Augsburg College - Augsburg Now

As part of the continued commitment to maintain and enhance Augsburg's tradition of excellence in the sciences, the Science Building Planning Committee completed a feasibility report that addresses the needs of current Augsburg students and offers a unified vision toward interactive and interdisciplinary learning in the sciences.

In 2001, a Science Advisory Board (SAB) of 13 experts in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and psychology was created to gain input, guidance, and support. Proposed by academic dean

Chris Kimball and science facility shepherd Nancy Steblay, the SAB is sponsored by the Board of Regents and led by Augsburg alumna Ruth E. Johnson ’74, MD, chair of the regents' Academic and Student Affairs Committee (ASAC).

The objectives of the Science Advisory Board were outlined: (1) raise the profile of science education at Augsburg; (2) increase enrollment in science programs; (3) improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Augsburg students; and (4) assist in the design and fundraising efforts for the new science hall.

SAB members represent the corporate sector; medical, dental, mental health and laboratory health care professions; Augsburg science faculty emeriti; and a science-oriented charitable trust. Eight of the thirteen SAB members are Augsburg science alumni.

In its two years, the SAB has met quarterly as a full board and has consulted with President Frame, Board of Regents chair Kathy Tunheim, ASAC regents, and chairs of all the departments included in the new science hall. SAB members toured current science facilities and have had several virtual tours of the proposed new facility led by project designers Holabird and Root, who also led an on-site tour of the science building they designed at University of St. Thomas.

In fall 2002 a special Homecoming science alumni gathering, sponsored by SAB and the ASAC, brought together nearly 200 alumni, students, and faculty to meet with science faculty emeriti Ted Hanwick (physics), John Holum (chemistry), Ralph Sulerud (biology), and Bev Durkee (mathematics), and to hear a talk by SAB member Paul Mueller ’84 on the interface of science and faith.

The Science Advisory Board also focuses on fundraising efforts for the new science hall, and has met with Sue Klaseus, vice president for institutional advancement, and the development staff. Neil Thorpe, executive director of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, SAB member, and former Augsburg biology professor, presented a Foundation Perspective Report and recommended how Augsburg might approach foundations for funding.

The SAB also plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for science-related education and careers for current students. SAB member Rick Panning, president of laboratory services at Fairview, spearheaded development of an Augsburg partnership with Fairview, beginning this fall, for students to pursue a new major in clinical laboratory sciences. In this joint program, students can complete three years at Augsburg and one year of practical laboratory experience at Fairview, to earn a B.A. degree and certification as a clinical laboratory scientist.

In addition, senior psychology majors met in Rochester with SAB member Rick Seime, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, to tour Mayo's psychogenetics research labs and discuss psychology-related health careers.

In August SAB member and Honeywell executive Joel Houlton brought a dozen members of HEART (Honeywell Employee and Retiree Team) to the Augsburg campus for a tour and a "roll up the sleeves" session with faculty and staff on advancing the mission of science education.

"It is in the role of helping to raise the funds to make the science hall a reality that the Science Advisory Board is most needed now," says SAB chair Ruth E. Johnson.

"The most challenging aspect of the science hall project now is securing financial commitments against the backdrop of an economic downturn," she says. "I have confidence that the Science Advisory Board will continue its outstanding leadership in this endeavor, and I believe that science alumni and friends of Augsburg College will do what is so characteristic of them: to give generously so that current and future students can also experience an outstanding education in the best tradition of Augsburg College."