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.
Student Rueben Kitto Stately ’22 interviewed on MPR
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.
Professors Terrance Kwame-Ross and Margaret Finders Participate in MPR Conversation on Bias
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 Is Ranked Fourth for Undergraduate Teaching Among Midwest Regional Universities
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.
Business joint commentary by Paul Pribbenow and Fairview CEO James Hereford on Star Tribune
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.
Augsburg Achieves Perfect Score on Campus Pride Index
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.
Augsburg Alum Dua Saleh ’17 Plays New Character in Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’
Dua Saleh ’17 plays the new character Cal in the third season of the award-winning Netflix show “Sex Education,” available now. Cal is the first non-binary character on the show. Saleh has been written up for their new role in publications such as Newsweek and Teen Vogue. You also can also find an interview with Saleh, “Meet the Actor Playing ‘Sex-Education’s’ New Non-Binary Character Cal,” on Netflix’s website.
Star Tribune Highlights Augsburg-affiliated Sod House Theater Production
Sod House Theater, co-founded by Darcey Engen ’88, professor and chair of Augsburg’s Department of Theater Arts, is offering a new production in September and October: “Arla Mae’s Booyah Wagon.”
The show was described as “a delicious comedy” in the Star Tribune’s weekly “Our Friday Best” column on August 26.
Engen and her husband, Luverne Seifert ’83, who co-founded the theater with her, serve as its co-artistic directors.
Professor Jeanne Boeh Quoted in KSTP Story on Potential Holiday Toy Shortages
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.”
Professor Michael J. Lansing Featured in Smithsonian Magazine Story on the History of Wheaties
Smithsonian Magazine on July 26 published “How Wheaties Became the ‘Breakfast of Champions,” a story on the history of Wheaties cereal and its ties to athletics. Professor Michael J. Lansing, chair of Augsburg University’s Department of History, was one of the primary sources for the story. Lansing, who is working on a book on the history of the milling industry in Minnesota, spoke about the product development and marketing behind the cereal. He also noted that Major League Baseball first began broadcasting games on television, thanks to the influence of Wheaties, which was a major advertiser during both radio and television sports broadcasts.