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AUGSBURG NOW
inside
FALL 2010
VOL. 73, NO. 1
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds
Travel
Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium
Augsburg
annual report Coach Greg Holker
page
20
go
auggies!
Homecoming ...
Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
inside
FALL 2010
VOL. 73, NO. 1
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
Meet Martha Stortz Exploring separate worlds
Travel
Celebrating our success Healthcare symposium
Augsburg
annual report Coach Greg Holker
page
20
go
auggies!
Homecoming 2010
Editor
notes
from President Pribbenow
w
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Coming Home
e celebrated Homecoming this year in
grand fashion, welcoming more than
1,000 alumni, families, and friends at
events during the week.
I am mindful of the many ways in which coming home to Augsburg has meaning for alumni and
those of us on campus. We all share in common
this place and the experience that continues to
shape our lives in the world. And when we “come
home,” we mark just how powerful those connections and shared experiences are to our personal
and common callings in the world.
So what does it mean to come home to Augsburg?
First, it is quite literally a homecoming to this
place in the heart of Cedar-Riverside and Minneapolis, this campus home we have inhabited
since 1872 when our Norwegian-American ancestors first settled here.
Homecoming seems especially meaningful this
year as our campus community is engaged in a Commission on Campus Space and Master Planning—
exploring together what it means that we are in this
urban setting and what our aspirations are for the future of Augsburg’s campus. During this year, we will
plan for new buildings, landscape, and the responsible use of space. And we also will consider what it
means that we are here in Cedar-Riverside, this
neighborhood we share with various neighbors. How
best do we honor our role as neighbor here?
Second, homecoming also marks our return to a
community, a gathering of those who share our commitments to education for service.
There are clear distinctions in the nature of this
community over time. We are much larger—we now
count more than 4,100 students and 650 faculty
and staff. We offer a wider range of academic programs—from our traditional day program to adult
undergraduate and expanding graduate opportunities. We are increasingly diverse—in ethnic and religious background, in age and in socioeconomic
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Design
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
class, and in so many other ways. But at its core it
is still Augsburg, a community grounded in offering
a superior educational experience for all students
that focuses on the intersections of faith, learning,
and service.
Augsburg is one of the most hospitable and welcoming communities I know, a place that believes
deeply that access to education demands of us a
commitment to justice for all God’s creatures.
Finally, you come home to a mission, a character,
and a set of values that abide over the years. Here, we
still celebrate the Word made flesh. Here, we still
share with our immediate neighbors an immigrant
sensibility, the belief that education is at the core of
a healthy neighborhood and democracy. Here, we still
work together to ensure that all deserving students
can receive an Augsburg education. Here, we still
help each other discern our vocations and gain the
skills and knowledge to live them out in the world.
In the work and lives of our alumni, we have remarkable stories of how this distinctive Augsburg
mission has made a difference in the world over
the years. For those of us who are the current stewards of Augsburg’s mission, I urge you to listen to
the stories of our alumni for they are our “epistles
to the world,” our parables of what an Augsburg
education means. You will be amazed by what they
have accomplished.
I hope those of you who came to Homecoming
were able to meet our current students, because they
are the most powerful statements of our mission, our
aspirations to make a difference in the world. They
are remarkable signs of what we can look forward to
as Augsburg seeks to live out its mission to educate
students who are “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.”
Welcome home to Augsburg!
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Webmaster/Now Online
Bryan Barnes
barnesb@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
fall 2010
Features
12
18
26
contents
22
12
18
22
26
29
29
augsburg now
On the cover
Auggies are awwwe-some! With boomsticks in hand,
Auggies cheer on the football team at Homecoming.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
Homecoming 2010
She loves being an Auggie: Meet Martha Stortz
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
The Sabo Symposium:
Understanding healthcare reform
by Betsey Norgard
Celebrating our success
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
Annual report to donors, 2009–10
Departments
inside
front
cover
2
9
10
11
43
48
52
Notes from President Pribbenow
Around the Quad
Auggies on the course
Auggie voices
It takes an Auggie
Alumni news
Class notes
My Auggie experience
around the
quad
Partners in the park
New Board of Regents members elected
Murphy Square, the three acres that sit squarely in the middle of
Augsburg’s campus, is the oldest park in the city of Minneapolis.
It was given to the city by Edward Murphy in 1857, when he platted “Murphy’s Addition.” At that time, however, this first
city park was quite far from the small settlements
in St. Anthony and Minneapolis, and for 20
years or more the park served mostly as cow
pasture.
As Augsburg grew, the park became more
and more surrounded by the College and incorporated into college life and traditions.
Homecoming parades have flowed
around it, science contraptions
have been launched in the annual Agre Challenge, tents have
held formal receptions for commencements and inaugurations, and many games of
Frisbee, grills of hotdogs, and
hours of sunbathing have taken
place in the park.
On October 16 at Homecoming, a formal partnership with the
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was celebrated in which
Augsburg assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the park.
The partnership serves as the foundation for further cooperative
efforts and engagement with the park board as Augsburg moves
forward with campus master planning, including a proposed
sweeping green landscape across campus.
At their fall meeting in September, the Augsburg Corporation
Governing Board elected four new members to the Augsburg
Board of Regents, and re-elected three members to second terms.
Elected for first, four-year terms are:
Cynthia Jones ’81
Toby Piper LaBelle ’96
LaJune Thomas Lange
Rev. David Tiede
Cynthia Jones ’81, Senior
Technical Advisor for
Nuclear Security, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission
Toby Piper LaBelle ’96,
Senior Vice President,
Northland Securities
LaJune Thomas Lange,
Judge (retired), Fourth
Judicial District of
Minnesota
Rev. David Tiede, Interim
President, Wartburg
Theological Seminary;
Bernhard M. Christensen
Professor Emeritus of
Religion and Vocation
Elected to second, four-year terms are:
Richard C. Hartnack, Vice Chairman, Consumer Banking, U.S.
Bancorp
André Lewis ’73, President (retired), RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation
Rev. Norman Wahl ’75, Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn.
Christensen
Symposium 2010
On October 3, Gracia Grindal ’65
presented the life and legacy of
Bernhard Christensen, “Devoutly
Would He Teach.” On October 4,
the symposium continued with
the inauguration of Martha
Stortz as the Bernhard M.
Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation (see page 18).
Read Grindal’s address at
www.augsburg.edu/now.
Bruce Rowe, groundskeeper, begins his day beautifying Murphy Square.
2
Augsburg Now
NewsNotes
Urban Scrubs camp on campus
Augsburg joined with HealthForce Minnesota, Fairview Health
Services, the Cedar-Riverside Partnership, and the University of
Minnesota to host a five-day Urban Scrubs camp. Students in
grades 9–12, many from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood,
lived on campus and explored opportunities in healthcare fields.
Commission Augsburg focuses on mission
At its 2010 spring meeting, the Augsburg Board of Regents
adopted a new mission statement for the College. Following
two years of conversation about the character and identity of
Augsburg, the new mission statement incorporates many
changes that have come about in the past 20 years, including nontraditional undergraduate programs, graduate studies, a campus in Rochester, global study programs, and
continuing initiatives to meet the needs of diverse students.
The new Augsburg College mission is:
“Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,
thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community
that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work.
An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts
and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the
Lutheran Church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.”
During this year, Commission Augsburg will present a series
of conversations across the country for alumni, parents, and
friends to learn about how the Augsburg mission sets a clear
map for the future of the College. Watch for opportunities to
meet and hear from President Pribbenow and others from
the College. To learn more about Commission Augsburg, go
to www.augsburg.edu/president/initiatives/Commission.pdf.
To learn more about events in your area, contact the Alumni
and Constituent Relations Office at alumni@augsburg.edu
or 612-330-1085.
Augsburg in the rankings:
• The Princeton Review—one of 152 schools named “2011 Best in the Midwest,” based on excellent academic programs, visits to the schools, and
reports from students.
• 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with
Distinction—115 colleges honored for commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.
• “Cool Schools,” Sierra magazine’s 2010 rankings of colleges’ sustainability efforts. Augsburg placed number 102 in the top 162 schools across
the nation.
• Washington Monthly magazine’s 2010 rankings of best master’s universities in the nation, based on contribution to public good in three areas: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), producing
cutting-edge research and scholarship, and community service.
Augsburg placed 71 of 100.
Grant to support low-income students
The Travelers Company selected Augsburg to participate in the Travelers
EDGE program, a five-year initiative that focuses on recruitment and retention of low-income students of color from the St. Paul public schools.
Augsburg was one of a small number of colleges selected for the program
because of its success in recruiting students from underrepresented
populations.
Pillsbury United Communities Award to Augsburg
Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis gave its President’s Leadership
Award this year to Augsburg College for “outstanding contributions to the
Brian Coyle Center and the entire community.” The award especially recognizes MBA student projects, service-learning, community engagement, and
initiatives with the Social Work Department.
Gordon Nelson’s death is mourned
Professor emeritus of sociology Gordon Nelson died
on July 6 following complications from a stroke.
He taught in the Sociology Department, including
serving as chair of the department, from 1967 to
his retirement in 2001. For decades he was a DFL
activist, elected city official, and an aide to U.S.
Rep. Martin Sabo. A memorial service was held in
Hoversten Chapel on September 11.
Welcome, Class of 2014
The first-year, Class of 2014, is one of the most diverse in Augsburg’s history.
419 first-year students
Composition—41% students of color, 43% first-generation college students
Gender—185 male (44%), 234 female (56%)
Geography—351 Minnesota residents, plus 17 other states and 10 countries
Total Augsburg student body—4,109 (2,132 traditional day students, 1,057
weekend undergraduate students, 920 graduate students)
Fall 2010
3
“Gabe” retires after 47 years
When asked how he prefers to be addressed, music professor
Stephen Gabrielsen ’63 always responds, “My friends call me
‘Gabe.’” After 47 years on the music faculty, “Gabe” is retiring in
December. At Homecoming in October, many former students,
friends, and colleagues celebrated his work and legacy at a tribute
concert.
In 1963, while still a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Gabrielsen received an invitation from Music Department
chair Leland Sateren to return to teach in Augsburg’s Music Department. Since then, Gabrielsen has also served as College organist
and has played organ for chapel every day, which Pastor Dave Wold
figures must add up to more than 5,000 services.
Gabrielsen was at the organ for Augsburg’s first Advent Vespers
service in 1980, and missed only two services in the 30 years
since. He fondly recalls that first Advent Vespers service, which succeeded in creating what he and others had hoped for—an unusual
spiritual experience through music and liturgy. “From the somber
dark of Advent, the service grew to brilliant Christmas light, and
down again to peacefully and quietly end … it was just magic.”
A new organ for the chapel
A high point during Gabrielsen’s tenure at Augsburg was the installation of the Dobson organ in the new Hoversten Chapel in the fall
of 1988. “The building of our wonderful organ in the chapel would
have to be a MOST exciting [highlight],” he says. “I will always be
thankful that the Augsburg Associates financed the organ. They
gave me free reign (within reason) to choose which stops would be
in the organ. Every organist ought to have such an opportunity!”
During the inaugural year of the new organ, Gabrielsen initiated a
series of concerts called “Organ Plus” that featured musician colleagues and friends. Because the series grew so popular, Organ Plus
became an annual event for the next decade.
Gabe’s teaching innovations
David Cherwien ’79 recalled at the celebration concert that he and
other students often would arrive for one of Gabrielsen’s music
classes and find a canon
written out on the blackboard. The class would begin
with all the students singing
in parts.
Music professor Merilee
Klemp ’75 also remembers
those canons as one example
of how “Gabe was great at
making music real, whether
he was teaching theory or
President Paul Pribbenow congratulated
history—it was just his pracStephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 as he received
tice of making music.”
the Spirit of Augsburg award at Homecoming.
4
Augsburg Now
Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63 has played the organ for daily chapel since Hoversten
Chapel opened in 1988.
What may be the most vivid in many students’ memories of
classes with Gabrielsen, however, were his dreaded “drop the needle” music repertoire tests, which he created as a way to bolster
students’ knowledge.
Serving the church as organist
Gabrielsen is a fellow of the American Guild of Organists and studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany, as
a Lutheran World Federation scholar. For 50 years he served as
church organist in seven metro area Lutheran congregations, including 10 years each at Holy Trinity in Minneapolis and Calvary
Lutheran in Golden Valley. In addition, he often played recitals and
dedicatory concerts when congregations purchased new organs.
Music therapy professor Roberta Kagin was one of many former
students and colleagues who offered personal notes to Gabrielsen at
the tribute concert. She reflected on the 36 years they shared
neighboring offices in Music Hall. The tribute she read to
Gabrielsen described the care, devotion, and mentoring that he
pays to each of his students. “Years after a student graduated, and
we tried to track them down,” Kagin read, “we would always say,
‘Gabe will know’—and you not only remembered the students, but
also knew their spouses and children.”
At Homecoming Gabrielsen was also honored with the Spirit of
Augsburg award (see page 15). In fact, his entire family shares the
spirit of Augsburg, as Gabrielsen’s wife, Kathleen ’79, and their two
children, Buffy ’89 and Joe ’91, have all attended Augsburg.
Gabrielsen grew up in Norwegian communities, where his father,
a Norwegian immigrant, was a Lutheran pastor. Many know that
Gabe will now have time in retirement to search out and tell more of
the Ole and Lena jokes for which he is legendary. Uff da.
BETSEY NORGARD
Embedded with the National Guard
Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship collaborates with
the Minnesota National Guard to offer opportunities for student
journalists to spend a week embedded with the Minnesota National
Guard during training exercises.
Jenny Avery, a senior majoring in English with a concentration in
creative writing, went to the field each day with the soldiers to
identify stories, shoot photographs, and conduct interviews. This is
one of many examples of students enjoying personal experiences in
their learning.
A New Universe
Courtesy photo
by Jenny Avery ’11
24 May, 2010
I had never seen anything
like it before. The split second of each fiery explosion
was almost disturbingly
beautiful as the smoke dispersed into fluffy clouds of
ash. Each moment-long eruption took at least 45 minutes
to prepare for, which is a
generous estimate to say the least. Little did I know that so much
preparation would go into a task that one could miss with a blink
of an eye.
Our van had been driving for about 20 minutes across the
grounds where these sorts of exercises are held before we actually
found the specific land that this particular event was holding. We
parked a ways away though; the remainder of our journey we arrived by foot. I, the four other journalists involved in this embed,
and Specialist Cassinos soon enough found the company we were
told to meet with. A group of maybe 12 men were grouped near
one of the bunkers on top of the hill.
When we first laid eyes on the land spread out in front of us, all
that could be seen was a plain of grass, a small little hut off in the
far distance, and mounds of dirt and sand in between the outstretch of land from the bunkers and the cube-shaped building.
About 15 to 20 minutes after we found the National Guardsmen at
the bunkers, four enormous M113 vehicles started slinking their
way towards us, making their way down the steep hill.
We watched as these gargantuan machines lined up in one row
facing the hut across the way. The back ramps from each of them
slowly lowered themselves to the ground. Emerging then from each
vehicle were 13 soldiers, preparing themselves and their equipment for their upcoming mission.
I watched as a large, collective group jogged over to the heavilysanded portion of the landscape. Essentially, the mission was to
set off the explosions on the land, and eventually inside the house.
As the preparation continued, Lieutenant Matthew Sullivan explained to us the layout of what was about to come.
“So basically what they’re going to do is breach the mine field
here ... breach the wire opposite below, and then breach into the
house. And there’s different levels. There’s gaul stage, block stage,
and run stage, and for a training scenario it’s gonna be a little
slower than what it would be in real life ... a real life operation. A
real life operation, we’d be rollin’ in, throwin’ their targets. Boom.”
Being such a great distance away from the company below, it
was difficult to distinguish what the soldiers were doing precisely,
but I got the gist that they were planting the explosives in the field
and waiting for the cue to detonate. At some point I even saw a
few men crawling across the dirt pit, possibly simulating how one
may have to keep hidden in a real circumstance.
“… You might wanna cover your ears,” a soldier pointed out.
Taking his advice, I temporarily put down my camera and pressed
my inner ears with my index and middle fingers.
Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame burst out from the
ground, and a moment later a thunderous rumble shook my entire
body. My chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts inside of
it, and then it was all over. Puffy mushrooms of smoke wafted into
each other from the aftermath of the explosion. I watched in awe
as the cushiony-looking matter spread into thin swirls, eventually
disbursing itself evenly to blend back in with its invisible counterpart called air. Around me I overheard conversations from small
groups, hearing the words but not registering what they were saying. I was too engulfed in the explosion and the rush that it gave
me to even want to try and understand the clearly spoken English
emitted from their mouths.
Suddenly I saw a gigantic orb of orange flame
burst out from the ground, and a moment later a
thunderous rumble shook my entire body. My
chest for two seconds felt like it had two hearts
inside of it, and then it was all over.
After the first or second explosion I was able to relocate to the
lower bunker, the one closer to the wrecking site. The soldiers in
that spot were just as lively if not more so. We cracked jokes about
Monty Python and discussed laundry mishaps; for that spot in time
we weren’t students and soldiers, we were just people.
To read more of Jenny Avery’s story, go to
www.augsburg.edu/democracy/videos.html
Fall 2010
5
500 years ago in the old
church buildings, pilgrim
paths, and road markers.” He says that while
he went there as a
Lutheran pastor, part of a
Lutheran Church with all
its modern trappings, he
came back with a much
better understanding of
the formation of the early
Lutheran movement.
“Those monks started
Andrew and Sarah Wilson completed the 1,000-mile
reading the Bible in a
pilgrimage that Martin Luther made to Rome in
new way that differed
1510. They presented “Here I Walk” as Augsburg’s
Founders Day lectures in November.
from the institutional
church’s way,” he says.
Wiersma’s “Here I Walk” experience caused him to reflect upon
Luther’s own experience. Luther’s 1510 pilgrimage brought him to
Rome, where he was scandalized by the conduct of clergy and the
religious commercialism. Wiersma understood that Luther’s long
journey back to Germany would have given the monk a long time to
think over and talk about what he witnessed in Rome. Seven years
later, he posted the 95 Theses, igniting the Reformation.
BETSEY NORGARD
Andrew Wilson
Scholars of the Reformation gain deep knowledge by studying the
writings of Martin Luther, but for Hans Wiersma it also became experiential when he spent four days walking in the footsteps of
Luther’s pilgrimage to Rome 500 years ago.
Just before fall semester classes began, Wiersma joined the
project “Here I Walk,” led by Andrew and Sarah Wilson, two
Lutheran ecumenical scholars, who retraced the entire 1,085-mile
route walked by Luther from the monastery in Erfurt, Germany, to
Rome. Wiersma walked with the Wilsons for 66 miles, from Erfurt
to Coburg.
Wiersma had met Andrew Wilson at a conference, and what resulted for Wiersma was a fortunate convergence of his disciplinary
interest in Reformation studies, his research focus on the early
Luther and the Augustinian monks who followed him, and
Wiersma’s undergraduate background and continued interest in
documentary filmmaking.
The modern pilgrims followed the old pilgrim routes, sometimes
spotting stone route markers from the 16th century. They followed
the traditional rules of pilgrimage—prayers, scripture reading,
chores, and conversation. “It gave me a sense of how 16th-century
monks traveled,” Wiersma says, “and what it felt like.” He enjoyed
the absence of modern distractions. As it was for the early monks,
lodging could be found each night, with bigger towns conveniently
spaced a day’s walk apart.
What Wiersma brought back was an “appreciation of how much
Europe is built on its past. It’s still easy to connect with Europe of
Religion professor Hans Wiersma joined the “Here I Walk” pilgrimage during its first four days, from Erfurt to Coburg, Germany.
6
Augsburg Now
Courtesy photo
Here I walk ...
Augsburg stands up
When Taylor Foster heard that one of her
friends had been assaulted because of his
sexual orientation this fall, she decided to
turn her anger into something positive. Her
Facebook event, titled “Stand Up Against
Hate,” was the beginning of a show of support that took Foster, and perhaps others in
the Augsburg community, by surprise.
In her Facebook posting, Foster wrote:
As an Auggie and a member of the GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] community, I am outraged at the fact that these acts are being
committed at such a diverse and accepting place
as Augsburg. For, “The Augsburg experience is
supported by an engaged community that is committed to … intentional diversity in its life and
work.” Intentional diversity is the key part in that
statement. We need to make a statement that we
are not going to tolerate hateful acts at Augsburg.
We need to make it known that it is okay to be who
you are …”
Foster created the event expecting only
her close friends to join. Just two days after
she posted it, more than 600 people had
responded to show their support. President
Pribbenow, faculty and staff, and alumni
across the country joined students and
donned a specific color of the rainbow each
day of the week of October 4.
Students held a rally and prayer service
and a march for equality on campus. Several
local media outlets came to campus to interview Foster. “All of this attention and support
was beyond my wildest dream,” she says.
In his weekly update to the community,
President Pribbenow wrote about the
events. “This past week was especially difficult for our campus community because
of the hateful and hurtful acts of some individuals. These actions were contrary to
everything we value in honoring one another, as clearly stated in our mission. I’m
very proud of our students who took the
leadership in standing up for and demonstrating their support for the values we
share as a community.”
Foster says she feels members of the
GLBT community now have a better
understanding of how many allies are at
Augsburg. She also believes the week of
awareness-building activities helped allies
and others see how GLBT people face discrimination in their lives.
Most importantly, Foster says she hopes
the Stand Up Against Hate event will continue to reinforce the message that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at
Augsburg. “I was more than thrilled to see
Augsburg come together as a community
and stand up against hate. It made me
proud to be an Auggie.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Fall 2010
7
Exploring separate worlds
On an October afternoon when icy winds and rain interrupted an
unusually mild autumn, 15 Augsburg students and their professor
donned boots, opened umbrellas, and took a stroll down
Minneapolis’ Park Avenue.
The group began in the Grand Hall of the American Swedish Institute, a Gothic mansion on the corner of Park and 26th, which
once was the home of Swan Turnblad. Guided by Nina Clark, ASI’s
director of programs and exhibits, they walked toward Franklin
Avenue, learning about other historic homes where some of the
city’s wealthiest families lived in the early 20th century.
The students learned that many of the homes still standing are
occupied by social service agencies that serve those without
homes, people facing addiction and mental health issues, and immigrant families.
This expedition was just one of the ways students were able to
see the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth in the city. In “Separate
Worlds: Comparing Homelessness and Affluence in the United
States,” associate sociology professor Tim Pippert hopes to help students understand the variables of economic and housing stability.
Through a combination of readings, speakers, and involvement
in service projects, students learn about housing, financial stability, social networks, and the trend of increased homelessness in
the United States. Hearing many different viewpoints, Pippert believes, will help students recognize and appreciate the reasons behind the increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor.
Students will also hear from a variety of speakers throughout
the semester, helping them to better understand the people and
the issues. Youth and family ministry major Justin Daleiden says,
“City council member Cam Gordon came into our class so we
could discuss how homelessness is affecting our very neighborhood. Hearing these speakers from our city makes the subject a
little more palatable.”
“Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the
best things that has ever happened in my life, and
when people ask where I’m from, I say that I’m
from Augsburg because this really is my home.”
In addition to classroom work, these students are actively involved in the community by volunteering at places such as Peace
House and Secure Waiting. Perhaps their biggest connection is
with St. Stephen’s Human Services, whose mission is to end
homelessness.
“We’re beyond the classroom … in all sorts of arenas that this
city offers,” Pippert says.
These outside experiences help students relate what they are
learning in the classroom to real people and present-day issues.
8
Augsburg Now
Some of the homes of Minneapolis’ wealthiest families now serve as social service
agencies. The Sumner T. McKnight mansion at 2200 Park Avenue is home to American
Indian Services.
“I think this is a great example in which we are able to learn about
a specific topic and serve the community at the same time. I think
more courses should incorporate some kind of service work like
this one,” Daleiden says.
Veronica Berg, a sophomore social work major, has a particular interest in Pippert’s course—before she came to Augsburg last fall,
Berg was homeless. She says the class has given her insight into aspects of homelessness that she didn't encounter because of her age
and the paths she chose. “I feel validated in this class, learning that
my experiences haven’t been that strange and reading about individuals who have walked some of the same paths as me.”
Berg says she is grateful for the support of faculty and staff at
Augsburg and also for the opportunities she has received in college. “Being accepted to Augsburg was one of the best things that
has ever happened in my life, and when people ask where I’m
from, I say that I’m from Augsburg because this really is my
home,” Berg says.
For their final projects, students will compare the differences—
social and physical—between the lives of the affluent and people
who are without homes. Pippert hopes that through this course,
students will develop a deeper understanding of how increasingly
stratified American society is and think about ways to mitigate
what he sees as a damaging and unjust trend.
KATELYN DANELSKI ’13 AND WENDI WHEELER ’06
Auggies on the course
Ladies of the links lift the team
There was a time not all that long ago when simply getting enough
players to field a complete team was a challenge for the Augsburg
women’s golf program. As a result, the on-course performance of
the Auggies wasn’t where it might have been.
Johanna Frykmark (left below) and Stef Zappa (right below)
have changed that. The two seniors have brought stability, seriousness, and increased levels of success to Augsburg’s women’s golf
program. They have both been All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) selections, both have shown great im-
provement on the course, and both will graduate at the end of this
semester after three-and-a-half years on campus.
“Without them, our team wouldn’t be anywhere near where we
are now,” coach Ted Vickerman says. “They’ve really changed the
mentality to where we want to do our best. We’re beating teams.”
The two take pride in how the program has changed during their
tenure. “Our first year, we were last in the conference, but we had
fun doing it,” Zappa says. “Everybody’s improved. Both of us have
had five or six stokes (average per round) of improvement.”
At the MIAC championship meet—her final collegiate event—in
early October, Zappa became the first Augsburg women’s golfer to
earn multiple All-MIAC honors, finishing seventh, the highest-ever
finish for an Auggie at the MIAC championships.
Johanna Frykmark finished in 25th place and joins Zappa as
the second of three Auggie women’s golfers to record 25th-orbetter finishes in three MIAC meets.
Both appreciate their time at Augsburg and the role golf
has played in their Auggie experience. “My first year was
pretty rough,” Frykmark says. “I had a hard time fitting in
and I missed home a lot. I’ve changed so much as a person since I came here. The golf team was a big part of
that; they were my second family when I got here.”
After completing her degree in international
business and business management, Frykmark
hopes to find a position with an international company that does business both in the U.S. and in
her native Sweden.
Zappa is on her way to becoming a teacher,
spending this semester student-teaching
first- and second-graders at Barton Open
School in South Minneapolis. She’s also
helping to coach volleyball at Minneapolis
South High School.
While that’s a heavy load, Zappa wasn’t
going to walk away from the golf team.
Zappa—who had a hole-in-one on her 20th
birthday during a tournament at Carleton—
didn’t practice with the team as often this
fall as she would have liked. Instead, she
practiced in the evenings and remained one
of the team’s top golfers—that is, on a team
much more stable than before Zappa and
Frykmark arrived on campus.
JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and Communication Office.
Fall 2010
9
auggie voices
Coach Holker becomes an Auggie
Greg Holker knows that his class ring from Gustavus
Adolphus College is in a box at his house. And he’s pretty
sure he knows where his diploma is.
But that is it. Those are the only tangible things the
Augsburg men’s soccer coach has left from his time both
as a player and as an assistant coach in St. Peter, Minn.
Holker openly admits he didn’t think that was going to
be the case when he took over the Auggie program in
2004. His goal was pretty simple: make Augsburg respectable, win some games, and put himself in position to
become the next Gustavus coach.
“I had a five-year plan,” he says. “I thought I’d be here
three years and I’d be out.” But something happened
along the way to mess up those plans—Holker became
an Auggie.
“The institution has evolved significantly over the six
years I’ve been here and I’ve changed as well,” Holker
says. “I started to embrace the institution and our work.”
He also had success. In 2006 Holker led Augsburg’s
men’s soccer team to a 13-victory season and a first-ever
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) playoff
berth. In 2008 Augsburg reached the NCAA tournament for
the first time in school history and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Loras College in two overtimes.
This past spring, however, brought out the truest example
that Holker had genuinely become an Auggie. When the
head soccer coach position at Gustavus opened, Holker was
approached about the job and spent a day in St. Peter.
Before the search moved any farther along, however,
Holker pulled out of consideration.
And this year, following a record-breaking season for
men’s soccer, Holker was named MIAC Coach of the Year,
and sophomore Chad Gilmer was named MIAC Player of
the Year. The team won the MIAC playoff championship
and advanced to the national tournament for the second
time. It won the first round, but lost to the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater in the second round.
“At the end of the day, this is where I want to be,”
Holker says. “I like being in the city and I like that there’s
a very true identity here. I think I’m 100% in love with
what this institution does. Seven years ago, this was a job.
Now, it's a part of me.”
And now he’s an Auggie.
JEFF SHELMAN is the former director of media relations in the Marketing and
Communication Office.
10
Augsburg Now
it takes an
Auggie
The student Phonathon—Dialing for Augsburg dollars
ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, alumni and friends of Augsburg
might receive a call from a student who is working
to secure donations to The Augsburg Fund.
We asked some of the student callers to share their
experiences and knowledge with our readers.
COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Chris Fleming ’12
Psychology/Sociology major, Spanish minor
First year as a student caller
Q. What would you like students and
alumni to know about giving back to
Augsburg?
A. When you do become an alum, remember that while you were in school someone
made a way for you to get through college.
Remember to always give back to the community that gave to you. I know we all say,
“Well I will come back to visit and volunteer my time,” but sometimes you must go
beyond. If you dig deep to give a few dollars to support another student, they will
be able to give back when they graduate.
It’s a domino effect.
Elisabeth Clemans ’11
Pa Dao Yang ’11
Social work major, psychology minor
Has been a caller for four years
Sociology major
Has been a caller for four years
Q. Why should alumni and friends support
The Augsburg Fund?
Q. What have you learned about Augsburg
through this work?
A. I am a recipient of financial aid at
Augsburg, so I want to thank all the
alumni, parents, and friends who give to
The Augsburg Fund. It’s really important
for students like me because every gift increases the percentage of alumni who
give back. That makes the College more
reputable and helps me get a job after I
graduate!
A. What I have learned while working at
The Augsburg Fund is the importance of
keeping the alumni updated on Augsburg.
For example, I talk about the new Oren
Gateway Center or speak about events
such as the chocolate tasting event at the
History Center. It’s fun to talk to alumni
about what is happening on campus and to
listen to them speak about their
experiences.
Ember Russell ’11
Elementary education major
Has been a caller for two years
Q. Have you had any especially memorable calls?
A. I was talking with a lady who had studied elementary education. It was really interesting
to hear how much the Education Department has changed! She gave me amazing advice on
what to do when I graduate. I really enjoyed the call, and she made her very first donation
to The Augsburg Fund!
Fall 2010
11
homecoming
go
12
Augsburg Now
auggies!
experience it!
Fall 2010
13
taste of augsburg
14
Augsburg Now
2010 alumni awards
Distinguished Alumni
Robert Hanson ’68
A distinguished
teacher in bio-organic
and medicinal chemistry researche at
Northeastern University.
“Our three Augsburg wisemen were [Earl]
Alton, [Courtland] Agre, and [John] Holum,
and their gifts to us were: inspiring us to
go far, preparing us with the intellectual
and emotional skills to do that, and a dedication to service.”
Don ’53 and Beverly
(Halling) ’55 Oren
Owners of Dart
Transit, a transportation company
nationally-recognized for leadership, innovation, and promotion of safety for its drivers.
“You can choose a career in business and
still contribute to society, and you can
make a difference.” … “We met here, and
that outweighs all other benefits the school
had to offer.”
First Decade Awards
Morgan Davidsen ’00
Internationallyawarded filmmaker
who recalls a special
moment on the soccer
field before a match
after just hearing he had the lead in the
next theatre production.
“Thank you for being part of the greatest
picture of my life.”
“Augsburg gave me a place to listen and it
taught me how to listen.”
Stephen Gabrielsen ’63
College organist,
music professor, and
mentor to hundreds of
students and alumni
for 47 years.
“My delight in being chosen is more significant when I consider all the people who
could be standing here—dozens and
dozens of students who have helped me
become what I am.”
Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA
CEO of Pinnacle
Services, a successful
company now employing 600 people;
Marine Corps veteran,
political candidate, and world traveler.
“I’ve chosen to live an unconventional
life—for me, it’s about pursuing my
dreams, doing what I’ve wanted to.”
Jack Osberg ’62
Retired head football
coach, teacher, and
mentor who brought
the football program to
its best season in history and continues to feel the spirit of
Augsburg shape his life.
“The spirit of Augsburg moves through its
people.”
Athletic Hall of Fame
Richard Spratt ’74
Congratulations to the alumni who have
been inducted into the Augsburg Athletic
Hall of Fame:
Social worker dedicated to connecting
people with community resources; adjunct
instructor in Social
Work Department.
Jean Taylor
Respected corporate
CEO and leader; former
Augsburg Board of Regents chair. Learned at
Augsburg how to listen
to what her life tells her and about values
she holds.
Spirit of Augsburg Awards
• John Beatty ’91, wrestling
• Reed Boltmann ’88, football/baseball
• Jeff Dainty ’90, baseball
• Brian DeClercq ’81 (posthumously), men’s
hockey
An African proverb says, “If you want to
walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk
far, walk together.”
• Natasha Hamann ’99, volleyball/women’s golf
• Ann Knutson Brovold ’74, gymnastics
• Astrid Larssen ’97, women’s soccer/women’s
track and field
For the bios and more information about this year’s
alumni award winners, go to www.augsburg.edu/now
• Tom Weidner ’84, football
• Don Wichmann ’89, wrestling
Fall 2010
15
Augsburg dedicates
Ed Saugestad Rink
During Homecoming 2010, Augsburg officially
named its main competition rink in honor of Ed
Saugestad ’59, the coach who led the Auggies to
national prominence in men’s ice hockey during his
storied career. At the Oct. 16 ceremony,
Auggies were able to see the changes that took
place in the arena in preparation for the dedication.
One change in the rink that fans will notice during the season was the addition of three murals depicting the Saugestad legacy as well as the history
of men’s and women’s hockey at Augsburg College.
Saugestad began his coaching career during
his senior year, 1958, and coached the Auggies
until 1996, compiling a 503-354-21 record. His
Auggies won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (MIAC) titles six straight years (197782), qualified for national tournament play 10
times, and won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship
in 1978, 1981, and 1982. He coached 22 AllAmericans during his Augsburg career. Saugestad
was named NAIA National Coach of the Year three
times and MIAC Coach of the Year six times.
16
16
Augsburg Now
ed saugestad ’59
augsburg hockey
Augsburg Men’s Hockey
Augsburg Women’s Hockey
Augsburg College has had a long history of excellence in men’s
hockey. The Auggie program dates to the mid-1920s, as one of
the early entrants in MIAC play. The Auggies won state titles in
both 1927 and 1928 coached by future U.S. Hockey Hall of
Famer Nick Kahler.
After not fielding teams from the late 1920s to the late
1940s, the program finally was reestablished under coach Ed
Saugestad, who actually began his head coaching duties while still
a student at Augsburg in 1958. Under Saugestad, the Auggie program thrived, winning MIAC titles six years in a row (1977-82),
while winning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) national titles in 1978, 1981, and 1982. The Auggies
have made appearances in national tournaments seven times in
school history (five NAIA, two NCAA).
After Saugestad retired, Mike Schwartz was named head coach
in 1996, and he led the team to conference regular-season and
playoff titles, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national championships in the 1997-98 season. Schwartz compiled a 124-11030 record during his Augsburg coaching tenure, and teams he
coached made appearances in the MIAC postseason playoffs six
times. Chris Brown was named the program’s head coach in 2006,
and he has led the Auggies to MIAC playoff berths in three of the
last four seasons.
In 1995, Augsburg College made history by establishing the first
intercollegiate women’s hockey program in the Midwest. The
Auggies were one of the dominant teams in the early history of
women’s hockey in Minnesota, winning Minnesota Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (MIAC) regular-season titles in 1998-99 and
1999-2000, and the conference playoff title in 1999-2000.
In 2000, the Auggies made history again, qualifying to compete in the first Division III women’s hockey national championship series, the American Women’s College Hockey Alliance
tournament in Boston against Middlebury (Vt.). Over the first 15
seasons of Augsburg’s women’s hockey history, the Auggies have
a 171-177-30 all-time record.
A total of 150 players have competed as part of the Augsburg
women’s hockey program in its first 15 seasons, all under head
coach Jill Pohtilla. Pohtilla finished her career third among all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III women’s
hockey coaches in career victories and 20th among all collegiate
women’s hockey coaches in victories. Michelle McAteer was named
the second head coach in program history in 2010.
Hockey murals by Stephen Geffre
Fall 2010
17
She loves being an Auggie…
Many who make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela today
take a scallop shell from the beaches of Galicia, where St. James is
buried, to commemorate their journey. The shells served as the medieval equivalent of a water bottle for travelers and became a symbol of the route. Martha Stortz, however, did not keep a souvenir
when she made the pilgrimage.
At the occasion of her inauguration as the Bernhard M. Christensen
Professor of Religion and Vocation, Augsburg gifted her with a shell
and a painting of the apostle James by Peter Brandes [background].
Brandes calls St. James the “pilgrims’ apostle.”
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
18
Augsburg Now
Meet Martha Stortz
Shortly after she settled into her new home in Minneapolis, Martha
Stortz (she prefers to be called Marty) did four things: she became
a member of the Seward Co-op, she joined the Midtown YWCA,
she took her bicycle in for “retooling” at the Hub, and she took
herself on walking tours of the Seward, Longfellow, and Downtown
East neighborhoods.
And those activities, along with a genuine love for the city and
an infectious enthusiasm for Augsburg’s mission, are what make
her a true Auggie.
Stortz came to Augsburg this summer as the second Bernhard
M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. She succeeds
David Tiede, who retired and subsequently took a position as interim president of Wartburg Theological Seminary.
The Christensen Chair holds multiple responsibilities including
teaching in the Religion Department, serving as counsel to the
president and Board of Regents, and chairing the advisory council
for the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. Furthermore, the
chair plays a fundamental role in the interpretation and advancement of Augsburg’s institutional vocation, its calling as a college.
Stortz says she is honored to be at Augsburg and excited about
her role in the College’s work. “I was quite taken with everything
that you’re doing,” she says. “I love this city. This is a college in
and for and with the city.”
Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow says Stortz’ appointment affirms Augsburg’s vision and direction. “I am grateful
for the experience and wisdom Professor Stortz brings to this important position, and for the leadership she will provide as we continue to explore what it means to be a Lutheran college in the
city,” he says.
Stortz served as a member of the core doctoral faculty at the
Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and taught for 29
years at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She is an acclaimed scholar, teacher, and leader in the realms of the church,
academia, and society at large.
Her interest in the Christian pilgrimage has been an important part of Stortz’ personal and scholarly life. She has hiked
part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the Way of St.
James, in Spain. She and a colleague have also joined two
groups—one in El Salvador and another in Mexico City—as they
explore post-modern “pilgrimages” through educational immersion experiences.
Though some might question her move from California to
Minnesota, from theological education to higher education, and
from seminary to college, Stortz feels as though she’s called to
be at Augsburg and to bring her connections, an eagerness to
share the College’s story with the community, and a commitment
to her position.
She believes that her experience in circles of theological education and religion and education will bring some meaningful
connections to Augsburg. “I’m very enthusiastic about what’s
going on here, and I think my key role is to make sure everyone
knows what is going on.”
“I’m eager to communicate Augsburg’s vision and its sense
of a living and lively tradition that is engaged with the city, the
community, and the world. I’ve been a writer, speaker, and
teacher, and I would now harness those gifts in service of the
College’s vocation.”
When questioned about her decision, Stortz says, “I say to
my friends, ‘You don’t know the Twin Cities, you don’t know how
exciting it is to have colleagues in other disciplines and how vibrant those multidisciplinary conversations can be, and you don’t
know Augsburg.’”
Fall 2010
19
Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation Inaugural Address
EXCERPTS FROM MARTHA STORTZ’ INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
“LOCATION, LOCATION, VOCATION”
“Tell me the landscape you inhabit,
and I will tell you who you are.” —Jose Ortega y Gassett
However much we claim space, making it our own, space also claims us,
telling us who we are.
Location shapes identity and gives the people who inhabit it a distinctive vocation or calling. Like the Irish monks, we too live accordingly. I want to look at three dimensions of Augsburg’s
location—physical, historical, and spiritual—and probe how it shapes
a vocation or calling that is distinctive to this College.
Physical location
… Augsburg is a college in, with, and for the city … [its] urban location is now central to the College’s identity. The Christensen
Center and Memorial Hall do not square off an academic quadrangle; rather, the space between them opens to a public park. The
plan for the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion …
does not feature a closed quad; rather, it imitates the freeway. As
the freeway enables crosstown traffic between the cities, so this
new building opens to the neighborhood; it invites cross-campus
traffic and cross-disciplinary conversation.
Historical location
The College was founded by the Free Church Norwegian Lutheran
immigrants who settled in the Cedar Riverside area in the mid1800s—and never forgot that they’d been strangers in a strange
land … Consonant with that history, the College has welcomed the
various immigrant groups that make up this neighborhood: Hmong,
Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean. Moreover, Augsburg consistently saw
itself as an institution of higher learning that provided access and
excellence to students who simply couldn’t pay higher fees of other
private schools. At times when it would have made more financial
sense to go after wealthier families and their children, Augsburg
elected to be faithful to its historic base.
Spiritual location
A tradition is not a museum piece, but a lively argument with the
past, and throughout its history, Augsburg has loved a good fight.
Incarnation and the neighbor stand as signal emphases of this tradition, the first witnessing to the fact that God entered the human
condition—to the max.
At its best, Lutheranism is a tradition that has always leaned
into the neighbor, always learned from the neighbor, and always
looked to the neighbor to supply that unexpected bolt of grace that
makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).
The Augsburg Center for
Faith and Learning
In the spring of 2002, the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
awarded Augsburg College a $2 million grant to
expand the College’s commitment to connecting
faith and learning. As a result, Augsburg developed and implemented the Exploring Our Gifts
program. After four years of successful programming (2002-2006), the Lilly Endowment awarded
Augsburg a generous sustainability grant, matched
by the College, to help support the project for an
additional three years (2006-2009).
As a direct result of the success and positive
impact of Exploring Our Gifts, Augsburg College is
committed to continuing this important work beyond the life of the Lilly grant. To this end, the
College has created the Augsburg Center for Faith
and Learning (ACFL) to embody and build upon
the convictions at the heart of Augsburg’s educational mission:
“… to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders.”
The work of the Augsburg Center for Faith and
Learning is guided by the lessons of Bernhard M.
Christensen, president of Augsburg from 1938 to
1962. Christensen taught that:
• Christian faith liberates minds and lives
• Diversity strengthens vital communities
• Interfaith friendships enrich learning
• The love of Christ draws us to God
• We are called to service in the world
The Center’s work focuses on three areas of activity:
1. Student and alumni engagement—Supporting
discovery and development of talents and gifts,
discernment of vocation, and exploration of calling
2. Faculty and staff leadership—Developing curricular and programmatic offerings to guide the
theological exploration of vocation
3. Public witness and outreach—Promoting
Augsburg’s leadership in the pursuit and realization of individual and institutional calling
For more information about the Augsburg Center for
Faith and Learning, or to read the full inaugural address and other presentations from the 2010 Christensen Symposium, go to www.augsburg.edu/now
20
Augsburg Now
Sammie Guck, Christensen Scholar
WHEN SENIOR SAMMIE GUCK sees another Christensen
Scholar on campus, she greets them with a simple but reverent, “Scholar.”
“It’s just our way of acknowledging each other when we
are out in the world,” Guck says.
Guck is one of 10 students involved in the Christensen
Scholar program. Named for Bernhard Christensen, Augsburg’s
president from 1938 to 1962, the year-long seminar helps students explore the Lutheran concept of vocation and define their
own calling.
Every year 10 junior or senior students are selected for
the Christensen Scholar program, which is sponsored by the
Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning. The heart of the program is a monthly three-hour seminar devoted to texts drawn
from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Authors include biblical
texts, Augustine, Luther, and Flannery O'Connor. Topics can
range from religious pluralism to the art of prayer.
A philosophy major and religion minor, Guck says she appreciates the discussion-based seminar and the free exchange of ideas that happens among the scholars. “It’s not a
professor saying, ‘Let me tell you what you should know.’”
She adds that the scholars, who represent several different
faith traditions, are very respectful of each other’s ideas and
backgrounds. “It’s a great environment to share and explore,”
she says.
Guck says she is having a “senior year vocational crisis.”
She met with religion professor Mark Tranvik, who leads the
scholar seminar, to discuss the idea of vocation. “I grew up
Catholic, so I have a different understanding of vocation than
the Lutheran concept,” she says.
Together Guck and Tranvik explored different ways that a
person of faith can live out his or her vocation. “I realized
that vocation doesn’t have to be one set thing, it can always
be changing,” she says. Guck was considering graduate
school but does not think she will begin immediately after
graduation. Instead, she is looking into other ways that she
can express her vocation through a career in editing or publishing.
Whether she’s pursuing her master’s degree or working in a
publishing house, two things are fairly certain for this Auggie.
One—even after she graduates from Augsburg, she will continue
to discern what her vocation is and how to make it a part of her
life. And two—if she sees another Christensen Scholar walking
down the street, they are sure to greet each other with the brief
acknowledgement of the conversations they had at Augsburg.
21
Augsburg Now
Fall 2010
21
Understanding
healthcare
R E F O R M
BY BETSEY NORGARD
On March 23, 2010, President Obama
signed into law the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act. It’s complex, difficult-to-understand legislation and is the
product of an extremely contentious
political process.
On October 15, at its fifth public policy
forum, Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning hosted a forum to decode
and discuss the challenges and opportunities this legislation presents for Minnesota
and the nation—that is, how the current
healthcare system will change. The symposium was moderated by retired U.S. Rep.
Martin Sabo and presented speakers who
are leaders in the healthcare field.
Donna Zimmerman, senior vice president of government and community relations at HealthPartners in Minneapolis,
addressed the overall scope of the law and
focused on the impact of provisions concerning changes to insurance coverage.
“It is a major task to think about how
to explain this major piece of legacy legislation our Congress has passed,” Zimmerman said. “I’ll try to demystify this big
bill, and focus on what’s important for us
in Minnesota.”
Her presentation explained various
provisions of the act that have already
taken effect or are being phased in
shortly; for example, extension of benefits
to dependent children up to age 26,
adding more preventive care without costsharing by consumers, and prohibition on
insurance denial to children under age 19
for pre-existing conditions.
Dr. Sanne Magnan, commissioner of the
Minnesota Department of Health, spoke
about changes to health care itself and the
interface with Vision Minnesota, Min-
Demystifying the new healthcare legislation was the focus of the Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium on October 15.
Panelists were (L to R) Martin Sabo ’59, moderator; Donna Zimmerman, HealthPartners; Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota
Department of Health; and Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, Community Health Innovations, Inc.
nesota’s reform passed in 2008. Her message was that the federal reforms will not
have as radical an effect in Minnesota as in
some states because Minnesota’s quality
and delivery of health care are already consistently higher than in many states.
She spoke about how Minnesota is coordinating with federal initiatives to influence
how health reform is implemented, “so that
we can build on the innovative strategies
Minnesota has been doing as well as learn
from other states who have been doing
health reform.”
She compared provisions for reform in
the new federal law with similar provisions
in Vision Minnesota and showed how a
number of them are already being implemented in this state.
Magnan also explained that much of the
difficulty in enacting reform stems from how
the current healthcare system was set up.
The incentives and payments for health care
are made to doctors and providers for treatment of illness, and not for promotion and
maintenance of health. Payment is made for
office visits, hospitalization, tests, procedures, and drugs, rather than for better
management of chronic disease, prevention,
and promotion of wellness.
Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60, president of
Community Health Innovators, Inc. and assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, spoke about his
longtime work to seek reform in the healthcare delivery system to provide everyone
with easy access to a team of healthcare
professionals who can provide comprehensive care at lower costs.
Amundson offered a vision of the optimal healthcare model (see next page) that
focuses on a team approach to ongoing, primary care in clinics, which includes clinical
care as well as services in other areas that
affect health. These clinics or “medical
homes” must then be part of, or connected
to, a system that includes specialty-care
and hospital and emergency services.
Sabo Center Public Policy Symposium
2010 Healthcare Reform:
What Will It Mean for You (and the Nation)?
October 15, 2010
Panel Participants:
DONNA ZIMMERMAN, Senior Vice President of
Government and Community Relations,
HealthPartners
DR. SANNE MAGNAN, Commissioner, Minnesota
Department of Health
DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60, President, Community Health Innovations, Inc., and Assistant
Professor, University of Washington School of
Medicine
MARTIN SABO ’59, Moderator; U.S. House of
Representatives, 1978–2006
HEALTHCARE
22
Augsburg Now
To see the slides from these presentations and
view the video of the symposium, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now
E
BY DR. BRUCE AMUNDSON ’60
What is ideal healthcare delivery?
The recent health reform legislation primarily focuses on
helping more people
get health insurance
and on addressing
some insurance injustices. It does not
systematically address delivery system reform—how you receive health care—but elements of the act
do support ongoing reform efforts. To understand this, you must have a clearer picture of
what clinical and healthcare leaders see as a
“reformed delivery system” and what we
have been working towards—for years.
Within the past few years a growing
agreement has emerged on what an optimal
delivery system should look like, both to be
able to provide excellent and comprehensive
care and to reduce costs. These are the key
elements:
First, your health care must be anchored by primary care clinicians—physicians (family practice, general internal
medicine, pediatricians), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This ensures
that you have a personal ongoing relationship with a clinician who is the “general
contractor” for your health issues and who
is your trusted partner.
Second, you should be part of a clinic
or system that provides a “medical home”
with your primary clinician. Your medical
home must serve as the first stop for ANY
health issues that arise, short of critical
emergencies.
Further, your medical home should have:
• An electronic health record to ensure immediate access to your history for all who
treat you wherever they are located
• More convenient access to your clinicians—same-day appointments, expanded
hours, e-mail to your clinicians
• Management of all referrals to specialists
and other services you may need, ensuring
coordination and avoiding duplication
• Systematic management of common
chronic diseases
• Case management for people with complex and/or multiple health issues including monitoring of prescription drugs
• Healthcare teams to expand clinical competency and services
The emergence of primary care teams is one
of the most important developments in recent years. I would describe the “optimal primary care team” as comprised of:
• Primary care clinicians (physicians, nurse
practitioners, physician assistants)
• Mental health clinician
• Social worker with family therapy skills
• Nurse case manager for patients with
complex conditions
• Chronic disease care nurse
• Patient educator
• Pharmacist
• Physical therapist or massage therapist
Research has shown that with this range of
skills a clinic or medical home can competently handle 80% or more of the health
problems that it receives. It can care for
the whole person and meet total needs.
This is a radical change, but examples of
this model now exist across the country.
The third component is that every clinic
or medical home must be part of an organized system of care that includes most specialty physicians, hospital and ER services,
and other important services. If not within
the same organization, at least there must be
formal ties and relationships between the
medical home and these other elements of a
comprehensive healthcare system.
Because our human condition is complex, people are affected by physical issues,
mental health problems, family dysfunction,
substance abuse, environmental exposures—
and often a combination or all of the above.
Clinical care is, therefore, also very complex
if it is going to be relevant to the person’s
needs and holistic in its aims. The combination of knowledge and skills represented in
the optimal team described above brings the
healthcare delivery system closer in alignment with human needs, with the foundation
being “relationship-based” (versus “diseaseoriented”) care.
The reform legislation recognizes the
work by clinicians and leaders in defining
what we seek as health reform goals. While it
does not fundamentally change the current
healthcare delivery system, it supports clinician-led reform by:
• Recognizing the role of primary care clinicians and increasing financial support for
training them
• Providing bonus payments for care management of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees when needed
• Providing financial incentives for establishing organized systems of care
• Expanding wellness and preventive coverage in insurance plans
• Funding research on the clinical effectiveness of various treatments
• Creating a Center of Innovation
The legislation is not radical. It builds on
our current private insurance and delivery
systems. It may not be able to address cost
issues, but it does represent a huge step
toward ensuring universal insurance coverage and a more effective delivery system. It
also must be seen as a move to narrow the
gap between healthcare “haves” and “have
nots.”
While there’s an immense amount of
work ahead, it’s critical to understand that
for clinicians and most healthcare leaders,
there is no turning back. The whiff of something better, a humanizing system, is in the
air and a national reform process is underway. I could not be more hopeful.
Dr. Bruce Amundson ’60 is president of
Community Health Innovations, Inc. in
Shoreline, Wash.
Fall 2010
23
Reflection by Adam Spanier ’12, film
and English major
Reflection by Khalid Adam ’12,
economics major and Sabo Scholar
I do not plan on becoming a doctor, a
pharmacist, or anything else in the
medical field, and I
am no expert regarding topics like
health insurance.
Yet, the new healthcare system will affect me and everyone else
in this country.
In today’s tense political climate of rumored complete government takeover, socialized medicine, and “death panels,”
misinformation consumes the media. This is
precisely why it is important to sift out all of
the ridiculous rumors and myths of the new
healthcare bill in order to find some truth
and understanding. And this is precisely
why events like the Sabo healthcare symposium are important.
As a Sabo Scholar, but perhaps more
importantly, as an ill-informed citizen, I attended the Sabo healthcare symposium.
Fortunately, the symposium panelists were
all qualified experts of health care; there
was no dumbing down or oversimplification
of the topic as is evident on the 24-hour
news channels. There was a bit of information I did not fully comprehend; however, I
can safely admit that I walked away from
the symposium knowing much more about
the topic.
Fortunately, it’s comforting to know that
the very people I will directly depend on for
my medical needs were involved in this discussion—doctors, nurses, health professionals, and other people involved in the medical
field participated in the symposium.
Events such as the Sabo healthcare
symposium are exactly what this country
needs right now. We need to stop arguing
and have more conversations. Similar events
are important because it will bring us together to better understand complex topics,
and it will allow us to make more informed
decisions in the future.
So just why has
health care spending gone out of control in the U.S.,
consuming nearly a
sixth of gross domestic product
(GDP) spending in
2008? Liberals say
it’s the health insurance companies’ greed
and the government’s inability to contain
costs and to regulate the employer market
for health insurance.
Meanwhile, conservatives argue that it’s
too much regulation, citing the growing
budgets of government welfare programs
like Medicare and Medicaid. They also cite
overuse of healthcare resources as the main
problem, making the problem of health care
a “volume-control issue.” Despite these differing viewpoints, a few observations are
unarguably universal:
• The science of health care has advanced
rapidly in the last 60 years, which has affected prices of medical inputs.
• The increased health costs, outpacing
growth in GDP, have adverse effects on
the economic outcomes on industries
with large percentage of workers with ESI
(Employer Sponsored Insurance); this results in the loss of output and a de facto
loss of jobs in those industries.
• The current trend in the growth of per
capita GDP spent on health care is unsustainable in the long term.
Health spending in the U.S. has increased
dramatically in the course of the past 50
years, from $27.5 billion in 1960 to
$912.6 billion in 1993, and to a mind-boggling $2.4 trillion in 2008. It is projected to
reach $4.3 trillion by 2017.
To read more of Adam’s paper from his
research on healthcare costs, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now.
Reflection by Phong Le ’13 PA
As a first year physician assistant (PA)
student, I’m usually
busy studying and
spending any spare
time with my family.
Thus I’m afraid to
admit I’ve not kept
up with the latest
news. I attended the 2010 healthcare reform symposium hoping to gain a better understanding of the reform and how it will
impact my future as a PA.
According to the HealthPartners presenter, the reform will increase insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans. Thus,
demand for care will greatly exceed the supply of doctors. In addition, there is also
pressure to find a high value but low cost
delivery system. According to Dr. Bruce
Amundson, these factors have led to a consensus of a team approach in which PAs
and nurse practitioners (NPs) will largely fill
the demand gap while still able to keep
costs low.
I was feeling pretty good about my job
prospects as I listened to the presenters.
However, numerous questions began to
emerge as I thought beyond graduation.
How far will the trickle-down effect from
doctors to PAs and NPs to nurses to healthcare technicians go to increase care volume
while decreasing cost? Will money dictate
the quality or type of care I provide? Will I
be forced to choose between quantity and
quality daily?
I left the symposium with more questions than answers. One thing I do know for
sure is that the reform will happen whether
we like it or not, and I believe that any
movement toward increased access to care
is great. However we should proceed with
caution and responsibility to ensure we
don’t compromise the quality of care in the
process. This drives me to stay informed
and involved so that, hopefully, we PAs as a
group can help to shape and guide this inevitable health reform.
HEALTHCARE
24
Augsburg Now
Celebrating our
SUCCESS
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
At Augsburg College, we don’t have a lot of traditions.
Sure, we have Homecoming every year, and we’ve marked the
holiday season with Advent Vespers for the past 30 years.
But there’s no annual canceling of classes so that students can go to a local park to hear bands and eat bratwurst.
President Pribbenow doesn’t trade places with a student for a
day every year. And though we have some important athletic
rivalries, none are so longstanding that the matchups attract
fans far and wide.
There is one thing, however, that Augsburg has done quite
well for a long time: we are very adept at the Lutheran Scandinavian practice of not boasting about our accomplishments.
Now, after years of celebrating achievements with an occasional internal announcement or a round of applause during daily chapel, we’ve decided it is time for our practice of
humility to change.
Fall 2010
25
Shift in expectations
In the past, Augsburg’s tendency toward humility has kept our students from applying
for national scholarships or to graduate
school. But that trend is changing, thanks
in part to the work of one woman—Dixie
Shafer.
As director of Augsburg’s office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), Shafer gives pep talks, takes
her trademark green pen to students’ personal statements, and shepherds them
through the often daunting graduate school
application process.
For a small, private college, Augsburg
has an impressive résumé of national fellowships and scholarships. In 2010 alone,
four Augsburg students were awarded
Fulbright scholarships, bringing the total
to nine awardees in the last four years,
and Augsburg was recently named to The
Chronicle of Higher Education list of top
Fulbright-producing schools. Five students
received Gilman scholarships for the
2010-11 academic year, and in 2009 one
Augsburg student became the seventh
Auggie to receive a Goldwater scholarship.
And in 2008, lest we forget, Augsburg
added its first Rhodes Scholar to the list of
student achievements.
Shafer’s work involves helping students
conduct faculty-led research during the
summer and school year, advising on the
graduate and professional school application process, and helping students apply for
fellowships and national competitions.
In general, Shafer says she sees students
who don’t believe they can be competitive
at a national level. “I rarely meet a student
who thinks that,” she adds. “We have a
pretty humble group of students.”
But she acknowledges the slow cultural
26
Augsburg Now
Dixie Shafer, URGO director, holds a “bouquet” given to
her by Brian Krohn ’08. Krohn fashioned the flowers
from drafts of his Rhodes application essays.
shift in expectations. “We have more students applying for national fellowships and
more receiving them, and that allows others
to know that they can do it.”
Not just for elite schools
Katie MacAulay ’08 was one of the humble students Shafer typically meets. In her
junior year, she was studying abroad in
Argentina and read a story about two
Augsburg students who received Fulbright
fellowships.
“I had assumed it was a fellowship of
the elite schools, one in which a smalltown, Midwestern girl with a relatively average résumé would be of little
competition,” she says. But the article in-
spired MacAulay, and she made an appointment to meet with Shafer on the day
she returned to Augsburg. “Dixie handed
me the Fulbright information book and
told me to decide whether or not I was serious about applying. As she put it, ‘Once
you start, there’s no turning back.’”
MacAulay says her desire to apply was
motivated out of curiosity to test her beliefs about Fulbrights being only for students from “prestigious” schools and to
challenge personal feelings of inadequacy.
“Dixie helped me realize that, although
I maybe didn’t feel like I had the background, I certainly had the foreground.”
Through the application process,
MacAulay says, “I realized that your socioeconomic status and upbringing don’t
play as large of a role in defining who you
are and what you become.” That insight
inspired her to stop feeling inadequate in
comparison to others and gave her the motivation to challenge her own boundaries.
In November, MacAulay completed a
10-month grant as a Fulbright English
Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Terengganu,
Malaysia. She says it has been the best
experience of her life and a gift that will
continue to benefit her in the future.
“I am of the opinion that you can never
have too many options. Be realistic about
yourself, but don’t doubt your own uniqueness and abilities,” MacAulay says. She encourages other Augsburg students to apply
for national fellowships and programs and to
challenge their own ideas about being competitive at a national level.
Educating the whole person
Tina (Quick) Sandy ’08 is another student
whose path was guided by Shafer’s counsel and by the gentle insistence of a few
determined history professors. A first-generation student who says she almost didn’t
come to Augsburg, Sandy is in her third
year at William Mitchell College of Law in
St. Paul.
At the end of her second year at
Augsburg, Sandy saw a poster advertising
the URGO summer research program. This
program provides a stipend and housing
for students who spend 200-400 hours of
their summer conducting research under
the supervision of a faculty member. To
apply to the program, students must submit a research proposal. Sandy was reading the poster just days before the
application was due.
She had been taking a history class
from Michael Lansing. “He pulled me
aside one day and asked if I had consid-
Tina Sandy ’08 is a third-year student at William Mitchell
College of Law.
ered a history major,” Sandy said. So she
went to Lansing about the summer program, and the two of them drafted her
proposal.
That summer Sandy researched the history of the Ku Klux Klan movement in the
Midwest, a project that led her specifically
to document Klan activities in 1922 in
Minneapolis. Throughout the entire project
she worked closely with Lansing, especially on writing her final report.
“He totally changed my ability to
write,” Sandy says. “His red pen shaped
my experience, and it served me well.” As
a law student, Sandy says she feels much
more confident in her writing abilities
than some of her classmates who did not
receive the same direction and support in
their undergraduate programs.
In her third year of college, Sandy
began considering her plans beyond college with the encouragement of Lansing,
history professor Jacqui deVries, and political science professor Joe Underhill.
Sandy was considering law school. “We
discussed her potential and then rallied
the wagons to get her to think about her
options,” Lansing said.
He recalls that perhaps he tried to be
too persuasive at times. “We wanted to
see Tina set her sights wide because we
knew that she had the potential to go to
any institution. We wanted to see that for
her because we knew that she could really
shine.”
“There were a lot of opinions in my ear
about what I should do,” Sandy says.
That’s when she went to visit Shafer. “She
threw a lot of different ideas at me …
ideas that opened my mind.” But Sandy
says she had a “gut feeling” about law
school.
She wanted to stay in Minnesota to be
close to her family and to her future husband, fellow Auggie Sama Sandy ’08. Because the law school application process
requires significant time as well as money,
Sandy opted to apply to one school only,
something most students are encouraged
not to do.
The easy part was making the decision;
the application process was another story
altogether. She needed to study for the
Law School Admission Test (LSAT), pass
it, and submit the necessary application
materials, including several letters of recommendation and a personal summary, by
the deadline. This she did while taking
classes, working, and trying to have something of a social life.
Sandy says Shafer was by her side
through the entire experience. “She really
ended up being my encourager and sidekick.” As a first-generation student, Sandy
appreciated the support of someone who
knew the process but also understood her
own personal background.
As Tina Sandy’s story illustrates, both
faculty and staff can be instrumental in a
student’s success. Lansing says that as a
professor, he feels that he is called to educate the whole person. “I think that’s the
point of a small college, thinking of a
young person not just as a student but as
a person becoming who they are. You want
the very best for them.”
Discovering and meeting
challenges
Melissa Robertson ’10 is another first-generation student who benefited from the
support of faculty who saw her potential
and persuaded her to go outside of her
comfort zone. Their encouragement
helped her meet the challenges of college
and discover new opportunities.
Robertson’s first year of college presented the common challenges of balancing school work and social life. She
struggled, and her grades reflected that.
But in her second year she became more
serious about school as she focused on
the natural sciences and mathematics.
As she got to know her professors, they
saw promise in her and directed her to
study and research opportunities. “Dale
Fall 2010
27
28
Augsburg Now
school, work, and personal issues, Robertson says there were many times she
wanted to give up and put off graduate
school for a year. “But I told myself to
keep on with the help of mentors, friends,
family, and counseling support. I thought
if I didn’t get in to any programs or didn’t
like the places, at least I would have
tried.”
She applied to five programs, both master’s and doctoral in biostatistics and biology, and she was accepted to all five.
Currently Robertson is studying on a full
scholarship in the molecular biosciences
program at Montana State University in
Bozeman.
From first day to
graduation day
There is more to student success than
national scholarships and fellowships. For
some students, whether they are 18 or 38
years old, the greatest achievement is simply to have arrived at Augsburg. In fall
2010, Augsburg welcomed the largest
first-year class and the largest graduate
school class in the College’s history.
Within this student body is the potential for many stories of students who overcame the odds to get to college and to
obtain a degree. Augsburg has an impressive history of assisting students who
might not otherwise be successful in college—first-generation students including
children of immigrant families, students in
recovery from addiction, students with
cognitive disabilities as well as physical
disabilities, and nontraditional-aged students who are returning to college to complete a degree.
Rich Osborn is an older-than-average
student who found success through
Augsburg’s weekend program. At the age
of 69, Osborn completed his first bachelor’s degree and was one of the oldest
Augsburg for Adults students to graduate.
Read his story at http://bit.ly/djx2nN.
Not only is Augsburg attracting a larger
student body—the College is keeping students and helping them persist to graduation. Augsburg can boast an impressive
86% retention rate in the day college program from fall 2009 to fall 2010. That is
an increase of 3% from last year and significantly higher than the national average
of 73% for four-year private colleges and
universities.
All of this success is reason for Augsburg
to celebrate and to share the stories of student success. Whether it’s the announcement of another Fulbright recipient, a
National Science Foundation grant, or publication in a scholarly journal, these stories
serve as inspiration and motivation for other
Auggies to pursue their goals.
Melissa Robertson ’10 is completing a master's degree
in molecular biosciences at Montana State University.
Kelly Gorham/MSU
Pederson and Matt Haines suggested I
think about biostatistics, a field that
would combine biology and math. I knew I
would have to go to graduate school, but
at that point I hadn’t even thought about
it,” she says.
In the summer before her junior year,
Robertson participated in a short-term
study program to examine the biodiversity
and environmental politics of New
Zealand. She also conducted research
with biology professor David Crowe in the
URGO summer research program.
“I was new to that type of research, but
I was ready and willing to learn,” she says.
“David was a very good mentor, always
willing to help and always told me when I
was doing a great job.”
The URGO program presented a new
challenge for Robertson, who says she was
shy and had extreme anxiety about giving
presentations. “Giving reports about my
research in front of my fellow URGO people during roundtable discussions was
awful for me,” she says, “and I didn’t
even want to think about the final oral
presentation.”
But working with Crowe gave Robertson
the confidence in herself as a scientist and
a scholar. Shafer recalls the change she
saw in Robertson throughout the summer
and her enthusiasm about presenting her
research in a graduate school interview. “To
see her go from this quiet girl who could
barely talk with other students to graduate
school … what an accomplishment.”
Robertson continued her research with
Crowe during the academic year and also
began, with Shafer’s help, the process of
applying to graduate school. Between
AUGSBURG COLLEGE
ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS
2009-2010
Fall 2010
29
DEAR FRIENDS,
This past year has been an extraordinary one for Augsburg College. Despite continued challenges in the economy, through the generosity and good work of the entire Augsburg community, we closed the fiscal year with a
solid financial performance and entered the 2010-2011 academic year with a record number of students in
our day, weekend, and graduate programs.
While these achievements are significant, it is your ongoing and steadfast support for the education of our
students that is most gratifying. As a college, we believe we are called to serve our neighbor, and I am humbled by and grateful for the
Augsburg alumni, family, and friends who join with us in pursuing this calling.
Our new mission statement—adopted last spring following two years of rich conversation across the
Augsburg community—makes a bold statement of our aspirations for our students: We educate students to be
informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
Never in the history of this institution has the world had a greater need for future leaders with these abilities. And never before have your gifts been more important to ensuring that this education remains within
reach for our growing and increasingly diverse community of students.
As we continue to live out our mission and provide a uniquely Augsburg education—an education defined
by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by our Lutheran faith and values, and shaped
by our urban and global settings—I ask for your abiding engagement and support. Your gifts make possible an
educational experience like no other—one that challenges our students to recognize and live out their individual callings and, through those efforts, make a lasting difference in our world.
Sincerely,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW
PRESIDENT
30
Augsburg Now
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
2009-2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Where the Money Comes From
Where the Money Goes
5%
Government grants
6%
Other sources
4%
Debt service
2%
3%
Equipment
and capital
improvement
Student salary
4%
3%
Private gifts and grants
Utilities
12%
Room and board
44%
24%
Salary and benefits
Financial aid
73%
Tuition
20%
Other
$34.5
2010 Endowment Market Value
May 31, 2010
$28,641,248
$30.5
$28.6
$26.7
$26.6
As of May 31, 2010, we have annual realized
and unrealized gains of 14.65% on our endow$23.2
ment. Our five-year average annual return on
$20.0
the endowment is 1.20% and the 10-year
average annual return is 1.18%. We
$16.4
are committed to maintaining
$14.2
the value of principal gifts
and to provide support to the
$11.5
College in perpetuity.
1995
$33.7
1996
1997
1998
1999
$26.2
$25.4
$24.8
$22.7 $23.3
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Endowment Assets
(in millions)
June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2010
Fall 2010
31
SCHOLARSHIPS
Gratitude
On April 25, nearly 300 people, including donors, faculty, staff,
and scholarship students gathered to celebrate gifts from the
Augsburg community that make an Augsburg education possible
for many students. Donors enjoyed the opportunity to meet the
students who receive their scholarships.
During 2009-10, 716 gifts to scholarships totaled over
$529,000. Eight new scholarships were started last year:
• L. Gracia Christensen English Scholarship
• Inez Olson Schwarzkopf English Scholarship
• Hazel Stoeckeler Art Scholarship
• Judith (Olson) Nelson Health and Physical Education Scholarship
• Jorgensen Sethre general scholarship
• Dr. Lowell and Janice Kleven Scholarship for pre-medicine
• Leonard and Winifred Leifgren Scholarship for students of color
• Jerome and Winifred Formo Music Scholarship
Simple Gifts
Peter Miller graduated in May 2010 with a major in English and is
the son of an ELCA pastor. He is now studying at Luther Seminary.
Here are excerpts from his talk at the Scholarship Brunch on behalf of scholarship students.
It is truly a gift to honor student success, engaged scholarship,
and active citizenship knowing that each of these simple components is intertwined in my own story. This is a story about how simple gifts transform a community into a simple reality.
… When I was a child, I used to love to listen to my mom play
the dulcimer. She would play “Simple Gifts,” an old Shaker hymn
while my brother and I would run around in the yard.
’Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free; ’Tis a gift to come
down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in a
place just right, It will be in the valley of love and delight. When
true simplicity is gain’d, To bow and to bend we shall not be
asham’d, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning and
turning we come round right.
As I recall my mom singing this song and my brother and I turning and turning until we were dizzy, I have come to value the message in these simple words.
We celebrate the success of students because simple gifts are
freeing, liberating, and life changing. Getting into college is a big
deal and it changes you. As students are groomed in success, simple gifts allow us the freedom to engage fully in what we are learning and to develop into the leaders we ought to be, in a college
that is just and right. With an Auggie-assemblage of strong leaders,
32
Augsburg Now
we continue to
build a neighborhood and a city of
love and delight.
And we, too, have
an opportunity to
invest in true simplicity where all
people bow and
bend and never
are ashamed.
Simple gifts
spark the cycle toward a simple reality. I have seen the
spark of a simple
gift in the eyes of
first-year students
Peter Miller ’10 spoke on behalf of students at the
as they acknowlScholarship Brunch.
edge that Augsburg offers them more financial aid than any other school. And I
have seen this simple reality come to life when a former scraping,
struggling business major takes a few philosophy and religion
classes and gets all 4.0s. I have watched it in a group of interfaith
friends who never stand still long enough to watch the paint dry,
whether they are doing service projects at a mosque down the
street, a local church, or a nearby women’s center.
That spark, that simple gift that I saw as an orientation leader,
ignites a question—how do I become a part of this simple reality?
But that was the spark in my eye, too, in the trust that somehow
my family and the Augsburg community would help me afford a
meaningful education and turn my gifts and theirs into something
simple and beautiful. I had to turn from procrastination to participation in simple things like interfaith dialog, global carbon emission regulations, and ending poverty in Minnesota by 2020.
I didn't say it was easy. I said it was simple. It is painting with a
broad brush, or like we did at the mosque, with rollers and a taste
for new colors. This is a simple reality.
Ultimately, I believe the simplest gift is who we are and how
we spend our time—the time to sing a song in the springtime,
study hard, write a thank-you note, share a story, paint, or spare
some change.
I want to thank you all for your simple gifts and the countless
hours you have given to Augsburg, for bowing and bending to the
needs of this community and providing the spark for so many to be
a part of this story. Together, we are a simple reality.
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
Scholarships for religion, campus ministry, and youth and family ministry
The Augsburg community continues to keep the College’s roots as a seminary strong as
it provides scholarship support to its students. More than 11% of the value of Augsburg’s endowment supports scholarships for students in religion, campus ministry, and
youth and family ministry—a total of 36 scholarships (12% of the total number).
Kou Lee is majoring in music and plays flute in the
Augsburg Concert Band, the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra, and a woodwind chamber ensemble. His plans after
graduation in 2011 are to pursue a graduate degree in
music composition that will prepare him for a career as an
orchestral director in a university—and hopefully return
to Augsburg some day as a faculty member. He has a
Hognander Scholarship for 2010-11.
The scholarship brunch brought together nearly 300
donors and students to celebrate gifts from the Augsburg
Community.
A number of donors and recipients of these scholarships gathered at the Scholarship Brunch: (seated, L to R) Carl
Vaagenes ’50, Ruth Vaagenes, Dora (Frojen) Quanbeck ’49; (behind them, L to R) Jessica Fanaselle ’10, Sarah Korbel
’12, Emily Wiles ’10, Peter Miller ’10, Morris Vaagenes Jr. ’51, Professor Karl Jacobson, Professor Hans Wiersma,
Whitney Holman ’10, Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50, Harris Lee ’57, Ivory Phung ’13, and Maryon Lee.
The Sven Oftedal Society exemplifies the legacy of this early Augsburg president
whose leadership and commitment to the growth of Augsburg Seminary secured the
financial future of the College. By reaching out to those who shared Augsburg’s vision
of providing an education not only for its immigrant Norwegian preachers, but also for
everyday people—teachers, farmers, and neighbors in the city growing around
Augsburg—he ensured that Augsburg’s students would become responsible citizens
and leaders in whatever they chose to do.
Planned giving offers a variety of possibilities to provide significant financial benefit to the College while also providing continued income to its donors. Donors and their families can plan with their financial advisors and the College to determine what kind
of gift plan (cash gifts, securities, stocks, and others) can be designed to recognize the donor’s commitment to the College and
still serve their own financial needs. Planned gifts can be made outright or deferred into the future. For many alumni, families,
and friends who are grateful for the education and experience of Augsburg in their lives but have no heirs, planned giving can
help them ensure future students receive that same education.
Fall 2010
33
I ’ M A N A U G G I E — The Augsburg Fund
Your gifts to The Augsburg Fund help to ensure that Augsburg College can continue to support students and give them the opportunity to
make the world a better place. What makes you an Auggie? Why do you give? Make a gift and share your story at www.augsburg.edu/auggie.
Alex Gonzalez ’90
What makes me an Auggie?
I’m an Auggie because of athletics and being a member of the
football team. A lot of the close friendships I have are from
sports, and I love to bring my kids back and see the games. And I
met my wife here—you can’t get much more important than that!
Beyond that, faith is a big part of what makes me an Auggie.
What I’ve learned at Augsburg, I have carried forward with service to the world through my congregation and in the community.
Why do I give?
Augsburg has been such an important part of forming who I am,
and I want to give back. Serving as a regent is a small way of
helping to ensure that this institution continues to make an impact on other people’s lives.
I give because I think it’s important to support the unique
Augsburg experience. An Augsburg degree has a specific intention behind it—of service to the community. It’s a holistic foundation to approaching life in the world.
34
Augsburg Now
Maria Mitchell Helgerson ’07
and Erik Helgerson ’06
What makes us Auggies?
We were both drawn to Augsburg by the feeling of community
and the opportunity to know people and to be a part of something. We loved our four years here and the relationships we
built. We want to keep them going, and we’re so grateful to the
Young Alumni Association for helping us do that.
Why do we give?
We give to Augsburg because we know colleges can’t function
just on tuition, and we know that our gifts will be used to better
the community and to make a place that is important for others.
Augsburg meant a lot to us personally, and giving back helps
give opportunities to other students.
I’M AN AUGGIE!
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
LIFETIME GIVING
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College, living and deceased, who have generously given a minimum of $100,000,
including planned gifts, over a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for their examples of loyalty and commitment to the College.
Anonymous (5)
Helen and Ernest† Alne
Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81
Catherine and Charles Anderson
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson
Oscar† ’38 and Leola† Anderson
Leona Radman Antholz ’41†
Clarette† ’29 and Luther† ’29 Arnold
Earl and Doris Bakken
Loren and Mary Quanbeck ’77 Barber
Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg
Barbara and Zane Birky
Carl Blegen†
Roy ’50 and Ardis Bogen
Joyce and John† Boss
Donald Bottemiller and Shellie Reed
Rodney and Barbara Burwell
Bush Foundation
Carlson Companies
The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
Mary Brandt ’79 Croft and David Croft
Oliver Dahl ’45
Theodore and Pamala Deikel
Deluxe Corporation Foundation
Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson
Tracy Elftmann ’81
Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri
Raymond Erickson ’50†
Malcolm† and Maybelle† Estrem
Ever Cat Fuels, LLC
Philip and Laverne Fandrei
Jerome ’37† and Winifred Helland ’37† Formo
Jerry and Jean Foss
Julian Foss ’30†
William and Anne Frame
Paul† ’42 and Maxine† Fridlund
Barbara and Edwin Gage
General Mills Foundation
Michael ’71 and Ann Good
Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Lynne and Phillip ’55† Gronseth
Carolyn and Franklin Groves
Norman and Evangeline Hagfors
James and Kathleen Haglund
Dale ’60 and Carolyn Hanka
Hearst Foundation
Loren Henderson
Donald Hennings
Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr
Orville ’36† and Gertrude Lund ’36† Hognander
Donald ’39 and Phyllis Holm
Allen and Jean Housh
Garfield Hoversten ’50
Lester Hoversten†
Robert Hoversten
Huss Foundation
Glenda† and Richard Huston
Sandra and Richard Jacobson
James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs
Kinney Johnson ’65
Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson
Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy
Bruce and Maren Kleven
David and Barbara Kleven
E. Milton Kleven ’46 and Dorothy Lisjing ’47† Kleven
Dean and Susan Kopperud
Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
Roy† and Eleanor† Krohn
Harriett Kurek†
Paul ’86 and Rhonda Spitzer ’85 Kwiecien
David Lankinen ’88
Diane and Philip Larson
George ’61 and Mary Larson
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee
James Lindell Sr. ’46
Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland
Jennifer and Richard Martin
Marie and Larry McNeff
Gerard and Anne Meistrell
Hoyt ’39† and Lucille Messerer
Robert ’70 and Sue Midness
Gay Johnson ’66 Minear and Spencer Minear ’66
Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
William and Stephanie Naegele
Barbara Tjornhom ’54 Nelson and Richard Nelson
George ’68 and Tamra Nelson
Ida Nelson†
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
Clifford and Martha Nylander†
Robert Odegard ’51†
R. Luther Olson ’56
Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren
John and Norma Paulson
Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson
George† and Elizabeth† Pennock
Glen Person ’47
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff
Addison and Cynthia Piper
David Piper
Harry and Mary Piper
Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
Alan Rice
Curtis and Marian Sampson
Ward C.Schendel ’74 and Catherine L. B. Schendel
Ruth Schmidt ’52†
James and Eva Seed
Rodney Sill ’82
John and Martha Singleton
Glen and Anna Skovholt
David Soli ’81
Paul† and Lorene† Steen
Genevieve Stelberg†
Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen and
Clair Strommen ’46†
Conrad Sunde ’15†
Leland and Louise Sundet
Dean ’81 and Amy Sundquist
Helen Sverdrup†
Johan Sverdrup†
Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall
Glen A. Taylor Foundation
P. Dawn Heil ’78 Taylor and Jack Taylor†
Teagle Foundation
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
Andrew Urness†
Robert Wagner ’02
Scott Weber ’79
Robert Wick ’81
Elsie Wildung†
Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL and Glenn Fuller
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
† Deceased
Fall 2010
35
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2009 TO MAY 31, 2010
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously made leadership gifts to the College of at least $1,000.
Founders Society ($100,000 and above)
President’s Council ($5,000 - $9,999)
Anonymous (1)
Donald ’53 and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren
Dean ’81 and Amy Sundquist
Anonymous (1)
Steven and Stephanie Anderson
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden
Stephen ’74 and Janet Blake
Bruce Brekke
Karim El-Hibri ’08 and Carley Meinert
Richard and Dail Hartnack
Grace Forss ’57 Herr and Douglas Herr
O. C. Hognander, Jr.
Michael and Barbara Hubbard
Eric Jolly
Craig Jones
Cynthia Landowski ’81 Jones and Rick Jones
Lyle ’68 and Susanne Starn ’68 Malotky
Gay Johnson ’66 Minear and Spencer Minear ’66
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
Jeffrey ’77 and Becky Bjella ’79 Nodland
Lisa Novotny ’80 and Mark Flaten
Donald Olsen ’60
Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52
Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach
Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82
Philip Jr. and Margaret Rowberg
Marilee Alne ’65 Schroeder and William Schroeder
Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf
Kurt Schwarzkopf
Charles and Ritchie Scribner
Gloria Steinem
Gary ’80 and Deanna Tangwall
Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle
Regents’ Fellows ($50,000 - $99,999)
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
Alvin John and Ruth Huss
Regents’ Society ($25,000 - $49,999)
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Sandra and Richard Jacobson
Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven
Estate of Gertrude Larson ’35†
Jennifer and Richard Martin
Estate of Myrtle E. Pedersen
Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre
Estate of Olive Ronholm ’47†
Hazel Stoeckeler
President’s Executive Cabinet
($10,000 - $24,999)
Anonymous (2)
Andra Adolfson
Richard ’72 and Tamara Ekstrand
Tracy L. Elftmann ’81
Matthew Entenza and Lois Quam
Philip and Jean Formo
Michael ’71 and Ann Good
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Norman and Evangeline Hagfors
James and Kathleen Haglund
Jodi and Stanley Harpstead
Hunt and Diane Harris
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Douglas ’66 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson
Esther Johnson ’50†
James Johnson and Maxine Isaacs
Wayne ’71 and Carol Pederson ’72 Jorgenson
Dean ’75 and Terry Kennedy
E. Milton Kleven ’46
Clayton ’91 and Denise Sideen ’94 McNeff
Marie and Larry McNeff
Allan Nelson
Norma Noonan
Glen Person ’47
Paul Pribbenow and Abigail Crampton Pribbenow
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
Eunice Kyllo ’62 Roberts and Warren Roberts
Philip Rowberg ’41
Judith and William Scheide
Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen
Jean Taylor ’85 and Roger Griffith ’84
Dick ’61 and Jane Thompson
Frances Torstenson
Robert Wick ’81
John ’74 and Marvel Yager
36
Augsburg Now
President’s Society ($2,500 - $4,999)
Anonymous (2)
Deloris Anderson ’56
Elizabeth ’82 and Warren Bartz
Robert and Mary Crosby
Oliver Dahl ’45
Mark and Margie Eustis
Anthony ’85 and Traci Genia
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Lisa Svac Hawks ’85
Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt
Allen and Jean Housh
John ’47 and Irene Jensen
Carol Jones
Cynthia Ellman ’80 Kneisl and Gregory Kneisl
Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird
Thomas and Kathy Langdon
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee
Andre Lewis ’73 and Kathleen McCartin
Donald ’66 and Margaret Mattison
Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod and
Christopher ’00 McLeod
Dennis ’78 and Bev Ranum ’78 Meyer
Deidre Durand ’88 and Bruce Middleton
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan
Beverly Omdahl ’55 Nelson
Roselyn Nordaune ’77
R. Luther Olson ’56
Mary and William O’Meara
Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Sandra Phaup ’64
Curtis and Marian Sampson
John Schwartz ’67
Douglas Scott and Grace Schroeder Scott
Stephen and Kay Sheppard
Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector
Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund
Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe
Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner
Betty and Paul Tveite
Jeremy and Tracy Wells
David and Susan White
Wheelock Whitney and Kathleen Blatz
President’s Associates ($1,000 - $2,499)
Anonymous (3)
Ruth Aaskov ’53
Robert and Kristine Ackerman
Kate Addo
Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg
Craig Alexander and Roberta Kagin
James ’58 and Beverly Almquist
Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist
Charles and Catherine Anderson
Leif Anderson
Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson
Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson
Sheila ’05 and Lee Anderson
I. Shelby Gimse ’56 Andress
Frank ’50 and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario
Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold
Ann and Kenneth Ashton-Piper
Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker
Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel
John Berg ’59
Norman ’59 and Delores Berg
Daryl N. Bible
David and Nancy Bieging
Birgit Birkeland ’58
Kathryn and Jim Bishop
Buffie Blesi ’90 and John Burns
David ’68 and Lynn Boe
Thomas ’78 and Julie Bramwell
Alan Braun
Marilyn Saure ’61 Breckenridge and
Tom Breckenridge
Michael Brock
Richard Brustad
Aimee Brynildson ’69 Trechok-Peters and
Wayne Peters
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
Adam Buhr ’98 and Laura Pejsa ’98
Robert and Brenda Bukowski
Carolyn Burfield ’60
Marion Buska ’46
Christine Coury ’91 Campbell and Craig Campbell
Timothy Campbell
Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson
Carrie and Peter Carroll
Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson
John and Peggy Cerrito
Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom
Judith Christensen
C. Lee Clarke
Margaret Clyde
Joseph Cook ’89
Pamela Herzan ’81 Crowell and Dring Crowell
George ’72 and Janet Dahlman
Sally Hough ’79 Daniels
Sigrid Kvenberg ’48 Daniels
Christopher and Britt Dougall
Linda Lundeen ’74 Dunn and Douglas Dunn
Karen ’81 and Charles Durant
Beverly Durkee
Julie Edstrom ’90
Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson
Judy Thompson ’65 Eiler
Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim
Avis Ellingrod
Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
Mark and Lynette Engebretson
Susan Engeleier
Dennis ’64 and Mary Lou Ervin ’64 Erickson
Stephen ’68 and Marilyn McKnight ’67 Erickson
Duane Esterly ’75
L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem
Allison Everett ’78 and Kenneth Svendsen ’78
Jennifer and Dean Eyler
Barbara Farley
Carol Fier
Duncan Flann ’55
Bill and Carmel Fogerty
Dawn Formo
William and Anne Frame
Andrew Fried ’93
Leola Dyrud ’61 Furman
Barbara and Frederick Gaiser
Timothy and Kristin Gamrath
Susan Gangsei ’76 and Gerald Glaser
Ann Garvey
Glen ’52 and Irvyn Gilbertson
Orval and Cleta Gingerich
John and Carolyn Goddard
John and Donde Goldfine
Ellen and Merrill Golliet
Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez
Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Roger ’61 and Barbara Milne ’60 Gordon
Thomas Gormley and Mary Lesch-Gormley
Paul and Judy Grauer
Charles and Barbara Green
Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
William ’51 and Marolyn Sortland ’51 Halverson
Clarence Hansen ’53†
Robert ’83 and Lynne Harris
Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr
David ’67 and Karen Jacobson ’67 Haugen
Gloria Hawkinson
Mark Hebert ’74
Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland
Raymond Henjum ’55
Bruce Holcomb ’90 and Caroline Vernon
Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen
Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes
Paul Holmquist ’79
Elizabeth Horton
Phoebe Hough
Jessica Houlding
Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten
Clarence Hoversten ’41
Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten
Philip ’71 and Patricia Hoversten
Jerelyn Hovland-Cobb ’63 and Clyde Cobb
Tom ’72 and Karen Howe
Katherine Hoyland Barnett
Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh
Barbara and Michael Hubbard
Glenda† and Richard Huston
Brandon Hutchinson ’99
Deborah Hutterer ’99 and Gary Erickson
Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup
Rebecca John
Bruce Johnson ’68
Carol Oversvee Johnson ’61
Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II
Mark Johnson ’75
Merton ’59 and Jo An Bjornson ’58 Johnson
William and Patricia Kelly
Michael Kivley ’89
Linda Klas ’92
Michael Klutho and Jill Manske
Elsie Ronholm ’49 Koivula
Carmela Brown ’84 Kranz and David Kranz
Robert Kyle
Kathryn Lange ’72 and Dennis Sonifer
George ’61 and Mary Larson
Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells
Martin Larson ’80
Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson
Patrick ’88 and Beth Lilja
Brent Lofgren ’88
Dana Lonn
Wenona Strandlie ’55 Lund and Norman Lund
Thomas ’68 and Carol Batalden ’68 Luukkonen
Marissa Hutterer ’99 Machado
Mark Mahowold
Kay Malchow ’82 and Stephen Cook
Arne ’49 and Jean Swanson ’52 Markland
Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue
Donna McLean
Jan and William Mershon
Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers
Joyce Schroepfer ’02 Miller
Eileen and Grant Mitchell
Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen
Pamela Hanson ’79 Moksnes and Mark Moksnes ’79
Thelma Monson ’41
Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery
Sharon Mortrud
Van and Mildred Mueller
Mildred Nelson ’52
Wedel Nilsen ’45
Robert Nordin ’64
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53† Nyhus
Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted
Bruce L. Olson ’71
Lisa Bradshaw ’79 Olson and Joseph Black
Wanda Warnes ’56 Olson and Ted Olson
L. Beth Buesing ’45 Opgrand
Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg
Beverly Ottum
Patricia Parker
John and Norma Paulson
Barbara Petersen
Corwin and Doris Peterson
Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson
Karin Peterson
Ron ’69 and Jane Petrich
Carol Pfleiderer
Jake and Katrina Phillips
Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck and Philip ’50 Quanbeck
Helen Haukeness ’49 Ranck and James Ranck
Laura and Martin Roller
Frances Roller Rockey
Kevin ’91 and Amy Ronneberg
John ’77 and Gail Ronning
Gerald ’48 and Judith Ryan
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo
Milo and Cynthia Schield
Ruth Schmidt ’52†
Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott
Milan ’48 and Marian Sedio
Harold and Phyllis Seim
Richard ’70 and Linda Seime
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Michael and Pamela Sime
David Soli ’81
John ’62 and Ruth Sather ’63 Sorenson
Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland
Royal C. Steen
David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson
Todd ’89 and Amy Steenson
Donald† and Annelies Steinmetz
Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel
Sonya Steven
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
Leland and Louise Sundet
Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92
Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson
Jo Anne Sylvester ’68 and Larry Dieckman
Christine Szaj
Harold and Maureen Thompson
Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
† Deceased
Fall 2010
37
Dolores Thornes
David and Martha Tiede
Beth Torstenson ’66
Carol Trotter
Robert ’63 and Marie Tufford
Peter Turner
Catherine and Albert Van Der Schans
Julie Lien Vanderboom ’82 and Steve Vanderboom
Mary Loken ’70 Veiseth and Dennis Veiseth
Peter and Linda Vogt
Joan Volz ’68
Robert Wagner ’02
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl
Ronald Wahlberg ’70
Douglas and Janet Watsabaugh
Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
John ’49† and Arnhild Werket
Diane Pike and Stephen Willett
Patrick Wiltgen
William Wittenbreer
David and Catherine Wold
Joyce Leifgren ’64 Young
Lowell ’60 and Margery Ziemann
ORGANIZATIONS
GIFTS RECEIVED JUNE 1, 2009 TO MAY 31, 2010
The following list recognizes organizations that provided generous gifts to Augsburg College of $1,000 or more in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
3M Foundation
Accenture Foundation
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation
Ameriprise Financial
Amgen Foundation
A’viands
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Bonner Foundation
Bush Foundation
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation
CollegeNet
Data Recognition Corporation
Dow Corning Corporation
Drusilla Farwell Foundation
Ecolab Foundation
Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Fund
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Ever Cat Fuels, LLC
Faegre & Benson
Fairview Hospital Alumni Association
H.B. Fuller Company
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
General Mills Foundation
GMAC-RFC
Gray Plant Mooty & Bennett
Gray Wolf Ranch, Inc.
Hearst Foundation
Highland Prairie Speech and Debate Booster Club
HJ, Inc.
Hognander Family Foundation
Huss Foundation
Nilan Johnson Lewis
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Kentron Foundation
Kettering Foundation
James G. Lindell Fund of the St. Paul Foundation
Mary T. Inc
McGough Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Merck Partnership For Giving
Minnesota Private College Foundation
Minnesota Debate Teachers Association
Minnesota Department of Revenue
Ms. Foundation for Women, Inc.
My Sports Dreams, LLC
Network for Good
The New York Academy of Medicine
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust
Northwest Area Foundation
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
Play-More Travel, Inc.
PLH Foundation
Presser Foundation
Running All Over Addiction
Schwab Charitable Fund
Sheltering Arms Foundation
St. Paul Public Schools
Surdna Foundation, Inc.
Target Foundation
Target Community Relations
TCF Foundation
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Foundation
Twin Cities Orthopedics Foundation
US Bancorp Foundation
Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation
Janet Watson Donor Advised Fund of the Women’s
Foundation of Minnesota
Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gift Program
Wells Fargo Foundation Community Support
Wells Fargo Bank
Winds Of Peace Foundation
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
Zapevent, LLC
S V E N O F T E D A L S O C I E T Y , Supporting Augsburg’s mission into the future
The following list recognizes new members who have documented planned gifts to Augsburg College during the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Anonymous (3)
Mr. Joseph Black and Dr. Lisa Olson
Oliver Dahl ’45
Roger L. Fisher
Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez
Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Donald J. and Sonja S. Hagestuen
Rodney (Rock) A. and Jane M. Helgeson
Allen and Jean Housh
38
Augsburg Now
Lorna L. Hoversten
Esther Johnson ’50†
Gertrude Amundson ’35 Larson†
Karla Krogsrud Miley
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Myrtle Pedersen
Joyce Anderson ’65 Pfaff and Douglas Pfaff
Eileen Quanbeck ’46
Paul Rensted ’87
Olive Ronholm ’47
David G. Soli
Hazel Thorson Stoick Stoeckeler
Robert E. and Margaret H. Twiton
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl
Bill Wittenbreer
Lisa Zeller ’81,’89 MAL and Glenn Fuller
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
CONSECUTIVE GIVING
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years.
Consecutive Giving, 30 years or more:
Ruth Aaskov ’53
Harold ’47† and Lois Black ’47 Ahlbom
Kenneth ’61 and Marilyn Ellingson ’62 Akerman
Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation
Raymond and Margaret Anderson
Kristin Anderson
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Catherine and Charles Anderson
I. Shelby Gimse ’56 Andress
Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker
Andrew ’50 and Barbara Kolden ’50 Balerud
Paul ’63 and LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden
John Benson ’55
Vera Thorson ’45 Benzel
Doris Frojen ’51 Bretheim
Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson
James ’49 and Barbara Ekse ’48 Carlson
Linda Carlstedt ’63
Joyce Catlin ’73 Casey and Paul Casey
David ’72 and Michelle Karkhoff ’72 Christianson
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
Leonard ’52 and Anabelle Hanson ’51 Dalberg
Darrell ’55 and Helga Egertson
James Ericksen ’69
Ruth Ann Gjerde ’67 Fitzke
Alan ’67 and Marilyn Albaugh ’67 Gierke
Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Marlys Ringdahl ’53 Gunderson and
Charles Gunderson
Arlin Gyberg
Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
Cynthia Hanson ’66
Betty Johnson ’58 Haas and Charles Hass
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Howard ’51 and Nouaneta Hjelm
Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt
Gloria Johnson ’51
Marcellus ’54 and Thelma Johnson
Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander
Jerome Kleven ’58
Elsie Ronholm ’49 Koivula
William ’52 and Edith Kuross
George ’61 and Mary Larson
Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells
Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey
Marie and Larry McNeff
Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson
Spencer ’66 and Gay Johnson ’66 Minear
Mildred Nelson ’52
Roselyn Nordaune ’77
Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson
Laverne Moe ’48 Olson and Paul Olson
Roger ’56 and Janet Ose
Glen Person ’47
Robert ’68 and Alice Draheim ’68 Peters
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz
Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck
James ’61 and BettyAnn Redeske
Arthur ’53 and Charlotte Kleven ’52 Rimmereid
James ’68 and Linda Gilbertson ’71 Romslo
Olive Ronholm ’47†
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo
Ruth Schmidt ’52†
Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf
James ’54 and Ethel Nordstrom ’55 Shiell
Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar
Evelyn Amundson ’43 Sonnack
Donald† and Annelies Steinmetz
Myles† and Eunice Stenshoel
Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen
Gladys Boxrud ’46 Strommen
Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud
Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson
Allan Tonn ’75
Sheldon ’49 and Margery Manger ’47 Torgerson
Frances Torstenson
Beth Torstenson ’66
Rebecca Helgesen ’67 Von Fischer and Thomas
Von Fischer
25-29 years consecutive
Frank ’50 and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario
Jack ’49 and LeVerne Berry
Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson
Leland ’53 and Eunice Fairbanks
Marilyn Pearson ’76 Florian and Kenneth Florian
Paul and Judy Grauer
Paul ’62 and Susan Grover
Sylvia Kleven Hanson ’50
Marjorie Wilberg Hauge ’50
James ’61 and Caroline Holden
Rachel Hendrickson ’71 Julian and Bruce Julian
Sharon Dittbenner ’65 Klabunde and
Richard Klabunde
Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven
Joan Johnson ’53 Kuder and Calvin Kuder
Martin Larson ’80
Harris ’57 and Maryon Lee
Irene Ppedahl ’45 Lovaas
Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan
Gloria Burntvedt ’43 Nelson
Paige Nelson ’74
W. Donald Olsen ’34† and Glenda Olson
Bettye and Howard Olson
Patricia Strecker ’64 Pederson and Dean Pederson
Janet Griffith ’83 Sandford and David Sandford
Joyce Opseth ’45 Schwartz
Luther ’39 and Helen Strommen
George ’46 and Jean Christenson ’49 Sverdrup
Jacqueline ’80 and John Teisberg
Margaret Sateren ’37 Trautwein
Thomas ’63 and Gloria Joyce Wadsworth
Gunnar† and Mary Wick
David and Catherine Wold
20-24 years consecutive
Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Julie Teigland ’69 Anderson and Gary Anderson
Charles ’63 and Lois Luthard ’65 Anderson
Ray Anderson ’49
Brian Anderson ’82 and Leeann Rock ’81
Hamar ’34 and Wanda Severson ’40 Benson
Theodore ’51† and Carolyn Berkland
Birgit Birkeland ’58
Mary Twiton ’59 Bosben and Robert Bosben
John and Carolyn Cain
Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson
Addell Halverson ’43 Dahlen
Scott Daniels ’82 and Marcia Pape-Daniels
LeVon Paulson Dinter ’52
Fred ’60 and Janet Engelmann
Reynold Erickson ’41†
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans
Edward Evenson ’41
Rachel Rohde ’76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist
Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez
Sonia Overmoen ’62 Gullicks and Milton Gullicks
Kenneth ’58 and Aldemar Johnson ’57 Hagen
Arvin ’55 and Twila Halvorson
Herbert ’51 and M. Joyce Tallman ’52 Hanson
Carolyn Hawkins
Rodney ’62 and Jane Helgeson
Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill
Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander
Norman and Ilene Holen
Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten
Florence Retrum ’40 Hovland
Wayne Johnson ’58
Ruth Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II
Duane and Ruth Johnson
Marvin ’49 and Dorothy Quanbeck ’48 Johnson
E. Milton Kleven ’46
Daniel ’70 and Ingrid Kloster ’69 Koch
James Kottom ’52
Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird
Lois Knutson ’62 Larsen and Paul Larsen
Robert ’56 and Mary Erickson ’58 Lockwood
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
† Deceased
Fall 2010
39
Brent Lofgren ’88
Susan Lageson ’77 Lundholm and Mark Lundholm
Lynn ’50 and Miriam Hoplin ’50 Lundin
John ’65 and Gracia Nydahl ’66 Luoma
Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main
Kristin Settergren ’86 McGinness and
Steve McGinness
Donna McLean
Victor ’42 and Rhoda Miller
LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth
Bonnie Johnson ’67 Nelson and Bryce Nelson
Shirley Christensen ’75 Nickel and Daniel Nickel
Margaret Nelson Foss ’48 Nokleberg
Edwin and Edith Norberg Charitable Trust
Robert Nordin ’64
Jonathan Nye
Leroy ’52 and Betty Munson ’53† Nyhus
Maren Lecy ’83 Ogdie and Al Ogdie
Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom
Ruth Pousi ’54 Ollila
Mary Olson
John ’62 and Nina Osberg
James ’64 and Rose Parks
Daniel ’51 and Lois Pearson
Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson
Donald Peterson ’49
David Proctor ’63
Eileen Quanbeck ’46
Norman ’59 and Ardelle Skovholt ’54 Quanbeck
Bruce and Sharon Reichenbach
Stephen ’76 and Karen Reinarz
Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82
Judith Sandeen ’72
Gary ’68 and Janice Bell ’70 Schmidt
Kari Beckman ’81 Sorenson and Neil Sorensen
La Vone Studlien ’58
Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and
James Swanson
Ruth Weltzin ’45 Swanson and Edwin Swanson
Dorothy Swanson ’51 Swanson
Janis Thoreson ’78
Robert Wick ’81
Pamela Zagaria
15-19 years consecutive
Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson
James ’88 and Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold
John ’79 and Rebecca Lundeen ’79 Aune
Ronald and Anna Marie Austin
Dorothy Bailey
The Batalden Advised Fund
Christine Wacker ’87 Bjork and Steven Bjork
Morris ’63 and Mavis Bjurlin
David ’68 and Lynn Boe
Daniel and Irene Brink
Michael Burden ’85
David Christensen ’52
Joseph ’53 and Connie Cleary
Judith Norman ’66 Coppersmith and
Norman Coppersmith
Ann Erkkila ’86 Dudero
Avis Ellingrod
40
Augsburg Now
Valborg Kyllo ’54 Ellingson and Phillip Ellingson
Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld
Dann Forsberg ’80
Joann Koelln ’72 Frankena
Gary and Barbara Glasscock
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Lloyd Grinde ’56
Richard ’72 and Carol Habstritt
Suzanne Overholt ’67 Hampe and John Hampe
Jacquelyn Bagley ’51 Hanson and Kenneth Hanson
Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr
Burton Haugen ’72
Robert ’55 and Karin Herman
Kenneth ’74 and Linda Bailey ’74 Holmen
Edith Hovey
Glenda† and Richard Huston
Rosemary Jacobson ’69
Janet Batalden ’61 Johnson and Dennis Johnson ’61
Morris ’52 and Marjorie Danielson ’52 Johnson
Luther ’68 and Joanne Kendrick
Carrie Kosek ’85 Knott and Gerald Knott
Millard ’52 and Dorothy Knudson
Duane and Mary Alyce Krohnke
Annette and Henry Lucksinger, Jr.
Bill and Anne McSweeney
Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers
Alan Montgomery and Janet Karvonen-Montgomery
Mark ’88 and Tamala Morken
Karl Nestvold ’54
Norma Noonan
Betsey and Alan Norgard
R. Luther Olson ’56
Gary ’65 and Jean Pfeifer ’64 Olson
John and Norma Paulson
Rebecca ’88 Pfabe and Maurice Higgins
Jay Phinney ’79
Leanne Phinney ’71 and Mark Schultz
Elizabeth Pushing ’93
Quentin ’50 and E. Lucille Quanbeck
Barbara Hanson ’68 Raymond and David Raymond
Joyce Romano and Walker Brents
David ’53 and Janice Anderson ’54 Rykken
Audrey Nagel ’51 Sander
Ronnie ’62 and Karen Scott
Nora Anderson ’83 Sillerud and Jon Sillerud
Glen and Anna Skovholt
Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland
Paulette Nelson ’67 Speed
David ’63 and Karen Henry ’64 Steenson
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson
Diana Talcott
Karla Morken ’81 Thompson and Thomas Thompson
Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe
Mark ’79 and Janelle Tonsager
Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner
Michael ’64 and Carla Quanbeck ’64 Walgren
Jeanne Kyllo ’69 Wendschuh and Ronald Wendschuh
Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann
Janet Cooke ’59 Zitzewitz and Donald Zitzewitz
Robyn Arnold ’80 Zollner†
10-15 years consecutive
Anonymous (2)
Ordelle Aaker ’46
Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist
Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson
Leif Anderson
Dean ’74 and Janet Nelson ’76 Anderson
Scott Anderson ’96
Margaret Anderson
William ’86 and Kelly Anderson
LeRoy ’52 and Carole Anenson
Charles ’63 and Mary Jo Arndt
Mary Arneson and Dale Hammerschmidt
Susan Hanson ’82 Asmus and Kevin Asmus
Lawrence ’52 and Jayne Balzer
Dennis ’58 and Doris Barnaal
Arlin Becker ’88
Catherine Berglund ’73 Becker and Charles Becker
Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg
Gertrude Ness ’51 Berg
Andrew ’64 and Jean Amland ’65 Berg
Carolyn Berkland
Warren ’69 and Carolyn Bey
Anthony and Kathy Bibus
Gary ’65 and Jean Blosberg
Dennes ’57 and Florence Helland ’54 Borman
Richard and Nancy Borstad
Willard Botko
Bruce ’64 and Nancy Braaten
Roxanne Raunschnot ’82 Buchanan and Jim
Buchanan
Carolyn Burfield ’60
Einar Cannelin ’38
William Capman
Gregory Carlson ’74
John and Peggy Cerrito
Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom
Judith Christensen
Orla Christensen ’56 and Joan Englund
Jeff Christenson ’82
Janet Niederloh ’58 Christeson and John Christeson
Wayne ’63 and Bernadine Christiansen
C. Lee Clarke
Connie Arndt ’96 Clausen and Andrew Clausen
Cheryl Solomonson ’89 Crockett and Larry Crockett
Laura Bower ’91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe
Oliver Dahl ’45
Sally Hough ’79 Daniels
Lois Mackey Davis ’58
Suzanne Doree
Hans ’56 and Donna Dumpys
Julie Edstrom ’90
Doran Edwards
Judy Thompson ’65 Eiler
Curtis ’84 and Jody Eischens
David ’79 and Amy Eitrheim
Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim
Kari Elsila and Michael Buescher
Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
Mark and Lynette Engebretson
Ellen Stenberg Erickson ’51
ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10
Lois Hofstad ’58 Esselstrom and Michael Esselstrom
Duane Esterly ’75
L. Craig ’79 and Theresa Serbus ’79 Estrem
John ’68 and Martha Fahlberg
Karen Faulkner
Marvin ’74 and Lana Felderman
William and Anne Frame
Terry ’67 and Pauline Frovik
Ann Garvey
Barbara Gilbert ’81
John ’66 and Mary Jo Greenfield
Cindy Greenwood ’05
Roger Griffith ’84 and Jean Taylor ’85
Steven ’81 and Kathy Grinde
Julia Ose ’62 Grose and Christopher Grose
Katharine Kuchera ’84 Gruber and Craig Gruber
John and Laurie Grygelko
Jean Venske ’87 Guenther and Stephen Guenther
Lucille and Roger Hackbart
Shirley Hansen
Wayne ’68 and Lois Batalden ’69 Hansen
John ’69 Harden and Barbara Hoganson
Robert ’83 and Lynne Harris
Lisa Svac ’85 Hawks
Philip ’42 and Ruth Helland
Gerald ’59 and Maxine Hendricks
Dawn Hendricks ’80
Irene Shelstad ’52 Henjum
Rand ’82 and Kay Kennedy ’82 Henjum
Peter ’92 and Becky Hespen
Kristen Hirsch ’91 Montag and Paul Montag
Sylvia Hjelmeland
John ’70 and Lynn Benson ’69 Hjelmeland
John ’81 and Karen Hofflander
Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes
Donald ’60 and Ruth Thorsgard ’59 Homme
James ’59 and Joanne Horn
Elizabeth Horton
Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth
Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten
Tom ’72 and Karen Howe
Rhoda Monseth ’59 Huglen and Erling Huglen
Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup
Bruce and Jean Inglis
Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes
Doris Wilkins ’63 Johnson and Charles Johnson
Bruce Johnson ’68
Douglas ’66 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson
Glen and Marlys Johnson
Margaret Johnson
Carolyn Johnson ’63
Martha Johnson
Karen Johnson
Theodore ’68 and Michelle Johnson
Joan ’94 and Mark Johnson
Karen Johnson ’66
Suzanne Kelley ’69
Benjamin and Christine Kent
James Kerr
Richard ’69 and Cheryl Nelson ’70 King
Linda King ’78
Carmela Brown ’84 Kranz and David Kranz
Joan Kunz
Rob ’80 and Lori LaFleur
George ’50 and Vivian Lanes
Andrea Langeland
Marvin and Ruth Ringstad ’53 Larson
Julie Gudmestad ’65 Laudicina and
Joseph Laudicina
John ’52 and Mary Peterson ’54 Leak
Roger ’50 and Donna Wang ’52 Leak
Jacqueline Kniefel ’69 Lind
James ’67 and Laurie Lindell
Rosemary and Andrew Link
Arlene and Gene Lopas
Olivia Gordon ’62 Lorents and Alden Lorents
Jack ’53 and Darlene Lundberg
Randall ’76 and Susan Lundell
Marissa Hutterer ’99 Machado
Marie Hafie ’65 MacNally and Thomas MacNally
Gregory ’61 and Kay Hanenburg ’62 Madson
Raymond Makeever
Patrick ’72 and Nancy Marcy
Carlos Mariani Rosa
Julie Magnuson ’61 Marineau and Richard
Marineau
Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue
Robert ’71 and Cheryl Lindroos ’72 Martin
John ’59 and De Anne Martinsen
Jon ’58 and Judith Matala
Phillip ’62 and Karen Tangen ’63 Mattison
Lillian and Vernon Maunu
Dana Holmes ’81 McIntyre and Vernon McIntyre ’79
Tara Cesaretti ’97 McLeod and
Christopher ’00 McLeod
Meca Sportswear, Inc.
Robert ’59 and Mary Lundquist ’60 Meffert
Joan and Richard Meierotto
David ’68 and Elaine Melby
Robert Nelson ’44 and Helen Johnson-Nelson
Ronald ’59 and Elizabeth Miskowiec
Jonathan ’78 and Bonnie Lamon ’78 Moren
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
Scott ’81 and Debra Musselman
Michael Navarre
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
Edor ’38 and Dorathy Nelson
Larry ’65 and Marilyn Nelson
E. Irene Lasseson ’38 Neseth†
Erika Staub ’51 Niemi and Wayne Niemi
Robert ’73 and Linda Nilsen
James ’57 and Shirley Norman
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Edward ’54 and Winifred Nystuen ’54 Nyhus
Richard ’69 and Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted
Dean Olson ’00
Howard and Bettye Olson
Vicki and Daniel Olson
Cedric ’61 and Marlys Olson
Donald ’53 Oren and Beverly Halling ’55 Oren
Russell ’63 and Ruth Osterberg
Steven O’Tool ’74
Ervin ’56 and Sylvia Moe ’59 Overlund
Patricia Solum ’02 Park
Patricia Parker
Robert ’50 and Ruth Paulson
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Howard ’53 and Vicki Skor ’59 Pearson
Dwight ’60 and Marion Pederson
Dale ’70 and Patti Pederson
Cynthia Peterson
Linda Christensen ’68 Phillips and Gerald Phillips
James Plumedahl ’57
Jill Pohtilla
Drew ’89 and Molly Privette
Jerry ’83 and Susan Warnes ’88 Quam
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
Nicolyn Rajala ’70 and Bill Vossler
Paul Rensted ’87
James ’75 and Jude Ring
David ’59 and Arline Ringstad
James ’63 and Patricia Steenson ’65 Roback
Donavon ’52 and Ardis Roberts
Thomas ’86 and Susan Rogers-Miller
Frances Roller Rockey
Stella Kyllo Rosenquist ’64
Philip Rowberg ’41
Thomas Ruffaner ’98
Mary Mether ’69 Sabatke and Bruce Sabatke
Richard Sandeen ’69
Donohue ’56 and Marilyn Sarff
Pauline Sateren
Carol Watson ’68 Saunders
Michael Schock and Leslie Baken
Larry ’65 and Muriel Berg ’67 Scholla
Arvid ’63 and Lillian Schroeder
Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz
Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott
Richard ’70 and Linda Seime
Earl ’68 and Lisbeth Jorgensen ’70 Sethre
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Charles Sheaffer
John ’50 and Norma Shelstad
Eugene and Margaret Skibbe
Alan ’72 and Nancy Becker ’72 Soli
Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector
Heidi Wisner ’93 Staloch and Mark Staloch
Ronald ’58 and Naomi Stave
Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo
Bonnie Martinson ’59 Storley
Steven ’65 and Chynne Strommen
Philip ’79 and Julia Davis ’79 Styrlund
John ’69 and Stephanie Johnson ’71 Sulzbach
Kenneth Svendsen ’78 and Allison Everett ’78
Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92
Kenneth and Jane Syverson
Paul ’87 and Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio
Barbara and Eugene Thompson
Dick ’61 and Jane Thompson
Sue Thompson ’85
Every effort has been made to ensure that all names are included and spelled correctly.
If you notice an error, please contact Kevin Healy at 1-800-273-0617 or healyk@augsburg.edu.
† Deceased
Fall 2010
41
Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard
Richard ’56 and Darlene Thorud
Michael ’85 and Rhonda Riesberg ’84 Tjaden
Mark and Ann Tranvik
Mary True
Merry Tucker
Betty and Paul Tveite
Charleen and Donald Weidenbach
John ’49† and Arnhild Werket
Lyndon ’65 and Diane West
Heidi Norman ’88 Wise and John Wise
Edmund ’53 and Rose Youngquist
Robert ’50 and Dee Ulsaker
Joan Swenson ’78 Van Wirt
Joan Volz ’68
Sharon and Stephen Wade
Rebecca and Michael Waggoner
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl
Lois Wattman ’76 and Douglas Shaw
ALUMNI GIVING BY CLASS YEAR
The following list indicates the percentage of alumni from the traditional day program in each class year who made a gift during 2009-10.
Total participation for all class years, 21%.
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
42
33.33%
66.67%
50.00%
20.00%
52.94%
25.00%
33.33%
29.63%
31.03%
31.25%
32.50%
38.89%
34.62%
47.73%
34.85%
42.39%
Augsburg Now
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
35.62%
43.10%
49.46%
46.67%
36.59%
35.71%
44.44%
43.40%
55.56%
56.07%
36.17%
46.67%
35.17%
38.71%
32.09%
33.94%
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
31.63%
35.07%
34.60%
27.96%
20.32%
26.29%
26.30%
22.88%
24.01%
21.57%
21.55%
20.91%
23.19%
21.40%
16.67%
17.87%
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
16.29%
14.91%
13.91%
13.33%
13.10%
10.00%
12.61%
11.86%
12.18%
10.00%
11.33%
9.58%
10.71%
10.18%
6.98%
9.91%
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
12.18%
9.76%
11.29%
6.97%
4.69%
10.91%
7.64%
10.55%
5.43%
10.41%
7.53%
5.93%
auggie
alumni news
From the Alumni Board president …
Dear fellow alumni,
A
ugsburg has a time-honored tradition each year
called “Homecoming.” Homecoming is a time of renewal—renewal of friendships, college experiences,
and meeting new alumni while taking in the festivities of
the week.
The Augsburg Alumni Board is proud to be part of this
and other events. The year 2010–11 is the year of bringing our alumni closer to the College. Our board members
understand this as many of the members of the Alumni Board spent their formative
years with the College, creating new friends that have passed the test of time.
Part of the Alumni Board’s mission is to promote connections among alumni
throughout the year. The board sponsors or participates in many of the events that
bring alumni together. Some of these are:
• Alumni awards that recognize Auggies who have made significant contributions in their fields of work and to the community, who have given service to
the College, and who exemplify the mission and spirit of the College.
• Social and business networking opportunities
• Educational and enriching speakers
• Fun events that promote engagement, such as the Auggie Night at the
Races at Canterbury Park that attracts more than 700 alumni and family
members each year.
These are a few examples of how your Augsburg Alumni Board works for you to bring
fun and enjoyment to your extended college experience. The board continues to look
for ideas to expand our mission of reconnecting alumni to the College, and we
would welcome your feedback on programs you feel would help fulfill our mission.
This year promises to be fun with new traditions and events for all. We invite you
to pass on the message to recent alumni and alumni from years past. We all have
an opportunity to extend our college experience past Commencement. Best wishes
to you all as you rekindle your relationship with Augsburg College.
Sincerely,
JOHN STADLER ’07 MAL
PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni get involved!
Is it your New Year’s resolution to reconnect with old
friends, network with other Auggies, and have fun?
If so, join fellow Auggies at the following alumni
events in 2011.
Auggies Give Back: Feed My Starving Children
Packing Session
Saturday, January 15, 2011
9–11 a.m., Coon Rapids, MN
Eye-Opener Breakfast
featuring Mark Eustis, CEO, Fairview Healthcare
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
7 a.m., Town and Country Club, St. Paul, MN
The Augsburg Centennial Singers Concert Tour
February 8-20, 2011
California and Arizona
Student and Alumni Networking Reception
Thursday, February 10, 2011
5:30 p.m., Oren Gateway Center
Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series
featuring Michele Volpi, CEO, H.B. Fuller
Thursday, April 7, 2011
5 p.m., Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall
For more information on these and other alumni
events go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
Save the Date!
Homecoming 2011
October 17–23, 2011
Reunion Classes
50th reunion—1961
40th reunion—1971
25th reunion—1986
10th reunion—2001
If you would like to help
make your reunion a success,
contact the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu.
Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for updates
and reunion information.
Fall 2010
43
auggie
alumni news
Auggies Give Back: Student
philanthropy at Augsburg
Executives share expertise in speaker series
A popular trend in colleges across the nation is also taking Augsburg by storm—
current students are giving back to
Augsburg while they are still students.
The Alumni and Constituent Relations
student group, the Augsburg Stewards,
are at the forefront of Augsburg’s wave.
Under the direction of Amanda Storm, associate alumni director,
the Stewards host a variety of events and activities to engage and
educate students on how their experience at Augsburg is funded.
Philanthropy Week, the first week in March, is a week-long
awareness event that gives the student body an opportunity to participate in a variety of philanthropic activities that include voting
where their donations go and posting how they give back to their
community. There is a scavenger hunt on campus for a particular
donor, with clues given about that donor and why they give back.
These activities help students understand that while their tuition funds a major part of their education, the generosity of
Augsburg alumni and friends also plays a significant role in their
experience.
New this year, students will have an opportunity to directly give
back to fellow students through the “Feed the Pig” class gift challenge. All students receive a piggy bank and are encouraged to
“feed the pig” their loose change throughout the semester. The
money raised will benefit current Augsburg students through a
scholarship awarded at the Scholarship Brunch in April. Think it
can’t get any better? The class with the highest rate of participation will win a class party at the President Pribbenow’s home.
auggies
GIVE BACK
Alumni artists—call for submissions
Augsburg Alumni Juried Show 2011
The Augsburg art galleries are pleased to announce an exciting
opportunity for alumni to show their artwork in a juried exhibition
featured in both the Gage Family Art Gallery and Christensen
Center Art Gallery opening in early August 2011.
Each artist may submit up to three images. The submission
deadline is June 24, 2011; notifications of acceptance will be
sent out July 12. For more information about the Augsburg
Alumni Juried Show, go to www.augsburg.edu/galleries or e-mail
gallery@augsburg.edu.
44
Augsburg Now
The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series,
launched in December 2009, brings major business leaders to the
Augsburg campus to share their insights and expertise. Speakers
during the past year include Alex Cirillo, vice president of 3M
Foundation (now retired) and past president of 3M Canada; Chris
Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes; and Richard
Davis, chairman, president, and CEO of U.S. Bancorp.
The next speaker in the series will be Michele Volpi, president
and chief executive officer of H.B. Fuller. He will speak on Thursday, April 7, at 5 p.m., in Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall.
The series is co-sponsored by Augsburg’s Corporate Relations
Office and the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful
Work. Each presentation provides opportunities for alumni as well
as students, faculty, and staff to hear unique insights into the current business climate and trends from a national or global corporate leader.
Augsburg Choir
Legacy Recordings,
1949-1979
As part of the Augsburg Choir’s
75th-anniversary celebration, CD
versions of remastered historical
recordings of the Augsburg Choir from
1949–79 are available as the Augsburg Choir Legacy Recordings.
A monograph about Leland B. Sateren’s life and career written by
William Halverson ’51 will be included with each order.
The three boxed sets, each containing five CDs are:
• From Opseth to Sateren (1949–1962)
• Sateren Intermezzo (1964–1972)
• Sateren Finale (1972–1979)
Cost: $49 per box (five CDs); $135 for all three sets (15 CDs), plus
shipping and handling.
To place an order, go to www.augsburg.edu/music/saterenCD.html
or call the Augsburg College Bookstore at 612-359-6491. For more
information, call 612-330-1265.
Call for nominations for
alumni awards
The Augsburg College Alumni Board seeks
your assistance in identifying members of
the Augsburg community to be considered
for recognition.
Please take a few moments to consider
those who might be honored for the following awards. Your nominations and suggestions are critical in helping to build these
important programs to celebrate the accomplishments of the Augsburg community. The awards will be given at the
Homecoming 2011 Convocation on
Friday, October 21.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Awarded to Augsburg College alumni in
recognition for significant achievement in
vocation, for outstanding contribution to
church and community, and for a life that
exemplifies the ideals and mission of
Augsburg College. Augsburg alumni (graduates and non-graduates) are eligible.
First Decade Alumni Award
Awarded to Augsburg College graduates of
the last 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the
community, and in so doing exemplify the
mission of the College: to prepare future
leaders in service to the world.
Spirit of Augsburg Award
Honors Augsburg alumni or friends of the
College who have given exceptional service
that contributes substantially to the well
being of the College by furthering its purposes and programs. Alumni, friends, faculty and staff, and groups who have served
the College are eligible.
To make a nomination, contact the Office
of Alumni and Constituent Relations for a
nomination packet at 612-330-1085 or
alumni@augsburg.edu.
The deadline for award nominations is
March 4, 2011.
Members of the Young Alumni Council posed with TC Bear and Auggie Eagle at Young Alumni night at the Twins
game in July, with more than 100 attending. (L to R) Rob Wagner ’02, Andrew Johnson ’07, Holly (Ebnet) Knutson ’03,
’07 MBA, Amanda Rueb ’09, and Teresa Barnhill ’08.
Young Alumni Summer Series: 2010
From baseball to a brewery tour, Augsburg Young Alumni have it going on! The Young Alumni had another awesome season in 2010, with more than 600 Auggies attending any of the six events held
throughout the season, giving Auggies great opportunities to catch up with former classmates and
meet new friends.
The Young Alumni program is an initiative supported by the efforts of outstanding Young Alumni
volunteers, dedicated to providing dynamic social and enrichment opportunities for their Auggie
classmates, while keeping them engaged with their alma mater.
Join Professor Phil Adamo on a journey to the Emerald Isle
Join friends from the Augsburg College
community in early May 2011 for an indepth journey through Ireland with Phillip
Adamo, associate professor and chair of
Augsburg’s History Department, director of
medieval studies, and experienced study
tour leader.
Professor Adamo looks forward to returning to Ireland with a group of alumni and
friends, May 2–12, 2011. Explore centuries of heroic history including sites dating to 9,000 B.C. and experience the
intense rugged beauty of land carved from
the sea contrasting with the meticulous gar-
dens of stately castles. As director of medieval studies, Adamo enhances the tour
with his special knowledge of the historic
significance of Celtic Christianity and how
Ireland’s ancient monastic communities
flourished during the Dark Ages. The tour
also celebrates contemporary Irish culture.
To receive a brochure and registration
form, contact the Office of Alumni and
Constituent Relations at 612-330-1178
or alumni@augsburg.edu. Registration is
open and spaces are filling—please note
that last year’s Italy trip sold out and had a
waiting list.
Fall 2010
45
60-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1950
Front row (L to R): Shirley Dahlen, Angeline (Rolland)
Sorenson, Marjorie (Wilberg) Hauge; Back row (L to R):
Edward Alberg, Philip Quanbeck, Raynard Huglen,
Robert Paulson
go
auggies!
50-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1960
Front row (L to R): Marjorie (Moland) Wendt, Ramona
(Pedersen) Settergren, Ruth (Carlson) Olson, LaVonne
(Gravgaard) Iverson, Phyllis (Redenbaugh) Ose, Fay
(Quanbeck) Matsunaga, Lois (Richter) Agrimson, Phyllis
(Raymond) Berge, Carol (Johnson) Casperson; Row 2 (L
to R): Linnea (Wacker) Whipple, Marlene Studlien,
Nancy (Garland) Erickson, Carol (Hawkins) Svanoe,
Dorothy (Larson) Henriksen, Phyllis (Dahlmeier) Fering,
Ruth (Carlsen) Moen; Row 3 (L to R): Dwight Pederson,
Dale Hanka, David Hanka, Stan West, Arden Flaten,
Byron Schmid, Myron Carlson; Row 4 (L to R): Clayton
Paulson, Bruce Amundson, Gerald Johnson, Lowell Ziemann, Jack Anderson, Dennis Glad, Richard Berge, Don
Gilberg
Philip Quanbeck Sr. ’50 was the keynote speaker at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon, and reflected on
“Then and Now, and Now and Then.”
“It seems to me that when Augsburg College is doing its proper work, it is well
aware of its past, but it’s looking not only backward, but forward. Perhaps there
is in our future something new, and we should be looking for it.”
46
Augsburg Now
40-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1970
Front row (L to R): Sandy Swanson Mathisen, Bonnie Risius, Marjorie Tietz Peterson, Donna Hillesland Eastman,
Nikki Rajala, Paulette O. Odegaard, Steve T. Johnson,
Chris Flom Duncan, Karen Dohlen Johnson, LaRhae
Knatterud; Row 2 (L to R): Barbara Ingvalson Anderson,
Lynne Framstad Payne, Dawn Hofstad Stromman, Tim
Strommen, Susan Olson Williams, Barbara Ellefson Ditty,
June Gandrud Perrizo, Julie Thompson Lipelt; Row 3 (L to
R): Gloria Wohlers Hatchinson, Mary Buss, Linda Larson,
Lynn Anderson Haanen, Andrey Olmstead, Cheryl King,
Gary Benson, Pam Jurdy Juul, Marilyn Hass Krambeer;
Row 4 (L to R): Linda Munson Wahlstrom, Judy Benson
Madsen, Sue Lindberg Sorenson, Janet Call Ulvin, Kathie
Gildemeister Erbes, Timothy Toso, Paul Mikelson; Row 5
(L to R): Joyce Engstrom Spector, Mark Francis, David
Ulvin, Terry Nygaard, John Hjelmeland, John Eidsvoog;
Row 6 (L to R): Ray L. Hanson, Jane Cornelison Van
Brunt, Dennis King
25-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1985
Front row (L to R): Nancy (Mackey) Mueller, Jean Taylor,
Terri (Swanberg) Stoner, Shelly Johnson, Carmen
(Elandt) Reibel; Back row (L to R): Ron Winterhalter,
Norm Okerstrom, Jay Myers, Clay Gustafson, Rebecca
(Melgaard) Newton, Kathleen Kuross, Lisa (Erickson)
Gustafson
At the Homecoming Welcome Back Banquet, John Eidsvoog ’70 played
his own arrangements of several popular selections. He has a master’s
degree in jazz composition and has played piano and synthesizers for
numerous movies, TV shows, and CDs. In the ’80s, he was the musical
conductor and pianist for many popular entertainers, including Andy
Gibb, Jaye P. Morgan, and John Davidson. In recent years, Eidsvoog has
worked in music preparation with his wife, Julie ’69, as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger. They currently work with such artists as Burt
Bacharach, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé,
and Elton John. Eidsvoog’s CDs are available at the Augsburg Bookstore.
Fall 2010
47
alumni class notes
50to move when his home in
Rev. Lloyd Kallevig was forced
Wadena, Minn., was destroyed by a
tornado in June.
61retired teachers who shared
Dennis Kalpin was one of the
their memories in the country
schoolhouse at the Douglas County
(Minn.) fair in August. His career included 40 years of teaching, 47
years of coaching football, plus basketball, softball, track, and baseball.
62Hancock, Mich., and her husAlice (Heikkila) Kinnunen,
band, Eldon, have spent 18 years in
retirement working in Reynosa, Mexico, each winter, building homes for
the poor, distributing goods, helping
with medical care, schooling, etc.
64Minn., retired from the
Rev. Marv Repinski, Austin,
Methodist ministry six years ago,
and is currently serving as interim
pastor at Lansing Methodist Church,
his fifth interim appointment. He
also teaches world religion at Riverland Community College in Owatonna, and serves on the board of
the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
70years with Wells Fargo Bank.
Dakota Synod Assembly of the ELCA
for 30 years of ordained ministry.
David Ulvin, Edina, Minn., served as
the senior commodore for the 2010
Minneapolis Aquatennial. He retired
from teaching music in the St. Paul
school system and now invests in
multi-family residential real estate.
77fessor and chair of the English
Paul Sedio retired after 36
73
Marti Lybeck’s dissertation on
female homosexuality in Germany was named the State University of New York best dissertation in
queer studies last year. She teaches
history at University of WisconsinLaCrosse.
Rev. Gary Wollersheim was reelected to a third six-year term as
bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod
of the ELCA. He serves as co-chairman of the Illinois Council of
Churches and chairman of the Region Five ELCA bishops.
76N.D., joined the staff of
Rev. David Halaas, Williston,
Lutheran Social Services of North
Dakota last summer and works from
its Minot program office. He was
honored by the Western North
Department at Heidelberg University. He is a member of the Tiffin
Glass Collectors Club and he volunteers at the Tiffin Glass Museum,
giving tours and providing information about the glass production.
80Woodbury, Minn., received a
Judy (Carson) Houck ’10 MSW,
Hartford Scholarship in social work.
She and her husband, Lee ’78, await
their first grandchild in January.
Kevin Kuntz joined TopLine Federal
Credit Union in Maple Grove, Minn.,
as senior vice president of sales and
service. Most recently, he was senior
vice president and director of relationship banking at TCF Bank.
52Annabelle (Hanson) ’51,
Rev. Len Dalberg, and his wife,
Solvang, Calif., were honored by
their 4 children and 11 grandchildren on their 60th anniversary at a
seaside restaurant family dinner. Len
is a visitation pastor at Bethania
Lutheran Church in Solvang in his
retirement.
ence and Health at the university
while completing her degree. She
and her husband are blessed with
three adult sons and a daughter-inlaw, all in the metro area.
88board of Caring Bridge.
Janice Aune serves on the
82
Diane (Peterson) Kachel,
Woodbury, Minn., received
her Master of Biological Science degree from the University of Minnesota in April 2010. For the past
four years, she has been assistant
director of the Center for Lung Sci-
89English at University of Mis-
Devoney Looser, professor of
souri, was recently featured in the
university’s research magazine, Illuminations, about her book project, a
63summer to celebrate the completion of a water well that provides
75Class of 1975 have been getting together during the year, espe-
clean drinking water to the village of Okigwe. She is active in the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Club, which received funding from the Rotary Foundation for the project. She is an associate professor of communications
at California State University-Fullerton and has also taught in Belize as
a Rotary teacher. “It was an enlightening and gratifying experience!”
cially at Advent Vespers and the Auggie Night at the Races. Here, they
enjoy a potluck dinner last summer at Brenda (Hoppes) Cattadoris’
house in Brooklyn Park, Minn. (L to R) Jo Koester, Jennie Hakes, Shirley
(Christianson) Nickel, Brenda (Salberg) Peterson, and Brenda (Hoppes)
Cattadoris.
Carolyn E. Johnson, Fullerton, Calif., traveled to Nigeria in the
48
Bill Reyer, Tiffin, Ohio, is pro-
Augsburg Now
Since reconnecting some years ago, several women from the
97her husband, Justin, Blaine,
99Danielle, Maple Grove, Minn.,
01last summer on Cape Cod. (L to R) Erica Huls, Stacy (Waterman) Newton,
Minn., celebrated the birth of their
daughter, Lauren Reese.
welcomed their first child, Ella Lorraine, on December 14, 2009. Mark
is a juvenile probation officer for Hennepin County and an assistant football
coach for Osseo Senior High School.
Emily (Brinkman) Waldon, Laura Waldon, Sara Thedinga.
Jennifer (Coyle) Rhoads and
Mark Joseph and his wife,
The “Fifth-Floor Girls” from the Class of 2001 enjoyed a mini-vacation
02band, Taher Omar, Brooklyn
04Blaine, Minn., and her hus-
Center, Minn., welcomed a baby
girl, Scarlett Susan, on July 6.
band, Michael, welcomed their new
daughter, Charlotte Marie, on
Feb. 25.
Minneapolis, welcomed their daughter, Lauryn KyJune, on June 11.
073,000-mile bike trip on his
Leah (Spafford) and her hus-
02ter Sølvei Mareta on May 24. She is welcomed by big sisters Lillian and
Signe (Hillestad) and her husband, Aaron McKie ’05, welcomed daugh-
Ellenora.
biography of two 19th-century
British sister writers, Anna Maria
and Jane Porter. The article cites
Devoney as “one of the nation’s
most respected scholars of British
literature and women’s writings.”
Will Schroeder joined Kemin Food
Technologies in Des Moines, Iowa,
as research and development director. He founded and led Blue Sky
Creamery and ice cream start-up
business.
93Tell You a Story,” was shown in 97football coach at Osseo High
Amy Rice’s exhibition, “Let Me
the Central Lakes College Gallery in
Brainerd, Minn., during September.
She is the founder of Spectrum ArtWorks, Minneapolis.
95as vice president, employee
Paul Martin was recently hired
care and center services at the Lincoln National Corporation’s Lincoln
Employer Market’s Group Insurance
team.
Jim Osberg married Jennifer Oberlag
in Hot Springs, Ark., on Sept. 4. He
is a sales rep for Medtronic; they live
in Wayzata, Minn.
Derrin Lamker has been head
School for six years. In a recent interview he credits Augsburg coach
Jack Osberg ’62 as teaching him the
most important lessons of learning
how to build relationships with his
players.
99her husband, Kevin, Vadnais
01
Nicole Warner recently opened
the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra’s season as mezzo-soprano soloist
in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. She is the
co-winner of the 2010 Bel Canto Chorus Regional Artists competition.
04a member of the USA
00husband, Larye Pohlman ’98,
Rev. Melissa (Moyle) and her
Brett Cease completed a
bike that he named Tranquility, as
he traveled from New York City
through the Northeast and Canada
on his way home to Bemidji. Go to
www.homeinthewoods.wordpress.com.
Stephanie Malone was hired by CaringBridge as development officer.
Karen Lohr, Flagstaff, Ariz., is
Women’s Sled Hockey Team and
plays in Phoenix on the Coyotes sled
team. She has been a hall director
at Northern Arizona University.
Leah (Holloway) Rudeen and
Heights, Minn., welcomed the arrival
of their third son, Drew Alexander,
on Feb. 26. Drew joins big brothers
Zachary (5) and Grant (3).
Christina (Boe) Anderson,
06who made his onstage debut
Dan Ryan was sworn in as a Rogers,
Minn., police officer in September.
He is a member of the Army Reserves and served time in Iraq. He
completed the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Steve Herzog is a musician
at the 2010 Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, playing the role of Rick in
“Hollywood Hot!” with the LAB Theater. Previously, he held long-term
engagements with the Mall of America and Carnival Cruise Lines.
08band, David Lange, announce
Kasi (Clauson) and her hus-
the birth of their daughter, Rubi
Mae, on July 6. Kasi is the new head
coach for Augsburg’s women’s
swimming and diving team.
Fall 2010
49
alumni class notes
Running for Joe—an inspiration
Running for Joe … it’s what powered Dan Vogel
through his sixth marathon, one of the most
grueling in the country—the Equinox course
around the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks. Through 4,000 feet of elevation change
on wooded ski trails and up and down a steep
gravel road with potholes and loose shale, Vogel
ran. It was a on a covered root only two miles
into the race where he rolled his ankle, but kept
running through the pain, the inspiration of Joe
moving him on.
Joe was Joe Vogel, Dan’s cousin who died
last summer after a two-year battle with cancer.
“Why am I doing this?” Dan wrote in the blog
that followed Joe’s last year. “Because I BELIEVE. Joe’s ability to never take life for granted
and make the most out of every day is what inspires me as I train and prepare for this race.”
Dan Vogel graduated from Augsburg in
2005. He ran cross country and track and majored in marketing. Several
quick experiences in the
business world
taught him,
though, that
sales and marketing—even when
his team earned
record-breaking
revenues—were
Dan Vogel ’05 honors his cousin Joe
not for him.
at www.runningforjoe.weebly.com
09sang under her stage name,
Anna Dybdahl, who formerly
Arianna, recently released a new
single, “Fields of Gold,” on iTunes.
Go to www.annadybdahl.com.
and educator who founded a company, Jesenia Morales LLC, to work
with women in small start-ups. She
also teaches non-traditional students as an adjunct faculty member
in the business department at National American University.
07Hodgdon ’04, announce the
Andrea (Slack) and Clint
birth of their daughter, Elizabeth
Idelle, born May 24. They live in
Savage, Minn.
08Sandy were married on July
Cristina (Quick) and Sama
Graduate Programs
10award as an English Teaching
Laura Schoen ’09 MSW married
Jeremy Liila on March 27 in Minneapolis. She works at Meridian
Services.
Augsburg Now
Jesenia Morales ’08 MBA is a
Naomi Muellner joined Portfolio Recovery Associates in Norfolk, Va., in
July as vice president, Bankruptcy
Services.
Jody Giza ’04 PA joined Lakewood
Health System as a physician
assistant.
Assistant in Malaysia this year.
06coach, strategist, accountant,
BETSEY NORGARD
Bethany Hellerich received a Fulbright award as an English Teaching
Assistant in Indonesia.
Nou Chang received a Fulbright
50
“I learned quickly after being hired by
Augsburg cross country and track coach Dennis Barker that I work much better with people
in person,” Vogel says. “My friends and family
recognized that I had a passion for helping
people improve their lives, whether in athletics, school, or life in general.” And Joe’s story
on CaringBridge made him realize that
“there’s much more to life than working a boring job and earning money.”
So, as he says, he left his formal attire and
skyscraper cubicle and found a perfect fit with
the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Fairbanks at
an at-risk youth drop-in center. There he hosts
a radio show with his youth clients as guest
DJs who also tell their stories, and he started
music lessons with donated instruments.
“At the same time,” Vogel says, “my heart
is still in Minnesota with my friends and family.” I can’t wait to pick up where I left off
back home and look for a similar job helping
at-risk youth in Minneapolis.”
Running for Joe was indeed powerful
enough to get Vogel through the Equinox
marathon, injured and exhausted and into
25th place out of 370 runners. “Had I not ruined my ankle,” he says, “I was shooting for a
top-10 finish under 3:30:00.” Although he
has a personal best of 2:49:47 for a road
marathon, he’ll look for that same goal in the
next trail marathon he runs for Joe.
Kim Stone, director of alumni and
constituent relations, and her husband, Jason, welcomed their son,
Evan, on July 24.
24. Auggies in the wedding were
groomsmen Greg Hildebrandt ’08
and Derek Francis ’08; bridesmaids
Katie LaGrave ’08 and Halen (Haley)
Bower ’08; usher Bryan Ludwig ’08;
personal attendant Bethany George
’11; and singers Andrew Johnson ’07
and Maria (Mitchell) Helgerson ’07.
Send us your news and photos
In Memoriam
Oliver C. Severson ’31, Minneapolis, age 100, on November 4,
2009.
Amy Ruth Schmidt ’54, Waterloo,
Iowa, age 78, on June 14.
Signe (Berg) Halverson ’36, Dallas, Wis., age 95, on July 25.
Clayton Brandt ’57, Richfield,
Minn., age 78, on November 19,
2009.
Ethel (Sinner) Shebeck ’38, Langford, S.D., age 93, on November
14, 2009.
Sandra (Solseth) Hopkins ’59,
Golden Valley, Minn., age 71, on
May 16, 2009.
Gerald Person ’39, San Diego,
Calif., age 93, on June 27.
Richard M. Olson ’59, New Hope,
Minn., age 79, on October 17,
2009.
Reynold M. “Eric” Erickson ’41,
White Bear Lake, Minn., age 89,
on January 22.
Lowell Formo ’41, Meza, Ariz., age
91, on August 20.
Mary Lou (Heusser) Wesley ’41,
Seattle, Wash., age 90, on October 6, 2009.
Agnes (Mortensen) Mosling ’48,
age 87, on January 3.
Elizabeth “Betty” (Westphal) Peterson ’48, New London, Minn., age
83, on June 25.
Dr. Ordean L. Torstenson ’63,
Madison, Wis., age 69, on July
20. He was faculty member in
the Department of Family Medicine at University of Wisconsin
and named Pediatrician of the
Year by the American Academy of
Pediatricians. Distinguished
Alumnus, 1999.
Clarence C. “Pete” Hansen ’53,
Lakeville, Minn., age 78, on January 12.
Duane Myrin ’53, St. Cloud,
Minn., age 79, on February 13.
Ints Busevics ’54, Minneapolis,
age 80, on August 9.
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip code
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
James Dahlager ’71, age 60, on
July 31, 2009.
Paul A. Green ’51, Roseville,
Minn., age 82, on January 7.
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
David Lyle ’64, Sun Prairie, Wis.,
age 68, on June 9, 2009.
Russell Manthie ’49, St. Ignatius,
Mont., age 81, on December 4,
2009.
Carol (Watson) Schweizer ’50,
Minneapolis, age 81, on
January 8.
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
Stanley Spangenberg ’64, Lake
Jackson, Texas, age 67, on August 24.
Robert C. Carlson ’50, Sioux Falls,
S.D., age 84, on August 18.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
Rev. Orville K. Anderson ’64, Sioux
Falls, S.D., age 68, on August 1.
Robert Lehman ’49, South
Williamsport, Pa., age 84, on
July 5.
John Werket ’49, Sun City West,
Ariz., age 85, on June 4. He was
a world champion speed skater
and competed in the 1948,
1952, and 1956 Winter
Olympics. Distinguished Alumnus, 1972.
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don’t forget to send photos!
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice,
or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
Kay (Schiller) Trapp ’76, Shoreview, Minn., age 55, on May 10,
2009.
Katharine (Bushell) Durr ’80, Hillsborough, N.J., age 48, on February 3.
Steve Nelson ’81, Cottage Grove,
Minn., age 50, on January 4.
David R. Schroer ’89, Shoreview,
Minn., age 44, on February 12,
2009.
Pamela (Tevlin) Christensen ’92,
Plymouth, Minn., age 53, on October 6, 2009.
Patrick D. Schmid ’95, South
Range, Mich., age 41, on
August 29.
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Employer
____________________________________________________________
Position
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Michelle Hollie ’07, MAL student,
Minneapolis, on August 8.
____________________________________________________________
Matthew Gill ’09, Castle Rock,
Colo., on September 18, 2009.
____________________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Fall 2010
51
my
Auggie experience
A pilgrimage to find my college mentor: Professor F. Mark Davis
gether in the classroom (including a course in his specialty, Chaucer)
and in department meetings (I was a student appointee to faculty
meetings). He and his wife, Kay, once hosted Nancy and me in their
south Minneapolis home at a gathering of English majors. He even
had made the one-hour trip by car to Monticello to visit our hometown and meet my parents.
More amazing than finding him after months of occasional
searches was the discovery of his home in retirement in Silver
Spring, Md., just weeks before my five-day visit to the same area.
One evening, I determined, could be devoted to meeting with my
mentor whom I had not seen since the early ’70s.
Mark was waiting outside the entrance to his building in their
sprawling retirement community. The professor I knew when he was
nearing 38 (I was 22) appeared somewhat like the man in the 1970
picture that carried. For the next hour and a half, the four of us sat
in their apartment, reflecting on careers, family
and grandchildren, travel, what we read today,
retirement activities, people from Augsburg we
mutually knew.
There were parallels in our lives: We both have
sons in the San Francisco Bay Area. We chose
our retirement cities to be near grandchildren.
We have downsized from larger, single-family
homes to urban housing complexes. We reflected, with personal satisfaction, on our working lives—college professor and dean of students
In 1970, Donald Q. Smith ’70 invited his mentor, English
Davis (right) and Smith, both now retired, were reunited
Department chair F. Mark Davis, to his parents’ home in
when the former student successfully searched for his
(Mark), weekly newspapering (Don) and K-12 edMonticello, Minn.
advisor and visited him in suburban Washington, D.C.
ucation (Kay and Nancy).
Time didn’t permit reminiscing about the courses we shared at
And then came vital help from a most unlikely source: a financial
Augsburg ... or how a former English major and a professor later aprecruiter combing a list of alumni in the Northwest. We had a friendly
plied their studies in different pursuits. Nor did we reflect on the frevisit for an hour in a downtown Portland hotel, which ended cordially,
even though I revealed that our estate planning directs an educational quent campus turbulence during the ’60s from protests against the
Vietnam War to the necessary demands for justice and equality by
gift not to Augsburg but rather to the foundation of the shared high
school of my wife, Nancy, and me. That was acceptable to David Ben- both black Americans and women.
As a gift, I brought a Wright-signed copy of Driving to Vernonia for
son, who then asked: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Davis. In the fictional “Vernonia,” Edmund’s search for mentor
“Yes, find Mark Davis!” I abruptly responded.
Richard Vickerman was (in the author’s words) “awkward, suspenseThat he did, querying a contact at Augsburg I had not tried. First
ful and tinged with risk.” Not so for me. Rather my personal (and
to come to me from Benson was a chronology of Davis's educational
successful) drive to find Mark Davis was easy to do, without risk, and
degrees and positions. That led to an e-mail to his undergraduate
fulfilling.
school in Tennessee (Bryan College), which forwarded my e-mail to
him. Within days, an e-mail arrived from my one-time professor.
DONALD Q. SMITH ’70
Davis, who had come to Augsburg as English Department chair in
Former editor and publisher of the Monticello, Minn., Times; he lives in Portland,
1968 when I was a junor, expressed delight at the contact. During
Ore., where he occasionally writes “Don’s Column”-like pieces as if he still has a
his first two years in Minneapolis, we spent considerable time tonewspaper deadline. He can be reached at donaldqsmith@yahoo.com.
Courtesy photos
“Who in your life do you consider your mentors?”
Oregon author George Wright’s inquiry to me came from his own
experience of locating a long-lost store manager who had once befriended him. Twenty-five years later, a search by Wright led to a reunion and frequent luncheon meetings. Pondering the importance of
positive influences, especially in one’s early years, gave Wright a plot
line for his 2009 book, Driving to Vernonia.
I recently followed the lead of Wright’s protagonist, Edmund
Kirby-Smith, whose search for his mentor takes him to a small Oregon town. I sought an important teacher in my life: Augsburg College
English advisor Professor F. Mark Davis.
Finding Davis was no small challenge. Internet searches were
fruitless. No Augsburg contacts I made were helpful. A letter to another retired English professor revealed that Davis when leaving Minneapolis became a dean of a small, unidentified college in the East.
52
Augsburg Now
an
augsburg legacy
Hazel Thorson Stoeckeler
“While I’m not an Auggie by degree …
I know Augsburg makes such a difference
for so many students. Through my
charitable gift annuities, I know my gifts
will make a difference for future Auggies,
and I receive added financial security.”
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Minneapolis, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
City Service Day
On the day before fall semester classes began,
first-year students contributed more than
1,500 service hours by cleaning, painting,
gardening, and helping out in the community.
Here, a student works at In the Heart of the
Beast Theatre.
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Title
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Augsburg Now Fall 2011: Auggies Go Beyond
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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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
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AUGSBURG COLLEGE EDUCATES STUDENTS
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TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS,
THOUGHTFUL
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STEWARDS,
CRITICAL
THINKERS,
AND
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RESPONSIBLE LEADERS.
THE AUGSBURG
EXPERIENCE IS SUPPORTED BY AN
ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED
TO INTENTIONAL
DIVERSITY IN ITS LIFE
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WORK. AN AUGSBURG EDUCATION IS
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DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE IN THE LIBERAL
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BY
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LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND SHAPED BY ITS
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URBAN AND GLOBAL
SETTINGS.
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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
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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 Watson ’91 and Mary McDougal
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Ward C.Schendel ’74 and Catherine L. B. Schendel
Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
Leroy Nyhus ’52
Carolyn Hanson ’68 Schildgen and William Schildgen
Robert Weagant ’49
H. Arlan Oftedahl ’64
Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz
Dr. Scott J.M. Weber ’79
Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom
Barbara Setterholm
Larry Wefring
Gordon ’63 and Janice Olson
Rosemary Shafer
Mark Wheeler ’87
Janet Halaas ’79
Delphine Shaw
Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann
Mr. Joseph Black and Dr. Lisa Olson
Rodney Sill ’82
Peter ’49 and Alice Berg ’51 Wilcox
Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson
Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar
Woodrow Wilson ’53
L. Beth Buesing Opgrand ’45
James Smith ’94
Renata Rolf Winsor
Beverly Halling ’55 Oren and Donald ’53 Oren
Russel ’50 and Virginia Thompson ’50 Smith
Bill Wittenbreer
Kenneth and Lillian Ysteboe ’51 Ose
David Soli ’81
Joyce Leifgren Young ’64
Ervin ’56 and Sylvia Moe ’59 Overlund
Evelyn H. Sonnack ’43
Edmund ’53 Youngquist and Rose Youngquist
John and Norma Paulson
Joyce Engstrom ’70 Spector and Robert Spector
Lisa Zeller ’81 and Glenn Fuller
James Swanson
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
31
CONSECUTIVE GIVING
The following list recognizes alumni and friends of Augsburg College who have generously given for 10 or more consecutive fiscal years.
30 years or more
Laverne Moe ’48 Olson and Paul Olson
Bettye and Howard Olson
Ruth Aaskov ’53
Orville ’52 and Yvonne Bagley ’52 Olson
Joyce Opseth Schwartz ’45
Margaret and Raymond Anderson
Glen Person ’47
Jacqueline ’80 and John Teisberg
Philip ’50 and Dora Frojen ’49 Quanbeck
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Varner ’52 Peterson
Mary Wick
Lois Black Ahlbom ’47
Jay Phinney ’79
Fred ’60 and Janet Engelmann
Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation
Janet Evenson ’63 Potratz and Edward Potratz
John ’82 and Joan Moline ’83 Evans
Charles and Catherine Anderson
James ’61 and BettyAnn Redeske
Sonia Overmoen ’62 Gullicks and Milton Gullicks
Daniel ’65 and Alice Anderson
Olive Ronholm ’47†
Arvin ’55 and Twila Halvorson
Kristin Anderson
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Sabo
Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74 and Philip Quanbeck II
Stanley ’57 and Mary Esther Baker
Ruth Schmidt ’52†
Wayne Johnson ’58
LaVonne Olson ’63 Batalden and Paul ’63 Batalden
Inez Olson ’59 Schwarzkopf and Lyall Schwarzkopf
Daniel ’70 and Ingrid Kloster ’69 Koch
John Benson ’55
James ’54 and Ethel Nordstrom ’55 Shiell
Donna McLean
Vera Thorson Benzel ’45
Arnold ’48 and Carol Skaar
Bonnie Johnson ’67 Nelson and Bryce Nelson
Doris Frojen Bretheim ’51†
Evelyn Amundson Sonnack ’43
Margaret Nelson Foss Nokleberg ’48
Jeroy ’48 and Lorraine Carlson
Eunice Stenshoel
Jonathan Nye
Linda Carlstedt ’63
Gladys Boxrud Strommen ’46
James ’64 and Rose Parks
Joyce Catlin ’73 Casey and Paul Casey
Merton ’42 and Irene Huglen ’42 Strommen
David Proctor ’63
Richard ’74 and Nancy Colvin
Grace Kemmer ’58 Sulerud and Ralph Sulerud
Judith Sandeen ’72
Leonard ’52 and Anabelle Hanson ’51 Dalberg
Jennings ’51 and Mary Schindler ’48 Thompson
Robert Wick ’81
James Ericksen ’69
Allan Tonn ’75
Ruth Ann Gjerde Fitzke ’67
Sheldon ’49 and Margery Manger ’47 Torgerson
20-24 years
Alan 1967 and Marilyn Albaugh ’67 Gierke
Beth Torstenson ’66
Charles ’63 and Lois Luthard ’65 Anderson
Shirley Larson ’51 Goplerud and Dean Goplerud
Frances Torstenson
Birgit Birkeland ’58
Raymond ’57 and Janice Grinde
Rebecca Helgesen ’67 Von Fischer and
Allen ’64 and Lenice Hoversten
Marlys Ringdahl ’53 Gunderson† and Charles
Thomas Von Fischer
Ronald ’56 and Christine Munson ’56 Main
E.Margaret Sateren Trautwein ’37†
Kristin Settergren ’86 McGinness and
Cynthia Hanson ’66
25-29 years
Eugene ’59 and Paula Peterson
Betty Johnson Hass ’58
Frank ’50† and Georgette Lanes ’50 Ario
Edward ’50 and Margaret Alberg
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Jack ’49 and LeVerne Berry
Ray Anderson ’49
Bradley ’63 and Linda Holt
Marilyn Pearson ’76 Florian and Kenneth Florian
Mary Twiton ’59 Bosben and Robert Bosben
Gloria Johnson ’51
Paul and Judy Grauer
Rachel Rohde ’76 Gilchrist and Chris Gilchrist
Mark ’54 and Thelma Johnson
Joan Johnson ’53 Kuder and Calvin Kuder
Norman and Ilene Holen
Roberta Kagin and Craig Alexander
Thomas and Lorraine Morgan
Duane and Ruth Johnson
Jerome Kleven ’58
Marjorie Wilberg Hauge ’50
James Kottom ’52
Elsie Ronholm Koivula ’49
James ’61 and Caroline Holden
Joanne Stiles ’58 Laird and David Laird
William ’52 and Edith Kuross
David and Catherine Wold
Brent Lofgren ’88
Lee Anne Lack ’67
Carl ’59 and Kathleen Aaker ’62 Casperson
Leroy Nyhus ’52
George ’61 and Mary Larson
Sylvia Kleven Hanson ’50
Eileen Quanbeck ’46
Linda Larson ’70 and C. Jerry Sells
Sharon Dittbenner ’65 Klabunde and
Pauline Sateren
Arlin Gyberg
Steve McGinness
Mabeth Saure ’58 Gyllstrom and Richard Gyllstrom
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Lee Sabo
32
Susan Lageson ’77 Lundholm and Mark Lundholm
Thomas ’59 and Ruth Carlsen ’60 Moen
Gunderson
Richard Klabunde
La Vone Studlien ’58
James Lindell ’46†
Lowell ’54 and Janice Kleven
Lois Richter ’60 Agrimson and Russell Agrimson
Roger ’57 and Fern Mackey
Maryon and Harris ’57 Lee
Wayne ’69 and Pamela Bjorklund ’69 Carlson
Marie and Larry McNeff
Thomas ’63 and Gloria Joyce Wadsworth
Addell Halverson Dahlen ’43
Paul ’70 and Barbara Durkee ’71 Mikelson
Leland ’53 and Eunice Fairbanks
Thomas ’57 and Arlene Hofflander
Mildred Nelson ’52
Paul ’62 and Susan Grover
Robert ’56 and Mary Erickson ’58 Lockwood
Roselyn Nordaune ’77
Douglas 1966 and Kathryn Wall ’66 Johnson
Norm ’85 and Kim Asleson ’84 Okerstrom
Augsburg Now
ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11
Elizabeth Mortensen ’56 Swanson and
Avis Ellingrod
Mary Mether ’69 Sabatke and Bruce Sabatke
Dean ’68 and Diana Olson ’69 Ersfeld
John ’50 and Norma Shelstad
Alexander ’90 and Simone Gonzalez
H. Theodore ’76 and Michele Grindal
Roger ’54 and Bonnie Stockmo
Rodney ’59 and Arlene Selander ’59 Hill
Burton Haugen ’72
Mark and Ann Tranvik
E. Milton Kleven ’46
Leanne Phinney ’71 and Mark Schultz
Leif Anderson
Victor ’42 and Rhoda Miller
Gordon ’52 and Gloria Parizek ’53 Thorpe
Arlin Becker ’88
LaWayne ’51 and D. LaRhea Johnson ’51 Morseth
Michael ’64 and Carla Quanbeck ’64 Walgren
Gary ’65 and Jean Blosberg
Ruth Pousi ’54 Ollila
Ordelle Aaker ’46
Jeff Christenson ’82
Jack ’62 and Nina Osberg
Sidney ’57 and Lola Lidstrom ’50 Berg
Janet Niederloh ’58 Christeson and John Christeson
Daniel ’51 and Lois Pearson
Roxanne Raunschnot ’82 Buchanan and
Laura Bower ’91 Cunliffe and Wayne Cunliffe
James Swanson
Leeann Rock ’81 and Brian Anderson ’82
Jim Buchanan
Sally Hough Daniels ’79
Gary ’68 and Janice Bell ’70 Schmidt
Rev. Dr. Herbert ’54 and Rev. E Corrine Chilstrom
Mark and Lynette Engebretson
Dorothy Swanson ’51
Julie Edstrom ’90
Steven ’81 and Kathy Grinde
Gary and Barbara Glasscock
Judy Thompson Eiler ’65
Jean Venske ’87 Guenther and Stephen Guenther
Glenda† and Richard Huston
Ellen Stenberg Erickson ’51
Sylvia Hjelmeland
Audrey Nagel Sander ’51
Bruce and Jean Inglis
Glen and Marlys Johnson
Ronnie ’62 and Karen Scott
Doris Wilkins ’63 Johnson and Charles Johnson
Rob ’80 and Lori LaFleur
John ’52 and Mary Peterson ’54 Leak
Patrick ’72 and Nancy Marcy
15-19 years
Jack ’53 and Darlene Lundberg
Carlos Mariani Rosa
Suzanne Overholt ’67 Hampe and John Hampe
Douglas ’76 and Rebecca Nelson
Meca Sportswear Inc
Christopher Haug ’79 and Karl Starr
Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’64 Nielsen
Terry ’70 and Vicki Nygaard
Rosemary Jacobson ’69
James ’57 and Shirley Norman
Howard ’53 and Vicki Skor ’59 Pearson
Janet Batalden ’61 Johnson and Dennis Johnson ’61
Sandra Larson ’69 Olmsted and Richard ’69 Olmsted
Richard Sandeen ’69
Daniel ’65 and Mary Tildahl ’65 Meyers
Roger ’62 and Jean Schwartz
Heidi Wisner ’93 Staloch and Mark Staloch
Elizabeth Pushing ’93
Richard ’70 and Linda Seime
Marlys Holm ’57 Thorsgaard and Arlen Thorsgaard
Allan ’53 and Eunice Nystuen ’50 Sortland
Ronald ’58 and Naomi Stave
Edmund ’53 and Rose Youngquist
Paulette Nelson Speed ’67
Brian Swedeen ’92 and Terri Burnor ’92
Paul ’59 and Pearl Almquist
Jeffrey ’79 and Melissa Swenson
Betty and Paul Tveite
Margaret Anderson
Karla Morken ’81 Thompson and Thomas Thompson
LeRoy ’52 and Carole Anenson
Mark ’79 and Janelle Tonsager
10-14 years
Catherine Berglund ’73 Becker and Charles Becker
Lawrence ’69 and Susan Turner
Anonymous (2)
Anthony and Kathy Bibus
Robert ’77 and Katherine Anderson
Scott ’76 and Lisa Anderson
Richard and Nancy Borstad
Luther ’68 and Joanne Kendrick
Gertrude Ness Berg ’51
Bruce ’64 and Nancy Braaten
Millard ’52 and Dorothy Knudson
Hans ’56 and Donna Dumpys
William Capman
Quentin ’50† and Lucille Quanbeck
Daniel ’77 and Patricia Eitrheim
Peggy and John Cerrito
Nora Anderson ’83 Sillerud and Jon Sillerud
Rona Quanbeck ’48 Emerson and Victor Emerson
Judith Christensen
John ’79 and Rebecca Lundeen ’79 Aune
William and Anne Frame
C. Lee Clarke
Michael Burden ’85
Kermit ’50 and Ruth Hoversten
Larry and Cheryl Crockett
Ann Erkkila Dudero ’86
Bruce Johnson ’68
Lois Mackey Davis ’58
Norma Noonan
Richard ’69 and Cheryl Nelson ’70 King
Suzanne Doree
Betsey and Alan Norgard
George ’50 and Vivian Lanes
Helga and Darrell ’55 Egertson
Rebecca ’88 Pfabe and Maurice Higgins
Roger ’50 and Donna Wang ’52 Leak
Curtis ’84 and Jody Eischens
Joyce Romano and Walker Brents
Jacqueline Kniefel ’69 Lind
Duane Esterly ’75
Glen and Anna Skovholt
Marie Hafie ’65 MacNally and Thomas MacNally
Terry ’67 and Pauline Frovik
Beverly and Thomas Stratton
John ’59 and De Anne Martinsen
Ann Garvey
Donald ’89 and Melinda Mattox ’91 Wichmann
Paul ’84 and Nancy Mackey ’85 Mueller
John ’69 Harden and Barbara Hoganson
Janet Cooke ’59 Zitzewitz and Donald Zitzewitz
Edor ’38 and Dorathy Nelson
Gerald ’59 and Maxine Hendricks
Christine Pieri ’88 Arnold and James ’88 Arnold
Larry ’65 and Marilyn Nelson
Peter ’92 and Becky Hespen
Dorothy Bailey
Ronald ’68 and Mary Kay Nelson
John ’70 and Lynn Benson ’69 Hjelmeland
Daniel and Irene Brink
James Plumedahl ’57
Dean ’57 and Jane Holmes
Joseph ’53 and Connie Cleary
Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe
James ’59 and Joanne Horn
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
33
Donald ’65 and Delores Hoseth
Norman ’76 and Kathryn Anderson ’76 Wahl
George ’72 and Janet Dahlman
Jeffrey ’80 and Jacqui Jarnes
Lois ’76 Wattman and Douglas Shaw
Dianne Detloff
Joan ’94 and Mark Johnson
William ’86 and Kelly Anderson
Arvid ’52 and Sylvia Ostergaard ’62 Dixen
Martha Johnson
Thomas ’56 and Bernadine Benson
Stanley ’51 and Joyce Erickson
Theodore ’68 and Michelle Johnson
Warren ’69 and Carolyn Bey
Norman Ferguson
Benjamin and Christine Kent
Carolyn Burfield ’60
Muriel Ruud ’45 Frosch and Gerald Frosch
Linda King ’78
Orla Christensen ’56 and Joan Englund
Diane and Bradley Glorvigen
Joan Kunz
Wayne ’63 and Bernadine Christiansen
Michael ’71 and Ann Good
James ’67 and Laurie Lindell
Connie Arndt ’96 Clausen and Andrew Clausen
Muriel Hagen Smith and Wade Kilgore Smith
Marissa Hutterer Machado ’99
Janet Braaten ’68 DeGaetano and Frank DeGaetano
James ’53 and Corrine Hamre
Raymond Makeever
Doran Edwards
Evelyn Green ’49 Harris and Edward Harris
Jon ’58 and Judith Matala
Lois Hofstad ’58 Esselstrom and Michael Esselstrom
Robert ’55 and Karin Herman
Tara Cesaretti 1997 McLeod and
Marvin ’74 and Lana Felderman
Joseph Hsieh ’61 and E. Mei Shen Hsieh
Katharine Kuchera ’84 Gruber and Craig Gruber
Robert ’54 and Marilyn Ingman
Michael Navarre
David ’76 and Lorna Halaas
Alice Jacobsen ’53
Vicki and Daniel Olson
Wayne ’68 and Lois Batalden ’69 Hansen
Carol Knutson ’85
Steven O'Tool ’74
Duane ’68 and Diane Ilstrup
Christine Lanoue ’00 Landherr and Jeff Landherr
Patricia Solum Park ’02
Carol Rubbelke Jernberg ’75
J. David ’62 and Kathleen Lystig
Patricia Parker
Karen Johnson ’66
Jennifer and Richard Martin
Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Helen Johnson-Nelson and Robert Nelson ’44
Jane Ann Nelson
Dale ’70 and Patti Pederson
Randall ’76 and Susan Lundell
Douglas ’66 and Randvig Norvold
Drew ’89 and Molly Privette
Terry Marquardt ’98 and Gary Donahue
Gordon Odegaard ’52
Jerry ’83 and Susan Warnes ’88 Quam
Erika Staub ’51 Niemi and Wayne Niemi
Linda Wichmann ’70 Oja and James Oja
Donavon ’52 and Ardis Roberts
Cynthia Peterson
Kristen Olsrud ’80
Philip Rowberg ’41
Frances Roller Rockey
Arnold ’52 and Betty Paulson
Michael Schock and Leslie Baken
Thomas Ruffaner ’98
Bonnie Carlson Pehrson ’62
Frankie and Jole Shackelford
Donohue ’56 and Marilyn Sarff
Kathryn and Daniel Schwalbe
Charles Sheaffer
Michael ’71 and Bonnie Scott
Sandra Phaup ’64
Steven ’65 and Chynne Strommen
Gertrude Egeland ’48 Sundsted and Jens Sundstad
Sharon Johnson Sullivan ’70
Barbara and Eugene Thompson
Kenneth and Jane Syverson
Joan and Charles Threet
Richard (Porkchop) ’61 and Jane Thompson
Paul ’87 and Tracey Morris ’87 Terrio
Bonnie Jamieson ’69 Wedel and John Wedel
Sue Thompson ’85
Charleen and Donald Weidenbach
The Whitney Foundation
Richard ’56 and Darlene Thorud
Lyndon ’65 and Diane West
William Wittenbreer
Michael ’85 and Rhonda Riesberg ’84 Tjaden
Kurt Clark ’94
Sharon and Stephen Wade
Deborah Fredrickson Crowley ’76
Christopher ’00 McLeod
ALUMNI GIVING BY CLASS YEAR
The following list indicates the percentage of alumni from the traditional day program in each class year who made a gift during 2010-11.
Total participation for all class years is 17.39%.
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
34
33.33%
0.00%
0.00%
50.00%
22.22%
36.36%
36.36%
33.33%
34.62%
25.00%
21.43%
22.58%
30.43%
Augsburg Now
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
29.27%
40.68%
46.34%
38.93%
37.14%
45.65%
39.42%
37.27%
32.56%
38.98%
38.53%
43.00%
48.72%
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
39.44%
42.02%
36.05%
39.22%
30.77%
29.17%
31.58%
34.58%
32.91%
24.56%
21.20%
24.80%
26.39%
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
26.62%
23.68%
19.90%
19.26%
19.92%
22.79%
19.24%
17.52%
17.69%
15.11%
11.07%
13.50%
10.71%
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
10.59%
7.62%
13.85%
11.16%
10.96%
7.14%
11.31%
10.04%
11.90%
8.75%
6.81%
8.26%
10.89%
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
6.22%
7.41%
6.02%
6.16%
5.76%
6.58%
6.60%
5.34%
8.12%
4.38%
6.69%
5.94%
alumni news
Volunteer opportunities at Augsburg
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
A-Club
ou will be happy to know that the
Augsburg spirit of serving the
community is still alive and well.
President Obama honored Augsburg
College with the 2010 Presidential
Award for Community Service.
Augsburg was one of only six colleges
in the U.S. to receive this award—and
with more than 850 schools in competition, this is no small accomplishment! Augsburg’s community involvement has focused
on students giving back their time, both on the day before each
new school year begins, and on projects throughout the year. This
commitment to service is not new to Augsburg and is something
that alumni experienced as students.
The Alumni Association works to continue providing opportunities for alumni to give back by organizing events like Feed My
Starving Children and Habitat for Humanity, plus partnering with
Big Brothers Big Sisters on the recent “Annie” event at the Children’s Theater. I enjoy this model so much that at our November
meeting, the Alumni Board participated in a Campus Kitchen
project preparing food for our surrounding neighbors!
In this spirit of giving, the Alumni Association has added a
philanthropic component to many of our favorite annual events.
This summer at Auggie Night at the Races at Canterbury Park,
alumni donated hundreds of supplies and pairs of new socks to
the Augsburg Central Nursing Center, a free drop-in community
health service in downtown Minneapolis. The Canterbury donation drive was such a success that we are having another donation drive at Advent Vespers in December. Attendees are
encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or supplies such
as soap, toothpaste, adult socks, diapers, Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold
medication, ointments, or Band-Aids to the Vespers services to
help out the needy during the holidays.
Our alumni continue to give their time to the College and to
students by serving as mentors, speaking in the classroom, serving on committees, volunteering at events, and assisting with
special projects. If you would like to get involved and serve as an
Augsburg volunteer, please contact Pat Grans, volunteer coordinator, at gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329.
Y
The organization of former and current Augsburg College
athletes and supporters promotes a quality athletic experience by supporting Augsburg student-athletes and the Athletic Department.
ABC (Augsburg Builds Connections) Mentoring Program
Augsburg Builds Connections mentoring program enables
alumni professionals to provide information, encouragement,
and support to students. This flexible volunteer program allows mentors to connect with students via e-mail, phone, or
face-to-face meetings and assist them in navigating their career path and achieving their professional goals.
Alumni Board
The Alumni Board is a governing body of the Alumni Association. Together with the Office of Alumni and Constituent
Relations, it provides resources and opportunities to engage
alumni with the College and each other through consistent
communication, inclusive programming, and intentional relationship building.
Auggie in Residence
This program is a way for our alumni to come back to the
College and share their career expertise with students, faculty, and staff. This flexible program creates a unique opportunity for alumni to speak about their vocation.
Augsburg Associates
The Associates support Augsburg through fundraising events,
including estate sales and Velkommen Jul food and craft
sales. The group supports special projects and scholarships.
Augsburg Women Engaged
Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) nurtures and strengthens
alumnae engagement with Augsburg, cultivating interest
and passions through connecting, learning, and giving. Join
an AWE Action Team or support an AWE Inspired event for
an awesome experience.
Parent and Family Council
This committee includes parents and family members of
current and former Augsburg students. The Parent and
Family Council will help you stay up-to-date with campus
events and feel more closely connected with your son or
daughter and the College.
Young Alumni Council
This volunteer committee plans and coordinates events for
alumni who graduated within the last 10 years and serves
as an advisory group to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations.
Sincerely,
For more information about these and other
volunteer opportunities contact
ROBERT WAGNER II ’02
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Pat Grans, Volunteer Coordinator
612-330-1329 or gransp@augsburg.edu
volunteer@augsburg.edu
Fall 2011
35
auggies stay involved
Dear fellow alumni,
There are a number of ways to get involved, and being involved is
a great way to stay connected to your college and fellow alumni.
alumni news
Maroon Pages
36
Augsburg Now
Members of the Young Alumni Council enjoyed bowling at Pinstripes
in June. [L to R] Rob Wagner ’02, Cory Allen ’07, David Lange ’08, and
John MacCormick ’10.
Strommen Executive Leader Speaker
Series featuring Steven Wehrenberg ’78,
CEO, Campbell Mithun
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011, 5 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College
Eye-Opener Breakfast featuring
Pat Peterson, Vice President of Research
and Development, Aveda Corporation
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012, 7 a.m.
Town and Country Club, St. Paul
Strommen Executive Leader Speaker
Series featuring Keith Wyche, CEO,
Cub Foods
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012, 5 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Young Alumni enjoyed a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka in September. [L to R] Angie Neuhaus ’08, Felicia Faison ’09, Shannon Olson ’07,
Emily Anderson ’07, and Agnes Kigwana ’09.
Huge Success for the 2011
Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College
YOUNG ALUMNI
Student and Alumni Networking Reception
summer series
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012, 6-8 p.m.
Oren Gateway Center, Augsburg College
Strommen Executive Leader Speaker
Series featuring Jim Owens, President and
CEO, H.B. Fuller
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012, 5 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg College
Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture
presenting Brian J. Anderson ’82, Mercury
MESSENGER deputy project scientist,
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics
Laboratory
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel, Augsburg College
To register for these and more events,
go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
With an attendance of more than 600, this
year’s Young Alumni Summer Series provided
alumni with unique opportunities to connect
with other Auggies and explore the greater
Twin Cities. The series included dueling pianos at the Shout! House, bowling at Pinstripes, and a beautiful evening boat ride on
Lake Minnetonka. The series is supported by
the outstanding leadership of the Young
Alumni Council, which is dedicated to providing dynamic social and personal enrichment
opportunities for Auggies and to keeping
them engaged with their alma mater.
DECEMBER
Augsburg’s alumni webpage now
includes a new opportunity for
Auggies to promote their products
and services to other Auggies
through networking. The success
of the new service, called Maroon
Pages, depends on user participation. When you enter your own industry, profession, position, and
location in the profile form online, a link to your information
will be available to others seeking
your products or services.
To join this network, go to
www.augsburg.edu/alumni, click
on “Maroon Pages,” create your
account, and click again on the
“Maroon Pages” box. You can
enter and update your profile information at the link for your
name, and help assure that
Augsburg’s alumni records are
current. The profile page also includes the search form that will
yield ever-increasing detail about
potential business connections—
especially as more and more
Auggies complete their profiles.
Please spread the word to other
Auggies about this exciting new
tool.
In addition to promoting your
product or services in the new
Auggie Maroon Pages, attend
one of the many upcoming networking events that provide an
opportunity for professional development and to connect with
other Auggies.
Courtesy photo
Connect with Auggies on the
9
By popular demand, the Young
Alumni Council is pleased to
announce a Winter 2011 event.
Save the date of December 9!
Details to follow.
abc
The ABCs of Networking
Recent Auggie graduates who are seeking employment in a challenging economy are discovering a new resource these days.
Augsburg’s new mentoring program, Augsburg Builds Connections
(ABC), puts parents, alumni, and friends of the College in touch
with students or graduates who are in the process of navigating
their career path. Through ABC, students and graduates can receive
information about an organization or learn how to pursue a career in
an industry.
When Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 confronted the work world after graduating with a political science degree, he considered what direction
his career ought to take and how to gain some “real world experience.” He knew he wanted to stay in higher education and was
pleased to get some interviews, but, like many other job seekers, he
heard lots of “no’s” in the process.
With an interest in fundraising, he decided to reach out to the
Augsburg development office for suggestions, and they told him
about the ABC program. Krouse-Gagne called Pat Grans, the volunteer coordinator, and mentioned an interest in fundraising, which he
had thoroughly enjoyed as a student caller for The Augsburg Fund.
Grans checked her database for matches and put him in touch with
Carmela Kranz ’84, an alumna who works for the Minnesota Medical
Foundation at the University of Minnesota. Through meetings and
e-mails, they have worked to build their mentoring relationship.
With more than 25 years’ experience in the fundraising/advance-
Augsburg Builds Connections
Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 with mentor Carmela Kranz ’84 of the Minnesota Medical Foundation
at the University of Minnesota.
ment industry, Kranz said she has a strong urge to “give back” because she feels fortunate to have worked for organizations that provided opportunities for professional and personal growth. She sees
the mentor program as a “nice way to reconnect with Augsburg”
and a way to pass along “snippets of information and advice” to
those just entering the field. She sees networking and relationships
as key, and is pleased that she was able to assist Krouse-Gagne in
finding a job as an annual fund assistant at St. Catherine
University. When they celebrated over lunch, they decided to stay in
touch and to meet as needed.
Krouse-Gagne is pleased that there was no pressure from the
ABC program with regard to time commitment or answering lots of
questions, and he encourages other students and graduates to take
advantage of this opportunity as well. “There is no promise that it
will get you a job,” he said, “but it sure helped me.”
CHERYL CROCKETT, ALUMNI VOLUNTEER
Auggie Admissions Liaisons Help Attract Potential Students
A new volunteer opportunity provides a
chance for Auggie alumni, parents, and
friends of the College across the country to
connect with prospective students attending
college fairs. Dozens of these fairs are held
each year, giving high school students and
their families an opportunity to
survey the college scene and find the best
fit for them. Now, with the help of volunteers, Augsburg is able to have a presence
at even more of these important events.
Kathleen Boggess ’66 and Terry Lindstrom
’73 agreed to staff the Augsburg table at an
Indianapolis college fair in
September. There they related
their own personal stories
about Augsburg and responded to questions
about the College.
Boggess said she and
Lindstrom enjoyed
s
e
i
g
g
u
aARE EVERYWHERE
swapping stories from their Augsburg days
and added that potential students enjoyed
hearing from them about “learning for service” in Augsburg’s unique urban setting.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer at one of these events, contact Pat
Grans, volunteer coordinator, at
gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329.
Volunteers receive a packet of information
in advance, including answers to frequently
asked questions, a list of available classes,
a Fast Facts sheet, and an Augsburg polo
shirt to wear at the fair.
Fall 2011
37
go
auggies!
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
20ho1m1ecoming
10-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 2001
25-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1986
Front Row [L to R]: Skylar Hanson, Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett, Anne (Osberg) Moore.
Back Row [L to R]: Mike Reed, Adam Perkins, Erin Moore, Maggie Tatton, Sarah
Grans, Merry-Ellen Krcil Schwan, Ann Peterson, Katie Koch.
Front Row [L to R]: Steve Olsson, Leslie (Gilberson) Bonshire, Vickie (Ruud) Frazier, Corey
(Greeder) Johnson, Lynn (Pendergast) Fering, Craig Fering, Diana (Wilkie) Buffie. Back Row
[L to R]: Margaret Rog, Thomas Ott, Karin (Sabo) Mantor, Barb (Niesen) McGlynn, Debra
Balzer-Plagemann, Patrick Guernsey, Terry Koenck, Gretchen (Luehrs) Marble, Michelle
(Swift) Steen, guest, Mitch Porter.
40-YEAR REUNION—
CLASS OF 1971
1. Mary Bjerke Stacke, 2. Sally Carlson Bredehoft, 3. Pat
Ellinger, 4. Leanne Phinney, 5. Stephanie (Johnson)
Sulzbach, 6. Pam Petersen Nungesser, 7. Kay (Hendrickson) Owen, 8. Darrell Skogen, 9. Sue Casey, 10. Nancy
Hedstrom Simonetti, 11. Jane Catlin Bracken, 12. Marilyn
Buschbom Lueth, 13. Illa Monda Alexander, 14. Christy
Larsen Branes, 15. Pamela (Rinehart) Albu, 16. Susan
Drake King, 17. Paula (Jones) Iverson, 18. Bonnie
(Board) Niles, 19. Barb Mikelson, 20. Sherry Roach Corwin, 21. Joan Youngren Palm, 22. Tim Casey, 23. Wayne
Jorgenson, 24. John Jenneke, 25. Dennis Hendrickson,
26. Bill Eggers, 27. Corky Hall, 28. Thom Berkowitz, 29.
Bob Martin, 30. Mike Scott, 31. Nancy Paddock Brenny,
32. David Benson, 33. Philip Hoversten, 34. Sue Scott
Swanson, 35. Rachel Hendrickson Julian, 36. Gary
Hagen, 37. Mark Ellinger, 38. Bruce Nelson, 39. David
Benzel, 40. Ruth Schroeder Duffy, 41. Art Scheunemann.
41
26
13
Augsburg Now
29
23
36
37
38
28
11
32
31
30
20
22
21
14
19
8
9
2
3
18
7
4
35
33
15
10
1
38
39
40
24
25
12
27
5
34
17
6
16
reunion classes
50-YEAR REUNION—CLASS OF 1961
First Row [L to R]: Judy Fosse Snider, Mary Lou Baker Christenson, Karen (Egesdal) Trelstad, Leola Dyrud Furman, Pat Swanson Kreuziger, Joan Gibson Labs, Pat Eide Ponto, Oscar Blegen.
Second Row [L to R]: Ted Botten, K. Duane Larson, Carol Oversvee Johnson, Winnie Nordlund Anderson, Pat Nordlund Toussaint, Marie (Gjerde) Schlink, Agnette Duncan, Carol (Anderson)
Geldert. Third Row [L to R]: Jim Holden, Lloyd Bakke, Dennis Kalpin, Verna Stokke Tweiten, Phyllis Acker, Berna (Nelson) Hanson. Fourth Row [L to R]: Arlan E. Johnson, Larry Gallagher,
Keith Leiseth, Dick “Porkchops” Thompson, Cameron Liebenow, Ken Nelson, Bruce Westphal, Marilyn Saure Breckenridge.
SILVER AUGGIES—CLASS OF 1960 AND EARLIER
First Row [L to R]: Ruth Aaskov ’53, Margaret Moe Sannerud ’50, Joyce Hanson ’56, Grace Sulerud ’58, Lorie Christianson ’59, Inez Schwarzkopf ’59, Marolyn Halverson ’51, Bev Omdahl
Nelson ’55, Dolores Flaa Bjerga ’51, Dora Quanbeck ’49, Joan Baxter Larson ’51. Second Row [L to R]: E. W. (Bill) Anderson ’56, Ellen Erickson ’51, Leola Johnson ’51, Arvin Halvorson ’55,
Garfield Hoversten ’50, Bill Halverson ’51, Ruth (Ysteboe) Engelstad ’56, Lillian (Ysteboe) Ose ’51, Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom ’58, Eunice (Nystuen) Sortland ’50, Morris Vaagenes ’51, Herbert Hanson ’51. Third Row [L to R]: Dan Pearson ’51, Wallace Pratt ’51, Quentin Johnson ’51, Leroy Nyhus ’52, Jeroy Carlson ’48, Bill Anderson ’56, Robert Paulson ’50, Philip Quanbeck
’50, Allan Sortland ’53. Fourth Row [L to R]: Don Gilberg ’60, Neal Snider ’57, Glen Gilbertson ’52, Orval Moren ’57, Loren Woolson ’51.
Fall 2011
39
alumni class notes
The V. Benson Pavilion at
Mark Lund was recognized by
58Methodist Stone Oak Hospital 69Luther College for 25 years of
in San Antonio, Tex., was dedicated
on March 9 in recognition of Vernon
L. Benson, MD, the founding chief of
staff.
Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann (Ath-
60letic Hall of Fame 1986) has
begun a new career writing classic
Western short stories in his semi-retirement. Several have been published at bookstogonow.com. Look
for “The Last Manhunt” and “Duel
in Springfield.”
Darryl Torrin retired as pastor
of his congregation in Denver,
Iowa, in 2010. He and his wife have
moved to Cedar Falls and are enjoying their retirement and new neighbors.
auggieSNAPSHOTS
66
40
service at a faculty recognition dinner on May 12. Lund has been on
the Luther faculty since 1978; he
has served as a professor of economics and international studies and
director of international education.
Jane Helmke, long-time KARE
8311 TV veteran and award-winning news journalist, was promoted
to be the station’s news director in
September. During her 28-year career with the station, she has worked
in almost every department in the
newsroom, including production,
news and sports, and special projects. She has served as managing
editor, where she worked primarily
with digital platforms, including overseeing KARE11.com,
Metromix.com, MomsLikeMe.com,
highschoolsports.net, and mobile
ventures.
Dan Schueller, a member of the Gopher Wheelmen team, qualified to
race in the UCI Track Cycling Masters World Championships in Manchester, England, in October. He
raced in the Men’s 50-54 category.
A few more riders from Minnesota
raced along with him, and his wife,
Carolyn Schueller ’90, traveled
with him.
After more than 21 years,
89Glenn Quanbeck retired from
the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant
colonel and was hired as a civil service employee for the U.S. Army
working in Brussels, Belgium.
Heather Muir earned her PhD
90in sport management from the
University of Northern Colorado in
Greeley, Colo. Her dissertation examined the television coverage of
the 2010 Winter Olympic ice hockey
games, looking for differential portrayals based on the players’ gender.
This fall she will teach at Bowling
Green State University in Ohio.
Kristof Nordin and his wife,
91Stacia, came to Malawi, Africa,
in 1997 to work on issues of
HIV/AIDS prevention. They are now
teaching about sustainable agricultural methods and linking them to
better nutrition. Stacia currently
works with the Ministry of Education to implement sustainable garden practices into the more than
5,000 primary schools in the country, and Kristof has become a fulltime trainer to the hundreds of
Maria (Mitchell) Helger-
07son and Erik Helgerson
welcomed Adam James Helgerson on May 5.
were among 25 racers who participated in the
five auggiesfirst annual Cure CMD (congenital muscular
Andrea (Kaul) Naab
07married Jesse Naab ’06
dystrophy) Race for the Cure in St. Paul on August 6. Pictured are [L to R]
Karsten Nelson ’83, Jared Sundvall ’14, Katie Nelson ’14, Jenna Leahy ’14, and
Lauren Haberman ’14. They helped Cure CMD raise $9,000 for research to
find treatments for people affected by CMD.
on May 21 in Edina, Minn.
Maggie Grage married
07Jake Hockenberry on
David Siedlar and Ray Yip ’72 recon-
71nected in Beijing in early August after
40 years. The two didn’t know they were
both in China until Ray did some research
and found his friend.
Augsburg Now
Melissa Kapellen Dvo-
05rak PA and Matthew
Dvorak welcomed their first
son, Thomas Anthony Dvorak, on June 7.
June 25 in Hopkins, Minn.
The couple resides in West
Des Moines, Iowa, where
Maggie works as a teacher in
the Urbandale Community
School District and Jake
works as manager and trainer
of the customer service department at an anime licensing/distributing company in
Grimes.
09
Valerie (Anderson)
Capra MSW married
Jason Capra on May 27.
people who visit their demonstration plot each year (www.neverendingfood.org). Their four-year-old
daughter Khalidwe, which means
“good characteristics of a person”
in the local language of Chichewa,
was born in Malawi.
Corey Davison joined Tenet Healthcare Corporation as senior director
of government relations based in
Dallas, Tex. He will lead Tenet’s state
government relations activities and
oversee core government relations
programs such as Tenet-PAC and
grassroots advocacy.
Larry Anderson completed the
92seventh revision of his book
Raptured Alive: Return of a Prodigal Son.
Anthony Weeks MSW was se-
Kristen Opalinski was ac-
03cepted in 2009 into the ELCA
Young Adults in Global Mission
(YAGM) program. Kristen served in
eastern South Africa, working at the
Lutheran diocese offices, coaching
soccer (with AIDS awareness),
painting murals in the children’s
ward at the local hospital, and working with retreats. At the end of that
YAGM year, she became a media
specialist for the Lutheran Communion of Southern Africa (LUCSA),
uniting 15 churches in 10 countries.
She created a communications network to connect member churches,
designed and maintains the LUCSA
website, designed logos for their
programs and ministries, and travels
extensively, primarily dealing with
AIDS and anti-malaria initiatives.
Rachel (Quick) Pennig and
94lected as a winner for the 38th 06Matt Pennig welcomed Jack
Student Academy Awards for his
film Imaginary Circumstances,
made at Stanford University.
Dee Ann Sibley was awarded a
95McKnight Artist Grant to study
the high key process in photography.
Angela Ahlgren is a visiting as-
98sistant professor in the School
of Theater at Ohio University in
Athens, Ohio. She recently completed her PhD in theatre history
with an emphasis in performance as
public practice at the University of
Texas at Austin.
In May, Ross Murray ’09 MBA
was hired as the director of religion, faith, and values at GLAAD
(Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation).
00
The Minnesota Brass Drum
01and Bugle Corps from St. Paul,
Minn., an all-ages drum and bugle
corps that competes in the Drum
Corps Associates circuit, won the
World Championships in Rochester,
N.Y., in August. This is the first time
that the corps was honored with this
distinction. In addition, the horn line
was named the top horn line in the
competition. Michael Reed, director
of bands at Cedarcrest Academy
and Beacon Academy in Maple
Grove, Minn., is a music tech with
the Corps brass line.
Alexander Pennig on June 18.
Laura Henry married Huck
07Tate on September 9 in St.
Paul. Laura is the daughter of Chuck
and Lavon Emerson-Henry ’74 and
the granddaughter of Victor Emerson
’48 and Rona (Quanbeck) Emerson
’48. The couple will make their
home in Vadnais Heights, Minn.
Explore Your
Life’s Calling
Tom Morgan, executive director of the Augsburg Center for
Faith and Learning, recently hosted a conference with representatives from seven area Lutheran colleges. Following the
conference, a common awareness emerged about exploring
one’s vocation as a defining feature of Lutheran higher education. From this conference came Vocation for Life, a
workshop designed to nurture the vocations of alumni
through discovery of gifts, ongoing exploration, and promotion of calling in all stages of their lives.
This fall Morgan, in partnership with other Lutheran colleges, collaborated on the design and delivery of the Vocation for Life programs and activities. Pilot workshops took
place in Rochester, Minn., and Rockford, Ill.
Watch for information on future opportunities in your
area to participate in this exciting self-exploration.
In Memoriam
Robert Arnold Karlén, Augsburg professor emeritus of music, passed
away peacefully of natural causes on August 19.
Professor Karlén joined the music faculty at Augsburg College where he
taught his entire 42-year career. He served as chair of the Music Department from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1986 to 1989. He was instrumental
in expanding course offerings and creating three new degree programs for
the Music Department: music performance, music education, and music
therapy. He also founded and conducted the Augsburg Orchestra and played
a key role in the design and completion of the Augsburg College Music Hall
in 1977.
Memorials may be given to the Robert Karlén Chamber Music Scholarship. This fund was established in 2002 and is awarded annually to a music
student, with preference given to students who demonstrate exceptional
promise as woodwind and/or brass chamber music performers.
Fall 2011
41
In Memoriam
James G. “Jim” Lindell, Sr. ’46
James G. “Jim” Lindell, loyal Augsburg
alumnus, former member of the Augsburg
College Board of Regents, and generous
benefactor of the Lindell Library, passed
away on August 25.
Lindell attended Augsburg College in
1942-43. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy
from 1943-46, serving in World War II in the Pacific, and attained the rank of petty officer second class. Jim began his
employment with West Publishing in 1947 and worked there
44 years. In the 1960s he was an Alumni Association board
member, and from 1970-82 he served as a regent of the College. His relationship with Augsburg grew into a family legacy
spanning 50 years, with seven members of his family attending and graduating from Augsburg.
The Augsburg library, which opened in 1997, was named
for the Lindell family through the generosity of James and
Jean Lindell. When the family made the decision to fund
the library project, Lindell expressed pride in the spirit of
Augsburg, saying, “My personal feelings from the first days
I visited Augsburg were shaped by students showing their
good attitudes toward each other and the closeness of belonging to the school. This feeling still prevails for me….”
Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow, in his message to the campus community following Lindell’s passing,
wrote this about Lindell: “Jim's passion for Augsburg and for
ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff might have one
of the finest small college libraries in the country leaves a
legacy that will shape an Augsburg education for decades to
come. Even as the Lindell Library is transformed through additions of the learning commons and the Gage Center for Student Success, Jim’s legacy is proving its relevance to the
future of teaching, learning, and scholarship at Augsburg.”
Augsburg’s library, opened in 1997, is
named for the James G. Lindell family.
42
Augsburg Now
Send us your news and photos
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births.
Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.)
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or
program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
In Memoriam
____________________________________________________________
Street address
E. Margaret (Sateren) Trautwein ’37, Brooklyn Center, Minn., age 95, on
September 10.
____________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Einar M. Cannelin ’38, Homewood-Flossmoor, Ill., age 97, on June 26.
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
Gerald "Gerry" Philip Benson ’39, Ft. Collins, Colo., age 96, on July 8.
Elwood J. Lundeen ’42, St. Paul, age 90, on May 28.
Rev. LuVerne L. "Red" Nelson ’43, Westby, Wisc., age 91, on June 24.
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
James "Jim" G. Lindell Sr. ’46, Woodbury, Minn., age 87, on August 25.
Merle Arthur Weflen ’47, Spicer, Minn., age 84, on July 12.
Doris C. (Frojen) Bretheim ’51, Minneapolis, age 83, on June 1.
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Employer
Kenneth R. Hansen ’51, Bloomington, Minn., age 80, on April 18.
Merle T. Knutson ’51, Lakefield, Minn., age 87, on June 16.
Gloria Ruth (Ostrem) Sawai ’53, Edmonton, Alberta, age 81, on July 19.
____________________________________________________________
Position
Mary Lee (Peterson) Leak ’54, Edina, Minn., age 78, on June 17.
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Sheldon Lee Nascene ’58, Pine City, Minn., age 75, on October 15, 2010.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
Stanley L. West ’60, Racine, Wisc., age 73, on May 28.
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
Darold D. Kamrath ’61, Litchfield, Minn., age 73, on January 31.
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
Rev. Orville “O.K.” Anderson ’64, Sioux Falls, S.Dak., age 68, on
August 1, 2010.
John T. Clawson ’67, Minneapolis, age 66, on August 17.
Mark A. Jensen ’68, Annandale, Minn., age 65, on June 13.
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
Joyce J. (Gronli) Clark ’72, Spicer, Minn., age 60, on November 17, 2010.
____________________________________________________________
David G. Langness ’75, Saint Charles, Miss., age 56, on April 25.
Marjorie A. (Seeger) Ramsey ’85, Isanti, Minn., age 47, on June 5.
____________________________________________________________
Jerry Ann Black ’85, age 77, on July 16.
____________________________________________________________
Janice L. Phinney ’98, St. Paul, age 58, on July 30.
____________________________________________________________
Jason Stevens ’15, Rochester, Minn., age 19, on September 20.
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Professor Emeritus Robert A. Karlén, Bethesda, Md., age 87, on August 19.
Fall 2011
43
auggie voices
Neighborhood resource broker: Mary Laurel True
Mary Laurel True conducts business wherever she goes—whether
she’s headed to lunch at the Afro Deli on Riverside and 20th avenues,
walking across campus for a meeting with a faculty member, or on the
way home in her bumper-sticker-clad car. That’s because True’s “business” is connecting with the community, and as a 20-year resident of
the Seward neighborhood, she has a lot of contacts.
True’s relationship with the neighborhood and Augsburg began
when she was still a college student at St. Catherine University. In
1979, she traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico through the Center for
Global Education. She later moved to the West Bank and became involved in local politics, and then she returned to Seward in 1989
after graduate school.
True was hired by Augsburg in 1990 as the coordinator of community service learning. “At the time,” she said, “nobody really knew
what that meant for a college.” Her job began by finding ways to add
service-learning experiences to the curriculum, but she said it has
morphed into much more. “I see myself, and I think the College
does too, as someone who sees what’s going on in the community
and brings that to campus but also sees what the College has and
brings it to the community.”
Today, True calls herself a “resource broker” between Augsburg
and the community. Her role as director of community service-learning involves connecting faculty to people and organizations where
students can not only be involved in service but also meet their professors’ learning objectives.
To that end, True partners with faculty in departments including
athletics, biology, education, English, environmental studies, mathematics, physics, religion, sociology, social work, and studio art.
She connects them to organizations such as Bethany Lutheran
Church, Brian Coyle Community Center, Mixed Blood Theatre,
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Our Saviour’s
Housing, and the Seward Montessori School.
“If you spend most of your time in the community that you are
going to be engaged with, then not only do you understand it
deeply but you’re also much more accountable.”
True said she sees her role as a partner to the faculty, helping
them become engaged with the community. “They use the community as a text,” she said. She noted that the faculty’s commitment to
engaging with the world makes her work easy and enjoyable. “Our
faculty come here because they want to be in the city. They believe
we have a lot to learn from the community,” she said.
As a Seward resident, True has become deeply involved with
neighborhood organizations and causes. Because she is a neighbor
44
Augsburg Now
to the organizations with which Augsburg partners, she feels it is important that she be trustworthy and committed. “If you spend most
of your time in the community that you are going to be engaged with,
then not only do you understand it deeply but you’re also much more
accountable.”
True demonstrates her commitment through volunteer work with
local organizations, including Bedlam Theatre, the People’s Center,
the East African Women’s Center, and the Somali American Education Center. As an artist, she is also interested in the local music and
arts scene, and she and her husband are involved with the Seward
Co-Op.
“I really love this institution,” True said. “I believe in the work
that I do because I think Augsburg really walks its talk. I feel so
proud of this place and of how the community values who we are and
what we do here.”
So if you see Mary Laurel True out talking to Somali women from
the neighborhood resource center or stopping into the Afro Deli for
lunch, she isn’t out of the office avoiding work. She is simply doing
her job.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
returns to Augsburg
The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is an international event designed to inspire peacemaking. Now in its 24th year, the forum moves to its new
Minneapolis-based format and will be co-hosted by Augsburg College in
partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of
Minnesota. Augsburg is honored to continue this event with the support of
the Norwegian Nobel Institute, our sister Norwegian Lutheran colleges, and
our community partners who share our commitment to education for peace.
The 2012 forum is scheduled March 1 to 3, and will welcome former
president of South Africa F. W. de Klerk as keynote speaker. President de
Klerk, who won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, was the
last state president of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from 1989 to
1994. He is best known for engineering the end of apartheid and for supporting the transformation of South Africa into a multi-racial democracy. In
recent years, his passion for peace continues through his work addressing
the complex challenges of the 21st century, such as building multicultural
societies, rethinking immigration policy, and understanding global economic forces.
Learn more and sign up for e-mail updates about the 2012 Peace
Prize Forum at www.peaceprizeforum.org.
24TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM • MARCH 1-3, 2012 • F.W. DE KLERK, KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Erica Salkas ’11 performs a dance choreographed by David DeBlieck ’88, theater arts instructor, in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum, hosted at Augsburg College.
Photo by Kendra (Christiansen) Oxendale ’11
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Norwegian Royal Visit
In October, Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway attended a worship
service at Augsburg College with President Paul and Abigail Pribbenow as well as 300
Norwegian students studying in the U.S. The King and Queen stopped at Augsburg as part
of their eight-day visit to Minnesota and Iowa. Following the service, Augsburg dedicated a
peace pole in Their Majesties’ honor.
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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
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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 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
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
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Minneapolis, MN 55454
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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...
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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
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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
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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
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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 married
William (Will) Hubbard on May 4.
Stephanie started a master of arts
in music therapy program at Saint
Mary of the Woods College in July.
Roxanne L. Nelson is a loan document specialist at Wells Fargo.
She and her husband, Miles
Nelson, live in Bloomington,
Minn. Augsburg librarian Mike
Bloomberg was the officiant at
their wedding, which included
several other Auggies: mother
of the bride, Teresa Lynch ’95;
maid of honor/sister of the bride,
Charlotte Johnson ’15; and father
of the bride, Bruce Johnson ’68.
Kirsten (Bar) Wells married Garth
Wells on July 27 in Evergreen,
Colo. Kirsten is a music therapist
at Mountain Vista Retirement
Community, and Garth is a helicopter pilot for Flight for Life. The
couple resides in Evergreen, Colo.
Jaclyn D. Willis became a certified
trainer for Proloquo2Go assistive
software, a communication program that helps those with speech
impairments and with challenges
in communicating with others.
Jennifer L. Avery is a freelance muralist. She recently
completed her first project for
CND’s Nuts N Bolts, a machine
shop in South St. Paul, Minn.
11
Fall 2013
29
Seth Lienard was named in the
July/August SpecialEvents.com
list of “25 Young Pros to Watch”
for the admirable work he is doing
and for his belief in the ongoing
power of special events.
School in Rockford, Minn., and
Brett is a team lead in the Margins
Department at the Royal Bank of
Canada in Minneapolis. They live
in Maple Grove, Minn.
Ali Rapp finished her master’s
in communication studies at the
University of Minnesota, and
began a position as product marketing specialist at Nintendo of
America in Redmond, Wash.
Angela L. Lee and husband,
Adam, in August welcomed their
son, Alexander Michael Lee.
Andrew J. Witte’s undergraduate
research is being reviewed for the
Journal of Geophysical Research.
Meghan A. Novak has a new
job as executive team leader
of hardlines at Target Corporation.
She is engaged to marry Ryan
Bachman ’13 in 2014.
13
John W. Truax welcomed son,
Parker Wayne Truax, on July 14.
Jessica and Stephen Westby
welcomed daughter, Olivia Grace
Westby, born November 23, 2012.
Brett Quick and Jenna (Forbrook)
Quick ’10 were married on
December 1, 2012, at Incarnation
Lutheran Church in Shoreview,
Minn. Auggies in the wedding
party were Steven Quick ’06 (best
man), Ashley (Hovey) Holten ’10
(bridesmaid), Seth Lienard ’11
(usher), and Kendra (Christiansen)
Oxendale ’11 (photographer).
Jenna is a kindergarten teacher at
Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet
Kristin G. Bunge lived in
Costa Rica earlier this year,
teaching English through English
Volunteers for Change.
12
Brittany A. Juntunen and Scott
Hemann ’12 moved to Oklahoma
City, Okla., where Juntunen teaches fifth grade as a special education corps member with Teach for
America. She was accepted into
Johns Hopkins Graduate School of
Education.
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
A special choral concert in honor of Leland
B. Sateren ’35, on what would have been his
100th birthday, took place on October 13
at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina,
Minn. Sateren taught at Augsburg from
1946 through 1979, during which time he
also served as chair of the Music Department. Sateren was also a renowned composer, having composed hundreds of choral
works. More than 180 Augsburg choir alumni,
spanning four decades and coming from all
over the U.S., participated in the concert,
which was directed by several of Sateren’s
former students, many of whom now serve
as choral directors across the country.
30
Augsburg Now
Mary Simonson Clark ’07 MSW
recently received the David and
Nancy Olson “Leadership for a
Missional Church Award” at the
Minneapolis Area Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America Assembly.
Sandra J. Laski ’07 MSW was
awarded Veteran’s Administration
national recognition for work on
LGBT issues.
Rachel Loftus ’10 MAE teaches
math at Kennedy High School in
Bloomington, Minn.
Kirsten Spreck ’10 MAL recently
accepted a new role at Thrivent
Financial as vice president of talent management.
Hector R. Matascastillo ’10 MSW
began a private practice and
recently developed a batterer
intervention program for veterans.
He received the Returning
Veteran’s Resiliency in Response
to Trauma award and the Veteran’s
Voices award from the Humanities
Center in Minnesota.
Julie A. Lundberg ’12 MAN works
in an enhanced critical care unit
(E-ICU). She is the founder of the
patient family advisory council,
One World, which is dedicated to
understanding health and wellness needs.
Photo credit: Johanna Kitzman ’11, johannakitzmanphotog.wix.com/jkphoto
Leland B. Sateren’s
Graduate programs
Christopher Annand ’09 MBA was
named the global ethics and
compliance program director for
Cargill, Inc. and is responsible for
representing and administering
Cargill’s Code of Conduct.
In memoriam
Roy A. Johnson ’41, Fargo,
N.Dak., age 94, on May 14.
Sylvia (Sevig) Rovenko ’41,
Minot, N.Dak., age 93, on
February 21.
Franklin John Skolos ’56,
Bloomington, Minn., age 83, on
January 30.
Virgil Robert Gehring ’57, Eagan,
Minn., age 82, on June 16.
Muriel M. (Melhus) Rufsvold ’42,
Lisbon, N.Dak., age 93, on
May 11.
Sylvia P. (Ostergaard) Dixen ’62,
Circle Pines, Minn., age 74, on
January 17.
LaVille Caroline (Henjum) Larson
’44, Bozeman, Mont., age 89,
on June 7.
Robert “Bob” W. Tyson ’65,
Murphysboro, Ill., age 69, on
July 5.
Mildred E. (Serstock) Boxrud ’45,
Minneapolis, age 90, on June 1.
Victoria Mae Koelling ’66, Fertile,
Minn., age 68, on July 10.
Edna Marion (Carlson) Johnson
’45, Yuma, Ariz., age 90, on
July 24.
Dale E. Sturzenegger ’66,
Olympia, Wash., on June 2.
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
Suzanne Marie (Lundeen)
Matthews ’69, Minneapolis, age
66, on July 31.
_________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
George M. Sverdrup ’46, Edina,
Minn., age 88, on September 20.
Christine E. (Hansen) Scott ’70,
Glasgow, Ky., age 64, on
July 24.
_________________________________________________
Street address
Ruth G. (Pederson) Cashman ’47,
Margaretville, N.Y., age 88, on
July 13.
Brian Christian Nielsen ’74,
Cold Spring, Minn., age 60, on
January 3.
Theodore “Ted” LeRoy Anderson
’48, Iowa City, Iowa, age 89, on
April 26.
Mary Jean (Clapp) Overend ’74,
Grand Rapids, Minn., age 85,
on July 21.
_________________________________________________
Home telephone
Calvin Bryan Hanson ’48,
Bellingham, Wash., age 87, on
May 10.
Susan Heidi (Thorkelson) Ryan
’74, Ivanhoe, Minn., age 61, on
July 6.
_________________________________________________
Email
Ravonna Deon (Nelson) Lassle
’48, Sioux Falls, S.Dak., age 86,
on June 30.
Doris Winnifred (Larson) Sunde
’74, Maryville, Tenn., age 86, on
January 4.
Barbara A. (Schindler) Berg ’49,
Janesville, Wis., age 85, on
May 31.
Joseph Rafael Becquer ’85,
Naples, Fla., age 50, on
April 20.
Erling M. Helland ’49, Olmsted
Falls, Ohio, age 87, on April 12.
Kathleen George Tobin ’87,
Minneapolis, age 90, on July 12.
Marilynn Avenell (Halvorson)
Parker ’50, Trempealeau, Wis.,
age 86, on June 2.
Keith Emmet Hanrahan ’89,
Minneapolis, age 53, on May 27.
Wedel Daniel Nilsen ’45, Cape
Girardeau, Mo., age 90, on
July 5.
Joann (Wicklund) Welinski ’50,
Northfield, Minn., age 85, on
July 19.
Harold Roy Schafer ’51, Windsor
Heights, Iowa, age 91, on
August 15.
Eleanor Marian (Landsverk)
Gargrave ’52, Northfield, Minn.,
age 82, on July 24.
Jerome “Jerry” M. Engseth ’53,
Elm Grove, Wis., age 82, on
August 4.
Richard “Dick” John Larson ’54,
Litchfield, Minn., age 80, on
June 1.
26
Ray Stanley Ganyo ’91, Grand
Forks, N.Dak., age 52, on
July 27.
_________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Okay to publish your email address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
_________________________________________________
Employer
_________________________________________________
Position
_________________________________________________
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? ❑ Yes ❑ No
If yes, class year_____________________________________
Jill Marie (Sculthorp) Stich ’96,
Hudson, Wis., age 43, on
May 20.
_________________________________________________
Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable)
Ann Kristin Johnson ’00, St. Paul,
age 49, on July 21.
Your news:
_________________________________________________
Leslie Kathlene Lynch ’04,
Savage, Minn., age 54, on
March 22.
_________________________________________________
Settar M. Altiok ’09, Plymouth,
Minn., age 43, on February 11.
_________________________________________________
❑ I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Regent Emerita Marie Olive
McNeff, Anoka, Minn., age 76,
on August 23.
Fall 2013
31
IN MEMORIAM
Lifelong teacher.
Pilot.
Regent.
Dean of Academic Affairs.
Mom.
Entrepreneur.
Cook.
These are only a handful of words and titles that describe
Marie Olive McNeff, a dedicated leader in the Augsburg
College community for nearly 40 years, who passed away
August 23 at her home following a yearlong battle with cancer.
McNeff’s commitment to the College crossed all departments, but started in 1968 when she was a member of the
Education Department. McNeff taught for 27 years in the
College’s elementary education, adult undergraduate, and
Master of Arts in Leadership programs.
“Marie’s willingness to think ‘large’ and beyond traditional
bounds and take calculated risks serves as a model for all of
us in the Education Department,” said Vicki Olson, director of
the Master of Arts in Education program, in a 2001 nomination of McNeff for the Spirit of Augsburg Award.
“Always we have been challenged by Marie’s ‘reach for
the stars’ attitude,” Olson said. “She pushed, prodded, and
encouraged us to think large. Sometimes we could, often we
couldn’t. As I grow older, I find that those stars don’t seem
as far away, and that is largely due to the conditioning and
practice that Marie has led me through.”
In 1995, McNeff was appointed vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College. She left this position in
1999 to spend her last year prior to retirement as Augsburg’s
academic master planner, creating a blueprint to implement
the academic provisions of Augsburg 2004, a College vision
document. She was elected to the Board of Regents in 2005
and served in that position until her retirement.
“I became Marie’s student when I arrived at Augsburg
and slowly realized that this remarkable woman did indeed
have the heart of a teacher. She did strive each and every
day to create opportunities for learning—learning that was
grounded in community, learning that was lifelong, learning
that changed lives,” said Augsburg College President Paul C.
Pribbenow in his eulogy for McNeff.
32
26
Augsburg Now
Archive photo
Marie Olive McNeff
“I was invited into her extended classroom, where she
taught me about Augsburg and its deeply held values—about
community and shared leadership and walking the talk. She
taught me about ways in which a small business such as
SarTec can partner with a college like Augsburg to serve our
mutual needs and aspirations. She taught me to dream big
and then give away what you find. She taught me courage and
resilience.”
McNeff’s reach extended into many areas outside of Augsburg, most notably in her commitment to McNeff family businesses where she served in varied roles, including as assistant
to the president at SarTec Corporation, president of McNeff
Research Consultants, and member of the Board of Directors
of Ever Cat Fuels.
It was in her role with SarTec that McNeff’s commitment
to mentoring, leadership, and hospitality was again made
evident. Every day McNeff prepared lunch for employees of
the company. Staff and family would gather in fellowship and
community just upstairs from the offices.
McNeff was a graduate of Genoa High School in Genoa,
Nebr., and earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees
in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She was
a member of the Anoka United Methodist Church and held a
private pilot’s license.
As an educator, leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist,
McNeff was deeply committed to the vision for the Center for
Science, Business, and Religion, and the McNeff family is a
great benefactor of the College.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother,
LeRoy Rockey. She is survived by her sister, Marece; her husband, Larry; her son, Clayton ’91, and daughter-in-law, Denise;
and three grandchildren: Charles, Alexander, and Bridget.
Memorials may be directed to the Augsburg College Center
for Science, Business, and Religion (augsburg.edu/giving).
An Augsburg Legacy:
Dr. Paul and LaVonne Batalden ’63
Since their graduation in 1963, Paul and LaVonne Batalden
have seen Augsburg grow and change, and—at the same
time—have appreciated the ways in which the College
upholds its founding traditions. The Bataldens attend several
Augsburg events each year, and—as the holiday season
approaches—recognize that the upcoming Advent Vespers
services and on-campus Velkommen Jul celebration play an
integral part in many Auggies’ annual traditions.
We hope you are able to take part in these treasured
Augsburg celebrations. And, whatever your plans,
we wish you a blessed holiday season.
To learn more about Velkommen Jul and
Advent Vespers, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Charles S. Anderson Music Hall
This fall, Augsburg renamed its music building the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall to honor the legacy
of the College’s eighth president (see story, page 6). To watch a stop-motion video of the building sign
installation, go to augsburg.edu/now or scan the QR code.
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Title
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Augsburg Now Fall 2014: Learning Without Limits
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-
Alumni Magazine Collection
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Search Result
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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 Arts degree
in musical theater at Minnesota State
University in Mankato, Minn.
and filmed there in August. McDonald
graduated with a degree in studio art and
a focus in graphic design.
Joshua Linde ’07 keeps culture alive,
one bag at a time. See page 30.
2009
Kristin Daniels has moved
from Minneapolis to Los
Angeles. She began attending California
Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks,
Calif., this fall in pursuit of a master of
science degree in counseling.
Michael Buller graduated
from Luther Seminary in
St. Paul, was ordained to ministry, and
was called to serve the congregations
of Emmanuel and Galchutt Lutheran
Churches in North Dakota.
2003
2006
Sarah Jane (Elhardt) Perbix,
who majored in music and
marketing communication, performed on
“The Late Show with David Letterman,”
where she played keyboards and sang
backup with Minnesota’s rising-star,
Jeremy Messersmith. Perbix also is a
member of the band Cloud Cult.
Mike Matson ’06 influences Auggie
athletics on and off the field. See
page 14.
Maggie McDonald is an executive producer and creative
director for the indie film, “What Doesn’t
Kill You.” This narrative feature was
written by two filmmakers from Boston
40
Augsburg Now
Christian Shada and a group of
Auggie friends from the classes of
2003 and 2004 have been visiting different
campgrounds and cabins since graduation.
Today there are mini-Auggies, new-Auggies,
and a couple of Auggies on the way.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit
augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Reneya (Mayberry) Peterson was married
on June 25, 2011, to Philip Peterson at
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
She has been working as an analyst at
U.S. Bank for the past five years.
2007
Rev. Sara Quigley Brown is
pursuing a Masters of Public
Administration degree at the University of
Alaska Anchorage. She is a chaplain with the
Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains.
2010
Nick Swanson ’09, ’12 MBA is producer and host
of “Claim Your Trophy,” a TV show that provides
information about outfitters who can help individuals
prepare for once-in-a-lifetime hunting or fishing
events. Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin
have picked up the program.
2000
Jamie (Simmons) Kaufman is pursuing an
MD at University of Minnesota Medical
School.
Jessica Spanswick traveled for several
weeks in South America to learn Spanish
and to teach. She started her travels in
Bogotá, Colombia.
Peter Weston Miller completed his
studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul,
was ordained to ministry, and began
his first call as an ELCA pastor at
Atonement Lutheran Church in New
Brighton, Minn.
Emily Wiles graduated from Luther
Seminary in St. Paul, was ordained to
ministry, and began her first call as pastor
in the ELCA at Faith Lutheran Church in
Avon, Ind.
2010
Taylor (Norman) Davis married
Josh Davis in November 2013
at the Historic Concord Exchange in South
St. Paul, Minn. Josh, who is an armorer and
craftsman, made Taylor’s engagement ring
and wedding band set.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
2012
Kristin Bunge graduated with a
major in psychology and minor
in Spanish. She is attending Tennessee
State University for her master’s degree in
counseling psychology. She is excited to get
to know new people, a new school, and a
new city, but will miss Minneapolis and the
opportunity to be on Augsburg’s campus.
The University of California, Berkeley is the
choice of economics major Brianna Noland for
her master’s degree in statistics.
Elly Bier, a physics and chemistry graduate,
is attending Duke University, where she is
pursuing a doctorate in medical physics.
Kendall Pruitt has been hired by Augsburg
exchange partner United International College
in Zhuhai, China.
Christa Blaquiere, a chemistry major, is
attending the University of Saskatchewan to
pursue a PhD in organic chemistry.
Marisol Campusano, a social work graduate,
is studying at the University of Minnesota in
pursuit of a master’s degree in social work.
Brian Grande ’11, a data analyst associate for the Community
Health department at Fairview Health Services, serves as a mentor
in Augsburg’s Scholastic Connections program and as a board
member for La Oportunidad, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that
serves the Latino population. He assisted at La Oportunidad’s 2014
Latino Youth Peace and Leadership Conference, held at Augsburg.
Management and finance major Jeffrey Hoberg
is pursuing a master of business administration
at Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas.
Adam Langer is pursuing his MD at University
of Minnesota Medical School Duluth.
Lindsey Niederhaus, who studied chemistry and
Spanish at Augsburg, is pursuing a doctorate
in pharmacy at University of Minnesota.
2013
Rosie Benser, a sociology major
and McNair Scholar, is pursuing a
PhD in sociology at Syracuse University.
Bao Bui majored in international relations at
Augsburg and is attending the University of
Trier in Germany to pursue a master’s degree in
international economics and public policy.
Brittany Kimball, a biology major at Augsburg,
is a first-year medical student at Mayo Medical
School.
Peter Larsen, a political science, international
relations, and religion major, is attending
Georgetown University, where he is pursuing a
doctorate in government.
Jamila Lee is seeking a master’s degree in
international counseling psychology at the
University of St. Thomas.
James “Bear” Mahowald, a sociology major, will
pursue a doctorate in international studies at
the University of Washington Henry M. Jackson
School of International Studies.
Will Matchett is pursuing a PhD in biomedical
sciences at the Mayo Clinic.
Luke Mueller studied history and mathematics
at Augsburg and is now studying at Harvard
University for a master’s degree in biostatistics.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog. Visit
augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Zamaya Taylor works at Hennepin County
Medical Center as a certified phlebotomist
in the outpatient lab. She plans to apply to
graduate school this winter.
Gottlieb Uahengo, a physics major and McNair
Scholar, is pursuing a PhD in mechanical
engineering at University of California,
Riverside.
Ali Wolfe, a biology and chemistry graduate,
is enrolled at George Washington University in
the physician assistant program.
Kuoth Wiel ’13 shines in the new feature
film, “The Good Lie.” See page 16.
2014
Urton Anderson is studying for a
master’s degree in Professional
Accounting at the University of Texas at Austin.
Sierra Barger, a psychology alumna, has been
accepted at the University of St. Thomas
to pursue a master’s degree in counseling
psychology.
Casey Bargsten is a freelance filmmaker.
Katelyn Berens attends the College of St.
Scholastica and is pursuing a master’s degree
in athletic training.
Katherine Berger is enrolled in Augsburg’s
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
program.
Kendra Bostick is working as a personal care
assistant at Accra Care.
Shannon Brankley is employed at Allina Health
Systems as a registered nurse.
Natalya Brown works for United International
College in Zhuhai, China.
Ameriprise Financial has employed Weston
Burns as a financial adviser.
Samantha Cantrall is working as a web
marketing intern at Lifetouch.
Anya Cleaver is employed as an administrative
assistant at KRW International.
Kimberly Club is employed as a community
organizer at Friendly Streets.
Casey Collins is a development assistant with
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Catherine Colsrud was named commissioner
of administration for the Mille Lacs Band of
Ojibwe. Colsrud holds a degree in business
administration.
Aaron Crenshaw is a business analyst with
Ameriprise Financial.
Vy Dam is an associate auditor at Baker Tilly
Virchow Krause.
Dereck Dasrath, is enrolled at the University
of Minnesota pursuing a master’s degree in
mechanical engineering.
Spring
Fall 2014
2014
17
37
41
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Andrew Dent is studying library
and information science at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Elena Eveslage is employed
as co-coordinator of Augsburg
College Campus Kitchen.
Casey Gintner is working in
document management services
at Night Owl.
Nikolas Giwojna is pursuing a
Master of Business Taxation
degree at the University of
Minnesota’s Carlson School of
Management.
Dustina Granlund has been hired
as a project administrator at
Travelers Insurance Companies.
Katrina Hadler is an event
assistant at Peak Entertainment.
Ashley Hartman is a marketing
assistant at Wilbur-Ellis.
Alex Hein is a management
trainee at Enterprise.
Daniel Heu is employed in
nutrition services at Fairview.
Delissa Hernandez is employed
as an accountant at the Federal
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
Luis Hernandez, a physics
graduate, is pursuing a doctorate
in material engineering at North
Carolina State University.
Elizabeth Hilgendorf attends the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh,
and studies nursing.
Abeni Hill was hired by United
International College in Zhuhai,
China.
Kelsey Hlavac was hired by Grace
Lutheran Church as director of
Christian education and youth
ministry.
Brett Howe is a business analyst
with United Health Group.
Rayka Huq is a treasury accounting
intern at Wells Fargo & Co.
42
Augsburg Now
Chris Howard is a hotel manager
at Marriott.
Danielle Jackson is working as an
associate educator at Minneapolis
Public Schools.
LaTrice Jones is a business analyst
for CSM Corporation.
Quintin Joseph is working in
customer service at USA Today.
McKay Karl is employed as a
security counselor with Minnesota
Sex Offender Program.
Laura Keehn is employed as a
cytotechnologist with VAMC.
Khomson Kerati-thamkul, a
chemistry and math graduate, is
studying at University of Iowa for a
doctorate in chemistry.
Jamie Kienitz is working as a
registered nurse and is employed
by Fairview.
Ravi Kimal serves as store
executive team leader at Target.
Kevin McKenna, a psychology
graduate, is pursuing a doctorate
in clinical psychology at Palo Alto
University.
Emily Rutten works for an adult
rehabilitative mental health
services program at Metro
Psychology Support Services.
Brian Moynihan is working as
a baseball coach at South High
School.
Amineh Safi will study public policy
at the University of Minnesota
Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Cody Nehiba, an economics
graduate, is pursuing a doctorate
in economics at the University of
California, Irvine.
Matthew Schirber is pursuing
a master’s degree in advocacy
and political leadership at the
University of Minnesota Duluth.
Katherine Nelson is working as a
business analyst at Target.
Samuel Schwartz is employed by
United International College in
Zhuhai, China.
Nial Nelson-Hopkins is employed
as a video editor in motion graphics
for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Natalie Newberry is employed as
a behavioral health intake social
worker at Northpoint Health and
Wellness Center.
Carley Olson is pursuing a
graduate degree in clarinet
performance at the University of
Minnesota School of Music.
Meredyth Krug is working as a field
organizer for Al Franken for Senate.
Magaly Ortiz Aucapiña works for
United International College in
Zhuhai, China.
Elizabeth Lopez Vazquez is
employed by United International
College in Zhuhai, China.
Michael Pawlick is working as a
financial advisor with Mutual of
Omaha.
Andrew Lund, a chemistry
graduate, is attending University
of Minnesota Dental School for his
Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Anna K. Peterson is an intern with
the Washington County Historical
Society.
Zach Malecha is serving as
a youth director at All Saints
Lutheran Church.
Anna C. Peterson has been
accepted into the Master of Music
in Performance program at the
University of Iowa.
Tiffany Mathews is working as a
senior registered sales associate
with Piper Jaffray.
John Peterson is working as a
production supervisor at UTC
Aerospace Systems.
Benjamin Mattson, a psychology
graduate, is studying at St. Cloud
State University for his master’s
degree in clinical mental health
counseling.
Holly Reddy is studying for a
master’s degree in divinity at
Luther Seminary in St. Paul.
Chiquila McCall is working as
a social work administrator at
Augsburg Fairview Academy.
Amir Rose, a physics alumnus
and McNair Scholar, is pursuing
a doctorate in mechanical
engineering at University of
California, Riverside.
Megan Sheridan is working as a
dialysis technician with Fresnius.
Austin Smith is in the leadership
development program at
Ameriprise Financial.
Lavasha Smith is employed as
a family support worker for The
Family Partnership.
Sheri Stevens is working as the
medical coding manager at
Fairview Medical Group.
Micheale Tesema was hired by
United International College in
Zhuhai, China.
Catherine Thao is working as a
tutor at Minnesota Reading Corps.
Jordan Van Dyk is employed as a
promotion specialist with Gander
Mountain.
Samantha Vance is employed as a
behavior therapist with Minnesota
Autism Center.
Ashley Waters, chemistry alumna
and McNair Scholar, is pursuing
a doctorate in chemistry at the
University of Cincinnati.
Anna Weitz is a program counselor
with Pinnacle Home Services.
Patrick Werle is pursuing a
master’s in creative writing at
Hamline University in St. Paul.
Brittney Westgard is employed as
a shelter advocate at St. Stephens.
Emma Winegar is employed as a
technical services problem solver
at Epic.
Vivieng Xiong is working at
Travelers Insurance Companies as
a senior account manager.
Allison Zank, chemistry alumna
and McNair Scholar, is pursuing
a doctorate in chemistry at North
Carolina State University.
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 this form or go
to augsburg.edu/alumni/connect
to submit your
Class Note.
See story on
page 30.
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi
or a 1MB file.)
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral
notice, or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to:
Augsburg Now Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave.,
Minneapolis, MN 55454, or email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also
submit news at augsburg.edu/alumni/connect.
______________________________________________________
Full name
______________________________________________________
Maiden name
David Zastrow has been hired
by the ELCA as a young adult in
global mission. He also is working
as a marketing intern for the
Minnesota Wild.
______________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
______________________________________________________
Street address
Katherine (Zelz) MacDonald
is studying at University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a
master’s degree in library science.
______________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
______________________________________________________
Home telephone
Jill Watson ’10 MBA is now
a senior business analyst at
ManageForce.
Amit Ghosh ’12 MBA received the
2013-14 District 6 Toastmaster of
the Year award at the Toastmaster
Leadership Institute annual
meeting. This is one of the highest
awards given to an individual
for exceptional contribution and
dedication to Toastmasters.
District 6 has 10 divisions, 60
areas, 290 clubs and more than
5,000 members in Minnesota and
Central Ontario, Canada.
Jennifer Umberger ’11 MBA,
director of university marketing at
Kutztown University in Kutztown,
Penn., was named to Lehigh
Valley Business’s Forty Under 40
list. The winners were selected
based on their professional
accomplishments, leadership,
vision, and community service.
Umberger was appointed director
of university marketing in 2012.
She also serves as Midwest
territory director for philanthropy
for Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
Send us your news and photos
Phillip Petersen ’14 MBA is
working as a business systems
analyst II at Ameriprise Financial
Services.
Augsburg College men’s and
women’s cross country head
coach Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL
finished 11th in the women’s
10,000-meter run at the
USA Outdoor Track and Field
Championships. It was the 18th
time Peyton has finished in the
top 11 in various USA distance
and cross country championships
since 2009.
______________________________________________________
Email
Okay to publish your email address? q Yes q No
______________________________________________________
Employer
______________________________________________________
Position
______________________________________________________
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
If yes, class year___________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable)
Your news:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Spring 2014
Fall 2014
17
43
In memoriam
Edor C. Nelson ’38, Inver Grove Heights,
Minn., age 100, on August 27.
Darlin L. (Christensen) Johnson ’52,
Kennewick, Wash., age 88, on August 3.
Myra H. (Arends) Hennes ’64, Maple Grove,
Minn., age 71, on May 24.
Lois L. (Couture) Kyrklund ’38, Eden Prairie,
Minn., age 97, on June 18.
Arden J. Ramlo ’52, Eden Prairie, Minn.,
age 85, on May 11.
Ordean L. Grant ’66, St. Charles, Minn.,
age 81, on July 21.
Gretha M. (Halvorson) Loken ’38, Zumbrota,
Minn., age 98, on August 1.
Donald A. Norum ’54, Bemidji, Minn.,
age 81, on July 3.
Robert “Bob” A. Holthe ’71, Red Wing,
Minn., age 69, on June 5.
Mabel A. (Nelson) Kingstad ’41, Williston,
N.Dak., age 95, on June 28.
James W. Anderson ’55, Bloomington,
Minn., age 83, on June 8.
Elwood A. Lepel ’74, West Richland, Wash.,
age 62, on August 8.
Elizabeth M. (Pfutzenrenter) Bellinger ’43,
Lake Forest, Calif., age 92, on July 27.
Beverly F. (Omdahl) Nelson ’55, New
London, Minn., age 80, on July 6.
Lana M. (Pegors) Smith ’81, Eagle Grove,
Iowa, age 61, on June 26.
James H. Hanson ’45, Des Moines, Iowa,
age 83, on June 30.
Dorothy M. (Floistad) Benson ’56,
Minneapolis, age 82, on June 8.
Robert R. Wick ’81, St. Louis Park, Minn.,
age 54, on May 13.
Barbara “Bobbie” (Larson) Buescher ’47,
Midland, Texas, age 88, on June 13.
David G. Jansen ’56, Crookston, Minn.,
age 79, on July 6.
Kathleen K. Dooley ’85, Inver Grove Heights,
Minn., age 72, on June 1.
Donna M. (Quanbeck) Jacobson ’48, McVille,
N.Dak., age 87, on June 25.
Melvin W. Larson ’56, Las Vegas, Nev.,
age 85, on May 17.
Thomas G. Furlong ’88, Minneapolis, age
50, on April 28.
Clarence L. Miller ’48, Montgomery, Ala.,
age 92, on July 22.
Kenneth G. Hagen ’58, Lake Mills, Wis.,
age 77, on May 11.
Lara J. Elhard ’90, Hastings, Minn., age 46,
on July 25.
Robert “Bob” M. Segerstrom ’48, Burleson,
Texas, age 86, on June 30.
Donald A. Olsen ’60, New Brighton, Minn.,
age 83, on August 21.
Ann M. (Hennessy) Russett ’94, Hanover,
Minn., age 44, on May 31.
Esther D. (Tungseth) Hinschberger ’49,
Graham, Wash., age 88, on July 3.
John D. Baxter ’61, Savage, Minn., age 88,
on August 1.
Hans O. Watson-Moklebust ’02, Des Moines,
Iowa, age 35, on August 19.
Verna M. (Sheveland) Anderson ’50,
Minneapolis, age 85, on August 4.
Barbara J. (Engen) Gilbertson ’61,
Richardson, Texas, age 74, on January 31.
Mary “Molly” E. Malone Chottepanda ’09,
Hopkins, Minn., age 32, on May 29.
Carol P. (Mickelson) Anderson ’51, Spicer,
Minn., age 85, on July 24.
Severt O. Score ’61, St. Cloud, Minn.,
age 85, on July 26.
Lora P. Steil ’14, Decorah, Iowa,
age 51, on May 25.
Dorothy L. J. Swanson ’51, Minneapolis,
age 86, on May 28.
Harlin H. Haack ’62, Lakeville, Minn.,
age 86, on June 14.
The “In memoriam” listings in this publication
include notifications received before September 15.
44
Augsburg Now
New to the Augsburg Gallery App
2014
If you want to get a glimpse into life at
Augsburg, download our campus tour on
your iPad or Android tablet by searching for
the term “Augsburg Gallery.” View photos of
campus and listen to students who live, work,
play, and study on campus every day.
The above publications also are available
on the Augsburg Gallery App.
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Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Falling in love with nature’s canvas
The St. Paul Pioneer Press recognized Augsburg College as one “of the best spots to absorb fall colors
in the Twin Cities area.” While Augsburg’s entire Minneapolis campus features vivid shades of maroon,
orange, and gold during autumn, it was the row of maple trees along the south side of Lindell Library
that garnered the publication’s attention. The location also is a favorite for artists such as Larry Rostad,
shown here, who created a watercolor beneath a canopy of spectacular fall foliage.
Show less
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Title
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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
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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.
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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 well as several biking trails.
They have five grandchildren. Larry volunteers
at Kandiyohi County Historical Society in
Willmar, and enjoys doing carpentry and general
maintenance. He treasures the memory of being
part of the football and baseball teams, and is
grateful for the influence of Ed Saugestad ’59,
who taught a kinesiology class.
Augsburg College alumni and a current student
jumped aboard “The Hoopla Train with Yard Master
Yip and his Polkastra” at multiple stops of the show’s
Minnesota-based summer tour, which included
performances in communities ranging from St. Cloud
to New Ulm. The Auggies sang, danced, and acted in
a Vaudeville-style production, using techniques honed
on the stages of Augsburg College.
Described as “Lawrence Welk meets Hee
Haw,” the production was produced by Sod House
Theater and spearheaded by actor and director
Darcey Engen ’88, chair of Augsburg’s Theater
Arts Department, and Luverne Seifert ’83, actor
and senior teaching specialist at the University of
Minnesota.
The original show featured “acts performed by
a touring cast with appearances by several Augsburg
alumni friends along the way,” according to Engen.
34
Augsburg Now
“We were thrilled to be performing with Auggies in
historic ballrooms and other venues across Minnesota
where live music and dancing originated and many of
our parents fell in love.”
Engen and Seifert secured four Augsburg theater
alumni and one current student to perform, including
Lisa (Pestka) Anderson ’86, David Deblieck ’88, Kari
(Eklund) Logan ’82, Deb Pearson ’83, and Riley
Parham ’18. Another Augsburg alumnus, Justin
Caron ’13, assisted with costumes.
For the alumni, participating in “The Hoopla
Train” offered an opportunity to reconnect with
longtime friends and to recall past Augsburg theater
experiences.
“Some of my happiest memories were made on
the stage at Augsburg,” said Logan. “It was wonderful
to be back together with some of the people who
played a role in making them.”
Photo credit: John Grones
Augsburg alumni collaborate on touring theater production
Darcey Engen ’88 and Luverne Seifert ’83
perform as Aunt Woo and Uncle Yahoo.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
The Rev. Clayton Skurdahl ’65 spent 40 years in
ministry, primarily in Colorado and Nebraska.
His current interests include jogging/walking,
gardening, traveling, and serving as a visitation
pastor. He treasures his memories of Augsburg
chapel times and says he was most influenced
by Mario Colacci, a faculty member in the
Department of New Testament Greek and
Latin. Skurdahl also would like to thank Joel
Torstenson, professor emeritus of sociology.
After David Swenson ’65 completed a
master’s degree in physics at the University
of Minnesota, he was hired by Honeywell
Aerospace where he went on to meet his
wife, Bonny. He spent seven years building
and operating a space simulation chamber
for testing radiometers that flew on satellites.
In 1974, he left engineering and moved to
Colorado where he partnered with Bonny’s
father to run a bicycle store, which they owned
for decades. Among his favorite memories at
Augsburg are influential professors, Concert
Band, the Basin Streeters Dixieland band,
basketball, tennis, physics experiments, and
times spent with good friends. He and Bonny
live in Longmont, Colorado, and David still
works part time in the bicycle shop he once
owned. In his spare time, he enjoys bicycling,
hiking, travel, and music.
Loren Wiger ’65 is in his fifth decade of
teaching science. Most of his years were
at Marshall Middle School in Marshall,
Minnesota. He currently teaches at Southwest
Minnesota State University, where he works
with teacher candidates and teaches science
methods courses. He has many treasured
memories from his time at Augsburg including
dorm life, where Dan “Big Dan” Anderson ’65
was the model student-athlete. Wiger says
he used the phone quite often to visit with
his future wife, Ruth, who was becoming a
registered nurse at Deaconess Hospital.
1968
The Rev. Mark Hanson ’68 this
fall served as Augsburg College’s
Special Assistant to the President for Mission
and Identity, helping facilitate on-campus
conversations regarding the ways in which
the College’s Lutheran Christian heritage
and identity remain relevant to its academic
mission and activities. This spring, Hanson will
become the executive director of the College’s
Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation,
working to ensure that the center fully
embraces its commitment to the theological
concept of vocation.
1972
Luther
Bakken ’72
was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic
Hall of Fame for his
accomplishments as a
thrower on the men’s
track and field team. His
50’ 9” outdoor shot put
throw from 1972 remains a school record.
Bakken also played football while at Augsburg.
1974
Accomplished
high school
wrestling coach Scot
Davis ’74 was inducted
into the Augsburg
Athletic Hall of Fame
this year in recognition
of his collegiate wrestling
career. He earned AllAmerican honors in 1973 for his sixth-place
finish at the NAIA National Championships,
among other accolades.
Family ties to Augsburg’s history abound for
Deborah (Fredrickson) Crawley ’76. See page 18.
1978
Augsburg
Athletic Hall
of Fame inductee Paul
Meissner ’78 is one of
the top players in the
history of Augsburg men’s
basketball. He is one of
only 18 players to score
more than 1,000 career
points and remains a top 5 rebounder with
more than 725 career rebounds. He also holds
the school record for games played, with 114.
Bonnie (Lamon) Moren ’78, wife of Jonathan
Moren ’78, retired in June after 37 years of
teaching developmental adapted physical
education to students with special needs in
Bloomington, Minnesota, Public Schools.
David Raether ’78 recently gave a TED Talk at
TEDxAmherst on the campus of the University
of Massachusetts Amherst. Raether’s talk was
based on his experience of homelessness after a
successful career as an award-winning television
comedy writer. The talk was derived from a
widely praised essay he wrote called “What It’s
Like to Fail” that was awarded Best Nonfiction
of 2013 by Longform.org and cited as one of the
best pieces of journalism in 2013 by The Atlantic
magazine. The essay also was featured in the
Times of London Sunday magazine. Raether lives
and works in Berkeley, California.
1982
As of July 1, Scott Ludford ’82 is
the senior pastor of Zion Lutheran
Church in Shawano, Wisconsin.
1987
Augsburg
women’s
basketball star Barb
Blomberg ’87 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. She holds the
fifth-highest career points
total in program history
with 1,023 points. Blomberg served as team
captain in both basketball and volleyball.
Paul Rensted ’87 was appointed Charles
County, Maryland’s director of human
resources in August. Rensted has experience
in all aspects of human resources management
and conflict resolution and previously served
as the director of human resources for the
city of Annapolis. Rensted is certified with
the International Personnel Management
Association for Human Resources. His other
professional affiliations include the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory
Committee; County Conflict Resolution Center
Board of Directors; Baltimore Community Center
Board of Directors; Public Interest Organization
Governing Board; and Advocates for Herring
Bay. He received his undergraduate degree in
international relations and East Asian studies,
and a master’s degree in political science from
the University of British Columbia.
1988
Brad
Anderson ’88
received Augsburg’s
Excellence in Coaching
Award in recognition of
his impressive career as
a high school football
coach. He won three
Minnesota State 5A
Championships and has been selected as class
5A “Coach of the Year” multiple times. He has
coached several players who have gone on to
NFL careers.
After serving for four years as the assistant
principal of Robbinsdale Armstrong High
School in Plymouth, Minnesota, Brenda
(Bauerly) Damiani ’88 joined Cambridge-Isanti
Fall 2015
35
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
High School in Cambridge, Minnesota, as
its new principal. She obtained a special
education emotional behavioral disability
license from the University of Minnesota
in Minneapolis and a master’s degree in
curriculum and instruction and multicultural
education from the University of St. Thomas
in St. Paul. Damiani continued her education,
earning a K-12 administrative license from
Hamline University in St. Paul. She is pursuing
a doctorate in educational leadership from
Bethel University in St. Paul.
After 24 years in the Pacific Northwest, Dan
Wright ’88 has moved back to Minneapolis with
his wife, Kristen Haglund, and their sons Johan
and Bjorn. Wright works from home as senior
applications engineer at Nike.
1992
In April 2015, Terri Burnor ’92
received her master’s degree in
divinity with a concentration in women’s studies
from United Theological Seminary of the Twin
Cities. In September, she began a 10-month
ministerial internship at First Unitarian
Universalist Church in Portland, Oregon.
Mike Pfeffer ’92 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame in recognition
of his outstanding career
as a lightweight wrestler.
In 1992, he earned both
MIAC Champion and AllAmerican honors and was
selected as Augsburg’s Men’s Honor Athlete.
He also was the captain of the 1992 team.
Sharol (Dascher) Tyra ’92, a professional certified
in Life Illumination Coaching and the 2015
President of the ICF Minnesota Charter Chapter
of the International Coach Federation, was a
semi-finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year by
the TwinWest (Plymouth, Minnesota) Chamber
of Commerce 2015 Small Business Awards.
Candidates were selected on the basis of a
number of factors, including their business
vision, community service, drive, and risk-taking.
1995
David Boie ’95 has been named athletic director at Richfield High School
in Richfield, Minnesota. Boie spent 18 years
teaching physics and chemistry at the school and
13 seasons as its head baseball coach.
Jeff Kaeppe ’95 received
recognition for his
Augsburg football career
with an induction into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall of
Fame. Kaeppe was a twotime team MVP and holds
the school record for the
longest reception, a 90yard catch against St. Olaf College in 1992.
Former men’s hockey
player Peter Rutili ’95
was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall of
Fame. Rutili earned MIAC
All-Conference honors in
1994 and 1995. He also
was selected twice as the
team MVP and received a
Rookie of the Year honor.
1998
Kerri
Kangas ’98
had an outstanding
pitching career on the
Auggie softball team, an
accomplishment that
earned her induction into
the Augsburg Athletic
Hall of Fame. She holds
career records for both games and innings
pitched. She remains in the top 5 for career
wins, strikeouts, shutouts, and fewest walks.
Retired alumna Terry Marquardt ’98 worked
as a temp in the Alumni, Family and
Constituent Relations department leading up
to Homecoming 2015. She retired from 3M in
2008 after 34 years of service. She and her
husband, Gary Donahue, divide their time
between homes in Minnesota and Arizona.
Jennifer Chou ’99 shares her love of wine on
page 10.
2000
Christopher McLeod ’00 has joined
Connexions Loyalty Travel Solutions
in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, as a technology
director.
The Rev. Sara Quigley Brown ’00 was ordained in 2008 and has switched denominational affiliation from the ELCA to Lutheran
Congregations in Mission for Christ, where she
is serving as ordained and open to a call. She
resides with her husband, Russell Brown, in
Anchorage, Alaska. She works as a chaplain
with the Alaska Police and Fire Ministries.
Interim Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, City Manager
Michael Sable ’00 is returning to Hennepin
County to work as the director of facility
services. Sable worked in the northern Twin
Cities suburb for six years and spent most of
his tenure as assistant city manager. In addition
to the 24-story Government Center downtown,
the facilities director oversees personnel
matters and operations at numerous facilities
countywide. Sable received an MBA from the
University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He and his
wife live in Minneapolis with their children.
2004
“Babylon the Great has Fallen,”
a book by Franchel Patton ’04,
was published in March 2014. In the story,
President Obama and newly elected President
Hillary Clinton meet God face-to-face in this
fast-paced, present-day depiction of Revelations
and current events.
Wubitu Ayana Sima ’89, ’15 MBA is the owner of Lady Elegant’s Tea Shoppe, a British tea room and
store in St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park neighborhood. Raised in western Ethiopia, Ayana Sima came
to the United States to study in the mid-1980s, along with her two young sons. Since graduating,
Ayana Sima has worked with the United Nations in Congo, Malawi, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe,
and for the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Back in the U.S. again, something
was missing in her life without school, and she enrolled in Augsburg’s MBA program. Her
husband, Admasu Simeso, helps her manage the tea room.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
36
Augsburg Now
REUNION
2005
Since graduating from Augsburg, Andrea
(Ladda) Brown ’05 attended law school
at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul and
graduated in 2009. She works as an assistant public
defender in Ramsey County and offices out of the
Second Judicial District. She was most influenced by
James Vela-McConnell, professor of sociology, and his
course titled Race, Class, and Gender. She says she
uses many of the basic principles from this class in
her daily arguments to the court. She would also like
to thank Garry Hesser, professor emeritus of sociology,
Diane Pike, professor of sociology, and Tim Pippert,
associate professor of sociology.
Denise Fossen ’05 remembers singing in Masterworks
Chorale and performing at Advent Vespers as two
cherished memories from her time at Augsburg. She is
most proud of receiving a master’s degree from Luther
Seminary in St. Paul and becoming a grandmother for
the first time. She would like to thank David Lapakko,
associate professor of communication studies, and
Peter Hendrickson ’76, associate professor of music,
for their influences on her during her time at Augsburg.
She’s also grateful for her classmates’ participation
in discussions before, during, and after class. Since
September 22, she has served as pastor at Christ
Lutheran in Hendricks, Minnesota.
Keme Hawkins ’05 was recognized
with a First Decade Award at
Augsburg’s Homecoming in
October. She is a freelance writer,
independent scholar, and yogi
living in Atlanta. She received her
master’s degree from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison and her
doctorate in English at Emory
University in Atlanta. Studying and practicing various
forms of divination and energy work continues to be
a lifelong mission for her. Hawkins has completed her
first screenplay, based on the lives of her parents; she is
pitching the writing to producers.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
2001
Erica Huls ’01 visited Minneapolis-St. Paul for a few days in
July and had a mini-reunion with some of her closest friends
and former classmates who live in Minnesota. Auggies included: Huls, Amy
Carlson ’02, Merry-Ellen (Krcil) Bryers ’01, Ann (Peterson) Fisher ’01, Jason
Bryan-Wegner ’01, Erica Bryan-Wegner ’01, and Katie Koch ’01.
2003
Kristen Opalinski ’03
traveled to Turkey
this summer on behalf of the
Philadelphia-based Peace Islands
Institute, a peacebuilding think
tank founded in the Turkish Islamic
tradition of Hizmet or “service.”
Opalinski provided media support
while conducting research on Sufism
and feminism in relation to the 21st
century Muslim world. After serving
the ELCA in South Africa for 4 1/2
years, she’s now in her final year of
studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. She hopes to
return to international peacemaking or social justice work.
Ishmael Israel ’05 is focused on community development.
Israel left his position as executive director of the Northside
Residents Redevelopment Council in April, and he now
leads the Umoja Community Development Corporation.
Those who influenced Sarah Lahr ’05 most at Augsburg
were Curt Paulsen, professor emeritus of social work;
her advisor Nancy Rodenborg, associate professor of
social work; and Michael Schock, associate professor of
social work. She also fondly remembers Merilee Klemp,
associate professor of music, and Registrar’s Office
staff members Wayne Kallestad and Linda and Toshimi
Smith, who offered a positive work-study experience.
She would most like to thank Paulsen for encouraging
her to continue with a difficult internship because
she still uses that experience to push herself through
difficult tasks to promote growth. Lahr works full time at
2005
In August, five Auggies were among a team of 12 who ran 200
miles in less than 30 hours as part of the Ragnar Relay Series from
Winona, Minnesota, to Minneapolis. Auggies included: Dan Vogel ’05, Clint
Agar ’05, Paul Sanft ’05, Riley Conway ’05, and Andrea (Carlson) Conway ’05.
Spring
Fall 2015
2014
2014
37
17
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
the Wilder Foundation Caregiver
Services Program as a care
coordinator and part time as a
social worker at United Hospital.
Lucas Olson-Patterson ’05 helped
to establish the Minneapolis
Future Academic Ballers
program in 2009 through the
Neighborhood Youth Academy, a
nonprofit organization that focuses
on fostering achievement parity for
underserved youth. The program
combines academics and athletics
through unique strategies to
arm student athletes with the
tools needed to succeed beyond
the basketball court. After an
outstanding career at Robbinsdale
Cooper High School in New Hope,
Minnesota, Olson-Patterson went
on to average 22 points per game
at Augsburg from 2003-05 and
was one of the top Division III
players in the country.
Faith (Durham) Perry ’05 says her
most treasured memories from her
Augsburg days are all the girls on
seventh floor in Urness and trips
to the bogs on Saturday mornings
with Bill Capman, associate
professor of biology. She was most
influenced by faculty members
Joan Kunz, associate professor of
chemistry, and Dale Pederson ’70,
associate professor of biology.
Perry received a master’s degree
in agricultural education and
a certificate in sustainable
community development. She
works at General Mills as a
sustainability analyst. She is
married with two boys: Henry, 5,
and Elliot, 3.
Anna (Ferguson) Rendell ’05
is most proud of having her
children, becoming a contributing
author at incourage.me, being a
mainstage speaker at the 2014
ELCA Extravaganza, and writing
her first book titled, “A moment
of Christmas: Daily devotions for
the timestrapped mom.” Her
treasured memories of Augsburg
include being a resident assistant
in Urness Hall her senior year,
late nights with housemates
in Anderson, FCA leadership
38
Augsburg Now
meetings, the Norway band tour,
working in the President’s Office
for several years, and performing
with the dance team at football
games held in the Metrodome.
Faculty members who influenced
Rendell most were Bob Stacke ’71,
professor emeritus of music, who
she said always had faith in her
and believed in her abilities and
gifts, and Mark Tranvik, professor
of religion, who poured himself
into his students, making sure
they were prepared for their real
life vocations.
Anna Warnes ’05 is a nurse
practitioner at Crete Area Medical
Center in Crete, Nebraska. Her
fondest memories from her time at
Augsburg include Advent Vespers,
working in Admissions, and—of
course—her lifelong friendships.
The faculty member who was
most influential to Warnes was
Kathy Swanson, professor of
English. She would like to thank
Bob Cowgill, associate professor
of English, for encouraging her
to be passionate in her work and
life. Warnes and husband, Nathan
Erickson, have two children:
Gustav, 5, and Knut, 2.
2006
Laya Theberge ’06 and
her husband, Shomari
O’Connor, welcomed a daughter,
Nefertiti, in August. She joins sister
Hatshepsut, 4, at home.
2011
The National Institute
of Health recently
published research conducted by
Amanda (Symmes) Mofsen ’11, a
former participant in Augsburg’s
McNair Scholars Program. Mofsen
joined the McNair program in
2010 and conducted research
under the mentorship of Ken
Winters, a psychiatry faculty
member at the University of
Minnesota. Mofsen’s work
examined the association between
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder and nicotine use among
adolescents and young adults.
Tom Wescott ’11 and his wife, Emily
(Nelson) Wescott ’12, recently
moved to Devils Lake, North
Dakota, where Tom was called
to serve Our Savior’s Lutheran
Church. Additionally, Tom and Nate
Luong ’11 wrote an article for Word
and World Theological Journal
titled, “Coaching as a Model for
Pastoral Leadership.”
2014
A research paper by
Augsburg College
Assistant Professor of Biology
Matt Beckman and alumni
Enrico Barrozo ’14 and David
Fowler ’14 has been accepted
for publication in Pharmacology,
Biochemistry and Behavior.
The paper is titled “Exposure
to D2-like Dopamine Receptor
Agonists Inhibits Swimming
in Daphnia Magna.” The
paper captured findings from
the research team’s work
during summer sessions and
academic year terms, which was
supported by Augsburg’s McNair
Scholars Program and Office of
Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity. This is
the first study that definitively
identified a neurotransmitter
receptor signaling pathway
involved in Daphnia swimming
and will help to establish Daphnia
as a model organism in which to
study movement disorders such
as Parkinson’s Disease. Today,
Barrozo is studying genetics
in a doctoral program at the
University of Florida, and Fowler
works as a medical scribe in the
Twin Cities while applying for
medical school admission.
Nakisha Davis ’14 has accepted
a position with UCare as a
transportation specialist. She
hopes to attend graduate school in
the next few years.
Chad Johnson ’14, a two-time
NCAA Division III national
champion wrestler during his
Augsburg career, placed second in
the 125-kilogram (275.5-pound)
weight class in the freestyle
division at the USA Wrestling 2015
ASICS UWW University Nationals,
held in June at the University of
Akron. Johnson competed for
the Minnesota Storm wrestling
club. As a collegiate wrestler
for the Auggies, Johnson was a
four-time All-American, winning
national titles in 2012 and 2013 at
heavyweight, while finishing third
in 2014 and seventh in 2011.
Johnson completed his first year
as an Augsburg assistant coach
in 2014-15, helping to guide
the Auggies to their record-12th
NCAA Division III team national
championship.
Lauren Windhorst ’14 is working
as a life enrichment assistant at
an assisted living facility in Eagan,
Minnesota.
2015
David Langemo ’15
would like to thank
Frankie Shackelford, professor
emerita of languages and crosscultural studies, for teaching
him to speak Norwegian and
Kevin Healy, former director
of advancement services and
prospect management, for
allowing him to take the class.
Langemo is very proud of this
accomplishment. He works as an
advancement systems specialist
in the Institutional Advancement
office at Augsburg. He and
husband, Drew Schmidt, enjoy
their pets Archie, Mali, Reggie,
Stuart, and Trudy.
GRADUATE
PROGRAMS
Tracy Keizer ’07 MPA is a physician
assistant at an inpatient psychiatric
intensive care unit at Regions
Hospital in St. Paul. She also
teaches Augsburg PA students
as a guest lecturer during their
didactic phase and as a preceptor
during their clinical phases. Having
emerged as a leader in the PA
profession in Minnesota, she has
testified at the State Capitol on a
bill to increase access to outpatient
mental health services. She was
honored with the Presidential
Award given by the Minnesota
Academy of Physician Assistants.
2005
In 1998, Doris Acton ’10 MAN moved
to Minnesota after completing a parish
nurse training program through Concordia
University. As a parish nurse, also known
as a faith community nurse, she works at
the 750-member Normandale Hylands
Methodist Church in Bloomington,
Minnesota. She has been a camp nurse on
mission trips, and her mission work in 2004
took her to Sierra Leone, where she later
helped start a clinic in collaboration with the
Africa Uplifted organization.
Casey Morris ’10 MPA is a board certified
physician assistant in an urgent care
center at Fairview Range Medical Center
in Hibbing, Minnesota. Growing up in Ely,
another city in Minnesota’s Iron Range,
Morris developed a lifelong passion for
the outdoors, particularly wilderness and
remote medicine. She is a wilderness first
responder and is certified by Advanced
Wilderness Life Support. She is excited to
now live closer to her hometown.
Michael Grewe ’12 MSW, Augsburg’s
director of LGBTQIA Support Services
and assistant director of Campus
Activities and Orientation, delivered
a presentation titled, “Supporting
Transgender Communities,” at a
National Association of Social Workers
Minnesota Chapter conference.
System-Northland in Barron, Wisconsin,
as a physician assistant. Homann
previously worked as a nuclear medicine
technologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minnesota.
Terrence Keller ’15 MPA joined Lake
Region Healthcare in its urology
department. Keller has a bachelor’s
degree in athletic training and exercise
science from Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead. He previously worked for Lake
Region Healthcare as an athletic trainer
and held athletic trainer positions at
Augsburg College, Twin Cities Orthopedics,
and Sanford Health.
Graduate student editors Ashley
Cardona ’15 MFA; Kevin Matuseski ’16 MFA;
and Amanda Symes ’09, ’16 MFA helped
publish the first book by Augsburg College’s
Howling Bird Press. The press, housed in
Augsburg’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative
Writing program, chose Marci Vogel’s
manuscript, “At the Border of Wilshire
& Nobody,” as the winner of the 2015
Howling Bird Press poetry prize.
AUGGIES
HONORED
Dr. Amit Ghosh ’13 MBA, a Mayo Clinic
physician, submitted a research study
paper for publication with Augsburg
College co-authors and faculty members
Dave Conrad, associate professor of
business, and Marc Isaacson, assistant
professor of business. The paper,
“Employee Motivation Factors: A
Comparative Study of the Perceptions
between Physicians and Physician
Leaders,” was accepted for publication in
the International Journal of Leadership in
Public Services.
Professor Emeritus
of Physics Mark
Engebretson was
honored with a Spirit
of Augsburg Award
at Homecoming,
recognizing his
years as an active
teacher-scholar,
innovative courses, pioneering research
on Earth’s space environment, and
mentorship of nearly 100 undergraduate
research students.
Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL, who served as
interim head coach for the Augsburg
College men’s and women’s cross-country
teams in 2014, has assumed head
coaching duties on a permanent basis.
Peyton has been a part of the Augsburg
cross-country and track and field
coaching staffs since 2010, and she will
continue serving as an assistant coach for
the track and field teams.
Tom Witschen was
recognized with
a Distinguished
Athletic Service
Award at this year’s
Homecoming
for his nearly 20
years serving
as the “Voice of
the Auggies,” broadcasting Augsburg
baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and
volleyball over the air and online.
Karlie Homann ’15 MPA joined the family
medicine team at Mayo Clinic Health
Maureen
(Parker)
Marradino ’05 fondly
remembers participating
in the Augsburg Choir,
attending chapel
services, being a
resident assistant,
singing at a few
Auggies’ weddings,
touring Seattle with the
orchestra, performing at
her voice recital and the recitals of many close friends,
and celebrating graduation day. She would like to thank
the students and professors who walked through all the
tough courses with her. “We did this together, and it was
a pleasure getting to know all of you and building four
years of personal development with you. Your talents,
passions, and spirits filled me and helped me grow as
an individual and ultimately a working professional.
Thank you!” Marradino said. “Auggies: Don’t forget
where you’ve come from. Allow your past experiences
(including your Augsburg degree) to shape your future.
God bless you all.”
2010
Congratulations to Molly (Ehling) Conover ’10
and Ted Conover ’11 on their July wedding.
[L to R]: Hannah Ehling ’15, Becky Ehling, Ted, Molly,
Tim Ehling, and Abbey Ehling ’12.
2015
Taylor
Kuramoto ’15
has been selected to serve
as a Fulbright English
Teaching Assistant in South
Korea for the 2015-16
academic year. Fulbright
receives thousands of
applications each year, and
Kuramoto was selected
by both U.S. and South
Korean committees. In
her time outside of the
classroom, Kuramoto plans to create English talking
circles like those she participated in at the local Jane
Addams School for Democracy as an Augsburg College
Bonner Leader. She also hopes to use her experience as
an Auggie soccer player to connect with students and
peers who also enjoy the sport.
Spring
Fall 2015
2014
2014
39
17
37
In memoriam
Alice M. (Norby) Digre ’40, St.
Paul, age 98, on July 5.
Florence L. (Borstad) Hiepler ’42,
Camarillo, California, age 94,
on August 21.
LaVonne P. (Peterson) Volz ’44,
Blue Earth, Minnesota, age 93,
on August 14.
Clara L. (Gudim) Jacobson ’45,
Fairbury, Nebraska, age 92, on
August 12.
Marvin B. Johnson ’49, North
Branch, Minnesota, age 88, on
June 8.
Maynard H. Kragthorpe ’49,
Quilcene, Washington, age 92,
on April 26.
Donna M. (Tjornhom) Tverberg ’49,
Ottertail, Minnesota, age 88,
on July 20.
George Capetz ’50, Minneapolis,
age 91, on May 30.
Stephen L. Engelstad ’51,
St. Ansgar, Iowa, age 95,
on July 23.
Arden G. Wahlberg ’58, Mounds
View, Minnesota, age 80, on
June 18.
Ann L. (Holmberg) Wilson ’80,
Bronx, New York, age 57, on
August 4.
Daniel W. Pearson ’51,
Minneapolis, age 86, on
August 19.
Kermit L. Kvamme ’60, Fergus
Falls, Minnesota, age 77, on
August 16.
John C. Nichols ’82,
Minneapolis, age 55,
on April 28.
Morris “Moe” M. Johnson ’52,
St. Paul, age 86, on June 2.
Larry F. Torgerson ’60, O’Fallon,
Missouri, age 76, on June 2
Joyce K. Cleland ’86, Livingston,
Montana, age 65, on July 19.
Kenneth A. Kotval ’52, Morgan,
Minnesota, age 85, on August 4.
Russell A. Dudero ’61, Oakdale,
Minnesota, age 77, on
December 24, 2014.
Tammy L. Schmitt ’92,
Minneapolis, age 45, June 2.
Roger M. Nelson ’52, Albert
Lea, Minnesota, age 84, on
May 29.
LaVon F. (Moderow) Belanger ’53,
Elk River, Minnesota, age 84,
on May 22.
Donald J. Bennethum ’53,
Columbia Heights, Minnesota,
age 87, on May 22.
Robert W. Jakobitz ’53, Stewart,
Minnesota, age 83, on August 7.
Donald L. Hoplin ’50, Glenwood,
Minnesota, age 93, on August 4.
Corinne L. (Rethwill) Tiegs ’53,
Ortonville, Minnesota, age 83,
on June 6.
Roger “Bud” K. Leak ’50,
Excelsior, Minnesota, age 88,
on August 1.
Thomas “Tom” I. Benson ’56,
Bella Vista, Arkansas, age 81,
on May 16.
Gordon J. Oberg ’50, Bemidji,
Minnesota, age 89, on June 2.
J. Sherman Boraas ’56, Waconia,
Minnesota, age 86, on May 14.
Marion R. Roe ’50, Plymouth,
Minnesota, age 91, on July 13.
Joanne M. (Luttmann) Gulla ’57,
Portland, Oregon, age 79, on
June 19.
Helen E. (Green) Seline ’50,
Appleton, Wisconsin, age 87,
on August 28.
L. Dwayne Thorson ’50,
Smethport, Pennsylvania, age
91, on May 17.
40
Augsburg Now
Sara “Sally” A. Duhrkopf ’61,
Waterloo, Iowa, age 77, on
June 28.
Jeanette C. (Steiger) Nichols ’61,
Roscoe, Illinois, age 76, on
June 30.
Ronald G. Moritz ’63,
Estherville, Iowa, age 78, on
August 23.
Diane E. (Foshaug) Krogen ’65,
Sherwood Park, Alberta,
Canada, age 73, on May 10.
Lois M. Kalmoe ’70,
Minneapolis, age 85, on
May 30.
Robert “Bob” E. Kanne ’71, Lake
Elmo, Minnesota, age 67, on
October 4, 2014.
Carla M. (Beyer) Viseth ’71,
Fargo, North Dakota, age 64,
on June 9.
John S. Ryden ’57, Hopkins,
Minnesota, age 85, on August 1.
JoAnn (Berg) Bablitch ’73,
Minneapolis, age 65, on
May 25.
Janice Y. (Johnson) Joul ’58,
Jackson, Minnesota, age 79,
on June 29.
Geri (Mills) Bjork ’77, St. Paul,
age 60, on July 17.
Jennine “Jeni” O. (Hugo) Heid ’93,
Elk River, Minnesota, age 49,
on July 5.
Estellene A. (St. John) Zephier ’93,
Wagner, South Dakota, age 56,
on May 21.
Mary L. (Oliva) Asche ’95, Circle
Pines, Minnesota, age 61, on
August 3.
Linda “Lin” J. Faddler ’96,
Oakdale, Minnesota, age 65,
on July 18.
Nicholas “Nick” L. White ’09,
Stillwater, Minnesota, age 33,
on June 8.
Gregory A. Chubb ’10, Hopkins,
Minnesota, age 35, on June 30.
Louis C. Branca ’15 MFA,
Minneapolis, age 81, on
August 30.
Abdulkadir Farah ’16 MAE,
Minneapolis, age 58, on June 4.
The “In memoriam” listings
in this publication include
notifications received before
September 8.
Connie, Michelle ’15, Lauren ’12, and
Lyle Grafelman at Commencement 2015.
One More Reason to
PASS DOWN THE
AUGGIE TRADITION
Discounted Tuition with the Augsburg Legacy Scholarship
The Augsburg Legacy Scholarship recognizes traditional undergraduate students
who are children or spouses of Augsburg graduates, siblings of current Augsburg
students, and children or spouses of current Lutheran pastors. Legacy students
enrolling for the fall 2016 term receive a minimum award of $13,000 per year
upon admission to the College.
augsburg.edu/firstyear/scholarships
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
An extraordinary welcome for an unprecedented incoming class
Following tradition, the 2015-16 academic year kicked off with an Opening Convocation celebration where the Augsburg College
community greeted incoming students and introduced them to facets of their new Auggie identity. A record 478 first-year, traditional
undergraduate students arrived on campus this fall, and a talk by Associate Professor of Chemistry Joan Kunz highlighted “The five
essential elements of an Augsburg education” with both flair and flare. Kunz is the most recent recipient of the College’s Excellence
in Teaching award.
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Augsburg Now Fall 2016: United in Community
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Alumni Magazine Collection
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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.
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P
D. BE
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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.
Show less
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Title
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Augsburg Now Spring 2010: Out Of The Box Auggies
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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
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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
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THE 22ND ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
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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
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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.
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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
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“ 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.”
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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,
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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.
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Augsburg Now
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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
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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.
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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.”
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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?
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6
3
7
4
1
3
3
2
34
Augsburg Now
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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
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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
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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
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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 seminar participants. During our
journey through Padua, Venice,
Ravenna, Florence, Orvieto, the
ancient ruins in Pompeii,
Naples, Rome, and Vatican
City, we viewed wondrous landscapes, observed countless
works of art, and walked
through dozens of secularly
decorated churches. Day by
day, my learning regarding ancient, medieval, Renaissance,
and baroque art and architecture grew, thanks to the knowlTravelers to Italy posed for a photo in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. (Back row, L to R): Mary Johnson, Judy Reeve ’95, Heidi
Hunter, Luke Anderson ’60, Gracia Luoma ’66, Jim Hoseth ’68, Gordon Houk, Larry Turner ’69, Grace Bergstrom, Sue Turner, John Luoma ’65,
edge shared by Professor
Max Carlson ’09, Kim Stone, Jeremy Anderson ’07, Jason Stone. (Front row, L to R): Art professor Kristin Anderson, Kathy Wilson, Joanne
Anderson. I came to better apCress, Susan Hoseth, Mary Rogers, Jill Reister, Deanna Carlson, Amy Kessler, Rose Becker ’04, Sharon Carlson ’72, Susan Carlson.
38
Augsburg Now
Photo by Larry Turner ’69
Journeying to Italy
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 41
The Augsburg Choir Legacy
Recordings will be available soon!
Three boxed sets, each containing five CDs, present remastered
recordings of the Augsburg Choir over 30 years, from 1949–79. Included with each order is a monograph by Bill Halverson ’51 about
Leland B. Sateren’s life and career. Cost: $49 per boxed set; $135 for
all three boxed sets, plus shipping and handling.
For information about availability and ordering, go to
www.augsburg.edu/music.
The Young Alumni enjoyed some late summer rooftop lawn bowling at Brit’s Pub in
September. (L to R): Jay Cavanagh, Rob Wagner ’02, Mike Fasching ’02, Britt Fasching
’02, Ben Carlson ’02, ’09 MBA, and Leah Omar.
Young Alumni Summer Series
The Young Alumni Summer Series is back in 2010 with exciting
new events and favorites from last year.
• Seven Corners kick-off party—May 21, 5–8 p.m.,
at Preston’s
• Networking at Fuji-ya in Uptown—June 17, 5–7 p.m.
• Minnesota Twins game at Target Field—July 15, 7 p.m.
• Auggie Night at the Races, Canterbury Park—Aug. 5
• Summit Brewery tour—Aug. 21, 1 p.m.
• End of Summer Bash—Sept. 16, 5–7 p.m., at Seven UltraLounge
For more information and to register, go to
www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents and join the Young Alumni
group on facebook. To get involved in the Young Alumni Council,
call 612-330-1178 or e-mail storma@augsburg.edu.
auggies
GO GREEN
The Augsburg Alumni Association
is going green
The Augsburg College Alumni Association is reducing print
mailings and relying more on technology to get the word
out about events. To stay in the loop, update your contact
information at www.augsburg.edu/alumni or e-mail the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@augsburg.edu to receive NOW@Augsburg, the monthly news and information
e-newsletter. You can also stay up to date by becoming a
friend of Auggie Eagle on Facebook.
Tourism Ireland
Journey to the Emerald Isle
Celtic crosses like this one in County Offaly are vivid
reminders of Ireland’s rich history.
(Note change of date to May 2011)
Join friends from the Augsburg College community in early May 2011 for an in-depth journey through
Ireland with Phillip Adamo, associate professor and chair of the History Department, director of
Augsburg’s medieval studies program, and experienced study tour leader. He looks forward to returning to Ireland with alumni and friends to explore centuries of heroic history including sites dating to
9,000 BC. Experience the intense rugged beauty of land carved from the sea contrasting with the
meticulous gardens of stately castles. Discover the spirit and historic significance of Celtic Christianity, visiting ancient monastic communities where Christianity flourished during the Dark Ages. Celebrate contemporary Irish culture with passion-filled music and food at local pubs.
To receive additional updates on the tour and be among the first to receive a tour brochure by
late June, contact Alumni Relations, 612-330-1178 or alumni@augsburg.edu. Don’t hesitate to be included on the interested list as the alumni tour to Italy last year filled quickly and had a waiting list.
Join us at the information session on Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m., Oren Gateway Center.
Spring 2010
39
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alumni class notes
53Ariz., was recognized by AmerDr. Leland Fairbanks, Tempe,
icans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR)
with the 2009 ANR Smokefree Hero
of the Year Award during the National Conference on Tobacco or
Health in Phoenix, Ariz. on June 9.
He is the longtime president of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking
(ACAS).
56son) ’60, Baxter, Minn., were
Len Brown and Mavis (Daniel-
featured on brainderddispatch.com
for their tradition of traveling the region to find and enjoy lutefisk dinners. In 2007, they went to 13
dinners; in 2008, they visited 12;
and last year there were 8.
Coaches Association (MSHSCA) for
leadership in promoting the mission
of MSHSCA. He retired in 2007 after
a 40-year career teaching mathematics and coaching football, mostly
in Alexandria.
69ored as the recipient of the
Mary (Strom) Dyrud was hon-
2010 Peter Hess Memorial Faculty
Recognition Award on February 22
at the Spring Awards Ceremony at
Northland Community and Technical
College in Thief River Falls, Minn.
She has taught there since 1993
and currently teaches Spanish; she
and her husband, Loiell ’62, live in
Thief River Falls.
58
71Grove, Minn., was selected as
60
74Minn., was named director of
67soccer coach at Bloomington
93lumbia Heights, Minn., was
(Minn.) Kennedy High School from
1967–1992 was inducted into the
Minnesota State High School
Coaches Association Hall of Fame
in October. Following retirement in
1992, he served as student activities coordinator until 2001.
named to the 2010 “Rising Stars” list
by Minnesota Law & Politics, which
highlights outstanding attorneys who
are under the age of 40 or have
fewer than 10 years of practice. She
works with the Winthrop & Weinstine
law firm in the real estate and campaign finance practice groups.
Jerry Peterson, hockey and
Tammera (Ericson) Diehm, Co-
Christy (Larsen) Branes, Maple
Mabeth (Saure) Gyllstrom was
recently featured in the Fergus
Falls Daily Journal in a story about
her background and work in retirement as director of the Zion
Lutheran Church choir in Amor,
Minn. She currently lives on Otter
Tail Lake, Minn.
the 2010 Delano (Minn.) Teacher of
the Year. She has taught in the district for over 20 years, plus a fouryear stint in Portugal teaching
English. She currently teaches second grade.
Steven Reznicek, Bemidji,
Ruth (Carlson) Olson was inducted into the Faribault High
School Hall of Fame on October 1.
For 20 years she coached gymnastics, kept score for volleyball, reported for track meets, etc. as the
sports liaison between the junior and
senior high schools. It was her Augsburg career as an Auggiette on the
women’s basketball team, however,
that earned her the Hall of Fame
spot, because of the Auggiettes’ pioneering efforts in promoting
women’s sports.
62
Rev. Jim Quitno and his wife,
Mary, Spirit Lake, Iowa, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2009. Jim retired from
the pastorate in 2002 after being at
Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit
Lake for 27 years, but both he and
Mary remain active volunteers in retirement. Last year Jim was honored
with the June Character Counts
Spotlight Award.
Dennis Kalpin, Alexandria, Minn.,
was honored with the George Haun
Award last October, given by the
Minnesota State High School
40
Augsburg Now
the Varsity Singers of Bemidji State
University. Otherwise, he is “mostly
retired.”
76
Gwedolyn (Peyton) Jackson,
Lakeville, Minn., was reappointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to
a four-year position on the Board of
the Minnesota State Academies. She
is the director of human resources
and administrative services with the
Edina (Minn.) Public School District.
The board governs the Minnesota
State Academy for the Blind and the
Minnesota State Academy for the
Deaf, both in Faribault.
77Minn., a storyteller and chilLise Lunge-Larsen, Duluth,
dren’s author, visited Concordia College (Moorhead) and Cable, Wis., in
February. At Concordia, she visited
the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library to teach
classes in children’s literature and
told stories from Norwegian folklore.
She was in Cable the day before the
Birkebeiner ski race and told the
story of the race that is recounted in
her book, The Race of the Birkebeiners.
00and her husband, David, wel- 00her husband, Eric, Blaine,
Daria (Reboin) Gordhamer,
comed their fourth child, Andrew,
on Oct. 6. Big brothers Elijah (6)
and Abram (2) and big sister, Eva
(4), love him very much. They live
in Apple Valley, Minn.
Kathleen Lindquist-Blilie, and
Minn., announce the birth of their
daughter, Anne Elizabeth, born May
6, 2009. She joins her siblings, Andrew (7-1/2), Alexander (5), and
Erin (2-1/2).
74their own 35th reunion on Gull Lake, on the same weekend as
Lambda House reunion Ten Auggie women, all 1974 grads, had
Homecoming last fall. The women began as freshmen on the first floor
in Urness, then moved to the ninth floor as sophomores, and then lived
at Lambda House (no longer standing) as juniors and seniors.
They’ve continued to see each other several times a year and now have
begun taking longer trips together. All live in Minnesota, except for Barb
(Ruud) Revueltas who lives in Los Angeles. Three women are married
to Auggies, who lived together in a house around the corner from
Lambda House.
The 10 women are Linda (Lundeen) Dunn, Linda (Bailey) Holmen
(married to Ken Holmen ’74), Laurie (Johnson) Thorp (married to Tim
Thorp ’74), Barb (Ruud) Revueltas, Marlene (Chan) Hui, Debbie
(Rowley) Hasti, Mary Ratzlaff, Diane (Johnson) Moen, Carla (Johnson)
Velenchenko, Chris (Henry) Thompson (married to Gary Thompson ’74)
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 43
velopment in Minnesota in July
2009 with TMP Worldwide Advertising and Communications, a full-service recruitment marketing ad
agency headquartered in New York.
00
Leslie (Lucas) Wiede ’07 MSW
and her husband, Matthew,
welcomed twin boys, Lucas and
Hunter, on April 3, 2009.
81color paintings of Minnesota
91superintendent of the Spring
Jeff Ronneberg became the new
Lake Park (Minn.) School District at
the beginning of the year. For the
past seven years, he has served the
district as assistant superintendent.
Mary (Primm) Lingen’s water-
01
Sarah (Wilhelm) married Chris
Uwimana in Burnsville, Minn.,
on October 24, surrounded by family and friends. Sarah is a buyer at
Supervalu and Chris is a business
analyst at DRC. They live in Bloomington, Minn.