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Augsburg Student Research Program Grows to 65 Participants

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A distinctive feature of an Augsburg education is our focus on linking classroom theory with off-campus learning experiences. Augsburg College is one of the few colleges or universities in the United States that intentionally includes an experiential element in our general education program required of all students.

For example, Austin Wagner is  a self described “nerdy” student researcher excited about  finding the beauty in mathematics.


This summer 51 student researchers will be gaining hands-on experience while working side-by-side with faculty on-campus this summer.  In addition, 14 students will be conducting research off-campus this summer including:

Katherine Aleman, Psychology, Research Intern at the Mayo Clinic

Elianna Bier, Physics, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Eric Bowman (McNair Scholar), Biology & Chemistry, University of Nebraska

Emma Capman, Physics, University of Maryland Robotics Center

Haley Diem, Environmental Studies, Field Research in Tanzania on Sustainable Agriculture

Kirubel Gezehegn, Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University and MIT

Ben Grant, Physics, Colorado School of Mines National Renewable Energy Lab

Anna Herauf, Biology & Chemistry, NDSU Program for Research on the Prairies

Dan Kornbaum, Physics, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Geospace Sciences REU at the University of Michigan.

Marie-Aimee Ntawkulityayo, International Relations, Research in Belgium on Ethnic Identity and Conflict in the Kivu Region of Eastern Congo

Promise Okeke, Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Malaria Research

Casey Powell, Biology, University of Minnesota Plant Pathology Lab

Ryan Sullivan, Computational Philosophy, Carnegie-Mellon University Summer Workshop on Cognitive Science and Epistemology

Ashley Waters (McNair), Chemistry, Chemistry Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota

Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 Encourages Others to Give Back

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Ben Krouse-Gagne '11On May 7 Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 helped host an Augsburg Fund Volunteer Night for a small and dedicated group of alumni and parents.  The goal of the evening was to say thank you to the generous alumni that have donated to The Augsburg Fund this year, and also to encourage those that haven’t yet donated to give before the end of the fiscal year on May 31.  Every gift makes a difference in the lives of today’s students.

Give today at www.augsburg.edu/giving.

Augsburg’s fundraising year ends May 31.

 

 

Auggie Night at the Minnesota Twins

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Wednesday, June 19
5:00–7:00 p.m., Pre-game at Hubert’sAuggie and Twins Mascot
7:10 p.m., Twins vs. Chicago White Sox at Target Field

Continuing the tradition of years past, the Augsburg Alumni Association invites you and your family to a memorable evening at the ballpark. This special event will include a pre-game reception at Hubert’s, just steps away from Target Field, followed by a Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox baseball game. Summer is the perfect time to spend an evening at these Twin Cities landmarks and is a great opportunity to spend time with your Auggie family as well!

Cost: $30 includes ticket to game with seating in the Pavilion, appetizers and two complimentary beverages at Hubert’s.

Hubert’s is located at 600 1st Ave. N, Minneapolis. Target Field is located at 550 3rd Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55403. Register online at www.augsburg.edu/alumni/events or by calling 612-330-1178.

President Pribbenow Featured in Central Corridor Video

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The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative recently featured Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow in a video highlighting how together organizations are partnering to make neighborhoods places of opportunity that are accessible to people of all income levels, reflect community identities, and link all people to local amenities and regional opportunities.

The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative is a group of local and national funders that strongly supports the Central Corridor Light Rail Line because it offers opportunities to strengthen the regional economy and make the adjacent neighborhoods better places to live, work and access opportunity.

The Funders Collaborative supplements the programs and investment of our member foundations by working with community groups and public agencies to encourage collaboration, investment and planning “beyond the rail”.

Five Augsburg Students Win Prestigious National Awards

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Five Augsburg students were named in national fellowship and scholarship competitions this spring. Students from around the country applied for these programs, and Augsburg is proud to be represented by such dedicated students.

Brianna Noland, Mathematical Economics major, was one of 60 students nationally who was accepted to Posters on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Chosen from over 800 applicants, Brianna will have the opportunity to present her research on college loans and first-year retention at the Capitol, and to talk with current legislators. Dr. Stella Hofrenning served as Brianna’s research mentor on the project titled “An Economic Analysis of Financial Factors on Undergraduate Persistence” and will be accompanying Brianna to D.C. and to meetings with MN legislators. Special thanks to Jen Nagorski in Marketing and Communications and Tina Tavera of the McNair Scholars Program for layout and design advice on the poster.

Samantha Cantrall, Communication Studies major, received Honorable Mention for Posters on the Hill in Washington, DC., ranking within the top 80 applicants (out of 800 plus). Dr. Robert Stacke of the Music Department served as Samantha’s research mentor on the project titled “The Influence of Rap in the Arab Spring.”

Joe Buchman, Chemistry and Biology major, received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that will provide $40,500 each year for the first three years of his doctoral study in Chemistry. The selection of these fellows is very competitive and is based on the viability of the student’s proposed research. Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Vivian Feng and Dr. Joan Kunz all wrote letters on Joe’s behalf and helped him shape his research proposal. Joe has been admitted to doctoral programs in chemistry at University of Colorado-Boulder, Iowa State University, University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and the University of MN-Twin Cities. He has decided to attend the University of MN.

Allison Zank, Chemistry major, received the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a $7,500 award given to students from around the country who excel in STEM and intend to pursue a career in science, math, or engineering. Allison’s enthusiasm for research and its practical application was clear in her application, which was read and reviewed by Augsburg’s Goldwater committee, Dr. David Crowe, Dr. David Murr, Dr. Jody Sorensen, and Dr. David Hanson, as well as by Allison’s recommenders, Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Michael Wentzel, and Sandra Myers (U of M School of Dentistry). Allison is Augsburg’s first female Goldwater Scholar and one of only eight in the state to receive the award.

Ashley Waters was named Honorable Mention in this year’s Goldwater Scholarship Competition, one of only seven from the state. Ashley’s plans are to become a Chemistry professor to inspire the next generation of chemists. Dr. Michael Wentzel, Dr. Sandra Olmsted, and Dr. Ronald Fedie served as her letter writers with input from Richard Flint. Dr. Wentzel worked closely with Ashley on the writing of her research proposal and Augsburg’s Goldwater committee also read and provided feedback to help her develop a successful application.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!

Spotlight on Jacquie Berglund ’87 and Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MAL

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If you happened to visit the Minnesota Twins’ spring training facility in Fort Myers (FL) last month, you may have purchased a FINNEGANS beer, available this year at Hammond Stadium for the first time. You might be surprised to learn that, with that purchase, you also would have helped supply fresh produce through the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Jacquie Berglund ’87Minnesota-based FINNEGANS, owned by Jacquie Berglund ’87, was the first for-profit beer company in the world to give away 100% of its profits, a feat accomplished through the FINNEGANS Community fund—a sustainable business model through which the company can make a difference in the community. Last year alone, FINNEGANS raised over $100,000 that went to support the purchase of fresh produce at local food shelves. This unique beer business intrigued Buffie Blesi ’90 ’97, who had done volunteer work at FINNEGANS over the years, and who turned to Berglund in 2009 for networking advice when she started her business coaching company, KnowledgeSphere, Inc. In turn, Berglund called on Blesi for help in managing FINNEGANS’ future—a mutually beneficial way of reconnecting since their first meeting years ago as Augsburg students.

Buffie Blesi ’90, ’97 MALAs a result, FINNEGANS has rebounded nicely (growing by an average of 40% each year), and Blesi continues to help Berglund strategize about its growth—looking at new markets and products, determining who should be on the team and how to engage them in the company’s mission, and earning more profits in order to make a greater impact in the world. Recently, FINNEGANS received two special awards: Social Entrepreneur Award for Minnesota Business, and the Small Business of the Year Award from the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to her coaching work, Blesi has worked in recent years with other Auggie alumnae and Donna McLean to establish the AWE (Augsburg Women Engaged) program, which provides opportunities for Auggie women to connect, learn, and give.

 

$10 million gift to Augsburg College will launch new academic building

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Gift from 1965 Augsburg College alumnus is largest in College’s history.

Augsburg College is honored to announce that it has received an unrestricted $10 million philanthropic gift from a 1965 alumnus.

The donor’s generous contribution will support creation of The Center for Science, Business, and Religion which will be a new academic building.

“This tremendous gift will make possible our continued commitment to academic excellence, to the hands-on learning that is one of the hallmarks of the College, and to the continued best-use of our 23-acre campus,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “Augsburg is a 143-year-old anchor institution in the heart of Minneapolis’ vibrant Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. This gift puts the College on the path of being a college for the 21st century, and one that continues to deliver academic excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies.”

“Augsburg College has found many ways to innovate and evolve since I was a student, while maintaining the core values that were so appealing to me,” said Augsburg College Regent Steve Wehrenberg ’78, chief executive officer of Campbell Mithun. “This gift will ensure the College remains a caring, inspiring and delightful place for students of all kinds to learn and grow.”

The $10 million gift brings to more than $23 million the total funds for the new building. The Augsburg College Board of Regents will continue to monitor progress on the campaign and the College’s cash position and debt capacity to determine when to set a date for groundbreaking on the first stage of the building.

“In May 2012, the Regents set calendar year 2014 as a target for beginning construction, a goal they believe is feasible, especially given the excitement this lead gift will engender with other prospective donors,” Pribbenow said.

The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, is a long-time supporter of the College and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and business administration.

Augsburg Associates Facilitate Estate and Moving Sales

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The Associates offer experienced volunteers to help people move through life’s changes. They evaluate, set up, and manage sales and disposal of remaining items in Twin Cities homes and apartments. All proceeds are donated to scholarships at Augsburg.

Contact Becky Waggoner at Augsburg College, 612-330-1085, for further information.

Psychology Department Research

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Are you interested in contributing to Augsburg’s research community? Older adult participants (aged 60+) are invited to take part in paid on-campus research within the Psychology Department. For more details about participating in the current projects, please contact Dr. Ben Denkinger at denkinge@augsburg.edu or by phone at 612-330-1172.

Spotlight on Dan Terrio ’90

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Dan Terrio ’90The Wild West of Information Technology

Dan Terrio ’90 feels privileged to have gotten his start in IT at Augsburg in the early ‘90s, when he managed what was then called the Academic Computing department. Since those days, however, electronic devices have become ever more prevalent in all aspects of college life, to the point where an IT staff is expected to support a BYOD (bring your own device) environment—less controlled and more “wild West.”

Now, as chief information officer at Whitman College, a position he has held since May 2011, Terrio is committed to collaborating with all of the college’s constituents in order to understand their “business” and needs more fully, and acquire devices that help them do their work. In addition to the interpersonal and communication skills required to do this, he knows the IT staff must also be able to influence some decisions up-front. Of course, balancing security and privacy issues with a traditional culture of openness is always a challenge in IT.

Terrio has taken steps at Whitman to enable IT to work in partnership with faculty to identify innovative ways to tap into the potential that technology has to enhance teaching and learning. Though he may see himself as a technology skeptic, believing that education is at its best when it is done in face-to-face faculty-student interactions in a small residential environment, he knows full well that technology will need to promote those interactions. And who knows what devices we’ll see in the next 5–10 years to help keep IT departments on their toes?