Satya Gupta

Satya Gupta, professor of economics, began 27 years of distinguished service to the College in 1976. He was granted tenure in 1982, and promoted to full professor in 1987. He obtained B.S. degrees from Agra University in India, M.S. degrees from both Agra University and Southern Illinois University, and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. Prior to coming to Augsburg, he taught in India, Ethiopia, and Canada.

"He was always very interested in his students," says Jeanne Boeh, associate professor and chair of economics. "His early work in peace studies was very helpful to the College."

In 1981, Gupta and his wife were two of 531 appointees from colleges and universities throughout the United States for six-year terms as Danforth Associates. The purpose of the Danforth Associate Program is to recognize and encourage effective teaching and to foster activities that humanize teaching and learning for members of campus communities.

In 1982, Gupta was awarded a grant to conduct a special seminar on minority education.

In reflecting upon education and the role of educators, Gupta wrote in 1988, "We need education that produces not the physical or intellectual, not the political or economics man only, but also the moral and spiritual man—the whole man. We need to impart education that will help develop a meaningful philosophy of life."

Gupta anticipates having his hands full during retirement, helping to care for his new grandchild.

Esther G. McLaughlin

Esther McLaughlin, associate professor of biology, began her career at Augsburg in 1989 as assistant professor of biology. She obtained her B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in botany from the University of California-Berkeley in 1962 and 1968, respectively.

Prior to Augsburg, McLaughlin held adjunct faculty positions teaching plant biology at Carleton College, St. Olaf College, and the University of Minnesota. "However, much of the time I was a stay-at-home mother, until my younger daughter was a senior in high school," says McLaughlin.

Outside of teaching, McLaughlin has co-edited a two-volume book on fungi for Springer-Verlag, and is an active member of the Minnesota Native Plant Society.

When she looks back on her career at Augsburg, McLaughlin says she is most proud of having inspired "a student or two" to choose a career involving plants or fungi. She especially appreciates having had colleagues "who care as much as I do—or more—about biology and teaching biology." She says she will miss her department and her students, but promises to "come back and annoy my department from time to time, just in case they thought they could get entirely away from me."

"Esther McLaughlin is a superb teacher whose enthusiasm, energy, and dedication is a joy to students and colleagues alike," says Dale Pederson, associate professor of biology. "She has modeled many of the best practices in teaching: clear organization, thorough preparation, honest self-evaluation, and continual improvement. She has served as mentor both for students and colleagues. We have relied heavily on her philosophical perspective, her well-tempered and good-humored insistence on rationality, and her willingness and ability to argue for those positions that improve the educational quality of our programs and the College ... she will be sorely missed."

In the long term, McLaughlin looks forward to spending more time with her two children and grandchildren, traveling with her husband (including trips to Asia and South America to collect fungi), and plans to volunteer at the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota, where her husband is curator of fungi.

Grace K. Sulerud ’58

An Augsburg graduate from the Class of 1958, Grace (Kemmer) Sulerud returned to the College in 1966 as a circulation librarian. She stayed for 37 years, retiring as associate professor and collection development/reference librarian. She also served as acting head librarian for one year, interim co-director for another year, and taught children's literature in the education department for 14 years. She obtained a B.A. in English from Augsburg, and two M.A. degrees from the University of Minnesota (library science in 1968 and English literature in 1970). Her husband, Ralph L. Sulerud, is professor emeritus of biology.

"Grace Sulerud played a number of roles as professor and librarian ... but her most important role has been as a model to others," says Jane Ann Nelson, director of Library Services. "She's modeled enthusiasm for learning, her own learning and that of others; eagerness to try new ways to serve students or connect with faculty; and seemingly boundless energy to work for peace and justice, to travel, and to serve on campus committees. Grace's legacy to Augsburg includes a strong collection of books as well as strong relationships between the library and faculty."

Many of Sulerud's colleagues are especially fond of her talent for storytelling. "She has often entertained the library staff with stories of her travels and overseas teaching experiences, and has provided historical perspective to many situations from her years at Augsburg, both as a student and as a librarian," adds Susan Certain, acquisitions coordinator.

Sulerud particularly enjoyed working with the library staff to develop the library's collections and expand services. "I'll miss the work and daily encounters with the people here who have so greatly enriched my life," says Sulerud. "I'm pleased that I could spend so much of my life at Augsburg, first as a student and, after a few years of teaching here and abroad, as a librarian for over 30 years.

"I expect to continue working on social issues such as affordable housing, spend time with friends and family, travel, paint a bedroom, and take more walks."

Mary Duffee

Mary Duffee came to Augsburg in 1988 as facilities assistant to the director of the newly instituted Department of Facilities, created to establish centralized scheduling on campus, as well as to coordinate both on- and off-campus events. Duffee played an integral role in helping this department, now known as Events and Classroom Services, to evolve from a manual scheduling process to the more sophisticated scheduling software currently in use.

"When I started at Augsburg [in 1999], Mary scheduled everything on huge hard copy books and then transferred records to a software program," says Craig Maus, director of Events and Classroom Services. "The old software program wasn't so great, so the College purchased a new program." In the transition from the old program to the new program, Duffee worked hard to keep the campus events schedule running smoothly and, for a time, was forced to schedule everything three times—hard copy, old software, and new software.

Maus credits Duffee with having been an invaluable member of the campus community. "She knew the campus, the departments, the phone numbers—everything. She was a wonderful resource."

Few at Augsburg know that it was Duffee who won a contest to name two Christensen Center meeting rooms upon their renovations—the Cedar and Riverside rooms.

Prior to Augsburg, Duffee worked in office administration at the University of Minnesota, Golden Valley Lutheran College, and Bethel College. "I discovered [early on] that working in an academic environment and Christian college community is my passion," says Duffee. "My position at Augsburg provided interaction with faculty, staff, students, and the general public. I will especially miss working with students, as I always enjoyed their vitality and energy.

"The gift of retirement will provide me with the opportunity to take more trips, watch more sunsets, take more walks, explore new bike paths, and savor relationships with friends and family—especially the six little ones who call me 'Grandma.' Retirement will also enable me to try new opportunities, such as special interest classes and part-time employment."