Augsburg College’s Christopher Smith, assistant professor of education, recently spoke with the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune about legislative efforts to repeal basic-skills exams for teachers. Smith, who co-chaired the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force, told media that although the majority of the task force members supported repeal of the exams, the group was not recommending repeal of teacher accountability. The Pioneer Press article was titled “Minnesota House Panel considers plan to eliminate teacher skills test,” and the Star Tribune piece was titled “Basic-skills exam for teachers remains despite efforts to scrap it.”
Devean George ’99 redevelopment project featured in Star Tribune
A redevelopment project by Auggie Devean George ’99, a former professional basketball player, was the focus of a Star Tribune business article by Neal St. Anthony. The story explores George’s childhood growing up on the North Side of Minneapolis, the inspiration for his commitment to his community, and also includes quotes from Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. Read “Developer Devean George is a player in North Side redevelopment.”
Christian Science Monitor talks to Hans Wiersma
Hans Wiersma, associate professor of religion, spoke with the Christian Science Monitor about whether a Baptist church in Kansas could continue after the passing of its charismatic founder. Fred Phelps Sr., the founder of Westboro Baptist Church, which is best known for picketing military funerals to show its opposition to homosexuality, recently was admitted to hospice care. Read Wiersma’s comments in the article “Could Westboro Baptist survive without founder Fred Phelps.”
MinnPost arts round-up includes Augsburg’s ‘Peer Gynt’
A first-ever collaboration between the theater departments of Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota on a production of Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” received news coverage in MinnPost. The ground-breaking production will take theatergoers on a fantastic voyage that includes oversized birds and trolls, original music and simultaneous scenes, all while attendees and performers travel a quarter-mile portion of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Read the full column on the MinnPost website.
MPR broadcasts Dr. Foege’s Peace Prize Forum talk
Minnesota Public Radio on March 18 broadcast on MPR Presents the presentation by Dr. William Foege, a keynote presenter at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Foege talked about the connection between better health and a peaceful environment. Listen to the presentation on MPR Presents.
Ian Bremmer’s talk on geopolitics at NPPF airs on MPR
Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group, delivered a keynote presentation at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum on the topic of geopolitics. That talk was broadcast March 17 on Minnesota Public Radio’s “MPR Presents.” Listen to the discussion, moderated by Chris Farrell of MPR’s Marketplace, on the MPR website.
Advisory: Augsburg’s 6th traditional powwow is March 29
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to be honored for donation
Augsburg College will host a traditional powwow March 29 in the Si Melby Hall Gymnasium. The event, hosted by the Augsburg Indigenous Student Association and American Indian Student Services, includes two Grand Entries and an Honoring Ceremony to recognize graduating American Indian students.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) also will be honored for recently contributing $250,000 to endowed scholarships* for American Indian students at the College. The gift means the College will award an additional $10,000 per year to enrolled American Indian students. Continue reading “Advisory: Augsburg’s 6th traditional powwow is March 29”
Augsburg-hosted spelling bee garners coverage on WCCO
The Scripps Regional Spelling Bee organized and hosted by Augsburg College on March 15 was the focus of a WCCO news story. Mark Kivimaki, of Valley View Middle School in Edina, was the winner of the bee and will be sent by the College to Washington, D.C., to take part in the national competition. Watch “5 students set to represent Minnesota in national spelling be” and learn what word Kivimaki spelled to win the regional competition.
Valley View Middle School student wins Regional Spelling Bee
Mark Kivimaki, 12, of Valley View Middle School in Edina, was named champion of the 7-County Metro Area Regional Spelling Bee held March 15 at Hoversten Chapel at Augsburg College. He correctly spelled “thorium” and “serenity” to win the spelling bee. He is the son of Mary and Bruce Kivimaki.
Abraham Teuber, 13, of South St. Paul High School, won second place. He was eliminated during round 15 for misspelling “chaldron.” Teuber is the son of Becca and Tim Teuber. Continue reading “Valley View Middle School student wins Regional Spelling Bee”
Site-Specific Staging of ‘Peer Gynt’ Breaks Rules, Boundaries
Production is first-ever collaboration between Augsburg, University of Minnesota
A ground-breaking production of Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” will take theater goers on a fantastic voyage that includes oversized birds and trolls, original music and simultaneous scenes, all while attendees and performers travel a quarter-mile portion of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
The play, a 1.5-hour production condensed from Robert Bly’s 3-hour script of 2008, represents a first-time collaboration between theater departments at Augsburg and the University of Minnesota. It’s also probably a first for site-specific theater of this scale for theatergoers in the Twin Cities. “Peer Gynt” will be performed seven times from April 10-13. Continue reading “Site-Specific Staging of ‘Peer Gynt’ Breaks Rules, Boundaries”