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Convocation celebrates Augsburg's ties to space

sverdrupOn Jan. 14, NASA’s Messenger spacecraft made its first flyby of the planet Mercury — the first by any Earth craft in over 30 years. Behind the scenes of this long-awaited return to Mercury, there was an Augsburg connection: Distinguished Alumnus Brian Anderson ’82 is the mission’s Magnetometer Instrument Scientist. One of the main goals of the Messenger mission is to understand the nature of that dense planet’s magnetic field.

Anderson’s participation in the exploration of Mercury is the latest product of Augsburg’s long tradition of space-science excellence. It began in 1970, when Augsburg alumnus Ken Erickson returned to Minneapolis to take up a joint appointment as an Associate Professor of Physics at Augsburg and as a

researcher in the space physics laboratory of Professor John Winckler of the

University of Minnesota. Since then, an increasing number of Augsburg physics students have participated each year in research projects with Augsburg faculty. Continue reading “Convocation celebrates Augsburg's ties to space”

Final MainStage production of the year

springplayThe Augsburg College Theatre Arts Department will present it’s final MainStage production of the 2007-08 season, “Top Girls,” at 7 p.m. on April 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, and 2 p.m. on April 13 and 20 in Tjornhom-Nelson Theater. Darcey Engen ’88 is directing the production.

“Top Girls,” by British playwright Caryl Churchill in 1982, explores

feminist themes and encourages a deeper look at socialist ideals. Marlene, “Top Girls” main character, is a businesswoman who has recently achieved a promotion within the employment agency where she works. Her sister, Joyce, is a working-class cleaning woman who

adopted Marlene’s child at birth and has raised her as her own. While the sisters are joined in caring for their daughter’s welfare, the two are quite different in their political and class views. Marlene is presented as an individualist who does whatever it takes to move ahead. She values power and success for herself at the expense of others. Her sister Joyce represents a more socialist-collective perspective that sees achievements of women happening only when all women and other oppressed groups are included. Continue reading “Final MainStage production of the year”

Talking, learning, and pedaling with peace in New Orleans

pedal“There is absolutely no way 15 bikes are going to fit on one bus,” the Greyhound lady told us, her hair standing on end like an aggravated feline. It was early morning on March 15. We stood at the bus, laden with our luggage, equipment and tents.

“We” were the Pedalers for Peace, and this was the all-too-appropriate beginning to what turned out to be the most unpredictable and completely eye-opening spring break.

The initial plan was simple — 13 students, one advisor, and their bikes would travel to New Orleans and tackle the 100-mile road to Biloxi, Mississippi. The idea was to camp and volunteer along the way. But the Greyhound lady took that plan out of the realm of possibility, so we turned to Plan B. Continue reading “Talking, learning, and pedaling with peace in New Orleans”

The first "F" in FAFSA stands for free

finaidCan you get free money for college? Only if you apply.

April 15 is the priority deadline to apply for financial aid at Augsburg. All Day College students must submit their application to the Enrollment Center by this date or risk losing some of the aid that may be available to them.

Junior social work major Karen Thorp has already applied for next year. While some students’ families are able to assist them with tuition and fees, Thorp has paid for college herself with the help of financial aid.

As a high school senior, Thorp wanted to attend Augsburg because of the small campus and its connection with the city, but her mother said, “That’s out of your price range.” After she met with a financial aid counselor, Thorp knew her dream of attending Augsburg could be a reality.  Continue reading “The first "F" in FAFSA stands for free”

Augsburg's senior administrators visit Nicaragua

nicaraguaPresident Pribbenow, members of the President’s Cabinet, and Regent Steve Sheppard have spent the past week at Augsburg’s Center for Global Education site in Managua, Nicaragua. In his March 24 weekly update, Pribbenow wrote, “The trip is a sign of my (and the Cabinet’s) commitment to CGE’s work around the world as a mission-based focus of Augsburg.”

Chief Information Officer Leif Anderson provided highlights of the group’s activities: Continue reading “Augsburg's senior administrators visit Nicaragua”

Study in Mexico this fall — the airfare is paid!

mexicoIt’s not too late yet to apply for fall semester study abroad programs — the deadline is April 1. Two programs offered in Mexico through the Center for Global Education (CGE) are International Business and Global Citizenship, and Crossing Borders: Gender and Social Change in Mesoamerica.

For these courses, Augsburg students pay about the same costs as studying on campus, plus free round-trip airfare is offered.

In the Crossing Borders program, students examine key social, economic, political, and cultural issues in Mexico and El Salvador. They explore the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender, and see first hand the experience and empowerment of women. Continue reading “Study in Mexico this fall — the airfare is paid!”

Auggies test the skies above downtown

physicsEarlier this month, two students in professor Gary Egbert’s general physics lab went to the top of one of the tallest buildings in downtown Minneapolis to conduct a laboratory experiment. Ashley Gruhlke and Michael Schmit measured the change in atmospheric pressure with altitude from the 15th to the 54th floor of the 225 South Sixth Building. The building’s engineer, Frido Verkman, accompanied them.

Gruhlke and Schmit first took pressure readings in the basement and on the roof of Mortenson Hall, but after seeing only a slight difference, they knew they needed to go higher. They contacted Minneapolis building managers and found Verkman willing to help.   Continue reading “Auggies test the skies above downtown”

Students lead the way on wind energy

wind2Next year, Augsburg Day College students will find a new entry on their tuition statements. In the March elections, students voted to add a $14.75 student fee per semester to help the college purchase wind-generated energy for the campus.

The initiative was set in motion when students began organizing the Focus The Nation teach-in that took place on campus in January. Alex Hoselton, Day student body vice president, said the organizing committee wanted to build momentum and support for green initiatives at Augsburg. “If we wanted to have an actionable result from the event, it had to be something that was permanent and went beyond 1 year,” he said. Continue reading “Students lead the way on wind energy”

Winter sports wrap

wrestling2Wrestling — Claiming a top-four finish in the team standings for the 20th straight year — a record currently unmatched by any other NCAA wrestling program in any division — the Augsburg wrestling team finished third at the NCAA Division III National Championships. Augsburg claimed five All-Americans, marking the 20th straight season that Augsburg has had five or more All-Americans and 22nd time it has accomplished the feat in its 26 seasons of NCAA competition.

The Auggies completed their first season under new head coach Sam Barber, who had served as an assistant under former head coach Jeff Swenson for the previous six seasons. Augsburg finished 10-2 in dual meets, placed third at the NWCA Division III National Duals, and won the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional for the 6th straight year. Continue reading “Winter sports wrap”

Dr. Foerst to speak in Vocatio Chapel March 26

foerstAugsburg College continues its “Science as Vocation” series with Dr. Anne Foerst, visiting professor for Theology and Computer Science at St. Bonaventure University. Dr. Foerst will speak in the Hoversten Chapel at 10:20 a.m. on March 26.

Before her arrival at St. Bonaventure in January 2001, Dr. Foerst worked as research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was also affiliated with the Center for the Studies of Values in Public Life of Harvard Divinity School.

At the AI-Lab, Dr. Foerst served as the theological advisor for the Cog and Kismet Projects, two attempts to develop embodied, autonomous and social robots in analogy to human infants that might learn and develop more mature intelligences. Continue reading “Dr. Foerst to speak in Vocatio Chapel March 26”