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2009 URGO Summer Research Abstracts

urgo_researchersSome Augsburg students are discovering that summer isn’t just for working a few part-time jobs or perfecting one’s beach volleyball technique. This summer, 32 students will conduct research through the URGO program. And they’re not just studying algae growth. With their faculty mentors, this group is taking on topics like Minnesota’s percussion legends, saliva, Augsburg’s relationship with our neighbors, conspiracy fiction, aquatic insects, and the relationship between religiosity and depression…to name a few.

URGO—the office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity—provides summer research grants for students interested in graduate or professional study. The program encourages undergraduate students to conduct research by requiring an understanding of current questions in a field, the ability to collaborate with others, and the persistence necessary to meet the demands of graduate study. Continue reading “2009 URGO Summer Research Abstracts”

"Crazy Book" shares the lighter side of the Bible

crazy_bookEver thought of the Exile as a 40-year timeout? Did you know Mary Magdelene’s pet peeve is artists who paint her as “that kind of woman”? And has it ever occurred to you that it would be cool if the Salome said to have been at Jesus’ tomb was the very same Salome who bumped off John the Baptist?

The authors of “Crazy Book” have put a lot of thought into questions like these.

This “not-so-stuffy dictionary of biblical terms” was written by assistant religion profs Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobson, and Karl’s brother Rolf, an associate professor at Luther Seminary.

Continue reading “"Crazy Book" shares the lighter side of the Bible”

Rochester convocation features Paul Horgen

roch_convoPaul Horgen, Former CEO of Think Mutual Bank in Rochester, Minn. will deliver the second annual Rochester convocation address on Tuesday, May 19 at Bethel Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Horgen completed a 40-year career in 2007 including 21 years as CEO of Think Mutual, the seventh largest bank in Minnesota. His quest for business success started on a family farm in the mid-1960s then took a sharp upward spike in 1969 when he joined the U.S. Army, went to Vietnam, and learned leadership lessons from the ground up.

Simply asking good questions led him to a position in banking and in 1972 to his first CEO job at the age of 24. He held that position with three consistently successful companies for a total of 34 years. Horgen’s address to the Augsburg community, titled “A Search for Satisfaction: Can you Find It in Less than 40 Years of Looking?”, will draw on his business and personal experiences. Continue reading “Rochester convocation features Paul Horgen”

McNair Scholars ready for research

Applicants to graduate school encounter intense competition for admission and funding. The McNair Scholars Program helps increase the odds of acceptance to graduate school by offering students a unique research experience during their undergraduate careers.

Participating students spend more than 400 hours exploring topics, developing a thesis, collecting and reviewing data, and preparing a formal presentation of their findings. Research provides the opportunity to develop a mentoring relationship by working one-on-one with a faculty member. Students also gain extensive skills and knowledge in a discipline, experience using methodological techniques, and writing and public speaking practice by submitting papers to professional conferences and journals.

Rebekah Dupont, North Star STEM Alliance Coordinator, taught the research proposal writing course this year. Starting May 18, the following scholars will be conducting research with a faculty mentor and a library mentor . Continue reading “McNair Scholars ready for research”

Augsburg wins a silver

marketing_awardAfter a while, the marketing materials that land in the mailboxes of high school seniors all kind of look alike.

There are pictures of impressive buildings. There are smiling students in college sweatshirts with backpacks over their shoulder. In many cases, the focus is on buildings rather than experience.

That is part of the reason why the “Auggie Field Guide” that was sent to about 2,000 members of the 2009 high school graduating class stood out. There was a bright orange cover, great photos, and a storyline that tried to explain to high school students what being an Auggie is really like. Continue reading “Augsburg wins a silver”

MSW student is raising awareness

klemme_mswOn any given night in Minneapolis there are 9,300 people who are homeless and in need of a place to stay. Half of the homeless are children. The numbers reflect a serious lack of affordable housing and livable wage jobs, income disparities, and children at risk, right here in our community.

These are the issues Katie Klemme ’09 is exposed to every day as a master of social work student at Augsburg. Klemme’s internship has partnered her with Simpson Housing Services, in Minneapolis, a program that has provided shelter, affordable housing, and support services to men, women, and children for more than 25 years. Continue reading “MSW student is raising awareness”

Update from the Office of International Programs about H1N1 virus

Over the past 10 days, the Office of International Programs has closely monitored the increased number of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) cases around the world, in the areas surrounding our sites in Mexico, Central America and Namibia and in areas where upcoming Augsburg Abroad trips are scheduled.

The health and well-being of our current and future students and our staff and faculty members at all of our sites is our top priority. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor conditions especially in Mexico and we will not hesitate to make whatever programming changes are necessary.

With the World Health Organization continuing to refrain from issuing travel restrictions, the Center for Global Education will hold all of its summer programs as scheduled. That includes programs at our site in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In addition, Augsburg Abroad trips to Italy, New Zealand, and Egypt will go on as scheduled. Continue reading “Update from the Office of International Programs about H1N1 virus”

Faculty celebrate awardees and Joyce Pfaff, retiring professor

faculty_luncheonAt last week’s faculty luncheon, Augsburg professors took a break from grading exams and final papers to mark anniversaries and celebrate their accomplishments.

In the company of current and emeriti faculty, members of the Board of Regents, and guests, members of the faculty were recognized for 35, 25, 20, 15, and 10 years of service at Augsburg. Faculty who received tenure and promotion were also mentioned, including Kristin Anderson, Robert Cowgill, Colin Irvine, M. Elise Marubbio, Michael Schock, and Jody Sorensen. Continue reading “Faculty celebrate awardees and Joyce Pfaff, retiring professor”

Update from the Office of International Programs about H1N1 virus

The Office of International Programs continues to closely monitor the increased number of H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) cases around the world where Augsburg students, faculty, and staff are currently located or intend to travel for study programs.

We are continually monitoring information from the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. State Department. The health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are our first priorities.

There are currently 23 students from 15 different colleges and universities at our site in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Four of those students are from Augsburg. While a number of other schools, including the University of Minnesota, have opted to end current programs and have students return to the United States, our current semester program in Mexico is scheduled to be completed as planned. Continue reading “Update from the Office of International Programs about H1N1 virus”

An accountant or a pastor?

cody_warrenFour years ago, Cody Warren came to Augsburg with the certain sense that he was called to become a pastor. A volunteer opportunity created in Cody a desire to learn more about tax accounting, and it also opened his eyes to new possibilities for exploring his vocation. At Augsburg, Cody majored in Accounting and Religion, was involved with campus ministry, was an orientation leader, worked with academic advising, and was part of the Augsburg accounting and finance club. And in President Pribbenow’s first year, Cody got to trade places with him for a day. He says Pribbenow reversed all his decisions from that day.

What follows is Cody’s senior chapel talk on taxes, vocation, and Bonhoeffer. If you are a graduating senior and would like to share your Augsburg story with us, please email wheelerw@augsburg.edu. Continue reading “An accountant or a pastor?”