Stress has been called the “health epidemic of the 21st century” by the World Health Organization, and Dave Conrad offers suggestions for dealing with stress in his latest column for the Rochester Post-Bulletin. Conrad, Augsburg College’s assistant director of the Rochester MBA program, notes that finding ways to alleviate stress can be as beneficial for employers as it is for employees. Read, “Learn what stress is trying to tell you” on the Post-Bulletin website.
Augsburg draws media coverage as host of debate
Augsburg College and the League of Women Voters Minnesota hosted a Secretary of State debate on Oct. 28.
Candidates Bob Hellend, Bob Odden, Dan Severson, and Steve Simon faced off on such issues as voter identification and improved Secretary of State business services. Augsburg received several media mentions as the venue for the occasion.
To learn more on the debate, visit the following links:
- MinnPost – The Secretary of State debate showed precisely why the race may be very close
- MPR – Hear the Secretary of State debate
- The Uptake – Video Replay: Final MN Secretary of State debate before election
Phil Adamo shares origins of Halloween on KARE 11
Phil Adamo, associate professor of history and director of Medieval Studies at Augsburg College, was a guest on KARE 11 on Halloween to talk about the origins of the holiday. Adamo shared with Diana Pierce and viewers how Halloween started as a Celtic festival that celebrated the final harvest and eventually was incorporated into Christian traditions to lure non-Christians into the Church. He also discussed the origins of the bonfire, jack-o-lanterns, and Halloween candy.
Augsburg’s StepUP program receives media mention
Scott Washburn, assistant director for Augsburg College’s StepUP program was mentioned on Minnpost.com.
The StepUP program, which aims to help students with histories of addiction thrive on campus, was mentioned as part of an article about P.E.A.S.E. Academy, which is a similar local program at the high school level.
Washburn, who is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, said that the biggest threat for students dealing with addiction is being around their nearest and dearest on campus. “We know from research as well as experience that the No. 1 relapse trigger is the influence of peers,” Washburn said.
Visit the MinnPost website to read the article. Learn more about StepUP on its program site.
Star Tribune features Midnimo partnership
The Cedar Cultural Center will host a free concert by Taleex Band on October 31 as part of the Midnimo series, a two-year partnership with Augsburg College to build cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Somali culture through music. The Star Tribune recently promoted the show and Midnimo programming in the article, “Twin Cities band Taleex raises voices for Somali pride.” As noted in the article, the Taleex performance also will include sets by non-Somali groups. Bob’s Band, a brass jazz group led by long-time Augsburg College Music Department faculty member Bob Stacke ’71 and comprised of several Augsburg alumni and current students, will augment Taleex Band’s sets.
Kuoth Wiel ’13 gains wealth of media coverage
Augsburg College alumna Kuoth Wiel ’13, a star in the feature film “The Good Lie,” has garnered a plethora of media coverage. The film, which was released in Minnesota Oct. 17, has been well received and is generating Oscar buzz. Augsburg has received several media mentions thanks to Wiel since she was a student at the College when she auditioned for the role.
The film brings to life a fictional yet strikingly accurate story of the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan. Born in a refugee camp in Ethiopia to Sudanese parents herself, it’s no surprise Wiel found it important to help tell this story. Being a part of the film “…validated all the struggles we had went through,” Wiel said in an MPR news interview.
Wiel has been traveling around the U.S. promoting the film since its September debut at the Toronto Film Festival. The film, along with Wiel and her cast mates, have been featured and covered by media outlets ranging from Minneapolis’ Star Tribune to Rolling Stone magazine.
Below is a list of some of the local and national media coverage on Wiel:
- Bring Me the News – “Augsburg grad’s tragic past informs role in Hollywood movie”
- Entertainment Weekly – “Behind the Scenes with the Sudanese stars of ‘The Good Lie'”
- Huffington Post – “It’s been a long road to the big screen for the Sudanese stars of “‘The Good Lie'”
- Kare 11 – “Augsburg grad lands role with Reese Witherspoon”
- MPR – “‘The Good Lie’ treads close to Sudanese refugee life, Minnesota actress says”
- People – “Meet the real-life ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan in ‘The Good Lie'”
- Pioneer Press – “’The Good Lie’ wisely leaves story to the refugees”
- Rolling Stone – “This Reese Witherspoon drama about the lost boys (and girls) of Sudan is earnest to a fault, but you won’t leave unmoved”
- Star Tribune – “Sudanese refugees weather culture shock in ‘Good Lie'”
- Variety – “Toronto film review: ‘The Good Lie'”
Dave Conrad: Embrace constructive conflict
Augsburg College’s Dave Conrad, assistant director of the Rochester MBA program, wrote in his most recent column for the Rochester Post-Bulletin about finding the right balance between the need to deal with conflict and the instinct to avoid it. Read “Embrace constructive conflict” for details on how effective debate can spur innovation in the workplace.
MinnPost features Augsburg, other anchor institutions
Augsburg College was one of several Twin Cities anchor institutions named in a recent MinnPost article on the roles these institutions play in strengthening Minnesota neighborhoods.
President Paul C. Pribbenow, who is chair of the Central Corridor Anchor Partnership, was quoted in the article. He described how anchor institutions view the benefits in their partnership work. “This is not just what we give to the community, it’s about our shared interests and mutual benefits,” Pribbenow said.
Fellow member of the Augsburg community Josh Ahrens, food service director for A’viands, also was quoted in the article. Read, “Anchor initiatives: Local food means business for local neighborhoods” to learn how health care, higher education, and other nonprofits are working together to improve the economic vitality of their communities.
Augsburg named a top school by Military Advanced Education
Military Advanced Education has selected Augsburg as a top school in its 2015 Guide to Colleges & Universities research study. A record number of schools responded to an extensive survey, and MAE staff evaluated each submission using strict criteria. Schools were evaluated by their achievement in military culture, financial aid, flexibility, on-campus support, and online support services.
The full Guide to Colleges & Universities will be published in a forthcoming issue of Military Advanced Education.
Brian Ackland ’95 named Minnesota Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Augsburg College alumnus Brian Ackland ’95 was named Minnesota Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In a Sun This Week article, Ackland describes how his time at Augsburg College influenced his vocational discernment, allowing him to identify his passion for serving children. Read, “Oak Ridge teacher honored for integrity, innovation” on the Sun This Week website.