Beyond the scoreboard
National champion to local hero
Leadership and conflict
CARVING WAY
THE
FORWARD
SUMMER 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 3
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Summer 2016
Director of News a... Show more
Beyond the scoreboard
National champion to local hero
Leadership and conflict
CARVING WAY
THE
FORWARD
SUMMER 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 3
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Summer 2016
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On thoughtful stewardship
Director of Marketing
Communication
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
Communication Copywriter
and Editorial Coordinator
Augsburg’s mission statement says that we
educate students to be “thoughtful stewards”
as well as “informed citizens, critical thinkers,
and responsible leaders.”
I imagine some may read “thoughtful
stewards” and think about church fundraising
campaigns or care for the environment, the
typical places we consider stewardship—and
both important causes!
At Augsburg, though, thoughtful
stewardship is a much more compelling
claim. It goes beyond simple acts of giving
or environmental care. It is a way of living,
an ethic that teaches us how to live in the
world. And it is at the heart of an Augsburg
education—from how we engage students with
the community to help them discern their gifts
and gain a holistic understanding of the needs
of our world (see page 16) to the deep listening
and conversation we embed in our classes, such
as in the Master of Arts in Leadership course
that was integrated with this year’s Nobel Peace
Prize Forum (see page 20).
Also in this issue of Augsburg Now, you will
read about the genuine privilege I had to deliver
a major address on stewardship to Cargill
employees worldwide.
In that address, I said: “… stewardship
involves a practice of standing up, speaking
up in a manner that reflects—and makes
clear—our values. The challenge for the good
steward—as a parent or manager or citizen—is
to pursue practices that help connect us with
the deeply held values and commitments that
characterize our personal and corporate lives.
“The truth is that many people do not think
about the reasons for their actions. They act,
and they expect others to accept their action
at face value. But good stewardship demands
reflection, then the courage to act based on our
convictions, and to do so overtly so that we are
publicly accountable for how our actions reflect
our values. Only in that link is there integrity in
human life.”
At Augsburg—as reflected in the stories
that follow in these pages—we educate
students to embrace their many gifts, to
understand the obligations they have to
steward those gifts, and to appreciate the
important work of taking a stand for the values
and commitments that honor the gifts and
contributions of each of us.
Thoughtful stewardship—a way of life
for all of us. I give thanks for a teaching and
learning community that is blessed with and
inspired by our remarkable legacy and mission.
I give thanks for the privilege of being a faithful
steward of all the gifts that make Augsburg
such a rare place.
Faithfully yours,
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’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
Ryan Nichols ’16
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.
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi brought energy and passion
to the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Forum sponsored by Augsburg College.
Following three days of dialogue on peacebuilding, he and his wife,
Sumedha Kailash, joined Forum attendees in a Bollywood-style dance
party for the conference’s finale.
02 Around the quad
20
Leadership and conflict
08
From national hampion to local hero
23
Auggies connect
14
Beyond the scoreboard
27 Class notes
16
The city: Course content and classroom
32 In memoriam
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
On the cover: Construction crews work on the footings for the main lobby of the Norman and
Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, an interdisciplinary building
that will open in 2018, anchoring the west side of the Augsburg College campus. See page 2.
Email: now@augsburg.edu
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
FROM THE
GROUND
THIS BUG’S-EYE VIEW captures the April 2016 groundbreaking ceremony for Augsburg’s Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for
Science, Business, and Religion. The celebration included hundreds of Augsburg College alumni, students, donors, neighbors, and
faculty and staff members, as well as city and county officials. The new academic building is slated to open in January 2018.
2
Augsburg Now
Pictured [L to R]: Outgoing Augsburg College Board of Regents Chair Dr. Paul Mueller ’84, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Naming Gift
Donors Evangeline Hagfors and Norman Hagfors, Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow, National Fundraising Campaign Chair Michael Good ’71,
Augsburg College Provost Karen Kaivola, and 2015-16 Day Student Body President Duina Hernandez ’16.
Summer 2016
3
AROUND THE QUAD
$50,000 grant funds
RECYCLING PROGRAM EXPANSION
Student-faculty-staff collaboration improves campus sustainability
D
A
U
Q
E
H
T
D
N
U
O
AR
NEW RESIDENTS
HONORING
Retiring Faculty
SET MEMORIAL HALL
KATHY ACCURSO
ABUZZ
Instructor, Department of Education—
with the College since 2012
KATHERINE BAUMGARTNER
Assistant Professor, Department of
Nursing—with the College since 2005
Hives installed to bolster honey bee population
RONALD FEDIE
It has been decades since the last students moved out
of Memorial Hall; the dormitory was converted to
office space in the late 1960s. However, a new
group of inhabitants moved in this spring when
The Beez Kneez organization installed beehives on
the building’s rooftop as part of an urban apiary
partnership program. Augsburg joined the program
to further the College’s commitment to environmental
stewardship and to creating green spaces within the city.
Recently, honey bee populations have been decreasing
due to parasites and the misuse of pesticides. The on-campus hives
will help rebuild the local population and pollinate Augsburg’s plant
life. Those worried about getting stung can rest easy—honey bees are
not aggressive and will not sting unless threatened.
4
Augsburg Now
Professor Emeritus, Department of
Chemistry—with the College since 1996
FEKRI MEZIOU
Professor Emeritus, Department of
Business Administration—with the
College since 1987
VICKI OLSON
Professor Emerita, Department of
Education—with the College since 1987
CELEBRATING
STUDENT
Augsburg College can boost its efforts to divert organic and compostable
items from trash and other recycling thanks to a $50,000 recycling grant
from the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department. The
funding will be used to purchase indoor and outdoor bins, rolling carts,
and signage to foster increased composting of organic material and the
proper disposal of mixed recyclables.
Go to augsburg.edu/green to learn about
Augsburg’s Environmental
Augsburg’s commitment to offering
facilities that are welcoming, sustainable,
Stewardship Committee, Facilities and
and designed for educational excellence.
Custodial staff, and the Augsburg Day
Student Government’s Environmental Action Committee collaborated to
submit the grant proposal.
“Thousands of people touch the campus in some way during the
course of one year,” said Amber Lewis ’17 MAE, an Environmental
Stewardship Fellow who supports on-campus sustainability initiatives.
“In addition to students, faculty, and staff, guests join our community
for graduation ceremonies, sporting events, performances, convocations,
summer camps, conferences, and workshops. This presents us with an
opportunity to share a clear message about the importance of recycling
in our community.”
SUCCESS
Read about the wide range of prestigious academic
achievements and awards earned by Auggies during
the 2015-16 year at augsburg.edu/now.
AUGSBURG EXHIBITION
SHINES in Guerrilla Girls
Twin Cities Takeover
World-renowned feminist art activists the Guerrilla
Girls recently “took over” Minneapolis and St. Paul
to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Augsburg
College was among more than two dozen arts and cultural institutions that
hosted exhibits and events highlighting gender and race inequalities and
promoting artistic expression.
The Guerrilla Girls, who wear gorilla masks and use the names of famous
female artists as pseudonyms, were on campus for the opening reception
of “Reconfiguring Casta,” a site-specific installation for the Christensen
Center Art Gallery. Combining prints and paintings, artist Maria Cristina
Tavera addressed the social concept of race and the issue of socio-racial
classifications. Tavera, known on campus as “Tina,” also serves as the director
of Augsburg’s McNair Scholars program, which seeks to increase graduate
degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow delivered
the keynote address for Cargill’s annual ethics week this
spring. Pribbenow is recognized as one of the nation’s
most engaging commentators and teachers on ethics,
philanthropy, and American public life. His talk, “Promises
to Keep: An Ethic of Stewardship,” reached Cargill
employees located in Minneapolis and around the world.
Summer 2016
5
AROUND THE QUAD
ON THE SPOT
What does it mean to matter? What does it look like to matter?
With the Black Lives Matter movement, questions of racial equity have ignited important—and difficult—
conversations in communities and courtrooms, on political campaign trails, and on college campuses.
Augsburg College Professor William “Bill” Green studies and writes about history and law. His most recent book,
“Degrees of Freedom: The Origins of Civil Rights in Minnesota, 1865–1912,” chronicles conditions for African American
Minnesotans and others in the half-century following the Civil War. Today, Minnesota and the nation are very different
than they were in the postbellum period that Green examined, but tightly woven threads unite contemporary events with
those occurring more than a century earlier.
COMMENCEMENT 2016
Students of color, award winners, and former KARE 11
anchor stand out at graduation
Augsburg College celebrated students completing degrees
in the traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and
graduate programs through commencement ceremonies
held April 30. The 2016 traditional undergraduate class is
the most diverse in the College’s history and comprised of
more than 42 percent students of color.
Commencement keynote speaker Michael Botticelli,
director of the White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy, addressed ceremony attendees and
was awarded an honorary doctorate. Michael Good ’71
also was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of
his service to the College. Eleanor Barr ’16 earned the
Marina Christensen Justice Award, and Kim Chisholm ’16
received this year’s Richard Thoni Award, recognizing
exceptional contributions to their communities.
Teaching and learning
award winners
Augsburg recognizes individuals or
groups who have made exemplary
contributions to creating an
engaging academic learning
environment. The 2016 recipients
of the Distinguished Contributions to
Teaching and Learning awards are:
Teaching
Former KARE 11 News anchor Diana
Pierce ’16 MAL earned her Masters of
Arts in Leadership and participated in
commencement this spring.
“The program at Augsburg gave
me exactly what I wanted to add to my
skillset for a new adventure,” Pierce
said on KARE 11 in April.
Joe Underhill, associate professor of
political science
Research
Michael Lansing, associate professor
and History Department chair
Service
Dulce Monterrubio, director of Latin@
Student Services
6
Augsburg Now
Q:
What prompted your interest in
studying the history of African
Americans in Minnesota?
A:
In 1860, a slave woman was freed
in a Minneapolis courtroom. In the
aftermath, citizens in the communities of
St. Anthony and Minneapolis for days walked
the streets eyeing their neighbors, waiting for
the smallest provocation to spark violence.
We were on the verge of seeing our own
little civil war erupt in Minnesota over the
issue of slavery. Ultimately, Minnesotans’
attention was averted by news of the
Confederate bombardment of the federal
installation of Fort Sumter. Upon hearing the
news, Minnesota was the first state to send
volunteers into the Union Army. Seven years
later, it would be the first state to extend
voting rights to black men, pre-dating the
ratification of the 15th Amendment. I felt
compelled to understand this dynamic.
Q:
When Minnesota granted suffrage
to people who are black, what
implications did this have in citizens’ lives?
ELCA college conference
Students, faculty members, and staff from two dozen
colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America came together this summer
as Augsburg hosted the annual Vocation of a Lutheran
College Conference. The event featured a partnership with
Interfaith Youth Core—an organization renowned for uniting
young people of different religious and moral traditions for
dialogue around shared values. IFYC Founder Eboo Patel [pictured speaking] discussed
the colleges’ role in preparing students for life in a religiously diverse world.
‘Degrees of Freedom’ in
Minnesota’s past and present
A:
[L to R]: Michael Lansing, Dulce Monterrubio,
and Joe Underhill.
In a practical sense, the implications
were non-existent. There simply
weren’t enough black voters in Minnesota
to influence political leaders or affect
public policy. Symbolically, however, during
a time of mounting economic dislocation
coupled with the spread of white supremacy,
it raised the bar, not just in terms of the
broader virtue of racial equality, but, more
fundamentally, stressing the need for true
leadership that called on ordinary people to
overcome their baser instincts and choose to
act with common decency.
Q:
And yet you’ve said that race is
“written between the lines” of early
Minnesota history, rather than spoken
about directly. What do you mean?
A:
The fact that the black population was
so small made it easy for historians
and opinion makers to draw rosy pictures
of racial exceptionalism without needing
to be checked by a more balanced reality.
Without the “significant other” whose
history was hidden in footnotes, it became
easy to believe what one wanted to believe.
But could it really be true that Dred Scott
was the only slave to live in Minnesota?
Could Frederick Douglass be the only
African American to be denied service
in a prestigious hotel in St. Paul, even
though the proprietor was a friend of his
and an officer in the Union Army? Could
the paucity of discrimination lawsuits in
the 19th century really mean there was no
discrimination in restaurants and taverns?
Q:
Today’s Black Lives Matter movement
involves participatory democracy—
participation by many and with more
diffuse leadership than the civil rights
movements of the 1960s. When you look
at the Black Lives Matter movement, what
strikes you, considering the lens through
which you write your books?
A:
In 1965 when the civil rights
movement pressed for voting rights,
the powerful symbolism of Martin Luther
King and Malcolm X joining forces placed
pressure on the President of the United
States to shepherd through Congress the
Voting Rights bill and sign it into law.
Federal protection of the right to vote
was a moral issue. But it was the union
of two leaders who embodied opposing
approaches to advancing civil rights that
heightened a sense of urgency to enact
the bill. The moral: As long as there are no
“inside”-“outside” forces simultaneously
working for the same clearly defined issue,
advocates on either side of the spectrum
can be marginalized and eventually
dismissed. I don’t see a rival force to Black
Lives Matter that is pushing for the same
ends but through different means. This
isn’t the fault of BLM, but the absence of
a “significant other” should be a concern
to them, nonetheless. History can only
provide suggestions on how or even
whether to proceed.
The Minnesota Book Awards honored Green with
the 2016 Hognander Minnesota History Award.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more
about Green’s research.
Summer 2016
7
Devean George ’99 was the first NCAA Division III player ever selected in
the first round of the NBA Draft—and he played professionally for more
than a decade. Now retired from basketball, he’s gone back to his roots
to help revitalize the Minneapolis neighborhood where he grew up.
BY CHRISTINA HALLER
8
Augsburg Now
November 3, 1999. The Los Angeles Lakers are debuting in their brand new home,
the Staples Center, with an unveiling ceremony followed by a game against the
Vancouver Grizzlies. A crowd of 20,000 fans is packed inside, waiting for NBA stars
Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal to make opening remarks.
But instead, the Lakers players decide to encourage their newest rookie to
address the crowd. The lights go down, and all becomes still. In less than 30
seconds, it’s go time.
“No, guys, don’t make me do this! I don’t know what to do,” whispers a
22-year-old Devean George ’99. But his pleas were met with laughter.
“I just remember shaking in my boots. There are tens of thousands of people
here, and I’m going to be out at center court—all eyes on me,” recalls George. “So I
get out there, and it just clicked. It was easy.”
George credits his education in communication studies from Augsburg for
helping to prepare him for that life-changing moment, as well as all of his public
speaking engagements from that point forward.
“As an NBA player, you have a camera with that big, red light in front of your
face every day,” George said. “You have to know how to conduct yourself and
communicate effectively. And all those communication classes I took at Augsburg
come into play.”
After high school, George enrolled at Augsburg assuming he would play basketball
for the Auggies, earn a degree, and find a job in business. But his “hoop dreams”
became a reality pretty early on in his Augsburg career.
“When I recruited Devean, he was about
6'2" and 170 pounds,” said former Augsburg
basketball coach Brian Ammann ’85. “Fortunately
for Devean, he grew about five inches and put on
50 pounds by his sophomore year. And his hard
work paid off in big ways.”
George was the first NCAA Division III player
ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
He was the 23rd overall pick in 1999, chosen by
the Los Angeles Lakers—one of the most storied
franchises in NBA history.
George is now retired from the NBA after playing
11 seasons and becoming only the seventh player
in history to win a league championship in each of his first three seasons. He has since
found a successful career in real estate development and a passion for giving back.
George played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2006.
In 2006, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and played in
Texas until 2009. He then joined the Golden State Warriors in
Oakland, California, in 2009 until his retirement in 2010.
George was raised by devoted, hardworking parents in the Willard-Hay neighborhood
of north Minneapolis and still calls the Twin Cities home — a place he loves for its
friendly people and four seasons. His current work focuses on helping to improve his
childhood community.
10
Augsburg Now
Summer 2016
11
After George joined the NBA, he started volunteering his time in schools and
after-school programs. He noticed many of the children he visited didn’t have
stable housing, which significantly affected their security and education.
“That’s when I decided helping kids and families would be the foundation of
what I do,” said George, who has two young sons. He founded Building Blocks,
a nonprofit organization committed to providing quality housing, community
development, and programming for youth and families.
“If you don’t have stable housing, you’re not going to care about schooling,
safety, or eating healthy. If we get those families into stable housing, then they
can focus on those other things,” George said.
George’s first affordable housing project opened this spring—The Commons at
Penn in north Minneapolis, an income-restricted, 47-unit workforce apartment
building that also includes an on-site health and wellness facility, an after-school
program, a fitness center, a toddler playground, and a grocery store.
Long-term, George would like to help create a more family-friendly community
in north Minneapolis—a community that provides greater amenities for its
residents. So far, The Commons at Penn has been a successful addition to the
neighborhood.
“[The] Commons at Penn achieves multiple city goals: creating new, highquality, affordable housing options [and] increased residential density along a
key commercial and transit corridor, and bringing in commercial activity and
services,” said Andrea Brennan, director of Housing Policy and Development for
the City of Minneapolis. “This project sets us on a promising course to continue
development at this important north Minneapolis node.”
George is planning phase two of The Commons at Penn, which will go up
right across the street from the existing mixed-use building. He also is developing
housing complexes in South Carolina and Louisiana, and has been contacted by
fellow professional athletes who would like to see a change in the neighborhoods
where they were raised.
In addition to literally helping build a solid foundation for families through stable
housing, George also helps build a strong foundation for young people through
mentorship programs like Read to Achieve.
“The kids think that [NBA players] are not human beings because we know
how to play basketball,” said George. “If I can tell a kid to go to school and not to
do drugs, and just because I can play basketball he’ll listen to me, I’m going to
try to use that to my advantage.”
George is also busy instilling the values of compassion and service in his own
two sons, ages 7 and 4. For starters, they learn to share by donating their toys to
kids who otherwise wouldn’t have any.
“They’re still young, but I started teaching my boys early on a way of giving
and understanding. I explain to them that this [lifestyle] isn’t normal; they’re in
a blessed situation,” George said. “I’ve been able to achieve a lot of things. But I
know I’ve had a lot of help along the way.”
12
Augsburg Now
WORKFORCE HOUSING offers reduced rent to people who are gainfully employed (and don’t qualify as low-income), yet still struggle to afford market-rate housing.
It’s explained by the Urban Land Institute as housing that is “affordable to families earning 60 to 100 percent of area median income.” Workforce housing commonly is
targeted for essential workers in a community, such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, social workers, and nurses.
Summer 2016
13
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA
THE CITY:
COURSE CONTENT
AND CLASSROOM
Each semester, painting and drawing classes typically occur in what originally was an Augsburg
College chapel. Old Main 100 is an inspiring place with 25-foot ceilings and soaring windows.
On-campus studios offer focused spaces for students to learn about visual art media, methods, and
creative expression. For 25 years, Associate Professor and Art Department Co‑Chair Tara Sweeney
has taught foundational drawing principles in Old Main with what she calls “as few spectators
and distractions as possible,” and in recent years she also has led short-term international travel
courses in which students develop the same skills without the support of a traditional studio.
This spring, Sweeney and her Minneapolis-based students traveled close to home as they
stepped beyond the boundaries of the campus studio, choosing to forgo a controlled setting to
embrace learning opportunities present in public areas that are as complex and challenging as they
are diverse.
“Instead of creating a still life with the same old props, I utilized the city as subject matter
and classroom,” Sweeney said. “Students were as actively engaged in creative placemaking as
they were in making drawings — effectively shaping the physical and social character of whatever
neighborhood, museum, coffee shop, or landmark we chose as a drawing site.”
A CORE CHALLENGE
In the article “The Power of Experiential Education,” nationally recognized education scholar and
professor Janet Eyler noted that a central challenge for liberal arts educators like Sweeney—and
indeed the entire Augsburg College faculty—is to “design learning environments and instruction
so that students will be able to use what they learn in appropriate new contexts.” That is, to
successfully “bridge classroom study and life in the world and to transform inert knowledge into
knowledge-in-use.”
In a drawing course, for instance, students develop technical skills while exploring individual
subject matter and creative expression. It is perhaps the latter of these elements that came into
clearer focus when Sweeney took her students out in the community.
The artists “made connections with strangers and learned things about themselves in the
process,” Sweeney said. They become comfortable creating art in the midst of daily life and
finished the course with “real skills and the right tools to continue drawing wherever they find
themselves and wherever inspiration finds them.”
JUST A GLIMPSE
At Augsburg, students across disciplines and degree programs benefit from faculty instruction that
integrates experiential learning opportunities with traditional instructional methods, thereby linking
course concepts with real-world applications. The pages that follow offer a glimpse at a small
sample of the faculty and students who use Minneapolis as their classroom.
16
Augsburg Now
Johanna Goggins ’16 works on a sketch
in the solarium at the American Swedish
Institute in Minneapolis.
Summer 2016
17
ARTS AND THE CITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
ENV 120:
Students clad in safety gear and
earplugs to dampen the deafening
noise weave their way through a Eureka Recycling processing
plant. Environmental Science focuses on understanding and
resolving problems humans have created in the natural world.
The course includes hands-on learning opportunities that
make complex scientific concepts more approachable and
applicable for students.
“The city is the perfect place for these types of
experiences to happen—it’s all right at our fingertips: a
wastewater treatment plant, power plant, recycling center, and public transit,” said Assistant
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Emily Schilling. “We can observe the detrimental
effects humans are having on the environment, and we also can see some of the ways we are trying
to mitigate that impact.”
MIS 375:
HON 230:
Students in Augsburg College’s Honors Program join
Minnesota Orchestra performers onstage following a symphony
event at Orchestra Hall. As an interdisciplinary course, “Arts and the Cities”
unites film, music, theater, and visual art — offering students the chance to peruse
Picassos, soak in Shakespeare, and mingle with musicians. Together, students and
teachers explore the role of the arts in a culturally dynamic urban setting.
“Students enjoy the experiential nature of this course,” said Associate Professor
of Music Merilee Klemp ’75. “They often comment that it presents them with
opportunities that they would not have on their own and deepens their understanding
of the role of the arts in their lives long after the course is over.”
18
Augsburg Now
E-COMMERCE
Students speak with
Abdirahman Mukhtar,
a youth program manager at Pillsbury
United Communities’ Brian Coyle Center.
Mukhtar oversees the Sisterhood Boutique,
a secondhand clothing store that serves
as a training ground for young women to
learn about entrepreneurship, business,
community partnerships, and sustainable
fashion. Through their discussions with
Mukhtar, the Auggies began to apply some
of their fundamental course concepts in a
real-world setting.
Summer 2016
19
2016 NOBEL PEACE
PRIZE FORUM
LEADERSHIP
& CONFLICT
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi shared his vision for global compassion during the Nobel
Peace Prize Forum. More than 300 students, academics, activists, and thought leaders participated in three
days of discussion and presentations to advance peacebuilding.
O R G A NI ZI NG PA RT N E RS
20
Augsburg Now
MED IA SPO N SO R
GRADUATE STUDENTS STUDY
GLOBAL COMPASSION AT THE 2016
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
Conflict is a pervasive characteristic of
human interaction.
This is the opening line of the summer
syllabus for Augsburg College’s Master of
Arts in Leadership course, “Navigating
Local & Global Conflict: Interfaith
Dimensions.” The statement underscores
how important it is for leaders to develop
the ability to navigate and inspire others
in the face of conflict and sets the stage
for the work of analyzing leadership in the
context of real-world situations.
By design, the course is integrated with
the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, for
which Augsburg is the host sponsor.
“The Nobel Peace Prize Forum is a
gem,” said history and leadership studies
professor Jacqueline deVries. It’s a oneof-a-kind event that allows students to
learn through direct engagement about
the contexts and complexities involved
in conflict. deVries, who also serves as
director for Augsburg’s general education
program, co-taught the course with Martha
Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor
of Religion and Vocation, and Tom Morgan,
professor of leadership studies.
Held annually in Minneapolis, the
Nobel Peace Prize Forum is one of only
three programs officially associated with
the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The Forum’s
mission is to inspire peacemaking by
focusing on the work of Nobel Peace Prize
laureates and by engaging students and the
wider community with national and global
leaders in the process of peacebuilding.
The Forum provided the students in
the graduate course with direct access to
leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and
government organizations whose work
involves navigating complex, real-world
challenges that range from food security
to civil unrest to poverty and climate
change. The students used examples
from the Forum, as well as from their
own lives, to analyze conflict involving
religious diversity in their communities,
examine contemporary issues in a historical
perspective, and develop a view on what
effective leadership looks like (or might
look like) in actual situations.
Students come to the Master’s of Arts
in Leadership program with experience
PEACEB U ILD IN G PARTN ER- SPONSORS
Summer 2016
21
AUGGIES CONNECT
Martin Olav Sabo ’59
leaves mark on
Augsburg College
community
in both for-profit and not-for-profit
organizations. In gathering during a
lunch break to share reflections about
what they were learning at the Forum,
the class observed that it is not possible
to be effective as a leader without
knowing what’s going on in the world.
The Forum, they said, was a prompt
for thinking about how a leader would
approach addressing challenging topics
and situations in their work.
Too often, people are so
wrapped up with their jobs and
family and school that they don’t
think about the difficulties others
are facing in the world. It’s not that
people don’t care about these topics, one
student said, but they often just don’t
pay attention to the issues on a daily
basis. Being at the Forum offered a level
of understanding that may not happen in
a classroom, the students said.
In fact, during the Forum the
students directly engaged with difficult
topics, and it required a conscious
choice to hear the tragic stories about
topics like child slavery and human
trafficking. This is where our general
population may be falling short, one
student observed—choosing to turn away
instead of understanding the reality of
these issues.
The Master of Arts in Leadership
program, however, equips individuals to
turn toward—rather than away from—
challenging issues in order to seek
solutions and inspire others toward a
common goal. The program is designed
to prepare leaders who are ethically and
morally responsible, who can see beyond
immediate concerns, and who are
sensitive to the complex problems that
organizations face. By using the Nobel
Peace Prize Forum as a classroom, these
students worked to understand both the
systems that contribute to conflict and
the systems that effective leaders can
use to address it.
“WE HAVE TO CHANGE
THE DEMAND”
Top [L to R]: Dean Jarrow ’16 MAL and
Dele Odiachi ’17 MAL
Bottom: [L to R]: Jacqueline deVries; Margaret
PowellMack ’17 MAL; Kevin Stirtz ’17 MAL; Subashini
Ambrose ’18 MAL; Tom Morgan; Eric Miamen ’04,
’14 MBA, ’16 MAL; David Nyssen ’16 MBA, ’17 MAL; Nobel
Laureate Kailash Satyarthi; Howie Smith ’80, ’19 MAL;
Satyarthi’s wife, Sumedha Kailash; MAL Director Alan
Tuchtenhagen; and Brad Beeskow ’17 MAL.
22
Augsburg Now
For example, some students thought
that business was potentially the most
powerful force for addressing the issues
discussed at the Forum; others argued
that the biggest changes will come
when consumers demand it, quoting
comments by Nobel Laureate Kailash
Satyarthi, who, in his opening remarks,
said, “We have to change the demand.”
Another student observed that
every person has a powerful “what’s in
it for me” filter and noted that, if we
don’t translate the message in a way
that addresses this filter, it will not
be effective. And, although the class
agreed, the students also recognized that
people are often motivated not just by
what benefits them directly, but also by
generosity and helping others—by what,
as one student phrased it, satisfies a
need of the heart.
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
Former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59, who passed away on March 13 at
age 78, was a lifelong public servant and renowned Augsburg College alumnus who
exemplified the progressive approach and personal integrity that were modeled in
his Lutheran upbringing and education.
The work he and his wife, Sylvia, devoted to guiding the Martin Olav Sabo
Center for Democracy and Citizenship, the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual
Sabo Symposium—all of which create opportunities for civic experiences and skillbuilding inside and outside the classroom—will leave a lasting legacy at Augsburg.
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow said that Sabo’s “life-long
commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. The Sabo Center gives
Augsburg the ongoing opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our dear friend.”
One year after graduating from Augsburg College, Sabo—then 22—was elected
to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his tenure, he became
the first member of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor party to serve as Speaker of the
House—a post he held from 1973-78. He went on to serve for 28 years as a
member of the U.S. House of Representatives, retiring in 2007.
At the same time that Sabo served in Congress, he volunteered 12 years to
Augsburg College as a member of the Board of Regents. The College named Sabo
a Distinguished Alumnus and awarded him its first-ever honorary degree. Sabo was
distinguished in all he undertook and, in 2006, was appointed Commander of the
Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for outstanding work and dedication to NorwegianAmerican relations.
Congressman Sabo and Sylvia Sabo are parents of Auggies Karin Mantor ’86 and
Julie Sabo ’90.
Summer 2016
23
AUGGIES CONNECT
New to the Alumni Board
Five Auggies elected to serve three-year terms on the Augsburg College
Alumni Board will network with and mentor current Auggies, build community
with alumni, and provide a vital link between the College and graduates.
TRAVEL IN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA
JANUARY 3-15, 2017
To learn more, go to
augsburg.edu/alumni/travel.
Derek Francis ’08
School counselor, Minneapolis Public Schools
“Through the awesome community and volunteer opportunities at
Augsburg, I realized I was passionate about working with youth.
Augsburg’s value of service to the community transformed my life.”
Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL
President, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce
“I am eager to give back to the school that has given me so many
opportunities, such as political internships with [former U.S. Rep.] Martin
Sabo ’59 and MN Sen. Bill Luther, which began my career.”
MAKES LASTING IMPACT
With its Give to the Max Day gifts, the Biology Department funded new research
opportunities for two students: Oksana Burt ’17 and Davy DeKrey ’17 [pictured].
24
Augsburg Now
Business development, Gravie
“A continuing passion of mine is to grow our networking efforts, both for
employers and individuals as they connect with Auggie alumni.”
Online giving day supports students, faculty, programs
Auggies last fall made Augsburg College No. 1 in the annual Give to the
Max Day challenge. This year, Give to the Max Day is November 17, and
the College is calling on alumni to push Augsburg into the top spot for the
fourth year in a row.
In 2015, in just 24 hours, more than 1,000 Auggies—many of whom
were first-time donors—generously stepped up to give more than $240,000
to Augsburg. As a result, Augsburg ranked first among all participating
Minnesota colleges and universities, and earned a $10,000 bonus.
Alumni support on Give to the Max Day has a lasting impact and
supports new opportunities for students. Funds raised last year supported
the expansion of on-campus research; the purchase of a 3-D printer for
the mathematics and statistics department; production costs for Howling
Bird Press, the student-run book publishing project in the Master of
Fine Arts in Creative Writing program; and trips by athletic teams for
competition, education, and community service.
This November, alumni also can give to scholarships that honor the
legacy of music, research, and civil service at Augsburg. Gifts are being
sought to honor the work of Leland Sateren ’35, U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo ’59,
the StepUP® program, and the Office of Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity, which connects students with new and existing
research and scholarship on campus, across the United States, and
around the world.
Anyone can donate any amount on Give to the Max Day. Schedule
your gifts online at givemn.org beginning November 1.
Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA
Janeece Oatman ’05
Development director, American Diabetes Association
“I have a passion for committee-building, and I am interested in
networking opportunities, reconnecting with campus, and fellow Auggies.”
Brad Randall ’13
Mechanical maintenance planner, Xcel Energy
“As a graduate of Augsburg’s Adult Undergraduate program, I am
interested in mentoring Augsburg alumni in all fields.”
[L to R]: Lewis Istok ’18 and Abigale Enrici ’18 create a two-material print
using a 3-D printer purchased with Give to the Max Day funds.
Jordan Brandt ’17 throws a pitch on the baseball team’s 2016 spring break trip
to Arizona. The team raised more than $17,000 on Give to the Max Day 2015.
Back row [L to R]: Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA; Brad Randall ’13; Mary Prevost ’12 MBA; Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA;
Jay Howard ’03, Nick Rathmann ’03; Hanna Dietrich ’05; Rick Bonlender ’78; Patricia Jesperson ’95; Melissa
(Daudt) Hoepner ’92; Howie Smith ’80, ’19 MAL; Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett ’01; Greg Schnagl ’91. Front row
[L to R]: Adrienne (Kuchler) Eldridge ’02; Meg (Schmidt) Sawyer ’00; Adriana Matzke ’13; Janeece Oatman ’05;
Chau “Tina” Nguyen ’08; Jill Watson ’10 MBA. Not pictured: Derek Francis ’08; Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL;
Nick Swanson ’09
Q&A
with tour guide and Professor
of English Kathy Swanson
Q:
A:
How many times have you traveled to
Thailand? What keeps bringing you back?
My husband and I lived in Thailand as Peace
Corps volunteers for two years and have
returned eight times since. We return because
we feel Thailand is our “second home.” We love
Thailand’s beauty—from the huge city of Bangkok to
the mountains of northern Thailand in Chiang Mai
to the small beach town where we lived. We also
have many dear friends, some former students and
colleagues, with whom we love to reconnect.
Q:
A:
Can you share with us a memory from a trip
you led with Augsburg students?
We have shared our love of Thailand with
Augsburg students during five trips and have so
many good memories. Former Auggies still share their
memories and pictures of the trips with us. Some
of these students became English language learner
teachers because of their experience teaching English
in our former school. I remember one student, for
example, who was hesitant about going so far away
from home and to such an unfamiliar place. She had
been my student in several classes and seemed to
trust me when I encouraged her, so she took the big
step. We are still in contact after many years and she
has written about her trip to Thailand as being “lifechanging.” She stepped out of her comfort zone and
experienced things she could have never imagined,
gaining confidence and self-awareness.
Q:
A:
Who should take this trip?
Anyone who values expanding a worldview,
learning about a new culture, and experiencing
beauty.
Summer 2016
25
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
AUGGIES CONNECT
Martin Sabo ’59 leaves a
lasting legacy. See page 23.
1960
Rev. Dennis Glad ’60
and Barbara Glad
of St. Francis, Minnesota, have
led nearly 1,000 volunteers on
mission trips to 14 Caribbean
islands, Costa Rica, and Belize
over the past 25 years. Working
on a volunteer construction team,
the Glads and their crew have
built schools, clinics, churches,
orphanages, and more. In April,
the couple received WCCO Radio’s
Good Neighbor Award, and they
are now in the station’s Good
Neighbor Hall of Fame. In 1999,
Rev. Glad retired after serving in
the United Methodist Church for
more than 40 years.
empowering dreams
Travelers EDGE® grant affords
students pathway to success
In March, Augsburg was awarded a
$115,000 grant to continue offering
Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for
Graduation and Employment), a program
that provides underrepresented students
with scholarships, paid internships,
and mentorship in an effort to break
down barriers and provide long-term
opportunity. The highly successful
program, now in its sixth year at
Augsburg, is poised to have 15 Travelers
EDGE scholars on campus this fall—its
largest cohort yet.
This prestigious program—open
to only 12 colleges in the United
States—has lifetime payoffs for
students, including the chance to find
challenging and rewarding careers in
the insurance and financial services
industry. To get there, each Travelers
EDGE scholar works with a career coach
and a professional mentor at Travelers
and participates in financial literacy
programming.
Marlene Ibsen, vice president of
community relations at Travelers, said
Augsburg was already doing great work
and made for a natural Travelers EDGE
partner.
“Everything and everyone we
encountered at Augsburg, including
President Pribbenow and throughout
the organization, made us think, ‘This
is a team of people who really get it and
would be outstanding additions to the
Travelers EDGE collaborative,’” said Ibsen.
Students in the program receive financial
26
Augsburg Now
scholarships and something that, in the
long run, pays even greater dividends—
networking contacts.
“Once they begin immersing
themselves in the professional
development workshops and start
to build relationships with Travelers
employees, students quickly learn
that the networking and professional
coaching they are getting will be of
significant use to them in the long
term,” said Janet Morales, Augsburg’s
director for the program.
So far, Augsburg has had 23
Travelers EDGE scholars participate in
the program and some have gone on to
accept full-time positions with Travelers.
Dustina Granlund ’14 is one of the
Travelers EDGE alumni who works at
Travelers. Granlund had two internships
at the company, including one in
Hartford, Connecticut. As an intern,
she helped develop new and more
efficient reporting systems that are still
in use today.
Granlund said her mentor helped
her understand how school applies
to the real world by encouraging her
to accept and take on challenges, to
network, and to push herself beyond
her comfort zone.
“My Travelers EDGE scholar
work taught me business etiquette,
interviewing techniques, and résumé
writing,” she said. “It helped connect
me with resources at Augsburg that I
didn’t really know about.”
Travelers EDGE connected Granlund
with staff in Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work
who helped Granlund become more
comfortable seeking regular advice on
graduate school.
Morales sees that the value of the
program goes far beyond job experience.
“Travelers EDGE is confidence
building,” she said. “Our scholars
do not typically have any corporate
experience prior to becoming a part
of Travelers EDGE, nor do they have
family members with that experience,
so starting their professional journey
within insurance and financial services
can be intimidating. However, Travelers
EDGE gives the scholars opportunities
to learn and build their skills within a
safe space. The end result is that they
can imagine themselves with a career in
insurance and financial services, which
they couldn’t before.”
1964
Roger Johnson ’64
was presented with
the Donald Clark Memorial Award
at Minnesota Hockey’s annual
banquet in April. The award is
given to an individual who has
been dedicated to the grassroots
growth and development of youth
hockey in Minnesota. Johnson was
the head coach for boys’ hockey in
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, from 1965
until 1972 and then was varsity
assistant and junior varsity head
coach for the next 27 years until
1999. He is a substitute teacher
and a volunteer general manager
for the boys’ hockey team.
1969
Royce Helmbrecht ’69
graduated with a
degree in education. Today,
47 years later, he works as a
substitute teacher with students
who struggle to get through
school. He also teaches jail
inmates for the GED program.
fundraisers. Her leisure activities
include gardening, walking,
biking, and reading.
Michael Good ’71 celebrates
at groundbreaking ceremony.
See page 2.
jazzy food songs. Sullivan attended
Augsburg as a flute student, studied
broadcasting at Brown Institute,
and has worked in radio and as a
voice-over artist. After appearing at
venues that draw swing dancers,
she teamed up with Laurie to create
the duo Retro Swing Sister.
Three years ago at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley,
Minnesota, three parishioners took on a Lenten art project to create a mosaic
for their church entry. Led by Barb (Durkee) Mikelson ’71, the committee
also included Emilie Moravec ’07 and Jon Daniels ’88. The design, primarily
Mikelson’s work, echoed the stained glass window design in the church’s
sanctuary created by the late August Molder, an Augsburg professor. Mikelson
served the past 12 years as director of her church’s early childhood education
center, All God’s Children Learning Center, and retired in January. The school’s
leadership is now in the able hands of another Auggie, Courtney GadboisBrumbaugh ’95.
From the Auggie Connections blog.
Read more at augsburg.edu/alumni/blog.
He says the Lord intervened in his
life and directed him to Augsburg,
and he feels blessed to have
followed the Lord’s direction.
1971
Mary (Soulen) Johnson ’71
is the new branch
assistant at Minnesota’s Aitkin
Public Library. She especially
enjoys working with children
at the library and at the Aitkin
Children’s Center. As a volunteer
at Wild and Free in Garrison,
Minnesota, she helps with
feeding animals and assists with
Merilee Klemp ’75 uses the
city of Minneapolis as her
classroom. See page 16.
1982
Maryann Sullivan ’82
and Rhonda Laurie
have been entertaining listening
audiences and swing dancers for
the past three years. In February,
the two performed “Swingin’ a
la Carte” as part of the Jazz@
St. Barney’s concert series at St.
Barnabas Lutheran Church in
Plymouth, Minnesota, reflecting
the singers’ love of cooking through
Scott Whirley ’82 and Henry
Gerten ’98 were inducted into
the National Wrestling Coaches
Association Division III Hall of
Fame in a ceremony in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, prior to this year’s
NCAA Division III Wrestling
National Championships. Whirley
and Gerten are the ninth and 10th
Auggies to be inducted into the
NWCA Division III Hall of Fame.
Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 breaks ground
on Augsburg’s new, signature
academic building. See page 2.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
1967
In March, the Rev.
Terry J. Frovik ’67
and his wife, Pauline, were invited
by Archbishop Nemuel Babba
to participate in the installation
service for the Rev. Peter
Bartimawus, who was elected
Bishop of the Gongola Diocese of
the Lutheran Church of Christ in
Nigeria (LCCN). The service took
place in Bartimawus’ home village of Guyuk.
1992
Rosanne Newville Bump ’92 plans events, including
the St. Paul Winter Carnival as president and CEO
of the Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation. She received
her MBA in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
She has stayed in touch with many of her Auggie classmates
over the years, and is pleased that both the St. Paul Winter
Carnival and the Cinco de Mayo organizations benefit from
the help of Augsburg interns as they plan events. She lives
with her husband of 28 years, Jeff Bump ’85, and their three
daughters (Madelyn, Ella, and Julia) in River Falls where she
served for nine years as CEO of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau.
Summer 2016
27
2000
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Brian Ammann ’85 reflects on one of
the standout athletes he coached.
See page 8.
1988
Building hope
In March, Bob Strommen ’74 volunteered for a
Habitat for Humanity project in Nicaragua. He
joined cousins Tim ’70 and Dawn (Hofstad) ’70
Strommen, and Judy (Knudson) Strommen ’77, and
was overwhelmed by the magnitude of poverty in
the small village where they worked. The trip was
Tim’s third visit to the same site.
Bob writes, “Prior to our venturing out,
we had an orientation led by our Nicaraguan
Habitat leader, Aleandra, who reported that there
was a need for more than 600,000 homes in
Nicaragua—either new builds or fixing up existing
homes in desperate need of repair. And we were
going to build one home. At the time I thought,
‘What difference will this make? How do you tackle
such an overwhelming need?’”
Upon meeting the eventual homeowner, her
daughter, and grandchildren, Bob soon learned
that their work in that one week would make a lifechanging impact for the family.
He’d considered the impact they would
make on the family of the house, but did not
comprehend the impact that the people and
volunteering would have on him, saying: “My goal
is not to be better than anyone else, but to be
better than I used to be.”
Jeff Judge ’88 successfully
defended his doctoral
dissertation at Minnesota State
University. His thesis was “Spirituality in
Higher Education: A Narrative Analysis of
its Use by Leaders for Decision-Making.”
Judge graduated from Augsburg with
bachelor’s degrees in music education
and Spanish, and received a master’s
in Spanish from Middlebury (Vermont)
College. He lives in Minnetonka,
Minnesota, with his wife, Jeannie, and
their three teenagers: Nico, Danny, and
Clare. He is the dean of the humanities
division at Normandale Community
College in Bloomington, Minnesota.
1989
Troy Bakker ’89 received a
doctorate of science degree
from Dakota State University in Madison,
South Dakota.
Stephen Hindle ’89 has been appointed
practice lead at the partner level for Aon
Hewitt’s assessment and leadership
practice for Asia, the Middle East, and
Africa. He also is the face of Aon Hewitt
in these markets. His responsibilities
include commercial management of all
assessment and leadership business
across 14 countries as well as all
operations, solution development, and
mergers and acquisitions activity in
these markets.
He is based in Singapore with his
wife of more than 21 years, Adean,
and their two daughters, Claudia and
Madeleine.
1996
As twin sisters, Kaja Foat ’96
and Zoe Foat ’96 have shared
a lot in life—a last name, a love of
color and nature, and a vision for a
more ethical world. In 2002, the sisters
followed their shared vision to create
FOAT. Their goal was to offer a refreshing,
eco-conscious alternative in women’s
fashion, starting with yoga apparel. Since
then, they’ve expanded their designs to
additional lines of one-of-a-kind garments
and wedding gowns, and their workspace
to studios in Minneapolis and Charleston,
South Carolina.
Devean George ’99 builds neighborhood
pride alongside community housing in
north Minneapolis. See page 8.
2000
Augsburg theater alumni
Stephanie Lein Walseth ’00,
Quinci Bachman ’15, and Jorge
Rodriguez ’15, and Professor Emerita
Martha Johnson participated in the
Full Circle Theater Company’s return
engagement of “Theater: A Sacred
Passage.” Lein Walseth and Johnson are
two writers of this original performance
piece, devised by the core artists of
Full Circle from their personal journeys
into theater. Their stories embody
the challenges and transformational
experiences they have had in becoming
theater artists and how their lives
and work reflect the changes in the
theater community during the past two
decades. The piece incorporates acting,
storytelling, choreography, and music.
Bachman was production coordinator,
stage manager, and sound designer.
Rodriguez served as set and technical
director and lighting designer. Johnson
was dramaturge and assistant director.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
1992
Heather Johnston ’92
(second from left) was
invited to speak at the annual
conference of the Municipal
Finance Directors of Israel in Eilat,
Israel. Johnston is president of
the Government Finance Officers
Association of the United States and
Canada. Johnston serves as the city
manager for Burnsville, Minnesota.
28
Augsburg Now
1999
[L to R]: J. Roxanne
Prichard, associate
professor of psychology and
neuroscience, and Jeanne “Birdie”
(Ramacher) Cunningham ’99,
associate director of health and
wellness, have created and
launched the Center for College
Sleep at the University
of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
2005
Jon Dahlin ’05
participated in track
and field at Augsburg, and he set
a national record in the hammer
throw that still stands. He went
on to compete nationally and
internationally in Highland games.
He competed in states including
California, Florida, and Texas, and
he also competed in Iceland. He
traveled to Gyor, Hungary, as part
of Team USA for the 2015 World
Highland Games Championship
where he squared off against 15
athletes from around the world.
He was pleased to record one
of his best performances ever
in caber (tossing a 175-pound
wooden beam), and finished in
seventh place. Dahlin lives in
Minnetonka, Minnesota, and works
as a software developer at Barr
Engineering, focusing primarily
on creating web applications. He
also is a sports photographer who
covers NFL games.
Jenni Fisher ’05 and Jade
Boettcher ’15 MAE were united
in marriage on January 20 in
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Boettcher received his Master of
Arts in Education from Augsburg
and is a special education teacher
at John Marshall High School
in Rochester, Minnesota. Fisher
received her bachelor’s from
Augsburg and is a clinic assistant
at Planned Parenthood
in Rochester.
Brandon Green ’05 is a new
managing partner at MG
Resources. Before joining the
company, Green spent nearly 18
years with Griffiths Corporation.
2007
James Lekatz ’07
wrote the music for
“The Snow Queen,” which was
presented at Stages Theatre in
Hopkins, Minnesota, in March.
This summer, Lekatz worked with
a group of students with autism
on a production of “The BFG” as
part of a program called CAST,
Creative Accepting Sensoryfriendly Theatre. He will be
assistant director on a production
called “Twinkle Twinkle,” as part
of Stages Theatre Company’s
theater for the very young, and he
will compose Stages’ next dance/
ballet piece, “The Velveteen
Rabbit,” to be performed next
spring.
2008
Andrew Webb ’08
volunteers his
time to assist local and global
communities as they recover from
natural disasters and tragedies.
He encourages others through
a letter-writing campaign and
invites groups, such as area
high schools, to join him in his
dedication to this mission.
Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00
received her chaplain badge
for the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains
Ministry, a statewide nonprofit that serves
police and fire personnel. The program
follows a strict training that mirrors the
training of police officers.
Brown will return to the Twin Cities
in August to attend a clinical pastoral
education residency through which she
will receive certification to become a hospital chaplain.
2000
Ross Murray ’00,
’09 MBA, has
been issued a call from the
Metropolitan New York Synod in
New York City to be consecrated
as a diaconal minister and focus
on LGBT advocacy at GLAAD. He
and Richard Garnett ’07, ’09 MBA
were married in April.
2001
Sarah (Grans) Peterka ’01
married Erik Peterka
on December 12. Several Auggies
were at the celebration including:
Carrie Lind ’01, Skylar Hanson ’01,
Laura Hahn ’02, Erica ’01 and
Jason ’01 Bryan-Wegner, Ben
Hoogland ’00, Larye ’98 and
Melissa (Moyle) Pohlman ’00,
Lenise Butler ’01, and
Birgitte Simpson ’13.
2010
Jennifer (Mathwig)
Ortloff ’10 became joint
owner of the public accounting
firm of Peterson Juergensen
Hemerick & Co. in Hutchinson,
Minnesota, after five years with
the firm. Prior to becoming an
owner and before earning an
accounting degree at Augsburg,
she worked on the administrative
side of the company. Ortloff is a
native of Brownton, Minnesota,
and worked for the city of
Brownton while completing
her degree.
2005
When Claire Pettry ’05
moved to Ohio in the
fall of 2015, her Augsburg College
connection played a key role in
helping her form friendships in
her new locale. She met Chris
Ascher ’81 and wife, Susan, and
the three became fast friends
who completed a 5K run on
Thanksgiving.
2003
Megan and Jay
Howard ’03 welcomed
their son, Elias John, on April 28.
Lisa Svac Hawks ’85 sees Augsburg College as a “pillar of faith,” one of the reasons she chose the College
and why she continues to be involved. She served six years on the Alumni Board and is a founding
member of Augsburg Women Engaged.
Hawks is vice president, external communications, for United Healthcare Services. She is focused on
helping simplify the complicated health care landscape for the consumers so that they can live healthier
lives. In her spare time, Hawks enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing golf and other sports. She also
enjoys coaching her 10-year-old son Andrew’s baseball team, which she has done for the past three years.
From the Auggie Connections blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
2011
Patrick Siegel ’11 is
the proud owner of
Robusto & Briar cigar store and
lounge in Lakewood, Ohio. The
establishment is made for all
who appreciate a fine cigar and
conversation-worthy décor. He
got hooked on the cigar business
when, as a student at Augsburg,
he was hired by the Golden Leaf
shop, where he bought his cigars.
He and wife, Nicole, who grew
up in Rocky River, Ohio, decided
to settle in Lakewood. Robusto &
Briar specializes in hand-rolled
products that are kept in a 15-by30 foot humidor. The shop offers
about 400 types of cigars and
about 50 kinds of tobacco.
2012
The Minnesota
Women’s Press
published an article on Interfaith
Youth Connection, a program
for high school and college-age
youth that promotes interfaith
understanding and service. The
article includes comments from
Fardosa Hassan ’12, Muslim
student program associate at
Augsburg College and program
coordinator of Interfaith Youth
Connection. By holding regular
conversations and yearly service
events, the group seeks to give
youth “a way to be proud of
who they are in whatever faith
background they [believe],
while reducing prejudice and
misconception,” Hassan said.
“In the midst of what is going on
today, this is something we need.”
Patrick Sayler ’12 is the new
general manager of Co-op Natural
Foods in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. Before returning to Sioux
Falls three years ago, he spent
16 years in the Minneapolis area
managing cafes and retail shops.
As the general manager of Co-op
Natural Foods, he will oversee an
established business that employs
approximately 20 people and does
more than $2 million a year. He
is completing work on a degree in
business management/marketing
and project management at the
University of Sioux Falls.
2014
Allison Zank ’14 has
been named a National
Science Foundation Graduate
Research Fellow for 2016-17.
Zank will receive a $34,000
annual stipend and $12,000 costof-education allowance to assist
her in achieving a research-based
graduate degree. An NSF GRFP
indicates to graduate schools that
a student is a top undergraduate
scientist in the nation. Zank
conducted summer research
on biofilms with Augsburg
Associate Professor Jennifer
Bankers-Fulbright as well as at the
University of Minnesota’s Dental
School. Zank also has spent time
conducting research in industry.
At Augsburg, she was named an
URGO Scholar, McNair Scholar,
AugSTEM Scholar, and Goldwater
Scholar. She plans to pursue
a master’s degree in clinical
microbiology at the University of
Wisconsin-La Crosse this fall.
GRADUATE
2015
Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP
presented at a breakout session
for Fairview Health Services’
Somali Cultural Health Day in
April. Her topic was “Critical
decision making and chronic
illness.” Clark connected her
previous bedside nursing
experience with her current
experience working with Somali
community members at the
Health Commons in the CedarRiverside neighborhood. Her
focus was to teach health care
providers to deliver culturally
congruent care to marginalized
populations. She concentrated
her efforts on reducing the role of
stereotypes and assumptions in
the patient-provider relationship.
Jordan Holm ’15
competed in the 2016
Olympic trials in the 85-kilogram
weight class for Greco-Roman
wrestling at Carver-Hawkeye
Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on
April 6. Holm was one of three
athletes automatically earning the
No. 1 ranking. He graduated from
Augsburg with a business degree
in marketing.
Duina Hernandez ’16 lets
dirt fly at an Augsburg
groundbreaking ceremony.
See page 2.
Evan Berg ’10 MBA was hired as
assistant vice president and loan
officer at the Janesville State Bank
in Janesville, Minnesota. He has a
bachelor’s degree in economics/
business administration from
Winona State University and an
MBA from Augsburg, as well as
eight years of experience in credit
analysis and lending with Farm
Credit and several banks.
AUGGIE CONNECTIONS:
a new, personalized
newsletter
Whether it be in the classroom, cheering on your favorite Auggie
team, or supporting the on-campus groups that mean the most to
you, Augsburg College emphasizes a direct, personal experience
for its students and alumni. In today’s world where information is
coming from all angles and at all times, personalized, meaningful
information is more important than ever.
The Alumni Association recognizes this and is taking a step
to provide more pertinent and timely information about what’s
happening at Augsburg. Beginning this summer, Augsburg is
offering a personalized e-newsletter that will be delivered on a
schedule of your choosing, in a format you want. No more monthly
Now@Augsburg emails. The Auggie Connections newsletter is
now in your hands.
Choose the topics you are most interested in: Auggie
athletics? Theater and music? Science? Want to hear it all? With
your new, improved Auggie Connections newsletter, you won’t
miss a thing.
The first personalized Auggie Connections newsletter
arrived in your email inbox in late June. If you haven’t yet set your
preferences, check your email for the message titled “Augsburg
College - delivered YOUR way,” to get started.
To update your contact information, email alumniupdate@
augsburg.edu.
2009
Benjamin Austin ’09
and Michelle
(Anderson) Austin ’11 were
married December 19 in St. Paul.
They met at Augsburg during her
sophomore year and his senior
year.
Schuyler (Dunhaupt)
Tilson ’10 graduated
from Mitchell Hamline School of Law
in St. Paul in January with a focus in
Indian law. She recently passed the
Minnesota bar and became a staff
attorney for the Ho-Chunk Nation
Trial Court. She holds undergraduate
degrees from Augsburg in history
and American Indian studies.
2012
Muneer Al-Hameed ’12
won the Dancing with the
Twin Cities Celebrities Charity Ball
in February. Augsburg alumna Carla
Beaurline ’91 was a judge this year
and a 2015 Dancing with the Twin
Cities celebrity dancer.
FRESH LOOK,
INCREASED
INTERACTION
Nic Thomley ’06 MBA was named to the
2016 Class of Henry Crown Fellows and the
Aspen Global Leadership Network at the
Aspen Institute. This growing network unites
a worldwide community of entrepreneurial
leaders from business, government, and the
nonprofit sector who share a commitment
to enlightened leadership and to using their
creativity, energy, and resources to tackle
the foremost societal challenges of our time.
Thomley is an accomplished entrepreneur
in the human services industry and the
founder of companies that provide an array
of services to persons with disabilities and
senior citizens. Thomley is the founder and
30
Augsburg Now
CEO of Morning Star Financial Services and
the founder and chairman of Summit Fiscal
Agency and Pinnacle Services, Minneapolis.
Thomley was named a 2015 Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and,
in 2006, was named to Inc. Magazine’s
“30 Under 30, America’s Coolest Young
Entrepreneurs” list and to the Minneapolis/
St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”
list. In 2010, Thomley was presented with
Augsburg’s First Decade Award, which
honors graduates of the past 10 years who
have made significant progress in their
professional achievements and contributions
to the community.
Enjoy several new features on the Augsburg Now magazine’s
companion website. Thanks to a site upgrade, it’s possible to:
• Read articles on mobile devices with ease
• Share favorite stories and photos on social media
• View exclusive slideshows and videos
• Manage your magazine subscription and delivery method
• “Go green” by opting for digital content instead of print
• Submit class notes and share good news
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE
Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move,
marriage, and births. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/connect to submit
your announcements.
Mike Polis ’10 has
started Backboard
Media, based in Northeast
Minneapolis. Check it out at
backboardgroup.com.
2010
augsburg.edu/now
Entrepreneurial leader recognized
2010
2013
Kuoth Wiel ’13 cofounded the NyaEden
Foundation, a nonprofit that aims
to provide basic survival necessities
to disadvantaged women and
children throughout Africa. She is an
actress, model, and humanitarian
whose debut film role was in “The
Good Lie,” a drama starring Reese
Witherspoon that tells the story of
a group of Sudanese refugees who
are offered shelter in the United
States. Wiel was born to a Sudanese mother and father in an Ethiopian
refugee camp following her parents’ escape from war-torn Sudan. As a
young adult, Wiel moved to Minneapolis to attend Augsburg and study
social psychology. Visit nyaedenfoundation.org to learn more about the
organization’s work to foster girls’ and women’s safety, empowerment,
independence, dignity, self-esteem, and self-respect.
Fall 2015
37
Summer 2016
31
In memoriam
Chester R. Heikkinen ’40,
Robbinsdale, Minnesota,
age 99, on November 24.
Helen (Quanbeck)
Nichols ’44, Monticello,
Minnesota, age 94, on
April 27.
Frederick “Fred” M. King ’71,
Onalaska, Wisconsin, age
73, on February 5.
Helen E. (Berg) Peterson ’46,
Minneapolis, age 92, on
November 23.
Martin O. Sabo ’59,
Minneapolis, age 78,
on March 13.
Kenneth J. Dahlberg ’80,
Colorado Springs,
Colorado, age 62,
on December 21.
Doris M. Rear-Hustad ’46,
Blanchardville, Wisconsin,
age 90, on March 18.
Gary A. Hoonsbeen ’60,
Crystal, Minnesota,
age 77, on March 7.
Brenda L. Fredrick ’82,
Strawberry Point, Iowa,
age 57, on April 23.
Loren M. Thorson ’46,
Green Valley, Arizona,
age 96, on March 8.
Robert N. Martin ’61,
Dracut, Massachusetts,
age 81, on March 22.
Janice C. Olson ’84,
Lakewood, Washington,
age 79, on January 19.
Robert “Bob” E. Lee ’47,
Hallettsville, Texas,
age 92, on March 3.
Norbert W. W. Mokros ’61,
Duluth, Minnesota,
age 77, on January 25.
Melissa A. Lawrence ’88,
Minneapolis, age 59,
on March 1.
Aagoth E. (Hanson)
Hansen ’48, Willmar,
Minnesota, age 89,
on January 4.
Sherman P. Coltvet ’62,
Rochester, Minnesota,
age 75, on January 30.
Marilyn J. (Cederstrom)
Teubert ’88, Waconia,
Minnesota, age 84,
on November 23.
Paul D. Hilton ’51,
Cumberland, Wisconsin,
age 86, on January 28.
Eugene M. Nelson ’51,
Colorado Springs,
Colorado, age 86,
on January 11.
Lillian K. (Ysteboe) Ose ’51,
Benson, Minnesota,
age 87, on January 5.
Leonard E. Dalberg ’52,
Solvang, California,
age 90, on April 21.
Randall “Randy” Fischer ’52,
Lynchburg, Virginia,
age 85, on February 5.
Robert C. Ingman ’54,
Minneapolis, age 85, on
September 3.
Charles “Bob” R.
Hudgins ’62, Burnsville,
Minnesota, age 75,
on December 12.
Charles W. King, Jr. ’62,
Sun City West, Arizona,
age 76, on December 17.
Philip O. Sidney ’63,
St. Paul, age 75,
on April 10.
Mary M. Lindgren ’64,
Minneapolis, age 74,
on March 15.
David A. Mallak ’65,
Austin, Texas, age 72,
on February 10.
Steven H. Steinke ’65,
Pequot Lakes, Minnesota,
age 68, on January 26.
Robert R. Benson ’67,
Preston, Minnesota,
age 70, on December 23.
Karl B. Lunder ’70, Red
Wing, Minnesota, age 69,
on March 12.
SAVE THE DATES:
SEPTEMBER 22-24
New events and schedule!
William “Bill” J. Schutt ’75,
Watertown, South Dakota,
age 74, on February 2.
Richard “Dick” L. Berg ’57,
Minneapolis, age 85,
on February 3.
Vera C. (Alberg)
Hafstad ’50, Owatonna,
Minnesota, age 86, on
March 11.
Augsburg Now
Dayne W. Sather ’55,
Maple Grove, Minnesota,
age 86, on January 25.
Joyce I. (Engstrom)
Spector ’70, Minneapolis,
age 68, on April 1.
Mary (Mortensen) Nelson ’45,
Minneapolis, age 92, on
January 22.
Arnold H. Skaar ’48,
Edina, Minnesota, age 91,
on February 2.
32
Dale W. Quanbeck ’54,
Grand Forks, North
Dakota, age 84,
on January 18.
Carol R. (Pasquarella)
Liedtke ’89, Shorewood,
Illinois, age 73,
on December 5.
Diane P. Ondrey ’94,
Minneapolis, age 80,
on February 19.
Jean W. (Thompson)
Rondeau ’94, Minneapolis,
age 77, on April 12.
Sandra K. Berg ’98, Inver
Grove Heights, Minnesota,
age 69, on January 26.
Conrad D. Meyer ’98,
Merida, Mexico, age 66,
on April 3.
.
S
E
I
G
G
U
A
E
B
.
D
U
O
PR
E
B
.
D
E
L
BE CAL
Barbara (Steinle)
Huckle ’00, Burnsville,
Minnesota, age 55,
on April 16.
Jason C. Magnon ’13,
Georgetown, Texas,
age 25, on January 15.
Go to augsburg.edu/homecoming to register and see the new events this year.
The “In memoriam” listings in this publication
include notifications received before May 10.
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
The Augsburg Choir joins Barry Manilow on stage
The exceptional talent and hard work of the Augsburg Choir was rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing backup
during Grammy-award winner Barry Manilow’s farewell tour. Members of the choir sang three of his hits in an encore at the
Xcel Energy Center: “I Write the Songs,” “Miracle,” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).”
Show less
BUILDING
INSIDE
Faculty-student research duo
Auggie brews up a business
The changing face of Auggies
Commencement memories
FOR THE
FUTURE
SUMMER 2015 | VOL. 77, NO. 3
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of News an... Show more
BUILDING
INSIDE
Faculty-student research duo
Auggie brews up a business
The changing face of Auggies
Commencement memories
FOR THE
FUTURE
SUMMER 2015 | VOL. 77, NO. 3
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
A college that is student ready
The 2014-15 academic year—the 146th in
Augsburg’s history—was a very good year for the
College. National honors for students. Awards
for faculty teaching, research, and advising. The
successful completion of the $50 million campaign
for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion,
and the early preparation work on the construction
site. Important conversations on and off campus
about interfaith living, race relations, demographic
trends, and diversity. Remarkable outreach
programs like the Minnesota Urban Debate League
and Campus Kitchen receiving major support
for their important work. A national wrestling
championship! And so much, much more.
Reflecting on these accomplishments, I am
so grateful for all our faculty and staff do for this
special college and its students.
But I also realize that these achievements
are made possible by an increasingly clear vision
of our future that says we will be “a new kind of
student-centered urban university, small to our
students and big for the world.” And the fruit of
our labors is made possible by our common efforts
to live into this vision and our shared commitment
to an Augsburg education that equips our students
for lives of meaning, purpose, and significance
in and for the world. That is what truly excites
me about Augsburg’s future—a persuasive vision
that proclaims our desire to be a college that is
student-ready!
What do I mean by student-ready? I mean that
we are turning 21st century higher education on
its head by not focusing on whether students are
“college-ready.” You’ve probably read and heard
that phrase many times. Demanding that students
are college-ready allows lots of smart people to
claim that the responsibility belongs elsewhere
when it comes to ensuring that students show up
on our campuses prepared by someone else for
what we think a higher education should look like.
If students aren’t able to read or speak English
as well as we would like, if their math skills are
lacking, if they don’t participate in class like we
once did, if they demand more of us because of
difficult personal circumstances or diverse learning
and leading styles, then they are not ready for
college. In other words, if they don’t learn and
behave like us, they are not college-ready.
So here comes Augsburg offering a different—
even countercultural—vision of what higher
education is all about today. And it is a vision
grounded in our faith and academic heritage. It is
a vision that claims we are called to be ready for
students with the diverse gifts and experiences they
bring to our campus, gifts and experiences that
demand changes in how we engage them, teach
them, and learn from them. It doesn’t mean that
we lower our standards—that is the too-easy retort
to our vision. It means that we define and claim
even higher standards of academic excellence
and achievement, of teaching and learning, of
civic engagement and community life—standards
shaped not by measures imposed from without, but
by a collaborative and democratic measure borne
of our shared experience and engagement.
And, come to find out, when you take the path
of being student-ready, when you quit measuring
by someone else’s standards, you begin to witness
to a way of being in the world as educated people
that others want to embrace. And students and
faculty win major recognition, your campaigns are
successful, and you are positioned to lead in the
21st century.
Wow, that is exciting and inspiring. I give
thanks every day for a community that embraces
this vision of a college that is student-ready and
student-centered. A college that is faithful and
relevant. Our college—Augsburg College!
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
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/Now Online
Mark Chamberlain
chamberm@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@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
now@augsburg.edu
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
summer 2015
AUGSBURG NOW
Features
02
08
11
18
22
Ahead of the curve
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
Commencement memories
BY LAURA SWANSON ’15 MBA
Making their mark
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
Departments
inside
front
cover
Notes from President Pribbenow
02 Around the Quad
08 Celebrating student success
14
18
14 Auggie voices
20 It takes an Auggie
26 My Auggie experience
28 Alumni news
34 Alumni class notes
38 In memoriam
22
26
On the cover
A photo illustration depicts what the future Center for Science, Business, and Religion
will look like from Urness Tower; see pages 20-21. Photo illustration by Mark Chamberlain.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
Correction: In the Spring 2015 issue
of Augsburg Now, the names of donors
Richard Bonlender ’78 and Mary Ahern
were listed incorrectly in the article
“Torstenson legacy lives on through gifts,”
which described an initiative to name a
gathering space for Faculty Emeritus of
Sociology Joel Torstenson in the new Center
for Science, Business, and Religion.
AROUND THE QUAD
PUTTING MINNEAPOLIS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This spring, hundreds of prospective Augsburg College students and their
families visited campus as part of “Destination: Augsburg,” an event
designed to offer a glimpse into on-campus life. The event also included
guided excursions to well-known attractions in the heart of Minneapolis
including Target Field, Nicollet Mall, and the State Theatre [above].
MINNESOTA URBAN
DEBATE LEAGUE
adds first-ever Somali Debate Initiative
The Minnesota Urban Debate League—a program of Augsburg College—sponsored
the first debate in the state among Somali youth. The Somali Debate Initiative serves
middle- and high-school students from Minneapolis and St. Paul. A community forum
featuring U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison followed the debate. MNUDL also hosted four Spanish
tournaments throughout the Twin Cities, which helps make debate more accessible to
Spanish-speaking communities.
In May, MNUDL hosted its third Mayor’s Challenge fundraiser. St. Paul Mayor
Chris Coleman; Donald Lewis, co-founder and shareholder of Nilan Johnson Lewis in
Minneapolis; and Barb Schmitt, senior director at Microsoft, served as judges. The
event raised $18,500 plus $3,000 in matching grants from the Pohlad Foundation.
2
Augsburg Now
Keynote speaker and debate judge Ilhan Omar
encourages Somali Debate Initiative guests to
pursue college degrees.
AROUND THE QUAD
A TEACHER’S INFLUENCE
NEVER ENDS
Each year, the Augsburg College faculty
recognizes select colleagues with Distinguished
Contributions to Teaching and Learning
awards—acknowledging those who have
demonstrated outstanding support for students
through teaching, advising, and mentoring.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Joan Kunz, professor of chemistry
Soup for You! Café Chef Judah Nataf seasons one of his signature recipes.
SOUP FOR THE HEART
and soul of Augsburg’s neighbors
Alumnus launches community meal program
Kunz is recognized for her commitment to
Augsburg’s students, embodying the College’s
mission to educate students to be informed
citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers,
and responsible leaders. Since 1987, Kunz has
worked toward creating and sustaining a vibrant
learning community in the sciences.
EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING AND MENTORING
oto
Courtesy Ph
Susan O’Connor and Donna Patterson, assistant
Five days a week, Minneapolis community members convene at Bethany
professors of education
Lutheran Church to dine on gourmet fare prepared as part of the Soup
for You! Café—a program the Star Tribune
O’Connor and Patterson are recognized
recognized for its ability to redefine
for their work to incorporate Public
“Our model is mutuality, and
community outreach.
Achievement into the special education
what better way is there to
Augsburg College alumnus, Chaplain
teacher training program in the College’s
show mutuality than to gather Department of Education. The Public
to Student Athletes, and Linebacker Coach
the Rev. Mike Matson ’06 is the pastor at
at the same table together?”
Achievement model changes lives for
Bethany Lutheran and the driver behind this
students in special education by giving
—The Rev. Mike Matson ’06
community meal. Supported by volunteers
Star Tribune, April 5
them a voice to act as citizens in a
and one talented chef, Soup for You! Café is
democratic society.
a chance for people of all backgrounds to come together in an environment
that focuses on dignity. In the Star Tribune article “Church program
offers hot soup, warm welcome,” Matson underscored that the program is
designed to bring together people from the many faiths
and cultures of the Seward neighborhood.
Augsburg College students, faculty, and staff find varied—and
valuable—ways to lend their time and talents to support the Soup
for You! Café. Auggie Jens Pinther ’15 contributed an article about
the program to the June edition of The Lutheran magazine. The
story, available at thelutheran.org, included photos by Augsburg
photographer Stephen Geffre.
The 2015 Distinguished Contributions recipients [L to R]:
Donna Patterson, Susan O’Connor, and Joan Kunz.
Summer 2015
3
(RE)NAME THE MAGAZINE?
From Augsburg’s
CAMPUS KITCHEN
to the community table
Unique program expands its reach
The Campus Kitchen program at Augsburg College works
to make healthy food accessible to all people living in and
near the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. The
program also provides opportunities for service learning,
leadership development, and genuine engagement between
the College and the community.
Based in the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship,
Campus Kitchen is a student-driven organization that
addresses hunger locally and globally. Corporate partners
support Campus Kitchen’s efforts, providing a solid
foundation for Auggies’ stellar work.
2014-15 academic year highlights:
7
Augsburg student leaders took home a “Going Beyond The
Meal” award from the 2015 Food Waste and Hunger Summit
in Athens, Georgia. The honor recognized Campus Kitchen’s
exceptional education and outreach efforts.
34
13,036
What do you think?
Last summer, Augsburg College participated in a national
higher education magazine survey developed by the Council for
Advancement and Support of Education. This survey allowed
more than 600 people to share feedback on the ways Augsburg’s
magazine helps them stay connected with the College.
Based on the survey results, we worked to develop a clearer
picture of the roles the magazine plays and found that the
Augsburg College magazine serves to:
• Foster inspiration and pride.
• Provide intellectual stimulation and ongoing education.
• 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.
Given the importance of these commitments, there was a desire to
have the magazine name align with and support the publication’s
purpose. After an exploration of dozens of name options, Augsburg
Spirit and Augsburg Experience stood out. It also was evident that
the name Augsburg Now remains appropriate.
To determine which of these three names is best, you’re invited
to share your opinion on the name of the magazine by voting online
for Augsburg Now, Augsburg Experience, or Augsburg Spirit.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to share your input
to help guide our naming decision.
student volunteers engaged in Campus
Kitchen activities per month on average.
pounds of unserved, edible food were recovered from
A’viands campus dining and the Mill City Farmers Market
and thereby diverted from the waste stream.
11,210
total meals prepared using recovered, gleaned, and
homemade food served to youths, adults, and seniors in need
in the Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and Phillips neighborhoods.
KEY CORPORATE PARTNERS’
YEARS OF GRANT SUPPORT
LAND O’LAKES
TARGET
A’VIANDS
GENERAL MILLS
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL
=1 year
Plus, a new grant from The Campus Kitchens Project and AARP has
enabled Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen program to provide a weekly
lunch for more than a dozen additional seniors living near campus.
augsburg.edu/campuskitchen
KNOW?
DID YOU
General Mills has invested more than $125,000 in
the Augsburg College Campus Kitchen program.
Renovations are underway on a number of spaces
on the Augsburg campus in Minneapolis, including
the Sateren Auditorium in the Anderson Music Hall.
The space will return to service this fall.
ACCLAIMED ARTIST CREATES
painting for Hoversten Chapel
This spring, Augsburg’s Campus Ministry welcomed the Rev. Paul
Oman—a professional watercolorist whose artistic work draws
inspiration from his experiences, travels, and Lutheran faith—to
take part in a three-day worship event on campus. Oman created
a large-scale painting of Jesus during Daily Chapel services as
on-campus worshipers took part in music, prayer, spoken word,
and Scripture.
Oman’s visual ministry, known as “Drawn to the Word,”
offered the Augsburg community the opportunity to engage
in conversation and reflection on race, radical hospitality,
reformation, faith, and the Lutheran tradition that continues to
shape the College’s identity. The painting is on display in the
Hoversten Chapel in Foss Center.
The Rev. Paul Oman paints “Jesus Withdraws to Pray” during Daily Chapel time.
Summer 2015
5
Photo by Mark Chamberlain
AROUND THE QUAD
AROUND THE QUAD
While traveling to or from campus, some Auggies have near-perfect views of the construction underway on the new Minnesota
Vikings football stadium. This vantage point is near the intersection of Cedar and Riverside avenues in Minneapolis.
ON THE SPOT
Kristin Anderson
In the discipline of art history it’s common to discuss the visual
representation of saints and sinners, kings and queens, and maybe even
a Viking or two. At Augsburg College, Kristin Anderson teaches courses on
the history of art and architecture, and she’s prepared to talk about works
ranging from the Mona Lisa to the Metrodome—may it rest in peace.
Anderson’s current writing and research are focused on sports
architecture, and she is co-authoring a book on the history of athletic
facilities in the Twin Cities. As the St. Paul Saints baseball club settles into
its new CHS Field in Lowertown and the Minnesota Vikings football team
awaits the completion of a new stadium in Augsburg’s own backyard, here
is Anderson’s take on the region’s shifting sports scene.
6
Augsburg Now
Q:
During the past decade new sports
venues including TCF Bank Stadium,
Target Field, and CHS Field have opened
their doors in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
What factors have spurred so much
change in such a brief period of time?
A:
Quite simply, we have moved out
of an era of multipurpose stadiums.
They were popular in the 1960s and
1970s, and we got one of the last ones—
the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome—
in 1982. Sport-specific facilities like
baseball parks and football stadiums have
become the standard, and that drives
all kinds of new construction. And, of
course, when one team gets a new space,
everyone else gets in line. ...
MAKING SPACE
FOR A
AROUND THE QUAD
NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING
On May 1, the campaign for the Center for Science,
Business, and Religion surpassed its $50 million
fundraising goal. To make room for the construction of
this new academic building, the College razed two existing
houses on campus. One of the structures was occupied
by the Admissions Office from 1970-2003 before
that department moved to a more student-accessible
location in Christensen Center. The house also was home for a time to the Center
for Counseling and Health Promotion (now called the Center for Wellness and
Counseling), which has relocated to the first floor of Anderson Residence Hall. A
second house, formerly called Delta House, was first used for student housing. It
was later home to various Admissions staff, then the Sabo Center for Democracy
and Citizenship, which has moved to the Oren Gateway Center. Before these two
buildings were removed, an event was held to honor the work and experiences
of staff and residents who once occupied the spaces. There were 30 people in
attendance, some even traveling from as far as North Dakota and New York.
A house on 21st Avenue South is razed.
Former and current staff members reminisce over a collage
of names written within one of Augsburg’s former houses.
Learn more about the next steps for the CSBR on page 20.
Q:
Q:
Q:
A:
A:
A:
Today’s sports venues offer
amenities that extend far beyond
a wooden bleacher seat and a bag of
popcorn sold at the concession stand.
What does this mean for stadium
architecture and game attendees?
Every new sports facility offers more
than its predecessor, and fans seem
to expect this improvement. The rising
expectations are not new: fan amenities
have been part of the discussion since
the 1860s. Like us, people from that
time period talked about food selection,
legroom, and comfort at the games.
Attending to the fan experience can add
cost to a project, but it is an investment
worth making. Just think about the
many amazing differences between the
Metrodome experience and the Target
Field experience.
What effect does an indoor stadium
(like the new Vikings stadium) versus
an outdoor stadium (like TCF) have on
attendance, especially in Minnesota’s
climate?
We have an amazing range of weather,
from glorious to horrible—and we
don’t always agree on which is which.
This raises the stakes on decisions about
stadium design. Rather than choosing
“indoor” or “outdoor,” many contemporary
facilities combine aspects of each. The new
Vikings stadium will have a glass roof and
enormous windows, bridging the indoors
and outdoors in space, light, air, and views.
Target Field is an outdoor ballpark, but it is
designed with sheltered areas, heat lamps,
and other climate-mitigating features.
Baseball is said to be America’s
pastime. How does new stadium
architecture show that the sport can remain
relevant—and sustainable—into the future?
While most contemporary ballparks pay
homage to the history and tradition of
baseball, they also employ an amazing array
of cutting-edge technologies. One of the
most exciting recent developments is the
emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Target Field has two LEED Silver
certifications, and other sports facilities like
the Xcel Energy Center and CHS Field have
also engaged in significant sustainability
efforts, including rainwater recycling
systems and sophisticated trash-sorting and
recycling programs.
Kristin Anderson is a professor of art
history and the Augsburg College archivist.
Summer 2015
7
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
$7,500 GOLDWATER
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Fikre Beyene ’16 and Lyle Nyberg ’16
15 STEM researchers
80+
off-campus
Auggies presented at Zyzzogeton
Research Festival on campus
Taylor Kuramoto ’15
FULBRIGHT TEACHING
ASSISTANT in South Korea
3
ROSSING PHYSICS
SCHOLARS
One of 104 to present at
Fikre Beyene ’16, Andris Bibelnieks ’16*,
and Cain Valtierrez ’16
*Also Goldwater Honorable Mention
NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION GRADUATE
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Honorable Mention, Alex Sorum ’13
2015 WINCHELL
UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Aisha Mohamed ’16
Awale Osman ’15
2
2015 NEWMAN
CIVIC FELLOW
KEMPER SCHOLARS
Mitchell Ross ’18 and Rebecca Schroeder ’18
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
David Gersten ’16 and Amal Warsame ’16
8
Augsburg Now
EDDIE PHILLIPS SCHOLARSHIP
FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN
Malick Ceesay ’17
For more information about
these awards and recipients,
go to augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2015
9
12
HONORING
retiring faculty
“
I love the accessibility Augsburg students have to faculty and staff,
especially when we meet students in passing in the quad or elsewhere
when conversations become more candid, genuine, and authentic.”
— Gregory Krueger, Assistant Professor of Education
PAULINE ABRAHAM
Assistant Professor and Director of BSN
Program, Nursing, Rochester
Joined the College — 2005
KATHRYN SCHWALBE
Faculty Emerita
Professor of Business Administration
Joined the College — 1991
FRANKIE SHACKELFORD
Faculty Emerita, Professor of Languages
and Cross-Cultural Studies
Joined the College — 1990
MARTHA JOHNSON
Faculty Emerita
Professor of Theater Arts
Joined the College — 1997
BEVERLY STRATTON
Faculty Emerita
Professor of Religion
Joined the College — 1986
AMIN KADER
Associate Professor of Business
Administration
Joined the College — 1974
ELIZABETH ANKENY
Faculty Emerita
Associate Professor of Education
Joined the College — 2008
GREGORY KRUEGER
Assistant Professor of Education
Joined the College — 2000
STEVEN LAFAVE
GRACE DYRUD
Faculty Emerita
Professor of Psychology
Joined the College — 1962
Faculty Emeritus
Professor of Business Administration
Joined the College — 1991
DAVID VENNE
Assistant Professor of Physics
Joined the College — 1990
STEVEN NERHEIM
Medical Director Instructor of Physician
Assistant Studies Program
Joined the College — 2005
10
Augsburg Now
To read about what these faculty members
love about Augsburg and teaching, go to
augsburg.edu/now.
AHEAD
of the
curve
Augsburg leads in shaping higher education for
Minnesota’s increasingly diverse population
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
F
or more than five years, Augsburg College has undertaken
“Employers are going to have a much greater interest
important efforts to intentionally diversify the traditional
in bringing populations who previously may have been
undergraduate student profile. This work is not only a
marginalized into productive work,” Brower said. “We don’t
prudent move in terms of growing enrollment, but it is also
have the capacity, going forward, to leave anyone behind.”
proving to be an important factor in sustaining the region’s
For Augsburg, this demographic reality is significant
economic health.
because about 25 percent of college-bound Minnesota high
This spring, more than 200 Augsburg College faculty
school graduates express interest in Augsburg by applying,
and staff met with Minnesota State
inquiring, or visiting campus. In order
Demographer Susan Brower to
to successfully enroll and retain these
“We don’t have the
discuss the “shape and scale” of the
students, Augsburg needs to be intentional
capacity,
going
forward,
demographic trends in the state that
about meeting the educational needs of
will influence its vitality in the coming
this diversifying population.
to leave anyone behind.”
decades. Two significant trends detailed
Augsburg already has an important
—Susan Brower
by Brower were the increasing diversity
advantage in this area because, with
Minnesota State Demographer
and aging of the state’s population –
nearly 33 percent students of color in
trends that heighten the importance of
the traditional undergraduate program,
education now and into the future.
the College is one of the most diverse higher education
Education will grow in importance because the relative
institutions in the state. This is attractive to students of both
size of our workforce affects economic production and the
minority and majority populations because it offers them the
strength of our region. As older adults retire in the next 20
opportunity to learn and work with many different types of
years and the workforce shrinks in proportion to the overall
people, which is increasingly important given that the pace of
population, Minnesota will need the skills and talents of the
demographic change will accelerate dramatically in the next
entire working-age population.
15 years.
Summer 2015
11
1
Demographic Trend #1: Growing diversity.
If you went to college or lived in the Twin Cities before
the 1990s, your experience with the diversity of the area’s
population was different from today’s scenario.
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
Total Twin Cities population
2,000,000
The Twin Cities experienced accelerated growth
among populations of color from 1990 to 2010.
During that time, people of color represented more
than 80 percent of the overall population growth.
1,500,000
Before 1980, fewer than 6 percent of the
Twin Cities population were people of color,
numbering only 25,000 to 115,000 people in
the total population of 1.5 million to 2 million.
1,000,000
500,000
10%
5%
2
15%
0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
What’s driving the growth in diversity?
• Younger populations are more diverse.
Approximately 25 percent of Minnesota residents
younger than age 35 are people of color, whereas
populations older than 65 years are predominantly
white. So, as the entire population ages, overall
diversity grows. **Sources: 2, 3
2
• The number of foreign-born residents in
Minnesota is growing. Minnesota, today, is home to
nearly 400,000 foreign-born residents—a level not
seen since the 1930s. By contrast, from 1960 through
the 1990s, just more than 100,000 foreign-born
people lived in the state. **Source: 4
Demographic Trend #2: Our aging population.
• Minnesota’s foreign-born population is
increasingly diverse. In 1950, 80 percent of the
foreign-born population in Minnesota was from
Europe. Today, most foreign-born residents are from
Mexico, Somalia, India, and Laos. **Source: 4
335
Minnesota—and other regions of the United States—are
experiencing an unprecedented aging of our populations.
285
How dramatic is the change?
Change in Minnesota population
age 65+ (in thousands)
Minnesota will add more than 620,000 older adults (age
65+) between 2010 and 2030. By contrast, during the
60 years from 1950 to 2010, the population of older
adults grew by just 416,000. **Source: 1
12
85
55
1950s
Augsburg Now
1960s
71
1970s
97
91
67
1980s
47
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
2030s
66
56
2040s
2050s
A commitment to diversity and inclusion
Today, the Twin Cities population is estimated at
3 million residents, with nearly 800,000—about
26 percent—people of color. This number is
expected to reach 30 percent in the next 10 years.*
30%
25%
20%
2010
2020
2030
*Other areas of the United States are experiencing similar diversity growth.
The U.S. population in 2010 was 36 percent people of color. **Sources: 2, 3
The size of the labor force is expected to stagnate in the coming
decades while the 65+ population will double. As a result, the
ratio of adults ages 18 to 64 relative to adults 65 and older will
go from nearly 5 to 1 in 2010 to less than 2.5 to 1 in the next 25
years. That means there will be fewer working-age people in
the population as a whole. That’s an important consideration
because payroll taxes are critical for funding programs like Social
Security and Medicare that the growing population of retired and
elderly adults will increasingly draw upon. **Sources: 2, 3
To learn more about the range of programs Augsburg offers
to support diversity and inclusion, go to augsburg.edu/now.
2010
2040
One million adults age 65+
In 2015, Augsburg graduated its most diverse traditional
undergraduate class in history, with more than 30 percent
of graduates from underrepresented populations. In fact,
every incoming first-year class since 2009 has included 30
to 40 percent students of color.
Augsburg also has identified faculty and staff diversity
as a priority initiative in its Augsburg2019 strategic plan.
As a first step, the College highlighted its commitment to
intercultural competence, diversity, and inclusion in all job
postings this past spring. An early result is that six of the
College’s 10 new tenure-track faculty are from non-majority
populations.
Augsburg also has named Joanne Reeck, director
of Campus Activities and Orientation, as chief diversity
officer. Reeck launched an intercultural competence
program that involved more than 100 members of the
campus community this spring and will expand to include a
certificate program in the fall. These programs complement
the diversity and inclusion workshops offered each May by
the College’s Center for Teaching and Learning.
Augsburg’s work in intentional diversity has garnered
attention from corporations and community organizations
alike. For example, Wells Fargo recently donated $100,000
to Augsburg’s Center for Science, Business, and Religion
specifically because of Augsburg’s proven work in educating
underrepresented populations. Augsburg also recognizes
that diversity extends well beyond ethnicity and provides
award-winning programs for students who represent a
diversity of ages, national origins, faith traditions, gender
identities, and learning and physical differences.
“Of course, there is still much more we need to
do,” Reeck said. “But we are committed to diversity
and inclusion because it creates a richer educational
environment and prepares our students to lead, innovate,
and serve in a diverse and globally connected world.”
This work not only supports future graduates’ individual
success, it creates a diverse and well-educated generation
that’s critical to our collective future prosperity.
One million adults age 18-64
**Sources: 1. Minnesota State Demographic Center and U.S. Census
Bureau. 2. Minnesota State Demographic Center and U.S. Census
Bureau, Decennial Census and Population. 3. Estimates as presented
by Minnesota Compass, mncompass.org. 4. IPUMS version of U.S.
Census Bureau’s 2010-2012 American Community Survey. Tabulated
by the Minnesota State Demographic Center.
Summer 2015
13
Auggie Matt McGinn ’13
finds innovative ways to
serve an old favorite
BY CHRISTINA HALLER
Matt McGinn ’13 has accomplished more
in his 27 years than most. He overcame
alcohol dependence to graduate from
Augsburg College and its StepUP ® program
and then went on to become a successful
entrepreneur in the coffee industry.
And when it comes to coffee, he does
it all.
McGinn roasts his own beans. He uses
recovery working to earn his bachelor’s
degree in social work.
“Augsburg helped me to become a
leader,” McGinn said. “I showed people
you can go from not being capable of
holding a job and passing out in class,
to working two internships, being a
resident assistant, and succeeding in
five classes.”
Though he later decided not to pursue
a career in social work, he practices skills
gained while at Augsburg to help himself
succeed every day—including business savvy,
budgeting, dedication, confidence, detail
orientation, leadership, and follow-through.
them to cold brew coffee. He bottles it.
Tapping an underserved market
Distributes it. And, he co-owns and runs a
McGinn has been working in the
coffee industry since he was a barista in
high school. Once he got to Augsburg,
he climbed his way up to manager at a
struggling coffee shop and was able to revive
it by crafting new drink recipes, learning a
range of brewing techniques, improving food
and drink menus, training staff, and creating
more efficient labor schedules.
coffee shop where he serves his cold brewed
coffee on tap—an innovation that very few
shops offer, especially in the Twin Cities.
A transfer student from the University
of Massachusetts, McGinn applied to
Augsburg and StepUP early on in his
sobriety. He went from drinking hard liquor
every day for six years, to a student in
14
Augsburg Now
“People were complimenting my work,
and the owner gave me free reign to do
what I wanted,” McGinn said. “I thought—
I’m really good at this. What are my ideas?
What do I want to do? Well, I make really
good cold brew. People love my cold brew.
And I was like, ‘Why am I not doing this for
myself?’”
So he did.
McGinn now co-owns and runs artisan
coffee shop Quixotic Coffee in St. Paul.
His branded coffee, Blackeye Roasting
Co., comes in three varieties on tap—a
signature blend called “Blackeye Brew;”
a nitro blend called “Left Hook;” and
currently under production, a nitro
Guinness, which is similar in texture and
flavor to a creamy stout.
Currently, you can find Blackeye Brew
bottled and sold at select local retailers, but
soon it’ll be distributed nationally. Blackeye
Brew coffee is also kegged and served in
many area restaurants, on college campuses,
and even in Twin Cities workplaces.
AUGGIE VOICES
Summer 2015
15
AUGGIE VOICES
Watch McGinn discover
his passion for coffee at
augsburg.edu/now.
16
Augsburg Now
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Q: You serve a nitro blend at Quixotic. What is that?
A: Nitro cold brew is coffee infused with pure nitrogen. It’s stored in a keg
and served on draft for a cascading, foamy, and velvety ice-cold drink.
Q: What’s the difference between iced coffee and cold brewed?
A: Iced coffee is just hot coffee that’s been brewed with twice as much
ground coffee, then poured over ice. Cold brewed coffee is ground coffee
that’s been steeped in cold water overnight.
Q: So does cold brew have a different taste?
A: Yes. When you brew coffee hot you get a lot of acidity due to the chemical
reaction. When you brew it cold, you don’t get the acidity. In fact, there’s
67-93 percent less acidity in cold brewed coffee—and two times the caffeine.
Q: So you roast your own beans. Is the origin of coffee beans important?
A: Absolutely. Most of our coffee beans are from Africa and Central America.
The coffees we select from Africa are bright and floral and have more
character. The coffees we get from Central America have chocolaty notes.
We blend the two for a perfect balance, so they’re not too tangy or fruity.
StepUP® at a glance
StepUP at Augsburg College is a
residential collegiate recovery program
focusing on helping students sustain
their recovery, achieve academic
success, and thrive in a community of
accountability and support.
• More than 700 students
served since 1997
• 93 percent average
abstinence rate
• 100 students served annually
• 3.2 average GPA
Learn more at
augsburg.edu/stepup
Summer 2015
17
Augsburg College held back-to-back Commencement ceremonies
May 2-3. The College welcomed nearly 4,000 people to campus who celebrated the
achievements of the Class of 2015, gathered as family and friends, and participated
in Augsburg’s unique approach to the centuries-old tradition of graduation.
COMMENCEMENT
MEMORIES
BY LAURA SWANSON ’15 MBA
A
s one of life’s “big days” alongside events like
a wedding or the birth of a child, it’s
common for a commencement to be a
memorable experience that people can recall for
years—and even decades—afterward. Yet, of the
thousands of attendees at this year’s ceremonies,
it is unlikely that any two people will retain
exactly the same event details in the same way.
Why is that? Naturally, it’s due to the fact
that each person’s process of making and
recalling memories is complex. Augsburg College
professor and cognitive psychologist Bridget
Robinson-Riegler helped illuminate how and why
people remember the standout days in their lives
in accurate—and inaccurate—ways.
Bridget Robinson-Riegler
Augsburg professor and
cognitive psychologist
What makes a commencement day memorable?
Uniqueness.
Emotion.
Cognitive psychologists have found
that the most distinctive life events also
are the most likely to be remembered.
For many people, participating in a
commencement ceremony is the type
of occasion that only happens a few
times over the course of their lives, such
as when they complete high school,
college, a graduate program, or attend
a graduation event for a child or loved
one. The event as a whole is unique and
so are particular elements of the day.
For instance, contemporary Augsburg
graduates process to the commencement
ceremonies by walking down 7 ½ Street,
which is lined with faculty members
applauding the graduates’ achievements.
This type of event is so unique that the
experience likely will form a memory
that persists over time, according to
Robinson-Riegler.
Just as distinctive events are more
likely to be remembered, occasions that
are laden with emotion also make their
mark. The two parts of the brain that serve
in memory-making include the amygdala,
which is responsible for the emotion of
a memory, and the hippocampus, which
is responsible for creating the coherent
story of a memory. People are likely to
remember many of the feelings they
experienced on a commencement day
because it’s a time of high emotion and
maybe even some stress.
While graduation is not stressful
in a traumatic sense, there’s a lot of
excitement associated with the event,
which accentuates the activation of the
amygdala. Then, because the amygdala
is functioning at a relatively high level, a
person remembers much of the emotion
of a commencement.
18
Augsburg Now
“Ten or 20 years into the future, you
remember some of the day’s details—
some of the big things about it—but
it may be easier to remember how you
felt,” Robinson-Riegler said.
Timing.
When an event occurs also affects a
person’s ability to remember it. For many
traditional undergraduates, graduation
falls at a time in life known as the
“reminiscence bump,” the period that
spans approximately from age 10 to age
30 when things are most remembered.
“As we age, things become more
routine, so what stands out are things
that are distinctive in your life,”
Robinson-Riegler said. “The things that
you talked about, that you spent a lot of
time rehearsing or explaining—the events
like graduations and weddings—those are
things that are better remembered.”
What affects the
accuracy of memory?
Despite the memorability of unique
and emotional moments, the accuracy of
our memories is not always reliable. One
of the reasons memories change over
time is that people come into contact
with new situations that shape their
recollection of the past.
“None of us really should trust our
memories as much as most of us do; the
gist of our memories is often accurate, but
the details of exactly what happened are
often inaccurate,” Robinson-Riegler said.
Graduation is an interesting event
to recall because there’s not a lot of
“cross-contamination” of memory
from the event happening repeatedly,
but there are disturbances in memory
caused by outside influences.
For instance, people have what’s
known as “schematic knowledge” about
what graduations entail. Due to popular
culture, a person who has never attended
a graduation may be able to explain
what happens at the celebration because
the event typically follows a formulaic
structure that includes listening to
speeches, watching graduates walk
across a stage, and so on. In addition,
people’s memories about past events can
become skewed by the individuals they
interact with later and the discussions
that follow. Graduations might spur
conversations with friends and family
that help a person “fill in the gaps”
where their own memories have faded,
according to Robinson-Riegler.
“Think about how easy it would
be for someone to infuse a memory
from what someone else said about
graduation, and suddenly it becomes
your memory so you have no idea what
the reality is,” she said.
In addition to pulling outside
comments into your memory pool,
commencement recollections can be
influenced by the photos and other
artifacts from the day that a person
comes across later.
“If you see pictures of the
graduation ceremony, those things
get into your head, so to speak, as
you reconstruct your memory based
on several different components,”
Robinson-Riegler said.
Ultimately, when Auggies of all ages
think back on their commencement
experiences, those memories are shaped
by myriad factors, but it’s the outcome
of the education that persists over
time and can be counted upon for the
remainder of their lives.
And, while college memories may
fade and change over time, they still
serve several purposes—one of the best
being to make us smile.
Summer 2015
19
Augsburg College hits $50 million campaign goal
for new, signature academic building
Augsburg College has successfully surpassed the $50 million
mark in its capital campaign for a unique, interdisciplinary
academic building that brings together science, business, and
religion. The campaign—the largest in the College’s history—
met its goal a year in advance of the original schedule.
With the campaign fundraising milestone achieved,
the Augsburg College Board of Regents approved
moving forward with the next stage of architectural
and construction design for what will be the College’s
state-of-the-art, signature academic building. Once that
design work is completed, the Board will set a timeline for
groundbreaking and construction.
The College already has begun the planning and
preparation necessary to make the new building a reality.
Examples of this collaborative effort include the following:
•
A Board-designated project leadership team is selecting
an architect who will work with the College to verify that
the building meets the needs of academic programs in
order to create detailed interior and exterior drawings.
•
Augsburg readied the future site of the building by
razing two existing houses on 21st Avenue South.
(See page 7.)
•
Faculty members are using grant funds to design new,
interdisciplinary courses and to revise existing classes
to better integrate the science, business, and religion
subject areas.
Anderson
Residence Hall
Urness Tower
Luther Hall
N
Mortensen Hall
Old Main
Christensen Center
Sverdrup Hall
Memorial Hall
Lindell Library
20
Augsburg Now
Find campaign news and building
updates at augsburg.edu/CSBR.
IT TAKES AN AUGGIE
Graphics by
Mark Chamberlain
Summer 2015
21
“Individuals matter in stopping the spread of disease
because disease has no boundaries ... I have made
it a personal goal to advocate for the development
of generic medications for infectious diseases that
unfairly affect the developing world.”
—Anika Clark ’14
22
Augsburg Now
Unique research experience draws
faculty-student duo to East Africa
and Capitol Hill
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
ho gets pooped on by chimpanzees, zig-zags through a
mountainous forest to elude elephants, and has been
recognized by members of the U.S. Congress for her
impressive research?
The first undergraduate student from the United States ever invited
to study the world’s largest known community of chimpanzees and
to gather research data to build a foundation for understanding how
human diseases—including Ebola—can be transmitted to and move
through the animals.
By gathering data to model how disease spreads through the nearly
200 chimps in the Ngogo community in Kibale National Park in Uganda,
Anika Clark ’14 may be able to help identify and develop vaccination
plans to protect this and other groups of chimpanzees from being
devastated by transmissible human diseases for which the chimps have
no resistance.
Clark, a biology major, spent four weeks in Africa doing field research
under the direction of Kevin Potts, a biology instructor at Augsburg
and one of the nation’s leading primatology experts. His studies on
chimpanzee conservation, food, habitat, and foraging behaviors are
featured in some of the world’s most prestigious primatology journals.
Potts earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale University
and studied under the Yale faculty who founded the Ngogo Chimpanzee
Project in Kibale National Park. It’s through his decades-long study
of chimpanzees, in which he’s watched some members of the animal
group go from juveniles to adult leaders, and his deep professional and
personal relationships with the project’s founders that he was able to
invite Clark to conduct research on this unique group of chimpanzees.
Summer 2015
23
Undergraduate research—an opportunity for hands-on practice of skills helpful to
science majors and necessary to succeed in graduate school—is an important part of
an Augsburg College education and is evidence of how the College lives out its vision
of educating for lives of purpose. Clark was among nearly 100 Augsburg students who
conducted summer research in 2014, spending many hours in the lab and in the field to solve
complex problems.
Fieldwork is grueling.
“You have to be physically and mentally alert at all times,” Clark said of the work she
did in Uganda. “Elephants can be in the forest. You have to move away from them quickly
… once I zig-zagged down a mountain ravine to get away.”
The work also can be very, very dirty. Even gross.
“Once, a chimpanzee in the canopy pooped on me and my field notebook,” Clark said.
But she wasn’t deterred.
Potts acknowledged the physical demands of fieldwork. He said it’s not uncommon
for researchers—including graduate-level researchers—to burn out after a few weeks,
especially in places as rugged as Ngogo. Clark was up and in the field by 7 a.m., walking
for miles and as many as 10 hours per day in the forest to find where chimps were feeding
so she could gather her data.
Clark’s research is unique because she is creating a baseline for understanding how
infectious diseases spread in the largest group of chimpanzees on Earth. While some other
researchers are trying to understand dispersal of illness among chimpanzee troupes of
about 65 individual animals, nobody else is seeking to explain how disease moves through
Ngogo’s population of nearly 200 individuals.
“Chimpanzees are strange among mammal species,” Potts said. “Unlike most other
mammals, chimps that make up one social group rarely are together all at the same time.
Instead, on a day-to-day basis, small foraging parties go out to look for food, and members
of groups can change daily.”
This means that unlocking how an infectious disease spreads is complex because
chimps don’t interact consistently with the same community members day after day.
Unraveling this mystery may allow people to protect chimps from transmissible human
diseases for which the animals have no immunity. An Ebola vaccine for chimpanzees is in
development and could feasibly be used on wild chimps in the near future. But vaccinating
all the chimps would be prohibitively expensive and logistically impossible.
24
Augsburg Now
“If we can identify a few individuals who are disproportionately gregarious and,
therefore, more likely to spread a disease to others, we can target them for vaccines and
stop an outbreak,” Potts said.
Uganda’s forests may depend upon this understanding, too, since chimps are prolific
distributors of seeds from the tree fruits that they eat and thereby ensure reforestation
and new growth.
Clark’s grit in the field and outstanding achievements in the classroom have garnered
attention in the nation’s capital. Last spring, she was selected to present at Posters on
the Hill in Washington, D.C.
This annual event highlights outstanding undergraduate research and was a chance
for 60 selected students from more than 800 applicants to meet with policymakers and
lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
“Anika’s work stood up exceptionally well against top-tier student researchers
from across the nation, and I hope she sees how talented she is,” Potts said. “This
was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present scientific results directly to those who
implement policy based upon science.”
Clark is applying her resolve to working as a medical scribe at three different hospitals. At
one of the hospitals, Clark serves as lead scribe, a leadership role that includes responsibility
for recruiting other top pre-health students to work as scribes. Clark’s determination to excel
is further readying her for the challenge of applying to medical schools, her next step toward
fulfilling her goal of one day working for Doctors Without Borders.
Through Doctors Without Borders, an internationally renowned humanitarian
organization that provides assistance to countries overwhelmed by armed conflict,
epidemics, natural disasters, and malnutrition, Clark will have the opportunity to use
her talents and gifts to alleviate some of the world’s greatest global health problems.
The organization also is recognized for its dedication to serving people who experience
neglect and discrimination from local health systems.
“Individuals matter in stopping the spread of disease because disease has no
boundaries. The world is connected through trade, aviation, and immigration,” Clark
said. “I have made it a personal goal to advocate for the development of generic
medications for infectious diseases that unfairly affect the developing world. An
infectious disease in one part of the world must be considered a global threat.”
As Clark turns her sights toward medical school and a future serving as an
international doctor of medicine, other Auggies will head into the lab and field with
faculty to unravel problems and seek solutions to better our shared world.
While Auggies have worked to protect chimpanzees from infectious diseases in Uganda’s Kibale National Park,
these animals also face constant threats from poaching. Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about chimps
and how you can help in their conservation.
The field journal of Anika Clark ’14 carries
the mark of a chimpanzee encounter.
Clark trekked many miles through
sometimes muddy forests in these shoes.
A solar sun shower was the closest to a
hot shower Clark got while in Uganda.
Biology instructor Kevin Potts uses
his own codes and shorthand to track
information on chimpanzees.
Summer 2015
25
BY CHRISTINA HALLER
Augsburg student travels 900 miles in
search of answers
The last thing studio arts major Indra Ramassamy ’17
thought she’d get out of her course, Women and Art,
was a life-changing trip and lasting friendship with an
established artist. But it just so happened that Augsburg’s
commitment to experiential education fostered a
memorable experience for Ramassamy and cultivated
skills that will prove useful throughout her life.
Ramassamy, an international student from Paris,
was assigned to choose an object from Augsburg’s permanent collection of art and complete a research project
resulting in a final paper, a speech, an installation, and
a curatorial file.
Ramassamy was drawn
“Augsburg expects us to discover
to a print by Nilda Getty
things. We are encouraged to make
called “Psychic,” one work
deep connections with people, to find
in a five-piece series titled,
new ways to problem-solve, to make a
“Life Series.”
difference.”
“What drew me to this
—Indra Ramassamy ’17
print was a sort of ‘motion’
around a white circular
shape—to me, it represented the moon,” Ramassamy
said. “We can see six female figures around the shape,
but there is a possibility that these female figures
might actually be one person at different moments.”
A little persistence goes a long way
In researching the piece, Ramassamy found that
biographical information about the artist was limited.
She was, however, able to locate and contact an art
gallery where Getty had once exhibited. The art gallery
contacted Getty about Ramassamy’s inquiry, and within
a week, they were speaking regularly on the phone for
Ramassamy’s project. A few weeks later, Getty and her
son, Leslie, contacted Ramassamy and invited her to
Colorado, offering to fly her out so she could complete
her assignment.
Ramassamy gladly accepted. “It was about a
lot more than the paper,” she said. “Through phone
conversations and an exchange of emails, I had already
made a connection with Nilda and was beyond excited
to meet her.”
Leaving a lasting legacy
A few weeks later, Ramassamy was on a flight from
Minneapolis to Fort Collins, Colorado, for a 48-hour
stay. While there, Ramassamy toured Getty’s studio,
met Getty’s family, learned how to use metalsmithing
tools, and studied Getty’s artwork—from silk prints
to photographs, metalwork to jewelry. She also
visited Colorado State University where Getty taught
metalsmithing in the Art Department.
When Ramassamy asked Getty about “Psychic,”
Getty said the white circle represented both the world
and the universe. But the artist also explained that it
doesn’t matter what she thinks of the piece. What is
important to Getty is the viewer’s experience with the
art and the relationship formed with it.
Ramassamy was inspired by Getty’s work, by her
outlook on art and life, and by her warmth and spirit.
“One of the sweetest things was when Nilda told me
her ‘greatest works of art are her children’—and she
also asked me a lot about my own mom,” Ramassamy
said. “I believe Nilda’s legacy will be what her children
go out into the world and achieve.”
An Augsburg education is shaped by its
global settings
Ramassamy is grateful to Augsburg for the whole
experience. “There’s a culture at Augsburg to go
the full extent—do as much as you can,” she said.
“Augsburg expects us to discover things. We are
encouraged to make deep connections with people, to
find new ways to problem-solve, to make a difference.”
And that’s exactly what Ramassamy did.
26
Augsburg Now
MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE
FUN FACTS ABOUT
AUGSBURG’S PERMANENT
COLLECTION OF ART
MOST FAMOUS?
Andy Warhol’s “Liz”
LARGEST?
Henry Lande’s minimalist
sculpture, 24 Elements, stands
outside between Urness Tower and
Christensen Center at 33 feet tall.
BEST-TRAVELED?
A photograph of Gerda Mortensen
vanished from Mortensen Hall
(more than once) and reappeared at
St. Olaf College.
MOST GENEROUS DONORS?
Don and Dagny Padilla, avid art
collectors, who gave dozens of
pieces to Augsburg’s permanent
collection of art, including Nilda
Getty’s “Psychic.”
AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES?
Jakob Fjelde’s life-size marble bust
of Augsburg’s third president, Sven
Oftedal, and Fjelde’s small-scale
plaster copy, a recent gift from
Melinda and Jim Kohrt.
Summer 2015
27
ALUMNI NEWS
INTRODUCING
NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS
Six Auggies―successful in business, mentorship, leadership,
and advocacy for the College recently were elected to threeyear terms on the Augsburg College Alumni Board.
New members:
Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA
Mary Prevost ’12 MBA
National corporate director,
UnitedHealth Group
Owner, MJP Strategic
Communications
Hannah Dietrich ’05
Howie Smith ’80
Principal planning analyst, Hennepin
County Department of Community
Corrections and Rehabilitation
Manager, talent development,
Ameriprise Financial Services
Jay Howard ’03
Take a moment to read a
few of the reasons why these
new representatives are excited
to be part of the Alumni Board.
Go to augsburg.edu/now for more
information.
Director of global sales, Innovative
Computer Software
Chau “Tina” Nguyen ’08
Project analyst, U.S. Bank
28
Augsburg Now
ALUMNI BOARD
Back Row [L to R]: Adrienne (Kuchler)
Eldridge ’02, Sarah Grans ’01, Howie
Smith ’80, Jay Howard ’03, Rick Bonlender ’78,
Greg Schnagl ’91, Nick Swanson ’09, Patricia
Jesperson ’95
Front Row [L to R]: Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett ’01,
Hannah Dietrich ’05, Jill Watson ’10 MBA,
Meg (Schmidt) Sawyer ’00, Melissa (Daudt)
Hoepner ’92, Chris Hallin ’88, Adriana
Matzke ’13, Rachel (Olson) Engebretson ’98,
Chau “Tina” Nguyen ’08, Mary Prevost ’12 MBA
Not Pictured: Cyrus Batheja ’08, ’10 MBA;
Sharon Mercill ’09; Jordan Moore ’12 MBA;
Brent Peroutka ’02; Nick Rathmann ’03;
Tracy (Anderson) Severson ’95
If you have ideas for alumni
involvement, email the Alumni Board
at alumni@augsburg.edu.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
RECEPTION AND CEREMONY
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Honor the 2015 Athletic
Hall of Fame inductees.
HOMECOMING
2015
OCTOBER 8-10
REUNION CLASSES
Silver Auggies and
60th Reunion—1955
50th Reunion—1965
40th Reunion—1975
25th Reunion—1990
10th Reunion—2005
For Homecoming this year, let’s come together and revel in our
Augsburg connections with great events all weekend long. Alumni,
families, and friends are all invited to this celebration of our shared
Augsburg experience.
Registering for Homecoming is easier than ever with an allaccess pass. One $40 pass admits you to all events. Register to
guarantee your spot. The price increases to $50 after September 8.
Go to augsburg.edu/homecoming to register.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
HOMECOMING CONVOCATION AND
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Recognize the First Decade, Spirit
of Augsburg, and Distinguished
Alumni award recipients.
HOMECOMING AND REUNION
CELEBRATION LUNCHEON
12 p.m.
Celebrate this year’s distinguished
award recipients and the newest
inductees into the 50-Year Club
from the class of 1965.
AUGGIE HOURS
6 to 8:15 p.m.
Join the all-class Auggie happy hour.
HOMECOMING FIREWORKS
8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Join Homecoming co-chairs Jacquie Berglund ’87
and Devean George ’99 for Augsburg alumni’s
favorite weekend of the year.
“Connecting with folks you
haven’t seen in such a
long time is just
heartwarming.”
Jacquie Berglund ’87,
2014 Spirit of Augsburg
award recipient
HOMECOMING AND REUNION
BREAKFAST
8 to 9:20 a.m.
HOMECOMING CHAPEL
10 a.m.
TASTE OF AUGSBURG
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Family fun takes over Murphy Square
park with carnival-style booths, great
food, student groups, and games.
HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME VS.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
1 p.m.
AUGGIE BLOCK PARTY
3:30 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy live music, s’mores, and a
post-game social hour.
ALUMNI NEWS
THE YOUNG
ALUMNI COUNCIL
The mission of the Young Alumni Council is to provide opportunities to
engage young alumni through planning and hosting networking, fundraising,
and volunteering events and programs.
In May, Auggies joined the Rev. Mike Matson ’06 and his congregation
during an annual rummage sale at Bethany Lutheran Church in the Seward
neighborhood of Minneapolis. This summer the Young Alumni Council hosted
a sold-out gathering at a St. Paul Saints game in June and an evening at
Canterbury Park in July, bringing more than 600 Auggies together.
If you’ve graduated within the past 10 years and are interested in joining
this growing group of active alumni, contact Katie Radford ’12, volunteer and
alumni engagement manager, at radford@augsburg.edu.
FINAL EVENT OF THE SEASON
Summer Series: On Tap
Monday, August 10
5:30 to 8 p.m. | Surly Brewery
Build your Auggie network and learn how fellow
alumni are fulfilling their vocations today.
Appetizers and two drink tickets provided.
Tickets: $10
To register, call 612-330-1085 or visit
augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
To learn more about the Young Alumni
Council members, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Courtesy Photo
Buy a brick. Honor a friendship.
“We came together to buy a brick in honor of the strong
friendships we formed at Augsburg and the memories we
continue to make among our families.” –Brittany Jakubiec ’96
There is still time to participate in the campaign for the Center
for Science, Business, and Religion! Buy a brick as a tribute to
the bonds that helped to create your Augsburg story.
30
•
Augsburg will inscribe a brick with your name, the name
of someone you’d like to honor, or a special message.
•
Each brick will be displayed in the CSBR, creating a
lasting legacy for the future of
the College.
•
Augsburg alumnae from the class of 1996 support the
Center for Science, Business, and Religion.
You will receive official
recognition of your
participation in this program.
•
Front Row [L to R]: Brittany (Lynch) Jakubiec, Jennifer (Cummings)
Ackland, Wendy Laine, Brooke (Manisto) Reseland.
Back Row [L to R]: Connie (Arndt) Clausen, Stephanie Harms,
Jodi Monson, Natasha (Solberg) Sheeley.
The first 500 to buy a brick will
receive a VIP invitation to the CSBR dedication.
Foundation Brick (40 characters, 3 lines) = $250
Legacy Brick (80 characters, 6 lines) = $500
Augsburg Now
augsburg.edu/csbr | 612-330-1085
ALUMNI NEWS
A mix of current students, alumni, and former
faculty serve as the backup band for one of the
Midnimo artists. Somali-British musician Aar
Maanta (far right) practices with musicians
[L to R]: Kyle Burbey ’15, Steve Herzog ’06,
Andy Peterson ’05, and Ben Somers.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Auggie backup band’s role helps bridge cultures and generations
Augsburg College students, alumni, and
faculty have helped bring a cuttingedge musical partnership to life by
performing alongside the rising voices of
the Somali music scene and even some
“super stars.”
Midnimo was awarded one of six $200,000
grants from the highly competitive Building
Bridges: Campus Community Engagement
program by the Association of Performing
Arts Presenters funded by the Doris Duke
Charitable Foundation and the Doris Duke
Foundation for Islamic Art.
Midnimo, the Somali word for
“unity,” is a two-year partnership
between Augsburg and the Cedar
Cultural Center to bring Somali artists to
Minnesota for educational residencies
and concerts. This unique opportunity
is supported by a prestigious
$200,000 grant award and a number
of Auggies—including Faculty
Emeritus Bob Stacke ’71—whose crosscultural relationship building and love
for performance set the stage for a truly
intergenerational, intercultural musical
immersion.
At concerts held through Midnimo,
artists ranging from the pop collective
North American Super Stars to SomaliBritish singer-songwriter Aar Maanta
played alongside backup ensembles
comprised of a mix of Auggie students,
alumni, and former faculty whose own
musical gifts and talents helped make
Midnimo a critically acclaimed program.
For many of the Auggies, participating
in Midnimo has offered the opportunity
to join a partnership that’s the first of its
kind in the nation and to do what they
love best: play.
Bob Stacke ’71, retired associate professor
of music, is known and respected for his crosscultural percussion performances. Stacke’s deep
musical connections were critical in forging
the partnership between the College, the Cedar
Cultural Center, and visiting artists.
Steve Herzog ’06 [pictured, right] was
selected by Bob Stacke ’71 to write and arrange
the music for Midnimo visiting artists. Herzog
often has needed to transcribe and arrange
music in less than a week. Through this work,
Herzog has been inspired to develop a program
for engaging Somali youth in the advancement
of Somali music. He’s also pursuing a master’s
degree in education at Augsburg.
See a clip of the band performing with
Aar Maanta at augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2015
31
ALUMNI NEWS
AUGGIES FIND LEADERSHIP IN
inneapolis shoppers can
find a little Auggie Pride in
an unexpected location—a
secondhand clothing store that is an
active illustration of Augsburg College’s
mission, which includes collaborating
with others to serve the Cedar-Riverside
neighborhood and providing students
with hands-on learning opportunities.
Sisterhood Boutique (2200
Riverside Ave., Minneapolis) has been
a training ground for young, Cedar-
the idea of opening a clothing store.
Richardson, who in high school
founded a secondhand clothing store
through Youth Express, an after-school
program in St. Paul, used her retail
experience and business management
training to help the women get started.
First, she collaborated with a youth social
entrepreneur coordinator, a store founder,
and other interested young women to
develop a paid internship program for the
boutique. The program provides young
Augsburg College alumnae Yasameen Sajady ’11 and Stella Richardson ’15 serve the Sisterhood Boutique.
Riverside neighborhood women in
entrepreneurship, business, community
partnerships, and sustainable fashion
since its opening in February 2014.
Since then, 60 women ages 14 to 23
have participated as staff and interns,
and two Auggies—Stella Richardson ’15
and Yasameen Sajady ’11—have played
roles on the store’s leadership team.
Two years ago, East African women
in the Youth Social Entrepreneur
Program at the Brian Coyle Center, a
neighborhood resource and community
center, began envisioning a way to
empower young women in the area. The
women worked with Richardson, then an
intern at Brian Coyle Center, to explore
32
Augsburg Now
East African women with professional
development, peer-to-peer mentoring,
and classroom training, followed by three
months of employment in the store.
The founders of the boutique also
collaborated with Augsburg’s Director
of Community Engagement Mary Laurel
True, who has been integral to the
store’s success.
Community engagement for Auggies
happens both on and off campus—and
when True learned about the vision for
a women’s entrepreneurial project in
the neighborhood, she ensured that
Augsburg joined with other community
groups to make the innovative business
venture a reality. True serves as the
Augsburg liaison to the program, is a
mentor for the staff and interns, and
has been on the Sisterhood’s Advisory
Committee since the beginning.
Seizing the opportunity for realworld training, classes on campus got
into the act. A group of Augsburg MBA
students created a business plan for the
store through a management consulting
class project. Christopher Houltberg,
assistant professor of art, led Sisterhood
interns in a branding exercise and
assisted with the design of a boutique
logo; classes taught by Marc Isaacson,
assistant professor of business, provided
website recommendations; and, through
clothing drives, Residence Life collected
thousands of pounds of clothing to
donate to the startup.
Today, Augsburg alumna Sajady
manages the Sisterhood Boutique.
Sajady, a business marketing major, was
hired last November through Pillsbury
United Communities to lead Brian
Coyle’s Youth Entrepreneur Program.
Under her leadership as the operations
coordinator, the Sisterhood Boutique
has exceeded its social media and
community engagement goals.
The program is supported by
Fairview Health Services, an institution
that, like Augsburg, is committed
to its role as a community partner.
Fairview donated a vacant retail
space to the Brian Coyle Center for
workforce development. Additional
donors and community partners
include the Foundation of Minnesota,
Sundance Family Foundation, Marbrook
Foundation, and Women Investing in the
Next Generation (WINGs) Fund of the
Greater Twin Cities United Way.
ALUMNI NEWS
CULTURAL TRAVEL
Courtesy Photos
WITH AUGGIES
A
ugsburg organizes international tours for the College’s alumni, parents,
families, and friends. Each customized trip is led by Augsburg faculty members
whose distinction and expertise adds to a uniquely Augsburg experience.
Celebrating Lutheran heritage in Germany and the Czech Republic
Mark Tranvik and Hans Wiersma, Religion Department faculty members, host this
journey through Germany and the city of Prague October 27-November 6, 2016,
celebrating Lutheran heritage in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Cultural immersion in Thailand and Cambodia
English Professor Kathy Swanson, who is fluent in Thai, will lead this exploration
through Thailand and Cambodia January 3-15, 2017. This voyage takes travelers to the
Grand Palace, Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha), and floating markets. It continues
to Chiang Mai for elephant rides, an authentic cooking class, and volunteer work at
a local orphanage. The journey concludes in Siem Reap at Angkor Wat, the largest
religious monument in the world.
If you are interested in traveling with fellow alumni, contact Sally Daniels Herron ’79
at herron@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1525.
To learn about Augsburg cultural travel
opportunities, go to augsburg.edu/alumni/travel.
Summer 2015
33
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1963
After serving as pastor of Faith
Lutheran Church in Vista,
California, since 1969, the Rev. Beryl
Droegemueller retired in April. Over the
course of his 45 years of shepherding the
congregation, membership grew from 125 to
more than 1,000. During those four decades,
the church opened preschool, elementary
school, middle school, and extended daycare
programs. Droegemueller trained 37 pastoral
interns through the church’s vicarage program
and, in the early 1970s, worked with church
members to develop a new mission church,
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran in Oceanside,
California. He led Faith Lutheran through
the construction of the sanctuary, a parish
hall, an early childhood center, and offices.
Together with members of the congregation,
Droegemueller was instrumental in building
a multi-level care retirement facility, now
Rancho Vista retirement community, which
was dedicated in 1981. When he talks about
the projects and productivity, he points to
his “very dedicated, creative, and hardworking members” and his staff. Along with
his doctor of ministry degree, he earned a
law degree, which he said was helpful in the
many building projects. He assisted area
churches with numerous legal challenges and
served as circuit counselor and chairman of
the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran
Church Missouri Synod board of directors. The
Minnesota native entered Concordia Lutheran
Seminary after a year of working for a bank
and following graduation from Augsburg with a
double major in history and English.
Jean (Bagley) Humphrey married her husband,
Roger, one week after graduation. Nancy
(Bloomfield) Bottemiller and Ruth (Sather)
Sorenson were her bridesmaids. The
Humphreys moved to the Boston/Cambridge
area where they lived in married student
housing at the Massachusetts Institute of
As a public relations expert, Kari (Eklund) Logan ’82 assists
clients in raising awareness about topics that range from
education to urban forestry and from financial services to the
arts. At CEL Public Relations, Logan leads a media relations
team and couples her talents in writing and networking to
serve her clients.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Technology and had their two children. After
five years, they moved to California where
Roger’s first job was with Chevron Oil. They
lived in California for 38 years. Nine Bagley
children attended Augsburg including Robert
Bagley ’58, who went on to Luther Seminary,
and Yvonne (Bagley) Olson ’52, who lived with
Gerda Mortensen and married Orville Olson ’52.
1967
Jerilyn (Bjugstad) Wibbens is the
choral director of the NW Nordic
Ladies Chorus of Everett, Washington. The
group recently performed with other Nordic
choruses in a Seattle-area celebration of
Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. They sang
“Finlandia” with the Seattle Symphony.
In May, Robert and Sandra (Syverts) ’68 Benson
were grand marshals for Trout Days in Preston,
Minnesota. The Bensons remain active in this
community where Bob served as a county
judge. Bob (now retired) is a certified firearms
instructor and a retired fireman. Sandra is the
founder of the Preston Farmers Market.
1970
Ray Hanson is working for
Goldbelt Raven as an assistant
program manager for chemical forensics
at the Department of Homeland Security’s
Homeland Security Advanced Research
Projects Agency. His role supports the
Chemical and Biological Defense Directorate
in Washington, D.C., which is developing
forensic methods for detecting signatures for
chemical threat agents.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
1982
Diane (Peterson)
Kachel is now a clinical
research manager for Metro
Urology, the largest urology private
practice network in Minnesota. In
this newly created position within
the organization’s management
team, she is responsible for
managing all aspects of the
research program in addition
to developing new research
opportunities and scalable research
infrastructure across multiple
clinical sites and patient conditions.
34
Augsburg Now
2008
Jay Matchett ’08, ’13 MAL was
named director of Our Neighbors’
Place, a social service agency, in River
Falls, Wisconsin. The social service agency
includes a day center, shelter for families,
community closet, classes, and a successful
backpack program. He cites Tim Pippert,
associate professor of sociology, and Andy
Aoki, professor of political science, as strong
influences during his time at Augsburg.
Matchett believes he truly has found his path
to vocation. He would like to establish a partnership with Augsburg’s social
work program so that Our Neighbors’ Place may serve as an internship
site for current students.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1972
After more than 40 years of regional
sales management and marketing
for two Fortune 500 companies, James
Piepenburg has retired and lives in the Phoenix
metro area with his wife, Lucy. He has two
great daughters, Krista and Jaime, along with
son-in-law, Chris, and 12-year-old grandson,
Nicolas. Currently, Piepenburg is doing parttime art consultation with Thomas Kinkade Art
Gallery of Arizona.
music therapy and has done additional study
at Colorado’s Center for Biomedical Research
in Music.
1988
Kiel Christianson is associate chair
of the Department of Educational
Psychology at the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign. He is an associate professor
of educational psychology, psychology, and
linguistics, and he directs the EdPsych
Curt Rice ’84 has been chosen to lead Norway’s largest
university college, taking charge of Oslo and Akershus University
College of Applied Sciences as rector on August 1. Rice received
his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Augsburg. His
wife, Tove Dahl ’84, is a professor at the University of Tromsø,
Norway, and is the dean of Concordia Language Villages’
Norwegian camp, Skogfjorden.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
John Sherman, sports editor of Sun
Newspapers, has been inducted into the
Minnesota State Football Coaches Hall of
Fame. Sherman said he was truly honored to
join the ranks of Stan Nelson ’43, Dave Nelson,
Sid Hartman, Bronko Nagurski, and Ray
Christensen in the Hall of Fame.
Psycholinguistics Lab at the Beckman Institute
of Advanced Science and Technology. In his
spare time, he is a senior writer for the Golf
Channel websites, where he writes about golf,
golf travel, golf courses, and golf equipment.
He lives in Mahomet, Illinois, with his wife, Jen,
and their two children.
1978
1989
Steve Hoffmeyer is interim general
counsel and executive director
of the new Minnesota Public Employment
Relations Board. He also teaches business law
classes at the University of Phoenix campus in
Minnesota and arbitrates labor cases outside
of the state.
1979
Phil Madsen and wife, Diane, moved
into the fitness business, opening
their first Anytime Fitness franchise gym in July
2014 in Port Orange, Florida. A second gym will
follow in nearby New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Phil says, “This is a wonderful opportunity.
The franchise business model is sound, we
interact with members in truly personal and lifechanging ways, and we get to improve our own
health and fitness like never before.”
1982
Sandra (Walter) Holten, a music
therapist who specializes in caring
for people with Parkinson’s, was featured on
Minnesota Public Radio in March for her work
with Struthers Parkinson’s Center in Golden
Valley, Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s in
Leah (Parker) Maves graduated
from Luther Seminary in May
2014 with a master’s in children, youth, and
family ministry. She received her first call on
December 22 to the Tomorrow River Lutheran
Parish in Amherst and Nelsonville, Wisconsin.
She was commissioned and installed on
February 11 by Bishop Gerald Mansholt.
1991
Stephanie (Grochow) Trump has
been elected to serve as the
choral vice president of the Minnesota Music
Educators’ Association.
1992
Todd Lange was honored with
the Albert Lea (Minnesota) Area
Schools’ 2015 Teacher of the Year award. He
teaches high school English.
Sharol (Dascher) Tyra is a professional certified
coach and mentor for leadership development
at Life Illumination Coaching. Tyra has been a
mentor to Augsburg students since 2011. She
will serve as president of the Minnesota charter
chapter of the International Coach Federation,
and she represented ICF Minnesota at four
global leadership forums.
1998
Raylene Dale (Navara) Streed
has been appointed executive
director of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank at the
University of Minnesota. Streed has served in
other leadership positions, including as interim
executive director and technical director. Streed
graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s
degree in biology.
1999
Scott Hvistendahl manages the
event department at the University
of Northwestern-St. Paul, where he is a member
of the football coaching staff. He enjoys being
involved with football and having a chance to
work with fellow coaches in developing players in
a Christian environment as well as helping them
to grow as men on and off the field. Hvistendahl
and his wife, Alisha, have two children: Macey
and Jordan. The couple met through an
Augsburg staff member who knew Scott from
football and Alisha through athletic training.
Jenna (Bracken) Held ’05 is following in the footsteps of
her mother, Jane (Catlin) Bracken ’71, by serving as a
teacher and pursuing her love of working with children.
Last year, after having taught fourth and fifth grade for
eight years, Jenna switched to first grade at Lincoln
Center in South St. Paul, Minnesota. She enjoys working
in the community where she lives. She met her husband,
Andrew Held ’05, at Augsburg and started to date him
after doing homework together for Calculus II. They
welcomed their third child in June.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Summer
Spring
2014
2015
Fall 2014
17
35
37
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Josh Krob ’08, ’15 MBA was granted a prestigious “Twin Cities
Finest” award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in recognition
of his extensive community volunteer efforts and professional
growth. A believer in the value of lifelong learning, Krob earned
his MBA at Augsburg seeking to expand his understanding of
how to be an effective leader.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
2001
Maggie Tatton was among those
named “40 Under 40” honorees
by The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
This honor includes young business and
community leaders from throughout the
Twin Cities. Tatton is partner at Lindquist &
Vennum, P.L.L.P.
2002
Brent Peroutka was featured in
the Faribault (Minnesota) Daily
News as a “40 Under 40” honoree for his
community achievements and career in
finance. A financial advisor at Comprehensive
Wealth Solutions. Peroutka holds a business
administration/finance degree from Augsburg.
The best part of his day is helping his clients
achieve their goals, he says. “We can make a
difference each and every day, whether it’s at
home, at work, or in the community.”
with the Minnesota Department of Human
Services to help improve the lives of those
with disabilities.
2012
Lauren Grafelman is the 2015
Business Administration Scholar
Award recipient at Hamline University. This
award is given to the university’s top MBA
student based on academic performance and
leadership within the program. Grafelman was
honored with this award at a graduation and
recognition reception in May.
2013
Mike Lanski is in a long-term
position with U.S. Bank. He
also has started his second season with the
Minnesota Twins, working as an usher, and he
is in his 10th year with the Minnesota Wild in
the same capacity.
Madalyn Johnson is employed as a promotions
assistant at 1500 ESPN Radio at Hubbard
Broadcasting.
Matt McGinn ’13 talks coffee on page 14.
2014
Janelle Holte was accepted into the
U.S. Peace Corps and departed for
Jamaica in March to serve as an agriculture
extension volunteer. During the first three
months of her service, Holte lived with a host
family in Jamaica to learn the local language
and integrate into the local culture. Holte will
work with her community to identify resources
and agriculture projects that can be developed
and implemented to generate income. She
also will facilitate training in farm management
and work with schools to enhance and expand
environmental education.
Anika Clark ’14 discussed the research
she conducted in Africa with lawmakers on
Capitol Hill. See page 22.
2015
Ben Menzies graduated in May
and is about to begin a master’s
program at the University of Minnesota in
integrated behavioral health. He and Shira
Bilinkoff are looking forward to their wedding
in fall 2016.
2008
Justin Reese has been named
head football coach for Fridley
(Minnesota) High School. A native of Houston,
Texas, Reese earned a bachelor’s degree in
physical education at Augsburg and went on to
earn a master’s degree in sports management
from the University of Minnesota. His vision
for the Fridley football program is to inspire
academic and athletic excellence in students
by challenging them to achieve the highest
level of personal development.
2010
Michael Polis was nominated for
the “32 Under 32” awards. This
honor was created in partnership with the
Advertising Federation to recognize the top
young Minnesota marketing and advertising
professionals.
2011
Samantha Drost was appointed to
the State Quality Council for a twoyear term. The council works in partnership
36
Augsburg Now
Meghan (Armstrong) Peyton ’14 MAL is the head men’s
and women’s cross country coach and assistant track
coach at Augsburg College. Augsburg, she says, has
opened her eyes in many ways. Her time at the College
has shown her the joy of serving others and becoming
a more thoughtful steward and responsible leader. She
wants to continue to make a difference in the lives
of future Auggie alumni. Peyton and her high school
sweetheart, Cole, were married in 2010 and live in
Richfield, Minnesota, with their pets. In 2008, she joined
Team USA Minnesota, a post-collegiate distance training
center that encourages holistic development. In 2013,
she won the U.S. 20K Championship. You can “track”
her successes and find her personal best records at meghanpeyton.com.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL has taken a position with the
University of Minnesota as lead of the Creative Services
team in University Relations, the central marketing
office. She works closely with the university’s brand.
Anna Coskran ’09 MBA has been named a principal of
NTH, a Twin Cities real estate and project management
firm where she has worked since 1998. With more than
15 years of real estate experience, she has worked with
a diverse array of clients including The Minneapolis
Foundation, the Star Tribune, and Xcel Energy.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
2001
Hilary English
Crook and her
husband, Jacob Seljan,
welcomed Lovisa Emily
Seljan on March 30. Both
Lovisa and big brother,
Britton, are sporting their
Augsburg gear!
Chris Wolf ’09 MAN was named chief nursing officer of a
medical element of the Minnesota Air National Guard.
Jordan Moore ’12 MBA and his wife, Jen, became
parents on March 27 with the birth of their daughter,
Carla Jo.
Jim Miles ’14 MBA
recently published
“Hero,” a middle grade
novel. In addition to
writing as a lifelong
passion, “Hero” is the
result of Miles’ MBA
program. He came to
Augsburg to learn how
to give artistic projects
the business legs they
needed to walk and
thrive. He named one
of his supporting
characters after Magda
Paleczny-Zapp,
associate professor of
business. Magda Corbett originally was conceived as a
minor character, but she quickly became a rather
significant part of the story, which Miles considers the
result of the influence of the name. For more information
on “Hero,” go to coltonsilver.com.
Submit a Class Note
Please tell us about the news in your
life—your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/connect
to submit your announcements.
2007
Sarah (Gilbert)
Clay and
her husband, Ryan,
welcomed Oscar Leo Clay
on March 19.
2010
Matt and
Sarah (Thiry)
Solberg celebrated their
marriage on August 8,
2014. Auggies in the
wedding party included
maid of honor Hannah
Thiry ’17, Emily Wiles,
and Dan Thewis.
2012
Courtney
Gamrath and
J.P. Perpich were married
on August 15, 2014.
Summer 2015
37
In memoriam
Ingeborg C. Garborg ’38, Grand
Marais, Minnesota, age 94,
on January 20.
Euna G. Nelson ’50,
Evansville, Minnesota, age 86,
on March 18.
James S. Carlson ’55,
Richfield, Minnesota, age 88,
on October 12.
Darwin G. Thorbeck ’60,
Charleston, South Carolina,
age 76, on January 26.
Bernice A. (Westman) Giguere ’39,
Columbia Heights, Minnesota,
age 97, on April 26.
Kerman J. Benson ’51, Victoria,
Minnesota, age 85, on
January 13.
Lyle I. Hunter ’55, Cathedral
City, California, age 85, on
September 27.
James F. Redeske ’61, Golden
Valley, Minnesota, age 75,
on February 16.
Karl I. Krohn ’41, Memphis,
Tennessee, age 95, on
February 7.
John “Al” A. Johnson ’51,
Maplewood, Minnesota, age
88, on January 7.
Eileen M. (Wirkkunen)
Thompson ’55, Astoria, Oregon,
age 81, on January 23.
Kay L. (Hanenburg) Madson ’62,
Minneapolis, age 74,
on January 21.
Thelma (Sydnes) Monson ’41,
San Diego, age 95, on April 27.
Raymond V. Trochmann ’51,
Ulen, Minnesota, age 93,
on March 29.
Laurayne R. (Helgerson)
Solberg ’56, Stoughton,
Wisconsin, age 91, on
October 20.
Paul R. Engwall ’64, Lakeville,
Minnesota, age 75, on May 14.
Philip “Phil” W. Rowberg, Sr. ’41,
Chico, California, age 95, on
March 24.
Marion M. (Myrvik) Buska ’46,
St. Louis Park, Minnesota, age
90, on January 18.
Willard “Bud” W. Glade ’49,
Dows, Iowa, age 94, on
March 1.
Georgette F. (Lanes) Ario ’50,
Minneapolis, age 86, on
January 17.
Irving R. Burling ’50, Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, age 87,
on April 16.
Bernice A. (Larson) Howell ’50,
Beltsville, Maryland, age 89,
on January 30.
38
Augsburg Now
Elmer H. Hanson ’52, Elk
Mound, Wisconsin, age 90,
on February 24.
Karl D. Puterbaugh ’52,
Eagan, Minnesota, age 86,
on March 22.
Dennis H. Erickson ’58,
Rochester, Minnesota, age 85,
on March 10.
Lorents J. Flak ’58, Santa Rosa,
California, age 83, on March 8.
Berton R. Hushagen ’53, Fergus
Falls, Minnesota, age 87, on
February 16.
Jon W. Matala ’58, Carver,
Minnesota, age 78, on
March 15.
Harold E. Peterson ’53, Bella
Vista, Arkansas, age 89, on
April 1.
Ronald “Ron” J. Stave ’58,
Minneapolis, age 83, on
March 7.
Gloria M. (Parizek) Thorpe ’53,
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, age 84,
on May 5.
Nancy Bauman ’59, Rochester,
Minnesota, age 78, on April 10.
Lloyd A. Nelson ’54, Willmar,
Minnesota, age 91, on
January 27.
James “Jim” A. Noble ’60, Grand
Blanc, Michigan, age 76, on
January 25.
Wayne E. Myrvik ’64, Fergus
Falls, Minnesota, age 72,
on February 7.
Gary E. Utoft ’64, Owatonna,
Minnesota, age 72, on
February 23.
Kathryn “Kathy” A. (Lundby)
Young ’64, Williamsburg,
Virginia, age 72, on March 9.
Lowell H. Asplund ’65,
Butterfield, Minnesota, age 73,
on February 6.
Anita M. (Gransee)
Christopherson ’65, Belle
Plaine, Minnesota, age 71,
on April 28.
Neil C. Sideen ’65, Howard
Lake, Minnesota, age 71,
on March 6.
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 ppi
or a 1 MB 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
______________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
______________________________________________________
Street address
______________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Karen L. (Torkelson) Leverentz ’66,
Stillwater, Minnesota,
age 70, on February 7.
Magdalen A. (Ardolf) Miller ’75,
Silver Lake, Minnesota, age 91,
on January 20.
Richard “Rick” A. Niles ’67,
Minnetonka, Minnesota,
age 69, on March 6.
Robert “Bob” A. Roberge ’77,
Rochester, Minnesota, age 60,
on March 7.
Mary M. (Dolan) Peterson ’67,
Parkers Prairie, Minnesota,
age 69, on March 25.
Eunice C. (Holmes) Johnson ’80,
White Bear Lake, Minnesota,
age 84, on February 28.
Russell E. Ilstrup ’68, Buffalo,
Minnesota, age 70, on March 21.
Lori L. (Johnson) Rosenkvist ’81,
St. Paul, age 55, on March 25.
Ronald A. Nilsson ’68, Wheaton,
Illinois, age 69, on January 9.
Timothy J. Beck ’83, St. Paul,
age 53, on March 30.
Nancy E. Stevens ’68, Plymouth,
Minnesota, age 68, on
December 29.
Jeffrey T. Miller ’94, Plymouth,
Minnesota, age 52, on
January 29.
Ronald L. Danckwart ’72, Lake
City, Minnesota, age 64, on
February 25.
Alfred “Al” A. Drears ’11, St.
Paul, age 51, on March 24.
James E. Ericksen ’72, Edina,
Minnesota, age 68, on
January 27.
Max D. Bassinson ’17,
Minneapolis, age 23, on
March 7.
Alan C. Kelsey ’73, St. Paul,
age 63, on January 19.
Professor Emeritus Jerry
Gerasimo, Menomonie,
Wisconsin, age 84, on April 4.
Ronald “Ron” A. Hart ’75, Coon
Rapids, Minnesota, age 62,
on March 9.
Longtime staff member
Irene Steenson, Eden Prairie,
Minnesota, age 102, on April 18.
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
______________________________________________________
Home telephone
______________________________________________________
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.
The “In memoriam” listings in this
publication include notifications
received before May 20.
Summer 2015
39
In memoriam
Courtesy Photo
JAMES E. ERICKSEN ’72
James E. Ericksen ’72, whose life was marked by his commitment to
faith and passion for the arts, passed away in January at age 68, leaving
Augsburg an unexpected and extraordinary bequest of more than $5 million.
To honor his legacy, the majority of Ericksen’s gift will be designated to
the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Part of this gift will honor
Ericksen’s faith and be directed to Christ Auditorium, the 80-seat classroom
at the heart of the new building. In tribute to his love of music, a renovation
to Sateren Auditorium and its lobby also will be named for Ericksen.
His gift was one of the largest estate gifts in
Augsburg’s history.
“We wish so much that we could have thanked him
during his lifetime,” said Heather Riddle, vice president
of Institutional Advancement.
Ericksen graduated from Minnehaha Academy in
Minneapolis in 1964 and enrolled at Augsburg College
that fall. While still a student, he enlisted in the
U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Ericksen
returned to Augsburg College after his service, finished
his business administration degree with an emphasis in
accounting, and graduated with the 139-member class
of 1972.
A history minor, Ericksen later told Augsburg staff that Carl Chrislock,
remembered as one of Minnesota’s preeminent U.S. historians and
a professor emeritus of history at the College, was one of Ericksen’s
favorites. He returned to Augsburg College several times over the years to
attend concerts, particularly those for which his piano instructors served
as accompanists.
A loyal public servant
The entrance
to the Sateren
Auditorium lobby.
40
Augsburg Now
After starting his career at Polaris, Ericksen worked as an auditor for the
State of Minnesota Department of Revenue for 31 years before retiring in
2009. Along the way, he invested wisely and lived carefully.
“Nobody knew much about him, including his family,” said his
cousin, Robert Quick. But they knew he loved history, travel, and classical
music—especially symphonies.
In mid-life, Ericksen began piano lessons at MacPhail Center for Music,
where he studied with Victoria and Dan Sabo for many years. Friend and
piano instructor Janet Holdorf described Ericksen as “so sincere and ardent
in his appreciation of music making.” He didn’t consider himself much of
a musician, but he enjoyed learning and playing. His home was equipped
with a large sound system and filled with carefully cared-for albums, many
of them the symphonies he loved so much.
Ericksen traveled often, venturing to France, Italy, Norway, Sweden,
the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. He took long driving trips, eventually
visiting nearly all 50 of the United States and taking time to explore each
destination’s history. When he was at home in the Twin Cities, he attended
Bible study at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
In his will, Ericksen remembered many family members, friends, and
organizations dear to him.
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
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW ALUMNI
AND FAMILY DISCOUNTS
FOR GRADUATE DEGREES
augsburg.edu/grad/discount
GRADUATE PROGRAM TUITION
DISCOUNT FOR ALUMNI
Many of Augsburg’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.
Additionally, parents or spouses of alumni and current
students are eligible to receive the Family Grant
of $80 per credit on graduate programs.
gradinfo@augsburg.edu | 612-330-1101
* This alumni discount also applies to Augsburg graduates who are currently
Summer
2015Fall 2015.
25
enrolled in a graduate program at Augsburg
effective
Photo illustration by Stephen Geffre. Photos courtesy of D3sports.com and NCAA.
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Auggies win 12th national wrestling title
The Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its record 12th NCAA Division III national championship, winning two individual national
crowns and earning six All-Americans in the finals of the national tournament. Heavyweight Donny Longendyke ’17 [pictured, left] joined
125-pound back-to-back national champion Mike Fuenffinger ’15 [pictured, right] in earning top individual honors. Augsburg also swept
the awards presented by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about
the College’s national tournament win.
Show less
The Class of 2014 reflects
Grants gain ground
Spotlight on research
Faithful and relevant
AN
EDUCATION
ACTIVE
SUMMER 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 3
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Marketing
Communication
Kat... Show more
The Class of 2014 reflects
Grants gain ground
Spotlight on research
Faithful and relevant
AN
EDUCATION
ACTIVE
SUMMER 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 3
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
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
An alternative narrative of higher education
Our colleague, Harry Boyte, who heads Augsburg’s
Center for Democracy and Citizenship, recently
argued in The Huffington Post that America
needs an alternative narrative of higher education, one that focuses not on meritocratic
excellence, but on “cooperative excellence...[the]
principle that a mix of people from highly varied
backgrounds can achieve remarkable intellectual,
social, political, and spiritual growth if they have
the right encouragements, resources, challenges,
and calls to public purpose.” And, as Harry
further points out, we have the makings of this
alternative story of higher education in institutions like Augsburg, with its rich heritage of faith,
learning, and service.
And so we do, as this issue of Augsburg Now
so compellingly illustrates. You hear it in the
stories our recent graduates tell about what they
love about Augsburg—its people, its location, its
diversity, its commitment to service and justice, its
educational experience like no other. You hear it in
the tributes to retiring faculty members like Donald
“Gus” Gustafson and athletic legends like Edor
Nelson ’38 and Ed Saugestad ’59—even as you
read the accomplishments of this year’s distinguished teachers and scholars, future legends. You
hear it in accounts of innovative theater programming, bringing together students from Augsburg
and the University of Minnesota to perform a
groundbreaking production of Peer Gynt at the
university’s arboretum. You hear it in the voices
of students and alumni sharing their vocational
journeys, shaped in this remarkable community.
The power of the Augsburg story is that it is
not new—it is what I call “the saga of Augsburg”
(see my recent essay, “Lessons on Vocation and
Location: The Saga of Augsburg College as Urban
Settlement” at augsburg.edu/president/presentations), a story that is grounded in our rich history
as a college dedicated to the Lutheran Christian
faith, to the power of a liberal arts education, to
vocational discernment, and to our urban setting.
And it is a story more relevant than ever, as it
counters the ways in which higher education is
viewed as a commodity to be purchased, a ticket
simply to a successful career, a stepping stone
instead of a firm foundation.
Our society needs an alternative story about
higher education in order to recover its soul.
Augsburg offers such a story in both its history and
its aspirations as a 21st century “student-centered
urban university, small to our students and big for
the world.” And now we need to recruit a corps of
storytellers—good folks like you—who know this
story well and are willing to stand with us to share
it with the world. In our tradition, that is called
evangelism. Will you join us?
Integrated Communication
Specialist/Augsburg Now
Project Manager
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
Assistant Vice President
for 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 official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Faithfully yours,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
Email: now@augsburg.edu
summer 2014
AUGSBURG NOW
Features
12
9
16
23
12
16
24
29
Faithful and relevant
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
We love Augsburg
EDITED BY LAURA SWANSON
What is it?
BY LAURA SWANSON
Grants gain ground
COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS
Departments
inside
front
cover
Notes from President Pribbenow
02 Around the Quad
09 My Auggie experience
15 Auggie athletics
23 Auggie voices
30 Alumni news
35 Alumni class notes
15
24
38 In memoriam
40 It takes an Auggie
On the cover
Each summer, Augsburg College students complete on-campus research activities across a
wide range of academic disciplines. Learn about Auggies’ recent projects on page 24.
Correction: The Spring 2014 issue of Augsburg Now included an archival photo of Science Hall as part of the My Auggie
experience story. The caption accompanying the image should have noted that the building, in its early years, housed the
home economics department in addition to the offices, laboratories, and rooms named.
All photos and archival photo compilations by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
AROUND THE QUAD
Excellence in
teaching and learning
Choir performs
throughout Ireland
The 2014 Distinguished Contributions recipients [L to R]:
Shana Watters, Phil Adamo, and Stacy Freiheit.
Each year, the Augsburg College faculty recognizes select colleagues with
the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards—acknowledging those who have demonstrated outstanding support for students through
teaching, advising, and mentoring.
The 2014 recipients include:
The Augsburg Choir delivered their annual
Bon Voyage Performance May 2, then traveled to Ireland for an international tour. The
group performed in Cork, Dublin, Limerick,
and Newbridge; they also took time to visit
the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, and the
Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s rugged western
coast. To read more about their trip, visit
the students’ blog at engage.augsburg.edu/
augsburgchoir.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING: Stacy Freiheit, associate professor of psychology
“As a professor, [Stacy] ensures that she engages students in the material
that she is teaching and makes it personal…She is very creative and open,
and implements a multitude of methods to help students learn—from videos,
to interviews, to live demonstrations.” —Amineh Safi ’14, psychology and
political science major
Day at the Capitol
EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP: Phil Adamo, associate professor of history and
director of the Medieval Studies Program
“[Phil] has an ability to fold students into his scholarship, providing them
with rich and meaningful experiences that develop them as young scholars.”
—Dixie Shafer, director of Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity
EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING AND MENTORING: Shana Watters, associate professor
of computer science
“[Shana] really shines. She is interesting; she is supportive; she has high
expectations; she is fun. She takes her responsibility to her students very
seriously, but never takes herself too seriously. As a result, she has been a
remarkable mentor to many students, even those who have not chosen to
pursue computer science.” —Carrie Shidla, Augsburg program manager and
assistant director of academic advising
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Augsburg Now
Brid Henry ’16 meets Minnesota State Sen. Charles Wiger
during the Day at the Capitol event.
This spring, Augsburg Day at the Capitol gave
students a voice in the important debate surrounding the Minnesota State Grant program.
Augsburg students met with lawmakers and
wrote letters advocating continued support for
this important financial aid.
City and state officials judge
‘The Great Economic Debate’
Courtesy of University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital
at
[L to R]: Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minnesota Department of
Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman, and Minneapolis Mayor
Betsy Hodges.
MASTER OF MUSIC THERAPY
Augsburg’s music therapy program has provided students with a
holistic approach to health care through music medicine since
1974. To build on that tradition, Augsburg is launching a music
therapy graduate program in the Twin Cities beginning this fall.
The Master of Music Therapy (MMT) program will engage students in
life-changing experiences and experiential learning, and foster a
holistic view of the use of music in health, healing, and well-being.
For more information about the MMT, visit augsburg.edu/mmt.
The Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL)—a program
of Augsburg College—in May hosted its second Mayor’s
Challenge. Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minnesota
Department of Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman,
and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges served as judges
for a student debate resolving that the North American
Free Trade Agreement has been beneficial for the
economy of Mexico and the United States, specifically
Minnesota. This spring, MNUDL also hosted its first
Spanish Debate Invitational, a Spanish tournament for
Twin Cities middle and high school students, as a way
to make forensics available to more students and to
help extend the reach of the positive work of MNUDL.
Courtesy photo
STROMMEN SPEAKERS SERIES
This April, the Strommen Executive Speakers Series, which
brings local business leaders to campus to share insight and
expertise, featured Jon Campbell, executive vice president of
Wells Fargo. With 36 years of banking experience at Wells
Fargo, Campbell presented “Finding Vocation in Corporate
Philanthropy,” touching on his career path, which has been
characterized by a strong emphasis on community service.
CONNECT. NETWORK. LEAD.
Summer 2014
3
AROUND THE QUAD
Honoring our retired faculty
WILLIAM ARDEN
DONALD “GUS” GUSTAFSON
Assistant Professor, Business
Administration
Professor, History
Joined the College – 2005
Education – bachelor’s, Gustavus
Adolphus College; master’s and
PhD, University of Wisconsin
Education – bachelor’s, New
York University; master’s,
Northeastern University (Boston);
MBA, Boston University
“One of my most memorable
experiences as a teacher was my first time in a classroom.
I taught a graduate marketing course (at another institution)
and walked out of class the first night saying, ‘I haven’t had
this much fun in a job in a long time!’”
Joined the College – 1961
Gustafson thrives most on
the sheer delight of teaching—
students from his classes usually
remember Rasputin, Alsace-Lorraine, and Che Guevara.
GRETCHEN IRVINE
Assistant Professor, Education
RUTH ENESTVEDT
Joined the College – 1993
Assistant Professor, Nursing
Education – bachelor’s, College
of St. Teresa; master’s, University
of Wisconsin-River Falls; PhD,
University of Minnesota
Joined the College – 1999
Education – bachelor’s, St.
Olaf College; master’s and PhD,
University of Minnesota
“We assume that people are
experts in their own lives. We
provide useful, relevant service
that respects what the person brings to the situation.”
MARK ENGEBRETSON
Professor, Physics
Joined the College – 1976
Education – bachelor’s, Luther
College; Master of Divinity,
Luther Theological Seminary;
master’s and PhD, University of
Minnesota
One of the most important
features of Engebretson’s work is sharing it with his
students. His research grants from NASA and the
National Science Foundation have supported dozens of
undergraduate student research opportunities that educate
and motivate science students.
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Augsburg Now
“I believe in using the
community as a research tool
and bringing the community into the classroom through
resource speakers. Respect for the unique characteristic of
each student is essential.”
JEFFREY JOHNSON
Associate Professor, Physics
Joined the College – 1985
Education – bachelor’s, master’s,
MBA, and PhD, University of
Minnesota
Johnson likes to teach
quantum physics and astronomy,
which, he says, “allows me
to give my students an appreciation of the wonder and
weirdness of our universe.”
ASHOK KAPOOR
Associate Professor, Business
Administration
Joined the College – 1998
Education – bachelor’s and master’s,
University of Delhi; master’s and
MBA, University of Minnesota; PhD,
Temple University
“Augsburg is different from
other institutions in that we have a vocational aspect to our
education, which fits in with my thinking. I tell my students
that they can do whatever they want, as long as they excel.
They will then be happy in life.”
DAWN LUDWIG
Director and Assistant Professor,
Physician Assistant Studies Program
Joined the College – 1995
Education – bachelor’s, University
of Colorado-Denver; master’s
and PA Certificate, University of
Colorado Health Science Center;
PhD, Capella University
One of the guiding principles in Ludwig’s approach to
teaching is to help students maintain a focus on service to
others, and to always be aware of how one good deed can
bless another person’s life.
ROBERT STACKE ’71
Associate Professor and
Department Chair, Music
Joined the College – 1990
Education – bachelor’s, Augsburg
College; master’s, University of
St. Thomas; PhD, University of
Minnesota
“I am very proud of the
number of students who have a chance to be involved in
Augsburg’s music program. One of the benefits of attending a
liberal arts college is having the opportunity to perform even
if you are not a music major.”
Faculty Recognition Luncheon
This spring, Augsburg celebrated
the careers and contributions of
retiring faculty members at the
Faculty Recognition Luncheon. The
event included a program and a
display of recent scholarship and
teaching materials.
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
Scholarships and fellowships
Augsburg students earned a range of prestigious accolades
during spring semester, including the following:
BARRY GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP
Eric Bowman ’15, a biology and
chemistry major and McNair
Scholar, received an honorable
mention in the Barry Goldwater
Scholarship competition.
The Goldwater Foundation
provides $7,500 undergraduate
scholarships to students who
plan to pursue a research career
in a STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathmatics)
field, and the scholarship is the
premier undergraduate award
of its type in these fields. Bowman was one of only eight
Minnesotans to receive an honorable mention this year.
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Benjamin
A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants
for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial
means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, careeroriented internships abroad. Since 2008, 36 Auggies
have been awarded a total of $150,000 from the Gilman
International Scholarship.
This spring, sociology and psychology major Pa-Loo Lor ’14
studied at Augsburg’s exchange partner, Hong Kong Baptist
University. This summer, GaoSheng Yang ’14 studied and
interned in Shanghai. She is an international relations major
with a minor in management information systems. And this
fall, biology major Fowsia Elmi ’15, international business and
finance major Smeret Hailom ’15, and sociology major Ayan
Khayro ’15 will study in Turkey; and music major Elizabeth
Fontaine ’16 will study in Indonesia.
HAWKINSON AWARD
The Hawkinson Foundation for Peace & Justice has awarded
Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14 the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation
Scholarship. This scholarship was created by the Foundation
to encourage students who have already demonstrated a
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Augsburg Now
commitment to peace and justice to strive for peace and
justice both in their educational pursuits and in their personal
and professional lives.
KEMPER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Najma Warsame ’17, a communication studies student, was
named the College’s fourth Kemper Scholar. Students in this
prestigious program, which is funded by the James S. Kemper
Foundation, receive academic scholarships and stipends to
cover the costs of two summer internships in major nonprofit
and for-profit organizations. Augsburg is one of only 16
U.S. liberal arts colleges with the Kemper Scholars Program
distinction.
NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOWS AWARD
Vincent Henry ’15 was named a Newman Civic Fellow for
2014. The Newman Civic Fellow Award is a Campus Compact
distinction recognizing students who—through service,
research, and advocacy—work to identify the root causes of
social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting
change.
PHILLIPS SCHOLARSHIP
Each year, the Minnesota Private
College Council awards six
scholarships from the Jay and
Rose Phillips Family Foundation
of Minnesota to students
who attend its 17 member
institutions. This year, two of the
six were awarded to Augsburg
students Sagal Ali ’16 and Muna
Mohamed ’15. Ali will work on a
project that addresses the high
risk of obesity and the rise of
diabetes among Somali women,
while Mohamed’s project will focus on engaging Muslim
women in sports while honoring their religious and cultural
beliefs.
2014 PRESIDENTS’ CIVIC ENGAGEMENT STEWARD AWARD
The Augsburg student group Students for Racial Justice
won the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award at
the Minnesota Campus Compact Summit that took place
this spring. This award recognizes those who have advanced
their campus’s distinctive civic mission by forming strong
partnerships, supporting civic engagement, and working to
institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement.
Student research awards and
achievements
ROSSING PHYSICS SCHOLARS
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
ZYZZOGETON 2014
Two Augsburg College students have been named Rossing
Physics Scholars for 2014-15. Juan Tigre ’16 and Fikre
Beyene ’16 will receive $10,000 and $7,000, respectively.
The Rossing Fund for Physics Education Endowment in
the ELCA Foundation was established in 2005 for physics
majors at the 27 ELCA colleges.
TRAVELERS EDGE SCHOLARS AND TRAVELERS INTERNSHIPS
Stella Richardson Hohn ’15 and Lee Thao ’15 are interning
in St. Paul and Hartford, Conn., respectively, as part of the
Travelers Insurance Empowering Dreams for Graduation
and Employment (EDGE) program. This program focuses on
college recruitment and retention of low-income and firstgeneration students, and enhances awareness of careers in the
insurance and financial industries. In Minnesota, the focus
specifically is on students graduating from both the St. Paul
and Minneapolis public school districts.
Five additional Auggies—Lorreal Edwards ’16, Liban
Elmi ’16, Lyton Guallpa-Naula ’16, Angela Hernandez ’16, and
Seng Vue ’16—also will complete internships at Travelers
Insurance in St. Paul. This group will participate in professional
and leadership development workshops supported by the
Kemper Foundation to prepare for their internship opportunity.
VANN FELLOWSHIP
Michelle Grafelman ’15, an
Augsburg Presidential Scholar,
was awarded the $5,000 Vann
Fellowship in Biomedical Ethics at
Mayo Clinic. As a summer fellow,
she is working with physician and
research mentors within Mayo’s
Program in Professionalism and
Ethics to examine issues such as
end-of-life care, genetic therapies,
and patient consent, among others.
Zyzzogeton is an opportunity to
hear about the exciting scholarship
happening on campus. This year,
more than 80 students presented
their research and creative activity
to the Augsburg community in
the annual spring poster session,
which is sponsored by the Office
of Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity (URGO),
the McNair Scholars program, and
the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
program.
SUMMER 2014 OFF-CAMPUS RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS
This summer, several Auggie researchers will be building their
skills to support graduate school admissions and careers in
the sciences.
• Elly Bier ’14—physics; National Institute of Standards and
Technology
• Weih Borh ’16—chemistry; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
(LSAMP Summer Research Program)
• Chris DeVet ’15—chemistry; CIMA Labs pharmaceuticals
• Becca Freese ’16—biology and mathematics; University of
Minnesota (Summer Institute in Biostatistics)
• Kirubel Frew ’14—chemistry; working with Armon Sharei and
Katarina Blagovic at Harvard University and Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, respectively
• Cedith Giddings ’15—biology; University of Minnesota
(CHE-CTSI Advanced Research Program and Undergraduate
Research Program)
• Michelle Grafelman ’15—biology; Mayo Clinic (Vann
Fellowship in Bioethics)
Summer 2014
7
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
• Daniel Hildebrandt ’15—biology and chemistry; Mayo Clinic
(Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
• Taylor Kuramoto ’15—mathematics; University of Tennessee,
Knoxville (National Institute for Mathematical and
Biological Synthesis)
•
Oscar Martinez ’16—
chemistry; Scripps Research
Institute in Jupiter, Fla.
(Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellows Program)
• Bethany Marlette ’14—biology;
Mayo Clinic
•
Yemi Melka ’15—chemistry and
international relations; Friends
Committee on National
Legislation in Washington, D.C.
• Lily Moloney ’15—chemistry;
Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. (Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellows Program)
• Promise Okeke ’15—biology; Harvard Stem Cell Institute of
the Harvard Medical School
• Andrew Roehl ’15—chemistry; Colorado State University
(Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates)
• Ben Swanson ’15—chemistry; Northwestern University
(Materials Research Science & Engineering Center)
• Sadie Tetrick ’16—physics; Dartmouth College Physics
Department
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Augsburg Now
POSTERS ON THE HILL
Each spring,
the Council on
Undergraduate
Research hosts its
annual undergraduate
poster session,
Posters on the Hill, in
Washington, D.C. At
the event, students
meet members of
Congress, funding agencies, and foundations, and have the
opportunity to advocate for undergraduate research programs.
Summa cum laude English graduate Margo Ensz ’13
was among the top 10 percent of applicants selected to
present and received an honorable mention for her URGO
summer research project, “Analyzing the Persistence of a
Sense of Place Among Young Adults in the Technology-Rich,
A-Contextual 21st Century,” advised by Colin Irvine, Augsburg
College associate professor of English.
SCHOLARS AT THE CAPITOL
During spring semester, Augsburg
TRIO McNair Scholars Amineh
Safi ’14 and David Fowler ’14
participated in the 11th annual
Private College Scholars at the
Capitol event. Each private
college in Minnesota annually
selects two students to attend the
event and present their research.
Safi’s research topic, “Racializing
Islam: Newspaper Portrayal of
Crime Involving Muslims and
Islam,” is a descriptive content
analysis examining how crimes
involving Muslims are portrayed
in the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Fowler’s
research focused on methods for studying heart development
and function in the model organism Daphnia magna.
MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE
PEASANTS
AND TROLLS,
COLLABORATIONS
AND CHALLENGES
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
▲ Nearly 1,000 theatergoers visited the
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for
Peer Gynt’s three-day run. The character
of Peer Gynt was played by University of
Minnesota student Joe Kellen.
I
▲ Peer Gynt visits the troll kingdom in an attempt to marry the troll princess.
Imagine it’s spring and you are at a site
USA Today named as among the nation’s
10 greatest places in America to smell
the flowers. You start to meander along
a footpath that will lead you through a
natural habitat of trees and ferns to rolling
prairie and lowlands, all while birds sing
after a long winter.
As you round the corner from the
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s
visitor center, you come across a small
homesteader’s cabin. It’s nestled among
the trees. A group of people, dressed as
peasants from the 1800s, bicker with one
another. You’ve just walked smack into the
middle of the set of Peer Gynt, a play by
Henrik Ibsen, being performed by students
from Augsburg College and the University
of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
The site-specific performance—a
production shaped by the unique place in
which it is performed and that relies upon
existing landscapes and features to serve
as the stage and sets—was the first time
the two schools collaborated and probably
the first site-specific production of this
▲ [Top of page] An audience watches an opening scene from Peer Gynt, a production by Augsburg College and the
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s historic Berens Cabin serves as the
backdrop for dialogue between the Peer Gynt character and his mother, seated on the wheelbarrow.
Summer 2014
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said. “We thought the universe might
like them to meet. We wanted to see
new alliances formed and to create more
opportunities for artistic intersections
because theater and artists are best
served when more and more connections
can be made.”
The staging of this classic
Norwegian tale at a Minnesota landmark
also was a testament to the academic
excellence driven by Augsburg faculty
and alumni who create multifaceted
student-learning experiences.
“Faculty know that in order to
develop students’ abilities to think
critically and to solve problems—
essential 21st-century skills—we
need to expose them to hands-on
opportunities to work together,
to interact with people who think
differently from themselves, and to
provide time to reflect upon and voice
what they learn,” Engen said.
STUDENTS CO-CREATE SCRIPT
That multi-layered complexity drew
students to the story. Boo Segersin ’15,
an Augsburg theater major pursuing
A children’s playground serves as the set for a scene in Peer Gynt.
Existing landscape features are used to stage site-specific theater.
▲
scale for Twin Cities’ theatergoers.
“This adaptation demanded new
partnerships between schools and with
many theater artists—puppeteers,
movement specialists, musicians, [and]
fight choreographers. We pummeled
students with new experiences and
gave the audience a spectacular
performance,” said Darcey Engen
’88, associate professor and chair of
Augsburg’s Theater Arts program.
Collaborating with the University
of Minnesota allowed Engen and her
counterpart, Luverne Seifert ’83, to
assemble the large cast required by
the play: about 40 student actors in
all. And the complexity of the script
meant students would build new skills
in collaboration, forge friendships,
and nurture the beginnings of new
professional networking relationships
in the tightly connected world of Twin
Cities theater.
“It seemed odd to Darcey and me
that each night there were groups of
students creating all of this amazing
artistic energy, and they were only three
blocks away from one another,” Seifert
minors in musical theater and
Norwegian, said she was drawn in by the
density of Peer Gynt.
“I read the play over winter break
and wondered how we could do it. It’s
on mountains. It’s in mountains. There
are trolls. Just the landscapes were a
challenge in themselves,” Segersin said.
The students worked with Sarah
Myers, Augsburg College assistant
professor of theater arts, to adapt the
script and halve the length of the play.
“I was nervous to work on the script,
but one of the best parts was working—
as a full cast—with Sarah to cut things
down,” Segersin said. “We found the
‘red thread,’ the core storyline that runs
through the script, and, with that, found
our way.”
That thread allowed the students
to take the play from the three-hour
adaptation by famed Minnesota poet
Robert Bly to a compact 90 minutes
that was accessible to newcomers of all
ages but that remained engaging and
challenging for seasoned theatergoers.
It’s quite a feat when one considers that
Ibsen’s original was a hefty seven hours.
Boo Segersin ’15 (top) played the role of Solveig, a young woman who leaves her
family and insists upon living with Peer Gynt in his hand-hewn cabin. The role of
Peer Gynt’s mother, Åse, was played by Nikki Whittaker ’17 (bottom).
▲
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Augsburg Now
▲ Nearly 40 performers were involved in the Peer Gynt wedding scene.
▲
Students worked with professional master puppeteers to build and coordinate
the movement of a giant raven puppet with a nearly 20-foot wingspan.
NAVIGATING CULTURE, CAST,
WEATHER, AND LANDSCAPE
Wrestling with the script of the play—a
story of loss due to procrastination and
avoidance followed by redemption late in
life—was just one of the challenges faced
by students. They also had to identify
features in the arboretum’s landscape that
could serve as sets, deliver their lines in
open-air scenes with acoustics affected
by the landscape and ambient noises not
usually present in a theater, and learn
original music, all while getting to know
the culture and student performers from
another school.
Then there were the logistics for
which no planning can be done.
“Because of the variables involved,
site-specific theater provides attendees
the chance to see what is a once-in-alifetime performance and to leave having
been an active traveler in the play,” Engen
said. “For performers, there’s a textured
chaos that you can’t plan for and that
forces you to think fast and improvise
within boundaries. It leaves you exhausted
and exhilarated at the end.”
Being faced with those challenges
was just what Engen and Seifert wanted
for students. The two worked closely
to co-direct students in this first-ever
collaboration between the schools.
“Students learned to perform to
the moment at hand,” Engen said.
“Sometimes that meant changing the
energy and volume of lines to overcome
wind or a noisy attendee. Other times
it meant staying in character but
improvising when a young child persisted
in trying to break into the scene.”
Segersin said that it was a rewarding
experience to work with peers from the
University of Minnesota and to perform for
the nearly 1,000 attendees who visited
the arboretum for the production.
“This beautiful thing happened: We
became a team,” Segersin said. “And
now, sometimes, when I sleep, I dream
about them.”
BUILDING PROFESSIONAL
NETWORKS
The relationships and networks, though,
extend beyond just the student peers
at the two institutions. Engen used the
production to help students connect with
other theater professionals.
“Students built experience in creative
problem-solving with some of the Twin
Cities’ foremost theater professionals,
including master puppeteers, musicians,
and movement professionals,” Engen
said. “It was a chance for students to
explore the many ways to work in theater
and to challenge themselves to meld
these disciplines.”
Seifert added that making
connections with artists across disciplines
and fields is critical for the future of
theater and the artists.
“These students now can reach out
to one another to collaborate on future
projects,” he said. “This model allowed
us to give students an understanding of
how major companies in regional theater
increasingly are combining resources to
produce shows.”
That goal wasn’t lost on Segersin, who
was invited to work as a summer intern
with Sod House Theater, a production
company founded by Engen and Seifert.
“We’re still working out what it
means. But I will have the chance to work
with the performance of Peer Gynt at sites
around the state, to meet professional
Twin Cities’ actors and local actors, and to
network,” Segersin said.
Summer 2014
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experience perspectives
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skill
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callAugsburg Now
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faithful
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beliefs
appreciation
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conversation
nurturing
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BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
experience
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reflect
Pictured [top to bottom]: Whitney Pratt ’11, Cody Tresselt-Warren ’09, and Jessica Spanswick ’10
Photo by Thomas Kosa
ith careers in accounting, education,
Grappling with vocation
military service, and pastoral ministry,
One of the aspects that Auggies in the Christensen Scholars
and Interfaith Scholars programs valued most about the
experience was the dedicated time to learn and to grapple
together with difficult topics and questions.
“Having that regular, dedicated time for discussion
helped us to better articulate our gifts, strengths, and
passions,” said Emily Wiles ’10, a youth and family ministry
major who this spring earned a Master of Divinity from Luther
Seminary. “We pushed each other to articulate our positions,
which helped me really connect with what I think and who
I am,” she said. As a result, “things that I might have
otherwise taken for granted, I came to ‘own’ as my gifts.” In
having to express and explain your perspectives, Wiles said,
“you really get to know yourself better.”
Also beneficial, according to several alumni, was the
opportunity to reflect on the full meaning of vocation. “My
generation is going to have 15 different jobs or careers in
our lifetimes,” said Cody Tresselt-Warren ’09, who majored
in accounting and religion at Augsburg and today is a tax
accountant at Wells Fargo & Company.
“You think, when you’re in college, that once you
graduate and get a job, you’re set,” he said. But there are
so many other important layers—from family obligations to
the needs of the wider world—that, “you have to interpret
your calling from a number of perspectives. It’s a dynamic,
evolving journey.”
Sylvia Bull ’10 agreed, noting that, especially in the
U.S.—a generally career-oriented culture—it is important
to expand the view of vocation beyond just a job or career.
Bull, an international relations and religion double major who
this spring completed her third year at Princeton Theological
Seminary in Princeton, N.J., sees faith as serving an
important role in considerations about vocation. We need to
“open our eyes of faith to see all of the things that we do in
our lives as part of God’s call,” she said.
six recent Augsburg alumni are finding
that their undergraduate experiences studying vocation and
interfaith leadership are paying off well beyond their
college years.
These Auggies participated in the Christensen Scholars
and Interfaith Scholars programs at Augsburg—programs that
provide scholarships for students to take upper-level religion
courses that thrust them deep into topics of faith, religious
diversity, service, theology, and vocation.
Meeting on weeknight evenings throughout the academic
year, students engaged with these topics—and each other—
through focused discussion, inquiry, service-learning, and
reflection. The number of scholarships available each year is
limited, so getting into the program is a competitive process,
involving writing an essay and obtaining a recommendation
from an Augsburg College faculty or staff member. Students
accepted to the programs earn four religion credits and a
$2,000 scholarship for the year. But, according to some of the
early alumni from the programs, the value of the experience
extends well beyond course credit and financial support.
Pictured [left to right]: Peter Weston Miller ’10, Emily Wiles ’10, and Sylvia Bull ’10
Summer 2014
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And “even if faith is not explicitly part of the
conversation,” said Jessica Spanswick ’10, who today works
as director of career services at Globe University, “it is a
profound, shared human desire to seek and find meaning in
our lives.”
fully effective.” To function as a citizen in today’s world,
“you have to understand how people think and the beliefs on
which they base their social and moral codes.”
Welcoming difficult conversations
In the end, these Auggies agreed that the programs’ greatest
value was that they equipped participants to ask challenging
life questions—seemingly simple (but, actually, not-sosimple) questions like, “Where have you come from—and
where are you going?” and “How do you know you’re on the
right path?”
Consistently, all of these alumni said it was the
questions—not the answers—that were most meaningful
to them. In fact, they have each continued the practice of
asking and reflecting on difficult questions and they shared
some of the questions they regularly encounter in their lives
today:
Asking tough questions
Alumni from these programs also shared an appreciation
for how their experiences helped them develop the listening
and interpersonal skills to learn from and understand others.
“We learned to step boldly and respectfully into difficult
conversations,” said Peter Weston Miller ’10, “meeting
people where they were at, where God had uniquely called
them to be.”
Weston Miller, an English major who also completed his
Master’s of Divinity at Luther Seminary this past spring, said
these conversations taught the participants how to “build
relationships based on human integrity and dignity, not just
[based on] topics” that they agreed upon.
“We learned to know ourselves better through the eyes of
others, despite different backgrounds, political leanings, and
socio-economic statuses,” he said.
In particular, alumni from the programs valued the
opportunity to interact and work with people who bring
different faith perspectives. “Speaking with people from
many different faith backgrounds helped me learn to listen to
and understand others’ views and beliefs,” said Spanswick,
who majored in international relations at Augsburg and
recently completed her MBA at Globe University. In her
current work, Spanswick meets people from many different
cultures, and she noted that their cultural practices often
differ because of faith traditions.
Whitney Pratt ’11, who majored in economics at
Augsburg and serves as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air
Force, agreed that interfaith competency is an important life
skill. “Religion is such an important facet of our lives,” she
said. “Most of our political struggles center around topics
that stem from the moral foundations” that different groups
of people use to guide their behaviors and interactions in
society.
“You can try to build intercultural competence, but
without understanding religion,” Pratt said, “you won’t be
• “Am I questioning my current path because I don’t like it
[today] or because it’s really not my calling?”
• “How do I remain true to my Lutheran beliefs and still
operate in an ecumenically diverse organization?”
• “How will what I want to say affect this other person?”
• “If this current path is not my calling, what’s the best step
to take to explore what is right?”
“As our lives and our world change,” Weston Miller said,
“we need to keep asking these questions in order to keep
ourselves expanding, growing, nurturing, and propelled
forward in God’s calling for all of us.”
Continually asking these questions and searching for
meaning helps us to see the world not just as it is, Wiles
added, but as it could be.
reflection
• And, the question that Martin Luther is famous for: “What
does this mean?”
learn
care
journey
leadership
life welcoming
pathdiverse
call
world appreciation
respectfully discussion citizen
moral calling competence
14
Augsburg Now
skill passions opportunity
work answers
FROM GAME TIME TO LIFETIME
Influence of Auggie icons shapes alumni and today’s campus
August 18 marks the 100th birthday of legendary Augsburg
College coach Edor Nelson ’38.
Nelson is one of the elite Augsburg coaches who profoundly
impacted the College’s athletic programs and whose influence
echoed in the lives of student-athletes beyond their competitions
on athletic fields, rinks, and courts.
At Augsburg, the legacies of renowned coaching staff
and faculty live on in the facilities that carry their names, are
exhibited in their own philanthropy, and can be seen in the
generosity they inspire in others.
Bruce Nelson ’71, son of Edor Nelson, said coaches such
as his father grew up in an era in which sacrifice for the greater
good was common, and coaches played larger roles in the lives of
student-athletes than simply running drills.
“These coaches taught student-athletes about commitment
and that a team is bigger than the individuals,” said Bruce, who
lives out what he learned—in part—by serving as president of the
Augsburg A-Club, a service organization of former and current
Auggie student-athletes and friends of the College.
Bruce knows from first-hand experience that student-athletes
see, understand, and appreciate the ways their mentors continue
to influence their lives as they move on to new opportunities.
“Very few athletes, when they’re older, talk about wins and
losses. They talk about camaraderie, support, and struggles,”
Bruce said. “They remember that my dad helped them get jobs
out of college—that the support didn’t stop after graduation.”
Nelson is one of a group of long-tenured coaches who are
pillars in the Auggie community. Others include:
•
Ernie Anderson ’37–Coach of Augsburg’s men’s basketball
team from 1947-1970, Anderson also was athletic director
for 33 years from 1947-1980. His tenure inspired the Ernie
Anderson Court in Si Melby Hall.
•
Marilyn Pearson Florian ’76–Coach of Augsburg’s women’s
volleyball team from 1981-1998, she also was the women’s
athletic director from 1988-2007. She increased the number
of women’s sports and of female student-athletes.
AUGGIE ATHLETICS
•
Edor Nelson ’38–An Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame member,
Nelson coached football from 1947-1969 and baseball from
1946-1979. Augburg’s outdoor athletic field bears his name.
•
Lavonne Johnson Peterson ’50–“Mrs. Pete” led the ‘Auggiettes’
basketball team in 13 unbeaten seasons from the 1950s to
the 1970s and was an instructor until 1980. Augsburg named
the health and physical education center in her honor.
•
Joyce Anderson Pfaff ’65–A pioneer in women’s athletics and
in the establishment of varsity women’s sports, Pfaff was
Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director, serving from 19721998. She also taught for 43 years.
•
Ed Saugestad ’59–Coach of the men’s hockey team from
1958-1996, Saugestad’s championship teams claimed three
NAIA national and six MIAC state titles. One of Augsburg’s
hockey rinks is named in honor of Saugestad, who passed
away in March.
•
Jeff Swenson ’79–Wrestling team coach for 25 years,
Swenson has served the past 10 years as athletic director.
Auggies brought home 10 national wrestling titles under his
leadership, and the wrestling wall of fame bears his name.
Today the commitment of these coaches continues to be honored
through philanthropic initiatives by alumni whom they inspired.
Corky Hall ’71, Augsburg’s first men’s hockey All-American,
is challenging fellow student-athletes-turned-Augsburg-alumni
to raise funds for a named space in the Center for Science,
Business, and Religion (CSBR) to honor Saugestad. (Read more
about Saugestad’s legacy on page 33.)
Mark Rabbe ’53, one of Edor Nelson’s baseball players, is
funding a faculty office in the CSBR to honor the coach. And
additional challenges are underway to honor the centennial of
Edor Nelson’s birth.
These Augsburg alumni—and many others who have stepped
up to join a philanthropic challenge—demonstrate that alumni
athletes recognize the role coaches played in positively shaping
their lives and are willing to seize the opportunity to make a
positive impact on the Auggies of tomorrow.
Summer 2014
15
WE
LOVE
AUGSBURG
THE CLASS OF 2014 SHARES MEMORIES, STORIES,
AND TAKEAWAYS FROM THEIR TIME AS STUDENTS
EDITED BY LAURA SWANSON
This spring, hundreds of new alumni celebrated their graduation at Augsburg College
Commencement ceremonies. While these events often are treated as a conclusion—the
grand finale at the end of years of study and hard work—it’s important to remember that
commencement, in its very definition, marks a beginning or start.
As Augsburg’s newest graduates prepared to launch into new challenges and opportunities with an Augsburg degree in hand, we began to wonder, “What was it about this
campus…this curriculum…this College that they came to appreciate during their time
as students?”
So, we asked.
And the Class of 2014 answered.
This list, in no particular order, includes a brief sample of the things Auggies love about
Augsburg. While it cannot represent all of the College’s valued traits, it does help depict
just how unique the institution is. Our students, our alumni, our location, our heritage,
and our mission help influence this place, just as the College—in turn—shapes many of
these entities. Let’s take a look at why there’s so much to love about Augsburg College
and why it’s such a privilege that WE ARE CALLED AUGGIES.
16
Augsburg Now
2
1
The mission
AUGSBURG COLLEGE
EDUCATES STUDENTS TO BE
INFORMED CITIZENS,
THOUGHTFUL STEWARDS,
CRITICAL THINKERS, AND
RESPONSIBLE LEADERS.
Working to be
“Green by 2019”
“I love [Augsburg’s] effort to make
the world a better place through
means such as eliminating the
It says it all, doesn’t it?
“I love Augsburg’s commitment to being an institution that prepares
students for life beyond academics.” —KIMBERLY CLUB ’14
carbon footprint.”
—MITCHELL FUCHS ’14 MSW
Intentional diversity
“I appreciate Augsburg’s dedication
not only to being a diverse community but also to giving students the
opportunity to fully acknowledge this
through various assignments and
campus activities.”
—SIERRA BARGER ’14
That small-college feel
4
“Augsburg is big enough to
fit your needs, and small
enough that you’ll be noticed.”
Summer 2014
17
The faculty
Professors, teachers, faculty members, instructors, mentors, and
friends. The Class of 2014 used many names to describe the people
at the head of the classroom and the backbone of their education.
And, not surprisingly, these people were the most-cited aspect to
love about Augsburg.
“The faculty are top notch and some of the most caring and
conscientious people I have ever met.” —HOLLY HANSON ’14 MAN
“Professors are understanding and accommodating of nontraditional students’ individual circumstances.”
—MAYA SUTTON ’14 MAE
“I love the close-knit community between students and professors.”
—ANDREW DENT ’14
Life in the city
Augsburg is the only college of the ELCA located in
the heart of a large urban area, and students use
the Twin Cities as a metropolitan classroom where
they can engage with College neighbors, community
partners, and companies large and small.
6
7
“I love Augsburg because of its strong commitment
to its mission and its dedication to being a College
of the city. I have never been anywhere that has a
clearer sense of its identity or that has tried harder to
be a ‘good neighbor.’” —MARTHA TRUAX ’14 MAL,
DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING
Athletics
Augsburg teammates develop bonds akin to a “second family.” From
hockey to swimming and from basketball to lacrosse, approximately
450 students participate in varsity athletics at the College each year.
It’s a good thing maroon is always in style.
“The bond that was built over the years of workouts, practices, games,
wins, losses, and just hanging out was one of the biggest benefits to
me throughout my college career.” —GARY MARISCAL ’14
8
18
Augsburg Now
The dress code
Okay, okay. Wearing Norwegian sweaters to Velkommen Jul and
bowties with formalwear isn’t actually required. But, it’s fun!
Experiential education
Augsburg was the first Minnesota college or
university to receive the Presidential Award for
Community Service. Each fall, incoming first-year
and transfer students participate in City Service
Day—a day on which the students volunteer at
organizations matched to their degree programs
and learn in the neighborhoods that surround
Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. Undergraduate
students begin their experiential education on
Day 1, and it’s a priority that extends throughout
each of Augsburg’s degree programs.
9
“I learned how to be a ‘citizen professional,’ and
work collaboratively with others to solve problems.”
—JUDY SCHLAEFER ’14 DNP
Global learning
opportunities
Cohorts
Augsburg undergraduate and
graduate students take courses
around the world. Whether studying business in Germany, nursing
in Namibia, or psychology in Slovenia, Auggies find that learning
and living in a foreign culture
catalyze academic, intercultural,
and personal leadership skills and
Some of Augsburg’s programs follow a cohort
model that allows students to travel together
from course to course, fostering strong relationships between classmates and outlining a clear
path toward a degree.
“The cohort model for the MBA program allows
for great camaraderie!” —AVA BEILKE ’14 MBA
responsible global citizenship.
12
Dining together in Rochester
“Meals for the Rochester students kept [our]
energy up for long evening classes.”
—HEIDI OCHTRUP-DEKEYREL ’14
Small class sizes
13
Augsburg’s undergraduate classes average 13
to 17 students, which allows Auggies to learn
from—and with—their professors and classmates.
Summer 2014
19
Nearby restaurants
When it comes to dining out, the CedarRiverside neighborhood has something for
everyone.
15
“I love that I can get a gyro, chicken curry,
or Chicago-style hot dog all within a couple
blocks of my dorm.”
—SAMANTHA CANTRALL ’14
Tracy’s (just across I-94 on Franklin
Avenue) serves up the “Augsburger,” which
features two beef patties, sharp cheddar
cheese, barbecue sauce, bacon, lettuce,
tomato, mayo, and a side of school spirit.
Yum, yum.
“Tracy’s is amazing and within walking
distance!” —EMMA WINEGAR ’14
Auggie Days
Leading up to the start of the fall semester, this on-campus orientation for
incoming first-year students is so memorable that people think of it as a
highlight of their Augsburg experience—even four years later. Part of the
fun includes a Neighborhood Challenge relay in Murphy Square.
The campus
Not every school is so lucky as to have a
7 ½ Street on campus.
“I love that you can walk anywhere on
campus in less than 10 minutes.”
16
—MOLLIE KING ’14
Peers (of course)
“The people—friendly, genuine, and approachable.”
—DENISE HERRERA ’14 MAL,
SENIOR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
“I love the ability to build life-long relationships
with people from many different backgrounds and
from many different places around the world.”
—MATTHEW SCHIRBER ’14
20
Augsburg Now
StepUP®
Augsburg’s StepUP Program helps students champion lives of recovery, achieve
academic success, and thrive in a community of accountability and support.
StepUP annually serves more than 100
students and is the largest residential
collegiate recovery program in the U.S.
18
The skyline
19
The Minneapolis campus has an
eagle-eye view of downtown that’s
perfectly fitting for the Auggie
mascot. (We’ll let you know how
things are coming on the new
Vikings stadium).
“There’s a stellar view of the
city from the top of Mortensen.”
—JOE VOKRACKA ’14
On-campus art galleries, pop-up exhibits…
The staff
20
21
…guest speakers, music ensemble performances, and research festivals.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that there’s always something happening at Augsburg. Each spring, Zyzzogeton celebrates the creativity and
scholarship of undergraduate students. It’s fun to say—and to attend. The
College also hosts scholars and professionals at the leading edge in students’ academic disciplines and showcases artwork by visiting artists and
Auggies. The exhibition spaces around
campus transform multiple times each
year in order to present an array of
innovative and inspirational pieces.
Zyz·zo·ge·ton
“I love the changing art exhibits.” —WHITNEY WORLEY ’14 MPA
You name it; they do it. In many ways, Augsburg locations are like
small cities unto themselves where students eat, sleep, shop, socialize, learn, and live. Augsburg staff members foster an exceptional
student experience at locations in Minnesota and around the world.
“I love the super helpful and nice financial aid advisers, and the wellorganized Registrar’s Office staff.” —HOLLY REDDY ’14
The changing seasons
Winter sometimes can last a tad too long, but
Minnesota’s seasons certainly add variety to
Augsburg’s academic calendar. Each year the
Quad features fall colors, spring blooms, summer
picnics, and winter snow angels, which means
the weather outside helps to emphasize the timeliness of the College’s in-house traditions.
Summer 2014
21
Nearby sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes
Home of the Greenway and the Chain of Lakes, Minneapolis has
92 miles of on-street bikeways and 85 miles of off-street paths,
not to mention an abundance of pedestrian-only zones.
“I love running and walking on the River Road.”
—LAUREN RICE ’14
24
A snapshot of graduation
The graduating class of 2014 added more than
750 Auggies—from our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs—to the College’s
alumni ranks.
Commencement ceremonies held May 3-4
featured the theme “Thoughtful Stewards,”
which was inspired by the College’s mission
statement and reflected the Augsburg communi-
Arts and culture
Minneapolis has world-class museums, a vibrant dance
scene, and more theater seats per capita than any U.S.
city outside New York. It’s no wonder Minneapolis was
named one of America’s most creative cities, and it’s no
surprise that Auggies take advantage of the visual and
performing arts in their midst.
“I love seeing new work at the Playwright Center just
down the road.” —HANNAH YOUNGQUIST ’14
22
Augsburg Now
ty’s passion for social justice and sustainability.
To see additional photos or watch Commencement
ceremony videos, go to augsburg.edu/now.
25
Its influence
“Augsburg changed how I think.”
—PETER MOORE ’14 MAL
Philosophy
The
AUGGIE VOICES
BEHIND A CAREER
She’s a lawyer, a seasoned business operations
executive, a mother of two, a biotech entrepreneur,
and a restaurant owner. She’s also a philosophy and
political science double major, and an Auggie.
In the years since she graduated from Augsburg
College, Naomi Williamson ’78 has charted a career
path that has taken her into multiple, disparate
industries and types of organizations.
“I like the challenge,” Williamson said. Each new
opportunity introduces “a new orbit of people and a
different knowledge area.”
Indeed: After completing her bachelor’s degree,
Williamson went on to earn a law degree at the
University of Minnesota Law School and worked as
a litigator at Larkin Hoffman, one of Minnesota’s
largest full-service law firms. From there, she joined
Honeywell, where she spent 15 years in contracts,
marketing, sales, process quality, and supply chain
management. After that, she helped a medical
pathologist with a successful biotech start-up, and,
then, in 2007, she started a restaurant with her
husband, Roger Kubicki, and veteran restaurant
owner Michael Kutscheid—while also working on
the side as an aircraft manufacturing contracts and
negotiations consultant.
Williamson’s appetite for digging into a challenge
and seeking new knowledge was evident even before
she launched her professional career, however. She
fell in love with philosophy, she said, after trying to
make sense of the writings of Immanuel Kant.
“It took me four hours to read 40 pages” she
said. “I didn’t fully understand it, but I thought that
if I did, I might be able to find the answers I was
looking for.”
This willingness to do the hard work to make
sense of things is so consistently woven into
Williamson’s educational and career choices that it
appears to be more of an internal drive, a calling,
than a choice.
“I just can’t get myself on easy street,” she
joked. “I’m always doing something to make sure that
my next step is just as hard as the last one.”
Naomi Williamson ’78 is co-owner of Sanctuary, a
restaurant in Minneapolis’ Mill City district. Of all her
career experiences, Williamson said that the restaurant
business is “far and away the most difficult.”
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
Summer 2014
23
What is it
Scenes from undergraduate students’
ON-CAMPUS RESEARCH
BY LAURA SWANSON
Each summer, undergraduate students at Augsburg College work directly
with faculty mentors to complete individually designed research projects
and creative activities. Auggies seeking to enhance their education gain
rich, hands-on experience by participating in research opportunities
sponsored by the College, funded through grants and private gifts, or
offered through federal programs.
Students from all disciplines can participate in summer research.
This year, their topics included designing a tool to sample motor vehicle
pollution; examining immigrants’ influence in community organizations
and politics; cloning and characterization of Daphnia magna, a water flea;
and analyzing the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act on Minneapolis
youth, among many others.
During the research process, students often use specialized materials
and technologies, investigate complex and specific concepts, and explore
existing scholarship and literature.
Can you match each summer research image with its academic discipline?
History
2
Photo by Bill Capman
CAN YOU IDENTIFY
THESE ITEMS?
Exercise Science
English
5
24
Augsburg Now
Social Work
Leading
IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
ONE KEY WAY Augsburg College delivers on its commitment to experiential education is through
undergraduate research projects in which Auggies employ their talents and passions. On campus,
these projects are funded through several sources, including Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate
Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO), National Science Foundation and corporate grants,
private donations, and the McNair Scholars program—a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S.
Department of Education and designed to increase graduate degree attainment by students who are
first-generation, low-income, and/or members of groups underrepresented in graduate education.
3
Chemistry
Physics
Political Science
Women’s Studies
Courtesy image
1
Economics
4
Biopsychology
Computer Science
Biology
Mathematics
6
ANSWERS
Summer 2014
25
Q: What is it?
A: A column that contains a catalyst and through which a stream of reactants move.
Reactants are substances that undergo change during a chemical reaction, and “flow
chemistry” is a process that gets its name from the movement of these materials.
Chemistry
ALAN MEDINA-GONZALEZ ’16
Major: Chemistry, Minors: Biology and Mathematics
Research mentors: Z. Vivian Feng, associate professor of chemistry; and Michael
Wentzel, assistant professor of chemistry
Alan Medina-Gonzalez ’16 chose to participate in summer research because it granted
him the opportunity to spend more time in the lab optimizing a chemical reaction, which
is a fun—albeit time-consuming—puzzle he enjoys solving. “I wanted to see what it was
like to work on a project all day long versus only going into the lab four hours per week as
part of a class,” he said.
Medina-Gonzalez’s research involved setting up chemical reactions using flow
chemistry—a process that helps make reactions more “green” by allowing chemists to
lessen waste generation and to improve energy efficiency and safety. His research goal
included producing a variety of molecules, including acetaminophen—the primary active
ingredient in Tylenol and other medicines—to demonstrate the uses of flow chemistry in
the pharmaceutical industry.
Q: What is it?
A: A foam roller, a tool that breaks up fibrous
tissue in order to increase muscle elasticity
and circulation flow.
Exercise
Science
CAN YOU GUESS?
26
Augsburg Now
BRIANA FELTON ’14
Major: Exercise Science, Minor: Psychology
Research mentors: David Barrett, assistant
professor of health, physical education, and
exercise science; and Tony Clapp, associate
professor of health, physical education, and
exercise science
Briana Felton ’14 chose a summer research project that will help to prepare her for the dream
of attending graduate school to study physical therapy. Felton is a member of the Augsburg
women’s soccer team, and she loves sports and fitness. Athletes commonly use a foam roller
on their muscles for self-myofascial release—a process that applies pressure to trigger points
within muscle tissue and is thought to cause the tissue to relax and become more flexible.
Although the use of foam rollers has become a common practice in therapy and fitness
centers, few peer-reviewed studies have examined its effectiveness. For Felton’s research
project, she conducted a study in which middle-aged adult males participated in an exercise
program utilizing foam rollers. Felton then assessed the study participants’ balance and
functional movement patterns using industry-standard tests to see whether their scores
improved over the course of the study. Higher scores have been shown to correlate with a
person’s decreased risk of injury.
To read a brief overview of Felton’s research findings,
go to augsburg.edu/now.
Biopsychology
Q: What is it?
A: An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording cap, which is used to capture the brain’s
electrical activity while at rest or engaged in mental activity.
BRAD MARCY ’15
Major: Biopsychology, Minor: Chemistry
Research mentor: Henry Yoon, assistant professor
of psychology
Research conducted on substance use disorders often extends to either the biological or
the behavioral aspects of addiction. This summer, Brad Marcy ’15 took on the challenge of
combining both of these aspects into a single study incorporating behavioral information—
in this case, a person’s age of first alcoholic drink (AFD)—and biological data, which was
derived from brain patterns collected through EEG scans.
Marcy and other Augsburg psychology students gathered data by working with student
volunteers, including those in the College’s StepUP® program, which serves students who
are in recovery from addiction. Marcy’s research project involved processing and analyzing
participants’ EEG data in order to identify telltale signs of being at biological or genetic
risk for dependence in these brainwave patterns. He then examined whether an association
exists between this biological information and AFD. By evaluating these variables, Marcy
can later assess their usefulness in refining the diagnosis of substance misuse.
Q: What is it?
A: The examination of journal articles, images, and academic texts—illustrated here—
are key aspects of student researchers’ literature review process. A literature review
discusses published information in a particular subject area.
AWALE OSMAN ’15
Major: Communication Studies, Minor: Women’s Studies
Research mentor: Adriane Brown, assistant professor of women’s studies
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” said Awale Osman ’15, a McNair research scholar
whose project almost perfectly aligned with his desired career path. Osman began his
undergraduate education at a community college before transferring to Augsburg, and
his research project involved examining the establishment and evolution of women’s
studies, the emergence of gender and masculinity studies, and current dialogue
regarding the field. This work allowed him to combine his interests in communications
and women’s studies into a project that enhanced his academic skills.
Osman would like to return to a community college one day—this time as a
professor instead of as a student. Osman chose his research topic in order to establish
a foundation in the research he hopes will be incorporated in a future doctoral program
that will, eventually, lead to a teaching role in higher education. “I realize I have to be
grounded to be successful in my track,” he said. “So, I’m going for it.”
Women’s Studies
MORE ANSWERS
Summer 2014
27
Biology
Photo by Bill Capman
Q: What is it?
A: The parasitic plant dodder (Cuscuta
pentagona) attached to a host plant from which it
acquires all its water and nutrients.
LUCY BUKOWSKI ’16
Major: Biology, Minor: Environmental Studies
Research mentor: Bill Capman, associate
professor of biology
Courtesy image
Augsburg College students have studied the interactions between dodder and its host
plants since 2008, and this summer Lucy Bukowski ’16 worked on an experiment testing
the hypothesis that a decline in the health of the host plant triggers the dodder to flower.
Bukowski’s project benefitted from the help of a plant pathologist at the University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities who offered greenhouse space, thus providing a larger growing
area and better growing conditions for Bukowski’s research.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more
about the dodder project.
Q: What is it?
A: The Bengali pronoun “Ētā,” which is similar to the English pronoun “it.”
PRITI BHOWMIK ’15 AND BRAM OOSTERLEE ’16
Majors: Computer Science
Research mentor: Shana Watters, associate professor of computer science
Computer
Science
As international students, Priti Bhowmik ’15 and Bram Oosterlee ’16 were attracted
to research linked with the official languages of their home countries. In 2011,
Bhowmik left Bangladesh to attend Augsburg, and she seized the opportunity to use
her background in the Bengali language in combination with her computer science
major. Her research project fell in the field of computational linguistics—a branch
of linguistics in which computer science techniques are applied to the analysis
of language and speech. She explored whether the pronoun “Ētā” has the same
cognitive status as the English pronoun “it.” That is, whether a Bengali speaker, in
determining what Ētā refers to in a sentence, uses his or her short-term memory in
the same manner that an English speaker does when determining what the word “it”
refers to.
Oosterlee, a student from the Netherlands, performed a similar study by
examining the cognitive status of the Dutch pronoun “het.” Bhowmik and Oosterlee’s
work ultimately will contribute to developing systems that enhance how computers
extract information, summarize text, and translate language. One example of the
usefulness of these processes is that they increase the likelihood of returning
accurate content descriptions when doctors use digital medical reference materials
to find information that pertains specifically to a disorder.
28
Augsburg Now
GRANTS GAIN GROUND
Funding enhances the Augsburg experience
How can you better predict the weather on Earth—or in space?
Why do elementary students learn the way they do? And what
makes one person attracted to another?
Augsburg faculty and students are committed to asking
difficult questions and seeking equally complex answers. Each
year, the College’s faculty, staff, and students apply for—and
receive—prestigious grant awards to fund research, continued
scholarship, and academic travel opportunities.
There’s tough competition among grant-seeking institutions,
but Augsburg continues to gain ground and to obtain funding
for new projects. That’s because when Auggies recognize
an opportunity to improve teaching, advance scholarship, or
enhance the student experience, they ask another great question:
WHY NOT?
Participation grows across campus. More and more departments
and groups are seeking grants as a way to enhance students’
educational experience, to build the hands-on problem-solving
skills employers and graduate schools demand, and to propel
Augsburg’s research scholarship to the next level. This past
year, 13 academic departments and groups—up from just seven
departments the previous year—submitted grant proposals,
including:
1. Biology
8. Nursing
2. Chemistry
9. Physics
3. Education
10. Psychology
4. History
11. Social Work
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
12. Sociology
6. Mathematics
13. STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics)
7. Management Information
Systems
Here’s a brief overview of Augsburg’s recent grant
achievements:
Augsburg ranks as top-tier NSF grant recipient. Augsburg College
was ranked the top private college in Minnesota for the total
dollar amount awarded by the National Science Foundation in
2012. With three grants totaling just more than $1 million, the
College ranked third among all Minnesota institutions—behind
only the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of
Minnesota-Duluth.
Faculty steer student involvement. Tremendous faculty dedication
is part of the mix, too. More than 50 faculty and staff members
are the driving force behind the College’s 38 active grants.
These teachers coach and guide 324 students in rigorous
research related to climate change, human health, understanding
addiction, and more.
COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS
GRANTS BY THE NUMBERS
Augsburg received 18 new grant awards in
2013-14—up from just seven two years earlier
At the time this publication went to print, Augsburg had 14 grant
proposals still pending, representing a total of $3.2 million
NEW
GRANTS
2012-13
2013-14
17
GRANT
PROPOSALS
24
7
$1.6 MILLION
18 NEW
GRANTS
In 2013-14, Augsburg submitted 24 grant proposals—
up from 17 the prior year
1%
The BREAKDOWN of grants*
by sponsor type
PRIVATE
GRANTS
10%
STATE
GRANTS
89
%
FEDERAL
GRANTS
GRANT
PROPOSALS
*Does not include grants secured by Corporate and Foundation Relations
Summer 2014
29
ALUMNI NEWS
ways to get
involved
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
A-Club
I
Dear alumni and friends,
have served as a member of the Augsburg College Alumni
Board for more than six years, and I am looking forward
to taking on the role of president. During my time on the
Alumni Board, I have seen an increase in the level of our
alumni engagement with the College, and I am inspired by the
alumni who were generous on Give to the Max Day; the alumni who volunteered by planning reunions or mentoring current
students; and the alumni who have invested in Augsburg’s top
priority—the campaign for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion.
Like many of you, I care deeply about this College. Augsburg is one of the most
diverse private colleges in Minnesota, serving more than 2,700 undergraduate students
and 838 graduate students participating in nine advanced degree programs. Augsburg is
committed to its Lutheran heritage with an eye on the 21st century.
At this year’s Commencement, we welcomed hundreds of new members to our
Alumni Association. As alumni, we are a product of Augsburg College and benefit from
its local and national reputation. Alumni play a vital role in the rich history, present success, and future vision of the College.
I invite you to join me and fellow Auggies who are making a difference in the life of
the College.
Sincerely,
CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Photo by Mark Chamberlain
ALUMNI BOARD
Front Row [L to R]: Chris Hallin ’88, Marie
Odenbrett ’01, Jill Watson ’10 MBA, Sharon
Engelland ’87, Melissa Hoepner ’92, Patricia
Jesperson ’94, Adriana Matzke ’13; Back Row
[L to R]: Brent Peroutka ’02, Adrienne Kuchler
Eldridge ’02, Meg Schmidt Sawyer ’00, Sarah
Grans ’01, Nick Rathmann ’02, Tracy Severson
’95, Rick Bonlender ’78; Not Pictured: Rachel
Engebretson ’98, Frank Grazzini ’96, Holly
Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, Michael Loney ’03,
Sharon Mercill ’09, Jerry Polland ’92, Greg
Schnagl ’91, Nick Slack ’02, Nick Swanson ’09
The Augsburg College Alumni Board is pleased to welcome new members.
ADRIENNE KUCHLER ELDRIDGE ’02 graduated from Augsburg with a major
in youth and family ministry and a minor in sociology. As a student, she was
involved in Campus Ministry and Residence Life, served as an orientation leader,
and studied abroad. Today Eldridge works at River’s Edge Academy charter school.
This fall, she will begin a graduate program at St. Catherine University, where she
plans to study ethics and leadership.
“I chose Augsburg for my college education as an undergrad student because
of the Youth and Family Ministry program and [the College’s] solid Lutheran values.
My experiences at Augsburg were always hands-on, service-oriented, and growth-filled.”
30
Augsburg Now
All new Alumni Board member
photos by Mark Chamberlain.
The A-Club is an organization of
former and current Augsburg College
athletes—as well as friends of the
College—committed to providing
student-athletes with the opportunity
to have a quality athletic experience.
A-Club members participate in events,
service projects, and fundraising
initiatives that support Auggie athletic
teams, the athletic department, and
the mission of the College.
Alumni Board
The Alumni Board is the governing
body of the Alumni Association.
Together with the Office of Alumni
and Constituent Relations, the
Alumni Board 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
The Auggie in Residence program is
a way for alumni and friends of the
College to share their professional
expertise and vocation. This flexible
program allows the community to
connect with current students, faculty,
and staff members through a variety of
opportunities that range from speaking
to a class to having lunch with a
student organization.
Augsburg Builds Connections (ABC)
The ABC mentoring program is
designed to enable alumni and parent
professionals to provide information,
encouragement, and support to
students. This flexible volunteer
program allows mentors to connect
with students via email, phone, or
face-to-face meetings and assist them
in navigating their career paths and
achieving their professional goals.
Augsburg College Associates
MELISSA HOEPNER ’92 attended Augsburg from 1988 to 1990 before transferring
to California Lutheran University where, in 1992, she graduated with a major in
psychology and a minor in art. Today, Hoepner is a human resources consultant.
As an alumna, she has remained involved by serving as a mentor for current
students. She has also served as a member of the church council at Peace
Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., and is a programming volunteer with the
Twin Cities Human Resources Association.
PATRICIA JESPERSON ’94 graduated from Augsburg’s Weekend College with a
major in business administration and minor in marketing. She serves as the
area vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Jesperson’s career in business
has been distinguished by her extensive volunteer experiences in the areas of
program development and diversity.
“While I see Augsburg as innovative and inclusive in its approach to
education, I also see this as a time for significant change and opportunity in
private, four-year educational programs—a time that drives the need to think
beyond the box in light of competition from MOOCs [Massive Open Online Courses], for-profit colleges,
technical programs, the economy, etc. It’s an exciting time to be part of a team invested in Augsburg’s
long-term success.”
ADRIANA MATZKE ’13 graduated from Augsburg’s Weekend College with a degree
in business management. She serves as the director of financial assistance and
admissions coordinator for The Blake School. Matzke served a year on the parish
council at her church, and on Blake’s original diversity committee. She and her
husband served as presenters with World Wide Marriage Encounter.
“I am confident that serving on the Alumni Board will be a positive way
for me to give back to the community and to stay connected to a school that
I felt so a part of for the last few years. I am a strong advocate for the [adult
undergraduate] program and would love to help find ways to support other students.”
NICK RATHMANN ’02 graduated from Augsburg with a degree in education. As
a student, he played on the baseball and basketball teams and worked in the
athletics office. His experience as a student prepared him for his career serving
as the director of athletics and PK-12 physical education department chair for
The Blake School. Rathmann volunteers for his church, and serves on The Blake
Road Collaborative.
“Serving on the Alumni Board will give me an incredible opportunity to give
back to a school that has given me so much. Augsburg was a transformational
experience for me, and anything I can do to help others have that same type of experience is important
to me.”
MEG SCHMIDT SAWYER ’00 graduated from Augsburg with a major in business
administration and a minor in information systems. As a student, she played
hockey, softball, and golf. She was involved in Campus Ministry, a contributor for
The Echo, a Regents and Community Service Scholar, and part of the studentathlete mentor program. Today she is the chief communications officer for Youth
Encounter. She has served on the A-Club Board, and was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame for women’s hockey in 2012.
“I had a life-changing experience at Augsburg College and welcome the
opportunity to give back to the College that made me who I am today.”
GREG SCHNAGL ’91 graduated from Augsburg with a major in management and minors in economics
and management information systems. As a student, he played football and hockey. He is the founder
and editor of TeacherCentricity.com. Schnagl is pursuing an advanced degree in educational leadership
at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He taught elementary and middle school for the past twenty
years, both nationally and internationally. His most recent position was in the Centennial School District
where he also served as a coach and board member for Centennial Youth Hockey Association.
“I am looking to deepen my commitment to Augsburg by engaging in a leadership role designed to
facilitate the financial and personal participation of alumni and promote the benefits of an Augsburg
education to future students.”
The Augsburg College Associates
is a service auxiliary of volunteers
whose mission includes fundraising
for special projects and scholarships.
The Associates’ commitment to the
College is evident in the group’s
ongoing support of fundraising events
including estate sales, Velkommen
Jul, and the Scandinavian boutique.
Funds raised each year support special
projects and scholarships.
Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE)
AWE is a catalyst for tapping the
potential for women to connect, learn,
and give. AWE members believe all
women have knowledge, experience,
and resources to share. Therefore,
Augsburg alumnae are invited to make
meaningful connections with and for
women by participating with an AWE
Action Team.
Campus Kitchen
The Campus Kitchen program at
Augsburg College makes healthy food
accessible to people in and around the
Cedar-Riverside neighborhood while
also providing opportunities for service
learning, leadership development, and
engagement between the College and
community. Campus Kitchen serves
2,000 meals a month at community
centers, provides about 80 community
garden spaces on campus, hosts two
farmers markets, and offers educational
programming to the community.
College Liaisons
Augsburg College Liaisons are alumni,
parents, and friends of the College
from across the U.S. and around
the world who serve as an extension
of the College by connecting with
prospective students at college fairs.
Dozens of fairs are held each year—in
high schools, churches, hotels, and
conference centers. College Liaisons
help to describe the Augsburg
experience to interested students and
their families.
Summer 2014
31
Augsburg Centennial Singers
honor Al Reesnes ’58
The Augsburg Centennial Singers, men of
faith sharing that faith through songs of
praise, honored Al Reesnes ’58 by performing a
special concert in mid-May at House of Prayer
Centennial Singers [L to R]: Paul Christensen ’59,
Mert Strommen ’42, and Al Reesnes ’58
Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Reesnes served as director of the group for 11 years and will move from his
leadership position to a vocalist role with the ensemble. Paul Christensen ’59 succeeded Reesnes as director of the Singers. Christensen is the third director for the
group, which was established in 1993 under the direction of Mert Strommen ’42.
The chorus originally was formed by former Augsburg quartet members who came
together to sing for the College’s Homecoming celebration. The group traveled to
Norway in 1994 to mark the centennial of the first Augsburg College gospel quartet,
and toured again in Norway in 2001.
Courtesy Photo
A 500-year anniversary
celebration in Germany, October 2016
On October 31, 2017 Lutherans
worldwide will mark the 500th
anniversary of when Martin Luther
posted the 95 Theses on the church
doors in Wittenberg, Germany. Augsburg
College is rooted in the faith and values
of the Lutheran church and is offering
alumni and friends of the College the
opportunity to learn about this heritage.
For travelers interested in discovering
more about the Germany of Luther
and the Reformation, October 2016
is a great opportunity to make the
pilgrimage! Join Hans Wiersma and
Mark Tranvik, Augsburg College religion
faculty members and Reformation
32
Augsburg Now
historians, for an enriching experience
in the Land of Luther.
The tour itinerary includes stops in
the German cities of Berlin, Dresden,
Eisenach, Erfurt, and Leipzig and in
Prague, Czech Republic. This is an
opportunity to explore the connections
among people, cultures, and historical
events while examining 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.
Photo by Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11
ALUMNI NEWS
ways to get
involved
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)
Alumni Board
The MAL Alumni Board engages MAL
students and alumni in advancing
the Center for Leadership Studies at
Augsburg College.
Parent and Family Council
The Parent and Family Council
includes parents and families of
current Augsburg students, and helps
Augsburg families stay up to date on
campus events and feel connected
with students and the College.
Scholastic Connections
Scholastic Connections is a
scholarship and mentorship program
for high-achieving undergraduate
students of color at Augsburg
College. The program is designed to
assist students in completing their
undergraduate degrees. Through
career planning and development
support, it prepares them to be
engaged, successful citizens of the
world upon graduation.
StepUP® Advisory Board
StepUP is a program for men and
women pursuing a college education
while in recovery from addiction. The
StepUP Advisory Board increases
philanthropic support for, and visibility
of, the program’s endowment.
Young Alumni Council
This volunteer group is comprised of
alumni who have graduated within
the previous 10 years. The Young
Alumni Council’s mission is to
provide dynamic and engaging social
and educational opportunities for
alumni. Members serve as an advisory
council to the Office of Alumni and
Constituent Relations.
To participate, email
alumni@augsburg.edu.
AUGSBURG ALUMNI HONOR
Archive p
hotos
ED SAUGESTAD ’59
THROUGH FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
Ed Saugestad ’59 is “plain and simply, a legend,” according to
Jeff Swenson ’79, Augsburg College athletic director. Saugestad
led the Auggie men’s hockey team to 503 victories and three
national championships. He was football coach and athletic
director. The ice arena’s main rink carries his name.
But the legacy of “Big Man,” who died in March of
pancreatic cancer after serving Augsburg for 39 years and
retiring in 1996, goes far beyond athletics. As a soft-spoken
teacher, mentor, and source of courage and inspiration, he
made a difference. If Corky Hall ’71 is any indication, he also
instilled generosity and gratitude.
“He is the person who kindled the fire in me, and I think
he did that for many, many people,” Hall said. He and his wife,
Lori, led the charge to name Saugestad Hall in the Center for
Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR) with their $25,000
pledge—a first step toward the $150,000 naming goal and
a tribute to the CSBR as a visual symbol of strength and
connection.
When we build the CSBR, “[Augsburg’s] facilities will grow
to match the quality of our faculty,” said Hall. “Coach had a
huge effect on all of us.”
A gifted athlete who became both hockey and football
captain, Hall had few academic expectations when he entered
Augsburg. His parents hadn’t finished high school, no one in
his family had attended college, and homework was a foreign
concept. Yet, one day, he managed to ace a test in Saugestad’s
tough physiology class.
“Ed was the first person to tell me that I was smart,”
he recalled. “He set me on a path I wouldn’t have found
otherwise.” That path led him to a career that included starting,
with classmate Bill Urseth ’71, one of the nation’s leading
promotional marketing agencies, U.S. Communications, U.S.
Restaurants, and U.S. Studios; launching a brand consultancy,
Hall Batko; and founding Stellus Consulting, which helps
corporate leaders envision and brand their companies.
It also led him to realize that great mentoring builds strong
bridges—between athletics and academics, between teachers
and students, and between gratitude and giving back.
“Augsburg needs great facilities for athletes to develop
their academic side,” he said. “Ed made the bridge for me
between athletics and academics, and if I hadn’t gotten strong
academics at Augsburg, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
I want to give a gift that says ‘thank you’ to Ed for making such a
difference in my life.”
Hall has found that his fellow
Augsburg alumni have similar gratitude for
Saugestad’s commitment and are willing to
echo his “thank you.”
“Corky is so respected by the Augsburg
community that, when he steps forward, he sets
a tone with his leadership. That’s the momentum
we need,” said Keith Stout, Augsburg College
director of principal gifts. “He wants everyone
involved, participating at any level. If they’re grateful for their
time with Ed, it’s their chance to honor his legacy.”
By May, the initiative had raised $105,000.
“He deserves it,” Hall said. “Ed did so much to make our
lives better. Now it’s our turn.”
Get Social
Find Augsburg Alumni across a variety of social media channels.
“Like” the Augsburg College Alumni Association on
Facebook for fun contests, trivia, photos, news, and more.
facebook.com/AugsburgAlumni
Tag @Augsburg_Alumni in your tweets, and the College
may help share your news. Or, simply follow
@Augsburg_Alumni on Twitter to learn about upcoming
events and read College updates.
twitter.com/augsburg_alumni
Make connections with fellow Auggies and join
discussions about careers and networking through the
Augsburg College Alumni group on LinkedIn.
goo.gl/UJ9BkO
Check out the “Auggies through the ages” board on
Pinterest for a slice of College history.
pinterest.com/augsburgcollege
Visit Augsburg’s YouTube channel for a video archive of
alumni lectures, events, and more.
youtube.com/augsburgcollege
No matter where you are in the world, you can join the Augsburg
College social media conversation!
Summer
Spring 2014
2014
17
33
ALUMNI NEWS
HOMECOMING 2014
SEPTEMBER 22-27
IS BACK!
Save the date for Give to the Max Day 2014.
On Thursday, November 13, Augsburg College
once again will participate in Give to the Max
Day, a one-day online giving event in which
donors around the world support their favorite
Minnesota nonprofits.
Give to the Max Day is also a competition,
and last year Augsburg raised more money
than any other Minnesota college or
university. A total of 837 donors gave more
than $313,000 to Augsburg in just 24
hours. Augsburg also placed fourth among all
nonprofits overall. Many alumni, parents, and
friends took to social media throughout the
day to share Augsburg’s rankings and to keep
tabs on the College’s progress.
Augsburg faculty, staff, and students
from across campus are preparing for
another successful Give to the Max Day by
setting up their own fundraising projects
and encouraging donors to support Augsburg
causes close to their hearts—such as
volleyball, student research funding, the
StepUP® program, and more. There is no limit
to the number of projects donors can give
to. In fact, many Augsburg donors gave to
multiple projects last year.
Watch for updates about Give to the Max Day in
the coming months.
For more information, contact Martha Truax at
612-330-1652 or truaxm@augsburg.edu.
34
Augsburg Now
Homecoming 2014 is a great time to come home to Augsburg. Alumni,
families, and friends—get ready for a fun-filled week of celebration. New
events along with old favorites make this one of the best times to visit
campus. Go to augsburg.edu/homecoming to find additional information
and to register.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Friday, September 26
Saturday, September 27
Homecoming Convocation with
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Taste of Augsburg
Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center,
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Recognizing the First Decade, Spirit
of Augsburg, and Distinguished
Alumni Award winners.
Faculty and Faculty Emeriti
Meet and Greet
Old Main, 4 p.m.
Reconnect with faculty from
your time at Augsburg College
and take the opportunity to meet
current faculty from a variety of
departments.
Auggie Hours
Old Main, 6 to 8:15 p.m.
Back by popular demand, this
homecoming social hour is being
brought to campus.
Homecoming Weekend Fireworks
Murphy Square, 8:15 p.m.
All are invited to kick-off
homecoming weekend with a full
fireworks display.
Murphy Square, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event includes carnival-style
booths operated by student groups,
alumni, and local restaurants, as
well as games, inflatable bounce
houses, and fun for the entire
family.
Homecoming Football Game vs.
Gustavus Adolphus College
Edor Nelson Field, 1 p.m.
Cheer on the Auggie football team
as they take on the Gustavus
Gusties.
Auggie Block Party
Parking Lot K, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Immediately following the football
game, enjoy live music, s’mores,
and more.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
77
70
Ray Hanson is working
for TASC, Inc. Hanson
is a scientist working on
countermeasures for multi-drugresistant bacteria.
72
Kathleen Edmond joined the
law firm of Robins, Kaplan,
Miller & Ciresi LLP as counsel with
the business litigation group in
Minneapolis. She most recently
served as chief ethics officer at
Best Buy. Edmond serves as an
advisory board member for the
University of St. Thomas Law
School where she provides curriculum guidance for the master’s
degree in organizational ethics
and compliance. She is also an
executive fellow at the Center for
Ethical Business Cultures at the
University of St. Thomas.
Sonja (Daniels) Zapchenk has served Eaglecrest, a Presbyterian
Homes community in Roseville, Minn., for 20 years and is now
recreation and volunteer director. She is also the intergenerational
coordinator, which provides the special opportunity to lead
activities for senior residents and the toddlers and preschoolers
who attend a childcare center in the same facility.
74
William “Bill” Axness is the
2014 Minnesota Society
of Health-System Pharmacists
(MSHP) Hallie Bruce Memorial
Lecture Award recipient. The
award is presented to an individual of high moral character, good
citizenship, and high professional
ideals who has made significant
contributions to the profession of
pharmacy in Minnesota. Axness
is a pharmacy manager at Allina
Hospice and Palliative Care.
79
Rev. David Halaas was
installed as pastor of St.
Mark Lutheran Church in Sioux
City, Iowa.
87
Jenni Lilledahl co-founded
the new Twin Cities location
of Gilda’s Club after losing her
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
69
Janis “Matty” Mathison had a banner
year in 2013. She organized Walk to
School programs at several schools, served
on the Board of Shawano Pathways (a
Shawano, Wis., group promoting safer and
better pedestrian and cyclist opportunities),
raised $20,000 in matching grant funds for
sister, Teri Svare, to cancer. Gilda’s
Club serves cancer patients and
those who love them. Named after
Saturday Night Live comedian
Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian
cancer, this new clubhouse is
a place where cancer patients
and their families and friends
can de-stress in the mind-body
studio, take a nutrition class in the
kitchen, and meet with others for
emotional and social support. Not
only is Gilda’s Club an oasis for
those touched by cancer, it offers
all of its services free of charge.
62
Shawano Pathways, and led the effort to host
a supported bike tour of Shawano County
called Bike the Barn Quilts. Wisconsin Public
Television came to Shawano to interview her
about the bike tour, which in its first year drew
180 participants and 50 volunteers. Mathison
also organized a large fundraiser for a former
student who was battling brain cancer. These
and many other community contributions
earned Mathison the “Distinguished Citizen
of the Year” award for Shawano County. This
year, she is planning the second Bike the Barn
Quilts ride, organizing a Let’s Get Moving!
campaign, and finalizing maps for Park to
Park walking and biking routes in the city of
Shawano. She also was among the inaugural
inductees into the new Wisconsin Volleyball
Coaches Hall of Fame.
89
Sue Hakes has been
selected as a 2014 Bush
Fellow. The Bush Foundation
is committed to supporting and
developing leaders who are better
equipped and better networked to
effectively lead change. The work
of the fellowship is to blend opportunities for personal development
with efforts to effectively engage
with others.
In January, Luther Seminary honored Pastor Ron
Nelson with the 2014 Faithfulness in Ministry
Cross Award, which recognizes seminary alumni
who have demonstrated exemplary ministries
as a symbol of the multitudes of graduates who
serve faithfully wherever they are called.
90
Jennifer Carlson moved back to
Washington, D.C., in fall 2011. In
December 2013, she accepted a position
with Evolent Health as director of technical
project management for data warehouse client
implementations. She was in Italy for 10 days
this past October.
Summer 2014
35
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
89
Brynn (Mundahl) Watson was honored by Lockheed Martin with a 2013 Full Spectrum
Leadership NOVA Award. The company grants the NOVA Award to select employees who
have made outstanding contributions to customers, business, and strategic goals. In a
workforce of more than 115,000, only 58 awards were granted in 2013.
in income. As part of his award,
Thrivent Financial will donate
$5,000 in his name to VEAP, and
he will be recognized at a national
conference in front of his peers.
89
Devoney Looser has taken
a position as professor of
English at Arizona State University.
She and her husband, George
Justice, are Jane Austen scholars
and were featured in a chapter of
Deborah Yaffe’s book, Among the
Janeites: A Journey Through the
World of Jane Austen Fandom.
90
Alex Gonzalez, a member of
the Augsburg College Board
of Regents, received the 2013
Thrivent Financial “Volunteer of
the Year” award for work in his
community. Gonzalez is one of three
financial representatives recognized
for community involvement and
generosity out of the more than
2,400 Thrivent Financial representatives nationwide.
Gonzalez works with Volunteers
Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), an
organization with service programs
that help alleviate the financial
stress that low-income individuals
and families face as the result of
unexpected expenses or lapses
Beth (Josephson) Cronk
completed the master of
library and information science
degree through the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December.
She is the Meeker County librarian
for Pioneerland Library System.
01
Carrie (Lind) Cabe earned a
master of arts degree with a
community education administration emphasis from the University
of St. Thomas in 2013. She is
the community resources and
adult involvement coordinator for
Edina Public Schools Community
Education.
08
Sara Horishnyk is enrolled
in the arts and cultural
management graduate program at
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
06
Maureen Parker Marrandino
with her husband, Martin
Marrandino, and son, Cyrus,
welcomed daughter Penelope
Carol on January 11.
06
Sara Schlipp-Riedel and
Aaron Riedel ’07 welcomed
daughter Charlotte Elizabeth on
New Year’s Eve 2013.
10
In April, Roxanne (Johnson)
Nelson accepted a new job
as a rebate assistant at Donaldson
Company in the engine aftermarket
rebate program.
68
Augsburg Now
Maja Lisa FritzHuspen was
married May 25, 2013, to
Don Roupe. Auggies from the
Class of 2004 attending included
Adam Nugent, Carolina (Chiesa)
Nugent, and Jennifer (Holm)
Schmitt. FritzHuspen is selfemployed as an opera singer and
voice teacher.
93
In February, a Rotary Club in Loveland, Colo., honored Earl Sethre with
its Citizen of the Year Award. The award recognizes a non-Rotarian in the
community who lives out the four-way test, which asks the
questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it
build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to
all concerned? Sethre stood out to the selection committee
because of his charitable work and the number of groups
he serves.
36
04
09
Abby Ferjak married Becca
Seely on September 1
at Yale Divinity School in New
Haven, Conn. Attendants included
Bethany Hellerich, Stephanie
(Holman) Hubbard, and Kayla
Skarbakka, Augsburg College
alumnae from the Class of 2009.
12
Alison (Witt) Ellertson married Cory Ellertson ’11 in
June 2013. Four Auggies pictured
at the wedding are [L to R]: Ashley
Kappes ’11, Alison, Cory, and
Brittany Rueb ’11.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Beth Franklin was featured in
a Star Tribune article in which
she described how her studies
led her to a “dream job” as a
Certified Public Accountant at
a firm serving writers, artists,
and musicians. At Augsburg,
Franklin had a double major in
music business and accounting.
The article quoted her as
saying, “I thought I’d work in
international business or for
Sony in New York. The first day
of class, the professor said,
‘Accounting is the most fun
you could have with a pencil.’ I
took my first test and aced it. I
decided, ‘I like this.’”
09
06
While at Augsburg, Kasey Yoder started
coaching youth hockey and has seen his
hard work pay off. During 2013-14, his first
year at Orono (Minn.) High School, he took
his team to the state hockey tournament. He also
was selected Section 2A Coach of the Year. Yoder
says one of the most exciting challenges in coaching
high school hockey is keeping the kids focused,
especially with everything else they have going on
in their lives. Yoder works to help young people find
balance while still being committed to success at
the arena.
WE ARE CALLED.
AUGGIES.
Andrew Kent served as goalie coach for the
Finland women’s hockey team during the
2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. A
goalie for the Augsburg men’s hockey team
from 2005 to 2009, Kent turned his love of
hockey into a profession and serves as a
director of goaltender development for MEGA
Goaltending, a Twin Cities-based development
center for hockey goalies. He also has served
as a volunteer goalie coach for the University
of Minnesota’s women’s hockey
team for the past four seasons,
which led to his role on the
Finland coaching staff for the
Olympics.
09
14
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
While studying elementary education at Augsburg, Josh Thelemann
founded a nonprofit organization that
takes at-risk kids off the streets and
provides programs that give them a
fair shot. He named it SOS (Saving
Our Schools).
RESOURCE promoted Heidi
Kammer ’00 MSW from director
of its center for recovery services
to vice president of chemical and
mental health. She is regarded
highly by her peers and has
a passionate commitment to
RESOURCE’s mission of reducing
the disparities experienced by
the people they serve. Once
functioning as two separate
divisions, RESOURCE’s chemical
and mental health programs are in
the process of being integrated.
Susie Schatz ’09 MSW was
named director of advocacy
and volunteer services for St.
Paul-based Lutheran Social
Service of Minnesota, the state’s
oldest and largest human service
organization. In the new position,
she oversees advocacy efforts
to improve services and public
policies for people served by
the statewide organization. She
also oversees volunteer efforts
across Minnesota that advance
the mission of Lutheran Social
Service.
John Cerrito wrote the article “It’s Not
About Getting a Job, It’s About Finding a
Vocation,” for College News. In the story, he
described how internship opportunities at a
Twin Cities radio station helped him discover
and develop an enjoyable career before he
completed his degree.
11
Summer 2014
37
In memoriam
JOHN AND NORMA PAULSON
The Atrium-Link, funded in part by the Paulson family, is adorned with
a Dala horse, a nod to John’s pride in his Swedish heritage. The link is
named in memory of John’s parents, Rose E. and Johnny E. Paulson, and is
dedicated by John R. Paulson, Sr., and his children, John Reid Paulson, Mary
Jo (Paulson) Peterson ’80, Deborah Stansbury, Laurie (Paulson) Dahl ’76,
and Lisa Paulson ’80.
This summer, scenes of remembrance and honor unfolded on the the Center for Science, Business, and Religion—a capital project
John’s daughter Lisa said is fitting given her family’s numerous
beaches of Normandy as World War II veterans and their loved
career ties to the health, science, and business fields.
ones marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day—the battle recogAugsburg College President Emeritus William Frame recalls
nized as the largest sea invasion in history. The occasion was
that John and Norma were passionate about their family and
reminiscent of commemorations attended years ago by John and
friends, their hobbies and interests, and their call to better the
Norma Paulson, caring parents of Augsburg alumni and generous
world. “They were a sight from the 1930s—John driving Norma
benefactors of Augsburg College. John returned to France several
in a Packard touring car up to Augsburg House, stamping down
times as a D-Day +1 survivor. Norma joined him as a passionate
to applause…more of his panache than of his great car,” Frame
steward of history. And, together, they formed a couple who—
said. “That’s the way they ‘drove up’ to the dedication of the
when abroad—could unite people across countries and—when at
Link” and their gifts to the College.
home in Minnesota—could connect a congregation, campus, or
Throughout their lives, John
community.
and Norma connected the past to
John, who passed away June
the present and future. Whether
7, 2012—68 years to the day
Norma was funding fieldtrips for
after D-Day +1—and Norma,
grade school students from her
who passed away March 5, are
hometown of Redwood Falls,
remembered for their commitMinn. to visit the Minnesota
ted involvement in Twin Cities
Historical Society in St. Paul or
organizations ranging from Rotary
John was contributing to an organ
to Shriners, and from the Classic
fund that allowed young musiCar Club of America to the Purple
cians to practice, the Paulsons
Heart Association. The Paulsons
ensured future generations could
were successful in their careers—
At the 60th anniversary commemoration of D-Day,
engage with varying aspects of
John as a builder and Norma as a
Norma and John met and talked with actor Tom Hanks.
history.
banker—and made deeply meaningAugsburg College Pastor Emeritus David Wold recalls the
ful philanthropic gifts throughout their lives.
Paulsons as “people of tremendous faith and commitment.”
While neither John nor Norma attended Augsburg, three of
“I learned so much from John in my days at Calvary Lutheran
John’s children and a son-in-law are alumni of the College—Mary
Church and in my years at Augsburg College,” Wold said. “I
Jo (Paulson) Peterson ’80, Laurie (Paulson) Dahl ’76, David Dahl ’75,
learned about patriotism…about work ethic, about family,
and Lisa Paulson ’80. The couple’s lifetime gifts to Augsburg
about resiliency through tragedy, about benevolence, and about
exceed $2 million. In 2001, the Paulson family provided major
Packards.”
funding to complete the Atrium-Link that connects Lindell
And, Wold says he learned about the Paulsons’ “commitment
Library via skyway to an atrium between Memorial and Sverdrup
to the young and the old and to those in between.”
halls and, in 2006, they were early donors to the campaign for
38
Augsburg Now
In memoriam
Ruth A. (Guldseth) Kallevig ’43,
New Hope, Minn., age 92, on
January 29.
Cora A. (Rishovd) Steen ’44,
Phoenix, Ariz., age 93, on
January 26.
Tenner C. Thompson II ’45,
Alexandria, Minn., age 89, on
December 23.
Willis H. Johnson ’47, Willmar,
Minn., age 88, on November 1.
Carroll N. Anderson ’48, Madison,
Wis., age 89, on April 6.
Sylvia G. (Sateren) Elness ’48,
Turlock, Calif., age 87, on
December 1.
Carl N. Germundson ’48, New
Brighton, Minn., age 92, on
February 24.
Gloria (Gregguson) Johnson ’48,
Golden Valley, Minn., age 87,
on April 23.
Richard “Dick” V. Lucas ’50,
Jordan, Minn., age 87, on
January 18.
Ida Marie (Eggen) Benson ’51,
Wanamingo, Minn., age 83, on
December 24.
Wayne E. Sampson ’51,
Stillwater, Minn., age 84, on
February 22.
Bernice E. Broberg ’52, Dunseith,
N.Dak., age 83, on February 13.
Glenn E. Sieth ’52, Appleton,
Wis., age 84, on January 31.
Professor Emeritus Erwin D.
Mickelberg ’54, Bloomington,
Minn., age 87, on May 3.
Helen (Halvorson) Hjermstad ’55,
Jacksonville, Fla., age 80, on
March 17.
Ruth L. (Loland) Jarvis ’56,
Greenacres, Wash., age 79, on
March 30.
Arthur N. Johnson ’58, Crystal,
Minn., age 82, on December 1.
Gary E. Turner ’58, Hemmet,
Calif., age 78, on April 13.
Marcus W. Johnson ’59,
Moundsview, Minn., age 76, on
November 27.
Ock “Peggy” H. (Kim) Moss ’59,
Longwood, Fla., age 78, on
January 11.
Professor Emeritus Edwin J.
Saugestad ’59, Minneapolis, age
77, on March 20.
Audrey M. (Halvorson) Hovland ’61,
Alexandria, Minn., age 76, on
February 25.
Jeanette “Jeanie” L. (Robinson)
Thorpe ’62, Kandiyohi, Minn.,
age 73, on February 27.
Judy (Thompson) Eiler ’65,
Minneapolis, age 70, on
January 25.
John A. Fundingsland ’69, Eden
Prairie, Minn., age 67, on
November 26.
Stephen E. Smestad ’70, St. Clair,
Minn., age 65, on February 2.
Lavonne “Vonnie” L. Pearson ’73,
St. Paul, age 63, on April 19.
Kevin L. Boettcher ’84, Eagan,
Minn., age 52, on March 23.
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 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
Richard T. Olson ’86,
Minneapolis, age 55, on
December 9.
______________________________________________________
Position
Sean A. Danforth ’91, Monticello,
Minn., age 45, on February 1.
______________________________________________________
Work telephone
Susan G. (Strawn) Strawn-Whitney
’94, Excelsior, Minn., age 48,
on April 27.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
Melinda R. Longfors ’02, Maple
Grove, Minn., age 34, on
January 28.
______________________________________________________
Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable)
Rae S. Ormsby ’03, Pine Island,
Minn., age 68, on February 14.
Professor Emerita Beverly C.
Durkee, Edina, Minn., age 83,
on March 31.
If yes, class year___________________________________________
Your news:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Wayne C. Johnson ’58,
Minneapolis, age 83, on
March 10.
Summer 2014
39
IT TAKES AN AUGGIE
AN AUGSBURG LEGACY
LARRY AND CHERYL ’89 CROCKETT
Whether they are traveling five states
by motorcycle from Minnesota to
Tennessee, he’s teaching across
two of Augsburg College’s academic
departments, or she’s pursuing an
undergraduate degree while raising
toddlers, there’s one thing Larry and
Cheryl ’89 Crockett know well: How
to cross boundaries to arrive at a
destination that expands their horizons
and inspires others.
40
Augsburg Now
The Crocketts have a shared love
for exploring the richness that exists at
the intersections of seemingly different
frontiers. For more than 30 years, Larry
has served as an Augsburg professor of
religion and computer science. During
that time, Cheryl has experienced—
both as a student and as an Augsburg
volunteer—the rich conversations that
cross disciplines at the College.
That’s why the Crocketts decided
to make a $50,000 estate gift to the
Augsburg College campaign for the
Center for Science, Business, and
Religion (CSBR).
Both Larry and Cheryl recognize that
students in today’s world must engage in
discussions and solve complex problems
in a multinational world where science,
business, and religion intersect. And,
they’re helping to pollinate those
conversations by supporting the CSBR:
Augsburg’s boundary-breaking academic
building.
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
To read more about Larry and Cheryl or to learn about the Center
for Science, Business, and Religion, go to augsburg.edu/now.
GET IT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW
Get the print edition of Augsburg Now, and more,
on your Apple or Android tablet.
Current and previous digital issues of Augsburg Now are moving out of Apple Newsstand and into a new standalone app called “Augsburg Gallery,” available on your Apple or Android tablet and offering readers even more
dynamic content. This digital experience allows you to interact with the content in a whole new way.
The new Augsburg Gallery app includes the latest issue of Augsburg Now and a special publication called
President’s Messages 2012-14. To find this new app on your tablet, search for “Augsburg Gallery” (include the
quotation marks in your search) on the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, go to augsburg.
edu/now/tablet.
These tablet versions are available.
AUGGIE HAS AN
APP FOR THAT!
Augsburg Gallery app
The current issue is available in
the new Augsburg Gallery app.
Photo by Tom Roster
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
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U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Auggies go green!
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow was one of several Auggies to take an inaugural ride on
the Metro Transit Green Line during its grand opening June 14. The Green Line runs from downtown
St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis and is the second Light Rail Transit (LRT) line to pass through
Cedar-Riverside—the only neighborhood in the Twin Cities with access to both LRT lines.
The addition of the Green Line expands student access to jobs, internships, and experiential education
opportunities; enhances safety in the neighborhood; and contributes to a vital urban environment for
all who live and work in the area.
Show less
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
Augsburg Commencement 2013
Student success and achievements
Hybrid teaching and learning
Auggie teachers shape our future
New women’s lacrosse program
SHAPE
oUr
WORLD
SUMMER 2013 | VOL. 75, NO. 3
auGGiEs
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
NOTES
from P... Show more
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
Augsburg Commencement 2013
Student success and achievements
Hybrid teaching and learning
Auggie teachers shape our future
New women’s lacrosse program
SHAPE
oUr
WORLD
SUMMER 2013 | VOL. 75, NO. 3
auGGiEs
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
NOTES
from President Pribbenow
Faithful and Relevant
During the past several months, Augsburg’s Board of
Regents has invited the campus community into a
strategic mapping process focused on our priorities
and aspirations leading up to the College’s sesquicentennial in 2019. Fittingly titled “Augsburg 2019,” the
plans emerging from extensive research and conversations are aimed at enabling the College to live into a
vision we have stated this way:
In 2019, Augsburg will be a new kind of studentcentered, urban university, small to our students and
big for the world.
As we have engaged in this important strategic work
for Augsburg, I have been struck by the synergy we
have found between what it means to remain faithful to our core values—our Lutheran faith, the liberal
arts, diversity, and urban life—while at the same time
looking for ways to be relevant in the world—equipping students for lives of meaning and purpose in the
21st century.
Some might note the paradox in such a framework—faithful and relevant—but as good Lutherans,
we know well how to live as people centered in the
gifts of our faith and of service to God’s good creation.
It seems especially fitting that this issue of
Augsburg Now includes a meaningful tribute to
Charles Anderson, who served as Augsburg’s eighth
president from 1980 to 1997, and whose legacy is
very much the foundation for the College’s work today
and in the future.
Chuck Anderson believed deeply in the College’s
Lutheran heritage. He was a tireless advocate for the
liberal arts. And he made the College’s urban setting
an even more central part of its daily life and work.
At the same time, Chuck paid close attention to
the needs of the world. He championed Augsburg’s
ground-breaking Weekend College for adult undergraduates, its Rochester campus, the StepUP®
program for students recovering from addictions,
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Integrated Communication
Specialist
Laura Swanson
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
the CLASS program for students with learning challenges, the Center for Global Education, and the
College’s first graduate programs. Chuck also set
the stage for Augsburg’s commitment to intentional
diversity, a commitment that has been realized in
the increasing diversity of our student body during
the past several years.
Chuck Anderson’s legacy of sustaining Augsburg
as a faithful and relevant institution may be best captured in our new vision statement. He put students at
the center of the College’s life. He cared deeply for the
urban neighborhoods around campus and saw them
as an extension of the classroom. And he watched
over the expansion of Augsburg’s academic programs,
leading to the comprehensive range of undergraduate
and graduate programs that characterize the College’s
academic profile today—the profile of a small university, a new kind of 21st century university.
As this issue of Augsburg Now so powerfully demonstrates, this vision is very much alive and thriving
on campus and around the world today: Keeping students at the center of our lives through scholarships
made possible by the generosity of remarkable alumni
like Milt Kleven ’46. Students and faculty achieving at
the highest level and being recognized nationally and
internationally for their work. Innovative new curricula,
aimed at sustaining Augsburg’s abiding commitment
to face-to-face instruction, while at the same time
using technology to enhance student experiences.
Augsburg’s ground-breaking work to educate teachers
for diverse schools, bringing the best of new classroom
methods together with the College’s strengths in the
sciences and mathematics. And so much more. It is a
great time to be an Auggie!
Augsburg is a new kind of 21st century university.
Small to our students—the reasons we exist—and
big for the world. Thanks for all you do to help keep
Augsburg faithful and relevant.
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
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 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
summer 2013
AUGSBURG NOW
22
20
36
10
Features
10
20
22
24
Shaping our future
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 AND
REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
Commencement 2013
Success after college
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Hybrid learning
BY LAURA SWANSON
Departments
inside
front
cover
Notes from President Pribbenow
2
Around the Quad
9
My Auggie experience
18 The Center for Science, Business, and Religion
19 It takes an Auggie
28 Alumni news
30 Alumni class notes
36 Auggies on the field
9
On the cover
Kassie Benjamin-Ficken ’12, an Augsburg elementary education and math
major, and a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, teaches first grade
at Tatanka Academy in Minneapolis. She is one of the seven Auggie teachers
and education alumni featured in “Shaping our future,” page 10.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
19
quad
around the
Augsburg top-ranked in
Dave Wold named
NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION GRANTS
Campus Pastor Emeritus
Augsburg was ranked third in Minnesota for the total dollar
amount awarded in 2012 by the National Science Foundation
(NSF). Augsburg received three awards from NSF last year, totaling more than $1 million. The top two Minnesota NSF grant
recipients are the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and the
University of Minnesota, Duluth—which means that Augsburg
was the leader in NSF funding among private higher education
institutions in the state. This achievement was highlighted
this past spring in a list published by the Minneapolis/St. Paul
Business Journal.
Auggies had the rare opportunity to go on stage at the Bon Jovi concert this past spring.
The group was interviewed by television stations—including KARE 11, KSTP 5, and
WCCO 4—about their community service, education, and experiences working backstage.
Auggies earn
behind-the-scenes opportunity
on Bon Jovi tour
Six Augsburg College students were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get an inside look at the music business when they worked
backstage during the Bon Jovi “Because We Can” tour held in April at
the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The students were selected for the
band’s Community Service College Campaign based on their community
engagement and leadership. Participants included [pictured L to R]
Alom Martinez Aleman ’13, Andrea Batt ’13, Alexandra Jamieson ’14, James
“Bear” Mahowald ’13, Thu Nguyen ’15, and Morgan Waldorf ’15. The
group got hands-on experience in public relations, media, management,
and ticketing; and took advantage of the opportunity to network with
media and music professionals.
To read more about Auggies backstage at
Bon Jovi, go to augsburg.edu/now.
2
Augsburg Now
Pastor Dave Wold—Augsburg’s pastor
since 1983—retired at the end of the
2012-13 academic year, and, in its May
meeting, the Augsburg College Board
of Regents resolved that he would be
named Campus Pastor Emeritus. Pastor
Dave served faithfully and well for three
decades, ministering in a variety of ways
to individual members of the Augsburg
community and the entire College. His
service in organizing and leading daily
chapel services, his accessibility to all
with spiritual needs, his inimitable style
as announcer for Auggie athletic events,
his leadership of outreach programs such
as the Augsburg High School Basketball
League, his guidance of the annual
Advent Vespers worship services, and his
ubiquitous presence at College events—
especially student events—all of this and
so much more have been Pastor Dave’s
remarkable contributions to Augsburg. A
community-wide celebration of his ministry at Augsburg is being planned for fall.
Excellence
in teaching and learning
The 2013 Distinguished Contribution recipients [L to R]:
Laura Boisen, David Matz, Darcey Engen ’88, and Colin Irvine.
Each year, the Augsburg College faculty recognizes select colleagues with Distinguished
Contributions to Teaching and Learning awards—
acknowledging those who have demonstrated
outstanding support for students through
teaching, advising, and mentoring. The 2013
recipients include:
• For Excellence in Teaching—Colin Irvine,
associate professor of English
• For Excellence in Mentoring and Advising—
Laura Boisen, professor of social work
• For Excellence in Scholarship—Darcey Engen
’88, associate professor of theater arts, and
David Matz, associate professor of psychology
COMMUNITY CELEBRATES
STEPHEN ‘GABE’ GABRIELSEN
The Augsburg College community celebrated the life, music,
and contributions of Professor Emeritus Stephen “Gabe”
Gabrielsen ’63 in an April ceremony at Hoversten Chapel.
Gabe, as he was known to students, staff, and faculty, taught
at Augsburg for 47 years. He is known for his service to the
community as College organist. His majors in music and
religion were the foundation for his vocation, which found
expression in music and faith. He played organ in daily chapel
throughout his time at Augsburg and was organist for 28
Advent Vespers services.
URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE
Minnesota Urban Debate League is affiliated with Augsburg College’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and
Learning. The Center, named for former Congressman Martin Olav Sabo ’59, is home to programs that
foster civic engagement, including Bonner Leaders, Campus Kitchen, the Center for Democracy and
Citizenship, and more.
The Minneapolis Public School District committed to provide Minnesota Urban Debate
League (MNUDL), with funding of $100,000
over a two-year period. The funding, combined with support the program already
has from the St. Paul Public Schools,
means the MNUDL will add seven schools
to its program. MNUDL serves more than
500 middle- and high-school students
in the Twin Cities, and students in the
program have a 100 percent on-time high
school graduation rate.
Summer 2013
3
quad
around the
STATE GRANT PROGRAM
Augsburg Day at the Capitol, held in
March, gave students a voice in the
important debate surrounding the
Minnesota State Grant program.
Patrick DuSchane ’13, Augsburg’s
former day student body president,
said the event was a chance to help
ensure that legislators understand
the value of the state grant program
to Augsburg students and their
families. The program is designed
to help make college more affordable to more than 88,000 Minnesota students. In addition to their
visit to the Capitol, students were invited to a post-event reception
with former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59. Earlier in the
legislative session, Ben Yawakie ’13 testified at a committee hearing
on behalf of the Augsburg College community. Rosie Benser ’13 and
Charlie Olson ’13 spoke about
the value to their education
of participating in undergraduate research.
The 2013 Minnesota Campus Compact Presidents’ Awards recognized leaders on the Augsburg campus and in the College’s
surrounding community.
• The Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award went to
Augsburg’s Health Commons programs at Central Lutheran
Church and Dar Ul-Quba. It recognizes those who advance a
campus’s distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement, and working to
institutionalize engagement.
• The Presidents’ Student Leadership Award was presented to
Rachel Svanoe ’13 for her commitment to civic responsibility
and leadership.
• The Presidents’ Community Partner Award was presented
to the Brian Coyle Community Center for supporting Augsburg
students’ experiential education.
4
Augsburg Now
HIGH-DEMAND TRACK ADDED TO
DOCTORAL NURSING PROGRAM
The Augsburg College Nursing Department added
an innovative, accredited, and high-demand track to
its Doctor of Nursing Practice program to respond to
the evolving needs of nurses, communities, and the
medical industry. The new track, DNP—Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP), is geared toward preparing students
who already hold their bachelor of science in nursing
to apply for certification as FNPs through the American
Nurses Credentialing Center. It is the second doctoral program offered by Augsburg. The first doctoral
program, the DNP—Transcultural Nursing Leadership,
readies nurses who hold a master’s degree in nursing
for advanced transcultural nursing across care settings
and care systems.
Ensembles perform throughout Turkey
The Augsburg College Concert Band and Augsburg Jazz
delivered their annual Bon Voyage Performance the
day before May Commencement. The two groups then
went on an international tour to perform throughout
Turkey. The groups played in cities including Istanbul,
Izmir, and Bodrum; met in small groups with school
children in grades K-12; and took time to tour destinations including the Blue Mosque and world heritage
site Hagia Sophia, which was built in 537 A.D. as an
Orthodox Christian church. Each year, Augsburg music
ensembles tour and perform both domestically and
internationally. Read the Augsburg Concert Band and
Jazz Tour blog to learn about the full trip:
augsburgmusic.blogspot.com.
Honoring our retired faculty
Marilyn Pearson Florian ’76, assistant
professor of health, physical education,
and exercise science, joined the College
in 1980. She received a master’s from
St. Cloud State University. Along with her
classroom teaching, she served as chair of
her department, head women’s volleyball coach, and, most recently, women’s
athletic director. She has been a strong
advocate for gender equity in athletics
throughout her career.
Garry W. Hesser, professor of sociology
and metro-urban studies and Martin
Olav Sabo Professor of Citizenship and
Learning, started his career at Augsburg
in 1977. He received a bachelor’s from
Phillips University, a Master of Divinity
from Union Theological Seminary, and a
master’s and PhD from the University of
Notre Dame. Hesser played a key role in
the development of the College’s metrourban studies program and the intensive
curriculum for the hybrid Master of Arts in
Leadership (MAL) program. He is recognized nationally as a leader in the field of
experiential education and urban education. His scholarship and accomplishments in these areas reflect the College’s
mission as a “College of the city.”
Kenneth S. Kaminsky, professor of mathematics, began his work at Augsburg in
1987. He received a bachelor’s in mathematics, a master’s in statistics, and a
PhD in statistics from Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey. Along with his
classroom teaching, Kaminsky is an active
scholar, having published books and
articles in the areas of statistics and financial mathematics. Through a bi-weekly
newsletter and by inviting alumni, industrial mathematicians, and local academics
to speak in the mathematics colloquium
series, Kaminsky keeps mathematics
alumni and current students connected.
Ned D. Kantar, assistant professor of
music, joined the College in 1999. He
received his bachelor’s and master’s
from the University of Minnesota. Before
joining Augsburg, Kantar taught music
to students from elementary school age
through college. Drawing upon his wide
ranging professional experiences that
included performance (jazz and classical),
booking, and production, Kantar brought
to Augsburg the music business degree,
which has grown significantly in both
numbers and innovation, and in which
Kantar taught classes in improvisation,
aural skills, and music business.
Anne M. Kaufman, associate professor of
education, began working at Augsburg
in 1987. She received her bachelor’s,
master’s, and PhD from the University of
Minnesota. Kaufman has been a leader in
secondary social studies teacher preparation at Augsburg College and for the State
of Minnesota. She is the director of the
Paideia Institute at Augsburg and has led
teacher professional development workshops in this area for the past 20 years.
Kaufman has been active in statewide
efforts to set social studies standards and
has been a member of the Minnesota
Board of Teaching.
Laura K. Lazar, assistant professor of
business administration, has worked at
the College since 2005. She received
her bachelor’s from Valparaiso University,
and her MBA and PhD from Indiana
University. Lazar teaches all levels of
accounting in both the undergraduate and
graduate program. She is uniquely gifted
to make this information accessible to
students of all abilities. Along with her
teaching responsibilities, Lazar has served
as the coordinator for the accounting
program and its faculty.
Susan K. Nash, associate professor of
nursing, began teaching at Augsburg in
1977, and in her full-time role in 1998.
She received her bachelor’s, master’s, and
EdD from the University of Minnesota.
Nash received the Augsburg College
Distinguished Contribution to Teaching
and Learning award for Mentoring in
2009. She has been instrumental in
developing a partnership and agreement
with Rochester Community and Technical
College that has introduced hundreds of
students to Augsburg. Nash was one of
the initial architects for the adult learner
programs in nursing on the Minneapolis
campus. Her scholarship has focused on
complexity science in family nursing.
Ronald W. Petrich, assistant professor of
education, began his career at Augsburg
in 1980. He received his bachelor’s from
Augsburg College and his master’s from
United Theological Seminary. Petrich
returned to Augsburg as a member of the
faculty following an extensive career in the
Minneapolis Public School system, giving
him a rich history of hands-on experience
from which to teach his students. Petrich
integrated these experiences in the undergraduate education program and also in
the MAL program, where he examined
the role of the school in modern society
as well as the significance of mentoring
relationships, models of leadership, and
professional development.
David G. Schwain, assistant professor of
business administration, began teaching
at Augsburg in 1995 and five years later
started in his full-time role. He received
his bachelor’s from the University of
Cincinnati and his MBA from Harvard
University. Prior to joining Augsburg,
Schwain had a distinguished career in
general management with more than 15
years in positions at the executive level.
Schwain brought this extensive experience to bear as one of the architects of
Augsburg’s MBA program. For the past
several years, he has coordinated the Clair
and Gladys Strommen Executive Speaker
Series, while teaching marketing classes
in the undergraduate and graduate business programs at Augsburg.
COMPILED BY JUDI GREEN
Summer 2013
5
quad
around the
CONVOCATION SERIES 2012-13
The Koryne Horbal Lecture in April
featured Gloria Steinem, a prominent
spokesperson for women’s issues.
Steinem has traveled the globe speaking on the topic of women’s equality,
has led awareness rallies, is author
of six books, and has launched two
magazines including Ms. She spoke
to a packed Hoversten Chapel about
the founding of the women’s movement, the gains made to find equity
for all people, and areas in which
improvement still must be realized. In
addition to Steinem’s talk, recipients
of the Women’s Resource Center’s
Courageous Woman Award (CWA) were
acknowledged at the lecture. Recipients
included Kristina Monje ’14 and Bo
Thao-Urabe, a long-time advocate for
Hmong women, children, and refugee
families. The CWA recognizes women
who strive for social justice and peace
on campus or in the community.
Strommen
Executive Speaker Series
Augsburg College welcomed HealthPartners
CEO Mary K. Brainerd, a national leader
known for her business acumen and unwavering commitment to the community, as a
featured presenter in the Clair and Gladys
Strommen Executive Speaker Series in
April. Brainerd, who spoke on the topic of
health care reform, is the president and
chief executive officer of Minnesota-based
HealthPartners—the largest, consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in
the United States.
The Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture
in April featured Harvard University
Professor David Weitz who talked
about the everyday physics involved
in cooking food. Weitz explored with
attendees the manners in which foods
change during cooking as a way to
illustrate scientific processes. The
annual Sverdrup Visiting Scientist lecture series brings renowned scientists
to campus to share their expertise with
the Augsburg community, the College’s
aspiring scientists, and members of
the larger scientific community.
Augsburg welcomes new Provost/Chief Academic Officer
In July, Augsburg College welcomed Karen L. Kaivola as provost and chief academic
officer. Kaivola serves in a key leadership position as the second in command to
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow.
Kaivola has wide-ranging responsibilities, including working with faculty, administration, and the Board of Regents to implement the College’s strategic vision; providing oversight of the accreditation process, as well as planning, development, and
administration of the academic program for graduate, undergraduate, and international programs; academic budgeting; and leadership of and advocacy for the faculty.
She most recently served as the associate provost for faculty development and
J. Ollie Edmunds Chair in English at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. She holds
a master’s and a PhD in English from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s
degree in English from Georgetown University.
6
Augsburg Now
cElEBraTIng
student success
Scholarships and fellowships
Augsburg students earned a range of prestigious accolades
during spring semester. Some of the awards include the
following:
Allison Zank ’14
Kayla Johnson ’13
• FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS: Kayla Johnson ’13 and Emily Jensen ’08
were awarded English teaching assistantships. Johnson,
who graduated with degrees in biology and mathematics,
will teach in Taiwan. She plans to attend medical school in
the future. Jensen, who earned her bachelor’s in international relations and peace and global studies, will teach in
the Czech Republic. Jensen has worked in the Minnesota
State Senate and House of Representatives, most recently
as a research director. She hopes to pursue a master’s
in social work and public policy following her year as a
Fulbright Scholar. In 2010-11, Augsburg was recognized
as a top producer of Fulbright students by The Chronicle of
Higher Education.
• GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Four Auggies
received Gilman International Scholarships from the U.S.
State Department to study overseas this summer and fall.
Celia Hernandez Payan ’13 traveled this summer to Amman,
Jordan, while Mariam Ali ’15, Darius Sean Gray ’14, and
Magaly Ortiz ’13 will study abroad this coming fall. Thirty
Auggies have been awarded this prestigious scholarship since
fall 2008.
• GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP: Allison Zank ’14, who is studying chemistry, received a Barry Goldwater Scholarship.
Ashley Waters ’14
This $7,500 award is given to students from throughout
the United States who excel in STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) disciplines and who plan to work
in a STEM field upon graduation. Zank is Augsburg’s first
female Goldwater Scholar and one of only eight students
in Minnesota to receive the award. Augsburg’s Ashley
Waters ’14 was recognized for her outstanding scholarship when she was named one of seven Minnesotans to
receive an Honorable Mention in the Goldwater Scholarship
competition.
• KEMPER SCHOLARS PROGRAM: Keisha Barnard ’16, who is
studying sociology and international relations, was named
the College’s third Kemper Scholar. Students in the prestigious Kemper program receive academic scholarships and
stipends to cover the costs of two summer internships in
major nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Augsburg is
one of only 16 U.S. liberal arts colleges with the Kemper
Scholars Program distinction.
• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH
FELLOWSHIP: Joe Buchman ’13, who graduated with majors
in chemistry and biology, received a National Science
Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that will provide
$40,500 each year for the first three years of his doctoral
study in chemistry. The selection of these fellows is very
competitive and is based on the viability of the student’s
proposed research.
Summer 2013
7
cElEBraTIng
student success
Student research awards
and achievements
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ZYZZOGETON
2013: More than 70 Auggies presented
their research in the annual poster
session, Zyzzogeton. The spring event
is an opportunity to celebrate student
research, creativity, and scholarship.
The festival is sponsored by the McNair
Scholars Program, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for
Minority Participation.
POSTERS ON THE HILL: Three Augsburg
College students were recognized
for outstanding research at Posters
on the Hill in Washington, D.C. This
highly competitive annual celebration of student research, sponsored
by the U.S. Council on Undergraduate
Research, featured the work of only 60
students out of a pool of more than 800
applicants.
Brianna Noland ’13, a mathematical economics major, was selected to present
her research on college loans and firstyear retention in Washington, D.C., to
members of Congress and congressional
staff. She also met with U.S. Sens. Al
Franken and Amy Klobuchar, both of
Minnesota.
Samantha Cantrall ’14, a communication
studies major, received an Honorable
Mention, ranking within the top 80
applicants, for her investigation of the
influence of hip hop on the Arab Spring.
Megan Rich ’13, a biology alumna and
Master of Arts in Education student,
also received an Honorable Mention.
She studied ways to reduce the growth
of soybean pathogens.
Auggies conduct
off-campus research
At least a dozen Augsburg students are
spending their summer doing off-campus research at locations throughout the
United States as well as on the European and African continents.
• Katherine Aleman ’14, psychology,
research intern at Mayo Clinic
• Elianna Bier ’14, physics, National
Institute of Standards and Technology
• Eric Bowman ’14,
biology and chemistry,
University of Nebraska
• Emma Capman ’14,
physics, University
of Maryland Robotics
Center
Brianna Noland ’13 [at left] met with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
[center], when Noland was in Washington, D.C., to present her research at
Posters on the Hill. Noland traveled with Stella K. Hofrenning [at right],
associate professor of economics.
8
Augsburg Now
• Haley Diem ’13,
environmental studies, field research in
Tanzania on sustainable
agriculture
• Kirubel Frew ’14, chemistry, Johns
Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Ben Grant ’14, physics, Colorado
School of Mines National Renewable
Energy Lab
• Anna Herauf ’14, biology and chemistry, North Dakota State University’s
program for research on prairies
• Dan Kornbaum ’14, physics, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and
Geospace Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates at University of Michigan
• Marie-Aimee Ntawkulityayo ’14, international relations, research in Belgium on ethnic identity and conflict in
the Kivu Region of Eastern Congo
• Promise Okeke ’15, biology, Johns
Hopkins University Malaria Research
Institute
• Casey Powell ’15, biology, University
of Minnesota Plant Pathology Lab
• Emily Rutten ’14, biopsychology and
psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
• Rachel Shaheen ’15, biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
and Public Health
• Ryan Sullivan ’14, computational
philosophy, Carnegie-Mellon University Summer Workshop on Cognitive
Science and Epistemology
my
auggie
experience
Janice Murphy Gladden—
an Auggie All-Star
When it came time for Janice Murphy
Gladden ’14 to think about returning to
college, she found herself taking advice
from her college-aged daughter.
Several decades earlier, while studying at a junior college in Cupertino, Calif.,
she and Dan Gladden met. The two later
would marry.
She would leave school to focus on
being a wife and mother, and also would
work to support the family. She would put
on hold the education her father urged her
to pursue while her husband developed
his baseball-playing career, going from an
amateur free agent to a major league star.
“It was one of those things where Dan
had the opportunity,” she said. “Someone
needed to work. It’s worked out really well,
and we’ve been very fortunate.”
Dan would become a champion
left- and center-fielder for the Minnesota
Twins, a core part of the dream teams that
propelled the Twins to victory in two World
Series.
A couple of years ago, Gladden
decided that the time was right for her to
return to college to finish what she started
some 30 years ago. She talked with and
listened to one of her two daughters,
Whitney Nicole Gladden ’12.
“My daughter had such a great experience at Augsburg,” Gladden said, “so she
encouraged me to visit.”
Gladden met with an admissions
counselor, and said she was hooked from
the very beginning—even though the
idea of again being in the classroom was
daunting. Augsburg faculty and staff supported her and made easier her transition
to life as a college student in communications studies, she said.
“I thought I’d be on my own, navigating this journey,” Gladden said. “But
there are so many ways to access services
and help and to be connected.
“I feel valued in class. My thoughts
matter, my opinions matter,” she said.
“As adult learners, we kick around our
experiences, and I get to hear from people
at Medtronic and Target and other places.
I’m more well-rounded.”
In addition to benefitting from the
experiences shared by her peers, Gladden
said her Augsburg education has helped
her develop valuable workplace tools
including stronger interpersonal and nonverbal communication skills that she is
using in her career. For 18 years, she has
worked for Target Corp. in the financial
and retail services division.
While Gladden chose on her own
to return to college, she also said the
decision was made easier because her
company encourages employees to continue to develop and supports pursuit of
education. But perhaps one of the biggest
influences stretches back through the
decades to her days as a child growing up
in California.
“My father would be so proud, so
proud I stuck to it, no matter my age,”
she said. “Education was the biggest
deal to him. It’s what I remember him
emphasizing when I was little: ‘Education.
Education. Education.’”
Gladden is less than a year away from
finishing her undergraduate degree, and is
thinking about what is next in her life. She
said her positive experience at Augsburg
has her pondering a graduate degree.
“I love Augsburg. I love the vibe. I like
the peer networks. I like that it is small
enough that even after 30 years I could
find a way to come back,” she said. “I’m
thinking now about getting a master’s
degree at Augsburg. I’d love to teach.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06 AND STEPHANIE WEISS
Summer 2013
9
Shaping our future
“TO PREPARE AMERICANS FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE…
WE HAVE TO OUT-EDUCATE THE WORLD.”
—WHITEHOUSE.GOV
10
Augsburg Now
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06 AND
REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
The programs in Augsburg’s Education
Department prepare teachers—
at both the undergraduate and graduate levels—to meet our national education challenge.
The U.S. government recognizes that “the strength of the American economy is inextricably linked to the strength of [our] education system,” which means “America’s ability to
compete begins each day, in classrooms across the nation.”
Auggie teachers and education alumni are leading these classrooms, improving education outcomes, and shaping our future. They are igniting student interest in math and
science, educating an increasingly diverse youth population, bringing global perspectives
and learning into the classroom, and leveraging new technologies and teaching practices
to enhance learning. The following are just a few examples of the ways Auggie teachers
and education alumni are leading the advancement of education in our schools.
Cutting-edge science research for
middle and high school students
When Dan Forseth ’08 was a student at Augsburg, he spent
many hours in the lab with associate professor of physics Ben
Stottrup. It was Stottrup, he said, who helped him realize he
wanted to be a teacher. “He taught me how to make things
work with what you have,” Forseth said.
Today Forseth uses that lesson in his own classroom to
excite students about science and to inspire the next generation of teachers. He teaches biology, physical science,
and robotics at St. Paul Preparatory School, an international
college-preparation program in St. Paul. He said he enjoys
teaching because he loves the transformation when students
grasp a difficult concept after struggling with it. “When they
get it, seeing that light bulb turn on for them is very exciting.”
During the summer of 2012, Forseth was one of six
teachers who participated in a research program at Augsburg
funded by a grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.
The program paired Augsburg undergraduate science education students studying to be secondary teachers with current
science teachers. The teams conducted college-level research,
which was supervised by Augsburg faculty, and developed
curricula to adapt science projects for middle and secondary
school classrooms.
The Augsburg education students in the program learned
about the practical realities of teaching from their interactions
with current teachers, Forseth said. “And teachers like me
were revitalized by the opportunity to work in new labs and
develop new and different topics for our classes.”
Along with engaging in scientific research, participants
had opportunities to expand their scientific professional
networks through conversations and workshops with scientists in the workplace and college science faculty, said Tracy
Bibelnieks, Augsburg associate professor of mathematics
and director of the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation grant.
Summer 2013
11
“Feedback from last year’s participants was very positive.”
she said. “We are looking forward to building on that experience to continue developing ways that cutting-edge research
and engaging experiences can be integrated into 9th- through
12th-grade STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics) classrooms.”
Forseth will participate in the program again this summer,
working with Augsburg faculty to create a website to share
materials produced in the program with 9th- to 12th-grade
STEM teachers across the state. “This program provides an
opportunity for Augsburg students pursuing secondary STEM
licensure to learn from experienced science teachers and
helps current teachers integrate more research and authentic
learning experiences into their classrooms,” he said.
Teaching in a diverse world
When Will Ruffin ’13 MAE moved from California to North
Dakota to attend college, he left his little brother behind. “He
struggled in school. I was the smart older brother who wasn’t
there for him, and that always bothered me,” Ruffin said. It’s
the memory of leaving his brother that today drives Ruffin to
make a personal connection with each of his students.
For Kassie Benjamin-Ficken ’12, it’s her ability to relate
to the experiences of first-generation and minority-culture
12
Augsburg Now
students that has strengthened her connections with her students. “As a first generation student, I think it’s easier for me
to explain to my students why it’s important to get an education,” she said.
Ruffin and Benjamin-Ficken are examples of Auggie
teachers working in increasingly multicultural communities—
where the ability to connect with students of diverse backgrounds is critical to student success.
Despite his passion for teaching, Ruffin didn’t begin his
career in education. He first completed a bachelor’s and a
master’s degree in business and began working for a retail
company in southern Minnesota. Then one of his customers—
a teacher—asked if Ruffin would volunteer at his school
because the teacher wanted a strong, black, male role model
to work with his students. “There was just something about
being with kids that hooked me,” Ruffin said, “and I fell in
love with teaching.”
Ruffin became a substitute teacher and eventually was
teaching full time, so he decided to attend Augsburg to pursue
a master’s degree in education. For the past five years, he has
been teaching fifth grade at Riverside Central Elementary in
Rochester, Minn.
For many students, Ruffin is the first black teacher and
the first male teacher they have had, so he takes seriously
his responsibility to be a role model in a community that is
increasingly more ethnically and culturally diverse. Judging by
the drawings and awards posted by students on his classroom
walls, and by the former students who often stop in at Riverside
to visit, Ruffin is making a difference in students’ lives.
As a student himself, Ruffin said, he was quiet and
seldom participated in class discussions. As a teacher and
leader, however, he’s learned that his voice is important. “I
know I have a lot to share, and I can enrich others’ experiences through my own,” he said. “I can’t be a leader and be
silent. I have a perspective that too often is lost or overlooked,
and I need to share that.”
Benjamin-Ficken, a member of the Mille Lacs Band of
Ojibwe, also embraces the opportunity to bring her cultural
perspective into the classroom. “My culture teaches that you
are on this Earth to help others,” she said. “Education is how
I can make a difference.”
At Augsburg, Benjamin-Ficken double majored in elementary education and math. This July, she completed her first
year at Tatanka Academy in Minneapolis, where 13 of her 14
first-grade students were Native American.
In working with students from minority populations,
Benjamin-Ficken strives to instill in them the belief that
they can—and should—excel in school, especially in STEM
fields where populations of color and females are significantly
underrepresented. For example, this past spring, BenjaminFicken celebrated “Pi Day” (which falls on March 14, or
3/14, representing the first three digits in the mathematical
constant, pi) with her students. A self-professed “math nerd,”
Benjamin-Ficken believes that these types of classroom experiences will help her students see math as a subject they can
succeed in and, potentially, choose to pursue in their lives.
Augsburg’s focus on urban education and teaching in a
multicultural classroom were an important part of her educational experience, Benjamin-Ficken said. “My education
studies at Augsburg really taught me to reflect,” she said.
“Taking time to ask what went well [in class], what didn’t, and
whether you reached every student—that’s what makes you a
better teacher.”
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Since 2004, five Augsburg education graduates have received the prestigious Milken Award for Excellence
in Teaching. This award provides public recognition and financial awards to elementary and secondary
education professionals. Only 30 Milken Awards are given annually across the United States.
Summer 2013
13
KATE WOOLEVER ’11
14
Augsburg Now
Bringing global issues and perspectives
into the classroom
Teaching and traveling are more than passions for Kate
Woolever ’11—they are vital to her own education as a citizen
of the world. As a studio art and education major at Augsburg,
Woolever combined her interests into a career that today
allows her to continue her own education and to provide
meaningful learning experiences for her students.
Woolever’s mother, father, and brother are teachers, so
it’s no surprise that she also chose to become a teacher.
“Teaching is completely a part of my life,” she said. “For me
it’s about service to others.”
Woolever came to Augsburg because she wanted to
teach in an inner city or international school, and she felt
Augsburg’s program would best prepare her for that career. As
a student, Woolever took advantage of opportunities to study
abroad through the College’s Center for Global Education. She
studied in Namibia, Thailand, and Ghana, where she completed her student teaching. She said she has always “traveled
with a purpose,” using travel to learn about others by experiencing their lives firsthand.
After she became an art teacher at St. Paul Preparatory
School in the Twin Cities, Woolever had another opportunity
to travel and teach abroad. She was one of five U.S. teachers
selected to participate in a program through World Savvy and
the U.S. State Department. With 30 U.S. high school students, she studied the environmental, social, economic, and
political impacts of climate change in Bangladesh. The group
spent one month living with host families while participating
with Bangladeshi students in research and service projects.
Woolever lived in the Rayer Bazar slum located on the
edge of the capital city of Dhaka—the fastest growing city in
the world. She interviewed and photographed climate refugees
who had moved to the city from outlying areas because the
flooded coastal lands are uninhabitable and the soil is too
saline-contaminated to support crops.
“These climate refugees now live in indescribable squalor,” Woolever said. “There are a thousand people per square
kilometer living in Rayer Bazar; 100 people sharing three
open gas flames for cooking and a single squat toilet.”
This experience, Woolever said, made her more aware
of the global effects of climate change and emphasized the
importance of spreading the word. “The guilt I felt—coming from my bountiful country and witnessing these people’s
atrocious living conditions—constantly tugged at me, and I
needed to find a way to respond.”
One way Woolever responded was to turn her photos and
stories into a traveling exhibit, which she hopes to show at
numerous venues across the state. This past March, her work
was displayed in Augsburg’s student art gallery in Old Main;
the exhibit then was shown in the Pelican Rapids (Minn.)
Library during May and June.
Because of her experiences in Rayer Bazar, Woolever also
is committed to finding ways to incorporate real-world issues
into her classroom. The Bangladeshi trip was a stark lesson in
how much we consume and how wasteful we are as a culture,
Woolever said. Education, at the very least, “is not something
we should take for granted.”
To see samples of the photos and stories from Woolever’s studies
in Rayer Bazar, Bangladesh, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Flipped classrooms: Creating studentfocused learning environments
Most of the time, a noisy middle school classroom doesn’t
seem like a productive learning environment. But, when
the classroom is “flipped,” noise is a sign that students are
engaged in the learning process and working constructively
with each other.
Tara Martinson ’09 MAE leads a lively seventh-grade
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
In 2009, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation awarded Augsburg more than $400,000 in support of its
teacher preparation programming. Augsburg was one of only four Minnesota colleges receiving these
grant funds. Augsburg also participates in the Network for Excellence in Teaching (NExT) and is one of six
private colleges in the Twin Cities working to improve teacher education through the Twin Cities Teacher
Collaborative (TC2), made possible by major funding from the Bush Foundation.
The College also gives education majors an opportunity to engage elementary school children in the
sciences through Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science (GEMS) and Guys in Science and Engineering
(GISE), two summer programs held on the campus.
Spring 2013
15
pre-algebra class at Central Middle School in Eden Prairie,
Minn. The reason for all the activity is that Martinson uses
the flipped learning model of instruction. With this particular
method, students listen to an online lecture at home and complete a “note sheet”—a structured note-taking guide—on the
lesson. The next day in class, students spend the majority of
their time in “hands-on” learning exercises, working out practice problems and completing small group activities. Students
can ask each other for help and are required to check their
work with Martinson.
Martinson, who has taught middle school math for five
years, flipped her classes in January 2012 after learning about
the method at the 2011 Education Technology Conference
hosted by TIES, the St. Paul-based education technology training organization. During the winter break, she recorded lectures
and set up the resources for her classes and then introduced
the model to her students at the start of the new term.
With flipped learning, Martinson said her students are
more engaged because the responsibility for learning the
material rests with them. “Before [flipping the class format],
I typically would lecture for 35 minutes, and the students
would have the last 10 minutes of class to start their assignment,” Martinson said. “Then, if a student got lost, they
would just shut down. Now there is a much higher level of
engagement and retention.”
Flipped learning changes education from a teachercentered classroom to a student-focused learning environment, said Kari Arfstrom ’89, executive director of the Flipped
Learning Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources
With research support from George Mason University and sponsored by Pearson, the Flipped
Learning Network this summer released the first comprehensive literature review on the flipped
learning model. The full-length literature review, along with an executive summary and white
paper, are available to download for free at flippedlearning.org/research.
16
Augsburg Now
TARA MARTINSON ’09 MAE
to successfully implement flipped learning.
“When I went to school,” Arfstrom said, “it was the
teacher who was imparting information to the student. Now
the students are leading and determining what they need.”
This model makes students more accountable because the
teacher has an opportunity to talk with them every day,
Arfstrom said.
With flipped learning, teacher interaction with students
increases dramatically, said Taylor Pettis ’03, ’09 MAE, senior
manager of marketing communications at Minneapolis-based
Sophia Learning, which has worked with thousands of teachers to create flipped classrooms. “One of the teachers we
worked with said his feet hurt after class because he’s walking up and down the aisles so much more.”
Teachers also have a greater opportunity to provide differentiated instruction to each student when they use a flipped
learning model, Pettis said. This customized, student-centered attention leads to improved student learning. “Eightyfive percent of teachers we work with report improved grades
in their flipped classes.”
For Martinson, the benefits go beyond improved performance in class. In the flipped environment, she said,
students learn social skills, relationship building, and selfadvocacy—abilities that will serve them well in high school,
in college, and beyond.
STATE FUNDING TO EXPAND THE DIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA’S TEACHER WORKFORCE
In May, the State of Minnesota approved legislation granting
Augsburg College nearly $400,000 over the next two years
to launch the East African teacher preparation program.
The new Augsburg EAST (East African Students to Teachers) initiative will provide scholarships, academic support,
and service learning opportunities for East African students
who are education majors at Augsburg’s Minneapolis and
Rochester campuses.
The number of East African students in K-12 public
schools is growing in many communities throughout
Minnesota. School systems are challenged to meet the
needs of these students, many of whom are the first in their
families to receive education in the United States.
Augsburg’s strong relationships with the Somali and East
African communities and its successful record of teaching
East African education majors, in both Minneapolis and
Rochester, make it uniquely qualified to lead this initiative.
Every year
, more than 600 Auggies are enrolled in education degree
programs at Augsburg’s Minneapolis and Rochester campuses. About 250 of those
students are undergraduates—of all ages—pursuing bachelor’s degrees in education.
The remaining 350 are enrolled in the College’s Master of Arts in Education program,
which provides training for professionals to begin a career in teaching or for current
teachers to obtain additional licenses or endorsements. Every day, these Auggie educators—both in and outside of the classroom—are preparing our children to live and
grow in our increasingly diverse, globally connected, and technologically sophisticated
world. They are, literally, shaping our future potential.
Summer 2013
17
THE CENTER FOR
SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION
Expanding undergraduate research
THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION at Augsburg College
will bring together the study of global business, advanced science and
technology, and religion and the search for meaning into a first-of-its-kind
education center.
The Center will house classrooms, labs, and key Augsburg initiatives, including programs that support our success in undergraduate
research. It will enable Augsburg to accommodate a greater number and
larger scope of year-round research projects across disciplines—the kind
of long-term educational projects that help students gain 21st-century
problem-solving skills.
The tremendous impact of these research programs is evidenced
by the growing number of students who leverage the robust, hands-on
skills they learned in their on-campus experiences to obtain off-campus
research positions and continue to graduate programs. Augsburg students
are sought after by institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Maryland Robotics Center,
and many other organizations. (See more examples on page 8.)
We know that Augsburg’s faculty-led research makes a profound difference in the educational experience of our students—and, through their
work, will shape advancements in science, technology, and other fields
across the globe. The Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR)
is a fitting manifestation of our commitment to the growth of this work.
18
Augsburg Now
it takes an
auggie
Leading the way for others
ALUMNI ENGAGE IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION
“We know what a difference the
generosity of others made for us. Truly,
it was the acts of strangers, other
Augsburg leaders, whose gifts provided
foundational support for the College,
before our times here. It’s our turn.”
So said Wayne Jorgenson ’71, as
he and Christopher Ascher ’81 met
recently on campus to help plan a
series of Alumni Leadership Summits
for their classmates from the decades
of the ’70s and ’80s.
“Those 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.”
Both Jorgenson and Ascher know
some things about good investments
through their accomplishments in the
field of finance. Jorgenson has applied
his business degree from Augsburg,
now serving as senior vice president of
investments at UBS Financial Services
in Bloomington, Minn. Ascher, a finance
major with a psychology minor, also
played on the Augsburg soccer team.
Ascher now leads and manages the
wealth management office for Morgan
Stanley, also in Bloomington, Minn.
“We are convinced. Now is our
time to make the investment
and help open doors for others.”
Both men chose to step up,
inspired by the message of CSBR
Campaign Chair Mike Good ’71 to
“Believe.” By first making their own
leadership gifts in support of the
building, and then by chairing their
respective Alumni Leadership Summits
and $1 million class challenges,
they are adding their enthusiasm and
leadership to the cause. Their goal
is to ensure the success of the effort
to build a new Center for Science,
Business, and Religion at the very
heart of the Augsburg campus.
“We both see this building as the
essential next step in the College’s
development. 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 us all,” Jorgenson said.
Watch for updates on the Alumni
Leadership Summits in future alumni
communications.
CATHERINE REID DAY
Wayne Jorgenson ’71 [left] and Christopher Ascher ’81 [right].
Summer 2013
19
INTRODUCING
AUGSBURG’S
NEWEST ALUMNI
The graduating class of 2013 added more than
700 Auggies—from our undergraduate, graduate,
and doctoral programs—to the College’s alumni
ranks. This brings the total number of alumni to
more than 28,000 people living in all 50 states
and 57 countries around the world.
We Are Called | Auggies!
INFORMED CITIZENS
The 2013 Augsburg College Commencement theme—
“informed citizens”—was inspired by the College’s
mission statement.
“To me, an informed citizen is someone—in any profession, living out any vocation—who seeks information, digests it, and vigorously participates in society
by putting their knowledge to a good, collective use.
It means that we are prepared to inform, encourage
and uplift people to make a difference for themselves and for the world we live in.”
— MARY GODI ’13, MAY COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
To see additional photos, read Commencement
addresses, or watch ceremony videos from May
and June, go to augsburg.edu/now.
20
Augsburg Now
May 4, 2013
June 23, 2013
Summer 2013
21
auggies
ARE ACHIEVERS
Each year, Augsburg College mints hundreds of new graduates who
go on to continued education in graduate schools and workplaces
across the nation. Preparing students for success is a key part of
an Augsburg education and central to the College’s mission of educating students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. Here’s a snapshot of facts
and figures—and student stories—that show how recent Auggie
graduates are having an impact early in their careers.
SUCCESS AFTER COLLEGE
COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Each year, more than
100 employers
60%
visit campus to recruit students
or to participate in career-related events
More than
OF AUGSBURG STUDENTS
including Fairview Riverside Hospitals
and Clinics, the federal government,
KDV consulting, KPMG, Target Corp.,
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™, and
Twin Cities television and radio stations
More than
ENGAGE IN INTERNSHIPS and major-related work with
business, non-profit, and government employers,
gaining professional experience before graduation
90%
OF AUGSBURG STUDENTS
are fully employed or enrolled in graduate school
within 18 months of graduation
LAURIE BARGER ’13
Associate Analyst—Merchandising and Business Intelligence,
Target Corporation
At Augsburg: Mathematics and Spanish major, played on the women’s
soccer team, studied abroad in Mexico and Cuba, tutored for the
Mathematics Department, volunteered at a local social service agency
doing taxes for low-income families, member of the Augsburg Business
Association
“From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew that Augsburg was
going to give me the drive, motivation, and opportunities I would need
to become successful. Through networking and community involvement, making strong relationships with my professors and peers, as
well as being educated in a high-level, real-world environment, I was
able to build a résumé that made me stand out from everyone else.
With the help of the Strommen Center and my professors, I was able to
confidently take what I had learned and comfortably transition from a
full-time student and intern to a full-time employee.”
22
Augsburg Now
The CLAIR AND GLADYS
STROMMEN CENTER FOR
MEANINGFUL WORK provides
individualized assistance with
choosing a major, finding an
internship, writing résumés,
developing interviewing skills,
attending job fairs,
and helping students
find meaningful work
after college
JOHANNA FRYKMARK KITZMAN ’10
EDI implementation analyst,
SPS Commerce
JENS OLSON ’10
Medical student, University of Minnesota
Medical School
At Augsburg: Double major in international business and business management, Honors program, co-captain
of women’s golf team, worked in the
alumni relations office
At Augsburg: Biology major, Honors
program, did research related to asthma
and presented at a national conference,
first-year orientation leader, studied abroad
in Vietnam, volunteered and worked at
hospitals, was a Fulbright English Teaching
Assistant in Vietnam
“When I moved from Sweden to begin
school at Augsburg, it was the first
time I had set foot in the U.S. The
international student staff, my golf
coach, my team, and my professors all
helped me get past my homesickness
and establish friendships. Thanks to
their support, I finished my degree
and today I am happily married, am
working in the city, and own my very
own American house in the suburbs.”
“Augsburg’s emphasis on service and
openness to all members of our world community not only aligned with my beliefs but
helped me develop and shape myself into
who I am today. The experiences I had at
Augsburg and the relationships I developed
with staff and faculty helped me decide
that I wanted to serve others as a doctor
and then get into medical school—definitely an accomplishment I am proud of.”
Graduates from the class of 2012
SECURED FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT
with organizations including:
3M, Advanced Medical Electronics, Air Force Research Labs,
Ameriprise Financial, Cargill, Comcast, Dart Transitt Company,
Com
Delfi Technologies Inc., Delta Airlines, Hennepin County,
t
Marriott, the Mayo Clinic, the Minnesota Department of
Revenue, Minnesota Twins, Piper Jaffray, Prudential, Regions
Hospital, Robert Half Technology, Robotics Redefined Inc.,
Sherwin-Williams, Target Corp., Teach for America, Thomson
Reuters, University of Minnesota, and Wells Fargo
KATHLEEN WATSON ’12
Editorial assistant at a GLBT
media company that produces a
bi-monthly magazine, web content,
international news, and podcasts/
entertainment
At Augsburg: Double major in theater
arts and English, Honors program, Honors house president, did
research on dramaturgy, member of
Feminist Collective
“My experience at Augsburg College
allowed me to not only create a successful and fulfilling career—
it allowed me to embrace and love
who I am and use my talents and
skills to work for a community I
believe in. My job truly feels like my
vocation: I’m using my gifts to meet
a need in a community I advocate
for and support.”
Spring 2013
23
LEARNING
or Lisa Benjamin ’06, ’12, the possibility of going back to school
was appealing, but finding time to spend in a classroom was
challenging.
In 2010, Benjamin sought a license to teach in Minnesota and to
sharpen her skills in American Indian student instruction—a field
she has been passionate about since her youth. But, like many of
Augsburg’s non-traditional learners, Benjamin had the busy schedule
and family responsibilities of a working adult.
That’s why a unique Augsburg College program that takes
advantage of the strengths of both classroom and web-based learning environments—called hybrid or blended learning—offered an
ideal opportunity. Courses delivered in a hybrid format combine
traditional face-to-face components and online learning activities to
optimize student engagement.
F
24
Augsburg Now
BY LAURA SWANSON
Students will earn degrees
through combination of online
and in-person instruction
“I thought the Augsburg program was a perfect match for
what I was working toward,” Benjamin said. “I liked the fact
that a partially online course meant I didn’t have to go into
school every weekend or every day. My son was 3 years old,
and I didn’t want to be away from him all the time.”
By taking advantage of the strengths of a hybrid program
structure, Benjamin met her teaching licensure goal and
joined a tight-knit community.
“The other students were a remarkable, supportive group
of people,” she said. “I got to learn from them and their
experience.”
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HYBRID LEARNING
Augsburg historically has offered only select hybrid classes.
However, beginning this fall, the College will expand the num-
ber of courses offered in a blended format.
Augsburg will launch a hybrid instruction model for a
significant number of graduate and adult undergraduate
courses at its Minneapolis and Rochester campuses, shifting
approximately half of students’ course contact time to a webbased format. Students in these blended courses will follow a
schedule in which in-classroom meetings and online instruction alternate every other week.
Augsburg already employs a variety of approaches to
hybrid instruction, and the proportion of in-class versus online
course contact time varies from program to program based
on student demographics. For example, Augsburg’s Master of
Arts in Leadership and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
programs offer a low-residency schedule in which one- or
multi-week intensive face-to-face sessions are paired with
Summer 2013
25
“Many organizations are finding out that, where possible, combining
face-to-face meetings with work in an online environment increases
student satisfaction, student learning, and retention when compared to a
course that’s offered solely online.”
online coursework completed throughout the term.
The new initiative to expand hybrid program offerings
with an every-other-week format is based on recommendations made following multi-year studies through which faculty,
staff, and administrators identified how the College could best
further its tradition of delivering high-quality, face-to-face
instruction; integrate technology into programs for non-traditional students; align with the changing demands of the adult
education market; and satisfy federal education regulations.
“Much of the inspiration for this work stems from the
opportunity we identified as an institution to enhance the
way we serve our students,” said Lori Peterson, assistant vice
president and dean of graduate and professional studies.
Peterson, who chaired a task force on academic program
structure, said the College is taking a thoughtful approach to
integrating online elements into teaching and learning. “Our
faculty and curriculum committees have done tremendous
work to ensure quality in our blended learning approach and
to identify the ways in which we will achieve the highest level
of learning outcomes,” she said.
By shifting additional academic programs to a hybrid
format, the College will meet the needs of current and future
non-traditional learners. A 2010 U.S. Department of Education analysis of online-learning studies concluded that hybrid
courses were at least as good if not marginally better and more
engaging than a fully online model.
26
Augsburg Now
“Many organizations are finding out that, where possible, combining face-to-face meetings with work in an online
environment increases student satisfaction, student learning,
and retention when compared to a course that’s offered solely
online,” said Dan McGuire, an education and communication
specialist who is working with the College as the project manager for a hybrid teaching and learning transition team.
Nationally, 6.7 million higher education students took at
least one online course in 2011, accounting for nearly onethird of all such students. These figures, released in the 2012
Survey of Online Learning, detail those classes in which at
least 80 percent of the course content was delivered online,
but schools offer online learning in varying degrees—including
a web-facilitated instruction model with few online elements
as well as the blended learning model Augsburg selected.
Non-traditional students 21 and older constitute the majority of online learners. Frequently, adult students prefer to
take courses online or to have some combination of an online
and a face-to-face format because it affords greater flexibility
as the students juggle full- or part-time employment, family
commitments, and other obligations while attending school.
By implementing a hybrid model for adult students,
“Augsburg is retaining the power of its physical community—of
a social, spiritual place that exists within a long, vibrant history—and is fusing the educational tradition of the College with
an effective teaching and learning system,” McGuire said.
A COLLEGE-WIDE ENDEAVOR
Rolling out a new academic program structure is an effort that
requires diligence, commitment, and coordination. In order
to offer adult undergraduate programs in a hybrid format,
Augsburg faculty and staff for almost a year have worked to
re-conceptualize and redesign face-to-face classes so that
content can be presented through online course management
software.
Often times, students in hybrid courses master more
basic material online at their own pace so that the classroom
becomes a place where the application of that knowledge can
be refined through lab experiments and discussions with peers
or the professor.
The online component in Augsburg’s hybrid courses will
be delivered through Moodle, a website in which educators
create micro-sites for each unique course. Augsburg has used
Moodle since 2005 and selected this learning management
system because the platform is “grounded in sound teaching
principles,” according to Scott Krajewski, director of information technology.
Moodle is recognized for supporting activities common in
a classroom, and it “provides an elegant structure to ask and
answer questions, to present information, and to engage in an
educational community in between meeting times,” McGuire
said. “The beauty of Moodle is that it’s a very powerful tool—
all of the different variations of interacting with students have
been thought through.”
According to Krajewski, Augsburg faculty and staff are
working in collaboration to design the hybrid courses and to
implement best practices for teaching online. Members of
Augsburg’s information technology staff are certified in online
course design and are experts at tailoring classes so that they
“best match the institutional mission as well as the needs
of distinctive academic departments, course sections, and
students.”
By the end of May, nearly 200 faculty members had begun the process of converting adult undergraduate courses for
fall 2013 into a hybrid model, and their work continues this
summer. Together, faculty and staff members will convert approximately 300 unique courses into a new format—tasks that
McGuire said require a time commitment ranging from 10 to
40 hours per class.
Developing high-quality hybrid courses requires sufficient
time for planning, designing, developing, and testing. Moodle
then allows professors to maximize the productivity of the inclass portion of their instruction and to use innovative, multimedia elements online. In contrast to an in-person course with
minimal supplementary material, the instructor and students
in a hybrid course interact with each other online—they engage in discussion, complete activities, and consume entirely
new information in textual, visual, and auditory formats.
Susan O’Connor, associate professor of education, has
been teaching in a hybrid model for the past five years and
served as a co-instructor for Benjamin’s teaching licensure
program. O’Connor found that while she initially was hesitant
to instruct online, she quickly realized the benefits of the new
format. “It turned out to be one of the best teaching experiences of my career,” she said. “This teaching method calls
students to take more ownership in their learning, it offers
a lot more freedom of time around their schedules, and it
sharpens the objectives that they need to fulfill during each
class session.”
Benjamin found that the blended learning model pushed
her to be specific and clear in her written communication and
to master course content by approaching assignments at her
own pace.
“I feel like the program helped me in my career and
served the K-12 students I work with,” she said. “I was challenged, but at the same time it was possible for me to be a
mom, to be a student, and to have a full-time job.”
Summer 2013
27
alumni news
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
a
s a third-generation Auggie, I am thrilled to be serving
as the new president for the Augsburg College Alumni
Board. My grandparents, Rev. Waldemar and Thora
(Torrick) Anderson, attended Augsburg in the 1930s, and my
father, Dan Anderson, graduated in 1965 and is currently a
member of the Board of Regents. I have fond memories of
attending Augsburg basketball games with my dad as a little
girl, and I’m proud to carry on the Augsburg legacy.
Graduating from the Augsburg Weekend and Evening
College program in 1995, I was immediately grateful for the
flexibility of the program, which allowed me to work full time
while pursuing my degree. Today I am an accomplished Realtor®
in Minneapolis and its western suburbs, and I live in Woodland,
Minn., with my husband, Scott, and our new baby boy, Finn.
My first order of business as president is to inform you
that the Auggie Alumni Directory and the Maroon Pages have
joined forces to provide you with an all-encompassing resource
to find professional and personal information about your classmates in one simple-to-use location. The new Auggie Maroon
Pages will make it easier for you to stay connected with fellow
Auggies and your alma mater.
This fall you will be asked to complete an alumni survey.
The personal and professional information collected in this
survey will appear online in the re-launched Auggie Maroon
Pages. As a business owner, I’m excited about the potential
the Auggie Maroon Pages offer for connecting with other
alumni, but the success of the new service depends on user
participation—so log in now! To open the door to this network,
go to augsburg.edu/alumni, click on “Maroon Pages,” create
your own login name and password, and click again on the
“Maroon Pages” box.
The Alumni Board is committed to lifting up the accomplishments of our fellow Auggies. The new Auggie Maroon
Pages is one more tool that will help us discover and share the
many success stories of Augsburg graduates. Please consider
sharing an update for class notes that will be featured in
future issues of Augsburg Now and the NOW@Augsburg online
newsletter. Help us share the difference an Augsburg education can make.
Sincerely,
TRACY SEVERSON ’95
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
28
Augsburg Now
ALUMNI BOARD Front Row [L to R]: Jill Watson ’10 MBA, Holly Knutson ’03,
’07 MBA, Marie Odenbrett ’01, Kathy Amos ’87, Rachel Engebretson ’98; Back Row
[L to R]: Chris Hallin ’88, Jerry Poland ’92, Jordan Moore ’12 MBA, Sarah Grans ’01,
Tracy Severson ’95, Chris Ascher ’81, Brent Peroutka ’02, Rick Bonlender ’78
NEW MEMBERS
“The College is doing tremendous work, and I want
to be a part of this great team. I also will be a visible
promoter of Augsburg College in my workplace,
church, and community.”
BRENT PEROUTKA ’02
FINANCIAL ADVISOR, COMPREHENSIVE WEALTH SOLUTIONS
“I want to serve on the Augsburg College Alumni
Board because I believe that building a strong
network of current and former students—from
both the Rochester and Minneapolis campuses—
will enrich the experience had by all.”
JORDAN MOORE ’12 MBA
FINANCE MANAGER, IBM
“It’s difficult to express what Augsburg College means
to me. Augsburg has been a huge part of my life and
has offered me opportunities to gain a great education,
see the world, and discover that anything is possible.”
NICK SWANSON ’09,’12 MBA
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR, ALLINA HOSPITALS & CLINICS
“Simply put, my experience at Augsburg was much
more than I had hoped for from any college. I enjoy
the sense of community that came with being an
Auggie.”
RACHEL ENGEBRETSON ’98
ATTORNEY, BINSFELD & ENGEBRETSON, PA
“I look forward to helping spread the word about
the transformation taking place at Augsburg, to
getting classmates reconnected and engaged with
the College, and to improving the board’s ability to
leverage connections to achieve larger goals.”
RICK BONLENDER ’78
BUSINESS BANKER
Leland B. Sateren’s
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
On October 13, 2013, Leland B. Sateren ’35 would have been
100 years old. Family and friends will commemorate Sateren’s
legacy at a musical celebration at 4 p.m. on his birthday at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, Minn.
The event is open to the public.
Sateren taught at Augsburg from 1946 through 1979,
during which time he also was chair of the Music Department. His work includes more than 400 choral pieces that
are sung in churches throughout the United States. Sateren’s
accomplishments include premieres of works with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and a piece that was commissioned
by the United Nations.
Peter Hendrickson ’76, director of the Augsburg Choir, is
the music advisor for the event. He is assembling a program
of Sateren compositions in addition to a couple of pieces by
good friends of Sateren. Each piece performed will be conducted by an Augsburg alum who was mentored by Sateren.
The program also will include hymns and Sateren anecdotes.
Nearly 160 alumni from the 1950s-80s plan to participate
in the event by singing. A rehearsal—and reunion—is Saturday,
October 12, at Normandale Lutheran Church.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
4 p.m., Normandale Lutheran Church
Edina, Minn.
Every effort was made to reach
all music alumni who sang during Sateren’s career at Augsburg.
If you would like to participate, email
sateren100@gmail.com.
Mike Walgren ’64 is chair of the
planning team. Others working on the event include
Hendrickson, David Clarke
’76, Jim Erlandson ’76, Tom
Fischer ’72, Bill Halverson
’51, Sally (Hough Daniels)
Herron ’79, Anne (Mollison) Klus ’76, and Naomi
(Christensen) Staruch ’81.
In addition, John Hanson
’76 and Paul Read ’77 were
instrumental in the early
stages of planning.
Meet David ‘DJ’ Hamm ’08
The Augsburg College Alumni Association
welcomes David “DJ” Hamm ’08 as the new
volunteer and alumni engagement manager
within the alumni and constituent relations
office. David comes to Augsburg with a
background in event planning, social media
communication, and philanthropy.
“Civic engagement and service learning are major parts of the Augsburg experience,” Hamm said.
“As Auggies, ‘we are called’ to serve the community beyond
Augsburg as I did in 2008 as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. I
want to build upon the tradition of giving back by creating meaningful opportunities for alumni, current students, and local residents
that instill pride and strengthen our collective community.”
David lives in Minnetonka with his wife, Emily Crook ’07. He
can be reached at 612-330-1329 or hammd@augsburg.edu.
Follow David on twitter @DJHamm1.
GIVE US YOUR
FEEDBACK
Later this year, Augsburg
will invite alumni to participate in a magazine readership survey created by the
Council for Advancement
and Support of Education (CASE). This web survey
is designed to help colleges and universities evaluate how readers view their campus magazine and
to benchmark the results.
Email langemo@augsburg.edu to update your email
address. A random sample of Augsburg Now readers
will be emailed to participate in this survey.
Summer 2013
29
alumni class notes
John Luoma published an
article in the book Religion:
A Clinical Guide for Nurses 2012.
65
Tom Koplitz was named
Director of the Minnesota
Prevention Resource Center. He
has managed several federal
and state prevention projects
during the past 22 years. He also
manages the drug-free coalition,
Partners for a Drug Free Chisago
County.
74
Scott Seal released an online
video that brings to life a scene
from his 2011 novel Convergence:
A Novel of Science Fiction.
Doug Greseth, boy’s basketball coach at Wesley Chapel
High School near Tampa, Fla.,
won his 400th career game in
December. He has coached 26
people who have gone on to play
college basketball or football,
including three players in the
NFL and one in the NBA. He was
named the Sunshine Athletic
Conference Coach of the Year in
2011-12 and 2012-13.
79
Terri Bocklund was chosen
by jury as an Artist in
Residence at Isle Royale National
Park, located in the northwestern
section of Lake Superior.
81
Kristine West Denton
performed Beethoven’s
“Emperor” piano concerto with
the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic
Orchestra at Edinboro University
on February 12. She is an associate professor of music at Edinboro
University.
82
Jacquie Berglund, owner
of FINNEGANS Inc. and
the FINNEGANS Community
Fund, was awarded the Social
Impact Award for Best Social
Entrepreneur from Minnesota
Business Magazine. Berglund also
received the Best Small Business
Award from the Minneapolis
Regional Chamber of Commerce
in March. For the past four years,
Berglund has been coached
by Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL,
owner of the KnowledgeSphere
Group of AdviCoach. Blesi helps
FINNEGANS grow its profits so
that it can continue to purchase
fresh produce for food banks in
each of the markets where its
beer is sold.
87
Heather Johnston was
promoted to city manager of
Burnsville, Minn.
92
Heather Cmiel, account
director with Minneapolisbased public relations firm
02
Auggie Legacy Family
The fourth of five children from the Schmit family graduated this past
May from Augsburg College. This fall, the College will welcome to
campus the fifth Auggie from the Schmit family. The Schmit children,
shown holding their fingers up in their birth order, include [L to R]:
Hannah Schmit ’18, Peter Schmit ’13, Caitlyn Schmit ’11, Michael
Schmit ’09, Christianna “Christi” Lobermeier ’08. These Auggies are
the children of Kathy and Dave Schmit of Tomahawk, Wis.
Weber Shandwick, was named
to the board of directors for the
Minnesota chapter of the Public
Relations Society of America
(PRSA).
Mel Freitag completed her PhD in
curriculum and instruction with
minors in composition/rhetoric
and educational psychology at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She has accepted a position as
a clinical assistant professor and
director of diversity initiatives for
ie
augPg
SHOTS
SNA
Allison (Cornell) and Matt
Broughton ’06 welcomed
their son Calvin Patrick Broughton
on April 24. Calvin joined the
family as the first grandchild for
Randy and Pam Cornell and Cal
and Alice Broughton, and the first
nephew for Jeff Cornell ’15.
05
Iris Grace Terrell was born on
February 25 to Lisa (Ritchie)
Terrell and Chris Terrell. She joins big
sisters Julia, age 9, and Cece, age 7.
94
30
Augsburg Now
Tara (Cesaretti) McLeod and
Chris McLeod ’00 welcomed
daughter Maren on October 11.
She joins big sister, Cora.
97
the University of Wisconsin School
of Nursing.
James Pope, instrumental
music instructor at North
Branch (Minn.) High School
organized the North Suburban AllConference Honors Band program
this past January with 10 high
schools represented. Bob Stacke
’71, chair of the Augsburg College
Music Department, directed the
concert band’s performance. The
festival also included a separate
03
CORRECTION:
On page 25 of the Spring
2013 issue of Augsburg
Now, Cristina M. Olson ’00
’05 MSW was incorrectly
listed as the assistant
vice president for student affairs at Towson
University. She is the
assistant to the vice president for student affairs.
HOMECOMING
All-Conference jazz band under the
direction of Dave Mitchell, director of the
Minnesota Youth Jazz Ensembles.
2013
Elsa Maxwell and her husband,
Rodrigo Bello, have relocated to
Duluth, Minn., after residing in Santiago,
Chile, for nine years. Elsa completed her
master’s degree in Latin American Studies
at the Universidad de Chile and is working
on her doctorate in literature.
04
Kimberly A. Cruce was appointed
to the University of Michigan Mott
Children’s Hospital Nursing Governance
Committee. Before joining Mott, Cruce was
on staff at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
08
Alissa Nollan started a new position in November as coordinator for
the graduate business programs at Saint
Mary’s University in Minneapolis.
09
Jenni (Pickford) Anderson married Thomas
R. Anderson, Jr. on July 28, 2012, in
Rosemount, Minn. They now live in
DeKalb, Ill. where Jenni is working on her
master’s degree in philosophy at Northern
Illinois University, after which she hopes to
pursue a doctoral program.
Matthew Curtis joined The Principal
Financial Group’s Minnesota
Business Center. He serves as a financial
advisor and financial representative.
10
Graduate programs
Dan Dierfeldt ’94 MSW was elected to
represent Minnesota as a delegate to the
2012 National Education Assembly in
Washington, D.C.
Kathy Thoreson ’96 MSW retired in January
after serving as chief executive officer of
Lutheran Services in Tennessee.
Ed Frizell ’05 MAL was promoted during February to deputy chief of the
Minneapolis Police Department. He previously served as the First Precinct inspector
and has had a career with the Minneapolis
Police Department since 1993.
Dr. Amit K. Ghosh ’12 MBA earned the
Certified Physician Executive (CPE)
degree from the Certifying Commission in
Medical Management. The CPE degree
indicates that the physician has achieved
superior levels of professional excellence
and management experience while also
demonstrating effective knowledge and
leadership skills.
SEPTEMBER 23-28
Come back to campus to enjoy Homecoming 2013 and Parent and Family
Weekend with alumni, parents, and friends. New events along with traditional
favorites make this one of the best times to visit campus all year. Visit
augsburg.edu/homecoming for more information and to register.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Friday, September 27
Saturday, September 28
Homecoming Convocation with
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center,
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Recognizing the First Decade,
Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished
Alumni Award winners.
Breakfast with the Provost
Oren Gateway Center Atrium, 9:30 a.m.
Current Auggies and their parents are
invited to a breakfast to meet Karen
Kaivola, the College’s new Provost and
Chief Academic Officer.
Homecoming Convocation Luncheon
Dining Commons, 12 p.m.
Enjoy a time for fellowship as we continue to recognize and celebrate our
distinguished alumni award winners
as well as the 50-Year Club inductees
from the class of 1963.
Faculty and Faculty Emeriti
Meet and Greet
Lindell Library, 4 p.m.
Reconnect with faculty from your
time at Augsburg College and take
the opportunity to meet current
faculty from a variety of departments.
Refreshments will be served.
Auggie Hours
Republic, 6 to 9 p.m.
Augsburg Young Alumni, 10th
Reunion, and 25th Reunion will come
together for an all-out Homecoming
bash! Republic is located at 221
Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Augsburg Legacy Family Event
Admissions Suite, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Augsburg legacy families—past,
present, and future—will enjoy time
together at this special reception.
Taste of Augsburg
Murphy Square, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event includes carnival-style
booths operated by student groups,
alumni, and local restaurants, as well
as games, inflatable bounce houses,
and fun for the entire family.
Homecoming Football Game vs. Hamline
Edor Nelson Field, 1 p.m.
Cheer on the Auggie football team as
they take on the Hamline Pipers!
Auggie Block Party
Parking Lot K, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy live music, barbecue fare,
reunions, and more.
Summer 2013
31
Augsburg College President Emeritus
Charles S. Anderson dies at 83
Charles S. Anderson, respected reformation scholar, higher
education leader, and president of Augsburg College from
1980 to 1997, passed away June 14.
As the eighth president of Augsburg, Anderson led the
College to expand diversity in enrollment and programs; to
advance its curriculum to draw more fully on the resources of
the city as an extension of the College’s campus and classrooms; and to strengthen its commitment to spiritual growth,
freedom, and liberal arts education.
During his tenure, Anderson said, “A liberal arts education
answers what business leaders say they need: people who can
communicate, people who can think, people equipped for change…
people who understand history and the possibilities of the future,”
and he led the College to be clear and focused in its mission
while embracing opportunities for growth and progress.
Anderson was a constant advocate for Augsburg and
helped to establish the College’s public presence in the Twin
Cities, said David Tiede, Augsburg College Regent and former
Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation.
Tiede, who studied under Anderson and served as his faculty
colleague at Luther Seminary, said that Anderson “brought
Augsburg into the public square of the city of Minneapolis in a
way that it hadn’t been previously” and put the College on “a
trajectory that has been taken effectively forward.”
“Chuck Anderson was a careful steward of Augsburg’s
distinctive legacy of liberal-professional-experiential education
in the city,” said President Emeritus William V. Frame, who
succeeded Anderson at Augsburg. “He took the view that the
College was, in fact, the Church at 22nd and Riverside, and
he made it profoundly hospitable to a daring array of diversity—not only religious and cultural, but of learning styles and
varying physical capacities.”
Anderson wears the Knight’s Cross, an honor presented in 1993 by His Majesty King Harald
V of Norway to recognize Anderson’s work to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Norway.
Anderson advanced the College vision he inherited from
Oscar Anderson and, before him, Bernhard Christensen and
passed on “an extraordinary College of the Church, which
continues today along the path he and his predecessors laid
out for it,” Frame said.
Anderson was born in Madison, Wis., in 1930—the 400th
anniversary year of the Augsburg Confession, the statement of
faith for which the College was named. He earned a bachelor’s
degree from St. Olaf College in 1951 and after graduation
went on to serve as a Marine Corps officer. He later continued
his studies, earning a master’s degree in English from the
Anderson pictured during his tenure as a
Luther Seminary professor.
Anderson attends Augsburg College’s 1994 Commencement
ceremony with his wife, Catherine.
His Majesty King Olav V of Norway and Anderson meet in 1987.
32
26
Augsburg Now
University of Wisconsin in 1954, a bachelor of theology degree
from Luther Theological Seminary in 1957, and a doctor of
philosophy degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1961.
For 15 years Anderson taught church history at Luther
Seminary in St. Paul, and for six years he also was director of
graduate studies. He was a guest professor in 1968 at
Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and for five years was
a guest lecturer at St. Paul Diocesan Seminary. A frequent
guest pastor and educator at Lutheran churches throughout
the United States, his publications include four books: The
Reformation, Then and Now; Augsburg Historical Atlas of
Christianity in the Middle Ages and Reformation; Readings
in Luther for Laymen; and Faith and Freedom: The Christian
Faith According to the Lutheran Confessions.
As a lifelong scholar, Anderson completed postdoctoral
study in Strasbourg, France, and at Columbia University, the
University of Minnesota, Harvard University, and Union
Theological Seminary.
Anderson came to Augsburg in 1976 as vice president for
academic affairs and dean of the college—a role he served
until his election as College president.
During the 17 years of Anderson’s presidency, Augsburg
instituted two graduate degree programs, launched the Weekend and Evening College program, and established the Center
for Global Education. The College amplified its support of
students of diverse backgrounds and abilities by creating the
StepUP® program for young people in recovery and the CLASS
office for differently abled students. Augsburg also celebrated
the addition and improvement of numerous campus facilities
such as the Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship, Drama,
and Communication; the Oscar Anderson Residence Hall; and
the James G. Lindell Family Library.
At the time of Anderson’s retirement, then-Board of
Regents Chair Barbara Gage described his legacy as one in
which “leadership, energy, faith, and pursuit of new ideas...
helped Augsburg fulfill her mission to create leaders in service.”
Gage said Anderson epitomized the servant leader and left
Augsburg strong, healthy, and ready to have a positive impact
in the 21st century.
Anderson, a respected leader in higher education service
learning, was appointed chair of the Youth Works Commission by former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson. He received the
Knight’s Cross, First Class of the Royal Order of Merit, from
His Majesty King Harald V of Norway in 1993 for his work
to preserve and strengthen ties between the two countries.
Anderson was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
degree from Augsburg College in 2007.
“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 is survived by his children, Eric and Kristin,
Augsburg College professor of art history and archivist; five
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his wife,
Catherine, with whom he established the Charles and Catherine
Anderson Diversity Scholarship in 1989 and with whom he was
recognized by the June and Julian Foss family with the establishment of the Charles and Catherine Anderson Scholarship in
1997. The scholarship awards help the college fulfill its mission
of being an intentionally diverse community and supporting
students’ exceptional academic ability and Christian service.
A memorial service was held at St. Anthony Park Lutheran
Church on June 18. The Anderson family has requested that
memorials be sent to St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church,
Luther Seminary, or Augsburg College.
Anderson greets American folk singer Peter Yarrow,
the 1990 Augsburg College Commencement speaker.
Anderson pictured in 1980, the year of his
inauguration as Augsburg College President.
To learn more about
President Emeritus
Anderson’s legacy,
view archival images
from his tenure at
Augsburg, and read
articles from the
Star Tribune and
Pioneer Press, go to
augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2013
33
In memoriam
Irene (Hagen) Kyllo ’39,
Donovan A. Moe ’56, Canton,
Bloomington, Minn., age 96,
on January 26.
Julia (Sletten) Benson ’42,
Minneapolis, age 98, on
January 18.
Muriel (Quanbeck) Turrittin ’42,
St. Peter, Minn., age 93, on
March 10.
Orloue N. Gisselquist ’43,
Minneapolis, age 91, on
March 16.
Ruben N. Egeberg ’45, Rock
Island, Ill., age 89, on
March 2.
Joyce K. (Opseth) Schwartz ’45,
Minneapolis, age 88, on
February 3.
E. Milton Kleven ’46, Edina,
Minn., age 90, on April 11.
Gudrun (Vik) Kampen ’48,
Plentywood, Mont., age 90, on
October 27.
Reynold “Ray” J. Skotte ’48,
Long Beach, Calif., age 92, on
January 28.
Iris J. (Johnson) Brustad ’49,
Eden Prairie, Minn., age 85,
on November 4.
Glenn C. Grahn ’49, Atwater,
Minn., age 87, on April 6.
James Cleatus Hodge ’49,
Minneapolis, age 89, on
April 22.
Norman C. Hoium ’50, Coon
Rapids, Minn., age 87, on
May 3.
Allen D. Hanson ’52, Knoxville,
Tenn., age 82, on April 10.
Elwood “Woody” H. Larson ’52,
Roseville, Minn., age 83, on
January 12.
John R. Madsen ’52, Spring
Park, Minn., age 85, on
April 30.
Arnold Paulson ’52, Woodbury,
Minn., age 84, on March 6.
Dean L. Lapham ’53,
Bloomington, Minn., age 81,
on March 29.
Donald J. Reimer ’53, Mound,
Minn., age 81, on March 31.
Jeneane (Abrahamson) Stein ’53,
Killen, Minn., age 82, on
February 7.
Ga., age 78, on December 29.
Harlan C. Christianson ’57, Los
Angeles, age 77, on
December 15.
Janice “Jan” M. (Bremseth) Larson
’55, Sparta, Minn., age 79, on
April 23.
34
26
Augsburg Now
Leona M. (Samuelson) Nelson
’57, Payson, Ariz., age 75, on
March 14.
Marvin S. Rodvik ’57, Franklin,
Minn., age 85, on April 5.
Genevieve T. (Trenne) Michelsen
’61, Charlotte, N.C., age 73,
on April 7.
Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63,
Minneapolis, age 73, on
April 8.
David S. Ziegler ’64, Crystal,
Minn., age 71, on April 13.
Francis W. Monseth ’65, Rogers,
Minn., age 71, on March 29.
Carolyn A. (Hanson) Schildgen
’68, Northbrook, Ill., age 66,
on April 20.
Timothy J. Wattman ’70,
Minnetonka, Minn., age 66,
on April 8.
James “Jim” M. Genia ’87,
Shoreview, Minn., age 48, on
March 30.
Scott E. Humphrey ’89,
Plymouth, Minn., age 47, on
January 17.
Erika L. (Timm) Rodriguez ’96,
Alexandria, Minn., age 39, on
December 11.
Kirsten (Kvamme) Salmi ’99,
Golden Valley, Minn., age 38,
on March 23.
Allan T. Davey ’00, Maple
Grove, Minn., age 50, on
September 16.
Juli Elisabeth Crees ’05,
Plymouth, Minn., age 30, on
March 3.
Ana M. Strandemo ’12,
Minneapolis, age 29, on
January 26.
President Emeritus Charles S.
Anderson, St. Paul, age 83,
June 14.
CORRECTION:
The name of Richard “Dick”
Vevle ’57 name was misspelled
in the Spring 2013 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 email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also
submit news at augsburg.edu/alumni.
______________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________
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Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
______________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________
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Okay to publish your email address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
______________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________
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If yes, class year__________________________________________
______________________________________________________
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Your news:
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❑ I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
In memoriam
E. Milton Kleven
E. Milton “Milt” Kleven ’46, active Augsburg alumnus, generous scholarship benefactor, teacher, businessman, Navy
Reserve commander, and friend of Augsburg College, passed
away April 11.
Kleven, son of a Norwegian immigrant mother and a
Norwegian-American father, grew up two blocks south of
Augsburg College. He enrolled in the College in 1940,
but his studies were interrupted by World War II. Kleven
returned to Augsburg after the war and graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in physical
education. He later earned a master’s degree in vocational
education from the University of Minnesota.
Kleven began his career teaching mathematics in the
Minneapolis Public School District in 1946. He was an
educator in Minneapolis for 34 years. In 1947, he founded
Kleven Flooring Service, a hardwood flooring company that
he led for more than 60 years.
“The impact on Augsburg students—past, present, and
future—of Milt’s incredible generosity will be felt for generations to come,” said Augsburg College President Paul C.
Pribbenow. “Growing up and teaching in Minneapolis, Milt
understood what a full scholarship could mean to students
from low-income families. He loved getting to know the
students his family supported, and he was a strong advocate
among his peers for greater scholarship funding for even
more students.”
Kleven and his wife, Dorothy, who met at Augsburg in
1943, were generous supporters of the College and student
scholarships for more than 50 years. In 2001, he established the Dorothy Lijsing Kleven Scholarship in Choral
Music, the College’s first endowed President’s Scholarship,
providing a full scholarship to students interested in choral
music. Dorothy was interested in choral music throughout
her life. In 2007, the Kleven family created two additional
endowed President’s Scholarships: one in memory of Milt’s
and Dorothy’s parents, Magnus and Kristofa Kleven, and
David and Florence Lijsing; and a second in Milt’s name—
the E. Milton Kleven Scholarship in Public Service.
Kleven also helped to facilitate two other scholarships.
The Margaret E. Andrews Scholarship was established by
Kleven and his fellow trade and industry coordinators in the
Minneapolis Public Schools to honor Andrews, who founded
the district’s Cooperative Education Training program. The
Reverend Donald C. Carlson Scholarship, through the
Normandale Lutheran Church Foundation, is named for
Normandale’s founding pastor, a 1942 Augsburg alumnus.
This scholarship supports students from Normandale who
attend Augsburg College. The Klevens also provided major
support for the construction of the James G. Lindell Library.
Kleven joined with Glen Person ’47 and Dick “Pork Chop”
Thompson ’61 to provide funding to name the Jeroy C.
Carlson ’48 A-Club Hospitality/Classroom in the Kennedy
Center, in honor of Carlson, their longtime friend.
“The impact on Augsburg students—past, present,
and future—of Milt’s incredible generosity will be
felt for generations to come.”
AUGSBURG COLLEGE PRESIDENT PAUL C. PRIBBENOW
Summer 2013
35
auggies on the field
Lacrosse team maps new ground in women’s athletics
Being first can be daunting.
It’s intimidating because no one before you has done what
you are trying to do. There’s no road map to keep you on track.
But it’s also exhilarating to create the map for others and
to leave an indelible mark on everything that follows.
“I am excited to be at the forefront of Augsburg College’s
varsity women’s lacrosse team,” said Coach Kathryn
Knippenberg. “I’m looking forward to building a team that
knows winning is as much about team chemistry and bonds as
it is about the stick.”
It’s not just that Knippenberg is Augsburg’s first women’s
collegiate varsity lacrosse coach.
It’s bigger than that. Knippenberg is the first women’s collegiate varsity lacrosse coach at any college in Minnesota, and
at the one that launched in 1995 the first women’s collegiate
varsity hockey team.
“It’s an honor to help pioneer this great sport,”
Knippenberg said. “Getting to lead at a place that believes in
the value of women’s athletics is thrilling and challenging.”
Knippenberg, who as a student at the University of
Minnesota was captain and president of the school’s club
lacrosse team, said the commitment that Augsburg is making
to lacrosse has significant meaning for student athletes.
“Auggie athletes won’t have to spend time like my college
club team did on fundraising for equipment and travel. They
won’t have to worry about budgets and scheduling practice and
game time,” she said.
“They just have to show up, practice, and play hard. My
job is about having things in place so our student athletes can
improve their skills on the field, and to help make sure they
stay on track and are achieving in the classroom.”
Jeff Swenson, athletic director for the College, said
Knippenberg is accomplished in Minnesota’s fast-growing
lacrosse community and that the players will benefit from her
experience and leadership.
“Coach Knippenberg will lead us in realizing our goal of
expanding opportunities for women, and continuing to prepare
them for success beyond Augsburg,” Swenson said.
“These student athletes will develop their skills on the
field, and carry into life and work valuable lessons about how
to balance multiple priorities and to work as part of a diverse
team.”
Knippenberg said her primary work now is focused on
recruiting and preparing for the first sanctioned and regulated
games scheduled for spring 2014.
36
Augsburg Now
“I hope the community comes out to watch our games. It’s
fast paced and intense,” she said.
“Whether the team wins or loses, one thing is sure:
Everyone in the stands will be part of something bigger. We’ll
all be making history as Augsburg continues to blaze a new
trail for women’s varsity athletics in Minnesota.”
Knippenberg has served as head lacrosse coach at
Academy of Holy Angels since 2009, is cofounder and president of the North Central Women’s Lacrosse League, and works
with Winning For Life, an organization that develops positive
leadership and life skills through sports.
STEPHANIE WEISS
Reconnect with Augsburg through
ALUMNI LEADERSHIP SUMMITS
AUGGIES ARE ENGAGED.
Each year, students dig into life at Augsburg by participating in
City Service Day and working at community organizations in the
neighborhood; build teamwork and leadership skills through athletics and student organizations; and develop and hone research and
technical skills through on- and off-campus research programs.
Each year, alumni shape the Augsburg community by mentoring students; engage with the College through volunteer work,
including serving on the alumni board and Board of Regents; and
celebrate life as an Auggie by returning to campus for signature
events including Homecoming and Velkommen Jul.
This year, we invite all of our alumni to reconnect with the College
by attending an Alumni Leadership Summit. It’s your chance to learn,
first-hand, about the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. It’s an
opportunity to be part of the change that ensures Augsburg continues shaping and preparing students for lives of meaning.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/events to learn more
and to register for an Alumni Leadership Summit.
1-800-273-0617 augsburg.edu/giving
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Augsburg Sneak Peek
First-year students got a chance to gear up for fall at the Sneak
Peek event this past spring. Those attending had the opportunity
to tour campus and residence halls, sample classes, and talk
with current students, faculty, and staff. Jordan Tayor ’13
(pictured, left) was one of the students on hand to answer questions and meet and greet future Auggies.
Alisha Olson ’15, Admissions Counselor Shonna Fulford ’09, and
Admissions Counselor Jenna Obler [pictured L to R] greeted students
at Sneak Peek registration.
Show less
The economics of education
Auggies on the road
Commencement 2012
Calculus and coffee
Gage Center for Student Success
Homecoming 2012 preview
auggies
ARE
achievers
SUMMER 2012 | VOL. 74, NO. 3
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
notes
from President Pribbenow
Vice President of Marketing
and Communic... Show more
The economics of education
Auggies on the road
Commencement 2012
Calculus and coffee
Gage Center for Student Success
Homecoming 2012 preview
auggies
ARE
achievers
SUMMER 2012 | VOL. 74, NO. 3
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
notes
from President Pribbenow
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
The Augsburg Promise
Senior Creative Associate-Design
A
s I recently watched our almost 1,000 graduates
of the Augsburg Class of 2012 walk across the
stage to receive diplomas, I couldn’t help but be
proud of their many accomplishments and successes as Augsburg students. Our remarkably diverse
graduates—from various backgrounds, of various talents, on their way to various professions—are the most
tangible signs of our strategic commitment to the success of all our students.
And yet, the news media and popular opinion would
have us believe that there are storm clouds rising in
higher education. Some even call it a “tsunami.” Students unprepared for college, students who do not persist or graduate, students who will not get jobs (or, at
least, not the jobs they want), students with too much
debt. And conversely, colleges and universities that do
not meet student needs, institutions that are too
bureaucratic and expensive, colleges and universities
stuck with an “old” model of teaching and learning.
At Augsburg, we are deeply aware of these concerns. In fact, this issue of Augsburg Now includes an
overview of the complex economics of higher education because we understand that topics such as this
are too important to leave unaddressed. At the same
time, we recognize that the markers of student success—graduation rates, academic achievement, or
getting into graduate school or the workforce—also
must be pursued. The story about our new Gage Center for Student Success shows just one way we are
focused on ensuring that our students have the support they need to complete their Augsburg education.
So, rather than allow various social and economic
trends to define our reality, we are dedicated to planning for our future in ways that are both strategic,
that is, focused on what is most essential and important to our mission as a college, and also studentcentered, that is, always mindful that we must do our
best for all of our students.
We articulate this commitment to student success
in a concept we call the Augsburg Promise. It is the
relationship we form with our students to ensure their
success, and it has three key components.
It is, first of all, centered in our commitment to
helping our students discern and live their vocations (or
“callings”). The concept of vocation—inherited from our
Lutheran Christian theological tradition and embedded
in the Augsburg curriculum—is not merely about selffulfillment. It is a deeply nuanced way of helping students explore their gifts and commitments, understand
the arc of their lives, and embrace how their work in the
world—whatever it may be—has significance. At the
heart of the Augsburg Promise is the claim that our students will be better prepared for the world because of
our work together in the classroom, in residence halls,
on athletic fields, and in our neighborhood.
The second component of the Augsburg Promise is
our focus on academic growth and achievement in
terms of both access—how our students are welcomed
as part of our diverse community—and excellence—the
standards we set and the support we offer to ensure that
their education is of the highest order. Our students
come to Augsburg with a variety of gifts and talents. Our
promise to them is that this educational experience like
no other will challenge them to grow as students and as
citizens. So, yes, they will attain traditional academic
success, and be recognized with honors and awards, but
they also will experience the growth and achievement
that is recognized in lives of meaning and significance
in the world.
Finally, the Augsburg Promise is about equipping
our students for the lives they will lead in the world.
Higher education—especially an education grounded in
the liberal arts—must aim at ensuring that our students
are educated across a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. At the same time, a college community like
Augsburg must also consider how students are formed
with certain skills and habits that will prepare them for
citizenship and leadership. Whether in the classroom or
community, in student organizations or residence halls,
on playing fields or international travel, we must have
an integrated sense of how our students are “educated
to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical
thinkers, and responsible leaders.”
That is our mission—and that is our promise so that
all Augsburg students might be successful.
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Production Manager/Now Online
Mark Chamberlain
chamberm@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Senior 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
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Minneapolis, MN 55454
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Email: now@augsburg.edu
augsburg now
summer 2012
Features
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The economics of education
BY REBECCA JOHN
Speaking of money
BY REBECCA JOHN, STEPHANIE WEISS,
AND WENDI WHEELER ’06
Commencement
COMPILED BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
AND STEPHANIE WEISS
Faculty retirements
COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS
19
.
GAGE CENTER FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
22 Nic Adducci ’15
contents
23 Rachel Hastings ’15
40
26 Andrena Murphy ’15
28
Calculus and coffee
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Departments
inside
front
cover
On the cover
Four friends pose for the camera before lining up for the commencement procession. See more photos from the May and July commencement ceremonies at www.augsburg.edu/now.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
2
27
30
31
32
37
40
Notes from President Pribbenow
Around the Quad
It takes an Auggie
My Auggie experience
Auggie voices
Alumni news
Alumni class notes
Auggies on the ice
quad
around the
Celebrating Student Success
Scholarships and fellowships
Augsburg students earned a range of prestigious accolades during spring semester.
Some of the awards include the following:
Fulbright Scholars: Adam Spanier ’12 and
Rosalind “Rose” Sybrant ’12 were awarded
English teaching assistantships. Spanier
will teach in the Czech Republic during
2012-13, while Sybrant will teach in
Venezuela. Augsburg College is recognized
by The Chronicle of Higher Education as
one of the nation’s top producers of
Fulbright Scholars.
Gilman International Scholarships: Seven
Auggies received Gilman International Scholarships from the U.S. State Department to
study overseas this summer and fall. Auggies
will study in India, Jordan, South Africa,
South Korea, and Thailand. Augsburg was
awarded more Gilman Scholarships than any
other Twin Cities college or university this
academic year.
Goldwater Scholarship: Joe Buchman ’13, who
is studying chemistry, was awarded an honorable mention in the Goldwater Scholarship competition. He will spend the
summer doing off-campus research at the
University of Minnesota as a Student Summer Fellow for the Lupus Foundation of
Minnesota.
Kemper Scholars Program: Ibrahim Al-Hajiby
’14, an international relations/international
business major, was named the College’s
second Kemper Scholar. Students in the
Kemper program get academic scholarships
and stipends to cover the costs of two summer internships in major nonprofit and forprofit organizations. Augsburg is one of only
16 U.S. liberal arts colleges with the Kemper Scholars Program distinction.
2
Augsburg Now
Student research
awards and
achievements
Winner of international
contest: Work by biology
major Alex Sorum ’13 on a
bacterium that affects
about 80 percent of cystic
fibrosis patients won an
international American
Association for the
Advancement of Science
Angela Bonfiglio ’13 was named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2013. This award, presented by Campus Compact, honors college student leaders who have demon(AAAS) poster competition
strated their investment in finding solutions to the challenges that face our
this spring. Sorum won
communities.
the student poster competition in the medicine and
Newman Civic Fellow: Angela Bonfiglio ’13
public health category at the 2012 AAAS
was named a Newman Civic Fellow by
international meeting in Vancouver, B.C.
Campus Compact. The award recognizes
Sorum said that one of the rewards of
inspiring college student leaders who work
attending the conference was experiencing
to find solutions for challenges facing their
how going to a small liberal arts college
communities. Bonfiglio has rebuilt
has made him competitive with students
Community Link, a campus service organiat large research universities.
zation, doubling its membership while deepening
its issue-based work. In
North Minneapolis, she is
researching community
perceptions on the
achievement gap and working to close that gap. She
coordinates an afterschool
program at Redeemer
Lutheran Church to ensure
that youth have homework
help and an evening meal.
She is dedicated to social
justice, including environmental work, youth develAlex Sorum ’13 conducts research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that
opment, interfaith work,
affects cystic fibrosis patients.
and racial equality.
Zyzzogeton celebrates work
of 67 students: Augsburg
celebrated the creativity
and research of 67 underKirubel Gezehegn ’14, a physics and chemistry major from Zimbabwe, discusses his
graduate
students during
research with physics professor Mark Engebretsen at the 2012 Zyzzogeton student
research poster exhibition.
mid-April at the annual
Zyzzogeton poster session.
Meeting of Nobel Laureates: Augsburg ColThe festival—which included work by stulege student Kirubel Gezehegn ’14 attended
dents from 17 academic departments—
the 2012 Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laurewas a chance for students to present their
ates in Lindau, Germany. The meeting
research to the Augsburg community and
brings together 31 chemistry and physics
practice public speaking. A “zyzzogeton”
laureates and an equal number of invited
is a green leaf-hopper as well as one of the
students. Gezehegn also will study chemlast words in the Webster Collegiate Dicistry this summer at Johns Hopkins Univertionary, a fitting symbol to mark the end of
sity in the labs operated by Nobel Laureate
the academic year.
Peter Agre ’70.
Auggies are doing off-campus research
across the United States at:
• Argonne National Laboratory, Physics
• Baylor University, Biology
• Carleton College, Summer Mathematics
Program for Women Undergraduates
• Harvard University, National Science
Foundation-Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (NSF-REU), Bioengineering, Scientific Computing, Robotics
and Materials Science and Engineering
• Loyola University, Biology
• Mayo Clinic, Neurobiology
• National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Cell Systems Science Group
• Oakland University, NSF-REU, Mechanical Engineering
• Rochester Institute of Technology, NSFREU, External Graph Theory and Dynamical Systems
• Texas Christian University, Physics
• University of Georgia, NSF-REU, Microbiology
• University of Minnesota, Lillehei Heart
Institute
11th time since 1998 that the team finished
in the top 10. On the mat, the team placed
second at the NCAA Division III National
Championship.
National Society of
Black Engineers conference
At the end of March, physics majors Gottlieb
Uahengo ’13, Mohamed Sheikh-Mohamed ’14,
Amir Rose ’14, and Fred Vedasto ’13 attended
the National Society of Black Engineers
conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. The conference included workshops and programming
for grade school, collegiate, graduate,
technical, professional, and international entities of the
society. Uahengo said
he was intrigued by
his “ability to draw
several parallels
between [his]
Augsburg education
and some of the
physics behind the
technology of companies such as Boeing,
Nearly 70 undergraduate students presented their research at the 2012 Zyzzogeton
Lockheed Martin, and
poster session. Zyzzogeton, held near the end of the spring semester, is the College’s
annual festival of student creativity and scholarship.
3M, and to see the
real-world applications of the many
concepts studied in class.” Travel was
funded through the NorthStar STEM
The Augsburg College wrestling team during
Alliance, a program intended to double the
2011-12 stood out in the classroom and on
number of African-American,
the mat. Auggies claimed the highest team
Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Alaska
grade-point average in the National Wrestling
Native, and Pacific Islander students
Coaches Association Division III Scholar Allreceiving bachelor degrees in science,
America program, with an overall GPA of
technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
3.73. This is the second time Augsburg has
earned this top academic honor and the
Scholar All-America Program
Summer 2012
3
quad
around the
Celebrating Student Success (continued)
Travelers EDGE
Five Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and
Employment) scholars from Augsburg will complete internships
with Travelers this summer. Three Auggies—Simon Tekle ’13, Ger
Lao ’13, and Dustina Granlund ’14—will work in Travelers’ information technology (IT) department. Mai Yang “Maya” Vue ’13 will
intern as a cash control analyst, and Mee “Kanee” Lee ’14, will
research diverse markets in the Twin Cities. Travelers EDGE
seeks to increase the pipeline of underrepresented students to
college, help them to graduate, and build awareness of careers
in the insurance and financial services industry. This was
Augsburg’s second year as a recipient of a Travelers EDGE grant.
Thrivent Leadership Fellows
Augsburg’s Thrivent Leadership Fellows, a group of students working to engage the Augsburg community in service, organized an
annual multicultural dinner at the Brian Coyle Center during
April. The event featured foods that represented the cultures in
the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Thrivent
Leadership Fellows work to strengthen on- and off-campus communities through organized volunteer events and activities such
as cooking classes for local shelters, food shelf drives, and
tutoring sessions.
The Thrivent Leadership Fellows: Front Row [L to R]: Christine Smith ’13, Janelle
Holte ’13, Maya Keith ’13, Shana Strong ’13, Masha Shatonova ’13; Back Row
[L to R]: Paul Hunt ’13, Jordan Skrove ’13, Billy Mzenga ’13
4
Augsburg Now
Celebration of
Philanthropy
The 2011-12 fiscal year was one of the most successful
fundraising years in Augsburg’s history with nearly $14 million
raised to support programming, scholarships, buildings, and
research. One of the ways the College celebrated this success
was by welcoming more than 250 donors and volunteer leaders
to campus for the annual Celebration of Philanthropy in June.
W.K. Kellogg FOUNDATION
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation during May funded a three-year,
$1.2 million grant to support Sprockets, a St. Paul-based
educational program operated in partnership with Augsburg
College’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship. The W.K.
Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is among the largest philanthropic
foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all
children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF
works with communities to
create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in
school, work, and life. WKKF
is based in Battle Creek,
Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is
paid to areas where there are high concentrations of poverty
and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF
priority locations in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New
Mexico, and New Orleans, and internationally in Mexico and
Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
National
Science
Foundation
Grant
Augsburg College
Women’s Varsity Lacrosse
Augsburg College announced this summer that it will launch the
first collegiate women’s varsity lacrosse team in Minnesota.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing high school girls’ sports in
the state and is currently offered as a club sport at Augsburg.
The College’s new varsity team will begin competing during
spring 2014. A coach, who will join the staff this fall, will spend
the first year recruiting and building the team. By offering
women’s lacrosse, Augsburg will be able to expand the number
of student-athletes who attend Augsburg for their post-secondary education and increase the total number of female student-athletes at the College.
Augsburg was awarded a National Science Foundation
grant of nearly $600,000 to support scholarships for
undergraduates majoring in sciences or mathematics.
The AugSTEM scholarships will provide as much as
$7,500 per year to upper-division students. The grant
brings to nearly $3 million the College’s total active
awards from the NSF. Partial funding is provided by the
National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
program under Award Number DUE-1154096.
MANY VOICES
BOLD VISIONS
Convocation Series 2011-12
MusicEnsembles
Augsburg College’s music ensembles
performed regionally and nationally during the 2011-12 school year. Numerous
performances were given around the
metro area, including the U.S. premiere
performance of John Ireland’s “Psalm 42” by
the Masterworks Chorale and a rousing year-end performance by
Augsburg Jazz Instrumental Vocal Ensemble at Famous Dave’s in
Minneapolis. Each of the College’s three touring groups follow a fouryear travel rotation that includes national, international, and two
regional tours. The Augsburg Symphony Orchestra and the Augsburg
Choir went on national tours this year. The orchestra traveled to
Florida during winter break, while the choir after commencement
toured Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington,
and Wyoming. The Augsburg Concert Band performed throughout
northern Minnesota and Wisconsin during spring break, and performed several joint concerts with local high-school and college
bands. The concert band will travel to Turkey in May 2013.
The Sverdrup Convocation, held April 17, created the
opportunity for the community to learn about NASA’s Mercury Surface Space Environment Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission. Brian J. Anderson ’82, deputy
project scientist with the mission and a physicist with the
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, discussed the Mercury mission and whether there is a moral
imperative for space exploration.
The Rochester Convocation on May 15 was a chance for
Auggies to learn about the work of Shanna Decker, a ninetime national award winner for her volunteer accomplishments. Decker’s presentation, “Love Wins,” provided
insight into her “Hearts of Hope” project and her family’s
co-founding of the nonprofit “Brighter Tomorrows” for families touched by childhood cancer. Decker also has mentored, supported, and visited nearly 1,000 people
throughout the world who are amputees or cancer patients.
To see photos from the convocation series,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2012
5
{
The
ECONOMICS of
EDUCATION
BY REBECCA JOHN
A bubble. An eruption. An explosion.
These are just some of the words used in news reports this year to describe college
costs and higher education loan debt. While these headlines may grab attention, they
unfortunately are not very useful in helping people fully understand the multifaceted
topic of college affordability.
As Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid
Administrators, said in a May 9 University Business article, a more accurate though
admittedly less exciting headline might be: “A Complex Combination of Economic
Factors Increases College Costs and Loan Debt for Certain Students.”
As mundane as that headline seems, continued public dialogue is important and
timely because many students and families today face real challenges in figuring out
how to pay for college. This article provides a brief overview of four core areas related
to the economics of higher education: the value of a postsecondary degree, key cost
drivers in higher education, changes in government aid, and tuition and student loan
debt trends.
6
Augsburg Now
VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
{
Ironically, if it weren’t for the significant benefits of a college education, the public debate about the cost of college likely would not be
nearly as heated. If people didn’t desire the outcomes of and opportunities afforded by having a college education—if they merely thought
the price was too high—they would just simply stop going to college.
But that is not the case. Instead, the difference between having a
college degree and not having one has become even more pronounced
as more and more jobs require higher education. The Georgetown University Center on Education predicts that 63 percent of jobs in 2018
will require some form of postsecondary education. Already, according
to the U.S. Census Bureau, high school graduates earn less than 70
percent of the income of bachelor’s degree holders.
Moreover, as was evidenced in the recent recession, people with
63 percent of jobs in 2018 will require
some form of postsecondary education.
– THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER ON EDUCATION
college degrees are much less likely to be unemployed than those
with only high school diplomas. In 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for high school graduates was 9.4 percent, whereas people with bachelor’s degrees or
higher were unemployed at only a 4.3 percent rate.
So, while rising tuition costs and student debt may raise questions
about erosion of the ROI (return on investment) of a given college
degree, the larger, societal concern is that the required investment—
and, therefore, the benefits—of higher education may be out of
reach for a growing portion of our population, no matter how promising the return.
COLLEGE COSTS
An oft-cited book in the discussion of rising college costs is David
Feldman’s and Robert Archibald’s Why Does College Cost So Much?
(Oxford University Press, 2010). The Augsburg College Board of
Regents dedicated a portion of its January 2012 board meeting to a
discussion of this book to better understand the key cost drivers in
higher education and how those costs affect students and tuition.
Many factors affect college costs, but Feldman and Archibald,
economics professors at the College of William & Mary, demonstrate
that costs steadily have risen during the past 30 years in all personal-service industries that employ highly educated labor. Increasing costs have occurred not only in higher education but also in
A one-on-one relationship
between a faculty member and a
student is critical for student
comprehension and engagement.
}
– JEANNE BOEH, AUGSBURG COLLEGE ECONOMICS
PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
dentistry, health care, and legal services. Significant productivity
advancements in other industries—for example, automation and
robotics in manufacturing—have increased the demand for, and
therefore the price of, highly skilled labor. As a result, labor-cost
increases have affected all personal-service industries, including colleges and universities, which employ some of the most highly educated people in our country as faculty, staff, and administration.
This phenomenon is called “cost disease,” said Jeanne Boeh,
Augsburg College professor of economics. Boeh, who served as president of the Augsburg Faculty Senate in 2011-12, participated in the
College’s Board of Regents discussion of Feldman’s and Archibald’s
book. She is a frequent commentator on economic trends for the
Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, and Twin Cities Public Television’s “Almanac.”
“In higher education,” Boeh explained, “capital and labor have
not been substitutes but complements.” For example, using course
management software such as Moodle may enhance collaboration
and streamline administrative activities, but it doesn’t reduce the
labor involved in teaching or learning in the same way that manufacturing automation does. Online courses also have been affected,
resulting in higher operating expenses than originally anticipated.
“Augsburg offers several programs in a blended format—merging
in-class time with online learning,” said Boeh, who has taught all
types of classes at Augsburg. “And we will continue to evolve course
formats to take advantage of online technologies where they are most
effective.”
But no matter the format, Boeh said, “a one-on-one relationship
between a faculty member and a student is critical for student comprehension and engagement—not only for any class lectures but also
for in-class assignments and projects as well as out-of-class work.”
So, while online formats offer attractive benefits—including making lectures available to a broader set of learners and providing flexibility to working adults pursuing advanced degrees—they have not,
to date, offered a “perfect” substitute for individual attention from
highly qualified faculty. As a result, the trade-offs between cost and
quality in higher education exist whether course delivery is in-class
or online.
Summer 2012
7
{
By 2009, institutional grant aid [from
Minnesota private colleges] was triple
the state’s contribution.
GOVERNMENT AID
– MINNESOTA PRIVATE COLLEGE COUNCIL
Share of Minnesota general fund spent on higher education
18%
17.3%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6.9%
6%
4%
Percent of General Fund Appropriated to Higher Education
2%
Forecasted Percent of General Fund Appropriated to Higher Education
0%
1967
1975
1983
1991
1999
2007
2013
Chart 1: The percent of the State of Minnesota’s budget appropriated to higher education has declined
steadily in the past 20 years.
Financial aid trends for Minnesota undergraduates
FIGURES IN MILLIONS
$1,800
2009 borrowing by Minnesota
undergraduates and their families
surpassed $1.6 billion.
$1,600
$1,400
$1,200
By 2009,
grant aid
from
institutions
was triple
the state’s
commitment.
$1,000
By 2005,
grant aid from
institutions
was double
the state’s
commitment.
$800
$600
$400
In 1991, institutions
and the state each
provided about $80
million in grant aid
to Minnesota
undergraduates.
$200
$1991
1995
State Grants (actual)
1999
Federal Grants (actual)
2001
2005
Institutional Grants (actual)
2007
2009
Total Loans (actual)
Chart 2: Since 1991, grant aid from Minnesota private colleges grew to three times the amount provided by
the state, while student loan debt increased eight-fold.
8
Augsburg Now
Minnesota Private College Research Foundation analysis of Minnesota
budget data
20%
Minnesota Private College Research Foundation analysis of Minnesota
Office of Higher Education biennial survey of aid awarded
The financial aid that students receive
from the state grant program is an important part of the resources they have to
pay for their college education, said Jay
Benanav, Augsburg’s director of government relations. “And, while the state has
increased the overall dollar amount allocated to support higher education in the
past 20 years, this aid has not kept pace
with rising higher education costs,” he
said. “So, today, state grant aid constitutes a much smaller portion of a student's overall resources for college.”
The Minnesota Private College Council
(MPCC)—an organization representing
17 private colleges in the state, including Augsburg—has been actively
engaged with the Minnesota Legislature
on the topic of higher education funding.
Chart 1, compiled by the MPCC, shows
the declining share of the state’s general
fund that has been spent on higher education costs during the past several
decades.
Because state support covers a
smaller proportion of college costs today,
a larger portion is falling to students and
their families. In fact, the proportion of
college costs that families cover has
gone up faster than the overall cost of
college.
To help offset the growing burden on
families, Minnesota’s private colleges
have increased the aid they provide to
students through their endowments and
operational budgets. Chart 2, again from
the MPCC, shows the dollar amount of
college costs covered by Minnesota state
grants, federal grants, MPCC collegefunded grants, and student loans. The
chart provides data from 1991 to 2009,
a period during which student loan debt
soared and grant aid from Minnesota private colleges grew to three times the
amount provided by the state.
NET TUITION AND STUDENT LOANS
“Financial counseling is embedded in our admissions process,”
As noted earlier, in addition to loans and government aid, many students also receive financial aid directly from their colleges or universi- Edstrom said, “and our financial aid staff work hard to make sure
students and parents understand what they are taking on when they
ties. This means that the out-of-pocket expenses (or “net tuition”)
borrow.”
that a given student pays will be less than the published tuition (or
Even people with significant financial experience should (and do)
sticker price) for that college or university. How much less varies from
seek help navigating the financial aid process, said Paul Terrio,
student to student based on multiple factors—including the family’s
Augsburg’s director of student financial services. “Financing college
financial situation, the student’s academic standing, and numerous
is a substantial investment for families, and it’s an investment that
other factors that enrollment offices take into consideration.
has a major impact on one of the most important people in their
This variation means that the net tuition one student pays will
lives,” Terrio said. “So, naturally, people want to make sure they’re
not be the same as another student, even at the same institution.
As a result, it has become increasingly important
for students and families to understand their specific financial aid package at each institution the
student is considering before making a final
choice, or before assuming that a certain college
is financially out of reach.
Even with financial support from colleges, how– JULIE EDSTROM ’90, ’04 MA, AUGSBURG VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
ever, borrowing has increasingly become a necessary part of how families of all socioeconomic
doing the best they can.
backgrounds pay for college. Average U.S. undergraduate student
“But since college financing is something people do only a couloan debt for 2010 graduates was $25,250, according to the Projple times in their lives, most are not experts in the process,” he said.
ect on Student Debt, an initiative of the nonprofit Institute for ColAs a result, every family, no matter their income level or financial
lege Access & Success.
The average debt of Augsburg graduates was $24,311 that year.
sophistication, can benefit from working with a financial counselor
In addition to being lower than the national average, Augsburg’s stu- who, according to Terrio, can “help them focus on their own scenario
dent loan debt average compares favorably with the averages for
rather than on averages and statistics reported in the news, which
other higher education institutions in the state of Minnesota, said
may have little to do with the specific family’s financial situation.”
Julie Edstrom ’90, ’04 MA, Augsburg vice president for enrollment
management.
{
Augsburg’s average student debt in 2010 was
$24,311, which compares favorably with other
higher education institutions in Minnesota.
}
}
When one steps back from the headlines, it’s easier to see how college costs aren’t
driven by one simple factor alone but, instead, are determined by a mix of state, federal,
institutional, and individual factors. It’s easier to see, as well, how changing one factor
invariably puts pressure on other factors.
In the end, the challenge for Augsburg College—and every higher education institution—is to find a sustainable balance among these factors—state and federal government
aid, institutional support, and student or family contributions—in a way that keeps higher
education within reach for students of academic ability from all backgrounds.
At Augsburg’s July 1 commencement, honorary degree recipient David Mathews, president and chief executive officer of the
Kettering Foundation, focused his commencement address on the value—specifically the public value—of higher education. Mathews previously served as secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under former President Gerald Ford and as
president of the University of Alabama. Read his commencement address at www.augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2012
9
SPEAKING of
MONEY
BY REBECCA JOHN, STEPHANIE WEISS, AND WENDI WHEELER ’06
It’s scary. Students don’t like it. Parents don’t like it. But for any
family with a student in college, money matters, and talking openly
about finances is a critical part of figuring out if and how an individual can afford college. It’s a path toward determining whether the
costs of college are a good investment for students, and often, their
families. It’s also a path toward understanding individual and family
philosophies connected to saving, spending, and philanthropy.
Augsburg College is committed to talking with students and families about all these issues and sees these sometimes complex conversations as tools to build good decision-making as well as
valuable investments in a family’s future.
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
It takes as much energy to wish
as it does to plan.
– ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Paying for college is a significant
undertaking for families, regardless of
their family household income. To help
plan for this investment, families need to start
talking about their finances long before they’re
actually facing tuition payments.
“The place to start is by focusing on what the family
values and how they make choices about what they buy and
how they use the money they have,” said Carly Eichhorst,
Augsburg College associate director of financial aid. “When we are
working with families, we don’t start by talking about the mechanics of financial aid and student loans; we start by understanding
their values.”
It’s also beneficial to include both the student and the parent or
parents in the conversation, added Paul Terrio, director of student
financial services.
“We see a difference between families who have had conversations about how they plan to pay for college and families where only
some of the members—either the parents or the student—are
10
Augsburg Now
involved in the financial discussion,” he said. “It’s a much more
productive conversation if all of the family members are vested in
the plan.”
In order to help support and foster these important family conversations, Augsburg has embedded financial aid counseling into
the undergraduate admission process. So, when a first-year undergraduate student receives her or his acceptance letter from
Augsburg, the letter clearly states, “The next step is to schedule
your first-year meeting,” and invites them to make an appointment
with the College’s student financial services staff. Augsburg also
has linked financial planning with academic planning in the adult
undergraduate program to ensure that adult undergraduate students and their families have resources to help navigate the system
of financing college.
As a result of this intentional effort to invite families into the
student finance discussion, as of June 1, nearly 45 percent of firstyear students who had made their initial fall deposit had also
scheduled an appointment with Augsburg’s financial services staff.
With sessions continuing through the summer, a majority of firstyear students and their families will have the opportunity to discuss
their financial plans with the College before classes start in the fall.
“Our goal in working with families is to help them develop a
comprehensive plan for the entire college degree, not just to figure
out how they can pay for the first semester,” Terrio said. A comprehensive plan includes outlining how much the student or family will
need to pay and how long they will need to make payments on any
student loans taken out to cover college costs.
“Our role is not to prescribe financial solutions or provide a specific answer for how to pay for college,” Eichhorst said. “We are
working to help families identify and understand their options.”
By gaining a shared understanding of their options, families can
enhance their financial literacy and equip themselves to plan for—
not just wish for—the means to pursue a college degree.
STUDENT PHILANTHROPY
Someone’s sitting in the shade today because
someone planted a tree a long time ago.
– WARREN BUFFETT
Auggies give. Every year.
This simple instruction forms the basis of the goal for
Augsburg’s Student Philanthropy Week, an annual program
designed to make students aware of how donor support benefits
them and to teach students, from the beginning of their college
careers through their graduation, about the importance of giving
back to their alma mater.
The Office of Alumni and
Constituent Relations and the
staff of The Augsburg Fund
sponsor several programs
for students throughout
the academic year. To
coordinate these programs,
staff work closely with the
Augsburg Stewards, a group of current undergraduate students who support philanthropic efforts at the College.
Each spring, Student Philanthropy Week includes a virtual
“donor scavenger hunt” where students use daily clues, conduct
library research, and visit donor-named locations on campus to
guess the identity of one of the College’s major donors. The first
student to accurately identify the donor wins a gift card.
The annual Feed the Pig campaign and the senior class giving
campaign encourage students to begin donating to Augsburg. To
participate in Feed the Pig, students receive a piggy bank in the fall
and, throughout the school year, collect spare change to fill up their
banks. Classes compete to raise the most money and to engage the
greatest number of student participants. The money raised funds a
scholarship for a student in the winning class.
These activities highlight the fact that, every year, Augsburg
relies on thousands of alumni, parents, friends, and students to
ensure that Auggies have access to an outstanding, affordable
Augsburg education.
MONEY MATTERS
The highest use of capital is not to make
more money, but to make money do more for
the betterment of life.
– HENRY FORD
At Augsburg College, students and staff have turned inside out the
federal mandate that all colleges and universities deliver financial
literacy programs. Instead of delivering top-down programs of
expert panelists or lectures, Augsburg involves students as key
partners in creating and developing the school’s financial literacy
program.
A key goal of the program is to help students open the door on
conversations that typically are difficult and sometimes uncomfortable—conversations about personal and family finances, budgeting,
and the cost of college.
“If you make public the stuff you usually hide, you can change
individual behavior,” said Carly Eichhorst, associate director of
financial aid. “But you have to start by being open with your own
story.”
Having students shape the conversation is critical to helping
them learn how to make good financial decisions today and in the
future. That’s because research shows that knowledge retention
soars to 75 percent when learning is practiced by doing, compared
with 20 percent retention when we learn by listening.
“This is hard stuff to talk about,” Eichhorst said, “but when students see their friends sharing and grappling with tough ideas, it
becomes easier and more acceptable to open up about their own
stories.”
The College’s annual Money Matters program runs for a week
during the spring and includes a range of events and activities to
help students and their families talk openly about financial topics.
In addition to counseling sessions and opportunities to connect
with financial experts, 2012 Money Matters activities included:
• A student panel in which five Auggies from different socioeconomic, cultural, and faith backgrounds talked about how they
make college work financially. Some student panelists also
shared their stories with a Star Tribune reporter. Later in the
spring, some of the students participated in a student loan and
student finance roundtable with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison.
• My Money Secret, a participant-generated project in which students, staff, and faculty posted their money secrets in the skyways on campus. The secrets were hung on a line using
clothespins—a display that was intentionally meant to invoke the
feeling that participants were “airing their laundry,”
Eichhorst said. Some students
shared tips for saving, while other
students disclosed
habits of overspending.
Because investing in a
college education is such
a significant undertaking,
Augsburg is committed to
helping families build financial literacy from the first oncampus encounter through a
student’s full experience. By
beginning the process of talking about money at the very
start, students and their families not only learn important
information about how to better
manage their finances, but also have the chance to consider how
they want to use their money—through saving, spending, and giving.
Summer 2012
11
E
Commencement
May 5, 2012
A
F
D
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Augsburg Now
During the commencement processional, faculty
line 7 ½ Street and applaud as graduating students walk from Christensen Center to Si Melby
Hall. The tradition marks the transition from student to graduate and allows faculty to show respect
for the students. The ceremony also is a bookend to
the Auggie experience. Four years earlier—on their
first day of class—faculty welcomed incoming students with applause during the opening convocation ceremony.
A
Faculty greet passing students with waves and
handshakes and sometimes even give students a
high-five or hug.
B
Members of ethnic student groups often wear
sashes that denote their membership. Here, a
group of students who are members of the PanAfrikan Student Union wear stoles made of
Kente cloth that originates in Ghana, West
Africa.
C
Students can be seen wearing bow ties, a fashion
phenomenon that started to take hold in 2006
when Paul C. Pribbenow was installed as president of Augsburg College. Pribbenow has a reputation for his bow tie collection, and the bow tie
often makes an appearance when students dress
in formal wear.
D
Colored cords represent honors given by the College, academic departments, and the Honors
program. Candidates for Latin honors—students
graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or
summa cum laude—receive maroon and gray
cords. Students who complete requirements of
the Augsburg College Honors program wear gold
cords. Other cords indicate departmental honors.
E
Students can line up in whatever order they
choose. Because there is no formal order, being
the last person in line—and, therefore, the last
to cross the commencement stage—has become
a coveted spot. Students will jockey for the position and stall during the procession, and the last
person to cross the stage usually makes a grand
statement of it.
F
Like many faculty members, Phil Adamo, associate
professor and chair of the History Department,
breaks from the reception line to congratulate a
student in the procession.
B
C
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13
In 2007, Augsburg started the tradition of holding
two commencement ceremonies—the first in early
May for the undergraduate day students and the
Masters in Physician Assistant program graduates,
and the second in late June for Weekend/Evening
College, Rochester undergraduate, and the remaining master’s degree program graduates.
A
President Paul C. Pribbenow and Jodi Harpstead,
chair of the Board of Regents, shake hands with
every graduate who crosses the stage. For the
July commencement ceremony, that was roughly
300 hands.
B
Tom Kelsey and Lori York of the Registrar’s office
perform a well-choreographed dance to make sure
the President always has a diploma holder in his
hand the moment a graduate crosses the stage.
C
A large stack of diploma holders will be whittled
down to almost nothing during the ceremony. In
case you are wondering, the holders are empty.
Diplomas are mailed to the graduates after their
final grades are processed by the Registrar.
D
Master’s and doctoral degree candidates in
business administration, education, leadership,
nursing, and social work sit on the left side of
the gym.
E
Graduates of the Weekend/Evening College and
Rochester programs sit on the right side of
the gym.
F
Handing out diplomas is like an assembly line:
grab your name card, follow the faculty marshal
to the front of the gym, hand over your name
card, cross the stage as your name is called,
shake hands with the Board chair, take diploma
in your left hand while shaking hands with
President Pribbenow and smile while your photo
is taken, proceed down the ramp, smile for
another photo and be sure that the front of the
diploma holder is facing forward, return to your
seat, breathe a sigh of relief.
To view more commencement photos,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
14
14
Augsburg Now
Augsburg Now
E
A
C
Commencement
July 1, 2012
D
F
B
Summer 2012
15
Augsburg grad students mix philosophy
of social work with drive for business
Leading nonprofits increasingly want top-level leaders who understand complex financial issues, can implement strategic business
practices, and are able to serve diverse local and global communities.
Recognizing the changing expectations and requirements of
nonprofits, Augsburg College in 2009 began offering a dual Master
of Arts Degrees in Social Work (MSW) and Business Administration
(MBA). The College’s first two MSW/MBA graduates completed
their dual degrees this spring.
“We chose to respond to changing dynamics. More and more,
leaders of nonprofits, if they want to continue moving up the ladder, need the same business skills as their counterparts in the forprofit world,” said Steven Zitnick, who during June retired as
director of the MBA program.
Those with a Master of Arts in Social Work can, if they choose,
progress to a different point in their career with formal business
training, said Lois Bosch, director of Augsburg’s Master of Social
Work program.
“Larger social service agencies want business leaders for their
business acumen,” Bosch said. “Increasingly, they also want people who are trained formally to understand the needs of their
clients.”
Jana Nicolaison ’12, one of Augsburg’s
MSW/MBA dual degree graduates, said the
program provided her the knowledge and
tools to manage social service programs by
understanding the business behind the programs.
“I have the confidence to advocate for
clients on the macro level because I under-
stand all aspects of the services they receive,” Nicolaison said.
The dual degree program isn’t just a good idea for those who
want to lead social service agencies, though.
“There’s an emerging trend of social entrepreneurship that
opens another path for joint MSW/MBA students to pursue,”
Zitnick said. “Through Augsburg’s combined curriculum, we can
meet the vocational needs of this type of contemporary MSW
student.”
One such potential social entrepreneur is Miki Peterson ’12,
who hopes to use her skills and insight to bring critical healthcare
services to underserved markets.
“We operate in a complex economic, societal, and political
landscape. I now have the knowledge and diversity of skills to
bring critical health care services to underserved markets,”
Peterson said. “I have insights gleaned from both social services
and business administration to allow me to accomplish this goal in
any corporate, small business, or non-profit setting.”
STEPHANIE WEISS
To learn more about the dual MSW/MBA, go to www.augsburg.edu/msw or email
mbainfo@augsburg.edu.
“I have the knowledge and diversity
of skills to bring critical health care
services to underserved markets.”
MIKI PETERSON ’12 MSW/MBA
Miki Peterson ’12 MSW/MBA and Jana Nicolaison ’12 MSW/MBA
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Augsburg Now
HONORING
our retired faculty
Augsburg College
celebrated the accomplishments and dedication of faculty during the spring Faculty
Recognition Luncheon and formally thanked
10 faculty for their service. Below are brief
biographies of those who finished their
careers as Auggies. The group contributed
more than 240 years of service to the College.
Anthony Bibus III, professor of social
work, joined Augsburg during 1992. He
served the College as department chair, as
faculty parliamentarian, and on key faculty
committees. He received bachelor’s and
master’s degrees in English from the
University of St. Thomas and the University of Virginia, respectively, and a doctorate in social work from the University of
Minnesota.
Shelley Burkhardt, instructor of education, worked as the special education program director at Rochester and as an
adjunct faculty member. She received a
bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso and
completed master’s-level studies at Winona
State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, and the University of Minnesota. Prior to her work with Augsburg,
Burkhardt served as the director of special
education for the Rochester Public
Schools, where she also was a special education teacher.
C. Lee Clarke, assistant professor of business, started his career as a Lutheran parish
pastor and then spent 20 years working in
management information systems. He joined
Augsburg during 2000 as a faculty member
Front Row [L to R]: Glenda Dewberry Rooney, professor of social work; Norma Noonan, professor of political science; Lynn
Lindow, associate professor of education; Grace Dyrud, professor of psychology; Steven Zitnick, director of the Master of
Business Administration; Back Row [L to R]: President Paul C. Pribbenow; Bradley Holt ’63, professor of religion; Arlin
Gyberg, professor of chemistry; Anthony Bibus III, professor of social work; C. Lee Clarke, assistant professor of business;
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Barbara Farley. Retiring faculty not pictured: Shelley
Burkhardt, instructor of education
in the Business Administration Department.
Clarke co-taught with religion faculty and
served as faculty adviser for Augsburg Seminar, a program to help first-year students
learn about the Augsburg community and
participate in neighborhood service programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree from
Capital University, a Master of Divinity from
Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and a Master of
Business Administration from the University
of St. Thomas.
Arlin Gyberg, professor of chemistry,
started his career at Augsburg during
1967. He taught general and analytical
chemistry for science majors and chemistry
courses for non-science major students. He
is one of several co-founders of the Mcgyan
process reactor, a continuous flow device
that is used to produce biodiesel from
plant material. He maintains close connections to alumni in local industry (at companies such as Aveda, General Mills, and
SarTec, to name a few) over the years. He
earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry
from the University of Minnesota.
Bradley Holt ’63, professor of religion,
began his teaching career during 1978.
His scholarly interests revolved around the
history of Christian spirituality and Christianity in a global context, and he is the
author of Thirsty for God: A Brief History of
Christian Spirituality. Holt taught theology
in Nigeria for 10 years. He graduated from
Augsburg with bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy and received a Bachelor of Divinity from Luther Theological
Seminary, and a Master of Philosophy and
doctorate from Yale University.
Lynn Lindow, associate professor of education, joined the College during 1985 as
a member of the Health and Physical Education Department. She subsequently took
a position in the Department of Education
and was a K-12 expert. For seven years,
she served as chair of the Education
Department. Lindow also helped with the
department’s reaccreditation. She received
a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State
University Mankato, a master’s degree from
Summer 2012
17
North Dakota State University, and a doctorate from the University of
Minnesota.
Norma Noonan, professor of political science, 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 offering,
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. Noonan
received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
political science from the University of
Pennsylvania and Indiana University,
respectively, and a doctorate in Russian
and East European Studies from Indiana
University.
Glenda Dewberry Rooney, professor of
social work, began working at Augsburg
during 1992. An expert in direct social
work practice, she served as department
chair and taught in advanced clinical
placement courses. Her research and
teaching interests include child welfare,
particularly where racial disparities exist.
She is the author of one of social work’s
most widely used texts. Rooney received
bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of North Texas, a
master’s in social work from the University
of Illinois, and a doctorate in social work
and industrial relations from the University
of Minnesota.
Maryann Syers, associate professor of
social work, joined Augsburg during 1998.
Her teaching experience was strengthened
by her previous private clinical practice
and ongoing research working with women
of color, sexual minorities, and persons
with physical disabilities. She was a leader
in conceptualizing content for the Master
of Social Work program’s multicultural
clinical practice concentration. Syers also
served on the Personnel Policies Committee and Faculty Senate. She received a
bachelor’s degree in psychology from
Arizona State University and a master’s of
social work and doctorate in social welfare
from the University of Minnesota.
Steven Zitnick, director of the Master of
Business Administration (MBA) program,
joined Augsburg during 1999. Prior to
that, he served as a military officer and
held senior executive positions in human
resources and organizational development
in the private sector, including at H.B.
Fuller. In 2008 Zitnick was named director
of the Augsburg MBA program. He helped
launch MBA study abroad programs in
Argentina, Chile, Germany, and Russia and
launched the Mini-MBA program with
Luther Seminary. Zitnick received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Shimer
College, a master’s degree in human
resources management from the University
of Utah, and is on track to complete a doctorate from Tilburg University in the
Netherlands during retirement.
On May 3, faculty gathered at the annual
Faculty Recognition Luncheon to celebrate a successful academic year and to
recognize their colleagues’ accomplishments. The program honored retiring faculty members, recipients of tenure and
promotion, milestone years of service,
and recipients of the Distinguished Contribution to Teaching and Learning awards.
18
Augsburg Now
GAGE CENTER
FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Who comes to the Gage Center for Student Success and the Groves Technology Center?
At one time or another, nearly every student at Augsburg does.
I have to write a paper.
I’m here to use the computer lab.
I am a Weekend College student, and I'm planning to graduate next year.
I'm here to plan out my degree progress with an academic adviser.
I have ADHD and struggle with reading.
I’m here to use the software program that helps me read my textbooks.
I am visually impaired.
I’m here to talk to an adviser about the services that can help me at Augsburg.
I am having a tough time with one of my classes.
I’m here to see a tutor.
I’m the first person in my family to go to college.
I am here because I heard you have a program to help people like me learn
how to be successful in school.
I’m a pretty good student, but I really have trouble with time management.
I’m here to learn how to be better at that.
Spring 2012
19
success
INTEGRATING ACADEMIC SUPPORT
tradition of bringing programs and
services together to improve the
student service experience. As in
the case of the Enrollment Center—which first opened in 2000
and combined the offices of academic advising, the registrar,
financial aid, and financial services—co-location benefits students
because all services are in one
convenient location. In addition,
when staff work closely together,
they often discover new ways of
working that lead to new initiatives
and better student service.
The Gage Center staff is evaluating a caseload management software tool that will allow them to
build connections for students and
refer them to additional resources.
Gort said the software will help to
create a network of student support that extends beyond the Gage
Center. “We’re at the start of a
really cool project, and we have
high hopes for what this is going to be,”
she said.
While staff and students are still learning how the Gage Center will function to
best meet students’ needs, Gort said she
has been pleased with the outcomes so far.
GAGE CENTER FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS
At one time, academic support services at
Augsburg were scattered across campus.
One program was tucked around a few corners in a basement. A few others were in
Science Hall. While seeking out and asking
for help is already difficult for some students, having support staff in different
locations made getting help even more
complicated.
To address this situation, Augsburg
moved all of these academic support services to the new Gage Center for Student
Success, which opened on the second floor
of the Lindell Library in January. The center
provides a one-stop shop for students to
access academic advising, tutoring, academic accommodations, assistance with
learning and physical disabilities, academic
skills coaching, and other support services.
“The Gage Center helps us see how students can benefit by having people and programs together,” said Amy Gort, dean of
Arts and Sciences. Co-locating the offices
in Lindell has made student support services more visible on campus and provides
greater access for students. And with all
support staff in proximity with one another,
the center is the first step in creating a
seamless experience of academic support
for students.
The Gage Center follows an Augsburg
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Augsburg Now
“What is great about this group of staff is
that each program has a history of being
innovative, constantly evaluating, and looking for opportunities for students to have an
even better experience.”
Nearly every graduate and undergraduate student at Augsburg
comes into contact with the Gage Center staff or services at least
once—and usually multiple times—in her or his college career.
The center provides a one-stop shop for students to access academic advising, tutoring, academic accommodations, assistance
with learning and physical disabilities, academic skills coaching,
and other support services.
GAGE CENTER FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS
Gifts from the Gage and Groves family foundations allowed
Augsburg to create an integrated and highly visible academic support services center. The Gage Center for
Student Success, which officially opened in January, includes
the Groves Technology Center, the Groves Accommodations
Lab, meeting rooms, testing rooms, and staff offices.
DEPARTMENTS IN THE
AUGGIES ARE ACHIEVERS
GAGE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
ACADEMIC ADVISING supports students in achieving their educational and vocational goals.
THE ACADEMIC SKILLS OFFICE provides coaching to help students
develop skills and strategies for academic success, and also works
with students in the Conditional Admit Program (CAP) and Augsburg Advantage St. Kate’s (AASK) program.
THE CENTER FOR LEARNING AND ADAPTIVE STUDENT SERVICES
(CLASS) provides services and accommodations for students with
attentional, learning, and physical disabilities.
THE GROVES TECHNOLOGY CENTER provides computer workstations
for all students and adaptive software programs, such as speech
recognition software and screen readers, for learners with special
needs.
TRiO/STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, funded by the U.S. Department
of Education, helps students overcome class, social, and cultural
barriers to complete their college education.
TUTORING AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION is available for most
courses; the type of support offered depends on the course and
student demand.
ENSURING
ACCESSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS
Augsburg College is committed to ensuring all students
have access to the campus resources and tools they need
to succeed. To support this commitment, the College
recently formed an accessibility committee of more than
50 staff and faculty from 16 departments.
One of the committee’s primary responsibilities is
ensuring the College meets the obligations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recent revisions to the
ADA as well as legal settlements at other colleges and
universities make the committee’s work especially timely.
One of the more high-profile lawsuits was a case brought
against Penn State University by the National Federation
of the Blind, which settled in 2010 for $150,000. The
settlement cited inaccessible technology for blind and
print-disabled students and is now serving as a guideline
for institutions nationwide to review accessibility of technology and facilities.
As part of its charge to ensure the College meets its
obligations, the Augsburg accessibility committee is conducting an audit of campus facilities and technology,
delivering training to faculty and staff, and working to
identify a compliance officer. The work of the committee
to identify and address accessibility issues helps mitigate
risk for the College as it strives to live up to its commitment to student success.
Summer 2012
21
A NEW
approach to learning
For most of his life, Nic Adducci ’15 was
the kid who couldn’t read or write. The kid
who had to go to the principal’s office to
take his pill every day. The kid with a learn-
said, when educators, students,
and parents were just beginning to
understand learning disabilities. “I was the
only student in a small class with a learning
disability. I was the kid who had emotional
and behavior problems, and when I had a
NIC ADDUCCI
“I have to give credit to the
CLASS office for giving me
the support that I needed to
really be successful, but I
also have to credit the professors who really pushed
me to see something more
in myself than what I had
been taught in the past 27
years of my life.”
ing disability.
Today, due in part to support he receives
from Augsburg’s Center for Learning and
Adaptive Student Services (CLASS),
Adducci made the dean’s list with a 4.0
grade-point average. A double major in business management and psychology with
minors in economics and political science,
he has shed much of the stigma associated
with having a learning disability and has
found success at Augsburg.
In the second or third grade, Adducci
was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It was a time, he
22
Augsburg Now
bad day, [the question] was, ‘Did you take
your pill today?’” he said.
“That was the foundation for my educational experience, and that followed me
everywhere I went,” Adducci said. The
labels and messages followed him to the
workplace where he was a project manager
for an educational testing company. “I
thought that I couldn’t do a lot of things
because I believed I couldn’t rely on
myself.”
In 2006, Adducci was told he needed to
complete a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for his job. A co-worker who had gradu-
ated from Augsburg through Weekend College
recommended the program, and Adducci
found himself back in the classroom.
For several years, he took a class here
and there while he continued to focus primarily on his work and personal life. Then
in 2011, he realized he needed to make his
education a top priority. He enrolled as a
full-time student in the College’s day undergraduate program and moved onto campus.
That’s when education changed for
Adducci, and he discovered his passion for
learning. “I approached my professors and
the CLASS office right away,” he said.
“They really didn’t accept the ‘I’m a bad
writer’ excuse I used when I was younger,
and they showed me that there was a different way for me to approach learning.”
Adducci’s biggest learning-related challenge is reading. “It’s hard to concentrate
and my retention is really low,” he said. The
accommodations provided through CLASS
include extra time to take exams, working
with a notetaker in classes, and using the
Kurzweil software program that reads his
textbooks aloud for him.
In two semesters as a full-time student,
Adducci not only raised his grade-point
average and made the dean’s list, he also
landed a position as a residence life adviser
for next year and made an impression on his
classmates and instructors.
“Nic made a marvelous contribution to
the class,” said assistant professor of business administration John Cerrito, whose
human resource management class Adducci
took in the spring semester. “He was
mature, serious, and a very positive student,” Cerrito said. “He is a real credit to
Augsburg.”
At Augsburg, Adducci said, he is able to
attain a level of academic success that he
hadn’t ever come close to in his life. “People
saw something valuable in me in areas
where I thought that I would never be able to
accomplish anything,” he said, “and that
gave me the motivation to actually put the
effort in. Then I was successful.”
Photo by Sally Ryan
A TYPICAL
college student
In many ways, Rachel Hastings ’15 is a typical college student. She takes Spanish class, sings in a
choir, eats in the cafeteria, and works out in the
fitness center. But she is also atypical—a student
who uses her ears and fingers to find her way
through campus and through life. She’s training for
a marathon, learning arias by ear, and spreading
joy throughout the Augsburg campus. A sophomore
from Maple Grove, Minn., Hastings has been
legally blind since birth.
Through the Gage Center for Student Success at
Augsburg College, Hastings gets individualized
support services and accommodations that help
her succeed. The photos that follow show a typical
day in the life of this atypical college student.
Hastings checks to see if she is at the studio office for her voice lesson with vocal
coach Susan Druck.
RACHEL HASTINGS
Laughing as they finish lunch, Hastings and a group of
friends talk about their upcoming finals and what they
need to do before school lets out for the summer.
Summer 2012
23
1
2
3
independence
1 By touching her right hand to the treadmill every three
or four steps, Hastings keeps her position on the
machine during her daily workout. Hastings has completed two half marathons and is planning to run the
Twin Cities Marathon in October. 2 “Hi Rachel, it’s
Noah,” a student says as he meets Hastings. But Noah
Sievert does not need to identify himself because Hastings recognizes his voice. To her, a voice is as distinct as
a face is to a sighted person. 3 The complex nature of
music theory means that Hastings needs accommodations for this course. Hastings took adapted music theory
Pressing on her belly button to physically remind herself to
breathe from her diaphragm, Hastings works on the piece “Mi
Sueño” during her voice lesson with vocal coach Susan Druck.
from assistant professor of music Doug Diamond as a
summer independent study course. 4 Before she gets
even two steps into a classroom, a classmate hops up
and says, “Rachel, there is an open spot right over here.”
One of the few times Hastings requires help is when she
needs to navigate a full classroom with her cane. 5 Practicing on a baby grand piano is one of the perks of being
a music therapy major whose main instrument is the
piano. Since she does not read Braille music, Hastings
learns music by ear, but she has perfect pitch, which
makes learning easier.
After a year of finding her way around the campus, Hastings has
memorized almost every inch of the grounds. The only thing that will
throw her off is an object that is left in an unpredictable place.
5
See more photos and hear Hastings talk about her
experiences at www.augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2012
4
25
Augsburg’s TRiO/Student Support Services
(SSS) program. Programs like AVID and
TRiO/SSS help first-generation and lowincome students succeed in college. For students in high school, these programs provide
Blue ribbons and gold medals. These are
preparation for college entrance exams,
what we normally associate with being
assistance with college research and applica“first.” But for Andrena Murphy ’15, being
tion, and information about the financial aid
first—the first in her family to go to college— application process. On college campuses,
meant making new connections, proactively
these programs help students find resources
seeking advice, and learning new skills.
and support to complete their degree.
During high school, Murphy said, her
Murphy applied for and was accepted to
mother encouraged her to do well but didn’t
Augsburg’s TRiO/SSS program. She attended
THE FIRST
in her family
share some of the lessons she has learned
with the incoming TRiO students.
During the past academic year, Murphy
met regularly with her TRiO/SSS adviser to
update her academic plan and to talk about
the challenges of balancing school with family time, social life, volunteering, and her job.
She said that her time management skills
and even her eating habits improved in her
first year of college. She also learned how to
make connections with professors and to
reach out to them for advice. “That’s something I never did in high school,” she said.
ANDRENA MURPHY
When Andrena Murphy ’15 saw her first initial in
the flower garden outside Memorial Hall, she
took it as a sign that Augsburg was the place
for her.
insist that she go to college. Though her
mother had taken some community college
courses, neither she nor Murphy’s two older
sisters had obtained a college degree. And
each of them had been able to find a good
job without a college education.
“Nobody in my family knew what college
was like,” Murphy said, “so no one could
help me figure out if it was right for me.”
Murphy used her senior year of high
school and the resources of her high school’s
Advancement Via Individual Determination
(AVID) college readiness program to help
determine if college was the next step for her.
Through AVID, Murphy discovered
26
Augsburg Now
TRiO’s Summer Bridge program in July and
August 2011 to begin her Augsburg career.
Summer Bridge is a five-week residential program in which students take introductory religion and public speaking courses and attend
academic support seminars, workshops, and
other activities to help provide for a smooth
transition to school in the fall.
“It was fun to be in an atmosphere where I
could keep learning through the summer,”
Murphy said. She appreciated getting a head
start on classes, learning what college was
like, and meeting her classmates and professors. This summer, she will be a residential
peer mentor for Summer Bridge and will
Murphy also was involved with the Bonner
Leader program during the school year.
Through Bonner, she served as a youth development and enrichment coordinator at Kaleidoscope Place, an after-school program for
elementary and junior high school students.
Murphy officially will enter the Education
Department this fall. She’s excited about her
education classes and about becoming an
elementary teacher one day. “When I look
back, there were a few teachers who really
made a difference for me, and I want to do
that for someone.”
it takes an
Auggie
Gift to future students allows son’s memory to live on at Augsburg
“Nathan Schott’s life is an inspiration to me, and I’m humbled and
honored to receive a scholarship in his name, a scholarship that is
about future possibilities, not past liabilities.”
These are the words of Alexandra Stoiaken ’13, recipient of the
inaugural Nathan R. Schott Scholarship.
Nathan Schott came to Augsburg as a first-year student in September 2009. His time at Augsburg was short, but significant. He
touched the lives of faculty, staff, and students like Alexandra. He
had a unique ability to make connections within the Augsburg community.
Nathan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the
age of six. He passed away at the end of his first year of college. Yet
Nathan continues to make a difference in the lives of Auggies, present and future.
Teri and Chuck Schott, Nathan’s parents, established the Nathan
R. Schott Scholarship to honor Nathan’s life and to give other students an educational opportunity in a supportive community. The
scholarship provides support for students who, like Nathan, participate in the Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services
(CLASS) program. CLASS provides services and accommodations
for students with attentional, learning, and physical disabilities.
“Augsburg was the right place for Nathan,” Nathan’s father,
Chuck, said. “He had a feeling of belonging, and this was a place
where he could participate and contribute to the makeup of the
community.”
Teri Schott, Nathan’s mother, added, “The scholarship is a
chance to see that the spirit of Nathan continues. It means he’s still
a part of this place.”
“[Nathan] always had a ready smile for me when we passed in
the halls,” Stoiaken said. “There was real joy in his life, and he
shared it easily.”
Stoiaken, who manages life with cerebral palsy, said she was
inspired by Nathan. “By receiving this scholarship, I will always
endeavor to make Nathan and his family proud. Like Nathan, I will
never allow my disease to define me. I will live life to its fullest,
finding inspiration wherever I can.”
DOUG SCOTT, DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP GIFTS
If interested in supporting this or similar scholarship funds, contact Doug Scott at
612-330-1575 or scottd@augsburg.edu.
“By receiving this scholarship, I will
always endeavor to make Nathan and
his family proud. Like Nathan, I will
never allow my disease to define me.
I will live life to its fullest, finding
inspiration wherever I can.”
ALEXANDRA STOIAKEN ’13
Nathan Schott in his
senior year at Maple
Grove High School.
[L to R]: Teri Schott, Alexandra Stoiaken ’13, and Chuck Schott at the 2011 brunch for
Augsburg scholarship donors and recipients.
Courtesy ph
oto
Summer 2012
27
calculus
AND
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Fog-covered mountains, roosters crowing
at 4 a.m., dinner by candlelight, 60-foot
waterfalls, and calculus. Strange components in a college class, maybe, but for
seven students and two faculty members,
this was reality during the 2012 spring
break.
In the course MAT 496: The Calculus of
Sustainability, students spent the first
eight weeks of the spring semester studying coffee plantations of Nicaragua. With
this knowledge, they created projects ranging from calculating the carbon footprint
of coffee production to building a largescale differential equation model that
would be used while in Nicaragua.
Once in-country, students were asked by
the farm families with whom they stayed
for feedback and advice on an ecotourism
model the farmers were creating. The
farmers, all members of the GARBO coffee
cooperative in the Peñas Blancas region of
Nicaragua near the Honduran border, were
exploring diversifying their income by inviting tourists to learn about and stay on the
plantation.
So although they had prepared projects
for months before arriving in Nicaragua,
the students set them aside and put the
needs of the farmers in the forefront. The
class came up with ideas like creating a
map of the cooperative and installing a
water filtration system. They also suggested paving the roads and creating a
store to sell convenience items to tourists
as well as products grown on the plantation.
When all was said and done, the students learned that when working in a place
like Nicaragua, plans can change quickly.
Adaptation and the willingness to think on
your feet are great skills to have when trying to apply complex mathematics in a
real-world situation.
28
Augsburg Now
coffee
See more photos, hear the students talk about their experiences, and watch
video of the class at www.augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2012
29
Courtesy photo
my
Auggie experience
Posts from the road
Summer Travel 2012
The Augsburg Choir U.S. Tour
The Augsburg Choir, under the direction of Peter Hendrickson ’76,
toured the Midwest in May. With stops in Montana, North Dakota,
Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, the choir performed nine concerts and had opportunities to connect with potential Auggies and their families as well as alumni and friends of the
College.
Teaching English in Thailand
This was the fifth year that English professor Kathy Swanson and
her husband, Jack, took students to teach English in Thailand as
part of a short-term study abroad course through the Center for
Global Education. In addition to teaching for 10 days in the village
of Prachuap Khirikhan, the students learned about Thai culture
and history, sailed on the Gulf of Siam, rode elephants, and tried to
stay cool in the 120-degree heat. See photos from the 2012 Thailand course at www.flickr.com/photos/augthailand.
International Management and Finance in Germany
For four weeks in May and June, a group of German students and
professors from Karlsruhe, Germany, paired with Augsburg students
and assistant business professor Marc McIntosh to study international business practices.
The group met for two weeks in Europe, visiting the European
Parliament in Strasbourg and witnessing firsthand the financial crisis that was occurring in Europe at that time. They also went to the
Frankfurt stock exchange and experienced the volatility in the
financial market as a result of the crisis, McIntosh said.
Then, back in the U.S., the students visited three companies with
strong ties to Germany and gained insights into how to do business
in overseas markets. Finally, the students participated in an intensive
business simulation game with teams competing to maximize shareholder value through the launches of multiple product offerings.
The Augsburg students teaching English in Thailand pose outside of the Wat
Benchamabophit, a temple in Bangkok.
study abroad program coordinated through Augsburg’s
Center for Global Education.
An excerpt from Underhill’s blog:
Election day is notable for its calm. Everyone is voting and
waiting; my sense is that people are still feeling that they are
in a dream, not sure that this can really be happening, and
wondering if they will wake up in the morning to find the military back in power, or in fact with a leader they have chosen.
The city is quieter than usual, less traffic and crowds, with
people staying home to vote.
Read more of the Egypt 2012 blog for more about the elections, the
extreme traffic in Cairo, and sharing a plane ride with former President Jimmy Carter at http://augsburgegypttrip2012.blogspot.com.
Social Service in a Global Context: Namibia and the U.S.
During July, a group of 25 Master of Social Work (MSW) students
studied in Namibia and South Africa accompanied by Lois Bosch,
professor and MSW program director, and Nancy Rodenborg, associate professor and chair of the Social Work Department. The group
visited social service agencies, hospitals, schools, and other venues.
Auggies abroad in 2012-13
•
30
Augsburg Now
28 students participated in summer programs in Austria,
Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Jamaica, Jordan,
Spain, and the United Kingdom
•
Political and Civic Engagement in Egypt
Political science professor Joe Underhill and Mohamed Sallam,
director of Pan-Afrikan student services at Augsburg, led students
to Egypt in May to study youth movements and social change. The
group visited cultural sites, villages, an ecotourism resort, and a
Bedouin camp, observed the historic presidential election, and
examined ongoing efforts to rebuild the country in the wake of the
2011 revolution. The combined political science and history
course, Political and Civic Engagement in Egypt, was a faculty-led
(including summer 2012)
41 students took part in summer short-term faculty-led programs including programs in Egypt, Germany, and Thailand
•
27 students will study abroad in fall semester
•
6 students will study abroad for the full 2012-13 academic year
Read more posts from the road in the Augsburg Abroad blogs at
www.augsburg.edu/augsburgabroad/blogs.html.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
auggie voices
In a room of her own
In A Room of One’s Own, writer Virginia
Woolf asserts that “a woman must have
money and a room of her own if she is to
write fiction.” This critical feminist essay,
first published in 1929, examines the
obstacles that women writers faced in a literary tradition that was, at the time, dominated by men.
It was in a room of her own, a quiet
space where she could remove herself from
the distractions of college social life, that
Erika Hammerschmidt ’04 began to write
her first book while she was a student at
Augsburg.
A private room is beneficial for students
with Asperger’s syndrome (AS), an autism
spectrum disorder that affects a person’s
ability to socialize and communicate with
others. Students with AS are characterized
by poor social skills and restricted interests,
but they typically possess great knowledge
in specific areas and have extensive vocabularies.
Hammerschmidt was diagnosed with AS
at the age of 11. “In some ways, having
Asperger’s is a gift,” she said. “I have a
good memory and a gift for logical thought.
And I can get very focused.” As a student,
however, Hammerschmidt said she was easily distracted and had trouble concentrating
on schoolwork because of anxiety she felt
about her social life.
Augsburg’s Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS) program, one
of the student support resources available
in the Gage Center for Student Success,
helped Hammerschmidt deal with the
social aspects of college. “They helped me
get a single room, a ‘room of my own’ as
Virginia Woolf wrote. It helped me get
started on a lot of projects and stay focused
on them.”
The ability to focus helped Hammerschmidt complete her book, Born on the
Wrong Planet. First published in 2003, it is
a collection of poems, short stories, and
For Erica Hammerschmidt ’04, living with Asperger’s syndrome makes her feel as though she is an alien on Earth,
and she taps into that alienation to create art. In her hands is a language she created. It's tactile, and is made up
of disk and small sculptural objects that are put together to create words and sentences. Her tactile language
offers others a chance to experience and feel how different she feels because the language is intuitive to her, and
completely foreign to others.
“[Augsburg’s CLASS program] helped me get a single dorm,
a ‘room of my own’ as Virginia Woolf wrote. It helped me get
started on a lot of projects and stay focused on them.”
’04
ERIKA HAMMERSCHMIDT
essays using alternating voices to illustrate
the complexities of Hammerschmidt’s life
with Asperger’s. A revised edition was published in 2008 by the Autism Asperger
Publishing Company.
Since graduating from Augsburg, Hammerschmidt has continued writing in the
Minneapolis apartment she shares with her
husband, John Ricker, whom she met at
Augsburg. In 2011, the couple co-authored
Kea’s Flight, a science fiction novel that
Hammerschmidt said is “like [George
Orwell’s] 1984 for autistic people.”
The couple also speaks about living with
autism spectrum diagnoses to special education students, teachers, and parents of
children with autism. In 2005, they were
featured speakers at the Annual Autism
Society of Minnesota Conference.
To learn more about Hammerschmidt
and her work, go to www.erikahammerschmidt.com.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Summer 2012
31
alumni news
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
t
hank you for the opportunity to serve as
the Alumni Board president. We are
welcoming five new Auggies to the
board (see their biographies below) and are
excited about the ideas and gifts they bring.
This year, we will build on the work that has
already been done by the Alumni Board and
make an effort to reconnect even more alumni to Augsburg.
My experiences as a member of the men’s soccer team keep me
connected to Augsburg. We won the MIAC championship in 1980
and went undefeated that season. Many of my soccer teammates are
still friends to this day. Several of my former teammates attended the
student-alumni networking event held on campus this past February,
and it was great to see them give back by sharing their experiences
with current students.
At the networking event, 60 students met with 50 alumni who
hosted tables for students to ask about specific careers; my table
was for those interested in financial services. I talked with several
students for an hour, and I’ve since met with two of them to personally guide them on their career paths.
You can stay connected to Augsburg by attending one of many
events hosted by the Alumni Board this year, including Homecoming
during the week of September 24 to 29. Read more about the activities scheduled for Homecoming on page 33. You’ll find information
about more upcoming events on the following pages, and we will
continue to update you in the monthly NOW@Augsburg e-newsletter.
Be sure to read it when it comes to your inbox.
I’d like to see you at an event this summer or at Homecoming.
When we meet, I hope you’ll tell me your ideas for staying connected
to Augsburg!
CHRIS ASCHER ’81
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
New Alumni Board Members
Five Auggies were recently elected to three-year terms on the
Augsburg Alumni Board.
Frank Grazzini ’96 helps run TelemetryWeb, Inc., a software startup he co-founded. After earning his degree in accounting, he
worked in finance and now is focused on general business management. Grazzini said he would like to see the alumni connection to
Augsburg begin at commencement.
After graduating, Marie (Eddy) Odenbrett ’01 served Augsburg in
event and classroom services and in advancement services. Now
that Odenbrett works in donor relations at Macalester College in
St. Paul, her desire to stay connected with Augsburg led her to join
the Alumni Board.
Lisa K. Olson ’79 lives in Washington, D.C., and is president and
owner of a business and clinical research consulting firm. Several in
Olson’s family are Augsburg graduates, and her grandfather, Henry P.
Opseth, was head of the Music Department and the first director of
the Augsburg Choir.
Nick Slack ’02 has a degree in business administration and is
currently a manufacturers’ representative for sporting goods companies in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
While at Augsburg, Slack was active in student government and
wrestling. After graduating, he served as an Augsburg wrestling
coach for seven years. He is also a member of the Augsburg Young
32
Augsburg Now
Front Row [L to R]: Holly Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, Marie Odenbrett ’01, Jill Watson ’10 MBA;
Middle Row [L to R]: Nick Slack ’02, Lisa K. Olson ’79, Kathy Amos ’87, Rob Wagner ’02, Chris
Hallin ’88; Back Row [L to R]: Michael Loney ’03, Heather Cmiel ’02, Tracy Anderson ’95,
Jerry Poland ’92, Chris Ascher ’81
Not pictured: Jennifer Carlson ’91, Sharon Engelland ’87, Sarah Grans ’01, Frank Grazzini
’96, Dan Hickle ’95, LeeAnn Lack ’67, Sharon Mercill ’05, Nancy Nordlund ’91, John Stadler
’07 MAL
Alumni Council.
Jill Watson ’10 MBA is a business analyst for Land O’Lakes.
Watson said she wants to facilitate opportunities to increase alumni
engagement and participation at Augsburg events as well as in the
recruitment process.
If you have ideas for alumni involvement, forward them to the
Alumni Board at alumni@augsburg.edu.
CHERYL D. CROCKETT ’89
Join Us for
homecoming SEPTEMBER 24-29
Whether or not you are celebrating a
reunion this year, Homecoming is a perfect
reason to return to campus to reconnect
with former classmates and enjoy the
Augsburg spirit! Join Augsburg alumni, parents, students, and friends in a fun-filled
week of Homecoming events and activities.
This year marks many milestones for the
College that will be recognized during
Homecoming, including the 25th anniversary
of the Master of Arts in Leadership program,
which will be celebrated following the Sabo
Symposium on Wednesday, September 26,
and the 30th Anniversary of Weekend/Evening
College (WEC), which will be celebrated at
the WEC Alumni Reunion Breakfast on Saturday, September 29.
New events have been added to this
year’s Homecoming schedule, including a
Faculty and Faculty Emeriti Meet and Greet
Reception, an Augsburg Cabaret Reunion and
sing-along on Friday, September 28, and a
Latino/a Alumni Reunion Breakfast on Saturday, September 29.
Homecoming Convocation will start the
weekend off on Friday morning, September
28, when we will recognize the First
Decade, Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners, as well as
members of the class of 1962. Don’t miss
the opportunity for fellowship and reminiscing at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon
that afternoon or at the 10-year, 25-year, and
30-year reunions at Republic (formerly Preston’s) Friday evening.
Experience the Best of Augsburg on Saturday morning, September 29, when you can
hear a brief lecture from two of Augsburg’s
outstanding faculty members—Darcey
Engen ’88, associate professor and chair of
theater arts, and James Vela-McConnell,
professor of sociology.
Before the football game on Saturday,
enjoy the Taste of Augsburg event with fun for
the whole family, including carnival-style
booths operated by student, parent, and
alumni groups. That afternoon, cheer on the
Auggies at the Homecoming Football Game as
they take on Bethel College.
The Auggie Block Party is back by popular
demand! Following the football game,
gather in the parking lot north of Si Melby
Hall to enjoy food, entertainment, and
camaraderie. It’s a wonderful way to conclude the Homecoming weekend.
Homecoming has something for everyone.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.augsburg.edu/homecoming. We
look forward to seeing you in September!
reunion classes
60th Reunion—1952
50th Reunion—1962
40th Reunion—1972
30th Reunion—1982
25th Reunion—1987
10th Reunion—2002
Summer 2012
33
alumni news
Networking at Work
In the past year, the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations partnered with Career Services and the Alumni Board
to host two student-alumni networking events. These events
provide an opportunity for current Augsburg students to
have one-on-one interactions with alumni from a variety of
professions and also allow alumni to share their professional
experience and insight.
Several lasting connections were made at these events,
including one between Janeece Oatman ’05 and Julie Bednark
’13, who met during Homecoming 2011. The two found they
have a shared passion for high-energy, intense projects, and
they connected immediately around their Augsburg experiences. Their conversation sparked a connection that led to a
friendship and an internship opportunity for Bednark with
the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure annual
bike ride, for which Oatman is the director.
Oatman said she feels good about giving back to the College by offering a unique experience for a current Augsburg
student. “Julie was so approachable, smart, worldly, and
willing to work hard,” she said. Following her internship,
Bednark plans to volunteer for the Tour de Cure to maintain
her connection to Oatman and to the American Diabetes
Association.
Chris Ascher ’81 and Dennis Som ’12 met at a networking
event, but their true connection began after Som invited
Ascher to lunch and they discovered a mutual passion for
the world of finance. Som was inspired by Ascher’s character, goal-setting structure, and willingness to be a resource
for current Augsburg students. Now the two connect regularly via email to share personal and professional developments. Both agree that a long-term mentor/mentee
relationship is in the cards.
Oatman and Ascher agreed they would return to participate in future alumni and student networking events to
recapture the sense of gratification and pride that comes
from “Auggies supporting Auggies.”
Make your own connection with a current Auggie at the
next alumni and student networking event that will take
place on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.
SARA SCHLIPP-RIEDEL ’06
Julie Bednark ’13 and Janeece Oatman ’05
Dennis Som ’12 and Chris Ascher ’81
auggies supporting auggies
34
Augsburg Now
s
‘Augsburg Start’ Mentor Program
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS WITH A NEW AUGGIE!
Do you remember your first days as a new Weekend/Evening College
student? Navigating a new campus? Balancing work, life, and family? Learning about resources and success strategies?
Now that you are an Augsburg WEC alum, you can give back to
Augsburg and share your experience and success by becoming a mentor for a new Augsburg WEC student this fall.
Augsburg Start is a mentor outreach program focused on pairing
new Augsburg for Adults/Weekend College students with an
alumna/us mentor who will support them in their first term. Once
paired with a new student, you will be asked to connect with them
in the first week and at least two other times in the term and be
available as a resource for help and support in person, by phone, or
by email. Each mentor/mentee relationship is different, but here
are some ways to be an Augsburg Start mentor:
• share your strategies for success
as an adult student
• encourage the student to connect with their
faculty adviser so they will be ready to register for the next term
• help the student reach out to student support programs
• be sure the student knows how to use Moodle and Augnet
• connect the student with the library and its resources
For more information, visit www.augsburg.edu/alumni/getinvolved
or contact Pat Grans in Alumni Relations at 612-330-1329 or
gransp@augsburg.edu.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS FROM THE
ground up
When Yemissrach (Yemi) Melka ’15 met Guy Wojtowicz ’81 in March,
she had several questions in mind to help her learn about the personal and professional journey of the Augsburg grad. But she was in
for a surprise—one that would bring a unique experience to the
general chemistry students at Augsburg.
During the visit, Wojtowicz told Melka about his family, many of
whom are Auggies, including his son Zach who has completed his
second year at Augsburg. He also talked about his professional
career, describing some of the chemical and agricultural projects
currently underway at the stucco and plastering company that he
founded with his brother in 2006.
The project that took Melka by surprise involves a compound
that can be sprayed on depleted soil to significantly increase its fertility. Wojtowicz said the compound could also be instrumental in
remediating contaminated soil without having to excavate and
remove the soil to a toxic disposal site.
As a chemistry major and an international student from Ethiopia,
where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy and soil depletion
has been an issue, Melka was excited about exploring the application of the technology in her home
country. She couldn’t wait to tell
[L to R]: Yemissrach Melka ‘15, Guy Wojtowicz ‘81, assistant professor of chemistry
Vivian Feng
her professor, Vivian Feng, about the chemistry lesson she received
outside of class.
Feng was impressed with the capabilities of the compound and
brought it into a first-year general chemistry classroom for students
to use in the environmental chemistry section of the course. Generally, Feng said, first-year students don’t work with commercial compounds used in the real world, so Melka’s discovery provided a rare,
hands-on learning opportunity for her classmates.
Melka met Wojtowicz through her involvement in IGNITE (Involving Graduates Now In Thoughtful Engagement), a program launched in
2009 with a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™. Students in IGNITE conduct face-to-face visits with alumni to learn
more about their Augsburg experience and their interest in volunteer opportunities at Augsburg.
If you have an interest in meeting with an IGNITE student representative, contact Pat Grans, volunteer coordinator, at 612-3301329 or gransp@augsburg.edu.
CHERYL D. CROCKETT ‘89
Summer 2012
35
alumni news
save the dates
Saturday, October 13, 1-3 p.m.
FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOGRAPHY AND BOAT TOUR
auggie
IS FLYING SOUTH THIS WINTER!
Join President Paul C. Pribbenow and Augsburg alumni and friends
in Arizona for the following events. To register or for more
information call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
Saturday, February 16, 2 p.m.
AUGSBURG RECEPTION
At the home of Donald ’60 and Violet Anderson, Sun City
The Anderson home is located two blocks northwest from the
American Lutheran Church in Sun City.
Taylors Falls, Minn.
Augsburg’s resident photographer, Stephen Geffre, will
provide insight into what
makes for a successful photo
and share stories and images
from his “365 Project.” This
unique event will be held on
the St. Croix River aboard
the Taylors Falls Queen
excursion boat of Wild
Mountain/Taylors Falls
Recreation, owned by Amy
Raedtke Frischmon ’92.
Register at www.augsburg.edu/
alumnievents.
Thursday, October 18, Noon CT
AUGSBURG LIVE: STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Hear first-hand from President Paul C. Pribbenow
about the College’s priorities for this academic year
on this hour-long webinar. See images of the campus, hear stories of student successes, and learn
about how the College continues to live out its mission and promise to students and its community. To
register, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
Saturday, February 16, 6 p.m.
RECEPTION AT HEARD MUSEUM
Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Featuring The Couriers quartet from the Augsburg Centennial Singers
AUGSBURG CENTENNIAL SINGERS: ARIZONA TOUR
Sunday, February 17 - American Lutheran Church, Sun City
Sunday, February 17; 8, 9:15, and 10:45 a.m.
Monday, February 18 - The Church at Litchfield Park,
KING OF GLORY CHURCH SERVICES
Litchfield Park
King of Glory, 2085 East Southern Ave., Tempe
Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow will be the guest preacher
Tuesday, February 19 - Desert Hills Lutheran, Green Valley
Sunday, February 17, 6 p.m.
RECEPTION
At the home of Lute ’56 and Kelly Olson, Tuscon
Featuring The Couriers quartet from the Augsburg Centennial Singers
Thursday, February 21 - Sun Lakes United Methodist
Church, Sun Lakes
Friday, February 22 - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran,
Fountain Hills
Saturday, February 23 - Vista de la Montana Methodist
Church, Tucson
Sunday, February 24 - Gold Canyon United Methodist
Church, Gold Canyon
36
Augsburg Now
62newly published book on sciKen Olson is the author of a
alumni class notes
57lished two books: Daily Walks
Rev. Neal Snider recently pub-
with Saints and Sinners and Walking
Together through the Bible.
ence and religion, Lens to the Natural World: Reflections on Dinosaurs,
Galaxies, and God. In addition to
parish ministry, since 1988 Olson has
been a research associate in paleontology for the Museum of the Rockies
at Montana State University. Olson
and his wife Rochelle (Jerve) Olson
‘63 live in Lewistown, Mont.
head High School in Kalispell, Mont.
Davis was an All-American wrestler
at Augsburg College in 1973.
76called to serve as the senior
Mary (Ronning) Gilthvedt was
70
In May, Jim Fischer was
inducted into the Delaware
Sports Hall of Fame. Fischer has
been the track and cross country
coach at University of Delaware since
1982. He joins the previous 293
inductees enshrined at the Delaware
Sports Museum since 1976.
74gence, a story about “a smart
Scott Seal published Conver-
guy with a mediocre life” that takes
the reader from the frozen snowbanks of Minneapolis to the icy halfpipe snowboard courses of Valles
Marineras on Mars.
Scot Davis, a two-time national
coach of the year and the “All-Time
National Wins Leader” in high
school wrestling, according to
Wrestling USA Magazine, has been
named head wrestling coach at Flat-
pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran
Church in East Grand Forks, Minn.
in July 2011.
83’88, and four other profes-
Luverne Seifert, Darcey Engen
sional performers will debut a new
site-specific production of Anton
Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard in
five historical homes in July and
August. The production, which will
travel to Blue Earth, Kenyon, Little
Falls, Taylors Falls, and Worthington,
Minn., will also feature four local
community actors and musicians
from each community.
84a new position as an accountPamela (Schey) Durfee began
ant with Mullinax Concrete Services
in Buffalo, Wyo.
AUGSBURG CELEBRATES
40
Years
OF WOMEN’S ATHLETICS
Courtesy photo
Joyce Pfaff ’65
Lavonne Peterson ’50
auggie SNAPSHOTS
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of
women’s athletics at Augsburg, as well as the
40th anniversary of Title IX, the College will
present two alumnae with the “One of Our Own”
award. On Saturday, November 10, Joyce Pfaff
’65 and Lavonne (Mrs. Pete) Peterson ’50, will
join Ernie Anderson ’37, Edor Nelson ’38, Lute
Olson ’56, and Ed Saugestad ’59 as “One of
Our Own” award recipients for their contributions to Augsburg College and the Athletic
Department. In addition, female athletes from
each decade will be chosen for the All-Decade
Teams to honor and recognize some of
Augsburg’s most outstanding athletes from
the past 40 years.
Save the Date: All athletic alumnae are invited to
join in the celebration on Saturday, November 10!
04Krepela ’04 MAE and her
Bethany (Bierman)
72promoted to the rank of
Kristin L. Rajala was
colonel, Dental Corps, in the
Minnesota Army National
Guard in a ceremony on April
14 at Camp Ripley, Little Falls,
Minn. Rajala is currently
assigned as the officer in
charge of the Dental Section
within the Medical Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Minnesota Army National
Guard. Her civilian career is
practicing dentistry in Brainerd and Willmar, Minn.
husband, Jim, welcomed a
daughter, Kaija Joyce, on
August 19, 2011. Bethany
worked at Augsburg from 1998
to 2007 in admissions and in
marketing and communication.
She currently works as a Twin
Cities-based development officer for Luther College.
05Schornstein and Matt
Megan (Ehresmann)
Schornstein ’04 welcomed
Elsie Mae on November 18.
05Nathan Saj welcomed
Ellen (Kvitek) Saj and
baby boy Benjamin James on
March 14.
Jim and Kelly Matthias welcomed baby Adeline Grace
on February 7. Jim is a liaison for computing in the
Information Technology
department at Augsburg.
07recently received her
Katherine Jane Gavin
doctor of medicine degree
from the Medical College of
Wisconsin.
Summer 2012
37
86Teacher of the Year at Trinity High 99celebration of the Girl Scouts
Michael Johnson was named
School in Trinity, N.C. Johnson teaches
theater and is the director of dramatics
at the school.
87vice president of Venture Bank.
In January, at the centennial
of Minnesota, Linda Stuart was honored as a “Woman of Promise” by
the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys.
Brian Brakke was appointed senior
89
Devoney Looser, professor of English at the University of Missouri,
published a video titled The Untidy History of Sisterhood about her research on
Jane Austen, Jane Porter, women’s writings, old age, and roller derby. The
video is available on the SyndicateMizzou website. Looser also directed a
National Endowment for the Humanities
Summer Seminar for College Teachers
on “Jane Austen and Her Contemporaries” this summer.
Charles Skemp (MAE licensure) received
a 2012 Whitney & Elizabeth MacMillan
(WEM) Foundation Outstanding Educator Award for Teacher Achievement in
May. Skemp is a teacher at Henry Sibley
High School in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan school district.
92coach and founder of Life Illumi-
Jennifer Chou authored a chapter titled,
“Wine Savvy—Business and Social Wine
Smarts” in the book Socially Smart &
Savvy, a book of experts’ secrets for
success.
01tenant by the Minnesota State
Robert Zak was promoted to lieu-
Patrol. Zak is the director of fleet and
asset management and is stationed in
St. Paul.
In May, Mary Grundhoefer (MAE licensure) received the Teacher of Excellence
Award in the Cambridge-Isanti School
District where she teaches English, writing, and media studies.
04ter’s degree in finance from the
Hans Strommen received his mas-
University of St. Thomas. He works for
UnitedHealthcare as a senior financial
analyst.
Sharol Tyra, a professional certified
nation Presentations and Coaching, was
elected to the Minnesota Coaches Association board of directors.
05Stolle was named 2011 Educator
In February, Bethany (Schneck)
93time All-American, Joe Hoialmen,
of the Year by the Lutheran Association
of Christian Educators. Stolle is a senior
developer for youth resources for
Sparkhouse, the ecumenical division of
Augsburg Fortress publishers.
was inducted into the National Wrestling
Coaches Association Division III Hall of
Fame in April.
08math teacher at St. Paul Prepara-
Former Auggie wrestler and three-
95
In June, Hans Skulstad was
named chair of the Hobey Baker
Memorial Award Committee.
Michael Gooding was hired as a medical
assistant with Sun Life Family Health
Center in Sun Lakes, Ariz.
In May, Dan Forseth, science and
tory School in St. Paul, was awarded the
Science House High Flyer Award by the
Science Museum of Minnesota Professional Development Group.
10year of graduate school at Alliant
Leann Vice-Reshel finished her first
e
w
a
Augsburg Women
Engaged Update
AWE believes…
• women have knowledge, experience, and wisdom
to share with the Augsburg community.
• a relationship with Augsburg enriches the lives of
alumnae.
• we can be the catalyst for tapping the potential
of women to connect, learn, and give.
In July 2011, AWE hosted its first Action Team
gathering, presenting opportunities for women to
connect, learn, give, and be actively involved in the
Augsburg community. Since then, more than 150
Auggie women have engaged with Augsburg
through AWE programs and events. The second
AWE Action Team gathering is scheduled for
August 1. Join us to find a project or team that fits
your interests and availability.
AWE is thrilled to thank the 26 women who have
stepped forward to support the future Center for
Science, Business, and Religion. Special thanks to
Roz Nordaune ’77, one of the first women to join
AWE, for her matching gift, which brings the
group’s fundraising total to $50,000. In the second phase of this “AWE-Inspired” effort, AWE will
invite 50 women to join them in raising $100,000
by December 31!
Augsburg welcomes new participants to AWE.
Contact Sherilyn Young at 612-330-1462 or
youngs@augsburg.edu for more information.
CONNECTING. LEARNING. GIVING.
University in San Diego, Calif. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology.
The Political History and Landmarks of Namibia and South Africa
Join Augsburg alumni and friends in August 2013 on this 12-day
African tour through Namibia and South Africa’s political past and the
popular tourist attractions and landmarks this history has created.
Learn firsthand about this region’s struggle against apartheid and
discover how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia played
a significant role in the Namibian independence struggle. Tour the
former black and colored townships in Windhoek and Johannesburg, and hear from a cross-section of southern African society.
38
Augsburg Now
This trip is offered in partnership between the Alumni Association and the Center for Global Education (CGE) at Augsburg
College. For 30 years, CGE has provided cross-cultural educational opportunities that foster critical analysis of local and
global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes
place, leading to a more just and sustainable world.
To request more details about the trip, call 612-330-1085
or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
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 email alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
____________________________________________________________
Email
Okay to publish your email address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
In Memoriam
____________________________________________________________
Employer
Dr. Donald F. Holm ’39, Edina, Minn., age 94, on March 9.
____________________________________________________________
Position
Victor “Vic” E. Miller ’42, Edina, Minn., age 92, on December 1.
Andrew “Andy” Balerud ’50, Visalia, Calif., age 84, on February 11.
Jennings I. Thompson ’51, Bloomington, Minn., age 88, on January 18.
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Gordon Odegaard ’52, Washington, D.C., age 81, on January 14.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? ❑ Yes ❑ No
C. Arthur Shultz ’53, Rancho Cordova, Calif., age 80, on January 9.
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
Rev. Leroy J. Iseminger ’54, Sioux Falls, S.D., age 80, on March 10.
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
Lawrence E. Nerheim ’56, Oak Park, Calif., age 76, on January 11.
Conrad E. Fristedt ’58, Alexandria, Minn., age 81, on March 8.
K. Benjamin Skurdal ’59, Williston, N.D., age 78, on March 14.
Roger A. Bevis ’63, Bloomington, Minn., age 70, on January 29.
Joanne Clare Koester ’75, Red Wing, Minn., age 58, on May 12.
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
Brenda L. (Salberg) Peterson ’75, Brooklyn Park, Minn., age 58, on April 1.
____________________________________________________________
Karen I. Quenroe ’76, Canby, Minn., age 56, on April 30, 2011.
____________________________________________________________
Audrey A. Banks ’89, Minneapolis, age 77, on October 19.
____________________________________________________________
David J. Holland, ’91, Berkeley, Calif., age 43, on January 24.
Jennifer “Jen” M. DeGolier ’99, Minneapolis, age 36, on April 27.
Jennifer “Jenni” L. Buth ’01, Bloomington, Minn., age 35, on March 30.
____________________________________________________________
❑ I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Brian Hartmann ’03, St. Louis Park, Minn., age 50, on May 4.
Summer 2012
39
auggies on the ice
Scoring in science and hockey
Balancing academics and athletics can be
demanding for college student-athletes. For
Brandon Bukowski ’12, a double major in
biology and chemistry with his sights set on
medical school, managing academics and a
hockey schedule was challenging. But
Bukowski shone in the classroom and on the
ice, graduating summa cum laude with honors in biology and leading his team as one of
the top hockey defenders in the conference.
Bukowski came to Augsburg after three
years playing junior hockey with the Tri-City
Storm in Kearney, Neb., and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets in North Dakota. Chris Brown,
Augsburg’s men’s hockey coach, had been in
contact with Bukowski since high school, but
Bukowski was interested in playing for a Division I school. “I never thought Augsburg was
for me, but I was impressed with the hockey
team and the strong science program,” he
said.
Studying biology while playing hockey
required support from his coaches and commitment to time management. “In hockey,
science majors are not common,” Bukowski
said. Some of his courses required 12 hours
of lab work each week, but he said his
coaches always found a way to make his
schedule work. “At Augsburg, the coaches
emphasize that we are students first and athletes second.”
At Augsburg, students interested in pursuing graduate school are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research in order to
prepare them for advanced study. For two
summers, Bukowski conducted research with
biology assistant professor Jennifer BankersFulbright through Augsburg’s office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity
(URGO), which funds 10 to 12 weeks of
summer research for more than 30 students
each year. Bukowski and Bankers-Fulbright
studied a bacterium that is responsible for
substantial mortality in patients with cystic
fibrosis.
40
Augsburg Now
Bankers-Fulbright said she appreciated
Bukowski’s enthusiasm and dedication.
“Brandon has a very strong work ethic and
this, combined with his intellectual curiosity
and drive, made him a valuable part of my
lab,” she said.
Bukowski also participated in Mayo Innovation Scholars, a program involving Mayo
Clinic Ventures and the Minnesota Private
College Council. As a member of a team
including undergraduate science and business majors and an MBA student,
Bukowski researched the efficacy of a
potential product and conducted market
analysis for the product.
His academic skill earned Bukowski Auggie awards as the men’s student-athlete with
the highest grade-point average in 2011
and 2012. On the ice, he was a fouryear letter winner, appearing in 85
career games with 14 assists and
15 points, and the team qualified for the Minnesota
Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference postseason
playoffs three times
during his tenure.
Bukowski plans
to apply to medical school
next year and
wants to
become an orthopedic surgeon. For the summer following graduation, he has applied to a
Med Scribe program at Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA) in
which he would shadow a physician and
learn about the medical field by documenting
patient history and observing exams.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
At the annual Auggie Awards, the Augsburg College athletic programs roll out the maroon carpet
to celebrate team and individual successes. For the promotional posters, Augsburg College photographer Stephen Geffre shows student-athletes in formal wear participating in their sport.
To see more of these striking action shots, go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
augsburgLEGACY
AN
“Scholarships energize students! Providing scholarships energizes us!”
PHILIP AND JEAN FORMO
Phil and Jean Formo are always excited to meet a student who
has received a scholarship from the Jerome and Winifred
Formo Scholarship or the David J. Formo Scholarship. And
soon, the Formos will be able to meet Augsburg students who
will receive support from the Andreas Helland Scholarship.
Phil comes from an Augsburg legacy family. His parents,
Jerome and Winifred Formo, both graduated in 1937. His
brother, David, graduated in 1964 and served in the U.S. Navy.
And Phil’s grandfather, Andreas Helland, taught at Augsburg
Seminary and College for 35 years.
The Formo scholarships, started in memory of the family’s
loved ones, create a family legacy while ensuring financial
support for future Augsburg students. Jean and Phil have also
provided for an estate gift that will continue to build these
scholarships after their deaths.
Meeting the students who receive scholarships from their
family’s legacy is energizing to Phil and Jean. “Best of all for
us,” Phil said, “these scholarships help us stay vitally connected to Augsburg College and to its students.”
The Augsburg College development team has many creative ways to help
accomplish your Augsburg philanthropic and legacy goals. To learn more,
call 612-330-1575.
www.augsburg.edu/giving
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Commencement 2012
Rebecca Hamlin, the representative for the class of 2012, hugs her son Marlowe Lindberg
before the July 1 commencement ceremony. In her speech to the graduates, Hamlin
shared how students at Fridley Middle School taught her about peace when she taught
them about civic engagement through the Public Achievement program.
To read more about Public Achievement at Fridley Middle School,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
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AUGSBURG NOW
SUMMER 2011
VOL. 73, NO. 3
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Awesome
Years
of Life-Changing
internships Commencement 2011
Ali Rapp ’11 Gage Center for Student Success
Travel
International Auggies Ask an Auggie expert
page
20
Achievement
in the ... Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
SUMMER 2011
VOL. 73, NO. 3
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Awesome
Years
of Life-Changing
internships Commencement 2011
Ali Rapp ’11 Gage Center for Student Success
Travel
International Auggies Ask an Auggie expert
page
20
Achievement
in the classroom Nick Ward ’11
go
global
notes
from President Pribbenow
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Education off the main road
Creative Associate-Design
a
s I write these words for the summer issue of
the Augsburg Now—which includes stories illustrating Augsburg’s vision of educating
global citizens—I am in Oslo, Norway, attending an
international conference on the links between higher
education and democracy, and also spending time
with Augsburg students studying peace and conflict
mediation at the University of Oslo. I am struck by
how relevant Augsburg’s longstanding commitment
to what I call an “education off the main road” is to
preparing our students for life in the 21st century. A
simple story illustrates my point.
In a trip last fall to Augsburg’s Center for Global
Education (CGE) campus in Windhoek, Namibia, I remember looking out at the sparkling lights as I was
hosted at a dinner in an ultra-modern restaurant high
above the city. All was well, it seemed, as I waited for
my dinner companions to arrive.
But the view from our perch above the city, nestled in an obviously affluent subdivision of the burgeoning city, belied my experiences earlier in the day.
I had witnessed the remnants of an apartheid system.
Formerly separate cemeteries for whites, colored, and
blacks. Housing that was clearly demarcated by tribal
class. Primary and secondary schools stratified by social class. A sprawling tin village—the so-called “informal settlements”—in which tens of thousands of
Namibians lived in squalor, unable to find work after
they arrived in the city and were left to their own devices to survive. Health clinics with waiting rooms full
of women seeking both prenatal care and HIV tests.
Non-governmental organizations struggling to serve
the needs of indigenous people whose rights were
neglected. The stark contrasts of the day were mindbending.
My dinner companions arrived—a labor activist
and a teacher working to improve education for indigenous people—and as I described our day in
Windhoek, one of them commented that he was
grateful I had witnessed these contrasts because too
many outsiders come to Namibia and travel only “the
main road,” from which all seems well. I had left that
main road and experienced the real Namibia.
My experience that day was a snapshot of what
our CGE students encounter each semester in
Namibia as they participate in intense experiences
that open their eyes to the life-transforming dynamics
of life in this developing country. Through extended
homestays in both urban and rural areas, internships
with organizations doing important social and educational work, classes that feature speakers who have
firsthand experience of the tensions in Namibia’s life,
and opportunities for significant interaction with
Namibian people and culture, our students experience life off the main road in this remarkable country, just 22 years after it declared independence.
And when these students return home to the
U.S., we know they carry with them knowledge and
experiences of this place and its good people that will
shape the decisions they make about their own lives
and what they might be called to do in the world.
Some may return to Africa, perhaps as medical workers or teachers. But most will not, and, for them, we
trust and know that their experiences off the main
road in Namibia will help them understand their own
privilege in an increasingly complex world—privilege
that must be named and then put to responsible use
in the search for equity and justice, both in their personal lives and in the systems they inhabit.
Off the main road in Namibia, off the main road
wherever Augsburg offers its distinctive education for
global citizenship. I’m only beginning to understand
how critical our work as a college is in transforming
the lives of students and contributing to a different
vision of our common future as global citizens.
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Webmaster/Now Online
Bryan Barnes
barnesb@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
summer 2011
Features
11
6
“Problem” students become problem solvers
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
14
21
Auggies
are everywhere
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
.
16 Gloria Xinico Morales ’12
A girl of the world
17 Max Bregenzer ’12
Living life to the Max
17 Erica Lippitt ’12
Family teamwork creates a world of possibility
18 Jiahua (Holly) Huang ’12
Holly is a regular Minnesotan
8
14
18 Dat Nguyen ’11
contents
Unlocking possibilities and potential at Augsburg
26
19 Faiza Abbas Mahamud ’11
A life that defies definition
20 Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14
Life in the United States: Different, but not weird
21
26
Real experience in the working world
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Commencement 2011
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Departments
On the cover
International Auggies Gloria Xinico Morales, Alom Martínez, Zebokhon
Tursunova, and Gottlieb Uahengo have fun at a Minneapolis landmark,
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Spoonbridge and Cherry.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
augsburg now
inside
front
cover
2
6
8
9
10
28
32
Notes from President Pribbenow
Around the Quad
My Auggie experience
Auggies on the track
It takes an Auggie
Auggie voices
Alumni news
Class notes
quad
around the
NEWSNOTES
National fellowship and scholarship awards
Fulbright Awards, 2011-12
• Katie Edelen ’11, majoring in chemistry, biology, and environmental studies, received a Fulbright Research Grant to Norway. She
will study and carry out research at the Peace Research Institute
of Oslo. (See story page 10.)
Urban Debate League success at nationals
Two teams from the Minnesota Urban Debate League (UDL), part of
Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, were among the
top 10 teams in the country at the National Urban Debate League
(NAUDL) tournament in New York in April. A student debater from each
of the two teams—Washburn and South high schools—placed seventh
and eighth respectively in individual speaker competition.
Newberry Library Fellowship to
Michael Lansing
Michael Lansing, assistant professor of
history, received the Lloyd Lewis Fellowship in American History for 2011–12.
The fellowship will support the ongoing
work of his book-length research project
on the Nonpartisan League.
Norma Noonan honored for long-term
direction of the MAL program
Norma Noonan was honored this spring after
stepping down as director of the
Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program.
Throughout her 18 years of directing
and teaching in the program, Noonan has
been both a leader and a shaper of leaders. Since the mid-’90s, Noonan has had an exceptionally steady
hand in leading the ongoing development of the MAL program and
the Leadership Center. Students have appreciated her accessibility,
encouragement, and clarity. Although she is leaving the director position, Noonan will continue to teach at Augsburg and support the
College’s commitment to leadership.
2
Augsburg Now
• Jennifer Oliver, a graduate student in education and former financial aid counselor in the Enrollment Center, received a Fulbright
English Teaching Assistantship in Germany.
Goldwater Scholarship—Math major Austin Wagner ’12 received Honorable Mention for a Barry S. Goldwater Scholarship.
Newman Civic Fellows—Claire Bergren ’12 was honored by Campus
Compact for her community work around racial justice and social issues linked to poverty.
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship—Katie Edelen will pursue graduate
study in environmental management in 2012–13.
Udall Scholarship—Kathy DeKrey ’12, an environmental studies and
political science pre-law double major, has been awarded a Udall
Scholarship for 2011–12.
Top green power purchaser
Augsburg College has been recognized by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2010-11
top green power purchaser in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Augsburg College
purchased more than 13 million kilowatt-hours of
green power, representing 100 percent of the
school’s annual electricity usage on
the Minneapolis campus.
This is the equivalent to
avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of more than 1,000 average U.S. homes
or nearly 2,000 cars annually.
EXCELLENCE in research
In April 2011, Jeremy Anthony, a senior
Presidential
Award for
mathematics major, represented
Augsburg College in the Council on
Undergraduate Research Posters on
Community Service
the Hill event. This event, held each
year in Washington, D.C., showcased
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Awards
Augsburg College earned two $10,000 grants
from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for
programs recognized for providing “high-quality, age-appropriate arts education.”
Medieval Minnesota: This one-week boarding camp for students ages 14 to17 reimagines life during the Middle Ages.
Students study medieval history, the Crusades, castle design, and the history of
labyrinths. They also learn to build a medieval costume, juggle, dance, fence, and
entertain. The camp, in its fifth year, attracts
students from across the United States and
Canada. For more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/medievalminnesota.
Centro Youth Workshop: This summer photography
workshop provides 10 youths from metropolitan
Latino/Chicano communities the opportunity to develop technical and artistic photography skills. The
program, which is in its second year, is a partnership
between the College and Centro, a Minneapolis-based
social service nonprofit. Learn more at http://overexposuremedia.org/.
the research of 75 undergraduate stu-
Courtesy photo
Augsburg is one of six higher
education institutions in
the nation to receive the
2010 Presidential Award for
Community Service from the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is the highest award given that recognizes institutions for their
commitment to and achievement in community service, and Augsburg is
the only Minnesota school to receive this honor. In three previous years,
the College has been named to the President’s Honor Roll with the additional designation of “With Distinction.”
During the 2009-10 school year, Auggies contributed nearly 200,000
hours of community service to programs, including course-based servicelearning, Bonner Leaders, Campus Kitchen, community gardens,
GEMS/GISE/STEM summer programs, Urban Scrubs Camp, and more.
More than 1,700 students and 200 faculty and staff participated in service-learning last year.
dents from colleges and universities
across the country.
L to R: Isanti mayor George Wimmer, Senator Al Franken, and Clayton McNeff ’91,
vice president of research at SarTec Corporation.
SENATOR FRANKEN
visits Ever Cat Fuels
On April 21, U.S. Senator Al Franken visited Ever Cat Fuels in Isanti, Minn., which
can produce three million gallons of biodiesel each year using the Mcgyan
Process. In 2008, the discovery of the Mcgyan Process began with student research by Brian Krohn ’08, along with chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg.
The process received its first patent in March 2011.
Augsburg receives second grant
for Travelers EDGE
Augsburg received a second gift from Travelers Insurance for their
Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment (EDGE) program. This program focuses on college recruitment and retention of
low-income and first-generation students. In Minnesota, the focus is
specifically on students graduating from the St. Paul Public School
district.
The $100,000 grant will be used for Augsburg’s Travelers
Pathways program for financial literacy training, which is open to all
students. Current Augsburg juniors and seniors who graduated from
a St. Paul public high school may be eligible to apply for a $5,000
annual scholarship, which brings with it opportunities for job shadowing, internships, and mentoring.
Summer 2011
3
In Memoriam:
Jessica Nathanson
Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor and director of the women’s studies program and the
Women’s Resource Center at Augsburg College, died April 5 of breast cancer. Nathanson’s passion for and knowledge of social justice and gender issues was instrumental in shaping the
women’s studies community at Augsburg. Nathanson earned a BA from Wesleyan University and
an MA and PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She co-edited the book Mother
Knows Best: Talking Back to the “Experts” and enjoyed a wide following as a blogger on feminist
issues. The following is an excerpt of an original spoken word piece read by Lucreshia Grant ’11
at the multifaith service in Hoversten Chapel to remember and celebrate Nathanson’s life.
An excerpt from
There are so much things to say
By Lucreshia Grant ’11
For Jessica Nathanson
There are so much things to say right now
There are so much things to say
There are so much things to say right now
There are so much things to say
…
Friends, let me tell you
If we had the time to recall every moment where in which this
woman made me feel like I could levitate, I swear it’d take all day…
This is a piece about praise today because,
if there was bad between us
I just can’t remember it
I never knew I could float with pride this way.
I came in here rusty and naïve, too big for my own britches
You saw a light in me and followed it
My writing then, was sloppy, holey and dishonest
There are times when writing for an audience is just plain perjury
And every time I lifted my pen from this paper in disbelief
Turned my palms up in discouragement
You calmly, proclaimed that
“That must be the oppression talking.”
That day I thought my heart would beat right through my ribcage
I never imagined that someone might get it
Get me, get this
I love you, for the tears you allowed me to cry, often and
The beauty you believed me to write
And I can’t help believing that we were meant to be
in a space like SVERDRUP 207
warm and complicated
in the differences between us
4
Augsburg Now
age, race, class, time, distance
there is love in that and we confronted it daily
learning that
oppression sometimes smells like privilege and
power doesn’t always have to be dominance
you are my best memory about this place and
I know we’re not done
Cuz you African dance through my dreams
Reminding me of the freedom I already keep, on my tongue
You’re in my windpipe
Part of the cadence and confidence in my voice
You’re the social justice in my strut
I won’t lower my head in fear again
Eyes forward ready to stand completely still with another
You gave me grace, honored me with respect
Not just a Black woman on a stage to you…clap me a round of
“thanks and that was beautifuls”
But she knew the truth.
Knew I was a Queen, believed my words and told me.
There are so much things to say
I have so much to say, but I can say nothing fully at all.
Thanks for all the books and
Reminding me that I can do this
Thanks for believing in feminism enough to teach it.
Thanks for loving us as much as you did
Thanks for loving me
It’s not over, we’re not done
You’ll see
Because
This place became a home for me because you were in it
It is better because you graced it
Because you believed it I am better
Jessica, thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR RETIRING TENURED FACULTY
Retiring faculty were honored at the
Faculty Recognition Luncheon on May 5.
Nora Braun, Business Administration
Nora Braun has been described as a role model for successfully
balancing the demands of professional and personal responsibilities
with incredible patience, integrity, and humor during her 14 years
at Augsburg. A few of her contributions include participating in the
College’s accreditation program, chairing a keystone collaborative,
helping to design the business keystone course, and being involved
in the initial design process for the Augsburg Master of Business
Administration program. Braun enjoys writing and is the author of a
children’s book that explores the life of the middle child.
Francine Chakolis, Social Work
Bruce Reichenbach, Philosophy
Francine Chakolis graduated from Augsburg in 1978. Since 1983,
her dedication to her colleagues and students has taken many
forms. Always a proud Auggie, Chakolis was a formidable leader
and the first director of the Master of Social Work program in the
1990s. Her colleague Tony Bibus used these words to describe
Chakolis, “…spouse, mother, family, and COMMUNITY, with capital letters. She is also a teacher, activist, fighter, administrator,
leader, and social worker.”
Bruce Reichenbach began his teaching career at Augsburg 43 years
ago. Students have always been at the top of his priorities, and they
received the very best of Reichenbach’s passion and deep commitment to learning. He organized and led the writing team for the Lilly
Grant and then served on its advisory board. As a logical outgrowth
of the Lilly Grant to explore vocation, he worked on the development
of an extended orientation for first-year and second-year faculty.
Reichenbach is a prolific scholar, having written a dozen books and
many articles, and is regarded for his expertise in helping faculty understand how to teach critical thinking.
Dan Hanson, Communication Studies
A 1986 graduate of the Weekend College program, Dan Hanson
began taking classes when he was a vice president at Land
O’Lakes. A dedicated colleague and teacher for 23 years, Hanson
developed several courses, including the communication studies
keystone course and a course for the Master of Arts in Leadership
program. He is the author of several books, including A Place to
Shine and Room for J: A Family Struggles with Schizophrenia.
Hanson has devoted his energy and years of experience and expertise to the development of his students in both undergraduate
and graduate program classes.
Lynne Lorenzen, Religion
At a reception honoring Lynne Lorenzen’s 22-year career at
Augsburg, Professor Bev Stratton referred to Lorenzen as a trailblazer. A tireless advocate for gender rights on campus and in
broader communities, Lorenzens’s collaboration on the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) first sexuality task force 20
years ago laid the groundwork for the decision to recognize lesbian
and gay clergy in committed, same-gender relationships. She played
an important role in the design and development of the
Augsburg/Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) women’s
studies program. An active member and leader in the Lutheran
church, Lorenzen’s classes at Augsburg also reflected her interests
and focus on theology, church studies, and feminism.
Charley Sheaffer, Computer Science
Charley Sheaffer has been involved in several curricular development efforts in his department since he joined the College in
1997. He helped revise the computer science major to include the
programming languages and compilers sequence. He was a co-creator of a three-credit cognitive science course, which was instrumental in increasing confidence among many students about their
ability to handle college-level work. His colleague Larry Crockett
said, “If the measure of a person is finally the ability to retain a
gracious sense of humor in the face of all that life can present,
then Charley is a remarkable person indeed.”
Nan Skelton, Center for Democracy and Citizenship
As co-director of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC) at
Augsburg College, Nan Skelton led the center’s external public work
in civic education, reclaiming neighborhoods, and the democratic
renewal of education. She is a co-founder of the Jane Addams
School for Democracy; and she has been an architect of the
Neighborhood Learning Community and, more recently, Learning in
Cities (also called Sprockets), pioneering new approaches to learning
and education. Prior to joining the CDC in 1994, Skelton served as
assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education
and provided leadership with the National Governors Association.
Summer 2011
5
my
Auggie experience
Floating on the social media bubble
If you’re a friend of Ali Rapp ’11 and weren’t a frequent visitor
to the communication and film studies office where she
worked on campus, you maybe “saw” her on Facebook and
Twitter. And if you didn’t attend a class or go to a local restaurant with her, you may have kept up with the goings-on of Ali
Rapp’s life—and maybe still do—through her blog, “No, I am
a Cat.”
Rapp was the social media intern for Augsburg’s admissions office since 2007. In this position, she maintained her
own blog and managed other student bloggers on Homemade,
the College’s unobstructed window on student life.
6
Augsburg Now
The student bloggers kept prospective and current students entertained and up-to-date with real-life posts about classes, favorite
professors, internships, experiences abroad, papers and projects,
social events, and general commentary on life as an Auggie.
Homemade follows a national trend among college admissions
offices to engage and recruit students using social media. A May
2009 article from The Chronicle of Higher Education cites data
from the Center for Marketing Research at the University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth. It shows that in fall 2008, 61 percent
of admissions offices were using social-networking sites and 41
percent had blogs, up from 29 percent and 33 percent, respectively, in 2007.
Rapp thinks Homemade is an easy way to give new students a
view of Augsburg that they might not get through visits with admissions staff. “Incoming students aren’t dumb,” she said. “They
know that things go on that no one talks about. I think they appreciate our honesty.”
Staying afloat in the social media bubble is more than writing
and editing posts and reminding bloggers to blog. It’s also about
using other social media tools such as Facebook and the microblog
tool Twitter to raise awareness of the blogs. Throughout her internship, Rapp became more adept at promoting Homemade using
unique accounts on those social media sites.
Rapp said the key to staying on top of social media is to remember
that it is always changing. “For me it’s a matter of realizing I can’t
stop learning. If I stay off of Twitter and Facebook for too long, I will
lose some of it.”
To be sure, social media is growing in importance not only for
recruiting new students but also for keeping current students,
alumni, donors, faculty and staff, and the community engaged in
the life of the College. Many campus departments including the
Enrollment Center, Campus Kitchen, the bookstore, and the dining
service rely on social media to keep students informed. Auggie
Eagle is on Facebook, too.
In the fall, Rapp will begin graduate studies at the University of
Minnesota in communication studies with a focus on critical media
studies. She hopes to continue research started as an undergraduate on computer-mediated communication and to explore the role
of social media in the communication studies field.
And just in case you’re wondering, “No, I am a Cat” has no
meaning. At least none that Rapp can remember. She doesn’t have
a cat at her Minneapolis home. She does, however, have a dog
named Per. If you were following her social life through social
media, you may have read about him on her blog, too.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Keeping up with social media
@Augsburg College
Throughout Augsburg College, many departments and programs are finding that
one of the best ways to stay in touch with prospective and current students,
alumni, and the community is through social media.
BLOGS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Homemade—www.augsburg.edu/homemade
President Pribbenow’s blog—follow at www.augsburg.edu/president
FACEBOOK PAGES YOU SHOULD “LIKE:”
Augsburg College—the official page of the College (2,879 followers)
Augsburg College Alumni Association—all the alumni news you need, and a
great way to connect with your Auggie friends (336 followers)
Augsburg College Homemade—you guessed it (285 followers)
Auggie Eagle—be Auggie’s friend (1,251 followers)
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@AugsburgCollege (1,088 followers)
@paulpribbenow (258 followers)
@auggieshomemade (107 followers)
Number of followers listed are as of July 2011.
auggies on the track
More than an all-around guy
At Augsburg, Nick Ward ’11 worked hard to
be an all-around student-athlete—one who
was as dedicated to his studies as he was
to setting records on the track. In his last
year of college, he put in extra time to add
one more accomplishment to his list:
All-American athlete.
A physics and mathematics major originally from Milwaukee, Wis., Ward says he had
no intention of participating in college track
and wanted instead to focus on academics.
Then a couple of his first-year friends talked
him into joining the track team.
Augsburg track and field coach, Dennis
Barker, says Ward was a very coachable athlete and a good listener. “He always tried to
absorb and understand the concepts behind
what I asked him to do,” Barker said. “I think
that’s partly the way he thinks as a physics
student.”
Barker was impressed with Ward’s commitment. “I don’t know anyone who studies as
much as he studies,” Barker said. He speculates that track offered a chance for Ward to
let loose after spending long hours in the lab
and the library. “I think track and field maybe
comes more naturally to Nick than physics,
but that never stopped him from excelling,”
Barker said.
Being a member of the Auggie track team
turned out to be a good choice for Ward. One
of the top men’s sprinters in school history,
he earned his first trip to national competition this spring when he competed in
the men’s 55-meter dash at the
National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) indoor
championships in Columbus,
Ohio. Ward’s qualifying time
of 10.73 seconds in the
men’s 100-meter dash was
the 17th-fastest among the
22 entrants in the event.
Last season, Ward won
the conference titles in
the men’s 55-meter dash
and men’s long jump at
the MIAC indoor championships, while finishing
second in the men’s 100meter dash and winning a
conference title as part of
the 400-meter relay at
the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
outdoor championships.
In his first-ever appearance at the NCAA
championships in May, Ward clocked a time
of 11.07 seconds to record a 20th-place finish in the event. As one of the top sprinters
in Augsburg school history, Ward will end his
career having earned seven MIAC titles, 12
All-MIAC honors, and eight All-MIAC honorable-mention honors, to go along with eight
school records.
Off the track, Ward completed his studies
with a 3.2 grade point average and conducted
summer research in physics as a McNair
Scholar and also through the North Star
STEM Alliance program. He credits his academic success to faculty and staff who encouraged him, namely his physics adviser Ben
Stottrup, Tina Tavera from the McNair Scholars program, and Rebekah Dupont who advises North Star STEM students at Augsburg.
“They pushed me throughout my whole
college career, making me apply for internships and for research opportunities off campus. I guess they motivated me to keep
going,” he said. Ward applied to three graduate school programs and was accepted into
the master’s program in electrical engineering
at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
State University in Greensboro.
“Nick has such a great attitude and is always so excited about the opportunities he
has,” Barker said. “I think he feels very fortunate to be at Augsburg, studying in a stellar
physics department and being on the track
team. I think he’s enjoying life here.”
After four outstanding seasons and a successful academic career, Ward’s goal for the
end of the season was to be named an AllAmerican in the 100- and 200-meter dashes
and in the long jump. Unfortunately his name
was not on the NCAA Division III list, but that
doesn’t change the fact that Nick Ward is an
impressive student and athlete.
For Ward, a somewhat shy young man,
talking about his accomplishments is one
thing that does not come easily. “I guess I’m
just trying to be an all-around guy,” he said.
WENDI WHEELER ’06 AND DON STONER
8
Augsburg Now
it takes an
Courtesy photo
Auggie
Visionary leadership in support of student success
In 1984, Skip and Barbara Gage’s oldest son, Geoff, made an unexpected choice. Though he had been determined to attend school
in California, the high school senior decided after a tour of the
Augsburg campus that he preferred to become an Auggie. At parent
orientation the following fall, Skip and Barbara joined the campus
community for the first time.
“We couldn’t have been more pleased with the nurturing and
caring environment provided at Augsburg,” Skip said.
While they remained proud Auggie parents (all four of their
children attended classes at Augsburg, and two graduated from the
College), it didn’t take long for Skip and Barbara to take a more active role in the community. Just two years later, Augsburg President
Charles Anderson asked Barbara to join the board of regents, where
she served for 12 years, including four years as chair of the board.
During the early years of Barbara’s service, she and Skip approached President Anderson to discuss ways to expand student
support.
“We’ve had distinct experience with learning differences in our
family,” Skip said, but at that time, little research had been done
on learning differences at the college level. In fact, according to
the Gages, Augsburg and the University of Colorado, Boulder, were
Barbara and Skip Gage
Skip and Barbara have supported other campus projects
through the years, including the Scandinavian Center,
Lindell Library, Anderson Plaza, and the Gage Family Art Gallery.
And, with their newest gift, the Gages once again reveal their enthusiasm for student support and innovative programming.
The Gage Family Foundation and the Carlson Foundation last
spring announced that they will collectively contribute $900,000 toward the creation of the Gage Center for Student Success—a centralized place where all
“We were so thankful that we had found a school that actually had ways to help
students can go to enhance their learning and
students with learning differences,” Barbara said. “We were excited to help
achieve their academic goals. Construction for
make the program larger and able to meet the needs of more students.”
the center started this summer in Lindell
Library. The center will be on the link level,
the only two colleges they found that provided support services to
creating space at the heart of the campus for the CLASS program as
students with different learning abilities.
well as numerous other academic success programs.
Passionate about this cause, Skip and Barbara commissioned a
Barbara noted the importance of having the learning center
$30,000 study on programming to support learning differences.
near the College’s technological resources and at a centralized loBased on this study’s findings, the Gages, together with the
cation.
Carlson Family Foundation, committed half a million dollars and
“The center will be a part of the students’ daily lives,” she
raised another half a million to institute a new program at
said. “[The students who use the center] will become advocates of
Augsburg, which evolved into the Center for Learning and Adaptive
learning.”
Student Services (CLASS). This program provides services to help
The Gages believe that Augsburg’s leadership in student sucall students—regardless of learning style, preference, or need—
cess is due in part to its mission for service.
reach their full potential at Augsburg.
“Augsburg has been wonderful in being inclusive in working
“We were so thankful that we had found a school that actually
with students of different needs,” Barbara said. “I’m so proud to
had ways to help students with learning differences,” Barbara said. be a part of it.”
“We were excited to help make the program larger and able to meet
the needs of more students.”
KAYLA SKARBAKKA ’09
Summer 2011
9
auggie voices
Treating the system instead of the symptoms
Katie Edelen ’11 wanted to be a
doctor from the time she was five
years old. She watched surgery on
the Discovery Channel before naptime and begged her parents to let
her be present at the birth of her
two younger siblings.
It wasn’t until she was in college
and working with doctors in India
that Edelen realized she did not actually want to be a doctor.
Soon after she arrived at
Augsburg, Edelen began looking for
an opportunity to volunteer abroad
to gain medical experience helping
people in war-torn countries. She
had been interested in Doctors
Without Borders, so she contacted
native health non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to find volunteer opportunities. In her junior year,
Edelen landed in Chennai, India,
where she shadowed doctors in government hospitals and another who
brought internal medicine services to
refugee camps, slums, and villages.
“What really spoke to me were all
the people who had been exposed to
water-borne, preventable diseases
because of unsafe sanitary conditions,” she recalled. Though she had
been interested in environmental issues before traveling to India, there
she began to see in a new way the
consequences of peoples’ actions on
the environment. She saw that issues related to health, education,
poverty, and social justice were connected to environmental problems.
“That is when I started to become
interested in treatment of the systematic inequalities as opposed to
putting a band-aid on the problem,”
she said.
This experience led Edelen to
pursue other opportunities centered
10
Augsburg Now
on water and its role in society. She
took a course on environmental and
river politics led by Augsburg political science professor Joe Underhill.
She traveled to Uganda and worked
with villagers on water access and
conservation, even starting a “safe
water and hygiene club” in the primary school.
This summer, she will be in
Norway on a Fulbright fellowship
researching the correlation between
armed conflict and water hazards
and scarcity at the Peace Research
Institute in Oslo. Following her
time in Norway, Edelen will pursue
graduate work in environmental
studies on a Rotary Ambassadorial
Scholarship.
A triple major in chemistry, biology, and environmental studies,
Edelen said her education and experiences abroad have solidified her
desire to work in the area of policy
analysis and research. “I really see
my vocational work and my background bridging the different realms
of sciences and the humanities together to address problems,” she
said. “The nexus between science,
policy, and society can be messy
and convoluted, but that’s what really excites me about it.”
Edelen said her parents instilled
in her the importance of taking initiative, encouraging her interest in
medicine even before she began
grade school. “I’ve always had a desire to make a difference in the
world somehow. That’s what really
motivates me. I want to use my gifts
as a way to help the world.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
To read more about Katie Edelen, go to
www.augsburg.edu/now.
“PROBLEM” STUDENTS BECOME
PROBLEM SOLVERS
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Visualize young people in our public schools making positive change in their communities. Who comes to mind? Probably not middle school
students in the special education classroom—kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities who have difficulty paying attention and communicating with each other or their teachers.
Typically, students in special education are labeled as troublemakers. They are marginalized, silenced, and given little choice in their daily
school tasks. But a partnership between Augsburg College and Fridley Middle School hopes to change that. By giving students a voice in their
education and allowing them to focus their time and energy on an issue they care about, this program has turned “problem” students into
public problem solvers.
Public Achievement in special education
Piloted in the 2010-11 academic year, Augsburg’s program
at Fridley Middle School (FMS) is a partnership involving
Augsburg’s Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC), the
Augsburg special education faculty and students in the
Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program, and teachers
and students from the school.
The project began when Susan O’Connor, associate professor
of special education at Augsburg, heard Dennis Donovan and
Nan Skelton of the CDC speak about the Public Achievement
model. This model for youth civic organizing was developed by
the CDC’s Harry Boyte. In the classroom, Public Achievement
serves as an empowerment tool that allows students to create
change in an area that they select and take ownership of as
a group.
To O’Connor, Public Achievement seemed like a fit for special education classrooms. “It was like the self-advocacy tool
we are always encouraging teachers to use with their students,”
she said. “The kids with EBD (emotional/behavioral disabilities)
are kids that typically don’t have a voice in their school work.
They’re told what to do. They’re told how to act.”
O’Connor and Donna Patterson from the Augsburg special
education faculty learned how to implement Public Achievement in the classroom. They looked for a location to pilot the
project and settled on FMS because two of the special educa-
tion teachers—Michael Ricci ’07 and Alissa Blood ’07—are
graduates of Augsburg’s teacher education program. Finally,
they hand-picked five MAE students from the Critical Issues
seminar course to work with the middle school students and
then began weekly classes at Fridley in the fall term.
A new way of teaching and learning
The Public Achievement model identifies classroom teachers as
coaches and places all responsibility for decision-making and
action on the students. The middle school students identified
two projects: one concerning alternative energy and another on
homelessness.
In each project, the students were responsible for designing
every aspect. They created timelines, conducted research, contacted experts and members of the community to schedule
speaking engagements or field trips, and communicated about
their projects with faculty and students in their school.
Cheryl McClellan, an Augsburg MAE student, worked with
the “Solar Heroes” team on installing solar panels to light the
school’s flag and a solar thermal to heat water for domestic
uses at the school. “The idea is, the students decide who gets
invited to be a part of the project. They find out how to contact people, send them an e-mail or call, and follow up with
them,” McClellan said. At the end of the year, Solar Heroes
had not been able to finalize the projects but pledged to con-
Summer 2011
21
11
tinue working on fundraising initiatives
for the solar panels.
For many of the students, these were
tasks they had never been entrusted to perform. In addition to learning about how it
feels to be empowered, McClellan said students also came to understand that community organizing and advocacy is not always
easy work. “You get a lot of ‘no’s,’ but they
are learning the skills to move forward.”
Kayla Krebs is one of the Augsburg MAE
students working with “Team Making a
Way,” the class focused on homelessness.
Her students went to the State Capitol to
speak with legislators and also made fleece
blankets to donate to Families Moving
Forward, a North Minneapolis shelter that
provides services for families with children
who are experiencing homelessness.
Krebs saw her role in the classroom as a
facilitator. “I learned how to be flexible and
how to let the students’ voices shine.” For
students with special needs, she says this is
an important part of the learning process because “so many times, people tell them
what to do.”
Molly McInnis, an Augsburg MAE student, said the program has taught her a new
way of teaching. “I have learned how to let
the students make the decisions and drive
their own project,” she said. “I can’t come
in and be a teacher—I need to listen to
them and let them lead.”
Blood said the program was beneficial to
her students because they struggle with
taking responsibility. “This program has
given them a sense of power and responsibility and taught them that what they think
and do matters. They are much more committed and have a sense of pride in what
they are doing.”
By giving students the power to choose
the issues they want to work on and the
methods of solving problems, Donovan said
the students have developed the capacity to
become public problem solvers. That means
they work to solve problems affecting the
Augsburg-Fridley
Public Achievement Team
Back Row [L to R]: Dennis Donovan, Stephen Keeler, Cheryl
McClennan, Alissa Blood, Steph Bloxham, Heidi Austin,
*Barbara West
Middle Row [L to R]: Michael Ricci, *Susan O’Connor,
*Dee Vodicka, *Elizabeth Ankeny, *Donna Patterson
Front Row [L to R]: Molly McInnis, Becki Hamlin, Kayla Krebs
*Augsburg College Faculty
12
Augsburg Now
“THIS PROGRAM HAS GIVEN THEM A SENSE OF POWER AND
RESPONSIBILITY AND TAUGHT THEM THAT WHAT THEY THINK AND DO
MATTERS. THEY ARE MUCH MORE COMMITTED AND HAVE A SENSE OF
PRIDE IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING.”
ALISSA BLOOD ’07
public and are doing it in a public way. The
students created displays for cases outside
their classroom, logos and posters for their
projects, appeared on the FMS Friday
radio broadcast, spoke at a luncheon at
Augsburg, and held a public presentation
at the school. “Kids that are marginalized
really rise to the top when they are given
power,” he said.
“In education, we say it’s not an
achievement gap—it’s an empowerment
gap,” Donovan said. “We have to ask ourselves how we can empower teachers and
students to learn about things that are
meaningful to them and have a voice in
their education.”
Lessons for teachers
One of the most important reasons for implementing this Public Achievement project was to drive institutional change,
O’Connor said. “We want these students to
be seen in a more positive light, not as
trouble-makers.” She added that the Fridley
students were noticed by their administrators and peers, recognized publicly for
their work, and asked to contribute to future discussions.
Another goal of the project was to bring
lessons learned by the Augsburg students
and faculty into the special education curriculum at Augsburg. The faculty are creating a three-year plan to integrate into
the special education curriculum and
hope to develop a Public Achievement
coaching course that can be used in other
departments.
Donovan is excited to see how this project will affect Augsburg’s special education curriculum and students. “I think
Augsburg students are going to be different teachers because of this experience,”
he said. A former public school administrator, Donovan is passionate about working with teachers and helping them
acquire new skills for the classroom.
Helping the Fridley students find their
voice and become more visible in their
middle school community are outcomes
that also had a strong impact on the
Augsburg students who will one day lead
their own classrooms.
Heidi Austin, an Augsburg MAE student
who worked with the Solar Heroes group,
said that as a future teacher, this program
makes her very hopeful. “It is so important
to give kids an opportunity to see that they
can make a difference,” she said. “I came
in thinking there wasn’t going to be much
progress with this project, but I’ve been totally blown away with what they’ve done.”
Speaking to the Augsburg community at
an event in May, McClennan said this project transformed the FMS culture, the students, and also transformed her personally
in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “At my
core I am a better parent, a better citizen,
and a better teacher,” she said.
She commented that the students have
felt empowered by their accomplishments
and the public recognition they received.
“I have learned that these kids who are so
often silenced have a strong voice.”
To read more about the Fridley Middle School Public
Achievement project, go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Summer 2011
13
ERICA LIPPITT ’12
Erica, a Weekend College
student, studied abroad in
Mexico to learn Spanish.
a
Cuernavaca, Mexico
San Lucas Sacatepequez,
Guatemala
GLORIA XINICO MORALES ’12
ugsburg’s Office of International Programs (OIP) for
more than 25 years has provided internationally recognized and award-winning programs to students who
seek cross-cultural and hands-on learning abroad. The office also brings international students to campus.
“Increasingly, a global perspective is critical to a liberal
arts education,” said Orval Gingerich, assistant vice president for International Programs and director of the Center
for Global Education. “Intercultural experiences—at home
and abroad—are a way to bridge global and local issues.”
During the 2009-10 school year, nearly 275 students
studied abroad. At the same time, Augsburg’s Minneapolis
campus was home to nearly 100 international students
from about two dozen countries including Morocco, Nepal,
Norway, Tanzania, Togo, and many more.
In this edition of Augsburg Now, we present a snapshot
of the stories of students with ties to Guatemala, Germany,
Mexico, China, Vietnam, Kenya, and Yemen. Some traveled
from Augsburg to other parts of the globe. Others came to
Augsburg and the Twin Cities from far away home countries. Still others have graduated and are on to the next
chapters of their stories.
To learn more about OIP and its programs, go to
www.augsburg.edu/oip.
Gloria, an international student
from Guatemala
plans to study in
Namibia this fall.
auggies are ev
14
Augsburg Now
MAX BREGENZER ’12
Max has traveled, studied,
and lived in four countries,
but was born and raised in
Germany.
Würzburg, Germany
IBRAHIM AL-HAJIBY ’14
Guangzhon, China
FAIZA ABBAS MAHAMUD ’11
Faiza went back
to her home
country of Kenya
as an exchange
student to help
African women.
Sana’a, Yemen
Hue, Vietnam
Holly, a student
at United International College in
China, came to
the U.S. to study
education at
Augsburg.
JIAHUA (HOLLY) HUANG ’12
Ibrahim hopes one day to
return to his home in
Yemen to start a non-governmental organization.
Nairobi, Kenya
DAT NGUYEN ’11
Windhoek, Namibia
Dat, a recent graduate and international student, will
be a graduate student at Dartmouth.
verywhere
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
Summer 2011
15
GLORIA
XINICO MORALES
A girl of the world
Gloria Xinico Morales has worked so hard at
Augsburg since arriving during 2008 that
she twice won outstanding student of the
year awards—once during her sophomore
year and again her junior year.
The hard work that earned Xinico Morales
these honors is fundamental to her personality. She doesn’t give up. She doesn’t quit.
Xinico Morales was 18 when she first applied for—and was denied—a student visa.
She wanted to study at Augsburg College, a
school she has known of for her whole life
because her father is director of the Center
for Global Education in Guatemala. Xinico
Morales wasn’t deterred by the denial.
Top: A view of the mountains from Gloria Xinico Morales’
hometown of San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala.
Bottom: Xinico Morales, left, is the oldest of three children. Here she is shown with her brother, Manuel, and
sister, Nickte.
Courtesy photos
16
Augsburg Now
She waited the three months before she
again could apply, and this time was approved. But the whole process pushed her
college plans back by a full year. And as if
that wasn’t enough, her visa was delivered to
the wrong city the day before she was to fly
to the United States. She drove to the city to
pick up her visa.
“After waiting one year and one week, I
had two days to get here, unpack, and settle
in,” Xinico Morales said. “I’d never been
outside of Guatemala before.”
But she still didn’t get to start at Augsburg
right away. She said that by working with admissions staff, they decided she should
study English for three months before starting college. It was a good plan.
“Going to Global Language Institute was
very helpful,” she said. “When I did start at
Augsburg, it seemed the teachers talked really fast. I wasn’t comfortable with English,
homework took a lot longer.”
She kept plugging away. She joined the
Spanish club and quickly was an officer. She
joined Allied Latino/a Augsburg Students,
and finally the International Student Organization of which she now is president. That’s
not even all of it, though, because Xinico
Morales said she can’t say ‘no.’
Being a student from another country can
be challenging and students sometimes
grapple with living life in two cultures. Xinico
Morales grew up in Guatemala and was
raised Catholic. She looks for answers to
questions about varied perspectives in part
through self reflection.
“My life is like a tree,” Xinico Morales
said. “The roots are the morals my parents
taught me. When things get messy, that’s
where I go. The trunk is my immediate family that is there for me no matter what. Then
there are the leaves. The leaves go away and
come back as I grow and change.”
Lately, people have been asking Xinico
Morales what she plans to do with her degree
in international relations and minor in political science. She doesn’t know the answer.
“Minneapolis is my second home. My life
is built here, but Guatemala is where I belong, all my roots are there and my heart is
there,” she said. “But I’ve become a different person and don’t fit there.”
She hopes that she’ll find the answer in
Namibia, in southern Africa, where she’ll
study in the fall as an exchange student.
“Namibia is a neutral place, a different
country, a different continent,” she said. “It
will help me make a decision from far away.
Or maybe I’m just a girl of the world and I’ll
go other places.”
MAX
BREGENZER
Living life to the Max
Max Bregenzer has traveled, studied,
and lived in four countries—Germany,
Spain, Argentina, and the United
States—and he might not yet be done.
Bregenzer, 22, was born and raised
in Germany and now works in his
home country for a large grocery
wholesaler. The company, called
Edeka, also is sending him to school.
He studies for three months, then applies what he’s learned for three
months. He’ll do that for a total of
three years and at the end will have a
holistic perspective of the company. It was through
this model that Bregenzer came to Augsburg.
He researched schools in the U.S. and found
that Augsburg offered the classes he wanted, including human resources and project management, problem-solving for business, and
international business. He said he also was lured
by the arts and outdoor activities.
“I learned about theatre and was totally surprised that everyone is biking here in the winter,”
he said.
This isn’t the first time Bregenzer has studied
or lived abroad. He spent a year of high school
in Spain. Then he went to Argentina to work
with street youths as part of his civil service.
Bregenzer is the oldest of three boys, and his family since about 1869 has owned a group of bakeries and cafés within 40 miles of his home city. You can see all the tasty-looking treats his family
makes at Maxl Bäck (http://maxlbaeck.de).
He hasn’t shut the door on the idea that he might someday work in the family business, but for
now he is focused on learning and practicing regional store management.
ERICA
LIPPITT
Family teamwork creates
a world of possibility for WEC student
Some people buy home study courses to learn
Spanish. Some enroll in Spanish classes. And some
people, like Erica Lippitt, go all the way to
Cuernavaca, Mexico, to live and study.
“I definitely achieved what I wanted in only four
months,” said Lippitt, a single working mother and
Weekend College student. “My son’s family is from
Cuba and they say that my Spanish is getting good.
We can communicate, and I understand them.”
Studying at the Center for Global Education’s
Mexico location was possible because Lippitt’s family pulled together. Her parents offered to care for
her son, and Lippitt’s brother helped, too. Her father, a Lutheran pastor, even got a night job so the
family could afford daycare for Lippitt’s son.
“My parents pushed me,” she said. “They showed
me this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Lippitt originally enrolled at Augsburg during
2001 for business administration. She said she left
the school—also her mom’s alma mater—because
Erica Lippitt visited the pyramids of Teotihuacan in Mexico City and
the Xochicalco pyramids in Cuernavaca, Mexico, with friends she
made on her travels.
Courtesy photos
she wasn’t focused. Lippitt moved to Florida to work
and while there, met her son’s father.
“I left Florida to escape an abusive relationship,”
she said. “My dad is a pastor, and I wasn’t raised to
live like that. I had to leave.”
When Lippitt returned to Wayzata, she returned
to Augsburg where she earned a 4.0 grade point average while working as many as 30 hours a week
and raising her son.
“It shows I am more focused, more determined. I
am here because I want to learn, not because I have
to be here.”
Studying in Cuernavaca also opened new possibilities and ways of thinking. Erica now knows she
wants to work in human resources for an international company. She’d also like to live and work in
Mexico for a time so her son can experience living
in a Spanish-speaking country. And finding ways to
help other women is on her radar screen, too.
“I’ve gained so much strength from my experience, that if there is something I can do to help
other women, I’d like to,” she said.
Summer 2011
17
JIAHUA (HOLLY) HUANG
Holly is a regular Minnesotan
In the 12 months Jiahua Huang was in the United States, she became a typical Minnesotan. Holly, as she prefers to be known in
the U.S., liked the Minnesota State Fair and shopped at the Mall
of America. And she got sick of snow.
Huang, a student at United International College (UIC) in
China, came to the U.S. to study education at Augsburg College.
She learned about
the college through
an Auggie studying
abroad at UIC. She
wanted to learn about
the United States’
culture and improve
her English skills,
and she was attracted
to Augsburg because
of its location.
“It’s better for me
to live in a city,” said
Jiahua Huang was originally excited for snow, and her
Huang, who comes
friends were jealous that she was able to experience
from
a city of 1.6 milwinter. By April, though, she was ready for springtime.
lion people. “Friends
who went to [rural private colleges] said they were bored. But,
when I got here, I asked where all the people were. I went to the
State Fair, and I liked it a lot—all the people.”
Huang was raised near Hong Kong. She has two older sisters
and an older brother. Many families in China have only one child,
but some are able to afford more children.
“My parents wanted another boy, but got another girl,” she
said. “Many friends would think from my name that I am a boy
because my name means ‘handsome’.”
Huang struggled with classes at first. “English is so hard,” she
said. “I would listen to the professor, and I didn’t know what he
was talking about. I would read the textbook, and I didn’t know
what I was reading.”
She also worked hard to become comfortable with cultural differences in the classroom.
“In China, you raise your hand and stand up to participate,”
she said. “Here, all the students talk. I wish I were more confident in class—I feel comfortable talking, but it also feels like I
am being impolite.”
Despite growing tired of the snow, Huang said she would like
to return to Minnesota. She wants to go to graduate school at the
University of Minnesota and teach Chinese while staying connected with her new friends in Minnesota.
18
Augsburg Now
Success in the sciences started for
Dat Nguyen when
his photographer
father lectured
him on the solar
system. It was
1995 and the
two were taking
pictures
of
the
total
solar
Dat Nguyen, right, performs with
folksinger Peter Yarrow of Peter,
eclipse in Vietnam. Nguyen was
Paul, and Mary
more interested in how the
camera and solar system worked than in the photos.
Nguyen, who is Buddhist, said that his success also can
be traced to selling candy at his mother’s store, and performing improvisational theater with American students visiting Vietnam in 2004. It was through these experiences
that Nguyen learned to break out of his comfort zone.
“As a Buddhist, we aren’t real loud or active. You have to
break out of your shell and contribute,” Nguyen said.
The American students that Nguyen’s family hosted invited him in 2005 to an improvisational theater camp in
Colorado.
“I didn’t expect to be invited to America when we
hosted the students,” he said. “But I’ve found that if you do
something voluntarily, without expectation, something automatically will come back.”
In Nguyen’s case, that “something” turned out to be lifechanging relationships that resulted from his theater performances in Colorado. He met Peter Yarrow—of Peter, Paul
and Mary—and later sang backup with Yarrow when the
singer was in Vietnam for a fundraiser. He also connected
with a group of families who offered to sponsor his education by providing his tuition, health insurance, and a
stipend.
In the sciences, Nguyen credits his success to the strong
advising, encouragement and opportunities provided by his
Augsburg professors, all of whom encouraged him to explore
his curiosities and broad-ranging scientific interests.
He will continue to feed his unlimited curiosity this fall
as a graduate student at Dartmouth, where he has earned a
full scholarship. He said he is looking forward to continuing
his studies in a setting similar to Augsburg College—one
with a smaller department where he can connect and interact with many people.
DAT
NGUYEN
Unlocking
possibilities
and potential
at Augsburg
FAIZA
ABBAS MAHAMUD
A life that defies definition
Faiza Abbas Mahamud moved a lot when she was young. First
her family moved from war-torn Somalia to Kenya. Then the
family moved four times in Kenya, including living at one time
in a refugee camp.
All the moving meant Mahamud wasn’t able to have one set
of friends with whom to spend time, connect, and grow up. But
she did have one constant—a dictionary.
“As a child, textbooks had to be purchased. We couldn’t buy
books, but we always had a dictionary. I feel like this is a tradition in our home,” she said.
The moving stopped in 2004 when Mahamud’s family came
to Minnesota.
“My aunt put her life on hold to help us,”
Mahamud said. “Aside from God, if it weren’t for
my mom’s youngest sister, it would be hard for us
to have a stable life.”
Mahamud graduated from Roosevelt High School
in 2007, then enrolled at Augsburg College. She
went back to Kenya during 2010 as an exchange student to work for a United Nations agency in a variety
of roles, including as a premarital counselor.
“When I went back to Kenya, I was a totally different person,” she said. “I wasn’t the girl who wanted
to get away from this country. Where is home for me?
When I was in America, I would say ‘I’m going home.’
When I was in Kenya, I kept calling Minnesota home.”
Mahamud, now a U.S. citizen, graduated in spring
2011 with majors in English and women’s studies and
with a minor in chemistry. She’s now exploring options
for graduate school but isn’t ready to confine herself
only to the United States.
“I want to be in Africa to help women who don’t have
that second helping hand like my aunt,” she said. “I
want to be in a position to make a difference in the lives
of women and children.”
And she still needs to finish reading the dictionary.
“I spent so much time reading and using the words I
learned,” she said. “But there are so many words I haven’t
gotten to.”
During her trip to Kenya, Faiza
Abbas Mahamud learned beadmaking from the women of
Narok who sold their goods at
Maasai Mara.
Courtesy photos
Summer 2011
19
IBRAHIM
AL-HAJIBY
Life in the United States:
Different, but not weird
Ibrahim Al-Hajiby’s time in America is a study in contrasts.
He first came to the United States during 2007 as a
high school exchange student. He crossed the globe from
Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a to Cloquet, Minn.—in the
dead of winter.
“I always seem to come to Minnesota in the winter,” he
said. “In Cloquet, I loved McDonald’s double cheeseburgers. I would eat one every day. Even in winter, I’d ride my
bike and the wheels would just spin in the snow.”
Volunteerism and politics are different, too.
“I live in one of the most conservative countries in the
Middle East, and we have a tribal culture,” said Al-Hajiby,
20. “In Yemen, our schools are focused on academics—
there isn’t the focus on serving the community.”
Al-Hajiby volunteered time since first arriving in the U.S.
and next year will serve as an officer of the International
Student Organization.
Al-Hajiby said that a key to his success in America is to
embrace wherever he is living, and to be open to new experiences and people.
“One of my host moms and I have a slogan: ‘It’s not
weird, it’s different’,” Al-Hajiby said.
Al-Hajiby said he misses and worries about his parents
and sister but is glad that his brother also is in Minnesota
Al-Hajiby is shown wearing the traditional clothing
worn by men in his home country of Yemen.
Courtesy photo
20
Augsburg Now
Ibrahim Al-Hajiby said two of his favorite foods in
the United States are hot dogs from The Wienery
and double cheeseburgers from McDonald’s.
this year. His country is in turmoil with protests against the government,
and some demonstrations turn deadly.
“I know people who have been killed,” he said. “My parents’ last
words on the phone are that they are glad my brother and I are here and
that we are safe.”
Al-Hajiby is an honors student in chemistry and recipient of Augsburg’s
International President’s Scholarship. He hopes one day to return to
Yemen to start a non-governmental organization.
“I really want to go back at one point and make a change,” Al-Hajiby
said. “I feel like God has chosen me to pursue such a fine education so I
can go back and help.”
REAL EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKING WORLD
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
INTERNSHIPS, ONCE A NECESSARY STOP ON THE CAREER PATH OF ASPIRING PHYSICIANS, ARE NOW COMMON FOR MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS. WE TALKED TO FOUR
AUGGIE INTERNS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.
INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES for college students to gain hands-on experience in their fields. In addition to practical
training, internships can give students an inside view of a business or industry and help them broaden their professional networks. The internship
experience often validates a student’s career choice, but it can also lead
them to consider options they hadn’t before.
Today an internship is part of many students’ college experience and
perhaps a must for those hoping to be hired after college. According to a
May 2011 Washington Post article, internships are common for 75 percent of U.S. college students.
There are a number of reasons why students should and do take on
internships, said Lois Olson, executive director of the Clair and Gladys
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work at Augsburg. “Students get excited about what they are learning in the classroom and want to apply it
in another setting.” Often, she said, students will tell her that an internship experience helps them better understand lessons from the classroom. “They say, ‘Now I understand why we needed to learn that.’ ”
One of the most significant reasons for doing an internship relates to
getting a job after college. “A prominent message from employers is that
they want practical applied experience related to a student’s major on
their résumé,” Olson said. “They want to know they are making a good
hiring decision.”
In fact, completing at least one internship during college can have
great value beyond the learning experience. According to the 2010 Student Survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 42 percent of graduates with internships who applied for a job
received an offer compared with only 30 percent for students who had no
internship experience. In addition, students with internships tended to
receive higher starting salary offers.
As for internships leading to a job offer, Olson said technically a job
cannot be promised in an internship situation. “Most students hope it
will lead to a job,” she said. Olson added, “The reality is that many organizations will look to their interns to fill open positions should the opportunity arise.”
The prominence of internships and the rise of importance in the hiring process means students should start thinking about an internship
early. Olson said students who want to do an internship in their junior
year should start the process of planning in their sophomore year. “The
competition has really changed. It’s not as easy as making a phone call
anymore,” she said. Because the process takes longer, Olson encourages
students to dedicate as much time and attention to it as they would
when applying for a job.
Here we profile four students whose unique and challenging internships have given them insight into their chosen career fields and also
helped them grow as future leaders.
Summer 2011
21
What are you doing?
I bring the children of major donors and long-time season ticket holders onto
the field for batting practice so they can see what happens and meet the players. I also coordinate a few of the opening pitches.
’11
22
22
What have you learned?
I have learned how much goes into the presentation of a professional sporting
event. There is so much that you don’t see or hear about that’s behind the
scenes to make a baseball game run.
DAN BRANDT
What is the value of your internship?
Major: marketing
Internship: Minnesota Twins public affairs office
I have had a lot of unique experiences—meeting people, networking, and
doing things out of the ordinary that most people don’t get to do. At some
point I would like to have a career in this field, but it is very competitive.
Augsburg Now
Now
Augsburg
’11
KRISTI VINKEMEIER
Major: chemistry, biology minor
Internship: Aveda Corporation/SarTec Corporation
What are you doing?
My internship is a joint project between Aveda and SarTec Corporation. We are using the Mcgyan reactor technology to synthesize
new surfactant precursors from renewable resources. Surfactants
are an important class of molecules and integral to the performance of shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. This new surfactant
will be produced almost exclusively from renewable resources and
is expected to be fully biodegradable.
What have you learned?
When you work in lab class, your professor says, “This is what you
need to do, this is how you do it, and this is what you are going to
get.” In industry, you don’t know what you are going to get. You
have to keep strict notes. In lab you assume you’ll remember minor
details, but in the real world you can’t remember from the first
time to the fifth time. In industry, it’s not always clear as day what
is going to happen. The learning curve is much greater.
I’ve also learned about myself. Before this, I told everyone I
didn’t like research. Now I love it. I need change, so research and
development and the variety of tasks I’ve been able to do are a lot
of fun. Originally I was strongly interested in becoming a physician
assistant, but I have started to explore the idea of getting my master’s or PhD in chemistry.
What is the value of your internship?
I can’t explain how awesome an internship is. The companies are
willing to work with a student who is learning. I wish everyone
could have this opportunity. You learn so much about working with
people in a real chemistry lab.
If I went to a big school I don’t think I would have had the
same opportunities as I have had here. Augsburg has great affiliations with companies. Here, the chemistry department [faculty] got
to know me and know what I am interested in.
Summer 2011
23
What are you doing?
I have been researching the area around the proposed stops along University
Avenue on the Central Corridor Light Rail line. I have looked at the cost of developing high-density housing units in the area. I have also looked at government policies that were changed, such as some zoning policies and parking
regulations. I have had to look at the background information of the proposed
stops and give their story.
’11
TOM THAO
Major: sociology
Internship: Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
What have you learned?
I am getting more into urban planning and learning about the policies involved
in implementing a big project into a city.
What is the value of your internship?
I would like to have a career in urban planning, so it’s been beneficial to go
into the field and get to know people. I hope I can build up my résumé these
next few years and then get a master’s in urban regional planning. But right
now it’s about building the connections.
’11
GEOFFREY GILL
Major: youth and family ministry, psychology minor
Internship: Seeds of Change at St. Paul Central High School
What are you doing?
Seeds of Change is an after-school program directed toward African
American males. We try to give them the support they need in their
education and in their personal lives.
Our main goal is to get the families involved in the kids’ lives.
A lot of their parents don’t go to conferences and don’t know about
their kids’ grades. We are inviting the parents to a family night where
they come and get involved in conversations. We are doing a small
play to portray their experiences in school and life. It’s a chance for
them to literally tell their parents what is going on in their lives. At
the end we give the parents an opportunity to talk about what they
saw.
My goal is to be a support for the students. I first of all want to
be a listening ear and hear where they are in life and be with them.
They talk about how they moved around all their life and they never
had a stable home. A lot of them don’t have fathers in their lives.
They talk about how their relationship with their parents isn’t good
and how they have seen their parents at their lowest points. They
didn’t know how to handle it so they found a way to cope. You see
kids who get into drugs because it’s the only way that makes them
feel normal. Some of them don’t go home sometimes; they just ride
the bus all night.
What have you learned?
It has helped me immensely. I’ve been put in a leadership position as
the artistic coordinator. I’ve learned how to be a leader, how to make
decisions, and how to lead a group. It’s different leading a group of
people who are going out to do volunteer work or working with kids,
but having your own employees and needing to delegate and make
sure they stay on top of it is different. It’s been totally new for me.
I’ve learned the importance of being consistent and organized and on
time. If you’re slacking on something, it starts to show.
What is the value of your internship?
It has prepared me for the real world. When I walk into a new job situation, I am confident that I will be able to step in right away. I feel
comfortable working with young people because through the youth
and family ministry major we were taught to focus on what youth really want—not just from a religious perspective but on a human level.
When I come into a situation I am able to understand what a person
really wants.
Summer 2011
25
2011
commencment
Commencement by the numbers
3,655
150 faculty lined 7 ½ Street
and applauded graduates as they processed
tickets redeemed
2 drummers 314 steps
Bob Stacke, professor of music, was unable to
lead the procession in May due to an injury, so
he enlisted the help of Andrew Myers ’10.
718
participating graduates
(May and June)
18 FLAGS
8
Augsburg Now
210
5,200
minutes
of music, speeches, recognition, and applause
from Christensen Center
to Si Melby front steps
3
number
of
volunteers
Kwok Siu Tong, founder of United International College in Zhuhai, China
The Reverend Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway and
founder and president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights
The Reverend Ishmael Noko, general secretary (retired) of the Lutheran
World Federation
70
Doctor of Nursing
Practice graduates
representing countries of international students graduating
26
sandwiches served at postcommencement receptions
honorary degrees conferred
6 bows
1 bow
on Colin Stanhill’s beard, photo
featured in the May 8 Pioneer Press.
on President Pribbenow’s neck
(at each ceremony)
dnp
The first graduates of Augsburg’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program
are prepared to bring new perspectives to the nursing practice.
Back Row [L to R]: Kristin McHale '08 MAN; Susan Loushin '03 BSN, '06 MAN; Mary Ann Kinney '04 MAN; Kaija Freborg Sivongsay '08 MAN
Front Row [L to R]: Joyce Miller '02 BSN, '05 MAN; Katherine Baumgartner '05 MAN; Jean Gunderson '03 MAN; Deb Schuhmacher '04 MAN
At this year’s June commencement, Augsburg College graduated its
first cohort of students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
program. The DNP program, which began in 2009, is the College’s
first doctoral program.
The DNP curriculum focuses on transcultural nursing in community life, and the program has given students new perspectives
on treating people and illness.
Katherine Baumgartner ’05 MAN has been a member of the
nursing faculty since 2005. For her, the DNP program was a logical fit to expand her journey and practice and to strengthen and
deepen her knowledge in transcultural nursing. An ongoing focus
of her study and practice has been providing training and skill
building for health promoters in indigenous communities in rural
Guatemala.
Baumgartner said the DNP program reminded her that her own
experiences matter and encouraged her to go forward with her work
in Guatemala. “I learned that the practical wisdom borne from my
own experiences is not to be minimized,” she said. “That’s not a
classic outcome but is so important to my work.”
Joyce Miller ’02 BSN, ’05 MAN also has taught for the past
five years in the Augsburg nursing program. Her career focus has
always been on leadership, she said, and she felt the DNP program
would add a different dimension of care to her practice.
“This program has changed the way I look at the world and pa-
2011
tients and the way I envision health care,” Miller said. “I ask who
isn’t being cared for and how we can make sure everyone is being
cared for in the same way.”
Miller said she has learned to value “metis,” a term that refers
to collective wisdom, and to respect its role in the nursing practice.
“There is tremendous wisdom that we can learn from indigenous
healers,” she said. The nurses learned from the practices of healers in Mexico, Africa, and Native American traditions. “This program has given me the ability to stand back and respect everyone
for who they are and what they bring,” Miller said.
Jean Gunderson ’03 MAN was one of the first students to graduate from Augsburg’s nursing master’s degree program and is also
one of the first doctoral graduates. A public health nurse for the
majority of her career, Gunderson says she has dedicated her whole
life to creating systems of care that resonate with cultural diversity.
“This program has been lifelong learning for me,” Gunderson
said. She added that the program has transformed her models of
care and helped her recognize diverse ways of knowing. She also
said she has been moved to honor and recognize indigenous wisdom and to work in partnership with healers.
Both Miller and Gunderson said that being “pioneers” of the
DNP program has been rewarding. “We jumped right in with huge
faith and helped to co-create the program,” Gunderson said. “We
felt like we were partners.”
commencment
Summer 2011
27
alumni news
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear fellow alumni,
I
t is with great honor and a humble
acceptance that I will serve as your
Augsburg Alumni Board president for
the 2011-2012 academic year. Having
been a part of the Alumni Board for three
years, I am very fortunate to have been selected to lead our alma mater in connecting and engaging alumni. It is my goal to
help create fun and efficient programs that will not only get you connected but will keep you engaged!
I grew up playing golf, and I absolutely love the game! My favorite
times are when I am heading off that first tee with either family or a
group of buddies and we are reminiscing or razzing one another
about past memories that bring a few laughs. It’s that type of bond
that keeps us connected and eager to reunite.
When I think of family, Augsburg is a place I keep close to my
heart—the friends that I made and the new friends that continue to
emerge. Over the past few years, the Young Alumni Council has
helped reunite old and new friends with the Young Alumni Summer
Series of events, attended by 1,500 alums. We have had a blast putting this program together and have enjoyed watching its success.
Following Auggie Eagle on Facebook and Augsburg College on
Twitter have been fantastic ways to stay in touch and relay information when groups are getting together.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 2011
graduating class! I look forward to seeing you at the 2011 Young
Alumni Summer Series. We have another engaging and entertaining set of events in store for you, including Canterbury Park on
August 5 and a Minnetonka boat
cruise on September 15! Register at
www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents
or 612-330-1085.
Auggies are literally all over the world! With
more than 25,000 alumni, Auggies can be found from
New Zealand to Denmark, the United States to Japan, and
Minneapolis to San Diego. We are everywhere doing good things
for our communities! The Alumni Board is rolling out a networking
program, Augsburg Builds Connections, which will enable alumni
professionals to provide information, encouragement, and support
to current students and recent graduates. This flexible volunteer
program will allow alumni mentors to connect with students via
e-mail, phone, or face-to-face meetings and assist them in navigating their career path and achieving their professional goals.
Read more about this program on the next page. Now, assisting
Auggies is as simple as ABC!
With all of this, I can’t help but be excited for the future. I wish
you well and look forward to getting connected this year.
Sincerely,
ROBERT WAGNER II ’02
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
P.S. The Alumni Board would like to welcome our new members:
Kathy Amos ’87, Heather Cmiel ’02, Kate Loyd ’05, and Jerry
Poland ’92
Alumni Board of Directors 2011-12
Standing (L to R): John Stadler ’07 MAL (past president); Jennifer M.
Carlson ’91; Sarah Grans ’01; Chad Darr ’04; Sharon Mercill ’09; Tracy
Anderson ’95 (secretary); Julia Mensing ’00, ’07 MBA; Michael Loney ’03
(treasurer); Kate Loyd ’05; Chris Ascher ’81 (president elect); Kathy
Amos ’87; Jerry Poland ’92; Dale Hanka ’60; Robert J. Wagner II ’02
(president); Misti Allen Binsfeld ’93; Daniel Hickle ’95
Seated (L to R): Holly Ebnet Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA; Sharon Engelland ’87;
Chris Hallin ’88
Not Pictured: Heather Cmiel ’02; Lee Anne Lack ’67; Nancy Nordlund
’91, ’07 MAL; Carolyn Spargo ’80; Maggie Tatton ’01
28
Augsburg Now
abc
Augsburg Builds Connections
CONNECTIONS HELP GRADUATES DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT
After college, many graduates ask, “What am I going to do now?”
Since he graduated from Augsburg, Cory Allen ’07 has helped
several Auggies answer this question and find ways to share their gifts
and talents with the world.
“Augsburg is great about helping you understand your vocation,
but it’s difficult to go the rest of the way,” he said. “You have to push
yourself to discover what is next.”
Allen works with students and graduates to help them understand
their strengths and their weaknesses, what they do well and where
they can improve. He said that knowledge might help in a person’s
career but will also be beneficial in other areas of their lives.
One recent graduate who has benefitted from Allen’s mentorship
is Joe Lichtscheidl ’11. Allen helped Lichtscheidl improve his résumé
and also gave him an “in” with a local company.
Lichtscheidl said having a mentoring relationship with an alumnus who has gone through the job search is extremely helpful. “I feel
that it keeps me from stressing out about getting a job in this tough
economy because I have someone who has gone through it to help.”
Sama Sandy ’08 reconnected with Allen at a Young Alumni Summer Series event, and the two continued communicating after that
e
w
a
Alumni mentoring volunteer
opportunities will begin this fall
night. Sandy said mentorship is a mutually beneficial relationship because both parties learn from each other.
He added, “Mentorships are a fantastic way of networking in
every sense because you are able to learn more about a person, potentially provide advice or assistance during times of struggle, and
also get to be a part during the times of triumph.”
For Allen, mentoring and working with others is simply “organic.”
He said, “I think it’s my responsibility to pass on my knowledge and
experiences, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see students go from the
start of their senior year to a successful career.”
SUPPORTING FELLOW AUGGIES IS AS EASY AS ABC
The Augsburg Builds Connections (ABC) program is one of the many
volunteer opportunities available to Augsburg parents and alumni.
Volunteers in the program meet or correspond with students or graduates who are in the process of applying for a job or are interested in a
career in their industry.
Augsburg alumni and parents who participate in the ABC program
have the opportunity to help Augsburg students navigate their career
path. To learn more about Augsburg Builds Connections, go to
www.augsburg.edu/alumni/abc.html.
Auggie alumnae seek to engage
women through AWE
In late 2009, a group of Auggie women gathered to respond to a
challenge: how to effectively engage more women in the life of
Augsburg College. They created AWE: Augsburg Women Engaged.
In Spring 2010, Augsburg graduates convened to share their insights about meeting this challenge. These alumnae shared two key
pieces of advice. First, alumnae desire to re-establish or strengthen
meaningful connections with classmates, faculty, current students,
and the College community. Second, women desire to make an impact in whatever they do.
We invite all alumnae to be part of making strategic connections
for the coming years for Auggie women. Participate in whatever way
best suits your interests, circumstances, and availability. Contact any
of the Advisory Council members or Donna McLean, director of development initiatives, mclean@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1556, to
find out how you can be involved.
AWE women gathered at Augsburg House on Wednesday, June 1. Pictured [L to R]:
Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL; Donna McLean; Shelby Andress ’56; Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97
MAL; Cassidy Titcomb; Sherilyn Young; Kari Eklund Logan ’82
The AWE Advisory Council members are Shelby Gimse Andress ’56;
Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL; Lisa Svac Hawks ’85; Kari Eklund Logan
’82; Jennifer Hipple ’09; Lori Moline ’82; Roz Nordaune ’77; Heidi
Wisner Staloch ’93; and Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL. We thank them
for accepting the challenge to engage more women in the life of
Augsburg College.
Summer 2011
29
alumni news
YOUNG ALUMNI
summer series
To register for the Young Alumni events or to see the full calendar
of events at Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni
Friday, August 5, 5-7 p.m.
AUGGIE NIGHT AT THE RACES
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee
Free admission, picnic buffet, and
reserved seating
Thursday, September 15, 6-8 p.m.
BOAT CRUISE ON LAKE MINNETONKA
Join other Young Alumni donors for a
sunset boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka
with complimentary appetizers and beverages. Not a donor? Don’t miss the
boat! Become a donor today at augsburg.edu/giving.
Thursday, October 20, 7-8:30 a.m.
EYE-OPENER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BREAKFAST sponsored by Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans™
Town & Country Club
300 Mississippi River Blvd. N., Saint Paul
$5 includes full breakfast buffet and networking
Friday, October 21, 6-8 p.m.
HOMECOMING 2011: AUGGIE HOURS
Republic (formerly Preston’s)
221 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
Two complimentary beverages and appetizers provided
30
Augsburg Now
10% Auggie discount
In an effort to attract Augsburg’s finest back to campus
to continue their education, the Augsburg Master of
Business Administration (MBA) is offering a 10% discount on MBA tuition to graduates of any of Augsburg’s
undergraduate programs including Weekend College.
The discount applies to students who begin the MBA
program in September 2011 and will be applied to each
course in the MBA program. Admission requirements
and deadlines for the Augsburg MBA can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/mba or by calling 612-330-1101.
The Augsburg MBA is an accredited MBA that has recently become a formal candidate for global business accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business
Schools & Programs (ACBSP). Consider coming back to
Augsburg for a two-year MBA program grounded in the liberal arts with a focus on local, national, and global business issues.
Augsburg LIVE! webinar
SEPTEMBER 21
Augsburg’s President Paul C. Pribbenow has traveled this year
to ten cities and six states to engage the Augsburg community
in discussions about the College’s mission, vision, and vocation, and to foster opportunities to advance the College’s key
strategic initiatives. Alumni who have had the opportunity to
hear from the president have left with a greater sense of pride
in their alma mater and excitement for the future of the
institution.
The Augsburg LIVE! webinar is your chance to hear firsthand from President Pribbenow. Log in at www.augsburg.edu
on Wednesday, September 21, at noon CT for a 30-minute
conversation with President Pribbenow. See
images of the campus master plan
and hear stories of student success and excellence.
Augsburg
alumni
experience
the
EMERALD ISLE
Courtesy photo
auggie
involved in monitoring
Japanese nuclear facility
After the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan,
Augsburg alumna Cynthia Jones ’81 was called upon
to monitor nuclear safety of the affected Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear site.
Jones, a physics graduate and Augsburg
College regent, is a senior staff member in the
Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
and worked as part of NRC’s 24-hour Operations
Center team in the aftermath of the earthquake.
During mid-May, the NRC transitioned this 24hour monitoring to a Japanese regulatory office.
Since that time, Japanese officials have been managing the recovery process for the site.
Because of Jones’ early involvement in the response, she now is presenting at scientific conferences. During late June, she chaired a special
session at the national Health Physics Society
meeting in Florida on the response to the events.
For continuing information on NRC activities in
response to this event, go to
www.nrc.gov/japan/japan-info.html.
Early in May, Auggie alumni and friends journeyed through Ireland on an
alumni tour led by Phillip Adamo, director of the medieval studies program and
history department chair.
Highlights from the group’s travels include a Dublin cruise on the river
Liffey and sites such as the Rock of Cashel and Holy Cross Abbey. Travelers experienced the majestic landscapes at the Cliffs of Moher and explored the ancient fort of Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands. Traditional Irish music was
enjoyed in the village of Dingle and the bustling city of Galway.
The travelers are pictured in front of Kylemore Abbey, a working Benedictine abbey in the countryside of the Connemara.
Front Row [L to R]: Phil Adamo, Fritz and Linda Morlock, Marya (Christensen)
Farrell ’63, Jessica Motschenbacher ’08, Jean Moucha, Sara Naegeli, Sandi
Prince ’05, Ted Naegeli, Clodaugh Horner (Irish guide)
Back Row [L to R]: Trace Regan, Mary Ellen Kelly, John Greenfield ’66, Mary Jo
Greenfield, Bob Farrell, Jennifer Carlson ’91, Sue Tesmer ’74, Nancy and
Richard Borstad, Amanda Storm
Courtesy photo
Journey to the Holy Land
With Religion Professor Philip A. Quanbeck II
JANUARY 3-14, 2012
Travel with a community of Augsburg alumni and friends under the leadership of
religion professor Philip Quanbeck II and Dr. Ruth E. Johnson ’74. Discover the
geography, places, and people of the Holy Land. Visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem,
Caesarea, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and much more. Woven
into the itinerary are several opportunities to dialogue with local community
leaders who give voice to the complex history and geopolitical issues of the region. Return home with a broader and deeper understanding of a land considered holy by the world’s three monotheistic religions.
To register or request more information call 612-330-1525 or e-mail
alumni@augsburg.edu
Summer 2011
31
alumni class notes
57the 50th anniversary of his or-
Rev. Alfred Kaupins celebrated
dination on June 11.
72Come Join Their Song (pub-
Mark Shepperd's choral piece,
lished by Beckenhorst Press) won
the 2010 VocalEssence & American
Composers Forum Christmas Carol
contest. The world premiere performance was given by VocalEssence at
their Welcome Christmas concerts in
December 2010 and will be rebroadcast in December 2011 on
American Public Media. Mark has
served as minister of music at Woodbury Lutheran Church in Woodbury,
Minn., since 1990.
98master’s degrees at Hamline
Beverly Bushyhead earned
auggieSNAPSHOTS
University in nonprofit management
32
and public administration. Bev
hopes to do some research and policy work after her graduation.
Ann Jenkins has accepted a position
as an intake investigator with Allen
County Children's Services in Lima,
Ohio.
Matt Butler licensed his invention,
the ROLLORS® lawn game, to
Maranda Enterprises. Matt conceived of the game while he was
serving in the Air Force in
Afghanistan. The game has sold
more than 25,000 copies.
Julie Johnson, with Doug Otto ’05 and
Drew Druckrey, released The Banks
of the Little Auplaine, an experimental roots album that mines historic
Upper-Midwestern folk music. Julie
Johnson & The No-Accounts trio performed the song collection at a CD
release show at the Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis in April.
99graduated in May 2010 with
Kyran (Christianson) Cadmus
her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
degree from Colorado State University. She finished her Master of Public Health degree in April 2011
through the University of Minnesota.
Kyran lives in Fort Collins, Colorado
with her husband, Pete.
00
Mauris DeSilva received
recognition for a study on controlled delivery of antibiotics to
wounds. His team of researchers received first place for their work at a
poster competition.
Meg (Schmidt) Sawyer married Jim
Sawyer on October 9, 2010 in Shoreview, Minn. Meg works for Youth
Encounter, a Christian nonprofit
youth ministry organization, as the
business communications executive.
04ated with an MFA in musical
Deanne M. McDonald gradu-
theatre from Minnesota State
University Mankato.
07years as a bicycle courier in
After serving for almost three
New York City, Jenessa Stark moved
to El Paso, Tex., to study midwifery
at Maternidad La Luz midwife
school. She was also featured in
“Triple Rush,” a Travel Channel
series about New York City bicycle
messengers that aired this spring.
99Damion Spilman welcomed
Sarah (Ginkel) Spilman and
Elizabeth (Libby) Frances
Spilman on December 6, 2010.
She joins big brother Zane, 5.
00Nicki, welcomed son Foster
Mac Gordon and his wife,
06Aaron Riedel ’07 wel-
Sara Schlipp-Riedel and
on March 9.
01welcomed their first child, Liam
Carrie (Lind) Cabe and Chris Cabe
comed son Aidan Theodore on
February 22.
Christopher, on March 20.
71-73together at Augsburg and have met
Members of the Chi House lived
annually since graduation. The group received mittens hand knit by Lennice Keefe. Making them was
on her “bucket list.” Pictured [L to R] are Julie
(Hagberg) Swaggert ’73, Marilyn (Moxness) Hall ’71,
Carol (Pederson) Jorgenson ’72, Mary Lynn (Monson)
Oglesbee ’72, Lennice “Sparkie” (Nordaune) Keefe
’72, Jill Steele ’72, and Mary (Boraas) Janotta ’73.
Not pictured: Suzanne (Olson) Swanson ’73.
Augsburg Now
09ried Tom Henry Fields III
Emily (Tischer) Fields mar-
02Whaylen were married September 11, 2010 in
Brooke (Stoeckel) Whaylen and Courtney
Edina, Minn. Shelly Laugerman ’04 and Erica Champer
’04 were also in the wedding party. Brooke works as a
hospitality sales director at an area convention and visitors bureau, and Courtney works in IT security software.
on August 28, 2010 in
Rochester, Minn. Other Auggies
in the wedding party included
Killa Martinez-Aleman ’08,
Caris Warnock ’09, and Kasi
(Clauson) Lange ’08.
08
Emma Stensvaag returned to the states in December 2010
after completing 27 months of service for the U.S. Peace
Corps in Mozambique.
10program in clinical psychology at the California School of
Leann Vice-Reshel has been accepted into the doctoral
Professional Psychology in San Diego, Calif. She will begin the
program in September 2011.
Graduate Programs
Timothy (Tim) Van Rooy ’89 MAL and Rob Wagner ’02 (new
alumni board president) were chosen to help build a community with families in need through Thrivent Builds with Habitat
for Humanity in El Salvador. They helped build homes with families in need thanks to a multiyear, multimillion dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans™ and Habitat for
Humanity International.
Patrick Troska ’94 MAL was appointed executive director of the
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation. In addition to providing leadership for the organization’s overall strategy, Patrick will
be the lead contact for the foundation’s grantmaking strategies
related to housing and transit.
Nicolas Thomley ’06 MBA has been named one of the 2011
Minnesotans on the Move by Finance & Commerce. The award
honors professionals who are poised to make business history
of their own during the coming years.
Chris Wolf ’09 MAN recently published “A Head Injury Teaching
Module for Pre-Hospital Assessment" in the February 2011
issue of Military Medicine Journal. Susan Nash, Augsburg College associate professor of nursing, was co-author.
ENGAGING
Homecoming
October 16-22
2011
Join Augsburg alumni, parents, students, and friends in a fun-filled
week of events and activities.
New events have been added to this year’s schedule, including the
Student and Alumni Networking Event following the Sabo Symposium on
Wednesday, October 19, and the Alumni Art Exhibition on Friday,
October 21.
Homecoming Convocation will kick off the weekend’s events on Friday,
October 21. At convocation, we will recognize the First Decade, Spirit of
Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners, as well as members of the class of 1961. Don’t miss opportunities for fellowship and
reminiscing at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon that afternoon or
later that evening at Republic (formerly Preston’s).
Experience the Best of Augsburg on Saturday, October 22, by attending a brief lecture from three of Augsburg’s outstanding faculty
members: Garry Hesser (sociology, metro/urban studies), robert tom
(studio art), and David Murr ’92 (physics).
This year’s Taste of Augsburg pregame picnic on Saturday will include carnival-style booths operated by student, parent, and alumni
groups. Following the picnic, cheer on the Auggies at the football
game as they take on St Olaf.
The Auggie Block Party is back by popular demand! Following the
game, gather in the parking lot to the north of Si Melby Hall to enjoy
food, entertainment, and camaraderie. The activities don’t end there—
after the block party, attend the Hognander Music Scholars Reunion
Concert at 6 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel.
Homecoming weekend truly has something for everyone. For
more information and to see a complete schedule, go to
www.augsburg.edu/homecoming. We look forward to seeing you there!
go auggies!
WITH THE SCIENCES
• Beer Brewing 101 with physics professor Ben
Stottrup. Saturday, September 17, 2-4 p.m.
Great Waters Brewing Co., 427 Saint Peter
Street, Saint Paul
• Stargazing and Minnesota Starwatch Class
with WCCO Radio meteorologist Mike
Lynch and astronomy professor Mark
Bransford. Saturday, October 1,
7-9:30 p.m. Quarry Hill Nature
Center, Savanna Room, 701 Silver
Creek Road, Rochester
For more information and to RSVP, go to
www.augsburg.edu/engage or call
612-330-1085.
Summer 2011
33
’72
ASK AN AUGGIE EXPERT
Greg Fitzloff
Certified barbecue cook-off judge
How did you become certified as a barbecue judge?
Since I retired five years ago, I’ve been doing a lot of volunteer
work. I met a gentleman who was a caterer but also cooked for
a living. He would call me and I would go over when he was
testing recipes, and he said I should become a judge.
There are a couple of professional societies for barbecue
cooks, and they have a certification class and process for
judges. I found out more about it and said, “Why not?” If you
will, it kind of ended up on my own personal bucket list.
Why is a judge so important?
As the contests become more popular, the key is to draw in
top teams, and they want to be sure the judging is done correctly. In the last several years there have been more people
involved, and the prize money has grown significantly in the
professional circuit. A winner in a recent contest won
$10,000. That’s why the judging is so important.
After retiring five years ago from a career in teaching and economic development, Greg Fitzloff started checking items off
his bucket list. Now he travels around the country tasting
chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork as a certified barbecue cook-off judge. We caught up with him at his cabin “up
North” to find out more about this delicious-sounding job!
What’s the key to a perfect barbecue?
Two key words: low and slow. Cook it on low heat, 200 to 225
degrees, and slow. It takes time—anywhere from a couple of
hours to 12 to 16 hours depending on the size and cut of meat.
What are your favorite summer barbecue side dishes?
I think the classics tend to go best. In the South and Southeast you see barbecue beans with a great variety of tastes.
Further north and in the Midwest you see potato salad and
cole slaw, of course. The other thing we’ve discovered over
the years is that after you’ve been tasting barbecue all day,
the thing that goes extraordinarily well is ice cream. I don’t
know why. That nearest Dairy Queen generally gets a big hit
after a contest.
What criteria do you use in judging barbecue?
It is fairly structured, but you are looking for three things. First
is appearance—how the meat actually looks. Does it look like
something you want to eat right away? Presentation is so important. The second is tenderness—is it cooked correctly? Each
category has a slightly different process, but the questions are:
Is it done? Is it cooked all the way through? Does the meat pull
off the bone? And the final thing is the taste. Can you taste the
meat? Does it taste good? We’re trying to judge to a certain
standard, not based on what we like personally.
Have you had any judging mishaps? Tasted an
especially bad barbecue?
Even though these are supposed to be really good cooks, they
make mistakes. The most difficult category is beef brisket,
and they usually make one of two mistakes. They overcook it
to the point where it’s absolutely overdone, and once that
happens, there’s nothing you can do about it. Or if they cut it
with the grain, that meat is literally the consistency of shoe
leather. We are supposed to taste it, but if you can’t get a bite
out of it you can’t taste it. That’s always somewhat comical.
34
Augsburg Now
Would you like us to feature you in a future
issue? E-mail now@augsburg.edu and tell
us about your area of expertise!
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
Rev. Hamar Benson ’34, Auburn, Wash., age 100, on November 27.
William A. Benson, Jr. ’42, Minnetonka, Minn., age 90, on April 11.
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
Dr. Henry Staub ’43, Minneapolis, age 91, on March 8.
Maria E. (Sandness) Berryman ’47, Minneapolis, age 89, on February 26.
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
Melvin Haven ’47, Mesa, Ariz., age 88, on December 8.
Gordon D. Ahlquist ’48, Robbinsdale, Minn., age 88, on February 24.
Paul D. Arnold ’48, Milaca, Minn., age 85, on April 20.
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
Vincent S. Dahle ’49, Shoreview, Minn., age 83, on April 18.
Donald H. Hegg ’49, Minneapolis, age 86, on March 10.
Lillian L. Stadelman ’49, Pound, Wis., age 90, on April 27.
Jeanette Jacobson Martinson ’49, Decorah, Iowa, age 85, on March 15.
Quentin G. Quanbeck ’50, Sioux Falls, S.Dak., age 83, on February 18.
Don L. Ortler ’51, Coon Rapids, Minn., age 82, on October 1.
Donald R. Oscarson ’52, Northbrook, Ill., age 81, on April 23.
Ralph Kirchoff ’53 on January 6, 2010.
Edwin T. Johnson ’55, Walton, N.Y., age 91, on May 7.
____________________________________________________________
Employer
____________________________________________________________
Position
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
Marshall D. Johnson ’57, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., age 75, on January 26.
Jerry D. Carlson ’59, New Brighton, Minn., age 75, on December 20.
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Harold W. Schilling ’59, Annandale, Minn., age 80, on May 8.
Viola (Anderson) Aaseng ’69, Eau Claire, Wis., age 86, on August 20, 2010.
Ronald A. Berg ’69, Arden Hills, Minn., age 64, on April 20.
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Thomas P. O’Meara ’71, Minneapolis, age 63, on November 28.
____________________________________________________________
Terrance L. Blue ’72, Minneapolis, age 61, on February 15.
Richard W. Kelley ’72, Minneapolis, age 64, on August 25, 2010.
Nancy (Krusemark) Kruse ’76, Eden Prairie, Minn., age 56, on November 30.
Janice O’Brien ’87, Burnsville, Minn., age 68, on June 21, 2010.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Lucas R. Johnson ’07, New Hope, Minn., age 27, on April 3.
Summer 2011
35
’67
gene hugoson
Auggie tills a different field to success
Gene Hugoson credits his success to a lifetime of farming and a
liberal arts education. He said that his grounding in a range of topics—politics, communication, science, geography—allowed him to
bridge diverse issues and backgrounds in each of the public service positions he’s held.
“The idea of a liberal arts background was perfect for what I’ve
done,” Hugoson said. “My knowledge is 15-miles wide and half an
inch thick.”
Hugoson, who earned a social sciences teaching degree from
Augsburg College, recently was appointed a senior fellow for the
University of Minnesota’s Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership. He will collaborate with farmers and farm groups, state and
federal government, and businesses to find improved ways to
maintain food security.
“The idea of a liberal arts background was perfect for
what I’ve done,” Hugoson said. “My knowledge is
15-miles wide and half an inch thick.”
One project on which he will focus is the development of a plan
for the prevention, isolation, control, and economic recovery from
foot-and-mouth disease in the domestic livestock herd. This project includes working with a multistate education consortium.
“Part of my role is to use past contacts and experiences to tap
into relationships at the federal level,” he said. “It will be a challenge and will test my mettle. But we need that broad base of information and understanding at the table.”
Prior to his work at the University of Minnesota, Hugoson served
as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
(MDA). It’s a post he held for nearly 16 years and through three
gubernatorial administrations. And again, he credits his education
for this success.
“Most of my colleagues in other states were agriculture school
grads. Veterinarians,” he said. “Mine was social science and education—in reality, it was perfect. It is key for these kinds of roles.”
Hugoson also credits his success to a lifetime of farming. He
36
Augsburg Now
farmed while at MDA. He farmed before that, during the five terms
he was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Even
in his new post, he still farms 600 acres of corn and soybeans located less than a mile from the East Chain, Minn., farm on which
he was raised.
“I kept farming out of necessity to keep my day job,” Hugoson
said. “The governors said they wanted a real farmer. I think being a
farmer turned out to be a huge plus. I have credibility with the
farming community. I can stand up and talk about what it’s like to
be in the combine all night because of threatening weather or at
the elevator selling my beans.”
As much as farming has helped Hugoson succeed in his public
leadership roles, it also has other rewards.
“Farming also is my relaxation,” Hugoson said. “In the tractor or
combine, I can see what I accomplish right behind me. That’s not
always the case at the office. It’s nice to see corn combined or
tilled earth.”
STEPHANIE WEISS
a
an
augsburg legacy
to
sy p h o
g
k celebratin
Harriett Kure
hday.
her 90th birt
Harriett Kurek, a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran
Congregation, generously included a gift of $250,000 to
Augsburg College in her will. “She was a very giving,
caring person to her family and to her community,” said
her niece, Joyce Nyland. Senior Pastor Jane BuckleyFarlee said Kurek loved the way Trinity is involved the
Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and appreciated how
Augsburg shares that commitment with Trinity and welcomes the congregation on its campus.
C o u rte
Courtesy photo
Harriett Kurek
an augsburg legacy
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
2010 Presidential Award for Community Service
In the summer, Augsburg’s laboratories and classrooms come alive with the enthusiasm of our
neighborhood youth. Aspiring scientists and future healthcare professionals learn through programs
like Girls in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (GEMS) and Guys in Science and Engineering
(GISE), as well as the Urban Scrubs camp (pictured here). These are three of the programs for
which Augsburg was recognized this year with the 2010 Presidential Award for Community Service.
(See story on page 3).
Show less
AUGSBURG NOW
SUMMER 2010
VOL. 72, NO. 3
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
StepUP program Environmental literature
Travel
10 reasons to come back Coach Mark Matzek
®
Commencement
2010 Exploring Our Gifts
page
20
on
Stage
Editor
Bets... Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
SUMMER 2010
VOL. 72, NO. 3
inside
auggies
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
StepUP program Environmental literature
Travel
10 reasons to come back Coach Mark Matzek
®
Commencement
2010 Exploring Our Gifts
page
20
on
Stage
Editor
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
notes
from President Pribbenow
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Design
A new mission statement and Commission Augsburg
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
o
ver the past two years, the Augsburg community has been engaged in a lively and rich conversation about our character and identity.
Augsburg last modified its mission statement nearly
20 years ago, and although much that defines
Augsburg’s distinctive identity as a college of the
church in the city has remained constant, there also
have been some remarkable changes. The expansion
of nontraditional undergraduate programs, several
new graduate programs, campus sites in Rochester
and Bloomington, significant work around the world,
and continuing initiatives to meet the needs of diverse students have combined to make Augsburg a
more complex and, I would argue in addition, a more
innovative and faithful college.
Given the reality of Augsburg’s current missionbased work, the College community explored together
how we might state our mission in such a way as to
affirm our abiding values and commitments, while
also to articulate how the College’s circle of influence
and impact has expanded. The result of those explorations is a wonderfully nuanced and meaningful new
mission statement, enthusiastically adopted by the
Board of Regents at its spring 2010 meeting.
Augsburg College educates students to be informed
citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The new mission statement begins
with a bold claim of our aspirations for our students
as we send them out to live their callings in the
world. As citizens, stewards, thinkers, and leaders,
Augsburg graduates bring their education and experience to bear in all aspects of their lives and work.
The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community, committed to intentional diversity in
its life and work. This important statement of our selfunderstanding is an explicit reference to our values as
a participatory community—very much in line with our
Lutheran Free Church heritage—dedicated to the
common work of educating all of our students. At the
same time, we reaffirm our abiding sense of the im-
portance of intentional diversity—diversity of experience, background, and thought—that is supported by
our theological, academic, and civic legacies.
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
our urban and global settings. This closing sentence
lifts up our core values: excellence across all academic programs, the particular gifts of our Lutheran
faith, and the central role that our place in the world
plays in the education we offer.
The circle has been widened to reflect how
Augsburg embraces its distinctive role in higher education. I could not be more pleased with the participation of the entire community in crafting this new
mission statement.
As we move into the next academic year, I am excited to announce an opportunity for all Augsburg
alumni and friends to learn more about how our mission sets in place a clear map for our future. Beginning this fall, we will launch Commission Augsburg, a
series of conversations that bring together those
across the country who care about Augsburg to explore three strategic pathways for Augsburg’s work in
the years ahead:
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
(1) We will create and sustain a culture of
innovation and excellence.
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
(2) We will help all of our students to succeed.
Webmaster/Now Online
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
(3) We will tell Augsburg’s story in word and deed.
ISSN 1058-1545
Please watch for opportunities to gather and to
learn more about the key initiatives the Augsburg
community intends to pursue in order to live out its
mission and to honor its distinctive saga as a college of the Lutheran Church. Your perspectives will
help shape Augsburg’s future.
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
a
summer 2010
7
12
16
Features
24
contents
20
27
augsburg now
7
12
16
20
24
27
Commencement 2010
A step in the right direction
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
10 reasons to come back to campus
by Jeff Shelman
Learning from the environment
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
Nine years on the mats
by Jeff Shelman
Making connections
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
Departments
inside
front
cover
On the cover
Tessa Flynn ’05, community engagement manager and teaching artist with the
Children’s Theatre Company, is one of the theatre alums who talks about making
connections and the importance of those connections to their life after Augsburg.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
2
4
6
33
36
40
Notes from President Pribbenow
Around the Quad
Auggie voices
It takes an Auggie
Alumni news
Class notes
My Auggie experience
around the
quad
A project of steel
Not many senior projects require countless hours spent shaping steel with a hammer
and finishing it with sandpaper and steel brushes. But Josh Davis’ project wasn’t
like most. For more than two years, Davis spent the vast majority of his free time
working to construct a full suit of armor. The project, which was on display during
Zyzzogeton—Augsburg’s celebration of student research and creative activity—was
featured both in the Star Tribune and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The suit is made out of sheet steel of varying thickness and includes 20 individual pieces, many of which are smaller pieces riveted together, that fit like a puzzle to
form the complete armor. Each leg, for example, is 13 separate pieces of steel,
some of which were placed on top of each other to increase strength.
Building the suit required Davis to
shape the steel with a hammer—pounding heated steel over or into a form to
produce the required curves—while
using a pattern specially developed to fit
him. Davis also made each of the buckles and straps on the suit.
To call it a labor-intensive process
would be an understatement. After originally keeping track of the time on the
project, Davis stopped when he reached
1,000 hours, the equivalent of 25 weeks
of eight-hour workdays.
“The hardest part is finishing it,”
Davis said. “I can rough out a form in an
hour or two, but fine-tuning it, sanding
out the hammer marks, and making the
Josh Davis’ suit of armor took two years and
hinges and buckles took a long time.”
painstaking work to construct.
Dal Liddle receives NEH
summer research stipend
Dal Liddle, associate
professor of English,
received a National
Endowment for the
Humanities summer
stipend for travel to
London to test a hypothesis he’s been
formulating.
Liddle, whose research focuses on Victorian
literature, is spending three weeks in England poring over the private archives of the London Times
and the early Victorian holdings of the British Library. Using Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, editorial articles from British papers, and Brontë’s Jane
Eyre, he will try to test whether current theories
about the historical development of technology
will also fit the way British literature developed
between 1800 and 1850. What if literary history
turns out to change in some of the same ways that
technological history changes? Could the history
of novels and poems show some of the same patterns as the history of steam engines, microchips,
and jet airplanes?
“I'm taking a big chance,” he says about his
research question. “There’s a big disprovability
factor here, but if I’m wrong I want to prove it.”
NewsNotes
The Nursing Department launched a three-year
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Augsburg’s first
doctoral degree, that prepares nurses for advanced
practice and leadership in transcultural and community/public health nursing. The DNP is a cohort program that begins in the fall.
David Tiede, retiring after five years as the Bernhard
Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, has
accepted the interim presidency of Wartburg
Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.
Two new summer camps are bringing young people
to campus. Two week-long film camps in July bring
high school students together to work with 16mm
film, teaching them techniques for scripting, directing, and editing.
The Minnesota Debate and Advocacy Workshop
brings middle and high school students together
with the state’s top coaches in a two- or three-week
institute.
The deaths of two retired faculty are noted.
Robert Herforth, professor emeritus of biology, died on
June 18. He is remembered as an extraordinary zoologist who remained very much engaged in current research throughout his life.
Rosalie Clark, who taught in the Social Work Department from 1979 for more than a dozen years, died in
January 2009. She brought perspectives on American
Indian issues to faculty and students and encouraged
social work graduates.
AUGSBURG NEWS SERVICE
2
Augsburg Now
Three faculty members retire from the classroom
Julie Bolton—Theatre’s “artist-educator”
Curt Paulsen—Social work professor, mentor
Paul Grauer—Coach, mentor, teacher
Thirty-five years
ago, Julie
Bolton, a professional actor, was
hired part time
to teach acting.
She soon became full time,
added courses,
hired faculty, and began to build a theatre
arts program, which she then chaired for
12 years, plus four more years when it became a new department.
Building on her connections in Twin
Cities theatre, Bolton both pushed students to get internships in the theatre
community and helped them explore vocations in theatre. And, she brought theatre
artists to campus to work with students.
She hired faculty whose varied expertise
helped create a comprehensive, professional theatre arts program within a liberal
arts education.
Bolton reflects with pride and gratitude
on the collaboration in the mid-1980s
that helped bring about Augsburg’s black
box theater in Foss Center, with the support of President Charles Anderson, Dean
Ryan LaHurd, and donors Barbara
(Tjornhom) ’54 and Richard Nelson.
Bolton considers herself an “artist-educator” and has used her theatre knowledge in the docent tours she gives at the
Minneapolis Institute of Arts. “If we are
looking at Rembrandt’s Lucretia,” she
says, “I introduce similar themes in
Shakespeare’s epic poem Lucretia or
Hamlet’s soliloquies.”
In addition to expanding her role as a
docent, Bolton also looks forward to
spending time as grandmother to her five
grandchildren.
Social work professor Curt
Paulsen often
sang to himself
on the way to his
classrooms—just
one indication of
the joy he received every day
in teaching. “Just as I have pushed my
students,” he explains, “they have also
pushed me, and I’m grateful for it.” He
found continuing satisfaction in the “joint
enterprise of reaching great understanding.”
Paulsen taught both undergraduate and
graduate students in the Social Work Department and, together with his wife,
Cathy, taught a personality theory course
to graduate students in the leadership
program. He has also taught in the Religion Department and Honors program.
Paulsen enjoyed most working with students who weren’t functioning to their
ability. With respect, and in an atmosphere of intellectual rigor, he pushed
them to their point of real reaction, with
high expectations, helping them not only
to learn, but to grow as people. It meant
facilitating a process where students
moved from answers to questions.
Paulsen always considered liberal arts
and crossing disciplines as “just the beginning of lifelong learning.” For him, “To
gain a real understanding of human beings, one must go to the poets and to
great literature.”
Paulsen now anticipates more time for
photography, reading, gardening, and for
his family—Cathy, their two daughters and
husbands, and four grandchildren.
Paul Grauer says
that even after
31 years,
Augsburg has always been “exactly where I
wanted to be.”
He served long
stints as coach,
athletic director, and instructor, and he lists
a whole series of strong relationships, high
points, and changes that kept it interesting.
A big change is the continual improvement of athletic facilities that has made it
more likely that recruits will choose
Augsburg—early in his tenure he recalls
one hockey recruit who told him that
Augsburg “had no curb appeal.”
In addition, the continual development
of the Health and Physical Education Department that now includes exercise science can prepare students for varied
careers in teaching, fitness, and training.
Grauer recalls 1997–98 as “a special,
magical year,” when four Auggie teams—
football, men’s basketball, men’s hockey,
and wrestling—won conference championships and went to national playoffs, resulting in a wrestling championship and a
hockey Frozen Four appearance.
Among the high points was the celebration in 2007 of the 35th anniversary of
Auggie varsity women’s sports, some of
which pre-date the Title IX era. Grauer prepared and submitted early reports for Title
IX that “showed we had to pay attention to
equality,” and which spurred further expansion of women’s sports.
Grauer will always remember the friendships, the colleagues, and the continual
growth he’s seen both with the coaches and
student-athletes in their training, resiliency,
and good sportsmanship in a very competitive athletic conference.
Grauer now looks forward to having more
time to play his trumpet—especially at
Augsburg in the brass ensemble.
For Auggie sports news and schedules,
go to www.augsburg.edu/athletics.
BETSEY NORGARD
Summer 2010
3
auggie voices
Exploring Our Gifts—
looking back over 8 years
In 2002 Augsburg received a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to integrate a theological understanding of vocation into
the life of the College over a five-year period. In 2007 the grant
was renewed for $1 million to cover an additional three years. As
of summer 2010, the funding from the Lilly Endowment has
ended. The College has now established the Augsburg Center for
Faith and Learning in order to sustain a number of the programs of
the Lilly Endowment grants and to support new initiatives on
vocation.
Mark Tranvik, associate professor of religion and chair of the Religion Department, was director of Exploring Our Gifts. He reflects
about the impact of Exploring Our Gifts on Augsburg’s curriculum
and experience.
Q: Why did Augsburg apply for the Lilly Endowment grant?
A: We should be clear that the Lilly Endowment grant didn’t introduce vocation to Augsburg College. Augsburg began as a seminary,
and it had a sense of calling embedded into its DNA. Throughout
much of its history, students, faculty, and staff came to the College
out of a deep sense of calling. They saw their work here as an expression of what God wanted them to do with their gifts and talents. I think some of that sensibility was lost at a lot of our church
colleges during the 1970s and ’80s, Augsburg included. But the
idea of vocation never went away, and the Lilly Endowment money
provided the school with an opportunity to bring new energy and
imagination to the concept. In other words, it was natural for
Augsburg to apply for the grant, given our heritage.
Q: Why do you think the Lilly Endowment grant has been successful?
A: The group who worked on the original application, led by Carol
Forbes, Academic Affairs, and Bruce Reichenbach, Philosophy Department, did a wonderful job in making sure the proposal “fit”
with the culture at Augsburg. Instead of “top-down” planning, they
made sure to solicit proposals from a wide variety of groups on
campus. They received more than 30 proposals for projects and
were able to whittle that down to 16. When the money actually arrived to fund the projects, a campus-wide conversation had already
been going on for some time. In my mind, the genius here is the
way this is consistent with the ethos of the school. Augsburg is a
college deeply rooted in the traditions of the Lutheran Free
Church, and the egalitarian spirit of that church still pervades this
community.
4
Augsburg Now
Professor Mark Tranvik directed Exploring Our Gifts, Augsburg’s Lilly Endowment program
to explore vocation.
Q. Didn’t a lot of schools receive Lilly Endowment grants? What’s
distinctive about Augsburg’s?
A: The Lilly Endowment’s initiative on vocation was incredibly
generous. More than 80 colleges and universities, many of them
church-related, received grants. And to no one’s surprise, the
grants seemed to work especially well at Lutheran schools. This is
because the theology of vocation was developed in new ways by
Martin Luther and the other reformers in the 16th century. Those
places that trace their heritage back to the Reformation found it
easier, in general, to talk about vocation on their campuses.
One of the distinctive things about Augsburg is the way the College has been willing to integrate a theological understanding of
vocation into its core curriculum. This has been one of the fruits of
our discussion about vocation on campus. All Augsburg students
are required to take two religion classes that have vocation at the
center—Religion 100 and 200, Christian Vocation and the Search
for Meaning I and II, respectively. Furthermore, all students are
asked to think about vocation again in their senior seminars. So,
you could say that vocation serves as the “bookends” for the
Augsburg educational experience. And we also hope that students
will be asked in other classes to think about their sense of calling.
Of course this will happen, but it’s more dependent on the inclination of individual instructors.
Q: What about the specific vocation of ministry? How has the grant helped students
who are thinking about working in the church?
A: One program of the grant that has worked well in this area is the Lilly
Scholars. Every year, 10 juniors or seniors were chosen to take part in a fullcredit seminar dedicated to thinking theologically about vocation and receive
a scholarship from the grant. The main prerequisite for the course is to be interested in studying about vocation in-depth. And some of these students do
not sense a calling in the institutional church, which is fine. But over half of
the participants (about 50 over the eight years) have decided to study theology after receiving their degrees at Augsburg. This is one important way the
College continues its long tradition of developing leaders for the church.
Q: It is especially important for colleges to document their successes. Is there
evidence that the programs of the Lilly Endowment grant have actually made a
difference?
Purpose: To integrate a theological understanding of vocation
into the life of Augsburg College
Programs 2002–2010
Total participants
Alumni mentoring
Student vocation assessments
265
1,962
International exploration
263
Lilly Scholars
82
Church leader development
100
Lilly Interns
54
Youth Theology Institute
~125
Orientation, Augsburg Seminar
2,600
Forums
2,450
Till & Keep journal (copies)
Vocatio Chapel
3,600
~3,600
Interreligious dialogue
471
Courtesy photo
A: Augsburg has been fortunate in that it was selected, along with Luther
College and Augustana College of Rock Island (both of whom also had received Lilly Endowment grants), to participate in a study by the Wilder Foundation that assessed how effectively vocation had been integrated into these
schools. The results were gratifying. They showed significant progress made in
helping students view their lives through the lens of vocation. For example,
students who had exposure to Lilly Endowment programs were more likely
(50% to 23%) to see their life as a “calling,” with a sense of purpose, than
those who were not exposed to the grant. Furthermore, 91%
of the class of 2007 reported that their understanding of vocation deepened while at college. Go to
www.augsburg.edu/cfl to read the full study.
Exploring Our Gifts—Augsburg’s
Lilly Endowment grant program
Q: The Lilly Endowment grant on vocation seems to be strongly
rooted in the Christian tradition. Yet Augsburg also stresses the
importance of diversity and the acceptance of people from a
wide variety of faiths and backgrounds. How do you answer
those who suggest that this stress on vocation is done at the expense of diversity?
A: That’s a great question and one that many of us have
struggled with during the time of the grant. I think I would
answer it on two different levels. First, the emphasis on vocation is a way in which we are trying to be faithful to our
mission statement and its claim that Augsburg will be
“guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran Church.”
We are a college of the church, and that is nothing about
which we should be ashamed.
As one of the Lilly vocation seminars, students in the Religion and the Christian Faith course in 2005
Second—and this is the point that is often misundertraveled to El Salvador to study the legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero and to explore the depth of
stood—I would argue that our Christian faith and emphasis
Christian vocation in daily life there.
on vocation do not lead to exclusivity and the formation of a
community of the like-minded. Jesus spent a good deal of his ministry breaking down walls and crossing so-called “forbidden” boundaries.
In a similar vein, I would argue that an emphasis on diversity naturally flows from our Christian faith. We are not diverse in spite of being
Christian. Rather, we are diverse because we are Christian. Now this can make life messy, especially for those who insist on nice boxes with
neat straight lines. But as Christians we gladly welcome the “world” to our campus and the plurality of faiths and beliefs that come with it.
We promise we won’t “coerce” anyone to be Christian (as if that would work!), but we do ask that a respectful and public discussion on faith
occur. And we also insist that both sides be open to be challenged and changed.
Summer 2010
5
it takes an
Auggie
StepUP® parents are grateful for support to students and families
When Maureen and Harold Thompson realized their daughter Anne
was not going to graduate from high school with her friends, they
were devastated but not surprised. They knew that something was
wrong and that their daughter needed help.
Anne went into treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and
then began attending daily recovery meetings. During this second
phase of her recovery, she worked hard to complete her high school
graduation requirements. Anne impressed her teachers and others
with her hard work, and her parents thought the situation was
under control. This sense of security and relief quickly faded when
they discovered that Anne had relapsed.
Anne returned to treatment, this time at the Hazelden Center for
Youth and Families, where she learned about Augsburg College and
the College’s StepUP program for students in recovery. Anne entered StepUP in 2004 and graduated from Augsburg in 2008. She
is now a graduate student in higher education and student affairs
at the University of Connecticut.
“We feel that StepUP has allowed our daughter to attend college, continue with her recovery, and experience college life. Anne
has learned to deal with the stresses of projects, schedules, papers, and exams while developing a safe and solid support network. She worked hard in class, and she has worked hard on her
recovery. We don’t think this could have happened anywhere else.”
Maureen and Harold remain thankful for all that Augsburg did
for their daughter and continues to do for other students. That’s
one of the reasons they consistently support the StepUP program,
The Augsburg Fund, and more. “The StepUP program reinforces
the belief that each program participant is accountable. They are
accountable to themselves, to their peers, and to the StepUP staff.
We believe that the program provided an environment that allowed
Anne to blossom and grow, and allowed our family to heal.”
“We believe that the program provided an
environment that allowed Anne to blossom
and grow, and allowed our family to heal.”
“StepUP allowed me to go to college,” Anne says. “College is
hard for students in general, but students in recovery have all the
same challenges that others have and more. This program allowed
me to have a ‘traditional’ college experience, which would otherwise be unavailable.”
Maureen also noted, “It has been often said that someone with
an addiction impacts at least four other people. We believe that
StepUP not only helps the student, but it also helps the family,
and for that we are eternally grateful.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Courtesy photo
Maureen and Harold Thompson are
proud parents as their daughter, Anne,
graduated from Augsburg and the
StepUP program in 2008.
6
Anne speaks to a campus group about
her experiences at Augsburg and in the
StepUP program.
Augsburg Now
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THE TRADITIO
MORTARBOARD TASSELS
There is no official color for bachelor’s degree tassels. Thus, Augsburg
chose maroon and gray, and all undergraduate students wear this tassel.
Tassels for graduate students are different. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Commission was established to standardize academic dress and to prescribe specific colors to represent different fields of
study. This was the last time academic dress has been updated.
Augsburg has six fields of post-baccalaureate study, each with a different color: business—drab;
nursing—apricot; social work—citron; leadership—white; physician assistant studies—green; and education—light blue. Augsburg graduate program students and faculty all wear the colors of their fields.
‰
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DOCTORAL DRESS
The academic dress worn today
has its roots in the 12th and 13th centuries when most
scholars were clerics in monastic orders. Today’s doctoral
robe is based on monastic robes; the hood, originally a
cowl, was used to keep the head warm before indoor heating. Robes were formerly all black, but now institutions
choose their own colors, and all official doctoral robes
have three velvet stripes along the bell-shaped sleeves.
Today, professors wear either an Oxford cap (the square
mortarboard) or a Cambridge cap (the decorative, beretlike caps).
This robe belongs to Nathan J. Hallanger, special assistant to the vice president of academic affairs. The four-foot
doctoral hood is scarlet with blue trim, signifying a PhD
from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
‰
DRUM In 1991, music professor Robert Stacke ’71, a professional drummer,
began to lead the procession of graduates through Murphy Square to Melby
Hall. In this now-beloved tradition, faculty line the street and congratulate their
students as they walk by. In 19 years, Stacke has never missed Commencement
and has only once dropped the drum.
Summer 2010
7
THE TRADITIONS
HONOR CORDS Though a variety of colored cords and stoles show up on students’
shoulders at Commencement, two cords are officially given by Augsburg to undergraduate
students. Students who have earned a grade point average of 3.6 or higher are candidates
for Latin honors, shown by their maroon and gray cords. All students who have completed
the requirements of the Augsburg College Honors program wear gold cords. Other cords indicate that the student has completed a departmental honors project.
THE CROSS
In 1988, Professor Emeritus Norman Holen created the cross used in Chapel and carried in Augsburg ceremonies.
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MACE The mace, like academic regalia, also originated in the Middle
Ages. First used by medieval European
bishops who were not allowed to carry
swords into battle, the mace was useful as an armor-splitting weapon. By
the 16th century, the mace was converted into a symbol of authority and
was embraced by colleges and universities as a ceremonial icon. At Augsburg,
the mace is carried into all official
College ceremonies by the president of
the Faculty Senate.
Professor Emeritus Norman Holen
created Augsburg’s mace in 1970,
which, until 1988, was laid on a table
during events. Holen was then commissioned to create a stand for it.
MASTER’S HOODS
Like tassels, the hoods given to
master’s degree students have specific meaning. The
main color of the 3.5-foot hoods is black, and they are
lined with the colors of the college conferring the degree. The hood’s trimmings are three inches wide and
correspond to the field of study. For example, the master’s hood shown here is given by Augsburg College
(maroon and gray) in the field of nursing (apricot).
commencement
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MAY 1, 2010
PRESIDENTIAL CHAIN OF OFFICE
‰
OTHER COLORS
Augsburg
College’s Chain of Office represents the president’s authority to head the university, and is worn by President
Pribbenow at ceremonial functions such as Commencement. The chain is in fact not a chain but a maroon ribbon
that suspends a medal imprinted with the College seal.
The colorful stoles worn by African
American students are made from a material called Kente
cloth, which originates in Ghana, West Africa. The cloth was
woven by the Asante people of Ghana and was exclusively
made for Asante kings and queens.
Now the stoles are given to members of the Pan-Afrikan
Student Union (PASU) as a way to denote their fraternity and
to connect them with their past.
TEXT AND PHOTOS
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
commencement
JUNE 27, 2010
GRADUATES, FAMILIES, FACULTY, AND
GUESTS CELEBRATE 2010 COMMENCEMENT
MAY 1 COMMENCEMENT
416 undergraduate day students and physician assistant
graduate students
Speaker—Governor Tim Pawlenty
Honorary degree—Father Fernando Cardenal, SJ, educator and activist, Nicaragua
Marina Christensen Justice Award—Jessica Spanswick
Jessica Spanswick graduated with a major in international relations
and a minor in peace and global studies. She has been a Sabo
Scholar in civic engagement, a Hoversten Peace Scholar, a Peace
Prize Forum Peace Scholar, and a Lilly Scholar. Locally, she has
worked with grass-roots organizations on environmental issues and
has tutored Kenyan and Somali immigrants in a neighborhood program. Spanswick studied abroad in Namibia, and while there she
worked on HIV/AIDS events and water rights issues. The Marina
Christensen Justice Award honors a student who has demonstrated a
dedication to community involvement as characterized by the personal and professional life of Marina Christensen Justice, who
reached out to disadvantaged people and communities.
JUNE 27 COMMENCEMENT
492 weekend/evening and Rochester undergraduate students, and
graduate students in business, education, leadership, nursing,
and social work
Speaker—Congressman Keith Ellison
Honorary degree—Peter Heegaard, founder of Urban Adventure
Richard J. Thoni Award—Michele Roulet
Michele Roulet graduated with a major in studio art and a minor in
religion. In immersing herself in student life at Augsburg, Michele
provided leadership, community spirit, hospitality, and innovation
within the adult programs. She served as Weekend College Student
Senate vice president and president and as a student commissioner
in Campus Ministry. Her leadership created the First Word gatherings, an on-campus faith community for adult students. In the wider
community, she has worked with programs to combat hunger. The
Richard J. Thoni Award is given to a weekend student who exemplifies the spirit of community involvement demonstrated by Rick
Thoni’s career at Augsburg.
To view slide shows and a video of Governor Pawlenty’s commencement address, go to www.augsburg.edu and click on the YouTube icon.
commencement
IT’S ALL ABOUT FAMILY AT AUGSBURG
Jeff and Suzi Burt and their daugher, Crystal Studer,
graduated together, all receiving nursing degrees.
Studer is a nurse at the hospital in
Austin. “Augsburg’s been great,” she says.
“It’s made me a more well-rounded nurse,
and the faculty is phenomenal.”
A little more than a year after Suzi and
Crystal began, Jeff returned to the program.
“Mayo is in the process of going bachelor’sonly for RNs,” Jeff says. “If you have an
[associate’s degree in nursing], you'll be required to go back. I just thought it was the
best thing to do.”
All three say there are benefits to having family members in the program at the
same time. Suzi and Crystal were frequently in the same class, and since they
also live across the street from each other
in Blooming Prairie, Minn., they were able
to share textbooks. They have also encouraged and motivated each other as they
worked to balance work, school, and family.
“As a married couple, it’s nice to be in
the same thing because you know what
each other is going through,” Suzi says.
While excited to finish, all three found
the program both rewarding and beneficial.
“It’s been better than I thought,” Crystal
says. “In your first two years, you learn a lot
of skills. In these two years [at Augsburg],
you learn why we do what we do. The content has all been really useful, and it has
inspired me.”
JEFF AND SUZI BURT AND
CRYSTAL STUDER
CAROL DEMULLING, SARAH
DEMULLING, AND HEATHER DEKOK
Jeff Burt was the first member of his family
to enroll in Augsburg’s nursing completion
program. He was working at the Mayo
Clinic when he began taking classes at
Augsburg in 2000. He stopped about
three-quarters of the way through the program to allow his wife, Suzi, to enroll in a
two-year nursing program at Riverland
Community College in Austin, Minn.
In fall 2008, Suzi Burt and Crystal
Studer, one of the couple’s daughters, enrolled at Augsburg, largely because of Jeff’s
positive experience.
Carol Demulling and her daughters Sarah
Demulling and Heather Dekok all ended up
in Augsburg’s business administration program for the same reason—they all knew
the education they had wasn’t going to be
enough.
While all three have positions at Mayo
Clinic and the two daughters have two-year
degrees, they wanted more opportunities for
advancement.
“When I started work in the ’70s, you
could have a high school education and work
your way up,” Carol says. “To make moves
Families have always been a big part of
Augsburg—second- and third-generation
Auggies, Auggies following the paths blazed
by older siblings, and couples who met at
Augsburg and inspired their children to
attend.
The June 27 Commencement, however,
featured a new twist: two families of parents and children from Augsburg’s
Rochester campus graduating together. The
first is a mother, father, and daughter, all
earning bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The
second featured a mother and two daughters who studied business administration
together.
Carol Demulling (center) and her daughters Sarah
Demulling (left) and Heather Dekok (right) graduated
with business administration degrees.
now, you need education.”
Her daughter Heather was a little more
blunt. “I graduated with a two-year degree in
business in 2005,” she says. “And I realized
that a two-year degree doesn’t do anything.”
They all say their Augsburg education
has been practical from the beginning.
Dekok works in the international office at
Mayo Clinic, and what she has learned
about different cultures has been immediately applicable.
“I work in an office full of women,” she
says. “Some of the countries we deal with,
they frown upon women in the workplace.
You realize why you get some of the attitudes that you do at times.”
Carol developed a complicated spreadsheet for a class project that is still being
used by members of her office in the evaluation of grant proposals.
As they finish at Augsburg, they’re
happy to have experienced college together
and appreciate the people they met through
the process.
“I didn’t really realize until the last two
trimesters how many relationships we’ve
built here,” Carol says. “People in the
Mayo system, people at IBM. I’ve really enjoyed that and getting to know these people. We all have something in common.”
JEFF SHELMAN
Summer 2010
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Augsburg Now
step
in the right direction
A
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Editor’s note—In order to be respectful of the students in
the StepUP program, their last names are not used.
StepUP students wear purple cords when
they graduate from Augsburg.
GOING TO COLLEGE
was never a part of Emily A.’s future plans.
She dropped out of high school and eventually
got her GED. When she first heard about
StepUP®, she was in her late twenties and living in a sober house in St. Paul.
“I thought my time had passed,” Emily
said. “College was one of the mountains I just
wasn’t going to climb.”
But she called Augsburg and made an appointment with Patrice Salmeri, StepUP program director. “All the time she was talking to
me, I was saying, ‘Yeah, yeah. Sounds great,’
but I had no intention of applying.”
Then she met Chris Belbeck ’06, an admissions counselor and a StepUP alumnus. “He
asked me, ‘What are you waiting for?’ and he
wasn’t taking no for an answer.” So before she
left campus that day, she had started filling
out an application.
Four years later, Emily graduated with honors from Augsburg this spring. “I didn’t have
any goals when I was using,” she says. “But
StepUP has taught me that I have amazing
drive and potential.” Without StepUP, Emily
says she doubts she would have even tried
going to college.
Since 1997, the StepUP program has
helped students in recovery from addiction to
alcohol and other drugs learn similar lessons
about themselves. To date, more than 400
students from across the nation have participated and have maintained an 85% abstinence rate while in the program. They are
successful in sobriety and in the classroom,
earning a collective 3.2 GPA at Augsburg.
For many StepUP graduates, the thought of
going to college was at one time unimaginable—never mind staying sober in school and
getting good grades. But the StepUP community has given many students in recovery the
opportunity to contribute to society in ways
they never thought they would.
(Photo at left) Emily A. ’10 and Tyler P. ’11
The community is the program
Several colleges and universities sponsor 12-step meetings and
provide academic support or counseling services for students in
recovery. But StepUP goes further by offering chemical-free housing for students in what they refer to as a collegiate recovery
community.
“The community is a safe place where you feel supported,”
says Scott Washburn, the program’s assistant director. The students guard and protect the safety of the community by holding each other accountable.
While they are involved in StepUP, students meet individually with a StepUP counselor each week. They are required to
attend two 12-step meetings per week and to maintain an active working relationship with a sponsor. Students also attend
a weekly StepUP community meeting where they hear from
outside speakers, discuss program business, share service opportunities, and celebrate even the smallest of victories.
“Getting an A on a math test or just making it to the first day
of class, those are chances for us to celebrate,” says Salmeri.
“The little things really make a difference.”
Achieving success—in sobriety, academically, and in the community—is part of the StepUP culture. “We build positive community norms that are geared toward succeeding, growing, and
doing well,” Washburn says. “That’s why it’s different. That’s why
it works.”
The other component of StepUP that makes it stand out from
traditional recovery programs is that the program is constantly
shaped by student input. In particular, students serve on the leadership team, which meets regularly with staff to share what is
happening in the community and to keep the program moving in
the right direction.
“The students really take initiative to make changes
for the better in the community,” Salmeri says. This
mature partnership, where staff and students work
together, gives students the confidence to develop
into leaders. Salmeri adds, “I can see the potential
in them, and it is our role to help them realize it
within themselves.”
A perfect fit
The idea for StepUP began when two students at Augsburg
approached Don Warren, the former director of Augsburg’s
Summer 2010
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Center for Learning and Adaptive Student
Services (CLASS), to ask for his help. The
students shared with Warren how being in
college was difficult for them. They struggled not only with the usual day-to-day challenges of college life but also with staying
clean and sober.
Warren turned to Dave Hadden, then
the educational and vocational liaison at
Hazelden, for his help. Washburn, who
worked with Hadden at that time, said
Hadden had developed an educational and
vocational packet for patients coming out
of treatment “to get them thinking about
their direction in life,” Washburn says, but
they didn’t have a college to recommend.
In fact, Washburn says, “We would discourage young people from going to college straight out of treatment. We told
them they needed a year of sobriety first
and a really solid foundation.”
Warren and Hadden’s idea for a residential program that would offer counseling and support proved to be just the
foundation students needed to transition
from treatment to college. In the fall of
1997, 23 students moved into Anderson
Hall to begin college and the StepUP program. Thirteen years later, the program
serves 72 students who live in Oren Gateway Center, a chemical-free facility that is
also home to the StepUP staff offices.
Washburn believes the StepUP program
and its students have flourished at Augsburg
due in part to the values shared by the program and the College. “Augsburg’s culture
is about providing access and helping all
kinds of students get the support they need
to be successful,” he says. “That’s perfect
for students like ours.”
Also, as a private liberal arts college of
the ELCA, Washburn says the Augsburg
community is open to conversations about
spirituality. In 12-step programs, students
learn to rely on a higher power or a God of
their understanding. “We work really hard
with students to help them define their
meaning and purpose …” Washburn adds.
14
Augsburg Now
Students receive a medallion when they
complete the StepUP program.
Part of that purpose is being of service
to others, another value in line with
Augsburg’s mission. “We help students
find a vision and see that no matter what
they do, they can make a difference in the
world,” Washburn says. Making a difference means being of service to the community—not just the StepUP community
or the recovery community but at
Augsburg, in the city, and throughout
the world.
Success through service
Being a part of the StepUP community
helps students maintain sobriety because
it gives them a chance to help others.
Being “of service” is an essential component of any 12-step recovery program,
whether it is by sponsoring others, sharing
in meetings, or even making coffee.
Tyler P. has learned that success in college can come through helping others, not
just from studying. After he faced serious
consequences from his drug use, Tyler entered treatment at Hazelden. One of his
friends from treatment, the only one he
knew who had stayed sober, was in
StepUP. Tyler saw that the young man was
a good student and that he wasn’t getting
high or drunk. For Tyler, that kind of life
was hard to imagine.
He enrolled at Augsburg in 2008 and
now participates in the StepUP community, sharing his experience with other
men as a sponsor. “I’ve earned more As
through being of service to others than
when I white-knuckled it for eight hours
cramming for a test,” he says.
In recovery, Tyler has seen students
transform their lives. “I’ve seen guys go
from not being able to sweep the floor
when they first get sober to being able to
run meetings, get on the dean’s list, and
participate in life.”
And Tyler’s life has also been transformed. “I was not an all-star student in
high school, but I’ve found a lot of success here.” He’s been on the dean’s list
for three semesters and has developed a
network of sober friends. Most importantly, Tyler says being a part of the community has given him the chance to
practice the principles he’s learned in his
recovery program.
A new way of living
Salmeri says StepUP also helps students
learn that they are leaders and role models, not only for other students in recovery
but for all members of the Augsburg community. Students can serve in formal leadership positions in StepUP, in student
government, as a member of residence
life, or by participating in athletics. But
many also become role models to their
peers simply by becoming the people they
were meant to be.
When Julia G. first learned about the
StepUP program, she had only been sober
for a few weeks. As time passed and she
neared the six-month mark of her sobriety,
the minimum requirement for acceptance
into StepUP, Julia realized that going back
to college was possible for her.
While in the program, students in
StepUP are required to live on campus.
This meant that Julia, who had been living
in a sober house where she was the
youngest resident, would now be the oldest
woman in her residence hall.
For the first month, Julia says she felt
out of place because of the age difference.
“I thought I was unique because I had more
life experience,” she says. “I judged the
other girls.”
Eventually Julia began to realize she was
more like the other students than she had
thought. “We all had different experiences,
but we also had something very important in
common.” That sense of belonging helped
Julia form “intense, involved relationships”
with the other students. “For the first time
in my life, I was a trustworthy person. It
meant a lot to me that the other women
looked up to me.”
Today Julia has a degree, a career she
calls “fantastic,” and a relationship with her
nine-year-old son. And she’s stayed sober
for seven years. “I really turned into myself
at Augsburg,” Julia says. “StepUP showed
me that anything is possible.”
Moving in the right direction
Over the years, StepUP has provided a safe,
supportive community for hundreds of students. The program has allowed them to
achieve the goal of college graduation while
also staying clean and sober—a goal that
was at one time overshadowed by their addiction. And the confidence students gain in
StepUP keeps them going in the right direction after they move on from Augsburg.
Witnessing this achievement is a great
joy for Salmeri and the other StepUP staff.
“The privilege of my position as director is
to witness the growth of each student as
they experience the transition into mature
adults,” she says.
For 10 years, Salmeri says her dream job
was to work for Augsburg in the StepUP program. “After eight years of working here, I
can still say it is my dream job. I feel honored and humbled to work with the students
and their families.”
“I am your biggest fan”
Every year the StepUP program celebrates the accomplishments of its graduates—
those who have completed their studies at Augsburg as well as those who have
completed their residency with StepUP and will move off campus. The StepUP graduation ceremony is a special time set aside to recognize the outstanding achievements of the StepUP students and for the Augsburg community to hear their
inspirational stories.
The theme, chosen by the students on the StepUP leadership council, was “I am
your biggest fan.”
These are sentiments shared by Patrice Salmeri, StepUP program director, at this
year’s ceremony:
“… let this statement sink deep into your soul. Write it on a rock. Etch it
on a tree. I am your biggest fan. I am rooting for you all the way. And it has
been this way since your first contact with the StepUP program. Through
the ups and downs, the difficulties and celebrations, life’s twists and
turns—I am your biggest fan!
Your legacy here at Augsburg and the StepUP program has already been
left, and it is more than enough! Whether it was a kind word you said or
being a consistent friend in another’s life, you may never know. But each
of you has left their mark on this place and it is forever changed because
of your presence.”
A tradition at the StepUP graduation is for a student to read from “The Awakening,”
an anonymous poem about recovery. This is an excerpt from the poem:
You learn that, for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve …
and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything
worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is
different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that
in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance. You
also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it’s OK to risk asking for help.
Summer 2010
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So try to jog your memory bank and answer this question:
Just when was the last time you were on the Augsburg campus? And we’re
talking about really being on campus. You know, park the car, get out, walk
around, go into a building. Because giving a little wave when you see the
sign atop Mort as you cruise down Interstate 94 doesn’t count.
Has it been a year? Two? Five? That’s all right. We’re not going to judge.
Everybody is busy, you don’t always get to Cedar-Riverside, we get that.
But we also know that sometimes you just need a little inspiration. And
that’s why you need to keep reading. Because while you only need one
reason to come back to campus and remember the role that Augsburg
played in shaping your life, we’re going to give you 10. So stop by, check
the place out, see how much it has changed.
And be an Auggie.
10 reasons to come back to campus
BY JEFF SHELMAN
16
Augsburg Now
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0
OREN GATEWAY CENTER
If it has truly been a while since you’ve been on campus, well, this
is Augsburg’s new front door. Located on Riverside Avenue, the
Oren Gateway Center is the newest building on campus. The multipurpose building has classrooms, residences, offices, meeting
rooms, and common spaces. And if you want to learn about alumni
programming, our Alumni and Constituent Relations folks are
located on the third floor.
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2
Campus model
Yes, we know the Augsburg campus has a new look
to it. But it isn’t a finished product either. In the
lobby of Oren Gateway Center is a model that depicts what Augsburg’s campus master plan looks
like. You can see where the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion will go. Once that is
built, Augsburg’s urban campus will have green
space from 20th Avenue to Kennedy Center.
3 GET SOME GEAR
Let’s be honest, that Augsburg sweatshirt in your
closet is looking pretty grungy, isn’t it? We can fix
that. The Augsburg bookstore in Oren Gateway Center
has many ways for you to show off some Auggie pride.
A hat for the golf course? Check. A sweatshirt for fall
weekends? Yep. Cool workout gear for the gym? We’ve
got that too.
Gear
Summer 2010
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4
EAT
The food available on campus is no longer how
you remember it. It isn’t mass produced and boring. It actually has, you know, flavor. The folks at
Nabo, in Oren, will make a fresh sandwich or salad
right before your eyes. There’s also homemade
soup and even sushi. At the A-Club Grille in the
lower level of Christensen Center, the options
range from burgers to chicken sandwiches to
wings, and fresh fries are an option. Our choice?
We love Nabo’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (left).
You’ll just need a few extra napkins.
5
VELKOMMEN JUL
On the topic of eating, who doesn’t need some
sweets as you head into Advent? Stop by campus on
Friday, Dec. 3, and take part in the Augsburg tradition that honors our Scandinavian heritage. And if
anybody can make treats the way your mother and
grandmother did, it is the Augsburg Associates, a
group of volunteers who support the College.
6 Athletic events
For each of the past two years, Augsburg has
been the most improved athletic program in the
MIAC, and teams are making the playoffs with
much greater frequency than ever before. Why
not load up the family and watch some of our
student-athletes show their Auggie pride? Our defending national champion wrestling team takes
on rival Wartburg in the Battle of the ’Burgs on
January 18, 2011. There’s a home football game
each Saturday in September. Other schedules
can be found at www.augsburg.edu/athletics.
18
Augsburg Now
8
7 Christensen Center
We know how you work. You have a
meeting somewhere in Minneapolis, it
ends, and you proceed directly to Starbucks or Caribou. Right? If you’re near
campus, why don’t you stop by Christensen Center? It’s a little different
than last time you were here. Cooper’s
will brew you up some good java and
you can get a wi-fi password at the
info desk. And you might meet some
current Auggies.
Art on
campus
There’s the Gage Family Art Gallery in Oren Gateway
Center. There’s the Christensen Center Art Gallery.
And there’s also a student gallery on the main level of
Christensen. Stop by, see some of the cool stuff from
local and Augsburg artists in the galleries and across
campus. Exhibit information can be found at
www.augsburg.edu/galleries.
9 DAILY CHAPEL
There are days when you just need a little reflection,
a reminder of what is really important. At Augsburg,
there is time set aside to do just that. On Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:20 a.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:20 a.m., a 20-minute
chapel service is held during the academic year.
While daily chapel is considered a given by Auggies,
it is very much a rarity for liberal arts colleges. Stop
by and take a break from your busy day.
10
Homecoming
If you are only going to make one
trip to Augsburg in the next year,
make it for Homecoming weekend,
Oct. 15-16. Among the highlights is
the expanded Taste of Augsburg
prior to the football game against
Concordia Moorhead. After the
game with the Cobbers, stick
around for the Auggie Block Party
and see old friends and classmates.
Summer 2010
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BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
College students who take a literature course expect to do a lot of reading. But few who
register for a course titled “Environmental Literature” would imagine being asked to go
camping, wear the same clothing for a week, or borrow someone’s book and not return it.
A student wouldn’t expect this—unless he or she had taken a course from Colin
Irvine, associate professor of English and environmental studies. In order to encourage
his students to experience the literal and literary landscape more deeply, students in
Irvine’s spring semester course found themselves taking on some creative challenges.
In addition to reading books and taking exams, students were asked to observe a spot
in nature and note its changes over time, learn to identify Minnesota’s birds, wear the
same outfit for one week, spend 24 hours in the great outdoors, and go “off the grid” for
an entire weekend.
The point of these unusual assignments was to challenge students to move outside of
their comfort zones. “I wanted, as Thoreau suggested at the outset of Walden, to wake
them up to help them see their world—not the distant world connected with wilderness
but the one they inhabit daily—as being connected to a dynamic, ultimately dangerous
living, evolving world. I wanted them, in short, to feel challenged, unsettled, unsafe,”
Irvine says.
“It’s a risk when you put these kind of things in the syllabus, but I got away
with it.”
On the following pages, students share some of their blog and journal entries about Irvine’s challenges.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only
the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to
teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
HENRY DAVID THOREAU, WALDEN
20
Augsburg Now
BECOME A BUDDING
phenologist
(pun intended)
Select a plot of land and visit two
to three times a week. Spend time
in your place observing, recording, and reflecting on what you
find, hear, note, and think.
SPRING IN THE CITY
It seems as if my professor was right in his recommendation to visit our sites
twice a week. If I had followed his advice, perhaps I would be able to better appreciate my hillside. Where I stand right now, I am unsure as to how much has
changed and how drastically so. The snow is slowly receding into an indistinguishable brown mass of diamond dirt. Wildlife can be heard through the dripping trees
as well; the chattering squirrels, the squawking crows, the cooing mourning doves.
Something that strikes me as I stand here is the indescribable sense of movement
I feel from my site. The water from the once frozen crack in the concrete dam is
now a dull trickle on the hill. In the right moment, a flash of sun bounces off of
the stream and hits my eye.
This sharp glint always jars me awake from my hypnotized state; I feel a bit
silly admitting this, but I often lose myself in the sight of the hillside. It’s as if all
of the attempts of description are fruitless as my words hold no candle to the majestic power of nature. The subtle movement of the water almost gives the land a
pulse. With each trickle of the stream, the surrounding leaves shift and rearrange.
The grass sways above the mud’s restless state and the flow of the dirty water
draws me in; it’s almost as if the pulse of the hillside is acting as a siren. The
movement in the grounds suggests a voice; a voice that beckons me to join with
the land. To see my plot of land move, so see it breathe, this is an experience I
have never had before.
DAVE MADSEN ’11
THISONE’SFOR
the birds
Learn to identify the birds of Minnesota by their physical
characteristics and by their calls.
MARCH 1, 2010
I’m so pleased that now I know what a cardinal
sounds like—a great mystery of my life, solved!
There are three of them—two males and a huge
female—that frequent my mulberry bushes and
the neighbor’s tree, but somehow I’ve never made
the connection before that they’re the ones whose
song I wake up early to on work days. I’ve been late
more than once on my way to the coffee shop; I can’t
help but pause and watch them hop and flutter from
branch to branch, circling each other in some birdish
dance that I suspect is carefully organized, though I
can’t tell what they’re doing.
The downside of my new bird watching discovery is
that I can’t whistle. When my dad would take me hiking
as a little kid, I was constantly fascinated by his ability
not only to identify birds by their calls but also to repeat
them, and I’ve tried my whole life but never learned how
to do the same. When I was five, I remember writing a
list of things I had to learn how to do: zip zippers, cartwheel, snap my fingers, raise one eyebrow, tie my own
shoes, and whistle. The cartwheel and the whistle have
never been checked off.
DALEY KONCHAR FARR ’13
Summer 2010
21
GOINGOFF
the grid
Go off the grid for three days—a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Though there are
many reasons tied to this course that I am presenting you with this challenge,
here are four of the most important: first, when we are plugged in, we are often
tuned out to the natural sights and sounds specific and central to this course’s
focus on landscape; second, when we are off the grid, we are more inclined to
sync with those around us, an important consideration given the emphasis in this
course on communities; third, unplugging means consuming less and thus preserving/conserving more; fourth (though not finally), much of today’s communications-based technology reinforces the idea that having instant access to
information in small bits represents progress.
Jessica was determined to go off the grid one weekend, but she was waiting
for important news from her family. She received the call and then checked
her e-mail to find a message from her graduate school program, which required her to log on and register for classes. She didn’t make it entirely off
the grid—she didn’t call anyone and checked e-mail only twice a day. She
wrote, “But I know, deep down, that this doesn’t count.”
GOING OFF THE GRID: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (EXCERPT)
I have become entirely trapped in our mechanized society. The demands
placed on me are not the be-all and end-all of the world, but it is easy to define them as such. This being said, I do not completely resent the technology I have allowed to enter my life.
My family has always been very close, and even now, as a senior in college, my parents call me at least three times a week to check in. I do not resent their phone calls, but I relish the contact I have with my family, it
helps me feel connected to them. In the same way, some close friends that
do not go to school here talk to me via various types of communication. It
helps to keep us together when we cannot be physically together. I think
there is a danger in setting aside the people we are physically present with
for those who are distances away, but there is also a danger in shunning
people we could be communicating with for those that are closer. I don’t
think technology is evil; it, like everything else, can be used poorly and
abused. The key is to use it wisely.
I would like to try to go off-grid some other time, because there is no way
to understand how to truly utilize technology if we don’t know what life is
like without it.
JESSICA FANASELLE ’10
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the
mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are
useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.”
JOHN MUIR
22
Augsburg Now
Bear Grylls
HASGOT NOTHINGONYOU
By the end of spring break, spend 24
uninterrupted hours in Minnesota’s
great outdoors.
3/21 IT’S FREEZING!!
We didn’t anticipate these temperatures. The night dragged on, freezing temperatures resulted
in tossing and turning and shivering all night. I think we all learned a valuable lesson—it’s impossible to share a mummy bag. 24 hours later and the land seems unchanged except for the
layer of frost that confirmed the freeze. It seemed like time froze along with the water in the
bottle outside of the tent (note: always take the time to tuck the water bottle UNDER the tarp
INSIDE the tent). It was hard to fully appreciate the hours without sun. No sleep, the shivers,
numb toes, sounds like initiation criteria. It’s amazing how a few hours of pain and uncomfortable conditions can change how you feel about the outdoors, I’d been winter camping twice before but this was definitely more of a challenge. We may have underestimated the amount of
preparation and anticipation that was needed but by morning it didn’t matter.
MATIE MINASIE ’11
CAN I BORROW
your book?
Borrow Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit from someone—perhaps a
stranger—and then convince that person to let you give the book away to someone else.
I USED TO BELIEVE
I used to believe, before coming to Augsburg, that ‘try’ was a useless word. I used to believe that if something couldn’t be accomplished fully, successfully, it wasn’t worth much. I used to believe
that everything I did meant only what value could be found in final
products.
I think my journey away from this belief has taken place slowly
over the last four years but it seems perfect and fitting to me that
this Environmental Literature class, with its challenges, has come
at the end of my Augsburg education. The challenges of this curriculum represent everything I was wrong about before coming
here. Education, growth, things of beauty and worth are rarely born
from end products. Trying to spend 24 hours outside, trying to
spend a week not planning outfits each morning, trying to memorize Minnesota birds, trying to find a copy of Ishmael that someone
would let me borrow then give away, trying to spend hours writing
outdoors in the bitterness of February, these attempts taught me
more about myself and the world around me than easily succeeding ever could have.
Some of the challenges I completed, some I completed creatively, and some I failed but I don’t feel that any taught me less
than another.
Find all the Environmental Literature
challenges at www.augsburg.edu/now
One of the best examples of all this, I think, was the challenge
to find a copy of Ishmael to borrow and give away. In my search, I
learned who around me had read the book and wanted to talk
about it when I’d finished (though none from that group still had
the copy they’d read), who wanted to borrow it from me when I was
done, and what it would mean for me to give up a book that had no
intention of coming back to me in physical form. Now I understand, in a way I didn’t before, that a conversation with my father
(who will receive Ishmael from me) about the book is worth more
that the book’s long life on my shelf.
When I couldn’t find a copy of Ishmael from anyone I knew, I
ended up making a trade for the book at a used bookstore in St. Paul.
“Ishmael?” the girl behind the counter said as she handed it
over, “this book will change your life.”
Having finished reading it, I know she was right but that she
may not have understood entirely what she was saying. The book
has changed my life, to be sure, but the journey to find it and the
conversations that will come are life-changing things as well. We
do not grow through successes, final products, and exams but
through journeys, challenges, and trying things once, twice, or fifty
times without fear of the result.
MOLLY BUDKE ’10
Summer 2010
23
MARK MATZEK
It was spring 2007 and Mark Matzek ’05 couldn’t sleep. He was 25
years old, had just finished his first full year of teaching mathematics at Apple Valley High School, and suddenly was faced with a significant life decision.
Ever since deciding to become a high school teacher, Matzek’s
goal was to return to his hometown of Ellsworth, Wis., coach his
nephews on the wrestling mat, and teach math to his nieces. With
only two coaches over the past 60 years, Ellsworth had become a
wrestling power in Wisconsin, and continuing that interested Matzek.
But Matzek was also an Auggie. The three-time All-American and
two-time national champion had spent two years as a part-time assistant coach at his alma mater.
So, three years ago Matzek had to make a choice. A math position
opened in Ellsworth and plans would be made to make him the
coach-in-waiting. At the same time, Jeff Swenson retired as
Augsburg’s wrestling coach, the assistant coach was promoted, and
Matzek was offered the full-time assistant coach position.
“I kept waking up thinking Augsburg was the right choice,”
Matzek says.
Turns out it was.
BACK ON TOP AT NO. 1
Fast forward three years and Matzek doesn’t have some of the worries
that many 28-year-olds have. He doesn’t worry about whether that promotion is really going to happen. He doesn’t fret about that next job.
And he isn’t in that wondering-what-is-next mode that seems to go
along with that time of one’s life.
24
Augsburg Now
Nine years on the mats
BY JEFF SHELMAN
Fresh off a Colorado vacation filled with mountain climbing,
Matzek couldn’t be more comfortable with where he is. And for good
reason. Sitting in his Kennedy Center office, Matzek has two pieces of
serious hardware within arm’s reach. The first is for the NCAA Division III wrestling national championship that Augsburg won in March.
The second is for Matzek being named Division III Coach of the Year.
“There is no ‘what’s next’,” says Matzek, the youngest coach to
ever win a Division III title. “This is where I want to be. It’s Augsburg. This is the premier small wrestling school in America. This is
a dream job.”
And this winter, the Augsburg wrestling program truly became
Matzek’s program. With former coach/program architect/athletic director Jeff Swenson ’79 simply a spectator, Matzek led the Auggies
to one of its most successful seasons in school history.
The Auggies simply didn’t lose. A team with great balance,
Augsburg was perfect in dual meets; it won every tournament it entered and the Auggies closed the season by winning their 11th national championship in the past 20 years. It was a season that
included dual meet victories over the teams that finished both first
and second in the Division II championship and a drama-free Division III national championship in which Augsburg clinched the
title before the championship matches began.
While there were certainly questions about whether Matzek
would be able to keep the Augsburg wrestling program at the same
level—the fact that he looks both younger than his age and
younger than some of his wrestlers didn’t help—there is little
question now.
“I couldn’t be happier for Mark; they got the monkey off their
back,” Swenson says. “You win one and then you don’t have to answer the question any longer. And I couldn’t be happier that I had
nothing to do with it.”
Matzek says he didn’t feel pressure to win that first title, but he
also knows that there were people nationally who expected a misstep.
“If Augsburg was ever going to falter, it was going to be the last
two years,” he says. “And we finished second and first.”
BUMPS ALONG THE WAY
It was a little more than two years ago when Swenson walked into
Matzek’s office and asked him to serve as the program’s interim
coach. It was the end of July, the school year was less than six weeks
from starting and Matzek was handed the keys.
“Was I prepared as well as others in the nation? No,” Matzek says.
“But I didn’t want it to go outside the Augsburg family. I didn’t really
know what I had agreed to until I went home and told my wife.”
The next eight months were a blur for Matzek, who at times was
just trying to stay a step ahead of his wrestlers and make it to the
next day.
Because in addition to leading the Auggies, he was also part of the
way through a graduate program at Concordia-St. Paul, a program
that was much more manageable when he was an assistant coach.
“I had three full-time jobs,” he joked. “I had Augsburg, I had my
master’s program, and I had my wife. Our guys would study and I’d
be there working on my homework at the same time.”
Summer 2010
25
MARK MATZEK AT AUGSBURG
2001-05: Student-athlete
Two individual national championships
Three-time All-American
The team won two national titles and
had two runner-up finishes.
2005-2008: Assistant coach
Augsburg won the 2007 national
championship and finished third in
both 2006 and 2008.
2008-09: Interim head coach
Team rose to No. 1 in the national
rankings and won the National Duals.
2009-10: Permanent head coach
The Auggies completed a perfect season,
winning every dual meet and tournament.
Augsburg won its 11th Division III national championship in the past 20 years.
Matzek was named Division III Coach of
the Year.
The Auggies finished second at the
NCAA championships.
While athletics may not be as cutthroat
at the Division III level as it is, say, in the
Big Ten, contests are still scored and it isn’t
intramurals.
“I didn’t want to just hold on and be a
bridge from one coach to another,” Matzek
says. “I wanted to win the title for those
guys. It was a year of extreme highs and extreme lows for me. I was learning to manage
all of the different guys, manage personalities and figure out that not all athletes were
like me when I was in college.”
Matzek was certainly more than just the
guy to get Augsburg by. The Auggies defeated rival Wartburg, won the Division III
National Duals, and entered the NCAA
Championships ranked No. 1 in the country.
“I knew we didn’t have as good of a tournament team as we did a dual meet team,”
Matzek says. “We had a couple of injuries,
and we had a couple of matches that didn’t
go our way. After the first day I knew it was
going to be tough.”
The Auggies finished second, but
Matzek did enough to ensure his future as
Augsburg’s head coach. While the search
26
Augsburg Now
committee did bring in two outside candidates to interview for the position, Matzek
was hired.
“Given the circumstances, he did a
great job,” Swenson says. “We were a
lowly-ranked team and he took us to the
No. 1 ranking and a second-place finish.
There was a real strong assumption with
the committee that he had done a good
enough job.”
IN THE RIGHT PLACE NOW
While Matzek has been a head coach for
only two seasons—and only one season in
which he knew the job was really his—he
has impressed the guy who is both his boss
and the architect of the Augsburg program.
“I think Mark has become a quick expert at preparing his teams for competition,” Swenson says. “I think he gets it. I
believe he has taken the Augsburg system
and tweaked it to have Mark Matzek’s
name on it. He’s done it by having a keen
sense of what athletes need.
“He’s a lot closer in age to his
wrestlers. He knows how it feels to go
through this. He’s really in tune to when
the guys need to be pushed, need a day
off, need rest.”
Like anyone in a new job, the second
year was easier for Matzek than the first.
He had a better understanding of what the
job entailed, there were fewer surprises,
and he could learn from both high points
and challenges of his first year.
And when the Auggies reached the
NCAA Championships, Matzek knew the
work had been done.
“I don’t want to sound cocky or arrogant, but we expected [the national championship], we expected to win it,” he says.
“It wasn’t a real surprise.”
While Swenson was happy for Matzek,
Matzek was happy for his boss.
“It was big for Augsburg wrestling to
win it without Jeff in the wrestling room, it
was a big relief for him and the search
committee,” Matzek says. “They took a
chance and it worked out.”
And, as a result, Matzek is exactly
where he wants to be.
m
c
Making Connections
making
connections
In theatre, as in life, finding success is often about who
you know. But knowing the right people isn’t enough. In order
to build the foundation for a thriving career in theatre, students
need to form and maintain connections with the people and
the places that make up the “theatre scene.”
Perhaps this is one of the most important lessons that Augsburg
theatre students learn. Through participation in AugSem, the
Artist Series, internships, and by attending some of the hundreds
of productions staged throughout the Twin Cities every year, stu-
dents are challenged to go away from Augsburg, and sometimes
outside of their comfort zones, in order to make connections in the
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
theatre community.
Summer 2010
27
CONNECTING
TO THE CITY
From the beginning of her Augsburg education, Tessa Flynn ’05 says she was encouraged to get involved in the city. A theatre
arts and mass communication major, she
was particularly interested in the role of
theatre in the public school system. She
was fortunate to land an internship with the
Children’s Theatre Company following her
sophomore year, an opportunity that served
as her introduction to critical literacy in the
classroom.
The Children’s Theatre’s Neighborhood
Bridges program was started in 1997 by
Jack Zipes, fairy tale scholar, and the Children’s Theatre Company artistic director,
Peter Brosius. Using a variety of mediums such as theatre arts, storytelling, and creative writing, students work through issues in their
lives and develop critical thinking and communication skills. “It’s like
a little poison, this whole critical literacy thing,” Flynn says. “It gets
in your system, and your teaching is forever changed.”
Before Flynn’s last year of school, sociology professor Garry Hesser
encouraged her to get involved with the Project for Pride in Living college house in the Phillips neighborhood. She lived there with other
college students and tutored middle school students from the community. “I saw that my students needed to break a cycle of violence and
poverty, and I became even more convinced that theatre could be an
important part of that process,” Flynn says.
“Being in the city, you get to have the Guthrie and so
many other theatres as an extension of the classroom.”
KATIE KOCH ’01/’05
Now Flynn is the community engagement manager and a teaching
artist with the Bridges program at Children’s Theatre. She works with
students in grades 3–8 and has 22 classrooms where she spends two
hours a week. Flynn says the Bridges program engages multiple learning styles and allows students to recognize their individual skills.
“When I see students shine in Bridges, who in other areas of the
school day are thought of as low-achieving or who hide in the shadows, I am convinced that this is important work.”
Flynn says she is grateful for the opportunities she had at Augsburg. “I don’t know if I would be where I am now if not for the encouragement of faculty to get involved in the city.”
28
Augsburg Now
Katie Koch ’01/’05 also made many
connections in the city that led her on
a circuitous path—from campus to
downtown Minneapolis to New York and
back to Augsburg with a few more stops
in between.
Koch started out as a music major,
but when her high school drama
teacher took a position as stage manager at Hey City Theatre, longtime
home of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Koch
was given an opportunity to assist him.
She worked as the assistant stage
Katie Koch ’01/’05
manager and as an actor in Tony n’
Tina’s Wedding at Hey City for three
years while she was in school. “I would be in Augsburg Choir
with my hair in pin curls,” Koch said, “because I literally had
to go straight from rehearsal to the theater.”
She says it was the advice of Sonja Thompson, a piano instructor and vocal coach at Augsburg, that finally convinced
her she could leave the music department. “She said, ‘You’re
doing all this work in theatre … you don’t have to be a music
major,’” Koch says.
Instead of declaring a new major, Koch left school to stage
manage the next show at Hey City, Smokey Joe’s Cafe. She
then became an assistant stage manager for the Minnesota
Opera, went on to work with Glimmerglass Opera in
Cooperstown, N.Y., and freelanced as a stage manager from
Milwaukee to Miami. Eventually she came back to Augsburg
and completed a degree in theatre.
Koch, who was by then a theatre veteran, found herself in
the classroom with younger students. “It was interesting to be
tossed in with a group of young, eager students,” she says. But
she formed relationships with students and even became a
mentor to some. “It was exciting to watch such a talented
group of artists learn and get ready to begin their careers.”
After school, Koch worked at the Ordway Center for the
Performing Arts until a friend encouraged her to respond to a
posting for the assistant to the director of the Guthrie. She
went through several interviews including a very brief interview
with Joe Dowling who, she says, asked her mostly about the
professionals she’d worked with in her career. “I guess he’d already made the decision to hire me,” she says. She’s worked
with Dowling now for three years.
Koch maintains connections to Augsburg, sometimes serv-
“I knew my experience at Augsburg
wouldn’t end after graduation.”
LEE FISHER ’06
Summer 2010
29
Justin Hooper ’07 (left) and Michael Kelley ’05
ing as a guest lecturer and hosting Augsburg student groups who
visit the Guthrie.
“A huge advantage for Augsburg and the theatre department
is the city,” Koch says. “Being in the city, you get to have the
Guthrie and so many other theaters as an extension of the classroom.” She adds that anytime she gets a chance to talk to
Augsburg students, she tells them to take advantage of the opportunities to see high-quality performances in the city. “I say
you need to sit in the seats and watch … this is your
practicum.”
GOING BEHIND
THE SCENES
Each year many aspiring actors come to Augsburg hoping to
make a name for themselves onstage. And while many do just
that, they also sometimes discover and develop their calling to
work behind the scenes by getting involved backstage.
This was the case for Lee Fisher ’06, Michael Kelley ’05,
and Justin Hooper ’07. All three were very talented actors who
performed in a variety of roles while at Augsburg, but each one
also learned a lot about his craft while working on the technical
side of shows.
Fisher, who has taught English and directed the theatre program for five years at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in
Plymouth, says that being a stage manager was an important
part of his education. “When I was behind the scenes, it wasn’t
30
Augsburg Now
about me. As an educator that has been very helpful,” he says.
“Success happens when the focus is on what the students need
and how I can help them.”
Today he directs two major productions a year and frequently
draws on his connections with Augsburg theatre faculty for advice
about organizing shows. He’s sought out professors Michael Burden ’85, Martha Johnson, and Darcey Engen ’88 for help on developing a curriculum and organizing a show, and he says he wouldn’t
be able to do what he’s done without their help.
Fisher also stays in touch with education and English faculty
who were instrumental in his education because he values the professional connections. “I knew my experience at Augsburg wouldn’t
end after graduation,” Fisher says. He adds that his Augsburg professors continue to be sources of guidance and friendship.
“That commitment to bringing in outside artists puts
Augsburg one step higher than other college programs.”
JUSTIN HOOPER ’07
Kelley and Hooper also had eye-opening experiences working
backstage at Augsburg. Kelley says he came to college wanting
to be a professional actor but became interested in other career
possibilities after working in Augsburg’s scene shop for four
years. And Hooper says his experience was all-encompassing because he worked on- and offstage. “There was always a lot of
good discussion,” he adds, noting that theatre majors tended to
spend a lot of time together and to continue their classroom
discussions outside of class. “You see that everything in theatre is so connected.”
Hooper is grateful for the opportunities he had to work with
and get to know guest artists while he was a student. “In theatre, it’s all about who you know,” Hooper says. In addition to
meeting professionals through faculty connections, he and all
theatre students work with actors, directors, and designers from
the community on Augsburg productions. “That commitment to
bringing in outside artists puts Augsburg one step higher than
other college programs.”
The connections they made while studying theatre at
Augsburg have contributed to their busy and sometimes complicated professional careers. Since graduation, they have
acted in and directed shows, painted and designed sets, and
written original and adapted works. They’ve been from
Winona, Minn., to Acadia, Maine, and back. And now, in addition to maintaining their day jobs, the two are putting their
blood, sweat, and tears into managing 3AM Productions, a
small local theatre company.
At 3AM, Kelley says they draw on their connections with
other artists in the community to create unique and multidimensional productions. “We want every show to be something people aren’t used to seeing,” he says. He adds that
they strive to provide a well-rounded “big theatre” experience
to the patrons who are supporting their small theatre. “I
think it’s what we do well.”
During and after college, Steen worked in the box office at the
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. An actor friend there suggested she become a dramaturg, and eventually she went to Columbia to pursue an MFA.
“When students see other actors on the great stages of
this city, they can read their bios and see their training,
and that helps them see how to get from Augsburg’s
stage to another.” CARLA STEEN ’91
Because she had very little experience in the “creative side” of
theatre, Steen says her MFA was an immersion experience. “I said,
‘Oh, so this is how all this works.’”
Today Steen says it is interesting to come back to Augsburg because as a student she wasn’t really involved with the theatre department. She has taught and been a guest lecturer at the College,
and she tries to see at least one production a year.
Steen says theatre students in the Twin Cities are fortunate because of the opportunities to meet and see high-quality actors, directors, and artists. “When students see other actors on the great
FINDING YOUR STAGE
It takes more than theatre majors and faculty and staff to
stage a production. Often many non-majors get involved in
theatre in college but don’t end up in “the business” until
later in life.
Carla Steen ’91 is one student whose path to professional
theatre went through the English and history departments at
Augsburg.
As a first-year student, she ran the light board for Julie
Bolton’s production of Macbeth—with a set designed by Burden (then a graduate student at the University of Minnesota)
and starring Engen as Lady Macbeth. But that was the end of
her participation in theatre at Augsburg as a student.
Instead, Steen, who has worked at the Guthrie for 12
years as a dramaturg and publications manager, studied literary criticism with English professor Doug Green and worked
on a senior honors project under his direction. She also researched Shakespearean history and sources for her history
senior seminar taught by Richard Nelson, now professor
emeritus.
“In many ways, that was the beginning of me thinking
that research for theatre was an interesting thing I could do,”
Steen says.
Carla Steen ’91
Summer 2010
31
“We hire people because they are active
and are creating their own work, not waiting for someone … And they also have
some other passions that aren’t about
theatre.” JENNI LILLEDAHL ’87
Jenni Lilledahl ’87
stages of this city, they can read their bios and see their training, and that
helps them see how to get from Augsburg’s stage to another.”
Another student who played a minor role at Augsburg and went on to a thriving
career in theatre is Jenni Lilledahl ’87. As a student, Lilledahl took courses with
Ailene Cole, now professor emerita. “She seemed like she lived and breathed theatre and was completely consumed with passion for the forum,” Lilledahl says.
“She influenced me as an artist, and I always admired her from a distance.”
Though Lilledahl took courses to obtain a minor in theatre, she felt the need to
study in a more lucrative field. “I remember hearing voices saying, ‘You have to
pay the bills and have a reliable income.’” Lilledahl majored in communication
and public relations.
After graduating and working in corporate public relations, she decided to try
the “comedy thing,” so she started taking improvisation classes and met her future
husband, John Sweeney. Eventually she jumped off the corporate ladder so that
she and Sweeney could pursue their dreams, and the couple moved to Chicago
32
Augsburg Now
and worked at The Second City.
Then in 1997, along with Mark Bergren, the couple bought the Brave New Workshop from its founder,
Dudley Riggs. “John and I had three or so years of experience in theatre but had a lot more business experience,” Lilledahl says. “I guess we were sort of the
oddballs of the theatre community, but Dudley appreciated that we could manage the business as well as the
artistic side.”
As the current co-owner of Brave New Workshop
and executive director of the Brave New Institute,
Lilledahl oversees the theatre’s school, which reaches
more than 150 students a week, and she conducts improvisation workshops around the country. She is also
on the board for Gilda’s Club Twin Cities, an organization that provides emotional and social support for
families impacted by cancer.
Lilledahl returns to Augsburg at least once a year to
speak in chapel. Often her advice to students, which
she says is based on years of seeing who gets work and
who doesn’t, is to get as much stage time as they
can—wherever, whenever, and however—and to have a
life outside of the theatre.
“We hire people because they are active and are
creating their own work, not waiting for someone,” she
says. “And they also have some other passions that
aren’t about theatre.” Lilledahl adds that an actor’s experiences outside of theatre help them bring life to a
script and creativity to the stage.
And perhaps that is what makes all these alumni
successful.
At Augsburg students are trained as actors, directors, and technicians, but they also learn how to become involved in their community as artists and as
informed citizens. They understand that making connections is important to their careers and to their
personal lives as well. They’re encouraged to explore
many aspects of theatre, to develop their craft, and
to work and learn at Augsburg and in the city.
More than blocking and movement or scene study
and character analysis, these are the lessons that
will stick with them as they make their mark on the
world’s stage.
auggie
alumni news
From the Alumni Board president …
Dear fellow alumni,
ummer is in full swing, and that means one thing—
lots of activities to enjoy with our families. Nobody
celebrates summer quite as well as Minnesotans, and
at Augsburg we are no exception. The Alumni Board has a
number of family-friendly events planned for 2010 and
2011, and we hope you’ll join us!
The annual Auggie Day at the Races, held at Canterbury
Park on August 5, usually attracts more than 700 Augsburg
alumni. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to enjoy an evening together. If you didn’t get to it this year, we hope to see you at Canterbury next year.
Another summer favorite is the Minnesota State Fair. When you attend the “Great
Minnesota Get-Together” this year, be sure to visit the Augsburg booth in the Education Building and tell us what you’re up to these days.
Believe it or not, Homecoming is just around the corner—October 10–16. This
year’s events feature something for everyone, including continuing education classes,
Auggie Author Book Signing, alumni concerts, 5K fun run, football game against the
Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers, and much more. Don’t forget to stop by the Alumni
Board booth at the Taste of Augsburg to learn how to get involved. This fun event has
been expanded with more carnival-style booths for a great time for the whole family.
The mission of the Alumni Board is to connect alumni with the College to enjoy
the events, friendships, and company of fellow Auggies. Each year the board has a
planning session to ensure that we support our mission to provide great, compelling
programs that renew and sustain your interest in Augsburg. Some ideas for this year
include an expansion of the Uniquely Augsburg series, similar to June’s Dead Sea
Scrolls event at the Science Museum that featured Professor Phil Quanbeck II; networking events; volunteer opportunities; lectures featuring Augsburg’s beloved faculty; and more.
Augsburg was a gateway to the future for us as students. Now, as alumni, we put
the lessons we learned from Augsburg’s unequaled education into action every day.
Thanks to the life-altering experiences we share because of our alma mater, those of
us on the Alumni Board work hard to unite the alumni of Augsburg College.
Enjoy the rest of the summer! I look forward to seeing you at the many alumni
events.
s
Sincerely,
Welcome, new Alumni Board
members!
At its June meeting, the Augsburg College Alumni
Board welcomed four new members who will
serve three-year terms.
Tracy Anderson is a third generation Auggie. She
graduated in 1995 with a major in communication
and a minor in business administration. Tracy attended Augsburg as a post-secondary student,
studied as a day student, and completed her degree in Weekend College. She is a realtor with
Edina Realty in Edina, and looks forward to networking with alumni and becoming involved in the
Augsburg community.
Christopher Ascher, a 1981 graduate with a major
in finance and minor in psychology, played on
Augsburg’s soccer team and is an A-Club member.
He is senior vice president and a branch manager
for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Bloomington.
He enjoyed meeting more than 80 alumni as host of
the January alumni winetasting event.
Sarah Grans is a youth and family ministry graduate from 2001, also with a minor in psychology.
She is director of outreach and faith formation at
St. Peder’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Minneapolis. As a student she was active in Campus Ministry and was co-commissioner during her
senior year. She wants to give back to Augsburg
and reconnect alumni in meaningful ways.
Sharon Mercill graduated with a bachelor’s degree
in nursing in 2009 in Rochester and is currently a
student in the Master of Arts in Nursing program.
When she attended an Alumni Board meeting for a
study project and enjoyed connecting with other
alumni, she decided to become more involved and
join the board. She is the RN study coordinator of
breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
JOHN STADLER ’07 MAL
PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Summer 2010
33
auggie
alumni news
Eye-Opener Breakfasts
and Speaker Series
Are you looking for an opportunity to hear from Twin
Cities business leaders? Are you interested in a chance to
network with fellow Augsburg alums? Well, Augsburg—
through a pair of programs—has opportunities for you.
The Eye-Opener Breakfast Series is for Augsburg
alumni who want to network and learn from either a business leader or an Augsburg professor. The Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series provides opportunities for
students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to hear from
high-level business executives.
Here’s a look at the first speakers of the next academic
year for both programs with dates to mark on your calendar.
President Pribbenow and members of the Alumni Board celebrated with graduating day program
seniors at their reception in May. (L to R) Rob Wagner ’02, John Stadler ’07 MAL, Holly (Ebnet)
Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA, President Pribbenow, Dale Hanka ’60, Dan Hickle ’95, and Jennifer Carlson ’91.
Eye-Opener Breakfast Series:
The first event of the 2010-11 academic year
will be held on Thursday, Sept. 30. In addition to
breakfast and networking, attendees will hear
from Nate Garvis, former vice president of government affairs and senior public relations officer
for Target Corporation. Garvis will present his
thoughts on innovative ways to share the work of
building prosperous communities. Other EyeOpener Breakfasts will be held in 2011 on January 25 and May 10.
The Eye-Opener Breakfasts are held at Town
and Country Club in St. Paul, from 7–9 a.m. The
cost is $5 person, which includes breakfast.
RSVP by September 27 at
www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
Strommen Executive Leader Speaker Series:
Richard Davis, CEO of U.S. Bank, will be the featured speaker for the first event of the academic
year on November 18, at 5 p.m., in Sateren Auditorium. Additional events will be held on February 3 and April 7, 2011. The speaker series is
free and held on campus.
34
Augsburg Now
2010 Augsburg graduates were excited to join the Alumni Association as they celebrated their
achievements at the Senior Reception. (L to R) Lisa Yankauskas, Rosine Johnson, Brenna McHugh,
and Barbara Simmons.
go es
i
g
g
u
a
Ruth A. Schmidt ’52—Distinguished alumna and educator
Ruth Schmidt, the first female
president of Agnes Scott College, benefactor to Augsburg’s
Women’s Resource Center, and
Distinguished Alumna, died on
May 24 in Decatur, Ga.
Schmidt graduated summa
cum laude in 1952 with a
major in English and minors in
Spanish and library science.
She continued to study Spanish, earning master’s and doctoral degrees, and taught Spanish at the high school and college
levels, including at Wheaton College and the State University of
New York at Albany. After her appointment as dean of humanities
at SUNY Albany, she went on to become president of Agnes Scott
College in Decatur, Ga., until her retirement in 1994. She remained active in retirement through travel, international development work, women’s social justice issues, and peace initiatives.
Her legacy at Agnes Scott includes establishment of study
abroad programs, and increased diversity among faculty and
students.
Professor Emerita Ruth Aaskov ’52 was a classmate of
Schmidt’s, and they became lifelong friends. As students, both
were close to Anne Pederson, their English professor and mentor.
When Augsburg established the Women’s Resource Center in
2000, it was named in memory of Pederson and funded by a generous gift from Schmidt.
0
1
0
2
G
N
M
O
HOMEC
e it!
2010
c
n
e
i
r
e
exp
Block off your calendar for the weekend of October
15–16 and return to campus for Homecoming 2010’s
fun-filled festivities.
The Homecoming Convocation kicks off the weekend on Friday, Oct. 15, when First Decade, Spirit of
Augsburg, and Distinguished Alumni Award winners will
be recognized. Professor Emeritus Philip Quanbeck Sr.
’50 will provide the keynote remarks at the Homecoming Convocation Luncheon.
A number of Augsburg Experience lifelong-learning
sessions are scheduled for Friday afternoon. In addition, the Auggie Author Book Signing and reading will
take place prior to the Welcome Back Banquet.
If you come to Saturday’s football game against the
Concordia Cobbers, plan to get to campus long before
the 1 p.m. kickoff. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with the
Come back for Homecoming
October 10–16
family-friendly Anderson Hall Homecoming 5K Fun Run,
and campus tours are available from 10 a.m. until
noon. Three hours prior to kickoff, the Taste of
Augsburg in Murphy Square will feature carnival-style
booths operated by student groups, alumni, and local
restaurants. In addition to carnival-style food, there
will be games, inflatable bounce houses, and fun for
the whole family.
Back by popular demand is the Auggie Block Party
(in Parking Lot K, between Melby Hall and Riverside
Ave.) following the football game. Join alumni, students,
and friends for food, entertainment, and camaraderie.
Join fellow Auggies and music lovers after the Block
Party for a celebration concert in Hoversten Chapel
honoring Professor Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen ’63.
Go to www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for information.
Summer 2010
35
alumni class notes
Stan Nelson, Andover, Minn.,
Jerilyn (Bjugstad) Wibbens,
43was selected as one of the
67Mukilteo, Wash., founded the
World War II veterans whose service
would be honored by flying them to
Washington, D.C., at no cost, to visit
the World War II memorial. Stan is
the last survivor of four Navy officers
from a landing craft that participated
in the D-Day invasion in June 1944;
he still attends annual reunions.
Northwest Nordic Ladies Chorus,
based in Everett, Wash., to keep
singing the Norwegian songs she
learned in her family and to learn
songs from the other Nordic countries. They regularly perform at
Scandinavian events and senior
centers.
Vera (Peterson) Rachuy, West-
Peter Agre was honored in
52brook, Minn., a retired
70June, along with four other
teacher, discovered a love and talent
for painting that began during a prolonged and severe winter when she
started to sketch her and her daughter’s dogs.
graduates of Norwegian Lutheran
colleges, with the “Going Viking”
Award by Norway House in Minneapolis. The award recognizes the
contributions of Norwegian Americans to the region.
Rev. Darryl Torrin, Cedar Falls,
66Iowa, retired on July 1 after
serving for 39 years in active parish
ministry. For the past 13 years, he
has served at St. John Maxfield
Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural
Denver, Iowa, where a retirement
celebration was held on June 6.
Alvina Strand Skogen, Eppen, N.D.,
is serving a two-year term as president of Western North Dakota
Synodical Women’s Organization
(Women of the ELCA).
David Siedlar received the “Model Worker Award” from the Communist
71Party, City of Huaian, Jiangsu Province, China, in April, which was published in the party newspaper.
Michael Good, Raritan, N.J.,
71president and CEO of Sotheby's
International Realty Affiliates, LLC,
and chair of the Augsburg College
Board of Regents, was named to the
Inman 100, a list of the top 100
most influential leaders in real estate
for 2009 by Inman News.
department at Lake Superior College
in Duluth. She has a master’s degree in business administration from
the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in education from College of St. Scholastica, and a
graduate certificate in educational
computing and technology from
University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Kathy (Langemo) Dugdale, Su-
72perior, Wis., was named director of the business services
Annette (Olsen) Hustad, Glenwood,
Minn., is “Lena” in the comedy
singing duo, “Tina and Lena,” along
with Susan “Tina” Edwards. For 25
years, they have entertained audiences in the Upper Midwest and farther with music, humor, and fun.
With degrees in music therapy and
music education, she taught K-12
music for 10 years. In April they performed at the Lifestyles Expo in
Alexandria.
Lois (Wennen) Larson, White
80Bear Lake, Minn., was named
to a one-year appointment as interim financial aid director at
Metropolitan State University in
Minneapolis, effective Feb. 1.
Joan (Maland) Mussa was re-
81cently named senior vice presiParticipants in the Master of Arts in Leadership study and cultural tour of Norway in June pause for a group photo
in the mountain resort town of Geilo. Twenty-eight Augsburg faculty, alumni, students, and friends of the College
took part in the customized MAL program done in conjunction with Diakonhjemmet University College in Oslo,
Augsburg experts on Norway, and CrossingBorders travel company in the Twin Cities. Pictured are Ruth and
Raymond Burgau; Paul ’65, Priscilla ’65, David, Karen, Andrew, Lynnsey, and Erika Fieldhammer; Professor
Douglas Green; John Grafstrom and Carol Sime ’73; Pete and Glenda Holste ’05 MAL; Lucinda Hruska-Claeys
’10 MAL; Paul ’80 and Rebecca Kilgore; Professor Lynn Lindow; Roger and Linda Nielsen; Angeline and Jeanne
Nelson ’09 MBA; Professor Norma Noonan; Patty ’02 MAL and Warren Park; Tawni Reller; Professor Linda
Stevens; Professor Barbara West.
Look for more about the MAL experiences in Norway at www.augsburg.edu/now
36
Augsburg Now
dent for donor engagement,
advocacy, and communications at
the United States office of World Vision, one of the largest relief, development, and advocacy organizations
in the world. Her responsibilities include overseeing the work of all private fund raising, government
relations, advocacy, internet, publications, and additional communication functions. She and her
husband, Mohammed, and their
three children live near Seattle.
Tessa Flynn, Minneapolis, ap-
05peared in the Frank Theatre
Daniel Werner and Shayne
95Hamann, Little Canada,
Minn., announce the birth of their
daughter, Savannah, born on Feb.
20. Savannah joins her twin brothers, Drake and Dylan, age 3.
Monica Fitzgerald, Washing-
Ryan Carlson BA ’96 and BS ’02 and his wife, Lauren, St. Paul, an-
96nounce the births of identical twin daughters, Adelaine Elizabeth and
Isadora Louise, on Feb. 14. Addy and Izzy join brother Quin, 4 1/2. The family lives in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. Ryan is an engineer
for Seagate.
Karen Reed, Atascadero, Calif.,
82ton, D.C., is director of CIO
90was appointed program direc-
University and the deputy director of
the IT Accessibility and Workforce
Division in the General Services Administration’s Office of Governmentwide Policy. In 2009 she was
selected as a member of the Council
for Excellence in the Fellow’s Program of the Partnership for Public
Service, which focuses on servant
leadership.
tor in January at Coalinga State Hospital, the newest state mental health
hospital in the California Department
of Mental Health. She formerly
served 18 years as a registered
music therapist at Atascadero State
Hospital. She continues to represent
forensic psychiatric music therapy
treatment at the national and regional music therapy conferences.
Tim Asgrimson, Edina, Minn.,
Anthony Patton has published
83was recently named the chief
91his second novel, Unfaithfully
financial officer of Kraus-Anderson
Cos., where he has worked since
2007 as assistant chief financial officer. For 16 years prior to that he
provided tax, auditing, and consulting services to the company.
Yours, a love story in which he explores how hard-working couples
can achieve happiness and success
in the time it takes to watch a great
movie.
Sharon (Fairbanks) Romano,
Minneapolis, has served as director of the Department of Indian
Work of the St. Paul Area Council of
Churches for the past year.
87
Kristin Eggerling, Hallock,
89Minn., is a freelance writer
and has served on the board of Conservation Minnesota. A recent article
on StarTribune.com featured her
family’s outing to view the giant jack
pine in Lake Bronson State Park.
Nnamdi Okoronkwo, Minneapolis, an
assistant city attorney with the City
of Minneapolis, was appointed in
April by Governor Tim Pawlenty to a
four-year term on the Council on
Black Minnesotans.
Luann Roth, Columbia, Mo., has
been appointed as education coordinator of the Mizzou Advantage, a
collaboration of five programs of excellence at the University of Missouri. She will facilitate
interdisciplinary curriculum and
courses for these five areas. She has
been an instructor in the English Department and is completing her doctorate in American film and folklore.
Heidi (Wachholz) Boll,
Minneapolis, was named vice
president of sales for the Northeast
Region of Allianz Life Insurance
Company of North America. She
joined the company in 2001 and
has held several positions within it.
94
Lori (Langager) Higgins, Blaine,
Minn., became president of the
MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce
in the Twin Cities in May. She has
worked for the chamber since February 2009 and became its first female chief executive officer.
Kari (Schroeder) Prescott, Minneapolis, took a new position as representative for Minnesota to the
American Podiatric Medical Association in Washington, D.C., and will be
kept busy with the current healthcare debate issues.
Matthew Gooding, Sun Lakes,
95Ariz., graduated from a medical assistant program and is currently looking for and interviewing
for jobs.
Carye (Johnson) Bye, Portland
company’s adaptation of Kafka’s
Metamorphosis, which ran at the
Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis during April. She is also on
the board of the theatre. (Read
more about her on p. 28).
Jessica (Norman) and Eric
01Hafemeyer welcomed Kristen
Marie on February 22. Kristen joins
big sister, Lauren, 3.
Christina (Boe) Anderson,
04Blaine, Minn., and her husband, Michael, welcomed their new
daughter, Charlotte Marie, on Feb. 25.
Chad Darr and his wife, Krista, welcomed a son, Hayden James, on
May 5.
Miranda Nelson, Chicago,
06began the clinical psychology
PhD program at the University of
Illinois at Chicago last fall. She plans
on specializing in pediatric neuropsychology and will graduate with
her doctoral degree in 2014.
Dan Morlock, St. Paul, is site
97Ore., is owner of Red Bat
07leader of a before- and-after-
Press, a print and design company.
She wrote and illustrated a book,
Hidden Portland: Museums &
Collections, in 2010 with Bedouin
Books.
school child care program for the
Roseville school district called
Friendship Connection.
Ted Schultz, Bloomington,
98Minn., started a new position
as activities director at Minnetonka
(Minn.) High School on July 1. He
had served for six years in the same
position at Bloomington Jefferson
High School.
Adam Erickson, Chanhassen,
00Minn., was appointed busi-
ness banking officer at Anchor Bank
in Eden Prairie. Prior to this he was
a business relationship manager for
Wells Fargo Bank.
Maureen O’Shaughnessy was featured as a music therapist on
WCCO-TV about her work with autistic children at Fraser Child and Family Center.
Molly Shortall recently completed
her master's degree at Manhattan
School of Music. She has been in
New York City for two years and
works as a house musician at a
large church in Brooklyn. This summer, she's singing the role of Second
Lady in Die Zauberflöte.
Summer 2010
37
Colonel Steven Charles ’76
receives Legion of Merit
On May 1, Colonel Steven Charles ’76 received the Legion of
Merit, the highest award not received for valor, which is
awarded for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.”
While Charles’ 30-year military career began in 1977 as a
navy pilot, he received the Legion of Merit for his work as program manager from 2001 to 2007 in the 87th Air Force Element, and air director of joint operations, Air Force Element,
U.S. Army Forces Command, 87th Battle Command Training
Division in Birmingham, Ala.
The citation states, “In this key leadership position, Colonel
Charles served as project officer for nine major exercises and
15 Command Post exercises preparing over 30,000 Army
troops for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and the
Global War on Terrorism.”
His duties included training the soldiers how to call in close
air support. By teaching soldiers how to talk to Air Force support, how to call in for help, and what protocols and information they needed, they could quickly be rescued, saving their
own lives and those of other ground forces. He also developed a
successful Train the Trainers program that provided understanding of joint operations within the modern battlefield.
During his military career, Charles served two cruises aboard
the USS Constellation where he had more than 200 carrier
landings. He was chosen to become a Navy A-4 adversary pilot
and graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School. He
Rikki Starich, Lexington, Ky., was recently appointed assistant director of
annual giving at Transylvania University in Lexington. In May she completed her Master of Education in
higher education administration/
institutional advancement.
Andrew Sinko, Blaine, Minn., a
teacher in Spring Lake Park, Minn.,
has been accepted to a University of
London doctoral program.
Zac Wooten, New York, received his
master’s degree from New York University and continues to express appreciation for the support of faculty
at Augsburg.
A.J. Hau and his brother, Chris,
10from Fort Collins, Colo., were
signed by the Colorado Eagles
hockey team. They both advanced
through the Northern Colorado
Youth Hockey and Colorado State
University hockey programs.
Christopher Stedman gradu-
08ated with a master’s degree in
theology from Meadville Lombard
Theological School of Chicago.
38
Augsburg Now
Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will spend
the 2010–11 academic year in
Vietnam on Fulbright English Teaching Awards.
Courtesy photo
alumni class notes
Colonel Steven Charles ’76 (left) received the Legion of Merit, presented to him in
Birmingham, Ala., on May 1, by Brigadier General David W. Puster.
crossed to the Air Force and was an instructor in both the
F-111 Aardvark and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. In 1990, he appeared on national television as one of the two pilots flying a
Stealth Fighter during their unveiling.
He left active duty in 1991 and joined the Air Force Reserves before joining the 87th Division. He retired from the military in 2007 and is now a Boeing 767 pilot for Delta Air Lines.
BETSEY NORGARD
Graduate Programs
Sarah Resor ’06 MAL and Eric
Johnson, both of Robbinsdale,
Minn., were married Feb. 27 in Oak
Ridge Conference Center.
Mike Bilden ’07 MAL, St. Louis Park,
Minn., is coordinator of the new
Adult Degree Completion Program in
the College of Business and Economics at University of WisconsinRiver Falls. He has served as
director of continuing education at
North Hennepin Community College
and director of adult and graduate
admissions at Augsburg.
Larry McGraw ’10 MBA, Owatonna,
Minn., has been appointed senior
vice president and chief credit officer of Home Federal Savings Bank
in Rochester. Previously he spent
eight years at United Prairie Bank in
Mankato, Minn.
Hector Matascastillo ’10 MSW is
using his own experience and gift of
compassion to help veterans when
they return from war.
Send us your news and photos
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don’t forget to send photos!
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice,
or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip code
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
In Memoriam
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
Olsen, W. Donald ’34, Sioux Falls,
S.D., age 99, on Dec. 20.
Nelson, Gordon A., ’54, Cloquet,
Minn., age 77, on April 9.
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
Paulson, Dr. Eric ’38, Spokane,
Wash., age 92, on March 6.
Wolden, Gerhard ’56, Minneapolis,
age 82, on April 5.
____________________________________________________________
Employer
Shebeck, Ethel (Sinner) ’38,
Richfield, Minn., age 93, on November 14.
Welch, Robert ’58, Burlingame,
Calif., age 73, on March 28.
Ronholm, Olive ’47, Golden Valley,
Minn., age 84, on March 9.
Peterson, Robert ’49, New London,
Minn., age 83, on April 8.
Schmeltzer, George W. ’61, Minneapolis, age 70, on March 31.
Faue, Jeffrey L. ’68, Belle Mead,
N.J., age 64, on April 15.
____________________________________________________________
Position
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
Bolstad, Nan (Haraseth) ’69, Jefferson, Ore., age 63, on March 2.
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
Metz, Rev. Richard G. ’74, Sisters,
Ore., age 63, on May 13.
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
Arney, Claudia (Odegaard) ’78,
Clarkdale, Iowa, age 74, on
April 17.
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Davis, Gerald ’51, Litchfield,
Minn., age 82, on April 21.
Haugan, Joan ’80, Spring Lake
Park, Minn., age 80, on Feb. 14,
2009.
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
Stenvig, Charles Selmer ’51,
Sun City, Ariz., age 82, on
February 22.
Thayer, Nancybeth (Sedgwick) ’80,
Hermantown, Minn., age 49, on
June 30, 2006.
Schmidt, Ruth A. ’52, Decatur, Ga.,
age 79, on May 24 (See story on
p. 35)
Reinhart, Laura Jane ’82, Livermore,
Calif., age 49, on January 2.
Hegland, Dagny (Quanbeck) ’50,
Brandon, S.D., age 81, on
March 17.
Johnson, Esther ’50, Minneota,
Minn., age 80, on April 15.
Johnson, Rev. LeRoy ’50, Richland,
Mich., on January 11, 2009.
Kjos, Edwin ’54, Abbotsford, Wis.,
age 85, on March 31.
Therres, Emmaline (Schlueter),
Chaska, Minn., age 66, on April 2;
former faculty member.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Summer 2010
39
my
Auggie experience
By all accounts—his own included—sophomore Gottlieb Uahengo
had a difficult first semester at Augsburg College.
Making the move to Minneapolis from his home in Namibia meant
many changes. He missed his family and friends and got sick five
times from the food. He was introduced to Mountain Dew and the effects of over-consumption. “I didn’t sleep for several days,” he says.
And when he witnessed his first snowfall, a fellow student asked
him, “Are you alright? You look disturbed.”
Uahengo is a Legacy Scholarship student. His father graduated
from the University of Minnesota and came to work in Augsburg’s
Physics Department while his wife, Fredericka ’90, completed her
degree in education. Gottlieb was actually born at Fairview Riverside
Hospital but lived most of his life in Oshakati,
Namibia, where his father is a pharmacist and
his mother serves as the rector of Ongwediva
Teachers College.
When it came time to apply for college,
Uahengo’s father said, “I’m sending you
to Augsburg.” Because Uahengo wants
to be an engineer, his father wanted
him to study in a small school
with a good physics department.
“My father holds professors
[Mark] Engebretson and [Jeff]
Johnson in high esteem,”
Uahengo says. “He told
me I would get more out
of my education at
Augsburg than at a
large, public
university.”
His father also told him to be prepared for the challenge of college
life. “He said the best way to overcome adversity is to become part of
the community, to take a leap of faith.” And that’s exactly what led
to a better second semester and a successful first year at Augsburg
for Uahengo.
Greg Holker, Augsburg’s men’s soccer coach, said Uahengo
looked frightened and overwhelmed when the two first met last summer. “I wasn’t sure he would amount to much as a soccer player because he seemed frail physically and psychologically,” Holker recalls.
After a tentative start, Holker says the first-year player definitely
made an impact on the team. “He scored a big goal against Buena
Vista and took off in training from that point on,” says Holker. “He
sought out improvement and soaked up as much information as he
could. Rarely do I see a person that determined to learn and learn
quickly.”
Rebekah Dupont, whom Uahengo calls his mentor, says he displayed the same tenacity in his academics as on the soccer field.
Dupont worked with him in Augsburg’s North Star STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program. He participated
in the calculus workshop, a class in which students work together on
challenging problems. He also got involved in a research project,
something not many first-year students take on.
“Gottlieb has very high expectations for himself, and I think this
made adapting to so many new things all at once a challenge,”
Dupont says. “As he feels more comfortable and confident, those
high expectations and strong work ethic will serve him very well.”
In addition to conducting research during the school year, Uahengo is working on a summer project with another student and professor Ben Stottrup of the Physics Department. This fall he will be
an officer with Augsburg’s International Student Organization and
will continue to play soccer. He also hopes to compete on the track
team as a sprinter in the spring term.
“When I set my mind to something, it’s hard to sway me,”
Uahengo says. “I am always looking for a way to be engaged.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
40
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Courtesy photo
Augsburg Choir tours China
The Augsburg Choir and the choir from Guangxi
Provincial Normal University in Guilin, China, pose for a
giant group photo during the choir’s trip through China.
For the choir’s China blog and photos, go to
www.augsburg.edu/music.
Show less
Auggie friendships
Learning across abilities
Sesquicentennial preview
The new age of artisans
SPRING–SUMMER 2019 | VOL. 81, NO. 2
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Spring–Summer 2019
Director of Mark... Show more
Auggie friendships
Learning across abilities
Sesquicentennial preview
The new age of artisans
SPRING–SUMMER 2019 | VOL. 81, NO. 2
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Spring–Summer 2019
Director of Marketing
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
Augsburg at 150
It is indeed remarkable for any of us today to
stand in the shadows of an institution that
has existed for 150 years. Institutions such
as Augsburg University—no matter their
meaningful legacy and inspiring mission—are
viewed with some skepticism by a citizenry
more and more committed to going it alone.
I am privileged to lead Augsburg on
the occasion of its 150th anniversary and
dedicated to ensuring that our academic
mission and democratic engagement remain
firm for the next 150 years. In that way, the
history of Augsburg is in service of going
forward together.
There are four themes that I believe are at the
heart of this university’s identity. The themes
are abundance, generosity, engagement, and
service. Throughout Augsburg’s 150 years, there
is ample evidence that the interplay of those
themes has helped to shape what Burton Clark
has called “the saga” of Augsburg. A saga is
more than a story or a parable. It is an unfolding
narrative anchored in mission, values, rituals,
and objects.
This issue of Augsburg Now offers us
a glimpse of the ways in which our saga
continues to unfold in rich and meaningful
ways. From the yearlong celebration of our
sesquicentennial, to urgent interfaith and
human rights initiatives, to new academic
programs, to the remarkable accomplishments
of the many alumni, faculty, and students
featured in these pages—we are reminded
again and again of how Augsburg is both
faithful to its historic values and relevant to
the needs of the world today.
Augsburg alumni David Cherwien ’79
and Gracia Grindal ’65 painted with music
and words this saga of faith, educational
aspirations, and public service in a hymn
commissioned for my inauguration in 2006.
The final stanza of the hymn proclaims:
Send, oh God your Holy Spirit,
Give us wisdom, love, and faith.
Faith enough to move a mountain,
Love that died to conquer death.
Wisdom crowned with healing leaves,
Truth made flesh to set us free.
Let your glory bear rich fruit,
Growing from your sturdy roots.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And so we join with the company of saints and
witnesses who have lived in the shadows of
our beloved Augsburg to renew our vow to hold
fast to all that is good.
Faithfully yours,
Director of Public Relations
and Internal Communications
Gita Sitaramiah
sitarami@augsburg.edu
Assistant Director of
Marketing Management
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Elizabeth Kästner
kaestner@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Denielle Stepka ’11
stepkad@augsburg.edu
Marketing Copywriter
John Weirick
weirick@augsburg.edu
Communication and
Social Media Specialist
Briana Alamilla ’17
alamilla@augsburg.edu
Advancement Communications
Specialist
Kaia Chambers
chamberk2@augsburg.edu
Web Manager
Joe Mann
mannj@augsburg.edu
Contributing Writers
Katie (Koch) Code ’01
Kate H. Elliott
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg University
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
university policy.
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
ISSN 1058-1545
AUGSBURG HOSTS ANNUAL INTERFAITH GATHERING
This February, 130 young people from across Minnesota came together at Augsburg
University for the fifth annual Interfaith Youth Day of Service presented in partnership
with Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. Augsburg students, staff, and faculty offered
programming assistance for the youth-designed initiative tailored to those in grades
6–12 and aligned with the United Nations’ observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The event featured a keynote address, breakout workshops, musical performances, and
service projects before attendees concluded their day on campus with an Augsburg tour.
02 Around the quad
24 Auggie friendships
08
All in the family
27
Auggies connect
12
Learning across abilities
28
Class notes
15
A year of celebration
to honor 150
32
In memoriam
19
The new age of artisans
On the cover: Augsburg’s Hagfors Center
supplies an illuminating contrast to the
backdrop of downtown Minneapolis.
All photos by Courtney Perry unless
otherwise indicated
Send address corrections to:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu
Send comments to:
now@augsburg.edu
AROUND THE QUAD
AROUND THE
QUAD
AUGGIE RESEARCH WOWS
AT THE ROTUNDA
Augsburg TRIO McNair Scholars Breanne
Sande-Martin ’18 and Andy Thao ’20 presented
their research during the 16th annual Private
College Scholars at the Capitol event this
January. As a member of the Minnesota
Private College Council, Augsburg was
invited to send Auggies to the event, which
recognizes the scholarship of students and
the efforts of their faculty advisors.
Psychology student Sande-Martin
presented her research on “The Impact
of Smartphone Notifications on
Proofreading Accuracy.” Biology
student Thao shared his
“Exploration of Local Field
Potentials and Spiking
Activity in a Genetic
Model of Schizophrenia.”
FOSTERING FUZZY FEELINGS
A new venue, a grand scale
Augsburg University will host this year’s commencement ceremony
May 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. This is the
first time Augsburg will use the multi-purpose facility that’s home to
the Minnesota Vikings as the site for commencement events.
In making this change, Augsburg is responding to consistent
concerns raised by graduating students regarding the limited number
of tickets available for their guests to attend on-campus ceremonies
which were held most recently in Si Melby Hall’s gymnasium. Augsburg
will use a portion of U.S. Bank Stadium, and the change in venue and
dramatic increase in total available seats will enable all
graduates, their families, their friends, and members of
the Augsburg community to celebrate together.
HONORING
Two faculty members are retiring this
spring following years of dedicated
service to Augsburg University. Augsburg
is grateful for their commitment to
advancing the university’s mission and
supporting student learning within and
beyond the classroom.
ROBERTA KAGIN
Professor, Department of Music—joined
Augsburg in 1974
DAVID CONRAD
HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
at Augsburg
THE AUGSBURG
PODCAST: SEASON 2
After a popular first season of the
Augsburg Podcast, season 2 kicked
off with President Paul Pribbenow,
Campus Pastor Rev. Sonja Hagander,
and Professor of English Doug Green
[pictured], among others. The podcasts
offer wide-ranging perspectives on the
university’s critical work of educating
students for the future.
Listen to the new season at
augsburg.edu/podcast or in
your podcast app.
AUGSBURG NOW
Announcing the
Retiring Faculty
Associate Professor, Department of Business
Administration—joined Augsburg in 2000
2
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
COURTESY PHOTO
COMMENCEMENT 2019
At the Ed Saugestad Rink, pucks glide across the ice and stuffed
animals fly through the air.
In January, Augsburg students on the women’s hockey team and in the
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program collaborated
to host a teddy bear toss in which fans pitched plush toys onto the
ice during the first intermission in the Auggies’ home contest against
Gustavus Adolphus College.
The teddy bear toss concept originated in Canada in the early 1990s
and has grown in popularity through support from hockey teams at the
collegiate and professional levels. The 48 toys collected January 19
were donated to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, where each year
up to a dozen Augsburg physician assistant students complete clinical
placements as part of their studies. Fans also created greeting cards
with encouraging messages for hospital patients.
Building on a 30-year history with the
Nobel Peace Prize Forum and as part of the
university’s sesquicentennial celebration,
Augsburg is launching a new event this fall:
the Human Rights Forum at Augsburg.
The event will bring students, thought
leaders, global changemakers, and local
activists together to explore innovative
ways to take action in our ongoing pursuit
of racial justice, indigenous rights, and
environmental sustainability domestically
and globally.
The Human Rights Forum will be held
October 28-29 on Augsburg’s Minneapolis
campus and is open to the public. Tickets
will go on sale this summer.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
3
AROUND THE QUAD
MEDIA COVERAGE
WORTH MENTIONING
THE GOLDEN NIGHT GLEAMS;
STUDENTS GROOVE
The Augsburg Student Activities
Council treated Auggies to a formal,
Roaring ’20s-inspired event that
added zest to campus following a
stretch of bitter cold winter weather.
A NEIGHBORLY GESTURE
Augsburg University students distributed jackets, blankets,
children’s toys, and meals to families in need at a homeless encampment
near Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis in November. “It’s basically in
[Augsburg’s] backyard, and helping the community is a really big thing for
me,” student Tyler Johnson ’22 told Fox 9 reporter Christina Palladino. This
day of service was the brainchild of Augsburg student Inam Al-Hammouri ’20,
and other students quickly joined.
“Cooking a hot lunch and serving it to hungry families out in the cold is
not something most college kids would do on a Saturday, but these youth
at Augsburg University are not just your average students,” the Fox 9
reporter said. “The students believe it is their responsibility to take action
and empower their generation to build bridges to those less fortunate.”
A NOTEWORTHY LINEUP
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder journalist Charles Hallman wrote
about this year’s Augsburg University women’s basketball team when
its starting lineup included five African-American students—a moment
believed to be a first in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
Augsburg University students Arianna Jones ’20, Camille McCoy ’20,
Tamara McLenore ’20, Camryn Speese ’20, and Kaezha Wubben ’20 made
history at the November 19 game against the University of Wisconsin—
Superior, the story said.
Go to augsburg.edu/news to learn
more about the university’s media buzz.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
The three-story mural “Emergence” adorns
the Hagfors Center’s west stairwell.
NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHES:
The Augsburg University Convocation Series is an annual
speaker series that includes long-standing endowed and
special programs. Recent presenters included:
• Terrance Kwame-Ross, associate professor in
the Department of Education at Augsburg, who
delivered “Our Conversation with Dr. King: Class
in Session” at the 31st annual Martin Luther
King Jr. Convocation in January.
• Jin Y. Park, professor of philosophy and religion
and founding director of the Asian Studies
Program at American University, who shared a
presentation at the Batalden Seminar in Applied
Ethics in March called “Ethical Imagination:
Buddhist-Postmodern Approaches.”
• Pamela Ronald, distinguished professor in the
Plant Pathology Department and the Genome
Center at University of California—Davis,
presented “Serving Up Science: Plant Genetics
and the Future of Food” for the General Leif J.
Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Lecture in April.
Augsburg University is accepting applications
for a new Master of Arts in Education program
that offers a non-licensure track for teachers
and educators looking to enhance their
skills within and beyond the classroom. This
program includes 30–31 credit hours and
can be completed in less than two years.
Students have the opportunity to choose from
two concentrations: Culture and Community,
which focuses on the tools educators need to
navigate complex systems and co-construct
curriculum with their students, and Community
Engaged Learning, which looks at the problems
students, schools, and communities face
when seeking meaningful change.
FOR CONVOCATION SERIES
AN ARTFUL COLLABORATION
The artwork in Augsburg’s Norman and Evangeline Hagfors
Center for Science, Business, and Religion always captivates eyes.
Recently, the collection also attracted the ears of Minnesota Public Radio
listeners. That’s because MPR highlighted the successful partnership
between Augsburg and Forecast Public Art, which helped guide the
university’s effort to commission original art for the campus’ newest
academic building. Now in its 40th year, Forecast Public Art is regarded
as one of the nation’s leading nonprofits committed to communityengaged design and placemaking. Augsburg benefitted from the
organization’s expertise as the university worked to acquire art to reflect
the diverse communities that make up the Augsburg student body and
to knit together the various academic disciplines housed in the Hagfors
Center. Today, the facility has more than 25 art pieces on its walls and six
works of art built into its structure.
AUGSBURG WELCOMES LEADING SCHOLARS
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
Go to augsburg.edu/gpe to learn more
about the Master of Arts in Education.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
5
AROUND THE QUAD
WOMEN’S ATHLETICS
ARCHIVE NEARS THE FINISH LINE
The James G. Lindell Library’s digitization lab team has been working with an
impressive collection of projector slides and photographs that document women’s
athletics at Augsburg from the time Title IX took effect in 1972 to the present.
With more than 7,000 images,
this archive will become one of
the largest online collections
of women’s athletic history in
the country when processing
is complete in Fall 2020. The
collection was started by Joyce
Pfaff ’65, retired Auggie coach,
instructor, and director of
women’s athletics who launched
several women’s teams and
The Augsburg women’s basketball team posing for a
served the university for 43 years. photo in the locker room, 1978.
Gwen Walz is still surprised
to be addressed as first lady.
“I sometimes walk right past people or don’t turn around when someone says it
because I just don’t hear it like I hear ‘Gwen,’” said Walz, whose husband, Tim,
became Minnesota’s governor in January.
While Walz may not be used to being called first lady, she’s jumping into the
role. She’s the first Minnesota first lady to have an office at the state Capitol
and plans to focus on education and corrections as policy issues. Walz also
recently joined Augsburg University as an independent contractor serving in two
roles: as special assistant to the president for strategic partnerships and as a fellow in the Sabo Center for Democracy and
Citizenship. Here is a glimpse into her connection to Augsburg and new life.
President Paul Pribbenow has described
you as a friend of Augsburg. How have
you worked with Augsburg in the past?
Q:
A:
A:
President Pribbenow and I met
in Rochester when Tim (then
U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 1st
congressional district) asked us to facilitate
a series of community-wide conversations
on education. Through this partnership,
I knew that I shared Augsburg’s deep
commitment to equity.
Q:
You are the first Minnesota first lady to
have an office at the state Capitol. Why
was that presence important to you?
A:
Tim and I work closely together. We do
our work differently at times, though,
so having our own spaces is important. I
also work with the staff very closely, so it is
more convenient for them if I have an office
near them. I am still learning how to best
use this space to do meaningful work and
build meaningful relationships.
6
AUGSBURG NOW
Your mother, Linnea Wacker ’60, is an
Auggie. What did she say when you told
her about coming to work at Augsburg?
She told me that I had better bring
my “A” game. My mom told me that
Augsburg is a very important place, and
I must make sure I am prepared to bring
focus and energy to the task. The mission
of Augsburg University is very important
to her, and she wants to make sure I help
advance it! My mother was a teacher and
first-generation college graduate. She
and my father, a long-time educator, are
committed to providing opportunities in
education for everyone.
Q:
You started your career as an
elementary school teacher. How does
your passion for teaching and learning suit
your roles at Augsburg and the Capitol?
A:
On the campaign trail, Tim and I
both used the phrase that teaching
was not just how we paid our bills; it’s
how we live our lives. I have never been
able to separate things in my life; I have a
pretty holistic approach to who I am and
what I bring to something. I have a lot to
learn from Augsburg and the people here.
All of that informs how I am thinking
about how I might best serve all of the
people of Minnesota.
Search or browse at
archives.augsburg.edu.
Insta Augsburg:
A few square snapshots showing
significant #AuggiePride.
Q:
What’s your favorite thing to do in your
free time now that you’ve moved to the
Twin Cities?
A:
Each Sunday evening, I invite my
three sisters and their families to
have dinner. Everyone who can come does,
and it is lovely to have a moment to pause
as one week ends and another begins—we
all sit a little longer at the table. We even
have dessert on Sunday evenings!
@riverside_innovation_hub
COURTESY PHOTOS
Q:
Use Augsburg’s digital archive to find every Echo
issue dating to the 1890s, as well as photographs,
yearbooks, oral histories, videos, speeches, and more.
Head under heels
Auggie image shines in anthology
“Illuminated,” a photo by Ava
Fojtik ’21, will appear in plain china
(plainchina.org), a national anthology
of undergraduate creative writing and
art based at Virginia Commonwealth
University. Fojtik’s artwork was first
published in the 2018 issue of
Murphy Square, Augsburg’s literary
and visual arts journal.
Fojtik pursues portrait photography
as a hobby while studying religion,
theater, and English literature at
Augsburg. She said she’s particularly
fond of “Illuminated” because the
image is expressive without showing
an individual’s face. The image
is part of a larger collection titled
“Pity Party” that focuses on the
themes of absurdity and things
being upside down.
Recognize those limbs and laces? They
belong to Adam Ruff ’18.
The Augsburg greenhouse
@orchidhunter She’s beauty, she’s grace, she stinks
up the entire place. It’s the voodoo queen herself,
Amorphophallus konjac, serving sinister lewks and foul
odors to attract pollinators. #plantdiversity
@augsburgauggies
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
7
All in the
Family
I
t could have been worse. Their
parents could have made them
hold hands (or even smile). But
after each game during last year’s
Auggie football season, the parents
of the team’s four sets of siblings
lined the eight players up for a
Kodak moment.
“We loved the tradition, but
there was a bit of that ‘Come on,
mom’ feeling, especially when
they made us take a photo before
our last game,” said wide receiver
Nick Heenie ’19, whose not-so-little
brother, Frank Heenie ’23, protects
the Auggie line. “We were all so in
the zone that we look mean, but
that couldn’t be further from the
truth. It was such a special year and
an honor to play with brothers.”
Rounding up the octet was easy,
especially after home games, when
those same parents—led by the
Heenie family—prepared meals for
80 players and their families. Head
Football Coach Frank Haege said
the team traditionally shares food
and fellowship after one home game
each year, but the siblings’ parents
united the Auggie football family
in an unforgettable way during the
2018 season.
“It was such a joy to coach four
sets of siblings last year, particularly
8
AUGSBURG NOW
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
since I have twin boys, and I played
football with my brother,” said
Haege, whose 9-year-old son, AJ,
spends so much time with the team
that he maintains an Auggie locker.
“Our team always feels like family,
but we were especially close last
fall. It reinforced that Augsburg is
where students learn to be part of
something bigger than themselves.”
Coaching four sets of siblings at
one time was unprecedented for
Augsburg Athletics, but siblings are
not uncommon. Haege estimates he
has coached eight sets of siblings
during his 15-year tenure. In addition
to football, siblings have competed
on several teams recently: The Wilson
twins dominated the wrestling mat,
the Everett sisters commanded the
lacrosse field, and the O’Conner
brothers scored big on the ice.
Relatives on the
roster
The list of sibling alumni who have
played together at Augsburg could fill
a football roster, not to mention the
generations of families with Auggie
pride running through their veins.
An example: Athletic Director Jeff
Swenson ’79 wrestled and coached
for 25 years at Augsburg. His sister,
Marie (Swenson) Hechsel ’90, played
volleyball. Her son, Matt Hechsel ’15,
wrestled, and her daughter, Stephanie
Hechsel ’19, played volleyball.
Augsburg women’s ice hockey’s
Megan Johnson ’19 also is playing
out a family legacy. Her grandfather,
Bob “Badger” Johnson, attended
Augsburg for a year before
transferring to the University of
Wisconsin—Madison, where he
secured seven NCAA Men’s Ice
Hockey Championships. Her father,
Mark Johnson, was a member of
the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980
U.S. Olympic team and coach of the
2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silvermedal hockey squad.
Megan’s brother, Chris Johnson ’10,
’14 MAL, slapped the puck around
for Augsburg and later served as
men’s ice hockey assistant coach
for seven seasons. It was during that
time Megan picked Augsburg over
the University of Wisconsin, where
her grandfather, father, and two
other siblings played. Although the
colors of their jerseys differed, every
member of the Johnson family has
donned No. 10.
Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach
Michelle McAteer said that although
Megan no longer has a sibling at
Augsburg, members of the team
Mustafa Adam ’18, left, and
his brother Shihab Adam ’22
“Augsburg—even beyond the field—is a tight-knit community, where everyone looks
out for one another. Teachers care about your education and are always willing to
provide you with extra academic support. At Augsburg, they truly care about you as an
individual, and they will do whatever they can to ensure that you succeed inside and
outside of the classroom.”
— Linebacker Mustafa Adam ’18, a three-time cancer survivor who studied business
and economics and plans to go to medical school
SPRING –SUMMER 2019
9
are like family. Third- and fourthyear student-athletes have begun
to mentor newcomers, calling
each other big and little sisters,
respectively.
on the football roster was “a dream
come true.” But he doesn’t have
one brother on the team. “I have
80,” said Mustafa, a two-time team
captain and nominee for Mayo
It was such a joy to
coach four sets of
siblings last year.”
“These mentor relationships
are lasting, and it’s an intentional
effort players established to support
each other on and off the ice,”
McAteer said. “As a two-time team
captain, Megan has been integral
in helping us foster that sense of
togetherness.”
Family legacies are
part of the game
To Haege and others, the influx
of legacy families and sibling
teammates is no coincidence.
Augsburg draws families, he said,
because the campus feels like a
family and students know they
will gain a solid education and
passionate sense of vocation. Older
siblings often make recruiting easy,
Haege said, by “talking up the
program naturally,” as they share
their good experiences with siblings.
Mustafa Adam ’18 said having his
younger brother, Shihab Adam ’22,
10
AUGSBURG NOW
Clinic’s 2018 Comeback Player
of the Year Award, which honors
college football players who have
returned to the field of play after
overcoming major life challenges.
Mustafa sat out his first year
at Augsburg when the cancer he
beat in high school returned just
prior to signing on at Augsburg. He
played the entire 2016 and 2017
seasons, but the disease returned
at the conclusion of his second
season, in which he finished second
in tackles (93) in the Minnesota
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
He underwent chemotherapy
and had to have his right ear
amputated to prevent the cancer
from spreading. In Fall 2018, he
returned to the field and played in
all 10 games.
“I know it pained Shihab and
all my teammates to see me go
through this disease, but having a
little brother only further motivated
me to keep my head up and stand
strong throughout this whole
process,” said the linebacker
from Wisconsin. “Envisioning the
football field was truly the driving
force behind my will to fight. I
was willing to persevere through
anything to accomplish my dream
to play college ball, and my
willingness to fight inspired many
of my teammates to look inside
themselves to find their ‘why.’ Going
through this—together—has created
lifelong bonds and friendships.”
Siblings and
teammates keep
each other on track
Nick Heenie ’19 said growing close
to dozens of teammates from
different states, cultures, and
life experiences has broadened
players’ worldview. The football
team’s inclusive culture, Nick said,
has inspired him to explore and
appreciate Augsburg’s setting in one
of the most diverse neighborhoods
in the Twin Cities.
The Heenies room with brothers
linebacker Xavier Hanson ’23 and
defensive lineman Christopher
Hanson ’19. “So our moms always
know where to get ahold of us,”
Frank added. Wrestling twins Aaron
Wilson ’21 and Alex Wilson ’20 also
share a residence, not to mention
a major—biology. The two are
rarely apart.
“I started wrestling in
kindergarten. Alex started a year
later, and we both dreamed about
wrestling at Augsburg as kids,” said
Aaron, whose proudest moment
was being ranked nationally
alongside his brother. “We knew it
would make us the best versions
of ourselves on and off the mat.
Augsburg’s small class sizes have
allowed me to make meaningful
relationships with my professors
and pursue research of my own.”
Lacrosse player Delaney Everett ’18
is equally ambitious, with plans to
own an accounting firm. Having
sister, Demey Everett ’20, by her
side has pushed the midfielder to
achieve in competition and in the
classroom. Head Lacrosse Coach
Kathryn Knippenberg has had a
front row seat to the dynamic duo’s
inspiring support.
“The two are in sync on the field,
and their intuitive play challenges
the rest of the team to follow suit,”
said Knippenberg, who is in her
sixth season at Augsburg. “Their
majors are different—biology
and accounting—but Augsburg’s
impressive academic programs were
able to support both their interests.
Not many schools in the area offer
lacrosse along with such diverse
academic options.”
‘Here’s to
quadruplets in 2021’
The Kordah brothers are a few
years beyond graduation, and these
stories of campus life and sibling
bonds call up fond memories for
the former Augsburg soccer players.
Lekpea Kordah ’15 is raising two
kids while working as a high school
administrator and as a certified tax
professional. Barinedum Kordah ’17
works in health care administration
in the Twin Cities.
Adulthood keeps them from
kicking the ball around together,
but they do find time to talk about
the “good old days as Auggies,”
while they watch professional
soccer, Barinedum said. Campus,
he added, became home to them
after their nine-member family
migrated from Nigeria.
“I learned some of my greatest
lessons at Augsburg. On the field,
my brother taught me to never give
up and to work with intensity,”
said Barinedum, a defender who
majored in exercise science and
minored in psychology. “Coach
[Greg] Holker taught us to consider
details, which was tough because
I wanted to just get out there and
play. That study of each opponent
and the game itself helped us
outsmart our opponents and waste
less energy than if we were always
trying to beat them athletically.”
Haege knows the Kordah
brothers, as most coaches and
players do. That’s how it works
at Augsburg, he said. Players—
siblings or not—don’t only support
their team, they are among the
loudest fans at all Auggie contests.
Whether that sense of support
stems from family connections or
not, Haege doesn’t make that call.
He does, however, predict the trend
will continue. “Here’s to looking at
quadruplets in 2021,” he joked.
“The two are in sync ...”
—Head Lacrosse Coach Kathryn Knippenberg
Demey Everett ’20, left, and her sister Delaney Everett ’18
LEARNING
ACROSS
ABILITIES
The Center for Learning and
Accessible Student Services
champions students with a broad
range of disabilities on the path
to academic success.
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
Maura Gunter ’19
S
ince second grade, Maura Gunter ’19 relied on
accommodations for attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder and a word processing disorder. So when she
started college, Gunter knew the drill. But on her way
to class that fall semester, Gunter’s vision blurred and a
metallic taste coated her mouth. She lay in the snow for
four hours before paramedics arrived. When she woke,
doctors greeted the then 19-year-old with another
diagnosis: epilepsy.
As her peers at Colorado State University prepped for
finals, Gunter was pricked and scanned for two weeks.
Catch up, you can do this. Seizure. Someone stuffs a
wallet in her mouth. Doctors: “Episodes might pass or
might not. Try this medicine—no, this one.” Catch up, you
can do this. Seizure. Hospital stay, stares, and bruises.
“You need to find a way to complete assignments, Maura.”
Can I do this? Brain throbbing. More pills. Less sleep. No.
“When I started having seizures, I didn’t know [my
illness] was considered a disability. Support services at my
college at the time were fine but not personal. I didn’t have
an advisor to help me navigate my college education with
this invisible illness,” Gunter said. “So, nearly every time I
had a seizure, I had to medically withdraw.”
“I felt like such a failure—lost
and alone”
Without campus advocates and close teacher relationships,
Gunter turned to doctor-prescribed opioids for support and
became addicted. She found Augsburg University’s StepUP®
Program—a residential recovery support community—and
decided to transfer in 2015. Disability Specialist Anne Lynch
12
AUGSBURG NOW
was there to greet her, then walk the Georgia native through
her rights and responsibilities, documentation forms, exam
scheduling, and more. When Gunter made the dean’s list,
Lynch was the first person she called.
“Anne has been my rock,” said Gunter, who plans to
graduate in May with a degree in social work. “When
people cautioned me against seeking departmental honors
because they were worried ‘it’d be too much for me,’ Anne
pushed me. She lets me determine and define my own
limits. People don’t realize that it’s as equally stressful
and offensive to be coddled as it is to not be believed and
supported. Anne took the time to know me, to listen, and to
empower me with information and guidance.”
Sober since August 2014, Gunter thrived with newfound
campus advocates and with caring professors at Augsburg’s
tight-knit, affirming campus. Driving that advocacy
and service is the university’s Center for Learning and
Accessible Student Services, known as CLASS, where Lynch
has worked for 20 years.
The center’s influence is woven throughout every aspect of
Augsburg: CLASS informs administrative policies, advises on
housing accommodations, monitors updates to the physical
campus, and ensures students’ dietary requirements are met. They
offer professional development across campus, introduce assistive
technologies, and meet one-on-one with professors about universal
course design.
Disability specialists connect with parents, meet regularly with
students, and coordinate a range of accommodations—from exam
and tutor scheduling to notetakers and sign language interpreters.
The office serves those who need temporary accommodations,
including injured student-athletes, and engages in community
outreach and education. CLASS maintains a robust website with
links to programs, software, and apps for anyone to access.
When Lynch started in the late ’90s, she worked with about 30
students. Now, that number is 100.
“It’s been amazing to see Augsburg embrace diversity and
grow the reach and reputation of this critical office,” Lynch said.
“CLASS empowers the students we serve, but our work also
informs and inspires faculty, other students, and the communities
in which we live and work. It’s a gift to see employers, faculty,
parents, and even the students themselves shed misconceptions
about disabilities after working with our office.”
Lynch calls herself a partner. She spends her days partnering
intentionally with each student—to listen, to solve problems
alongside them, and to empower them to better understand
themselves and their abilities.
“‘Disability’ is not a bad word; it is tied to rights and
protections,” she said. “I love when students get to a place where
they can say, ‘Yes, I have a disability, but I am not a disability.’
Let’s move beyond the word and come up with solutions for making
sure all students have the same opportunities afforded to others.”
education and contribute their wisdom to solving the problems of
the world.”
A 2018 report from the American Collegiate Health Association
indicated that in the past year, three out of five college students
experienced “overwhelming anxiety,” and two out of five students
were “too depressed to function.” With increased stressors and
public services cutbacks, Carlson said, Augsburg has rallied to
strengthen safety nets.
“We strongly believe in helping students put together teams of
support so they can navigate college successfully. For students
with a mental health or other disability, CLASS is part of that
team,” Carlson said. “Augsburg is blessed with faculty who ‘get’
mental health issues and want to support their students and
advisees. Together, we help students feel connected on campus,
and that sense of connection can increase students’ likelihood
of success.”
CLASS Director Kathy McGillivray said this focus on “together” is
what distinguishes Augsburg and draws students to study and grow
alongside the support of CLASS’s comprehensive services.
“Our focus is on each individual student,” McGillivray said.
“But we are part of a larger mission to connect Augsburg students
to academic support, resources, and services that will help them
create and achieve their educational goals. Prospective students
see that seamless student support, all housed within the Gage
Center for Student Success.”
Within the Gage Center, CLASS includes the Groves
Accommodations Lab, which provides assistive technology and
testing accommodations for students with disabilities, and the
Groves Technology Center, which is a fully equipped computer
lab that is available to all students. Resources for students with
disabilities are offered within a suite of services for all.
“‘Disability’ is not a bad word”
Augsburg’s team approach weaves
a strong safety net
Although her focus is on students, Lynch said the office invests
a tremendous amount of time and energy in partnering with the
campus community to ensure Augsburg meets its commitment to
provide equal access to higher education and campus facilities.
Among CLASS’s greatest collaborations is with Augsburg’s Center
for Wellness and Counseling.
CWC Assistant Director Beth Carlson said that with the strong
connection between mental health and academic success, CWC
staff have found their work with CLASS invaluable in helping
students thrive. CLASS is distinct, Carlson said, in its deep
connections with students and collaborative, creative approaches
to overcoming complex situations.
“Many students who are academically capable might not be
able to graduate from Augsburg if they didn’t have the support
of CLASS. In the past, a student with a significant mental health
disability may not have been encouraged to go to college; now, our
campus is much richer and more diverse because we’re embracing
all of our students, supporting them as they gain a liberal arts
Matthew Glaven ’21 has built a team at Augsburg. The history major
serves on the board of Augsburg’s chapter of Women for Political
Change, manages the baseball team, and has traveled overseas
with fellow Auggies. CLASS is a major player on “Team Glaven,”
given that the Minnesota native is deaf/hard of hearing and has
cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult for him to write and speak.
“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned at Augsburg is that you
need to have a team, no matter who you are, to get through life. As
your life goes through different stages, your team of personal and
professional supporters evolves with you,” said Glaven, who uses
ASL interpreters, a microphone for his hearing aids, notetakers,
and testing accommodations. “CLASS also taught me that
advocacy is key to getting what you need to make your life better.
If you don’t advocate for yourself, you won’t be as successful.”
That embrace of advocacy will serve him well as he plans to
enter public office. The Queen fan and BBC-listening cat lover
is driven to improve public health care, protect minorities, and
continue to fight climate change, among other initiatives.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
13
The paw-fect solution
Matthew Glaven ’21
Faculty advocates
embrace universal design
Glaven gained that passion for policy
from instructors who were eager to make
lectures and content accessible—educators
like Rich Flint, assistant professor of
mathematics, who teaches core math
courses required of all students. In Spring
2009, Flint taught a pre-algebra course
of 24 students, 10 of whom had
documented disabilities.
“If I hadn’t known the CLASS staff
before that semester, I got to know them
all very well that spring,” Flint said. “We
now give all of our students a Math Anxiety
Bill of Rights, which includes statements
like, ‘I have the right to need extra help,’
and ‘I have the right to not understand.’
Many of us [math professors] include
statements about relaxation on our exams.
In fact, yesterday I proctored a Calculus 2
exam for a colleague that stated: ‘Relax.
You have done problems like this before.’
Without our work with CLASS, I don’t
know if we would be so attuned to using
straightforward strategies that benefit all
test takers.”
Professor of Mathematics Suzanne
Dorée said the department’s embrace of
universal design is a habit that emerged
from experience. Dorée has taught Auggies
for 30 years. When she started, parents
sometimes needed to attend classes to
assist their children. Now, because of the
resources and accommodations Augsburg
has to offer, students are able to enjoy
more independence, Dorée said.
“I love a good problem, and there’s
an element of creativity required in
adjusting my teaching style to reach all my
students. Over time you realize that the
new practices you adopt are good for all
students. For instance, I had a student who
was blind so I began narrating everything I
was doing on the board. It slowed me down
but I noticed that all my students were
processing the information better,” she
said. “The difference between a 50-minute
test and a 70-minute test’s ability to
assess student learning is not significant,
so I always write a 50-minute test for
my 70-minute classes. English learners,
students who didn’t get much sleep the
night before, and students with test
anxiety all appreciate the extra time to
check their work.”
That problem-solving can take many forms.
During Gunter’s freshman year, it barked and
was named Gus.
Gus was Gunter’s service dog. He was
trained to sense when Gunter might have a
seizure and assist her if and when she fell.
His vest detailed her diagnosis, which was
helpful since doctors previously missed her
medical ID bracelet three times, Gunter said,
while “Gus was tough to miss.”
“Was,” because Gunter hasn’t needed
a service dog since identifying the proper
blend of medicine, sleep, and support. The
24-year-old has been seizure-free for the
past year, and Gus has enjoyed the time off
to play with Gunter’s three other four-legged
pals: Nelson, Susan, and Shana. Each of her
pups, other than Gus, is a rescue with “some
special needs,” Gunter adds, proudly.
Health and stability, Gunter said, means
she can set her sights on the horizon—
toward research and graduate school.
Lars Christiansen, associate professor of
sociology, is collaborating with Gunter on
research about street equity, city planning,
and movement. This semester, Gunter is
focused on roadside memorial ghost bikes,
which are white-painted bikes placed near
streets not safe or accessible to cyclists.
She received travel funds to present her
findings at the Midwest Sociological
Society’s annual meeting in Chicago.
“Augsburg gave me the tools and space
to figure out my passion, understand my
responsibilities, and advocate for my
rights. A world that felt small years ago
now seems open and exciting.”
A year of
celebration
to honor
Augsburg’s leading approach to disability services didn’t just happen. Paired with staff expertise and an
inclusive campus culture, it took the vision and support of proud parents, alumni, and industry partners.
Auggie mom and Regent Emerita Barbara Gage, who served on Augsburg’s Board of Regents for 12 years,
led the charge to uplift Augsburg as a national leader in holistic student support services.
In the 1980s, Barbara and her husband, Skip Gage, along with the Carlson Family Foundation, donated and
raised funds to support the program that ultimately became CLASS. In 2011, the Gage Family Foundation
and the Carlson Family Foundation contributed $900,000 to create the Gage Center for Student Success.
This centralized, supportive learning space in the James G. Lindell Library provides resources for all
students—regardless of learning style, preference, or need. It houses the Office of Advising and Academic
Excellence, TRIO/Student Support Services, and CLASS.
A preview of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial plans:
September 27, 2019, to September 26, 2020
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
Sesquicentennial events calendar
From 1869
to today
Augsburg’s sesquicentennial
celebration will feature diverse
opportunities that uplift the
university’s founding principles,
honor its history, and look toward
its future.
Augsburg will:
• Showcase academic excellence
• Present historical elements
• Tell its institutional story
through art and design
• Host high-impact experiences
• Bring together thousands of
alumni and friends from all
generations
Augsburg’s community-wide events will include a gala, reunions, convocations, art shows,
concerts, book readings, theater performances, and lectures. Follow the sesquicentennial
calendar today for easy access to event details, possible weather-related changes, and parking
information. Here’s a glimpse at some of the signature events so you can start planning for this
historic year.
H O M E C O M I N G 2 0 19
September 23–28, 2019
New events along with traditional favorites make Homecoming one of the most
festive times on campus all year. The majority of this year’s events will occur
Saturday, September 28, and special reunions will honor the classes of 2009,
1979, and 1969.
S E S Q U I C E N T E N N I A L G A LA
September 27, 2019
Kick off Augsburg’s sesquicentennial at this once-in-a-lifetime event in
downtown Minneapolis. This gala will acknowledge Augsburg’s history of
pursuing the call to serve the community, and it will rally energetic support for
the next 150 years of Augsburg University.
I N A U G U R A L A LL- S C H O O L R E U N I O N
September 25–26, 2020
This all-inclusive gathering is for Auggies from every class, every degree
program, and every decade—Augsburg athletes, musicians, artists, scientists,
student leaders, and everyone in between. Learn how to coordinate a reunion
for a specific area of interest or identity by emailing Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at
codek@augsburg.edu.
Sesquicentennial book
Augsburg is publishing an institutional history book as part of its sesquicentennial celebration.
“Hold Fast to What is Good,” by History Professor Phillip Adamo, uses 10 objects from the
university archives to tell stories from Augsburg’s first 150 years. Signed, limited edition,
hardcover copies of this book are available for preorder until May 1, 2019.
SESQUICENTENNIAL
Register for Homecoming, purchase Sesquicentennial Gala tickets, learn
more about the All-School Reunion, and order your commemorative book at
augsburg.edu/150.
COURTESY PHOTOS
International travel
opportunities
BY JOHN WEIRICK
Augsburg will host four alumni trips to locations in Germany
and Norway that are central in the university’s history. Find
details for each trip at augsburg.edu/alumni under “Travel.”
NORWAY ARTS AND CULTURE
Tentative dates May 8–18, 2020
The tour will include theater productions, concerts,
and historical landmarks, and it will focus on the
rich and vibrant arts and culture of Norway. Explore
Norway alongside Augsburg Theater Program alumni,
co-leaders Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg University
professor of theater, and her husband, Luverne
Seifert ’83, Minneapolis actor and instructor at the
University of Minnesota.
NORWAY NOW: EXPLORING
PEACEMAKING, THE ENVIRONMENT,
AND CLIMATE CHANGE
GERMANY AND AUSTRIA FEATURING
THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY
Tentative dates July 15–26, 2020
This tour will focus on Bavaria, with stops in
Nuremberg, Salzberg, and additional nearby locations.
The hottest ticket in Europe every 10 years is to attend
the centuries-old Oberammergau Passion Play. This
trip includes prime seats for this once-in-a-decade
experience. As members of the university’s Department
of Religion, associate professors Lori Brandt Hale and
Hans Wiersma have teamed up to share their expertise
and offer a uniquely Augsburg experience.
NIDAROS PILGRIMAGE IN NORWAY
Tentative dates May 9–19, 2020
Tentative dates in July 2020
This tour will explore Norway’s peace work,
government, and environmental agencies. This tour is
co-led by Bettine Hoff Hermanson, managing director of
the Human Rights Forum at Augsburg as well as the
Norway Hub, and Joe Underhill, associate professor of
political science, director of environmental studies,
and director of the Human Rights Forum.
Hike to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim,
Norway—a pilgrimage made by travelers for more than
1,000 years. Augsburg University Pastor and Director
of Ministries Rev. Sonja Hagander will lead the trek in
which adventurous Auggies will learn about history
and culture, and they will experience firsthand some
of the most beautiful natural sights in the world. This
trip is intended for experienced mountain hikers.
For more information, contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of Alumni
and Constituent Relations, at codek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178.
Matt Swenson ’91 displays artisan
creations on the Minnesota Art Truck.
During an economic downturn,
a resurgence of skill-savvy
craftspeople revived centuriesold traditions of making highquality goods in small quantities,
harnessing the power of modern
technology and local communities.
Americans plunged into the Great Recession.
A wave of new and seasoned workers alike struggled to navigate the economic
uncertainty of fewer jobs and growing debt in an ever-changing global landscape.
But while the economy grew stagnant, the creative efforts of workers did not.
An artisanal phenomenon gained momentum, which affects not only what people
buy and the jobs they seek, but also shifts consumer expectations around the
country. This is no new trend; it’s actually an old one.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
19
FINNEGANS taproom in downtown Minneapolis
LAGER
IPA
BELGIAN
STOUT
GROWLER
PILSNER
CASCADE
PORTER
PALE ALE
BLOND
AMBER
PILSNER
WEISSBIE
MAIBOCK
HEFEWEIZ
DOPPELBO
SAISON
WITBIER
BERLINER
WEISSE
GROWLER
CASCADE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FINNEGANS
The modern artisan movement—
craftspeople who focus on distinct,
skillfully made goods produced in
small quantities, often by hand—has
deep roots in the past, before the
relatively recent industrialization that
revolutionized the global market by
providing more affordable products to
more people.
“The United States has had mass
production of plentiful and relatively
cheap goods for at least a century,”
said Nancy Fischer, associate professor
and chair of sociology at Augsburg
University. “An appreciation for more
traditional forms of making things—of
craftsmanship—was a reaction to and
coexisted with mass production.”
Fischer, who has researched vintage
fashion and is writing a book on vintage
clothing consumers, said artisans in
the pre-industrial 1800s could make a
living running shops that sold everyday
items like furniture, candles, or shoes.
However, artisan endeavors today form
a niche market, often as side jobs for
extra cash and personal fulfilment more
than a stable income or employment
benefits. The focus is not just on a
product; the artisanal approach also
20
AUGSBURG NOW
focuses on the origin of the item, what
it’s made of, and how it’s made.
You’ve seen the items: artisanal
breads and cheeses, small-batch ice
cream, hand-crafted chocolate and hot
sauce. Many major metropolitan areas—
and a number of smaller communities
as well—boast independent coffee
roasters, artisanal pizzerias, and craft
butchers of locally raised livestock.
Custom jeans and hand-tailored
leatherworks are neighbors to yoga
instructors, artisanal pickle producers,
and specialty popcorn shops in
tiny storefronts. Even international
corporations and fast food franchises
attempt to pique consumer interest
using the terms “artisanal” and “handcrafted,” much like they appropriated
“gourmet” and “specialty.”
Artisans appear in three oftenintertwined variations: 1. maker artisans
who produce tangible products, 2.
personal service artisans who offer
curated experiences, and 3. knowledge
artisans who bring together people and
ideas to enhance social capital.
“Artisans can look a lot different
than what most would expect,” said
Brian Krohn ’08, co-founder of Mighty
Axe Hops, which supplies Minnesotagrown hops to craft brewers around
the state. After studying chemistry at
Augsburg and finishing graduate school,
he became a serial entrepreneur,
launching a company that uses 3D
printing to make flame-emitting
wizard staffs and founding Soundly, a
smartphone app designed to reduce
snoring. “A woodworker would normally
be considered an artisan, but I think
an experienced engineer who uses CAD
[computer-aided design] and a CNC
[computer numerical control] to mill
wood or aluminum can also be
an artisan.”
To seek a simple explanation for the
artisan economy’s proliferation would
be to ignore the multifaceted appeal of
such products and services, as well as
the diverse array of people who sell and
buy them.
Consumer boredom, dissatisfaction
with mass-produced options, and the
feeling of overall instability could play
a psychological role in the appeal of
artisan alternatives. “When you think
about the current state of economic
inequality, recessions, an affordable
housing shortage, multiple wars, everchanging technology, outsourcing of
jobs, and terrorism, we live in a pretty uncertain world,” said Bridget Robinson-Riegler,
cognitive psychologist and professor of psychology at Augsburg. “We value nostalgic
products because they make us feel more secure. The new wave of such products is
possibly indicative of a society in turmoil and people in angst searching for comfort.”
The search for comfort doesn’t stifle the curious desire for variety, though. “If it’s
beer, consumers are looking for something that is different, not formulaic,” Fischer
said. “With woodworking items, ceramics, or clothing, they are looking for something
that will last, as well as something that is unique.”
Jacquie Berglund ’87 found a unique angle in
a competitive market: craft beer with a cause.
After graduating from Augsburg and studying
in Paris, she returned to Minneapolis and
co-founded FINNEGANS Brew Co., whose
profits are donated to alleviate hunger in the
markets that serve FINNEGANS beer. “When I
started my beer company, there were a handful
of breweries. There are now more than 150
in Minnesota. FINNEGANS needs to make
high-quality beer, differentiate our brand as a
FINNEGANS co-founder Jacquie Berglund ’87
social business with more than $1.3 million in
impact, and connect with our consumers and supporters.”
The craft beer boom is representative of the growing artisan movement in many
industries. Almost half of the 150 breweries in Minnesota have opened in the past
eight years, including Boom Island Brewing in Minneapolis, another brewery with
an Auggie connection. Qiuxia Welch ’99 studied music at Augsburg and became a
professional French horn performer and teacher. Today, she is Boom Island’s marketing
manager and runs the business with her husband, Kevin, its founder and head brewer.
“Most of Boom Island’s beers are brewed using traditional Belgian techniques,”
Welch said. “This requires expensive ingredients, no preservatives, years of experience,
and time. It’s difficult for the large breweries to do this.”
Craft beer sales have grown to nearly
13 percent market share, according to
the Brewers Association, which offers
“certified independent craft” labels for
breweries not owned by the handful of
multinational corporations that have
maintained dominant market share
following the repeal of Prohibition.
Because consumers pay more for
craft beer, these corporations seek
higher profits through consolidation,
buying craft breweries with national
reputations, and creating “craft”
sub-brands to mass produce.
“Mass production is not able to
work with the small, local suppliers
of ingredients like artisans can,” said
Berglund, whose FINNEGANS pale
ale features Krohn’s Minnesota-grown
Mighty Axe Hops. “We have made more
than 100 different beers in our taproom
in the past 11 months with five barrelaged brews—mass production is not
this nimble.”
Though craft beer brewing and buying
demographics skew toward Gen X and
Millennial white males, some signs point
to a more diverse artisan future. “More
women, and particularly women of color,
are playing important roles,” Welch said.
“They are opening breweries, making
great beers, and changing how we
market and drink craft beer.”
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
21
When you visit a Twin Cities craft brewery
or farmers market, you also might
see another kind of artisan: artist and
curator Matt Swenson ’91, founder of the
Minnesota Art Truck. Swenson displays
local artists’ work in the truck to connect
with people who don’t realize they can
purchase original art at prices comparable
to big-box stores while sustaining the
local art community. “I don’t see art as
just for the middle class or upper middle
class or the wealthy. Art really is for
everybody, and the more I get to interact
with people, the more they see that
themselves,” he said.
Before he started this “food truck
for the soul,” Swenson studied
communication and English at Augsburg
and worked in sales and marketing
management for 13 years. Today, he feels
lucky and grateful that his wife supported
his departure from corporate America in
search of creatively fulfilling work: “We
had to adjust how we live, but she knows
Minnesota Art Truck and
founder Matt Swenson ’91
22
AUGSBURG NOW
that it’s something I’m passionate about,
and I think it can be sustainable.”
Billy Mzenga ’13 is another Auggie
who left the corporate world, turning
his attention to graduate school and
a new entrepreneurial initiative. The
venture started when his wife, Megan,
fine-tuned recipes of homemade almond
butter, cashew butter, and peanut
butter. In 2017, the couple launched
these products into a small business:
NutMeg’s Nut Butters. The Mzengas now
live in Chicago and continue to develop
new recipes. They distribute NutMeg’s
products online and at farmers markets
and Chicago-area grocery stores.
Like FINNEGANS, NutMeg’s is a social
enterprise. NutMeg’s donates half of
its earnings to humanitarian nonprofits
in Kenya. Staying nimble and avoiding
stockholder pressures are key factors for
artisan entrepreneurs like the Mzengas.
“We are accountable to our customers
to make sure we are providing a good
product, and to the charities we partner
with, making sure we provide them with
financial resources,” Billy said.
Billy believes his Augsburg University
education equipped him to see how his
purpose intersects with causes bigger
than himself. “My experience there
opened my eyes to the issues facing the
world, Minnesota, and those who were on
the front lines as problem-solvers,” he said.
Berglund, whose social impact model
with FINNEGANS inspired the Mzengas,
can relate. “I got a strong sense of ‘We
are here to serve others’ by going to
Augsburg,” she said. “It shaped my world
perspective and the way I designed and
run my business.”
Augsburg’s communal support was
also obvious to Boom Island’s Welch
when she arrived in the United States
to study music. “I came from a very
warm place in China,” she said. “I
didn’t come to Minnesota prepared for
the winter. Professor Roberta Kagin from
the Department of Music sent out a
campus email asking for donations of
winter clothing. I don’t think I bought any
clothes for two years after that.”
Welch wants the same qualities of
Augsburg in her business today. “This
is a very caring community with an
appreciation for a well-balanced life.
I like to think Boom Island Brewing is
the same,” she said.
FOAT co-founders Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96, left, and Kaja Foat ’96
Boom Island Brewing’s
Qiuxia Welch ’99
What prevents the artisan niche from
drawing more consumers away from massproduced items? “The choice is between
a $40 hand-crafted wood cutting board
or a $7 one from Target,” Fischer said.
“That kind of price differential for most
Americans’ financial situation—which is
more heavily weighted for folks with fewer
resources—eliminates the choice, even if
they would prefer the $40 cutting board.”
The higher price doesn’t necessarily
mean artisan products are luxury items.
In fact, artisan entrepreneurs often
justify the higher cost of crafted goods
in pragmatic terms. With some massproduced products, Krohn is concerned
that consumers will end up spending
more money in the long run on subpar
items that wear out rather than a quality
item that lasts—“You get what you pay
for,” as the adage goes.
Augsburg alumni craft a variety of artisan goods and services.
From a sociological perspective, the
benefits of less expensive production
and more affordable mass-produced
goods come with the risk of exploitation
of workers and the environment in
the supply chain and manufacturing
processes. “Organizations and activists
have encouraged us for decades to
question the unsustainable model of
buying more cheap goods shipped
from overseas where the pay, working
conditions, and factory harms to
the environment are jaw-droppingly
horrible,” Fischer said.
The relationship between quality,
cost, and ethics is especially tangible
in fashion. Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96 and
twin sister Kaja Foat ’96 created FOAT,
an environmentally conscious women’s
fashion brand with a personal touch.
Based in their Charleston, South
Carolina, and northeast Minneapolis
studios, they design, cut, and sew
garments by hand rather than
outsource the work.
“We are not interested in massproducing our patterns and clothing
overseas because it is important to us
to produce our items ethically, locally,
and with a lot of care,” Naselaris said.
“When garments are mass-produced,
they are designed with one body type in
mind. Handmade garments are tweaked
and tucked, pushed and pulled into a
COURTESY PHOTOS
shape that is both comfortable
and complementary to the
customer’s body.”
Like FOAT, many artisans
extend their care for customers
and details to the overall industry
and consumer expectations that
NutMeg’s co-founders Billy Mzenga ’13, left, and Megan Mzenga
influence business practices.
“Most Americans are not
accustomed to paying attention
Artisans offer alternate products as
to, or even caring about, how their
well as an alternate story, a different
products are made,” Naselaris said.
way to engage with the American
“There has to be a change of mindset.”
tradition of consumerism. They invite
FOAT encourages people to buy fewer
others to see that more isn’t always
well-made garments that last longer
better, that making something beautiful
rather than many poorly made products
and enduring takes time. Many
that tend to fall apart more quickly.
consumers are rethinking their economic
Billy believes many consumers are
relationships in society: how they engage
ready for change: “People are speaking
with what they eat, what they buy, the
with their dollars and moving their
issues they care about, and ultimately,
business to more locally owned,
how they engage each other.
locally made products.”
“The craft-brew taproom has become
a vital part of the community like you
find in Old World Europe,” said Welch,
who co-leads Belgium brewery tours to
Will some consumers continue to
stay tethered to a historic beer tradition.
lack the financial resources to choose
“Our typical customer wants to connect
more artisanal options? Will others
with the people who make and serve
grow weary of paying more for local,
their beer. They want to know where
sustainable, quality products? Might
their food and drinks come from, how
this artisan movement form a robust
they are made, and who made them.
economy of the future? It doesn’t show
This is how we lived for centuries. Now
signs of slowing, perhaps because of
artisans are back.”
the connection between crafters and
those enjoying the craft.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
23
Professor of Psychology
Assistant Professor of Psychology
They became colleagues at Augsburg
roughly a decade ago.
BY COURTNEY PERRY AND LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA
Community is an undeniable fixture of the Augsburg experience, and nothing makes a campus feel small like the familiar
faces of those who’ve become friends. Countless Auggies have forged lifelong connections—whether in an instant during
their first days on campus or over time through shared classes, interests, residence halls, occupations, and stories. Here’s
a taste of the many rich friendships that have grown at Augsburg and carried on across time and geography.
Robinson-Riegler: “We’re both cognitive
psychologists, so we have a mutual interest,
which was probably the initial thing that
brought us together. Then once we got to know
each other, we just realized how similar we are.”
Professor Bridget Robinson-Riegler, left, often stops into the office of Assistant Professor
Ben Denkinger to talk about everything from their shared field of study to baseball.
Major: Communication Arts/Literature
and Secondary Education
Denkinger: “We’re excited about the same
things in psychology, and maybe riled up about
the same things in politics and culture.”
Meeting in the James G. Lindell Library, Joaquin
Delgado-Ortiz, left, and Ann Sheely discuss
a project she’s working on for her residence hall.
Majors: Film and Communication Studies
They helped each other on move-in day
and became intramural soccer teammates.
Harris: “Anthony is one of the greatest
students I know in the area of academics
. . . my grandad always used to say, ‘If
you want to get good at something, then
surround yourself with people who are
already outstanding in that area.’ So I see
him in that. He inspires me.”
Villagrana: “Likewise, from day one,
Mallory has always been positive—the
energy he gives is positivity. Always
smiling, always talkative. He’s never
gloomy, you know? He brings this energy to
the room. I’m just glad I met Mallory this
year because I was pretty quiet and kept
to myself last year. He’s a transfer student,
and he’s older than me. He introduced
me to a lot of people, and I made a lot
of friends. His character has inspired me
to be more open and more social in this
environment at Augsburg.”
24
AUGSBURG NOW
Major: Psychology
Anthony Villagrana, left,
and Mallory Harris head
off to class.
Majors: Life Sciences and
Secondary Education
After being assigned to the
same lab group, they formed a
friendship and ended up laughing
their way through their final
presentation for their course.
Sheely: “One thing I’ve noticed about people at Augsburg is that
everybody is really open and accepting and willing to just be there to
help you. They’ll actually return your smiles, generally. So that’s been
really helpful for me—not being afraid to reach out to people even if
I don’t know them really well yet, and then friendships can grow.”
Camryn Masse, left, and Jen Meinhardt study together, as they
do at least twice a week, in Christensen Center.
Major: English (Creative Writing)
“That’s a cool pen.” One
seemingly simple statement
made in a 12:30 p.m. religion
class on the first day of the
semester sparked a friendship.
Meinhardt: “We both transferred
here from a different school—
from the same school, in fact—
but we didn’t know each other
there. It’s been fun because we
have the same perspective of
someplace different—of going
from a small community college
to this school. The city is kind
of different for us, and we
didn’t know anybody else. For
me, our friendship just gave me
something more concrete and
grounded at this school, which
helped me transition better.
And it’s given me somebody to
study with. She’s inspired me to
hit the gym; she’s inspired me to
work instead of goof off. She kind
of just keeps everything rolling.”
Enrollment Communications
and Event Specialist
AUGGIES CONNECT
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
COURTESY PHOTO
Major: Elementary Education
The Augsburg University Alumni Board
supports the university’s mission by finding
meaningful ways for our members to
contribute their time, talent, and treasure.
Members meet regularly to create and
enhance events where Auggies can network,
collaborate, and serve together.
This fall, we partnered with the Clair and Gladys Strommen Center
for Meaningful Work to co-host a mock interview event for current
students. We then brought Auggies together again this February at
our annual networking event. This year’s networking workshop offered
students the chance to practice their networking skills in a friendly
environment, and attendees heard from an impressive panel of alumni
who discussed how networking helped further their careers.
This spring, the Alumni Board has been busy working on events
like an Augsburg Beer Choir, A-Club Spring Happy Hour, and our first
All-School Reunion Stewards Meeting, which is coming up May 20.
Of course, the big event we’re gearing up for is Augsburg’s
sesquicentennial celebration. After we kick things off at the
Sesquicentennial Gala and Homecoming 2019, the Alumni
Board will focus on the ways it can support Augsburg at a number
of additional low- or no-cost events and new, family-friendly
opportunities. Augsburg’s sesquicentennial will truly be a year to
remember, and you can learn more on pages 15–18.
There are plenty of ways for alumni to give back to Augsburg as a
volunteer this year. Consider becoming a Sesquicentennial Steward,
joining the Alumni Board, or serving on one of our other leadership
boards. It’s been a pleasure to serve as board president for the past
two years. I’ve enjoyed working with current Alumni Board Vice
President Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL, and I’m confident she will be a
terrific Alumni Board president going forward.
Assistant Director of Admissions
PICK THE
PATTERN
Denielle Stepka ’11, a senior
creative associate at Augsburg,
has created patterns for elegant
neckties, scarves, and—of
course—bow ties inspired
by art from around campus,
Augsburg’s “A” mark, and
university seal. Help decide
which designs should be put
into production.
Take a look at the options and “like” your favorites on the Augsburg Alumni
Association Facebook page: facebook.com/augsburgalumni.
HAGFORS CENTER
TRANSFORMS AUGGIE EXPERIENCE
It's been three years since Augsburg University broke ground
on the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion,
and 16 months since the facility opened for classes. These
fast facts from the building’s inaugural year illustrate its
remarkable impact and the new opportunities it affords
Augsburg students, faculty, staff, and community members.
FAST FACTS
Go Auggies!
Office space for
They first worked together at another
college but both found a home at Augsburg.
NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
of Augsburg’s
full-time faculty
Sotos: “Someone saw us playing
racquetball here together one day and
asked us if we were married. I said, ‘Well,
we’re not married, but I did marry him!’
because my wife and I officiated his and
his wife’s wedding.
It’s always good to have a familiarity
with how people work best and what
their strengths are, so it’s nice working
alongside a friend.”
40%
PARTICIPATE IN THE SESQUICENTENNIAL MUSICAL
Colleagues who once competed for the same job, Maggie Sotos, left, and Josh Owens, right, are now friends on
staff in Augsburg’s Admissions Department and opponents on the racquetball court during their lunch hour.
Among the many faculty-led projects in development to celebrate
Augsburg’s 150th anniversary is a new work of musical theater about
the university community, past and present, to be performed in Spring
2020. Members of the community are invited to take part in every step
of the process, from creating material to performing in the production.
Learn more at engage.augsburg.edu/sesquicentennialmusical.
29
THE HAGFORS CENTER HAS:
139,000
square feet of collaborative
learning areas with 32 open
study spaces
laboratories, four 30-seat classrooms,
and the largest classroom on campus,
which seats up to 100 people
If you are interested in learning more about projects in the Hagfors Center
or taking a tour, contact Heather Riddle at riddle@augsburg.edu.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1960
Lowell “Zeke” Ziemann ’60
wrote a new book titled “A
Kaleidoscope of Baseball.” The publication
shares quotes, poetry, stories, odd facts,
and historical information related to baseball
as a national pastime. Ziemann previously
authored several books in the Old West
genre. He studied mathematics at Augsburg.
Jacquie Berglund ’87 discussed her craft beer
company’s social impact and collaborations with
local ingredients suppliers. See story on page 19.
1977
Zoë Foat Naselaris ’96 and twin sister Kaja
Foat ’96 create fashionable, ethically sourced,
one-of-a-kind women’s garments by hand. See story
on page 19.
The Augsburg men’s soccer
program celebrated its 50th
anniversary this fall with a lunch and
reception attended by more than 100
Auggies. The celebration brought together
Auggie soccer players from many decades
and was led by a host of Augsburg alumni
including Darcy Debing ’77, Gary Dahle ’79,
Mike Kennedy ’79, Don Potter ’79, Vinnie
Brooks ’07, Alex Hildebrandt ’10, and Van
Hong ’11.
Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 has deep
family ties at Augsburg. His sister, Marie
(Swenson) Hechsel ’90, played volleyball. Her son,
Matt Hechsel ’15, wrestled; and her daughter,
Stephanie Hechsel ’19, played volleyball. See story
on page 8.
1982
Augsburg alumni Deb Krueger
Knight ’82, Mike Cunningham ’10,
Janice Gladden ’12, and Cyrus Batheja ’08,
’11 MBA offered networking and career
advice as panelists at the 2019 Augsburg
Alumni and Student Networking Event.
Attendees gathered to practice networking
skills, discuss career paths, and get to know
other Auggies.
Matt Swenson ’91 took inspiration from the
food truck phenomenon and created a mobile
opportunity to buy local art. See story on page 19.
1999
Tammy Sinkfield-Morey ’99, ’13
MAN, ’17 DNP received the 2018
March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the
Year award. She is the first African-American
recipient of this top honor, which recognizes
experienced nurses’ community service and
professional and personal development.
Qiuxia Welch ’99 builds community around
Belgian beer made with traditional techniques
in Minneapolis. See story on page 19.
1998
Scott Erickson ’98 opened an
independent insurance agency,
State Insurance, in Otsego, Minnesota. The
business serves all of Minnesota.
2003
Linnea Benton ’03 moved to
Okinawa, Japan, with her
husband who serves in the U.S. Navy.
Her oldest child started kindergarten, and
Benton, who graduated from Augsburg with
a degree in English, volunteers in the school
library to stay active in her field.
2004
Darin Rowle ’04, ’15 MSW
accepted a manager role for the
Department of Human Services HIV Program.
Most recently, Rowle served JustUsHealth
(formerly known as the Minnesota AIDS
Project) as a director of prevention and
coordinated care/integrated services. Rowle
has more than 20 years of experience
working with HIV-related concerns and
helping people navigate complex social
service and medical systems.
of development at Fordham University
School of Law. She and her family reside in
Brooklyn, New York.
They’re Auggie hockey stars, and they’re
siblings. Meet Chris Johnson ’10, ’14 MAL and
Megan Johnson ’19 in the story beginning on page 8.
2008
2013
Ben Katz ’08 produced a podcast
mini-series for the New Yorker
and New York Public Radio that tells the
story of his wife investigating a family secret.
Serial entrepreneur Brian Krohn ’08
demonstrates the breadth of diverse artisan
endeavors in today’s economy. See story on page 19.
2005
MK Gibbs ’05 opened the Mary
Katherine School, which is
an early education center serving children
and parents through infant, toddler, and
preschool programs in Bloomington,
Minnesota.
2009
Lisa Peterson ’09 is taking on
additional leadership roles with
the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce
as she transitions from serving as its director
of tourism to her new position as chamber
president. Peterson studied marketing and
business administration at Augsburg.
2006
Ramsey County named Kari
Collins ’06 director of community
and economic development. Collins worked
as a community development manager with
the city of Roseville, Minnesota, since 2016.
She previously served as an assistant to
the city manager of Roseville and as zoning
administrator and board secretary for the city
of Milwaukee.
Evelyn Tsen ’09 and her husband, Alec,
welcomed a baby boy, Abraham Fenlason,
on January 18.
2010
The Litchfield Independent
Review reported that Brandon
Begnaud ’10 organized a Christmas cantata,
“The Glory of Christmas,” at Christ the King
Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota,
where he serves as director of worship and
music. A graduate of Augsburg’s music
program, Begnaud recruited for, led, and
participated in the pre-Christmas cantata
that included a choir of 53 singers and 29
instrumentalists.
2007
Grant Hemmingsen ’07 and his
wife, Kari, welcomed a baby girl,
Quinn Joann, on January 26. Hemmingsen
is the men’s basketball head coach at
Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Molly (Shortall) Kaszuba ’07 and her
husband, Brian, welcomed a baby boy, Jack,
this winter. Kaszuba is an associate director
Augsburg biopsychology major
Alix Young ’13 taught psychology
for two years in China’s Guangdong province
following graduation and opened the
Brain and Psychophysiology Lab at United
International College. Now living in Houston,
Young is a coordinator of clinical studies at
MD Anderson Cancer Center.
2016
Former Auggie women’s
basketball player Abbey Luger ’16
teaches and coaches at Transfiguration School
in Oakdale, Minnesota.
2017
Kaylee E. Gueltzow ’17 is teaching
English in Germany through the
Fulbright Program. She lives in Greifswald
and is traveling throughout Europe.
2018
Ricki Larson ’18 is a fourth-grade
teacher in her first year serving
her home district.
Billy Mzenga ’13 and his wife, Megan, turned
their hand-crafted nut butters into a small
business that supports nonprofits in Kenya. See story
on page 19.
Brothers Mustafa Adam ’18 and Shihab Adam ’22
were among four sets of siblings on the 2018–19
Augsburg football roster. See story on page 8.
2015
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Awale “Wally” Osman ’15 and
Felecia Zahner ’15 served as
keynote presenters at Augsburg University’s
TRIO/SSS 50th Anniversary Celebration in
November. More than 130 of the program’s
students, supporters, and graduates
attended the event, which included a
reception and dinner.
Osman is also a new member of the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation’s Community Leadership
Network. He also serves as a community
innovation program associate at the Bush
Foundation and has received accolades
from the Center for National Leaders,
NAACP, TRIO, and the National Newman
Civic Fellowship.
Lekpea Kordah ’15 and Barinedum Kordah ’17
found that their brotherly bonds strengthened
their Augsburg experience. See story on page 8.
Carola Thorson ’07 MAL became the vice
president of enrollment management at
Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio,
in September. Thorson served in several
roles in Augsburg’s Admissions Department
from 2003 to 2013, and she most recently
was the executive director of admission
and scholarships at Concordia College in
Moorhead, Minnesota.
Physician assistant Sarah Pattison ’12 MSPAS
joined the internal medicine department at
Carris Health Clinic in Willmar, Minnesota,
where she also assists in urgent care. She
previously worked at High Point Family
Practice in North Carolina.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Annika (Spargo) Eriksson ’09
and Carl Eriksson were married
November 17 in Stillwater, Minnesota.
’09
Taneasha Muonio ’18 joined
People’s Center Clinics and
Services as a substance abuse
program manager in May 2018. Just
a few weeks before being hired,
Muonio completed a case
management internship at the
People’s Center and earned her
bachelor’s degree at Augsburg with
a double major in biology and
psychology. In her full-time role,
’18
’09
’18
28
AUGSBURG NOW
’01
’05
’13
’87
Muonio serves 150 patients dealing
with substance abuse concerns and
works with doctors to integrate
patients’ medical and behavioral
health care.
On November 11, Jill
’01 Mintz-Hoydl ’01 married
Andrew Hoydl. Augsburg alumna Jeni
(Eckman) Linnenberg ’01 [pictured,
left] was in the wedding party. The
Mintz-Hoydl family resides in Denver.
’05
Erika Hiland ’05 welcomed
a baby girl in November.
Shannon (Connaughton)
Grindal ’13 and Erik Grindal ’13
welcomed a new baby who someday
could be fourth-generation Auggie.
’13
Richard Bahr ’87 released a
book about homelessness in
Twin Cities. “Those People: The True
Character of the Homeless” includes
anecdotes about people with whom
Bahr has worked and seeks to
counter stereotypes and dispel myths
about people experiencing
homelessness.
’87
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Tina (Anderson) Boe ’04
bought a home in Forest
Lake, Minnesota, and works
for Aveda as a distribution
supervisor. Her daughters
are 6 and 8 years old.
In September, longtime friends [L to R] Mary (Boraas)
Janotta ’73, Jill Steele ’72, Mary Lynn (Monson)
Ogelsbee ’72, Lennice “Sparky” (Nordaune) Keefe ’72,
and Julie (Hagberg) Swaggert ’73 traveled to upstate
New York. The Augsburg alumnae once lived together
in Chi House and have been traveling yearly since
their graduation. A highlight of their most recent trip
was visiting Niagara Falls.
Augsburg Assistant Volleyball
Coach Colleen (Ourada) Enrico ’14
and her husband, Zach Enrico ’12,
welcomed a son, George, on
May 23, 2018.
In December, Susie (Emmert)
Schatz ’09 MSW was named vice
president and chief advocacy
officer for St. Paul-based Lutheran
Social Service of Minnesota.
Schatz now oversees state and
national advocacy initiatives for the
organization. Schatz joined LSS nine
years ago as an advocacy manager,
and she has received numerous
accolades for her work, including
the LSS CEO Leadership Award.
Since 2011, Schatz has served as an
adjunct instructor at Augsburg.
This fall, Tina Nguyen ’08
and her fiancé helped
connect more than 250
people at Minneapolis’
Franklin-Hiawatha homeless
encampment with supplies
and blankets. Nguyen also
served on the Augsburg
University Alumni Board.
Allyson (Ruedy)
Dooley ’13 and Eric
Dooley ’13 welcomed
twin boys in February
named Jason Timothy
and Lucas Anthony.
Arianna Genis ’13 was
the campaign manager
for Jeremiah Ellison for
Minneapolis City Council.
Currently, she’s merging both
her creative and political
skills at Wellstone Action as
a deputy communications
director. Genis also creates
a podcast, “Latina Theory,”
to unite the voices of Latinx
people in Minnesota.
Kevin Butcher ’13 and Kacie
Lucchini ’13 were married on
August 18 at Surly Brewing’s
Beer Hall in Minneapolis.
Connor Krenik ’13 married
the couple, who celebrated
alongside family, friends, and
fellow Auggies. The newlyweds
live in south Minneapolis as they
both pursue graduate school at
the University of Minnesota.
This fall, Reginaldo HaslettMarroquin ’03 received a
lifetime Ashoka Fellowship
for social entrepreneurship. A
graduate of Augsburg’s business
administration and management
program, Haslett-Marroquin
is the principal architect of a
poultry-centered regenerative
agriculture model. As part of
his new role with the Ashoka
organization, Haslett-Marroquin
contributed to a commentary
on nonlinear farming that was
published in Forbes in October.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Leah (Jacobson) Soland ’12 and
Cody Soland were married this
November in Owatonna, Minnesota.
Leah graduated from Augsburg with
a bachelor’s degree in social work.
30
AUGSBURG NOW
Alom (Martinez-Aleman)
Walters ’13 and
her husband, Seth,
welcomed a baby boy,
Søren James, in October.
Former head coaches [L to R]
John Grygelko and Jeff
Swenson ’79 were among
more than 200 attendees
at the Augsburg wrestling
program’s 70th anniversary
celebration held this February.
The reunion took place the
same evening as Augsburg’s
meet against rival Wartburg
College—a competition known
as the Battle of the Burgs.
Anna (Ferguson) Rendell ’05
released a new book titled
“Pumpkin Spice for Your
Soul: 25 Devotions for
Autumn.” This is her third
book featuring devotionals
for women and moms.
Greg Schnagl ’91 published
the book “Not My First
Classroom: A Guide to
Supporting Experienced
Teachers in New Roles.”
Schnagl earned a
bachelor’s degree in
business management at
Augsburg and also holds
master’s and doctoral
degrees in education. He
is the founder and owner
of TeacherCentricity, which
supports experienced
educators. Schnagl is
married to Molly (Fochtman)
Schnagl ’92.
Lauren Webber ’14 welcomed
a baby boy in November.
“MN Original,” an Emmy Awardwinning program produced by Twin
Cities PBS, featured Alison Price ’08
and her painting series “Witnessing
Waves” in an episode that aired in
November. The artwork was created
during her undergraduate years at
Augsburg and was inspired by the
trees of the Mississippi River gorge.
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.
Augsburg alumni [L to R] Dave Ogren ’91 MAL
and Eric Galler ’91 MAL visited Devils Tower,
Wyoming, this October and participated in the
KannonFall Charity Fun Rally.
Devoney Looser ’89 visited
Augsburg University in February
to discuss her new book, “The
Making of Jane Austen.” Looser,
who was featured in the Fall
2018 issue of Augsburg Now,
returned to campus for two
days to meet with faculty and
students. She is a professor at
Arizona State University.
SPRING–SUMMER 2019
31
Celebrate 150 years of Augsburg
and launch another 150 years
of Auggie legacies.
IN MEMORIAM
Gertrude E. (Larson) Franzen ’43,
Hastings, Nebraska, age 97, on
February 1.
Marlys A. (Backlund) Morland ’54,
Newberg, Oregon, age 88, on
November 19.
Thomas A. Steenberg ’58,
Missoula, Montana, age 83, on
October 20.
Milton L. Anderson ’44, Willmar,
Minnesota, age 96, on October 29.
Grace M. (Larson) Anderson ’55,
University Place, Washington, age
85, on September 22.
Paul H. Almquist ’59, Edina,
Minnesota, age 81, on
November 7.
Arnulf Maeland ’55, Royal Palm
Beach, Florida, age 85, on
February 7.
Harry C. Collin ’60, Gold Canyon,
Arizona, age 86, on December 21.
Lorna M. (Wilberg) Sanders ’47,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age
93, on November 20.
Jeroy C. Carlson ’48, Edina,
Minnesota, age 95, on
November 20.
James C. Record ’55, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 85, on May 20.
Lorraine “Lee” M. (Gimmestad)
Clyne ’48, Coldwater, Michigan,
age 92, on November 19.
Jeanette I. (Olson) Locke ’57,
Lakeland, Minnesota, age 83, on
February 10.
Llewellyn “Llew” (Rustad)
Smith ’48, Twentynine Palms,
California, age 90, in August.
John H. Olson ’57, Richfield,
Minnesota, age 88, on October 31.
Jean (Christenson) Sverdrup ’49,
Edina, Minnesota, age 91, on
September 12.
Einar D. Unseth ’51, Lester Prairie,
Minnesota, age 93, on January 2.
Harvey M. Peterson ’52,
Minneapolis, age 91, on
December 10.
Joan E. (Carlberg) Nordenstrom ’53,
Cambridge, Minnesota, age 87,
on September 8.
Lowell H. Kleven ’54, Golden
Valley, Minnesota, age 86, on
October 11.
32
AUGSBURG NOW
Gudwren “Goodie” L. (Ellingson)
Belkholm ’58, Ogilvie, Minnesota,
age 86, on January 20.
Kenneth J. Belkholm ’58, Ogilvie,
Minnesota, age 90, on January 28.
Roger R. Brandt ’58, Sonoma,
California, age 82, on January 8.
Mabeth L. (Saure) Gyllstrom ’58,
Minneapolis, age 82, on
September 22.
Betty J. (Johnson) Hass ’58, Rio
Rancho, New Mexico, age 82, on
November 4.
Carl L. Hellzen ’58, Litchfield,
Minnesota, age 83, on January 24.
Gerald “Jerry” E. Hendricks ’60,
Watertown, Minnesota, age 81,
on December 10.
Edward J. Olson ’60, Mauston,
Wisconsin, age 86, on January 3.
David G. Torgerson ’60, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 84, on April 9.
Russell D. Osterberg ’63,
Alexandria, Minnesota, age 82,
on October 1.
Jeffrey H. Barbour ’70, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 71, on January 27.
Mary K. Ratzlaff ’74,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 66,
on September 26.
Elin K. Ohlsson ’77, Edina,
Minnesota, age 63, on June 19.
Francine B. Chakolis ’78,
Minneapolis, age 73, on
January 15.
Carol L. (Watson) Saunders ’79,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 72, on
November 1.
Bonnie R. (Lindgren) Reeb ’81,
Willmar, Minnesota, age 60, on
October 3.
Jeffrey C. Yue ’81, Wayzata,
Minnesota, age 59, on January 10.
Henry F. Groth ’64, Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, age 77, on
August 31.
Bob S. Dayton ’90, Maplewood,
Minnesota, age 52, on
November 26.
Diane K. (Rife) Notch ’64,
Northfield, Minnesota, age 77, on
November 28.
Julie A. Tanner Fischer ’92,
Minneapolis, age 48, on
January 19.
Dwight J. O’Bert ’66, Minneapolis,
age 74, on February 4.
George “Bruce” B. Sorrells ’07,
Minneapolis, age 60, January 11.
Lois A. (Barnaal) Ryan ’67, Lilburn,
Georgia, age 73, on January 7.
Frances E. Cleveland ’10,
Minneapolis, age 48, on
November 18.
Linda D. (Letnes) Lewis ’69,
Hastings, Minnesota, age 71, on
January 3.
+
The “In memoriam” listings in this publication
include notifications received before March 1.
Attract future leaders and eliminate barriers so more students
can thrive at Augsburg and explore their vocations.
Give any amount to the Sesquicentennial Scholarship
to support students in financial need.
augsburg.edu/giving
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
PHOTO BY DON STONER
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Auggies win 13th national wrestling title
In March, the Augsburg University wrestling team claimed its 13th NCAA Division III
national championship, winning all four of its individual national title bouts. Seven
Auggies earned All-American honors in the finals of the national tournament.
Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn
more about the university’s
national tournament win.
Show less
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG
UNIVERSITY
SPRING–SUMMER 2017 | VOL. 79, NO. 2
COMING SEPTEMBER 2017
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On the power of both/and
I am writing these notes on c... Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG
UNIVERSITY
SPRING–SUMMER 2017 | VOL. 79, NO. 2
COMING SEPTEMBER 2017
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On the power of both/and
I am writing these notes on commencement
weekend when we have just sent the final
graduates of Augsburg College into the world,
full of promise and aspiration—as has been the
case for almost 150 years. As you will read in
this issue of Augsburg Now, the change of our
name to Augsburg University will become official
in September, and we will welcome the incoming
class on Labor Day weekend. We are busy
preparing for this exciting new era for Augsburg!
For some, the name change may reflect
a break with Augsburg’s past. For others,
perhaps this is a welcome acceptance of the
need to embrace the future. For the Augsburg
community, however, the change is a remarkable
opportunity to re-present Augsburg to the
world—to tell a story that is about an abiding
mission and identity shaped by faith, and
academic and civic values, and at the same
time to point to innovative and urgently needed
responses to our dynamic environment. In
other words, this change is about the pivot
from “either/or” to “both/and.” This is about
embracing the best of past, present, and future.
This is about Augsburg University.
The almost 1,000 Auggies who commenced
into the world this spring reflect in their
achievements and aspirations the foundation for
embracing this change.
Across undergraduate and graduate programs,
the Class of 2017 achieved academic excellence
of the highest order, excellence that defines a
university: national and international honors for
scholarship and service; exemplary undergraduate
research that equips students for graduate
work and professional opportunities; innovative
community building that strengthens democratic
engagement; and a commitment to equity in
education that promises to change the world.
At the same time, our newest graduates
reflect the diversity that we expect in a
university—diversity of ethnicity, thinking, life
experience, identity, and ability—diversity not
for its own sake but for the promise of a more
robust, healthy, and just world. As I watched our
diverse graduates cross the stage, I could not
help but be filled with hope in our future leaders
who already have learned to navigate difference
in ways that unite rather than divide.
In a final way, these newest Augsburg
graduates offer a perhaps countercultural
lesson about what makes for a great university.
Though some imagine a university as big and
bureaucratic and faceless, Augsburg has a
vision to be a new kind of student-centered,
urban university—small to our students and
big for the world. The sense of community was
palpable in our commencement ceremonies as
graduates cheered each other and celebrated
the relationships they have forged at Augsburg,
lifelong relationships that engendered
achievement and success. And propelled by those
relationships, our graduates will indeed be “big
for the world,” as they live Augsburg’s mission as
“informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical
thinkers, and responsible leaders.”
Here’s to the power of “both/and” and the
promise of Augsburg University!
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Director of Marketing
Communication
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
Communication Copywriter
and Editorial Coordinator
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Denielle Johnson ’11
johnsod@augsburg.edu
Production Manager
Mark Chamberlain
chamberm@augsburg.edu
Marketing Copywriter
Jessica Mueller
muellerj@augsburg.edu
Contributing Writers
Kate H. Elliott
Jen Lowman Day
augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Faithfully yours,
Send address corrections to:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
Send comments to:
now@augsburg.edu
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
AUGSBURG NOW
Spring–Summer 2017
02 Around the quad
08
Preserving Norway’s
treasures
12
Augsburg University
name change
18
Winning the long game
24
Auggies connect
28
Class notes
33
In memoriam
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
On the cover
Augsburg College will become
Augsburg University effective
September 1. Learn more about
this historic transition on page 12.
An Auggie passes by the first art installation in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center
for Science, Business, and Religion. This new academic building, which will open in January
2018, celebrates Augsburg’s commitment to learning at the intersection of disciplines.
Glass fritting on the lobby curtainwall depicts the pattern of Martin Luther’s handwritten
score of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” overlaid with the cell structure of elm wood.
“Knowing that light will pour through the tall glass of the Hagfors Center, and that
people will pass through the reflected shape of the notes of this stirring hymn, ties the
whole idea of the building together for me. Science, business, and religion, drawn together
in space, time, and rhythm of the ages,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, who,
with his wife, Abigail Crampton Pribbenow, sponsored the artwork.
AROUND THE QUAD
HONORING
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
Retiring Faculty
RALPH BUTKOWSKI
MAGDA PALECZNY-ZAPP
Assistant Professor, Department of
Biology—with the College
since 2001
Associate Professor, Department of
Business Administration—with the
College since 1986
CASS DALGLISH
NOEL PETIT
Professor, Department of English—
with the College since 1986
Professor, Department of
Computer Science—with the
College since 1984
PETER HENDRICKSON ’76
Associate Professor, Department of
Music—with the College since 1994
BOYD KOEHLER
Associate Professor, Library—with
the College since 1967
SANDRA OLMSTED ’69
Associate Professor, Department
of Chemistry—with the College
since 1978
DEBORAH REDMOND
Assistant Professor, Department of
Communication Studies—with the
College since 1981
STUART STOLLER
Professor, Department of Business
Administration—with the College
since 1986
TARA SWEENEY
Associate Professor, Department of
Art—with the College since 1990
Auggies advocate at
STATE CAPITOL
The Augsburg community
celebrated the Class of 2017 on
Saturday, April 29. In a morning
ceremony, 503 traditional
undergraduate students were
conferred their degrees. In the
afternoon, the school recognized
469 adult undergraduate, master’s,
and doctoral students—50 of
whom studied at Augsburg’s
Rochester site. [Pictured]: Fatimah
Kinaphone ’15, ’17 MBA receives
her master’s degree hood.
2
AUGSBURG NOW
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
COMMENCEMENT
Augsburg College students recently visited the Minnesota State Capitol to
participate in advocacy events hosted by the Minnesota Private College
Council. First, in February, two of Augsburg’s TRIO McNair Scholars took
part in a Private College Scholars at the Capitol event that promoted the role
undergraduate research plays in students’ educational and professional
development. Then, in April, Auggies met with Minnesota representatives
and senators for Day at the Capitol.
These students advocated for
several programs, including
Minnesota State Grants, that help
undergraduates afford higher
education.
[L to R]: Professor of Sociology Diane Pike
advised McNair Scholar Devin Wiggs ’17, who
was invited to present his undergraduate
research project at Scholars at the Capitol.
AROUND THE QUAD
TICKETS ON SALE:
NOBEL PEACE
PRIZE FORUM
Visit nobelpeaceprizeforum.org to find ticket, presenter, and schedule information.
PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17
COURTESY PHOTO
September 15-16
Each year, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum offers opportunities to learn from the world’s most
celebrated, innovative, and dedicated peacemakers. Hosted and presented by Augsburg, the
Forum invites attendees to turn abstract ideas into the skills our world needs for fostering
better relationships and for building peace. In September, international guests from leading
organizations will explore the theme “Dialogue in Divided Societies” and honor the work of
the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for its decisive
contribution to building a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.
Electronics lab is electrifying!! Building the circuits of
tomorrow, today. #MaroonMilestone @AugsburgCollege
FUEL FINISH
THERE IS, PERHAPS, NO GREATER CURE
FOR STRESS than taking a moment to
acknowledge the good. As Augsburg students soldiered through the last week
of classes this spring—turning in final papers and finishing projects—they
also made time to reflect on their achievements in 2016-17. Students posted,
tweeted, and shared #MaroonMilestones on social media, and soon a powerful
collective story came together. Whether it was winning athletic championships,
landing job interviews, or beating cancer, Auggies finished strong.
FOR THE
CELEBRATING
STUDENT
SUCCESS
FUEL
E
FOR TH
FINISH
For those who posted
#MaroonMilestones, Augsburg
partnered with its food service
provider, A’viands, to provide handdelivered treats and cheerful notes
that offered additional fuel for the end
of the term, though physics students
kept their beverages safely stationed
outside the lab (pictured above)!
Read about the scope of prestigious academic
achievements, awards, and honors earned by Auggies
during the 2016-17 year at augsburg.edu/now.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
3
PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17
AROUND THE QUAD
After a morning practice, goaltender Jordyn Kaufer ’17 and members of the Augsburg men’s
hockey team presented Minasie Theophilos with a check for $5,000. In comments aired on
KARE 11 news, Kaufer told Theophilos the sum was, “A token to give you thanks for your
selflessness, your service, your care to the rink and the guys.”
Honoring
Luther’s legacy
To mark the 500th anniversary
of the Reformation, Augsburg is
hosting a series of events this fall.
Visit augsburg.edu/ccv/events
for dates and details.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
A SEASON OF REFORMATION CELEBRATIONS!
In September, Augsburg will welcome the fourth
presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, as an honored
speaker for the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium.
To mark Augsburg College Heritage Day in October,
Associate Professor of Religion Mary Lowe will lead a
discussion on the revolutionary life of Martin Luther.
In November, award-winning musical group The
Rose Ensemble will present “Welcome the People: The
Musical Legacy of the Reformation.”
To kick off the holiday season in December, Augsburg
will host Advent Vespers with the theme “Welcome,
Noble Guest,” inspired by Martin Luther’s hymn “From
Heaven Above.”
AROUND THE QUAD
MINASIE THEOPHILOS has cared for Augsburg’s athletic facilities—most notably the ice arena—
during his more than 25 years of service on the College’s custodial staff. Theophilos and the men’s
hockey team developed a life-changing relationship that was shared by media outlets across the
United States and around the globe.
When members of the team learned that Theophilos’ mother had died in Ethiopia—a home
Theophilos hasn’t seen for nearly 35 years—and that Theophilos missed her funeral because he didn’t
have the money to visit, the team created a fundraiser. In less than 48 hours, the players and Auggies
worldwide raised thousands of dollars for
Theophilos to use to visit his family.
Today, Theophilos and his wife are planning a
trip to see his father and their families, thanks
to a special friendship with the Augsburg
athletes he has supported for decades.
PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17
FRIENDSHIP ON ICE … AND OFF
right,’
ou raised ’em
‘y
of
y
or
g
te
ca
“In the
y team.”
Augsburg hocke
e
th
of
s
d
ki
e
we give you th
—Bob Collins,
Minnesota Public Radio News Cut
COURTESY PHOTO
Who’s on first? Auggies are! This spring, the Augsburg baseball team kicked
off its season at U.S. Bank Stadium, competing in four nonconference
doubleheaders. The new Minnesota Vikings venue is only a stone’s throw (or
a really strong pitch) from Augsburg’s campus.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
5
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
ON THE SPOT
IT’S SIMPLE MATH: Fewer people are entering the teaching profession, more are
leaving it, and many educators lack the qualifications required to teach Minnesota’s
increasingly diverse student body. These factors have prompted teacher preparation
programs—including those at Augsburg—to adapt in support of more inclusive,
flexible learning environments that accommodate a spectrum of needs and abilities.
As the director of education programs at Augsburg’s Rochester location, Kaycee Rogers is working alongside colleagues
and legislators to better support and retain teachers and to inspire a more diverse workforce. She is driven to ensure the
next generation of Minnesotans experience a meaningful education through hands-on, relevant learning.
Q:
How does educating, training, and
employing K-12 teachers with specialty
backgrounds improve our schools?
A:
The demographics of our student
population have changed given the
influx of new populations into our welcoming
state and education’s shift to incorporate
students with special needs into the general
classroom. Because of this, teachers with
specialty licenses are in demand, and these
positions are often tough to fill. Augsburg
is leading the charge to offer broader
licensures, which prepare teachers to
succeed in today’s classrooms and qualify
them for a wide range of teaching positions.
Exposure to more teaching strategies
and more specializations helps teacher
6
AUGSBURG NOW
candidates adapt and innovate so they can
offer students multiple access points for
understanding.
Q:
A:
What’s an example of an innovative
teaching strategy?
Students learn best when they’re
engaged in experiences that matter to
them. We’ve been incorporating real-world,
student-led experiences into the classroom,
and the results are impressive. Augsburg
teacher candidates, for instance, are helping
fourth- and fifth-graders write grants, speak
to community groups, navigate teamwork,
and participate in democracy. It’s been
amazing to watch our teachers transition
to more of a coaching role, while students
PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH
Education expert Kaycee Rogers describes how an inclusive,
agile K-12 model can help Minnesota classrooms make the grade
take the lead to apply classroom learning to
issues and situations of meaning to them.
Q:
A:
How do teachers recognize students’
home cultures and diverse experiences?
Although “English as a Second
Language” is a widely used term, we
say, “English learners,” because it’s more
accurate given that some students learn
English as a third or fourth language. We
also celebrate home culture and language
rather than asking students to check their
heritage at the door.
In special education, we try to be more
inclusive. It used to be that educators
relied on what was called a medical
model of diagnosis and treatment. Today,
AROUND THE QUAD
Outstanding
EDUCATORS
Share your ideas for
Each year, Augsburg recognizes
individuals who have made
exemplary contributions to creating
an engaging academic learning
environment. The 2017 recipients
of the Distinguished Contributions to
Teaching and Learning awards are:
AUGSBURG’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
1869-2019
Visit augsburg.edu/150 to
submit your suggestions.
Alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff are invited to
celebrate Augsburg’s 150th anniversary in 2019. What
aspect of your Augsburg experience would you like to
highlight during the sesquicentennial year? Were you
connected to a team, an organization, or a department
that made a difference? Would you like to see a reunion
for your favorite activity—whether it was campus
ministry, KAUG radio, student government, or a music
ensemble? Let us know how to best honor Augsburg’s
past, present, and future.
Teaching
Full-time faculty
Joyce Miller ’02, ’05 MAN, ’11 DNP,
assistant professor and Nursing
Department chair
Part-time faculty
Alyssa Hanson ’01, mathematics and
statistics instructor
Scholarship
William Green, professor of history
Service
Q:
A:
David Crowe, associate professor of
biology
How do we inspire a workforce that is
more reflective of diverse classrooms?
It’s well documented that students
retain more information and have a
positive view of education when they relate
to teachers. We want to reach out to people
who look like our students and come from
the same backgrounds, particularly those
already working as teacher aides or in other
supporting roles. Growing teachers from
within each community’s diverse population
will beget more teachers of color and inspire
some to remain in their community to make a
lasting difference.
Stella Hofrenning, associate professor
of economics
Dixie Shafer, director of
Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity
PHOTO BY BOB STACKE ’71
we recognize that our role isn’t as much
about changing someone as it is about
using an approach that welcomes learners
of different styles, that encourages support
networks to address, adapt to, and respond
to each young person. We seek to accept,
listen, and innovate as we help students
gain as much as possible to prepare them
for a fulfilling life.
Both approaches fall under an umbrella
of universal design that can be applied to
all students, regardless of ability. If our
goal is understanding, then we must create
multiple access points for students. We urge
teacher candidates to get to know students,
their families, and the community to
appreciate the backgrounds coming together
in each classroom.
[L to R]: Stella Hofrenning, Dixie Shafer,
William Green, Joyce Miller, David Crowe, and
Alyssa Hanson.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
7
PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI
8
AUGSBURG NOW
Juliane Derry ’00 works on an artifact from Norway’s national collection.
As an objects conservator, she studies and preserves historical materials.
BY LAURA SWANSON LINDAHL ’15 MBA
“As you can see, I’m not in my office,” says
Juliane Derry ’00 answering a video call and
gazing toward the cell phone resting in her
outstretched palm. “It’s kind of a little crisis.”
Behind her, a warehouse complex comes into
focus. It looks tidy—for the most part—but
there’s chaos emerging in what otherwise would
be a meticulously organized space.
Derry is standing in one of the storage
facilities for Norway’s Nasjonalmuseet, the
National Museum of Art, Architecture and
Design, and she is responding to an immediate,
all-hands-on-deck plea to mitigate an unnerving
discovery in the archive: water.
“Oxygen, light, and variations in
humidity are the things that cause
damage,” Derry said, hours later,
offering a primer on the fundamental
culprits in the degradation of
historical materials. As a conservator
for the national museum in Oslo,
she plays a multifaceted role in
the institution’s efforts to hold,
preserve, exhibit, and promote public
knowledge about Norway’s most
extensive collections.
Vestbanen – Downtown Oslo
Future home of the Nasjonalmuseet
Norway’s new national museum will open
in 2020. Juliane Derry ’00 is working to prepare
hundreds of objects for public display.
Oslo, Norway
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
9
PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI
During her career, Derry has
restored furniture, objects,
frames, and gilded surfaces.
10
AUGSBURG NOW
“There are so many different materials in our
collection that we have textile, paintings, paper,
and book conservators,” said Derry, who is an
objects conservator specializing in furniture,
frames, and gilded surfaces. She has studied
restoration on three continents and has become
an expert in both preserving national treasures
and making new creations shine. Derry is
someone who excels at finding connections
between seemingly disparate areas. Her
conservation work blends science with artistry,
research with intuition, and the practical with
the theoretical.
Derry’s personal life has been filled with
complementary relationships as well. She was
born in Norway, and she lived there until age 15
when she, her sister, and her American mother
moved from the tiny alpine town of Ål to the
densely populated Twin Cities lying on the edge
of Minnesota’s prairie. Later, as an Augsburg
student, she focused on women’s studies,
international relations, religion, and studio arts.
“I took classes based on what interested me,”
Derry said, shrugging her shoulders. “When
you get out into the real world and meet new
people you begin to realize that [some of them]
followed a very narrow path. I’m not looking
down on that in any way, but I appreciate the
fact that I was able to experience so many
different things.”
As her former faculty advisor, History
Professor and Director of General Education
Jacqueline deVries acknowledges that
Derry is the type of person who thrives in
interdisciplinary programs like women’s studies.
Now known as “gender, sexuality, and
women’s studies,” the major includes courses
in biology, English, history, political science,
sociology, and other disciplines. And it seems
Derry’s inclination toward diverse opportunities
only increases with time.
“Juliane’s path is fantastic. She totally
wandered,” said deVries, who now counts Derry
among her friends. “I think she’d laugh that I
said that, but along the way she discovered a
true passion.”
Derry’s career in restoration and conservation
began because misdirected mail literally came
across her desk. Shortly after graduating
from Augsburg, Derry worked as an assistant
to buyers at Dayton’s, Minneapolis’ storied
hometown department store chain. Even though
she didn’t support staff in the furniture division,
she received heaps of catalogs for that area.
Eventually, a thoughtful colleague noticed
her growing interest in woodworking and
encouraged her to pursue her calling. After
some networking and introspection, Derry
signed up for a wood finishing program at
a technical college—an experience that
ultimately led to her launching a small
business, obtaining an advanced degree,
and developing industry contacts around
the world.
One of those connections is Don
Williams, an author, educator, scholar,
and furniture conservator who retired after
serving the Smithsonian Institution for 29
years. Williams was a guest lecturer who
instructed Derry during her Minnesotabased finishing program, and he became
a mentor as she took her education and
career to new levels.
Williams has taught hundreds of
students, and he’s noticed that those who
succeed often have similar predispositions.
“How many people do you know who
are both scientists and artists?” he
asked. “That’s what we are. If you are not
consumed by creativity, this is going to be
a miserable path for you. People need not
only creativity but also curiosity.”
For Derry, an eagerness to experiment
and to learn has triggered some of her most
defining life events.
After working a handful of day jobs and
operating an independent business in the
U.S. for three years, Derry enrolled in an
immersive, full-time restoration program
near Florence, Italy. There she gained
studio experience and new skillsets,
including the ability to speak Italian through
a crash course lasting a single month. After
completing the restoration program, Derry
moved with her wife, Jody Scholz ’97, to
Norway. Derry was armed with a portfolio
of recent work and ambition to relaunch her
business in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
“I ended up making a CD full of pictures
of various restoration projects, and I made
the rounds in town,” she said. “I looked up
people in the yellow pages and then handed
out my pictures. In the beginning I worked
a little bit at a frame shop, and then I got a
job in a gallery where I restored frames.”
During the years since, Derry’s workload
has grown to match her expertise, and
sometimes her expertise has grown due to
Derry prepares an Oslo
city model from the
1930s for display in an
architectural exhibit.
PHOTO BY ANNAR BJØRGLI
the requirements of her work.
She earned a master’s degree at the
University of Oslo’s Institute of Archeology,
Conservation, and History by completing a
project-based thesis that examined shellac,
a sealant created using a resin secreted by
insects. For this project, Derry conducted
fieldwork in the rural Jharkhand region of
India where villagers harvest stick lac—the
key ingredient that becomes shellac and
its by-products—and she analyzed the
chemical characteristics of several samples
at the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation
Institute where Williams served as her
internship sponsor.
“Investigative problem-solving” is one of
the aspects Derry said she most enjoys about
her field, and her liberal arts experience at
Augsburg informs the way she approaches her
assignments. She uses traditional techniques
and materials in her conservation projects
whenever possible, and her ability to think
critically is paramount.
While employed at a furniture restoration
company, she was tasked with repairing
beloved pieces used by the Oscarshall
Summer Palace, the Office of the Prime
Minister, and private clients. She also has
served Fortidsminneforeningen, a nonprofit
that preserves and protects monuments,
including 40 of the stave churches located
throughout Norway.
“Ashes to ashes and dust to dust is not
only a homily, it is an inexorable law of
the universe,” said Williams, describing
the vital role individuals like Derry play
in preserving cultural heritage for future
generations. “Everything is going back to
dust. As conservators, it is our job—to
the extent that is rational—to slow that
process down and concurrently enjoy and
extract the most utility from an artifact on
its path.”
Today Derry’s workdays primarily are
devoted to making internationally important
materials accessible to the general public.
At the national museum, she has completed
assignments that range from applying gold
leaf on the frames of masterworks to cleaning
a plaster-of-Paris city model measuring more
than 100 square feet. And still, her current
undertaking is the largest one yet.
The Norwegian government is building
a joint “all-arts” museum, which is slated
to open in Oslo in 2020. Intended to be a
dynamic arena for people to interact with
the visual arts, the space requires new
exhibits so curators and conservators are
working hand-in-hand to select and prepare
pieces for display. Derry is in the midst
of locating, evaluating, cataloguing, and
potentially repairing 400 pieces of furniture
for the museum.
It’s a process that requires passion and
persistence—two words that also perfectly
describe the manner in which Derry has
shaped her career. She’s prepared to
address new challenges if issues arise in a
workshop, at a laboratory bench, or during
the process of managing complex projects.
Even in a soggy situation at a storage
venue, Derry sees the annoyance of
rewrapping objects impacted by a minor
cooling system leak as an opportunity to
formulate a plan for the future should staff
ever need to address a true disaster.
“She can pursue something with
intelligence and diligence and still with a
smile on her face,” Williams said. “That’s
an unusual gift.”
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
11
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY:
SMALL TO OUR STUDENTS
AND BIG FOR THE WORLD
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
O
n September 1, “Augsburg College” officially will become
“Augsburg University”—a change approved by both the Board
of Regents and the Augsburg Corporation.
For generations of Augsburg alumni and friends, it may seem like
the place always has been called “Augsburg College.” That’s been
the formal name of the school for the past 54 years.
Over the course of the school’s history, nearly 24,000 people
have completed degrees at Augsburg. With so many Auggie alumni
accustomed to thinking of Augsburg as a college, why change the name?
In short, the term “university” illustrates the breadth of Augsburg’s
current reality and goals for the future. And, “while our name is
changing,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, “the essence
of who we are is not.”
As the first seminary created by Norwegian Lutherans in America,
the name Augsburg—chosen by the school’s founders in 1869 to
honor the Augsburg Confession—always has defined the ethos of
this institution and its mission to support those called to service in
the world. Since its founding, Augsburg has been known by at least
four different names. The name has shifted as the school has grown,
but our commitment to an accessible, quality education has never
wavered. Likewise, our dedication to the Lutheran principles of
hospitality, service to the neighbor, and social justice is as steadfast
today as ever.
12
AUGSBURG NOW
In announcing the name change, Pribbenow affirmed
that becoming Augsburg University “does not alter our
dedication to integrating the liberal arts and professional
studies or our commitment to being small to our students
and big for the world.”
Rather than moving Augsburg away from its roots,
the name change helps Augsburg remain both faithful
to its heritage and relevant to the educational needs of
students in the 21st century.
Ever evolving, always Augsburg: Growth
in graduate programs
From its early years, Augsburg stressed that a good
education is practical and focused on educating
ministerial candidates and theological students as well as
farmers, workers, and businesspeople.
So, it’s no surprise that Augsburg today offers
a number of professional master’s and doctoral
degrees — a mix of programs that makes Augsburg
already more like a university than a college. While there
is no fixed definition outlining the distinction between a
“college” and a “university,” offering post-baccalaureate
degrees commonly is associated with institutions named
as universities.
Augsburg’s first advanced degree program, the
Master of Arts in Leadership, launched 30 years
ago. Since then, 3,700 people have earned master’s
or doctoral degrees from Augsburg. This past fall,
Augsburg’s graduate enrollment reached a record
high — representing 28 percent of total enrollment — and
continued growth in Augsburg graduate programs is
anticipated in the coming years.
An international perspective
Today, Auggies live and work all over the world. In many
countries and cultures, the word “college” is associated
with a high school-level education. Alumni who work
in international settings have noted that they already
refer to their alma mater as “Augsburg University” in
order to avoid confusion. For the same reason, the name
change also will help Augsburg be more attractive as a
destination for international students, which represents a
potential growth area for Augsburg.
A view from the outside in
With nearly 150 years of history, it’s no surprise that
Augsburg is well known in the region—even among
people who haven’t (or haven’t yet) studied here. What
impact would a name change have on their perceptions
of Augsburg? We asked the following groups to share their
thoughts:
• high school students,
• parents of high school students,
• high school counselors,
• people considering getting an advanced degree, and
• people who didn’t finish an undergraduate degree
right after high school and are thinking about going
back to school to earn a bachelor’s.
These conversations generated several important
insights, but the core takeaway is that Augsburg’s reality,
reputation, and promise are aligned with the name change.
Our reality and reputation. Conversations with
members of the general community demonstrated
that people associate the word “university” with a
number of attributes that clearly apply to Augsburg.
Specifically, people view universities as having high
academic standards, a commitment to research, strong
international programs, and diverse student populations.
Augsburg has robust programs for scholarly research
and global study, and is recognized nationally for its
leadership in inclusion and equity. In many ways,
Augsburg already embodies much of what people expect
of a university.
The promise of a student-centered university. We also
learned from these conversations that Augsburg has a
strong reputation for direct student-faculty engagement.
We already know how important this is to our alumni,
students, faculty, and staff, but it was gratifying to hear
that members of the broader community also value
Augsburg as a student-centered organization.
This is something Augsburg needs to ensure does
not change. Augsburg University will not become an
institution marked by big campuses or large studentto-faculty ratios. Instead, as is articulated in our
Augsburg2019 strategic vision, Augsburg will be a new
kind of student-centered university, and just as we have
done for decades, Augsburg will remain committed to
educating students for lives of purpose in a vibrant,
engaged learning community.
Learn about the visual identity of Augsburg University
on the following pages.
Learn more about the Augsburg2019 strategic vision, the
name change, and the logo update at augsburg.edu/now.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
13
AUGSBURG NAME CHANGE HISTORY
1869
1872
1892
1942
AUGSBURG
SEMINARIUM
THE NORWEGIAN DANISH
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
AUGSBURG SEMINARY
AUGSBURG
SEMINARY
AUGSBURG COLLEGE AND
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
EMBRACING OUR LEGACY
AND OUR FUTURE
When Samuel Gross ’03 was a student at Augsburg, he
designed the original Auggie eagle-head symbol as an
assignment for one of his graphic design courses. The design
was so good, Augsburg ended up buying the rights to the
image and has used the eagle symbol for campus life, student
organizations, and athletics for the past 15 years.
During that time, Gross became an award-winning designer
and creative director who founded his own graphic design
firm, 144design, with a specialty in developing logos for
clients. So, when Augsburg needed to update its logo as part
of the transition to the Augsburg University name, it was a
perfect opportunity to re-engage with Gross to envision and
design the next-generation Augsburg logo.
“Early on, our conversation about the logo confirmed that
this project should be an evolution of the Augsburg brand, not
a revolution,“ Gross said. “We wanted to preserve the strong
recognition that has been built for Augsburg over time.
“Our goal was to preserve and respect the historic nature
of Augsburg’s logo — especially since it already has strong
14
AUGSBURG NOW
[Top Left]: The Augsburg “A”
shape is reimagined.
[Top Right]: Samuel Gross ’03
works on Augsburg University’s
visual identity in April 2017.
[Left]: Gross shows off
merchandise displaying
the first eagle-head symbol
shortly after he created it for
Augsburg in 2003.
energy and good familiarity — while at the same time creating
a treatment that also embraces the future,” he said.
The results, including the updated Augsburg logo, “A”
icon, and eagle-head symbol are shown on the next page.
Separately, the Augsburg seal — which is used on transcripts,
diplomas, and other official documents — was updated by
Augsburg staff Mark Chamberlain and Denielle Johnson ’11 and
is shown on pages 16-17.
1963
2017
AUGSBURG
COLLEGE
AUGSBURG
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE
Augsburg marks: honoring the legacy
Augsburg logo
Augsburg “A” icon
Eagle-head symbol
The Augsburg University logo is
designed to feel familiar to people who
are already acquainted with the College
logo, connecting the new design with
Augsburg’s legacy. In the new logo, the
word “Augsburg” is more bold than the
word “University.” This approach was
informed by research suggesting that
people’s strong associations are with
the name, “Augsburg,” whether or not it
is followed by “College” or “University.”
The font selected for “Augsburg”
conveys an established, academic feel,
while the font for “University” provides
a sleek, contemporary balance. The
contrast of the two words creates a
dynamic energy.
By strengthening the design of the
“A” icon — broadening its base
and making the vertical strokes
bolder — Augsburg will be able
to use the “A” icon as a standalone graphic element much more
frequently and effectively going
forward.
For example, current plans call
for the “A” icon to be installed on
the shorter ends of the sign on
top of Mortensen Hall. This is one
of the most visible signs in the
region and will be updated this
summer as part of the transition to
“Augsburg University.”
The eagle-head symbol is stronger
and bolder with this evolution.
Whereas the original design lost
detail and contrast when translated
to black-and-white treatments,
the updated design is much more
effective across a broader range
of uses.
Currently, designs using the
updated eagle-head symbol are
under development for an array of
installations—from the Si Melby
gym floor and the Edor Nelson
athletic field scoreboard to the
Christensen Center student lounge
and merchandise sold in the
Augsburg bookstore.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
15
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY SEAL: HISTORY AND MEANING
Past seals
T
he seal conservation process began as
Augsburg College explored the steps
involved in changing its institutional
name to Augsburg University. The seal
enhances an original centennial
symbol design and aligns with the
institution’s current reality,
reputation, and promise.
THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE SEAL WAS
BASED ON A CENTENNIAL SYMBOL CREATED
BY PAUL KONSTERLIE ’50.
THE LION REPRESENTS AUGSBURG’S
NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE.
AUGSBURG’S CENTENNIAL SYMBOL,
CREATED BY KONSTERLIE.
THE LAMP OF LEARNING
DEPICTS SOUND SCHOLARSHIP.
THE FONT WAS INSPIRED
BY THE CENTENNIAL SYMBOL.
THE SEAL FOR AUGSBURG COLLEGE
AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
FEATURED MARTIN LUTHER.
16
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG WAS FOUNDED IN 1869
IN MARSHALL, WISCONSIN, AND
MOVED TO MINNEAPOLIS IN 1872.
THE CROSS DEPICTS THE SIGNIFICANT
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
CHURCH AND HIGHER EDUCATION.
THE SILHOUETTE OF THE
MINNEAPOLIS SKYLINE EMPHASIZES
AUGSBURG’S METROPOLITAN
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
THE DEEPLY THEOLOGICAL
STATEMENT, “THROUGH TRUTH
TO FREEDOM,” SUMMARIZES
THE BELIEF THAT THE TRUTH
SETS US FREE TO BE EDUCATED
AND TO SERVE.
THE EAGLE REPRESENTS
U.S. DEMOCRACY.
THE FOSHAY TOWER RETURNS TO THE CENTER OF THE
SEAL AS A NOD TO AUGSBURG’S CENTENNIAL SYMBOL.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
17
PHOTO BY DON STONER
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
[L to R]: At an Auggie Compass event, panelists Mike Gallagher ’12, Katie Jacobson ’11,
and Dan Brandt ’11 spoke to students about the journey from college to their careers.
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
[Left]: This fall, student-athletes engaged in
team-building exercises led by U.S. Marines.
18
AUGSBURG NOW
[Above]: Student-athletes kicked off evening
workshops by dining together.
WINNING
THE LONG
GAME
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
Meaningful, relevant workshops
equip students to excel in the
classroom, competition, and
their careers
S
tudent-athletes file past tables,
stacking breadsticks on mounds of
pasta, but this crew isn’t carb-loading
for the next matchup. The nearly 550
students from Augsburg’s 19 sports teams
are preparing to tackle Auggie Compass—a
series of workshops and team-building
exercises designed to inspire personal and
professional success. After piloting the
program in 2014-15, Augsburg Athletics
recruited this year’s lineup of on- and
off-campus partners to engage each class
in issues relevant to each stage of their
undergraduate lives.
Associate Athletic Director Kelly
Anderson Diercks said the biannual
series starts a conversation with studentathletes, then builds upon those
themes each year as Auggies develop
the confidence, expertise, and support
networks they need to navigate known and
unknown challenges during college and
after graduation. For instance, first-year
students discussed study skills, time
management, and wellness, while seniors
learned about financial planning, living
their values, and networking techniques.
“When I moved into my first house,
I didn’t know furnaces had filters, and
that’s just one example of the many things
I should’ve known—but didn’t—before
graduation,” said Anderson Diercks, who
spearheaded the program. “We developed
Auggie Compass from the best aspects of
similar programs and from conversations
with our coaches, student-athletes, and
alumni. Our students seem more aware
of campus and community resources and
better prepared to excel in the real world.”
Panel of alumni shares lessons
from ‘professional lumps’
Among the spring event’s most popular
sessions was a student-athlete alumni panel,
“Not Where They Thought They’d Be,”
which—as the title suggests—invited alumni
to share lessons from their not-so-straight-orsmooth paths to personal and professional
fulfillment. Mike Gallagher ’12 was among
the four panelists asked “not to sugar coat”
their transitions to the workforce.
“My first paid job out of college lasted
21 months before I was laid off with 25
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
19
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
Auggie Compass workshops target needs and issues specific to the phases in student-athletes’ academic and personal journeys. Each session builds
upon the previous event, equipping Auggies with a deeper understanding of their values, career preparation, and wellness practices.
percent of the company’s workforce,
and that’s just one example of the
professional lumps we shared,” said
Gallagher, an academic advisor at
Walden University and the on-air host/
producer of Gopher Sports Update and
MIAC Weekly. “Our stories reinforced
that new graduates likely will have
to do things they don’t enjoy as they
work toward goals. But we encouraged
them to channel the persistence and
dedication they gained as athletes
toward new challenges and to say ‘yes’
to any opportunity to better themselves
or gain new skills.”
Gallagher, also a freelance sports
broadcaster and emcee, talked openly
about his path, which is a fairly common
one: going to college with hopes of
playing professional baseball, then
realizing he wasn’t any better than his
teammates. Then, struggling to find
balance within the fun, demanding
routine of workouts, competitions,
classes, and life until he walked across
the commencement stage and into a
9-to-5 job without the sport, the people,
and the routine he’d always known. “It
is, indeed, a huge wakeup call,” he said.
Women’s golfer Wendy Anderson ’17
was among the seniors who rotated
through the panel discussion. The double
major in music business and accounting
said she valued sessions about financial
planning and interviews, but the alumni
20
AUGSBURG NOW
panel resonated with her the most.
“I’m a type-A, perfectionist planner.
Hearing their stories reassured
me that I may not end up where I
thought I might, but because of these
types of sessions and my Augsburg
experience, I’ll survive and hopefully
have a fulfilling career,” she said. “I’m
glad I attended sessions about fiscal
responsibility, but workshops that
encouraged us to consider our values
and worth and to step outside our
comfort zones were the most rewarding.
Guidance from Auggie Compass
sessions paired with the entirety of our
experiences prepares us to achieve.”
Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 is
glad to hear student-athletes position
Auggie Compass within the greater
framework of their Augsburg education
and athletic experience. The lessons
and skills are interconnected, he said,
strengthening one another.
“Our athletes learn to win and lose
with class, to embrace leadership, and
to play their role—whatever that may
be—to achieve a shared goal,” said
Swenson, who has been a member
of the Augsburg community for more
than 30 years as a student, coach,
and administrator. “These are all great
lessons for life after sports, and Auggie
Compass builds upon what teams and
coaches are already instilling. At our
core, we are about community and
supporting these fine student-athletes
on their journey. Auggie Compass
prepares them to carry that legacy out
to the world.”
Building skills to navigate a
complex environment
Mike Matson ’07 knows all about
Augsburg’s core principles. They guided
him through his time as one of the
College’s top linebackers, then through
seminary, and now in his role as an
assistant director of leadership gifts at
the College. Matson said Augsburg’s
commitment to diversity, inclusion, and
community outfits students with empathy
and poise to respectfully engage in
meaningful conversations and authentic
relationships. He talked with juniors
about how to lead difficult conversations.
“We live in a complicated world
with complex people and issues, and
those who are able to have difficult
conversations in a respectful manner
advance progress and understanding,”
said Matson, who also serves in the
Navy Reserves and as chaplain for
the Minneapolis Police Department.
“Instead of talking at the students,
we challenged them to work through
case studies. I can’t say I was all that
surprised at how well they handled
themselves, but I was impressed
with how willing they were to share
PHOTO BY DON STONER
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PERRY
This spring, members of the junior class headed to the gym for basketball and bean bag competitions with Special Olympics
athletes, and in September, first-year students learned techniques to manage stress and practice mindfulness.
vulnerabilities, speak about biases,
and view situations through alternate
perspectives. It was amazing to watch
‘community’ happen.”
Unified tournament puts
principles to practice
Student-athletes didn’t only talk about
ideals, they practiced them. Juniors
headed to the Si Melby gymnasium to
compete alongside 40 Special Olympics
athletes in basketball and bean bag
toss competitions. Jennifer Jacobs, who
organized the volunteer effort, said the
tournament underscored Augsburg’s
commitment to service and inclusion.
“We added [the unified competition]
because civic engagement is one of the
college’s co-curricular learning outcomes,”
said Jacobs, then-assistant athletic director
and assistant volleyball coach. “We decided
to collaborate with Special Olympics
because of an NCAA Division III partnership
with the organization and because our
ongoing involvement with the area chapter
continually inspires our students.”
Student-athlete Cody Pirkl ’18 had never
interacted with Special Olympics athletes
before the Auggie Compass event this
spring. Initially, the baseball player had
not been excited about the obligation on
what otherwise would have been a free
night. But as he said goodbye to Special
Olympics teammates, the social work major
said it felt like parting with dear friends.
“We, as college athletes, become so
focused on our own goals and everyday
lives that we forget how rewarding it
is to give back to others,” Pirkl said.
“Our involvement with Special Olympics
shines Augsburg’s positive light on our
broader community, but it also gives us
meaningful perspective. Watching the
Special Olympics athletes’ pure love of
the game reminded me how lucky I am
and how much I love to play.”
Pirkl said he and his teammates took
a lot away from the mix of formats and
engaging activities. That active structure
was intentional, Anderson Diercks
explained, as presenters played to
student-athletes’ competitive nature.
“For years, we had brought wonderful,
inspiring speakers to campus once
or twice a year to talk with students
about hot topics or enduring life-aftercollege lessons,” Anderson Diercks said.
“Although these experts offered great
perspective and information, the format
was a challenge, and we were never
able to cover as many of the topics as
we would have liked. The new Auggie
Compass format allows us to engage each
class in specific topics to prepare them for
the next year and beyond. We can more
easily adjust based on student feedback,
and it’s a nice way to highlight our alumni
and campus experts as well as celebrate
community partnerships and resources.”
Celebrating mindfulness and
meditation
One such resource is Jermaine Nelson, a
meditation and mindfulness coach and
yoga instructor. The former athlete urged
students to seek mind-body connections
as they strive to be more present. He also
reminded them to give themselves grace
during transitions and various phases of life.
“It’s so easy for student-athletes to
continue to eat and sleep how they did
in college without the same level of
activity, and then they look up one day
and realize they are out of shape and out
of sync,” Nelson said. “It’s important
to anticipate, on the field and in life, so
that you avoid injury and prepare for the
next phase of your life.”
Nelson wasn’t expecting to, but looking
out at the dozens of student-athletes
reminded him of his nephew, and
Nelson got personal. His nephew was a
promising college recruit, with plans to
play in the NBA, but he broke down from
all the pressure.
“I wish he would have had a program like
this when he was in school,” Nelson said.
“Imagine all the heartache and recovery he
would have avoided had he been offered the
tools to cope and achieve without grinding
himself into the ground. I worked with
him, and he’s on a good path now, but it
took a while. If Auggies can practice these
techniques now, they’ll succeed.”
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
21
Nelson’s talk reinforced some of the themes presented by
Augsburg’s Center for Wellness and Counseling.
For example, counselor Jon Vaughan-Fier and Beth Carlson, the
center’s assistant director, co-facilitated “Becoming Resilient
to Stress,” which challenged student-athletes to assess what
drains them and to identify ways to recharge. In addition to
discussing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and meaningful
relationships—among other topics—students engaged in yoga,
mindful breathing, and relaxation strategies.
As a senior, Chuckie Smith ’17 took part in Auggie Compass workshops on financial
planning, job search strategies, living authentically, and a variety of other topics.
During the Compass program’s pilot year, the entire CWC
staff also presented on a range of topics related to wellbeing,
including body image, depression, healthy choices, and stress
management, which Vaughan-Fier said is critically important for
today’s overly busy student-athletes.
“To emphasize the connection to sports and improved
performance, we showed testimonials from Seattle Seahawks
quarterback Russel Wilson about his ‘one play at a time’ mindset
and New York Knicks President Phil Jackson’s philosophy of
‘one breath, one mind,’” Vaughan-Fier said. “We hope these
tools help student-athletes as they strive to incorporate self-care
practices into daily life.”
According to a 2015 health survey, the top stressors among
Augsburg students are: a death or serious illness of someone
close, conflicts with roommates, parental conflict, and the end of
a personal relationship. Director of the counseling center, Nancy
Guilbeault, said the opportunity to interact with student-athletes
about these and other topics is a proactive way to introduce the
center’s role and resources.
“Mental health and GPA are linked, and they affect your
performance,” she said. “We want to make sure these studentathletes are working on their physical, mental, and spiritual
health and wellbeing. These sessions provide an overview and
tips, but we also encourage them to follow up with one-on-one
or group support.”
22
AUGSBURG NOW
Financial stressors, professional
communications among top concerns
A key barrier to wellness, Guilbeault said, is stress related to
finances—a worry that plagues many students, particularly studentathletes who might not have the time to hold a job or internship.
To build upon the counseling center’s session, Auggie Compass
introduced a practical question-and-answer session with Tommy
Redae ’09 MBA, a treasury management sales consultant and vice
president of Middle Market Banking for Wells Fargo in Minneapolis.
“Talking with upper-class students, I focused on the importance
of budgeting and managing credit for a healthy financial future,”
Redae said. “I shared several of the many online tools and apps to
help them stick to a budget and monitor credit for suspicious or
fraudulent activities.”
Also in the category of practical and purposeful guidance, Auggie
Compass enlisted faculty mentors Carol Enke and Shana Watters to
offer best practices for professional communications. The pair broke
student-athletes into groups to review and assess emails students
sent professors, many of them lacking clarity, starting with an
informal “hey,” or displaying accusatory language.
“Research shows that people read emails more negatively than
intended, and therefore, communicating effectively in this medium
reduces ambiguity and negative perceptions,” Watters said. “The
students did a great job of improving the emails, and we hope
they will apply the guidance we shared to communicate with
professionals now and in the future.”
Program reinforces Augsburg’s mission,
commitment to students
The blend of practical knowledge and conceptual, creative
exploration reflects Augsburg’s care for and commitment to
student-athletes, and it supports community-building across teams
and among coaches, said Swenson. This year, the program added
a track for coaches that focused on situational leadership, social
media training, and a DiSC® behavioral assessment inventory.
“We’re not offering Auggie Compass to check off the ‘personal
development box,’” Swenson said. “The program was developed
by former collegiate players, thinking about what they wished
they would have known, so that our student-athletes can have
more tools to reach for as they strive for success.”
The creation and evolution of Auggie Compass embodies some
of the innovation, self-reflection, and grit the program aims
to instill. Anderson Diercks said organizers continue to have
conversations with student-athletes, alumni, and experts to align
sessions with players’ needs and to reflect the latest trends and
topics. As a former athlete turned furnace-filter-changing adult,
she knows greatness doesn’t come from perfection but from the
drive to keep playing until you get it right.
HOMECOMING
THOUSANDS OF AUGGIES.
ONE AUGSBURG.
Celebrate the first Augsburg University Homecoming
NEW NAME. SAME SCHOOL SPIRIT. Gather among friends to celebrate the memories
and milestones that define your Augsburg experience. Whether it’s to participate in
a reunion, see campus updates firsthand, or cheer on a favorite team, it’s time to
register for this year’s historic Homecoming—the first as Augsburg University.
Interested in organizing
your reunion?
October 13-14
Call the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations
at 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
Find accommodation information, the event schedule, and more at:
augsburg.edu/homecoming
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
s my second
year as Alumni
Board President
comes to a close, I
look back on the past
several months with
gratitude for what
the Alumni Board
has accomplished. We hope you have enjoyed
recent alumni events, both on campus and off.
At the start of my tenure, when I challenged
the Alumni Board to change, not a little, but
a lot, everyone stepped up to the plate and
went to work. Today the board maintains
more committees with fewer people on each,
operates with clearly defined goals for each
committee, and sustains a high level of
engagement. We’ve also partnered with staff
throughout the College to increase the board’s
effectiveness and relevance.
The Alumni Board continues to seek new
pathways to connect with students, whether
through mentoring, visiting classrooms, or
simply sharing tips on LinkedIn. Students
have said they enjoyed taking part in a
Homecoming lunch last fall where they had
the chance to share a table with distinguished
alumni who pursued similar fields of study.
We also held another successful Auggie
Networking Experience in February, and if you
couldn’t make it to campus, you’ll find some
tips for reluctant networkers on page 27.
In June, we transition board leadership. I’d
like to welcome Nick Rathmann ’03 as Alumni
Board President for the 2017-19 term. He
is full of energy, has a passion for Augsburg,
and is a dynamic leader with innovative ideas
to take the Alumni Board even further. He is
the athletic director at The Blake School, a
longtime supporter of Augsburg as a member
of the A-Club, and an all-around amazing
volunteer. The Alumni Board is in great hands
under his leadership.
I’d also like to recognize Greg Schnagl ’91,
who has led our Networking Committee for
the past two years. His passion for creating
meaningful connections between students and
alumni has helped make the Auggie Networking
Experience event bigger and better.
I recently moved away from the Twin Cities
for work, and I am so pleased to see alumni
events scheduled across the U.S. more often.
In the past two years, alumni gatherings
have occurred in Denver, Las Vegas, Raleigh,
Washington, D.C., and other cities. If you’re in
the Minneapolis area, we hope to see you at
some of this summer’s exciting alumni events!
JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
SUMMER
ALUMNI EVENTS
Minnesota United Soccer Night
June 21 | 7 p.m.
Republic
420 SE 23rd Ave., Minneapolis
Meet for an alumni reception at
Republic from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
before taking the light rail to
TCF Bank Stadium for a game.
7 People. 7 Passions. 7 Minutes.
July 7 | 7–9 p.m.
Sisyphus Brewing
712 Ontario Ave. W., Minneapolis
Hear idea-stirring talks from
seven passionate Auggies.
$10 covers your first beverage
and light appetizers.
Auggie Night at Canterbury Park
July 21 | 5:30–7 p.m.
1100 Canterbury Road,
Shakopee, MN
$5 reservation covers a buffet
meal, $5 of Canterbury Currency,
and reserved seating.
Happy Hour Squared
URBAN ARBORETUM
Join the Alumni Board to sponsor a tree
You can help transform Augsburg into an urban arboretum that serves as an educational
and community resource in harmony with the environment.
Join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a tree in the urban arboretum planned for
Augsburg’s campus. The trees selected for this plan will surround the Hagfors Center
for Science, Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota. All gift
levels are welcome.
The total cost to sponsor a tree is $25,000, which includes long-term care and
maintenance. Help us reach this goal by December 2018! Visit augsburg.edu/giving for
more information or contact Amanda Scherer, assistant director of leadership gifts, at
scherera@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1720.
24
AUGSBURG NOW
September 5 | 5–7 p.m.
Brave New Workshop
824 Hennepin Ave.,
Minneapolis
Join alumnae business owners
Jenni Lilledahl ’87 and Jacquie
Berglund ’87 for a happy
hour with a purpose. Make
sandwiches for a good cause
and enjoy a FINNEGANS® as
part of Augsburg’s annual City
Service Day.
For more information and registration,
visit augsburg.edu/alumni.
COURTESY PHOTOS
AUGGIES CONNECT
[Top]: Travelers pose at Wat Chedi Luang Temple
in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
TRAVELING WITH
[Far Left–L to R]: Hans Wiersma and Lori
Brandt Hale, Department of Religion faculty
members and trip leaders, pose with Katie
(Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and
constituent relations.
AUGGIES
This winter, 15 Auggies traveled to
Thailand and Cambodia with Augsburg
College Professor of English Kathy Swanson
and her husband, Jack, as their hosts.
“The trip was beyond amazing,” said
traveler and Alumni Board President Jill
Watson ’10 MBA. “Our hosts, Jack and
Kathy Swanson, have a passion for the
people and culture of Thailand that was
contagious throughout the trip. They
were always willing to share insights,
recommend food (such as sticky rice and
mango at a floating market) and go out
of their way to help others and ensure
everyone was having a great trip.
“Memories that stand out include
the elephant camp in Chiang Mai, Thai
cooking school, Angkor Wat in Siem
Reap, Light for Kids orphanage, and the
food ... all the foods!
“Traveling with fellow Auggies meant I
[Near Right]: Travelers stand in front of the
Castle Church in Germany where Martin Luther
nailed the 95 Theses to the door.
had at least one thing in common with so
many people I had never met before. By
the end of the trip, I had developed new
friendships, and I will be keeping in touch.”
Celebrating Lutheran heritage in
Germany and the Czech Republic
Last fall, another group of Auggies
traveled to the land of Luther to mark
the 500th anniversary of the Protestant
Reformation. Religion Department
faculty members Hans Wiersma and Lori
Brandt Hale led a group of 30 Augsburg
alumni and friends on a multi-city tour
that included Dresden, Prague, and
Wittenberg—the long-time home of
Reformation catalyst Martin Luther.
One of the highlights for Augsburg
Alumni Director Katie (Koch) Code ’01 was
the opportunity to be in Wittenberg on
Reformation Day. The town marked the
occasion with a festival, and the Augsburg
group visited Castle Church where Luther
nailed his 95 Theses to the door.
“At worship that morning we sang, ‘A
Mighty Fortress is our God,’ which took
me back to my Augsburg days enrolled
in the Luther and the Reformers class
with Religion Professor Mark Tranvik,”
Code said.
Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter Jean
Hopfensperger and photographer Jerry
Holt accompanied the group to chronicle
how Minnesotans observed the 500th
anniversary of the Reformation. In a story
published after the group’s return home,
Augsburg alumnae Carol Pfleiderer ’64 and
Kathleen Johnson ’72 described how the trip
itinerary offered participants opportunities
to build and reflect on their faith.
To view trip photos,
visit augsburg.edu/now.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
25
A GIFT FOR
AUGSBURG IN
ROCHESTER
Louise and Regent
Emeritus Leland
“Lee” Sundet will
help Augsburg’s
Rochester site grow thanks to a generous
$1.5 million gift. The Rochester location
attracts more than 350 working professionals
to undergraduate and graduate programs in
business, education, health care, and nursing.
As longtime supporters of Augsburg,
including the Weekend College and Youth and
Family Ministry programs, the Sundets have
used their frugality to benefit others and to
raise the profile of Augsburg. Several years ago,
in an effort to better communicate Augsburg’s
identity locally, Sundet helped form a marketing
committee and was instrumental in choosing a
new logo with a cross embedded in the “A.” He
remains steadfast in his commitment to religion
and religious freedom as essential to
education.
In his 88 years, Lee has never lost
sight of the basics: thrift, generosity,
and faith.
“I also believe in old-fashioned
discipline—‘don’t spend it till you’ve earned
it,’” he said.
Lee learned these principles early, growing
up in Spring Grove, Minnesota, where most
Norwegian-American community members
attended the big Lutheran church. “My father
died when I was six months old, and my mother
PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH
PHOTO BY BRENDAN BUSH
AUGGIES CONNECT
was quite ill so she had to sell everything she
had to pay the bills. She got $7.43 a month,
and of that, 74 cents went to the church,” said
Lee, who has embraced tithing ever since.
A retired industrialist and manufacturer,
Lee owned several companies, including
Century Manufacturing, Goodall
Manufacturing, Britt Manufacturing, and
Fountain Industries. His business acumen
earned him such honors as Minnesota’s Small
Business Man of the Year and the University
of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement
Award. The couple has sponsored a business
scholarship at Augsburg since 1992.
Overall, the Sundets are impressed by the
potential of Augsburg’s programs in Rochester
and by the work of another community anchor,
Mayo Clinic, which the couple believes shares
their values.
“Augsburg has come a long way, and I
would love to see it grow in Rochester.”
26
AUGSBURG NOW
“I have met people at Mayo who have gone
through the Augsburg program, and I’ve seen
what it’s done for them. It’s a wonderful thing,”
Lee said. “It wasn’t easy to get it started, but
it’s fun to look back on. Augsburg has come
a long way, and I would love to see it grow in
Rochester.”
tips for the reluctant networker
Augsburg College alumna Jenni Lilledahl ’87 was a featured speaker at the Auggie
Networking Experience in February. As co-owner of the sketch and improvisational comedy
theater Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, Lilledahl brought insight from the improv
world to the crowd of nearly 300 alumni and students meeting to exchange career advice.
No matter their personality or career, Lilledahl said, all people have anxiety about jumping into
new conversations or taking new career paths. Here she shares tips for individuals to jump-start
meaningful conversations and say “yes” to new experiences.
1.
We all get uncomfortable, yet we cannot let this
feeling control us. Instead, we must face our
fears and immerse ourselves in new experiences.
2.
Sometimes saying “yes” is easier than we think.
Don’t rattle off 20 excuses; jump in with an
open mind.
3.
PHOTOS BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17
Stop yourself from using the word “but.”
Instead, use the reframing mindset of “yesand” to add something positive to each situation
you are in. Don’t use excuses to squash new ideas,
possibilities, or adventures. Rather, embrace them.
4.
Be intentional about your communication.
Don’t just be there. Be awake, aware, and
connected to the other people in the room.
5.
Have gratitude for the chance to develop
relationships, share ideas, and try new things.
People who create authentic connections with
others are often more successful than those who
possess only technical skills.
Augsburg alumni and students participated in short
improvisational exercises at the event.
with the Young Alumni Council
Auggies who have graduated from any Augsburg degree program
in the past 10 years are invited to join the Young Alumni Council
and help plan year-round activities for recent alumni. In the past,
the Young Alumni Council has organized a Twins game outing, a
financial planning talk and social hour at Summit Brewery, and an
afternoon of ice skating at The Depot in Minneapolis.
For Young Alumni Council Vice President Evan Decker ’12,
taking part in the group provides opportunities to practice valuable
life and business skills that he doesn’t necessarily hone in his day-
to-day work, such as planning meetings and events, communicating
with fellow alumni, speaking to groups, and networking. Serving the
council also is a way to stay engaged with the College.
“Some people feel there aren’t resources for them after
graduation, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Decker
said. “This group is here to help bridge that gap.”
To join the Young Alumni Council,
visit augsburg.edu/alumni.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1961
Last year, First
Lutheran Church in
Red Wing, Minnesota, recognized
Arlan Johnson ’61 for 50 years
of service to its choir as a singer
and director. While a student at
Augsburg, Johnson played in
the band for four years and sang
in the choir for two years. He
enjoyed tours with the band and
choir in the Pacific Northwest,
and in 1960 he participated in
an extended Alaskan band trip
to the Anchorage Music Festival.
After graduating from Augsburg,
he completed his education
requirements, student taught at
Braham (Minnesota) Area High
School with Herman Aune ’50,
and finished a second major in
biology. Johnson taught band
and vocal music in Stewart,
Minnesota, and elementary, junior
high, and middle school band in
Red Wing until his retirement. He
and his wife, Phyllis, continue to
live in Red Wing.
1967
5 0-Y E AR RE UNI ON
HOMECOMING 2017
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Sandra Olmsted ’69 retires after
serving Augsburg since 1978. See page 2.
1971
Darrell Skogen ’71
retired after teaching
for 46 years. He spent the
past 41 years at St. MichaelAlbertville High School in
Minnesota. Skogen is the
longest-tenured employee in the
history of the school district. He
taught classes such as AP World
History and AP U.S. History.
Skogen continues to instruct
part-time at the high school
and records stats for its football
program. He says that the
school’s Class 5A football state
championship victory in 2015
was the first in his 50 years
walking the sidelines.
1974
Dr. Subhashchandra
“Pat” Patel ’74 and
Annette (Hanson) Patel ’73
donated their dental clinics
in Clarkfield and Cottonwood,
Minnesota, to Open Door Health
Center of Mankato. Open Door will
run satellite dental clinics in the
towns. Pat retired in June 2016.
Associate Professor of Music
Peter Hendrickson ’76 retires
after teaching at Augsburg for more
than two decades. See page 2.
1977
40- YE A R R E U N I O N
HOMECOMING 2017
In August, Neil Paulson ’77 was
elected state committeeman for
the Republican Party in Orange
County, Florida.
for Advanced Science and
Technology.
1979
1990
Walter Ohrbom ’79
earned a doctorate
in chemistry from North Dakota
State University after graduating
from Augsburg. He retired from
BASF as a senior research
associate with more than 120
U.S. patents. Over the years,
he and his wife, Patricia, have
traveled around the world to
backpack, bike, canoe, and
scuba dive.
Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79
draws connections between
student athletes’ time on campus and
leadership roles after graduation. See
page 18.
1988
Kiel Christianson ’88
was promoted to
full professor in the Department
of Educational Psychology
at the University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign, where he
conducts research on language
processing, reading, and
bilingualism. He is associate
chair of the department, as well
as leader of the Educational
Psychology Psycholinguistics
Lab and co-chair of the Illinois
Language and Literacy Initiative,
both in the Beckman Institute
In July, Karen Jean
Reed ’90, a music
therapy major, was honored
with the President’s Award at
the Southern California First
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Church Of God in Christ 50th
State Women’s Convention,
held in Palm Desert, California.
She also was nominated for
the 50 Women of Excellence
honor for her exemplary service
and outstanding achievement
in music and administrative
service in local, church,
district, regional, and state
positions. Reed has excelled in
music as a gospel saxophonist
and in women’s ministry. She
was recognized for exemplary
service by Barbara McCoo
Lewis, the assistant general
supervisor of the Church of God
in Christ International. Reed
serves as the assistant regional
missionary for the Santa
Barbara region and also works
with youth. Professionally, she
is a program director at the
Department of State HospitalsCoalinga, overseeing the
treatment of sexually violent
predators. She is the author of
“Music is the Master Key.”
AUGGIES NEAR AND FAR
[L to R]: Sociology Professor Tim Pippert and
Torstenson Scholars Ellen Sachs ’17, Emily
Campbell ’17, and Jen Kochaver ’19 meet with
Mark Johnson ’75 on campus. [Not pictured]:
Torstenson Scholar Mark Daniels ’17.
28
AUGSBURG NOW
Last fall, metro-urban studies alumnus Mark Johnson ’75 invited
Sociology Professor Tim Pippert to the remote country of Vanuatu
in the South Pacific. The pair distributed solar lights donated by
Johnson to villages on the island of Tanna, which in 2015 suffered
widespread destruction due to Hurricane Pam. For Pippert, the
trip was an adventure of a lifetime and an opportunity to observe
the relationships Johnson has developed with local people over the
course of several previous trips.
The connection between Johnson and Pippert was built, in part,
through their involvement with Augsburg’s Torstenson Community
Scholars program that supports undergraduate research. Since
2015, Johnson has funded research opportunities for Auggies engaged in the program, which
is named in memory of Professor Joel Torstenson ’38, a founder of Augsburg’s Department
of Sociology. This February, four Torstenson Scholars traveled with Pippert to North Dakota’s
Bakken oilfield region to assess how residents have been impacted by oil exploration.
From the Auggie Connections blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
1992
2 5-Y EA R RE UNI ON
HOMECOMING 2017
Scott Peterson ’92 has accepted
a call to be the pastor at
Lutheran Church in the Foothills
in La Cañada, California. After
living in Canada for more than
17 years, Peterson has returned
to the U.S. to continue ministry
within the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
1993
Chad Shilson ’93
is the Minnesota
women’s wrestling director for
USA Wrestling. He has completed
his 100th marathon and qualified
for his fourth Boston Marathon.
Marathon running has taken him
to 36 states, including 29 states
in the past two years. A dedicated
daily runner, Shilson has run at
least one mile per day for more
than six years.
1996
Stephanie Harms ’96
and Kristin (Young)
Miller ’91 are helping change the
nation’s response to vulnerable
individuals and families through
their work in the supportive
housing movement. Both
Auggies work at CSH, a national
nonprofit organization that
connects housing with services
for vulnerable populations. Based
in New York City, Miller leads a
successful CSH program that
assists communities throughout
New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania. Harms serves
as chief operating officer and
leads CSH’s communications,
administrative, talent, and
human resource efforts. CSH has
ended veteran homelessness in
several communities throughout
the U.S., created more than
100,000 homes for individuals
and families, and changed public
systems to address the root
conditions that create turmoil in
the lives of vulnerable individuals
and families.
’05
’03
1999
Peter Durow ’99 has
been commissioned
by the American Choral Directors
Association of Minnesota for the
2018 ACDA-MN State 4-5-6 Girls’
Honor Choir. ACDA-MN has been
committed to commissioning
new choral works for all-state
and honor choirs from Minnesota
composers each year since 1975.
Durow serves as visiting director
of choral activities at St. Cloud
State University.
’67
Juliane Derry ’00 blends
science with artistry and
research with intuition as a historic
materials conservator. See page 8.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Andrea (Carlson) Conway ’05 and Riley
Conway ’05 welcomed a son, Soren Jon, in
December. Soren is the grandson of Jon Carlson ’79
and great-grandson of Jeroy Carlson ’48.
Golf Association and president of Women in the
Golf Industry. She also wrote an e-book titled,
“Hit It, Alice! A Woman’s Golf Guide to Everything
But the Swing.”
Barb (Walen) Hanson ’67 became
president of the Minnesota Golf
Association at its annual meeting in November.
She is the first woman to serve in this role. Since
retiring from her teaching career, Hanson has
been actively involved in the golf world, having
served as president of the Minnesota Women’s
Paul Putt ’03, ’15 MAE and his wife, Katie,
celebrated the birth of a son, Theodore
Howard, in October.
’05
’67
’03
Pete Pfeffer ’87, who holds a Doctor of
Chiropractic degree, and his daughter,
Maggie, served on a chiropractic and medical
’87
’87
mission team in Kimana, Kenya. The team
provided care and education to hundreds of
Maasai villagers living in bomas and orphanages
in an underserved area. Pete and his brother,
Mike Pfeffer ’92, jointly own and serve as
chiropractors for a HealthSource Chiropractic
and Progressive Rehabilitation Clinic in
Alexandria, Minnesota. In addition to private
practice, Pete has taken on a national role with
the HealthSource Corporation to provide training
in technique and rehabilitation procedures for
new franchises.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Mathematics and Statistics
Instructor Alyssa Hanson ’01
is honored with a Distinguished
Contributions to Teaching and
Learning award. See page 7.
2002
JCI Minnesota
(formerly Minnesota
Jaycees) selected Katie
Lindenfelser ’02, founder of
Crescent Cove, as one of the Ten
Outstanding Young Minnesotans
for 2016. The mission of
Crescent Cove is to offer care
and support to young people
with a shortened life expectancy
and their families. The vision
of Crescent Cove is to build
and operate the first residential
children’s hospice and respite
care home in the Midwest.
Started in 1950, the Ten
Outstanding Young Minnesotans
honor is Minnesota’s only
statewide recognition program
for outstanding young leaders
ages 18-40 who have devoted
themselves to improving their
communities. The program
acknowledges the efforts
and accomplishments of
young adults who contribute
to Minnesota through their
service, thought and influence,
community involvement, or
entrepreneurship.
2003
Reginaldo HaslettMarroquin ’03
published “In the Shadow
of Green Man.” The book,
published by Acres USA,
chronicles Haslett-Marroquin’s
upbringing in revolution-torn
Guatemala and how he built his
vision to develop a regenerative
farming model that uplifts
individuals and communities.
Throughout the book, he shares
the fable of the Green Man, a
tiny and wise Guatemalan folk
character whose stories teach
the importance of respecting
the natural world. HaslettMarroquin is chief strategy
officer for Main Street Project,
based in Northfield, Minnesota.
Haslett-Marroquin has
served as a consultant for the
United Nations Development
Program’s Bureau for Latin
America and as an advisor to
the World Council of Indigenous
People. He was a founding
member of the Fair Trade
Federation, and was Director
of the Fair Trade Program for
the Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy from 1995 to
1998. He also led the creation,
strategic positioning, startup,
and launch of Peace Coffee,
a Minnesota-based fair-trade
coffee company.
Samuel Gross ’03 designs new
university logo. See page 12.
2007
10-YEAR REUNION
HOMECOMING 2017
Mike Matson ’07 helps teach
student-athletes how to engage
in difficult conversations. See page 18.
Jenessa Payano Stark ’07 began
a Master of Science in Nursing
program at Yale University this
past fall. She is studying in Yale’s
Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health
Nurse Practitioner program. She
received a prestigious National
Health Service Corps Scholarship
that pays her tuition and fees,
and defrays her living expenses
for three years in exchange for
future service in an area with a
shortage of health professionals.
2011
Dan Skaarup ’11
and Casey (Ernst)
Skaarup ’11 welcomed a
daughter, Eowyn River, to the
world in December.
Laura Schmidt ’11 and Sarah
Witte ’12 launched a nonprofit,
spiritually based community
called Intertwine Northeast. The
group’s mission is to be “made
and moved by story, convinced
by compassion, always in
process, and about questions,
not answers.”
Mike Gallagher ’12 shares life
lessons with current students.
See page 18.
2014
Composer and
percussionist Zack
Baltich ’14 was featured in
the 2017 Cedar Commissions.
Baltich’s piece “ingress/passage”
used contact microphones
and uncommon performance
techniques on marimba, glass
bottles, and other found objects.
The Cedar Commissions
(formerly the 416 Commissions)
is a flagship program for
emerging artists made possible
with a grant from the Jerome
Foundation and has showcased
new work by more than 30
emerging composers and
musicians.
Catherine Colsrud ’14 was one
of 25 leaders who participated
in the eighth cohort of the
Native Nation Rebuilders
Program sponsored by the
Native Governance Center
and the Bush Foundation.
Representatives from 12 Native
nations from Minnesota, North
Dakota, and South Dakota were
selected for the Rebuilders
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Kathleen (Watson) Bradbury ’12 and
Krissy Bradbury ’12 welcomed Peter
Gene to their family.
’12
Beckie Jackson ’10 received a
Fulbright Distinguished Award in
Teaching and is one of approximately 45
U.S. citizens traveling abroad through
the program in 2016-17. In January,
she headed to Botswana to spend five
months conducting educational research.
Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected
’10
30
AUGSBURG NOW
on the basis of academic and professional
achievement, as well as demonstrated
leadership potential. Jackson teaches at
Moose Lake High School in Moose Lake,
Minnesota.
Nick Rathmann ’03 and wife, Shannon,
welcomed a daughter, Finley Grace, in
November.
’03
’11
Several Augsburg College alumni serve
as tutors and coaches with Minnesota
Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps.
Tutors pledge one year of service in schools
to help children become proficient readers
by the end of third grade and proficient in
math by the end of eighth grade. [L to R]:
Charmaine Bell ’11, Kathleen Abel ’76,
Joaquin Vences ’16, Kacie Carlsted ’15,
Christine Fankhanel ’02, Amy Riebs ’18 MAE,
and Alicia (Oppelt) Musselman ’14.
’91
Nancy Palmer ’91 joined the
Minnesota Reading Corps September
Program as a leadership component of a
larger initiative to support tribes as they
strengthen their governing capabilities.
Colsrud serves the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
as the commissioner of administration, chief
of staff, and acting commissioner of natural
resources. Native Governance Center and
Bush Foundation Rebuilders convened for
four structured sessions during which they
developed action plans to share knowledge
with peers and their respective tribal
governments.
’12
’10
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Nursing Department Chair Joyce Miller ’02,
’05 MAN, ’11 DNP earns a Distinguished
Contributions to Teaching and Learning award. See
page 7.
Tommy Redae ’09 MBA helps Auggies prepare
for a healthy financial future. See page 18.
Rochelle Fischer ’14 MSW became a hospital
administrator at Anoka-Metro Regional
Treatment Center in January. For the past
four years, she has been an assistant
program director at the Minnesota Security
Hospital in St. Peter, Minnesota, providing
day-to-day operational and administrative
leadership for persons with complex
behavioral health symptoms.
’03
’11
Dan Klein ’15 MBA and Kaitlin (Astleford)
Klein were married February 25 in
Hollywood, Florida.
Nicole (Egly) Olson ’15 MBA and Mark Olson
were married February 24 in Playa del
Carmen, Mexico.
Institute and tutors students in kindergarten
through third grade.
’91
Chris Stedman ’08, an interfaith
activist and author, is joining Augsburg
this spring as a fellow serving the Sabo
Center for Democracy and Citizenship where
he will facilitate and build new community
partnerships for non-religious and interfaith
civic engagement. Stedman also will consult
on the development of interfaith engagement
programs at Augsburg.
’08
’08
31
HEALING WATERS
’68
Jason Kusiak ’08 spends late winter
and early spring long-lining for cod and
haddock, and most of the year catching
lobster. Fishing in long-established seaports
near Gloucester, Massachusetts, gives
Kusiak an appreciation for the area’s rich
history and a healthy respect for those who
made a living fishing the Atlantic in earlier
times. “With fishing,” he said, “you can see
the direct result of your work ethic.”
Today Kusiak recognizes that his
entrepreneurial inclination was shaped by
Assistant Professor of Business John Cerrito
and former staff member Peggy Cerrito, and
that his drive for continual personal growth
was influenced by his involvement in StepUP®, the College’s residential collegiate
recovery community. While at Augsburg, Kusiak found that the College’s
commitment to building strong community connections and emphasis on
learning through experience resonated with him. He now seeks out opportunities
to interact with new people, to give back, and to offer hope to individuals and
families who struggle with substance abuse. He’s driven to invest in the future of
his business and his community.
’78
From the Auggie Connections blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
’83
[L to R]: This fall, Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee
Service President Linda Hartke met
with former U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and the Rev. Mark
Hanson ’68, former presiding bishop
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, at the LIRS Walk of Courage
Award Gala. Albright and Hanson
were honored at the event for their
commitments to furthering equity for
all people.
’68
’71
Actor and performing arts
educator Luverne Seifert ’83 won
a $25,000 fellowship from the William
and Eva Fox Foundation. He is part of
a national cohort of artists supported
by the foundation, which underwrites
training and career development for
performers. The support will enable
Seifert to deeply explore his art and
travel to France and Switzerland. In the
past 25 years, he has acted at theaters
in the Twin Cities and across the U.S.
’83
’05
[L to R]: Margaret Marx ’78,
Margo Casey ’78, and Cathy
(Kaiser) Bloomquist ’78, all members
of the original second step Bachelor
of Science in Nursing program at
’78
’06
32
AUGSBURG NOW
Augsburg, continue their friendship
today. The women gathered in
Scandia, Minnesota, in September,
and they share this photo as
a reminder of the second step
program’s impact on the nursing
profession in Minnesota.
Bob Stacke ’71 received an
award from the Somali Museum
of Minnesota on the occasion of
the museum’s third anniversary last
October. Stacke has provided music
and photography services to the
museum since its inception.
’71
Janeece (Adams) Oatman ’05,
an Augsburg Alumni Board
member, and Jim Gross, associate
provost for academic innovation
and strategic initiatives, were part of
the Auggie team at the Rochester,
Minnesota, Tour de Cure in October.
’05
Missy (Gaulke) Wilson ’06 completed
her first Ragnar trail race and
’06 her third Ragnar overall race in
September. She ran 15.2 miles on the
Ragnar Trail Northwoods - WI in the
Ragnar relay.
Helen M. (Anderson) Johnson ’40,
Hallock, Minnesota, age 96, on
September 4.
Eleanor C. (Christenson) Kline ’44,
Minneapolis, age 93, on May 31.
Marvin W. Johnson ’45,
Rochester, Minnesota, age 93,
on November 28.
Olav Overold ’45, Cando, North
Dakota, age 103, on January 23.
Bonnie J. (Sorem) Anderson ’46,
Cedar Falls, Iowa, age 92, on
December 7.
Delpha M. (Randklev) Berg ’47,
Grand Forks, North Dakota, age
91, on September 12.
Ray E. Gerlinger ’49, Overland
Park, Minnesota, age 93, on
December 4.
Theodore C. Nystuen ’49, Altoona,
Wisconsin, age 94, on January 19.
Lorraine G. V. (Lundh) Qual ’49,
Lisbon, North Dakota, age 93, on
October 4.
Joan L. (Sears) Ryden ’49, Cedar
Hill, Texas, age 91, on October 18.
Phebe D. (Dale) Hanson ’50,
Minneapolis, age 88, on
December 16.
Evelyn I. (Shelstad) Kriesel ’50,
Alamo, Texas, age 88, on
September 21.
Rhonda M. (Hektner) Lybeck ’50,
Fargo, North Dakota, age 88, on
January 29.
Daniel Nelson ’50, Spicer,
Minnesota, age 90, on
February 14.
Melvin E. Vigen ’50, Irving, Texas,
age 88, on September 26.
Arvild T. Jacobson ’51, Sun City,
Arizona, age 93, on November 26.
Donald H. Olson ’51, Henderson,
Nevada, age 87, on December 19.
Robert “Bob” R. Hage ’52,
Hector, Minnesota, age 88, on
December 16.
William “Bill” J. Kuross ’52,
Hopkins, Minnesota, age 87, on
January 31.
Charlotte M. (Kleven) Rimmereid ’52,
St. Paul, age 86, on December 29.
Roger V. Anderson ’53, Ottawa,
Ontario, age 86, on February 11.
Joan J. (Johnson) Kuder ’53,
Williams Bay, Wisconsin, age 86,
on December 19.
Harry E. Olson ’53, Apopka,
Florida, age 84, on October 7.
Nola E. (Bengtson) Studer ’53,
Bemidji, Minnesota, age 85, on
September 5.
Donna R. (Osland) Gaines ’54,
Laguna Hills, California, age 84,
on September 17.
Ruth M. (Pousi) Ollila ’54,
Minneapolis, age 84, on
February 14.
Betty J. (Dyrud) Oudal ’54,
Rochester, Minnesota, age 85, on
December 31.
Arlene V. (Tollefson) Paulson ’54,
Lake Oswego, Oregon, age 89, on
September 20.
Gary R. Rust ’54, Burnsville,
Minnesota, age 85, on October 12.
Robert “Bob” E. Twiton ’54,
Brainerd, Minnesota, age 84, on
February 26.
Theodore “Ted” S. Berkas ’56,
Minneapolis, age 88, on
January 15.
Robert A. Fundingsland ’65,
St. Louis Park, Minnesota, age
73, on September 19.
Sanford E. Egesdal ’56, Minneapolis,
age 82, on October 3.
Marie D. (Hafie) MacNally ’65,
Minneapolis, on November 7.
Robert A. Roos ’56, Robbinsdale,
Minnesota, age 86, on
September 3.
Dale H. Peterson ’69, Sapulpa,
Oklahoma, age 69, on
November 27.
Merlin J. White ’56, Fridley,
Minnesota, age 86, on
September 8.
Anita M. (Lindquist) King ’70,
Pella, Iowa, age 68, on
September 1.
Raymond Seaver ’57, Fergus
Falls, Minnesota, age 82, on
December 5.
Chuck S. Marsh ’73, Puyallup,
Washington, age 65, on
November 14.
Robert H. Gustafson ’59,
Cambridge, Minnesota, age 84,
on January 28.
Colleen M. (Brown) Olson ’74,
Shakopee, Minnesota, age 63, on
August 20.
John P. Martisen ’59, Minneapolis,
age 81, on August 30.
Sheila M. (Conway) Kortuem ’84,
St. Peter, Minnesota, age 76, on
August 26.
Lloyd H. Reichstadt ’59, Flagstaff,
Arizona, age 84, on November 21.
Paul C. Casperson ’60, Dallas,
Texas, age 77, on January 31.
Wayne R. Juntunen ’60, Esko,
Minnesota, age 83, on
December 5.
Karen O. (Egesdal) Trelstad ’61,
Red Wing, Minnesota, age 79, on
November 30.
Coralyn J. (Lunsted) Bryan ’62,
Minneapolis, age 77, on
October 25.
Joshua B. Lerman ’08, Louisville,
Kentucky, age 33, on
November 18.
Angel G. Rodriguez ’15,
Minneapolis, age 25, on January 3.
Tyler G. Kotewa ’17, Fairmont,
Minnesota, age 25, on
December 7.
Mark A. DiCastri ’18, Minneapolis,
age 29, on February 27.
Clair A. Johannsen ’62,
Hagerstown, Maryland, age 79,
on February 10.
Paul W. Anderson ’63, Moorhead,
Minnesota, age 77, on January 31.
Gaylen K. Heggen ’63, Cottage
Grove, Minnesota, age 75, on
October 26.
The “In memoriam” listings in this
publication include notifications
received before March 15.
SPRING–SUMMER 2017
33
PHOTO BY RICKY TAYLOR ’17
IN MEMORIAM
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY PERRY
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Steve Wozniak inspires Auggies to ‘Learn Different’
Apple, Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak engaged the Augsburg community in a conversation that emphasized the
importance of creativity, education, and innovation in an increasingly connected world. Wozniak launched Apple with
Steve Jobs in 1976, revolutionizing the personal computer industry. Wozniak’s visit took place this winter during
Scholarship Weekend, an opportunity for prospective students to compete for Fine Arts and Honors scholarships.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Show less
Navigating uncharted waters
Playing it forward
An exploration of faith
HIGH-IMPACT
LEARNING
SPRING 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 2
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
Navigating uncharted waters
Playing it forward
An exploration of faith
HIGH-IMPACT
LEARNING
SPRING 2016 | VOL. 78, NO. 2
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 serendipity in education
I vividly recall the moment in 1977 when a
conversation with a religion professor at Luther
College, my alma mater, offered me a way of
thinking about my vocational journey that has
changed my life. When I admitted my doubts
about following my dad’s path to the ministry, the
professor shared his own journey to divinity school
and the study of theology, the sort of study I had
begun to explore in his class. The rest is history,
as they say. I went on to study ethics and theology
in divinity school and to pursue my own calling
for leadership in higher education.
A moment of serendipity that changed
my life—unexpected, unplanned, and so very
meaningful—made possible by a teaching and
learning community and a teacher that created
the opportunity for such moments.
Such serendipity in education is a hallmark
of the educational experience at Augsburg. I’m
sure you have your own stories of the faculty
or staff member, maybe the fellow student, or
perhaps the community member who offered you
the insight, the experience, the counsel, or the
challenge that shaped your path.
This issue of Augsburg Now reminds us of
the people and experiences that continue to offer
Augsburg students the promise of serendipity in
their education. From award-winning teachers
and researchers like Phil Adamo of the History
Department and Henry Yoon of the Psychology
Department to inspiring guest speakers like
LeVar Burton (yes, the “Star Trek” and “Reading
Rainbow” star) and Dr. Donald Warne (an
American Indian medical doctor challenging
us to pay attention to public health issues on
reservations). From nationally recognized efforts
like our StepUP® program for students recovering
from addiction to the Nobel Peace Prize Forum
that inspires all of us to be peacemakers in
our communities. Serendipity in education
happens for all of us because of these people
and programs, and because of this College’s deep
commitment to such experiences.
One particular moment from last fall stands
out for me. Our groundbreaking River Semester
gave 12 students the educational experience of
a lifetime as they spent the entire semester on
the Mississippi River (see page 16). When I went
to St. Louis to meet with the River Semester
students and faculty halfway through the
semester, I heard tale after tale of serendipitous
experiences along the river. But then one student
took me aside and said that for Associate
Professor Joe Underhill, who organized the class,
this was the trip he had always dreamed about,
given his passion for the river. And, the student
continued, Joe could have done the trip with
his family or friends—surely an easier way to
spend nearly four months on the river? Instead,
the student said, he chose to do it with us, his
students. He chose to do it with his students.
That, my friends, is the “stuff” of serendipity
in education. Teachers who choose to create
the space for serendipity to happen—in the
classroom, in the cafeteria, on the playing
fields or performance stage, even on the Mighty
Mississippi. 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:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
Email: now@augsburg.edu
AUGSBURG NOW
Spring 2016
02 Around the quad
08
Playing it forward
14
An exploration of faith
16
Navigating uncharted waters
24
Auggies connect
27
Class notes
32
In memoriam
On the cover: Auggies paddle past the Gateway Arch in
St. Louis as part of a semester-long journey following the
Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans. See page 16.
Photo by Whitney Curtis.
Correction: In the Fall 2015 issue of Augsburg Now, the
story “From Riverside Ave. to Riverside, CA” omitted that
Matthew Dunn ’08 was among several recent Augsburg
College graduates to pursue an advanced degree at the
University of California-Riverside.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise
indicated.
Augsburg College students walk through Lindell Library—a building that will connect to the future
Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Learn more about the
Hagfors Center on page 3.
AROUND
THE
QUAD
IGNITING
PASSION, FINDING
HARMONY
Convocation Series
sparks conversation
2
Augsburg Now
The Augsburg College Convocation Series each year offers the community
a chance to hear from leaders and visionaries who spark important
discussion and educate about the challenges and opportunities of
today’s generation. The first event in 2016 was the Martin Luther King Jr.
Convocation in January, featuring Chuck D, leader and co-founder of the
legendary rap group Public Enemy, and his presentation, “Race, Rap, and
Reality: Supporting Our Youth in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
as They Face the Unique Challenges of Today.”
The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in February
welcomed Dr. Donald Warne—professor and chair of the
Department of Public Health in the College of Health
Professions at North Dakota State University, and senior
policy advisor to the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s
Health Board—whose presentation was “Traditional
Lakota Approaches to Health Disparities: Connecting
People and the Environment.”
The Koryne Horbal Lecture in March featured Nekima
Levy-Pounds, attorney, law professor, and president of the
Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP.
Courtesy Photos
Hip-hop pioneer and best-selling author
Chuck D addresses hundreds of attendees at the
2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation.
AROUND THE QUAD
Exterior rendering of the Hagfors Center
E
L
A
S
N
O
TICKETS
CONSTRUCTION STARTS
In May, Augsburg College will begin the construction of its newest and largest
academic building, the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science,
Business, and Religion. The interdisciplinary Hagfors Center embodies
Augsburg’s commitment to student learning, urban placemaking, and thoughtful
stewardship.
The building design features classrooms and labs that are configurable to
support experiential learning as well as other teaching and learning formats.
These spaces will be constructed on a modular framework that allows for
flexibility to meet the College’s long-term needs.
The building will anchor the west side of campus and welcome the
College’s neighborhood with an
“open arms” design facing the
adjacent residential community
and embracing the on-campus
community gardens. The
Hagfors Center also will be the
most environmentally friendly
building on campus, seeking a
LEED Silver certification for its
Mock-up offices
sustainable design.
As part of the building planning process, Augsburg constructed life-size
models of two proposed configurations for faculty and staff offices. The office
concepts were on display in Lindell Library so community members could
stop by to check out the look and feel of the spaces. Students (and even
some faculty members) made themselves at home in the offices by taking
time to study, check email, and read, all the while bringing new meaning to
the phrase, “open-door policy.”
Children’s rights advocate to
keynote peace-building event
Augsburg College will host the 28th
annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum
June 6–8, inviting global leaders and
the general public to explore pressing
peacemaking issues faced by people
across the globe.
This year’s forum will
honor and feature
a keynote address
by Kailash Satyarthi,
joint winner of the
2014 Nobel Peace
Prize. For decades,
Satyarthi has been
tireless in his
advocacy for child
rights, education,
and child labor reform in India. While
in Minneapolis, Satyarthi will join other
peace-building experts to explore human
rights and democracy, disarmament,
sustainability, and inclusivity.
Courtesy Photo
THIS SPRING
College moves forward on
new academic building
Get tickets and learn more at
nobelpeaceprizeforum.org.
The first classes will be held in the Hagfors Center in January 2018. Go to
augsburg.edu/hagforscenter to keep track of project developments.
Spring 2016
3
Historyapolis project wins
ALICE SMITH PRIZE
Twin Cities middle schoolers participate in a Somali debate
initiative led by the Minnesota Urban Debate League.
[Top to bottom]: Kirsten Delegard, who serves
as a scholar-in-residence in the Augsburg
College History Department, and Michael
Lansing, associate professor of history, were
presented the Alice Smith Prize for best public
history project completed in the
previous calendar year by the
Midwestern History Association.
The Historyapolis Project
was created when Delegard
realized that the citizens of
her hometown of Minneapolis
craved complex stories about
the city’s past that would help
them understand how it became
the wonderful and intricate
place that it is today.
Augsburg students are deeply involved
with the project, which aims to make the
city’s history accessible and helps instigate
community dialogue around challenging
aspects of local history. Visit historyapolis.com for
more information.
Signature urban debate program
REACHES MILESTONE
Augsburg College’s Minnesota Urban Debate League program provides
services, support, and materials to more than 750 students engaged in
competitive academic debate at 40 high schools and middle schools across
the Twin Cities metro area. This year marked the first time that the state
debate championship featured two teams from the Minnesota Urban Debate
League: St. Paul’s Highland Park and Minneapolis’ Washburn high schools.
Led by Executive Director Amy Cram Helwich and Faculty Adviser Robert
Groven, an Augsburg communication studies professor, the program helps
increase school engagement and connectedness, which boosts young
people’s confidence in their academic abilities. The program’s impact is
shown through a 100 percent on-time high school graduation rate and a
99 percent college acceptance rate for debaters. “No other out-of-school
program accomplishes such significant gains,” according to Groven.
4
Augsburg Now
Photo courtesy of Lisa Lynch
Minnesota Urban Debate League participants
dominate 2016 state championship
The Historyapolis Project invites Augsburg College
students and community members to conduct research
to help interpret the history of Minneapolis. [L to R]:
Citizen-researcher Rita Yeads and Anna Romskog ’15
view city planning photographs from the 1930s in the
Minneapolis City Archives at City Hall.
AROUND THE QUAD
Professor Phillip Adamo peers out of his office in Memorial Hall.
Phillip Adamo named 2015 Minnesota
Augsburg College was named No. 6
on Best Value Schools’ 2015 list
of 20 Best Value Colleges or
Universities in Minnesota.
eetable
Rankings are based on
graduation rate, net
price, acceptance rate,
#AuggieP
and 20-year net return on
investment.
e
rid
Augsburg College’s Phillip Adamo, professor of history and director of the
Honors Program, was named the 2015 Minnesota Professor of the Year by
the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council
for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Adamo was recognized for his accomplishment in a proclamation by
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges who declared November 19, 2015,
“Dr. Phillip C. Adamo Day in the City of Minneapolis.”
Adamo is the second Augsburg College faculty member to be honored by
Carnegie/CASE. In 2004, Professor Emeritus of Sociology Garry Hesser earned
the prestigious award.
Tw
PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR
Augsburg deemed a
‘best value’ college
Spring 2016
5
ON THE SPOT
Henry Yoon examines addiction risk
Augsburg College Associate Professor Henry Yoon oversees the biopsychology major and
leads the Augsburg Biopsychology Lab. One area of his research involves studying disorders
related to the inability to inhibit socially inappropriate or even illegal behaviors such as
the use of illicit substances that can lead to addiction. Yoon uses neurophysiological
techniques including EEG to capture and analyze the brain’s electrical activity to identify
telltale signs of biological or genetic risk for substance dependence.
Yoon works collaboratively with the StepUP® Program, Augsburg’s residential recovery
community, and the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychology. Ultimately, Yoon’s
research may help refine the biological tools used in the diagnosis of substance addiction.
Q:
A:
What prompted your interest in studying
addiction?
Substance use disorders are both common
and costly—many of us have personal issues
with substance use or know someone who does,
including our family members. Plus, addiction
is often connected to other major psychiatric
disorders in systematic ways. It is important to
understand the core factors underlying addiction
for intervention and treatment purposes.
Q:
One of the brainwaves you focus on—
the P3—has been studied in relation
to childhood disruptive disorders such as
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
adolescent substance dependence, and adult
antisocial behaviors. What’s the link among
these areas?
A:
Collectively, these disorders reflect a
tendency toward behavioral disinhibition,
which may be expressed in various ways over
development through childhood, adolescence,
and adulthood. Evidence shows that this
tendency is highly heritable—in other words,
influenced by genes. The P3 brain measure is
significant because it may signify who is at risk
for these disorders. For instance, my colleagues
and I showed that P3 is itself highly heritable
and can be used to predict who will develop
these types of disorders over a 12-year span. So,
we reason that the P3 can serve as a red flag.
6
Augsburg Now
Q:
Despite recognition of the biological and
genetic nature of substance use disorders,
social stigmas persist. Could improved scientific
literacy play a role in reducing these stigmas?
A:
I think a cautionary tale from my field’s
history can help address this question.
In the 1940s-70s, the concept of the
“schizophrenogenic mother” was popular in
the psychiatric literature. This term implied
that mothers who interacted with their children
in a cold, rejecting, and aloof manner caused
schizophrenia in those children. Another
version of this, in relation to autism, was the
“refrigerator mother,” which carried a similar
implication.
Later scientific research rejected these
incorrect and harmful notions and instead
showed that such disorders largely involve
genetic/biological factors. The same trend
can be observed with regard to addiction. For
instance, it is now known that substance use
disorders are influenced by genetic background
to a degree comparable to other complex
medical conditions such as diabetes or coronary
heart disease. Of course environmental factors
are also important, but overall this shows that
combating addiction is not a matter of willpower
or flawed character.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn
more about Yoon’s research.
This colorful graph shows a representation of the P3 brainwave activity that Henry Yoon has been investigating in
relation to behavioral disinhibition. Abnormalities in the P3 wave have been shown to correlate with addictive behaviors.
AROUND THE QUAD
StepUP Gala
®
Research, study, and offer
your two cents
breaks fundraising record
In March 2015, Melissa Motl,
circulation coordinator in Augsburg’s
Lindell Library, started posing questions
to students on a whiteboard as a way
to gain more information about how
students use and view the library. She
asked questions like, “What can you
get at the library that you can’t get
anywhere else?” and “What would you
like to see the library do differently?” It
garnered such great feedback that she
decided to continue asking questions
as a fun and interesting way to find out
more about Auggies.
Each year, Augsburg College’s StepUP Program supports dozens of students as
they achieve academic success and sustain lives of recovery from substance
use disorders. Augsburg is home to the largest collegiate recovery community
in the United States, and its work receives generous support from numerous
corporations, foundations, individuals, and families.
The program received a noteworthy boost this year when its philanthropic
gala raised $419,000 from ticket
sales, sponsorships, and individual
gifts—a sum that nearly doubled
the amount raised the previous year.
Former WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby
was the master of ceremonies and
the featured keynote speech was
by Anne Thompson Heller ’08, a
StepUP alumna who has founded
[L to R]: Broadcaster Don Shelby joins
and championed recovery
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Augsburg
organizations at collegiate,
College President Paul Pribbenow
state, and national levels.
at the StepUP Gala.
Who ever came up
with this question
is EVIL!! You can’t
make me choose! :(
wars
“We have some really
creative and thoughtful
students here at Augsburg,
and I think that’s why we always
get great responses. Some are
thoughtful, and some are silly or witty,”
said Motl.
Who ever came up
this question
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rssets record,star
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with Sports Extravaganza participants.
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faith
-Darth
H
wars H P
forever! forever!
Whoever came up
At the 15th annual Sports Extravaganza, Augsburg College physical
with this question
education and exercise science students used knowledge gained in the
is of
EVIL!! You can’t
“Your
lack
rs
wa
classroom to deliver smiles to a record 307 grade-school and
middle-school
makeme!”
me choose! :(
faith disturbs
children with physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities. For the event,
-Darth Vader
Auggies created activity stations in the Augsburg athletics dome and assisted
children as they played.
The Star Tribune published several Sports Extravaganza photos and described participants’
enthusiasm as “Flying high without leaving the ground.” Visit augsburg.edu/now.
V
Spring 2016
7
PLAYING IT
FORWARD
AUGGIE COACHES CREATE
CYCLE OF GIVING BACK
BY CHRISTINA HALLER
Division III athletics is the sweet spot for
student-athletes—they compete on teams and
nurture deep, meaningful relationships with their
coaches and peers, and at the same time have
the freedom and time to explore other activities
and passions while having a strong focus on
academics. These reasons, among others—the
competition, camaraderie, discipline, and love
of the game—are why more than 500 Augsburg
students participate in varsity and intramural
sports every year.
The welcoming and supportive Augsburg
College Athletics Department has had a profound
impact on many student-athletes, which in
return has sparked a desire in many former
players to give back to youth as leaders, mentors,
and friends. Here is a glimpse into the lasting
influence of Auggie athletics on alumni through
the decades.
8
Augsburg Now
Whitney Restemayer ’10 is the first woman in the state of Minnesota to coach a team to a hockey
state title, the 2015 Minnesota State High School Girls’ Hockey Tournament Class A Championship.
I’ve always enjoyed working with kids,
teaching the game, and mentoring players
off the field. Being a student-athlete
at Augsburg taught me many valuable
lessons and allowed me to strengthen my
leadership skills. Many people from my
athletic upbringing have influenced the
way I teach young men about soccer and
life. I must admit, Auggie soccer coaches
Greg Holker, Jonathan Schaefer, and
Nate Hitch had a profound influence on me
during college.
The most gratifying thing about
coaching is seeing my boys grow into
young men and become contributing
members of the community. I was a kid
who was influenced in so many positive
ways by several people in my athletic path.
For me to have the opportunity to give back
a fraction of my time is the most gratifying
thing in the world.
VAN HONG ’11
Enterprise risk analytics consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Minneapolis; youth soccer coach at Park
Valley United and co-founder of Spam F.C. College Scholarship Foundation in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
SUE (MEIER) ZIEGLER ’80
Physical education and health and
wellness teacher and head volleyball and
track coach at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/
Senior High School in Lincoln, Nebraska
Photos by Matt Ryerson
I was involved with basketball and track
as an Auggie. I would credit the whole
Augsburg Health–Physical Education
Department and coaches for supporting
me—people like longtime athletic
director and men’s basketball coach
Ernie Anderson ’37 were always looking
out for athletes’ best interests. I believe I
received a quality education in a Christian
environment, and feel blessed to be in a
similar situation now. I hope I have had an
impact on helping shape young people’s
lives through education and athletics, too.
Students teach me life lessons every
day. The impact that they have had on my
life has been invaluable—on relationships,
commitment, and learning. I love seeing
where my former students and athletes
go on in the next step of their lives—
from college to starting their families to
excelling in their careers.
Spring 2016
11
Everything I got from sports as a player—
the love of the game, the friendships, the
teamwork, the cohesion—sparked a desire
in me to coach. I started playing sports
at a young age and experienced coaches
who I really clicked with, and I knew that I
wanted to be able to give back to athletes
in the same way. I had a great experience
at Augsburg. Playing two sports, being a
health and physical education major, and
working within the Athletics Department
allowed me to meet many people who had a
great influence on my life.
I have been very lucky to achieve a lot
of success in my short coaching career.
Being able to be a part of something
so great on ice allowed me to also be a
part of something great off the ice. The
relationships that I have developed with
many of the girls I have coached is second
to none.
WHITNEY RESTEMAYER ’10
Physical education teacher at Challenger Elementary School
and assistant girls’ softball coach and head girls’ hockey
coach at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota
JAMELL TIDWELL ’05
Assistant administrator, athletic
director, and middle school football
and track coach at Valley Middle
School of STEM, and high school
wrestling coach at Apple Valley High
School in Apple Valley, Minnesota
I feel like God put athletics in my
life to keep me out of trouble so that
I could get to where I am today. If I
didn’t have wrestling in my life, there’s
no way I’d currently be working toward
my doctorate. I didn’t have a dad
growing up, so when I was a studentathlete at Augsburg, Auggie wrestling
coaches Jeff Swenson ’79, Sam
Barber, and Donny Wichmann ’89
took me under their wings and taught
me how to be a student, how to be an
athlete, how to be a man, and how to
be successful.
I hope that by being a coach, I
can show kids that, through athletics
and working hard in school, you can
achieve anything. I always tell my
players, you have to be a student first
and an athlete second.
AN
EXPLORATION
OF FAITH
PRESTIGIOUS $467,000
GRANT FOSTERS STUDENTS’
ENGAGEMENT IN YOUTH
THEOLOGY INSTITUTE
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
“J
esus is in the generosity business,”
said Amber Kalina ’15 when she
quoted from Walter Brueggeman’s
theology of abundance at an Augsburg
College chapel service. “That means
being constantly alert to any mismatch
between the generosity of God and the
needs of people.”
Certainly, Augsburg was given a
great and generous gift this winter when
the College was awarded a prestigious
three-year Lilly Endowment Inc. grant
of $467,000 for the Youth Theology
Institute. This residential summer camp
program explores deep and meaningful
questions of faith and vocation through
classes, service work, and reflection.
The competitive grant ensures that this
program will continue the work of helping
young people discern their vocations.
Kalina’s homily was part of a visit
to her home state of Minnesota to
pursue the next step in her vocational
journey: Attending seminary to become
ordained as a minister in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.
The journey of this youth and
family ministry graduate, however,
started in the the summer of 2010
14
Augsburg Now
when she was a junior in high school
in Perham, Minnesota. It was then that
she attended Augsburg’s Youth Theology
Institute at the encouragement of her
youth pastor.
“I would grill my youth director
about everything. He had heard about
the Augsburg College Youth Theology
Institute, and he encouraged me to
attend because I just couldn’t stop
asking questions,” Kalina said. “At the
Institute, I was challenged and pushed
to think about and explain what I
actually think about faith.”
DIVERSE EXPERIENCES
IN A DIVERSE ZIP CODE
The 13-year-old Youth Theology
Institute engages young people in
grades 10-12 in deep theological
questions and vocational discernment
through community-based and
classroom learning, worship, reflection,
and solitude. The program, which has
touched more than 200 young people
since its inception, is an example of
how Augsburg College lives out its
vision to educate people for lives of
purpose across disciplines and beyond
the classroom.
“This grant supports Augsburg’s
continued commitment to intentional
diversity and to modeling what it means
to be a Lutheran college of the 21st
century, located in the heart of one of
the nation’s most diverse ZIP codes. It
equips young people with theological
and vocational skills and helps them
learn what it means to practice
their faith, with its commitments to
education, radical hospitality, and
serving your neighbor,” said Augsburg
College President Paul Pribbenow.
LEARN, PRAY, AND
PLAY TOGETHER
Since its inception in 2004, the Youth
Theology Institute—a program of
Augsburg’s Bernhard M. Christensen
Center for Vocation—has explored
themes germane not only to the College,
but also to current events.
Augsburg’s emphasis on
interdisciplinary learning shaped
the 2015 program, which explored
interfaith action, a deeply compelling
topic for participants and the College,
particularly given Augsburg’s setting
in the midst of a neighborhood with a
growing Muslim population.
The Lilly grant will allow the
Augsburg College Youth Theology
Institute to expand upon its history of
success while increasing programmatic
goals, including:
• Development of a cohort of youth
ministers from regional churches,
synods, and multicultural and
ethnic-specific congregations,
interested in enhancing vocational
discernment and theological
reflection among youth.
Photo by Mark Chamberlain
Amber Kalina ’15 serves Abundant Life Together,
a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. This Alt Year program in Toledo, Ohio,
provides young adults a chance to explore in
community subjects including vocation through
reflection, leadership, relationships, and service.
• Growth in the number of participants
from 20 in 2016 to 40 by
2019 while also strengthening
relationships with attendees, their
families, their pastors, and their
churches.
• The creation of a mentor program
to allow college-age students to
help high school students develop
practices and skills for theological
reflection.
• An increase in connections to the
four synods of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
that form Augsburg’s governing
structure—Minneapolis, St. Paul,
Southeastern Minnesota, and
Northwest Wisconsin.
• Continuation of scholarships for
Youth Theology Institute alumni to
attend Augsburg College.
“We learn together,
pray together, play together,
explore the city together, and
discern God’s work in our
world together.”
− Jeremy Myers
Youth Theology Institute program director
and associate professor of religion
Participants in the program are
respectfully challenged in every activity
to dig deep into their perspectives and
biases to uncover their beliefs.
“We learn together, pray together,
play together, explore the city together,
and discern God’s work in our world
together,” said Associate Professor
of Religion Jeremy Myers, the Youth
Theology Institute program director.
For her part, Kalina hopes the grant
prompts others like her to find their paths.
“Young people are so eager to learn,”
Kalina said. “But if there is nothing at
home to welcome their questioning or to
guide them, it is difficult. Home church
congregations have to be involved.
Participation from our churches provides
a chance for all of us to show young
people that abundance exists in Christian
community and that abundance is meant
to be shared with everyone.”
Augsburg College will welcome the
2016 class of Youth Theology Institute
students to campus from June 19–24.
Participants from across the country will
explore meaningful questions related to
social and environmental justice, the role
of the congregation in these questions,
and how one can both love and be
frustrated by community.
To learn more, visit augsburg.edu/acyti.
Spring 2016
15
Navigating
uncharted waters
First-ever River Semester pushes
boundaries of experiential learning
By Kate H. Elliott
The River Semester was billed as an experiential learning
opportunity: engage in a full load of political, environmental,
and physical education courses—reinforced by a research
project—while canoeing down the Mississippi River from its
headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. But for the
12 Augsburg College students, two faculty members, teaching
assistant, and two guides who completed the first-of-its-kind
trek from August to December, it was so much more.
For it was on those waters that the crew learned to
appreciate the quiet, to be curious about the world around
them, and to seek knowledge. They learned to be prepared, to
make friendship a fine art, and most importantly to enjoy the
8
Augsburg Now
moment. And they didn’t just learn about the river so much
as become enamored of it, so much so that many of them feel
unsteady back on solid ground.
The Mississippi became their muse, teacher, personal
trainer, and confidante. They dreamt alongside its calming
waters and paddled through its more turbulent channels.
Soon, its problems became their problems: urban stormwater
runoff, the economic decay of river towns, and invasive flying
carp smacked them—literally—in the face. And so, what
started as an interesting, immersive experience has become a
sobering call to restore and protect one of the United States’
most iconic natural wonders.
Spring 2016
17
Ricky Taylor ’17, a film and graphic design major, captured the crew’s three-month journey and
many of the social, economic, political, and cultural forces gripping the river as he gathered
footage for a feature-length documentary. He plans to premiere “Learning to Listen: Our
Semester on the River” this summer.
“We learned by living, meeting the people, and witnessing the issues that illustrate the
complexities plaguing the river,” Taylor said. “We met Carl, a shrimper who once walked on
land that is now six feet beneath water, and we paddled past sediment that was filling in the
river’s largest lake (Lake Pepin near Red Wing, Minnesota). We read about levees being ‘big bad
wolves’ but then saw them protect families just trying to make their way through life. A portion
of Louisiana is being swallowed up by the ocean, a culture disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico,
largely due to agricultural practices that help feed our nation.
“Somewhere along the way, I slipped out of the boat and into the Big Muddy. Every day I
think about the river—about the paddling, the friends, the food, the learning—longing to be
back there. Mud runs through my veins, and the only word I can find to describe the experience
is ‘love,’ and that’s not a word I take lightly.”
A gripping odyssey
The trip had all the elements of any good adventure story:
There was a steadfast leader, Joe Underhill, who has been engaged in environmental politics
for 30 years and had been dreaming about this trip for almost as long; an epic journey paddling
nearly 700 miles in 24-foot handmade cedar-strip voyager canoes; and a compelling cast of
characters, including the student who’d never camped, the chipper morning person, and a
student about to drop out who found his calling en route. There were unexpected moments,
including an emergency appendectomy outside Mark Twain’s hometown, an open mic night
harmonizing with the locals of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and a visit to the Michael Brown
memorial in Ferguson, Missouri. And finally, there were lots of emotions—all of them, really.
Underhill knew the trip would be an odyssey in every sense of the word. The professor
of political science, environmental studies, and international relations had been planning
“
Mud runs
through my
veins
—Ricky Taylor ’17
and networking for 15 years to realize the River Semester. He tested the waters in 2001 by
organizing a three-day field trip from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to St. Paul. Five-day and 10-day
excursions followed before he proposed the semester experience in 2012.
“This is where Augsburg stands out from other institutions,” said Underhill, who has
organized interdisciplinary trips throughout the world. “Augsburg values experiential learning,
place-based pedagogy, and innovative approaches so much that it wasn’t a
matter of ‘if’ we can make this happen but ‘how.’ Yes, we had three years
of sorting out logistics, but the College continues to empower and support
faculty to engage in this type of work, and you only have to talk with one
of these students to grasp the impact.”
Once logistics were in place, Underhill’s years of contacts at
organizations such as the National Park Service rushed in to participate—
offering guest lectures, exclusive tours of historic sites, hot meals, and
lodging. Wilderness Inquiry, a Minneapolis-based outfitter that has
partnered with Augsburg for years, provided logistical expertise and
risk management planning as well as guides, food, and equipment. Erik
Ophaug, a Wilderness Inquiry program manager, said the outfitter is proud
to be at the forefront in creative endeavors that increase students’ access
to and connection with the natural world.
“This was the longest expedition we have run, in terms of number of days on the river, in
our 40-year history of supporting educational and expeditionary outdoor adventures,” Ophaug
said. “It was inspiring to watch these students truly soak up and process all of the little
moments that make up the culture, politics, ecosystem, and history of the Mississippi River
watershed.”
Guide Emily Knudson ’15 had paddled with Underhill on a 10-day canoe trip as part of a
River Politics course her senior year. When she learned the semester-long excursion wouldn’t
materialize until after she would graduate, the determined triple major in environmental
studies, English literature, and Spanish secured a job with Wilderness Inquiry in hopes of
gaining a staff position on the trip, which she did. Charged with almost every logistical task,
from planning mileage and booking campsites to grocery shopping and monitoring weather
conditions, Knudson also served as a supplemental instructor and intern for Augsburg. She
led study sessions and presented lectures in their outdoor classrooms (or the nearest city’s
laundromat or public library in bad weather).
“Educational experiences like this are important because they make you think so much
more deeply about the course content. Instead of memorizing facts about the lock and dam
system for a test, we were paddling through the pools the dams created, hearing stories from
locals, and camping on the islands built to replace those flooded out decades earlier. In a
couple years, I will forget almost everything I memorized, but I will never forget my learning in
action,” said Knudson.
Guitar
Headlamp
Rain gear
French press
Rubber boots
Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn
which items the River Semester
crew couldn’t live without.
Self-discovery on the riverbanks
Glen Gardner ’17 was considering taking a year off from school when he saw the River Semester
publicized in the cafeteria. He signed up, and somewhere along the pilgrimage, the Montana
native realized he wants to teach art. Gardner is back at Augsburg this semester, majoring in
studio art and art education.
“Having the time to unplug and reflect about my life helped me realize my passion for art
education. I have always been interested in the arts, but I hadn’t really thought about teaching
until I discovered that I loved spreading the feelings I find in art to other people as much as I
enjoy making art,” Gardner said. “I want to extend my knowledge and passion beyond myself
and use art to promote living in a way that is not wasteful to the world.”
Spring 2016
19
Hearing this, Underhill is proud. Provoking self-exploration
was not his motivation for organizing the trip, but the sense of
vocation students found down river is certainly the journey’s
most fulfilling outcome. Admittedly, he took a leap of faith
selecting the crew. He didn’t pick a team of students with
similar interests, backgrounds, maturity levels, and outdoor
experience. He picked a team that reflects Augsburg’s
commitment to nurturing a diverse community of resilient,
driven, and faith-filled citizens. As you can imagine, the initial
weeks included some whining and a few cold stares, but before
long, this dynamic group evolved into a harmonious tribe.
Forging lasting bonds
Taylor was nervous about the trip, not because of the physical
demands or the elements (he was an Eagle Scout and grew
up a “river kid” in north-central Wisconsin). As the crew’s
videographer and documentarian, Taylor was most concerned
about getting his new Nikon, Sony video camera, and
two GoPros wet. But even more so, he was terrified of the
quiet—for those moments when people would start sharing
information about their lives. He was finishing up his second
semester at Augsburg in the College’s StepUP® Program, the
nation’s largest residential collegiate recovery community.
Now sober for two years, Taylor said he burned bridges
between himself and others before he entered recovery.
“My peers on the River Semester were some of my first
friends in a long time. It was truly a fresh start,” he said.
“On the trip, I heard things that were strange to my ears:
‘Ricky, you’re a good person,’ ‘You’re kind,’ and ‘I’m amazed
by you.’ I always looked around, thinking, ‘Are you sure you’re
talking to me?’ It was the first time in years that I felt good,
felt worth, and felt confidence. People trusting and caring for
me is more precious to me than anything, and I developed
everlasting bonds with this crew.”
Brian Arvold ’80 witnessed that closeness when he
welcomed home his daughter, Hannah, who was one of
the first two students to sign up for the trip. When the
crew stepped off the train at a welcome home rally in midDecember, Arvold said, the students ran into their families’
arms, and then they all ran back—to each other.
8
Augsburg Now
“It was touching for all of us to see,” said Arvold, who
was waving a canoe paddle painted with “River Semester” as
the train slowed to a halt. “You may want a lot for your child,
but lifelong friendships are at the top of the list. Knowing that
these students will be there for each other through life’s ups
and downs is comforting.
“We’d talk to Hannah along the trip, and we could hear
her growing more socially and culturally aware, but we also
detected a real sense of confidence. Paddling that entire river
empowered our daughter as she was placed in settings where
she had to stand up for herself, push through, and create
solutions. Augsburg is truly on the forefront—a small college
doing great things. It’s neat to see them embrace learning
without four walls.”
Wading through analysis, navigating partnerships
Hannah Arvold ’18 was able to channel her professional
pursuits into a research project focused on nutrition and the
environmental impacts of farming. On the first leg of their
trip, she calculated the caloric intake and expenditure of her
peers, noting which foods provided the best sources of energy.
Near the end of their voyage, she recorded the agriculture
industry’s negative impacts on the river, including gasoline
and pesticides seeping into groundwater. “Caring about the
health of your body,” Arvold said, “is just as important as the
health of the land it is grown on.
“I created an ‘I the Mississippi’ bumper sticker and
gave it out to people along our trip for freewill donations,”
Arvold said. “We donated $500 of the money raised to
purchase science equipment for the International School of
Louisiana where we presented many of our research findings
to more than 160 fourth- and sixth-graders.”
Each student conducted a research project, and many
of them involved collaborations with external partners
throughout the United States. Noah Cameron ’17 worked with
Minnesota artist Monica Haller, known for the “Veterans Book
Project,” which captures interviews and data from dozens
of soldiers, refugees, and journalists affected by wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Cameron used a hydrophone to record
underwater noises while on the river and then paired them
with social and cultural recordings, which he plans to use for
future collaborations with Haller.
“It seems that intense, mindful listening is a difficult task
nowadays, and some people have no reason to listen. I was
given a reason, and I learned much about the nature of sound,
silence, noise, and listening,” the political science major said.
“My project acknowledges that the river has something to say,
which it certainly does. One thing the river told me was that
it is polarized; its waters are either filled with the sounds of
mechanical engineering or with quiet ecological or hydrologic
characteristics.
“Similarly to how I thoughtfully listen to the systems of
the river, I realized that we—as a society—should thoughtfully
listen, which is not the same as agreeing, to our government
and each other. I viewed the river like our government—this
massive, daunting entity that we seem to have little effect
on. However, as we moved down that river and as we took
classes about both the nature of the river and the nature of
democracy, we learned that we do affect that river, and we do
affect our government.”
Blair Stewig ’18 connected with the river on a molecular
level, studying how the concentrations of various chemicals
influence ecosystems. Throughout the trip, she collected water
quality data like that of the National Park Service’s “State of
the River Report.” She also collaborated with Reuben Heine,
a geology professor at Augustana College in Rock Island,
Illinois, to gather sonar data about subaqueous dunes, or
sediment bed forms at the bottom of the river.
“My main focus was on the accumulation of nitrates
in the Mississippi and its effect on the Gulf of Mexico. The
molecule, commonly found in fertilizers, seeps into the
river system from agricultural and urban runoff, feedlots,
sewage treatment plants, and more. This excess results in a
‘Dead Zone’ in the Northern Gulf of Mexico each late spring
and summer,” said Stewig, who is majoring in biology and
chemistry. “What does that mean? An influx of nutrients
results in an algae bloom. When these algae die, they sink
to the bottom of the ocean, where they are consumed by
bacteria, which depletes the area of oxygen. Some marine
life sense the lack of oxygen and leave, but others die as a
result. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Dead Zone costs the U.S. seafood and
tourism industry $82 million per year.”
Lark Weller, who collaborated with Stewig on behalf of
the National Park Service, said Stewig’s data will inform
brochures and fact sheets about excess nitrates in a river
system that provides water for upwards of 15 million people.
The research these students conducted is compelling, Weller
said, but their connection to the river is even more impressive.
“I suppose it’s possible to complete a college degree
without really ever understanding the broader context of the
world around you—but not for River Semester students. It
is clear the experience dramatically changed the lives of
every single student who accepted the challenge. They have
returned with a new and expansive sense of self, place, and
world,” said Weller.
Memories keep rollin’ along
The next leg of this journey: The documentary. Taylor
produced several short videos chronicling the trip, which are
at augsburg.edu/river, and he’s looking forward to sharing the
experience through his forthcoming feature-length film. For
now, the River Semester crew continues to process the issues
they know and to reflect upon their moments together: rows
of sleeping bags dotting the shore as they looked up at an
ebony sky studded with millions of heavenly diamonds; waking
at 3 a.m. to paddle from darkness to dawn; and swaying in
hammocks tied to the tall willow trees of remote river islands.
So, if you see members of this motley crew sleeping
outside, don’t judge. They’re just longing to be back on
the water, where they grew stronger and a bit wiser, having
realized that the issues gripping the Mississippi River are
as sophisticated as its ecosystems. That enlightenment has
influenced the way they now see the world, with varying
shades of compromise and understanding. They reenter their
lives with renewed purpose, fueled by an empowering sense
of community, the ability to adapt, and the ache for life’s next
adventure.
“
It feels good to say, ‘I know the Mississippi.’
But, of course, you don’t—what you know better
is yourself and the Mississippi has helped.
—River Semester student journal entry
From trickling headwaters to the
WIDE AND MIGHTY OCEAN
River Semester participants share memorable events along the river
Beginning in 2003, Augsburg College Associate Professor Joe Underhill began incorporating short Mississippi River
trips—three-, five-, and 10-day excursions—into his environmental politics curriculum. He first presented the idea
of a semester-long trip to College leadership in 2012, and then three years of logistical discussions and planning
followed. This past fall, Underhill and biology instructor Thorpe Halloran shoved off from St. Paul with 12 students, two
guides, and a teaching assistant. Here are a few highlights from their journey.
AUG. 28-30: Held an orientation at
the Mississippi River headwaters to
introduce courses, review canoeing and
water safety basics, and discuss topics
such as American Indians’ perspectives
on the environment and sustainability.
1
SEPT. 1: Chris Coleman, mayor of
St. Paul, joined nearly 100 Auggies,
family members, and high school students
at the launch of the nation’s first-ever
River Semester. Dozens of attendees
paddled in a flotilla of 24-foot voyageur
canoes to South St. Paul.
2
SEPT. 5-7: Studied the water
quality and impact of farming,
including increased sediment load on the
river. Sampled water alongside fisheries
biologists with the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources.
3
“Without a current and with a brutal head wind,
paddling Lake Pepin was probably one of our
most challenging days.” —Lily Moloney ’15
SEPT. 12-17: Joined faculty and
students from Winona State
University for stream ecology labs and
discussion on the impact of the lock and
dam system.
4
OCT. 3: A rough paddle through the
pool above Lock and Dam No. 13,
one of the widest pools on the upper river.
The crew struggled through fierce winds
to avoid submerged tree stumps left over
5
from before the dam was built. One of the
canoes sustained a bad crack, which the
crew repaired at camp.
OCT. 7-10: Met with local farmers
and a nonprofit environmental
group that organizes river cleanups, tree
plantings, and other conservation efforts.
The crew also engaged a field lab with
Reuben Heine, geography professor at
Augustana College in Illinois.
6
OCT. 20-21: When the crew
paddled into author Mark Twain’s
hometown, Izzie Smith ’18 began to suffer
from stomach pain. By midnight, she had
been diagnosed with appendicitis, and
the next morning she had surgery. Two
weeks later, Smith rejoined the group in
Memphis. Even with all the excitement,
the team still engaged in a lively
discussion about Huck Finn and literary
figures born along the Mississippi.
7
OCT. 29: The last morning of their
journey on the upper river, the crew
woke up at 3 a.m. to paddle for a few
hours in the dark to catch the sun rise
over the river. They ended their sunrise
paddle on the Mississippi’s banks north
of St. Louis, from which vans shuttled
the crew past the Chain of Rocks, an
exposure of bedrock in the Cuivre River.
8
9
NOV. 2: As part of Underhill’s
course, Democracy in the American
Heartland, students traveled to the
Michael Brown Memorial—the site of the
August 2014 shooting death of a black
teenager by a white policeman, which
prompted national commentary on racial
discrimination and gun control. President
Paul Pribbenow joined the group for a
tour through the city and discussions with
residents.
“Standing at that memorial in the middle of
the road was a deeply unsettling experience—
there was no way it could or should have been
otherwise.” —President Paul Pribbenow
NOV. 16: The team paddled past
expansive sandbars and islands
full of wildlife at the confluence of the
Mississippi and Arkansas rivers. Waters in
this area can rise and fall as much as 70
feet and swirl around canoes.
10
NOV. 26: Thanksgiving in New
Orleans: The crew enjoyed an
abundance of fried turkey and comforting
side dishes at their hostel as they visited
with fellow travelers from more than a
dozen countries.
11
12
DEC. 11: Travel by train to Chicago.
“The train back to Chicago was spent
doing a lot of work on our finals, but it was also
a time to reflect on everything we experienced
on the trip.” —Blair Stewig ’18
1
ITASCA STATE
PARK, MN
HARRIET ISLAND, ST. PAUL
2
LAKE PEPIN
3
4
WINONA, MN
CLINTON, IA
HANNIBAL, MO
5
6
CHICAGO, IL
12
QUAD CITIES
7
LOUISIANA, MO
8
FERGUSON, MO
9
10
CHOCTAW ISLAND, TN
DEC. 14-15 The crew traveled by train from Chicago
to the Twin Cities and joined in a “good-bye” hug
upon arrival at Union Depot in St. Paul.
As part of the River Semester welcome back celebration,
Augsburg graphic design and typography students created an
interactive gallery exhibit chronicling the voyage. Learn more
at augsburg.edu/now.
NEW ORLEANS, LA
11
Spring 2016
23
AUGGIES CONNECT
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
JILL WATSON ’10 MBA, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
24
Augsburg Now
Courtesy Photo
T
oday’s Augsburg College students seek to make
a difference, and it’s been a privilege to interact
with them as they gather to meet alumni, discuss
vocation, and pick up targeted professional advice at
recent events. Last fall, the Clair and Gladys Strommen
Center for Meaningful Work hosted a Career and
Internship Fair and welcomed young Auggies who sought
to make connections with employers and internship hosts.
Shortly after the event, nearly two dozen Augsburg alumni returned to
campus to join panel discussions about their academic and career stories across
a range of disciplines and professions. These events were part of a five-week
major and career exploration series that provided nearly 175 students the
opportunity to explore a wide variety of degrees and occupations. This series was
made successful thanks, in part, to the Augsburg College alumni who served as
panelists. Thank you to all Auggies who shared your vocation and insight with
students!
Most recently, I was humbled by the talent, drive, and thoughtfulness I saw
all around me at the annual Alumni-Student Networking event in February, where
hundreds of alumni mingled with current students and faculty, received free
professional profile photos, and listened as alumni addressed the importance
of informational interviewing, mentoring, and using social media to connect.
Regardless of where we are in our professional lives, I think we all have something
to offer to or gain from such events.
Events like these make me proud to be an Auggie. If you shared your
experiences with students in the past year, you helped to inspire Auggie pride.
Whether you’re connecting with students, networking with graduates of all
class years, contributing to The Augsburg Fund
View videos that illustrate the
to support College initiatives, or planning a
impact of student internships
gift to fund an endowed scholarship, we are so
at augsburg.edu/now.
grateful.
As Augsburg moves into the future, alumni can help the College live out its
vision—to educate students for lives of purpose—across the disciplines, beyond
the classroom, and around the world.
You can engage your employer in identifying Auggies as candidates for
employment, internships, or mentorships by posting opportunities at your
company on the AugPost job board found at augsburg.edu/alumni.
I joined the alumni board because I wanted to see Auggies help other
Auggies and make a difference. Each time I attend an Augsburg event, I learn
more about what current students are up to, and I want to do everything I can to
help them succeed. Won’t you join me?
UNIQUELY AUGSBURG
TRAVEL IN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA
JANUARY 3-15, 2017
In January, English Professor Kathy
Swanson and her husband, Jack,
will lead an educational trip through
Thailand and Cambodia. After arriving
in Bangkok, travelers will tour the Grand
Palace, visit the temple at Wat Po (the
Reclining Buddha), shop for tropical
produce, and sample local cuisine
cooked on boats at a floating market.
From there they will continue to Chiang
Mai to ride elephants, perfect their
culinary skills with a cooking class, and
volunteer at an orphanage. The trip will
conclude in Siem Reap, Cambodia,
at Angkor Wat, the largest religious
monument in the world.
This thought-provoking tour has
been customized specifically for
Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends,
and there’s still time to learn more and
participate. Contact Katie Koch ’01,
director of Auggie Engagement, at
kochk@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178
if you are interested in learning more
about Augsburg’s travel opportunities.
To learn more, go to
augsburg.edu/alumni/travel.
AUGGIES CONNECT
ALUMNA COMBINES
CREATIVITY AND CHEMISTRY
through career at 3M
Capstone dinner celebrates
SUCCESSFUL BUILDING CAMPAIGN
This winter, as part of the annual Advent Vespers festivities, Augsburg
College held a dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the
largest capital campaign in the institution’s history and to recognize
the generosity of all who made the Campaign for the Norman and
Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion
possible. More than 200 donors attended, including members of the
Board of Regents and many alumni supporters.
President Paul Pribbenow offered his sincere thanks to Norman
and Evangeline Hagfors and all donors to the new building. Chair of
the Board of Regents Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 shared his gratitude and
recognized the incredible leadership and commitment of Mike Good ’71
[pictured above], who served as national chair for the campaign that
exceeded its $50 million goal.
After becoming
involved with the 3M
STEP program as a
high school student,
Audrey Sherman ’97
[pictured] became
an inventor at age
20. Now a scientist
with 3M, Sherman is
credited with nearly
80 patents, some
created with other Augsburg alumni working at
the Minnesota-based company.
Sherman’s most recent patent is for a
versatile material with the potential to improve
cosmetics, insulation wrapping, and electronics.
Two of her favorite patents involve using
pressure-sensitive adhesives to transport light
and making a solvent-free duct tape. She also
helped discover a new solution for restickable
diaper tape. Sherman feels that her Augsburg
minor in art has been an important factor in
pursuing her inventions, enabling her to blend
creativity with her skills in chemistry. Today
she mentors St. Paul high school students
interested in science and gives talks to juniorhigh and middle-school students about careers
in science and technology.
Share your ideas for
AUGSBURG’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
years
Augsburg alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff are invited to help celebrate
the College’s 150th anniversary in 2019. What aspect of your Augsburg
history would you like to celebrate during the sesquicentennial year? Were you
connected to a team, a club, or a department that made a difference? Would
you like to see a reunion for your favorite activity—whether it was the Echo
newspaper staff, a sport, Lutheran Youth Encounter, the Augsburg Choir, or
theater? How best would you like to honor Augsburg’s past, present, and future?
Visit augsburg.edu/150 to submit your ideas and find monthly updates on
planning already underway for the sesquicentennial celebration.
Spring 2016
25
AUGGIES CONNECT
ALUMNI ASSIST
STUDENTS
on their path to
physician assistant
career
[L to R]: Augsburg College alumnus
Tom Towle ’14 MPA leads thenstudents Scott Harder ’15 MPA and
Christina Pekoske ’15 MPA through
the steps of starting an IV.
32
26
Augsburg Now
I
n the classroom and in the field, Augsburg
College alumni help today’s physician assistant
students gain a glimpse into the professional
world they’re preparing to enter. Through clinical
work and course instruction, alumni share their
experience in a high-demand field.
Augsburg’s Master of Science in Physician
Assistant Studies program was the first of its kind
in Minnesota and admitted its inaugural class in
1995. The full-time graduate program educates
generalist physician assistants oriented toward
service to underserved populations in rural and
urban settings.
The physician assistant (PA) concept has
evolved over time but continues to increase in
relevance. In alignment with health care industry
demand, the PA’s role continues to expand.
The Augsburg PA program’s long history
in Minnesota is advantageous, according to
Jenny Kluznik ’13 MPA, assistant professor of
physician assistant studies. PA students spend
approximately half of their graduate program in
a didactic—or classroom—phase. The latter half
of the program is spent in the community where
students complete clinical rotations that change
every five weeks. Augsburg’s PA alumni serve
as educators and lecturers for a course series in
clinical medicine and also serve as hosts for the
hands-on field work.
Meredith Wold ’07 MPA is a guest lecturer
for the program and an adjunct faculty member.
She works as a hospitalist PA with an internal
medicine team at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
As an undergraduate, Wold was focused almost
exclusively on medical school, but during her final
year in college she was struck by the teamwork she
witnessed between a doctor and a PA in surgery.
Now, after nearly a decade in her profession,
Wold values the team-based work of taking care
of hospitalized patients.
She weaves clinical episodes from her career
into her lectures, which serve to remind students
of the whole patient—not just the upcoming exam.
Melissa Oeding ’10 MPA, another guest
lecturer, agrees.
“As a recent graduate, I can relate to the
student experience, understand how students learn,
and provide real-world insight and advice regarding
what to expect as a practicing PA,” said Oeding,
who works at Minneapolis’ Hennepin County
Medical Center.
She’s stimulated by the chance to sit on the
other side of the lectern.
“It renews an excitement for my work and
career and reminds me just why I started out in the
program,” she said. “I feel extraordinarily blessed to
have been trained and trained well at Augsburg.”
Guest lecturer Olga Trouskova ’13 MPA sought
out Augsburg’s PA program in part because of its
emphasis on serving the underserved.
“I went into medicine to provide answers and
to heal,” Trouskova said. “Now I understand that
great medicine cannot happen without building
relationships and trust with my patients.”
She also is a hospitalist PA at Regions and,
during her weeks off, serves as a family practice
PA at Westside Community Health Services/La
Clinica, a community clinic.
Trouskova makes a point of including real
patient stories in her presentations to remind
students that PAs treat patients, not diseases.
For students, there’s no match for hearing these
types of lessons from alumni, according to Wold.
“It shows a level of alumni commitment
toward the program and the next generation
of Augsburg PAs,” she said. “Early on after
graduation I felt a duty, a professional
responsibility really, to give that back.”
And teaching is its own kind of gift,
according to Trouskova.
“By teaching others, I have learned as well,”
she said.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1960
Lowell “Zeke”
Ziemann ’60 continues
to write. His newest book,
“Gunslingers and Baseball,” is
a collection of Western historical
fiction, essays, and baseball
stories. It is available on Amazon.
1965
From his time at
Augsburg, Allen
Anderson ’65 fondly remembers his
music professor Leland Sateren ’35,
the Burgundy Singers, dorm life,
and choir tours. Today, Anderson is
still involved with choral music and
enjoys golf, woodworking, activities
in his community and at his church,
travel, and participation in Lutheran
Men in Mission. He and wife, Joyce,
have two children who graduated
from Augsburg. They travel to New
Zealand on occasion to visit their
son and his family.
Gary Blosberg ’65 says that his
current position is “reclined.”
He is retired after 26 years
as a finance manager at
General Electric and 23 years
in the U.S. Navy. He thanks
chemistry professor Courtland
Agre for sharing his wisdom
when he said: “You don’t need
to know everything; you just
need to know where to find the
answers.” Blosberg still sings
with the Centennial Singers, the
Masterworks Chorale, and other
groups. He is proud to be a father
and grandfather.
Connie (Ekeren) Cameron ’65
teaches at Honors Mentor
Connection, is on the Fringe
Festival Board, sings in the
St. Joan of Arc Choir, and is
involved in politics, travel, and
the League of Women Voters. Her
fondest memories of Augsburg
include the Kappa House girls,
professor Anne Pederson’s literature
wonderful teachers and role
models. Among Dietrich’s most
treasured Augsburg memories
are the excellent convocation
speakers and the great
friendships she made. Today, she
and husband, Franklin, enjoy
their grandsons, their involvement
at Central Lutheran Church, and
traveling. She also volunteers with
literature; and professor of history
Carl Chrislock ’37 for his effective
use of anecdote to enliven history.
Dyrud spends his time reading,
golfing, and traveling. He and
wife, Marilyn, have three children
who are all involved with theater,
and they enjoy seeing their
children’s work.
In October, Janis “Matty” Mathison ’69 was honored by the American
Planning Association’s Wisconsin Chapter as its Citizen of the Year for
her leadership in working with local residents and planners to promote
healthy living and active lifestyles in eastern Wisconsin’s Shawano
County. Last year was the third year of Bike the Barn Quilts, an area
bike tour that she spearheaded.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
classes, and her roommate of four
years Carol (Welch) Langness ’65.
Cameron thanks the team behind
the Christmas smorgasbords;
Ailene Cole, speech professor;
Orvald Haugsby, math professor;
Leland Sateren ’35, music
department head; and Phil
Quanbeck Sr. ’50. She and
husband, Bill, have three sons and
one grandchild.
Eunice (Bergman) Dietrich ’65
thanks home economics faculty
Ruth Segolson, Ruth Sonsteng,
and Katherine Peterson for being
daughter, Kari, at Dakota City,
the 1900s village in Farmington,
Minnesota. The Dietrichs also
have a son, Hans.
The faculty members who most
influenced David Dyrud ’65 as a
student were philosophy professor
Paul Sonnack ’42 for his intensity;
New Testament Greek and Latin
professor Mario Colacci for
his flamboyance; professor of
English Gerald Thorson ’43 for his
Hush Puppies (Dyrud’s favorite
shoes); professor of English Anne
Pederson, for her affection for
Mark Gjerde ’65 retired in 2004
from 3M. He enjoys traveling
with wife, Jan (Lunas) Gjerde ’68,
and spending time with their
grandchildren at a lake home. He
remembers Gerald “Jerry” Pryd ’66
and Paul Dahlen ’66, his friends
who died in a plane crash while
they were Augsburg students.
Gjerde was influenced by professor
of math George Soberg ’26 and
professor of philosophy Paul
Sonnack ’42. The Gjerdes lived in
Brussels from 1995-97 while Mark
worked for 3M. They have two sons
and four grandchildren.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
1960
This group of
alumni were friends
during college but had little
contact since graduating. They
were reunited at the 2015
Homecoming celebration and
barely scratched the surface
in terms of catching up. Now
retired, the five Auggies plan to
get together again soon.
[L to R]: The men and their previous careers: Arden Flaten ’60 (science teacher),
Myron Carlson ’60 (pastor), Don Gilberg ’60 (band teacher, piano tuner), Iver
Christopherson ’60 (high school principal), and Neuman Berger ’60 (attorney).
1974
The National Tile Contractors
Association recently honored Janet
(Durkee) Hohn ’74 with its Tile Person of the
Year award. Hohn was the third woman to
receive this honor in the six decades it has
been presented. For more than 20 years,
Hohn has operated a one-person, high-end
residential tile and stone installation company.
She has served as president of the Twin
Cities Local Tile Contractors Association, as
a board member and technical methods and
standards committee member for NTCA, and most recently as chairperson
of the NTCA training and education committee.
Spring
2014
2016
Fall 2014
17
27
37
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
One Augsburg College memory treasured by
Glenn Hamberg ’65 is the teaching style and
effectiveness of W. LaMarr Kopp in German
class. Other faculty members who influenced
Hamberg as a student were Mario Colacci from
the department of New Testament Greek and
Latin, Courtland Agre from chemistry, Gerald
Thorson ’43 from English, and Paul Sonnack ’42.
Hamberg’s present interests include crossword
puzzles, computers, movies, Jeopardy,
volunteering, travel, and spending time with
his grandchildren and wife, Sandra (Edstrom)
Hamberg ’66.
Jerry Hamlin ’65 works part time. He likes to
volunteer and to travel in his free time. He
treasures his memories of Augsburg basketball
games, the convocation with Nobel Prize winner
Linus Pauling, and feeling like every day was a
good day. He was most influenced by Donald
Gustafson and Carl Chrislock ’37 in history, and
Sheldon Fardig in education. Hamlin and wife,
Jari, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
James Harbo ’65 has a full-time dental
practice in New York. He enjoys visiting his
two grandchildren in Pennsylvania, doing
church work, reading theology, participating
in a book club, and aging well! He fondly
remembers his dorm friendships, baseball,
Augsburg Choir concerts, and soaking up the
culture of Minneapolis. The past 50 years have
heightened his appreciation of his years at
Augsburg where, he says, there was “much
goodness and inspiration.” Harbo and wife,
Amy, have three children.
Today you can find Peter Jacobson ’65
woodworking, volunteering, or traveling. He
and wife, Lynne, have two children and two
grandchildren. His fondest memories of
Augsburg include dorm life all four years,
Augsburg basketball, being a resident assistant,
and spending afternoons in the physics lab.
He was most influenced by physics professor
Theodore “Ted” Hanwick.
28
Julie (Gudmestad) Laudicina ’65 and husband,
Joe, love to travel and recently celebrated their
30th wedding anniversary with a cruise on
the Danube River. She also enjoys gardening,
reading, leading a book club, and living in
New York City. She has been a civil wedding
officiant for 10 years and has married more
than 300 couples from around the world. Some
For 12 years, David Raether ’78 wrote for TV comedy
sitcoms, including “Roseanne.” After building his career,
he took a break to focus on his family and found the job
market had changed completely when he attempted to
return to the field. After struggling and becoming homeless,
he says, he discovered that he was far more resourceful
and resilient than he had ever dreamed. Raether delivered
a TEDxAmherst talk and wrote a book about his experiences
titled, “Tell Me Something, She Said.”
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
of her memories of Augsburg include listening
to choir practice, freezing at football games,
enjoying her many friends, and participating
in student government and chapel. She
was most influenced by faculty members
Phil Quanbeck Sr. ’50, professor of religion;
Anne Pederson, professor of English; and
Philip Thompson, professor of art. She also
remembers Dean of Students Glen Johnson
and Dean of Women Fern Martinson. Laudicina
would most like to thank her parents, both
Augsburg alumni, for encouraging her to live
and learn with a strong set of values.
Sharon (Dittbenner) Klabunde ’65 plays in a
mountain dulcimer band, and loves to travel
and garden. She remembers chapel time from
her days at Augsburg and also living in a house
as a freshman where, she says, there were
three women to a room who shared one dinky
closet. She enjoyed working in the cafeteria.
Bette (Bodin) Leeney ’65 and husband, Jack,
love their home in Florida. They have a pool
and use it a lot. She likes to garden and to
welcome the family, mostly in the winter! Her
treasured memories of Augsburg focus on the
good values she learned and kept with her. She
remembers the assassination of President John
F. Kennedy and how difficult that was. She
admired Dean of Students Peter Armacost, who
supported her when her father passed away.
Her psychology and social work professors
inspired her to get her master’s degree in
social work. She and Marie (Bergh) Sandbo ’65
met freshman year and have remained friends
for 50 years. They share the same birthday.
Carol (Welch) Langness ’65 and husband, Gary,
spend every January to April in the East African
city of Iringa, Tanzania, along with their synod
partners in the Iringa Diocese. They have two
children and three grandchildren.
As a student, John Luoma ’65 was influenced
by Mario Colacci, professor of classical
languages; Carl Chrislock ’37, professor of
history; and William “Bill” Halverson ’51,
professor of religion. He treasures memories
Augsburg Now
of chapel, serving as student body president,
and Augsburg’s emphasis on vocation, service,
and faith active in love. Luoma is a minister of
education at Hope Lutheran, The Villages. He is
a Via de Cristo coordinator, a Diaconate teacher,
and likes to travel and bowl. He and wife, Gracia
(Nydahl) Luoma ’66, have two sons. Their oldest
son, Aaron, passed away in January 2015.
LeRoy Martinson ’65 retired in June 1998 after 33
years of teaching math and coaching skiing. Now
he stays active with tennis, volleyball, and five
grandchildren. He lives with wife, Micki, in Cross
Lake, Minnesota. His memories of Augsburg are
of his math teachers, his coaches, and student
teaching with Ms. Anderson. He was influenced
by professor of math George Soberg ’26,
professor of physical education Howard “Howie”
Pearson ’53, and Coach Edor Nelson ’38.
Martinson is a member of the Minnesota State
High School Coaches Hall of Fame.
Dan and Mary (Tildahl) Meyers ’65 met during
their freshman year at Augsburg. The couple
celebrated their 50th anniversary, Dan has
worked for AdvisorNet Financial for 50 years,
and it’s been 50 years since he graduated from
Augsburg. Dan remembers playing basketball
and baseball, and he was influenced most
by Ernie Anderson ’37 and Edor Nelson ’38.
He would thank Milt Kleven ’46, if he could,
for funding his scholarship. Dan keeps busy
with work, golf, reading, and basketball. Mary
enjoys walking, reading, caring for a grandson,
and traveling. She treasures the friendships
she made at Augsburg and meeting Dan
there. Carl Chrislock ’37 and her world history
class helped her realize she wasn’t a history
major. Mary says that Augsburg has been an
influence in their lives for 50 years. Whether
they return for athletic games, homecoming
or concerts, it always feels like coming home.
The Meyers have two children and three
grandchildren.
Larry Nelson ’65 thanks Theodore
“Ted” Hanwick, of the Physics
Department, for his challenging
and thorough classes. Nelson’s
Augsburg education provided a solid
foundation for his career in science
education. He enjoyed teaching
various areas of biology, in addition
to wilderness-based experiential
education. His fondest Augsburg
memories are of morning chapel,
convocations, studying in the library,
concerts, sporting events, and social
activities. Nelson says Augsburg
also prepared him for continued
spiritual growth. Today, he likes to
travel, read, garden, volunteer, do
house maintenance, and spend
time with his family. He and wife,
Marilyn, have two daughters and five
grandchildren.
Becky (Walhood) Nielsen ’65
remembers her good friends from
Miriam House. She and husband,
Steve Nielsen ’64, have three
daughters, 10 grandchildren,
and a great-grandchild. Their
granddaughter, Morgan Kenny ’17,
attends Augsburg.
Lois Peterson ’65 would thank Mimi
Kingsley, professor of Spanish,
for telling her that she had “a gift
for language.” Peterson is fluent
in Spanish, and she visited Mimi
in Chile prior to her death. Today,
Peterson enjoys traveling and
has been to Costa Rica, Mexico,
Norway, and Spain. She remembers
being in a class Bill Halverson ’51
taught in Old Main when the
news came of President John F.
Kennedy’s death, and watching the
Beatles for the first time while in
The Grill. She loves life in Denver,
where her children live nearby.
Leland Sateren ’35 most influenced
Sharon (Bjugstad) Ronning ’65, and
she has spent her life involved in
music. She sings in the Masterworks
Chorale, directs a church choir,
and teaches piano. Other activities
include knitting, spending time at
her cabin, and enjoying her four
children and eight grandchildren.
She met husband, Don Ronning ’66,
in the Augsburg Choir. Don passed
away in 2000.
Marie (Bergh) Sandbo ’65 and
husband, Hans Sandbo ’63, will
celebrate 50 years of marriage this
year. Marie likes to travel, spend
time with grandchildren, and serve
on the Heritage Committee at
church, all while continuing to run
a small business from home. Her
treasured memories of Augsburg
include the friendships made and
her studies in library science. Don
Gustafson, Martha Mattson ’28,
Ruth Aaskov ’53, Dick Husfloen ’60,
and Pat Parker are the faculty and
staff who most influenced Marie.
Two of the Sandbos’ three children
graduated from Augsburg.
1991
On October
13, 2015,
David Johnson ’91 was
promoted to Colonel in
the North Dakota Army
National Guard. He is a
senior Army chaplain for
the state. Johnson also is
an ELCA pastor serving
as a full-time chaplain for
the North Dakota Army
National Guard. He has
been serving in this call
for the past 12 years. Previous to this role, he served parishes in
central and eastern North Dakota.
Terry Simonson ’65 and wife,
Patricia, live in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, where he serves as
a half-time chaplain at a residence
for seniors. Three generations
share their home, and his three
granddaughters are the joy of his
life. The memories of Augsburg
that he treasures are good times
spent with roommates and learning
Greek and Latin (his major). Erwin
Mickelberg ’54 was influential in
Simonson’s decision to attend
Augsburg. These days, he is
interested in quantum physics and
continues to explore the subject.
2006
Heather
(Nystrom)
Finholm ’06 and husband,
Jeffrey, announce the
adoption of their twin
sons, Joseph and
Matthew, born April 30,
2015, and adopted on
July 27, 2015.
2007
Lázaro G.
Payano Stark
was welcomed into this
world at home with the
help of his midwives on
April 3, 2015. He is the
son of Jenessa Payano
Stark ’07 and Geomar
Payano Stark. The
family resides in south
Minneapolis.
This fall, seven Auggies served on the varsity football coaching staff at Osseo (Minnesota)
High School and helped lead the team to its first Class 6A state championship. The group
of Augsburg alumni included Jack Osberg ’62, Derrin Lamker ’97, Mark Joseph ’01, Andy
Johnson ’04, Jordan Berg ’09, Royce Winford ’09, and David Tilton ’12.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Spring
2014
Fall 2014
Spring
2016
17
37
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Win Stiefel ’65 taught school in Alaska and
now lives with wife, Gracia (Olson) Stiefel ’66, in
Glennallen, Alaska. He spent 10 years teaching
at a Bible college and 10 years in Russia
helping Evangelical churches. These days he
drives a school bus, enjoys 10 grandchildren
and a great grandchild, cuts firewood, and
volunteers at missions. He remembers
traveling with the wrestling team, canoeing on
the Mississippi River, and listening to the Basin
Streeters. If he could thank someone, it would
be the old man outside Cedar Ave. Mission
who asked him and others whether or not they
were saved.
Steve Strommen ’65 likes to spend his days
playing “Old Timer” softball, bird hunting,
appreciating winters in San Diego and
summers at a Minnesota cabin, performing
home renovations, and enjoying his family
and grandchildren. He has many memories
from athletics at Augsburg, including three
championship basketball teams and a
championship in baseball. The most influential
people during his time at Augsburg were Carl
Chrislock ’37 and coaches Ernie Anderson ’37
and Edor Nelson ’38. He and wife, Chynne,
have two children and five grandchildren.
Sharon (Topte) Taeger ’65 and David Taeger ’65
recently moved to Camrose—a city in
Alberta, Canada—after living for 19 years
in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Sharon likes
to read, paint, and socialize. David likes to
listen, watch, and marvel at the growth and
development of children, especially their four
grandchildren. He also enjoys reading and
being with friends. David received his M.Div.
from Northwestern Theological Seminary. He
was most influenced by Mario Collacci and
Carl Chrislock ’37 while at Augsburg. Sharon
and David have two children.
Virg Vagle ’65 would thank Ernie Anderson ’37,
Edor Nelson ’38, and Ed Saugestad ’59 for
being influential during his time at Augsburg.
Vagle enjoys golfing, traveling, and being with
his grandchildren. He and wife, Pat, have
seven children and 12 grandchildren.
Lyndy West ’65 fondly remembers playing in
the concert band and in the Basin Streeters, a
group that performed for Augsburg basketball
games. He entered Luther Seminary after
graduating from Augsburg and served
parishes in Los Angeles, inner-city Chicago,
and Minnesota. He officially retired in 2012.
He says the smartest thing he ever did was
to marry Diane Haas in 1969. They have four
children and four grandchildren. They like to
bike, travel, read, participate in music at their
church, and lead polka services. He thanks his
parents for encouraging him and his siblings to
attend Augsburg.
1967
John Schwartz ’67 is in his sixth
season with the acclaimed Apollo
Chorus of Chicago, which was formed in
1872. Schwartz serves as vice president of
its board. Auggie singers in the Chicago area
can audition to join this 130-member chorus.
Details can be found at Apollochorus.org.
1975
Glen Teske ’75 is enjoying the
adjustment to retirement after
working for 40 years in the IT department
at Hennepin County. Among his treasured
memories as a student at Augsburg are
business administration classes, tutoring
other students, and the friendships he made.
He also remembers playing four years of
basketball and winning the MIAC conference
title in 1975. He thanks professor of history
Khin Khin Jensen, adviser and professor of
business Keishiro Matsumoto, mentor Jeroy
Carlson ’48, and coaches Butch Raymond ’63
and Erv Inniger for their impact on his life.
1979
Laura (Rolfe) Matuska ’79 has
been selected as WeCAB’s
part-time community outreach fundraiser.
WeCAB provides door-to-door supplemental
transportation in the Westonka and eastern
Carver County service areas for people who
are unable to drive to medical appointments,
church, social events, the grocery store, or the
food shelf. Matuska has significant experience
working with seniors and clients, providing
case management to support transitions
through all levels of senior living. She has
launched volunteer programs, developed a
hospital-based domestic abuse intervention
program, and is a successful grant writer.
Matuska also has worked with many volunteers
in a variety of positions.
1980
The new Bill Simenson Quintet
recently debuted at The Nicollet.
Leader Bill Simenson ’80 (trumpet) has been
performing professionally in the Twin Cities
for nearly 30 years. After earning his degree
in music and political science at Augsburg,
he attended the University of Trondheim
in Norway where he studied music at the
graduate level. Catch the Bill Simenson
Orchestra, a larger ensemble, once a month at
Jazz Central in Minneapolis.
1981
Rob Hubbard ’81 tells the story of the
hilarity, irreverence, and imagination
of the Brave New Workshop in his new book,
“Brave New Workshop: Promiscuous Hostility
and Laughs in the Land of Loons.” The
book, from The History Press, celebrates the
marvelous, unexpected, and absurd history
of this one-of-a-kind comedy institution. The
owners of Brave New Workshop are John
Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl ’87.
1987
Tammy Jo Rider ’87 received a
2015 Leadership Award from the
2015
2013
Amanda Rowan ’13 and Jordan Lakanen ’14 married
August 8, 2015. Auggies in the wedding party included:
Eric Lakanen ’02, Stephanie Nelson ’13, Rachel Rixen ’13, and Ashley
(Carney) Wolke ’13.
30
Augsburg Now
Top row [L to R]:
Tyler Dorn ’15
and Alisha Esselstein ’15
were married on June 20,
2015, at Sugarland Barn
in Arena, Wisconsin. Many
Auggies participated in
and attended the wedding.
Bottom row [L to R]: Best
man Alex Obanor, Augsburg Department of Public Safety officer; Dustin
Parks ’16; Keisha Barnard ’16; bridesmaid Alia Thorpe ’15; bridesmaid Lily
Moloney ’15; maid of honor Rachel Shaheen ’15; ceremony musician Becky
Shaheen ’11; and officiant Rev. Mike Matson ’06.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
After graduation, Joshua Harris ’08 moved to Baltimore drawn to the service
opportunity of working with Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest inter-collegiate communityservice-oriented fraternity founded by African-Americans. Harris serves as managing
editor of APA’s journal, “The Sphinx.” He works with other community leaders
in Baltimore on many initiatives, including one to build a network of individuals,
businesses, and organizations that can provide internships, scholarships, and
mentorship opportunities for high school students. He returned to Minneapolis in
fall 2015 to speak on a panel at the Augsburg Young Alumni Council’s networking
event at Surly Brewing Co. Harris is running for mayor of Baltimore. Learn about his
campaign at harrisforbaltimore.com.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Southeast Minnesota affiliate of the National
Alliance on Mental Illness.
1991
Bill Koschak ’91 was hired as the
chief financial officer at YA, which
is an industry market leader in delivering
omni-channel marketing promotions for the
nation’s most respected brands. Before joining
YA, Koschak was vice president of finance
and CFO for the convenience and foodservice
business at General Mills.
2000
Lewis Nelson ’00 joined the
University of Virginia’s Darden
School of Business MBA for Executives.
He blogs about the experience at
wanderingveteran.com.
2007
Barrozo is studying the development of
novel gene therapy treatments for human
diseases caused by persistent viral infections
and mutations of the genome. The goal of
his research is to develop safe and effective
strategies for treating these diseases. He also
has worked as a Post-Baccalaureate Research
Program Scholar at the University of Georgia.
2015
Hannah Frey ’15 has an
AmeriCorps position in the
Community Technology Empowerment
Project, which helps bridge the “digital
divide” for new immigrants and low-income
communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She
serves at Roseville (Minnesota) Library as a
digital literacy coordinator for adult technology
programming and outreach.
Kati (Tweeten) Bergey ’07 married
Brandon Bergey on October 18,
2014. Kati teaches sixth grade for MabelCanton Public Schools in Mabel, Minnesota.
Heidi Heller ’15 has accepted a job as a
historian and researcher with Hess Roise
Historical Consultants.
2012
GRADUATE
Lauren Grafelman ’12 graduated
with her MBA from Hamline
University in August 2015.
William “Billy” Hamilton ’12 graduated from
the University of Minnesota Law School
in May and received news that he passed
the Minnesota Bar Exam in July. He began
work as a public defender in training at the
Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office.
He has found his vocation!
2014
Enrico Barrozo ’14 is pursuing
a doctorate in genetics and
genomics at the University of Florida,
supported by the McKnight Doctoral, UF
Graduate School, and Top-Up fellowships.
Ava Beilke ’14 MBA formed her own social
media consulting business, Paragon Social
(paragonsocialco.com or @paragonsocialco on
Twitter), with the desire to help individuals and
small businesses excel in social media. Beilke
studied communications in undergrad and
pursued her MBA to round out her business
expertise. She now fuses her creative skills with
her business savvy to create the most effective
social media efforts.
Katie Koch ’01 is the new Director
of Auggie Engagement at Augsburg
College. Koch comes from a diverse
background of performing arts
management, having most recently
worked at The O’Shaughnessy
Auditorium at St. Catherine University
as an event and administrative
manager. Koch worked for nearly
five years at the Guthrie Theater as
an assistant to former director Joe
Dowling, where she supported the
Guthrie Board of Directors and highprofile visiting artists. During her time
at Augsburg, Koch was a member
of The Augsburg Choir, Augsburg
Concert Band, and Augsburg Jazz
and Gospel Praise. She served
as an admissions ambassador, a
student coordinator for new student
orientation in 1999 and 2000, and
wrote for the Augsburg Echo.
Spring 2016
31
In memoriam
Dwight E. Elving ’37, Mercer
Harvard E. Larson ’50,
Island, Washington, age 99, on
September 17.
Greeley, Colorado, age 86, on
September 14.
James K. Horn ’59, Lino Lakes,
Minnesota, age 83, on
November 26.
Isabella “Bella” (Frazier)
Sanders ’73, Park Rapids,
Evelyn B. (Wibeto) Stone ’41,
Alexandria, Minnesota, age 98, on
November 26.
Wesley N. Paulson ’51,
Eugene “Pete” S. Peterson ’59,
Gregory J. Semanko ’73,
Altoona, Wisconsin, age 88, on
December 2.
Jackson, Minnesota, age 78, on
October 17.
Dassel, Minnesota, age 64, on
September 16.
J. Maurice “Maury” Erickson ’42,
Vermillion, South Dakota, age 95,
on September 10.
Walter L. Dilley ’52,
Paynesville, Minnesota, age 88,
on October 14.
Peter M. Locke ’60, South St.
Paul, Minnesota, age 82, on
November 30.
Brent M. Amundson ’78, Colorado
Springs, Colorado, age 61, on
December 3.
Helen L. (Fevold) Nelson ’43,
Woodrow W. Wilson ’53,
Gayle J. Arvidson ’61, Newburgh,
Minneapolis, age 94, June 4.
Lincoln, Nebraska, age 97, on
September 11.
Indiana, age 84, on December 25.
David C. Eitrheim ’79,
Menomonie, Wisconsin, age 58,
on January 1.
Chester E. Hoversten ’44,
Northfield, Minnesota, age 93, on
November 16.
Joyce E. (Gronseth) Limburg ’44,
Erling B. Huglen ’54, Roseau,
Minnesota, age 83, on
December 19.
Harvey L. Jackson ’61, Park
River, North Dakota, age 78, on
September 28.
Morgan S. Grant ’82, Willmar,
Kelly M. Williams ’92, Edina,
Minnesota, age 45, on August 25.
River, North Dakota, age 51, on
October 13.
Apple Valley, Minnesota, age 93,
on October 10.
Allan J. Kohls ’54, Minneapolis,
age 87, on October 4.
John D. Sorenson ’62, Hickory,
North Carolina, age 75, on
November 2.
Elise H. (Hoplin) Anderson ’45,
Marvin S. Undseth ’54, Salem,
Lee E. Keller ’63, San
Edina, Minnesota, age 96, on
October 13.
Oregon, age 90, on October 12.
Bernardino, California, age 80, on
August 27.
Edgar A. Emerson ’46,
Minnesota, age 81, on
September 30.
Perham, Minnesota, age 90, on
December 3.
Guilford “Guy” L. Parsons ’47,
Minneapolis, age 94, on
September 17.
Ruth E. (Thompson) Larson ’48,
Clearbrook, Minnesota, age 92, on
December 26.
Rolf Heng ’55, Fergus Falls,
Elmer Karlstad ’55, Warroad,
Minnesota, age 91, on
November 14.
Alfred E. Kaupins ’57, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, age 88, on
November 25.
Joyce (Hanson) Holbrook ’65,
Lincoln, California, age 72, on
December 27.
Edythe “Edie” (Berg) Johnson ’65,
Stillwater, Minnesota, age 72, on
October 1.
Marilyn J. Larson ’65, Estes Park,
Colorado, age 73, on November 3.
Lawrence “Larry” C. Pratt Jr. ’57,
Joyce A. (Schuchart) Hagerty ’66,
Minnesota, age 88, on October 16.
St. Anthony, Minnesota, age 81,
on July 12.
Oneida, Illinois, age 72, on
December 4.
Paul I. Roth ’49, White Bear
Eldri R. (Johanson) Salter ’57,
Lake, Minnesota, age 90, on
November 21.
Pocatello, Idaho, age 80, on
September 8.
Philip “Phil” A. Walen ’70,
Stillwater, Minnesota, age 67, on
September 9.
Arne Simengaard ’49,
Dennis F. Gibson ’59, Edina,
Russell “Jeff” J. Quanbeck ’71,
Fridley, Minnesota, age 88, on
November 28.
Minnesota, age 83, on
September 5.
Bloomington, Minnesota, age 67,
on December 1.
Allen J. Moe ’48, Dawson,
Minnesota, age 85, on October 1.
Minnesota, age 55, on August 28.
Thomas D. Orstad ’93, Park
Earl R. Kinley III ’94, Eagan,
Minnesota, age 55, on
December 18.
Christine L. (Quandt) Edinger ’99,
Madison, Wisconsin, age 49, on
December 19.
Judith A. (Gretz) Roy ’99,
Minneapolis, age 68, on
September 24.
Traci M. Singher ’12, ’15 MSW,
Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 44,
on December 1.
Dustyn B. Hessie ’13,
Minneapolis, age 27, on June 15.
Augsburg College Women’s
Basketball Head Coach William
“Bill” L. McKee, New Brighton,
Minnesota, age 62, on August 27.
The “In memoriam” listings in this publication
include notifications received before January 10.
32
Augsburg Now
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LeVar Burton encourages the next generation
Actor, director, writer, producer, and educator LeVar Burton—best known for his roles in “Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,”
and “Reading Rainbow”—inspired prospective students to make positive change in the world. Burton’s presentation took place
this winter during Scholarship Weekend, an annual event where prospective students compete for the President’s and Fine Arts
scholarships.
Show less
SPRING 2015 | VOL. 77, NO. 2
Everyday work advice for Auggies
Magazine survey results
A tale of two Auggies
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
AUGSBURG COLLEGE RECEIVES
$10 MILLION CASH GIFT
to name Center for Science, Business, and Religion
This winter, Augsburg College was
honored with a $10 mil... Show more
SPRING 2015 | VOL. 77, NO. 2
Everyday work advice for Auggies
Magazine survey results
A tale of two Auggies
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
AUGSBURG COLLEGE RECEIVES
$10 MILLION CASH GIFT
to name Center for Science, Business, and Religion
This winter, Augsburg College was
honored with a $10 million philanthropic
gift that will support a new signature
academic building housing the College’s
science, business, and religion
programs. Visit augsburg.edu/csbr to
learn about the celebration to announce
the building’s name and the capital
campaign’s progress toward its
IN THIS ISSUE
$50 million fundraising goal.
Features
On the cover
2 Magazine survey results | COMPILED BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
10 Everyday work advice for Auggies | BY STEPHANIE WEISS
16 A tale of two Auggies | BY STEPHANIE WEISS
24 Nobel Peace Prize Forum | BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND LAURA SWANSON
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former
U.S. President Jimmy Carter addressed
middle school and high school students
during a Youth Forum event in Augsburg’s
Si Melby Hall as part of the 2015 Nobel
Peace Prize Forum, held March 6-8 in
Departments
Minneapolis. Carter spoke in front of
4 Around the Quad | 13 It takes an Auggie
exhibition about past Nobel Peace Prize
Augsburg student artwork created for an
14 My Auggie experience | 20 Auggie voices
winners that opened at the American
22 Auggies on the court | 27 Alumni news
Swedish Institute in February. Learn more
31 Alumni class notes | 36 In memoriam
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
on pages 8 and 24.
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
Abundance at Augsburg
2015 is off to a remarkable start at Augsburg!
The announcement on the facing page
about the $10 million gift to name the Center
for Science, Business, and Religion certainly
ranks as our most exciting news. The momentum
to break ground on this signature academic
building is now palpable on campus and beyond
as we imagine its transformational impact on our
community for generations to come.
And this issue of Augsburg Now is full of
many other examples of the good news of this
academic year. News of national recognition for
community engagement and interfaith initiatives.
News of special events featuring Bill Nye the
Science Guy (a fellow bow tie lover!) and Nobel
Peace Prize Laureates U.S. President Jimmy
Carter and The Organisation for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons. News of more than 100
Augsburg students and faculty from five academic
departments collaborating to create an interactive
exhibit to engage people in the topic of peace.
News of student and faculty achievements on
and off campus. News of generous alumni and
friends supporting the mission-based work of
the Augsburg community—including more than
1,300 donors who, for the second year in a row,
helped Augsburg surpass every other Minnesota
college or university in fundraising on Give to the
Max Day. And much, much more to celebrate.
For me, all of this good news points to a core
value at the heart of Augsburg’s identity and
character—we are a community of abundance in
a world of scarcity.
What do I mean by abundance? It is a way
of life that calls our community to live and work
together with a focus on our common wisdom,
experience, and aspirations. It is an ethic that
challenges us to believe that we can do more and
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Communication Copywriter
and Editorial Coordinator
Laura Swanson
swansonl@augsburg.edu
better together than on our own. It is a vision
that says we are small to our students and big for
the world.
As I near the end of my ninth year as
Augsburg’s 10th president, I am more and more
struck by the abundance of our lives together, the
many ways in which the students, faculty, staff,
alumni, and friends of our community aspire to
embody a way of life that links faith, learning,
and service to the neighbor.
I also am struck by the abundance of our place,
the remarkable work of Augsburg as an institution
and community in this neighborhood, city, and
world, and our firm resolve to send our students
out into the world as educated and faithful
citizens, to be good stewards of our environment,
and to embrace hospitality and generosity for our
fellow humans.
Finally, I am struck by the abundance of the
promise we make each and every day to each
other as we dedicate ourselves to collaboration,
to doing things differently, and to working
together to meet the needs of students and
neighbors. Where others say there is not enough,
we say there is more than plenty if we believe and
bring resolve, courage, and imagination to our
efforts to educate, to feed the hungry, to clothe
the poor, and to meet the needs of strangers.
What a deep privilege it is to be a partner
in this work of abundance at Augsburg College.
Thanks to all of you for your abiding support and
passion for this good and faithful work.
Creative Associate
Denielle Johnson ’11
johnsod@augsburg.edu
Marketing Copywriter
Christina Haller
haller@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Production Manager
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
Yours in Augsburg,
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Email: now@augsburg.edu
600
Took the survey
TURNING
A NEW PAGE
35-49
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RESULTS:
34 & under
Who took the survey
COMPILED BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
More than 600 people responded to the
Augsburg survey, with 541 completing the
entire questionnaire.
Augsburg Now magazine survey: What you told us
NATIONAL
This past summer, Augsburg College participated in a national higher
education magazine survey developed by the Council for Advancement
and Support of Education. This survey has been used by more than
350 college and university magazines across the United States,
allowing Augsburg to compare its results with national benchmarks.
AUGSBURG
30 percent of the Augsburg Now survey respondents
were 65 years of age or older, nearly 10 percentage
points above the national response rate.
Top ways the magazine helps keep Auggies connected*
Augsburg’s results
National results
Auggies are connected
87%
80% 53%
As a reminder of your
college experience
46% 46%
Keeping you in touch with
your graduating class
39%
Encouraging financial support for
the College and current students
Survey respondents confirmed that
Augsburg Now strengthens their
connection with the College. In fact,
80 percent of respondents older than
age 35 agreed with this notion, and
70 percent of respondents under age
35 agreed as well.
SO, WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?
Readership, connection, and format
Topics of interest
The magazine will build on its strengths in order
to maintain high readership levels and the strong
connection that the magazine helps Auggies feel with
the College. Augsburg will continue publishing the
magazine in both print and online versions, but those
who prefer a digital format are encouraged to let us
know their preference for receiving notifications instead
of printed editions.
The topics of greatest interest across all age groups align well with the
College’s Augsburg2019 strategic vision, which states that, in 2019,
Augsburg will be a new kind of student-centered, urban university that is small
to our students and big for the world. Stories about student achievements,
alumni in their professions, and campus facilities and growth illustrate our
commitment to educating for lives of purpose, being “at the table” with
our partners and neighbors, and building a vital and sustainable institution.
In addition to those topics, the magazine will continue to include events,
speakers, obituaries, and class notes given that these topics garnered strong
response rates, especially among readers over 35 years of age.
See augsburg.edu/Augsburg2019 for information about the strategic plan.
Go to augsburg.edu/now for more information about
changing your Augsburg Now delivery format.
2
Augsburg Now
ended
event
ade a
nation
64%
h These categories were ranked substantially higher than the national averages.
prefer print
Agreement with these statements among people age 35 years or older was 10 or more percentage points higher than for respondents under age 35.
*
12%
prefer
online
Magazine
readership
23%
Ages represented:
65+
50 to 64
35 to 49
34 and under
11 percent of Augsburg’s respondents were under
age 35, which is only half of the percentage in
that age category nationally.
Attended
an event
Recommended
Top actions
taken as a
Augsburg
Recommended
result of reading
Augsburg Now
Augsburg
Augsburg’s results
National results
Made a
donation
Recommended
Augsburg
Most respondents indicated that Augsburg Now was the No. 1
way they get information about the College, and 82 percent said
they read all orprefer
mostboth
of each issue.
Most respondents said they prefer to read the printed
version of Augsburg Now, although some favor digital formats.
It is exciting to learn that 1/3 of
respondents
indicated that the magazine
Made a
donation
prompted them to recommend Augsburg
to others. One of the primary objectives of
the magazine is to equip Auggies to act as
advocates of the College, so this result was
of particular significance in measuring the
impact of the magazine.
Renaming the magazine
Although the name of the magazine was not specifically addressed
in the survey questions, the time has come to rethink the name of
the publication. “Augsburg Now” served well for decades, but in an
age of digital communication, a publication that comes out three
times per year cannot reasonably include information about what’s
happening at the moment.
As a result, the plan is to announce a new name for the magazine
in the summer 2015 issue and officially change the masthead in
the fall. Look in the summer issue for more information about these
future plans for the Augsburg College magazine!
82%
read all or most of
64% prefer print 13% prefer online 23% prefer both
Topics of interest
When asked what topics readers preferred to see in the magazine,
the following categories rose to the top.
1. Cultural events and performances
68.1% *
2. Alumni in their professions
67.5%
3. Class notes
67.4% * h
4. Institutional history and traditions
66.5% * h
5. Obituaries
65.8% * h
6. Campus facilities and growth
62.5%
7. Student achievements
61.2% h
8. Visiting speakers
60.3% * h
Subscribe to NOW@Augsburg
For the past few years, Augsburg’s alumni relations staff
has published a monthly email newsletter and blog called
“NOW@Augsburg,” which features stories about Augsburg
alumni, upcoming events, fundraising milestones, and College
accolades. Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog for past newsletter
content, or email langemo@augsburg.edu to sign up for the
monthly email newsletter if you are not already receiving it.
Spring 2015
3
Jamar Esaw ’05 directs members of Triad:4Christ, a gospel choral
ensemble, during the 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation.
MANY VOICES,
BOLD VISIONS
2014-15 Convocation Series
sparks critical thinking,
meaningful conversation
The Augsburg College Convocation Series each year offers the community a chance
to hear from outstanding leaders and visionaries who ignite important conversations
and contribute to making the world a safer place for future generations.
The first event held during the spring semester was the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Convocation in January, featuring collaboration among on-campus student groups
and ARTS-Us, a St. Paul-based arts education organization; Dare 2 Be Real, a
Twin Cities-based interracial student leadership program; and Triad:4Christ, a
renowned gospel choir led by Jamar Esaw ’05.
The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in February welcomed
Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim
Action Network and a visiting professor at the Chicago Theological
Seminary. Nashashibi spoke on “The Sociology of Seerah:
Reclaiming Prophetic Tradition for Our Time and Place.”
The Koryne Horbal Lecture in March featured Janell Hobson,
associate professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
at the University at Albany. Hobson’s presentation was titled
“Historical Consciousness and Black Feminist Imagination.”
4
Augsburg Now
AROUND THE QUAD
FROM SCREEN TO SCRIPT:
Auggies win big at film festival
Augsburg students were recognized for
their excellent work at the fourth annual
Student Film Festival hosted by the
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities.
Delegates from Wells Fargo’s Diversity Council Leadership Team visit with Augsburg student leaders, faculty, and staff.
WELLS FARGO MAKES $100,000
GIFT
to the Center for Science, Business, and Religion
In recognition of Augsburg College’s leadership in closing the higher education
disparity gap for students of color in Minnesota, Wells Fargo made a $100,000
gift to the campaign to build the Center for Science, Business, and Religion.
Wells Fargo joined several other corporations—including 3M and General Mills—
in supporting the CSBR.
Dave Kvamme, CEO of Wells Fargo Minnesota,
in a statement expressed admiration for Augsburg’s
commitment to partnering with college access programs
Wells Fargo also supports a
to help recruit, support, and retain first-generation and
scholarship program through
low-income students.
the Minnesota Private College
“We support Augsburg College’s commitment to
Fund. The fund, started in 1976,
provide opportunities for a college education for those
provides scholarships at each of
students who may face life challenges to attain it,”
the 17 Minnesota Private Colleges,
Kvamme said. “We know our donation will help Augsburg
including Augsburg.
be successful in developing Minnesota’s future business
and community leaders.”
DID YOU KNOW?
U.S. BANK SUPPORTS STUDENT VETERANS
and Center for Science, Business, and Religion with
$125,000 gift
Augsburg College and U.S. Bank celebrated the
opening of the new U.S. Bank Veterans’ Lounge
on campus with a dedication ceremony this fall. U.S. Bank recently pledged
$125,000 toward the building of the Center for Science, Business, and Religion at
Augsburg, and the College recognized the contribution to the campaign by granting
naming rights to the Veterans’ Lounge.
The renovated space, located in Oren Gateway Center, honors the contributions
student veterans have made to their country. U.S. Bank and Augsburg College are
nationally recognized as top supporters of veterans and military families. Augsburg
was named a 2015 Military Friendly® School for its ongoing efforts to provide
transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education.
• Thomas VandenDolder ’15 won
Best Experimental Film for
“Oblivious.”
• Rebecca Schroeder ’18 won the
Best Music Video award for
“We Are The Art.”
This year’s ACTC festival included
a new screenplay contest. Students
who have participated in courses in
the Augsburg Master of Fine Arts in
Creative Writing program took home
top awards in all three categories.
• Michelle Herrin ’15 MFA won the
Overall Excellence award for
“Side Effects.”
• Amanda Symes ’15 MFA received
an Honorable Mention, FeatureLength Narrative for “Celia.”
• Mark Woodley ’14 received the
Best Short Screenplay award for
“Missing.”
The festival included work submitted
by students from Augsburg College,
Hamline University, and the University
of St. Thomas. More than 100 people
attended the film festival screenings
this year, and all films were created
during the 2013-14 academic year.
Spring 2015
5
Augsburg earns dual national
COMMUNITY SERVICE HONORS
Augsburg was the only Minnesota college or
university named a finalist on the Corporation for
National and Community Service’s 2014 Interfaith
Community Service Honor Roll as well as on the
Corporation’s General Community Service Honor Roll
with Distinction.
Augsburg is one of only four colleges out
of hundreds of applicants nationwide to be
named a finalist in the interfaith category, an
honor recognizing institutions
that support exemplary
community service
programs, promote greater
interfaith cooperation,
and raise the visibility
of effective practices
in campus-community
partnerships.
Augsburg receives
Carnegie Foundation’s Community
ENGAGEMENT CLASSIFICATION
Augsburg College has earned its second
Community Engagement Classification from
the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching. Institutions are recognized based on
evidence of their collaboration with the larger
community, which:
• enriches scholarship, research, and creative
activity;
• enhances curriculum, teaching, and learning;
• prepares educated, engaged citizens;
• strengthens democratic values and civic
responsibility;
• addresses critical societal issues; and
• contributes to the public good.
Augsburg was one of only eight
Minnesota colleges or universities
recognized in 2015. The College
previously received the Community
Engagement Classification in 2008.
6
Augsburg Now
Bush Foundation grant supports
DIVERSITY IN TEACHING
Augsburg College’s Department of Education was awarded a $150,000
grant from the Bush Foundation through its Teacher Effectiveness
Initiative. The award will be used to fund a project that builds the
College’s capacity to recruit and support students of color as they work
toward a degree in teaching. Augsburg was one of only five higher
education institutions selected to receive this one-time award.
Augsburg’s Department of Education Chair and Associate
Professor Margaret Finders will lead the project in partnership
with Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Community and
Technical College, and St. Paul Public Schools. This team will
create a coordinated, sustainable infrastructure that will
recruit high-quality teacher candidates and reduce attrition.
This infrastructure will help the partner institutions engage
in proactive recruitment of teacher candidates of color
from multiple entry points, improve experiences for teacher
candidates of color, and foster smooth transitions into teaching.
AROUND THE QUAD
This winter, AUGSBURG COLLEGE PRESIDENT PAUL C. PRIBBENOW joined other private college leaders in testifying before the Minnesota State Senate Higher
Education Committee. Pribbenow thanked senators for their support and discussed the ways in which Augsburg works to best educate the state’s future leaders.
DAY AT THE CAPITOL
During the 2013-14 academic year, more than 34 percent of all Augsburg undergraduates—1,054
students—received Minnesota State Grants totaling more than $3.4 million. This February, Augsburg
College students and members of the larger Twin Cities community met at the Capitol with their
respective representatives and advocated for the Minnesota State Grant program.
Augsburg’s StepUP® program, the EAST (East African Student to Teacher) program,
Student Financial Services, Multicultural Students Services, and Athletics partnered to
recruit and train students before the event. The students’ agenda included a policy and
lobbying briefing with comments from House and Senate members representing Augsburg
and a breakfast with alumni legislators followed by a meeting with representatives.
Spring 2015
7
AROUND THE QUAD
128 AUGGIES
exhibit at the
American Swedish Institute
Led by Assistant Professor of Art Christopher
Houltberg, 128 students and six Augsburg
faculty members contributed to a collaborative exhibition, Shaping Peace, at the
American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
The project is a collaboration involving the
disciplines of art and design, English, music,
political science, and religion.
Shaping Peace, a visual exploration of
the past 128 Nobel Peace Prize laureates,
is on display from February 28 through
May 24 and aims to broaden the awareness
of the Nobel Peace Prize. The interactive
installation encourages viewers to actively
participate in exploring the history of
the prize by contributing their own ideas
surrounding the concept of peace.
AUGSBURG YEARBOOKS
AVAILABLE ONLINE SOON
The Augsburg College student yearbook, the
Augsburgian, is being digitized for
online viewing. Issues are
being scanned from
newest to oldest,
and all editions
dating back to the
early 1900s will be
available online
soon. Check for your
yearbook at
augsburg.edu/now.
8
Augsburg Now
Archival Photo
PRESIDENTIAL SCULPTURES undergo restoration
public monuments, sculpted busts of Augsburg College Presidents Sven Oftedal
and Georg Sverdrup. For many years, the sculptures were housed in the College’s
original Main building and Old Main before being relocated to the Marshall
Room in Christensen Center. As time passed, the sculptures had become dirty,
scratched, and damaged. In fact, the bust of Sven Oftedal had even fallen off its
pedestal, which resulted in a broken nose.
In 2014, the sculptures were properly restored for the first time in 125
years. They are now on display in all their glory in Lindell Library. All of this work
has been supported by the Nydahl Family fund, which was created in 2006 to
celebrate the history of Augsburg and the Lutheran Free Church on campus.
THE CENTER FOR
COUNSELING AND HEALTH PROMOTION
gets new name and location
The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion recently became the
Center for Wellness and Counseling to better capture the mission of the
department, which is to support students to “stay healthy in body, mind, and
relationships.” The services of the center—
to offer free counseling, low-cost medical
services at a neighborhood clinic, and selfhelp information—will remain the same.
The name change comes at the same time
the center moves from a house on the corner
of 7th Street and 21st Avenue, to a remodeled
first floor of Augsburg’s Anderson Residence
Hall. The new location will allow students easier
access as well as add a dedicated relaxation
space. The house that the center staff once
occupied will be razed this spring as part of the
preparation of the area where the new Center for
Science, Business, and Religion will be built.
explores reputation management
During spring semester, Augsburg
College invited leaders with experience
in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors
of the Twin Cities business community
to share their expertise as part of the
annual Clair and Gladys Strommen
Executive Speaker Series.
In February, Lynn Casey,
CEO at PadillaCRT,
spoke on building and
protecting reputations
in real time. Casey also
discussed her work at
the Minneapolis-based headquarters
of PadillaCRT—the largest employeeowned agency in the United States.
Courtesy Photo
FROM 1888 TO 1890, Jacob Fjelde, a Norwegian portraitist and creator of
SPEAKER SERIES
The College welcomes
MayKao Hang, president
and CEO of the
Amherst H. Wilder
Foundation, in April.
Hang leads the
foundation as it works to live out its
mission to promote the social welfare
of persons resident or located in the
greater St. Paul metropolitan area.
Courtesy Photo
ABOVE: Augsburg’s historic presidents sculptures were first
housed in the College’s original Main building. RIGHT: The
sculptures are transported to a professional restorer.
Courtesy Photo
STROMMEN EXECUTIVE
“When we’re talking about building and
protecting reputations, high standards,
good character, and good operating
principles up-and-down [an organization]
are really essential ingredients.”
–Lynn Casey
Spring 2015
9
Meet Dave Conrad
Dave Conrad has honed his knowledge through decades of work as an
independent business consultant, his experience in sales and marketing
for public and private companies in a range of industries, and his
positions in higher education. He’s author of “Ask Dave,” a column for the
Rochester Post-Bulletin. His first book, which shares the same name as
his column, is available for purchase at the Augsburg College bookstore.
Ask Dave
EVERYDAY
WORK ADVICE
FOR
E
I
G
G
U
A
Y
R
E
V
E
Business professor Dave Conrad shares workplace guidance
with 100,000 readers through weekly newspaper column
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
T
he majority of American workers report being unhappy
in their jobs. One of the biggest factors for this
dissatisfaction is poor workplace communication, according
to The Conference Board’s annual survey of 5,000 U.S.
households. Other top factors that contribute to workplace
dissatisfaction include issues related to compensation,
recognition, and career development.
None of this is surprising to Dave Conrad, assistant director
of the Augsburg College Master of Business Administration
program at Rochester and associate professor in Rochester and
Minneapolis. Each week for the past eight years, Conrad has
shared straightforward business and workplace guidance with
100,000 readers of his column, “Dear Dave,” published in the
Rochester Post-Bulletin since 2006.
Conrad said that while he fields plenty of questions on
workplace communication issues, he also responds to
queries on everything from conflicts among coworkers to
issues of company culture, managing change, and problem
solving. There’s probably no question that has been left
unasked of Conrad. And his advice is so popular that he
published a book based upon his column and has another
one in the works.
Conrad dispenses usable guidance that blends
management processes with leadership thinking so that
readers can gain insight into the worlds of their coworkers.
“My readers tend to be everyday, hard-working staff
employees or mid-level managers who need everyday advice,”
he said.
Spring 2015
11
Clear counseling cleans up
clumsy communication
Conrad doesn’t really need to be told
by a national survey that communication
problems vex employees at all levels.
He knows it because, time and again,
he receives questions from readers
struggling to give voice to their opinions
or to share information about the
direction an organization is heading.
“People are bursting at the seams
with ideas, input, and feedback, but
there often is no one listening,” he said.
When one reader in 2013 asked
Conrad why it seems that managers don’t
interact with employees—not even to ask
how the employees are coping—Conrad
delivered his trademark guidance, mixing
simple steps with insight:
“Organizations thrive on
communication and dialogue. It is
crucial that managers simply interact
with employees ... and ask if they can
help the employees in any way,” Conrad
wrote. “Managers should pass along
information about the company that will
help employees understand the mission,
vision, goals, and objectives pertaining
to where the company is heading.”
Conrad said that the reason this
type of communication is critical
is because it creates what he
calls “we-ness,” a shared purpose
among employees that can inspire
everyone to work toward shared goals.
Conrad also offers practical
guidance for how managers should
communicate with employees:
share honestly, strive to promote
dialogue, ensure every voice is heard,
and welcome ideas and input without
chastising the messenger.
When a manager asked Conrad
how to more effectively guide change
after learning that her employees
felt she didn’t connect well with
those employees who most needed
information, Conrad first shared insight
on the organizational need to develop
12
Augsburg Now
“Keep things fresh,
engaging, and
constructive—dare
I say ‘positive.’”
Read Dave Conrad’s weekly column in the local
business section found at postbulletin.com.
a change-management communication
plan. The creation of such a plan is
an important step in ensuring that the
manager delivers the right information
to the right people at the right time.
He followed up with the types of
information to include in the plan so
all his readers could understand steps
toward shaping and managing change.
“Communication gaps and
weaknesses must be discovered,
and a systematic means of providing
instructions, information, and
feedback must be created and
implemented,” he responded via
the 2014 column. “To get and keep
people on board: Explain the ‘why’ of
the change. Clearly communicate the
vision, mission, and the objectives of
the change management initiative.
Have and articulate ideal outcomes.
Get people interacting and sharing
ideas and perspectives.”
Insight for Auggies
Conrad’s approach was no different
when we asked him what insight he has
for Augsburg College alumni just starting
out in the work world and those who
want to grow their careers.
Conrad said that it’s likely Auggies
who are beginning their careers will
need to perform unglamorous — and
possibly, humbling — work for a while.
But that’s normal.
“I love the saying: If you do what
you love, you will never work a day the
rest of your life,” Conrad said. “The
problem is, when you’re just out of
college, it’s easy to get confused about
what you can do in the workplace, or
even what you want to do.”
Just as Auggies are sorting through
what they might want to do, employers
will be watching. Conrad encourages
Auggies to stay positive, maintain
enthusiasm, and take on tasks they
never thought they would have to
perform. Early in their careers, he said,
Auggies should show off their work ethic
no matter the task assigned.
Conrad’s tips for young employees
include taking on the assignments
nobody wants, asking managers for
feedback on their work, and seeking
guidance for how to earn promotions.
“Not only is this a way to
demonstrate drive and ethic, but
it also offers a way to practice the
communication skills that make a
workplace more rewarding,” he said.
For Auggies further along in their
career, Conrad offers similarly upbeat
advice.
“Keep things fresh, engaging, and
constructive—dare I say ‘positive,’”
he said. “Volunteer for small and big
projects, mentor budding managers,
be there for people in need, learn new
things, and do anything that shows
care about the productivity and wellbeing of the organization, others, and
especially yourself.”
Employers are attracted to employees
who understand the importance of their
work on their team, department, and
organization. Through the reflective
practices and hands-on learning built
into an Augsburg College education,
Auggies leave campus knowing how
their work makes a difference in the
world, and they are ready to lead in
organizations ranging from nonprofits to
Fortune 500 businesses. And, they are
ready to do it well.
IT TAKES AN AUGGIE
IMPACT
Augsburg’s day of record-breaking
fundraising supports new opportunities
More than 1,300 donors gave Augsburg College more than
$430,000 on Give to the Max Day 2014. For the second year
in a row, Augsburg surpassed every other Minnesota college
or university in this annual online fundraising event. The
achievement reflects the work of alumni, faculty, and staff
who championed nearly three dozen unique projects.
A new drone copter for
student filmmakers.
IN THE CLASSROOM
$1,605 was raised to help students purchase essential — but
sometimes pricey — textbooks for class.
The College launched its first student-run publishing organization,
Howling Bird, which is part of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative
Writing program.
The Communication Studies Department purchased a drone camera
that takes student filmmakers’ work to new heights. (above right)
ON-CAMPUS RESEARCH
Biology students will benefit from the
opportunity to fund additional DNA
sequencing critical to their research.
Faculty in the Department of History will
further their research on topics ranging
from the deathbed conversions of medieval
knights to Minnesota after the Civil War to
women’s medicine in the Victorian era.
LEARN ABOUT THE
OTHER PROJECTS
AUGGIES ON THE MOVE
The Augsburg College women’s hockey team
traveled to four European countries, playing
games against international opponents, and
touring historic and cultural sites.
Gifts from Give to
the Max Day helped
to fund student
learning and success
through 34 projects.
Find the full list at
augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2015
13
AUGGIES HAVE
AND
FOOD COOKING
DOWN TO A SCIENCE
Unique course makes science
approachable for all students
Ceviche is a South and Central American favorite that’s also
been popularized in the United States. It’s a bright and flavorful
seafood dish that’s not raw, but it’s not exactly cooked either. In
fact, it’s never exposed to heat.
Although it’s not cooked in the traditional sense, the raw
fish in ceviche goes through a chemical process that rearranges
or “denatures” its proteins, much like what happens when meat
or other protein is cooked with heat. The acid in citrus juice
cures the raw fish, which makes it safer to eat.
This is just one of the fascinating processes students learn
in one of Augsburg College’s popular physics courses: The
Science of Food and Cooking, taught by Associate Professor
Ben Stottrup.
Among other concepts, students in the course learn the
fundamental physics and chemistry of materials science through
hands-on preparation, like the phase change that occurs when
spinning cotton candy and the Maillard reaction caused by
searing a steak. They are taught the mechanical properties of
ricotta cheese and the states of matter in a root beer float.
And the students love experimenting with various cuisine.
SPECIAL THANKS to chefs Erick
*
Harcey of Victory 44, Landon Schoenefeld of
Haute Dish, and Karyn Tomlinson of Borough for
lending their expertise to the course.
14
Augsburg Now
“My biggest takeaway from this class is that science is,
in fact, present in everything in our daily lives,” said Cynthia
Del Villar ’15, business administration and economics major.
“Even eating is a daily reminder that food undergoes its own
scientific transformation through cooking or even combining
certain ingredients, like oil and vinegar.”
Del Villar took much away from the class—from learning how
to prevent freezer burn to emulsifying a mayonnaise to gaining
an understanding of heat transfer through a molten chocolate
cake. But she also made a personal contribution to the course—
her Mexican family’s traditional shrimp ceviche recipe for
experimentation in the lab. (See recipe on the next page.)
Restaurant reviews, cook-offs, and potlucks
But it’s not just the food that gets students engaged—Stottrup
also introduces competition and community involvement. For
example, while baking cupcakes, some groups are allowed the
use of measuring devices while others are not. Or some use
measurements based upon volume versus weight. This, of
course, determines the outcome of each recipe.
At the end of each lab,
guest judges from
“
This is a traditional family recipe
from my parents’ home state of
Nayarit, on Mexico’s west coast.
- Cynthia Del Villar ’15
MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE
SHRIMP CEVICHE FOR A CROWD
Serves 20
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 pounds headless shrimp
• 10 medium limes
• 10 medium tomatoes
• 4 large cucumbers
• 1 purple onion
• 8 small green serrano chili peppers
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Tortilla chips
PREPARATION:
1.
Cleanse shrimp in water, peel completely, and
chop into half-inch pieces. Place in large bowl
and set aside.
2.
In a blender, combine lime juice and serrano chili
peppers and blend until smooth. Pour over shrimp.
3.
Add 2 tablespoons of salt to mixture and stir.
various departments on campus decide whose dish was most
successful. The competition and participation of the wider
campus community “creates an educational, memorable, and
interactive experience,” Stottrup said.
Members of the greater Twin Cities restaurant scene
also play an important role in the class. One requirement of
the course is that students dine at one of three well-known
Minneapolis restaurants and then write a restaurant review
describing the materials science on their plate. Afterward, one
chef from each restaurant comes to campus to participate in a
panel discussion on the creativity and lifestyle of being a chef.*
Community members participate in these panel
discussions each term, which range from local cooks revealing
the process of handcrafting the perfect scoop of
natural, organic ice cream to urban
planners explaining
4.
Cut onion into thin slices and add to shrimp. Allow
mixture to sit for 20 minutes.
5.
In the meantime, dice tomatoes and cucumbers
into small cubes and add to shrimp.
6.
Mix all ingredients well and salt to taste.
7.
Serve with chips or tostadas.
sustainable food systems to entrepreneurs from the craft beer
industry talking about the chemistry of brewing.
To wrap up the semester, the class participates in a
“Minnesota potluck,” where each student makes a dish to
share and describes the science behind it to their peers.
These engaging, communal activities make science “fun
and accessible to all students, not just science majors,”
Stottrup said. He hopes the class helps students gain a new
appreciation for science, as well as “for growing, preparing,
cooking, and simply enjoying food.”
BY CHRISTINA HALLER
Spring 2015
15
A TALE OF TWO
AUGGIES
ST. PAUL
COLLEGE EXPERIENCES SHAPE WORK
BY ALUMNI IN THE MINNESOTA
CAPITAL AND ON THE NORTH SHORE
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
As a young man growing up on Minnesota’s far western prairies
during the 1960s, Allan Torstenson ’75 felt the lure of big cities
tugging at him when he was deciding where to go to college.
He considered leaving his hometown of Dawson, Minn., for
campuses on the coasts in Berkeley, Calif., or New York City,
but it was the beehive of activity in Minneapolis and near the
Augsburg College campus that drew him in.
16
Augsburg Now
“I was watching the anti-war movement unfold on
television. People in a counter culture were fighting
construction of HUD-planned communities, including Cedar
Square West,” he said. “It was all happening on the West Bank
of Minneapolis. I wanted to be there to watch it.”
At the same time that Torstenson was responding to the pull
of Augsburg and all that its location in the heart of Minneapolis
offered students, Mark Johnson ’75 found himself similarly
drawn to Augsburg from his hometown of Two Harbors, Minn.,
on the scenic north shores of Lake Superior.
When the two young men arrived at Augsburg, they began to
explore life in the city. They were among the first to enroll in what
was a brand new interdisciplinary major, metro urban studies.
Allan Torstenson ’75
St. Paul city planner
Mark Johnson ’75
Two Harbors city planner, retired
Courtesy Photos
TWO
HARBORS
This new program would prove to build a solid foundation
for the careers of both men, equipping them to navigate
constantly changing landscapes in their careers. Torstenson’s
Augsburg College education provided the skills and knowledge
to begin work as an intern in 1981 for the City of St. Paul—
where he continues to work today as principal city planner with
responsibility for planning and zoning.
Johnson’s education allowed him to successfully return to
Two Harbors where he took a detour from city planning for more
than 20 years to run the family business before becoming the
city planner from 1999 until his retirement in 2001.
Industry changes reshape Minnesota cities
Two Harbors is the birthplace of Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing (3M) and was long shaped by the railroad
and an ore shipping port. St. Paul is the state capital and
has been home to breweries such as Hamm’s and Schmidt’s,
manufacturing such as Whirlpool and the Ford Assembly Plant,
and more.
When the dominant industries in the cities served by
Torstenson and Johnson inevitably shifted over time, the two
planners needed to interpret what those changes meant for their
communities.
Spring 2015
17
Courtesy Photo
In Two Harbors, the changes meant an opportunity to
reclaim what once were private railroad beds and begin
converting rails to trails. It also meant the opportunity to create
greater public access to the waterfront.
In St. Paul, Torstenson was faced with answering questions
about how to respond to a changing economy that has resulted
in the shuttering of multiple large businesses.
“Our big building and manufacturing companies—Ford in
Highland Park, Whirlpool on the East Side, [and] the breweries
are all gone,” Torstenson said. “Our challenge was to begin to
address the economic, structural, and job training issues left in
the wake of these closings.”
One of the problems faced by Torstenson is that the
underpinnings of earlier city planning—as it was practiced
in the United States after World War II—wasn’t flexible or
resilient, two concepts now at the forefront of civic design.
From the 1950s through the early 1980s, city planning
primarily relied upon a single-use approach that identified
different areas—or zones—for different uses. Single-family
housing was clustered in one area, and apartments and
condominiums in another area. Businesses were situated
somewhere else, and industrial areas were planned in yet another
spot. This type of planning, possible largely because of the
automobile, created what we now understand to be an expensive
form of spread-out development often called “sprawl.”
This type of segregated development can make responding
to changing markets and demands difficult.
“Cities need to think about the social and market needs of
the people who live there,” Torstenson said. “Cities also need
to be resilient in their design so that they can be sustainable
while evolving to meet changing needs.”
The more compact, high-density design used in Oslo,
Norway, after World War II (and studied by both Torstenson
and Johnson during their undergraduate study-abroad trip to
Scandinavia in 1973) now is shaping the work Torstenson
does for St. Paul. Multi-use design allows buildings to be
placed closer together and to be used in multiple ways all at
18
Augsburg Now
once. Business and light industry can be placed at street level
with housing above. It means residents of a building have a
greater likelihood of being able to walk to work and shop close
to home. In addition, these environments typically include
sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit—whether in the form
of light rail, trains, or streetcars.
“Many people want to live and work in a close, compact
area,” Torstenson said. “Mixed-use and shared-use planning
can create ways for us to change to meet the demands of a new
and creative, diverse, and collaborative economy.”
Today, Torstenson continues to work to shape a city code
that will guide
“The question always has been:
higher-density
development and How can we manage change for
redevelopment
the good of all?” –Mark Johnson
that also fosters
efficient, flexible, and mixed-form uses with multi-modal
transportation corridors—all things that are sought-after by
the Millennial Generation as well as today’s teenagers who are
putting off learning to drive in favor of public transit.
While Torstenson was working in St. Paul, Johnson was
grappling in Two Harbors with a community that at first didn’t
have a history of proactive engagement, which meant that
change had the potential to be seen as negative and foster
greater outcry.
“The question always has been: How can we manage
change for the good of all?” Johnson said. “There are always
unintended consequences of change. At the core, we have to
respect the values of the community we work with, and we have
to reflect those qualities in the work.”
Community-classroom connection
MAKES REAL-WORLD IMPACT
Shawn Thompson Photography
Two Harbors railroad depot near Lake Superior
For instance, when Two Harbors in the 1990s began
the work of creating greater public access to the waterfront
by converting old railroad beds to trails, the community
wasn’t happy.
“It seems that, in a smaller community, there can be a
lot of pushback on any type of change,” Johnson said. “North
Shore people are tough, independent. It’s just innate. We’ve
spent our lives battling Lake Superior.”
But civic engagement is one tool that local governments
such as cities and counties, no matter their location, can
use to help learn about and understand the desires of a
community.
“Community involvement is important,” Johnson said.
“My job was a chance to encourage people to reach out
beyond themselves and to seek ways to be a bridge builder of
relationships.”
Although Johnson retired from city work more than a
decade ago, he remains involved in Two Harbors through
a community fund that he helped establish and that is
used to support new projects in response to emerging and
changing needs.
Johnson said that his days as an Augsburg student
continue to influence him today and have played a role in
creating a rewarding path for someone who has been driven
to serve.
“I never saw my work at the family business or as
city planner as separate paths,” he said. “My work as an
employer, as a city planner, and as someone with an interest
in community service gave me ways to make Two Harbors a
better place.”
Community engagement is an essential part of
city planning, but how that takes shape beyond
town hall meetings and open forums varies.
City planners meet with community
members, government entities, and local and
federal agencies to gather perspective, priorities,
and input from groups before projects are
undertaken. But getting community participation
that represents the diversity of viewpoints and
priorities of any community is challenging.
The Friendly Streets Initiative in St. Paul is
an emerging model of community engagement
that aims to identify the shared needs and wants
of people directly impacted by proposed change.
It’s a model being forged by Lars Christiansen,
lead organizer of FSI and associate professor of
Augsburg’s interdisciplinary metro-urban studies
program. Christiansen, who also is chair of the
Augsburg College Sociology Department, is known
DARIUS GRAY ’15
for his teaching and scholarship focused on urban
resilience and sustainability, and public engagement.
Because of this community-classroom connection, metro-urban
studies majors such as Darius Gray ’15 have augmented classroom
experiences with hands-on learning.
“We engage [people] to give input on how they want their street to be
designed,” said Gray, who has worked as an FSI intern for the past three
years. “Basically we throw block parties and ask questions like: What if
this was on your street? How would you feel?”
FSI staff facilitates community organizing, gathers and examines
information, and helps citizens understand how local government operates.
“The model of engagement used by the Friendly Streets Initiative
invites in those who feel left out of planning processes or who believe their
input is sought for projects that are already a fait accompli,” Christiansen
said in his article, “The Friendly Streets Initiative: Bringing Community
Voices into the Planning Process.”
Christiansen writes that this groundbreaking work has unearthed
lessons for successful community engagement, including bringing
multiple voices into the mix before formal planning is underway; creating
community engagement events that are fun, family-friendly, and easy
to access; helping neighbors navigate formal city processes; and using
multiple methods to garner input.
Through their work in the classroom and out in the community, a new
generation of Augsburg College students is prepared to leave its mark on
American cities and to steward the world’s resources well into the future.
Learn more about the Friendly Streets Initiative and model used at
friendlystreetsinitiative.org.
Spring 2015
19
USING MUSIC’S POWER
TO SOOTHE AND INSPIRE
COMPILED BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
In addition to regularly composing music for Twin
Cities companies including Theater Latté Da, Stages
Theater Company, and Wonderlust, Aaron Gabriel ’99
serves as resident composer for Interact Theater.
Interact is a radically inclusive theater company
that creates new musical theater for performers with
and without disabilities, and Gabriel is committed to ensuring that
each production is shaped by and for the performers. This winter,
he took his expertise on the road—spending a month in Chiang Mai
collaborating with Interact Thailand and the children it serves.
“We’ve created many new scenes and many new songs for
The Love Show—a show about all the different ways we find love
in life … We decided to write The Love Show because one of our
performances falls on Valentine’s Day (a very popular holiday in
Thailand). The songs and stories will all deal with different kinds
of love: romantic love, love of friends and family, love of singing,
love of disabilities, love of food.”
Thematically, the show resonates with nearly all audiences,
but the cast and crew greatly anticipate one special attendee.
In July, the children will perform an excerpt of the show for
Her Majesty the Princess of Thailand, who will be visiting the
hospital that houses Interact Thailand for its grand opening, “so
it’s important,” Gabriel said, “that the songs and scenes really
showcase the stories and talents of these unique performers.”
Comments are from Gabriel’s blog chronicling his work with the Rajanagarindra Institute
of Child Development in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the hospital that houses Interact Thailand.
aarongabrielcomposer.com
20
Augsburg Now
Photo courtesy of amyandersonphotography.com
AUGGIE VOICES
#MLKConvocation @AugsburgCollege. Lovely!
Thank you @JamarEsaw for fillin’ my spirit.
And … wow, #AmaniWard is only 15! Lordy.
-Tweeted by community member Noreen Bulmann
after the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation
MUSIC MOVES US.
It makes us
smile, dance, cry,
remember. Like Augsburg alumnus Jamar Esaw ’05, whose
choral ensemble, Triad:4Christ, performed at the College this
past Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Auggies are sharing their
musical gifts with their communities and the world.
Conie Borchardt ’98 founded Grace Notes hospice
choir, a group that sings to people in hospice care
at Twin Cities nursing homes, and co-created the
Arts Responding to Foreclosure (ARF) project,
which, she says, creates a community for people
experiencing foreclosure—turning an isolating
experience into a supportive one.
Music, Borchardt says, transforms us and changes us from
the inside out. She has witnessed music’s power to unite and
soothe—both performers and audiences—during times of financial
challenge and even in a person’s final hours.
“We have been blessed with so many meaningful moments
… We sang for a gentleman who seemed at peace, though his
breathing was labored. We sang to him about journeys. Later
we would find out that he completed his earthly journey about
24-hours later.
“And then there are the stories we could tell you about
other second-hand listeners! … Some non-hospice residents
spontaneously decide to join our band of singers on rounds to the
amusement of the nursing staff. Oh, and the staff smiles we see.
Some are coy and some are gratefully enlightened for the service
we provide. It is like watching the sunrise change your mood!”
“There are times in life when I am absolutely
certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that
music, singing, movement, and dancing are
how we heal ourselves,” said Nicole Warner ’01,
an Augsburg College alumna whose major in
music performance prepared her for life as an
independent artist and professional ensemble singer.
In 2011, Warner had the opportunity to sing the Mozart
Requiem in a United We Stand concert marking the 10-year
anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Opportunities like
this one remind Warner why the joy she feels while singing
is only a small part of the performance’s real impact. It’s the
audience, she says, who are truly benefiting.
“Most of the time, I think of the beauty of the people sitting
in front of me, and I wonder at their ability to take in the music,
to restore their souls, to be filled by and to fill up with the
music,” she explained. “Time gets lost, and we all get lost in the
music together.”
Comments are from the 2011 “To Sing is to Heal” blog post regarding Warner’s
participation in the 2011 United We Stand concert. nicolewarner.com/blog
Photo courtesy of Karen Nichols Photography, knicholsphoto.com
Quotations are from the Points of Light Music blog written by Borchardt.
pointsoflightmusic.blogspot.com
Photo courtesy of Intermedia Arts
To learn more about Auggies at the intersection of
career and composition, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2015
21
PA S S I N G O N A
Augsburg College volleyball finds success
on 40th anniversary of historic season
This fall, the Augsburg College women’s volleyball team qualified for the NCAA
Division III National Tournament for the second straight year, an achievement that
marked its reemergence as a regional powerhouse.
Recent team successes—which include back-to-back co-conference
championship seasons and several All-American honors—hearken back to the
achievements of Augsburg’s earliest volleyball teams.
THE FIRST FEW YEARS
Archival Photos
Augsburg launched its varsity volleyball program in 1972 when students
Nancy Soli Mollner ’75, Marilyn Pearson Florian ’76, and Cindy Schendel ’76
walked into the office of Athletic Director Joyce Anderson Pfaff ’65 to ask about
joining Augsburg’s volleyball team. Anderson Pfaff didn’t have the heart to tell
The Augsburg College women’s volleyball team during the 1974-75 season.
22
Augsburg Now
Photos b
y John N
icholso
n
AUGGIES ON THE COURT
The Augsburg College women’s volleyball team
earned Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference regular-season co-champion honors
during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
the passionate students that there was no team at the time, so
she created one on the spot.
Augsburg’s first volleyball players proved their sport was to
become a staple in Auggie athletics, and in 1973 the College
hired star coach Mary Timm. The next year, the volleyball team
earned a perfect 8-0 record at home.
While there were 14 women on the roster during the 1974
season, six Auggies played nearly every minute of the regular
season and did, in fact, play every minute of the postseason.
The Auggies completed the regular season with a 15-4 record,
which earned them a spot in the Minnesota Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics for Women State Tournament, where
teams competed against one another regardless of their
schools’ sizes or types. After beating Concordia-St. Paul,
Bemidji State, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the
Auggies faced the No. 1 seeded University of Minnesota in the
finals. Soli—a setter and team captain—dislocated her thumb
in the first game, but adrenaline allowed her to continue to
play, ensuring that the Auggies could maintain the offensive
strategy they had in place all season.
Augsburg didn’t win the tournament, but its secondplace finish secured a bid to participate in the Association for
Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Region 6 Tournament at the
University of Nebraska. However, there was one more obstacle
to overcome: the team was ineligible to participate because of
an issue with its AIAW membership.
Anderson Pfaff was determined to remedy the issue, so
she and Soli filed a complaint with the District of Minnesota
fourth court. After the Auggies successfully argued their case,
United States District Judge Miles Lord allowed Augsburg
to participate in the regional tournament, but his ruling was
made just one day before the tournament was set to begin.
When they got the news, the Auggie crew jumped in vans and
drove all night, arriving in Lincoln, Neb., at 3 a.m. only to find
that there was no place to stay due to a Nebraska-Oklahoma
football game that weekend.
At the regional competition, the underdog Auggies ended
up playing 10 matches in only three days and earned a
fourth-place finish—the best finish for an Auggie volleyball
team until its NCAA tournament appearances in 1982,
2013, and 2014.
TODAY’S PLAYERS
Augsburg College volleyball alumnae from across the past
four decades continue to support the talented students
who take to the court in Si Melby gymnasium each fall.
Alumnae involvement ranges from cheering in the stands to
encouraging the young women as they venture out into their
careers and callings after college.
Current Head Coach Jane Becker, a two-time MIAC and
Region Coach of the Year, sees firsthand the ways that those
from the College’s past help uplift its future.
“Being a part of rebuilding the Auggie volleyball program
has truly been a remarkable experience,” Becker said. “I am
so blessed to work with such a talented group of studentathletes and to be so supported by an amazing group of
Auggie alumnae.”
BY KELLY ANDERSON DIERCKS
Spring 2015
23
U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, spoke to a
sold-out crowd at the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. He discussed the need to
protect the rights of women and girls, setting the stage for further discussion on
the last day of the Forum, which was International Women’s Day.
NOBEL PURSUITS
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND LAURA SWANSON
2015 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
This spring, the 27th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum embraced
a new, interactive approach in fulfilling its charge to inspire
peacemaking.
Even before opening its doors to audiences from March 6-8
at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Minneapolis, the Nobel Peace Prize
Forum encouraged Augsburg College community members—
and citizens across the globe—to share the ways they promote
peace in their daily lives.
In 1989, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum was founded by
five Norwegian-American colleges under the auspices of the
Norwegian Nobel Institute to inspire peacemaking by exploring
the work of Nobel Laureates and international peace builders.
According to Gina Torry, executive director of the Nobel Peace
Prize Forum, the event also has the power to change the
dialogue around peace by uplifting the important roles all people
play in fostering a more just, amiable, and nonviolent world.
Using a common theme, #peaceitforward, individuals
spanning generations and continents shared in social media how
their actions positively shape the present and the future.
The “#peaceitforward [campaign] was not just about the
prevention of conflict but the promulgation of good,” Torry said.
The campaign uplifted “the idea that you can be an ordinary
person and still do something extraordinary, which is a powerful
message that the Laureates send.”
This year’s Forum concentrated on the work of 2013 Nobel
Laureate The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
and also featured former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 2002
Nobel Laureate who presented, “A Call to Action: Women, Religion,
Violence, and Power.”
The Forum welcomed more than 1,000 attendees, known
as delegates, during its three days and invited these individuals
to join in the important work of peacemaking—a task that aligns
with Augsburg’s own identity and role in educating students to
be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders.
View #peaceitforward images, read comments, see
additional event photos, watch featured presentations,
or learn more about the Forum at augsburg.edu/now.
24
Augsburg Now
INSPIRING PEACE
1 Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro
Harlem Brundtland [at left] stops to chat with
Nobel Peace Prize Forum delegates after her
speech on human rights and democracy.
1
2 Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü [at right],
a representative of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate The Organisation for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons, speaks with Minnesota Public
Radio host Tom Crann about demilitarization and
the destruction of chemical weapons.
4
3 An ensemble of Native American women
sings on International Women’s Day to honor and
raise awareness of those Native American women
who are victims of violence.
4 The closing presenter at the Forum,
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, co-founder of the
International Civil Society Action Network, calls
for greater participation by women in global
conflict management and peace building.
2
Arvol Looking Horse, who is the 19th Generation
Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and a
spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota
nations, offers closing comments on the second
day of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, Imam Muhammad Ashafa, and Pastor James Movel Wuye
[L to R] share a laugh during their panel discussion at the Forum. Ashafa and Wuye
are featured in a 2006 film, “The Imam and the Pastor,” which is a story about
forgiveness and grass roots peace initiatives.
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow [at right] participates in the
dearworld.me portrait project by having words of peace written on his arms. Robert X.
Fogarty, founder of dearworld.me, brought his internationally renowned project to the
Forum to help participants share their messages of hope and peace.
HOST SPONSOR
LEAD ACADEMIC PARTNERS
DIALOGUE SPONSORS
PEACE BUILDERS
DELEGATE SPONSORS
THANK YOU SPONSORS
ALUMNI NEWS
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
I
was connected to Augsburg
as a student working in the
admissions office, as a resident
assistant, and even after college.
But there’s something that comes
with age, time, and distance that
really makes me appreciate the
Augsburg that I continue to be
involved with today. When I began
to connect with fellow Auggies and
eventually the Alumni Board, my connections to the College
were enriched, and they continue to grow.
Augsburg has grown, too. It’s exciting to see the ways
in which the College has become larger—not only with new
buildings and faculty, but through an energetic and engaged
commitment to the city and the community—in both programs
and leadership. Augsburg is thriving, and this growth makes
me so proud to call myself an Auggie.
In honor of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial in 2019, the
College is embracing a vision for its future that is both bold
and rooted in values that are uniquely Augsburg.
Focusing on where the College wants to be in 2019, the
Augsburg Board of Regents and President Paul C. Pribbenow
engaged the College community in creating a strategic vision
statement that includes three aspirational dimensions: the
College will educate for lives of purpose, be at the table with
our neighbors and partners, and be built for the future.
I believe my education at Augsburg prepared me for the
future. When I see what’s happening at Augsburg today—
and what’s planned—I know the College’s future is bright.
Augsburg today is a place that calls many to the table to
participate in the life of the College.
The time I first heard about the Center for Science,
Business, and Religion, I may have wondered how all these
disciplines would work together in the same space. I have
come to know that this building represents the future,
and its interdisciplinary emphasis is deeply Augsburg. It
is a demonstration of the College’s vision to work with its
community, to embrace the world, and to prepare its students
for the future.
Today’s students know Augsburg as a place where faith,
service, and learning intersect. It is a College we can be proud
of, and I know I want to help build an Augsburg that continues
to generate pride and equip graduates for the world in which
we live. The outstanding scholarship and research being done
by our faculty and students deserve to take place in a facility
whose quality and capability match their exceptional work. I
want to be a part of preparing for that future.
The interdisciplinary emphasis of the CSBR will match the
world that today’s graduates enter and will truly demonstrate
Augsburg is a sustainable and vital force for educating
future generations. As you’ll see on the inside of the back
cover of this magazine, we can all be part of building that
future for Augsburg by buying a brick that will be a part of
this important new building. Won’t you join me in helping
Augsburg build for the future?
Sincerely,
CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
HOMECOMING 2015
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
OCTOBER 5–10
augsburg.edu/homecoming
OCTOBER
Spring 2015
27
ALUMNI NEWS
IN FEBRUARY, Augsburg
wrestling alumni celebrated the
championship teams from 1975, 1985,
1995, and 2005 in the College’s
Kennedy Center with a Reunion of the 5s.
Teams from these class years exhibited
exemplary accomplishments both on
and off the mat, and their successes
represent four of Augsburg wrestling’s
record 32 MIAC Championship teams
and two of the College’s record 11 NCAA
DIII National Championship teams.
Former teammates and wrestling
alumni from all classes gathered to hear
coaches and managers Jim Moulsoff and
Tony Valek ’12, and Athletic Director Jeff
Swenson ’79 share memories and laughs
about the incredible talents from these
four wrestling classes. The crowd of
wrestling legends, families, friends, and
current Auggies cheered at the Battle of
the ’Burgs competition as Augsburg took
on longstanding rival, Wartburg College,
on the elevated stage. Despite a packed
house of enthusiastic supporters,
Wartburg took the victory.
The two teams battled for the newly
created Swens-Millboy Championship
Belt. The belt is named in honor of
Augsburg’s Jeff Swenson (nickname:
Swens) and Wartburg’s Jim Miller
Mike Fuenffinger ’15 opened this
year’s Battle of the ’Burgs match.
28
Augsburg Now
(nickname: Millboy), the head coaches
who led these teams to power. Both men
won 10 national team championships
as head coaches and now, retired from
coaching, are active in supporting their
winning wrestling programs.
The belt will travel with the previous
year’s winner to the duel each year and
will be engraved with the score and the
winning team. Scores from previous
years were engraved to mark the historic
nature of this rivalry.
As Auggies, we are proud to
celebrate the history, legacy, stories, and
success of four generations of Augsburg
College wrestling. Future Auggies can
become a part of the action with our
29th year of summer wrestling camps.
Augsburg wrestling coaching staff and
athletes supervise these camps, which
serve a variety of ages. Learn more at
augsburgwrestling.com.
ALUMNI NEWS
TORSTENSON LEGACY
lives on through gifts
Augsburg alumni shaped and inspired by Professor Emeritus
Joel Torstenson, known as the College’s “father of sociology,”
have contributed more than $180,000 to the Center for
Science, Business, and Religion to honor the legacy of the
man who greatly influenced their Auggie experience.
Torstenson, who died in 2007 at age 94, was well known
for his advocacy for civil rights and social services. His
decades-long legacy is being extended and honored through
generous gifts to name a hall for him in the new CSBR.
One alumnus central to the effort to honor Torstenson is
the Rev. Herb Chilstrom ’54, the ELCA’s first presiding bishop.
Chilstrom, who grew up in Litchfield, Minn., said being a
student in Torstenson’s class opened his eyes to justice issues
and pulled him from his comfort zone.
Then, as today, the College’s location in the city was an
asset to its faculty and students. Torstenson’s impassioned
teaching and perspective on civil rights inspired Chilstrom
years later to fight for the rights of gay and lesbian people.
“Dr. Torstenson impacted me not only during my student
years but throughout the rest of my life,” Chilstrom said.
“He taught that if you are a Christian, you need to face the
problems of the world and be out on the front lines, even if it
makes you unpopular.”
Torstenson challenged students to confront the world’s
problems by engaging directly with individuals. It seems only
fitting, then, that Augsburg’s proposed CSBR pay tribute to
Torstenson’s influence on generations of people, including the
Chilstroms and another family with deep roots in the College:
U.S. Rep. Martin Olav ’59 and Sylvia Sabo.
“Clearly, people like Joel have an impact on what you
think and who you are,” said Rep. Sabo, who spent 46 years
serving his state and country as an elected official.
Rep. Sabo’s Augsburg connection never waned. He
served on the Board of Regents from 1973 to 1984, and
daughters—Julie ’90, a former state senator, and Karin ’86—
are also Auggies.
The Sabos share enthusiasm that the CSBR will be a great
addition to campus.
“The facilities need to keep up with the quality of the
faculty,” Rep. Sabo said. Combining three disciplines in one
facility, the Sabos believe, is a unique and positive step for
the College, which has long embraced interdisciplinary and
experiential education.
The Sabos also marvel at the lifelong friendships that
evolved from Martin’s undergraduate experience, and the
couple remains close to Torstenson’s widow, Fran.
“I’m always amazed at Augsburg,” Sylvia Sabo said. “I
think so much good comes out of it, and Martin had such a
great four years there. I think its size and location give it a
specialness that a lot of colleges don’t have.”
CENTER FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION
JOEL AND FRANCES TORSTENSON CORRIDOR
This space will be provided through the generosity of
Norman ’59 and Delores Berg
Richard ’78 and Linda Bonlender
Herbert W. ’54 and E. Corinne
Chilstrom
Joel ’61 and Yvonne “Bonnie” ’62
Egertson
Harold Hansen ’52
Garry Hesser and Nancy Homans
Lowell O. Larson ’47
Steven ’64 and Rebecca ’65 Nielsen
Martin ’59 and Sylvia Lee Sabo
Allan Torstenson ’75 and Frances
Homans
Beth Torstenson ’66
Gale ’59 and Barbara Torstenson
Linnea Torstenson
Lyndon Torstenson ’78
Robert ’65 and Sylvia ’66 Torstenson
Herb and Corinne Chilstrom pledged $30,000 to kick off
the Torstenson corridor initiative.
“Giving is a lot of fun,” Rev. Chilstrom said. “We have
been blessed, and we like to share our blessings. Giving to the
CSBR means I can say ‘thank you’ to Dr. Torstenson for the
major impact he had on my life, and maybe, by example, we
can encourage others to do likewise.”
If you are interested in donating to the CSBR or honoring
Torstenson with a gift, contact Doug Scott at 612-330-1575 or
scottd@augsburg.edu.
Spring 2015
29
ALUMNI NEWS
AUGGIES CONNECT
on campus and throughout their careers
Building connections, facilitating networking opportunities, and
supporting students and graduates keeps the Alumni Board and Alumni
Relations engaged with inspiring Auggies year-round.
Thanks to those who attended the annual Alumni Board-sponsored
Auggie Networking Event, a reception that welcomed nearly 150 alumni and
more than 100 current students for an evening of networking, conversation,
career pointers, and speakers who shared their stories of finding success
after graduation. Among the speakers were Tina Nguyen ’08, small business
project analyst for U.S. Bank, and Greg Schnagl ’91, former educator and
founder, TeacherCentricity.
The event was a partnership with the Clair and Gladys Strommen
Center for Meaningful Work, which assists students in discovering their
vocation; offers career and internship tips; and helps students with
interviewing skills, resume building, and networking.
The Strommen Center also seeks to help companies recruit more
Auggies. One company with a strong connection to Augsburg alumni is
3M. In January, Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow joined
more than 100 Augsburg graduates now working at 3M for an alumni
event coordinated by Alumni Board member Holly Knutson ’03, ’07 MBA.
In addition to celebrating the amazing presence of Auggies in
the Maplewood, Minn.-based company, the event honored Nicholas
Gangestad ’86, who last summer was appointed senior vice president and
chief financial officer at 3M.
3M also is a major donor to the Center for Science, Business, and
Religion and a strong recruiting partner, hosting internships for Augsburg
students and hiring Augsburg graduates.
If you are interested in hosting an alumni gathering at your workplace, contact
Sara Schlipp-Riedel ’06, director of Alumni Relations, at 612-330-1178 or
schlipp@augsburg.edu.
More than 200 Augsburg College students and alumni attended the 2015
Auggie Networking Event.
New Volunteer and Alumni
Engagement Manager
Katie Radford ’12 joined the Augsburg Alumni and
Family Relations team in January as the new volunteer
and alumni engagement manager. In this role, she hopes
to continue to provide meaningful opportunities for
students, alumni, and friends to connect, give back, and
thrive together as Auggies.
Radford previously worked at Greater Twin Cities
United Way, helping plan and execute corporate United
Way campaigns dedicated to community outreach,
volunteerism, and community giving. She is excited to
be back at Augsburg to continue those initiatives in the
College’s community. If you are interested in volunteering,
mentoring, or serving in a volunteer leadership role, email
her at radford@augsburg.edu.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
All over campus and in corporate communities, Auggies
are connecting and sharing their insight and expertise.
There are many ways to support current students and
recent graduates as they move between classroom and
career. No matter your position—whether you’re navigating
a career change or looking to bring more Auggies into your
workplace—Augsburg programs can help.
As alumni, you are invited to share your career
expertise, interests, and life experience with Augsburg
students. One way to do this is through the mentorship
program Augsburg Builds Connections. Learn how to
get started in this program by contacting Katie Radford,
volunteer and alumni engagement manager,
at volunteer@augsburg.edu.
To learn more about helping Auggies succeed or to
take advantage of career planning services and graduate
school information, contact the Clair and Gladys
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work at 612-330-1148
or careers@augsburg.edu.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1951
John Garland lives in
St. Paul and has fond
memories of his time as sports
editor for the Echo, including the
rare time he covered a meeting of
the Augsburg Women’s Club. He
recently shared a couple of his
columns with Augsburg Now. In
his final column, he handed the
reins to Richie Howells ’52 and
paid tribute to fellow writers.
1953
Edmund Youngquist
first remembers being
drawn to Augsburg in 1945.
Augsburg’s choir put on a concert
at Calvary Lutheran Church in
Mora, Minn., and soloist Evelyn
(Amundson) Sonnack Halverson
’43 became a never-to-beforgotten memory. “At Augsburg,”
he writes, “I roomed in Memorial
Hall with Jerry Elness ’54 and
Wally Hanson ’54. An occasional
visit to our suite was from blond,
blue-eyed Herb Chilstrom ’54.”
After graduation, Youngquist
graduated from Luther Seminary
in St. Paul and was ordained in
1958. His daughter, Margaret
“Grit” Youngquist ’79, went on
to become a president of the
American Lutheran Church Luther
League. His cousin, Beverly
Gustafson, is married to Professor
Emeritus of History Donald “Gus”
Gustafson.
1956
Richard Thorud, who
lives in Bloomington,
Minn., with his wife, Darlene,
was recently named Toro’s most
prolific inventor for its first 100
years. He has 80 Toro patents
and worked for Toro for 34 years
before retiring in 2000 as a senior
principal research engineer. He
was inducted into the Minnesota
Inventors Hall of Fame in 2011
and was named a Distinguished
Alumnus at Augsburg in 2009.
1957
of the Ashford University Faculty
Senate, the governing body for
250+ full-time instructors and
more than 2,000 adjunct faculty.
1974
Kenneth D. Holmen
was named president
and CEO for CentraCare Health.
Holmen, who is a medical
doctor and has served as vice
president of physician strategies
and business development for
HealthPartners, took leadership of
CentraCare in January.
Stanley Baker was
recognized as the
Counselor Educator of the Year
by the North Carolina School
Counselor Association at its
annual conference in November.
He is employed as a professor
of counselor education at North
Carolina State University.
In the summer of 2014, Stan Nelson ’43 won a
gold medal at the Minnesota Senior Olympics,
shooting a 47 in the golf competition. In
July 2015, he will compete in the 95-99 age
group at the National Senior State Games
held in Bloomington, Minn.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
1967
Dennis Miller and his
wife, Christine, spent
the fall semester on sabbatical
at the University of Gothenburg
in Sweden. They are faculty
members at Cornell University in
Ithaca, N.Y.
1972
Rob Engelson is
completing 34 years
of full-time college/university
teaching and department chairing,
including the past 20 years at
Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.
He recently rose to become chair
Jerry Gerasimo used to take
us karate guys to at the Cedar
Theatre on the weekends. It was
lots of fun marching around inside
and outside the Student Center,
playing my bagpipes during
Augsburg College Day. I just want
to say,” he added, “that Boyd
Koehler was the very best boss a
guy could ever have. He was an
uncle, big brother, therapist, and
encourager to me, and [he] had
a wonderful dry sense of humor.
God bless you, Boyd.”
Mark S. Johnson ’75 and Allan
Torstenson ’75 shape cities and
build communities. See page 16.
1977
David Charles Friedman
has fond memories of
his stays in Urness and Mortensen
towers and the delightful people
he met during that time. He writes
that he fondly remembers “the
samurai movies that anthropology
instructor and fellow karate-ka
Neil Pauluk was a U.S. Infantry
Army officer and later used the
GI Bill to become a trial lawyer.
He legally changed the spelling of
his last name in 1978 to Paulson,
for the convenience of others,
and still goes by either last name.
He set up a scholarship in his
parents’ name at Augsburg and
started a nonprofit organization,
HelpTheVets.org. He writes that his
Augsburg education paid off.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
1967
Sue Nelson was given
the title of Community
Hero for her 10+ years of service
to the John Deere Classic. She
has worked tirelessly to support
other organizations, including the
National Education Association,
Missouri Valley – U.S. Tennis
Association, and Special Olympics.
She also has gone to Yale
University and the University of
North Carolina as Team Iowa tennis
coach for the World Games.
1970
The newly released book, “Waters Like the
Sky,” is a short adventure tale of a young
voyageur and is authored by the late Agnes Peloquin
Rajala and her daughter, Nikki Rajala (pictured),
who are direct descendants of voyageurs, explorers,
and fur traders. After Agnes passed away in October
2013, Nikki carried the legacy of the book forward,
determined to share this historical adventure with
readers. The story is steeped in the history of the
French-Canadian voyageur journeys in the early
1800s in North America. To learn more about the
book, visit nikkirajala.com. Nikki is available for
interviews and presentations at schools, meetings,
and other events.
Spring 2015
31
Pauluk runs into Ron Robinson, also in
Orlando, Fla., from time to time. “God
has blessed me more than I can imagine.
Good friends, good family, and good times.
I ran marathons in each of the 50 states in
2010 to 2012. I am director of the Orlando
Marathon each year. Look me up if you
come to Orlando, The City Beautiful!”
1978
Arvella E. Edwards had a
children’s book, “Town of
Never Never,” published in May by Xlibris,
ISBN #978-1-4931-1486-3. She is so
excited and proud.
Paula (Winchester) Palermo has moved to St.
Charles Parish, La., and continues her work
with the St. Charles Parish School System.
Donadee (Melby) Peterson and husband,
Tim ’76, will celebrate 20 years in business
in 2015. Donadee is the president of their
family company, SDG Computing, Inc.
Tim, a graduate of Luther Seminary and
an ordained pastor of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, served
two parishes full time until 1995 when
he turned bi-vocational and started the
1979
Karla (Wiese) Miller was
honored with the 2014
Minnesota Choral Director of the Year
award. She is in her 21st year as fulltime music instructor/director of choral
activities at North Hennepin Community
College in Brooklyn Park, Minn. At
Augsburg, she received a bachelor’s
degree in piano performance with a vocal
music (K-12) certification.
1980
John Edwin Carlson is a lead
chaplain at Redeemer Health
and Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis,
which provides senior housing and health
care in the spirit of Christ’s love.
1981
Carla (Isachsen) Kukkonen is
working at Allina hospice as a
medical social worker.
1989
Steven Torgerud is an assistant
professor of life sciences
at Palmer College of Chiropractic in
Davenport, Iowa, where he teaches
neuroanatomy and biomechanics courses.
His students have selected him “Teacher
of the Year” three of the past four years.
Justin Grammens ’96 presented “The Science of My Life and
Career After Augsburg” in an AugSTEM seminar. He provided
insight into current technology trends and advice on what
employers are seeking from graduates in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics fields. Grammens is a software
architect and has been a business owner for the majority of his
career. He is an engineering co-founder at Code42 Software
where he is protecting the world’s data with high-performance
hardware and easy-to-use software solutions. He enjoys family
movie nights with his wife and two children.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
family business. He has since served as
a part-time and fill-in pastor as well as
chaplain in the Minnesota National Guard.
He retired from the National Guard in
2012 after 28 years of service. Tim and
Donadee have spent one or two months
each year for the last three years in
Drammen, Norway, where Tim has worked
as a computer consultant for Conexus, a
company that reports on all aspects of the
Norwegian educational system. Their son,
Nathan, also works for the business from
Concord, Calif.
32
Augsburg Now
Courtesy of Kelly Browne
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1990
Peter Morlock began serving a
new call as pastor of Bethany
Lutheran Church and Lost Island Lutheran
Church in western Iowa in February 2014.
1991
In September, Bill Koschak
was appointed a vice president
of the global internal audit division at
General Mills. In this role, he will provide
leadership and guidance to the global
internal audit team and support the audit
committee in executing its charter.
1981
Bev Benson was elected to the
judgeship for the 4th Judicial District
of Hennepin County, Minn., in November.
Augsburg alumni supporting her campaign
included former roommate Leeann Rock ’81,
Brian Anderson ’81, Kristine Johnson ’81, Kristin
Lehmann ’08, Peggy Larkin ’09, and Benson’s
son, first-year student Robb Benson-Ernst ’18
(pictured), as well as Gaynelle (Webb) Buckland
’81, Fred Buckland ’81, Molly (Olson) Blomgren
’81, and Jim Blomgren ’81. Benson thanks her
Auggie supporters, including Martin O. ’59 and
Sylvia Sabo and professors Milda Hedblom,
Norma Noonan, and Janelle Bussert.
1993
Heidi
Staloch
is now vice president
and senior corporate
counsel, managing U.S.
Bank’s legal channel
for default accounts
nationwide. Heidi is an
active alumni volunteer,
serving as a member of
AWE–Augsburg Women
Engaged.
2010
John Ideen
has been
named executive chef
at Covenant Village
of Golden Valley,
a continuing care
retirement community
in Golden Valley, Minn.
In his new position,
Ideen will manage dayto-day food operations
for the 344-resident community, including casual
and formal dining in the residential and assisted
living, memory support, and health care settings.
He is responsible for managing and training a
kitchen staff of 65; creating innovative, healthful
menus; and managing the community’s catering
services.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1992
Terri Burnor is interning at the
Minnesota Religious Coalition for
Reproductive Choice.
2005
Charles “Rusty” Brace graduated
from Luther Seminary in May
2014. He is looking for a call somewhere in the
Twin Cities area.
Conie Borchardt ’98 transforms lives with
song. See page 20.
Bryan Ludwig ’08 is a head coach and general counsel for
the PHD Baseball Club, LLC, which was created in 2009 by
another Auggie, Brian Bambenek ’07, and two of his friends.
The idea behind PHD—which stands for pitching, hitting,
and defense—is for the coaches to share the love of baseball
with and return value to participating athletes, training young
men and giving them the tools they need to succeed on and
off the field. Learn more at phdbaseball.us.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Aaron Gabriel ’99 creates new musical theater
for performers with disabilities. See page 20.
2000
In May 2014, Ann Staton received
a master’s of English in technical
communication from Minnesota State
University Mankato. She accepted a oneyear visiting instructor appointment to teach
technical communication during the 201415 academic year at Montana Tech of the
University of Montana in Butte.
Debbie Heard, a tax managing director for
KPMG’s San Francisco office, was honored
with Silicon Valley’s 40 Under 40 award.
2001
Sarah Grans is a new director of
confirmation and youth ministry
at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in
Shoreview, Minn.
Michael Reed has taken a new position with
Robbinsdale (Minn.) Area Schools as a district
behavior coordinator and focuses on reducing
racial disproportionality in suspension rates.
Nicole Warner ’01 gets lost in the music.
See page 20.
2002
Christy Blake completed a
master’s of urban planning from
Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus in 2007.
She has been working in local government
and economic development. She resides in
Winchester, Va., in the Shenandoah Valley.
Mark and Jessica (Bjurquist) ’06 Matzek
announce the birth of their daughter, Natalie
Violet, who arrived February 9, 2014.
Dan Vogel started a new position as an inside
sales/marketing specialist at the technical and
outdoor apparel company, Storm Creek, based
in Hastings, Minn. He’s excited to pair his
passion for the outdoors and an active lifestyle
with a new, exciting professional career at this
up-and-coming organization.
Jamar Esaw ’05 inspires members of
Triad:4Christ. See page 4.
2006
Tyra (Jensen) Taylor is completing
her graduate-level internship. She
is working with elementary students needing
mental health services. She plans to graduate
in May 2015.
2007
Brett Cease began a doctoral
program in public policy and
political economy with an emphasis in
sustainable development at the University of
Texas-Dallas.
Andrew L. Johnson is a manager of franchise
recruiting and engagement at Ameriprise
Financial Services, Inc., in Cleveland.
Molly Shortall recently became engaged to
Brian Kaszuba of Brooklyn, N.Y. She is a
senior annual giving officer at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center and also serves as one
of the primary musicians for the Diocese of
Brooklyn and Queens.
2009
Amber Davis is working as
a moderator at the Zürich
International Film Festival.
Stephanie (Holman) Hubbard works as a music
therapist for St. Paul Public Schools. She is
attending St. Mary of the Woods College for a
master’s in music therapy.
2010
Sylvia Bull is studying at Princeton
Theological Seminary in Princeton,
N.J., for Master of Divinity and Master of
Arts in Christian education degrees. Her
anticipated graduation date is May 2015. She
is a candidate for ordination in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.
Gabriella Hamerlinck is a doctoral candidate
in ecology at the University of Iowa. She is an
alumna of Augsburg’s biology and mathematics
departments, as well as the McNair Scholars
and North Star STEM programs. In addition
to Hamerlinck’s academic successes at
Augsburg, she was a two-sport athlete who
participated in soccer and track.
Sara Kaiser ’08, a social worker for Rice County, Minn., has seen
first-hand the need for daily support for single moms. In addition
to helping families, she convinced the mayor of Northfield, Minn.,
to designate a month for “Teen Dating Violence Prevention and
Awareness,” and she has worked in collaboration to create a
young moms’ support group. She interned at the Northfield
Women’s Center and worked at the Crisis Pregnancy Center. She
has found her life’s calling and is pursuing a master’s of social
work from the University of Southern California.
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Spring
2014
2015
Fall 2014
17
33
37
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Michael Hamm has accepted a position
with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office in
Minnesota. He has been an officer with the
Department of Public Safety at Augsburg for
the past several years, and he will move to oncall status with DPS.
Grant Rostad is employed with Best Buy for
Business as an account manager. He also is a
licensed certified public accountant.
2011
Kate Edelen is a legislative associate
on climate and conflict for the
Friends Committee on National Legislation in
Washington, D.C. Edelen submitted a letter on
climate change to the editor of The New York
Times, which was published in October.
2012
Joseph Fahnhorst was promoted
to vice president of a payments
application at the Federal Reserve Bank of
Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Fed, with one
branch in Helena, Mont., serves six states in
the Ninth Federal Reserve District: Minnesota,
Montana, North and South Dakota, 26 counties
in northwestern Wisconsin, and the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan.
2013
Since graduating, Alex Bennett has
gotten married and had a beautiful
baby, Layla. He graduated with a degree in
music business and has accepted a position
at Mystic Lake Casino in the entertainment
department.
Kayla Johnson is in medical school at the
University of Minnesota Duluth.
Rachel Rixen graduated from the American
University of Paris with a master’s in cultural
translation.
2014
Janelle Holte has a new job as a
marketing and communications
coordinator at the University of Minnesota.
After a summer internship with Dart Transit,
which is owned and operated by Don ’53 and
Bev ’55 Oren, Mike Schumacher landed a
position as a fleet leader with Transit America.
Anne Skriba is happy to share the news that she
is employed at Bemidji State University as an
assistant women’s basketball coach.
Lani (Langanki) Hollenbeck ’77, ’11 MAN is a staff nurse in an
infant care center at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
in St. Paul. She was named 2014 Nurse of the Year by March
of Dimes Minnesota, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, and
Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine. “We do not get to rock babies all
day long,” she said of her care team. “We’re very like-minded in
focusing on the developmental needs of infants.”
From the NOW@Augsburg blog.
Visit augsburg.edu/alumni/blog to read more.
Katia Iverson celebrated two years at
Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee
Services in February 2015. She recently was
promoted to a case manager position.
Kim (Saukkola) Simmonds is an executive
director at the MonDak Heritage Center in
Sidney, Mont., and is completing a master’s
degree in public and nonprofit administration
at Metropolitan State University.
34
Augsburg Now
Through bridge program funding for research
and extra assistance, Enrico Barrozo is
preparing for a doctoral program at the
University of Georgia.
Maya Sutton has accepted a special education
teaching position for the 2014-15 school
year at Fraser Academy, a charter school in
Minneapolis.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Rebecca (Johnson) Koelln ’76, ’91 MAL
has been named director of leadership
development and senior consultant for
Learning Sciences International. LSI is a
learning and performance management
company focused on continuous improvement
at all levels of the system.
Tom Driscoll ’07 MBA was featured in the
Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the
construction industry’s “Movers and Shakers”
due to his work as partner and vice president
of business development at the Minneapolis
office of Big-D Construction.
Chris Wolf ’09 MAN recently became a nurse
manager for Ask Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Physician Assistant Kelly Kleven ’10 MPA
joined the hospitalist department at Essentia
Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth,
Minn. Kleven is certified by the National
Commission on Certification of Physician
Assistants.
Lori (Langager) Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL was
appointed to the Minnesota Amateur Sports
Commission by Gov. Mark Dayton. Since 2010,
she has been the president of the MetroNorth
Chamber of Commerce, which is the fourthlargest chamber in the Twin Cities metro area.
She lives in Blaine, Minn., with her husband
and two children.
In September, Carmen (Crockett) Williams ’12
MBA accepted a position as director of business
development at Mediaspace Solutions in
Hopkins, Minn. Carmen and her husband, John
(who works in mortgages and finance), recently
purchased a home in Burnsville, Minn.
Christine Dawson ’13 MSW was featured on
the cover of the Regions Hospital Foundation
newsletter for her outstanding work with the
HeroCare Program for veterans at Regions
Hospital. Dawson, who is herself a veteran,
coordinates services and advocates for patients
in Regions Hospital’s mental health programs.
ARE YOU AN AUGGIE IN PUBLIC SERVICE?
Whether you are serving as an elected, appointed, or volunteer official, we would
love to hear from you! Submit a Class Note, and we’ll enter you into a raffle to win
an Augsburg College swag bag to display your Auggie pride at work.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
1998
Kaydee Kirk
and Peter
Spuit welcomed Paul
Johann Spuit, who was
born May 27, 2014, and
joins 3-year-old sister,
Miriam.
2005
Ellen (Kvitek)
Saj and her
husband, Nathan, welcomed
their second child, Hazel
Christine, at home on April
26, 2014.
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 ppi
or a 1 MB 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
______________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
______________________________________________________
Street address
______________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
______________________________________________________
Home telephone
______________________________________________________
Email
2011
Korri (Yule)
Corrigan married
Joshua Corrigan on December
13 in Hoversten Chapel at
Augsburg College.
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)
2011
Jessica (Hilk)
Kociemba and
Joel Kociemba celebrated their
marriage with Auggies Amy
Opsal ’12, Katie (Christensen)
Beadell ’11, Laura (Harms) Faruq
’09, Katelyn Berens ’14, Amanda
Rueb ’09, Jamila Lee ’13, Korri
(Yule) Corrigan ’11, Colleen
Ourada ’14, Julie Jenkins ’09,
Denielle Johnson ’11, Amanda Unze, and Morgan Baumgarten ’14.
Your news:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Spring 2014
Spring 2015
17
35
In memoriam
Nellie I. (Thorud) Blake ’38,
Barron, Wis., age 98, on
October 16.
Edward M. Alberg ’50,
Minnetonka, Minn., age 87, on
September 22.
Albert S. Olson ’40, Amery, Wis.,
age 97, on November 7.
Delphine J. (Jensen) Bakke ’50,
Hendricks, Minn., age 85, on
November 30.
Maynard Bahre ’41, San
Francisco, Calif., age 97, on
January 14, 2014.
Mark C. Thorpe ’56, Kirkwood,
Mo., age 80, on October 30.
Birgit E. Birkeland ’58,
Minneapolis, age 87, on
October 23.
Elizabeth V. Koenig ’72,
Minneapolis, age 91, on
December 2.
Julia C. Blixrud ’76, Lawrence,
Kan., age 59, on October 29.
Sylvia A. (Moe) Overlund ’59,
Portland, Ore., age 90, on
October 26.
Dennis C. Callahan ’82, Grand
Rapids, Minn., age 55, on
December 22.
Louise A. (Heydenreich) Swenson
’60, Princeton, Minn., age 89,
on October 7.
Wendy J. (Miller) Johnson ’90,
Sanford, N.C., age 58, on
August 22.
Gail W. Castor ’61, Redwood
Falls, Minn., age 83, on
September 16.
Eric H. Peterson ’91,
Minneapolis, age 45, on
November 19.
George O. Johnson ’61, Pequot
Lakes, Minn., age 77, on
December 4.
Kathleen M. (McCullough) Zander
’91, ’04 MAN, Minneapolis, age
54, on October 2.
Robert M. Sletta ’51, Dayton,
N.J., age 86, on September 27.
Richard “Dick” “Pork Chops” M.
Thompson ’61, Long Lake, Minn.,
age 74, on September 11.
Sarah (Christiansen) Schuck ’95,
Hager City, Wis., age 64, on
November 29.
Dayel M. Olson ’44, Storden,
Minn., age 87, on October 11.
Warren C. Nelson ’52, Buffalo,
Minn., age 86, on July 7.
Richard L. Strand ’66, Mayville,
N.D., age 70, on December 1.
Peter A. Lokkesmoe ’47, Elgin,
Ill., age 90, on March 20.
Elwood Nestvold ’52, Houston,
Texas, age 81, on January 11,
2014.
Dale L. Strom ’66, Venice, Fla.,
age 71, on October 24.
Sandra “Sandy” S. (Hawley)
Hamann ’00, Fredericksburg,
Iowa, age 58, on October 23.
Mildred I. (Krinke) Sandel ’42,
North Mankato, Minn., age 94,
on September 9.
John R. Bergeron ’43, Detroit
Lakes, Minn., age 93, on
October 12.
Floyd J. G. Rodmyre ’43, Eden
Prairie, Minn., age 92, on
September 17.
Verona A. (Woyke) Blasing ’44,
Mankato, Minn., age 89, on
October 7.
Christine M. (Westman) Behrend
’48, Manistique, Mich., age 88,
on October 29.
Rona B. (Quanbeck) Emerson
’48, Kenyon, Minn., age 90, on
November 1.
Anna M. (Strand) Olson ’49,
Amery, Wis., age 88, on
September 10.
36
Augsburg Now
LaVerne “Lu” A. (Gothe)
Engelstad ’50, Moorhead,
Minn., age 86, on October 16.
Sylvia R. (Kleven) Hanson ’50,
Big Lake, Minn., age 86, on
November 7.
Ann B. (Spencer) Zaudtke ’50,
Meadows Place, Texas, age 86,
on October 5.
Luella (Neumann) Hanson ’51,
Phoenix, Ariz., age 90, on
August 15.
Orville B. Walters ’52,
Minnetonka, Minn., age 89, on
November 29.
Marlys P. (Stock) Giese ’53,
Morris, Minn., age 83, on
September 15.
Wayne G. Steinbrecker ’55,
Princeton, Minn., age 82, on
November 2.
Paul W. Frank ’69, Brooklyn
Park, Minn., age 66, on
September 18.
Jeffrey T. Kosse ’70,
Minneapolis, age 67, on
September 16.
Arnold “Bud” M. Rader ’71,
Minneapolis, age 69, on
December 23.
Nancy J. Mohs ’08, Lakeville,
Minn., age 46, on October 30.
Professor Emeritus Henry
Follingstad, Arden Hills, Minn.,
age 92, on October 1.
The “In memoriam” listings in this
publication include notifications
received before January 10.
THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE,
BUSINESS, AND RELIGION
HELP BUILD A SOLID
FOUNDATION FOR
FUTURE AUGGIES
Read about the $10 million gift to name
the new building on the inside front cover.
Briana Alamilla ’17
Marketing major
Buy a Brick. Build a Legacy.
A
ugsburg College invites you to join your fellow alumni and participate
in the Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy program. When you buy a brick, you
are doing your part to help make Augsburg’s newest academic building, the
Center for Science, Business, and Religion, a reality.
The CSBR will replace the existing 60-year-old Science Hall and
bring together academic disciplines that reflect our commitment to
interdisciplinary education and academic excellence.
WITH YOUR DONATION:
• 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 CSBR,
creating a lasting legacy for the future of Augsburg.
• You will receive official recognition of your participation.
Foundation Brick
(40 characters, 3 lines) = $250
Legacy Brick
(80 characters, 6 lines) = $500
Your support will help educate and inspire
students for generations to come.
START BUILDING TODAY
augsburg.edu/csbr
For more information, call 612-330-1085.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Bill Nye wows audience at Augsburg College
Bill Nye “The Science Guy” captivated 1,800 guests at a sold-out, on-campus presentation during Augsburg’s Scholarship Weekend,
a time when high school seniors visit the College to vie for highly competitive scholarships. During his address, “How Science Can
Save the World,” Nye spoke about planetary science, climate change, environmental awareness, and more. Nye took a “selfie” with
the delighted crowd, which included 650 high school students from 12 states.
Show less
Finding meaning in work
Auggies on the job
The future of history
CSBR gains momentum
Auggies on the soccer field
WE ARE CALLED
TO INSPIRE
PEACE
SPRING 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 2
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Dire... Show more
Finding meaning in work
Auggies on the job
The future of history
CSBR gains momentum
Auggies on the soccer field
WE ARE CALLED
TO INSPIRE
PEACE
SPRING 2014 | VOL. 76, NO. 2
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
Reflective practice
As I write, I am on my way back to Minneapolis
after spending meaningful time at our Center for
Global Education campus in Cuernavaca, Mexico,
and my mind and heart are full with what I
learned and experienced alongside our students.
For more than 30 years, students who travel
to our campus in Mexico have been offered
remarkable experiences engaging local residents
in their various realities. In my short stay, I saw
this work on the ground as I was able to visit
local host families who share their homes with
our students for several weeks; an indigenous
village, where our students face the realities
of poverty and personal struggle; and a clothing assembly plant, made possible by the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), creating opportunities for economic progress and at
the same time challenging our sense of economic
well-being for workers.
This is education “off the main road,”
which I first described in 2011 (see augsburg.
edu/now/archives/summer-2011), an education
that promotes what Massachusetts Institute
of Technology professor Donald Schön called
“reflective practice,” the dynamic relationship
between learning and experience that is at the
heart of Augsburg’s academic mission.
This vision of education challenges us to
see that our various experiences are inextricably
linked with our reflection and learning. When
we see poverty, what questions do we ask, what
do we feel, what will we do? When we experience injustice, what are the causes and what
options are available for our response? When we
are jarred out of our normal perspectives, what
will we see and do? This integrated link between
experience and learning defines reflective
practice.
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate
This issue of Augsburg Now illustrates in
myriad ways how this commitment to reflective
practice is at the heart of an Augsburg education.
The interviews with alumni in “Finding
meaning in work” advise students to be able to
reflect upon and explain their choices (in college
activities, academic major, and career moves) as
they equip themselves for the workplace.
The story on Augsburg’s women’s soccer
team tells how the student-athletes chose to go
to Nicaragua to combine community engagement
and learning with their soccer games. They partnered with the Center for Global Education (perhaps the first Auggie team to do so), and had the
full “off the main road” educational experience.
And on and on. In the stories that follow, we
celebrate our relationships with the Mdewakanton
Sioux community, with some of the leading business people in the Twin Cities, with our Somali
neighbors in Cedar-Riverside, and even with His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who came to
campus as part of the 26th annual Nobel Peace
Prize Forum. These stories powerfully illustrate
Augsburg’s diversity, hospitality, and embrace of
“the other”—all of which point to a college community dedicated to equipping our students for
lives of meaning and purpose in the world.
Reflection and practice—small to our
students and big for the world. Our vision for
Augsburg in the 21st century. We welcome your
support and engagement in the important work
before us.
Denielle Johnson ’11
johnsod@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
Graphic Design
Jen Nagorski ’08
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.
Faithfully yours,
ISSN 1058-1545
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services, CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
Email: now@augsburg.edu
Hennepin County Library Special Collections
Archive photo
7
24
11
21
spring 2014
AUGSBURG NOW
Features
07
11
21
32
Finding meaning in work
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
The future of history
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
2014 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
BY LAURA SWANSON
Losar: Celebration of
Tibetan New Year
Departments
inside
front
cover
Notes from President Pribbenow
02 Around the Quad
16 My Auggie experience
18 It takes an Auggie
19 Auggie voices
24 Auggies on the field
26 Alumni news
16
On the cover
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama blessed Augsburg College student Tenzin Yeshi
Paichang ’16 during a keynote event at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum (NPPF),
held March 1 and 7-9 in Minneapolis. When he was two years old, Paichang was
cast as the Dalai Lama in Martin Scorsese’s movie, Kundun. At the NPPF, Paichang
added a new role to his résumé—that of the Dalai Lama’s student attaché.
Read more about the NPPF on page 21.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
19
29 Alumni class notes
31 In memoriam
Designed by Laura Humes
AROUND THE QUAD
AUGSBURG IS A TOP PRODUCER
OF U.S. FULBRIGHT STUDENTS
This past fall, the U.S. Department of State recognized Augsburg College
for being among the top colleges and universities for producing Fulbright
students. The College, ranked No. 11 among master’s institutions, has had
17 Fulbright students since 2007. The Chronicle of Higher Education also
recognized the College in 2010-11 for being a top producer of Fulbrights.
Augsburg earns perfect score
Two Auggies were recognized for outstanding work as filmmakers at the 2013 Student
Film Festival hosted in November by the
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities
(ACTC) at the Main Theatre in Minneapolis.
•
Chessdogs, an experimental film by Nial
Nelson-Hopkins ’14, won the award for
Best Experiential Film. Watch the film at
chessdogs.com.
•
Black Sun, Red Sky by J.C. Calubayan ’14
won the Best Dramatic Narrative award.
See the film at vimeo.com/71923072.
on Campus Pride Index
Augsburg College recently scored a
perfect 5 out of 5 stars on Campus Pride’s
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index. This
tool assesses colleges and universities
across the United States on a number
of variables, including policy inclusion,
housing, campus safety, counseling,
support and institutional commitment,
academic life, student life, and recruitment and retention. Campuses that
receive the highest score are considered
“leader(s) for LGBT-inclusive policies,
programs, and practices.”
More than 150 people attended the
film fest screenings. The Student Film
Festival celebrates ACTC students’ digital
storytelling.
More than 160 students from throughout the Twin
Cities’ metro area participated in Augsburg’s third
Native American Youth Day held in January. The students
from grades 6-12 learned how post-secondary education
can influence their futures, got a feel for what college
is like, and were able to interact with current American
Indian college students.
2
Augsburg Now
Courtesy photo
Native American YOUTH DAY
Shakopee Mdewakanton scholarship
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)
recently contributed $250,000 to increase endowed scholarships for American Indian students at Augsburg College.
This grant funding will be added to the existing SMSC
endowment fund, which was established in the mid-1990s.
The scholarship is utilized to recruit and retain talented
American Indian students who are enrolled or are eligible
for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or are identified as American Indian by the Indian Education Act.
Bonnie Wallace
“On behalf of all those involved with our request to the
SMSC, we are absolutely thrilled and extremely appreciative of this most generous
gift. The SMSC, once again, serves as a shining example of its ongoing commitment
in the area of ‘cradle to career’ educational opportunities in our native communities, and in our case, [of providing] scholarship support to American Indian students
seeking degree completion at Augsburg College,” said Bonnie Wallace, enrolled
member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and member of the
Augsburg Board of Regents.
IME Becas scholarships
from Mexican consulate
Augsburg College was one of seven
Minnesota colleges and universities to
receive a grant from Consul Alberto Fierro
Garza, Consulate of Mexico in St. Paul. Garza
presented grants from the Instituto de los
Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME—Institute for
Mexicans Abroad) Fellowship Program to colleges and universities in Minnesota to benefit
Mexican or Mexican-American students. The
presentation took place during a ceremony
hosted by Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities (MnSCU) following the October
meeting of the Board of Trustees. A total of
$55,000 in scholarships was presented at
the ceremony, placing Minnesota among the
top states nationally for the amount received
from this competitive grant. The colleges
and universities will match the awards for a
total impact of $110,000.
THE CEDAR, AUGSBURG RECEIVE GRANT
A grant awarded to The Cedar Cultural Center and Augsburg
College will support a program to build cross-cultural
awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Somali culture through
music. One of only six grants of its type in the nation, the $200,000 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.
The grant will be used to launch a 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
focused on Somali music.
Spring 2014
3
AROUND THE QUAD
SPORTS EXTRAVAGANZA
SABO CENTER
for Citizenship and
2013
Learning
The November Martin Olav Sabo Symposium focused on creating
policy change and featured three panelists who spoke about
their experience working on climate change, the Minnesota
Dream Act, and marriage equality.
Speakers included Kate Knuth, Boreas Leadership Program
Coordinator at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on
the Environment and a citizen member of the Minnesota
Environmental Quality Board; Juventino Meza ’11, a founding member of NAVIGATE, a network of immigrant youth and
allies seeking to widen the path to higher education for young
people; and Sen. Scott Dibble, a third-term state senator.
Sports Extravaganza was founded in 1999 and continues to be an annual College tradition because of the
benefits it provides for Twin Cities area children, and
Augsburg health and physical education (HPE) and
exercise science students.
In mid-November, more than 200 Minnesota students
in grades 3-6 took part in the event, in which participants played adapted games and completed physical
education activities. The event is an opportunity for
Augsburg students to problem solve, use encouraging
messages and motivation techniques, and increase
their adeptness at instructing children with disibilities.
Kate Knuth
Juventino Meza ’11
Sen. Scott Dibble
STROMMEN SPEAKERS SERIES
The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Speakers Series at Augsburg
College, which brings local business leaders to campus to share insights
and expertise, kicked off in November with John Taft, CEO at RBC Wealth
Management, and his presentation on “Stewardship: Lessons Learned
from the Lost Culture of Wall Street.” He made a compelling argument
that Wall Street leaders and institutions experienced a failure to fulfill
their stewardship responsibilities by putting their own interests before the
interests of the constituencies they serve.
John Taft
The series continued in February with Dave St. Peter, president of the Minnesota Twins. St. Peter,
who joined the Twins in 1990 and was named president in 2002, talked about the baseball
industry in his presentation, “The Business of Baseball.” St. Peter oversees the Twins’ day-to-day
operations, strategic planning, and interaction with Major League Baseball.
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Augsburg Now
Dave St. Peter
CONVOCATION SERIES 2013-14
HEAD COACH
DENNIS
BARKER
RETIRES
First held in 1990, the Augsburg College Convocation
Series is an annual speaker series that incorporates longstanding endowed and special programs. This winter, the
26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation honored one
of the United States’ visionary civil rights leaders with song.
T. Mychael Rambo and Brian Grandison hosted the event,
“Music for Martin.”
In February, the Batalden Seminar
in Applied Ethics featured Sister
Peggy O’Neill, president and director of Centro Arte para la Paz in
Suchitoto, El Salvador. Her presentation was titled, “Awakening
to the Reality of a Crucified World:
Discovering What It Means to Be
Human.”
Augsburg College men’s and women’s track and field
and cross-country head coach Dennis Barker resigned
his coaching positions after the fall season. Barker had
served as coach for both sports for the past 20 seasons.
Barker coached 59 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (MIAC) event champions and 147 All-MIAC
and 126 All-MIAC Honorable Mention honorees, and
his teams earned several U.S. Track and Field and
Cross Country Coaches Association Team Academic
Awards, among others.
Photo by Caleb Williams
The Sverdrup Visiting Scientist
Lecture in April featured Bonnie
L. Bassler, professor in molecular
biology at Princeton University,
whose presentations included
“Tiny Conspiracies: Cell-to-Cell
Communication in Bacteria” and
“Manipulating Quorum Sensing to
Control Bacterial Pathogenicity.”
The annual Sverdrup Visiting
Scientist Lecture series brings renowned scientists to campus to share their expertise with the Augsburg community,
the College’s aspiring scientists, and members of the larger
scientific community.
To find out more about the Augsburg Convocation series,
go to augsburg.edu/convo.
Spring 2014
5
AROUND THE QUAD
BOOK PROCEEDS to benefit Augsburg College
Book describes Augsburg professor’s
heritage as Norwegian immigrant
Profits from lost manuscript
designated for CSBR
Author Phillip Formo’s new
book, Papa: A Life Remembered,
describes the experiences of his
grandfather, Andreas Helland, a
Norwegian immigrant and a longtime Augsburg College professor.
In the book, Formo shares memories and insights about Helland’s
teaching and commitment to the
Church. Proceeds from the sale
of the book will go to an Augsburg student
scholarship in Helland’s memory.
The family of Erwin Mickelberg
is donating all profits from
his lost manuscript, It’s About
the Ripples, to the Center
for Science, Business, and
Religion. The book breaks down
1 Corinthians 13, line by line,
giving meaning and scope to
the well-loved passage.
A NEW PATH
TO DEGREE
COMPLETION
New bachelor’s
degree program for
working professionals
augsburg.edu/pro
Augsburg is rolling out a new, evening bachelor’s degree program for working professionals beginning
fall 2014. It will be offered in a flexible, hybrid-learning format, combining traditional weeknight
classes with convenient online components on an alternating, every-other-week schedule.
The new degree program format is designed to help working professionals complete their major in as
little as two to three years. With small classes of working professionals, students will be able to learn
from and with professors and classmates.
The program includes degrees in high demand among working adults—including business, communications studies, education, nursing, and psychology. More information about available majors,
tuition, and financial aid is available at augsburg.edu/pro.
6
Augsburg Now
Finding
MEANING
In Work
BY STEPHANIE WEISS
The value of a college education is greater
than it’s been in nearly 50 years. This is
the key finding of a 2014 Pew Research
Center study, which showed a wider earnings gap between college-educated and
less educated people ages 25-32 compared with those in the same age bracket
in previous generations dating back to
1965. The report, “The Rising Cost of Not
Going to College,” found that individuals
ages 25-32 who hold a bachelor’s degree
and work full time make $17,500 per year
more than working adults in that age range
who have only a high school diploma. This
disparity, the report states, “has never
been greater in the modern era.”
But life after college is about more
than just getting a job to earn a paycheck.
And that’s where Pew’s research provides
even further evidence of the value of a
college education: According to the study,
recent college graduates are more satisfied
with their jobs and are more likely than
those with a high school degree or less to
see themselves on a career path, rather
than simply working at a job to make ends
meet.
So what can Augsburg families do to
make the most of college and to ensure
that the investment in education pays off
over time and helps pave the way from
early jobs to a rewarding career?
On the next page, you’ll meet four
alumni who work in human resources
management and with whom we spoke
about finding meaning in work. The group
provided tips and insight into how Auggies
can improve job search outcomes, intentionally build their careers, and seek ways
to use their gifts and talents in a meaningful manner in the world. See their advice
on pages 9 and 10.
AUGGIE NETWORKING EVENT
[L to R]: Rick Bonlender ‘78, of the
Augsburg Alumni Board, talks with Michelle
Grafelman ‘14 and Donny Hunter ‘03 at an
Auggie networking event.
7
MEET THE EXPERTS
LARRY MORGAN ’76
President, Orion HR Group, LLC
Studied: communication/mass communication and
political science, minor in psychology; also holds a
master’s of arts in industrial relations from the University
of Minnesota
What makes work rewarding: “Helping clients solve
human resource-related challenges such as hiring and
dealing with difficult employees; designing compensation
programs; and getting thanked by top executives for
resolving problems.”
Augsburg College Regent
LISA NOVOTNY ’80
Vice President, Human Resources,
General Mills Inc.
Studied: social work and Spanish; also holds master’s
of arts in industrial relations from the University of
Minnesota
What I learned from a liberal arts education: “The liberal
arts taught me to think beyond what was in front of
me. It helped me find linkages to other coursework and
the world, and to other systems. Grad school taught
me about my discipline. Augsburg taught me to think
of all the factors that impact someone and the role of
the organization as something that can play a role in
impacting the person.”
MARCIA WRIGHT ’89
PAUL RENSTED ’87
Director of Human Resources, City
of Annapolis, Md.
Studied: international relations and East Asian studies,
minor in history
What I learned from a liberal arts education: “The liberal
arts will make you well-rounded by allowing you to have
a major focus area and to build around that. A liberal
arts education teaches people how to think, write,
communicate effectively, and relate to others. These are
critical skills to succeed in the work world. They also are
critical to succeed in life.”
8
Augsburg Now
Global Human Resources
Consultant and Human Resources
Manager, Toshiba Global
Commerce Solutions, Inc.
Studied: psychology and business administration; also
holds a master’s of arts in industrial relations from the
University of Minnesota
What makes work rewarding: “I get excited about making
a difference—whether by driving business results or
creating a positive experience for an employee. I enjoy
creating programs and a work environment that optimizes
our human capital.”
FINDING MEANING IN WORK
These four human resources professionals stressed that the starting point for Auggies is to take advantage of the rich
opportunities that Augsburg College has to offer. Getting involved in student activity groups, attending networking and career
events, having an internship, and more, will give Auggies a jumpstart on the skills, experience, and networks needed to land a
job and grow a career. The group stressed the need for Auggies to:
DO AT LEAST ONE INTERNSHIP
Students should seek at least one hands-on learning
opportunity while at Augsburg. Larry Morgan said that
internships offer a way to practice what you are learning in the
classroom and to identify skills that interest you and at which
you excel. Internships are a way to explore where your gifts
intersect with the needs of the world.
BE MINDFUL OF ALL THE WAYS YOU COMMUNICATE
Be aware of the many manners in which you communicate.
“At least 40 percent of employers check social media during
the background check,” Morgan said. “Many people are
screened out based upon inappropriate social media [posts],
and many also are screened out based upon inappropriate
email addresses and voice mail messages.” But not all uses
of communication tools need to cause anxiety. Morgan said
that for people who are seeking jobs in the visual arts, such
as in graphic design, creating an online website and portfolio
to showcase work is a good way to raise your profile and
professional reputation.
PARTICIPATE WITH A PURPOSE
Join student organizations, community groups, and professional organizations. Being involved provides opportunities to
build leadership skills and a network of peers. Marcia Wright
said these groups also provide students the chance to develop
a reputation for doing excellent work and for showing a willingness to embrace challenges. It’s important to know what
you hope to get out of a group, she said, and to be able to tell
potential employers about the influence you made and results
you drove.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
While getting involved in student groups and professional
organizations is an important component of building a face-toface network, it’s also important to take advantage of campus
networking events. Morgan said these events offer an easy
way to take advantage of the interest that alumni have in
students and in staying connected to the College. Face-to-face
networking also can be a starting point for building an online
network on LinkedIn.
CUSTOMIZE COVER LETTERS AND RÉSUMÉS,
RESEARCH COMPANIES
Human resources professionals spend only 15 to 30 seconds
scanning a résumé for an initial screening. Morgan said to
help ensure your résumé is sorted into the “closer look”
pile, it’s critical that your résumé be spotless, that it share
achievements via metrics—it should “show how you made a
difference, not tell them your qualifications.”
“Show how you made a difference, not tell
– LARRY MORGAN
them your qualifications.”
Cover letters and résumés should be tailored to each job and
should highlight the areas in your skills and experience that
dovetail with the job for which you are applying.
MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY JOB YOU HOLD
It’s not uncommon at some point to hold a position that is
not ideal. However, as Paul Rensted pointed out, all jobs offer
opportunities. “Always strive to learn everything you can in
any job you hold,” he said. “Work toward self-learning and
skill growth because you get to take those skills with you. Do
the same with relationships because you never know where
your next job will be or who will help you get there.”
STRATEGICALLY NAVIGATE FROM ONE JOB TO THE NEXT
“By moving around in one company or strategically moving to
different companies, you can start to focus on building your
depth of expertise and interpersonal and technical skills,”
Wright said. “Be sure to ask yourself before you start a job
what it is that you want to get from it.”
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CAREER
“We all spend a lot of time at work. We need to try to enjoy
that time—or change it if we don’t,” Rensted said.
Spring 2014
9
FINDING MEANING IN WORK
Augsburg College Regent Lisa Novotny agreed with
her colleagues and added another level of insight into how
Auggies can create meaning in work. She said that Auggies
not only need to be taking advantage of the city as an
extension of the classroom and more, they also should be able
to articulate choices and decisions to potential employers.
“If students don’t pay attention to where they are putting
their energy, they will not be prepared to explain or represent
what they did,” Novotny said. “We [hiring managers and HR
professionals] don’t necessarily want to hear that a student
never deviated from a path or that they never looked back. We
want to hear why and how students made their choices and
decisions.”
“If students don’t pay attention to where they are
putting their energy, they will not be prepared to
explain or represent what they did.” – LISA NOVOTNY
Early in their work lives, Auggies should be prepared to
explain to potential employers why they took courses beyond
their major or minor, how they spent their summers, what
types of internships they sought, and what fuels their passion,
she said. This type of deep questioning helps employers learn
how a person thinks and whether they will be a good fit at an
organization.
In her work for one of the largest food companies in the
world, Novotny said she asks probing questions to determine
whether people are curious, authentic, and able to explain
how they may have served as a leader even when they weren’t
in obvious positions of leadership.
But not every employer will ask deep questions or ask
for thoughtful explanations, and that, itself, could serve as a
warning sign to job candidates.
“Organizations that don’t poke and prod, but that look
10
Augsburg Now
only for certain coursework and a specific major, may be
looking just to fill a job rather than help someone build a
career of meaning and differentiating contributions,” she said.
Novotny also stressed the importance of reflection after a
person has landed a job. “You need to pause and ask yourself
why you are doing something, what you are learning, what you
are contributing to the organization and the world. But you
also have to ask what it—the work—is doing for you and how
it is changing you.”
This diligence will help signal whether and when it is time
to seek change.
“Pay attention to your energy level and when and why
and how it is high at work. Do the same when it is low. Ask
yourself what is behind that,” Novotny said.
While being intentional is critical to building toward
and finding meaningful work, it’s not always the case that a
vocation, or call, is apparent right away.
“Sometimes meaning doesn’t come until we are ‘doing,’”
Novotny said.
“We need to learn what we don’t know and let some stuff
be uncovered over time. Be patient while you uncover what
leaves you high and low, but don’t be passive. Passive is really
close to indifferent. Indifferent is close to apathy. Apathy is a
hair’s breadth from disengaged. It’s hard to come back from
disengaged,” she said.
In the end, Novotny said, “you will find meaningful work
and make meaningful contributions when what you are really
good at lines up with where your skills are, what you are
passionate about, and what the organization needs. Careers
are 40 years or longer for a reason. They are just like life, they
are a journey.”
The Historyapolis Project
The Future of History
BY REBECCA JOHN ’13 MBA
When professional historian Kirsten Delegard published her book in 2012—her first publication where
she was the sole author—she sold 300 copies. “And
that includes sales to my parents, in-laws, and large
extended family,” she said.
After nearly a decade of research, writing, and editing, her total proceeds were $96. Of course Delegard,
who currently serves as a scholar-in-residence in the
Augsburg College History Department, asserts that she
hadn’t done the work of publishing the book to make
money.
“I published it to share my ideas—to tell a story
about the past that few people knew.”
Delegard’s book, Battling Miss Bolsheviki, describes
the emergence of conservative women political activists in the United States after women won the right to
vote in 1920. It was published by one of the leading university presses in the United States and was
reviewed favorably by the largest professional journals
in Delegard’s field. “It addresses an important and even
provocative topic,” Delegard said, “something that
should be interesting to lots of people—particularly
in a state that includes political figures like Michele
Bachmann.
“But only a few people will ever pick up this book,”
she said. And, so, it is not likely to “shift popular
understandings of politically conservative women or
women’s politics.”
It was this lack of impact—not the lack of monetary
reward—that caused Delegard to become disillusioned
with the conventional approach to scholarly publishing in her profession. Our system squanders precious
cultural resources, she said, by encouraging “our most
highly trained interpreters [of history] to write things
that no one reads.”
History that does work in the world
Instead, Delegard wanted to write history in ways that
challenge people to rethink their perceptions and that
give them new context to help them make sense of the
world.
She said she felt drawn to respond to the words
American Historical Association president Carl Becker
used in his 1931 annual address. Becker called on
scholars to do “history that does work in the world, the
history that influences the course of history,” instead of
the history “that lies inert in unread books.”
The question Delegard then faced was: How?
Photo from the Library of Congress
Spring 2014
11
“How do humanities scholars reach the people who
want to hear their insights? How do they speak to broader
publics?” she asked.
Delegard responded to these questions by upending academic conventions and launching a history
project that is digital first and “old media” second.
The Historyapolis Project, as she has named it, focuses
on producing a comprehensive history of the city of
Minneapolis that adheres to high-quality scholarly standards and, at the same time, is accessible to the broadest
possible audience.
Bringing the story of a city to life
Today, the Historyapolis Project is a multi-platform,
historic storytelling endeavor, spanning Facebook and
Twitter as well as the newly launched Historyapolis.com
website. Delegard also has developed a research plan for
the project as well as an outline for a narrative history of
Minneapolis, which will be published by the University of
Minnesota Press.
A year before launching the Historyapolis Project,
Delegard, a third-generation Minneapolis native, met with
a wide range of community stakeholders. She spoke with
representatives from museums, higher education institutions, historical archives, and policymaking and arts
organizations about the need for a “usable” history of the
city. “In all of these places, I heard the same thing—that
the citizens of our state are hungry for complex stories
about the past, for narratives that will help them understand how Minneapolis became the wonderful, complex,
and contradictory place that it is today.”
The last overview of Minneapolis’ history was written in 1940, Delegard said. That project, Minneapolis:
The Story of a City, was a 94-page volume compiled
by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education and
the then-Minneapolis Board of Education. Since then,
many aspects of the city’s history have been covered in
various publications, she said, but “in the largest city in
our state, we do not have a central clearinghouse where
people can go to find a full story of our past.”
12
10
Augsburg Now
Engaging Minneapolis
So, the Historyapolis Project was launched—first on
Facebook—in April 2013. Delegard’s decision to undertake this work using digital tools was definitely a step
outside the comfort zone of a self-proclaimed “digital
convert” (as opposed to a “digital native”). But, Delegard
explained, “by making [my work] available to anyone on
the internet, I could reach a broader community and find
the audience I was seeking—an audience interested in
serious and accessible historical work that would bridge
the gap between the academic domain and the larger
world.”
Today, Delegard posts on the Historyapolis Facebook
page five days a week. Each post has an image accompanied by roughly 300 words that explain the significance
of the image. “I try to challenge pre-conceived ideas
about the city’s past. I present primary sources that are
meant to engage readers and to catalyze conversations
about difficult episodes” in Minneapolis’ history.
One of the most widely read and shared Historyapolis
posts was on January 1 this year, when Delegard posted
an archival image and brief history of the building at
512-516 Cedar Avenue, which was destroyed in a tragic
New Year’s Day explosion and fire that killed three
people, and injured and displaced many others. (See a
reproduction of the post on page 14.)
Other examples of Historyapolis topics that have
generated audience response and interaction range from
a 1954 burning of a trolley car to celebrate the end of
the city’s streetcar operations to a post about the beginning of desegregation in the Minneapolis schools in 1971
to various historic maps, which Delegard posts on “Map
Mondays.”
Because of the social nature of platforms like
Facebook, Delegard’s readers not only can provide feedback about the posts that interest them, they also often
share additional historical information about the topic
and even engage with each other in dialogue or debate on
various subjects.
It’s the interactive aspect of digital media that
Delegard finds most valuable. “It took me almost 18
months to get the reviews when I was publishing Battling
Miss Bolsheviki,” she said. “On the Historyapolis
Facebook page, I get instant and thoughtful feedback
from a diverse range of readers. Almost every day these
citizen researchers teach me something I didn’t know
about the city. They direct me to new sources. They
inspire me with their suggestions for new work and their
enthusiasm for the material.”
As evidence of that enthusiasm, the Historyapolis
audience has grown steadily during the past year, reaching a weekly audience of nearly 3,000 by the end of
February—“almost ten times as many as the total sales of
my book,” Delegard noted.
Historyapolis at Augsburg College
The project also is gaining attention and support
beyond its immediate online readership. In January, the
Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) awarded an $82,000
Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage grant to the History
Department at Augsburg College for the Historyapolis
Project—the first time that an academic department of
history has received funding from the Arts and Cultural
Heritage program for such a project. The grant supports
engaging students in the research process and, according
to an MHS news release, creates a “central hub for the
interpretation of Minneapolis history and an innovative
model for urban collegiate history departments.”
“The awarding of this grant establishes Augsburg
as a center for the study of Minneapolis’ past, one in
which the broader public will play a powerful role,” said
Michael Lansing, associate professor and chair of the
Augsburg History Department. It builds on the History
Department’s long-term commitment to the public work
of history and to expanding its role in the discipline
of “public history”—a discipline that comprises the
many and diverse ways in which history is applied to
real-world issues. According to the National Council on
Public History, public history is practiced by “historical consultants, museum professionals, government
historians, archivists, oral historians, cultural resource
managers, curators, film and media producers, historical
interpreters, historic preservationists, policy advisers,
local historians, and community activists, among many,
many other job descriptions.”
As part of its commitment to history education at
every level, the Augsburg History Department has, for
years, hosted Minnesota History Day, which is one of
12 National History Day venues and provides more than
30,000 Minnesota social studies students in grades 6-12
with the chance to be actual historians. Augsburg is also
home to the ACTC Museum Fellows Program, a semesterlong course taught by MHS historians and available to
students from any of the five Associated Colleges of the
Twin Cities (ACTC) institutions.
Bringing the Historyapolis Project to Augsburg,
Lansing said, extends this commitment into the digital
arena, incorporating tools and skills that are increasingly
critical for the practice of public history. The first year of
the project at Augsburg is focused on research and, this
spring, Delegard has engaged several Augsburg students,
funded through April by the MHS grant, in conducting
research that will lay the foundation for specific digital
projects in the future—including projects that may serve
as the foundation for future grant applications, Lansing
said.
“This transformational research project creates an
incredible immersion experience for students,” Lansing
said. Plus, it supports both the Augsburg College History
Department and the people of Minnesota by creating a
collaborative, “public work that brings the practice of history into the world.”
Delegard agrees. “The Historyapolis Project focuses
on the history of Minneapolis, but the practices and
collaboration it represents are as much about the role
of higher education in shaping our shared future as it is
about our historical roots.”
Editor’s note: Portions of the background about the
Historyapolis Project were derived from a presentation
delivered in November by historian Kirsten Delegard to
Augsburg students in The History Workshop course.
Spring 2014
13
The Historyapolis Project
Minnesota Historical Society
Historyapolis.com
Featured on these pages are reprints of three posts
from the Historyapolis Project. To read about, discuss, and engage with the history of Minneapolis,
go to Historyapolis.com and click to the blog or to
the project’s Facebook and Twitter sites.
R.I.P., 514 Cedar Avenue
Posted January 1, 2014
Tragic news from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, where
514 Cedar Avenue exploded this morning. At least 13
people were injured in the blaze; as of this writing, three
people have not been found in the icy ruins. The building’s first floor contained a small grocery that catered to
the tastes of the immigrant neighborhood. Upstairs were
inexpensive apartments that provided basic housing for new
African immigrants.
When Peter Nordberg constructed this building in
1886, he designed it to house two stores on the first floor
and “twenty room flats” above. At this time, this section
of Cedar Avenue was known as “Snusgatan” and was the
commercial center for new Scandinavian immigrants. The
traditional gateway for newcomers to the city, the neighborhood began to transform once immigration slowed to a
trickle during the Great Depression.
In 1968, the struggling Cedar-Riverside neighborhood
provided the perfect location for a new commercial endeavor
envisioned by two [University of Minnesota] students. Ron
Korsh and Dan Foley started the Electric Fetus music store
at 521 Cedar Avenue in 1968, hoping to sell the psychedelic rock music they heard coming out of San Francisco.
Korsh quickly became bored with the store and sold his
share to Keith Covart, who is credit[ed] with making the
business a long-lasting success.
These counterculture entrepreneurs kept their store in
14
Augsburg Now
the news. In 1969, police confiscated a poster from the
store that depicted a nude couple resembling President
Richard Nixon and his wife. Notoriety (and low record
prices) helped the store to grow, forcing it to seek larger
quarters across the street. In October 1969, it moved into
514 Cedar Avenue, the building destroyed in this morning’s
blaze.
In 1970, Covart was arrested after the store displayed a
United States flag with a peace symbol superimposed in the
spot usually reserved for the 50 white stars. In 1972, the
store held a “naked sale,” offering free records and pipes
to nude patrons. After fifty people showed up to claim their
free merchandise, the store lost its lease on Cedar Avenue.
With the influx of Somali immigrants, Cedar-Riverside
has once again become a first stop for new arrivals to the
city. And the building at 512-516 Cedar had reverted to its
original purpose. The tiny apartments and ethnic businesses
destroyed this morning would have seemed very familiar
to Peter Nordberg, the nineteenth-century entrepreneur
who recognized the economic potential of a new immigrant
community.
Photo from the Minnesota Historical Society. And material for this post is taken from the excellent history of the
Electric Fetus, [“A History of the Electric Fetus”], written by
Penny A. Petersen and Charlene K. Roise in July 2006.
School Desegregation in Minneapolis
Hennepin County Library Special Collections
In November 1970, the Minneapolis Public Schools announced a
modest proposal meant to begin the desegregation of its schools.
Aimed at undermining the effects of residential segregation in
the city, it recognized that neighborhood schools were stratified
by race. In the scheme announced by the School Board, two
elementary schools would be paired. The all-white Hale School
would trade students with nearby Field School, which was almost
entirely African American. Children in the youngest grades would
attend Hale; grades four through six would go to Field.
The proposal was poorly received by a vocal minority, which
coalesced behind Mayor Charlie Stenvig, a former police detective. Stenvig ran for mayor in 1969 as an independent, on a
platform of law and order. Anxieties about the urban disturbances
on the North Side dissipated quickly after Stenvig took office.
They were completely eclipsed by rising concerns about the racial
integration of the school system. District officials knew that if
they could not come up with a workable integration plan, they
would soon find themselves under a court order to begin widespread busing. A determined group of parents sought to block
these efforts, calling on officials to defy any legal orders.
By 1970, anxious parents were voicing their opposition in
marathon meetings; one meeting stretched twelve hours long,
breaking up at 5 a.m. after everyone had spoken for three minutes. Concerned citizens were not content to express their opinions in public forums. School board member Harry Davis—the
only African American on the board—had to keep his phone off
the hook to prevent a constant barrage of threatening phone calls.
Minnesota Historical Society
Posted November 13, 2013
Despite the popular opposition, Minneapolis moved forward
with its plan to combine Hale and Field in the fall of 1971. The
paired schools attracted a committed group of parents, who
worked to build an integrated school community that could be a
model for the rest of the city.
This photo shows Monica Lash (left) and Molly Johnson (right)
on their first day on the bus in 1971. The image comes from
Dave Kenney, who curates the MN70s tumblr, and the Minnesota
Historical Society.
Minneapolis Streetcars
Posted June 19, 2013
The city has decided to invest millions to build new streetcar
lines. Which [begs] the question, what happened to our old
streetcar system? It met its demise in June of 1954 when this
sinister-looking photo was taken. This image records the celebration organized by the Twin City Rapid Transit Company [TCRT]
when it declared streetcars to be relics of the past. On this early
summer day, the company actually burned streetcars—like the
one in the background-—to demonstrate its commitment to
progress and innovation. The men in this photo were celebrating
the purchase of 525 buses, which had been financed with liberal terms from General Motors. This allowed them to discard the
streetcars and dispose of assets necessary to maintain the rail
network. This image shows TCRT treasurer James Towey handing
a check (from NSP for the company’s Main Steam Station) to
company president Fred Ossanna, who was later investigated for
shady business dealings and political bribes.
Spring 2014
15
MY AUGGIE EXPERIENCE
THEHeart OF MINNEAPOLIS
Archive photo
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE AND LAURA SWANSON
with thanks to Augsburg Archivist and
History Professor Kristin Anderson
Since 1872,
Augsburg—and many
Auggies—have called
Minneapolis home. The history of the College
is interwoven tightly with that of Mill City
and its vibrant Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
These archival images portray the College’s
ever-changing campus and illustrate its
connection to the broader municipality. Take
a close look. And take a moment to recall
your own Augsburg history.
Archive photo
›
The group photograph shows the Augsburg Seminary
community in February 1918. At that time, Augsburg
Seminary had three areas of focus—a theological
school, a college, and a preparatory department.
›
Built during the 1948-49 academic year, Augsburg’s Science Hall in its early years served
several functions, including as the campus entrance; the home of student publications,
administrative offices, and the economics department; and—naturally—the site of lecture rooms
and science laboratories, as seen here.
16
Augsburg Now
›
In 1967, the construction of Augsburg College’s Christensen Center and Urness Tower buildings coincided
with Interstate 94 development occurring at the campus periphery. The freeway changed the College’s
southern border, creating a finite boundary between its Cedar-Riverside home and the Seward neighborhood,
although pedestrian bridges were in place prior to freeway completion.
Archive photo
‹ In 1872, Augsburg established its campus next to Murphy Square—Minneapolis’ oldest public park—and this 1905 photograph by Sweet Studio shows children at play. The
image is in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection and was enlarged for display in
Murphy’s, a dining establishment formerly located in the Christensen Center.
Archive photo
On October 8, 1972, Augsburg held groundbreaking and site dedication ceremonies for
a new student apartment tower that later
was named Mortensen Hall after Gerda
Mortensen, long-time Dean of Women at
the College. In addition to housing Auggies,
the tower initially was intended to serve
students from St. Mary’s Junior College and
the Fairview Hospital nursing program, as
well as St. Olaf College nursing students
who trained in Minneapolis hospitals. ›
[L to R]: Oscar A. Anderson, Augsburg
College president; Sr. Mary Madonna
Ashton, executive vice-president of St.
Mary’s Hospital; Sr. Anne Joachim Moore,
president of St. Mary’s Junior College;
Suzann Olson ’73, Augsburg student body
president; Leonard F. Ramberg, chairman
of Augsburg’s Board of Regents; Kent
S. Knutson, president of the American
Lutheran Church; and Carl Platou, chief
administrator of Fairview Hospital.
Spring 2014
Archive photo
17
IT TAKES AN AUGGIE
THE TEMPERATURE’S
RISING
As we expectantly watch outdoor temperatures climb this
spring, the Augsburg community has seen the mercury
rise on another attention-drawing gauge. The fundraising
thermometer for the campaign for the Center for Science,
Business, and Religion (CSBR) has surpassed its halfway
mark, reaching nearly $27 million* thanks to donors who
continue to demonstrate support for the largest building
project in the College’s history.
An outgrowth of the campaign’s continued success
is that we’ve heard new stories about why Augsburg
College means so much to so many. Augsburg is a place
where faculty members connect with students, helping
them to troubleshoot assignments and to work through
life’s tough decisions. Augsburg is a place where coaches
inspire teamwork, sparking an enduring dedication to
collaboration and a passion for cooperation. Augsburg
is a place where alumni are proud to call themselves
Auggies, supporting current students and recent
graduates who will carry the legacy forward. And,
Augsburg is a place where people flourish, meeting some
of their dearest friends and making some of their fondest
memories. Here are a few such stories.
Class of ’52 couple gives $250,000 to sponsor
physics laboratory
Harvey ’52 and Joanne Peterson ’52 believe the CSBR
demonstrates how Augsburg prepares students for the
future with energy and vitality. Combined, these Auggie
sweethearts were involved in activities ranging from
athletics to the Augsburg Choir, and beyond their student
years, they have maintained deep ties to the College.
Bill Anderson ’56 sponsors new biology laboratory
Bill Anderson ’56 found a creative way to make a big
difference with his support for the CSBR. Currently
president of the Minnesota Federation of Stamp Clubs,
he is a lifelong collector who gives Augsburg valuable
18
Augsburg Now
stamps each year and has named the College as a major
beneficiary of his estate. Anderson taught high school
biology for 34 years, and he said he enjoys seeing
Augsburg’s plans for the CSBR move forward.
Marilyn ’61 and Tom Breckenridge sponsor two
faculty offices for CSBR
Rev. Marilyn Saure Breckenridge ’61 is Augsburg’s first
female graduate to be ordained as a Lutheran pastor.
She and her husband, Tom, initially planned to sponsor
one office in the Religion Department in gratitude for
Marilyn’s undergraduate education and her Distinguished
Alumna Award, but—as their excitement about the
CSBR project grew—they sponsored an additional
office located in the Business Department to reflect an
important aspect of Tom’s ministry.
Roommates from ’45 sponsor adjacent
rooms in CSBR
Beth (Buesing) Opgrand ’45 and her college roommate,
Genevieve (Larson) Hendrickson ’45, reconnected after
50 years and both decided to give a naming gift for a
faculty office in the CSBR. It seems only fitting that
these faculty offices sit side by side.
Oliver Dahl ’45 sponsors faculty office in CSBR
Oliver Dahl ’45 has had an 80-year relationship
with Augsburg College. From age 10 to 15, he went
to campus to practice basketball while on a Trinity
Lutheran Church youth team in Minneapolis. Dahl
enrolled at Augsburg in 1941, and in 1942, served as
the College’s first wrestling coach before leaving to join
the U.S. Army during World War II. Dahl has named
Augsburg’s athletics program and the CSBR project the
major beneficiaries of his estate, and he says, “I’ve been
thinking about Augsburg College all of my life.”
LAURA SWANSON
These stories—and many others—are available in an
extended format on the CSBR campaign blog.
To read more, visit augsburg.edu/now.
*Figure represents fundraising total as of February 28.
AUGGIE VOICES
JOB
ON THE
Young alumni
value networks formed and opportunities
available at Augsburg College
As excitement and anticipation grow regarding the campaign for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion, Augsburg’s
newest alumni can articulate why studying at a college that emphasizes thinking across disciplines and beyond convention
proved beneficial in their education and invaluable when launching their professional careers.
BY LAURA SWANSON
TRENT ANDERSON ’12
Studied: accounting, business administration, and economics
Current role: Certified Public Accountant and Assurance Associate,
CliftonLarsonAllen
People have the wrong idea about accountants, according to
Trent Anderson ’12. “It’s not really as math-intensive as you’d
think,” he said. Sure, Anderson admits that part of his job entails
adding or multiplying large groups of numbers, but he also
stresses that teamwork and client relations are equally important—and, for him, energizing—aspects of his career. Anderson
chose to attend Augsburg because the College offered him the
opportunity to exercise his passion for teamwork as a student
athlete. During his undergraduate experience, Anderson found
that he and his baseball teammates developed friendships with
bonds as strong as family and a network with the potential to
influence their careers. It was an Augsburg alumnus and former
baseball player employed by CliftonLarsonAllen who introduced
Anderson to what turned out to be his first employer—and one of
the top 10 accountancy firms in the United States. Both Auggies
benefited from the College’s small-school experience, Anderson
explained, where it is possible to develop meaningful relationships with professors, fellow students, and Twin Cities professionals. “It’s an interesting mix,” he said. “Augsburg is about
more than mastering one subject. It’s about being a well-rounded
student, a well-rounded individual. Now that is something I value
to this day.”
To watch Trent Anderson discuss his start at
CliftonLarsonAllen, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2014
19
ANGELA BONFIGLIO ’13
Studied: sociology, youth and family ministry
Current role: Director of Youth Programs, Redeemer Center for Life and Redeemer Lutheran Church
During her second year at Augsburg, Angela Bonfiglio ’13 sought the opportunity to become involved in Minneapolis’ community
partnership work, and the College’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning was able to connect her with an organization matching
her interests and her studies. By the next fall, Bonfiglio was an afterschool program coordinator at Redeemer Center for Life, a
nonprofit seeking to meet the housing, employment, and youth development needs of Harrison and North Minneapolis neighborhood
residents. Her work—funded through a Batalden Scholarship at Augsburg—turned out to be a near-perfect fit, and she continued to
lead the program during her senior year. A few months prior to completing her degree, Redeemer’s executive director offered Bonfiglio
a full-time position following graduation. She accepted the offer, recognizing that she could use the knowledge and skills she’d gained
during college in her future position. “I loved youth ministry classes, and sociology challenged me in a new way,” she said. Today she
couples her sociological research experience with her background in youth programming to guide the “big picture” for the nonprofit’s
youth activities. “The work is completely interdisciplinary,” she said. “I can ‘plug into’ contexts for both sociology and youth ministry,
and that’s because of Augsburg.”
ALEX SORUM ’13
To watch Alex Sorum discuss the URGO project he
completed with Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, associate
professor of biology, in Augsburg’s summer research
video series, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Studied: biology, chemistry
Current role: Postbaccalaureate Cancer Research Training Award Fellow, National Cancer Institute
Daily tasks vary widely for Alex Sorum ’13, a research fellow in one of the National
Cancer Institute’s chemical biology laboratories. Some days he tests enzyme activity,
and other days he synthesizes compounds. Synthesis, it seems, is a common theme
between his college experiences and his life since graduation. As a double major, Sorum
was quick to take part in every opportunity available to him, oftentimes combining his
interests. “I always knew I wanted to go into research,” he said. “The biggest benefit
for me was that Augsburg professors use a hands-on approach in their teaching.”
Sorum satisfied his appetite for research through on- and off-campus opportunities that
allowed him to gain valuable experience and strengthen his relationships with faculty
mentors. It was Michael Wentzel, assistant professor of chemistry, who helped introduce
Sorum to the National Cancer Institute, and other faculty members’ thoughtful letters
of recommendation that allowed him to secure the prestigious position. The National
Cancer Institute was “looking for someone with the ability to perform in this research
position,” he recalls. “With my past experience, I had the ability to both think critically
and to problem-solve. Now that’s key.”
20
Augsburg Now
1
2
3
4
BY LAURA SWANSON
The 26th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum—an event that celebrates the importance, consequence, and controversy of the
Nobel Peace Prize—was held March 1 and 7-9 in three Minneapolis locations, including Augsburg College.
With “Crossing Boundaries to Create Common Ground” as
its theme, the 2014 Forum brought Nobel Peace Prize winners,
civic leaders, and scholars together with students and other citizens to contemplate questions of peace and conflict. Now in its
third year of permanent residency in the Twin Cities, the Forum
welcomed more than 5,700 ticket holders who explored topics
ranging from science to law and from music to global affairs and
business.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace
Prize laureate, delivered the Forum’s opening address at Faith
and Peace Day. Leymah Gbowee—a 2011 Nobel Peace Prize
winner and Liberian peace activist—spoke at Global Day, and Dr.
Deane Marchbein represented Doctors Without Borders/Médecins
Sans Frontières (MSF)—the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize laureate—
on Science and Health Day. Representatives from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the 2013 Nobel
Peace Prize winner, also led a breakout session.
In addition to engaging attendees in speeches, book signings, networking events, and more, the 2014 Forum premiered a
partnership with social networking service Google+ that enabled
online attendees to live-stream events, submit questions to keynote speakers, and participate in thought-provoking dialogue—all
from their unique locations around the globe.
“The opportunity to host the Nobel Peace Prize Forum offers
our students, alumni, and international community inspiring
examples of those people who strive to make peace and to make
a difference in our world,” said Augsburg College President Paul
Pribbenow. “At the heart of Augsburg’s mission are our commitments to educating informed global citizens and to embracing
the links between faith and learning.”
Spring 2014
21
6
5
PEACE ON THE STREET
BRAD ST. AUBIN ’15
The Dalai Lama is looked at as a paragon of peacemaking,
but his address helped reinforce that he is also human.
When doing peace work, we want solutions, but his ability
to say, ‘I don’t know,’ gave a nod to the fact that even our
revered leaders don’t have all the answers.
The 2014 Forum was an event that united the Augsburg
community, and Auggies participated both as guests
and as volunteers.
One Auggie who worked at the Nobel Peace Prize
Forum was Banna Kidane ’15. A Sabo Scholar studying
computer science, Kidane was an intern for the Nobel
Peace Prize Forum and acknowledged the rarity of his
chance to serve.
“Being an intern with the NPPF is a once-in-alifetime opportunity that I’m happy I didn’t pass up,”
Kidane said.
It is through making memories, sparking ideas, and
spurring action that the Forum lives out its mission to
inspire peacemaking. A few Auggies shared reflections,
takeaways, and highlights from their NPPF experiences:
HUMAN
KIM BESTLER ’10, Augsburg program assistant and tutor
coordinator, TRiO/Student Support Services
It’s a privilege that Augsburg gets to host an international
event that so tightly corresponds with our College mission.
MISSION
PEACE
LOVE
UNAFRAID
COMPASSION
COMMUNITY
CHARMAYNE SLETTEN, AUGSBURG PARENT
The presentations inspired peacemaking that starts
with love and compassion by each individual.
PAUL BATALDEN ’63
I realize I can’t personally control the emerging,
complex world. I, too, have no other choice but to
control what I pay attention to, what words I use,
what relationships I maintain, and what community
I foster. Through these recognitions, choices, and
actions, I can exert my influence and do my part
for peace and a better world.
INFLUENCE
22
Augsburg Now
SHELBY ANDRESS ’56
Augsburg is unafraid to enter a complicated world,
guide its entire community in ways of peace and
noble action, and use its spheres of influence.
LIZZIE FONTAINE ’16
The NPPF brings together a whole community.
That’s a huge gift for Augsburg.
BRAM OOSTERLEE ’16
My favorite part of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum is
the connections you make with the speakers and
the audience. The speakers open up discussions
that are not held often enough, and the audience is
excited and encouraged to take action.
CONNECTIONS
7
8
9
ABOUT THE PHOTOS
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM SPONSORS
PAGE 21:
The Forum is housed and coordinated by Augsburg College in
partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School
of Public Affairs and the School of Public Health. It was founded
in 1989 through a unique partnership between the Norwegian
Nobel Institute and five Norwegian Lutheran colleges—Augsburg,
Augustana (Sioux Falls, S.Dak.), Concordia (Moorhead, Minn.),
Luther (Decorah, Iowa) and St. Olaf (Northfield, Minn.).
1 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel
Peace Prize laureate
2 Dr. Deane Marchbein, American president of Doctors
Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, the 1999
Nobel Peace Prize laureate
3 Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist and 2011
Nobel Peace Prize laureate
LAW AND BUSINESS DAY SPONSOR
4 Jay Nordlinger, senior editor of National Review;
Stephen Young, global executive director of the Caux
Round Table; and Geir Lundestad, director of the
Norwegian Nobel Institute
MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS
PAGE 22:
5 Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings
6 Arjia Rinpoche, director of the Tibetan Mongolian
Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Ind.
Page 23:
7 Burroughs Community School students performing
at the Nobel Peace Prize Youth Festival
8 Dr. Maureen Reed, executive director of the
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
9 A Peace Quilt Labyrinth exhibited at Oren
Gateway Center
To view additional photos, watch laureate
addresses and keynote presentations, or learn
more about the Forum, go to augsburg.edu/now.
EVENT SPONSORS
Barbara Forster and Mary Tjosvold, Smaby Family Foundation,
U.S. Embassy-Oslo, and Winds of Peace Foundation
FESTIVAL PRODUCTION PARTNER
Spring 2014
23
AUGGIES ON THE FIELD
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
COMPETITION,
& CULTURAL LEARNING
Photos courtesy of Augsburg’s Women’s Soccer Team
It’s easy to say that students at Augsburg
College are interested in the world around
them and that they strive to make a
difference by serving their neighbors. It
shows a deeper commitment to living
out the College’s mission to be engaged
citizens when a group of student-athletes
chooses to take a winter break trip to
Nicaragua instead of a destination beach
vacation in Costa Rica.
This winter, the women’s soccer
team showed just what it means to be
an Auggie when the group of student
athletes voted to go to Nicaragua for a trip
comprised of community engagement,
reflective service work, and soccer. When
the student-athletes combined their desire
for such a trip with the rich programming
that comes from partnering with the
College’s 30-year-old, award-winning
24
Augsburg Now
Center for Global Education (CGE), the
team landed an experience that pushed
their boundaries and understanding of the
world.
“The players genuinely have hungry
hearts and open minds,” said Mike
Navarre, head coach of the women’s
soccer team. “They voted to have an
immersion experience, and I am proud
that they feel they have a responsibility to
make the world better.”
By collaborating with CGE, the
women’s soccer team became the first
of the Auggie teams to participate in a
winter break trip that met the College’s
“Augsburg Experience” requirement,
a distinctive feature of an Augsburg
education that links classroom theory
with off-campus learning through
activities including internships, practica,
service-learning courses, study abroad,
special and individualized off-campus
immersion experiences, and more.
“Our CGE program has deep
relationships and a permanent presence
in Nicaragua, as well as other locations
in the world. We have established mutual
trust with our international partners,
so students who go abroad engage in
meaningful ways with the communities
that they visit,” said Leah Spinosa de
Vega, director of Augsburg Abroad and
International Programs.
“The result is that we deliver a
customized experience that aligns
students’ talents and interests with the
wants and needs of the community. The
programs also challenge students to
see that the community also serves the
students—that both groups experience
a mutual gain from the engagement and
that there is reciprocity of giving.”
For the Auggie women’s soccer team,
CGE designed a program that included
service at a preschool and soccer clinic,
competition against Nicaragua’s national
women’s soccer team, and cultural
learning activities.
The student-athletes spent about
a third of their time serving two
organizations, Nica HOPE (nicahope.
org) and Casa Alianza (casa-alianza.
org). The team painted the preschool
operated by Nica HOPE, an organization
that evolved to serve the needs of people
who live around and near the site of the
now-closed Managua City trash dump and
who depended upon foraging in the dump
for income and survival.
For the second service project,
student-athletes conducted a soccer
training clinic with Casa Alianza—an
organization that serves young people who
are homeless, or may have been trafficked
or exploited.
“We were humbled by the
challenges of the kids at Casa
Alianza and grateful to share in
their love of soccer.” -MIKE NAVARRE
The clinic prepared the Casa Alianza
youth soccer team to represent Nicaragua
in the international Street Child World
Cup (streetchildworldcup.org), a soccer
tournament that is held in late March in
Brazil with the goal of raising international
awareness of issues of homeless youths.
“We were humbled by the challenges
of the kids at Casa Alianza and grateful
to share in their love of soccer,” Navarre
said.
The Auggie team also had the
opportunity to compete in a series of three
games against the Nicaragua women’s
national football (soccer) team. While the
Nicaraguan team won two games, the
Auggies tied in the third game. All the
games received coverage in Nicaraguan
newspapers, an added bonus because it
raises awareness of the value and impact
of women’s sports.
“Our players work hard and respond
well to raised expectations on and off the
field,” Navarre said. “We showcase who
we are by how we play soccer. It’s our
medium. It has proven to be a significant
medium through which our players can
grow individually and collectively.”
The team also visited a coffee growing
cooperative, La Reina Agroecotourism
Project, in the small, rural community
of Matagalpa. The visit was a chance to
learn about the cooperative, which has
55 members of whom 22 are women,
about the impact of coffee and ecotourism
on the national economy, and about the
culture and typical lifestyle in Nicaragua.
All the experiences—working to
improve the Nica HOPE preschool,
working on soccer techniques with
homeless youths through Casa Alianza,
visiting the coffee cooperative, and even
the bits of free time—not only help
students build a greater understanding of
the world we share, but also help them
prepare for the work world.
“Employers today are looking for
employees with intercultural skills,” said
Spinosa de Vega. “Augsburg and CGE
programs require that participants take
time to reflect upon their experience.
Reflection is fundamental to driving
intercultural skills development. This
process undertaken by the team—to
engage and reflect—will help bolster their
success in their professional and personal
lives.”
To make the trip possible, studentathletes conducted soccer camps and
clinics, fundraisers, and an online auction.
In all, they raised about $20,000.
Team co-captain Alekzandra “Ali”
Miller ’14, a business management
major responsible for the online auction,
said she knew the value and impact that
playing soccer and studying abroad can
have. During high school, Miller played
soccer in Sweden and Denmark, and
earlier in her college career, she spent a
semester studying in Spain. Miller wanted
her teammates to have an experience like
the ones she had, but also knew finances
would be a challenge for some of her
teammates.
The trip was highly rewarding to all
the participants and Navarre and Spinosa
de Vega are hopeful that the success of
the trip will spur other athletics teams
to explore how to mix sport, community
engagement, and reflective service for the
type of meaningful learning experience
for which Augsburg College is nationally
known.
“It’s hard to say how much of an
impact we were able to make in just eight
days,” Miller said. “But I can say for
certain that our team was impacted for
the better. These types of experiences are
the kind of catalysts that give a direction
to people’s lives, that spark a new type
of gratitude, and that change the way we
think about and live our lives.”
“This trip confirmed for me and the
players that we have an obligation to make
ourselves and the world a little better,”
Navarre said. “In doing so, we also make
our own lives better. We don’t need to be
overwhelmed by the enormity or gravity
of the world’s problems. We can embrace
the world to make meaningful connections
and improvements.”
STEPHANIE WEISS
Spring 2014
25
ALUMNI NEWS
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
t
Dear alumni and friends,
used as a resource by alumni and students, and it features
posts specifically for Auggies from local and national employers. The next time you or your employer are hiring, consider
employing a fellow Auggie.
We have already seen what can happen when Auggies
work together—we accomplish great things. I would like to set
another goal. Currently, approximately 1,000 alumni are posting jobs on AUGPOST. I would like that to increase to 5,000
alumni submitting internship, job, and volunteer opportunities. Imagine the influence we can have on current Augsburg
students and their future opportunities. Learn more at
augsburg.edu/strommen.
Sincerely,
Courtesy photo
his fall, I reached out to you, my fellow Auggies, to ask
that you support our alma mater on Give to the Max Day
by donating to more than 25 different Augsburg fundraising projects. I am grateful to the 837 donors who
helped us raise $313,639 in one day and achieve our
goals of coming in first place among colleges and
universities and fourth place among all Minnesota
nonprofits! This proves that when Auggies pull
together, we can accomplish any goal!
I am often asked, “How, in addition to supporting Augsburg with gifts, can I help the College and the
current students?” Here’s an answer: draw upon your
experience, expertise, and networks to help students who
are looking for jobs and internships.
Our students are bright, ardent, and ambitious. They
represent our best hope for the future. Their most immediate
challenge in moving on to life after Augsburg is aligning their
liberal arts degree with a career path that will be personally
rewarding and provide them with financial independence.
I encourage all Augsburg alumni and parents to post internship, job, or volunteer opportunities—for free—on AUGPOST
through Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for
Meaningful Work. AUGPOST is an online job posting board
TRACY (ANDERSON) SEVERSON ’95
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Join the women of Augsburg for
CONVERSATION, LAUGHTER, AND INSPIRATION
The leaders of AWE (Augsburg Women Engaged) and the Augsburg Associates
are teaming up to host an interactive alumnae event in which women discuss
issues prevalent in contemporary culture, including their reflection on the question, “Am I measuring up?” At this inspirational event for Auggie women of all
ages, attendees will engage in conversation on what it means to be daughters,
mothers, grandmothers, women in public leadership and business, and involved
community members. Join us for brunch and hear insightful remarks from
author, speaker, and TV host Joan Steffend, as well as from an alumnae panel.
The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 17. The cost is
$25, which includes the meal. RSVP at augsburg.edu/alumnievents. For more
information, call 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
26
Augsburg Now
170 ALUMNI
JOIN THE CHALLENGE
Courtesy photo
as class leaders
Celebrating Lutheran heritage
and the Reformation
In the past year, Wayne Jorgenson ’71 and Chris Ascher ’81 have
made a concerted effort to seek the financial support of Augsburg’s
entire alumni community through the campaign for the Center
for Science, Business, and Religion. The Class Challenge goal they
set—for each Augsburg class to contribute a total of $1 million
toward this effort—has generated great momentum that has carried
forward into 2014. So far, the classes of 1952, 1965, and 1971 have
each exceeded their $1 million goal.
Their passion is catching on. As the momentum builds for this
essential and visionary project, Jorgenson and Ascher have been
joined by more than 170 alumni from across the years, each of
whom has made an individual campaign commitment and encouraged classmates to join them in contributing to the campaign.
Currently, every class from 1942 to 2014 has at least one
classmate who has contributed to the campaign. Since the challenge began, there has been a 53 percent increase in the number
of alumni donors supporting the CSBR.
For 2014, Jorgenson and Ascher set a goal of 40 or more
people from each graduating class to become financial supporters
of the campaign. The highest class participation award (so far) goes
to the Class of 1972 with 27 donors. Which class wants to exceed
their goal?
“Each additional classmate who joins with their support for this
wonderful project will find the satisfaction of adding their generosity
to the cause,” said Jorgenson. “The goal is ambitious, and we truly
need a lot of you to say, ‘Yes, I believe, and I will help.’ The size of
all contributions will vary, as they should, based on each person’s
situation and ability to give. Please know that, for each gift, we are
truly grateful.”
Visit the CSBR blog (augsburg.edu/csbr) for the latest progress
on the campaign and alumni participation in the Class Challenge.
Augsburg College is designing a custom travel program
for October 2016 that will celebrate the Reformation
and the upcoming 500th anniversary of when Martin
Luther in 1517 nailed the 95 Theses to the church
doors in Wittenberg, Germany. A highlight of the trip
itinerary will be a visit to Wittenberg over October
31—a time when the town annually celebrates Reformation Day with a parade, medieval fair, special
church service, and evening concert. In addition
to visiting Wittenberg, the itinerary includes stops
in the German cities of Berlin, Dresden, Eisenach,
Erfurt, Leipzig, and Prague, Czech Republic.
Led by Augsburg Department of Religion faculty
members Mark Tranvik and Hans Wiersma, program
participants will explore the lives and ministries of
Martin and Katie Luther and the legacies of influential Lutheran musicians Johann Sebastian Bach
and Paul Gerhardt. They will learn about Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, a 20th century German theologian and
martyr, and Jan Hus, a church reformer of 15th century Prague—100 years before Luther. Participants
also will hear about the church’s role in the Peaceful
Revolution that brought down the Berlin Wall and
remember the sobering days of WWII at the Buchenwald concentration camp. This travel program is
an opportunity to explore the connections between
people, cultures, and historical events while examining 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.
Spring 2014
27
homecoming
ALUMNI NEWS
CELEBRATE YOUR REUNION
SAVE THE DATE FOR
HOMECOMING
2014
SEPTEMBER 22-27
Join Augsburg alumni and friends for Homecoming 2014
Whether or not you are celebrating a
class reunion this year, new events
accompanied by traditional favorites
make Homecoming Week one of the
best times of year to come back to visit
campus. Reconnect with alumni and
favorite faculty members, and experience
the Augsburg of 2014.
The week will include reunion
events, networking and educational
opportunities, and fun for the entire
family. The Homecoming Convocation
on September 26 will kick off the weekend at a morning celebration where the
College will bestow the First Decade,
Spirit of Augsburg, and Distinguished
Alumni awards, and recognize members
of the class of 1964 celebrating their
50-year reunion.
This year’s Taste of Augsburg
28
26
Augsburg Now
pregame festival on September 27 will
include excitement for all ages, with
fair-style booths operated by student,
parent, and alumni groups. Following
the picnic, cheer on the Auggies at the
Homecoming Football Game as they
take on St. Olaf College.
The Auggie Block Party is back by
popular demand! Following the football
game, gather in the parking lot to the
north of Si Melby Hall to enjoy food,
entertainment, and camaraderie. The
activities don’t end there! Homecoming weekend truly has something for
everyone. For more information and a
complete schedule, visit augsburg.edu/
homecoming.
[
REUNION CLASSES
60th Reunion
1954
50th Reunion
1964
40th Reunion
1974
25th Reunion
1989
10th Reunion
2004
If you would like to help make your reunion a success, call the Office of Alumni
and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
]
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
50
John Shelstad was inducted
into the Minnesota Livestock
Breeders Hall of Fame at the
University of Minnesota.
62
Ron C. Nelson received the
Faithfulness in Ministry
Cross Award from Luther Seminary
in January. The honor was given in
the category of “25 years or more”
of faithful ministry.
66
Grace (Estenson) Fladeboe
retired after 30 years of work
as a family and consumer science teacher, and she continues
employment with her husband
and children for Fladeboe
Auctions.
67
Marlys (Ruona) Thomsen
and her husband, Tom,
have enjoyed traveling in their
RV since his retirement. They
have especially enjoyed the
Susquehanna River and mountains in Pennsylvania; Florida; the
southeastern United States; the
Pacific Coast (Southern California
to the Olympic Peninsula); the
vineyards of Washington, Oregon,
and California; the gorgeous sights
of Alaska; and the Texas coast.
At home, they are working on a
backyard garden and are active in
their church, Grace Lutheran of
Apple Valley, and Sons of Norway.
74
Scot Davis became the
winningest wrestling coach
in U.S. high school history when
his Eden Prairie, Minn., team beat
Columbia Heights, Minn., 58-17 on
December 12. Davis, who is in his
36th season as a high school head
coach, is the first high school wrestling coach in the nation to surpass
the 1,000 dual meet wins mark.
77
Randy “Goggles” Nelson was
inducted into the Minnesota
State High School Golf Coaches
Association Hall of Fame in June.
His teams have earned three state
titles, two second-place finishes,
and one third-place finish. He has
had an individual champion and
numerous other state participants in 21 years of coaching at
the Academy of Holy Angels in
Richfield, Minn.
Jodi and Rick Pelishek have
advocated for the rights of people
with disabilities for many years.
They began a statewide disabilities coalition in North Dakota and
later, Rick was hired by Disability
Rights Wisconsin (DRW), the state’s
protection and advocacy system,
to work on a rural transportation
project in Northwest Wisconsin
and to begin the development of a
Northwest Wisconsin DRW office.
He and Jodi received a national
award for their efforts on behalf of
the Rice Lake (Wis.) DRW. Rick
currently is retired and shares these
thoughts with his fellow Auggies:
“Your education is to help you
pursue your passion and to follow
your dreams. Wealth or poverty may
follow, but in the end you will find
more joy and inner peace by following your heart.”
David B. Wattman and John
Karason ’78 were married at
Bethany Lutheran Church in
Minneapolis on November 9.
Officiating were Susan Masters
of Bethany Lutheran Church
and Justin Lind-Ayers, Augsburg
College associate pastor.
99
83
Ryan Adrian-Hendrick Rivard
and his wife, Kristin, had a
baby girl, Maeve Wren Rivard, on
July 8.
Debra Hannu was selected
as 2013-14 Minnesota
Art Educator of the Year and
also Minnesota Middle School
Art Educator of the Year by Art
Educators of Minnesota, the state’s
only professional organization for
visual and media arts educators.
She is in her 25th year at the
Duluth Public Schools, teaching
63
Carol (Erickson) Zwernik retired in the summer of 2013 after serving for 45 years at Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley, Minn. She
was director of pre-kindergarten for 30 years, a teacher for 12 years,
and director of children’s choirs for 25 years. She was awarded the
Vetter Educational Service Award in 2011 from the Evangelical Lutheran
Education Association and named Director of the Year in 2006 by the
ELCA. She is spending time with her husband, Don, at their lake home
and traveling. Future plans include spending time with her two sons and
six grandchildren, and writing a collection of stories about her family.
87
and serving as a curriculum coach
for visual and media arts. For the
past several years, she has served
on the Visual Arts Writing Team
for the National Coalition for Core
Arts Standards. The new national
standards were released in March.
Hannu and her husband, Patrick
Thomson, have a small community supported agriculture (CSA)
operation called Uncle Herman’s
Farm. They spend their summers
growing food and raising honeybees, and currently help feed
15 Duluth, Minn., families. Their
goal is to develop a model of a
small enterprise fashioned around
sustainability and creativity.
Andrew Altenburg works for the Bank of Tokyo as an associate
events manager. During the past nine years, he has produced
and emceed 450 installments of his weekly fundraising event, The Will
Clark Show. Recently, he was honored for his fundraising by the Gay/
Lesbian Anti Violence Project (2012), acknowledged by United for the
Ride (2013), and knighted by New York’s Imperial Court (2013). He
continues to officiate mainly—but not exclusively—same-sex weddings.
Jump for joy with him at jumpingforjoy.net.
Jennifer Grimm recently performed in Theater Latté Da’s
Steerage Song and in Words By…
at the Park Square Theatre.
06
Sara Schlipp-Riedel was promoted
to Alumni Relations Program
Director at Augsburg College in
2013.
ie
augPg
SHOTS
SNA
99
Mark Joseph and his wife,
Danielle, welcomed their
second child, a daughter, on April
30, 2013. Her name is Emily
Renee Joseph and she joins big
sister Ella (age 3) at home.
Spring 2014
29
auggie SNAPSHOTS
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
01
Hilary English Crook and
her husband, Jacob Seljan,
welcomed Britton Samuel Seljan
on September 26.
04
Dayle VanderLeest and
Karley Kielty ’06 welcomed
their son, Jack, on September 30.
_________________________________________________
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
05
Laree (Lother) Schouweiler
opened Reefuel, the first
indoor cycling and yoga studio in
Decorah, Iowa.
06
Belinda (Painschab)
Estrem and Andrew Estrem
welcomed Allison Jo Estrem on
March 24, 2013.
_________________________________________________
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)
07
Carolyn (Mollner) Mason married Justin Mason on September 1 at
Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minn. Bridesmaids included
Augsburg alumnae from 2007, Beth Chalstrom, Sarah Pahl, and Jenn
Oliver. Carolyn is the daughter of Joe ’75 and Nancy Mollner ’75, and
granddaughter of John Soli ’54.
Your news:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
30
Augsburg Now
In memoriam
Thora O. (Torvick) Anderson ’39,
Fergus Falls, Minn., age 98, on
January 12.
Edith A. (Sorem) Gudim ’52,
Mayville, N.Dak., age 82, on
October 11.
Eleanor R. (Ortonstone) Gustafson ’40,
Brainerd, Minn., age 95, on
January 17.
Marvin L. Hagen ’53, St. Paul, age
84, on November 29.
Arlene (Olson) Borgendale ’44,
Chandler, Ariz., age 92, on
September 16.
James D. Bartsch ’45, Charleston,
W.Va., age 92, on December 24.
Orrin O. Agrimson ’46, Vancouver,
Wash., age 90, on September 2.
Glen M. Springer ’46, Barron, Wis.,
age 90, on October 30.
Carol J. (Ysteboe) Lindsay ’47,
Dilworth, Minn., age 86, on
January 4.
Shirley J. (Vance) Menzel ’48,
Spearfish, S.Dak., age 91, on
October 20.
Nathalie M. (Anderson) Peterson ’48,
Bloomington, Minn., age 87, on
September 1.
Ruby A. (Johnson) Sharp ’53,
Minneapolis, age 83, on January 5.
Audrey E. (Knudson) Boettcher ’54,
Suamico, Wis., age 81, on
November 2.
Gerald D. Baxter ’56, Bellevue,
Neb., age 79, on October 24.
Peggy-Joyce (Sorenson) Grable ’57,
College Place, Wash., age 78, on
November 9.
Norman R. Matson ’57, Evanston,
Ill., age 78, on January 12.
Albert N. Kemmer ’59, Eagan,
Minn., age 75, on November 6.
Helen J. Bergan ’61, Las Cruces,
N.Mex., age 76, on September 6.
Stephen A. Nelson ’69, Edina,
Minn., age 67, on September 5.
Debra K. (Chase) Anderson ’77,
Onamia, Minn., age 59, on
December 19.
Peder J. Wilcox ’49, Bloomington,
Minn., age 87, on December 10.
Philip S. Johnson ’79, Ashland,
Wis., age 58, on October 4.
Roy A. Bogen ’50, Bloomington,
Minn., age 86, on December 26.
Thomas S. McCleery ’87, Eden
Prairie, Minn., age 49, on July 4.
Robert E. Paulson ’50, Crystal,
Minn., age 86, on December 2.
Matthew E. Smith ’02, Minneapolis,
age 51, on April 9, 2013.
Robert “Bob” V. Ryan ’50, East
Helena, Mont., age 85, on
December 18.
Laura A. Peterson ’04, St. Cloud,
Minn., age 31, on December 31.
Virginia “Ginny” L. (Thompson)
Smith ’50, Hendricks, Minn., age
85, on January 1.
Clarice E. (Glamm) Madsen ’51,
Kasson, Minn., age 85, on
October 31.
Celia J. (Hanson) Burk ’52, Fargo,
N.Dak., age 86, on September 24.
Adjunct Psychology Faculty Member Megan Shroat
Linda K. Johnson ’70, Sarasota,
Fla., age 64, on September 15.
William “Bun” W. Fischer ’49, Barrett,
Minn., age 92, on October 21.
Gretchen M. Myers ’05, Waconia,
Minn., age 37, on January 14.
Associate Professor of Social
Work Annette Gerten, Inver Grove
Heights, Minn., age 52, on
December 31.
Adjunct Psychology Faculty Member
Megan Shroat, Minneapolis, age
38, on February 6.
The “In Memoriam” alumni listings in this publication include
notifications received before January 31.
Annette Gerten, 52, a passionate and valued member of
the social work faculty and the
Augsburg community, passed
away in late December from
an aggressive cancer. Her time
with us and our students was a
blessing we will long remember and greatly miss.
Her colleagues in the Social Work Department
said Gerten was an innovative teacher, a tireless
collaborator, and an incurable knitter. She dedicated her whole heart to her students and to her
colleagues, serving as a Fellow with the Center
for Teaching and Learning, on the Committee for
Tenure and Promotion, as assessment director for
the social work program, and as field placement
coordinator for undergraduate social work students.
“As she did with yarn so beautifully and creatively, she wove
us all together more tightly centered on the important work of
serving others...What a good mother, social worker, educator,
and human being! May we carry on in her hopes and dreams as
her spirit lives in our hearts.”
–Anthony Bibus, professor emeritus, Social Work Department
Courtesy photo
Ruth C. (Anderson) Blanshan ’44,
Green Bay, Wis., age 91, on
October 29.
Courtesy photo
Associate Professor of Social Work Annette Gerten
Megan Shroat, 38, a long-time
adjunct faculty member in the
Psychology Department, passed
away in February. An accomplished academician as well as
a gifted teacher, she was deeply
connected and committed to
the fabric and mission of Augsburg.
She also was a strong advocate of Augsburg’s
StepUP® program for students in recovery and shared
the College’s commitment to making higher education accessible to diverse groups of students. She was
willing to listen to her students, their opinions, and
even their struggles, but was also not afraid to challenge them to dig deeper and achieve more.
“I have had students tell me that Megan was the reason
[they] chose to major in psychology and pursue a profession
dedicated to improving the lives of others. Her example, her
presence, her genuine love for students and their growth had
this impact. She taught not simply to impart knowledge but to
change lives.”
–Scott Washburn, assistant director, StepUP
Spring 2014
31
LOSAR
Tibetan New Year Celebration
AUGSBURG WAS THE SITE OF A HISTORIC EVENT
March 2 when it hosted the Tibetan American
Foundation of Minnesota’s Losar celebration in Si Melby
Hall. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama presided over
this Tibetan New Year ceremony—the first time he
observed the holiday in the western hemisphere.
Sitting on the floor and filling the bleachers, more
than 2,500 guests packed Augsburg’s gymnasium,
which had been transformed (literally) overnight from the
site of a wrestling tournament to an ornately decorated
space. After the ceremony and the departure of attending
dignitaries—including Augsburg College President Paul
Pribbenow and Abigail Pribbenow, Minneapolis Mayor
Betsy Hodges, and U.S. representatives Keith Ellison
and Betty McCollum—guests continued the festivities
with traditional music, dancing, and food—rice, jerky,
deep-fried pastries, dumplings, butter tea, and more.
Dozens of Augsburg staff, students, and volunteers
worked the event, demonstrating how Augsburg lives out
its commitment to hospitality.
LAURA SWANSON
32
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Permit No. 2031
Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune
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Tibetan New Year
Three Auggies, all sisters, participated in the historic Tibetan New Year celebration held at Augsburg
College in March. [L to R]: Tenzin Dolsel ’16, a master of social work student; Dechen Dolma ’16, who
is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree; and Kalsang Chodon ’15, a master of business
administration student. Chodon served as a volunteer for the event, working in one of the VIP reception
rooms for the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. See page 32 for more about the celebration
or scan the QR code to see event photos.
Show less
Twin Cities urban anchors
Nobel Peace Prize Forum 2013
Physician assistant program success
Getting social with Auggies
auggies
LOVE
LIFE IN THE
city
SPRING 2013 | VOL. 75, NO. 2
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
$10 MILLION GIFT
ONE GIANT LEAP
FOR AUGSBURG
In early April, Augsburg College was
hono... Show more
Twin Cities urban anchors
Nobel Peace Prize Forum 2013
Physician assistant program success
Getting social with Auggies
auggies
LOVE
LIFE IN THE
city
SPRING 2013 | VOL. 75, NO. 2
inside
AUGSBURG NOW
$10 MILLION GIFT
ONE GIANT LEAP
FOR AUGSBURG
In early April, Augsburg College was
honored with a $10 million, unrestricted
gift from a 1965 alumnus. The funds will
be used for a new academic building
that will house the College’s science,
business, and religion programs.
Visit Inside Augsburg to learn more:
IN THIS ISSUE
inside.augsburg.edu.
Features
Departments
6 Getting social with Auggies | COMPILED BY STEPHANIE WEISS
8 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
12 Urban anchors | BY JAY WALLJASPER
18 Physician assistant program success | BY LAURA SWANSON
20 Drawing from experience | BY LAURA SWANSON
2 Around the Quad | 5 My Auggie experience
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
11 Auggies on the field | 16 Auggie voices
21 Alumni news | 24 Alumni class notes
28 It takes an AAuggie
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Notes
from President Pribbenow
Doing the work
Campus is still buzzing with excitement about the
generous $10 million donation that will support the
Center for Science, Business, and Religion (see opposite page). This unprecedented gift profoundly honors
the important work we do at Augsburg College, and it
builds on a growing trend of external recognition for the
role Augsburg plays in our community.
Another testament to Augsburg’s value was earning
the National Society for Experiential Education’s 2012
William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence
in Experiential Education this past fall (see “Around
the Quad” in the fall 2012 Augsburg Now). The award
honors the College’s long-standing commitment to
experiential learning—reaching across decades from
the legends of our faculty, including Joel Torstenson,
Vern Bloom, Garry Hesser, Mary Kingsley, Frankie
Shackelford, and countless others, to a newer generation of teachers and scholars who come to Augsburg
intent on ensuring that this distinctive educational
experience will continue for future generations. I am
proud to be their partner in this important work and to
tell their stories far and wide.
Augsburg’s commitment to engaging in and learning from the world is one that the College has sustained
even through very difficult times. Four years ago, when
Augsburg student Ahmednur Ali was fatally shot as he
left the Brian Coyle Community Center where he was
tutoring Somali junior high students, was one of those
times—a time of immense sadness that challenged our
mission and character as a College dedicated to serving
our neighbors. It is fair to say that fear and anxiety
could have led us to pull back from our community, but
that is not what Augsburg did. Certainly we took the
time we needed to heal, but then we stood together and
recognized that our work in the neighborhood—
work that is at the heart of our academic mission—
was more important than ever, and that it was critical
for us to return to our work so that our entire neighborhood might be safe, healthy, and prosperous.
And that—I am proud to say—is what we did. We
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Integrated Communication
Specialist
Laura Swanson
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
formed a neighborhood partnership to address security
and economic development and infrastructure needs.
We forged additional partnerships with neighborhood
groups and community agencies. And we spent time
together, doing the work of improving our community.
Today, I can firmly attest that our neighborhood
is safer, stronger, more vibrant, and more united than
ever before. That, to me, is what our commitment to
experiential learning is meant to achieve: education for
our students, of course, and also a safer and more just
community for all of us who live and work here.
Each fall, I offer our incoming students a simple
message about “what is required of them” as they
join our community. One of those requirements, I tell
them, is to “do the work.” Yes, the work assigned to
them, but even more so, the work that they discern
and pursue as important and meaningful. Our mission
at Augsburg—“to educate students to be informed
citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders”—is not just a set of nice aspirations, but a challenge to all of us to do the work that
the world so needs done.
This issue of Augsburg Now includes many
examples of the work our students and alumni do—on
campus and in the world. I couldn’t be more proud of
our commitment to real-world experiences—a commitment at the heart of our mission.
Auggies take their studies out into the world and
enrich both their learning and the world around us.
Our location, our active and highly connected faculty,
our dedicated and generous donors, our commitment
to linking the liberal arts and professional studies, and
the important role Augsburg plays in the Twin Cities
and around the world—all of these provide our students
with experiences that deepen their learning and their
preparedness for life beyond college. That’s good for
our students, and it’s good for the communities where
Auggies live and work.
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
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
Mark Chamberlain
chamberm@augsburg.edu
Senior 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
Email: now@augsburg.edu
quad
around the
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
Photo by Natasha D’Schommer
in Creative Writing
SCHOLARS at the Capitol
During February, McNair Scholars Charles Olson ’13 [pictured
above] and Roseanna Benser ’13 represented Augsburg at the
Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol research poster
session. Olson, a biopsychology major, presented the research he
conducted with biology assistant professor David Crowe on brain
activity during perception. Benser, a sociology major, shared an
analysis of audience perception during stand-up comedy performances, research she conducted with sociology professor James
Vela-McConnell. This annual event, sponsored by the Minnesota
Private College Council, highlighted the research of undergraduate students from 15 Minnesota colleges and universities.
Augsburg College is accepting applications
for its new, low-residency Master of Fine Arts
in Creative Writing. The program initially will
offer four concentration areas: fiction, creative
nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. The twoyear program features an annual 10-day summer residency, one-on-one work with mentors,
a student-to-mentor ratio of five to one, and
engaging online classroom sessions. This program, the only one of its kind in the region,
will be taught by distinguished Augsburg
faculty and visiting writers.
To find out more about the MFA program,
go to augsburg.edu/mfa.
CONNECT
STROMMEN SPEAKER SERIES
2
Augsburg Now
The Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive
Speaker Series at Augsburg College, which brings
local business leaders to campus to share insights
and expertise, kicked off in November with Sally
Smith [pictured at left], president and CEO of
Buffalo Wild Wings.
Smith, who joined the company as chief
financial officer in 1994 when it was a chain of
only 35 restaurants, talked of establishing the infrastructure needed to
create the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant chain. The company now
has nearly 850 restaurants in 48 states and Canada.
In February, Auggies heard from Chris Killingstad, the president and
CEO of Tennant Company. Killingstad described how Tennant is pursuing
its vision—through product innovation and employee engagement—
to become a global leader in chemical-free cleaning and other technologies. Killingstad joined Tennant, a world-leading manufacturer of
cleaning solutions, floor coatings, and industrial equipment, in 2002
and became CEO in 2005.
Augsburg named a“Top
5”
theater program
outside of New York
Backstage magazine’s 2012 Fall College
Guide listed Augsburg College among the top
five U.S. institutions for theater majors who wish
to continue their studies professionally.
“In our Theater Arts Department, students
connect with professional artists in the city
while they delve into their theater courses,”
said Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg College
associate professor and chair of theater arts.
Backstage, a theater publication in existence for more than 50 years, recommended
an Augsburg education for “enterprising,
driven students looking to climb the [professional] ladder in double time.”
The article described the three academic
theater concentrations offered by the College,
which include performance, directing/
dramaturgy/playwriting, and design/technical. The article also highlighted Augsburg’s
course offerings and emphasized the theater program’s proximity to the renowned,
Minneapolis-based Guthrie Theater.
FIFTH AUGGIE WINS
prestigious Milken Award
Since 2004, five Augsburg College alumni
have won the prestigious Milken Educator Award.
Steve Abenth ’04, a fourth-grade teacher and choir director at
Highland Park Elementary in St. Paul, was awarded the Milken
Educator Award for the State of Minnesota this past November.
Abenth earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education
through Augsburg’s adult undergraduate program.
The $25,000 award was established in 1985 by the Milken
Family Foundation to recognize excellence in early- to mid-career
educators.
Other Auggies who have won the award include Jacki Brickman ’97,
Tracey Cross ’01, Maggie Knutson ’91, and Kelly Woods ’98.
To read more about Augsburg’s Milken Educator Award
winners, go to augsburg.edu/now.
To read the full article, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Norwegian parlimentarian visits Augsburg
Augsburg College hosted Norwegian parliamentarian Marianne Aasen on her first trip to
Minnesota. Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow invited Aasen to visit the College to
further her understanding of U.S. higher education and to explore topics central to her
vocation. Her trip included meeting dozens of Auggies, including those from Norway,
students in an environmental politics class, interns to the Nobel Peace Prize Forum
(hosted and organized by the College), and Augsburg’s Peace Scholars.
Aasen, far right, meets with Augsburg students.
Spring 2013
3
AUGGIES SHINE at
college film festival
Three Auggies were recognized for
outstanding work as filmmakers at the
2012 Student Film Festival hosted by the
Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities
(ACTC).
• Carly (Lassegard) Johnson ’11 won
Best of Show for her film Angel. She
earned her bachelor of arts degree in
film and English.
CONVOCATION SERIES 2012-13
BOLD VISIONS
quad
around the
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 building initiative that was created to demonstrate that
salvaged materials can be and are viable building materials.
In January, a group of performers at the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Convocation explored the legacy of King through song, movement, images,
and writings by the civil rights leader. The performers were led by T. Mychael
Rambo, an accomplished singer-songwriter, playwright, and arts educator.
The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics in February welcomed Susan
E. Pick, professor of psychology at National University of Mexico. Pick shared
insights on ways the “Human Capabilities Approach” was used to develop
programs that reached more than 19 million people in Mexico who became
agents of change in their own lives and communities in areas of citizenship,
development, education, and health. The approach also was used in 14 other
Latin American countries.
Augsburg’s Convocation Series is a cross-disciplinary speaker series that
explores ideas and thoughts around the impact each person can have in a
world of nearly seven billion people.
To find out more about the Augsburg Convocation series, go to
augsburg.edu/convo.
MANY VOICES
• Casey Bargsten ’14 won for Best
Experimental Film. Bargsten is
studying film at Augsburg.
• Joe Funk ’11 won the Technical
Award. He earned his bachelor of
arts degree in film and theater arts.
The ACTC Student Film Festival
celebrated more than 60 short films
including narratives, documentaries,
experimental films, and avant-garde
films. All the films were created during
the 2011-12 academic year.
Augsburg students submitted work
from virtually every class offered in
the College’s film studies program,
said Wesley Ellenwood, an Augsburg
communication studies instructor.
Ellenwood, who serves on the ACTC
Student Film Festival committee, said
the festival is a chance for students to
have their work formally presented in a
theater of more than 200 seats.
4
Augsburg Now
INTERACTIVE ART
Students in Graphic Design I and II courses during the fall semester
researched the history, philosophy, and practice of the Augsburg Central
Health Commons and the Health Commons at Dar Ul-Quba. The students
learned that for many of the 20,000 people seen by the nurses every
year at the Commons, a pair of clean socks can be very important. The
students worked with assistant art professor Christopher Houltberg to
host “Health Commons: Exhibition and Sock Exchange,” an interactive art
exhibit where viewers could take an original print home if they donated a
clean pair of socks to the Health Commons.
To read the full article, go to augsburg.edu/now.
my
auggie
experience
Have a dream.
Focus on key priorities.
Recognize the importance of the team.
Never give up.
THESE ARE THE FOUR LIFE LESSONS Mike Good ’71 shared with Augsburg alumni at
the Eye Opener breakfast in January, a talk that tied together key themes of Good’s
journey to Augsburg and back again.
It started at Fridley High School where, Good said, his dream was to become a
wrestling state champion. He posted a sign above his bedroom door—“SC” for “state
champion”—to remind him every day of his goal and the importance of working
toward it. In his senior year, his high school won the state championship as a team.
Individually, though, Good lost in the semi-finals, ultimately placing third—a result
that was critical to the overall team’s victory. Listening to Good recount the story, it’s
clear that the team accomplishment is as important to him as any individual title
might have been.
Have a dream. Focus on priorities. Recognize the importance of the team.
At Augsburg, Good said, he was passionate about racial justice and freedom from
hunger. A sociology major and physical education minor, he also remained passionate about wrestling. His new goal: to be Augsburg’s first All-American wrestler.
Again, as Good recounted the outcomes of this dream, he not only reported his own
success in winning an All-American title, but with equal relish named several of his
teammates—Daryl Miller ’69, Ron Johnson ’72, Pat Marcy ’72—who also earned
All-American titles during their time at Augsburg.
Dream. Focus. Team.
When Good got into real estate, he brought this same focus and drive to his leadership. By 1998, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer for NRT
Incorporated, responsible for the oversight of more than 1,000 offices nationally.
Then, in 2004, when his parent company, Cendant Corporation, bought the rights
to use the Sotheby’s brand, he was tapped to serve as chief executive officer of
Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc.
No one ever had built a luxury real estate franchise before, Good said. So, early
on, many of the premier independent real estate companies in the U.S. were not
interested in joining Sotheby’s. Instead of worrying about that, Good focused his
team on building a unique value proposition for Sotheby’s real estate, growing the
franchise to 650 offices in 45 countries. In the end, many of those same independent real estate companies who said, “no thanks,” at the beginning, joined the
Sotheby’s operation and, according to Good, dramatically grew their sales within the
first few years of taking on the Sotheby’s name.
Focus on priorities. Recognize the importance of the team. Never give up.
This past January, Good retired from Sotheby’s and, with his wife, Ann, moved back
to Minnesota. He also just completed four years as chair of the Augsburg College
Board of Regents, where he has served since 2001. So now he has taken on a new
challenge: serving as campaign chair of Augsburg’s capital campaign for the Center
for Science, Business, and Religion. In his January talk, Good acknowledged that the
campaign has moved forward more slowly than desired but, he said, “Nothing happens without belief.”
Today, Good has another sign above his door: “CSBR. Believe.”
Another dream, another focus. A team, Good said, that will include alumni and
others who can and will make a significant impact on the College. And, even if it
takes longer than expected, Good said, he is in this for the long haul.
“I believe in this college,” Good said. “I believe in what it does for young men
and women, helping them grapple with the issues of today and come out as leaders.”
To learn more about Augsburg’s capital campaign for the Center for Science, Business,
and Religion, contact Heather Riddle, vice president of institutional advancement,
612-330-1177, riddle@augsburg.edu.
I couldn’t be more proud to represent
@AugsburgCollege as a @FulbrightPrgrm
scholar in the Czech Republic – @adamspanier
Getting
Nice day for a bike ride, right @niceridemn?
Temps in the single digits, but that’s not too
cold for #Auggies. #AuggieCAM
SOCIAL
with Auggies
Drove by @AugsburgCollege today &
involuntarily beamed with pride when
I saw the “#Auggies We are Called”
banners outside Oren. #AuggiePride
– @mnemosynekura
Members of the Augsburg College community are increasingly turning to
social media to get connected and to stay in touch with what is happening on campus. People connecting to the College in social media—
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social media sites—include current
students and alumni, faculty and staff, media and policymakers, and
people from across the globe. Here’s a snapshot of some of the College’s
most established social media channels by number of followers:
Facebook:
5,336
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
facebook.com/augsburgcollege
Twitter:
2,365
@AugsburgCollege
LinkedIn:
2,263
linkedin.com/company/augsburg-college
Check us out online and on your favorite social media sites.
We welcome your comments, tweets, posts, and photographs.
facebook.com/augsburgcollege
“Like” us and get updates in your Facebook feed.
twitter.com/AugsburgCollege
Follow @AugsburgCollege on Twitter for information about
upcoming events and other news.
instagram/AugsburgCollege
Get a glimpse into life at Augsburg through our Instagram
photo feed.
storify.com/AugsburgCollege
Check us out on Storfiy to see what’s happening on campus
and what students, alumni, and others are saying about their
Auggie experience.
6
Augsburg Now
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
TWITTER
Found out I could graduate from
@AugsburgCollege summa cum
laude. My heart is in my throat. It’s
a lot of work, but I think I’m gonna
try. – @littlelizbeth
The college I really want to go to is
Augsburg College.
– @ThE_KinG_54
So thankful for the tunnels and skyways @AugsburgCollege today!
– @jordan_leigh13
Graphic design students
@AugsburgCollege met w/@cityof
saintpaul staff to discuss concepts
for a new stormwater drain stencil
#CityLabs – @CityLabsatACTC
Accepted into the PA program at
Augsburg College! God is faithful!
#PAbound – @jennanoonan33
Oh my gosh. The people from
Augsburg College were such sweethearts. I love each & every one of
y’all. <3 – @amyyvon
A big congrats to my son’s college
basketball team, they are 7-0. Way
to go Augsburg – @sdionyoung
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING
My research @AugsburgCollege just
got accepted for the APA National
Conference in Hawaii! (jumps up
and down repeatedly)
– @LadyChristy
So glad I picked Augsburg. Happy
kid right thereeee. – @kfec3
INSTAGRAM
1
Getting ready for the 25th
@NPPF March 8-10 in Minneapolis!
@AugsburgCollege #NPPF
#NobelPeacePrize
– @LandOLakesInc
I am now a college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts
degree! #AugsburgCollege
#MinneapolisMinnesota
– @ZachKim21
Can’t wait to walk with the Class of
2013 in early May. We’re a great
class. #Auggies – @WhatAPriss
Steve Abenth ’04=5th
@AugsburgCollege grad to win prestigious @Milken award for teaching.
#WeAreCalled – @Milken
To say the #NobelPeacePrizeForum
is inspiring is an understatement
– @OfficialGNiver
2
3
1 “With one day remaining in January, let’s
cheer on the #Auggies who are sticking with
their fitness resolutions for the New Year.”
#AuggieCAM 1/21/2013
2 “Arianna Genis ’13 received the Spirit of
MLK Award at today’s #MLKConvocation.”
#WeAreCalled 1/30/2013
3 “Alumni & their families ice skated during
the recent #Auggie Night at the Depot. What’s
your favorite winter hobby?” #AuggieCAM
1/23/2013
#AUGGIEPRIDE
Auggie Eddie Frizell back on campus for
Mpls Police Department promotions.
He’s now a Deputy Chief! #AuggiePride
– @AugsburgCollege
Wear pink at Augsburg’s home athletic
events this weekend to support the fight
against breast cancer! #AuggiePride
– @AugsburgAuggies
I’ve got big dreams. Augsburg records I’m
coming for you at the MIAC championships
tomorrow #AuggiePride
– @LouLouBell0491
I am soo geeked1 that my school is hosting
Omar @Offendum and Brother Ali for the
#2NobelPeacePrize. S/O3 to @Augsburg
College! #AuggiePride – @LoveLikeHani
THE TWEET DEFINED:
1
➦
geeked = excited
2
# = A hashtag is a word or
phrase preceded by a hash
mark that’s used to categorize
social media posts by topic.
3
S/O = shout out
Spring 2013
7
NOBEL PEACE
PRIZE FORUM
March 8-10, 2013
Augsburg’s Ibrahim Al-Hajiby ’14 [above center] leaves
Christensen Center with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol
Karman [above right] and Karman’s husband. Al-Hajiby
served as Karman’s attaché during her visit to Minnesota
for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Karman and Al-Hajiby
both are from Yemen, and Karman is the youngest person
in history to be named a Laureate. Al-Hajiby accompanied
Karman to appointments, helped her navigate campus, and
became a trusted member of her team while she was at
Augsburg.
To watch an audio slideshow about Al-Hajiby’s experience,
go to augsburg.edu/now.
8
Augsburg Now
WE ARE
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Tawakkol Karman [center] and Muhammad Yunus [right] leave
Si Melby Hall at Kennedy Center following their addresses to K-12 students at the Nobel
Peace Prize Forum Festival. Karman, of Yemen, won the Nobel Prize in 2011 for her work
as a journalist and human rights activist. She is called the “Mother of the Arab Spring.”
Yunus, who won the Nobel Prize in 2006, is from Bangladesh. He pioneered a form of
banking known as “microcredit,” the practice of making very small loans to people with
little or no collateral. “The Father of Microcredit,” Yunus founded Grameen Bank to give
loans of about $100 each to more than 8.4 million people, 94 percent of whom are women.
HIP HOP
AND PEACE
CALLED
TO
INSPIRE
PEACE
Internationally known hip hop artist and activist Brother Ali [above left], of Minneapolis, presented and performed during the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. He was joined by Omar Offendum [above
right], a Syrian-American rapper and activist. The two men explored the dynamics of peace and
hip hop through songs, poetry, lecture, and dance. The event built upon the success of last
year’s “Ethics and Hip Hop” presentation by Dessa, a Minneapolis rapper, singer, and writer.
Spring 2013
9
THE 25TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE
PRIZE FORUM—a conference
that celebrates the importance,
consequence, and controversy of Nobel Peace Prize
Laureates—was March 8-10 in
Minneapolis.
“This event brings
members of the world’s most
exclusive club—Nobel Peace
Prize Laureates—to campus,”
said Maureen Reed, executive
director of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, which is housed at
Augsburg College. “Students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to interact with people who fundamentally have changed
and are changing the world.”
More than 6,000 people attended throughout the three
days of the event, which explored issues related to peacemaking, world security, and global stability. One of the 2011 Nobel
laureates, Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, spoke on Global Day,
and 2006 laureate Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh spoke on
Business Day. Dr. Paul Farmer, chair of global health and social
medicine at Harvard Medical School and cofounder of Partners in
Health, spoke to a packed house [left] on Science and Health Day.
In addition to offering inspiration from global peacemakers,
the Forum provides an opportunity for participants to understand why individuals “halfway across the globe” should care
about one another.
“One of the mission commitments of Augsburg is to educate students to be informed global citizens,” said Augsburg
College President Paul Pribbenow. “By bringing the world to
campus, we also get to know our neighbors, which is fundamental
to our identity as a college of the Lutheran church.”
Watch the laureate addresses and other keynote presentations from the Forum at
nobelpeaceprizeforum.org.
To see more photos from the Forum, go to augsburg.edu/now.
LEAD SPONSOR
MAJOR SPONSORS
SCIENCE AND HEALTH DAY SPONSOR
GLOBAL DAY SPONSOR
EVENT SPONSORS
Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation
US Embassy-Oslo
Winds of Peace Foundation
MEDIA SPONSOR
DONORS
Global Spotlight-GPS Alliance
HealthPartners
Liv Dahl Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation
10
Augsburg Now
auggies on the field
Steward, athlete, scholar
If Paul Hallgren ’13 isn’t at Parade Stadium, home of the Auggie baseball
team, he might be in Augsburg’s Writing Lab helping a student with a paper.
He could be studying in the Honors program lounge or having a high-minded
discussion in the Quad with colleagues in the Philosophy Club. And if he’s not
in the aforementioned places, it’s possible that he is at an event representing
the College as an Augsburg Steward.
This busy outfielder and double major in philosophy and English is able
to balance his studies with his other activities and responsibilities in part
because he’s bright and talented, but he also gives a lot of credit to his
coaches and professors.
“I love that I can have direct correspondence with my professors and that they
know me and know I’m involved on campus,” Hallgren said. “They are always
willing to make sure I have what I need.”
Hallgren was able to meet some of his future professors when he was
recruited by Coach Keith Bateman to play baseball and came to Augsburg for
a campus visit. “I felt that they were genuinely interested in me in ways that
professors at a large institution might not be,” Hallgren said.
Hallgren has played with the Auggie baseball team since his first year at
Augsburg and said that being an athlete with off-season practices helped him
adjust to the rigor of a college schedule. “I was responsible for putting my
schedule in order and making sure I got everything done,” he said. If not for
athletics, Hallgren supposed he might have been a bit lazy.
But “lazy” is one word most would not use to describe Hallgren.
During his first year at Augsburg, he provided research assistance to
professor Larry Crockett for Crockett’s paper on pragmatism, and last
year he spent a semester in Scotland studying English modernism
and Scottish literature.
Through the Augsburg Stewards program, Hallgren learns
leadership and networking skills by connecting alumni to the
College and working with current students to encourage their
continued involvement with Augsburg after graduation.
As a tutor in the Writing Lab, Hallgren helps undergraduate and graduate students with all stages of the writing
process and in all academic areas. “I really enjoy reading
others’ papers and helping them learn how to convey their
thoughts in a coherent way,” Hallgren said. “I hope they come
away from a session feeling more confident in themselves and in
their ability to write.”
Hallgren said these extra activities have shaped him and his Augsburg
experience. “I feel like I’m a much more well-rounded individual as a result
of participating in other activities.”
This spring, find Hallgren and the Auggie baseball team at Parade
Stadium, 400 Kenwood Parkway in Minneapolis. The regular season begins
in late March and ends in early May. And see the new baseball dugout built
with donations from the Augsburg A-Club, a service organization of former and
current Augsburg College athletes and friends of the College.
e
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Spring 2013
11
AN INCREASINGLY
GLOBALIZED ECONOMY
leaves communities everywhere anxious about losing good jobs. Even the
prosperous Twin Cities is no exception,
as the closing of the St. Paul Ford
plant and the transfer of Delta Air Lines
employees show.
It’s bad news for the whole region
when jobs leave, including local institutions like Augsburg that benefit from
being located in a thriving community.
An increase in unemployment, poverty,
and social dislocation in neighborhoods surrounding the campus would
raise new challenges for the College
in attracting students, faculty, and
contributions.
But there’s good news, too. Some of
the Twin Cities’ biggest employers aren’t
going anywhere.
How can we be sure? Because
“anchor” institutions like colleges,
medical centers, and cultural institutions serve the people of a particular
area and are in fact defined by their
location and the people they serve.
For example, try to imagine Fairview
Hospital moving to Beijing or Augsburg
to New Orleans. They would not be the
same in another place because they
12
Augsburg Now
anchor the communities in which they
are located.
Many communities coast-to-coast
see these “eds and meds” institutions as
crucial, not just for keeping jobs but for
keeping neighborhoods vibrant. Anchor
institutions are the largest employer in
66 of the 100 largest U.S. core cities,
according to a study from the Initiative
for a Competitive Inner City.
“Colleges and hospitals are embedded in their community and have a
real stake in seeing that it thrives,”
explained Augsburg President Paul
Pribbenow, who is chair of an ambitious new anchor initiative along the
light rail Central Corridor. Large-scale
anchor strategies have been proven
to work under rigorous conditions
in Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland,
Baltimore, and Syracuse—where
economic challenges far surpass those
here in the Twin Cities. But anchor
strategies are not confined to cities with
dire social and economic conditions. A
set of Boston hospitals has established
successful training, employment, and
housing programs to boost surrounding neighborhoods; other projects are
underway in Phoenix, Atlanta, and
Washington, D.C.
Augsburg stands out as a leader in
the Twin Cities’ anchor institution strategy—thanks to longstanding programs
that partner students and faculty with
the community to increase public safety,
boost local education, provide health care
services, promote economic development, work with immigrant groups, train
neighborhood youth, improve the urban
environment, and feed people in need.
Steve Peacock, Augsburg’s director
of community relations who works closely with many of the projects, said the
programs fit with Augsburg’s distinctive
mission as an urban liberal arts college.
“It’s one of the things that distinguishes
us. We offer an opportunity for students
to be engaged in the neighborhood. For
us, it’s not just a charitable activity. It
creates shared value.”
Augsburg recently became one of
a dozen anchor institutions—ranging
from Allina and HealthPartners to the
University of Minnesota—that were first
to sign on to the Central Corridor Anchor
Partnership, a joint effort funded by
the McKnight Foundation to strengthen
communities along the light rail line
between downtown Minneapolis and
St. Paul. Pribbenow pointed out the
immense economic and civic potential
of nine medical facilities and seven
colleges in the corridor that together
account for 67,000 jobs, 115,000
students, and 100 current or planned
capital improvement projects totaling
$5 billion.
Eric Muschler, the McKnight
Foundation program officer involved
with the project, noted that Augsburg’s
long involvement in the West Bank
community offered inspiration for the
overall Anchor Partnership. “[Augsburg
IN THE CENTRAL CORRIDOR,
AUGSBURG IS ONE OF
9 MEDICAL FACILITIES 7 COLLEGES
AND
THAT TOGETHER ACCOUNT FOR
100
67,000 JOBS,
115,000 STUDENTS,
AND
CURRENT OR PLANNED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
TOTALING
has] been thinking about this longer,”
he said.
“This is not do-gooderism,”
Pribbenow stressed. “This is moving
beyond the charity model. We have
real interests that are at play with the
neighborhood. For us, this is about our
students. It contributes to their education,
their safety, and a vital urban environment where they live. This is not just what
we give to the community, it’s about our
shared interests and mutual benefits.”
Five years ago, Augsburg took a
leading role in the creation of the CedarRiverside Partnership, where stakeholders
including West Bank businesses, Fairview
Clinics-Riverside, University of Minnesota,
neighborhood organizations, the City
of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County
explore new ways of working together in
the neighborhood. Pribbenow currently
serves as the partnership’s chair.
“At first the group was all about
safety,” Pribbenow said, noting how
partners raised funds to increase security at a community center, supported a
neighborhood crime prevention group,
and helped plan a community safety
center that opened at a nearby housing
complex.
“If you talk to the police department, they will tell you that all of
this work by many institutions and
community organizations has improved
the safety and vitality of the neighborhood in a surprisingly short amount of
time.”
That initial success showed everyone what could be accomplished
cooperatively. The group’s attention
then widened to the coming Central
Corridor light rail line. Hennepin County
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin told
the group, “If you get this right, it will
undo the damage that was done” when
Interstates 94 and 35W essentially
walled off Cedar-Riverside from the rest
of the city.
“This work is about resurrecting
a neighborhood,” Pribbenow noted.
“Cedar-Riverside could become a destination for the whole region.”
That’s also a goal of the Central
Corridor Anchor Partnership: to make
sure that adjacent neighborhoods capitalize on the transformative benefits of
this nearly $1 billion public investment.
Pribbenow outlines four major initiatives
to strengthen Central Corridor communities, which in turn strengthen anchor
institutions such as Augsburg.
1 PROCUREMENT—A Central
Corridor Funders Collaborative study
found that 16 major anchor institutions
already spend more than $300 million
$5 BILLION
in goods and services from neighborhood businesses. Finding practical ways
to increase this local spending—both
individually and as a group—makes
a good investment, said Augsburg’s
Peacock. “Local purchasing benefits the
local economy, which means a healthier
neighborhood.”
When it came time to reupholster the
chairs in Hoversten Chapel, for instance,
Augsburg found a small Native Americanowned business in the nearby Phillips
neighborhood to do the job. A class of
Augsburg MBA students is now investigating more opportunities on this front.
2 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT—
The same principle of keeping resources
circulating throughout the community
applies to the goal of hiring more neighborhood residents at anchor institutions. Of course, as Peacock noted, this
depends on finding people with the right
skills. “How do we connect residents to
the training and certification programs
that are needed for the jobs?” That’s
where Augsburg’s nursing and physician
assistant programs come in, preparing
young people to work at the nine medical facilities along the light rail line.
For several years, Augsburg has
gone one step further in developing the
future health care workforce by hosting
Spring 2013
13
“THIS IS NOT DO-GOODERISM,” PRESIDENT PAUL PRIBBENOW STRESSED. “THIS IS MOVING BEYOND
THE CHARITY MODEL. WE HAVE REAL INTERESTS THAT ARE AT PLAY WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD. FOR
US, THIS IS ABOUT OUR STUDENTS. IT CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR EDUCATION, THEIR SAFETY, AND A VITAL
URBAN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY LIVE. THIS IS NOT JUST WHAT WE GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY, IT’S
ABOUT OUR SHARED INTERESTS AND MUTUAL BENEFITS.”
Urban Scrubs Camp (in conjunction
with Fairview and the state-funded
HealthForce Minnesota) to excite young
people about careers in health care.
Augsburg’s many community partners
invite interested high school students to
spend a week on campus in order to get
a feel for work in these fast-expanding
fields and for college life. St. Paul
College, at the other end of the Central
Corridor, is now adopting the idea.
3 ENGAGED LEARNING—Augsburg
holds honors from the National Society
for Experiential Education (2012) and
the White House’s Presidential Award
for Community Service (2010), which
demonstrate the College’s leadership
in this area. “Since the 1960s, we’ve
taken advantage of the city itself as a
classroom,” Pribbenow noted. “It’s part
of what make us distinctive.”
Nursing students, for instance,
gain invaluable experience working at
the school’s drop-in health centers at
Riverside Plaza and Central Lutheran
Church. Hundreds of students also
have volunteered at the Cedar Riverside
Community School, a K-8 charter
school at Riverside Plaza, and the
Augsburg Fairview Academy public high
school in the Phillips neighborhood.
All Auggies can be involved with the
Campus Kitchen, a student-led project
that distributes 2,000 meals a month
to homeless shelters, youth programs,
and senior and community centers.
Similarly, Augsburg’s community garden
finds students, community groups,
and neighborhood residents growing vegetables side by side.
Trinity Lutheran Congregation,
which was founded by Norwegian
immigrants 140 years ago and today is
home to many Eritrean and Ethiopian
immigrants, is housed right on campus
in a unique arrangement that further
strengthens the ties between college
and community. Students are involved
with the congregation’s tutoring program
for immigrants living in Cedar-Riverside
and in interfaith collaborations with
Augsburg’s many Muslim neighbors.
4 PLACEMAKING—Neighborhoods do
not stay vital on economic development
alone; a strong sense of place contributes greatly to their success. Augsburg
reaches out into the community in many
ways to improve the built environment
and enhance the distinctive character
of the neighborhood. This goal is woven
throughout the College’s campus master
plan. The Oren Gateway Center, which
opens onto Riverside Avenue, is symbolic of the College’s commitment to community connection. Another welcoming
gateway is being considered long term
for property Augsburg owns on Riverside
Avenue on the east side of campus.
Riverside Avenue itself underwent
a remarkable makeover in the last few
years—with improved bike lanes and
a new street configuration to calm
traffic—thanks in part to the College’s
cooperation with the city of Minneapolis.
“There are improvements on Riverside
that would not be there if we had not sat
down with the city and said we wanted
them,” Pribbenow said. It is exactly
this type of leadership, collaboration,
and active engagement in community
building that Augsburg and its anchor
partners will now extend to the entire
Central Corridor region through this
innovative new anchor institutions
initiative.
Jay Walljasper, a senior fellow with Augsburg’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, specializes in city and
community issues. He is author of The Great Neighborhood Book and All That We Share: A Field Guide to the
Commons. Read more at jaywalljasper.com.
14
Augsburg Now
ANCHOR INSTITUTION STRATEGIES across the United States
Augsburg’s recent participation in an “anchor” approach
to community revitalization does not rely simply on theory.
Large-scale strategies have been tested successfully
under rigorous conditions in U.S. cities where economic
challenges surpass those in the Twin Cities.
CLEVELAND
• Anchor institutions teamed up to create
a series of worker-owned cooperatives.
• Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve
University, and University Hospitals will benefit from light
rail improvements and a new high-speed bus line.
• A growers cooperative was formed to produce local food.
A FUTURE PROJECT MAY INCLUDE
A TRANSPORTATION COMPANY TO
SHUTTLE PATIENTS TO HOSPITALS.
PHILADELPHIA
• Anchor strategies were pioneered in West Philadelphia.
• The University of Pennsylvania redefined its relationship
with the community from isolation to interaction.
SYRACUSE
• The city’s Near Westside, one of the 10 poorest census
tracts in the United States, is transforming into a center
for technology, design, and art.
Successful initiatives included
launching an incentive
program for workers to live in
the area, reviving commercial
districts, creating more than
600 jobs, and more.
SYRACUSE
UNIVERSITY
RAISED
$
56
million
FOR ITS PLANS TO BETTER
CONNECT DOWNTOWN
WITH ITS CAMPUS.
DETROIT
• Housing initiatives transformed an area notorious for
abandoned properties into a desirable neighborhood.
• Hospitals convinced a medical products vendor to move
its distribution center from the
suburbs to the city, creating
140 jobs.
• The Henry Ford Health System
established a five-year program in area high schools
that trains and certifies students for jobs in 10 health
care occupations.
Other communities with anchor initiatives underway:
ATLANTA
BOSTON
CINCINNATI
PHOENIX
WASHINGTON, D.C.
To learn more about anchor initiatives in these
communities, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2013
15
auggie voices
From Z to A: Zimbabwean student discovers his dream at Augsburg
During the 2011 Agre Symposium at Augsburg College,
Kirubel Frew ’14 was apprehensive in introducing himself
to Peter Agre ’70—the 2003 recipient of the Nobel Prize
in Chemistry and the director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria
Research Institute. But the conversation between the Auggie
and one of the College’s most notable alumni proved to be the
first discussion of many.
“I happened to mention that I was from Zimbabwe,” Frew
recalled. “[Agre] said, ‘Zim? Zim? I love Zim. It’s a beautiful
country. I believe Zimbabwe will have a scientific boom within
the next decade.’”
As an international student, Frew selected Augsburg
because of its well-respected science programs and its welcoming staff, which he identified during his college application process. Today he recognizes that the warmth of the
Augsburg community extends beyond campus to its alumni
network.
That’s because what began as a simple chat between
Agre and Frew regarding their ties to Zimbabwe matured into
a bond through which the Nobel laureate has shaped the
career aspirations of one of the College’s standout third-year
16
Augsburg Now
chemists.
Frew views Agre’s ability to operate a research lab, speak
to audiences around the globe, and inspire young scientists as
‘a dream job’ and a goal he could not have identified without
studying at Augsburg.
“Years ago, I wouldn’t have believed all this was possible,” Frew said. “Meeting a Nobel laureate in chemistry is awesome, and being mentored by him is even more
awesome.”
This mentorship began when Agre invited Frew to conduct research at the Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Malaria
Research Institute during summer 2012 and to attend the
Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany, an
exclusive annual event that brings together several dozen
chemistry and physics laureates and an equal number of
student guests.
Frew was a fitting choice for these life-changing opportunities because he developed the critical thinking skills
that high-level research requires during the summer after
his first year at Augsburg. He participated in a 10-week
faculty-led research program through the College’s Office of
STUUDDEENNT
Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO).
“Research is so unscripted and there are so many turns,”
said assistant professor of chemistry Z. Vivian Feng, one of
Frew’s faculty advisers.
Feng presented Frew with the opportunity to conduct a
complex proof-of-concept project in which he could demonstrate the feasibility of making a bench-top reactor, a small
instrument tied to revolutionary biodiesel experimentation conducted by Augsburg alumnus and businessman Clayton McNeff
’91, chemistry professor emeritus Arlin Gyberg, and Augsburg’s
first Rhodes Scholar Brian Krohn ’08.
Feng said she knew the research project would be challenging for Frew given his limited experience in the chemistry lab,
but she also believed it suited his background in physics and
interest in engineering. Frew was determined to independently
achieve his goal of modifying the reactor design using his creativity, ingenuity, and knack for problem solving.
Frew said his experiences on the Augsburg campus and
around the globe have proven so inspiring that he now is determined to continue his science education and align his career
path to his vocation.
Dixie Shafer, URGO director, sees this objective as a nearperfect fit. She said that from Frew’s first days of research at
Augsburg, he has demonstrated a gift for explaining
complex scientific processes in terms that an interdisciplinary audience can understand.
“He sees communication as one of his life-long
missions,” Shafer explained. “He may become a serious scientist and work on issues that are related to
policy—realizing that too many people in policy don’t
know the science and too many scientists have difficulty
communicating with the non-science community … he’d
love to be doing what Peter Agre does.”
Frew cites Agre’s hard work and intellect as key
components in the Nobel laureate’s career success, and the
young Auggie is on track to take his Augsburg education to
the next level with his own tenacity. Students and alumni from
Augsburg’s science and mathematics departments commonly
go on to conduct research, attend graduate school, and accept
employment at some of the nation’s leading research institutions including Cornell University, Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Lab, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University,
among others.
Augsburg is a place for young scientists like Frew to set
dreams for the future and lay the educational foundation on
which to achieve them.
research
As spring turns to summer, life on a college
campus typically quiets. But for a select
group of undergraduate researchers, the
summer months are anything but slow.
From May to August, Augsburg students
perform faculty-led research in the sciences, humanities, and fine arts. Their work
is supported by funding from Augsburg’s
Undergraduate Research and Graduate
Opportunity (URGO) program, the McNair
Scholars program, the Sundquist Scholars
program, the Northstar STEM Alliance,
a NASA Space Physics grant, and the
National Science Foundation.
To watch audio slide shows featuring Laura
Essenburg ’12, Samantha Cantrall ’14, and other
summer researchers, go to augsburg.edu/now.
’12
LAURA
ESSENBURG
Essenburg studied
stereotypes and the
portrayal of race
in college admissions marketing
materials.
’14
SAMANTHA
CANTRALL
Cantrall studied the
hip hop protest music
inspired by the Arab
Spring movement.
LAURA SWANSON
To watch an audio slideshow in which Frew discusses his
URGO research, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2013
17
18
Augsburg Now
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FIELD
SWELLS IN U.S.;
AUGSBURG LEADS IN MINNESOTA
BY LAURA SWANSON
IN JUNE 2012, Forbes named physician assistant studies one
of the best master’s degrees for jobs, citing the discipline’s
salary and employment outlook in which job opportunities are
expected to grow 30 percent by 2020.
Physician assistants (PAs) are in demand due to an
aging U.S. population, a projected shortage of primary care
physicians, and a need for increased access to affordable
health care. And—in alignment with health care industry
demand—100 percent of Augsburg PA alumni are employed
within six months of graduation, according to Dawn Ludwig,
the College’s PA program director.
Jamie Schneekloth ’11 MPA is one of these graduates.
She worked as an emergency room technician and nursing
assistant for a half dozen years. After witnessing firsthand
the important role PAs play in the health care industry, she
gained admittance to the highly competitive Augsburg College
PA program. She wanted to earn a well-regarded education in
general practice medicine, to expand her earning potential,
and to pursue an exceptionally versatile career path.
Schneekloth secured her first full-time PA position at La
Clinica following her master’s degree completion.
“In my day-to-day practice, I manage a number of acute
and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
asthma, and I focus on preventive health,” Schneekloth said.
“I perform procedures as needed, such as joint injections …
and laceration repair.”
As a Spanish-major-turned-physician-assistant, she was a
natural fit for employment at the St. Paul-based community
health center that provides multicultural and multilingual
treatment to immigrant and low-income communities.
“PAs are a cost-effective way to deliver quality health
care in primary care areas,” Ludwig said. “The licensure of
a physician assistant is dependent upon the practice of the
physician, which means physicians can delegate certain
responsibilities to the PA to help them run their practices.”
Augsburg began its PA program in 1995 and during 2001
became the first college in Minnesota to offer the Physician
Assistant Certificate along with the Master of Science in
Physician Assistant Studies—a degree program that prepares
mid-level health care providers. As a PA, Schneekloth is
licensed to examine, treat, educate, and write prescriptions
for patients while under the supervision of a physician.
“The profession has exploded in the past 15 years,”
Ludwig said.
Schneekloth completed the Augsburg College PA program
in three years. Current Augsburg students earn a PA certificate
and a master’s degree in 31 months. The program’s duration
is a fraction of the length of medical school, which requires
a commitment of at least seven years. Like med students,
Augsburg College PA students enroll in lecture courses
emphasizing science and diseases, then complete 2,500
hours of clinical rotations during the second half of their education. These rotations are “key to what makes you confident
in providing quality care for a patient,” Schneekloth said.
PAs also are generalists who can easily change medical disciplines. “I liked that the career was versatile,”
Schneekloth added. “I could work in any specialty, as opposed
to physicians who have to maintain the particular career path
that they chose in residency for their entire career.”
The Augsburg PA program promotes a commitment to
lifelong personal and professional development and has a
“strong reputation in the country,” according to Ludwig. “That
leads to high-quality people applying, which means we are
selective about the candidates we admit, which then leads to
high-quality graduates.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The first physician assistant program was established at North Carolina’s Duke University Medical Center in 1965,
and the discipline has become increasingly popular in all 50 U.S. states. Early PA programs were modeled after the
fast-track training available to World War II doctors and addressed a shortage of primary care physicians.
Spring 2013
19
Drawing from
experience
Tara Sweeney, Augsburg College associate
professor of art, looks for the extraordinary
in the ordinary, drawing from direct
observation with watercolor and ink.
After 21 years at Augsburg, she is
at ease teaching painting and drawing
in the College’s on-campus studios.
But, Sweeney said, since 1999 she has
pushed herself—and the students she
instructs—into “deeper observing, questioning, and creating” through shortterm study abroad programs in Italy and
France.
“Learning to draw in a study abroad
program is an opportunity to travel in
an entirely different way than a typical
tourist,” Sweeney said. “It wakes us
up. Sketching in the midst of daily life
challenges the habitual ways we think
about ourselves, where we are, and what
we know. It coaxes us to be more open,
more present to what we encounter.”
In January 2013, Sweeney collaborated with Merilee Klemp, associate
professor of music, to teach the fine
arts course, The Sights and Sounds of
Europe: Paris, which encouraged students to embrace art and music as interrelated disciplines during an Augsburg
Abroad winter break program.
Sweeney said students sketched at
key cultural locations as well as at art
museums and live musical performances
throughout the City of Lights, prompting the travelers to learn new visual and
aural skills, engage with people in the
community, and embrace the diversity of
their unfamiliar setting.
“Drawing is its own language—one
that can be shared without words,”
Sweeney said. “It makes the artist
and the art-making more visible and
approachable. Strangers pause, watch
the sketches unfold, and sometimes
share their stories. Empathy and trust
grow out of this experience. These
attitudes are essential to drawing and
designing, to teaching and learning, and
to embracing and understanding the
world we live in.”
Prior to teaching, Sweeney was a freelance book illustrator and designer as well as executive art director for
Mpls. St. Paul Magazine. She is a prolific artist whose
recent work ranges from artist books to mixed media
paintings and drawings. She holds signature status in
the Minnesota Watercolor Society. The Phipps Center for
the Arts in Hudson, Wis., recently exhibited 42 drawings from her current series, “Close to Home: A Visual
Journal.” Her spring 2013 sabbatical project focuses on
the completion of this series.
Sweeney, at right, with student Nina Robinson ’14.
Augsburg students who participated in The Sights and Sounds of Europe: Paris course
recorded their travel experiences in sketchbooks and journals. Sweeney taught students
drawing techniques by demonstrating in her own visual journal. Sweeney’s examples,
included here, show how Paris provided both the subject matter and the classroom for
this unique approach to experiential education.
20
Augsburg Now
alumni news
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear alumni and friends,
d
ALUMNI AND STUDENT
networking
During February, Augsburg students connected with alumni at a networking event
sponsored by the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations and the Clair and Gladys
Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Here psychology major Joe Kempf ’16 talks
with Auggie alumni. To find out about future opportunities to mentor or support current
students, go to augsburg.edu/alumni.
Current and former Alumni Board members gather at the first Alumni Leadership
Summit.
provide all alumni with an opportunity to return to campus,
meet with current faculty and students, learn about the exciting things that are taking place at Augsburg, and discover how
we can play a role in the continued success of the College.
Please join with me in taking ownership of the future of
Augsburg!
CHRIS ASCHER ’81
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
AUGSBURG ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
uring February, the Alumni Board
hosted the first Alumni Leadership
Summit, bringing to campus key
leaders who have served on the Alumni
Board of Directors in the past. The objective of this summit was to educate our most
engaged alumni about the importance of the Center for Science,
Business, and Religion; to introduce them to its Campaign
Action Team; and to discuss meaningful ways that they can
contribute to the success of the campaign and engage their
classmates in the process.
The summit was a wonderful opportunity to see the outstanding work being done by Augsburg faculty and staff members, to tour the current science facilities, and to reconnect
with the College and our classmates. I was truly overwhelmed,
although not surprised, by the enthusiasm demonstrated by
those in attendance.
As alumni of Augsburg College, we are in part responsible
for its financial future. This summer and fall, we have planned
a series of additional class year and affinity group summits to
The Augsburg Alumni Association is looking
for volunteers to serve on the Alumni Board.
All alumni are welcome and encouraged to
apply. The Alumni Board is a governing body
of the Alumni Association. Together with the
Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations,
it provides resources and opportunities to
engage alumni with the College and each
other through consistent communication,
inclusive programming, and intentional
relationship-building. For more information,
email alumni@augsburg.edu.
Spring 2013
21
alumni news
YOUNG ALUMNI
AUGSBURG HONORS
FORMER WRESTLING COACH
summer series
RON PFEFFER
BRIT’S PUB
1100 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Complimentary beverage and appetizers provided.
Wednesday, June 19
TWINS VS. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
5-7 p.m.—Pre-game reception at
Hubert’s, 600 N. First Avenue,
Minneapolis
7:10 p.m.—Game at Target Field.
$30 includes ticket to game in The Pavilion, appetizers, and
a complimentary beverage at Hubert’s.
Thursday, July 18, 5:30-9 p.m.
YOUNG ALUMNI LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Avenue S., Minneapolis
Join fellow young alumni leaders to learn how you can
support the future of your alma mater.
Pre-reception cocktails, dinner, and presentation.
Friday, August 2, 5-7 p.m.
Photo by Don Stoner
Thursday, May 30, 5-7 p.m.
Former Augsburg College
wrestling coach Ron
Pfeffer, who coached
the team’s first four
Augsburg All-American
wrestlers and led the
team to its first top-10
national tournament
finish, was honored on
Saturday, January 26,
when a new competition
mat was named in his
Ron Pfeffer celebrates with the All-Amerhonor. Augsburg wrestling icans who competed during his Augsburg
coaching career. [L to R]: Mike Good ’71,
alumni, including many
Ron Johnson ’71, Ron Pfeffer, Daryl Miller
who wrestled for Pfeffer,
’69, and Pat Marcy ’72.
attended the ceremony.
Pfeffer coached the Auggies from 1966 to 1971, compiling a 52-10-1 dual-meet record. His teams from 1967-68
to 1969-70 won three straight Minnesota Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (MIAC) championships, and his 197071 team became the first Augsburg wrestling squad to earn
a top-10 national finish. Pfeffer coached 17 MIAC individual
champions, taught health and physical education courses,
and served as an assistant football coach at Augsburg.
AUGGIE NIGHT AT
CANTERBURY PARK
1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee
Free admission, picnic buffet, and
reserved seating.
Friday, September 27, 6-8 p.m.
HOMECOMING 2013—
REPUBLIC AT SEVEN CORNERS
221 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
Complimentary beverage and appetizers provided.
To register, go to augsburg.edu/alumni.
Join the Augsburg College Young
Alumni Facebook group to learn
more and stay connected.
22
Augsburg Now
SAVE THE DATE
Leland B. Sateren’s
100th birthday
celebration
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
4 p.m., Normandale Lutheran Church
Edina, Minn.
Leland B. Sateren ’35, director of the
Augsburg Choir from 1946 to 1979, would have
been 100 years old on October 13, 2013. To celebrate
Sateren’s legacy, a special public concert including
Augsburg Choir alumni will be held on his birthday. Choir
alumni will receive more information this summer. To
learn more, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at
alumni@augsburg.edu.
Scholastic Connections’ students, mentors forge deep bonds
Beverly Bushyhead ’98,
a professional in nonprofit leadership and
management, volunteered to serve as a mentor through the
Scholastic Connections program at Augsburg because of her
strong desire to assist Native American students with navigating college.
Scholastic Connections is a scholarship and mentorship
program for high-achieving undergraduate students of color at
Augsburg College. The program is designed to assist students in
the completion of their undergraduate degree by pairing them
with a mentor—usually also a person of color—who recognizes, supports, challenges, and inspires them. In addition,
mentors provide meaningful insight and guidance on becoming
engaged, successful citizens of the world when students graduate, in part by facilitating career development and planning.
Bushyhead, who is a member of the Eastern Band of
Cherokee from North Carolina, was paired in 2010 with
Rebecca Dickinson ’13, a double major in Spanish and sociology. Dickinson is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Since they first met three years ago, their mentoring relationship has grown to focus on challenging questions related to
life and professional success, and the two regularly connect.
Bushyhead describes Dickinson as “incredibly bright and
competent, and more than that—she is brave and ethical.”
Bushyhead also
said she’s watched
Dickinson’s commitment to others deepen
during the course of
their three-year mentor relationship.
Dickinson,
indeed, is engaged in Beverly Bushyhead ’98 and Rebecca Dickinson ’13
the community. She
teaches voice to middle-school girls, is a Page Scholar in community centers, works with Minnesota Public Research Group,
and is a tutor at a community library.
Dickinson said when she questions whether she can make
a difference in the world, she leans on words from Bushyhead:
earn an education because you can, represent similar voices that
are unheard, and work to create systemic change so that educational opportunities are available to more people.
CHERYL CROCKETT ’89
Alumni are needed to mentor students in the Scholastic Connections
program. If you are interested in volunteering your time, contact
Cindy Peterson at 612-330-1754 or petersoc@augsburg.edu.
Reunion Classes
SEPTEMBER 23-28
50th Reunion—1963 40th Reunion—1973
30th Reunion—1983 25th Reunion—1988
10th Reunion—2003
augsburg.edu/homecoming
Spring 2013
23
alumni class notes
After 10 years of service as
chief technology officer at
Lewis & Clark College in Portland,
Ore., Dan Terrio accepted the
position of chief information officer
at Whitman College in Walla Walla,
Wash.
90
Sara (Quigley) Brown was
installed on October 28,
2012, as the pastor at Alaska
Native Lutheran, an Inupiaq
(Eskimo) congregation of the
ELCA in Anchorage, Alaska. Her
husband, Russell, works in IT for
Wells Fargo.
00
Kathryn Koch has been
appointed the event and
administrative manager for the
O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine
University in St. Paul.
01
auggie SNAPSHOTS
Stephanie Quick-Espinoza was
named the director of evangelical mission and synod minister
for expanding vision in the
Rocky Mountain Synod Office
of the Bishop. Her call began in
24
February 2013. Stephanie and her
family relocated to Denver, Colo.
Jaclyn Gehrke is teaching at
a bilingual school in Roatán,
Honduras.
07
Jake (Johnson) Rapp
directed Brain-Dumb for
the Minnesota band STNNNG.
The video was named a Best
Twin Cities music video of 2012
by City Pages. Rapp earned his
bachelor of arts in film production
at Augsburg. Rapp’s student work
was featured at the 2011 and
2012 ACTC film festivals.
12
Graduate programs
Lori Peterson, Augsburg assistant
vice president and dean of graduate and professional studies, was
recognized with the University of
Minnesota’s College of Education
and Human Development 2012
Distinguished Alumni Award.
Peterson was commended for her
leadership in adult education.
Filling their father’s skates
When Bill McClellan ’86 [center] attends Augsburg men’s hockey
games, he is proud to see his sons, Ben ’15 [left] and B. J. ’14 [right],
stepping out onto the same rink where he skated with the Augsburg
hockey team more than 20 years ago. If you’re an Auggie alum and
would like your grandchild, son, daughter, or sibling to be an Auggie
too, contact the Office of Admissions about the Augsburg Legacy
scholarship at 612-330-1001 or admissions@augsburg.edu.
To read more about the McClellans, go to augsburg.edu/now.
Kaye (Nelson)
Jenness
’67 and Gretchen (Strom)
Schmidt ’68 and their
spouses met in Astoria,
Ore., for a two-day visit
during September 2012.
67-68
Marilyn Elness Froiland and her husband, Pastor Philip
Froiland, spent the month of August 2011 in Sitka,
Alaska, as volunteer docents at Sitka Lutheran Church, the
oldest Lutheran church on the West Coast of the United
States. The church was founded in 1840 by Pastor Uno
Cygnaeus of the Church of Finland after the Russian czar
granted permission for a Lutheran church to be built by the
Russian American Company. Throughout the month, the
Froilands showed 1,100 tourists the artifacts of the original
church and explained its history.
53
Augsburg Now
Neil Pauluk Paulson completed a marathon in each of the 50
U.S. states and in the District of Columbia. Paulson ran 36
marathons in 2010 and 32 in 2011; his longest streak was 14 races
in 14 weeks, and he completed two marathons (in New Hampshire
and Maine) in one weekend. He also competed in 50K and 24-hour
races. Paulson is the director of a private mortgage investment fund
affiliated with Equity Trust Company and owner of Franklin Financial,
LLC, a mortgage and real estate investment company.
77
auggies are awesome
Carol (Kenyon) Dekker’s son, Sam, was
named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball in
2012 and led the team from Sheboygan
Lutheran High School to the Division V
state basketball championship by hitting
a game-winning 3-pointer with 6 seconds
remaining on the game clock. Sam also was
selected to play on the USA Basketball Men’s
U18 national team that won the gold medal
in Brazil during June 2012, and he was a
member of the Wisconsin Badgers men’s
basketball team in the 2012-13 season.
80
Jessica Barker, Jen Ringeisen Berg, Christa Winkelman,
Tara Cesaretti McLeod, and Jane Ruth Zirbes attended their
15-year reunion during Homecoming 2012 at Augsburg.
97
Cristina M. Olstad ’00, ’05
MSW was named the assistant
vice president for student affairs
at Towson University in Maryland.
Olstad began the position on
January 23. She previously served
as the assistant director of residential education at the University
of Vermont, where she completed
her doctoral degree in educational
leadership and policy studies.
Olstad and her wife, Kirsten Fricke,
are thrilled to be moving to the
Baltimore area to be closer to family
and friends.
00
Christina (Boe) and Michael T.
Anderson ’13 WEC welcomed
Savannah Elizabeth on October 9,
2012. She joins big sister, Charlotte.
The couple hopes the girls will
become third-generation Auggies by
attending the College following their
parents and their grandfather, David
E. Boe ’68.
04
Laura (Eliason) Faitsbau
was married on January
8, 2011, to Lauren (Jung)
Faitsbau in Decorah, Iowa.
The couple welcomed Rowan
Sage Faitsbau on August 16,
2012.
05
Stacey (Kinder) and
Ryan Plasch welcomed
daughter Audrey Valda
Plasch on November 22,
2012. Ryan works for South
Metro Human Services and
Stacey is currently a full-time
mother. The family lives in
Maple Grove, Minn.
09
Kelsey Crockett married Stacey
Gadsden in Belknap Springs,
Ore., on July 7, 2012. The couple
lives in Spring Hill, Tenn., where
Stacey works at Olive Garden and
attends college while Kelsey is a
consultant for Verizon Financial
Services, Southern Region. Kelsey’s
parents are Larry Crockett, professor
at Augsburg College, and Cheryl
Crockett ’89, a volunteer in the
Office of Alumni and Constituent
Relations.
07
Brittney Ruth Hodgdon was
born to Andrea (Slack) and
Clint Hodgdon ’04 on August 15,
2012. Andrea is an accountant at
Renewable Products Marketing
Group, and Clint is a sales manager
at Ameriprise Financial.
07
Jenessa Payano Stark
married Geomar Payano
Stark in Glenwood, Minn., on
June 8, 2012. The couple lives
in New York City, where they
met as bicycle messengers.
Jenessa works as a homebirth
midwife assistant for Cara
Muhlhahn Midwifery, and
Geomar works as a bicycle
messenger.
07
Spring 2013
25
auggie SNAPSHOTS
Dixon Dehmer and Melissa
Ludwig were married
at Zion Lutheran Church in
Buffalo, Minn. on September
15, 2012. Dixon is employed at
Nilfisk-Advance in Plymouth,
Minn., as a financial accountant. Melissa is employed at
Venture Photography in Edina,
Minn., as the office manager.
The couple resides in Buffalo.
09
Ali Rapp and Jake
(Johnson) Rapp ’12 were
married on November 10,
2012. Jake owns a video production company, and Ali is a
master of arts candidate at the
University of Minnesota.
Carmen Crockett ’12 MBA
married John Williams in
Eagan, Minn., on October 6,
2012. Larry Crockett, professor
at Augsburg College and father
of the bride, officiated at the ceremony. The bride was escorted
down the aisle by her mother,
Cheryl Crockett ’89, who is a
volunteer in the Office of Alumni
and Constituent Relations.
Carmen is an account manager
for SPS Commerce in downtown
Minneapolis, and John works for
Wells Fargo in the area of mortgages and foreclosures. They live
in Eagan, Minn.
12
26
Augsburg Now
Later this year, the offices of Alumni Relations
and Marketing and Communication will administer the member magazine readership survey created by the Council for Advancement and Support
of Education (CASE). This web survey is designed
to help college and university editors evaluate
how readers view their campus magazine and to
benchmark the results.
Please email langemo@augsburg.edu to update
your email address. A random sample of Augsburg
Now readers will be asked to participate in this
survey.
The Landmarks
of South Africa
and Namibia
11
CORRECTION:
On page 37 of the Fall
2012 issue of Augsburg
Now, Gretha (Halvorson)
Loken ’38 and her
daughter Mary (Loken)
Veiseth ’70 were pictured
at the graduation of Amy
Aylsworth ’12. Aylsworth
was incorrectly listed as
Veiseth’s daughter; she is
Veiseth’s niece.
GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
Dr. Amit K. Ghosh ’12 MBA
received the Laureate
Award from the Minnesota
Chapter of the American College
of Physicians. The award was
presented in Minneapolis on
November 2, 2012. Ghosh is a
professor of medicine at Mayo
Clinic College of Medicine and a
consultant in the division of general internal medicine. He is also
the current director of the Mayo
Clinic international program.
Pictured with Dr. Ghosh are his
wife, Karthik [left], and daughter,
Divya [right].
12
AUGUST 11-24, 2013
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. This trip is offered
by the Augsburg College Alumni Association
and Center for Global Education (CGE) at
Augsburg College. To request more details
about the trip, call 612-330-1085 or email
alumni@augsburg.edu.
In memoriam
Send us your news and photos
Rev. Lester A. Dahlen ’39,
Richfield, Minn., age 95, on
September 25.
Richard H. “Dick” Velve ’57,
Eden Prairie, Minn., age 76,
on September 24.
Rev. Luther O. Strommen ’39,
Minneapolis and Sun City, Ariz.,
age 95, on September 29.
Allen J. Johnson ’61, Sioux
City, Iowa, age 73, on
October 23.
Clair K. “Kenny” Chelmen ’40,
Bloomington, Minn., age 93,
on September 17.
Ronald T. Hagenson ’63,
Plymouth, Minn., age 76, on
May 2, 2012.
Mildred D. (Tweed) Thudium
’40, Oreland, Pa., age 93, on
August 6.
Charles M. Daggett ’64,
Watertown, Minn., age 74,
on November 6.
Philip C. Helland ’42,
Minneapolis, age 92, on
December 12.
Christ J. Behm ’68, Little
Canada, Minn., age 65, on
January 14.
Shirley Ann (George) Foster
’49, Springfield, Minn., age
84, on September 19.
John G. Telste ’72, Ashburn,
Va., age 61, on October 7.
Charlotte E. Leafblad ’49,
Zion, Ill., age 85, on
January 2.
Merida N. (Collin) Erickson
’50, Naperville, Ill., age 85,
on November 22.
Marolyn (Sortland) Halverson
’51, Columbus, Ohio, age
83, on October 31.
Jean (Vettel) Kiteley ’51,
Exeter, N.H., age 83, on
November 16.
Orpha (Hushagen) Iseminger
’54, Sioux Falls, S.D., age
82, on June 14.
Walter K. Josephson ’54,
Rochester, Minn., age 82,
on May 16, 2012.
Kermit E. Bolstad ’56,
Culbertson, Mont., age 77,
on August 8.
John W. Haynes ’56,
Pengilly, Minn., age 80, on
September 15.
Charles “Chuck” Howard ’56,
Madelia, Minn., age 81, on
October 15.
Harlan C. Christianson ’57,
Los Angeles, Calif., age 77,
on December 15.
Karen L. Johnson ’75, St.
Paul, age 58, on April 2,
2012.
Deidre (Durand) Middleton
’88, Plymouth, Minn., age
73, on November 24.
Vicki C. MacNabb ’07,
Minneapolis, age 65, on
December 24.
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.
______________________________________________________
Full name
______________________________________________________
Maiden name
______________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
______________________________________________________
Street address
______________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Is this a new address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
______________________________________________________
Home telephone
______________________________________________________
Email
Okay to publish your email address? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Daniel J. Martin ’10,
Lafayette, Colo., age 27, on
October 23.
______________________________________________________
Employer
Eric Dietz ’11, Hilo, Hawaii,
age 29, on January 6.
______________________________________________________
Position
Mark C. Langdon ’13, Omaha,
Nebr., age 22, on December 7.
______________________________________________________
Work telephone
Andrew Pehrson ’13, Eden
Prairie, Minn., age 23, on
December 27.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? ❑ Yes ❑ No
Austin R. Conley ’16,
Minneapolis, age 20, on
October 27.
Professor Emeritus Ray
Anderson, Minneapolis, age
88, on January 6.
Professor Emeritus Vern
Bloom, Bloomington, Minn.,
age 78, on October 20.
If yes, class year__________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Spouse’s name (include maiden name, if applicable)
Your news:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
❑ I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Spring 2013
27
it takes an
auggie
AUGSBURG STEWARDS:
auggies for life
A group of dedicated students play
an important role in the life and
future of the College. Since 2005,
the Augsburg Stewards have shared
their stories of being a student with
alumni. The Stewards also have
taught their college peers about the
importance of philanthropy to the life
of the College.
These dedicated Auggies perform
their service to Augsburg through
alumni relations programs and
Augsburg Fund initiatives. In return,
the Stewards find that their service
yields unique career development
opportunities.
In addition to educating their
peers on the role they will play as
alumni, Stewards also connect with
other students throughout the year
through Philanthropy Week, the Feed
the Pig class challenge, and the 100
Days to Graduation Senior Party.
Each of these programs is intended to
inspire a lifetime of Auggie Pride in
Stewards and other students.
Stewards, as current Auggies,
connect with alumni at events such
as Advent Vespers, the Convocation
Series lectures, Homecoming, the
Alumni Summer Series, the Alumni/
Student Networking evening, and
Scholarship Brunch, and begin to
build relationships that can lead to
internships or career opportunities.
Augsburg Stewards [pictured clockwise from top]:
Justin Lochner ’13, Ashley Pepper ’16, Emily
Bauermeister ’15, Gary Mariscal ’14, Jake Haehnal ’14
THE
Maroon
& Silver
SOCIETY
JILL WATSON ’10 MBA is one of the newest members of Augsburg’s
Maroon & Silver Society. Members pledge to contribute $1,000 annually to The Augsburg Fund to provide scholarships, help the College
hire and retain outstanding faculty, and foster academic growth and
achievement for Augsburg students. The generous donors of the Maroon
& Silver Society make up 8 percent of all donors to The Augsburg Fund
but provide 69 percent of the dollars received each year.
Watson gives to The Augsburg Fund because she knows it supports all students—undergraduate and graduate—in their pursuit of an
Augsburg education.
“In January, I was fortunate to be invited to a Leadership Summit
where I learned about Augsburg’s long-term vision and goals. This
experience was truly inspiring, and I walked away knowing that I had
to get more involved in the life of the College. I chose to support The
Augsburg Fund through the Maroon & Silver Society because it touches
all Augsburg students in some way.”
augsburg.edu/giving
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Auggies are everywhere!
As part of the Rochester community for nearly 15 years, Augsburg College’s campus in downtown
Rochester offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, and nursing.
To watch a video of Auggie Eagle in Rochester, go to augsburg.edu/rochester or scan the QR code.
Show less
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2012
VOL. 74, NO. 2
inside
called
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
Auggie Pastors Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Travel
International photo contest Writers’ challenge
of place Roger Griffith ’84
pagePersonality
20
to
inspire
peace
not... Show more
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2012
VOL. 74, NO. 2
inside
called
Augsburg Now
Magazine
of Augsburg College
25The
Years
of Life-Changing
Auggie Pastors Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Travel
International photo contest Writers’ challenge
of place Roger Griffith ’84
pagePersonality
20
to
inspire
peace
notes
from President Pribbenow
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Innovation and excellence
Senior Creative Associate-Design
A
s I write this, there is much conversation
around the country about President Obama’s
challenge to colleges and universities to
stem tuition increases and make higher education more accessible. It is an important challenge and one we take seriously at Augsburg.
In many ways, Augsburg’s longstanding commitment to access and excellence prepares us well
to address the challenge. We have developed a
strategic model for using College-funded financial
aid to make college accessible for a diverse student
body. We are involved in ongoing efforts to link academic planning, enrollment outlooks, and a sustainable financial model. We focus our attention as
a campus community on ensuring that students are
at the center of our lives and that their success is
our primary objective. All of these efforts are mission-based and challenge us to be open to innovative ways to ensure that Augsburg’s excellence is
sustained into the future.
In fact, Augsburg 2019, our strategic map,
names innovation and excellence as one of our
three key pathways to our future. (The others are
student success and telling Augsburg’s story in
word and deed.) You will read in this issue of
Augsburg Now about several innovative projects,
including the Nobel Peace Prize Forum (see page
9), the American Commonwealth
Partnership (see page 2), and the opening of the
new Gage Center for Student Success (see page 3
and back cover).
All of this said, however, we still must ask ourselves a fundamental question about higher education and about Augsburg in particular. That
question is this: Is it worth it? Why would any of
us—parents and students who pay tuition, alumni
and friends who make gifts—invest the time and
energy and money that college demands?
It is a question I think a good bit about, though
I certainly will admit my bias as a lifelong educator. In engaging in the important public conversations about the role of higher education for our
economy and democracy, there is great value in re-
visiting the reasons why the sort of education
Augsburg offers is worth it—for our students, graduates, and the world.
I find essayist and poet (and farmer) Wendell
Berry’s words in his prose-poem “Damage” particularly instructive when he writes: “No expert knows
everything about every place, not even everything
about any place. If one’s knowledge of one’s whereabouts is insufficient, if one’s judgment is unsound, then expert advice is of little use.”
Education, in other words, is not about taking
someone else’s word for it. It is about finding our own
way into an understanding of our world and our
whereabouts so that we might use our education to
make our whereabouts safer and healthier, and more
fair and just. This is how we think about education
here at Augsburg. Students come here not to be filled
up with someone else’s knowledge but to find and
ask their own questions, to test their own hypotheses,
to create their own art and music, and to engage our
neighborhood and world as they learn and serve. They
come here to learn about themselves, to learn with
each other and with our remarkable faculty, and to
learn about the world they inhabit with all its diversity
and complexity.
And then in a few short years, we send them
out from here to use their education in service and
leadership in the world. We count on them to take
the questions they have asked here and knowledge
they have gained about their whereabouts, and
then we watch with great pride and expectation
how their Augsburg education makes the world a
better place for all of us.
Accountability for our plans and budgets? Indeed. Innovation and excellence in support of our
students? You can count on it. But in the end, we
must be passionate advocates for the value—the
worth—of the sort of education Augsburg offers
and the difference it makes for our students and
the world. I thank all of you for your support and
passion. Please share our amazing story!
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Photographer
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
Stephanie Weiss
weisss@augsburg.edu
Production Manager/Now Online
Mark Chamberlain
chamberm@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
langemo@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
spring 2012
augsburg now
Features
9
13
24
28
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
COMPILED BY REBECCA JOHN
WE ARE CALLED.
auggie pastors.
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
.
14 Bob Bagley ’58
16 David Lillejord ’86
18 Jeni Falkman Grangaard ’02
20 Peter Morlock ’90
22 Stephanie Quick-Espinoza ’01
9
contents
13
26
On the cover
At the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Augsburg’s President
Paul C. Pribbenow was joined by F. W. de Klerk, former South African
president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Peter Agre ’70,
2003 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and director of the
Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute.
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
24
26
28
International photo contest
Auggie writers’ challenge
COMPILED BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
The personality of place—student break room
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Departments
inside
front
cover
2
5
6
30
31
36
40
Notes from President Pribbenow
Around the Quad
My Auggie experience
Auggie voices
Auggies in the front office
Alumni news
Class notes
It takes an Auggie
quad
around the
SportsExtravaganza
American
Commonwealth Partnership
Augsburg was named coordinator of the nationwide
American Commonwealth Partnership (ACP), launched in
January by the White House Office of Public Engagement, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The ACP
is rooted in the recognition that education should be—
must be—delivered for the common good rather than be
allowed to become an individual benefit only for those
who can afford it. As coordinator, Augsburg will work to
deepen connections and relationships
and create policies, initiatives, and practices in
public engagement efforts across higher
education. Read more on page 6 of this
edition of Augsburg Now.
Auggies majoring in physical education had the chance
in November to work with more than 225 grade school
kids from 27 schools during the Sports Extravaganza. All
the youth who attended have developmental and/or physical needs and participated in nine different activities designed with their needs in mind. The program is a chance
for future teachers to get hands-on practice working with
students.
Academic
ACCREDITATION
education
Youth Day
Native American
More than 250 Native American youth from grades 6 through 12
were on campus January 13 for Native American Youth Day. As
part of their visit, the students from eight metro-area school districts had the chance to hear Olympian Billy Mills talk about living
a drug-free, alcohol-free life. Mills, who was born and raised on
the Pine Ridge (Lakota) Reservation in South Dakota, also spoke
about “Unity through Diversity” in an evening presentation open
to the public.
2
Augsburg Now
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE) Review Board granted Augsburg’s
Education Department programs continued national accreditation until 2017. Accredited programs include
initial licensure programs in elementary, secondary, and
special education at the undergraduate and graduate
level. NCATE also granted a two-year accreditation to
advanced licensure programs. In addition, the department’s teaching and service to the community
received the highest possible rating by the NCATE
Review Board.
nursing
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) Board of Commissioners granted accreditation
to the College’s post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program for a term of five years, the maximum time
frame granted for accreditation of new programs.
Clair and Gladys Strommen
EXECUTIVE LEADER SPEAKER SERIES
The 2011-12 Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Leader
Speaker Series kicked off in November with Steve
Wehrenberg ’78, CEO of Campbell Mithun advertising
agency. In February, the series welcomed Keith Wyche,
a leading African-American executive and CEO of Cub
Foods. The next event in the series, March 29, features Jim
Owens, president and CEO of HB Fuller. All Strommen Executive Leader Speaker events are free and open to the public.
C E L E BRAT I N G
3 0
Y E AR S
GAGE CENTER CELEBRATION
The Center for Global Education celebrates its 30-year anniversary
of offering cross-cultural learning experiences that foster critical
analysis of local and global conditions. During December, CGE
hosted its first trip to Cuba since 2005. The program provided
participants an opportunity to learn about politics, health care,
food security, workers’ rights, and more. Beginning in the fall of
2012, Augsburg will conduct semester-long programs in Cuba
with courses in history, political science, sociology, and Spanish
language. The program will be coordinated by CGE in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, an organization
based in Havana and dedicated to community development and
national and international politics. Augsburg is one of only a
handful of colleges to offer such a unique learning opportunity.
Representatives of the Gage and Groves Family foundations joined Augsburg College staff and faculty in
February for the grand opening of the Gage Center for Student Success and the Groves Center of
Technology, located at the heart of campus on the second level of the Lindell Library.
Celebration of
Philanthropy
Modeling Constructive Debate:
The Celebration of Philanthropy, the second annual celebration of supporters and friends of the College, is June 7.
The event is open to current annual donors who have
made gifts of $1,000 or more in fiscal 2012, Sven
Oftedal Society members, donors who have made cumulative gifts of $25,000 or more, and donors who have given
to the College for 15 or more consecutive years. Invitations to the event will be mailed this spring.
Augsburg’s annual Sabo Symposium modeled constructive debate in addressing some of the contentious issues surrounding
K-12 integration funding in Minnesota. The panel included
Peter Swanson and Scott Thomas, co-chairs of the Minnesota
Integration Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force, who
discussed their experiences on the task force to illustrate how
people with differing perspectives can lead and model civil
discourse in order to work together productively.
Sabo Public Policy Symposium
To learn more about the Symposium,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2012
3
quad
around the
MANY VOICES
BOLD VISIONS
New academic programs
The Augsburg College Board of Regents has approved two new
graduate-level programs—the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative
Writing and the Master of Music Therapy—which will launch in the
fall of 2013.
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing offers tracks in fiction,
creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Playwriting will be
added in 2014. The MFA will be offered through a low-residency,
hybrid model that includes online and face-to-face learning.
The Master of Music Therapy will address changes to the minimum professional requirements for music therapists as set by the
Music Therapy National Board. The program, offered via a combination of online and face-to-face learning formats, focuses on
music and medicine, which is projected to be a growth field in
nursing homes and hospice care.
Also, the Augsburg College faculty approved an ESL (English as
a Second Language) teacher licensure program, an area of demand
in K-12 education today. The program is currently pending final
approval from the State of Minnesota and will be offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels of the College’s teacher education
programs.
Where Condor Meets Eagle
NATIVE AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Frederic Luskin, director of the Stanford
University Forgiveness Project, spoke February
11 at the Center for Counseling and Health
Promotion Convocation about the process of letting go of hurt, helplessness, and anger, while
increasing confidence, hope, and happiness.
At this year’s Batalden Symposium in Applied
Ethics, members of the Augsburg community
explored the effects of youth on political
change in Egypt through first-hand accounts
from members of the EYouth (Engaging and
Empowering Egyptian Youth) project, who described their experiences as part of the protests
and their observations about the process of
youth-led political change in Egypt.
Kenna-Camara Cotton,
director of Voice of
Culture Drum and Dance,
a Minneapolis-based
Black dance company,
performs an African
dance at the January
Martin Luther King Jr.
Convocation.
Photo by Mark Chamberlain
Augsburg Now
The Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, held
January 16, featured T. Mychael Rambo, local
actor, vocalist, and educator. The convocation
featured other local performers using poetry,
song, dance, and imagery to explore the topic,
“Now is the Time: Giving Voice to the Dream.”
A full schedule of the 2011-12 Augsburg
College Convocation series is available at
www.augsburg.edu/convo.
Augsburg’s Native American Film Series partnered with
Phillips Indian Educators and the Parkway Theater to
present a three-night film festival in March celebrating
indigenous film, collaborations across national boundaries, and visual storytelling. The festival featured films
by Bolivian and North American artists, many of whom
attended the screenings and participated in audience
discussions about their films. The festival title, Where
Condor Meets Eagle, reflects the prophecy that when
the condor (Bolivia) meets the eagle (North America),
the Indigenous continent will be healed.
4
Convocation Series 2011-12
my
Auggie experience
Beating the Odds
After completing her PhD from Yale in 2009,
Chandra Erdman ’02 was in high demand.
She was recruited for tenure track teaching
positions at several universities, and the
global banking firm Goldman Sachs also
came calling with an attractive offer. But
Erdman’s dream job was to work for the U.S.
Census Bureau.
Today, she is one of the 39 percent of
Washington, D.C., residents who work for
the government. She is a mathematical
statistician in the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology, a group that
makes up less than one percent of U.S.
Census Bureau employees.
She also happens to be the only African
American ever to obtain a PhD in statistics
from Yale University.
There was a time, however, when Erdman
did not care about graduating from high
school, much less obtaining a college degree. But with the encouragement and support from those who recognized her
potential, she has not only succeeded as a
scholar, she has also landed her dream job.
In the 10th grade, Erdman was truant 59
days; if she had missed 60 days, she would
have been expelled. While speaking to mathematics students at Augsburg in January,
Erdman said she had an “attitude” in high
school. Despite her truancy and her bad attitude, she maintained a 4.27 grade point average (out of 4.33).
At the end of her 10th grade year, she
met a man who directed a program that
helped inner city youth focus on their education. “I didn’t think college was an option
for me,” Erdman said. Neither of her parents had graduated from high school, and
in the low-income housing community
where she grew up, she knew no one who
had gone to college.
Erdman enrolled in the Post-Secondary
Enrollment Options program (PSEO) at the
University of Minnesota. After two years, she
transferred to Augsburg to complete her undergraduate degree in mathematics. “My
only aunt who had been to college went to
Augsburg,” she said, “and this just felt like
the right place for me.”
Erdman continued to excel at Augsburg as
a McNair Scholar, a federally-funded program that assists first-generation and low-income students with preparation for graduate
school. She also conducted faculty-led research, served as a supplemental instructor
for Calculus I and II, and tutored in mathematics. Through McNair, and with the guidance of several staff and faculty members,
Erdman realized that a graduate degree
could be in her future.
“They helped me along each step of the
way, getting me prepared and helping me do
what I needed to become a strong applicant
to grad school,” she said. Erdman applied to
and was accepted by three graduate programs in statistics. She chose Columbia,
where she received a full fellowship.
In the summer before graduate school and
again following that year, Erdman participated in Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (EDGE), a program aimed at helping
women prepare for graduate study in mathematics. She completed her master’s program
in one year and then went on to Yale to pursue a PhD.
When she finished her PhD program,
Erdman applied to the Census Bureau and
heard nothing from them for three months.
Then she learned that the director of the statistical research division was speaking at a
conference in Washington, D.C. She bought
a train ticket and went to meet him. “At the
end of his presentation, I walked up to him,
handed him my C.V., and said, ‘I want to
work for you.’” They talked, and he later invited her for an interview.
Today Erdman works in the Center for
Statistical Research and Methodology at the
U.S. Census Bureau. “I wanted to work at
Census because I wanted to look at good
data, but I got put into the missing data
methods group that only looks at bad data,”
she said. Still, she loves her work and speaks
enthusiastically about the projects in which
she has been involved.
Now that she is finished with school and
settled into her career, Erdman hopes to find
a way to mentor other young women through
the EDGE program.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Spring 2012
5
auggie voices
Higher Education as a Public Good
In January, Augsburg joined the White House Office of Public Engagement, the
Association of American Colleges and Universities, the U.S. Department of Education, other education organizations, philanthropies, and businesses in launching the American Commonwealth Partnership (ACP) to begin a year of activity
exploring how colleges and universities can reclaim their civic identity. At the
heart of this initiative is the recognition that higher education should be—and
must be—delivered for the common good rather than be allowed to become an
AT THE CREST OF A WAVE
For many years, Augsburg, with its mission of educating students
to be “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers,
and responsible leaders,” has resisted forces turning higher education into a private benefit rather than a public good. When the
public opinion group Public Agenda recently sounded people’s
views on the role of higher
education, they found little
awareness that colleges
and universities can contribute to the health of
neighborhoods, or that they educate students to be problem
solvers with skills of working across differences.
But describing these roles in focus groups also generated animated discussion and created hope. Many remarked that few
places any longer teach such skills. There was the sense that the
country is dangerously polarized and losing control over our collective future.
On January 10 at the White House, many higher education
groups launched a major new coalition, the American Commonwealth Partnership, to respond to the civic crisis. It has support
from the Department of Education, which released a new “Road
Map and Call to Action,” emphasizing citizenship education.
Augsburg is the inaugural host institution for ACP, which seeks
to mobilize colleges and universities in developing “civic identity,
not simply civic activities.” By engaging in this exciting project,
Augsburg is at the crest of a new wave of reengagement of higher
education with communities and the world.
DEMOCRACY AND
CITIZENSHIP
HARRY C. BOYTE is the director of the
Center for Democracy and Citizenship
at Augsburg College and serves as
national coordinator of the American
Commonwealth Partnership.
6
Augsburg Now
individual benefit only for those who can afford it.
As part of the dialogue about the role of higher education in building civic
identity, we asked Augsburg faculty from various academic departments to provide their perspectives on how higher education serves the public good. Their
responses are published here.
For additional information on higher education as
a public good, go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
CITIZEN NURSES:
A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH
In our society today, people have become so medicalized that we
often forget that health is not about the absence of disease but a
place of belonging. At Augsburg College, the Department of Nursing has focused on returning to what nursing was originally intended to be about—relationships—by opening two drop-in
community health centers.
One of these centers provides care to people living on the streets
of Minneapolis. This center has been in existence for almost 20
years, and the nurses there engage with 120 people each week. We
listen, provide basic necessities, and take the time to make sure
people feel they are supported and are part of a community.
Our other drop-in center, the Health Commons at Dar Ul-Quba,
is a new project focused on immigrant health in the CedarRiverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Our efforts at Dar
Ul-Quba have been about
trying to help people not
only to understand our
healthcare system but also
to realize how they can practice health and healing as they did in
their country of origin. The center also helps people come together
to create the change they want to see in their neighborhood.
To us, being citizen nurses means that we are working to
strengthen our communities in ways that avoid the expert model.
We see people as collaborators and co-creators. Through their experiences at the drop-in centers, Augsburg nursing students are
changing their worldviews in ways that benefit our society. Our
hope is to continue to do just that.
NURSING
KATIE CLARK is an instructor in
Augsburg’s nursing department
and serves as coordinator of the
Augsburg Nursing Center.
“
In exchange for services rendered to the
neighborhood organization, Augsburg
students are privileged to observe and
learn about citizenship, democracy, and
being a ‘steward of place.’
”
AUGSBURG: AGENT AND ARCHITECT OF
DEMOCRACY AND STEWARD OF PLACE
The work of Joel Torstenson, Bernhard Christensen, Myles
Stenshoel, Vern Bloom, and Robert Clyde reveals the history of
Augsburg’s role as agent and architect of democracy and steward
of place and provides the context for our current activities. As I
reflect and write about their work, I marvel at their insight, commitment, and capacity as agents and stewards of place, well before it was in vogue or even acceptable. I probably would not
have remained in higher education were it not for Augsburg’s
valuing such a commitment for faculty and welcoming me to be
a part of this vision and endeavor.
For 30 years, students in my Human Community and Modern
Metropolis course have engaged in a service-learning experience
in collaboration with the official
neighborhood organizations
surrounding Augsburg: CedarRiverside, Seward, Phillips, and Powderhorn. In exchange for
services rendered to the neighborhood organization, Augsburg
students are privileged to observe and learn about citizenship,
democracy, and being a “steward of place.”
In addition to seeing and feeling the value of grassroots efforts to take responsibility for a neighborhood and influence the
wider political context, students have learned firsthand about
community organizing, community development, and public
service. Many students, as alumni, have expanded their sense of
vocation, both as citizens and professionals, through these engagements with the commonwealth and as stewards of place.
SOCIOLOGY
GARRY HESSER is a professor of
metro/urban studies and sociology
at Augsburg College.
To read Hesser’s complete submission,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
FROM COMPLEXITY TO COMPASSION
In his book My First Summer in the Sierra, John Muir offered a
sentiment which, more than 100 years later, represents as good
a justification for higher education in contemporary society as
one is likely to find in any college catalogue: “When we try to
pick out anything by itself,” he says, speaking of the profoundly
ecological nature of the world, “we find it hitched to everything
else in the Universe.”
To be sure, college campuses—meaning the empirical kind
with living, breathing students, with staff, teachers, textbooks,
trees, quads, and stadiums—sit
squarely at the various junctures
of this tangled-up creation, seeking from these vantage points to
understand through intensive study the pressing issues, the
timeless questions, and the persistent, ineluctable mysteries
that unite our places in time and space with those of countless
others.
College is literally where and when we hope to experience the
joy that comes with accessing the eternal through the particular.
It is where we come to study, in our specific yet overlapping disciplines, the problems of the world so as to appreciate the complexity of all things—because it is, without question, an
informed appreciation for complexity that inspires reflection and
breeds compassion.
ENGLISH
COLIN IRVINE is an associate professor of English at Augsburg College
and serves as the summer 2012 research coordinator for the College’s
Office of Undergraduate Research
and Graduate Opportunity (URGO).
“
College is ... where we come to
study, in our specific yet overlapping
disciplines, the problems of the
world so as to appreciate the
complexity of all things.
”
Spring 2012
7
ARTS-BASED CIVIC DIALOGUE
Arts programs in higher education are all the more vibrant when
a wealth of voices and bodies come together to create and discuss work. Community-engaged performance is progressive pedagogy; it’s theater by, for, of, and about the people—and it can be
an integral part of a civic-minded college culture.
Last winter, the student ensemble of The Living Newspaper
Project: Everyone Has Something used collective research, writing, workshops, and performance to generate discussion about a
taboo topic: the stigma attached to mental illness. They engaged
with audiences through post-show talkbacks and panels, academic conferences, letters in the Augsburg Echo, and outreach
to local community organizations.
Next fall, students will be invited to tackle a Town Hall Nation
project by creating short performances around campus that gen-
THEATER ARTS
erate civic dialogue on campus about students’ financial needs
and crises. Town Hall Nation is a national engagement initiative
inviting arts organizations, colleges and universities, and other
community groups to create 30-minute events that demonstrate,
present, or embody an ideal town hall meeting. Students of any
major may audition for or volunteer to participate in the Town
Hall Nation project, as with any other Theater Department production.
SARAH MYERS is an assistant
professor in Augsburg’s Theater
Arts Department.
“
Community-engaged performance is
progressive pedagogy; it’s theater
by, for, of, and about the people—
and it can be an integral part of a
civic-minded college culture.
”
8
Augsburg Now
“
In transforming individuals, we transform
our communities and our world.
DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL AGENCY
TO TRANSFORM OUR WORLD
”
Higher education is often viewed as separate from the public
arena, something accessible to a few and beneficial to only the
individual. However, higher education greatly impacts the public good, and that impact is the true mission of higher education. In transforming individuals, we transform our communities
and our world.
In this era of globalization, individualism seems to serve little
purpose. Preparing children to live in a global society is essential and should begin in the K-12 years. Higher education then
is a continuation of that learning and a time to step out into the
world. With this in mind, while higher education does serve the
individual, the larger goal is the influence each individual will
have on the greater public good.
The impact of higher education is increasingly more visible
and far reaching. More frequently, civic engagement has become part of higher education curriculum. The need for students to see and experience a more seamless connection to
their acquisition and application of knowledge is essential.
Knowledge is not only something centered in higher education institutions; it is also something constructed and exercised within the community.
Knowledge then becomes transformative not only to the individual but to the broader community, society, and world. This is increasingly being seen through civic engagement projects such
as Public Achievement, service learning, and travel abroad experiences where students and faculty “develop agency” through
active rather than passive means that, in turn, inform theory
and future practice.
EDUCATION
SUSAN O’CONNOR is an associate
professor of education at Augsburg
College.
“I can really say that [the Nobel Peace
Prize Forum] has changed my
perspective of the world around us!”
“Couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtprovoking and inspiring three days.”
These are just two of the sentiments shared via social media
by participants of the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum,
held March 1 to 3.
The Nobel Peace Prize Forum exists to inspire peacemaking by celebrating the work of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Founded as a unique partnership between the
Norwegian Nobel Institute and five Norwegian private colleges—Augsburg, Augustana (Sioux Falls), Concordia (Moorhead), Luther, and St. Olaf—the Forum this year moved to its
new, permanent location in the Twin Cities. It is organized by
Augsburg college in partnership with the Humphrey School
of Public Affairs and with ongoing sponsorship from the original college partners.
With “The Price of Peace” as its theme, the 2012
Forum introduced a new format with topical tracks—Business Day, Arts and Music Day, Education Day, and Global
Studies Day—to engage participants in exploring the relationship of stability and peace to business, to arts and
music, to education, and to international policy.
A number of tracks and events were sold out, including
Business Day, the Education Festival, and Global Studies Day.
In fact, as coverage by major Twin Cities media grew on the
second day of the Forum, more than 200 additional tickets
were sold for the closing day of the event.
In addition to the tremendous attendance, the Forum
fostered dialogue around the world through livestreaming.
Students from Assumption University of Bangkok, American
College of Norway, the Copenhagen Business School, Nagasaki University, and Nelson Mandela University of South
Africa watched keynote addresses live, submitted questions,
and engaged in dialogue about peace.
For additional photos, video links, and social media
quotes about the Forum, go to www.augsburg.edu/now
NOBEL PEACE
PRIZE FORUM
WE INSPIRE PEACEMAKING
Spring 2012
9
THE 2012 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
10
Augsburg Now
THE 2012 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
Spring 2012
11
“The prizes of peace, in fact, come to us in very little stages…but in order to claim them, we must be willing to pay the price…We have to be willing to recognize and celebrate the humanity of those whom
we view as enemy…We must start from the place of believing that those who are opposed to us…are
human beings with a story of their own to tell. We must start from an awareness that our side is not
necessarily all good.
The price of peace is the price of our pride…the certainty that we are right…the comfort that we are
on God’s side…As we go out into our lives, be prepared to pay the price for peace—the price of uncertainty, the price of humility, the price of recognizing our connectedness as human beings.”
—Naomi Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Forum “Call to Action” address, March 3, 2012
Augsburg College thanks the sponsors of the 24th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, whose financial support and subject matter expertise helped make the 2012 Forum a success.
We also owe thanks to the many volunteers, faculty, and staff from all of the participating colleges and universities. We are grateful
for the perspectives shared by speakers, the participation of our student and community attendees, and the dedicated work of the volunteers who ensured this rich and vibrant event ran smoothly from beginning to end.
Now that the 2012 Forum has concluded, we invite you to stay connected to the work of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum by signing
up for e-mail updates at www.peaceprizeforum.org, and by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nobelforum) and Twitter
(@NPPF).
Finally, be sure to mark your calendars for March 7-9, 2013. We look forward to seeing you next year!
BUSINESS DAY SPONSORS
MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS
SPONSORS
3M
A Million Copies Initiative
Borton Volvo
Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation
Minnesota Public Radio
Nordic Home Interiors
GLOBAL STUDIES DAY SPONSOR
Oslo Center For Peace and
Human Rights Foundation
Winds of Peace Foundation
Special thanks to our
2013 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
LEAD SPONSOR
12
Augsburg Now
THE 25TH ANNUAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FORUM
March 7-9, 2013
Augsburg College and the
University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
WE ARE
CALLED.
auggie
pastors.
BY WENDI WHEELER ’06
Last year, Bob Bagley ’58 submitted an idea for a story about his
teacher, mentor, and friend, Mario Colacci.
His submission sparked an idea. We decided to interview different
generations of Augsburg pastors who have served in a variety of
settings. We wanted to know who inspired them. We wanted to
share their experiences and highlight the similarities and differences in their ministries. We wanted to know what they want our
readers to know about their lives as servants.
The following interviews are with pastors Bob Bagley ’58, David
Lillejord ’86, Jeni Falkman Grangaard ’02, Peter Morlock ’90, and
Stephanie Quick-Espinoza ’01.
To read Bob Bagley’s story about Mario Colacci,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
Spring 2012
13
14
Augsburg Now
’58
BOB BAGLEY
Retired. First call in Papau New Guinea; served most recently part-time at Christ Lutheran in Lake Elmo, Minn.
As a pastor, what did you learn that you
didn’t expect to learn?
Here’s the biggie: Bishop Rogness’ dad,
Alvin Rogness…when I came to a rural
parish after being in New Guinea, he said,
“Bob, you use this small parish to better
yourself for future ministry.”
So here’s what I did. I made advanced
standing in clinical pastoral education. I
was endorsed for specialized ministry,
which most pastors don’t make, specializing in chaplaincy work in hospitals. After
my fourth parish, I went to Hazelden and
did a four-year chaplaincy program. Then I
was endorsed for veterans’ hospital ministry. I was a chaplain for a year at the big
VA Hospital in Minneapolis.
What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor?
The first parish after Papua New Guinea
was easy because it was a bunch of loving,
Norwegian farmers. It was a good place to
get re-acclimated to the American way of
doing things after five years overseas.
What are some of the most interesting
or prominent changes you’ve seen in
the church in your career or since you
went to seminary?
There’s a lot more support in empowering
the pastors to do what they’re most gifted
to do. You can’t do everything; you can’t be
good at everything. I think a middle-sized
parish should have a changeover of pastors
every six years because in six years you’ve
kind of done everything and it’s time to
move on.
The concept of the old Lutheran Free
Church and many of the old ELC churches
was that they were tired of the pastor doing
everything and deciding everything, and
they hardly needed a church council. The
reaction to that was “We’re going to tell the
pastor what to do.” Now it’s changed so
that the pastors are empowered to do whatever they’re most gifted in.
What are your own spiritual practices?
Where/to whom do you turn for
guidance and encouragement?
I work with 60 global students at Luther
Seminary who come from all over the
world. I also did ministry with people with
alcohol and drug issues. At Gethsemane
Lutheran in Maplewood and where I am
now, I established Stephen ministry, an
outreach. I do more training to help others
minister to people in great need.
Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry?
It would be where Jesus said to the whole
church, “I send you.”
The motto that I follow is: Go out and
share the love of Jesus, and only if necessary, say something. Naomi (my wife) says
too often I end up telling people I’m a pastor. She says, “You don’t have to say anything. Just be you.”
What is one thing you wish non-clergy
knew about your life/identity/call as
a pastor?
I’ve never been satisfied to stop growing in
pastoral care and I’m available when people want to talk. The gift I learned from a
Catholic priest in my chaplaincy training is
this: He asked me what I consider to be my
primary gift. I said, “I don’t know.” He
said, “When you’re talking with someone,
there’s just an automatic pipeline between
your eyes and their eyes, and that removes
all reluctance to talk.” I can get people to
share stuff with me that normally would
take four or five visits, but they know I care
about them by just looking them in the eye.
What is one of your most memorable
services?
At the VA Hospital, I touched the lives of
people there who, if I hadn’t had special
training, I wouldn’t have been able to help.
One guy owned a million-dollar auto dealership, and he wouldn’t sign his will and he
was dying. It was on a Saturday that I wasn’t even supposed to work. The people were
waiting for me at the door saying I needed
to come up and talk to their dad. I sat
down with him and his son and had Holy
Communion as a Lutheran priest (he was
Catholic). When we were done, I said,
“Your family is so upset. It’s unbearable for
them that the doctor says you’re dying, and
you haven’t signed your will.” He kept saying, “Nope. I got a few loose ends to tie up
at the dealership.” In the end, I got him to
sign his will by promising I would help him
tie up the loose ends. A cheer went forth to
the Lord above. The next day he was playing cards with his friends in the hospital,
and three days later he died.
What do you think you would be if you
were not a pastor?
I probably would have followed in my older
brother Emil’s footsteps and have done
some aspect of social work.
When you meet God, what do you hope
God says to you?
Well, I would be meeting Jesus, not God,
and he would say, “Well, welcome thou
good and faithful servant.”
Spring 2012
15
’86
DAVID LILLEJORD
Senior Pastor, Mount Calvary Lutheran in
Eagan, Minn., until March 2012; now Senior
Pastor, St. Andrew in Eden Prairie, Minn.
16
Augsburg Now
As a pastor, what did you learn that you
didn’t expect to learn?
I mostly learn about myself—what I do
well, what I can improve upon. As a little
kid who grew up in a parsonage, I knew
people inside and out and was able to see
in them the really good and the really bad
or indifferent. I knew the goodness and the
wonderful nature of the church and the underbelly, so what I’ve learned in 20 years is
mostly about myself.
What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor?
I think the issue is the number of people
who simply are not attending church, even
people that years ago would have naturally
been inclined to find a new home, start a
family, baptize their kids, go to Sunday
school, and become involved in the life of
the church. There’s a whole subset of people who simply have not engaged for myriad reasons.
What are some of the most interesting
or prominent changes you’ve seen in
the church in your career or since you
went to seminary?
I think an awful lot of changes have happened in seminary training. When I attended 20 years ago, it was simply, “We
need to teach you how to teach people the
historical context and facts about the
Bible.” I think now it is so much more,
“What does this mean for our life?” I do
think the younger people who do go to
church want a direct connection between
what scripture says and how it will connect
with their lives. That means we have to
make our message contemporary and even
futuristic.
What are your own spiritual practices?
Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement?
What is one thing you wish non-clergy
knew about your life/identity/call as
a pastor?
I’m part of a team ministry, and I’m able to
hear really good sermons delivered by my
colleague. It’s hard to listen when you’re
talking, so I’m fed in and through my colleague who preaches the gospel well. For
guidance and encouragement, I’m so inspired by the members of the congregation.
I’m always greatly fortified by the faith that
parishioners have. I go in as a kind of spiritual lifeguard, and they end up humbling
me. They encourage me because they live
out their faith. It’s like a good teacher who
is fed by the students. My biggest supporters are my wife and children. They are my
lifeline—other than Jesus, of course.
The importance of balancing all those three
and the holistic nature of that continuum.
Being a pastor today is different, thankfully, than when my dad was younger,
which was you basically served the church,
often at the expense of spending time with
family. I have a wife (Joy) and three children: two in hockey and one in soccer who
also rides horses.
Also it’s important for members to
know that the vast majority of pastors are
trying as hard as they can. It’s just a very
difficult and challenging job.
Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry?
I would say more of a theme or concept,
one I learned from one of my many mentors. It is that God is in relationship with
you through Jesus. It’s a declaration; it’s
not a theory or something that needs to be
validated. It’s just “God is,” and you explore how that’s true. You notice it, you
name it, and you claim it.
We had a healing service a number of years
ago for a woman who was diagnosed with
terminal pancreatic cancer. We had never
been asked to have a healing service before. So we constructed a service with the
laying on of hands. Not that long after the
healing service she went to the doctor and
they did tests, and the cancer was gone.
When we heard about the lack of cancer,
even we were amazed.
Who at Augsburg inspired or guided
you, and how?
What do you think you would be if you
were not a pastor?
The religion professors at Augsburg were
helpful to my life of faith because they
were “good” and solid Lutherans. I have
heard stories of Lutheran colleges that tell
students: “What you were taught in Sunday
school and Confirmation was wrong.”
Thankfully, the professors at Augsburg
helped us look deeper into scripture
through a Lutheran lens.
After this long I can’t imagine what it
would be; however, psychology also makes
me tick.
What is one of your most memorable
services?
When you meet God, what do you hope
God says to you?
It would probably be, “Your mom’s over
here.” She died much too young, and I
would love to see her again.
Spring 2012
17
As a pastor, what did you learn that you
didn’t expect to learn?
It’s a huge learning experience … things
from how to learn about sump pumps,
budgeting, working with office managers,
how to be tactful and graceful, how to balance a really chaotic life and come at it
with some sensibility and some sense of
peace—all of these are a big part of my
learning experience.
What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor?
One is dealing with a local sugar producer. A
lot of our people harvest beets, and we have
a lot who work in the plant. Their union has
been locked out since August. There are
some people who aren’t union who are working 12-hour shifts now and can’t see their
families. I also have people who are on the
board there. So I don’t make any comments
on the issue. It’s really messy, and there’s no
one side to stand on.
What are your own spiritual practices?
Where/to whom do you turn for
guidance and support?
Spiritual practice for me means finding time
for silence. Colin (husband) and I went to
Taizé in France and got into the rhythm of
simple prayer, silence, and meditation. I turn
to colleagues and good friends who are in
similar positions for guidance. There are
some good seasoned pastors who have made
themselves available to have conversations
with, and certainly our bishop’s staff at the
synod has a lot of experience.
Who at Augsburg inspired or guided you,
and how?
Augsburg was a place that really rooted my
faith in the world and really shaped the person I am today. Having not grown up in
church, I was so young in faith when I came
18
Augsburg Now
to Augsburg. The Religion Department faculty took time to respond to my questions,
especially Janelle Bussert, Bev Stratton,
Mark Tranvik, Lynn Lorenzen, Brad Holt,
Phil Quanbeck, and Lori Brandt Hale. Pastor Dave Wold and Pastor Sonja Hagander
were my first pastors, and they invited me
into the language and liturgy of being
Lutheran. The Center for Global Education
taught me to see that faith isn’t just a personal relationship with God but a deep engagement with the world, especially in
places of suffering; they helped me to see
that God is with those who suffer. Augsburg
prepared me to be a pastor before I began
discerning the call to ordained ministry.
Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry?
There have been a lot of different verses that
I’ve clung to at different times. Galatians
2:19-21.
19
For through the law I died to the law, so
that I might live to God. I have been crucified
with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live,
but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son
of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if
justification comes through the law, then
Christ died for nothing.
What is one thing you wish non-clergy
knew about your life/identity/call as
a pastor?
I just want people to know I’m easy to talk
to, and I’m not trying to get anything from
them. I’m not here to tell people they are
behaving badly. I’d rather just talk about
the gospel. I want people to know we don’t
fit into a mold, and pastors aren’t the
guardians of the gospel. No one can claim
ownership on the gospel.
What is one of your most memorable
services?
I did a prayer service and funeral for a 54year-old man who had served on the board of
a local company. There were over 1,000 people, and we had to have the funeral at a bigger church in town. There’s something
strangely beautiful about a funeral. There’s
no pretending. It’s an inevitable part of life.
Sometimes it’s a celebration, but this one
was special. Before I entered the church, I
closed my eyes and was praying, and there
was a beautiful light streaming in through
the stained glass windows. It was a really
meaningful service. I’m still reflecting on it
and getting comments on it. Working with
the family has been strangely affirming and
grounding.
When you meet God, what do you hope
God says to you?
What I hope I’d hear God say is, “I kinda
like that Josh Ritter song, too.” The song is
Thin Blue Flame, and it includes lyrics
like: “Only a full house gonna have a
prayer,” and “You need faith for the same
reasons that it’s so hard to find,” and “And
all wrongs forgotten and all vengeance
made right. The suffering verbs put to
sleep in the night.”
What do you think you would be if you
were not a pastor?
If I knew, I would go be that. I don’t know!
Sometimes I think I’d like to be a chef. I like
the idea of making meals and baking bread
and spending time with people. Part of me
wants to design websites. The thing about
being a pastor that is so appealing, other
than the vocational call that brings you there,
is that you have permission to be a generalist. You get to do a lot of different things.
’02
JENI FALKMAN GRANGAARD
Pastor, Glyndon Lutheran Church, Glyndon, Minn.
Spring 2012
19
As a pastor, what did you learn that you
didn’t expect to learn?
All kinds of stuff! One of the things that they
can’t really teach you in seminary is how to
get into a community and to become part of
that community. You can’t really teach how
to enter into the daily life and get a sense of
the pulse of the community.
What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor?
One of the things I’ve found myself dealing
with that I hadn’t thought of while I was in
seminary is helping people with their dayto-day problems. There’s such a variety of
things that may come up. One day you’re
talking with someone about their medications, which I know nothing about, or
you’re talking with someone about daily living and how it is to do that.
What are some of the most interesting
or prominent changes you’ve seen in
the church in your career or since you
went to seminary?
One of the trends I’ve seen over the years
is a wider inclusiveness, if you will, in an
issue that’s near and dear to my heart. I’ve
seen a concerted effort by the church to
make their buildings and their worship
services and facilities more accessible and
more friendly to folks with disabilities. All
the things that bring people in and into
contact with the gospel are good stuff.
What are your own spiritual practices?
Where/to whom do you turn for guidance and encouragement?
One of the challenges of being a pastor, especially in a setting like this, is where I go
to feed myself, to “the well.” I have a
men’s Bible study that I’m part of at
20
Augsburg Now
church, and they have become the group
where I go to get fed. I also meet regularly
with my chaplain colleagues in the area,
and we worship and pray together.
Who at Augsburg inspired or guided
you, and how?
Without doubt major influences during my
time at Augsburg would include the following people: Pastor Dave Wold, Don
Gustafson, “Gabe” (Prof. Stephen
Gabrielsen), Tom Rossin, and my fellow
choir members (1986-1990).
One of the things that I truly appreciate
about Augsburg, even today, is the willingness to engage the idea of vocation and
make intentional questions about the connection between faith and life. Throughout
my time at Augsburg and even beyond that,
these people were/are instrumental in my
walk of life and faith. In broad strokes they
helped to provide the arena in which my
self-understanding and my sense of call
were shaped and honed. Daily contact with
these folks helped me to see vocation in
action and also gave me the space and the
courage to face and voice my questions.
They were, and still are, willing to engage
with me and push me in conversation and
prayer.
Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry?
people who work only on Sundays. In this
setting, people aren’t entirely sure what to
do with you. One thing I wish folks would
think of is the importance of spiritual stuff,
the spiritual nature, and how that needs to
be supported and fed.
What is one of your most memorable
services?
We did a service on our Alzheimer’s unit to
break up the winter blahs. We did a renewal of vows ceremony for one of the residents and her husband.
They’d been married for 56 years.
We had a big wedding party, and what was
really neat is that on that unit, it’s kind of a
crapshoot as to whether or not the resident
will remember who their family members
are.
For that particular moment in that service, the wife, Alyce, walked out of the
kitchen and she saw her husband, and her
face lit up, and she came up to him and
chucked him in the chin and said, “Let’s
do this again, sweetie.”
It was awesome. It turned out to be a
meaningful experience for Alyce and her
husband and their family because they’d
never had a wedding. Their families didn’t
like each other, so they eloped. And they
both passed away within three months of
that ceremony.
The walk to Emmaus story resonates really
highly with me, particularly in the work I do
now. A lot of what I’m called to do is walk
alongside people at the end of life. I also
like Psalm 121.
What do you think you would be if you
were not a pastor?
What is one thing you wish non-clergy
knew about your life/identity/call as
a pastor?
“Hi, welcome home.” That’s the short
answer.
I think the perception is that pastors are
A kindergarten teacher.
When you meet God, what do you hope
God says to you?
’90 AND GUIDO
PETER MORLOCK
Director of Spiritual Care, Cerenity Senior Care, St. Paul.
Spring 2012
21
Senior Pastor, New Hope Lutheran Church/
Iglesia Luterana Nueva Esperanza in North Aurora, Ill.
’01
STEPHANIE QUICK-ESPINOZA
22
Augsburg Now
Photo by Sally Ryan
As a pastor, what did you learn that you
didn’t expect to learn?
How to get rid of chickens roosting in the
sacristy!
What is an issue that you never imagined yourself dealing with as a pastor?
Racism. We often feel that our U.S. society
is advanced and racism no longer exists,
but we are ignorant to and/or ignore how it
permeates our lives, culture, and even our
church. It is difficult for me to see how
racism has affected the lives of the people
I have been in ministry with—from Inupiaq
in Alaska, to Nicaraguans living in Costa
Rica, to Mexicans and other Latinos in the
Chicago area.
What are some of the most interesting
or prominent changes you’ve seen in
the church in your career or since you
went to seminary?
A decrease in the intentionality of becoming an inclusive, multi-cultural church. I
would like to see more support of ethnic
ministries within our church. For example,
there are no longer classes held in Spanish
at the seminaries for Spanish-speaking student pastors.
What are your own spiritual practices?
Where/to whom do you turn for
guidance and encouragement?
I attend the Spanish worship service on
Saturdays at the congregation my husband
serves, San Andres Lutheran Church. The
mostly Mexican congregation has a great love
for the Virgin of Guadalupe (Mary). As a person firmly grounded in Lutheran tradition
and faith, I have incorporated the Virgin into
my spirituality and turn to her for guidance
and encouragement. My Lutheran and Christian faith says that I only need to pray directly to God. I don’t need intercessors,
though I find it comforting to ask the Virgin,
as mother of our Lord Jesus and mother of all
of us, to pray with me.
Who at Augsburg inspired or guided
you, and how?
The whole religion department really inspired me, both academically and in my
faith. Their classes were interesting and
unique. The quality of the classes helped
prepare me, even more than seminary, for
ordained ministry. PQ2 (or Phil Quanbeck
II), Janelle Bussert, and Lynne Lorenzen
especially guided me by always being willing to lend an open ear to listen to my
questions about my courses, future seminary plans, and just life in general. They
are pastors who were my pastors and
helped me become a pastor.
Is there a particular passage of scripture that frames your call to ministry?
I remember [Professor] Dick Hardel
retelling the call of Isaiah to my Youth and
Family Ministry class at Augsburg. After
Isaiah said, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” I
knew I was called to ministry and I also
said, “Here I am, Lord, send me!”
What is one thing you wish non-clergy
knew about your life/identity/call as
a pastor?
A pastor is on call 24/7, which is really
hard on your family life. It is even harder
because my husband is a pastor, too. We
have people wanting to talk to us starting
at 7 a.m. and sometimes we even get calls
at 3 a.m.
What is one of your most memorable
services?
When I was a missionary in Costa Rica, one
of the congregations I served was only
youth and children. Holy Communion was
always a powerful experience, as I watched
sometimes 80 children come forward to the
Lord’s table with their arms outstretched
and their hands held out in front of them to
receive the sacrament.
During a worship service, I noticed that
one small boy came through the communion line twice. It was only after the service,
I realized it was because he came from an
impoverished family and was hungry. After
that, I gave every child a whole tortilla,
rather then a small piece of bread or a
host, during communion.
What do you think you would be if you
were not a pastor?
A religion professor at Augsburg or a firstgrade teacher.
When you meet God, what do you hope
God says to you?
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Share your stories…
We know these are just a few of the dedicated, inspiring Auggie pastors serving around
the world. If you’d like to tell us who you are and what you’re doing, choose your favorite
question from those we asked our pastors, and send an answer and a photo to
now@augsburg.edu. Or, post it on your personal blog, on Facebook or Twitter, and send
us a link. We’d love to hear from you!
Spring 2012
23
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
24
Photo Contest
A
A
“Tabacchi” Amanda Rowan ’13
Siena, Italy Landscapes/cityscapes, First place
B “The Elder” Susie Mechtel ’13
Maasai Mara, Kenya Portraits, First place
C
“Afternoon Nap” Jasmine Zand ’12
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Portraits, Second place
D
E
B
“Autumn Fjord” Reed Johnson ’12
Flam, Norway Landscapes/cityscapes, Third place
“Que Viva Cuba!” Danielle Goodwin ’12
Havana, Cuba Photojournalism, First place
F “Iglesia El Rosario” Jakob Anderson ’12
San Salvador, El Salvador Photojournalism, Second place
G
“Chichicastenango, Guatemala” Danielle Goodwin ’12
Chichicastenango, Guatemala Portraits, Third place
Augsburg Now
H
I
C
“Recess Stroll” Caleb Wagner ’12
Havana, Cuba Photojournalism, Third place
“Shepherd’s Field” Jasmine Zand ’12
Beit Sahour, Palestine Landscapes/cityscapes, Second place
To view more student photos,
go to www.augsburg.edu/now.
D
F
E
H
G
I
Spring 2012
25
AUGGIE WRITERS’ CHALLENGE
ith the 2013 launch of the new Master of Fine Arts
in Creative Writing (see Around the Quad, page 4,
and www.augsburg.edu/mfa), Augsburg will welcome even more aspiring writers to the College. To celebrate
Augsburg’s tradition of creative writing excellence, we asked
Augsburg English Department faculty to help us recruit
Auggie alumni writers for a creative writing assignment.
The assignment was to write a 250-word piece—of any
genre—based on the photo below. We told the writers nothing about the photo—not when or where it was taken or by
whom. Following are the stories they crafted. Read their stories first, then see the photographer’s story, below.
W
Write
on!
The Cat
Kayla Skarbakka ’09,
writing consultant,
Walden University
THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S STORY
While studying in Augsburg’s Weekend College program,
Philip Pelto ’10 made this self-portrait for a class. He wrote:
The photo was taken at my condo in downtown Minneapolis. It’s looking
east out over the Depot and the Guthrie Theater, and Augsburg is not too
far off in the distance to the right. It’s a self-portrait, and I was experimenting with the lighting. I was trying to get a cool silhouette with the
outside in focus. What I wound up getting is this really cool photo that
reminds me of where I came from and where I am now. The photo conjures up feelings of success. I’m in my condo, surveying my city, taking
it all in. There’s a sense that I’ve made it.
Alan found the cat in Mom’s bed, under the sour-smelling comforter. It was a weasely thing, patchy, crusty-eyed.
“Did you know about this?” he asked the girls.
Erin was folding a sweatshirt, one of the syrupy ones, printed
with wildflowers and the words Someone special calls me
Grandma. She looked up and gasped.
“Where did it come from?” she asked.
Helen, who’d been sorting jewelry, glanced up and wrinkled
her nose. “The question is, where is it going.” She’d always had
an armored sensibility. “You know,” she added, “the boys are allergic.”
Alan sat down by the cat. It flicked its tail, which was hooked
and jointed like a broken finger.
“Um,” said Erin, which was how she started most arguments.
“I can’t really bring it on the plane.”
“Well,” said Helen, “I certainly won’t take it home.”
Alan offered no excuse, and they didn’t him ask for one. They
rarely did.
They’d had few tussles that day. Alan gave the girls credit for
that. A debate about the sofa, one watery altercation regarding
Dad’s old Dutch clock, but for the most part, they’d worked efficiently, tallying, dividing, and claiming.
Alan claimed little. A bar stool, because one of his had broken.
A crucifix, because Helen made him. But otherwise he’d chosen
odd jobs, clearing the fridge and garage shelves, and stayed out
of the way.
It was a tactic he’d learned early on from Dad…
To read more of Kayla Skarbakka’s story
go to www.augsburg.edu/now
26
Augsburg Now
Late Morning Window View
Jeremy Anderson ’07, client relations manager, Furnituredealer.net
First thing,
stop at Charlie’s on the corner
for a sweet chai on the go.
Catch the rail and scroll
the morning news. Work will start
soon enough, bustling tables,
shit shooting with the regs.
Don’t let Old Rick ride
you too much
because tonight it’s microbrews
along St. Anthony Main.
Usual sites, different taste
(order something the menu describes
as dark and complex).
Let ’em flow down and just talk and listen and talk back.
Try and top ’em. Tell ’em, Tell ’em what you learned,
what you read, who you ran into, that thing you Googled the other
day and what popped up. Remember when? Remember when?
Remember when? And all that shit. It’s good
to let it blur. The best is when it blurs into something
unclear. My head is warm. My arms, heavy and strong.
There’s a pulse in these veins, an exciting calm to the night until
eventually I’ll gaze back out this way
with an arm snug around my Laura (maybe, hopefully)
and a glass of pinot
in my other hand as street lamps torch the dark
dark sky.
Profile Pic
Orion Wisness ’03, technical consultant, Kroll Ontrack
Here is a man who wants to keep you guessing. He looks away
from you but commands your attention by looming large in the
patio doors. He chooses a strong stance, a confident pose, all
while hiding in the light of day right in front of you. But he appears
more hat rack than human. An armless X meant to distract you
from the finer points, the tiny details, which expose his personality.
You suppose he is doing one of three things in decreasing order of
profundity: practicing Zen Croquet, contemplating the evening’s dinner (the size of the grill suggests he consumes a fair share of red
meat), or standing fully clothed in the sunlight in order to tan only his
face. He has cats and creases in his pants. He’s tidy for sure, but he’s
forgotten Mr. Whiskers’ ball near the door jamb. He prefers a shirt
with a collar but won’t spring for a rug to wipe his feet when stepping
from the balcony. A grocery bag near the grill contains the shadow of
a Chihuahua, which makes you wonder why a man so tall would have
so tiny a dog?
You could puzzle yourself with questions all day, but what you want
to do is tap him on the shoulder. The opposite shoulder from where
you’re standing. Make him guess where you are, who you are, and
what you’re doing.
The Apocalypse, as
Seen from Unit 24E
Jaye Lawrence ’05 WEC,
director of web communications,
Carleton College
Franklin liked order. Neatness. Discipline. He’d been a drill sergeant once,
and it showed. You could take the
man out of the Army but never the
Army out of the man.
Military experience was an asset. It
kept him alive, and his ragtag band of
survivors too. But that need for order?
That was a problem. That just might
be the thing that finally drove him
mad.
Franklin no longer lived in an
orderly world.
“You should be asleep,” chided a
voice behind him, thready with age.
“Weren’t you supposed to wake me
for CQ duty at oh-three hundred?”
Esther. Franklin didn’t turn or relax
his stance, but the corners of his
stern mouth twitched. He didn’t smile
much, never had, and he sure as hell
didn’t have occasion to anymore—but
83-year-old Esther Rosenberg from
23C, bona fide blue-haired lady, former bane of the condo board of directors, spouting military jargon? That
tickled his funny bone.
With a slow soft tread of orthopedic
shoes, Esther crossed the room to
stand beside him. Franklin inspected
her with a sidelong glance, granting a
curt nod of approval to the pistol accessorizing her polyester pantsuit.
Esther always kept his rules. Many
who’d been younger, faster, and fitter
had not.
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I like seeing the sun come
up again.”
“Ah.” A sigh, light as a whisper.
“Yes, I do too.”
Esther patted his arm. She used
her left hand, keeping the right free
for the pistol.
Franklin smiled.
Witness
Andrea Sanow ’09,
administrative assistant,
Augsburg College Office of
Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity
They catch sight of each other’s
shoes underneath a bathroom stall,
and when they are washing their
hands, they are too embarrassed to
look each other in the eye.
Then, they are strangers the next
semester when they take Calculus
together. They laugh about being two
of the four girls in the room and they
bond over the fact that they aren’t
going to major in mathematics. And
when Emily doesn’t come to class,
Rachel worries.
Em, where r u?
My grandma died, take notes
for me.
And Rachel goes to the funeral.
And they take classes together. And
they live together and share clothes
and try to learn to cook while they
recount the jokes of every day.
Then, Rachel travels abroad and
one night, from somewhere in South
Africa where she has gotten drunk
for Em’s 21st birthday, she writes:
Here’s what I see on my walk
home: a tree that grows at a 90degree angle out of the sidewalk, a
woman sitting with a baby, a spraypainted stencil of a tiny red man, a
few kids who ask me to say something with my accent, and a man,
who every day sees me walk back to
my apartment and the triangle from
foot to crotch to foot reminds me
that somewhere we remember geometry or whatever and you are passing
me a note and we’re meeting after
class and you’re pissed—I’ve borrowed your favorite pair of shoes.
Spring 2012
27
1
3
6
4
C
5
E
B
D
A
7
personality
of place
STUDENT BREAK ROOM
BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
28
Augsburg Now
A TEXT MESSAGE GOES OUT AT MIDNIGHT
ON JANUARY 1. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!
And we are working tomorrow. See you at 6:30 a.m.”
The next morning, groggy students stroll into the facilities building, a small
gray box behind the ice arena. They make their way through a maze of tools,
vehicles, and junk into the far back corner, where they fall onto a plethora
of salvaged couches and chairs. Then they fall back to sleep and wait for
their boss, Bruce.
1
KOELE—A family tradition since 2006, the Koele brothers (Jason and Kyle) have worked on the grounds crew.
The years in green are when only Jason worked, the
years in white are when they worked together, and the
year in blue is when Kyle was the lone Koele brother.
2
THE MANNEQUIN—She was found in a residence hall
trash chute. Over the years, some of the more interesting items from the trash are added to her ensemble.
Her accessories have come exclusively from the residence halls.
3
WEST HALL SIGN—The students gather unused and outof-date signs to use as decoration. Almost all of these
are from the sign cache in the Luther Hall underground
parking lot.
4
THE KUBB TROPHY—Kubb is an ancient Viking game
that uses wooden sticks to knock over wooden blocks.
The grounds crew and other facilities staff play Kubb in
Murphy Square on their summer lunch breaks. Stats
are kept throughout the seasons, and the top players
are awarded the Kubb trophy (which never leaves the
break room).
5
THE HEAD—Found in a residence hall trash chute, the
head is used to torment student “B,” Brittany Hecker.
It is placed by her when she is sleeping, put in her
backpack, or just thrown at her to freak her out.
6
I-94 FLAG—The flags in the Urness/Mortensen hall parking lot along the I-94 corridor are replaced yearly, and
the old, tattered flags are distributed among the student crew. Some have even found their way to students’
rooms.
7
THE FURNITURE—All of the furniture has been scavenged from residence hall move-out day in the spring
semester. There are enough couches and chairs in the
break room so that everyone gets their own, but the
Lazyboy recliner is the softest and most coveted chair.
It is, therefore, reserved for the grounds crew student
supervisor’s hindquarters.
2
F
This is a typical start to the new year for a group of Augsburg students who
are lucky enough to work for Bruce Rowe, the College’s groundskeeper.
With Bruce and assistant groundskeeper Arlen Madigan, these students
make sure the grass is clipped, the flowers are pruned, the snow is shoveled, and the campus is maintained year round.
One perk of their job is access to the grounds crew student break room—
a mixture of reclaimed and repurposed items. According to Kyle Koele, the
current student supervisor, the room holds a kind of history and acts as an
unofficial museum of Augsburg College.
STUDENTS IN PHOTO
A—Kyle Koele
B—Brittany Hecker
C—Mary Hildestad
D—Benjamin Grant
E—Jacob Haehnel
F—Meghan Novak
Spring 2012
29
auggies in the front office
Supporting the home team
Roger Griffith ’84
Last season, he didn’t make any three-point shots, pull down
any rebounds, or have any assists on the court. But Roger
Griffith ’84, executive vice president of the Minnesota Lynx,
did have a great season—in part because the Lynx brought
home their first championship title, and in part because of the
team’s dedicated fans.
Griffith came to the Timberwolves franchise in 1994 as a finance officer. When the Lynx, Minnesota’s Women’s National
Basketball Association (WNBA) team, came to the state in
1999, Griffith took on the role of executive vice president. In
that role, he is responsible for making decisions about the head
coach and working with the coaching staff on player and personnel relations. He also maintains the team roster and oversees scouting and drafting functions as well as the signing of
free agents. Basically, he said, his work supports the coaches
so that they can focus on coaching.
And that is how he contributed to the Lynx’ winning 2011
season. In October, the team completed its season, beating the
Atlanta Dream in a three-game sweep of the WNBA championship series. It was the team’s first championship and first
appearance in the playoffs since 2004.
“The championship game was very nerve-wracking,” Griffith
said. The team was behind at half-time, but Griffith said they
weren’t worried. “We had always been a good second-half
team, and we knew we had the skills and talent to pull
ahead.” They did, but nearly lost their lead in the final minutes of the game.
“It was stressful,” Griffith said, “but it was also fun and exciting to see the large number of fans who traveled to Atlanta
to support the team.”
Griffith said the Lynx fans are one of the best parts of his
job. “Last year, through the whole season, it was great to be
able to sit in the stands and look away from the game to see
how much the experience meant to the people,” he said. “Our
fans have been extremely loyal and supportive, and they got
their payoff when we took the championship title.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
30
Augsburg Now
alumni news
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Auggies,
n the time since my fall letter, I hope
you enjoyed the holiday season with
your family and friends, and I hope the
new year has begun well for you. With
help from our fellow alumni, we have
been making a difference in our communities and engaging with our student
body. In November, we focused on giving
back to the community at our Alumni Board meeting. Partnering
with Brian Noy, coordinator of Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen program, we participated in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich-making project and produced 250
sandwiches that were taken
to a local homeless shelter.
It was a fantastic project
and the most fun I can remember ever having at a
board meeting!
In December, when thousands
of Augsburg alumni and friends
gathered at Advent Vespers, many
brought basic hygiene supplies and
warm clothing to donate to the Augsburg
Central Health Commons (ACHC), housed at Central Lutheran
Church. Alumni who attended the Auggie Night at the Races last
summer did the same, helping the center to provide for community
members in need.
Auggies will have another opportunity to give back on June 5 by
participating in a Feed My Starving Children event. Please see details on how to register in the information listed on page 33.
I am pleased to announce that alumni engagement is at an all-
i
s
e
i
augGEg
T INVOLVED
time high! Alumni event attendance is up by 25 percent compared
to last year. We are thrilled to see this progress. It is due in part to
your feedback that we have seen such great results. Knowing what events are meaningful and fun for you
drives our program development. Thank
you for your consistent feedback and participation.
In February, the Alumni Board hosted
the annual Student and Alumni Networking event. This event consistently attracts
alumni who are passionate about being a
resource to current students, while providing them the opportunity
to reconnect with fellow alumni. If you or someone you know would
like to help connect or get connected to alumni or students, please
consider attending this event in the future.
Another tool to reconnect you with Augsburg and fellow alumni
is the Maroon Pages. This online tool helps recognize and promote
alumni businesses on the web. It can be used as a marketing tool
for the self-employed as well as a resource for students to reach
alumni for job hunting or networking.
Lastly, I want to lift up the Eye-Opener Breakfasts that are
held quarterly at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul and the
Strommen Executive Speaker Series, which takes place on campus
on a regular basis. These events give alumni opportunities for personal and professional development by hearing from successful
leaders within our community. Come to be inspired, to network
with peers, and to reconnect with your alma mater.
Go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni to learn about all the excellent
resources available to Auggie alumni.
ROBERT WAGNER II ’02
ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
The Augsburg Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to serve on
the Alumni Board. All alumni are welcome and encouraged to apply.
The Alumni Board is a governing body of the Alumni Association.
Together with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, it
provides resources and opportunities to engage alumni with the College and each other through consistent communication, inclusive
programming, and intentional relationship-building. To apply or get
more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni/getinvolved.
Spring 2012
31
alumni news
What a Legacy!
As an Augsburg graduate and as the
director of parent and family relations
at Augsburg, I was delighted to be a
part of the first annual Legacy Family
Reception, held at the Augsburg
House on January 16. I attended with
my two Auggie daughters (Kristin ’09
and Maren ’13) and their dad, Paul
Daniels ’79. We had such a lovely
evening connecting with other legacy
families!
Currently, 112 students enrolled in
Augsburg’s traditional undergraduate
program are part of a legacy family. In
other words, each is a child and/or
grandchild of an Augsburg graduate.
At the reception, Wendy Delesha ’10
MAL said, “I am proud to be an Auggie
and to have both of my children be Auggies, too. We will have graduates three
years in a row: 2010, 2011, and 2012.”
Another Augsburg grad who attended the reception was Howie
Smith ’80. He said, “I loved my years
at Augsburg and am so, so happy to
have my son and daughter here now.”
If you would like to encourage a
member of your family to become an
Auggie, please contact the Office of
Admissions at www.augsburg.edu/
admissions and the staff will be happy
to connect with your family member.
SALLY DANIELS HERRON ’79
L to R: Kristin Daniels ’09, Maren Daniels ’13, Paul Daniels ’79, and
Sally Daniels Herron ’79
L to R: Erica Wilson ’12, Cliff Wilson ’11, and Wendy Delesha ’10 MAL
SAVE THE DATE FOR
homecoming
New events along with traditional favorites make this one of the best times to
come back to campus. Reconnect with fellow alumni and favorite faculty, and
experience the Augsburg of 2012. Watch www.augsburg.edu/homecoming for
future information.
If you would like to help make your reunion a success, contact the Office of
Alumni and Constituent Relations at 612-330-1085 or alumni@augsburg.edu.
32
Augsburg Now
SEPTEMBER 24-29, 2012
Reunion Classes
50th Reunion—1962 25th Reunion—1987
40th Reunion—1972 10th Reunion—2002
30th Reunion—1982
Auggie
IN RESIDENCE
Last fall, Augsburg implemented a new volunteer
program, Auggies in Residence—yet another great opportunity for alumni to visit campus to reconnect with the College and its students. Through
this speaker series, alumni are invited by faculty to speak at a
fall or spring class and then engage in a question-and-answer
period with students. Of the 70-plus alumni who have volunteered to serve as an Auggie in Residence, those who have
experienced this unique program have been gratified and happy
with the opportunity to speak in the classroom and interact with
future Auggies.
If you think an Auggie in Residence experience is something
you would enjoy and you want to share your time and talent,
contact Pat Grans at gransp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1329.
Courtesy photo
Feed My Starving Children
JOIN US ON JUNE 5
Join the Alumni Board at Feed My Starving Children to help pack
millions of meals for hungry children in 70 countries. Alumni and
friends may volunteer on June 5, 6-7:30 p.m. or 8-9:30 p.m.
Register to volunteer with the Augsburg College Alumni group at
www.fmsc.org (click “join existing group”). Registration code for
6 p.m. is 205100 and for 8 p.m. is 205101.
Last year 75 Auggies gathered together to pack 22,000 meals for hungry children around
the world through the Feed My Starving Children program. We are hoping for even greater
participation and impact during the upcoming June event. Pictured above [L to R] are
Maria (Mitchell) Helgerson ’07, Jennifer Oliver ’07, Brandon Elegert, Stephanie Gnojek,
Carolyn Mollner ’07, and Erik Helgerson ’07.
Meet Sara Schlipp-Riedel ’06
The Augsburg
College Alumni
Association welcomes Sara
Schlipp-Riedel as
the new associate
director of alumni
and constituent
relations. She
comes to the department with
nearly six years of
event and project
management experience and is thrilled by the opportunity to engage fellow Auggies.
“My primary focus will be to connect with and engage
our young alumni and recent graduates,” said SchlippRiedel. “We want to build awareness among current students that their connection with Augsburg doesn’t end
once they have received their diploma, and our hope is
that there will be a lifelong relationship. I want to develop programming across the board that will cultivate
community, instill pride, and emphasize tradition.”
Schlipp-Riedel lives in South Minneapolis with her
husband, Aaron Riedel ’07, and their one-year-old son,
Aidan. She can be reached at 612-330-1178 or
schlipp@augsburg.edu.
SAVE THE DATE
auggie night
AT THE RACES
August 3, 5-7 p.m.
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Road,
Shakopee, Minn.
Free admission, picnic buffet,
and reserved seating provided.
Go to www.augsburg.edu/
alumnievents to register.
Spring 2012
33
alumni news
AUGSBURG YOUNG ALUMNI HOLIDAY PARTY 2011
YOUNG ALUMNI
summer series
To register for Young Alumni events or to see the full calendar
of events at Augsburg, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
May 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
1900 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis
Live music, one complimentary beverage, and
appetizers provided.
Courtesy photo
PSYCHO SUZI’S MOTOR LOUNGE
June 21, 6-9 p.m.
Since it launched in 2009, the Young Alumni Summer Series has been an incredible success, engaging young alumni
and recent graduates through unique programming. In
2011, the Young Alumni Council expanded the program to
include a winter event by hosting the first Young Alumni
Holiday Party in December at La Meridien Chambers Hotel
in downtown Minneapolis. The event was a huge success
and will be added to future programming.
YOGA BOAT CRUISE
Afton Hudson Cruise Lines
500 1st St., Hudson, Wisc.
$15 includes one-hour yoga session, boat cruise, appetizers,
and one complimentary beverage. SPACE IS LIMITED.
July 18, 5-7 p.m.
MINNESOTA TWINS GAME
Hubert’s and Target Field
$30 includes ticket to game with seating in
the Pavilion, appetizers, and two complimentary beverages at Hubert’s.
5-7 p.m. Pre-game at Hubert’s, 600 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis
7:10 p.m. Twins vs. Orioles
August 3, 5-7 p.m.
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee, Minn.
Free admission, picnic buffet, and reserved seating provided.
September 28, 6-8 p.m.
HOMECOMING 2012:
YOUNG ALUMNI RECEPTION
Republic
221 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
Two complimentary beverages and
appetizers provided.
Join the AUGSBURG COLLEGE
YOUNG ALUMNI FACEBOOK
GROUP to get the full scoop!
34
Augsburg Now
Courtesy photo
AUGGIE NIGHT AT THE RACES
L to R: Rebecca Lewis ’07, Aili Brom-Palkowski ’07, Felicia Faison ’09, and
Shannon Olson ’07
save the date
December 7, 8:30-11:30 p.m.
YOUNG ALUMNI HOLIDAY—UGLY SWEATER PARTY
Location TBD
To register, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
past meets present
A Journey to the Holy Land:
EXPLORING THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE PEOPLE
Courtesy photo
When the travelers heard about the work of the Parent Circle
For 10 days in January, a group of 28 Auggies explored the Holy
Family Forum (comprised of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian famiLand with Philip Quanbeck II, associate professor of religion, and
lies who have lost family members in the conflict, and who support
Ruth Johnson ’74, former Augsburg College Regent.
peace, reconciliation, and tolerance), Turner was particularly imWhen the group arrived, Larry Turner ’69 was surprised at the
pressed by the gentleman who spoke of losing his son in the last
contrast in terrain—not only was it more rugged than expected, but
parts looked like fertile farmland, especially around Galilee. In addi- week of military service. This Israeli father was soon drawn into the
tion to the warm Palestinian welcome, he was
struck by many of the historical sites, several
of which Herod the Great had built—Masada,
the palace in Jerusalem, and Caesarea (where
Herod insisted on building a harbor, even
though his architects advised against it).
From a religious point of view, Turner said it
was very moving to visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of
Olives, Capernaum, Primacy of Peter, Gethsemane, and the Via Dolorosa—the very places
Jesus walked some 2,000 years ago.
For Turner, images of the region’s past were
soon overlaid with realities of the Holy Land of
today, especially on a tour bus when the guide
pointed to a nearby village in Lebanon and
then a fence bordering Syria. He noticed yellow signs reading “Danger, Mines” on a fence
along the side of the road. Though Turner
didn’t feel endangered during the trip, he
Front Row [L to R]: Sandy Prince, Sally Daniels Herron ’79, Charlie Green, Barb Green, Ruth Johnson ’74, Sharon Carlson ’72,
Terri Rummans, Mary Kinney ’04, Donna McLean; Middle Row [L to R]: Yousef Eideh (our guide), Larry Turner ’69, Sue Turner,
found the most distressing aspect to be the
Jennie Wilson, Phil Quanbeck II, Nancy Sampair, Susan Carlson, Liz Weninger ’92, Judy Coppersmith ’66, Lee Furman ’61;
wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Back Row [L to R]: Barbara Bruce, Sharon Mortrud ’64, Scott Anderson ’96, Judy Reeve ’95, Jeff Gotfredson ’82, Kirk Gill,
When Palestinian Lutheran pastor Rev.
Paul Kilgore ’80, Becky Kilgore, Jim Weninger ’92, Heidi Hunter
Mitri Raheb spoke to the group about his
ministry in Bethlehem, he described three areas of focus: culture,
forum, where he met a Palestinian who had also lost someone. As a
education, and health. Culturally, the ministry helps Palestinians
result, his thoughts about the conflict evolved from quite hawkish to
deal with identity issues and obtain meaningful work, and it promore conciliatory. In pairs, members of the forum (one Israeli, one
vides a place for concerts, art, and theater. Educating the youth is
Palestinian) make regular visits to schools in an effort to help
another priority since 55 percent of the population is under the
younger people think more seriously about the human aspects as
age of 18. Dar al-Kalima College, Bethlehem’s new Lutheran colthey consider military expectations.
lege (the first in the Middle East), will certainly aid in those efforts
Turner and his wife, Sue, have traveled a fair amount since he reas well, providing studies in art, music, communication, and mantired after 38 years with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, but
agement. The ministry also offers opportunities in women’s sports,
this trip was special, he said. It felt like a real pilgrimage for him.
eldercare, and preventive health, helping people learn how to take
CHERYL CROCKETT ’89
better care of themselves.
Spring 2012
35
alumni class notes
Norm Larsen and Jerome “JD”
34Detviler ’74 were inducted into
the Saint Paul Park (Minnesota)
High School Athletic Hall of Fame in
November. Larsen was the head
football coach at Park for 10 years
and served as Park’s athletic director until his retirement in 1977.
Detviler was a soccer, Nordic skiing,
and track and field coach at Park.
Herb Chilstrom, former presiding bishop of the ELCA, released his autobiography, A Journey
of Grace: The Formation of a Leader
and a Church (Lutheran University
54
Press). The book is a reflective account of his family roots, childhood,
education, and pastoral and teaching career. It tells of his life as
bishop, his role in the formation of
the ELCA, and his ministry as the
first presiding bishop.
In June, Richard “Dick” Thorud
56was inducted into the Min-
nesota Inventors Hall of Fame. The
award was based largely on the 80
patents he was awarded as a principal research engineer with the Toro
Company.
Corrine (Froelich) Frank
73became a grandmother for
the first time in December, when
grandson Weston Leslie Frank
was born.
Steven Resnicek was ap-
74pointed interim director of the
Bemidji State University concert
choir for the spring 2012 semester.
Resnicek is an adjunct faculty member in the music department at
Bemidji State.
David Larson and Kate Sholon-
77ski released their book, Wide
auggieSNAPSHOTS
Awake: Three Minutes a Day
to an Inspired Life! in Novem-
36
ber. This volume is filled with personal stories of challenge, triumph,
empowerment, and motivation.
Linda (Slater) Thoni was se-
88lected by the Art Educators of
Minnesota (AEM) as the Elementary
Art Educator of the Year for the State
of Minnesota. She has been employed by the Byron School District
for 12 years. AEM annually recognizes teachers who have made significant contributions to AEM, the
state of Minnesota, and their school
or organization. Award recipients
have demonstrated dedication,
achievement, and professionalism
in the art education field.
Members of the class of ’81 met in October in Cable, Wisc., for
81their annual Augsburg reunion. Pictured [L to R]: Mary Beamish, a
copy editor at the Duluth News Tribune who is rehabbing a 1920s
house in Duluth; Susan (Dahlgren) Sackrison, a history teacher at
Lakeville High School; Maureen Webster, a grandma, an Army mom,
and a Title I teacher at Sunnyside Elementary in Mounds View; Laura
Kasdorf, a master gardener who coordinates the Community Garden in
Chippewa Falls, Wisc.; Mary Lou (Schlosser) Suss of Louisiana, who
misses being able to grow rhubarb; Janna (Wallin) Haug, who just returned from four years with the ELCA Global Mission in Slovakia.
Karla (Morken) Thompson graduated from
81the College of St. Scholastica with a Doctor
of Physical Therapy degree in August. She has
worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. for
30 years and is a staff physical therapist specializing in women’s health and vestibular rehabilitation.
Heidi Anderson gave birth to
Jim Lindell and Karri (Birkholz)
04Lindell ’03 were married on July
16, at Central Lutheran Church in
Minneapolis. Auggies in the wedding
party were Kim Birkholz ’05, Britni
(Morgan) Robertson ’05, Jeremy
Robertson ’05, Travis Kalis, Tom
Delisle ’04, Jeff Willihnganz ’04, Kyle
Howard ’04, Jillian (Janicki) Howard
’04, Nick Collins ’04, Stefanie (Lindell)
Lender ’98, Bruce Lender ’98, Jason
Luhrs ’96, and Melissa (Luhrs) Gooder
’93. Karri is a brokerage product manager at Ameriprise Financial, and Jim
is a corporate account manager at
Choice Communications. They live in
Maple Grove, Minn.
Janine (Borchardt) Kellogg
93Soren Russell in May 2011.
04and her partner, Jennifer
Heidi has worked for GE Lighting
in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1999.
Kellogg, welcomed baby boy
Sawyer Jay on August 8.
Becky (Welle) Winters and Paul
05Winters ’07 welcomed Maximilian Robert on August 17.
Marette (Hoffman)
09Hahn married Justin
Hahn on August 26, in Mendota Heights, Minn. Other
Auggies involved included
Leah Jarvi ’09 (bridesmaid),
Shonna Fulford ’09 (personal
attendant), Amber Stransky
’07 (personal attendant),
and Kendra (Christiansen)
Oxendale ’10 (photographer).
Mateo Martin Irby was born
on September 7, to Joanne
K. Reeck-Irby and Cornelius
M. Irby. Joanne is the director of campus activities and
orientation at Augsburg.
The Political History and Landmarks
91
In a January special election,
Marathon Road in January. The film
features Augsburg cross country/track
and field head coach Dennis Barker,
a trainer for Team USA distance athletes. The film was produced through
Sanft’s company, Ideatap Studios.
of South Africa and Namibia:
AUGUST 2013
Courtesy photo
Tom Kerr was named Administrator of the Year by the Iowa
Reading Association. Kerr has
served as the principal of BoydenHull Elementary School in Boyden,
Iowa, for six years.
Jennifer (Richter) and Dylan
92Susan Allen was elected to the 07Soberg ’06 welcomed baby
After nearly eight years, Heather
Johnston left the City of Minneapolis
to become the CFO and director of
administrative services for the City of
Burnsville, Minn. In that capacity,
she oversees finance, communications, community relations, city
clerk, and information technology
operations. In addition, she was recently appointed to the executive
board of the Government Finance
Officers Association (GFOA) of the
United States and Canada.
boy Alexander David on October 10.
Emily Crook, a 2007 graduate and a
current student in the Master of Arts
in Education program, married David
Hamm ’08 on October 8, 2010, in
Duluth, Minn. Many other Auggies
were in attendance to celebrate with
the couple and their families.
Angela (Barron) and Charles
08Brewer welcomed Emma
Rose on November 17.
In November, Dave Lange began a
career at Ameriprise Financial in life
insurance sales.
George Hemmingsen and his
Jesus (Alex) Hernandez Herrera
was promoted to senior director, principal gifts, in the Northwestern University (Illinois) Office of
Alumni Relations and Development
in September.
95
Heather Savage has been writ-
01ing (under HK Savage) and editing and opened her own publishing
company, Staccato Publishing.
Staccato’s purpose is to help authors who want to publish their work
but aren’t sure how to navigate the
twists and turns on the road to publishing.
09brother Grant Hemmingsen,
both 2009 graduates, are assistant
basketball coaches at Kentucky
Wesleyan College. George is in his
second year with KWC and his first
year as top assistant coach, and
Grant is in his first year as assistant
coach.
Katie Wornson was named to the
Volunteers of America-Minnesota
board of directors in December. Volunteers of America is a nonprofit
human service organization headquartered in Edina, Minn.
Julia Sewell and her colleague
Jennifer (Langman) and husband Kevin Reese welcomed
Elsie Marie on November 8.
02
Tony Geckler completed a
05Master of Social Work degree
from St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas in August. In
November, he passed his licensed
graduate social worker examination.
Augsburg cross country/track and
field alumni Paul Sanft ’05, Dan Vogel
’05, Riley Conway ’05, and Tori Bahr
’09 released their documentary
10and partner, Don Patterson, are
touring the United States spreading
messages of youth voice and action,
leadership, and educational reform
through their 2011-2012 SWAG
(Sharing Wisdom Amongst our Generation) tour concluding in April.
Sandra (Albrecht) Sutton married
Michael Sutton on August 27, 2010.
The couple resides in Baldwin, Wisc.,
where Sandra works as a sponsor
services analyst with Wells Fargo.
Namib Desert
Join Augsburg alumni and friends on this
12-day tour to learn about Namibia and South
Africa’s shared political past and to see the
popular tourist attractions and landmarks this
history has created. Learn firsthand about this
region’s struggle against apartheid while visiting the acclaimed Apartheid Museum, Cape
Point where the Dutch conquerors landed and
built a lighthouse, and Robben Island where
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Tour the former black and colored townships in Windhoek
and Johannesburg and hear from a cross-section of Southern African society.
Discover how the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Namibia, with a total membership of
more than 700,000, mainly in Northern
Namibia, played a significant role in opposition
to apartheid and was part of the Namibian independence struggle. The Namibia portion of
the trip will also include a visit to the Etosha
Game Reserve and the Namib Desert, the site
of the world’s highest sand dunes.
This trip is offered by the Alumni Association
in partnership with the Center for Global Education (CGE) at Augsburg College. For 30 years,
CGE has provided cross-cultural educational
opportunities that foster critical analysis of
local and global conditions so that personal
and systemic change takes place, leading to a
more just and sustainable world.
To request more details about the trip, call
612-330-1085 or email alumni@augsburg.edu.
namibia and south africa
Minnesota House of Representatives
to represent District 61B. Allen is
the first Native American woman to
serve in the Minnesota House.
Spring 2012
37
A phone call.
An e-mail.
A diploma.
When Jennifer Ivers ’13 e-mailed Larry
Couture ’79 as part of her work with
Augsburg’s IGNITE program, she couldn’t
have imagined the chain of events that
would transpire—or that she would end up
with an internship as a result.
Through IGNITE (Involving Graduates
Now in Thoughtful Engagement), current
Augsburg students connect with alumni to
help them find ways to engage with the
College. But when Ivers contacted Couture,
she was surprised by his e-mail response.
“He sent a short essay explaining why he
wasn’t really excited about meeting with
me,” she said. It turns out that Couture
thought he graduated from Augsburg in
1979 but found out in 2006, when he tried
to apply for admission to a graduate program, that his transcript was incomplete.
Couture had been one religion course
short of completing his graduation requirements in the spring of 1979 and had returned to Augsburg that summer to complete
the final class.
That course was
never posted, but
Couture didn’t suspect anything because he’d moved to
a new apartment and
thought perhaps his
diploma had just
been lost in the mail.
After receiving
Couture’s e-mail, Ivers
told him that she
would like to help him.
She said she would forward his e-mail to her
boss, who could bring his issue to the attention of the Dean, and together they would try
to resolve the situation.
“He said that after this long he didn’t
think it really mattered, but if I could help,
he thought that would be great,” Ivers said.
And help she did. On February 1, more
than 30 years after he thought he graduated,
On February 1, more than 30 years after completing his
graduation requirements, Larry Couture ‘79—pictured
here with Jennifer Ivers ’13, a summer intern at Couture’s
company—received his Augsburg College diploma.
nt
llege Commenceme
1979 Augsburg Co
Larry Couture received his Augsburg College
diploma and became a member of the class
of 1979.
Couture was so impressed with Ivers’
tenacity, as well as her speaking and writing
skills, that he asked her to work as a summer intern for his company ECOSmarte, a
Richfield, Minn.-based manufacturer of nonsalt, non-chemical water technology for
’79
LARRY
COUTURE
swimming pools and spas. The relationship
has also led to an internship for a second
Augsburg student.
“This has been one of the more fulfilling
aspects of my position,” Ivers said. “The
IGNITE program aims to re-involve alumni
on campus, and what’s a better way to involve someone than finally getting them their
diploma?”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
38
Augsburg Now
Send us your news and photos
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and births.
Don’t forget to send photos! (Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi or a 1MB file.)
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g., an obituary, funeral notice, or
program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
In Memoriam
____________________________________________________________
Street address
Edward L. Evenson ’41, age 93, on September 28
____________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP code
Verlinda L. (Olson) Huus ’42, age 91, on September 19
Carol A. (Hibbard) Kirtley ’42, age 88, on October 22
Vivian A. (Larson) Loren ’43, age 89, on September 23
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
H. Daniel Frojen ’45, age 87, on September 18
J. Bernhard Bretheim ’48 on August 2
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
Ruth O. (Holm) Sawyer ’48, age 83, on January 18
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
Evelyn (Green) Harris ’49 on June 29
John H. Wetzler ’49, age 88, on January 22, 2011
Raymond J. Bodin ’50, age 93, on October 27
____________________________________________________________
Employer
____________________________________________________________
Position
Jean (Kuklish) Knudsen ’50, age 83, on July 12
Robert G. “Bob” Smith ’51, age 89, on October 24
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Edwin O. Silrum ’53, age 90, on September 12
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
Elizabeth G. (Hagen) Carlson ’56, age 76, on November 26
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
Roger Lecander ’56, age 77, on July 17
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
John T. Thompson ’56, age 76, on February 28, 2011
Loren G. Berkness ’60, age 82, on February 21, 2011
Bernard A. “Bernie” Onsager ’65, age 82, on September 28
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Beverly Jean (Mattson) Conboy ’73, age 59, on September 10
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
Nancy (Kerber) Anderson ’74, age 59, on November 18
____________________________________________________________
Janice L. Phinney ’74, age 58, on July 30
____________________________________________________________
Jody (Anderson) Sundlee ’79, age 56, on December 6
____________________________________________________________
Patrick D. Hurley ’84, age 49, on March 3, 2011
George C. Ogbonna ’88, age 55, on December 26
____________________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Henry G. Parsons ’04 MSW, age 59, on January 26, 2011
Spring 2012
39
it takes an
Auggie
During fall 2011, 26 student callers dialed 37,925 times, spoke with 3,178 constituents
(parents, friends, and alumni), and raised almost 700 gifts totaling $66,574.
Meet our Augsburg Fund callers
ANYA CLEAVER
Major: Political science, minors in
German and communication studies
Hometown: Technically, Buxton, England
Activities and interests: Queer and Straight
in Unity (QSU), Echo newspaper, Augsburg
Atheist and Secular Humanist group
Interesting fact about me: I moved to Minnesota at age 12 from a town outside of
Manchester, England, because England is
drab and rainy.
KALEB
WILLIAMS
Favorite things about Augsburg and the city:
I’m a film buff, and I love the independent movie theaters. I also like the riverfront and Harriet Island in St. Paul.
Major: Public relations and advertising
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Activities and interests: Football
Interesting fact about me: I always say I’m
like an old black man; I have an old soul.
I think I would have fit in well in the 60s
or 70s.
Favorite things about Augsburg and the city:
It’s such a diverse place, and everyone
seems to get along well. Every day I feel
like I meet someone new.
Favorite Augsburg experience: The football
game last season against St. Thomas. It
was a home game, and the stands were
packed. At the time, we were the top
two teams in the MIAC, so it was pretty
exciting.
40
Augsburg Now
My favorite Augsburg experience: I was a
summer orientation leader and got to connect with many students from different
backgrounds. It helped me learn about
being more inclusive, and I made a lot
of friends.
KATHERINE
WALKER
Major: International relations, minor in
peace and global studies and religion
Hometown: Brainerd, Minn.
Activities and interests: Study Japanese,
volunteer tutor, editor for the Honors
Review
Interesting fact about me: I plan to go to
Vietnam this summer to teach English at
the British Embassy.
Favorite things about Augsburg and the city:
I love Augsburg’s emphasis on community
service. I think that if I had gone to another college, it wouldn’t have given me
such an introduction to the community. I
feel like I live in this neighborhood; I
don’t just go to school here.
Favorite Augsburg experience: I went to El
Salvador to take a class over winter break
two years ago with assistant religion professor Matt Maruggi. We studied liberation
theology, and we got to interact with local
people, community activists, and religious
leaders. We stayed in a small self-sufficient
community in the middle of the jungle, and
there were baby pigs running around.
AN
LEGACY
Dr. Gerald Mindrum
“I shall always remember the personal influence of many Augsburg professors
on my life and career, and also appreciate the continued support of Augsburg
to communities—both at the neighborhood and the global scale. I hope my
charitable gift annuity will foster a similar experience for future students.”
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
The Gage Center for Student Success and
Groves Technology Center
The Gage Center for Student Success and Groves Technology Center have quickly become a
hub of student activity. This photo, created by merging 10 different photographs together,
is a still life time-lapse image showing how this common space is constantly being used by
all members of the community.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
Show less
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2010
VOL. 71, NO. 3
inside
out of the
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Photo
Years
of Life-Changing
contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010
Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood
Travel
Learning t... Show more
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 1
AUGSBURG NOW
SPRING 2010
VOL. 71, NO. 3
inside
out of the
Augsburg Now
The Magazine of Augsburg College
25Photo
Years
of Life-Changing
contest winners Peace Prize Forum 2010
Lutefisk and a legacy In the neighborhood
Travel
Learning to learn Pursuing an ideal education
page
20
Connecting
the dots for good IGNITE program
box
Auggies
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:29 AM Page 2
Editor
Betsey Norgard
norgard@augsburg.edu
Creative Director
notes
from President Pribbenow
Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL
rumpza@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Editorial
Wendi Wheeler ’06
wheelerw@augsburg.edu
Creative Associate-Design
Jen Nagorski ’08
nagorski@augsburg.edu
Multiply your mind by giving it away
Photographer
a
Webmaster/Now Online
s this issue of Augsburg Now illustrates, the
Augsburg community is engaged in many efforts and initiatives that are best characterized as innovative—or “out-of-the-box,” as they’re
called here. In fact, I believe deeply that there is
something about Augsburg and its mission that
lends itself to this sort of entrepreneurial spirit,
this willingness to try new ways of doing things in
service to our students and neighbors. Just think of
the last 30 years of new programs at Augsburg—
the Weekend College; the expansion to seven graduate programs; the Augsburg campus at Bethel
Lutheran Church in Rochester and at St. Stephen
Lutheran Church in Bloomington; the Augsburg
Core Curriculum ––(AugCore), with its expansive
framework for educating students in the liberal arts
and in the world; the CLASS office, providing support for students with learning differences; the
StepUP program, meeting the needs of students recovering from addictions; and the list goes on and
on. All examples of how Augsburg is on the leading
edge of providing an excellent education in new
and innovative ways.
I’ve recently been reading literature on helping
organizations to embrace and sustain a culture of
innovation—that is, to create organizational cultures that are constantly looking for new and different ways to do things, to make products, to deliver
services; to save souls, educate students, heal the
sick. Recently, I happened upon the writing of
Mark Federman, a Canadian scholar whose writings on innovation include this provocative suggestion: “Multiply your mind by giving it away.” And
Federman means exactly what he says—be generous, be charitable, give instead of always taking.
Because when you are generous with your mind,
with your knowledge and education, you help to
create organizations and neighborhoods and agencies and churches and schools that are marked not
by the scarcity of the world but by the abundance
of what’s possible when generosity of mind and
heart and spirit is our guiding principle.
How will you give away your mind in the communities and organizations you serve? I constantly find
examples of such generosity of mind right here in
the Augsburg community, and you’ll see them in
the stories featured here. For example, I’m struck
by the ways in which staff member Brian Noy and
his many colleagues who run our Campus Kitchen
program are illustrating this generosity of mind and
spirit. In addition to the ongoing preparation and
delivery of 2,000 meals a month they serve to our
neighbors in Phillips and Cedar-Riverside, they
have focused our attention on the important role
that food plays in our lives—as sustenance for our
bodies, as fellowship for our community, as politics
and economics in our neighborhood and world.
They have multiplied their minds by giving them
away to all of us. And the results are staggering—
a community garden on the edge of campus that
brings together neighbors and students and children, a Farmers Market that brings organic farmers
from across the region to campus, composting of
leftover everything in the cafeteria, and so much
more—abundance through generosity.
The gift of an education, an Augsburg education, calls all of us to this generous undertaking of
multiplying your mind and knowledge and experience by giving it away so that it serves God’s abundant intentions for God’s people and world. That is
the sort of innovation that is at the heart of
Augsburg’s mission and vision. I’m proud to share
in this significant work.
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Stephen Geffre
geffre@augsburg.edu
Bryan Barnes
barnesb@augsburg.edu
Director of News and
Media Services
Jeff Shelman
shelman@augsburg.edu
Sports Information Director
Don Stoner
stoner@augsburg.edu
Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and Communication
Rebecca John
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Alumni and
Constituent Relations
Kim Stone
stonek@augsburg.edu
www.augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
College policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
Advancement Services
CB 142
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
healyk@augsburg.edu
E-mail: now@augsburg.edu
Telephone: 612-330-1181
Fax: 612-330-1780
au
w
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:30 AM Page 3
spring 2010
Features
10
14
6
10
14
10th annual International Programs Photo Contest
2010 Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Lutefisk, a log cabin, and a 50-year legacy
by Betsey Norgard
17 auggies
out of the box
20
34
20 Pursuing an ideal education
by Wendi Wheeler ’06
23 In the neighborhood
contents
by Jeff Shelman
28
augsburg now
Departments
2
5
8
9
37
40
44
Around the Quad
Auggies on the ice
Auggie voices
It takes an Auggie
Alumni news
Class notes
My Auggie experience
25 Learning to learn—without any A, B, Cs
by Jeff Shelman
28 Connecting the dots for good
by Bryan Barnes
31 IGNITE-ing Auggie spirit
by Betsey Norgard
34 The Bod Pod
by Betsey Norgard
36 Out of the box partnerships
by Rebecca John
On the cover
It’s impossible to arrange many of the programs, people, and
partnerships at Augsburg neatly into a box. With their creative
perspectives and unique features, the stories here show how
Augsburg often looks and acts “out-of-the-box.”
All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated.
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 4
around the
quad
Auggies win 11th national wrestling title
With eight All-Americans and three national runner-up individuals, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its 11th
NCAA Division III national title in the last 20 seasons in March
in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Augsburg finished with 110.5 points, 10 points better than
second-place Wisconsin-La Crosse’s 100.5. Defending national
champion Wartburg (Iowa) was third with 83.5 points, Coe
(Iowa) was fourth with 76.0 points, and Delaware Valley (Pa.)
was fifth with 50.5 points.
In his second year as Augsburg’s head wrestling coach, Mark
Matzek ’05 was named Division III National Coach of the Year
by the National Wrestling Coaches Association—and at age 27,
is the youngest head coach to ever win a Division III wrestling
national title. Augsburg assistant head coach Jared Evans ’07
was named National Assistant Coach of the Year by the NWCA.
“It was nine individual efforts that created this team national
championship,” Matzek said. “I’m proud of each and every one
of the guys who wrestled, and I’m proud of each and every one
of the guys in this program.”
The final session of the tournament completed a unique first
for the Auggies—the first time Augsburg has won a national
title without an individual national titlist. The feat has occurred
just twice before in the 37-year history of the Division III championships.
Have you seen the new signs?
The new LED “Augsburg” atop Mortensen Hall now serves as a
beacon to commuters who pass by on Interstate 94 and as a marker
of Augsburg’s location. To read more and see a video of the
construction, go to the “Auggie Sign” page on Facebook.
Photo by Caleb Williams
Auggie wrestlers, students, families, and friends
celebrated Augsburg’s 11th national championship.
2
Augsburg Now
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 5
Augsburg receives five Fulbright awards
In the past weeks, three Augsburg students, one faculty member, and the
Center for Global Education have all been notified that they have received
Fulbright awards for next year.
May graduates Jens Olsen and Heidi Le will both teach English in
Vietnam during the 2010-11 academic year. Bethany Hellerich, a 2009
graduate who is spending this year as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer
Corps, will teach English in Indonesia. All three have plans to further their
education after their year abroad, as Olsen will apply to medical school, Le
has deferred admission to pharmacy school, and Hellerich is interested in
a public health graduate program.
Seven Augsburg students have been awarded Fulbrights over the past
three years and the College has been recognized as a top producer of winners. Hellerich said Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity office (URGO) deserves credit for working with students and
pushing them to believe that they can have success.
“I’m just fortunate that [URGO director] Dixie Shafer exists and magical
things happen when she works with you on your application,” Hellerich
said. “She’s very helpful with giving good and detailed feedback.”
English professor Colin Irvine will spend the next academic year traveling the length of Norway as a Fulbright Roving Scholar in American Studies.
Courtesy photo
College mourns the death of faculty
Professor Don Steinmetz, who
taught in the Languages and
Cross-Cultural Studies Department for 41 years, died of an
apparent heart attack on Dec.
28. He was 71. His son, Erik
Steinmetz, is a member of
Augsburg’s Computer Science
Donald Steinmetz
Myles Stenshoel
Department faculty.
Don Steinmetz served as chair of the department and taught
courses in German and Spanish. He also taught Chinese and linguistics within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium.
Professor Emeritus Myles Stenshoel died on March 26 following
a short illness. He taught at Augsburg for 28 years and continued
to teach part time in retirement. In 1965 he came to Augsburg and
established the Political Science Department the following year. His
interests were in politics and religion, and he was deeply committed to social action.
Also mourned is Neal Thorpe ’60, former faculty member and a
Distinguished Alumnus, who died in Vancouver, Wash., on March 3.
Jens Olsen and Heidi Le
Colin Irvine
In this role, Irvine will prepare presentations on American studies topics and visit schools across Norway to provide opportunities for Norwegian
teenagers to learn about the United States. Based in Oslo, he will likely give
between 250 and 300 presentations across the country.
“I’ve always been interested in the possibility of working or teaching
overseas,” Irvine said. “This roving scholar program was perfect.”
In addition, the Center for Global Education also received its fifth
Fulbright-Hays Group Project award and will host a four-week curriculum
development program for teachers during July and August in Namibia.
Editor’s Note
The last issue of the Now had a story, “Augsburg’s first
travel to Egypt.” Alas, we have received a note from social work Professor Emerita Edwina (Eddie) Hertzberg,
who tells us it isn’t so.
“In 1979, for the January Interim, the College sponsored a course, Social Services and Public Policy in a Developing Country: Egypt, 1979,” she writes. “I was the
faculty instructor, assisted by former adjunct professor
Nagwa Farag and two of her colleagues from Helwan
University in Cairo. My request to Professor Farag
had been that we get as close to Egyptian people
as possible so that our experience include the
depth that only such engagement can provide.
Eleven students, Augsburg and St. Olaf,
from a variety of disciplines, participated in
the month-long program. … [I]t was a remarkable educational and life-impacting
experience for us all, students and faculty alike.”
Spring 2010
3
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 6
around the
quad
Yi started out the semester in the back of the room, about as far
away from me as possible. He showed relatively little interest; his
homework and test grades were poor. Yet when I called on him he
responded with reasonable answers. Like others hiding in the
back row, Yi had potential; he just needed some personal attention and prodding. I took to writing notes on his homework encouraging him to move forward and talk to me. One afternoon he
appeared in my office, and we talked for an hour about many
things—about the class, how he came to United International
College (UIC), and his goals. Eventually he closed the office door
and wanted to talk about the injuries his uncle experienced in
Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the fear was still too great and
he left. Yi did move forward, began to interact with me, and soon
his work, tests, and comments improved remarkably. He began to
enjoy thinking philosophically.
Through a special arrangement, Augsburg made it possible for
me to teach philosophy during the fall semester at UIC in Zhuhai,
China. In three classes I was privileged to work with 120 bright
Chinese students. A new, English-medium liberal arts college on
the mainland, UIC is an experiment to provide a more Western
style of education to the Chinese. China is dramatically changing
as it attempts to educate its population, and UIC is one of eight
brand-new universities built in Zhuhai in the last 10 years.
“I told my students that part of my mission was to
corrupt them, to move them from the passive state
of being excellent note-takers and regurgitators of
teachers’ PowerPoints to being able to think and
question for themselves.”
In Introduction to Philosophy we read Plato’s Apology, where
Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth by getting them to
question those in authority who claimed that they knew when they
really didn’t. I told my students that part of my mission was to corrupt them, to move them from the passive state of being excellent
note-takers and regurgitators of teachers’ PowerPoints to being
able to think and question for themselves. By the end of the term
over half of the students were engaging me in the classroom discussion, raising questions and objections and making the class
their own.
Courtesy photo
Philosophy, religion, and Chinese food
Professor Bruce Reichenbach with students (from left) Daisy, Serena, and Charlene enjoy
noodles and discussion after class in Zhuhai, China.
My Philosophy of Religion students and I would walk down to
the student canteen on Friday for lunch and conversation. Jiang
sat next to me and between bites of noodles asked, “Do you really
believe in God?” Teaching Philosophy of Religion provided both a
challenge and opportunity, as both the students and I looked for a
common ground of understanding between our two cultures and
worldviews. Once the initial barriers of passive learning were put to
rest, the classroom boiled with discussion, questions, challenges,
and good humor. Here, too, the students would linger. Tony periodically stayed around for an hour, his phenomenology book in hand,
to inquire how Heidegger would view these ideas. Self taught in
philosophy, he was eager to connect the course ideas with his own
reading.
Three Augsburg students and four recent graduates, serving as
teaching assistants, also joined the UIC community, providing
cross-cultural connections that will continue to develop as students and faculty visit each other’s campuses in the years ahead.
At the end of the term two of my classes took my wife and me to
Chinese restaurants to show their appreciation. We toasted friendship and a wonderful semester as we affirmed that we all liked philosophy and Chinese food.
BRUCE REICHENBACH
Professor of philosophy
4
Augsburg Now
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 7
Auggies on the ice
Chris Johnson—A third-generation hockey star
Chris Johnson certainly has an impressive hockey pedigree.
Chris is the son of Mark Johnson, a member of the fabled “Miracle on Ice” 1980 U.S. Olympic team, a pro hockey star, and coach
of the 2010 U.S. Olympic women’s silver-medal hockey squad.
He’s the grandson of “Badger” Bob Johnson, one of the greatest
coaches in American hockey history—who also happened to attend
Augsburg for a year before transferring to the University of
Wisconsin. And his siblings all played hockey on various teams.
But Chris Johnson has also made a name for himself as a leader
of the Auggie men’s hockey team. A native of Verona, Wis.,
Johnson had a terrific career as an Auggie, scoring 41 goals with
74 assists for 115 points in his 104-game career. He had a goal or
assist in 15 of Augsburg’s 27 games this season, including seven
multiple-point efforts.
Johnson’s squads reached the MIAC postseason
playoffs in three of his four seasons, including two
with him as team captain. He earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
honors all four seasons and All-American
honors last year.
Off the ice, Johnson will also be remembered as a top hockey
player. He’s a member of Augsburg’s Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee and has helped lead hockey ministry and Bible-study
groups of student-athletes. He’s also worked with the Herb Brooks
Foundation’s “Rink Rats” program, teaching hockey skills to students from the Seward Montessori School. Johnson is a finance
major with a 3.4 GPA.
“Hockey was everywhere when we were growing up, in a good
way, not in a pressure way,” Johnson told columnist Rachel Blount
of the Star Tribune in a January feature. “We all got to play at the
same high school as my dad. He taught us that even though we
might have a last name that helps, it doesn’t matter if you don’t
work hard. But he also told us that at the end of the day, it’s all
about having fun.”
This season was a special one for the Johnson family.
Since the U.S. women’s hockey team was based at the
Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., prior to the
Olympics, Mark—who took a leave of absence from his
job as coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s
hockey team to lead the Olympic squad—had ample opportunities to be with his son in the Twin Cities. Mark
attended several of his son’s games at Augsburg, and
the two met weekly for dinner and father-son bonding.
In a “Profiles of Excellence” feature on the
CollegeSportingNews.com website by Rich Mies in
January, Chris Johnson said that his experience at
Augsburg has been a positive one. “I’ve received a great education here,” he said, “and
I cherish the relationships I’ve made here
with teammates, coaches, teachers, and
friends. I’ve grown up a lot while I’ve
been here.”
He also said he may consider
following in his father’s and
grandfather’s footsteps and
coach hockey someday.
DON STONER
Spring 2010
5
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 8
International Programs
1
Photo
Contest
Portraits
1st place: Matt Anderson
“Soccer at Le Sacré Coeur”
Paris, France
2nd place: Sandra Meyer
“Yes”
Managua, Nicaragua
3rd place: Dan Thewis
“Friday at Al-Azhar Mosque”
Cairo, Egypt
Landscape/cityscape
1
1st place: Norah Thompson
“Villa Joyosa, España”
Madrid, Spain
2nd place: Malena Thoson
“Municipal Dump”
Managua, Nicaragua
3rd place: Elizabeth Robinson
“Work Will Set You Free”
Berlin, Germany
Photojournalism
1st place: Dan Thewis
“Cairo at Midnight”
Cairo, Egypt
2nd place: Norah Thompson
“El niño en Madrid”
Madrid, Spain
6
Augsburg Now
1
3rd place: Sandra Meyer
“Nonchalant”
Managua, Nicaragua
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:31 AM Page 9
3
2
3
3
2009
2
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
2
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 10
auggie voices
How girlfriends do theology
“Doing Theology with Girlfriends,” or DTwG as it is known, is
not your typical Bible study.
Sonja Hagander, associate pastor at Augsburg, started DTwG
because students told her they wanted a Bible study on campus.
“But you can’t always call it a ‘Bible study,’” Hagander says,
“because that means it’s difficult or boring or only for people
who already understand the Bible.”
So DTwG gives women at Augsburg a chance to connect, to
support each other, and to relate their own life experiences to
scripture. This group of girlfriends gathers once a month to share
stories of their lives and to “do” theology.
The idea for DTwG came as Hagander reflected on how she
loved spending time with her own girlfriends and on the importance of relating to other women. When the group gathers each
month, one woman shares a story from her life. The others then
share their own feelings and memories related to the story.
Hagander chooses a reading or two from the Bible, which the
women use to dig deeper into their experiences. Finally, they ask
how what they’ve learned might change their daily lives or the
way they practice their faith.
On the last Monday in January, one student talked about what
it means to “truly experience” nature as she related the story of
her family’s vacation in Denali National Park. “I sat there for
hours, looking out for miles, reflecting and praying and trying to
figure out my place within God’s beautiful creation,” she said.
8
Augsburg Now
Hagander passed out copies of Psalm 23, and the girlfriends
identified their own green pastures and still waters. For one, a
late-night jog around the lakes in Minneapolis was a way for
her to connect to nature. Another experienced the majesty of
creation while watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon.
Then Hagander asked the group to examine the dark and destructive side of nature using Job’s account of a fire-breathing,
stone-hearted leviathan. This led to a discussion about the
massive loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. One
woman marveled at the faith that kept some people alive as
they waited for days to be pulled from the rubble of destroyed
homes, churches, and schools.
“Today is a gift that we get to use in the best way possible,”
Hagander said, asking how the women could take this discussion into their lives.
This hour wasn’t a gab session or group therapy. But it
wasn’t an ordinary Bible study either. There were no right answers or theologically sound interpretations. Just coffee and
tea, comfortable chairs, a pink candle, and a chance to share.
That is how girlfriends do theology.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
Back row (L to R): Amy Wenzel, Whitney Pratt, Pastor Sonja Hagander, Ally Streed,
Sara Thiry, Emily Wiles; Front row (L to R): Lonna Field, Carly Facchini, Dixie Scruggs,
Marrta Wyatt, Angelica Erickson, Sylvia Bull
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:32 AM Page 11
it takes an
Auggie
A young woman meets her many grandmothers
Last year, Krystal Mattison ’10 studied in Korea. Many students
who study abroad are profoundly affected by the experience. For
Mattison, a history and American Indian studies major from St.
Paul, spending the year abroad was a life-changing opportunity to
bond with her new grandmothers.
Mattison is the granddaughter of a “comfort woman.” During
World War II, thousands of Korean women were forced into sexual
slavery by the Japanese military. Some of these women did not survive their ordeal, and many were unable to have children as a result of their treatment. Furthermore, the women were unable to
talk about their experiences until many years later.
Her grandmother died when Mattison was five years old, but she
heard the story from her father. While in Korea, Mattison spent
time at the House of Sharing, an organization in Seoul that houses
and cares for the surviving comfort women. She says that after she
told them about her grandmother, the women became her adopted
grandmothers (halmonis), even giving her the Korean name
Soo-Jeong. “They spoiled me, holding my hands and feeding me,”
she says.
She learned from the women, who now think of themselves not
as victims but as survivors and activists, that speaking out against
violence is an important part of the healing process. “This experience brought me so much completion that I had to do something.”
That “something” was to connect with Jessica Nathanson, assistant professor of women’s studies and director of Augsburg’s
Women’s Resource Center. After Mattison shared her grandmother’s story and her own experience in Korea, the center agreed
to donate the proceeds from its annual benefit performance of The
Vagina Monologues to the House of Sharing.
Eve Ensler’s episodic play began off-Broadway in 1996. Each
year The Vagina Monologues and other theatrical productions are
presented across the country by women on college campuses on
V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls.
“Since the purpose of performing this show is to fight violence
against women by raising awareness about the issue and funds for
organizations who do this work, we feel like it was a tremendously
successful event,” says Nathanson. “The performances were excellent,” she adds, “beautifully and powerfully delivered.”
This year’s production raised more than $800 through ticket
sales and donations, which amounts to 940,000 Korean won.
“This is such a personal issue for me, and I think it’s amazing that
the women of Augsburg took it on,” Mattison says. At the end of
each Augsburg performance, Mattison gave a speech about her
grandmother. “I felt like she was there with me.”
The Vagina Monologues was directed by Julia Sewell, a senior
psychology major from Minneapolis. The cast included Irene Abdullah, Veronica Berg, Kia Burton, Amber Davis, Rebecca
Dickinson, Sarah Gillund, Annika Gunderson, Lucreshia Grant,
Elizabeth Hanson, Brandy Hyatt, Valencia McMurray, Lily Morris,
Kris Ness, Magdalen Ng, Shannon O’Brien, Yasameen Sajady,
Leann Vice-Reshel, Rochelle Weidner, and Courtney Wiley.
WENDI WHEELER ’06
During Krystal Mattison’s year in Korea, she became friends with women, like her own
grandmother, called “comfort women,” who were abused by the Japanese military
during World War II. These survivors became grandmothers to her, and this year she
found a way to help support them.
Spring 2010
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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
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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
22
Augsburg Now
There’s more to Honors at Augsburg than fun classes and energetic students.
Honors also provides leadership and scholarship opportunities and fosters an
environment where students often start their own activities or groups.
“Part of our philosophy is that as much learning should happen outside the
classroom as inside,” Groven says.
Students are organized into houses, each of which focuses on a different
area: scholarship, social justice and service, stewardship, and citizenship.
Each house plans and promotes activities and also elects two house presidents who serve on the Honors Council. With faculty advisers, the council sets
the policy for the program and helps solve problems.
One officially organized non-classroom learning opportunity is the Honors
Review, a student-run, student-edited interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate scholarship. Taylor Norman, a senior English major and Honors student, is
the current editor-in-chief.
This year the Review extended its reach and received 43 submissions from
undergraduates all across the country. After articles are selected for publication, Norman and her editorial staff check citations, verify research, and then
engage the author to revise and edit. “We wanted to create a scholarly environment with lots of dialogue,” Norman says.
All Honors activities and programs serve to support students so they can
pursue their academic goals. “Honors tries to show students what amazing
talents and abilities they have,” Groven says, and they find countless ways to
apply their academic learning. For example, senior Jessica Spanswick, who
majored in international relations and minored in peace and global studies,
studied in Namibia for a semester and served as a Peace Scholar in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Her opportunities to volunteer for
World AIDS Day in Namibia and to travel as a scholar to Chiapas, Mexico,
gave her valuable hands-on global experience.
Honors program students have received many of the highest national and
international academic awards available; they have been Fulbright scholars,
Goldwater scholars, the College’s first Rhodes scholar, and students who have
won National Science Foundation grants—and that’s still just the tip of the
iceberg. Part of the program’s mission is to encourage students, many who
never thought of themselves as award-winning scholars, to apply for scholarships and publication so that their work can be recognized.
These courses, the faculty who teach them, the students who take them,
and the learning opportunities that happen outside the classroom all come
together to try to create an ideal education for Augsburg Honors program
students.
“I never think of the Honors program as being done,” Groven says. “The
best program will always be different because we are constantly adapting
to new technologies, new students, and new problems.”
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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.
26
Augsburg Now
or have reverted back to traditional grading. Alverno College in Milwaukee is one of
the only schools in the Midwest that is
grade free.
No grades, however, doesn’t equal no
evaluation. In almost every case, I-Term students had a greater grasp of where they
stood. They worked very closely with the
two English professors on their writing,
and received regular written feedback
from the other faculty members.
“It was kind of like tough love,”
Maryam Ayir said. “You knew exactly
what you had to work on.”
Konchar Farr signed up for the ITerm both because of the subject
matter, and also because of lack of traditional grades.
“Grades are false motivation,” she said.
“In high school, I didn’t get anything out of
getting As if I didn’t learn. [Here], I really
appreciated that things were so discussionbased and how involved the professors were.
They were so dedicated to our work.”
For Christiansen, the best thing from
the semester is that Augsburg now has the
framework in place to continue experimenting with alternative evaluation methods. There is now the ability for the
narrative evaluations to accompany a
student’s transcript. And there is
also at least some appetite from
students to not have a semester of work boiled down to
simply a number.
“The majority of students said it was a good
Courtesy photo
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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.
28
Augsburg Now
and a minor in political science, Berglund
combined an interest in nonprofits with
her travel experience to pursue work in international development. By 1990, she
had taken an internship in Paris at the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD), the same group
that helped administer the Marshall Plan
after World War II. With the collapse of the
Soviet Union, Berglund found herself
working with the best entrepreneurial
minds at OECD to develop regional
economies in former Soviet bloc countries.
“We were training government officials,
and these guys were all communists—they
didn’t want to learn [about how to build
free markets],” Berglund said. “I felt like
we went in and did all of this work and
spent all of this money, and I don’t know
what impact we really had. Then I thought,
‘you know, I think the real work is done at
the grassroots level.’ I would see the people at the grassroots level in these countries and they were really making a
difference, and I thought, ‘that’s where I
have to be. I’ve got to get there.’ I just didn’t know how I was going to get there, but
that’s where I wanted to go.”
While at OECD, Berglund earned her
master’s degree in international relations
from the American Graduate School in
Paris. However, by 1997 Berglund found
herself needing expensive back surgery, so
she returned to the Twin Cities to work as
marketing director for her old friend,
Kieran Folliard, restauranteur
and owner of Cara Irish
Pubs LP.
One of Berglund’s duties
as marketing director was
to help Folliard distribute
charitable gifts in the
Twin Cities. They
found themselves
Finnegan’s Inc. created the Finnegan’s Community Fund to distribute 100% of profits to local community projects.
giving grants to any organization that
asked. Eventually, their CFO put the
brakes on their charity bonanza and told
them they needed a better strategy.
Berglund agreed: she recognized from her
OECD days that the Cara Pubs money
wasn’t making the desired impact.
Berglund had also just attended a conference in Washington, D.C., on self-sustaining nonprofits.
“That’s when I thought: we sell beer all
day,” Berglund said. “What if we create our
own beer, and we choose to give all of the
profits from this one beer to our own foundation, and then we pick one cause, and we
really make a difference? It took me a little
while to sell Kieran on the idea.”
With that, Berglund and
Folliard set about creat-
ing Finnegan’s Irish Amber, named in reference to James Joyce’s final work. They contacted James Page Brewing Company in
Minneapolis to help them create the beer,
eventually selecting one recipe from over 40
options provided by the brewmaster.
At this point, Berglund and Folliard realized that running Finnegan’s and its
community foundation would consume all
of Berglund’s time. That left one choice:
quit Cara Pubs and focus on Finnegan’s,
or let the idea die.
Berglund bought the Finnegan’s recipe
for $1 from Folliard.
“That was kind of scary, leaving that
job, from having a good salary to no
salary,” Berglund said. “It was very scary.
It was rather terrifying. I’ve had a lot of
terrifying moments—I must handle stress
well. I’m still waking and talking and not
in a straitjacket.”
Starting in 2000, Berglund created forprofit Finnegan’s Inc., which donates all of
its profits from beer sales to her nonprofit
29
OUT OF THE BOX
S
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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.”
32
Augsburg Now
Sophomore Adam Spanier enjoys hearing the advice
alumni can give to current students.
to-face relationship with a person who is going through
the experience.”
Haug and his partner returned to campus in December
for the Advent Vespers dinner and enjoyed talking with
people they knew and meeting others.
ALUMNI ENJOY RECONNECTING
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE
Most alumni contacted in Project IGNITE are graduates who have not been active in alumni activities
or participated recently in events. Re-engaging with
their alma mater through Project IGNITE has also
been enjoyable for them, especially seeing the
College through the eyes of current students.
Christopher Haug ’79 was one of the alumni
Spanier met last fall. “What benefited me the
most,” Haug says, “is that I felt I was connected
again with my school. There’s nothing like a face-
Pat Grans, the Project IGNITE volunteer coordinator,
follows up with the interests and/or requests that students bring back from the alumni visits. She crafts individual plans recommending events and volunteer
opportunities that could include speaking in a class,
inviting a student to job shadow, or helping with registration at an event. Or, Grans can seek to create a tailored opportunity based on the alum’s interests.
Grans has now developed volunteer job descriptions
and oversees all aspects of recruiting, training, scheduling, supervising, and recognizing volunteers.
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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.
landscapes were on display at the
James Wegner Art Gallery on the
West Campus of Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn., in October. Since graduating from
Augsburg, she has had more than
30 solo exhibits and numerous
group and juried exhibitions.
Kurts Strelnieks accepted a position
as vice president-account executive,
managing existing client relationships, at First Business Capital Corp.
in Madison, Wis., in February.
82in October of the Conservation
Mike Kilgore was the recipient
02
Jackie (Heyda) married
Joshua Eyberg on Nov. 27.
She is in her seventh year of teaching in the New Prague (Minn.) Area
School District and is a first-grade
teacher at Eagle View Elementary
School in Elko New Market. They
live in Burnsville, Minn.
Minnesota Leadership Award for his
work as chair of the Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council, a Minnesota Legislature advisory body in
charge of “restoring, protecting, and
enhancing of Minnesota’s wetlands,
prairies, forests, and habitat for fish,
game, and wildlife.”
83at KARE-11 TV, was inducted
95Ariz., stopped working in the
Matthew Gooding, Sun Lakes,
restaurant business to return to
school to become a medical assistant. He expects to graduate in
March.
96January to the Carlson Board
Richard Gage was elected in
of Directors. He is vice president of
the Curtis L. Carlson Family
Foundation and works at
Nebulous/YourMLSsearch.com.
Martha (Kenney) Spriggs, who
teaches at Andersen United Community School, was surprised and
honored with a Milken Educator
Award, one of two given in Minnesota that recognizes outstanding
teachers.
99a new position as city finance
Teresa Walters recently began
director in Farmington, Minn. Previously she had been in the same position in Waseca, Minn.
Jane Helmke, managing editor
into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle
in September by the Upper Midwest
Chapter. Silver Circle members have
displayed superior contributions to
the television history and/or NATAS
for at least 25 years.
88named the New York 2009
Anne Panning was recently
03
03
Peter Samargia married Angela Gustafson on August 15
in Biwabik, Minn. They traveled
around Lake Vermillion on a houseboat for their honeymoon. Peter
runs his own business, Attitude
Goaltending, LLC, and is a goalie
coach for the Augsburg men’s
hockey team. Angela is a property
manager for Colliers Turley Martin
Tucker.
Emily Gerard and her husband, Craig Maus, welcomed
the birth of their second daughter,
Lilia, on November 17. Pictured
are Craig and Emily, with Lilia and
Caroline.
Jeffrey Nodland was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for
Texas Petrochemicals Inc. He is currently the president, CEO, and a director of KIK Custom Products.
80came director of business de-
Marianne (Lundberg) Kulka be-
Professor of the Year by the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She was
also awarded the Lillian H. Fairchild
Award by the University of Rochester
for her book, Super America. Her latest work has appeared in West
Branch, Ascent (www.readthebestwriting.com), River Teeth, and
Women and Gender, a Pearson
Longman textbook. She has recently
started a blog about reading, writing,
teaching, travel, and family called
www.thepapersandwich.blogspot.com.
01awarded a 2009 TRiO AchievRev. Rozenia Fuller was
ers Award from the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity
Program Personnel (MAEOPP). The
award recognizes outstanding former participants in the federal TRiO
programs who have made significant
civic, community, or professional
contributions. She was also recently
inducted into the 2009 Minneapolis
Community and Technical College
Hall of Fame.
03finance and human resources
Betty J. Vangorder, director of
at Apex Print Technologies, has
been recognized by Cambridge
Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership, and excellence in
financial operations. In her job, she
is responsible for managing financial
reporting for the company, budgeting, forecasting, overseeing 18 employees and performing human
resources duties.
Spring 2010
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alumni class notes
06Minn., was awarded his certiLance Campbell, Stewartville,
fied public accountant license last
fall and was promoted to senior accountant at Wolter & Raak, Ltd. in
Rochester, Minn.
Michelle (Connolly) married Matthew
Ariola on July 11 at Majestic Oaks
Golf Club in Ham Lake, Minn. They
honeymooned in Alaska and now
live in Blaine, Minn. Michelle is a
kindergarten teacher in Sorteberg Elementary School in Coon Rapids
and Matthew is starting his own
plumbing business.
06wife, Sophia, welcomed the
06MBA,Woodbury, Minn., re-
08(Peloquin) married on June
arrival of a son, Parker Andrew, on
August 27. Sam is a fourth-year divinity student and the student association vice president at Pacific
Lutheran Theological Seminary in
Berkeley, Calif.
cently left her corporate job in
downtown Minneapolis to pursue
her passion with a career in real estate. She joined The Snyder Team at
Re/Max Results in Woodbury as a
residential realtor.
20, 2009. Sarah is a youth minister
in Cottage Grove, Minn., and Bryan
is a second-year law student at St.
Thomas. They currently live in
Woodbury, Minn.
Sam Kanenwisher and his
Kyle Loven performed his visionary
solo puppet show, my dear Lewis,
both in Seattle where he now lives
and in Minneapolis in March at the
Open Eye Figure Theatre as part of
an emerging artists program. A Seattle arts and culture paper called him
a “visionary new puppeteer” and a
“burgeoning genius.” See story at
http://augnet.augsburg.edu/news
archives/2010/03_08_10/kyle_loven.
html
Erin Schmoeckel ’08
Bryan Ludwig and Sarah
James Palan recently began as account executive in the advertising
department at the Rochester PostBulletin. He was formerly a personal
banker with Associated Bank.
Becky (Wolf) and Joe Kaarbo ’06
were married on October 3 in St.
Louis Park, Minn. Becky works at
the University of Wisconsin-Stout in
the Involvement and Leadership Office. Joe is the imaging coordinator
at Berkley Risk Administrators in
Minneapolis. Auggies in the wedding
included Joel Wolf ’02, Josh Wolf
’05, Chris Docken ’06, Erik Reynolds
’06, Carrie (Ohnerheim) Wolf ’02,
and Evan Boyce ’07.
09cluded Christine Esser ’09, Shawn Boonstra ’09, and Jason Jefferson ’09. Stacey is a substitute teacher in
Stacey (Kinder) married Ryan Plasch in August 2009 in Farmington, Minn. Auggies in the wedding party in-
Lakeville, Farmington, and Burnsville; Ryan is a mental health counselor for South Metro Human Services.
Gerard, Fridley, Minn.,
07Minnesota Certified Public Ac- 09Jenna
and her sister own Bravo! Procountant license and currently works
Nechia Agate received her
as a senior consultant for the Business Advisory Services practice at
Grant Thornton in Minneapolis.
Carolyn Mollner also earned her Certified Public Accountant certificate
last fall. She works at Best Buy as a
senior tax analyst.
42
Augsburg Now
ductions and created a two-woman
musical revue, “Christmas Again?”
that spoofed Christmas customs. It
ran at the Sunshine Factory in New
Hope, Minn., during Christmas last
fall. Jenna is currently a student at
the University of Wisconsin-River
Falls.
Kathryn MacAulay is currently one of
the 14 Fulbright English Teaching
Assistants in Malaysia, and is living
in Kemaman, Terenganu.
Graduate Programs
Erik Bredeson ’06 MBA married
Tasha Clifford on May 30, 2009, in
Kihel, Maui, Hawaii. Erik works in
medical sales; they live in St. Louis
Park, Minn.
Ryan May ’07 MBA was recently
hired at Risdall McKinney Public Relations (RMPR) as a vice president.
Sarah Marie (Larson) ’07 MSW married Leon Peter Kyalo on October 3.
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:42 AM Page 45
Send us your news and photos
Please tell us about the news in your life, your new job, move, marriage, and
births. Don’t forget to send photos!
For news of a death, printed notice is required, e.g. an obituary, funeral notice,
or program from a memorial service.
Send your news items, photos, or change of address by mail to: Augsburg Now
Class Notes, Augsburg College, CB 146, 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN
55454, or e-mail alumni@augsburg.edu. You can also submit news at
www.augsburg.edu/alumni.
____________________________________________________________
Full name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
____________________________________________________________
Class year or last year attended
____________________________________________________________
Street address
____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
Is this a new address? q Yes q No
____________________________________________________________
Home telephone
In Memoriam
____________________________________________________________
E-mail
Johnson, Vernel ’42, Tucson, Ariz.,
age 90, on Oct. 20, after a long
illness.
English, Dr. Nancy ’73, Duluth,
Minn., age 57, on Aug. 8, of cardiac arrest.
Myrvik, Quentin ’45, Caswell
Beach, N.C., age 88, on Dec. 13.
He is a 1960 Distinguished Alumnus.
Hain, Ramon “Ray” ’81, Roseville,
Minn., age 50, on Nov. 21.
____________________________________________________________
Employer
Agrimson, Robb Joel ’83, St. Paul,
age 49, on Jan. 6.
____________________________________________________________
Position
Woodcock, Delores ’89, Bloomington, Minn., age 83, on Dec. 12.
____________________________________________________________
Work telephone
Connors, Patrick ’07, Vail, Colo.,
age 28, on Dec. 30.
Is spouse also a graduate of Augsburg College? q Yes q No
Midtling, Rev. John ’49, Minneapolis, age 86, on Oct. 20.
Elmberg, Rev. Donald ’50, Mound,
Minn., age 85, on Dec. 29.
Rust, Alice (Gjesdahl) ’53,
Burnsville, Minn., on Dec. 30.
Foss Jr, Alfred “Bud” ’54, Hot
Springs, Ark., age 77, on Oct. 28.
Seaver, Dean ’60, Le Sueur, Minn.,
age 73, on Jan. 12.
Thorpe, Neal O. ’60, Vancouver,
Wash., age 71, on March 3. He
taught biology, served as department chair at Augsburg College,
and is a 2001 Distinguished
Alumnus.
Hovland, Rev. Peter ’62, Mora,
Minn., on Dec. 21.
VanDeVoorde, Elaine, Rochester,
Minn., on Oct. 26. She was a
Master of Arts in Education student in Rochester.
Mark, Cindy, Cedar Lake Township,
Minn., age 61, on Dec. 13, of
cancer. She taught in Augsburg’s
program at the Minnesota
Women’s Correctional FacilityShakopee.
Okay to publish your e-mail address? q Yes q No
If yes, class year ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Spouse’s name
____________________________________________________________
Maiden name
Your news:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Wrightsman, Rev. Bruce, Decorah,
Iowa, age 75, on Oct. 4, of heart
failure and amyloidosis. He taught
math, physics, and philosophy at
Augsburg College, 1960–63.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
q I know a student who is interested in attending Augsburg.
Hunt, Duane ’62, Lakewood, Colo.,
on Nov. 13.
Spring 2010
43
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 46
my
Auggie experience
Aquila Tapio ’10 MAE
Naadamaadiwin—Helping one another
When she was growing up, Aquila Tapio said she never really knew
what she wanted to do. “I just wanted to help people,” she said.
Until recently, Tapio and her husband helped Native American
children as foster parents through the Indian Child Welfare Act
program. And then after the birth of her second child, she decided
it was time for her to return to the workforce.
“I wanted to help Native American kids and keep doing the
work we were doing at home,” she says. So when Tapio discovered
Augsburg’s tribal special education program, she knew she had
found the right fit.
Naadamaadiwin, Ojibwe for “helping one another,” is a partnership between the University of Minnesota-Duluth Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Language Revitalization and the Augsburg
College Master of Arts in Education program. Naadamaadiwin is a
special education licensure program in emotional behavioral disorders and learning disabilities with a focus on the unique needs of
Native American children.
For Tapio, a member of the Oglala Lakota in South Dakota,
working with Native children and families through the education
system is important because education is a “touchy issue” for Native Americans. “We need teachers who know where people come
from and who understand the history and trauma families have experienced,” she says. “Having a Native teacher provides comfort to
students and their parents.”
Tapio is completing her student teaching this term at Longfellow
Humanities Magnet School in St. Paul. She says the Naadamaadiwin program has given her a new way to give Native children the
consistency and support they need. “No matter how many times
you have to tell them something, they will pick it up,” she says.
“They are capable. They can do anything.”
Naadamaadiwin is a two-year cohort-based program with classes
meeting primarily online. For more information, go to
www.augsburg.edu/admissions/mae/ and click “Licensure Options.”
WENDI WHEELER ’06
44
Augsburg Now
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 47
Lisa Zeller and Glenn Fuller are founding
partners of the The Phaedrus Group (1994),
a national training and consulting firm.
Lisa Zeller ’81,’89 MAL
and Glenn Fuller
an
augsburg legacy
“In addition to an education, Augsburg provided me with the
confidence and skills to think critically, to see what’s possible,
and to create opportunities. I want to make sure that future
generations have this same opportunity.
1-800-273-0617
www.augsburg.edu/giving
So, when Glenn and I sat down to do our estate planning and
consider our legacy, it was important for us to commit a
percentage of our estate to Augsburg College.”
102105_Augsburg Now:Layout 1 5/4/10 10:43 AM Page 48
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Minneapolis, MN
Permit No. 2031
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Second Augsburg Powwow
The Augsburg Indigenous Student Association hosted a
traditional powwow on Saturday, March 20, in Si Melby
Hall. To view more photos from the powwow, go to
www.flickr.com/photos/augsburgcollege.
Show less
BEFORE TODAY
BEYOND TOMORROW
FALL–WINTER 2019 | VOL. 82, NO. 1
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Associate Vice President and
Chief Marketing Officer
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On s... Show more
BEFORE TODAY
BEYOND TOMORROW
FALL–WINTER 2019 | VOL. 82, NO. 1
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Associate Vice President and
Chief Marketing Officer
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On seeing and being seen
We see you!
This summer, Assistant Professor Joaquin
Muñoz from our education department
greeted our incoming students with a
powerful message. He said that every one
of them deserved an adult who loved them
unconditionally. He then looked out at our
remarkable students and told them that he
loved them. He said, “I see you,” and “I will
do all I can to ensure that you are successful
at Augsburg and beyond.”
Joaquin was speaking to students of color
and indigenous students in particular, but
this is our promise to all our students: “We
see you” is at the center of Augsburg’s
commitment to meet students where they are
and walk alongside them as they pursue their
educational goals. What does it mean to say
that “we see you”? It means that your life
experience, your vocational journey, your path
to Augsburg is important to us and will be
taken seriously as we work together to ensure
your success.
It seems especially fitting as we launch our
150th anniversary—our sesquicentennial—
that we renew our promise to meet our
students where they are, to see them in all of
their astonishing and diverse life experiences,
and to accompany them as they pursue an
Augsburg education.
Our promise to see our students is evident
in all of our celebrations of our 150th
anniversary. For example, the remarkable
“Each, Together” art project—part of an
international initiative known as “Inside
Out”—is featured in this issue of Augsburg
Now (see page 16). More than 1,200
photographs are displayed on buildings
across campus: images of current students,
faculty, staff, and alumni alongside those of
historic figures like Bernhard Christensen ’22,
Augsburg’s fifth president, who looks at me
each day as I pull into my campus parking
spot! Every time I look at those photographs, I
think about how they reflect our commitment
to seeing each other, to recognizing that our
various journeys to Augsburg and beyond
are part of a remarkable narrative that has
unfolded over the past 150 years.
Since our founding in 1869 and through
the decades that followed, our institution has
grown and changed, yet our commitment to
our foundational promise has remained the
same. We see you, we love you, and together
we will fulfill our abiding promise that
Augsburg is “small to our students and
big for the world.”
Faithfully yours,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Director of Marketing
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Director of Public Relations
and Internal Communications
Gita Sitaramiah
sitarami@augsburg.edu
Assistant Director of
Marketing Creative
Denielle Stepka ’11
stepkad@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Elizabeth Kästner
kaestner@augsburg.edu
Marketing Copywriter
John Weirick
weirick@augsburg.edu
Communication and
Social Media Specialist
Briana Alamilla ’17
alamilla@augsburg.edu
Advancement Communications
Specialist
Kaia Chambers
chamberk2@augsburg.edu
Web Manager
Joe Mann
mannj@augsburg.edu
Contributors
Kate H. Elliott
Jen Nagorski ’08
Lisa Renze-Rhodes
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg University
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
university policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
AUGSBURG NOW
Fall–Winter 2019
During Augsburg’s annual community
engagement and service event—now
known as City Engagement Day—first-year
students volunteer at Twin Cities-based
organizations at the start of the academic
year. On September 3, more than 650
students in Augsburg T-shirts worked
alongside faculty and staff. Some sites
included community gardens and a river
cleanup with the National Park Service.
The Class of 2023 is Augsburg’s largest ever.
See the back cover.
02 Around the quad
16 Face value
08
Annual report to donors
22
10
A September to remember
26 Auggies connect
12
Building on an early lead
15
Honoring Auggies
Balancing the books
28 Class notes
32 In memoriam
On the cover: Portraits of community
members—past and present—create a
tapestry of faces that celebrate, recognize,
and honor the individuals who have
contributed to Augsburg University during
the past 150 years. Read more on page 16.
All photos by Courtney Perry unless
otherwise indicated
Send address corrections to
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu.
Send comments to
now@augsburg.edu.
PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER
AUGSBURG’S LARGEST CLASS KICKS OFF
ACADEMIC YEAR WITH VOLUNTEERING
PHOTOS BY SHAWN NIELSEN
AROUND
THE
QUAD
Augsburg launches
TRANSIT PASS FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Augsburg University now offers the Auggie Pass, a universal transit
pass that gives undergraduate students unlimited rides on buses
and light rail in a first-of-its-kind partnership between Metro Transit
and a Twin Cities university.
Augsburg’s student government approved increasing the green
fee by $5 to $20 per semester to pay for the Auggie Pass in order
to reduce students’ out-of-pocket costs while improving their
chances of accepting jobs and internships that involve a commute.
Day Student Government is officially responsible for overseeing the
green fee that supports sustainability efforts.
The Auggie Pass is valid throughout the school year and is paid
for from both the student green fee and university operating funds.
All traditional undergraduate students who pay the semester green
fee are eligible for the pass at no additional cost.
“As someone who uses the bus every day, it’s great not to have
that financial burden,” said Skye Ryge ’20, who advocated for the
pass. “It’s really economically advantageous to students who pay
for school, like me, to not have to choose between textbooks and
bus fare.”
2
AUGSBURG NOW
President Paul Pribbenow named
FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
Augsburg University President Paul
Pribbenow was named an Outstanding
Fundraising Professional for his effective,
creative, and inspiring leadership.
The highest honor bestowed upon one of
its members, the award was presented by
the Association of Fundraising Professionals
at the International Fundraising Conference
in San Antonio this spring. “The impact
of Paul Pribbenow on the organizations
he has served is only exceeded by the
impact he has had on the entire fundraising
profession,” said AFP President and
CEO Mike Geiger. “It is fair to say that
fundraising—and how we look at ethics
and philanthropy—would look differently
without the contributions of Paul. His work
will serve as one of the cornerstones of the
profession for years to come.”
QUIZ:
OLDER OR
YOUNGER
THAN AUGSBURG?
VARSITY WOMEN’S WRESTLING TEAM
Augsburg announced earlier this year the addition of a varsity women’s
wrestling team.
This new team continues the pioneering tradition in women’s athletics
at Augsburg, which now has the only varsity women’s wrestling team in
Minnesota. In 1995, Augsburg became the first college in the Midwest
to sponsor a varsity women’s ice hockey team. Then, in 2014, Augsburg
became the first collegiate institution in Minnesota to sponsor a varsity
women’s lacrosse team.
The women’s wrestling team is competing this academic year under
head coach Max Mejia, who most recently served as women’s and
developmental coach at the Sunkist Kids Regional Training Center in
Tempe, Arizona.
Mejia, a 2015 graduate of Harvard University, has helped coach a
World Team Trials champion and another finalist; two senior national
team members; a U.S. Open champion, finalist, and placewinner; and
four Arizona high school state champions.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The first recorded baseball
game occurs.
Abolitionists Frederick Douglass
and Harriet Tubman are born.
Leaders sign Norway’s constitution.
Abraham Lincoln serves as
president of the United States.
Victor Hugo publishes the novel
“Les Misérables.”
Pharmacist John Pemberton invents
Coca-Cola.
The first automobile with an
internal combustion engine is
invented.
Answers: 1. Older; 1846. 2. Older; 1818 and 1822.
3. Older; 1814. 4. Older; 1861–65. 5. Older; 1862.
6. Younger; 1886. 7. Older; 1807.
MINNESOTA’S ONLY
In honor of Augsburg’s founding in 1869,
the university is celebrating the past and
the present with sesquicentennial events
all year long. Think you know history?
Test your knowledge: Identify whether
each of the events below is older or
younger than Augsburg.
German scholars and artists join
RIVER SEMESTER
PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFRE
Augsburg University’s third River Semester launched in August as part of
a prestigious German initiative to explore the Mississippi River.
“Mississippi. An Anthropocene River” is a German research project
involving many communities and initiatives along the river with a focus
on climate change. Joining Augsburg students are German travelers,
including artists, authors, journalists, and scholars from the Max Planck
Institute and the Goethe Institute.
This year’s River Semester voyagers departed from Lake Itasca in
northern Minnesota and, for 100 days, are paddling portions of the
Mississippi River to reach New Orleans. The students will earn 16 to
19 credits.
FALL–WINTER 2019
3
AROUND THE QUAD
NEW AUGSBURG
BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS
At its annual September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation
elected four new members to the Board of Regents and
re-elected three members.
Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents:
•
Sylvia Bartley, senior global
director, Medtronic Foundation
•
Ellen Ewald, co-owner and
executive advisor at Tysvar LLC
and mobileAxept in Minneapolis
•
John O’Brien, president and chief
executive officer of Educause;
former president of North
Hennepin Community College in
Minneapolis
•
John Schwartz ’67, retired hospital
administrator at Advocate Trinity
Hospital in Chicago and former
general manager of SmithKline
Beecham Clinical Laboratories,
Schaumburg, Illinois
Sylvia Bartley
Upgraded training room
boosts athletes’ efficiency
Augsburg’s athletic training room has moved to a larger,
substantially upgraded space in Si Melby Hall.
In this new space, sports medicine support staff from on
and off campus—including team physicians, chiropractors,
physical therapists, and dietitians—can work collaboratively
with athletic trainers to better serve Augsburg’s more than
500 student-athletes from 22 varsity sports. Philanthropic
gifts paid for the upgrades, with student-athletes gaining the
benefit of more efficient scheduling.
“The ability to serve multiple teams at the same time in
the larger space, with state-of-the-art equipment, will be the
biggest advantage and benefit for the student-athlete,” said
Missy Strauch, Augsburg’s head athletic trainer.
Ellen Ewald
Augsburg hosts inaugural
HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
Elected to a third term:
•
Karen Durant ’81, retired vice
president and controller of
Tennant Company, Golden Valley,
Minnesota
•
Matt Entenza, attorney in private
practice in St. Paul, Minnesota,
and former Minnesota state
representative
•
Jeff Nodland ’77, retired president
and chief executive officer of KIK Custom Products
John O’Brien
The Human Rights Forum at Augsburg University welcomed
about 800 students, thought leaders, global changemakers,
and activists this fall. In partnership with the Human Rights
Foundation, which also produces the Oslo Freedom Forum,
the two-day event at Augsburg brought together participants
from a variety of institutions and locations around the world.
The first day explored human rights issues in authoritarian
regimes, and the second day focused on racial justice,
indigenous rights, and environmental sustainability.
John Schwartz ’67
See the full list of Board of Regents members
at augsburg.edu/about/leadership.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
2019 Media Sponsor
Learn more at augsburg.edu/humanrightsforum.
OREN GATEWAY CENTER
lobby renovation provides
aesthetic convenience
The Oren Gateway Center lobby and adjoining Nabo cafe were redesigned and
renovated during the summer, creating more inviting campus meeting spaces.
The Nabo security gate was relocated to allow access to the bookstore and seating
area beyond the cafe’s hours of operation. Key pieces of kitchen equipment also
were upgraded. This project was funded by A’viands, Augsburg’s food service
provider, as part of its most recent dining contract with the university.
Augsburg names inaugural
Augsburg welcomes
Sundquist Endowed
Professor of
Business Administration
This fall, Augsburg named Business Department Chair Jeanne Boeh the
Sundquist Endowed Professor of Business Administration.
The Sundquist professorship supports business administration,
Augsburg’s largest academic department with the most undergraduate
students on campus. Boeh, a professor of economics, has been teaching
at Augsburg since 1990 and often appears in media interviews and on
business panels using her talent for bringing complex business concepts
to life.
“Jeanne Boeh will lead Augsburg’s efforts to attract top business
faculty, thanks to this generous endowment,” said Augsburg
University President Paul Pribbenow. “She is known as a faculty
leader on campus and for her strong commitment to students as they
prepare for careers in business.”
This endowed professorship is named for alumnus Dean Sundquist ’81,
an Augsburg Board of Regents member and chairman and CEO of
Anoka, Minnesota-based Mate Precision Tooling. Sundquist and his
wife, Amy, have made several major investments in Augsburg.
The Forum on Workplace Inclusion has a new
home at Augsburg University. Previously based
at the University of St. Thomas, the forum is the
nation’s largest workplace diversity, equity, and
inclusion conference designed for national and
global audiences.
The forum has served as a convening hub for
those seeking to grow professional leadership and
effective skills in the field of diversity, equity, and
inclusion by engaging people, advancing ideas,
and igniting change.
“The Forum on Workplace Inclusion is excited to
begin a new chapter at Augsburg University,” said
Steve Humerickhouse, executive director of The
Forum. “We look forward to the amazing things we
can create with our new Auggie family.”
FALL–WINTER 2019
5
ARCHIVE PHOTO
From disease to remedy: How
nostalgia offers a psychological boost
A special vacation with family members you miss. That unforgettable meal at your
favorite restaurant with your favorite person. The album you used to listen to nonstop
during the ups and downs of high school. You’re happy you have those pleasant
memories, but you’re also sad they’re over. You are experiencing nostalgia.
Throwback TV shows, retro fashion, and reboots of toys, trinkets, and stories from decades ago have people wondering
if American culture is at its peak in terms of nostalgia—and how long it can last. Bridget Robinson-Riegler is a professor
of psychology at Augsburg University. Taking a moment between writing a cognitive psychology textbook, research, and
teaching and learning with her students, she explores what psychology can tell us about nostalgia’s appeal.
Q:
A:
What is nostalgia? How does it
relate to memory?
Nostalgia is a sentimental longing
for one’s past. The emotion is deeply
social and bittersweet but predominantly
positive. Nostalgic memories are
recollections of atypical life events (e.g.,
vacations) that involve close relationships
(e.g., family, friends) or events from
childhood. We view these experiences with
rose-colored glasses so negative aspects
are often not remembered. We miss those
experiences and yearn to relive them.
Q:
A:
Where did the idea of
nostalgia originate?
The word “nostalgia” is a compound
of two Greek words that essentially
mean a sad mood originating from a
desire to return to one’s native land. The
word was coined in the 17th century
by a medical student who was helping
Swiss mercenaries working in France.
He observed symptoms of sadness,
loss of appetite, insomnia, cardiac
6
AUGSBURG NOW
palpitation—things we would diagnose
as post-traumatic stress disorder today.
Much of the early interest in nostalgia
focused on how to stop these thoughts
because it was considered a disease
and the resulting symptoms prevented
individuals from performing at their
military best.
Q:
A:
How does nostalgia affect people
psychologically?
Nostalgic remembering is
most likely to occur in times of
loneliness, negative moods, or feelings of
meaninglessness. It is basically a coping
mechanism to deal with distress. Rather
than being the problem (the disease, as
it was conceptualized when the term was
first coined), it is the way we cope (more
like the remedy or cure). Even if we may
feel bad and disconnected in our current
life, we can “relive” a time when we felt
good and were not lonely. Reconstructing
memories and projecting ourselves into
the future are interdependent cognitive
processes that share a system in the brain.
So, when we think about a time when
we were socially connected and at our
“personal best,” these feelings stretch out
into our future, and we become hopeful
and consequently feel better.
Q:
A:
How is nostalgia active in
society today?
Given the state of the world—
climate change, ups and downs in
the economy, racist acts, problematic
government leadership—it is not surprising
that nostalgic thinking is common.
This type of societal distress can lead
to personal nostalgia and to collective
nostalgia in which people long for a time
when they viewed the world as a better
place, even if it wasn’t. So there is a
resurgence of old TV shows, vinyl records,
throwback uniforms for athletic teams,
retro clothes, and other products. We
seek comfort with familiar products from
childhood or from a time when the world
was viewed as “better” or “easier.”
Visit augsburg.edu/now to read more
about nostalgia.
COURTESY PHOTOS
2019–20 CONVOCATION SERIES
Augsburg University’s annual convocation series provides
dedicated time during the academic year to hear from
outstanding leaders and visionaries.
In October, this year’s series kicked off with the Bernhard
Munib Younan
M. Christensen Symposium featuring Munib Younan,
retired bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan
and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran
World Federation, and Hamdy El-Sawaf, founder and
psychotherapist at the Family Counseling Center and imam
of Masjid Al-Iman in
Hamdy El-Sawaf Minneapolis. Through
their presentations, each shared personal
experiences and religious perspectives
Join us January 20, 2020
on hope, reconciliation, and resiliency
for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation.
All convocation events are free and open to
in the midst of suffering and struggles
the public. Visit augsburg.edu/convo.
that often are intensified by religious
convictions and differences.
SAVE THE DATE:
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES PROGRAM
moves to new Minneapolis location
The physician assistant studies graduate program moved into a renovated, leased
space in the Riverside Park Plaza building.
The building’s location, at 701 25th Avenue South in Minneapolis, puts it
among the medical facilities of the University of Minnesota Medical Center
and the Masonic Children’s Hospital and just a short walk from the Augsburg
University campus. The program’s move in August came after four years at
Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The new space, which features an increased footprint for classroom and clinical
lab instruction, supports potential future departmental growth and allows the
program faculty, students, and staff to engage with Minneapolis campus activities.
“The curriculum was redesigned to be more case-based and hands-on, and this
new space will allow for a more creative and innovative learning environment,”
said Alicia Quella, the physician assistant studies program director and
department chair.
AROUND THE QUAD
AWARDS AND HONORS
Best Regional Universities by
U.S. News & World Report:
U.S. News & World Report again
named Augsburg one of the Best
Regional Universities in the Midwest in
2019. This year, Augsburg is No. 13,
which makes it the top Minnesota school
on the list. Augsburg is also ranked ninth
for undergraduate teaching, eighth in its
support for veterans, top in the state and
sixth overall for innovation, and fourth
in promoting social mobility. Rankings
are based on average first-year retention
rates, graduation rates, class sizes,
student-to-faculty ratios, and
other information.
Best in the Midwest by The Princeton
Review: The Princeton Review
again named Augsburg one of the Best
in the Midwest for academic excellence
this year.
25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges: College
Consensus, a new college review
aggregator, recognized Augsburg in its
survey of 25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges of
2019. College Consensus works to bring
attention to schools that other ranking
publishers overlook.
Top Schools for Indigenous Americans:
In 2019, the American Indian
Science and Engineering Society’s Winds
of Change magazine selected Augsburg
as one of the Top 200 Schools for
Indigenous American and Alaska Native
students pursuing degrees in science,
technology, engineering, and math.
Top Military Friendly School:
Augsburg was again named a
Military Friendly® School, a list compiled
through extensive research and a free,
data-driven survey of more than 10,000
Veterans Administration-approved
schools nationwide.
FALL–WINTER 2019
7
2018–19 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY
ANNUAL REPORT
TO DONORS
You are a part of a large
community of Augsburg donors.
We are so grateful for the
generosity of this community of
people who support our mission.
AUGSBURG BY THE NUMBERS
ACADEMICS
STUDENTS
16.2 average class size
13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
50+ undergraduate majors
10 graduate degrees
2,005
traditional undergraduate students
76%
of traditional undergraduate
first-year students live on campus
Data from 2018–19 academic year
27%
of Augsburg undergraduates
are first-generation college students
47%
of traditional undergraduates
are students of color
38
U.S. states represented by the
undergraduate student body
44
countries represented by the
undergraduate student body
97%
of traditional undergraduates
receive some form of financial aid
AUGSBURG DONORS ENSURE OPPORTUNITIES
Parents:
Hazen and Kathy Graves
• Hazen: Retired partner at Faegre Baker Daniels
law firm
• Kathy: Principal for communications and
planning firm Parenteau Graves
• Priority: Support higher education institutions
that serve students with physical disabilities
When Hazen and Kathy Graves toured Augsburg with
their son, Sam Graves ’16, they found that it offered
the unique assistance Sam needed as a young man
with cerebral palsy who uses a power wheelchair. “As
we learned more about the support Augsburg offers
to students with various kinds of challenges, we
came to understand that Augsburg had been doing
this for a long time,” said Hazen.
Sam graduated with a degree in psychology.
The idea of supporting Augsburg financially
occurred to both Hazen and Kathy independently,
and they decided to donate $50,000 to endow a
scholarship. “Access to higher education is a big
issue,” Hazen said, “and we’re just doing our
little part.”
Find more donor stories at
augsburg.edu/giving.
AVERAGE GIFT SIZE
$2,565
NUMBER OF DONORS LAST YEAR
9,966
Alumni:
Brian Anderson ’82 and
Leeann Rock ’81
• Brian: PhD in physics at the University of
Minnesota, taught at Augsburg, joined Johns
Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
• Leeann: MD from the University of Minnesota,
pathologist at Frederick Memorial Hospital
• Priority: Expand students’ academic
opportunities and multidisciplinary efforts
Husband and wife Brian Anderson ’82 and
Leeann Rock ’81 are donating $50,000 to endow
the Raymond E. and Margaret J. Anderson
Scholarship in honor of Brian’s parents’ legacy, as
well as in honor of Brian’s brother, Augsburg Physics
Professor Emeritus Stuart Anderson ’78.
Brian’s father, the late Raymond E. Anderson,
joined Augsburg in 1949 as a speech and
communications professor. Brian’s mother, the late
Margaret J. Anderson, came to Augsburg in 1967
and became library director.
Endowing a scholarship is “a formal way of
maintaining our relationship with Augsburg while
ensuring more opportunities for students in the
future,” Brian said.
• Retired clinical psychologist who studied at
the State University of New York—Buffalo and
Michigan State University
• Priority: Equitable representation of women in
education and leadership, including in faculty
roles, administration, and political offices
Linda Giacomo was the first in her family to attend
college. She empathizes with immigrant struggles,
recalling impoverished grandparents who left
southern Italy to become naturalized U.S. citizens and
parents who could not afford their children’s college
tuition despite holding four jobs combined.
“Education is transformative in a way that gives
you so much power and choice. People should not
be denied that opportunity because they have no
money,” she said.
Noting that women earn 26% less than men but
carry two-thirds of the nation’s college debt, Giacomo
designated a $30,000 outright gift to the Augsburg
Women Engaged Scholarship as well as a generous
estate gift.
“To not be generous, to not share what you have
with those in need, is heartbreaking,” she said. “In
making these gifts to Augsburg, my heart is full.”
ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE
$48.1
May 31, 2019—$49,644,712
$40.5
$38.3
$32.4
$31.5
$28.2
$49.6
$43.9
$39.4
$34.6
$33.3
$29.8
$24.5
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
REVENUE BY SOURCE
EXPENSES BY SOURCE
39% Salaries and benefits
34% Financial aid
19% Operating expenses
3% Utilities and insurance
2% Debt services
2% Student compensation
1% Capital improvement
Friend:
Linda Giacomo
WHERE GIFTS ARE FROM
72.57% Individuals
14.70% Corporations
12.73% Foundations
79% Tuition
8% Room and board
6% Gifts and private
grants
3% Government grants
2% Endowment income
2% Other
GALA AT A GLANCE
• 1,000 Auggies attended the gala.
• Thanks to our generous guests, we raised a total of
$1.4 million in support of Augsburg’s mission.
• Paul Mueller ’84 and Nancy (Mackey) Mueller ’85
issued a challenge and pledged to match every gift
at the $1,000 level dollar for dollar up to $100,000.
1
A SEPTEMBER
TO REMEMBER
2
SESQUICENTENNIAL GALA
It wouldn’t be right to mark 150 years of Augsburg with a
small affair—so we threw a huge, once-in-a-lifetime party.
On Friday, September 27, Auggies of all kinds dressed up
and headed to Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel—The Depot in
downtown Minneapolis for the Sesquicentennial Gala, a night of
dinner, dancing, revisiting the university’s history, and rallying
support to propel Augsburg into the next 150 years.
10
AUGSBURG NOW
3
1) Gala attendees pose for a photo.
2) Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a guest speaker for the evening,
takes a selfie with Augsburg Day Student Government leaders
Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20 and Lucia Davila ’20.
3) Provost Karen Kaivola and students dance to live music.
PHOTO BY LAUREN FALK
HOMECOMING 2019
Auggies continued the celebration Saturday, September 28,
with a full day of Homecoming festivities, including Taste
of Augsburg, a chapel service, the football game, and the
Augsburg Music Department Collage Concert. The classes
of 1969, 1979, and 2009 celebrated milestone reunions.
Donte Collins ’18 embraces
English Professor Doug Green.
“Auggie, you are called into the world.
Into your wonder. Your why. To wrestle
with reason. To spot the problem. And propose new
parts. To walk toward your fears. To find the heart.
We are Called. We are Auggies.”
—from “We Are Auggies,” a spoken-word piece
written and performed by Donte Collins ’18
PHOTO BY BOB STACKE '71
Campaign Chair Paul Mueller ’84 joins
President Paul Pribbenow on stage.
“Augsburg is astonishing. Which is really to say that
the people of Augsburg are astonishing—Brilliant.
Committed. Resilient. You might try to hide it or
downplay it, but it is undeniably, unequivocally,
tangibly bursting forth from everything you do. It has
been nearly 15 years since I first stepped on campus.
And, today, the world is noticing Augsburg, what it is,
and does, and stands for. Not just in the Twin Cities,
but nationally and internationally.”
—from President Paul Pribbenow’s gala remarks
FALL–WINTER 2019
11
BUILDING ON
AN EARLY LEAD
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
Athletics secures NCAA grant to fund first-of-its-kind position supporting culture of inclusion
Hop, step, and jump. Hop, step, and jump.
Training for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Chris Dixon
could think of little else than the triple jump cadence.
Hop, step, and jump. Hop, step, and jump.
Then at practice, hop, step, and crack—followed by intense
pain, doctors, and confirmation that his Olympic dreams
shattered along with his ankle.
Dixon spent the next few years figuring out who he was off
the field—the place where athletic ability and subsequent
praise had become closely linked to his sense of identity. It was
a journey as difficult—if not more so—than his climb to peak
performance. During that dark, confusing time, he promised
himself: If I’m ever in a position to help others transition to life
after sports, I will.
Since July, Dixon has served as Augsburg University’s director
of athletic diversity and inclusion and assistant coach for the
men’s and women’s track and field teams. He is eager to return to
the field as a coach, and he has a game plan to use the new role
to promote a culture of inclusion. This job is personal, Dixon said.
“I was one of only a few African American kids in elementary
school. People would ask to touch my hair, and I felt different
until fifth grade, when I performed in front of my peers and
teachers at a district track meet,” he said. “For the first time, I
felt accepted and embraced, and from then on, my identity was
as an athlete. I loved it, don’t get me wrong, but it was difficult
to adjust once I left the arena.”
Dixon never had an African American teacher or coach other
than a friend’s dad who, after selling insurance all day,
volunteered for Dixon’s high school track and field team.
“I had amazing coaches and teachers, but I never saw
myself in those roles,” he said. These and other life
experiences inform his outlook on this new role
and emphasize the importance of his presence at
Augsburg, where he also teaches Introduction
to Kinesiology.
“I am meeting student-athletes and talking
with them about the challenges they face. I
am working to be a presence on campus—
to break down stereotypes for some and
to be a role model for others,” he said.
“Alongside student-athletes and our athletics
administration, I want to create or enhance
academic resources, life-skills development,
and networking opportunities.”
Personal connections and consistent,
centralized support are critical to the
success of underrepresented studentathletes, Dixon said. “Augsburg is already
ahead of the game. The student body is
diverse, and there are many resources across
campus that support inclusion. I plan to work
with and build on what’s already there.”
A plan—starting with breakfast
Student-athletes attend a networking event hosted by Chris Dixon.
12
AUGSBURG NOW
As the sun rose on the second Thursday in October,
Dixon greeted several tables of student-athletes seated
in The Commons in Christensen Center. The young men
of color connected with each other over breakfast before
hearing advice from Jareck Horton, district sales manager
at PDC IDenticard, and Augsburg Football Assistant Coach
Keanon Cooper. Dixon plans to invite successful men of color
from a range of professions to these monthly networking
socials, and he will hold similar events with other groups.
Alicia Schuelke ’20 MAE, graduate assistant coach for track
and field, said she and other students are thrilled with Dixon’s
enthusiasm and vision for the role.
“In a world where, many times, the odds are stacked
against us, leaders of color provide hope and strength,”
said Schuelke, a student in the Master of Arts in Education
program. “I came to Augsburg for the MAE program, but I was
pleasantly surprised to find how diverse the campus is, and it
is my absolute favorite part of my learning experience.
“If we can move the needle toward a more diverse group of
leaders that better represent our country’s demographics, then
students of color will begin to understand that the
sky’s the limit in terms of their own hopes,
dreams, and aspirations.”
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INCLUSION
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FALL–WINTER 2019
13
AUGGIES
Position the result of
NCAA diversity grant
Dixon’s position is largely made
possible through a two-year NCAA
Ethnic Minorities and Women’s
Internship Grant, which provides
financial assistance to member
institutions who create full-time,
entry-level administrative positions
for people who identify as an ethnic
minority and/or a woman, according
to federal guidelines. The grant also
supports professional development and
formalized mentoring.
Augsburg was one of only 20
institutions and conference offices
selected to receive the grant this cycle,
and it is the third award for Augsburg
in the past decade. The university first
secured the Ethnic Minorities and
Women’s Internship Grant during the
2012 to 2014 cycle to fund Jennifer
Jacobs’ role as assistant director
of NCAA compliance and assistant
volleyball coach. In 2014, Augsburg
received the NCAA’s Strategic Alliance
Matching Grant, which funds fulltime, mid- to senior-level athletics
administration positions during a fiveyear commitment. Jacobs’ role then
evolved into assistant athletic director
of external relations and diversity and
inclusion, in addition to her role as
assistant volleyball coach. She is
now head volleyball coach at
Augustana University.
Augsburg’s Associate Athletic
Director Kelly Anderson Diercks said
the department is driven to advance
diversity and inclusion. “Embracing
and connecting students of all
backgrounds and experiences is the
right thing to do, but it is also smart,”
she said. “More diverse teams are
often stronger teams. They produce
student-athletes who are better
prepared to excel in play and in life.”
Anderson Diercks is a product of
the NCAA’s diversity grants, first as an
intern for the Minnesota Intercollegiate
14
AUGSBURG NOW
Athletic Conference and then as an
assistant director. The experience,
Anderson Diercks said, transformed
how she operates as a leader in a maledominated profession. More than a
decade has passed, but she remains in
contact with the mentor assigned to her
during the internship.
“These are critical opportunities for
women and minorities to enter into
leadership positions with tremendous
personal and professional resources
designed to equip them with the tools
and outlook to navigate difficult roles,”
said Anderson Diercks, who formerly
served as chair of the NCAA Ethnic
Minority and Women’s Internship
selection committee. “We are
particularly excited about Coach Dixon’s
position because, to our knowledge, it is
the only role of its kind.”
Augsburg is ‘ahead of the game’
Ali Spungen, associate director of
Division III for the NCAA, said that
about 130 positions have been
awarded through diversity grants during
the past five years—that’s more than
$36 million in funds for positions and
professional development. Augsburg,
Spungen said, stands out as a leader in
the division, which is well positioned to
meet the needs of diverse populations.
“Division III allows student-athletes
to play the sports they love within
departments also focused on their
academics and social engagement,”
said Spungen, also a past grant
recipient. “These positions empower
leaders like Coach Dixon to thrive,
which inspires and encourages
students. Augsburg clearly cares for
its student-athletes and is willing to
dedicate time and resources to ensure
they are successful and well-rounded.”
Dixon is ready and grateful to come
full-circle—to be the coach and teacher
he never had and to prepare others for
the transitions he never saw coming.
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
IN MEMORIAM
Merton Strommen ’42 and
Gladys Strommen ’46
Merton Strommen ’42 and Gladys Strommen ’46 were a part of a
family legacy at Augsburg that has spanned generations. The
Strommens have widely shared their gifts and talents with the
university, and their impact on the Augsburg community will be
felt for many years to come.
Mert Strommen died September 2. Youth ministry was the core
of his life’s work—as campus pastor at Augsburg and founder of
Search Institute, which has an international impact on youth work
through research. Mert and his wife, Irene (Huglen) ’44, started the
Youth and Family Institute at Augsburg and also created the David
Strommen Endowed Fund for youth ministry. Mert also served on
Augsburg’s Board of Regents, founded and directed the Augsburg
Centennial Singers, and was awarded Fellow status by the
American Psychological Association for his pioneering research in
psychology and religion.
Gladys Boxrud Strommen passed away May 26. Gladys and
husband, Clair ’46, who passed away in 2001, have served and
supported Augsburg in many significant ways over their lives
and created a lasting legacy through their work and dedication.
Gladys was a supportive partner to Clair in developing his career
in business and leadership with Strommen & Associates and
Lutheran Brotherhood, now known as Thrivent Financial. Gladys
served on the Board of Regents, co-founded the Augsburg
Associates, and hosted many alumni gatherings in her homes in
Minnesota and Florida.
Through a generous gift, the family established the Clair
and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work in 2014 in
recognition of their personal commitment to create meaning and
purpose in work and life.
“Clair and Gladys Strommen are forever woven into the
fabric of Augsburg through their commitment to lives filled with
purpose and meaning,” said Lee George, executive director of the
Strommen Center. “Through the Strommen Center for Meaningful
Work, Clair and Gladys’ legacy is realized in students who commit
themselves to exploring their values, passions, and skills and
understanding how they can be put to use in the world.”
The Strommens also commissioned a sculpture in front of
Christensen Center and have two endowed funds: a scholarship
fund and a program fund for the Strommen Center.
As President Paul Pribbenow said in his campus announcement
of Gladys’ passing, “Her loss is a big one, but her legacy will
continue to be felt by generations of Auggies to come.”
FALL–WINTER 2019
15
Face Value
BY LISA RENZE-RHODES
Dakota and Ojibwe.
Norwegian and Irish.
Art installations celebrate
individuals, expound on
Augsburg’s history, and
expand the boundaries
of community.
Somali and Ethiopian.
On and around the land that today houses Augsburg University’s
Minneapolis campus, they celebrated births and mourned deaths.
They spoke languages of love and laughter, stress and sorrow. They
built families, businesses, and dreams.
They were here and many are gone, at once everywhere and
nowhere because in the blistering pace and abundant distractions
of the human ecosystem we all inhabit, it’s natural that we forget
who came before us.
But what if—even for a moment—we turned our attention to
who we were and who we are right now? To who worships next to
us, or walks by us in the grocery, or shares an apartment wall?
“On This Spot” and “Each, Together”
bring into focus the history of the campus
and the surrounding neighborhood, and
the people who are the Augsburg of
yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
What would we discover if we intentionally took notice of who
we are and where we’ve come from?
This idea is at the core of new art and historical exhibits that
cover collectively four city blocks on 12 of Augsburg’s building
facades and 37 window panes around campus. As part of
Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration, artists and designers at
the university wanted to give the community a chance to reflect on
their history and their people. So the works, dubbed respectively
“On This Spot” and “Each, Together,” bring into focus the history
of the campus and the surrounding neighborhood, and the people
who are the Augsburg of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
FALL–WINTER 2019
17
‘Humans at the center’
Photographers capture portraits at Augsburg events to use in
“Each, Together.”
“Each, Together,” the larger of the two projects, is a Group Action of
the international “Inside Out: The People’s Art Project” initiative that
launched in 2011 after a French street artist, known only as JR, won
that year’s TED Prize. First awarded in 2005, the TED (Technology,
Entertainment, and Design) Prize has become synonymous with
visionary thinking meant to spark change throughout the world.
Winners of the award—including educators, artists, chefs, journalists,
and even former President Bill Clinton—have used the $1 million
prize to fuel specific community projects, like healthy food initiatives
and educational innovations. The winning projects all have one
thing in common: They are designed to make people engage in
their communities.
In the case of artist JR’s project, his vision was to create works
that “shine a light on the unsung and give everyone the dignity they
deserve.” And he hoped that beyond his capacity as one artist, people
around the world would join in the celebration of others.
To date, more than 260,000 people in 129 countries have
participated in different versions of the project featuring faces
displayed on billboards, buildings, sidewalks, and in digital
collections. Augsburg is one of the latest communities to answer the call.
“We saw that invitation, that there was a related, common ethos to
what we have here at Augsburg, and that the project was similar to
public works we’ve done here,” said Christopher Houltberg, Augsburg
associate professor of art and design. “It’s really about putting
humans at the center.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
Spotlight
My former college roommate had
eagle eyes today and found me!
Responses edited for length and clarity.
—ERICA HULS ’01
Hey, look who I found! #AugsburgFamous
—SETH RUETER
Look ma I made it!!!!! @AugsburgU
wahooo!!!! #sesquicentennial
—APRIL JOHNSON ’18
18
AUGSBURG NOW
So a team that included a curator, nine photographers,
and three designers—Houltberg, Maggie Royce ’15, and
Indra Ramassamy ’18—worked for several months between
Fall 2018 and Summer 2019. The photographers attended
between 15 and 20 campus events, all working to capture as
many faces as possible to best tell the Augsburg story.
“The way we went about it was really organic,” Houltberg
said. “We started going to events around campus in Fall 2018
and then in the springtime, trying to get to as many different
ones as possible. There’s a really big holiday event called Advent
Vespers, and a lot of alumni come to that.”
All told, the group took more than 900 photos and gathered
about 300 additional images of historic Auggies.
“It’s very democratic; everyone is given the same amount of
space,” Houltberg said. “From our president, Paul Pribbenow, to
people who work on our janitorial staff, to our students, to our
former mayor, R.T. Rybak.
“As we were defining the parameters [of the ‘Each, Together’
project] it was a fun surprise for us to see who self-identified as
part of Augsburg.”
Bigger dose of Augsburg
R.T. Rybak, current president of the Minneapolis Foundation,
was the mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2014. He said it
would be impossible to think of the growth and development of
the city without considering the role Augsburg has played in
that history.
“I’ve conservatively said 1,000 times in public speeches
that the neighborhood where Augsburg is, is our Ellis Island.
One wave after the other washes in and the next wave builds on
top, and it’s something that no one wave could have created in
isolation,” Rybak said.
That’s most certainly the story of the Cedar-Riverside
neighborhood that surrounds Augsburg and the story of
Minneapolis as a whole.
“... I often think we just need a bigger dose
of Augsburg. We need to realize that offering
that ladder of opportunity to someone else
makes all of us able to climb higher. We are
better together.”
—R.T. Rybak, former Minneapolis mayor
“Augsburg is a shining example of the very best parts of
Minneapolis’ history. The university represents opening doors to
people with strange names like Johnson or Anderson or Rybak,
and keeping those doors open for people with names that come
from Africa, Asia, and places across the globe.
“When I get down about what’s fracturing our deeply divided
country and world today, I often think we just need a bigger
dose of Augsburg. We need to realize that offering that ladder
of opportunity to someone else makes all of us able to climb
higher. We are better together.”
Houltberg said the “together” ideal is at the heart of the exhibit.
“As individuals we are showing up, and collectively we can do
something greater than what we can do on our own,” he said. “I
loved seeing the portraits blocked together, seeing people stop and
take selfies. There are people who say, ‘I recognize who that is!’”
Forward facing, historic reflections
Kristin Anderson, a co-creator of these projects as well as a
professor of art history and Augsburg archivist, said she’s only
heard good things about the exhibit.
“I have seen emails and tweets—sometimes emotional—with
people responding to the wall as a whole, as well as to their
individual images,” Anderson said.
The community is responding to the historical revisit that
“On This Spot” installations provide, too, she said.
That exhibit features enormous panels that share Augsburg
moments that photographers captured decades ago. The campus
life of yesteryear includes images of young bobby soxer women
from the 1940s in saddle shoes and flowing skirts in contrast
with men wearing formal suits while tramping across a snowcovered campus.
I’m so proud to be part of the @insideoutproject at
@augsburguniversity in honor of the Sesquicentennial!
—NIK LINDE ’15
FALL–WINTER 2019
19
“It has been a fun way to bring some old photographs to life
and to show how the campus is layered on the site. Those ‘lost’
buildings displayed on the walls of the current buildings help
to connect us to our past, reminding us of the imagination and
commitment of our predecessors,” Anderson said.
The two exhibits are being admired by community members
who see the campus regularly and by those who keep up with
Augsburg from a distance.
Killa (Martinez Aleman) Marti ’08 came to Augsburg from her
home in Honduras. Marti said she brought her own values with
her when she enrolled, “but Augsburg put them to work. The
Auggie community showed me that I wasn’t crazy to want a
career with meaning.”
“Those ‘lost’ buildings displayed on the walls
of the current buildings help to connect us to
our past, reminding us of the imagination and
commitment of our predecessors.”
—Kristin Anderson, university archivist
For Marti, “Each, Together” perfectly sums up her experience
at Augsburg.
“My career is an intersection of what I love to do with the
opportunity to serve,” said Marti, an attorney in Atlanta. “To
think critically, to be socially and community-minded—all of the
things I exercise in my life were supported and further developed
at Augsburg.”
Houltberg said it’s difficult not to consider the greater impact
that art, especially a work like “Each, Together,” has.
“Having a group of artists, designers, and photographers come
together to make something this beautiful and to see it up and
fully functioning is pretty great,” he said.
“It has created a tangible thread between all of us, which
transcends 150 years and all our history,” said Ramassamy, who
worked with the team to design “Each, Together.”
“We live in a visual world yet we can be unaware of each
other,” she said. “This project is making us aware of one
another, making us pay attention, making us curious about the
person in the portrait above or to the left or right of us.”
“I love watching people who are walking down the streets
looking at the portraits,” Houltberg said. “There’s an element of
surprise to it that’s really fantastic. Sometimes the tendency is
to put people in big groups. But if you look at these portraits, look
at the eyes, and look at the humans who are represented here, you
see just how wide a spectrum of humans we are. Anytime we can
show the humans and not the institution, we win.”
“On This Spot” installations show how Augsburg’s landscape, architecture, and people have changed in the past 150 years.
20
AUGSBURG NOW
BY THE NUMBERS
Each, Together
A crew works to install a portion of the 1,246 portraits
that make up “Each, Together.”
302
HISTORICAL
143
STAFF
1,246
PORTRAITS
517
STUDENTS
103
ALUMNI
92
FACULTY
29
COMMUNITY
MEMBERS
installations
37
photographers
60
INCOMING
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
3,475 1
2
building facade
SQUARE FEET curator
window
panes
9
3
10
building facades
3
designers
12,710
SQUARE FEET
1
curator
BY THE NUMBERS
On This Spot
designers
Members of the university’s faculty and staff launched a
number of special projects, including “Each, Together”
and “On This Spot,” to commemorate Augsburg’s
anniversary year.
See other sesquicentennial projects at augsburg.edu/150.
Catch a glimpse of the Augsburg of yesteryear, thanks to “On This Spot”
displays on window panes around campus.
FALL–WINTER 2019
21
Mary Taris ’04 is a graduate of Augsburg’s Adult
Undergraduate program, which was ranked ninth in
Best Colleges’ 50 Top Colleges for Older Students.
g
n
i
c
n
Bala
s
k
o
o
b
the
LIOTT
BY KATE H. EL
Augsburg alumna starts a publishing
company, creates the diverse book list
she wished she had
Y
oung Mary Taris ’04 was so
thankful to be a girl. The Minneapolis
Public Housing Authority required children of
different genders to have separate bedrooms, so
while her brothers had to share a room, Taris had
her own. Through reading, her bedroom walls grew
into a mythical grove where she’d encounter a
prince or sit for tea with Frog and Toad.
“I escaped into books. Or maybe,” she said, “I
disappeared in them.” Books gave her the life she
longed for, but those beloved tales were someone
else’s story. She was 20 before she read a book with
black characters.
Now 55, the retired teacher is driven to change
that narrative. Last August, at the historic James
J. Hill Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, Taris stood in
front of family and friends to voice her dream, Strive
Publishing, into existence. The startup—based out
of her Twin Cities home—supports emerging authors
of picture books and young adult novels that are
culturally relevant, contemporary, and relatable to
kids of all shades, abilities, and experiences.
“Everyone has a story, and those stories build
bridges to connect us all,” said Taris, a graduate of
Augsburg University’s Adult Undergraduate program,
a flexible degree program that pairs on-campus
FALL–WINTER 2019
23
classes with online coursework
in a dozen undergraduate
majors. “Too often, authors
conform to narrow industry
standards driven by profit, but I
refuse.” At Strive, Taris and her
team work to create pathways
for writers and artists from all
backgrounds to write about
their own experiences and a
wider array of identities.
Publishing stories that
represent and connect
Strive Publishing has released
three titles by local African
American authors, and several
more books are in the works
with upcoming launch dates.
Taris’ efforts have been featured
nationally and celebrated
locally, with invitations to
conduct workshops at schools,
partner with established
publishing companies, and
co-sponsor the inaugural African
American Voices in Children’s
Literature Contest in partnership
with Free Spirit Publishing.
“Strive is more than a
company; it’s a mindset,” she
said. “I was a runaway teen
mom who finished high school
while striving to raise a son
and work for a better life.”
That determination led her to
enroll in Augsburg’s elementary
education program. Juggling
work and family, it took Taris
eight years to graduate,
but she walked across the
commencement stage and into
the classroom where she taught
a range of grades and subjects
(mostly English) for 15 years.
“I became the first person in
my family to earn a college
degree,” she said. “It had been
my dream since childhood.”
Augsburg left a mark on
Taris, as classes exposed her
to inequities in education and
literature. Taris reframed those
inequities as opportunities.
Now, years later, Barbara West,
director of student teacher
placement at Augsburg,
recalled Taris’ embrace of
story-filled, relevant learning.
While student-teaching, Taris
invited a Japanese friend to talk
with students who were reading
a novel about a Japanese girl
during World War II. On her
lunch hour, Taris met with
eighth-graders to advise on a
student-produced newsletter.
She sought to incorporate
diverse voices and stories into
the curriculum.
“Augsburg taught me to
consider the whole child and
to understand the classroom as
a life-giving space where you
can listen and let people tell
their stories,” she said. “As
a teacher, I struggled to find
diverse texts.”
Taris also struggled when
administrators brought speakers
and books that reinforced
cultural stereotypes and
limited experiences rather than
providing real cultural and
ethnic diversity. “I wish they
would have, instead, given kids
diverse books or brought in
local authors who looked like
the students.”
Celebrating voices that
defy stereotypes
Taris launched Strive in 2016
while teaching full time, but
three years later, she took early
retirement to dedicate herself
fully to the publishing company.
Taris remains an educator,
though, as a mentor to young
authors and as an advocate
for change. She challenges
communities, schools, and
publishing houses to invite new
titles that can find their way
onto more readers’ nightstands.
Ricardo Peters is among
Strive’s “founding authors,” as
Taris calls them, and he
says he is indebted to “Miss
Mary” for her guidance and
encouragement. Peters’ book—
the first in a fantasy series—
sold out within months. The
35-year-old stands out, Taris
said, because he is a black man
who loves and lives the arts like
few others.
“Plenty of black men are
deeply connected to their
artistic side, but society doesn’t
celebrate that expression,” Taris
added. “Our sons are not all
basketball and hip hop. Ricardo
defies that stereotype, and his
work will lead others to do the
same.”
Peters had been dreaming up
stories since he filled stapledtogether notebook paper
with “Transformers” stickers.
Publishing a book remained
his dream, but it wouldn’t have
happened without Taris.
“I had been working on
this series for nine years and
likely would have sat on it
forever,” said Peters, who
works as a reading instructor
at Kumon Math and Reading
Center of Maple Grove. “But
Mary presented me with this
opportunity, she believed in me,
and I am eternally grateful.”
Strive Publishing’s Book List
“Under a Cloven Sky” and
“A Wild Nature Embraced”
by Ricardo Peters
Books one and two in the
young adult fantasy series,
“The Scorched Heavens,” in
which the fate of two nations
rests on the city’s young
princess and her protector.
“Red’s Adventures: The Egg
Pie” by Donna Gingery
The hilarious first book in
a picture book series for
children, this story follows
the precocious Red, who
grows up in Alabama under
the watchful eye of her
grandmother.
“Story to Story: A Strive Short
“Isaiah’s Sunglasses”
Story Series,” Volume 1
by Linda Miller
This collaborative book
A short, rhythmic story for
project aims to celebrate and
children about family, hope,
empower emerging authors
acceptance, and learning
about different types of people. and illustrators.
“Who Can I Be?” by
Arielle Grant
Created by Strive’s founding
illustrator, this is a story of
a girl who sees her potential
through the example of women
in her community.
Representation in
literature on the rise
but has ‘a long way to go’
Mary Taris ’04 with two of her children, Jermaine Taris and LaToya Taris-James, who both work with
Strive Publishing.
Making stories more accessible
runs in the family
This sentiment is shared among the
authors who work with Taris. Her
children are equally inspired by her,
so much so that they joined the Strive
team. Her oldest son, Jermaine Taris,
is a book illustrator. Her 16-year-old
daughter, Grace Taris-Allen, serves
as “quality control,” happily reading
manuscripts; and her eldest daughter,
LaToya Taris-James, assists with
marketing and social media.
“My mom makes things happen,”
said Taris-James, a student leadership
program coordinator for Augsburg’s
Sabo Center for Democracy and
Citizenship. “She is resourceful and
passionate, with a unique way of
connecting with and inspiring others.
“When I was 12, she introduced
me to ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua
Achebe. It was the first piece of African
literature I had read on my own, and
it shaped my view of black people
across the African diaspora and helped
connect me with my heritage.”
Through Strive, her mother is
making those connections on a broader
scale, said Taris-James, who hasn’t
fallen far from the tree. Along with a
friend, Taris-James created a social
impact initiative known as Rooftop
(or RFTP) that uses storytelling to
engage communities in dialogue
around difficult, often polarizing,
issues. Mother and daughter are both
driven to make stories of all kinds more
accessible and communal.
“I felt called to create Strive, and to
be honest, it’s been difficult to wear so
many hats and break through,” Taris
said. “Where I have come to see the
greatest need is for a safe space for
all people to tell their stories, whether
they get published or not. I’m working
with PopUp Think Tank to gather ideas
for how Strive can make the greatest
impact, and it’s feeling more like a
social enterprise than trying to operate
as a traditional publishing house.
Whatever Strive looks like in a year—
or five years—I know it will be moving
the dial.”
The Cooperative Children’s Book Center
researched and compiled statistics about the
number of children’s books and young adult
literature published by and about people of color,
American Indians, and those of First Nations.
“Every year, we see amazing books by and
about people of color and first/native nations.
There just aren’t enough of them,” CCBC Director
Kathleen Horning reflected in the ongoing study’s
abstract. “The more books there are, especially
books created by authors and illustrators of color,
the more opportunities librarians, teachers,
parents, and other adults have of finding
outstanding books for young readers and listeners
that reflect dimensions of their lives and give a
broader understanding of who we are as a nation.”
1985
2,500
Children’s books published in the United States
0.72%
Children’s books written or illustrated
by black people
2018
3,312
Children’s books published in the United States
17.8%
By or about Asian Pacific people
17.5%
By or about black people
12.8%
By or about Latinx people
1.6%
By or about American Indians/First Nations
FALL–WINTER 2019
25
AUGGIES CONNECT
ARCHIVE PHOTO
Create inclusive and engaging
experiences for fellow Auggies
The Alumni Board is
the governing body of
the Augsburg Alumni
Association. The board
exists to guide the Office
of Alumni and Constituent
Relations in serving the
valued alumni, parents, and
friends who make up the Auggie community.
All alumni are welcome and encouraged to join the
Alumni Board. See the job description and apply at
augsburg.edu/alumni under “Leadership Boards,” or
contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at codek@augsburg.edu.
New video available: MARTIN SABO ’59
Video of an interview with late Congressman Martin Sabo,
whose rise to politics was supported by Augsburg University
students, will be available later this year at the Sabo Center
for Democracy and Citizenship website, augsburg.edu/sabo,
thanks to an Augsburg Sesquicentennial Project award that
paid for an updated video description and closed captioning.
One year after graduating from Augsburg, Sabo —then 22—
was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
During his tenure, he became the first member of the
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to serve as Speaker
of the House, and he went on to the U.S. House of
Representatives, retiring in 2007. Sabo died in 2016.
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Serve on Augsburg’s Alumni Board
Augsburg’s first
ALL-SCHOOL REUNION
Mark your calendar for the All-School Reunion
during Homecoming: September 26, 2020.
More than 150 enthusiastic Sesquicentennial Stewards have
committed to help plan Augsburg’s inaugural All-School
Reunion. Volunteers are the heart of this sesquicentennial
year of events, and this work is not only more fun but is
strengthened by their participation and input. Volunteers
assist with the All-School Reunion’s schedule, entertainment,
venues, and marketing.
Visit augsburg.edu/150.
26
AUGSBURG NOW
YOU CHIMED IN:
SESQUICENTENNIAL
FAVORITE
FACULTY
IN FOCUS
HERITAGE TRIPS
Augsburg Now staff asked the
university’s Facebook followers for
their most memorable professors.
Here are a few of their responses,
edited for length and clarity.
NORWAY ARTS AND CULTURE
May 8–18, 2020
$4,800
“Mary Lowe—I had a lot of memorable professors, most of them
dear to me, but she and I worked so closely together in my last years of
my degree that I cannot think of Augsburg without thinking of her. She
is a wonderful, insightful, funny mentor who held me accountable and
helped me reach heights I wouldn’t have dreamed of initially.”
—TIMOTHY PAUL BISHOP JR. ’18
GERMANY
July 15–26, 2020
$5,300
“Merilee Klemp ’75—So many lessons learned from her, both
music and life. It’s impossible to forget those in your life who have taught,
pushed, encouraged, and mentored as well as she does. She’s an incredible
human being with such a kind, wonderful soul. Thank you for everything!”
—JENNIFER SCHMITT ’04
Hosted by Religion Department
faculty Lori Brandt Hale and
Hans Wiersma
Oberammergau, Germany
COURTESY PHOTOS
“Oh, do I have to choose? Matthew Maruggi in the Religion
Department—he completely changed how I looked at religion, opened my
mind to new perspectives, and taught me the meaning of ‘vocation.’”
—GINA MARIE GAINOUS ’15
CAMPUS TOUR
Hosted by Theater Professor
Darcey Engen ’88 and
Luverne Seifert ’85
National Theater, Norway
“Kristin Anderson—I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without
her! She taught me how to think critically about the built environment, ask
the hard questions, and think about all of my research from the standpoint of
race, class, and gender. She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever known.”
—KACIE LUCCHINI BUTCHER ’13
Take a limited-edition
In honor of Augsburg’s 150th
anniversary, three trips hosted
by expert faculty guides will
celebrate the university’s
heritage in Germany and Norway.
NIDAROS PILGRIMAGE
August 4–13, 2020
$3,300
Hosted by Vice President for Mission
and Identity Sonja Hagander
Nidaros Cathedral, Norway
Learn more at augsburg.edu/alumni/travel or contact
Katie (Koch) Code ’01 at codek@augsburg.edu.
Two walking tours are available on campus this year: “Augsburg Nooks and
Crannies” and “Augsburg Campus: Past and Present.” Led by Kristin Anderson,
university archivist, each tour lasts one hour and is limited to 20 people. The tours
move through indoor and outdoor spaces to learn about the evolution of the campus
from 1872 to the present. The Nooks and Crannies tour includes a visit to the old
chapel and gymnasium in Old Main, the Old Main attic, an Art Deco filling station,
and other little-known spots of interest.
Augsburg Campus: Past and Present
Augsburg Nooks and Crannies
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wednesday, April 8
Wednesday, April 22
Tuesday, May 5
Wednesday, April 15
Wednesday, April 29
Wednesday, May 6
Save your spot on a tour.
RSVP required: eventrsvp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104.
FALL–WINTER 2019
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1961
Jim Holden ’61 wrote a new
book called “Heron Thieves,
a Bat Out of Hell, and Other Flyfishing
Stories, Essays, and Poems.” Holden
has been a fly fisherman for more than
40 years, and the book highlights his
experiences on trout streams.
1965
Dwight Olson ’65 presented
President Paul Pribbenow a
copy of his book “Northern Lights: The
Beauty of the Forgotten Scandinavian
Enamel Artisans” for Augsburg’s
library in celebration of the university’s
sesquicentennial.
1969
Cheri (Kraskin) Best ’69,
Pam (Fredrickson) Gunderson ’69,
Sue Kelly ’69, Linda (Stewart) Miller ’69,
Margi Ness ’69, and Anna (Stivland)
Olsen ’69 celebrated the 50th anniversary of
their graduation from Augsburg with a trip to
Boulder, Colorado, in May.
1973
David Colacci ’73 and partner
Susan Ericksen, both classically
trained theater professionals, were featured
in a Star Tribune news story that detailed
their success as audiobook narrators. The
couple records their audiobook narrations in
their St. Louis Park, Minnesota, home. They
have each narrated more than 500 titles.
1978
This year,
Augsburg’s
Excellence In
Coaching Award
recognized Ken
Novak Jr. ’78.
Novak led high
school boys basketball teams at Blaine and
Hopkins to 17 state tournaments, the most
of any boys basketball coach in Minnesota
history. After winning three consecutive state
titles and seven in a 10-year span (2002–
11), Novak was named ESPN RISE National
Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the
Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association
Hall of Fame in 2013, and in 2019 he was
inducted into the second class of the
Minnesota High School Basketball Hall
of Fame.
28
AUGSBURG NOW
1987
Andrew Altenburg ’87 joined
KPMG in a senior associate
role in May 2019. He previously worked
as an events manager for The Bank of
Tokyo for three years. As a freelance event
planner, his clients included MNG, Louis
Vuitton, Colgate-Palmolive, and The Carlyle
Group. From 2005 to 2015, he produced
and emceed 470 bingo events, which
raised $250,000 for dozens of LGBTQIA+
organizations. He also is a wedding
officiant and cartoonist, posting his work
at jumpingforjoy.net. He lives with his
partner, Matthew, and their parrot, Lulu,
on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New
York City.
Minasie
Theophilos ’87
received the
Distinguished
Athletic Service
Award in honor of
his decades-long
support of
Augsburg’s
student-athletes and coaches. A custodian
in Augsburg’s athletic facilities, Theophilos
has grown close to many people in Auggie
athletics including the men’s hockey team.
He came to Augsburg as a student in 1983
from Ethiopia and had not been able to
return to his home for more than 30 years.
In 2017, after the death of his mother, the
men’s hockey team raised more than
$7,500 to fund a trip for Theophilos to see
his family, who now live in Norway.
1993
Tanya Schwartz ’93 was named
the seventh police chief of
Burnsville and is the first woman to hold
the post. Schwartz has been with the police
department for 23 years, beginning as a
patrol sergeant and then serving as detective
sergeant and captain.
1994
Lori Higgins ’94, ’12 MAL
became president of Augsburg’s
Alumni Board. She currently serves on
several boards including the Minnesota
Amateur Sports Commission. She joined the
Alumni Board in 2016 because of her deep
connection to the university and support of
its mission.
1999
The first NCAA
Division III player
to be selected in
the first round of
the NBA Draft,
Devean George ’99
was inducted into
the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame. George
led the Auggies to two Minnesota
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
championships and berths in the NCAA
Division III national playoffs, earning
conference MVP honors both times. He
finished his college career with 2,258
career points and 868 career rebounds,
both second in school history, and a 23.5
points-per-game average, the best in school
history. George has played with three NBA
teams and works to develop affordable
housing in North Minneapolis.
Augsburg Athletic
Hall of Fame
inductee Scott
Hvistendahl ’99
was Augsburg
baseball’s starting
centerfielder as
well an AllAmerican wide
receiver on the football team. He was the
first player to break the NCAA career
receiving yardage record held by NFL
legend Jerry Rice, finishing his career with
285 receptions for 4,696 yards. He now
stands 14th in NCAA all-divisions history in
career receiving yardage. Hvistendahl was
named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference Player of the Year, twice earned
CoSIDA Academic All-America honors,
and won the Gagliardi Trophy for his
performance in academics, athletics,
and community service.
Qiuxia (Xia) Welch ’99 and Kevin Welch,
co-founders and owners of Boom Island
Brewing, hosted Augsburg’s first “beer
choir” in the spring. The couple started
their company in 2011 focusing on
Belgian-style beers, and they recently
relocated the business to a new space in
Minnetonka, Minnesota.
2002
Crescent Cove, a hospice
home for children founded
by Katie Lindenfelser ’02, was featured
in a New York Times story. Lindenfelser,
the executive director and an Augsburgtrained music therapist, opened the
St. Louis Park, Minnesota, care facility
in 2018. Crescent Cove offers respite
and hospice care to children and is the
only facility of its kind in the Midwest.
2003
Kristen Opalinski ’03
began a new professional
chapter as the manager for Ecumenical
and Inter-Religious Relations for
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. This role includes managing
communications, providing staffing for
EIR committees and events, extending
hospitality to ecumenical and interreligious partners at the Lutheran
Center in Chicago, and serving as the
ELCA representative at various EIR
meetings held both domestically and
internationally. This is a new position
designed to meet the needs of the everchanging ecumenical and inter-religious
landscape and the expansion of the
church’s ecumenical and inter-religious
commitments. Opalinski also serves as a
writer for Living Lutheran Magazine.
2004
Max Langaard ’04 was
featured on “Good
Morning America,” where he shared
his journey as a teacher and also
his time as a mentor and coach at a
nonprofit called Playworks in Oakland,
California. Playworks helps schools and
youth organizations create a place on
the playground for every child to feel
included, be active, and build valuable
social and emotional skills. Langaard
also received NBA Finals tickets from
the television show.
Adam Langer ’12 and wife, Alyssa,
welcomed their first child, Addison, in
November 2018.
Dual sport
athlete Kristen
Lideen ’04 was
inducted into
the Augsburg
Athletic Hall of
Fame. As
softball
shortstop,
Lideen was the lone Auggie to hit better
than .400 in their career (.444). Her 38
career doubles remain a school record,
while her 18 doubles and 89 total bases
in 2003 are both single-season school
records. In soccer, Lideen played as a
sweeper for an Auggie defense that
recorded a 1.04 goals-against-average in
her four seasons. Lideen earned
All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors
three times as a soccer athlete and
earned All-MIAC first-team honors four
times as a softball player.
2008
Greg May ’08 was hired
by the University of
Minnesota’s hockey program as the
new director of hockey operations.
May spent the previous three years as
the hockey head coach and associate
athletic director at the Blake School
in Minneapolis. While playing hockey
during his time at Augsburg, he was a
MIAC All-Conference honoree.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
Christina Olstad ’00, ’05 MSW began her new
role as dean of students at the University of
Wisconsin—Madison in July. Olstad previously
was the interim assistant vice president for
student affairs, housing, and residence life at
Towson University in Maryland. She has worked
in higher education administration for nearly
two decades, beginning with her time
at Augsburg.
2009
Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard
’09, ’16 MSW passed her
Licensed Independent Clinical Social
Worker exam in April.
The late Donny Wichmann ’89—a three-time
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
champion, a national tournament All-American,
and a longtime assistant coach who was a part
of 10 NCAA Division III national championship
teams with the Auggies—was inducted into the
National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III
Hall of Fame in August.
Augsburg Men’s Wrestling Co-Head
Coach Tony Valek ’12, ’14 MAL and wife,
Kassi (Goranowski) Valek, welcomed a
son, Hudson Ricke, in June.
Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and Timothy
Stepka welcomed a daughter, Halle Jo Jean,
on September 30.
FALL–WINTER 2019
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Bobby Rose ’16 married fiancée, Amber, in Cottage
Grove, Minnesota, in May.
Mara (Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 and
Enrico Barrozo ’14 welcomed a
daughter, Ryna, in June.
Carlson Inc. announced the
appointment of Richard “Rick”
Gage ’96 as its non-executive
chair of the board in August.
Gage is the founder and
former CEO of YourMLSSearch.
com, a director of the World
Childhood Foundation, and
is on the board of the Carlson
Family Foundation, where
he has served for more than
20 years.
Tyler Heaps ’13, manager of
analytics and research for U.S.
Soccer, was on the staff of the
USA national women’s soccer
team that celebrated a World
Cup Championship victory in
July. Heaps, who helped play a
part in the team’s seven-game
win series to clinch the title,
said it was “one of the most
challenging and rewarding
experiences” of his life. Heaps’
work in data analysis and use
of video coverage enhances
skills on the field and helps
athletes better prepare for their
competition.
Read more of this story at
augsburg.edu/alumni/blog.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Hayley (Thomas) Ball ’12 and Emerson
Ball ’14, ’19 MSW welcomed a
daughter, Zara, on March 13.
Jessica Barker ’97, Amy (Bowar) Mellinger ’97, Tara
(Cesaretti) McLeod ’97, Christa Winkelman ’97, and
Jane (Ruth) Zirbes ’97 gathered for their annual girls’
trip in Las Vegas. Since their days at Augsburg, they’ve
planned yearly trips and remained close friends.
30
AUGSBURG NOW
Two rural Osakis, Minnesota, churches—with roots dating
back to the early days in the state’s history—are thriving
with the help of their new intentional interim pastor John
Douglas Hopper ’68. Hopper, who lives in Delano, Minnesota,
and spends weekends at Salem and Sauk Valley Lutheran
churches. He began a one-year pastorate on October 21, 2018.
Stephanie Putzier ’16 MBA serves
Minnesota Women of Today at
the state level as the internal vice
president, a position in which she
oversees the organization’s internal
programming. Putzier received the
Programing Award of Excellence for
her commitment and efforts. She
has been an active member of the
organization since 2002.
Ross Murray ’00, ’09 MBA
received the Living Loehe
Award at Wartburg Seminary’s
commencement in May. The
award was given in recognition
of the 50th anniversary of the
Stonewall uprising, the 10th
anniversary of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America’s
steps toward inclusion for
LGBTQIA+-identified people, and
his calling as a deacon to engage
in LGBTQIA+ advocacy in the
church and the world. Murray is
the senior director of education
and training at GLAAD Media
Institute and is the founding
director of The Naming Project.
Read more of this story at
augsburg.edu/alumni/blog.
K. Marshall Williams Sr. ’78 received the Herschel
H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational
Service from Oklahoma Baptist University. Williams,
who has served as pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in
Philadelphia for more than 35 years, accepted the award
on June 10 during the Southern Baptist Convention’s
annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.
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.
Kristy Millering ’06 became
the new director of finance at
Winona Area Public Schools.
Millering began this role after
eight years in finance at Mayo
Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota,
most recently as a senior internal
auditor. She also worked as an
accountant for McNeilus Truck
and Manufacturing and owned
her own dance studio.
Jason Oare ’05 and wife, Erin,
welcomed a daughter, Remedy
Faith, in April.
Amber (Stransky) Caswell ’07 and husband,
Tavid, welcomed a daughter, Olivia Sandra
Donna, in June.
Mary Christine Kane ’94
released her first book
of poems, “between
the stars where you
are lost.” Kane also
works in marketing and
volunteers for the arts and
animal rescue initiatives. Her poetry and nonfiction
works have appeared in journals and anthologies
including Bluestem; The Buffalo Anthology, Right
Here, Right Now; Ponder Review; and Sleet.
FALL–WINTER 2019
31
IN MEMORIAM
Gladys I. (Boxrud)
Strommen ’46, Edina,
Minnesota, age 93,
on May 27.
Gladys H. I. (Vigen)
Hallstrom ’56, Thief River
Falls, Minnesota, age
87, on March 27.
Omar N. Gjerness ’47,
Fergus Falls, Minnesota,
age 97, on July 19.
Sylva M. (Dahl) Kubicek ’56,
Lake Crystal, Minnesota,
age 83, on March 18.
Prudence V. (Hokanson)
Nystuen ’47, Lakeville,
Minnesota, age 93,
on July 3.
Mary J. (Christiansen)
Meyer ’56, Miami,
age 84, on April 7.
Barbara (Ekse) Carlson ’48,
Minneapolis, age 92,
on April 1.
Catherine A. (Mork)
Kordahl ’48, Fertile,
Minnesota, age 96,
on June 28.
Lorraine W. (Weltzin)
Peterson ’49, Hastings,
Minnesota, age 94,
on May 28.
Sheldon L. Torgerson ’49,
Minneapolis, age 92,
on May 26.
Gordon N. Berntson ’50,
Fargo, North Dakota,
age 93, on April 25.
Wayne H. Wickoren ’50,
Fargo, North Dakota,
age 92, on July 7.
Elizabeth A. Becken ’51,
Shoreview, Minnesota,
age 90, on June 3.
Harriet M. (Haller)
Brown ’52, Hastings,
Minnesota, age 89,
on May 11.
Evonne L. (Emerson)
Johnson ’52, Faribault,
Minnesota, age 88,
on March 9.
Duane L. Addison ’53,
Minneapolis, age 88,
on April 18.
Robert L. Lindquist ’53,
Worthington, Minnesota,
age 87, on April 28.
Arthur V. Rimmereid ’53,
St. Paul, Minnesota,
age 87, on June 24.
Jeannine L. (Torstenson)
Blanchard ’54, Fresno,
California, age 86,
on March 6.
Oliver K. Vick ’54,
Lancaster, Wisconsin,
age 88, on March 22.
32
AUGSBURG NOW
Marvin L. Dooley ’59,
Eagle Grove, Iowa,
age 95, on July 20.
Edean A. Berglund ’73,
Lacey, Washington,
age 67, on April 11.
Nancy J. (Thompson)
Peterson ’75, Minneapolis,
age 65, on May 27.
Bonnie M. Goetzke ’76,
Memphis, Tennessee,
age 65, on April 19.
Pamela S. Slette ’76,
Albert Lea, Minnesota,
age 65, on June 21.
James A. Hanson ’59,
Dodge Center, Minnesota,
age 88, on July 6.
Marcia G. (Thompson)
Turcotte ’78, Chanhassen,
Minnesota, age 97, on
July 19.
Donald E. Jorenby ’59,
Woodbury, Minnesota,
age 81, on March 19.
Michael J. Riley ’84,
Brainerd, Minnesota,
age 58, on July 25.
Bonnie J. (Martinson)
Storley ’59, Minneapolis,
age 81, on March 31.
Donald D. Wichmann ’89,
Minneapolis, age 53, on
July 16.
Arden S. Flaten ’60,
Hastings, Minnesota,
age 82, on May 4.
Thad D. Firchau ’92,
Mankato, Minnesota,
age 48, on March 23.
Marlin B. Aadland ’62,
Delta, British Columbia,
age 82, on May 30.
Marna R. Brown ’93,
Fergus Falls, Minnesota,
age 49, on March 28.
Jerome C. Barney ’62,
Fergus Falls, Minnesota,
age 81, on July 9.
Theresa D. (Holt)
Wimann ’94, Baraboo,
Wisconsin, age 60,
on May 7.
LeRoy E. Lee ’63, Solon
Springs, Wisconsin,
age 79, on March 25.
Gerald A. Carlson ’64,
Pine, Arizona, age 78,
on June 19.
Lennore A. (Bylund)
Bevis ’66, Minneapolis,
age 75, on July 28.
Verland E. Kruse ’66,
Stillwater, Minnesota,
age 83, on March 23.
Richard E. Andersen ’68,
Phoenix, age 73, on
June 2.
Russell K. Jones ’69,
Mercer, Maine, age 71,
on May 9.
Raymond J. Wesley ’69,
Maple Grove, Minnesota,
age 77, on July 27.
Daniel L. Knak ’72,
Hastings, Minnesota,
age 69, on July 19.
Mary S. (Wozniak)
Sergeant ’99, Kansas
City, Kansas, age 61,
on May 25.
Mauris N. De Silva ’00,
Jackson, New Jersey,
age 46, on July 31.
Robin A. Olsen ’01,
St. Paul, Minnesota,
age 48, on April 28.
Amanda J. Kelley ’09,
Ave Maria, Florida,
age 38, on May 25.
Patrick J. Inman ’11,
Rochester, Minnesota,
age 41, on July 9.
Matthew C. Blackburn ’15,
Plymouth, Minnesota,
age 36, on August 19.
The “In memoriam” listings
in this publication include
notifications received
before September 1.
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
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Permit No. 2031
Augsburg enrolls historic first-year class
A record-setting 636 undergraduate first-year students started at Augsburg University this fall. The Class of 2023 marks the
third year in a row in which a majority are students of color. All told, the university now has 2,159 students in the traditional
undergraduate program, which is also a record for Augsburg.
Show less
Literary scholar on skates
Athletic facility spotlight
Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A
Research and student success
REMARKABLE
ACHIEVEMENTS
FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director... Show more
Literary scholar on skates
Athletic facility spotlight
Sesquicentennial co-chair Q&A
Research and student success
REMARKABLE
ACHIEVEMENTS
FALL–WINTER 2018 | VOL. 81, NO. 1
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Marketing
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On “Yes, and … ”
I teach the Honors Senior Seminar each spring,
which is always a highlight of my year, and one
of the class sessions introduces students to the
history and practice of improvisation.
I invite members of our theater faculty and
local improv performers to come to class to
help us understand why improv is so important
to places like Chicago (think Second City) and
Minneapolis (think Dudley Riggs’ Brave New
Workshop). Then the fun begins.
The improv artists invite us to the front
of the classroom where we are taught some
basic improv skills. Embarrassment aside,
these sessions are full of life lessons. My
favorite exercise goes like this: one student
makes a statement related to an assigned
topic. Perhaps the topic is the weather, and
the student proclaims, “Wow, is it hot.” The
next student then answers, “Yes, and ... I’m
sweating like a faucet.” The next student
continues, “Yes, and ... my faucets often leak.”
You get the point. No one is allowed to
say “No” or even “Yes, but … ”—it’s always
“Yes, and … .” That’s how improv works, and
I believe that’s how Augsburg works when we
are at our best.
We live in a “No” and “Yes, but … ”
world—a world of scarcity that keeps us
from risking ourselves in relation to others.
Improv teaches us the way of abundance, a
way that finds we are better together. “Yes,
and … ” builds upon the gifts of others
to help us live healthier, more just and
compassionate lives together.
The anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson
offers this helpful word: “Improvisation and
new learning are not private processes; they
are shared with others at every age. We are
called to join in a dance whose steps must be
learned along the way, so it is important to
attend and respond.”
This issue of Augsburg Now is full of stories
of “Yes, and … ”—including highlights of
our planning for next year’s sesquicentennial
celebration, Augsburg’s 150th anniversary.
What a grand celebration it will be, as we
recall the abundance of our founding in 1869,
the decades of educating students for lives
of meaning and purpose, and the promise of
Augsburg’s mission in the years ahead.
Yes, and ... it will be good!
Faithfully yours,
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Director of Public Relations
and Internal Communications
Gita Sitaramiah
sitarami@augsburg.edu
Assistant Director of
Marketing Management
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Elizabeth Kästner
kaestner@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Denielle Stepka ’11
stepkad@augsburg.edu
Marketing Copywriter
John Weirick
weirick@augsburg.edu
Communication and
Social Media Specialist
Briana Alamilla ’17
alamilla@augsburg.edu
Advancement Communications
Specialist
Kaia Chambers
chamberk2@augsburg.edu
Web Manager
Joe Mann
mannj@augsburg.edu
Contributing Writers
Katie (Koch) Code ’01
Kate H. Elliott
Kelly O’Hara Dyer
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg University
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
university policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
AUGSBURG NOW
IN FOCUS:
Fall–Winter 2018
Surprising sights worth a
first (or second) glance
02 AROUND THE QUAD
This fall, Philadelphia-based artist
Margery Amdur created mixed media
installations in Augsburg’s Christensen
and Gage Family galleries. Amdur’s
art emphasizes the creative process
and incorporates unusual materials—
including cosmetic sponges. The
exhibition was presented as part of
a collaboration among Augsburg,
Bethel University, Minneapolis College
of Art and Design, and St. Catherine
University in conjunction with the
publication of the book “Creative
Practices for Visual Artists.”
08
ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS
10
NO PLAIN JANE
14
CARVING PATHS FOR THE FUTURE
16
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE DOME
20
BANNER YEAR IN STUDENT SUCCESS
23
AUGGIES CONNECT
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
32
IN MEMORIAM
On the cover: Undergraduate researcher and biology major
Angelica Diaz-Juarez ’20 waters plants in Augsburg’s Hagfors
Center grow room. Learn about Auggies’ research experiences
on page 20.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Inset cover photo by Deanna Dent, Arizona State University
All photos by Courtney Perry
unless otherwise indicated
Here’s a new take on the “spring thaw.” Virtually all summer and fall, the Augsburg Ice
Arena was iceless, which allowed construction crews to complete facility improvements,
including installing a more environmentally friendly refrigerant system and upgrading the
ice sheet floors from sand to concrete bases. Augsburg’s two-rink facility opened in 1974 and
is used extensively—not only by the university’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, but also
by community groups, youth sports leagues, figure skating clubs, and recreational skaters.
Send address corrections to:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu
Send comments to:
now@augsburg.edu
THAT’S GROOVY. Augsburg students
celebrate the start of the school year
Have you ever seen a dance floor filled with people swaying to the sound
of … silence? That’s what a silent disco looks like. But the amusement
was anything but muted for those who took part in an Auggie Bash
hosted by the Augsburg Student Activities Council this past September.
Participants wore wireless headphones tuned in to one of several audio
channels playing a variety of music styles. This unusual approach to
parties encourages dancers to move and groove their own way and to let
their uniqueness shine as brightly as their neon headwear.
THE
AUGSBURG
PODCAST
Listen to the podcast online
at augsburg.edu/podcast or
download episodes from iTunes.
2
AUGSBURG NOW
Hear Augsburg University faculty
and staff share stories of their
work with students in their own
words. Launched this fall, the
Augsburg Podcast is a new,
18-episode series offering a
variety of perspectives on the
university’s most important work:
educating students for the future.
StepUP makes
NATIONAL HEADLINES
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt put
Augsburg University’s StepUP® Program
in the spotlight this May by showcasing
its success in helping students in recovery
complete their college education.
NBC’s Catie Beck interviewed Neil King ’18
about the support he received from StepUP
as a full-time student at Augsburg.
Beck also interviewed StepUP
Progam Director Tamarah Gehlen. “We
always say that no one should have to
choose between recovery and a college
education,” Gehlen said.
King, who began using drugs at age 14,
discovered the StepUP Program four months
into his recovery. “I really learned to believe
in myself and my skills and capabilities,”
said King, who’s now pursuing a master’s
degree at the University of Minnesota.
UNIVERSITY AWARDS
Top 200 Schools for Indigenous Americans: The
American Indian Science and Engineering
Society Winds of Change magazine selected
Augsburg as one of the 2018 Top 200
Schools for Indigenous American and
Alaska Native students pursuing degrees in
science, technology, engineering, and math.
THE PARADOX OF PEACE:
The 30th Nobel Peace Prize Forum
INAUGURAL
PHOTO BY REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER
The Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis marked its 30th
anniversary in September. The forum, hosted and presented by Augsburg
University, celebrated the achievements of the 2016 Nobel Laureate,
President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and the 2017 Laureate,
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, represented by
Executive Director Beatrice Fihn. The program explored the intertwining
complexities and paradoxes of water, conflict, and peace.
“The paradox of peace lies in the paradox of the human condition—
that we are capable of great love and great cruelty, that we are always
a mix of some amount of ability and vulnerability. To achieve peace,
we often have to fight for it,” said Joe Underhill, Augsburg associate
professor of political science and director of the forum.
Schwartz Professor of Choral
Leadership and Conducting
This fall, Augsburg named Kristina Boerger
the inaugural John N. Schwartz Professor of
Choral Leadership and Conducting. Boerger
leads a visionary program honoring Augsburg’s legacy of engaging both
music majors and non-music majors across campus.
“Kristina Boerger has collaborated with leading composers and artists
in creatively advancing the field of choral study and performance,” said
Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Her work has garnered
national recognition, and we’re excited to have her join Augsburg.”
With a strong commitment to inclusion, access, and equity, Boerger
brings to Augsburg a long and diverse professional practice of
exploring music from varied cultures. She has worked in public
school, collegiate, community, and professional settings. In
addition to her achievements in commissioning and premiering
new works, Boerger served as director of three choirs that earned
critical acclaim from The New York Times. She holds degrees in
music education and conducting from the University of Illinois.
Best Regional Universities by U.S. News &
World Report: U.S. News & World Report again
named Augsburg one of the Best Universities
in the Midwest, ranking the university No. 5
among the Minnesota schools on the list for
undergraduate teaching, No. 10 on best value
schools, and No. 14 for most innovative.
Best in the Midwest by The Princeton Review:
This year, The Princeton Review again
named Augsburg one of the Best in the
Midwest for academic excellence.
Best Value in Minnesota: Best Value Schools
ranked Augsburg No. 6 on a 2018 list
of 20 Best Value Colleges or Universities
in Minnesota. Rankings are based on
graduation rate, net price, acceptance rate,
and 20-year net return on investment.
Top LGBTQ-friendly Colleges and Universities:
Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list
of the top 30 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and
universities in 2017 and 2018. Campus
Pride is the leading national organization for
creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges
and universities.
Augsburg delegation
honors Mandela centenary
An Augsburg University delegation that
included administrators and Board of
Regents members traveled to Namibia
and South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s
centenary celebration. While there,
Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow
visited the university’s Namibia
operations and met with students.
Here, he’s pictured in Cape Town
with guide Shireen Narkedien.
COURTESY PHOTO
AROUND THE QUAD
Augsburg adopts
test-optional admissions policy
NEW AUGSBURG
BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERS
Matthew Entenza, senior advisor on energy and the economy to
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, was elected chair of the Augsburg
University Board of Regents at its October 6 meeting.
In addition, the Augsburg Corporation, at its annual September
meeting, elected three new members to the Board of Regents and
re-elected six members.
Elected to their first term on the Augsburg Board of Regents:
•
Mark Johnson ’75, retired city planner and
former president of Sonju Motors in Two
Harbors, Minnesota
•
Terry Lindstrom ’73, drug discovery
consultant and former Eli Lilly distinguished
research fellow in Indianapolis, Indiana
•
Nancy Mueller ’85, physics and chemistry
teacher in Rochester, Minnesota
Mark Johnson ’75
Elected to a second or third term:
•
Diane Jacobson, former director of the
Book of Faith Initiative for the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
•
Terry Lindstrom ’73
for Hagfors Center for Science,
Business, and Religion
Toby Piper LaBelle ’96, senior vice president
of Northland Securities, a Minneapolis
securities brokerage firm
Nancy Mueller ’85
•
LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, former co-vice
chair of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial
Bias in the Courts and of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task
Force on Gender Fairness in the Courts
•
Dean Sundquist ’81, chairman and chief executive officer
of Mate Precision Tooling in Anoka, Minnesota
•
David Tiede, former president and professor of New
Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota
See the full list of Board of Regents members
at augsburg.edu/about/leadership.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG ACHIEVES
LEED Gold Certification
Dr. Steven Larson ’72, chief executive officer
and chairman of the board of Riverside
Medical Clinic in Riverside, California
•
This past spring, the Augsburg faculty approved
a pilot test-optional admissions policy, making
submission of ACT or SAT test scores optional for fall
2019 first-year and transfer undergraduate student
applicants, except in specific circumstances.
“The test-optional admission policy aligns with
Augsburg’s mission of intentional diversity and
is expected to increase the university’s pool of
completed applicants each year,” said Nate Gorr,
assistant vice president for innovation.
For a number of student populations,
standardized test scores may not reflect an accurate
indication of academic ability—including, for
example, people without access to test preparation
courses and tutors, those who can’t afford to
retake the test, people with learning and physical
differences, and English language learners. This
policy change also aligns with Augsburg’s holistic
admissions process, which looks at quantitative
metrics and beyond. The application-review process
allows Augsburg to maintain the university’s
academic standards and ensure Augsburg admits
students with the capacity to succeed.
Augsburg University’s new signature
interdisciplinary building—the Norman and
Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business,
and Religion—achieved Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
from the U.S. Green Building Council. In keeping
with Augsburg’s commitment to environmental
stewardship, the Hagfors Center was
designed to incorporate elements that
maximize resource efficiency and
minimize environmental impact, both
in its construction and throughout
its operational lifetime. LEED is one
of the most popular green building
certification programs used worldwide.
HAGFORS CENTER
RIVER SEMESTER 2018
A group of 15 Augsburg University students, two professors, and two guides
departed August 24 in 24-foot voyageur canoes to spend the semester
studying, researching, and living on the Mississippi River. The students
and their guides are traveling nearly 1,000 miles, making stops to camp at
several locations.
The River Semester, led by Associate Professor of Political Science
Joe Underhill, is a unique 100-day, hands-on, interdisciplinary program.
Students earn 16 credits studying biology, environmental science, health
and physical education, and political science. This is Augsburg’s second
time conducting the program; the first was in 2015.
Experiential education is a trademark of students’ Augsburg experiences.
“We do this because we think this is the best way to learn both about the
Mississippi River and about what’s going on out in the world,” Underhill said.
Students return to the Twin Cities on December 1.
COURTESY PHOTOS
2018–19 CONVOCATION SERIES
In October, Augsburg’s annual convocation series kicked off with
the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium featuring author and
educator Rahuldeep Gill and his presentation, “Who Are ‘We?’ A
Sikh Perspective on Vocation, Justice, and Death.” Through his
lectures and workshops, Gill works to build pluralism and crosscultural relations to inspire connected communities on campus,
in the workplace, and in the marketplace.
In November, the Center for Wellness and Counseling
Convocation welcomed Gloria Burgess, pioneering scholar,
author, and international inspirational speaker. Her presentation
was titled “Greatness Lives in All of Us!”
SAVE THE DATE:
Join us Monday, January 21,
for the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. All
convocation events are free, public, and held
in the Foss Center. For more information, go
to augsburg.edu/convo.
FALL–WINTER 2018
5
A look at environmental privilege
with social worker Christina Erickson
Whether it’s popping up in social media news feeds or emerging in conversations held
around the dinner table, the concept of “privilege” is rising in the public consciousness.
“Privilege has become a serious area of inquiry in recent years,” said Augsburg
Professor of Social Work Christina Erickson. “White privilege and male privilege have
hit the spotlight, as have racial disparities in policing and the #MeToo movement highlighting harassment and sexual
assault. Environmental privilege is a related phenomenon, and, while it seems to be an understudied area of privilege
(and not the only one), it is still important, probably more than we realize.”
Erickson teaches courses in environmental justice and social change, and she’s taking on the challenge of exploring
environmental privilege in greater depth. She is the author of “Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice,” a textbook
designed to bring an understanding of environmental privilege into social work curricula.
Q:
A:
How do you describe
environmental privilege?
Environmental privilege is having
access to a resource simply because
of your social identity categories—race, age,
gender, income, and geography. Studies
have shown that if you have a higher
income, you likely have more green space
near your home, work, or school. Not to
mention owning a cabin, attending summer
camp, or even seeing people who look like
you at our most beautiful natural spaces. If
you use all the water you want for your daily
self care and other activities without thinking
about it, you have environmental privilege.
Q:
A:
Is environmental justice similar to
social justice and, if so, how?
Environmental justice and social
justice are intricately linked in ways
that we have only begun to discover
and name. For example, kids living in
neighborhoods with poor air quality are
missing school due to asthma more than
6
AUGSBURG NOW
kids breathing clean air. If you can’t
go to school, your chances for school
success, which leads to adult success,
are inhibited.
Q:
Can you describe environmental
injustices and the disparities
some groups face?
A:
In 1987, research found that
waste facilities were most often
near neighborhoods of people of color,
many of them containing toxic waste.
Even our own Minnesota nuclear power
facility, located near Prairie Island
Indian Community, is an example of how
some people are forced to live closer to
environmental burdens than others.
Q:
A:
Why is it important to reflect on our own
privilege, and how can we dismantle it?
Dismantling privileges is one of
the ways we create social change.
When we think about creating shifts in
society, we generally need to stop certain
behaviors—such as racist hiring practices
or sexual harassment—to integrate new
behaviors to take the place of the old.
Augsburg already has taken a stand on
water—we encourage our entire campus
community to refill water bottles from our
own taps, which environmental studies
students tested for safety.
Q:
How does your social work
background align with your work
in environmental justice?
A:
For most of my life I viewed myself
as a social worker who was an
environmentalist. It wasn’t until coming
to Augsburg, collaborating on our
interdisciplinary environmental studies
major, working with my social work
colleagues on privilege and oppression,
and participating in our Environmental
Stewardship Committee that I began to
recognize myself, in an integrated way, as
an environmental justice social worker.
AROUND THE QUAD
MINNESOTA URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE
receives renewed support from three area foundations
The Minnesota Urban Debate League, a program of Augsburg University,
entered the 2018–19 school year with a full head of steam thanks to funding
and partnership support from three Twin Cities grantmakers.
• With a $25,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, MNUDL
will launch a program centered on building financial literacy skills. Young
women will learn financial concepts using the format of academic debate,
which breaks down abstract concepts and makes them more relevant. Funds
from this grant also will offer a cohort of women and gender-nonconforming
students the opportunity to attend The Advocacy Unit, an advocacy skills
training summer camp that takes place on Augsburg’s campus.
• MNUDL will reach even more students in St. Paul Public Schools using
a $40,000 grant from the St. Paul Foundation. MNUDL will add four middle
school programs over the next two years. Funds also will make it possible for
MNUDL to expand culturally specific debate programs for Spanish-speaking
and Somali students.
• A $40,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation will provide general
operating support, helping MNUDL expand a variety of priorities, including
increasing summer camp opportunities for middle and high school students.
AUGGIE STYLE:
Athletics apparel, then and now
Forty years of serving
American Indian students
In October, Augsburg’s American
Indian Student Services celebrated
its 40th anniversary. The program
has been a national model of success
since 1978. Approximately 130
students representing more than 25
tribes are enrolled part time or full
time in Augsburg’s undergraduate
and graduate programs.
Special invitees to the 40th
anniversary reception included
Bonnie Wallace, Augsburg regent
emerita and the first director of the
AISS program, as well as current
Board of Regents members Eric Jolly,
Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, and
Noya Woodrich ’92, ’94 MSW.
Today Augsburg University’s varsity athletes wear high-performance gear that aligns with their high-caliber
capabilities. Many Auggie teams are sporting new uniform styles following Augsburg’s name change and a
recent partnership with BIG Athletics to supply athletes with adidas apparel, uniforms, footwear, and accessories
over the next five years. Here’s a glimpse at how current styles compare to those worn in years gone by.
See other athletic uniforms
at augsburg.edu/now.
1979
1930
1998
1975
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
2017–18 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY
ANNUAL REPORT
TO DONORS
Thank you. Your giving supports current and future Auggies
as they gain skills and knowledge to thrive in their careers,
pursue advanced scholarship, and achieve in leadership
roles after graduation. Learn more about opportunities to
support an Augsburg education at augsburg.edu/giving.
ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE
May 31, 2018—$48,136,083
$40.5
$38.3
EXPENSES BY CATEGORY
38%
33%
19%
4%
3%
2%
1%
Salaries and benefits
Financial aid
Operating expenses
Debt services
Utilities and insurance
Student compensation
Capital improvement
$32.4
$28.2
$39.4
$29.8
$24.5
2007 2008
Fiscal year 2017–18 operating budget:
$68,736,254
2009 2010 2011
2012 2013
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
As of May 31, 2018, Augsburg University had annual realized and unrealized gains of
10.19 percent on the university endowment. The five-year average annual return on
the endowment is 7.11 percent and the 10-year average annual return is 4.70 percent.
Augsburg is committed to maintaining the value of the principal to provide support to the
university in perpetuity.
$123.6
PHYSICAL PLANT VALUE
REVENUE BY SOURCE
76%
7%
7%
7%
3%
Tuition
Room and board
Private gifts
and grants
Other sources
Federal grants
$48.1
$34.6
$33.3
$31.5
$43.9
$103.4
May 31, 2018—$123.6 million
$73.9 $75.6
$73.8 $70.8
$68.7
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011
$67.9 $65.5
$63.6 $65.5 $62.8
2012 2013
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
The quality and value of Augsburg’s physical plant is on the rise. The largest recent
contributor is the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, which was completed
in November 2017.
Augsburg University is stronger and more vibrant than ever.
Investments in priorities like scholarships, experiential learning, research, and faculty mentorship
change the trajectories of students’ lives. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and the generosity
of alumni, parents, and friends who helped Augsburg raise $18,187,380 during fiscal year 2017–18.
The philanthropy of more than 9,400 donors will help the university attract talented students and the
dedicated faculty and staff who teach and guide them.
THIS IS WHAT GRATEFUL AUGGIES LOOK LIKE
THIS IS WHAT A
PEACE SCHOLAR
LOOKS LIKE
Lex Dorfman ’18
Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship, Helen (Mohn) Henderson Scholarship,
Mary E. (Mimi) Johnson Scholarship, Hoversten Peace Scholarship
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Studying: Religion, Spanish, and Leadership
Lex Dorfman ’18 spent her summer in Norway studying alongside students from around the
world. As one of two Peace Scholars selected at Augsburg this year and funded by the Hoversten
Peace Scholarship and other donors, Dorfman’s time in Lillehammer and Oslo was part of a robust
program designed to pair academic inquiry with real-world dialogue and to give students an
introduction to the field of conflict studies.
For Dorfman, the Peace Scholar program aligns with many of the topics she’s explored
throughout her college experience. Also an Augsburg Interfaith Scholar, Dorfman called on her own
multicultural background to found a Hillel organization on campus and to foster new opportunities
to build connections between people from diverse backgrounds. “Augsburg has offered me a
personal, hands-on education,” she said. “I have been able to create an organization on campus,
interview Jewish leaders, and collaborate with a variety of students because of Augsburg’s
engaging and small-but-powerful community.”
THIS IS WHAT AN
ALL-AMERICAN
LOOKS LIKE
Alex Wilson ’19
Arne and Jean Markland Scholarship
Hometown: Oak Grove, Minnesota
Studying: Biology
Alex Wilson ’19 can put the title “All-American” next to his name in two different contexts.
Competing in his first NCAA Division III National Championship tournament last March, the
Auggie wrestler earned All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at 149 pounds. He also
was among eight Augsburg wrestlers to earn the Division III Scholar All-America distinction
from the National Wrestling Coaches Association based on student-athletes’ GPAs.
Whether he’s facing an opponent on the mat or looking to ace an exam, Wilson has a
drive to excel that will serve him well as he applies to competitive graduate programs and
pursues his dream of becoming a physician assistant. For Wilson, Augsburg is a place where
there’s harmony between athletic and academic achievements. “Augsburg has helped me
develop as a student and as an athlete by giving me all of the resources I would ever need to
be successful,” Wilson said. “Faculty support creates an atmosphere where it is possible to
succeed in whatever you do.”
THIS IS WHAT AN
ENGAGED CITIZEN
LOOKS LIKE
Baoyia Kong ’19
Leola G. Anderson Scholarship, William and Anne Frame
Scholarship, Adeline Marie (Rasmussen) Johnson Scholarship
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Studying: Social Work and Psychology
Baoyia Kong ’19 has the guts to just dive in. When she studied at Augsburg’s Center for
Global Education and Experience site in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the social work major interned at
a grade school, helping administrators infuse inclusive practices into the school’s operations
and culture—and honing her Spanish skills along the way.
Whether studying in Minneapolis or Mexico, Kong sees Augsburg as “a community with so
many opportunities.” Kong has enhanced her academic experience by seeking out opportunities
beyond the classroom, completing an additional internship with Hennepin County, volunteering
at a medical clinic in Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, playing intramural volleyball,
and joining the Augsburg Asian Student Association and Hmong Women Together campus
organizations. Kong said her Augsburg experience has shaped her as a leader because the
university encourages students to be engaged in topics that align with their passions and
creates “spaces for all to grow and flourish in their education.”
FALL–WINTER 2018
9
O
N N
I
A
L
PJane
EIRICK
BY JOHN W
and introduce
her properly into the world,” said one of Jane Austen’s
characters, “and ten to one but she has the means of
settling well, without further expense to anybody.”
For a line published in 1814’s “Mansfield Park,” it
prophetically resonates in the life and work of Augsburg
alumna Devoney Looser ’89.
Looser earned a doctorate in English and women’s
studies, holds extensive credentials as a professor who
has served at leading universities, and has written and
contributed to dozens of books, scores of academic
journals, and even more book reviews. When national and
international publications need an expert on 18th-century
literature, British women writers, or Jane Austen, they want
Looser—if they can catch her before roller derby practice.
Looser grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. College
seemed like a distant dream, both because of the financial
barrier and the fact that she came from a family with no
college degree in sight. Her perspective changed when she
applied to Augsburg and earned a President’s Scholarship
for her academic merit.
“That made all the difference in terms of my ability to
go to college. Augsburg gave me an incredibly generous
opportunity with that scholarship,” Looser said.
PHOTOS BY DEANNA DENT,
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
FALL–WINTER 2018
11
Looser wasn’t outwardly
confident, but she caught
the eye of Cathie Nicholl, an
English professor who taught
at Augsburg for nearly 30 years
until her retirement in 1999.
Though Looser was somewhat
quiet, Nicholl said, “her written
work was always wonderful.
She’s really blossomed a lot
since then.”
Looser first became
enthralled with Jane Austen’s
writings through a literature
class with Nicholl, who has
maintained correspondence
with Looser through several
decades. “I had no idea at
the time how significant, how
important [that connection with
Nicholl] would turn out to be
to my life—to a path toward a
future in [literary] work.”
Douglas Green, a professor of
English who’s taught at Augsburg
since 1988, met Looser when
he first arrived at the university.
“She was exceptional. We
had a real conversation about
literature,” said Green, a
poet and scholar who teaches
Shakespeare, drama, and writing
as well as gender, sexuality, and
was very shy at 18, and to see
the same faces who could tell
me, ‘You can do this,’ made a
big difference in my believing
in myself.”
For a suburbanite, moving to
the heart of Minneapolis was
an education in itself. “Being
in an urban area, being able
to live among other students
was amazing,” Looser said.
“Augsburg’s student body was
very diverse. Being in class
alongside students from all over
the world was mind-blowing. It
made me reimagine my role in
women’s studies at institutions
including the University of
Missouri, Louisiana State
University, University of
Wisconsin—Whitewater, Indiana
State University, and the State
University of New York at Stony
Brook. She is described as a
thoughtful and wise mentor
who empathizes with firstgeneration college students.
Her ability to reflect on and
relate to the challenges others
face is something Looser shares
with the central figure of her
academic work: Jane Austen.
Did Austen predict roller derby?
women’s studies.
Though literature was central
in feeding Looser’s ravenous
appetite for knowledge, people
and experiences also offered
lessons beyond the classroom.
“There were lots of things at
Augsburg that brought me out
of my shell,” Looser said. “I
12
AUGSBURG NOW
the world, and what my world
could be, and how I was part of
their world.”
Engaging with a variety of
people and ideas has served
Looser well in her literary
pursuits and academic
experience alike. She has held
positions teaching English and
“Austen is one of the most
psychologically perceptive
observers in all of the history of
the novel,” said Jenny Davidson,
a novelist and professor of
English at Columbia University
who connected with Looser over
their shared professional interest
in 18th-century literature.
Known for romantic plots
steeped in English society,
including “Pride and Prejudice”
and “Sense and Sensibility,”
Austen’s writings have been
in print continuously for
nearly 200 years and retain
an unassailable foothold in
contemporary art and culture.
Who was Jane Austen, really—
and how did she become what
she represents now?
That’s the focus of Looser’s
latest book, “The Making of
Jane Austen,” which earned
high praise among literary peers.
It was named a Publishers
Weekly Best Summer Book for
nonfiction, featured in CNN
interviews, and reviewed in The
Economist, The New York Times,
and The Wall Street Journal.
Looser’s remarkable
scholarship has led to an
abundance of prestigious
opportunities, including a
fellowship from the National
Endowment for the Humanities
and a Guggenheim Foundation
Fellowship in support of one of
her current projects: a book about
unheralded British sister novelists
Jane and Anna Maria Porter.
Davidson offered a scholar’s
perspective: “The project on
the Porter sisters is a genuine
project of reclamation, of
rewriting an injustice of
literary history: these were
two extremely widely read and
well-regarded novelists whom
literary history has essentially
dumped in the trash.” Because
of Looser’s background,
Davidson believes, the firstgeneration college graduate
is attracted to the works of
underdogs and can convey
their stories empathetically and
authoritatively.
Perhaps her affinity for the
underdog is part of what drew
Looser to a lesser-known sport—
roller derby.
Nearly a decade ago, Looser
and her friend Katie Carr, a
special collections librarian
at the University of Missouri
where Looser was a professor
of English, reconnected over a
mutual sense that they needed
a change. Angela Rehbein,
one of Looser’s then-graduate
students who is now a professor
of English at West Liberty
University, joined them to skate
at a roller rink’s retro night,
where members of a local roller
derby team invited the three to
derby practice. It sounded fun,
so they accepted.
Roller derby is a sport in
which two teams of five players
in roller skates line up on a
track. The “jammer” on each
team tries to maneuver past
the “blockers” on the opposing
team, and it all happens in a
series of two-minute increments
called “jams.” Players force
opponents off the track or block
them with their shoulders,
chests, and hips. Because it’s
full-contact, they wear helmets,
mouthguards, knee pads, and
elbow pads.
It’s customary for derby players
to create personas based on
names that use a play on words.
Carr dubbed Looser “Stone
Cold Jane Austen,” a mashup
of Looser’s literary expertise
and professional wrestler Steve
Austin’s stage name.
Looser is now a faculty
advisor to the roller derby
team in addition to her work
as a professor of English at
Arizona State University. She
still remembers the coaches
who patiently taught her to
play derby, which perhaps
unexpectedly refreshed her
perspective on higher education.
“It’s humbling to start out as
a complete newbie, and being
laid flat and embarrassing
myself,” she said. “It put me
in headspace that made me
realize how students must feel
their first year of college, when
you didn’t know what you were
doing, and it was terrifying.”
People who know Looser
best—like Carr, Rehbein, and
her former doctoral student
Emily Friedman—point to
Looser’s knack for transforming
her interests into excellence.
“There’s this world-renowned
academic and also someone
who plays roller derby and
excels at it. She is an incredibly
generous friend and an amazing
wife and mother,” Carr said,
referring to Looser’s sons and
husband George Justice, a
fellow Austen scholar and
British literature professor at
Arizona State University.
“I learned a lot from Devoney’s
incredible work ethic and her
generosity toward her students
and toward other scholars,”
added Rehbein, who appreciates
Looser’s influence both in and
beyond the classroom.
The same is true for
Friedman, who has also worked
on Austen scholarship and now
serves as a professor of English
at Auburn University. Friedman
observed Looser’s simultaneous
commitment to hard work and
a rewarding life outside of
it, and how “she keeps them
dancing rather than in conflict
and fighting.”
Like Jane Austen and many
icons before her, Looser will
maneuver past any limitations in
her path.
“She’s the hardest worker I
know,” said Friedman. “I’m just
trying to skate in her tracks.”
Looser’s next book topic:
CARVING PATHS
for THE FUTURE
Theater professor Darcey Engen ’88 helps plan a
forward-looking 150th anniversary celebration
BY STEPHEN JENDRASZAK
D
arcey Engen, professor of theater
arts, has been on both sides of an
Augsburg education: student and professor.
As a leader on campus, she brings both
perspectives to bear.
Thinking from a student perspective, she
understands the intense obligations today’s
students face and, with her colleagues,
implemented a series of changes to
make it possible for students from all
backgrounds and enrolled in any major
to participate in Augsburg’s theatrical
productions despite family or work
commitments.
As a faculty member, Engen observed
that faculty in the arts sometimes struggled
to receive appropriate credit for their artistic
and scholarly work, so she advocated
for revisions to promotion and tenure
guidelines to address the issue.
Now, she’s been asked to call on those
twin perspectives in a new leadership
role: helping to guide the commemoration
of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial during
the 2019–20 academic year. In a recent
interview, Engen shared her views on
the university’s 150th anniversary, the
important contributions faculty will make
in commemorating the occasion, and
what makes Augsburg unique in American
higher education.
14
AUGSBURG NOW
SE
R
AT
I
ON
1869-2019
SQ
U IC
ENTEN N
CE
IAL
LE
B
“
One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we
are more like the real world than other colleges
and universities. The needs of the real world
around us are present in everything we do.”
You are a co-chair of the sesquicentennial committee.
What do you hope this milestone will do for Augsburg?
I hope that it gives us a moment in time to understand our past,
mark where we are now, and look forward. It’s an opportunity for
us to appreciate those who came before us, what we’re doing in
the present, and those who will inevitably follow after us.
What does this occasion mean to you as both an alumna
and a faculty member?
In our costume shop, there are boxes and boxes that say things
like “summer hats.” Those labels were handwritten by my
professor, Ailene Cole, the former chair of the theater department,
before she retired in her 80s. When I’m in the costume shop
and see her handwriting, I’m reminded of her and what she did
for me and all her students. That inspires me to do the same
for my students. As a former chair myself, now, I am part of a
legacy, which gives me a lot of satisfaction. I’m aware that all of
us, chairs and faculty, are so privileged to be able to create an
atmosphere where our students can thrive as artists. I keep
the past with me as I try to carve out paths for the future with
my students.
How are faculty members going to be involved in marking
this significant moment in the life of the institution?
I’m very grateful that we were able to make resources available for
faculty to create scholarly projects that reflect sesquicentennial
themes. The support opens the door for these scholarly projects,
whether they be permanent works or ephemeral experiences, to
be installed or occur during our yearlong celebration. They will
honor and mark the 150th anniversary and also give faculty the
opportunity to expand the good work they do, which is ultimately
to support our students.
I understand that the number of proposals for faculty
sesquicentennial projects exceeded your expectations.
What does that enthusiasm say to you?
It was amazing to get all the proposals for such thoughtful
projects. It goes to show you that we faculty members all have in
us, no matter how busy our days can sometimes be, a great love
for this institution.
What kinds of projects are faculty members working on,
and what are they trying to achieve?
There’s so much incredible work being done, but I’ll offer a few
examples to give you an idea of the scope of the effort.
Sonja Thompson, assistant professor of music, is working on
an original musical—with original music—about Augsburg,
embracing both the rocky and exceptional moments in our
history. Her team is interviewing as many people as possible and
conducting story circles where students, staff, alumni, and friends
can share their Augsburg experiences to inform the production.
Erik Steinmetz, assistant professor of computer science, is
building an app for exploring Augsburg’s campus now and at
various points in history via augmented or virtual reality. The
idea is that if you’re on campus, you can look around through
your phone and see what a particular part of campus looked
like at another time. And if you’re not here, you can virtually
explore those same environments. We’re hoping to create online
experiences that capture as much of the art and activity and
scholarship happening on campus that year as possible.
As Augsburg prepares to commemorate 150 years,
what stands out for you?
I’ve toured a lot of colleges; I’ve taught at two other universities.
One of the things I love about Augsburg is that we are more like
the real world than other colleges and universities. The needs of
the real world around us are present in everything we do.
Augsburg’s plans to celebrate the sesquicentennial are developing,
and updates will be posted at augsburg.edu/150.
FALL–WINTER 2018
15
Augsburg alumna
Katia Iverson ’12
orients newcomers to
the United States amid
mounting uncertainty
and narrowing policies
16
AUGSBURG NOW
The Augsburg Air Structure—and the rest of the Minneapolis campus—looked
practically otherworldly following a record-breaking April 2018 snowstorm.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE DOME
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
DOZENS OF BUSES
en route from 25
Minnesota school districts pause on 23rd Avenue
to unload hundreds of students in grades three
through six at the Augsburg University Air Structure
(aka the Augsburg Dome). The air lock opens, and
grinning youngsters wheel, walk, and run into the
360-by-216-by-63-foot inflatable bubble lined with
activities to exercise their cognitive, emotional, and
physical muscles.
Augsburg has held this one-day Sports
Extravaganza for nearly 20 Novembers. Do the
math: that’s more than 4,000 children, teachers,
and paraprofessionals who have visited campus,
and two decades of Auggies who have applied
their health, physical education, and exercise
science coursework to the field.
HPE instructor Carol Enke said the event
wouldn’t have started without the dome.
“Imagine funneling hundreds of kids with
mental and/or physical disabilities into Si Melby
Hall via untold batches of elevator trips,” she
said. “Without the air structure, this dual
community engagement and learning opportunity
would have never taken off.
“Every year, teachers tell us that students ask
about the event from the first day of classes,
and we see that excitement as kids meet others
and participate in activities they might have
assumed were inaccessible to them.”
FALL–WINTER 2018
17
AN EXPANSIVE
GATHERING PLACE
Sports Extravaganza is one of several community events
squeezed into the dome between softball and lacrosse
games and practices for baseball, track and field, golf,
soccer, and football. Physical education classes, intramural
activities, alumni events, and more also vie for the space,
which features four batting cages, a driving range net, and
four soccer goals.
About 35 campus and community groups schedule
the space each year, according to Greg Holker, the men’s
soccer head coach, who helps manage dome schedules as
part of his dual role as athletic facilities assistant manager.
Thousands of people use the dome for a total of about
3,000 hours during any given year.
“Regular users include our sports teams, HPE classes,
camps, the Minneapolis United Soccer Club, and other
prominent academies and associations,” he added.
“During Super Bowl LII this year, a large corporation
hosted a Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition, and
the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee filmed a
commercial in the space.”
Each November, more than 500 student-athletes join
coaches, staff, and administrators to erect the weather-proof
18
structure. It’s a Herculean effort that illustrates the
university’s cooperative, all-in attitude, according to
Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79. Come May, after 12-hour
weekdays and about 18-hour weekend days, the dome is put
away in about three hours, again by a campus-wide team.
Swenson said the dome has substantially increased
Augsburg’s workout space.
“Nobody appreciates the air structure more than our spring
sports,” Swenson said. “Access to a climate-controlled
regulation field in our backyard gets them in the game earlier
in the season without interruptions due to weather.”
The university also is able to offer physical education
classes, including golf and soccer, in the spring. Eric
Rolland ’97, men’s and women’s golf head coach, said
without the dome, spring offerings would be limited to
indoor activities like bowling. And while Rolland enjoys
throwing a strike as much as the best of them, the former
All-American golfer said he has enjoyed the ability to teach
golf throughout the year.
“It’s a lifelong sport that can enhance your career, given
that so many business meetings occur on the golf course,”
said Rolland, who has taught golf classes for the past five
years. “Students make lasting friendships, too, as the
dome transforms into a giant driving range where students
visit as they perfect their swings.”
AUGSBURG NOW
The Augsburg University women’s lacrosse team competed in the dome in Spring 2018.
THE DOME ‘SAVED
OUR SEASON’
Talk of spring takes Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04
back to April, when the Twin Cities experienced its
snowiest and fourth-coldest April on record, according
to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which
reported 26.1 inches of the white stuff and an average
high of 47.4 degrees.
“It was the winter that would never end,” said Lee, who
is in her 15th season on Augsburg’s coaching staff. “Other
teams in our conference have to rent out dome space
or practice on hard gym floors incapable of mimicking
competition, so when the weather is bad, those players
may catch—or try to catch—their first deep pop fly of the
season during a game. We made the playoffs last year,
and I believe the dome contributed to that success.”
Then-senior-outfielder Katie Parker ’18 was among
the Augsburg softball players who spent the majority
of the 2018 season under the dome. Playing inside
requires adjustment, she said, with rules against catching
deflected balls (to avoid injuries), turf vs. dirt, and many
lights, rather than the sun’s sole beam. But the snowy
season didn’t faze the native of Lakeville, Minnesota.
“It’s our home turf, literally, so we practice in the space
long before our first game,” said Parker, who graduated
in May with a bachelor’s in elementary education with
a focus on special education. “I loved the sense of
community and cooperation as we worked side-by-side
with student-athletes on other teams to take down and set
up fence panels and goals, depending on the sport. Coach
Lee also worked hard and stayed up late to make sure
other area softball programs could access to the dome to
finish out their seasons.”
Will this year be a repeat of last season? The Farmers’
Almanac indicates ‘no,’ Coach Lee said, but the Minnesota
native jokes the state’s weather is as unpredictable as a
curve ball. What is not inconsistent, she added, is Auggies’
willingness to work together—snow or shine.
Assistant Baseball Coach Zach Bakko ’18 echoed Lee’s
appreciation for the dome’s ability to bring athletes across
Augsburg’s 21 sports together with each other, the campus,
and greater community. Bakko spent several seasons
fielding balls under the dome lights as an Auggie outfielder.
“Whether it be quarterback Quinn Frisell ’19 throwing
out routes to his agile receivers, golfer Brett Buckingham ’21
working on his swing, or soccer forward Ashley St. Aubin ’20
figuring out another way to score a hat trick, I’ve been
able to see athletes in other sports work to maximize
their potential,” said Bakko. Plus, “The space allows
our campus to give back to the community and make a
positive difference in the lives of young athletes [through
camps and clinics].”
“Having worked for athletics, I’ve met the real heroes of
the dome—athletics administrators, coaches, and all the
maintenance staff—managing scheduling, cleaning, and
every other task that arises,” he added. “That willingness
to come together and do what’s needed, regardless of
whether it’s in your job description, has expanded my
understanding of the word ‘team.’”
Find bonus content and
fun facts about the dome
at augsburg.edu/now.
Augsburg community members work together to assemble the
dome each fall. First installed in 1993, Augsburg’s original dome
was one of the premier inflatable air structures in the Midwest.
FALL–WINTER 2018
19
Undergraduate research
gives students an edge
BY GITA SITARAMIAH
The summer before his third year at Augsburg,
Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 was paid to research Earth’s
magnetosphere. He worked in a lab on campus under the
direction of a physics faculty member.
And he discovered a passion for space physics.
Beyene’s research, which was funded by Dean ’91
and Amy Sundquist his first summer and TRIO McNair
Scholars for the second, helped him stand out in national
scholarship competitions. The following year, he was
awarded a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national
program that provides financial support to undergraduates
who show the promise of becoming leading scientists,
engineers, and mathematicians. Then, Beyene’s Augsburg
advisors helped him successfully apply for the National
Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program,
providing him with more than $100,000 for graduate school.
Now a Ph.D. student in space physics at UCLA, Beyene
credits his Augsburg undergraduate research experience
with getting him where he is today.
“You don’t see the level of personal coaching at other
schools like you do at Augsburg,” he said. “I really
appreciate that about Augsburg.”
Augsburg’s undergraduate research opportunities are
paying off for students like Beyene, who compete alongside
the nation’s top students to land high-profile fellowships,
internships, and scholarships as well as selection to highly
competitive graduate programs.
In fact, Augsburg had a banner year in 2017–18, with
a record number of students earning prestigious awards
and fellowships.
20
AUGSBURG NOW
Here are some highlights:
• Augsburg had six Fulbright winners named this past
year and has been listed five times in The Chronicle
of Higher Education as a top producer of Fulbrights
for master’s level institutions. The previous singleyear record for Augsburg was four. Since 2008,
Augsburg’s Fulbright winners total 29.
•
An Augsburg student was one of just four Minnesota
recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship last year. Out
of 1,280 applicants nationwide, 211 were named.
•
Three Auggies were Critical Language Scholarship
winners in the first year that Augsburg undergraduates
pursued this fellowship. Only 10 percent of applicants
nationwide receive this award. Two of the students
were selected to study Swahili in Tanzania; the third,
to study Mandarin in Taiwan.
•
Another two Auggies were Public Policy and
International Affairs Program winners. Only
20 percent of applicants nationally are accepted
into this program. One of the Augsburg winners
studied at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at
the University of Minnesota. The other student spent
seven weeks at University of California—Berkeley in
a law-focused program.
•
For the first time ever, an Augsburg student won a
Boren Award, which honors undergraduates studying
language in areas underrepresented in study abroad
programs. The Auggie, who studied Swahili at the
University of Florida this past summer, is continuing
to study the language and culture in Tanzania this
semester. He will commit to one year of paid federal
government service after graduation.
Undergraduate research boosts the résumés of Auggies
like Holly Kundel ’19, who looked for a rare dragonfly in
Twin Cities area wetlands.
Many of
these accomplishments
are the result of Augsburg’s
decade-plus commitment to
providing undergraduate research
opportunities for students.
Two programs are responsible
for much of this success: the Office
of Undergraduate Research and
Graduate Opportunity and the
McNair Scholars program.
URGO, now in its 14th year, offers
an 11-week, on-campus, faculty-led
undergraduate research experience with
50 students each summer. Students receive support
throughout the research process from a faculty mentor,
participate in weekly seminars, and engage in roundtable
discussions with fellow student researchers to hone their
communication skills. URGO also advises students about
national fellowships, graduate school, medical school, and
other health sciences.
The McNair Scholars program is a federally funded
program designed to prepare students from groups currently
underrepresented in graduate school for doctoral studies to
some of the most competitive institutions in the U.S. The
program currently serves 26 students a year and includes
21 months of graduate school preparation workshops, travel
to national research conferences, and hands-on scholarly
research projects with faculty mentors.
Through these programs,
talented Augsburg students
are earning prestigious national
opportunities that they otherwise
may not even have known about.
“Many [of the students] who win
awards and fellowships had never even
heard the word ‘Fulbright’ before they
were in this program,” said Dixie Shafer,
URGO director.
When students start their first summer
research experience, Shafer said, they’re
looking around wondering how they got selected.
“You can tell they’re a little bit nervous,”
she said. “By the end, when they’re giving oral
presentations and submitting projects, they’re the
experts in the room. Their level of confidence has grown.”
Students agree that they gain key skills from research
and writing in partnership with faculty members, presenting
their work at conferences, and receiving hands-on guidance
from advisors about how to translate those experiences into
top fellowships, internships, scholarships, and graduate
programs. And they often go on to other off-campus research
experiences to expand their curricula vitae.
Blair Stewig ’18, currently a Fulbright scholar in Poland,
first did summertime research at Augsburg in a biophysics
lab. She successfully applied for an Augsburg grant to do
research while canoeing the Mississippi River during the
2015 River Semester experience, then did summer research
with the Minnesota Lupus Foundation at the Mayo Clinic.
The next summer, she conducted cancer research at Baylor
College of Medicine in Houston.
FALL–WINTER 2018
21
three URGO advisors on her medical
Currently, Stewig is conducting
school applications.
research on colorectal cancer at the
“It was almost like they knew
International Institute of Molecular
more about my story than I did,”
and Cell Biology in Poland and will
Bagonza said.
shadow physicians and volunteer at
Shafer sees this type of faculty and
the Maria Skłodowska Curie Memorial
staff interaction with students as a
Cancer Centre.
key part of helping students evolve.
“Without my research experience
“Faculty and staff believe in students
and the support of staff and faculty
and then the students start believing
at Augsburg, I don’t think I would
in themselves,” she said.
have had the confidence to apply
for the larger competitive
research experiences,” said
Stewig, who plans to apply
for combined M.D./Ph.D.
programs in the future.
Similarly, two months into
her first year at Augsburg,
biology major Vision Bagonza ’17
regularly started visiting the
URGO office and mapping her
trajectory to medical school.
“They were with me every step
of the way,” she said.
In her first summer research
project, Bagonza worked
on genomics research with
Associate Professor and
Biology Department Chair
Matthew Beckman. “That
Fieldwork experience inspired Holly Kundel ’19 to apply for
was instrumental to my
doctoral programs in freshwater ecology.
understanding of what was
going on throughout the field,”
Fourth-year biology major Holly
she said.
Kundel ’19 chose Augsburg after
The following summer, she
meeting faculty on a campus tour and
researched biomedical ethics at Mayo
Clinic, and she spent her third summer learning that she would be able to do
research directly with them.
researching malaria at Johns Hopkins.
The summer after her first year,
These experiences set the stage for her
Kundel began her paid research on
participation in the Mayo Innovation
the rare Spatterdock Darner dragonfly
Scholars program, where she learned
in Twin Cities area wetlands. Kundel,
about the complexities of the FDA
who loves being outdoors during
approval process when bringing
Minnesota summers, was drawn to
innovation to market. Finally, Bagonza
the project after approaching Biology
was awarded a full scholarship to the
and Environmental Studies Assistant
Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of
Professor Emily Schilling and learning
Medicine after working closely with
22
AUGSBURG NOW
that the research entailed doing
fieldwork.
Since then, Kundel has received
other grants to support her research
with Schilling. “It’s nice to work with
a faculty member who knows exactly
what my strengths and weaknesses
are,” Kundel said.
This year, Kundel received a
Goldwater Scholarship, providing
tuition assistance for her fourth year at
Augsburg, and the associated
prestige is expected to set
her apart in her applications
for doctoral programs in
freshwater ecology. “I wouldn’t
be applying to the graduate
programs I am this fall if I
hadn’t done this research at
Augsburg,” Kundel said.
While many in the URGO
Summer Research Program are
science majors, other disciplines
are represented as well.
English literature major
Abigail Tetzlaff ’18 studied
patterns in language and
rhetorical uses in poetry and
prose. Currently a Fulbright
Fellow in Berlin, she is an
English teaching assistant
and plans to pursue a Ph.D.
in English literature to ultimately
become a university professor.
“Especially for undergraduates
studying within the humanities, it isn’t
very common to come out of college
with a research experience already
complete,” Tetzlaff said.
For Beyene, if not for the direct
support from faculty and his McNair
Scholars and URGO advisors, he
wouldn’t have considered himself
graduate school material. “Being at
UCLA now, I realize how fortunate I
was to have programs like McNair and
URGO,” he said.
AUGGIES CONNECT
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
+
COURTESY PHOTO
Dear alumni and friends,
As always, the fall season at Augsburg was full of
excitement. This past August, for only the second time,
our community sent a group of Auggies to explore the
Mississippi on a River Semester off-campus study
experience. Over the course of the semester, these
students will spend 100 days paddling down the
river while learning about history, politics, and the
environment, and having the adventure of a lifetime.
Then, as the calendar turned to September, the community welcomed returning
students to a new academic year and ushered in the first-year students who make
up the class of 2022.
At Homecoming in October, we honored an accomplished group of
Distinguished Alumni. We found inspiration in hearing their stories and
learning about their achievements, and we were reminded of the talent and
dedication that Augsburg alumni exhibit across a vast spectrum of vocations
and commitments. Augsburg alumni are, indeed, remarkable professionals and
amazing people.
This year, I’m especially excited to serve on the Augsburg Alumni Board as its
members strive to increase the ways in which they give to the university. I have
personally committed to giving 50 hours of my time to Augsburg. I plan to attend
events, mentor a student, and help reconnect the Auggies in my social network
with the university.
If, like me, you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of others in
our Augsburg community, you’ll find that there are many ways to connect with
Augsburg in support of students.
• Consider attending the Auggie Networking Event coming up in February.
This is an opportunity for alumni to help students practice valuable
interpersonal skills that will benefit them in their future job searches
and careers.
• Join us for the 2018–19 Auggie Take Out student mentoring program.
• Reconnect with Augsburg by volunteering with the Alumni Office or
the Alumni Board. We’re always looking for people to join our
leadership boards.
• Volunteer to usher at Advent Vespers or to serve in another capacity.
In all of the ways that Augsburg has shown up for you, it is now the time to
show up for Augsburg. You can find information about these and other volunteer
opportunities at augsburg.edu/alumni. I hope you will consider sharing your time
and talents with the university this year.
*
+
+
HOMECOMING 2018
Nearly 525 Auggies attended the Augsburg
University Homecoming celebration held
October 11–13. Alumni, students, and
community members gathered for a festive
weekend featuring more than two dozen events
that united the university’s remarkable legacy
with its contemporary identity.
If you are interested in serving on an
alumni reunion committee or volunteering
to help plan Homecoming 2019,
contact alumni@augsburg.edu.
Go Auggies!
NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
+ PHOTOS COURTESY OF REBECCA ZENEFSKI SLATER
* PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGET DONOVAN
FALL–WINTER 2018
23
A LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM:
Augsburg students of the ’60s reflect on the past 50 years
In 1964, folk singer Bob Dylan released his album and song
“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which served as a call for
change to address the social injustices he saw in the world.
For the group of young students entering what was then
Augsburg College that same year, his words would prove prescient.
College is a transformational time for students, but for members of
the class of 1968, the impact was especially pronounced.
The Augsburg graduating class of 1968 witnessed the United
States live through some of the worst upheavals in the nation’s
history. In late 1963, President John F. Kennedy had been
assassinated. By 1968, assassinations also would claim civil rights
leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the late president’s brother,
Robert F. Kennedy, as well as political activist and leader Malcolm X.
At the same time, the country was becoming violently divided over
social issues, including civil rights and the increasingly unpopular
war in Vietnam, with ever-larger numbers of young people being
drafted and sent to southeast Asia to fight.
In response, Augsburg students began to march for peace and
civil rights and to take part in programs like Augsburg’s Listening
Witness, which brought them to live and work in impoverished and
racially segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and elsewhere.
It was fitting, then, that at this year’s Homecoming celebration,
1968 alumni celebrating their 50th reunion delivered an Auggie
Talk titled “The Baby Boomer Effect: How Four Years Affected 50.”
The five speakers—Michael Arndt ’68, Kim Gudmestad ’68,
Ted Johnson ’68, Augsburg Board of Regents member LaJune
Thomas Lange ’75, and Joey Sylvester ’68—said their time at
Augsburg shaped the course of their lives. They described how
education empowered them to pursue lifelong work in the areas
of diversity, justice, public leadership, and social activism.
“I think [those times] had a profound effect on many of us as
individuals, and it certainly had a profound effect on Augsburg,”
said Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, an alumnus who went on to serve
as a pastor and the third presiding bishop of the Evangelical
24
AUGSBURG NOW
Lutheran Church in America. “For me, Augsburg provided an
immersive experience so that those changing realities, those
cultural conflicts, and those strivings for racial justice and peace
in southeast Asia weren’t just topics that one was reading about or
subjects in a classroom. They became lived experiences.”
Hanson, who is now the executive director of Augsburg’s
Christensen Center for Vocation, said he’s seen the university
change as a result of activism originating in those pivotal mid-’60s
years. He points to increasing diversity in the current student
body—the result of an intentional commitment to inclusion,
equity, and intercultural competency.
Like Hanson, Myrna Sheie ’68, co-chair of the 1968 reunion
events, went on to work with the ELCA after graduation. She
reflected that she had entered college without much experience
with diverse cultures but saw both herself and Augsburg change
during her college years.
“When I started at Augsburg, I was both naïve and unaware
of the diversity we lacked,” she said. “Over the next four
years, my classmates and I were exposed to ideas, concepts,
and lifestyles—both inside and outside the classroom—that
challenged us intellectually, socially, and personally. I became
less naïve as my eyes and heart became more open.”
A laboratory for life
When Arndt, one of the Homecoming Auggie Talk presenters,
reflects on his college experience, his memories often connect the
time he spent on campus with dramatic life events that followed it.
Shortly after graduation, Arndt was drafted from his first
teaching job and sent to Vietnam as a member of the Army’s First
Cavalry division. He served in the jungle near the Cambodian
border and saw heavy military action that killed seven of his
friends. During that time, Arndt says he recited the Shakespeare
he’d learned during college to calm himself.
AUGGIES CONNECT
CELEBRATING A SEASON OF HOPE
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
39TH ANNUAL ADVENT VESPERS
Today, Arndt is chair and professor of Theatre Arts
and Dance at California Lutheran University and
the artistic director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare
Company. He calls on his experiences as a veteran and
artistic professional to use theater to help treat fellow
veterans suffering the effects of post-traumatic
stress disorder.
“There was a time after I got out of the army when
I felt that the country was going to dissolve into civil
war,” he said. “There was such a divide and … a real
sense that we were going to end up in total chaos. In
talking with my college students today, there’s a sense
of that now. [But] I think one of the things we’re saying
is that those of us who felt that strongly in 1968 tried
to work to make a difference. And many of us did.”
Hanson concurs. “All that was taking place in the
Twin Cities, in the country, and in the world in those
four years became, for so many of us, not just objects
of study, but context in which we were being formed
for our future lives and vocations. And that’s still to
this day what is particularly unique about Augsburg—
it takes its context as the laboratory for life, not as
something from which we seek to flee.”
Augsburg’s Class of 1968 is working to raise $68,000 in
scholarship funds for future students. Learn more about
this initiative and their Auggie Talk at augsburg.edu/now.
For more than three decades, Augsburg University has ushered
in the Advent and Christmas seasons with Advent Vespers, a
magnificent experience of music and liturgy, focusing on the
theme of preparation and culminating in the joyful celebration of
the Incarnation. Advent Vespers is set in downtown Minneapolis
in the sanctuary of Central Lutheran Church, and this year Advent
Vespers services will occur November 29–December 1. To learn more
or request reservations, visit augsburg.edu/music/vespers.
VELKOMMEN JUL
Velkommen Jul is one of Augsburg’s most beloved traditions. It’s
an event that celebrates the university’s Norwegian heritage and
ushers in the Advent season.
Come join us Friday, November 30, at 10:30 a.m., in Hoversten
Chapel for a special chapel service—with Danish, Norwegian, and
Swedish carols, Scandinavian dancers, and the Gospel read in
Norwegian. Wear your Scandinavian sweater, if you have one; it’s a
tradition to take a group sweater photo!
Following chapel, the festivities continue in Christensen Center.
Shop in the boutique for unique gifts and homemade goodies,
and make sure to visit the buffet featuring lefse, krumkake, and
other treats. The buffet is complimentary, but donations are greatly
appreciated. All proceeds from the event support Augsburg
student scholarships.
FALL–WINTER 2018
25
COURTESY PHOTOS
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY
1869-2019
SAVE THE YEAR
Join us in honoring the traditions of Augsburg’s rich history and
celebrating the remarkable progress we have made in educating
students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical
thinkers, and responsible leaders. A yearlong series of events
including a sesquicentennial gala will commemorate our deep
roots and recognize our present opportunities and future endeavors
as we become a new kind of urban university.
Subscribe to the sesquicentennial events digital calendar to
participate in these community celebrations. Visit augsburg.edu/150.
NOVEMBER
AUGGIES TRULY
GIVE TO THE MAX
Each year, Auggies around the world respond generously to
support the breadth of programs and experiences offered by
Augsburg University.
In total, over the past five years, Augsburg has raised more
than $1.5 million through Give to the Max Day efforts. And even if
you missed the opportunity to participate this year, you can find
information about our fundraising results and learn more about
additional ways to support the university at augsburg.edu/giving.
26
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGSBURG SESQUICENTENNIAL
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
Plan ahead to participate in exciting alumni trips commemorating
Augsburg’s sesquicentennial. Overseas trips are planned to
locations in Norway and Germany that are central in
Augsburg’s history.
In May 2020, Darcey Engen ’88, Augsburg University
professor of theater arts, and her husband, Luverne Seifert ’83,
head of undergraduate theater performance at the University of
Minnesota, will lead a tour exploring the rich and vibrant arts
and culture of Norway. The tour will include plays, concerts,
and historical landmarks as well as an opportunity to celebrate
Syttende Mai in Norway.
At the same time, a tour exploring Norway’s peace work,
government, and environmental agencies will be co-led by
Bettine Hoff Hermanson, Norway Hub managing director, and
Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science and
director of environmental studies. This trip also includes the
opportunity to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway.
In July 2020, Rev. Sonja Hagander, Augsburg University
pastor and director of ministries, will lead a hike to the Nidaros
Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway—a pilgrimage made by
travelers for more than 1,000 years. Along the way, the group
will learn about history and culture, and experience firsthand
some of the most beautiful nature in the world.
Also in July 2020, Augsburg associate professors of religion
Lori Brandt Hale and Hans Wiersma—who led the 2016 alumni
tour for the anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation—will lead
a tour to Bavaria, Germany, with stops in Nuremberg, Salzberg,
and additional nearby locations. The tour also includes tickets
to the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play, which first
opened in 1634 and has been performed every 10 years since.
Contact Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and constituent relations, at
codek@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1178 if you are interested in learning more
about Augsburg’s travel opportunities.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1942
The French government
posthumously awarded Chester
Hendrickson ’42 the Jubilee of Liberty Medal
for his service and work in Normandy during
World War II.
1958
Grace
(Kemmer)
Sulerud ’58 received
a Spirit of Augsburg
Award at Homecoming
for her faithful service
to Augsburg across
her time as a student,
librarian, faculty
member, and alumna. After graduating from
Augsburg in 1958 with a degree in English,
she became a junior high English teacher
and an elementary librarian in U.S. Air Force
Department of Defense Schools in Germany,
Japan, and Libya. Sulerud earned master’s
degrees in library science and English, served
as the treasurer of the Augsburg Associates,
and continues to stay involved at university
events. She personifies Augsburg’s calling to
humbly serve in a variety of ways.
1968
David J.
Melby ’68,
Ph.D., received a
Distinguished Alumni
Award at Homecoming
and was recognized as a
psychologist, executive
leader, and advocate
who embodies faithful
service in true Auggie form. With a bachelor’s
degree in psychology from Augsburg and
master’s and doctoral degrees in counseling
psychology, he has worked as a CEO and has
served on the boards of organizations relating
to behavioral health care, health practices,
and housing. As a thoughtful steward and
responsible leader, his work has created
healthier, more fulfilling lives for many.
1971
The St. Michael-Albertville
(Minnesota) Coaches Association
Hall of Fame Committee selected Darrell
Skogan ’71 as a Hall of Fame inductee. This
fall marks Skogan’s 51st season as statistician
for the school district. He also has umpired,
run clocks, and coached girls’ basketball and
softball throughout his tenure with the district.
1972
John Sherman ’72 was honored
with two awards for his work
as a sports journalist. Sherman received
the Outstanding Media Award from the
Minnesota State High School League and the
Spinnaker Award from Minnetonka School
District. While at Augsburg, Sherman was
the editor for the school newspaper and
played baseball and soccer. Since graduating
46 years ago, he has served on the Sun
Newspaper staff in Edina, Minnesota.
Terry Lindstrom ’73 and Mark Johnson ’75
joined the Augsburg University Board of
Regents. See page 4.
Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79
explains how the university’s dome gives
Auggies a competitive advantage. See page 16.
1982
Augsburg
Athletic
Hall of Fame inductee
Jeff Andrews ’82 was a
key defender on Auggie
men’s hockey teams
that won NAIA national
titles in both 1980–81
and 1981–82, while
winning MIAC titles and
reaching the NAIA tournament all four years
of his career. Andrews accumulated 29 goals
and 60 assists for 89 points in his college
career, and he earned All-MIAC honors in
1981–82 and All-MIAC Honorable Mention
honors in 1980–81.
Former basketball
star Brad Nelson ’82
was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. An All-MIAC
guard in 1981–82,
Nelson was a three-year
member of the Auggie
men’s basketball team,
averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9
assists per game in his career. He averaged
20.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists
per game on Augsburg’s MIAC runner-up
team in 1981–82, and averaged 7.8 points
on the Auggies’ MIAC title (later forfeited for
use of an ineligible player) and NAIA national
tournament team in 1980–81.
1984
Mayo Clinic Health System—
Franciscan Healthcare named
Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 the vice president of its
Southwest Wisconsin Region. As a regional
leader, Mueller will manage operations out
of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He completed
his undergraduate degree at Augsburg
and has spent the past nine years chairing
Mayo Clinic’s Division of General Internal
Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.
Nancy Mueller ’85 joined the Augsburg
University Board of Regents. See page 4.
Darcey Engen ’88 employs perspectives
both as a student and as a faculty member
to plan Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
See page 14.
1989
The U.S. Track and Field
and Cross Country Coaches
Association announced that Carolyn (Ross)
Isaak ’89 was inducted into the NCAA
Division III Track and Field Athlete Hall of
Fame in May. Isaak set several records as an
Augsburg athlete, including the 400-meter
hurdles record that stood until 2014. Isaak,
a five-time national champion and nine-time
All-American, is Augsburg’s first athlete ever
to be inducted into this Hall of Fame.
Literary scholar Devoney Looser ’89 was
awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2018
and will complete a biography of forgotten sister
novelists. See page 10.
Brynn Watson ’89
received a Distinguished
Alumni Award at
Homecoming. She is an
award-winning leader in
the aerospace industry for
her technical experience,
executive leadership, and
tireless advocacy of STEM
education for youth. She earned a mathematics
degree from Augsburg and a master’s degree in
applied mathematics before she gained several
director- and vice-president-level positions in
technology and engineering companies. She
now serves as vice president for the Future
Enterprise Program for Lockheed Martin.
Watson’s spirit and accomplishments mirror
the tenacity of Auggies around the world who
ascend to prestigious positions among today’s
leading companies.
1995
Wrestling
star Randy
Eastman ’95 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. Eastman
was a three-time
NCAA Division III
All-American in the
167-pound weight class, finishing second
nationally in the 1994–95 campaign, third
in 1993–94, and fifth in 1992–93. A transfer
from Mankato State, he was a member
of Augsburg teams that won the national
titles in both 1992–93 and 1994–95, while
FALL–WINTER 2018
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
finishing fourth in 1993–94. Eastman won
two MIAC titles and was a conference
runner-up in his Auggie career.
Augsburg Athletic
Hall of Fame inductee
Tom Layte ’95 was
a dominant wrestler
for the Auggies in
the mid-’90s. Layte
competed at Augsburg
in the 1994–95 season
after transferring from
Western New England College, and he made
the most of his Auggie campaign, going 44-4,
winning the NCAA Division III national title
at 150 pounds, and earning Outstanding
Wrestler honors at the national championships
as the Auggies won the team national
crown. He later served as an Augsburg
assistant coach and was head coach at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Augsburg volleyball star
Carolyn Tuohy ’95 was a
dominant player in the
mid-’90s, playing three
seasons as a middle
hitter, earning All-MIAC
honors in 1994, and
receiving All-MIAC
Honorable Mention
honors in 1992. Tuohy, who was inducted
into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame, was
a team co-captain in 1994 and finished her
career with 878 kills in 2,566 attack attempts.
She was voted the team’s MVP in 1992.
1997
Derrin
Lamker ’97
was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame in recognition
of his successes on
the football, basketball,
and baseball teams. A
quarterback in football,
Lamker led the Auggies to the 1997 MIAC title
and a spot in the NCAA Division III national
quarterfinals. He earned All-MIAC honors in
1996 and 1997. He was the conference MVP
in 1997, in addition to earning All-America
honors and finalist honors for the Gagliardi
Trophy (Division III Player of the Year).
Joe Lavin ’97 had an
outstanding pitching
career on the Augsburg
baseball team. An ace
during the mid-’90s,
Lavin earned All-MIAC
and All-Midwest Region
second-team honors
in 1995, while earning
conference Player of the Week honors multiple
times. He had a 1.42 ERA in conference play
with five complete games, a shutout, and 41
strikeouts against only 16 walks and 32 hits
in 1995, while winning three games on the
mound in 1994 and four in 1996.
Eric Rolland ’97, the Augsburg men’s and
women’s golf head coach, teaches students
a lifelong sport each spring in the campus dome.
See page 16.
2000
Jasha Johnston ’00 and Carrie
(McCabe) Johnston ’02 opened
their third restaurant, Mortimer’s, in the Whittier
neighborhood of Minneapolis. The new venue
features live music, an updated menu, and a
family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to their
new venture, the Johnstons own Nightingale
Restaurant and Tilt Pinball Bar.
2002
Three-sport
athlete
Brenda (Selander)
Mitshulis ’02 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. Mitshulis was
an All-MIAC honoree
in 2000 and All-MIAC
Honorable Mention honoree in 1999 in
soccer, where she finished her career with 15
goals and four assists for 34 career points.
She led the Auggies in scoring in three
seasons. In hockey, she was a member of the
1998–99 and 1999–2000 MIAC title squads
and the 2000 national runner-up team. She
also played two seasons of softball.
2003
Dual sport
athlete
Rachel Ekholm ’03
was inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. One of the best
softball players in school
history, Ekholm earned
All-MIAC honors three
times, while earning NFCA All-Region honors
twice. As a pitcher, she won 39 career games
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
’70
’76
28
AUGSBURG NOW
’84
’90
’12
with a 2.45 ERA and 347 strikeouts. She
hit .389 and holds school records for home
runs, triples, RBI, and slugging percentage.
She also played in 60 career games in
basketball, averaging 9.1 points and 2.3
rebounds per game.
Softball Head Coach Melissa Lee ’04 said
the Augsburg air structure helped save the
team’s 2018 season. See page 16.
2006
This year,
Augsburg’s
Excellence in Coaching
Award recognized
Jim Gunderson ’06.
Gunderson is in his
fourth season as
football head coach at
the Academy of Holy
Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, after serving
for 14 years as an assistant coach. He has
also served as track and field head coach
since 2012. In football, his team won the
Minnesota Class AAAA state title in 2017,
with Gunderson being named the Minnesota
Football State Class AAAA Coach of the Year.
2008
graduating from Augsburg with a degree in
communication studies, he has devoted his
career to public leadership and making a
difference in his community. He ran for mayor
of Baltimore in 2016, becoming the youngest
person ever to run for the office. He also sits
on the boards of several Baltimore community
initiatives and is the co-founder of a nonprofit
fostering revitalization.
Brian Krohn ’08, Ph.D.,
received a First Decade
Award at Homecoming.
After earning a degree in
chemistry, researching
biofuel, and becoming
Augsburg’s first Rhodes
Scholar, Krohn founded
companies Mighty Axe
Hops and Magic Wizard Staff. He earned a
doctorate from the University of Minnesota as
an Environmental Protection Agency Fellow
and master’s degrees from the University of
Oxford in environmental change and science.
He was an Innovation Fellow at the U of M’s
Medical Devices Center and is CEO of Soundly,
an app-based therapy to reduce snoring—an
initiative funded by the National Institutes of
Health and the National Science Foundation.
Joshua
Harris ’08
received a First Decade
Award at Homecoming.
His life and work in the
past 10 years embodies
Augsburg’s pursuit of
social justice, equity,
and inclusion. Since
Nikki Rajala ’70 published “Treacherous
Waters,” her second novel in the
“Chronicles of an Unlikely Voyageur” series.
A career ESL teacher, Rajala retired from the
St. Cloud School District in 2004 and lives in
Rockville, Minnesota.
’70
Jeff Mueller ’76 was honored by Norway’s
King Harald V, who bestowed the rank of
Knight First Class in the Royal Norwegian Order
of Merit. Mueller, director of administration and
finance at Norway House, Minneapolis, is a past
president of the Norwegian American Chamber
of Commerce and currently serves on its board of
directors. He also has been active in the Syttende
’76
Killa Marti ’08, J.D.,
received a First Decade
Award at Homecoming
because she embodies
Augsburg’s values
through her thoughtful
stewardship, critical
thinking, and rigorous
pursuit of justice and equity. After graduating
from Augsburg with a major in international
relations and a minor in economics, Marti
earned a law degree so that she could serve
immigrant communities. She has worked
with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
and several law firms, has founded her
own law practice in the Atlanta area, and
has worked tirelessly for her law clients in
districts and cases where the decks were
stacked against them.
Former Augsburg cheerleader Cassandra
Roschen ’08 returned to Fairmont High School
to coach the cheerleading squad. Roschen, a
former Fairmont cheerleader, taught current
students sideline cheers and routines. She also
extended her service to include team building
and community outreach with the squad.
Chris Stedman ’08
received a First Decade
Award at Homecoming
for his robust intellectual
engagement as an
informed citizen and
critical thinker. A religion
major with minors in
English and social
welfare, he earned a master’s degree in religion
from Meadville Lombard Theological School at
the University of Chicago. He was the founding
executive director of the Humanist Center
of Minnesota, founded the Yale Humanist
Community, and was a humanist chaplain at
Harvard. Stedman is the author of “Faitheist:
How an Atheist Found Common Ground with
the Religious” (Beacon Press, 2012).
Mai Committee, the Norwegian Independence
Day celebration, the annual troop exchange
program with the Minnesota National Guard and
the Norwegian Home Guard, and Torske
Klubben. Mueller (right) is pictured with
Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Kåre R. Aas,
who presented the order of merit medal at
Norway House.
The HGA firm hired Mary Claire Olson
Potter ’84 as a health care business
developer and senior associate.
’84
’90
In June, former Augsburg football player
David Stevens ’90 hosted a Disability
Dream and Do Camp alongside the Binghamton
Rumble Ponies, an American minor league
baseball team based in Upstate New York. CBS
affiliate WBNG covered Stevens’ story and time
with the Rumble Ponies. Stevens, who led six
other athletic camps this summer, was the only
double amputee to play three seasons of football
for the Auggies. He later played for the St. Paul
Saints and tried out for the Minnesota Twins and
Dallas Cowboys.
Janelle (Christensen) Nelson ’12 welcomed
a daughter, Kennedy Elaine, in April.
Nelson majored in art history. Her grandfather
also attended Augsburg.
’12
FALL–WINTER 2018
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
2011
Laura (Schmidt) DuSchane ’11
and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA
opened a new business venture called Fretless
Marketing that provides social media and event
marketing services for small businesses. Their
company website is fretlessmarketing.com.
Ted Nielsen ’11 started a new job at Edward
Jones as a financial advisor. Nielsen assists
individuals and families with long-term
investing. Nielsen previously worked with
Thrivent and graduated from Augsburg with
a bachelor’s degree in English.
2012
Kimberly Simmonds ’12 was
promoted to a program assistant
with the City of Minneapolis. Simmonds
majored in history at Augsburg before receiving
her master’s in public administration in 2014.
2013
Alexandra Buffalohead ’13 started
a new role as manager of art and
cultural engagement with the Native American
Community Development Institute. Buffalohead
earned a bachelor’s degree in studio arts at
Augsburg. She has since served as a graphic
designer for the American Indian Cancer
Foundation and as a communications officer
for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation.
Tyler Heaps ’13 is a manager of analytics
and research at the United States Soccer
Federation. SportTechie, an online resource
devoted to covering topics at the intersection
of sports and technology, interviewed Heaps
regarding his work within the federation
tracking players and opponents using
innovative technologies. Heaps is working
to standardize analysis and support across
all soccer levels and teams to ensure the
federation can effectively track players
within the system.
The Chicago Tribune wrote about Dustin
Ritchea ’13, who returned to live and work
in his hometown of Chesterton, Indiana.
Ritchea serves as a promotions director for
Indiana Dunes Tourism and also works as an
actor, producer, songwriter, and writer.
2015
Nikki (Ludwig) Darst ’15 started
a new job with Black Line
Group as a research and development tax
manager. She graduated from Augsburg with
a degree in accounting management.
Fekireselassie Beyene ’16 participated in
undergraduate research that contributed to
success after graduation. See page 20.
2017
Jack Swift ’17 recently started
a new role with In The Groove
Music as a publishing assistant. As an
Augsburg student, Swift majored in
business administration with an emphasis
on music business.
Vision Bagonza ’17 conducted research
through the Office of Undergraduate
Research and Graduate Opportunity. See page 20.
2018
The NBC Nightly News featured
Neil King ’18 in a story about
his success at Augsburg in the StepUP®
Program. After graduating from Augsburg
and StepUP, King started a master’s degree
in integrated behavioral health at the
University of Minnesota.
The Twin Cities Arts Reader interviewed
Brid Henry ’16 regarding her work in the
Minneapolis theater scene. Henry has
performed in the Minnesota Fringe Festival
and has directed and co-produced the first
year of the Minneapolis branch of the Future Is
Female Festival. Henry chose to study theater
at Augsburg because the university’s program
was ranked among the top opportunities
outside of New York.
30
AUGSBURG NOW
Blair Stewig ’18 and Abigail Tetzlaff ’18
delved into student research with the
Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate
Opportunity. See page 20.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Matthew Halley ’97 MSW serves as executive
director for Cookie Cart, a nonprofit youth
program that equips young people with
employment and life skills. Halley was
interviewed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press
for an article highlighting the program’s
continuing success since its founding in
1988. Halley is focused on expanding the
program by adding more youth workers.
This spring, Education Minnesota named
Kelly (Sheehan) Holstine ’12 MAE the 2018
Teacher of the Year. An English teacher at
Tokata Learning Center, an alternative high
school in Shakopee, Holstine created a new
English curriculum and developed policies
that the school has implemented. Lavender
Magazine featured Holstine’s accolades and
focus on diversity in education. As Teacher
of the Year, Holstine is an ambassador for
86,000 teachers in Minnesota.
Chung Eang Lip ’18 started a new role as
a graduate school teaching assistant at
Columbia University in New York City. Lip
is working on a Master of Public Health
degree with a concentration in infectious
disease epidemiology.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
’16
St. Olaf College hired Gregory Mitchell ’18
as a wide receivers coach for the 2018
season. Mitchell was a receiver on the
Augsburg football team. He previously
coached receivers at Centennial High
School and Southwest High School.
Augsburg alumnus Scott Cooper ’13
returned to the university this August as
a full-time staff member serving as an alumni
engagement manager. Cooper started his
undergraduate degree at Martin Luther College
in New Ulm, Minnesota, before transferring to
Augsburg in 2011 where he completed a
bachelor’s degree in communication. Cooper
was a member of the Augsburg Choir and the
2012 and 2013 Auggie football teams. Prior to
’13
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE
joining Augsburg’s Alumni and Constituent
Relations staff, Cooper served in Minneapolis
Public Schools’ high school special education
programs. In his free time, Cooper has enjoyed
public speaking engagements in which he has
discussed his experiences as an Auggie
football player.
’12
Rick Wolke ’12 and Ashley (Carney)
Wolke ’13 welcomed Aurora Jo Wolke on
AUGGIES HONORED
Orville “Joe” Hognander Jr.
received a Spirit of Augsburg
Award at Homecoming for
his thoughtful stewardship
and responsible leadership.
Although he was not a
student at Augsburg, he
is a noteworthy Auggie
through and through.
His grandfather was an Augsburg graduate
more than 100 years ago, his parents were
highly involved in the music program, and his
ties to alumni and faculty run deep. A retired
naval officer and private investor now living in
Edina, Minnesota, Hognander’s longstanding
involvement with Augsburg speaks to a family
history of commitment and engagement,
particularly in the continued support of
Augsburg’s Department of Music.
’16
’13
Professor Emeritus John
Holum, Ph.D., received a
Spirit of Augsburg Award
at Homecoming. A beloved
retired professor whose
legacy spans more than 30
years, Holum is a prolific
writer who has published
dozens of scientific
textbooks and peer-reviewed papers. He came to
Augsburg with a doctorate in organic chemistry
and taught chemistry until his retirement in
1993. Holum, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota,
has demonstrated a lifelong passion for
academic excellence and support for students on
their educational journeys.
’12
’09
Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and
milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements.
’15
January 8. Rick and Ashley both majored in
business administration/economics.
Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard ’09, ’17 MSW
and Seth Lienard ’11, ’16 MBA were
married on September 23, 2017, in Stillwater,
Minnesota. There were several Auggies in
attendance. Pictured are [front, L to R]: Seth
Lienard, Caitlin (Hozeny) Lienard, Morgan (Bray)
Thompson ’09, Amanda (Chmiel) Spence ’09
’09
[back, L to R]: Wade Wojick ’11, Ryan
Wilsey ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11, Aren Olsen ’11,
Luke Lienard ’16, Aaron Rosell, Stefan
Swanson, Sheridan Lienard, Lindsey Graff ’11,
and Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11.
Laura (Swanson) Lindahl ’15 MBA and
her husband, David, welcomed a son,
Lawson Robert, on April 26.
’15
’10
Jonathan Chrastek ’10 and Katie
Pendo ’10 were married on July 7 in
Leesburg, Virginia. Several Augsburg alumni
joined the couple as they celebrated their
wedding, which was officiated by Sylvia Bull ’10
and Emily Wiles ’10. Augsburg alumni Alissa
Nolan ’09, Nick Blixt ’10, and Cait Kortum ’10
were in the wedding party, and Kate Edelen ’11
was in attendance.
’10
FALL–WINTER 2018
31
IN MEMORIAM
Lydia C. (Mitlyng) Pokrass ’35,
Ashburn, Virginia, age 104,
on May 29.
Eunice C. (Knudson) Iverson ’42,
Richmond, Minnesota, age 97,
on September 9.
Joyce M. (Reitan) Knutsen ’43,
Fridley, Minnesota, age 93,
on May 30.
Richard J. Koplitz ’45, Minneapolis,
age 95, on June 15.
Lenore “Beth” B. (Buesing)
Opgrand ’45, Wilmington, North
Carolina, age 95, on May 25.
Adele L. (Anderson) Cupit ’46,
Walnut Creek, California, age 94,
on May 26.
Jack E. Jacobsen ’46, Minneapolis,
age 95, on January 11.
Duane J. Christensen ’53, Bemidji,
Minnesota, age 87, on May 7.
Clara A. (Hookom) Cobb ’54,
Willmar, Minnesota, age 85,
on May 26.
Daniel “Dan” E. Peterson ’66,
Clear Lake, Minnesota, age 75,
on March 4.
Niles R. Schulz ’66, Minneapolis,
age 74, on July 10.
James E. Leschensky ’67,
Minneapolis, age 73, on March 25.
John “Johnny” M. Burke ’94,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 54,
on March 20.
E. William “Bill” Anderson ’56,
Plymouth, Minnesota, age 84,
on May 16.
Judith A. (Anderson) Woods ’67,
Brainerd, Minnesota, age 73, on
March 7.
Rebecca E. Rehfeld ’95,
Minnetonka, Minnesota, age 62,
on February 19.
Lloyd C. Grinde ’56, Minneapolis,
age 92, on July 1.
Dolores “Dee” M. (Larson)
Fagerlie ’72, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 90, on
August 23.
Phyllis A. Lee ’96,
Frederick, Maryland, age 76,
on January 18.
Russell C. Lee ’56,
Albuquerque, New Mexico,
age 86, on August 17.
Roger K. Ose II ’56, Minnetonka,
Minnesota, age 84, on May 9.
Sidney D. Berg ’57, Minneapolis,
age 88, on May 29.
Kathleen E. Tinseth ’74,
Minneapolis, age 66, on
September 4.
John R. Burgeson ’75, Andover,
Minnesota, age 66, on May 19.
Leroy H. Conyers ’57, Marshall,
Minnesota, age 88, on June 13.
Margaret “Marie” (Salmonson)
Marx ’78, Scandia, Minnesota,
age 89, on September 7.
Arthur E. Marben ’47, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 95, on July 14.
Charles H. Erbstoesser ’58,
Little Falls, Minnesota, age 88,
on July 18.
Estelle M. (Uleberg) Swanson ’47,
Madelia, Minnesota, age 92, on
August 2.
Stephanie J. (Torgerson) Sipprell ’81,
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, age 59,
on May 5.
Harlan J. Jacobson ’59, Ashby,
Minnesota, age 81, on July 20.
Milan J. Sedio ’48, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 94, on May 18.
Joyce K. (Johnson) Rudi ’62,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 85,
on August 29.
Mary J. Andersen ’84,
Afton, Minnesota, age 61,
on March 10.
Richard J. Thorvig ’49, Minneapolis,
age 93, on August 4.
Lynn B. Lundin ’50, Pelican Rapids,
Minnesota, age 90, on May 29.
Verna M. (Haverly) Brue ’51,
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, age 90,
on July 16.
Gloria A. (Metcalf) Kubnick ’63,
Rice Lake, Wisconsin, age 77,
on July 12.
Susan D. (Graff) Mills ’96, Fargo,
North Dakota, age 65, on July 3.
Scott W. Schuck ’97, Minneapolis,
age 63, on August 31.
John M. Welch ’07, Sudbury,
Massachusetts, age 34, on
June 30.
Marlene M. Taylor ’09, Plymouth,
Minnesota, age 31, on May 16.
Jennifer L. Lovering ’10, Bemidji,
Minnesota, age 29, on April 26.
Cheryl L. Miller ’10, Altoona,
Wisconsin, age 52, on August 9.
Jon “Ryan” R. Benson ’12,
Chanhassen, Minnesota, age 40,
on June 1.
Karlton “Karl” I. Bakke ’64,
Roseville, Minnesota, age 77,
on July 18.
Jon M. Leverentz ’92,
Hopkins, Minnesota, age 67,
on August 16.
Jacalyn “Jackie” S. (Ruschmann)
Pederson ’14, Danbury, Wisconsin,
age 65, on August 28.
Bruce E. Braaten ’64, Prior Lake,
Minnesota, age 76, on May 27.
Alisa J. (Norvold) Leonard ’93,
Northfield, Minnesota, age 48,
on July 8.
David “Alex” A. Jenny ’16, Kansas
City, Missouri, age 29, on May 27.
Charlotte K. (Jensen) Duty ’65,
St. Joseph, Missouri, age 75, on
March 24.
A. Richard Petersen ’51, Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, age 89, on
August 21.
Cengiz Gokcen ’66, St. Pete
Beach, Florida, age 74, on
August 5.
AUGSBURG NOW
Linda J. (Skay) Weinberg ’87,
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota,
age 69, on March 13.
Alice E. (Barden) Mapes ’96,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 56,
on August 24.
Eileen M. (Henkemeyer) Saldana ’91,
Minneapolis, age 82, on January 6.
Erika R. (Staub) Niemi ’51, Tucson,
Arizona, age 91, on April 16.
32
David R. Berken ’94, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 50, on May 19.
Duncan D. Flann ’55, Overland
Park, Kansas, age 85, on April 9.
Helen “Merle” M. (Houser)
Campbell ’47, Newberg, Oregon,
age 94, on June 27.
Donald L. Sween ’49, Lakeville,
Minnesota, age 93, on April 25.
Scott D. Syring ’93, Minneapolis,
age 48, on August 24.
Shirley A. Sopkiewicz ’93,
St. Paul, Minnesota, age 60,
on February 27.
John E. Sorlien ’93, St. Paul,
Minnesota, age 55, on July 19.
Cole R. McAdam ’17, Faribault,
Minnesota, age 23, on April 7.
The “In memoriam” listings in this
publication include notifications
received before September 15.
VISIT CAMPUS
ALUMNI
Whether you’re on campus often or haven’t
been back in years, there’s always something
new to see. Schedule a personal tour by
contacting the alumni office at 612-330-1329
or alumni@augsburg.edu.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Augsburg could be right for you. Traditional
undergraduate students who are children or
spouses of Augsburg graduates or the siblings
of current Augsburg students are eligible for
a minimum scholarship of $16,000 per year.
Schedule a campus visit at augsburg.edu/visit.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Augsburg’s press box, completed in 2008, was made possible by
gifts from Oliver Dahl ’45, John ’36 and Christine Haalan, E. Milton
“Milt” Kleven ’46, Glen Person ’47, President Paul C. Pribbenow,
Dick “Pork Chop” Thompson ’61, and Gunner and Mary Wick.
Augsburg press box name commemorates Campus Pastor Emeritus Dave Wold
Augsburg University dedicated the press box at Edor Nelson Field in honor of the late Rev. Dave Wold during the Auggie football team’s
home opener this fall. Augsburg’s campus pastor from 1983 to 2013, Wold died April 21 at age 72. In addition to his service to the
Augsburg community as a faith leader, Wold was a constant presence in the Augsburg athletics community, serving as public address
announcer for football, men’s basketball, and wrestling home competitions, along with events in many other sports. The breadth of Wold’s
pastoral care supported generations of Auggies, and he is beloved by alumni and Augsburg community members around the world.
PHOTOS BY KEVIN HEALY
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Twin Cities, MN
Permit No. 2031
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An alumna’s cutting-edge research
Augsburg University Day
Women of influence
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
AUGGIES MAKE
AN IMPACT
FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Marketing... Show more
An alumna’s cutting-edge research
Augsburg University Day
Women of influence
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
AUGGIES MAKE
AN IMPACT
FALL–WINTER 2017 | VOL. 80, NO. 1
INSIDE
AUGSBURG NOW
Vice President of Marketing
and Communication
Rebecca John ’13 MBA
rjohn@augsburg.edu
Director of Marketing
Stephen Jendraszak
jendra@augsburg.edu
Assistant Director of
Marketing Management
NOTES FROM PRESIDENT PRIBBENOW
On celebration
Augsburg’s ninth president, Bill Frame,
was fond of pointing out our “militant
modesty,” the tendency to avoid touting our
accomplishments for fear that we might be
accused of boasting. Whether occasioned by
our Lutheran faith tradition or Scandinavian
roots (or some combination thereof), this
modesty meant that often our good work as
an institution was hidden under a bushel.
Now, as someone steeped both in
Lutheran and Scandinavian ways, I may
have occasionally fallen victim to that same
modesty, but perhaps I am being rehabilitated
because there is just so much to celebrate at
Augsburg these days! We can no longer hide
our light, as this issue of Augsburg Now most
clearly illustrates.
Whether it is our name change to Augsburg
University, officially celebrated in early
September; the 29th annual Nobel Peace
Prize Forum in mid-September, attracting
international attention for this remarkable
gathering of Nobel laureates and other
peacemakers; the progress on the Hagfors
Center for Science, Business, and Religion,
our signature academic building to open for
classes in early January 2018; or one of the
myriad other signs of good work—like the
renewal of our McNair Scholars program,
preparing first generation and students of
color for graduate and professional school—I
just can’t deny the need to celebrate!
So, here’s my point. I’m all for humility
and modesty in pursuing the mission-based
work we are called to do for our students
and our community. The gifts we share as a
community—our values and commitments,
our faculty and staff, our alumni and partners,
and our inspiring students—these truly
are gifts to be stewarded responsibly, not
exploited. But it is not boasting when we
celebrate how those gifts come together and
are deployed to achieve our distinctive calling
in the world: to be small to our students
and big for the world, to educate students
as informed citizens, thoughtful stewards,
critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
In fact, I might argue that not celebrating
what has been achieved means that we miss
the opportunity to proclaim what God has
done in our midst and how others are invited
to join us in the work we are called to do. We
live in a world marked by a sense of scarcity;
Augsburg models what it means to model the
way of abundance.
We choose abundance, and we celebrate
all that God has made possible at Augsburg
University—surely a beacon of light and hope
in the world.
Faithfully yours,
Laura Swanson Lindahl ’15 MBA
swansonl@augsburg.edu
Senior Creative Associate, Design
Denielle Stepka ’11
johnsod@augsburg.edu
Web Manager
Joe Mann
mannj@augsburg.edu
Communication and Social
Media Specialist
Briana Alamilla ’17
alamilla@augsburg.edu
Advancement Communications
Specialist
Asha Sorenson
sorenso3@augsburg.edu
Contributing Writers
Kate H. Elliott
Jessica Mueller
All photos by Courtney Perry
unless otherwise indicated.
augsburg.edu
Augsburg Now is published by
Augsburg University
2211 Riverside Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now
do not necessarily reflect official
University policy.
ISSN 1058-1545
Send address corrections to:
alumniupdate@augsburg.edu
PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT
Send comments to:
now@augsburg.edu
AUGSBURG NOW
Fall–Winter 2017
The Norman and Evangeline
Hagfors Center for Science,
Business, and Religion is
located near the corner of
21st Avenue South and South
7th Street on Augsburg’s
Minneapolis campus—a
site strategically selected
to further connect the
University to the community.
02
Around the quad
19
Women of influence
08
Annual report to donors
22
Auggies connect
10
Augsburg University Day
26
Class notes
12
The fatherhood bonus and
the motherhood penalty
32
In memoriam
16
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
On the cover
The Augsburg University quad
featured vibrant autumn colors
this October. Photo by Kevin Healy.
Inset photo by John Solem,
University of Massachusetts
Amherst.
that Augsburg University’s quad now
boasts a splash of color. At more than
82 feet wide, the vinyl graphic installed
on Science Hall’s eastern-facing facade
is nearly impossible to miss. The design
pairs an excerpt from Augsburg’s
strategic vision statement with vibrant
hues chosen to reflect the accent colors
on the exterior of the new Hagfors Center
for Science, Business, and Religion,
which stands northwest of Science Hall
and is blocked from view in the quad.
One of the priorities outlined in
Augsburg’s 2016 campus master plan is
to extend the quad from the west edge
of campus, through the existing campus
core, and on to Murphy Square. This
vision requires the demolition of Science
Hall, which will be possible only after
departments and program offices now
housed in the facility relocate following
the completion of the Hagfors Center.
The timeline for this work is not yet
determined, so, in the near term, those
strolling through the heart of campus
or navigating nearby streets will see
Science Hall stand as an illustration of
Augsburg’s vision to be “small to our
students and big for the world.”
160 Y E A R S A G O
Fifteen years before Augsburg moved in
next door, Edward Murphy donated land
for the first city park in Minneapolis—
what is now Murphy Square. For years
prior, the parcel had been used as a
cow pasture.
1937
1857
LOOKING BACK: DECADES OF AUGSBURG HISTORY
BEFORE
AFTER
ARCHIVE PHOTOS
8 0 Y E A RS A GO
Augsburg elected an erudite and scholarly
teacher, Bernhard Christensen ’22, ’25,
to be president. He led the institution
for nearly 25 years, during which time
Augsburg made vigorous efforts to
expand and enhance academic offerings.
1967
IT WOULD BE OVERLY MODEST to claim
5 0 Y E A RS A GO
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel played for more than
3,000 people in Si Melby Hall on Nov. 10, 1967.
According to an Augsburg Echo review, the lengthiest
applause was reserved for the song, “To Emily,
Wherever I Might Find Her.” The same year
saw the openings of Urness Hall and the
Christensen Center, with the Marshall Room
at the time serving as a faculty lounge to
the resentment of the Echo’s editorial board.
PHOTO BY MARK CHAMBERLAIN
CURB APPEAL
AROUND THE QUAD
Where faith and public life meet
30 Y E A RS A GO
Augsburg began offering its first
graduate degree program, the Master
of Arts in Leadership. Augsburg
now offers nine post baccalaureate
programs and set an enrollment record
this fall with 1,035 master’s students.
2007
40 Y E A R S AG O
Construction began on what is
now the Charles S. Anderson Music
Hall, which would open a year
later, bringing the entire music
department under one roof for
the first time in 100 years.
AN AUGGIE THROWBACK
PHOTO BY REBECCA SLATER
1987
1977
The Rev. Mike Rusert [center] and
members of Intertwine NE meet
on a Sunday morning to plan a
December 10 launch event designed
as an inclusive experience for young
adults interested in being part of an
intentional spiritual community.
PHOTOS BY DON STONER
It is no secret that the gap between young adults and Christian congregations
is widening. The good news, though, is that young people are not rejecting
faith or religion; many are living out their faith through political activism, the
arts, environmental stewardship, and interfaith engagement—places where
public life and faith intersect.
Bridging this gap will require congregations to adapt and innovate. To
support this adaptive work, Augsburg’s Bernhard Christensen Center for
Vocation has launched a five-year project, called the Riverside Innovation Hub,
with $1.5 million in funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc.
In its first year, the Riverside Innovation Hub will work with an
interdisciplinary research team of Augsburg faculty to study 12 local
congregations that are effectively engaging young adults in their communities.
Using the lessons learned from that research, the program will recruit and
train a cohort of youth to serve as coaches, working alongside approximately
15 partner congregations committed to new ministry with young adults.
“Partner congregations can then apply for two-year innovation grants to
implement their programs in 2019 to 2021,” said Kristina Frugé, program
manager for the Riverside Innovation Hub. At the end of that experience, all
program participants will share their key learnings. Augsburg will publish the
results and share the outcomes and insights through conferences and workshops.
“Vocation is at the center of this project,” Frugé said. “For congregations,
it’s about discerning their call in relationship with their young adult neighbors.
For young adults, it’s about a connection with a Christian community who can
accompany them in exploring
how faith and public life
intersect in ways that matter
most to them.”
Melissa Lee ’04, Augsburg’s head
softball coach, threw out a ceremonial
first pitch before an August Minnesota
Twins game at Target Field as part
of the team’s annual Lutheran Night
festivities. Lee joined former St. Olaf
pitcher the Rev. Charlie Ruud, with the
pair dressed in costume as historical
husband and wife duo Martin Luther
and Katharina (von Bora) Luther in
celebration of the 500th anniversary
of the 1517 Protestant Reformation.
Ruud previously served as a Campus
Ministry intern at Augsburg.
1 0 Y E A RS A GO
In 2007, Oren Gateway Center opened, connecting Riverside
Avenue with the James G. Lindell Library, which opened
a decade earlier. OGC will lose the distinction of being
Augsburg’s newest building when the Norman and
Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and
Religion is completed in late 2017.
FALL - WINTER 2017
3
A N O T H ER F IV E YEARS OF
SERVING SCHOLARS
Every year, more than two dozen undergraduate
students participate in Augsburg’s McNair
Scholars Program, an intensive 21 months of
graduate school preparation that opens doors
to some of the most competitive institutions in
the U.S. What’s more, these McNair Scholars
are from populations who statistically are
less likely to have the opportunity to pursue
advanced research and doctoral degrees—firstgeneration college students with financial
need and/or students from racial and ethnic
populations who are underrepresented in
Each year, Augsburg selects two
graduate education.
McNair Scholars to represent
Now, with a five-year renewal of its grant,
the University at the Minnesota
Private College Scholars Showcase
Augsburg’s McNair Scholars, a federal TRIO
at the Minnesota State Capitol.
program funded by the U.S. Department of
Education, will be able to continue supporting these students’ pursuit of
advanced degrees through at least 2022.
The McNair Scholars Program was created by the U.S. Congress in honor
of Ronald E. McNair, one of the first African American astronauts in the U.S.
space program. Augsburg’s program provides graduate school preparation
workshops, travel to a national research conference, hands-on scholarly
research projects with faculty mentors, and more.
Since 2007, according to “Tina” Maria Tavera, director of the McNair Scholars
Program, Augsburg McNair Scholars alumni have completed or are currently
pursuing more than 30 master’s degrees, 19 doctoral degrees, two medical
school degrees, and two doctor of pharmacy degrees. With nearly $1.2 million
of future funding, Augsburg is excited to see further program success.
Augsburg awarded $475,000
to infuse sustainability in university life
Augsburg University has new opportunities
to live out its commitment to sustainability
on campus, in the community, and among
institutional partners thanks to nearly half
a million dollars in new grant funding
from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, a
Minnesota-based foundation that believes
colleges and universities can serve as models
of operational sustainability for society at large.
Using the grant award, Augsburg will
facilitate student internships and other
experiences at sustainability-focused
organizations, strengthen and expand course
offerings in Environmental
Studies, fund student and
faculty research, integrate
In 2015, the Margaret
sustainability and wellness
A. Cargill Foundation
contributed $1 million to
across the academic
the campaign to build the
curriculum, and more.
Hagfors Center for Science,
“The next breakthrough
Business, and Religion.
in sustainability could come
from a student majoring in communications,
philosophy, or education,” said Allyson Green,
Augsburg chief sustainability officer. “For
all of us to live on this planet sustainably
and equitably, we need all perspectives,
experiences, types of knowledge, and skill sets
to be part of the work.”
Did you know?
AN OC C A S IO N TO C E LE B R AT E
Augsburg event series honors Reformation anniversary
Augsburg held a series of events this fall marking the 500th
anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. To kick off the series,
Augsburg was honored to host ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth
Eaton for two events: the Christensen Symposium, which
focused on interfaith friendships, and a panel discussion with
representatives of #DecolonizeLutheranism, a grassroots movement
challenging long-held patterns of white power and privilege in the
ELCA and stereotypes of what it means to be Lutheran.
The series continued in October, in observance of Heritage
Day, when Mary Lowe, associate professor of religion, invited
community members to consider Martin Luther’s perspectives on
bodies and creation. Lowe explained how—even today—Luther’s
theology relates to complex issues.
Lowe discussed themes related to
climate change, gender and sexuality,
abuse, and deforestation.
In November, award-winning musical group The Rose Ensemble
presented “Welcome the People: The Musical Legacy of the
Reformation.” The ensemble creates musical performances and
educational programs that connect audiences to compelling stories
of human history, culture, and spirituality from around the world.
The celebration ends with this year’s Advent Vespers, the theme
of which is inspired by Luther’s hymn, “From Heaven Above.”
Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn
more about Augsburg’s Reformation
event series and Advent Vespers.
4
AUGSBURG NOW
AROUND THE QUAD
MAKING HISTORY
VISIBLE
In the basement of Wilson Library at the University of
Minnesota Twin Cities, a team of researchers is working to
map the history of racial segregation in Minneapolis. The
group is unearthing racial restrictions buried in Minneapolis
property deeds to create the first comprehensive visualization
of historical racial covenants for a U.S. city.
The project, called Mapping Prejudice, started with
Augsburg’s Historyapolis Project, which seeks to illuminate
the history of Minneapolis and has traced the roots of
the city’s present-day racial disparities through historical
research. To date, Mapping Prejudice researchers have
found around 5,000 property deeds containing language
that historically restricted ownership of residential properties
by race. Enforcing these restrictions has been illegal
in Minnesota for more than 60 years, but the records
provide insight into the racial segregation that persists in
Minneapolis neighborhoods.
“Minneapolis is known for its parks, high-quality schools,
and progressive politics,” said Kirsten Delegard, director of the
Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence. “Yet
we have the highest racial disparities in the country.”
Delegard said racial covenants were once pervasive in
many U.S. cities and were instrumental in remaking the
racial landscape of Minneapolis, which had not always
been segregated. As many as 10,000 or more Minneapolis
property deeds may contain such racially restrictive
language. One of those properties is the Augsburg House,
a residence on West River Road in Minneapolis that the
University purchased in 1998.
“When I saw the information that the Mapping Prejudice
team had compiled for south Minneapolis, I suspected that
Augsburg House originally had a racially restricted deed,”
said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Nearly
every new development in south Minneapolis in the early
20th century carried those types of restrictions.”
The property’s 1926 deed didn’t initially show up in the
project’s electronic search process because the document
was handwritten, but Delegard was able to locate the deed
manually. The University has sought legal counsel regarding
options for clarifying that Augsburg does not support
discriminatory restrictions on the property.
“At the same time, we want to ensure we maintain the
historical record represented by the deed,” Pribbenow said,
“so that we never lose track of the disgraceful manners in
which covenants were used to segregate our communities
and to inflict real harm on so many.”
The Mapping Prejudice project is a massive undertaking,
so the group strives to engage volunteers in the work. Many
Augsburg students have become involved, including two
history students who did semester-long internships last year
helping build a digital map display and an entire history
The Mapping Prejudice team includes Kevin Erhman-Solberg ’14 [left], a University
of Minnesota graduate student in geographic information science; Penny Peterson
[center], a veteran property records researcher; Kirsten Delegard [right], director of the
Historyapolis Project and Augsburg scholar-in-residence; and Ryan Mattke [not pictured],
a map and geospatial information librarian from the University of Minnesota.
class that is working with the project throughout the fall
semester this year. Several sociology classes got involved
this past spring and summer, helping develop the program’s
volunteer outreach strategy. Students from Pribbenow’s
honors seminar also helped transcribe deeds this past spring,
and a cohort of Augsburg first-year students engaged in the
work as part of City Service Day at the beginning of the 2017
academic year.
“We absolutely could not have developed the project
without this kind of participation from both students and
faculty,” said Delegard, who is continuing to seek funding
that will allow the project to get even more students involved
in all aspects of the work.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to link to an interactive map illustrating the spread of racially
restrictive deeds across Minneapolis during the first half of the 20th century and to
learn more about getting involved in Mapping Prejudice research.
FALL - WINTER 2017
5
AWARDS 2017
Top 25 LGBTQ-friendly Colleges & Universities:
Augsburg was named to Campus Pride’s list
of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and
universities in 2017. Campus Pride is the
leading national organization for creating
safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and
universities.
Top 50 nationally for contribution to the public
good: Augsburg was the No. 2 institution in
Minnesota named by Washington Monthly in
its 2017 Master’s Universities rankings. The
list rates schools based upon their contribution
to the public good in three categories: social
mobility, research, and service.
Top 25 schools for service-learning: Augsburg
has been named one of U.S. News &
World Report’s 2018 Top 25 Colleges and
Universities for Service Learning. The sole
Minnesota school on this list, Augsburg
requires volunteering in the community as
an instructional strategy. Schools garnering
recognition were nominated by fellow
institutions, college and university presidents
or deans, and chief academic officers.
At its September meeting, the Augsburg Corporation elected four additional
members to the Board of Regents and re-elected three currently serving
members. In addition, in accordance with the bylaws for Augsburg University,
two bishops were appointed as ex-officio board members this fall. Augsburg
University welcomes these new regents and thanks them for their service.
•
Eric J. Jolly, president and chief executive officer of
Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Jolly previously
served on the Augsburg Board of Regents from
2008-2015.
•
Cynthia G. Jones ’81, senior level advisor for nuclear
safety and analysis at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. Jones previously served on the
Augsburg Board from 2010-2012.
•
Dean Kennedy ’75, co-founder and chief strategy officer
of Texakoma Oil & Gas Corporation. Kennedy previously
served on the Augsburg Board from 2005-2013.
•
Karolynn Lestrud ’68, retired photography and
publishing industry professional; former board
member in historic preservation and performing
arts organizations; and active volunteer in arts,
education, and theater.
COURTESY PHOTO
Elected to a new four-year term in 2017:
Eric J. Jolly
COURTESY PHOTO
Recognition for being student-centered: For
the second year in a row, The Wall Street
Journal and Times Higher Education ranked
Augsburg No. 2 in Minnesota for student
engagement in the learning process in their
ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. The
student engagement score is based largely
on results of a student survey that addresses
how challenging classes are, whether they
foster critical thinking and prompt students
to make connections to the real world, and
how much interaction the students have with
faculty and other students.
WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Cynthia G. Jones ’81
COURTESY PHOTO
Best Regional Universities: U.S. News & World
Report again named Augsburg among the
best universities in the Midwest. Rankings
are based on factors including average firstyear retention rates, graduation rates, class
sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, acceptance
rates, and more.
BOARD OF REGENTS
Elected to a second four-year term:
•
Wayne Jorgenson ’71, senior vice president of wealth
management at UBS Financial Services Inc.
•
Dennis Meyer ’78, chief marketing and business
development officer at Robins Kaplan LLP
•
Pam Moksnes ’79, vice president for gift planning
services, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, through
the Lutheran Church Extension Fund
Elected to a third four-year term:
•
Ann Ashton-Piper, president of the IT consulting firm
The Bridgie Group
Appointed as ex-officio members of the Board of Regents
for a three-year term:
•
The Rev. Patricia J. Lull, bishop of the Saint Paul
Area Synod
•
The Rev. Steven H. Delzer, bishop of the Southeastern
Minnesota Synod
Dean Kennedy ’75
PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG
Augsburg University is consistently
recognized for excellence. This year’s
accolades include:
Karolynn Lestrud ’68
S
T
C
FA
AROUND THE QUAD
ON THE SPOT
Communications expert describes
history and peril of “fake news”
WHILE THE TERM “FAKE NEWS” IS RELATIVELY NEW, the phenomenon, of course,
is not. People throughout time have been motivated to share false information in ways
that give it the appearance of legitimacy or to discredit accurate information in order
to serve their own interests. Newer, digital media channels have made the tools to do
so readily available and more effective, according to Jenny Hanson, assistant professor
of communication studies, film, and new media. What’s more, social media sites tend
to present users with information that confirms existing biases. In her classes, Hanson
teaches students the media literacy skills necessary to be critical consumers of the news.
Q:
A:
What is the history of “fake news”
in media?
Fake news has been around for
centuries; it’s probably as old as
humans’ ability to communicate. People
seem to have a natural desire to tell tall
tales. After all, spectacles draw crowds and
outlandish stories trend. Fake news took off
with the invention of the printing press in
1439, in part because stories were difficult
to verify and mass distribution meant news
could travel relatively quickly. A journalistic
code of conduct toward objectivity and
the practice of fact-checking did not yet
exist. Stories about strange beasts, hideous
crimes, and falsified scientific discoveries
sold papers, and for advertising-supported
publications, that was the goal.
As journalism evolved and as
newspapers came to rely on subscription
models, impartiality and accuracy
became guiding principles. In the 1980s,
standards changed when cable TV made
the 24/7 news cycle a reality. Next, the
internet created alternate—and rapid—
means of news distribution and increased
access to content-creation tools among the
general population. Today, new reasons
for using fake news are emerging: to
distract, to challenge existing knowledge,
and to raise doubt about the validity of
information, all in order to favor particular
interests. In this way, calling something
“fake news” and creating fake news both
can be used to advance political, social, or
personal interests in a way that functions
more like propaganda. Calling something
fake triggers a reaction in us to question
and doubt, thereby decreasing our
confidence in the information and opening
us up to different possibilities.
Q:
A:
What are the potential real-world
implications?
There are immense implications
when news is inaccurate. Journalists
understand that if they misreport,
misquote, or just plain get the story
wrong, there are often legal implications,
damage to the outlet’s reputation, and
harm to those wronged.
When fake news is used as propaganda,
it threatens the very legitimacy of news
itself, inviting us to believe what is most
aligned with our own ideologies rather
than what actually is. The damage can
be widespread, creating lasting impacts
that go on to shape industry, policies,
procedures, culture, artifacts of history,
and society.
Q:
What can individuals do to protect
themselves from falsities and to
process news and information critically?
A:
There are many actions people can
take to become savvy information
consumers. The advice we tell students
includes getting your news from a variety
of sources, seeking connections on social
media who have viewpoints differing from
your own, and reading beyond the headline
and before sharing information. In a critical
reading, check the author’s credentials,
watch out for emotional appeals or
outrageous claims, look to see that sources
are named and are experts in their fields,
review the article date for context, and
consider your own bias. Understand the
source and their interests, and be sure
websites are the official sites and not ones
intended to mimic another’s appearance.
Go to augsburg.edu/now to learn more
about the line between falsehood and satire.
FALL - WINTER 2017
7
2016-17 AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY
ANNUAL REPORT
When you give to Augsburg, you aren’t just supporting a
private university—you’re paving the way for students
to make a living, make a life, and make a community.
The impact of your generosity can be seen in the lives of
thousands of students who are now embracing financial
security, finding their vocation, and following their calling.
TO DONORS
ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE
$40.5
$38.3
May 31, 2017—$43,878,362
$32.4
$28.2
$39.4
$34.6
$33.3
$31.5
$43.9
REVENUE BY SOURCE
$29.8
75%
8%
7%
$24.5
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011
2012 2013
2014 2015 2016 2017
As of May 31, 2017, Augsburg University’s endowment had annual
realized and unrealized gains of 12.19 percent. The five-year average
annual return on the endowment is 8.21 percent, and the 10-year
average annual return is 4.34 percent. The University is
committed to maintaining the value of the principal to
provide support to Augsburg in perpetuity.
Your philanthropy
is creating an Augsburg that will be
SUSTAINABLE,
7%
3%
EXPENSES BY CATEGORY
38%
33%
20%
4%
3%
2%
1%
Salaries and Benefits
Financial Aid
Operating Expenses
Debt Services
Utilities and Insurance
Student Compensation
Capital Improvement
FAITHFUL,and RELEVANT
long into the future.
Thanks to you and other committed friends, Augsburg is preparing students of all ages, abilities,
and backgrounds to serve and lead in our communities, schools, places of worship, and businesses. During
fiscal year 2016-17, more than 9,300 individual donors gave $17,216,961 through cash gifts, pledges, and
planned gifts. Augsburg Fund supporters provided the University with more than $1.1 million in unrestricted,
discretionary funds to improve the student experience.
Tuition
Room and Board
Private Gifts
and Grants
Other Sources
Federal Grants
MAKE A LIVING
When juggling the rigors of family life, owning three businesses, and
coaching high school sports, starting a graduate program might not hit
the top priority list for many people. But for Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA,
the benefits of pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree
to further his career and build greater financial security for his family
were worth the effort. “My graduate experience was an eye opener.
It reminded me where I came from, and where I wanted to be in the
future,” said Tadros. “My classmates had unique abilities and talents,
and I learned so much from them.”
Joe Tadros ’98, ’17 MBA
Shika Addo Memorial Scholarship
Tadros now serves as a guest lecturer for Augsburg finance classes,
sharing life lessons with undergraduates. With his degree, and your gifts,
he looks to the future with confidence, knowing that his kids will be well
provided for and that his impact will extend beyond his career.
MAKE A LIFE
As a shy, small-town kid, Kevin Tran ’18 would never have believed it
had someone told him that as a college student he would become a
board member for three student organizations, travel abroad with the
choir, work as an intern for US Bank, and volunteer in the community in
his free time. Tran began to really come out of his shell by living his life
through the Auggie experience. “When I came [to Augsburg], I didn’t
know what to expect. In high school, I was just really all about my work.
Augsburg exposed me to who I am supposed to be ... I became more
independent, more knowledgeable, more vocal, and more myself.”
Kevin Tran ’18
Leland and Louise Sundet
Scholarship
Because of you, Tran has found his calling and is planning to pursue
his dream by working in marketing for the entertainment industry in
Los Angeles.
MAKE A COMMUNITY
Singing, studying, social work, public policy, and reconstructing the
criminal justice system. These are among the top priorities for Augsburg
student Alexa Anderson ’19.
Anderson may be a proud member of the Honors Program and Augsburg
vocal ensembles, but the deeper she dives into her studies as a social
work major, the more motivated she has become to change her community
through restorative justice.
Alexa Anderson ’19
Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom
Scholarship
Dorothy Lijsing Kleven President’s
Scholarship in Choral Music
“Augsburg has completely changed me as a person, specifically regarding
how I view my role as a member of a community,” she said. “Before
coming here, I didn’t understand how important being an active member
of a community was. Through my classes, volunteering, internships, and
living in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, I now believe that in order
for a community to succeed, its members must act and live in a way that
encourages understanding, acceptance, and unity.”
A NEW DAY, A NEW KIND OF UNIVERSITY
BY JESSICA MUELLER
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY DAY was a moment of celebration—a time to honor and appreciate the abiding principles on
which Augsburg was founded and an opportunity to consider Augsburg’s commitment to shaping the world for generations to
come. Augsburg marked the transition from college to university through a commemorative day full of fun and fellowship. And,
although Augsburg College officially became Augsburg University on September 1, the campus threw its proverbial hat in the
air a few days later—on September 5, the day Augsburg formally welcomed its most diverse incoming class in school history.
OPENING CONVOCATION
On September 5, Augsburg’s Class of 2021 rose early
to participate in the grand finale of their welcome
week: Opening Convocation. New students marched
across campus, past rows of cheering faculty and staff,
and toward Hoversten Chapel with pride (and maybe a
few sheepish grins), to engage in a historic beginning
for them and for their school: the commissioning of
Augsburg University’s inaugural first-year class.
This year’s event featured elements linked with
Augsburg’s commitments to faith, diversity, and
vocation: Lutheran hymns, interfaith blessings, and
international flags representing the countries from
which Augsburg students come. President Paul
Pribbenow encouraged new Auggies to do justly, love
mercy, walk humbly ... and follow him on Twitter.
And that was just the beginning.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
Following Opening Convocation, the Class of 2021 processed
from the chapel to the quad where they were met by stilt
walkers, local musicians, Haitian and Somali dancers, and the
smells of dishes as varied and diverse as the neighborhoods
surrounding Augsburg’s metropolitan campus. More than 800
students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University convened
to feast on sambusas, Mexican tacos, cotton candy, brats and
sauerkraut, and, in some cases, all of the above.
10
AUGSBURG NOW
Students had nearly two hours to take in their surroundings,
grab food, pose at the Auggie photo booth, and assemble
hygiene kits for the Augsburg Health Commons, which serves
unsheltered persons throughout Minneapolis. Many even had
time to read a proclamation, signed by Minnesota Gov. Mark
Dayton, naming September 5, 2017, Augsburg University Day.
A UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY
In the afternoon, more than 500 students, faculty, and staff gathered in small groups and dispersed
throughout Minneapolis to listen to, learn from, and volunteer with local partners and nonprofits with
ties to Augsburg. In total, the Class of 2021 donated nearly $35,000 in service work at more than 20
Twin Cities locations.
The entire string of events—from the convocation, to the celebration, to the service-learning
opportunities—demonstrated that Augsburg’s name change was much more than updated monument
signs (though they do look nice), letterhead, and websites. The name change was a collaborative effort
to share Augsburg’s story—the narrative of a place that’s deeply embedded in its community, that richly
lives out its traditions, and that points to a bolder vision of what a student-centered, urban university
can be … small to its students, and big for the world.
FALL - WINTER 2017
11
The fatherhood BONUS
a n d th e
PENALTY
motherhood
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
G r o un d b r e a k i n g r e s e a rch by alum na
M i c he l l e B u d i g ’ 9 3 s h eds light on wage
ga p b e t we e n f a t h e rs and m others
Michelle Budig’s story is deeply woven
into her pioneering research to expose
gender inequality and examine family
policies in the workforce.
The product of an outspoken dental
receptionist and a pious electrician—
who staked the yard with opposing
political signs—Budig learned from
a young age to question, wonder, and
voice her beliefs. In preschool, for
example, she insisted her class change
the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to
remove “and with the girls be handy.”
But despite her early and strong
advocacy for girls’ rights, Budig still
believed that as an adult she would
have to choose between motherhood
and a meaningful career. Indeed, at 22,
she married her Augsburg sweetheart,
nurse practitioner Peter Landstrom ’91,
but then waited almost 20 years—until
12
AUGSBURG NOW
after she secured tenure as a sociology
professor—to adopt their daughter, Lucy.
Her beliefs about how things should be
were tempered by her understanding of
how things actually are.
It may be no surprise, then, that
Budig focused her scholarly research
on the impact of parenting across
gender—specifically the wage inequities
between fathers and mothers across the
pay scale. Her latest findings, currently
making rounds in The New York Times
and the like, assert that although the
gender pay gap is decreasing (women
now make about 76 cents for every
man’s dollar), wage inequalities among
parents who work are increasing.
Overall, fathers incur an average wage
increase of more than 6 percent with
each child, while women experience,
on average, a 4 percent decrease
in salary per child. Fatherhood,
ultimately, is considered a “valued
characteristic, signaling perhaps a
greater work commitment, stability, and
deservingness,” said Budig, Sociology
Department chair at the University of
Massachusetts Amherst. Mothers, on
the other hand, are often perceived as
“exhausted and distracted at work,”
rendering them less productive.
Beyond perception, other significant
contributors to the discrepancy include
that women often take time off to care
for children and bypass higher wages
for mom-friendly roles. “Kids are seen
as a privilege, not a right, so if you
want to have them, you must pay the
price,” Budig said, referencing a view
some hold.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN SOLEM,
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
TY
Michelle Budig ’93 is an award-winning professor and author whose research interests
focus on gender, employment, labor markets, earnings, stratification, and family.
FALL - WINTER 2017
13
But it’s not as simple as “dads make
more, moms make less,” Budig said.
Using sophisticated statistical techniques
on a large sample of U.S. workers,
Budig found that parenting exacerbates
earnings inequalities within genders
depending on income.
The “fatherhood bonus,” as she calls
it, is highest for the most advantaged
men—married, white, college graduates
with professional jobs. Unmarried, black
men in non-professional occupations,
for instance, receive minimal—if
any—bonus. The motherhood penalty
is smallest among women who earn
above the 90th percentile of female
workers, with women at the very top of
the income distribution experiencing no
wage penalty. Low-to-average earning
women incur the greatest motherhood
penalty, Budig found.
“I always thought that women who
made the most would have the most to
lose, but that is certainly not the case,
and it makes complete sense when you
consider factors and stressors influencing
populations at the top and bottom of the
pay scale,” Budig said. “Fathers and
mothers earning lower wages often rely
on fragile networks of free child care, and
when a grandmother or friend is sick or
doesn’t show, those parents can’t make
it to work. Conversely, parents who can
afford it, secure reliable, consistent child
care operated by licensed professionals.”
Additionally, lower-earning men and
women statistically are more likely to
have children, Budig said, which leads to
higher penalties for those families.
Accessible child care among
policies to close the gap
Budig suggests two policy shifts to
reduce the gap: publicly funded,
high-quality child care for babies and
toddlers and nontransferable paid
leave for both mothers and fathers. The
“nontransferable” part is critical, Budig
reiterated, as “evidence suggests that
if fathers can transfer leave to a female
partner, they will.”
“Access for all to high-quality,
reliable, licensed child care options
would certainly even the playing field for
both parents and children,” Budig said.
“Think of all the stress it would alleviate
from low-income families relying on
less dependable child care. Businesses
would likely be more productive with
a more resilient, consistent workforce.
And children growing up in low-income
situations would benefit from the same
instruction and care as wealthier families,
giving those young ones a stronger start.”
This approach is not new. Many
Scandinavian countries, which support
publicly funded child care and offer
incentivized paternal leave, report smaller
It' s not as simple as
“dads make more, moms make less.”
Wider wage gaps among lower-earning
individuals are exacerbated by the fact
that people tend to marry within socioeconomic situations, Budig adds, so
low-earning couples take greater hits,
while highly paid duos keep climbing.
14
AUGSBURG NOW
or no parental pay gaps. In contrast,
countries with entrenched gender roles,
like Germany, where new mothers are
expected to take a year or more off work,
report the highest motherhood penalties.
“Workplace policies matter,” Budig
Budig’s 19-page curriculum vitae
details the more than $725,000 in
grants she’s received, including
some from the National Science
Foundation, and lists her articles
in professional journals, including
the American Sociological Review.
She regularly contributes to
national and international media
outlets, including The New York
Times, Money Magazine, and the
Washington Post.
said. “Most of my life, I had to choose
between being a mother and having a
meaningful career, and unless progressive
policies are adopted, the parental and
economic gaps will persist.”
The Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development ranked
the United States last in a study
the intergovernmental organization
conducted about the national paid
maternity leave policies of its member
countries. The average amount of
paid leave time for mothers among its
35-member countries was a little more
than one year, as of 2016.
Budig notes there is progress on the
state level, citing California’s paid family
leave, which allows family members to
take time off to care for a loved one or
to bond with a new child entering their
life (either by birth, adoption, or foster
care). Without a comprehensive federal
approach, however, Budig warns of the
implications of inconsistencies across
states.
“It’s encouraging to see states and
companies take action, but it leads to
inequities among states and industries,
which may only add to our country’s
increasing divide,” said Budig, who
has testified before Congress and the
United Nations about the implications
of her research. “More universal support
will reduce wage gaps, promote greater
equality, and better prepare our children to
be productive members of society.”
The culture is shifting as men
embrace female roles
But beyond evolutions in policy, Budig sees
hope in the young people she interacts with
as a professor and mentor. They expect
both parties—and want both partners—to
be involved in maintaining the household.
Single-paycheck families are difficult to
sustain, and popular books and blogs are
encouraging mothers to shed the mom guilt,
cast aside the superwoman expectations,
and go order a pizza for dinner.
“Believe me, I get it. Even with the
most supportive husband, who as a nurse,
experiences his own gender stereotypes,
I still slip into unrealistic expectations,”
said Budig, who earned a master’s and
doctorate in sociology from the University
of Arizona. “Our marriage is a constant
conversation, and splitting up the chores
by room works for us.”
A 2016 PayScale Gender Pay Gap Report
found that men still out-earn women in
every state in the union, but Vermont is
the closest to equality, with women earning
84.8 percent of what men earn overall, as
opposed to Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and
Wyoming where women earn from 71 to 73
percent of their male counterparts’ income.
The national average is 76 percent, per the
report, which does not factor in years of
experience, education, or job title. When
such national statistics were first calculated
in the 1970s, it was about 60 percent.
Mentors pushed her to live with a
‘heart for service’
Budig lost both her parents nearly two years
ago. She often wishes she could talk with
her mom about her latest research, knowing
her mom would get a kick out of hearing
about innovative solutions to promote
equality and increase access for women.
“My mom was wildly supportive of my
work, but I’ll never forget the first time
she read a major study I published about
the wage gap. I was driving, and she was
in the back seat. She looked up and said,
‘Michelle, everyone knows women earn less
than men. That’s what you’ve been working
on?’ Gee, thanks, mom,” Budig said. “I
think she would have appreciated this last
batch of research and what I’m focused on
next, which involves female entrepreneurs
and a study about the motherhood penalty
in Israel.”
Although there is no replacing a driveand-talk with mom, Budig is not short on
inspiring female mentors. At Augsburg,
where she majored in English and sociology,
Budig sought out educators to support her
journey. Sociology Professor Diane Pike
has taught Auggies for more than three
decades, and Budig certainly stands out.
“Michelle had a seriousness and
sophistication about intellectual ideas
and work that was exemplary, and being
a first-generation student, she never lost
sight of the privilege it is to pursue higher
education. She set the bar high for herself,
and we’ve been following her career ever
since,” said Pike, who specializes in
organizational analysis, sociological theory,
and research methods. “There is nothing
better than seeing one of your students
succeed at such a level. Michelle’s a
big deal in sociology, speaking at top
conferences and advocating for important
change. She has a rare ability to convey
complex data and theories to general
audiences, and we are very proud of her.”
Budig’s Auggie roots run deep, and both
she and Landstrom commit themselves
to its mission through caregiving and
advocating for change. Augsburg gave
them a way of looking at the world and
approaching life that will never leave them,
Budig said.
“The greatest takeaway from Augsburg
is our desire—the responsibility, really—
to give back and live with a heart for
service to others. Every day, we try to
live out that change in our personal and
professional lives.”
FALL - WINTER 2017
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N
I
E
U
G
O
DIAL SOCIETIES
D
E
D
I
V
I
D
20
17
N
ob e
l Pe
a ce P
rize Forum
li s
o
p
nea
n
i
M
—
[Above] Representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet are joined on stage
by Peace Scholars and other participants at the closing ceremony of the Forum.
[Left] During a break, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureates posed for photos in front of
a three-story mural featuring their images along with dozens of other past laureates.
N
obel Peace Prize laureates, world leaders, and
renowned peacemakers came together this fall as
Augsburg University hosted the 29th annual Nobel
Peace Prize Forum—Minneapolis. As an international
peace congress, the Forum united honored guests, students,
and community members in considering the globally
significant, multidimensional nature of peace by examining
topics that ranged from disarmament and human rights to
economic development and environmental sustainability.
This year’s Forum kicked off with several hundred attendees
filling Augsburg’s Si Melby Gymnasium to listen to the
incredible, true story of the 2015 Nobel Laureates—leaders
who inspired a sharply divided nation to find common ground
and, ultimately, form one of the world’s newest democracies.
During a conversation presented in both English and
Arabic, representatives of the Tunisian National Dialogue
16
AUGSBURG NOW
Quartet described an arduous and inspiring peacemaking
model in which members of business, labor, human
rights, and law disciplines crafted a sustaining democratic
constitution through peaceful dialogue.
Recognized collectively with the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize
for their contribution to building a pluralistic democracy
in Tunisia following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, the
Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet is made up of leaders
from four key organizations in the north African nation’s
civil society. In the tense early moments of the Arab Spring
uprisings, the Quartet exercised its role as a mediator and
demonstrated the power of civil communication in sensitive
political circumstances. Perhaps no other Forum experience
better illustrated the event’s overarching theme: Dialogue in
Divided Societies.
Nobel Peace Prize Forum art festival
Augsburg University has served as the Nobel Peace
Prize Forum’s official host since 2012, but in recent
years, the event itself has taken place at several
conference venues across the Twin Cities. Bringing
the Forum back to Augsburg this fall gave global
peacebuilders the opportunity to experience the
unique, urban beauty of the University’s location and
to engage with a large-scale outdoor art exhibition on
display across campus.
In the spirit of fostering dialogue during the Nobel
Peace Prize Forum, artists from across the United
States collaborated on installations that highlighted
the layered and often overlapping complexity of finding
solutions to global issues. The art exhibition was
curated by Christopher Houltberg, assistant professor
of art and director of Augsburg’s Design & Agency
program, a student-run design studio experience
that teaches design thinking and problem-solving in
graphic design.
One of the most talked-about installations at
the Nobel Peace Prize Forum was a Hex House
constructed in Murphy Square. Designed by Architects
for Society, a nonprofit seeking to enhance the built
environment for disadvantaged communities, the Hex
House is a prototype for dignified, low-cost, flexible
housing that’s easy to deploy in emergency situations.
Given that the Forum dates fell just after Hurricanes
Harvey and Irma brought havoc and destruction to
the Caribbean, Texas, and Florida, the Hex House
was a timely opportunity to see how smart design can
address critical community needs.
Building peace in the greater Twin Cities,
around the world
Throughout the four days of the 2017 program,
attendees participated in dozens of breakout sessions
led by globally recognized leaders in the fields
of international development and peacemaking.
Participants had the opportunity to meet and hear
from national and world leaders—including Norwegian
Ambassador to the United States Kåre Aas, Tunisian
Ambassador to the United States H.E. Fayçal Gouia,
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Rep. Keith
Ellison. Other often-recognized presenters at the event
included former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who
is seeking to end gun violence, and Barbara Bush,
who founded the Global Health Corps organization to
mobilize young leaders to support health equity.
The Nobel Peace Prize Forum also prompted
attendees to consider local peace-building needs,
convening conversations focused on present-day
issues in the Twin Cities. Students, community
members, and facilitators worked through difficult
discussions on respecting and honoring sacred spaces,
bridging political differences through civil dialogue,
and addressing cross-generational injustice. These
mediated conversations went beyond campus to places
that brought the topics to life. For example, part of
the dialogue on preserving Native American sites took
place in suburban Eagan at Pilot Knob, an area that
was an indigenous gathering place and sacred burial
ground for centuries.
“It’s entirely fitting that these important
conversations are happening at Augsburg University
as part of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum,” said the
Forum’s Program Director Joe Underhill, reflecting on
the entire event.
“A university is a place where civic dialogue
on difficult topics is not only allowed, but highly
encouraged,” said Underhill, an associate professor of
political science at Augsburg. “It is only through that
kind of dialogue that we are going to move toward any
mutual understanding on these issues.”
[Far left] Augsburg Design & Agency students created
numerous large-scale art installations to convey the theme,
Dialogue in Divided Societies.
[Near left] The Hex House, a low-cost, emergency housing
prototype, showcased how smart design can create humane
solutions during crises.
FALL - WINTER 2017
17
JOIN US FOR THE 30TH
[Above] Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Methodist Bishop Bruce Ough visit
the Red Rock, a boulder that is located at a United Methodist Church in
Newport, Minnesota, and considered sacred by the Dakota people. The 2017
Forum included site visits addressing local peace-building topics.
September 19–22, 2018
Augsburg University
[Left] Interactive art installations allowed Forum attendees to participate in
creating displays that reflected their own perspectives on peacemaking.
PRESENTED BY
LEAD SPONSORS
®
SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
45 0 100 3
18
AUGSBURG NOW
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WOMENOF
INFLUENCE
BY KATE H. ELLIOTT
Augsburg outscores national average of
female coaches, supports inclusive culture
across Athletics department
“Only priests and participants’ fathers
can be anywhere near the pool,” three
St. Catherine’s nuns echoed in protest as
Augsburg’s 1963 swim instructor, Malcolm
“Mac” Gimse, led then-20-year-old Joyce
Pfaff ’65 and three other physical education
majors onto the pool deck.
Gimse reluctantly exited the building,
but as the Auggies lined up at water’s edge,
“GO AUGSBURG” boomed from the stands.
Pfaff looked up, and there was her instructor,
wearing a big smile and a clerical collar.
Call it obstinate or call it resolute, but
Pfaff adopted that tenacity—and it helped
her climb over, chisel away, and bust down a
decade’s worth of walls in women’s athletics
and coaching prior to the passage of Title IX,
a federal law that allows women access to
any federally funded educational program
or activity. So, it comes as no surprise that
Augsburg’s first women’s athletic director
is “beyond proud” that a recent report
ties Augsburg with Macalester College
as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference’s schools with the most female
head coaches.
Head Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Coach
Meghan Peyton ’14 MAL leads a team practice.
FALL - WINTER 2017
19
PHOTO BY CYNDI NIGHTENGALE, CYNBADMEDIA
This distinction, out of the
University of Minnesota’s
Tucker Center for Research
on Women and Girls in Sport,
is particularly encouraging
as national studies point to
dramatic decreases in women
coaching women’s sports. When
Title IX was passed in 1972,
women coached 90 percent
of women’s collegiate athletic
teams. Today, only about 40
percent of those teams are led
by female coaches, according
to the NCAA.
Augsburg hits national
average out of the park
Pfaff coached at a time
before women’s athletics were
afforded official equipment or
facilities. In fact, Pfaff helped
build Augsburg’s first softball
field. Today, she remains
confident in Augsburg’s ability
to advance equality. According
to the Tucker Center, Augsburg
leapt from having slightly more
than 36 percent female head
coaches in 2014 to nearly 73
percent in 2017.
“Think of how far we’ve
come,” Pfaff said. “Augsburg’s
first volleyball coach, Mary
Timm ’81, could ‘afford’ to
coach for us because she
had a full-time job as a day
care supervisor, and she used
vacation time to travel with
the team. Today, Augsburg has
more women’s teams (11) than
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AUGSBURG NOW
men’s (10), and the Athletic
Department works hard to create
an equitable, forward-thinking,
and inclusive culture.”
Augsburg Athletic Director
Jeff Swenson ’79 and Associate
Athletic Director Kelly Anderson
Diercks appreciate the Tucker
Center’s acknowledgement
of Augsburg’s dedication to
women’s athletics. University
leaders are ever-vigilant in their
efforts to support all coaches,
staff, and student-athletes in
achieving a well-balanced life.
“Coaching demands all of
you and more, with 365-day
recruiting on top of practices,
planning, and leading studentathletes in competition and
out in their everyday lives,”
said Swenson, who has worked
at Augsburg for more than 36
years. “We are committed to
work-life integration. The best
coaches are fulfilled, healthy,
and productive members at
home and in the community—
an approach to life we want to
mirror for our student-athletes.”
Anderson Diercks recruits
coaches and advises studentathletes interested in
transitioning from court to
clipboard. She is keenly aware
of the factors contributing to
the diminishing number of
female coaches across the
U.S. and emphasizes that
even if you’re in a position of
success, there’s still room for
improvement.
It’s vital for
all students to
see women as
role models in
all professions,
including
athletics.
—Kelly Anderson Diercks,
associate athletic director
“College athletic departments
need to do a better job of recruiting
and retaining women coaches
through mentoring, professional
development, and supportive
cultures,” she said. “And it is
critically important that this
conversation is not just about
women coaching women. It should
be about women in coaching, which
includes women coaching boys
and men. It’s vital for all students
to see women as role models in all
professions, including athletics.”
Popularity of women’s
athletics contributes to
decline in coaching equity
The NCAA’s findings suggest that
a major factor contributing to the
decline of women coaching women
is, ironically, tied to the boom of
women’s athletics. With increased
popularity came expanded staffs
and higher salaries, attracting
men—particularly longtime
assistant coaches—to lead
women’s teams. And while 60
percent of women’s teams are
coached by men, according to the
study, women guide only about 3
percent of men’s teams. Roughly
80 percent of collegiate athletic
directors are men.
Is a solution to ignore gender?
“Absolutely not,” Anderson Diercks
said. “Like any dimension of
diversity, to ignore or deny a part of
someone’s identity does not allow
them to show up as their fullest
and best self, and then we all miss
out. There is richness in diversity,
and women are an important part
of that diversity, especially in the
athletic arena.”
A coaching job is demanding,
with long hours, travel, and high
expectations, but those pressures
can be overcome, Swenson said.
The more universities exemplify
work-life balance, the more
family-oriented student-athletes,
regardless of gender, will be drawn
to the profession, he added.
Negative perceptions still
cast a shadow
Stigmas, misconceptions, and high
stakes also contribute to the decline
in women seeking and maintaining
leadership roles in university
athletics, according to the NCAA.
Interviews with female coaches
across the U.S. drew out comments
about increasing demands,
assumptions about female coaches’
sexuality, and perceived gender
bias. Augsburg Women’s Hockey
Head Coach Michelle McAteer said
if she could squash an assumption
curbing female coaches, it would be
the belief that “all women are catty
and emotional.”
“Since women hold fewer
leadership positions in all realms—
from athletics and business to
politics—we are put under a
microscope and our actions are
generalized,” she said. “Women
in leadership need to become the
norm and not the exception in
order to combat these myths so
we can get onto the business of
empowering those we lead (and
winning games).”
And she would know. McAteer,
who led the Augsburg women’s
hockey team to its highest MIAC
finish since the ’90s, played for
female coaches throughout her high
school and college years. These
models of “strength, resolve, and
compassion” gave her confidence
and an awareness of her role now, as
a coach, to model those values for
the next generation, she said. “It’s a
responsibility I care deeply about.”
For Pfaff, this and other
reflections from today’s women
coaches signal that the legacy
she and others fought to instill is
[L to R]: Women’s Lacrosse
Head Coach Kathryn
Knippenberg and Graduate
Fellow Taylor Tvedt ’19 MAL
greet a prospective student.
holding strong. Sure, there always is
yet another contest to win, she said,
but what’s the fun in not having a
fight? The best part, for Pfaff, is
knowing that Augsburg is on the
right side of the field—maybe even
the infield she helped grade for
Augsburg’s first softball diamond.
FALL - WINTER 2017
21
AUGGIES CONNECT
AUGSBURG WOMEN ENGAGED:
COURTESY PHOTO
Dear alumni and friends,
It’s an exciting time for Augsburg University,
and the Alumni Board aims to infuse
positive energy from Augsburg’s big events
this fall in our year-long agenda.
The board’s objective is to advance
Augsburg’s mission by making the most
of the time, talents, and treasure found in
our alumni group. Each year, the Alumni
Board plans events where Auggies can network, collaborate, and
serve together. The 2017 Summer Series was an example of this
work. Auggies attended a Minnesota United soccer game, took
part in Auggie Night at Canterbury Park, and listened to Augsburg
community members give presentations on a range of topics at the
7 People 7 Passions 7 Minutes event at Sisyphus Brewing. Alumni
Board members also hosted Happy Hour Squared at Brave New
Workshop, which featured a twist on a traditional social hour—
attendees enjoyed beverages while making 1,500 sandwiches for
unsheltered people in the Twin Cities.
It is fun watching the talents of fellow Auggies come to life at
our social events, and our upcoming calendar is available online:
augsburg.edu/alumnievents. Using your time and talents to make
connections with current students is simply one of the best ways to
stay connected with Augsburg, so stay tuned for details about the
upcoming 2018 Auggie Networking Experience on February 6.
Auggies also can join the Alumni Board’s effort to sponsor a
tree in the Urban Arboretum planned for Augsburg’s Minneapolis
campus. The trees selected for the first phase of this plan will
surround the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science,
Business, and Religion and include species native to Minnesota.
All gift levels are welcome.
As the Alumni Board continues to advance the mission of the
University through events and networking, we invite you to join us.
We work hard, and we make sure we don’t forget to have fun, as well.
MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION
The Augsburg Women Engaged Philanthropy
Council has grown in the past year. Augsburg
alumnae formed AWE in 2009 to unite women
with shared interests and passions through
events, mentorship, and philanthropy. Today,
AWE inspires women to connect, learn, and give.
AWE highlights:
Connect—Members gathered at Homecoming
for a painting party to prepare pieces of a
mural titled “Emergence” that will be installed
in the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center
for Science, Business, and Religion.
Learn—AWE hosted a discussion following
the 2016 Center for Wellness and Counseling
Convocation and a pre-concert reception
at the annual Woman Voice: Voice of Hope
choral performance.
Give—Members raised more than $100,000
for the “Emergence” mural and are engaged
in planning to raise an additional $1 million
for scholarships.
AWE’s participation has nearly doubled during the
past year and includes Augsburg women from all
generations, degree programs, and career fields.
COURTESY PHOTO
FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
Go Auggies!
NICK RATHMANN ’03, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
AWE Philanthropy Council members [L to R]: Debby
(Fredrickson) Crowley ’76, Danielle Stellner ’07, Joni
Marti ’05 MAL, Lori Moline ’82, Martha Truax ’16 MAL,
Shelby (Gimse) Andress ’56, Lisa Zeller ’81, ’89 MAL, Cheryl
Jensen ’86, Donna McLean, and Kris (Peterson) Pearson ’78.
Not pictured: Rachel (Olson) Engebretson ’98, Dr. Lisa
Latham ’83, Diana Pierce ’16 MAL, and Cindy (Winberg)
Sisson ’83.
Visit augsburg.edu/now to
learn more about joining AWE.
22
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGGIES CONNECT
Celebrate
STEPUP ® PROGRAM MARKS 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS
COURTESY PHOTO
A
Heidi Bausch ’07
ugsburg University’s
StepUP Program is in its
20th year of empowering
students in recovery to achieve
academic success. StepUP held its
annual gala October 28. The gala
was an evening of inspiration and
fellowship in which emcee Don
Shelby, an Emmy-award-winning
broadcast journalist and person
in recovery, welcomed nearly 500
Auggies, families, friends, and
advocates for recovery. Each year,
the StepUP Gala is organized by
a committee of volunteers with
support from Augsburg staff. The
2017 committee co-chairs were
Gina Gage and Cindy Piper.
Two of the evening’s highlights
were the keynote address by
alumna Heidi Bausch ’07 and the
presentation of the Toby Piper
Labelle Award to the James and
Sally Dowdle and Pat and Jeanne
Dwyer families.
Bausch is celebrating the 10th
anniversary of her graduation
from Augsburg, where she studied
psychology and philosophy,
was an active member in the
StepUP community, and worked
for the Center for Wellness and
Counseling. Today Bausch lives out
a passion for serving the recovery
community. She is pursuing a
doctorate in counseling psychology
at the University of St. Thomas.
Her clinical practice included an
internship at The Hazelden Betty
Ford Foundation’s residential
program for young people and work
at the University of Minnesota
Medical Center, Fairview inpatient
unit for youth facing chemical and
mental health difficulties. Bausch
also works with the Minnesota
Psychology Association to promote
legislation aimed at improving
behavioral health care quality.
This year, Bausch partnered with
her StepUP Program roommate,
Samantha Yerks ’06, to launch
Singularity Behavioral Systems &
Technology, a business that develops
clinical software products for the
mental health field.
Go to augsburg.edu/stepup to
learn more about the StepUP
Program and its fundraising gala.
FALL - WINTER 2017
23
introduces high school students to health science careers
When University alumni and
community members step up to help
make an Augsburg program succeed,
everybody wins.
Since 2008, Augsburg University
has hosted Metro Scrubs summer
camps that offer high school students
a glimpse into health science careers.
Through workshops and hands-on
activities, students gain insight
into career paths that range from
veterinary medicine and public health
to physical therapy and nursing. The
success of the weeklong program—
formerly known as Urban Scrubs—
hinges on faculty involvement and
volunteer engagement through which
working professionals teach workshops
and mini-courses. This year, an
Augsburg alumna and the parent of
two Auggie alumni stepped in to offer
their expertise—and to learn a thing
or two from their pupils.
Jenny Kelley ’85 pursued a nursing
degree after completing her Augsburg
education and now serves as a
nurse and asthma educator at the
Hennepin County Medical Center in
COURTESY PHOTO
METRO SCRUBS PROGRAM
Nearly six dozen students participated in Augsburg’s Metro Scrubs Camp this
summer. One of nine such programs for Minnesota high school students, Metro
Scrubs is a collaborative effort of Augsburg University, HealthForce Minnesota,
Fairview Health Services, and St. Catherine University.
Minneapolis. Kelley initiated a Metro
Scrubs class by asking students to
inhale and exhale through a narrow
cocktail straw, an exercise that
highlighted how difficult it is for
someone with asthma to breathe.
Kelley noticed that her students were
from a diverse array of backgrounds,
but previous knowledge of asthma was
something that unified the group.
“I felt I was having an impact on
students from many different cultures
and different communities,” Kelley
said. “Yet, everyone knows somebody
with asthma, so this education is
helpful in ensuring people use their
inhalers the right way.”
One out of 12 people in the U.S.
is diagnosed with asthma. For Kelley,
leading a Metro Scrubs course was a
way to teach young people about the
medical condition and to spur interest
in careers that could help tackle this
pressing health care need.
For Dr. Robert “Bob” Florence,
a primary care internist at Allina
in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota,
teaching Metro Scrubs students was
an opportunity to reconnect with the
basics. Florence knows Augsburg
well through his children, Jeffrey
Florence ’02 and Beth Florence ’08,
and he noted that teaching high
school students was a reminder about
the importance of clear doctor-patient
communication.
“I show the students what it’s like
to do an office call with a patient,
explaining the types of interactions
I have with patients, along with
the best and worst ways to handle
certain scenarios,” Florence said. “I
began teaching the class because
the students hadn’t been exposed
to primary care in the other Metro
Scrubs sessions, and I wanted to
teach them what they could and
should expect.”
While it can be difficult to fit extra
opportunities into a physician’s hectic
schedule, Florence said leading
Metro Scrubs classes has been
worthwhile. “It has helped me to be a
better physician and taught students
interested in medical careers valuable
lessons,” he said.
Visit augsburg.edu/now to learn more about volunteer
and sponsorship opportunities with Metro Scrubs Camp.
24
AUGSBURG NOW
AUGGIES CONNECT
GIFT EXPANDS
MARINE AQUARIUM FACILITY
for study of biological diversity
When the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science,
Business, and Religion opens for classes in January 2018, the
new building will feature a state-of-the-art marine aquarium
facility thanks to the generosity of donor Fritz Grimm, who
made a substantial gift to fund the project.
Twenty years ago, Associate Professor of Biology William
“Bill” Capman created a large multi-tank coral reef aquarium
system on campus to inspire interest in biological diversity,
to serve as a teaching and research tool, and to provide
living specimens for lab demonstrations. In the years since,
the aquaria have been integral to Capman’s teaching,
making interaction with marine life a unique aspect of
Augsburg’s biology laboratory experience, exposing students
to biodiversity they would not see elsewhere, and promoting
careful stewardship of the world’s ecosystems.
Capman has been passionate about aquatic life since his
childhood. He and Grimm, as fellow members of the Twin Cities
Marine Aquarium Society, have known each other for years.
Grimm is the former proprietor of a store selling items
for keeping coral, fish, and other sea life, and has assisted
Capman in past efforts to care for Augsburg’s aquaria. For
Grimm, sponsoring Augsburg’s marine environments is a way
to support quality work already underway and build on it for
the future. Grimm’s gift is enabling Augsburg to significantly
expand its marine facilities to include a 350 gallon coral
reef aquarium and six additional 60-90 gallon tanks housing
additional diverse organisms, along with a research lab for
studying coral biology and captive breeding of coral reef fish.
“We rely on places like this to inspire people,” Grimm
said of Augsburg’s marine aquarium expansion. “How should
people know they need to care about seahorses and coral
without ever seeing them?”
Grimm is concerned by the known degradation of natural
environments, pointing to the fact that a significant portion of
the world’s coral are becoming more susceptible to disease and
are dying due to increases in water temperature and pollution.
“If anyone is going to inspire the future generation to do
something about it, it will be Bill,” Grimm said.
During a presentation to the Minnesota Aquarium Society,
Bill Capman demonstrates how he creates artificial reef
structures for new aquaria.
COURTESY PHOTOS
FALL - WINTER 2017
25
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1950
Carl Vaagenes ’50, a retired
pastor, helped to translate the
mission articles of Georg Sverdrup. Vaagenes
was inspired to translate Sverdrup’s sermons
for future generations and did this as a
member of The Georg Sverdrup Society. In
1898, Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal,
co-founders of Augsburg Seminary and
College, published their sermons at the
founding of the Lutheran Free Church but
without their names. In “Aand og Liv” (“Spirit
and Life”), they reveal their mind and heart
for the church and for Augsburg.
1952
Millie
Nelson ’52
received a Spirit of
Augsburg Award
at Homecoming in
recognition for her
dedication to Augsburg
University. Before
retiring, Nelson worked
at Augsburg for decades. In her role as
Christensen Center manager, she guided
student assistants who described her as
professional, competent, knowledgeable,
and kind. These former students
acknowledged that Nelson embodied the
spirit of Augsburg.
1957
Stan Baker ’57 received the
Ella Stephens Barrett Award for
excellence in professional leadership and
counseling from the North Carolina Counseling
Association during its annual conference in
February in Durham, North Carolina.
1964
Garrett “Gary” Waldner ’64 and
his wife, Nancy, celebrated their
50th anniversary in October. They have
three sons and four grandchildren. Waldner
is active in the real estate appraisal field,
specializing in litigation valuations.
1966
After graduating from Augsburg,
Ron Blake ’66 went on to Luther
Seminary and has pastored several churches
before retiring in 2009 as a pastor with dual
membership in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and the United Church
of Christ. Blake and his wife remain active
members of Trinity Lutheran Church in
Lynnwood, Washington. They have two
children and four grandsons.
1968
Bruce
Benson ’68
received a Distinguished
Alumni Award at
Homecoming. Benson
served as campus
pastor at St. Olaf
College for 30 years
and has been a board
member at church camps in Minnesota,
Montana, and Ohio. He graduated cum
laude from Augsburg with a Bachelor of
Arts in English, earned his Master of Divinity
degree from Luther Seminary in 1972, and
further earned a degree in Sacred Theology
from Yale Divinity School in 1980. Benson
hosts a radio program called, “Sing for Joy,”
which is broadcast on 140 radio stations
in the United States, carried by cable
networks, and broadcast in 40 countries in
and near Africa.
1970
Mark
Francis ’70
received a Distinguished
Alumni Award at
Homecoming and
was recognized for
his leadership in the
Arizona school system.
After graduating from
Augsburg with a music degree, Francis
founded the Arizona School for the Arts in
1995. ASA became one of the top charter
schools in the state. Today, Francis is a deputy
associate superintendent within the Arizona
Department of Education. He is an active
member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran
Church, which he has served in a number
of capacities, including as congregational
president, treasurer, and music leader.
In June, Ray Hanson ’70 retired and moved
to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, one day later. He
completed his career with Goldbelt Raven,
where he provided scientific and technical
assistance to the chemical forensics program
at the Department of Homeland Security.
1972
In May, Rob Engelson ’72
received the Distinguished
Service Award from Ashford University at its
commencement ceremony in San Diego. The
award acknowledged 21 years as a faculty
member and five years as a member of the
Faculty Senate.
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
’01
’05
’76
26
AUGSBURG NOW
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1973
Terry
Lindstrom ’73
received a Distinguished
Alumni Award at
Homecoming. After
graduating from
Augsburg with degrees
in chemistry and
biology, Lindstrom
received his doctorate in biochemistry with a
pharmacology minor in 1977. He went on to
complete postdoctoral research at Michigan
State University from 1978 to 1979. During
his career, Lindstrom led research teams that
obtained patents for prescription medications
Evista and Cymbalta. In addition to Lindstrom’s
many scientific achievements, he and his
wife, Janet Lindstrom, have provided 16
full Undergraduate Research and Graduate
Opportunity summer scholarships for
Augsburg students during the past five years.
1974
Thomas Koplitz ’74 has been
elected to the Minnesota Baseball
Hall of Fame and was inducted at a September
ceremony held in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
1977
Augsburg
honored
Inez Bergquist ’77 with
a Distinguished Alumni
Award at Homecoming.
As the current president
of Waltman Associates,
Bergquist has more than
35 years experience in
fundraising and is an expert in the area of
nonprofit management. She served on the
Augsburg University Alumni Board for eight
years and on the Augsburg Parent Council for
four years. Bergquist authored several books
on families of wealth including the “Book of
Minnesota Family Trees.” She also is a Wells
Foundation board member.
1978
Phyllis Bartel ’78 published
“Scooter ‘n’ Oaks: A Cat Adoption
Story” in October 2016. As Bartel’s premier
work, this fictionalized tale teaches children
about the pet adoption process with
compassion and gentle humor and shares
similar themes with human adoption.
1979
Dave Boots ’79, who was inducted
into Augsburg’s Athletic Hall of
Fame in 2004, was named to the University
of South Dakota Vermillion’s Henry Heider
Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in October after
retiring in 2013 with the 14th most wins
in Division II men’s basketball history. He
led the Coyotes to 23 consecutive winning
seasons from 1989-2011, 10 NCAA Division II
tournaments, six NCC titles, and back-to-back
Elite Eight appearances in 1993 and 1994.
At the Division I level, Boots also won a Great
West Championship in 2010. Boots began his
coaching career at Anoka Ramsey Community
College and spent six years coaching at
Augsburg before arriving in Vermillion.
Sally (Hough) Daniels Herron ’79 is the new
parish and communications administrator for
Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden
Valley, Minnesota.
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE
Leah Abdella ’76 retired in 2016 from a 40-year
teaching career in the field of special education.
At Augsburg, Abdella earned a double major in music
and music therapy as one of the first three music therapy
majors. Abdella stays fulfilled in retirement through
volunteer work and flute performance at assisted living
residences, nursing homes, and churches. She also
stays active in ballet classes and yoga. She is a former
member of the Andahazy Ballet Company.
’76
Katie (Koch) Code ’01, director of alumni and
constituent relations at Augsburg University, married
Chris Code in April during an intimate ceremony at the
Guthrie Theater—where the couple met while both on staff.
The wedding was officiated by Code’s father, the Rev. Jack
’01
’14
Former hockey and
football player Paul
Holmquist ’79 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. Holmquist
was a key member of
Augsburg teams that
dominated in the late
1970s, earning the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics national title in 1979
and qualifying for NAIA national tournament
play all of Holmquist’s four seasons. The
teams he competed with also won Minnesota
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in
1978 and 1979. He was named a team MVP
in the 1978-79 season, the same time period
in which he earned All-MIAC Honorable
Mention honors.
1980
Paul Kilgore ’80 wrote a novel,
“The Broken Key,” that is
available through online and retail outlets.
1985
Brian Ammann ’85 has been
running the Minnesota School of
Basketball in Apple Valley and Golden Valley
for 12 years. He is the former head basketball
coach at Augsburg.
1987
Lee Ann (Burson) Hohenstein ’87
left a 20-year career in mortgage
banking to follow her dream and become a
staff writer for the Mille Lacs Messenger. She
also opened Restoration Books and Gifts in
Crosby, Minnesota.
Tell us about the news in your life—your new job, move, marriage, and
milestones. Visit augsburg.edu/now to submit your announcements.
Koch, and was witnessed by sibling Jason Koch ’93 and
sister-in-law Heather Johnston ’92.
Allison (Cornell) Broughton ’05 and Matt
Broughton ’06 welcomed new baby Nicholas
James in June. Nicholas joins big brother Calvin, age 4.
’05
This August, Samantha Cantrall ’14 and Austin
Smith ’14 were married in Ellsworth, Wisconsin,
by Augsburg Professor of Computer Science Larry
Crockett. The couple met in Augsburg’s Urness Hall in
2010, and both graduated from the Honors Program in
2014. They have taken Samantha’s mother’s last name
as their wedded name and will be known as Samantha
and Austin Wolf.
’14
FALL - WINTER 2017
27
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1991
Kristin
Dragseth
Wiersma ’91 had an
outstanding volleyball
career at Augsburg, an
accomplishment that
earned her induction
into the Athletic Hall of
Fame. Wiersma played
three seasons of volleyball, earning All-MIAC
and Academic All-MIAC honors in 1990,
and All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors
in 1989. She remains in the top 10 players
in school history in three career statistical
categories: kills per-set, attack percentage,
and digs per-set. A team co-captain in
1990, Wiersma also served as an assistant
coach at Augsburg in 1991.
1992
Athletic
Hall of
Fame inductee Juli
Gustafson ’92 played
two years of softball
at Augsburg earning
All-MIAC honors as
a shortstop in both
1991 and 1992, while
also earning National Fastpitch Coaching
Association All-West Region honors in
1991. Her .395 career batting average is
the third-best in school history. She also
ranks third in career slugging percentage
and sixth in career doubles. Gustafson was
a member of Auggie teams that went 47-22
in her two seasons.
Though he only
competed in one season
of wrestling at Augsburg,
Bret Sharp ’92 made
the most of it. He went
43-2-1 with 15 pins
and 95 takedowns,
won the MIAC title
at heavyweight, and
finished third at the NCAA Division III
national tournament in the 1991-92 season,
where he helped to clinch a second-place
national team finish for the Auggies. Sharp
was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. He competed his first three seasons
at Drake University in Iowa.
1993
Dr. Jason Koch ’93 was appointed
president of Southdale Pediatrics,
where he has worked for the past 16 years.
Wrestling star Gary
Thompson ’93 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. A four-year
competitor in wrestling,
Thompson completed
his Auggie career with a
91-40-1 record, finishing
fourth at the 1993 NCAA Division III national
championships and earning All-American
honors. He was a MIAC champion, a National
Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar AllAmerican, and a two-time Academic All-MIAC
honors student-athlete. Thompson was a
member of Augsburg squads that won the
NCAA national championship in 1993 and
finished second and third in other years.
1994
Chris Terrell ’94 was promoted
to vice president of finance for
Medtronic’s Cardiac and Vascular Group
Global Operations. Terrell joined Medtronic
in 2003 and most recently served as a
senior director of operations in finance,
where he drove finance strategies for nine
manufacturing locations.
1995
Dual sport
athlete
Marty Alger ’95 was
inducted into the
Augsburg Athletic Hall
of Fame. In football,
Alger set an Augsburg
program record for
career rushing yardage,
which stood until 2014. In 1992, he became
the first Auggie ever to rush for 1,000-plus
yards in a season. He earned All-MIAC
honors in football in both 1992 and 1993. As
an Auggie wrestler, he qualified for the 1993
NCAA Division III national tournament after
winning the MIAC title at 190 pounds.
1997
Augsburg
Athletic
Hall of Fame inductee
Eric Rolland ’97 was
a leader on some of
the most successful
men’s golf teams in
school history. He led
squads that won the
MIAC championship in 1995 and recorded
second-place finishes in 1994 and 1996,
while competing in three straight NCAA
Division III national tournaments. Rolland
AUGGIE SNAPSHOTS
Denielle (Johnson) Stepka ’11 and
Timothy Stepka were married July 15
in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Their ceremony
was officiated by Josh Corrigan ’11, and their
wedding party included Augsburg alumni
Katie (Christensen) Beadell ’11, Korri (Yule)
Corrigan ’11, Tim Lund ’12, Amy Jo Opsal ’12,
and Tyler Phillips ’12.
’11
28
AUGSBURG NOW
In July, Enrico Barrozo ’14 and Mara
(Breczinski) Barrozo ’14 were married
at Augsburg University’s Hoversten Chapel.
The ceremony was officiated by the Rev.
Mike Matson ’06. The newlyweds live in
Gainesville, Florida, where Enrico is pursuing
a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics at the
University of Florida, and Mara teaches
middle school science.
’14
Rebecca (Welle) Winters ’05 and Paul
Winters ’07 welcomed a daughter, Maisy
Beverly, in May. She joins siblings Max, who is
six years old, and Millie, who is three years old.
’05
Matt Tonsager ’09, co-owner of
Gullton Wood, and Melissa (Moberg)
Tonsager ’10 welcomed a daughter, Adalind
Kay Tonsager, in April.
’09
earned All-America honors in 1995, AllDistrict honors in 1997, and All-MIAC honors
in 1995 and 1996. Since 2014, he has
served as Augsburg’s men’s and women’s
golf head coach.
1999
Elizabeth
(Petrik)
Brown ’99 had an
outstanding goaltending
career on the Augsburg
women’s soccer team,
an accomplishment that
earned her induction
into the Athletic Hall
of Fame. Brown started all but one game of
her collegiate career, finishing with 34 career
victories, including a then-school-record 13
in 1995. She stands second in school history
in career shutouts, fourth in career wins,
and eighth in career win-loss percentage.
Her 1.69 career goals-against-average is
10th-best in school history.
Cheri Johnson ’99 wrote two book series
released this fall for young readers.
“Origins: Urban Legends” and “Origins:
Whodunnit” are high-interest, low-readinglevel books that target upper-elementary
and middle-school students. The books
will be distributed by Lerner. Johnson also
is working on a performance project in
Minneapolis called “Crocus Hill Ghost Story”
with the music ensemble Zeitgeist; her
sister, Julie Johnson ’98; and actor, director,
and filmmaker D.J. Mendel. “Crocus Hill
Ghost Story” tells a tale set in an evil house
in St. Paul.
’11
’14
’05
’09
’00
Devoney Looser ’89 published a new
’89 book, “The Making of Jane Austen,”
which was named in Publishers Weekly’s list
of Best Summer Books of 2017 (nonfiction).
This May, Lewis Nelson ’00 graduated
from the University of Virginia’s Darden
School of Business with a Master of Business
Administration degree. Nelson left a 15-year
military and government career and is
seeking the next challenge. Nelson resides in
Charlottesville, Virginia, with his three children.
’00
’89
29
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
2000
The Rev. Sara (Quigley) Brown ’00
has accepted a term-call as
the associate interim pastor at Saving Grace
Lutheran, Lutheran Congregations in Missions
for Christ, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She
will serve and work alongside its faithful
congregation and pastor, the Rev. David
Irgens, during a time of great transition
and growth. Brown will serve Saving Grace
Lutheran for one year until the congregation
places a call for a permanent associate pastor.
2001
James Shropshire ’01, former
assistant director of public safety
at Augsburg, is the new director of campus
safety at Grinnell College. At Augsburg,
Shropshire also served as a Title IX
adjudicator and investigator. Besides
revising diversity training, Shropshire’s
agenda for campus safety at Grinnell will
include updating the department’s software,
computers, and other equipment.
2002
Augsburg
Athletic Hall
of Fame inductee Chrissy
(Baune) Bloemendal ’02
was a 16-time AllMIAC selection in cross
country (three times)
and track and field
(13 times). The team’s
No. 1 runner her final three seasons in cross
country, Bloemendal finished sixth in the MIAC
championships in 2001 and 13th in 2000.
In track and field, she won the MIAC title and
qualified for the NCAA Division III outdoor
national championships in the 3,000-meter
steeplechase in 2002, finishing ninth nationally.
AUGGIE
SNAPSHOTS
30
AUGSBURG NOW
’15
Two years ago Heather Cmiel ’02 left 13
years of communications agency life behind
to go corporate. She now serves as global
marketing communications strategist within
3M Healthcare. Cmiel spends her free time
as president of Minnesota Public Relations
Society of America. She also leads a
contemporary worship band.
2003
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03
is the founder and director
of the Rural Enterprise Center, a program
of Main Street Project, a nonprofit
organization focused on rural development.
Haslett-Marroquin also serves on the
boards of the Northfield Area Foundation,
the Northfield Area United Way, and Fifth
Bridge, a nonprofit organization promoting
volunteerism.
2005
Ryan Bosshart ’05 is a vice
president of services at phData,
a global leader in big data consulting and
managed services. Most recently, Bosshart
was a principal sales engineer at Cloudera.
2006
Michelle Dirtzu ’06 is a new
marketing manager at Pacific
Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms based in Los
Angeles, California. Dirtzu has 10 years of
experience in the grocery-retail-produce
business. Previously, she was a marketing
director for North Shore Living Herbs, in
marketing with Flagstone Foods, and in
brand management with Supervalu. Dirtzu
earned a Master of Business Administration
degree from Opus School of Business at
the University of St. Thomas in 2014.
Brenda Valentine ’06 welcomed her son,
Jackson James Valentine Rice, in April.
2007
A managing
partner of
business planning at
the American Public
Media Group, Danielle
Stellner ’07 received
a First Decade Award
at Homecoming.
After graduating
from Augsburg, Stellner went on to earn a
Master of Business Administration degree
from the Carlson School of Management at
the University of Minnesota in 2016. She
was recruited for the board of Isuroon and
Secretary, and she is the active co-chair of
the AWE Philanthropy Council at Augsburg.
In addition, Stellner serves the Friendship
Academy of the Arts as a board member and
expansion committee member.
2008
Tony Landecker ’08 serves
as a portfolio manager in the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development’s Minneapolis-St. Paul field
office and is responsible for assisting with
the management of local housing stock.
Landecker was named the Minnesota
Civil Servant of the Year by HUD’s Federal
Executive Board for helping others find
the comfort of a home in the aftermath of
a disaster. In 2016, he left his home and
family to spend time helping Baton Rouge
flood victims, leading a team that found
permanent housing for 130 families initially
placed in temporary shelters.
Rachel Shaheen ’15 and
Christopher Kopp ’15
were married in July. The bride
and groom were joined by fellow
Augsburg alumni [L to R]: Becky
Shaheen ’11, Patrick DuSchane ’13,
Laura Schmidt ’11, Jakob
Anderson ’12, Erika Osterbur ’11,
Aren Olson ’11, Lily Moloney ’15,
Mary Stickelmeyer ’74, Emily
Knudson ’15, Kate Gray ’15, Tyler
Dorn ’15, and Alisha Esselstein ’15.
’15
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Curtiss Schreiber ’08 is now an associate at
the law firm Donohue Brown Mathewson &
Smyth LLC in Chicago.
2011
Jennifer
Weber ’11
received a Spirit of
Augsburg Award at
Homecoming for
her dedication to
Minneapolis’ CedarRiverside community
and in recognition
for the projects she has initiated in the
Twin Cities area. Before graduating from
Augsburg with a triple major in emotional/
behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities,
and American Indian studies, Weber
created an American Indian resource
library for the Anoka-Hennepin Indian
Education Program. Weber has been
involved in many community projects and
is a crisis prevention and interventions
trainer at the Charter School Special Ed
Network. She is also a certified school
coach, teacher, and member of the Cedar
Riverside Community School Board.
2012
Katie Radford ’12, ’18 MBA
started a new position at
Fairview Health Services as a training
consultant. She helps facilitate individual
and team development sessions for
professional growth.
2014
Maren Daniels ’14 teaches
elementary visual art at Hiawatha
Academy Morris Park in Minneapolis.
2015
Awale Osman ’15 serves as a
community innovation associate
at the Bush Foundation. He has experienced
much change: coming to the U.S. from
war-torn Somalia and Kenyan refugee camps
to learning English as a third language and
graduating with high academic honors.
His work as a change agent has included
expanding after-school opportunities for
Somali youth; impressing upon Congress
the value of federal TRIO programming; and
activating safe spaces for women, people of
color, and queer students.
2016
Victoria Linstrom ’16, Andrew
Kleidon-Linstom ’16, Bridgette
Henry ’16, and student Mitch Ross ’18 formed
the Open Door Theater where Linstrom serves
as the executive director, Kleidon-Linstom is
the artistic director, Henry is the company
manager/dramaturg in residence, and Ross is
the marketing director.
Muna Mohamed ’16 received a scholarship
at the University of Minnesota to pursue
a Master of Science degree in behavioral
aspects of physical activity. At the university,
Mohamed conducts research on East African
mother-daughter physical activity.
2017
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton
appointed Eron Godi ’17 to the
Young Women’s Cabinet, part of the Young
Women’s Initiative of Minnesota that aims to
improve opportunity for women ages 12 to 24
by bringing together nonprofits, businesses,
government, philanthropic organizations, and
young women to create plans for building
equity. Godi was one of 25 women selected
statewide for a cabinet position.
Emily Gregg ’17, former Augsburg women’s
soccer defender, was named one of 174
nationwide recipients of a $7,500 NCAA
Postgraduate Scholarship honoring her
achievements as both a scholar and an
athlete. A biology major with a 3.72 GPA,
Gregg is the first Auggie to receive an NCAA
Postgraduate Scholarship since 2014. Gregg
will attend graduate school at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. She hopes to someday
work as a wildlife/large animal veterinarian.
Anna Renner ’17 has been accepted to
the Clarkson University Master of Physician
Assistant Studies program in Potsdam,
New York.
Dua Saleh ’17 had one of her songs played
on “The Current” radio station. She performs
music and poetry at Twin Cities venues.
Riley Siddorn ’17 was among nearly 450
summer interns at NASA’s Goddard Space
Flight Center. Interns seek out new ways
to explore their career fields and engage
NASA’s international scientific community in
Goddard projects. Siddorn, who majored in
physics, held an internship in ionospheric
physics. The internships covered a wide
spectrum in science-related areas, from
planetary science to sounding rockets to
Earth science.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Doris Rubenstein ’93 MAL won the silver
Independent Book Publishers Association
Benjamin Franklin Award for her book, “The
Journey of a Dollar,” at the association’s 29th
annual award ceremony in Portland, Oregon.
Kathleen Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP; Joyce
Miller ’02, ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; Katherine
Baumgartner ’04 MAN, ’11 DNP; and Cheryl
Leuning, former Nursing Department chair,
co-authored an article, “The Citizen Nurse: An
Educational Innovation for Change,” which was
published in the Journal of Nursing Education.
Jamie Heitzinger ’11 MPA earned a Certificate
of Added Qualifications by completing
specialty training from the National
Commission on Certification of Physician
Assistants. She works at Queens Medical
Center in Honolulu.
Ryan Stopera ’11 MSW/MBA is a social worker
and social entrepreneur. He serves as a
program analyst for the Graves Foundation
and teaches in Augsburg’s Social Work
Department. Stopera enjoys building
community through art, cycling, and rock
climbing in his spare time.
Allison DeGroot ’15 MAL is the new head
women’s soccer coach at the University of
Wisconsin-Superior. The women’s soccer
program competes at the highest level in
the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference,
and DeGroot is looking forward to working
with players to help the program reach its
potential. DeGroot was an assistant coach at
Augsburg from 2012 until 2016.
Angela Mejdrich ’15 MAE is the new director
of administration at Spirit of the Lake
Community School in Duluth, Minnesota.
She provides lead support and oversight of
several administrative and business matters.
Mejdrich has more than 20 years of teaching
and administration experience, most
recently as vice principal of St. Michael’s
Lakeside School.
Thomas Hirsch ’16 MPA is a new physician
assistant at the Essentia Health–Hermantown
Clinic in Minnesota.
FALL - WINTER 2017
31
PHOTO BY CAROLINE YANG
IN MEMORIAM
Alfred W. Walck ’40, Urbandale,
Iowa, age 96, on April 27.
Addell L. (Halverson) Dahlen ’43,
Minneapolis, age 96, on June 2.
Carl G. Gilbertson ’43, Battle
Lake, Minnesota, age 96, on
April 14.
Arlene L. (Dunham) Sandberg ’43,
Madelia, Minnesota, age 95,
on May 12.
Muriel R. (Ruud) Frosch ’45,
Winona, Minnesota, age 94,
on July 26.
Lorene M. (McGinnis) Hansen ’49,
Clear Lake, Iowa, age 92,
on July 7.
Lorraine (Telander) Hendershot ’49,
Mora, Minnesota, age 89,
on March 29.
Phyllis (Erickson) Quanbeck ’49,
Salem, Oregon, age 89,
on June 28.
Donald P. Sateren ’49, Long
Beach, California, age 96,
on June 18.
Russell G. Solheim ’49, Racine,
Wisconsin, age 96, on July 8.
Marilyn L. (Larson) Forslund ’50,
Moline, Illinois, age 94,
on May 26.
Roger C. Mackey ’57, Saint
Paul, Minnesota, age 83,
on July 20.
David C. Siedlar ’71, Huaian
City, Jiangsu, China, age 68,
on March 19.
Norman O. Landvik ’50, Port
Angeles, Washington, age 89,
on April 6.
Warren L. Anderson ’59, Grand
Marais, Minnesota, age 84,
on March 16.
Bradley W. Shoff ’77,
Akeley, Minnesota, age 62,
on June 18.
Arnold R. Aasen ’51, Fridley,
Minnesota, age 88, on July 23.
Carrol A. Bakken ’59,
Rushford, Minnesota, age 82,
on March 18.
John A. Faeth ’89, Stillwater,
Minnesota, age 51, on April 3.
Elden O. Landvik ’51, Duluth,
Minnesota, age 92, on July 3.
James D. Slarks ’51, Saint Peter,
Minnesota, age 92, on June 27.
LeVon M. (Paulson) Dinter ’52,
Edina, Minnesota, age 86,
on March 18.
Mildred C. Hetager ’52,
Minneapolis, age 103,
on June 30.
Donald W. Siegel ’53,
Minneapolis, age 89,
on April 6.
Peter L. Hauser ’62, Lakeville,
Minnesota, age 76, on July 10.
Michael L. Kropp ’95, Albert
Lea, Minnesota, age 49, on
April 2.
Gerald W. Mortenson ’62,
Stone Lake, Wisconsin, age 79,
on March 31.
Charity Thunder ’99, Black
River Falls, Wisconsin, age 71,
on July 1.
Paul S. Monson ’63,
Coon Rapids, Minnesota,
age 76, on July 12.
Jacob R. Collins ’03,
Austin, Minnesota, age 36,
on August 25.
Gary W. Paulson ’63, Willmar,
Minnesota, age 75, on June 10.
Christopher G. Frame ’09,
Minneapolis, age 33,
on March 20.
Richard E. Kuehne ’64, Walker,
Minnesota, age 76, on August 7.
Elnora C. (Hanson) Beireis ’54,
Parkers Prairie, Minnesota,
age 84, on July 27.
Ronald A. Hanson ’65, Grand
Rapids, Minnesota, age 74,
on July 17.
Mary Ann E. (Fox) Domholdt ’56,
Mentor, Ohio, age 83, on
April 5.
Terence W. Rindal ’66,
Crystal Lake, Illinois, age 82,
on August 12.
Mark D. Lukitsch ’20,
Cottage Grove, Minnesota,
age 19, on August 5.
The “In memoriam” listings in this publication
include notifications received before September 15.
32
AUGSBURG NOW
JOIN US FOR THE
GRAND OPENING OF
THE NORMAN AND EVANGELINE
HAGFORS CENTER
FOR SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND RELIGION
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018
4–5 p.m. | Alumni and Community Open House
Hagfors Center, Augsburg University
700 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454
RSVP by January 8 at augsburg.edu/alumni/events.
Send questions to Hannah Walsh ’14, advancement
assistant, at walsh@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1098.
FALL - WINTER 2017
33
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Thousands of Auggies. One Augsburg.
Augsburg’s 2017 Homecoming celebration was held October 12–14, a festive weekend when alumni,
students, and community members took part in more than 35 events, including reunions for the
classes of 1967, 1977, 1992, and 2007. In all, more than 600 alumni from different generations
visited campus to show their Auggie pride and mark the first Homecoming as Augsburg University.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
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