Bing tracking

World leaders in Minnesota June 6-8 for Peace Prize Forum

Kailash Satyarthi is the honored Nobel Peace Prize Winner who will speak at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum June 6 to 8 in Bloomington, Minnesota

(MINNEAPOLIS) — The 28th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, an international peace congress, is June 6-8 in Bloomington, Minnesota. Kailash Satyarthi, who was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for his work liberating more than 80,000 children from slavery in his home country of India, will present each day of the Forum.

Satyarthi will share his work to eliminate child slavery and child trafficking. To date, he and his organization Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childrem Movement) have rescued more than 85,000 children in India from slavery and exploitation, enrolled the children in school, and pioneered India’s first child-protection laws.

“We’re so honored to welcome Kailash Satyarthi to the Forum to share insights and experiences from his life’s work, and to do so at the center of a network of peace builders who are working to ensure more widespread and lasting success on these vital efforts to improve quality of life and opportunity for people around the world,” said Gina Torry, executive director of the Forum.

“It is through an embrace of innovation, collaboration, dialogue and the moral daring exhibited by leaders such as Kailash Satyarthi that we can identify and address peace and security implications of — and connections among — human trafficking, migration, refugees and climate change.”

Continue reading “World leaders in Minnesota June 6-8 for Peace Prize Forum”

Photo Opportunity: Nobel Peace Prize Forum

2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kailash Satyarthi will address issues of child slavery;
peace and security implications of human trafficking, migration, refugees and climate change

(MINNEAPOLIS) — The 28th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum will host Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi from June 6-8. Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his work liberating more than 80,000 children from slavery in his home country of India. In addition to sharing his work to eliminate child slavery, Satyarthi will identify and address at the Forum peace and security implications of — and connections among — human trafficking, migration, refugees and climate change.

PRIMARY LAUREATE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: JUNE 6

  • 9 a.m.: Video — Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
  • 9:15 a.m.: Welcome, Gina Torry, executive director of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum
  • 9:20 a.m.: Introduction of Kailash Satyarthi by Asle Toje, research director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute
  • 9:30 a.m.: Address — Kailash Satyarthi
  • 9:45 a.m.: Global Question and Answer with Kailash Satyarthi
  • 11 a.m.: Coffee Break

Satyarthi also will speak on June 7 and June 8. A detailed schedule of events is available on the Nobel Peace Prize Forum website.

Continue reading “Photo Opportunity: Nobel Peace Prize Forum”

Commencement Season Kicks Off April 30 at Augsburg

Spring 2016 undergraduate class is the most diverse in College’s history

Students in Spring 2015 process down Seven and a Half Street to Si Melby Hall for Commencement Ceremonies.The Augsburg College community on Saturday, April 30, will celebrate the success of students from its Minneapolis and Rochester campuses, including the traditional undergraduate class that is comprised of more than 42 percent students of color.

In the past 10 years, since Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow has led the institution, the College has more than tripled the percentage of persons of color in the full undergraduate student bodygrowing from 11 percent in 2006 to 33 percent in 2016.

“An Augsburg education is marked by broad and intentional diversity in which students learn at the intersections of academic disciplines, diverse viewpoints, rich faith traditions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender expressions, military commitments, learning styles and more,” Pribbenow said.

“We know that in order to secure a vital and vibrant future for our cities, state, and region, we must be united in our drive for equity. Our location in the city – in one of the most diverse ZIP codes in the nation – allows Auggies the unique advantage of leveraging the richness and abundance that these many forms of diversity offer.”

Continue reading “Commencement Season Kicks Off April 30 at Augsburg”

Augsburg breaks ground April 29 for new academic building

State-of-the-art Hagfors Center a living demonstration of College commitment to equity, diversity

Exterior of the front of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and ReligionMINNEAPOLIS — Groundbreaking for Augsburg College’s state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business and Religion is Friday.

More than 350 alumni, faculty, students, donors and friends of the College are expected to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Hagfors Center, designed to foster intersections among areas of study, support active learning, and connect the College to the community.

View of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion from the current Science Hall“The Hagfors Center is a living demonstration of the College’s dedication to interdisciplinary student learning, urban placemaking and thoughtful stewardship. Our commitment to equity and intentional diversity – our pledge to prepare students of academic ability to solve the most complex problems of our world – will be on view Saturday when we celebrate the success of students from Minneapolis and Rochester, including a traditional undergraduate class with more than 42 percent students of color,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow.

“The new Hagfors Center, which will create learning at the intersections of science, business and religion, is a commitment to our Lutheran heritage and identity. It’s also a promise to explore diverse viewpoints, rich faith traditions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender expressions, military commitments, learning styles and more.”

In the 10 years since Pribbenow has led the institution, Augsburg has more than tripled the percentage of persons of color in the full undergraduate student body – growing from 11 percent in 2006 to 33 percent in 2016.

Continue reading “Augsburg breaks ground April 29 for new academic building”

Auggies perform with Barry Manilow at Xcel Energy Center

Auggies sing with Barry Manilow on his well known hit, “Copacabana (At the Copa).”

Members of the Augsburg Choir sang backup for Barry Manilow during the Grammy-award winning performer’s farewell tour. The choir sang three encore songs with Manilow including “I Write the Songs,” “Miracle,” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).”

The Augsburg Choir was selected to perform by Barry Manilow’s choir director, Doug Hollenback. The ensemble is recognized for its high level of musicianship and performs a diverse repertoire under the direction of Peter Hendrickson ’76.

The performance by the students drew media attention from Twin Cities media outlets including:

Watch a YouTube video of Auggies performing Copacabana at the show.

Expert: Salmeri available to respond to President Obama’s address on substance abuse disorders, prescription drug addiction

Patrice Salmeri is director of Augsburg's residential collegiate recovery program

MINNEAPOLIS — Patrice Salmeri, director of Augsburg College’s StepUP® Program for students in recovery and President of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education, is a national expert available to talk to media about President Barack Obama’s announcement to bolster medial services for persons in recovery from substance abuse disorders.

When: Salmeri is available until 6:30 p.m., beginning immediately following President Barack Obama’s announcement. (Watch President Obama on the White House live stream at 2:15 p.m. EST at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live.)

What: Salmeri can address the importance of eliminating stigma by:

  • Shifting language used to describe these disorders. For instance, rather than using the term “addiction,” shifting to “substance abuse disorders” to recognize that addiction is a medical issue.
  • Treating substance abuse disorders as medical issues, not unlike society responds to diabetes or other chronic medical illnesses.
  • Ensuring those with substance abuse disorders can access mental health and substance use services as readily as other medical services.

How: Call Stephanie Weiss, director of news and media services, at 612.330.1476.

Full Bio: Patrice Salmeri is the Director of the StepUP® Program at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the largest residential collegiate recovery programs in the nation. She also serves as the President of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education.

She is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, holds a Master’s Degree in Human Development specializing in leadership and spirituality, and also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Augsburg teaching courses related to chemical dependency. During Salmeri’s tenure as Director of StepUP, the program has experienced a 250 percent increase in the quantity of young people in recovery pursuing a college education.

In 2011, The U.S. Department of Education appointed Salmeri a Fellow for the United States Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention. In 2013, The Association for Recovery in Higher Education presented Patrice with The Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Collegiate Recovery.

Pribbenow discusses commitment to higher education achievement equity with U.S. Department of Education

Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow is the tenth president of the college.WASHINGTON, D.C. — Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow participated in a high-level meeting with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., last week focused on highlighting successful strategies for increasing equity in college access and graduation rates for students eligible for the Federal Pell Grant Program.

One recent strategy deployed by Augsburg, in partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College and with Saint Paul College, is the Auggie Plan. The thoughtfully and carefully constructed Auggie Plan, which is customized to the student profile of each partner institution, creates a clear, attainable, predictable, and efficient path from an associate’s degree to a liberal arts degree. The Auggie Plan is slated to be in five community and technical colleges by 2017.

“As a college located in one of the most diverse ZIP codes in the region and with a traditional undergraduate population comprised of 40 percent Pell-eligible students, Augsburg is deeply familiar with the work that a commitment to inclusion entails,” Pribbenow said. “We also know how rewarding it is when we get it right — which, admittedly, is not every time and not as often as we’d like. But the fact that there is still work to be done in no way deters our commitment.

“At Augsburg, we do this work because it is both right and necessary. It’s right and necessary for students — enriching our learning community with questions and ideas from a vast array of bright minds. It is right and necessary for businesses and nonprofits — marshaling the talents and perspectives of all our people to address our region’s most pressing needs and opportunities. It is right and necessary for Minnesota as a state that offers a lifestyle we cherish and wish to sustain. “

U.S. President Barack Obama, since the beginning of his administration, has worked to ensure more U.S. residents have the opportunity to earn a quality, affordable higher education.

“For us to thrive as a diverse democracy and for individuals to achieve their dreams of success, higher education must fulfill its promise of providing opportunity to all students, regardless of their race, gender, or income level,” said U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell.

“That opportunity means access, but getting into college is not enough. It’s getting in and getting through that matters. There are remarkable institutions around the country succeeding at making access and success a reality for low income students. We need to learn from their leadership and spread the word about practices that work.

Martin Olav Sabo ’59 leaves indelible mark on Augsburg College community

Martin Olav Sabo
Congressman Martin Olav Sabo ’59, left, stands with Augsburg College students at a celebration of scholarship. Sylvia Sabo, center, and wife of the Congressman, also is shown. The Sabos guided and shaped the formation of Augsburg College’s Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship.

(MINNEAPOLIS) — U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ‘59, who passed away at age 78 on March 13, 2016, was a lifelong public servant who exemplified the progressive approach and personal integrity that were modeled in his Lutheran upbringing and education.

His commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy at Augsburg College through his work to create and guide the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, the Sabo Scholars program, and the annual Sabo Symposium. 

One year after graduating cum laude from Augsburg College, at age 22, Sabo was elected to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During Sabo’s tenure in the Minnesota Legislature, 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. He was named an Augsburg Distinguished Alumnus and received the first honorary degree ever conferred by the College.

Sabo and his wife, Sylvia, guided Augsburg in the creation of the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship. The goals of the Center are to create opportunities for civic experiences and skill-building—inside and outside the classroom—for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members—and to carry forward the Sabos’ and the College’s important commitment to public service.

“The creation of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship gives Augsburg the ongoing opportunity to celebrate the life and work of our dear friend and distinguished alumnus,” said President Paul C. Pribbenow.

“Congressman Sabo’s life-long commitment to public service is an inspiration to all of us. As we live out our mission and vision here at Augsburg, we, of course, are deeply engaged in helping our students to understand the electoral political process, which Congressman Sabo so ably served.”

Congressman Sabo and Sylvia Sabo are parents of Auggies Karin Mantor ‘86 and Julie Sabo ‘90. 

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 Norwegian-American relations.

Learn about the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship at augsburg.edu/sabo.

Augsburg media expert says sustainable ceasefire agreement in Syria must include end to conflict-related sexual violence used as weapon

Nobel Peace Prize Forum executive director an expert on mediation and conflict-related sexual violence

GinaTorryGina Torry, executive director of the Augsburg-hosted Nobel Peace Prize Forum, is the author of the United Nation’s “Guidance for Mediators: Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ceasefire and Peace Agreements,” which has been used to end conflict-related sexual violence against women and children.

She is available to address with media:

  • Why an end to sexual violence as a weapon is critical to ceasefire in Syria
  • Methods and tactics of conflict
  • Conflict-related sexual violence waged against civilians
  • How to identify when sexual violence is conflict related
  • Examples where ceasefire has included agreement to end use of sexual violence in conflict zones

“If left unaddressed, sexual violence can be used as a means to continue acts of war outside the purview of agreements and monitoring teams, which can trigger cycles of vengeance and vigilantism, and risk undermining confidence in agreements and possibly the mediation process itself,” Torry said.

Torry has worked closely with the UN, its member states, regional organizations, women’s civil society groups, and networks worldwide. She most recently served as executive director of the Peace Research Endowment, the North American presence of the Peace Research Institute Oslo. Prior to that, Torry worked for several years with the UN Department of Political Affairs Policy and Mediation Division.

To arrange an interview, contact Stephanie Weiss, news and media services director, at 612.330.1476 or by email at weisss@augsburg.edu.

 

Advisory: LeVar Burton gives public address Feb. 13 at Augsburg

Star of Star Trek, Reading Rainbow and Roots explores innovation, creativity

LeVar Burton(MINNEAPOLIS) — LeVar Burton – an educator, director, and actor best known for his roles in Reading Rainbow, Roots and Star Trek – will share with the public and the Augsburg community the importance of turning STEM into STE(A)M when he speaks at the College on February 13, 2016, as part of Scholarship Weekend.

Burton will talk about compelling reasons for integrating science, technology, engineering and math with the arts and design in his presentation “You can be anything: The importance of education, innovation, and creativity.”

Every spring, Augsburg College welcomes the best and brightest prospective Auggies to participate in Scholarship Weekend. These students participate in a range of activities, connect with faculty and current students, compete for top scholarships, and hear from inspiring leaders. Levar Burton’s appearance follows on successful visits in previous years of his holiness the Dalai Lama and Bill Nye the “Science Guy.”

TICKET INFORMATION

All tickets are general admission with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Price: $28.00*
  • *All tickets will be charged a $3 service fee. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges are allowed.
  • Purchase tickets at www.augsburg.edu/tickets

WHERE

Augsburg College’s Kennedy Center, located in Si Melby Gymnasium (715 23rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454)

WHEN

  • Doors open at 11:45 a.m., Feb. 13
  • Presentation from 1-2 p.m., Feb. 13

ABOUT AUGSBURG COLLEGE

Augsburg College is set in a vibrant neighborhood at the heart of the Twin Cities, and offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to nearly 3,600 students of diverse backgrounds. Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. 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 its urban and global settings.