In April, 20 Augsburg MBA students led by Professors Magda Paleczny-Zapp and Steven Zitnick embarked on a 9-day international experience to Santiago, Chile. The purpose of the trip was to expose the students to the thriving business climate of Chile and to allow students an opportunity to understand the culture and environment of a South American country that has built a stable, just, and democratic society after nearly 30 years of unrest. Continue reading “Augsburg MBA goes to Chile”
Commencements focus on civic engagement and building community
When hundreds of Augsburg College students don caps and gowns for either the May commencement for Day College and Physician Assistant students or the June commencement for Weekend College and remaining graduate program students, the focus will be on civic engagement.
The Commencement speaker on Saturday, May 1 will be Governor Tim Pawlenty. In addition, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree will be conferred upon Father Fernando Cardenal, a Jesuit priest who has committed his life and work to improving the lives of the poor through education and basic rights. Continue reading “Commencements focus on civic engagement and building community”
Professor Hao takes home lessons in Western education
Professor Tugen Hao heads back to China next week after spending four months at Augsburg as a visiting professor and researcher. During these four months he observed three classes, pursued his own research, and taught Chinese. He found time to travel coast-to-coast, visiting Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.—and he discovered where to find Chinese food in the Twin Cities. Continue reading “Professor Hao takes home lessons in Western education”
Simple gifts
From a speech delivered by Peter Miller ’10 at the 2010 scholarship and donor brunch.
It is truly a gift to honor student success, engaged scholarship, and active citizenship knowing that each of these simple components is intertwined in my own story. This is a story about how simple gifts transform a community into a simple reality.
For most of us, though, turning someone’s simple gift into a simple reality is not an easy process. Simple gifts are not easy gifts, but they are simple. Let me explain.
When I was a child, I used to love to listen to my mom play the dulcimer. She would play this old Shaker hymn while my brother and I would run around in the yard. Whenever I hear it, it still shakes me up and makes me want to dance and appreciate how precious life is. The hymn is called “Simple Gifts.” Continue reading “Simple gifts”
Tiede Accepts Interim Presidency at Wartburg Theological Seminary
David Tiede is retiring as Augsburg’s Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion and Vocation at the end of this academic year. But he has – in his words – flunked retirement again.
That is because Tiede has accepted an appointment as the interim president of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, beginning July 1.
“I was going to retire,” Tiede said. “We just had this lovely retirement party at President Pribbenow’s house. And then, five days later, I took this new job.
“When I came to Augsburg, we agreed I would hold the Christensen chair between three and five years on a part time arrangement. The grace with which Augsburg has received and accepted my work over the last five years has been magnificent, and now Augsburg has appointed an outstanding person to hold the chain on a full time basis, as we had hoped.” Continue reading “Tiede Accepts Interim Presidency at Wartburg Theological Seminary”
Being an active citizen — Nou Chang '10
For some of us, civic engagement means participating in the democracy by exercising our right to vote. But others might take the charge to be an active member of a community a bit farther. That’s certainly the case for Nou Chang, the 2010 Day commencement student speaker.
In her four years at Augsburg, Chang has participated in the TRiO program and was involved in Scholastic Connections. She’s done research as a McNair Scholar and through the URGO summer program. She’s been a member of the Augsburg Asian Student Association and Link. She also studied abroad, spending a semester in South Korea and teaching English in Thailand with Prof. Kathy Swanson. Continue reading “Being an active citizen — Nou Chang '10”
Distinguished contributions to teaching and learning
At the recent Honors convocation, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Dean recognized the 2010 recipients of awards for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning.
Professor Robert Cowgill of the Department of English, Excellence in Teaching
Bob Cowgill is a brilliant teacher who is held in high regard by his students and colleagues. A University of Minnesota alumnus, Bob’s primary purpose in teaching is to help students understand their full humanity, and to understand themselves as artists. He is recognized by his students for creating a classroom environment that is intellectually challenging, respectful, and fun. His colleagues marvel at his command of the art of teaching; his students never forget him and Augsburg would not be the same without him. Continue reading “Distinguished contributions to teaching and learning”
Three more Fulbrights — and counting
Jens Olsen knew he wanted to return to Vietnam. Heidi Le wasn’t sure if she wanted to apply. Bethany Hellerich decided that one more experience before graduate school was a good idea.
Regardless of motivation, the three are the latest from Augsburg to be selected for the Fulbright Scholarship program. Olsen and Le, who will graduate next month, will spend the 2010-11 academic year teaching English in Vietnam. Hellerich, a 2009 Augsburg graduate, will teach English in Indonesia.
While the Fulbright program is very competitive, Augsburg students have had great success in recent years. Seven Auggies have now been awarded Fulbrights over the past three years. The program, which is run by the Institute of International Education, has sent students and faculty members across the world to study, teach, or conduct research for more than 60 years. Continue reading “Three more Fulbrights — and counting”
True to the heart
This summer, PaDao Yang will not be spending her days at the beach or working a part-time job. Instead, she’ll be giving back to her community by sharing her passion for the arts with young Hmong refugee students.
Yang, junior sociology major from Brooklyn Park, first heard about the Phillips Scholar program when she was in high school in the Upward Bound program. Then at Augsburg she met Nou Chang, a past Phillips Scholar who was sharing her experience with a group of students. Continue reading “True to the heart”
How to arm a knight — and graduate in Medieval Studies
Not many senior projects require countless hours spent shaping steel with a hammer. And sandpaper and steel brushes aren’t often used to finish one of the most significant assignments in a student’s undergraduate career.
But Josh Davis’ project isn’t like most. For more than two years, Davis has spent the vast majority of his free time working to construct a full suit of armor. Based on armor of the late 1400s, Davis’ work is currently on display on the Link Level of Lindell Library.
On Thursday, Davis, a senior who will graduate with a degree in medieval studies, will don the suit and put on a demonstration on the green space between Lindell Library and Oren Gateway Center. The 3:30 p.m., presentation entitled “How to Arm a Knight” is part of the two days of Zyzzogeton, which celebrates the creativity and scholarships of undergraduate students. Continue reading “How to arm a knight — and graduate in Medieval Studies”