustainability
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
26 Green Planning
28 Core to compost
Photos and text by Stephen Geffre
30 Feeding the neighborhood youth
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
32 How green is our magazine?
Departments
2
4
5
8
33
36
40
Around the Quad
Auggies on the ice
Auggie voices
It takes an Auggie
Alumni news
Class notes
My Auggie experience
On the cover
We celebrate in this issue all the commitments, changes, and
progress that Augsburg has embraced in learning how to be a
more sustainable college in the city.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
around the
quad
Augsburg receives Carnegie classification
Augsburg was recently selected by the Carnegie Foundation as
one of 119 colleges and universities in the nation to receive the
classification for Community Engagement. This affirms that the
school has institutionalized community engagement in its identity, culture, and commitments. It also affirms that the practices
of community engagement are aligned with the institution’s identity and form an integral component of the institutional culture.
The classification has three categories—curricular engagement, outreach and partnerships, and a category for both engagement and outreach—and Augsburg received the latter,
comprehensive classification.
In a letter to Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, Jim
Scheibel, executive director of the Minnesota Campus Compact,
congratulated the College on this recognition. Scheibel wrote, “As
a country that faces an economic crisis, and as a community that
witnesses division and strife across the globe, we need students,
faculty, and campuses that are fully engaged. This recognition
says you are doing your part and acknowledges that you are serious about fulfilling the mission of the College.”
Augsburg has included “student engagement” as one of nine
specific academic goals for the institution. The Augsburg Experience signature curriculum requirement encourages direct involvement with people and organizations external to the College,
All first-year students spend an afternoon during September Auggie Days working on
community projects—painting, gardening, cleaning up, or whatever needs doing in the
neighborhood with Augsburg’s community partners.
first-hand discovery and application of knowledge, self-awareness
through reflective and critical thinking, and exploration of what
one is called to do in the world.
Augsburg is a committed partner to particular nonprofit and
educational groups within the nearby urban neighborhoods, including Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and Phillips.
In addition, the College has instituted programs and policies
that support community engagement for the campus community.
All staff members receive two days of paid leave time for community service.
A note to the editor
“I found the ‘Lights, camera, and action’ feature in the fall 2008 Augsburg
Now very interesting. This photograph was taken in the Augsburg Art Studio in the early 1970s during a session of a hands-on class teaching 16mm
filmmaking with synchronized sound. As a student from 1965-1970, I had a
work-study job showing films and doing photography working for Robert
Zeller, who at that time was director of instructional services. He is the
first person whom I recall to have taught a course in film studies at
Augsburg. Warren Hanson, John Mitchell, and Larry Glenn (left to right in
the photo) were all students in the course taught by local filmmaker Paul
Rusten. Warren was a registered student. As John was a faculty member
and I was director of the audio-visual center, we were invited to participate in the class without receiving credit.”
LARRY GLENN ’70
2
Augsburg Now
Brian Krohn—Augsburg’s first Rhodes Scholar
Brian Krohn ’08 arrived at Augsburg with plans of being a film major and eventually became a chemistry
student. In November he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar—Augsburg’s first.
Krohn, a native of Cloquet, Minn., was one of 769 initial U.S. applicants from 207 colleges and universities for this year’s Rhodes Scholars. After making it through an interview process and being selected,
Krohn became one of 32 Americans who will study at Oxford University beginning in fall 2009. There, Krohn
will focus on environmental change and management in order to combine public policy expertise with the
scientific knowledge he has gained at Augsburg.
In the summer of 2006, Krohn began research into new ways to produce biodiesel fuel. He acknowledges that he didn’t really expect to break any new ground, but he wanted to give it a shot.
The combination of Krohn’s research, the teaching of chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg, and
Augsburg alum Clayton McNeff led to the discovery of the Mcgyan Process to produce
biodiesel in a cleaner and more environmentally friendly way.
“For me, Brian’s work on the biodiesel project is a great liberal arts story,”
President Paul C. Pribbenow said. “There’s a connection between a student with a
question, a faculty member, and an alum. They work on a problem and come out with
a response that, in this case, is pretty groundbreaking.
“Brian stands for the well-rounded education that we provide for all of our
students. We’re proud of him and proud that his Augsburg education prepared
him,” Pribbenow continued.
In addition to his work with biodiesel, Krohn is a Goldwater Scholar who was
a founder of the Honors Review, a new journal for student scholarship at
Augsburg. He organized the inaugural Agre Challenge, an event in which teams
were challenged to build a catapult to fling a 20-pound sandbag various distances.
Diane Pike receives the Stewart Bellman Award
Diane Pike, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and professor of
sociology, is the 2008 recipient of the Stewart Bellman Award for Exemplary Leadership from The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning.
She was honored in November at The Collaboration’s annual conference.
For more than 25 years at Augsburg, Pike has been recognized for her excellence
as a classroom teacher and as a role model for other faculty members, in large part
due to her ongoing leadership in faculty development workshops, consulting, and summer institutes, and her avid attention to the research literature on the scholarship of
teaching and learning.
Pike’s accomplishments at Augsburg have included re-envisioning the work of the
Committee on Faculty Development, integrating activities for faculty and professional
staff members, and creating dedicated space for student learning and CTL in Lindell
Library. Most notably, however, has been her leadership in the creation of the new
AugCore general education program—guiding the design team work and faculty collaboratives on specific issues, as well as securing a Bush Foundation grant for implementation and work on the course evaluation project. She is the incoming president of the
Midwest Sociological Society.
Spring 2009
3
Auggies on the ice
Tiffany Magnuson—
a star on ice and on the field
If it weren’t for finding cheap hockey skates at a tent sale,
Tiffany Magnuson’s athletic career might have been quite
different than it is today.
“My dad didn’t want me playing hockey. They bought me
figure skates, because my dad didn’t want me messed up
with the hockey guys,” said Magnuson, whose father is a
hockey coach in their hometown of Green Bay, Wis. “They
bought the figure skates for me, and I couldn’t skate in them
because of the toe pick. But my dad always said that I had a
natural hockey stride, and I kept telling him that I wanted
black skates.”
So Magnuson’s mom found her a pair of black skates—
hockey skates.
“My mom always said, ‘Wal-Mart started your career,’
because they had a tent sale at Wal-Mart on hockey skates,”
Magnuson said.
A senior, Magnuson has excelled at two sports during her
Auggie career—hockey and softball—and will leave Augsburg
as one of the top all-around female athletes in school history.
Magnuson finished her hockey career as the school’s second
leading goal-scorer and No. 3 point-producer. She was a
four-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
selection.
In softball, Magnuson played three positions—second
base, first base, and pitcher—during last season’s run to the
MIAC playoffs for the first time in program history. A threetime All-MIAC selection, she enters this season with a .379
career batting average as the Auggies leadoff hitter.
Magnuson, a finance major and accounting minor, was recruited to play hockey at Augsburg and she said she chose
Augsburg because it was a small school in a large city. Being
active in back-to-back sports has helped her learn to manage
her time.
“Sports have taught me about leadership, being committed and competitive, about interacting with others, and having to all come together for a goal,” said Magnuson, who
wants to work on the business side of a sports team. “It’s a
family [atmosphere], and for me being away from my family,
it helps me with my life. That’s what I like about Augsburg,
the close-knit atmosphere.”
DON STONER
4
Augsburg Now
auggie voices
Engaging in the big questions
The Lilly Scholars seminar is a place where students can feel
comfortable talking about the big questions in life. Questions
like, Is Christianity the only true religion? What does it mean to
forgive someone? What is God calling me to do?
For Mark Tranvik, associate professor of religion and director of
the Lilly grant program, the seminar is the heart of the year-long
program designed for juniors and seniors who are considering
seminary or graduate study in theology or sacred arts. Once a
month they meet to discuss assigned texts, engage with guest
speakers, and reflect on biblical passages or issues in the
Christian tradition.
Each year, 10 or 11 Lilly Scholars, who receive a $2,100
scholarship, are selected from more than twice that number.
Among the current scholars, the average GPA is 3.75. In addition
to the seminar, Lilly Scholars visit Luther Seminary and can take
courses there.
“There is an ongoing hunger in the intellectual community for
genuine theological conversation among students that the Lilly
Scholar program honors,” says Tranvik, who is also an ordained
minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Creating
a comfortable place for these critical conversations is his goal.
And, he adds, “doubters are welcomed.”
Jenni Pickford, a philosophy and religion major, finds the seminar most valuable for “the openmindedness I’ve gained from
hearing about views that differ from my own.” What she appreciates is that “there are other students out there who are interested
in more than just a grade and do this for the love of learning.”
“The greatest impact for me is the group friendship and discussions that carry throughout other classes,” says religion major
Denise Shuck, a Weekend College senior who is planning to enter
Luther Seminary. “I have a great appreciation for the diversity of
opinions about the topics we’ve discussed.”
Abby Ferjak, a senior, finds it easy to integrate what she does
in the Lilly Scholars program to her youth and family ministry
classes. “It’s important for youth to understand that vocation is
not simply what one might do as a career; but rather, that everyone has many vocations, and [that] they don’t have to wait to fulfill their vocation.”
And that’s exactly what the Lilly Endowment hopes to hear.
Their goal for funding programs in church-related, liberal arts colleges that explore vocation is to nurture a new generation of voca-
In their monthly seminar, Professor Mark Tranvik (above, in blue shirt) seeks to
create a comfortable atmosphere for the Lilly Scholars to discuss and explore
vocation. (L to R) Denise Shuck, Leah Jarvi, Tranvik, Cody Oaks, Allison Streed,
Alexander Garver, Abigail Ferjak, Natalie Sasseville, and Ashley Weston.
tionally-guided leaders—both pastoral and lay—for church congregations. Lilly Scholars are one part of Augsburg’s $2 million
grant program, Exploring Our Gifts, that began in 2002 and is
directed by Tranvik.
Over its six years, Lilly Scholars have included a mix of
younger and older students and have cut across disciplines, for
example, among science and social work majors seeking ways to
combine faith life with their fields.
Last year four Lilly Scholars continued to Luther Seminary (all
with full scholarships), two chose law school, one entered the
Lutheran Volunteer Corps, one is in congregational youth ministry,
and one began graduate study in social work. About half of all
Lilly Scholars have entered seminary.
During their year as Lilly Scholars, the students serve as role
models within the larger community. They develop a portfolio, reflecting on vocation and what they carry with them from the year.
Cody Oaks, a current Lilly Scholar, finds inspiration in
Tranvik’s ability to merge the pastoral with the academic. “He
provides the model of a pastor-scholar I would like to embody in
my own work and call to teach,” Oaks says. He will enter
Princeton Theological Seminary this summer and begin to seek
ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Kyle Zvejnicks, a 2006-07 Lilly Scholar, reflected on community. “The seminar has reminded me of the importance of community in vocation, namely that we need each other. … Just as
much, we don’t come with the same vocation for everyone, but
each with their own, and not for themselves but for others.”
To learn more about Exploring Our Gifts, go to
www.augsburg.edu/lilly.
BETSEY NORGARD
Spring
Fall 2008
2009
5
The Augsburg Choir—
celebrating 75 years
This academic year, the Augsburg Choir celebrates 75 years—a
choral tradition of distinction and excellence.
The Augsburg Choir was founded in 1933, when the Men’s
Glee Club and the Ladies’ Choral Society, who had sung together
on various occasions, voted to unite, under the direction of music
department chair Henry P. Opseth. The first student president of
the choir was a third-year music major and future choir conductor
Leland B. Sateren.
The new choir lost no time in preparing for tours and performances. In 1935, their tour through the Midwest took them more
than 2,000 miles for 20 concerts, including a coast-to-coast broadcast in Chicago with the National Broadcasting System. On their return, they sang a home concert at Central Lutheran Church.
Choir business manager Orville C. Hognander ’36 planned the
tour, plus arranged for a series of 18 Sunday evening radio broadcasts on WCCO radio, the “Hour Melodious.” This program also
was accessible over open channel across the country and brought
visibility to Augsburg, reconnecting many alumni to the College.
In 1946, Leland B. Sateren ’35 returned to Augsburg to join
the music faculty. Following Opseth’s death in 1950, Sateren
was named conductor of the Augsburg Choir.
For the next 29 years, the Augsburg Choir developed its own
distinctive tone quality, musicality, and professionalism under
Sateren. While the choir continued to share the Gospel through
church music, Sateren evolved a more contemporary classical
sound, especially in his own compositions. His passion for
1933
Scandinavian music brought attention to music and composers
relatively unknown in the U.S.
In 1975, the Augsburg Choir’s 40th anniversary tour took
them to Scandinavia. They traveled by boat down the Norwegian
coast, from above the Arctic Circle to Oslo, and sang in the
Trondheim Cathedral.
Leland Sateren retired in 1979, and the direction of the choir
passed to Larry L. Fleming, a noted choral conductor and composer. In his first year, the choir was chosen as the official representative from the U.S. to sing in Augsburg, Germany, at the
450th commemoration of the Augsburg Confession.
Fleming also established Advent Vespers, the College’s annual
1975
Augsburg Choir
is founded
40th anniversary
choir tour
Leland B. Sateren ’35—choir director
Peter Hendrickson ’76—student choir president
and future choir director
Henry P. Opseth—choir director
Leland B. Sateren ’35—student choir
president and future choir director
6
Augsburg Now
The majestic Advent Vespers service each year at
Central Lutheran Church presents Augsburg’s four
choirs, with part of the service sung as a massed choir
of over 200 voices.
holiday program, as a service of music and liturgy, which now attracts up to 8,000 people at its four services and will celebrate
its 30th anniversary in 2009.
Fleming left Augsburg in 1986, and for the next several years
the Augsburg Choir was under the direction of Thomas Rossin.
In 1994, after serving a short time as interim director, Peter
Hendrickson ’76 was appointed the choir’s new conductor. Over
the past decade and a half, he has realized his vision for
Augsburg’s choral program—one that offers distinct choral experiences for all students, including the extended Augsburg family,
with different repertoires:
• Augsburg Choir—a cappella touring choir
• Riverside Singers—women’s chorus
• Cedar Singers—men’s chorus
• Masterworks Chorale—symphonic chorus
All four choirs, as well as an orchestra and liturgical party, participate annually in Advent Vespers. In 2004, for the 25th anniversary,
Twin Cities Public Television recorded the service and won a
Regional Emmy award for the production. The program has been
shown on public television during the holiday season since then.
One of Hendrickson’s passions is language, and to date, his
choirs have sung in more than 15 languages. “We owe it to our
students in the choral program to educate them not only in
Augsburg’s commitment to the Lutheran choral tradition, but also
in creating, through music and language, a better understanding
of other cultures and our responsibility to be world citizens,”
Hendrickson says.
The Augsburg Choir’s March tour this year took them south,
traveling from Nebraska to Texas, and locations in between. Currently the choir is planning next year’s tour, a trip that will take
them to China in 2010.
2009
The Masterworks Chorale marks 15 years
Hendrickson founded the Masterworks Chorale in 1994 as a symphonic chorus of approximately 100 voices, made up of students,
faculty and staff, alumni, and others connected to the Augsburg
community. Unique to a college campus, Masterworks Chorale
presents programs of great choral works and explores new
masterworks.
In 1996, the chorale performed for the first time the entire
Visions from Hildegaard by Minnesota composer Stephen Paulus.
In 1997, it presented the English-language premiere of
Norwegian composer Egil Hovland’s opera, Captive and Free, and
in 2001, the English-language version of Finnish composer and
conductor Kari Tikka’s opera, Luther.
The Masterworks Chorale performs three times per year—at
fall and spring concerts, and for Advent Vespers. A number of
chorale members are Augsburg alumni who sang as students in
Leland Sateren’s choirs.
“The Sateren choir alumni in Masterworks keep the legacy and
spirit of the Sateren era alive,” Hendrickson says. “It’s a wonderful connection for our current students, a passing of the torch, so
to speak, from then to now.”
BETSEY NORGARD
75th anniversary year
For a longer story about choir history with
additional photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Peter Hendrickson ’76—choir director
7
it takes an
Auggie
A legacy for promising students
President’s Scholarships recognize students with exceptional academic ability and leadership potential and can provide financial
support up to full tuition for four years. Donors who choose to
endow a President’s Scholarship make special connections with
these students, and those that follow them, one after another, as
they see an Augsburg education made possible.
E. Milton Kleven ’46 taught school in Minneapolis for 33 years
and knows what this means to students from low-income families. He and his family have endowed three President’s Scholarships and enjoy being part of the lives of the students who
receive them, helping them begin their work and careers free
from college debt.
Milt Kleven’s Augsburg story began in a home two blocks from
the College, where his Norwegian immigrant mother and father
raised nine children. Since Augsburg was the college in the
neighborhood, six of the Kleven children attended, with three
completing their degrees.
In 1940, Milt followed his sister Agathe, who had just graduated from Augsburg. Like most students then, Milt’s studies were
interrupted by World
War II, and in 1946
he returned and
finished. Their
brother Luther
graduated in
1950.
Milt graduated with a
major in
mathematics
and a minor in physical education. His strongest
and longest friendships he formed in the Augsburg
A-Club, even though his student job downtown at
the Minneapolis Club kept him too busy to participate in most sports, except for lettering in golf.
Kleven’s Augsburg story has a romantic twist on
a broken leg. In late 1943 he left Augsburg to
enter Navy pilot training. When he suffered a broken leg, he decided to spend the eight-week recovery period back at Augsburg, completing his
math major with Professor George Soberg.
8
One evening in Augsburg’s library, in the basement of Old
Main, he met Dorothy Lijsing, the daughter of a Swedish immigrant father and mother, and she became his wife and partner for
53 years. Dorothy transferred to Gustavus Adolphus College and
graduated there. They were married in 1947.
Soon after graduating, Kleven began teaching mathematics in
the Minneapolis Public Schools. In addition to teaching, he also
served as the teacher representative with Great West Financial on
a voluntary investment fund created following a strike in 1970.
From that experience, he learned a great deal about investments
and wise financial planning that has served him well.
In the 1950s, the Klevens were approached by Sig Hjelmeland
’41, Augsburg’s development director, and asked for the first
time to consider giving back to Augsburg.
“My parents always set aside their tithe,” Kleven says, “and
taught us that giving is a part of our responsibility.”
In 1958, he and Dorothy established a scholarship in honor of
his parents, Magnus and Kristofa Kleven. In its 50 years, more
than 200 Augsburg students have benefited from the financial
support of this scholarship.
During the 1960s, the Klevens continued their philanthropic
support to Augsburg, and for many years worked closely with development officer Jeroy Carlson ’48.
In 2001, when Dorothy passed away, Kleven established a
scholarship in her name. With college costs skyrocketing, he
knew from his large family what a difference a full tuition scholarship could make for students from low-income families, like
those he had taught in Minneapolis.
“That’s the main thing,” Kleven says. “I want to help kids who
have a need, and I want it to be a full scholarship.”
So, the Dorothy Lijsing Kleven Scholarship became the first
endowed President’s Scholarship, and provides a full scholarship
to a student interested in choral music, as Dorothy had been
throughout her life. This endowment was created by Milt and
their four children and families—Bruce and Maren Kleven, David
and Barbara Kleven, Barbara and Zane Birky, and Diane and
Philip Larson.
In 2007, the family created two additional endowed
President’s Scholarships. They added Dorothy’s parents, David
and Florence Lijsing, to the original scholarship for Milt’s parents
and raised it to the level of a full President’s Scholarship.
The third was created in Milt’s name—the E. Milton Kleven
Scholarship for public service, so he can enjoy supporting students with a real financial need who plan to enter public service.
Kleven helped to facilitate two other scholarships. The
Margaret Andrews Scholarship was established by Kleven and his
fellow Trade and Industry coordinators in the Minneapolis public
school system to honor their supervisor, Margaret Andrews. The
Donald C. Carlson Scholarship, through the Normandale Lutheran
Church Foundation, is named for founding pastor Donald Carlson
’42 to support a Normandale member attending Augsburg.
The Kleven legacy also includes major support to capital projects. In 1995-96, the family worked with President Charles
Anderson and gave $1 million toward the construction of
Lindell Library.
Milt founded Kleven Flooring Service, which installed hardwood flooring in houses in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Over
the years, he provided hardwood floors throughout the Augsburg
campus, including the Augsburg Room in
Christensen Center and Augsburg House.
His most recent gift celebrates his over
60-year tie to Augsburg A-Club and close
friendships with Glen Person ’47 and Dick
“Pork Chop” Thompson ’61. Together, as part
of the construction of the new press box on
Edor Nelson Field, the three provided the
funding to name the Jeroy C. Carlson
Hospitality Room in Kennedy Center in honor
of their longtime friend and colleague.
For more information about endowing a
President’s Scholarship honoring Augsburg’s
most promising students, contact Doug Scott,
assistant vice president for development, at
612-330-1575 or 1-800-273-0617.
BETSEY NORGARD
Becky Shaheen ’11
Becky Shaheen is a sophomore from Elk River, Minn., majoring in
vocal music performance and composition, with a pre-engineering
minor. She sings in the Augsburg Choir, Gospel Praise Jazz Ensemble,
and other ensembles. This is her second year as the recipient of the
Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s Scholarship in choral music, and
she keeps in touch with the Kleven family.
“Music is my life, and this semester I’ve been able to dedicate
more time than ever before to music. I am finally realizing that being
a musician is possible …
“This scholarship has opened so many doors for me. I don’t have
to worry so much about the financial issues, and it has provided me
with confidence and such an ‘I can do anything!’ attitude.
“When I first met the family, it was like meeting a huge part of my
extended family that I didn’t know about. … A picture of the family
and me taken at the scholarship brunch hangs by my desk, a reminder of the people who are making this journey possible. “
twin sisters
Twin sisters
Twin dreams
“Our Augsburg professors were supportive
and encouraged us to pursue our dream ...”
BETTY BOWERS, MD
Barbara and Betty Bowers knew they wanted to grow up to be
doctors when they were six years old. The twin sisters were born
in Mora, Minn., and graduated from Augsburg in 1972. They attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1976.
“Our family doctor, Dr. Harry Berge, encouraged and supported us in our dream,” says Barbara Bowers, MD, “although
we’d never even seen a woman doctor.”
The Bowers twins were two of George and Opal Bowers’ four
daughters. The family lived in Brook Park, Minn., when the twins
were young. “Our parents raised us to believe that if we worked
hard we could achieve anything.”
Betty and Barbara studied diligently through grade school and
graduated from Forest Lake High School.
“We never took a test without thinking about our goal,”
Barbara explains. “We would not be dissuaded by naysayers.”
Today, Barbara Bowers is medical director of Fairview Southdale Breast Center and Fairview Southdale Hospital Medical
Oncology Clinic.
Betty Bowers, MD, is medical director and an anesthesiologist
with the McGee Eye Surgery Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
10
Augsburg Now
How did two young women from small-town Minnesota make it
through college in the big city?
“We received incredible personal attention and felt cared for
at Augsburg,” Barbara says. The twin sisters found the small
class sizes and nurturing environment a perfect place to study
the sciences.
“Our Augsburg professors were supportive and encouraged us
to pursue our dream,” Betty explains. Although, there was one
science professor who did not give them full credit for their class
work. “He had a special curve for us,” Barbara says. “His attitude
really was indicative of society at the time. It was the late 1960s,
and few women were pursuing careers in science, let alone medicine. But we didn’t lose heart.”
At Augsburg, the Bowers sisters were exposed to different cultures and religions. “Our professors knew us as people, not just
students in the classroom,” Barbara explains. “Rabbi Schwartz
took us to his synagogue and invited us to his home for Seder.”
While it took a lot of hard work to get through medical school,
“We were encouraged by those who meant the most to us,” Betty
says. “Sometimes naive belief serves you well.”
Claus Pierach, MD, a professor at the University of Minnesota
twin dreams
Medical School, recognized right away that the Bowers sisters
were unique. “Not only were they identical twins—they were
equally enterprising.”
Pierach serves on the admission committee for the University of
Minnesota Medical School. “I see and study many applicants, but
I see few students as determined as Betty and Barbara Bowers.”
After completing medical school, Barbara Bowers did her residency at what was then Northwestern Hospital. Pierach worked
closely with Barbara in her internal medicine rotation. “It was no
surprise that she earned the title of chief resident.” It was during
her internal medicine residency at Northwestern Hospital that
Barbara became intrigued by the cancer patients she treated.
“They were strong people, and it really sparked my interest in
medical oncology,” she explains.
Barbara decided to specialize in medical oncology. “At that
time, I thought I’d work in cancer treatment and work myself out
of a job in about 10 years.”
While cancer has not been cured, Barbara has seen significant
advances in cancer treatment and prevention. “We are seeing
more cancer patients live longer. There has been progress in preventing certain cancers through increased patient understanding
of the role diet and exercise play in our lives.”
“As a physician, my role is to partner with patients. To do that,
we need to educate patients, give them the information they need
to make decisions regarding their care, and communicate on the
same wave length—making sure that they know they are the most
important person on our care team.”
For Barbara, caring for cancer patients is where medical science and compassion meet. “I’m a scientist,” she explains. “I
love studying the periodic table. Everything in the universe is up
there except one thing—the heart, the human element.”
Barbara is married to a physician and has two daughters and
a son.
While in medical school, Betty thought she’d become a surgeon. She was the first female surgery resident at Hennepin
County Medical Center. In the fourth year of her general surgery
rotation, Claude Hitchcock, MD, approached her about taking a
six-month anesthesia rotation at the Mayo Clinic. “It’s been a
good fit for me. I’ve been practicing anesthesiology since 1981.”
She’s been with the McGee Eye Surgery Center since 2005.
Betty is married to a physician and has two daughters.
Looking back, Barbara and Betty remember many good times
amid the grueling schedule of medical school. “But we got through
it all by tucking our chins in and working hard,” Betty says.
Both physicians say they have enjoyed tremendous job satisfaction from their careers in medicine. “I would encourage anyone
dedicated to helping people to choose a career in medicine,”
Barbara says. “The medical field is constantly changing and offers
academic challenges, but most of all it is personally rewarding.”
JEAN SPIELMAN HOUSH
Housh is married to Allen Housh, a former Augsburg regent. She came to know
Dr. Barbara Bowers when she was treated for breast cancer in 2004.
Photos submitted by the families and Fairview Southdale Hospital.
“As a physician, my role is to partner with
patients. To do that, we need to ... make
sure that they know they are the most
important person on our care team.”
BARBARA BOWERS, MD
Betty Bowers, MD
Barbara Bowers, MD
Spring 2009
11
International Programs
3
Photo
Contest
Portraits
1st place: Bethany Thompson
“Doi Suthep Girls”
Chiang Mai, Thailand
2nd place: Katie MacAulay
“Llamas and the Lost City of
the Incas”
Peru
3rd place: Sara Black
“Another Walk of Life”
Ibarra, Ecuador
Landscape/cityscape
1st place and Best of Show:
Emily Hanson
“Holocaust Memorial”
Berlin, Germany
2
2
2nd place: Katie Woolever
“Looking Through Mada’s
Dwelling”
Northern Namibia
3rd place: Kayla Skarbakka
“Boireann”
County Clare, Ireland
2
Photojournalism
1st place: Emily Hanson
“GDR Shopkeep”
Wittenburg, Germany
2nd place: Tyla Pream
“Festival of San Giovanni–Boy
with Flag”
Florence, Italy
Augsburg Now
3
12
Augsburg Now
3
3rd place: Christine Tresselt
“Coffee in the Cloud Forest”
Miraflor, Nicaragua
1
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n
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g
go
sustain. respond. recycle.
14
Augsburg Now
“The Augsburg College community is deeply committed to
what it means to build a sustainable urban environment.”
—President Paul C. Pribbenow
clean. reduce. build. Save.
15
e
l
b
a
n
i
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t
s
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o
Toward a m
g
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aug
BY BETSEY NORGARD
Living sustainably is no longer merely an
option. As a vast majority of the world’s
people struggle for resources to sustain
even simple lives, a small minority consume at rates that will quickly deplete
Earth’s resources and imperil future
generations.
Environmental concerns are now front
and center on our national agenda. But
beyond these, the broader considerations
of sustainable living—economic and social policies that determine how resources
are shared—remain difficult to tackle.
Augsburg’s history, mission, and vision
call for the College to engage in these
broad discussions of sustainability. The
two vision documents of 1997 and 2005
spell out an institutional vocation for the
College rooted in a blending of Lutheran
heritage, immigrant history, and urban location that demands a caring stewardship
of God’s creation.
As the College explores how it lives out
its institutional vision—We are called to
serve our neighbor—it must look beyond
the changes brought about by green practices and invite the deeper conversations
in community that probe the meaning of
living sustainably in the city.
The greening of Augsburg
The Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC), made up of faculty, staff, and
students, leads the environmental initiatives of the College. Created in 1990 as a
task force, it was revitalized by President
William Frame in 1999 and given both
purpose and strength.
Tom Ruffaner, longtime committee
chair and custodial supervisor, believes
that the comprehensive “Waste Wise”
audit carried out in 1999 became the
“driving force behind ‘greening’ at
Augsburg.” The audit “not only identified
areas of waste and inefficiencies across
campus but also offered resources to
make improvements.”
The ESC Vision Statement in 2004
summarized its goals: “The stewardship of
the urban and global environment can only
be pursued if we take these steps toward
using less, living more simply, and acting
with the care and awareness of the impact
of actions on the people and ecosystem
within which we live and on which we all
depend.”
In 2006, Augsburg’s new president,
Paul C. Pribbenow, quickly embraced the
growing urgency to address issues of sustainability and gave voice to a deeper understanding of sustainability within
Augsburg’s mission and vision.
The changes across campus in the past
three years have been significant. Sustainability is infused through Augsburg’s curriculum and grounded in its daily
practices—on campus, in the community,
and around the world.
Augsburg participates in two important institutional collaborations:
• Presidents Climate Commitment—President Pribbenow joined more than 600
American college and university presidents to sign an agreement to “neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and to
accelerate the research and educational
efforts of higher education to equip
society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.”
One person’s difference
if
mr. green
16
Augsburg Now
Augsburg had a “Mr. Green” contest,
TOM RUFFANER ’98 might well be the best
candidate. Over the past decade, he has
led Augsburg toward greater commitments in
sustainable living.
Ruffaner has pushed Augsburg to bring about environmental improvements in energy use, safer
cleaning products, and recycling and waste reduction
(starting with a comprehensive Waste Wise audit). He
also helped the College study its transportation
habits and commuting alternatives. And, he has
chaired the Environmental Stewardship Committee
and supported community efforts.
In fall 2007, Ruffaner received an Individual
Achievement Commuter Choice Award, given by Metro
Transit, that recognizes organizations and individuals
for their creative solutions in promoting alternatives
to driving alone. He also served on the advisory committee that helped design the light rail station nearest
Augsburg.
A 1998 graduate in metro-urban studies, Ruffaner
is the custodial supervisor at Augsburg.
A report has just been completed that
measures the College’s carbon footprint.
• Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities
(ACTC)—Five colleges (Augsburg,
Hamline, St. Thomas, St. Catherine,
Macalester) are exploring ways to create
a stronger academic identity that clearly
expresses their shared identity as an
urban institution and centers on the
theme of sustainable urban development. Ideas may include curricular development, community outreach,
research, service-learning, internships,
study abroad, and faculty development.
Students step forward
green vehicles, and become engaged in the political
process.
Augsburg’s chapter of the Minnesota Public Interest
Research Group (MPIRG) began the initial efforts to recycle in the 1970s. Recently, its Environmental Task
Force, along with student groups, has led projects on
campus, including:
• Focus the Nation teach-in—Augsburg joined organizations across the country in setting aside a day to engage the entire campus in conversations on
sustainability.
“MY DAD TELLS ME, ‘DREAMS ARE FREE.
DREAM BIG, IT WON’T COST MONEY.’”
Some of the most exciting projects for sustainability have come from student-led initiatives. Students have researched
alternative fuels, organized teach-ins,
gained student backing to support wind
energy, pushed the College to purchase
—Alex Hoselton ’08
Focus leads to wind energy
My dad tells me, “Dreams are free. Dream big, it won’t
cost money.” I listened and dreamt and acted big by forming an ad hoc organization and, with other students,
started organizing for the Focus the Nation teach-in in
January 2008. The teach-in provided rich liberal arts perspectives to more than 500 attendees and launched momentum towards switching Augsburg’s energy
consumption from fossil fuel to wind energy.
The organizing students petitioned Day Student
Government for a referendum to impose a fee of $14.75
per semester to purchase wind energy. The referendum
passed, with 68% of the vote, and day students now contribute more than $54,000 annually. Contributions from
Weekend College Government and the administration enable us to purchase enough wind power to make
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus 100% free of fossil fuel
electricity. We have reduced the equivalent in carbon
emissions of taking 26,000 cars off the road or planting
69 square miles of trees each year.
17
The case for a green vehicle
• Wind energy purchase—Both day and
weekend student governments held referendums in which students voted to add a
new student fee to contribute to wind energy purchase. It enables Augsburg to
offset 100% of its fossil-fuel electricity
costs on the Minneapolis campus, making the College one of the largest purchasers of wind power in the state.
• Hybrid security vehicle—When a security
vehicle was due for replacement, a student group pushed for the College to buy
a hybrid fuel vehicle.
• Food services changes—Students initiated the practice of composting food,
saving three-quarters of a ton of trash.
• Environmental history of Augsburg—
The 2007 Environmental Connections
class researched and wrote “From Rural
to Urban: The Environmental History of
Augsburg College 1872-2005,” studying
its relationship to nature, technology,
and humans.
• Trash audit—In order to call attention to
lackadaisical attitudes toward recycling,
a group of students went through twodays’ worth of garbage and showed how
nearly 70% of it was either compostable
or recyclable.
Much work remains before Augsburg can
be satisfied it is consuming only what
Earth can renew. But now, that work is increasingly carried out with greater consciousness of the impact made by personal
choices and practices, both on the self and
on an interconnected and interdependent
global community.
18
Augsburg Now
The green vehicle initiative developed from
the inspiration of Brian Krohn’s biofuel discoveries and my resources as a member of
Augsburg Day Student Government in fall
2008. Almost immediately Reid Larson and
Steve Eichten also committed themselves
fully to the project. Collectively, the four of
us found that our goal was to ensure that our
next Department of Public Safety vehicle was
both a fiscally and environmentally sound investment. After hearing estimates that the
department puts nearly 150 miles daily on
their vehicle, we realized that having either a
biodiesel or hybrid would surely be cost effective. It turned out that a Ford Escape
Hybrid would save the college $30,000 annually by our low-end estimates.
Initially finding little support in the
purchase of a hybrid, the group prepared for
a meeting with President Paul Pribbenow. We
presented him with graphs on two- and fouryear savings, a list of ways that he would be
supporting the Presidents Climate Commitment he had signed earlier in the year, and a
list of colleges, universities, and police departments that all had successfully integrated
hybrid vehicles into their programs. By meeting’s end the president had given us an oral
commitment to the Ford Escape, and said that
John Pack, director of public safety, had also
expressed his support earlier in the day. By
September 2008 the College’s new hybrid vehicle was in use on campus. The Green Vehicle Coalition, as it has developed into, sees
this particular project only as a first step toward many long-term goals.
“THE GREEN VEHICLE INITIATIVE DEVELOPED FROM THE
INSPIRATION OF BRIAN KROHN’S BIOFUEL DISCOVERIES.”
—Jake Quarstad ’10
How GREEN is Augsburg?
how
College initiatives
• American College and University Presidents
Climate Commitment—completed the Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Inventory for 2001-08
• Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities will
collaborate on studying urban sustainability
• HourCar hub on campus
• Discounted transit passes
• Reserved carpool parking
• Fair trade items sold in bookstore
• Purchasing enough wind energy to offset electricity
Student-led initiatives
• Led Focus the Nation teach-in—Jan. 2008
• Proposed and passed extra student fees for
purchase of wind energy
• Friends of the Mississippi River stewardship
• Pushed for green vehicle initiative to
purchase hybrid security vehicle
• Environmental studies major and minor
• Presented at Campus Compact conference
• Fall 2009—Fate of the World i-term class
• Created bike-share program
• Campus Kitchen program and community garden
• Launched composting in dining area
green is
Food service
• Composting program
?
• Gradual move toward trayless dining, starting with Trayless Tuesdays
• Take-out materials—all corn-based and compostable
• Purchase all produce from a five-state region
• Fair trade coffee available in campus eateries
Internal practices
• Double-sided printing on all campus copiers
• All copy paper on campus—30% post-consumer waste
• Ongoing re-use center
• Recycling of cans, glass bottles, plastic, paper, cardboard, and yard waste
• Recycling for appliances, carpets, furniture, batteries, electronics, ink
• Compostable paper towels in all public restrooms
• Changed all faucets and showers on campus to water-saving fixtures
• Energy-efficient fluorescent lamps in public areas, increasing use of CFL bulbs
augsburg
• Moving toward 100% “Green Seal” cleaning chemicals
• Display board and fairs to facilitate public transportation
Environmental studies program
• Paddled the Mississippi River to study environmental and river politics
• Built rain gardens to capture runoff
• Researched and wrote an environmental history of
Augsburg College
• Studied, prepared, and served a healthy, local,
sustainable lunch
19
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GREEN STARTS HERE
The topic of conversation on this early December afternoon was pumpkin ice
cream, a dessert that summed up many of the conflicts that go along with making environmental change.
In Environmental Connections, the gateway course for Augsburg’s new environmental studies major, history professor Michael Lansing and political science
professor Joe Underhill take an issue and break it down over a semester. In fall
2007, the topic was water. This past fall, a dozen Augsburg students looked at
food and just how it ends up on our plates.
At the end of the semester, the Environmental Connections students had to take
what they learned and plan a menu for a lunch that was served in the
Christensen Center Commons. Nutrition and taste were important to the students.
But so were environmentally friendly practices, the use of vegetables grown in the
Augsburg greenhouse, and supporting local farmers and companies.
And that led to the lengthy discussion about whether they should serve
pumpkin ice cream from Kemps or buy it from Izzy’s, a St. Paul ice cream
shop. The students knew they wanted the Izzy’s because the
ice cream is made with organic products and the
shop uses solar power. But there was the issue with
price. Kemps wasn’t as environmentally friendly,
but the students could get more ice cream at a
lower price.
Because while it’s easy for people to say that they
want to take environmental concerns into consideration when making decisions, the tone sometimes changes when being green is more expensive. In the
end, the class reached a compromise and would get ice cream from both.
“That discussion was everything the class was about,” says Kathy DeKrey, a
first-year student from Bemidji, Minn. “I thought we should have put up the cost
and got just the Izzy’s ice cream.
“A lot of people aren’t willing to put forth the initial costs to make good decisions and that is too bad.”
It was the kind of broad, big-picture thinking that the professors hope comes
out of this interdisciplinary class. Because things like food, water, and energy—
a potential topic for next year—impact so many parts of society, Underhill and
Lansing bring in guest lecturers from departments across campus.
“WHATEVER YOU DO, IT IMPACTS SOMETHING.”
—Peter Klink ’12
20
Augsburg Now
BY JEFF SHELMAN
Studying the urban
environment
Here’s what you won’t find in Augsburg’s
new environmental studies major: a windmill suddenly being constructed in the
middle of Cedar-Riverside, repeated trips
to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and
anything that could be considered rural.
“That’s not what we want,” Lansing
says. “That’s not who we are.”
The term “environmental” is often
equated with rural, with wetlands, and
with ecosystems. But Lansing and Underhill are much more interested in making
an impact on and around campus. After
all, the Mississippi River is only a few
blocks away. There is a Superfund site in
Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood because of high amounts of pesticides and
herbicides previously produced there. The
local Sierra Club office is just across
Interstate 94 in the Seward neighborhood.
Students in both the water and the food
classes took the light rail to downtown
Minneapolis to learn about the impact of
St. Anthony Falls. For the initial class, the
falls demonstrated the importance of water
in relation to the creation of energy. Last
semester, the falls taught about the milling
process and the history of Minneapolis.
In addition to being a vehicle for teaching, studying environmental issues in an
urban environment creates opportunity.
“If you’re interested in the wilderness
and studying ecosystem dynamics, this
probably isn’t the right program,”
Underhill says. “But if you want to do
something on human impact, you have to
be where the people are. Humans are having a huge impact so we have to spend
time where the most people are.”
In the water class, the students constructed rain gardens on the Augsburg
campus. The gardens are positioned to
collect water runoff from campus buildings. In addition to adding plant life to
campus, the rain gardens keep runoff
water from eventually reaching the
Mississippi River.
“We are uniquely situated in a city neighborhood and are privileged to have
a variety of opportunities to explore the interconnectedness of urban life
with both human and natural forces.”
—President Paul C. Pribbenow
21
Getting students out of the classroom and getting their hands,
quite literally, dirty very much fits into the experiential teaching
Augsburg is known for.
“We want students to be aware of their immediate surroundings,”
Lansing says. “We don’t want to put them in a sealed classroom and
learn about grand theories while ignoring what’s going on around them.”
Changing attitudes
Peter Klink is in his first year at Augsburg after taking classes a year
ago at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. He always had
an interest in the outdoors, but he didn’t really know just how complex food is.
“Most cows are fed corn hay because it gets them fat quicker, but
it’s not as good for people,” Klink says. “But if you stop feeding them
corn hay and feed them grass, the corn industry is hurt. Whatever you
do, it impacts something.”
Klink, who grew up in Stillwater, Minn., found his habits as a consumer changing as the semester progressed. His biggest change—the
result of learning about the environmental cost of transporting food
across country—has been to make a greater effort to buy locallygrown food.
“I want to know where it comes from,” Klink says. “Also, it’s a way
to support local businesses. The way the economy is, I’m all about
supporting local businesses rather than some big corporation.”
Because the Environmental Connections class is a gateway course
and largely for first-year students and sophomores, the students enter
at different points.
“Clearly the most satisfying thing is when they start with no clue
and as the semester goes on, the light bulb starts to come on,” Underhill says.
The environmental studies major—which will feature classes from
a variety of departments on campus—is very much in its infancy at
Augsburg. While the curriculum has been approved and the requirements laid out, simply offering a major doesn’t guarantee student interest.
In addition to providing a base of knowledge, the gateway course
also shows students with interest in the environment some of the
possibilities that are out there, that an environmental studies major
isn’t limited to a job in nature or working as some sort of scientist.
“There’s a lot of green stuff that’s going to be used in the future,”
says Klink, who is going to major in business and at least minor in
environmental studies. “I think there is going to be a lot of opportunities for jobs in that area. There’s wind energy, solar energy, green architecture. To have a background where you
understand that is a key thing.”
And getting students on the path toward
understanding is what the Environmental
Connections class is all about.
22
Augsburg Now
studying
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BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
If you want to study sustainability, you need to go where it’s done best.
Students in the Sustainable Cities in North America summer course spent
three weeks in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., learning about the successes and challenges of two of North America’s most sustainable cities.
What they discovered, amidst green buildings and miles of bike trails, is
that being sustainable requires attention to many interconnected aspects of
life. This interconnectedness, they learned, means that what is beneficial
for some may be detrimental to others, so working together to build strong
communities is crucial to the success of sustainability measures.
In the end, the students not only learned more about their world; they
were also empowered to bring their creativity and enthusiasm back to
Minneapolis to implement a plan that would help Augsburg become a
greener, more sustainable campus.
“EDUCATION IS KEY. IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHY
YOU ARE DOING IT OR WHY IT’S IMPORTANT,
YOU WON’T CONTINUE.”
—Kjerstin Hagen ’10
Studying sustainability
Sustainability is a measure of the quality of life for citizens in an area. It involves water and air quality, access to transportation, ability to find work and
make a living, local food systems, energy use, the creation and maintenance
of green buildings, housing availability and affordability, land use, and waste
management—for starters.
To be ranked high on the sustainability scale, a city
must do more than pave bike trails and purchase hybrid buses. Citizens must be educated about greenhouse gas emissions produced by their cars and
about the effect of those emissions on the environment. The city must provide resources that
citizens and businesses need to start and continue environmentally friendly efforts, such as
incentives to use public transportation, access
to buses or light rail, and routes that bring
people easily from their homes to the places of
work and back again.
To be truly sustainable, these efforts must
be culturally appropriate and make the best use
of the resources available in the area. And finally, the practices of sustainability must not only
continue over time, they must improve as the city
changes and grows.
The Sustainable Cities course was a short-term
Augsburg Abroad program led by sociology and metro-urban
studies professors Lars Christiansen and Nancy Fischer. The professors wanted not only to study sustainability in an urban context
23
While in Portland and Vancouver,
the students and instructors:
but also to travel sustainably and to minimize the impact of their program on the
cities they visited. Rather than rent a van
or bus, Christiansen and half of the class
traveled by bicycle while Fischer and the
remaining students used train, street car,
and their own two feet to get around in
each city.
“You really get to learn a city when you’re
‘behind bars,’” says Jon Peterson ’10, a sociology major from Excelsior, Minn. “When I
went to Portland with my family, we rented
a car. I didn’t learn nearly as much about
the city and didn’t have the appreciation.”
Traveling by bicycle helped the class reduce
its greenhouse gas emissions and also gave
the students an opportunity to experience
the cities more fully.
• Stayed in Epler Hall at Portland State University, a green
dormitory and Portland’s first LEED-certified building
• Explored neighborhoods using the five-minute walk exercise
• Met with city government officials and policymakers to
learn about urban planning, waste management and recycling, and transportation
• Met with community organizers to learn about grassroots movements and civic engagement
• Visited several professors to learn about sustainable development research and sustainability
efforts on university campuses
• Toured farmers markets and community gardens and talked with the people who sell and grow
in these spaces
• Participated in Portland’s Night Ride and a Critical Mass bike ride in downtown Vancouver
For a video interview with Christiansen and Fischer to learn
more about what they and their students did, saw, and
learned in the Sustainable Cities in North America class
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Sustainability is complicated
As they studied and explored Portland and
Vancouver, the students began to gain an
appreciation for the complexity of creating
and maintaining a sustainable city. “A lot
of our experiences brought up the idea of
equity,” says Ricky Oudekerk ’09, an international relations and peace and global
studies major from St. Paul. “What might
be a sustainable idea for the wealthy or
for the government might not work for
everyone.”
The class went to Vancouver’s East
Hastings neighborhood—a site of controversy centered on an effort to clean up an
The students cool off in Jamison Square.
24
Augsburg Now
area nestled between popular tourist destinations as the city prepares to host the
2010 Winter Olympics. There, many students said they witnessed poverty and desperation unlike anything they had ever
seen.
“Basically they’ve quarantined the
homeless and addicts into a four-block
area,” explains Oudekerk. “While it’s sad,
the support resources for those people
could be centralized. And they have activists from their community. That was the
first time I’ve ever seen homeless and addict activists.”
Though both cities offer a robust transit
system, the students learned that if citizens don’t have access or aren’t able to afford the fares, the system is not truly
sustainable. “The transit system in
Vancouver severely marginalizes lower income people,” Peterson says.
Bus fare in Vancouver ranges from
$2.50 to $5, and the fare covers only 90
minutes. In a city with a median income of
$62,600 (CDN) where the average home
price is more than $410,000, many
people have been pushed out of the city
and away from their places of work. “We
discovered that fare didn’t last very long
once you are trying to get out to the suburbs, where many people have moved
who are seeking cheaper residences,”
Fischer says.
“Before this course, I thought sustainable cities would be utopias where nothing bad ever happens,” says Meagen
Swartzer ’08, a media writing major and
urban studies minor. “With every good
comes something bad. Once you reach
perfection, not everybody can afford it.”
Sustainability at Augsburg
Once students learned about the many
dimensions of urban sustainability and
began to understand its intricacy,
Christiansen and Fischer challenged
them to turn their knowledge into action.
The professors knew that in order for the
class’ project to succeed, it had to be
driven by the students so that they
would educate and motivate each other.
The class visited City Farmer, an organization that promotes sustainable urban farming in Vancouver.
Through their site visits and conversations,
the students had learned that their project
had to be right for Augsburg. “The recipe for
sustainability is different and unique in every
place,” says Oudekerk. “The mix of what
you’ve got to work with, including the people
and the culture, needs to be taken into account in order to build a sustainable city.”
In Portland, the class saw many of the
one-block parks for which the city is known.
As he explored the city, Peterson thought
about the park in the center of Augsburg’s
campus. “We saw a lot of urban spaces the
size of Murphy Park where they had done
great things,” Peterson says. “I thought we
could really pay tribute to our heritage by rethinking and reforming that park and creating
a more usable public space.”
Several members of the class also discussed creating a mural with other community groups on the wall bordering I-94 at the
southern edge of campus. “We wanted to
transform that space and bring people together,” says Kjerstin Hagen ’10, an
American Indian studies major.
One idea that has been successfully implemented is a composting program in campus dining facilities.
Working with Augsburg’s foodservice
provider, a group of students formulated a
plan to collect organics and compostable
paper products and to reduce the amount of
waste in the Commons cafeteria. Composting
bins and signage were added to the cafeteria
in the fall. Students from the class helped
diners place their compostable items and
trash into the appropriate containers and an-
Leann Vice-Reshel ’10 (and Jon Peterson ’10 background)
navigated the cities on bicycles.
swered questions about the program. “Education is key,” says Hagen. “If you don’t
know why you are doing it or why it’s important, you won’t continue.”
According to Jay Cross, Augsburg Dining
Services manager, the effort has resulted in
a significant reduction of waste. “Now we
have only one bag of garbage per day,” compared to 12 to 15 six-gallon bags that were
collected daily prior to the implementation
of the program. Currently, Swartzer and
Hagen are working on a grant to purchase
more composting bins for the campus’ retail
foodservice operations and for offices and
residence halls.
Sustainable lessons
For many of the students in Sustainable
Cities in North America, studying in Portland
and Vancouver gave them much more than a
comfortable acquaintance with the two
cities. They learned lessons that changed
their habits, their choices, and their lives.
Michael Wethington, with other Augsburg
students, is organizing a bicycling tour back
to Portland from Minneapolis. The group
plans to contact policymakers and examine
current legislative standing on alternative
transportation with a focus on cycling in
both Minneapolis/St. Paul and Portland.
They’ll perform a cross analysis of the cities:
future directions and applications from one
city, that may work effectively in the other.
Others who already had an interest in sustainability developed a deeper understanding of the issue. “This class trip really
helped to broaden my view of the multi-
Street musicians played at a Portland farmers market.
faceted nature of sustainability,” Peterson
says, “and helped to strengthen my personal values for all the dimensions of sustainability.”
The experiential nature of the program
helped Oudekerk make connections to past
classes and his personal interests. “This
class made it easy for me to connect the
dots between what I have read and what I
was doing in the cities.”
Oudekerk, who plans to work in the area
of sustainable urban development in the future, came to understand that change happens when people work together. “This
class influenced my understanding of the
importance of community. Things that bring
people together create sustainable relationships and healthy community. There are
profound and significant benefits when this
happens.”
Fischer and Christiansen have received a
grant from the Canadian Studies Faculty
Enrichment Program and plan to return to
Portland and Vancouver with another
group of students in 2010.
The photos from Portland and Vancouver were
taken by students in the Sustainable Cities in
North America class.
25
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planning
The Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR) is Augsburg’s first new academic
building in 60 years and will replace the 60-year-old, inefficient Science Hall. CSBR will
have a story to tell—of excellence in the sciences, of intersections and connections among
disciplines, of transforming city hardscape to more welcoming green space, of sustainability on display. Students like Andrew Nguyen and Reid Larson will benefit from the learning
opportunities this state-of-the-art building will offer.
The CSBR will be a LEED-certified building, created in collaboration with a prestigious,
experienced, innovative team of consultants:
Holabird & Root Architects have won awards for sustainability
and design for college science centers they’ve created. Their
design is based on Augsburg’s concept of intersections, offering a physical and intellectual framework for bringing disciplines into dialogue with each other.
McGough Construction’s “Bright Green” pre-construction and
planning consultation helps CSBR to take advantage of the
most innovative green building techniques and goals.
oslund.and.associates approaches landscape design
as art, as simplicity, and, at Augsburg, as a laboratory
for sustainable environmental practices in dialogue
with themes of intersections.
Key concepts of the CSBR
The building—organized around a “necklace” of public spaces that encourages the community at large to
cross paths
Linking circle—serving as a gateway to the neighborhood and
city, with connections to Lindell Library and Sverdrup Hall
Expanded quadrangle—a landscape laboratory, creating green
commons on campus from west to east, articulating with
Murphy Square, the city’s first public park
“THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE A FRAMEWORK
FOR HIGH EXPECTATIONS, AND WILL EXEMPLIFY
THE EXCELLENCE AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENTS AT
AUGSBURG COLLEGE.”
—Andrew Nguyen ’10
26
Augsburg Now
Environmental task force
What’s green about CSBR
Specific planning for LEED certification carried out at the
preplanning stage among architects, contractors, and landscape designers
Sharing of interdepartmental resources in efficient academic
“neighborhoods” throughout the building
Building siting and design encouraging pedestrian traffic,
moving auto traffic away from commons area, plus welcoming green space replacing city hardscape
Rainwater cisterns collecting water to irrigate greenhouses
and flush toilets
Landscape laboratory—on-site stormwater containment, integrating native species, and interpreting features of urban
sustainability
Highly efficient HVAC and heat recovery systems, with optimal siting for solar exposure and for harvesting daylight deep
into the building
Air quality systems recycling gases and fumes
Innovative, sustainable materials, preferably locally-sourced
and expressing themes of intersections in panels, forms,
surfaces
Transportation hub—center for bicycle storage
and conveniences; site for shuttle
transfer to light rail
MPIRG (the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group) is a student group at
Augsburg that has been hard at work on environmental sustainability issues
on campus. I’m the leader of the Environmental Task Force within MPIRG …
[that] has been involved in many environmental sustainability projects over
the past few semesters, including working with the current and past food
services companies on introducing compostable cups to the dining locations, composting food wastes, and introducing another day of trayless dining in the cafeteria. We have also been an integral part of converting the
College to buying 100% wind energy, made possible largely by the Focus the
Nation event last year. In addition, the task force works on environmental
education and awareness, one example being the Detox Forum.
Most of our work last semester was centered around putting together a
survey on the commuting habits of Augsburg’s students, faculty, and staff. This
survey looked at the distance people commute from their homes to Augsburg
and how they get here, the results of which were put into the larger Greenhouse Gas Inventory of the entire College for the Presidents Climate Commitment. As a student, I have been central in the discussions around the science
building, especially around the “green” or sustainable features of the new
building. I have done a lot of work, some of it through MPIRG, ensuring that the
science building has a green roof.
I hope to continue my work in environmental sustainability as I graduate
from Augsburg and go on to graduate school in mechanical engineering, and
then ultimately find a career in the renewable energy field.
“AS A STUDENT, I HAVE BEEN
CENTRAL IN THE DISCUSSIONS
AROUND THE SCIENCE BUILDING,
ESPECIALLY AROUND THE ‘GREEN’
OR SUSTAINABLE FEATURES.”
—Reid Larson ’09
CSBR by the numbers
134,000 square feet, LEED certified, an addition to Sverdrup Hall, 75,000 square
feet for eight academic departments (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics,
computer science, psychology, business, and religion)
•
•
•
•
•
•
8 classrooms
21 teaching labs
6,000 square feet of student-faculty research space
2,000 square feet of greenhouse space on the roof of the building
Informal gathering spaces for learning and conversation
Skyway linking circle to Lindell Library
core TO
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THE JOURNEY OF AN APPLE
A year ago, all food waste from Augsburg’s dining center was hauled away and dumped
in a landfill with the trash of thousands of other Twin Cities businesses, homes, and
schools.
Last fall, however, the fate of Augsburg’s garbage changed when students from the
Sustainable Cities in North America course (see story on p. 23) worked with A’viands,
the College’s food services provider, to launch a campus composting program.
Photojournalist and staff photographer Stephen Geffre followed an apple as it traveled more than 60 miles—from a Wisconsin nursery through Augsburg’s kitchen and
dining center to a composting facility in Chaska, Minn., where it once again will travel
to nurture spring plantings.
In the autumn, workers at Nesbitt’s Nursery, near Prescott, Wis., harvested the
apple and shipped it more than 60 miles to the Augsburg kitchen where it was served
to diners. The remains of the apple were tossed into the composting bin with napkins,
chicken bones, jello, pizza crusts, etc.
The apple remnants and its compostable companions were transported to Chaska, in
the regular twice-a-week pick-ups. There, the apple core was mixed with other
biodegradable materials like tree clippings and yard waste. Over the course of 90 days
the mixture was turned, separated, mixed again, and heated until it’s ready to emerge
as compost.
This nutrient-rich material will be sold this spring to landscapers, community gardeners, and to the nearby Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to provide nourishment,
perhaps, to an apple seedling there.
“We strive to use up no more clean air, water,
energy, and raw materials in a year than the
earth can provide for it.”
—President Paul C. Pribbenow
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Augsburg Now
“ALL YOU NEED IS A BUCKET,
AND EVERY LITTLE THING HELPS.”
—Meagen Swartzer ’09
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Feeding
The Campus Kitchen program at Augsburg College not only
feeds people’s bodies—it also feeds the minds of students.
Last spring, the program moved a part of its operation from
the kitchen to the garden, opening an outdoor classroom to
children from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
The idea for Augsburg’s community garden blossomed last
spring when students and staff prepared 40 plots on the west
side of campus. The plots are available to Augsburg faculty,
staff, and students as well as neighbors from Cedar-Riverside
and Seward. Brian Noy, coordinator of the Campus Kitchen
program, says, “The garden provides a beautiful entrance to
our campus and a way to welcome the community. It’s a
common space for people to work together to do something
meaningful.”
Through an internship program developed with the Center
for Service, Work, and Learning, the garden has also become
an extension of Campus Kitchen. Last summer, two Augsburg
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Augsburg Now
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
youth
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
students worked with youth from day programs at the Brian Coyle
Center and the Confederation of Somali Community. The interns
worked in the garden and in the kitchen, teaching students how food
is grown and how to prepare healthy meals. “This is a whole new program that feeds youth in a fuller way,” Noy says.
Augsburg junior Ruth Senum was the “garden intern” last summer.
She and approximately 50 elementary school children planted seeds,
“I THOUGHT OF THE WATERING, WEEDING, AND
HARVESTING AS OUR CLASSROOM CHORES.”
—Ruth Senum ’10
tended plants, and harvested much of the produce from four
garden plots.
Senum says the children were surprised to learn where food
comes from and that it can look different in the garden than in the
grocery store or on their plates.
“When I showed them the broccoli plant, they thought it was
huge,” she says. “They only see it all chopped up.” She says students also were interested in the fact that some plants have flowers before they produce fruit or vegetables. “Just seeing the whole
process from seed to produce was a very new experience for
them,” she says.
The children were disappointed about the limitations of a
Minnesota growing season. “They asked where the banana tree
was, and it was interesting for them to understand why we can’t
grow a lot of fruit here.”
The internship taught Senum, an education major, techniques
for her future classroom. “I thought of the watering, weeding, and
harvesting as our classroom chores,” she says, but she discovered
the students liked being in the garden more than they liked doing
garden chores. “You need to find a good system to keep them
working,” she says.
Senum also learned that students liked interactive learning activities much more than sit-down learning. “They wanted to talk to
each other, run around, do arts and crafts,” she says. “Getting
them out of their desks and walking around is important.”
The garden also serves as a learning environment for Augsburg
students, but Noy says opportunities were limited because the
bulk of the work is needed when most students are away from
campus. As a solution, a simple greenhouse was added to the garden area, extending the growing season by one month in the
spring and in the fall. “It makes a huge impact because we can
engage actual students and classes outside the garden and allow
them to get involved with the growing space,” Noy says.
The students in Environmental Connections, the introductory
course in Augsburg’s environmental studies major, used the greenhouse in the fall to grow vegetables and herbs for their final project. The class studied how food fits into socio-economic and
ecological systems and prepared and
served a meal in the campus dining
center (see story on page 20).
31
?
HOW GREEN IS
our magazine
How green is our printing?
The paper used in the printing of this magazine is certified to the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody standard and contains 10 percent
post-consumer waste.
What does this mean?
In the process of writing and designing a
“green” issue of the Augsburg Now, we asked
ourselves what we could do to make the magazine itself more environmentally friendly. Using recycled paper and safe inks is an easy way to accomplish
this, but we wanted to do more.
So, instead of adding more pages we’re utilizing one
of the most valuable resources available to communicators and marketers—the World Wide Web.
This issue of the Augsburg Now is the second in
which we’ve added “Web Extras” at www.augsburg.
edu/now. These online features allow us to add material to tell richer, more creative stories than we can
using print alone.
In this issue, we have added a story on sustainable
study abroad, a growing trend in education. The story
connects our readers to tools they can use to minimize
their impact on the environment while traveling.
We also have a video interview with the professors
and some of the students involved in the Sustainable
Cities in North America course (see page 23). On camera, they share their enthusiasm about the work they
are doing to create a more sustainable Augsburg.
In the future, we will continue to use the Internet to
improve our communication with alumni and friends of
Augsburg College. As we continue to expand Now online, we invite our readers to share ideas and feedback
with us at now@augsburg.edu.
32
Augsburg Now
FSC is an independent, non-governmental, nonprofit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Through its certification
program, foresters, paper manufacturers and distributors, and printers all agree to
abide by strict standards. These standards are designed to ensure social, economic,
and ecological needs are met for current and future generations. This Chain of Custody ensures responsible handling of the paper product from forest to printed piece.
The percentage of post-consumer content indicates that at least 10 percent of the
paper in the magazine has been reclaimed from what would have otherwise ended up
in a land fill.
FSC Chain of Custody can trace a printed piece back through the production process to
identify where the wood pulp came from. Find out where this magazine had its roots and
how our corporate partners are committed to being green at www.augsburg.edu/now.
Please recycle this magazine after you’re done reading.
10%
PLEASE RECYCLE
E
R
A
s
e
i
augMgENTALLY FRIENDLY
ENVIRON
We know many readers love to open their mailboxes to a new magazine, but we also
know many are concerned about the use of our natural resources. Please let us know
if you wish to read Augsburg Now online instead of receiving a copy by mail. E-mail
now@augsburg.edu with the subject line “Read Now online.” Include your full name
and current mailing address so we can identify and adjust your record. You’ll receive
an e-mail message when the Now is posted online.
auggie
alumni news
From the Alumni Board president …
February 2009
Greetings, alumni and friends,
d
uring these interesting and turbulent
times, I am certain that most of you are
feeling the effects of this economic climate in your personal lives. As members of the
Augsburg community, we are called to be fundamentally concerned about our neighbor, which means to be concerned and care about the household of all people. We are to work
toward full inclusion of all of our neighbors assuring that everyone
has access to the resources necessary for life, and that everyone is
allowed to fully participate in the life of the community.
This emphasis on community may come in direct conflict with
our modern lives. We often live for ourselves and focus on our own
family needs. But as members of a community, we are called to invest time and effort in responding to the needs of others. As a
member of the Augsburg alumni community, we are reminded that
we no longer live in a world of fixed boundaries. We need to maintain a sense of commitment to our neighbors around the globe.
Keeping alumni who live in the city, state, and around the world
engaged with the Augsburg community is important to the life of
the College. The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations has developed the following activities encouraging alumni engagement:
• Project IGNITE (Involving Graduates Now In Thoughtful Engagement) is a new program to build stronger relationships with
College alumni, many of whom are not currently connected to
Augsburg. Read more about Project IGNITE on p. 34.
• A corporate alumni plan will engage young professionals, midcareer professionals, and sole practitioners through networking
events, continued education opportunities, and an alumni benefit that will help promote their businesses to other Augsburg
graduates. Alumni will host receptions at their places of business for President Pribbenow to connect with alumni and update them about the College.
• A program for recent graduates will focus on engaging alumni
who have graduated within the past 10 years. An advisory
board of recent grads will assist in planning events for their fellow alumni.
• Outreach events will engage alumni who reside in the outer
metro area and in Rochester; Duluth; Washington, D.C.; and
Norway. Interesting events that infuse an Augsburg connection
include a Lake Minnetonka eco-cruise tour led by an Augsburg
faculty member, an alumni-directed theatre production in
Anoka, and a “Down by the Riverside” event in Rochester.
Being an Auggie is a gift and staying engaged is priceless.
NOW@augsburg, a new monthly e-newsletter, has been initiated to
update you on current happenings and events, continuing education
opportunities, and Augsburg news. So, do your part by keeping connected and staying engaged with the Augsburg community.
Sincerely,
JOYCE P. MILLER ’02 (BSN-ROCHESTER), ’05 MAN
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Spring 2009
33
auggie
alumni news
Project IGNITE set to launch
Many Augsburg graduates stay connected with the College through
the years. They come to events or games on campus, they volunteer, and they donate to The Augsburg Fund. But there are others
who just don’t stay connected.
That's something the College—thanks to a nearly $230,000
grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation—
hopes to change over the next three years.
Project IGNITE (which stands for Involving Graduates Now In
Thoughtful Engagement) will work very directly and personally with
alumni. Over the next year, Augsburg students will conduct face-toface visits with more than 500 alumni to ask them about their
views on Augsburg and their interest in volunteer opportunities with
the College. The hope is that more than 1,600 alumni will receive
visits in the next three years, mostly those alumni living in and
around the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
“For a college, our alumni are a strategic advantage and if you
don’t use that, you’re missing an opportunity,” President Paul C.
Pribbenow said. “This gives us an opportunity to link current students and recent grads with alumni of all ages. Your current students and recent graduates are often your best spokespeople for
what’s really happening.”
Student representatives have been hired and trained by the
Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, and visits to alumni
are already underway.
Alex Gonzalez ’90, a senior financial adviser for Thrivent Finan-
(L to R) Denise Aasen, Manager of Lutheran Relationships for Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans; Alex Gonzales ’90, Senior Financial Advisor, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans,
and Augsburg regent; President Pribbenow; Megan Benrud ’10, Student Body President;
and Kim Stone, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations.
cial for Lutherans and an Augsburg regent, said the grant is part of
the mission for the not-for-profit organization.
“Our goal is to help grow Lutheran communities and Lutheran
institutions,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not just the money, these dollars
will help grow engagement. It will help get alumni engaged into
giving to the school.”
The grant is part of the foundation’s Lutheran Grant Program,
designed to help Lutheran institutions and organizations take advantage of unique growth and service opportunities. It also supports the interests and needs of the Lutheran community. In
2007, the program distributed approximately $5 million through
100 separate grants.
Project IGNITE is designed to become a model program for
alumni programs in other ELCA colleges. For additional information, contact Kim Stone in the Office of Alumni and Constituent
Relations at 612-330-1173 or stonek@augsburg.edu.
Discover Italy with fellow Auggies
“WAS IT IN SHORT, EVER TO BE ELSEWHERE WHEN ONE COULD BE IN ITALY” —EDITH WHARTON
You are invited to join the fellowship of other Augsburg alumni and friends on a journey of discovery to Italy in early November.
Travel among the medieval hill towns of Tuscany, discovering history along with the beauty of the surrounding vineyards and olive
groves. In Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, learn and understand how art pulled Europe out of the Dark Ages. In
Umbria, where art is prayer, visit the town of Assisi that stands out for its inspiration and reflection. Find an education in history and a tapestry of art, architecture, and culture woven over thousands of years in the Eternal City of Rome, one of the
founding cities of Western civilization and a significant place in the story of Christianity. All along the way enjoy the delights of the Italian people and cuisine.
The details of this custom-created travel experience are being finalized. Contact the Office of Alumni and
Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu to learn more about this unique travel opportunity.
34
Augsburg Now
Called to Lead
Professionals Moving from Success to Significance
Augsburg College admits a diverse group of established alumni and friends each
year for the Called to Lead program. Six weekly seminars give you an opportunity
to examine your life and work. The seminar is co-sponsored by the Center for
Faith and Learning, and the Center for Leadership Studies at Augsburg.
Called to Lead is designed to expand the skills and knowledge of individuals who have demonstrated leadership within their profession and the community. Through collaborative and interactive experiences, participants engage
with each other and their facilitators as they explore their own call to lead.
Augsburg College accepts applications and nominations for the Called to
Lead program from a diverse group of alumni and friends, including business
leaders, professionals and academics, directors and staff of community service organizations and civic associations, managers from government agencies
and community activists. For more information contact Norma Noonan in the
Center for Leadership Studies, at 612-330-1198 or noonan@augsburg.edu.
@
w
o
n AUGSBURG
More ways to keep in touch
Do you receive NOW@augsburg? It’s the new Alumni
and Constituent Relations e-newsletter that goes
out the first week of each month to alumni and parents. Get quick updates on College and alumni
news, and check the calendar for alumni events
during the month. To receive NOW@augsburg,
e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu.
Thrivent rewards your volunteer time
Your volunteer hours for Augsburg can count even more through the GivingPlus program at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent will give Augsburg
$25 for your volunteered hours for Augsburg (25 or more per year) working on
projects or activities, or participating on committees, boards, and task groups.
Report your volunteer hours on the Thrivent matching form and make your
time even more valuable. To find out about volunteer opportunities, e-mail
volunteer@augsburg.edu.
Have you “friended” Auggie Eagle on Facebook?
Go to his profile and check out what Auggie is up to.
Join your classmates
to celebrate!
50th Reunion —1959
40th Reunion—1968, 1969, 1970
25th Reunion—1983, 1984, 1985
10th Reunion—1998, 1999, 2000
Recent Grad Reunion —2004-2009
Homecoming football game
vs. Hamline University
’09
E
T
A
D
E
H
4
SAVE T
October 1-
lege
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Aug
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Spring 2009
35
alumni class notes
52Pines, Minn., was selected for
Rev. Arvid “Bud” Dixon, Circle
a 2008 Honorary Award of the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for
Peace and Justice, given for long
and significant contribution to the
causes of peace and social justice.
68professor of biology and direc-
Ted Johnson, Northfield, Minn.,
tor of biomedical studies at St. Olaf
College, gave an address, “Students,
New Science Building, and the Liberal Arts,” at St. Olaf’s Opening Convocation, on Sept. 4.
69
Rev. Peter Strommen,
Shakopee, Minn., accepted a
call to Shepherd of the Lake
Lutheran Church in Prior Lake,
Minn., that began on Sept. 1. He
has just completed a long tenure as
the bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA.
tary children and conversational
English with adults at the Bible
School.
Larry Turner and Robert Storeygard
’76, along with David Tiede, Bernhard Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, attended the
10th anniversary of the Bible School
(Center for Christian Education) in
Martin, Slovakia, a Lutheran school
that educates adult students for
serving in congregations and communities. The “Decade of Miracles”
celebration, July 4-6, included performances from the St. Andrew’s
Lutheran Church choir, Mahtomedi,
Minn., who also performed elsewhere in Slovakia. Participants from
18 U.S. congregations taught Vacation Bible School with 330 elemen-
Peter Agre, Baltimore, Md.,
was awarded the Annual Prize
for Outstanding Contribution to Lung
Research on Dec. 11 at the annual
meeting for the Will Rogers Motion
Picture Pioneers Foundation
(WRMPPF), for his groundbreaking
work in aquaporins and potential
benefits to lung research. He is director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria
Research Institute in the Bloomberg
School of Public Health.
70
77Wash., began as director of
Rev. Arne Bergland, Puyallup,
church relations for California
Lutheran University in September,
acting as a liaison between the university and the church community.
Rod Skoe, Clearbrook, Minn., was
honored in November as a recipient
of a 2008 Torch and Shield, the
highest award presented by the University of Minnesota-Crookston. He
represents District 2, northwestern
Minnesota, in the Minnesota Senate
and has been involved in farming in
Clearbrook, Minn., since 1985.
78Lake, Minn., has been named
Steven Hoffmeyer, White Bear
commissioner of the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He
served as deputy commissioner and
has been with the bureau since
2002.
In October, Augsburg religion professor Phil Quanbeck II and his wife, Augsburg regent Ruth Johnson ’74, led “An Aegean Odyssey to Turkey and Greece,”
with a group of 23, including seven other Auggies. For 10 days, they traveled and studied the world of the Apostle Paul, Byzantium, and modern-day Greece
and Turkey.
(Back row, men, L to R): Jerry Kleven ’57, Art Rimmereid ’53, Paul Anderson, Jim Weninger ’92 MAL, Phil Quanbeck, Mike Bailey, Tom Stertz, Kirk Gill,
Jim Martenson, David Larson, Larry Turner. (Middle row, women, L to R): Sylvia Hanson ’50, Char Rimmereid ’52, Karen Freeman, Liz Weninger ’92, Julie
Larson, Carmen Clementson, Cindy Martenson, Nancy Anderson, Sally Tonsager. (Front row, women, L to R): Jennie Wilson, Ruth Johnson ’74, Kathy Bailey,
Lynn Stertz, Sue Turner, Alice Peterson, Denise Shuck ’09.
To read about their tour and see photos from
their travels, go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
36
Augsburg Now
79Ill., serves as the practice
Brian Carlsen, Buffalo Grove,
87
77
Neil Paulson ran in the Orlando
(Fla.) Utilities Commission race
in December. His photo appeared on
the cover of Runner magazine because he runs without a shirt in all
weather there, which is always tropical compared to Minnesota.
Scott L. Anderson and his
wife, Susan, Minneapolis,
welcomed the birth of John Scott on
Jan. 30, 2007. Scott is an insurance and financial service agent for
Farmers Financial Solutions LLC.
ScottLAnderson38@msn.com
leader of organizational learning at
St. Aubin, Haggerty & Associates, a
strategic HR consulting firm. He recently co-authored a book on business and workforce leadership,
Attract, Engage & Retain Top Talent,
from Author House books.
Leslie (Morland) and Jonathan Carlson moved from Bozeman, Mont.,
back to St. Paul where Leslie has
taken a nurse practitioner job at
HealthEast Clinics.
80St. Paul, Minn., has been apJulie (Petterson) Leslie, West
pointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty
as a parent member to a three-year
term on the State Advisory Council
on Early Childhood Education and
Care. She is a licensed educator
and the director of Augustana Preschool.
82began teaching 11th- and
Karl Spring joined Fox 21 in Duluth,
Minn., in September as chief meteorologist and travels to schools
throughout northern Minnesota to
teach students about meteorology.
Previously, he was chief meteorologist at KBJR-TV in Duluth.
94Sarya, Charlevoix, Mich., reGwendolyn (Christiansen)
ceived her Master of Arts degree in
music education in December from
the University of St. Thomas, with a
concentration in Orff-Schulwerk. She
and her husband, Dave, have a fiveyear-old son, Luke. She teaches K-4
music and movement and fifth-grade
band at Concord Academy in Boyne,
Mich. gwensarya@yahoo.com
Sara Trumm, Chicago, began in October as program coordinator for the
Center for Christian-Muslim Relations for Peace and Justice at the
Lutheran School of Theology. She
had just spent two years in India.
Rick Bennett, Morgan, Minn.,
91tag were married in Hoversten
Kristen (Hirsch) and Paul Mon-
89
Sue Hakes began a two-year
term as mayor of Grand
Marais, Minn., to which she was
elected in November.
Chapel on Oct. 18, with Auggies in
attendance: Velda (Stohr) Gabrielson
’90, Betty Christiansen ’91, Laura
(Ferry) Lee ’92, Brenda Lunde Gilsrud
’91, Liz Pushing ’93, Jennifer Tome
’99, and Aaron Pelaccia ’07. Kristen
is a marketing communication manager at Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota, and Paul is in sales and
marketing. They live in St. Paul.
92
Sharol (Dascher) Tyra, received a Star Award 2008
from the Minnesota Organization of
Leaders in Nursing (MOLN) in
recognition of her commitment to
volunteering and dedication to influencing health care by advancing
professional nursing leadership,
particularly with the Metro Alliance
Education and Service Collaborative
for Expanded Enrollment of Baccalaureate Nurses.
12th-grade students in chemistry
and human anatomy in Cannon
Falls, Minn.
Wendy (Shields) and Bradley
Falls, Minn., with big brother, Jackson, announce the birth of Lachlan
Bradley, on March 9, 2008. Brad is
a physician assistant at SMDC
Health System-International Falls,
and Wendy is a stay-at-home mom.
wreiners@frontiernet.net
Rachel Brist is a physician as-
of Bigfork Valley Hospital clinics in
Coleraine and Marcell, Minn.
84in Tromsø, Norway. Tove was
02artistic director for SOS Play-
named a Knight of the First Class of
the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit,
by King Harald V, for the advancement of Norwegian language and
culture in the United States. She is a
peace studies educator at the University of Tromsø and has served for
26 years as dean of Skogfjorden,
Concordia College Norwegian Language Village. Curt began on Jan. 1
as vice president for research and
development at the University of
Tromsø—the world’s northernmost
university vice president. This is a
new position resulting from the
merger of the University of Tromsø
and Tromsø College.
ers, two troupes of pre-teen actors
who perform for elementary and
middle-school audiences, helping
them cope with life. He often writes
scripts based on requests from educators to deal with particular topics.
86Minn., joined UCare health
Heather Schwartz joined the consumer marketing practice of Weber
Shandwick in Minneapolis-St. Paul
as an account supervisor. Previously
she had been a brand public relations director.
Tove Dahl and Curtis Rice live
Frank Gilbertson, Maplewood,
98Reiners ’99, International
01sistant and has joined the staff
plan in November as provider network management director. Previously, he spent 11 years at Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota,
most recently as senior director,
provider relations planning.
Andrew Bernstrom, St. Paul, is
Katie Lindelfelser’s research as a
master’s degree student at the University of Melbourne (Australia) was
published in a co-authored article,
“Bereaved Parents' Experiences of
Music Therapy with Their Terminally
Ill Child,” in the Journal of Music
Therapy, fall 2008. She is teaching
a music therapy course at Augsburg
this spring semester.
Spring 2009
37
alumni class notes
Rev. Rachel (Oldfather) Stout,
Wadena, Minn., was installed as associate pastor of Immanuel Lutheran
Church in September in Wadena.
Her husband, Ryan, is the new pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in
New York Mills. They have a son,
Soren.
04
Amanda Engesether is working
with the current city planning
director in Kinston, N.C., and will
take over that position in July when
he retires. Previous to this, she
worked as a planner in Johnston and
Onslow Counties in North Carolina
and completed an internship at the
Urban Design Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Chris Stewart, Lakeville, Minn., became vice president of operations
for BOR-SON Construction in Minneapolis. He will manage all general
construction operations for the company. Previously he was head of Target’s national field operations team.
05
Andrea (Carlson) and Riley
Conway are living in Hershey,
Pa. Andrea is a third-year medical
student at Penn State, and Riley
works at Border Books and is a student in the distance master’s degree
program at Hamline University. They
were married in 2005.
06Marrandino were married on
Maureen Parker and Martin
Oct. 25. Maureen is a board certified music therapist at KSB Hospital
in Dixon, Ill., where Martin is also
employed. He also is a student at
Sauk Valley Community College.
Kasey Yoder, Duluth, Minn., is coowner of Two Guys Pizza in Duluth,
and working 80-hour weeks, doing
everything from menu planning to
becoming a master of the pizza oven.
00Burnsville, Minn., and her
Missy (Carlson) Bakeberg,
husband, Randy, welcomed the
birth of their twins, Cooper Joshua
and Ava Morgan on Oct. 11. Cooper
weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz., and Ava
weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz.
00
Denitza (Batanova) Stevens,
Chandler, Ariz., and her husband, Joel, welcomed their son,
Roman David, on April 26 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
08Sept. 2008-Feb. 2009 in
Jenni Olson volunteered from
Iringa, Tanzania, teaching communications at Iringa College/Tumaini
University.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Anita Raymond ’94 MSW is a 2008
recipient of the fourth annual Shelley Joseph-Kordell Award from Volunteers of America-Minnesota for
service to older adults. She is a social worker for Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Protective Services
and Geriatric Care Management and
Consultation Services.
05Robertson were married on
Britni Morgan and Jeremy
05Stephen Belde were married
Melynda Kleewein and
on Aug. 1 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Melynda works at New York Life in
Anchorage and coaches hockey for
the Alaska Firebirds. Stephen is a
teacher with the Anchorage school
district and also coaches hockey for
the Alaska Firebirds and the South
High School boys’ hockey team.
Oct. 4 in Crystal, Minn. Auggies in
the wedding party included Kyle
Howard ’04, Jillian Janicki ’04, Jim
Lindell ’04, Nick Collins ’04, and
Tom Delisle ’06. In March they are
moving to Brainerd, Minn., to start a
lawn/cabin care company, Bear
Paw Cabin Care.
95his second book published,
Jeff Falkingham MAL, has had
Sherlock Holmes: in Search of the
Source, a work of historical fiction set
in St. Paul in December 1896. A sequel to an earlier work, Sherlock
Holmes and the County Courthouse
Caper, it’s set in Jeff's hometown of
Browns Valley, Minn., in November
1886. Originally released in June
2007 as a fundraiser for victims of the
March 2007 flood in Browns Valley, it
has raised over $6,500 for flood relief.
Excerpts from both books can be
found at www.cccaper.com. Falkingham now lives in Eden Prairie, Minn.,
and works in advertising for Northern
Tool + Equipment of Burnsville.
38
Augsburg Now
08UST Tommie, Tony Nagorski,
Jen Janda married her favorite
07Henning on Oct. 4 in Red-
Megan Schiller married Brent
wood Falls, Minn. Auggies in the
wedding party included Marrissa
Henry-Mashuga, Maria Belen Power
’07, and Miesha Martin-Freeman
’08. Megan is an administrative assistant in the Automated Clearing
House (ACH) Operations at Wells
Fargo in Minneapolis, and Brent is
an inside sales representative for
Braas Company in Eden Prairie.
They live in Waverly, Minn.
on Aug. 2 in Eagan, Minn. An Auggie, Megan Carlson ’08, was in the
wedding party. Jen works in the
Marketing and Communication Office at Augsburg and Tony attends
the St. Thomas School of Law. They
live in downtown Minneapolis.
augsburg
then
Send us your news and photos
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don’t forget to send photos!
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice,
or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail to alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news to the
Augsburg Online Community at www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
When today’s Old Main was conceived late in the 1870s, the College
planned for many of the new utilities and comforts of the day—plumbing
with running water and restrooms, steam heat, and built-in electric fixtures. This marked a shift from a campus that was ecologically independent (with a barn housing a horse, cow, and pig) to one that linked itself to
the growing urban infrastructure for water, waste, and energy.
Taken from “From Rural to Urban: The Environmental History of
Augsburg College, 1872–2005,” written by the students in Environmental
Connections and revised by Alex Hoselton ’08 and Alex Ubbelohde ’08.
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Employer
____________________________________________________________
Position
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
In Memoriam
Donald Murphy ’43, Mounds View,
Minn., age 87, on Nov. 24.
Dr. Nancy English ’73, Duluth,
Minn., age 57, on Aug. 8.
Robert W. Johnson ’49, Burnsville,
Minn., age 82, on Aug. 17.
Stacy Sellers ’01, Inman, Neb.,
age 31, on Jan. 2.
Pearson, Wayne ’49, Wildomar,
Calif., age 83, on Dec. 27.
Kerry Affeldt ’05, Wykoff, Minn.,
age 45, on Sept. 21, of injuries
from a motorcycle/auto accident.
Rev. James E. Peterson ’50,
Bloomington, Minn., age 79, on
Sept. 26.
Ronald Lund ’50, Wanamingo,
Minn., age 82, on Aug. 21.
Mary Ann Olsen ’53, Minneapolis,
age 78, on Sept. 18.
Beverly An (Gryth) Villwock ’52,
Charlottesville, Va., age 78, on
Nov. 29.
Mavis (Strand) Hafstad ’54, Eagan,
Minn., age 75, on Aug. 11.
Ahmednur Ali ’10, Minneapolis,
Minn., age 20, on Sept. 22.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
Kathleen (“Katie”) Wiltgen ’10,
Winona, Minn., age 21, on Nov.
29, in an auto accident.
____________________________________________________________
Mathew Ackerman ’10, Dallas,
Texas, age 23, on Dec. 7.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
q I know a high school student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Spring 2009
39
my
Auggie experience
Richmond Appleton ’09
Environmental Studies
Richmond Appleton is passionate about giving back to his
communities—the Twin Cities and his birthplace of Liberia.
Early in his Augsburg career, he was a biology major and
planned to attend medical school. However, when the environmental studies program began, Appleton knew this was
the path he should take. He became the first student to formally declare the major.
Appleton has overcome a great deal in his life. As a young
boy, he contracted polio and was paralyzed on his left side.
He often had no access to medical care, but his parents took
him to native healers. “There were no social services or hospitals,” he says. “There was nothing to count on in emergencies.” Over time, he recovered the use of his arm and leg.
When civil war broke out in Liberia in the early ’90s, his
family fled to the Ivory Coast. Appleton’s mother was separated from them, and he also lost his father, brother, and sisters for four weeks because he couldn’t run fast enough to
keep up with them. Eventually the family was forced to Ghana
where they stayed in a refugee camp until they immigrated to
the U.S. in 2004.
A desire to make a difference influenced Appleton’s decision to join the environmental studies program where classes
in ecology and biodiversity fuel his interests in social work
and public service. Although he wants to help his country, he
likely won’t return to live permanently. He says Liberia is rebuilding after years of violence and destruction, but that
much remains to be done. “People are sick from the effects
of a polluted environment.”
While at Augsburg, Appleton has been active in the
neighborhood. He chairs the Augsburg Student Activities Council diversity committee and serves as a residence life community adviser. In January, he traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico,
with students from the Scholastic Connections program to learn
about sustainable agriculture practices in Mexico.
Appleton plans to graduate in December and is researching
graduate programs in environmental studies. “I am interested
in public policy in urban areas, conflict management in war
torn countries, community development, agriculture, sustainability, and bio-agriculture.” Appleton plans to study sustainable food production and how it can minimize the human
impact on the environment.
JENNIFER L. HIPPLE, WEEKEND COLLEGE STUDENT
40
Augsburg Now
an
augsburg legacy
Mr. Augsburg still supporting students
Jeroy and Ainy Carlson
Kirsten Bar ’10
In 1958, when Minnesota celebrated its centennial, Jeroy
Carlson ’48 was one of 1,958 state champions honored by the
state. “Jack Dempsey was at the ceremony,” Carlson said,
“and he told us, ‘The greatest asset America has is its youth.’
That’s still true.”
Carlson and his wife Lorraine “Ainy” support Augsburg students through planned gifts because they believe what
Dempsey said. Carlson, known to many as “Mr. Augsburg,”
spent 44 years as a student-athlete, teacher, coach, and staff
member with the College. “I tried to be of help to anyone I
could,” he said.
With a charitable gift annuity, the Carlsons fund a scholarship that supports students who are studying music or physical
education and who demonstrate a commitment of service
to others.
This year’s recipient of Jeroy and Ainy Carlson’s scholarship is
Kirsten Bar ’10, a music therapy major who has worked
throughout her education with people with Hungtington’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
“The students and faculty in the music department have a
special place in our hearts for those who have contributed to
scholarships,” said Bar. “For some students, these scholarships make a huge difference from year to year. We appreciate
the financial support and very much enjoy seeing the donors at
our performances.”
After completing her studies, Bar hopes to return to her
hometown of Billings, Mont., to start the city’s first music therapy practice.
“Investing” with an Augsburg charitable gift annuity rather than with a bank gives the Carlsons a locked rate of
return for their lifetimes, and they will be sure that the remainder will go to the scholarship after their death.
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Minneapolis, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
River Politics
Students in Professor Joe Underhill’s Environmental and
River Politics class travel through Lock 1 on the Mississippi
River. During the class, students study current debates
about the extent of environmental problems, and examine
how those problems are manifested on campus and in our
immediate surroundings. Exploring the issues from a canoe
gives them different perspectives.
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AUGSBURG NOW
FALL 2008
VOL. 71, NO. 1
inside
auggies
1
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Nursing
Years
of Life-Changing
at the grassroots level Travel that
transforms Clever student + wise professor +
Travel
expert alum = awesome discovery Ready, action,
page
film20
suc...
Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
FALL 2008
VOL. 71, NO. 1
inside
auggies
1
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Nursing
Years
of Life-Changing
at the grassroots level Travel that
transforms Clever student + wise professor +
Travel
expert alum = awesome discovery Ready, action,
page
film20
success! Street pastoring in Wales
get
political
Editor
notes
from President Pribbenow
Our neighbors
o
ne of the most compelling moments in the
Christian scriptures is the question asked
of Jesus by one of his disciples: “And who
is my neighbor?” His answer, of course, is
the parable of the Good Samaritan.
For me, the disciple’s question is at the
heart of the mission and vision of Augsburg College—a question that is at once theological, reflecting our understanding of what God intends
for us to be and do, and also educational and
practical, helping us to link our learning with
service.
So, let’s do some theology! Ask yourself—
who is my neighbor? Is it the Somali woman I
met this morning on Riverside Avenue struggling to carry her groceries home from the bus
stop? Or is it the family in the ravines of Cuernavaca, Mexico, who will offer me both refreshments and life lessons when I meet them on a
Center for Global Education trip? Or is it my
classmate, who is struggling with balancing
school with life at work and home, and who
needs my time and comfort? Once the question
is asked, we are compelled, as was Jesus himself,
to answer with stories and parables—stories of
how being educated at Augsburg prepares us to
serve our neighbors no matter when or where
we encounter them. In that way, the question
leads us to think about the links between learning and service.
A central aspect of an Augsburg education is
to nurture and sustain the work of civic engagement—the practices of citizenship, negotiating
our lives together, navigating what political
philosopher and Roman Catholic theologian John
Courtney Murray once called the “intersection of
conspiracies,” his definition of democracy.
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Design
Jen Nagorski
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Here at Augsburg, we believe we are called
to serve our neighbor. I am so proud of our
Augsburg community for its abiding commitment to civic engagement, to meeting the needs
of our neighbors—there are abundant examples
of ways in which students, staff, faculty, regents,
parents, and alumni are modeling for all of us
and the rest of the community what it means to
be reflective, productive, and responsible citizens of our campus, our neighborhood, and our
world.
At the same time, I want to challenge all of
us to think at an even deeper level about the
work of civic engagement, to see it not simply as
acts of service and compassion, but also as the
abiding and messy business—the lifelong business—of being educated, of building communities of trust and accountability, and of helping to
create a more just and humane world.
The stories in this issue of Augsburg Now
about the Center for Global Education (CGE)
offer fine examples of how the Augsburg community has answered the question of “Who is
my neighbor?” time and again in parts of the
world where our neighbors are partners in the
work of teaching and learning. We celebrate
CGE’s remarkable legacy and promise in Augsburg’s continuing and common work to serve
our neighbors.
Yours,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
David Warch
warch@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, Minn., 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
healyk@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
a
fall 2008
Features
14
Lights, camera, and action
by Bethany Bierman
A new film major has come of age and now attracts
students from around the world.
augsburg now
19
Get Political!
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
Augsburg students got up front and backstage as interns for The
Washington Center at the Republican National Convention.
24
Travel that transforms
by Betsey Norgard
contents
Augsburg’s Center for Global Education reached the quarter
decade mark last year and continues to transform the way
students and participants view global issues and challenges.
29
Annual report to donors, 2007-08
Departments
2
4
6
13
45
56
Around the Quad
It takes an Auggie
Auggies on the Field
Augsburg Voices
Alumni News and Class Notes
My Auggie Experience
On the cover
(L to R) Erik Franzen, Mai Lee, and Ben Krouse-Gagne—three of Augsburg’s interns for The Washington Center at the Republican National Convention—each found unexpected discoveries in the experience.
Editor’s note:
Welcome to Augsburg Now’s new look! If you visited us at the State Fair last
summer or at our Web site lately, you’ve noticed more vibrancy and energy—
with just a touch of edginess. We’re in the city and we’re all about learning
by doing—whether it’s in the classroom, on the playing field, around the
world, or on the floor of the Republican National Convention. Please let us
know what you think, or what you’d like to see in the Now. Auggies are everywhere, and we want to connect with you. E-mail us at now@augsburg.edu or
call 612-330-1181. — Betsey Norgard, editor
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
around the
quad
Regents elected and honored
Five new members were elected to four-year terms on the
Augsburg Board of Regents at the annual meeting of the Augsburg Corporation Governing Board in September. In addition,
Anthony L. Genia Jr., MD ’85, was re-elected to a second fouryear term.
Mark A. Eustis, president and CEO of Fairview
Health Services.
At the board’s fall meeting, outgoing regents were honored for
their commitment, loyalty, and service. Those leaving the board
after serving several years are Michael Freeman and Beverly
(Halling) Oren ’55. Regents who retired after two six-year terms
are Rev. Gary Benson ’70, Ron Nelson ’68, and former board chair
Ted Grindal ’76. In addition, two ELCA bishops completed ex officio terms: Rev. Harold Usgaard, Southeastern Minnesota Synod,
and Rev. Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod.
Three retirees worked closely with students
Darrell Wiese ’59 has always had a knack
Alexander J. Gonzalez ’90, senior financial advisor
at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Eric J. Jolly, president of the Science
Museum of Minnesota
Gloria C. Lewis, president and CEO of Big Brothers
Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
Marshall S. Stanton, MD, vice president
for clinical research and general manager
of the cardiac rhythm disease
management business of Medtronic, Inc.
Appointed to three-year terms on the
board, ex officio, are Bishop Craig E.
Johnson, Minneapolis Area Synod of the
ELCA, and Bishop Duane C. Pederson,
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA.
To read more, go to
www.augsburg.edu/regents
for finding “diamonds in the rough,” baseball and football players who may not have
put up the big numbers in high school, but
had the potential to shine.
It’s estimated that Wiese, a 1959 Augsburg alumnus, helped to bring literally
hundreds of students to Augsburg over the last several decades
as a recruiter and assistant coach. For his lifetime of service to
Auggie athletics, Wiese was honored with the Distinguished
Athletic Service Award this fall.
“I always had a genuine concern for youth and athletics,
and something always kept drawing me back to Augsburg over
the years,” Wiese said. “I would talk about Augsburg and say it
was a great school with friendly people; they’ll give you a
chance to succeed and get your degree.”
After Wiese had been scouting for talent as a volunteer for
more than 20 years while still owning and operating his family
farm in rural Northfield, Minn., he spent more than a decade as
an assistant coach for both the football and baseball teams.
Several of his football recruits provided the backbone of
the Auggies’ 1997 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title team, the school’s first since 1928. Many of his players were key members of the 2005 MIAC baseball playoff team.
“One of the things that strikes me so much about Darrell is
his ability to identify potential talent,” said former football
coach Jack Osberg, now a football coach and A-Club advancement manager. … “When he recruits, he doesn’t just recruit the
athlete, he recruits the family and gets great connections with
the families and siblings of the athletes he recruits.”
Wiese officially retired from coaching after the 2008 baseball season. A baseball team trophy has been named in his
honor—the Darrell Wiese Most Respected Player Award.
DON STONER
2
Augsburg Now
Retiring faculty and staff, continued
Karen Sutherland, professor of computer science, came to Augsburg in
1999 and retired at the end of the
academic year in May. Often her students would find her in the small lab
in Sverdrup surrounded by computer robots roaming the floor—
AIBO dog robots used for their ease
in teaching basic programming, and
search and rescue robots designed to
stay in communication with each other during emergency situations. They were all part of National Science Foundation
grant research in which Sutherland collaborated.
These projects were at the core of Sutherland’s passion for
improving how computer science is taught to non-traditional
students, including weekend students, immigrants, women,
and first-generation college students. “These students didn’t
relate well to computer science and how we were teaching it,”
Sutherland said. With the grant funding she could do a better
job of both attracting and retaining non-traditional students.
The National Science Foundation CSEMS (Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship) program
enabled her to offer scholarships to non-traditional students.
She had upper-class students serve as peer mentors to CSEMS
students, encouraging them toward career possibilities in
computer science.
“A number of our young people want to do something to
make this world better,” Sutherland says. “They don’t see how
computer science is going to help that. You have to show
them ways it can, and they have to see how they could make a
difference, a mark.”
Via e-mail, she keeps in touch with many former students, some who have accepted jobs in industry directly after
graduation and others going on to graduate programs.
There is no shortage of plans for her retirement, which
center around gardening and travel. Even her gardening will
keep her near a computer, as she serves as the webmaster for
the Garden Club of Ramsey County. At her lake home, she
serves as a board member of the lake association, working to
promote shoreline conservation and sustainability.
Kenneth N. Erickson ’62, in his
nearly 40-year tenure teaching
physics, allowed students to see just
how vast the world is and just what
is possible.
After one year at Augsburg in
the 1960s, Erickson returned in
1970 and never left. For much of
that time, he held a shared professorship between Augsburg and the
University of Minnesota, cooperating with the University’s
physics and astronomy faculty in grant-funded research.
“As part of the shared appointment at the “U,” I was able
to do a lot of research,” he said. In 1970, Erickson started an
active undergrad research program at Augsburg. In 1991, he
started the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium, part of a
NASA-funded program that provides research and program
development grants to students and faculty.
“His satellite studies and rocket experiments in Alaska,
often involving other scientists from around the globe, gave
his students a window to a much wider and very exciting
world,” said Mark Engebretsen, an Augsburg colleague. “He
helped many of his students catch the excitement of trying to
find out new things about our world.”
The soft-spoken Erickson is reluctant to discuss his
achievements, but colleagues and many former students appreciated Erickson’s teaching and mentoring. Stu Anderson
’78, a current member of Augsburg’s physics faculty and a former student, said, “He displayed the art of an excellent
teacher—to invite students into the voyage of discovery, to
develop an appetite and tolerance for mathematical complexity, and to give students like me the courage to be persistent.”
Matt Broughton ’06, a physics and English major who
was awarded a Fullbright grant called Erickson—who has a
scholarship established in his name—“the best instructor he
had in college.”
Now Erickson is staying busy by growing corn and soybeans and raising cattle on his farm near Cambridge, Minn.
“I haven’t done much physics lately,” he joked.
WENDI WHEELER
BETSEY NORGARD
Fall 2008
3
it takes an
Auggie
New President’s Circle recognizes annual giving
During Homecoming Week, President Pribbenow announced
the creation of the President’s Circle, a new giving society that
recognizes annual gifts of $1,000 or more, at several levels of
support. By recognizing all current gifts, the President’s Circle
shares the Augsburg story among greater numbers of alumni
and donors and builds stronger connections with the College
today.
Within the President’s Circle, one of the top funding priorities of the College is the Augsburg Fund, which provides
support across a range of critical needs of the College. Most
important is the financial support made possible through the
Augsburg Fund that helps the College fulfill its promise to a
richly diverse student body. Financial support makes an Augsburg education possible for more than 85% of its students.
The Augsburg Fund also provides needed support for
current technology to improve teaching and learning, faculty
recruitment and retention, facilities maintenance and renovation, and opportunities for community events and services.
“There’s no other way to give to so many priorities—to
touch the lives of so many students in so many different
ways—than through the Augsburg Fund,” says Jeremy Wells,
vice president for institutional advancement. “It’s giving that
moves Augsburg forward just as it also honors its past.”
The President’s Circle Challenge, through the generosity
of an anonymous donor, will match all increases in gifts to the
Augsburg Fund up to $1,000 for those who become charter
members of the President’s Circle.
President’s Circle members will receive a special pin and a
new, members’ e-newsletter plus invitations to special events
and other benefits offered for support at higher levels.
Sven Oftedal Society honors Augsburg’s legacy
Augsburg’s Heritage Society, which
recognizes donors who have made
a future gift commitment to the
College, has a new name and identity—the Sven Oftedal Society,
named for the second person appointed to Augsburg’s faculty, who
became the College’s third president and chaired the Board of Regents for over three decades.
During the 1870s, vast numThe recognition of donors who
make future gifts to the College
bers of immigrants flocked to
has been named the Sven Oftedal
western and northwestern MinSociety, in honor of Augsburg’s
third president, who saved the Col- nesota. Augsburg’s move to Minlege from bankruptcy, ensuring an neapolis in 1872 placed it closer to
Augsburg education for
the center of Norwegian-American
future generations.
settlement, but by 1877, the College faced a financial crisis that threatened its very existence.
Augsburg was heavily in debt; the region was in an economic
depression.
Sven Oftedal stepped forward to lead a heroic fundraising
effort that saved Augsburg. Oftedal rallied and inspired farmers, merchants, businesses, and churches throughout the
4
Augsburg Now
region to support Augsburg’s mission, an effort securing gifts
from over 30,000 individuals. Augsburg was no longer a
school of a select few—Augsburg truly became a school of the
people.
Exemplifying Augsburg’s commitment to civic involvement, Oftedal established a community newspaper, was
elected to the Minneapolis Board of Education, appointed to
the Minneapolis Library Board, and served as the president of
Augsburg’s board for 36 years. His legacy of service is honored
by Augsburg through the founding of the Oftedal Society to
recognize the loyalty and vision of those who make a commitment of future support to the College.
“By renaming the planned giving recognition society in
honor of Sven Oftedal, we have a wonderful opportunity to
reflect upon the nature of Augsburg’s foundation—its roots,”
noted Jeremy Wells, vice president for institutional advancement, “and to reaffirm that those ideals continue to be the
core of the College and its mission.
To learn more about the Sven Oftedal Society or making a
gift of future support, contact the Office of Planned Giving at
1-800-273-0617 or via e-mail to development@augsburg.edu.
Another million-dollar year!
• The Augsburg Fund, the College’s annual fund, reached its
goal of $1 million—for the third time and the first time
outside of a campaign year—ending the fiscal year at
$1,001,979.
• Important to achieving this goal was the President’s Challenge of $100,000, which resulted in additional giving of
nearly $69,000 in new or increased gifts, triggering a total
of $158,000 in challenge gifts. This was made possible by
Don ’53 and Bev (Halling) Oren ’55 and anonymous
donors.
• During this last fiscal year, a 100% participation rate was
reached with gifts to the annual fund from all members of
the Augsburg Board of Regents, the Alumni Board of
Directors, and the President’s Cabinet.
It’s Augsburg Calling … Mai Yer Vang ’11
Mai Yer Vang was born in Thailand and moved with her family to the U.S. in 1994. When she was in high school, Vang
was introduced to Augsburg on a tour with the Upward
Bound program. “We had a really good tour guide who
showed us everything on campus,” she said.
Vang liked Augsburg’s small campus atmosphere and was
intrigued by a presentation given by Richard Webb, a counselor for Augsburg’s TRiO program, a U.S. Department of Education program that helps first-generation college students
overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to completing
their education.
“My family is on welfare,” Vang said, “but Richard talked
about financial aid and told us that we could go to Augsburg
if we wanted to. He helped us understand that a college education was possible.” In fact, Vang became the first in her
family of eight children to attend college.
She came to Augsburg in the summer, before many of her
classmates, for TRiO’s Summer Bridge program, a five-week
residential program that introduces students to the college experience with classes, academic support seminars, workshops,
and social activities.
As a TRiO scholar, Vang must not only maintain a 3.0
GPA each term, she also meets regularly with her TRiO counselor to discuss her academic progress and financial issues.
TRiO students complete all of their financial aid application
paperwork on their own, an often-daunting procedure many
of her peers delegate to parents. Vang is grateful for this experience because she is now helping one of her older sisters
complete college and financial aid applications.
For two years, Vang has worked as a caller for the Augsburg Fund in Augsburg’s Office of Institutional Advancement.
Through her conversations with alumni, Vang has received
career advice and has learned more about Augsburg traditions
and history. “I learned that Homecoming used to be huge
here,” she said, “and there were a lot more dances and royalty
and parades during the year than we have now.”
To date, Vang and the student caller team have helped
raise more than $114,000 for the Augsburg Fund. To learn
more about the Augsburg Fund and other ways to support
students like Mai Yer Vang, go to www.augsburg.edu/giving.
WENDI WHEELER ‘06
Mai Yer Vang ’11 is one of the
student callers of Phonathon
and enjoys learning about
Augsburg in past years from
the alumni she calls.
Fall 2008
5
Auggies on the field
Jordan Berg: Football, physics, and far more
Division III athletics is more than simply the games. It’s just as much about academics, family friends, and hobbies. Augsburg senior quarterback Jordan Berg understands the importance of balancing.
On the field, the Gaylord, Minn., native is already the most accomplished passer in
Augsburg history, owning single-season and career records for passing touchdowns,
completions, and yardage. Despite starting his college career at Division II MinnesotaDuluth, Berg is on pace to break the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference career passing record of 7,290 yards.
But Berg is more than just a quarterback. He’s also a physics major
with a 3.8 GPA. In his time at Augsburg, Berg has taken classes ranging from chemistry to American Sign Language, and Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning.
“One of the reasons that Jordan is so successful is his preparedness,” says offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Drew
Privette. “He is prepared on the field, in the classroom, and in his
social life. If we have a quarterback’s meeting and Jordan also has a
big test in one of his classes, he’ll find a way to reschedule the
meeting, so he can take care of his first priority, his academics.”
Berg, a self-described “motor head,” has a variety of other
interests. He restored his own Harley-Davidson motorcycle,
complete with a custom paint job. He designed t-shirts for the
football team. And Berg designed two tattoos for himself and a
few others for his teammates.
“Jordan is a unique blend of character, artist, and student-athlete. He is gifted in each of those areas and it is a joy to work with
such a colorful and outstanding individual,” said football head coach
Frank Haege.
KELLY ANDERSON DIERCKS
6
Augsburg Now
For the full story, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now
homecoming
’08
2008 Alumni Awards
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
LaRhae (Grindal) Knatterud
’70, specialist on aging,
Minnesota Department
of Human Resources
Dennis Kalpin ’61, retired
mathematics teacher and
coach, Alexandria, Minn.
FIRST DECADE AWARDS
Zach Curtis ’98, actor,
artistic director, and
theatre manager
Jeffery Cameron ’96,
intellectual property
attorney, E.J. Brooks
and Associates, PLLC
Save the date for Homecoming 2009—September 28-October 3
For more about Homecoming
and the alumni awards, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now
Fall 2008
7
Grassroots health care
the CENTER CLINIC
Augsburg nursing student Eileen Johnson
confronts poverty and patient needs at the
small, volunteer-run Center Clinic in
Dodge Center, Minnesota.
arty Alemán has a
passion for public
health. She is one
of Augsburg’s Rochester
Campus nursing faculty,
and she believes that
“greater community and social awareness make a better
citizen and a better nurse,
no matter where they
work.”
Thus, it seemed fitting
that she, along with the
Augsburg nursing program,
was chosen by the Center Clinic in Dodge Center, Minnesota, a
small, rural, volunteer-staffed clinic, to receive their Social
Awareness award at their annual appreciation event.
From her office at Olmsted County Public Health, Alemán
coordinates a number of the county’s public health nursing positions. As the Community Health II nursing instructor at the
Augsburg Rochester Campus, she integrates her knowledge of
public health and connections to community health agencies
with the course content to be a catalyst for transformation in the
lives of most of the Rochester Bachelor of Science in nursing
M
8
Augsburg Now
(BSN) students. She loves it. She loves introducing her students
to a side of health care that few of them have ever seen.
Community Health II is Augsburg’s only BSN course with
significant clinical hours outside of the classroom; all 48 hours
must be spent in community health settings. Alemán notes that
about 90% of Rochester BSN students are hospital nurses. “Some
students have only worked in surgery where they see a very limited view of patient care. Community health nursing is not such
a controlled environment,” she says. It stretches and challenges
the students.
Alemán helps students to navigate the challenges of a different healthcare culture and to connect the dots of relevance between their work in a large hospital to social justice in the
community. To that end, she raises questions within the context
of diversity about the uninsured, about poverty and patient
needs upon dismissal from the hospital, and about the community resources to meet those needs. She also encourages students
to consider health issues in public schools such as drug and alcohol abuse, sexual activity, bullying, and obesity.
Clinical hours bring the questions of the classroom into the
realm of experiential knowledge. Students integrate these experiences, comparing them to their currently held beliefs, and seeing things first hand rather than in text. They return to class and
talk about the experiences and how their current belief systems
are being challenged.
For their clinical hours, students may choose from a number
of cultural immersion options or community health settings in
Olmsted County or in the county where they reside. Alemán is
fluent in Spanish, having spent four years early in her nursing
career living and working in Ecuador, and has coordinated and
led immersion trips and home stays for students in Nicaragua
and Guatemala.
It’s obvious that Alemán has a special place in her heart for
arranging student placements in county community health settings. She encourages them to divide their time among a variety
of agencies and clinics. Her students can be found at the Good
Samaritan Medical Clinic, Migrant Health Clinic, Christ United
Methodist Church Health Fair, the county jail, and working with
church parish nurses.
The Center Clinic, directed by Jan Lueth, who is also a public health colleague of Alemán, is a favorite placement for
Alemán and her students. Lueth welcomes the students and describes the clinic as “a small non-profit agency staffed by volunteer nurses, nurse practitioners, and Mayo doctors and residents
that provides family planning and limited healthcare services to
the uninsured and underinsured, many of whom are Latino.”
Some of the BSN students have chosen to continue volunteering at the clinic. One student returned for six months as a
paid staff member. Since the clinic relies heavily on volunteer
hours to stretch their limited revenue, Lueth says their services
are invaluable.
“Social awareness is an important part of our mission at the
Center Clinic,” says Lueth. “We believe that awareness is the
first step toward social change.” Part of the clinic’s motivation
for giving Alemán and the nursing program the Social Awareness
award was that “always their questions and comments challenge
us to clarify what we believe and strengthen our determination
to continue our mission,” Lueth says.
When asked about Alemán’s passion for social awareness,
Lueth says, “only a professional like Marty, who truly empathizes and appreciates the complicated world in which our
clients reside, and the positive effect that nursing students could
experience by exposure to this, would have considered the Center Clinic as a possible clinical site for her students.”
She continues, saying the clinic is “a world where, like a
messy closet, you can make the conscious choice to close the
door, so you don’t have to look at it. But, you still know the mess
is there. … Marty puts her foot in the door, so you have to look,
have to experience the ‘mess’ at least for a moment.”
LIBBY HENSLIN ’06
OPERATIONS AND ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR, ROCHESTER CAMPUS
“Social awareness is an
important part of our
mission at the Center Clinic.
Pictured, right: In her community health
nursing course, Augsburg student Eileen
Johnson (left) is learning from Center
Clinic staff person Ramona González
(center) about difficulties faced by clinic
patients, many of whom are Latinos.
We believe that awareness
is the first step toward
social change.”
Fall 2008
9
awesome
DISCOVERY
clever student + wise professor+ experienced alum =
BY WENDI WHEELER AND BETSEY NORGARD
Brian Krohn (second from right) poses
with the scientists who named the
process (“Mcgyan”—from their own
names) that they hope will revolutionize
the biofuel industry: (L to R) Chemistry
professor Arlin Gyberg, SarTec vice
president Clayton McNeff ’91, Krohn, and
SarTec chief scientist Ben Yan.
A student’s passion for research
Brian Krohn originally came to Augsburg to study film, but
after only one semester without any science classes, this lifelong scientist felt “so deprived” that he officially changed his
major to chemistry.
Even so, he was unsure where the degree would lead
him. “I thought with a degree in chemistry, I
could only be a teacher or a pharmacist,” he said.
Then in the summer of 2006, Krohn received
a grant from Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research
and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) program. It
was support to conduct research, one of his passions. He and his adviser, chemistry professor
Arlin Gyberg, were both interested in biodiesel, so
Krohn set out to find a more efficient way to produce the fuel.
Krohn describes the research process as difficult but exciting. “You have to really dig into the
whole process and read all the literature to join
into the conversation about your topic before you
can figure out what you can contribute,” he said. Whereas
most undergraduate researchers “do what they are told, like
calibrate a machine all day,” according to Krohn, he had more
freedom to explore and experiment.
Eventually his work led to the discovery of a process that
converts animal feedstock to biodiesel. Gyberg advised Krohn
to contact alumnus Clayton McNeff ’91, a chemist and vice
president of SarTec, a company specializing in yucca-based
products and CEO of ZirChrom Separations, a chromatography company. McNeff, his chief scientist at
SarTec Ben Yan, and Gyberg took Krohn’s idea and
created the “Mcgyan” Process (from their three
names), an efficient and environmentally friendly
method that will allow McNeff’s new start-up company, Ever Cat Fuels, to produce more than three
million gallons of fuel per year at a first-of-its-kind
biodiesel plant in Isanti, Minn.
Krohn says it was his research and connections
through Augsburg, not the discovery itself, that
opened doors for him. In fact, he said this opportunity might never have been available if not for
McNeff’s ties to the College.
“It’s almost unheard of that the vice president of research
would sit down with an undergraduate student and his old professor,” he said.
clever student
10
Augsburg Now
wise professor
A professor’s connections to industry
It’s an event, says chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg, that
probably wouldn’t have happened anywhere else in the
world.
He’s referring to senior Brian Krohn’s research, his
relationship with Clayton McNeff ’91, and the partnership
that ultimately yielded the invention of the Mcgyan
Process. Gyberg, who is beginning his 42nd year teaching
at Augsburg, has supervised many student research projects over the years beginning with Richard Olmsted ’69,
the husband of current Augsburg chemistry professor Sandra Olmsted ’69, in the summer following their junior
year.
Krohn began his research by poring over hundreds of
abstracts of research on biodiesel. Eventually he found two
examples of projects that had been somewhat successful,
which had suggested that solid-state strong acids might be
effective catalysts for conversion of plant oils to biodiesel.
Gyberg knew that this material was used as a bonded solid
stationary phase in chromatography, so they attempted a
conversion using a batch process that had been used since
World War II. Gyberg summed up the results: “It didn’t
work.”
Then Gyberg recalled a seminar given four years earlier by McNeff on zirconia-based stationary phases used
for liquid chromatography and the ease with which it
could be bonded with various substances. Gyberg contacted McNeff, and Krohn and Gyberg went to present
their research to McNeff at SarTec Corporation. They
asked for some bonded strong acid zirconia and again
tried a batch process experiment with no success.
“Here is where the confluence of events occurred that
would not likely have happened anywhere else,” said Gyberg. McNeff’s ZirChrom Corporation is a world leader on
zirconia and its properties. McNeff and fellow scientist Ben Yan had
been working on oven-heated zirconia-based high temperature liquid
chromatography. It occurred to McNeff that pressurized, heated, continuous column catalysis using solid-state acidified zirconia might
work—and it did, the very first time. The Mcgyan Process was born.
“It would appear that this is only the beginning,” Gyberg said.
Research continues, with SarTec and Augsburg investigating algae
growth as a feedstock source for biodiesel as well as other reactions
that are possible for new types of biofuels that have not been possible
to synthesize before.
Gyberg is also working on a project with a University of St.
Thomas engineering professor who believes that in three years all
biodiesel will be made using the Mcgyan Process. They are developing a “pickup bed biodiesel plant” that the individual farmer could
use to make his own biodiesel fuel. This would also benefit Third
World countries where jatropha, a weedy bush that grows on noncropland and needs only about eight inches of rain or so a year, is
readily available. Jatropha can produce about five times more plant
oil a year for biodiesel than soybeans, and the Mcgyan reactor is the
only one that can completely convert the oil efficiently and cleanly to
biodiesel with virtually no waste and no pollutants.
Rather than spend his summers on the golf course or on the
lake, Gyberg supervises research because, he says, “It keeps things
interesting and exciting, keeps one up with current science, and
keeps the mind sharp.” He adds, “One of the great pleasures over the
years is using my background and experience to work with students,
some of whom are smarter than I am.” Gyberg says students are fortunate to be able to do research at Augsburg, since faculty there can
spend more time working with students than at large research
institutions.
Above, left: Senior Brian Krohn and chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg explain the Mcgyan
Process, a new, improved method of making biodiesel, at a press conference in March.
Fall 2008
11
awe
som
e
SarTec vice president Clayton McNeff ’91, whose team discovered
the Mcgyan Process, shares the discovery with alumni and friends
during Homecoming in September.
“It can be cost effective and
environmentally friendly—
experienced alum
and it’s portable.”
A chemist on the cutting edge
In March 2008 at a press conference at Augsburg College,
Clayton McNeff became somewhat of a media sensation in
the biodiesel world. He is vice president of SarTec Corporation, and together with his chief scientist Ben Yan, his former
professor Arlin Gyberg, and Augsburg student Brian Krohn,
McNeff announced a discovery they said would revolutionize
biodiesel production and lessen or eliminate the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
This was the first public announcement of the Mcgyan
Process and the biodiesel fuel it can produce more efficiently,
less costly, and without harmful byproducts than existing
processes. He went on to announce that the group was already successfully producing 50,000 gallons per year at a
pilot plant, and even powering the plant with it. Through a
new company, Ever Cat Fuels, a new large-scale production
plant is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2009 that
will yield three million gallons per year, using non-food
grade corn oil from ethanol plants and free fatty acid waste
products from the current conventional biodiesel industry.
In July the Star Tribune described the Mcgyan production
process as immensely appealing to countries and companies
around the world because “it can be cost effective and environmentally friendly—and it’s portable.” The goal is for farmers to be able to produce the biodiesel they need to run their
farms completely on site. More than 35 countries have contacted SarTec inquiring about the technology.
Algae is a large part of McNeff’s vision. He refers to it as
the “holy grail” of biodiesel production because it can be
grown utilizing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from
12
Augsburg Now
bioethanol and coal-burning power plants, and it can potentially yield enough oil for biodiesel to replace all U.S. petroleum
needs without competing for food crops or cropland. SarTec, in
partnership with Augsburg and Triangle Energy, is pursuing this
research with grants from Great River Energy and Xcel Energy.
McNeff is a 1991 Augsburg chemistry graduate, who pursued his PhD in analytical chemistry at the University of Minnesota. He joined SarTec, the company founded by his parents
where he first worked as a high school student, fostering his
love for science.
In 1995, as he became known for his expertise with zirconia, McNeff co-founded ZirChrom Separations, Inc., along with
Steven Rupp and University of Minnesota professor Peter W.
Carr. Carr has won numerous awards in the field of analytical
chemistry and has been announced as the recipient of the 2009
American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry.
In 2002 McNeff was awarded the Tibbetts Award from the
Small Business Adminstration’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This award was given in recognition of
McNeff’s achievement in innovation, research, and business
that contributed to the commercial success of ZirChrom Separations.
McNeff considers the success of the experimentation leading to the Mcgyan Process as “serendipity,” but it’s a success
that can extend far beyond their projected goal of three million
gallons per year and be licensed worldwide to companies seeking more efficient and sustainable fuels.
For more information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/chemistry
DIS
COV
ERY
V
Courtesy Glendine Soiseth
auggie voices
Street pastors bring care and
hope to the streets
Glendine Soiseth graduated from Augsburg and Luther Seminary in 2004 with a dual degree—Master of Social Work and
Master of Arts in Theology. She was ready for the challenge of
an international experience and is the supervisor of therapy
services for a fostering agency in Flintshire, Wales. She lives
in nearby Chester, England.
In 2006 Soiseth heard about the three-year-old Street Pastors program and trained as a street pastor leader in Wrexham, Wales. She led her team on patrol once or twice a
month, from around 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Recently, with her
move to Chester, she also serves as a Chester lead street pastor and will alternate patrols and voluntary time between the
two locations.
In September she wrote about street pastor work for a
community ministry blog in Chester. With permission, we’ve
reprinted excerpts from it.
Call
Historically, I have consistently been involved in faith, community, and political organizations, either working with
people, programmes, or the community in developing a
voice and making a difference.
When the St. Margaret’s vicar in Wrexham started talking about Street Pastors during a service, I immediately experienced a ‘call.’ Not a lightning bolt, but it was made very
clear that this (street pastoring) was something I needed to
do. I realized I was being asked to take a leap of faith despite not knowing how the new initiative would take me.
After training and graduation, I was out on the streets
in my street pastor uniform talking and explaining to people, door staff, vendors, police, and emergency personnel
what a street pastor is and does.
Community
When I mentioned to people at the time that I lived in
Wrexham, the response was universal, ‘nothing good comes
out of Wrexham … .’ I knew it would take more than a marketer or one person to make a difference. It would take the
‘Urban Trinity’—police, civic partners, and church—coming
together in agreement on community initiatives and protocols, as a means for it to work.
Glendine Soiseth ’04 MSW/MA Theology dual degree graduate (left), is a social
worker in North Wales and volunteers as a street pastor in an interdenominational church/community initiative with Rev. Trevor Beckett (right).
Street pastors are now recognized, respected, and welcomed in the community by pub/club goers, police, emergency personnel, door staff, street vendors, CCTV, and
visitors. They have witnessed and experienced our commitment, tenacity, unconditional positive regard, and passion
for what we do.
We’ve been accepted as part of their community for not
only sticking it out when it is raining, cold, and miserable,
but, more importantly, for listening, being authentic, and
providing practical assistance—not preaching ‘heaven and
hell,’ but getting back to basics of what it means to be a ‘caring’ community and how diversity can bring together unity.
Hope
I can’t begin to tell you all the stories I have heard on the
street in my role as street pastor. … about the drug dealer,
or the rugby player, or the person we picked up off the road
just before a car came round the corner, or the person who
had been involved in a cult, or the alcoholic, or the soldier.
But they are just stories about people you don’t know. What
I do know is that Street Pastors makes a difference in our
community. I make a difference. We make a difference.
From a human perspective, getting back to basics with
the above is a step in not only providing a community with
hope, but also it can be a difference between life and death
for that person we talk to on the street. … A good deal of
our work is ‘working in the moment where that person
seems to be at that time.’ Street pastoring works. I truly feel
blessed and privileged every time I go out into the street.”
Street Pastors is an inter-denominational church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the
streets to care, listen, and dialogue. For information, go to
www.streetpastors.org.uk.
BETSEY NORGARD
Fall 2008
13
LIGHTS,
CAMERA,
AND
ACTION
BY BETHANY BIERMAN
Augsburg’s film program, based in liberal arts and
giving students knowledge in production, performance,
and theory, attracts students from around the world.
14
Augsburg Now
ugsburg film comes of age
The coffee shop in Christensen is nearly
full, so we grab two empty stools by the
computers in the back. Wes Ellenwood
sits poised on the stool, looking relaxed
in his blue jeans and vintage New York
baseball cap, balancing his coffee between his hands.
“What makes our department
unique is its three tracks,” he explains.
The former NYU professor specializes
in documentary and 16mm film and
was just last year given full-time status,
making him the only full-time film faculty member.
He breezes through the description
as if he’s told it many times before.
There’s the production track (creating
films and videos), the performance
track (acting for the camera), and the
theory and culture track (the analytical
track). “And our faculty are not just faculty—they are professionals and experts
in film.”
Picture, bottom left: For more than a decade, communication
studies professor Deb Redmond has worked with alumni to nurture
the film courses that have grown Augsburg’s film program.
Pictured, below: Auggie Mike Bodnarczuk ’85 built a career in music
video production and has helped other Auggies get a start in LA.
Just then communication professor
and director of the program Deb Redmond approaches with a young man.
“I’m sorry, but may I interrupt?” she
asks. “Matt, this is Wes Ellenwood, who
teaches our production courses. Wes,
Matt is looking at transferring to Augsburg to study film.”
The professors exchange knowing
glances. This is not the first time such
an introduction has been made. In fact,
the film department averages two visitors per week. For a program that officially finished its fourth year, numbers
are exploding. While Augsburg has a
strong history of graduating students
who have excelled in film, it was only
in 2004 that the major was added. It
jumped from one graduate in 2006 to
now nearly 40 students. Five new film
majors transferred in this past semester.
“We’re different from most of the
metro college campuses,” Ellenwood
tells Matt and me, “because there is actual film being shot on this campus.”
He goes on to explain that because
Augsburg students develop an understanding of film, video, television, and
digital media, in addition to being
grounded in the liberal arts, these graduates are better prepared than most to
truly succeed in the industry.
A seed is planted
It was the early ’80s, and every Friday
English professor John Mitchell showed
movies in his class. One student recalls
nearly leaping out of his seat with excitement.
“He really opened up the gateway
for me,” says Michael Bodnarczuk, the
son of Ukrainian immigrants and a St.
Paul Johnson High School graduate. He
Nick Vlchek
A
LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION
had come to Augsburg to study prelaw and to play
soccer. “I got very
involved with politics with my lifelong friend John
Evans … and
Franklin Tawha,
but then started
spending a lot of time with film.”
Bodnarczuk took a 16mm film
course taught by a friend of Mitchell’s
during January term. “After that, I was
completely hooked, and then it became
an addiction.” He took Julie Bolton’s television class and Stan Turner’s class in
newswriting at St. Thomas. Jeroy Carlson found him an internship at KARE11, which turned into a job editing
stories for the sunrise show.
But Bodnarczuk’s passion was
music videos, and how they told a story
in four minutes. Augsburg didn’t have
cable at the time, however, so with the
rise of the MTV boom, he persuaded the
College to invest in a satellite dish for
the top of Christensen Center. He’d
record videos and host a showing on
Sunday nights during dinner, until they
got too risqué and the administration
shut him down.
Beyond the classroom, he made
connections with several people, including Jimmy Jam, Steve Rifkin (editor of
the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy) and
Darrell Brand (cameraman). During college, he directed videos for Twin Cities
music sensation The Jets and spent a
couple days as a production assistant on
Purple Rain.
Following graduation, he worked at
a law firm for a while but just wasn’t
satisfied. He drove to Hollywood in a
Fall 2008
15
Augsburg’s first “official” film grad, Trevor
Tweeten ’06 has won awards for his films
and is now living and working in New York.
yellow Dodge Charger, with about a
thousand dollars in his pocket, moved
in with a friend, and volunteered on an
American Film Institute film. Through
persistence and personal connections,
he eventually started to get work. His
first breakthroughs were as a production assistant on Lionel Ritchie’s “Say
You, Say Me” video and the film La
Bamba, which led to work on Stand and
Deliver.
“It snowballed from there.” Within
two years he was producing his own
videos and commercials such as
Michael Jordan’s Gatorade ads, and
within a decade was running the commercial/music video department of A
Band Apart with co-founders Quentin
Tarantino and Lawrence Bender. While
his Hollywood connections blossomed
and his résumé grew, his Augsburg connections never died.
16
Augsburg Now
Breaking new ground
“Michael [Bodnarczuk] wanted the film
major here desperately,” recalls Redmond. “He contacted us.” Redmond and
theatre professor Martha Johnson traveled to LA to spend time meeting with
him about the idea. This became the impetus for the program.
Courses in film continued to find
their way into the catalog, and when confirmation came from the dean’s office, a
film minor was established.
As more and more Augsburg graduates entered the world of film, momentum for the program continued to grow.
President William Frame visited Hollywood to raise money for the film program, and Bodnarczuk donated
equipment and money for it.
Students like Adam Schindler ’00
and Hanne Anderson ’99 came to Augsburg before the major was established,
but knowing that film was their passion.
Schindler took creative writing
classes, looking to hone his storytelling
ability, and ended up with a communication major and minors in English and
film. “As I continued churning out
scripts, taking broadcast production
courses, film-related J-term courses, I was
approached by a few students about the
possibility of forming a film group.” They
applied for a grant through Student Senate, and, with the help of Redmond, put
together the Augsburg Association of Student Filmmakers (AASF).
“We were pleasantly surprised when
we had 30 or so students show up for our
inaugural meeting,” Schindler remembers.
“It was a very collaborative effort
with all the members chipping in film
ideas, cameras, and loads of time,” says
Anderson.
While he was still a student,
Schindler had a chance to meet Bodnarczuk through a contact in Augsburg’s
Alumni Office. Bodnarczuk extended
Schindler an invitation to intern if he ever
decided to move to LA. Needless to say,
Bodnarczuk was the first person Schindler
called when he made the decision to go
west.
“I hired a lot of Auggies,” Bodnarczuk recalls. “I helped open doors for
them because I knew how hard it was for
me. I think every single one of them has
gone on to greatness. I am very happy for
and very proud of them.”
A distinctive major emerges
“It took years to put [the major] together
because we really wanted it to be interdisciplinary, and truly based in the liberal
arts,” says Redmond.
The application for approval of the
major was submitted during the 2002-03
school year and was approved for fall of
2004. In the past year, Ellenwood has
begun teaching full time, and additional
courses have been added.
Today, first-year film students are not
allowed to take production courses, but
instead start with still photography and
core academic courses. From there, they
take courses in the history of cinema, criticism, and issues in contemporary cinema, which lead into documentary and
acting courses. Students have the opportunity to take electives in areas such as
graphic design, journalism, and art, and
for their lab science requirement they may
take Physics for the Fine Arts.
Robert Cowgill, who spent years as a
dramaturg at the Guthrie and is past performer, owner, and manager of the Oak
Street Cinema, teaches courses in analysis.
Elise Marubbio, an award-winning author
on the representation of Native Americans
in film, teaches courses that cross-list between the American Indian studies and
film programs.
“Our focus is on training students to
recognize within a system like Hollywood
that there are very particular narratives
around groups of people,” Marubbio says.
“Our hope is that film students begin to
realize that when they create a film and an
image of someone, they need to be aware
of the cultural implications.”
Marubbio coordinates Augsburg’s Native American Film Festival. “The combination of things that we’re doing is unique
to Augsburg.”
The program’s first student to officially major in film was Trevor Tweeten
’06. “The whole theory side at Augsburg
was fantastic, between [John] Mitchell
and [Robert] Cowgill,” he says. “There’s a
practical side of it with Deb [Redmond]
and Wes [Ellenwood], but also the heavy
side of theory and history. I think there’s a
good balance … I feel really lucky to have
gone to a liberal arts school and have a
broader understanding of politics and life
and literature and all that stuff.”
Augsburg also brings in adjunct faculty who are experts in their field, such as
Christina Lazaridi, a New York-based
screenwriter whose first screenplay was
nominated for an Emmy. She teaches
screenwriting in the summer.
Beyond the classroom, the program
encourages study abroad and internships.
It is often past graduates who provide the
internships for current students.
“We are growing our own,” says Redmond. “When people come to Augsburg
to study film, they are not committing
themselves to four years, but for life …
We’re growing our own faculty, in
essence.”
“The thing that fits with the mission
of the College is we’re looking for people
with a commitment to a message, particularly using the language of film to tell
their stories,” Redmond states.
One such example is a film by senior film major David Siegfried, who
used still photographs with voiceover to
tell the story of the teaching career of
his grandfather, Augsburg anatomy and
biology professor Erwin Mickelberg. In
his film are photos of Siegfried’s mother
riding her bicycle in Murphy Park as a
young child. (http://davidsiegfried.com/
mycampusfinal.html)
The current crop
“We’re grounded now,” says Ellenwood,
pointing to the fact that there is now a
common place for film students to hang
out, a space shared by communication,
film, and theatre students. Just through
the hallway of faculty offices are the editing suites, then the film studio, and
the “closet” they hope will soon become
the screening room. “Loitering is happening on a regular basis. That’s a good
thing.”
Ellenwood attributes the increased
interest in Augsburg’s film program to
the fact that it is deeper and broader
than most programs. “Without any marketing, students are finding us. Word is
getting out,” he says. Students have
come from as far as Argentina, and now
India. “We need more faculty, space,
and equipment to allow for the increasing number of students.”
“Our hope is to grow donors,” Redmond says. “It can start with supply
items, like an extension cord, then volunteering to take interns, then, if
they’re in the position to hire, to look at
our graduates. Eventually, they can donate larger sums of money.”
At the end of each semester, there is
a screening of student work. The event
is not broadcast across campus, and yet
last semester’s screening filled the TV
studio, with over 100 in attendance.
“That’s an astounding number for us,”
says Ellenwood.
Starting in fall 2007, film students
Film professor Wes Ellenwood, who specializes in documentary and 16mm film,
connects students with film pros in the
Twin Cities for hands-on experience.
Fall 2008
17
were included in the Fine Arts Scholarship program, which awards $3,000 per
year to selected students who have
demonstrated excellence in film. Four
students were awarded the scholarship
in its inaugural year.
This fall Augsburg is launching a
partnership with the highly-regarded
film studies program at Minneapolis
Community and Technical College.
MCTC students will be able to complete
a four-year degree in film studies at
Augsburg, and Augsburg film students
will be able to take courses in the film
program there.
A rich harvest
Students who recently graduated have
enjoyed rubbing shoulders with professionals in the business, just as those in
the early days.
w
Ben Katz ’08, Steven Jacobson ’08,
Trevor Tweeten ’06, and Joe Lueben ’07
all worked on a film accepted into the
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film
Festival last year. Matt Goldman, who
has written for Disney and for Seinfeld,
directed the film. “Working with Matt
opened up a lot of doors,” says Lueben.
“It was the first time we’ve taken somebody else’s story, and not our own.”
The four also created a feature film
called “Bits” with a group of Augsburg
alumni, which has been featured on
www.mnfilmtv.org and was screened at
the Uptown Theater in August.
He has freelanced for such organizations as 3M and the University of Minnesota, and worked on a Kid Dakota
music video, on a short film with the lead
singer of Motion City Soundtrack, and
made a 50-minute compilation of clips of
Minnesota-made films.
For his senior project, Katz worked
ho’s who in film alums
with Ellenwood to research the documentation needed for an independent
film. With a 90-page script, he created a
production book with scene breakdown,
shooting schedule, budget, and business
plan, which he then presented to the
writer in LA.
“I love that the program’s grown
with me,” says Katz. “When I started out
[at Augsburg], everyone was excited
about the film program, but the department was not very structured. It’s gotten
better. Once Wes was hired full time, it
changed. It’s a real program now.”
“It’s this current wave of graduates
who will probably be the best ones,” Wes
says of the dozen or so who graduated
this last spring. “They are positioning
themselves to be out in the industry, in
the field; not pumping gas.”
Bethany Bierman formerly worked in the
Office of Marketing and Communication
and lives in Minneapolis.
To learn more about Augsburg’s film program,
go to www.augsburg.edu/film
Michael Bodnarczuk ’85
Owner of Battle Creek Productions. Past president and co-founder (along
with Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender) of A Band Apart, which produced videos for such megastars as U2, Metallica, and Bon Jovi (and in
1999 alone was up for 21 of the MTV Awards).
Adam Schindler ’00
Past assistant to producer Lawrence Bender. Assistant to the executive
producer of Desperate Housewives; current assistant for director Marty
Calner. Semi-finalist in the Academy of Motion Picture’s Nicholl Screenwriting Contest; horror script, “Sundown.”
Garret Williams ’89
Attended graduate school at the American Film Institute; directed Spark,
which received a Best Director Award; selected as one of nine filmmakers for
Fast Track in 2005 on his work on Lost Dog. IFP Blockbuster/McKnight Film
Fund winner.
JoLynn Garnes ’02
Editor of The Fearless Freaks, featuring the Flaming Lips documentary,
winner of the Mojo Vision Award. Has edited videos for artists such as Liz
Phair, Hilary Duff, and Prince, as well as Target commercials, the feature
documentary Summercamp!, and video visuals for Beyoncé’s 2007 world
tour.
Bryce Fridrik Olson ’97
Director of feature films The Caretaker (2008) with Jennifer Tilly and Judd
Nelson, and Be My Baby . Co-produced instructional DVD “OT for Children
with Autism, Special Needs & Typical.”
Hanne Anderson ’99
Emmy nominee for camera editing for her work on Guiding Light; editor for
digital group at Spike TV, and, as a sideline business, co-owns Riveting Productions, a DVD authoring company that works primarily with Comedy Central Records.
Jenny Hanson ’05
Completing graduate work in Austria in a trans-arts program; owns
Sprouted Wolf Productions; teaches film at North Hennepin Community
College and Normandale Community College.
Trevor Tweeten ’06
The first official film major. Won first place at the Oak Street Cinema’s 24hour film festival; recently moved to New York City to freelance; currently
shooting for TLC’s What Not to Wear.
THE PIONEERS
18
Augsburg Now
auggies
In the first days of September, while Gulf Coast residents battled
Hurricane Gustav, more than 45,000 Republican delegates, party
officials, volunteers, and members of the media converged on the
Xcel Center in downtown St. Paul for the 2008 Republican National Convention.
An event as significant as the RNC was not contained, however, to a single site. Across the Mississippi on Augsburg’s campus, students and faculty from 48 colleges and universities met
for a two-week program of the The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Because of its commitment to civic
engagement and service-learning, Augsburg was chosen to host
the seminar in conjunction with the convention.
Twenty-three Augsburg students participated in internships
through the program, each working in the preparation and planning stages to learn about the behind-the-scenes efforts involved
with a national convention. Augsburg communication studies professors Robert Groven and Kristen Chamberlain served on the faculty of The Washington Center Seminar.
Three Augsburg students shared their convention experiences—a young Hmong woman who changed her major from premed to political science, a graduate student who entered a state
legislative race, and a politically liberal political science major
who learned that Republicans and Democrats are more similar
than he thought.
l
a
c
i
t
i
l
o
p
t
e
nter
G
ngton Ce
ashi
W
e
h
T
h
wit
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
The Washington Center at the RNC
Fall 2008
19
’11
Ben Krouse-Gagne
Getting active in politics
The Washington Center at the RNC
20
Augsburg Now
Though he says he has been involved in politics for a short time—just
two-and-a-half years—Ben Krouse-Gagne has done more than some of
us will do in our lifetimes. He worked on Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer’s Senate campaign, did a summer internship with the Anti-War Committee,
served as a delegate to the 2008 Democratic state convention in
Rochester, Minn., and spends weekends door-knocking for state congressional candidates.
Krouse-Gagne, a second-year political science major who grew up
in Minneapolis’ progressive Seward neighborhood, said he was really always involved in politics because his family, neighbors, and church
community were politically active. Then in high school, he traveled to
the School of the Americas in Georgia, a military combat training school
and the site of frequent anti-war protests. “It really hit me when they
read the names of those killed in the war,” he said, “and one of the names
was ‘one-month-old baby.’”
That experience fueled Krouse-Gagne’s desire to become active and led
him eventually to a summer job at TakeAction Minnesota, where he worked
to educate voters about political issues. “People don’t understand how state
politics affects them,” he said. “A lot of people don’t even know who their state
representatives are.”
His RNC field placement was with the Bloomberg News Service. On the
first day of the convention, he covered the protests outside Xcel Center. “I
knew a lot of the people and organizations protesting,” he said, which gave
him an opportunity to get close to the action. Protestors told him their goal
was to slow down the convention. “Inside, they didn’t even know what was
happening out there,” he said. “It didn’t slow down the convention at all.”
Through conversations with delegates, Krouse-Gagne learned that he had
more in common with Republicans than he thought. “Republicans are just
the same as us,” he said. “They want what we want, just in a different way.”
Krouse-Gagne also became friends with Eric Franzen, another intern
who is currently the president of the Augsburg College Republicans. The
two are working with the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, with
the help of Augsburg Sabo Professor Garry Hesser, to bring speakers to
campus to further the “Get Political” civic engagement events.
Their goal is to ensure that the Augsburg community is exposed
to multiple perspectives on political issues.
Being at the RNC made Krouse-Gagne want to be a delegate
to the 2012 Democratic National Convention and to become
even more involved in politics. A lot can happen in four years.
’11
Mai Lee
Changing courses
In the Hmong culture, young people often follow the path chosen
for them by their parents. For Mai Lee, a second-year student from
Minneapolis, this meant a career in medicine. Though she had always wanted to study political science, she pushed the idea away
and filled her fall semester schedule with science courses. “I was all
set to take biology and chemistry and 99% sure about majoring in
pre-med,” Lee said. Then she attended the 2008 Republican National
Convention, and that experience changed her course.
Days before the fall semester began, Lee changed her major from premed to political science. “At the convention, I met many people who
gave me good advice about a career in politics,” she said. Lee thought
her family would disapprove of her decision, but she knew she needed
to trust her instincts. “My dad wasn’t too happy,” she added, “but I said
I just knew pre-med wasn’t what I wanted to do.”
Lee said she had always considered herself politically conservative,
but the convention gave her an “up-close look at the Republican Party”
and persuaded her to consider a career in public or government administration. She wants to change the immigrant mindset that government
is “bad” or against them. “I want to help people,” she said, “and show
people that government can be good.”
As a Hmong American woman, Lee acknowledges that she would be
a minority in the public administration world. “There are not many
Hmong women in politics,” she said. “I could change that and make a
little difference if I get involved.”
During the convention, Lee was placed with Fox News as a “runner.”
She ran errands, picked up politicians or celebrities, brought coffee to producers, and did whatever else was needed. “At one point, I had to pass out these
ridiculous Fox News hats to convention delegates,” she said. “If they didn’t
want it, I was told just to put it in their faces.”
Her convention experience not only influenced Lee’s future, it also encouraged her to become a more active citizen. She’s joined the Augsburg College Republicans and says she is watching the news and reading the paper more. “I’m
doing what voters should do,” she said.
While she plans to support John McCain, Lee says she will still not be discouraged from pursuing a career in public service if the presidency goes to the Democrats. “If McCain doesn’t win the election, it won’t be over for me.”
The Washington Center at the RNC
Fall 2008
21
’10
MAE
Eric Franzen
Because I can
Even at the RNC, Eric Franzen felt like he was in the minority. He was
certain that he and another intern from St. Louis, Mo., were the only
Republicans placed with Talk Radio News Service.
As a student in Augsburg’s Master of Arts in Education program,
Franzen is not required to complete an internship. He applied to The
Washington Center program because he said he recently became intrigued by the “reality” of politics. “Politics is real people doing real
things with real consequences,” he said. “It’s democracy in action.” He
felt the convention would provide an opportunity to become part of the
political reality.
For his internship, Franzen covered convention events with a video
camera and then posted interviews and stories on the Talk Radio News website. His most rewarding experience, however, happened after the convention
because he said he finally felt free to have open conversations about politics
with other students at Augsburg. “This campus is very politically liberal,”
Franzen said. “Some of us get a little nervous.”
Franzen is grateful to Augsburg for hosting The Washington Center program because he said it created opportunities for dialogue and has allowed
him to engage with others, including his politically liberal friend and fellow intern, Ben Krouse-Gagne. “I want to push for political diversity and inclusivity
at Augsburg,” he said, “but certain opinions aren’t always included in the discussion.”
In the future, Franzen aspires to hold a public office. He even added his
name to the ballot in the Republican slot for the District 60A state representative
seat. His opponent? Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the 10-year incumbent and current speaker of the House.
Why would a young graduate student put his name on the ballot against an
incumbent in an overwhelmingly liberal district? Franzen answered. “Because I can.”
“No one was running, and I didn’t want to see the office go unopposed,” he
said. “My goal was for voters to have a choice, so I’m doing what I can to give them
that choice.” Though he’s not likely to unseat Kelliher, he’s has been campaigning,
calling voters, and attending events to promote his candidacy. “It’s a lot of work.”
22
Augsburg Now
Paul Nixdorf
In the production of Fiddler on the Roof, Janet
Paone ’83 met John Vaughn, who became her
kidney donor. Here, as Golde and Tevye, they
once again ask, “Do You Love Me?”
The Kidney Kabaret for Janet Paone
BY BETSEY NORGARD
In a summer 2007 community theatre
production of Fiddler on the Roof, Janet
Paone ’83 played Golde. Golde’s husband, Tevye, was played by John
Vaughn, a Northwest Airlines pilot.
Four months later, she underwent
transplant surgery and received a kidney
that was given to her by Vaughn. Paone
remains amazed at how this whole series of events evolved.
Since September 2005, Paone had
appeared in the cast of Church Basement
Ladies, playing Mrs. Vivian Snustad, in
the comedy based on the book Growing
Up Lutheran, by Janet Letnes Martin ’68
and Suzann (Johnson) Nelson ’68.
While Paone had lived with reduced
kidney functioning since birth, it worsened into renal failure, and her doctors
put her on the transplant list.
Paone turned down out-of-town
gigs, and a friend told her about the Fiddler production, a show she had done as
an Augsburg student and loved. When
she got to know Vaughn, he asked about
her illness.
“Oh, I need a kidney,” Paone said
offhandedly.
“Well, you can have mine,” Vaughn
replied.
Paone took this as purely a casual
remark, but Vaughn persisted. He told
her he would contact the clinic. Prelimi-
nary tests showed him to be a potential
match, to be confirmed with a battery of
testing. They became close friends.
Four months later, Paone’s regular
check-up indicated she had reached a
crisis point and would have to start dialysis until a transplant became available.
After Fiddler, she and Vaughn had gone
their own ways, and she thought he
might have reconsidered. She set a date
for dialysis.
But the very next day, Vaughn contacted her with news that he had finally
been able to schedule the battery of
tests. He asked how she’d been. She told
him honestly, and added, “Is that kidney
still available?
“I just started crying,” Paone says.
“The timing was crazy.”
Vaughn was a good match, and on
November 27, after several heart-toheart talks with him, Paone received the
kidney he donated. She says he told her
that the true gift she could give him in
return was her good health.
Paone’s recovery went remarkably
well, and she was back on stage in the
winter, continuing her role as Mrs.
Snustad in Church Basement Ladies 2: A
Second Helping. She and Vaughn have
remained in close touch since.
What Paone now faces are thousands of dollars in medical bills, with
few resources to cover them. A month
after surgery, several friends in the theatre
community began talking about a
fundraiser, and a planning “posse”
formed, including several Augsburg classmates. Katie Koch ’06, assistant to the director at the Guthrie Theater, knows
Paone well and served as coordinator.
The “Kidney Kabaret” played at
Augsburg on April 21, with many actors
and musicians stepping forward to donate
services, time, and talents, which also included technical support for sound and
lighting, and event decorations.
A silent auction offered more than
125 items from theaters, restaurants,
churches, sports teams, and radio stations.
The program acts were all friends,
co-actors, and colleagues of Paone from
past theater productions. WCCO’s
Frank Vascellaro and Dale Connelly,
from Minnesota Public Radio, co-hosted
the evening.
Special guest Dr. Mark Odland,
Paone’s transplant surgeon, was introduced, along with staff from HCMC’s
kidney transplant program. Vaughn was
recognized and lauded for his gift of life
to Paone.
More than $15,000 was donated,
and the Janet Paone Transplant Fund
was set up at U.S. Bank with the help of
Auggie classmate David Young ’82.
Sponsors for the event were Curt Wollan and TroupeAmerica, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Augsburg.
For more information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now
Fall 2008
23
Travel
that
transforms
BY BETSEY NORGARD
The Center for Global Education
Amazing. Life-changing. Transforming. Participants are not shy about describing their experiences on trips organized by the Center for Global Education. They seek out opportunities to talk about what they learned, and they want to return. The difference is that they
have not been on casual, sightseeing trips, but reflective travel; and CGE has built a reputation as a national leader in international experiential education.
24
Augsburg Now
Courtesy CGE-Namibia
Courtsey CGE
Social work students from eight colleges spend a
semester learning about social work issues and meeting
social work students in Mexico City and Cuernavaca—
and here, posing next to papayas in rural Morelos.
While the first student seminar in Mexico
took place in 1979, it wasn’t until 1982
when Joel Mugge led a group that officially established the Center for Global
Service and Education. He did this in response to a request from the Lutheran
Church for programs to raise awareness
of international issues.
Mugge developed a new form of international education, basing the curriculum on the educational principles of
Brazilian educator and theologian Paulo
Freire. In this, students learn in a cycle of
three phases. Initially they have direct experience in the local community, listening
to the voices of people not usually heard
in mainstream media, telling their own
stories and stories of their communities.
Then, informed by readings, students reflect on what they saw and heard. Lastly,
as a group, students share their reactions,
discuss issues, and formulate actions to
carry with them. It becomes a continual
process of “learning how to learn.”
CGE’s programs include study and
travel abroad for students, faculty development in global education, and customized
group travel around specific issues or targeted for specific groups. As a result of
these programs, CGE has served as a catalyst in the Lutheran Church for a new understanding of global mission, putting
people from the U.S. face-to-face with
people in local communities around the
world to learn from each other and build
partnerships across faiths. CGE programs
tailored for small businesses have helped
their employees understand complexities
in social, economic, and political issues,
and the development of more responsible
global citizenship.
“The goal is not to simply educate
persons, but to encourage them to pursue
a life of involvement that will ultimately
lead to wisdom,” says Larry Hufford, a political science professor at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, who has led
numerous study seminars with CGE’s as-
sistance and who finds them spiritually renewing.
During the 1980s and 1990s, CGE
planned travel seminars literally around
the world. Study centers with resident
Augsburg faculty and staff were then established in three locations—Cuernavaca,
Mexico; Managua, Nicaragua; and Windhoek, Namibia. Offices and staff are also
located in El Salvador and Guatemala.
CGE became known for the quality
of learning their travel provided; in 1988
they were hired by the American Society
of Newspaper Editors to organize a seminar for journalists to Central America and
Mexico. CGE has also received Fulbright
grants to organize several group projects.
In 2003, the program was named the National Society for Experiential Education’s
Program of the Year.
In 2001, the position of CGE director
was expanded to include the associate
dean of international programs. The Office of International Programs (OIP) was
created, which, in addition to CGE, includes Augsburg Abroad, the study
abroad office; International Partners, including European institutions in Germany,
Norway, and Finland that have reciprocal
agreements for study with Augsburg; and
International Student Advising, providing
advising and advocacy for international
students at Augsburg.
Students say…
Comments from the “Religion and
Christian Faith” travel seminar to
El Salvador, January 2007
NATALIE SASSEVILLE ’09
“Going on the trip to El Salvador was like getting
stuck in an earthquake—it shook me and all of
my values to the core…Never before have I felt
so inspired or impassioned…”
JOE SKOGMO ’08
“This trip gave me knowledge that cannot be
learned in any textbook, but it is knowledge that
one cannot do without in order to understand the
magnitude of human responsibility, vocation, and
global citizenship. Studying in El Salvador is
simply the greatest practical application for understanding why our vocations matter.”
MICHELE ROULET ’09
“The people of [El Salvador] are our textbook,
and their stories are frightening and funny and
inspiring. To say that everyone comes back
changed is to make light of the experience. People come back enriched, enlightened, and energized.”
OLEE AMATA ’11
“The concept of affecting another human being
by decisions I make made me see the world differently. … As a business major, I want to learn
how I can help be a global citizen when globalization is the enemy to developing countries.”
Fall 2008
25
Courtsey Donna DeGracia
Students training to become physician assistants visited
clinics in Guatemala, learning about healthcare practices
there and presenting health clinics—such as teaching
children about oral hygiene.
INTERNATIONALIZING AUGSBURG
EDUCATION
Shortly after the arrival of new Augsburg
president Paul Pribbenow in 2006, the
College began to focus on internationalizing Augsburg education. OIP launched efforts to integrate study abroad experiences
into the curriculum of all majors on campus, seeking to create a culture shift toward
a more internationalized campus and college experience for students. The goal is a
more seamless relationship between campus curriculum and study abroad. Students
may choose from the semesters abroad offered by CGE or participate in other study
abroad programs approved by the Augsburg Abroad office.
In addition to infusing study abroad
into all majors, CGE has made it possible
for all students—undergraduate and graduate—to have a cross-cultural experience.
For weekend students it means only a oneor two-week course, a shorter time away
from family and work than the semester
program. For graduate students, it means a
short-term seminar that directly links to
their program work or research. For all students, the direct, personal experience in
another culture is carried back into their
lives and work at home.
A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS
Following are examples of programs that
have been designed for specific disciplines or target audiences:
26
Augsburg Now
Social work in a Latin American
context
This semester-long program in Mexico for
social work undergraduate students was
developed within a unique consortium of
eight colleges and universities in South
Dakota and Minnesota—both public and
private. It provides a common experience
for students at schools lacking the resources to create a program of their own.
This experience gives future social work
professionals better preparation to serve
the needs of Spanish-speaking clients in
their home areas.
The social work students live at
Augsburg’s center in Cuernavaca. They
take classes in culture with Augsburg’s
adjunct faculty there, and classes in social
work theory and practice with a visiting
professor from one of the consortium institutions.
In 2006, the consortium was
awarded the Council on Social Work Education’s Partners in Education award for
“advancing education for international
social work.”
Exploring health care in Guatemala
In July the physician assistant studies master’s program became the third graduate
program to offer a study abroad course tailored for its students. Twelve students traveled to Guatemala for two weeks to learn
about indigenous culture, and specifically
to explore health practices and spirituality
in Mayan cultures.
While there, the students visited clinics, learned about deep social and cultural
disparities, and presented programs on
healthcare topics, such as hypertension and
diabetes. They learned and saw how
healthcare practices can be developed with
vastly fewer resources—something which
may serve them well as they seek physician
assistant positions in areas with underserved populations.
Before traveling, the PA students raised
money to buy supplies and materials to
give to the clinics, such as over-the-counter
vitamins and pain relievers, stethoscopes,
blood pressure cuffs, etc.
Lilly vocation seminars
As part of “Exploring Our Gifts,” Augsburg’s grant from the Lilly Endowment for
exploration of vocation, a total of nine
travel seminars have been designed with a
focus on vocation.
Religion professor Bev Stratton has
twice led a vocation-themed seminar—Religion and the Christian Faith (REL 480)—
to El Salvador, where students have studied
how powerfully the faith of the Salvadoran
people has impacted their struggles for social justice. These courses fulfill the students’ keystone requirement—a seminar
generally taken in their last year that pulls
together their total Augsburg experience,
combining the liberal arts foundation with
their in-depth major, while revisiting the
Courtsey Jennifer Hipple
As part of the Hoversten Peace Seminar, an Augsburg faculty, staff, and student group stopped for a photo while
touring the fields of a coffee cooperative in Guatemala.
critical conversations about vocation.
The El Salvador group visited massacre sites, met with survivors, and heard
from leaders such as Bishop Medardo
Gomez of the Salvadoran Lutheran
Church, who spoke about how he sees his
vocation at work in El Salvador. The group
also became immersed in the work and
legacy of Archbishop Óscar Romero, killed
in the civil war in 1980.
The Lilly seminars have given students
both a cross-cultural experience and a
framework to understand how Christian
vocation is part of daily life. Other Lilly
seminars have taken students to Namibia,
Mexico, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Hoversten Peace Seminar
Supported by the Hoversten Peace Endowment, this biennial travel seminar for
Augsburg faculty, staff, and students aims
to develop a strong learning community
among participants. Pre-departure orientation introduces the group to each other,
and living and learning together abroad
strengthens their bonds. Upon return, the
group continues to build community
around their common experience by
sharing it with the larger Augsburg community.
In August, 10 faculty, staff, and students—coincidentally, all women—par-
Courtsey Rachel Olson
“I learned how to learn”
Hannah Glusenkamp ’09
Students in the 2005 study seminar to El Salvador studied
the legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed
while championing the struggle of the Salvadoran people
during their long civil war.
ticipated in the 10-day “Peace and Reconciliation after Conflict: A Guatemalan Perspective.” The women learned about the
history of civil war and the peace accords, heard from leaders with differing
perspectives, and confronted the realities
of the local communities.
The efforts to internationalize the
Augsburg campus are showing results. In
2007-08, a record number of 221 Augsburg students studied abroad.
As their first quarter-century came to
a close, CGE director and associate dean
Orval Gingerich noted in their anniversary publication that “the work of CGE is
unfinished, and is perhaps more important than ever in bringing tools for critical analysis and action and ultimately
hope to a new generation of students,
professors, and global citizens.”
Stay tuned for the next 25 years.
Hannah Glusenkamp is a senior majoring in
women’s studies, with minors in Spanish and religion. At the 2008 Peace Prize Forum at Concordia College in Moorhead, she was selected as
one of Augsburg’s two Peace Scholars, a new
program that strives to develop students leaders
aspiring to careers in world peace issues.
Glusenkamp studied on two CGE programs—“Sustainable Development and Social
Change” in Central America, and “Gender, Sexuality, Politics, and the Arts” in Mexico.
“Both of these experiences challenged,
shook up, and reshaped my values, beliefs, and
world view,” she wrote. “From the first day of
the trip we, the students, were encouraged to reflect on our multi-dimensional selves and to approach education from a holistic standpoint, a
standpoint that incorporates all aspects of our
lives into the learning process.”
At the Council on International Educational
Exchange conference last fall, Glusenkamp and
nine other student panelists were asked to share
the most important thing they learned while
studying abroad. “I thought about the question
for a moment and then realized that my answer
had to be, ‘I learned how to learn,’” she said.
“I learned to become an active participant
in my education. … I learned to be curious and
to ask questions. I can no longer travel to a city
or country without wondering what the healthcare system is and if it benefits the people in
that community, or how the public transportation runs, or how subsidies in the United States
might affect the agricultural practices of the indigenous peoples in that community. … I
learned to question whose voice I am hearing
and whose voice is being left out.
“My experiences and time with the Center
for Global Education … showed me that I am
not just a student of Augsburg College for four
years, but rather that we are all students of life,
with the rights and responsibilities to engage in
the dynamic, liberating, and transformative ongoing process of experiential education.”
Fall 2008
27
TRAVEL SEMINARS
850
sponsored groups CGE has
worked with
25
Celebrating
years of
educating for transformation
by Kathleen McBride, regional co-director for Central America
and adjunct professor, Center for Global Education
Crossing borders and challenging boundaries is a
powerful metaphor for our journey of the last 25
years. It is the title of the first Center for Global
Education publication that documented the collective memory of our first years of work. The
Center’s initial experiences in 1979 included
crossing the Mexican border with students for
short-term educational experiences. Since that
time, thousands of participants have joined the
Center’s travel seminars to Mexico, Central America, the Philippines, the Middle East, Southern
Africa, and [locations in the U.S.].
As educators, we see our role as one that
engages students and participants in the world,
facilitating critical analysis and reflection that
leads to action. We believe that intercultural dialogue and collaboration with decision makers
and historically disadvantaged urban and rural
communities are a way of developing greater
understanding of the power relations in the
world and planting seeds towards more just relations and fair practices. These assumptions
are at the root our pedagogical model.
An expanded pedagogical framework
While the pedagogy of Paulo Freire continues to
be the foundation of our educational process (experience—reflection—action), in recent years
other kindred approaches, including feminist and
indigenous pedagogies, have influenced our
practice and strengthened our analysis. All of
28
Augsburg Now
the numbers
12,000+ travel seminar participants
Center for
Global
Education
SEMESTERS ABROAD
300
colleges, whose study semesters are arranged by CGE,
including institutions in the U.S., Germany,
Canada, and Norway
1,900
semester program participants
COUNTRIES VISITED
40+
in Mexico, Central America, South
America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, the Middle
East, India, Southeast Asia, China, and Hong Kong,
and the U.S.
CGE FACULTY AND STAFF LOCATIONS
9
Minneapolis
16
Mexico
9
Nicaragua
1
El Salvador
2
Guatemala
8
Namibia
And, millions of stories shared, hearts touched, and
perceptions changed over 25 years across the globe.
these pedagogies place significant emphasis on
learning in community. For Freire, learning in
community is one of the foundations of liberating
education. Historically, learning in community has
been a fundamental characteristic of indigenous
teaching and learning, though underrepresented
in traditional educational systems. Similarly, feminist pedagogy upholds learning in community as
central to educational processes that gives voice
to all people, particularly women, whose experience and voice have oftentimes been silenced.
Concepts of autonomy and empowerment that are
key to feminist and indigenous scholarship have
informed our methodologies and expanded our understanding of the world and of the educational
process. Our efforts to foster ongoing critical
analysis of power relations in the world are
grounded in a practice of intercultural dialogue
and experiences that continue to break open new
understandings of the world, leading us to a
deeper analysis that continually informs our
teaching.
Ongoing challenges
While our role has become clearer with regard to
our niche in the field of transformative education,
we still face significant challenges. As we facilitate
participants’ reflections on educational experi-
ences and encourage the exploration and implementation of action steps, we are confronted with an institutional challenge if we are in fact going to
continue to practice what we teach. To fully engage
the circle of praxis with the goal of transforming society, follow-up to participants’ experience as they
return to their home communities is essential. How
do we, as an institution, provide a space for participants and students to fully engage the circle of
praxis upon their return? How can we facilitate the
exploration of actions steps in participants’ home
communities? …
The Center for Global Education’s work today
continues to be the fruit of dialogue and reflections
with staff and resource people from over a dozen
countries and hundreds of students and participants
from the United States who have inspired our work,
shaped our analysis, challenged our language, and
informed our worldview. We are excited to be engaged in an educational process that will continue
to be refined and changed in the coming years by
new generations of staff and participants engaged in
transformative education.
Excerpted from Global News & Notes, Summer
2007; 25th Anniversary Issue: “Building a Just
and Sustainable World: Educating for
Transformation”
AUGSBURG COLLEGE
ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS
2007-2008
Fall 2008
29
DEAR FRIENDS,
I write with a deep sense of humility and gratitude for your remarkable support of Augsburg College.
When I received the call to serve as the 10th president of Augsburg College, I enthusiastically accepted,
filled with a sense that God intended my life’s work to intersect with Augsburg’s mission and vision. I give
thanks every day for the opportunity to serve this special college. I am impressed by the deep commitment so
many individuals show toward Augsburg and its important work in the world. This annual report is a reminder to all of us of the importance philanthropy plays in the life of our college, and in the lives of our students. On their behalf, thank you for your generosity.
Our common work here at Augsburg calls us to be good stewards of the many gifts and resources we’ve
been given. Each year, thousands of alumni, parents, and friends make gifts not to the College, but through
the College, directly benefiting the many students we
serve. These students either embark on, or continue,
their vocational journeys here at Augsburg, and the
WE BELIEVE WE ARE CALL
many gifts we receive on an annual basis directly imTO SERVE OUR NEIGHBOR
pact their experience—in the classroom, on campus,
and in our neighborhood.
We have a new and bold way of stating the vision
of Augsburg College. It is this: We believe we are called to serve our neighbor. It is a vision statement that resonates deeply with the legacy and promise, the commitments and values, and the aspirations and reality of
our college. It is a statement that confirms our strong conviction that faith, learning, and service are at the
very heart of our identity as a college. I am especially grateful for the faculty and staff of the College who live
out this vision in educating our students.
To continue to live out this vision in a very real and meaningful way, Augsburg College needs your abiding and increased participation and support. I ask each of you to join me as we work together to secure a
strong and vibrant future for our college, and for our students.
Sincerely,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW
PRESIDENT
30
Augsburg Now
ED
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2007-08
Six new regents
elected to board
Six new members were elected to fouryear terms on the Augsburg College
Board of Regents at the annual meeting
of the Augsburg Corporation in October
2007. In addition, Michael Good and
Jennifer Martin were re-elected to second
six-year terms. New members: Andra
Adolfson, business development director
of Adolfson & Peterson Construction,
Inc; Rolf Jacobson, writer, educator, and
associate professor of Old Testament at
Luther Seminary; Ruth E. Johnson, MD ’74,
consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo
Medical School. She was recognized as a
Distinguished Alumna of Augsburg in
1996; Stephen Sheppard, former CEO of
Foldcraft Co; Joan Volz ’68, private practice attorney specializing in mediation;
Bonnie Wallace, scholarship director,
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa.
Garry Hesser appointed new
Sabo Professor
President Pribbenow announced the appointment of Garry Hesser, professor of
sociology and director of the MetroUrban Studies program, as the College’s
first Sabo Professor of Citizenship and
Learning. His work in this new role lays
the groundwork for the establishment of
an endowed Martin Olav Sabo Center
and chair.
As the Sabo Professor, Hesser’s activities include collaboration with the
Center for Service, Work, and Learning
concerning student engagement and
leadership, and development of events,
Students from the organic chemistry and analytical chemistry class labs paused to thank Augsburg donors John ’74
(chemistry) and Marvel Yager for their gifts that support scholarships for chemistry majors. Their $10,000 annual gift is
fully matched by John’s employer, Beckman Coulter, and has provided $80,000 over the past four years to support chemistry students.
programs, and lecture series that promote civic engagement and build community outreach.
Hesser has taught at Augsburg since
1977 and is recognized as a pioneer in
experiential education. In 1997 he received the Thomas Ehrlich Award for
leadership in service-learning, and in
2004 was named the Minnesota Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for Advancement
and Support of Education.
The Sabo Center in Citizenship and
Learning is the culmination of nearly 20
years of fundraising and advocacy by the
friends and colleagues of Martin Sabo ’59
that celebrates the College’s commitment
to education for democracy.
Metro-urban studies director and professor Garry Hesser
(right) was appointed Sabo Professor of Citizenship and
Learning, honoring the legacy of retired Congressman
Martin Sabo ’59 (left).
Fall 2008
31
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2007-08
Two Augsburg giants
are mourned
Within one month of each other last
year, Augsburg lost two of its most wellknown and longstanding faculty.
Joel Torstenson ’38,
professor emeritus of sociology,
died on October
18, 2007, at the
age of 94.
So much of
Augsburg’s identity today as a college of the city stems from Torstenson’s
work at Augsburg. He founded the sociology and social work departments, and
the metro-urban studies program. He
developed urban programs in Minneapolis that launched HECUA (the
Higher Education Consortium for
Urban Affairs) and that led to the work
of our Center for Service, Work, and
Learning, including Engaging Minneapolis, which requires all students to
connect with the city in their studies.
Torstenson graduated from Augsburg in 1938. He went on for his master’s and doctoral degrees at the
University of Minnesota in history and
sociology. In 1947, Augsburg president
Bernhard Christensen invited him back
to Augsburg, even while still completing
his PhD, to develop programs in sociology and social work.
Torstenson’s deep commitment to
social issues led him to explore and
work in farmers’ cooperative movements, rural community life, churchlabor relations, racial justice and human
rights, and urban studies, especially
studying the question of the role of a
32
Augsburg Now
liberal arts college in a metropolis.
Torstenson’s memoir, Takk for Alt: A Life
Story, opens a window into his life’s
work and thought.
Leland Sateren ’35,
professor emeritus of music, died
on Nov. 10, 2007,
at the age of 94.
Sateren graduated from Augsburg in 1935, and
for the next 10
years attended graduate school at the
University of Minnesota, where he was
music director at the KUOM radio station. After public service during World
War II he returned to Augsburg, and
four years later he became chair of the
Music Department and director of the
Augsburg Choir. He retired in 1979.
His work includes more than 400
choral pieces he composed, and he was
passionate about Scandinavian choral
music. Sateren introduced the work of
many Scandinavian composers to American choral directors.
Among Sateren’s many notable accomplishments are premieres of works
with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and a commissioned piece at the
United Nations to commemorate the
20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Sateren was the first recipient of the
F. Melius Christiansen Memorial Award
for choral directors. In 2002 he was
awarded the Weston Noble Choral Directors Award. He was also honored
Home economics graduates from 1950 to 1970 honored the memory of their mentor, teacher, and friend Ruth Segolson,
who served as chair of the Home Economics Department. Following her death in 1980, a fund was established to provide a
special gift in her memory. In November, on behalf of all former home economics majors, Jerilyn Hovland Cobb ’63 presented a tea service to the College, pictured here as it was first used at the Augsburg House reception honoring convocation speaker Jane Fonda. (L to R) President Pribbenow, Abigail Pribbenow, Dora (Frojen) Quanbeck ’49, and Philip
Quanbeck Sr. ’50.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2007-08
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton held a campaign rally at Augsburg on
February 3, just prior to the “Super Tuesday” primaries. With one day’s notice, Augsburg
staff, along with her campaign team, readied Melby Hall for the lively Sunday afternoon
event that drew nearly 5,000 people, plus local and national media.
with the St. Olaf Medal, presented by
King Olav V of Norway, and received
two honorary doctorates.
Sateren’s impact on the many hundreds of Augsburg students who sang in
his choir was remarkable. Peter Hendrickson ’76, director of choral activities
and current conductor of the Augsburg
Choir, studied with Sateren. A number
of other Sateren choir alumni currently
sing in the Masterworks Chorale at
Augsburg, directed by Hendrickson.
$100,000 Class of 1957
Endowment Fund
Congratulations to the Class of 1957
alumni and their spouses for establishing the Class of 1957 Endowment Fund
in celebration of their 50th class reunion. Their commitment and loyalty
help ensure that Augsburg can meet the
needs of its future students, especially
Jane Fonda presented the 2007 Koryne Horbal Lecture in November, sharing her
thoughts on the importance of beginning the “third act” of her life as she celebrated
her 60th birthday.
in areas of financial aid, program support, enhanced technology, and student
support services.
The endowment was jumpstarted
through the generosity of a class member who provided matches for all gifts
up to $50,000, challenging fellow classmates to participate at all levels.
Augsburg is grateful to the Class of
1957 for creating this important legacy
during their milestone year to honor
their Augsburg education. The foundation provides for today’s and tomorrow’s
students. It keeps them connected to
the traditions and heritage of the College as they craft their own legacies and
ties with students who come after them.
Spirit of Augsburg Award
Beverly Nilsson, professor emerita of nursing, taught at Augsburg from 1977 to
2001, serving as department chair from
1978 until her retirement.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, a leader in the
Peace Corps, Job Corps, and in rural
community health programs; presently
works to advance the integration of
medical care and mental health care in
Washington State.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Jim Pederson ’56 former legislator in the
Minnesota House of Representatives
and Dept. of Public Safety.
2007 Homecoming Awards
The First Decade Award
Jasmina Besirevic-Regan ’97 dean of Trumbull College, one of Yale’s undergraduate residential colleges.
To read more about the 2007 Alumni
Awards, go to www.augsburg.edu/now
Fall 2008
33
2007-2008 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Where the Money Comes From
Where the Money Goes
3%
5%
3%
Government grants
Other sources
3%
Debt service
Equipment
and capital
improvement
2%
Student salary
6%
4%
Private gifts and grants
Utilities
12%
Room and board
20%
47%
Salary and benefits
Financial aid
74%
Tuition
21%
Other
$34.5
$33.7
$30.5
2008 Endowment Market Value
May 31, 2008
$33,692,461
As of May 31, 2008, we have annual realized and unrealized losses
of 3.4% on our endowment. However, last year’s annualized return
was over 16%. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is 6.21%, and the ten-year
average annual return is 5.39%. We
are committed to maintaining the
value of the principal gifts and to
provide support to the college in
perpetuity.
$26.6
$24.8
$23.2
$25.4
$22.7 $23.3
$20.0
$16.4
$14.2
$11.5
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Endowment Assets
(in millions)
June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2008
34
Augsburg Now
$26.7
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
DEAR FRIENDS,
As we begin our 140th academic year, it is truly my pleasure to share with you the many gifts and contributions made to Augsburg College between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2008. Even more important than the thousands of gifts received, however, are
the thousands of generous alumni, parents, and friends who made these gifts.
This past year, my first at Augsburg, was an exciting one. Following on the heels of the successful Access to Excellence campaign, a great deal was accomplished for the benefit of our many students. With deep gratitude, I would like to highlight much of
the success we accomplished together.
• We were blessed to receive over 9,000 gifts last year from more than 4,600
donors. The support and generosity of these individuals make a direct and
positive impact on the lives of our students in many ways. These gifts went to
support the Augsburg Fund, student scholarships, capital projects, the fine
arts, athletics, signature programs, and many other important initiatives.
• One exciting highlight from this past fiscal year was that the Augsburg
Fund, our fund for unrestricted gifts to the College, topped the $1 million
mark for only the third time ever and the first time outside of a campaign
year. Our result of $1,001,978.91 was a 10% increase over the prior fiscal year.
We received 5,143 gifts from 2,763 donors to reach this goal.
• Several key groups also came together last year in support of Augsburg College through their philanthropy. I am so proud to inform you that we received
100% participation to the Augsburg Fund from the Board of Regents, the
Alumni Board of Directors, and the President’s Cabinet. This type of support
from these three groups of individuals demonstrates the type of commitment
to this institution by its various groups of leaders.
• Augsburg also received 853 gifts totaling $756,094 to new or existing
scholarship funds, including the establishment of 12 new endowed
scholarships. Two additional scholarships were also funded at the
presidential level, bringing our total of President’s Scholarships to
three. Scholarships are a primary source of financial aid for many deserving students at Augsburg, and we are again grateful that hundreds
of generous individuals have chosen to establish or contribute to these
funds, directly benefiting our student learners.
YOUR SUPPORT AND
GENEROSITY MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS
• The College also completed its first year of residency in the new Oren Gateway Center and its first fully-operational year in the
new Kennedy Center. These two new facilities, direct results of the generosity shown in the last capital campaign, have made a
positive permanent impact on the life of this institution. Students now directly benefit from new residence halls, state-of-theart classrooms, athletic and wellness facilities, and important gathering and meeting spaces.
As we enter yet another year with great anticipation of what the future will hold for our college, and our students, we look back
with tremendous gratitude for the many blessings we have been given. We are most grateful for each and every gift we receive
and I thank you most sincerely.
Sincerely,
JEREMY R. WELLS
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Fall 2008
35
LIFETIME GIVING
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given a minimum of $100,000 (since 1980),
including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College.
Ernest+ and Helen Alne
Charles and Ellora Alliss Education Foundation
Oscar+ ’38 and Leola+ Anderson
Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81
Charles and Catherine Anderson
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson
Earl and Doris Bakken
Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber
Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg
Barbara and Zane Birky
Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen
John+ and Joyce Boss
Donald Bottemiller
Rodney and Barbara Burwell
Bush Foundation
Carlson Companies
The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation
Shirley Cherkasky
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
David and Mary Brandt ’79 Croft
Theodore and Pamala Deikel
Deluxe Corporation Foundation
Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson
Tracy L. Elftmann ’81
Philip and Laverne Fandrei
Jerry and Jean Foss
William and Anne Frame
Barbara and Edwin Gage
General Mills Foundation
Michael ’71 and Ann Good
Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Phillip+ ’55 and Lynne Gronseth
Carolyn and Franklin Groves
Stephen ’70 and Margaret Gundale
James and Kathleen Haglund
Hearst Foundation
Loren Henderson
Donald Hennings
Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr
Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm
Allen and Jean Housh
Garfield Hoversten ’50
Robert Hoversten
Huss Foundation
Sandra and Richard Jacobson
James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs
Kinney Johnson ’65
Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy
Bruce and Maren Kleven
David and Barbara Kleven
E. Milton Kleven ’46
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
David Lankinen ’88
Diane and Philip Larson
George ’61 and Mary Larson
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee
James Lindell ’46
Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland
Marie and Larry McNeff
Gerard and Anne Meistrell
Hoyt+ ’39 and Lucille Messerer
Robert ’70 and Sue Midness
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
+ Deceased
36
Augsburg Now
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
William and Stephanie Naegele
Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson
George ’68 and Tamra Nelson
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
Robert Odegard ’51+
R. Luther Olson ’56
Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren
John and Norma Paulson
Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson
Glen Person ’47
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Addison and Cynthia Piper
David Piper
Harry and Mary Piper
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
Alan Rice
Curtis and Marian Sampson
Ward ’74 and Catherine Schendel
Ruth Schmidt ’52
James and Eva Seed
Rodney Sill ’82
John and Martha Singleton
Glen and Anna Skovholt
Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46
Leland and Louise Sundet
Dean ’81 and Amy Sundquist
Glen A. Taylor Foundation
P. Dawn Heil Taylor ’78
Teagle Foundation
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
Scott Weber ’79
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
ANNUAL GIVING
GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2007 TO MAY 31, 2008
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who generously gave a minimum of $1,000 in the 2007-08 fiscal year.
3M Foundation
Ruth Aaskov ’53
Accenture
Kate Addo
Andra Adolfson
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Aegon Transamerica Foundation
Peter ’70 and Mary Agre
Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg
Charles and Ellora Alliss Education Foundation
Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist
The American Foundation
Ameriprise Financial
Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81
Charles and Catherine Anderson
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Deloris Anderson ’56
Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson
Kim ’73 and Nancy Kerber ’74 Anderson
Leif Anderson
Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson
Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson
Steven and Stephanie Anderson
William ’86 and Kelly Anderson
I. Shelby Gimse Andress ’56
James ’88 and Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold
Carla Asleson ’91
Al Assad
The Aston Group, Inc.
Avaya Communication
B R Direct Marketing, Inc.
Dorothy Bailey
Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden
Stephen ’67 and Sandra Batalden
Estate of Abner B Batalden
Tracy and Janel Beckman
Vera Thorson Benzel ’45
Norman ’59 and Delores Berg
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg
Samuel ’97 and Melissa Wieland ’97 Bergstrom
Daryl and Marylee Bible
Birgit Birkeland ’58
Robert and Lynda Bisanz
Nancy Paulson ’70 Bjornson and J. Ragnar
Bjornson
Stephen ’74 and Janet Blake
Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns
David ’68 and Lynn Boe
Boeing Company
Kevin Bonderud ’79
Amy Bowar ’97
Thomas ’78 and Julie Bramwell
Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and Tom
Breckenridge
Heidi Breen
Bruce Brekke
Kyle Brown ’88
Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98
Carolyn Burfield ’60
Marion Buska ’46
BWBR Architects
Cargill Foundation
Laurie Carlson ’79 and William Voedisch
Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson
Carolyn Foundation
James and Kimberly Cassens
John and Peggy Cerrito
Shirley Cherkasky
Keith ’65 and Lynn Chilgren
Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom
David ’72 and Michelle Karkhoff ’72 Christianson
Harlan ’57 Christianson
C. Lee Clarke
Jerelyn Hovland ’63 and Clyde Cobb
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
Joseph Cook ’89
Walter and Janet Cooper
The Cotswold Foundation Trust
Brent Crego ’84
George ’72 and Janet Dahlman
Sally Hough Daniels ’79
Bartley Davidson ’76
Dow Corning Corporation Matching Gifts
Downey McGrath Group, Inc.
Karen ’81 and Charles Durant
Beverly Durkee
E.A. Sween Company
Julie Edstrom ’90
Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson
Judy Thompson Eiler ’65
Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim
ELCA
Tracy L. Elftmann ’81
Elftmann Family Foundation
Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri
Avis Ellingrod
Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
The Eppley Foundation For Research, Inc.
Edna Kastner ’42 Ericksen
Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson
L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem
Alice C. Evans
Barbara A. Farley
Jane and Patrick Fischer
Dawn Formo
Jerome Formo ’37
Jamie Fragola
William and Anne Frame
Andrew Fried ’93
Laurie ’80 Fyksen-Beise and William Beise
Estate of Charles T. Gabrielson
Barbara and Edwin Gage
General Mills Foundation
Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia
Glen ’52 and Irvyn Gilbertson
Hugh ’58 and Kay Lemmerman ’60 Gilmore
Orval and Cleta Gingerich
Estate of Richard Irving Gisselquist
Gerald and Susan ’76 Glaser
Global Impact
GMAC-RFC
Andrew and Carolyn Goddard
Goldman, Sachs & Co
Michael ’71 and Ann Good
Gopher Wrestling Club
Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon
Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley
Paul and Margot Grangaard
Robert and Nancy Granrud
Fall 2008
37
Paul and Judy Grauer
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Charles and Barbara Green
William and Judith Green
Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Stephen ’70 and Margaret Gundale
Margaret and Gunderson
Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
Patrick ’78 and Debra Haar
Mark ’77 and Naomi Hall
Halleland Lewis Nilan Sipkins & Johnson P.A.
William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson
Clarence Hansen ’53
Anna Hovland ’58 Hanson
Skylar ’01 and Jennifer Hanson
Estate of Russell I. Hanson and Viola M. Hanson
Jodi and Stanley Harpstead
Robert ’83 and Lynne Harris
John H. Harris III Memorial Foundation
Richard and Dail Hartnack
Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr
David ’67 and Karen Jacobson ’67 Haugen
Dorothy Haugen
Helen ’49 and James Haukeness
Lee Hawks ’84
Lisa Svac Hawks ’85
Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland
Raymond Henjum ’55
Leo Henkemeyer
Hennepin County
Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Bruce ’90 Holcomb and Caroline Vernon
Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen
Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes
Homeland Foundation
Elizabeth Horton
Joel and Alice Houlton
Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten
Clarence ’41 and Marguerite Hoversten
Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten
Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten
Joseph ’61 and Mei Shen Hsieh
Michael and Barbara Hubbard
Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
Joseph and Linnea Daigle Hudson
Alvin John and Ruth Huss
Huss Foundation
Mohamed Hussein ’03
Glenda and Richard Huston
38
Augsburg Now
Brandon Hutchinson ’99
Barbara and Richard Hutson
IBM Corporation
Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup
Imation Corporation
Mary and Tony Jacobson
Sandra and Richard Jacobson
Bruce ’68 and Lois Hallcock ’68 Johnson
Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61
Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II
Estate of Louisa Johnson
Kinney Johnson ’65
Merton ’59 and Jo An D. Bjornson ’58 Johnson
Craig Jones
Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander
Jennifer Abeln ’78 Kahlow and Larry Kahlow
Cheri Hofstad ’85 Kamp and Thomas Kamp
Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy
Mary Ann Kinney ’04
Cody Kirkham
Michael Kivley ’89
Linda Klas ’92
E. Milton Kleven ’46
Jason Koch ’93 and Heather Johnston ’92
Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Kopp Family Foundation
Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird
Martin Larson ’80
Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson
Julie Gudmestad ’65 and Joseph Laudicina
Bernadine and Sidney Lee
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee
Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin
James Lindell ’46
Gaye and Stephen Lindfors
Mary Sue and Hugh Lindsay
Dana Lonn
Stanley ’56 and Gailya Ludviksen
Wenona ’55 and Norman Lund
John ’65 and Gracia Nydahl ’66 Luoma
Pamela and Robert MacDonald
Janet Mackenzie ’90
Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey
Philip ’79 and Diane Madsen
Kay Malchow ’82 and Stephen Cook
Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky
Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue
Jennifer and Richard Martin
Norman ’57 and Gayle Engedal ’57 Matson
Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison
Donna Demler McLean
Christopher ’00 and Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod
Marie and Larry McNeff
Merck Partnership For Giving
Merrill Lynch
Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers
Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton
Robert ’70 and Sue Midness
Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson
Dennis ’67 and Christine Miller
Gerald ’57 and Frida Mindrum
Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear
Minnesota Hockey Coaches Assoc.
Minnesota Private College Foundation
Jeanette Mitchell
Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen
Thelma Monson ’41
Alan Montgomery and Janet KarvonenMontgomery
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan
LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth
Sharon Mortrud
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
Dylan ’97 and Wendy ’96 Nau
Gordon Nelson
Mildred Nelson ’52
Robert ’44 Nelson and Helen Johnson-Nelson
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen
Norma Noonan
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust
Roselyn Nordaune ’77
Jane Huseby ’65 Norman
Shirley and James ’57 Norman
Normandale Lutheran Church Foundation
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53+ Nyhus
Oak Grove Lutheran Church
Robert Odegard ’51+
Richard ’69 and Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted
Donald Olsen ’60
Bruce L. Olson ’71
Dean Olson ’00
R. Luther Olson ’56
Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren
Beverly Ottum
Patricia and John Parker
Subhashchandra ’75 and Annette Hanson ’74 Patel
John and Norma Paulson
Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Richard ’74 and Karen Pearson
Glen Person ’47
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
Corwin and Doris Peterson
Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Karin Peterson
Ron ’69 and Jane Petrich
Sandra Phaup ’64
Jay Phinney ’79
Presser Foundation
President Paul C. Pribbenow and Abigail
Crampton Pribbenow
Project Consulting Group
Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52
Linda Hanwick ’64 and John Putnam
Lois Quam and Matthew Entenza
Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
Lloyd ’63 and Linnea Raymond
RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation
Donald F. and Mary Sue Zelle Reed Fund
Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach
Stephen Rivard and Christine Jett-Rivard
Eunice Kyllo ’62 Roberts and Warren Roberts
Frances Roller
Olive Ronholm ’47
Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg
Philip Rowberg ’41
Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo
Curtis and Marian Sampson
Audrey Nagel ’51 Sander
Judith and William Scheide
Ruth Schmidt ’52
Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf
Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott
Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott
Charles and Ritchie Markoe Scribner
Milan ’48 and Marian Sedio
James and Eva Seed
Phyllis ’58 and Harold Seim
Richard ’70 and Linda Seime
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church
Stephen and Kay Sheppard
Chad ’93 and Margaret Shilson
Michael and Pamela Sime
Russel ’50 and Virginia Thompson ’50 Smith
Neal ’57 and Judy Fosse ’61 Snider
Steven and Pamela Snyder
David Soli ’81
Earle ’69 and Kathleen Kupka ’69 Solomonson
John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson
Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland
Arne and Ellen Sovik
Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector
Gary ’68 and Jeanette Stangland
David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson
Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson
Donald and Annelies Steinmetz
Myles and Eunice Stenshoel
Jeffrey ’82 and Peggy Stoks
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46
Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund
Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud
Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78
Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92
M. Douglas + and Solveig Swendseid
Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson
Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall
Elizabeth and Kenneth Tankel
P. Dawn Heil Taylor ’78
Glen A. Taylor Foundation
TCF Foundation
Jacqueline ’80 and John Teisberg
Paul ’60 and Nancy Thompsen
Harold and Maureen Thompson
Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson
Richard ’61 and Jane Thompson
Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe
Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
David and Martha Tiede
Christine Toretti
The Toro Company
Allan ’75 Torstenson and Frances Homans
Frances and Joel ’38+ Torstenson
Todd Tourand ’99
Gordon ’57 and Karen Egesdal ’61 Trelstad
Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner
Peter Turner
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
Betty and Paul Tveite
F. Clayton ’72 Tyler and Jackie Parker ’76
Cherryhomes
UBS Foundation
Morris ’42 and Grace Ulring
US Bancorp Foundation
Ruth Usem
Catherine Van Der Schans
Julie Lien ’82 and Steve Vanderboom
Mary ’70 and Dennis Veiseth
Peter and Linda Vogt
Frank ’69 and Wendy Wagner
Robert Wagner ’02
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl
Martha and Steven Ward
Colleen Watson ’91 and Mary McDougal
Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support
John ’49 and Arnhild Werket
Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz
The Whitney Foundation
Mary and Gunnar Wick
Robert Wick ’81
David and Catherine Wold
John ’74 and Marvel Yager
Ziemann Insurance Services, Inc.
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
Fall 2008
39
CONSECUTIVE GIVING
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years,
as indicated by the number in parentheses. (Gifts received since 1980)
3M Foundation (25)
Ordelle Aaker ’46 (11)
Ruth Aaskov ’53 (29)
Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell
Agrimson (16)
Harold ’47 and Lois Black ’47 Ahlbom (29)
Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg (11)
Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist (10)
Charles and Catherine Anderson (28)
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson (29)
Deloris Anderson ’56 (17)
Elizabeth Manger ’53 Anderson and Delbert
Anderson (10)
Kristin Anderson (10)
Leif Anderson (10)
Margaret and Raymond Anderson (11)
Margaret Anderson (10)
Ray Anderson ’49 (21)
Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson (16)
Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson (10)
Theodore ’48 Anderson and Eliazbeth
Hibbeler-Anderson (10)
William ’86 and Kelly Anderson (12)
LeRoy ’52 and Carole Anenson (11)
Frank ’50 and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario (28)
Elyce Lundquist ’58 Arvidson and Marvin
Arvidson (22)
John ’79 and Rebecca Lundeen ’79 Aune (17)
Dorothy Bailey (14)
Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker (29)
Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz (10)
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden (15)
Gerald ’56 and Nancy Baxter (10)
Hamar ’34 and Wanda Severson ’40 Benson (12)
John Benson ’55 (29)
Vera Thorson Benzel ’45 (25)
Gertrude Ness Berg ’51 (15)
John Berg ’59 (17)
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg (10)
Jack ’49 and LeVerne Berry (27)
Anthony and Kathy Bibus (10)
Birgit Birkeland ’58 (22)
Gary ’65 and Jean Blosberg (11)
David ’79 and Peggy Boots (12)
Bruce ’64 and Nancy Braaten (12)
40
Augsburg Now
Heidi Breen (15)
Daniel and Irene Brink (13)
Michael Burden ’85 (14)
Carolyn Burfield ’60 (10)
Marion Buska ’46 (19)
Daniel ’61 and Faith Carlson (11)
Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson (29)
Laurie Carlson ’79 and William Voedisch (11)
Roger ’54 and Dorothy Carlson (10)
Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson (19)
Wendell ’63 and Grace Carlson (10)
Linda Carlstedt ’63 (29)
Joyce Catlin ’73 Casey and Paul Casey (27)
Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson (11)
Peggy and John Cerrito (10)
Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E
Corrine Chilstrom (12)
Judith Christensen (10)
Paul ’59 and Gloria Christensen (11)
Jeff Christenson ’82 (10)
Janet Niederloh ’58 Christeson and John
Christeson (11)
David ’72 and Michelle Karkhoff ’72
Christianson (20)
Joseph ’53 and Connie Cleary (11)
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin (28)
Donald and Janice Conrad (18)
Laura Bower ’91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe (10)
Oliver Dahl ’45 (11)
Addell Halverson Dahlen ’43 (18)
Lester Dahlen ’39 (29)
Leonard ’52 and Anabelle Hanson ’51 Dalberg (28)
Sally Hough Daniels ’79 (10)
Lois Mackey Davis ’58 (10)
LeVon Paulson Dinter ’52 (22)
Hans ’56 and Donna Dumpys (21)
Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn and Douglas Dunn (14)
Julie Edstrom ’90 (12)
Ruben ’45 and Thelma Egeberg (10)
Judy Thompson Eiler ’65 (10)
Curtis ’84 and Jody Eischens (10)
Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim (10)
ELCA (21)
Elftmann Family Foundation (14)
Avis Ellingrod (13)
Valborg Kyllo ’54 Ellingson and Phillip
Ellingson (15)
Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor
Emerson (15)
Mark and Lynette Engebretson (10)
Fred ’60 and Janet Engelmann (20)
James Ericksen ’69 (27)
Reynold ’41 and Marian Erickson (19)
Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld (15)
Alice C. Evans (10)
John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans (22)
Leland ’53 and Eunice Fairbanks (22)
Marilyn Pearson ’76 Florian and Kenneth
Florian (26)
Jerome Formo ’37 (27)
William and Anne Frame (12)
Esther Oleson ’54 Freund and Norman
Freund (11)
R. Mark Frey (10)
Andrew Fried ’93 (11)
Marilyn Elness ’53 Froiland and Philip
Froiland (17)
Terry ’67 and Pauline Frovik (10)
Ann Garvey (10)
Alan ’67 and Marilyn Albaugh ’67 Gierke (29)
Donald ’60 and Nancy Gilberg (14)
Rachel Rohde ’76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist (19)
Borghild Gisselquist (10)
Gary and Barbara Glasscock (11)
Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez (18)
Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean
Goplerud (28)
Lorraine Vash ’67 Gosewisch and David
Gosewisch (10)
Paul and Judy Grauer (27)
Douglas Green and Becky Boling (10)
Cindy Greenwood 2005 (10)
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal (22)
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde (29)
Steven ’81 and Kathy Grinde (11)
Paul ’62 and Susan Grover (27)
John and Laurie Grygelko (12)
Fern Hanson Gudmestad ’41 (26)
Sonia Overmoen ’62 Gullicks and Milton
Gullicks (22)
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
Marlys Ringdahl ’53 Gunderson and Charles
Gunderson (21)
Arlin Gyberg (29)
Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard
Gyllstrom (27)
Mark ’77 and Naomi Hall (20)
William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51
Halverson (10)
Arvin ’55 and Twila Halvorson (28)
Edward and Shirley Hansen (24)
Sylvia Kleven Hanson ’50 (12)
John ’69 and Barbara Harden (11)
Evelyn Green ’49 Harris and Edward Harris (12)
Betty Johnson ’58 Haas and Charles Hass (28)
Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr (13)
Marjorie Wilberg Hauge ’50 (25)
Burton ’72 and Rollie Haugen (14)
Marilyn Peterson1963 Haus and George Haus (27)
Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland (21)
Gerald ’59 and Maxine Hendricks (10)
Robert ’55 and Karin Herman (10)
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans (29)
Jean Magnuson ’57 Hicks and David Hicks (10)
Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill (12)
Helen Sigvald Hjelmeland ’41 (12)
Sylvia Hjelmeland (11)
Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander (20)
James ’61 and Caroline Holden (21)
Norman and Ilene Holen (20)
Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes (10)
Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt (28)
James ’59 and Joanne Horn (10)
Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth (10)
Robert ’67 and Jane Hosman (23)
Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten (29)
Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten (11)
Edith Hovey (15)
Florence Retrum Hovland ’40 (21)
Joseph ’61 and Mei Shen Hsieh (19)
Glenda and Richard Huston (17)
Bruce and Jean Inglis (12)
Rosemary Jacobson ’69 (14)
Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes (11)
Bruce ’68 and Lois Hallcock ’68 Johnson (11)
David ’64 and Karen Johnson (10)
Doris Wilkins ’63 Johnson and Charles
Johnson (12)
Duane and Ruth Johnson (21)
Glen and Marlys Johnson (10)
Gloria Johnson ’51 (20)
Janet Batalden ’61 Johnson and Dennis ’61
Johnson (13)
Joan ’94 and Mark Johnson (14)
Kinney Johnson ’65 (18)
Laurel Jones ’69 Johnson and Larry Johnson (13)
Marcellus ’54 and Thelma Johnson (10)
Martha Johnson (10)
Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II (21)
Kenneth & Lillian Ysteboe ’51 Ose
Ervin ’56 & Sylvia Overlund
Theodore ’68 and Michelle Johnson (12)
Wayne Johnson ’58 (26)
Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert ’44 Nelson (13)
Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander (28)
Jennifer Abeln ’78 Kahlow and Larry Kahlow (11)
Cheri Hofstad ’85 Kamp and Thomas Kamp (11)
Richard ’69 and Cheryl Nelson ’70 King (11)
Cody Kirkham (11)
Sharon Dittbenner ’65 Klabunde and Richard
Klabunde (22)
E. Milton Kleven ’46 (11)
Jerome Kleven ’58 (12)
Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven (24)
Leo Klohr and Judy Occhetti-Klohr (12)
LaRhae Grindal Knatterud ’70 (12)
Millard ’52 and Dorothy Knudson (13)
Daniel ’70 and Ingrid Kloster ’69 Koch (11)
Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49 (28)
James Kottom ’52 (23)
Joan Johnson1953 Kuder and Calvin Kuder (26)
Joan Kunz (10)
William ’52 and Edith Kuross (11)
Sigrunn Kvamme ’53 (18)
Robert ’80 and Lori LaFleur (16)
Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird (26)
Archie Lalim ’50 (28)
George ’50 and Vivian Lanes (14)
Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells (23)
John ’52 and Mary Peterson ’54 Leak (13)
Roger ’50 and Donna Wang ’52 Leak (12)
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee (25)
James ’67 and Laurie Lindell (10)
James Lindell ’46 (27)
Rosemary and Andrew Link (10)
Robert ’56 and Mary Erickson ’58 Lockwood (16)
Brent Lofgren ’88 (17)
Irene Ppedahl Lovaas ’45 (15)
Jack ’53 and Darlene Lundberg (11)
Susan Lageson ’77 Lundholm and Mark
Lundholm (19)
Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey (24)
Marie Hafie ’65 MacNally and Thomas
MacNally (12)
Margreta Magelssen ’72 and David Hallan (23)
Richard ’55 and Mary Mahre (10)
Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main (10)
Raymond Makeever (10)
Michael ’65 and Lynne Marcy (10)
Carlos Mariani Rosa (10)
Julie Magnuson ’61 Marineau and Richard
Marineau (10)
John ’59 and De Anne Martinsen (12)
Michael McCully (12)
Kristin Settergren ’86 McGinness and Steve
McGinness (19)
Donna McLean (22)
Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod and Christopher
2000 McLeod (10)
Marie and Larry McNeff (28)
Meca Sportswear Inc (11)
Joan and Richard Meierotto (11)
Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers (17)
Erwin ’54 and Carolyn Ryan ’56 Mickelberg (10)
Robert ’70 and Sue Midness (19)
Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson (28)
Victor ’42 and Rhoda Miller (12)
Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen (10)
James Mondo (10)
Alan Montgomery and Janet
Karvonen-Montgomery (10)
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan (26)
LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51
Morseth (20)
Mildred and Van Mueller (24)
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller (12)
David Narr ’94 (11)
Bonnie Johnson ’67 Nelson and Bryce Nelson (25)
Edor ’38 and Dorathy Nelson (12)
Gloria Burntvedt Nelson ’43 (26)
Larry ’65 and Marilyn Nelson (13)
Mildred Nelson ’52 (29)
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson (12)
Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen (10)
Erika Staub ’51 Niemi and Wayne Niemi (17)
Timothy ’82 and Jane Nohr (10)
Margaret Nelson Foss Nokleberg ’48 (21)
Norma Noonan (14)
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust (20)
Roselyn Nordaune ’77 (28)
Betsey and Alan Norgard (14)
James ’57 and Shirley Norman (11)
Normandale Lutheran Church Foundation (19)
Jonathan Nye ’72 and Wendy Worner (17)
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard (10)
Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53 Nyhus (16)
Steven O’Tool ’74 (10)
Fall 2008
41
Maren Lecy ’83 Ogdie and Al Ogdie (19)
Norman ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom (18)
Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69
Olmsted (12)
W. Donald ’34 and Glenda Olsen (20)
Bettye and Howard Olson (16)
Laverne Moe ’48 Olson and Paul Olson (22)
Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson (28)
R. Luther Olson ’56 (11)
Vicki and Daniel Olson (10)
Kristen Olsrud ’80 (11)
Laurie Nelson ’79 Orlow and Steven Orlow (19)
Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg (18)
Jim ’64 and Rose Parks (20)
Arnold ’52 and Betty Paulson (12)
John and Norma Paulson (11)
Daniel ’51 and Lois Pearson (22)
Dale Pederson (10)
Glen Person ’47 (23)
Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson (21)
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson (29)
Rebecca Arvold ’88 Pfabe and Maurice Higgins (14)
Jay Phinney ’79 (29)
Leanne Phinney ’71 and Mark Schultz (11)
Jill Pohtilla (10)
Presser Foundation (12)
David Proctor ’63 (22)
Elizabeth Pushing ’93 (14)
Jerry ’83 and Susan Warnes ’88 Quam (10)
Dagmar Dahl Quanbeck ’36 (29)
Eileen Quanbeck ’46 (15)
Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck (12)
Quentin ’50 and E. Lucille Quanbeck (15)
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe (12)
Larry and Beverly Ragland (16)
James ’61 and BettyAnn Redeske (12)
Donald ’53 and Donna Erickson ’54 Reimer (10)
Robert and Gail Rice (17)
Pamela Birdsall ’75 Richard and Jerry Richard (10)
Donavon ’52 and Ardis Roberts (12)
Eunice Kyllo ’62 Roberts and Warren Roberts (17)
Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 (10)
Marion Roe ’50 (12)
Frances Roller (11)
Joyce and Walker Romano (11)
Olive Ronholm ’47 (29)
Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64 (10)
Philip Rowberg ’41 (10)
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo (29)
Audrey Nagel ’51 Sander (16)
Pauline and Leland ’35+ Sateren (11)
Maryls Harkman ’54 Schmidt and Leonard
Schmidt (11)
Ruth Schmidt ’52 (29)
Michael and Leslie Schock (10)
Joyce Opseth Schwartz ’45 (26)
Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz (13)
Inez ’59 and Lyall Schwarzkopf (29)
Ronnie ’62 and Karen Scott (20)
Richard ’70 and Linda Seime (12)
Charles Sheaffer (10)
John ’50 and Norma Shelstad (17)
James ’54 and Ethel Nordstrom ’55 Shiell (28)
Chad ’93 and Margaret Shilson (11)
Nora Anderson ’83 Sillerud and Jon Sillerud (16)
Patricia ’67 and Elmer Sitkin (10)
Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar (29)
Glen and Anna Skovholt (14)
Evelyn Amundson Sonnack ’43 (27)
Angeline Rolland Sorenson ’50 (25)
Susan Lindberg ’70 Sorenson and Earl
Sorenson (11)
Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland (16)
Naomi Christensen ’81 Staruch and Steven
Staruch (26)
Ronald ’58 and Naomi Stave (12)
Ruth Framstad Steen ’43 (10)
Donald and Annelies Steinmetz (29)
Myles and Eunice Stenshoel (10)
Hannah Mehus Stensvaag ’38 (29)
Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo (11)
Calvin ’51 and Bonnie Martinson ’59 Storley (10)
Beverly and Thomas Stratton (14)
Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46 (13)
John ’81 and Heidi Strommen (13)
Luther ’39 and Helen Strommen (26)
Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen (29)
Steven ’65 and Chynne Strommen (10)
La Vone Studlien ’58 (20)
Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud (29)
George ’46 and Jean Christenson ’49 Sverdrup (27)
Dorothy Joy Swanson ’51 (18)
Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and
James Swanson (19)
Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 (13)
Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson (16)
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
42
Augsburg Now
Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48
Thompson (29)
Karla Morken ’81 Thompson and Thomas
Thompson (13)
Richard ’61 and Jane Thompson (10)
Sue Thompson ’85 (10)
Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe (13)
Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen
Thorsgaard (11)
Richard ’56 and Darlene Thorud (10)
Adrian Tinderholt ’38 (28)
Michael ’85 and Rhonda Riesberg ’84 Tjaden (10)
Allan Tonn ’75 (28)
Mark ’79 and Janelle Tonsager (19)
Sheldon ’49 and Margery Manger ’47
Torgerson (23)
Beth Torstenson ’66 (28)
Frances and Joel ’38+ Torstenson (15)
Mark and Ann Tranvik (11)
Margaret Sateren Trautwein ’37 (23)
Gordon ’57 and Karen Egesdal ’61 Trelstad (16)
Trinity Lutheran Congregation (10)
Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner (10)
Betty and Paul Tveite (12)
Beverly Gryth ’52 Villwock and H. Robert
Villwock (21)
Rebecca Helgesen ’67 Von Fischer and Thomas
Von Fischer (12)
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl (10)
Michael ’64 and Carla Quanbeck ’64 Walgren (14)
Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw (11)
Scott Weber ’79 (12)
Charleen and Donald Weidenbach (27)
Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91
Wichmann (16)
Mary and Gunnar Wick (16)
Robert Wick ’81 (22)
David and Catherine Wold (12)
E. Lorraine Yokie (22)
Edmund ’53 and Rose Youngquist (10)
Janet Cooke ’59 Zitzewitz and Donald
Zitzewitz (11)
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08
ALUMNI GIVING BY CLASS YEAR
The following list indicates the percentage of alumni in each class year who made a gift to Augsburg College in 2007-2008
(day program, undergraduate alumni).
Total particiaption for all class years, 22%
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
40.00%
50.00%
50.00%
62.50%
64.71%
25.00%
52.94%
40.63%
48.84%
38.10%
45.65%
48.72%
48.15%
45.83%
42.86%
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
47.27%
33.52%
44.53%
50.86%
46.40%
37.88%
37.36%
45.83%
43.65%
47.75%
46.09%
38.31%
36.88%
37.97%
40.76%
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
35.10%
34.75%
30.70%
41.85%
34.35%
29.90%
24.37%
24.30%
26.10%
25.51%
26.42%
24.68%
23.58%
24.65%
23.92%
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
19.09%
17.89%
18.97%
17.44%
18.41%
17.73%
17.82%
13.46%
11.32%
19.12%
14.34%
15.69%
8.70%
10.07%
10.71%
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
10.73%
13.92%
4.23%
9.72%
11.48%
7.58%
12.20%
8.37%
5.43%
8.14%
5.28%
9.45%
4.78%
5.56%
Fall 2008
43
THE 2007-2008 AUGSBURG COLLEGE
ANNUAL REPORT
AUGSBURG COLLEGE
BOARD OF REGENTS
2007-2008
Andra Adolfson
Dan W. Anderson, Class of 1965
Rev. Gary E. Benson, Class of 1970
Jackie Cherryhomes, Class of 1976
AUGSBURG ALUMNI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2007-2008
Michael O. Freeman
Dr. Anthony Genia, Class of 1985
Michael R. Good, Class of 1971
H. Theodore Grindal, Class of 1976
Norman R. Hagfors
Lew Beccone, Class of ’98 MAL
Jodi Harpstead
Buffie Blesi, Class of ’90, ’97 MAL, president
Richard C. Hartnack
Chad Darr, Class of ’04
Rolf Jacobson
Dale Hanka, Class of ’60
Dr. Ruth E. Johnson, Class of 1974
Calvin Hanson, Class of ’98
Dean Kennedy
Daniel Hickle, Class of ’95
Dean C. Kopperud
James Kline, Class of ’01
André J. Lewis, Class of 1973
Lee Anne Lack, Class of ’67
Jennifer H. Martin
Julia Mensing, Class of ’00
Marie O. McNeff
Joyce Miller, Class of ’02, ’05 MAN
Dr. Paul S. Mueller, Class of 1984
Jamie E. Smith, Class of ’04 WEC
Ronald G. Nelson, Class of 1968
Carolyn Spargo, Class of ’80
Beverly Oren, Class of 1955
Jacqueline Teisberg, Class of ’80
Paul C. Pribbenow
Jennifer Tome, Class of ’99
Rev. Peter Rogness, ex-officio
Barry M. Vornbrock, Class of ’96 MAL
Stephen Sheppard
Philip Styrlund, Class of 1979
Emily Anne Tuttle
Rev. Harold Usgaard, ex-officio
Joan Volz, Class of 1968
Rev. Norman W. Wahl, Class of 1976
Bonnie Wallace
FEW COLLEGES ARE AS WELL POSITIONED
A S A U G S B U R G T O S AY, T H I S I S O U R W O R K —
WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS.
—DAVID TIEDE, BERNHARD CHRISTENSEN PROFESSOR OF RELIGION
AND VOCATION, AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF LUTHER SEMINARY
www.augsburg.edu/giving
1-800-273-0617
44
Augsburg Now
auggie
alumni news
From the Alumni Board president …
June 2008
Alumni and friends,
am writing this article on the same day
as commencement for hundreds of graduates of the Augsburg for Adults undergraduate and graduate programs. When I
was an undergraduate, Weekend College
was still in its infancy and the College did not yet offer master’s degrees in any subject area. Look how far we have come
over the last 20 years—Augsburg is now a force in education
for adults in undergraduate programs in Minneapolis and
Rochester and six programs for graduates.
Wow! Who would have thought?
Well, thankfully for all of us, so many brilliant people had
the foresight and perseverance to make it a reality. As alumni,
we benefit from all that the College is and will become. Why?
Because regardless of when we graduated, our degrees gain
value as the College increases its visibility through the accomplishments and success of its programs, professors, and students. If you are like me, you place a great deal of value on
your degree from Augsburg. Take care of it, nurture it, and invest in it through participation and giving. The students of
today will one day bring greater value to it.
With the close of the school year in June, my tenure as
your president also came to an end. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the alumni and have had a tremendous
amount of fun. I turn this column over to a wonderful new
leader, Joyce Miller, who will represent you with vigor and
passion.
i
Good luck to you all and take care,
October 2008
Alumni and friends,
utumn is a season of great beauty. During this time, the Midwest becomes
transformed into a menagerie of colors. This transformation within nature is a
metaphor for the educational experience of
an Augsburg alumnus/a and current student. Liberal arts
courses nurture the growth of human talent and promote a
sense of metanoia, defined as embracing thoughts beyond one’s
present limitations. The menagerie of fall colors can represent
the uniqueness of individuals and the intentionality of embracing diversity within our daily lives.
Augsburg College promises an education like no other.
This promise addresses the following three areas:
a
• To have a special regard for each other—This statement entails having respect for everyone’s unique talents, core values, and cultural traditions.
• To provide an educational experience like no other—Education involves exploring a deeper understanding of faith
and the search for meaning, developing a global perspective, engaging work within the community, and finding
new ways of knowing to promote purposeful living.
• To seek opportunities to develop—This promise promotes
an expanded view of the world, stresses appreciating differences in others, seeks connections, sustains open dialogue,
and prepares to lead in this complex environment.
We can certainly look at these statements and realize how our
education at Augsburg has played a role in the discovery of our
meaningful career paths in the world.
As I begin my presidency of the Alumni Association, I
promise to use my leadership gifts to align the work of the
Alumni Board with the mission, vision, and promise of the College. The Alumni Board members are committed to support the
College’s vision—We believe we are called to serve our neighbor—through involvement in service activities, action projects,
and campus events to enhance the work of the College.
As alumni, stay connected by attending upcoming events
such as Advent Vespers, athletic activities, theatre productions,
or other alumni events. Or just simply keep in communication
with us. Stay connected wherever you are! Looking forward to
a great year.
Sincerely,
BUFFIE BLESI ’90, ’97 MAL
OUTGOING ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
JOYCE P. MILLER ’02 (BSN-ROCHESTER), ’05 MAN
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Fall 2008
45
auggie reunion
Alumni from more than six decades gathered with their classmates.
Class of 1958
Reunion Attendees:
James Almquist, Elyce (Lundquist) Arvidson, Robert
Bagley, Dennis Barnaal, Vernon Berkness, Elaine
(Nelson) Bernards, Birgit Birkeland, Doris (Johnson)
Deml, Dale Evavold, Hugh Gilmore, Byron Golie, Mabeth (Saure) Gyllstrom, Aldemar (Johnson) Hagen,
Kenneth Hagen, Anna (Hovland) Hanson, Betty
(Johnson) Hass, Philip Heide, Carl Hellzen, Ruth
(Thorsgard) Homme, Jerome Kleven, Gwen (Johnson)
Krapf, Joanne (Stiles) Laird, Gary Lange, Gordon Lindgren, Alice (Lindell) Lindgren, Marilyn (Troy) Manley,
Lydia (Dyrlid) Moe, Faye (Brenni) Moen, Wallace
Oien, Roger Olson, Magne Olson, Alfred Reesnes,
Ronald Stave, La Vone Studlien, Grace (Kemmer)
Sulerud
Class of 1968
Reunion Attendees:
Ruth Aaskov, Ann (Larson) Anthonisen, W. Bruce
Benson, Priscilla (Platt) Berg, Joel Bjerkestrand,
David Boe, Donald Britt, Margaret (Engel) Catlett,
Janet (Braaten) DeGaetano, John Eckberg, John
Fahlberg, Douglas Frisk, JoAnne (Digree) Fritz, Mary
(Michaelsen) Garmer, Jane (Eidsvoog) Gisselquist,
James Gisselquist, Kim Gudmestad, Lynn Gunderson,
Pamela (Fredrickson) Gunderson, Ione (Agrimson)
Hanson, Theamarie (Loberg) Harriday, Leif Hartmark,
Claudia (Melvie) Hartmark, David Heidtke, Donald
Horner, James Hoseth, Gerald Jensen, Carole (Braud)
Jensen, Theodore Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Herald
Johnson, Frank Lawatsch, Pamela (Pilcher) Lawatsch,
Janet (Letnes) Martin, Suzann (Johnson) Nelson,
Charles Niles, Perilyn (Brown) Olsen, Kathryn Olson,
Miriam (Cox) Peterson, Richard Quenemoen, John
Roebke, James Romslo, Judith (Anderson)
Schaubach, Jan (Pedersen) Schiff, Carolyn (Hanson)
Schildgen, Gary Schmidt, Kathleen (Nyquist) Schornstein, Clair Severson, Myrna (Jorgenson) Sheie, Jo
Anne Sylvester, Constance (Ackerson) Wanner, Patricia (Korogi) Wehr, Mary (Timm) Zimmerman
46
Augsburg Now
homecoming
AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
SEPTEMBER 22-27
Class of 1983
’08
Reunion Attendees:
Amanda Barrick, Mary (Thureson) Belden, Mary
(Yurick) Bennett, William Bullock, Kevin Erickson,
Mark Hassenstab, James Haugen, Les Heen, Scott
Henderson, Annette (Walen) Hokanson, Miriam (Gisselquist) Jensen, Karina Karlen, Paul Kuehn, Pamela
(Brakke) Lanning, Susan (Hackbarth) Lundquist,
Daniel Nayman, Stephen Nayman, Karsten Nelson,
Allison (Larges) O’Day, Timothy Olson, Mary (McNevin) Saari, Janet (Griffith) Sandford, Nora (Andersen) Sillerud, John Singh, Diane (Wood) Sponheim,
Christine (Nelson) Swanson
Class of 1998
(Left to right)
August Negele, Erick Agrimson, Adam Buhr, Laura
Pejsa, Angela (Loew) Reichart, Wade Johnson, Andry
Andriambololona-Jercich, Phil Berglin
Fall 2008
47
auggie
alumni news
Meet Kim Stone …
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AND CONSTITUENT RELATIONS
At the end of August, Kim
Stone joined the Division of Institutional Advancement as director of alumni and
constituent relations.
Stone came to Augsburg
from the University of Miami,
Coral Gables, Fla., where she
was executive director of
alumni programs and was responsible for the overall management and implementation of
a comprehensive alumni relations program. She served as a liaison to various university offices and departments to further the
mission of the University Alumni Association and to enhance
the relationship between the alumni and their alma mater.
Her experience there includes recruiting and engaging
alumni volunteers to participate in alumni programs and
events, preparing and administering annual budgets for the
alumni programs office, and supervising a team of nine alumni
professionals.
Previously, Stone was at Nova Southeastern University in
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., as director of alumni relations and coordinator of alumni programs. In these roles she managed the strategy of the Alumni Annual Fund and other university
fundraising efforts. Stone organized and coordinated alumni
Homecoming activities, was responsible for all alumni (90,000
worldwide) communications, and oversaw and supported the
Alumni Council Board to enhance growth of the NSU Alumni
Association.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication,
with an emphasis in public relations, at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also has a master’s degree in international
business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Stone grew up in St. Paul and is excited to be back in the
Twin Cities serving the members of the Augsburg community.
She looks forward to engaging Augsburg alumni and constituents through strategic programming, effective communication, and volunteer development.
To contact Kim Stone, call 612-330-1173 or
1-800-260-6590, or e-mail stonek@augsburg.edu.
48
Augsburg Now
Augsburg license plates
Display your Augsburg connection! Augsburg license plates
are available through the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/PlBrochure/CollegiatePlates.htm
Alumni e-mail for life
Sign up for Auggie alumni e-mail for life. Contact Alumni
Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu to request an account.
The service is provided by Google Apps.
Augsburg offers test prep courses
Studying for the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT? Check with Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity
Office (URGO) for courses offered throughout the year at a
very reasonable cost. Courses are open to current students,
alumni, and others in the Augsburg community.
Go to www.augsburg.edu/urgo and select Test Prep for
the ongoing schedules of classes.
Get Involved. Volunteer!
Would you like to be part of an exciting group of people who
love Augsburg as much as you do? Volunteering is a great
way to stay connected to the College and other alumni, and
there are many ways to get involved.
Join with fellow Auggies and help engage others to be part of
the Augsburg experience. Augsburg Associates, Alumni
Board, Advent Vespers, reunion committees, mentors, and
Campus Kitchen are just some of the available opportunities.
Let us know where your interest lies—call Pat Grans at
612-330-1329 or e-mail gransp@augsburg.edu.
augsburg
then
Trinity Lutheran celebrates 140 years
Augsburg College owes much of the reason for its presence
in Minneapolis to Trinity Lutheran Congregation. In 1871,
when the fledgling Augsburg Seminary was near bankruptcy
in Marshall, Wisconsin, Trinity pastor Ole Paulson led a
committee to secure the land, materials, and funding to establish Augsburg in Minneapolis, as the city was envisioned
as a future center for Scandinavian-American culture.
In 1896 Trinity Lutheran Congregation built a new
church on the edge of Augsburg’s campus, which served as
the venue for many Augsburg events over the years. This
building fell victim to the construction in 1966 for the I-94
freeway.
The altar painting that hung in that church, painted by
Norwegian artist Markus Grønvold, was copied from his
painting in St. John’s Church in Bergen, Norway, and
shipped to Minneapolis. When Trinity’s church was razed,
the painting was placed in storage. It now hangs in Hoversten Chapel, which has been Trinity Lutheran Congregation’s worship home for a number of years.
1963 Augsburgian
In Memoriam
Sateren, Leland B. ’35, Edina,
Minn., age 94, on Nov. 10, 2007.
Samuelson, Mary ’49, Brighton,
Minn., age 81, on July 12.
Aamodt, Bradford O. ’65, Plymouth,
Minn., age 75, on Feb. 13.
Schmidt, David Hans ’85, Phoenix,
Ariz., age 47, in October 2007.
Kruse, Una (Lee) ’38, Sunnyside,
Wash., age 91, on Sept. 25, 2007.
Calderwood, David ’50, Birchwood,
Minn., age 81, on Sept. 18, 2007.
Gruidl, Daniel J. ’93, Trophy Club,
Texas, age 45, on Aug. 3, 2007.
Torstenson, Joel ’38, Minneapolis,
age 94, on Oct. 18, 2007.
Howells, Richard ’52, Bloomington,
Minn., age 78, on April 10.
Longmire, Linda (Nelson) ’67, Kronenwetter, Wis., age 63, on July 29,
of cancer.
Quanbeck, Vardon M. ’40, McVille,
N. Dak., age 86, on Dec. 24.
Lundeen, Donovan T. ’53, Northfield, Minn., age 77, on June 7.
Brooks, Chester L. ’42, Duluth,
Minn., age 89, on March 5.
Skogsbergh, Samuel P. ’53, Hayden,
Idaho, age 77, on Aug. 25, 2007.
Smith, Rev. Louis C. ’42, Riverside,
Calif., age 86, on Sept. 5, 2007.
Rykken, Franklyn “Lindy” ’56,
Roseau, Minn., age 78, on May 2.
Jensen, Rev. Louis F. ’48, Dubuque,
Iowa, age 87, on June 24.
Oliver, Rev. George “Jim” ’60, Baraboo, Wis., age 76, on Feb. 15, following complications from surgery.
Henjum, Arnold E. ’49, Morris,
Minn., age 82, on March 5.
Hoffman, H. Wayne, Bloomington,
Minn., age 82, on July 3.
DeVrieze, Jerry D. ’64, Midland,
Mich., age 66, on June 30, of multiple myeloma.
Baumbach, Cynthia ‘70, Lake City,
Minn., age 60, on July 1.
Orpen, Julie Ann (Hoel) ’76, St.
Peter, Minn., age 53, on June 15, of
breast cancer.
Quanbeck, Beth Marie ’76, West
Des Moines, Iowa, age 53, on Nov.
12, 2007.
Lumbar, Dean ’81, Edina, Minn.,
age 46, on Jan. 7, at home of complications from colon cancer.
Brusletten, Nancy (Raaum) ’84,
Shakopee, Minn., age 45, on Dec.
28, of cancer.
Bedard, Mark T. ’95, Hudson, Wis.,
age 34, on Nov. 9, 2007, of injuries
incurred on police duty.
Feuer, Aaron ’07, unexpectedly in
April.
Eriksen, Rolf, Minneapolis, age 84,
on Nov. 7, 2007, Augsburg’s first
varsity soccer coach in 1970.
Eklof, Edgar, Golden Valley, Minn.,
age 80, on Dec. 1, Music Department faculty during the 1960s.
Hoel, Mathilda, St. Paul, age 95, on
July 13, former registrar’s office and
food service employee.
Fall 2008
49
alumni class notes
50
Phebe Hanson was lauded at
an event in March commemorating International Women’s Day
and her 80th birthday. Readings by
female poets and screenings of a
short documentary about Phebe
were featured, honoring her many
years as a mentor to other writers.
56
Rev. James Parks is serving
until June 30 as an English
teacher in the ELCA’s Global Mission
Department in a Lutheran High
school in Kocise, Slovakia. His wife,
Rose Ann, and their three children
are planning trips to visit him and
travel in Eastern Europe during the
year. Previously he served an interim
ministry in Outing, Minn., for several
months, and traveled, including a
van trip to Alaska.
Lute Olson, head coach of the
University of Arizona basketball team, announced his retirement
after 24 years. His career there includes 23 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, 11 Pac-10 titles,
four Final Four appearances, and the
1997 national championship.
Judith Reynolds has recently
retired from the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Public Library after 37 years
of employment as a librarian.
57
67
Robert Goodrich has joined
Timber Creek Golf Course in
Watertown, Minn., as a golf pro, with
43 years of teaching experience.
59
Darrell Wiese retired from
Augsburg after a longtime career as assistant coach in baseball
and football.
60
Margaret (Homme) Hiner is retired in Phoenix, Ariz., where
she has been since 1961 working as
a recreation leader, substitute
teacher, 4-H leader, and mother. At
Augsburg, she played on the 195657 Auggiettes basketball team and
has fond memories about how
Coach LaVonne Peterson “let a kid
who loved sports and basketball be
on the team.”
Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann is still working and loves his job as an agency
compliance officer with Park Avenue
Securities in Scottsdale, Ariz.
61nis in the Northland
James Holden has written Ten, a history
of boys’ high school tennis in Minnesota, covering its 75-year history
with chapters about champions,
prominent coaches and families, dynasty teams, and more. To learn
about the book, go to www.jimholden.com.
Dennis Kalpin has stepped down as
head football coach at Alexandria
(Minn.) High School after 17 years
there. His total coaching career, all
at the secondary school level, is 47
years.
50
64
Augsburg Now
65
66
Larry Hoff completed his third long-distance journey across the USA
using no motorized vehicles. Over the summers of 2006 and 2007,
Larry canoed and bike-portaged from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. In
2002-2003 he hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, a “life-changing”
event. In 2004 he bicycled approximately 10,000 miles around the
perimeter of the USA. Before retirement in 2000, Hoff was teacher and assistant principal at Superior High School in Wisconsin.
Carleen (Nordin) Tjader recently retired after teaching
third grade for 23 years in the New
Richmond (Wis.) school district (before and after a “15-year maternity
leave” to raise her children). Each
year her classes have adopted a
manatee in Florida, plus made a
quilt containing squares made by
each student. She looks forward to
traveling with her husband, Mike;
spending time with her grandsons;
volunteering at church; and trying
her hand at writing.
69
Diane (Helgeson) Carter completed a 21-year career teaching seventh-grade English in the
Hudson (Wis.) Middle School and in
retirement plans to use her time for
gardening and travel. She and her
husband, Jim, have two children—
daughter Kirsten, who also is a
teacher, and son, Matthew.
72
Tom Haas continues to work at
Park Nicollet Clinic in Minneapolis, where he recently stepped
down after a decade in department
chair leadership roles. He has now
had more time to spend at the family lake home, continue collecting
jazz and classical LPs, and more seriously resume playing his trumpet.
Jacqueline (Wolhart) Harvestine
completed her first year as a fulltime Master of Divinity student at
Luther Seminary.
Kathy (Seim) Tilderquist, a business
teacher, was selected in January by
her co-workers as “Teacher of the
70
Earlier this year, along with their spouses, five Auggies in the Class of
1970 who lived together in a house on campus celebrated the 40th
anniversary of their becoming roommates. They continue to meet once a
month for lunch as well. (L to R, back row: Lynn [Benson] Hjelmeland ’69,
Terry Nygaard ’70, Phil Walen ’70, John Hjelmeland ’70, Paul Mikelson ’70,
Barbara Harden, and John Harden ’70. Front row: Vicki Nygaard, Teri Walen,
and Barbara [Durkee] Mikelson ’71.
Year” at Cannon Falls (Minn.) High
School. She began as a math
teacher, but has taught in the business department since 1987. She
wrote the curriculum for many
courses and has taught students on
equipment ranging from manual
typewriters to modern computers.
has earned 10 medals and was the
first to earn medals in four different
sports. He is a professor of professional and physical education at Bemidji State University and was the
first person in the U.S. with a visual
impairment to earn a doctoral degree
in physical education.
73
74
Jim Mastro, a pioneer in athletics for the blind, was honored
with the 2008 Medal of Courage
award from the National Wrestling
Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla. As a Paralympic athlete, he
Rev. James Arends, pastor at
Prince of Peace Lutheran
Church in LaCrescent, Minn., was
elected June 7 to a six-year term as
bishop of the La Crosse (Wis.) Area
Synod in the Evangelical Lutheran
72
Ronald Johnson, principal at
Hutchinson (Minn.) High
School, was named in February as
the 2008 Minnesota High School
Principal of the Year. He is also a
candidate for the National High
School Principal of the Year, to be
announced at the 2009 National
Association of Secondary School
Principals (NASSP) convention in
February. He will join other state
honorees at the Principals Institute
in Washington D.C. this fall.
74
Scot Davis was honored as
Wrestling USA magazine’s
2007 Coach of the Year. This year
he won his 800th varsity career
coaching victory, the most career
wins of any wrestling coach in U.S.
history. He has been at Owatonna
High School for 21 years, leading
10 “Top 25” nationally-ranked
Owatonna teams.
ber of the Minnesota Baseball Association.
high school principal at Rugby High
School for the past 11 years.
77
81
Rev. Mark Braaten recently
published his second book,
Prayer as Joy, Prayer as Struggle, by
Liturgical Press. It studies prayer
through biblical and personal stories, and explores prayer as both a
gift and struggle. His first book, in
2006, is Come Lord Jesus: A Study
of Revelation. He is senior pastor at
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in
Tyler, Texas, a bilingual congregation
worshiping in English and Spanish.
Kurts Strelnieks recently joined Associated Commercial Finance, Inc.,
in Eagan, Minn., as their Minnesota
market manager.
78
Dennis J. Meyer was named
the first chief marketing officer at Ellerbe Becket, a global design firm. He will be based in their
Minneapolis office and serve on the
firm’s leadership team to develop
and execute its global marketing
strategy and implement the firm’s
vision.
Naomi Williamson opened a new
restaurant, Sanctuary, on Washington Avenue in Minneapolis.
79
77
Heidi (Leaf) Haagenson has
published a book, The Tenney Quilt, which tells the story of a
quilt with 700 signatures created
in 1928 in Tenney—Minnesota’s
smallest city of six people—as a
fundraiser for the local dance hall.
She is the special projects coordinator at Ridgewater College in
Willmar, and is married to David
Haagenson ’76.
79
Phil Madsen and his wife,
Diane, own and operate a
truck used to transport expedited
freight, traveling the 48 states and
Canada. Read their stories from
the road at www.successfulexpediters.com
Church in America (ELCA). He will
be installed on October 18.
gion Coach of the Year, and the Big
Ten Coach of the Year.
Phil Lundin was named the men’s
cross country and track and field
coach at St. Olaf College. Since
1986 he has coached at the University of Minnesota, including the last
13 years as head men’s track and
field coach. In 2003 Phil was named
U.S. Track Coaches Association
Coach of the Year, the Midwest Re-
Bill Nelson, manager of the Dundas
(Minn.) Dukes amateur baseball
team and part of that team for over
30 years, was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of
Fame in September 2007. He has
also served as head baseball coach
at Carleton College and has been executive director and a board mem-
Linda Sue Anderson played the
part of Miss Prism in Pendulum Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest earlier
this year at the Loading Dock Theatre in downtown St. Paul.
David Cherwien directs the National
Lutheran Choir, which dedicated its
May 3 concert to the memory of Leland Sateren ’35 and performed five
of his works.
Debra (Mercier) Peters earned a Certified Management Accountant designation in April 2007. She is a
finance manager/controller for Pella
Windows and Doors and lives in
Bloomington, Minn.
David Zwingel has been named the
2007 North Dakota Secondary Principal of the Year by the North
Dakota Association of Secondary
School Principals, with sponsorship
also from Met Life. He has been the
Rev. Richard Buller was elected
chaplain of the Minnesota
House of Representatives by its
members on March 10. He is pastor
at Valley Community Presbyterian
Church in Golden Valley and a
member of the board of the Greater
Minneapolis Council of Churches.
His son, Peter, is a sophomore at
Augsburg.
Pamela Crowell began on July 1 as
the new vice president for research
at Idaho State University in
Pocatello. Previously she was the associate dean for research and graduate education at Indiana
University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science.
Janna (Wallin) Haug and her husband, Rev. Arden Haug, have accepted an assignment to Bratislava,
Slovakia, where he was called as regional representative to Europe for
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America’s Division for Global Mission. Janna accompanies him as the
associate in that position, along with
their two sons, Vitali and Alexei.
Dr. Erik Kanten was named the 2008
Family Physician of the Year by the
Minnesota Academy of Family
Physicians (MAFP). He practices at
the RiverView Clinic in Crookston,
Minn., and at clinics in Fertile and
Red Lake Falls. He also sees students at the University of Minnesota,
Crookston, on campus.
Dana (Holmes) McIntyre traveled to
China in fall 2007 as head coach of
one of two female Special Olympics
basketball teams from the U.S. for
the 2007 World Games in Shanghai.
She has been a recreation therapist
at Minnesota Extended Treatment
Options.
82
Jane Maland Cady joined the
McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis in April as international program director and will oversee
McKnight’s grantmaking in Asia,
Africa, and Latin America.
Fall 2008
51
alumni class notes
87
Deanna Germain published a
memoir, Reaching Past the
Wire, about her 18 months serving
as a nurse in Kuwait and Iraq, which
included time as chief nurse in the
Abu Ghraib prison following the revelations of abuse and violence.
Tammy Johndro-Pressley was named
director of external communications
at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Ill. Previously, she was manager of business development at
Provena Mercy Medical Center in
Aurora, Ill.
Karen Reed received an Award for
Superior Accomplishment in December from the Department of
Mental Health of California. She is a
music therapist at Atascadero State
Hospital and was commended for
her plan to lower restraints, seclusion, and lengths of stay in restraints
for people in the Mentally Disordered Offender program by over 50
percent.
Devoney Looser’s book, Women Writers and Old Age in Great Britain,
1750-1850, was published by Johns
Hopkins University Press in August.
Go to www.press.jhu.edu/books/
title_pages/9473.html. Devoney currently serves as president of the
Midwest Modern Language Association, a non-profit organization of
teachers and scholars of literature,
language, and culture, and will preside at its meeting in Minneapolis,
Nov. 13-16.
Bruce Smith began teaching physical
education to sixth through twelfth
grades and high school Spanish, in
addition to coaching B-squad football, at LeRoy-Ostrander (Minn.)
School in September.
88
Melanie Herrera opened a
franchise in Apple Valley,
Minn., of Butterfly Life Fitness,
which focuses around solutions for
fitness, weight loss, and healthy living for women. Melanie was Augsburg’s first female All-American
athlete.
Anne Panning’s collection of short
stories, Super America, was published in October. The New York
Times Book Review said, “[It] radiates infectious optimism … Her enchanting Norahs and Alices, Tobys
and Theos drag you effortlessly into
their very American lives … ."
89
Rev. La Andriamihaja, pastor
of Jordan New Life Church in
North Minneapolis, helped launch
the “Jordan New Life Hub” to help
residents identify social services.
The project is a partnership sponsored by the ELCA between suburban and urban congregations to
bring volunteers together.
Geoffrey Gage was named in September 2007 to the University of St.
Thomas Board of Trustees. He is
founder and president of the Geoffrey Carlson Gage marketing and advertising firm.
52
Augsburg Now
94
Brad Klein and his wife, Lanica (Lynch) ’95 proudly announce the birth of their identical
twin boys, Noah Addison and
Micah Andrew. They were born on
July 1, 2007, shortly after Brad
and Lanica celebrated their 10th
anniversary on June 21. Brad is a
senior systems analyst at the ELCA
Board of Pension, and Lanica is
public school librarian turned stayat-home mom for the near future.
lanicak@att.net.
94
95
Dan Werner and his wife,
Shayne Hamann, welcomed
the birth of their twin sons, Drake
and Dylan, born on May 10, 2007,
who are on their way to becoming
future Auggie football players, like
their dad.
97
Tracy (Holloway) Drier and
her husband, Thane ’99, announced the birth of their son,
Caden August, on March 15, 2007.
He joins big brother Tristan, 3.
Michelle (Strauss) Ohnstad returned
to work after being a stay-at-home
mom and has two positions—head
librarian at La Jolla Country Day
School and library media specialist
at Pacific Ridge School. She is also
co-editor of the AIM Library & Information Staffing Bulletin Blog.
Rachel (Roth) Erkkila is the registrar
for the Des Moines (Iowa) Area Community College. Previously she was
registrar at Dakota County Technical
College in Rosemount, Minn., and
Walden University in Minneapolis.
Mark Lorenzen and Dawn Van
Tassel ’95, St. Louis Park,
Minn., welcomed their first child,
daughter Julia Grace Lorenzen, on
Aug. 2, 2007.
91
Carla Beaurline, founder, cohost, co-producer, and account
executive of “Around Town” Media,
won the Twin Cities Media Network
Diamond Award for TV Personality of
the Year. In addition, she won TV
Sales Person of the Year. “Around
Town” airs on Metro Cable Network
Channel 6 in Minneapolis.
Tom Ross is the new associate head
coach-defense at Hanover College in
Hanover, Ind.
92
Larry Anderson published a
book, Raptured Alive: Return
of a Prodigal Son, in September
2007 and writes music for his
gospel band.
Gregory Stohr was named vice president of sales at Transtar Autobody
Technologies in Brighton, Mich., a
manufacturer of automotive refinish
and bodyshop repair products.
Sharol Tyra, of Life Illumination presentation and coaching, was elected
to serve a two-year term on the Minnesota Board of Directors of the National Speakers Association.
94
Jennifer (Feine) Hellie ’04 MAL
accepted a position as development coordinator at Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp in
Amery, Wis. Previously she worked
as an admissions counselor and academic adviser at Augsburg.
95
Noelle (Hallblade) Epp was
named as marketing communications specialist in October at
Professional Services Marketing,
Inc. in New Brighton, Minn., and will
focus on copywriting services.
Dave Manka was named assistant
volleyball coach at North Dakota
State University in February.
96
Scott Magelssen and his wife,
Theresa (Hoar) ’95, live in
Bowling Green, Ohio, with their son,
Trygg Magelssen, born in 2005.
Scott teaches in the graduate theatre program at Bowling Green State
University and published a book in
spring 2007 about living history museums. Theresa teaches first grade
at Powell Elementary School in
North Baltimore, Ohio.
98
Aaron Cross and Katrina
Grimsey were married, after
15 years of friendship, first in the
United Kingdom and then in the
U.S. on July 6, 2007. Aaron is a
motivational speaker and received
Augsburg’s First Decade Award in
2005. They live south of London.
aaron.cross@motivationonwheels.com
99
Lisa Nos-Tollefson married
Mark Tollefson in December
2006. Lisa and Mark welcomed
the birth of Taylor Elizabeth on
Nov. 20, 2007.
Dr. Martin Richards was featured in
the Hudson Star Observer in July
about the geothermal heat pump
system he had installed at his home.
He expects to use only one-tenth of
the liquid propane gas that he used
last year without the pump. He is an
emergency room physician at
United Hospital in St. Paul, at the
Baldwin (Wis.) hospital and emergency rooms in Regina and Hastings, Minn.
98
99
Chris and Jaime (Kyle) ’01
Rothe moved last fall to
Rochester, Minn., with Kennedy,
2, and AJ, three months old.
00
Kathleen (Lindquist) Blilie and
her husband, Eric, welcomed the birth of Erin Catherine,
three months early on June 15,
2007, weighing 2 lb., 9 oz. She
joins big brothers Andrew and
Alexander and is loved by her
uncle, Orville Lindquist ’96.
Philip Berglin was named the
2006 Minnesota Businessman of the Year as a top U.S. business leader successfully integrating
business and financial success. In
March 2006 he traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the award, attend a breakfast with President
Bush, and begin to meet over a
three-month period with Minnesota
legislators. He works at the Rum
River Lumber Company in Coon
Rapids.
Stacie (Ferrazzo) Chiodi and her
husband, Ron, welcomed the birth
of Cyrus Samuel, on February 5,
born in Bennington, Vt.
Tom Ruffaner was presented the Individual Achievement Commuter
Choice Award by MetroTransit
Rideshare in November for promoting commuter benefits and alternate
modes of transportation.
99
00
Jennifer (Crego) and Chad
Carls welcomed their fourth
son on July 10, 2007. Nicholas
Isaac joins brothers Tommy, 5,
A.J., 3, and Brock, 2. Chad is getting his administrative license (in
education) and Jen is home with
the boys.
00
Trena Bolden Fields and
Jerome Fields ’01 announced
the birth of their daughter, Kayla
Lee, born Aug. 18, 2007.
Jill Ruprecht was married to
Joseph Camp on Sept. 2,
2007 in Macomb, Ill. They currently
live in Chicago.
00
MacAdam Gordon and Nicole
Robertson were married on
November 10 in Minneapolis. He
works as an insurance agent at Ray
Smith Insurance in Plymouth, Minn.
01
Hilary English Crook married
Jacob Seljan in Duluth, Minn.,
on September 29, 2007. The wed-
ding party included Emily Crook ’07
as maid of honor, Eilidh Reyelts ’06
as personal attendant, and DJ
Hamm ’08 as usher. Also in attendance were Auggies Nancy English
’73, Ann Bostelmann Webster ’96,
Karin (Sabo) Mantor ’86, Julie Sabo
’90, and Martin Sabo ’59. Norwegian professor Frankie Shackelford
also attended. Hilary is an attorney
working at Thomson West in Legal
Sales, and Jacob is vice president of
the Risk Analytics Department of US
Bancorp. They live in Minnetonka.
Jessica (Norman) Hafemeyer opened
a law firm in Faribault, Minn., on
August 1, 2007, Ibeling Hafemeyer,
Ltd. The practice includes family
law, bankruptcy, and estate/probate
law. www.ibelinghaemeyer.com.
Angie Rieger was named an assistant hockey coach at Hamline University. She has also been chosen to
join the Whitecaps, Minnesota’s first
professional women’s hockey team.
Nicole (Warner) Simml, currently living in Frankfurt, Germany, performed a recital of 20th-century
American music last November at
the American Consul General’s residence in Markkleeberg.
02
Amy Carlson has completed
the surgical technology program at Saint Mary’s University of
Minnesota and has accepted a surgical technician position at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics in
Minneapolis.
Lindsay (Bonner) Pavelka directed
the Galveston Island Children’s Chorus last year from September
through December. In summer
2007, she developed and directed
Summer on Stage, a children’s performing arts camp with the east-end
theatre company in Galveston. She
is an arts educator, voice instructor,
and actress in the Galveston area,
where she lives with her husband,
Matthew.
Zac Schnedler began last fall
03as a school/guidance coun-
selor for grades 7-12 in the Braham
(Minn.) school district.
Fall 2008
53
alumni class notes
Sara Willcut is in her first season on
the Minnesota Swarm Performance
Dance Team as well as teaching
dance, coaching dance teams, and
taking classes. She recently
launched Ascending Star Dance, an
online dance magazine, and helped
form the Ascending Star Dance
team, which performs at semi-professional football games in the MidAmerican Football League. She also
volunteers with her teams for Feed
My Starving Children.
04
Kelly Chapman graduated
magna cum laude from the
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Calif.
She is the winner of a full scholarship to attend the International Koefia Academy of Haute Couture and
Art of Costume in Italy. She is currently studying Italian in preparation
for her study.
Abbey Payeur is a sixth-grade integrated language arts and social
studies teacher at Oak View Middle
School in Andover, Minn. In May she
was honored as one of the 20 recipients of the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) awards, presented
by the Anoka-Hennepin School District. She was also one of four winners of a $1,000 grant for a project
at her school, plus a cash award.
Laura Simones completed the Ford
Ironman Florida 2007 triathlon last
fall, placing 872 out of the nearly
2600 participants and 18 of 68 in
her division. In addition she completed the Triple By-Pass in Colorado (100+ miles with three climbs
over 10,000 ft.) and then biked
back to Minnesota.
05
Michael Howard is a communications specialist at the Minnesota House of Representatives.
michaelhoward10@gmail.com
Jeremiah Knabe received a Master of
Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary on June 16.
Rebecca Welle ran the New York
Marathon last fall, finishing 4422 in
the field of 40,000 runners. She cut
about six minutes off her previous
personal best, finishing in 3:31:56.
54
Augsburg Now
07
Aaron Dowzak and Emily Hull
were married on Sept. 1,
2007, and moved to Port St. Lucie,
Fla., where Aaron is director of
youth and family junior and senior
high at Immanuel Lutheran Church,
and where they will love happily ever
after.
Christianna Schmit is interning in
music therapy at University Hospitals, Case Medical Campus, in
Cleveland, Ohio. Her supervisor and
their music therapy program were
recently featured in the “Making a
Difference” segment on NBC Nightly
News.
01
Marie and Brent Odenbrett ’02
welcomed the birth of Emma
Louise Marie on Oct. 19, 2007.
02
02
John Goodale married Crystal
Thompson at St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church in Swanville,
Minn., on July 28, 2007. Crystal is
a 2004 graduate of the University
of Minnesota’s Carlson School of
Management and is employed at
Graco, Inc. in NE Mpls as a channel marketing specialist. John is
employed as an account executive
at Novus Print Media in Plymouth.
They live in Maple Grove, Minn.
03
Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA was featured last fall in Twin Cities Business
and honored in January in their
2007 Small Business Success Stories as the co-founder (at age 19) of
Pinnacle Services, Inc. This company, which has grown rapidly, provides services to people with
disabilities, including help in finding
housing and employment, in-home
care, etc.
She works during the day at the
Center for International Health at
Regions Hospital. Her husband,
Rev. Tchanong Hurh, is pastor at
House of God Trinity Christian
Church in St. Paul.
Frank Huebner and his wife,
Elizabeth, announced the
birth of their son, Andrew, on July
13, 2007. They live in New
Prague, Minn.
Tim Wahl and Lisa Uehling were married on Aug. 18, 2007, in Rochester,
Minn. They live in Minneapolis
where Tim teaches math at Rosemount High School and Lisa works
in the Technology Leadership Program at Target headquarters in Minneapolis.
Katie Winter began in Sept. 2007 as
a reporter for the Pipestone County
Star in Pipestone, Minn.
Graduate Programs
Jeff Falkingham ’95 MAL was a finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category of the Independent Book
Publishing Professionals Group
2008 Next Generation Indie Book
Awards for his book, Sherlock
Holmes and the County Courthouse
Caper. The book was originally published by Beavers Pond Press of
Edina, Minn., in September 2001
and re-released in June 2007, with
all proceeds going to flood victims in
Jeff’s hometown of Browns Valley,
Minn. www.cccaper.com
Jim Addington ’93 MAL was named a
“Facing Race Ambassador” by the
St. Paul Foundation for the work he
has done over many years and
through the Minnesota Collaborative
Anti-Racism Initiative that he and
his late wife, Imani-Nadine Addington, founded in 1995. Jim has
helped more than 20,000 people at
churches, colleges, and public institutions to understand and dismantle
racism.
Heather Reeve ’00 PA has been a
physician assistant at the ELEAH
Medical Center in Elbow Lake, Minn
.
May Mua ’01 PA has partnered with
Dr. Phua Xiong to establish Quik Urgent Care Clinic, the first Asian
American privately-owned and operated urgent care facility in St. Paul.
Danny Storm and Sarah
Schultz ’04 were married in
Hoversten Chapel on Aug. 2.
Danny is an audit/tax accountant
with Denny Hecker Automotive
Group and Sarah is a child protection social worker with Hennepin
county in Minneapolis. They live in
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Alissa Abelson ’06 MSW welcomed a
baby girl, Madilyn Gwen, on July 21,
2007. She lives in New York and is a
social worker at FEGS in downtown
Manhattan.
Gwen Nordahl ’07 PA joined the Battle Lake Clinic in Battle Lake, Minn.,
as a physician assistant in October.
Send us your news and photos
03
Emily Gerard and her husband, Craig Maus, welcomed
their daughter, Caroline Mae, on
Feb. 8.
04
Julie Andert and Jeremy Nelson ’05 were married on Oct.
20 in Pax Christi Catholic Community Church in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Wedding party Auggies included
Kiera Peterson ’04, Rebeca Welle
’05, Joshua Remme ’06, Tyler
Kraft ’06, and Joseph Wessbecker
’04. Julie works in human resources at West Side Community
Health Services, and Jeremy works
for Comcast in Sales and Marketing. They built a home together in
Blaine.
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move,
marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos!
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an
obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail
to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146,
2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, or e-mail to
alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news to the
Augsburg Online Community at www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
Full name
Maiden name
Class year or last year attended
Street address
05
Jamie Ann Johnson married
Christopher Kerestes in
Grand Teton National Park in
Wyoming. They live in Newark,
Del., where Jamie is pursuing a
Master of Public Administration
degree at the University of
Delaware and an associate degree
in nursing through Delaware Technical and Community College.
Chris is a research assistant and
PhD candidate in electrical engineering working to improve solar
cells for solar energy.
City, State, Zip
Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Home telephone
05
Paul Raukar and Chelsea
Haxton welcomed the birth
of their son, Evan Tyler, on May
30, 2007, born in Virginia, Minn.
Paul is a self-employed business
owner. praukar77@hotmail.com
E-mail
Okay to publish your e-mail address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Employer
Position
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? ❑ Yes ❑ No
If yes, class year
Spouse’s name
Maiden name
06
Ryan Adrian-Hendrick Rivard
and Kristin Gulbrandson announce the birth of their daughter
Nora Lucille Rivard, born Dec. 31,
2006. They live in Evanston, Ill.,
where Ryan is a student at
Chicago-Kent College of Law.
riss23@gmail.com
Sara Holman married David
06Nash on July 26 in Wisconsin
Your news:
Dells, Wis. They currently live in
Omaha, Neb., where Sara is a
copywriter for THT Designs and
David is a medical student at
Creighton University.
Fall 2008
55
my
Auggie experience
Patrick Flood ’08
B.S., social work, with a minor in religion
Patrick Flood, a 2008 graduate, reflected on his four years at
Augsburg…
“During opening convocation in 2004, the freshmen marched to
the chapel as professors lined the path, clapping and welcoming
us. They didn’t know us yet but they were there to support us.
After four long years, many of those same professors once again
lined up on Commencement day, clapping and congratulating us
on a job well done. I couldn’t have imagined on that first day
what the impact of this would be.
How I became an Auggie: It was important for me to stay in the
ELCA family, since my mother is a Lutheran pastor. Attending a
small private liberal arts college in an urban setting also appealed to me. (What really sold me, however, were Augsburg’s
skyways and tunnels that make life much more comfortable in
the dead of winter!)
Augsburg highlight: During my junior year I had an opportunity to
study abroad by taking a spring semester course—Social Work in
a Latin American Context—through the Center for Global Education (CGE). The program was centered in Cuernavaca, Mexico
and focused on experiential learning, global perspectives, and
social and economic justice. During the semester I took a Spanish language class, three classes in social work, and completed
an internship at Las Palomas, a local nursing home. … I learned
a lot about the differences between our cultures. In Mexico it’s
much more traditional for the elderly to be cared for by their children; they become part of the nuclear family structure. The number of elderly in nursing homes is much lower than in the U.S.
The Augsburg impact: Conversations with professors and students had a very positive influence on me. My religion class with
Professor Mary Lowe challenged my thoughts and beliefs. Her
enthusiasm rubs off on students and pushes them to think critically and analytically about the Bible and how that can translate
into bigger issues.
Next steps: Although I am a social work major, I was a student
worker in Augsburg’s Institutional Advancement office for four
years. I learned about the importance of giving back to the community through philanthropy and stewardship. Because of those
experiences and one-on-one mentoring, I’m interested in pursuing an entry-level job in development. Wherever life takes me, I
feel well prepared for the journey, thanks to Augsburg.
INTERVIEWED BY JENNIFER L. HIPPLE, WEEKEND COLLEGE STUDENT
56
Augsburg Now
CAROLYN AND DALE ’60 HANKA are firm believers in free enterprise
and entrepreneurship, a fact that’s reflected in their successful careers. Carolyn was a university marketing instructor; Dale was a financial planner and bank president. Together they owned and managed a
title company.
Now retired, the couple is acknowledging the importance of
Augsburg College to their success by establishing an endowed scholarship.
“We thoroughly appreciated our time as students at Augsburg
College. The College gave us so much—small classes, individual attention from professors, and the opportunity to learn teamwork and
leadership.
Today the College is still a very special place. Faculty and staff
challenge students to grow in academic achievement as well as in
personal relationships. The College’s vision that “we are called to
serve our neighbor” is vital to the college community, the community
“The College gave us so much—
small classes, individual attention
from professors, and the opportunity
to learn teamwork and leadership.”
around Augsburg, and the world we live in.
When we decided to acknowledge the importance of Augsburg in
our lives by establishing the Dale and Carolyn Hanka Business Scholarship, Augsburg provided us with the ideas and counsel that made it
easy through a charitable gift annuity. Not only does it establish a
scholarship, but we receive income and tax benefits.
The best benefit? Knowing that scholarships make an Augsburg
education possible for so many students.”
YOU HAVE A VISION FOR AUGSBURG.
P L A N N E D G I V I N G C A N M A K E I T A R E A L I T Y.
Become a member of the Sven Oftedal Society at Augsburg by making a gift through your will, trust, life insurance, or other
planned gift. There are many ways to give a gift that will last a lifetime and make a difference for Augsburg students.
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
Watercolor
Taking advantage of the beautiful fall colors along
the Mississippi River, art professor Tara Sweeney
took her beginning watercolor class down along the
St. Paul shoreline.
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
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U.S. Postage
PAID
Minneapolis, MN
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Page 1
Augsburg
Now
SUMMER ACTIVITIES P. 12
IMMERSED IN BOLCOM P. 18
SOCIAL WORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE P. 24
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R
AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS
FA L L 2 0 0 7
VOL. 70, NO. 1
Making orchids
more affordable
page...
Show more
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Page 1
Augsburg
Now
SUMMER ACTIVITIES P. 12
IMMERSED IN BOLCOM P. 18
SOCIAL WORK FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE P. 24
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R
AUGSBURG COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS
FA L L 2 0 0 7
VOL. 70, NO. 1
Making orchids
more affordable
page 14
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Page 2
Editor
Notes
from President Pribbenow on…
Collaborating with our sister colleges and universities
Y
ou’ll read in this issue about a special
program organized last spring to celebrate
the musical legacy of the American
composer, William Bolcom. The program,
called “Illuminating Bolcom,” is a fine
example of the sorts of remarkable opportunities our
students enjoy as a result of our collaborative
relationship with sister colleges and universities in the
Twin Cities. Organized with our partners in the
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC)—
Augsburg, the College of St. Catherine, Hamline
University, Macalester College, and the University of St.
Thomas—this special program gave our students and
faculty unprecedented access to performances, master
classes, and informal experiences with a world-class
musical talent.
What a privilege it has been for me to experience the
many collegial and genuinely collaborative
relationships that exist between Augsburg and its
sister colleges and universities. Surely it is a sign of
abundance that we can partner with higher education
institutions that perhaps once were seen primarily as
competition for students. Today, I believe these same
institutions are modeling the sort of collaborative
efforts that lead to innovation, a careful use of
important resources, and a perspective on life in the
world that eschews the sort of scarcity thinking and
living that our culture promotes. We care deeply at
Augsburg about living with a sense of abundance, and
here are several collaborations I would like to lift up.
We participate with the other 27 colleges and
universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) in regular gatherings for administration
and faculty members. In addition, many of the ELCA
institutions participate together in insurance
partnerships, tuition savings programs for parents, and
tuition exchange programs for faculty and staff. Our
partnerships also are sources of good ideas and best
practices for our institutions, even as we celebrate our
common links to the Lutheran church and its abiding
commitment to vocation and education.
We are proud charter members of the Minnesota Private
College Council (MPCC), which serves as an advocacy,
fundraising, and public affairs partnership for 17 private
colleges and universities in Minnesota. Together we have
a significant impact on creating awareness of, and access
to, higher education in our state.
ACTC is an innovative partnership begun more than 35
years ago that allows our students to register for courses
on all five campuses; that organizes joint programs like
the “Illuminating Bolcom” series; and that has created
administrative partnerships that save our schools more
than $2 million annually on supplies and services.
Our athletic conference, the Minnesota Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (MIAC), is one of the premier small
college conferences in the country and includes 13 of
Minnesota’s private colleges and universities.
There are several other national organizations in which
we proudly participate: Campus Compact, which brings
together colleges and universities dedicated to the public
and civic role of our institutions; the Council of
Independent Colleges (CIC), to which we turn for best
practices in teaching, learning, and administration, and
tuition exchange opportunities for our faculty and staff;
the National Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities (NAICU), our lobbying consortium in
Washington, DC; and the Association of American
Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), working with us to
promote the continuing relevance of liberal arts
education in the 21st century.
Surely these various partnerships and collaborative
relationships point to the remarkable opportunities we
have to enhance the Augsburg experience for all of our
students and to model a way of working together, across
institutional boundaries, to serve the public good.
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
Staff Writer
Bethany Bierman
bierman@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Class Notes Designer
Signe Peterson
petersos@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Media Relations Manager
Judy Petree
petree@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
David Warch
warch@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni Relations
Heidi Breen
breen@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published
quarterly by Augsburg College,
2211 Riverside Ave.,
Minneapolis, Minn., 55454.
Opinions expressed in Augsburg
Now do not necessarily reflect
official College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services, CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
healyk@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
Paul C. Pribbenow, president
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Page 3
10
Fall 2007
Contents
Features
12 Summer activities
Faculty and students take advantage of their summer time to pursue
diverse activities on and off campus.
18 Immersed in Bolcom
by Betsey Norgard
A two-week festival gave Augsburg musicians extraordinary access
to a renowned American composer.
22 Faith, vision, and a call to Guyana
by Betsey Norgard
Ruth Singh responded to a call 13 years ago to help the people in her homeland.
24 Social work for social justice
by Holley Locher, with Michele Braley and Nils Dybvig
18
A couple gives up their Twin Cities jobs to become peacemakers
amidst violence.
© 2006 Katryn Conlin for VocalEssence
Departments
On the Cover: Chemistry major Caryn Quist
experiments with chemical compounds, seeking
less-expensive ways to grow orchids.
2 Around the Quad
8 Sports
11 Supporting Augsburg
27 Alumni News
29 Class Notes
32 Views
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
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Page 4
AROUND THE QUAD
Teaching and
learning awards
The Distinguished Contributions
to Teaching and Learning Awards
honor significant contributions to
teaching and learning at Augsburg
by faculty and staff in the areas of
teaching, mentoring and advising,
and services to students.
The 2007 awards went to: Doug
Green, professor of English, for
teaching; to Susan O’Connor
(center), associate professor of
education, for mentoring and
advising; and to Lois Olson (left),
director of the Center for Service,
Work, and Learning, for service to
students.
Congratulations,
faculty!
Tenure granted
Keith Gilsdorf, economics
Tenure granted and promotion
to associate professor
Phillip Adamo, history
Lori Brandt Hale, religion
Stella Hofrenning, economics
Barbara Lehmann, social work
David Matz, psychology
Scholarships awarded for 2007-08
by the ELCA Foundation. Junior
Reid Larson was named a first
alternate and received $3,000 for
academic expenses.
The Rossing Physics Scholarships
were established by gifts from
Dr. Thomas D. Rossing, who
taught at Northern Illinois
University and St. Olaf College.
They seek to encourage top
physics students to attend ELCA
colleges and universities, to help
ELCA schools recruit top physics
students, and to encourage
students at ELCA schools to
consider majoring in physics.
This is the third year they have
been awarded by the ELCA
Foundation.
Two students
participate in
international music
program
Meghan Sherer, who graduated
in May, and senior Krista Costin
were accepted to the
Festivalensemble Stuttgart, a
choir that is part of the
Internationale Bachakademie
Stuttgart, founded and directed
by conductor and artistic
director Helmuth Rilling. They
spent a month in Germany from
Aug. 17-Sept. 13, with all
expenses paid, together with a
worldwide group of about 100
selected musicians.
The performances included
Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem,
and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony
No. 5.The first two weeks, the
choir rehearsed in southern
Germany and then traveled for
two weeks, performing in
various festivals. In addition to
the European Music Festival
Stuttgart, they sang in the
Rheingau Music Festival,
Beethovenfest Bonn, and in
Dresden, Halle, and Berlin.
For several years, Augsburg has
been one of the 24 audition sites
around the world, and this is the
first time that any Augsburg
students have been accepted.
Sherer performed with
Augsburg’s Gospel Praise, and
was a soloist with the group at
the June Commencement. She
graduated cum laude in May
with a Bachelor of Music degree
in music performance.
Costin toured with the Augsburg
Choir last year to Germany and
the Czech Republic, and was a
soloist at their Leipzig concert.
2 AUGSBURG NOW
Darcey Engen leads
“The Mother Project”
A collaborative theatre project,
staged at the Open Eye Figure
Theatre in August, told the
stories of six mothers from
different ethnic backgrounds and
traditions, across generations,
who all tried to juggle their
identities as care-giver, teacher,
parent, worker, and leader.
Darcey Engen ’88, assistant
professor of theatre arts, led the
collaboration of mothers—Jeany
Parks, Nanci Olesen, Maria Asp,
Sonny Case, Erin Carlson Sutton
’03, and herself—who created
the work through writing
exercises, recounting their
individual journeys through
motherhood.
According to Engen, the women
were drawn to “The Mother
Project’ because each had grown
restless seeking a place where
their experiences could be told,
and not finding it in literature,
television, drama, or cinema.
Kent Bodurtha
receives Rossing
Physics Scholarship
Senior physics major Kent
Bodurtha was awarded one of the
two new $10,000 Rossing Physics
Theatre arts professor Darcey Engen ‘88
worked with five colleagues to stage a
presentation about their journeys and
experiences of being mothers.
Meghan Sherer ’07
Krista Costin ’08
ELCA News Service
NOTEWORTHY
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Physician assistants
celebrate 10 years
Augsburg’s Physician Assistant
Studies program celebrated the
10th anniversary of its first
graduating class at a reception
and dinner on Sept. 15.
Members of the graduating
Class of 1997 attended, along
with other graduates and faculty.
“It was truly special to have so
many classmates and original
faculty join us to celebrate,” said
David Barlow, a graduate of the
Class of 1997 and current assistant
professor in the program. “We’re
fortunate to be part of a fabulous
profession that makes a difference
in so many lives.”
One of the program’s early faculty
members who couldn’t attend
wrote, “In general terms, [the 1997]
class most likely recently passed the
one million mark in patients seen.”
The 1997 physician assistant class, shown here as they graduated from Augsburg’s new program, reunited for a
10th-anniversary celebration in September, after treating probably more than one million patients during the decade.
ELCA News Service
Mark Hanson
re-elected presiding
bishop
Rev. Mark Hanson ’68 was
solidly re-elected presiding
bishop of the ELCA for a second
six-year term on Aug. 7, at the
2007 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly in Chicago. He is the
third presiding bishop of the
ELCA, is the second to be reelected, and is the second
Augsburg graduate to serve in
the ELCA’s highest elected office.
“Six years ago I said that I do not
view this as an election won but
a call received,” Hanson told the
assembly. “I view what you have
done today [as] the affirming of
that call to which I continue to
hold with great humility and
deep gratitude.”
Prior to his election as presiding
bishop in 2001, he and his wife,
Ione (Agrimson) ’68, lived in the
Twin Cities where he was bishop
of the Saint Paul Area Synod.
Several of their children have
attended Augsburg.
tration. She also served on the
Institutional Review Board and
was its chair for over a number
of years.
Sharon Patten, social
work, is mourned
The Augsburg community
mourns the death of Sharon
Patten, associate professor of
social work at Augsburg for 16
years, who died from cancer in
hospice care on Aug. 25.
She was instrumental in the
development of the Master of
Social Work program,
particularly in creating the
Program Development, Policy,
and Administration concen-
Sharon Patten
Bishop Mark Hanson ‘68
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AROUND THE QUAD
Star Tribune/Minneapolis-St. Paul 2007
Dan Schueller ’83
Coping with the
bridge collapse
Dan Schueller ’83 was on his
normal bike commute from work
along West River Parkway on
August 1, when fate placed him
as one of the first persons on the
scene of the monumental
collapse of the I-35W bridge over
the Mississippi River, just a mile
from Augsburg’s campus.
Tragically, Sherry Engebretsen,
who worked for Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans and is the
mother of Augsburg first-year
student Jessica Engebretsen, was
one of the 13 people killed in the
bridge collapse. Several Augsburg
staff were near the bridge when it
fell, and at least one of them
helped rescuers with victims on
the wreckage.
In the week that followed,
Augsburg provided space on
campus for the American Red
Cross to set up a Family
Courtesy photo
After hearing a crack and seeing a
cloud of dust in front of him,
from the rubble he began to hear
crying and moaning. “That’s what
kicked me into gear,” he told the
Star Tribune in an audio slide
show. “I knew I had to climb up
there and see if I could help
somebody.” He left his bike, and
was able to assist a number of
people out of their cars and onto
safe ground.
One of the first persons on the scene of the bridge collapse, Dan Schueller ’83
helped people out of their cars to safe ground.
Assistance Center, in partnership
with the City of Minneapolis, for
families and friends waiting for
news about their loved ones.
During that same week, a public
meeting of area and neighborhood business owners, with state,
local, and federal officials was
held at Augsburg to discuss how
to help the local businesses cope
with the effects of restricted
traffic and detours.
Retirees gave more
than a century of
teaching years
Three long-time Augsburg
faculty members, whose
combined years of service
amount to more than a century
and a decade, retired in June.
All of them have served under
four Augsburg presidents, and
two of them spent virtually their
entire classroom careers at
Augsburg.
Robert S. Herforth, biology professor, set a high example for his students of the
importance and quality of research.
4 AUGSBURG NOW
Robert S. Herforth, professor of
biology, came to Augsburg in
1967, from graduate work at
the University of Nebraska. His
research there focused on
hereditary disease in fruit flies.
Discoveries that he made
The effects of the bridge collapse
will endure long beyond the
clearing of the wreckage
spanning the river. Schueller said
that when he attended a meeting
of the weekly support group of
bridge survivors, he was “very
saddened to see so many people
with bad backs and still having a
hard time dealing with what
happened.”
— Betsey Norgard
pointed out errors by leading
scientists in existing scholarship,
for which he received university
honors.
Over the years, Herforth taught
animal physiology, developmental
biology, genetics, and molecular
biology; and he always stressed
research.
As a freshman at Augsburg,
associate biology professor Dale
Pederson ’70 was in Herforth’s
classes. At Herforth’s retirement
celebration, Pederson recalled
Herforth’s fly lab, especially
noting the quality of the technical
drawings done by art professor
Phil Thompson. Pederson called
Herforth’s scholarship
“exemplary.”
Courtesy photo
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Retired colleague Esther
McLaughlin spoke about teamteaching general biology with
Herforth and remarked about his
patience.
For enjoyment in his retirement,
Herforth’s colleagues and friends
presented him with an iPod filled
with recordings of bird songs.
7:19 PM
Page 7
how one should be in the
world.”
Griffin ascribed an “epic
quality” to Kingsley’s career, and
noted that Augsburg presidents
have sometimes recognized her
as quite an “adversary.”
Colleague Don Steinmetz
mentioned that
Al Kloppen, health and physical education, connected with students both in the
classroom and on the playing field as a football coach.
Mary A. Kingsley retired after 43 years of teaching Spanish and sharing her passion
for social justice issues.
Mary A. Kingsley, associate
professor of modern languages,
came to Augsburg in 1964 and
has taught Spanish here since.
She served many terms as
department chair, taking
occasional breaks when it was
held by a colleague.
Former English faculty professor
Joan Griffin commented on
Kingsley's “passion for justice,
especially if it’s an underdog that
has been wronged.” She said that
Kingsley “has engaged
generations of students about
department faculty have always
preferred to have Kingsley on
their side.
In the early days of the Center
for Global Education, Kingsley
and her husband donated a
house in Cuernavaca, Mexico,
to Augsburg, which was used as
the center’s base of operation
for some time.
Kingsley is enjoying her time in
retirement at their cabin in the
Apostle Islands.
Alvin L. Kloppen, assistant
professor of health and physical
education, came to Augsburg in
1976 from Augustana College in
Rock Island, Ill., where he had
been defensive football
coordinator. He served both as
Augsburg’s head football coach
and HPE faculty member for 10
seasons. He later served as an
assistant football coach while still
teaching.
Assistant athletic director Paul
Grauer commented on Kloppen’s
tenure at Augsburg. “Al Kloppen
had a ready smile and a funny
story for everyone he
encountered during his days at
Augsburg. As a coach, Al was a
tireless worker who always
looked for innovative strategies
and techniques which would
give his team the greatest chance
for success.
In 1977, he was named
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (MIAC) “Co-Coach
of the Year” when the Auggies
finished the season with an upset
win over powerful Concordia
College (Moorhead).
“In the classroom, Al had an
engaging approach which
enabled him to connect with his
students. He was there to give
support and encouragement to
all his students and especially to
those who may have taken ‘the
road less traveled’.”
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Medieval Minnesota:
Summer camp at Augsburg College
This summer, from August 5 to
11, 10 students from across the
country flocked to Augsburg to
learn about and, above all,
experience the Middle Ages.
They came for Medieval
Minnesota, the weeklong summer
camp for students ages 14 to 17
that encourages them to reimagine medieval life.
For seven days, students worked
and played together, learning
everything from swordsmanship
to Renaissance dancing, from
calligraphy to bookbinding, from
period music to storytelling. By
the end of the week, they had
researched and created medieval
characters and built period
costumes that they wore to a
graduation performance at the
famed Minnesota Renaissance
Festival.
Edward Peterson, 14, a student
from Wilmington, Del.,
performed the rousing “Saint
Crispin’s Day” soliloquy from
Shakespeare’s Henry V. Other
students, coached by music
professor Merilee Klemp,
performed a French love song
about Robin Hood and Maid
Marian, written by the 13th
century troubadour Adam de la
Halle. With the help of theatre
professor Darcey Engen, the
entire group wrote and performed
in its own version of a Robin
Hood play.
The students also got a taste of
college life. In addition to many
of the classes being taught by
Augsburg professors, they stayed
in Urness Hall, were guided in
research by Lindell reference
librarian Bill Wittenbreer, and ate
all their meals in the cafeteria.
6 AUGSBURG NOW
Photos courtesy of Phil Adamo
AROUND THE QUAD
Every day they went to classes
and workshops, from eight in the
morning until eight at night. Just
before bed they would unwind
playing medieval board games—
not Dungeons and Dragons, but
Hnefatafl, a strategy game played
by the Vikings! They also
watched Augsburg’s first-ever
Robin Hood Film Festival.
Medieval Minnesota was recently
featured in Renaissance magazine
(vol.12 #2, issue 54), a national
publication that features articles
on history, as well as news from
Renaissance festivals across the
country. The story brought
students to the camp from a
number of states, including
Delaware, Kentucky, Wisconsin,
and Iowa. Two of the students
who attended the 2006 camp are
now enrolled as first-year
students at Augsburg. Even the
youngest students at this year’s
camp have Augsburg on their list
of possible colleges for the future.
“The camp is meant to be
educational and fun, in and of
itself. But it’s also part of our
recruitment plan for the major
here at Augsburg,” said Phil
Adamo, associate professor of
history and director of the
College’s Medieval Studies
program. “We hope to have more
students at the camp next year.
Some of these will be returning
students, and others will be their
friends,” Adamo said.
Medieval Minnesota held a soldout benefit on October 5 to
From around the country, 10 high school students spent a week at Augsburg
immersed in the history, culture, and customs of the Middle Ages—all part of
Augsburg’s Medieval Studies program. (Back row, L to R) Joe Piper, Jack Randleman,
Edward Peterson. (Middle row, L to R) Alyssa Perra, Kelly Ryan, Ben Davidson,
Liz Ryan, Cambria Rosales. (Seated, L to R) Kayla Fratt, Jessica Larson.
provide scholarships for the camp.
That’s when former Monty Python
member Terry Jones, who is also a
well-respected medieval scholar,
presented “Medieval Lives.” His
presentation attempts to combat
the image of the Middle Ages as a
time of ignorance, misery, and
superstition. Jones’ talk surprises
and provokes, and makes you
think, and leaves you smiling.
At the end of the “medieval
camp,” e-mail addresses were
exchanged, as well as hugs. The
students had only one question
for each other: “Are you coming
back next year?” There may be
new students next year, and
different students, but Medieval
Minnesota will still inspire them
in their love of history.
For information on Medieval
Minnesota, go to www.augsburg.
edu/medievalstudies
— Bethany Locke ’11
Bethany Locke is a Medieval
Minnesota alumna, assistant
counselor, and now is a first-year
Medieval Studies major.
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Photos courtesy of Phil Adamo
Second-year physician assistant
.
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11/20/07
studies student Kate McKenzie spent
time with a couple at Augustana
Apartments as part of a graduate
course that trains physician
assistants, social workers, and nurses
to become better skilled in meeting
the various needs of older adults.
Preparing for the
‘age wave’
In a new five-week summer
course, Augsburg physician
assistant (PA) students explored
issues of aging in preparation for
the anticipated needs of the
nation’s baby boomers as they
become senior citizens.
The new course, Multidisciplinary Perspectives on
Aging, focuses on building
geriatric skills for professional
social workers, nurses, and
physician assistants. The goal is
for older adults to be cared for by
teams of healthcare providers
working collaboratively to
address needs comprehensively
and holistically.
Meeting one-on-one with older
adults to learn about their needs
has been part of the PA study
curriculum for several years, but
this course is the first to consider
aging from an interdisciplinary
approach. In the future the
course will also include graduate
social work and nursing students,
and upper division psychology
students.
To shape the program, physician
assistant studies professor Beth
Alexander and social work
professor Christina Erickson
partnered with Augustana
Apartments and Health Care
Center, a nearby community of
senior apartments, assisted living,
and long-term care. Together
with Augsburg alumna Patty
Crawford, director of resident
services at Augustana, Alexander
and Erickson set up three sessions
at Augustana where students
could learn by directly interacting
with residents.
At a preliminary session, an
interdisciplinary panel broadly
looked at issues to offer an
appreciation of the diversity of
older adults’ lives.
At the second session, the PA
students spent the morning oneon-one with Augustana residents
who are living independently.
The students developed
interviewing, listening, and
relationship-building skills by
asking open-ended questions to
assess the residents’ social,
psychological, spiritual, and
medical needs.
Second-year PA student Kate
McKenzie met with a couple
begining to deal with health
issues. “This has been very
challenging … for the couple,”
says McKenzie. “Fortunately
[they} have wonderful and
supportive children who visit
often and help out a lot.”
In their final visit to Augustana,
students examined specific cases
of long-term care residents,
reviewing their medical charts
and discussing their needs.
For McKenzie the class made an
impact. “Combining social work,
nursing, and physician assistant
perspectives on older adult care
has helped create a balanced
picture of what geriatric care is
truly all about,” she says.
“There is so much more than
meets the eye!”
The course began as part of a
three-year, $50 million project
on gerontology funded by the
Hartford Foundation with the
Council on Social Work
Education (CSWE). Augsburg is
one of 72 social work programs
across the country selected to
prepare social workers to improve
the care and well-being of older
adults and their families.
adults and the growing need for
more specialized skills.
Augsburg added the interdisciplinary collaboration as part
of the College’s initiative to build
bridges across programs. The
opportunity to partner with
Augustana, within a mile of
campus, also engages these
programs with its neighbors in
the community.
“The course has changed my
opinion of geriatric care
altogether,“ McKenzie says. And,
meeting the residents of
Augustana was something that
will remain dear to her.
— Betsey Norgard
Alexander also recognized the
need to better train physician
assistant students in this area.
She also recognized how often
PAs, social workers, and nurses
work together in caring for older
Elizabeth Baker interviewed a resident
to help understand how the role of a
physician assistant fits into a
multidisciplinary team of health
providers caring for older adults.
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AROUND THE QUAD
2
A
SPORTS
Augsburg College
names 2006-07 Senior
Honor Athletes,
athletic award
winners
Seven Auggies earned Senior
Honor Athlete designation, the
highest honor the College gives
its senior student-athletes for
accomplishment, leadership, and
character on the playing field and
in the classroom. Three Auggie
student-athletes were named
Senior Athletes of the Year. The
awards were voted on by coaches
in Augsburg’s men’s and women’s
athletic departments.
2006-07 Senior
Honor Athletes
Emily Anderson, a biology major
and chemistry minor with a 3.39
grade-point average, finished her
career as one of the top forwards
in Augsburg women’s soccer
history. She earned All-MIAC
first-team honors in her
sophomore and junior seasons.
Anderson earned ESPN The
Magazine Academic All-District
third-team honors in 2005 and
was an Academic All-MIAC
honoree in 2004. She has been a
Dean’s List honoree and was a
member of the Tri-Beta national
biology honor society.
8 AUGSBURG NOW
Jared Evans, a health and
physical education major with a
3.27 grade-point average, earned
All-American honors three times
as a 149-pound wrestler at
Augsburg, finishing seventh his
sophomore season, fourth his
junior season, and fourth in his
senior season. He was a part of
Augsburg teams that won
national titles in 2004-05 and
2006-07. He earned National
Wrestling Coaches Association
Scholar All-America honors in his
sophomore, junior, and senior
seasons.
Erik Helgerson, an accounting
and finance major with a 3.51
grade-point average, was a key
member of an Augsburg men’s
golf program that showed
tremendous growth during his
four seasons. Helgerson cut his
stroke average nearly five points
from his freshman to his senior
campaigns and earned All-MIAC
honors with top-10 finishes in
the league meet three times.
Andrew Johnson, a business
administration and economics
major with a 3.72 grade-point
average, was another key member
of the Augsburg men’s golf
program. He cut his stroke average
almost four points from his
freshman to his senior campaigns.
He earned All-MIAC honors this
season, finishing fourth at the 2006
conference meet. He was also a
Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar
last season.
Christopher (Critter) Nagurski,
a business management major with
a 3.30 grade-point average, was
one of the top scoring hockey
forwards in the MIAC throughout
his career, Nagurski earned AllMIAC first-team honors his
sophomore, junior, and senior
seasons. In 2006-07, Nagurski
finished second on the team in
scoring with 40 points, as the
Auggies returned to the
conference’s postseason playoffs
after a three-year absence. He also
earned Preseason All-USCHO
honors from U.S. College Hockey
Online twice.
Andrew Neumann, an elementary
education major with a 3.46
grade-point average, shined in
both football and wrestling. In
football, he was named to the AllMIAC first team in both 2005 and
2006 and was an all-region
selection by D3Football.com and
Football Gazette. In wrestling, he
competed twice at the NCAA
Division III national tournament
as a heavyweight, earning AllAmerican honors, among others.
He received National Wrestling
Coaches Association Scholar AllAmerican honors in both 2006
and 2007.
Shannon Olson, a marketing and
communications major (public
relations/advertising emphasis)
with a 3.66 grade-point average,
was a defender of an Augsburg
women’s soccer team that
qualified for the MIAC postseason
playoffs three straight seasons.
Olson earned All-MIAC first-team
honors her senior season and
Academic All-MIAC honors in
2005 and 2006. She was a
multiple Dean’s List honoree.
A
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Page 11
wrestler to win four individual
national championships and the
second college wrestler (with
Cael Sanderson at Iowa State) to
finish his career unbeaten and
untied, with a 155-0 career
record. He also played parts of
two seasons of football at
Augsburg as a quarterback, and
in 2004 he set all of the school’s
single-season rushing records.
Betsey Norgard
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Aaron Johnson, a health and
physical education major, was
one of the top forwards in
Augsburg men’s hockey history.
He earned All-American honors
twice, as a first-team selection his
junior and senior campaigns. This
season, he earned MIAC Player of
the Year honors and was one of
two NCAA Division III players
selected to compete in the 2007
NCAA Pontiac Frozen Four Skills
Challenge at the Division I men’s
hockey Frozen Four. He was also
named a Preseason All-USCHO
Division III West Region honoree
this season by U.S. College
Hockey Online.
On Sept. 8, the football jersey of Scott Hvistendahl ’98 was formally retired.
He is pictured here with the Gagliardi Trophy as outstanding NCAA Division III
player in 1998, and shown with Jostens representative John Abel [left] and coach
Mike Matson was one of the top
linebackers in the MIAC during
his football career, earning AllMIAC second-team honors in
2005 and first-team honors in
2006, while also earning AllMIAC Sportsmanship Team
honors his senior campaign. In
2006 he was named to the
Preseason All-Division III first
team by Lindy’s National College
Football Preview magazine, and in
both 2006 and 2007 he earned
D3Football.com and Football
Gazette honors.
For more about Auggie athletics
go to www.augsburg.edu/
athletics.
Scott Hvistendahl’s
jersey is retired
Jack Osberg [right].
At a halftime ceremony on Sept. 8 during the game against
Northwestern College (Roseville, Minn.), the No. 30 football jersey of
Scott Hvistendahl ’98 was formally retired.
Hvistendahl is one of the top Division III receivers in history, having
won, among many honors, the Gagliardi Trophy in 1998 as the
division’s outstanding player. In the last game of his career, he broke
NFL legend Jerry Rice’s record for receiving yardage with 285 passes for
4,696 yards received.
The ceremony marks the 10th anniversary of the 1997-98 football
season in which the Auggies captured the conference championship and
reached the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Hvistendahl’s honor was held during this Northwestern game because
he serves as an assistant coach at the school.
The Auggies went on to win the game, 31-26.
— Don Stoner
n
Marcus LeVesseur, a health and
physical education major, was
one of the top competitors in the
history of small-college wrestling.
He became the first Division III
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AROUND THE QUAD
Augsburg men’s
soccer team has the
trip of a lifetime in
Argentina
The soccer players trained at the
CEFAR Academy (Centro
Entrenamiento Futbol Alto
Rendimiento/Center for High
Performance Football Training),
a private training facility.
In addition, the Augsburg group
toured the city of Buenos Aires,
The Augsburg and CEFAR teams pose for a photo after the teamʼs first game in Argentina.
experience gained from the trip
was invaluable for the squad.
“This experience will be one that
will last a lifetime,” said Augsburg
head coach Greg Holker. “Our
guys played some of the best
The team also attended two
professional soccer matches in
Buenos Aires and experienced the
passion that Argentines hold for
the sport. They were lucky to
have the unique opportunity to
tour the training facilities of Boca
Juniors, one of the top teams in
Argentine professional soccer.
“Every day in Argentina is about
soccer—it is not just a way of life,
but a way to make a life,” Holker
said. “Generally speaking, if a
young boy growing up in Buenos
Aires does not make it in a club,
he is likely to fall victim to a life
of delinquency. When they play,
they are not only playing for
passion, but for their lives.”
To view daily stories from the
trip, along with student-athlete
diaries and more than 1,200
photos from the trip, go to
www.augsburg.edu/athletics/msoc
cer/2007argentina/index.html.
Former Argentine professional soccer player and coach Jorge “Coqui” Rafflo coaches
the Auggie players. Rafflo is the director of the CEFAR Academy, where the Auggies
stayed during their trip to Argentina.
often termed as the “Paris of
South America.”
The Auggies played four games
against strong club competition,
and though the team only scored
one goal in the four contests, the
10 AUGSBURG NOW
soccer they have ever played, and
faced opponents with qualities
they are unlikely to see again.
On top of this, they experienced
a culture that is not all that
different from our own in the
United States, with the exception
of its incredibly strong sporting
passion.”
James See (9) brings the ball forward
during Augsburg’s game against a River
Plate reserve team. David Long (6) trails
the play.
— Don Stoner
Photos by Don Stoner
Andrew Seidel plays the ball during
an Augsburg scrimmage against a
CEFAR squad.
Judy Petree
The Augsburg College men’s
soccer team had the experience
of a lifetime in August, traveling
to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for
an 11-day training and
competition trip. Twenty-seven
players, along with five Augsburg
staff members and several
parents and family members,
made the trip to Argentina.
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Making a gift to Augsburg
It’s easy to make a donation to Augsburg College.
All donations are tax-deductible.
SUPPORTING AUGSBURG
Putting your IRA to
work for Augsburg
Vera (Thorson) Benzel ’45 had
decided to establish a family
scholarship through her estate—
until she learned of the advantage
of gifting a portion of her IRA now.
She and her late husband, Jerold
’51, met at Augsburg. After she
graduated with a major in English,
Augsburg offered her a job
teaching secretarial studies in its
business department. After raising
her family, she also taught at the
Minnesota School of Business. At
Augsburg she graduated with a
minor in music, and for many
years enjoyed her time directing
church choirs.
Bob and their son, Loren, were
both photographers who
chronicled the life and culture of
Nordic cultures, both in the five
nations and among their
descendents in Minnesota. In
business together for many years,
they were the official
photographers for at least two
Norwegian royal visits. They were
also known for the colorful
calendar they produced annually
in Norwegian, Swedish, and
Finnish versions.
Gifts online
Go to www.augsburg.edu/giving to make a secure credit card
donation. You can use the form to make a one-time donation or
to set up recurring gifts.
Gifts by phone
To make a donation by phone, call Kevin Healy, director of
advancement services, at 612-330-1619 or 1-800-273-0617.
Gifts by mail
You can mail your gift to:
Development Office, CB 142
Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Matching Gifts
Many employers and organizations have matching gift programs,
and if you are a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member, you are
eligible for additional matching opportunities through the
GivingPlus program.
For complete information about making a gift,
including the types of giving and giving programs,
go to www.augsburg.edu/giving.
After Loren’s death in November
2006, they established a fund in
loving memory of him for
students who are art majors
studying graphic arts and design.
In addition, they established a
second endowed scholarship in
Bob’s name to assist art students
interested in photography.
end of this calendar year. The law
allows individuals aged 70 1⁄2 or
older to make immediate gifts to
qualified charitable organizations,
including Augsburg, from funds
they transferred directly from
an IRA.
Making a gift using your IRA
The Pension Protection Act of
2006 presents a special giving
opportunity—but only until the
If you are interested in making a
gift like this, you will not have to
pay taxes on the amounts
transferred. You can transfer any
amount up to $100,000 on or
before Dec. 31, 2007.
The transfer counts toward your
minimum required distribution as
long as you have not yet received
your 2007 distribution. The
transfer generates neither taxable
income nor a tax deduction, so
you will receive the benefit even
if you do not itemize your tax
deductions.
The best part of a gift from an IRA
transfer is that you can witness the
difference your philanthropic
dollars make now for students at
Augsburg College.
Judy Petree
The recently established Benzel
Family Scholarship honors Jerold
and Vera and their children, David
’71 and Ann (Benzel) ’78 Rieck,
who both attended Augsburg.
Since all of their careers have
included business, their new
scholarship will assist students
who are studying business.
Robert ’50 and Ruth Ann Paulson
decided to use an IRA to fund a
new endowed scholarship, which
will provide encouragement and
financial assistance to students in
graphic design and photography.
For information, call the
Development Office at
612-330-1613 or 1-800-273-0617.
— Betsey Norgard
David Benzel ‘71 and Ann (Benzel) ‘78 Rieck (pictured here
when they visited campus in September) together with their
mother, Vera (Thorson) ‘45 Benzel, have established an
endowed scholarship honoring their family from the transfer
of funds from an IRA.
President Pribbenow enjoyed talking with Robert ‘50 and
Ruth Ann Paulson, as they established two endowed
scholarships, one that is in memory of their son, Loren.
FALL 2007 11
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Courtesy photo
SUMMER
activities
During the summer,
students and
faculty can be found in interesting and
varied activities—research, internships,
travel, summer jobs, and more... .
Here are just a few examples of where
Auggies spent their summer days this year.
12 AUGSBURG NOW
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Courtesy photo
COOKING UP
an internship
Senior Emily Johnson
used her summer job at
camp as an internship
to learn about the
business side of
running a camp and
understanding the
importance of
leadership skills.
This year she returned as head
cook, and everything just fell
into place.
For a number of
summers, Grand Rapids,
Minn., native Emily Johnson
and her friends spent time at
Camp Hiawatha, a Voyageurs
Lutheran Ministry (VLM) camp
in northern Minnesota. After
high school, she found a way
to keep returning to camp
while earning money for
college—working as an
assistant in the camp kitchen.
Last year, when spring
came around, she
received a call asking if
she would consider taking
over as head cook at
Camp Vermilion, VLM’s
other camp, following the
retirement of the longtime
cook. She accepted …
with trepidation.
Johnson is a business
management and economics
major, set to graduate next
May. She plans to use her
management experience,
combined with a love for the
outdoors, to own and manage
her own resort some day. After
“
“I made all the mistakes there
were,” Johnson says, as she
talks about what she
encountered in figuring out
what to serve, how to make it,
and how much food to order
each week.
It was good
for me to take
what I’ve learned
in my classes and
apply that
knowledge…
”
graduation she intends to seek
a job at a resort in the Pacific
Northwest. She'll bring added
expertise in scheduling events
from her student work on
campus in the Event Services
office.
Johnson decided to shape this
summer’s camp experience
into formal learning to fulfill her
required internship. She
learned and wrote about
aspects of business management in her work—how the
camp runs as a business; how
she could avoid unnecessary
costs in ordering food; and
how the kitchen staff manage
and communicate important
camper issues, like food
allergies.
“It was good for me to take
what I’ve learned in my classes
and apply that knowledge …
away from school,” Johnson
says. “It’s amazing how much
of it comes into view when
you’re in the midst of it. … I
also learned how difficult
being a good manager is.”
Her work involved long hours
and a lot of planning to feed
campers who vary in age from
kindergarten to ninth grade at
nearly a dozen different
sessions all summer. She was
usually in the kitchen by 6:30
each morning, enjoying a brief
calm before the day’s routine
began.
Figuring out what foods the
campers would relish, and how
much to make were among
Johnson’s greatest challenges.
Once she figured out some of
the tricks to adapt and
multiply recipes, she enjoyed
borrowing some of her
mother’s recipes to try out on
the campers. Most of the time
they worked well.
What she learned included
leadership training—values
such as patience, compassion,
and standing up for yourself—
as well as business savvy.
“I even felt I was able to
contribute to conversations
about business matters,”
Johnson concludes. “That was
a good feeling.”
–— Betsey Norgard
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OBSERVING
Orchids
Chemistry major Caryn
Quist partnered with a
local supplier to obtain
the orchid stems needed
to study chemical
reactions that would help
her understand how the
costs of growing orchids
might be reduced.
With a national
wholesale value of
$100 million, potted
orchids are second in
popularity only to poinsettias,
and the wholesale value is
much greater. Thus,
discovering how to best
propagate low-cost orchids
is big business.
of phenols (a class of chemical
compounds) produced in vitro
under varying light and
temperature conditions by
phalaenopsis, a genus of
approximately 60 species of
“
The orchid breeder of
Orchids Unlimited in Apple
Valley thought so as well, so
when junior chemistry major
Caryn Quist approached
him about sponsoring her
summer research project,
he jumped on board. In the
initial stages of her project,
beginning in January, Orchids
Unlimited was the sole provider
of orchid stems for research.
Quist’s research focused on
determining the total content
It’s really
exciting, taking
this risk and
knowing I
could make a
contribution.
”
orchids. Other student
researchers included Steve
Eichten, studying adjustments
with light quality in orchid
propagation, and Nick Nelson,
researching ways to
manipulate the germination
process of Ladyslippers. Mark
Strefeler, associate professor
and department chair of
biology, led the research
team.
“Research is about going into
the unknown,” Quist says. “It’s
really exciting, taking this risk
and knowing I could make a
contribution. … It has certainly
begun to change the way I
observe and formulate
questions about the natural
world around me, and has
given me a chance to see a
slightly different side of
academia. I feel really
fortunate to have had this
research opportunity.”
While the summer research
didn’t uncover any great
discoveries, Quist considers it
time well spent. “I learned how
to do tissue cultures, and
learning the process itself took
a lot of time. We also ran into
contamination issues, which
slowed things down. … This fall,
I expect more results.” Quist will
continue her research through
the coming year and
eventually pass it on to a
younger student.
Through its Summer Research
Program, Augsburg’s Office of
Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity (URGO)
students are given opportunities to explore theoretical
and practical questions in
depth under the mentorship of
Augsburg faculty.
For more information on
summer research projects
and URGO, go to
www.augsburg.edu/urgo/.
— Bethany Bierman
14 AUGSBURG NOW
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Page 17
MUSIC
to help the
brain
heal
Senior music therapy
major Holly Tapani
studied the importance
of multidisciplinary
support for students
with brain injuries to
give them the best
college experience.
inadequate to treat the
increasing numbers of survivors
in rehab centers. And not
many colleges are prepared to
support brain injury survivors
who want to pursue higher
education.
Last semester, in one of
Holly Tapani’s music therapy
courses, music and movement
were incorporated into the
learning of two Augsburg
students who are survivors of
traumatic brain injury. She
immediately saw the benefits
of music therapy to their
learning, and she began
imagining ways to also
improve their overall college
experience.
“
Tapani understands the
urgency of this work. More and
more young people are
recovering from brain injury,
which is coming to be known
as the “signature” injury of the
Iraq War. The holistic therapies
designed to go beyond the
medical needs and address
the social, emotional,
cognitive, and physical aspects
of brain injury are totally
This is just
the small
beginnings of
the program
”
Tapani sought funding through
Augsburg’s Undergraduate
Research and Graduate
Opportunity (URGO) program
to formally study the activities
of the music and movement
class—an opportunity to carry
out needed research that can
help future students.
She interviewed the two braininjured students who participated in the class—both of
whom have been successful
academically despite their
impairments from brain injury.
Tapani asked them about the
various types and levels of
support they’ve received from
campus resources, as well as
from families and friends.
The students reported general
satisfaction in addressing their
physical and cognitive needs,
but they felt they lacked many
of the social and emotional
experiences typical of college
students.
Tapani proposed a program
that pairs student survivors oneon-one with a student mentor
who can manage the multiple
aspects of support, beyond
classroom tutors, for the
survivors and help to make their
college experience more
normal.
“This is just the small beginnings
of the program,” Tapani says,
but it will help colleges
understand a need to develop
the staff and knowledge to
offer broader support to this
growing population of students.
In order to launch the mentor
program, a benefit concert in
September featured the trendy
pop-rock band, The Abdomen.
Next year, Tapani will complete
a six-month internship, hopefully
at a rehabilitation center, and
graduate. Her long-term goal is
to specialize in neurologic
music therapy, further pursuing
her interest and research in
working with brain injury
survivors.
— Betsey Norgard
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AUGGIES
at
AMNICON
Courtesy photo
705384_CATALOG:705384_CATALOG
(L to R) 2007 grads
Erik Hinderlie, Ted Fabel,
Brett Cease, and senior
David DeBlock spent the
summer as canoe and
backpacking guides at
Camp Amnicon.
Three recent Augsburg
graduates and one senior
spent their summer working as
guides for canoe and
backpacking trips around the
heartland of
Northern
Minnesota,
Michigan, and
Wisconsin.
“
adventure trips—kayaking,
backpacking, Voyageurcanoeing—and retreat
programs for youth and adults.
“What makes Amnicon so
foster agency programs,” says
Cease.
“Many of these kids have
never had the opportunity to
spend a week
of their lives
outside
before. … I
have never
seen such
profound
change and
positive
growth come
out of a week
of a young person’s life than
the work I get to take part in at
Amnicon,” Cease continued.
Many of these kids have
never had the opportunity to
spend a week of their lives
outside before …
Erik Hinderlie ’07,
Ted Fabel ’07,
Brett Cease ’07,
and David
DeBlock ’08 were
guides at Camp Amnicon, an
outreach of Central Lutheran
Church in downtown
Minneapolis. For 40 years,
Amnicon has offered both
”
unique is its strong commitment
to getting the majority of its
campers from at-risk groups
throughout the state, whether
from inner-city, reservation, or
The groups visit areas including
Lake Superior, the Brule and
Namekagon Rivers, the
Sylvania Wilderness, and the
Apostle Islands. On some trips,
campers paddle as a team in
34-foot Voyageur canoes on
Lake Superior or in Voyageurs
National Park.
“Being canoe guides is
undoubtedly one of the most
inspirational havens in our
lives,” says Cease of the
experience he and the others
have had. “It is because of
places like Amnicon that I am
continually reminded of the
importance of building an
intentional and caring,
supportive community, like
that which was modeled at
Augsburg.”
To read more about Camp
Amnicon, go to
www.amnicon.org.
— Bethany Bierman
16 AUGSBURG NOW
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Page 19
ADVENTURES IN
HAITIAN MUSIC
After teaching for years
about work songs in
various cultures, Stacke
traveled into the Haitian
hills and recorded sugar
Bob Stacke
cane workers playing a
This was Bob Stacke’s fifth
summer trip to Haiti as a
volunteer band director and
music teacher, but this year’s
adventure he calls one of the
most spectacular things he’s
ever done.
For Stacke, Augsburg’s band
director, associate professor,
and music department chair,
one big difference in this year’s
sojourn was the chance to
spend the first two weeks there
with his photographer
daughter, Sarah Stacke, who is
a staff photographer for the
Minnesota House of Representatives. Another was that
being with her also made it
easier for him to pursue his own
hobby, which also happens to
be photography.
Their first adventure, and
Sarah’s assignment, was a
week in Port Salut, where she
shot photos for a non-
governmental organization
providing health care in
southwestern Haiti.
Bob’s highlight was traveling
into the hills there and listening
to the call-and-response work
“
I think I
learned
more than
they did.
”
songs of the sugar cane
workers. He says for years he’s
been teaching about the
cultural role of work songs in
marking rhythm and giving
structure to tedious work, but
this was the first time he’s
heard it live in the field. He
documented the workers, their
instruments, and songs in both
photos and recordings.
variety of homemade
instruments.
Sarah’s second assignment was
photographing projects of Yéle
Haiti, an organization started
several years ago by GrammyAward winning Haitian
recording artist Wyclef Jean.
His foundation provides
resources and inspiration
targeted at Haitian youth, with
music infused throughout.
Yéle Haiti’s programs include
food distribution, health care,
education scholarships, films,
sports, and music programs,
which involve thousands of
people and reach far into the
poorest and most violent
Haitian neighborhoods.
But Bob’s primary reason for
being in Haiti was to teach
band and percussion at the
Holy Trinity Episcopal School
summer music program in Portau-Prince. Professional
musicians and music students
keep returning as volunteers to
teach in this summer program,
working with Haitians ranging
in age from elementary kids to
young people well into their
twenties.
“This experience was so much
fun,” Bob says. “I teach them
Western music all day, and all
night they teach me how to
play their music. I think I
learned more than they did.”
He describes their music as
incredibly complex and driving,
with meters that defy barlines,
and with countermelodies and
melodies laid on top.
Next year he’ll likely return to
Haiti. But before that, he’ll lead
a two-week study trip for
Augsburg students to Jamaica
to reconnect with the second
of his three favorite Caribbean
music traditions—Haitian,
Jamaican, and Cuban. ■
— Betsey Norgard
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© 2006
lEssence
for Voca
Conlin
Kathryn
Immersed in
Bolcom
by Betsey Norgard
Augsburg students Kristen Lueck and Bri’Ann Wright struggled for
weeks to feel comfortable with the four-hand piano piece they
would play in concert, with the composer in the audience. Little
did they know it would be a world premiere.
For several weeks in the spring, music students and faculty in the
five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC)—Augsburg,
Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas—enjoyed a
rare experience to explore and absorb the musical genius of a
single composer, William Bolcom, winner of a Pulitzer Prize and
four Grammy awards. Through master classes, concerts, and
coaching, they interacted collectively and one-on-one with this
most interesting and eclectic composer.
It was all part of the “Illuminating Bolcom” festival, organized by
18 AUGSBURG NOW
Brian
11/20/07
7:21 PM
Page 21
n
tt Holma
Brian Sco
The centerpiece of the Bolcom festival was a huge, multimedia concert,
including video images of William Blake’s illustrations for his poems,
showing here “The Tyger.”
Bolcom’s popularity is often attributed to the accessibility and
variety of his music, often an eclectic borrowing across
musical genres. Songs of Innocence and of Experience, for
example, includes a country western rendition of “The
Shepherd,” and ends with a raucous, Bob Marley-reggae
interpretation of “A Divine Image.”
Beyond composing, Bolcom keeps a busy performance
schedule accompanying his wife, Joan Morris, a versatile
mezzo-soprano cabaret singer. (Minnesotans may be
surprised to discover that Bolcom wrote “Lime Jell-O
Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise,” a cabaret tune
made popular by Morris and often played in the context
of Minnesota local culture.)
Ragtime music is another of Bolcom’s musical passions,
and the recordings he made in the 1970s of Scott
Joplin’s music are often considered the force behind
the revival of ragtime music and the inspiration for
the rags that Bolcom himself composed.
Exploringgenius
It was all part of the “Illuminataing Bolcom” festival, organized
by Philip Brunelle and his Twin Cities ensemble, VocalEssence,
and involving many of the area’s top performing arts
organizations. Star Tribune music critic Michael Anthony
predicted that this festival might prove to be the Twin Cities’
ACTC faculty and music students enjoyed more than a dozen
opportunities to connect with William Bolcom in lectures,
coaching sessions, and performances. For his consideration, they
prepared selections of his works for voice or instrument, for solo
performance or in ensembles, as in the following highlights:
“classical event of the year.”
Courtesy photo
s
705384_CATALOG:705384_CATALOG
Versatilecreativity
William Bolcom is a down-to-earth pianist, teacher, and
composer—and clearly was grateful and completely engaged
in the two-week attention to his work. A child prodigy pianist
by age 5, he began studying music at the University of
Washington at age 11, and went on to study with composers
Darius Milhaud and Olivier Messiaen. Since 1973, he has taught
at the University of Michigan.
“Illuminating Bolcom” presented a diversity of his gospel,
chamber, classical, and stage music. The festival
centerpiece was a multimedia concert at Orchestra Hall,
“Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” presenting the 46
poems of William Blake’s collection of the same name, set to
music by Bolcom. The 2005 recording of this work won four
Grammy awards.
May music graduate Bri’Ann Wright (right) and music therapy major Kristen
Lueck (left) played a 30-year-old piano piece by Bolcom (center) that turned
out to be a historic performance.
FALL 2007 19
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Lecture/Recital—At the University of St. Thomas, Bolcom
The music has been called “monumental”—46 numbers, with
lectured about his own process for composing the music in
sound ranging from classical to ballad to gospel to country
Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience. The evening
western. Stacke, associate professor and chair of the music
recital, which he attended, focused on performances of the
department, called it “about the hardest music he had ever
same Blake poems set to music by a variety of other composers,
played, but just amazing.”
and included performances by Augsburg students—sopranos
Meghan Sherer, Kaila Frymire, and Evelyn Tsen; and tenors
Surprisepremiere
Andrew Kane and Brian Halaas; accompanied by Kirsten Bar
Schubert Club Courtroom Concert—Wright and classmate
(oboe), Melody Buhl (clarinet), and Jerusha Sunde (piano). The
Kristen Lueck had an even more amazing personal Bolcom
program also included faculty soprano Janet Gottshall Fried,
experience when they played in the concert sponsored by the
and Sonja Thompson, who provided accompaniments.
Schubert Club, featuring ACTC students.
Student Composer Master Class/Band Rehearsal—Senior music
For that concert, they had been given a four-hand Bolcom
performance pianist Bri’Ann Wright was a student in Carol
piece, called “Abendmusik,” which he had written for his piano
Barnett’s music composition class that Bolcom visited. She and
teacher, married to an astronomer.
classmate Adrian Moravec were writing and preparing a piano
film score accompaniment to the 1920s German silent film,
“It’s a cosmic, ethereal piece; very slow, with chords appearing
Pandora’s Box, being shown on campus. The task was
all over the piano, out of the air,” says Wright. It’s also “very
daunting—to compose, play, and improvise music to fit the film.
difficult, obscure, and abstract,” she continues, “and you can't
Playing their score for Bolcom proved invaluable, as he gave
wrap your ears around it easily.”
them tips for how to use the piano more effectively with film.
Lueck says that in practicing it, they counted for months just to
Faculty Chamber Music Concert—At Hamline University, in a
get the rhythm and timing in their brains. Only a few weeks
concert titled “A Little Night (Chamber) Music,” faculty from all
before the coaching session with Bolcom preceding the
five ACTC colleges, including Augsburg faculty Merilee Klemp
concert, she says, the piece had “just begun to gel in our
(oboe), Jill Dawe (piano), and Angela Wyatt (saxophone),
minds and fingers.”
performed a series of Bolcom’s chamber works all containing
night themes. Rebroadcasts of portions of this concert on
At the coaching session, Lueck says, Bolcom was very laid
Minnesota Public Radio extended its listening audience.
back. He made some random remarks and confirmed their
dynamics for portions of the piece. He also made a passing
Lecture in Music History Class—Just as Klemp’s music history
comment that in 30 years he hadn’t seen that piece again nor
class was completing a study of 20th-century music, they had a
heard it played.
visit from Bolcom, one of the composers they had been
studying. Roberta Kagin, associate professor of music and
Wright and Lueck opened the concert with “Abendmusik.”
director of the music therapy program, attended the class and
When Bolcom was asked to explain the piece to the audience,
observed that “Students opened their music history textbooks
he mentioned that it had never been performed.
and were reading about him, as he stood in front of them.”
“So,” declared emcee Randall Davidson, Augsburg’s fine arts
“Songs of Innocence and of Experience”—Three Augsburg
manager, “this is a world premiere!” Wright and Lueck were
faculty members—Klemp (oboe), Bob Stacke (percussion), and
then brought back on stage for accolades and hugs.
Matt Barber (percussion)—played for “Songs of Innocence and
of Experience,” the centerpiece concert at Orchestra Hall.
“It was an huge, overwhelming honor,” Lueck said of the
Faculty member Steve Lund was the orchestra contractor. It was
performance, “and a privilege to work with Bri and [Bolcom].
a gigantic performance, illuminating in vivid sight and sound the
… Playing for him was an affirmation of our work.” And a very
poetry of William Blake, with 13 soloists and three choirs,
lucky day for two unsuspecting college music students.
supported by an orchestra of 95 players. All through the
concert, striking video images based on Blake’s own illustrations
Students Tammy Smith (flute) and Nikki Lemire (harp) also
for his poems were projected on a huge screen.
played in that concert, performing two selections from
Bolcom’s “Celestial Dinner Music.”
20 AUGSBURG NOW
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Page 23
Kathryn Conlin for VocalEssence
Courtesy photo
Senior Tammy Smith received coaching from Bolcom, along with recent
grad Nikki Lemire on harp, for his piece they would play in concert.
May music graduate Bri’Ann Wright (left) and music therapy major Kristen Lueck (right)
walked off stage to applause, not yet realizing they had just performed a world premiere
by one of the country's leading composers.
Learnerstogether
A collaborative grant from ACTC, conceived by Davidson,
Bolcom’s settings to the Blake poetry. At Augsburg, this included
funded the various activities that aimed to involve faculty and
students in the Honors Program and British literature course who
students from at least three ACTC schools at each event.
explored the poetry from the perspectives of the music.
Klemp says that the ACTC collaboration afforded valuable
Davidson was thrilled with the impact of the Bolcom festival.
opportunities for everyone involved. Students and faculty were
“Rarely has an American composer been celebrated like this,”
learners together as they worked with a master teacher.
he says. “The festival has given our students extraordinary access
Students became music professionals as they worked side-by-
to Bill Bolcom, and will remain an important point of reference in
side with their own teachers to prepare Bolcom’s music for
their lives for years to come; there is no substitute for first-person
master classes and performance. And, student and faculty
experiences. Augsburg’s participation helped build deep and
from the five colleges collabor