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Mike Newman Receives the Augsburg College Golden Bow Tie Award

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Bow TieIn April, President Pribbenow invited Mike Newman, Vice President of Community Relations at Travelers Insurance, to celebrate five years as a partner institution with the Travelers EDGE® program, Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment. The cocktail hour and focused program on campus highlighted key aspects of the EDGE program:

  • Increase the pipeline of underrepresented students to Augsburg
  • Help underrepresented students graduate from Augsburg
  • Build awareness of careers in the Insurance and Financial Services industries

Newman is a true champion of education, and advocates strongly for access to higher education for all students. As a surprise to Mr. Newman, President Pribbenow presented Mike Newman with the Golden Bow Tie Award, which is bestowed upon a leader within the Augsburg Community who exemplifies outstanding contributions, embodies the core values of an Augsburg education, and inspires great pride for all Auggies. The award was named, playfully, after Paul Pribbenow’s daily ritual of wearing a bow tie, a tradition he started to initiate conversation with students. Along with a certificate, Newman also received bow tie cufflinks. Continue reading “Mike Newman Receives the Augsburg College Golden Bow Tie Award” →

Auggies Give and Share Thanks

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staff thank you note writingCelebrate Philanthropy Week March 30-April 2

Did you know that 95% of Augsburg students receive financial aid? Or that student support services like tutoring, the Writing Lab, and the CLASS office are available to all students at no extra cost? Financial aid, student support programs, faculty-student research and more are all made possible thanks to generous donors to Augsburg. Each year, more than 2,400 alumni, parents, and friends give more than $1 million to The Augsburg Fund. Philanthropy Week is an opportunity to teach current students about how their education is supported by donors, and thank current donors for their generosity. Come to the Christensen Center to write a thank you note. Staff will be tabling at the following times: Monday, March 30, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesday, March 31, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Wednesday, April 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Want to get involved?

  • Share what you love about Augsburg and why you support the College on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #auggiesgive.
  • Join us for a special Philanthropy Week lunch on Thursday, April 2, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in East Commons to help thank donors for their support and encourage them to make a gift this year (RSVP to Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 at 612-330-1179 or krousega@augsburg.edu)
  • Become a donor to Augsburg! Make your gift online at augsburg.edu/giving.

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” →

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” →

You Gave to the Max, and We’re So Grateful

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Give to the Max Day was Nov. 13, and we’re still beaming with pride. We came in #1 for giving among all MN colleges and universities again this year, but we’re even more proud to say that 1,300 Auggies near and far—including students, alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff—donated more than $432,000 to support The Augsburg Fund and 34 excellent Auggie projects. If you supported Augsburg on Give to the Max Day this year, we thank you for your generosity. Please enjoy our sincere, campus-wide appreciation for the good work we all did together.

Maroon & Silver Society Reception Celebrates Record Growth

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Meeting of the Presidents: President Paul C. Pribbenow and Day Student Body President Banna Kidane '15:
Meeting of the Presidents: President Paul C. Pribbenow and Day Student Body President Banna Kidane ’15.

Homecoming Week kicked off with the third annual Maroon & Silver Society reception on Tuesday, September 23, in the Arnold Atrium of Hoversten Chapel. The Maroon & Silver Society recognizes donors who give generously to the College’s annual fund, The Augsburg Fund, with gifts of $1,000 or more each year.

Continue reading “Maroon & Silver Society Reception Celebrates Record Growth” →

Men’s Soccer Alumni to Name Locker Room for Rolf Eriksen

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RolfCalling all Augsburg soccer players! A chance to honor Rolf Eriksen is available to us and this is what we all can do to help recognize Rolf for all he has done for the Augsburg Men’s Soccer Program.

If you keep up with the Augsburg Men’s Soccer Program, you have seen the recent improvements in the locker room. The idea has sprung up that naming this locker room after Rolf Eriksen would be the fitting recognition of a man that started this program, nurtured it through its infancy, and helped bring four conference championships to Augsburg.

All of the money raised to get this room named after Rolf goes directly back to the men’s soccer program. This money can be utilized to bring planned improvements to fruition—by purchasing much-needed equipment, such as heart rate monitors, players’ travel bags, updated cold weather jackets, and additional equipment for players and coaches. Continue reading “Men’s Soccer Alumni to Name Locker Room for Rolf Eriksen” →

Augsburg Associates Celebrate 30 Years

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stortz
Marty Stortz, Augsburg Professor of Religion & Vocation, will speak on “Women Who Serve.”

The Augsburg Associates celebrate 30 years of fundraising and fellowship during Wednesday of Homecoming week with their annual meeting and afternoon tea. Mistress of Ceremonies Marty Stortz, Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion & Vocation, will speak on the theme of “Women Who Serve.” The event is open to all.

Augsburg Associates, 90 members strong, serve the college and the people they assist by hosting estate sales. For their efforts in organizing, cleaning, pricing, and selling the household items, the Associates receive one-third of the sale proceeds. With three to six sales per year, they generate good will and resources, while raising funds to provide scholarships to Augsburg students.

In addition to the funds raised through estate sales and Associate membership fees, the Associates raise funds by annually hosting the Velkommen Jul brunch and Scandinavian boutique the first weekend in Advent, as well as a tea in the spring.

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Current president of the Augsburg Associates, Lennore Bevis ’66

In 1996, the Associates set up an endowed scholarship fund. Earnings from the endowment provide a scholarship each year, and additional dollars raised throughout the year sponsor the Christensen Scholars.

Associates are graduates and/or friends of the College who may be family members of graduates, faculty, or staff, or who are simply impressed by the spirit of giving and want to be a part of it.

Social time begins on Wednesday, September 24, at 1:30 p.m., followed by the annual business meeting and afternoon tea at 2 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel and Arnold Atrium. Register for this event on the Homecoming Registration page by Sept. 12.

Auggies Give Back in Honor of their Reunions

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Homecoming is a special time to commemorate Augsburg memories and reconnect with friends and classmates. Many alumni who are celebrating their 50th, 40th, 25th, and 10th reunions also decide to make a special gift to Augsburg in honor of their reunion and the Homecoming celebration.

The class reunion committees of 1964, 1974, 1989 and 2004 have each set goals to increase the number of donors and dollars given from their class in honor of their reunions. If you are a member of one of these classes, please watch for a letter from your reunion committee in the next few weeks highlighting these goals and consider making a gift in honor of your class reunion.

The classes of 1964 and 1974 have also given significantly to the CSBR Class Challenge—a challenge where each class year has set a goal of giving $1,000,000 or more to the campaign for the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. The class of 1974 has given more than $686,000 to the campaign, which is the sixth-highest amount of all classes; the class of 1964 has also given more than $161,000 to the campaign.

 

50th Annual Clair Strommen A-Club Golf Tournament

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Yesterday, the Augsburg College A-Club hosted the 50th annual Clair Strommen A-Club golf tournament at the Oak Glen Country Club located in Stillwater, Minnesota. Over 125 Auggies showed up in support of Augsburg College student athletes and the A-Club.