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A personal perspective on Haiti

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Haitian man plays a drumFor eight summers, Bob Stacke has directed the band and taught percussion at the Ecole Musique Ste Trinite in Port-au-Prince and Leogane, Haiti. In addition, he spent time last summer working with percussionists at the Centre Vocationel Cite Soleil Non-Violence where they were giving music classes. Stacke is the Augsburg College music department chair and director of the Augsburg Concert Band as well as the Jazz Ensemble and Gospel Praise.

Stacke shares his thoughts about the devastation caused by the recent earthquakes and photos of the people he has met while teaching in Haiti. Included in this collage are Stacke’s photos of life at Holy Trinity School in Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Cite Soleil. He will also share reflections in daily chapel on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 11:20 a.m. All are welcome to chapel. Continue reading “A personal perspective on Haiti” →

Professor Martha Stortz appointed to the Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College

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stortzAugsburg College announced Tuesday that Martha Stortz, professor of historical theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, has accepted the position of the Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion and Vocation.

Stortz, who has served at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary since 1983, is also a member of the core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley, Calif. She is an acclaimed teacher, scholar, and leader in the church, academy, and wider society. Stortz, whose appointment is effective July 1, will succeed David Tiede, who is retiring at the end of the academic year.

“This is an outstanding appointment for us to bring someone of Marty Stortz’s caliber and reputation to our campus to continue this important work,” Augsburg president Paul C. Pribbenow said. Continue reading “Professor Martha Stortz appointed to the Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College” →

Memorial for Professor Don Steinmetz to be held February 4

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steinmetzDon Steinmetz, a professor in the Languages and Cross-cultural Studies department, will be remembered by the Augsburg community during a memorial service that will be held February 4 at 4 p.m. in Foss Chapel.

Professor Steinmetz, who taught at Augsburg for 41 years, died of an apparent heart attack on Dec. 28. He was 71. His son, Erik Steinmetz, is a member of the faculty in Augsburg’s Computer Science department.

Don Steinmetz joined the faculty in 1968. He served as chair of the department and taught courses in German and Spanish. He also taught Chinese and linguistics within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium. Continue reading “Memorial for Professor Don Steinmetz to be held February 4” →

iTerm gets attention

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Tayo Johnson, a student in the Integrated Term, "Fate of the Earth 101," with other Augsburg students at the State Capitol, during the 350 Day of Action.
Tayo Johnson, a student in the Integrated Term, “Fate of the Earth 101,” with other Augsburg students at the State Capitol, during the 350 Day of Action.

What happens when you combine 50 first-year students, five professors, a gigantic problem, and no traditional grades? In the case of Augsburg’s Integrated Term, you get a pretty interesting story.

Here’s a quick primer on the iTerm.

For the students in the iTerm and the five faculty members teaching it—Phil Adamo, Lars Christiansen, Robert Cowgill, Lori Brandt Hale and Colin Irvine—this is their entire load of courses for the semester. The focus of the iTerm is on the Fate of the Earth: Food, Fuel and Consumption. Continue reading “iTerm gets attention” →

Coming to "The Table"

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the_tableThis week one of Augsburg’s neighbors, St. Martin’s Table, celebrates 25 years of serving the community. From the beginning, Augsburg faculty, staff, and students have been involved with “The Table,” and it continues to be a favorite lunch and meeting spot for the campus community.

St. Martin’s Table was started in 1984 as the first visible outward ministry of the Community of St. Martin, a worship community that meets now in the Trinity Lutheran Congregation space at the corner of Riverside and 22nd Avenues. Continue reading “Coming to "The Table"” →

Augsburg receives grant for teacher education

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bush_grantAugsburg College is among 14 colleges and universities in Minnesota and the Dakotas that received funding from the Bush Foundation as part of a program that will transform teacher preparation programs and improve teacher effectiveness over the next decade.

The $40 million initiative was formally announced Thursday at a press conference at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The Bush Foundation says that through improving how teachers are taught and trained—especially at a time in which a large number of current K-12 teachers are nearing retirement—the achievement gap between white students and students of color will close. Continue reading “Augsburg receives grant for teacher education” →

A summer in Paris

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ipc_andersonMatt Anderson is a senior majoring in international business and business administration with a minor in philosophy. He is originally from Plainview, Minn. Matt’s photo, “Soccer at Le Sacré-Coeur,” won first place in the Portrait category in Augsburg’s International Photo Contest. Thanks, Matt for the story about your experience and this photo!

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This past summer, I got the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France. Through the Knowledge Exchange Institute, I enrolled in two classes that challenged me in the areas of European business and French society. Along with the classes, I had the experience of understanding French culture via walking tours of the city led by my professor. Continue reading “A summer in Paris” →

Rink to be named for Saugestad in 2010

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saugestadNext fall, Augsburg College will rename the main competition rink at the Augsburg Ice Arena as “Ed Saugestad Rink” in honor of the coach who led the Auggies to national prominence in men’s ice hockey during his storied career.

At a special celebration to honor Ed Saugestad ’59 on Saturday (11/21), Augsburg officials unveiled a plan to raise $250,000 for renovations to the Augsburg Ice Arena, with the naming ceremony for Ed Saugestad Rink to take place on Sept. 25, 2010, during Augsburg’s Homecoming weekend. Continue reading “Rink to be named for Saugestad in 2010” →

Advent Vespers keeps growing at 30 years

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vespersIn 1980, Augsburg Choir director Larry Fleming’s vision for the first Advent Vespers was unlike any other. Among many holiday performances, Augsburg’s program would offer a spiritual experience—a service with both music and liturgy—and the focus would be on Advent, preparing and waiting for Christ’s presence.

From this first service, Advent Vespers grew to four services. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended, making this Augsburg’s largest event of the year.

This year, as Advent Vespers celebrates its 30th anniversary, a fifth service has been added, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, offering a daytime service to more easily accommodate larger groups of visitors. Continue reading “Advent Vespers keeps growing at 30 years” →

Campus Kitchen wins youth philanthropy award

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campus_kitchenAugsburg’s Campus Kitchen program was recently honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the Outstanding Youth Award for 2009 at National Philanthropy Day in Minneapolis. Augsburg students were recognized that serves more than 1,700 meals each month to low-income and homeless persons and communities in need in the Cedar-Riverside and Phillips neighborhoods.

The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg College was established in October 2003 and is one of only 15 Campus Kitchen organizations around the country. The program, which is largely run by Augsburg students, brings together the college dining service, local community groups, and individuals to plan, prepare, deliver, and serve meals. Continue reading “Campus Kitchen wins youth philanthropy award” →