Alumni Relations
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Members of the community gathered at Augsburg for the 24th Annual MLK Convocation.
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What an honor for Augsburg! Now in its 24th year, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum is permanently at home in the Twin Cities, hosted by Augsburg College in partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and with continued sponsorship by our Norwegian sister colleges. Many of you have previously been a part of this inspirational event and will want to consider attending this year’s event in March. Headlining the group of speakers is F. W. de Clerk, former president of South Africa. Find more information below (Upcoming Auggie Events) and at www.nobelpeaceprizeforum.org, and register to attend soon.
We need your volunteer help for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 1-3, 2012:
http://nobelpeaceprizeforum.org/volunteer/
Upcoming Alumni Events
UPCOMING AUGGIE EVENTS
Strommen Executive Speaker Series
Featuring Keith Wyche, President, Cub Foods
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012
Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall
5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
With more than 30 years of experience in some of corporate America’s most notable companies, including Pitney Bowes, AT&T and IBM, Keith Wyche is among the highest-ranking African American executives in the U.S. In January 2010, Wyche was named president of Cub Foods, a $3 billion retail grocery chain that is part of the $40 billion SUPERVALU corporation. An expert, author, and speaker on career growth, success, and leadership, Wyche will share his thoughts and experience on how to move up the corporate ladder.
After the event, attend the 6 p.m. Alumni/Student Networking Event in the lobby of the Oren Gateway Center. It’s a great way to hone your networking skills while providing valuable assistance to students as they begin navigating their new careers.
Alumni/Student Networking Event
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012
Oren Gateway Center Lobby
6–8 p.m.
Connect with alumni from a variety of professions and help Augsburg students hone their professional networking skills as they prepare to venture out into the working world.
6–6:15 p.m. - Registration/Open networking/Refreshments
6:15–6:30 p.m. - Opening remarks
6:30–7:15 p.m. - Industry group networking
7:15–8 p.m. - Open networking
Register at www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents.
CCHP Convocation—Forgive for Good
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012
Foss Lobeck Miles Center, Hoversten Chapel
Noon–1 p.m. (Book signing at 11:30 a.m.)
Cost: Free (open to the public)
The Center for Counseling and Health Promotion (CCHP) convocation will feature Frederic Luskin, PhD, director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects. A senior consultant in health promotion at Stanford and professor of clinical psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Luskin also serves as the co-chair of the Garden of Forgiveness Projects at Ground Zero in Manhattan.
A book signing will take place prior to the presentation in the Arnold Atrium of the Foss Center, beginning at 11:30. For information, call 612-330-1104.
Following the presentation, a conversation on the subject of forgiveness, designed for women and sponsored by Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE), will be held. (See next item.)
An AWE-Inspired Event—
Buffet Luncheon and Table Conversation
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 (following College-wide Convocation)
Foss Lobeck Miles Center, Augsburg College
FORGIVE FOR GOOD:
A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness
Author of Forgive for Good, Dr. Fred Luskin, director and co-founder of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, will headline this event.
Buffet luncheon and conversation hosted by Augsburg Women Engaged. Luncheon seating is limited to 30. To register for the luncheon, go to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents or call 612-330-1085 before February 9. Cost of $15 includes a copy of Luskin’s book, luncheon, and one guest parking pass. Your parking permit will be e-mailed to you before the event.
11:30–noon: Book signing, Foss Center, Arnold Atrium
12-1: Convocation lecture, Foss Center, Hoversten Chapel
1–1:30: Buffet luncheon and conversation Oren Gateway Center, Room 100
1:30–2:30: Table conversation focused on the forgiveness process described in Forgive for Good:
- Forgiveness can improve mental and physical health.
- Forgiveness is about your healing and not about the people who hurt you.
- Forgiveness is a choice. Everyone can learn to forgive.
Whole Leaders See Things Whole, Tom Morgan
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Kennedy Center, Room 303
5:30 p.m. - Social time with refreshments
6–8 p.m. - Presentation
Cost: Free
This workshop, first presented in our series last winter, is back by popular demand in an expanded version that allows more time for exploration and discussion. Tom Morgan will introduce a framework for thinking about our lives as a set of relationships among three dimensions—identity, purpose, and stewardship—each with its own needs, desires, and preoccupations. While these dimensions can pull us in different directions, when we are at our best, they offer us complementary perspectives that allow us to see things whole.
In this workshop, you will complete the Seeing Things Whole Profile, a 39-question survey designed to take a multi-dimensional snapshot of your life and well-being. The profile helps you explore your strengths within the three dimensions and can give you perspective around challenges you face.
You will also receive a workbook, WholeLife Aspirations and Goals, to help examine how your life purpose connects to your life choices. The workbook offers a powerful exercise for clarifying what is important to you and what you plan to do to make your dreams a reality.
About the Speaker: Tom Morgan is the executive director of the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning and professor of Business at Augsburg College. He holds a PhD in educational policy from the University of Minnesota, a MS in economics from the University of Oregon, and a MBA in finance and operations research from the University of Denver. He has served as a member of the steering committee for the Faith in the City Collaborative since its inception and serves on the boards of the Augsburg-Fairview Academy, Seeing Things Whole, and Select Learning Resources. Morgan has over 25 years of teaching experience and has extensive experience in institutional planning, design, and implementation of new programs. Prior to working in higher education, he worked doing research and grant-writing in health care.
For more information, or to reserve a space in this free workshop, contact Patty Park (612-330-1150 or parkp@augsburg.edu).
StepUP® Gala—Believe!
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Nicollet Ballroom
1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
5 p.m. - Silent Auction and Social
6:30 p.m. - Dinner, Program, and Live Auction
Celebrate the students and alumni of Augsburg’s StepUP program at their annual Gala, with Emcee Don Shelby and alumni speakers Julia Grovum ’06, Richard Birkett ’07, and William “Billy” Hamilton ’12. After the silent auction, guests enjoy dinner, a program, and a live auction with auctioneer Karen Sorbo. Among the scores of items up for bid are two passes to the Masters Championship Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, April 5–8, 2012; two Elite Destination vacation home packages (Turks & Caicos Islands; Los Cabos, Mexico); and two guitars, one autographed by Eric Clapton, the other by the Rolling Stones. All money goes to the StepUP endowment. Alumni are encouraged to join in the festivities, and the public is invited to this semi-formal event as well. Find details at www.augsburg.edu/stepup. If you have questions, contact Lynn at 612-330-1405 or Patrice at 612-330-1166.
Sabo Symposium: “Modeling Constructive Debate: K–12 Funding in Minnesota”
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center
4:00–5:30 p.m., with refreshments and reception following
How do we prepare “informed citizens” who are “critical thinkers”? The Sabo Symposium will provide a unique educational opportunity for the entire Augsburg community, both to learn more about a complex and contentious issue, “Alternatives for Funding K–12 Education,” and to experience a model of respectful and constructive debate between two leading Minnesota legislators who differ greatly on their assessments and positions.
Rep. Pat Garofalo (Republican of District 36B), who chairs the House Education Finance Committee, and Rep. Steve Simon (DFL of District 44A), who serves on the State Finance Committee, will debate the funding issue and alternatives. Then three well-informed educational leaders from across the political spectrum will question the debaters and press them on their positions, followed by an opportunity for audience members to do the same. Respondents are Bill Green, Nan Skelton, and Peter Swanson.
Alumni are encouraged to attend this fine opportunity to learn more content about the issue, as well as how to disagree respectfully. Two resources are available for classes and individuals to use in order to prepare: 1) Constitutional Mandates on who is responsible for K-12 education, and 2) the Minnesota Miracle of 1971: http://web.augsburg.edu/~hesser/MinnesotaMiracle1971.pdf and http://web.augsburg.edu/~hesser/ConstitutionEduc.docx.
For further information, contact Garry Hesser at 612-330-1664, or hesser@augsburg.edu.
Nobel Peace Prize Forum
Campuses of Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota
Mar. 1-3, 2012
Sponsored by Augustana, Concordia, Luther, St. Olaf, and Augsburg Colleges, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum will feature, among other speakers, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate F.W. de Klerk, former president of South Africa, speaking on the subject of the XII World Peace Summit. With the Norwegian Nobel Institute as an institutional partner, the event will be hosted by Augsburg and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School for Public Affairs. To register for the event, go to http://peaceprizeforum.us2.listmanage1.com/subscribe?u=2ed78b2d7af680a24d5aa55e7&id=f5877bfd25. More details are available at www.nobelpeaceprizeforum.org .
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Business Day Sponsors: Land O’Lakes, Inc.; Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Global Studies Day Sponsor: The El-Hibri Charitable Foundation
Major Sponsor: McGough Construction
Event Sponsors: 3M Foundation; Borton Volvo and Borton Motors; Jeanne M. Voigt Foundation; Nordic Home Interiors; The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights Foundation; The Smaby Family Foundation; Winds of Peace Foundation
MAE Tribal Information Sessions
Beginning in fall 2012, Augsburg and the University of Minnesota-Duluth will begin a third cohort offering a post-baccalaureate special education license with a focus on tribal communities and learning styles. This program will be offered in an online format, and courses will follow a semester schedule. For information, go to http://www.augsburg.edu/mae/academics/ais_focus.html.
Information sessions are scheduled for the following Wednesdays in 2012: March 14, April 18, and May 23. All sessions will be held in Oren Gateway Center, Room 103, 6–7 p.m.
Strommen Executive Speaker Series
Featuring Jim Owens, President and CEO, H.B. Fuller
Mar. 29, 2012
5:00–6:30 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium
H.B. Fuller is one of Minnesota’s flagship companies with 2010 annual revenue of $1.36 billion. James J. Owens was named president and CEO of H.B. Fuller Company in November 2011, where he is leading the company’s transformation and profitable growth in its established and emerging markets. With 30 years’ experience in major manufacturing companies in the United States and Europe, Mr. Owens will share his insights with Augsburg students, alumni, faculty and staff. RSVP to www.augsburg.edu/alumnievents to let us know you plan to attend and we will send a complimentary parking ticket to your e-mail address during the week of March 26.
Called to Lead 2012: A Path from Success to Significance to Fulfillment
Four-session Workshop
Apr. 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8
Total cost: $200 (includes books, weekly breakfast, and tuition for all sessions)
If you are wondering where you are going in your professional and personal life and feel that you could be doing something more significant, you are invited to explore “Called to Lead,” a four-week intensive experience for Augsburg alumni and friends of the College. Together you will explore:
- the challenges of leadership
- the nature of servant leadership
- the centered life
- the myth of a balanced life
- seeing things whole
- development of your own strategic game plan
Join in for four mornings in the spring of 2012 (7:30–9 a.m., on Apr. 17, Apr. 24, May 1, and May 8) and emerge energized and renewed for new challenges in your life. Facilitators include Professors Tom Morgan, Jack Fortin, and Norma Noonan. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Augsburg Center for Faith and Learning and the Augsburg Center for Leadership Studies. For more information, please contact Norma Noonan at noonan@augsburg.edu. Registration closes April 1, 2012.
Get Involved
Augsburg Alumni Board
The Augsburg Alumni are looking for volunteers to serve on the board of directors. 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 the alumni website at www.augsburg.edu/alumni/getinvolved .
Chicago Alumni Welcome ABO Students
For the eighth consecutive year, students involved in the ABO (Augsburg Business Organization) traveled to Chicago during winter break to meet with Augsburg alumni, visit Chicago business institutions, and get a taste of life in the Windy City.
This year, 19 students, along with faculty advisor Marc Isaacson, spent five days exploring the city of Chicago. In addition to hearing educational presentations at the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) and Federal Reserve, students met alumni from a variety of backgrounds, including Brett Batterson ‘80 (executive director of the Auditorium Theater), Todd Steenson ‘89 (partner at Holland & Knight law firm), Rod Gonzalez ‘04 (ABO founder and fixed income strategist at RBC Wealth Management), Pat Hillegass (father of ’11 graduate and CME trader), and John Schwartz ’67 (former president of Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago).
Augsburg is grateful to the alumni, parents, and friends who welcome our students to their city and take time to share their life experiences and provide valuable insight and advice about their vocations.
Alumni Spotlight
Susan Allen elected to Minnesota House
In a special election on January 10, Susan Allen ’92 was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, winning 55% of the vote in her district (61B, south central Minneapolis). Currently a partner at Fredericks, Peebles & Morgan, LLP, in Minneapolis, Allen is a tax and tribal attorney, noted for her work with nonprofits and her considerable pro bono work.
The first Native American student to receive an economics degree from Augsburg, Allen went on to obtain additional degrees from the University of New Mexico law school (JD 1995), and William Mitchell College of Law (LLM in taxation 1999).
With roots in the Lakota, Dakota, and Anishinabe people, Allen has served on numerous nonprofit boards: ICWA Law Center since 2000 (president since 2002); Indigenous Peoples Task Force since 2002 (president since 2007); Indian Neighborhood Club on Alcohol and Drugs since 2002; PEJUTA: Indigenous Medication Therapy Management Services, Inc.; and First Nations Kitchen since 2008.
Aquila Tapio
When she completed the final course for her MAE degree from Augsburg in 2010, Aquila Tapio became the first student in the relatively new Naadamaadiwin Tribal Special Education program at Augsburg to obtain her master’s degree. An Oglala Lakota from South Dakota, Tapio felt a strong affinity to the program since her own personal goals and the ways of her people matched up so beautifully with the program name, Naadamaadiwin (Ojibwe for “Helping One Another”). The program, the result of a partnership between the Augsburg College Master of Arts in Education program and the University of Minnesota Duluth Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Language Revitalization, is a special education licensure program in emotional behavioral disorders and learning disabilities with a focus on the unique needs of Native American children.
With a four-year degree from the University of Minnesota, a paralegal certificate from Hamline University, a teaching certificate, and her newly earned MAE, Tapio relishes the idea of at last being able to read a book solely for enjoyment. Her current job in Indian education in the Minneapolis Public School District entails not only encouraging students to engage for success, but increasing parent involvement within the school community as well. She works with about 135 students in two elementary schools within the district. The experiences she and her husband have had with foster children and her determination, in any setting, to understand the circumstances and background of each individual child fit well with the Naadamaadiwin goal of helping others, and make her especially effective in special education.
Information sessions for Augsburg’s MAE Tribal program, Naadamaadiwin, are scheduled for Mar. 13, Apr. 17, and May 23 in the Oren Gateway Center. For information, contact Sophia Jacobson at 612-330-1458.Upcoming Musical Events
Mardi Gras Madrigals
Every spring at Augsburg College, the Goliard Society of Medievalists, a student club, hosts a big party to celebrate the midwinter carnival before Lent. It's Mardi Gras Madrigals! Huzzah! This annual event always features jugglers and musicians, storytellers and poets, and a full medieval feast—eaten without utensils, of course.
This year's Mardi Gras Madrigals will feature the internationally acclaimed early music group, The Rose Ensemble! Come hear your favorite group in an entirely new way.
Mardi Gras Madrigals takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Hoversten Chapel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and box office opens at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $20. For more information, go to www.augsburg.edu/medieval and choose the “Mardi Gras Madrigals” link. Or for reservations, go to www.augsburg.edu/mardigras .
Upcoming Performances
Feb. 11, Chiarino Piano Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
Mar. 10, Augsburg Choir pre-tour, 7 p.m., Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Excelsior, Minn.
Mar. 11, Augsburg Choir pre-tour, 10 a.m. Worship, Bethany Lutheran Church, Onamia, Minn.
Mar. 11, Augsburg Choir pre-tour, 2 p.m., Church of the Holy Cross, Onamia, Minn.
Mar. 25, Augsburg Concert Band, home concert, 7 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
Apr. 1, Masterworks Chorale, concert, 7 p.m., Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn.
Upcoming Theater Performances
A Mechanical Midsummer, by William Shakespeare
Adapted from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Student Directed by Kat Lutze
Mar. 7, 8, 9, 10 at 7 p.m.
Foss Center
Cost: (see details at http://www.augsburg.edu/theater/tickets.html)
"Lord what fools these mortals be!" Join Puck and his fairy friends as they stumble upon a bunch of foolish mechanics rehearsing a play. Musical mayhem ensues as the trickster fairy uses his magic to interrupt their clownish play acting. Inspired by the original Midsummer, the cast and crew will create songs, music, and dance to stage a totally unique and fun-filled piece of theatre.
Titanic Orchestra, by Hristo Boytchev-Orlovski
Directed by Barbra Berlovitz
Apr. 13–22, 2012
Tjornhom-Nelson Theater
The four inconspicuous heroes of the play philosophize, lightly and unpretentiously, about what is the truth, where are the limits between reality and fiction, what reality really is. Boytchev’s funny little people are dreamers full of profound feelings, searching for themselves and trying to find their connections with the world. It’s a perspicuous, bitter-funny, and very subtle diagnosis of the condition of the contemporary man.
Auggies Give. Every Year.
I’m pleased to announce a new addition to the NOW@Augsburg e-newsletter—a monthly feature about the importance of annual giving at Augsburg, called “Auggies Give. Every Year.” Here, we’ll keep you up-to-date on our annual giving goals, progress made to date, and ways in which your gifts impact current Auggie students.
I’m pleased to report that we ended 2011 with a strong finish in our annual giving programs. We’re a little over halfway through our fiscal year, which ends on May 31, and well on our way to the goal of $1,400,000 raised from 3,000 donors. Currently, we’ve raised $468,585 from 1,708 donors, and we are ahead of the last two fiscal years in both dollars and donors. Thanks to everyone who has made a gift so far this fiscal year! If you have not yet made your annual gift to Augsburg, you can always do so online at www.augsburg.edu/giving.
This new year, consider adding one more resolution to your list: become a sustaining donor to The Augsburg Fund! By making a monthly gift through your bank account, you help to provide a lasting reliable contribution that Augsburg can count on:
- It’s convenient: Sustainers make a monthly donation to Augsburg through their bank account. Set-up is easy. Your account will be charged according to your instructions.
- It’s greener: We’re able to save paper and postage by not having to send you mailings and pledge reminders.
- It’s powerful: Your recurring gift to Augsburg ensures that the College can count on lasting support from donors.
For more information about becoming a sustaining donor and annual giving at Augsburg, please contact me at 612-330-1652 or truaxm@augsburg.edu.
Martha Truax
Director of Annual Giving
(Martha Truax was recently named director of annual giving, after having served for four years as assistant director.)
Athletics
Women's Basketball—Zin scores 20 as Auggies triumph over St. Kate’s, 51–43
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2012/1/21/wbb012112.aspx?path=wbball
Men's Basketball—Augsburg 65, St. John’s 49
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2012/1/18/mbb011812.aspx?path=mbball
Erica Berthold featured in MIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2012/1/18/whoc011812.aspx?path=whockey
Auggies dominate in 38–3 dual wrestling win
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2012/1/17/wres011712.aspx?path=wrestling
Women’s swimming—Auggies set two top-10 times http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2012/1/21/swim012112.aspx?path=wswim
