From the Alumni Board president's desk...

Thirty years ago, I spent part of a cold January in Russia behind the Iron Curtain with a group of Augsburg and St. Olaf students. The trip was led by Professor Norma Noonan, and this was a part of my education that I will never forget.

Recently, I spent an enlightened Auggie Hour with Professor Noonan and a group of Augsburg alumni discussing the current status of Russia. We ate Russian food and learned a lot—without the fear of a final exam!

This calls to mind two facts: we should never stop learning, and we should maintain our relationship with Augsburg colleagues and alumni. However, in our busy lives, getting together with old friends and returning to campus can be difficult. The Augsburg Alumni Board represents you, and we would like to hear from you so we can keep alumni connections open. E-mail us at alumni@augsburg.edu and let us know who you are, what you are doing, and how you would like to be involved with the College and fellow alumni. We value your input!

Becoming involved can be as simple as updating your e-mail address so we can contact you about upcoming events in your area, or joining us for some great conversations at an upcoming Auggie Hour. We welcome your ideas for building connections between Augsburg and our alumni and providing events and services that are valuable to you.

Many interesting things are happening at the College, and alumni involvement is on the rise. Watch for upcoming opportunities to get involved—such as those like the vocation mentoring program, which will be recruiting alumni for the 2003-04 school year who can share a little of their time and talents with students.

Mark your calendar for this summer's third annual alumni picnic on June 28 at Como Park in St. Paul. Family and friends are welcome, and we're hoping for better weather this year!

—Andrew Morrison ’73
President, Alumni Board

ALUMNI PROFILES:

Dean Gulden ’63:
From Augsburg professor
to prize-winning
dogsled musher

Tim McWatt ’74:
Unique path leads to
professional success

Mary Olson ’74:
'Find passion in
what you do'

Paul Batalden ’63 receives Alfred I. Dupont Award

Paul B. Batalden, M.D., was honored in September as the recipient of the 2002 Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children's Health Care. The award recognizes his early and ongoing efforts in developing innovative, high-quality systems to advance health care worldwide.

Batalden's Health Care Improvement Leadership Development program at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H., has as its main goal the development of knowledge and leadership that will result in cost-effective, patient-centered, quality health care both nationally and internationally. Batalden is a professor of pediatrics and of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, and program co-director of the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars Fellowship.

In accepting the award, Batalden remarked, "My hope for the future is that we will recognize the importance of understanding and improving those small, living systems where children, families, and health care meet. We also need to recognize the challenges facing us as we try to integrate cognitive knowledge, technical skills, and values. Through this connection, others who share these concerns will be energized, encouraged, and make connections with each other."

The Alfred I. duPont Award, which includes a $50,000 prize and original crystal award, is granted annually by Nemours, one of the nation's largest pediatric health care providers.

Gene Hugoson ’67 appointed commissioner of agriculture

Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Gene Hugoson ’67 commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in January. A south-central Minnesota farmer from the East Chain area, Hugoson was first appointed agriculture commissioner in July 1995 by Gov. Arne Carlson, and was reappointed in 1999 by Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Hugoson also served five terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, having been first elected in 1986, and served four years as assistant minority leader.

Pawlenty said he looked "far and wide" for an agriculture commissioner and realized Hugoson was the best person for the job. He cited some of Hugoson's accomplishments, including the creation of an online licensing system for people or companies who hold certificates, licenses, or permits required by state law. Pawlenty also said Hugoson has followed up on numerous trade missions over the years.