Colin Irvine, associate professor of English, will be leaving Augsburg College at the end of the 2014-15 academic year to join Carroll College in Helena, Mont., as its next vice president of academic affairs and dean of the college. Irvine’s new role was announced by KTVH-TV in a story that discussed his work at Augsburg College and areas of expertise.
MPR features Midnimo program’s Aar Maanta residency
The Cedar Cultural Center and several other Minneapolis organizations hosted popular London-based Somali singer Aar Maanta in early April as part of the Midnimo series, a two-year partnership with Augsburg College to build cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Somali culture through music.
The Minnesota Public Radio story “Aar Maanta is the voice of a new Somali generation” discussed the ways in which Aar Maanta’s music resonates with Minnesotans and rejuvenates the Somali music scene.
Mike Matson ’06 launches community meal initiative
Five days a week, Minneapolis community members convene at Bethany Lutheran Church to dine on gourmet fare prepared as part of the Soup for You Cafe — a program recognized by the Star Tribune for its ability to “redefine the soup kitchen.”
Augsburg College alumnus, Chaplain to Student Athletes, and linebacker coach Rev. Mike Matson ’06 is the pastor at Bethany Lutheran and the driver behind this community meal. Supported by volunteers and one talented chef, Soup for You is a chance for people of varying backgrounds to come together in an environment that focuses on dignity. In the article “Church program offers hot soup, warm welcome,” Matson underscored that the program focuses on bringing people together.
“Our model is mutuality, and what better way is there to show mutuality than to gather at the same table together?” he said.
Kristin Anderson discusses new St. Paul ballpark in Star Tribune
Kristin Anderson — a sports architecture expert, Augsburg College archivist, and art history professor — was quoted in a Star Tribune article on the architecture of the new CHS Field set to open in the Lowertown district of downtown St. Paul this spring. CHS Field is the future home of the St. Paul Saints minor league team, and its architecture features a sleek low-slung design comprised of black concrete and steel. The article presented a number of individuals’ opinions of the design, noting that the structure is a standout amongst its adjacent buildings.
“The immediate expectation was that it had to match the things around it — ye old ballpark — and I don’t think that’s necessary … The subtlety of the exterior allows the action of the place to shine,” Anderson said.
Read, “St. Paul Saints: Not your grandfather’s ballpark” on the Star Tribune website to learn more.
Augsburg professor Matthew Beckman mentors gifted student
Matthew Beckman, assistant professor of biology at Augsburg College, was mentioned in an Indian Country Today article about a student whom he advises, Grant Two Bulls.
Two Bulls is a high school senior at Breck School and has been conducting scientific research in the Lake Calhoun area – the previous location of the Mdewakanton Dakota village – to learn more about his Native American heritage. The endeavor, Beckman says, has been nothing short of remarkable.
“Here’s a high school senior doing pretty high-level research and then taking that data and speaking to national audiences about it in a really impressive way,” Beckman said in an interview.
Harry Boyte examines public spaces and democracy
In his latest Huffington Post article, Harry Boyte, Augsburg’s Sabo Senior Fellow, discusses the need for public spaces in higher education.
The idea, Boyte says, is that public spaces on college campuses can be used for discussions and demonstrations allowing for more political and democratic expression, therefore bridging the gap between “private” and “public” worlds.
“Public spaces allow for expressions of higher education’s best democratic values — free exchange of ideas, thoughtful discussion, appeal to evidence and respect for different perspectives,” Boyte said.
To read the “Universities, public spaces and the democratic way of life” article, visit the Huffington Post news site.
Todd Lange ’92 named teacher of the year
Todd Lange ’92 was mentioned in the Albert Lea Tribune as a result of receiving the Albert Lea High School 2015 Teacher of the Year Award.
Lange, who has taught English in the southern-Minnesota school district for 18 years, also heads the English department at Riverland Community College.
Lange holds a master’s degree in teaching from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, and a teaching license from Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota.
To read more on Lange’s Teacher of the Year Award, visit the Albert Lea Tribune news site.
Music therapist Sandi Holten ’82 tells MPR how music helps Parkinson’s patients
Augsburg College alumna and music therapist Sandi Holten ’82 was featured on MPR News in a special piece for Minnesota Sounds & Voices. As a kid, Holten dropped out of piano lessons believing that music wasn’t going to play a large part in her life, but today she uses music to strengthen muscles and spirits for many people living with Parkinson’s in the Twin Cities.
Visit the MPR News website to learn more about Holten’s work in the story, “Music helps keep Parkinson’s patients going.”
Augsburg wrestling’s record win draws media attention
In mid-March, Augsburg College won its 12th NCAA Division III wrestling championship and took home a number of awards from the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Head coach Jim Moulsoff was named Division III National Coach of the Year and Division III Rookie Coach of the Year. Tony Valek ’12 was named Assistant Coach of the Year, and Mike Fuenffinger ’15 won his second national title and the Outstanding Wrestler honor. Eric Hensel ’16 won Most Falls in Least Time, and Donny Longendyke ’15 earned his first national title.
Media coverage of Augsburg’s NCAA Championship win includes the following:
- The Daily News – “Moulsoff puts Augsburg back on top”
- KSTP – “Augsburg wrestling wins D-III Championship”
- NCAA video recap – “Augsburg wins the 2015 DIII Wrestling Championship”
- Star Tribune – “NCAA wrestling: St. Cloud State, Augsburg win national titles”
- White Bear Press – “Longendyke pins down national title”
- Jordan Independent – “Valek named DIII assistant wrestling coach of the year“
Whitney Restemayer ’10 wins one for the record books
Whitney Restemayer ’10 was featured in the Bemidji Pioneer – a northern-Minnesota newspaper – due to her achievement as the first woman to coach a state hockey champion team in Minnesota.
As head coach, Restemayer led the Thief River Falls Prowlers to the state High School Girls Hockey Tournament Class A Championship and to defeat Blake high school 3-1. The accomplishment, Restemayer affirms, will be the first of many to come.
“I know I’m the first to win, but I enjoy knowing that I won’t be the last,” Restemayer said in an interview.
Restemayer holds a bachelor’s degree in health education from Augsburg College. To learn more about Restemayer and her team, visit the Bemidji Pioneer news site.