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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2010: Go Auggies! Homecoming 2010
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW inside FALL 2010 VOL. 73, NO. 1 Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds Travel Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium Augsburg annual report Coach Greg Holker page 20 go auggies! Homecoming ...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW inside FALL 2010 VOL. 73, NO. 1 Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds Travel Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium Augsburg annual report Coach Greg Holker page 20 go auggies! Homecoming 2010 Editor notes from President Pribbenow w Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Coming Home e celebrated Homecoming this year in grand fashion, welcoming more than 1,000 alumni, families, and friends at events during the week. I am mindful of the many ways in which coming home to Augsburg has meaning for alumni and those of us on campus. We all share in common this place and the experience that continues to shape our lives in the world. And when we “come home,” we mark just how powerful those connections and shared experiences are to our personal and common callings in the world. So what does it mean to come home to Augsburg? First, it is quite literally a homecoming to this place in the heart of Cedar-Riverside and Minneapolis, this campus home we have inhabited since 1872 when our Norwegian-American ancestors first settled here. Homecoming seems especially meaningful this year as our campus community is engaged in a Commission on Campus Space and Master Planning— exploring together what it means that we are in this urban setting and what our aspirations are for the future of Augsburg’s campus. During this year, we will plan for new buildings, landscape, and the responsible use of space. And we also will consider what it means that we are here in Cedar-Riverside, this neighborhood we share with various neighbors. How best do we honor our role as neighbor here? Second, homecoming also marks our return to a community, a gathering of those who share our commitments to education for service. There are clear distinctions in the nature of this community over time. We are much larger—we now count more than 4,100 students and 650 faculty and staff. We offer a wider range of academic programs—from our traditional day program to adult undergraduate and expanding graduate opportunities. We are increasingly diverse—in ethnic and religious background, in age and in socioeconomic Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu class, and in so many other ways. But at its core it is still Augsburg, a community grounded in offering a superior educational experience for all students that focuses on the intersections of faith, learning, and service. Augsburg is one of the most hospitable and welcoming communities I know, a place that believes deeply that access to education demands of us a commitment to justice for all God’s creatures. Finally, you come home to a mission, a character, and a set of values that abide over the years. Here, we still celebrate the Word made flesh. Here, we still share with our immediate neighbors an immigrant sensibility, the belief that education is at the core of a healthy neighborhood and democracy. Here, we still work together to ensure that all deserving students can receive an Augsburg education. Here, we still help each other discern our vocations and gain the skills and knowledge to live them out in the world. In the work and lives of our alumni, we have remarkable stories of how this distinctive Augsburg mission has made a difference in the world over the years. For those of us who are the current stewards of Augsburg’s mission, I urge you to listen to the stories of our alumni for they are our “epistles to the world,” our parables of what an Augsburg education means. You will be amazed by what they have accomplished. I hope those of you who came to Homecoming were able to meet our current students, because they are the most powerful statements of our mission, our aspirations to make a difference in the world. They are remarkable signs of what we can look forward to as Augsburg seeks to live out its mission to educate students who are “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” Welcome home to Augsburg! PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 fall 2010 Features 12 18 26 contents 22 12 18 22 26 29 29 augsburg now On the cover Auggies are awwwe-some! With boomsticks in hand, Auggies cheer on the football team at Homecoming. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. Homecoming 2010 She loves being an Auggie: Meet Martha Stortz by Wendi Wheeler ’06 The Sabo Symposium: Understanding healthcare reform by Betsey Norgard Celebrating our success by Wendi Wheeler ’06 Annual report to donors, 2009–10 Departments inside front cover 2 9 10 11 43 48 52 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies on the course Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience around the quad Partners in the park New Board of Regents members elected Murphy Square, the three acres that sit squarely in the middle of Augsburg’s campus, is the oldest park in the city of Minneapolis. It was given to the city by Edward Murphy in 1857, when he platted “Murphy’s Addition.” At that time, however, this first city park was quite far from the small settlements in St. Anthony and Minneapolis, and for 20 years or more the park served mostly as cow pasture. As Augsburg grew, the park became more and more surrounded by the College and incorporated into college life and traditions. Homecoming parades have flowed around it, science contraptions have been launched in the annual Agre Challenge, tents have held formal receptions for commencements and inaugurations, and many games of Frisbee, grills of hotdogs, and hours of sunbathing have taken place in the park. On October 16 at Homecoming, a formal partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was celebrated in which Augsburg assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the park. The partnership serves as the foundation for further cooperative efforts and engagement with the park board as Augsburg moves forward with campus master planning, including a proposed sweeping green landscape across campus. At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporation Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg Board of Regents, and re-elected three members to second terms. Elected for first, four-year terms are: Cynthia Jones ’81 Toby Piper LaBelle ’96 LaJune Thomas Lange Rev. David Tiede Cynthia Jones ’81, Senior Technical Advisor for Nuclear Security, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, Senior Vice President, Northland Securities LaJune Thomas Lange, Judge (retired), Fourth Judicial District of Minnesota Rev. David Tiede, Interim President, Wartburg Theological Seminary; Bernhard M. Christensen Professor Emeritus of Religion and Vocation Elected to second, four-year terms are: Richard C. Hartnack, Vice Chairman, Consumer Banking, U.S. Bancorp André Lewis ’73, President (retired), RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation Rev. Norman Wahl ’75, Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn. Christensen Symposium 2010 On October 3, Gracia Grindal ’65 presented the life and legacy of Bernhard Christensen, “Devoutly Would He Teach.” On October 4, the symposium continued with the inauguration of Martha Stortz as the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation (see page 18). Read Grindal’s address at www.augsburg.edu/now. Bruce Rowe, groundskeeper, begins his day beautifying Murphy Square. 2 Augsburg Now NewsNotes Urban Scrubs camp on campus Augsburg joined with HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, and the University of Minnesota to host a five-day Urban Scrubs camp. Students in grades 9–12, many from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, lived on campus and explored opportunities in healthcare fields. Commission Augsburg focuses on mission At its 2010 spring meeting, the Augsburg Board of Regents adopted a new mission statement for the College. Following two years of conversation about the character and identity of Augsburg, the new mission statement incorporates many changes that have come about in the past 20 years, including nontraditional undergraduate programs, graduate studies, a campus in Rochester, global study programs, and continuing initiatives to meet the needs of diverse students. The new Augsburg College mission is: “Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.” During this year, Commission Augsburg will present a series of conversations across the country for alumni, parents, and friends to learn about how the Augsburg mission sets a clear map for the future of the College. Watch for opportunities to meet and hear from President Pribbenow and others from the College. To learn more about Commission Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/president/initiatives/Commission.pdf. To learn more about events in your area, contact the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. Augsburg in the rankings: • The Princeton Review—one of 152 schools named “2011 Best in the Midwest,” based on excellent academic programs, visits to the schools, and reports from students. • 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction—115 colleges honored for commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. • “Cool Schools,” Sierra magazine’s 2010 rankings of colleges’ sustainability efforts. Augsburg placed number 102 in the top 162 schools across the nation. • Washington Monthly magazine’s 2010 rankings of best master’s universities in the nation, based on contribution to public good in three areas: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), producing cutting-edge research and scholarship, and community service. Augsburg placed 71 of 100. Grant to support low-income students The Travelers Company selected Augsburg to participate in the Travelers EDGE program, a five-year initiative that focuses on recruitment and retention of low-income students of color from the St. Paul public schools. Augsburg was one of a small number of colleges selected for the program because of its success in recruiting students from underrepresented populations. Pillsbury United Communities Award to Augsburg Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis gave its President’s Leadership Award this year to Augsburg College for “outstanding contributions to the Brian Coyle Center and the entire community.” The award especially recognizes MBA student projects, service-learning, community engagement, and initiatives with the Social Work Department. Gordon Nelson’s death is mourned Professor emeritus of sociology Gordon Nelson died on July 6 following complications from a stroke. He taught in the Sociology Department, including serving as chair of the department, from 1967 to his retirement in 2001. For decades he was a DFL activist, elected city official, and an aide to U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo. A memorial service was held in Hoversten Chapel on September 11. Welcome, Class of 2014 The first-year, Class of 2014, is one of the most diverse in Augsburg’s history. 419 first-year students Composition—41% students of color, 43% first-generation college students Gender—185 male (44%), 234 female (56%) Geography—351 Minnesota residents, plus 17 other states and 10 countries Total Augsburg student body—4,109 (2,132 traditional day students, 1,057 weekend undergraduate students, 920 graduate students) Fall 2010 3 “Gabe” retires after 47 years When asked how he prefers to be addressed, music professor Stephen Gabrielsen ’63 always responds, “My friends call me ‘Gabe.’” After 47 years on the music faculty, “Gabe” is retiring in December. At Homecoming in October, many former students, friends, and colleagues celebrated his work and legacy at a tribute concert. In 1963, while still a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Gabrielsen received an invitation from Music Department chair Leland Sateren to return to teach in Augsburg’s Music Department. Since then, Gabrielsen has also served as College organist and has played organ for chapel every day, which Pastor Dave Wold figures must add up to more than 5,000 services. Gabrielsen was at the organ for Augsburg’s first Advent Vespers service in 1980, and missed only two services in the 30 years since. He fondly recalls that first Advent Vespers service, which succeeded in creating what he and others had hoped for—an unusual spiritual experience through music and liturgy. “From the somber dark of Advent, the service grew to brilliant Christmas light, and down again to peacefully and quietly end … it was just magic.” A new organ for the chapel A high point during Gabrielsen’s tenure at Augsburg was the installation of the Dobson organ in the new Hoversten Chapel in the fall of 1988. “The building of our wonderful organ in the chapel would have to be a MOST exciting [highlight],” he says. “I will always be thankful that the Augsburg Associates financed the organ. They gave me free reign (within reason) to choose which stops would be in the organ. Every organist ought to have such an opportunity!” During the inaugural year of the new organ, Gabrielsen initiated a series of concerts called “Organ Plus” that featured musician colleagues and friends. Because the series grew so popular, Organ Plus became an annual event for the next decade. Gabe’s teaching innovations David Cherwien ’79 recalled at the celebration concert that he and other students often would arrive for one of Gabrielsen’s music classes and find a canon written out on the blackboard. The class would begin with all the students singing in parts. Music professor Merilee Klemp ’75 also remembers those canons as one example of how “Gabe was great at making music real, whether he was teaching theory or President Paul Pribbenow congratulated history—it was just his pracStephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 as he received tice of making music.” the Spirit of Augsburg award at Homecoming. 4 Augsburg Now Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 has played the organ for daily chapel since Hoversten Chapel opened in 1988. What may be the most vivid in many students’ memories of classes with Gabrielsen, however, were his dreaded “drop the needle” music repertoire tests, which he created as a way to bolster students’ knowledge. Serving the church as organist Gabrielsen is a fellow of the American Guild of Organists and studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany, as a Lutheran World Federation scholar. For 50 years he served as church organist in seven metro area Lutheran congregations, including 10 years each at Holy Trinity in Minneapolis and Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley. In addition, he often played recitals and dedicatory concerts when congregations purchased new organs. Music therapy professor Roberta Kagin was one of many former students and colleagues who offered personal notes to Gabrielsen at the tribute concert. She reflected on the 36 years they shared neighboring offices in Music Hall. The tribute she read to Gabrielsen described the care, devotion, and mentoring that he pays to each of his students. “Years after a student graduated, and we tried to track them down,” Kagin read, “we would always say, ‘Gabe will know’—and you not only remembered the students, but also knew their spouses and children.” At Homecoming Gabrielsen was also honored with the Spirit of Augsburg award (see page 15). In fact, his entire family shares the spirit of Augsburg, as Gabrielsen’s wife, Kathleen ’79, and their two children, Buffy ’89 and Joe ’91, have all attended Augsburg. Gabrielsen grew up in Norwegian communities, where his father, a Norwegian immigrant, was a Lutheran pastor. Many know that Gabe will now have time in retirement to search out and tell more of the Ole and Lena jokes for which he is legendary. Uff da. BETSEY NORGARD Embedded with the National Guard Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship collaborates with the Minnesota National Guard to offer opportunities for student journalists to spend a week embedded with the Minnesota National Guard during training exercises. Jenny Avery, a senior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing, went to the field each day with the soldiers to identify stories, shoot photographs, and conduct interviews. This is one of many examples of students enjoying personal experiences in their learning. A New Universe Courtesy photo by Jenny Avery ’11 24 May, 2010 I had never seen anything like it before. The split second of each fiery explosion was almost disturbingly beautiful as the smoke dispersed into fluffy clouds of ash. Each moment-long eruption took at least 45 minutes to prepare for, which is a generous estimate to say the least. Little did I know that so much preparation would go into a task that one could miss with a blink of an eye. Our van had been driving for about 20 minutes across the grounds where these sorts of exercises are held before we actually found the specific land that this particular event was holding. We parked a ways away though; the remainder of our journey we arrived by foot. I, the four other journalists involved in this embed, and Specialist Cassinos soon enough found the company we were told to meet with. A group of maybe 12 men were grouped near one of the bunkers on top of the hill. When we first laid eyes on the land spread out in front of us, all that could be seen was a plain of grass, a small little hut off in the far distance, and mounds of dirt and sand in between the outstretch of land from the bunkers and the cube-shaped building. About 15 to 20 minutes after we found the National Guardsmen at the bunkers, four enormous M113 vehicles started slinking their way towards us, making their way down the steep hill. We watched as these gargantuan machines lined up in one row facing the hut across the way. The back ramps from each of them slowly lowered themselves to the ground. Emerging then from each vehicle were 13 soldiers, preparing themselves and their equipment for their upcoming mission. I watched as a large, collective group jogged over to the heavilysanded portion of the landscape. Essentially, the mission was to set off the explosions on the land, and eventually inside the house. As the preparation continued, Lieutenant Matthew Sullivan explained to us the layout of what was about to come. “So basically what they’re going to do is breach the mine field here ... breach the wire opposite below, and then breach into the house. And there’s different levels. There’s gaul stage, block stage, and run stage, and for a training scenario it’s gonna be a little slower than what it would be in real life ... a real life operation. A real life operation, we’d be rollin’ in, throwin’ their targets. Boom.” Being such a great distance away from the company below, it was difficult to distinguish what the soldiers were doing precisely, but I got the gist that they were planting the explosives in the field and waiting for the cue to detonate. At some point I even saw a few men crawling across the dirt pit, possibly simulating how one may have to keep hidden in a real circumstance. “… You might wanna cover your ears,” a soldier pointed out. Taking his advice, I temporarily put down my camera and pressed my inner ears with my index and middle fingers. Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame burst out from the ground, and a moment later a thunderous rumble shook my entire body. My chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts inside of it, and then it was all over. Puffy mushrooms of smoke wafted into each other from the aftermath of the explosion. I watched in awe as the cushiony-looking matter spread into thin swirls, eventually disbursing itself evenly to blend back in with its invisible counterpart called air. Around me I overheard conversations from small groups, hearing the words but not registering what they were saying. I was too engulfed in the explosion and the rush that it gave me to even want to try and understand the clearly spoken English emitted from their mouths. Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame burst out from the ground, and a moment later a thunderous rumble shook my entire body. My chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts inside of it, and then it was all over. After the first or second explosion I was able to relocate to the lower bunker, the one closer to the wrecking site. The soldiers in that spot were just as lively if not more so. We cracked jokes about Monty Python and discussed laundry mishaps; for that spot in time we weren’t students and soldiers, we were just people. To read more of Jenny Avery’s story, go to www.augsburg.edu/democracy/videos.html Fall 2010 5 500 years ago in the old church buildings, pilgrim paths, and road markers.” He says that while he went there as a Lutheran pastor, part of a Lutheran Church with all its modern trappings, he came back with a much better understanding of the formation of the early Lutheran movement. “Those monks started Andrew and Sarah Wilson completed the 1,000-mile reading the Bible in a pilgrimage that Martin Luther made to Rome in new way that differed 1510. They presented “Here I Walk” as Augsburg’s Founders Day lectures in November. from the institutional church’s way,” he says. Wiersma’s “Here I Walk” experience caused him to reflect upon Luther’s own experience. Luther’s 1510 pilgrimage brought him to Rome, where he was scandalized by the conduct of clergy and the religious commercialism. Wiersma understood that Luther’s long journey back to Germany would have given the monk a long time to think over and talk about what he witnessed in Rome. Seven years later, he posted the 95 Theses, igniting the Reformation. BETSEY NORGARD Andrew Wilson Scholars of the Reformation gain deep knowledge by studying the writings of Martin Luther, but for Hans Wiersma it also became experiential when he spent four days walking in the footsteps of Luther’s pilgrimage to Rome 500 years ago. Just before fall semester classes began, Wiersma joined the project “Here I Walk,” led by Andrew and Sarah Wilson, two Lutheran ecumenical scholars, who retraced the entire 1,085-mile route walked by Luther from the monastery in Erfurt, Germany, to Rome. Wiersma walked with the Wilsons for 66 miles, from Erfurt to Coburg. Wiersma had met Andrew Wilson at a conference, and what resulted for Wiersma was a fortunate convergence of his disciplinary interest in Reformation studies, his research focus on the early Luther and the Augustinian monks who followed him, and Wiersma’s undergraduate background and continued interest in documentary filmmaking. The modern pilgrims followed the old pilgrim routes, sometimes spotting stone route markers from the 16th century. They followed the traditional rules of pilgrimage—prayers, scripture reading, chores, and conversation. “It gave me a sense of how 16th-century monks traveled,” Wiersma says, “and what it felt like.” He enjoyed the absence of modern distractions. As it was for the early monks, lodging could be found each night, with bigger towns conveniently spaced a day’s walk apart. What Wiersma brought back was an “appreciation of how much Europe is built on its past. It’s still easy to connect with Europe of Religion professor Hans Wiersma joined the “Here I Walk” pilgrimage during its first four days, from Erfurt to Coburg, Germany. 6 Augsburg Now Courtesy photo Here I walk ... Augsburg stands up When Taylor Foster heard that one of her friends had been assaulted because of his sexual orientation this fall, she decided to turn her anger into something positive. Her Facebook event, titled “Stand Up Against Hate,” was the beginning of a show of support that took Foster, and perhaps others in the Augsburg community, by surprise. In her Facebook posting, Foster wrote: As an Auggie and a member of the GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] community, I am outraged at the fact that these acts are being committed at such a diverse and accepting place as Augsburg. For, “The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to … intentional diversity in its life and work.” Intentional diversity is the key part in that statement. We need to make a statement that we are not going to tolerate hateful acts at Augsburg. We need to make it known that it is okay to be who you are …” Foster created the event expecting only her close friends to join. Just two days after she posted it, more than 600 people had responded to show their support. President Pribbenow, faculty and staff, and alumni across the country joined students and donned a specific color of the rainbow each day of the week of October 4. Students held a rally and prayer service and a march for equality on campus. Several local media outlets came to campus to interview Foster. “All of this attention and support was beyond my wildest dream,” she says. In his weekly update to the community, President Pribbenow wrote about the events. “This past week was especially difficult for our campus community because of the hateful and hurtful acts of some individuals. These actions were contrary to everything we value in honoring one another, as clearly stated in our mission. I’m very proud of our students who took the leadership in standing up for and demonstrating their support for the values we share as a community.” Foster says she feels members of the GLBT community now have a better understanding of how many allies are at Augsburg. She also believes the week of awareness-building activities helped allies and others see how GLBT people face discrimination in their lives. Most importantly, Foster says she hopes the Stand Up Against Hate event will continue to reinforce the message that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at Augsburg. “I was more than thrilled to see Augsburg come together as a community and stand up against hate. It made me proud to be an Auggie.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 Fall 2010 7 Exploring separate worlds On an October afternoon when icy winds and rain interrupted an unusually mild autumn, 15 Augsburg students and their professor donned boots, opened umbrellas, and took a stroll down Minneapolis’ Park Avenue. The group began in the Grand Hall of the American Swedish Institute, a Gothic mansion on the corner of Park and 26th, which once was the home of Swan Turnblad. Guided by Nina Clark, ASI’s director of programs and exhibits, they walked toward Franklin Avenue, learning about other historic homes where some of the city’s wealthiest families lived in the early 20th century. The students learned that many of the homes still standing are occupied by social service agencies that serve those without homes, people facing addiction and mental health issues, and immigrant families. This expedition was just one of the ways students were able to see the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth in the city. In “Separate Worlds: Comparing Homelessness and Affluence in the United States,” associate sociology professor Tim Pippert hopes to help students understand the variables of economic and housing stability. Through a combination of readings, speakers, and involvement in service projects, students learn about housing, financial stability, social networks, and the trend of increased homelessness in the United States. Hearing many different viewpoints, Pippert believes, will help students recognize and appreciate the reasons behind the increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor. Students will also hear from a variety of speakers throughout the semester, helping them to better understand the people and the issues. Youth and family ministry major Justin Daleiden says, “City council member Cam Gordon came into our class so we could discuss how homelessness is affecting our very neighborhood. Hearing these speakers from our city makes the subject a little more palatable.” “Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the best things that has ever happened in my life, and when people ask where I’m from, I say that I’m from Augsburg because this really is my home.” In addition to classroom work, these students are actively involved in the community by volunteering at places such as Peace House and Secure Waiting. Perhaps their biggest connection is with St. Stephen’s Human Services, whose mission is to end homelessness. “We’re beyond the classroom … in all sorts of arenas that this city offers,” Pippert says. These outside experiences help students relate what they are learning in the classroom to real people and present-day issues. 8 Augsburg Now Some of the homes of Minneapolis’ wealthiest families now serve as social service agencies. The Sumner T. McKnight mansion at 2200 Park Avenue is home to American Indian Services. “I think this is a great example in which we are able to learn about a specific topic and serve the community at the same time. I think more courses should incorporate some kind of service work like this one,” Daleiden says. Veronica Berg, a sophomore social work major, has a particular interest in Pippert’s course—before she came to Augsburg last fall, Berg was homeless. She says the class has given her insight into aspects of homelessness that she didn't encounter because of her age and the paths she chose. “I feel validated in this class, learning that my experiences haven’t been that strange and reading about individuals who have walked some of the same paths as me.” Berg says she is grateful for the support of faculty and staff at Augsburg and also for the opportunities she has received in college. “Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the best things that has ever happened in my life, and when people ask where I’m from, I say that I’m from Augsburg because this really is my home,” Berg says. For their final projects, students will compare the differences— social and physical—between the lives of the affluent and people who are without homes. Pippert hopes that through this course, students will develop a deeper understanding of how increasingly stratified American society is and think about ways to mitigate what he sees as a damaging and unjust trend. KATELYN DANELSKI ’13 AND WENDI WHEELER ’06 Auggies on the course Ladies of the links lift the team There was a time not all that long ago when simply getting enough players to field a complete team was a challenge for the Augsburg women’s golf program. As a result, the on-course performance of the Auggies wasn’t where it might have been. Johanna Frykmark (left below) and Stef Zappa (right below) have changed that. The two seniors have brought stability, seriousness, and increased levels of success to Augsburg’s women’s golf program. They have both been All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) selections, both have shown great im- provement on the course, and both will graduate at the end of this semester after three-and-a-half years on campus. “Without them, our team wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are now,” coach Ted Vickerman says. “They’ve really changed the mentality to where we want to do our best. We’re beating teams.” The two take pride in how the program has changed during their tenure. “Our first year, we were last in the conference, but we had fun doing it,” Zappa says. “Everybody’s improved. Both of us have had five or six stokes (average per round) of improvement.” At the MIAC championship meet—her final collegiate event—in early October, Zappa became the first Augsburg women’s golfer to earn multiple All-MIAC honors, finishing seventh, the highest-ever finish for an Auggie at the MIAC championships. Johanna Frykmark finished in 25th place and joins Zappa as the second of three Auggie women’s golfers to record 25th-orbetter finishes in three MIAC meets. Both appreciate their time at Augsburg and the role golf has played in their Auggie experience. “My first year was pretty rough,” Frykmark says. “I had a hard time fitting in and I missed home a lot. I’ve changed so much as a person since I came here. The golf team was a big part of that; they were my second family when I got here.” After completing her degree in international business and business management, Frykmark hopes to find a position with an international company that does business both in the U.S. and in her native Sweden. Zappa is on her way to becoming a teacher, spending this semester student-teaching first- and second-graders at Barton Open School in South Minneapolis. She’s also helping to coach volleyball at Minneapolis South High School. While that’s a heavy load, Zappa wasn’t going to walk away from the golf team. Zappa—who had a hole-in-one on her 20th birthday during a tournament at Carleton— didn’t practice with the team as often this fall as she would have liked. Instead, she practiced in the evenings and remained one of the team’s top golfers—that is, on a team much more stable than before Zappa and Frykmark arrived on campus. JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and Communication Office. Fall 2010 9 auggie voices Coach Holker becomes an Auggie Greg Holker knows that his class ring from Gustavus Adolphus College is in a box at his house. And he’s pretty sure he knows where his diploma is. But that is it. Those are the only tangible things the Augsburg men’s soccer coach has left from his time both as a player and as an assistant coach in St. Peter, Minn. Holker openly admits he didn’t think that was going to be the case when he took over the Auggie program in 2004. His goal was pretty simple: make Augsburg respectable, win some games, and put himself in position to become the next Gustavus coach. “I had a five-year plan,” he says. “I thought I’d be here three years and I’d be out.” But something happened along the way to mess up those plans—Holker became an Auggie. “The institution has evolved significantly over the six years I’ve been here and I’ve changed as well,” Holker says. “I started to embrace the institution and our work.” He also had success. In 2006 Holker led Augsburg’s men’s soccer team to a 13-victory season and a first-ever Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) playoff berth. In 2008 Augsburg reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Loras College in two overtimes. This past spring, however, brought out the truest example that Holker had genuinely become an Auggie. When the head soccer coach position at Gustavus opened, Holker was approached about the job and spent a day in St. Peter. Before the search moved any farther along, however, Holker pulled out of consideration. And this year, following a record-breaking season for men’s soccer, Holker was named MIAC Coach of the Year, and sophomore Chad Gilmer was named MIAC Player of the Year. The team won the MIAC playoff championship and advanced to the national tournament for the second time. It won the first round, but lost to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the second round. “At the end of the day, this is where I want to be,” Holker says. “I like being in the city and I like that there’s a very true identity here. I think I’m 100% in love with what this institution does. Seven years ago, this was a job. Now, it's a part of me.” And now he’s an Auggie. JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and Communication Office. 10 Augsburg Now it takes an Auggie The student Phonathon—Dialing for Augsburg dollars ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, alumni and friends of Augsburg might receive a call from a student who is working to secure donations to The Augsburg Fund. We asked some of the student callers to share their experiences and knowledge with our readers. COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Chris Fleming ’12 Psychology/Sociology major, Spanish minor First year as a student caller Q. What would you like students and alumni to know about giving back to Augsburg? A. When you do become an alum, remember that while you were in school someone made a way for you to get through college. Remember to always give back to the community that gave to you. I know we all say, “Well I will come back to visit and volunteer my time,” but sometimes you must go beyond. If you dig deep to give a few dollars to support another student, they will be able to give back when they graduate. It’s a domino effect. Elisabeth Clemans ’11 Pa Dao Yang ’11 Social work major, psychology minor Has been a caller for four years Sociology major Has been a caller for four years Q. Why should alumni and friends support The Augsburg Fund? Q. What have you learned about Augsburg through this work? A. I am a recipient of financial aid at Augsburg, so I want to thank all the alumni, parents, and friends who give to The Augsburg Fund. It’s really important for students like me because every gift increases the percentage of alumni who give back. That makes the College more reputable and helps me get a job after I graduate! A. What I have learned while working at The Augsburg Fund is the importance of keeping the alumni updated on Augsburg. For example, I talk about the new Oren Gateway Center or speak about events such as the chocolate tasting event at the History Center. It’s fun to talk to alumni about what is happening on campus and to listen to them speak about their experiences. Ember Russell ’11 Elementary education major Has been a caller for two years Q. Have you had any especially memorable calls? A. I was talking with a lady who had studied elementary education. It was really interesting to hear how much the Education Department has changed! She gave me amazing advice on what to do when I graduate. I really enjoyed the call, and she made her very first donation to The Augsburg Fund! Fall 2010 11 homecoming go 12 Augsburg Now auggies! experience it! Fall 2010 13 taste of augsburg 14 Augsburg Now 2010 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Robert Hanson ’68 A distinguished teacher in bio-organic and medicinal chemistry researche at Northeastern University. “Our three Augsburg wisemen were [Earl] Alton, [Courtland] Agre, and [John] Holum, and their gifts to us were: inspiring us to go far, preparing us with the intellectual and emotional skills to do that, and a dedication to service.” Don ’53 and Beverly (Halling) ’55 Oren Owners of Dart Transit, a transportation company nationally-recognized for leadership, innovation, and promotion of safety for its drivers. “You can choose a career in business and still contribute to society, and you can make a difference.” … “We met here, and that outweighs all other benefits the school had to offer.” First Decade Awards Morgan Davidsen ’00 Internationallyawarded filmmaker who recalls a special moment on the soccer field before a match after just hearing he had the lead in the next theatre production. “Thank you for being part of the greatest picture of my life.” “Augsburg gave me a place to listen and it taught me how to listen.” Stephen Gabrielsen ’63 College organist, music professor, and mentor to hundreds of students and alumni for 47 years. “My delight in being chosen is more significant when I consider all the people who could be standing here—dozens and dozens of students who have helped me become what I am.” Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA CEO of Pinnacle Services, a successful company now employing 600 people; Marine Corps veteran, political candidate, and world traveler. “I’ve chosen to live an unconventional life—for me, it’s about pursuing my dreams, doing what I’ve wanted to.” Jack Osberg ’62 Retired head football coach, teacher, and mentor who brought the football program to its best season in history and continues to feel the spirit of Augsburg shape his life. “The spirit of Augsburg moves through its people.” Athletic Hall of Fame Richard Spratt ’74 Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: Social worker dedicated to connecting people with community resources; adjunct instructor in Social Work Department. Jean Taylor Respected corporate CEO and leader; former Augsburg Board of Regents chair. Learned at Augsburg how to listen to what her life tells her and about values she holds. Spirit of Augsburg Awards • John Beatty ’91, wrestling • Reed Boltmann ’88, football/baseball • Jeff Dainty ’90, baseball • Brian DeClercq ’81 (posthumously), men’s hockey An African proverb says, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” • Natasha Hamann ’99, volleyball/women’s golf • Ann Knutson Brovold ’74, gymnastics • Astrid Larssen ’97, women’s soccer/women’s track and field For the bios and more information about this year’s alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now • Tom Weidner ’84, football • Don Wichmann ’89, wrestling Fall 2010 15 Augsburg dedicates Ed Saugestad Rink During Homecoming 2010, Augsburg officially named its main competition rink in honor of Ed Saugestad ’59, the coach who led the Auggies to national prominence in men’s ice hockey during his storied career. At the Oct. 16 ceremony, Auggies were able to see the changes that took place in the arena in preparation for the dedication. One change in the rink that fans will notice during the season was the addition of three murals depicting the Saugestad legacy as well as the history of men’s and women’s hockey at Augsburg College. Saugestad began his coaching career during his senior year, 1958, and coached the Auggies until 1996, compiling a 503-354-21 record. His Auggies won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) titles six straight years (197782), qualified for national tournament play 10 times, and won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship in 1978, 1981, and 1982. He coached 22 AllAmericans during his Augsburg career. Saugestad was named NAIA National Coach of the Year three times and MIAC Coach of the Year six times. 16 16 Augsburg Now ed saugestad ’59 augsburg hockey Augsburg Men’s Hockey Augsburg Women’s Hockey Augsburg College has had a long history of excellence in men’s hockey. The Auggie program dates to the mid-1920s, as one of the early entrants in MIAC play. The Auggies won state titles in both 1927 and 1928 coached by future U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Nick Kahler. After not fielding teams from the late 1920s to the late 1940s, the program finally was reestablished under coach Ed Saugestad, who actually began his head coaching duties while still a student at Augsburg in 1958. Under Saugestad, the Auggie program thrived, winning MIAC titles six years in a row (1977-82), while winning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national titles in 1978, 1981, and 1982. The Auggies have made appearances in national tournaments seven times in school history (five NAIA, two NCAA). After Saugestad retired, Mike Schwartz was named head coach in 1996, and he led the team to conference regular-season and playoff titles, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national championships in the 1997-98 season. Schwartz compiled a 124-11030 record during his Augsburg coaching tenure, and teams he coached made appearances in the MIAC postseason playoffs six times. Chris Brown was named the program’s head coach in 2006, and he has led the Auggies to MIAC playoff berths in three of the last four seasons. In 1995, Augsburg College made history by establishing the first intercollegiate women’s hockey program in the Midwest. The Auggies were one of the dominant teams in the early history of women’s hockey in Minnesota, winning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) regular-season titles in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, and the conference playoff title in 1999-2000. In 2000, the Auggies made history again, qualifying to compete in the first Division III women’s hockey national championship series, the American Women’s College Hockey Alliance tournament in Boston against Middlebury (Vt.). Over the first 15 seasons of Augsburg’s women’s hockey history, the Auggies have a 171-177-30 all-time record. A total of 150 players have competed as part of the Augsburg women’s hockey program in its first 15 seasons, all under head coach Jill Pohtilla. Pohtilla finished her career third among all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III women’s hockey coaches in career victories and 20th among all collegiate women’s hockey coaches in victories. Michelle McAteer was named the second head coach in program history in 2010. Hockey murals by Stephen Geffre Fall 2010 17 She loves being an Auggie… Many who make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela today take a scallop shell from the beaches of Galicia, where St. James is buried, to commemorate their journey. The shells served as the medieval equivalent of a water bottle for travelers and became a symbol of the route. Martha Stortz, however, did not keep a souvenir when she made the pilgrimage. At the occasion of her inauguration as the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, Augsburg gifted her with a shell and a painting of the apostle James by Peter Brandes [background]. Brandes calls St. James the “pilgrims’ apostle.” BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 18 Augsburg Now Meet Martha Stortz Shortly after she settled into her new home in Minneapolis, Martha Stortz (she prefers to be called Marty) did four things: she became a member of the Seward Co-op, she joined the Midtown YWCA, she took her bicycle in for “retooling” at the Hub, and she took herself on walking tours of the Seward, Longfellow, and Downtown East neighborhoods. And those activities, along with a genuine love for the city and an infectious enthusiasm for Augsburg’s mission, are what make her a true Auggie. Stortz came to Augsburg this summer as the second Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. She succeeds David Tiede, who retired and subsequently took a position as interim president of Wartburg Theological Seminary. The Christensen Chair holds multiple responsibilities including teaching in the Religion Department, serving as counsel to the president and Board of Regents, and chairing the advisory council for the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. Furthermore, the chair plays a fundamental role in the interpretation and advancement of Augsburg’s institutional vocation, its calling as a college. Stortz says she is honored to be at Augsburg and excited about her role in the College’s work. “I was quite taken with everything that you’re doing,” she says. “I love this city. This is a college in and for and with the city.” Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow says Stortz’ appointment affirms Augsburg’s vision and direction. “I am grateful for the experience and wisdom Professor Stortz brings to this important position, and for the leadership she will provide as we continue to explore what it means to be a Lutheran college in the city,” he says. Stortz served as a member of the core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and taught for 29 years at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She is an acclaimed scholar, teacher, and leader in the realms of the church, academia, and society at large. Her interest in the Christian pilgrimage has been an important part of Stortz’ personal and scholarly life. She has hiked part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the Way of St. James, in Spain. She and a colleague have also joined two groups—one in El Salvador and another in Mexico City—as they explore post-modern “pilgrimages” through educational immersion experiences. Though some might question her move from California to Minnesota, from theological education to higher education, and from seminary to college, Stortz feels as though she’s called to be at Augsburg and to bring her connections, an eagerness to share the College’s story with the community, and a commitment to her position. She believes that her experience in circles of theological education and religion and education will bring some meaningful connections to Augsburg. “I’m very enthusiastic about what’s going on here, and I think my key role is to make sure everyone knows what is going on.” “I’m eager to communicate Augsburg’s vision and its sense of a living and lively tradition that is engaged with the city, the community, and the world. I’ve been a writer, speaker, and teacher, and I would now harness those gifts in service of the College’s vocation.” When questioned about her decision, Stortz says, “I say to my friends, ‘You don’t know the Twin Cities, you don’t know how exciting it is to have colleagues in other disciplines and how vibrant those multidisciplinary conversations can be, and you don’t know Augsburg.’” Fall 2010 19 Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation Inaugural Address EXCERPTS FROM MARTHA STORTZ’ INAUGURAL ADDRESS, “LOCATION, LOCATION, VOCATION” “Tell me the landscape you inhabit, and I will tell you who you are.” —Jose Ortega y Gassett However much we claim space, making it our own, space also claims us, telling us who we are. Location shapes identity and gives the people who inhabit it a distinctive vocation or calling. Like the Irish monks, we too live accordingly. I want to look at three dimensions of Augsburg’s location—physical, historical, and spiritual—and probe how it shapes a vocation or calling that is distinctive to this College. Physical location … Augsburg is a college in, with, and for the city … [its] urban location is now central to the College’s identity. The Christensen Center and Memorial Hall do not square off an academic quadrangle; rather, the space between them opens to a public park. The plan for the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion … does not feature a closed quad; rather, it imitates the freeway. As the freeway enables crosstown traffic between the cities, so this new building opens to the neighborhood; it invites cross-campus traffic and cross-disciplinary conversation. Historical location The College was founded by the Free Church Norwegian Lutheran immigrants who settled in the Cedar Riverside area in the mid1800s—and never forgot that they’d been strangers in a strange land … Consonant with that history, the College has welcomed the various immigrant groups that make up this neighborhood: Hmong, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean. Moreover, Augsburg consistently saw itself as an institution of higher learning that provided access and excellence to students who simply couldn’t pay higher fees of other private schools. At times when it would have made more financial sense to go after wealthier families and their children, Augsburg elected to be faithful to its historic base. Spiritual location A tradition is not a museum piece, but a lively argument with the past, and throughout its history, Augsburg has loved a good fight. Incarnation and the neighbor stand as signal emphases of this tradition, the first witnessing to the fact that God entered the human condition—to the max. At its best, Lutheranism is a tradition that has always leaned into the neighbor, always learned from the neighbor, and always looked to the neighbor to supply that unexpected bolt of grace that makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). The Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning In the spring of 2002, the Lilly Endowment, Inc. awarded Augsburg College a $2 million grant to expand the College’s commitment to connecting faith and learning. As a result, Augsburg developed and implemented the Exploring Our Gifts program. After four years of successful programming (2002-2006), the Lilly Endowment awarded Augsburg a generous sustainability grant, matched by the College, to help support the project for an additional three years (2006-2009). As a direct result of the success and positive impact of Exploring Our Gifts, Augsburg College is committed to continuing this important work beyond the life of the Lilly grant. To this end, the College has created the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning (ACFL) to embody and build upon the convictions at the heart of Augsburg’s educational mission: “… to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” The work of the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning is guided by the lessons of Bernhard M. Christensen, president of Augsburg from 1938 to 1962. Christensen taught that: • Christian faith liberates minds and lives • Diversity strengthens vital communities • Interfaith friendships enrich learning • The love of Christ draws us to God • We are called to service in the world The Center’s work focuses on three areas of activity: 1. Student and alumni engagement—Supporting discovery and development of talents and gifts, discernment of vocation, and exploration of calling 2. Faculty and staff leadership—Developing curricular and programmatic offerings to guide the theological exploration of vocation 3. Public witness and outreach—Promoting Augsburg’s leadership in the pursuit and realization of individual and institutional calling For more information about the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning, or to read the full inaugural address and other presentations from the 2010 Christensen Symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 20 Augsburg Now Sammie Guck, Christensen Scholar WHEN SENIOR SAMMIE GUCK sees another Christensen Scholar on campus, she greets them with a simple but reverent, “Scholar.” “It’s just our way of acknowledging each other when we are out in the world,” Guck says. Guck is one of 10 students involved in the Christensen Scholar program. Named for Bernhard Christensen, Augsburg’s president from 1938 to 1962, the year-long seminar helps students explore the Lutheran concept of vocation and define their own calling. Every year 10 junior or senior students are selected for the Christensen Scholar program, which is sponsored by the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. The heart of the program is a monthly three-hour seminar devoted to texts drawn from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Authors include biblical texts, Augustine, Luther, and Flannery O'Connor. Topics can range from religious pluralism to the art of prayer. A philosophy major and religion minor, Guck says she appreciates the discussion-based seminar and the free exchange of ideas that happens among the scholars. “It’s not a professor saying, ‘Let me tell you what you should know.’” She adds that the scholars, who represent several different faith traditions, are very respectful of each other’s ideas and backgrounds. “It’s a great environment to share and explore,” she says. Guck says she is having a “senior year vocational crisis.” She met with religion professor Mark Tranvik, who leads the scholar seminar, to discuss the idea of vocation. “I grew up Catholic, so I have a different understanding of vocation than the Lutheran concept,” she says. Together Guck and Tranvik explored different ways that a person of faith can live out his or her vocation. “I realized that vocation doesn’t have to be one set thing, it can always be changing,” she says. Guck was considering graduate school but does not think she will begin immediately after graduation. Instead, she is looking into other ways that she can express her vocation through a career in editing or publishing. Whether she’s pursuing her master’s degree or working in a publishing house, two things are fairly certain for this Auggie. One—even after she graduates from Augsburg, she will continue to discern what her vocation is and how to make it a part of her life. And two—if she sees another Christensen Scholar walking down the street, they are sure to greet each other with the brief acknowledgement of the conversations they had at Augsburg. 21 Augsburg Now Fall 2010 21 Understanding healthcare R E F O R M BY BETSEY NORGARD On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It’s complex, difficult-to-understand legislation and is the product of an extremely contentious political process. On October 15, at its fifth public policy forum, Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a forum to decode and discuss the challenges and opportunities this legislation presents for Minnesota and the nation—that is, how the current healthcare system will change. The symposium was moderated by retired U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo and presented speakers who are leaders in the healthcare field. Donna Zimmerman, senior vice president of government and community relations at HealthPartners in Minneapolis, addressed the overall scope of the law and focused on the impact of provisions concerning changes to insurance coverage. “It is a major task to think about how to explain this major piece of legacy legislation our Congress has passed,” Zimmerman said. “I’ll try to demystify this big bill, and focus on what’s important for us in Minnesota.” Her presentation explained various provisions of the act that have already taken effect or are being phased in shortly; for example, extension of benefits to dependent children up to age 26, adding more preventive care without costsharing by consumers, and prohibition on insurance denial to children under age 19 for pre-existing conditions. Dr. Sanne Magnan, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, spoke about changes to health care itself and the interface with Vision Minnesota, Min- Demystifying the new healthcare legislation was the focus of the Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium on October 15. Panelists were (L to R) Martin Sabo ’59, moderator; Donna Zimmerman, HealthPartners; Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Department of Health; and Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, Community Health Innovations, Inc. nesota’s reform passed in 2008. Her message was that the federal reforms will not have as radical an effect in Minnesota as in some states because Minnesota’s quality and delivery of health care are already consistently higher than in many states. She spoke about how Minnesota is coordinating with federal initiatives to influence how health reform is implemented, “so that we can build on the innovative strategies Minnesota has been doing as well as learn from other states who have been doing health reform.” She compared provisions for reform in the new federal law with similar provisions in Vision Minnesota and showed how a number of them are already being implemented in this state. Magnan also explained that much of the difficulty in enacting reform stems from how the current healthcare system was set up. The incentives and payments for health care are made to doctors and providers for treatment of illness, and not for promotion and maintenance of health. Payment is made for office visits, hospitalization, tests, procedures, and drugs, rather than for better management of chronic disease, prevention, and promotion of wellness. Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, president of Community Health Innovators, Inc. and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, spoke about his longtime work to seek reform in the healthcare delivery system to provide everyone with easy access to a team of healthcare professionals who can provide comprehensive care at lower costs. Amundson offered a vision of the optimal healthcare model (see next page) that focuses on a team approach to ongoing, primary care in clinics, which includes clinical care as well as services in other areas that affect health. These clinics or “medical homes” must then be part of, or connected to, a system that includes specialty-care and hospital and emergency services. Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium 2010 Healthcare Reform: What Will It Mean for You (and the Nation)? October 15, 2010 Panel Participants: DONNA ZIMMERMAN, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations, HealthPartners DR. SANNE MAGNAN, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60, President, Community Health Innovations, Inc., and Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine MARTIN SABO ’59, Moderator; U.S. House of Representatives, 1978–2006 HEALTHCARE 22 Augsburg Now To see the slides from these presentations and view the video of the symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now E BY DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60 What is ideal healthcare delivery? The recent health reform legislation primarily focuses on helping more people get health insurance and on addressing some insurance injustices. It does not systematically address delivery system reform—how you receive health care—but elements of the act do support ongoing reform efforts. To understand this, you must have a clearer picture of what clinical and healthcare leaders see as a “reformed delivery system” and what we have been working towards—for years. Within the past few years a growing agreement has emerged on what an optimal delivery system should look like, both to be able to provide excellent and comprehensive care and to reduce costs. These are the key elements: First, your health care must be anchored by primary care clinicians—physicians (family practice, general internal medicine, pediatricians), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This ensures that you have a personal ongoing relationship with a clinician who is the “general contractor” for your health issues and who is your trusted partner. Second, you should be part of a clinic or system that provides a “medical home” with your primary clinician. Your medical home must serve as the first stop for ANY health issues that arise, short of critical emergencies. Further, your medical home should have: • An electronic health record to ensure immediate access to your history for all who treat you wherever they are located • More convenient access to your clinicians—same-day appointments, expanded hours, e-mail to your clinicians • Management of all referrals to specialists and other services you may need, ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication • Systematic management of common chronic diseases • Case management for people with complex and/or multiple health issues including monitoring of prescription drugs • Healthcare teams to expand clinical competency and services The emergence of primary care teams is one of the most important developments in recent years. I would describe the “optimal primary care team” as comprised of: • Primary care clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) • Mental health clinician • Social worker with family therapy skills • Nurse case manager for patients with complex conditions • Chronic disease care nurse • Patient educator • Pharmacist • Physical therapist or massage therapist Research has shown that with this range of skills a clinic or medical home can competently handle 80% or more of the health problems that it receives. It can care for the whole person and meet total needs. This is a radical change, but examples of this model now exist across the country. The third component is that every clinic or medical home must be part of an organized system of care that includes most specialty physicians, hospital and ER services, and other important services. If not within the same organization, at least there must be formal ties and relationships between the medical home and these other elements of a comprehensive healthcare system. Because our human condition is complex, people are affected by physical issues, mental health problems, family dysfunction, substance abuse, environmental exposures— and often a combination or all of the above. Clinical care is, therefore, also very complex if it is going to be relevant to the person’s needs and holistic in its aims. The combination of knowledge and skills represented in the optimal team described above brings the healthcare delivery system closer in alignment with human needs, with the foundation being “relationship-based” (versus “diseaseoriented”) care. The reform legislation recognizes the work by clinicians and leaders in defining what we seek as health reform goals. While it does not fundamentally change the current healthcare delivery system, it supports clinician-led reform by: • Recognizing the role of primary care clinicians and increasing financial support for training them • Providing bonus payments for care management of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees when needed • Providing financial incentives for establishing organized systems of care • Expanding wellness and preventive coverage in insurance plans • Funding research on the clinical effectiveness of various treatments • Creating a Center of Innovation The legislation is not radical. It builds on our current private insurance and delivery systems. It may not be able to address cost issues, but it does represent a huge step toward ensuring universal insurance coverage and a more effective delivery system. It also must be seen as a move to narrow the gap between healthcare “haves” and “have nots.” While there’s an immense amount of work ahead, it’s critical to understand that for clinicians and most healthcare leaders, there is no turning back. The whiff of something better, a humanizing system, is in the air and a national reform process is underway. I could not be more hopeful. Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60 is president of Community Health Innovations, Inc. in Shoreline, Wash. Fall 2010 23 Reflection by Adam Spanier ’12, film and English major Reflection by Khalid Adam ’12, economics major and Sabo Scholar I do not plan on becoming a doctor, a pharmacist, or anything else in the medical field, and I am no expert regarding topics like health insurance. Yet, the new healthcare system will affect me and everyone else in this country. In today’s tense political climate of rumored complete government takeover, socialized medicine, and “death panels,” misinformation consumes the media. This is precisely why it is important to sift out all of the ridiculous rumors and myths of the new healthcare bill in order to find some truth and understanding. And this is precisely why events like the Sabo healthcare symposium are important. As a Sabo Scholar, but perhaps more importantly, as an ill-informed citizen, I attended the Sabo healthcare symposium. Fortunately, the symposium panelists were all qualified experts of health care; there was no dumbing down or oversimplification of the topic as is evident on the 24-hour news channels. There was a bit of information I did not fully comprehend; however, I can safely admit that I walked away from the symposium knowing much more about the topic. Fortunately, it’s comforting to know that the very people I will directly depend on for my medical needs were involved in this discussion—doctors, nurses, health professionals, and other people involved in the medical field participated in the symposium. Events such as the Sabo healthcare symposium are exactly what this country needs right now. We need to stop arguing and have more conversations. Similar events are important because it will bring us together to better understand complex topics, and it will allow us to make more informed decisions in the future. So just why has health care spending gone out of control in the U.S., consuming nearly a sixth of gross domestic product (GDP) spending in 2008? Liberals say it’s the health insurance companies’ greed and the government’s inability to contain costs and to regulate the employer market for health insurance. Meanwhile, conservatives argue that it’s too much regulation, citing the growing budgets of government welfare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. They also cite overuse of healthcare resources as the main problem, making the problem of health care a “volume-control issue.” Despite these differing viewpoints, a few observations are unarguably universal: • The science of health care has advanced rapidly in the last 60 years, which has affected prices of medical inputs. • The increased health costs, outpacing growth in GDP, have adverse effects on the economic outcomes on industries with large percentage of workers with ESI (Employer Sponsored Insurance); this results in the loss of output and a de facto loss of jobs in those industries. • The current trend in the growth of per capita GDP spent on health care is unsustainable in the long term. Health spending in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the course of the past 50 years, from $27.5 billion in 1960 to $912.6 billion in 1993, and to a mind-boggling $2.4 trillion in 2008. It is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2017. To read more of Adam’s paper from his research on healthcare costs, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Reflection by Phong Le ’13 PA As a first year physician assistant (PA) student, I’m usually busy studying and spending any spare time with my family. Thus I’m afraid to admit I’ve not kept up with the latest news. I attended the 2010 healthcare reform symposium hoping to gain a better understanding of the reform and how it will impact my future as a PA. According to the HealthPartners presenter, the reform will increase insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans. Thus, demand for care will greatly exceed the supply of doctors. In addition, there is also pressure to find a high value but low cost delivery system. According to Dr. Bruce Amundson, these factors have led to a consensus of a team approach in which PAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) will largely fill the demand gap while still able to keep costs low. I was feeling pretty good about my job prospects as I listened to the presenters. However, numerous questions began to emerge as I thought beyond graduation. How far will the trickle-down effect from doctors to PAs and NPs to nurses to healthcare technicians go to increase care volume while decreasing cost? Will money dictate the quality or type of care I provide? Will I be forced to choose between quantity and quality daily? I left the symposium with more questions than answers. One thing I do know for sure is that the reform will happen whether we like it or not, and I believe that any movement toward increased access to care is great. However we should proceed with caution and responsibility to ensure we don’t compromise the quality of care in the process. This drives me to stay informed and involved so that, hopefully, we PAs as a group can help to shape and guide this inevitable health reform. HEALTHCARE 24 Augsburg Now Celebrating our SUCCESS BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 At Augsburg College, we don’t have a lot of traditions. Sure, we have Homecoming every year, and we’ve marked the holiday season with Advent Vespers for the past 30 years. But there’s no annual canceling of classes so that students can go to a local park to hear bands and eat bratwurst. President Pribbenow doesn’t trade places with a student for a day every year. And though we have some important athletic rivalries, none are so longstanding that the matchups attract fans far and wide. There is one thing, however, that Augsburg has done quite well for a long time: we are very adept at the Lutheran Scandinavian practice of not boasting about our accomplishments. Now, after years of celebrating achievements with an occasional internal announcement or a round of applause during daily chapel, we’ve decided it is time for our practice of humility to change. Fall 2010 25 Shift in expectations In the past, Augsburg’s tendency toward humility has kept our students from applying for national scholarships or to graduate school. But that trend is changing, thanks in part to the work of one woman—Dixie Shafer. As director of Augsburg’s office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), Shafer gives pep talks, takes her trademark green pen to students’ personal statements, and shepherds them through the often daunting graduate school application process. For a small, private college, Augsburg has an impressive résumé of national fellowships and scholarships. In 2010 alone, four Augsburg students were awarded Fulbright scholarships, bringing the total to nine awardees in the last four years, and Augsburg was recently named to The Chronicle of Higher Education list of top Fulbright-producing schools. Five students received Gilman scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year, and in 2009 one Augsburg student became the seventh Auggie to receive a Goldwater scholarship. And in 2008, lest we forget, Augsburg added its first Rhodes Scholar to the list of student achievements. Shafer’s work involves helping students conduct faculty-led research during the summer and school year, advising on the graduate and professional school application process, and helping students apply for fellowships and national competitions. In general, Shafer says she sees students who don’t believe they can be competitive at a national level. “I rarely meet a student who thinks that,” she adds. “We have a pretty humble group of students.” But she acknowledges the slow cultural 26 Augsburg Now Dixie Shafer, URGO director, holds a “bouquet” given to her by Brian Krohn ’08. Krohn fashioned the flowers from drafts of his Rhodes application essays. shift in expectations. “We have more students applying for national fellowships and more receiving them, and that allows others to know that they can do it.” Not just for elite schools Katie MacAulay ’08 was one of the humble students Shafer typically meets. In her junior year, she was studying abroad in Argentina and read a story about two Augsburg students who received Fulbright fellowships. “I had assumed it was a fellowship of the elite schools, one in which a smalltown, Midwestern girl with a relatively average résumé would be of little competition,” she says. But the article in- spired MacAulay, and she made an appointment to meet with Shafer on the day she returned to Augsburg. “Dixie handed me the Fulbright information book and told me to decide whether or not I was serious about applying. As she put it, ‘Once you start, there’s no turning back.’” MacAulay says her desire to apply was motivated out of curiosity to test her beliefs about Fulbrights being only for students from “prestigious” schools and to challenge personal feelings of inadequacy. “Dixie helped me realize that, although I maybe didn’t feel like I had the background, I certainly had the foreground.” Through the application process, MacAulay says, “I realized that your socioeconomic status and upbringing don’t play as large of a role in defining who you are and what you become.” That insight inspired her to stop feeling inadequate in comparison to others and gave her the motivation to challenge her own boundaries. In November, MacAulay completed a 10-month grant as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Terengganu, Malaysia. She says it has been the best experience of her life and a gift that will continue to benefit her in the future. “I am of the opinion that you can never have too many options. Be realistic about yourself, but don’t doubt your own uniqueness and abilities,” MacAulay says. She encourages other Augsburg students to apply for national fellowships and programs and to challenge their own ideas about being competitive at a national level. Educating the whole person Tina (Quick) Sandy ’08 is another student whose path was guided by Shafer’s counsel and by the gentle insistence of a few determined history professors. A first-generation student who says she almost didn’t come to Augsburg, Sandy is in her third year at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. At the end of her second year at Augsburg, Sandy saw a poster advertising the URGO summer research program. This program provides a stipend and housing for students who spend 200-400 hours of their summer conducting research under the supervision of a faculty member. To apply to the program, students must submit a research proposal. Sandy was reading the poster just days before the application was due. She had been taking a history class from Michael Lansing. “He pulled me aside one day and asked if I had consid- Tina Sandy ’08 is a third-year student at William Mitchell College of Law. ered a history major,” Sandy said. So she went to Lansing about the summer program, and the two of them drafted her proposal. That summer Sandy researched the history of the Ku Klux Klan movement in the Midwest, a project that led her specifically to document Klan activities in 1922 in Minneapolis. Throughout the entire project she worked closely with Lansing, especially on writing her final report. “He totally changed my ability to write,” Sandy says. “His red pen shaped my experience, and it served me well.” As a law student, Sandy says she feels much more confident in her writing abilities than some of her classmates who did not receive the same direction and support in their undergraduate programs. In her third year of college, Sandy began considering her plans beyond college with the encouragement of Lansing, history professor Jacqui deVries, and political science professor Joe Underhill. Sandy was considering law school. “We discussed her potential and then rallied the wagons to get her to think about her options,” Lansing said. He recalls that perhaps he tried to be too persuasive at times. “We wanted to see Tina set her sights wide because we knew that she had the potential to go to any institution. We wanted to see that for her because we knew that she could really shine.” “There were a lot of opinions in my ear about what I should do,” Sandy says. That’s when she went to visit Shafer. “She threw a lot of different ideas at me … ideas that opened my mind.” But Sandy says she had a “gut feeling” about law school. She wanted to stay in Minnesota to be close to her family and to her future husband, fellow Auggie Sama Sandy ’08. Because the law school application process requires significant time as well as money, Sandy opted to apply to one school only, something most students are encouraged not to do. The easy part was making the decision; the application process was another story altogether. She needed to study for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), pass it, and submit the necessary application materials, including several letters of recommendation and a personal summary, by the deadline. This she did while taking classes, working, and trying to have something of a social life. Sandy says Shafer was by her side through the entire experience. “She really ended up being my encourager and sidekick.” As a first-generation student, Sandy appreciated the support of someone who knew the process but also understood her own personal background. As Tina Sandy’s story illustrates, both faculty and staff can be instrumental in a student’s success. Lansing says that as a professor, he feels that he is called to educate the whole person. “I think that’s the point of a small college, thinking of a young person not just as a student but as a person becoming who they are. You want the very best for them.” Discovering and meeting challenges Melissa Robertson ’10 is another first-generation student who benefited from the support of faculty who saw her potential and persuaded her to go outside of her comfort zone. Their encouragement helped her meet the challenges of college and discover new opportunities. Robertson’s first year of college presented the common challenges of balancing school work and social life. She struggled, and her grades reflected that. But in her second year she became more serious about school as she focused on the natural sciences and mathematics. As she got to know her professors, they saw promise in her and directed her to study and research opportunities. “Dale Fall 2010 27 28 Augsburg Now school, work, and personal issues, Robertson says there were many times she wanted to give up and put off graduate school for a year. “But I told myself to keep on with the help of mentors, friends, family, and counseling support. I thought if I didn’t get in to any programs or didn’t like the places, at least I would have tried.” She applied to five programs, both master’s and doctoral in biostatistics and biology, and she was accepted to all five. Currently Robertson is studying on a full scholarship in the molecular biosciences program at Montana State University in Bozeman. From first day to graduation day There is more to student success than national scholarships and fellowships. For some students, whether they are 18 or 38 years old, the greatest achievement is simply to have arrived at Augsburg. In fall 2010, Augsburg welcomed the largest first-year class and the largest graduate school class in the College’s history. Within this student body is the potential for many stories of students who overcame the odds to get to college and to obtain a degree. Augsburg has an impressive history of assisting students who might not otherwise be successful in college—first-generation students including children of immigrant families, students in recovery from addiction, students with cognitive disabilities as well as physical disabilities, and nontraditional-aged students who are returning to college to complete a degree. Rich Osborn is an older-than-average student who found success through Augsburg’s weekend program. At the age of 69, Osborn completed his first bachelor’s degree and was one of the oldest Augsburg for Adults students to graduate. Read his story at http://bit.ly/djx2nN. Not only is Augsburg attracting a larger student body—the College is keeping students and helping them persist to graduation. Augsburg can boast an impressive 86% retention rate in the day college program from fall 2009 to fall 2010. That is an increase of 3% from last year and significantly higher than the national average of 73% for four-year private colleges and universities. All of this success is reason for Augsburg to celebrate and to share the stories of student success. Whether it’s the announcement of another Fulbright recipient, a National Science Foundation grant, or publication in a scholarly journal, these stories serve as inspiration and motivation for other Auggies to pursue their goals. Melissa Robertson ’10 is completing a master's degree in molecular biosciences at Montana State University. Kelly Gorham/MSU Pederson and Matt Haines suggested I think about biostatistics, a field that would combine biology and math. I knew I would have to go to graduate school, but at that point I hadn’t even thought about it,” she says. In the summer before her junior year, Robertson participated in a short-term study program to examine the biodiversity and environmental politics of New Zealand. She also conducted research with biology professor David Crowe in the URGO summer research program. “I was new to that type of research, but I was ready and willing to learn,” she says. “David was a very good mentor, always willing to help and always told me when I was doing a great job.” The URGO program presented a new challenge for Robertson, who says she was shy and had extreme anxiety about giving presentations. “Giving reports about my research in front of my fellow URGO people during roundtable discussions was awful for me,” she says, “and I didn’t even want to think about the final oral presentation.” But working with Crowe gave Robertson the confidence in herself as a scientist and a scholar. Shafer recalls the change she saw in Robertson throughout the summer and her enthusiasm about presenting her research in a graduate school interview. “To see her go from this quiet girl who could barely talk with other students to graduate school … what an accomplishment.” Robertson continued her research with Crowe during the academic year and also began, with Shafer’s help, the process of applying to graduate school. Between AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 2009-2010 Fall 2010 29 DEAR FRIENDS, This past year has been an extraordinary one for Augsburg College. Despite continued challenges in the economy, through the generosity and good work of the entire Augsburg community, we closed the fiscal year with a solid financial performance and entered the 2010-2011 academic year with a record number of students in our day, weekend, and graduate programs. While these achievements are significant, it is your ongoing and steadfast support for the education of our students that is most gratifying. As a college, we believe we are called to serve our neighbor, and I am humbled by and grateful for the Augsburg alumni, family, and friends who join with us in pursuing this calling. Our new mission statement—adopted last spring following two years of rich conversation across the Augsburg community—makes a bold statement of our aspirations for our students: We educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Never in the history of this institution has the world had a greater need for future leaders with these abilities. And never before have your gifts been more important to ensuring that this education remains within reach for our growing and increasingly diverse community of students. As we continue to live out our mission and provide a uniquely Augsburg education—an education defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by our Lutheran faith and values, and shaped by our urban and global settings—I ask for your abiding engagement and support. Your gifts make possible an educational experience like no other—one that challenges our students to recognize and live out their individual callings and, through those efforts, make a lasting difference in our world. Sincerely, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW PRESIDENT 30 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 2009-2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Where the Money Comes From Where the Money Goes 5% Government grants 6% Other sources 4% Debt service 2% 3% Equipment and capital improvement Student salary 4% 3% Private gifts and grants Utilities 12% Room and board 44% 24% Salary and benefits Financial aid 73% Tuition 20% Other $34.5 2010 Endowment Market Value May 31, 2010 $28,641,248 $30.5 $28.6 $26.7 $26.6 As of May 31, 2010, we have annual realized and unrealized gains of 14.65% on our endow$23.2 ment. Our five-year average annual return on $20.0 the endowment is 1.20% and the 10-year average annual return is 1.18%. We $16.4 are committed to maintaining $14.2 the value of principal gifts and to provide support to the $11.5 College in perpetuity. 1995 $33.7 1996 1997 1998 1999 $26.2 $25.4 $24.8 $22.7 $23.3 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Endowment Assets (in millions) June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2010 Fall 2010 31 SCHOLARSHIPS Gratitude On April 25, nearly 300 people, including donors, faculty, staff, and scholarship students gathered to celebrate gifts from the Augsburg community that make an Augsburg education possible for many students. Donors enjoyed the opportunity to meet the students who receive their scholarships. During 2009-10, 716 gifts to scholarships totaled over $529,000. Eight new scholarships were started last year: • L. Gracia Christensen English Scholarship • Inez Olson Schwarzkopf English Scholarship • Hazel Stoeckeler Art Scholarship • Judith (Olson) Nelson Health and Physical Education Scholarship • Jorgensen Sethre general scholarship • Dr. Lowell and Janice Kleven Scholarship for pre-medicine • Leonard and Winifred Leifgren Scholarship for students of color • Jerome and Winifred Formo Music Scholarship Simple Gifts Peter Miller graduated in May 2010 with a major in English and is the son of an ELCA pastor. He is now studying at Luther Seminary. Here are excerpts from his talk at the Scholarship Brunch on behalf of scholarship students. It is truly a gift to honor student success, engaged scholarship, and active citizenship knowing that each of these simple components is intertwined in my own story. This is a story about how simple gifts transform a community into a simple reality. … When I was a child, I used to love to listen to my mom play the dulcimer. She would play “Simple Gifts,” an old Shaker hymn while my brother and I would run around in the yard. ’Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free; ’Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in a place just right, It will be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gain’d, To bow and to bend we shall not be asham’d, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning and turning we come round right. As I recall my mom singing this song and my brother and I turning and turning until we were dizzy, I have come to value the message in these simple words. We celebrate the success of students because simple gifts are freeing, liberating, and life changing. Getting into college is a big deal and it changes you. As students are groomed in success, simple gifts allow us the freedom to engage fully in what we are learning and to develop into the leaders we ought to be, in a college that is just and right. With an Auggie-assemblage of strong leaders, 32 Augsburg Now we continue to build a neighborhood and a city of love and delight. And we, too, have an opportunity to invest in true simplicity where all people bow and bend and never are ashamed. Simple gifts spark the cycle toward a simple reality. I have seen the spark of a simple gift in the eyes of first-year students Peter Miller ’10 spoke on behalf of students at the as they acknowlScholarship Brunch. edge that Augsburg offers them more financial aid than any other school. And I have seen this simple reality come to life when a former scraping, struggling business major takes a few philosophy and religion classes and gets all 4.0s. I have watched it in a group of interfaith friends who never stand still long enough to watch the paint dry, whether they are doing service projects at a mosque down the street, a local church, or a nearby women’s center. That spark, that simple gift that I saw as an orientation leader, ignites a question—how do I become a part of this simple reality? But that was the spark in my eye, too, in the trust that somehow my family and the Augsburg community would help me afford a meaningful education and turn my gifts and theirs into something simple and beautiful. I had to turn from procrastination to participation in simple things like interfaith dialog, global carbon emission regulations, and ending poverty in Minnesota by 2020. I didn't say it was easy. I said it was simple. It is painting with a broad brush, or like we did at the mosque, with rollers and a taste for new colors. This is a simple reality. Ultimately, I believe the simplest gift is who we are and how we spend our time—the time to sing a song in the springtime, study hard, write a thank-you note, share a story, paint, or spare some change. I want to thank you all for your simple gifts and the countless hours you have given to Augsburg, for bowing and bending to the needs of this community and providing the spark for so many to be a part of this story. Together, we are a simple reality. ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 Scholarships for religion, campus ministry, and youth and family ministry The Augsburg community continues to keep the College’s roots as a seminary strong as it provides scholarship support to its students. More than 11% of the value of Augsburg’s endowment supports scholarships for students in religion, campus ministry, and youth and family ministry—a total of 36 scholarships (12% of the total number). Kou Lee is majoring in music and plays flute in the Augsburg Concert Band, the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra, and a woodwind chamber ensemble. His plans after graduation in 2011 are to pursue a graduate degree in music composition that will prepare him for a career as an orchestral director in a university—and hopefully return to Augsburg some day as a faculty member. He has a Hognander Scholarship for 2010-11. The scholarship brunch brought together nearly 300 donors and students to celebrate gifts from the Augsburg Community. A number of donors and recipients of these scholarships gathered at the Scholarship Brunch: (seated, L to R) Carl Vaagenes ’50, Ruth Vaagenes, Dora (Frojen) Quanbeck ’49; (behind them, L to R) Jessica Fanaselle ’10, Sarah Korbel ’12, Emily Wiles ’10, Peter Miller ’10, Morris Vaagenes Jr. ’51, Professor Karl Jacobson, Professor Hans Wiersma, Whitney Holman ’10, Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50, Harris Lee ’57, Ivory Phung ’13, and Maryon Lee. The Sven Oftedal Society exemplifies the legacy of this early Augsburg president whose leadership and commitment to the growth of Augsburg Seminary secured the financial future of the College. By reaching out to those who shared Augsburg’s vision of providing an education not only for its immigrant Norwegian preachers, but also for everyday people—teachers, farmers, and neighbors in the city growing around Augsburg—he ensured that Augsburg’s students would become responsible citizens and leaders in whatever they chose to do. Planned giving offers a variety of possibilities to provide significant financial benefit to the College while also providing continued income to its donors. Donors and their families can plan with their financial advisors and the College to determine what kind of gift plan (cash gifts, securities, stocks, and others) can be designed to recognize the donor’s commitment to the College and still serve their own financial needs. Planned gifts can be made outright or deferred into the future. For many alumni, families, and friends who are grateful for the education and experience of Augsburg in their lives but have no heirs, planned giving can help them ensure future students receive that same education. Fall 2010 33 I ’ M A N A U G G I E — The Augsburg Fund Your gifts to The Augsburg Fund help to ensure that Augsburg College can continue to support students and give them the opportunity to make the world a better place. What makes you an Auggie? Why do you give? Make a gift and share your story at www.augsburg.edu/auggie. Alex Gonzalez ’90 What makes me an Auggie? I’m an Auggie because of athletics and being a member of the football team. A lot of the close friendships I have are from sports, and I love to bring my kids back and see the games. And I met my wife here—you can’t get much more important than that! Beyond that, faith is a big part of what makes me an Auggie. What I’ve learned at Augsburg, I have carried forward with service to the world through my congregation and in the community. Why do I give? Augsburg has been such an important part of forming who I am, and I want to give back. Serving as a regent is a small way of helping to ensure that this institution continues to make an impact on other people’s lives. I give because I think it’s important to support the unique Augsburg experience. An Augsburg degree has a specific intention behind it—of service to the community. It’s a holistic foundation to approaching life in the world. 34 Augsburg Now Maria Mitchell Helgerson ’07 and Erik Helgerson ’06 What makes us Auggies? We were both drawn to Augsburg by the feeling of community and the opportunity to know people and to be a part of something. We loved our four years here and the relationships we built. We want to keep them going, and we’re so grateful to the Young Alumni Association for helping us do that. Why do we give? We give to Augsburg because we know colleges can’t function just on tuition, and we know that our gifts will be used to better the community and to make a place that is important for others. Augsburg meant a lot to us personally, and giving back helps give opportunities to other students. I’M AN AUGGIE! ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 LIFETIME GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000, including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College. Anonymous (5) Helen and Ernest† Alne Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Catherine and Charles Anderson Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson Leona Radman Antholz ’41† Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold Earl and Doris Bakken Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Barbara and Zane Birky Carl Blegen† Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen Joyce and John† Boss Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Rodney and Barbara Burwell Bush Foundation Carlson Companies The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Oliver Dahl ’45 Theodore and Pamala Deikel Deluxe Corporation Foundation Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Tracy Elftmann ’81 Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri Raymond Erickson ’50† Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Philip and Laverne Fandrei Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo Jerry and Jean Foss Julian Foss ’30† William and Anne Frame Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund Barbara and Edwin Gage General Mills Foundation Michael ’71 and Ann Good Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Lynne and Phillip ’55† Gronseth Carolyn and Franklin Groves Norman and Evangeline Hagfors James and Kathleen Haglund Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka Hearst Foundation Loren Henderson Donald Hennings Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm Allen and Jean Housh Garfield Hoversten ’50 Lester Hoversten† Robert Hoversten Huss Foundation Glenda† and Richard Huston Sandra and Richard Jacobson James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Kinney Johnson ’65 Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Bruce and Maren Kleven David and Barbara Kleven E. Milton Kleven ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven Dean and Susan Kopperud Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn Harriett Kurek† Paul ’86 and Rhonda Spitzer ’85 Kwiecien David Lankinen ’88 Diane and Philip Larson George ’61 and Mary Larson Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee James Lindell Sr. ’46 Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Jennifer and Richard Martin Marie and Larry McNeff Gerard and Anne Meistrell Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer Robert ’70 and Sue Midness Gay Johnson ’66 Minear and Spencer Minear ’66 Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller William and Stephanie Naegele Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson George ’68 and Tamra Nelson Ida Nelson† Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Clifford and Martha Nylander† R
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2011: Auggies Go Beyond
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes f...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2011 VOL. 74, NO. 1 inside auggies Augsburg Now Magazine of Augsburg College 25The Years of Life-Changing Augsburg as a Citizen Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Travel What is the Commons? Norwegian Royal Visit Homecoming 2011 Annual Report to Donors page 20 go beyond notes from President Pribbenow Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Director On politics and informed citizens Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design t he creation of the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning a few years ago allowed us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our distinguished alumnus, Martin Olav Sabo ’59, whose life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. As we live out our mission and vision here at Augsburg, we, of course, are deeply engaged in helping our students to understand the electoral political process, which Congressman Sabo so ably served. In addition, our students are closely involved in local political and advocacy efforts, in public service internships, in get-out-the-vote campaigns, and in helping our many new U.S. neighbors to participate in U.S. electoral politics. At the same time, we also are deeply committed to the ideas and practices of a broader public claim—a claim that calls on all citizens to “get political”—to follow the call of our Augsburg colleague, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, who suggests that “Despite its bad reputation, politics is the way people in any setting deal with differences to get something done. Politics means creating alliances, negotiating, engaging people around self interests, using levers of change in a strategic way. Politics is how diverse groups of people build a future together … Politics is from the Greek root, politikos, ‘of the citizen.’” As Boyte reminds us, “For over two thousand years politics meant not parties or vertical relations with the state but rather horizontal engagement among citizens.” In other words, politics and getting political is the authentic and important work of citizenship, claimed by all of us as our birthright and moral obligation. One of my heroines in U.S. history is the great social reformer, Jane Addams, who lived and worked at Hull-House in Chicago for almost 50 years, helping her immigrant neighbors to practice citizenship—not because of a political system but because democracy is a social ethic, a way of living together in commu- nity, neighborhood, country, some of us think even, the world. She described democracy as a “mixed and thronged road” on which we all are travelers together, navigating our lives together. Surely, Miss Addams illustrated in her own life and work the ways in which mature citizenship—genuine politics—is meeting the needs of our neighbors, building stronger and healthier neighborhoods, finding common purpose and then the will to make it real, and learning to be what political philosopher and ethicist Jean Bethke Elshtain has called “chastened patriots,” those who love a cause or community or country but love it in ways that make it stronger, more responsible, and more faithful to common purpose. This is politics as common, public work. The great Illinois senator, Adlai Stevenson, who ran for president against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, was once said to have responded at a whistle stop to a supporter who shouted out, “All thoughtful Americans are with you, Adlai,” with this great line, “That won’t be enough.” For those of us committed to the public and civic roles of higher education, we know that one of our great challenges is to educate more informed and thoughtful citizens—work that is a central claim of Augsburg’s mission—and to challenge our students to help others become the same as they reclaim a sense that politics is not simply about who is in power and who is not, not simply about ideology and partisanship, not simply about winners and losers, but instead that politics is the work we all are called to do to ensure that our common purposes will be realized. Please enjoy the many stories in this issue of Augsburg Now that illustrate Augsburg’s commitment to educating informed citizens—a commitment that has implications for our work on campus, in our neighborhood, and around the world. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu fall 2011 augsburg now Features 7 Homecoming 2011 BY CHERYL CROCKETT 11 15 14 augsburg as a citizen BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 . 13 The Sabo Center Educating citizens and leaders 14 Course-based service-learning Learning beyond the classroom 15 The Bonner Leader program Developing future leaders 16 Community relations The College as an anchor 3 contents 10 7 On the cover Banners along Murphy Square, part of the commons Augsburg shares with the neighborhood, reflect the College’s commitment to service. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 17 What is the commons? BY JAY WALLJASPER 21 Annual report to donors BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Departments inside front cover 2 6 10 29 35 40 44 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies on the court My Auggie experience It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes Auggie voices Correction: The Summer 2011 issue of Augsburg Now reported that the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council awarded two $10,000 grants to Augsburg College. The awards were granted to Medieval Minnesota and OverExposure. Both programs work in partnership with the College. The grant to Medieval Minnesota was funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. The grant to OverExposure, which worked in partnership with Centro Youth Workshop and Augsburg, was an Arts Learning Grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. quad around the NEWSNOTES U.S.News & World Report names Augsburg College a 2011 Best Regional College This fall, Augsburg was named to the 2011 top 30 “Best Regional Midwest Universities” by U.S.News & World Report. The ranking is based on assessment in 16 areas related to academic excellence. To find out more about the U.S.News & Word Report ranking, go to www.augsburg.edu/now. Augsburg one of six to win Washington Center Higher Education Civic Engagement Award For its commitment to public service and community involvement, Augsburg was selected by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars to receive the Higher Education Civic Engagement Award. The College is one of six higher education institutions in the nation to receive the honor, which was awarded October 3 at The Washington Center’s annual luncheon, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Last May, the College was also one of six schools—and the first in Minnesota—to win the Presidential Award for Community Service, the highest federal honor available for service learning. PA students complete a unit on working with older adults by hosting a community health fair for residents of Augustana Apartments in downtown Minneapolis. Physician Assistant program is granted accreditation The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Continued Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Augsburg College. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2018. The Augsburg program went from a three-year accreditation cycle to seven—the longest that a program can receive. Dawn Ludwig, Augsburg PA program director, said, “Obtaining seven years of accreditation is a welcome reward and recognizes the dedication of the PA faculty and staff who work to make our program one of the best in the country.” Board of Regents MEMBERS ELECTED At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporate Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg Board of Regents and re-elected three members to second terms. RE-ELECTED REGENTS: Andra Adolfson, Business Development Director, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Inc. NEW REGENTS: Karen (Miller) Durant ’81, Vice President and Controller, Tennant Company Rolf Jacobson, Associate Professor, Luther Seminary Matt Entenza, Founder and Senior Fellow, Minnesota 2020 Bonnie Wallace, Scholarship Director, Fond du Lac Reservation, and Founder of The Bearheart Women's Foundation Jeffrey Nodland ’77, President and CEO, KIK Custom Products Gary Tangwall ’80, Wealth Advisor, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ 2 Augsburg Now Also appointed to three-year terms on the board, ex officio, are Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod of the ELCA, and Bishop Harold Usgaard, Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. Norwegian royalty VISIT AUGSBURG Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg College during October as part of their first trip to the United States since 1995. President Paul Pribbenow said the visit was an honor, particularly given the College’s deep commitment to peacemaking and global citizenship, and was a chance to provide the royal couple with a firsthand experience of the deep relationship between Norway and the College. The king and queen attended a worship service with Norwegian students from the region and guests, including the 28 Norwegian students attending Augsburg this semester through the International Partners program. The king and queen also visited Luther and St. Olaf colleges. To commemorate this visit, Augsburg installed a peace pole near the main entrance to the Foss Center. The peace pole celebrates the College’s Norwegian heritage, its relationship with the country and people of Norway, and its work with the Norwegian Nobel Institute to support peacemaking through the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The Augsburg College peace pole is constructed of stainless steel and copper, reflecting the College’s urban setting. Inscribed on two of the five sides of the peace pole are statements in Norwegian and in English: Må fred herske på Jorden and May peace prevail on Earth. The other three sides of the pole display the word “peace” or an equivalent word, reflecting the diverse populations that make up Queen Sonja with Abigail Pribbenow, Maya Augsburg’s communities in Pribbenow, and Olivia Szaj, daughter of Vice Minneapolis and around the world. President and Chief of Staff Chris Szaj. The MAL Integrated Graduate Studies cohort explores responsible leadership in downtown Minneapolis. New graduate program offerings This year, Augsburg launched new offerings for graduate students in leadership, social work, and business. INTEGRATED MAL The first cohort of the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) Integrated Graduate Studies program began meeting in August. This two-year hybrid program uses a combination of online and intensive on-campus learning. Students met in August with Professor Garry Hesser for a one-week intensive session that included neighborhood excursions and visits with local business and community leaders, including Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP President Paul Pribbenow and his family dedicate a peace pole outside of Foss Center in honor of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway. Augsburg also added a certificate in social entrepreneurship, a program that combines courses in the master of business administration, social work, and leadership programs. The curriculum is designed for students interested in obtaining the skills and competencies necessary for the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact, and recognizes the unique challenges, opportunities, and qualities associated with trying to create social value. For more information about this certificate, go to the Augsburg MBA website at www.augsburg.edu/mba. Fall 2011 3 quad around the Summer construction on campus Two capital projects were completed this summer on the Minneapolis campus: the Gage Center for Student Success on the link level of Lindell Library, and the creation of new offices for Undergraduate/Graduate Admissions on the lower level of Christensen Center. The Gage Center was made possible through a $900,000 gift from the Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Foundation. This generous gift allows the College to co-locate critical academic student services in a new learning commons at the heart of campus—further demonstrating Augsburg’s commitment to equipping all students for success. The Gage Center project involved relocation of a portion of the library collection from the link level to new, high-density shelving in the lower level of Lindell Library—a solution that enhances the efficiency of the College’s existing space in supporting student academic needs. Also during the summer, improvements were made to the locker rooms and public spaces in Si Melby Hall. Mortensen Hall, one of Augsburg’s oldest residence halls, received extensive upgrades to its student living and common spaces, including new flooring, plumbing and bathroom upgrades, kitchen cabinetry, shelving, light fixtures, and paint. To see a slideshow of more construction photos, go to www.augsburg.edu/now GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICES 4 Augsburg Now Nobel Prize winners visit Augsburg developing approaches for sharing our commons sustainably and equitably. The two-day event explored the concept of the commons (see story, page 17) and included a social gathering in Murphy Square, Minneapolis’ oldest public park, as well as a walking tour of the neighborhood and a bike tour of the commons in Minneapolis. Festival of the Commons In early October, Elinor Ostrom, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, spoke at Augsburg for the Festival of the Commons. This event was a joint project of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center that connects organizations, community leaders, and individuals in Courtesy photo 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum (March 1-3) In a master class held at Augsburg, Elinor Ostrom gives advice to area college students about commons-related work they are doing on their campuses and in their communities. This spring, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, will keynote the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 2. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an annual event that inspires students and other citizens to become active participants in peacemaking efforts around the world. For nearly 24 years, it has been the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside of Norway. De Klerk, who won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, is known for his work to end apartheid, a systemic policy of racial segregation. De Klerk supported the transformation of South Africa into a multiracial democracy and in recent years has continued his work on peacemaking efforts. Learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at www.peaceprizeforum.org. STUDENTS TAKE ON interfaith community service challenge This summer, Augsburg was chosen by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Throughout this academic year, students representing the Muslim Student Association, Campus Ministry youth ministry teams, ALAS (Allied Latinas/os), Interfaith Scholars, the Pan-Afrikan Student Union (PASU), the women’s track and field team, Campus Kitchen, and the Bonner Leader program will participate in service projects centered on Somali youth in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. In addition, the Interfaith Scholars program, which began formally last spring, will explore and develop the roles of students as public leaders around interfaith literacy and action at Augsburg. President Paul Pribbenow expressed the importance of the College’s commitment to this initiative. He wrote, “As we consider our interfaith work, we are convinced that dialogue and service must be interwoven in all we do. We believe that what we learned through re- Interfaith Scholars team members: Front [L to R] Halimo Abdulkarim ’13, Mai Yang ’13, Luis Hernandez ’14, Miriam Medina ’13, Macha Shatonova ’13, Megan Holm ’12. Back [L to R] Lonna Field, Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning project coordinator; Jorge Mondragon ’13, Pastor Sonja Hagander. Not pictured: Salma Ahmed ’12, Fardosa Hassan ’13, Griffith Orman ’15. cent efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue with our neighbors is something we must do each day. We must seek to live side-by-side, day-by-day, within our neighborhood. Interfaith living is what we must—and do—aspire to teach our students.” Fall 2011 5 auggies on the court Hard work shapes Auggie Honors student, athlete Shelby Vogel stands out in the classroom and on the volleyball court. The Auggie— a pre-med honors student double majoring in chemistry and physics—chalks it up to elbow grease. “I get good grades because I work hard,” Vogel said. “And I don’t feel good unless I work hard. I think that same mindset transferred to sports.” Although she’s a first-year student, she earned enough college credits during high school to enter Augsburg as a sophomore. Vogel was in the National Honor Society during high school and received two of Augsburg’s highest merit-based scholarships—the Regents’ Scholarship and the Courtland Agre Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming first-year students with exceptional academic achievements in science and who meet standards for national test scores and grade point average. Professor Larry Crockett, Vogel’s honors adviser, said that Vogel is setting some of the agenda for discussions in the Honors Scholar Citizen class. “She engages well and raises good questions, which is the heart of the honors academic enterprise,” Crockett said. “It’s what I like to call ‘academic jazz.’” Outside the classroom, Vogel excels on the court. She is a high school all-conference and Junior Olympic volleyball player and was team captain. One of Vogel’s favorite high school memories was going to the state championship during her senior year where she and her teammates beat their rival in the semifinal round. “It was happy and sad,” Vogel said. “We all had played to- 6 Augsburg Now gether since sixth grade, and we beat our rivals in the semifinals. But we lost the championship to a big school, and it was our last game as a team.” Augsburg’s head volleyball coach, Jane Becker, said she’s had her eye on Vogel since Vogel was a high school sophomore. “Shelby brings a maturity to the court that is rare in any athlete, let alone a first-year athlete,” Becker said. “Her priority on the court is that the team succeed. Her work ethic and team attitude have already earned her the respect of her teammates and will serve her as she enters the medical profession. We’re grateful Shelby is an Auggie on the court and in the classroom.” On the court as an Auggie, Vogel hopes to play at the NCAA Division III Tournament. Vogel visited a number of private colleges—most of them in rural settings like her home city of Sheldon, Iowa—before selecting Augsburg. “I wanted to be in the city. I graduated with 89 people in a town of about 5,000,” Vogel said. “I like it here because I’m in a big city on a small campus.” STEPHANIE WEISS 2011 homecoming HOMECOMING 2011 HAS COME AND GONE, but it has left lasting memories for the more than 1,200 Augsburg alumni, students, parents, and friends who participated in the festivities. Several events during the week sparked the homecoming spirit. A student/alumni networking reception provided students an edge in navigating their career paths as they met with alumni already seasoned in their professions. Sports enthusiasts reunited around an alumni baseball game at Parade Stadium. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated and awards presented at a special induction ceremony. The Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™, provided alumni and friends time to network and learn about community issues. Friday and Saturday came alive with a rich pastiche of “remember when” conversations as reunion classes each gathered to reconnect with one another and the College, including members of the class of 1961 who were inducted into the 50-Year Club. The Friday morning convocation honored six Auggies, and the celebration continued over a lunch, which featured Martha Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. Saturday morning featured the “Best of Augsburg” mini-lectures from three outstanding professors: Garry Hesser, David Murr, and robert tom. A 5K Fun Run Saturday drew alumni, students, and friends, all decked out in their Auggie gear for a morning run through the neighborhood. In the Gage Family Art Gallery and the Christensen Center Art Gallery, artwork from 23 alumni was on display, including ceramics, painting, drawing, multi-media, sculpture, photography, book arts, fiber arts, and printmaking. On Saturday in Murphy Square, more than 30 vendors at the Taste of Augsburg event served up a variety of inviting vittles. The weekend’s centerpiece was, of course, the football game against St. Olaf, and Auggie spirit was at a fever pitch. The celebration continued after the game at the Block Party where more than 600 Auggies gathered to enjoy live music and more fellowship. The crowning touch for an already unforgettable week was the Saturday evening Hognander Music Scholars reunion concert featuring some of Augsburg’s finest musicians from the past 12 years. CHERYL CROCKETT Save the date for Homecoming 2012, September 23 to 29. To nominate an Augsburg alumnus or alumna for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu. Fall 2011 7 2011 homecoming To see more photos of Homecoming 2011, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 8 Augsburg Now 2011 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Awards First Decade Award Spirit of Augsburg Awards Corky Hall ’71 Adam Seed ’01 Arlin Gyberg Founder and CEO of Stellus Consulting Vice President, Astra Ventures Inc. Chemistry Professor, Augsburg College I didn’t come to college for reading, writing, and arithmetic; I came for the three Es: Edor Nelson, Ernie Anderson, and Ed Saugestad. But I learned that it’s not about winning and losing on the field; it’s how you win, and lose, every day. Augsburg showed me how to live—how to win and how to lose—which makes us all champions in life. Giving to others, thinking about others, thinking less about oneself—this has been the key to my success. The less I think about myself, the happier I am. Augsburg taught me to manage in life without focusing on myself. It's given me everything I have today. One of the values that stands out at Augsburg is the community of learning experienced here. What has been most rewarding [over the years] are the alumni who stop by to visit, who are still connected. The strong alumni support has been important in the success of the College. I thank you, “family of Augsburg.” Athletic Hall of Fame Wayne Jorgenson ’71 Senior Vice President of Investments at UBS Financial Services In high school, I knew I wanted to be a stockbroker—an ethical one. When you do what’s right for the client, they become more than clients; they become friends. Whatever you choose to do in life, do what’s right. In your heart you will know what that is. Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: • Mike Burkhardt ’81, men’s hockey/ baseball • Carrie (Lind) Cabe ’01, women’s track and field • Stu Engen ’86, men’s basketball • Mitch Hegland ’91, wrestling • Kara (Seibel) Hoard ’96, women’s soccer • Matt Kretlow ’91, wrestling • Pat Piepenburg ’69, women’s basketball Norma Noonan Professor and former Director of the Master's of Arts in Leadership, Augsburg College After 45 1/2 years at Augsburg, I still believe it is a special place to work. The Augsburg spirit inspires our work and encourages our success. It nourishes us daily. The Augsburg community continues to be a place of learning, discovery, and collaboration. • Angie Rieger ’01, women’s hockey/ volleyball Judith Schaubach ’68 President of Education Minnesota, retired Education always seems to be a passion of mine. I know how important education was for me; I learned so many values here at Augsburg. Part of my success was being open to new things. You never know what door will open for you as you go through life. Take advantage of those opportunities. • Don Skoy ’73, football For biographies and more information about this year’s alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now homecoming alumni awards Fall 2011 9 my Auggie experience This is what an Auggie looks like: Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA At first glance, it might seem surprising that an accomplished physician and educator, one whose office walls are lined with plaques highlighting his achievements, would count an MBA program as one of the most valuable experiences of his career. But give him a few minutes, and Dr. Amit Ghosh will offer many reasons why the Augsburg MBA has been a highlight for him. As the director of the Mayo Clinic international program, a full professor in the Mayo College of Medicine, and the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Mayo Educator award, Ghosh had established a successful career as a physician and a diagnostician. “But what I could never do was see what was going on add depth to classroom discussions. “We ask all kinds of questions from all angles, and without any trouble the professor answers them.” After class, Ghosh said his professors often send additional articles and materials to continue the discussions. Ghosh also likes the team-based cohort model and the opportunity to learn from classmates who he said bring valuable and diverse points of view to the program. “I have learned so many things about business from the students in my cohort,” he said. Ghosh appreciates how his classmates challenge him. “They have forgotten I am a physician, and they really ing an organizational diagnostician. He said the program has changed not only how he approaches his work as a physician but also how he teaches at Mayo. “I teach a whole spectrum of learners from students to faculty and use the things I have learned in business school to highlight relevant areas related to service-delivery that I think are not stressed or are missing from medical education,” he said. Ghosh will complete the Augsburg MBA in “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” around me in the business world,” he said. So in 2009, Ghosh’s colleague, Augsburg College regent Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, suggested the MBA program. Now Ghosh is learning, through connections with both the faculty and the students in his Rochester MBA cohort, to become what he calls an “organizational diagnostician.” “At every point in our lives we define ourselves,” Ghosh said. “I thought in my journey with my career I needed to redefine myself, and my Augsburg education has helped me do that.” An esteemed educator in his own field, Ghosh holds the Augsburg faculty in high regard and appreciates the rigor of the curriculum. “I work in a world-class institution, and I can assess quality,” Ghosh said. “The professors at Augsburg are amazing.” Ghosh said his Augsburg MBA professors bring real world experience to the classroom, which is helpful because their experiences 10 Augsburg Now give me a run for my money.” In addition to the faculty and his fellow students, Ghosh said Augsburg staff members have enhanced his experience. He related a story about Ron Kurpiers, a librarian at the Minneapolis campus, who helped Ghosh with a paper. Kurpiers took time on a Sunday, while he was caring for a sick family member, to lead Ghosh step-by-step through the process of finding articles to write a paper. “He thinks like a student, but he works like a librarian,” Ghosh said. “It was as if he were sitting with me.” Perhaps Kurpiers’ extraordinary dedication is one reason why Ghosh now says looking at the library website to find articles is one of his favorite pastimes. His Augsburg education has helped Ghosh grow professionally toward his goal of becom- March 2012, and though he said he looks forward to finishing, it is clear that he does not want his Augsburg experience to end. Maybe, he said, as he matures as a manager, he could consider becoming a part of the Augsburg MBA faculty. Whatever the future holds for Dr. Ghosh, it is clear that he is proud to call himself an Auggie. “My life journey would not be what it is without the Augsburg MBA program. It is one of the highlights of my career.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 A T S R E E T A D A G L U AUGSBURG COLLEGE EDUCATES STUDENTS urban TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS, THOUGHTFUL center for debate democracy league STEWARDS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND community campus relations kitchen RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. THE AUGSBURG EXPERIENCE IS SUPPORTED BY AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED TO INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY IN ITS LIFE league ANDcampus WORK. AN AUGSBURG EDUCATION IS compact DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, GUIDEDbonner BY THE FAITH AND VALUES OF THE leader LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND SHAPED BY ITS service URBAN AND GLOBAL SETTINGS. learning sabo and citizenship high school mathematics center THE MISSION STATEMENT that Augsburg College launched last year begins with a statement of educational outcomes: Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. There is a reason, President Paul Pribbenow said, that “informed citizens” appears first on that list. “It is a part of our legacy to equip our students to think of themselves as citizens in a democracy,” he said. “And this shapes our work through our statement of vocation: we believe we are called to serve our neighbor. That is faith, learning, and service linked.” BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 AUGSBURG AS A citizen BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING Fall 2011 11 SABO CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEARNING The Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning provides venues for Augsburg students and the community to learn from local and national civic leaders and connects students with civic engagement and service-learning opportunities. The components of the center are highlighted here. THE SABO PROFESSOR, SABO SENIOR FELLOWS, AND SABO SCHOLARS uphold Congressman Martin Sabo’s ’59 abiding faith in the role government can play in improving the lives of citizens. Sociology professor Garry Hesser, the Sabo Professor for Citizenship and Learning, is aided in his work by the Sabo Fellows: Senior Fellow for Academic Civic Engagement, Lars Christiansen, associate professor of sociology; Senior Fellow for Civic Agency, Harry Boyte, director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship; Senior Fellow for Leadership and Change, Bill Green, associate professor of history; and Sabo Center Senior Fellow, Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org. The 10 Sabo Scholars collaborate with Congressman Sabo and Hesser to create opportunities for Augsburg students to engage more fully in civic and public life. See page 20 for more about the Sabo Scholars. (See story, page 13.) THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP collaborates with a variety of partners to promote active citizenship and public work by people of all ages. The center’s work is grounded in the belief that a healthy democracy requires everyone’s participation and that each of us has something to contribute. The center is involved in projects such as the Jane Addams School for Democracy, Public Achievement, the American Commonwealth Project, Twin Cities Teacher Collaborative, and more. (See story, page 13.) COURSE-BASED SERVICE-LEARNING is an integral part of an Augsburg College education. More than 35 courses per year include a service-learning component, bringing students into the community. The Engaging Minneapolis and Augsburg Experience curricular requirements reinforce this commitment to experiential learning. (See story, page 14.) THE CAMPUS KITCHEN program served 23,000 meals last year to residents of the community. Campus Kitchen sponsors a farmers’ market on campus during the growing season, provides growing space in the community garden, and also uses the garden to teach neighborhood youth. 12 Augsburg Now THE AUGSBURG BONNER LEADER program provides financial support through work study jobs, leadership development, and practical skill development for students who are dedicated to integrating community and civic engagement into their college learning experience. (See story, page 15.) Through participation in academic competitive debate programs, the MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE empowers junior high and high school students in Minneapolis and St. Paul to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities. THE MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS LEAGUE identifies more than 3,000 Minnesota high school students with unusual mathematical ability and brings them together for study, competition, and recognition. MINNESOTA CAMPUS COMPACT leverages the collective assets of higher education institutions and communities, building partnerships and educating students to develop creative solutions to pressing public issues. The coalition brings together all types of higher education institutions dedicated to the civic purposes of higher education. It is also affiliated with the national Campus Compact network, which includes more than 1,100 campuses in all 50 states. As a college in the city, the role of Augsburg’s director of COMMUNITY RELATIONS is vital to establishing and maintaining quality relationships with community members and organizations. (See story, page 16.) the center EDUCATING CITIZENS AND LEADERS Perhaps one of Augsburg’s most important contributors to educating informed citizens is the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. Established officially in 2009 and named for Martin Olav Sabo ’59, Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District representative in the U.S. House for 28 years, the Sabo Center serves to connect the College to the greater community. The Sabo Center is the College’s hub for public outreach with Campus Kitchen and Augsburg Reads as well as with the Minnesota Urban Debate League, the Minnesota High School Mathematics League, and Minnesota Campus Compact. Also, through community service-learning classes and projects, and programs like The Sabo Scholars have dinner with Martin and Sylvia Sabo each semester. Bonner Leader, Sabo Scholars, and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC), the Sabo Center gives voice to the College’s mission of educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. And finally, with the support of the Sabo Center staff and College leadership, the director of community relations fulfills the center’s third purpose: to ensure Augsburg’s position in the community. The fact that Augsburg received the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service is due in great part to the programs and partnerships of the Sabo Center. This is the highest honor in the annual President’s Higher Education Community Serv- sabo sabo ice Honor Roll, and Augsburg was one of only six colleges and universities to receive this distinction. Harry Boyte, director of the CDC, articulates the role of the Sabo Center as a platform for interaction and relationships between the campus and the community. He said, “It’s a way to develop working relationships and engagement and a thematic and philosophical way to address the mission of the College. The public work at the Sabo Center allows serious conceptual thinking about citizenship—being a citizen is about more than being a ‘good person,’ and this provides the public frame to break it open and talk about it.” HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD The Center for Democracy and Citizenship initiated two major projects this fall to help reinforce the role of higher education in promoting active citizenship. THE AMERICAN COMMONWEALTH PROJECT fosters civic learning, public engagement, and stewardship in higher education. The project is a partnership among the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Office of Public Engagement. It will deepen connections and relationships and create policies, initiatives, and practices in public engagement efforts across higher education. THE FESTIVAL OF THE COMMONS, co-hosted October 7 and 8 by At the Festival of the Commons, groups discuss how the principles of the commons can be used to address today’s cultural, economic, political, and social divides. center for democracy and citizenship Augsburg College and On The Commons, focused on how society creates, uses, and manages the commons—things we all share and own together. The event featured keynote speaker Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Economics. Fall 2011 13 course-based service-learning LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM The community service-learning component of the Augsburg curriculum provides significant opportunities for Augsburg students and faculty to interact with the community and develop mutually beneficial relationships. Mary Laurel True, director of servicelearning, emphasized that service-learning is more than community service; it is part of the College’s commitment to the community. “This is about sharing our resources in all areas, asking what the community needs that we can provide,” she said. “It’s not just the courses, it’s the institution as a citizen.” The curricular aspect of service-learning begins at the summer orientation program for undergraduate students in the day program. Throughout their orientation experience, groups explore the neighborhoods and begin to learn about opportunities to engage with and learn from Augsburg’s neighbors. An Augsburg tradition for more than 15 years, City Service Day gives first-year day students an opportunity to serve in and learn about the community through service projects on the day before fall semester classes begin. This September, more than 400 students and their faculty leaders contributed 1,200 hours of service at local schools, community service centers, churches, and theaters. Students continue building neighborhood relationships in their first-year seminar called “AugSem.” AugSem groups are determined by a student’s anticipated major area of study, so AugSem courses and service-learning opportunities engage students in ways that often continue after their first semester at Augsburg. Every year, more than 35 service-learning courses include an experiential education component, which involves an average 14 Augsburg Now of 25 hours of off-campus service-learning in a semester. More importantly, True noted, students must reflect on their experiences. “They get credit for their reflection, not the time they spend in the community,” she said. One example of how service-learning enhances the educational experience is found in the Education Department, where a field service experience is included in all major methods courses. In fact, education majors at Augsburg will complete at least 120 hours of service-learning in different elementary or secondary classrooms before student teaching, according to Jeanine Gregoire, associate professor of education. Augsburg teacher candidates have opportunities to work with schools such as Seward Montessori and the Cedar-Riverside Community School. In cooperation with the classroom teachers, candidates learn how to build a curriculum to address the needs of all learners, including many who are English language learners from the Somali, Hmong, and Korean communities. “It’s a great experiential program for them to see how teaching and learning play out in the classroom,” Gregoire said. Gregoire added that some teacher candidates come to Augsburg with little experience in diverse schools, so service-learning provides a broader perspective on the classroom. “It takes them out of their comfort zone and forces them to think critically about the issues affecting the curriculum,” Gregoire said, “and they get an understanding about the complexities of teaching to eager, bright students who have a huge range of abilities.” Service-learning is an integral part of sociology professor James Vela-McConnell’s upper-division course on social problem analysis. Vela-McConnell chooses a social problem for the class to focus on, and students learn about the issue through traditional research, service in organizations, and intensive interviews with lay people and those who work in social service organizations. The goal, Vela-McConnell said, is to combine all the students’ work into a complete examination of a social problem. “By doing this as a class project and not an individual project,” Vela-McConnell said, “I emphasize that I am not the expert and I become part of the collective learning experience.” He sees this role as valuable for the students because it allows professor and students to connect as equals and to work together. These examples highlight how the learning experience can be enriched for students through service and show how Augsburg can benefit the community by sharing resources. True noted that many of the organizations involved in service-learning relationships with Augsburg have a small group of staff, so Augsburg students provide dedicated volunteer support that helps these organizations succeed and grow. “I think what we have going here is thick and deep and grassroots,” True said. “It’s a reciprocal relationship with the community. It’s a long-term commitment.” To see a video about James Vela-McConnell’s class, go to www.augsburg.edu/now service learning bonner leader DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS the bonner leader program The College’s commitment to the community has been extended through the Bonner Leader program. Now in its fourth year at Augsburg, the Bonner program connects 40 students to local partners including schools, community centers, churches, and other nonprofit organizations. Bonner students commit 10 to 12 hours per week working with the organizations as well as three to five volunteer hours per month. Kristin Farrell, director of the Bonner Leader program, said she believes the program affects students in multiple ways. “It changes the way they see themselves and their communities, and it changes the way they do academics. They see their education as a way to make change in the world,” she said. Bonner students meet as a group with Farrell three times monthly for training and enrichment, giving them a chance to reflect with their peers and to make connections to their classes. Through these experiences, Farrell said students uncover their gifts, and this discovery can lead to new direction in their education or career paths. ’13 ARIANNA GENIS Working with Urban Ventures creating a leadership development program for Latino students “Bonner has taught me the importance of being a part of a community and going out and really getting to know people. The people I have worked with in my placements have given me much more than I have to them.” Because Bonner students often make a long-term commitment to an organization, Farrell said the partners tend to expect more from the students than they would from a short-term intern or a volunteer. This provides opportunities for students to become deeply engaged in the work of the organization. Farrell added that the program shapes community leaders who are sought after by employers. “I think being in the Bonner Leader program gives students a leg up as they leave Augsburg,” she said. “Organizations want people who are knowledgeable about communities.” “The Bonner program provides a deep level of relationships to community partners and a very purposeful way of getting students immersed in the community,” Farrell said. It also connects Augsburg students to a network of more than 10,000 Bonner alumni—students focused on social justice issues who help connect Augsburg grads to opportunities beyond college and in communities outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. ’12 MALLORY CARSTENS Assisting with the school social worker and afterschool programs at the FAIR magnet school in downtown Minneapolis “I was undecided in my major, and Bonner really helped me grow into what I consider my vocation. It led me to social work and to a whole new set of values and interests. It really shaped my Augsburg experience.” ’12 CLAIRE BERGREN A community organizer at the Harrison neighborhood association in North Minneapolis “I came to Augsburg thinking I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people in some way. Now I realize that is not the best way for me, but I can help people through direct interaction with them. I am attracted to doing community organizing because you are so immersed in the experience and in the communities, and you become part of people’s lives.” To read about Bonner Leader Andy Rodriguez ’12 or view a video about the program, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 15 community relations community relations THE COLLEGE AS AN ANCHOR 16 Augsburg’s engagement in the community is deepened by its commitment to becoming an “anchor institution”—an organization that thinks and behaves as a citizen and contributes to community wealth building and local economies. The College serves as an anchor institution not only through service-learning and outreach programs but also through Steve Peacock, director of community relations. He sees his work as a complement to other Sabo Center programs, playing the behindthe-scenes role of representing Augsburg and developing relationships with community organizations. For more than three years, Augsburg has been a member of the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, which is currently chaired by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. The partnership, which includes the City of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and Pillsbury United Communities, provides a venue for neighborhood issues to be addressed in creative ways. One example is the road construction on Riverside Avenue, which began this summer. The members of the partnership saw this as an opportunity to change the character of the area and provide a welcoming, safe gateway to the neighborhood. Working with the City of Minneapolis, the partnership advocated for lighting, new green spaces, and other improvements to the Riverside corridor that would enhance the vitality of the neighborhood. “As an anchor institution, we have a responsibility to ‘place.’ It is in our self interest to ensure that the neighborhood is healthy, vibrant, and safe,” Peacock said. “But we also have a responsibility to strengthen our shared values.” Part of an anchor institution’s role is to support workforce development within a community. Augsburg has been involved in one such initiative as a host for the Urban Scrubs Camp, which is presented by HealthForce Minnesota with support from Boston Scientific. This one-week camp gives more than 70 inner city high school students a hands-on opportunity to learn about healthcare careers. It also helps to educate area youth, addresses the need for workforce development for local hospitals, and strengthens relationships with community partners. In 2011, nearly all of the students attending received a scholarship to the camp through the CedarRiverside Partnership. Augsburg also works closely with the Seward and Cedar-Riverside business associations to promote local businesses to the College community. “As a consumer and investor in the community, we are sensitive to neighborhood businesses and are helping to strengthen them as much as possible,” Peacock said. Augsburg Now In the past, Augsburg marketing courses have developed promotional campaigns for local businesses aimed at students, staff, and faculty. Last spring, a group of marketing students promoted the local restaurant, the Wienery, with a “wiener walk.” This year Cedar-Riverside restaurants, including the recently opened Afro Deli, participated in the Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming, and Augsburg will be involved in the “Franklin Frolic” to support Franklin Avenue businesses in early December. Because the College has a strong commitment to and sees itself as part of the community, Peacock finds his work very gratifying. “Augsburg is a really exciting place to do this kind of work. Building upon strong relationships and taking them to another level improves not only our opportunities but our neighbors’ as well.” EDUCATING INFORMED citizens At the September 2011 Augsburg Corporation meeting, President Paul Pribbenow described the College’s vision of neighborhood well-being related to the anchor institution movement. He said, “In major urban areas, higher education institutions have begun to think of themselves differently, not as places that have all the answers … but in fact places that want to enter into mutual conversation and mutual benefit for each other, for the sake of the city, for the sake of the neighborhood.” Pribbenow makes clear that the College’s role in the community is reciprocal. “We are moving away from a charity model,” he said. “It’s not what we can do for them but what we can do together.” In Augsburg’s mission, in its academic programs, in the common life of the College and its neighbors, and in outreach to the community, Augsburg lives out its commitment to service. Guided by the work of the Sabo Center, the College will continue its deep and lasting commitment to the community as it educates informed citizens who will build and sustain the communities in which they live and work. WHAT IS THE commons? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO US RIGHT NOW? BY JAY WALLJASPER, Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning Editor's Note: On October 7 and 8, the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a “Festival of the Commons” in partnership with On the Commons, a commons movement strategy center. This article, written by Jay Walljasper, editor of OnTheCommons.org and senior fellow of the Sabo Center, provides an explanation and examples of the concept of the commons in our world today. It’s an old idea—the chief organizing principle for human society for most of history—that’s now being rediscovered and reinvigorated all around the world. The commons means what belongs to all of us—and the many diverse ways we share it equitably and sustainably among each other and coming generations. It describes a sweeping set of practices that range from the intricate social structures of indigenous people to the ever-evolving networks of connection fostered by the Internet. And everything in between—natural and human-made. The commons is essential to our survival and happiness, touching our lives all day long—from the water with which we brush our teeth in the morning to the fairy tales we tell children at bedtime. The natural commons makes life itself possible thanks to air, water, biodiversity, and DNA. The cultural commons makes human civilization possible through the sharing of knowledge, language, inventions, stories, and art. The social commons makes our modern way of life possible through educational institutions, medical expertise, engineering know-how, and communication tools. Even the market economy depends on the commons for the natural resources and human capital that drive its profits, as well as the legal and regulatory systems without which it would fall apart. Unfortunately, the commons today is under assault. The natural environment continues to suffer devastation, including the specter of global climate disruption. Privatization policies fence us out of resources that once could be used by everyone, and budget-squeezed governments and civic institutions scale back on services upon which we depend. Meanwhile, many people are convinced their security and well being depend entirely on what they can possess individually, to the detriment of the common good. But the good news is that people everywhere are standing up to protect and promote what we all share. Some, inspired by the work of Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom (who visited Augsburg this fall; see page 5), are launching a movement to draw attention to all the ways that the spirit and practice of the commons can help solve the pressing problems of our time, including economic inequity, environmental decline, Fall 2011 17 social isolation, and political alienation. Many others are not familiar with the term at all but continue to roll up their sleeves to do crucial work in their communities, guided by their instincts for the common good. They are commoners, too. At this tumultuous moment in history, the commons provides us with a compelling vision of a society where “we” matters as much as “me.” THE WEALTH ALL AROUND US Examples of the commons in our daily lives • Air and water • Parks, libraries, streets, and sidewalks • Social Security, the National Weather Service, police protection, and other public services • Wilderness preserves and national forests • Wikipedia and open source initiatives • Musical styles, dance steps, and fashion trends • Biodiversity • The Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Koran, Zen Koans, Hindu Upanishads, Norse sagas, and indigenous tales of creation • Blood banks, soup kitchens, 12-step groups, museums, and other civic efforts • Oceans, Antarctica, and outer space GOOD NEWS ABOUT YOUR NET WORTH We are all co-owners of some very valuable assets Let me offer some good news about the state of your wealth. Sure, real estate values and the stock market look shaky these days, and no one’s job appears safe anymore. But what you possess individually accounts for only part of your true net worth. Each of us also owns a stake in some extremely valu- 18 Augsburg Now able assets: clean air, fresh water, national parks, the internet, civic institutions, cultural traditions, and more. Just like personal property, these things enhance our lives in countless ways—roads we travel, public spaces where we gather, medical and scientific breakthroughs we take advantage of, and accumulated human knowledge we use for free many times each day. In fact, without these commonly held resources, our modern society and market economy would never have gotten off the ground. When the economy appeared to be booming, many of us didn’t care about the commons; it hardly seemed to matter that the local recreation center was in disrepair and Social Security in trouble. Private health clubs and IRAs would meet those needs. But today, Americans are increasingly grateful for services and opportunities provided for us beyond profit-making ventures. But the news about our common wealth is not all good. It faces major threats. The financial crisis has created new pressures for federal, state, and local governments to slash critical services and programs that we depend on. Transit, public schools, libraries, medical assistance, social services, and parks have been on the chopping block in many communities. Fortunately, there’s a new movement of “commoners” from all walks of life who are standing up to protect things that we all share. More than just an activist cause, the commons is becoming a model for thinking differently about how we make decisions, manage resources, and think about responsibilities. BUSINESS BASED ON WHAT WE SHARE Latino entrepreneur—and Augsburg grad— returns to his roots with a local food project “Common sense” is a term entrepreneur Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03, uses with ever increasing enthusiasm to describe the local food initiative he is creating with immigrant Latino farmers in Minnesota. “I come from the commons,” said Haslett-Marroquin, who grew up in Guatemala, where his family still farms communal lands. “And I am going back to the commons.” Haslett-Marroquin, who graduated from Augsburg with a degree in business administration, is the co-founder of the fair trade Peace Coffee Company. In 2006, he founded the Rural Enterprise Center in Northfield, Minn., which, like many Midwestern communities, has attracted growing numbers of Latin American immigrants. In times of economic stagnation, many people worry that immigrants are taking jobs needed by native-born Americans. These fears are especially keen in small towns, where the impact of the continuing economic crisis hits hard. HaslettMarroquin, however, sees an opportunity that can benefit both immigrants and the community as a whole. He noticed that many people around Northfield were eager to eat more locally raised, healthy food but were unable to afford it or sometimes even find it. At the same time, he saw that Latino immigrants had lifelong experience as sustainable farmers but lacked the financial means to take up farming. The solution was obvious. Find a way to get Latino farmers back on the land and connect them with consumers seeking wholesome food. This is exactly what Haslett-Marroquin did in launching a free-range poultry cooperative, market garden, and family farmer training program, all designed to put good food on local dinner tables and income into the pockets of family farmers. “Agripreneurship” is how HaslettMarroquin described this effort to revive family farming for local markets by taking advantage of immigrants’ first hand knowledge of small-scale sustainable agriculture practices. “Commons sense,” he said, is another word for what he and his colleagues are doing. This small-farmer training center and coop is a shining example of an emerging co-op idea known as commons-based development—a strategy that strengthens the commons by making sure that economic expansion projects help the community as a whole. While commons work is often seen as an activist or community cause more than a business model, Hasslett-Marroquin’s projects embody fundamental commons principles: a commitment to future generations, a focus on sustaining the earth, and a means of providing a benefit to everyone. As Haslett-Marroquin said, “The commons is a very straightforward commonsense approach to creating systems that sustain society and sustain life on the planet.” COOPERATION IS NO TRAGEDY First woman to win Nobel Prize in Economics proves that common ownership does not inevitably lead to ruin izenship and Learning) has documented how communities around the world equitably and sustainably manage common resources such as grazing lands, forests, irrigation waters, and fisheries over the long term. A classic example is her field research in a Swiss village where farmers tend private plots for crops but share a communal meadow to graze their cows. While this would appear a perfect model to prove the tragedy-of-the-commons theory, Ostrom discovered that in reality there were no problems with overgrazing. That is because of a common agreement among villagers that no one is allowed to graze more cows on the meadow than they can care for over the winter—a rule that dates back to 1517. Ostrom has documented similar effective examples of “governing the commons” in her research in Kenya, Guatemala, Nepal, Turkey, and Los Angeles. YOU MAY ALREADY BE A COMMONER Many people view the commons as a tragedy rather than a fresh new worldview to help us move toward greater economic fairness, environmental harmony, and democratic participation. This notion was popularized by wildlife biologist Garrett Hardin in a 1968 essay in Science magazine, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” in which he described how people who share common resources will inevitably degrade them. Although Hardin later qualified his theory as applying only in specific situations, the phrase is still widely invoked to argue that privatized property is the only practical method for managing land, resources, or other valuable assets. The message is clear: Any kind of cooperative ownership will lead to ruin. But that blanket assertion was debunked two years ago when Indiana University political scientist Elinor Ostrom won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Through the decades, Ostrom (who spoke at Augsburg in October as part of a Festival of the Commons, organized by the Sabo Center for Cit- Ten ways to find out You may be a commoner if you: 1. Question the prevailing myth that all problems have private, individualized solutions. 2. Notice how many of life’s pleasures exist outside the money economy—gardening, fishing, conversing, playing music, playing ball, praying, watching sunsets. 3. Take time to appreciate and enjoy what the commons offers. (As the visionary Brazilian educator Paulo Freire once declared during an Augsburg College visit, “We are bigger than our schedules.”) 4. Keep in mind that security and satisfaction are more easily acquired from family and friends than from money. 5. Offer a warm smile or greeting to people you pass. The commons begins with connecting, even in brief, spontaneous ways. as if you own them (which, actually, you do). Tidy things up. Report problems, or repair things yourself. Initiate improvement campaigns. 7. Are interested in exploring ways that things you now pay for could be acquired in more cooperative ways—checking out DVDs at the library, perhaps, or quitting the health club and forming a morning jogging club. 8. Watch where your money goes. How do the stores, companies, and financial institutions you use help or harm the commons? This includes their impact on the environment and on poor communities around the world. 9. Share your knowledge ideas with online commons such as Wikipedia, online communities open-education projects, and open-access journals. Or you could form your own online community around what matters to you. 10. Think of yourself as a commoner and share your enthusiasm. Raise the subject in conversation, around the neighborhood and at work. Stand up against threats to the commons in your community and around the world. Speak out in favor of opportunities to expand the commons. These articles are updated from All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons (The New Press, 2011) and a flyer handed out at the Festival of the Commons on the Augsburg College campus October 7 and 8. Jay Walljasper, former editor of Utne Reader, is author/editor of All That We Share and editor of www.OnThe Commons.org. On The Commons, a commons movement strategy center, co-sponsored the Festival of the Commons at Augsburg. Walljasper was recently named a Senior Fellow of Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. 6. Treat common spaces in your community Fall 2011 19 it takes an Auggie A continuing legacy of public service It is hard to imagine a career more dedicated to public service and civic engagement than that of Martin Sabo ’59. One year after graduating from Augsburg College, Sabo was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. More than 45 years later, he retired from a distinguished 28year career in the U.S. House of Representatives. During that time, Sabo also served for 12 years as a regent for the College, was named an Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus, and received the first 2011-12 SABO SCHOLARS honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters Front Row [L to R]: Rachael Okerlund ’12, Angela Bonfiglio ’13, Katherine DeKrey ’12, Sylvia Sabo, Martin Sabo ’59, (Honoris Causa), conferred by the College. Katie Radford ’12; Back Row [L to R]: Adam Spanier ’12, Rachel Svanoe ’13, Eli Grobel ’12, Claire Bergren ’12, Sabo Today, Martin and his wife, Sylvia Sabo—parProfessor Garry Hesser, Arianna Genis ’13, Andrew Rodriguez ’13. ents of Auggies Karin Mantor ’86 and Julie Sabo ’90—continue their public service work by supportpublic service. By engaging these students in conversation about ing the Augsburg College Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, public service, the Sabo Scholars program carries forward the the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium. Sabos’ abiding faith in the role that government can play in imAs the stories on the previous pages show, the Sabo Center enproving the lives of citizens. compasses a wide-ranging set of programs that include the ColThe Sabo Center also annually convenes the Sabo Public Policy lege’s civic engagement, community-based involvement, and Symposium. Last year’s event was “2010 Healthcare Reform: What service-learning programs. Through the work of the center, Will It Mean for You (and The Nation)?” This year, in place of the Augsburg has earned national recognition as a college with a public policy symposium, the Sabo Center hosted the Festival of strong commitment to education for service. the Commons, featuring 2009 Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom, disIn addition, each year the Sabos, along with Sabo Professor cussing how society creates, uses, and manages “the commons”— Garry Hesser, work directly with 10 Augsburg juniors and seniors things we all share (see story, page 5). chosen as Sabo Scholars for their interest in and commitment to Through these programs, supported by the generous gifts and engagement in the political process, public policy, or careers in engagement of the Sabos and others, Augsburg creates opportunities for civic experiences and skill-building— inside and outside the classroom—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—and carries on the Sabos’ and the College’s important commitment to public service. REBECCA JOHN The 2011-12 Sabo Scholars kick off the academic year with conversation and dinner at the home of Sylvia and Martin Sabo. The Sabo Scholars meet monthly with Representative Sabo, Sabo Professor Garry Hesser, local alumni, and other leaders engaged in public service, policy-related work, and the political process. 20 Augsburg Now AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 2010-2011 Fall 2011 21 DEAR FRIENDS, It is no accident that the first four words of our mission statement are, “Augsburg College educates students...” I put the emphasis on the word “educates” because our academic program is at the heart of what we do as a college. The quality of that program—its innovative core curriculum rooted in vocational exploration, its focus on interdisciplinary inquiry, its commitment to student learning, its excellence and national recognition in several different disciplines—has been deeply influenced by private philanthropic support over the years, and this year is no exception. In fiscal year 2011, the College received nearly $9.3 million dollars in external financial support. Daily, we are reminded of this generous philanthropic investment on our campus: the buildings that house our academic programs, our offices, and our students; our ability to entice academically gifted students to enroll, to aid students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a college education, and to support students who show intellectual promise but may be lacking social or personal support structures that ensure success; and the talented faculty and staff who teach and guide the next generation of leaders. But this philanthropy—your philanthropy—has not only paid for buildings, scholarships, salaries, and resources; it has also advanced and continues to enhance and grow the quality of teaching and learning at Augsburg. • The impact of your gifts is realized in the remarkable number of students undertaking annual research projects that are funded through the Sundquist Science Scholars program, the Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunities (URGO) office, and the McNair Scholars program, among others. • It is exemplified in our robust Honors program that challenges students to think critically and perform to the very best of their abilities. • It is illustrated by the national recognition for Augsburg’s notable achievement of embedding service learning into our core curriculum and by the recognition of our graduates who successfully compete for the highest international academic honors and awards such as the Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Rhodes, Rossing, Rotary, and Udall scholarships. • It is embodied in the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, which guides and supports students as they seek to discern their vocations and in the Gage Center for Student Success, the College’s newest learning commons, which houses critical academic enrichment services in Lindell Library, at the heart of campus. The long and meaningful history of private investment in Augsburg makes a difference not only in resources but also in the quality of outcomes of our academic program. Our generous donors matter, your gifts matter, and we are grateful and humbled every day because you have been willing to translate your commitment to education, your love for this place, and your belief in our mission into financial support for our work. We believe that philanthropy is a place where your values and passions intersect—it is part of your vocation—and we celebrate the fact that you have found Augsburg a worthy recipient of your generosity and partner in your vocational journey. Thank you. Sincerely, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW PRESIDENT 22 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 2010-2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Where the Money Comes From 3% Other sources 2011 Endowment Market Value May 31, 2011 $33,268,034 4% Government grants 9% Private gifts and grants 11% Room and board As of May 31, 2011, we have annual realized and unrealized gains of 17.01% on our endowment. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is 3.44%, and the 10-year average annual return is 3.08%. We are committed to maintaining the value of principal gifts and to provide support to the College in perpetuity. 73% $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 Tuition $25.4 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $24.5 $22.7 $22.9 2% Where the Money Goes Student salary 4% Debt service 3% Equipment and capital improvement 44% Salary and benefits 3% Utilities 24% 2002 Financial aid 2003 2004 20% 2007 2008 “ WHY I GIVE “ I had such a wonderful education at Augsburg, and I think my whole philosophy of life and giving was developed here and in my family. I have given since I graduated … and I continue, I suppose, because I see the ongoing mission of education to serve others, and what I am most thrilled about these years is that Augsburg welcomes everyone…. I’m proud of the strides in everything from community service to Rhodes Scholars to you name it. We’re just getting better and better, and more diverse and wonderful. Leann Hanson Lake ’67 2006 2009 2010 2011 Endowment Assets (in millions) June 1, 2002 – May 31, 2011 Other “ 2005 ” I give to Augsburg because somebody else had given before me and that allowed me to attend a four-year private school that met all the needs I had. Hopefully my giving will do the same for another student. Marie Odenbrett ’01 ” “It’s our conviction, Kathy’s and mine, that God gives gifts that they might be used in the world. We started giving to Augsburg when we were seniors in Augsburg … way back in 1976. Augsburg has grown; we have seen it over the decades just become a better and better school, and we’re happy to be a part of that so that more and more people might be educated under the auspices of the church … that they might be better servants of the world.” Norman Wahl ’76, Kathy (Anderson) Wahl ’76 To hear more Auggies tell why they give, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Fall 2011 23 s e i g augANGING ARE CH E WORLD TH AUGSBURG RECOGNIZES DONORS with event series This summer Augsburg launched a new event series to recognize contributions at all levels and methods of giving. The series began in August with the Celebration of Philanthropy to recognize a broad range of annual, lifetime, and deferred gift donors. At this evening of activity and fellowship, guests had their photo taken with Auggie Eagle, shared why they support Augsburg in a video booth and on a large display board, and met student researchers. The evening ended with dessert and discussion and the presentation of a video showing how Auggies and donors are changing the world. The series continued with a September boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka for recent alumni donors to The Augsburg Fund. Upcoming events include a holiday dinner and Advent Vespers service in December for the College’s leadership and major gift donors, the annual Scholarship Donor Brunch for benefactors in April, and a class party for the winners of the 2012 student philanthropy competition. Individual invitations will be sent closer to the events. To see the video featured at the Celebration of Philanthropy, go to www.augsburg.edu/now celebration of philanthropy 24 Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 LIFETIME GIVING The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000, including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College. Anonymous (6) Geoffrey ’89 and Kelly Gage Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Helen and Ernest† Alne Richard ’96 and Britt Gage James Lindell Sr. ’46† Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 Scott and Gina Gage Susan Scott ’97 Lindquist and David Lindquist Catherine and Charles Anderson General Mills Foundation Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson Martha Gisselquist ’86 Jennifer and Richard Martin Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson Michael ’71 and Ann Good Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85 Marie and Larry McNeff Steven and Stephanie Anderson H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Gerard and Anne Meistrell Leona Radman Antholz ’41† Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold Phillip ’55† and Lynne Mueller Gronseth Robert ’70 and Sue Midness Earl and Doris Bakken Carolyn and Franklin Groves Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Guarani Foundation Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Marlys Backlund ’54 Morland and Robert† Morland Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden James and Kathleen Haglund Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka William and Stephanie Naegele Barbara and Zane Birky Hunt and Diane Harris George ’68 and Tamra Nelson Carl Blegen† Hearst Foundation Ida Nelson† Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen Loren Henderson† Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Joyce and John† Boss Donald Hennings Clifford and Martha Nylander† Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr Robert Odegard ’51† Rodney and Barbara Burwell Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander R. Luther Olson ’56 Bush Foundation O. C. Hognander, Jr. Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren Carlson Companies Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm John and Norma Paulson The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Allen and Jean Housh Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Judith Christensen Garfield Hoversten ’50 Richard Pautz ’37† Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Robert Hoversten George† and Elizabeth† Pennock Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Lester Hoversten† Glen Person ’47 Oliver Dahl ’45 Huss Foundation Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Glenda† and Richard Huston Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Theodore and Pamala Deikel Sandra and Richard Jacobson Addison and Cynthia Piper Deluxe Corporation Foundation James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs David Piper Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Kinney Johnson ’65 Harry and Mary Piper Tracy Elftmann ’81 Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Raymond Erickson ’50† Bruce and Maren Kleven Alan Rice Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem David and Barbara Kleven Olive Ronholm ’47† Ever Cat Fuels, LLC E. Milton ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven Curtis and Marian Sampson Philip and Laverne Fandrei Dean and Susan Kopperud Ward ’74 and Catherine Schendel Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Ruth Schmidt ’52† Jerry and Jean Foss Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn James and Eva Seed Julian Foss ’30† Harriett Kurek† Rodney Sill ’82 William and Anne Frame Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson John and Martha Singleton Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund Diane and Philip Larson Glen and Anna Skovholt Barbara and Edwin Gage George ’61 and Mary Larson David Soli ’81 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 25 Paul† and Lorene† Steen Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall Robert Wagner ’02 Genevieve Stelberg† Glen A. Taylor Foundation Scott Weber ’79 Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen and P. Dawn Heil ’78 Taylor and Jack Taylor† Larry Wefring Teagle Foundation Robert Wick ’81 Conrad Sunde ’15† Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Elsie Wildung† Leland and Louise Sundet Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson John ’74 and Marvel Yager Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford Lisa Zeller ’81 and Glenn Fuller Helen Sverdrup† Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Johan Sverdrup† Andrew Urness† Clair Strommen ’46† PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who made annual gifts of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Founders Society ($100,000 and above) Alvin John and Ruth Huss Anonymous (1) James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs Cynthia Landowski ’81 Jones and Rick Jones Barbara and Edwin Gage Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson Craig Jones E. Milton Kleven ’46 Dean and Susan Kopperud Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy Dean ’81 and Amy Norman Sundquist Douglas and Norma Madsen Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Jennifer and Richard Martin Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Regents’ Fellows ($50,000 - $99,999) Marie and Larry McNeff Marilyn McIver Helen Alne Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff Rick and Jean Mofsen Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear Jeffrey ’77 and Becky Bjella ’79 Nodland Alan Rice Lisa Novotny ’80 and Mark Flaten Vance and Darin Opperman Paul Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson Regents’ Society ($25,000 - $49,999) Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52 Aaron Assad ’10 Philip Rowberg ’41 Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck Alfred Assad Joseph and Lynn Schmitt Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach Michael ’71 and Ann Good James and Eva Seed Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82 James Lindell ’46† Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg Christopher McIver Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen Curtis and Marian Sampson Donald ’53 and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren Jean Taylor 1985 and Roger Griffith ’84 Marilee Alne ’65 Schroeder and William Schroeder John and Norma Paulson Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf Rodney and Theresa Schott Robert Wick ’81 Michael and Pamela Sime John Schwartz ’67 John and Eleanor Yackel Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund John ’74 and Marvel Yager 26 Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall President’s Executive Cabinet ($10,000 - $24,999) President's Council ($5,000 - $9,999) Peter and Linda Vogt Andra Adolfson Anonymous (1) Renata Winsor Daniel 1965 and Alice Anderson Deloris Anderson ’56 Frank ’50† and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81 President’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999) Carla Asleson ’91 Steven and Stephanie Anderson Anonymous (2) Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden and Paul ’63 Batalden Scott Anderson ’96 Matthew Entenza and Lois Quam Judith Christensen Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Larry Cole 1966 Carolyn Burfield ’60 Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Richard ’72 and Tamara Ekstrand C. Lee Clarke James and Kathleen Haglund Susan Engeleiter Liv Dahl Hunt and Diane Harris John ’82 and Joan Moline 1983 Evans Grant Dasher Richard and Dail Hartnack Leola Dyrud ’61 Furman Karen ’81 and Charles Durant Augsburg Now Tyler Uccellini ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Ronald Engebretsen Thomas Anderson ’72 Mark and Margie Eustis Jamie Fragola Charles and Catherine Anderson Jennifer and Dean Eyler Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson Barbara Farley Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon Orvella Anderson Duncan Flann ’55 Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold Dawn Formo Gaylord (Corky) ’71 and Lori Hall Ann and Kenneth Ashton-Piper William and Anne Frame Lisa Svac ’85 Hawks Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel Robert Frantz and Janell Grazzini Frantz Bruce Holcomb ’90 and Caroline Vernon John Berg ’59 Andrew Fried ’93 Allen and Jean Housh Norman ’59 and Delores Berg JoAnne Digree ’68 Fritz and Barry Fritz J. Vernon ’47 and Irene Jensen John and Lorelei Bergman Barbara and Frederick Gaiser Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns Ann Garvey Carol Jones David ’68 and Lynn Boe Orval and Cleta Gingerich Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird Florence Helland ’54 Borman and Dennes Borman John and Carolyn Goddard Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin Louis Branca Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud Robert ’71 and Cheryl Lindroos ’72 Martin Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and Tom Tim ’80 and Gail Gordon Christopher ’00 and Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod Breckenridge Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton Paul ’55 and Rosalind Britton Amy Gort Thomas and Lorraine Morgan Michael Brock Charles Gould ’76 and Gayle Kvenvold Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98 Charles and Barbara Green Beverly Omdahl ’55 Nelson Michael ’81 and Sheryl Burkhardt Sharlene and Gordon Griebenow Richard and Janet Neville Marion Buska ’46 Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom Norma Noonan Timothy and Frances Campbell William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Norman and Janet Carpenter Betty Johnson ’58 Haas Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo Carrie and Peter ’02 Carroll Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott Carol Johnson ’60 Casperson Mark Hebert ’74 Stephen and Kay Sheppard Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Glen and Anna Skovholt Robert Clayman and Carol Miller Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill Arne and Ellen Sovik Margaret Clyde Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner Joseph Cook ’89 Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Mark and Kathryn Weber Walter and Janet Cooper Paul Holmquist ’79 Jeremy Wells Robert and Mary Crosby Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt David and Susan White Pamela Herzan ’81 Crowell and Dring Crowell Ethel Holt George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Elizabeth Horton Sally Hough ’79 Daniels Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth Christopher and Britt Dougall Phoebe Hough Anonymous (1) Greg ’88 and Mary Duckson Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten Ruth Aaskov ’53 Douglas and Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn Clarence Hoversten ’41 Phyllis Acker ’61 Julie Edstrom ’90 Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten James Agre ’72 Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson Judy Thompson Eiler ’65 Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim Thomas and LaDonna Hoy Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93 Avis Ellingrod Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson Tammy Huddle-McGee and Mike McGee Beverly Almquist Mark and Lynette Engebretson Rebecca Beito ’67 Huseby and Ed Huseby ’66 Bruce ’60 Amundson and Joann Eliason ’62 Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson Richard Huston President’s Associates ($1,000 - $2,499) Stephen Erickson ’68 and Marilyn McKnight ’67 Brandon Hutchinson ’99 Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson Amundson Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld Deborah Hutterer ’99 and Gary Erickson Leif Anderson Duane Esterly ’75 Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup Sheila ’05 and Lee Anderson L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem Arvild Jacobson ’51 Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 27 28 Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes Allan Nelson John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson Rebecca John Debra and Robert Nelson Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61 John ’95 and Rachel Schultz ’95 Nielsen Carolyn Johnson ’80 Spargo and Lawrence Spargo Bruce Johnson ’68 Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector Gary ’74 and Melody Johnson Wedel Nilsen ’45 David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson Merton ’59 and Jo An Bjornson ’58 Johnson Betsey and Alan Norgard Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson Eric and Elizabeth Jolly Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel Michael Kivley ’89 Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53 Nyhus Mary ’74 Stickelmeyer and Henry Havel Linda Klas ’92 Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted Benjamin Stottrup and Neota Moe Lowell ’54 and Janice Kiebach Kleven Wanda Warnes ’56 Olson and Ted Olson Beverly and Thomas Stratton Michael Klutho and Jill Manske Lee ’59 and Patricia Olson Ralph and Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49 Bruce L. Olson ’71 Leland and Louise Sundet Gregory Konat and Teresa Daly Linda Olup Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 George ’50 and Vivian Lanes L. Beth Buesing ’45 Opgrand Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92 Thomas and Kathy Langdon Laurie Nelson ’79 Orlow and Steven Orlow Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson Kathryn Lange ’72 and Dennis Sonifer Tamera and William Ostlund Amanda Symmes ’11 Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson Beverly Ottum Christine Szaj George ’61 and Mary Larson Patricia Parker Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio and Paul Terrio ’87 Debora Liddell and John Westefeld Bonnie Carlson Pehrson ’62 LaJune Thomas ’75 Thomas-Lange and Patrick ’88 and Beth Lilja Barbara Petersen James ’67 and Laurie Lindell Karin Peterson Richard (Porkchop) ’61 and Jane Thompson Jean Lingen Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe Brent Lofgren ’88 Corwin and Doris Peterson David and Martha Tiede Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth and Dennis Veiseth Noel and Sharon Petit Cassidy Titcomb and Scott Simpson Ronald London Ronald ’69 and Jane Petrich Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson Dana Lonn Diane Pike and Stephen Willett Beth Torstenson ’66 Marissa Hutterer Machado ’99 James and Kathryn Ramstad Frances Torstenson Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Marcia Thompson ’78 Turcotte and John Turcotte Donna McLean Lloyd ’63 and Linnea Raymond Andrea and Michael Turner Dennis ’78 and Beverly Ranum ’78 Meyer Timothy and Christine Ring Betty and Paul Tveite Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson Frances Roller Rockey Robert Wagner ’02 Deborah Anderson ’73 Miller and Timothy Miller Laura and Martin Roller Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Thomas ’86 and Susan Rogers - Miller Kevin ’91 and Amy Ronneberg Ronald Wahlberg ’70 Joyce Schroepfer ’02 Miller John ’77 and Gail Ronning Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund John and Margaret Miller Mary and Stuart Rose Lois Wattman ’76 and Douglas Shaw Eileen and Grant Mitchell Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64 Sarah West and Raymond Robertson Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Dennis ’67 Sackreiter and Karen Sackreiter Craig Wisness ’73 Lori Moline ’82 and Steven Olson Leo and Patricia Samson William Wittenbreer Thelma Monson ’41 Carolyn Hanson ’68 Schildgen and William Schildgen David and Catherine Wold Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott Joyce Leifgren ’64 Young LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Richard ’70 and Linda Seime Mark ’76 and Debra Zellmer Sharon Lindell Mortrud ’64 Frankie and Jole Shackelford Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Sandra Phaup ’64 Patricia and David Murphy David Soli ’81 Bruce ’71 and Kathleen Nelson Kathleen ’69 and Earle ’69 Solomonson Augsburg Now Thomas Lange ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 ORGANIZATIONS GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2010 TO MAY 31, 2011 The following list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College of $1,000 or more in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. 3M Foundation GMAC-RFC Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation Adolfson & Peterson Construction Google Give Presser Foundation Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation Grafix Shoppe Quad Graphics The American Foundation Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett Ramstad Recovery Fund Ameriprise Financial Gray Wolf Ranch, Inc. RBC Foundation - USA Anderson, Helgen, Davis & Nissen Groves Foundation Regiscard International, Inc. Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie PA The I Box The Saint Paul Foundation A'viands Imaging Path Sheltering Arms Foundation Bank of America Imation Corporation Stellus Consulting LLC Best Buy Children’s Foundation Incredible, Inc. The Summit Group Bonner Foundation C. Charles Jackson Foundation Superior Family Dentistry The Bridgie Group, Inc. Kettering Foundation Target Foundation Bush Foundation KPMG LLP TCF Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Foundation John Larsen Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Carlson Family Foundation Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundation Carolyn Foundation Estate of Henry and Selma Lundene Travelers Companies, Inc. Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis Marcus McCoy Foundation Trillium Family Foundation CollegeNet McKnight Foundation Trust for Meditation Process Data Recognition Corporation Metropolitan Regional Arts Council UBS Foundation The Donaldson Foundation Minnesota Debate Teachers Association United Nations Foundation Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Minnesota Private College Foundation United Way of Rhode Island Eagle Elevator Corp MOA Marketing, Inc. US Bancorp Foundation ELCA National Science Foundation US Bank The Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Fund The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues W. K. Kellogg Foundation Ever Cat Fuels, LLC Network for Good Warren Foundation The Family Partnership The New York Academy Of Medicine The Washburn High School Foundation Formo Family Charitable Fund of the St. Paul Nilan Johnson Lewis Weber Marketing/Promotions, Inc. Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program Gage Family Foundation NRG Energy Center Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Olup and Associates The Whitney Foundation General Aviation Services Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth Women's Foundation of Minnesota General Mills Foundation Play-More Travel, Inc. Foundation Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly. If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu. † Deceased Fall 2011 29 SVEN OFTEDAL SOCIETY, Supporting Augsburg’s mission into the future The following list recognizes individuals who have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College. 30 Anonymous (7) Avis Ellingrod Allen and Jean Housh Lois Black Ahlbom ’47 Denise Engebretson ’82 Ruth Hovden Paul H. ’57 Almquist and Pearl M. Almquist Edna Kastner Ericksen ’42 Chester ’60 and Clenora Hoversten Helen Alne Duane M. Esterly Clarence Hoversten ’41 Charles and Catherine Anderson Alice C. Evans Garfield Hoversten ’50 Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans Lorna L. Hoversten Deloris Anderson ’56 Alice Evenson Rev. Deborah Hutterer and Gary Erickson Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson John ’68 and Martha Fahlberg Leroy ’54 and Orpha Iseminger E. William Anderson ’56 Norman Ferguson Kathleen and Bruce Jackson Gary and Mary Anderson Roger L. Fisher Sandra and Richard Jacobson Keith O. Anderson ’54 and Beverly Anderson Halley Foss-Katter ’99 and Daniel Katter Sherry Jennings-King Lisa Petska Anderson ’86 and Morey Anderson Martha Fosse Palmquist Clair Johannsen ’62 William ’86 and Kelly Anderson William and Anne Frame Carolyn E. Johnson ’63 I. Shelby Gimse Andress ’56 Rev. Terry Frovik ’67 Edryce Johnson ’46 Betty Arnold Leola Dyrud Furman ’61 Jerry and Bonita Johnson Dorothy Bailey Ann Garvey Kinney Johnson ’65 Earl and Doris Bakken Virgil ’57 and Farolyn Johnson Gehring ’56 Mark ’54 and Thelma Johnson Andrew ’50 and Barbara Kolden ’50 Balerud Dr. Kenneth A. Gilles ’44 Oliver ’50 and Grace Gisselquist ’49 Johnson Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez Ruth Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II Elizabeth Anne ’82 and Warren Bartz Charles and Barbara Green Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert Nelson ’44 Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson Joan Griffin Ralph ’60 and Mary Jane Kempski Vera Thorson Benzel ’45 Gracia Grindal ’65 Mary Kingsley Norman ’59 and Delores Berg H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal Jean Vettel ’51 Kiteley and Murray Kiteley Sidney ’57 and Lola Lindstrom ’50 Berg Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde E. Milton Kleven ’46 JoAnn Berg Bablitch ’73 Margery Kyvig ’64 Haaland and Sheldon Haaland Gloria Grant ’57 and Arthur Knoblauch Inez Schey ’77 and John Bergquist Gary Hagen ’71 Dean and Susan Kopperud Birgit Birkeland ’58 Donald J. and Sonja S. Hagestuen Gwen Johnson Krapf ’58 Ruth Anderson ’44 Blanshan and Ralph Blanshan James and Kathleen Haglund Paul Kwiecien and Rhonda Kwiecien Richard and Nancy Borstad Arvin Herbert Halvorson ’55 Lee Anne ’67 and Gene Lack Donald Bottemiller James and Corrine Hamre Calvin ’49 and Agnes Valvik ’47 Larson J. Bernhard ’48 and Hildur Anderson ’43 Bretheim Dale ’60 Hanka and Carolyn Hanka Dean ’62 and Barbara Beglinger ’63 Larson Nancy Brown-Koeller ’74 Shirley Bondo Hansen ’44 George S. ’61 and Mary K. Larson Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson Anna J. Hanson Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom Cynthia Hanson ’66 Luther and Janice Larson Judith Christensen Mark ’68 and Ione Agrimson ’68 Hanson Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson and Marvin Larson Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft Jodi and Stanley Harpstead Julie (Gudmestad) and Joe Laudicina Oliver Dahl ’45 Betty Johnson Hass ’58 Dorothy Lee ’30 George ’72 and Janet Dahlman Lawrence and Lois Hauge Rev. Harris and Maryon Lee Sally Hough Daniels ’79 Rodney (Rock) A. and Jane M. Helgeson Ronald and Rebecca Gisselquist ’67 Lien Michael ’86 and Dorothy Darling Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth Living Trust Carolyn Benson ’71 Dauner and Daniel Dauner Robert ’55 and Karin Herman Susan Scott Lundquist ’97 Dallas ’63 and Sharon Day Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill John ’65 and Gracia Luoma Laura Kompelien Delavie ’92 Esther Tungseth Hinschberger ’49 Deborah Mahoney ’79 Richard A. ’55 and Audret S. Dronen Helen C. Hjelmeland Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main Beverly Durkee Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky Ruben ’45 and Thelma Egeberg Ethel Holt Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland Tracy L. Elftmann ’81 John Holum Karen Mateer and Terrance Metz Augsburg Now ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11 Lucille Messerer Robert ’50 and Ruth Ann Paulson Naomi Christensen ’81 Staruch and Steven Staruch Dan ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’61 Meyers Harold E. Peterson and Pearl A. Peterson John and Lavene Steen Edith Middleton Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo Karla Krogsrud Miley Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff Hazel Thorson Stoick Stoeckeler Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79 Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46 Jonathan ’78 and Bonnie Lamon ’78 Moren Quentin ’50† and Lucille Quanbeck Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen Orval and Bernell Moren Eileen Quanbeck ’46 Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78 Robert B. and Marlys Backlund Morland Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth Cecil Ramnaraine Mildred and Van Mueller Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck Ronald ’69 and Susan Scott ’71 Swanson Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller Nancy M. (Joubert) Raymond Gary Tangwall Jeanne Narum Paul Rensted ’87 Gary L. Terrio Vivian Nelsen Alan Rice LaJune Thomas Lange ’75 and Thomas Lange Rev. Carl O. Nelson Arthur ’53 and Charlotte Kleven ’52 Rimmereid Richard and Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson Pastor Hub Nelson ’54 Gregory and Barbara Ritter Frances Torstenson Kenneth and Vera Nelson Frances M. Roller Rockey Marcia Thompson Turcotte ’78 Mildred Nelson ’52 Barbara Rodvik Robert E. and Margaret H. Twiton Robert ’97 and Rose Nelson Laura Roller Robert ’65 and Kay Tyson Roger M. Nelson Rev. Lyle E. Rossing Morris ’51 and Bonnie Biere ’54 Vaagenes Norma Noonan Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan Mark ’83 and Beth Voelker Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Audrey Nagel Sander ’51 Robert J. Wagner II ’02 James ’57 and Shirley Norman Marianne and Robert Sander Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl Glenn and Ann Nycklemoe Robert Sander Jr. ’76 Bonnie Wallace and Ronald Haglund Jonathan Nye Lars ’69 and Ann Sandven Colleen Kay
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2012: Living Our Calling
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW Opening Convocation At this year’s opening convocation, Augsburg College welcomed nearly 400 new first-year students and 160 transfer students to campus. The College also added 437 new students in adult undergraduate and graduate programs in Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn., t...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW Opening Convocation At this year’s opening convocation, Augsburg College welcomed nearly 400 new first-year students and 160 transfer students to campus. The College also added 437 new students in adult undergraduate and graduate programs in Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn., this fall. Higher education in the 21st century 30 years of Weekend and Evening College Stewardship of space MAL celebrates 25 years 40 years of women’s athletics and Title IX Auggie Days 2012 living OUR calling FALL 2012 | VOL. 75, NO. 1 inside 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 notes from President Pribbenow Stewardship of place and people t he Augsburg College mission statement says that Augsburg “educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” These aspirations for our students require that all of us who are part of the Augsburg community consider how we model in our lives and work the core values embodied in these aspirations. In other words, we need to live what we teach! This issue of Augsburg Now offers several examples of how we are seeking as a college community to live as thoughtful stewards. You’ve read in past issues of this magazine the remarkable progress we have made as an institution in our commitment to environmental stewardship—composting leftover food from the cafeteria, community gardens on campus, new biodiesel production methods, and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2019. All important work, but stewardship is a rich concept and extends to our care for all of the gifts we have been given as a community. I am particularly struck by how our College has explored ways in which we care for our physical location and facilities. The 2010 Campus Space and Master Plan is not simply a map to future facilities; it is a statement of values around stewardship of the land and buildings we occupy and the need for us to be constantly vigilant about the opportunities to renew, reuse, and extend the life of our spaces and buildings. In addition, the plan points to our commitment to stewarding relationships with our neighbors, building facilities and designing landscapes that welcome our neighbors to campus rather than keep them away. Stewardship is also about people—and as I was reminded again this year at our Homecoming celebrations, Augsburg is all about people. The upcoming celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX—the landmark federal legislation that seeks to ensure equity for women and men in intercollegiate athletics—is an example of what it means to be good stewards of our people. For years and years, women students at Augsburg participated in athlet- Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Integrated Communication Specialist Laura Swanson swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online ics without the support and recognition enjoyed by their male counterparts. A couple of years ago, we honored those unheralded women Auggies with the athletic letters they never received while on campus. Now, we lift up our enduring commitment to opportunities for all Auggie student-athletes. Our recent news about establishing the first intercollegiate women’s lacrosse program in Minnesota is just one example of how we steward the gifts of people—students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends who make Augsburg strong! In 1931, the renowned 20th-century theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote in The Christian Century an essay with the provocative title, “Is Stewardship Ethical?” His indictment of Christians for the ways in which they had turned stewardship into random programs of fundraising and voluntarism stands as a relevant challenge to all of us. We are called to be thoughtful stewards. Stewardship is a way of life. At Augsburg, we are working hard to live what we teach. Yours in Augsburg, Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Senior Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Members of the Maroon & Silver Society lead by example with monthly gifts of $84 or more, or annual gifts of $1,000 or more to The Augsburg Fund. These unrestricted gifts to The Augsburg Fund allow the College to award more financial aid, employ high-quality faculty and staff, offer a challenging and thought-provoking academic curriculum, and provide support to our students so that they can become the people they are called to be. To learn more about the Maroon & Silver Society, contact the Office of Annual Giving at 612-330-1652 or giving@augsburg.edu. augsburg.edu/giving WE ARE CALLED auggies fall 2012 Features 8 Calling and purpose: Lutheran higher education in the 21st century | BY LAURA SWANSON 11 Stewardship of space | BY REBECCA JOHN 16 Auggie Days 2012 | BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND WENDI WHEELER ’06 20 Augsburg College annual report 23 Homecoming 2012 26 Weekend and Evening College celebrates 30th anniversary | BY LAURA SWANSON Departments 2 Around the Quad | 6 Augsburg celebrates 40 years of women’s athletics | 15 Auggie voices 19 My Auggie experience | 22 It takes an Auggie | 31 Alumni news | 37 Alumni class notes All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. quad around the COLLEGE In August, the College announced support of the “Vote No” work of Minnesotans United for All Families to prevent passage MINNESOTANS of a Minnesota Constitutional UNITED FOR amendment that would ALL FAMILIES define marriage. The College is proud to stand with five of Minnesota’s synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, nearly 600 businesses and organizations, and 150 ordained church leaders. The College’s decision to support the “Vote No” effort is grounded in the commitment of the College to end discrimination; its academic tradition of critical and humble inquiry and of modeling and fostering civil discourse; and its Lutheran heritage, which requires that we build inclusive communities, learn from the other, and seek social justice. SUPPORTS VOTE NO Courtesy photo WORK OF celebrating success A group of Augsburg College McNair Scholars and staff attended the 20th Annual McNair Scholars Symposium in California in August. Front Row [L to R]: McNair Scholars Program assistant Lara Crombie, Beau Elkington ’13, Alexandra “Alix” Young ’13, Allison Zank ’14, Nou Yang ’13, Shoua Moua ’13, McNair Scholars Program director Tina Maria Tavera, Nikki Stauffer ’13; Back Row [L to R]: Jazmine Darden ’13, Arianna Genis ’13, Roseanna “Rosie” Benser ’13, Jon Barrick ’13, Charlie Olson ’13, Dustin Ritchea ’13, Leah Tillman ’13, and McNair Scholars Program assistant director Brian Greening McNair Scholars Program grant renewed for five years; STUDENTS PRESENT AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE To read a sampling of feedback on the College’s decision, go to augsburg.edu/now. Sociology professor honored by peers DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEACHING AWARD Augsburg College’s McNair Scholars Program recently received a renewal grant for five years. The total award of $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education will provide $220,000 per year from 2012 to 2017. The McNair Scholars Program prepares first-generation, low income, and underrepresented students for doctoral studies. This August, 12 Auggies traveled to the University of California, Berkeley for the 20th Annual McNair Scholars Symposium. Many of the students presented findings from their facultyled, on-campus summer research. Students who participate in the McNair Scholars Program spend an average of 400 hours exploring their topics, developing theses, collecting and reviewing data, and preparing formal paper presentations. 2 Augsburg Now Sociology professor Diane Pike was named co-recipient of the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award at the 2012 meeting of the American Sociological Association (ASA). Pike, who received her PhD from Yale Diane Pike University, was honored for her nearly 20 years of commitment as evidenced by her extensive presentations to teaching colleagues via paper sessions, professional workshops, regional meetings, keynote and panel participation, and more. Pike also is editor of TRAILS (Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology), the ASA’s online library of teaching materials. Physics faculty receive awards from National Science Foundation Eboo Patel, president and founder of Interfaith Youth Core, spoke at the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium. Mark Engebretson, physics professor, was awarded $243,000 to study Earth’s space environment, known as the magnetosphere. The award, Number Mark Engebretson Ben Stottrup 1142045 from the National Science Foundation (NSF), brings to more than $1.8 million the awards earned by Engebretson since mid-2008. In addition to his teaching and research, Engebretson recently presented at a pre-launch meeting for NASA officials and members of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) science team. His ground-based space research will strengthen the work of the RBSP mission that launched in late August. Ground data gathered by Augsburg instruments in the Arctic will provide a large-scale picture of what is happening in the Earth’s environment to add to the data gathered by the RBSP satellite probes. Associate Professor of Physics Ben Stottrup was awarded more than $157,000 by the NSF for investigation of pattern formation and morphology in two-dimensional, selfassembled model biomembranes. The work will allow Stottrup to continue research on how multicomponent lipid systems spontaneously assemble. The long-term goals of this work are to contribute to the development of new biomaterials and nanotechnology and to prepare undergraduates from diverse backgrounds for careers at the intersection of the physical sciences and biology. The funding is from NSF award Number 1207544. MANY VOICES BOLD VISIONS CONVOCATION SERIES 2012-13 The Convocation series kicked off during September with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium. Eboo Patel, president and founder of Interfaith Youth Core, spoke about the holiness of common ground and the value of developing interfaith understanding. During October, the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation was an opportunity for the Augsburg community to learn from psychiatrist and author, Dr. Henry Emmons, about ways to restore mental and emotional resilience in the face of depression, anxiety, and other stress-related conditions. The Humanities and Fine Arts Convocation in November featured Dan Phillips, a designer and builder of recycled housing. Phillips also is founder of The Phoenix Commotion, a local building initiative that, according to its website, was created to demonstrate that salvaged materials are viable building materials. The Convocation series is a cross-disciplinary speaker series that explores ideas and thoughts around the impact each person can have in a world of 6.9 billion people. To see photos and video from the Convocation series, go to augsburg.edu/now. Dual MBA/MAL program meets needs of senior-level employees The work world is an ever-evolving place, and Augsburg College continually seeks ways to meet the ongoing needs of students who strive to advance their careers. One new example of the College’s approach is its fall 2012 offering of a dual Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in Leadership program. Students in one program now will be able to add skills and knowledge from the other program and to earn master’s degrees in both areas. The program can be completed in as few as three years. at Fall 2012 3 quad around the accelerates path to MBA 4+1 Traditional undergraduate students will be able to earn a bachelor of arts in business and a Master of Business Administration in just five years beginning in the fall of 2013 through Augsburg’s new “MBA 4 + 1” program. The program, the first of its kind in the Twin Cities, offers an accelerated schedule that is cost efficient because it reduces overall time spent in college. Designed for traditional undergraduates, the program will be friendly to international students, will feature close academic advising relationships, and will include hands-on learning through focused internships. The College is exploring how the program might serve students at other Minnesota colleges that do not offer graduate programs. Correction: In the “Honoring Our Retired Faculty” story on pages 17-18 of the summer 2012 edition of Augsburg Now, information about Norma Noonan’s education was incorrectly cited. A corrected version of Noonan’s information is posted here. Professor of Political Science Norma Noonan served Augsburg for more than 45 years, joining the faculty during 1966. She was instrumental in the development of the Master of Arts in Leadership, the College’s inaugural graduate program, and served as program director for 18 years. She chaired the Political Science Department, served on key faculty committees, and was a mentor to many. In addition, Noonan was founding director of what now is the Center for Teaching and Learning. Noonan received a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a master of arts and PhD in political science from Indiana University. She also holds a certificate in Russian and East European Studies from Indiana University. 4 Augsburg Now Regents elect Harpstead as chair Courtesy photo New program Jodi Harpstead, chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, was elected chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents at its May 2012 meeting and began her term on July 1. As chair of the governing board of Jodi Harpstead the College, Harpstead will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. She will guide the Board’s oversight of the College’s strategic priorities, including: • Helping define the plan to build a signature academic building, the Center for Science, Business, and Religion; • Ensuring the quality and relevance of the academic offerings; and • Monitoring the development of a long-range enrollment plan for the College. Harpstead has served on the Board of Regents since 2005. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation at its September meeting elected four new members to the Board of Regents. Each member was elected to a fouryear term. Newly elected Regents include: • Jennie Carlson, executive vice president of human resources for U.S. Bancorp; • Pam Moksnes ’79, management consultant; • Curt Sampson, chairman and director of Canterbury Park Holding Corporation; and • Steve Wehrenberg ’78, chief executive officer of Campbell Mithun. Regents elected to second, four-year terms include Mark Eustis, Alexander Gonzalez ’90, and Eric Jolly. Anthony Genia ’85 was elected to a third, four-year term. Thank you to Philip Styrlund ’79, who retired from the Board of Regents after 12 years of service to the College. Upholstery project supports local economy experiential At first glance, the choice to refurbish the chairs in Hoversten Chapel is just good financial management. The move to refresh versus replace the chairs saved the College more than $40,000. But that’s only the surface of the decision. What really went on gets to the heart of what it means to be a good steward. When the College this past summer opted to refurbish the 17-year-old chairs, staff requested a bid from All About Upholstery, a locally owned business. “We had worked with Tonya, the owner, on a smaller project in the old coffee shop, and she was great,” said Matt Rumpza, director of Purchasing and Central Support Services. “By making the decision to reupholster the chairs, we were making an environmentally friendly and cost-sensitive decision.” Tonya DuRoche, who lives in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, worked with her team to refresh 597 chairs. The job included new upholstery, replacing the seat and back cushions, regluing joints, and touch-up varnishing. It was rewarding work, too. “Contributing to the comfort of students who are studying and those who are practicing their spirituality in the chapel is a way to contribute to the future,” DuRoche said. DuRoche, who is committed to her community and other local businesses, sources nearly all of her fabrics from a familyowned company in Minneapolis. Studies show that money Tonya DuRoche, owner, All About Upholstery spent locally stays in a community longer than money spent at companies with headquarters outside of that community, state, or region. In fact, the 2004 Andersonville Study of Retail Economics found that $100 spent in locally owned independent stores returns $68 to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. Money spent at a national chain only returns $43 to the community. DuRoche also hires and trains local employees. She completes a mix of residential and large-scale commercial work for tribal businesses such as casinos and helps stabilize other local companies by providing suppliers with a fairly steady stream of business. In turn, her suppliers are able to provide a stable income for their employees. This interconnected way of doing business is important to her. “It’s a way to be an entrepreneurial role model, to give back to our community,” said DuRoche, a member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. “I’ve always wanted to be an artist or work in the medical field. This gives me the chance to offer a kind of healing by creating beauty in surroundings.” National Society for Experiential Education AWARD Augsburg College’s commitment to experiential education was recognized for the third time in as many years on October 5 when the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) presented President Paul C. Pribbenow with the 2012 William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education. The award, presented by the NSEE and funded by The Washington Center for Academic Internships and Seminars, celebrates the dedication of a sitting college or university president who has made significant contributions to experiential education on campus and in the community. Pribbenow was nominated for the award by Garry Hesser, sociologoy professor and Sabo Professor for Citizenship and Learning; Orval Gingerich, assistant vice president for international programs; and Lois Olson, former director of the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. The Burke Award, a testament to the fact that hands-on learning is a core part of the College’s curriculum, includes a $2,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a deserving Auggie who is involved in experiential learning. education Fall 2012 5 2012 Augsburg celebrates 40 years of women’s athletics The passage of Title IX, enacted as part of the U.S. Education Amendment of 1972, mandated equal opportunities in education, allowing women to participate on high school and college athletic teams. But the tradition of women’s athletics at Augsburg actually dates back to the earliest days of Auggie athletics in the 1920s. On November 10, Augsburg celebrated 40 years of varsity women’s athletics and the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX. Lavonne (Mrs. Pete) Peterson ’50 and Joyce Pfaff ’65 were honored at the celebration with “One of Our Own” plaques for their contributions to Augsburg College and the Athletic Department. In addition, female athletes from each decade were chosen for All-decade Teams. Peterson, an instructor, coach, and women’s physical education director, started the Auggiettes basketball team in 1950 and coached the team for 18 years, leading them to an incredible 154-6 record. Pfaff, an Augsburg coach, instructor, and director of women’s athletics, started several women’s teams after the passage of Title IX and served the College for 43 years. Here we recognize a few of the leaders and milestones in women’s athletics at Augsburg. To read more about these women and others who contributed to the proud tradition of women’s athletics at Augsburg College, go to athletics.augsburg.edu. 1980 1995 1951 Auggiette basketball team 1972-73 1979 Women’s varsity intercollegiate volleyball, gymnastics, and tennis are founded while basketball is restarted. The softball team places second at the MAIAW State Tournament. 1985 1974-75 1970s 1970 The volleyball team places second in the Minnesota Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW) state tournament, qualifying to compete in the Region 6 AIAW tournament both years. The Auggies place fourth in the Region 6 tournament in 1974 and fifth in 1975. 1971 Softball is added as a varsity sport. Title IX is passed June 23, 1972. In both the floor exercise and balance beam, gymnast Ann Knutson Brovold ’74 is the first Augsburg female athlete to compete in a post-season event—an Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Region 6 tournament. 6 Augsburg Now 1979-80 Kathy Korum ’81 is the first woman to play and letter on a men’s varsity team (golf). 1980 1974-75 1972 Women’s soccer is added as a varsity sport. 1980s 1975-76 Women’s track and field is added as a varsity sport. 1982-83 Augsburg joins the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). 1981-82 The softball team qualifies for its first AIAW national tournament. 1988 1982 2003-04 1971 2006-07 1974 1999-00 1988 2012 Under coach Paul Grauer, the women’s track and field team earns a third place National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) team finish with Carolyn Ross Isaak ’89 and Melanie Herrera-Storlie ’88. Augsburg announces that it will establish the first varsity intercollegiate women’s lacrosse program in the state of Minnesota. 2003-04 1991 Women’s cross country is reestablished as part of the varsity athletics program. 1990 1990s 1995-96 Augsburg establishes the first Midwest varsity women's hockey team. Augsburg establishes the swim and dive program. 2000s 2010 2000 1999-00 2004-07 The women’s hockey team is the Division III national tournament runner-up in the American Women’s College Hockey Alliance (AWCHA). Women’s soccer qualifies for the MIAC playoffs. Fall 2012 7 CALLING PURPOSE LUTHERAN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY AS PAUL C. PRIBBENOW ENTERS THE SEVENTH YEAR OF HIS PRESIDENCY at Augsburg College, he believes Lutheran higher education is more relevant than ever before. Pribbenow affirmed this view through a summer sabbatical project in which he developed succinct ways to articulate how five theological traditions make Lutheran colleges and universities valuable—and sustainable—in an increasingly diverse society. For Pribbenow, the role of Lutheran higher education is well described by Darrell Jodock, professor emeritus at Gustavus Adolphus College. Jodock has written that a Lutheran college uses religion as the foundation of the institution’s identity so that it may explore “the riches of that tradition as part of its contribution to the community as a whole.” Jodock continues, “The Lutheran tradition summons a college to work out a ‘both…and,’ both affirming the religious identity and engaging with today’s world.” BY LAURA SWANSON 8 Augsburg Now GIFTS OF THE ELCA TRADITION P ribbenow during his sabbatical identified the ways in which five gifts of the Lutheran theological tradition serve colleges and universities as they navigate challenges in the 21st century. The tenets that he deems applicable to higher education include: 1. VOCATION theologically, Lutherans believe God has created humankind in all its diversity in God’s own image. Eboo Patel, founder and president of the Interfaith Youth Core, spoke during September on interfaith dialogue, neighborhood service, and intentional diversity at the Augsburg College Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium. Patel’s remarks allowed the Augsburg community to explore the concept of engaging with otherness and difference (see “Around the Quad,” page 3). The Lutheran view of vocation has a deep, philosophical meaning that extends beyond an individual’s occupation. Lutherans believe that all people have a calling—a vocation— to live a life that serves the well-being of their community. Lutheran colleges and universities are uniquely situated to help students of all ages and backgrounds. “Our students come to us hungry for something. Hungry for knowledge, yes. Hungry for career paths, yes. But they’re hungry for more,” Pribbenow said. “They are hungry for meaning. The concept of vocation gives us a way to talk with students in a nuanced and sophisticated manner about how they can live purposeful lives.” 2. CRITICAL AND HUMBLE INQUIRY A liberal arts education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge required to engage in civic life, public debate, and thoughtful analysis across a wide range of disciplines and topics. The Lutheran commitment to critical and humble inquiry highlights the importance of a liberal arts education in “teaching students how to go out into the world not as experts who lord their knowledge over others but as people who are determined to bring their particular wisdom or knowledge to bear,” Pribbenow said. 3. ENGAGING WITH OTHERNESS AND DIFFERENCE The world’s citizens live and work in increasingly complex and diverse cultures. Lutheran colleges are positioned to offer students the knowledge, skills, and values needed to navigate a world with people of all backgrounds and experiences. The liberal arts approach to learning and teaching has a fundamental commitment to engaging with otherness and difference so that people understand and embrace the richness of the human experience. Diversity is a core value of the Church because, 4. SERVICE AND JUSTICE Since the beginning of his Augsburg College presidency, Pribbenow has articulated a simple but powerful vision for the College: “We believe we are called to serve our neighbor.” The Lutheran commitment to service and justice is embraced and fulfilled in different capacities at each Lutheran college or university. But the institutions are unanimous in their desire to use education, civic engagement, and community service as pathways to develop informed citizens who engage with their neighbors. Service at Augsburg takes many forms, and the College is committed to the “anchor institution” movement—a model where service is not seen as one-way “charity” but instead an opportunity to find shared value among institutional partners and to strengthen the economic vitality and safety of the neighborhoods in which the institutions are located. Read the fall 2011 Augsburg Now article, “Community Relations,” at augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the College’s role as an anchor institution. 5. SEMPER REFORMANDA Translated from Latin as “always to be reformed,” semper reformanda is a tenet of Protestant reformist Martin Luther, who advocated for the Church to continually re-examine itself in order to maintain its vitality. The term, Pribbenow asserts, is useful for colleges and universities because it creates not an allowance for—but an expectation of—continuous review and change. This flexibility empowers institutions to implement initiatives to better serve students, to change policies that do not deploy resources responsibly, and to align themselves with contemporary market needs. Fall 2012 9 LIVING OUT A LUTHERAN CALLING T he five gifts of the Lutheran tradition that Pribbenow identified during his sabbatical project may serve as a common lexicon for the 26 U.S. higher education institutions committed to providing post-secondary education in affiliation with the ELCA. The ELCA colleges and universities are not held together by a centralized governance model, but rather choose to claim a common identity based on their shared values. The institutions form a mutually beneficial network where they help one another align their work to the deeply held values and priorities of the Lutheran faith so that all of its gifts are well used. Pribbenow’s sabbatical research is acutely relevant as each area of his investigation can deepen conversation among Lutheran colleges and universities across the United States during a time when the leadership at many of these institutions is in transition. Lutheran colleges and universities will undergo significant turnover in their leadership in the near future as current presidents at these institutions retire or move on to new vocational callings. Many institutions are changing their bylaws to allow non-Lutherans to apply for the openings in order to broaden the applicant pool for those positions. The implication of this trend already is visible. Pribbenow immediately used his sabbatical research to foster discussions with four individuals who do not hail from the Lutheran tradition but who were slated to begin their presidencies this fall at the Lutheran institutions Carthage College, Newberry College, Pacific Lutheran University, and Wittenberg University. The integration of non-Lutherans into the leadership of ELCA institutions fosters critical review and offers a new perspective to existing ELCA college presidents, like Pribbenow, who are deeply rooted in the Lutheran faith. “It sometimes takes a non-Lutheran to remind us of the gifts of this tradition and to lift them up,” said Pribbenow, who was raised the son of a Lutheran pastor. Pribbenow’s commitment to leading Augsburg as a “both… and” Lutheran college is firm. “Being Lutheran is our bedrock,” Pribbenow said. “The gifts of this firm foundation enrich our students’ experiences and strengthen our future.” 10 Augsburg Now The focus of Pribbenow’s sabbatical research is lived out daily on the Augsburg College campus where the gifts of the Lutheran tradition are paired with the gifts of the College’s urban setting. Higher education models and expectations are shifting at a rapid pace, which requires universities to embrace semper reformanda and engage in continuous review and change. Because Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus is located in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, the College is uniquely situated to live out the commitments of its Lutheran tradition in a seamless, integrated manner. Located in one of the more diverse ZIP codes in the nation, Augsburg College students have daily opportunities to engage with people from across the globe, become committed to service and justice at organizations throughout the neighborhood, and—as a result—participate in critical and humble inquiry. Ultimately, these features allow the College to fulfill its calling to prepare students for meaningful vocations. “I was called to Augsburg to tell our story,” Pribbenow said. “I’m proud of this College and its Lutheran heritage because it allows us to live out our mission, to create an educational space that’s welcoming and progressive, and to serve our community on local and global levels.” Pribbenow was granted a two-part sabbatical as a provision of his contract, which the Augsburg College Board of Regents approved in 2008. The sabbatical was slated for the end of his sixth year at the College, and he conducted his research project for six weeks from July to mid-August at the ELCA churchwide headquarters in Chicago. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson ’68 invited Pribbenow to spend his sabbatical at the denomination’s headquarters because the two men are engaged in ongoing conversations about Augsburg and the wider context of Lutheran higher education. In Chicago, Pribbenow also spoke with ELCA leaders “who consider how the Lutheran church expresses itself in the world,” Pribbenow said. “Church leaders understand that colleges are one of the places where the Lutheran faith is explored deeply, but they don’t necessarily understand every aspect of our lives.” The sabbatical, he said, was an excellent opportunity both to educate and to learn. During December, Pribbenow will travel to Asia with his family for the second leg of his sabbatical. On their trip, the Pribbenows will visit the birthplaces of their children Thomas (Soc Trang, Vietnam) and Maya (Chonquing, China). The Pribbenows will return to Minneapolis before the end of 2012. BY REBECCA JOHN STEWARDSHIP OF SPACE & PLAN CAMPUS SPACE Twenty-three acres. MASTER That’s the area of Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus—roughly the size of 21 football fields. As an urban college, Augsburg recognizes that thoughtful stewardship of this finite resource is critical to its success in serving students and providing an affordable, high-quality educational experience. That’s why, in 2010, a cross-functional team—including faculty, staff, and outside consultants—established the Augsburg Campus Space and Master Plan. This 20-year strategic vision for the use, reuse, and improvement of Augsburg’s nineblock urban campus identifies and integrates near-term priorities with future construction plans. The result is a logical, cohesive progression of projects and enhancements that work in concert to enable the College to achieve its long-term vision for the campus. “How we use our space is part of how we express our priorities and tell our story—how we live out our mission and promise to students,” said Tammy McGee, Augsburg vice president and chief financial officer. “One of the core tenets of the Campus Space and Master Plan is that Augsburg College, in its current footprint, has enough space to deliver on its mission,” said McGee, who led the year-long planning commission effort. The focus of the long-term plan is on stewardship—“building to replace, fix, or improve our spaces, not necessarily to have more space,” she said. The master plan’s focus on student experience is evident in that it is built around the College’s No. 1 campus priority: the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion. The center will be constructed on the west side of 21st Avenue South, across from the James G. Lindell Library, replacing the existing Science Hall, which was built in 1949. “Augsburg’s vision for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion is a physical manifestation of the interdisciplinary inquiry and critical thinking our faculty bring into classroom and lab experiences every day,” said Barbara Farley, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College. “Augsburg believes that co-locating and fostering deep inquiry across these academic disciplines will prepare our students to be the problem solvers, leaders, and citizens our community and nation will need in the 21st century.” While the College continues the fundraising effort for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion, the campus master plan guides progress on other campus and interior space improvements that help prepare for and complement the new building. One of the main goals in improving campus space usage, according to David Draus, Augsburg Facilities Management director, is to create adjacencies—locating departments that work together near each other to help improve their effectiveness. A prime example of this work was the Gage Center for Student Success and Groves Technology Center, which opened in the spring of 2012, co-locating a range of student support services at the heart of campus. (See “Gage Center for Student Success” in the summer 2012 Augsburg Now.) Following this model, the College moved its career and internship services staff into the newly renovated Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work this summer. (See sidebar, page 14.) “Because of the vision and generosity of the Strommen, Gage, and Groves families, Augsburg was able to enter this academic year with two new, beautiful spaces dedicated to The Center for Science, Business, and Religion 12 Augsburg Now The Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work overlooks the Quad from the main level of Christensen Center. Directly outside its floor-to-ceiling windows is the “Burning Bush” sculpture, funded in 1989 by Clair and Gladys Strommen and created by Augsburg Professor Emeritus of Art, Norm Holen. serving students throughout their educational journeys and beyond,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow. “By locating these centers in such highly visible, high-traffic areas, we expect a dramatic increase in the number of students who will take advantage of the academic and career services Augsburg offers.” With the opening of the Gage Center, several student support departments moved out of Science Hall, which, Draus said, opened up space for additional moves that better support student and department needs. For example, Augsburg’s signature Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) program moved to a larger space in Science Hall, and that shift enabled the College to expand its psychology labs and to add student and faculty space in mathematics and environmental studies. The Department of Nursing also moved to Science Hall—at least until that building is ready to be razed—as the department had outgrown its former suite in Memorial Hall. “As much as is possible with these moves, we are working to minimize the amount of disruption and relocation that will be required when the Center for Science, Business, and Religion is built,” Draus said. URGO, psychology, mathematics, and environmental studies are all slated to move out of Science Hall to the new Center once it is built. The College’s space upgrades also include several highprofile projects in Christensen Center. This past fall, the College moved all of its admissions operations—first-year, transfer, adult undergraduate, and graduate—together in a welcoming new suite in the lower level of Christensen Center, creating a warm and engaging first impression for visiting prospective students and their families. This move also created important adjacencies. With the new Strommen Center for Meaningful Work just upstairs from the Office of Admissions, campus tours now “begin with the end in mind” by talking with families about how the entire Augsburg educational experience prepares students for postgraduate and lifelong learning and success. As with the Gage Center, co-locating the admissions teams created additional opportunities for repurposing space in Christensen Center. One of the major results was a newly refurbished suite for Augsburg Abroad, the International Student and Scholar Services team, and the College’s multicultural student services directors. The new location for these groups is just down the hall from the admissions office and the Campus Activities and Orientation department. So now, the admissions team can easily introduce prospective students to staff and programs that support some of the major life-changing opportunities that a college experience provides. Augsburg Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, and the multicultural student services directors previously were housed in Murphy Place, which was originally built in 1964 as a temporary structure across 7½ Avenue from Murphy Square park. With those groups now in Christensen Center and Augsburg’s Center for Global Education relocated in the Anderson Hall suite that formerly housed the Strommen Center, Murphy Place was vacated and, as outlined in the Campus Space and Master Plan, was scheduled to be razed. The campus master plan does not call for developing the land where Murphy Place previously stood until other, higher-priority construction projects are completed, but it does outline a long-term vision for creating a green-space gathering area in that location. While there certainly were numerous changes on campus in the past year, not all campus improvements involve relocation. & SCIENCE BUSINESS RELIGION Fall 2012 13 “Many of the improvements involved upgrading furniture to foster more collaboration and interaction in existing spaces,” said Matt Rumpza, director of Purchasing and Central Support Services. Two examples of these kinds of upgrades include the casual learning spaces in Old Main and outside the Enrollment Center—a centralized services location where students can meet with a financial aid counselor, process late registrations, and work with the Registrar’s office to finalize their graduation application. “We also did significant renovations in Hoversten Chapel,” Rumpza said. Upgrades included introducing a new sound system, recarpeting the stage risers, and refurbishing the chairs for the chapel and nearby TjornhomNelson Theater (see “Around the Quad,” page 5). “Rather than throw the existing 600 chairs into a landfill, we were able to hire a locally owned business to recover and refurbish them,” Rumpza said. “We get a refreshed look for our chapel while supporting the vitality of our neighborhood.” Old Main The Enrollment Center 14 Augsburg Now Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work is Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46. She is joined by her family [L to R], granddaughter Tjersti Strommen ’07, son Robert Strommen ’74, grandson Bjorn Strommen, and grandson Hans Strommen ’04, along with Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow. Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work moves to campus student center On September 28, members of the Clair ’46 and Gladys Strommen family joined Augsburg students, staff, and faculty at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work in its new, central location on the main level of Christensen Center. Located within eyesight of Einstein Bros. Bagels and directly on the path to the stairwell to the Christensen Commons, the Strommen Center makes a statement to hundreds of passers-by each day about Augsburg’s commitment to helping students find meaningful work. “Meaningful work, or discerning one’s vocational calling, is not just about being successful in one’s career,” said Amy Gort, assistant vice president and dean of arts and sciences. “Vocation is about developing and using your gifts to serve others. So, it involves understanding not only your own strengths but also the larger context of where those talents and strengths can best be put to use. This exploration is an important part of what makes an Augsburg education unique.” “This Center is a place where students, both past and present, can get the assistance they need” in finding meaningful work, said Gladys Strommen, who spoke at the grand opening ceremony. “Four generations of the Strommen family have been part of Augsburg,” she said. “Clair [Gladys’ husband, who passed away in 2001] would be so pleased that this Center has become a reality.” Clair and Gladys’ son, Bob Strommen, also spoke at the dedication event, honoring the work his mother has done over the years to fulfill the dreams of both of his parents. “The gift [to fund the relocation of the Center] was an event, but the hope is that the Center will be a journey—for the College, as well as for faculty, staff, students, and alumni. We all come [to college] for an education,” he said, “but the dream is to leave and have a meaningful life. To help our students have an impact on what’s important to them in their lives—that’s our hope for this Center.” auggie voices Music with a mission Since her graduation from Augsburg College, Sarah Elhardt ’06 has gone from playing piano and French horn arrangements in Hoversten Chapel and Sateren Auditorium to performing experimental, orchestral indie rock at concert venues and music festivals across the United States. In 2008, the multi-instrumentalist joined Minneapolis-based band Cloud Cult—a nationally acclaimed group recognized by Rolling Stone magazine for its commitment to the environment. Elhardt said her music education at Augsburg prepared her for performing on three instruments and singing during Cloud Cult shows, but she laughed when she acknowledged that during her time at the College she was more accustomed to “playing gospel praise” than rock music. Preparation for meaningful work Elhardt enrolled at Augsburg because she wanted to continue her family’s tradition of attending a private Lutheran college. Originally from a northern suburb of the Twin Cities metro area, Elhardt sought to establish roots in the art and music scenes of Minnesota’s most urban city. She declared majors in music and marketing communication—degree programs that allowed her to develop skills required in a variety of careers. “I was always trying to figure out how music performance, teaching, and arts administration could be a part of my life,” she said. After graduation, Elhardt worked in arts administration at the Minnesota Orchestra and the Dakota Jazz Club. In 2007, she founded her own piano studio through which she instructs more than 40 students. Teaching allows Elhardt to positively impact her community while sharing her passion for music with a younger generation. Yet, Elhardt said she also felt called to use her musical talents for performance. The opportunity to join Cloud Cult aligned with her vocational goal and her desire to be a thoughtful steward of the Earth’s environment. Cloud Cult: Music and mission Cloud Cult, formed in 1995, was described in a 2008 Rolling Stone article as “extremely environmentally conscious: They tour in a biodiesel van, record in a geothermal-powered studio, and even printed their liner notes on recycled paper with nontoxic vegetable oils.” The band’s green focus resounded with Elhardt. “I had found a way to play music and love playing music,” she said. “I’m sharing a positive message around the world.” Cloud Cult performs in venues across the U.S., and many of the shows occur in environmentally friendly cities such as Boston, New York, Portland, and Seattle. Elhardt joined Cloud Cult on stage in Chicago’s famed Millennium Park this past summer, and few venues seem a more perfect fit for a performance by the band. Millennium Park’s creation transformed more than two dozen acres of industrial wasteland into a world-class center for art and music. Cloud Cult crafts multimedia art during each of its performances, and the eight-person group includes two trained artists who start with a blank canvas at the beginning of each show, which adds a visual aspect to the concert experience. Cloud Cult performances are opportunities to mix art forms, indie-rock, and environmental activism. Band members like Elhardt see their openhearted songs as a call to action toward a greener world. “It’s music with a purpose, not just another rock band,” she said. LAURA SWANSON Fall 2012 15 auggie days CITY SERVICE DAY September 4, 2012 Every year on the day before fall semester classes begin, first-year and new undergraduate transfer students in the day program participate in City Service Day projects in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Students are organized into “AugSem” groups according to their anticipated fields of study. The purpose of AugSem is to help new students embrace the learning community at Augsburg by encountering the community, engaging in the learning process, and exploring their academic interests. Students meet with their AugSem faculty and student leaders throughout their first semester. En route to Aesthetic Apparatus Powderhorn Park 16 Augsburg Now Focus Minnesota Brian Coyle Community Center Mixed Blood Theatre KFAI Radio Cedar Cultural Center Mississippi River West Bank Business Association Cedar Riverside Community School Trinity Lutheran Congregation Augsburg Community Garden Korean Peace Garden More than 400 students, faculty, and staff served at 20 locations throughout the community on City Service Day. Bethany Lutheran Church SPOKES Aesthetic Apparatus Seward Montessori School Holy Rosary Church Matthew’s Center Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center Bedlam Theatre Focus Minnesota Powderhorn Park Fall 2012 17 New Auggie Tradition begins with Class of 2016 PICTURE THIS: Hoversten Chapel is packed with nearly 400 first-year students, excited about beginning their Augsburg classes after a week of Auggie Days orientation activities. They are grouped into the “neighborhoods” they’ve been connected to since their summer orientation: CedarRiverside, Downtown East, Downtown West, Hiawatha, Loring Park, Midtown Phillips, Powderhorn Park, Seward, and University. They’ve just learned who won each of the events they competed in during the Neighborhood Challenge, one of the most highly anticipated activities of Auggie Days: • Auggie Pride for the neighborhood that sported the most Augsburg bling— 18 Augsburg Now shirts, buttons, lanyards, and more! • Scavenger Hunt all across campus • Knowledge Bowl about Auggie trivia, which is not so trivial after all • Pie-Eating Contest • Obstacle Course through a giant inflatable bounce house in Murphy Square park • Water Relay celebrating the Land of 10,000 Lakes In the chapel, they begin shouting their neighborhood cheers, trying to drown out every other neighborhood. The orientation leaders (OLs), a group of 18 returning students who have guided, encouraged, and supported these first-year students, file up to the front of the chapel. They are welcomed with thunderous applause. And then, the big finale comes, thanks to biology professor Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright (called “Dr. B” by her students). It’s the call-back cheer she originated. OLs: We are called! First-years: AUGGIES!!! OLs: We are called! First-years: AUGGIES!!! OLs: We are called! First-years: AUGGIES!!! Can’t you just hear it? It’s a new year marked by a new tradition. Watch the video at ow.ly/dEBWh WE ARE CALLED auggies my Auggie experience Tina Prchal (left) and Wendi Wheeler ’06 (right). Helping a new Auggie get Started On the first Saturday of the 2012 Weekend and Evening College (WEC) fall term, Tina Prchal seemed as excited and nervous about returning to college as you might expect a new student to be. Tina met with me on that first day of classes through Augsburg’s “Start” program, which helps new WEC students transition to Augsburg and provides WEC alumni an opportunity to help those new Auggies navigate their college experience. At lunch in the Quad between Tina’s morning and afternoon classes, she talked about her first class—algebra. She said she loved her professor, but she was nervous about studying math after more than 20 years away from the subject. She also talked about her previous college experience, her current job, her family, her long commute to campus in the winter, and her career and educational goals. As I listened to Tina, I remembered my own feelings about beginning classes at Augsburg in 2001. Like Tina, I looked forward to being a student again but was also anxious about getting good grades, balancing life and work obligations with schoolwork, making friends, and, frankly, being able to stick with the program in order to complete my degree. What I know now, and what I shared with Tina that day, was just how much support is available at Augsburg for all students. For 30 years, students in Augsburg’s weekend and evening programs have achieved the goal of obtaining a degree through their own dedication and with the encouragement of staff and faculty. The Start program now gives WEC alumni an opportunity to join in to support students and help them achieve success at Augsburg. So how is it going for Tina? After her first week, she said she felt less intimidated. “I was afraid that I wasn’t going to be successful in my classes, but seeing that other students felt the same way as I did gave me confidence,” she said. “I’m so very glad I transferred to Augsburg.” SHARE YOUR SUCCESS WITH A NEW AUGGIE If you are a WEC alum, you can help support a new adult undergraduate student through the Augsburg Start program. Contact Pat Grans in Alumni Relations at 612-330-1329 or gransp@augsburg.edu to volunteer for the upcoming winter or spring trimester. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Fall 2012 19 Augsburg College 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Augsburg College realized its most successful fundraising year in fiscal 2012, with $14,815,000 received from 4,350 donors. This philanthropy supports building and ongoing maintenance projects, financial aid, salaries, and other resources that allow Augsburg to provide a quality education to more than 4,000 students in our undergraduate and graduate programs in Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn. But more importantly, your gifts enhance and continue to grow the quality of teaching and learning at Augsburg, helping the College to attract gifted, ambitious students and the talented faculty and staff who teach and guide them. Your gifts help Augsburg educate future thinkers, stewards, leaders, and citizens of our world. We invite you to meet two outstanding Auggies: Jazmine Darden ’13, a mathematics and physics major, McNair Scholar, Phillips Scholar, North Star STEM Scholar, GEMS/GISE summer camp leader, and member of the residence life student staff. Eric Dooley ’13, a physics and secondary education major, Regents’ Scholar, Christensen Scholar, physics tutor, and offensive lineman and four-year starter for the Auiggie football team. 20 Augsburg Now To read more about Jazmine and Eric, go to augsburg.edu/now 2011-2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS REVENUE BY SOURCE Tuition 70% Room and board 11% Private gifts and grants 11% Government grants 4% Other sources 4% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY Salary and benefits 44% Financial aid 26% Operating expenses* 18% Debt service 4% Equipment and capital improvements 3% Utilities and insurance 3% Student salaries 2% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 $25.4 2004 $29.8 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 May 31, 2012 $29,778,094 $24.5 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE 2011 2012 We are committed to maintaining the value of the principal gifts and providing support to the College in perpetuity. As of May 31, 2012, Augsburg had annual realized and unrealized losses of 8.91 percent on its endowment. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is -1.61 percent, and the ten-year average annual return is 2.72 percent. (IN MILLIONS) Please visit augsburg.edu/giving/report for our 2012 Honor Roll of Donors. Fall 2012 21 it takes an Auggie Augsburg Associates The Augsburg College Associates is a service auxiliary of volunteers including alumni and friends of Augsburg whose mission includes fundraising for special projects and scholarships in support of the College. Throughout the year, the Associates manage estate and moving sales in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area and host a boutique and buffet for the annual Velkommen Jul celebration at Augsburg. For the past two years, they have also had a booth at the Taste of Augsburg during Homecoming weekend. The Associates have given to Augsburg more than a half million dollars from their fundraising efforts for projects, including: • creation of the Welcome Desk in Christensen Center, • renovation of the Green Room in Foss Center, • renovations of the Augsburg and Marshall rooms in Christensen Center, • creation of the Special Collections room in Lindell Library, and • purchase of the Dobson pipe organ in Hoversten Chapel. Thank you, Augsburg Associates, for your commitment to supporting Augsburg and our students! 22 Augsburg Now HOMECOMING During the past few years, the Augsburg Homecoming festivities have expanded beyond the classic class reunions, and this year was no exception. Homecoming 2012 included a reception for recent graduates, a reunion of the famed Cabaret Singers, a new networking breakfast for Latina and Latino alumni, a Silver Auggie reunion for alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago, a football game watch reception hosted by the A-Club, and anniversary celebrations for the Master of Arts in Leadership program (25 years) and the Weekend and Evening College (30 years). More than 2,000 alumni and friends came to campus for Homecoming 2012 to reconnect with former classmates and professors and to enjoy the Auggie spirit. Homecoming provides an opportunity for all Augsburg alumni to stay connected to the College. Save the date for Homecoming 2013: September 23 to 28. If you are interested in serving on your reunion committee or volunteering to help plan events, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. For more information, go to augsburg.edu/alumni for more information. 2012 go auggies Fall 2012 23 24 Augsburg Now 2012 alumni awards Distinguished Alumni Awards Bruce Brekke ’70 CEO of Heartland America I’ve always been proud to be an Auggie.To know that Augsburg is proud of me is very special. I meet successful people every day. Most are just like me: ordinary people. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t, you won’t, you’ll never. Thanks, Augsburg, for the most transformational years of my life. First Decade Award Spirit of Augsburg Awards Joyce Miller ’02, ’05 MAN, ’11 DNP Dale Hanka ’60 Retired Mayo Clinic nurse manager and assistant director, Mayo Clinic research study coordinator, and Augsburg faculty member Former teacher, real estate agent, financial planner, bank president, and title company owner; founder of the Dale and Carolyn Hanka Business Scholarship As nurses, we have lots of scientific knowledge to use in helping care for our patients, but the patients are the experts, not us. We need to walk alongside of them and understand their stories. Otherwise, how will we know what they need for health care? Richard Ekstrand ’72 Founder of Rural Cellular Corporation, now part of Verizon Wireless, and board member for American Solutions for Business The seeds planted in college really helped prepare me: Be a good steward; be humble; encourage others to succeed. These were the foundations for my company’s ideology. Surround yourself with good people, and you and they will be successful. I volunteer because I care and because I can. I always say, “Give until it feels good.” My family, faith, and my experience at Augsburg have all worked together to make my life successful. Dick “Pork Chops” Thompson ’61 Athletic Hall of Fame Congratulations to the alumni who have been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame: Allan Berg ’68, football/men’s basketball Jennifer Coyle Rhoads ’97, softball John Evans ’82, men’s hockey Jack Grengs ’88, baseball Kurt Habeck ’91, wrestling Anne Richter ’86, volleyball/softball Former teacher, co-founder of Mobile Sports Athletic Camps, president and owner of Playmore Travel You don’t do [the things that earn you awards] because you want to get awards. You do them because that’s what you’ve been taught to do. There are so many people deserving of this award. It’s an honor to receive it. Meg Schmidt Sawyer ’00, women’s hockey/softball John Selstad ’67 Retired senior vice president, National Chronic Care Consortium; lead staff (retired) at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging Augsburg played a formative role for me, but it was the people of Augsburg who influenced me most. We need to carry on that outreach; all 24,000 alumni must carry out the charge to serve our neighbor. Timothy Tousignant ’91, wrestling 2012 Coaching Excellence Awards: For biographies and more information about this year’s award winners, go to augsburg.edu/now Larry Hoff ’66, football Timothy Theisen ’93, men’s basketball homecoming alumni awards Fall 2012 25 weekend and evening 30 college years 26 Augsburg Now BY LAURA SWANSON Weekend and Evening College celebrates 30th anniversary Augsburg’s Weekend and Evening College for three decades has offered nontraditional undergraduate students the opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s degrees through a schedule that accommodates full-time employment, parenthood, and the countless other time commitments present in an adult learner’s life. Augsburg was among the first colleges and universities in its region to offer classes in the evening and weekend format. The weekend and evening program was founded in the spring of 1982 with 69 students and a single major. Today more than 800 adult students are enrolled in 17 degree programs at Augsburg’s Minneapolis location and Rochester campus. Since its founding, Weekend and Evening College has fulfilled a need for adult education in the Twin Cities’ and Rochester’s higher education markets, and it has aligned with Augsburg’s commitment to intentional diversity. “Like with all of the categories of diversity, there are inherent challenges and benefits,” said Lori Peterson, assistant vice president and dean of graduate and professional studies. “We believe that our students come to us with gifts and that we—as an institution—are changed because of their presence. Nontraditional students have brought to us a greater understanding of what it means to value lifelong learning. “We all have many vocations in our lives, and the vocation of a student can come at any time,” she continued. “Nontraditional students allow the College to be deeply aware of what it means to say that years we’re an institution of learning for all.” The College continually has sought to offer students the “highest quality option in the Twin Cities’ adult education market,” according to John Schmit, former director of Weekend and Evening College and current chair of the English Department. At Augsburg, it’s worth noting that adult learners are instructed by full-time faculty members whose expertise is key to students’ exceptional education, Schmit said. Today, as it did when Weekend and Evening College was founded 30 years ago, Augsburg seeks to provide innovative adult education that meets market needs. This year, in advance of the College’s 2014 reaccreditation process with the Higher Learning Commission and in response to changes in federal regulations regarding minimum credit contact hours, Augsburg faculty and staff are exploring possible schedule and format changes that will enable the College to meet the education requirements, and—most importantly—to further the College’s call to serve traditional and nontraditional students. In this edition of Augsburg Now, we invite you to read how an Augsburg education shaped the lives of several Weekend and Evening Auggies. To learn more about Weekend and Evening College and its programs, visit augsburg.edu/weekend. To read how an Augsburg education changed the lives of three other Weekend and Evening College students, go to augsburg.edu/now. Patrick BAYLE ’12 Matt VAN ZANT ’08 Sharon WADE ’08 30th Anniversary Breakfast The Weekend and Evening College hosted an anniversary breakfast in conjunction with Augsburg’s 2012 Homecoming week. Alumni, faculty members, and friends met in the Oren Gateway Center lobby to celebrate three decades of adult education. Guests reconnected with former classmates and met current students. Fall 2012 27 Karen ’05 HARTZ “There was a hole in my life, and I knew I could fill it by going back to school and getting my degree.” years years 28 Augsburg Now Karen Hartz ’05 enrolled in Augsburg’s Weekend and Evening College because earning a college degree was her lifelong goal. “I was missing something,” Hartz said. “I knew that I had excelled in my career, but I wanted to go through the classroom experience. I wanted to meet fellow students, take exams, write papers, and do everything else students do. There was a hole in my life, and I knew I could fill it by going back to school and getting my degree.” Hartz declared a major in communication studies because she believed sharpening her organizational communication skills would positively impact her vocation. For more than 20 years, Hartz has worked as a church administrator—a role, she said, she fell into by “happenstance.” While in her mid-30s, Hartz switched from a career in banking and finance to one where she could serve her church congregation. Her professional career since has led her to work for multiple suburban churches in the Twin Cities metro area, and in 2009 she became the director of operations at Minneapolis’ Plymouth Congregational Church. “I love the challenge of being in an urban setting and having the pulse of city life around me,” Hartz said. “I experience all that’s going on in the neighborhood and in the community.” As with all of her previous church administration roles, her position at Plymouth Congregational Church requires quick thinking and a “ready-for-anything” attitude. Hartz oversees approximately 20 employees on the church’s support staff team, and each of her workdays is unique. “I never know exactly what is going to come up,” she explained. “I could have a tree fall down, or a plumbing leak, or an HR problem, or maybe an issue with donor giving. “I believe that in order to work as a church administrator, as with any ministry position, you need to be called to serve because it can be tough, tough, tough work,” she added. Hartz dedicates more than 40 hours a week to her job, and she juggles numerous volunteer and family commitments that require much of her time. She said that Augsburg’s adult undergraduate program accommodated her schedule as a working adult and supported her educational ambitions. “I went to school thinking that the professors were going to be very strict,” Hartz recalled. But, she soon realized that the first priority of faculty members and academic advisers was to help her succeed at the College. “The people at Augsburg respect adult students and understand that we all have very busy lives with families and jobs,” Hartz said. Hartz wanted to live the college experience firsthand, but she also wanted to finish her degree by the time she turned 50 so that she could move on to new life goals. And she did it—with a month to spare. James ’07 CHAMBERS “I don’t think I would have been able to complete my degrees and work full time to support my family without this program.” years James “Bubba” Chambers ’07 sums up his typical workday in one word—“busy.” And that, he says, is exactly how he wants to spend his time. As an accounts payable supervisor at Ecolab, Chambers works on accounting tasks, corporate banking, tax analysis, and so many other duties he can barely relay the list in a single breath. But, even if he must pause, Chambers undoubtedly will mention that he supervises other staff members. In 2004, Chambers enrolled in Augsburg’s accounting program through the Weekend and Evening College because he needed a bachelor’s degree in order to find a job that matched his skill level and desire for leadership. Chambers served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and retired from the military as a chief petty officer in 2001. While enlisted, he worked as a course supervisor for an eight-week school house program. The Navy uses the school house model to educate and train servicemen and servicewomen for specialized roles. The training activities that Chambers managed prepared sailors for their first duty assignment by teaching them payroll and travel entitlement procedures. Chambers sought an Augsburg education because he knew that the College was renowned for its business programs and that furthering his education would enable him to find a challenging civilian vocation where he could return to a supervisory role. “It was upsetting to have the qualifications to do a job and know the only thing I was missing was a four-year degree,” Chambers said. At Augsburg, Chambers took two classes each term to maintain full-time enrollment status, a requirement for his G.I. tuition benefit. Some of his military experience fulfilled course requirements at the College, and he finished the accounting degree in 2007. Chambers secured his job at Ecolab a few months before completing the accounting program, and he later returned to Augsburg to obtain his finance degree when the company granted him funds for continued education. “I’m glad that Augsburg offered the Weekend and Evening College,” Chambers said. “I don’t think I would have been able to complete my degrees and work full time to support my family without this program.” Signs of a liberal arts education As an Augsburg student, Chambers ’07 took American Sign Language (ASL) classes to fulfill his modern language core curriculum requirement. Chambers completed accounting and finance degrees through the Weekend and Evening College and now uses his business savvy during each workday. He also applies his second language skills to his new night and weekend gig—serving as the fifth and sixth grade assistant football coach in Eagan, Minn. Chambers communicates with the mother of one of his players using ASL. He said his ability to sign allows the parent and the player to feel more involved in the football program. Fall 2012 29 years It’s uncommon for an incoming student to visit every college and university within a five-state area before determining that Augsburg is the perfect fit. Jennifer Weber ’11 for nearly 10 years worked as an Indian education advisor in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and took high school students on more college tours than she could count. While her job was to encourage her students to obtain bachelor’s degrees, she awaited the opportunity when she, too, could become a college student. That’s why Weber accepted a layoff intended to downsize her employer’s Indian education department. In return, she received financial assistance from a dislocated worker program that would allow her to attend Augsburg’s adult undergraduate program. Weber called the Augsburg American Indian Student Services office upon taking the layoff and within two days was registered for classes. “There was no looking back once I set my mind to it,” Weber said. “I thought, ‘If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it completely.’ I was a 16year-old mom, and I watched all of my friends go off to college. I wanted to say that I still had that experience; I just had it at a different time.” Weber declared a triple major in emotional/behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and American Indian studies, and she participated in an Augsburg Abroad trip to Chiapas, Mexico. She 30 Augsburg Now Jennifer anticipated that her study-abroad experience would change her perspectives on education and American Indian studies by introducing her to a new culture, but she found she was most engaged by discussions surrounding water contamination and the unequal distribution of water resources to native peoples. “An elder asked us, ‘Now that you’ve been here and you’ve seen our communities, are you going to go home and forget about us? Or, are you going to go home and do something?’” Weber felt called to raise water conservation awareness and later learned of the Mother Earth Water Walk through an event held at Augsburg College. The water walk was established by Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) who regard themselves as the caretakers of the Great Lakes. The walk called attention to the need to conserve water as the source of all life. “I left the event that night and everything made sense to me,” Weber said. “This was my chance to do something.” During the water walk, Anishinaabe grandmothers, women, men, and youth from Canada and the United States carried water to Bad River, Wis., from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Hudson Bay. Weber coordinated the southern direction water walk. She found lodging for participants, acquired donations, and joined walkers on their journeys—all the while finishing her coursework at Augsburg in preparation for graduation. Today Weber continues to raise water conservation awareness, and she, with Native educators from across Minnesota, is writing a curriculum that will accompany a Mississippi River water walk WEBER ’11 slated to begin during March 2013. The curriculum will be made accessible online to any school or organization working with youth. “If you want to make an effective change, you must start with children,” Weber said. Since her Augsburg graduation, Weber has resumed her meaningful vocation working with Twin Cities youths. She now serves Cedar-Riverside Community School as a behavior specialist, K-8 special education teacher, and athletic director. By working in the Augsburg neighborhood, Weber serves her alma mater in a unique way. She is in the midst of a collaborative project with Augsburg education department faculty members Elizabeth Madson Ankeny and Dee Vodicka to create hands-on learning opportunities for students in Augsburg’s weekend and evening program. The students learn about positive behavioral interventions through an on-site classroom experience at the Cedar-Riverside Community School. Research on the collaborative project’s success in teaching Augburg students has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Weber. Ankeny, Vodicka, and Weber presented observations from the collaboration at the Teacher Education Division for the Council for Exceptional Children national conference in November in Grand Rapids, Mich. Their presentation was titled, “A Walk from Campus to a Neighborhood School: Preservice Teachers’ Experiences in a Partner School.” It seems Weber’s educational journey with Augsburg College will continue to fork—like a river—at each new opportunity. alumni news FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, a save the date s I reconnected with former classmates and teammates during the Homecoming 2012 festivities, I was again reminded how important it is for Auggie alumni to support one another. The entrepreneurial impulse is strong in Auggies, and many of us choose to launch new businesses. Augsburg is committed to helping alumni-owned businesses through the new Auggie Food and Fun Deals program. If you are an alum and a business owner, Auggie Food and Fun Deals can increase the visibility of your business and drive customers to you, provide an attractive benefit for our fellow alumni, and deliver a modest return to the College. Through the Auggie Food and Fun Deals program, you can reach more than 15,000 alumni households—a great pool of potential customers for alumni-owned or managed hospitality, retail, and food-related businesses. The program is free to alumni, and I encourage you to contact Laura Roller, senior director of corporate, government, and foundation relations, at roller@augsburg.edu to learn more. Another program that supports Auggies is the Maroon Pages, a directory of businesses and services offered by Augsburg alumni. Participation in Maroon Pages is free, so please email alumni@augsburg.edu for more information. Save the date for one of my favorite opportunities to connect with fellow Auggies—the Student and Alumni Networking event on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Please consider volunteering your time that evening to teach students how to network. I was fortunate to meet Dennis Som ’12 at the event last year, and we have continued to stay in contact. The relationship has benefited both of us! CHRIS ASCHER ’81 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Alumni and student networking event Wednesday, February 13 6-8 p.m. Au gg Chief ie Eag le Spir it Off icer The Augsburg Alumni Board invites you to an evening of networking. Connect with fellow Auggie alumni from a variety of professions and help Augsburg students hone their professional networking skills as they prepare to venture out into the working world. Program details will be available soon. You may register to participate at augsburg.edu/alumni. FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER Facebook pages you should “like:” Augsburg College—the official page of the College Augsburg College Alumni Association—all the alumni news you need, and a great way to connect with your Auggie friends Auggie Eagle—be Auggie’s friend Augsburg College Young Alumni & Recent Graduates—connect with alumni who have graduated in the past ten years Follow us on Twitter: @AugsburgCollege @AugsburgAuggies Fall 2012 31 Courtesy photo alumni news World-renowned scientists present to Augsburg alumni in Norway Renewable energy, the green economy, and partnership opportunities between the United States and Norway were topics of a lateSeptember meeting of more than 30 Augsburg College alumni in Norway. The meeting was led by Clayton V. McNeff ’91, vice president of research at SarTec, Ever Cat Fuels LLC, Mcgyan Biodiesel LLC, McNeff Research Consultants, and ZirChrom Separations, and Alf Bjørseth, chairman of Scatec AS, a business development company focused on renewable energy and environmentally friendly advanced materials. The two men, each with extensive credentials in green technologies, met at the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize Forum hosted and coordinated by Augsburg College. McNeff is the cocreator of the innovative Mcgyan biodiesel production process, and Bjørseth is the founder of one of the world’s largest solar energy companies. Augsburg College has partnered with schools in Norway for more than 15 years to welcome international students to its Minneapolis campus. This relationship has resulted in a large alumni population in the country. The September green economy event was part of an ongoing effort to connect and engage Alf Bjørseth, President Paul C. Pribbenow, Clayton McNeff ’91 alumni with the College and to maintain Augsburg’s connection to its Norwegian heritage. Augsburg also is connected to Norway through its work as host of the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, held in cooperation with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The Forum is supported by the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Augsburg’s sister Norwegian Lutheran colleges, and community partners who share a commitment to education for peace. The 2013 Forum will be held March 8 to 10 on the campuses of Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The keynote speaker is Tawakkol Karman, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner, journalist, and human rights activist. Learn more at peaceprizeforum.org. AN AUGSBURG legacy During Homecoming week this fall, Augsburg Legacy students received an “Auggie Family” photo frame from President Pribbenow and Auggie Eagle. Legacy students are those whose grandparents, parents, or siblings are Augsburg graduates or current students and students who are children or spouses of ELCA pastors. Congratulations, Legacy students, and thank you for carrying on the Auggie family tradition! If a member of your family would like information about becoming an Auggie, contact the Office of Admissions at 612-330-1001. 32 Augsburg Now alumni tour Join Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow and fellow alumni and friends on this African tour through South Africa and Namibia’s shared political past and the popular tourist attractions and landmarks this history has created. Learn first-hand about this historic region by visiting Cape Point where the Dutch Conquerors landed and built a lighthouse, Table Mountain, and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Tour the former black and coloured townships and hear from a cross-section of southern African society. Discover how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia played a significant role in opposition to apartheid and was part of the Namibian independence struggle. This trip is offered in partnership between the Augsburg College Alumni Association and Center for Global Education (CGE) at Augsburg College. For more than 25 years, CGE has provided cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes place, leading to a more just and sustainable world. To request more details about the trip, call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu. Courtesy photo The Landmarks of South Africa and Namibia August 11-24, 2013 @ auggies THE TWINS GAME Auggies Jason Bryan-Wegner ’01, Erica Bryan-Wegner ’01, Sarah Grans ’01, and Skylar Hanson ’01 represented Augsburg College and Thrivent at the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans® Night at the Twins on July 30. Janet Paone ’83 (not pictured) threw out the first pitch. To watch the Augsburg video that was displayed on the big screen at Target Field before the game, go to augsburg.edu/now. Winter Eye-Opener Breakfast features Mike Good ’71 THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 Come hear from outgoing Augsburg College Board of Regents Chair, Mike Good ’71, CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty. As board chair, Good provided four years of outstanding leadership to the College. He is now taking on the critical role of national campaign chair for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn how Good’s undergraduate experience at Augsburg equipped him to rise to the rank of CEO and why he continues to remain so engaged with his alma mater. During his tenure at Sotheby’s, Good has been instrumental in attracting more than 150 quality real estate firms, representing nearly 500 offices from around the world, to join the Sotheby's network. Under Good’s leadership, Sotheby’s has won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the past three years. It was also rated the most prestigious real estate company by high-net worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey, and in 2009 was ranked second on Franchise Times’ Fast 55 list. Augsburg’s Eye-Opener Breakfast series provides an opportunity for alumni and friends to network and learn about current issues in our community. The series is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans® Central Minnesota Regional Financial Office. Cost is $5 per person, which includes breakfast and presentation. RSVP at augsburg.edu/alumni. Save the date for the spring Eye-Opener Breakfast, Thursday, May 9, 2013. Fall 2012 33 HOMECOMING 2012 REUNION CLASSES SILVER AUGGIES—CLASS OF 1961 AND EARLIER First Row [L to R]: Jeroy Carlson ’48, Eunice (Nystuen) Sortland, Grace (Forss) Herr ’57, Ruth Aaskov ’53, Charlotte (Kleven) Rimmereid ’52, Dora (Frojen) Quanbeck ’49; Second Row [L to R]: Mert Strommen ’42, Harris Lee ’57, Farolyn (Johnson) Gehring ’56, Inez (Olson) Schwarzkopf ’59, Leroy Nyhus ’52, Arthur Rimmereid ’53, Louise Jones ’56, D. Josh Nelson ’57, Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50; Third Row [L to R]: Grace (Kemmer) Sulerud ’58, Leola (Dyrud) Furman ’61, Shelby (Gimse) Andress ’56; Fourth Row [L to R}: Allan Sortland ’53, Virg Gehring ’57, Ainy Carlson, Paul Almquist ’59, Millie Nelson ’52, Dale Hanka ’60, Richard Thorud ’56, Larry Gallagher ’61, Dave Hanka ’60, Dick “Pork Chops” Thompson ’61, Milt Kleven ’46, Jerry Peterson ’61 50-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1962 First Row [L to R]: Judy (Lerstad) Hill, Marjorie (Engevik) Espe, Maryann (Sorensen) Urban, Bonnie Pehrson, Jennelle (Johnson) Cunning, Mercia (Anderson) Fredrick, Joyce (Gustafson) Hauge, Bunny (Beglinger) Larson, Barbara (Anderson) Stamp; Second Row [L to R]: Lois (Knutson) Larson, Kathy (Aaker) Casperson, Eugene Strand, David Fredrick, Sally (Stuber) Cook, Marilyn (Olson) Gronner, Ann (Ring) Odegaard, Kay (Hanenburg) Madson; Third Row [L to R]: Loiell Dyrud, Ken Erickson, Paul Grover, John W. Christensen, Eunice (Kyllo) Roberts, Julia (Ose) Grose, Rose Marie (Nordin) Anderson; Fourth Row [L to R]: Jack Osberg, Dean Larson, Paul Gunderson, Elaine (Pedersen) Gunderson 34 Augsburg Now 40-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1972 1. Linda (Engstrom) Akenson 2. Ron R. Johnson 3. Lorraine (Wietzke) Aaland 4. Sharon Carlson 5. Rachel Iverson 6. Ken Wistrom 7. Sue Maahs 8. Judy (Bacon) Haugo 9. Jennifer (Klema) Cuthbertson 10. Sue (Didrikson) Lisell 11. Karen Sandness 12. Jill Steele 13. Susan (Lindbloom) Johnson 14. Larry Laingen 15. Jim Wolslegel 16. Marilyn (Moxness) Hall 17. Ginny (Dahlen) Baali 18. Gail (Thacker) Ofstehage 19. Judy (Mendenhall) Trimble 20. Nancy (Olson) Hrdlicka 21. Sue Anderson 22. Jim Agre 23. George Dahlman 24. Joe Stork 25. Rob Engelson 26. Kathy (Langemo) Dugdale 27. Jackie (Wolhart) Harvestine 28. Carol (Pederson) Jorgenson 29. Tom Fischer 30. Tom Snell 31. Mary Kay (Johnson) Stensvaag 32. Saul Stensvaag 33. Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson 34. Bernelle (Mattson) Hansen 35. Kathy (Seim) Tilderquist 36. Cheryl (Lindroos) Martin 37. Cindy (Barr) Karels 38. Sandie (Youngquist) Kidder 39. Kristin (Parbst) Rohde 40. Kristine Olson 41. David Christianson 42. Marius Anaházy 43. Jonathan Nye 44. Steve Frantz 45. Darla Frantz 46. Jan (Christensen) Tift 47. Linda (Truax) Johnson 48. Tom Howe 49. Burton Haugen 50. Rick Ekstrand 51. Tom Haas 2013 REUNION CLASSES Silver Auggies—Class of 1962 and earlier Interested in volunteering? 50-Year Reunion—Class of 1963 If you would like to help make your reunion a success, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Save the date for Homecoming 2013: September 23 to 28. 40-Year Reunion—Class of 1973 30-Year Reunion—Class of 1983 25-Year Reunion—Class of 1988 10-Year Reunion—Class of 2003 Fall 2012 35 Courtesy photo Courtesy photo 30-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1982 25-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1987 [L to R]: Kari (Eklund) Logan, Gail (Sathre) Kaderlik, Lori LaBelle Bartz, Tia (Opsahl) Schimek, Lori Moline, Brad Lehto, Tamara Cowan, Beth Anderson, Heidi (Smith) Labyad, Kaia Knutson Front Row [L to R]: Tammy Rider, Kathy (Trost) Amos, Anne (Skurdalsvold) Johnson; Second Row [L to R]: Cheryl (Witsoe) Dudley, Angela (Schilling) Aitken; Back Row [L to R]: Charles Jorenby, Chris Hahn, Doug Johnson Courtesy photo auggie reunions 10-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 2002 Members of the Class of 2002 [pictured above] gathered to celebrate and reconnect during Homecoming week. The 10-year reunion committee includes Ben Carlson, Heather (Schwartz) Cmiel, Jackie (Heyda) Eyberg, Michael Fasching, Britt Gilbertson, Nick Slack, Robert Wagner, and Brooke (Stoeckel) Whaylen. 36 Augsburg Now alumni class notes 54Corinne, coauthored a book 72elected president of the staff qualification manager at Seagate Technology. from Princeton Theological Seminary on May 19. Minnesota Construction Association in 2012. She is the first woman to serve in this position. 99James Johnson, and their 11at St. Paul Preparatory, was 76 daughter, Stella (3), welcomed son and brother Adrian James on January 4. one of five teachers selected from across the United States to participate in an exchange program through World Savvy and the U.S. State Department. Woolever will travel to Bangladesh to study the environmental, social, economic, and political impacts of climate change and to observe communities that have been affected by climate change. Teachers and students will spend a month living with a host family and participating in research and service projects with local Bangladeshi students. Herb Chilstrom and his wife, of daily inspirational reflections titled Every Morning New. 63Wisconsin Press released Alana Sunness Griffith was In August, the University of Mau Mau’s Children: The Making of Kenya’s Postcolonial Elite by David P. Sandgren. In the book, Sandgren reconnects with former students he taught in a Kenyan school for boys beginning in 1963. Sandgren is a professor of history at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Carol Ann (Nelson) Zwernik was honored in February with the Donald A. Vetter Educational Service Award. The award recognizes extraordinary achievements and contributions to Lutheran education and commitment to the values of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association. Poet Mary (Belardi) Erickson’s second chapbook, While You Blue-Step, was released in May by Aldrich Publishing. 94enjoying her fifth year of Patricia (Sotanski) Pardun is independent practice in Stillwater, Minn., as a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed alcohol and drug counselor. She also welcomed her first grandchild, William Joseph McDearmon, on July 21, 2010. 96ect management professional Angela Zurn, her husband, 00Russell Brown were married Sara (Quigley) Brown and June 18, 2011, in Minneapolis. Sara is an ordained and rostered minister in the ELCA, and Russell works in IT for Wells Fargo. 01and her husband, Aaron, welElizabeth Meskan Neiderhiser comed daughter Camille Jane in June. Camille is the third child for the couple. Ryan Carlson achieved proj- (PMP) certification and in September was named a senior 08 Michael John Gyura of Rochester received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts Kate Woolever, an art teacher graduate programs Craig and Tina Meeker Mattson ’07 MBA welcomed daughter Audrey Anne on June 3. auggie SNAPSHOTS 73Holmes Spun 2, presented at Holmes Theatre in Detroit Corrine Ruth (Froelich) Frank acted, sang, and danced in Lakes, Minn., in May. 62brated her 50th anniverJudy Lerstad Hill cele- 38College Commencement cer- 38Thompson ’40 grew up emony, Gretha (Halvorson) Loken and her daughter Mary (Loken) Veiseth ’70 celebrated the graduation of Amy Aylsworth ’12, Loken’s granddaughter and Veiseth’s daughter. The three generations of Auggies are pictured here. together in Dawson, Minn., and were college roommates for four years at Augsburg. They had not seen each other for 30 years, so Thompson’s daughter drove him all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit Nelson in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. At the May 2012 Augsburg Edor Nelson and Roger sary as Miss Minnesota 1962. Crowned the evening before her Augsburg graduation, Hill was the first Auggie to win the competition. In 2011, Hill was reunited with her former Augsburg woodwinds teacher, Ruben Haugen (pictured here). Hill credits Haugen for developing her talent on saxophone that earned her a scholarship at the Miss America Pageant. Fall 2012 37 auggie SNAPSHOTS 98Jenell (Torma) Agrimson Erick Agrimson and 95Severson were married July 7. Tracy (Anderson) Severson and Scott ’00 welcomed their first child, Anders, on June 12. Erick works at St. Catherine University as assistant professor of physics and is a Minnesota Space Grant affiliate director. Jenell works at East Suburban Resources as a job coach. 00MSW, was named the Heidi Kammer Jensen, 99wife, Tracy (Holloway) Thane Drier and his Drier, welcomed daughter Morgan Rae on July 29. Morgan joins brothers Tristan and Caden. director of Recovery Resource Center (RRC), a division of RESOURCE in Minneapolis. 97his wife, Mary Brent Grier and Ellen, welcomed daughter Lily Anne on May 17. 01Espinoza welcomed son Simon on Stephanie Quick-Espinoza and Jorge 00husband, Eric Darwitz, welcomed twins Jodie Marie (Henriksen) Darwitz and November 11, 2011. Dino Patrick and Delanie Marie on February 11. Jodie is a peer coach in the West St. PaulMendota Heights-Eagan (Minn.) school district. 05Burgess, welcomed daughter Tenley Kyla (Rice) Burgess and husband, J.R. Renee on November 2, 2011. Burgess is a school counselor in St. Cloud, Minn. 07graduated from Jeni Strom Northwestern Health Sciences University with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in November 2010. She opened a chiropractic practice in Roseville in February. She and Nathan Massa were married October 6. 38 Augsburg Now 08and husband, Chris Megan (Carlson) Lagasse 08Pictured are [L to R] Sara Horishnyk ’08, Jackie Nicky Cronin was married on June 16 to Kyle Bohm. Bohm (sister of groom), Nicky Bohm, Kyle Bohm, Pam Breadman (sister of the bride), and Annika Spargo ’09. Nicky is a part-time teacher at West Metro Learning Connections and a program coordinator at the Mentor Network/REM Ramsey. Kyle is an IT support tech for Minneapolis Public Schools. Lagasse, welcomed son Micah Steven on May 22. His parents hope he will be a fourth generation Auggie following his mother, Micah’s grandfather Steven Carlson ’73, and his great-grandfather Fabian Carlson ’49. Send us your news and photos Tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.) For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or program from a memorial service. Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at augsburg.edu/alumni. ______________________________________________________ Full name ______________________________________________________ Maiden name ______________________________________________________ Class year or last year attended ______________________________________________________ Street address ______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP code Is this a new address? q Yes q No ______________________________________________________ Home telephone ______________________________________________________ Email Okay to publish your email address? q Yes q No ______________________________________________________ Employer ______________________________________________________ Position In memoriam ______________________________________________________ Work telephone Vincent Kenstad ’33, San Diego, Calif., age 102, on June 3. Wayne A. Peterson ’50, Cambridge, Minn., age 84, on August 21. Doris C. Hanson-Currens ’40, Minneapolis, age 96, on August 14. Beverly Lentz ’55, Bird Island, Minn., age 78, on April 29. Edna Ericksen ’42, Cottonwood, Tex., age 92, on June 5. Ruth N. (Framstad) Steen ’43, Eden Prairie, Minn., age 91, on June 9. David H. Larson ’44, Great Falls, Mont., age 89, on January 26. Rev. John N. Parbst ’45, Bloomington, Minn., age 88, on August 4. Dr. Ernest Thorsgard ’49, Thief River Falls, Minn., age 88, on June 7. Robert Moylan ’56, Spokane, Wash., age 78, on July 15. Marcia (Myring) Carlson ’60, Bloomington, Minn., age 74, on January 30. Shelly M. (Forslund) Ulven ’06, Apple Valley, Minn., age 34, on July 7. Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No If yes, class year __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Spouse’s name ______________________________________________________ Maiden name Your news: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Dorii Gbolo ’08, Minneapolis, age 56, on June 30. ______________________________________________________ Joseph R. Beckfeld ’13, Minneapolis, age 36, on June 11. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg. Fall 2012 39 Master of Arts in Leadership celebrates history with a look toward the future The Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program celebrated its 25th anniversary in late September. The milestone was an opportunity to acknowledge the healthy and long success of the program and to look toward the future of the College’s graduate studies as a whole. The success of the MAL program comes from the vision of its early leaders and its alignment with Augsburg’s mission, said MAL director Alan Tuchtenhagen. “It seems natural,” he said, “that one of Augsburg’s first graduate programs was in leadership because leadership is central to who and what defines Auggies.” Norma Noonan, Augsburg professor of political science, directed the program for 18 years and stepped down from that role last spring. About Noonan, Tuchtenhagen said, “Norma played a critical role in establishing the MAL program’s identity and strength, making it a cornerstone graduate program for Augsburg.” Throughout the years, the program has grown and changed. Going forward, and thanks to a formal program assessment done in partnership with MAL faculty, Augsburg can ensure that the program continues to be timely and relevant. During the assessment, Tuchtenhagen worked with Andy Aoki, professor of political science; Tom Morgan, executive director of the Center for Faith and Learning; Diane Pike, professor of sociology; and Velma Lashbrook, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and assistant professor of leadership studies. Other faculty and alumni also were engaged in the review. The group explored educational outcomes of the program and identified ways to ensure that the curriculum matches current and future students’ needs. Some recommendations from the group include refreshing the MAL model to reflect current issues in leadership and integrating community engagement into the curricu- 40 Augsburg Now MAL director Alan Tuchtenhagen speaks at the MAL 25th anniversary celebration on September 26. lum. Additionally, the group suggested streamlining the curriculum and program completion options and placing a greater emphasis on development of graduatelevel writing and research skills. The MAL program will continue to offer a classic classroom-based format and an integrated hybrid format that combines faceto-face and online learning. In addition, the College now pairs the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with the MAL to form a dual degree that, Tuchtenhagen said, “integrates the career focus of the MBA with the developmental nature of the MAL.” These changes to the MAL program will help maintain the strength of the graduate studies program at Augsburg. “Graduate studies offers one of the highest areas of growth potential for Augsburg,” said Lori Peterson, assistant vice president and dean of graduate and professional studies. “We are excited to have the strong foundation in the MAL program and to see it and other graduate programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of learners in our community.” WENDI WHEELER ’06 at Augsburg offers nine graduate programs with classes meeting primarily in the evenings and on weekends: Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Arts in Education Master of Arts in Leadership Master of Arts in Nursing Master of Business Administration Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing BEGINNING SUMMER 2013 Master of Music Therapy BEGINNING SUMMER 2013 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM Master of Social Work Dual degree programs: MBA/MAL MBA/MSW MSW/MA Theology For more information about graduate studies at Augsburg, go to augsburg.edu/grad. notes from President Pribbenow Stewardship of place and people t he Augsburg College mission statement says that Augsburg “educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” These aspirations for our students require that all of us who are part of the Augsburg community consider how we model in our lives and work the core values embodied in these aspirations. In other words, we need to live what we teach! This issue of Augsburg Now offers several examples of how we are seeking as a college community to live as thoughtful stewards. You’ve read in past issues of this magazine the remarkable progress we have made as an institution in our commitment to environmental stewardship—composting leftover food from the cafeteria, community gardens on campus, new biodiesel production methods, and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2019. All important work, but stewardship is a rich concept and extends to our care for all of the gifts we have been given as a co
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2013: Celebrating Auggie Pride!
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: inside AUGSBURG NOW What the world wants is a good job Augsburg College Homecoming 2013 Keeping track of Auggies Augsburg 2019: A strategic vision CELEBRATING auggie PRIDE! FALL 2013 | VOL. 76, NO. 1 Auggie class challenge Vice President of Marketing and Communication NOTES NOTES F...
Show more inside AUGSBURG NOW What the world wants is a good job Augsburg College Homecoming 2013 Keeping track of Auggies Augsburg 2019: A strategic vision CELEBRATING auggie PRIDE! FALL 2013 | VOL. 76, NO. 1 Auggie class challenge Vice President of Marketing and Communication NOTES NOTES FROM FROM PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW PRIBBENOW “Big “Big for for the the world…” world…” In this issue of In this issue of Augsburg Now, you Augsburg Now, you will ﬁnd a summary of will find a summary of Augsburg 2019, Augsburg 2019, a strategic framework a strategic framework developed over the developed over the past several months past several months with the involvewith the involvement of Regents, ment of Regents, faculty, staff, and faculty, staff, and students. Focused on students. Focused Augsburg’s 150th anniversary in 2019, the plan sets on Augsburg’s 150th out an ambitious vision, which claims that in 2019, anniversary in 2019, the plan sets out an ambitious “Augsburg will be a new kind of student-centered, urban vision, which claims that in 2019, “Augsburg will be a university—small to our students and big for the world.” new kind of student-centered, urban university—small to I hope you ﬁnd in this vision statement a glimpse our students and big for the world.” of the Augsburg we all know and love—and that we all I hope you find in this vision statement a glimpse want to support and help strengthen for the future. of the Augsburg we all know and love—and that we all The Augsburg that we all know is a college where want to support and help strengthen for the future. students are central to our daily lives; where personal The Augsburg that we all know is a college where relationships and a sense of community combine to students are central to our daily lives; where personal provide rare opportunities to learn and serve; and relationships and a sense of community combine to where academic, civic, and faith commitments are provide rare opportunities to learn and serve; and explored and strengthened. A college that is small to where academic, civic, and faith commitments are our students. explored and strengthened. A college that is small to At the same time, we are a college that makes our students. a remarkable impact on the world—as a community At the same time, we are a college that makes and through our thousands of graduates pursuing a remarkable impact on the world—as a community their vocations in various settings around the globe. and through our thousands of graduates pursuing A college that is big for the world. their vocations in various settings around the globe. When reviewing the editorial plan for this issue A college that is big for the world. of Augsburg Now, I was struck with how this vision When reviewing the editorial plan for this issue of “big for the world” is evident in so many different of Augsburg Now, I was struck with how this vision ways. And at the risk of violating what my predecesof “big for the world” is evident in so many different sor, President Bill Frame, called Augsburg’s “militant ways. And at the risk of violating what my predecesmodesty,” allow me to brag a bit about this very sor, President Bill Frame, called Augsburg’s “militant special college… modesty,” allow me to brag a bit about this very s !BOUTONEOFTHELARGESTlRST YEARCLASSESIN special college… Augsburg’s history this fall—more than 460 ﬁrst• About one of the largest first-year classes in year students—and the effect they already are Augsburg’s history this fall—more than 460 firsthaving on campus with their spirit and activism. year students—and the effect they already are s having !BOUTTHEFACTTHATOURSCIENCEFACULTYHAVEGENERon campus with their spirit and activism. ated unprecedented funding from the National • About the fact that our science faculty have generScience Foundation and other federal agencies, ated unprecedented funding from the National ranking Augsburg third in the state among all higher Science Foundation and other federal agencies, ranking Augsburg third in the state among all higher Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu education institutions, behind only the University education institutions, behind only the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Minnesota-Duluth. s !BOUTTHEFACTTHATWEWERENAMEDTHISPASTFALLAS • About the fact that we were named this past fall as one of the top 25 colleges in the country for service one of the top 25 colleges in the country for service learning programs, exemplifying how our commitlearning programs, exemplifying how our commitment to education for service is imbedded in the ment to education for service is imbedded in the curriculum and recognized by others as a highcurriculum and recognized by others as a highimpact way of learning. impact way of learning. s !BOUTTHEFACTTHATWEAREPARTNERINGWITHMORE • About the fact that we are partnering with more than a dozen colleges and health care institutions than a dozen colleges and health care institutions in the Twin Cities to combine our human and ﬁscal in the Twin Cities to combine our human and fiscal resources in support of neighborhoods along the resources in support of neighborhoods along the new Central Corridor Light Rail Line between downnew Central Corridor Light Rail Line between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. town Minneapolis and St. Paul. s !BOUTTHEFACTTHATWERAISEDMORETHANMILLION • About the fact that we raised more than $19 million in gifts and pledges during the 2012-13 academic in gifts and pledges during the 2012-13 academic year from alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and year from alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations—another record year in fundraising for foundations—another record year in fundraising for Augsburg, our third record year in a row—and that Augsburg, our third record year in a row—and that WEHAVENOWRAISEDMORETHANMILLIONFORTHE we have now raised more than $25 million for the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion. planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion. s !BOUTTHEFACTTHATWECONTINUETODEVELOPINNOVA• About the fact that we continue to develop innovative academic programs, including our new Master tive academic programs, including our new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which was launched of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which was launched this past summer with a ﬁrst cohort of 16 students, this past summer with a first cohort of 16 students, and a partnership with the Minneapolis Community and a partnership with the Minneapolis Community and Technical College to offer the ﬁrst fast-track and Technical College to offer the first fast-track RN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing professional RN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing professional program in Minnesota between a two-year public program in Minnesota between a two-year public institution and a four-year private college. institution and a four-year private college. And I could go on. There’s more in the pages And I could go on. There’s more in the pages that follow and even more in the daily life of the that follow and even more in the daily life of the Augsburg community. Come and visit, as Minnesota Augsburg community. Come and visit, as Minnesota State Senator Terri Bonoff, chair of the Senate State Senator Terri Bonoff, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, did recently, and see Higher Education Committee, did recently, and see for yourself what she described this way: “This is a for yourself what she described this way: “This is a special college—one where being small to students special college—one where being small to students and big for the world is really true.” I couldn’t have and big for the world is really true.” I couldn’t have said it better. said it better. Faithfully yours, Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Integrated Communication Specialist Laura Swanson swansonl@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Advancement Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reﬂect reflect ofﬁcial official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu fall 2013 AUGSBURG NOW 16 Courtesy photo 12 Features 20 18 02 09 14 18 20 Augsburg 2019 What the whole world wants is a good job Augsburg College annual report Mixing teamwork into the courseload Homecoming 2013 Departments inside front cover 4 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad 12 Auggie voices 16 Auggies on the court 19 My Auggie experience 23 It takes an Auggie 2 On the cover Edor Nelson Field, home to Auggie football, softball, lacrosse, and soccer, was resurfaced with more durable and safe FieldTurf Revolution this summer. The field is named for Edor Nelson ’38, longtime Auggie athletics coach and World War II veteran. Read about other Auggie veterans on page 12. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 19 24 Keeping track of Auggies 31 In memoriam AUGSBURG 2019 A STRATEGIC VISION In January 2013, the Augsburg College Board of Regents launched a strategic planning initiative that involved conversation and input from across the campus community. The outcome of that work is a strategic vision statement that looks out to 2019, Augsburg’s sesquicentennial year: In 2019, Augsburg College will be a new kind of student-centered, urban university that is small to our students and big for the world. “Small to our students” reflects the relationships, community, and personal attention that are hallmarks of the educational experience at Augsburg. “Big for the world” acknowledges the significant impact we know our students—and alumni—do and will make in the world. The strategic plan is grounded in Augsburg’s mission statement, which was updated in 2010. The plan is organized into three categories, or dimensions, each with three goals. Detail about each of the strategic planning dimensions is provided on the next page. The strategic vision will anchor the College’s institutional initiatives and priorities throughout the next five years, reflecting the values and commitments stated in our mission: AUGSBURG EDUCATES STUDENTS TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS, THOUGHTFUL STEWARDS, CRITICAL THINKERS, AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. THE AUGSBURG EXPERIENCE IS SUPPORTED BY AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED TO INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY IN ITS LIFE AND WORK. AN AUGSBURG EDUCATION IS DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, GUIDED BY THE FAITH AND VALUES OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND SHAPED BY ITS URBAN AND GLOBAL SETTINGS. 2 Augsburg Now DIMENSION 1 DIMENSION 2 DIMENSION 3 EDUCATING FOR LIVES OF PURPOSE AT THE TABLE BUILT FOR THE FUTURE The first dimension articulates OUR ACADEMIC The second dimension focuses on OUR The third dimension is about how OUR DISTINCTION: Augsburg educates students for REPUTATION AND IDENTITY: Augsburg is “at INSTITUTION WILL THRIVE NOW AND IN THE lives of purpose. The goals in this category the table” with our neighbors and institutional FUTURE. The goals in this category call on challenge us to: partners in shaping education to address the Augsburg to be: world’s needs. The goals here call on us to: • rigorously integrate the liberal arts and the professional studies; • a welcoming, sustainable campus, • prepare an intentional mix of diverse learners for a complex, interconnected world; • use high-impact teaching and learning practices, enriched by our core com- • provide experiential opportunities that mitments of faith and spiritual inquiry, enable students to discover their gifts, vocational discernment, civic engagement, discern their vocations, and open doors to and global understanding; and careers; and anchored in our community and designed for educational excellence; • organized for collaboration, efficiency, and effectiveness; and • committed to maintaining a sound and sustainable financial footing. • provide each student with pathways for success to graduation and beyond. • publicly advance the core commitments that enrich our learning environment— faith and spiritual inquiry, vocational discernment, civic engagement, and global understanding. Fall 2013 3 AROUND THE QUAD COLLEGE AWARDS Top 25 schools for service learning U.S. News & World Report designated Augsburg College as one of the top 25 colleges and universities in the nation for its dedication to service learning. Schools named to the list were nominated by college presidents, chief academic officers, and deans from more than 1,500 higher education institutions. Augsburg was the only Minnesota school named to the list. Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report named Augsburg one of the Best Universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on several factors, including average first-year retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, student-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. “Best in the Midwest” by Princeton Review Augsburg College is one of 155 colleges that The Princeton Review has named “Best in the Midwest” for academic excellence. Named Top 200 school by Winds of Change The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Winds of Change magazine has selected Augsburg as one of the Top 200 Schools in 2013 for Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Recognized nationally for contribution to the public good Augsburg College was the No. 2 institution in Minnesota named by Washington Monthly in its 2013 Master’s Universities Rankings. The list rates schools based upon their contribution to the public good in three categories: social mobility, research, and service. Named a High ROI College by Affordable Colleges Online Augsburg College was named a top college for return on investment (ROI) in Minnesota for having high-earning graduates in comparison to tuition and fees. The ranking, by Affordable Colleges Online, is the result of a partnership among the National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System, the Carnegie Foundation, and PayScale.com. 4 Augsburg Now BOARD OF REGENTS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS At its annual meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporation elected two new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected five others. Wayne Jorgenson ’71 Dennis Meyer ’78 Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Wayne Jorgenson ’71 serves as senior vice president of wealth management with UBS Financial Services, Inc. and brings decades of financial planning and investment management experience to the Board. • Dennis Meyer ’78 has extensive experience in strategic marketing and global business development. He has held executive positions in several industries, most recently in architecture and building engineering with AECOM Ellerbe Becket, as well as in communications, printing and imaging, and supply chain management. Elected to a second or third term: • Ann Ashton-Piper, president of The Bridge Group • Norman Hagfors, president (retired), Norsen, Inc. • Jodi Harpstead, chair of the Augsburg Board of Regents and chief executive officer, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota • Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, physician and chair of general internal medicine, Mayo Clinic • Lisa Novotny ’80, vice president human resources, International, General Mills Mike Good ’71 and Jennifer Martin were named Regents Emeriti at the May meeting of the Augsburg Board of Regents. Each had served three four-year terms on the board. Marie McNeff also was named Regent Emerita by the Board at that meeting. McNeff, who passed away in September, was elected to the Board in 2005 and served as a Regent for the College until her retirement from the Board earlier in 2013. Augsburg science faculty awarded more than $695,000 in grants Augsburg College science faculty continue to be awarded grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research. During 2012, the College was ranked third in Minnesota for the total dollar amount awarded to a school, behind only the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota, Duluth. In addition, science faculty members recently were awarded an additional $695,087 in grants. These grants include: MARK ENGEBRETSON, professor of physics, was awarded a three-year, $185,940 grant for continued study and probing of Earth’s space environment, known as the magnetosphere. The project will help society better understand the relationship between Earth’s magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field. The project, which builds upon a long-standing relationship with the University of New Hampshire and that also makes data available to space physics researchers throughout the world, will study ultra-low-frequency waves on Svalbard, Norway, which is the only place in the northern hemisphere where the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be observed for longtime periods in darkness at noon. The grant, Federal Award ID Number AGS-1202267, brings to more than $2 million the awards earned by Engebretson since mid-2008. Funds will support the continued operation of four search coil magnetometers and the analysis of the data gathered. DAVID HANSON, assistant professor of chemistry, was awarded in excess of $386,000 for a three-year project that ultimately will help increase understanding of the sources of particulate matter that are harmful to human health. Hanson will test models for what is called nucleation rates that can be incorporated into global climate models. Nucleation is a process that drives the formation of new particles in the atmosphere. Hanson’s team will look specifically at nucleation in sulfuric acid, water, and amines. The funds from Federal Award ID Number AGS-1338706 also will support work by eight students in Hanson’s lab. David Hanson, assistant professor of chemistry, will use National Science Foundation funding to advance atmospheric chemistry research and support Augsburg students working in his lab. ANN IMPULITTI, assistant professor of biology, received an NSF grant for nearly $123,000 to investigate the physiology and productivity of economically important plants infected by parasitic, mutualistic, and commensal fungi. Research will focus on soybean due to its high economic value and the diverse uses of soybean products. The funds from Federal Award ID Number 1337582, along with an additional award of more than $52,000 that Impulitti received from the LiCor Environmental Education Fund, will be used to purchase a suite of instruments for plant ecophysiology research. The instruments will support interdisciplinary research in the plant biological sciences, mathematics, and environmental sciences, and also support collaboration between Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota. The instrumentation will enhance research experiences for undergraduates and will improve student instruction and discovery-based labs in plant biology, environmental science, and mathematics. Co-principal investigators on the grant include John Zobitz, Augsburg associate professor of mathematics, and Dean Malvick, associate professor of plant pathology at the University of Minnesota. Editor’s Note: Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Fall 2013 5 AROUND THE QUAD AUGSBURG HONORS PRESIDENT EMERITUS CHARLES S. ANDERSON Augsburg College renamed its music building the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall to honor the legacy of the College’s eighth president, who passed away June 14. Anderson oversaw significant growth in the College’s enrollment, program offerings, commitment to its Lutheran heritage, and student diversity. He was a constant advocate for Augsburg and helped to establish the College’s public presence in the Twin Cities. During his 17-year tenure, Augsburg launched the Weekend and Evening College (WEC) program, established the Center for Global Education, and introduced the StepUP® program for young people in recovery and the CLASS office for differently abled students. “Charles Anderson’s influence on the Augsburg community is deep and long-lived,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow. “The priorities Anderson outlined and championed during his tenure continue to shape how we live out our institutional mission and celebrate life and learning in the city each day.” Anderson Music Hall occupies a central location on campus and houses an array of music programs that welcome students of diverse musical interests. More than 100 students each year pursue traditional liberal arts music studies as well as degrees in music business, music education, [L to R]: Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow with Charles S. Anderson’s family: daughter Kristin Anderson, Augsburg College professor of art history and archivist; wife Catherine Anderson, an active Augsburg Associates member; and son, Eric Anderson. music performance, and music therapy. More than 350 music majors and non-music majors alike participate in the College’s numerous vocal, concert band, symphony orchestra, and jazz ensembles. Anderson’s legacy also includes the College’s beautiful annual Advent Vespers—celebrating the Advent season with a service of traditional and contemporary hymns, anthems, and carols. The celebration is one of the largest seasonal events in the Twin Cities, with 300 participants, including choral and instrumental performers, readers, a full liturgical party, and more than 10,000 worshipers annually. Each year, two Augsburg music students receive the prestigious Orville and Gertrude Hognander Music Scholarship. Initiated during Anderson’s tenure, Orville and Gertrude (Lund) Hognander, both 1936 Augsburg graduates, established the Hognander Scholarships in 1998 to provide up to full tuition for students with exceptional music performance and academic achievement. Students present AT BERKELEY In front of Dwinelle Hall on the University of California, Berkeley campus: Front row [L to R]: McNair Scholars Program Assistant Director Brian Greening, Mahelet Maru ’14, McNair Scholars Program Administrative Assistant Lara Crombie, Amineh Safi ’14, Sawiya Hassan ’14; middle row [L to R]: Magaly OrtizAucapipa ’14, Enrico Barrozo ’14; back row [L to R]: Raesean Sneed ’15, David Fowler ’14, Dereck Dasrath ’14, and Amir Rose ’14 6 Augsburg Now Last summer, nine researchers from Augsburg College traveled to California for one of the largest national gatherings of McNair Scholars. The Auggies presented findings from their summer research at the University of California, Berkeley for the 21st Annual Ronald E. McNair California Scholars Research Symposium, which boasts more than 300 student attendees. Augsburg students spent an average of 400 hours exploring their research topics, developing theses, collecting and reviewing data, and preparing formal paper presentations. Scholars were paired with a faculty mentor in their discipline to gain extensive skills and knowledge, learn research methods, and practice writing and public speaking. The students represented a wide range of disciplines including biology, philosophy, physics, and sociology. CONVOCATION SERIES 2013-14 First held in 1990, the Augsburg College Convocation Series is an annual speaker series that incorporates long-standing endowed and special programs. This fall, the series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring Krista Tippett, host and producer of the public radio show, On Being. Tippett shared thoughts from her book, Einstein’s God: Revisiting Science and Religion in a New Century. During the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation in October, Sian Beilock, an expert on performance and cognitive science, revealed the brain science behind “choking under pressure” in a lecture based on her book, Choke—What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting it Right When You Have To. GIVE FROM YOUR HEART GIVE TO THE MAX GiveMN, an online resource that helps Minnesotans donate to the state’s nonprofit community, hosted its annual Give to the Max Day on November 14. Auggies created more than 20 fundraising projects to help raise money for an Augsburg cause that they are passionate about. Contributions from Give to the Max Day help: • Faculty develop creative course offerings that encourage Augsburg students to think beyond the classroom. • Augsburg graduates prepare for their next chapter. • Keep Augsburg affordable—thanks to the generosity of donors, more than 94 percent of Augsburg day undergraduate students receive financial aid through grants and scholarships. The Humanities and Fine Arts Convocation in mid-November featured the Rose Ensemble’s performance of Portraits of Peru, 1785 Exotic Folksongs and Dances from Trujillo, inspired by a collection of watercolor paintings compiled by the local bishop for Spanish King Carlos IV, imaginatively depicting the plants, animals, people, and archaeological monuments of this diverse region in northern Peru. The next event, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation, is scheduled for January 20 and will celebrate the life and legacy of this important civil rights leader. Convocations are free and open to the public. • Encourage a tradition of vocation and faith, going back to Augsburg’s roots as a Lutheran seminary. • Make healthy food accessible to all people in and around the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and provide for basic needs, service learning, leadership development, and genuine engagement between the College and the community through Campus Kitchen. Check out the final results from the challenge online at givemn.org/auggiesgive. Fall 2013 7 AROUND THE QUAD Innovative partnership allows students to earn BACHELOR’S IN NURSING IN ONLY THREE YEARS A new partnership between Augsburg College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) gives students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in only three years. The program, the first fast-track BSN professional program in Minnesota between a two-year public institution and a four-year private college, allows the schools to respond to the changing needs of health care professionals and local communities. “Augsburg has long been committed to offering high-quality bachelor’s and master’s programs in nursing,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow. “We are excited to partner with MCTC given our shared commitment to educating diverse student populations.” The partnership leverages unique relationships and strengths in each program. Students will study for two years Minn. Senate Higher Education Committee visits campus Photo by Laura Swanson To view additional photos from the event or watch a video in which Sen. Bonoff discusses Augsburg’s unique emphasis on service learning, go to augsburg.edu/now. 8 Augsburg Now at MCTC and then transfer to Augsburg for the third year. During their study at Augsburg, students will experience first-hand community health nursing in diverse settings including at the Augsburg Health Commons in downtown Minneapolis and at Dar Ul-Quba in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. In addition, third-year students in the program will be offered BSN practicum opportunities locally or abroad in Namibia or Nicaragua. Prior to their time at Augsburg, students will study in new, state-of-the-art classrooms and labs at MCTC. State, local, and education officials attended an opening ceremony at MCTC to announce the partnership. Those in attendance included Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, and leaders from Augsburg, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and MCTC. Dozens of Augsburg College students, faculty, and staff took part in a September town hall meeting with Minnesota Rep. Phyllis Kahn and Sens. Terri Bonoff, Greg Clausen ’69, and Kari Dziedzic. The legislators visited Augsburg as part of a statewide “listening tour” effort launched by Bonoff, chair of the Minnesota State Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee. The legislators were enthusiastic to learn more about private colleges in Minnesota and invited Auggies to consider ways to improve the state’s higher education system. The Augsburg students discussed with the legislators a number of issues, including transfer credits, financial aid options, career preparation, and on- and off-campus service learning experiences. One of the key themes the legislators stressed during the meeting was the important role colleges and universities play in educating the nation’s future leadership and workforce. “Education is the engine that runs our Minnesota economy,” Clausen said, addressing the Augsburg crowd. “We need to invest in you, and you need to invest in your education.” Clausen is part of an Augsburg legacy family—his wife, Roberta ’69, and son, Steven ’96, also attended the College. “What the whole world wants IS A GOOD JOB.”* BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA Today, higher education has come under question— is the debt worth it, are students graduating at sufficient rates, are we educating enough of our population, are students actually learning what they need? In this environment, the value of higher education increasingly is being defined—by parents and prospective students alike—as “getting a good job.” In fact, this is the No. 1 reason cited by U.S. respondents in the 2012 Gallup/Lumina poll for pursuing education beyond high school. And the second reason? To earn more money. “When college students and their parents think about the value of higher education, they typically think about it too narrowly,” said Brandon Busteed, executive director of Gallup Education. “People tend to get caught up with things—like potential income or getting a job with a ‘blue chip’ company—that don’t matter” when it comes to predicting career success and satisfaction, Busteed said. “Focusing on those things is not the best way to think about a great job and a great life.” “WELLBEING” AS A MEASURE OF CAREER SUCCESS What factors do predict career success? According to Gallup, it’s being able to respond affirmatively to statements like the following: • • • • “I like what I do each day.” “I do what I do best every day.” “My supervisor cares about my development.” “I have a best friend at work.” Agreeing with statements like these indicates that a person is engaged in interesting and meaningful activities at work, is using his or her strengths to achieve goals, is motivated by the team leader, and is supported by colleagues who share a common purpose. Those characteristics, according to Gallup’s “wellbeing” research, correlate more with top performance than income or title or working for a prestigious organization. Gallup has been studying wellbeing, on a global basis, since the 1930s. “Wellbeing is not ‘wellness,’” Busteed said. “It is a multidimensional measure of how people rate their lives.” In the past several decades, Gallup’s study of people in more than 150 countries has revealed five universal, interconnected elements that shape our lives: career wellbeing, social wellbeing, financial wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and community wellbeing. “We didn’t invent these categories,” Busteed said. “The factors that correlate with wellbeing are what we found from the data collected over time and across populations.” Of those five *Source: Gallup World Poll, 2010 Fall 2013 9 Opportunities to learn and grow Progress in last six months How do we grow? 10 Augsburg Now What do I get? ic Bas s d Nee The career wellbeing issue is connected with low worker engagement, Busteed said. According to Gallup’s 2012 “State of the American Workplace” report, only 30 percent of full-time U.S. workers are engaged and inspired at work. Fifty percent are not engaged, the report states—“they’re just kind of present, but not inspired by their work or their managers.” The remaining 20 percent of all full-time U.S. workers are actively disengaged in their jobs. One significant driver of high or low engagement is a person’s manager, Busteed said. People looking for a “good job” focus so much on income and landing a position at a “good” company, but finding a good manager is vastly more important than working for a well-known company, he explained. Another factor causing low worker engagement is whether a person is using her or his strengths every day. “Not just once in a while, not once every week or so, but every day,” Busteed said. Among college graduates, he said, the lack of opportunity to use one’s strengths at work every day points to career misalignment—either getting a degree in a field in which one isn’t What do I give? . WELLBEING AND WORKPLACE ENGAGEMENT In c interconnected elements of wellbeing, career wellbeing is the most important, Busteed said. “Our careers are a fundamental piece of how we define ourselves,” Busteed said. “Plus, work is where you spend the majority of your waking hours,” so it is going to have a major impact on your life evaluation—not to mention your social, financial, and physical wellbeing. Gallup’s research shows that those who have high career wellbeing are 4.5 times more likely to be “thriving”—versus merely surviving or, worse, suffering—in life. However, just 31 percent of the U.S. population has very high career wellbeing. p, llu ual Ga ivid Ind ibution tr Con Materials and equipment to do the job I know what is expected of me at work ce: Someone encourages my development Supervisor/someone at work cares Recognition in the last seven days Do what I do best every day ur So Do I belong? ork mw Tea I have a best friend at work Coworkers committed to quality Mission/purpose of company At work, my opinions seem to count wth Gro What does a ‘GOOD JOB’ look like? able to get a job or pursuing a field because of others’ expectations instead of based on one’s own strengths. “The onus is certainly on the individual [student], but it is also on the college and mentors to make sure that students are asking themselves” what they are truly good at, what engages and excites them, Busteed said. EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT CAREER SUCCESS In addition to studying workplace dynamics that correspond with career wellbeing, Gallup also has identified specific college experiences that correlate with subsequent career success. In its research, Gallup has found two educational experiences that are twice as likely as other factors to predict high work performance: 1) Working on a long-term project that took several classes to complete, and 2) Using what was learned in class to develop solutions to real-world problems. In short, Busteed said, “what works in school is ‘real work.’” “Real work”—including problem-solving and experiential education opportunities—helps prepare students for success after graduation, but Gallup also has done extensive research on the factors that predict success during college. Here, Busteed said, Gallup has found that “hope” is statistically a stronger predictor of educational outcomes than test scores or grade-point averages. (In fact, according to the work of Gallup Senior Scientist Shane Lopez, hope is the leading indicator of success in relationships, academics, career, and business—as well as of a healthier, happier life.) HOPE: AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN COLLEGE SUCCESS “Hope is a strategy,” Busteed said. However, it is not just wishful thinking, he explained. Instead, it refers to one’s ideas and energy for the future and includes the following three elements: 1) Attainable goals, 2) The ability to see multiple pathways to achieve those goals, and 3) Agency—i.e., a belief that you can achieve your goals. Measures of hope, engagement, and wellbeing account for one-third of the variance of student success in college, Busteed reported. And, although college success is also driven by other things—such as academic preparation and content knowledge—those things are being measured fairly consistently and systematically through cognitive measures, such as tests. “But no one is paying attention to measuring the noncognitive factors that account for a whopping one-third of student success,” Busteed said. “We need better balance and alignment around how we track and promote student success [in college].” The same is true for college outcomes, where job placement percentages and average salaries tell only part of the story. “What’s the ultimate outcome of an education?” Busteed asked. “To have a better life,” he said. We need to pay attention to how we measure that. Augsburg and Career Wellbeing MATCHING YOUR GIFTS TO THE NEEDS OF THE WORLD According to Gallup, career wellbeing requires that people understand what they are truly good at and pursue career opportunities that allow them to use their strengths every day. Augsburg calls this vocational discernment. “Augsburg is about forming and shaping students to lead lives of meaning and purpose,” said Mark Tranvik, professor of religion and director of Augsburg’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation. “At Augsburg, we encourage students to move beyond self-enhancement and think about their lives within a wider horizon. We want them to ask questions like, ‘What am I good at?’ and ‘How can my gifts best be used to make a difference in the world?’ “For many at the College,” Tranvik said, “faith plays an important role in how those questions are answered.” The exploration of one’s gifts is rooted deeply in the Lutheran theological tradition of vocation, and it is a critical part of the educational journey at Augsburg—for students of all faith and spiritual backgrounds, Tranvik said. FINDING THE RIGHT WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT Another important part of the self-discovery journey is determining what types of work environments might suit you best, said Keith Munson, director of the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. “You can get a job doing something you love, but if that job is not in the right place—the right work environment or culture—you won’t be able to sustain your motivation for the job very long,” he said. In other words, you need to pay attention to where and how your gifts will be used. A good way to learn about work environments is through informational interviews, Munson said. “Networking, of course, ensures that people learn more about you than can be picked up from your résumé, but that’s not the only reason to network,” he said. It is as important “for you to actually find out if a given company or department is a good place for you to work.” Determining whether a given work environment is a fit, however, requires that you understand what kind of work cultures and relationships are best for you. This involves self-reflection and, usually, some amount of coaching. But many students—and many adults in job transitions, for that matter—skip that step and just focus on securing a job. EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF A “GOOD JOB” Munson said he understands why students (and their parents) think it’s important to get a “good job” after college. “For many students, following their passion without worrying or thinking about their income is not a realistic option,” he said. “I always tell these students that it’s okay for them to think about the realities of their career choices. You can be practical about those matters and still pay attention to the other piece”— the search for work and work environments that suits you—as well. “You’re looking for a job anyway,” Munson tells students. “Why not also try to find something that you are going to like to do?” In fact, Munson said, by actively seeking work environments that suit them, students tend to be more effective in the job search process. “When you are looking for something—and someplace—that’s interesting to you, you are likely to be more motivated in the job search,” he said. You’ll do more background preparation, seek more informational interviews, and ask more purposeful questions. In the end, Munson said, students shouldn’t think that they need to choose between following their hearts and getting a “good job.” You can— and should—do both. Fall 2013 11 AUGGIE VOICES Launching a new mission Augsburg College celebrated 56 Master of Social Work graduation candidates at the June 2013 Commencement, and it’s quite possible that Christine Dawson ’13 MSW was the only graduate who began her professional career as a mechanic. Shortly after high school, Dawson joined the United States Marine Corps where she spent three decades and worked in two distinct military occupations. While Dawson met her goals of traveling the world and doing something “most women didn’t do” at the time, she felt called to serve the Marine Corps troops—rather than Marine Corps vehicles—and began a new assignment as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. This role turned out to be a perfect fit because of her ability to help “people go on to live their best life and achieve their goals,” she said. Dawson completed a 17-year tenure with the Marine Corps and served an additional 13 years in the Army National Guard where she continued work as a mental health specialist. When she approached military retirement, she returned to school to earn a graduate degree at Augsburg College, which offered her the opportunity to advance in her civilian career and integrate her military experience into a challenging professional role. Augsburg, she found, was a place that understood her desire to live a purpose-driven lifestyle and to embed meaningful service within her career. Military and veterans support CHRISTINE DAWSON ’13 MSW 12 Augsburg Now Many of Augsburg’s students with military experience enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree program to build upon the education and training that were part of their military service. For other students, Augsburg is a way to prepare for a civilian career that’s unlike any past duties. Some students who have served in the armed forces are eligible for state and federal financial aid assistance to help pay for college. At Augsburg, more than 100 students with military experience are working one-on-one with the College’s Student Financial Services and Registrar’s offices to successfully claim their education benefits and get individualized help navigating complex eligibility rules. Augsburg College also directly supports these students by hosting an on-campus space for them to meet and by employing a Student Veteran Liaison who mentors peers and works to connect students with College resources. A.J. ANDERSON ’15 “We’re seeing more nontraditional-age students in our undergrad population and some of those people have been around the world and have served our country,” said Lori York, assistant registrar and Veterans Affairs certifying official. “A veteran’s sense of ‘a call to serve’ totally meshes with Augsburg, and we want to make sure they can make the most of their education here.” From call to campus During four years of Marine Corps service, A.J. Anderson ’15, Augsburg’s student veteran liaison, led an amphibious assault team as the crew chief for vehicles that he likens to those that carried troops onto Normandy beaches during World War II. At age 25, Anderson had reconsidered his decision to attend a large public university and left school to become a Marine. “I felt that joining the military was my calling for a little bit,” he said. “Other people backpack in Europe or just take a break. I went to war.” Anderson served around the globe and later joined the Marine Corps Reserve military police unit at Fort Snelling in St. Paul before he began thinking about his long-term career. He said his military experiences didn’t translate into a civilian profession, but—through his service— solidified his aspirations. He resumed his education and in 2012 transferred to Augsburg with a plan to serve his country in a new way. “I’m devoting my life to helping veterans,” he said. “I didn’t know I wanted to do social work until I got out of the military, so coming to Augsburg and working toward that goal is a big part of my life.” And, Anderson is getting a jumpstart on this career through his student involvement. “We know that peer mentors and peer leaders play an important role in students’ achievement,” said Ann Garvey, vice president of Student Affairs. “For example, student athletes serve on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Orientation Leaders welcome our new Auggies to campus. Our Student Veteran Liaison does outreach with a different group, but the premise is the same.” For Anderson, helping other veterans succeed at Augsburg College couldn’t be a better fit. “I want to give other students the tools I’ve been working with,” he said, “and make sure they have the support I’ve experienced.” From assisting veterans on campus to one day serving them as a clinical social worker, Anderson’s Augsburg education has prepared him for a meaningful career that aligns with his passions. And Dawson, who has been working with veterans for decades, shows that this path is clearly a worthwhile one. LAURA SWANSON Fall 2013 13 Augsburg College 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Augsburg College realized another record year of fundraising in 2012-2013, with $19,367,258 received from more than 4,500 donors. This philanthropy helps Augsburg to attract gifted, engaged students and the talented faculty and staff who teach and guide them. Your gifts provide financial aid, building and maintenance support, and instructional and other resources that help Augsburg provide a quality education to more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students at our Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn., campuses—students like Zach Baltich, Jenna Leahy, and Hector Camarena. Zach Baltich ’14 is studying music performance. Originally from Ely, Minn., Baltich received the Sampson and Carlson scholarships. The Sateren and Gyllstrom scholarships were awarded to Jenna Leahy ’15, a music education major. Leahy is from New Richmond, Wis. 14 Augsburg Now Hector Camarena ’16, a physics major from Fridley, Minn., received the Grindal and Gjerde scholarships. 2012-2013 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS REVENUE BY SOURCE Tuition 72% Room and board 12% Private gifts and grants 9% Government grants 4% Other sources 3% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY Salary and benefits 45% Financial aid 26% Operating expenses* 17% Debt service 3% Equipment and capital improvements 4% Utilities and insurance 3% Student salaries 2% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. $25.4 $34.6 $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 $27.2 $27.8 ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $29.8 $28.2 May 31, 2013 $34,552,615 $24.5 In the year ending May 31, 2013, the value of the endowment increased by 16.04 percent. Our five-year average annual return on the endowment is 2.24 percent and the ten-year average annual return is 4.22 percent. We are committed to maintaining the value of the principal and to providing support to the College in perpetuity. 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (IN MILLIONS) Please visit augsburg.edu/giving/report for our 2013 Honor Roll of Donors. Fall 2013 15 [L to R]: Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Charlie Scott ’08 and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Aaron Griess AUGGIES ON THE COURT [L to R]: Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Charile Scott ’08 and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Aaron Griess Communication. Accountability. Service. Nine years ago, Aaron Griess moved from Pacific to the middle of the middle of the Paciﬁc the United States to become the Augsburg College men’s basketball coach. It was a path back to his Midwest roots and to a culture that values college athletics. “Living in paradise has its obvious advantages, but athletics just isn’t part of the culture in the same way it is in the Midwest,” said Griess about serving as coach at Chaminade University in Honolulu. “Here, lots of families go to games together, many kids grow up in organized sports.” Griess found in Augsburg not only a school that values the student-athlete experience, but also one whose mission refl ects his own vision for coaching and reﬂects leadership. “Coaching gives me a chance to instill important principles of life in the athletes I work with,” he said. “I want to provide these students tools that will help them succeed beyond the court. “My vision of success in coaching is fairly unique in this profession,” said the head men’s basketball coach. “I want 16 Augsburg Now to build a sustainable program of fi rstﬁrstclass leaders who don’t complain about challenges, and who solve problems. A team that consistently wins. A program that helps graduates land good jobs, and helps them understand the value of giving back.” Augsburg College Athletic Director Jeff Swenson said the program epitomizes what Augsburg College strives for throughout its teams. “Coach Griess and his staff exemplify what we want to see in all our sports—student athletes who display great athleticism and who work hard to achieve in the classroom and in the community,” Swenson said. “Griess’ program has helped studentathletes become leaders on and off the court during their time at Augsburg—leaders who stay connected and who give back when they graduate.” Griess also requires that players take seriously their academics. “We communicate throughout each semester about their academic progress. We expect our studentathletes to know exactly where they stand in their progress toward graduation,” Griess said. “They need to learn to be able to talk about progress or struggles, and to be able to communicate that with us, their professors, and families.” Mentoring and service work also are components used by Griess. Juniors and seniors help younger players understand the culture and values of the team. The team currently is part of an Adopt-a-Road program and is exploring the start of a reading program with a neighborhood school. The impact of Griess’ effort is visible in the players’ grades, the team’s standing, and the players’ actions after graduation. “Coach Griess’ guys are known for their work ethic. We never have to worry about his student-athletes meeting eligibility standards,” said Kelly AndersonDiercks, associate athletic director and compliance director. During his nine seasons with the Auggies, the team’s overall winning percentage steadily has climbed to .750. The team, which is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), has made it to conference playoffs four times, twice reaching the semiﬁnals. semifinals. In 2012-13, the team earned a spot in the championship game. In the past ﬁve five seasons, the Auggies have won 65 percent of their games—the second-highest men’s basketball winning percentage in the MIAC for that time period. Griess’ work earned him MIAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year honors during the 2009-10 season. Assistant coach comes full circle The impact of Griess’ vision also can be seen in the growing number of players who contribute to the team and College after they graduate. One of the best examples of this can be seen in Charlie Scott ’08, who now serves as Griess’ assistant coach. Scott, who hails from Ely, Minn., was recruited as a fi ﬁrst-year rst-year student to Augsburg by former Coach Brian Ammann. Scott picked Augsburg because of its urban location, which he said allowed him to make campus as small or as large as he wanted. He played for Ammann for two years and for Griess for two years. Griess and Scott both acknowledge that at the time Griess arrived at Augsburg, just as Scott ﬁnished finished his second year as an Auggie, Scott wasn’t yet the leader he later grew to be. “When we met, Charlie wasn’t ready to be a team leader. He didn’t completely believe in himself because he hadn’t put in the necessary work. I talked to him about whether he wanted to be a leader,” Griess said. “I wanted him to take himself seriously, and to use the tools he had. I knew the players would follow him, but he had to become our team’s hardest worker.” Scott said he was ready, and he was in the weight room and gym every day the summer before his fourth year of college. He also talked to Griess every day, picking his brain for advice on how he could help the team and reach his potential. “Coach sparked the drive and determination in me,” Scott said. “When Coach shared his vision for how he wanted the team to be, I wanted to be part of that. I wanted to help the team accomplish its mission to be nationally known and respected as a ﬁrst-class first-class program and to cultivate student-athletes who understand the values of hard work, perseverance, honesty, integrity, and teamwork.” Scott was so committed to the success of the team that he wanted to stay involved even after his four years of eligibility expired. He served as a volunteer coach during the ﬁfth fifth year of college that it took him to ﬁnish finish his double major in ﬁnance finance and business management. After graduation, Scott continued to volunteer while working full time in ﬁnancial financial services. He gradually became a part-time coach. Then, when the opportunity to apply for the position of full-time, assistant coach opened up, Scott chased it. He was one of more than 100 applicants who wanted to work with Griess at Augsburg. “I look for leadership qualities in my assistant coaches, no matter whether they are volunteers, fellows, or paid coaches. They have to be willing to learn and work,” Griess said. “Charlie is the guy who jumps in and works as hard as anyone. He leads. He digs in.” Developing strong relationships with prospective families is one thing Scott is looking forward to as he works to fulﬁll fulfill his recruiting responsibilities. “I have a huge passion for Augsburg, for basketball, for working with Coach Griess,” Scott said. “I’m excited to meet prospective athletes and their families, helping them learn about Augsburg and our program, and decide whether Augsburg is the right place for them as it was—and is—for me.” While Scott exempliﬁes exemplifies a studentathlete turned servant-leader, he’s just one of Coach Griess’ players who is ﬁnding finding a way to give back to a program and school that means much to them. Some players give back by volunteering as Scott did. Others serve as a resource to students to help ready them for the working world, and some have hired qualiﬁed qualified alumni to work at their companies, knowing they are hiring people with shared ethics and determination to succeed—qualities honed on and off the basketball court at Augsburg. Others give back in the form of gifts to the College. Today, the two coaches are continuing to build a special program founded on communication, accountability, and service. They know that the program will support student-athletes in their studies and when they look for their ﬁrst first jobs. They also know that new recruits are coming to a college that will help them not only develop as an athlete, but also as a whole person. STEPHANIE WEISS Fall 2013 17 Courtesy photo A promising experiment in organic chemistry: MIXING TEAMWORK INTO THE COURSE LOAD Capitalizing on an opportunity to recreate Augsburg College’s advanced organic chemistry class, assistant professor of chemistry, Michael Wentzel, has developed a highly attractive approach to a complicated subject matter. He forces his students to work together. “Originally, I wanted to make it so everybody understood how to write a reasonable organic mechanism,” said Wentzel. “But after taking a step back, my major goals became communications, and group work, and teaching students how to work together and how to communicate better as scientists.” Each week Wentzel breaks his students up into teams of four. The groups are then given a simple assignment: prepare to send a randomly selected group representative to a guest lecture at the University of Minnesota. After the lecture, each group is required to put together a presentation on what they feel is the essence of the subject matter. “Every person got a chance to be the point person for his or her group,” said Wentzel, in reference to his first class. “I wanted to see people work together. To force them to be uncomfortable.” Inside the lab, Wentzel’s unique approach to teaching ensues. He delegates his workload by directing his students’ questions to other students. He assigns 18 Augsburg Now As for the class itself, Wentzel’s methods are driving enrollment. “You can imagine how many people are excited to take organic chemistry, let alone advanced organic chemistry,” joked Wentzel. “I think the most students to ever take the course at one time was maybe five students before I got it,” he said. “And now we have [another] 20 or at least 15 people for next year. It’s been exciting.” individual students specific pieces of lab equipment, has them write out instructions for that equipment, and then dubs them the go-to person for that instrument’s technical support moving forward. The results of this interactive style of teaching are compelling. “The biggest thing I’ve seen is the students are confident in talking about science,” he said. Using the confidence learned in his class, some of Wentzel’s former students have landed internships and entry into competitive graduate degree programs following graduation from Augsburg. Wentzel is clearly proud. “We had a Goldwater Scholarship winner and an honorable mention [this year]. These were kids that were in [my] classes,” he said. Editor’s Note: An integrated course design grant from Augsburg College’s Center for Teaching and Learning funded peer-review sessions and other opportunities allowing Wentzel to revise the advanced organic chemistry class. Reprinted with permission. Article by Phil Meagher for JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments. JoVE is a peerreviewed journal dedicated to publishing methods and research in a visual format. MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE Augsburg shifts student’s dream into high gear Trevor Rodriguez-Sotelo ’13 was the kid who was fascinated by anything with a steering wheel and motor. From a young age, instead of playing with Matchbox cars or Tonka trucks, he would tinker with real engines in his uncles’ garages. Later, when Rodriguez-Sotelo enrolled at Augsburg College, he had a clear vision of his dream: to work as an engineer designing automobile—specifically BMW—engines. He knew entering this highly specialized field was going to be a challenge, but he soon learned that Augsburg faculty and staff were eager to help him achieve his dream. During his first semester at the College, Rodriguez-Sotelo took Calculus Workshop, an elective course designed by Rebekah Dupont, the coordinator of an Augsburg program that seeks to increase the number of minority students who complete degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Rodriguez-Sotelo said Dupont helped prepare him for success in college-level mathematics courses, supporting him inside and outside the classroom. She recognized RodriguezSotelo’s remarkable abilities and suggested that he take them to the next level through undergraduate research on campus, which he went on to conduct with Benjamin Stottrup, associate professor of physics. “Trevor came with a dream, and he had to slog through my biophysics lab to get to that dream,” said Stottrup, who for two years advised Rodriguez-Sotelo in the use of scientific instruments to measure resistance to flow in biomaterials. Rodriguez-Sotelo said he knew this research wasn’t linked perfectly to his automotive engineering interest, but would give him priceless experience. Part of Rodriguez-Sotelo’s on-campus research was made possible through Augsburg’s McNair Scholars Program, a federal grant-funded graduate school preparatory program to help ready underrepresented students for doctoral study. “Stottrup stressed writing skills even though we’re in the sciences,” Rodriguez-Sotelo said. “This helps you become more articulate and allows you to present yourself better— those skills are applicable in my future.” Rodriguez-Sotelo’s work on campus bolstered his offcampus research applications and opened the door to a prestigious summer automotive engineering position at Oakland University outside of Detroit, Mich. In addition to conducting research on and off campus, Rodriguez-Sotelo was a member of the men’s track team, was president of Augsburg Latin American Students and of As Trevor Rodriguez-Sotelo ’13 crossed the stage at Augsburg’s May Commencement, he celebrated a successful undergraduate experience that accelerated his ability to achieve his dream of becoming an automotive engineer. Augsburg’s Society of Physics Students chapter, mentored first-year STEM students, and more. “I had the opportunity to do all the academic, cultural and social activities I liked,” he said. “I was able to do everything because of personal and academic support from faculty and staff. I followed their advice, and they put me on the right path.” Rodriguez-Sotelo graduated last May, and in August took a step closer to achieving his goals by beginning a master’s degree program at the renowned Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. He earned a competitive BMW fellowship, which will help fund his graduate studies and allow him to intern at BMW Manufacturing Co. next summer. He credits earning this award to his “whole body of work” at Augsburg. “The beautiful thing about Augsburg is that faculty and staff pay attention to their students…they care what kind of person I am and where I go after Augsburg,” he said. “Since I was a little kid, I knew this was where I wanted to be, and now I’m here—an automotive engineer.” LAURA SWANSON Fall 2013 19 IT’S NOT YOUR AVERAGE WEEK. IT’S HOMECOMING. 20 Augsburg Now Homecoming brings alumni, friends back to campus Homecoming 2013 reunited former classmates, friends, roommates, and professors, and invigorated the Auggie spirit in everyone in attendance. Traditional celebrations ensued, including the Homecoming Convocation with Distinguished Alumni Awards; the Taste of Augsburg event in Murphy Square featuring food, carnival-style booths, and bounce houses; and lively athletic events including an alumni baseball game and dugout dedication ceremony, as well as volleyball, soccer, and football games. The week also boasted the Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring Augsburg alumnus Dr. Paul Mueller ’84; reunion brunches; campus tours; an Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony to honor 2013 inductees; an Auggie Author book reading with Cheri Johnson ’99; a panel discussion about the Center for Science, Business, and Religion; and the Augsburg Associates luncheon with a presentation by Jacqueline deVries, Augsburg professor of history and director of general education. The merriment came to a close at the Auggie Block Party with live music and s’mores. Homecoming is just one of many ways for Augsburg alumni to stay connected to the College. If you are interested in serving on your reunion committee or volunteering to help plan next year’s events, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. For more information, visit augsburg.edu/alumni. AUGGIES AREN’T ORDINARY. NEITHER IS THEIR HOMECOMING. Fall 2013 21 ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS First Decade Award Honors an Auggie who graduated during the past 10 years who has exemplified the mission of the College while achieving significant progress in his or her professional achievements and contributions in the community. Alexa Halford ’03 Halford, who graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor of arts in physics and mathematics, currently is a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in physics at Dartmouth College. After graduating from Augsburg, she earned a master’s degree in astronomy and planetary sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and a doctorate in physics at the University of Newcastle. Shortly afterward, she won a highly competitive Visiting Young Scientist fellowship from Dartmouth College. “Augsburg is small, but that’s what makes it so special. I have people here in my corner, and you will, too.” director from 1993-2001. “I’ve had the wonder of studying music for many years…it’s for Him we sing, to tell the wonders of His love.” Alan Rice Rice, an Olympic athlete and coach, is one of the most respected and honored men in U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling. He also is a member of the U.S. Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is a long-time friend and supporter of the College, and responsible for the worldclass Alan and Gloria Rice Wrestling Center in Kennedy Center. “I’ve been so privileged to be so involved in Augsburg. Thank you for allowing me to participate. Thank you, Augsburg.” Distinguished Alumni Awards Honors alumni in recognition of a significant achievement in their vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for leading a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of the College. Spirit of Augsburg Award Honors alumni and friends of the College who have given of their service to substantially impact the well-being of Augsburg’s mission and programs. Alfred Reesnes ’58 Reesnes is dedicated to using his love of music to serve the College. For 33 years, he taught high school music and developed choirs noted for high-quality performance and literature. He was a charter member of the Augsburg Centennial Singers and assistant 22 Augsburg Now H. Theodore Grindal ’76 Grindal is former chair of the Augsburg Board of Regents and a partner in the law firm of Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. He repeatedly has been recognized as one of Minnesota’s top lobbyists. “I’ve tried to follow five principles throughout my life: God, family, friends, work, and service. Remember who you are. Be true to yourself, be authentic, let that be your guidepost.” HOMECOMING 2013 Clayton McNeff ’91 McNeff is vice president of research at SarTec, Ever Cat Fuels LLC, Mcgyan Biodiesel LLC, and other family businesses. He is known as the co-creator of the patented Mcgyan process, which uses non-food sources to create biodiesel. “I dedicate this award to my mother, Marie Olive McNeff, and I urge you to use your gifts to help those around you. Work together to pay it back and pay it forward.” Roselyn Nordaune ’77 Nordaune is founder of the law firm, Nordaune & Friesen PLLC, and is known for her work in family law. She is a former member of the Augsburg Board of Regents and dedicated to engaging Augsburg alumnae in the philanthropic priorities of the College. “I pledge you: I’m not done yet. I pledge to Augsburg my work, my resources, my service.” IT TAKES AN AUGGIE Class Challenge spurs friendly competition among Auggies to build new academic building Alumni from throughout the decades have responded to a charge presented by Augsburg College Regent Wayne Jorgenson ’71 and former Alumni Board President Christopher Ascher ’81. The two men established alumni Class Challenges to create a friendly philanthropic-giving competition between their respective classes, and to invite all alumni to give back to the College to help build the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR). “Early gifts from alumni and friends of the College made it possible for each of us to experience a great Augsburg education,” Ascher said. “We are convinced. Now is our time to make the investment and help open doors for others.” “No other campus we know has created such an exciting intersection of disciplines—science, business, and religion—to serve students and forge a pathway to a better future for all of us,” Jorgenson said. Many classes already are involved in Class Challenges, and some have surpassed their goal of donating $1 million to the campaign. As of October 15, 42 classes had contributed more than $25,000 (see chart below). The Class Challenges, combined with a recent gift of $10 million from a member of the class of 1965, bring the CSBR fund to more than $25 million. The overall goal for the campaign is $50 million. To see the status of all Class Challenges—and to learn more about the CSBR—visit blogs.augsburg.edu/alumni. To join an existing Class Challenge or to start a new Class Challenge, contact Kim Stone at 612-330-1173 or stonek@augsburg.edu. Surpassed the $1 million challenge Contributed between $250,000-$499,999 Contributed between $50,000-$99,999 Contributed between $25,000-$49,999 1962 1965 1945 1956 1963 1968 1971 1972 1977 1950 1953 1955 1959 1961 1962 1964 1966 1974 1982 1991 1994 1946 1951 1954 1960 1969 1970 1973 1978 1986 1987 1998 2002 2014 Contributed between $500,000-$999,999 1981 1984 1985 Contributed between $100,000-$249,999 1957 1967 1975 1979 1980 1962 1977 1968 1972 1956 1965 1971 1984 1981 1963 1985 1945 Fall 2013 23 ALUMNI NEWS Dear alumni and friends, t hank you to those of you who participated in the alumni survey that was conducted earlier this fall. We received a tremendous response: More than 4,000 alumni records have been updated, and the Alumni Board is able to more effectively connect with alumni with whom we had lost touch. We’ve included many of the alumni updates from the survey in a special “Keeping Track of Auggies” Class Notes section on pages 24 to 30 of this issue of Augsburg Now. You can also discover information about your fellow Auggies in the recently relaunched Auggie Maroon Pages online. To open the door to this network, go to augsburg.edu/alumni and click “Auggie Maroon Pages.” This will take you to an overview page for the Auggie Maroon Pages, where you can click the “Sign In or Sign Up” button and log in or register as a new user. In reading all the wonderful notes sent in response to the survey, it is obvious to me that an Augsburg education has made a huge difference in the lives of our alumni! healthy and active at ages 89 and 86, respectively. Reprinted with permission from Duluth News Tribune FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Joseph T. Seto received a Congressional Gold Medal in 2011 in Washington, D.C., for Military Intelligence, Service Veteran WWII. Ebba (Johnson) Brooks recently was presented the Swedish Council of America’s Award of Merit. She was acknowledged in the Duluth News Tribune with an article and photo (above). Brooks is pictured in the center of the image. 42 Evelyn H. Sonnack Halverson married Dr. Bill Halverson on July 14, 2013. They honeymooned in Norway and England, and currently reside in Edina, Minn. 43 Mary Lou Nelson received a scholarship to Syracuse but got married instead. She is 90 years old, and a 50-year member of AAUW and LWV. 45 Jack E. Jacobsen was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop in 2010 by the Ordaining Council of the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. 46 Courtesy photo Sincerely, TRACY (ANDERSON) SEVERSON ’95 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Peter A. Lokkesmoe retired after 36 years with the Boy Scouts of America. Immediately after college, he served in the U.S. Navy. 47 Eugene Hasselquist was ordained in 1951 at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine, Wis. He retired in 1987 from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Minn. 48 Augsburg Now iPad Edition Get the enhanced, interactive version of Augsburg Now on your iPad. Search “Augsburg Now” on the Apple App Store. Beatrice M. Walker moved to Otterbein North Shore, a senior continuing care facility. She and her husband, Tom, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary September 10. 49 24 Augsburg Now J. Forrest Anderson and his wife are blessed to be Arne Simengaard is blessed with a loving family of five daughters, 11 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Carol V. Larson, at age 85, was thankful to walk up the 203 steps of Florida’s Ponce De Leon Lighthouse. She and her husband have four sons: Gary Larson ’72, James Larson ’73, Daniel Larson ’77, and Fred Larson ’81. 50 Norman F. Nideng retired from his service in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps. James E. Christopherson served since 1954 as a Lutheran pastor, primarily in South Dakota. He and his wife have three grown children: John, Mary, and Tom. 51 Lillian K. Ose trained and worked as a medical laboratory technologist at Minneapolis General Hospital from 1951-57 when she married her husband, Kenneth. She worked at various hospitals and/or clinics in Minnesota until her retirement in 1994. Arvid D. Dixe published a book titled Come, Meet the Church, which included a foreword written by Minnesota journalist Jim Klobuchar. 52 Charlotte M. Rimmereid served for three years as a teacher in North Branch, Minn., where she directed two choirs and taught music, geometry, and algebra for grades 1-12. Dorothy Christopherson recently retired from serving 11 years as director of the women’s choir for First Lutheran 53 KEEPING TRACK OF AUGGIES Church of Sioux Falls, S.Dak. She also has directed choirs for children, youth, adults, and handbell ensembles. Minnesota. Their sons, Dan, Dave, and Brad, all work for Dart Transit. Daughter, Angie, is very busy at home with her three sons. 59 Reidun H. Newquist had several music therapy students from Augsburg observe at Michael Dowling School. Lawrence E. Gallagher and his wife, Barbara, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August. Gloria M. Thorpe and her husband, Gordon, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 23. Ellayne V. Velde-Conyers retired in 2011 but continues to write a weekly column in the Marshall Independent newspaper. She hosts a public access television program in Marshall, Minn., once per week, and was elected to the Marshall City Council in November 2012. 60 Lois A. Agrimson’s son Erick Agrimson ’98 welcomed son, Anders David Agrimson, on June 22, 2012. James N. Holden recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Northfield (Minn.) High School Booster Club for support of the tennis program. Helen Witt is very thankful for her two years spent at Augsburg while earning her nursing education at Deacon’s Hospital from 1949-52, also being included in the class of 1953 at Augsburg College. Both the school and the hospital were a major influence in her life. Woodrow W. Wilson’s niece, Catha Jones, attended Augsburg and graduated in 1970. After graduation she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. In 1975, her parents, Kenneth and Carmen Jones, endowed the Catha Jones Scholarship, which has supported 21 students who share Catha’s interest in elementary education and music. Herbert W. Chilstrom and his wife, Corinne, recently wrote Every Morning New—a book of devotional readings for every day of the year. 54 George W. Fisher and his wife, Mary, began their 18th year singing with the Lexington County (S.C.) Choral Society. George has played violin for 17 years and recently began learning clarinet. James W. Anderson taught music for 40 years and was a real estate agent for 27 years. Four of his children also graduated from Augsburg College. 55 Dorothy Devick worked for three years as a school teacher, then worked with her husband at their business. Beverly J. Oren and her husband have 12 grandchildren. All of their children have children of their own and live close to them in E. William Anderson taught at Bagley High School and Mound-Westonka High School. He has visited more than 100 countries. 56 Robert R. Lockwood was inducted into the Augsburg College Hall of Fame in 1994. He taught and coached for 42 years in Golden Valley and Hopkins (Minn.) District 270. At 82, he continues to spend his time swimming, skiing, biking, and golfing. Mark C. Thorpe retired from a lifetime of aircraft design work at McDonnell Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing in St. Louis. Oscar E. Olson taught for many years, including as a substitute for Willmar (Minn.) Public Schools. He partially retired to Bozeman, Mont., where he substitute taught for several years before moving to Billings, Mont. 57 Dennis E. Barnaal and his wife, Doris, in 2011 traveled to Norway and the Barnaal Farm/ Mountain Hotel with their children and children’s families. While in the Luther College Physics Department, he conducted three research sabbatical leaves in Norway, including one with Keith Anderson ’54. 58 Harland P. Danielson continues crop farming in Wisconsin. He and his wife have 10 children, 23 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Luther A. Anderson is a founding board member of the Lake Region Writers Network, and serves as the managing editor of Lake Region Review, an annual regional literary magazine. Carol A. Casperson’s granddaughter, Harley Ann Fulton, was born on September 1 to parents Laura Casperson and Scott Fulton. Karen (Erickson) McCullogh in 2012 walked the pilgrimage route, Camino Frances, from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Philip Q. Bauman was blessed with three greatgranddaughters in 2013. 62 Arden Flaten with his wife, Alice, celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary in September. Dennis E. Glad continues to cocoordinate work teams for the United National Church to the Caribbean and Central America. Glad will lead work teams with the Caribbean Mission Cruise in 2014. Gordon L. Syverson retired in 2008 but continues to lead worship services. He welcomed grandchildren in 2011 and again in 2013. Lowell “Zeke” Zieman was honored by Marshall (Minn.) High School in April and inducted into the school’s Hall of Honor. Kenneth L. Akerman and his wife, Marilyn A. Akerman ’62, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012. 61 Larry B. Cowl practiced law for more than 30 years prior to his retirement in 2005. He continues to work part time as a legal consultant. James E. DeMars has been married to Susan for 52 years, and they have six grandchildren. Roger and Judy Lerstad Hill ’62 reunited with Gretchen Carlson at the Miss Minnesota/Miss America Sisters Reunion Gala held at the Radisson Blu in Bloomington, Minn., in June. Hill was Augsburg’s first Miss Minnesota in 1962, and Carlson was Miss Minnesota in 1987 and Miss America in 1988. Hill was the first Alumni Director for the Miss Minnesota Pageant from 1964-78. Glenn D. Peterson retired in 1997 after 35 years as a teacher of choral music in Rush City, Minn., and Duluth, Minn. In 2001, he founded Garden Street Landscape. 63 David D. Proctor was ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1963. He served congregations in Ohio and Michigan before his retirement in 2000. Andrew M. Berg and wife, Jean, are retired near Willmar, Minn. They have visited 64 Fall 2013 25 all 50 states, Norway numerous times, and many European countries. Roger G. Johnson, a Minnetonka, Minn., native, was awarded Fergus Falls (Minn.) High School’s Hall of Fame award for Distinguished Service. Arla P. Landon retired in 1985. Jean S. Olson retired in 2011 following 23 years of service as an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society. her husband have done a lot of traveling around Colorado and the U.S., plus trips to Norway, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. third grandchild, Bridget Erin Causby, on July 3. Their other grandchildren are Charles Lawton Ogburn, IV and Selah Eliot Ogburn. Adeline R. Sarkela is involved in volunteer ministry with church music and children. Jan Pedersen Schiff was honored and inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame for her community service as the founder and artistic director of Singers Marin. For the past 26 years, Pedersen Schiff has created structured programs to develop vocal skills that support musical development. When Harold J. Bagley graduated in 1966, he was the last (youngest) of several children of Rev. Emil G. Bagley ’49 to attend Augsburg College. He also was the first lawyer from a family of ministers, teachers, and social workers. 66 Carolyn E. Anderson celebrated 50 years of marriage with her husband, Don Anderson ’66, in September. 67 Larry G. Buboltz and his wife, Adrienne, recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Larry served as the Director of Rural Minnesota CED, Inc. He was a member of the Detroit Lakes (Minn.) City Council from 1976-1988, and elected mayor from 1988-2008. Bruce L. Hansen is a retired English teacher from Minneapolis Public Schools, and now serves as a lay minister for his local church. Myrna J. Sheie retired in 2011 after more than 30 years working in the Twin Cities, Minn., and Chicago for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the American Lutheran Church (ALC). Susan E. Ferguson earned her masters of theology in 2004 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Diane J. Tiedeman is retired from Bloomington (Minn.) Public Schools where she taught secondthrough fourth-grade students. Kay E. Jenness and her husband, Dave, moved from New Mexico to Washington to be closer to their family. Karen M. Alm recently retired after 31 years teaching elementary education in the Forest Lake (Minn.) School District. 69 Dennis D. Miller and his wife, Christine, are members of the faculty at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Miller serves as the chair of the Department of Food Science. Richard E. Cummings has been active in civic and service organizations, including the Stillwater (Minn.) City Council and, since 1983, Rotary International for which he is proud of his 30 years of perfect attendance. 65 Dennis D. Gray celebrated 50 years of marriage to Marilyn Rokke Gray on July 13. They have three sons and eight grandchildren. Carmen D. Herrick studied Norwegian at the University of Oslo International Summer School from 2008 to 2010. In 2011-2012, she attended Elverum Folkehogskole in Elverum, Norway. Marie D. McNally retired from her work as an English teacher. Her husband, Tom, continues employment as chief operating officer of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minn. Diane S. Ristrom sang in a special choral concert in October with hundreds of alumni to celebrate the 100th birthday of Augsburg’s Leland B. Sateren ’35. Marlys Tron, retired, stays involved in her community through church activities and as chair of a polio support group. Richard E. Sandeen retired from teaching and coaching in Edina, Minn. Jerome Schaubach was inducted into Minnesota Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2013. Margaret P. Albright and her husband have two daughters. One is a kindergarten teacher in Bemidji, Minn., and the other works for Mayo Clinic in the Legal Department. 70 James Fischer was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Excellence in Coaching award. Ric Hovda retired last June from San Diego State University, where he served as dean of the College of Education for six years. Prior to his work at SDSU, Hovda was dean of the College of Education at the University of Memphis. Susan M. Pursch was awarded the ELCA’s Tom Hunstad Award for Excellence in Youth and Family Ministry in 2007. She currently works as a development officer at The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia, Penn. Mary J. Loken Veiseth retired last July following 24 years of work at Apple Valley (Minn.) Medical Clinic. 68 Lois J. Peterson enjoys living in Colorado, spending time with her grown children, friends, and family, and spoiling her six-yearold granddaughter. She and Paul A. Andell retired from his call of 39 years as senior pastor of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Penn. Mim Jacobson and Marian Korth were married in September in Augsburg’s Harbo Meditation Chapel. Charles A. Niles and Bonnie (Board) Niles ’71, welcomed their Glen J. Peterson has been employed for 27 years as the Augsburg Now Patricia A. Piepenburg was inducted into Augsburg’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Bonnie K. Risius retired during 2010. Jane M. Norman is a business coowner of Kultur Hus, a Norwegian heritage shop in Sunburg, Minn. 26 director of the Hyland Snow Sports Academy in Bloomington, Minn. Jane C. Bracken retired in 2012 from Cannon Falls (Minn.) Area Schools after teaching first grade for 41 years. She continues to work as an organist and pianist at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, Minn. 71 KEEPING TRACK OF AUGGIES Wayne D. Jorgenson has long enjoyed Civil War re-enacting and studying the Civil War. He recently published a book on the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, titled Every Man Did His Duty. Janice K. Thompson retired in 2012 after 35 years of teaching. She enjoys traveling with her family, and she is the Pine Island, Minn., WCCO Weather Watcher. Darrell L. Skogen is in his 43rd year of teaching, with a goal of continuing until his 50th anniversary. He recently retired from 47 years of charting statistics for high school and college games, and from maintaining statistics for St. Michael-Albertville (Minn.) High School football. Clarence D. Anderson is a retired Air Force Bandsman stationed mostly in Northern California. 72 Robert A. Engelson’s son, Matthew, graduated from Luther College with a degree in music education this past May. Kristin P. Parbst Rohde retired in June. Scott J. Brown is a customer service specialist at Walser Honda in Burnsville, Minn. 73 Joyce L. Casey retired after 39 years of teaching elementary grades in the St. MichaelAlbertville (Minn.) School District. Mark A. Ladwig is retired and enjoying his grandchildren, running, playing viola, genealogy, and learning German. Beth C. Walen retired in January after more than 33 years of service as a flight attendant. 74 Debra D. Johnson has worked as a pediatrician and clinical geneticist for HealthPartners since 75 1985 and is the mother of two daughters. Patti (Edwards) Kramlinger was honored with the Claire E. Faust Public Service Award from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. The award is presented to faculty or staff members in recognition of their years of dedicated service to the university, the Mankato community, the state of Minnesota, and the United States. Clifford G. McCann’s three children, Kevin, Meredith, and Allison, are married and he has three grandchildren. Heidi (Leaf) Haagenson recently was named vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Anoka Technical College. 77 Ruth A. Underdahl-Peirce welcomed her first grandson, Cyrus Steven Richard, born to her daughter, Beth Underdahl-Peirce, on August 9 in Bloomington, Ind. Son, Jon Underdahl-Peirce, served in the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, Africa, and now works for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Roberta Aitchison Olson gets together with five of her former classmates and roommates on a regular basis, and cherishes lifelong friendships and professional support. They call themselves “chez nous” and started out by forming an intentional living community based on social justice principles: Megan Webster Stemper ’78, physical therapist; Jackie Goheen ’78, gardening business owner; Grit Youngquist ’79, health educator, adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota; Patty Frazier, psychology professor at the University of Minnesota; and Jane Bjorndal McAdams ’78, pharmaceutical compensation director. 78 Marion G. Hinz is an “empty nester” with her only child now in college in Chicago. 79 David L. Norgard was appointed a teaching faculty member in the Graduate Management program at Antioch University Los Angeles. 80 Roxanne K. Williams is in her 34th year of teaching physical education and credits Lavonne “Ma Pete/Mrs. Pete” Peterson for her skills in the classroom. Jennie Clark-Anderson is the executive director for the Living at Home of the Park Rapids (Minn.) Area, which helps seniors remain in the home of their choice. She performs with the Northern Light Opera Company and the Park Rapids Area Community Band. 81 Kyle A. Anderson’s daughter, Kaitlyn, married Peter Langston, Jr. on July 14 in Delwood, Minn. Both Kaitlyn and Peter are graduates of Bethel University. 84 Janet B. Bolm welcomed her grandson, Brody, on November 13, 2012. Brent J. Crego co-founded Comfort Love Care Assisted Living Operations. Crego helps nonprofit organizations care for their elder members while generating income. Charles K. Evans retired as a correctional police officer in 2013. Kathi A. Osmonson has a new job with the State Fire Marshal Division as the youth firesetting prevention and intervention specialist. Kirsten M. Schwappach is a fulltime proofreader at Medical Arts Press. She began her career as an assistant librarian at the Blake Upper School and a reference librarian at Hamline University. Liz Sheahan recently became the director of transformational gifts with Society of St. Andrew, a national nonprofit focused on getting fresh produce to hungry Americans. Jodi L. Holden is enrolled at Saint Mary’s University pursuing a master’s degree in counseling and psychology, and she expects to graduate in May 2014. Holden works as a career counseling graduate intern in the career and internship services center of the University of Minnesota. She holds an MBA in international management from the University of Dallas. 88 82 Lynda C. Ott has worked at Seward Montessori School for seven years, and many Augsburg students have volunteered in her fourthand fifth-grade classrooms. Ott and her husband, Peter, have two grown sons. Diane Wells received the 2012 Lifeworks Advocate of the Year award. Matthew Butler in 2013 was promoted to Lt. Colonel. Jacqueline E. Forrester is working to establish a nonprofit in her home country of Jamaica. The organization will provide food, clothing, and other services to children. Dan Wright and his wife, Kristen Haglund, celebrated the birth of their second son, Bjorn Arthur. Their first son, Johan Rowen, is now 8 years old. Dan is a senior applications engineer at Nike, Inc. and Kristen is a naturopathic physician. Michele L. Boyer and her wife, Melissa Conway, have two kids, Evan (age 10) and Rita (age 9)—both adopted from Nepal. They came home in 2003 and 2006. 89 Fall 2013 27 Michelle C. Goldberger is the program director of COR Retreat, a nonprofit spiritual retreat for food addicts. She is mother to five children ranging in age from 10 to 24. Marilee A. Mowry completed three degrees through Augsburg College and recently retired from teaching music and kindergarten in St. Paul Public Schools. She continues to teach piano and woodwinds in her home. Julie A. Edstrom accepted a new position in enrollment management at the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont. Her son, Cameron, began his first year at Augsburg in August. 90 Joel B. Bue has an 18-month-old daughter and another baby due in February 2014. 91 Stephanie A. Trump is serving as adjunct professor of music at the University of NorthwesternSt. Paul, and she directs the Women’s Chorale. Madelyn D. Browne earned a Green Belt certificate at the University of St. Thomas in 2012. 92 Terri A. Burnor is a student at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and she will intern with two Unitarian Universalist congregations. Sharol Tyra, a professional certified coach at Life Illumination Coaching, was elected president of the Board of Directors, effective in 2014, for ICF Minnesota, a chartered chapter of the International Coach Federation. Marilyn J. Vick-Kalar is a working artist. She recently was crowned Mrs. Arizona International 2013 and competed in the Mrs. International competition in July. Throughout her reign as Mrs. Arizona International, McCune continues to support Adopt a Senior Citizen programs as her platfom and raise awareness for the nation’s growing senior citizen population. Lisa M. Zahn recently opened her own business as a Co-active Life Coach. Michael P. Schmidt married Steven A. (Bartkowicz) Schmidt in Decorah, Iowa, on April 6. Kristin A. Lehne is a physical therapist and works at Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. in Mankato, Minn. 97 93 Summerei-Dawn Hamille is creating an original ballet to “Thumbelina.” 94 Beryl J. Deskin is semiretired and employed parttime as a business writer and facilitator. 95 Jennifer S. Kvidt welcomed son, Ethan, on February 13, 2012. Michelle Boyum Breen and Trenda Boyum-Breen legally were wed on August 1. Shari Hornseth welcomed daughter, Claire, on February 19. She joins big brother, Andrew. Shari is a social work MSHO manager with HealthEast. The family lives in Farmington, Minn. 99 Lillian Lillian Jane Jane Moore Moore was was born born January January 23 23 to to proud proud parents parents Anne Anne (Osberg) (Osberg) Moore Moore and and Scott Scott Moore, Moore, and and prouder prouder grandparents grandparents Jack Jack Osberg Osberg ’62 ’62 and and Nina Nina Osberg. Osberg. Kat Kat Wolfe Wolfe and and her her husband husband opened opened aa talent talent agency, agency, Wolfe Wolfe Talent, Talent, which which serves serves the the Twin Twin Cities. Cities. Robert P. Wasik retired from corporate life in 2012 and opened his own business in White Bear Lake, Minn. 96 Holly (Kolander) McCune, a Minnesota Vikings cheerleader for five years, recently was interviewed by the NFL Alumni Organization for its “Where are they now?” series. McCune lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her husband and twin daughters. Ryan R. Ball welcomed his son, Owen Ball, on February 20. 01 Jesse (Lipelt) Moen and Jason Moen ’98 welcomed daughter, Ada, on May 15. Emily Emily E. E. Larsen Larsen Scaglia Scaglia and and her husband recently her husband recently welwelcomed comed their their son, son, Logan Logan Thomas, Thomas, born on February born on February 10. 10. 02 Jacob Jacob M. M. Wegscheider Wegscheider welcomed welcomed aa daughter, daughter, Whitney Whitney Nichole, Nichole, on on June June 6. 6. She She joins joins brother, brother, Henry Henry Tate, Tate, born born April April 6, 6, 2011. 2011. Brian Brian L. L. Kuhl Kuhl graduated graduated summa summa cum cum laude laude from from the the University University of of Wisconsin Wisconsin Law Law School, School, fifinishing nishing in in the the top top 1 1 percent percent of of his his graduating graduating class. class. He He is is an an associate associate attorney attorney at at Mayer Mayer Brown’s Brown’s Chicago Chicago offi office, ce, aa proud proud husband, husband, and and aa father father of of aa fifive-year-old ve-year-old son son and and 10-month10-monthold old daughter. daughter. 03 Carl Grulke ’07 and Bart Rall ’05 graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. Grulke will serve as associate pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebr., and Rall will serve as pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Monterey, Calif. 28 Augsburg Now Mac Gordon and Nicki Gordon welcomed their daughter, Vivian, on May 16. She joins big brother, Foster. 00 Michael G. Hargadine completed his 18th year working for the St. Paul Public School system. Matt Matt Christensen Christensen and and his his wife wife Katie Katie Lindenfelser Lindenfelser ’02 ’02 welcomed welcomed their their baby baby boy, boy, Daniel Daniel Gordon Gordon Christensen, on Christensen, on January January 16, 16, 2012. 2012. They They are are working working to to build build KEEPING TRACK OF AUGGIES a children’s hospice and respite care home for kids with life-limiting conditions and their families, the first in the Midwest. Kari A. Badali and partner, Jodi, welcomed their first son, Oliver Joseph Badali-Winters, November 29, 2011. 04 Deanne M. McDonald performed as Rosalind in “As You Like It” in Chicago’s Hamlin Park with her theater company, The Traveling Players. Colleen R. Peterson welcomed son, Cole Lee Peterson, on August 5. Lauren Wood relocated to San Francisco, Calif., after accepting a position as an associate at the law firm, Glynn & Finley LLP. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation. Dallas Worth, and her husband, Jarod Worth, welcomed their son, Kainen David Worth, on June 15. Jennifer L. Galvin-Anderson published her memoir about overcoming cancer and traumatic brain injury, Crawl Walk Run, and welcomed son, Evan Craig, in 2012. 05 Bethany Stolle recently graduated from an interaction design and social entrepreneurship program at the Austin Center for Design. She won the Intel-sponsored Student Design Challenge at the Interaction Design Association’s annual international conference. Her concept was playful technology to support communication and connection for nonverbal people on the Autism Spectrum. Perry D. Mathison’s son, Alex, attended St. Thomas University and graduated in May of 2013 with a major in neuroscience. 06 David L. Nash is planning to pursue a fellowship and career in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. Sara Nash ’06 is a senior marketing coordinator for HDR Engineering. The couple is expecting their first child in February. Jennifer L. Annett married Douglas Annett on May 18, 2008. Their son, Julian, was born on October 7, 2010. 07 Lenette M. Baron is married to Jason with three daughters, ages 8, 5, and 3; another baby due in November. Therese M. Maas completed her master’s degree and graduated as adult-nurse practitioner from the College of St. Catherine. She is completing her doctorate of nursing practice degree at the University of Minnesota. Brooke H. Brown welcomed Morgan Elizabeth to her family in November 2012. 08 Chad Greenwaldt and his wife welcomed their third child, Nikolas Nielsen Greenwaldt, on April 10. Kevin M. Haglund graduated from the doctor of physical therapy program at A.T. Still University and began a physical therapist position at Spooner Physical Therapy in Fountain Hills, Ariz. Jessica H. Snider is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Guanajuato, Mexico. Prior to teaching in Mexico, Snider taught in Istanbul, Turkey. Webster L. Ford teaches through the Minnesota Math Corps, and he is the sports director of a small-market radio station. 09 Shonna L. Fulford began a senior admissions counselor position at Augsburg College in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Cody Lewis Oaks graduated from Luther Seminary with a master’s degree in systematic theology. He and his wife, Melody, recently welcomed their first son, Theodore. Jenni Pickford is completing her master’s in philosophy at Northern Illinois University. She and her husband, Thomas R. Anderson, Jr., live in DeKalb, Ill. Ryan Sorensen and Kristi Castelic ’09 were married in Green Bay, Wis., on August 3. Ryan is the St. Francis High School boys’ varsity head coach and Augsburg men’s soccer assistant coach. Kristi is employed at DCM Services in Richfield, Minn. The couple resides in Maple Grove, Minn. Brett T. Thompson works fulltime as a customer service team member at Whole Foods Market in Minnetonka, Minn. Whitney P. Holman recently graduated from St. Cloud State University with a master’s in communication sciences and disorders. Holman received the Mary E. Weise Clinical Excellence Award and Plural Publishing Master’s Research Award for her work on Parkinson’s disease and pre-motor brain potentials, which was presented at the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Conference. 10 Stephanie A. Hubbard
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2014: Learning Without Limits
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Study abroad shapes lives 24 hours on campus Homecoming 2014 An Auggie shines on screen LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS FALL 2014 | VOL. 77, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kat...
Show more Study abroad shapes lives 24 hours on campus Homecoming 2014 An Auggie shines on screen LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS FALL 2014 | VOL. 77, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW Semper reformanda—the gift of reformation I am writing these notes on Reformation Day— October 31—the occasion on which we celebrate the legacy of our Lutheran Christian tradition and the ways in which that legacy has shaped the sort of college Augsburg has become. There are many gifts of our Lutheran heritage that are worth noting—the concept of vocation, our commitment to serve the neighbor, the call to critical and humble inquiry—but these days I’m especially focused on the gift of semper reformanda, the reminder that we must always be open to change, to reform, and to imagining better ways to do God’s work in the world. A year ago, the Augsburg College Board of Regents affirmed our strategic plan, Augsburg2019, with its bold vision that we will be “a new kind of student-centered urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” (To review the plan, go to augsburg. edu/Augsburg2019.) And then they charged the Augsburg community—faculty, staff, students, and alumni—with the work of making our vision a reality. That is the meaningful and urgent work we are now pursuing on campus and in the world. As we undertake this important work, we are keeping the gift of semper reformanda firmly in mind as a lens for deciding how we will achieve our vision. Across campus and beyond, we are thinking about how we can be innovative and entrepreneurial. Three simple ideas are guiding our thinking and action: • We innovate out of abundance, the belief that we can do more together than we can do alone. We share our individual gifts so that the good of all might be served. • We innovate in community, the sense that there is wisdom and experience within our community that needs to be engaged to ensure a vibrant future for Augsburg. • We innovate for the world, affirming that what we do as a college ultimately serves our call to serve the neighbor. In these three ideas—innovation out of abundance, in community, and for the world—we have the markers of our daily life at Augsburg. In this issue of Augsburg Now, you see glimpses of this innovation in all corners of our community. Start with the remarkable work of staff photographer, Stephen Geffre, whose photodocumentary of 24 hours in the life of Augsburg reminds us of all the gifts we enjoy as a community. Celebrate with us the various recognitions and awards we have received as a college—research and cultural grants, top rankings for our academic and co-curricular programs, 40 years of music therapy, 30 years of the Augsburg Associates, and fundraising success on many fronts! And then listen to the voices of Auggies on campus and around the world—young alumni, Auggie football players, our 2014 Homecoming alumni award recipients, and alumni from our global education programs; you’ll hear the poetry of a college community boldly moving toward its 150th anniversary, faithful to its heritage and at the same time relevant to the needs of the world. Finally, please take a moment to review our annual report to alumni and donors—as well as our results from the November 13 Give to the Max Day. I am deeply grateful for all of you who have joined with us to support the important work of our college. May semper reformanda be our rallying cry as we live into our ambitious vision. Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Production Manager/Now Online Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu Email: now@augsburg.edu fall 2014 AUGSBURG NOW Features 10 28 08 10 20 28 Annual report to donors Study abroad shapes lives BY CHRISTINA HALLER 24 hours on campus BY STEPHEN GEFFRE Homecoming 2014 Departments 16 20 inside front cover Notes from President Pribbenow 02 Around the Quad 07 It takes an Auggie 14 Auggies on the field 16 My Auggie experience 30 Auggie voices 31 Alumni news 36 Alumni class notes 44 In memoriam 14 30 On the cover Light from Lindell Library illuminates Augsburg College’s Minneapolis campus on a fall evening. See photos of the College throughout the 24 hours that make up a day: pages 20-27. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. AROUND THE QUAD 2014 Top 50 LGBT-friendly Colleges & Universities In 2014, Campus Pride recognized Augsburg as an institution where community members develop supportive and inclusive understandings related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Augsburg was featured on Campus Pride’s Top 50 LGBT-friendly list, which reflects various colleges’ and universities’ progress toward making their institutions welcoming to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual. Augsburg was named among institutions that have achieved the highest ratings across all benchmarks for inclusive policies, programs, and practices. 2015 Military Friendly School Augsburg was named a 2015 Military Friendly® School, a list compiled through extensive research and a survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide that are approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Military Friendly Schools have gone above and beyond to provide transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education. Top 50 college for nontraditional-aged students Augsburg College was named one of 50 Top Colleges for Older Students by BestColleges.com. Augsburg was listed at No. 9—making it the highest ranked Minnesota college—and was recognized for its hybrid learning format, percentage of students older than age 25 (31 percent), and schedule flexibility. Winds of Change magazine recognizes Augsburg The American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Winds of Change magazine selected Augsburg as one of the Top 200 Colleges for Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Augsburg was one of only five Minnesota institutions to make the list, which was published in a special college issue designed to inform and inspire college-bound students. 2 Augsburg Now Augsburg College’s commitment to interfaith and community service work was nationally recognized in October when the College was named one of five finalists in the United States for the prestigious 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. More than 500 schools competed for this prominent national award that celebrates outstanding achievements in and commitment to interfaith and community service work. AUGSBURG N OW This past summer, Augsburg Now staff invited Augsburg College alumni AN ACTIVE EDUCATION and friends to provide feedback on the publication. Participants responded to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Readership Survey, which offers the opportunity to compare Augsburg survey results with those acquired at more than 250 other institutions. If you were one of the survey participants, thank you! Your responses will help guide Augsburg Now content planning in the future. Look for an overview of the survey findings in the Spring 2015 magazine. The Class of 2014 refl ects Grants gain ground Spotlight on research Faithful and relevant 3 “Best in the Midwest” Augsburg College was designated a “Best in the Midwest” institution in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings. Augsburg’s ranking was 23 in the Regional University Midwest category. This is up from 2013, when Augsburg ranked 26. SUMME R 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 2014 AUGSBURG A FINALIST FOR NATIONAL INTERFAITH AWARD INSIDE COLLEGE AWARDS BOARD OF REGENTS WELCOMES NEW CHAIR AND MEMBERS Dr. Paul S. Mueller ’84, staff consultant and chair, Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, was elected chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents at its May 2014 meeting and began his term July 1. Mueller will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected four new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected five members. Dr. Paul S. Mueller ’84 Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Diane Jacobson is professor emerita of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, where she taught from 1982-2010. She serves as the director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and on the advisory board of Augsburg College’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation. Diane Jacobson • Dr. Steve Larson ’72 is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Riverside Medical Clinic, a multi-specialty medical practice in Riverside, Calif., where he oversees 130 health care professionals. • Earl Sethre ’68 is vice president and part owner of Jorgensen Laboratories, a veterinary instruments company in Loveland, Colo. • Dean Sundquist ’81 serves as chair and chief executive officer of Mate Precision Tooling, a Minnesota business with offices in Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States. Dr. Steve Larson ’72 Elected to a second or third term: • Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, senior vice president of Northland Securities in Minneapolis • André J. Lewis ’73, director of marketing and community affairs and president of the RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation Earl Sethre ’68 • The Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, former Fourth Judicial District Court Judge for the State of Minnesota and Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa in Minnesota • David L. Tiede, president emeritus and professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary • Norman W. Wahl ’76, executive pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn. Ann Svennungsen, bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod, and Rick Hoyme, bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, were appointed ex-officio to a three-year term. Dean Sundquist ’81 Fall 2014 3 AROUND THE QUAD Faculty grants National Science Foundation grants support hands-on student research experience Nancy Steblay, professor of psychology, has been awarded $134,219 from the National Science Foundation for a project investigating eyewitness identification errors (NSF SES-1420135). Augsburg College will receive funding over the next three years as part of a collaboration with Iowa State University. Researchers will conduct laboratory experiments using police investigation data and audio files to test theoretical ideas related to lineup bias, witness confidence statements, and more. This project will provide hands-on research experience for up to 18 Augsburg undergraduate students.* Mark Engebretson, professor emeritus of physics, was awarded a three-year, $396,635 grant to continue collaborative research regarding the magnetosphere and ionosphere, areas of the Earth’s space environment. The project extends a long-standing relationship with the University of New Hampshire and aims to further the scientific community’s understanding of geospace phenomena and improve the capability to forecast and characterize major space weather events. Such events may cause disruptions in electronic communications, degrade the accuracy of GPS technology, disable satellites, and damage the electrical power grid. The funds from Federal Award ID Number PLR-1341493 will support research training for up to six Augsburg undergraduate students over the project period.* Chemistry professor to collaborate on Department of Energy research David Hanson, assistant professor of chemistry, is collaborating with Colorado State University to develop computer models that more accurately represent the growth rates of particulate matter suspended in the Earth’s atmosphere. By synthesizing research data from new laboratory experiments as well as past observations, the research team will establish an understanding of the mechanisms of nanoparticle growth. These results will then be integrated into models to assess the role of new particle formation on the Earth’s climate. This research is made possible by a grant through the Department of Energy (Award Number DE-SC0011780). Over the next three years, Augsburg College will receive $79,705 to support Hanson’s research activities. Additionally, this project will provide hands-on research training for an undergraduate student.** **Editor’s note: This material was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Russian Academy of Sciences honors Augsburg physics professor The Institute of Physics of the Earth, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, honored *Editor’s note: Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommenda- Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson with the Otto Schmidt Medal Award. Engebretson tions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not was recognized for his fruitful and sustainable collaboration with Russian researchers necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. in space physics and planetary geophysics. For more than 30 years, he has conducted research at Augsburg College and has gathered data using ground-based observatories located at high latitudes in Arctic Canada, in Scandinavia, and in the Antarctic. This research has garnered more than $2.2 million in grant funding since 2008. During his career at Augsburg, Engebretson has been awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding. 4 Augsburg Now Augsburg professors’ books GAIN ACCLAIM Sweetness #9 Augsburg Assistant Professor and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing mentor Stephan Eirik Clark has garnered a great deal of media attention since his debut novel, “Sweetness #9,” received publicity on “The Colbert Report” as part of host Stephen Colbert’s effort to raise awareness of and interest in new novels. “Sweetness #9” is a comic satire, family story, and profound examination of cultural anxieties. LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUGGIE! More than a dozen Augsburg College students took part in prestigious off-campus research opportunities during summer 2014. Promise Okeke ’15, an Auggie biology major, interned and researched at Harvard Medical School’s Stem Cell Institute. The institute released a video in which Okeke described his experiences growing up with malaria, his departure from his home country of Nigeria to study at Augsburg, and his determination to make an impact on the malaria epidemic. At the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Okeke networked with Harvard entrepreneurs and professors as he began to explore the business side of health care. To watch the Harvard Stem Cell Institute video, go to augsburg.edu/now. The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII Augsburg Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing mentor Jack El-Hai recently won the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction for his book, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII.” El-Hai’s book tells the story of the remarkable relationship between U.S. Army Psychiatrist Capt. Douglas M. Kelley and the elite of the captured Nazi regime, particularly Hermann Göring. El-Hai was interviewed about this work for a History Channel program set to air next year. Cedar-Riverside neighbors launch program A $200,000 grant awarded to Augsburg College and The Cedar Cultural Center is supporting a program to build cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Somali culture through music. The grant will be used to launch a first-of-its-kind, two-year project titled, “Midnimo: Music for Unity, Campus, and Community.” Through Midnimo, the Somali word for “unity,” Augsburg students, Cedar-Riverside residents, and the general public will engage in a series of educational and experiential events. One of only six grants of its type presented in the U.S., the award was made as part of the highly competitive Building Bridges: Campus Community Engagement grant by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Fall 2014 5 AROUND THE QUAD CONVOCATION SERIES 2014-15 First held in 1990, the Augsburg College Convocation Series is an annual speaker series that incorporates longstanding endowed and special programs. This fall, the series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber and her presentation, “The spirituality of being a total screw-up.” Bolz-Weber is the pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver and the author of The New York Times best-selling book “Pastrix” and the blog “Sarcastic Lutheran.” Compiled by Mark Chamberlain In October, the Center for Counseling and Health Promotion Convocation welcomed Rick Hanson, PhD, neuropsychologist and senior fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, in Berkeley, Calif. The theme of his presentation was based on The New York Times best-selling book, “Hardwiring Happiness: Turning Passing Experiences into Lasting Inner Strength and Peace.” SAVE THE DATE The 27th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation Join us on Monday, January 19, at 1 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, for a celebration honoring one of the United States’ visionary civil rights leaders. Learning at Augsburg College is more than textbooks and tests. Augsburg is committed to helping students discern and live their vocations and to inspiring them to explore their gifts and passions. This year, the College’s efforts garnered a boost when the nonprofit Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation awarded Augsburg $150,000 to fund paid internships during the 2014-15 academic year. As one of 10 Minnesota colleges to receive a grant award from Great Lakes, Augsburg has used the funds to form new partnerships with for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations offering internships that support learning on and off campus. Courtesy photo STROMMEN SPEAKERS SERIES The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Speakers Series at Augsburg College, which brings local business leaders to campus to share their insights and expertise, kicked off in November with Stan Hubbard, chairman and CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., and his presentation, “Success from any angle: Lessons learned from a lifetime in broadcasting.” The series continues in February with CEO of PadillaCRT, Lynn Casey. 6 Augsburg Now IT TAKES AN AUGGIE AUGGIES GIVE GIVE TO THE MAX DAY: AUGSBURG COLLEGE CELEBRATES A FIRST-PLACE FINISH TWO YEARS IN A ROW On November 13, Augsburg College celebrated a record day of giving through its participation in Give to the Max Day. A one-day online giving event, Give to the Max Day is a contest among Minnesota nonprofits in which donors support their favorite organizations and schools. Augsburg competed in the “Colleges and Universities” category and, for the second time, raised more money than any other Minnesota college or university. The College also set a one-day giving record—more than 1,300 donors gave more than $430,000 to Augsburg in 24 hours. Because of the College’s first-place finish, Augsburg also received a prize of $17,500 from GiveMN, the parent organization of Give to the Max Day. Like last year, faculty, staff, and alumni developed projects to raise funds for 34 different departments across campus—from biology to women’s lacrosse. Donors were able to give to a fundraising project close to their hearts—and, in many cases, supported multiple projects. Augsburg students got in on the fun, too. Christensen Center was abuzz with activity as students helped spread the word and thanked donors via social media. Students recruited their friends to give and watched the results throughout the day. The generosity continued off-campus as donors gave from 45 states and as far away as Colombia, Norway, and Scotland. Thanks to the alumni, parents, students, and friends who made this year’s Give to the Max Day a success! Fall 2014 7 Augsburg College 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Augsburg College’s total fundraising for fiscal 2013-2014 was $14,619,536, marking the third year in a row in which gifts to the College exceeded $10 million. The philanthropy of more than 4,600 donors this past year has helped Augsburg attract talented students and the dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them. These gifts provide financial aid, building and maintenance support, and instructional and other resources that allow Augsburg to provide a quality education to nearly 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. Your gifts help Augsburg educate future thinkers, stewards, leaders, and citizens of our world. Here are just three of the outstanding Auggies whom your generosity helps support. Malia Thao ’16 is studying accounting and finance. Originally from St. Paul, Thao received the Gary Tangwall Scholarship. Steven Saari ’15, a special education and English double major from Princeton, Minn., received the Dagny Christensen Scholarship. 8 Augsburg Now The Robert and Joyce (Engstrom) Spector Scholarship was awarded to Kristine Volz ’16, a chemistry major from Blue Earth, Minn. REVENUE BY SOURCE Tuition 69% Room and board 12% Private gifts and grants 11% Government grants 4% Other sources 4% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY Salary and benefits 43% Financial aid 28% Operating expenses* 17% Equipment and capital improvements 4% Debt service 3% Utilities and insurance 3% Student salaries 2% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. $38.3 $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 $25.4 2004 $29.8 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $24.5 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE May 31, 2014 $38,330,460 $34.6 2014 As of May 31, 2014, Augsburg had annual realized and unrealized gains of 10.9 percent on the Augsburg College endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 8.53 percent and the 10-year average annual return is 4.45 percent. The College is committed to maintaining the value of the principal in order to provide support to the College in perpetuity. (IN MILLIONS) Visit augsburg.edu/giving/report for our 2014 Honor Roll of Donors. Fall 2014 9 STUDY ABROAD SHAPES LIVES OF MEANING AUGGIES FIND THEIR CALLINGS IN THE FAR REACHES OF THE WORLD BY CHRISTINA HALLER CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE SINCE 1982 and with locations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, and Nicaragua, Augsburg has provided thousands of people cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and global conditions and challenge students’ perceptions about global justice and human rights. Nationally recognized with various awards for its 10 Augsburg Now ties, the center most recently won a 2014 award for Best Practices in International Education Exchange from NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. NASPA seeks to recognize domestic and international colleagues and institutions for exceptional work related to international higher education. Courtesy photo the United States and from 300 educational institutions have studied abroad in more than 40 countries through Augsburg College’s Center for Global Education and Experience. Nearly 80 percent of those—now living and working throughout the globe—credit their study abroad experience with having a strong impact on their work lives. It’s accepted as common wisdom that studying in another culture yields recognizable benefits including personal growth, intercultural development, foreign language improvement, and the formation of friendships. Less well explored is how being immersed in another culture plays a role in helping people discern their callings and find employment within their vocation. This past spring, the center conducted a survey to gather data about its programs, specifically the impact of programs on the personal and professional lives of participants. The survey found that 79 percent of summer and semester program alumni feel their experience abroad has had a strong effect on their ability to secure employment after graduation. To find out how studying abroad influences the lives of its participants, we talked to Auggie alumni about their experiences, how studying abroad helped shape their careers and lives, and what they would like current students to take away from it all. work in experiential and educational travel opportuni- Courtesy photo More than 10,000 people from across MEET OUR EXPERTS ERIC CANNY Eric Canny is the dean of global education at Augsburg College. Prior to joining Augsburg, he was executive director of International Learning at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. He has held international leadership positions at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He received his bachelor’s in fine arts and master’s in education from New York University in New York City. He is completing his doctorate in global executive leadership with a focus on higher education at the University of Southern California, Rossier’s School of Education in Los Angeles. BRUCE SHOEMAKER ’81 Courtesy photo Bruce Shoemaker, a metro-urban studies and sociology major, studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico, in 1980. This experience led to more than 30 years of international development work in Southeast Asia where he has focused on natural resource conflict issues by helping local communities resist the loss and exploitation of their land, rivers, and forests by outside investors and companies. STEPHEN HINDLE ’89 Stephen Hindle, a history major, studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and in Nicaragua and Honduras during 1988. Today, he is the director of Asia Pacific at Pearson Clinical and Talent Assessment where he oversees staff across five countries, developing models to explain talent management issues for clients and also developing and executing solutions to solve organizational problems. Auggies discover their calling around the globe IN A STUDY BY THE INSTITUTE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS, two-thirds of 17,000 alumni surveyed credit their education abroad with influencing their lives by opening up an interest in or passion for another culture. It’s that passion that leads students to lifelong careers in global work. “You should follow your passion,” Eric Canny, Augsburg dean of global education, confirmed. “I always say I ‘fell into’ global [education]. But I think it’s critically important for students’ academic and personal growth to study abroad.” Bruce Shoemaker ’81 believes that not only does studying abroad create an interest in global work, but it also helps graduates obtain that work. “Having international experience lets employers know that you have challenged yourself; that you have stepped outside of your comfort zone—done something innovative, creative, and new,” he said. “It is one of those things that allows you to broaden your perspectives and—in my case—bring about social change.” That experience helps students to get ahead in life, too. “Never stop asking questions…recognizing assumptions, evaluating arguments, and drawing the correct conclusions,” Stephen Hindle ’89 said. “I learned this through my experiences studying abroad and that is why I have dedicated my life to teaching in one form or another.” So, we wanted to know, if studying abroad so dramatically shaped the lives of these Auggie alumni, what influence could it have on current and future college students’ career paths? We asked our experts. See their responses on pages 12-13. Fall 2014 11 Help support vocational discernment HOW STUDYING ABROAD CAN… “Studying abroad didn’t help me to discern my vocation, “As I studied and traveled through Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras, I realized that I WANTED it literally became my vocation. TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP OTHERS I was just really into traveling, reach their goals and fulfill their potential.” –HINDLE and THE INTERNATIONAL WORK GRIPPED ME AND BECAME MY CAREER. “THERE OFTEN IS NO OTHER EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE THAT WILL BE AS TRANSFORMATIONAL AS STUDY ABROAD. My participation…led to a WE NEED TO REACH STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT JUST lifelong interest in interna- INTERESTED IN A VACATION ABROAD, BUT IN THE SOCIAL tional development and justice JUSTICE FOCUS, WHO MAY NOT REALIZE WHAT ALL THEIR issues.” –SHOEMAKER OPPORTUNITIES ARE.” –CANNY “IT OPENED MY EYES TO THE WORLD outside of the United States. It made “I would challenge anyone to find a “STUDYING IN CUERNAVACA, MEXICO, WAS career that isn’t somehow global today. EYE OPENING—ESPECIALLY LEARNING It doesn’t matter what you do, there is probably somehow a global connection. Even if you don’t work in global—study- 12 ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE. WE LIVED WITH VERY POOR FAMILIES IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND GOT A GOOD UNDERSTANDING ing abroad helps students to gain those OF WHAT THEY WERE FACING, INCLUDING sought-after ‘soft skills’ that can apply THINGS LIKE INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL INJUS- to any major.” –CANNY TICE.” –SHOEMAKER Augsburg Now Ignite an interest in global work me realize that people around the world have similar desires and needs, and helped me understand that we can make a difference if we put our minds to it and work in a cooperative manner with the people living in the areas that need assistance.” –HINDLE Translate across cultures “Mexico [where I studied abroad] is certainly different culturally from Southeast Asia where I do my work, but I was able to develop the skills needed to RELATE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM MYSELF.” “Being a middle-class boy from a small town in Minnesota, I really had no understanding of other cultures. And yet, after all my travels around the globe, it still strikes me as fascinating how children play the same games, parents fear and rejoice over their children in similar ways, and WE ALL STRIVE FOR THE SAME THINGS.” –HINDLE –SHOEMAKER “PEOPLE WHO STUDY ABROAD KNOW HOW TO READ PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY’RE USED TO READING THE INTERPRETATION OF DIFFERENT CULTURES. IT’S ABOUT HAVING AN ‘OPENNESS TO THE OTHER.’ YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ABROAD TO BE EXPOSED TO DIVERSITY. LOOK AT AUGSBURG’S INTENTIONAL DIVERSITY—INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON THIS CAMPUS HELP GIVE THE CLASSROOM A TRULY GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.” –CANNY “I LEARNED RESPECT—for myself, I learned that life is not fair but that with hard work, a good idea, and luck you can sometimes turn things around. I learned that information is key—learn as much as you can about your surroundings.” –HINDLE study abroad usually have great interview skills; they know how to navigate complex situations; it can increase their sense of self worth and their survival skills.” –CANNY “ONE IMPORTANT SKILL I GAINED WAS CRITICAL ANALYSIS. WHEN LIVING IN ANOTHER CULTURE, YOU NEED TO DO A LOT OF REAL THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE BEING TOLD VERSUS WHAT THE REALITY IS. ADDITIONALLY, IT HELPED ME TO DEVELOP A CROSS- Develop skills for the workforce but more importantly for others. “STUDYING ABROAD IS REALLY CHALLENGING. Individuals who CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, REFINE COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND LEARN TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE AND PERSPECTIVES FROM OTHER CULTURES.” –SHOEMAKER Fall 2014 13 HERE WE STAND FOOTBALL TEAM EMBRACES OUR LUTHERAN HERITAGE Uniting members of a team is one of a coach’s biggest responsibilities and challenges; teams with cohesion amplify their success on and off the field. At Augsburg, football coaches Frank Haege and Mike Matson ’06 have articulated a shared vision that has struck a chord with their team and also honors the College’s heritage. Since Fall 2012, the team has embraced the motto, “Here we stand, we can do no other.” What’s unique about this motto is its historic and Lutheran roots. One day, Haege, head football coach, and 14 Augsburg Now BY KELLY ANDERSON DIERCKS Matson, assistant football coach and chaplain to student athletes, were talking about the history of Augsburg College and the Reformation. Matson explained the Augsburg Confession, a period in the 1500s when Martin Luther was put on trial for his religious stance—and ordered by Catholic leaders to recant his writings and criticisms of the Church. Luther’s response was that he could not and would not. “Here I stand, I can do no other,” Luther is reported to have said. Haege found this story so powerful that he assigned AUGGIES ON THE FIELD Matson the duty to serve as unofficial team historian. Matson was charged with sharing with the team’s players the history of each week’s opponent, including background on the school’s religious affiliation. At the first team meeting, Matson told the team that the “Here we stand” motto—a revision of Martin Luther’s words—is in the DNA of the College and that, as Auggies, the players are called to go forth boldly. Over time, the motto evolved. What began as a history lesson and locker room banner became a call and response by the third game of the 2012 season. In the locker room before the team ran out on to the field, Matson yelled, “Where do you stand?” and the team answered, “Here we stand.” The call and response went back and forth until the Auggies were motivated for victory. The team embraced this new segment of the pregame warm-up and has been doing the rouser ever since. For the coaches and players, the slogan is a way to articulate that, together, all are stronger on the field and in their daily lives. Haege said Matson is the perfect vehicle for this uniquely Augsburg message. “Mike is our motivation guy,” Haege said. “He has an unbelievable passion for [the College]. He’s a natural emotional leader—for Augsburg, for Lutheranism, and for our football program.” As an Augsburg student, Matson was a junior captain on the football team during Haege’s first season as head coach. Matson earned All-American honors and finished his Auggie career as one of the best linebackers in the College’s history. In 2011, Matson graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and in 2012 was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He now serves his call through a joint position with Augsburg and Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. “Augsburg is a special place, and football is a microcosm of that,” Matson said. “Augsburg teaches students about being part of something bigger than yourself. Augsburg challenges students to be willing to be vulnerable, to be willing to stay out on the margins of life where the Gospel calls us.” The players certainly have bought in and the program is headed in a positive direction. The Augsburg football team finished with a 7-3 overall record in 2012—the debut season of the new team philosophy, which marked the team’s best finish since its 1997 MIAC Championship. The football program views its slogan as long-term. It’s about team. It’s about unity. And, it’s about what can happen when those two things come together. “I think we are tapping into something that transcends coaches, sports, and time. This motto ties us to our past,” Matson said. “It’s an identity that we can claim. An identity we can be proud of.” Fall 2014 15 MEET KUOTH WIEL MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE BY LAURA SWANSON SHE’S AN ACTRESS. A MODEL. A HUMANITARIAN. AN AUGGIE. A nd, if you ask this Augsburg College alumna about her past few years, she’d likely add to the list of descriptors, “a person blessed by an enormous leap of faith.” During her final semester at Augsburg, Kuoth Wiel ’13 landed her debut film role in “The Good Lie,” a drama that tells the story of a family-like group of Sudanese refugees who are offered shelter in the United States more than a decade after militia attacks in their home country left them orphaned and homeless. While the characters themselves are fictional, the film is based on the experiences of thousands of real refugees—people sometimes dubbed the “Lost Boys of Sudan”—who immigrated to the U.S. in the thousands before Sept. 11 prompted authorities to suspend a resettlement program. As People magazine suggests, Reese Witherspoon is the film’s biggest name, but the real stars of “The Good Lie” are her castmates. In the movie, Wiel plays the character Abital, the 19-year-old sister of one of the Lost Boys. In reality, Wiel has personal ties to the conflict in Sudan. She was born in an Ethiopian refugee camp to Sudanese parents and lost her father at age 3 after he was killed while working as a United Nations medic in the Sudanese Civil War. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1998, spent her childhood in Faribault, Minn., and as a young adult moved to Minneapolis to attend Augsburg, study social psychology, and model part time. Today, Wiel calls West Hollywood, Calif., home. She has appeared in more publications and on more television shows since the film’s release at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival than she can recall, and she’s driven to use her brush with stardom to serve her community and spread messages of hope and empowerment among people who have been displaced due to global conflict. Auggies on and off campus have followed Wiel’s personal storyline since she earned her movie star status, so we’re delighted to share a brief reflection on Wiel’s experience in her own words. All images on this page are courtesy of ©Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Top left: A scene from “The Good Lie.” Top right: Film director Philippe Falardeau speaks with Kuoth Wiel (center) and her cast mates. Lower left: “The Good Lie” movie poster. Fall 2014 17 Q&A: MEET KUOTH WIEL ’13 Not all students at Augsburg or anywhere else, for that matter, receive the opportunity to act in a feature film. How did this come about? I have to give thanks to the power of social media. A friend of mine saw the opportunity to audition on his Facebook page and forwarded it to me. They were looking for Sudanese actors and actresses around the U.S. and around the world. I sent in my bio and then they sent me the script. I read it and fell in love. Then I sent in a video made on my MacBook of me going over my life; it was nothing professional. I didn’t hear back for a month, but [finally they said], “Okay, we want you to meet with the director.” A week later, I flew to Atlanta to rehearse with the cast, and that’s how it all began. When you decided to say “yes,” sign your contract, pack your bags, and head off to Atlanta, what did people say? I had already told my mother and my girlfriends. My mother—she was at first taken aback by it. She said, “Are you going to finish school? You only have one month left, so why are you going to leave school just like that?” I felt like I gave it to a higher power; I can’t control this. Luckily, I was in 18 Augsburg Now a position where I had finished all my exams, and I had finished everything except for my final essays for my seminar class. I was very fortunate to be in the position…where my teachers were very excited for me and allowed me to Skype to stay on track. It’s about knowing the background for each character; they made sure that we knew our story. The director really helped me in controlling my emotions and knowing when to remind me to call on my background as a refugee or recall something that I had lost in my life. Why do you think it was important for “The Good Lie” to cast Sudanese actors? How did your own life experiences allow you to relate to the character? It is the experience of being in a war. My character and I had parallel worlds but lived in different times. She was a Lost Girl; I was never away from my parents in that sense, but we share the same story of going through this traumatic event and wanting to leave it. It helped a lot. I mean the journey definitely put into perspective how far I have come from Sudan to Ethiopia and then to America. I didn’t remember it very well because I was a child, but now I know what this conflict was—it put into life the story of people who I can relate to. In the film you play Abital, who you mentioned was a Lost Girl. How did she fit into the storyline? Abital becomes a significant figure throughout the story in that [the Lost Boys] try to find her again because they are separated from her when they come to America. How did the director or other members of the film crew help you get into character and deepen your understanding of this person? What was a typical day like for you on the film set? Or, was every day completely different? You’re given a different scene each day…sometimes you wake up as early as 4 a.m., and sometimes you don’t [wake up] until noon. And, so, it all depends on what time they want to shoot. I’d wake up in the morning and then have a van come pick me up to go to set. Once you get there, they do the hair and makeup and the wardrobe and then, after that, you stay in your trailer until All images on pages 18-19 are courtesy of ©Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Page 18: In this scene from “The Good Lie,” the characters learn they will be separated from one another in the United States. Page 19: Auggie Kuoth Wiel (center) is shown with Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon (right). they come get you to do the scene. Sometimes they give you a few hours [to] stay in your trailer and get into character. They didn’t want a lot of interaction with other actors there. It was important to make sure you just concentrate and get yourself physically and mentally ready for the next scene. Did you feel that “The Good Lie” was a job, or did you think, “How could this possibly be work?” For me, I felt like it was a job. Not a job in the sense where you show up and mechanically do things, but it was a job where you are responsible to give this character life like a real person. I felt like I owed that to this story. Sure, you get to meet cool people, but it was a responsibility for me to portray this person—to show the world how this person lived—and it was my responsibility to do it well. The best-known actress in this film is Reese Witherspoon. Were you pinching yourself when you met Reese? I love her. I think I was a little shocked. When you meet someone who you admire, it becomes a totally different experience. She was very nice, actually. She came and introduced herself to me, and we just talked. She’s very down to earth. Is acting something you want to pursue in the long run? Can you tell me about your vision for the future? I love it. Right now I’m exploring different realms of acting. I’m doing improv. I want to learn how to regulate my emotions in a better way so that I can do it in different scenes. I would really love to perfect [acting], that’s why I’m studying it in greater depth. What has been the most surprising aspect of working on “The Good Lie?” I would say the traveling. I traveled a lot. A lot. I literally lived in airports…I had to get used to adjusting to different situations and knowing what to bring, what not to bring, what to look out for, and stuff like that. And, when we went to South Africa, that was my first time back to Africa so that was a really good experience for me. I just felt that anywhere in Africa was home. Things have been busy for you the past couple of months—to say the least—but what do you hope to achieve through your humanitarian work in the future? Right now we are working on raising awareness. The producers have set up The Good Lie Fund, which you’ll find after the film—TheGoodLieFund.org. This raises money for people in the refugee camps right now. Our main priority is to raise money for aid. We’re also working with UNICEF. When we were in Nashville we sent a message for the kids who are [in refugee camps]. We talked about our own experience in the camps and tried to give people hope. An Augsburg education emphasizes that vocation is not simply finding a job but, instead, using your passions and talents to serve the world. How has this experience shaped your calling in life? I remember writing about that—initial thoughts on what I wanted to do—my senior year. I knew I wanted to give back to my community, but I also wanted to use [my vocation] as a message of empowerment for women because there are girls, like me, in refugee camps who probably don’t know that there’s a better life out there. I always tell people I came from a place where I thought there was nothing left. But, I’m here. So, for me, I think it’s to raise the message of hope for women. To see images from the Minnesota premiere of “The Good Lie,” go to augsburg.edu/now. Fall 2014 19 24 24 HOURS AT 2211 RIVERSIDE AVENUE A day in the life of Augsburg College For nearly 145 years, Augsburg College has been going about its work of creating thinkers, leaders, and world citizens in the heart of Minneapolis. This work isn’t confined to a typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. The work stretches throughout the 24 hours that make up a day. This photo essay is a glimpse into the vibrant community of Augsburg and the neighborhood that shapes the work the College does in our world. (Editor’s note: All images in this story were taken from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., September 22 and from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., September 24.) 5:29 a.m. Abennut Tulu, custodian, starts his BY STEPHEN GEFFRE day at 5 a.m. in Kennedy Center when he grabs his custodial gear. Tulu, a recipient of a 2013-14 Outstanding Staff Award, makes his 6:19 a.m. first order of business getting the The lights on Edor Nelson Field still are off when Adam Maronde, Augsburg College third-floor classrooms cleaned, orga- strength and conditioning coach, calls out to members of the women’s hockey team: nized, and ready each day for faculty “Twenty seconds of rest, ladies.” The team is doing interval training. Players are bent and students. over, breathing hard. “Ten seconds, push yourselves to finish strong,” he says. “Five, four, three, two, one, go!” The student athletes bolt upright to do another wind sprint, wrapping up their early morning practice while most people on campus still slumber. 20 Augsburg Now 6:43 a.m. Groundskeeper Bruce Rowe, who retired in November after 31 years of service to the College, changes from street shoes to work boots. Rowe’s day will start in a few minutes when his student worker arrives and the two tackle cleaning the garbage chutes in each of the residence halls. 8:40 a.m. “Use your fingers to feel the edges of the vein. Now anchor the vein and quickly and confidently slide the needle in,” said alumnus Tom Towle ’14 (not pictured) to Rachel Johnsrud ’15 (left) as she practices a blood draw on classmate Kevin Hein ’15. Most blood draws that happen on campus are for blood drives, but this one is part of the Clinical Phase Transition course in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. The CPT course combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences for the students prior 7:51 a.m. Not-yet-caffeinated students wait in line for their morning coffee at to beginning the clinical phase of the program and completing 13 months of rotations. Einstein Bros. Bagels in Christensen Center. Classes start at 8 a.m. Fall 2014 21 10:03 a.m. “I think it is like this. What does this knob do? I think I just broke it!” Laughter erupts from Nia Ross ’17 (right), Nikki Whittaker ’17 (center), and Callie Jones ’17 (left) as the three women use, for the first time, this specific film gear. Ross’s film, “Best Friends,” is her directorial and screenwriting debut and will star Whittaker and Jones. 10:48 a.m. Augsburg College is one of only a few colleges in the United States that has time set aside each weekday for chapel. These 20 minutes a day offer attendees time to reflect on faith and to learn from members of the community. Seth Lienard ’11, Augsburg College senior event planner, addressed chapel attendees on the topic of coming home during Homecoming Week. Lienard was a recipient of a 2012-13 Outstanding Staff Award. 1:17 p.m. 11:56 a.m. Janet Morales, program manager of the College Access Large elm trees in the Quad cast dappled shadows across the Partnership, plucks a handful of potatoes from her plot heart of campus. The trees, each more than 60 years old, have in the Augsburg College community garden. The gar- been silent witnesses to a growing, changing campus. den, which has about 80 plots, is open to members of the Augsburg College community and Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. 22 Augsburg Now 2:20 p.m. Purple, yellow, yellow, purple, purple...Each color corresponds with a kernel on a cob of corn. The students in this genetics class, led by Matthew Beckman, assistant professor of biology, are recording the distribution of kernel colors to learn about genetic patterns of inheritance. 3:19 p.m. “Try holding your hands in the air, wiggling your fingers, and moving your body like a spooky tree blowing in the wind,” says Mark Sedio, a music instructor and director of the Cedar Singers. “Now sing the line again.” Incorporating movement into choral rehearsals enhances the singers’ delivery. 4:10 p.m. Students study and relax on the lawn of Old Main, which was built in 1901. Fall 2014 23 4:34 p.m. Upon his return from Washington, D.C., Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow is greeted by his family’s dog, Auggie. Pribbenow was in the nation’s capital to attend the Fourth Annual President’s White House Forum on Interfaith and Community Service where the College was named a Presidential Awardee 6:47 p.m. finalist for this prestigious national award. “Cross away from him to stage right when he In 2010, Augsburg College won the Presidential Award for Community Service, the premier presidential award for community service work. starts the line. Now, try the scene from the top,” says Martha Johnson, professor of theater arts, as she directs students in rehearsals of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” While the set still is under construction, Johnson, who has taught at the College for 26 years and 6:27 p.m. is retiring later this year, can envision how things As the late-summer sun starts to set, a student passes through the will look on opening day. Paulson Link that connects Lindell Library to Sverdrup Hall. 24 Augsburg Now 7:50 p.m. The Cedar-Riverside business district glows in the background while MBA students attend a marketing course. The class is led by Bill Arden, assistant professor of business. When Augsburg opened its doors in 1869, the College was in Marshall, Wis., and had only three professors. Today, with campuses in Minneapolis and Rochester, Augsburg College has 396 partand full-time faculty members. 9:40 p.m. Auggies gather on Edor Nelson Field for a screening of “22 Jump Street” on the new scoreboard. In addition to being used for community-wide events such as films on the 9:19 p.m. Intramural sports are about community, friends, and fun. Augsburg College’s co-ed volleyball games pit teams of six players against one another, and given the high use of the College’s athletic facilities by varsity teams and classes, it’s often the case that field, the scoreboard adds a fun dimension to home athletic games with video introductions of players and instant replay. In addition, Auggie student workers get hands-on skills programming and managing this top-notch technology. intramural teams take the court when other students start settling in for the night. Fall 2014 25 10:54 p.m. “It’s all over. We’re dead,” says Nywong Vang ’16 (right) to Siew Thao ’16 (left) while playing “League of Legends.” Their sparsely decorated dorm room on the main floor of Anderson Residence Hall doesn’t have a TV. But it does have four laptops, three fish tanks, and about 100 feet of network cables squiggling across the floor. Vang continues his gaming while Thao studies aspects of the game on the Internet. 12:28 a.m. “Incarnation” is a vibrant, stained glass window by August Molder, a refugee from Estonia who in the late 1960s was an artist in residence at the College. The window, best seen at night and from 11:44 p.m. the outside of Christensen Center, provides a brilliant contrast to the Ben Richer ’18 reaches for a ball after losing a monochromatic squares and rectangles of the building’s exterior. point to Nicole Logeais ’18 in their nightly game Molder has a scholarship named after him that is awarded annually of pingpong. The two are reported by their friends to an art student. to spend most evenings in the lobby of Mortenson Hall playing the game. 26 Augsburg Now 1:16 a.m. At all hours of the night, bright lights shine on the second floor of Science Hall. These grow lights sit over the biology department’s collection of “Wisconsin Fast Plants,” a variety of plants used as model organisms in many educational settings. The little green plant is used in biological research because it grows, well, fast—allowing faculty and students to conduct many experiments in just one semester. 3:05 a.m. During the course of a year, Department of Public Safety staff log thousands of miles at night patrolling the College’s 23-acre campus and sur- 24 rounding neighborhood. Many miles are covered by Officer David Wanstall. To see additional photographs taken during the 24 hours of this project, go to augsburg.edu/now. 4:52 a.m. In the early morning hours, even Interstate 94 is quiet and practially empty. But if you look closely, lights are on in Mortenson Hall as some students already are rising to greet another day. 24 HOURS AT 2211 RIVERSIDE AVENUE Fall 2014 27 HOMECOMING 2014 Thank you for joining us for our Homecoming 2014 celebration. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s events, October 8-10. If you are interested in serving on your alumni reunion committee or volunteering to help plan Homecoming 2015 events, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. The procession of the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS First Decade Award Distinguished Alumni Award Honors an Auggie who graduated during the past 10 years and who exemplifies the mission of the College. Honors alumni in recognition of a significant achievement in their vocation; for outstanding contribution to church and community. VICTOR ACOSTA ’04 An Augsburg physics major, Acosta completed his PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2011. He is a research engineer with Google X. “I want to thank the StepUP® Program… the McNair Scholars Program…and the Physics Department for some of my fondest memories.” Spirit of Augsburg Award Honors alumni and friends of the College who have given of their service to substantially impact the well-being of Augsburg’s mission and programs. JACQUIE BERGLUND ’87 Berglund, a political science and communications major, in 2000 founded Finnegans, a charitable beer company that donates 100 percent of its profits to programs that alleviate hunger. “This place—Augsburg College—really was where I found my calling and it was truly where I decided I wanted to make the world a better place.” GARRY HESSER Hesser is the Sabo Professor of Citizenship and Learning Emeritus at Augsburg and also teaches in the Master of Arts in Leadership and Honors programs. “If there’s been a theme, a set of gifts here at Augsburg…it’s been a sequence of being invited in.” MICHAEL R. GOOD ’71 After 36 years in real estate, Good became the national campaign chair for Augsburg’s Center for Science, Business, and Religion. His inspirational drive has created new momentum for this essential building. “It’s great to be called. And it’s great to be called an Auggie.” DEAN R. KENNEDY ’75 Kennedy, founder of Texakoma, one of the most respected small, private oil exploration companies in the United States oil and gas industry, continues to be one of Augsburg’s most generous supporters. “A common question that I get asked is, ‘How did a guy from Fridley get started in the oil business?’ and I say the seed was started right here at Augsburg College.” REV. MARK S. HANSON ’68 This fall, Hanson joined Augsburg as a Distinguished Fellow in the Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation. He has served as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, president of the Lutheran World Federation, and pastor for three congregations. “The future of Augsburg depends on all of us encouraging our children and grandchildren…to root their lives in this community of learning and service.” reflection LIFE OF AUGGIE VOICES WEAVES GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY Mark Twain said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. On any given day, Josh Linde ’07 knows he was born to create love, joy, and opportunities for others. He’s doing exactly that today. As a dedicated family man. As a successful social entrepreneur. And as a cofounder of Ethnotek Bags, a socially responsible company that builds high-quality laptop and travel bags that feature ethically sourced handmade textiles. Linde will tell you that although the process of uncovering his vocation took twists and turns, it’s Augsburg College that deserves the credit for giving him the skills and practice to unearth where his gifts and talents meet the world’s needs. “My whole education at Augsburg could be subtitled, ‘Vocation.’ I learned to be meditative. Directional. I learned to write and reflect and repeat that practice many times,” Linde said. “This reflection and practice has informed every decision I’ve made since being at the College.” And he isn’t kidding. Linde feels tremendous pressure to make Ethnotek Bags a stable venture. Families and villages across the globe—in Ghana, Guam, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam—depend upon the company for a living and to help maintain their cultures. His ability to question deeply and reflect laid the foundation for what has become the nontraditional business practices that put the company’s global partners in the driver’s seat and that give Linde the assurance he’s living out his vocation Submit a Class Note by December 31 for the spring 2015 edition of Augsburg Now to be entered into a drawing to win Ethnotek’s Vietnam 5 Wayu Pack. Use the form on page 43 or go to augsburg.edu/alumni/connect. 30 Augsburg Now BY STEPHANIE WEISS to create opportunities for others. “We ask our partners what their time is worth and then we pay that price. We don’t negotiate lower prices, and we aren’t looking to reduce those costs,” Linde said. The company offers its partners a generous delivery time of 90 days, a bonus for on-time delivery, and a premium for early delivery. The extended delivery window is important for the company’s partners, many of whom work out-of-doors and can encounter significant weather-related work delays. But for Linde, it makes Ethnotek Bags’ approach all the more rewarding. In the end, each bag made and sold by the company is an individual and complex story with the power to maintain cultures and change lives for the company’s suppliers and customers. “Our bags have three layers of existence—utility, beauty, and as a living story,” Linde said. “When you own one of our bags, people ask about and reach out to touch the bag. Each bag creates a connection to and meaningful conversation about the people who made it.” “My whole education at Augsburg could be subtitled, ‘Vocation.’” —JOSH LINDE ’07 ALUMNI NEWS FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, A s you may recall, President Pribbenow in the fall 2013 issue of Augsburg Now shared that the Augsburg College Board of Regents launched a strategic planning initiative in January of that year. The outcome of that work is a strategic vision statement that looks out to 2019, Augsburg’s sesquicentennial year: In 2019, Augsburg College will be a new kind of studentcentered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world. This vision statement calls for the College to build on its key strengths, which include experiential learning, academic excellence, and strong alumni networks. A core part of the College’s plan is being “At the Table” by providing opportunities that enable students to discover their gifts, discern their vocations, and open doors to careers. One of the College’s greatest resources—we, the alumni—could be playing an even more crucial role in achieving the College’s commitment to increase internship opportunities available to students and graduates. Such hands-on roles are increasingly essential for amplifying the campus learning experience and competing successfully for jobs after graduation. As alumni, we can provide students with opportunities and guidance that will prepare them for an important first step on their vocational journey. I had the pleasure of connecting with then-junior Gary Mariscal ’14 two years ago at the Student and Alumni Networking Event. It was my pleasure to talk with him during his interview process with National Sports Center, which led to his selection as a sports administration and event management intern. I also was able to connect him with Auggie alumni who have supported him in the process of finding meaningful work. More recently, I celebrated with Gary when he decided to accept a position as a baseball fellow at Augsburg College, a role that will allow him to pursue a graduate degree through the College’s Master of Arts in Leadership program, while gaining experience coaching and mentoring students. He is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to make a difference at Augsburg. Recently, the College community mourned the loss of two Augsburg legends, Ed Saugestad ’59 and Edor Nelson ’38. As I have reflected during the past year on the influence these coaches and educators have had on the lives of hundreds of students, and the legacy they created at the College, I’ve begun considering my own legacy and the influence I want to have as an alumni leader. I am not a legendary coach or a member of the faculty but I am a member of the Augsburg community and I, too, can make a difference. As alumni, we all can make a difference at Augsburg by participating in a student and alumni networking event, speaking in a classroom, representing your company at an Auggies Connect with Employers event, or posting a job or internship opportunity with Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Please join me in assisting current students on their vocational journey. It is one of the most important ways that alumni can ensure that Augsburg College and its students are “At the Table.” Sincerely, CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT P.S. Save the date for the next Student and Alumni Networking Event: Tuesday, February 10. Find out more at augsburg.edu/alumni. Augsburg College’s annual Student and Alumni Networking Event. Fall 2014 31 ALUMNI NEWS This summer, hundreds of Auggies of all ages gathered on Edor Nelson Field to celebrate the 100th birthday of legendary Augsburg College athlete, coach, and instructor Edor Nelson ’38, who led the Auggie football and baseball teams during a career that spanned four decades. His birthday festivities corresponded with the dedication of a new, state-ofthe-art video scoreboard in his honor. Ten days later, Edor passed away. He was honored in a memorial service on September 5. “Few people in Augsburg’s history could claim as long and lasting an impact on this college as Edor Nelson,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “He touched the lives of many here at Augsburg through his years as football coach, his years as baseball coach, and his support in building the wrestling and men’s hockey programs.” Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 said, “I’m so grateful that we had a chance to honor Edor on his 100th birthday. It’s an event that all of us in the Augsburg community will remember forever.” Bruce Nelson ’71, current president of Augsburg’s A-Club service organization, said that his father’s support of athletes extended far beyond the playing field and graduation. This is why lead donors for the scoreboard project, Dan ’65 and Alice Anderson, Rick ’74 and Nancy Colvin, Rick ’72 and Tammie Ekstrand, Harvey ’52 and Joanne (Varner) ’52 Peterson, Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe, Alan Rice, and many others, chose to donate to the project to honor their coach and mentor. Fundraising efforts for the new scoreboard have not yet met a $300,000 goal. To make a gift honoring Edor, contact Keith Stout, assistant vice president of major gifts, at 612330-1616 or stoutk@augsburg.edu. Donors to the scoreboard will be listed on a special plaque to be installed later this academic year. In his 100 years, Edor represented true Auggie spirit as a soldier, educator, father, husband, and coach. Consider honoring his legacy with a philanthropic gift to athletics that will positively influence Auggies of tomorrow. Join Augsburg College ON STAGE AT CARNEGIE HALL Peter Hendrickson ’76, Augsburg associate professor and head of choral activities, and members of The Augsburg Choir and the Masterworks Chorale will perform at New York City’s historic Carnegie Hall on March 22. Hendrickson has opened this performance opportunity to all choir alumni who would like to participate. Rehearsals for the concert begin in January and take place on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9:45 p.m. in the choir room on the Minneapolis campus. Repertoire for Augsburg’s portion of the concert will be Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque” and Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna,” performed with a full orchestra. Email hendricp@augsburg.edu for additional rehearsal and performance details. 32 Augsburg Now Ticket information will be posted on augsburg.edu/alumni. Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends are invited on a New York City tour to coincide with the performance. The March 19-23 trip will include a visit to Carnegie Hall to see The Augsburg Choir, an Augsburg alumni reception at Scandinavia House, local tours led by Augsburg professor and our resident NYC expert Joe Underhill, a Broadway play, and four nights at the Sheraton Manhattan Times Square. Contact tour leader Sally Daniels Herron ’79 for more information at 612-330-1525 or herron@augsburg.edu. ALUMNI STEP FORWARD with gifts to recognize Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Arlin Gyberg With graduates who have gone on to become research scientists, university professors and physicians, a biodiesel entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar, and a Nobel Prize recipient, Augsburg College Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Arlin Gyberg’s legacy already reaches far and wide. Alumni are recognizing this long-serving and award-winning professor by giving gifts to name a Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for Gyberg in the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Steve ’72 and Catherine Larson launched this $250,000 initiative with a lead gift of $125,000. Steve, an infectious disease specialist and the CEO and board chair of Riverside Medical Clinic in Riverside, Calif., and one of the newest members of the Augsburg Board of Regents, still acknowledges Gyberg’s influence on his life and career after more than 40 years since graduation. “Arlin’s influence on my vocation and life cannot be measured,” Steve said, and he recognizes that the CSBR will influence the entire Augsburg College community. “A new building can bring new vitality,” he said. “I have seen it happen with our own medical group’s building. When we got a new building, it really enhanced our reputation. I think [the CSBR] will do the same for Augsburg.” The newest donors to join in honoring Gyberg are Jon ’68 and Sharon DeVries. The couple, who has already given $50,000 to the CSBR for faculty offices, is giving an additional $10,000 to honor Gyberg. Gyberg became a faculty member at Augsburg in 1967 during Jon’s senior year. While Jon never took a class with Gyberg, the two got to know each other when Jon worked in the research lab next to Gyberg’s office. “Arlin is energetic, practical, friendly, outgoing, and realistic,” said Jon, who is a respected chemist at General Mills and has been inspired by Gyberg’s impact on the College. Today Gyberg’s research focuses on environmental topics. He remains active in his research in areas as multi-faceted as catalytic systems to produce biofuels, active ingredients in energy drinks, over-the-counter children’s medicines, algae as a source of biodiesel and bioethanol, and the conversion of wood fibers to other useful chemicals. His consulting work includes serving Fortune 500 companies, such as 3M and Xcel Energy, and government and educational institutions. Donors to the Gyberg initiative are turning to fellow alumni to help raise the final $50,000 needed to fund the CSBR lab. If you are interested in joining fellow alumni to honor Gyberg, send your gift, marked Gyberg Initiative, to: Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454. For gifts of appreciated securities, life insurance, or bequests, contact Doug Scott at 612-330-1575 or scottd@augsburg.edu. Celebrating Lutheran heritage and the Reformation A custom Augsburg College travel program is being designed and planned to celebrate the 500th anniversary of when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany, which marked the beginning of what became known as the Reformation. The tour will occur October 27 to November 6, 2016, and include a visit to Wittenberg on October 31, the date on which the town celebrates Reformation Day with a parade, medieval fair, special church service, and evening concert. The tour itinerary also includes stops in the German cities of Berlin, Dresden, Eisenach, Erfurt, and Leipzig, and in Prague, Czech Republic. Join Mark Tranvik and Hans Wiersma, Augsburg College religion faculty members and Reformation historians, in discovering the lives and ministries of Martin and Katie Luther and influential Lutheran musicians J. S. Bach and Paul Gerhardt. Learn about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century German theologian and martyr, and Jan Hus, a 15th century Czech church reformer. Hear about the church’s role in the Peaceful Revolution that brought down the Berlin Wall and remember the sobering days of WWII at Buchenwald concentration camp. Explore the close connection among people, culture, and historical events, while understanding the Reformation as an ongoing influence in the 21st century. To receive updates about this alumni tour as plans are finalized, email alumni@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1085 to be included on a mailing list. Fall 2014 33 ALUMNI NEWS DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC THERAPY CELEBRATES 40th anniversary, new master’s degree program, and dedication of an interactive musical plaza This fall, Augsburg College’s Department of Music Therapy commemorated the 40th anniversary of its undergraduate program with a celebratory dinner in Hoversten Chapel. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to hear from keynote speaker Alan Turry, the managing director of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy in New York City. Doug Schmitt, vice president of Minneapolis-based Schmitt Music Company, presided as master of ceremonies. Established in 1974 by Roberta Kagin, associate professor of music, the Department of Music Therapy provides students with a holistic approach to health care through music medicine. This year also marks the inception of the new Master of Music Therapy, the College’s ninth graduate degree program. The MMT program prepares students for careers in the growing music therapy field within hospitals, clinics, schools, and other organizations. The evening concluded with the dedication of the installation of three outdoor, interactive musical instruments, which will be known as the “Ode to Joy” Music Plaza. These instruments, located on the south side of the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, serve as a reminder of the importance of music in everyday life and will be enjoyed by members of the campus community and beyond for years to come. BILL NYE ‘THE SCIENCE GUY’ SPEAKS AT AUGSBURG ON VALENTINE’S DAY Bill Nye “The Science Guy” will share his love for science when he speaks February 14 at Augsburg College’s Scholarship Weekend in an address that is open to the general public. Nye, who will talk about “How Science Can Save the World,” will speak with academic depth and humor about planetary science, climate change, evolution, 34 Augsburg Now environmental awareness, and more. “We’re excited to host Bill Nye during our Scholarship Weekend when bright students from across the United States visit campus to compete for our top academic scholarships,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “We want to give these scholarly, prospective Auggies the chance to grapple with some of the world’s deepest questions so they can experience what Auggies are called to do each and every day.” Last year, during the 2014 Scholarship Weekend, nearly 100 prospective students and the public had the opportunity to be challenged by deep questions of compassion and humanity posed in a talk by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Nye, a mechanical engineer and seven-time Emmy Award winner as host and head writer of the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” program, will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Augsburg College’s Si Melby Gymnasium. Ticket information for Augsburg College alumni is posted online at augsburg.edu/now. CELEBRATE 1984… 1994… 2004… 2014 AUGGIES DEDICATION LEADSCHOLARSHIPS 30 Years! AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE A labor of love “It was a little mustard seed of an idea,” said Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46, remembering the early days of the Augsburg College Associates, which this fall celebrated three decades of service to the College, resulting in about $1 million in total giving. From their earliest days, the Associates focused on making connections, hosting events to raise awareness of Augsburg, and providing fundraising and volunteer leadership. Between 1985 and 1996, Trash and Treasure Sales brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the College. Since then, the Associates have devoted countless hours to organizing, cleaning, pricing, and selling household items at estate sales that have raised funds for large-scale projects. [L to R]: Founding members: Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist ’64, Catherine Anderson, Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46. PRESIDENTS AND CO-CHAIRS AUGSBURG ASSOCIATES 1985 1986 1987-88 Associates’ gifts shape campus Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46 Helga Egertson and Roselyn Krause Peg Arnason and Marianne Sander Take a walk around Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, and you will see the impact of the Associates’ work on nearly every corner. Enjoy the sound of the Dobson Organ in Hoversten Chapel? You can thank the Associates’ $250,000 contribution for that. Walk through Christensen Center, and see the welcome desk, Augsburg Room, and Marshall Room, which were supported by the Associates. Down the street, the renovation of the Ailene Cole Green Room in Foss Center and the Special Collections Room in Lindell Library were made possible by the Associates’ generosity. And, when the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens, the Adjunct Faculty Suite will be named in recognition of the Associates’ $50,000 gift to the building. The Associates’ dedication and generosity also includes funding scholarships that total about $120,000. 1989 1997-03 Avis Ellingrod Krumkake and Bunads – the Associates’ hospitality 2003-04 Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson ’91 2005-06 Lois (Richter) Agrimson ’60 In 1996, the Associates became involved with Augsburg’s annual open house, Velkommen Jul, a celebration of Norwegian culture replete with traditional foods—such as lefse and krumkake—and folk costumes—known as bunads. In 2010, the group started the Kaffe Stuga booth, providing traditional Norwegian coffee at the signature Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming—as well as the annual Spring Tea. When Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg in 2011, Associates wearing traditional Norwegian attire greeted Their Majesties. In 2012, the organization received the Spirit of Augsburg award. For 30 years, the Associates’ fellowship, fun-loving spirit, and dedication to the College have remained true. As current president Lennore Bevis ’69 said, “The whole attitude of our organization is members giving of themselves and serving the community.” Michelle (Karkhoff) Christianson ’91 and Marianne Sander 1990-93 Carla (Quanbeck) Walgren ’64 1993-95 Peg Arnason 1995 Maf Berg and Helga Egertson 1996 Helga Egertson and Avis Ellingrod 2007-10 Barbara (Beglinger) Larson ’63 2010-13 Joyce (Gustafson) Hauge ’63 2013-14 Lennore (Bylund) Bevis ’66 To read an extended story about the Augsburg College Associates, go to augsburg.edu/now. Fall 2014 35 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1958 Gwen (Johnson) Krapf is retired from her position as an associate in ministry with the ELCA and now enjoys beating the drum in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra) of Lehigh Valley, Pa. RTO members are musically challenged on certain instruments, but do their best and have a lot of fun in the process. The RTO is an international phenomenon that originated in Scotland, but there are only five such groups in the U.S. 1960 Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann’s third book, “Zeke’s Western Short Stories,” is now available on amazon.com. Legendary characters Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok come alive in the historical stories. These adventures will entertain Old West fans and just about anyone who enjoys a good short story. work field. He has become very involved in Norwegian heritage and genealogy. Bill Chartrand resides in Anthem, Ariz., and stays busy volunteering, scuba diving, playing percussion, and singing with ProMusica Arizona. He plans to marry his partner of 25 years, Neil “Terry” Froyd. Laurene (Hjelmeland) Clarke retired from a career of teaching grades 1-8 in California, Nebraska, and South Dakota. As of this June, she will be married for 50 years to James E. Clarke, a Presbyterian pastor. They have three children. Dallas C. Day is still active in business and training his son to succeed him. He has four children, and resides in Vancouver, Wash., with his wife, Sharon (Porter) Day. REUNION 1964 Carolyn (Aadland) Allmon is married to Philip Allmon and works as a demand forecasting consultant. She is an organist and sings in Augsburg’s Masterworks Chorale. Andrew Berg is married to Jean (Amland) Berg ’65, and they have four children and eight grandchildren. He received his master of social work and has spent nearly 40 years in the social Avis (Hoel) Dyrud remains busy as an organist, pianist, and choir director at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Thief River Falls, Minn. Her husband, Phil Dyrud, passed away in 2006 following a bone marrow transplant. She has five children and 22 grandchildren. Dennis J. Erickson has been married to the love of his life, Mary Lou (Ervin) Erickson, for more than 49 years, and has been a New Mexico resident for four decades. A retired physicist, he held positions at both Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California. He continues to be an active Lutheran layman at parish, synod, and regional levels. Margery (Kyvig) Haaland and her husband, Sheldon, have two daughters and live in Marshall, Minn. She serves on the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, plays organ at St. Lucas Lutheran, and is active in the Southwest Minnesota State University Booster Club and Senior College. Merton Strommen ’42, a pioneer in youth ministry, released his 17th book, “The Amazing Hand of God: My Story of a Lifetime in Youth Ministry,” which is available through Lutheran University Press at lutheranUpress.org and for Kindle tablet at amazon.com. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. Charlotte (Gerdeen) Oswood Fruehauf is presently a roadie for her husband, Dave Fruehauf, who has a banjo band. She and her late husband, Christian Oswood, were married for almost 40 years and had three sons. She remarried in 2006 and lives in Maple Grove, Minn. Sharon (Woolson) Groff and her husband served as missionaries for 18 years in Bolivia with World Mission Prayer League. She attended Lay Ministry Training Center at North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minn. She taught Spanish and English as a second language in Colorado and Minnesota. Raúl “Ray” Jackson has been married to Ruth Wilsey ’65 for 50 years. They live in Hastings, Minn., and have three children and seven grandchildren. Ann (Tjaden) Jensen lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Jon Jensen. After graduation, she and then-husband, Bill Chartrand, were Peace Corps teachers in Ethiopia. This led to the formation of a multiracial family and spurred their efforts to create a nonprofit to educate girls in Ethiopia. Ellen (Paulson) Keiter has spent her career as a chemistry professor at Eastern Illinois University. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1954 Anyone who has ever loved a dog will enjoy Herb Chilstrom’s fourth book, “My Friend Jonah – and Other Dogs I’ve Loved.” In a foreword to the book, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar writes, “As Bishop Chilstrom shepherds us through the lessons his dogs have taught him, from loyalty and discipline and companionship to forgiveness, curiosity, and rest, he makes us think about the big issues in life: how to live, how to treat others, and even how to die.” Income from book sales will honor Joel 36 Augsburg Now Torstenson, who was professor of sociology at Augsburg for more than 30 years. Part of the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion will be named for Torstenson. As Chilstrom puts it, “Torstenson coaxed this small town Minnesota boy out of his zones of comfort and into the real world of need.” The book may be ordered online at huffpublishing.com or by mailing a check to Chilstrom Books, 1211 Pine Pointe Curve, St. Peter, MN 56082. Enclose a check for $22 per book. Postage and sales tax, where applicable, are included. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES REUNION 1964 Jack Kelly has three children. He lives in Moscow, Idaho, with his wife, Karen Kelly, and keeps busy with reading, choral singing, and travel. Sharon (Lindell) Mortrud lives in Park Rapids, Minn., and enjoys lots of travel along with church activities, gardening, and serving on the local hospital auxiliary. Sharon (Swanson) Knutson spent her career working with the University of Minnesota-Extension Service. She helped develop the “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” program designed to help provide families practical information about inheritance and transfer of non-titled personal property through workshops, resources, and more. Mary (Fenrick) Olson and Ted Olson met at Augsburg and just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They spend winters in Florida and enjoy keeping up with their eight grandchildren. Arla (Pedersen) Landon is active in Democratic-Farmer-Labor politics related to issues of social justice, peace, and fairness. She keeps busy after retirement with a rich variety of activities, including church, plays, concerts, dinners out, and volunteering. Karla (Krogsrud) Miley lives in Rock Island, Ill., has two sons, and enjoys quilting, gardening, and traveling. Anita (Martinson) Mock is married to Dean Mock and lives in Nelson, Wis. She works part time in special needs education for K-12. She also sings in the Lyster Sisters group, plays piano, loves berry picking, and keeps busy with her nine grandchildren. Jim Parks lives in Plymouth, Minn. with his wife, Rose Ann. Retired since 2005, Jim still appreciates Augsburg’s roots in the Christian faith and its location in the heart of Minneapolis. “We were not at college on the edge of a corn field,” he writes. Faye (Sawyer) Phillips shares that she fills her days in Fullerton, Calif., with church, family, bridge, and travel. She works as a docent at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and as a member of a retired senior volunteer patrol for the Fullerton Police Department. Ron Poeschel officiates basketball, umpires baseball, and enjoys golfing, singing in the choir, and volunteering at church. Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist lives in Sun City West, Ariz., with her husband, Stewart Morton. She is president of Women of the ELCA 1981 Bev Benson has been a prosecutor for 28 years; her career includes 25 years in Hennepin County and 3 years in Stearns County. She has specialized in the prosecution of domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, and homicides. Taunya Tinsley ’90 is a professional counselor and owner of Pittsburgh-based Transitions Counseling Services and Life Skills Program, which specializes in organizational development, multicultural training, spiritual and Christian counseling, sports counseling, and development through sports. She is enrolled at United Theological Seminary in the Doctor of Ministry program and will focus on sports chaplaincy. She was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming 2014. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. for Lord of Life Lutheran with 258 female members in 16 circles. last year went to Australia and New Zealand. Joyce (Nelson) Schrader taught in elementary schools in Roseville, Minn., and Littleton, Colo. She lives in Friendswood, Texas, and enjoyed a late summer trip to Norway this year. Carla (Quanbeck) Walgren and Michael Walgren live in Plymouth, Minn. Carla sings in the church choir and sews banners and liturgical hangings for church. Michael is an active member of the Augsburg Centennial Singers and the Courier Gospel Quartet. Linda (Hamilton) Senta relishes singing in the Duluth Superior Symphony Chorus of Duluth, Minn., and another choir, as well as volunteer work and travel. Olivia (Bylund) Smith and her sister, Lennore Bevis ’66, both have homes on Big Hanging Horn Lake in Minnesota. They have traveled together the past few years, and Diane (Kalberg) Watson lives in Happy Valley, Ore., and after a 25-year career in music sales and education, now plays piano, keyboard, and organ in her husband’s gospel quartet. 1986 Nicholas C. Gangestad was appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer at 3M this summer. His 27-year career at 3M encompasses financial leadership positions across several businesses in multiple locations, including Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the United States. Fall 2014 37 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Ann (Johnson) Wollman and her husband, David, spent their careers in Christian college teaching and administration. She is active in volunteer academic work and co-leads a grief support group at church. They read, bike, walk three miles daily, garden, and are very active in church. Elizabeth (Johnson) Wolsky and her husband, Dennis, enjoy sailing, golfing, and gardening, spending time in Florida in the winter, and attending events for their five grandchildren. 1965 George Johnson has been teaching at a university in Lahore, Pakistan, for more than three years. 1972 Tom Fischer received recognition and a plaque for 40 years of service to the high schools of Minnesota as a Minnesota State High School League official. He officiated his 40th Minnesota State Track and Field Championships in June. 1973 Joyce (Leifgren) Young reports that life is good in Minneapolis. She loves gardening, bike riding, studying Norwegian, travel, volunteering for social justice and her church, and more. Cris Gears retired from a life of service to the public. He most recently served as superintendent of Hennepin County’s Three Rivers Park District. During his tenure, he oversaw completion of many projects, including the building of a new park in St. Anthony Village, a new nature center in Dayton, and new cross-country ski trails in Maria (Hicks) Johnson ’94 has served on the board of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit La Oportunidad for 15 years. A retired, bilingual English/Spanish teacher, Johnson serves as a mentor in Augsburg’s Scholastic Connections program. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. the district. He also was integral in helping build cooperative relationships with cities in the district. Gears worked for the public interest in other positions, including as recreation program director for the City of St. Louis Park, city manager for the City of Excelsior, director of facilities for Kitsap County, Wash., and others. REUNION 1974 Darlene (Anderson) Anderson is the past president of the Minnesota division of the American Cancer Society. She has retired from her career in medicine. Carolyn (Stepanek) Beatty retired after 36 years as a medical technologist at Memorial Blood Center. She lives in Minneapolis and is involved in volunteer activities with church and spiritual listening. Nancy Brown-Koeller recently retired from Kimberly-Clark after 30 years in marketing research. She received a certificate in gerontology in 2014 and has started a training and consulting business, AgingUp. She conducts ImaginAging Workshops and teaches part time at Lakeland College. She is active with Sierra Club and trails advocacy groups. With husband, John Koeller, she is working to visit as many national parks as possible. Nancy writes that she attends Advent Vespers every year at the 4 p.m. service. Wouldn’t it be great to have a coffee hour with classmates beforehand? Sharon (Holt) Garland and Richard Garland ’75 have two children and reside in Minnetonka, Minn. She enjoys genealogy and gardening. Jeff Gorham has a fun fact to share: If you ever eat anything from the Kraft Foods Group, chances are, he worked on the process line that produced it. He was unable to attend the reunion, but looks forward to seeing everyone at the 50th. Bryon Gustafson lives in Plymouth, Minn., and enjoys travel, photography, genealogy, and volunteering at church. Janet (Durkee) Hohn is owner and president of Hohn and Hohn, Inc., a tile contractor. She also spends time racing sailboats and gardening. Donn Johnson lives in Faribault, Minn., and keeps busy with travel, model trains, and his six grandchildren. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1986 David H. Johnson has joined Faegre Baker Daniels’ Minnesota government relations practice as a partner. Johnson represents clients in a range of matters before state and federal agencies, the Minnesota Legislature, and local units of government. Prior to joining the law firm, Johnson led the government affairs practice at Best & Flanagan. From 1997 to 2002, he served in the Minnesota Senate, focusing on transportation, energy, and economic development issues. He served as a Majority Whip in 2001-02. 38 Augsburg Now 1996 Brittany (Lynch) Jakubiec and other 1995 and 1996 Auggies and their families camp together annually to celebrate years of friendship. From left to right: Stephanie Harms ’96 and her husband, Tom Shaw ’95; Jennifer (Cummings) Ackland ’96 and her husband, Brian Ackland ’95; Natasha (Solberg) Sheeley ’96 and her husband, Dave; Jodi (Monson) Markell ’96 and her husband, Nate; Connie (Arndt) Clausen ’96 and her husband, Andy; Wendy Laine ’96; Brittany (Lynch) Jakubiec ’96 and her husband, Mike. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Ruth Johnson, married to Associate Professor of Religion Philip Quanbeck II, graduated from Mayo Medical School in 1978. Her professional interests include women’s health, medical education, and spirituality in medicine. She has led groups of students and adults on trips to Greece and Turkey, and to Israel. it enjoys bipartisan support. The resolution says Senate acknowledgment of the injustice would “educate the public and future generations regarding the impact of this law on women and prevent a similar law from being enacted in the future.” He is hopeful that his grandmother’s citizenship will be restored posthumously. Brenda Kay (Roble) Lieske retired as director of community education in Jordan, Minn., and, this fall, ran for city council. She enjoys the freedom that comes with retirement, and stays active with walking, biking, yoga, book club, and Bunco. 1976 Steve Reznicek is a retired K-12 principal and is now an adjunct professor in the music department at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. Rebecca (Peterson) Sullivan is a leader in a companion synod relationship between the SWMN Synod of the ELCA and the southeast diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa. She lives in Mankato, Minn. Becky (Ranum) Wenz retired after 32 years working as a medical technologist in hospitals, clinics, and research. She lives in Firth, Neb., and appreciates travel, church, crochet, reading, and time with family and friends. John Yager is retired. He is taking a course in outdoor emergency care, and enjoys the chance to pursue his second act in life. 1975 When Dan Swalm was researching his family history, he first heard about the Expatriation Act of 1907 that required United States-born women who married foreigners to take the nationality of their husband. His grandmother, Elsie Moran, was affected by this law, and Swalm took her case to the office of U.S. Sen. Al Franken. A resolution, which has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, stands a good chance of passing because Jeff Mueller has been named director of operations for Norway House after serving 10 years as secretary on its board of directors and as vice president of strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Norway House, Mueller served for more than six years as a business growth advisor and consultant at Enterprise Minnesota, helping Minnesota manufacturers grow their businesses and compete more profitably in today’s marketplace. Mueller also spent more than 20 years in banking and finance with U.S. Bancorp and Wells Fargo & Co. He has been involved in multiple Norwegian-American organizations, including four years as president of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce, secretary of Syttende Mai Minnesota, along with leadership in numerous other groups. 1978 Rick Bonlender has a new job with American Bank in Albert Lea, Minn., as the market president in southern Minnesota. Bruce Shoemaker ’81 discusses how studying abroad influenced his life. See page 10. 1985 Kathy Kuross was selected as a finalist for the UNIT4 innovation award. UNIT4 is the owner of Agresso, which runs Augsburg’s HR, finance, and registration software systems. Among the innovations recognized were Kuross’s work converting Augsburg’s course credit system to a semester credit system, combining all programs to a semester calendar, and automating processes within the software. 1987 Caroline (Krapf) Clifford is the director of special events and advancement services at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. She is raising two teenage sons. 1989 Kristin Eggerling is passionate about preserving wild places, reading, and exposing kids to the outdoors. She works as a freelance writer, community activist, and parent. She writes about natural resources and serves on her local library board and a number of regional and state boards focused on sustainability and conservation. She has worked in the public health field, coordinated watershed education, taught sociology at the University of Minnesota Crookston, Cheryl (Solomonson) Crockett lives in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and has three children—two of whom have degrees from Augsburg. She does volunteer writing and editing for the Augsburg alumni office, and enjoys motorcycle trips with her husband, Larry, an Augsburg professor of computer science. Stephen Hindle ’89 talks about how college shaped his future on page 10. Mary (Zastrow) Hoel retired from her career as an elementary Montessori teacher. She now plays saxophone in a community band, participates in church choir, takes art classes, and attends exhibitions. Three of her four children hold degrees from Augsburg. Eloisa Echavez ’94, ’98 MAE created Augsburg’s student services program for Latinos in the 1990s and has served as executive director of Minneapolisbased La Oportunidad for the past 15 years. This nonprofit assists lowincome Latinos of all ages in achieving educational success, improving financial stability, and maintaining supportive, peaceful families. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. and served as the administrator of the Environment and Agriculture Budget Committee at the Minnesota Senate. She has also served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. In addition to her sociology degree from Augsburg, Eggerling holds a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Manitoba. She recently published “Breath of Wilderness,” the story of Sigurd Olson’s love for wild places and how that love transformed his life. It inspired him to play a key role in the movement to preserve wilderness throughout North America, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Devoney Looser lives in Phoenix, where she is a professor of English at Arizona State University. Among her present interests are Jane Austen, libraries, and roller derby. Find out more at devoney.com. Mark Muhich was re-elected to the board of directors for the Range Mental Health Center. Muhich, who has served on the board since 2006, studied English and political science at Augsburg. He went on to study law and now practices in Virginia, Minn. Spring 2014 Fall 2014 17 39 37 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2004 Brian Eayrs, a former Augsburg College quarterback, is director of research and development for the Seattle Seahawks. His father, Mike Eayrs ’72, held the same position with the Vikings and now is with the Packers. Mike was inducted into the 2014 Augsburg Hall of Fame. Melissa (Wingard) Fossum lives in San Diego, Calif. She is married to a U.S. Marine and has two children, Hunter and Hannah. Deanne McDonald moved to Chicago three years ago and spends her free time exploring and participating in the vibrant culture of the city. In 2011, she completed her Master of Fine
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2015: Scholarship In Action
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Sideline support Beyond fjords and freeways Boom or bust Homecoming 2015 SCHOLARSHIP IN ACTION FALL 2015 | VOL. 78, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weis...
Show more Sideline support Beyond fjords and freeways Boom or bust Homecoming 2015 SCHOLARSHIP IN ACTION FALL 2015 | VOL. 78, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On being faculty-guided In recent issues of Augsburg Now (apparently still the name of this fine publication—see page 7!), I’ve written about our Augsburg2019 vision to be “a new kind of student-centered urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” I’ve also turned cultural myths on their heads, arguing that colleges should be student-ready and not the other way around. As compelling as our vision is, the studentcentered and student-ready Augsburg still has at its heart a distinguished and dedicated faculty whose commitment to our students and their education is as it always has been—unparalleled, hard-working, and full of imagination and resolve. In other words, as we aspire to be studentcentered, we will always be faculty-guided. In all of my travels to visit alumni on behalf of Augsburg, the conversation inevitably turns to the faculty member who asked the right question, introduced a new way of thinking, became a mentor, stayed in touch, changed my life. The values and commitments of the legends of Augsburg’s faculty—Christensen, Chrislock, Torstenson, Quanbeck, Peterson, Nelson, Colacci, Sateren, Mitchell, Hesser, Shackelford, Gus, Gabe—are now alive in the Augsburg faculty of the 21st century. And some of their stories are in the pages that follow. Stories of creative and groundbreaking teaching, such as the work of Associate Professor of Political Science Joe Underhill, whose 15-year dream to spend a semester with students on the Mississippi River is now a reality with this fall’s “River Semester.” Imagine a dozen students, two faculty members, and a river guide or two traveling almost 1,800 miles from St. Paul to New Orleans in canoes, engaging the biology and politics of the Mississippi River over three and a half months. Makes you want to go back to college! Stories of relevant and timely research, such as the project undertaken by Associate Professor of Sociology Tim Pippert to explore the impact of the oil boom in North Dakota, seeking to understand the various social implications for the communities at the center of the dramatic change. It’s the Gold Rush all over again, but with 21st century challenges to the well-being of individuals and communities. Stories of faithful service, which has been recognized by President Obama in naming Augsburg one of five finalists (for the second year in a row) for the President’s Award for Interfaith Dialogue and Service. Our robust interfaith work with students and our neighbors is led by faculty members Martha Stortz and Matt Maruggi from the Religion Department, along with College Pastor Sonja Hagander and Distinguished Fellow Mark Hanson ’68. And don’t miss the fun interview with Nancy Fischer, associate professor of sociology and urban studies, who ties her research about secondhand clothes to serving the needs of our neighbors. For almost 150 years, it has been Augsburg’s faculty who have guided our work as a college and whose wisdom and experience have equipped our students to change the world. May it always be so. Faithfully yours, Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter Christina Haller haller@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu Contributor Kate H. Elliott 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 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send address corrections to: langemo@augsburg.edu. Email: now@augsburg.edu AUGSBURG NOW Fall 2015 02 Around the quad 08 Annual report to donors 10 Uncorking the mysteries of wine 13 Sideline support 18 Beyond fjords and freeways 20 Boom or bust 26 Homecoming 2015 28 Auggies connect 32 Class notes 40 In memoriam 26 Andrew Held ’05 celebrates his 10-year class reunion and totes his daughter, Mabel, through the Taste of Augsburg at Homecoming 2015. Learn more about Homecoming events and honorees on pages 26 and 32. On the cover: A pump jack extracts oil from the Bakken shale formation that lies miles below a field of grain outside Williston, North Dakota. Learn about the state’s new oil landscape: pages 20-25. Correction: In the Summer 2015 issue of Augsburg Now, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota mistakenly was identified as a U.S. senator in the article “Making their mark,” which described a research experience that drew a student-faculty duo to East Africa and Capitol Hill. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. A scene from the River Semester launch event held September 1. AUGGIES MAKE A SPLASH WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING The first-ever Augsburg College River Semester—a three-and-a-half month program in which a dozen students as well as faculty members will travel almost 2,000 miles of the 2,350-mile Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans while studying the arts, humanities, and sciences—departed from St. Paul’s Harriet Island on September 1. As part of the kickoff, the River Semester class, created and led by Associate Professor of Political Science Joe Underhill, was joined by a group of nearly “This is my ideal form of higher education. 100 community members It’s experiential, engaged with the community, who paddled in canoes interdisciplinary, physical, and mental.” from St. Paul to South St. —Joe Underhill, lead River Semester professor Paul. Many media outlets Winona Daily News, September 15 covered the launch, and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed September 1 Follow the crew on their journey at augsburg.edu/river/blog. “Augsburg College River Semester Day.” 2 Augsburg Now AUGGIE PLAN OFFERS PATHWAY to four-year degree This past spring, officials from Augsburg College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College launched the Auggie Plan, an efficient and affordable track to a four-year degree for students whose academic achievement at MCTC prepares them for upper-level coursework at Augsburg. This partnership was a natural fit for the colleges as both are located in the heart of Minneapolis, provide student support services, value intentional diversity, and are committed to developing future leaders. COLLEGE AWARDS 2015 Augsburg College is nationally recognized for its commitment to intentional diversity in its life and work. This year’s accolades include: • The 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the College’s commitment to intentional diversity and student engagement and activism. Augsburg College physician assistant students gather outside their new classrooms in Northwestern Hall at Luther Seminary. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM relocates to Luther Seminary campus Augsburg College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program recently relocated to a leased space on the Luther Seminary campus in St. Paul. The new location provides improved educational and office space for the program and makes room on Augsburg’s main campus for other groups whose current space doesn’t fully support their needs. The agreement with Luther Seminary models the type of collaborative partnership that Augsburg, as a new kind of urban university, seeks. Augsburg’s signature PA program will have effective space to remain competitive, and Luther Seminary will be able to better optimize the use of its own facilities. In addition, since Luther Seminary primarily serves graduate-level students, the Augsburg PA program aligns with the campus’s commitment to graduate academic achievement and contributes to its vibrant higher education experience. • Placing No. 6 on the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute’s 2015 Rankings of the Best Christian Colleges and Universities published based on academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost, and success of graduates in the job market. • The American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Winds of Change magazine’s Top 200 Schools for Native Americans—the second time since 2013 Augsburg earned this recognition for its American Indian support community and graduation rates. • Ranking No. 5 on College Magazine’s Most Transgender-Friendly College list for working to make campus welcoming for transgender students and offering comfort, safety, and freedom to all students. • Recognition as one of five U.S. finalists for the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction in interfaith and community service—the only institution named a finalist in both 2014 and 2015. • Being named a 2016 Military Friendly® School for extraordinary work in providing transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education. GRANT OF NEARLY $450,000 FUNDS INTERNSHIPS FOR 200 AUGGIES An Augsburg College education plays an integral role in preparing our world’s future leaders to make meaningful contributions to their communities, businesses, governments, and families. At the same time, Augsburg offers opportunities for students to gain on-the-job and internship experience so that they can focus on their vocational exploration. The College’s efforts in these areas garnered a boost when the nonprofit Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation extended for an additional three years the Career Ready Internship grant first awarded to Augsburg in 2014-15. In all, the College will receive nearly $450,000 through the new grant, which will be used to create 200 paid internships for low-income and first-generation students interested in the opportunities available at for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations. Moreover, this grant supports the College’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work—a highly visible anchor of the College’s commitment to students’ experiential education and vocational discernment. Fall 2015 3 BOARD OF REGENTS At its annual meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporation elected a new member to the Board of Regents and reelected several board members. Vicki Turnquist [pictured] was elected to her first, four-year term. She has more than 30 years of banking experience and serves on the Board of Directors of Citizens Independent Bank in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Turnquist was the founder and CEO of Private Bank Minnesota, which sold in June 2014. Unhealthy trees are safely removed from campus. EMBRACING GREEN HORIZONS In late summer, two of the three remaining elm trees in Augsburg’s quad— an alumni gift from more than 50 years ago—were removed because of Dutch Elm disease. While it was sad to lose the trees, the College reserved some of the wood to be transformed into pieces of art, partnering with Tom Peter, a local certified arborist and woodturning artist. The elms created wonderful character of space in the quad for decades and have helped inspire a longer-term vision of the central campus as a larger green space that, over time, will become an even more significant component of campus life. The design for an expanded quad is one of the principal ideas resulting from work done in 2011 to develop a campus master plan and has inspired new thinking around a special campaign effort to support the creation of an “urban arboretum”—a multi-functional green space that deepens the student, faculty, staff, and community experience through hands-on education, research, and recreation. Courtesy Photo welcomes new member Regents elected to a second, four-year term include: • Karen (Miller) Durant ’81, vice president and controller of Tennant Company; • Matthew Entenza, an attorney in private practice at the Entenza Law Firm; and • Jeffrey Nodland ’77, president and CEO of KIK Custom Products. Those elected to third, four-year terms include: • Andra Adolfson, business development director for Adolfson & Peterson Construction; and • Rolf Jacobson, pastor, writer, speaker, and professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. LEADING FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS SUPPORT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN A recent $1 million grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation has helped the campaign to build the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion to surpass its goal. During the fundraising campaign, several large philanthropic foundations and corporations joined forces in support 4 Augsburg Now of the Hagfors Center, including the Bush Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. The campaign also received support from 3M, Ameriprise Financial, General Mills, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo. “We are honored that the College’s work to promote interdisciplinary studies through the Hagfors Center received generous funding from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation,” said Heather Riddle, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “The Hagfors Center will support Augsburg in expanding research opportunities and will help shape student learning for 21st century realities.” AROUND THE QUAD This fall, the Student Lounge in the Christensen Center reopened following a renovation designed to offer improved spaces for student organization meetings, community events, study sessions, and—of course—fun. Courtesy Photos CONVOCATION SERIES 2015-16 Now in its 25th year, the Convocation Series offers the Augsburg community an opportunity to share in enlightening conversation with outstanding leaders and visionaries. In September, the series kicked off with the joint Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium and Fine Arts and Humanities Convocation featuring renowned author, Pulitzer Prize nominee, and PBS NewsHour contributor Richard Rodriguez and his presentation “Living Religion.” Rodriguez is recognized for writing about provocative topics such as education, race, politics, the AIDS epidemic, and religious violence. In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation welcomed Antony Stately, director of the Behavioral Health Program for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and his presentation, “Running into the Storm: Renewal of the Spirit.” SAVE THE DATE Join us on Monday, January 18, for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, and on Tuesday, February 16, for the Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics featuring Donald Warne, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and director of the Master of Public Health Program at North Dakota State University. All events are free, public, and held in the Foss Center. For detailed information, go to augsburg.edu/convo. Fall 2015 5 ON THE SPOT Nancy Fischer discusses “The Social Life of Secondhand Clothes” Photos taken at Succotash 781 Raymond Ave., St. Paul REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. For decades this adage has prescribed an approach for improving individuals’ personal impact on the environment, and today the once underrated middle “R” is among the chicest ways to go green. Augsburg College Associate Professor Nancy Fischer teaches courses in sociology; environmental studies; urban studies; and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. Her current project, “The Social Life of Secondhand Clothes,” is a sociological analysis of the secondhand and vintage clothing industry. Fischer is exploring the emergence of secondhand clothing as a trend in pop culture, the places and urban spaces that sell these clothes, and the many reasons people buy them. Here is a glimpse into an area of the fashion world where some looks are truly timeless. Q: What factors have contributed to the emergence of vintage clothing as a popular fashion trend? A: Wearing old, out-of-style clothing was first a subcultural fashion statement— think beatniks, hippies, and punks. It was 6 Augsburg Now a rebellion against post-war consumerism, an appreciation of craftsmanship, and ecoconsciousness (as a political statement against a wasteful society). In the late 1960s—first in London, then in New York City—fashionable youth started visiting thrift stores, purchasing Edwardian coats and Victorian petticoats, and vintage dressing began to move into the mainstream. The emergence of the vintage trend accompanied a global expansion and standardization of the international garment industry. People who buy vintage usually buy new clothing as well, but vintage shopping provides a different experience; you never know what you might find. Q: A: How is purchasing secondhand clothing advantageous for society? Buying secondhand clothing generally is a form of reuse and keeps clothing out of landfills. Ideally, clothing should never go into landfills. Torn and dirty clothing can be reused as insulation and as paper. But that doesn’t mean we should buy clothes with abandon and then donate them. Most secondhand clothing winds up being shipped to developing countries where in some cases it has undermined traditional garment-making industries. Vintage clothing—as a subset of secondhand—is advantageous because it tends to retain its value. Vintage clothes also reveal our own industrial history. We see those “Made in the USA” labels, and sometimes more specifically “Made in Minneapolis.” There’s value in that historical glimpse at the past. Q: A: What’s your favorite vintage piece to wear? I have a favorite for every season. For winter in Minnesota, my favorite is a 1950s plaid swing coat. It was made in Dallas(!) from boiled wool, which is thick and super warm. It’s custom-made, and I always picture the Texan coat-maker taking on this garment as a rare challenge. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the social life of secondhand clothing. Nancy Fischer is collaborating with other secondhand clothing lovers on a new book. If you wear vintage and are interested in discussing your role as a consumer as part of her research, email fischern@augsburg.edu. AROUND THE QUAD AUGSBURG HOSTS FIRST-EVER CAREER EXPLORATION SERIES More than 25 companies and organizations participated in an on-campus career and internship fair. Augsburg College this autumn hosted an on-campus career and internship fair along with its first five-week career exploration series. The students who attended the fair met with organizations seeking individuals trained in disciplines including accounting, biology, chemistry, communications, computer science, marketing, religion, and more. The major and career exploration series, organized by staff of the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work and Institutional Advancement, provided nearly 175 students opportunities to explore majors and careers by disciplines. The series included programming on professional studies, fine arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, pre-health sciences, and the needs of students still exploring several degree programs. This series was made successful in part due to nearly two dozen Augsburg College alumni who served as panelists and who shared details about their career paths since graduation. SIGNS OF CHANGE Excitement for the future Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion grew on campus after its construction site was marked. This multidisciplinary building will house, among other departments, many of the programs currently residing in Science Hall—a building that had its own site marker as pictured [below on right] during the 1947-48 academic year. Archive Photo AUGSBURG NOW to remain name of College magazine This summer, members of the Augsburg College community were invited to consider whether the College’s magazine name, Augsburg Now, aligned with and supported the publication’s purpose and key roles. A survey allowed people to share feedback on the magazine’s existing name and to consider whether two options, Augsburg Experience and Augsburg Spirit, would be better. The results from the survey point us toward retaining the name Augsburg Now. There clearly is an established resonance with the current name, which uplifts the publication’s ability to: • • Foster inspiration and pride. • Bridge the Augsburg of today with people’s past experiences. • Define and illustrate what it means to be an “Auggie.” • Help the Augsburg community learn how to talk about itself and equip individuals to advocate for the College. Provide intellectual stimulation and ongoing education. We appreciate the opportunity for conversation on the magazine name and are grateful to all those who took time to participate in this process. Fall 2015 7 2014-2015 AUGSBURG COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS G enerous donors have come together to make this the most successful fundraising year in Augsburg College history. Driven largely by contributions to the campaign for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, alumni and friends gave $35,404,222 during fiscal year 2014-15. This is the fourth year in a row in which donors have contributed more than $10 million to the College and more than doubled last year’s total of $14.6 million. In addition Aybike Bakan ’11, ’15 MPA Dahlberg and Peterson Family Scholarship Hometown: Istanbul Studying: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Favorite thing about Augsburg: “I appreciate its focus on community service and social justice. It also allowed me to grow as an open-minded individual and encouraged me to seek meaning in the work that I want to do in the future.” Joseph David “J.D.” Mechelke ’16 David Huglen Strommen Endowment, the Glen and Marilyn Person Scholarship, and the Joel and Mary Ann Elftmann Scholarship Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota Studying: Youth and Family Ministry Augsburg College’s influence: “I have become vocation-centered, concerned with social justice, and I am learning to connect faith to social issues.” 8 Augsburg Now to providing crucial funding for the transformative Hagfors Center, the philanthropy of more than 5,600 donors this year helps Augsburg attract talented students and the dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them. The gifts provide financial aid, building maintenance and support, and instructional and other resources that allow Augsburg to educate informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. REVENUE BY SOURCE 67% Tuition 11% Room and board 11% Private gifts and grants 4% Government grants 7% Other sources EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 43% Salary and benefits 28% Financial aid 19% Operating expenses* 3% Debt service 3% Utilities and insurance 2% Capital improvements 2% Student salaries *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE May 31, 2015—$40,463,556 $38.3 $34.6 $33.3 $32.4 $31.5 $28.2 $27.2 $27.8 $40.5 $29.8 $24.5 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (IN MILLIONS) Aisha Mohamed ’16 General Memorial Scholarship Hometown: Minneapolis Studying: Biology Proudest academic achievement: “Being able to say I’m a biology major and feeling at home in a lab.” As of May 31, 2015, Augsburg had annual realized and unrealized gains of 10.7 percent on the Augsburg College endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 7.12 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 4.47 percent. The College is committed to maintaining the value of the principal in order to provide support to the College in perpetuity. Fall 2015 9 BY CHRISTINA HALLER Jennifer Chou ’99 has never been afraid to ask deep and probing questions—a quality that helped her to make the most of her time at Augsburg, where students are encouraged to explore their talents and learn through hands-on experiences in order to find their callings. Her thirst for inquiry, as well as her ambition, helped get her to where she is today—a successful entrepreneur who made a career out of her great interest in and passion for vino. Craving knowledge Chou’s curiosity sparked her fascination with wine. During her childhood, she noticed her grandmother would always serve wine at holidays. What does wine taste like? Why is wine only for grownups? Why is wine enjoyed on special occasions? Chou’s enthusiasm grew into a passion. While an Augsburg College student, she further explored her interest by joining a monthly wine club where she attended tasting events to learn more—from how to identify main flavor and scent components to the basic characteristics of all the varietal grapes to the histories of the world’s best wine-producing regions. Seizing key opportunities As a communication studies major and business minor, Chou found work as a financial advisor shortly after graduation. While attending job-training courses in Dallas, she made friends with a man in the hotel gym who recommended a very specific wine to her. She bluntly told him that she’d never heard of it, and asked if he was a 10 Augsburg Now “sales guy” for the company. Once again her inquisitiveness pulled through for her. It just so happened that he, in fact, was the winemaker and CEO of Napa Wine Company. Their friendship blossomed, and his knowledge helped hers to grow. “So I always joke that I got into the wine business by working out,” said Chou. Soon after that serendipitous encounter, Children’s Home Society, for whom Chou volunteered, asked if she would request wine donations from distributors for their annual winemakers dinner. “I said, ‘Yeah, I’m fearless, I’m not afraid to ask!’” Chou recalled. “So I went and asked four different distributors for wine donations, and they said, ‘Wow, you really know quite a bit about wine and seem to enjoy it. Have you ever thought about selling it?’” So Chou took a job selling wines for a distributor, traveling to California, Oregon, France, Italy, and South Africa to gain a deeper understanding of each supplier’s wine so she could better sell it. Learning over a glass of wine Because of her extensive wine savvy, friends started asking her for wine etiquette advice. “I would get asked questions like, ‘How am I supposed to hold a glass of wine, under the bowl or the stem? Are you supposed to swirl the glass? In a restaurant, why does the server present the bottle?’’’ said Chou. “This was stuff my friends realized they needed to know in order to stay relevant in the business world—hosting clients at a restaurant or thanking someone with a bottle of wine.” As a way to share her knowledge and enlighten others, she founded The Savvy Grape, a business dedicated to educating people about wine through fun, hands-on experiences. To be an authority on the subject, Chou became a Certified Wine Specialist. This certification required rigorous examinations by the Society of Wine Educators, testing Chou’s expertise and mastery of viticulture and wine production. Chou quickly found a niche with professional organizations and was able to start out by connecting with fellow Auggies who were also business owners. “Being an Augsburg alumna helped because one thing I always find is that Auggies like to help other Auggies!” said Chou. For employers, such as finance and law firms, Chou educates people about wine etiquette while providing a fun and entertaining wine-tasting activity at events such as member drives, holiday parties, employee development conferences, and client appreciation events. At these events, Chou teaches people “how to taste wine like a professional,” offers tips on food and wine pairings, and answers attendees’ questions about wine. Fighting for what you believe in In order for Chou to legally pour wine in a corporate event space, she had to work hard lobbying to change the law, making it legal for a licensed wine educator like herself to hold wine education events in commercial spaces. With determination and grit, Chou hit the pavement, reaching out to her local senators and representatives to see who would be willing to assist. She found Minnesota Sen. Dan Hall ’74 who helped her to navigate the system at the Capitol and get the Wine Educator License signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2012. Making a living out of wine Chou’s unquenchable curiosity for the world, unstoppable work ethic, liberal arts education, and strong Auggie connections helped to make her dream of making a living out of wine a reality. Chou has authored Wine Savvy, a chapter in the book, “Socially Smart & Savvy.” Below are some of her favorite tips featured in the book. Tips for the wine lover Put red wines in the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving, and take white wines out of the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving. This will help your red wines be less acidic and allow you to taste more flavor in your whites. Don’t know what to give as a hostess gift? When in doubt, choose a sparkling wine, or “bubbly,” as Chou likes to call it. You can spend as little or as much as your budget allows, and it’s festive for most occasions. Not sure which wine to order in a restaurant? Ask the server for a sample to see if you like it. A restaurant would prefer that you like a wine and order more rather than not like it and order water. This works especially well if you are trying to order a bottle for the table. 12 Augsburg Now Student Sports Medicine Assistant Kayla Fuechtmann ’16 Augsburg athletic trainers collaborate across campus and within the community to achieve a holistic approach to the safety and wellness of student-athletes BY KATE H. ELLIOTT T he score was tied at 2-2 in the fourth inning as a University of Wisconsin-Stout slugger knocked a foul ball down the right field line. Auggie outfielder Brian Bambenek ’07 sailed through the air—glove extended. The ball landed in the pocket, then popped out as his body slammed into an unprotected portion of fence at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. After minutes of darkness, the then-senior’s eyes blinked opened to see Augsburg College’s Head Athletic Trainer Missy Strauch hovering over him. She monitored numbness in his fingers and toes, held his hand in the ambulance, and called his parents, Nancy and Mike, to report that their son had injured three disks in his neck. During the days and weeks that followed, Strauch went well beyond her job description to get Bambenek back in action. “I am forever in debt to Missy for all she did for me,” said Bambenek, who today is co-owner of the Great Lakes Baseball Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota. “She is an incredible trainer who truly loves Augsburg College, and we still find time to catch up a few times a year. And her cutting-edge research in arm care continues to influence my work with athletes.” These types of bonds with athletic training staff are the norm at Augsburg. During her 18-year tenure, Strauch has built an expert, dynamic team of professional trainers and student assistants who collaborate across campus and within the community to achieve a holistic approach to the safety and wellness of Augsburg’s more than 500 student-athletes. It’s fast-paced, passionate work. Strauch and her staff know players’ names. They generate daily injury reports Fall 2015 13 Student Sports Medicine Assistants Jack Duffy ’16 (left) and Alison Ranum ’17 (right) aid Auggie running back Michael Busch ’16. and conduct pre- and post-season screenings, and a member of the medical staff travels with every team to most away contests. Strauch demands best practices and has championed increased data collection and the adoption of many advancements, including the computerized concussion evaluation system, IMPACT. She and her staff connect with professors to formulate accommodations for injured student-athletes. “At its core, our role is about relationships—building trust with coaches and student-athletes and developing supportive partnerships throughout campus and with professionals in the community. We work to become part of the team. Assistant Mitch Deets, for instance, camped for a week in northern Minnesota for a cross country team training trip. Assistant Athletic Trainer Kassi Nordmeyer will be traveling to Boston with volleyball this fall and then wrestling and softball throughout the year,” said Strauch, who works specifically with football, men’s and women’s hockey, and baseball. “We don’t have all the bells and whistles of Division I schools, but I 14 Augsburg Now would stack our program’s continuity of care against any of them. And you won’t find stronger bonds. I should show you our stack of Christmas cards and wedding invitations from former studentathletes. Those personal connections make all the difference.” Baseball head coach Keith Bateman agrees. “First-year and transfer studentathletes are often a little hesitant to disclose an injury because they are afraid of not playing. And coaches like being in charge, so I would say many athletic trainers run into walls with team leadership. But not here, not with Missy. She won’t let them or us get away with that,” said Bateman, who is in his 13th year at Augsburg. “She and her staff become such a part of our teams that they know when players are having a bad day by the way they carry themselves. They want student-athletes to play, to be tough, but not to be stupid.” A thoughtful evolution Former head football coach Jack Osberg ’62 worked closely with Strauch for more than 10 years, watching the sports medicine program grow from a part-time enterprise to a comprehensive team that features four certified athletic trainers, one athletic training intern, one physician assistant fellow, 11 student sports medicine assistants, two physicians, one chiropractor, and two physical therapists. “As students at Augsburg in the late ’50s and early ’60s, we didn’t have athletic trainers. Coaches took care of taping, injury rehab, and other training situations. The technology, knowledge, equipment, facilities, communication, and pre-season conditioning available to coaches and student-athletes now is remarkable,” said Osberg, who served as head coach for 14 years and as an assistant coach from 2007-10. “I respect Missy and her staff having observed their mentoring of student assistants, poise when handling serious injuries, and focus on the latest training techniques.” Women’s hockey player Claire Cripps ’16 is one such student who can testify to the program’s expert attention and nurturing approach. Days before midterms last year, the forward sustained a concussion on the ice, leaving her with headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and an inability to focus for almost two weeks. “Missy sent an email to the dean and each of my professors explaining what happened, which led to postponing my exams until I had the ability to study and focus again,” said the exercise science major who plans to pursue a doctorate of physical therapy. “There were no issues with any of my professors, and they all wished me well, which made me really feel that sense of community that convinced me to come to Augsburg after my first visit to campus.” Advancements in prevention Although the most common injuries are routine sprains and bruises, concussions and other serious traumas are a growing area of concern as student-athletes’ speed, size, and strength has increased. But, Strauch says, the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation also have improved. In collaboration with Twin Cities Orthopedics, Augsburg’s implementation of IMPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) establishes a baseline for each student-athlete so that health care professionals can quickly and accurately measure changes and potential damage in the aftermath of a concussion. The team’s cuttingedge equipment and data collection, paired with the College’s longstanding relationships with area doctors, ensure that concussions are addressed promptly and thoroughly. Dr. B.J. Anderson, who serves as Augsburg’s director of general medicine, said the College’s sports medicine program offers a “gold standard” of care, particularly when it comes to addressing serious injuries. “I’ve worked with athletic trainers across the globe, and Augsburg’s team is second to none,” said Anderson, who is a primary care provider for the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service. “The College’s neurocognitive testing is state of the art, and the staff’s relationship with me and other doctors results in continuity of care. We get them in early, address the problem, and get them back in action.” It’s collaboration and conversation among Augsburg faculty and staff that make all the difference in ensuring student-athletes perform their best in competition and in the classroom. When Carol Enke, instructor for Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science, noticed that a typically advanced student turned in puzzlingly poor work, she reached out to her colleagues. “Earlier in the semester, I had used the student-athlete’s work as an example of excellence in class, so when she turned in a below-average lab assignment, I called Missy right away,” said Enke, who served as Augsburg’s head softball coach for 21 seasons. “I knew the student had experienced a concussion weeks prior because Missy called me after the incident. [When] we realized that the injury affected the student-athlete’s ability to analyze ... the entire campus community came together in support. That’s what we do at Augsburg.” And, while Augsburg Athletics employs progressive protocols to safely assess and treat injuries, the College is equally focused on prevention. In June, Ryan Rasmussen came on board as Augsburg’s head strength and conditioning coach and has since worked closely with athletic trainers to keep student-athletes in optimum condition. He is the first collegiate strength and conditioning coach certified in a novel restorative movement approach called RESET. Rasmussen says the system pinpoints and eliminates compensation patterns, empowering Augsburg student-athletes to return to play faster and achieve better performance through optimal movement. “To reap the full benefits of physical activity, we need flawless posture and movement, and this restorative approach helps us achieve just that,” Rasmussen said. “Having a team of people who are concerned with the health of our athletes is hugely important. We recently collaborated on rehab for a hockey player with a torn ACL. She is returning to play this year and was the top performing woman among the five teams reviewed during our conditioning test.” Inspiring mindful studentathletes Mental health and nutrition also are pillars of wellness that the Athletics staff is committed to addressing in a collective, proactive manner. Sports medicine professionals advise studentathletes about the latest in nutrition and collaborate regularly with Augsburg’s Center for Wellness and Counseling to ensure student-athletes are aware of the center’s resources and community support. Center Director Nancy Guilbeault said anxiety and stress are increasingly present in student-athletes lives, but Augsburg is committed to helping all students have healthy, happy college days. Head Athletic Trainer Missy Strauch assists offensive lineman Andrew Konieczny ’15 during Augsburg’s Homecoming football game. “This fall, we worked with Athletics to develop four sessions for incoming student-athletes to address alcohol consumption, mindfulness, body image, and healthy relationships. Athletics, more than many, knows the importance of working as a team to confront the challenges our students face, so they are wonderful partners,” said Guilbeault, who has worked at Augsburg for 36 years. “Coaches and athletic training staff are often the first to notice when a student-athlete might need to talk with us, and they stick with them throughout the process—often walking them over to the Center or attending a session with them.” Guilbeault says mental health is often tied with injuries, as student-athletes feel stress associated with “letting the team down” or experience mental health issues because of certain physical traumas. Her team of counselors and the Center’s collaboration with a psychiatrist and community resources ensure students receive optimum care. “Our students receive up to 10 counseling sessions each academic year, and if they need additional support beyond that, we refer them to one of our community partners and keep up with their care,” Guilbeault said. “Mindfulness meditation techniques are particularly important for student-athletes because the approach encourages student-athletes to be aware of their bodies and present moments, becoming more resilient to stress.” 13 12 Building on a strong foundation Like any strong foundation, the sports medicine team’s roster of professionals and holistic, collaborative approach took years to build; but behind the staff hires, the new technology, and personal bonds is Strauch— driving herself and her staff to become more than just “trainers who wrap ankles.” They are a passionate team of professionals who will do whatever it takes—from stirring the Crock-Pot at potlucks to calling professors— to ensure student-athletes have the tools and support they need to succeed and achieve their life goals. “Our profession has changed dramatically in the past decade. Many of my mentors were focused solely on the injury, and we now take a much broader view, a much more involved role,” Strauch said. “And the best part about it is that we will continue to grow and continue to adapt to the demands of the future. “Augsburg is a community dedicated to finding new and better ways to support our students in every aspect of their lives. And Athletics is a family of student-athletes, parents, coaches, and trainers—all striving to do better, work harder, and represent the best of Augsburg. I love this school. Go Auggies!” 16 Augsburg Now TRAINING CENTER BUSTLES WITH ENERGY In this photo illustration, the Augsburg College training center is a hive of activity. Student-athletes buzz in and out to get care before and after practices and games while athletic training staff assess injuries. After professional staff determine the appropriate care for a student-athlete, the College’s student sports medicine assistants implement treatment and get hands-on practice in their field of study. The training center always is humming with action and support meant to help Auggies do their best in competition and in the classroom. 2 1 4 6 5 3 7 8 14 11 10 9 Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Softball Coach Melissa Lee ’04 and Assistant Athletic Trainer Mitchell Deets work at the electronic record check-in station. 1 Assistant Athletic Trainer Kassi Nordmeyer administers a pre-practice ultrasound on Jessica Lillquist ’16, a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. 2 Courtney Lemke ’17, volleyball, is treated with hot packs and electric stimulation. 3 Head Athletic Trainer Missy Strauch completes a knee evaluation on soccer player Mohamed Sankoh ’16. 4 Jerrome Martin ’17 is treated 5 with a cold compress before football practice. Carter Denison ’17, Marta Anderson ’17, and Ashley Waalen ’17. 8 Jorden Gannon ’18 gets postfootball practice hydrotherapy. 9 R.J. Cervenka ’16, a football player, ices his shoulder after practice. Kayla Fuechtmann ’16, a sports medicine assistant and hockey player, hauls a hydration cooler back from practice. Sports Medicine Assistant Beth Zook ’17 tapes the ankle of soccer player Ngochinyan Ollor ’15. Soccer players receive hydrotherapy. The players are, from left, sports medicine assistant Student Medicine Assistant Aden Lehman ’17 tapes the ankle of football player Mac Kittelson ’16. 6 7 10 Logan Hortop ’17, a sports medicine assistant, tapes the ankle of Sean Adams ’17, a member of the cross country and track teams. 12 Sports Medicine Assistant Kristopher Woods ’17 delivers wound care to football player Tyler Sis ’16. 13 Silvia Cha ’19, member of the cross country team, does ankle rehabilitation. 14 11 Fall 2015 17 Caitlin Crowley ’16, left, and Associate Professor Phil Adamo peruse documents in the archive area of Lindell Library. Professors team with students to research and share College history BY STEPHEN JENDRASZAK I f you’re interested in the history of Augsburg College, you’re probably familiar with “From Fjord to Freeway,” a book published by long-time professor of history Carl Chrislock ’37 in 1969. The publication, which tells the story of the first 100 years of the College, is receiving renewed interest and attention as we approach the institution’s sesquicentennial in 2019. But no history is complete. Phil Adamo, associate professor of history and director of the honors program, is authoring a new book with students to bring further aspects of the impact and personality of the College to life. 18 Augsburg Now The new book, to be published during 2019, will include previously untold stories from the early years of the College. For example, the story of Augsburg’s first president, August Weenaas, and the sacrifices he made to found Augsburg is told in “From Fjord to Freeway.” But largely unremarked upon is the story of Valborg Weenaas, his wife, who followed him from Norway to Marshall, Wisconsin. She eventually housed 10-20 students in their home, moved to Minneapolis when Augsburg did the same, and passed away in the Twin Cities at only 37. Of course, the book also will address the events of the 50 years that have elapsed since the earlier work’s publication, such as Augsburg’s response to the 2007 collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis and its aftermath. The College offered its campus facilities to and worked closely with the Red Cross, Minneapolis’ Emergency Preparedness Team, and the Minneapolis Police Department to set up the Family Assistance Center, a place where family members of missing victims gathered to receive news updates, talk with grief counselors, and more. Perhaps most importantly, this new look at Augsburg’s past will strive to address the history of ideas that have shaped and been shaped by the community. “What I’m interested in, which is not done very often, is a history of ideas,” Adamo said. “Those ideas are wide-ranging—from theological issues early on to evolution, which was a controversial subject in religious circles. This was new stuff when the College was founded.” The book is a deeply collaborative effort, giving students opportunities to hone their skills in research and writing while producing a work for publication and being credited as contributors. Students this past summer worked in the College archives with Adamo every weekday morning, and donated a portion of their hours to cataloging documents for the College archives. Caitlin Crowley ’16, a transfer student and history major, documented letters from Augsburg’s fifth president, Bernhard Christensen ’22, to Auggies serving in World War II. “He was the president of the College; he must’ve had a million things to do,” Crowley said. “And yet, there are just folders and folders of personal letters he wrote. [Soldiers] would respond; he would write back. He would tell them what was happening at the College. It made me really like the guy.” Crowley’s own family history, in fact, is entwined with Augsburg’s. Her mother, Deborah (Frederickson) Crowley ’76, married her father on campus in the building that bears Christensen’s name. And her maternal grandfather, Jerrol Frederickson ’43, attended the College for two years before joining the air force just before Pearl Harbor. However, Crowley has yet to find a letter from Christensen to her grandfather. This is the third summer Adamo has worked with a group of student researchers on the project. Students in the first two summers each wrote a single, extensive chapter, but this summer’s group focused on a series of shorter vignettes. Students explored leaders including former College presidents George Sverdrup, class of 1898, and Oscar Anderson ’38; Dean of Women Gerda Mortensen; coaches and athletes like Edor Nelson ’38 and Devean George ’99; and events such as the admission of women in the 1920s. “It almost felt like being a journalist,” Crowley said. “We were given two topics a week. We also had to write about what was happening outside the College during the same time. It was a great way to learn about this variety of topics that I previously didn’t know anything about.” Each Friday, the students and Adamo met to read their sections aloud and critique one another’s work. “Phil could be kind of brutal, which was good,” Crowley said. “Even after just a few weeks, all of us were getting to be much better writers.” In addition to Adamo and the students working on the book, another group of historians is making use of tools Chrislock could only have imagined in 1969—smartphone apps and the Internet—to share the broader history of Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Jacqui deVries, professor of history and director of general education, and Kirsten Delegard, scholar in residence in the history department and creator of the Historyapolis Project (historyapolis.com)—an endeavor to share the first narrative history of Minneapolis in more than 40 years—are working with Anduin Wilhide, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, to develop a digital history tour of the area. The project will provide both a website and apps for iPhones and Android devices. The team is now seeking funding to complete the digital upload process and to engage students in the researching and writing of additional tours. The project initially was intended to introduce new students to the neighborhood and its rich history, though, as it grew, it became clear that it will now serve a broader audience. The goal is to have the app available as the incoming class arrives in fall 2016, offering a window into the past just as new students join the Augsburg community, ready to shape its future. President Christensen writes to WWII soldiers BY CAITLIN CROWLEY ’16 During World War II, Augsburg College President Bernhard Christensen ’22 diligently wrote to students and faculty stationed around the world to keep them up-to-date on happenings at home and on campus. Today in the College library’s basement, hundreds of letters between Christensen and these Auggies are archived in boxes. The correspondence tells the story of the school during the war. There are Christmas cards from Army bases and training camps, tales of life during war and life back home, well wishes and letters of recommendation for military positions and promotions, and sympathy notes to families grieving the loss of their loved ones. Christensen was deeply invested in corresponding with all the men involved in the war, a job that must have taken countless hours of dictation and typing. He included his personal thoughts in most all of these letters. In a letter to Arthur Molvik ’40, a student who later died in the war, Christensen wrote, “We can only hope that the clouds of war will not hang over us too long and that when peace does return it will be built upon a more secure basis than formerly. Only in a faith of this kind, I believe, can we have courage to carry on.” Fall 2015 19 AUGSBURG COLLEGE SOCIOLOGIST EXAMINES NORTH DAKOTA’S NEW OIL LANDSCAPE 20 Augsburg Now BY LAURA SWANSON ’15 MBA I n the summer of 2012, Tim Pippert lifted a couple of duffel bags into the back of his car and headed northwest on Interstate 94, beginning an almost 700-mile journey that drew him out of Minneapolis—beyond the steel and glass towers, the hectic grid of side streets and signs, and the flurry of Fortune 500 companies and all those who inhabit their cubicles and corner offices. Soon, the fields of western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota lined Pippert’s roadside. He rolled past patches of flax and sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa, and canola to a place where tilled acreage melted into an even more expansive landscape of ranches and natural prairie grasses. For decades—make that centuries—any description of western North Dakota seemed amiss without mentioning this place’s sheer vastness of space, the way gently rolling hills and rugged badlands disappear into broad horizons hugging big, bluish-gray skies. BUT NOW THE STORY WAS DIFFERENT. THIS AREA WAS IN THE MIDST OF A TRANSFORMATION. Fall 2015 21 Pippert was headed to Williston— the North Dakota city viewed as the epicenter of the latest North American oil boom. This isolated community was among a handful of towns and small cities dotting the map in four counties that together emitted a nearly magnetic pull for job seekers of all kinds. It’s likely that the route Pippert followed to Williston began in a similar fashion as the path truck drivers, frack hands, pipe fitters, hair stylists, and people working within numerous other industries took to North Dakota. That’s because Pippert’s curiosity with Williston was piqued by news stories describing the remarkable growth happening in this once stagnant community. What was unique about Pippert’s desire to work in the Roughrider State, though, was that he didn’t plan to fill a position in the oil industry or to hold a job supporting its employees at all. Instead, he sought to study the societal change underway in Williston and its surrounding areas along with individuals’ perceptions of it. Thus, he became one of the first scholars to explore what local residents perceive to be the costs and benefits of the boom. A NEW RESEARCH PHASE As an associate professor in the Augsburg College Department of Sociology, Pippert blends teaching, scholarship, and mentorship into his work each year, with an emphasis on each aspect varying in accordance with the academic calendar cycle. His interest in North Dakota’s changing cultural and physical 22 Augsburg Now landscape stemmed from in-class discussions with his students. Pippert asked his Introduction to Sociology class to bring in newspaper clippings related to current events as an assignment so that, together, the students could practice analyzing information using a sociological perspective. One article on North Dakota oil came in, then another. “That’s when things were in the very early stages of the boom, and there were sensational stories about folks making money hand over fist and people moving out there with nowhere to live,” Pippert said. “I’m from Nebraska, and there was only one stoplight in my entire county. I’m used to seeing all of these tiny towns decline in population or be relatively stable, certainly not growing. As a sociologist, I was just fascinated by what happens when a small town explodes in population overnight.” For years, North Dakotans were concerned about their state’s population decline, but the oil boom in the late 2000s dramatically changed the socioeconomic landscape in the region. In 2013, journalist Chip Brown wrote a New York Times Magazine article that said, “It’s hard to think of what oil hasn’t done to life in small communities of western North Dakota, good and bad. It has minted millionaires, paid off mortgages, created businesses; it has raised rents, stressed roads, vexed planners and overwhelmed schools; it has polluted streams, spoiled fields and boosted crime.” This article is among thousands penned since the start of the boom, but Pippert’s research takes an approach that’s different than the one most popular news media follow. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods over the course of his career, Pippert has examined subject areas such as the family ties of homelessness, the transition to parenthood, and the accuracy of photographic representation of diversity within university recruitment materials. As the next phase of his research, Pippert recognized that there’s certainly a story related to the development in North Dakota, but it’s not one that can—or necessarily should—be summarized in a 500-word, front-page exposé or in a 2-minute piece on the 6 o’clock news. Pippert is working to construct a longer narrative that is grounded in a sociological understanding of rapid population growth, allowing for an analysis of how the perceptions of local residents change over time. Of course history shows that people’s opinions shift as the state of the oil industry fluctuates, which it typically does. NORTH DAKOTA HAS BOOMED BEFORE “North Dakota has had oil booms before but never one so big, never one that rivaled the land rush precipitated more than a century ago by the transcontinental railroads, never one that so radically changed the subtext of the Dakota frontier from the Bitter Past That Was to the Better Future That May Yet Be,” Brown wrote. Since the beginning, the American oil industry’s history in north central states has followed a cyclical narrative of starts and stops, booms and busts. The subterranean shale that contains the much talked-about oil covers western North Dakota and northeastern Montana, and stretches into two Canadian provinces: Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Bakken shale was discovered in the early 1950s and named after Henry Bakken, a farmer who leased his land in North Dakota for an early well. At 14,700 square miles, it is the largest continuous crude oil accumulation in the United States. The shale has been in development since 1953 with periods of significant growth punctuating its more than 50year timeline. For instance, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, activity picked up in the upper Bakken when improved extraction technology married political and economic conditions that left the U.S. thirsty for domestic production. THE LATEST BOOM In the late 2000s, innovative engineering and technological refinements also played key roles in bringing about a new boom. The key to unlocking more of the oftensegregated oil deposits in the Bakken shale is horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, often called “fracking.” North Dakota has been described as a laboratory for coaxing oil from stingy rocks. While petroleum geologists have known for decades that layers of the Bakken contain light, sulfur-free oil, it has been much more puzzling how to extract it economically. Today, the Bakken contains some of the longest horizontal wells in the world. Drillers bore vertical shafts and then lateral shafts that extend out as far as three miles in order to harvest otherwise unreachable oil. However, horizontal drilling alone is often not enough to lure Bakken oil from the tightly clenched grasp that holds it roughly two miles below the earth’s surface. The majority of the shale won’t yield its oil unless pressurized water containing sand and various chemicals is pumped down the well to crack open hairline channels within thin layers of oil-and gasbearing rock. This procedure has been environmentally controversial given that the chemicals used in fracking have been known to be or suspected of being carcinogenic or otherwise poisonous. Geologists and engineers continually fine-tune the assortment of frack fluid recipes required in varying geological conditions, and they fracture wells in stages, sometimes repeating the process dozens of times at a single location. Waste from this process must be carefully handled and monitored to avoid contaminating groundwater, polluting surface areas, or injuring workers. Since petroleum engineers began combining fracking with directional drilling, thousands of new wells have been constructed—primarily in four North Dakota counties bordering the Missouri River: Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Williams. And, from 2006 to 2013, production from the Bakken formation increased roughly 150-fold, moving North Dakota into second place among domestic suppliers of oil, behind Texas and ahead of Alaska. This substantial growth in industry spurred a need for more of nearly everything—laborers, housing units, highways, railroads, power lines, and even patience. “I’ve never seen a more hardworking place,” Pippert said. “There are always things going on. I’m not sure how exactly to articulate it, but it’s like there’s always construction; there’s always truck traffic; there’s always activity on Sunday afternoons. It just doesn’t stop.” The change in Williston and other boomtowns may not stop, but it does slow. This year, slumping crude oil prices have led to a decline among communities affected by the oil industry. Williston was the fastestgrowing small city in the U.S. from 2011 to 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Yet, news outlets recently have described harder times. Bakken oil has always been expensive to produce and ship to refineries. So, when oil prices started to decrease in autumn 2014, oil producers tamped down their spending. This meant fewer rigs actively drilling for crude and less work for those who service new wells. In extreme cases, layoffs, reduced hours, and smaller paychecks have led workers into hard times and even out of town. “Lots of things have changed since 2012,” admits Pippert. “Now I have to write a potentially different story.” It’s said that North Dakota’s last oil boom, which occurred roughly 30 years ago, collapsed so quickly when oil prices crashed that people declared, “If you’re the last person in Williston, make sure you turn off the lights.” But what did this flight mean for the people who continued Fall 2015 23 ANALYZING AND WRITING Pippert mets with Deanette Piesik, CEO of TrainND living in that community? For Pippert, it’s important for sociologists to analyze how population shifts and the industrialization of rural areas strain community ties and impact the daily lives of long-term residents. This summer, he took his fifth and likely final trip to North Dakota to see how the recent slowdown has influenced life in Williston, to conduct follow-up interviews, and to hear from additional residents for the first time. Pippert met with Deanette Piesik, CEO of workforce development organization TrainND, to discuss whether she had witnessed any signs of an oil industry downturn. TrainND serves as a link between private industry and Williston State College by facilitating safety trainings and offering worker certification programs. After the conversation, Piesik said she appreciated the way Pippert used open-ended questions such as, “How’d that impact you?” and “What do you see?” rather than asking questions that would induce a negative response. “I guess I worry about how some of the things I say will get cut short or be portrayed the wrong way,” said Piesik, whose concern applies to news coverage ranging from national broadcasts to the local press. “Now, I could have been the type of person who was totally negative and that’s what you would have gotten … but I have faith that [Pippert is] writing a good piece about this oil boom and how it has changed this community. I think that’s a positive piece to do.” 24 Augsburg Now Over the course of three years, Pippert conducted 87 interviews to gather data, and he is entering the writing phase of his research—a time when he will synthesize all of this information. Naturally, analyzing more than seven-dozen conversations will be a challenging endeavor. “There comes a point, probably before that 87 number, where you don’t learn anything new,” he said with a laugh, “but it’s so interesting I just wanted to keep going.” Augsburg College sociology students helped to spur Pippert’s interest in the North Dakota oil boom, and they continue to play a role as this project develops. Students serve as research assistants by transcribing interviews and coding the information they contain so that Pippert can examine themes from year to year and from discussion to discussion. He plans to work with a research assistant supported by the 2015 Torstenson Community Scholars program, and he has supervised Ashley Johnson ’16 as she worked on an independent project on sex trafficking in North Dakota as part of her participation in the McNair Scholars Program. Overall, Pippert is positioned to assess the dramatic and immediate strain on infrastructure that North Dakota communities endured during the period of rapid growth occurring during the boom’s first few years. He also will look at longtime residents’ perceptions of oil workers and of crime. “There are certainly more crimes taking place, but whether they are proportional to the population increase is difficult to tell,” Pippert said. It is also complex to articulate how residents felt about an influx of new people in their communities. “As a sociologist, I’m interested in ‘insider’ versus ‘outsider’ framing,” Pippert added. “There seems to be a pretty strong sentiment among locals that they were frustrated with oil field workers. The saying was, ‘Go back home—unless you plan on staying.’” This phrase, Pippert noticed, articulates that longtime residents grew tired of people simply entering their communities for work and then leaving or sending their income to families and homes in other areas of the country. The locals would have preferred for the newcomers to contribute to and make a life in their communities well into the future. THE YEARS AHEAD As time unfolds, the challenges and opportunities presented in Williston may begin to surface in other communities that are in the midst of their own dramatic population growth, and Pippert’s research could serve as a study for navigating complex situations. The oil extraction technology pioneered in North Dakota is expected to have implications around the world, but it’s not only communities near oil deposits that may benefit from this scholar’s perspective. Ultimately, Pippert said, his story is about how the identity of a small town changes when significant industrial development causes a population shift. It’s about massive industry suddenly entering an area—any area—to utilize its resources. And when other communities follow down a similar path as Williston, it’s important for them to learn from the road that North Dakota already has traveled. “It really is about a boom,” Pippert said. “But the source of its spark doesn’t really matter.” A DARK SIDE TO A BOOM scholarship in action A s one of the first sociologists to study the effects of the most recent oil boom in North Dakota, Tim Pippert has been sought out by organizations looking to add context to their coverage of the changes occurring in the city of Williston and its surrounding communities. Pippert contributed to the Forum News Service’s reporting series on human trafficking and female exploitation, and he appeared in the documentary “BOOM,” which depicted human and sex trafficking issues haunting communities. The film tells the story of a recent college graduate who moves to North Dakota to get a job in the oil fields as a trucker and who becomes aware of criminal activity present in his new surroundings. The nonprofit iEmpathize created the documentary to raise awareness about child exploitation and to help industries ranging from oil and gas to trucking and hospitality better train employees to recognize and respond to trafficking. The film was screened in November 2014 at North Dakota’s first statewide summit on human trafficking, which Pippert attended as a featured panelist. He discussed his research in front of the U.S. attorney for North Dakota, the state’s attorney general, local and federal law enforcement agencies, victims’ advocates, social service providers, tribal officials, and others who—he said—came together to ask, “How big of a problem is this?” and “What are we going to do about it?” For Pippert, seeing his scholarship have a life outside of an academic setting has been personally rewarding and publically valuable. Brad Riley, founder and president of iEmpathize, visited Augsburg College in March with Anthony Baldassari, the film’s protagonist and an engagement ambassador for the organization’s Boom Campaign, which assists communities across the United States. The two men joined Pippert in screening the film and leading an on-campus discussion on the issues it portrayed. Baldassari, Pippert, and Riley also served as presenters at Visit iEmpathize.org to learn how this organization works to educate boom communities to recognize and respond to human trafficking issues. the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, of which Augsburg College is a host sponsor. Pippert’s role in the film helped to “give a real, authentic, and clear unpacking of what’s happening, why it’s happening, and where it’s happening,” Riley said. The film was designed to be a catalyst for conversation in communities where human trafficking already had a foothold or within groups that have an ability to help curtail the offense. In addition, “BOOM” is a teaching tool for the curricula iEmpathize distributes to law enforcement, schools, health care institutions, and other organizations located in areas that are at risk of encountering their own human trafficking issues. “If we can predict where boom towns might be in the future, we can come in and help set up a little bit of infrastructure on the front end,” Baldassari said, which helps to give people the opportunity to intervene in a safe and practical way. Fall 2015 25 26 Augsburg Now BURSTING WITH AUGGIE PRIDE A fireworks display over Murphy Square lights up the night during Homecoming weekend. Nearly 600 Auggies representing more than six decades and from as far away as Norway attended the 2015 Augsburg College Homecoming celebration. The class with the most attendees? Alumni from 1965, marking their 50th reunion! If you’ve never had the chance to see the campus canopied in fireworks, you should plan to attend Homecoming in 2016. The 2015 Homecoming Alumni Award recipients and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are featured in Class Notes: pages 32-39. To view videos recognizing the award recipients, go to augsburg.edu/now. Fall 2015 27 FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, W elcome to the 2015-16 academic year! Thank you to Chris Hallin ’88 for serving as alumni board president last year. I’m excited to become board president at a time when our group continues to evolve and increase its engagement with alumni in the life of the College. As the campus community looks forward to the sesquicentennial of Augsburg in 2019, we all have the opportunity to participate in the strategic vision set forth by the Augsburg Board of Regents, which states: “In 2019, Augsburg College will be a new kind of student-centered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” There is much work that we as alumni have done and can do to support this vision. Mark your calendars for the next Student and Alumni Networking Event on February 9, which gives students access to one-on-one discussions with alumni professionals on campus. Alumni can also partner with the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, as we did this September for the first-ever Fall Career and Internship Fair, to provide alumni and students with meaningful connections. We also work to make annual traditions, such as Homecoming and Advent Vespers, special for alumni of all generations. Throughout the coming year, your alumni board will hear from Augsburg guest speakers about internships, research, study abroad, and service work and learning that shape an Augsburg education. As we listen, we will consider how alumni can support the important work of the College. There are three dimensions in the Augsburg2019 strategic plan (found at augsburg.edu/augsburg2019) that are relevant to our work: • Dimension 1: Educating for lives of purpose—across the disciplines, beyond the classroom, and around the world. As alumni, we can help students outside the classroom and in a manner that equips them to succeed through mentoring, internships, and more. • Dimension 2: At the table with our neighbors and institutional partners, shaping education to address the world’s needs. As alumni, our workplaces and Auggie-owned businesses can work with Augsburg to expand internship opportunities that allow students to build their skills, discern their vocations, and open doors to careers. • Dimension 3: Built for the future—a vital and sustainable institution. Alumni can strengthen collaboration and financial sustainability through our consistent financial support and by sharing the good news about the College among our professional and faith communities, and with our friends and families. As alumni, we have a direct impact on our College in small and large ways. Our participation is key to the future viability and sustainability of our college and of Auggies. I hope you will join us. JILL WATSON ’10 MBA ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT UNIQUELY AUGSBURG TRAVEL Augsburg College alumni, parents, families, and friends are invited to join international tours led by faculty members whose distinction and expertise add to one-of-a-kind travel experiences. If you are UPCOMING TOURS: interested in participating in Germany and the Czech Republic travel opportunities or attending Thailand and Cambodia an information session, contact Sally Daniels Herron ’79 at To learn more, go to augsburg.edu/alumni/travel. herron@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1525. 28 Augsburg Now NOVEMBER 12, 2015 Thanks for Giving to the Max! Thank you to all those who supported Augsburg College on Give to the Max Day. Your gifts enable great opportunities for students in academics, athletics, and campus programs. See the wide variety of projects supported by this annual day of philanthropy at augsburg.edu/now. AUGGIES CONNECT FROM RIVERSIDE AVE. TO RIVERSIDE, CA A demand for Auggies Augsburg is closing the distance between Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis and Riverside, California, through the successful partnership of Augsburg faculty, alumni, college programs—and, of course—talented students. The collaboration is proving so effective that faculty mentors at the University of California-Riverside are calling for more Auggies. When Dixie Shafer, director of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), visited doctoral candidate Tom Lopez ’11, she heard in no uncertain terms from Lopez’s mentor and department of mechanical engineering faculty member Lorenzo Mangolini: “I want more of your students. I want more Augsburg students. Your students know what they’re doing in the lab from day one.” Over the past six years, several Augsburg graduates have landed at UC-Riverside with full funding to attend doctoral programs. The students have a team of Auggie advocates supporting them all the way. The team includes staff from TRIO/McNair Scholars; URGO; STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Programs; and alumni who have walked a similar path. The Riverside pipeline Augsburg sociology alumni Matthew Dunn ’08, Jenna Mead ’09, and Zach Sommer ’10 were among the first Auggies to blaze a trail to UC-Riverside. They were later joined by Lopez and doctoral candidate Justin Gyllen ’11, a computer scientist and physicist working on an educational technology project to help first-year engineering students improve their note-taking. Now those Auggies have been joined by two more alumni from the physics and math departments: Gottlieb Uahengo ’13 and Amir Rose ’14. Rose, one of five Augsburg McNair Scholars to attend UC-Riverside, credits that program’s role in his success. The McNair program is a two-year opportunity that helps prepare low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students for graduate school. Rose, whose current research is focused on breeding sterile mosquitoes to eradicate populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes, also credits Augsburg physics professor David Murr ’92 for teaching him research skills and independent thinking. Even current Augsburg students gain research experience at UC-Riverside. Last summer, chemistry student Oscar Martinez ’16 worked with Lopez and also traveled to Scripps Research Institute in Florida. Circle of Support Now that these Auggies are studying and researching in Riverside, Dr. Steve Larson ’72 says it’s his turn to help. Larson, a member of the Augsburg Board of Regents, has been in California since 1980. Three years ago, Larson, chief executive officer and board chair for Riverside Medical Clinic and a generous supporter of the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, found out that there was not just one, but a group of Auggies in Riverside, and he invited them to dinner at his home. He has had them back every year, and has been joined by Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow and Shafer. “We all have something in common,” Larson said of his dinners with the Augsburg alumni and students. “Everyone appreciates what happens at Augsburg College.” There’s a circle of involvement with the College, Larson explained, that begins as a student, continues as alumni go out into the world, and finally turns back to support student success and the future of the College. “This is my turn,” he said. He is excited for how the Hagfors Center will continue to inspire high-caliber students and faculty to take their work to the next level. “Keep those Auggies coming,” Larson said. [Top to bottom]: Augsburg College Regent Steve Larson ’72 supports students like Gottlieb Uahengo ’13 and Oscar Martinez ’16—two of the Auggies whose academic pursuits have led to the University of California-Riverside. Fall 2015 29 AUGGIES CONNECT THOUGHTFUL GIVING Less effort. More impact. “Mr. Augsburg” has spent 44 years of his life—so far—inspiring Auggies to invest in the life of the College. Whether in his role as a student, parent, grandparent, or as alumni director and fundraiser for Augsburg, Jeroy Carlson ’48 has inspired Auggies through the decades to remain connected to their alma mater. The work, connections, and inspiration fostered and forged by Carlson led an anonymous donor to make a generous $165,000 lead gift to name a gathering space in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion in honor of Carlson and his wife, Lorraine. Augsburg College Regent Dennis Meyer ’78 and Beverly (Ranum) Meyer ’78 also were inspired by Carlson’s leadership and dedication to the College and decided to make a second gift. The couple’s most recent contribution of $25,000 will go to support the space named in honor of the Carlsons. During his long tenure with Augsburg, Carlson helped countless students get their careers off the ground. “He never hesitated to pick up the phone to make a connection,” said Dennis. One of Carlson’s introductions helped Bev make an important professional connection to launch her teaching career. “There were many 30 Augsburg Now faculty and staff members at Augsburg who provided career guidance and direction, but Jeroy stands out for us,” she said. “I admire the connections Jeroy developed with alumni and his ability to make things happen,” Dennis said, noting that Carlson raised millions for the College. “When he called and asked for something, people gave because they had great respect for Jeroy, his love of Augsburg, and the people who contributed to its success.” Donors are invited to make a gift to the Jeroy and Lorraine Carlson Atrium Lounge—a designated space in the Hagfors Center where the Augsburg community will gather, foster relationships, and build community. Great progress already has been made for this $250,000 initiative, which will end on December 31. There is just $60,000 left to raise to name the space. Please join fellow Auggies touched by the Carlsons’ spirit of generosity and belief in Augsburg. Send your gift, marked “Jeroy Carlson Initiative,” to: Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454. For more information, contact Kim Stone at stonek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1173. Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Jeroy and Lorraine Carlson Atrium Lounge Make a difference at Augsburg—this and every month—with Thoughtful Giving. A Thoughtful Gift is a monthly sustaining contribution, paid automatically with a deduction from your checking account, credit card, or debit card. Your monthly gifts help provide a steady, reliable income stream, allowing Augsburg to focus more resources on financial aid and student services. Think about it—monthly donations make it easy to budget—and it feels great to know you are making a difference every month of the year. Visit augsburg.edu/giving to start your monthly giving today. If you have questions or want to become a Thoughtful Giver through the mail or by telephone, contact Margo Abramson at abramson@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1557. Thank you for keeping Augsburg strong and thriving with your financial support. I believe in Thoughtful Giving. Sue and Larry Turner ’69 have made an automatic monthly gift since 2013. AUGGIES CONNECT Buy a brick. Honor a legacy. What started out as a group of first-year Auggies from Washburn High School in Minneapolis commuting to campus for classes led to friendships that have transcended job relocations, marriages, losses of parents, and births of grandchildren. Now those Auggies—dear friends for nearly a half-century—are celebrating their life-long relationships and Augsburg’s role in bringing them together by buying a brick to support the College’s new Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. In the late 1960s, after spending a year commuting to college, the friends decided to live on campus. Although they put their names in the housing lottery, they came up empty. The group learned from facilities staff that there was a house on campus that needed some fixing up and that, if the group was willing to do the work, they could move in. The group cleaned, painted, and got the house ready to live in. John Hjelmeland ’70 and Paul Mikelson ’70 moved into the house in the fall of 1967. By winter break, more Auggies moved into the house: John Harden ’69 and Phil Walen ’70 from Washburn High and Terry Nygaard ’70 from Columbia Heights. The five roommates spent the remainder of their time at Augsburg in the house located where the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall now stands. While the friends all pursued different fields of study, their friendship remained as strong then as it does now. After graduation, Mikelson married and left for a U.S. Army position in Germany, and Hjelmeland and Walen moved out of state. During that time, the group started to circulate a handwritten chain letter as a way to stay in touch. Each of the friends lived in a different city, and the group kept the letter in circulation for 10 years. Eventually, all five Auggies returned to the Twin Cities and began to meet for monthly lunches. This past September, Walen passed away, but the remaining four friends continue to meet regularly. “Augsburg was the place where we cemented our friendship and kept it going all these years,” Mikelson said. While Walen was still alive, the five former roommates together bought a brick to commemorate their camaraderie and Augsburg’s place in it. The brick, which will be displayed as part of the new Hagfors Center, will be inscribed, simply, “2207 S. 7th St.” Courtesy Photo 45 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP INSPIRES A BRICK Top: Augsburg College alumni on their graduation day [L to R]: Phil Walen ’70, Paul Mikelson ’70, John Hjelmeland ’70, John Harden ’69, and Terry Nygaard ’70. Bottom: Four of the men continue to meet monthly for lunch. THERE IS STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE HAGFORS CENTER! Buy a brick to honor a family member, a teacher, a friendship, or a relationship that defines Augsburg for you. Augsburg will inscribe a brick with your name or the name of someone you’d like to honor. Each brick will be incorporated into the building of the Hagfors Center, creating a lasting legacy for the future of Augsburg. Foundation Brick (40 characters, 3 lines) = $250 Legacy Brick (80 characters, 6 lines) = $500 augsburg.edu/csbr | 612-330-1085 Fall 2015 31 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1951 Einar Unseth ’51 marked his 90th birthday on June 29. After farming with his father, Unseth served in the occupation army in Japan. He then attended Augsburg College and Luther Seminary. He served as a missionary to Japan with the American Lutheran Church (now ELCA), and later pastored Lutheran churches in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Unseth and his wife, Luella, recently moved to Lester Prairie, Minnesota. They have six sons, 22 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 1952 Dave Christensen ’52 and his brother Duane Christensen ’53 meet every morning to grab some coffee, buy copies of the Bemidji Pioneer and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and catch up on the latest news. This tradition began in 1990 when Dave moved to Bemidji to retire. Dave taught school in Atwater, Minnesota, for four years and served in the U.S. Army before enrolling in Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Before retirement, he was a Lutheran minister at Adams, North Dakota; Warren, Minnesota; and Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. After Duane graduated from Augsburg, he served in the U.S. Army and then began a career in education as a band and choir teacher in Danube, Minnesota. He earned his master’s and specialist degrees at the University of Minnesota, and then worked as a school principal in several Minnesota districts. Duane moved to Bemidji, Minnesota, in 1969 and started the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council, an agency that provided special education services to 18 area school districts. He headed the council for 18 years before retiring. In 1990, the brothers built Maple Ridge Golf Course south of Bemidji. Harvey Peterson ’52, a former member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents and a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame, received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming 2015. He was recognized for his distinct level of dedication, leadership, and achievement over the span of his career. He and his wife, Joanne (Varner) Peterson ’52, are longtime, faithful supporters of the College. He was the CEO of CATCO, a truck parts supply company founded in 1949 by his father, Art Peterson. He has given unselfishly to his business and industry peers and associates, mentoring and advising many along the way. 1957 Grace (Forss) Herr ’57 was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Augsburg’s Homecoming in October, which also hosted a reunion for majors in home economics. Her award cited her entrepreneurial spirit, great generosity in establishing numerous scholarships, and longstanding commitment to Habitat for Humanity and the Guadalupe Center in Florida, where she lives with her husband, Doug. This past spring, the couple received the Spirit of Marco Island Award from a Rotary Club, which honored them for embodying the spirit of community through service. 1961 Karen (Erickson) McCullough ’61 walked Hadrian’s Wall Path, a nearly 80-mile trek, across northern England from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. 1964 Mike Walgren ’64 was recognized with a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in October. He has been manager of the Augsburg Centennial Singers since 2001. With his wife, Carla (Quanbeck) Walgren ’64, he lives out his vocation of being called to service. In his work with the Centennial Singers, professionally, and with his church, he puts his gifts and talents in service of the greater good—doing the difficult work with full engagement and without hesitation. He was recognized in 2001 with an Outstanding Professional Fundraiser of the Year award by the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He is an active member of Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he sings in the choir. REUNION 1965 Augsburg College Regent Emeritus Dan Anderson ’65 was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Augsburg’s Homecoming in October, which also honored the 1965 men’s basketball championship team on which he played. Anderson in 1977 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the court, including leading the basketball team to three conference championships, setting records for career points (2,052 points), and being named conference player of the year three times. Anderson is chairman of AdvisorNet Financial in Minneapolis. He has served on the board AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 1952 Glenn Thorpe ’60 hosted a celebration for his brother Gordon Thorpe ’52, ’55 to honor the 60th anniversary of Gordon’s graduation from Augsburg Seminary and ordination at Trinity Lutheran Church, which was on June 12, 1955. Gordon served in parishes for 41 years. At the celebration, Gordon was joined by his classmates David Rokke ’52, Carl Vaagenes ’50, ’55, and Bill Halverson ’51. Also joining them to celebrate were Augsburg seminarians Philip Quanbeck ’50, Allan Sortland ’53, Morris Vaagenes ’54, Jim Almquist ’61, Paul Almquist ’62, and Thomas Moen ’62. 32 Augsburg Now ALUMNI CLASS NOTES of directors for charitable organizations, has worked locally for Habitat for Humanity, and is active in his church community. Marilyn (Nielsen) Anderson ’65 treasures her memories of Augsburg band trips to the West Coast and the Augsburg Cantorians’ trips. She taught K-12 choir, band, music, and orchestra for 17 years and has written and published 25 children’s books. She taught writing courses for the Institute of Children’s Literature for 20 years. Anderson also has trained and showed dressage horses at international levels. If she could thank anyone at Augsburg, it would be James Johnson, her piano teacher, and Anne Pederson, who taught English. MaryAnn (Holland) Berg ’65 has had a life filled with music. She taught elementary music and piano for 20 years, and directed a championship barbershop chorus in Fargo, North Dakota, that took her to international competitions in London, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Seattle, and St. Louis. She currently sings with the Fargo Moorhead Choral Artists, a group she’s been with for 28 years. Her fondest memories of Augsburg include choir tours (especially the Norway tour in 1965) and serving as a student secretary for Leland Sateren ’35. She and husband, Arvid Berg ’65, cherish the memory of the Augsburg Choir singing at their wedding on November 21, 1964. Arvid has no doubt that Sateren inspired him to become a choral director and to strive for the highest performance standards he could achieve. Arvid’s fondest Augsburg memories are of Augsburg band and choir tours, including a five-week tour with the choir to Norway, Denmark, and Germany. Arvid spent 30 years as head of the music department at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo. He also had a 25-year military career, the last 19 years with the 188th Army Band of Fargo. His current interests include fishing, hunting, traveling, music, and his church. If she could, Adrienne (Strand) Buboltz ’65 would thank the Rev. Waldemar Anderson ’37 for encouraging her and three of her classmates from North Dakota’s Portland High School to attend Augsburg. She fondly remembers serving on the freshman social committee, decorating Christmas trees, watching high school classmate Dan Anderson ’65 play basketball, and meeting her future husband, Larry Buboltz ’65, at Augsburg. She especially enjoyed being instructed by Chemistry Professor Courtland Agre and Leif Hansen, her German teacher. Adrienne graduated from Moorhead State University in 1974 and became a Certified Public Accountant. She worked in public accounting, was a corporate controller, and taught at a vocational school. She opened an insurance brokerage in 1991 after receiving her insurance and brokerage licenses, and she retired in 2005. Larry keeps busy as chair of Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center in Minnesota. He serves on a committee to bring a bike trail to the community. He became a city councilman in 1976, and served until he was elected mayor from 1988 to 2008. He likes to Sharon (Kunze) Erickson ’65 says she took an interest in a certain physics lab assistant and eventually married him—Ken Erickson ’62, now retired from the Augsburg physics department. The couple lives in Cambridge, Minnesota, where Sharon taught first grade for 29 years. Sharon volunteers at their church and at the Cambridge Hospital when she isn’t spending time with family and friends. Helen (Friederichs) Griller ’65 has lived in and enjoyed Arizona for the past 28 years, but she has so many special memories of George Johnson ’65 spent more than three years in Pakistan teaching science students who ranged from the undergraduate to the doctoral levels. He and his wife, Leslye, both hold doctorate degrees in biochemistry, and, with support from the Bradley Hills Presbyterian congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, worked with Forman Christian College University in Lahore, Pakistan. The Johnsons view this school as an oasis of tolerance, and they served people who are Muslim and Christian, rich and poor, male and female. The Johnsons’ time in Pakistan convinced them how valuable it is for students and alumni to visit other countries to experience life and cultures. Before this teaching opportunity, George had a robust career in research science, often working in drug discovery and development. From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more. exercise, travel, play bridge, attend school sporting activities, and is active in Kiwanis. At Augsburg, Larry participated in the debate team and later coached debate at Detroit Lakes High School. He also taught history there until 1968. He joined Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. and became chairman in 2005. His high school band instructor, David Skaar ’55, initially encouraged him to attend Augsburg. One of the fondest memories Keith Dyrud ’65, holds from his time at Augsburg is his work publishing the campus newspaper, The Voice. Faculty who most influenced Keith were Carl Chrislock ’37 and Khin Khin Jensen, faculty in the history and political science department, and William Halverson ’51 and Paul Sonnack ’42, faculty in the religion department. Today, Keith enjoys writing history, construction, Norwegian studies, and outdoor activities. He lives with wife, Grace, in Lauderdale, Minnesota. They have six children and nine grandchildren. growing up in Minnesota that she still thinks of it as home. Treasured memories from her Augsburg experience include good friends, the International Associated Women Students trip to Oklahoma, sporting activities, Sno Days, and Freshman Days. Her current interests and activities include four grandchildren, book clubs, reading, traveling, the Scottsdale Garden Club, and activities at her church. Carmen Herrick ’65 passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in 1989 and then worked in public accounting. In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s from Western State College of Colorado, she attended the University of Oslo and Elverum Folkehøgskule in Norway, which afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout Scandinavia. Among her favorite Augsburg memories are living with 11 other girls in Kappa House, and her wonderful business education teacher. Current interests include learning Norwegian, playing bridge, lap swimming, and Silver Sneakers exercise classes. She has six grandchildren. Fall 2015 33 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES REUNION 1965 Don Hoseth ’65 returned to Augsburg in 1971 to earn his elementary teaching degree and taught for 32 years in the Robbinsdale, Minnesota, School District. He has been retired for the past 12 years and keeps busy with his 12 grandchildren. He is grateful for the influence of numerous professors as well as longtime coaches Edor Nelson ’38 and Ed Saugestad ’59. Jan (Mattson) Johnson ’65 and husband, Tom, live in Alexandria, Minnesota, and enjoy seeing their five grandchildren when they visit the Twin Cities. The Johnsons lived in the Philippines for one year and in Maine for another while Tom was in the U.S. Air Force. As a student, Jan worked in Augsburg’s Admissions office for Donovan Lundeen, who had visited her home prior to her decision to attend Augsburg. She relishes memories of singing under the direction of Leland Sateren ’35 in the Augsburg Choir, and feels privileged to have traveled to Norway, Denmark, and Germany with the choir for five weeks after graduating. Jan’s current interests include choir, golfing, quilting, reading, and travel. For Charles McCaughan ’65, Professor Emeritus of History Donald Gustafson was the faculty member who most influenced him as a student. McCaughan lives in Bagley, Minnesota. Dennis Morreim ’65 transferred to Augsburg after three years at the University of Minnesota. He remembers his advisor working to have all of his credits accepted, and he went from being a sophomore to a junior in one day. Morreim met his wife, Jeanne (Wanner) Morreim ’66, during orientation week. She was working in The Grill. The couple has been married 50 years. Dennis earned his master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate of ministry degree. He served churches in Manitoba and Minnesota for 38 years. During his time serving in Cloquet, Minnesota, he went to Honduras 17 times and helped to build eight schools in the Central American country. He spends his time now as a part-time chaplain at a local hospital and nursing home in Cloquet. He also is chaplain of the Minnesota State Senate. Dwight Olson ’65 can still make a mean grilled Spam sandwich and great Swedish pancakes, but can’t lower his golf handicap. Olson lives in San Diego with his wife of 50 years, Lois (Monson) Olson ’68. He founded Data Securities International and is listed in Wikipedia as the “father of technology escrow.” He started Gamma Phi Omega at Augsburg and says that Phil Quanbeck, Sr. ’50, professor emeritus of religion, was his most influential faculty member. Dwight and Lois have two sons and four grandchildren. He says that Lois agreed to marry him the day before graduation so that his family could afford to attend both events. The Rev. Gary Olson ’65 and wife, Jean (Pfeifer) Olson ’64, reside in Maplewood, Minnesota. Gary spends his time in creative writing. He and Jean attend many school events for their three grandchildren. On occasion, he still preaches. Gary’s memories from his time at Augsburg include the day when he was walking to class and walked past a sleeping male student whose dorm mates put his bed, dresser, lamp, and chair on the Quad lawn. Gary says that Esther Olson, a theater and speech professor, influenced him most as a student. Pat (Steenson) Roback ’65 and her husband, Jim Roback ’62, feel blessed to have chosen Augsburg to get their teaching degrees and to have been surrounded by students and staff who got to know them and helped shape them as they chose their future paths. The faculty member who most influenced Pat was Martha Mattson, an elementary education faculty member. Pat recalls that, “She was an icon! What a wealth of information she was, and [she] knew so much about the world because she traveled and lived in many faraway places. She even had a few of us over to her apartment once to teach us tatting. She was very good at it, and we were not.” Pat thanks all of the 1965 reunion committee members for their dedication, ideas, time, and hard work to make plans for Homecoming. Larry Scholla ’65 and Muriel (Berg) Scholla ’67 live in Willmar, Minnesota, and winter in Naples, Florida, where they enjoy the beaches of Marco and Naples, as
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall 2016: United in Community
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Play with purpose The space to learn An ambitious approach Homecoming 2016 FALL 2016 | VOL. 79, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the gif...
Show more Play with purpose The space to learn An ambitious approach Homecoming 2016 FALL 2016 | VOL. 79, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On the gifts who are our students Last spring, a small group of Regents, faculty, staff, and alumni were charged by the Board of Regents with exploring long-term strategy for Augsburg, especially in light of shifting demographics, economic trends, and volatility in higher education. It was an inspiring process as we reflected on how Augsburg would remain faithful to its historic distinctions, while at the same time being relevant to a changing world. Perhaps the most compelling conclusion of the Futures Group was that Augsburg would be its best self in the years ahead as it remains radically student-centered, meeting students where they are and equipping them for lives of meaning and purpose. It is not a unique claim, this idea of being student-centered, but it is understood in diverse ways across higher education. For some, the claim means that students are customers or clients who deserve high-quality service. For others, it means that students are lumps of clay to be formed and shaped with particular values. For still others, the claim means that students are deeply engaged in the governance of the college or in its administrative decision-making. At Augsburg, though, the claim of being radically student-centered means something very different. For our community, each student is a gift, a gift to be received with gratitude and humility, a gift that surprises and engages us, a gift that changes us. Each summer, I tell our incoming students that their gifts of intellect and leadership and passion will make Augsburg a more faithful and successful college, even as we accompany them on their educational journeys. And I mean it. This issue of Augsburg Now illustrates well how the gifts who are our students have made all of us better. Read about alumna Maya Santamaria ’94, an entrepreneur whose Augsburg education has shaped her community work in Minneapolis. Witness the stories of our remarkable student-athletes, partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota to show how intellectual differences need not get in the way of teamwork and sportsmanship. Hear the stories of this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Spirit of Augsburg awardees, whose lives are testaments to how Augsburg’s mission is lived out across the world and generations. And perhaps most powerfully, learn about how Gov. Mark Dayton declared August 29, 2016, as Augsburg College Equity Day in Minnesota, recognizing Augsburg for its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice. As one staff member told me on that special occasion, this work is “a love letter to our students,” a recognition that our remarkably diverse students, who come to us with their many experiences and talents, are gifts that have changed us forever and for the better. What gifts we have been given for almost 150 years! They ground our vision to be “a new kind of student-centered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world.” Faithfully yours, Stephanie Weiss weisss@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Communication Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Communication Copywriter and Editorial Coordinator Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Creative Associate Denielle Johnson ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Production Manager Mark Chamberlain chamberm@augsburg.edu Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Advancement Communication Specialist Jen Lowman Day dayj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writer Kate H. Elliott 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: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu. AUGSBURG NOW Fall 2016 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 This fall, Augsburg College hosted the national Lilly Fellows Program Conference. The event focused on the theme, “Reformed and Always Reforming: Faith, Science, Art, and Culture,” and featured the Rev. Paul Oman, founder of Drawn to the Word ministry, who painted an artistic expression of the Reformation. 02 Around the quad 22 Homecoming 2016 08 Annual report to donors 24 Auggies connect 10 Play with purpose 27 Class notes 16 The space to learn 20 An ambitious approach 32 In memoriam On the cover Augsburg College students show their school spirit at the 2016 Homecoming pep rally. Learn more about the celebration on pages 22-23. Photo by Caroline Yang. Inset photo by Courtney Perry. All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING SCALES HEIGHTS The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is on track to open for classes in January 2018. In the six months since the April 29 groundbreaking, McGough Construction and its subcontractors have completed the concrete work for the partial basement and most of the four floors of the north wing, and the three floors of the west wing. As the cement work has finished, the team has undertaken installation of electrical conduit, plumbing, and framing for interior walls. Weekly construction updates are available at augsburg.edu/hagforscenter. 2 Augsburg Now The Hagfors Center brings together the study of global business, advanced science and technology, and religious dialogue. It is home to eight academic departments: Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Mathematics Physics Psychology Religion Structural rendering of the Hagfors Center courtesy of McGough Construction COLLEGE AWARDS 2016 President’s Interfaith and Community Service Honor Roll—Finalist with Distinction: Augsburg College was one of five finalists in the United States named to the prestigious President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction in the interfaith community service category. This is the seventh year the College has earned this recognition. The AugSTEM Scholars Program, funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, supports students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The scholars participated in Zyzzogeton, a celebration of student research. Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report named Augsburg one of the best universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on factors including average first-year retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, studentto-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. $1 MILLION GRANT PREPARES STUDENTS for graduate school, meaningful work The National Science Foundation awarded Augsburg College a highly competitive $1 million grant for continued support of the AugSTEM Scholars Program. Under the direction of Professor Rebekah Dupont, the program will provide scholarships to as many as 80 academically talented students with financial need who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and math. The four-year grant is part of NSF’s work to address the need for a highquality, diverse workforce. With a traditional undergraduate student body that is more than 35 percent persons of color, Augsburg is well positioned to support this goal. The program provides direct financial support, delivers hands-on learning, offers research opportunities, and pairs each student with a faculty mentor. Research shows this combination of hands-on learning and close mentorship is highly effective in helping students leave college ready for graduate school and the workplace. Augsburg recognized for being studentcentered: The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student engagement in the learning process in their inaugural ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The student engagement score is based largely on results of a student survey that addressed how challenging classes are, whether they foster critical thinking and prompt students to make connections to the real world, and how much interaction the students have with faculty and other students. Auggie earns “Most Promising Young Poet” national honor Donte Collins ’18 was named the “Most Promising Young Poet” by the Academy of American Poets this fall. His poem, “what the dead know by heart,” previously won Augsburg’s John R. Mitchell Prize, which qualified him for the prestigious competition. Collins is a theater major who is active in the local, regional, and national spoken word and poetry scene. Collins told Minnesota Public Radio that he plans to use the $1,000 prize from the award to self-publish his first collection of poetry, a chapbook called “autopsies.” PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 Editor’s Note: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 1565060 and 1154096. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities: College Choice ranked Augsburg No. 13 of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities in 2016 for having strong programming and solid support services that meet the physical, social, and academic requirements of students with learning disabilities and special needs. Best LGBT Friendly Colleges and Universities: College Choice ranked Augsburg among the 50 Best LGBT Friendly Colleges and Universities in 2016 for having a strong and proven history of creating quality programming for the LGBT community and its allies. Fall 2016 3 Augsburg partners with MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO to deliver Strommen Engagement Series A new partnership with Minnesota Public Radio means the Augsburg College Strommen Engagement Series is poised to spark dialogue on some of the state’s pressing contemporary issues. The reimagined Strommen Engagement Series was created in collaboration with MPR as part of the “Conversations on the Creative Economy” program hosted by Chris Farrell. He is a senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and personal finance program. For the 2016-17 academic year, MPR and Augsburg will explore: • Living in Recovery—Working in a Culture of Alcohol: A discussion on the health cost to a business when employees are chemically dependent and how professionals in recovery are working to remove the stigma of addiction and the culture of drinking in business. • Global Food in a Farm-to-Table World: A discussion on how companies are adapting to environmental and consumer demands to be more sustainable and still grow food for 7 billion people. • Worship in the Workplace: A discussion about the business advantages of accommodating the faith traditions of employees and how leaders navigate these situations. • Banking on the Unbankable: A discussion on how financial institutions create both a business product and a social good for people who traditionally would not have access Go to augsburg.edu/now to financial tools. for details. Governor declares ‘AUGSBURG COLLEGE EQUITY DAY’ Gov. Mark Dayton declared Aug. 29, 2016, “Augsburg College Equity Day” in recognition of the College’s commitment to equity and justice, and its efforts to close the opportunity gap in Minnesota. President Paul Pribbenow met with leaders of the Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board to discuss Minnesota’s educational achievement gap among children and youth of diverse backgrounds. The state has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation, and Augsburg is working to ensure all students of academic ability have access to higher education. The College’s pledge to this work includes limited debt pathways to graduation, setting aside dedicated housing for homeless students, increasing financial aid literacy, supporting faculty in creating inclusive classrooms, and increasing access to course materials. The College was applauded for this leadership through a compelling editorial, “Augsburg College leads the call for campus equity,” written and published by the Star Tribune editorial board on Aug. 30. ARCHIVE PHOTO PHOTO BY BRIANA ALAMILLA ’17 NOW AND THEN: AUGGIE HOMECOMING [Left]: Current students play dodgeball in Si Melby gymnasium. [Right]: Jan (Koepcke) Steller ’66, a member of this year’s 50th reunion class, snaps the football during a 1965 coed Homecoming matchup. 4 Augsburg Now All good Homecoming celebrations need some friendly competition, right? This year, Augsburg College students got into the competitive spirit at a dodgeball tournament that pitted Auggie against Auggie in a battle testing speed, agility, and … fashion sense. The event’s companion costume contest proved to be a lighthearted update on a long-time tradition. Coed sporting events have been part of Augsburg Homecoming for decades, and the outfits seem to get better with time. See highlights from Homecoming on pages 22-23. AROUND THE QUAD SOOTHING SOUNDS: Auggies compose music for pediatric patients Music therapy major Tristan Gavin ’16 records a composition for use at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. COURTESY PHOTOS CONVOCATION SERIES 2016-17 Augsburg College’s annual convocation series offers the community meaningful opportunities to engage with contemporary issues and to hear from speakers who are renowned in their fields. In September, the series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring bestselling author, public theologian, and social activist Jim Wallis and his presentation, “The Bridge to a New America.” Wallis is president and founder of Sojourners, a nonprofit, faith-based organization whose mission is to put faith into action for social justice. In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation welcomed Kristin Neff, an education psychologist and associate professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas at Austin. Her presentation was titled, “Self-Compassion: How to be an Inner Ally Rather than an Inner Enemy.” Augsburg College music therapy students created original compositions to help patients and families at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital get better sleep. During the 2016 spring semester, students in the Music Therapy Senior Seminar course taught by Annie Heiderscheit, director of the Master of Music Therapy program, wrote lullabies as part of a community partnership. The music therapy students worked with music business students and their advisor, Augsburg Instructor Dain Estes, to produce high-quality recordings for use on the hospital’s network of digital, interactive health care features. Individuals can choose to play the calming tunes using devices in their hospital rooms. The Auggies’ compositions also are part of a pilot study that is exploring whether listening to music helps improve sleep quality in patients and families who use it in the pediatric intensive care unit. SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Monday, Jan. 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All events are free, public, and held in the Foss Center. For detailed information, go to augsburg.edu/convo. Fall 2016 5 BOARD OF REGENTS Jeffrey Nodland ’77 Nicholas Gangestad ’86 WELCOMES NEW CHAIR AND MEMBERS Jeffrey Nodland ’77, president and chief executive officer of KIK Custom Products, was elected chair of the Augsburg College Board of Regents at its April 2016 meeting and began his term July 1. Nodland will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected six new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three members. Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo Rachel Pringnitz ’02, ’07 MBA • Nicholas Gangestad ’86, senior vice president and chief financial officer of 3M • Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA, a staff consultant, professor of medicine, and medical director of internal practice at Mayo Clinic • Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, an ordained Lutheran pastor serving All Nations Indian Church of the United Church of Christ and executive director of the Council for American Indian Ministry of the UCC • Rachel Pringnitz ’02, ’07 MBA, operations administrator for the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic • Jill Nelson Thomas, philanthropist and board member for multiple nonprofits, including Family & Children’s Services of Oklahoma • Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW, former president and chief executive officer of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches PHOTOS BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN Elected to a second or third term: Jill Nelson Thomas Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW 6 Augsburg Now • Mark Eustis, an organizational leadership and governance advisor for health systems • Alexander Gonzalez ’90, financial consultant at Thrivent Financial • Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund HOME SWEET HOMEPAGE: Augsburg launches redesigned website College and university websites are often the first place students turn to for reliable information when they research schools. This fall, Augsburg unveiled a website redesign offering prospective students a fresh experience and encouraging them to learn more about the College. The new look took more than a year to research, plan, design, and develop. Now this work is on display on the site’s top-level sections, which showcase how Augsburg positively influences Auggies from their first day in class to decades after graduation. Visit augsburg.edu to see the new design. AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT A look at erratic weather and climate change with John Zobitz “Do we live in the tropics?” In early fall, a Minneapolis Star Tribune article asked this question. While readers surely answered “no,” the story described the recent soggy summer in which Midwestern Regional Climate Center weather data showed the Twin Cities got twice as much rain as usual in August, contributing to the fourth-wettest summer since records began in 1895. Associate Professor John Zobitz studies math and how it relates to climate. Scientists point to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as one of the culprits in global warming. Zobitz uses mathematical modeling to conduct environmental science research on several topics, including carbon uptake. For years, Zobitz has helped media make sense of unusual weather across the country. He commented on record-setting snowfall in Buffalo, New York, following a November 2014 blast, as well as the return of wintry weather during an April 2013 whiteout in Augsburg’s own backyard. Here’s a glimpse into the world of climate science—an area where the forecast can have more to do with mathematical formulas than tomorrow’s high temp. Q: How can mathematicians’ expertise help environmental scientists and climatologists? A: Mathematicians test and evaluate hypotheses through mathematical and computational models. We model and benchmark future global temperatures based on current scenarios, hopefully providing an informed context for climate policy decisions. Q: A: Hasn’t the Earth always warmed and cooled throughout history? Yes, but what is alarming is both the amount and the rate of the increase. The global monthly temperature has been warmer than average for 360 consecutive months (that’s every month during the past 30 years). That persistent global pattern underscores a shift in global temperature beyond natural temperature cycles. Q: A: Do unusually cold temperatures in an area dispute global warming? No. An important thing to remember is that global temperature represents an average across a global network of monitoring stations. Climate change will affect each area differently: some areas might warm and some areas may cool, but the overall trend of global temperature is increasing. Q: A: Do you think climate change is inevitable? A key concept in calculus is the accumulation of smaller pieces to one larger whole. If we want to reduce climate change, small changes in our daily lives such as driving less and reducing waste, together, may accumulate to a large effect. Q: What does it mean to our future, as human beings, if climate change continues as it has in the past 30 years? A: We need to recognize that we live in a rapidly changing world where “normal weather” is the exception rather than the rule. Adapting—and innovating— in an environment of constant change will become key for success. Fall 2016 7 ALISON RANUM ’17 NAZIH SAFI ’17 Hometown: Minneapolis Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota Studying: Biology and Exercise Science Studying: Mathematics and Management Information Systems Roy and Eleanor Krohn Scholarship With thanks: “College is an expensive investment, and without the donors who have been so kind to help me along the way, attending Augsburg College would not be an option for me. Thank you so much.” 8 Augsburg Now Beverly Durkee Mathematics Scholarship With thanks: “Thank you for your continuous support of student learning. It feels good to know that I go to a college where the alumni really care about furthering their alma mater.” REVENUE BY SOURCE 2015-16 AUGSBURG COLLEGE 67% ANNUAL REPORT TUITION TO DONORS 19% T 3% PRIVATE GIFTS AND GRANTS 7% o the people who understand that together we can build and shape a campus, a community, and the world for lifetimes to come, thank you. To the people who are hard-working, inspired, and trying to make a difference and impact the future locally and internationally, thank you. To the 4,965 individuals who gave $17,689,103 for multiple programs, projects, and funds, thank you. To the community who gave $1,551,262 to the Augsburg Fund, thank you. Thank you for making this community a place where we are developing informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Whether you were a student 50 or five years ago or are a friend of Augsburg College, Auggies like you are what keep an Augsburg education sustainable, faithful, and relevant long into the future. ROOM AND BOARD GOVERNMENT GRANTS 4% OTHER SOURCES EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 41% SALARIES AND BENEFITS 31% FINANCIAL AID 13% OPERATING EXPENSES* 7% CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 3% Thank you. 3% *Expenses in this category include: facility repairs and maintenance, information technology expenditures, marketing expenditures, membership dues and fees, outside consultants, supplies, and travel and business meetings. DEBT SERVICE UTILITIES AND INSURANCE 2% STUDENT SALARIES ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $40.5 May 31, 2016—$39,412,669 MIKE SHAW ’17 Professor Jeanne Boeh and Mr. Bernhard Fleming Economics Scholarship $32.4 Augsburg College’s influence: “Augsburg has pushed me to do my absolute best at school and forced me to think how I can use the skills I am developing to help my community.” $28.2 $27.8 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 Hometown: Minneapolis Studying: Business Administration and Economics $38.3 $29.8 $24.5 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 As of May 31, 2016, Augsburg College had annual realized and unrealized losses of 3.23 percent on the College endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 3.52 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 3.49 percent. The College is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to the College in perpetuity. Special Olympics Minnesota and Augsburg College team up BY KATE H. ELLIOTT 10 Augsburg Now All eyes are on a group of athletes in college basketball jerseys. There are short ones, tall ones, fast ones, and slow ones—some having good days and others feeling off their game. An athlete flies through the air, dunking a ball. High-fives, cheers, and clapping echo through the rafters. Moments later, voices rise. “No, no, the other way,” shouts an encouraging spectator trying to prompt an athlete dribbling with authority toward the wrong basket. A foul, some underhand throws, and then a pause for a player with a medical issue. Play resumes. More commotion. Sneakers skid across the gym floor as the spectrum of abilities and disabilities blurs. Then, the buzzer sounds, but the final score isn’t the focus given the diversions of smiling, sweaty faces and celebratory exchanges among athletes. The February game brought together teams comprising athletes from Augsburg College, Hamline University, and Special Olympics Minnesota—the first in a series of ongoing Unified Sports competitions that pair individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Auggie participation reflects the Augsburg Athletic Department’s broader effort— spearheaded by its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee—to engage student-athletes in meaningful, life-changing community service. And in this game, everyone wins: dozens of student-athletes such as Sean Adams ’17 are building lasting bonds and gaining a more sophisticated understanding of ability; Minnesota’s more than 8,000 Special Olympics athletes such as Alec Kelsey are gaining confidence, training, and lifelong friends; and PHOTOS BY MATT HIGGINS, MIAC Augsburg alumni such as Steele Krause ’16, are leading informed, engaged lives after graduation. Krause said volunteerism through Augsburg transformed his idea of service from “checking a box” to a way of life. “At Augsburg, my idea of service evolved from logging hours to serving with purpose and gaining a true understanding of each organization,” said the former men’s basketball player now living in Denver. “Last week, I stopped by the Colorado Special Olympics office to learn more about ways to get involved.” Augsburg’s embrace of unified competition in the past year has intensified personal connections and impact, said Adams, a captain of Augsburg’s men’s cross country and men’s track and field teams. “Out there on the court, it didn’t matter whether someone had a disability or not; we were all working toward a common goal and all had strengths to contribute to the team,” he said, reflecting on a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Special Olympics D-III Week Unified Basketball Tournament held in April at Macalester College. “Playing alongside others—next to their pure love for the game and competition—reminds me why I love sports.” The winner of each Augsburg-Hamline Unified Rivalry competition—such as the basketball game pictured—earns the “Unified Hammer,” a trophy similar to the ceremonial sledge hammer passed since 2005 between the schools each time their varsity football teams square off. Fall 2016 11 In February, a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete had the chance to skate the Minnesota Wild flag to center ice during an Augsburg College men’s hockey game. The Minnesota Wild hosts several events each year to celebrate “The State of Hockey,” and Augsburg facilitated this unique partnership between SOMN and the professional sports team. PHOTO BY KEVIN HEALY Augsburg has partnered with Special Olympics since 2011, when NCAA Division III formally began supporting the organization’s efforts to provide year-round training and competition for more than 5.3 million children and adults in 170 countries. But Augsburg upped its game in 2016 by committing to pair with Special Olympics Minnesota each month of the academic year. SOMN named Augsburg a Champion School, one of only five institutions in the state recognized for student leadership and advocacy, campus involvement, and participation in Unified Sports. Michael Kane, vice president of SOMN’s area programs and initiatives, said the organization is eager to strengthen existing collaborations, including regional bowling championships, hockey tournaments, and the organization’s most popular fundraiser, the Polar Plunge—during which Auggies, along with thousands of Minnesotans, jump into icy lakes. Augsburg’s passionate drive to advance understanding, acceptance, and healthy living is elevating SOMN’s reach and reputation, particularly among the next generation. “Augsburg College is a great example of an institution striving to make inclusion a reality,” Kane said. “Students and staff have fully embraced Special 12 Augsburg Now Olympics Minnesota by volunteering at competitions and planning to host a wide variety of events and activities. Hundreds of Augsburg students have stood up to make these events and activities possible.” Guiding Augsburg’s increased involvement is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a group of about 50 student-athlete volunteers committed to enriching the student experience through a range of relevant service opportunities. Jane Becker is Augsburg’s head volleyball coach and athletic community service coordinator, and Jennifer Jacobs is an assistant athletic director, assistant volleyball coach and advisor for SAAC, overseeing the student-run organization with representation from all of Augsburg’s 21 teams. The pair talk at length about the importance of student-athletes connecting with the community. Augsburg student-athletes and teams host clinics and open gyms for neighboring schools, help area churches renovate, and build partnerships—like the Unified Rivalry with Hamline—to foster lasting friendships and healthy competition. Becker and Jacobs lift up the committee’s work with Special Olympics because it advances the lessons of determination, teamwork, and heart that coaches promote on the court and in the field. They hear of perceptions changed and career paths adjusted because of these meaningful experiences. “Our student-athletes are putting in long hours of competition, making grades, and then giving themselves to others,” said Jacobs. “The amount of time and energy our student-athletes dedicate to Special Olympics and other volunteer opportunities is inspiring. They are committed to making an impact, relationship building, and experiential learning.” Rachel Frantz ’17, co-president of SAAC, said she and her peers are energized by the heart and competitiveness of Special Olympics athletes. She has friends such as Tom, who competes in speed walking and swimming. Non-verbal, Tom communicates through sign and body language. “His favorite gesture,” Frantz said, “is his signature hug that last about three minutes.” It’s hard to let go of those types of connections. “Special Olympics athletes teach me how to come as I am and do my best. They support one another and foster a positive environment where each athlete can grow,” said the biology major, who has participated for the past six years in Special Olympics events, including jumping in an icy lake during the Polar Plunge, competing in a unified basketball game, and volunteering at basketball, swimming, and track and field events, which happen to be her favorite. “The athletes are always congratulating all of their competitors, regardless of their finish,” Frantz said. “I love cheering them on as they achieve a new personal record or finish a difficult race.” Beyond friendships and lasting memories within the community, these experiences inspire bonds among Augsburg student-athletes as well as the general student body, many of whom also serve Special Olympics. Frantz, a competitor in lacrosse, cross country, and track, who likes snorkeling, rock climbing, and choir, might not have gotten to know Adams, who plays guitar and acts in his roommate’s short films. But, through SAAC, the two have volunteered together, growing closer with every project. “It’s been a privilege to build upon the good work of those who led the committee before us,” said Adams, who serves as co-chair of SAAC’s volunteering committee. “The evolution to unified competitions and partnerships AUGSBURG AS A CHAMPION SCHOOL Augsburg is one of only five Special Olympics Champion Schools in Minnesota. The designation is granted to institutions that excel in three areas: Unified Sports, student leadership and advocacy, and campus involvement. • Unified Sports: Augsburg student-athletes participate alongside Special Olympics Minnesota athletes in clinics and competitions. In partnership with Hamline University, Auggies cofounded the first Unified Rivalry in Minnesota. Special Olympics Minnesota created the Unified Hammer trophy given to the winner of these competitions throughout the year. • Student Leadership and Advocacy: The more than 50 student-athlete leaders on Augsburg’s StudentAthlete Advisory Committee work with SOMN to activate students, engage faculty, and promote communities of acceptance. • Campus Involvement: Augsburg student-athletes have enthusiastically recruited students to create teams for the Polar Plunge and other key SOMN events held throughout the year. The campus also has held Respect Campaigns, including Spread the Word to End the Word, which discourages people from using demeaning, offensive, or inaccurate terms. “Our events are volunteer driven, and I’m just not sure what we would do without Augsburg student-athletes volunteering at every turn,” said Devin Kaasa, the college partnership and competition manager for SOMN. “Their work fosters respect and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities and changes actions and attitudes among their peers without intellectual disabilities.” Members of the Augsburg football team volunteer at the 2016 Fall Games organized by Special Olympics Minnesota. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA with other colleges in the area is expanding our reach and feels more authentic and influential than cheering from the sidelines.” Friends across the river, Hamline’s SAAC advisor and women’s volleyball coach Becky Egan and senior softball player Mary-Clare Couillard, said they, too, have big hopes to grow from several rivalry games to multiple contests and volunteer efforts throughout the year. “Our campuses can have such a positive impact for Special Olympics athletes, and I hope to see us doing all that we can to help out,” said Couillard, who has interned with Special Olympics since June. Egan echoed her sentiments. “Since our campuses are so close, it is easy for our student-athletes to travel and stay excited about volunteering,” Egan said. “The more inclusive we become with other schools in our conference, the healthier the competitions become across our other sports, and it broadens connections among all our student-athletes.” PHOTO BY MATT HIGGINS, MIAC 14 Augsburg Now passing year. During a January 2016 game against Saint Mary’s University, the Augsburg College women’s hockey Devin Kaasa, the college partnership team recognized more than 100 Special and competition manager for SOMN, Olympics athletes in attendance with a is the main contact for schools in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the game. MIAC as they build and strengthen their Proceeds from puck purchases for a relationship with the nonprofit. Kaasa, halftime “Chuck-A-Puck” competition whose brother has participated in Special benefitted SOMN. The following Olympics for 20 years, said he has been weekend, the hockey players volunteered showcasing positive Augsburg-Hamline at the Special Olympics Minnesota State outcomes to promote similar interactions Poly Hockey Tournament. among the conference’s 13 schools. In early March, Auggies raised more “Our athletes look up to studentthan $1,000 for the 19th annual Polar athletes because of Plunge event at their abilities and Lake Calhoun in “Augsburg College is a great energy. To some, Minneapolis. The example of an institution striving 2016 plunge season these college to make inclusion a reality.” students are like raised more than –Michael Kane professionals, and $3.9 million for playing alongside Special Olympics’ them is such a thrill,” Kaasa said. “I athletic, health, and leadership love Augsburg because they are always programs for children and adults with up for trying a new idea, and I can intellectual disabilities. always count on them to serve.” Just this September, members of Augsburg’s involvement with SOMN the Augsburg football team helped out has been diverse and expansive, with SOMN’s Fall Games where athletes growing in size and scope with each competed in equestrian, softball, bocce, and golf events. Each month, the NCAA Division III features a Special Olympics Spotlight Poll, asking fans to vote on one of three compelling stories highlighting efforts at various institutions and conferences. With 1,300 votes, the MIAC won the July spotlight (and $500 toward its next Special Olympics event) for hosting the first-ever conference-wide unified tournament. Mark Kelsey’s son, Alec, was among the 50 Special Olympics athletes who competed alongside student-athletes from Augsburg, Carleton, Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas in an eightteam, double-elimination tournament held during the fifth annual NCAA Division III Week in April. At 6-foot-2, 25-year-old Alec loves basketball, lives for the moment, and never looks for an excuse to quit, even after a seizure on the court. “Special Olympics athletes represent the best of what sports has to offer—no fear, no nerves, no hate, all heart,” said Kelsey, who started the West Metro Warriors Special Olympics delegation in the Twin Cities 10 years ago. “Alec rarely gets through a game without a seizure, but I cannot tell you how excited and proud he and his fellow athletes are to play with college studentathletes. We were particularly impressed with Augsburg’s showing at the tournament … while one team played, the other team cheered with Special Olympics athletes. It was magical, and I can only hope those Auggies were so moved in such a deep and positive way that they become forever advocates for inclusion and acceptance.” As a recent graduate, Krause regularly reflects on the intersection of athletic, religious, and academic experiences he enjoyed at Augsburg. His time learning to live with purpose “sparked a craving for personal and communal excellence” and a desire to create a stable, nourishing, and joyful environment for his community. “Being involved with SOMN was humbling and gratifying … and being able to use my knowledge and skills within various sports is empowering,” said Krause, a former SAAC copresident who works as an account manager for Pacific Office Automation. “I am extremely proud to be an Auggie, and I will always refer myself as such. Augsburg’s commitment to community is astounding, and it keeps getting better every year.” At Augsburg, Krause said, he learned that volunteering is as much about selfreflection after the experience as it is about the outcome of the service. Only then can people begin to understand more about the world around them and assess (and possibly adjust) their attitudes and actions. “I no longer just show up to volunteer and then leave when the job is done,” he said. “It sticks with me, urging me to think about how my involvement and experiences shape my life, and how I can continue to make a difference.” To learn more about Augsburg’s athletic teams and service, including Auggie involvement with Special Olympics, go to augsburg.edu/now. [Far left]: The Augsburg-Hamline Unified Rivalry series began with basketball games and has grown to include several activities. The schools hosted a flag football game in October and will sponsor a softball game this spring. [Center photos]: Augsburg football players helped facilitate softball and bocce ball activities at the 2016 Fall Games series organized by Special Olympics Minnesota. [Far right]: Athletes take a break from the action during a MIAC conferencewide unified basketball tournament held in April at Macalester College. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS MINNESOTA Fall 2016 15 S. E I G G U A . BE D U O R P D. BE E L L A C E B AUGSBURG COLLEGE’S 2016 HOMECOMING CELEBRATION was held Sept. 22-24—a festive PHOTO BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ‘11 weekend when alumni, students, and families took part in new events and beloved traditions. More than 500 alumni from 64 different graduation years attended celebrations, including reunions for the classes of 1966, 1976, 1991, and 2006. PHOTO BY REBECCA ZENEFSKI Ten Auggies were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame after being welcomed to the ceremony by current student-athletes. During a Homecoming lunch with alumni award recipients, students were invited to share in discussion with recipients of the First Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni awards. In an evening ceremony, six alumni and two honorary Auggies received awards and were recognized for their generous service to the world. 22 Augsburg Now PHOTO BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ’11 PHOTOS BY COURTNEY PERRY The Taste of Augsburg featured 38 booths—most hosted by student groups—and offered games, entertainment, and food, including the Augsburg Chemistry Society’s liquid nitrogen ice cream. Augsburg won the football game against Carleton College, and alumni, families, and students stayed after the game to enjoy s’mores at an Auggie Block Party featuring the band Broken Spoke. Bob Stacke ’71 This year, 30 Homecoming events celebrated the best of Augsburg, from an all-band reunion to Auggie Talks led by alumni, staff, and faculty experts. The Centennial Singers and an alumni band led by Professor Emeritus and Spirit of Augsburg Award recipient Bob Stacke ’71 invigorated the chapel at a worship service where Associate College Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres welcomed all Auggies with a “Home Calling” message. Fall 2016 23 AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Dear alumni and friends, T he Alumni Board has made exciting changes to better serve Augsburg College graduates and current students. We reorganized our board committees, and we’re already seeing the fantastic engagement and work of two new groups. • The new Parent and Family Committee shares information about Augsburg and its services with families. We’re thankful to the Parent and Family Committee for helping students move into campus housing this fall. Committee chair Howie Smith ’80 joined Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’11 MBA to help with first-year student move-in day. Committee members Derek Francis ’08 and Hannah Dietrich Swanson ’05 assisted with new student orientation. The committee hosts two parent and family nights per year, and the next event is March 2. • Rick Bonlender ’78, Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA, Adriana Matzke ’13, and Brad Randall ’13 on the new Adult Education Committee will focus on the growing adult undergraduate and graduate studies alumni communities. I attended Augsburg College as an MBA student from 2008 to 2010, and I’m inspired by this work. Whether you remember your time at Augsburg as a cohort, a class, or a team—as a grad student, traditional undergraduate, or adult undergraduate—there is a place for all in the upcoming events at the College. The MBA networking event on October 25 was a welcome chance to see former cohort members for a mini-reunion and to get involved mentoring a future Auggie MBA. As a board, we strive to better serve the College, our fellow alumni, and— perhaps most importantly—Augsburg’s current students. We’re looking ahead to our next Alumni-Student Networking event on February 8. Last year, we had 260 participants—a record-breaking attendance that included students, alumni, and faculty. Thanks to all who helped recruit attendees, facilitate introductions, and open doors for Auggies! I look forward to our continued service and engagement with the Augsburg community. JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT 24 Augsburg Now For more information about alumni events, see augsburg.edu/now. The StepUP® Program at Augsburg College has had a successful year. As the largest residential collegiate recovery program in the United States, StepUP is regarded as the gold standard for programs of its kind. Now in its 20th year, StepUP empowers students to champion lives of recovery, achieve academic success, and thrive in a residential community of accountability and support. StepUP celebrated its annual gala October 29, and the event focused on the theme of “hope.” The gala is an opportunity to reduce the stigma often associated with substance use disorders by raising awareness—and honoring the accomplishments and contributions—of StepUP’s 100 students and 750 alumni. At the gala, emcee Don Shelby, an Emmyaward-winning former news anchor and person in recovery, welcomed supportive Auggies, families, friends, and advocates for recovery. Peter Hubbard ’10 spoke about his work with StepUP alumni to create chances for StepUP students to learn about life after graduation, network, and explore concerns with those who have followed a similar path. The Barbara and Skip Gage family received the Toby Piper LaBelle award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to education at Augsburg. The Gage’s dedicated support of the CLASS program, Lindell Library, Gage Family Art Gallery, and Gage Center for Student Success furthers Augsburg’s ability to live out its mission of serving the diverse needs, gifts, and experiences of its students. In addition, the contributions of The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation were recognized with the inaugural Keystone Award for institutional support. To continue the deep success of the StepUP Program, the College has launched an endowment campaign for the program. The campaign is nearly halfway to its goal of raising $10 million by 2017. The endowment will allow the College to increase enrollment in the program, to maintain StepUP’s unparalleled community experience, and retain StepUP’s exceptional counselors and staff. Visit augsburg.edu/stepup to learn more. AUGGIES CONNECT GENEROSITY OF ALUMNI fuels research, hands-on opportunities for Auggies Two influential Augsburg College alumni, Terry Lindstrom ’73 and Dean Sundquist ’81, have found that giving back to their alma mater is a way to inspire young researchers to pursue their passions. They have chosen to support the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity, known as “URGO,” which aligns students’ interests in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), social sciences, humanities, and the arts with research by faculty. Each year, research by more than 20 Augsburg students is funded by the College for 10 weeks each summer. Because of the committed support of Lindstrom and Sundquist, 16 additional scholars participate in URGO and receive a stipend. This financial support is critical to providing the hands-on, skills-based training students need to successfully apply to graduate school and to shape meaningful careers. “Fundamentals are absolutely essential,” Lindstrom said, “but it was the research experience that helped me determine what I wanted to do.” Lindstrom and his wife, Janet, plan to fund URGO students for the next three years, just as they have since 2013, and will ensure the perpetuity of their scholarships through their estate plan. “Everyone deserves to find the career that creates passion,” said Lindstrom, who retired in 2010 as a distinguished research fellow at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, where he spent 31 years in drug discovery and development. Eager to find real-world applications to benefit society, Lindstrom earned his PhD in pharmacology and biochemistry at the University of Minnesota after his Augsburg graduation. He led the research teams that resulted in a half-dozen patents for life-changing pharmaceuticals, including Evista for osteoporosis and Cymbalta, used as an antidepressant and for bone and muscle pain. He visited campus this past summer to meet faculty and student researchers—including four students he sponsored directly: Josh Kuether ’18, Taylor Mattice ’18, Adam Pancoast ’18, and Ellyn Peters ’18. Similarly, since 2006, Sundquist, a member of the College’s Board of Regents, and his wife, Amy, have sponsored research by URGO students. Sundquist visited campus this summer as well to meet with the 12 students he sponsors and learn His campus visit was a chance to see the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in students as they researched projects with their mentors, including Assistant Professor Matt Beckman, Associate Professor Vivian Feng, and Assistant Professor Michael Wentzel. “These URGO students are very smart and very impressive. They go on from Augsburg to graduate school and medical school and business school with research experience and the confidence to succeed at the next level,” Sundquist said. Ultimately, generosity of people like Lindstrom and Sundquist has had a transformational effect on thousands [L to R]: Terry Lindstrom ’73 watches as chemistry student Taylor Mattice ’18 draws out a chemical reaction scheme from her summer research project with Assistant Professor Michael Wentzel, her faculty mentor. about their research. As chairman and CEO of Mate Precision Tooling, a worldwide leader in metal products and laser technologies, he has a global perspective and understanding of how scientific improvements propel the economy. of students. Alumni create learning opportunities that prepare students to solve real-world problems, develop lifelong relationships with peers and faculty, and deliver a uniquely Augsburg summer. Fall 2016 25 Augsburg women inspired to fund transformative mural in new academic building For women who are driven to lead and participate, meeting a fundraising goal for Augsburg College doesn’t mean your work is done. It just means it’s time to engage in another meaningful challenge to continue positively impacting the lives of Augsburg students, faculty, staff, and the CedarRiverside neighborhood. That’s just what Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) is doing through the leadership of Lisa Svac Hawks ’85, vice president of external communications for UnitedHealthcare, who was moved to make a lead gift to fund a mural planned for the interdisciplinary Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. “When I learned about the way Augsburg is bringing these disciplines together under one roof, I knew this was something distinctive and powerful,” said Hawks. “The Hagfors Center will measurably contribute to shaping greater leaders for tomorrow.” The mural that AWE will fund, titled “Emergence,” incorporates the image of monarch butterflies with references to symbiosis, textile traditions, geometry, faith, home, prayer, and identity. The $150,000 project will express the College’s commitments to hospitality and serving the neighbor, two core principles of the Lutheran tradition in which the College is rooted. The large-scale mural will adorn the staircase at the end of the west wing. Making the lead gift for this powerful installation, which will be created by muralist Greta McLain, came naturally to Hawks. “Art has a special way of helping us experience what it means to come together in a new way. Art helps us visualize new futures. It helps us connect to big concepts and to engage emotionally with them so we can see ourselves in big ideas,” Hawks said. 26 Augsburg Now “As a group of women, we believe that art connects the heart and head. By funding this mural as a permanent beacon in the Hagfors Center, we invite everyone to connect our heads and our hearts, so our hands can get to the good work.” For McLain, the collaboration between space, artist, community, and construction can take many forms. “We all are asking: In what ways are we shaping the future leaders we need to address the challenges of the future?” she said. AWE is undertaking this new challenge and commitment to the greater Augsburg College community at the same time it successfully closes out another project for the Hagfors Center. This group of 70 women already raised $130,000 to sponsor a student study lounge in the building. The AWE-Inspired Philanthropy Council invites all Auggie women to join them in sponsoring “Emergence.” They supported a Give to the Max Day project to raise funds for the work, and are partnering with Donna McLean and Martha Truax ’16 MAL in Institutional Advancement to reach their goal of $150,000 in gifts and pledges by December 31. Email mclean@augsburg.edu or truaxm@augsburg.edu for more information. To see work available for sponsorship in the Hagfors Center, including 21 pieces created by faculty, staff, alumni, and artists who have exhibited previously in Augsburg galleries, visit augsburg.edu/now. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1960 The newest book by Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann ’60 is “America’s First Centennial and the Old West: 1876 A Year to Remember.” This book presents prominent events in the Western Territories during the United States’ centennial year. Incidents of 1876 described in the book include: the Little Bighorn conflict, Wild Bill Hickok’s murder, the capture of Jesse James’ gang, and Bat Masterson’s first gunfight. 1968 The Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, received the Walk of Faith Award from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service on October 26 in recognition of his career in service to the Lutheran community. The ELCA is the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination. Hanson was ordained in 1974 and has since served as a pastor for three Minnesota congregations, as bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod, and as the president of the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva. Hanson is an advocate for migrants and refugees. He currently serves as the executive director of the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg College. Regent Emeritus Ron Nelson ’68 was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. He retired from 3M after 33 years with the company and spent 11 years as vice president and controller. A captain for the baseball and basketball teams at Augsburg, Nelson was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He is one of the owners of Thawzall, LLC, located in Alexandria, Minnesota, and is a member of the board of Oakdale-based Hearing Components, Inc. Nelson lives in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and is an active member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. His wife, Mary Kay (Belgum) Nelson ’68, passed away in July after a courageous 11-year battle with leukemia. They were blessed in their ALUMNI AND ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME AWARDEE PHOTOS BY JOHANNA KITZMAN ’11 marriage with a focus on faith and their family, including daughters Kristy and Becky. 1971 Professor Emeritus and Retired Chair of the Augsburg College Music Department Robert “Bob” Stacke ’71 was honored with the Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming. In retirement, he pursues his passion for photography and continues to be a guide and mentor for music and arts alumni as the leader of Bob’s Band, an ensemble comprised primarily of Augsburg jazz band alumni. Since 2001, he has volunteered at a music camp in Haiti during his summers to share the joy of music with children. 1972 Ray Yip ’72 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. Yip is an international public health leader who has had a significant impact on global public health in the areas of nutrition, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and tobacco control. He has held positions with UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 2015, he has served as special advisor with a focus on health and clean energy for bgC3, a thinktank and incubator founded by Bill Gates. Yip lives in Beijing with his wife, Florence Bannicq. 1983 Tim Schultz ’83 has been named private client services market leader for Arizona Bank & Trust, a division of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. He most recently served as regional wealth manager at Johnson Bank and chief operating officer for the western region of BMO Private Bank. 1987 Richard Bahr ’87 released his book, “Amazed: Why the Humanity of Jesus Matters,” in June. The book provides a one-of-a-kind look at Jesus through the lens of his humanity. Bahr and his wife, Carla, operate the Threshold to New Life ministry (threshold2newlife.org), providing relief and restoration to homeless persons. Bahr coordinates the volunteers for a daily breakfast held at Minneapolis’ Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, which serves more than 40,000 meals per year. His blog can be found at richardbahr.com. Amy Hyland Baretz ’87 had an outstanding pitching career on the Auggie softball team, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. She set the school record for career victories, twice earned All-MIAC honors, and was a member of an Auggie squad that won the MIAC title and reached the NCAA Division III national tournament in 1984. She also played volleyball at Augsburg. Following graduation, she became the owner of franchise businesses in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Fall 2016 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1988 Lee RoperBatker ’88 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. She is president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and she has spent her career working to further gender equality, create equal opportunities, and build pathways to economic security for women and girls. Roper-Batker founded and serves on the executive committee of Prosperity Together, a nonpartisan coalition of public women’s foundations that, at the White House in November 2015, publicly committed $100 million to improve the economic security of low-income women and their families in America. 1990 Matt Staehling ’90 is the new city administrator for St. Cloud, Minnesota. He has served the city for 20 years, most recently as the city attorney. 1992 Augsburg volleyball star Tina (Kubes) Peterson ’92 was a dominant player in the early ’90s, securing AllMIAC honors, earning a season MVP nod, producing impressive numbers as an outside hitter, and serving as a multi-year captain. Peterson, who was inducted in the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame, also was a member of the Auggie women’s basketball team. Following her graduation, Peterson has used her health and physical education degree as a teacher and coach. She has coached volleyball and track athletes in Minnesota’s New LondonSpicer school district. Joel Tveite ’92 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his successes on the baseball, basketball, and golf teams. Tveite was an all-around talent for Auggie baseball, pitching and playing third base. On the mound, he set school records with 28 complete games, 253 innings pitched, and 36 starts. He earned AllMIAC honors and was a team captain. Since graduation, Tveite has worked in accounting and management positions, and he has been active in baseball and basketball leagues as a player and coach. for Entrepreneur of the Year at the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce small business awards luncheon. She was also a 2016 nominee for the Excellence in Leadership Award at the I-94 West Chamber’s small business awards breakfast. Candidates were judged on business strategies, drive for excellence, financial success, and community involvement. 1993 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Schiltz ’93 was a dominant wrestler for the Auggies in the early ’90s who earned three All-American honors and qualified for national tournament competition four times. He was a MIAC champion in wrestling as well as an offensive and defensive lineman for Augsburg’s football team. Schiltz was a team captain for both sports. Since graduation he has worked in university athletics. Today he serves Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, as a wrestling assistant coach and department equipment manager. Sharol Tyra ’92, professional certified coach, certified professional co-active coach, mentor, makeup artist, and president of Life Illumination Coaching & Image (lifeillumination.com), and a Lord of Life Canticle Choir member was the 2016 finalist Jodi (Divinski) Walfoort ’93 received recognition for her time on the Auggie cross country and track teams when she was inducted AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’08 ’06 28 Augsburg Now ’09 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Walfoort competed in her first athletic season in 1991 at the age of 25 when the Auggies re-started the cross country program. She made the most of her two years as a runner, earning All-Region honors twice, and she was voted a two-time MVP. After Augsburg, Walfoort became an IT professional and went on to start a commercial real estate company. 1994 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bill Gabler ’94 transferred to Augsburg and competed in wrestling, football, and baseball. As an Auggie wrestler, he twice earned All-American honors, won a MIAC championship, and was on the program’s first NCAA Division III national title winning team. He later served as an Augsburg assistant coach who helped guide the Auggies to two NCAA national championships. In football, Gabler was a starting middlelinebacker, and in baseball he was the starting shortstop. He has enjoyed a career in sporting goods, fundraising, and corporate promotions. 1996 Robert Anderson ’96 was the first Auggie football player to earn All-American honors, and the former ’11 defensive lineman was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. Some of Anderson’s athletic achievements at Augsburg include setting school records for sacks, being named a MIAC conference lineman of the year, and serving as a cocaptain. Following his graduation, Anderson has worked as a sales director for the software industry in locations including Australia, Austria, China, Germany, New Zealand, and Singapore. Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bill Kriesel ’96 is one of the top defensive backs in Augsburg football history. He set a single-season school record for interceptions, was named a team MVP on defense, earned All-MIAC first-team honors, and served as a co-captain. Following his graduation, Kriesel played professional football in Germany, earned his MBA, and served on the Augsburg football coaching staff, among other roles. Since 2013, he has worked as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Jodi Markworth ’96 was hired as the new principal at Cedar Ridge Elementary in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She had been principal at Sheridan Hills Elementary in the Richfield (Minnesota) School District. Hernan Moncada ’06 is the new principal at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion, a K-6 elementary school in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. ’06 Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Twins baseball game on August 6. The Augsburg nursing grad and Alumni Board member was given the honor for his community work including homeless outreach and assistance with UnitedHealth Group, his family’s commitment to quality disabled living situations, and his work on the Tix for Tots advisory board. ’08 Former men’s basketball player Jim South ’96 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. South was a four-year starter for the Auggies, and he holds Augsburg’s career record for field-goal percentage. He earned All-MIAC honors in basketball three times and also played on the Augsburg baseball team for three seasons. Following graduation, South worked for CocaCola before obtaining a law enforcement degree. He also is an active volunteer who serves as an assistant coach for a high school basketball team. 1997 Derrin Lamker ’97 received Augsburg’s Excellence in Coaching Award in recognition of his impressive career. After quarterbacking Augsburg’s football team to a MIAC championship and several of its best seasons in school history, Lamker moved into teaching and coaching. He served as head coach at Osseo (Minnesota) High School for 11 years, winning three Northwest Suburban Conference titles, two section championships, and a Minnesota Class 6A state title. This season he became the offensive coordinator Brian Gullick ’09 and Matt Tonsager ’09 are custom woodworkers of furniture, games, and décor. Their business is Gullton Wood, and the pair created a set of Augsburg College bean bag boards used at Homecoming in September. ’09 Amy (Satnik) Bachman ’11 and her husband, Blair, welcomed a baby girl, Mackenzie Peach, on March 3. ’11 Fall 2016 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES at Edina (Minnesota) High School, and he also has coached basketball and baseball. Dwayne Lowman ’00 has been appointed to the inaugural advisory board of Definitely Someday, a nonpartisan firm that helps Minnesotans prepare for a future run for political office. Sweden, which was attended by Pope Francis. Laudert says, “I am beyond thankful, inspired, and thrilled at this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful to the Metropolitan New York Synod and my congregation for the chance to do this. [I am] even more thankful for our partnership in the gospel and the ecumenical mission we share together.” 2004 2008 2000 Melissa “Mel” Lee ’04 has taken the reins as interim head softball coach during the 2017 Augsburg College athletic season after serving as an assistant with the program for the past 12 years. She will continue her duties as an assistant athletic director and an instructor in Augsburg’s health and physical education program. In addition, as a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Lee is one of two 2016 recipients of the Mary Nutter Scholarship. The educational grant will fund Lee’s attendance at the 2016 NFCA National Convention. 2006 Kyle Loven ’06, a Seattle-based performance and visual artist, was recognized with the First Decade Award at Homecoming. His work combines puppetry, projections, objects, sound, and other art forms with the human presence. Since moving to Seattle in early 2009, Loven has created and toured his original works. His shows have premiered at venues such as the acclaimed Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and Seattle’s On the Boards. Loven is the recipient of grants from the Jim Henson Foundation and numerous arts organizations based in Washington state. 2007 Wolfgang Laudert ’07 attended the ELCA Grace Gathering this summer and made a pilgrimage in October to the Taizé community in France as the result of receiving a leadership development grant. His European trip ended on a journey to the joint Lutheran-Catholic ecumenical prayer service commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Lund, 30 Augsburg Now Matthew Dunn ’08 received his doctorate in sociology from the University of California-Riverside in June. He is married to Gabriela Oliva Dunn. They live in Murrieta, California. Sara Horishnyk ’08 earned a master’s degree in arts and cultural management from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is now working at Twin Cities Public Television. 2012 Angelica Erickson ’12 graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in arts and cultural management. Her thesis was, “Every Child is a Work of Art: Helping Children Heal through the Arts after Multiple Traumatic Experiences.” Andrew Fox ’12 is the new manager of the 180-year-old Mendota, Minnesota, home of Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota’s first governor. Fox is the point person in a partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society and the Dakota County Historical Society. The state will own and preserve the Sibley site, while the county will staff and operate the three restored houses on the property. Fox studied medieval history at Augsburg. Kimberly Simmonds ’12, with the MonDak Heritage Center in Sidney, Montana, coauthored the book, “Sidney,” in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. 2013 Anthony Gore ’13, Steven Schwartz ’13, Ryan Bachman ’14, and Shea Drenkow ’14, all members of the Minneapolis-based band Porno Wolves, recorded the live album “Young Moon Rising” on a cold evening last winter. The friends formed the rock ’n’ roll band in 2012. 2015 Riley Hunter ’15 has a new position as assistant service desk analyst in the IT department at Securian Financial Group in downtown St. Paul. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Derek Nord ’04 MSW is the new director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University. Nord previously was associate director of the Research and Training Center on Community Living, part of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. Dr. Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA placed third in the 2016 District 6 Toastmasters International spring convention held in April in Minneapolis. Ghosh competed in the international speech category. District 6 is comprised of 290 clubs and 5,000 members. It serves most of Minnesota and southern Ontario, Canada. Jeremiah Dagel ’15 MPA has joined the urgent care department at the Essentia Health Saint Mary’s Detroit Lakes (Minnesota) Clinic. As part of the urgent care team, Dagel will treat medical conditions that require immediate attention but that are not life-threatening. AUGGIES HONORED Karim El-Hibri was recognized with the First Decade Award at Homecoming. He is a strategic advisor and founding board member of the El-Hibri Foundation, which focuses on peace education and interfaith cooperation through grants and awards that recognize leadership, and programs that promote learning and inclusion. He holds a BA in international relations from the American University School of International Service, and graduated from the StepUP® Program at Augsburg. El-Hibri lives in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS area with his wife, Carley, and two children, Roula and Sami. Norman and Evangeline Hagfors received the Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in recognition of their leadership in the campaign for the Center of Science, Business, and Religion. As community leaders and longtime friends of Augsburg, the Hagfors embody Augsburg’s faithfulness to education grounded in the Lutheran faith and relevant to the evolving needs of our students and the world. Norman served as an Augsburg College Regent from 1989-2001, providing active participation during a critical stage of the College’s growth. In October 2005, he was re-elected to the Augsburg Board of Regents. A chapel on the third floor of the new building will be named for Evangeline’s father, the Rev. Elnar Gundale ’33, who graduated from Augsburg College and Augsburg Seminary and went on to serve as a pastor in the Lutheran Free Church and ELCA. Heidi Kammer-Hodge ’00 MSW joined Jackson Recovery Centers in Sioux City, Iowa, as a vice president and chief operating officer. KammerHodge’s position at Jackson comes after serving at Resource in Minneapolis for the past 17 years, where she held many leadership roles, most recently as a vice president. ’07 ’00 ’00 ’08 ’14 On July 23, Brett Cease ’07 married Julia Besser in Grand Portage, Minnesota. Auggies in the wedding party included [L to R]: Micah Erickson ’07, Chris Swanson ’07, Eriks Dunens ’06, and Lava K.C. ’07. ’07 Brian Krohn ’08 and Kari Aanestad ’08 welcomed a baby girl, Seora Eileen Aanestad Krohn, on May 11. ’08 Five Auggies received their white coats this fall as part of the incoming University of Minnesota Medical School class. Congratulations to [L to R]: Anna Weitz ’14, David Bergstrand ’14, Michelle Grafelman ’15, Mahad Minhas ’12, and David Fowler ’14. ’14 ’15 Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA and David Lindahl were married May 21 in Dellwood, Minnesota. ’15 31 In memoriam Philip A. Horne ’40, San Rafael, California, age 99, on August 7. Paul S. Paulson ’49, Spokane, Washington, age 87, on June 12. Robert D. Goodrich ’57, Big Lake, Minnesota, age 83, on April 22. Ruth C. (Kveen) Rydquist ’40, Fargo, North Dakota, age 98, on July 23. Idelle S. (Nornes) Bagne ’50, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, age 89, on May 6. Judith A. (Sather) Suther ’57, Totowa, New Jersey, age 80, on May 18. Lila A. (Israel) Erickson ’41, Minneapolis, age 97, on May 20. Charlotte A. (Ellingson) Ennen ’50, Dublin, Ohio, age 88, on May 17. Philip H. Johnson ’60, Belleville, Wisconsin, age 79, on June 20. Morris E. Ulring ’42, Minneapolis, age 95, on February 5. Kenneth A. Hengler ’50, Eagan, Minnesota, age 91, on May 19. Ernest I. Knutson ’43, Spooner, Wisconsin, age 95, on May 21. John T. Garland ’51, Saint Paul, age 86, on August 26. Ronald H. Stanley ’60, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, age 78, on July 22. Gloria (Burntvedt) Nelson ’43, Minneapolis, age 94, on June 21. Olive L. (Nilsen) Zoller ’51, Marine On Saint Croix, Minnesota, age 87, on July 30. Kenneth A. Gilles ’44, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, age 94, on June 2. Ralph W. Hofrenning ’45, Fargo, North Dakota, age 94, on May 31. 32 Rebecca “Becky” A. (Skonnord) Johnson ’52, Valley City, North Dakota, age 86, on April 26. Lois M. (Black) Ahlbom ’47, Saint Paul, age 91, on May 9. Mildred R. (Zustiak) Baerg ’53, Anoka, Minnesota, age 85, on July 15. Myrtle C. (Skurdal) Bar ’49, Williston, North Dakota, age 91, on August 19. Edmund R. Youngquist ’53, Northfield, Minnesota, age 91, on May 30. Augsburg Now Phyllis E. (Ebrenz) Wagner ’60, Minneapolis, age 78, on July 11. Theodore “Ted” P. Botten, Jr. ’61, Rochester, Minnesota, age 77, on June 29. Jacob “Jack” A. Mayala ’61, Kimball, Minnesota, age 77, on June 12. John D. Heruth ’62, Rochester, Minnesota, age 75, on June 25. David L. Faust ’63, Green Isle, Minnesota, age 76, on May 30. Elaine L. (Legaarden) Swanson ’63, Maitland, Florida, age 75, on May 14. Dolores A. (Sheppard) Carrico ’74, Wyoming, Minnesota, age 86, on March 8. Linda L. (Benson) Pederson ’64, Frederic, Wisconsin, age 75, on June 23. Audrey C. (Jorgensen) Hanson ’77, Lewiston, Idaho, age 90, on March 21. Gary M. Ellis ’65, Hendricks, Minnesota, age 74, on June 27. Scott A. Hugstad-Vaa ’77, Apple Valley, Minnesota, age 60, on June 2. Michael J. Marcy ’65, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 73, on June 16. Paula A. (Beckley) Beckley-Gildner ’78, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, age 65, on June 8. Larry D. Cole ’66, Minneapolis, age 73, on May 18. Mary Kay (Belgum) Nelson ’68, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, age 69, on July 18. Christine A. (Toedt) Olson ’70, Delano, Minnesota, age 67, on June 6. Donald F. Deming ’71, Fort Mill, South Carolina, age 69, on June 14. Lillian M. (Sedio) Mattson ’71, Excelsior, Minnesota, age 67, on August 1. Marian T. (Jauquet) Finger ’83, Baraboo, Wisconsin, age 89, on April 5. Scott E. Herceg ’00, Minneapolis, age 44, on August 12. Cynthia L. (Cramer) Reed ’11, Rochester, Minnesota, age 59, on August 18. Assistant Professor of Music Douglas Diamond, Minneapolis, age 59, on May 27. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 19. IT PAYS TO BE AN AUGGIE ALUMNI DISCOUNT Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Arts in Nursing Master of Arts in Education Master of Arts in Leadership Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Master of Music Therapy Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Master of Social Work augsburg.edu/grad/discount GRADUATE PROGRAM TUITION DISCOUNT FOR ALUMNI Many of Augsburg College’s current graduate students are alumni who earned their first degree at Augsburg and returned to pursue further education. Become a part of this growing group and take advantage of our Alumni Tuition Discount—a savings of $80 per credit! Auggie graduates who’ve earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from Augsburg qualify for this alumni discount. gradinfo@augsburg.edu | 612-330-1101 PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031 Pedestrians take priority This fall, Open Streets Minneapolis allowed community members to stroll, skate, and cycle on roads closed to cars near Augsburg’s campus. Open Streets events held across the city throughout the summer promoted healthy living, local business, sustainable transportation, and civic pride. As an anchor institution in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Augsburg used the celebration to further its commitment to place-based community building, organizing live music and a fashion show for attendees to enjoy.
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2017: Auggies Make an Impact
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing...
Show more An alumna’s cutting-edge research Augsburg University Day Women of influence Nobel Peace Prize Forum AUGGIES MAKE AN IMPACT FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On celebration Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame, was fond of pointing out our “militant modesty,” the tendency to avoid touting our accomplishments for fear that we might be accused of boasting. Whether occasioned by our Lutheran faith tradition or Scandinavian roots (or some combination thereof), this modesty meant that often our good work as an institution was hidden under a bushel. Now, as someone steeped both in Lutheran and Scandinavian ways, I may have occasionally fallen victim to that same modesty, but perhaps I am being rehabilitated because there is just so much to celebrate at Augsburg these days! We can no longer hide our light, as this issue of Augsburg Now most clearly illustrates. Whether it is our name change to Augsburg University, officially celebrated in early September; the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum in mid-September, attracting international attention for this remarkable gathering of Nobel laureates and other peacemakers; the progress on the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, our signature academic building to open for classes in early January 2018; or one of the myriad other signs of good work—like the renewal of our McNair Scholars program, preparing first generation and students of color for graduate and professional school—I just can’t deny the need to celebrate! So, here’s my point. I’m all for humility and modesty in pursuing the mission-based work we are called to do for our students and our community. The gifts we share as a community—our values and commitments, our faculty and staff, our alumni and partners, and our inspiring students—these truly are gifts to be stewarded responsibly, not exploited. But it is not boasting when we celebrate how those gifts come together and are deployed to achieve our distinctive calling in the world: to be small to our students and big for the world, to educate students as informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. In fact, I might argue that not celebrating what has been achieved means that we miss the opportunity to proclaim what God has done in our midst and how others are invited to join us in the work we are called to do. We live in a world marked by a sense of scarcity; Augsburg models what it means to model the way of abundance. We choose abundance, and we celebrate all that God has made possible at Augsburg University—surely a beacon of light and hope in the world. Faithfully yours, Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 johnsod@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Asha Sorenson sorenso3@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Kate H. Elliott Jessica Mueller All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated. augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official University policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu AUGSBURG NOW Fall–Winter 2017 The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is located near the corner of 21st Avenue South and South 7th Street on Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus—a site strategically selected to further connect the University to the community. 02 Around the quad 19 Women of influence 08 Annual report to donors 22 Auggies connect 10 Augsburg University Day 26 Class notes 12 The fatherhood bonus and the motherhood penalty 32 In memoriam 16 Nobel Peace Prize Forum On the cover The Augsburg University quad featured vibrant autumn colors this October. Photo by Kevin Healy. Inset photo by John Solem, University of Massachusetts Amherst. that Augsburg University’s quad now boasts a splash of color. At more than 82 feet wide, the vinyl graphic installed on Science Hall’s eastern-facing facade is nearly impossible to miss. The design pairs an excerpt from Augsburg’s strategic vision statement with vibrant hues chosen to reﬂect the accent colors on the exterior of the new Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which stands northwest of Science Hall and is blocked from view in the quad. One of the priorities outlined in Augsburg’s 2016 campus master plan is to extend the quad from the west edge of campus, through the existing campus core, and on to Murphy Square. This vision requires the demolition of Science Hall, which will be possible only after departments and program offices now housed in the facility relocate following the completion of the Hagfors Center. The timeline for this work is not yet determined, so, in the near term, those strolling through the heart of campus or navigating nearby streets will see Science Hall stand as an illustration of Augsburg’s vision to be “small to our students and big for the world.” 160 Y E A R S A G O Fifteen years before Augsburg moved in next door, Edward Murphy donated land for the first city park in Minneapolis— what is now Murphy Square. For years prior, the parcel had been used as a cow pasture. 1937 1857 LOOKING BACK: DECADES OF AUGSBURG HISTORY BEFORE AFTER ARCHIVE PHOTOS 8 0 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg elected an erudite and scholarly teacher, Bernhard Christensen ’22, ’25, to be president. He led the institution for nearly 25 years, during which time Augsburg made vigorous efforts to expand and enhance academic offerings. 1967 IT WOULD BE OVERLY MODEST to claim 5 0 Y E A RS A GO Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel played for more than 3,000 people in Si Melby Hall on Nov. 10, 1967. According to an Augsburg Echo review, the lengthiest applause was reserved for the song, “To Emily, Wherever I Might Find Her.” The same year saw the openings of Urness Hall and the Christensen Center, with the Marshall Room at the time serving as a faculty lounge to the resentment of the Echo’s editorial board. PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN CURB APPEAL AROUND THE QUAD Where faith and public life meet 30 Y E A RS A GO Augsburg began offering its first graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in Leadership. Augsburg now offers nine post baccalaureate programs and set an enrollment record this fall with 1,035 master’s students. 2007 40 Y E A R S AG O Construction began on what is now the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, which would open a year later, bringing the entire music department under one roof for the first time in 100 years. AN AUGGIE THROWBACK PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER 1987 1977 The Rev. Mike Rusert [center] and members of Intertwine NE meet on a Sunday morning to plan a December 10 launch event designed as an inclusive experience for young adults interested in being part of an intentional spiritual community. PHOTOS BY DON STONER It is no secret that the gap between young adults and Christian congregations is widening. The good news, though, is that young people are not rejecting faith or religion; many are living out their faith through political activism, the arts, environmental stewardship, and interfaith engagement—places where public life and faith intersect. Bridging this gap will require congregations to adapt and innovate. To support this adaptive work, Augsburg’s Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation has launched a five-year project, called the Riverside Innovation Hub, with $1.5 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. In its first year, the Riverside Innovation Hub will work with an interdisciplinary research team of Augsburg faculty to study 12 local congregations that are effectively engaging young adults in their communities. Using the lessons learned from that research, the program will recruit and train a cohort of youth to serve as coaches, working alongside approximately 15 partner congregations committed to new ministry with young adults. “Partner congregations can then apply for two-year innovation grants to implement their programs in 2019 to 2021,” said Kristina Frugé, program manager for the Riverside Innovation Hub. At the end of that experience, all program participants will share their key learnings. Augsburg will publish the results and share the outcomes and insights through conferences and workshops. “Vocation is at the center of this project,” Frugé said. “For congregations, it’s about discerning their call in relationship with their young adult neighbors. For young adults, it’s about a connection with a Christian community who can accompany them in exploring how faith and public life intersect in ways that matter most to them.” Melissa Lee ’04, Augsburg’s head softball coach, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before an August Minnesota Twins game at Target Field as part of the team’s annual Lutheran Night festivities. Lee joined former St. Olaf pitcher the Rev. Charlie Ruud, with the pair dressed in costume as historical husband and wife duo Martin Luther and Katharina (von Bora) Luther in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the 1517 Protestant Reformation. Ruud previously served as a Campus Ministry intern at Augsburg. 1 0 Y E A RS A GO In 2007, Oren Gateway Center opened, connecting Riverside Avenue with the James G. Lindell Library, which opened a decade earlier. OGC will lose the distinction of being Augsburg’s newest building when the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is completed in late 2017. FALL - WINTER 2017 3 A N O T H ER F IV E YEARS OF SERVING SCHOLARS Every year, more than two dozen undergraduate students participate in Augsburg’s McNair Scholars Program, an intensive 21 months of graduate school preparation that opens doors to some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. What’s more, these McNair Scholars are from populations who statistically are less likely to have the opportunity to pursue advanced research and doctoral degrees—firstgeneration college students with financial need and/or students from racial and ethnic populations who are underrepresented in Each year, Augsburg selects two graduate education. McNair Scholars to represent Now, with a five-year renewal of its grant, the University at the Minnesota Private College Scholars Showcase Augsburg’s McNair Scholars, a federal TRIO at the Minnesota State Capitol. program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will be able to continue supporting these students’ pursuit of advanced degrees through at least 2022. The McNair Scholars Program was created by the U.S. Congress in honor of Ronald E. McNair, one of the first African American astronauts in the U.S. space program. Augsburg’s program provides graduate school preparation workshops, travel to a national research conference, hands-on scholarly research projects with faculty mentors, and more. Since 2007, according to “Tina” Maria Tavera, director of the McNair Scholars Program, Augsburg McNair Scholars alumni have completed or are currently pursuing more than 30 master’s degrees, 19 doctoral degrees, two medical school degrees, and two doctor of pharmacy degrees. With nearly $1.2 million of future funding, Augsburg is excited to see further program success. Augsburg awarded $475,000 to infuse sustainability in university life Augsburg University has new opportunities to live out its commitment to sustainability on campus, in the community, and among institutional partners thanks to nearly half a million dollars in new grant funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, a Minnesota-based foundation that believes colleges and universities can serve as models of operational sustainability for society at large. Using the grant award, Augsburg will facilitate student internships and other experiences at sustainability-focused organizations, strengthen and expand course offerings in Environmental Studies, fund student and faculty research, integrate In 2015, the Margaret sustainability and wellness A. Cargill Foundation contributed $1 million to across the academic the campaign to build the curriculum, and more. Hagfors Center for Science, “The next breakthrough Business, and Religion. in sustainability could come from a student majoring in communications, philosophy, or education,” said Allyson Green, Augsburg chief sustainability officer. “For all of us to live on this planet sustainably and equitably, we need all perspectives, experiences, types of knowledge, and skill sets to be part of the work.” Did you know? AN OC C A S IO N TO C E LE B R AT E Augsburg event series honors Reformation anniversary Augsburg held a series of events this fall marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. To kick off the series, Augsburg was honored to host ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton for two events: the Christensen Symposium, which focused on interfaith friendships, and a panel discussion with representatives of #DecolonizeLutheranism, a grassroots movement challenging long-held patterns of white power and privilege in the ELCA and stereotypes of what it means to be Lutheran. The series continued in October, in observance of Heritage Day, when Mary Lowe, associate professor of religion, invited community members to consider Martin Luther’s perspectives on bodies and creation. Lowe explained how—even today—Luther’s theology relates to complex issues. Lowe discussed themes related to climate change, gender and sexuality, abuse, and deforestation. In November, award-winning musical group The Rose Ensemble presented “Welcome the People: The Musical Legacy of the Reformation.” The ensemble creates musical performances and educational programs that connect audiences to compelling stories of human history, culture, and spirituality from around the world. The celebration ends with this year’s Advent Vespers, the theme of which is inspired by Luther’s hymn, “From Heaven Above.” Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about Augsburg’s Reformation event series and Advent Vespers. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AROUND THE QUAD MAKING HISTORY VISIBLE In the basement of Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, a team of researchers is working to map the history of racial segregation in Minneapolis. The group is unearthing racial restrictions buried in Minneapolis property deeds to create the first comprehensive visualization of historical racial covenants for a U.S. city. The project, called Mapping Prejudice, started with Augsburg’s Historyapolis Project, which seeks to illuminate the history of Minneapolis and has traced the roots of the city’s present-day racial disparities through historical research. To date, Mapping Prejudice researchers have found around 5,000 property deeds containing language that historically restricted ownership of residential properties by race. Enforcing these restrictions has been illegal in Minnesota for more than 60 years, but the records provide insight into the racial segregation that persists in Minneapolis neighborhoods. “Minneapolis is known for its parks, high-quality schools, and progressive politics,” said Kirsten Delegard, director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence. “Yet we have the highest racial disparities in the country.” Delegard said racial covenants were once pervasive in many U.S. cities and were instrumental in remaking the racial landscape of Minneapolis, which had not always been segregated. As many as 10,000 or more Minneapolis property deeds may contain such racially restrictive language. One of those properties is the Augsburg House, a residence on West River Road in Minneapolis that the University purchased in 1998. “When I saw the information that the Mapping Prejudice team had compiled for south Minneapolis, I suspected that Augsburg House originally had a racially restricted deed,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Nearly every new development in south Minneapolis in the early 20th century carried those types of restrictions.” The property’s 1926 deed didn’t initially show up in the project’s electronic search process because the document was handwritten, but Delegard was able to locate the deed manually. The University has sought legal counsel regarding options for clarifying that Augsburg does not support discriminatory restrictions on the property. “At the same time, we want to ensure we maintain the historical record represented by the deed,” Pribbenow said, “so that we never lose track of the disgraceful manners in which covenants were used to segregate our communities and to inﬂict real harm on so many.” The Mapping Prejudice project is a massive undertaking, so the group strives to engage volunteers in the work. Many Augsburg students have become involved, including two history students who did semester-long internships last year helping build a digital map display and an entire history The Mapping Prejudice team includes Kevin Erhman-Solberg ’14 [left], a University of Minnesota graduate student in geographic information science; Penny Peterson [center], a veteran property records researcher; Kirsten Delegard [right], director of the Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence; and Ryan Mattke [not pictured], a map and geospatial information librarian from the University of Minnesota. class that is working with the project throughout the fall semester this year. Several sociology classes got involved this past spring and summer, helping develop the program’s volunteer outreach strategy. Students from Pribbenow’s honors seminar also helped transcribe deeds this past spring, and a cohort of Augsburg first-year students engaged in the work as part of City Service Day at the beginning of the 2017 academic year. “We absolutely could not have developed the project without this kind of participation from both students and faculty,” said Delegard, who is continuing to seek funding that will allow the project to get even more students involved in all aspects of the work. Go to augsburg.edu/now to link to an interactive map illustrating the spread of racially restrictive deeds across Minneapolis during the first half of the 20th century and to learn more about getting involved in Mapping Prejudice research. FALL - WINTER 2017 5 AWARDS 2017 Top 25 LGBTQ-friendly Colleges & Universities: Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in 2017. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Top 50 nationally for contribution to the public good: Augsburg was the No. 2 institution in Minnesota named by Washington Monthly in its 2017 Master’s Universities rankings. The list rates schools based upon their contribution to the public good in three categories: social mobility, research, and service. Top 25 schools for service-learning: Augsburg has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Top 25 Colleges and Universities for Service Learning. The sole Minnesota school on this list, Augsburg requires volunteering in the community as an instructional strategy. Schools garnering recognition were nominated by fellow institutions, college and university presidents or deans, and chief academic officers. At its September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation elected four additional members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three currently serving members. In addition, in accordance with the bylaws for Augsburg University, two bishops were appointed as ex-officio board members this fall. Augsburg University welcomes these new regents and thanks them for their service. • Eric J. Jolly, president and chief executive officer of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Jolly previously served on the Augsburg Board of Regents from 2008-2015. • Cynthia G. Jones ’81, senior level advisor for nuclear safety and analysis at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jones previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2010-2012. • Dean Kennedy ’75, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Texakoma Oil & Gas Corporation. Kennedy previously served on the Augsburg Board from 2005-2013. • Karolynn Lestrud ’68, retired photography and publishing industry professional; former board member in historic preservation and performing arts organizations; and active volunteer in arts, education, and theater. COURTESY PHOTO Elected to a new four-year term in 2017: Eric J. Jolly COURTESY PHOTO Recognition for being student-centered: For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student engagement in the learning process in their ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The student engagement score is based largely on results of a student survey that addresses how challenging classes are, whether they foster critical thinking and prompt students to make connections to the real world, and how much interaction the students have with faculty and other students. WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Cynthia G. Jones ’81 COURTESY PHOTO Best Regional Universities: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg among the best universities in the Midwest. Rankings are based on factors including average firstyear retention rates, graduation rates, class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, acceptance rates, and more. BOARD OF REGENTS Elected to a second four-year term: • Wayne Jorgenson ’71, senior vice president of wealth management at UBS Financial Services Inc. • Dennis Meyer ’78, chief marketing and business development officer at Robins Kaplan LLP • Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Elected to a third four-year term: • Ann Ashton-Piper, president of the IT consulting firm The Bridgie Group Appointed as ex-officio members of the Board of Regents for a three-year term: • The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod • The Rev. Steven H. Delzer, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Dean Kennedy ’75 PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG Augsburg University is consistently recognized for excellence. This year’s accolades include: Karolynn Lestrud ’68 S T C FA AROUND THE QUAD ON THE SPOT Communications expert describes history and peril of “fake news” WHILE THE TERM “FAKE NEWS” IS RELATIVELY NEW, the phenomenon, of course, is not. People throughout time have been motivated to share false information in ways that give it the appearance of legitimacy or to discredit accurate information in order to serve their own interests. Newer, digital media channels have made the tools to do so readily available and more effective, according to Jenny Hanson, assistant professor of communication studies, film, and new media. What’s more, social media sites tend to present users with information that confirms existing biases. In her classes, Hanson teaches students the media literacy skills necessary to be critical consumers of the news. Q: A: What is the history of “fake news” in media? Fake news has been around for centuries; it’s probably as old as humans’ ability to communicate. People seem to have a natural desire to tell tall tales. After all, spectacles draw crowds and outlandish stories trend. Fake news took off with the invention of the printing press in 1439, in part because stories were difficult to verify and mass distribution meant news could travel relatively quickly. A journalistic code of conduct toward objectivity and the practice of fact-checking did not yet exist. Stories about strange beasts, hideous crimes, and falsified scientific discoveries sold papers, and for advertising-supported publications, that was the goal. As journalism evolved and as newspapers came to rely on subscription models, impartiality and accuracy became guiding principles. In the 1980s, standards changed when cable TV made the 24/7 news cycle a reality. Next, the internet created alternate—and rapid— means of news distribution and increased access to content-creation tools among the general population. Today, new reasons for using fake news are emerging: to distract, to challenge existing knowledge, and to raise doubt about the validity of information, all in order to favor particular interests. In this way, calling something “fake news” and creating fake news both can be used to advance political, social, or personal interests in a way that functions more like propaganda. Calling something fake triggers a reaction in us to question and doubt, thereby decreasing our confidence in the information and opening us up to different possibilities. Q: A: What are the potential real-world implications? There are immense implications when news is inaccurate. Journalists understand that if they misreport, misquote, or just plain get the story wrong, there are often legal implications, damage to the outlet’s reputation, and harm to those wronged. When fake news is used as propaganda, it threatens the very legitimacy of news itself, inviting us to believe what is most aligned with our own ideologies rather than what actually is. The damage can be widespread, creating lasting impacts that go on to shape industry, policies, procedures, culture, artifacts of history, and society. Q: What can individuals do to protect themselves from falsities and to process news and information critically? A: There are many actions people can take to become savvy information consumers. The advice we tell students includes getting your news from a variety of sources, seeking connections on social media who have viewpoints differing from your own, and reading beyond the headline and before sharing information. In a critical reading, check the author’s credentials, watch out for emotional appeals or outrageous claims, look to see that sources are named and are experts in their fields, review the article date for context, and consider your own bias. Understand the source and their interests, and be sure websites are the official sites and not ones intended to mimic another’s appearance. Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more about the line between falsehood and satire. FALL - WINTER 2017 7 2016-17 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT When you give to Augsburg, you aren’t just supporting a private university—you’re paving the way for students to make a living, make a life, and make a community. The impact of your generosity can be seen in the lives of thousands of students who are now embracing financial security, finding their vocation, and following their calling. TO DONORS ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE $40.5 $38.3 May 31, 2017—$43,878,362 $32.4 $28.2 $39.4 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 $43.9 REVENUE BY SOURCE $29.8 75% 8% 7% $24.5 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of May 31, 2017, Augsburg University’s endowment had annual realized and unrealized gains of 12.19 percent. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 8.21 percent, and the 10-year average annual return is 4.34 percent. The University is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to Augsburg in perpetuity. Your philanthropy is creating an Augsburg that will be SUSTAINABLE, 7% 3% EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 38% 33% 20% 4% 3% 2% 1% Salaries and Benefits Financial Aid Operating Expenses Debt Services Utilities and Insurance Student Compensation Capital Improvement FAITHFUL,and RELEVANT long into the future. Thanks to you and other committed friends, Augsburg is preparing students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to serve and lead in our communities, schools, places of worship, and businesses. During fiscal year 2016-17, more than 9,300 individual donors gave $17,216,961 through cash gifts, pledges, and planned gifts. Augsburg Fund supporters provided the University with more than $1.1 million in unrestricted, discretionary funds to improve the student experience. Tuition Room and Board Private Gifts and Grants Other Sources Federal Grants MAKE A LIVING When juggling the rigors of family life, owning three businesses, and coaching high school sports, starting a graduate program might not hit the top priority list for many people. But for Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA, the benefits of pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree to further his career and build greater financial security for his family were worth the effort. “My graduate experience was an eye opener. It reminded me where I came from, and where I wanted to be in the future,” said Tadros. “My classmates had unique abilities and talents, and I learned so much from them.” Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA Shika Addo Memorial Scholarship Tadros now serves as a guest lecturer for Augsburg finance classes, sharing life lessons with undergraduates. With his degree, and your gifts, he looks to the future with confidence, knowing that his kids will be well provided for and that his impact will extend beyond his career. MAKE A LIFE As a shy, small-town kid, Kevin Tran ’18 would never have believed it had someone told him that as a college student he would become a board member for three student organizations, travel abroad with the choir, work as an intern for US Bank, and volunteer in the community in his free time. Tran began to really come out of his shell by living his life through the Auggie experience. “When I came [to Augsburg], I didn’t know what to expect. In high school, I was just really all about my work. Augsburg exposed me to who I am supposed to be ... I became more independent, more knowledgeable, more vocal, and more myself.” Kevin Tran ’18 Leland and Louise Sundet Scholarship Because of you, Tran has found his calling and is planning to pursue his dream by working in marketing for the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. MAKE A COMMUNITY Singing, studying, social work, public policy, and reconstructing the criminal justice system. These are among the top priorities for Augsburg student Alexa Anderson ’19. Anderson may be a proud member of the Honors Program and Augsburg vocal ensembles, but the deeper she dives into her studies as a social work major, the more motivated she has become to change her community through restorative justice. Alexa Anderson ’19 Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s Scholarship in Choral Music “Augsburg has completely changed me as a person, specifically regarding how I view my role as a member of a community,” she said. “Before coming here, I didn’t understand how important being an active member of a community was. Through my classes, volunteering, internships, and living in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, I now believe that in order for a community to succeed, its members must act and live in a way that encourages understanding, acceptance, and unity.” A NEW DAY, A NEW KIND OF UNIVERSITY BY JESSICA MUELLER AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY DAY was a moment of celebration—a time to honor and appreciate the abiding principles on which Augsburg was founded and an opportunity to consider Augsburg’s commitment to shaping the world for generations to come. Augsburg marked the transition from college to university through a commemorative day full of fun and fellowship. And, although Augsburg College officially became Augsburg University on September 1, the campus threw its proverbial hat in the air a few days later—on September 5, the day Augsburg formally welcomed its most diverse incoming class in school history. OPENING CONVOCATION On September 5, Augsburg’s Class of 2021 rose early to participate in the grand finale of their welcome week: Opening Convocation. New students marched across campus, past rows of cheering faculty and staff, and toward Hoversten Chapel with pride (and maybe a few sheepish grins), to engage in a historic beginning for them and for their school: the commissioning of Augsburg University’s inaugural first-year class. This year’s event featured elements linked with Augsburg’s commitments to faith, diversity, and vocation: Lutheran hymns, interfaith blessings, and international flags representing the countries from which Augsburg students come. President Paul Pribbenow encouraged new Auggies to do justly, love mercy, walk humbly ... and follow him on Twitter. And that was just the beginning. A MOMENT TO REMEMBER Following Opening Convocation, the Class of 2021 processed from the chapel to the quad where they were met by stilt walkers, local musicians, Haitian and Somali dancers, and the smells of dishes as varied and diverse as the neighborhoods surrounding Augsburg’s metropolitan campus. More than 800 students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University convened to feast on sambusas, Mexican tacos, cotton candy, brats and sauerkraut, and, in some cases, all of the above. 10 AUGSBURG NOW Students had nearly two hours to take in their surroundings, grab food, pose at the Auggie photo booth, and assemble hygiene kits for the Augsburg Health Commons, which serves unsheltered persons throughout Minneapolis. Many even had time to read a proclamation, signed by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, naming September 5, 2017, Augsburg University Day. A UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY In the afternoon, more than 500 students, faculty, and staff gathered in small groups and dispersed throughout Minneapolis to listen to, learn from, and volunteer with local partners and nonprofits with ties to Augsburg. In total, the Class of 2021 donated nearly $35,000 in service work at more than 20 Twin Cities locations. The entire string of events—from the convocation, to the celebration, to the service-learning opportunities—demonstrated that Augsburg’s name change was much more than updated monument signs (though they do look nice), letterhead, and websites. The name change was a collaborative effort to share Augsburg’s story—the narrative of a place that’s deeply embedded in its community, that richly lives out its traditions, and that points to a bolder vision of what a student-centered, urban university can be … small to its students, and big for the world. FALL - WINTER 2017 11 The fatherhood BONUS a n d th e PENALTY motherhood BY KATE H. ELLIOTT G r o un d b r e a k i n g r e s e a rch by alum na M i c he l l e B u d i g ’ 9 3 s h eds light on wage ga p b e t we e n f a t h e rs and m others Michelle Budig’s story is deeply woven into her pioneering research to expose gender inequality and examine family policies in the workforce. The product of an outspoken dental receptionist and a pious electrician— who staked the yard with opposing political signs—Budig learned from a young age to question, wonder, and voice her beliefs. In preschool, for example, she insisted her class change the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to remove “and with the girls be handy.” But despite her early and strong advocacy for girls’ rights, Budig still believed that as an adult she would have to choose between motherhood and a meaningful career. Indeed, at 22, she married her Augsburg sweetheart, nurse practitioner Peter Landstrom ’91, but then waited almost 20 years—until 12 AUGSBURG NOW after she secured tenure as a sociology professor—to adopt their daughter, Lucy. Her beliefs about how things should be were tempered by her understanding of how things actually are. It may be no surprise, then, that Budig focused her scholarly research on the impact of parenting across gender—specifically the wage inequities between fathers and mothers across the pay scale. Her latest findings, currently making rounds in The New York Times and the like, assert that although the gender pay gap is decreasing (women now make about 76 cents for every man’s dollar), wage inequalities among parents who work are increasing. Overall, fathers incur an average wage increase of more than 6 percent with each child, while women experience, on average, a 4 percent decrease in salary per child. Fatherhood, ultimately, is considered a “valued characteristic, signaling perhaps a greater work commitment, stability, and deservingness,” said Budig, Sociology Department chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mothers, on the other hand, are often perceived as “exhausted and distracted at work,” rendering them less productive. Beyond perception, other significant contributors to the discrepancy include that women often take time off to care for children and bypass higher wages for mom-friendly roles. “Kids are seen as a privilege, not a right, so if you want to have them, you must pay the price,” Budig said, referencing a view some hold. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SOLEM, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST TY Michelle Budig ’93 is an award-winning professor and author whose research interests focus on gender, employment, labor markets, earnings, stratification, and family. FALL - WINTER 2017 13 But it’s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less,” Budig said. Using sophisticated statistical techniques on a large sample of U.S. workers, Budig found that parenting exacerbates earnings inequalities within genders depending on income. The “fatherhood bonus,” as she calls it, is highest for the most advantaged men—married, white, college graduates with professional jobs. Unmarried, black men in non-professional occupations, for instance, receive minimal—if any—bonus. The motherhood penalty is smallest among women who earn above the 90th percentile of female workers, with women at the very top of the income distribution experiencing no wage penalty. Low-to-average earning women incur the greatest motherhood penalty, Budig found. “I always thought that women who made the most would have the most to lose, but that is certainly not the case, and it makes complete sense when you consider factors and stressors influencing populations at the top and bottom of the pay scale,” Budig said. “Fathers and mothers earning lower wages often rely on fragile networks of free child care, and when a grandmother or friend is sick or doesn’t show, those parents can’t make it to work. Conversely, parents who can afford it, secure reliable, consistent child care operated by licensed professionals.” Additionally, lower-earning men and women statistically are more likely to have children, Budig said, which leads to higher penalties for those families. Accessible child care among policies to close the gap Budig suggests two policy shifts to reduce the gap: publicly funded, high-quality child care for babies and toddlers and nontransferable paid leave for both mothers and fathers. The “nontransferable” part is critical, Budig reiterated, as “evidence suggests that if fathers can transfer leave to a female partner, they will.” “Access for all to high-quality, reliable, licensed child care options would certainly even the playing field for both parents and children,” Budig said. “Think of all the stress it would alleviate from low-income families relying on less dependable child care. Businesses would likely be more productive with a more resilient, consistent workforce. And children growing up in low-income situations would benefit from the same instruction and care as wealthier families, giving those young ones a stronger start.” This approach is not new. Many Scandinavian countries, which support publicly funded child care and offer incentivized paternal leave, report smaller It' s not as simple as “dads make more, moms make less.” Wider wage gaps among lower-earning individuals are exacerbated by the fact that people tend to marry within socioeconomic situations, Budig adds, so low-earning couples take greater hits, while highly paid duos keep climbing. 14 AUGSBURG NOW or no parental pay gaps. In contrast, countries with entrenched gender roles, like Germany, where new mothers are expected to take a year or more off work, report the highest motherhood penalties. “Workplace policies matter,” Budig Budig’s 19-page curriculum vitae details the more than $725,000 in grants she’s received, including some from the National Science Foundation, and lists her articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review. She regularly contributes to national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, Money Magazine, and the Washington Post. said. “Most of my life, I had to choose between being a mother and having a meaningful career, and unless progressive policies are adopted, the parental and economic gaps will persist.” The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ranked the United States last in a study the intergovernmental organization conducted about the national paid maternity leave policies of its member countries. The average amount of paid leave time for mothers among its 35-member countries was a little more than one year, as of 2016. Budig notes there is progress on the state level, citing California’s paid family leave, which allows family members to take time off to care for a loved one or to bond with a new child entering their life (either by birth, adoption, or foster care). Without a comprehensive federal approach, however, Budig warns of the implications of inconsistencies across states. “It’s encouraging to see states and companies take action, but it leads to inequities among states and industries, which may only add to our country’s increasing divide,” said Budig, who has testified before Congress and the United Nations about the implications of her research. “More universal support will reduce wage gaps, promote greater equality, and better prepare our children to be productive members of society.” The culture is shifting as men embrace female roles But beyond evolutions in policy, Budig sees hope in the young people she interacts with as a professor and mentor. They expect both parties—and want both partners—to be involved in maintaining the household. Single-paycheck families are difficult to sustain, and popular books and blogs are encouraging mothers to shed the mom guilt, cast aside the superwoman expectations, and go order a pizza for dinner. “Believe me, I get it. Even with the most supportive husband, who as a nurse, experiences his own gender stereotypes, I still slip into unrealistic expectations,” said Budig, who earned a master’s and doctorate in sociology from the University of Arizona. “Our marriage is a constant conversation, and splitting up the chores by room works for us.” A 2016 PayScale Gender Pay Gap Report found that men still out-earn women in every state in the union, but Vermont is the closest to equality, with women earning 84.8 percent of what men earn overall, as opposed to Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Wyoming where women earn from 71 to 73 percent of their male counterparts’ income. The national average is 76 percent, per the report, which does not factor in years of experience, education, or job title. When such national statistics were first calculated in the 1970s, it was about 60 percent. Mentors pushed her to live with a ‘heart for service’ Budig lost both her parents nearly two years ago. She often wishes she could talk with her mom about her latest research, knowing her mom would get a kick out of hearing about innovative solutions to promote equality and increase access for women. “My mom was wildly supportive of my work, but I’ll never forget the first time she read a major study I published about the wage gap. I was driving, and she was in the back seat. She looked up and said, ‘Michelle, everyone knows women earn less than men. That’s what you’ve been working on?’ Gee, thanks, mom,” Budig said. “I think she would have appreciated this last batch of research and what I’m focused on next, which involves female entrepreneurs and a study about the motherhood penalty in Israel.” Although there is no replacing a driveand-talk with mom, Budig is not short on inspiring female mentors. At Augsburg, where she majored in English and sociology, Budig sought out educators to support her journey. Sociology Professor Diane Pike has taught Auggies for more than three decades, and Budig certainly stands out. “Michelle had a seriousness and sophistication about intellectual ideas and work that was exemplary, and being a first-generation student, she never lost sight of the privilege it is to pursue higher education. She set the bar high for herself, and we’ve been following her career ever since,” said Pike, who specializes in organizational analysis, sociological theory, and research methods. “There is nothing better than seeing one of your students succeed at such a level. Michelle’s a big deal in sociology, speaking at top conferences and advocating for important change. She has a rare ability to convey complex data and theories to general audiences, and we are very proud of her.” Budig’s Auggie roots run deep, and both she and Landstrom commit themselves to its mission through caregiving and advocating for change. Augsburg gave them a way of looking at the world and approaching life that will never leave them, Budig said. “The greatest takeaway from Augsburg is our desire—the responsibility, really— to give back and live with a heart for service to others. Every day, we try to live out that change in our personal and professional lives.” FALL - WINTER 2017 15 N I E U G O DIAL SOCIETIES D E D I V I D 20 17 N ob e l Pe a ce P rize Forum li s o p nea n i M — [Above] Representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet are joined on stage by Peace Scholars and other participants at the closing ceremony of the Forum. [Left] During a break, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureates posed for photos in front of a three-story mural featuring their images along with dozens of other past laureates. N obel Peace Prize laureates, world leaders, and renowned peacemakers came together this fall as Augsburg University hosted the 29th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis. As an international peace congress, the Forum united honored guests, students, and community members in considering the globally significant, multidimensional nature of peace by examining topics that ranged from disarmament and human rights to economic development and environmental sustainability. This year’s Forum kicked off with several hundred attendees filling Augsburg’s Si Melby Gymnasium to listen to the incredible, true story of the 2015 Nobel Laureates—leaders who inspired a sharply divided nation to find common ground and, ultimately, form one of the world’s newest democracies. During a conversation presented in both English and Arabic, representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue 16 AUGSBURG NOW Quartet described an arduous and inspiring peacemaking model in which members of business, labor, human rights, and law disciplines crafted a sustaining democratic constitution through peaceful dialogue. Recognized collectively with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to building a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet is made up of leaders from four key organizations in the north African nation’s civil society. In the tense early moments of the Arab Spring uprisings, the Quartet exercised its role as a mediator and demonstrated the power of civil communication in sensitive political circumstances. Perhaps no other Forum experience better illustrated the event’s overarching theme: Dialogue in Divided Societies. Nobel Peace Prize Forum art festival Augsburg University has served as the Nobel Peace Prize Forum’s official host since 2012, but in recent years, the event itself has taken place at several conference venues across the Twin Cities. Bringing the Forum back to Augsburg this fall gave global peacebuilders the opportunity to experience the unique, urban beauty of the University’s location and to engage with a large-scale outdoor art exhibition on display across campus. In the spirit of fostering dialogue during the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, artists from across the United States collaborated on installations that highlighted the layered and often overlapping complexity of finding solutions to global issues. The art exhibition was curated by Christopher Houltberg, assistant professor of art and director of Augsburg’s Design & Agency program, a student-run design studio experience that teaches design thinking and problem-solving in graphic design. One of the most talked-about installations at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum was a Hex House constructed in Murphy Square. Designed by Architects for Society, a nonprofit seeking to enhance the built environment for disadvantaged communities, the Hex House is a prototype for dignified, low-cost, flexible housing that’s easy to deploy in emergency situations. Given that the Forum dates fell just after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought havoc and destruction to the Caribbean, Texas, and Florida, the Hex House was a timely opportunity to see how smart design can address critical community needs. Building peace in the greater Twin Cities, around the world Throughout the four days of the 2017 program, attendees participated in dozens of breakout sessions led by globally recognized leaders in the fields of international development and peacemaking. Participants had the opportunity to meet and hear from national and world leaders—including Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Kåre Aas, Tunisian Ambassador to the United States H.E. Fayçal Gouia, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. Other often-recognized presenters at the event included former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who is seeking to end gun violence, and Barbara Bush, who founded the Global Health Corps organization to mobilize young leaders to support health equity. The Nobel Peace Prize Forum also prompted attendees to consider local peace-building needs, convening conversations focused on present-day issues in the Twin Cities. Students, community members, and facilitators worked through difficult discussions on respecting and honoring sacred spaces, bridging political differences through civil dialogue, and addressing cross-generational injustice. These mediated conversations went beyond campus to places that brought the topics to life. For example, part of the dialogue on preserving Native American sites took place in suburban Eagan at Pilot Knob, an area that was an indigenous gathering place and sacred burial ground for centuries. “It’s entirely fitting that these important conversations are happening at Augsburg University as part of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum,” said the Forum’s Program Director Joe Underhill, reflecting on the entire event. “A university is a place where civic dialogue on difficult topics is not only allowed, but highly encouraged,” said Underhill, an associate professor of political science at Augsburg. “It is only through that kind of dialogue that we are going to move toward any mutual understanding on these issues.” [Far left] Augsburg Design & Agency students created numerous large-scale art installations to convey the theme, Dialogue in Divided Societies. [Near left] The Hex House, a low-cost, emergency housing prototype, showcased how smart design can create humane solutions during crises. FALL - WINTER 2017 17 JOIN US FOR THE 30TH [Above] Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Methodist Bishop Bruce Ough visit the Red Rock, a boulder that is located at a United Methodist Church in Newport, Minnesota, and considered sacred by the Dakota people. The 2017 Forum included site visits addressing local peace-building topics. September 19–22, 2018 Augsburg University [Left] Interactive art installations allowed Forum attendees to participate in creating displays that reflected their own perspectives on peacemaking. PRESENTED BY LEAD SPONSORS ® SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS 45 0 100 3 18 AUGSBURG NOW #93C33A 0 70 85 0 #F76 WOMENOF INFLUENCE BY KATE H. ELLIOTT Augsburg outscores national average of female coaches, supports inclusive culture across Athletics department “Only priests and participants’ fathers can be anywhere near the pool,” three St. Catherine’s nuns echoed in protest as Augsburg’s 1963 swim instructor, Malcolm “Mac” Gimse, led then-20-year-old Joyce Pfaff ’65 and three other physical education majors onto the pool deck. Gimse reluctantly exited the building, but as the Auggies lined up at water’s edge, “GO AUGSBURG” boomed from the stands. Pfaff looked up, and there was her instructor, wearing a big smile and a clerical collar. Call it obstinate or call it resolute, but Pfaff adopted that tenacity—and it helped her climb over, chisel away, and bust down a decade’s worth of walls in women’s athletics and coaching prior to the passage of Title IX, a federal law that allows women access to any federally funded educational program or activity. So, it comes as no surprise that Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director is “beyond proud” that a recent report ties Augsburg with Macalester College as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s schools with the most female head coaches. Head Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Coach Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL leads a team practice. FALL - WINTER 2017 19 PHOTO BY CYNDI NIGHTENGALE, CYNBADMEDIA This distinction, out of the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Women and Girls in Sport, is particularly encouraging as national studies point to dramatic decreases in women coaching women’s sports. When Title IX was passed in 1972, women coached 90 percent of women’s collegiate athletic teams. Today, only about 40 percent of those teams are led by female coaches, according to the NCAA. Augsburg hits national average out of the park Pfaff coached at a time before women’s athletics were afforded official equipment or facilities. In fact, Pfaff helped build Augsburg’s first softball field. Today, she remains confident in Augsburg’s ability to advance equality. According to the Tucker Center, Augsburg leapt from having slightly more than 36 percent female head coaches in 2014 to nearly 73 percent in 2017. “Think of how far we’ve come,” Pfaff said. “Augsburg’s first volleyball coach, Mary Timm ’81, could ‘afford’ to coach for us because she had a full-time job as a day care supervisor, and she used vacation time to travel with the team. Today, Augsburg has more women’s teams (11) than 20 AUGSBURG NOW men’s (10), and the Athletic Department works hard to create an equitable, forward-thinking, and inclusive culture.” Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 and Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks appreciate the Tucker Center’s acknowledgement of Augsburg’s dedication to women’s athletics. University leaders are ever-vigilant in their efforts to support all coaches, staff, and student-athletes in achieving a well-balanced life. “Coaching demands all of you and more, with 365-day recruiting on top of practices, planning, and leading studentathletes in competition and out in their everyday lives,” said Swenson, who has worked at Augsburg for more than 36 years. “We are committed to work-life integration. The best coaches are fulfilled, healthy, and productive members at home and in the community— an approach to life we want to mirror for our student-athletes.” Anderson Diercks recruits coaches and advises studentathletes interested in transitioning from court to clipboard. She is keenly aware of the factors contributing to the diminishing number of female coaches across the U.S. and emphasizes that even if you’re in a position of success, there’s still room for improvement. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics. —Kelly Anderson Diercks, associate athletic director “College athletic departments need to do a better job of recruiting and retaining women coaches through mentoring, professional development, and supportive cultures,” she said. “And it is critically important that this conversation is not just about women coaching women. It should be about women in coaching, which includes women coaching boys and men. It’s vital for all students to see women as role models in all professions, including athletics.” Popularity of women’s athletics contributes to decline in coaching equity The NCAA’s findings suggest that a major factor contributing to the decline of women coaching women is, ironically, tied to the boom of women’s athletics. With increased popularity came expanded staffs and higher salaries, attracting men—particularly longtime assistant coaches—to lead women’s teams. And while 60 percent of women’s teams are coached by men, according to the study, women guide only about 3 percent of men’s teams. Roughly 80 percent of collegiate athletic directors are men. Is a solution to ignore gender? “Absolutely not,” Anderson Diercks said. “Like any dimension of diversity, to ignore or deny a part of someone’s identity does not allow them to show up as their fullest and best self, and then we all miss out. There is richness in diversity, and women are an important part of that diversity, especially in the athletic arena.” A coaching job is demanding, with long hours, travel, and high expectations, but those pressures can be overcome, Swenson said. The more universities exemplify work-life balance, the more family-oriented student-athletes, regardless of gender, will be drawn to the profession, he added. Negative perceptions still cast a shadow Stigmas, misconceptions, and high stakes also contribute to the decline in women seeking and maintaining leadership roles in university athletics, according to the NCAA. Interviews with female coaches across the U.S. drew out comments about increasing demands, assumptions about female coaches’ sexuality, and perceived gender bias. Augsburg Women’s Hockey Head Coach Michelle McAteer said if she could squash an assumption curbing female coaches, it would be the belief that “all women are catty and emotional.” “Since women hold fewer leadership positions in all realms— from athletics and business to politics—we are put under a microscope and our actions are generalized,” she said. “Women in leadership need to become the norm and not the exception in order to combat these myths so we can get onto the business of empowering those we lead (and winning games).” And she would know. McAteer, who led the Augsburg women’s hockey team to its highest MIAC finish since the ’90s, played for female coaches throughout her high school and college years. These models of “strength, resolve, and compassion” gave her confidence and an awareness of her role now, as a coach, to model those values for the next generation, she said. “It’s a responsibility I care deeply about.” For Pfaff, this and other reflections from today’s women coaches signal that the legacy she and others fought to instill is [L to R]: Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kathryn Knippenberg and Graduate Fellow Taylor Tvedt ’19 MAL greet a prospective student. holding strong. Sure, there always is yet another contest to win, she said, but what’s the fun in not having a fight? The best part, for Pfaff, is knowing that Augsburg is on the right side of the field—maybe even the infield she helped grade for Augsburg’s first softball diamond. FALL - WINTER 2017 21 AUGGIES CONNECT AUGSBURG WOMEN ENGAGED: COURTESY PHOTO Dear alumni and friends, It’s an exciting time for Augsburg University, and the Alumni Board aims to infuse positive energy from Augsburg’s big events this fall in our year-long agenda. The board’s objective is to advance Augsburg’s mission by making the most of the time, talents, and treasure found in our alumni group. Each year, the Alumni Board plans events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and serve together. The 2017 Summer Series was an example of this work. Auggies attended a Minnesota United soccer game, took part in Auggie Night at Canterbury Park, and listened to Augsburg community members give presentations on a range of topics at the 7 People 7 Passions 7 Minutes event at Sisyphus Brewing. Alumni Board members also hosted Happy Hour Squared at Brave New Workshop, which featured a twist on a traditional social hour— attendees enjoyed beverages while making 1,500 sandwiches for unsheltered people in the Twin Cities. It is fun watching the talents of fellow Auggies come to life at our social events, and our upcoming calendar is available online: augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Using your time and talents to make connections with current students is simply one of the best ways to stay connected with Augsburg, so stay tuned for details about the upcoming 2018 Auggie Networking Experience on February 6. Auggies also can join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a tree in the Urban Arboretum planned for Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. The trees selected for the first phase of this plan will surround the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota. All gift levels are welcome. As the Alumni Board continues to advance the mission of the University through events and networking, we invite you to join us. We work hard, and we make sure we don’t forget to have fun, as well. MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION The Augsburg Women Engaged Philanthropy Council has grown in the past year. Augsburg alumnae formed AWE in 2009 to unite women with shared interests and passions through events, mentorship, and philanthropy. Today, AWE inspires women to connect, learn, and give. AWE highlights: Connect—Members gathered at Homecoming for a painting party to prepare pieces of a mural titled “Emergence” that will be installed in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn—AWE hosted a discussion following the 2016 Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation and a pre-concert reception at the annual Woman Voice: Voice of Hope choral performance. Give—Members raised more than $100,000 for the “Emergence” mural and are engaged in planning to raise an additional $1 million for scholarships. AWE’s participation has nearly doubled during the past year and includes Augsburg women from all generations, degree programs, and career fields. COURTESY PHOTO FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT AWE Philanthropy Council members [L to R]: Debby (Fredrickson) Crowley ’76, Danielle Stellner ’07, Joni Marti ’05 MAL, Lori Moline ’82, Martha Truax ’16 MAL, Shelby (Gimse) Andress ’56, Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL, Cheryl Jensen ’86, Donna McLean, and Kris (Peterson) Pearson ’78. Not pictured: Rachel (Olson) Engebretson ’98, Dr. Lisa Latham ’83, Diana Pierce ’16 MAL, and Cindy (Winberg) Sisson ’83. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about joining AWE. 22 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT Celebrate STEPUP ® PROGRAM MARKS 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS COURTESY PHOTO A Heidi Bausch ’07 ugsburg University’s StepUP Program is in its 20th year of empowering students in recovery to achieve academic success. StepUP held its annual gala October 28. The gala was an evening of inspiration and fellowship in which emcee Don Shelby, an Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist and person in recovery, welcomed nearly 500 Auggies, families, friends, and advocates for recovery. Each year, the StepUP Gala is organized by a committee of volunteers with support from Augsburg staff. The 2017 committee co-chairs were Gina Gage and Cindy Piper. Two of the evening’s highlights were the keynote address by alumna Heidi Bausch ’07 and the presentation of the Toby Piper Labelle Award to the James and Sally Dowdle and Pat and Jeanne Dwyer families. Bausch is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her graduation from Augsburg, where she studied psychology and philosophy, was an active member in the StepUP community, and worked for the Center for Wellness and Counseling. Today Bausch lives out a passion for serving the recovery community. She is pursuing a doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Her clinical practice included an internship at The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s residential program for young people and work at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview inpatient unit for youth facing chemical and mental health difficulties. Bausch also works with the Minnesota Psychology Association to promote legislation aimed at improving behavioral health care quality. This year, Bausch partnered with her StepUP Program roommate, Samantha Yerks ’06, to launch Singularity Behavioral Systems & Technology, a business that develops clinical software products for the mental health field. Go to augsburg.edu/stepup to learn more about the StepUP Program and its fundraising gala. FALL - WINTER 2017 23 introduces high school students to health science careers When University alumni and community members step up to help make an Augsburg program succeed, everybody wins. Since 2008, Augsburg University has hosted Metro Scrubs summer camps that offer high school students a glimpse into health science careers. Through workshops and hands-on activities, students gain insight into career paths that range from veterinary medicine and public health to physical therapy and nursing. The success of the weeklong program— formerly known as Urban Scrubs— hinges on faculty involvement and volunteer engagement through which working professionals teach workshops and mini-courses. This year, an Augsburg alumna and the parent of two Auggie alumni stepped in to offer their expertise—and to learn a thing or two from their pupils. Jenny Kelley ’85 pursued a nursing degree after completing her Augsburg education and now serves as a nurse and asthma educator at the Hennepin County Medical Center in COURTESY PHOTO METRO SCRUBS PROGRAM Nearly six dozen students participated in Augsburg’s Metro Scrubs Camp this summer. One of nine such programs for Minnesota high school students, Metro Scrubs is a collaborative effort of Augsburg University, HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and St. Catherine University. Minneapolis. Kelley initiated a Metro Scrubs class by asking students to inhale and exhale through a narrow cocktail straw, an exercise that highlighted how difficult it is for someone with asthma to breathe. Kelley noticed that her students were from a diverse array of backgrounds, but previous knowledge of asthma was something that unified the group. “I felt I was having an impact on students from many different cultures and different communities,” Kelley said. “Yet, everyone knows somebody with asthma, so this education is helpful in ensuring people use their inhalers the right way.” One out of 12 people in the U.S. is diagnosed with asthma. For Kelley, leading a Metro Scrubs course was a way to teach young people about the medical condition and to spur interest in careers that could help tackle this pressing health care need. For Dr. Robert “Bob” Florence, a primary care internist at Allina in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, teaching Metro Scrubs students was an opportunity to reconnect with the basics. Florence knows Augsburg well through his children, Jeffrey Florence ’02 and Beth Florence ’08, and he noted that teaching high school students was a reminder about the importance of clear doctor-patient communication. “I show the students what it’s like to do an office call with a patient, explaining the types of interactions I have with patients, along with the best and worst ways to handle certain scenarios,” Florence said. “I began teaching the class because the students hadn’t been exposed to primary care in the other Metro Scrubs sessions, and I wanted to teach them what they could and should expect.” While it can be difficult to fit extra opportunities into a physician’s hectic schedule, Florence said leading Metro Scrubs classes has been worthwhile. “It has helped me to be a better physician and taught students interested in medical careers valuable lessons,” he said. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities with Metro Scrubs Camp. 24 AUGSBURG NOW AUGGIES CONNECT GIFT EXPANDS MARINE AQUARIUM FACILITY for study of biological diversity When the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens for classes in January 2018, the new building will feature a state-of-the-art marine aquarium facility thanks to the generosity of donor Fritz Grimm, who made a substantial gift to fund the project. Twenty years ago, Associate Professor of Biology William “Bill” Capman created a large multi-tank coral reef aquarium system on campus to inspire interest in biological diversity, to serve as a teaching and research tool, and to provide living specimens for lab demonstrations. In the years since, the aquaria have been integral to Capman’s teaching, making interaction with marine life a unique aspect of Augsburg’s biology laboratory experience, exposing students to biodiversity they would not see elsewhere, and promoting careful stewardship of the world’s ecosystems. Capman has been passionate about aquatic life since his childhood. He and Grimm, as fellow members of the Twin Cities Marine Aquarium Society, have known each other for years. Grimm is the former proprietor of a store selling items for keeping coral, fish, and other sea life, and has assisted Capman in past efforts to care for Augsburg’s aquaria. For Grimm, sponsoring Augsburg’s marine environments is a way to support quality work already underway and build on it for the future. Grimm’s gift is enabling Augsburg to significantly expand its marine facilities to include a 350 gallon coral reef aquarium and six additional 60-90 gallon tanks housing additional diverse organisms, along with a research lab for studying coral biology and captive breeding of coral reef fish. “We rely on places like this to inspire people,” Grimm said of Augsburg’s marine aquarium expansion. “How should people know they need to care about seahorses and coral without ever seeing them?” Grimm is concerned by the known degradation of natural environments, pointing to the fact that a significant portion of the world’s coral are becoming more susceptible to disease and are dying due to increases in water temperature and pollution. “If anyone is going to inspire the future generation to do something about it, it will be Bill,” Grimm said. During a presentation to the Minnesota Aquarium Society, Bill Capman demonstrates how he creates artificial reef structures for new aquaria. COURTESY PHOTOS FALL - WINTER 2017 25 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1950 Carl Vaagenes ’50, a retired pastor, helped to translate the mission articles of Georg Sverdrup. Vaagenes was inspired to translate Sverdrup’s sermons for future generations and did this as a member of The Georg Sverdrup Society. In 1898, Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal, co-founders of Augsburg Seminary and College, published their sermons at the founding of the Lutheran Free Church but without their names. In “Aand og Liv” (“Spirit and Life”), they reveal their mind and heart for the church and for Augsburg. 1952 Millie Nelson ’52 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming in recognition for her dedication to Augsburg University. Before retiring, Nelson worked at Augsburg for decades. In her role as Christensen Center manager, she guided student assistants who described her as professional, competent, knowledgeable, and kind. These former students acknowledged that Nelson embodied the spirit of Augsburg. 1957 Stan Baker ’57 received the Ella Stephens Barrett Award for excellence in professional leadership and counseling from the North Carolina Counseling Association during its annual conference in February in Durham, North Carolina. 1964 Garrett “Gary” Waldner ’64 and his wife, Nancy, celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. They have three sons and four grandchildren. Waldner is active in the real estate appraisal field, specializing in litigation valuations. 1966 After graduating from Augsburg, Ron Blake ’66 went on to Luther Seminary and has pastored several churches before retiring in 2009 as a pastor with dual membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Blake and his wife remain active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington. They have two children and four grandsons. 1968 Bruce Benson ’68 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. Benson served as campus pastor at St. Olaf College for 30 years and has been a board member at church camps in Minnesota, Montana, and Ohio. He graduated cum laude from Augsburg with a Bachelor of Arts in English, earned his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 1972, and further earned a degree in Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1980. Benson hosts a radio program called, “Sing for Joy,” which is broadcast on 140 radio stations in the United States, carried by cable networks, and broadcast in 40 countries in and near Africa. 1970 Mark Francis ’70 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming and was recognized for his leadership in the Arizona school system. After graduating from Augsburg with a music degree, Francis founded the Arizona School for the Arts in 1995. ASA became one of the top charter schools in the state. Today, Francis is a deputy associate superintendent within the Arizona Department of Education. He is an active member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, which he has served in a number of capacities, including as congregational president, treasurer, and music leader. In June, Ray Hanson ’70 retired and moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one day later. He completed his career with Goldbelt Raven, where he provided scientific and technical assistance to the chemical forensics program at the Department of Homeland Security. 1972 In May, Rob Engelson ’72 received the Distinguished Service Award from Ashford University at its commencement ceremony in San Diego. The award acknowledged 21 years as a faculty member and five years as a member of the Faculty Senate. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’01 ’05 ’76 26 AUGSBURG NOW ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1973 Terry Lindstrom ’73 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg with degrees in chemistry and biology, Lindstrom received his doctorate in biochemistry with a pharmacology minor in 1977. He went on to complete postdoctoral research at Michigan State University from 1978 to 1979. During his career, Lindstrom led research teams that obtained patents for prescription medications Evista and Cymbalta. In addition to Lindstrom’s many scientific achievements, he and his wife, Janet Lindstrom, have provided 16 full Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity summer scholarships for Augsburg students during the past five years. 1974 Thomas Koplitz ’74 has been elected to the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted at a September ceremony held in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 1977 Augsburg honored Inez Bergquist ’77 with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. As the current president of Waltman Associates, Bergquist has more than 35 years experience in fundraising and is an expert in the area of nonprofit management. She served on the Augsburg University Alumni Board for eight years and on the Augsburg Parent Council for four years. Bergquist authored several books on families of wealth including the “Book of Minnesota Family Trees.” She also is a Wells Foundation board member. 1978 Phyllis Bartel ’78 published “Scooter ‘n’ Oaks: A Cat Adoption Story” in October 2016. As Bartel’s premier work, this fictionalized tale teaches children about the pet adoption process with compassion and gentle humor and shares similar themes with human adoption. 1979 Dave Boots ’79, who was inducted into Augsburg’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004, was named to the University of South Dakota Vermillion’s Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in October after retiring in 2013 with the 14th most wins in Division II men’s basketball history. He led the Coyotes to 23 consecutive winning seasons from 1989-2011, 10 NCAA Division II tournaments, six NCC titles, and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 1993 and 1994. At the Division I level, Boots also won a Great West Championship in 2010. Boots began his coaching career at Anoka Ramsey Community College and spent six years coaching at Augsburg before arriving in Vermillion. Sally (Hough) Daniels Herron ’79 is the new parish and communications administrator for Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota. SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE Leah Abdella ’76 retired in 2016 from a 40-year teaching career in the field of special education. At Augsburg, Abdella earned a double major in music and music therapy as one of the first three music therapy majors. Abdella stays fulfilled in retirement through volunteer work and flute performance at assisted living residences, nursing homes, and churches. She also stays active in ballet classes and yoga. She is a former member of the Andahazy Ballet Company. ’76 Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations at Augsburg University, married Chris Code in April during an intimate ceremony at the Guthrie Theater—where the couple met while both on staff. The wedding was officiated by Code’s father, the Rev. Jack ’01 ’14 Former hockey and football player Paul Holmquist ’79 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Holmquist was a key member of Augsburg teams that dominated in the late 1970s, earning the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national title in 1979 and qualifying for NAIA national tournament play all of Holmquist’s four seasons. The teams he competed with also won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1978 and 1979. He was named a team MVP in the 1978-79 season, the same time period in which he earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors. 1980 Paul Kilgore ’80 wrote a novel, “The Broken Key,” that is available through online and retail outlets. 1985 Brian Ammann ’85 has been running the Minnesota School of Basketball in Apple Valley and Golden Valley for 12 years. He is the former head basketball coach at Augsburg. 1987 Lee Ann (Burson) Hohenstein ’87 left a 20-year career in mortgage banking to follow her dream and become a staff writer for the Mille Lacs Messenger. She also opened Restoration Books and Gifts in Crosby, Minnesota. Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. Koch, and was witnessed by sibling Jason Koch ’93 and sister-in-law Heather Johnston ’92. Allison (Cornell) Broughton ’05 and Matt Broughton ’06 welcomed new baby Nicholas James in June. Nicholas joins big brother Calvin, age 4. ’05 This August, Samantha Cantrall ’14 and Austin Smith ’14 were married in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, by Augsburg Professor of Computer Science Larry Crockett. The couple met in Augsburg’s Urness Hall in 2010, and both graduated from the Honors Program in 2014. They have taken Samantha’s mother’s last name as their wedded name and will be known as Samantha and Austin Wolf. ’14 FALL - WINTER 2017 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1991 Kristin Dragseth Wiersma ’91 had an outstanding volleyball career at Augsburg, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Wiersma played three seasons of volleyball, earning All-MIAC and Academic All-MIAC honors in 1990, and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1989. She remains in the top 10 players in school history in three career statistical categories: kills per-set, attack percentage, and digs per-set. A team co-captain in 1990, Wiersma also served as an assistant coach at Augsburg in 1991. 1992 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Juli Gustafson ’92 played two years of softball at Augsburg earning All-MIAC honors as a shortstop in both 1991 and 1992, while also earning National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-West Region honors in 1991. Her .395 career batting average is the third-best in school history. She also ranks third in career slugging percentage and sixth in career doubles. Gustafson was a member of Auggie teams that went 47-22 in her two seasons. Though he only competed in one season of wrestling at Augsburg, Bret Sharp ’92 made the most of it. He went 43-2-1 with 15 pins and 95 takedowns, won the MIAC title at heavyweight, and finished third at the NCAA Division III national tournament in the 1991-92 season, where he helped to clinch a second-place national team finish for the Auggies. Sharp was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. He competed his first three seasons at Drake University in Iowa. 1993 Dr. Jason Koch ’93 was appointed president of Southdale Pediatrics, where he has worked for the past 16 years. Wrestling star Gary Thompson ’93 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-year competitor in wrestling, Thompson completed his Auggie career with a 91-40-1 record, finishing fourth at the 1993 NCAA Division III national championships and earning All-American honors. He was a MIAC champion, a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar AllAmerican, and a two-time Academic All-MIAC honors student-athlete. Thompson was a member of Augsburg squads that won the NCAA national championship in 1993 and finished second and third in other years. 1994 Chris Terrell ’94 was promoted to vice president of finance for Medtronic’s Cardiac and Vascular Group Global Operations. Terrell joined Medtronic in 2003 and most recently served as a senior director of operations in finance, where he drove finance strategies for nine manufacturing locations. 1995 Dual sport athlete Marty Alger ’95 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. In football, Alger set an Augsburg program record for career rushing yardage, which stood until 2014. In 1992, he became the first Auggie ever to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season. He earned All-MIAC honors in football in both 1992 and 1993. As an Auggie wrestler, he qualified for the 1993 NCAA Division III national tournament after winning the MIAC title at 190 pounds. 1997 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Eric Rolland ’97 was a leader on some of the most successful men’s golf teams in school history. He led squads that won the MIAC championship in 1995 and recorded second-place finishes in 1994 and 1996, while competing in three straight NCAA Division III national tournaments. Rolland AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and Timothy Stepka were married July 15 in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Their ceremony was officiated by Josh Corrigan ’11, and their wedding party included Augsburg alumni Katie (Christensen) Beadell ’11, Korri (Yule) Corrigan ’11, Tim Lund ’12, Amy Jo Opsal ’12, and Tyler Phillips ’12. ’11 28 AUGSBURG NOW In July, Enrico Barrozo ’14 and Mara (Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 were married at Augsburg University’s Hoversten Chapel. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Mike Matson ’06. The newlyweds live in Gainesville, Florida, where Enrico is pursuing a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics at the University of Florida, and Mara teaches middle school science. ’14 Rebecca (Welle) Winters ’05 and Paul Winters ’07 welcomed a daughter, Maisy Beverly, in May. She joins siblings Max, who is six years old, and Millie, who is three years old. ’05 Matt Tonsager ’09, co-owner of Gullton Wood, and Melissa (Moberg) Tonsager ’10 welcomed a daughter, Adalind Kay Tonsager, in April. ’09 earned All-America honors in 1995, AllDistrict honors in 1997, and All-MIAC honors in 1995 and 1996. Since 2014, he has served as Augsburg’s men’s and women’s golf head coach. 1999 Elizabeth (Petrik) Brown ’99 had an outstanding goaltending career on the Augsburg women’s soccer team, an accomplishment that earned her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown started all but one game of her collegiate career, finishing with 34 career victories, including a then-school-record 13 in 1995. She stands second in school history in career shutouts, fourth in career wins, and eighth in career win-loss percentage. Her 1.69 career goals-against-average is 10th-best in school history. Cheri Johnson ’99 wrote two book series released this fall for young readers. “Origins: Urban Legends” and “Origins: Whodunnit” are high-interest, low-readinglevel books that target upper-elementary and middle-school students. The books will be distributed by Lerner. Johnson also is working on a performance project in Minneapolis called “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” with the music ensemble Zeitgeist; her sister, Julie Johnson ’98; and actor, director, and filmmaker D.J. Mendel. “Crocus Hill Ghost Story” tells a tale set in an evil house in St. Paul. ’11 ’14 ’05 ’09 ’00 Devoney Looser ’89 published a new ’89 book, “The Making of Jane Austen,” which was named in Publishers Weekly’s list of Best Summer Books of 2017 (nonfiction). This May, Lewis Nelson ’00 graduated from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business with a Master of Business Administration degree. Nelson left a 15-year military and government career and is seeking the next challenge. Nelson resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his three children. ’00 ’89 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2000 The Rev. Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00 has accepted a term-call as the associate interim pastor at Saving Grace Lutheran, Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She will serve and work alongside its faithful congregation and pastor, the Rev. David Irgens, during a time of great transition and growth. Brown will serve Saving Grace Lutheran for one year until the congregation places a call for a permanent associate pastor. 2001 James Shropshire ’01, former assistant director of public safety at Augsburg, is the new director of campus safety at Grinnell College. At Augsburg, Shropshire also served as a Title IX adjudicator and investigator. Besides revising diversity training, Shropshire’s agenda for campus safety at Grinnell will include updating the department’s software, computers, and other equipment. 2002 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Chrissy (Baune) Bloemendal ’02 was a 16-time AllMIAC selection in cross country (three times) and track and field (13 times). The team’s No. 1 runner her final three seasons in cross country, Bloemendal finished sixth in the MIAC championships in 2001 and 13th in 2000. In track and field, she won the MIAC title and qualified for the NCAA Division III outdoor national championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2002, finishing ninth nationally. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS 30 AUGSBURG NOW ’15 Two years ago Heather Cmiel ’02 left 13 years of communications agency life behind to go corporate. She now serves as global marketing communications strategist within 3M Healthcare. Cmiel spends her free time as president of Minnesota Public Relations Society of America. She also leads a contemporary worship band. 2003 Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03 is the founder and director of the Rural Enterprise Center, a program of Main Street Project, a nonprofit organization focused on rural development. Haslett-Marroquin also serves on the boards of the Northfield Area Foundation, the Northfield Area United Way, and Fifth Bridge, a nonprofit organization promoting volunteerism. 2005 Ryan Bosshart ’05 is a vice president of services at phData, a global leader in big data consulting and managed services. Most recently, Bosshart was a principal sales engineer at Cloudera. 2006 Michelle Dirtzu ’06 is a new marketing manager at Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms based in Los Angeles, California. Dirtzu has 10 years of experience in the grocery-retail-produce business. Previously, she was a marketing director for North Shore Living Herbs, in marketing with Flagstone Foods, and in brand management with Supervalu. Dirtzu earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Opus School of Business at the University of St. Thomas in 2014. Brenda Valentine ’06 welcomed her son, Jackson James Valentine Rice, in April. 2007 A managing partner of business planning at the American Public Media Group, Danielle Stellner ’07 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. After graduating from Augsburg, Stellner went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 2016. She was recruited for the board of Isuroon and Secretary, and she is the active co-chair of the AWE Philanthropy Council at Augsburg. In addition, Stellner serves the Friendship Academy of the Arts as a board member and expansion committee member. 2008 Tony Landecker ’08 serves as a portfolio manager in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Minneapolis-St. Paul field office and is responsible for assisting with the management of local housing stock. Landecker was named the Minnesota Civil Servant of the Year by HUD’s Federal Executive Board for helping others find the comfort of a home in the aftermath of a disaster. In 2016, he left his home and family to spend time helping Baton Rouge flood victims, leading a team that found permanent housing for 130 families initially placed in temporary shelters. Rachel Shaheen ’15 and Christopher Kopp ’15 were married in July. The bride and groom were joined by fellow Augsburg alumni [L to R]: Becky Shaheen ’11, Patrick DuSchane ’13, Laura Schmidt ’11, Jakob Anderson ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olson ’11, Lily Moloney ’15, Mary Stickelmeyer ’74, Emily Knudson ’15, Kate Gray ’15, Tyler Dorn ’15, and Alisha Esselstein ’15. ’15 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Curtiss Schreiber ’08 is now an associate at the law firm Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth LLC in Chicago. 2011 Jennifer Weber ’11 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for her dedication to Minneapolis’ CedarRiverside community and in recognition for the projects she has initiated in the Twin Cities area. Before graduating from Augsburg with a triple major in emotional/ behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and American Indian studies, Weber created an American Indian resource library for the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education Program. Weber has been involved in many community projects and is a crisis prevention and interventions trainer at the Charter School Special Ed Network. She is also a certified school coach, teacher, and member of the Cedar Riverside Community School Board. 2012 Katie Radford ’12, ’18 MBA started a new position at Fairview Health Services as a training consultant. She helps facilitate individual and team development sessions for professional growth. 2014 Maren Daniels ’14 teaches elementary visual art at Hiawatha Academy Morris Park in Minneapolis. 2015 Awale Osman ’15 serves as a community innovation associate at the Bush Foundation. He has experienced much change: coming to the U.S. from war-torn Somalia and Kenyan refugee camps to learning English as a third language and graduating with high academic honors. His work as a change agent has included expanding after-school opportunities for Somali youth; impressing upon Congress the value of federal TRIO programming; and activating safe spaces for women, people of color, and queer students. 2016 Victoria Linstrom ’16, Andrew Kleidon-Linstom ’16, Bridgette Henry ’16, and student Mitch Ross ’18 formed the Open Door Theater where Linstrom serves as the executive director, Kleidon-Linstom is the artistic director, Henry is the company manager/dramaturg in residence, and Ross is the marketing director. Muna Mohamed ’16 received a scholarship at the University of Minnesota to pursue a Master of Science degree in behavioral aspects of physical activity. At the university, Mohamed conducts research on East African mother-daughter physical activity. 2017 Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Eron Godi ’17 to the Young Women’s Cabinet, part of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota that aims to improve opportunity for women ages 12 to 24 by bringing together nonprofits, businesses, government, philanthropic organizations, and young women to create plans for building equity. Godi was one of 25 women selected statewide for a cabinet position. Emily Gregg ’17, former Augsburg women’s soccer defender, was named one of 174 nationwide recipients of a $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship honoring her achievements as both a scholar and an athlete. A biology major with a 3.72 GPA, Gregg is the first Auggie to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship since 2014. Gregg will attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She hopes to someday work as a wildlife/large animal veterinarian. Anna Renner ’17 has been accepted to the Clarkson University Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Potsdam, New York. Dua Saleh ’17 had one of her songs played on “The Current” radio station. She performs music and poetry at Twin Cities venues. Riley Siddorn ’17 was among nearly 450 summer interns at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Interns seek out new ways to explore their career fields and engage NASA’s international scientific community in Goddard projects. Siddorn, who majored in physics, held an internship in ionospheric physics. The internships covered a wide spectrum in science-related areas, from planetary science to sounding rockets to Earth science. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Doris Rubenstein ’93 MAL won the silver Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Award for her book, “The Journey of a Dollar,” at the association’s 29th annual award ceremony in Portland, Oregon. Kathleen Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP; Joyce Miller ’02, ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; Katherine Baumgartner ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; and Cheryl Leuning, former Nursing Department chair, co-authored an article, “The Citizen Nurse: An Educational Innovation for Change,” which was published in the Journal of Nursing Education. Jamie Heitzinger ’11 MPA earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications by completing specialty training from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She works at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. Ryan Stopera ’11 MSW/MBA is a social worker and social entrepreneur. He serves as a program analyst for the Graves Foundation and teaches in Augsburg’s Social Work Department. Stopera enjoys building community through art, cycling, and rock climbing in his spare time. Allison DeGroot ’15 MAL is the new head women’s soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The women’s soccer program competes at the highest level in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, and DeGroot is looking forward to working with players to help the program reach its potential. DeGroot was an assistant coach at Augsburg from 2012 until 2016. Angela Mejdrich ’15 MAE is the new director of administration at Spirit of the Lake Community School in Duluth, Minnesota. She provides lead support and oversight of several administrative and business matters. Mejdrich has more than 20 years of teaching and administration experience, most recently as vice principal of St. Michael’s Lakeside School. Thomas Hirsch ’16 MPA is a new physician assistant at the Essentia Health–Hermantown Clinic in Minnesota. FALL - WINTER 2017 31 PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG IN MEMORIAM Alfred W. Walck ’40, Urbandale, Iowa, age 96, on April 27. Addell L. (Halverson) Dahlen ’43, Minneapolis, age 96, on June 2. Carl G. Gilbertson ’43, Battle Lake, Minnesota, age 96, on April 14. Arlene L. (Dunham) Sandberg ’43, Madelia, Minnesota, age 95, on May 12. Muriel R. (Ruud) Frosch ’45, Winona, Minnesota, age 94, on July 26. Lorene M. (McGinnis) Hansen ’49, Clear Lake, Iowa, age 92, on July 7. Lorraine (Telander) Hendershot ’49, Mora, Minnesota, age 89, on March 29. Phyllis (Erickson) Quanbeck ’49, Salem, Oregon, age 89, on June 28. Donald P. Sateren ’49, Long Beach, California, age 96, on June 18. Russell G. Solheim ’49, Racine, Wisconsin, age 96, on July 8. Marilyn L. (Larson) Forslund ’50, Moline, Illinois, age 94, on May 26. Roger C. Mackey ’57, Saint Paul, Minnesota, age 83, on July 20. David C. Siedlar ’71, Huaian City, Jiangsu, China, age 68, on March 19. Norman O. Landvik ’50, Port Angeles, Washington, age 89, on April 6. Warren L. Anderson ’59, Grand Marais, Minnesota, age 84, on March 16. Bradley W. Shoff ’77, Akeley, Minnesota, age 62, on June 18. Arnold R. Aasen ’51, Fridley, Minnesota, age 88, on July 23. Carrol A. Bakken ’59, Rushford, Minnesota, age 82, on March 18. John A. Faeth ’89, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 51, on April 3. Elden O. Landvik ’51, Duluth, Minnesota, age 92, on July 3. James D. Slarks ’51, Saint Peter, Minnesota, age 92, on June 27. LeVon M. (Paulson) Dinter ’52, Edina, Minnesota, age 86, on March 18. Mildred C. Hetager ’52, Minneapolis, age 103, on June 30. Donald W. Siegel ’53, Minneapolis, age 89, on April 6. Peter L. Hauser ’62, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 76, on July 10. Michael L. Kropp ’95, Albert Lea, Minnesota, age 49, on April 2. Gerald W. Mortenson ’62, Stone Lake, Wisconsin, age 79, on March 31. Charity Thunder ’99, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, age 71, on July 1. Paul S. Monson ’63, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, age 76, on July 12. Jacob R. Collins ’03, Austin, Minnesota, age 36, on August 25. Gary W. Paulson ’63, Willmar, Minnesota, age 75, on June 10. Christopher G. Frame ’09, Minneapolis, age 33, on March 20. Richard E. Kuehne ’64, Walker, Minnesota, age 76, on August 7. Elnora C. (Hanson) Beireis ’54, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, age 84, on July 27. Ronald A. Hanson ’65, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, age 74, on July 17. Mary Ann E. (Fox) Domholdt ’56, Mentor, Ohio, age 83, on April 5. Terence W. Rindal ’66, Crystal Lake, Illinois, age 82, on August 12. Mark D. Lukitsch ’20, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, age 19, on August 5. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 15. 32 AUGSBURG NOW JOIN US FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NORMAN AND EVANGELINE HAGFORS CENTER FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 4–5 p.m. | Alumni and Community Open House Hagfors Center, Augsburg University 700 21st Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 RSVP by January 8 at augsburg.edu/alumni/events. Send questions to Hannah Walsh ’14, advancement assistant, at walsh@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1098. FALL - WINTER 2017 33 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Thousands of Auggies. One Augsburg. Augsburg’s 2017 Homecoming celebration was held October 12–14, a festive weekend when alumni, students, and community members took part in more than 35 events, including reunions for the classes of 1967, 1977, 1992, and 2007. In all, more than 600 alumni from different generations visited campus to show their Auggie pride and mark the first Homecoming as Augsburg University. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2018: Remarkable Achievements
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: Literary scholar on skates Athletic facility spotlight Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A Research and student success REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director...
Show more Literary scholar on skates Athletic facility spotlight Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A Research and student success REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1 INSIDE AUGSBURG NOW Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John ’13 MBA rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Marketing Stephen Jendraszak jendra@augsburg.edu NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW On “Yes, and … ” I teach the Honors Senior Seminar each spring, which is always a highlight of my year, and one of the class sessions introduces students to the history and practice of improvisation. I invite members of our theater faculty and local improv performers to come to class to help us understand why improv is so important to places like Chicago (think Second City) and Minneapolis (think Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop). Then the fun begins. The improv artists invite us to the front of the classroom where we are taught some basic improv skills. Embarrassment aside, these sessions are full of life lessons. My favorite exercise goes like this: one student makes a statement related to an assigned topic. Perhaps the topic is the weather, and the student proclaims, “Wow, is it hot.” The next student then answers, “Yes, and ... I’m sweating like a faucet.” The next student continues, “Yes, and ... my faucets often leak.” You get the point. No one is allowed to say “No” or even “Yes, but … ”—it’s always “Yes, and … .” That’s how improv works, and I believe that’s how Augsburg works when we are at our best. We live in a “No” and “Yes, but … ” world—a world of scarcity that keeps us from risking ourselves in relation to others. Improv teaches us the way of abundance, a way that finds we are better together. “Yes, and … ” builds upon the gifts of others to help us live healthier, more just and compassionate lives together. The anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson offers this helpful word: “Improvisation and new learning are not private processes; they are shared with others at every age. We are called to join in a dance whose steps must be learned along the way, so it is important to attend and respond.” This issue of Augsburg Now is full of stories of “Yes, and … ”—including highlights of our planning for next year’s sesquicentennial celebration, Augsburg’s 150th anniversary. What a grand celebration it will be, as we recall the abundance of our founding in 1869, the decades of educating students for lives of meaning and purpose, and the promise of Augsburg’s mission in the years ahead. Yes, and ... it will be good! Faithfully yours, PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Gita Sitaramiah sitarami@augsburg.edu Assistant Director of Marketing Management Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA swansonl@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Elizabeth Kästner kaestner@augsburg.edu Senior Creative Associate, Design Denielle Stepka ’11 stepkad@augsburg.edu Marketing Copywriter John Weirick weirick@augsburg.edu Communication and Social Media Specialist Briana Alamilla ’17 alamilla@augsburg.edu Advancement Communications Specialist Kaia Chambers chamberk2@augsburg.edu Web Manager Joe Mann mannj@augsburg.edu Contributing Writers Katie (Koch) Code ’01 Kate H. Elliott Kelly O’Hara Dyer Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg University 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official university policy. ISSN 1058-1545 AUGSBURG NOW IN FOCUS: Fall–Winter 2018 Surprising sights worth a first (or second) glance 02 AROUND THE QUAD This fall, Philadelphia-based artist Margery Amdur created mixed media installations in Augsburg’s Christensen and Gage Family galleries. Amdur’s art emphasizes the creative process and incorporates unusual materials— including cosmetic sponges. The exhibition was presented as part of a collaboration among Augsburg, Bethel University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and St. Catherine University in conjunction with the publication of the book “Creative Practices for Visual Artists.” 08 ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS 10 NO PLAIN JANE 14 CARVING PATHS FOR THE FUTURE 16 THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE DOME 20 BANNER YEAR IN STUDENT SUCCESS 23 AUGGIES CONNECT 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 32 IN MEMORIAM On the cover: Undergraduate researcher and biology major Angelica Diaz-Juarez ’20 waters plants in Augsburg’s Hagfors Center grow room. Learn about Auggies’ research experiences on page 20. COURTESY PHOTOS Inset cover photo by Deanna Dent, Arizona State University All photos by Courtney Perry unless otherwise indicated Here’s a new take on the “spring thaw.” Virtually all summer and fall, the Augsburg Ice Arena was iceless, which allowed construction crews to complete facility improvements, including installing a more environmentally friendly refrigerant system and upgrading the ice sheet floors from sand to concrete bases. Augsburg’s two-rink facility opened in 1974 and is used extensively—not only by the university’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, but also by community groups, youth sports leagues, figure skating clubs, and recreational skaters. Send address corrections to: alumniupdate@augsburg.edu Send comments to: now@augsburg.edu THAT’S GROOVY. Augsburg students celebrate the start of the school year Have you ever seen a dance floor filled with people swaying to the sound of … silence? That’s what a silent disco looks like. But the amusement was anything but muted for those who took part in an Auggie Bash hosted by the Augsburg Student Activities Council this past September. Participants wore wireless headphones tuned in to one of several audio channels playing a variety of music styles. This unusual approach to parties encourages dancers to move and groove their own way and to let their uniqueness shine as brightly as their neon headwear. THE AUGSBURG PODCAST Listen to the podcast online at augsburg.edu/podcast or download episodes from iTunes. 2 AUGSBURG NOW Hear Augsburg University faculty and staff share stories of their work with students in their own words. Launched this fall, the Augsburg Podcast is a new, 18-episode series offering a variety of perspectives on the university’s most important work: educating students for the future. StepUP makes NATIONAL HEADLINES NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt put Augsburg University’s StepUP® Program in the spotlight this May by showcasing its success in helping students in recovery complete their college education. NBC’s Catie Beck interviewed Neil King ’18 about the support he received from StepUP as a full-time student at Augsburg. Beck also interviewed StepUP Progam Director Tamarah Gehlen. “We always say that no one should have to choose between recovery and a college education,” Gehlen said. King, who began using drugs at age 14, discovered the StepUP Program four months into his recovery. “I really learned to believe in myself and my skills and capabilities,” said King, who’s now pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. UNIVERSITY AWARDS Top 200 Schools for Indigenous Americans: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Winds of Change magazine selected Augsburg as one of the 2018 Top 200 Schools for Indigenous American and Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. THE PARADOX OF PEACE: The 30th Nobel Peace Prize Forum INAUGURAL PHOTO BY REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER The Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis marked its 30th anniversary in September. The forum, hosted and presented by Augsburg University, celebrated the achievements of the 2016 Nobel Laureate, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and the 2017 Laureate, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, represented by Executive Director Beatrice Fihn. The program explored the intertwining complexities and paradoxes of water, conflict, and peace. “The paradox of peace lies in the paradox of the human condition— that we are capable of great love and great cruelty, that we are always a mix of some amount of ability and vulnerability. To achieve peace, we often have to fight for it,” said Joe Underhill, Augsburg associate professor of political science and director of the forum. Schwartz Professor of Choral Leadership and Conducting This fall, Augsburg named Kristina Boerger the inaugural John N. Schwartz Professor of Choral Leadership and Conducting. Boerger leads a visionary program honoring Augsburg’s legacy of engaging both music majors and non-music majors across campus. “Kristina Boerger has collaborated with leading composers and artists in creatively advancing the field of choral study and performance,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Her work has garnered national recognition, and we’re excited to have her join Augsburg.” With a strong commitment to inclusion, access, and equity, Boerger brings to Augsburg a long and diverse professional practice of exploring music from varied cultures. She has worked in public school, collegiate, community, and professional settings. In addition to her achievements in commissioning and premiering new works, Boerger served as director of three choirs that earned critical acclaim from The New York Times. She holds degrees in music education and conducting from the University of Illinois. Best Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report again named Augsburg one of the Best Universities in the Midwest, ranking the university No. 5 among the Minnesota schools on the list for undergraduate teaching, No. 10 on best value schools, and No. 14 for most innovative. Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review: This year, The Princeton Review again named Augsburg one of the Best in the Midwest for academic excellence. Best Value in Minnesota: Best Value Schools ranked Augsburg No. 6 on a 2018 list of 20 Best Value Colleges or Universities in Minnesota. Rankings are based on graduation rate, net price, acceptance rate, and 20-year net return on investment. Top LGBTQ-friendly Colleges and Universities: Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list of the top 30 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in 2017 and 2018. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Augsburg delegation honors Mandela centenary An Augsburg University delegation that included administrators and Board of Regents members traveled to Namibia and South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s centenary celebration. While there, Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow visited the university’s Namibia operations and met with students. Here, he’s pictured in Cape Town with guide Shireen Narkedien. COURTESY PHOTO AROUND THE QUAD Augsburg adopts test-optional admissions policy NEW AUGSBURG BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS Matthew Entenza, senior advisor on energy and the economy to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, was elected chair of the Augsburg University Board of Regents at its October 6 meeting. In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September meeting, elected three new members to the Board of Regents and re-elected six members. Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents: • Mark Johnson ’75, retired city planner and former president of Sonju Motors in Two Harbors, Minnesota • Terry Lindstrom ’73, drug discovery consultant and former Eli Lilly distinguished research fellow in Indianapolis, Indiana • Nancy Mueller ’85, physics and chemistry teacher in Rochester, Minnesota Mark Johnson ’75 Elected to a second or third term: • Diane Jacobson, former director of the Book of Faith Initiative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • Terry Lindstrom ’73 for Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, senior vice president of Northland Securities, a Minneapolis securities brokerage firm Nancy Mueller ’85 • LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, former co-vice chair of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias in the Courts and of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Gender Fairness in the Courts • Dean Sundquist ’81, chairman and chief executive officer of Mate Precision Tooling in Anoka, Minnesota • David Tiede, former president and professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota See the full list of Board of Regents members at augsburg.edu/about/leadership. 4 AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG ACHIEVES LEED Gold Certification Dr. Steven Larson ’72, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Riverside Medical Clinic in Riverside, California • This past spring, the Augsburg faculty approved a pilot test-optional admissions policy, making submission of ACT or SAT test scores optional for fall 2019 first-year and transfer undergraduate student applicants, except in specific circumstances. “The test-optional admission policy aligns with Augsburg’s mission of intentional diversity and is expected to increase the university’s pool of completed applicants each year,” said Nate Gorr, assistant vice president for innovation. For a number of student populations, standardized test scores may not reflect an accurate indication of academic ability—including, for example, people without access to test preparation courses and tutors, those who can’t afford to retake the test, people with learning and physical differences, and English language learners. This policy change also aligns with Augsburg’s holistic admissions process, which looks at quantitative metrics and beyond. The application-review process allows Augsburg to maintain the university’s academic standards and ensure Augsburg admits students with the capacity to succeed. Augsburg University’s new signature interdisciplinary building—the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion—achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In keeping with Augsburg’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Hagfors Center was designed to incorporate elements that maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact, both in its construction and throughout its operational lifetime. LEED is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. HAGFORS CENTER RIVER SEMESTER 2018 A group of 15 Augsburg University students, two professors, and two guides departed August 24 in 24-foot voyageur canoes to spend the semester studying, researching, and living on the Mississippi River. The students and their guides are traveling nearly 1,000 miles, making stops to camp at several locations. The River Semester, led by Associate Professor of Political Science Joe Underhill, is a unique 100-day, hands-on, interdisciplinary program. Students earn 16 credits studying biology, environmental science, health and physical education, and political science. This is Augsburg’s second time conducting the program; the first was in 2015. Experiential education is a trademark of students’ Augsburg experiences. “We do this because we think this is the best way to learn both about the Mississippi River and about what’s going on out in the world,” Underhill said. Students return to the Twin Cities on December 1. COURTESY PHOTOS 2018–19 CONVOCATION SERIES In October, Augsburg’s annual convocation series kicked off with the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring author and educator Rahuldeep Gill and his presentation, “Who Are ‘We?’ A Sikh Perspective on Vocation, Justice, and Death.” Through his lectures and workshops, Gill works to build pluralism and crosscultural relations to inspire connected communities on campus, in the workplace, and in the marketplace. In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling Convocation welcomed Gloria Burgess, pioneering scholar, author, and international inspirational speaker. Her presentation was titled “Greatness Lives in All of Us!” SAVE THE DATE: Join us Monday, January 21, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All convocation events are free, public, and held in the Foss Center. For more information, go to augsburg.edu/convo. FALL–WINTER 2018 5 A look at environmental privilege with social worker Christina Erickson Whether it’s popping up in social media news feeds or emerging in conversations held around the dinner table, the concept of “privilege” is rising in the public consciousness. “Privilege has become a serious area of inquiry in recent years,” said Augsburg Professor of Social Work Christina Erickson. “White privilege and male privilege have hit the spotlight, as have racial disparities in policing and the #MeToo movement highlighting harassment and sexual assault. Environmental privilege is a related phenomenon, and, while it seems to be an understudied area of privilege (and not the only one), it is still important, probably more than we realize.” Erickson teaches courses in environmental justice and social change, and she’s taking on the challenge of exploring environmental privilege in greater depth. She is the author of “Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice,” a textbook designed to bring an understanding of environmental privilege into social work curricula. Q: A: How do you describe environmental privilege? Environmental privilege is having access to a resource simply because of your social identity categories—race, age, gender, income, and geography. Studies have shown that if you have a higher income, you likely have more green space near your home, work, or school. Not to mention owning a cabin, attending summer camp, or even seeing people who look like you at our most beautiful natural spaces. If you use all the water you want for your daily self care and other activities without thinking about it, you have environmental privilege. Q: A: Is environmental justice similar to social justice and, if so, how? Environmental justice and social justice are intricately linked in ways that we have only begun to discover and name. For example, kids living in neighborhoods with poor air quality are missing school due to asthma more than 6 AUGSBURG NOW kids breathing clean air. If you can’t go to school, your chances for school success, which leads to adult success, are inhibited. Q: Can you describe environmental injustices and the disparities some groups face? A: In 1987, research found that waste facilities were most often near neighborhoods of people of color, many of them containing toxic waste. Even our own Minnesota nuclear power facility, located near Prairie Island Indian Community, is an example of how some people are forced to live closer to environmental burdens than others. Q: A: Why is it important to reflect on our own privilege, and how can we dismantle it? Dismantling privileges is one of the ways we create social change. When we think about creating shifts in society, we generally need to stop certain behaviors—such as racist hiring practices or sexual harassment—to integrate new behaviors to take the place of the old. Augsburg already has taken a stand on water—we encourage our entire campus community to refill water bottles from our own taps, which environmental studies students tested for safety. Q: How does your social work background align with your work in environmental justice? A: For most of my life I viewed myself as a social worker who was an environmentalist. It wasn’t until coming to Augsburg, collaborating on our interdisciplinary environmental studies major, working with my social work colleagues on privilege and oppression, and participating in our Environmental Stewardship Committee that I began to recognize myself, in an integrated way, as an environmental justice social worker. AROUND THE QUAD MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE receives renewed support from three area foundations The Minnesota Urban Debate League, a program of Augsburg University, entered the 2018–19 school year with a full head of steam thanks to funding and partnership support from three Twin Cities grantmakers. • With a $25,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, MNUDL will launch a program centered on building financial literacy skills. Young women will learn financial concepts using the format of academic debate, which breaks down abstract concepts and makes them more relevant. Funds from this grant also will offer a cohort of women and gender-nonconforming students the opportunity to attend The Advocacy Unit, an advocacy skills training summer camp that takes place on Augsburg’s campus. • MNUDL will reach even more students in St. Paul Public Schools using a $40,000 grant from the St. Paul Foundation. MNUDL will add four middle school programs over the next two years. Funds also will make it possible for MNUDL to expand culturally specific debate programs for Spanish-speaking and Somali students. • A $40,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation will provide general operating support, helping MNUDL expand a variety of priorities, including increasing summer camp opportunities for middle and high school students. AUGGIE STYLE: Athletics apparel, then and now Forty years of serving American Indian students In October, Augsburg’s American Indian Student Services celebrated its 40th anniversary. The program has been a national model of success since 1978. Approximately 130 students representing more than 25 tribes are enrolled part time or full time in Augsburg’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Special invitees to the 40th anniversary reception included Bonnie Wallace, Augsburg regent emerita and the first director of the AISS program, as well as current Board of Regents members Eric Jolly, Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, and Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW. Today Augsburg University’s varsity athletes wear high-performance gear that aligns with their high-caliber capabilities. Many Auggie teams are sporting new uniform styles following Augsburg’s name change and a recent partnership with BIG Athletics to supply athletes with adidas apparel, uniforms, footwear, and accessories over the next five years. Here’s a glimpse at how current styles compare to those worn in years gone by. See other athletic uniforms at augsburg.edu/now. 1979 1930 1998 1975 ARCHIVE PHOTOS 2017–18 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS Thank you. Your giving supports current and future Auggies as they gain skills and knowledge to thrive in their careers, pursue advanced scholarship, and achieve in leadership roles after graduation. Learn more about opportunities to support an Augsburg education at augsburg.edu/giving. ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE May 31, 2018—$48,136,083 $40.5 $38.3 EXPENSES BY CATEGORY 38% 33% 19% 4% 3% 2% 1% Salaries and benefits Financial aid Operating expenses Debt services Utilities and insurance Student compensation Capital improvement $32.4 $28.2 $39.4 $29.8 $24.5 2007 2008 Fiscal year 2017–18 operating budget: $68,736,254 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 As of May 31, 2018, Augsburg University had annual realized and unrealized gains of 10.19 percent on the university endowment. The five-year average annual return on the endowment is 7.11 percent and the 10-year average annual return is 4.70 percent. Augsburg is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to the university in perpetuity. $123.6 PHYSICAL PLANT VALUE REVENUE BY SOURCE 76% 7% 7% 7% 3% Tuition Room and board Private gifts and grants Other sources Federal grants $48.1 $34.6 $33.3 $31.5 $43.9 $103.4 May 31, 2018—$123.6 million $73.9 $75.6 $73.8 $70.8 $68.7 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 $67.9 $65.5 $63.6 $65.5 $62.8 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 The quality and value of Augsburg’s physical plant is on the rise. The largest recent contributor is the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which was completed in November 2017. Augsburg University is stronger and more vibrant than ever. Investments in priorities like scholarships, experiential learning, research, and faculty mentorship change the trajectories of students’ lives. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends who helped Augsburg raise $18,187,380 during fiscal year 2017–18. The philanthropy of more than 9,400 donors will help the university attract talented students and the dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them. THIS IS WHAT GRATEFUL AUGGIES LOOK LIKE THIS IS WHAT A PEACE SCHOLAR LOOKS LIKE Lex Dorfman ’18 Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship, Helen (Mohn) Henderson Scholarship, Mary E. (Mimi) Johnson Scholarship, Hoversten Peace Scholarship Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota Studying: Religion, Spanish, and Leadership Lex Dorfman ’18 spent her summer in Norway studying alongside students from around the world. As one of two Peace Scholars selected at Augsburg this year and funded by the Hoversten Peace Scholarship and other donors, Dorfman’s time in Lillehammer and Oslo was part of a robust program designed to pair academic inquiry with real-world dialogue and to give students an introduction to the field of conflict studies. For Dorfman, the Peace Scholar program aligns with many of the topics she’s explored throughout her college experience. Also an Augsburg Interfaith Scholar, Dorfman called on her own multicultural background to found a Hillel organization on campus and to foster new opportunities to build connections between people from diverse backgrounds. “Augsburg has offered me a personal, hands-on education,” she said. “I have been able to create an organization on campus, interview Jewish leaders, and collaborate with a variety of students because of Augsburg’s engaging and small-but-powerful community.” THIS IS WHAT AN ALL-AMERICAN LOOKS LIKE Alex Wilson ’19 Arne and Jean Markland Scholarship Hometown: Oak Grove, Minnesota Studying: Biology Alex Wilson ’19 can put the title “All-American” next to his name in two different contexts. Competing in his first NCAA Division III National Championship tournament last March, the Auggie wrestler earned All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at 149 pounds. He also was among eight Augsburg wrestlers to earn the Division III Scholar All-America distinction from the National Wrestling Coaches Association based on student-athletes’ GPAs. Whether he’s facing an opponent on the mat or looking to ace an exam, Wilson has a drive to excel that will serve him well as he applies to competitive graduate programs and pursues his dream of becoming a physician assistant. For Wilson, Augsburg is a place where there’s harmony between athletic and academic achievements. “Augsburg has helped me develop as a student and as an athlete by giving me all of the resources I would ever need to be successful,” Wilson said. “Faculty support creates an atmosphere where it is possible to succeed in whatever you do.” THIS IS WHAT AN ENGAGED CITIZEN LOOKS LIKE Baoyia Kong ’19 Leola G. Anderson Scholarship, William and Anne Frame Scholarship, Adeline Marie (Rasmussen) Johnson Scholarship Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota Studying: Social Work and Psychology Baoyia Kong ’19 has the guts to just dive in. When she studied at Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience site in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the social work major interned at a grade school, helping administrators infuse inclusive practices into the school’s operations and culture—and honing her Spanish skills along the way. Whether studying in Minneapolis or Mexico, Kong sees Augsburg as “a community with so many opportunities.” Kong has enhanced her academic experience by seeking out opportunities beyond the classroom, completing an additional internship with Hennepin County, volunteering at a medical clinic in Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, playing intramural volleyball, and joining the Augsburg Asian Student Association and Hmong Women Together campus organizations. Kong said her Augsburg experience has shaped her as a leader because the university encourages students to be engaged in topics that align with their passions and creates “spaces for all to grow and flourish in their education.” FALL–WINTER 2018 9 O N N I A L PJane EIRICK BY JOHN W and introduce her properly into the world,” said one of Jane Austen’s characters, “and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.” For a line published in 1814’s “Mansfield Park,” it prophetically resonates in the life and work of Augsburg alumna Devoney Looser ’89. Looser earned a doctorate in English and women’s studies, holds extensive credentials as a professor who has served at leading universities, and has written and contributed to dozens of books, scores of academic journals, and even more book reviews. When national and international publications need an expert on 18th-century literature, British women writers, or Jane Austen, they want Looser—if they can catch her before roller derby practice. Looser grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. College seemed like a distant dream, both because of the financial barrier and the fact that she came from a family with no college degree in sight. Her perspective changed when she applied to Augsburg and earned a President’s Scholarship for her academic merit. “That made all the difference in terms of my ability to go to college. Augsburg gave me an incredibly generous opportunity with that scholarship,” Looser said. PHOTOS BY DEANNA DENT, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FALL–WINTER 2018 11 Looser wasn’t outwardly confident, but she caught the eye of Cathie Nicholl, an English professor who taught at Augsburg for nearly 30 years until her retirement in 1999. Though Looser was somewhat quiet, Nicholl said, “her written work was always wonderful. She’s really blossomed a lot since then.” Looser first became enthralled with Jane Austen’s writings through a literature class with Nicholl, who has maintained correspondence with Looser through several decades. “I had no idea at the time how significant, how important [that connection with Nicholl] would turn out to be to my life—to a path toward a future in [literary] work.” Douglas Green, a professor of English who’s taught at Augsburg since 1988, met Looser when he first arrived at the university. “She was exceptional. We had a real conversation about literature,” said Green, a poet and scholar who teaches Shakespeare, drama, and writing as well as gender, sexuality, and was very shy at 18, and to see the same faces who could tell me, ‘You can do this,’ made a big difference in my believing in myself.” For a suburbanite, moving to the heart of Minneapolis was an education in itself. “Being in an urban area, being able to live among other students was amazing,” Looser said. “Augsburg’s student body was very diverse. Being in class alongside students from all over the world was mind-blowing. It made me reimagine my role in women’s studies at institutions including the University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, University of Wisconsin—Whitewater, Indiana State University, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She is described as a thoughtful and wise mentor who empathizes with firstgeneration college students. Her ability to reflect on and relate to the challenges others face is something Looser shares with the central figure of her academic work: Jane Austen. Did Austen predict roller derby? women’s studies. Though literature was central in feeding Looser’s ravenous appetite for knowledge, people and experiences also offered lessons beyond the classroom. “There were lots of things at Augsburg that brought me out of my shell,” Looser said. “I 12 AUGSBURG NOW the world, and what my world could be, and how I was part of their world.” Engaging with a variety of people and ideas has served Looser well in her literary pursuits and academic experience alike. She has held positions teaching English and “Austen is one of the most psychologically perceptive observers in all of the history of the novel,” said Jenny Davidson, a novelist and professor of English at Columbia University who connected with Looser over their shared professional interest in 18th-century literature. Known for romantic plots steeped in English society, including “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility,” Austen’s writings have been in print continuously for nearly 200 years and retain an unassailable foothold in contemporary art and culture. Who was Jane Austen, really— and how did she become what she represents now? That’s the focus of Looser’s latest book, “The Making of Jane Austen,” which earned high praise among literary peers. It was named a Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book for nonfiction, featured in CNN interviews, and reviewed in The Economist, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Looser’s remarkable scholarship has led to an abundance of prestigious opportunities, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in support of one of her current projects: a book about unheralded British sister novelists Jane and Anna Maria Porter. Davidson offered a scholar’s perspective: “The project on the Porter sisters is a genuine project of reclamation, of rewriting an injustice of literary history: these were two extremely widely read and well-regarded novelists whom literary history has essentially dumped in the trash.” Because of Looser’s background, Davidson believes, the firstgeneration college graduate is attracted to the works of underdogs and can convey their stories empathetically and authoritatively. Perhaps her affinity for the underdog is part of what drew Looser to a lesser-known sport— roller derby. Nearly a decade ago, Looser and her friend Katie Carr, a special collections librarian at the University of Missouri where Looser was a professor of English, reconnected over a mutual sense that they needed a change. Angela Rehbein, one of Looser’s then-graduate students who is now a professor of English at West Liberty University, joined them to skate at a roller rink’s retro night, where members of a local roller derby team invited the three to derby practice. It sounded fun, so they accepted. Roller derby is a sport in which two teams of five players in roller skates line up on a track. The “jammer” on each team tries to maneuver past the “blockers” on the opposing team, and it all happens in a series of two-minute increments called “jams.” Players force opponents off the track or block them with their shoulders, chests, and hips. Because it’s full-contact, they wear helmets, mouthguards, knee pads, and elbow pads. It’s customary for derby players to create personas based on names that use a play on words. Carr dubbed Looser “Stone Cold Jane Austen,” a mashup of Looser’s literary expertise and professional wrestler Steve Austin’s stage name. Looser is now a faculty advisor to the roller derby team in addition to her work as a professor of English at Arizona State University. She still remembers the coaches who patiently taught her to play derby, which perhaps unexpectedly refreshed her perspective on higher education. “It’s humbling to start out as a complete newbie, and being laid flat and embarrassing myself,” she said. “It put me in headspace that made me realize how students must feel their first year of college, when you didn’t know what you were doing, and it was terrifying.” People who know Looser best—like Carr, Rehbein, and her former doctoral student Emily Friedman—point to Looser’s knack for transforming her interests into excellence. “There’s this world-renowned academic and also someone who plays roller derby and excels at it. She is an incredibly generous friend and an amazing wife and mother,” Carr said, referring to Looser’s sons and husband George Justice, a fellow Austen scholar and British literature professor at Arizona State University. “I learned a lot from Devoney’s incredible work ethic and her generosity toward her students and toward other scholars,” added Rehbein, who appreciates Looser’s influence both in and beyond the classroom. The same is true for Friedman, who has also worked on Austen scholarship and now serves as a professor of English at Auburn University. Friedman observed Looser’s simultaneous commitment to hard work and a rewarding life outside of it, and how “she keeps them dancing rather than in conflict and fighting.” Like Jane Austen and many icons before her, Looser will maneuver past any limitations in her path. “She’s the hardest worker I know,” said Friedman. “I’m just trying to skate in her tracks.” Looser’s next book topic: CARVING PATHS for THE FUTURE Theater professor Darcey Engen ’88 helps plan a forward-looking 150th anniversary celebration BY STEPHEN JENDRASZAK D arcey Engen, professor of theater arts, has been on both sides of an Augsburg education: student and professor. As a leader on campus, she brings both perspectives to bear. Thinking from a student perspective, she understands the intense obligations today’s students face and, with her colleagues, implemented a series of changes to make it possible for students from all backgrounds and enrolled in any major to participate in Augsburg’s theatrical productions despite family or work commitments. As a faculty member, Engen observed that faculty in the arts sometimes struggled to receive appropriate credit for their artistic and scholarly work, so she advocated for revisions to promotion and tenure guidelines to address the issue. Now, she’s been asked to call on those twin perspectives in a new leadership role: helping to guide the commemoration of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial during the 2019–20 academic year. In a recent interview, Engen shared her views on the university’s 150th anniversary, the important contributions faculty will make in commemorating the occasion, and what makes Augsburg unique in American higher education. 14 AUGSBURG NOW SE R AT I ON 1869-2019 SQ U IC ENTEN N CE IAL LE B “ One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we are more like the real world than other colleges and universities. The needs of the real world around us are present in everything we do.” You are a co-chair of the sesquicentennial committee. What do you hope this milestone will do for Augsburg? I hope that it gives us a moment in time to understand our past, mark where we are now, and look forward. It’s an opportunity for us to appreciate those who came before us, what we’re doing in the present, and those who will inevitably follow after us. What does this occasion mean to you as both an alumna and a faculty member? In our costume shop, there are boxes and boxes that say things like “summer hats.” Those labels were handwritten by my professor, Ailene Cole, the former chair of the theater department, before she retired in her 80s. When I’m in the costume shop and see her handwriting, I’m reminded of her and what she did for me and all her students. That inspires me to do the same for my students. As a former chair myself, now, I am part of a legacy, which gives me a lot of satisfaction. I’m aware that all of us, chairs and faculty, are so privileged to be able to create an atmosphere where our students can thrive as artists. I keep the past with me as I try to carve out paths for the future with my students. How are faculty members going to be involved in marking this significant moment in the life of the institution? I’m very grateful that we were able to make resources available for faculty to create scholarly projects that reflect sesquicentennial themes. The support opens the door for these scholarly projects, whether they be permanent works or ephemeral experiences, to be installed or occur during our yearlong celebration. They will honor and mark the 150th anniversary and also give faculty the opportunity to expand the good work they do, which is ultimately to support our students. I understand that the number of proposals for faculty sesquicentennial projects exceeded your expectations. What does that enthusiasm say to you? It was amazing to get all the proposals for such thoughtful projects. It goes to show you that we faculty members all have in us, no matter how busy our days can sometimes be, a great love for this institution. What kinds of projects are faculty members working on, and what are they trying to achieve? There’s so much incredible work being done, but I’ll offer a few examples to give you an idea of the scope of the effort. Sonja Thompson, assistant professor of music, is working on an original musical—with original music—about Augsburg, embracing both the rocky and exceptional moments in our history. Her team is interviewing as many people as possible and conducting story circles where students, staff, alumni, and friends can share their Augsburg experiences to inform the production. Erik Steinmetz, assistant professor of computer science, is building an app for exploring Augsburg’s campus now and at various points in history via augmented or virtual reality. The idea is that if you’re on campus, you can look around through your phone and see what a particular part of campus looked like at another time. And if you’re not here, you can virtually explore those same environments. We’re hoping to create online experiences that capture as much of the art and activity and scholarship happening on campus that year as possible. As Augsburg prepares to commemorate 150 years, what stands out for you? I’ve toured a lot of colleges; I’ve taught at two other universities. One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we are more like the real world than other colleges and universities. The needs of the real world around us are present in everything we do. Augsburg’s plans to celebrate the sesquicentennial are developing, and updates will be posted at augsburg.edu/150. FALL–WINTER 2018 15 Augsburg alumna Katia Iverson ’12 orients newcomers to the United States amid mounting uncertainty and narrowing policies 16 AUGSBURG NOW The Augsburg Air Structure—and the rest of the Minneapolis campus—looked practically otherworldly following a record-breaking April 2018 snowstorm. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE DOME THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE BY KATE H. ELLIOTT DOZENS OF BUSES en route from 25 Minnesota school districts pause on 23rd Avenue to unload hundreds of students in grades three through six at the Augsburg University Air Structure (aka the Augsburg Dome). The air lock opens, and grinning youngsters wheel, walk, and run into the 360-by-216-by-63-foot inflatable bubble lined with activities to exercise their cognitive, emotional, and physical muscles. Augsburg has held this one-day Sports Extravaganza for nearly 20 Novembers. Do the math: that’s more than 4,000 children, teachers, and paraprofessionals who have visited campus, and two decades of Auggies who have applied their health, physical education, and exercise science coursework to the field. HPE instructor Carol Enke said the event wouldn’t have started without the dome. “Imagine funneling hundreds of kids with mental and/or physical disabilities into Si Melby Hall via untold batches of elevator trips,” she said. “Without the air structure, this dual community engagement and learning opportunity would have never taken off. “Every year, teachers tell us that students ask about the event from the first day of classes, and we see that excitement as kids meet others and participate in activities they might have assumed were inaccessible to them.” FALL–WINTER 2018 17 AN EXPANSIVE GATHERING PLACE Sports Extravaganza is one of several community events squeezed into the dome between softball and lacrosse games and practices for baseball, track and field, golf, soccer, and football. Physical education classes, intramural activities, alumni events, and more also vie for the space, which features four batting cages, a driving range net, and four soccer goals. About 35 campus and community groups schedule the space each year, according to Greg Holker, the men’s soccer head coach, who helps manage dome schedules as part of his dual role as athletic facilities assistant manager. Thousands of people use the dome for a total of about 3,000 hours during any given year. “Regular users include our sports teams, HPE classes, camps, the Minneapolis United Soccer Club, and other prominent academies and associations,” he added. “During Super Bowl LII this year, a large corporation hosted a Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition, and the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee filmed a commercial in the space.” Each November, more than 500 student-athletes join coaches, staff, and administrators to erect the weather-proof 18 structure. It’s a Herculean effort that illustrates the university’s cooperative, all-in attitude, according to Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79. Come May, after 12-hour weekdays and about 18-hour weekend days, the dome is put away in about three hours, again by a campus-wide team. Swenson said the dome has substantially increased Augsburg’s workout space. “Nobody appreciates the air structure more than our spring sports,” Swenson said. “Access to a climate-controlled regulation field in our backyard gets them in the game earlier in the season without interruptions due to weather.” The university also is able to offer physical education classes, including golf and soccer, in the spring. Eric Rolland ’97, men’s and women’s golf head coach, said without the dome, spring offerings would be limited to indoor activities like bowling. And while Rolland enjoys throwing a strike as much as the best of them, the former All-American golfer said he has enjoyed the ability to teach golf throughout the year. “It’s a lifelong sport that can enhance your career, given that so many business meetings occur on the golf course,” said Rolland, who has taught golf classes for the past five years. “Students make lasting friendships, too, as the dome transforms into a giant driving range where students visit as they perfect their swings.” AUGSBURG NOW The Augsburg University women’s lacrosse team competed in the dome in Spring 2018. THE DOME ‘SAVED OUR SEASON’ Talk of spring takes Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04 back to April, when the Twin Cities experienced its snowiest and fourth-coldest April on record, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which reported 26.1 inches of the white stuff and an average high of 47.4 degrees. “It was the winter that would never end,” said Lee, who is in her 15th season on Augsburg’s coaching staff. “Other teams in our conference have to rent out dome space or practice on hard gym floors incapable of mimicking competition, so when the weather is bad, those players may catch—or try to catch—their first deep pop fly of the season during a game. We made the playoffs last year, and I believe the dome contributed to that success.” Then-senior-outfielder Katie Parker ’18 was among the Augsburg softball players who spent the majority of the 2018 season under the dome. Playing inside requires adjustment, she said, with rules against catching deflected balls (to avoid injuries), turf vs. dirt, and many lights, rather than the sun’s sole beam. But the snowy season didn’t faze the native of Lakeville, Minnesota. “It’s our home turf, literally, so we practice in the space long before our first game,” said Parker, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in elementary education with a focus on special education. “I loved the sense of community and cooperation as we worked side-by-side with student-athletes on other teams to take down and set up fence panels and goals, depending on the sport. Coach Lee also worked hard and stayed up late to make sure other area softball programs could access to the dome to finish out their seasons.” Will this year be a repeat of last season? The Farmers’ Almanac indicates ‘no,’ Coach Lee said, but the Minnesota native jokes the state’s weather is as unpredictable as a curve ball. What is not inconsistent, she added, is Auggies’ willingness to work together—snow or shine. Assistant Baseball Coach Zach Bakko ’18 echoed Lee’s appreciation for the dome’s ability to bring athletes across Augsburg’s 21 sports together with each other, the campus, and greater community. Bakko spent several seasons fielding balls under the dome lights as an Auggie outfielder. “Whether it be quarterback Quinn Frisell ’19 throwing out routes to his agile receivers, golfer Brett Buckingham ’21 working on his swing, or soccer forward Ashley St. Aubin ’20 figuring out another way to score a hat trick, I’ve been able to see athletes in other sports work to maximize their potential,” said Bakko. Plus, “The space allows our campus to give back to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of young athletes [through camps and clinics].” “Having worked for athletics, I’ve met the real heroes of the dome—athletics administrators, coaches, and all the maintenance staff—managing scheduling, cleaning, and every other task that arises,” he added. “That willingness to come together and do what’s needed, regardless of whether it’s in your job description, has expanded my understanding of the word ‘team.’” Find bonus content and fun facts about the dome at augsburg.edu/now. Augsburg community members work together to assemble the dome each fall. First installed in 1993, Augsburg’s original dome was one of the premier inflatable air structures in the Midwest. FALL–WINTER 2018 19 Undergraduate research gives students an edge BY GITA SITARAMIAH The summer before his third year at Augsburg, Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 was paid to research Earth’s magnetosphere. He worked in a lab on campus under the direction of a physics faculty member. And he discovered a passion for space physics. Beyene’s research, which was funded by Dean ’91 and Amy Sundquist his first summer and TRIO McNair Scholars for the second, helped him stand out in national scholarship competitions. The following year, he was awarded a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national program that provides financial support to undergraduates who show the promise of becoming leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. Then, Beyene’s Augsburg advisors helped him successfully apply for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, providing him with more than $100,000 for graduate school. Now a Ph.D. student in space physics at UCLA, Beyene credits his Augsburg undergraduate research experience with getting him where he is today. “You don’t see the level of personal coaching at other schools like you do at Augsburg,” he said. “I really appreciate that about Augsburg.” Augsburg’s undergraduate research opportunities are paying off for students like Beyene, who compete alongside the nation’s top students to land high-profile fellowships, internships, and scholarships as well as selection to highly competitive graduate programs. In fact, Augsburg had a banner year in 2017–18, with a record number of students earning prestigious awards and fellowships. 20 AUGSBURG NOW Here are some highlights: • Augsburg had six Fulbright winners named this past year and has been listed five times in The Chronicle of Higher Education as a top producer of Fulbrights for master’s level institutions. The previous singleyear record for Augsburg was four. Since 2008, Augsburg’s Fulbright winners total 29. • An Augsburg student was one of just four Minnesota recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship last year. Out of 1,280 applicants nationwide, 211 were named. • Three Auggies were Critical Language Scholarship winners in the first year that Augsburg undergraduates pursued this fellowship. Only 10 percent of applicants nationwide receive this award. Two of the students were selected to study Swahili in Tanzania; the third, to study Mandarin in Taiwan. • Another two Auggies were Public Policy and International Affairs Program winners. Only 20 percent of applicants nationally are accepted into this program. One of the Augsburg winners studied at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The other student spent seven weeks at University of California—Berkeley in a law-focused program. • For the first time ever, an Augsburg student won a Boren Award, which honors undergraduates studying language in areas underrepresented in study abroad programs. The Auggie, who studied Swahili at the University of Florida this past summer, is continuing to study the language and culture in Tanzania this semester. He will commit to one year of paid federal government service after graduation. Undergraduate research boosts the résumés of Auggies like Holly Kundel ’19, who looked for a rare dragonfly in Twin Cities area wetlands. Many of these accomplishments are the result of Augsburg’s decade-plus commitment to providing undergraduate research opportunities for students. Two programs are responsible for much of this success: the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity and the McNair Scholars program. URGO, now in its 14th year, offers an 11-week, on-campus, faculty-led undergraduate research experience with 50 students each summer. Students receive support throughout the research process from a faculty mentor, participate in weekly seminars, and engage in roundtable discussions with fellow student researchers to hone their communication skills. URGO also advises students about national fellowships, graduate school, medical school, and other health sciences. The McNair Scholars program is a federally funded program designed to prepare students from groups currently underrepresented in graduate school for doctoral studies to some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. The program currently serves 26 students a year and includes 21 months of graduate school preparation workshops, travel to national research conferences, and hands-on scholarly research projects with faculty mentors. Through these programs, talented Augsburg students are earning prestigious national opportunities that they otherwise may not even have known about. “Many [of the students] who win awards and fellowships had never even heard the word ‘Fulbright’ before they were in this program,” said Dixie Shafer, URGO director. When students start their first summer research experience, Shafer said, they’re looking around wondering how they got selected. “You can tell they’re a little bit nervous,” she said. “By the end, when they’re giving oral presentations and submitting projects, they’re the experts in the room. Their level of confidence has grown.” Students agree that they gain key skills from research and writing in partnership with faculty members, presenting their work at conferences, and receiving hands-on guidance from advisors about how to translate those experiences into top fellowships, internships, scholarships, and graduate programs. And they often go on to other off-campus research experiences to expand their curricula vitae. Blair Stewig ’18, currently a Fulbright scholar in Poland, first did summertime research at Augsburg in a biophysics lab. She successfully applied for an Augsburg grant to do research while canoeing the Mississippi River during the 2015 River Semester experience, then did summer research with the Minnesota Lupus Foundation at the Mayo Clinic. The next summer, she conducted cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. FALL–WINTER 2018 21 three URGO advisors on her medical Currently, Stewig is conducting school applications. research on colorectal cancer at the “It was almost like they knew International Institute of Molecular more about my story than I did,” and Cell Biology in Poland and will Bagonza said. shadow physicians and volunteer at Shafer sees this type of faculty and the Maria Skłodowska Curie Memorial staff interaction with students as a Cancer Centre. key part of helping students evolve. “Without my research experience “Faculty and staff believe in students and the support of staff and faculty and then the students start believing at Augsburg, I don’t think I would in themselves,” she said. have had the confidence to apply for the larger competitive research experiences,” said Stewig, who plans to apply for combined M.D./Ph.D. programs in the future. Similarly, two months into her first year at Augsburg, biology major Vision Bagonza ’17 regularly started visiting the URGO office and mapping her trajectory to medical school. “They were with me every step of the way,” she said. In her first summer research project, Bagonza worked on genomics research with Associate Professor and Biology Department Chair Matthew Beckman. “That Fieldwork experience inspired Holly Kundel ’19 to apply for was instrumental to my doctoral programs in freshwater ecology. understanding of what was going on throughout the field,” Fourth-year biology major Holly she said. Kundel ’19 chose Augsburg after The following summer, she meeting faculty on a campus tour and researched biomedical ethics at Mayo Clinic, and she spent her third summer learning that she would be able to do research directly with them. researching malaria at Johns Hopkins. The summer after her first year, These experiences set the stage for her Kundel began her paid research on participation in the Mayo Innovation the rare Spatterdock Darner dragonfly Scholars program, where she learned in Twin Cities area wetlands. Kundel, about the complexities of the FDA who loves being outdoors during approval process when bringing Minnesota summers, was drawn to innovation to market. Finally, Bagonza the project after approaching Biology was awarded a full scholarship to the and Environmental Studies Assistant Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Professor Emily Schilling and learning Medicine after working closely with 22 AUGSBURG NOW that the research entailed doing fieldwork. Since then, Kundel has received other grants to support her research with Schilling. “It’s nice to work with a faculty member who knows exactly what my strengths and weaknesses are,” Kundel said. This year, Kundel received a Goldwater Scholarship, providing tuition assistance for her fourth year at Augsburg, and the associated prestige is expected to set her apart in her applications for doctoral programs in freshwater ecology. “I wouldn’t be applying to the graduate programs I am this fall if I hadn’t done this research at Augsburg,” Kundel said. While many in the URGO Summer Research Program are science majors, other disciplines are represented as well. English literature major Abigail Tetzlaff ’18 studied patterns in language and rhetorical uses in poetry and prose. Currently a Fulbright Fellow in Berlin, she is an English teaching assistant and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in English literature to ultimately become a university professor. “Especially for undergraduates studying within the humanities, it isn’t very common to come out of college with a research experience already complete,” Tetzlaff said. For Beyene, if not for the direct support from faculty and his McNair Scholars and URGO advisors, he wouldn’t have considered himself graduate school material. “Being at UCLA now, I realize how fortunate I was to have programs like McNair and URGO,” he said. AUGGIES CONNECT FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT + COURTESY PHOTO Dear alumni and friends, As always, the fall season at Augsburg was full of excitement. This past August, for only the second time, our community sent a group of Auggies to explore the Mississippi on a River Semester off-campus study experience. Over the course of the semester, these students will spend 100 days paddling down the river while learning about history, politics, and the environment, and having the adventure of a lifetime. Then, as the calendar turned to September, the community welcomed returning students to a new academic year and ushered in the first-year students who make up the class of 2022. At Homecoming in October, we honored an accomplished group of Distinguished Alumni. We found inspiration in hearing their stories and learning about their achievements, and we were reminded of the talent and dedication that Augsburg alumni exhibit across a vast spectrum of vocations and commitments. Augsburg alumni are, indeed, remarkable professionals and amazing people. This year, I’m especially excited to serve on the Augsburg Alumni Board as its members strive to increase the ways in which they give to the university. I have personally committed to giving 50 hours of my time to Augsburg. I plan to attend events, mentor a student, and help reconnect the Auggies in my social network with the university. If, like me, you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of others in our Augsburg community, you’ll find that there are many ways to connect with Augsburg in support of students. • Consider attending the Auggie Networking Event coming up in February. This is an opportunity for alumni to help students practice valuable interpersonal skills that will benefit them in their future job searches and careers. • Join us for the 2018–19 Auggie Take Out student mentoring program. • Reconnect with Augsburg by volunteering with the Alumni Office or the Alumni Board. We’re always looking for people to join our leadership boards. • Volunteer to usher at Advent Vespers or to serve in another capacity. In all of the ways that Augsburg has shown up for you, it is now the time to show up for Augsburg. You can find information about these and other volunteer opportunities at augsburg.edu/alumni. I hope you will consider sharing your time and talents with the university this year. * + + HOMECOMING 2018 Nearly 525 Auggies attended the Augsburg University Homecoming celebration held October 11–13. Alumni, students, and community members gathered for a festive weekend featuring more than two dozen events that united the university’s remarkable legacy with its contemporary identity. If you are interested in serving on an alumni reunion committee or volunteering to help plan Homecoming 2019, contact alumni@augsburg.edu. Go Auggies! NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT + PHOTOS COURTESY OF REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER * PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGET DONOVAN FALL–WINTER 2018 23 A LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM: Augsburg students of the ’60s reflect on the past 50 years In 1964, folk singer Bob Dylan released his album and song “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which served as a call for change to address the social injustices he saw in the world. For the group of young students entering what was then Augsburg College that same year, his words would prove prescient. College is a transformational time for students, but for members of the class of 1968, the impact was especially pronounced. The Augsburg graduating class of 1968 witnessed the United States live through some of the worst upheavals in the nation’s history. In late 1963, President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. By 1968, assassinations also would claim civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the late president’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as well as political activist and leader Malcolm X. At the same time, the country was becoming violently divided over social issues, including civil rights and the increasingly unpopular war in Vietnam, with ever-larger numbers of young people being drafted and sent to southeast Asia to fight. In response, Augsburg students began to march for peace and civil rights and to take part in programs like Augsburg’s Listening Witness, which brought them to live and work in impoverished and racially segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and elsewhere. It was fitting, then, that at this year’s Homecoming celebration, 1968 alumni celebrating their 50th reunion delivered an Auggie Talk titled “The Baby Boomer Effect: How Four Years Affected 50.” The five speakers—Michael Arndt ’68, Kim Gudmestad ’68, Ted Johnson ’68, Augsburg Board of Regents member LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, and Joey Sylvester ’68—said their time at Augsburg shaped the course of their lives. They described how education empowered them to pursue lifelong work in the areas of diversity, justice, public leadership, and social activism. “I think [those times] had a profound effect on many of us as individuals, and it certainly had a profound effect on Augsburg,” said Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, an alumnus who went on to serve as a pastor and the third presiding bishop of the Evangelical 24 AUGSBURG NOW Lutheran Church in America. “For me, Augsburg provided an immersive experience so that those changing realities, those cultural conflicts, and those strivings for racial justice and peace in southeast Asia weren’t just topics that one was reading about or subjects in a classroom. They became lived experiences.” Hanson, who is now the executive director of Augsburg’s Christensen Center for Vocation, said he’s seen the university change as a result of activism originating in those pivotal mid-’60s years. He points to increasing diversity in the current student body—the result of an intentional commitment to inclusion, equity, and intercultural competency. Like Hanson, Myrna Sheie ’68, co-chair of the 1968 reunion events, went on to work with the ELCA after graduation. She reflected that she had entered college without much experience with diverse cultures but saw both herself and Augsburg change during her college years. “When I started at Augsburg, I was both naïve and unaware of the diversity we lacked,” she said. “Over the next four years, my classmates and I were exposed to ideas, concepts, and lifestyles—both inside and outside the classroom—that challenged us intellectually, socially, and personally. I became less naïve as my eyes and heart became more open.” A laboratory for life When Arndt, one of the Homecoming Auggie Talk presenters, reflects on his college experience, his memories often connect the time he spent on campus with dramatic life events that followed it. Shortly after graduation, Arndt was drafted from his first teaching job and sent to Vietnam as a member of the Army’s First Cavalry division. He served in the jungle near the Cambodian border and saw heavy military action that killed seven of his friends. During that time, Arndt says he recited the Shakespeare he’d learned during college to calm himself. AUGGIES CONNECT CELEBRATING A SEASON OF HOPE ARCHIVE PHOTOS 39TH ANNUAL ADVENT VESPERS Today, Arndt is chair and professor of Theatre Arts and Dance at California Lutheran University and the artistic director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company. He calls on his experiences as a veteran and artistic professional to use theater to help treat fellow veterans suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. “There was a time after I got out of the army when I felt that the country was going to dissolve into civil war,” he said. “There was such a divide and … a real sense that we were going to end up in total chaos. In talking with my college students today, there’s a sense of that now. [But] I think one of the things we’re saying is that those of us who felt that strongly in 1968 tried to work to make a difference. And many of us did.” Hanson concurs. “All that was taking place in the Twin Cities, in the country, and in the world in those four years became, for so many of us, not just objects of study, but context in which we were being formed for our future lives and vocations. And that’s still to this day what is particularly unique about Augsburg— it takes its context as the laboratory for life, not as something from which we seek to flee.” Augsburg’s Class of 1968 is working to raise $68,000 in scholarship funds for future students. Learn more about this initiative and their Auggie Talk at augsburg.edu/now. For more than three decades, Augsburg University has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons with Advent Vespers, a magnificent experience of music and liturgy, focusing on the theme of preparation and culminating in the joyful celebration of the Incarnation. Advent Vespers is set in downtown Minneapolis in the sanctuary of Central Lutheran Church, and this year Advent Vespers services will occur November 29–December 1. To learn more or request reservations, visit augsburg.edu/music/vespers. VELKOMMEN JUL Velkommen Jul is one of Augsburg’s most beloved traditions. It’s an event that celebrates the university’s Norwegian heritage and ushers in the Advent season. Come join us Friday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m., in Hoversten Chapel for a special chapel service—with Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish carols, Scandinavian dancers, and the Gospel read in Norwegian. Wear your Scandinavian sweater, if you have one; it’s a tradition to take a group sweater photo! Following chapel, the festivities continue in Christensen Center. Shop in the boutique for unique gifts and homemade goodies, and make sure to visit the buffet featuring lefse, krumkake, and other treats. The buffet is complimentary, but donations are greatly appreciated. All proceeds from the event support Augsburg student scholarships. FALL–WINTER 2018 25 COURTESY PHOTOS AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY 1869-2019 SAVE THE YEAR Join us in honoring the traditions of Augsburg’s rich history and celebrating the remarkable progress we have made in educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. A yearlong series of events including a sesquicentennial gala will commemorate our deep roots and recognize our present opportunities and future endeavors as we become a new kind of urban university. Subscribe to the sesquicentennial events digital calendar to participate in these community celebrations. Visit augsburg.edu/150. NOVEMBER AUGGIES TRULY GIVE TO THE MAX Each year, Auggies around the world respond generously to support the breadth of programs and experiences offered by Augsburg University. In total, over the past five years, Augsburg has raised more than $1.5 million through Give to the Max Day efforts. And even if you missed the opportunity to participate this year, you can find information about our fundraising results and learn more about additional ways to support the university at augsburg.edu/giving. 26 AUGSBURG NOW AUGSBURG SESQUICENTENNIAL TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES Plan ahead to participate in exciting alumni trips commemorating Augsburg’s sesquicentennial. Overseas trips are planned to locations in Norway and Germany that are central in Augsburg’s history. In May 2020, Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg University professor of theater arts, and her husband, Luverne Seifert ’83, head of undergraduate theater performance at the University of Minnesota, will lead a tour exploring the rich and vibrant arts and culture of Norway. The tour will include plays, concerts, and historical landmarks as well as an opportunity to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway. At the same time, a tour exploring Norway’s peace work, government, and environmental agencies will be co-led by Bettine Hoff Hermanson, Norway Hub managing director, and Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science and director of environmental studies. This trip also includes the opportunity to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway. In July 2020, Rev. Sonja Hagander, Augsburg University pastor and director of ministries, will lead a hike to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway—a pilgrimage made by travelers for more than 1,000 years. Along the way, the group will learn about history and culture, and experience firsthand some of the most beautiful nature in the world. Also in July 2020, Augsburg associate professors of religion Lori Brandt Hale and Hans Wiersma—who led the 2016 alumni tour for the anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation—will lead a tour to Bavaria, Germany, with stops in Nuremberg, Salzberg, and additional nearby locations. The tour also includes tickets to the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play, which first opened in 1634 and has been performed every 10 years since. Contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations, at codek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178 if you are interested in learning more about Augsburg’s travel opportunities. ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1942 The French government posthumously awarded Chester Hendrickson ’42 the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for his service and work in Normandy during World War II. 1958 Grace (Kemmer) Sulerud ’58 received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for her faithful service to Augsburg across her time as a student, librarian, faculty member, and alumna. After graduating from Augsburg in 1958 with a degree in English, she became a junior high English teacher and an elementary librarian in U.S. Air Force Department of Defense Schools in Germany, Japan, and Libya. Sulerud earned master’s degrees in library science and English, served as the treasurer of the Augsburg Associates, and continues to stay involved at university events. She personifies Augsburg’s calling to humbly serve in a variety of ways. 1968 David J. Melby ’68, Ph.D., received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming and was recognized as a psychologist, executive leader, and advocate who embodies faithful service in true Auggie form. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augsburg and master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling psychology, he has worked as a CEO and has served on the boards of organizations relating to behavioral health care, health practices, and housing. As a thoughtful steward and responsible leader, his work has created healthier, more fulfilling lives for many. 1971 The St. Michael-Albertville (Minnesota) Coaches Association Hall of Fame Committee selected Darrell Skogan ’71 as a Hall of Fame inductee. This fall marks Skogan’s 51st season as statistician for the school district. He also has umpired, run clocks, and coached girls’ basketball and softball throughout his tenure with the district. 1972 John Sherman ’72 was honored with two awards for his work as a sports journalist. Sherman received the Outstanding Media Award from the Minnesota State High School League and the Spinnaker Award from Minnetonka School District. While at Augsburg, Sherman was the editor for the school newspaper and played baseball and soccer. Since graduating 46 years ago, he has served on the Sun Newspaper staff in Edina, Minnesota. Terry Lindstrom ’73 and Mark Johnson ’75 joined the Augsburg University Board of Regents. See page 4. Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 explains how the university’s dome gives Auggies a competitive advantage. See page 16. 1982 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Andrews ’82 was a key defender on Auggie men’s hockey teams that won NAIA national titles in both 1980–81 and 1981–82, while winning MIAC titles and reaching the NAIA tournament all four years of his career. Andrews accumulated 29 goals and 60 assists for 89 points in his college career, and he earned All-MIAC honors in 1981–82 and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1980–81. Former basketball star Brad Nelson ’82 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. An All-MIAC guard in 1981–82, Nelson was a three-year member of the Auggie men’s basketball team, averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his career. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on Augsburg’s MIAC runner-up team in 1981–82, and averaged 7.8 points on the Auggies’ MIAC title (later forfeited for use of an ineligible player) and NAIA national tournament team in 1980–81. 1984 Mayo Clinic Health System— Franciscan Healthcare named Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 the vice president of its Southwest Wisconsin Region. As a regional leader, Mueller will manage operations out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He completed his undergraduate degree at Augsburg and has spent the past nine years chairing Mayo Clinic’s Division of General Internal Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. Nancy Mueller ’85 joined the Augsburg University Board of Regents. See page 4. Darcey Engen ’88 employs perspectives both as a student and as a faculty member to plan Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebrations. See page 14. 1989 The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced that Carolyn (Ross) Isaak ’89 was inducted into the NCAA Division III Track and Field Athlete Hall of Fame in May. Isaak set several records as an Augsburg athlete, including the 400-meter hurdles record that stood until 2014. Isaak, a five-time national champion and nine-time All-American, is Augsburg’s first athlete ever to be inducted into this Hall of Fame. Literary scholar Devoney Looser ’89 was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2018 and will complete a biography of forgotten sister novelists. See page 10. Brynn Watson ’89 received a Distinguished Alumni Award at Homecoming. She is an award-winning leader in the aerospace industry for her technical experience, executive leadership, and tireless advocacy of STEM education for youth. She earned a mathematics degree from Augsburg and a master’s degree in applied mathematics before she gained several director- and vice-president-level positions in technology and engineering companies. She now serves as vice president for the Future Enterprise Program for Lockheed Martin. Watson’s spirit and accomplishments mirror the tenacity of Auggies around the world who ascend to prestigious positions among today’s leading companies. 1995 Wrestling star Randy Eastman ’95 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Eastman was a three-time NCAA Division III All-American in the 167-pound weight class, finishing second nationally in the 1994–95 campaign, third in 1993–94, and fifth in 1992–93. A transfer from Mankato State, he was a member of Augsburg teams that won the national titles in both 1992–93 and 1994–95, while FALL–WINTER 2018 27 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES finishing fourth in 1993–94. Eastman won two MIAC titles and was a conference runner-up in his Auggie career. Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Tom Layte ’95 was a dominant wrestler for the Auggies in the mid-’90s. Layte competed at Augsburg in the 1994–95 season after transferring from Western New England College, and he made the most of his Auggie campaign, going 44-4, winning the NCAA Division III national title at 150 pounds, and earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the national championships as the Auggies won the team national crown. He later served as an Augsburg assistant coach and was head coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Augsburg volleyball star Carolyn Tuohy ’95 was a dominant player in the mid-’90s, playing three seasons as a middle hitter, earning All-MIAC honors in 1994, and receiving All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors in 1992. Tuohy, who was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame, was a team co-captain in 1994 and finished her career with 878 kills in 2,566 attack attempts. She was voted the team’s MVP in 1992. 1997 Derrin Lamker ’97 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his successes on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. A quarterback in football, Lamker led the Auggies to the 1997 MIAC title and a spot in the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals. He earned All-MIAC honors in 1996 and 1997. He was the conference MVP in 1997, in addition to earning All-America honors and finalist honors for the Gagliardi Trophy (Division III Player of the Year). Joe Lavin ’97 had an outstanding pitching career on the Augsburg baseball team. An ace during the mid-’90s, Lavin earned All-MIAC and All-Midwest Region second-team honors in 1995, while earning conference Player of the Week honors multiple times. He had a 1.42 ERA in conference play with five complete games, a shutout, and 41 strikeouts against only 16 walks and 32 hits in 1995, while winning three games on the mound in 1994 and four in 1996. Eric Rolland ’97, the Augsburg men’s and women’s golf head coach, teaches students a lifelong sport each spring in the campus dome. See page 16. 2000 Jasha Johnston ’00 and Carrie (McCabe) Johnston ’02 opened their third restaurant, Mortimer’s, in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis. The new venue features live music, an updated menu, and a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to their new venture, the Johnstons own Nightingale Restaurant and Tilt Pinball Bar. 2002 Three-sport athlete Brenda (Selander) Mitshulis ’02 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. Mitshulis was an All-MIAC honoree in 2000 and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honoree in 1999 in soccer, where she finished her career with 15 goals and four assists for 34 career points. She led the Auggies in scoring in three seasons. In hockey, she was a member of the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 MIAC title squads and the 2000 national runner-up team. She also played two seasons of softball. 2003 Dual sport athlete Rachel Ekholm ’03 was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. One of the best softball players in school history, Ekholm earned All-MIAC honors three times, while earning NFCA All-Region honors twice. As a pitcher, she won 39 career games AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’70 ’76 28 AUGSBURG NOW ’84 ’90 ’12 with a 2.45 ERA and 347 strikeouts. She hit .389 and holds school records for home runs, triples, RBI, and slugging percentage. She also played in 60 career games in basketball, averaging 9.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04 said the Augsburg air structure helped save the team’s 2018 season. See page 16. 2006 This year, Augsburg’s Excellence in Coaching Award recognized Jim Gunderson ’06. Gunderson is in his fourth season as football head coach at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, after serving for 14 years as an assistant coach. He has also served as track and field head coach since 2012. In football, his team won the Minnesota Class AAAA state title in 2017, with Gunderson being named the Minnesota Football State Class AAAA Coach of the Year. 2008 graduating from Augsburg with a degree in communication studies, he has devoted his career to public leadership and making a difference in his community. He ran for mayor of Baltimore in 2016, becoming the youngest person ever to run for the office. He also sits on the boards of several Baltimore community initiatives and is the co-founder of a nonprofit fostering revitalization. Brian Krohn ’08, Ph.D., received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. After earning a degree in chemistry, researching biofuel, and becoming Augsburg’s first Rhodes Scholar, Krohn founded companies Mighty Axe Hops and Magic Wizard Staff. He earned a doctorate from the University of Minnesota as an Environmental Protection Agency Fellow and master’s degrees from the University of Oxford in environmental change and science. He was an Innovation Fellow at the U of M’s Medical Devices Center and is CEO of Soundly, an app-based therapy to reduce snoring—an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Joshua Harris ’08 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming. His life and work in the past 10 years embodies Augsburg’s pursuit of social justice, equity, and inclusion. Since Nikki Rajala ’70 published “Treacherous Waters,” her second novel in the “Chronicles of an Unlikely Voyageur” series. A career ESL teacher, Rajala retired from the St. Cloud School District in 2004 and lives in Rockville, Minnesota. ’70 Jeff Mueller ’76 was honored by Norway’s King Harald V, who bestowed the rank of Knight First Class in the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. Mueller, director of administration and finance at Norway House, Minneapolis, is a past president of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its board of directors. He also has been active in the Syttende ’76 Killa Marti ’08, J.D., received a First Decade Award at Homecoming because she embodies Augsburg’s values through her thoughtful stewardship, critical thinking, and rigorous pursuit of justice and equity. After graduating from Augsburg with a major in international relations and a minor in economics, Marti earned a law degree so that she could serve immigrant communities. She has worked with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and several law firms, has founded her own law practice in the Atlanta area, and has worked tirelessly for her law clients in districts and cases where the decks were stacked against them. Former Augsburg cheerleader Cassandra Roschen ’08 returned to Fairmont High School to coach the cheerleading squad. Roschen, a former Fairmont cheerleader, taught current students sideline cheers and routines. She also extended her service to include team building and community outreach with the squad. Chris Stedman ’08 received a First Decade Award at Homecoming for his robust intellectual engagement as an informed citizen and critical thinker. A religion major with minors in English and social welfare, he earned a master’s degree in religion from Meadville Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago. He was the founding executive director of the Humanist Center of Minnesota, founded the Yale Humanist Community, and was a humanist chaplain at Harvard. Stedman is the author of “Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious” (Beacon Press, 2012). Mai Committee, the Norwegian Independence Day celebration, the annual troop exchange program with the Minnesota National Guard and the Norwegian Home Guard, and Torske Klubben. Mueller (right) is pictured with Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Kåre R. Aas, who presented the order of merit medal at Norway House. The HGA firm hired Mary Claire Olson Potter ’84 as a health care business developer and senior associate. ’84 ’90 In June, former Augsburg football player David Stevens ’90 hosted a Disability Dream and Do Camp alongside the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, an American minor league baseball team based in Upstate New York. CBS affiliate WBNG covered Stevens’ story and time with the Rumble Ponies. Stevens, who led six other athletic camps this summer, was the only double amputee to play three seasons of football for the Auggies. He later played for the St. Paul Saints and tried out for the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys. Janelle (Christensen) Nelson ’12 welcomed a daughter, Kennedy Elaine, in April. Nelson majored in art history. Her grandfather also attended Augsburg. ’12 FALL–WINTER 2018 29 ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 2011 Laura (Schmidt) DuSchane ’11 and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA opened a new business venture called Fretless Marketing that provides social media and event marketing services for small businesses. Their company website is fretlessmarketing.com. Ted Nielsen ’11 started a new job at Edward Jones as a financial advisor. Nielsen assists individuals and families with long-term investing. Nielsen previously worked with Thrivent and graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in English. 2012 Kimberly Simmonds ’12 was promoted to a program assistant with the City of Minneapolis. Simmonds majored in history at Augsburg before receiving her master’s in public administration in 2014. 2013 Alexandra Buffalohead ’13 started a new role as manager of art and cultural engagement with the Native American Community Development Institute. Buffalohead earned a bachelor’s degree in studio arts at Augsburg. She has since served as a graphic designer for the American Indian Cancer Foundation and as a communications officer for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Tyler Heaps ’13 is a manager of analytics and research at the United States Soccer Federation. SportTechie, an online resource devoted to covering topics at the intersection of sports and technology, interviewed Heaps regarding his work within the federation tracking players and opponents using innovative technologies. Heaps is working to standardize analysis and support across all soccer levels and teams to ensure the federation can effectively track players within the system. The Chicago Tribune wrote about Dustin Ritchea ’13, who returned to live and work in his hometown of Chesterton, Indiana. Ritchea serves as a promotions director for Indiana Dunes Tourism and also works as an actor, producer, songwriter, and writer. 2015 Nikki (Ludwig) Darst ’15 started a new job with Black Line Group as a research and development tax manager. She graduated from Augsburg with a degree in accounting management. Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 participated in undergraduate research that contributed to success after graduation. See page 20. 2017 Jack Swift ’17 recently started a new role with In The Groove Music as a publishing assistant. As an Augsburg student, Swift majored in business administration with an emphasis on music business. Vision Bagonza ’17 conducted research through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity. See page 20. 2018 The NBC Nightly News featured Neil King ’18 in a story about his success at Augsburg in the StepUP® Program. After graduating from Augsburg and StepUP, King started a master’s degree in integrated behavioral health at the University of Minnesota. The Twin Cities Arts Reader interviewed Brid Henry ’16 regarding her work in the Minneapolis theater scene. Henry has performed in the Minnesota Fringe Festival and has directed and co-produced the first year of the Minneapolis branch of the Future Is Female Festival. Henry chose to study theater at Augsburg because the university’s program was ranked among the top opportunities outside of New York. 30 AUGSBURG NOW Blair Stewig ’18 and Abigail Tetzlaff ’18 delved into student research with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity. See page 20. GRADUATE PROGRAMS Matthew Halley ’97 MSW serves as executive director for Cookie Cart, a nonprofit youth program that equips young people with employment and life skills. Halley was interviewed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press for an article highlighting the program’s continuing success since its founding in 1988. Halley is focused on expanding the program by adding more youth workers. This spring, Education Minnesota named Kelly (Sheehan) Holstine ’12 MAE the 2018 Teacher of the Year. An English teacher at Tokata Learning Center, an alternative high school in Shakopee, Holstine created a new English curriculum and developed policies that the school has implemented. Lavender Magazine featured Holstine’s accolades and focus on diversity in education. As Teacher of the Year, Holstine is an ambassador for 86,000 teachers in Minnesota. Chung Eang Lip ’18 started a new role as a graduate school teaching assistant at Columbia University in New York City. Lip is working on a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in infectious disease epidemiology. AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS ’16 St. Olaf College hired Gregory Mitchell ’18 as a wide receivers coach for the 2018 season. Mitchell was a receiver on the Augsburg football team. He previously coached receivers at Centennial High School and Southwest High School. Augsburg alumnus Scott Cooper ’13 returned to the university this August as a full-time staff member serving as an alumni engagement manager. Cooper started his undergraduate degree at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, before transferring to Augsburg in 2011 where he completed a bachelor’s degree in communication. Cooper was a member of the Augsburg Choir and the 2012 and 2013 Auggie football teams. Prior to ’13 SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE joining Augsburg’s Alumni and Constituent Relations staff, Cooper served in Minneapolis Public Schools’ high school special education programs. In his free time, Cooper has enjoyed public speaking engagements in which he has discussed his experiences as an Auggie football player. ’12 Rick Wolke ’12 and Ashley (Carney) Wolke ’13 welcomed Aurora Jo Wolke on AUGGIES HONORED Orville “Joe” Hognander Jr. received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming for his thoughtful stewardship and responsible leadership. Although he was not a student at Augsburg, he is a noteworthy Auggie through and through. His grandfather was an Augsburg graduate more than 100 years ago, his parents were highly involved in the music program, and his ties to alumni and faculty run deep. A retired naval officer and private investor now living in Edina, Minnesota, Hognander’s longstanding involvement with Augsburg speaks to a family history of commitment and engagement, particularly in the continued support of Augsburg’s Department of Music. ’16 ’13 Professor Emeritus John Holum, Ph.D., received a Spirit of Augsburg Award at Homecoming. A beloved retired professor whose legacy spans more than 30 years, Holum is a prolific writer who has published dozens of scientific textbooks and peer-reviewed papers. He came to Augsburg with a doctorate in organic chemistry and taught chemistry until his retirement in 1993. Holum, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, has demonstrated a lifelong passion for academic excellence and support for students on their educational journeys. ’12 ’09 Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements. ’15 January 8. Rick and Ashley both majored in business administration/economics. Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard ’09, ’17 MSW and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA were married on September 23, 2017, in Stillwater, Minnesota. There were several Auggies in attendance. Pictured are [front, L to R]: Seth Lienard, Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard, Morgan (Bray) Thompson ’09, Amanda (Chmiel) Spence ’09 ’09 [back, L to R]: Wade Wojick ’11, Ryan Wilsey ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olsen ’11, Luke Lienard ’16, Aaron Rosell, Stefan Swanson, Sheridan Lienard, Lindsey Graff ’11, and Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11. Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA and her husband, David, welcomed a son, Lawson Robert, on April 26. ’15 ’10 Jonathan Chrastek ’10 and Katie Pendo ’10 were married on July 7 in Leesburg, Virginia. Several Augsburg alumni joined the couple as they celebrated their wedding, which was officiated by Sylvia Bull ’10 and Emily Wiles ’10. Augsburg alumni Alissa Nolan ’09, Nick Blixt ’10, and Cait Kortum ’10 were in the wedding party, and Kate Edelen ’11 was in attendance. ’10 FALL–WINTER 2018 31 IN MEMORIAM Lydia C. (Mitlyng) Pokrass ’35, Ashburn, Virginia, age 104, on May 29. Eunice C. (Knudson) Iverson ’42, Richmond, Minnesota, age 97, on September 9. Joyce M. (Reitan) Knutsen ’43, Fridley, Minnesota, age 93, on May 30. Richard J. Koplitz ’45, Minneapolis, age 95, on June 15. Lenore “Beth” B. (Buesing) Opgrand ’45, Wilmington, North Carolina, age 95, on May 25. Adele L. (Anderson) Cupit ’46, Walnut Creek, California, age 94, on May 26. Jack E. Jacobsen ’46, Minneapolis, age 95, on January 11. Duane J. Christensen ’53, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 87, on May 7. Clara A. (Hookom) Cobb ’54, Willmar, Minnesota, age 85, on May 26. Daniel “Dan” E. Peterson ’66, Clear Lake, Minnesota, age 75, on March 4. Niles R. Schulz ’66, Minneapolis, age 74, on July 10. James E. Leschensky ’67, Minneapolis, age 73, on March 25. John “Johnny” M. Burke ’94, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 54, on March 20. E. William “Bill” Anderson ’56, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 84, on May 16. Judith A. (Anderson) Woods ’67, Brainerd, Minnesota, age 73, on March 7. Rebecca E. Rehfeld ’95, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 62, on February 19. Lloyd C. Grinde ’56, Minneapolis, age 92, on July 1. Dolores “Dee” M. (Larson) Fagerlie ’72, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 90, on August 23. Phyllis A. Lee ’96, Frederick, Maryland, age 76, on January 18. Russell C. Lee ’56, Albuquerque, New Mexico, age 86, on August 17. Roger K. Ose II ’56, Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 84, on May 9. Sidney D. Berg ’57, Minneapolis, age 88, on May 29. Kathleen E. Tinseth ’74, Minneapolis, age 66, on September 4. John R. Burgeson ’75, Andover, Minnesota, age 66, on May 19. Leroy H. Conyers ’57, Marshall, Minnesota, age 88, on June 13. Margaret “Marie” (Salmonson) Marx ’78, Scandia, Minnesota, age 89, on September 7. Arthur E. Marben ’47, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 95, on July 14. Charles H. Erbstoesser ’58, Little Falls, Minnesota, age 88, on July 18. Estelle M. (Uleberg) Swanson ’47, Madelia, Minnesota, age 92, on August 2. Stephanie J. (Torgerson) Sipprell ’81, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, age 59, on May 5. Harlan J. Jacobson ’59, Ashby, Minnesota, age 81, on July 20. Milan J. Sedio ’48, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 94, on May 18. Joyce K. (Johnson) Rudi ’62, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 85, on August 29. Mary J. Andersen ’84, Afton, Minnesota, age 61, on March 10. Richard J. Thorvig ’49, Minneapolis, age 93, on August 4. Lynn B. Lundin ’50, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, age 90, on May 29. Verna M. (Haverly) Brue ’51, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 90, on July 16. Gloria A. (Metcalf) Kubnick ’63, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, age 77, on July 12. Susan D. (Graff) Mills ’96, Fargo, North Dakota, age 65, on July 3. Scott W. Schuck ’97, Minneapolis, age 63, on August 31. John M. Welch ’07, Sudbury, Massachusetts, age 34, on June 30. Marlene M. Taylor ’09, Plymouth, Minnesota, age 31, on May 16. Jennifer L. Lovering ’10, Bemidji, Minnesota, age 29, on April 26. Cheryl L. Miller ’10, Altoona, Wisconsin, age 52, on August 9. Jon “Ryan” R. Benson ’12, Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 40, on June 1. Karlton “Karl” I. Bakke ’64, Roseville, Minnesota, age 77, on July 18. Jon M. Leverentz ’92, Hopkins, Minnesota, age 67, on August 16. Jacalyn “Jackie” S. (Ruschmann) Pederson ’14, Danbury, Wisconsin, age 65, on August 28. Bruce E. Braaten ’64, Prior Lake, Minnesota, age 76, on May 27. Alisa J. (Norvold) Leonard ’93, Northfield, Minnesota, age 48, on July 8. David “Alex” A. Jenny ’16, Kansas City, Missouri, age 29, on May 27. Charlotte K. (Jensen) Duty ’65, St. Joseph, Missouri, age 75, on March 24. A. Richard Petersen ’51, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 89, on August 21. Cengiz Gokcen ’66, St. Pete Beach, Florida, age 74, on August 5. AUGSBURG NOW Linda J. (Skay) Weinberg ’87, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, age 69, on March 13. Alice E. (Barden) Mapes ’96, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 56, on August 24. Eileen M. (Henkemeyer) Saldana ’91, Minneapolis, age 82, on January 6. Erika R. (Staub) Niemi ’51, Tucson, Arizona, age 91, on April 16. 32 David R. Berken ’94, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 50, on May 19. Duncan D. Flann ’55, Overland Park, Kansas, age 85, on April 9. Helen “Merle” M. (Houser) Campbell ’47, Newberg, Oregon, age 94, on June 27. Donald L. Sween ’49, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 93, on April 25. Scott D. Syring ’93, Minneapolis, age 48, on August 24. Shirley A. Sopkiewicz ’93, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 60, on February 27. John E. Sorlien ’93, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 55, on July 19. Cole R. McAdam ’17, Faribault, Minnesota, age 23, on April 7. The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before September 15. VISIT CAMPUS ALUMNI Whether you’re on campus often or haven’t been back in years, there’s always something new to see. Schedule a personal tour by contacting the alumni office at 612-330-1329 or alumni@augsburg.edu. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS Augsburg could be right for you. Traditional undergraduate students who are children or spouses of Augsburg graduates or the siblings of current Augsburg students are eligible for a minimum scholarship of $16,000 per year. Schedule a campus visit at augsburg.edu/visit. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Augsburg’s press box, completed in 2008, was made possible by gifts from Oliver Dahl ’45, John ’36 and Christine Haalan, E. Milton “Milt” Kleven ’46, Glen Person ’47, President Paul C. Pribbenow, Dick “Pork Chop” Thompson ’61, and Gunner and Mary Wick. Augsburg press box name commemorates Campus Pastor Emeritus Dave Wold Augsburg University dedicated the press box at Edor Nelson Field in honor of the late Rev. Dave Wold during the Auggie football team’s home opener this fall. Augsburg’s campus pastor from 1983 to 2013, Wold died April 21 at age 72. In addition to his service to the Augsburg community as a faith leader, Wold was a constant presence in the Augsburg athletics community, serving as public address announcer for football, men’s basketball, and wrestling home competitions, along with events in many other sports. The breadth of Wold’s pastoral care supported generations of Auggies, and he is beloved by alumni and Augsburg community members around the world. PHOTOS BY KEVIN HEALY 2211 Riverside Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55454 Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 2031
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Title: Augsburg Now Fall-Winter 2019:
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection

Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2010: Out Of The Box Auggies
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning t...
Show more 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1 AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2010 VOL. 71, NO. 3 inside out of the Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Photo Years of Life-Changing contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010 Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood Travel Learning to learn Pursuing an ideal education page 20 Connecting the dots for good IGNITE program box Auggies 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 2 Editor Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Director notes from President Pribbenow Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Multiply your mind by giving it away Photographer a Webmaster/Now Online s this issue of Augsburg Now illustrates, the Augsburg community is engaged in many efforts and initiatives that are best characterized as innovative—or “out-of-the-box,” as they’re called here. In fact, I believe deeply that there is something about Augsburg and its mission that lends itself to this sort of entrepreneurial spirit, this willingness to try new ways of doing things in service to our students and neighbors. Just think of the last 30 years of new programs at Augsburg— the Weekend College; the expansion to seven graduate programs; the Augsburg campus at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester and at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington; the Augsburg Core Curriculum ––(AugCore), with its expansive framework for educating students in the liberal arts and in the world; the CLASS office, providing support for students with learning differences; the StepUP program, meeting the needs of students recovering from addictions; and the list goes on and on. All examples of how Augsburg is on the leading edge of providing an excellent education in new and innovative ways. I’ve recently been reading literature on helping organizations to embrace and sustain a culture of innovation—that is, to create organizational cultures that are constantly looking for new and different ways to do things, to make products, to deliver services; to save souls, educate students, heal the sick. Recently, I happened upon the writing of Mark Federman, a Canadian scholar whose writings on innovation include this provocative suggestion: “Multiply your mind by giving it away.” And Federman means exactly what he says—be generous, be charitable, give instead of always taking. Because when you are generous with your mind, with your knowledge and education, you help to create organizations and neighborhoods and agencies and churches and schools that are marked not by the scarcity of the world but by the abundance of what’s possible when generosity of mind and heart and spirit is our guiding principle. How will you give away your mind in the communities and organizations you serve? I constantly find examples of such generosity of mind right here in the Augsburg community, and you’ll see them in the stories featured here. For example, I’m struck by the ways in which staff member Brian Noy and his many colleagues who run our Campus Kitchen program are illustrating this generosity of mind and spirit. In addition to the ongoing preparation and delivery of 2,000 meals a month they serve to our neighbors in Phillips and Cedar-Riverside, they have focused our attention on the important role that food plays in our lives—as sustenance for our bodies, as fellowship for our community, as politics and economics in our neighborhood and world. They have multiplied their minds by giving them away to all of us. And the results are staggering— a community garden on the edge of campus that brings together neighbors and students and children, a Farmers Market that brings organic farmers from across the region to campus, composting of leftover everything in the cafeteria, and so much more—abundance through generosity. The gift of an education, an Augsburg education, calls all of us to this generous undertaking of multiplying your mind and knowledge and experience by giving it away so that it serves God’s abundant intentions for God’s people and world. That is the sort of innovation that is at the heart of Augsburg’s mission and vision. I’m proud to share in this significant work. PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Director of News and Media Services Jeff Shelman shelman@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 healyk@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 au w 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:30 AM Page 3 spring 2010 Features 10 14 6 10 14 10th annual International Programs Photo Contest 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy by Betsey Norgard 17 auggies out of the box 20 34 20 Pursuing an ideal education by Wendi Wheeler ’06 23 In the neighborhood contents by Jeff Shelman 28 augsburg now Departments 2 5 8 9 37 40 44 Around the Quad Auggies on the ice Auggie voices It takes an Auggie Alumni news Class notes My Auggie experience 25 Learning to learn—without any A, B, Cs by Jeff Shelman 28 Connecting the dots for good by Bryan Barnes 31 IGNITE-ing Auggie spirit by Betsey Norgard 34 The Bod Pod by Betsey Norgard 36 Out of the box partnerships by Rebecca John On the cover It’s impossible to arrange many of the programs, people, and partnerships at Augsburg neatly into a box. With their creative perspectives and unique features, the stories here show how Augsburg often looks and acts “out-of-the-box.” All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 4 around the quad Auggies win 11th national wrestling title With eight All-Americans and three national runner-up individuals, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its 11th NCAA Division III national title in the last 20 seasons in March in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Augsburg finished with 110.5 points, 10 points better than second-place Wisconsin-La Crosse’s 100.5. Defending national champion Wartburg (Iowa) was third with 83.5 points, Coe (Iowa) was fourth with 76.0 points, and Delaware Valley (Pa.) was fifth with 50.5 points. In his second year as Augsburg’s head wrestling coach, Mark Matzek ’05 was named Division III National Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association—and at age 27, is the youngest head coach to ever win a Division III wrestling national title. Augsburg assistant head coach Jared Evans ’07 was named National Assistant Coach of the Year by the NWCA. “It was nine individual efforts that created this team national championship,” Matzek said. “I’m proud of each and every one of the guys who wrestled, and I’m proud of each and every one of the guys in this program.” The final session of the tournament completed a unique first for the Auggies—the first time Augsburg has won a national title without an individual national titlist. The feat has occurred just twice before in the 37-year history of the Division III championships. Have you seen the new signs? The new LED “Augsburg” atop Mortensen Hall now serves as a beacon to commuters who pass by on Interstate 94 and as a marker of Augsburg’s location. To read more and see a video of the construction, go to the “Auggie Sign” page on Facebook. Photo by Caleb Williams Auggie wrestlers, students, families, and friends celebrated Augsburg’s 11th national championship. 2 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 5 Augsburg receives five Fulbright awards In the past weeks, three Augsburg students, one faculty member, and the Center for Global Education have all been notified that they have received Fulbright awards for next year. May graduates Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will both teach English in Vietnam during the 2010-11 academic year. Bethany Hellerich, a 2009 graduate who is spending this year as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, will teach English in Indonesia. All three have plans to further their education after their year abroad, as Olsen will apply to medical school, Le has deferred admission to pharmacy school, and Hellerich is interested in a public health graduate program. Seven Augsburg students have been awarded Fulbrights over the past three years and the College has been recognized as a top producer of winners. Hellerich said Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity office (URGO) deserves credit for working with students and pushing them to believe that they can have success. “I’m just fortunate that [URGO director] Dixie Shafer exists and magical things happen when she works with you on your application,” Hellerich said. “She’s very helpful with giving good and detailed feedback.” English professor Colin Irvine will spend the next academic year traveling the length of Norway as a Fulbright Roving Scholar in American Studies. Courtesy photo College mourns the death of faculty Professor Don Steinmetz, who taught in the Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies Department for 41 years, died of an apparent heart attack on Dec. 28. He was 71. His son, Erik Steinmetz, is a member of Augsburg’s Computer Science Donald Steinmetz Myles Stenshoel Department faculty. Don Steinmetz served as chair of the department and taught courses in German and Spanish. He also taught Chinese and linguistics within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium. Professor Emeritus Myles Stenshoel died on March 26 following a short illness. He taught at Augsburg for 28 years and continued to teach part time in retirement. In 1965 he came to Augsburg and established the Political Science Department the following year. His interests were in politics and religion, and he was deeply committed to social action. Also mourned is Neal Thorpe ’60, former faculty member and a Distinguished Alumnus, who died in Vancouver, Wash., on March 3. Jens Olsen and Heidi Le Colin Irvine In this role, Irvine will prepare presentations on American studies topics and visit schools across Norway to provide opportunities for Norwegian teenagers to learn about the United States. Based in Oslo, he will likely give between 250 and 300 presentations across the country. “I’ve always been interested in the possibility of working or teaching overseas,” Irvine said. “This roving scholar program was perfect.” In addition, the Center for Global Education also received its fifth Fulbright-Hays Group Project award and will host a four-week curriculum development program for teachers during July and August in Namibia. Editor’s Note The last issue of the Now had a story, “Augsburg’s first travel to Egypt.” Alas, we have received a note from social work Professor Emerita Edwina (Eddie) Hertzberg, who tells us it isn’t so. “In 1979, for the January Interim, the College sponsored a course, Social Services and Public Policy in a Developing Country: Egypt, 1979,” she writes. “I was the faculty instructor, assisted by former adjunct professor Nagwa Farag and two of her colleagues from Helwan University in Cairo. My request to Professor Farag had been that we get as close to Egyptian people as possible so that our experience include the depth that only such engagement can provide. Eleven students, Augsburg and St. Olaf, from a variety of disciplines, participated in the month-long program. … [I]t was a remarkable educational and life-impacting experience for us all, students and faculty alike.” Spring 2010 3 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 6 around the quad Yi started out the semester in the back of the room, about as far away from me as possible. He showed relatively little interest; his homework and test grades were poor. Yet when I called on him he responded with reasonable answers. Like others hiding in the back row, Yi had potential; he just needed some personal attention and prodding. I took to writing notes on his homework encouraging him to move forward and talk to me. One afternoon he appeared in my office, and we talked for an hour about many things—about the class, how he came to United International College (UIC), and his goals. Eventually he closed the office door and wanted to talk about the injuries his uncle experienced in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the fear was still too great and he left. Yi did move forward, began to interact with me, and soon his work, tests, and comments improved remarkably. He began to enjoy thinking philosophically. Through a special arrangement, Augsburg made it possible for me to teach philosophy during the fall semester at UIC in Zhuhai, China. In three classes I was privileged to work with 120 bright Chinese students. A new, English-medium liberal arts college on the mainland, UIC is an experiment to provide a more Western style of education to the Chinese. China is dramatically changing as it attempts to educate its population, and UIC is one of eight brand-new universities built in Zhuhai in the last 10 years. “I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves.” In Introduction to Philosophy we read Plato’s Apology, where Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth by getting them to question those in authority who claimed that they knew when they really didn’t. I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and question for themselves. By the end of the term over half of the students were engaging me in the classroom discussion, raising questions and objections and making the class their own. Courtesy photo Philosophy, religion, and Chinese food Professor Bruce Reichenbach with students (from left) Daisy, Serena, and Charlene enjoy noodles and discussion after class in Zhuhai, China. My Philosophy of Religion students and I would walk down to the student canteen on Friday for lunch and conversation. Jiang sat next to me and between bites of noodles asked, “Do you really believe in God?” Teaching Philosophy of Religion provided both a challenge and opportunity, as both the students and I looked for a common ground of understanding between our two cultures and worldviews. Once the initial barriers of passive learning were put to rest, the classroom boiled with discussion, questions, challenges, and good humor. Here, too, the students would linger. Tony periodically stayed around for an hour, his phenomenology book in hand, to inquire how Heidegger would view these ideas. Self taught in philosophy, he was eager to connect the course ideas with his own reading. Three Augsburg students and four recent graduates, serving as teaching assistants, also joined the UIC community, providing cross-cultural connections that will continue to develop as students and faculty visit each other’s campuses in the years ahead. At the end of the term two of my classes took my wife and me to Chinese restaurants to show their appreciation. We toasted friendship and a wonderful semester as we affirmed that we all liked philosophy and Chinese food. BRUCE REICHENBACH Professor of philosophy 4 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 7 Auggies on the ice Chris Johnson—A third-generation hockey star Chris Johnson certainly has an impressive hockey pedigree. Chris is the son of Mark Johnson, a member of the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980 U.S. Olympic team, a pro hockey star, and coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silver-medal hockey squad. He’s the grandson of “Badger” Bob Johnson, one of the greatest coaches in American hockey history—who also happened to attend Augsburg for a year before transferring to the University of Wisconsin. And his siblings all played hockey on various teams. But Chris Johnson has also made a name for himself as a leader of the Auggie men’s hockey team. A native of Verona, Wis., Johnson had a terrific career as an Auggie, scoring 41 goals with 74 assists for 115 points in his 104-game career. He had a goal or assist in 15 of Augsburg’s 27 games this season, including seven multiple-point efforts. Johnson’s squads reached the MIAC postseason playoffs in three of his four seasons, including two with him as team captain. He earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors all four seasons and All-American honors last year. Off the ice, Johnson will also be remembered as a top hockey player. He’s a member of Augsburg’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has helped lead hockey ministry and Bible-study groups of student-athletes. He’s also worked with the Herb Brooks Foundation’s “Rink Rats” program, teaching hockey skills to students from the Seward Montessori School. Johnson is a finance major with a 3.4 GPA. “Hockey was everywhere when we were growing up, in a good way, not in a pressure way,” Johnson told columnist Rachel Blount of the Star Tribune in a January feature. “We all got to play at the same high school as my dad. He taught us that even though we might have a last name that helps, it doesn’t matter if you don’t work hard. But he also told us that at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.” This season was a special one for the Johnson family. Since the U.S. women’s hockey team was based at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., prior to the Olympics, Mark—who took a leave of absence from his job as coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team to lead the Olympic squad—had ample opportunities to be with his son in the Twin Cities. Mark attended several of his son’s games at Augsburg, and the two met weekly for dinner and father-son bonding. In a “Profiles of Excellence” feature on the CollegeSportingNews.com website by Rich Mies in January, Chris Johnson said that his experience at Augsburg has been a positive one. “I’ve received a great education here,” he said, “and I cherish the relationships I’ve made here with teammates, coaches, teachers, and friends. I’ve grown up a lot while I’ve been here.” He also said he may consider following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and coach hockey someday. DON STONER Spring 2010 5 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 8 International Programs 1 Photo Contest Portraits 1st place: Matt Anderson “Soccer at Le Sacré Coeur” Paris, France 2nd place: Sandra Meyer “Yes” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Dan Thewis “Friday at Al-Azhar Mosque” Cairo, Egypt Landscape/cityscape 1 1st place: Norah Thompson “Villa Joyosa, España” Madrid, Spain 2nd place: Malena Thoson “Municipal Dump” Managua, Nicaragua 3rd place: Elizabeth Robinson “Work Will Set You Free” Berlin, Germany Photojournalism 1st place: Dan Thewis “Cairo at Midnight” Cairo, Egypt 2nd place: Norah Thompson “El niño en Madrid” Madrid, Spain 6 Augsburg Now 1 3rd place: Sandra Meyer “Nonchalant” Managua, Nicaragua 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 9 3 2 3 3 2009 2 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 2 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 10 auggie voices How girlfriends do theology “Doing Theology with Girlfriends,” or DTwG as it is known, is not your typical Bible study. Sonja Hagander, associate pastor at Augsburg, started DTwG because students told her they wanted a Bible study on campus. “But you can’t always call it a ‘Bible study,’” Hagander says, “because that means it’s difficult or boring or only for people who already understand the Bible.” So DTwG gives women at Augsburg a chance to connect, to support each other, and to relate their own life experiences to scripture. This group of girlfriends gathers once a month to share stories of their lives and to “do” theology. The idea for DTwG came as Hagander reflected on how she loved spending time with her own girlfriends and on the importance of relating to other women. When the group gathers each month, one woman shares a story from her life. The others then share their own feelings and memories related to the story. Hagander chooses a reading or two from the Bible, which the women use to dig deeper into their experiences. Finally, they ask how what they’ve learned might change their daily lives or the way they practice their faith. On the last Monday in January, one student talked about what it means to “truly experience” nature as she related the story of her family’s vacation in Denali National Park. “I sat there for hours, looking out for miles, reflecting and praying and trying to figure out my place within God’s beautiful creation,” she said. 8 Augsburg Now Hagander passed out copies of Psalm 23, and the girlfriends identified their own green pastures and still waters. For one, a late-night jog around the lakes in Minneapolis was a way for her to connect to nature. Another experienced the majesty of creation while watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Then Hagander asked the group to examine the dark and destructive side of nature using Job’s account of a fire-breathing, stone-hearted leviathan. This led to a discussion about the massive loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. One woman marveled at the faith that kept some people alive as they waited for days to be pulled from the rubble of destroyed homes, churches, and schools. “Today is a gift that we get to use in the best way possible,” Hagander said, asking how the women could take this discussion into their lives. This hour wasn’t a gab session or group therapy. But it wasn’t an ordinary Bible study either. There were no right answers or theologically sound interpretations. Just coffee and tea, comfortable chairs, a pink candle, and a chance to share. That is how girlfriends do theology. WENDI WHEELER ’06 Back row (L to R): Amy Wenzel, Whitney Pratt, Pastor Sonja Hagander, Ally Streed, Sara Thiry, Emily Wiles; Front row (L to R): Lonna Field, Carly Facchini, Dixie Scruggs, Marrta Wyatt, Angelica Erickson, Sylvia Bull 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 11 it takes an Auggie A young woman meets her many grandmothers Last year, Krystal Mattison ’10 studied in Korea. Many students who study abroad are profoundly affected by the experience. For Mattison, a history and American Indian studies major from St. Paul, spending the year abroad was a life-changing opportunity to bond with her new grandmothers. Mattison is the granddaughter of a “comfort woman.” During World War II, thousands of Korean women were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. Some of these women did not survive their ordeal, and many were unable to have children as a result of their treatment. Furthermore, the women were unable to talk about their experiences until many years later. Her grandmother died when Mattison was five years old, but she heard the story from her father. While in Korea, Mattison spent time at the House of Sharing, an organization in Seoul that houses and cares for the surviving comfort women. She says that after she told them about her grandmother, the women became her adopted grandmothers (halmonis), even giving her the Korean name Soo-Jeong. “They spoiled me, holding my hands and feeding me,” she says. She learned from the women, who now think of themselves not as victims but as survivors and activists, that speaking out against violence is an important part of the healing process. “This experience brought me so much completion that I had to do something.” That “something” was to connect with Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor of women’s studies and director of Augsburg’s Women’s Resource Center. After Mattison shared her grandmother’s story and her own experience in Korea, the center agreed to donate the proceeds from its annual benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues to the House of Sharing. Eve Ensler’s episodic play began off-Broadway in 1996. Each year The Vagina Monologues and other theatrical productions are presented across the country by women on college campuses on V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. “Since the purpose of performing this show is to fight violence against women by raising awareness about the issue and funds for organizations who do this work, we feel like it was a tremendously successful event,” says Nathanson. “The performances were excellent,” she adds, “beautifully and powerfully delivered.” This year’s production raised more than $800 through ticket sales and donations, which amounts to 940,000 Korean won. “This is such a personal issue for me, and I think it’s amazing that the women of Augsburg took it on,” Mattison says. At the end of each Augsburg performance, Mattison gave a speech about her grandmother. “I felt like she was there with me.” The Vagina Monologues was directed by Julia Sewell, a senior psychology major from Minneapolis. The cast included Irene Abdullah, Veronica Berg, Kia Burton, Amber Davis, Rebecca Dickinson, Sarah Gillund, Annika Gunderson, Lucreshia Grant, Elizabeth Hanson, Brandy Hyatt, Valencia McMurray, Lily Morris, Kris Ness, Magdalen Ng, Shannon O’Brien, Yasameen Sajady, Leann Vice-Reshel, Rochelle Weidner, and Courtney Wiley. WENDI WHEELER ’06 During Krystal Mattison’s year in Korea, she became friends with women, like her own grandmother, called “comfort women,” who were abused by the Japanese military during World War II. These survivors became grandmothers to her, and this year she found a way to help support them. Spring 2010 9 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:33 AM Page 12 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM 10 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 13 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM Striving for Peace A Question of Will March 5–6, 2010 In cooperation with the Norwegian Nobel Institute, five Midwestern colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) sponsor the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. The colleges, all founded by Norwegian immigrants, sponsor the forum to give recognition to Norway’s international peace efforts and to offer opportunities for Nobel Peace laureates, diplomats, scholars, students, and the general public to engage in dialogue on the dynamics of peacemaking and the underlying causes of conflict and war. The Peace Prize Forum is the Nobel Institute’s only such program or academic affiliation outside Norway. Augsburg College Augustana College Concordia College Luther College St. Olaf College This year’s Peace Prize Forum was held March 5 and 6 on the Augsburg College campus, and honored the work of 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland. The other plenary speakers were Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, and Leymah Gbowee, executive director of Women Peace and Security Network-Africa. Prior to the forum, the 15th annual Peace Prize Festival brought together approximately 800 school children and youth to learn about the importance and influence of the Nobel Peace Prize and to honor President Ahtisaari. For more photos of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Peace Prize Festival, go to www.augsburg.edu/now Spring 2010 11 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 14 THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM The Peace Prize Forum is grateful for the support of our sponsors: this year’s host, Augsburg College, for providing the platform and for staging this important event. Together, with all of you in the audience, I look forward to learning from a leader this evening, a man who’s been inspiring in his steadfast belief in peace and transformative in his approach. May we all leave this conference energized by the power of one voice and committed to engaging collaboratively with each other to further the process of achieving peace. Thank you.” Alex Gonzalez ’90 (right), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Pribbenow meet Ahtisaari. Ann Parriott, vice president for human resources at H.B. Fuller, extended greetings at the forum’s opening ceremony. “Good evening. It’s a pleasure to be here with you tonight to help introduce this year’s conference. H.B. Fuller Company is honored to serve as the lead sponsor for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. We’re delighted to help welcome our very special guest speaker, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, and pleased to help and encourage ongoing dialogue and discussion on the topic of peace and conflict resolution. “As a company operating in more than 100 countries for many of our 120-plus years, H.B. Fuller has long embraced the value of diverse global perspectives to solve problems, address challenges, and maximize opportunities in the business sector. We are truly excited to help bring this year’s program to you and by so doing help provide a platform for dialogue, discussion, and diverse perspectives on an issue that affects all of us as global citizens. “We salute the Norwegian Nobel Institute and our academic sponsors, including 12 Augsburg Now Alex Gonzalez ’90 represented Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ at the forum. Parriott poses with President Martti Ahtisaari (center) and President Pribbenow. Ann and Todd Parriott converse with Augsburg’s MBA director, Steve Zitnick (left). “As a faith-based membership organization, Thrivent Financial seeks to help enable its members to demonstrate their care and concern for others. While organizationally it does not have a global focus, Thrivent Financial does help its members have a global impact through programs such as Thrivent Builds Worldwide and through various Lutheran relief organizations that have a global reach.” Alex Gonzalez, FIC, CLTC, is a partner with the Stonebridge Group. He is a 1990 Augsburg graduate and a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:34 AM Page 15 Tim McGough (center) greets Ahtisaari and Pribbenow. McGough Construction and “Bright Green” As a result of their extensive experience with “green” construction and knowledge of sustainable building practices and products, McGough has created the Bright Green sustainable program. A guiding principle of the program is to find creative ways to apply sustainable practices to construction projects in a cost-effective manner. This would include exploring techniques for reducing waste and applying eco-friendly operating practices. McGough has adopted green strategies throughout their company to test cleaning products and utilize advanced recycling strategies. This focus on energy conservation and minimizing waste enables it to export these practices to the construction site and provide useful advice to clients. The centerpiece of Bright Green is the Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence consists of several sustainability specialists who can provide information and advice to organizations who are considering the implementation of criteria developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) or adopting proven practices to reduce the negative environmental impacts of building design and construction. The center draws upon outside research and industry data, as well as lessons learned “on the ground” from McGough Construction projects. Indeed, McGough is a long-standing member of the USGBC and is a founding sponsor of the local Mississippi Headwaters Chapter in Minnesota. The sustainability specialists in the Center of Excellence maintain active roles in local chapter committees, enabling them to stay well-informed about the most recent developments in sustainable design and construction. McGough, in collaboration with Augsburg, will apply these practices to the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Kjell Magne Bondevik, president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, spoke in dialogue with President Ahtisaari at the forum. “In the long term, we can never win the fight [against terrorism] by military means. We need to find out why people are willing to give their lives and we need to address the root causes of terrorism.” Nordic Home Interiors Tim McGough (left) and Mike Hangge, with McGough Construction, speak with Barbara Farley, Augsburg’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. EVENT CONTRIBUTORS: Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation Mary T., Inc. Wells Fargo Winds of Peace Foundation The Omari rug/wall hangings donated to the forum were woven by Nordic Home Interior’s partner, Everest Handicraft Industries, in Katmandu, Nepal. They were hand-knotted in the primitive Nepalese/Tibetan art form of Tibetan wool with 100 knots per square inch. The dove design is Indian silk. DONORS: Baker Tilly Faegre & Benson Norway House Spring 2010 13 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 16 “ I T ’ S A B O U T F R I E N D S H I P, L E G A C Y, G O O D F O O D , H E R I T A G E , A G I N G — A L L O F T H O S E . ” JIM PEDERSON ’56 On a cold, crisp February morning, photographer Stephen Geffre and I follow Jim Pederson ’56 through ankle-deep snow up a slope to a small log cabin that overlooks Swede Lake. This log cabin, near Star Prairie, Wis., sits on the farm that was homesteaded by Pederson’s great-grandparents in 1872 and that he and his brother, Dwight ’60, now own. They grew up on the farm, moved away to begin their own lives, and now return often with their families and friends. Our reason for being there is to visit the site of an annual celebration that has occurred on the second Saturday of November for the past 50 years. It’s an afternoon each year when Jim and Elaine Pederson host friends and family in the small log cabin for mulled cider and treats before heading to nearby West Immanuel Lutheran Church for lutefisk dinner. This church dinner is a 75-year tradition that now attracts more than 1,200 people for lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, and more. THE BEGINNING OF ENDURING FRIENDSHIPS Jim Pederson says it’s difficult to put a label on this annual gathering. It’s about friendship, legacy, good food, heritage, aging—all of those. Star Tribune columnist Original furniture, art, and history provide the setting for the pre-lutefisk dinner gathering that fills the cabin in November each year. 14 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 17 BY BETSEY NORGARD Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy Jon Tevlin, who attended last November’s half-century celebration, described it as “an iconic Midwestern living postcard that turned 50 years old Saturday.” At first it was just an annual trek to the lutefisk dinner, but as years went by and friends began to gather beforehand at the farm, the camaraderie there became as important as the meal that followed. While to the Pedersons the gathering marks the final event of the farm’s social season, many of the attendees consider it the beginning of their holiday festivities. Pederson really can’t put his finger on just what glue has held so many of them together for so long. The short answer, he says, is that it was a group of Augsburg friends who started coming out to the country for a church dinner. “The better answer,” he adds, “is that some of us developed friendships that included faculty members who were our mentors and with whom we greatly enjoyed informal times outside the classroom.” Faculty from the 1950s who became regular attendees include Phil Quanbeck Sr., Paul Sonnack, Joel Torstenson, Ralph and Grace Sulerud, and others. For nearly 20 years, retired history professor Carl and Val Chrislock spent many of their summers at the farm, where Carl did a great deal of writing and where Val tended her flower and vegetable gardens. When there were deaths, spouses and families often continued to participate. “Many of us were deeply interested in public service of some kind, whether teaching, the ministry, public policy, or politics,” says Pederson. In the 1950s, when academic freedom was restricted and McCarthyism caused colleges to shy away from controversy, he credits Augsburg and the leadership of President Bernhard Christensen for encouraging political expression and organization. “Augsburg practiced academic freedom while in some institutions it was only preached,” Pederson says. “Political organizations were encouraged on campus. Faculty encouraged students to become involved in political campaigns, and Political Emphasis Week brought speakers from the whole political spectrum. “It was in this cauldron that lasting friendships developed and continued beyond graduation. While politics was a strong interest of a few, the friendships persisted regardless of the chosen vocation,” Pederson says. It all started with the five Auggie Norwegian bachelors who, as students, lived together above Larson’s grocery store— Martin Sabo ’59, Jim ’56 and Dwight ’60 Pederson, Harlan Christianson ’57, and Erwin Christenson ’58. In 1959, Jim and Elaine Pederson (who were not yet married) and Harlan and Lori Christianson decided to drive out to Star Prairie for the lutefisk dinner. Elaine was a student nurse at Deaconess Hospital and Augsburg, and this trip became her introduction to the farm, to lutefisk, and to her future Pederson in-laws. Each year thereafter has brought additional invited friends and families. On November 14, 2009—the 50th anniversary—the count was 67. The group now includes the families and friends of Jim and Elaine and their children, Michelle and Kirk, a 1987 grad; his fiancée Molly; grandchildren Madeline, Emma, and Ginny; and Dwight and his wife, Marion, also a Lutheran Deaconess nurse; daughter Denise; and grandchildren Laura, Thomas, and Helenya. AUGSBURG STORIES PLAY OUT OVER THE YEARS Pederson says he’d like to tie the story of the 50-year gatherings to what they learned at Augsburg. “‘Education for Service’ we thought of as just a phrase, but it really did mean a lot to us—whether in ministry, nursing, government, or politics. It played out, and that’s an important part of the story for me.” The Augsburg-connected stories include the political career of Martin Sabo, which dates back to the days of the five Norwegian bachelors. Pederson, who served as student body president and was active in student political groups, became manager in 1960 for Sabo’s state house endorsement campaign. “And he never lost an election after that,” Pederson comments, about Sabo’s long and distinguished legislative career, marked by his retirement in 2007. In another Augsburg story, Chrislock, who was a regular at the November gatherings, stayed on the farm while he wrote his 1991 book, Watchdog of Loyalty: The Minnesota Commission of Public Safety during World War I. Emeriti professors Ralph and Grace Sulerud, close friends of the Chrislocks, Spring 2010 15 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 18 Courtesy photo “WE HOPE THIS CARRIES ON FOR ANOTHER 50 YEARS— S O , Y O U N G E R G E N E R AT I O N , W E ’ R E C O U N T I N G O N Y O U . ” ELAINE PEDERSON enjoyed the old farmstead and lake so much that they now have a house there, just down the hill from the log house. And so, the Augsburg connections continue. THE MEANING OF PLACE THE LOG HOUSE AND LEGACY Pederson’s log house, the current gathering place, wasn’t part of the original farm. The original log house disappeared long ago, and Pederson had always wanted something like his great-grandfather built in the 1870s. In 1972, he found neighbors wanting to get rid of an old log house on their farm, and he jumped at the opportunity. Courtesy photo The Pederson ties date back more than 130 years in the community—to that farm now in its sixth generation and to the church originally chartered by his grandparents and their neighbors. The log house to which people come each November is for him an icon of family and heritage. In the invitation letter for last November’s gathering, Pederson mentioned a recent book that weaves together themes of story, place, calling, and purpose. Claiming Your Place at the Fire, by Richard Lieder and David Shapiro, challenges those entering “the second half of their life” to consider these themes in finding purpose in what they choose to do during their elder years. Pederson sees the old farm as the locale where at this annual event these themes of aging and legacy play out. “This is a time where family and friends share life experiences, the happenings of the last year, perhaps recalling mentors from college or elsewhere, many of whom are no longer with us; reminiscing about the good times; the not-so-good times; commiserating over losses or illnesses; sometimes engaging in a bit of gossip. Sometimes it’s small groups huddling to solve the world’s problems.” Collectively, they recall stories, redefine place, renew callings, and reclaim purpose. “Oh yes, and there’s the country church dinner, the ostensible reason for the gathering,” adds Pederson. “Each year, however, we hear some say they really come for the hour or two they spend together before the big meal, sipping cider Norwegian traditional goodies, and sharing treats they bring.” Auggies in the group of 67 at the 50th gathering last November included: (Front row, L to R):, Winnie (Nordlund) Anderson ’61, Elaine Pederson, Vicki (Skor) Pearson ’59, retired art professor Phil Thompson. (Back L to R) Kiel Christianson ’88, Jim Pederson ’56 (not visible) holding granddaughter Ginny, Kirk Pederson ’87 (turned away), Pearl Almquist, Paul Almquist ’59, Eunice Helgeson ’69, professor Garry Hesser, retired librarian Grace Sulerud. 16 Augsburg Now The “five Norweg ian bachelors” re united in 2002 wi Erickson ’56 (cen th Rod ter). (Clockwise, from left): Marti ’59, Harlan Chris n Sabo tianson ’57, Dwigh t Pederson ’60, Er Christenson ’58, win and Jim Pederson ’56. An eclectic mix of history and heritage, the one main room of the cabin is barely able to contain the crowd that gathers. Hanging on the walls are the farm’s homestead documents and old photos; some of the furniture is original. Rosemaling and other memorabilia fill the area. A loft offers sleeping space, and an enclosed porch was added for additional room. In addition to Jim and Dwight, the old farmstead has incorporated the Pedersons’ younger generations. Jim and Elaine’s son, Kirk, has his place on the farm where he and his family enjoy the summer. Their daughter, Michelle, enjoys the solitude and serenity of the farm both in summer and winter. So, as years go by, and the annual lutefisk group continues, children and grandchildren play greater roles. “In 1959,” Pederson says, “none of us could have predicted that 50 years later we would speak of a remarkable tradition that we hope will continue far into the future.” Last November 14, after some traditional Norwegian folk music and hymns, Elaine Pederson announced, “We hope this carries on for another 50 years—so, younger generation, we’re counting on you.” To read more and see photos from earlier gatherings, go to www.augsburg.edu/now a 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 19 X O B E H T F O OUT s e i g aug ON PAPER , Augsburg College looks a lot like most other liberal arts colleges. We have similar courses, departments, and programs. We teach students to think critically and to lead responsibly in the world, which is what other schools also aim to do. And our students, staff, and faculty don’t look much different than those at the big school across the street or the small campuses across the river. But in person we look and act differently. At Augsburg, we try to put our own creative spin on things and to look at issues from different perspectives. For example, this year some of our first-year students and a group of faculty spent an entire semester working together on a big problem in our first “I-Term.” In another example, students in the Honors program create their very own courses, write and edit their own scholarly journal, and together shape their own learning environment. And, one of our alums has found a very creative way to do community service while also running a thriving business. The stories in this issue represent just a few of the “out-of-the-box” programs, people, and partnerships that make us uniquely Augsburg. Spring 2010 17 18 Augsburg Now 50 students, 5 professors, 1 big problem. Last fall’s I-Term students discussed three big challenges in the non-graded Fate of the Earth course. I-Term students focused on food, fuel, and media in the course. What’s a great way to engage alumni? Introduce them to current students who have similar majors or interests and let them swap stories. In the end, everyone benefits. Yearbooks are keepsakes that link alumni to their college days. IGNITE I-TERM 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 20 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 21 HONORS houses in the Honors program. Items such as an olive-leaf crown are emblems for specific I-Term students focused on food, fuel, and media in the course. OUT OF THE BOX The Honors program consists of a combination of classes, students, structure, and a whole lot of creativity. FINNEGANS As a student, Jacquie Berglund ’87 dreamed of helping the working poor. Today her sense of vocation drives her to take leaps of faith that make life better for others. NEIGHBORHOOD Working closely with Cedar-Riverside and Seward residents is just one of the ways we live out our vocation to serve our neighbors. Somali students help their classmates learn more about the symbols and dress in Muslim culture. 100% of the profit from every bottle sold provides help at the grassroots level. Spring 2010 19 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 22 PURSUING AN IDEAL EDUCATION Imagine your ideal college education. What classes would you take? Who would teach them? What kind of students would you study with? What activities would you take part in? Where would you travel? When Robert Groven set out to restructure the Augsburg College Honors program, he asked faculty and students these sorts of questions. At first, he said, they were silent. “They had just accepted that college is the way it is,” Groven said. But then, they flooded him with ideas. Students wanted more academic challenge and to be pushed by faculty. They wanted courses to include more content and classroom experiences to be more active and engaging than in high school. They wanted to learn outside the classroom and to have opportunities for unconventional learning experiences—the exact sort of education that a small college in the city can provide. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 The current Honors program house presidents are (clockwise, from front): Adam Spanier, Katie Radford, Becki Iverson, Andrew Fox, David Ishida, Jonathan Chrastek, Kathleen Watson, and Charlie Olson. 20 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 23 UNCONVENTIONAL COURSES Three aspects of Augsburg’s Honors courses distinguish them from courses in other college honors programs. First, each class is specifically created for the Honors program. In other words, it’s not a matter of adding an assignment or text to an existing course or simply creating a new title, Groven says. The content of Honors courses is enriched and the pace is accelerated as well. Second, Honors courses are intentionally interdisciplinary—multiple faculty from different departments teach in each class. This spring, for example, the senior keystone course was taught by faculty whose disciplines include sociology, social work, metro-urban studies, art, English, and theatre. Augsburg’s Honors students in the Liberating Letters class stepped back into ancient Greek times to put Poseidon on trial for the murder of Odysseus’ men and fleet. (L to R): Eric Dooley, Nikki Johnson, Becca Dickinson, and Patrick DuSchane. president, Paul Pribbenow, is one of the lead instructors, focusing on his study of Jane Addams, founder of the settlement house movement. The course, Legacies of Chicago: Ideas and Action in Place, was conceived by Lars Christiansen of the sociology and metrourban studies departments. The course examines how particular places are incubators for unique ideas and actions. In addition to studying about the traditions and concepts that originated in Chicago, the class traveled to the Windy City to experience the “place” firsthand. Finally, each course has a “signature” experience—an unconventional way of learning that involves a high level of effort and also includes a public display of what the students have learned. Students are usually enthusiastic about these experiences, Groven says, because the tasks are generally open-ended and students have more freedom to make decisions about what they learn and how they learn it. In Liberating Letters, a first-year humanities course, students put texts, authors, or fictional characters on trial, serving as judge, jury, prosecution, and defense. But before this class begins, students have to pass a test. In fact, in order to gain admission into the first session, they are required to recite the first stanza of Homer’s Odyssey from memory, solve a riddle about Greek mythology, and present the “prophecies” of three different people who know them well concerning where that student will be in 10 years. A second type of course, which is likely more-than-ideal for many students, is the Student Created Learning Experience, or SCLE. Aptly named, these are classes created by students based on their interests. SCLEs can essentially become an independent study course for one student or 20 students and can be open to all Augsburg students. One of the more popular SCLEs, which generated a great deal of interest when it was first introduced and again this year, was The Art, Science, and History of Brewing. In addition to learning about brewing from the perspective of different disciplines, students also brew two batches of beer and invite guest judges to evaluate the fruits of their labors. This year senior theatre arts major David Ishida created an SCLE on swordplay to fulfill 21 An olive-leaf crown is the emblem of the Hesser Servants House in the Honors program. OUT OF THE BOX The result of all that questioning was a student-centered program where students take responsibility for their own learning, with the full support of the faculty and the resources they need to achieve their goals. “We believe that an ideal education will be different for every student,” Groven says. “We know no one can reach an ideal goal, but we believe the process of exploring and pursuing ideals is essential to college education.” By striving for the ideal, the program has become one where students routinely go above and beyond the requirements outlined in their syllabi. “We set a very high bar, and we insist that they get there. But they set a much higher bar for themselves than we ever would.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 24 very receptive and energized,” Crockett says, “ … not just in the classroom but on campus.” Crockett has engaged 14 current students as research assistants who will read and critique work that he is presenting at an international conference. “I hope they really come at me,” he says. “I’m counting on them to find fresh answers.” EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER Honors senior Nicholas Blixt experiments with ingredients in The Art, Science, and History of Brewing class. a physical education credit but also to explore his interest in medieval history and culture. STUDENTS WHO LOVE TO LEARN Interesting classes and outstanding faculty certainly can combine for a compelling honors program, but the character and quality of the students make Augsburg’s program unique. “We are trying to look beyond good grades and test scores,” Groven comments. “We want intrinsically motivated learners—students who see ideas as living vehicles for human expression and change.” Computer science professor Larry Crockett, who was once the Honors program director, has taught in the program for many years. While he says Honors students are pushed to rise above expectations and challenge each other, he is especially enthusiastic about the extraordinary energy coming from this year’s incoming class. “These students are willing to dig into issues and are 22 Augsburg Now There’s more to Honors at Augsburg than fun classes and energetic students. Honors also provides leadership and scholarship opportunities and fosters an environment where students often start their own activities or groups. “Part of our philosophy is that as much learning should happen outside the classroom as inside,” Groven says. Students are organized into houses, each of which focuses on a different area: scholarship, social justice and service, stewardship, and citizenship. Each house plans and promotes activities and also elects two house presidents who serve on the Honors Council. With faculty advisers, the council sets the policy for the program and helps solve problems. One officially organized non-classroom learning opportunity is the Honors Review, a student-run, student-edited interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate scholarship. Taylor Norman, a senior English major and Honors student, is the current editor-in-chief. This year the Review extended its reach and received 43 submissions from undergraduates all across the country. After articles are selected for publication, Norman and her editorial staff check citations, verify research, and then engage the author to revise and edit. “We wanted to create a scholarly environment with lots of dialogue,” Norman says. All Honors activities and programs serve to support students so they can pursue their academic goals. “Honors tries to show students what amazing talents and abilities they have,” Groven says, and they find countless ways to apply their academic learning. For example, senior Jessica Spanswick, who majored in international relations and minored in peace and global studies, studied in Namibia for a semester and served as a Peace Scholar in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Her opportunities to volunteer for World AIDS Day in Namibia and to travel as a scholar to Chiapas, Mexico, gave her valuable hands-on global experience. Honors program students have received many of the highest national and international academic awards available; they have been Fulbright scholars, Goldwater scholars, the College’s first Rhodes scholar, and students who have won National Science Foundation grants—and that’s still just the tip of the iceberg. Part of the program’s mission is to encourage students, many who never thought of themselves as award-winning scholars, to apply for scholarships and publication so that their work can be recognized. These courses, the faculty who teach them, the students who take them, and the learning opportunities that happen outside the classroom all come together to try to create an ideal education for Augsburg Honors program students. “I never think of the Honors program as being done,” Groven says. “The best program will always be different because we are constantly adapting to new technologies, new students, and new problems.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 25 Sophomore Madeline Roe helps a Somali student with her work as part of Trinity Lutheran Congregation’s Safe Place Homework Help program. Across the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and the nation, stories of neighbors and colleges clashing bubble to the surface featuring real town vs. gown tension. Augsburg’s philosophy, however, is very different. Augsburg isn’t building walls or installing large steel gates on campus to keep the outside world out. Instead, Augsburg is reaching further out into the Cedar-Riverside and Seward neighborhoods and, in the process, the College founded by Norwegian Lutherans is working closely with the largest concentration of Somali immigrants in the United States. WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY We believe we are called to serve our neighbor. That is Augsburg’s statement of institutional vocation. Live the experience. Love the city. Learn by living. Those words hang on banners along Riverside Avenue. While the first is formal and the second much more conversational, both, however, sum up what Auggies do. On a near daily basis, Augsburg students BY JEFF SHELMAN spend part of their afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Congregation helping young Somali children with topics ranging from spelling and sentence construction to subtraction and social studies. Several times a week, Auggies serve food in the gym at the Brian Coyle Community Center as part of the Campus Kitchen program. First-year Auggies in the Bonner Leaders program work with nonprofit organizations, most within a mile of campus. 23 OUT OF THE BOX IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Let’s say one person wanted to match the amount of community service that was completed by Augsburg students during the 2008-09 school year. What would it take? Since Auggies performed 67,000 hours of community service last year, someone would have to work for 2,791 24-hour days—more than 7.5 years—or 8,375 eight-hour work days. That’s a staggering total for a college with 2,000 traditional undergraduates and 4,000 total students. That work has led to Augsburg’s inclusion as one of the top 25 schools in the country for service-learning by U.S.News & World Report and the Carnegie [Foundation] Classification for Community Engagement. Earlier this spring, Augsburg became the only Minnesota college or university and one of only four ELCA schools to be named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction. The President’s Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to volunteering, 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 26 service-learning, and civic engagement. “We are very proud and honored to be included in the President’s Honor Roll,” Augsburg president Paul C. Pribbenow said. “Civic work and serving our neighbor are at the core of Augsburg’s efforts to educate students for democracy.” Last school year, 900 Augsburg students participated in service-learning and 1,200 students participated in more than 20 hours of community service per semester. Much of the community service takes place in course-embedded service-learning, something that has been part of education at Augsburg for years. MORE THAN JUST SERVICE Augsburg’s work in Cedar-Riverside and Seward, however, is about more than simply donating time; it is also about trying to make the neighborhood safer, more vibrant, and create opportunities for the state’s newest immigrant population. Pribbenow currently chairs the CedarRiverside Partnership, a group that includes larger institutions in the neighborhood including Augsburg, Fairview hospitals, and the University of Minnesota. “There’s a level of trust being built,” said Steve Peacock, Augsburg’s director of community relations. “There are conversations taking place that weren’t before. There’s the coordination of infrastructure and planning among the institutions.” Much of the work has been around safety in the neighborhood. Last summer, for example, the members of the partnership provided funding to ensure security at the Brian Coyle Community Center. There has been much more communication among security at Fairview and Augsburg, the University of Minnesota, and Minneapolis Police Departments. Augsburg has also worked in the neighborhood in other ways, ranging from providing meeting space to sometimes even trying to build bridges. Last year, more than a dozen reporters and editors from the Minneapolis Star Tribune sat in a room in Oren Gateway Center with a dozen or so Somali community leaders and elders. The Somali leaders talked of good things going on in their community that don’t get covered. Star Tribune editors said they would like to tell more stories, but finding Somalis willing to talk is challenging. The Somali leaders—who arrived in the United States having never experienced freedom of the press—gained a better understanding of how the media work. Reporters and editors left with new contacts and resources. CHANGE TO THE CAMPUS Augsburg’s involvement in Cedar-Riverside has led to a change on campus as well. With each passing fall, the number of Auggies of Somali descent grows. This fall, The Somali yarn weaving hanging in President Pribbenow’s office symbolizes the partnership between Augsburg and the East African Women’s Center. there are about 50 Somali students on campus. For some of them, Augsburg was the first college they ever knew. For others, there is a comfort in attending Augsburg. Halimo Adan is a first-year student who grew up in Seward and can see the Augsburg sign atop Mortensen Hall from her home. She’s among the growing number of students on campus wearing both an Augsburg sweatshirt and a hijab, the head covering worn by Muslim women. “People don’t ask stupid questions, they’re very open minded,” said Adan, who came to the U.S. when she was 9 years old. “Even though I’ve been here most of my life, when you get asked questions all the time, you feel like you don’t belong.” But at Augsburg, neighbors are always welcome. First-year students file into the Northern Clay Center to help with clean-up on City Service Day. 24 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 27 For Daley Konchar Farr, the lack of grades was motivation for signing up, but the discussions and professors’ involvement were more rewarding aspects of I-Term. LEARNING TO LEARN WITHOUT ANY A, B, CS 25 OUT OF THE BOX BY JEFF SHELMAN 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 28 It isn’t quite a chicken or egg kind of question, but it is an academic conundrum along the same line. Just how important are grades on a college campus when it comes to actual learning? Do grades really reflect how much a student has learned? Or do students do just enough to get the grade they want? And what happens if you take letter grades and numerical marks completely out of the equation? That’s what 50 Augsburg first-year students, five professors, and several staff members tried to find out this past fall. The Integrated Term, Fate of the Earth 101: Consumption of Food, Fuel, and Media in Contemporary Culture, was more than just a different way to package and deliver several general education courses; it was a semester that challenged many of the standard conventions about what a college education is or should be. There were no traditional letter grades for this learning community nor was there a static syllabus passed out on the first day. This was a term that focused on doing, on students having a say in what they would be evaluated on, and on professors writing detailed evaluations about both what students had accomplished and where they needed to continue to work. Sitting lifeless in the back row and regurgitating enough facts to pass wasn’t an option this term. “This was much more work than grading,” English professor Robert Cowgill said. “But I thought it was a major success.” Most of the students—many of whom were drawn to the I-Term because of the environmental focus or the alternative evaluation method—agreed. Daley Konchar Farr called the semester-long experiment empowering. Veronica Berg said she was pushed to do things she wasn’t sure were possible just one semester into her college career. Katelin Grote called the whole thing life changing. Some of that was because the I-Term, which showed just how parts of a liberal arts education are interconnected, was their entire load for the semester. I-Term students who successfully completed the course received credit for English 101 or 111 (writing), Religion 100 (Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning I), History 101 (Western Civilization), Sociology 101 (Introduction to Human Society) and AugSem (first-year seminar). They also completed their Engaging Minneapolis requirement. REASONS FOR NOT GRADING When a group of professors returned from a conference at The Evergreen State College in Washington in 2007, the goal was to find a way for Augsburg to experiment with a learning community model of teaching as well as non-traditional evaluation methods. Over the next two years, the professors worked with the dean’s office to make this a reality. How was this term going to be structured? Were groups such as Faculty Senate supportive? How would students receive credit? How would the narrative evaluations fit into the very traditional transcript? Once hurdles were cleared, plans were set for a three-year pilot program of the nongraded Integrated Term. The faculty designers of the I-Term hope that the students who spend a semester focused on learning instead of simply making a grade will have higher retention and graduation rates. The longer-term outcomes of the experiment won’t be clear for several years, but this group and subsequent groups of I-Term students will be tracked by the College. While the word “experiment” is often tossed around rather loosely on college campuses, the I-Term is certainly unique. Sociology professor Lars Christiansen, an I-Term faculty member who has studied alternative evaluation methods, said that about 15 colleges and universities across the country have experimented with non-graded courses. Some are completely nongraded while others are partially graded The role of media in contemporary culture was a focus for I-Term students. 26 Augsburg Now or have reverted back to traditional grading. Alverno College in Milwaukee is one of the only schools in the Midwest that is grade free. No grades, however, doesn’t equal no evaluation. In almost every case, I-Term students had a greater grasp of where they stood. They worked very closely with the two English professors on their writing, and received regular written feedback from the other faculty members. “It was kind of like tough love,” Maryam Ayir said. “You knew exactly what you had to work on.” Konchar Farr signed up for the ITerm both because of the subject matter, and also because of lack of traditional grades. “Grades are false motivation,” she said. “In high school, I didn’t get anything out of getting As if I didn’t learn. [Here], I really appreciated that things were so discussionbased and how involved the professors were. They were so dedicated to our work.” For Christiansen, the best thing from the semester is that Augsburg now has the framework in place to continue experimenting with alternative evaluation methods. There is now the ability for the narrative evaluations to accompany a student’s transcript. And there is also at least some appetite from students to not have a semester of work boiled down to simply a number. “The majority of students said it was a good Courtesy photo 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 29 Kwame Collins and other students from the I-Term attended the 350.org event at the State Capitol that was part of an international focus on the climate crisis. LEARNING BY DOING Unchained from the burden of grades, students could concentrate on really learning and figuring out what truly motivates them. And without traditional exercises like exams, students in Fate of the Earth 101 demonstrated their advancement through semester-long projects that incorporated something under the broad umbrella of food, fuel, or media. One group of students met with staff members from Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office about how the bodies of women are portrayed in advertisements. Pushing Best Buy to be more environmentally friendly in its stores was what another group sought. Others looked into the feasibility of Augsburg capturing solar energy and purchasing more locally grown food. “Those are the kinds of things we were hoping would happen,” Christiansen said. “We were hoping through the experiences of the I-Term that [students] were here to learn and that they were here to understand themselves as possible change agents—and that collaboration is an essential component.” And while most courses end as soon as that final exam is completed, a number of the I-Term students are continuing with the ongoing work of their projects. For example, Berg was part of a group that created the website www.mnhomelessyouth.org. Those students met both with representatives from Minneapolis Public Schools and a group working on homeless issues, before and during the spring semester. “It didn’t just end at the end of the course,” history professor Phil Adamo said. “They continue to be engaged.” Because of what they were asked to do, many of the I-Term students accomplished more than they thought possible just months removed from high school graduation. “We were learning at a different level, we were getting to project ourselves at a bigger level,” Berg said. “To sit at the table as a contributor with some of these agencies was something I didn’t think I’d be able to do for many years.” That theme was a common one. “One thing we repeatedly heard was the notion that they were empowered with what they were able to accomplish by the end of their first semester in college,” religion professor Lori Brandt Hale said. “They were surprised and excited about how they will be able to leverage that moving forward.” CHANGING TEACHING METHODS Like the other I-Term professors, Colin Irvine is back teaching more traditional courses this semester. An English faculty member, Irvine has a collection of writing and literature classes this spring. But Irvine acknowledges that he is teaching differently this semester. And the I-Term had much to do with that. “It made me complicate my classes,” he said. “I’m not content with the way I was teaching before. I’m not content with the assignments I was giving. I’m making them more fun, more relevant, and harder to assess. I can’t allow myself to teach the way I’ve always taught.” Irvine talked about a conversation with a biology major who is taking his environmental literature course this season. The student said he’s been doing the reading, working hard, and attending writing lab sessions. “But he said, ‘I don’t know how I’m doing,’” Irvine said. “I told him, ‘Are you kidding me? That’s exactly what I want you to do, you’re figuring it out, you’re doing great.’” Because just like the I-Term students who have adjusted to courses with traditional grading, almost everyone involved in the experiment has a better idea of what motivates them and just how important learning is. I-TERM CREATORS/DESIGNERS Phil Adamo, History, Medieval Studies Lars Christiansen, Sociology, Metro-Urban Studies Robert Cowgill, English, Film Studies Stacy Cutinella, Lindell Library Lori Brandt Hale, Religion Colin Irvine, English, Environmental Studies Nathan Lind, Information Technology Alyson Olson, TRIO Student Services Beverly Stratton, Religion PROJECTS THE STUDENTS WORKED ON • Addressing women’s body representations in advertising by creating a legislative bill requiring advertisers to indicate the presence of airbrushing and similar touch-ups • Website that centralizes resources for homeless youth in the Twin Cities • Energy-producing exercise bicycles at Augsburg’s Kennedy Center • Reducing water waste at Augsburg • Increasing local food sourcing at Augsburg, particularly meat and cheese • Assisting in developing curbside composting in Minneapolis • Reducing paper waste at Augsburg bookstore • Improving environmental practices at Best Buy • Composting at Maple Grove High School 27 OUT OF THE BOX experience to not have grades and they liked the ongoing evaluation,” he said. “It shows me that if you provide it, people will try it, and many will like it. Why don’t we make it an option generally? It’s not dissimilar to our transportation system. Until the last few years, many didn’t believe they had options other than driving. The I-Term is akin to the Hiawatha (light rail) Line: Once a viable alternative is provided, people may see it as useful and desirable.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:37 AM Page 30 CONNECTING THE DOTS FOR GOOD BY BRYAN BARNES “I read this article in Time magazine, interviewing all of these 80- and 90-year-old people,” said Jacquie Berglund ’87. “The overwhelming feedback from their question, ‘If you could change one thing, what would it be?’ was that they all wish they had taken more risks.” That was 1983, when Berglund was in her first year at Augsburg College. Since then, she has faced many risks on her way to building one of Minnesota’s most successful social enterprises—an enterprise that uses beer sales to fund its community foundation. One of her first risks? Backpacking through Europe during her sophomore year in the face of parental disapproval. “My parents didn’t want me to do it,” Berglund said. “[My English professor] said, ‘Jacquie, you should absolutely do it. Let’s come up with a way for you to get credit for it here.’” With that, Berglund ventured across the Atlantic for six weeks under the banner of an Augsburg creative-writing course. Her experience fostered a travel bug that would lead her back for a seven-year long stay in France after Augsburg. “[Backpacking] helped me to think globally and really changed my perspective,” Berglund said. “That was a powerful turning point for me.” Graduating from Augsburg in 1987 with a degree in communication studies Jacquie Berglund ’87 knew that with passion and patience she could fulfill her dream of making a difference in her community. 28 Augsburg Now and a minor in political science, Berglund combined an interest in nonprofits with her travel experience to pursue work in international development. By 1990, she had taken an internship in Paris at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the same group that helped administer the Marshall Plan after World War II. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Berglund found herself working with the best entrepreneurial minds at OECD to develop regional economies in former Soviet bloc countries. “We were training government officials, and these guys were all communists—they didn’t want to learn [about how to build free markets],” Berglund said. “I felt like we went in and did all of this work and spent all of this money, and I don’t know what impact we really had. Then I thought, ‘you know, I think the real work is done at the grassroots level.’ I would see the people at the grassroots level in these countries and they were really making a difference, and I thought, ‘that’s where I have to be. I’ve got to get there.’ I just didn’t know how I was going to get there, but that’s where I wanted to go.” While at OECD, Berglund earned her master’s degree in international relations from the American Graduate School in Paris. However, by 1997 Berglund found herself needing expensive back surgery, so she returned to the Twin Cities to work as marketing director for her old friend, Kieran Folliard, restauranteur and owner of Cara Irish Pubs LP. One of Berglund’s duties as marketing director was to help Folliard distribute charitable gifts in the Twin Cities. They found themselves Finnegan’s Inc. created the Finnegan’s Community Fund to distribute 100% of profits to local community projects. giving grants to any organization that asked. Eventually, their CFO put the brakes on their charity bonanza and told them they needed a better strategy. Berglund agreed: she recognized from her OECD days that the Cara Pubs money wasn’t making the desired impact. Berglund had also just attended a conference in Washington, D.C., on self-sustaining nonprofits. “That’s when I thought: we sell beer all day,” Berglund said. “What if we create our own beer, and we choose to give all of the profits from this one beer to our own foundation, and then we pick one cause, and we really make a difference? It took me a little while to sell Kieran on the idea.” With that, Berglund and Folliard set about creat- ing Finnegan’s Irish Amber, named in reference to James Joyce’s final work. They contacted James Page Brewing Company in Minneapolis to help them create the beer, eventually selecting one recipe from over 40 options provided by the brewmaster. At this point, Berglund and Folliard realized that running Finnegan’s and its community foundation would consume all of Berglund’s time. That left one choice: quit Cara Pubs and focus on Finnegan’s, or let the idea die. Berglund bought the Finnegan’s recipe for $1 from Folliard. “That was kind of scary, leaving that job, from having a good salary to no salary,” Berglund said. “It was very scary. It was rather terrifying. I’ve had a lot of terrifying moments—I must handle stress well. I’m still waking and talking and not in a straitjacket.” Starting in 2000, Berglund created forprofit Finnegan’s Inc., which donates all of its profits from beer sales to her nonprofit 29 OUT OF THE BOX S 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 31 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 32 creation, which is now called Finnegan’s Community Fund. She taught herself the beer trade. James Page produced Finnegan’s on contract, but she was responsible for selling it to distributors. “I didn’t even know what a keg fee was,” Berglund recalls. Finnegan’s community focus sold the beer. Distributors, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in the Twin Cities were sympathetic to Berglund’s cause—and it helped that the beer was popular during the burgeoning craft brew craze. Though she wasn’t turning a profit yet, Berglund was able to make a $2,000 donation in her first year of operation. Then, James Page Brewing Company shut down in 2002. “I was a mess—I was totally a mess,” Berglund said. “I started to panic: ‘If they go out of business, I’m going to go out of business.’” Thinking quickly, Berglund contacted Mark Stutrud, founder of Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul. “They really didn’t do contract brewing, but I think that [Stutrud] appreciated the community-mindedness of what I was doing,” Berglund said. “Plus, I already had a list of accounts, so I already had a proven track record that I could make this thing work.” To this day, Finnegan’s is produced at Summit. In 2003, Finnegan’s made its first profit. By 2009, Finnegan’s was selling 4,300 barrels per year to 475 restaurants and 600 liquor stores in Minnesota and beyond—which translated into $30,000 for the Finnegan’s Community Fund. That money, in addition to direct donations, is being used to fund local grassroots community organizations that are helping the working poor. “When I came back from France, I 30 Augsburg Now Berglund often considers her own experience growing up as motivation for her drive to do good for others. volunteered in St. Steven’s shelter in Minneapolis,” Berglund said. “I got to see for myself … a lot of these guys get up to work factory jobs at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. I saw how many of these guys were working and still homeless.” The needs of the working poor strike a personal chord for Berglund. Growing up, her father started working as a janitor before moving up the ranks, while her mother was a waitress. “I remember as a kid not being able to participate in church activities because we didn’t have the money,” Berglund said. “I feel so fortunate to be able to have done all of the things that I do. I think that, ‘Boy, it’s nice to give back a little bit.’ We owe a bit of gratitude.” That background helps explain Berglund’s drive to build a self-sustaining nonprofit that can help the working poor regardless of government grants or philanthropic whims. But it also comes down to faith in your vocation. “Whenever I do speaking engagements, that’s my whole thing: It’s about following your passions, and then at some point, the dots will connect. Even though it seems so remote that they could possibly connect,” Berglund said. “When I came back and was working in the pub, I thought, ‘What am I doing here? How does this connect to this whole dream job I had of international development projects?’ I just had faith that it’s going to come—I’m going to find it. It’s kind of that whole ‘calling’ thing at Augsburg—I knew I was going to find it, it was just going to take a minute.” 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 33 IGNITE-ING AUGGIE SPIRIT BY BETSEY NORGARD Senior Brittany Goff is the intern who matches students and alumni for visits and leads the student team. 31 OUT OF THE BOX One student heard about a fire that broke out in one of the houses on campus in the 1970s. Another enjoyed hearing perspectives from a studio art major about his work at a financial organization. A third met with an alum who fondly remembers the tasty cinnamon rolls that students often got in Morton Hall in the mid-1950s. Twenty students working in the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office recently completed the first year of Project IGNITE. They’ve been meeting with alumni to learn more about the role that the College played in the lives of the alumni and to share stories and experiences about Augsburg then and now. Senior Brittany Goff is the intern who directs the students’ work for Project IGNITE. Once she hand-matches students and alums who share similar majors and/or interests, a letter from President Pribbenow is sent explaining the program and alerting the alum to a future call from a student. The student will invite the alum to a meeting preferably on campus or at a convenient coffee shop. That first contact can be a little daunting for students, but knowing they share interests makes it easier. Melissa Herrick, a 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 34 communication studies and art sophomore, says it tells the alum that “this is not a random call; there’s a reason I’m calling you,” which, in her case, is to share with them what art at Augsburg is like now and to hear about their experience studying art at Augsburg. STUDENTS CONNECT WITH ALUMNI On a cold day last fall, Herrick met with Patti Lloyd ’83, who owns a web development and interactive marketing company. While Lloyd was an international business major and not an art major, the two immediately discovered common interests in web design. Herrick was trying to plan a webpage for an arts project and was delighted to get some ideas from Lloyd. “We had a great meeting,” says Lloyd, “and when she left, I think she felt comfortable that all the resources were there for her project.” One of the meetings that Goff enjoyed was with a physician. In the conversation, Goff, a psychology major, learned about the physician’s medical practice that has included a psychologist and a nurse, enabling him to offer both physical and mental testing and care. “This was really a great experience for me,” Goff says, “to help me consider my future career and the option to be in a practice like that.” Adam Spanier, sophomore class president and an Honors student, says he has met many interesting people through Project IGNITE. His favorite aspect of the program, he says, is “hearing the many different bits of advice and wisdom that alumni have to offer.” 32 Augsburg Now Sophomore Adam Spanier enjoys hearing the advice alumni can give to current students. to-face relationship with a person who is going through the experience.” Haug and his partner returned to campus in December for the Advent Vespers dinner and enjoyed talking with people they knew and meeting others. ALUMNI ENJOY RECONNECTING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE Most alumni contacted in Project IGNITE are graduates who have not been active in alumni activities or participated recently in events. Re-engaging with their alma mater through Project IGNITE has also been enjoyable for them, especially seeing the College through the eyes of current students. Christopher Haug ’79 was one of the alumni Spanier met last fall. “What benefited me the most,” Haug says, “is that I felt I was connected again with my school. There’s nothing like a face- Pat Grans, the Project IGNITE volunteer coordinator, follows up with the interests and/or requests that students bring back from the alumni visits. She crafts individual plans recommending events and volunteer opportunities that could include speaking in a class, inviting a student to job shadow, or helping with registration at an event. Or, Grans can seek to create a tailored opportunity based on the alum’s interests. Grans has now developed volunteer job descriptions and oversees all aspects of recruiting, training, scheduling, supervising, and recognizing volunteers. 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 35 Project IGNITE means Involving Graduates Now In Thoughtful Engagement. A three-year project funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Project IGNITE is designed to serve as a model to help other colleges and universities engage their alumni. What makes Project IGNITE an out-of-the-box program and readily transferable are several components that together offer lifelong alumni connections: • One-to-one interaction between students and alumni—who better to talk about the college experience and re-engage alumni than current students? • Mutually beneficial matching of student and alumni majors and interests • Individualized and ongoing follow-up from a volunteer coordinator to keep engagement and energy alive In the project’s first six months at Augsburg, both attendance at events and volunteering have increased. Of the alumni the IGNITE students have visited during this time, 14% have now attended College events. Nearly 76% have expressed interest in volunteering; and of those, 20% have begun. More than 1,800 hours of volunteer time have been logged. Kim Stone, director of alumni and constituent relations, is excited by the results. She attributes success to the total package Project IGNITE makes possible—engaging students in the alumni program before they graduate, encouraging ongoing attendance at alumni events, and keeping alumni connected to campus through meaningful volunteering. For more information or to arrange to meet with an IGNITE student, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1085. “WELCOME TO AUGSBURG” Larry Menzel ’67 retired three years ago from a long career as a Kmart executive in 17 locations across the Upper Midwest. Working with people was what his job was all about, and in retirement he wanted to be able to continue that. When volunteer coordinator Pat Grans sent a mailing about Augsburg’s new volunteer program, it sparked his interest. Despite the fact that he hadn’t been on campus since graduation, he still felt a connection. “Since my wife was gone from the house regularly on Friday mornings, I thought it would be a good time for me to do something, too,” Menzel says. He called Grans to talk about volunteering. Grans suggested that he staff the welcome desk in Oren Gateway Center on Friday mornings, and he thought that sounded good. In addition to helping people find their way around the building and answering questions, he also provides help to the Institutional Advancement staff. Soon he found himself at Homecoming and other events, which pleases his wife, too, as she sees him doing things he enjoys. His advice to current students he meets? “Study hard, find a rewarding life, and follow the principles of God, family, and work—in that order.” Melissa Herrick, an art and communication studies major who is working on a web project, found a natural connection with Patti Lloyd ’83, the owner of a web development company. 33 OUT OF THE BOX HAS PROJECT IGNITE MADE A DIFFERENCE? 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 36 6 3 7 4 1 3 3 2 34 Augsburg Now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 37 6 5 THE BOD POD lives upstairs in the Kennedy Center kinesiology lab. It’s a high-tech apparatus that provides fast, safe, and accurate measurements of body composition, detailing fat and lean body mass. It provides useful information for measuring the effectiveness of exercise and nutrition, fine-tuning top athletic performance, and tracking the progress of obesity and disease. Since Bod Pods are found mostly in fitness facilities and elite training centers, Augsburg’s health, physical education, and health fitness majors are fortunate to have this in their learning portfolio. Used primarily in kinesiology and exercise physiology classes, students learn how to run the Bod Pod, interpret the results, and incorporate recommendations into specialized training plans. If you are interested in being measured in the Bod Pod, contact Professor Tony Clapp at clapp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1618. THE BOD POD 1. The Bod Pod 2. Data acquisition box—interprets test data coming from the Bod Pod measurements 3. Computer hardware that processes all measurements, manages data, and provides customized printouts of the test data 4. Calibration standards—Weights used to calibrate the Bod Pod before each person is measured, to assure accuracy when the person’s weight is entered 5. “Fast Eddie”—The Auggies’ own skeleton used in health and physical education classes. He arrived when the Kennedy Center opened in 2007. 6. Anatomical charts most likely dating from the opening of Science Hall in 1949, recently found rolled up in a storage closet. They’re now taking on new life in the Health, Physical Education, and Health Fitness Department. 7. Professor Tony Clapp, demonstrating the Bod Pod procedure: • Wear spandex-type swimsuit or bike shorts and a swim cap • Sit in the Bod Pod while measurements take about 30 seconds • Get printouts of test results in about five minutes 35 OUT OF THE BOX 4 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 38 OUT-OF-THE-BOX PARTNERSHIPS BY REBECCA JOHN The annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum (see story on page 10) is the result of just one of the many unique partnerships at Augsburg College. It is the only program or academic affiliation of the Norwegian Nobel Institute outside of Norway. Here are a few more examples of Augsburg’s out-of-the-box partnerships. NEIGHBORHOOD COLLABORATIONS The Cedar-Riverside Partnership was founded in 2008 to foster collaboration among existing community organizations—the African Development Center, Pillsbury United Communities, West Bank Community Coalition, the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program, and the West Bank Business Association—and local government bodies and institutions, including the city and county, the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, and Augsburg College. “The goal of the partnership,” says Steve Peacock, Augsburg director of community relations, “is to leverage these organizations’ collective resources to strengthen Cedar-Riverside as a vibrant place in which to live, learn, and work.” The partnership is chaired by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. BUSINESS FEASIBILITY Augsburg plays an active role in the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program (MISP), a unique partnership with the Mayo Clinic that offers an experiential learning opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students. Through the program, undergraduate science and business students from select Minnesota private colleges are teamed with MBA project leaders from either Augsburg College or the University of St. Thomas to evaluate the commercial potential for patent ideas submitted through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property. This year, Augsburg had five teams working on projects—two in Rochester and three 36 Augsburg Now in Minneapolis—which presented their findings and recommendations to professionals at the Mayo Clinic in March. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT The Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) was founded in 1975 by five liberal arts institutions—Augsburg, Hamline, Macalester, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas—to provide cooperative programs and services for students, faculty, and administrators. In 2009, the consortium’s Chief Academic Officers Council, chaired by Barbara Farley, Augsburg’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, renewed its efforts to explore common areas of academic opportunity using a focus on “sustainable urban development.” “This theme truly ties us together as colleges in the Twin Cities,” Farley says. “Broadly defined, it includes education, health care, transportation, housing, and environmental concerns, offering a rich platform for exploring strategies for enhancing shared academic programs.” PARTNERS ON CAMPUS In recent years, two of Augsburg’s community partnerships have become integrated into the College: Campus Kitchen and the Minnesota Urban Debate League—both of which operate under the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. In 2003, Augsburg became the fourth college campus in the U.S. to join the Campus Kitchens Project. The program provides meal preparation and delivery to neighborhood organizations, nutrition and food preparation classes for area youth, and outreach to the surrounding neighborhood through the continuously expanding community garden. Augsburg is the first college to wholly integrate its Campus Kitchen as part of the College. The Minnesota Urban Debate League has had a relationship with Augsburg since 2004 and became part of the College in summer 2009. This move allowed the league to focus less on administrative operations and more on reaching urban middle and high school students. In the past year, the program doubled to 350 students and teaches important skills like research, writing, thesis development, and public speaking. CONNECTING YOUTH TO CHURCHES Now in its 19th year, the Augsburg College Congregational Youth Basketball League partners with dozens of metro-area churches to involve junior high and high school boys and girls in an annual basketball league that emphasizes fun, service, sponsorship, participation, relationships, and growth in one’s faith. The program was founded by Augsburg pastor Dave Wold to help keep youth connected to churches. The league starts in January each year and culminates in a March tournament on Augsburg’s campus that involves more than 1,000 players, coaches, officials, and volunteers from Augsburg and area churches. “The program is very successful at enabling our churches to connect with a greater number of young people,” Wold said, “providing the opportunity for them to have some fun; get some exercise; build relationships with teammates, coaches, youth workers, and pastors; and have an encounter with God.” To learn about other out-ofthe-box partnerships, go to www.augsburg.edu/now 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 39 auggie alumni news From the Alumni Board president … Dear Alumni and friends, a 2010 s I write this article we’ve headed into the spring season, and a couple of words appear in my mind: renewal and growth. We can see our world transform around us with a renewed sense of purpose—growth. Trees are beginning to bud, early flowers are beginning to show their bright colors, and I think this lifts our spirits and warms our hearts to the possibility and purpose of our world. It is this renewal and growth I want to discuss with you in this my last article as president of the Alumni Association, as it chooses new leadership in June. One of my main goals this year was that of growth for the Alumni Association—not only in size, but also in commitment and involvement in activities and events that enrich and add value to your life. Every year, the Augsburg Alumni Association’s Board of Directors spends a great deal of time in the creation, planning, and execution of events designed to raise awareness, renew involvement, and create a sense of community among alumni. Looking back on the year, alumni have had opportunities to come together in ways we have not been seen in many years. Ex- HOMECOMING amples of this are the more than 700 alumni who attended the Canterbury Park event last August, the capacity turnout for events such as the Winter Wine Tasting, the Eye-Opener Breakfast Series, and the Young Alumni Council events, as well as alumni attendance at the Guthrie performance of Macbeth. These events and activities are just a few that have been exceedingly well received; and the leadership of the Alumni Association as well as the College’s dedicated staff from the Alumni and Constituent Relations Office plan to enhance what has been a very successful year. I am very grateful for having the opportunity to represent the alumni this year as well as for all of the hard work and dedication of those who helped make this year so successful. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming years and plan to continue contributing to this wonderful organization dedicated to the alumni of Augsburg College. I wish you a wonderful spring—please continue to check back with the College, as something new will always be springing to life. DANIEL HICKLE ’95 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT October 14-16, 2010 Reunion Classes 60th Reunion—1950 25th Reunion—1985 50th Reunion—1960 10th Reunion—2000 40th Reunion—1970 Recent Grad/Young Alumni Reunion—2001–2010 If you would like to help make your reunion a success, contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for updates and reunion information. Spring 2010 37 102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 40 auggie alumni news preciate works I already knew—Michelangelo’s David, the ceiling When I returned to Augsburg in fall 2004 after dropping out a year earlier, I was eager to reform the lackluster study habits that had of the Sistine Chapel—and discovered wonderful artists—Bernini, plagued my academic career. At every fork in the road, I purposeCarravaggio—I previously knew nothing about. fully chose the path I previously would never have considered. And Between visits to churches and museums, we made time for that’s how I, a young man who spent his entire adolescence hating wine tasting on a Tuscan vineyard and a tour on an olive farm. to travel, jumped at the chance to study in El Salvador. Food and drink took on greater significance while in Italy. An exThere, we witnessed previously unimagined poverty and became pansive dinner coupled with lively conversation regularly served as inspired by countless acts of resilience. The little free time availan evening’s event. My roommate, a chatty substitute science able was spent in discussions, journals, and books. There were no teacher from Lester Prairie named Gordon, celebrated his 70th moments wasted and no words ignored. birthday in Orvieto during one of our four-course dinners. That summer, I studied literature in France, and over the next The trip to Italy allowed me to escape the stresses of home for a two years, I went on to study in Nicaragua, Uganda, Rwanda, and couple weeks and infused me with a new appreciation of visual art. Tanzania and volunteered on a mission trip to Mexico. It was a fitting continuation of the travel experiences I began while Upon graduating in May 2007, I feared my opportunities to con- studying at Augsburg. tinue traveling oversees had vanished. The expansive summer and JEREMY ANDERSON ’07 holiday breaks were gone; the immediate walls of my work cubicle provided no horizon to look beyond. Fortunately, I spotted a chance to break the monotony—Professor Kristin Anderson was leading a travel seminar to study Italian art and architecture. In November, I boarded a plane alongside 25 other
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Title: Augsburg Now Spring 2011: Research In Focus
Collection: Alumni Magazine Collection
Search Result: AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 2 inside research Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Calculus Years of Life-Changing Workshop Good coffee, good cause International photo contest Sundquist Scholars Travel Vocation in interfaith context Chris Stedman ’08 page 20 the l...
Show more AUGSBURG NOW SPRING 2011 VOL. 73, NO. 2 inside research Augsburg Now The Magazine of Augsburg College 25Calculus Years of Life-Changing Workshop Good coffee, good cause International photo contest Sundquist Scholars Travel Vocation in interfaith context Chris Stedman ’08 page 20 the lens Serving Auggie athletics Under in focus Editor notes from President Pribbenow a Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. It instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheep-like passivity, and sets us at noting and contriving. Not that it always effects this result; but conflict is a ‘sine qua non’ of reflection and ingenuity. As I listened to these aspiring Auggies consider what Dewey intended, I was convinced that this quote gets at the heart of an Augsburg education. Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL rumpza@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 wheelerw@augsburg.edu Conflict and learning s I write this column, there are reports from far and near of conflicts in the world that reflect fundamental questions about our values and aspirations. We have witnessed clashes on the Augsburg campus between different lifestyles and value systems. We have experienced shootings in our neighborhood and lived in the aftermath of violence in our community. We have seen mass gatherings in neighboring states reflecting deep divisions in visions of a good society and a good life. And we have felt the rising tide of freedom and democracy in nations around the world and the seismic shifts underway in political and social systems. The challenge we must face as a teaching and learning community is what we will do in the face of this conflict. Will we withdraw and wait to see what happens? Or will we find in the various conflicts the “stuff” of a liberal arts education and the inspiration to put our education to work in engaging the conflicts and seeking to make a difference in the world? I think it is fair to assume that the Augsburg community chooses the latter challenge. Recently, prospective Augsburg scholarship students were asked to reflect on a provocative quote from the great American educator and philosopher, John Dewey, who once wrote: Betsey Norgard norgard@augsburg.edu Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 nagorski@augsburg.edu Our students learn to observe and remember. Our students engage and learn from the messiness and complexity and conflict of the world through experiences on campus, in our urban neighborhood, and around the world. Our students—indeed our entire community—are shocked out of passivity to be informed, thoughtful, and courageous actors in the world. This issue of Augsburg Now offers ample evidence of Dewey’s argument for the links between conflict and learning. Chris Stedman’s journey through interfaith dialogues—a growing aspect of an Augsburg education—illustrates how our students face otherness and difference in considering their own callings in the world. The work of our MBA students helping neighborhood youth start a small business reflects the ways in which Augsburg’s location in the city shapes an education that does not flinch from the realities of urban life. And the good reports on student research projects offer important evidence of how an Augsburg education—across the disciplines—challenges our students to fight complacency, to push the edges of learning, and not to settle for what is expected. I am proud to report that in our classrooms and residence halls, on campus and out in the community, and indeed all around the world, Auggies are pursuing what John Dewey called us to be— informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. We are learning from our experiences of the complexities and messiness and conflicts of the world—and then we are getting to work in our own ways, with our distinctive gifts and callings. Photographer Stephen Geffre geffre@augsburg.edu Webmaster/Now Online Bryan Barnes barnesb@augsburg.edu Sports Information Director Don Stoner stoner@augsburg.edu Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Rebecca John rjohn@augsburg.edu Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations Kim Stone stonek@augsburg.edu www.augsburg.edu Augsburg Now is published by Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now do not necessarily reflect official College policy. ISSN 1058-1545 Send address corrections to: Advancement Services CB 142 Augsburg College 2211 Riverside Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454 langemo@augsburg.edu E-mail: now@augsburg.edu Telephone: 612-330-1181 Fax: 612-330-1780 PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT spring 2011 Features 15 12 19 contents 10 26 On the cover Justin Ingebretson ’12 is an incredibly bright and talented young scientist whose story could get anyone excited about water fleas. He is one of six students featured in “Under the lens: Student research at Augsburg.” All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. augsburg now 10 Talking about faith and values 12 Good coffee. Good cause. 15 Calculus—and so much more 19 Under the lens: Student research at Augsburg 26 BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Chris Stedman learned how to focus on values and foster dialogue between faith communities and the nonreligious. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Augsburg MBA students complete a management consulting project and get much more than a grade. BY BETSEY NORGARD A workshop for introductory calculus also builds community and pushes students to engage in research and scholarship opportunities. BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 Student research is more than Bunsen burners and petri dishes. 2010 International Programs Photo Contest Departments inside front cover 2 7 8 9 29 32 36 Notes from President Pribbenow Around the Quad Auggies in sports My Auggie experience Auggie voices Alumni news Class notes It takes an Auggie around the quad Augsburg hosts international symposium on music therapy Augsburg College will host the Ninth International Society for Music in Medicine Symposium, June 8-12. The conference will provide an interdisciplinary and international forum for exchange of achievements in the field, state-of-the-art research, and applications of music in medicine, music