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Curt Rice ’84 named rector of prestigious Norwegian university college

Curt Rice
Photo courtesy of Sonja Balci

Curt Rice ’84 was appointed the new rector of the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, the largest institution of its kind in Norway.

“I’ll work to assure that our institution makes its mark both nationally and internationally. And together we will achieve our goal of becoming a university,” Rice said in an interview.

Rice, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Augsburg and a PhD in general linguistics from the University of Texas, currently leads the Committee on Gender Balance and Diversity in Research and is the Board Head of Current Research Information System in Norway.

 

Kuoth Wiel ’14 continues ‘The Good Lie’ benevolence

ANCLogoKuoth Wiel ’14 appeared in an article by aNewsCafe – a California-based online news magazine – about a screening of the film “The Good Lie” sponsored by Genocide No More-Save Darfur, an organization aimed at bringing awareness of genocide in Sudan and aiding Sudanese refugees.

Wiel, who was a star in the film and continues her own humanitarian efforts, will make an appearance at the screening and partake in a question and answer session after the viewing.

To read about Wiel and learn more about Genocide No More-Save Darfur, visit the aNewsCafe news site.

Augsburg grad joins distinguished medical practice

logo-3Bruce Cunningham ’77 was featured by the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal after joining the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minn., as a family physician.

Cunningham, who is a longtime Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree form Augsburg College and earned his Doctor of Osteopathy at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Iowa.

To read the article, visit the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal site.

Matt Beckman adviser to award-winning high-school researcher at Breck School

AmInEngSocAssistant Professor of  Biology Matt Beckman spoke with the Star Tribune about the work he is doing as an adviser to a Breck School senior doing research on 200-year-old pollen samples.

Grant Two Bulls, a member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe, won the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s competition through his work and which is providing a look at the lives of his ancestors when they lived near Lake Calhoun.

“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 to Kim McGuire, a reporter at the Star Tribune.

Read about the partnership between Beckman and Breck School in “Breck student’s science project is an award-winning mix of American Indian history and science.”

Learn about another Breck School student, Taylor McCanna, who was coached by David Murr, physics professor. McCanna took second place in one of the most prestigious international science fairs for her work with Murr.

Harry Boyte talks special education and civil rights

Huffington-PostIn his latest Huffington Post article, Harry Boyte, Augsburg’s Sabo Senior Fellow, discussed special education and how it has become part of a “new” civil rights movement.

In the article, Boyte says that Augsburg College is a school that has gotten it right.

“The Augsburg special education program, dedicated to changing the entire special education profession from an approach which seeks to fix “problem kids” to an empowering pedagogy called Public Achievement which develops their public skills, is an outstanding example,” Boyte wrote in the article.

Read “The march is not over yet: a different education for the 21st century,” on the Huffington Post news site.

Jim Miles ’14 MBA writes first book, starts publishing company

54f5e8514c92e.imageJim Miles ’14 MBA was featured by the Hibbing Daily Tribune for publishing his first book and launching a digital publishing company.

Miles’ book, “Hero,” is based on a comic book superhero-type but is written in novel form. In the Daily Tribune article, he describes it as a “genre-breaking novel for middle readers.”

Wrobel Street Publishing, Miles’ new company through which he published his novel, was named after his family members.

Miles holds a master’s degree from Augsburg College.

Brent Peroutka ’02 appears in Faribault Daily News

54fdccabcd876.imageBrent Peroutka ’02 was featured in the Faribault Daily News due to his career in finance and community achievements.

Peroutka, who is a financial advisor at Comprehensive Wealth Solutions in Faribault, says the best part of his day is helping his clients achieve their goals.

“We can make a difference each and every day, whether it’s at home, at work, or in the community,” Peroutka said.

Peroutka holds a business administration/finance degree from Augsburg College and a master of business administration from St. Thomas University.

To read the article, visit the Faribault Daily News site.

Mai Vang ’14 interviewed by Pioneer Press

logo-smallMai Vang ’14 appeared in a Pioneer Press article about the increase in socio-economic achievements for those in the Hmong community in the Twin Cities.

Vang, who’s family settled here in the 1970s, said hard work and determination has brought increased success for herself and others in the Hmong community in recent years.

Her parents, Vang said, motivated her to “…go to school and be successful.”

Vang holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Augsburg College.

To read the article, visit the Pioneer Press news site.

Imam, Pastor share story about transition from enemies to friends

Rev. Mark Hanson, left, moderates a panel at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye.
Rev. Mark Hanson, left, moderates a panel at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye.

Minnesota Public Radio last week interviewed Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye about their journey from mortal enemies to dear friends. The two men, each who headed religious militia in Nigeria, shared their story of reconciliation and forgiveness at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. “The same energy that we use to promote division we are using it now constructively,” Wuye said in the interview with MPR’s Tom Crann. Listen to the interview, “Enemies to Peacemakers.”

Sabrina Fiester ’15 takes part in MHTA legislative reception

Sabrina Fiester ’15 was mentioned in a Minnesota High Tech Association article that described her role in a legislative reception held by the Twin Cities-based organization.

Fiester interns through the SciTechsperience Internship Program, which connects college students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with paid internships. She met with others in the science and technology community to discuss scientific innovation at the Science Museum of Minnesota.