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Training math and science teachers

academyAugsburg College was recently selected as a partner in the Minnesota Mathematics and Science Teacher Academy initiative. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, the Academy is a result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness particularly in the areas of math and science.

The Academy is comprised of nine regional teacher centers, each including at least one K-12 school district or education service cooperative and one higher education institution. Augsburg is partnering with Resource Training and Solutions in St. Cloud. Augsburg math professor Tracy Bibelnieks is one of three instructors leading the training for the St. Cloud center. Continue reading “Training math and science teachers”

Music as medicine

mus_therapyWhile internships in most majors give students a competitive edge, in music therapy they are required and rigorous. Every music therapy student must log 1,040 hours during an internship — six months at full time.

In April Christi Schmit began her internship at University Hospitals, Case Medical Campus, in Cleveland, Ohio. This 950-bed hospital gives her broad experience in varying situations to help develop her music therapy skills. She explains that as a therapeutic intervention, music therapy has been found effective in relaxation and pain management, and in treating chemical dependency and memory loss. Continue reading “Music as medicine”

Summer Bridge students arrive

trio_bridgeSeveral members of the Augsburg College class of 2012 have already joined the Augsburg community! Recently, 27 students came to campus to begin the TRIO/Student Support Services Summer Bridge Program. This five week academic program is offered to Augsburg first-year students who qualify for the TRIO/SSS program.

Summer Bridge students take two college credit courses: Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning taught by Mark Tranvik and Introduction to Public Speaking with Bob Groven. Continue reading “Summer Bridge students arrive”

Future Auggies start here

soarMembers of Augsburg’s Class of 2012 will be on campus July 15-19 with their parents and families for SOAR — Student Orientation and Registration. This year, approximately 380 students will attend one of three two-day sessions designed to introduce students to campus life and connect them with other Auggies.

SOAR is an opportunity for students to find out what being an Auggie is all about. Through participation in community service projects, students will learn about our neighbors as well as what it’s like to live and learn in the city. It’s also a chance for students to meet classmates, talk with teachers, get an official Augsburg ID card, and take a first look at their fall course schedule. Continue reading “Future Auggies start here”

Stacy Schmitt receives 2008 Thoni Award

thoni_awardAt Augsburg’s June commencement ceremony, Rochester graduate Stacy Schmitt received the Richard J. Thoni Award. The award is presented to a graduating student whose actions, commitments, and future aspirations most profoundly demonstrate a commitment to Augsburg’s motto of “Education for Service.”

Stacy, a mother of two, began her college career at Augsburg in 2006 and completed her program, graduating with highest honors, in just over 2 years. She not only moved through the degree program with unusual swiftness, she did so while maintaining the roles of full-time employee at Mayo Clinic, mother, wife, and community leader. Continue reading “Stacy Schmitt receives 2008 Thoni Award”

From the orchestra to the NRC

physicsSpotlight on Cynthia (Landowski) Jones, PhD ’81, Physics

It took a fractured wrist from a toga party at Augsburg and a J-term course in physics to persuade Cyndi Jones to enter the field of science. In the fall of 1977, this talented young woman came to Augsburg on a music scholarship to play the clarinet. She planned to pursue a career in classical clarinet and performance. However, in the January term between her first and second years, Cyndi took a Physics for the Life Sciences course from Mark Engebretson and explored the relationship between music, physics, and math. “I got a 4.0 in the class,” she said, “and the subject was fascinating and exciting.” Continue reading “From the orchestra to the NRC”

Following the winding path

labyrinth“Then it seemed like falling into a labyrinth: we thought we were at the finish, but our way bent round and we found ourselves as it were back at the beginning, and just as far from that which we were seeking at first.” This is how Plato used the image of a labyrinth to describe the quest to develop a logical argument.

From ancient to medieval to modern times, labyrinths have captivated the human imagination. Now, thanks to professor Phil Adamo and the students in his “History of Labyrinths” summer course, Auggies and passers-by can experience the same angst, or perhaps peace and tranquility, as Plato and his students may have in wandering a path or constructing an argument. Continue reading “Following the winding path”

GEMS and GISE robots roam campus

gems_giseThe Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) and the Guys in Science and Engineering (GISE) are back on the Augsburg campus again this summer. This yearly program, for students in grades 4-12, is designed to develop confidence in and a positive attitude toward math, science, and technology. The students come for the Minneapolis Public School District.

Augsburg students, as well as former GEMS students, serve as mentors. These opportunities not only give the younger students valuable opportunities, but the Augsburg students valuable teaching experience while building their own confidence and knowledge in math and science. Continue reading “GEMS and GISE robots roam campus”

Internships enhance the study abroad experience

CGE_InternshipsStudents who study abroad often return home and tell of profound, life-changing lessons. Through their programs, students come into contact with a wide range of people and circumstances, and many of these encounters lead students to explore careers or ways of life they had previously not considered. Augsburg’s Center for Global Education sums up this experience with a promise: “See the world through another’s eyes, and your world will never be the same.” Continue reading “Internships enhance the study abroad experience”

Change is afoot in the Commons

aviands If you travel up to the Commons in Christensen Center these days, it’s

hard to miss the sheets of plastic, rumblings of drills, and workers

in hard hats.

All of the construction is part of the changes that Augsburg’s new

dining services provider, A’viands, is working on this summer. Part of that work is a redesign of the main service area. The updates incorporate feedback received from the Augsburg community in the request-for-proposals process.

Most of the area will have a completely new look. The wall that

separated the service area and the seating area will be removed to

allow for better traffic flow and new cooking exhibition stations.

The space will get new tile and counter tops to help freshen up the

space. There also will be a new salad bar and condiment station. Continue reading “Change is afoot in the Commons”