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Winter 1999, Vol. 61, No. 2

Four alumni help launch Augsburg nursing program in Rochester

Augsburg's first academic program outside of the Twin Cities began last fall when 65 nurses in Rochester, Minn., mostly employed by the Mayo Clinic, began evening classes leading toward a bachelor's degree.

How it got started
What is remarkable in the creation of this program is the College's close collaboration with four Augsburg alumni in Rochester - Dr. Ruth Johnson '74, the Rev. Gary Benson '70, the Rev. Norman Wahl '75 and Dr. Paul Mueller '84. Johnson and Benson serve on the Augsburg Board of Regents.

Johnson suggested the idea to President Frame that Augsburg seek an educational presence in Rochester, the largest city in the U.S. without a four-year college or university, said Rick Thoni, vice president for institutional research and program development. Further encouragement for the idea was given by Mueller, an Augsburg alum at Mayo who had served on a higher education task force for the community. Conversations with other alumni and friends in Rochester were also positive.

Research showed demand
Program feasibility was explored by market research carried out an adult study group at Bethel Lutheran Church, where Wahl is pastor. Augsburg Business Professor Lori Lohman developed a phone survey of 400 adults to learn about education needs and interests not being addressed by other programs and trained Wahl's church group to conduct the survey. Thoni said that this survey, state demographic data and interviews with community leaders indicated one niche that was not being covered by existing programs - nursing.

A subsequent mail survey of 2600 nurses in the area without four-year degrees indicated a high level of interest in a bachelor degree completion program.

Johnson, director of the Mayo Breast Clinic, was aware of that need and knew that Augsburg already offered a nursing completion program in Weekend College. She also pointed out that Mayo Clinic had in place an attractive tuition reimbursement plan to help their nurses complete their degrees.

Finding a place
The question of class facilities was resolved by Benson, senior pastor at Zumbro Lutheran Church. Located close to Mayo Clinic, the church had space available during evenings in its new education building and Benson offered it for Augsburg's use.

Program is a hit
The fall students responded favorably to the program, and 17 additional students were admitted for winter study. While some Augsburg instructors are in Rochester only during class time, technology makes it possible for students and faculty to stay in close touch. Students are required to have computers with e-mail and Internet access, and with this they can communicate directly with instructors, participate in online class discussions, review assignments, read scanned library materials on reserve and access the library's online references and resources.

Given the program's early success, a proposal to start a master's degree nursing program in Rochester is now under consideration. Thoni quickly adds, however, that the College is proceeding cautiously. "That's what we did with Weekend College - we built it slowly, starting with only three majors at first," he said.

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