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Join the Augsburg Centennial Singers in Arizona

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The Auggie Spirit is headed south this winter, following the Centennial Singers Arizona Tour. Join President Paul C. Pribbenow and Augsburg Alumni and friends in Arizona for the following events:
Reception at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church
Tuesday, February 175 p.m. Reception

7 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

6300 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Hosted by Arne ’49 and Jean ’52 Markland,

Pastor Joel ’68 and Sue Bjerkestrand

 

Reception at American Lutheran Church

Wednesday, February 18

4:30 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

5:15 p.m. – Congregational Dinner

6 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Service

17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373

Hosted by Don ’60 and Violet Anderson and Stella Rosenquist ’64

 

Luncheon at King of Glory Lutheran Church

Sunday, February 22

10:45 a.m. Service

2 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

12 p.m. Augsburg Alumni and Friends Luncheon

2085 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282

Register at augsburg.edu/alumni or by calling 612-330-1085.

 

Continue reading “Join the Augsburg Centennial Singers in Arizona” →

President Pribbenow Honors 3M CFO Nick Gangestad ’86 with Inaugural Golden Bow Tie

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Last week, more than 50 Auggies gathered for lunch at the 3M campus in Maplewood. Despite sharing the same employer, some who had known each other had not made the connection of sharing an alma mater! President Pribbenow shared anecdotes from Augsburg’s history with 3M. During the 1970s, Augsburg’s business program hosted courses at 3M, and many Auggie alumni from this era are still employed there. Currently, more than 200 Augsburg alumni work for 3M.

Bow TieHolly Knutson ’03, MBA ’07, Auggie extraordinaire and member of the 3M finance department, worked with the Alumni Association to honor Nick Gangestad ’86 for his recent promotion as CFO. Pribbenow presented Gangestad with the inaugural Golden Bow Tie award:

The Golden Bow Tie Award is bestowed upon a leader within the Augsburg Community who exemplifies outstanding achievement, embodies the core values of an Augsburg education and inspires great pride for all Auggies. Nick was also presented with a certificate and gold cufflinks in the shape of bow ties.

Nick Gangestad shared three core Augsburg philosophies at Augsburg that have impacted his life: faith, liberal arts, and a unique urban setting. As a student, Gangestad’s faith deepened, and he felt supported in that growth by Augsburg’s core Lutheran values. Liberal arts, the importance of entrepreneurship, and flexibility are also important to him. He attributes his liberal arts education to his ability to lead effectively at 3M. Coming from a small town in Iowa he had a distinct appreciation of Augsburg’s location in the city of Minneapolis.

The Augsburg Alumni Association can help you host your own workplace Augsburg Alumni event like this luncheon at 3M. To gather a group of Auggies at your workplace, please contact Amanda Scherer, assistant director of corporate and foundation relations at 612-330-1720 or scherera@augsburg.edu.

 

Auggie Parent Event: Feb. 26

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Parents Page Image On Thursday, Feb. 26, join other parents of Auggies to chat in small groups with Augsburg’s leaders from Academic Advising, the Dean’s office, Campus Ministry, Residence Life, Financial Aid, and Health and Physical Education.

We’ll take the “speed dating” approach as you’ll meet in small groups with these Auggie leaders and have the opportunity to learn about your student’s experience. Ask any question you like —no question too big or too small.

  • Shannon Smith, Academic Advising
  • Carly Eichhorst, Financial Aid
  • Karen Kaivola, Provost and Chief Academic Officer
  • Babette Chapman, Campus Ministry
  • Amanda Erdman, Residence Life
  • Carol Enke, Health and Physical Education
  • Chris Wallace and Sammy Coy, Augsburg Student Activities Council
  • Katie Radford ’12, Volunteer Engagement Manager

RSVP to Sally Daniels Herron ’79 by email at herron@augsburg.edu. Reservations are required by 2/20 to ensure you receive a parking pass for the event.

Thursday, Feb 26

Oren Gateway Center, Room 100, 7-8:30 p.m.

MAL in Nicaragua: 10 Years of Leadership and Learning

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On Jan. 22, Diana Pierce MAL ’15  hosted alumni and current students of the Master of Arts in Leadership and Physician Assistant programs in a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the MAL course on Nicaragua on Jan. 22. A student, KARE-11 news anchor, and 2014 Nicaragua trip participant, Pierce welcomed Juan Carlos Lopez, program coordinator for the Center for Global Education and Experience in Nicaragua, and a longtime trip facilitator. The event raised more than $1,000 to benefit NIca HOPE, a nonprofit, based in Managua, that works with communities in Managua to offer long-term solutions to entrenched poverty through education and practical skills training. 16215742810_b17a955129_z15780677044_cfb9acc051_z

In Mentorship, the Journey Never Ends

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Dani Bonilla
Dani Bonilla on graduation day, 2013

When Dani Bonilla ’13 was a sophomore at Augsburg, TRIO/Student Support Services led her to discover Scholastic Connections, a scholarship and mentorship program for high-achieving undergraduate students of color.

She realized that she met most of the requirements, and could be matched with a mentor who would provide extra support and guidance during her college years. Five new recipients are selected for the program each year. Each receives a $5000 scholarship and is paired with a mentor who is a successful Augsburg graduate of color.

After Bonilla was selected to participate, Cindy Peterson, director of Scholastic Connections, searched to connect her with a professional living the life and career that would be a perfect match. Bonilla was looking for a mentor she could relate to—someone who had overcome obstacles, whom she could trust and turn to for guidance. She was eager to learn how to achieve her academic goals and find her career path.

Martha Quick MSW '10
Martha Quick MSW ’10

She found Martha Quick MSW ’10,  who was excited to offer mentoring to someone interested in social work. Once she and Quick connected, they worked together over the next three years before Bonilla graduated with a psychology major in 2013.

As Martha’s mentee, Bonilla was responsible for setting personal and academic goals each semester. They met twice a month, for coffee or sometimes dinner, and Quick met with other mentors monthly. They shared stories with each other. “I truly enjoyed spending time with Dani, and we were able to exchange meaningful experiences,” Quick says. “I continue to watch Dani grow in her life as I did when she was in college. Being able to witness a young lady transform professionally gives me great pleasure.”

“Martha made me feel as part of her family—there were times she even invited me to family outings,” Bonilla says. Between their monthly visits, Bonilla checked in with Martha by phone at least once a week. “As I got closer to graduating, my schedule got busier with classes, work, and internships, but Martha and I made it work, even if our meeting was short.” Continue reading “In Mentorship, the Journey Never Ends” →

Augsburg Prepared Grammens for a Nimble Future as an Entrepreneur

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GrammensWhen high-speed Internet was just catching on in Minneapolis, Justin Grammens ’96 was building his own servers and hosting e-mail, websites, and Internet radio streams in the closet of his apartment. He developed a keen sense then of the importance of keeping data secure—secure not only from hackers, but from other users on the system, and always asking himself, “How would I like my data treated?” As a software developer and entrepreneur, he knows this challenging game of cat and mouse (with online hackers) is of utmost importance in an increasingly technological world—and it’s a challenge he loves.

In 2009, Grammens co-founded Recursive Awesome, a mobile software development company that specialized in creating tablet, mobile, and web applications. The company—providing solutions for clients such as Best Buy, Thomson Reuters, and BuzzFeed—was acquired in 2011 by Code42 Software, where Grammens currently serves as engineering co-founder, working to protect the world’s data with high-performance hardware and easy-to-use software solutions. Perhaps their best known product is CrashPlan, a system that manages and protects your digital life with easy-to-use software and high-performance hardware storage. (Augsburg is among its users.)

In addition to founding many user groups, filing patents, organizing various conferences, and mentoring countless students, Grammens has recently created a publication, IoTWeeklyNews, which focuses on trends in the Internet of Things, otherwise known as IoT. If that phrase is new to you, you’re not alone! In a nutshell, IoT is the emerging network of everyday objects that can share information online and complete tasks while you work, sleep, or are otherwise occupied. (Think home security system that can adjust temps, turn on an appliance, open windows, etc., while you are out shopping. Oh, and then think beyond the home—cars, factories, outdoor environment, even our bodies!) The possibilities are endless! As you might expect, Grammens has a concern or two with IoT, lying primarily in the area of security and interoperability of smart sensors, and so far, there are few standards in place. Minnesota’s first IoT Hack Day was organized by Grammens. Continue reading “Augsburg Prepared Grammens for a Nimble Future as an Entrepreneur” →

Auggie Wants You … On the Alumni Board

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auggie in suiteThe Augsburg Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to serve on the board of directors. All alumni are welcomed and encouraged to apply. The Alumni board is a governing body of the Alumni Association. The board exists to guide the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations of Augsburg College in serving the valued alumni, parents and friends of the College by providing resources and opportunities to engage alumni with the college and each other through consistent communication, inclusive programming, and intentional relationship building. To apply or find out more, contact Sara Schlipp-Riedel ’06 at schlipp@augsburg.edu.

State Grant Advocacy Day at the Capitol

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capitolAugsburg College had 1,054 State Grant recipients on campus this past academic year — more than 34 percent of all Augsburg undergraduates. In total, the college received more than $3.4 million in State Grant awards made to Augsburg students.

The impact of those funds on students, a high percentage of whom come from low-income households or are first-generation college students, cannot be overstated.

Yeng Vang ’14 says the state grant program helped him attend Augsburg. “I wouldn’t be here if not for grants and scholarships. Things like the State Grant allow you the opportunity to go to college, opening the door to future possibilities.”

This spring, students are heading to the Capitol again to advocate for the State Grant program and meet with their respective representatives.  STEP-UP, EAST, financial aid, Multicultural Students Services and Athletics are partnering to recruit and train students before the big day.  Students will embark to the Capitol on February 25 for a day that begins with grassroots organizing training, led by members of the Minnesota Private College Council, and ends with a reception at Augsburg College with affiliated representatives and student leaders.

Students – Please register here for Day at the Capitol, February 25, 2015.

Help us advocate for the State Grant program!  Sign up for alerts at http://mnstudentaid.org/.  If you are interested in volunteering as a Advocacy Champion, e-mail Amanda Scherer, assistant director of corporate and government relations, at scherera@augsburg.edu.

Wells Fargo makes $100,000 gift to the CSBR at Augsburg College

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Wells Fargo gift

In recognition of Augsburg College’s leadership in closing the higher education disparity gap for students of color in Minnesota, Wells Fargo has made a gift of $100,000 to the campaign to build the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR).

Wells Fargo joins several other corporations (including U.S. Bank, 3M, and General Mills) in supporting the CSBR.

In a statement, Dave Kvamme, CEO of Wells Fargo Minnesota, expressed admiration for Augsburg’s commitment to partnering with College Access programs like College Possible to help recruit, support, and retain first-generation and low-income students. Continue reading “Wells Fargo makes $100,000 gift to the CSBR at Augsburg College” →

Hollenbeck is Nurse of the Year at Children’s

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Lani HollenbeckWith two sisters and a mother as strong role models, Lani (Langanki) Hollenbeck ’77, MAN ’11 wasn’t surprised by the rewards of working with fragile newborns and their families. But, drawn into nursing after having already earned her B.S. at Augsburg in Social Work, she discovered that combining the two areas allowed her to expand her worldview practice by looking at new ways of supporting those families at a crucial time—in the midst of challenging healthcare situations.

In her work as a staff nurse at the Minneapolis-based Infant Care Center of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, she supports parents as they nurture their newborn infants. Recently named 2014 Nurse of the Year by March of Dimes neonatal, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, and Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Hollenbeck knows it is hard for parents when births don’t go as planned or babies arrive too early, and she has always felt drawn to help them and their tiny babies. She believes these little ones deserve nurses who are committed to supporting their little bodies and souls for survival, growth, and development. Continue reading “Hollenbeck is Nurse of the Year at Children’s” →