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Back in the classroom

bill_greenBefore the semester began, history professor Bill Green spent some time last week getting re-acquainted with his Memorial Hall office. After a four-year absence, he noticed how the ivy now covers his window. He enjoyed the familiar feel of his chair and discovered a book he had been searching for sitting on his bookshelf.

In January 2006, Green was asked to step in as interim superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools to begin to restore stability in the district at a difficult time. The interim position turned into a permanent one, which he held until June 30 of this year. Continue reading “Back in the classroom”

Not your typical first day of college

city_serviceOn the day before fall semester classes began, incoming first-year and transfer students participated in service projects in the neighborhoods that surround Augsburg’s campus.

City Service Day has become an Augsburg tradition that not only helps students learn about the community but also introduces them to organizations where they can continue to serve and learn throughout their education.

The Star Tribune’s Jenna Ross followed AugSem X to Matthews Community Center and talked with Auggies including our own President Pribbenow. Read the front-page story: Starting out and giving back. Continue reading “Not your typical first day of college”

A word from the President—Why is service important?

pres_blogEditor’s Note: On Tuesday afternoon, the Cedar-Riverside and Seward neighborhood will be filled with first-year Auggies, faculty members, staff members, and members of President Pribbenow’s Cabinet. Why is service important?

In his latest blog post, President Pribbenow addresses that question. A copy of the blog post is below. Find “Paul’s Blog” on the Augsburg College President’s webpage.

Education and service

On Tuesday, the Augsburg community will honor its historic commitment to “Education for Service” as we participate in our long-standing “City Service Day.” On that day, more than 500 Auggies—students, faculty and staff—will fan out across the Twin Cities to be of service to our neighbors. Continue reading “A word from the President—Why is service important?”

Meet one of the new Auggies — Marty Stortz

stortzShortly after she settled into her new home in Minneapolis, Marty Stortz did four things: she became a member of the Seward Co-op, she joined the Midtown YWCA, she took her bicycle in for “retooling” at the Hub Bike Shop, and she took herself on walking tours of the Seward, Longfellow, and Downtown East neighborhoods.

And those activities, along with a genuine love for the city and an infectious enthusiasm for Augsburg’s mission, are what make her a true Auggie.

Stortz came to Augsburg this summer as the second Bernhard M. Christensen Professor in Religion and Vocation. She succeeds David Tiede, who has taken an interim position as president of Wartburg Theological Seminary. Continue reading “Meet one of the new Auggies — Marty Stortz”

We really do love life in the city

neighborhood_favoritesFor the last couple of years, Augsburg’s summer orientation program for incoming first-year students has focused on introducing new Auggies to the neighborhoods surrounding campus. During SOAR, both students and parents take neighborhood walking and light rail tours and not only see the areas but also learn some of the history and lesser-known facts about the neighborhoods.

In this spirit, we asked several Auggie faculty and staff to share their “You have to see/do/go to…” suggestions for getting to know our cities. Continue reading “We really do love life in the city”

Starting the semester on the river

river_classThe 15 students enrolled in Political Science 241: Environmental and River Politics are getting an early start to the academic year—a start that will feature eight days of travel on the Mississippi River in canoes.

Joe Underhill, a political science associate professor at Augsburg, has taught the course that examines the politics, eco-systems, and communities of the mighty river that flows just blocks from Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus. While he has taken previous classes out in canoes for a couple of days or a weekend, this is the most ambitious river voyage yet. Continue reading “Starting the semester on the river”

For some Auggies, summer means research

mathconferenceWhat would persuade an active young college student to spend eight hours a day for 10 weeks of her summer in a laboratory looking over carbon uptake data? Ask Jazmine Darden, a sophomore mathematics and physics major from Brooklyn Park.

“You learn what a career would be like,” she says. “You can’t sleep until noon because you have to be at work, and it helps you realize what you want to do.” Continue reading “For some Auggies, summer means research”

Practicing soccer while practicing their faith

ramadan_soccerSometimes during the second men’s soccer practice of the day, Ahmed Gobana ’12 will start to have muscles cramp up on him. Sherif Soud ’13 starts to get a little shaky and feels especially dehydrated.

Preseason practices—regardless of the sport—can be tough for Augsburg’s student athletes. Because classes have yet to begin, most teams are practicing twice a day in preparation for the season. The work is hard, the weather can be hot, and it certainly isn’t as much fun as playing games.

Now imagine going through two practices a day without drinking any water or eating to refuel your body between practices. That’s what Gobana and Soud are doing right now and will continue to do so until September 10. Continue reading “Practicing soccer while practicing their faith”

Augsburg lauded by Sierra Club for green efforts

sierra_clubAugsburg College is officially a “Cool School,” according to the Sierra Club’s Sierra magazine.

The conservation group sent an 11-page questionnaire to 900 schools across the country. When forms were returned and rankings compiled, Augsburg was one of four Minnesota schools on the list, along with Macalester, St. Olaf, and St. Thomas.

Augsburg’s inclusion on the list is further proof that a college or university doesn’t have to have a wind turbine to be environmentally responsible.

Augsburg received a perfect score for how waste is handled on campus. The College ranked very high for administrative efforts, source of energy, food sustainability, and green academic offerings.

A Thousand Miles for Reconciliation with Rome

pilgrimsEditor’s Note: Andrew and Sarah Wilson will be presenting about their pilgramage at Augsburg’s Founders’ Day celebrations, Nov. 10-11.

On the morning of August 22, 2010, Andrew and Sarah Wilson will depart from the Augustinian priory in Erfurt, Germany, taking the first steps of their thousand-mile pilgrimage to Rome. The Wilsons will follow roughly the same path Augustinian friar Martin Luther trod 500 years ago in 1510.

Augsburg religion professor, Hans Wiersma, will be among those sending the Wilsons off from Erfurt. Wiersma will walk with the couple as far as Coburg, Germany. After the close of their journey on October 31, the Wilsons will travel to Augsburg College to speak at the school’s annual Founders Day celebration in November. Continue reading “A Thousand Miles for Reconciliation with Rome”