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Creating Space for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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George Dierberger headshotMBA Director and Associate Professor George Dierberger holds the inaugural Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship. His impressive career at Augsburg spans over a decade. After initially teaching night classes, he became a full-time faculty member in 2012. “I always felt that Augsburg was a premier university, a great brand that is making a difference in students’ lives. I love the communities that we serve, especially the first-generation students and students of color,” he shared. The ability to open doors and work with students who might not have a robust network like multi-generational students at other institutions makes Augsburg unique to George. “If you dig what we do, you’re making the most profound difference in the greatest number of student’s lives.”

George’s passion for innovative thinking and creative problem-solving is reflected in his work. Last year, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and spent the 2022 fall semester teaching in Ireland. “I was teaching as part of the Atlantic technological university system, which is in the western part of Ireland, there are eight locations from Letterkenny down to Galway,” George said. “We did a lot of research around entrepreneurs in Ireland and examined what motivates them.” One of George’s main focuses included implementing a statewide entrepreneurship cup. This opportunity allowed innovators to share their ideas and the top winners would receive an award.

“The Irish people as well as their government are very entrepreneurial,” George stated. In recent years, Dublin has become home to several international companies including Apple, Google, and PayPal. “The systems and processes they have in place to support entrepreneurship are what we’re trying to do with the Howe professorship,” he shared. Finding ways to embed similar support systems and opportunities into the Augsburg experience is in the foreground of George’s plans for the future. He’d love to find a way to provide opportunities for students to earn scholarships and monetary prizes through an Augsburg version of an entrepreneurial cup.

Currently, George teaches a leadership course in the MBA program and leads a 580 field study course. The 580 field study course works with entrepreneurs who need help developing a business plan and which the MBA students produce. 

When reflecting on being named the chair for the Howe professorship, George shared, “It’s really so humbling. The Howes’ generosity will inspire change, drive the innovative spirit within our students, and create opportunities for their future success.”

The scope of an endowed position extends beyond the area in which someone is appointed, it can touch many facets of university life and provide the chance for cross-collaboration. An example of this is George’s desire to partner with departments and programs across the campus. There is an opportunity for collaboration between the business and science departments through a new course that will be offered in the fall of 2023. “Our [the business department] proximity to the chemistry, biology, and physics departments provides so much opportunity to pull students in and create really great synergy.” This is another example of how the physical space of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is providing unique partnerships.

George’s hope is that someday every business professorship will be endowed by philanthropy. “If we get to this point, integral budgetary resources can be redeployed in strategic ways.” Having a strong endowment will enable Augsburg to thrive in the future and alleviate the financial barriers students face. To date, five endowed positions have been established during the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign totaling $10,012,050.00 in philanthropic support.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and business expert, George examines return on investment and key performance indicators as a way to measure success. “We have very tangible deliverables in place to demonstrate how the entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond my individual position. It’s important to demonstrate how philanthropic investments create long-lasting change.” For George, sustainable positions like the Howe professorship will only strengthen the resilience and success of Augsburg entrepreneurs. 

AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES JOHN N. SCHWARTZ ’67 SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

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Repost from the News and Media page

Augsburg University announced today the creation of the John N. Schwartz ’67 School of the Arts, a destination arts hub for music, theater, and art and design. An estate gift from Augsburg alumnus John N. Schwartz ’67 will establish the school.

“With their power to connect, illuminate, break boundaries, and build relationships, the arts have been a vital part of Augsburg’s mission and community life for more than 150 years,” said University President Paul C. Pribbenow. “At a time when support for the arts in public life and education has become contingent and vulnerable, Augsburg is tremendously grateful for John Schwartz’s visionary leadership in establishing an institutional home for music, theater, and art for many future generations of students.”

The Schwartz School of the Arts will house Augsburg’s 12 undergraduate majors in the performing and visual arts, as well as the master of music therapy program. Students and faculty in the departments of theater, music, and art and design will have new and greater opportunities for interdisciplinary, collaborative work across disciplines, including with other areas of the university.

“We believe that a standalone arts school at a place like Augsburg—a university with deep commitments to access and equity, and one of the most diverse institutions in the upper Midwest—will send a strong message to potential students that the arts are for everyone. Your gifts are valued here,” said Paula O’Loughlin, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs.

The performing and visual arts at Augsburg have long reflected the university’s mission in the commitments to artistic excellence, intentional diversity, civic engagement, and social justice embodied in each discipline. The new school is a refinement to the university’s institutional structure following the change from Augsburg College to Augsburg University in 2017. It also aligns with Augsburg’s role as an anchor institution in the Cedar-Riverside community of Minneapolis.

“The Schwartz School of the Arts will be a key venue for Augsburg to explore with our neighbors and our students how to build and expand access to cultural assets,” said Pribbenow.

As an undergraduate, John Schwartz sang baritone in the Augsburg choir, igniting a love of choral music that persisted throughout his 40-year career as a healthcare executive in Milwaukee, Oregon, Montana, and Chicago.

“My experiences at Augsburg are a perfect example of how a well-rounded liberal arts education provides a pathway not just to a career but to a full and meaningful life,” said Schwartz. “Whether singing in a choral ensemble, performing in a theater production, or sculpting in the studio, the arts provide opportunities to grow and connect that don’t exist anywhere else. With this new school, Augsburg is clearly stating that the performing and visual arts are central to our mission.”

A current member of Augsburg’s Board of Regents, Schwartz has long supported Augsburg music students. His previous gifts to the university established the Leland B. Sateren ’35 professorship and chair of music, the John N. Schwartz professor of choral leadership and conducting, and the John N. Schwartz and James A. Mosley scholarship.

The Schwartz School of the Arts is one of a number of transformational outcomes of Augsburg’s ongoing Great Returns: We’re All In comprehensive fundraising campaign. With a goal to raise $125 million, it is the largest such campaign in Augsburg history.

About Augsburg

Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees to approximately 3,200 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and nearby Rochester, Minnesota, location. Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings. To learn more, visit Augsburg.edu/about.

Resiliency in Recovery

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A headshot of Shelby Waldon.Shelby Waldon ’25 decided to attend Augsburg, in large part, due to the StepUP® Program. “I was deciding between Augsburg and St. Cloud, but I liked that Augsburg was closer to home and it’s a smaller school,” she said. Having grown up just outside of the cities, Shelby was excited to spend more time in the Twin Cities. 

The StepUP Program supports students in recovery who are pursuing their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This hallmark program began 25 years ago at Augsburg and is one of the nation’s first and premiere collegiate recovery-based programs in the United States. This year, there are 42 students who are currently enrolled in the program with 29 living on campus in a substance-free residence hall.

Shelby is a sophomore pursuing a degree in social work. “I’m also looking into psychology,” she shared. “I’d like to work with younger kids who are struggling with substance abuse issues, so getting my LADC [Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor] is a goal of mine and I can really do that with either major.”

When it comes to staying focused on schoolwork and sobriety, StepUP has been a big help to Shelby. “Being in StepUP has made it easier to focus on school because I don’t have to worry about coming home and dealing with being around substances. I know that if I have a hard day in class, I can come back and be surrounded by other sober people,” Shelby said, who has developed close friendships with other StepUP students. “We like to just hang out in our communal living room and talk or go out to eat together, we also have a game night each week which is fun!”

In addition to the academic and community support, Shelby shared other helpful resources she has received and service opportunities she has had. “I remember going around to different high schools and talking to students about what it’s like being a young person in recovery,” she recalled. “These opportunities have been really helpful for me and pushed me outside of my comfort zone.” 

This year, Shelby is one of four recipients of the Doran Family Scholarship. “I’m so grateful for this scholarship,” Shelby said. “I was worried about how I was going to pay for last semester and this scholarship made my education possible. Not having to stress about tuition has been so helpful.”

Philanthropic efforts are critical to the success of StepUP. In fact, during Augsburg’s historical Great Returns: We’re All In campaign, more than $10 million has been raised toward StepUP’s endowment. In May, StepUP will be celebrating the program’s 25-year anniversary during its gala on May 13 at the Radisson Blu-Mall of America. This event aims to recognize the accomplishments of the students, staff, and alumni of the program and secure support for the future. “I went to the 2022 StepUP Gala for the first time last year, and it was a really beautiful experience,” Shelby reflected. “It’s really nice that donors are able to see what comes out of their donations. They are supporting us in more ways than they know.”

Purchase tickets for the StepUP Gala by April 14. To learn more about the StepUP program, visit our website.

Remembering Evangeline “Vangie” Hagfors

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Evangeline Hagfors headshotEvangeline “Vangie” Hagfors passed away peacefully on October 4, 2022 at her home. 

Vangie’s deep connection to Augsburg began when her father, Elnar Gundale ’33, emigrated from Norway and attended Augsburg Seminary. Vangie attended classes on Augsburg’s campus from 1957-1959 as part of the Nurse’s Training Program through the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital. And three of Vangie’s siblings – John Gundale ’67, Stephen Gundale ’70, and Ruth Gundale ’73 – also attended Augsburg.

Vangie married Norm, a University of Minnesota graduate, and together they had two children, Mark and Rachel. Norm joined Augsburg’s Board of Regents in 1989 and both Norm and Vangie have faithfully served on Augsburg’s President’s Council since its inception in 2018. They embodied Christ’s teaching to love your neighbor, a core tenet of Augsburg’s mission. 

Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 shared that “we are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Vangie Hagfors and extend our condolences to our friend, Norm, and the entire Hagfors family. Vangie understood the tremendous value of an Augsburg education rooted in our Lutheran faith. Over the years, the Hagfors have been leading benefactors of Augsburg University. Their lead gift in 2015 resulted in the construction of the campus’ signature building, the Hagfors Center for Science, Business and Religion, in which our students—and future leaders—learn about and explore the intersections of these three disciplines.”

The Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is a multi-discipline complex that opened in January of 2018 and serves more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year.

Norm and Vangie Hagfors visiting the construction site of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion with President Paul Pribbenow and architect Bill Blanski.
Norm and Vangie Hagfors visiting the construction site of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion with President Paul Pribbenow and architect Bill Blanski
Vangie is pictured above ready to cut the ribbon and officially open the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion.
Vangie is pictured above ready to cut the ribbon and officially open the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion
Evangeline “Vangie” and Norm Hagfors pictured together in the Gundale Chapel in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion on Augsburg’s campus.
Evangeline “Vangie” and Norm Hagfors pictured together in the Gundale Chapel in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion on Augsburg’s campus

Vangie’s gentle and generous spirit will be missed dearly by the Augsburg community. She truly clothed herself in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” as we read about in Colossians 3:12. 

President Paul Pribbenow shared that “It is a most sad day for all of us who have come to know and love Vangie. Her historic ties to Augsburg through her father, the Rev. Elnar Gundale ’33, are fittingly celebrated in the beautiful Gundale Chapel in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, and her deep faith was an inspiration to all of us. One of the greatest joys of my time at Augsburg has been to witness the remarkable vision and generosity of Norm and Vangie, whose legacy is forever secure in the remarkable Hagfors Center – a transformative academic building that still takes my breath away with both its architectural beauty and its impact on our students and faculty each day. Along with her family and friends, we grieve Vangie’s death and celebrate a life so faithfully led.”

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 24, at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. Visitation will be held from 3 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, October 23, at Bradshaw, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, and one hour prior to the service at church. Read Vangie’s official obituary.

Sparking Innovation: The Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship

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Karen Howe and Tom HoweWhen Tom ’72 and Karen Howe were thinking about how they could support Augsburg, they wanted to spark possibilities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. They decided to establish the Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship at Augsburg University. Tom graduated from Augsburg in 1972 with a degree in business administration and he and Karen both have extensive leadership experience in the business sector. Tom was the owner and CEO of SwansonFlo Co from 1991-2022 while Karen was an account executive at the creative brand agency, Yamamoto, and later went into business with their daughter, Liz, owning a pet boutique, LuLu & Luigi, in St. Louis Park and Wayzata.

Although he was studying business, Tom also participated on the wrestling team, made lifelong friends as a member of Gamma Phi Omega, (known today as the Gammas) and enjoyed taking classes that were outside of his major. Upon reflecting on what he took away from his time at Augsburg, Tom explained what the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion represents to him. “Although the building was built forty years after I graduated, the three disciplines taught in that space illustrate exactly what made a lasting impact on me,” Tom shared. “My business courses prepared me for a career, but I uniquely remember a religion class that explored all faiths and an astronomy class that examined our physical origins. They challenged my beliefs and expanded my mind. I may not have known it at the time, but Augsburg gave me much more than a degree. Augsburg taught me critical thinking which is applied to every area of my life.”

Business and entrepreneurship followed Tom and Karen after graduating. Tom began working for his father’s company, Howe Inc. – a business that had been in the family for three generations. “It was a great learning experience where I could contribute ideas and be part of the decision-making process, but I also had opportunities to fail and learn from my mistakes.” Karen’s focus in home economics at the University of Minnesota contributed to her interest in the field. “I enjoyed the marketing classes,” Karen stated. “Understanding its [marketing] many facets became highly important in my day-to-day work.” It was at Yamamoto where Karen honed her skills that prepared her to own her own business. 

Throughout the years, Karen and Tom have supported Augsburg in instrumental ways. At the heart of their philanthropy is their connection to Augsburg’s mission. “Augsburg was founded as a Norwegian Lutheran college and provided an education to first-generation students. Today it continues to carry out that objective and provide students a three-dimensional education: make a living, make a life, and build a community,” Tom said. 

Paul Mueller ’84, chair of Augsburg’s Great Returns campaign shared, “We are all grateful for Tom and Karen’s very generous gift to Augsburg. The Howes believe an Augsburg education will produce the next generation of business leaders who manifest ethical and conscious entrepreneurship—business leadership that makes the world a better place.” 

Through the newly established Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship, they hope to strengthen Augsburg’s business department and inspire innovation and leadership. “Two-thirds of all students take classes or major in business. It introduces them to the free-market system, the positives of capitalism, and the power of freedom,” Tom shared. Their accomplishments and desire to help current and future Auggies find success can all be tied back to the American dream. “You have to believe in yourself, get inspired, and figure out how your unique ideas can benefit society,” Tom said. “There are many ways people can find success and not everyone has the same starting point. You don’t have to know everything, but identify your talents and surround yourself with people who will complement your strengths.” Karen added. For Tom and Karen, supporting Augsburg is an investment in future generations that has unlimited potential.

Provost and and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Paula O’Loughlin shared, “We are incredibly grateful for the Howe’s generosity in establishing this endowed Professorship. Developing leaders through entrepreneurship among our students has been a signature commitment in Augsburg’s curriculum since our beginnings. The Thomas and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship in Entrepreneurship will enable us to broaden our offerings for students interested in starting their own businesses for years to come.”

A Real Game Changer

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Patricia Piepenburg headshotBasketball has played an important role in Patricia (Patty) Piepenburg’s ’69 life. In her small hometown of Grove City, Minnesota, Patty discovered her natural athleticism. “I grew up pre-Title IX, so the only exposure I really had to sports were through intramurals and gym class,” she shared. Her high school team was organized through the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) where she and her teammates had to work hard to find other teams to play. They eventually convinced their advisor to play a neighboring town. In Patty’s words, it could be more accurately described as “scheduling a time two schools could get together and do intramural activities.” At the time, the rules were completely different for women’s basketball. It was played on half the court and each team had 6 players. Nonetheless, Patty fell in love with the game. 

A black and white photo of the Augiettes
The 1966 Auggiettes (Patty pictured 2nd row, third in from the left)

While she was a student at Augsburg, she participated on the Auggiettes women’s basketball team. During her four seasons, the team only lost four games, and were completely undefeated her junior year. She was also the leading scorer her last two years in school. A big part of the team’s success can be attributed to Patty’s coach at the time, LaVonne Johnson Peterson, or Mrs. Pete, more affectionately. “She was a great teacher and friend. She played a big factor in me staying at Augsburg all four years,” Patty shared. 

Patty shooting a basketball into the hoop during a gamePatty graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1969. She taught and coached various grade levels in Atwater, Minnesota while also working double time to help her dad with their family farm. “There came a point where I was just burned out and couldn’t do both anymore,” Patty reflected on deciding to leave coaching and teaching after over 30 years. The family farm, conservation, and wildlife remain an important part of Patty’s life – she has even won awards for her conservation projects!

In 2011, Patty was inducted into Augsburg’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Although some of her teammates were inducted several years earlier, Patty wanted to be retired when she accepted the honor. “A hall of famer is someone who not only contributed to the sports while they were in school, but it should also reflect what they went on to do after college,” she said. “I felt like I needed to earn my place.”

Patty has given a generous gift to help update the Si Melby Women’s Locker room. The dedication will take place in October during Augsburg’s Homecoming Week and All-School Reunion, where Augsburg will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. When reflecting on what inspired this decision, Patty shared, “Trying to figure out your estate plans is difficult when you aren’t married and don’t have kids… you want to channel it to where you think someone made a difference. I chose the women’s locker room because I would love to see a legacy.” The advice Patty has for current and future generations of women athletes at Augsburg is, “Always be prepared, be yourself, and willingly accept opportunities for leadership.”

Remembering Fuad El-Hibri

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Fuad El-Hibri

It is with a heavy heart, we share the news that Fuad El-Hibri passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning of April 23, 2022, surrounded by his family at his home in Maryland after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.

Fuad has made a tremendous mark on Augsburg over the past two decades. Fuad and his wife, Nancy, first learned of Augsburg in the early 2000s when their son, Karim ‘06, participated in the StepUP program. Fuad and Nancy served as inaugural co-chairs of Augsburg’s President’s Council, and Fuad was instrumental in forming the current strategic plan Augsburg150. Fuad and Nancy most recently made a generous gift to create the El-Hibri Endowed Chair and Executive Directorship of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg and has annually sponsored Iftar dinners for the campus during Ramadan. 

“The Augsburg community has lost a dear friend with the passing of Fuad El-Hibri,” President Paul Pribbenow remarked. “Fuad and his family have been generous with their time, wisdom, and gifts to support me and our community as we advance Augsburg’s deep commitments to collegiate recovery, interfaith dialogue, and student success. Fuad was a role model for our students as he combined his faith, his business acumen, and his love for his family in all that he pursued. I will miss him and know that his legacy will live on at Augsburg and beyond.”

Fuad was the Founder and the Executive Chairman of Emergent BioSolutions Corporation, Chairman of East West Resources, and Chairman of Aptevo Therapeutics. He retired from those positions on April 1, 2022. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of the Yale Healthcare Conference, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the International Biomedical Research Alliance. Fuad, Nancy and their children, are also on the Board of the El-Hibri Foundation, started by Fuad’s father in 2001. Fuad and Nancy have three children and three grandchildren.

“Faud was a compassionate, visionary leader who cared about people in a very personal way. This was evident in the way he supported the Muslim students at Augusburg,” shared Muslim Student Program Associate, Fardosa Hassan.

Augsburg’s Board Chair, Matt Entenza, said “Fuad has been a good friend to Augsburg and to me over the years. I will miss his passion, counsel and our many energizing conversations.” 

Fuad believed in the possibility of a world where any young person could feel welcomed and encouraged to pursue their potential on any college campus, no matter their faith tradition. He was a leader in interfaith peace-making and dialogue, believing much could be resolved if we listened and learned more about one another. Fuad will be greatly missed by the Augsburg community. 

Read Fuad’s obituary. Check out the pictures below that highlight his visits to campus.

 

Public launch success for the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign

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On Friday, May 6, Augsburg alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends came together to celebrate the public launch of the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign. During the event, we shared that our public campaign goal is to raise $125,000,000. And we’ve already raised more than $105,000,000!

Thank you to Augsburg’s Board of Regents for fully funding this event and to anyone who has contributed to this historic campaign. We’re All In for our students, our community, and our world!

See why we’re all in:

Check out photos from our event! Photos are by Rebecca Slater.

Creating a Legacy for Morgan

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A photo of Morgan Yesnes leaning against a brick wall with his arms crossed and smiling. He is wearing a blue zip-up sweater and glasses. Lori Larson and David Yesnes remember their son Morgan as a vibrant and generous person who loved to connect with others. Morgan valued deepening his knowledge. While studying at Augsburg University, Morgan discovered his affinity for history. He quickly developed an incredible passion for World War II. “There was an event we were at where Morgan talked some guy’s ears off for over an hour about history!” his sister Sydney remembered with amusement. Morgan faced daunting challenges with his health, however he didn’t let this stop him from living life to its fullest potential. Because of the experience Morgan had at Augsburg, creating the Morgan A. Yesnes Endowed History Scholarship in his memory was an easy decision for David and Lori to make. The family established their endowed scholarship in celebration of the joyous and resilient nature in which Morgan lived his life and in appreciation for Augsburg University’s commitment to serve all students, especially those who need financial and specialized learning support in housing and learning for an equitable education. Due to Morgan’s physical limitations, the family had to be selective about where Morgan could attend college. “We had to choose a school that allowed for ease of mobility between buildings,” Lori recalled. Augsburg was one of the few campuses in Minnesota that had skyways and wasn’t overwhelmingly big. “It was also a great location because it was close enough to home but far enough for him to have independence,” David added. They knew Augsburg was the right fit when they saw Morgan’s face immediately light up when he first arrived on campus.

One aspect about Augsburg Morgan’s family remembers with gratitude is the supportive environment Morgan experienced. “The people in the CLASS center were so helpful when Morgan was in school. The accommodations he received helped him be independent… the last thing he wanted was to feel different,” Lori shared. This support, along with Morgan’s outgoing and caring nature, made it easy for him to find his place. He made friends by attending game nights in the student lounges, going to the occasional football game, and connecting with people in his classes. 

Lori, Sydney, and David sitting on a bench outside. Sydney is sitting between her parents and holding a glass water droplet.
Lori, Sydney, and David receiving a gifted water droplet from Augsburg for the endowed scholarship they created.

Morgan passed away on April 22, 2020 at the age of 24. Lori, David, and Sydney strive to live their lives in a way that honors Morgan and carries on his legacy of wanting to make a positive impact in people’s lives. When reflecting on what they hope their scholarship accomplishes, David shares, “I want to give kids the opportunity to go to school, who might not otherwise have the chance due to financial barriers.” “We also want to give students a chance to grow and broaden their knowledge in a educational environment… Really have that college experience and be part of a community,” Lori said. The Larson Yesnes family believes that challenges and disadvantages should not prevent a bright future.

There is comfort and healing knowing that their gift is bigger than their family. The students who receive this scholarship will be connected to Morgan in a special way. The important lessons of resilience David, Lori, and Sydney learned through Morgan are something they hope they can pass onto future generations. “Always live life to the fullest and never put limits on yourself and your dreams.” Morgan’s enthusiasm delighted his teachers and inspired his peers. He lived a full, rich, and compassionate life.

Giving Tuesday

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Today is Giving Tuesday! A global movement that started in 2012 and encourages people and organizations to come together and transform their communities and the world. At Augsburg, we continue to center our students and make sure that they have the resources and tools to go out into the world as leaders.


We recently completed our Give to the Max Day campaign and the results have blown us away! Here is a breakdown of what we accomplished:

  • $387,981 total amount raised.
  • 1,901 donors.
  • 40 % of the 45 projects were fully funded and several others were incredibly close to reaching their goals.
  • People gave across 41 states and one came in from France!
  • Our donations were also made up of 31% alumni, 23% friends, 12% parents, 7% faculty/staff, and 5% students.

We are excited to share that since we concluded, we have reached our goal of 1,900 donors and 16 projects have been fully funded! We are optimistic that we will reach our fund goal of $400,000 by the end of the year. Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to visit our GiveCampus site and support any of our 45 projects.