Ellis speaks on TRAN FORMING TRANSPORTATION How do you get to campus? Do you ride the light-rail, take a bus, or drive your car? Maybe you cruise in on your bike. On Wednesday, February 23, 2010, during Vocation Chapel, transportation guru Lonnie Ellis spoke to students about the inequities that... Show moreEllis speaks on TRAN FORMING TRANSPORTATION How do you get to campus? Do you ride the light-rail, take a bus, or drive your car? Maybe you cruise in on your bike. On Wednesday, February 23, 2010, during Vocation Chapel, transportation guru Lonnie Ellis spoke to students about the inequities that exist in transportation. He also commented on his own faith journey and how he got involved in social justice. "We talk about disparities like we talk about the weather: the sky is blue, Minnesota is cold, and we have racial disparities in education, transportation, and housing," Ellis said. As new projects change the makeup of the metro, like the Central Corridor Light Rail Line, Ellis says that it is important to look at the neighborhoods that are overlooked. He noted that recent bus lines have been stripped from areas that have heavy traffic and high diversity. "These are not disparities," Ellis expressed, "they are inequities." Ellis believes that these decisions are systemic, interconnected, and interdependent. However, he does not believe that these structures are invincible. “They were built and they can be un-built," Ellis said. Ellis related this belief to a text from Isaiah, loosing the chains of injustice and untying the cords of the yoke to let the oppressed go free. "We need to shake up the power system that keeps the oppression going," Ellis stated. Ellis' experience with oppression began at a young age. He grew up in a household which had a lot of stress and very little money. In response, Ellis sought out to find a palpable fix. Alcohol and violence were outlets, but the enjoyment he experienced was always take. Through the trauma of his childhood and the struggles of others, he was forced to look seriously at the world. In his search, he saw abundance and he witnessed poverty. But the abundance was like the light breaking free in the dawn from the passage in Isaiah. It was God becoming real and stretching into overlooked, red-lined neighborhoods. When we challenge these inequities, Ellis concluded that we might he laughed at or shunned. “We must be bold," Ellis said. Peter Miller Show less
This year, new first-year students were moved into the dorms a week before the upper class students. The movein day for this year fell on September 6th, 2009. The transition from high school to college for the new students never really left room for nostalgia as Augsburg staff and students helped... Show moreThis year, new first-year students were moved into the dorms a week before the upper class students. The movein day for this year fell on September 6th, 2009. The transition from high school to college for the new students never really left room for nostalgia as Augsburg staff and students helped them move into their rooms at a fast but efficient pace and made the students participate in a full week of activities. This left them feeling "rushed, excited, and confused," according to one new student. On first arriving on the Augsburg campus, the students were shocked to see the cars lined up with parents and fellow students ready to unload their luggage. It surprised a lot of the younger students to see the football team, the big guys in Augsburg jerseys, helping unload the cars while handing out Jimmy John's sandwiches and drinks to those waiting in line. Entering their room and setting up their stuff while meeting their roommates allowed for a little breather before the week of activities began. The activities started off with naming games to get to know their fellow group mates and led to walks to different parts of town to get to know the neighbors and neighborhoods, and a day was officially committed to community service. Some of these social activities were required to receive their AugSem grade, a general required by Augsburg. Once this week was done, the upper class students also moved in and school officially started. Welcome to Augsburg, our young fellow Auggies! I hope you have had time to settle into the Augsburg routine and enjoy every minute of it. Samantha Steele Show less
~[o Auggie Days is an on-campus orientation experience for incomir first-year students designed to complement SUAR, provit opportunities to enhance academic and personal success, arr offer a-helgullraslvdntage in starting at Augsburg College. m mum 1,1 Photos by: Stephen lieffre r 7‘
Mexican National Social Activist Gustavo Speaks at Convocation The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics featured Mexico's National Prize Winner of Political Economics, Gustavo Esteva, who spoke at the Foss auditorium on February 26, 2010. Gustavo has written hundreds of essays and books about... Show moreMexican National Social Activist Gustavo Speaks at Convocation The Batalden Seminar in Applied Ethics featured Mexico's National Prize Winner of Political Economics, Gustavo Esteva, who spoke at the Foss auditorium on February 26, 2010. Gustavo has written hundreds of essays and books about society and public policy. His economic ideas about education within small communities are of a unique movement coined "post-development" which emphasizes the love of learning of the things that matter within a community rather than what matters to "society." He proposed his ideology by introducing "community involvement" application to education rather than relying on structured education alone to procure "the good life." He stated that: "'Whole' in the world through what is viewed [by commerce and television] as the 'good life' is just a label. Stop following their illusion." According to Gustavo, an individual is a powerful weapon in a fast changing society. if individuals took more initiative to accumulate knowledge it would be a lot easier to become a more economical and productive society. Dustyn Hessie Show less
350.0rg Augsburg has always tried to be environment-friendly. Thus, they have limited the number of papers students can use for printing during the year, as well as having a function that will show you how many trees you killed by your printing. The students on campus have always been active in... Show more350.0rg Augsburg has always tried to be environment-friendly. Thus, they have limited the number of papers students can use for printing during the year, as well as having a function that will show you how many trees you killed by your printing. The students on campus have always been active in fighting global warming and have devised a way with the school on how to reduce wastage of food. On a similar note, and very importantly, the students and faculty proved their love for the environment by committing to 350.crg's Day of Action, participating with millions of others around the world. By learning what global warming really is, the Augsburg students rallied together and demonstrated their commitment through various activities. 350mg Day of Action was a global initiative to set higher standards on carbon emissions. [in October 24, 2009, Augsburg students rallied with other student organizations to hold different activities to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. The organizations rode their bikes from Minneapolis to the State Capitol to show their support for a legislation that will hopefully bring the nation's carbon emissions down. They rode back to Augsburg to be part of the Augsburg-Gustavus football game at half-time with demonstrative numbers and then headed to the Mississipi River just below Washington Avenue bridge. There were about 300 people who participated all together. If one spends the time to search around on 350.0rg's website, they would be bombarded with information about their current activities to reduce carbon emissions. The site contains information about the climate talks our government is having with other countries to pictures of what organizations like ours are doing to show their support for 350mg. Overall, 350mg Day of Action at Augsburg was a successful event. Samantha Steele Show less
Peddlers for Progress The four bicycles were fully loaded and leaning against a picnic table in Murphy Park on the morning of Thursday, May 21st 2009. There were pannier bags stuffed on the front and back of each of the bikes. And before riding away, Tommy Schlaefer, Nate White, Michael... Show morePeddlers for Progress The four bicycles were fully loaded and leaning against a picnic table in Murphy Park on the morning of Thursday, May 21st 2009. There were pannier bags stuffed on the front and back of each of the bikes. And before riding away, Tommy Schlaefer, Nate White, Michael Wethington and Jake Ouarstad were saying goodbyes to family and friends. The four-two recent graduates and two who are Augsburg seniors‘embarked on an interesting summer Journey this year: They rode their bikes to Portland, Ore. in order to gain a better understanding of why that City is considered to be the most bikefriendly City in the United States, The group, which dubbed itself "Peddlers For Progress," averaged about 60 miles of riding per day. When on flat ground, they covered more distance, but there were days in the mountains when 20 to 30 miles were a lot As they made their way through South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho. and Oregon, they pitched their tents at :ampgrounds, parks and in the yards of people they met along the way, Part of the reason why they embarked on this journey was that riding is what they do every day to get around the city. Only one of the four has a car. Another reason was that this was important to them, Since they expended the energy and sacrifice for the trip-there was certainly a finanCial sacrifice for these guys as SIX weeks )n the road meant less time to hold down a summer Job-they thought they would be less likely to give up on the _;ause when they returned. They also thought they would be a greater authority on bicycling when they returned And become cycling authorities they did. Before they left Augsburg, the Pedalers had worked to arrange meetings With politiCians, policy makers, and bike :dvocates in Portland. The primary lesson they wanted to learn was about poliCIes and strategies that have been successful in Portland and can be applicable to Minneapolis. They gathered ideas for ‘progressive bike legislation .ind infrastructure change.‘ Show less
The Augsbur . .. t t > f,” - ' Ither an internship or study aboard for their Augsburg Experience component. . ‘ 4- - ents to become well rounded for the diverse world they will meet after they graduate from college. Augsburg offers many opportunities for students to travel abroad every year... Show moreThe Augsbur . .. t t > f,” - ' Ither an internship or study aboard for their Augsburg Experience component. . ‘ 4- - ents to become well rounded for the diverse world they will meet after they graduate from college. Augsburg offers many opportunities for students to travel abroad every year through either a school exchange or a faculty-led program abroad. This year, many students took advantage of Augsburg's affordable study aboard programs by heading to New Zealand, the Cook islands, ltaly, Egypt, France and other places. In New Zealand they learned about flora and Fauna and in Italy the students were taught the spiritual practices of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assi while they were invited to reflect on vocation. Professor Phillip Adamo and Mohamed Sallam took students to Egypt where they studed the ancient world of an important culture with researching how it related to religious, political, and social issues of today. These three programs were offered in the summer and were led by faculty. While they could have taken a break like most others, the students chose the option of studying aboard by using Augsburg's many Study Aboard programs. Studying Aboard is affordable; it cost roughly the same as Augsburg tuition, room, and board. Financial aid can be applied for and there are scholarships available all year round. It can fit anyone's schedule since the advisor helps the students find programs that relate to their academic goals and helps the students keep on track for graduation. Augsburg offers wide varieties of countries to study aboard in such as Turkey, Greece, France, Non/vay, Thailand, El Salvador, and others. Samantha Steele Show less
Convocatin “1!;le m '4 * 3' ~ 25., y . '_ i l {4 w Iupi lily For Martin Luther King Day, Augsburg College invited Charles MclJew to lead the convocation. Mr. McDew talked about his life in relation to important issues, such as human rights, local black leadership, and the fight against racism. l... Show moreConvocatin “1!;le m '4 * 3' ~ 25., y . '_ i l {4 w Iupi lily For Martin Luther King Day, Augsburg College invited Charles MclJew to lead the convocation. Mr. McDew talked about his life in relation to important issues, such as human rights, local black leadership, and the fight against racism. l was told by multiple sources that it was an interesting convocation that caught many people's attention and was well attended. Charles McDew attended many of the sit-ins that were going on in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. His story, like many others who spoke at Augsburg convocations, was touching and allowed students a glimpse into how someone can help change the world we live in today. Photo by: Stephen Gefer Show less
In 1980, Augsburg Choir director Larry Fleming's vision for the first Advent Vespers was unlike any other. Among many holiday performances, Augsburg's program would offer a spiritual experiencea service with both music and liturgyand the focus would be on Advent, preparing and waiting for Christ... Show moreIn 1980, Augsburg Choir director Larry Fleming's vision for the first Advent Vespers was unlike any other. Among many holiday performances, Augsburg's program would offer a spiritual experiencea service with both music and liturgyand the focus would be on Advent, preparing and waiting for Christ's presence. From this first service. Advent Vespers grew to four services. In 2008, more than 10,000 people attended, making this Augsburg‘s largest event of the year. This year, as Advent Vespers celebrated its 301h anniversary, a fifth service was added, at 2 pm. on Saturday, offering a daytime service to more easily accommodate larger groups of visitors. Augsburg's partnership with Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, with its majestic sanctuary and stained- glass windows, allows Advent Vespers to be unique "We can create the essence of a Christmas concert and transform it into not just a concert but a spiritual experience," says Peter Hendrickson '76, Advent Vespers anistic director and director of choral activities. "The liturgical elements transform the music to a deeper level." Over the years the Advent Vespers services have stayed the same more than they have changed, says Pastor Dave Wold, campus pastor and director of ministries. "My fascination is with Advent Vespers as a service, and we work hard to keep it close to a theme and give a message of hope for the season." While the liturgical party that carry bells, banners, the cross, and the Gospel has grown in numbers, and four choirs now feature more than 250 singers, the experience has remained constant. The liturgical journey begins in darkness with "0 Come, 0 Come. Emmanuel," moves to recognition and joyful celebration of Christ's birth, and ends with quiet reflection in the warm candlelight of "Silent Night." Music professor and organist Stephen Gabrielsen '63, who has played for all but one Advent Vespers service when he was on sabbatical, recalls that the weather has also been constantthere has never been a service cancelled on this first weekend of December because of winter weatherln 2004, to mark Advent Vespers‘ 25m anniversary, TPT—2 public television made a recording of the service, which continues to be shown each year on public television, and received a regional Emmy for its technical production. Recordings in both DVD and CD format are available through Augsburg's Music Depanment. Anicle by Betsey Norgard. Augsburg New Fall 2009 Show less
