At last Saturday’s board meeting, the Augsburg College Board of Regents approved the naming of what had been known as New Hall to the Martin Luther Residence Hall (or Luther Hall for short). The new name is effective immediately.
Luther Hall was completed in 1999 and was funded with state higher education facilities bonds. Since there was no single outstanding donor behind the project, the building was simply referred to as the “new” hall until receiving an official name this year.
According to the document ratified by the Regents, there are several reasons why this naming was needed. The residence hall is no longer the newest hall on campus, and its lack of a clear identity might confuse prospective students. Also, Augsburg seeks to celebrate its links to the Lutheran tradition, and this name is another clear symbol of those links. The naming of Luther Hall provides a fundamental statement of Augsburg’s heritage and its continuing mission-based commitment to the Lutheran and Christian faith that embraces a diverse world.
Terry Jones, best known as part of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, will present “Medieval Lives” at Augsburg on Friday, Oct. 5 2007, at 7 p.m. in the Hoversten Chapel. Jones wrote and performed with this comedy troupe from 1969 to 1974. He also co-directed the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” with Terry Gilliam and directed Python’s “Life of Brian” and “Meaning of Life.”
As of Oct. 1, Augsburg’s academic operations will be led by Dr. Barbara Edwards Farley. After a rigorous selection process that included a unanimous recommendation from the Faculty Senate, Dr. Farley has been appointed the Dean of the College and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The annual Minneapolis Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk commences this Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., with registration at 1:30 p.m. The walk begins and ends in Father Hennepin Park at Main Street and 6th Avenue SE.
Augsburg College is one of 15 higher education institutions in Minnesota, along with the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association, to be awarded a 5-year, $2.45 million grant aimed at attracting under-represented minorities to science, technology, engineering and math programs. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will fund this program through its Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program.
Augsburg has been awarded the McNair Scholars Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The McNair Scholars Program at Augsburg is funded to serve 25 students who are low-income and first-generation and/or from underrepresented groups in graduate education to prepare them for graduate school through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The four-year grant totals around $900,000 and has an Oct.1 start date.
Augsburg is observing the 35th anniversary of its varsity women’s athletic program, as well as the rich history of women’s athletics prior to the Title IX era. Augsburg’s varsity women’s basketball and volleyball teams started in 1972, along with gymnastics and tennis.
Augsburg College celebrated the 7th anniversary of the Scholastic Connections Scholarship program during a gala and dinner held on Sept. 10. Scholastic Connections is a unique scholarship program, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The program uses proceeds from a $500,000 endowment to pair students of color with alumni of color in mentoring relationships.
Augsburg’s Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first graduating class on Saturday night. Several members of the graduating Class of 1997 as well as many other graduates and professors attended.
This year Augsburg College is celebrating Augsburg’s past, present and future during Homecoming, Oct. 8-13, “Auggie Adventure.” The week begins on Monday, Oct. 8 with a student kick-off event, coronation of homecoming king and queen and pep rally. Other events scheduled throughout the week include the ASAC Homecoming Variety Show, International Student Homecoming Reception, and the Pan-Afrikan Alumni Reception on Oct. 10.