The online media resource Bring Me The News shared a compilation of information about the Augsburg College River Semester, a three-and-a-half month program in which students and faculty members will traverse the Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans while studying topics in the arts, humanities, and sciences. As the story noted, “Students will sleep in campsites instead of dorm rooms and will paddle rather than walk to their classes this fall.”
Star Tribune previews Augsburg College River Semester
Augsburg College’s first-ever River Semester will be an opportunity for students to spend the fall and early winter months traveling from St. Paul to New Orleans in 24-foot voyageur canoes on the Mississippi River. Participants will study topics ranging from ecology to history to literature.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently discussed this experiential education opportunity in the article, “Augsburg preparing to launch ‘River Semester’ on the Mississippi.“
Pioneer Press features debut book from Howling Bird Press
Howling Bird Press, a student-run press run out of the Augsburg MFA in Creative Writing program, is bringing out its first book.
“At the Border of Wilshire & Nobody” was launched as part of the MFA program’s publishing concentration. The book-length poetry collection by Los Angeles-based Marci Vogel, winner of the 2015 Howling Bird Press poetry prize, was chosen from a field of more than 60 from across the nation and was shepherded into print by Howling Bird associate editors Amanda Symes ’15 MFA, Ashley Cardona ’15 MFA, and Kevin Matuseski ’16 MFA.
Visit the Pioneer Press website to read, “‘At the Border’ a first for Minnesota’s Howling Bird Press.”
President Paul Pribbenow earns fundraising professional award
Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow was named the 2015 Outstanding Professional Fundraiser in the National Philanthropy Day Awards presented by the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Pribbenow will be honored at a National Philanthropy Day event held November 20.
Kristin Anderson named in Pioneer Press
Kristin Anderson, Augsburg College archivist and professor of art history, was mentioned in a St. Paul Pioneer Press article about an upcoming walking tour in the capital city’s historic Irvine Park neighborhood. Anderson will share history, stories, and insights during the walking tour. Visit the Pioneer Press website to learn more.
Minnesota Public Radio previews River Semester program
Augsburg College’s new River Semester program was featured on Minnesota Public Radio’s On Campus blog. Sixteen Augsburg students, two faculty members, and two river commercial expedition personnel will travel from St. Paul to New Orleans during the fall semester, oftentimes camping on the banks of the Mississippi River and engaging with people who live and work along its path. Students will carry out river-related projects and study subject areas in the arts and sciences.
Read “How Augsburg is going all Mark Twain” on the MPR website.
Visit the River Semester site to find additional program details and event announcements.
Matthew Beckman contributes to Star Tribune commentary
Matthew Beckman, assistant professor of biology, joined his research collaborators Grant Two Bulls and Amy Myrbo in writing a commentary for the Star Tribune that voiced support for renaming Minneapolis’ Lake Calhoun. As the commentary noted, recent events have initiated a debate regarding whether the lake should return to its original name in the Dakota language: Mde Maka Ska.
Beckman, Two Bulls, and Myrbo conducted research during summer 2014 that involved taking a core sample of lake sediment and studying its pollen content as a way to examine the ecological record of an early-19th-century Dakota agricultural village on its shore. This geological study of the lake showed a long history of Native American natural resource stewardship that extended centuries before the arrival of surveyors backed by John C. Calhoun, the lake’s namesake.
Visit the Star Tribune website to read, “Mde Maka Ska: A Minnesota name for a Minnesota lake.”
Juventino Meza ’11 pens commentary for MinnPost
MinnPost recently published a commentary by Augsburg College alumnus Juventino Meza ’11 on trends regarding Latinos and education in Minnesota.
Meza is a founding member of NAVIGATE MN, a leadership development program for immigrant young adults, and received the Ohtli Award in 2013, which is the Mexican government’s highest recognition for a civilian Mexican living outside Mexico.
In the commentary, Meza outlined how an increasing proportion of Latinos in Minnesota’s demographic makeup calls for changes in educational instruction and administration.
Read the story, “Latino education gap: some ideas for closing it — and thereby improving Minnesota’s future,” on the MinnPost website.
David Lapakko wins Great American Think-Off
David Lapakko, associate professor of communication studies, was crowned “America’s Greatest Thinker” at the 23rd annual Great American Think-Off held in New York Mills, Minnesota, in mid-June.
This year’s debate question was, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?” and Lapakko argued for the liberating qualities of technology as he took home the prize.
Harry Boyte discusses higher education’s role in expanding democracy
In his latest Huffington Post article, Harry Boyte, Augsburg’s Sabo Senior Fellow, discusses the ways in which higher education can help people develop the skills of a democratic way of life. Boyte’s article used examples from the Augsburg College community to show how programming can prepare students to serve as “citizen professionals” and change agents.
Visit The Huffington Post website to read, “Regrowing Democracy — The Role of Higher Education.”