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Abenth is seventh Auggie teacher to receive Milken Educator Award

abenth_milkenHe teaches fourth grade and directs choirs at Highland Park Elementary in St. Paul, Minn. He also plays guitar and drums, sings in a band, and makes furniture and woodcarvings in the summer. But ask him why he was selected to receive a prestigious educator award, and this outstanding teacher blushes.

“I’m still trying to figure that out,” said Steve Abenth ’04. “I could make a list of hundreds of teachers who deserve this award, but I’m very honored to have received it.”

On November 9, 2012, Abenth became the newest recipient of the Milken Educator Award for the state of Minnesota. The award, established in 1985 by the Milken Family Foundation, recognizes excellence in early- to mid-career educators. A committee appointed by each state’s department of education selects the recipients. Abenth is the seventh Augsburg alum to receive the award since 2004. Continue reading “Abenth is seventh Auggie teacher to receive Milken Educator Award”

Augsburg College is open today

green_snowflakeOn Monday, December 10, Augsburg College is open and all classes and activities will be held as scheduled. Faculty, staff, and students must make their own decision about whether to travel. Campus sidewalks and parking lots (primarily Lot L) will be plowed for access to campus.

For students and faculty who missed class due to weather conditions on Sunday, December 9:

Faculty should send messages to students via Moodle if they are unable to travel to campus to hold class. If faculty determine that a class session will not be held, they must provide a timely alternative to students for completing course requirements. Continue reading “Augsburg College is open today”

Tips for graduating seniors

tips_for_seniorsAs finals week for the fall semester approaches, the end is in sight for seniors who are planning to graduate in the spring.

This is a time when many students may be wondering about the future, searching for jobs or internships, creating a career network, finding a mentor, and figuring out how student loan repayment works. The staff in Augsburg’s Strommen Center and the office of Academic Advising want to let seniors know that the winter break is a perfect time to do some planning and to schedule appointments with staff members who can help students plan for the next stage of their lives.

Below are some tips for finding a job and taking care of business on campus. Continue reading “Tips for graduating seniors”

Graphic design students’ exhibit features Augsburg Health Commons

sock_exhibit
Bee Vang ’15 and Vince Undis ’14 hang the prints, which were created by the Graphic Design I and II students, in the exhibit. Photo by Stephen Geffre.

In addition to learning about the Pantone system and font rendering, students in Augsburg’s fall semester graphic design classes gained knowledge about three things: the Augsburg Health Commons, socks, and what it’s like to work in a professional design situation.

“We learned how to work together and to take criticism,” said Vince Undis ’14, a mass communications major. “And that deadlines are no joke,” added Patrick Werle ’13, a creative writing major.

Students in Graphic Design I and II spent the fall semester researching the history, philosophy, and practice of the Augsburg Central Health Commons and the Health Commons at Dar Ul-Quba. Continue reading “Graphic design students’ exhibit features Augsburg Health Commons”

Augsburg holiday traditions focus on heritage, sharing our gifts

Kransekake (ring tree cake) is a Danish and Norwegian dessert traditionally eaten on special occasions.
Kransekake (ring tree cake) is a Danish and Norwegian dessert traditionally eaten on special occasions.

This week, as students begin working on final papers, projects, and exams, many at Augsburg are looking forward to two holiday traditions that highlight the College’s Scandinavian heritage and share the gifts and talents of the Augsburg community with others. These two annual events are the traditional Scandinavian Velkommen Jul celebration hosted by the Augsburg Associates on November 30, and Advent Vespers, a service of music and liturgy which features the musical talents of Augsburg’s instrumental and choral ensembles on November 30 and December 1.

Velkommen Jul begins with chapel service at 10:20 a.m. and moves to the Christensen Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, rumored to be one of the largest gatherings of Norwegian sweaters in the country, includes Scandinavian music and foods such as krumkake (a Norwegian waffle cookie) and lutefisk (dried whitefish prepared with lye and butter), handcrafted items, and a visit from St. Nicholas. Continue reading “Augsburg holiday traditions focus on heritage, sharing our gifts”

Wehrenberg named to Augsburg College Board of Regents

Steve_WehrenbergMINNEAPOLIS — Steve Wehrenberg, chief executive officer of Campbell Mithun, was elected this fall to serve a four-year term as a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents.

Wehrenberg ’78 holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Augsburg College and is a 30-year veteran of the advertising industry. He became Campbell Mithun’s CEO in 2007 and since has provided expert leadership for many of the company’s most successful and award-winning campaigns. Continue reading “Wehrenberg named to Augsburg College Board of Regents”

Moksnes named to Augsburg College Board of Regents

Pam_MoksnesMINNEAPOLIS — Pam (Hanson) Moksnes, an independent management consultant, was elected this fall to serve a four-year term as a member of the Augsburg College Board of Regents.

Moksnes ’79 holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augsburg College and formerly was a partner at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

“Augsburg has made a tremendous impact on me personally and professionally,” Moksnes said. “Connecting an excellent education to leadership, service, and stewardship is a hallmark of Augsburg, which makes a top education relevant in our world. Serving on the Augsburg Board of Regents is an honor as we work together to carry out this legacy.” Continue reading “Moksnes named to Augsburg College Board of Regents”

New Augsburg College Regents named

This fall the Augsburg Corporation named four new members to the Board of Regents. Newly elected members include Jennie Carlson, Pam Moksnes ’79, Curt Sampson, and Steve Wehrenberg ’78. Each person was elected to serve a four-year term.

In addition to new member appointments, this year the Board of Regents welcomed Jodi Harpstead, chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, as its new chair. Harpstead was named chair after serving on the Board of Regents since 2005. She will play a key leadership role in Augsburg’s planning and fundraising initiatives. Continue reading “New Augsburg College Regents named”

Non-traditional theater production explores topic of student debt

debtIt’s not traditional theater. And it’s not very common to see students on campus with tape over their mouths and rope wrapped around their bodies. But that is exactly what students in Augsburg’s upcoming theater performance did last week to promote their work.

Debt, a student-led production exploring the topic of student debt, began last week with a series of site-specific performances. The production continues Nov. 1-4 with town-hall style meetings that use popular theater techniques and facilitation methods to generate dialogue among audience and cast members. Continue reading “Non-traditional theater production explores topic of student debt”

Serving as polling location is honor that comes with responsibility

2012ElectionAugsburg College will serve as an official polling place for the November 6 General Election.

Residents of Minneapolis Ward 2, Precinct 7—who include some Augsburg students, staff, and faculty—may vote in the Marshall Room of Christensen Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While making the Marshall Room available to the Cedar-Riverside community as a polling place is convenient for eligible voters, it does come with special responsibilities.

“It’s an honor to serve as a polling location for the Presidential, Congressional, state, and local races,” said Ann Garvey, vice president of Student Affairs. “But it will create a different feel in Christensen Center on Election Day.” Continue reading “Serving as polling location is honor that comes with responsibility”