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Dr. Foerst to speak in Vocatio Chapel March 26

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foerstAugsburg College continues its “Science as Vocation” series with Dr. Anne Foerst, visiting professor for Theology and Computer Science at St. Bonaventure University. Dr. Foerst will speak in the Hoversten Chapel at 10:20 a.m. on March 26.

Before her arrival at St. Bonaventure in January 2001, Dr. Foerst worked as research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was also affiliated with the Center for the Studies of Values in Public Life of Harvard Divinity School.

At the AI-Lab, Dr. Foerst served as the theological advisor for the Cog and Kismet Projects, two attempts to develop embodied, autonomous and social robots in analogy to human infants that might learn and develop more mature intelligences. Continue reading “Dr. Foerst to speak in Vocatio Chapel March 26” →

Pan-Afrikan students return with royalty, ideas

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afrikanTwo Augsburg students returned with royalty from the annual Pan African Student Leadership Conference, held at Minnesota State University, Mankato. On Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Mr. and Mrs. Pan Africa Talent Ceremony, first-year student Geoffrey Gill was named Mr. Pan Africa and sophomore Barbara Simmons was selected as first runner-up for Mrs. Pan Africa.

Twenty-three Augsburg students attended the 3-day conference, with this year’s theme, “Building Leaders for the Pan African Community: Our Individual and Collective Responsibilities.” Workshops and sessions focused on issues facing students of color, such as health care in communities and African-Americans in higher education. Continue reading “Pan-Afrikan students return with royalty, ideas” →

Mastro a finalist for Olympic Hall of Fame

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mastroAugsburg College alumnus Dr. James Mastro ’73, a pioneer in athletics for the blind, is one of five Paralympic athlete finalists nominated for induction into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

The award is the latest for Mastro, a former Augsburg wrestler and four-sport competitor in seven Paralympics. In May, Mastro will receive the Medal of Courage award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in ceremonies in Stillwater, Okla. Continue reading “Mastro a finalist for Olympic Hall of Fame” →

Augsburg partners with Minnesota Opera

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operaA partnership between Augsburg College and the Minnesota Opera will bring together Augsburg voice students, faculty, and area high school students. “Project Opera,” a co-ed youth opera training program, is aimed at teaching young singers vocal technique, stage movement, and foreign language.

On March 1, Project Opera participants visited Augsburg for a morning rehearsal followed by mock auditions and vocal technique workshops. Augsburg voice students joined “Project Opera” students in the workshops led by Augsburg faculty.

The venture culminates with four performances of “The Nightingale,” a 1-hour opera by contemporary composer Imant Raminsh based on the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Augsburg students will be involved in technical work for the production. Performances will be given in Sateren Auditorium Mar. 14 at 7 p.m., Mar. 15 at 5:30 and 8 p.m., and Mar. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Minnesota Opera at (612) 333-6669.

Auggies take third at wrestling championships

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wrestling2The Augsburg Wrestling team scored a third-place finish at the NCAA Division III National Championships on Saturday evening at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Augsburg earned 87 team points in its third-place finish at the championship, marking the 20th straight year that Augsburg has earned a top-four finish in national competition — the longest current consecutive streak of top-four finishes of any NCAA wrestling program, regardless of division. Wartburg (Iowa) won the national title with 147 points and three national champions, while Wisconsin-La Crosse was second with 100 points and two national titlists.

Augsburg College’s Seth Flodeen (JR, Cannon Falls, Minn.) claimed an individual national title at 125 pounds.  Flodeen battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the opening minutes of the match to capture the title. Flodeen is the 43rd wrestling national champion in Augsburg program history — a record 39th in NCAA competition for Augsburg. Continue reading “Auggies take third at wrestling championships” →

Peace Scholars are announced at the forum

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scholars2Last Friday, at the Peace Prize Forum (PPF) held at Concordia College (Moorhead), Augsburg juniors Willie Pinckney and Hannah Glusenkamp were introduced with the first class of Nobel Peace Prize Forum Peace Scholars.

This new PPF program selects two students from each of the five sponsoring colleges — Augsburg, Augustana (Sioux Falls), Concordia, Luther, and St. Olaf — who will travel together on a summer seminar, meet as a cohort during the following academic year, lead peace activities on their campuses and present at the next spring’s Peace Prize Forum. The goal of the Peace Scholars program is to develop student leaders inspired to careers or lifelong interests in world peace issues. Continue reading “Peace Scholars are announced at the forum” →

Revolutionary biodiesel discovery starts at Augsburg

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sartec2At a joint press conference held this morning in Science Hall 302, Augsburg College and SarTec Corporation officially announced the

discovery of a chemical process that could free the United States from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel. This revolutionary method to make biodiesel started with the curiosity of Augsburg chemistry senior Brian Krohn and ended with three Twin Cities scientists creating the “Mcgyan Process.”

Brian initiated his summer research project by deciding to study new ways to produce biodiesel. After Brian’s preliminary

research, his professor advised him to contact chemist Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus and vice president of SarTec. McNeff, his chief scientist Dr. Ben Yan, and Augsburg’s Professor Arlin Gyberg took Brian’s idea and created a chemical reaction that has never before been described in scientific literature. As a result of the Mcgyan Process discovery, McNeff co-founded Ever Cat Fuels based in Anoka. It is the only plant in the world using this new method to manufacture biodiesel. Continue reading “Revolutionary biodiesel discovery starts at Augsburg” →

Neighborhood Sustainability Conference at Augsburg

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sust_confWith the goal of reducing our environmental impact and inspiring people to take practical action to achieve sustainability, the Neighborhood Sustainability Conference will allow community groups and more than 500 participants to discuss issues surrounding sustainability. This free event is hosted by Augsburg College and will be held at various locations around campus from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on March 8.

Several speakers are scheduled, including Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Part of the purpose of the conference is to connect government and citizen efforts so they can work in concert to build sustainable communities.

Topic Tracks workshops are offered on several subjects, including: Continue reading “Neighborhood Sustainability Conference at Augsburg” →

Augsburg scholars at the Capitol

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postersThree Augsburg students participated in the Minnesota Private College’s 2008 Scholars Day at the Capitol last week. The poster session, held in the Capitol rotunda, highlighted the work of undergraduate students who contributed new knowledge to their fields or advanced their own creativity in exceptional ways. The Augsburg presentations were:

Kari Aanestad with English professor Dal Liddle — Ragnvald Aanestad and the Lutheran Sermon

Examines Ragnvald Aanestad’s attempts to interpret world events of the 1940s and 1950s to a small, traditional Lutheran congregation in the Midwest.

Chau Nguyen with business administration professor Steven Zitnick — Economic Impact of Vietnamese Businesses in Minnesota Continue reading “Augsburg scholars at the Capitol” →

The trips of March

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march_tripsAs the cold grip of winter begins to loosen in March, a gleam appears in the eyes of those on campus. Soon, spring break will arrive to herald the return of relative warmth, and Auggies will mark its return with exciting voyages or relaxation at home. Augsburg’s mid-semester break runs from March 17 – 24 this year.

Campus Ministry has organized several activities during this break in the Day Program. For those who aren’t leaving the Twin Cities, Campus Ministry will help you explore local restaurants, enjoy cultural events, and participate in service projects — you can pick the ones that interest you and simply attend. They will also be leading a group of volunteers to flood-ravaged southeastern Minnesota to help assist Lutheran Disaster Relief from March 16 – 20 in Rushford, Minn. Applications are still being accepted for this trip. Continue reading “The trips of March” →