bing pixel
  1. Home
  2. Author: Laura Swanson Lindahl '15 MBA

$10 million gift to Augsburg College will launch new academic building

Posted on

Gift from 1965 Augsburg College alumnus is largest in College’s history

BOR 05_06_11.inddAugsburg College is honored to announce that it has received an unrestricted $10 million philanthropic gift from a 1965 alumnus.

The donor’s generous contribution will support a new academic building that will house a number of the College’s academic programs including biology, business, chemistry, computer science, math, physics, psychology, and religion.

“This tremendous gift will make possible our continued commitment to academic excellence, to the hands-on learning that is one of the hallmarks of the College, and to the continued best-use of our 23-acre campus,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow. “Augsburg is a 143-year-old anchor institution in the heart of Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. This gift puts Augsburg on the path of being a college for the 21st century, and one that continues to deliver academic excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies.” Continue reading “$10 million gift to Augsburg College will launch new academic building” →

Torstenson Lecture in Sociology features Garry Hesser

Posted on
Garry Hesser
Augsburg professor Garry Hesser

Each year, Augsburg College honors the legacy of an individual who helped shape the College’s mission by hosting the Torstenson Lecture in Sociology, and—for the first time—the 2013 presentation will highlight the important work of a current Augsburg faculty member.

The Torstenson Lecture is an opportunity for a sociologist from the Twin Cities area to share with the Augsburg community the contemporary scholarship, research, and thinking on a sociological topic.

This year’s speaker, Garry Hesser, is the first Augsburg professor selected to be the Torstenson lecturer, and Hesser will present “Place Matters…So?” at 5 p.m., April 2 in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center. Continue reading “Torstenson Lecture in Sociology features Garry Hesser” →

Auggies advocate for private education support at the Capitol

Posted on

auggiesatcapitol2Whether they are learning about lobbying, speaking to a committee, or presenting their research, Auggies in many disciplines are making time to talk to lawmakers about issues and policies that affect students. By telling their stories to advocate for support for Minnesota’s private colleges and for programs that make a private college education possible for students, Augsburg students are living the College’s mission to be engaged citizens.

This spring, the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) and Augsburg Day Student Government will provide an opportunity for Auggies to engage with legislators at Augsburg Day at the Capitol. And at events held earlier this year, Ben Yawakie ’13, Charlie Olson ’13, and Rosie Benser ’13 talked with legislators about the value of their experiences at Augsburg. Continue reading “Auggies advocate for private education support at the Capitol” →

Strommen speaker series features Mary K. Brainerd of HealthPartners

Posted on
Mary Brainerd
Mary Brainerd, president and CEO of HealthPartners

Augsburg College will welcome Mary K. Brainerd, a national leader known for her business acumen and unwavering commitment to the community, as the next featured presenter in the Clair and Gladys Strommen Executive Speaker Series on April 4.

Brainerd, who will speak on the topic of health care reform from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Sateren Auditorium, is the president and chief executive officer of Minnesota-based HealthPartners—the largest, consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the United States. Brainerd and HealthPartners are widely recognized for charitable community work.

“Mary is a leader whose values and skills are placed in service of the common good,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow, who views Brainerd as an important collaborator with the College. Continue reading “Strommen speaker series features Mary K. Brainerd of HealthPartners” →

The power of a playday: Sports Extravaganza 2012

Posted on
Augsburg students plays with a elementary school aged student
An Augsburg College student plays scoop ball with a Sports Extravaganza participant.

Augsburg College health and physical education (HPE) and exercise science students used knowledge gained in the classroom to deliver smiles to more than 200 children in grades 3-6 at Sports Extravaganza, an annual one-day event through which children with mental or physical disabilities exercise and play on campus.

The success of Sports Extravaganza, held November 14, hinged upon the participation of Augsburg students, as well as additional student volunteers from North Hennepin Community College. Together, students and faculty members created activity stations in the Augsburg Athletics dome and then assisted children with each activity, according to Carol Enke, Sports Extravaganza director and Augsburg College HPE instructor.

“Augsburg students take what they’ve learned in the classroom and then go out and do this event,” Enke said. “The young students come to campus, and they help [Augsburg] students grow.” Continue reading “The power of a playday: Sports Extravaganza 2012” →

Augsburg College celebrates philanthropy

Posted on
Augsburg College campus
Augsburg College campus

This week Augsburg students, friends, faculty, and staff members celebrate the vital role philanthropy plays in the College’s culture with multiple on- and off-campus opportunities.

The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community and philanthropic initiatives make the institution’s distinct education possible.

Give to the Max Day

GiveMn, an online resource that helps Minnesotans donate to the state’s non-profit community, will host its annual Give to the Max Day on Thursday, November 15. Augsburg College is pleased to participate in Give to the Max Day, and a $10 donation has the possibility of turning into $1,000. Continue reading “Augsburg College celebrates philanthropy” →

Backstage names Augsburg 1 of 5 Top College Theater

Posted on
Augsburg College theater production
Augsburg College theater production

Backstage magazine’s 2012 Fall College Guide listed Augsburg College among the top five U.S. institutions for theater majors who wish to continue their studies professionally.

“In our Theater Department, students connect with professional artists in the city while they delve into their theater courses,” said Darcey Engen, Augsburg College associate professor and chair of Theater Arts.

“We find that the combination of the department’s rigorous curriculum, exposure to outstanding professionals in the field, and mentorship with theater faculty prepare our students to graduate as complex, deeply committed artists who can apply their insights and skills to any occupation.”

Continue reading “Backstage names Augsburg 1 of 5 Top College Theater” →

Augsburg College student, alumni films presented at festival

Posted on
Augsburg College filmmaker
Augsburg College filmmaker

The cinematic creations of nine Augsburg College filmmakers will be featured at the 2012 ACTC Student Film Festival on Wednesday, November 14.

The festival will take place at the St. Anthony Main Theatre in Minneapolis and begin at 7 p.m.

The ACTC Student Film Festival, now entering its second year, features a selection of works by students and recent graduates from the five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) member institutions: Augsburg College, Hamline University, Macalester College, St. Catherine University, and the University of St. Thomas. Continue reading “Augsburg College student, alumni films presented at festival” →

Augsburg celebrates 40 years of women's athletics

Posted on

The passage of Title IX, enacted as part of the U.S. Education Amendment of 1972, mandated equal opportunities in education, allowing women to participate on high school and college athletic teams. But the tradition of women’s athletics at Augsburg actually dates back to the earliest days of Auggie athletics in the 1920s.

On November 10, Augsburg will celebrate 40 years of varsity women’s athletics and the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX. Continue reading “Augsburg celebrates 40 years of women's athletics” →

Humanities and Fine Arts Convocation features Dan Phillips

Posted on
Photo of Dan Phillips
Dan Phillips, founder of the Phoenix Commotion, will speak at Augsburg College.

Dan Phillips has found that uncommon materials, unimpeded creativity, and a unique approach to environmentalism can form a solid footing on which to build a house—and a business.

As this year’s Humanities and Fine Arts Convocation speaker, Phillips will describe his role as a designer, a homebuilder, and the founder of the Phoenix Commotion, a company that constructs beautiful, whimsical houses out of reused or recycled materials.

His presentation, “Recycled Housing: Adventures in Human Sensibilities,” will take place Wednesday, November 7, at 10 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel.

The Phoenix Commotion

Phillips and the Phoenix Commotion have built houses for low-income families out of 90 percent repurposed supplies for more than a decade. In these homes, non-traditional materials marry aesthetic appeal with essential utility: license plates can replace shingles for roof tiles and wine corks can form a mosaic floor covering. Continue reading “Humanities and Fine Arts Convocation features Dan Phillips” →