How can a major metropolitan area — with all its concrete, glass, and steel — be green? How can it be eco-friendly and implement measures that will ensure its healthy future? That is precisely what students in the Sustainable Cities summer course are attempting to discover. Sociology professors Nancy Fischer and Lars Christiansen are leading a group of students through Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia to examine different facets of sustainability in an urban context. The course is a faculty-led seminar through Augsburg Abroad. Continue reading “Auggies traverse the concrete jungle”
Zero-cost consulting creates valuable experience
For many graduate programs, the last hurdle between students and their diplomas is a massive thesis paper that demonstrates all that they’ve learned. Augsburg’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in Rochester has a different hurdle for its students: complete a management consulting project for a local business or non-profit organization.
For free.
“We use a team approach, because in the real world, that’s how business works,” says Dave Conrad, assistant director of the MBA program in Rochester. The teams of students are selected by the faculty to provide a balanced mix of different skills and specialties that are best suited for each “real-world” partner. Continue reading “Zero-cost consulting creates valuable experience”
McNair Scholars engage in summer research
Often in Minnesota, it doesn’t really feel like summer until July arrives. However, for 16 McNair Scholars, this month is less about the blue skies and relaxation as it is about long hours spent hunched over reference books, computer screens, and lab equipment. July marks the peak of the scholars’ summer research projects.
The McNair Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the unique experience of participating in graduate-level activities. One component of the program is an intensive 10-week long summer research project. Participating students spend an average of 40 hours a week exploring their topics, developing a thesis, collecting and reviewing data, and preparing a formal presentation of their findings. Continue reading “McNair Scholars engage in summer research”
Johnson's 'Dipped in Love' explores women's lives
Theater-loving Auggies can enjoy the talents of yet another Augsburg theatre professor at this year’s popular Fringe Festival. Martha Johnson’s production of “Dipped in Love,” a journey into the lives of women from three very different cultures, opens Aug. 1 at Mixed Blood Theatre.
Johnson, who recently completed her 20th year teaching and directing plays at Augsburg, says the play explores mature women’s lives and choices, particularly choices that go against the rules of family and society, traditional religion, and the conventional female roles of wife and mother. It features women from India, Japan, and the United States. Continue reading “Johnson's 'Dipped in Love' explores women's lives”
Soccer mom camp to help fight breast cancer
The Augsburg men’s and women’s soccer teams will take part in an effort to “kick breast cancer” with a unique camp on Friday, Aug. 15.
The Auggies will host a “Soccer Mom Camp” for women ages 18-80 at Edor Nelson Field, with proceeds going to benefit the Kicks Against Breast Cancer organization. The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 15, from 7:30 – 10 p.m.
The camp is designed to get women into the exciting action of soccer by providing a fun workout and interaction with members and coaches from the Augsburg men’s and women’s soccer teams. Continue reading “Soccer mom camp to help fight breast cancer”
Auggie Train Goes Downtown
Auggies, take the train!
Downtown Minneapolis Farmers’ Market — July 31, 11 a.m.
Every Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, local vendors sell fruits and vegetables, flowers, crafts, and other great items along Nicollet Mall. Wear good walking shoes, bring your canvas shopping bag, and don’t forget your small bills ($1 and $5). Thursday, July 31. Meet at the Franklin Street station at 11 a.m.
Auggie Train on Facebook
Join the “Auggie Train” group and invite your friends! Post a photo, share your train story, and get details on future Take the Train events. Continue reading “Auggie Train Goes Downtown”
Training math and science teachers
Augsburg College was recently selected as a partner in the Minnesota Mathematics and Science Teacher Academy initiative. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, the Academy is a result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness particularly in the areas of math and science.
The Academy is comprised of nine regional teacher centers, each including at least one K-12 school district or education service cooperative and one higher education institution. Augsburg is partnering with Resource Training and Solutions in St. Cloud. Augsburg math professor Tracy Bibelnieks is one of three instructors leading the training for the St. Cloud center. Continue reading “Training math and science teachers”
Music as medicine
While internships in most majors give students a competitive edge, in music therapy they are required and rigorous. Every music therapy student must log 1,040 hours during an internship — six months at full time.
In April Christi Schmit began her internship at University Hospitals, Case Medical Campus, in Cleveland, Ohio. This 950-bed hospital gives her broad experience in varying situations to help develop her music therapy skills. She explains that as a therapeutic intervention, music therapy has been found effective in relaxation and pain management, and in treating chemical dependency and memory loss. Continue reading “Music as medicine”
Summer Bridge students arrive
Several members of the Augsburg College class of 2012 have already joined the Augsburg community! Recently, 27 students came to campus to begin the TRIO/Student Support Services Summer Bridge Program. This five week academic program is offered to Augsburg first-year students who qualify for the TRIO/SSS program.
Summer Bridge students take two college credit courses: Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning taught by Mark Tranvik and Introduction to Public Speaking with Bob Groven. Continue reading “Summer Bridge students arrive”
Future Auggies start here
Members of Augsburg’s Class of 2012 will be on campus July 15-19 with their parents and families for SOAR — Student Orientation and Registration. This year, approximately 380 students will attend one of three two-day sessions designed to introduce students to campus life and connect them with other Auggies.
SOAR is an opportunity for students to find out what being an Auggie is all about. Through participation in community service projects, students will learn about our neighbors as well as what it’s like to live and learn in the city. It’s also a chance for students to meet classmates, talk with teachers, get an official Augsburg ID card, and take a first look at their fall course schedule. Continue reading “Future Auggies start here”