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Zyzzogeton event highlights student achievement

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ZyzzogetonAugsburg College will celebrate the creativity and scholarship of undergraduate students on April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the eighth annual Zyzzogeton Research Festival.

Held in Oren Gateway Center, the festival falls at the end of each academic year and is a culmination of achievement featuring work across divisions and departments.

This year, more than 80 students will present their research to the Augsburg community during a poster session. Zyzzogeton is an opportunity to hear about the exciting scholarship happening on campus and refreshments will be served throughout the event. Continue reading “Zyzzogeton event highlights student achievement” →

Theater teaches students about critical thinking, teamwork

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The spring production of Cabaret, a classic American musical set in 1930s Germany, has created a unique learning laboratory—true to the Theater Department’s mission—in which students are asking big questions and learning how to work as a team. In making connections between a time in history and present-day issues, the cast members are creating theater that will give them skills they can use in life and in their future careers.

Asking big questions develops critical thinking skills

CabaretDarcey Engen, associate professor and chair of the Theater Department, said the rehearsal process raised important questions for the cast members. “1930s Germany was a time of great wealth and great poverty, and the middle class was stressed,” Engen said. “We discussed the conditions, drawing similarities to what is now happening in our country.”

Rehearsals began shortly after the proposed Minnesota Constitutional amendment to define marriage was defeated and following the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. These events helped cast members relate current issues to the circumstances in 1930s Germany and the discrimination that centered on race, class, and sexuality. Continue reading “Theater teaches students about critical thinking, teamwork” →

Women’s rights leader Gloria Steinem unites campus and community

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Gloria Steinem speaks in Hoversten Chapel
Gloria Steinem speaks in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center.

The 2013 Koryne Horbal Lecture with women’s rights icon Gloria Steinem was a “can’t miss” event for Augsburg College student Ali Smith ’15.

“Feminism is something I’m interested in,” Smith said. “It’s a way to bond with my professors and friends because we’re working toward the common goal of equity.”

Each year, the Anne Pederson Women’s Resource Center at Augsburg College hosts the Koryne Horbal Lecture to bring to campus speakers of national distinction who address issues that influence women. The event attracts Augsburg students, like Smith, as well as faculty and staff members, and—increasingly—members of the greater Twin Cities community. Continue reading “Women’s rights leader Gloria Steinem unites campus and community” →

Corporate partnerships give students experience and an advantage

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Paul Hunt
Paul Hunt ’13

Its location in the heart of the city is one reason many students choose to study at Augsburg College. Being in the city offers distinct advantages to students, including opportunities to gain important career exposure and earn valuable experience that distinguishes them in the marketplace.

One example is that of Paul Hunt ’13, a professional chef turned accounting and finance major who secured an internship through his participation in the Thrivent Leadership Fellows program. The program gave Hunt professional knowledge and the confidence to explore a new vocation in the world of corporate finance.

Augsburg’s location provides access to 19 Fortune 500 companies and some of the country’s most dynamic professional fields. The College currently partners with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Travelers, and Target Corp. in programs that provide learning opportunities and scholarships for students. Continue reading “Corporate partnerships give students experience and an advantage” →

$10 million gift to Augsburg College will launch new academic building

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Gift from 1965 Augsburg College alumnus is largest in College’s history

BOR 05_06_11.inddAugsburg College is honored to announce that it has received an unrestricted $10 million philanthropic gift from a 1965 alumnus.

The donor’s generous contribution will support a new academic building that will house a number of the College’s academic programs including biology, business, chemistry, computer science, math, physics, psychology, and religion.

“This tremendous gift will make possible our continued commitment to academic excellence, to the hands-on learning that is one of the hallmarks of the College, and to the continued best-use of our 23-acre campus,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow. “Augsburg is a 143-year-old anchor institution in the heart of Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. This gift puts Augsburg on the path of being a college for the 21st century, and one that continues to deliver academic excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies.” Continue reading “$10 million gift to Augsburg College will launch new academic building” →

Torstenson Lecture in Sociology features Garry Hesser

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Garry Hesser
Augsburg professor Garry Hesser

Each year, Augsburg College honors the legacy of an individual who helped shape the College’s mission by hosting the Torstenson Lecture in Sociology, and—for the first time—the 2013 presentation will highlight the important work of a current Augsburg faculty member.

The Torstenson Lecture is an opportunity for a sociologist from the Twin Cities area to share with the Augsburg community the contemporary scholarship, research, and thinking on a sociological topic.

This year’s speaker, Garry Hesser, is the first Augsburg professor selected to be the Torstenson lecturer, and Hesser will present “Place Matters…So?” at 5 p.m., April 2 in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center. Continue reading “Torstenson Lecture in Sociology features Garry Hesser” →

Auggies advocate for private education support at the Capitol

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auggiesatcapitol2Whether they are learning about lobbying, speaking to a committee, or presenting their research, Auggies in many disciplines are making time to talk to lawmakers about issues and policies that affect students. By telling their stories to advocate for support for Minnesota’s private colleges and for programs that make a private college education possible for students, Augsburg students are living the College’s mission to be engaged citizens.

This spring, the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) and Augsburg Day Student Government will provide an opportunity for Auggies to engage with legislators at Augsburg Day at the Capitol. And at events held earlier this year, Ben Yawakie ’13, Charlie Olson ’13, and Rosie Benser ’13 talked with legislators about the value of their experiences at Augsburg. Continue reading “Auggies advocate for private education support at the Capitol” →

Strommen speaker series features Mary K. Brainerd of HealthPartners

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Mary Brainerd
Mary Brainerd, president and CEO of HealthPartners

Augsburg College will welcome Mary K. Brainerd, a national leader known for her business acumen and unwavering commitment to the community, as the next featured presenter in the Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Speaker Series on April 4.

Brainerd, who will speak on the topic of health care reform from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Sateren Auditorium, is the president and chief executive officer of Minnesota-based HealthPartners—the largest, consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the United States. Brainerd and HealthPartners are widely recognized for charitable community work.

“Mary is a leader whose values and skills are placed in service of the common good,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, who views Brainerd as an important collaborator with the College. Continue reading “Strommen speaker series features Mary K. Brainerd of HealthPartners” →

Shedding light on everyday physics experiments

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sverdrupDozens—if not hundreds or even thousands—of physics experiments go on every day on the Augsburg College campus. Most of the time, however, no one hears about these experiments. No one knows if the experiments yielded favorable results that can be duplicated. No one knows if the experiments were a waste of time and resources. No one reports the results to anyone, and no one tracks the cost of the experiments.

Yet, each and every day, Augsburg College students conduct physics experiments whenever they cook or prepare food. Harvard University’s David Weitz will make visible the everyday physics taking place during food preparation at the Sverdrup Visiting Scientist lecture. Continue reading “Shedding light on everyday physics experiments” →