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Farewell
to retiring faculty and staff members
by Lynn Mena
Three faculty members,
with a combined 64 years of service to Augsburg, retired from active teaching
at the end of this academic year. The Board of Regents granted all three
emeritus/emerita status in May. In addition, one staff member, with more
than a dozen years of service to the College, will retire this fall.
Marjorie
M. Magnuson
 Marj
Magnuson came to Augsburg in 1988 as a receptionist for the Center for
Global Education; she currently serves as the center's administrative
assistant. She and her husband had moved to the area in 1987 after 12
years of directing a Christian children's camp/retreat center.
"Neither of us
knew exactly what we wanted to do next," says Magnuson. "I took
some classes, and we both had paper routes as well as being caretakers
in an apartment building." Meanwhile, she says, her youngest son
registered for a Global Ed semester program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and
a newsletter from the center announced a job opening for which she applied
and was hired.
A graduate of a bible
college with a major in Christian education, Magnuson says she will miss
her colleagues and the learning opportunities within the department and
the College community. After her retirement in the fall, her plans are
to take a bike trip in Europe with her husband, volunteer, and work.
"Marj has been
the spiritual and moral center of the Center for Global Education for
the past 13 and a half years," says Regina McGoff, the center's director
of marketing and administration. "She leads by example, setting the
pace by working very hard and always looking out for the heart and soul
of our mission. Her presence will be greatly missed by everyone on our
staff."
Last year, the College
thanked Magnuson for her dedication by honoring her as one of the Outstanding
Employees of Augsburg.
Gordon L. Nelson
 Gordon
L. Nelson, professor of sociology and faculty parliamentarian, was first
hired at Augsburg in 1967 as assistant professor of sociology. He was
granted tenure in 1971, and promoted to associate and full professor in
1977 and 1985, respectively. He also served as department chair for 10
years, and has regularly taught in the religion department. Nelson obtained
B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Minnesota, a B.D. and M.Div.
from Luther Theological Seminary, and a second M.A. and a Ph.D. from the
University of Chicago.
"Gordon has a
marvelous sense of humor and a remarkable sense of history," says
Diane Pike, professor of sociology. "He rarely fails to connect a
student to some political setting, hometown lore, or a relative. He is
sharp and dedicated to the College. We are grateful for his many years
of commitment."
After retirement,
Nelson hopes to continue to serve as a member of the Minneapolis Board
of Estimate and Taxation; he is seeking re-election to the position in
the November municipal election and was first elected to the position
in 1973. In addition, he expects that he will continue to work part time
in the district office of Congressman Martin Olav Sabo ’59, as he
has done since 1979.
Beverly J. Nilsson
Beverly J. Nilsson,
professor of nursing, began her career at the College in 1977 as associate
professor. She was granted tenure in 1980, promoted to full professor
in 1990, and has served as department chair since 1978. She received her
diploma in nursing from the Minneapolis General Hospital School of Nursing,
and her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. 
"Bev has been
a colleague, mentor, and friend," says Sue Nash, assistant professor
of nursing. "What an honor to have worked side-by-side with her as
we launched the first graduating class of nursing students here at Augsburg,
back in the ’70s, and now to be involved in the launching of the
first graduating class of the Rochester branch nursing students. Bev has
touched my life and helped shape my career."
Nilsson looks forward
to the opportunity to "savor and enjoy the choices" of her future.
She says that she will miss the "good people of Augsburg," particularly
the nursing students, past and present, and her colleagues from the nursing
department.
"Over the years,
I have experienced a genuine and most generous spirit of helpfulness among
those of us who work and study in this place," says Nilsson. "The
people here care about each other, and demonstrate that caring in large
ways and in small, everyday ways."
Clarice A. Staff
’63
Clarice A. Staff,
assistant professor of social work, has taught at Augsburg since 1995
at her present rank. Although she was in a tenure track position, she
waived tenure consideration since it fell during the same year as her
retirement. An alumna of Augsburg, Staff received her B.A. in 1963 and
went on to earn M.S. and D.S.W. degrees from Columbia University. She
served for a time as director of Augsburg's M.S.W. program. In 1984, she
received a Distinguished Alumna Award. 
Staff has particularly
enjoyed working with the Weekend College and graduate students. "As
adult learners, they bring a special commitment," she says. She plans
to retire her alarm clock, and will continue working on stories related
to family genealogy.
"With uncompromising
integrity, Clarice has stood strong and fast for social justice and for
what she believes is right," says Tony Bibus, associate professor
of social work. "The social work department, our faculty, staff,
and especially our students, have benefited greatly from her attention
to detail, her intelligence, and her experience in higher education, her
steady advising, and her loyal friendship."
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