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Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Hagfors Center

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The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion hosted its grand opening ceremony in style on Saturday, January 27, 2018. Approximately 1000 guests attended the celebration, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, remarks by President Pribbenow and Campaign Chair Mike Good ’71, live music, gourmet food stations on each floor, and exclusive access to many parts of the new, four-level building. Some of the Hagfors Center artists who contributed to the Art and Identity campaign also attended and were available to discuss their artwork in detail with attendees. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined the celebration and expressed his admiration for the building.

Photograph of President Paul Pribbenow at a podium discussing the opening with a large crowd.
President Paul Pribbenow addressing guests at the grand opening.
Artist Rory Wakemup discussing his art work.
Rory Wakemup discussing his interactive art work with Paul and Nancy Mueller.

The open house began at 3 p.m., and guests were able to visit a multitude of classrooms and laboratories, where they could view the impressive state-of-the-art communications and scientific equipment, and participate in a variety of activities, including liquid nitrogen ice cream tasting, a chemical instrument tour, and a fruit-leather-making demonstration.

 Dr. Peter Agre ’70 was celebrated with placement of a replica of his Nobel Prize award just outside the suspended Hagfors Center Gundale Chapel. A number of other people who have been integral in making the Hagfors Center a reality were also celebrated with mini-receptions throughout the building.

Guests had plenty of opportunity to socialize with alumni, staff, donors, and other friends of the College, while enjoying the gourmet food stations, which included a fresh vegetable-and-dip platter, a build-your-own macaroni cheese stand, and a delectable dessert station.

The event was a resounding success, and a good spirit prevailed among all who came to celebrate Augsburg University’s newest building.

A photograph of the Hagfors Center
The Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business and Religion.

Join us for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center Grand Opening this Saturday!

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Join the Augsburg community on Saturday, January 27 for the grand opening festivities of the Hagfors Center. The public is welcome to attend the alumni and community open house from 3.30-5 p.m. Enjoy food stations, building tours, and activities.

  • Please allow for extra travel time as we expect extra traffic due to pre-Superbowl activities.
  • Free valet parking will be provided in the roundabout in front of the Hagfors Center on 21st Avenue.
  • Throughout the afternoon, students and faculty will be on hand to provide laboratory tours and to share the transformational difference this new facility makes to their educational experience.
  • Food and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon including a mac and cheese bar, roasted vegetables and dip, a dessert bar with choke cherry ice cream, meringue and fruit purée, mini lemon tartlets, and more.

For further information please click here.

 

A photo of the Hagfors Center

Lefse, Waffles and Friendship: Velkommen Jul 2017

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Augsburg celebratedPicture of Lefse the holiday period in true Norweigian style, and nearly fifty Augsburg Associates volunteered at the 2017 Velkommen Jul festivities on December 1. Many volunteers were busy putting in extra days to make special Norwegian treats, and arrived early to help butter bread and lefse, and ensure that the event was a huge success.

There was exceptional student participation, including the Associates scholarship students who served waffles to hungry patrons. The event celebrated long-standing Augsburg Three ladies browsing the items for sale.friendships, and encouraged guests to create new friendships from our diverse community. Guests expressed their appreciation with kind words and contributions, and the scholarship baskets gathered a superb $1190.

Auggies in the City: Waitress

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The Augsburg University Alumni team are serving up a slice of fun! Come and join us at Tony nominated musical “Waitress” on Wednesday, November 22 at Orpheum Theater. Featuring music and lyrics by 6 time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, the show is guaranteed to be a great time– and at $34 per ticket, this deal is as sweet as pie!

Starting at 6 p.m. we will be hosting a pre-theater reception at the Brave New Workshop with plenty of pie, soft drinks and a cash bar. At this reception we will be hosting a talk by Theater professor, Darcey Engen ’88, on the significance of “Waitress” serving up Broadway’s first all-female creative team.

This is an event you wont want to miss– described by Vanity Fair as “a black-and-white cookie where the comic and tragic edges touch but don’t mix” where “you’re laughing one minute… [and] you’re engaged with the difficult things these characters are going through the next”.

Tickets for this event are unfortunately sold-out but if you’re interested please call Becky Waggoner on 612-330-1085 to be put on the wait list!

Join the Augsburg Alumni team at A Christmas Carol!

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A Twin Cities holiday tradition that is not to be missed- the Guthrie Theater continues their holiday tradition for the 43rd year.

On Tuesday December 12, the Augsburg Alumni team will be hosting a special Auggie pre-theater reception before the show, which will take place in the Guthrie Theater Target Lounge at 6 p.m., with yummy appetizers and a chance to celebrate holiday spirit with old friends and new!Guthrie Theater A Christmas Carol Prmo Graphic

A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug,” until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Through a restless night, the spirits show him happy memories from his past, cruel realities from the present and the grim future should he continue his cantankerous ways– Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a perennial favorite.

Tickets are $35 and are available here:
http://www.augsburg.edu/alumni/events/

Don’t be a scrooge and miss out on this great event!

WILD about Augsburg!

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Celebrate and respect our veterans and our men and women in service by joining the Augsburg University Alumni Association for the 6th Annual Minnesota Wild Beyond The Yellow Ribbon Awareness Night at the Xcel Energy Center on Thu, Nov 2 at 7:00 p.m.!

The Wild take on the Montreal Canadiens in a game that shouldn’t be missed… tickets include a new custom designed Grunt Style T-Shirt and entry into a raffle for autographed items.

Ticket collection will take place in the lobby of the Xcel Energy Center at 6:00 p.m on Thursday, November 2. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at: http://www.augsburg.edu/alumni/events/

 

2017 Auggie Talks

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Auggie Talks are back at Homecoming 2017! Please register for all Auggie Talks and any other Homecoming event you want to attend here.

Below is a schedule of the 2017 Auggie Talks:

Friday, October 13

3:30 p.m: Teaching the Bible, Faith and Vocation at Augsburg.

Auggie Talk #1- Hosted by the Class of 1967 @ Sateren Auditorium

This talk will feature Augsburg Legends Phil Quanbeck Sr ’50 and Rev. Dr. Phillip Quanbeck II reflecting on their last 50 years at Augsburg. This talk is sponsored by the class of ’67.

Saturday, October 14:

11:00 a.m: David Murr ’92

Auggie Talk #3 – Hosted by the Class of 1992 @ Lindell 301

Led by David Murr ’92, a journey though the typical progression through an Augsburg Major and an a-typical progression through a life

12:00 p.m: Peace Prize Forum

Auggie Talks #4- Hosted by the Class of 2007 @ Lindell 301

Nobel Peace Prize Forum: Past, Present & Future

Led by Bettine Hoff Hermanson, Managing Director, Nobel Peace Prize Forum. After a successful return of the Forum back to Augsburg’s Campus learn about this important event and our ties to this Norwegian institution.

12:00 p.m: What’s in a Name

Auggie Talk #5 @ Lindell Lower Level Class room
What’s in a Name?
 Hear the behind-the-scenes story of “Project Montague,” our internal name for all the work required to change Augsburg College to Augsburg University. The project includes everything from designing new logos with alumnus Samuel Gross ’03 to updating signs and graphics all over campus and beyond, from registering a new trademark to restaining the gym floor, from working with MNDOT on highway signs to telling the world why we believe this rose by another name will smell even sweeter. Led by Stephen Jendraszak, Director of Marketing, Augsburg University and Samuel Gross ’03, Principal, 144design

1:00 p.m: Music Theater

Auggie Talk #6  @ Tjornhom-Nelson Theater

Auggies in Music Theater

Featuring presentations by Ivey Award winning composer Aaron Gabriel ’99, and Brian Halaas ’08 Director of Conference Programming at Arts Midwest. Brian, Aaron and Sonja will help to resurrect some of the history of the Music-Theater club and share where their journeys living lives in the arts has led.

1:00 p.m: Flute Ensemble

Auggie Talk #7 @ Sateren Auditorium

Please join Flute Studio Artist Trudi Anderson ’77 and Augsburg flutists from all eras – including Leah Abdella ’76, Rebecca Hartwig ‘15, Julie Johnson ’98, Kou Lee ‘11, Bonnie (Schwendeman) Maffitt ’78, Sheryl (Lium) Wilhelm ’76, just to name a few! – as they join together to make merry music as a flute ensemble, including alto, bass, and contrabass flutes!

2:00 p.m: Celebrating Torstenson

Auggie Talk #8 @ Oren Gateway Center 100

Join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Joel Torstenson! Led by Elaine Eschenbacher, Director of the Sabo Center.

2:30 p.m: Walking Tour

Auggie Talk #9 departing from the Oren Gateway Center Lobby

Steve Peacock, Director for Community Relations at Augsburg, leads a walking tour of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood like no other!

 

Revisiting the Magical Splendor of the Ballroom: Hoopla Train

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Darcey Engen '88
Darcey Engen ’88

Sod House Theater, which was founded by Augsburg alumni co-artistic directors Darcey Engen ’88 and Luverne Seifert ’83 who are also husband and wife, presents “Hoopla Train” with Yard Master Yip and his Polkastra starting on September 21 through October 15. “Hoopla Train” is an event performed in old vaudevillian tradition with live music, singing and sketch comedy and is a show that welcomes the whole family. Dancing, with music provided by the Chmielewski Funtime Band, will be encouraged throughout the show, and free dance

Luverne Seifert ’83
Luverne Seifert ’83

lessons are offered one hour prior to the show time. Along with this, there will be a live talent show contest for audience members and prizes will be given out.

“We are interested in bringing the young and old back into the ballroom to revisit its magical splendor and its power in building community,” said Darcey Engen, “We were enthralled with the polka and waltz dancers of greater Minnesota, and witnessed a passionate commitment to this kind of community engagement. We are thrilled to bring “Hoopla Train” to the Twin Cities.” “Hoopla Train” has been performed previously in 14 historic ballrooms and dance halls across Minnesota.

The cast stars Darcey Engen, Elise Langer, Jim Lichtscheidl, Eriq Nelson, Kimberly Richardson, Luverne Seifert, Andrea Wollenberg and the Chmielewski Funtime Band. Tickets for “Hoopla Train” are $20 for adults; $10 for children, students and seniors and can be purchased at www.sodhousetheater.org or 612-414-2032.

 

Register Now for the Centered Life Series

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This coming fall and spring, Augsburg University and Luther Seminary will be presenting three series of presentations and conversations surrounding the Reformation and the rewards of living a life centered in Christ.

  • October 18, 25, & November 2 – The first series, presented by Dr. Hans Wiersma, will explore the breakthroughs brought on by the Reformation regarding justice, freedom, and vocation.
  • February 21, 28, & November 2 – Dr. Mark Tranvik will host the second series, which will focus on vocation and its continuation into later years and retirement.
  • April 18, 25, & May 2 – The last series will be an exploration of Biblical characters who had important experiences in their third chapters of life, presented by Dr. Diane Jacobson.

All talks will take place at 12:00 p.m. at Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul 55108 in the Olson room.

These sessions are inspired by the writings of Jack Fortin, Executive Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Luther Seminary. In his book, The Centered Life,  Fortin encourages us to forgo attempts to achieve “balance” between the disparate facets of our lives: family, work, personal care, community involvement, and so on. Balance, he claims, is nearly impossible to maintain when there are so many ways our time and effort can be consumed by pressing needs in one area or another. In our attempts at balance, we can find that instead our lives are fragmented and contradictory, and hinder our aims for a life of purpose and alignment with God’s providence and love.

Instead, Fortin urges us to seek a centered life, one characterized by a consistent, daily focus on God. A life centered on God, he writes, can help us understand who we are and our purpose in life, and enable us to live out our vocation in all facets and moments of life.

Join us this coming October, February, and April for this inspiring series inspired by the concept of the Centered Life, each a set of three talks focused on a particular aspect of living in awareness of God’s presence, especially at later stages in life when the sense of vocation can seem unclear.

Register by visiting the alumni event page. Each three-week series is $45 and includes entrance to all three talks. Presentations will take place at Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

Register Now for Board Repair Recruitment Fair

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Board Repair is an organization that aims to create a more effective nonprofit sector by increasing participation of people of color on boards in the Twin Cities. We are proud to announce that this year Augsburg will be sponsoring Board Repair’s 2017 Board Recruitment Fair on Monday, August 21st at the Courtyard Marriott in Minneapolis. This is a chance for prospective board members of color to meet and mingle with organizations looking to strengthen their leadership boards with greater diversity and fresh perspectives. All indigenous and people of color who are interested in nonprofit leadership roles are invited to attend the fair and a post-event social hosted by Make It. MSP. Board Repair is also still accepting registration for organizations interested in tabling at the fair.

Prospective board members of color or indigenous register here

Organizations can register in advance here