From the president's desk...

As alumni of Augsburg College, it is important to remember that we are a very diverse group and that we each had different experiences as Augsburg students. Some lived at home and commuted to and from campus; some came to Augsburg as an adult with a job, kids, and a spouse to take classes over many, many years to get that degree; and others came as 18-year-olds, lived in the dorm (or in an old house, now demolished, like me). These experiences become important when the College sets about to make connections with its alumni. That is the primary assignment of the Augsburg Alumni Board: to find different and varied ways to connect alumni with the College of today.

I recently attended a gathering of Augsburg alumni at 3M. There are hundreds of Auggies working for 3M, and a group of them have organized events to re-connect and to learn more about the Augsburg of today. I talked with many former students of the College--and each had a different story to tell. The one common factor was an interest in each other and in our College. 3M is helping us pioneer a concept of employer-based alumni groups as we seek to foster chapters of Augsburg alumni--one of the association's goals for the coming year. Chicago area alumni have been invited to a gathering in early December to build their regional chapter.

Our Homecoming weekend in October provided other opportunities to get Augsburg alumni together. In addition to hosting reunions of the Classes of 1950, 1960, 1975, and 1990, we recognized the outstanding accomplishments of a number of our alumni who have distinguished themselves in the world and those who have given an extra measure of support to the College over the years. The dinner Saturday evening was lots of fun and was a successful alumni "event" for our community. Equally satisfying was a gathering of Augsburg choir alumni on Saturday morning to celebrate the joy of music and of singing together. Keeping connected has major benefits, both for the school and the individual.

Soon the Alumni Board hopes to develop other mechanisms for alumni to help the College, such as a "welcome" letter to new students from individual Augsburg alumni, chances to get alumni back into the classroom to share the wisdom and experiences of their work, or a series of lectures to promote lifelong learning. All of these opportunities can help keep you connected to your alma mater ä you¼ll be surprised at what we can do together!

Paul Mikelson '70
President, Alumni Board

Alumni Profiles:

Paul Steen '68
Carley Miller '94

The United Hospital Foundation in St. Paul has awarded its 2000 Service to Humanity awards to two Augsburg alumni --James G. Lindell '46 and Kenneth Holmen, M.D. '74. These awards are presented to individuals (one community member and one United Hospital physician) who have "demonstrated selfless dedication and exemplary leadership in improving the health and welfare of residents in St. Paul and the surrounding communities."

Lindell, a 1998 Distinguished Alumnus, retired in 1991 from a 44-year career with West Publishing Company. He has been a major benefactor of Augsburg for more than 50 years, serving as a regent, as an Alumni Board member, and as a major supporter to building projects, including Lindell Library, which bears the family name. Seven members of his family have attended Augsburg. Lindell and his wife, Jean, actively support many community projects, including Boy Scout camps, physical fitness centers, Little League baseball fields, and a special burn treatment center at Regions Hospital.

Holmen, a 1995 Distinguished Alumnus, is an anesthesiologist at United and Children's Hospitals, both in St. Paul. His responsibilities at these institutions have included chief of surgery at Children's Hospital and chair of the anesthesia department at United Hospital. He has been a participant in the health care reform debate, serving as chief executive officer of Capitol Medical Specialists (a 300-member specialty physician organization in the East Metro area). A former member of the Alumni Board, he and his family have established several scholarships at the College.