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

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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

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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

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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

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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” →

Shedding light on everyday physics experiments

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sverdrupDozens—if not hundreds or even thousands—of physics experiments go on every day on the Augsburg College campus. Most of the time, however, no one hears about these experiments. No one knows if the experiments yielded favorable results that can be duplicated. No one knows if the experiments were a waste of time and resources. No one reports the results to anyone, and no one tracks the cost of the experiments.

Yet, each and every day, Augsburg College students conduct physics experiments whenever they cook or prepare food. Harvard University’s David Weitz will make visible the everyday physics taking place during food preparation at the Sverdrup Visiting Scientist lecture. Continue reading “Shedding light on everyday physics experiments” →

Fifth powwow to celebrate cultures, traditions of Native American students

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PowwowA powwow to celebrate the traditions and cultures of Augsburg Native American students and the Twin Cities community will be held March 23 in the College’s Si Melby gymnasium.

The powwow—now in its fifth year—is an opportunity for Augsburg’s indigenous students to share their traditions and culture with the community, according to Jennifer Simon, event organizer and director of Augsburg’s American Indian Student Services.

“Each year, nearly a dozen students help me organize the powwow and learn all the details involved in planning a large cultural event for both the campus and the surrounding community,” Simon said. Continue reading “Fifth powwow to celebrate cultures, traditions of Native American students” →

Sabo Symposium focuses on the nexus of school districts, communities, state government

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Sabo_SymposiumThe spring 2013 Martin Olav Sabo Symposium will feature Minnesota public figures who will model civil dialogue in a discussion on the relationship between government, school districts, and the communities they serve.

Augsburg College will host “Funding Minnesota’s Future: State Government and its Partnership with School Districts and Communities,” the 10th Sabo Symposium, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., March 13, in Hoversten Chapel.

The event will feature Myron Frans, the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue. Continue reading “Sabo Symposium focuses on the nexus of school districts, communities, state government” →

Nobel Peace Prize Forum welcomes Brother Ali, Tawakkol Karman, others

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NPPF_RegistrationThe 2013 Forum features the theme “The Power of Ideas: People and Peace” and offers tracks related to business, arts and music, science and health, education, and global studies.

“One of the clear highlights of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Forum will take place on Saturday, March 9, as a special evening is planned featuring presentations and performances by the acclaimed Minneapolis MC Brother Ali [pictured], as well as Syrian-American rapper/activist Omar Offendum,” according to City Pages writer Erik Thompson.

“Ali and Offendum will present TED-style talks on the topic of ‘Hip-Hop and Peace’ and give short performances at Augsburg College’s Kennedy Center,” music reporter Andrea Swensson added.

Swensson, a journalist at Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) station 89.3 The Current will moderate the hip-hop discussion, and Tom Weber, co-host of MPR’s The Daily Circuit, will moderate elements of Forum programming on Business Day, March 8; Health and Science Day, March 9; and Global Day, March 10. Continue reading “Nobel Peace Prize Forum welcomes Brother Ali, Tawakkol Karman, others” →

Augsburg recognizes staff achievements

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Staff_RecognitionLast week, the Augsburg community celebrated the accomplishments of its staff at the annual staff recognition event. In addition to naming those who have served at the College for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years, the community also recognized those selected for outstanding contribution awards.

Staff are nominated by their colleagues for this award and recognized for their professional accomplishments as well as their dedication to their work and to serving the students, faculty, and staff.

Congratulations to all staff who were recognized.

Pictured here are: [from left] President Paul C. Pribbenow, Seth Lienard, event and conference planning; Joanne Reeck-Irby, campus activities and orientation; Sandra Fevig, physician assistant program; Kelsey Richardson Blackwell, academic advising; Aregash Shokiyo, custodial services; and Judy Johnson, undergraduate admissions.

 

Bonner Leaders Program prepares students for life after Augsburg

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Bonner_LeadersAlisha Esselstein ’15 knew she wanted to go to college in a city – any city for that matter.

“I’m from a small town in southwest Wisconsin where the cows outnumber the people,” Esselstein quipped, describing her hometown of Argyle. “I always thought that I wanted to go to a big school, so I applied to UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and the U of M.”

But, Esselstein said she visited Augsburg College for Scholarship Weekend and “just fell in love” with its small feel within a large urban setting. Today she’s a second-year student at Augsburg who has found a balance between her academic pursuits on campus and her desire to grow and learn in the greater Minneapolis community, and she has done so—in large part—through the Bonner Leaders Program. Continue reading “Bonner Leaders Program prepares students for life after Augsburg” →