On January 26 MPLSART.COM published “‘Gradual Ascent’: Connection and Care @Augsburg_Galleries,” which covers a year-long project of Augsburg’s art galleries, during which different photographers have been taking over the galleries’ Instagram account. Gradual Ascent grew out of online gatherings facilitated by Jenny Wheatley, Augsburg’s coordinator of galleries and exhibitions, who was exploring how to restructure the galleries’ programming in response to the pandemic. Participating artist Khadija Charif told the reporter, “The blessing in a virtual gallery lies in the softness and privacy of each viewer. … I find it wonderful that I get the opportunity to show my work and let the viewer experience the work however they interpret it, without crowds.”

The Minnesota Vikings recently awarded first-year Augsburg University student Salaam Day ’25 a $5,000 2021 “Be the Change” Scholarship. He was congratulated in person by Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. An article on the Minnesota Vikings website, “Barr & Kendricks Meet 2021 ‘Be the Change’ Scholarship Recipient,” discusses Day’s scholarship essay and work for social justice.

Fourth-year Augsburg student Rueben Kitto Stately was one of three people interviewed for the MPR News show “In Focus: Sustainability in Indian Country.” Among other things, he spoke about the importance of language in maintaining a way of life, focusing his comments on his experience as someone who has been studying the Dakhóta language. “How far are you from colonial thought when you aren’t thinking in English anymore?” he asked.

MPR news host Angela Davis interviewed Terrance Kwame-Ross, associate professor of education, and Margaret Finders, retired professor of education, as part of an episode on bias, “The end of bias: Is it possible?” They discussed their work together, examples of bias, and their belief in the hard work of unlearning bias.

Augsburg University has received recognition for its undergraduate teaching in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges rankings. The publisher placed Augsburg fourth for its commitment to teaching undergraduates among Midwest regional universities. It also ranked #24 among best regional universities in the Midwest and #38 among best colleges for veterans.

Star Tribune recently published in their business forum section a joint commentary written by Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow and Fairview CEO James Hereford, who also serves in Augsburg’s Board of Regents. The publication focuses on how both Augsburg University and Fairview Health Services, while focused on their specific missions through the pandemic, have also continued to embrace their responsibilities as the anchor institutions that their communities rely on, specifically in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

Read the publication at the Star Tribune website.

On August 31, NBC reported on schools recognized by Campus Pride for being LGBTQ-friendly campuses. Augsburg received a perfect score of 5 on the Campus Pride Index. The NBC story, “These 10 religious universities earn high marks for LGBTQ inclusivity,” noted that Augsburg was one of only three religiously affiliated universities that received a score of 5 on the index.

KSTP aired a story on August 23 about potential holiday toy shortages.

Jeanne Boeh, chair and Sundquist endowed professor of Augsburg’s Department of Business Administration, was quoted about the role of the pandemic in inventory problems.

View the story: “Toy stores prepare for possible shortages.”