Kudos Archives - News and Media | Augsburg University

Two Auggies Win Prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

Posted on April 9, 2025

Two Augsburg undergraduate students, Ethiopia Kebede ’25 and Mitchel Munzing ’26, have been named 2025–26 Goldwater Scholars. The Goldwater Scholarship, one of the top undergraduate STEM awards in the country, recognizes outstanding students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Kebede, a physics major, aims to pursue a PhD in astrophysics with a focus in stellar physics and eventually teach at the undergraduate level. In addition to conducting space physics research at Augsburg with Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson, she creates and shares free math videos via YouTube to address the shortage of STEM educators in remote places.

“One of my memories from grade school is rotating the handle of a generator in a physics lab,” said Kebede. “I remember feeling satisfied when the generator finally lit up the bulb attached to it. From then on, I enjoyed science as a clever way of solving problems. I am excited to pursue a lifelong career in the subject that I love—physics.”

Munzing, a biochemistry major, intends to pursue a PhD to continue research in organic and green chemistry. Outside of the classroom, he is a member and incoming captain of the Augsburg men’s soccer team, where he has been recognized with the Ed Saugestad Award for outstanding student-athlete.

“This past summer I had the opportunity to conduct research in an organic chemistry lab with Dr. Michael Wentzel,” said Munzing. “While at the start the experiments I ran didn’t go as planned, eventually I was able to synthesize biologically significant compounds. Spending the necessary time to [become an expert in a specific field] requires patience, but the reward of discovery makes it worth it.”

This year, Augsburg is one of Minnesota’s top producers of Goldwater Scholars. Applicants for the Goldwater Scholarship are nominated by faculty, sponsored by their academic institutions, and selected by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Kebede and Munzing were chosen from a pool of 1,350 applicants nationwide.

“To have two winners is really terrific,” said Professor Jacqueline deVries, who supports students through the application process as director of major grants and fellowships in Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO). “The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships an undergraduate can win in science, engineering, and mathematics.”

Learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship program.

Paul Pribbenow Named the University of Chicago Divinity School’s 2025 Alum of the Year

Posted on April 2, 2025April 2, 2025

The University of Chicago Divinity School announced this week that Paul Pribbenow, AM ’79, PhD ’93, president of Augsburg University, has been named the 2025 Alum of the Year. This honor recognizes Pribbenow’s distinguished career in higher education, his commitment to civic engagement, and his leadership in fostering inclusive and ethical communities.

Since assuming the presidency of Augsburg University in 2006, Pribbenow has been a champion for access and equity in education, working to expand opportunities for students from myriad backgrounds. Under his leadership, Augsburg has strengthened its commitment to urban education, interfaith dialogue, and community-based learning, reflecting a deep alignment with the Divinity School’s mission of rigorous inquiry and engagement with society’s most pressing moral and ethical questions.

“I am deeply humbled and honored by this recognition, which is especially poignant following the death of Professor Martin Marty, who so influenced the trajectory of my life and leadership,” Pribbenow said. “The ideas that shaped me as a student have continued to anchor my work in the decades since: that religion can be a force for good in the world, that pluralism is a source of strength, and that education is the heart of a thriving society.”

Pribbenow, who earned his PhD in social ethics, is widely recognized for his scholarship in philanthropy, ethics, and public life. His work bridges academic inquiry and practical leadership, demonstrating how theological and ethical perspectives can positively influence institutions and communities. Beyond his role at Augsburg, he has contributed to numerous civic and higher education initiatives, reinforcing his reputation as a thoughtful and engaged leader in both academic and public spheres.

“Paul Pribbenow exemplifies the values of the Divinity School through his unwavering commitment to ethical leadership and the transformative power of education,” James T. Robinson, dean of the University of Chicago Divinity School, said. “We are happy to recognize him as our 2025 Alum of the Year, celebrating his impact as both a scholar and a leader who continues to shape public life with wisdom and integrity.”

A vital member of the Divinity School community, Pribbenow’s engagement in the life of the school has been significant. While he matriculated, he managed Swift Hall’s student-run coffee shop, Grounds of Being, from which all proceeds benefit the Divinity Student Council. As an alum, he continues to be active as a current member of the Divinity School Advisory Council, serving at various intervals since 1996.

The University of Chicago Divinity School will celebrate Pribbenow’s achievements at an awards ceremony on May 2, 2025. As part of the event, he will deliver a keynote address entitled “Wrestling with Angels: Higher Education Leadership in a Moral Key,” reflecting on his career, the role of ethics in public leadership, and the enduring impact of his Divinity School education.

For more information about the Alum of the Year award and the upcoming celebration, please visit divinity.uchicago.edu/about/events or contact divinitycommunications@uchicago.edu.

Special Olympics Minnesota Honors Augsburg With Health Leadership Award

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025

At a special presentation earlier this month, the Augsburg University Physician Assistant Studies Program received the Golisano Health Leadership Award from Special Olympics Minnesota.

For more than three years, Augsburg has proudly partnered with Special Olympics to integrate an inclusive curriculum for more than 100 PA students and faculty. What started as a classroom lecture has evolved into a multifaceted partnership, including:

Panel presentations by Special Olympics Ambassadors, where students gain firsthand insights from athletes into the principle of “Nothing about me, without me!” in patient care.
Immersive experiences, such as healthy athlete annual physical exam screenings.
Hands-on training sessions with athletes during simulated clinic visits.
More than 250 hours of Special Olympics volunteer work at the Community Health Fair, Polar Plunge, and sporting events.

“These initiatives not only enrich our students’ education but also prepare them to meet the evolving needs of our communities,” said Vanessa Bester, associate professor of PA studies and director of Augsburg’s School of Health. “We are deeply honored to be recognized for this partnership and the impactful work we continue to do.”

The Golisano Award recognizes health champions—leaders and organizations—that are making a significant contribution to equal access to health, fitness, or wellness for people with intellectual disabilities. It is the highest Special Olympics honor for health partners and serves to promote awareness of the progress and extraordinary efforts toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of Special Olympics Health work.

“It’s really reassuring to know that the future generation of PAs are going to be more comfortable working with our athletes and they feel comfortable going to you,” said Jeff Prendergast, senior health programs manager at Special Olympics Minnesota, who presented the award. “I know that if I have an athlete or family looking for care and I find someone that has been educated and trained at Augsburg, I feel very comfortable referring them to you.”

Learn more about Augsburg’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.

Augsburg Students Chosen for National Interfaith Fellowship

Posted on March 5, 2025March 6, 2025

Augsburg students Theo Coval and Augusta Nepor Sowa traveled to Utah for the first annual gathering of the Interfaith BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship at the end of February.

The BRAID Fellowship is an Interfaith America initiative designed in response to increasing prejudice and polarization. This program equips student fellows with skills, training, education, and experiences to collaborate effectively with communities close to home and across the country.

“It is so meaningful to have the opportunity to work with Interfaith America and meet so many passionate campus leaders,” said Coval. “It was a genuine honor to be included amongst the peers I met in Salt Lake City, and I am very excited to be working on a campus project as part of the fellowship.”

Coval and Sowa were selected from a national pool of applicants. The program is designed to help students become interfaith bridgebuilders on their campuses and in their communities. Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed chair and executive director of the Interfaith Institute, serves as a BRAID Fellowship mentor and works closely with these students as well.

“Being part of this opportunity means stepping beyond conversation and into connection, where diversity isn’t just acknowledged but engaged with, where differences aren’t just tolerated but honored,” said Sowa. “It’s about choosing pluralism, embracing the richness of perspectives, and discovering unity in diversity. In a world where everyone wants to be heard, this experience has taught me the true power of listening with an open heart.”Learn more about the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University.

Nia-Symonne Gayle’s Senior Capstone Featured by MPR News, Sahan Journal

Posted on February 12, 2025February 13, 2025

MPR News and Sahan Journal recently highlighted Nia-Symonne Gayle ’24 and her senior exhibition project “GOOD Hair,” currently displayed in the Christensen Gallery through February 19. Gayle graduated as an art and design major in December, and her capstone project recreates her childhood living room where her mom would do her hair—including TV, magazines, and hair products associated with the Afro-nostalgia Gayle incorporates into her work. She says this project “is a love letter to her mother and to Black people and Black culture. It’s a reminder that all hair is good hair.”

Read more about the project from MPR News or Sahan Journal and learn more about Augsburg’s Art & Design Senior Showcase Exhibition.

Augsburg’s Lindsay Starck Among Minnesota Book Award Finalists

Posted on February 3, 2025

Lindsay Starck has been named a Minnesota Book Award finalist for her second novel, “Monsters We Have Made.” Starck is an associate professor of English and director of Augsburg’s MFA program. Published by Vintage Books/Penguin Random House in March 2024, “Monsters We Have Made” is a poignant and evocative novel that explores the bounds of familial love, the high stakes of parenthood, and the tenuous divide between fiction and reality.

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library organizes the annual Minnesota Book Awards to honor Minnesota writers, illustrators, and artists across 10 different categories. The 2025 Minnesota Book Award winners will be announced on April 22, 2025.

Learn more about Lindsay Starck’s work and “Monsters We Have Made.”

Congratulations to Auggies Named to the 2024 Fall Semester Dean’s List

Posted on January 23, 2025

More than 1,000 Augsburg University undergraduate students were named to the 2024 Fall Semester Dean’s List. The Augsburg University Dean’s List recognizes those full-time students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and those part-time students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.75 or higher in a given term.

View the 2024 Fall Semester Dean’s List.

Students who wish to notify their hometown newspapers of their achievement can do so at their discretion using a news announcement template.

Entrepreneurship Students Compete for Cash Prizes in Auggie Cup

Posted on January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

On a chilly December afternoon, 14 business and graphic design students brought the heat in Augsburg’s signature entrepreneurship challenge.

At stake? Reputation, impact, connections—and $30,000 in cash prizes.

The second annual Augsburg Entrepreneurship Cup—better known on campus as the Auggie Cup—engaged three teams of students in a “Shark Tank”-style competition judged by local business leaders. Their challenge was to design and pitch a business and marketing plan for a promising new industrial or medical technology.

“One of our basic tenets at Augsburg is that experiential learning leads to critical thinking skills,” said George Dierberger, the Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Professor for Entrepreneurship and chair of Augsburg’s business administration and economics department. “That’s what the Auggie Cup is all about.”

Each team of three or four undergraduates was led by an MBA student coach and assigned to a startup firm with a product on the cusp of commercialization. Ideas were solicited from BETA, a nonprofit early stage accelerator for Minnesota-based technology startups, as well as Augsburg’s Business Advisory Council. This year’s projects included AcQtrac’s non-invasive device to monitor cardiovascular health among pediatric patients, SmartAuger’s portable ground-penetrating radar system, and CorRen Medical’s proprietary ultrasound technology to detect and treat peripheral artery disease.

Over the course of the fall semester, three teams developed and refined a plan to pitch their products to investors, culminating in a competition on December 6. Members of the Business Advisory Council judged each hour-long presentation on the students’ assessment of the market opportunity and competitive environment, the marketing plan and original graphic arts elements, a rigorous financial analysis, and the overall quality of the presentation. More than 120 guests—business leaders, alumni, students’ families, and Augsburg faculty and staff—attended the evening reception and awards ceremony.

The AcQtrac Medical team placed first, with students Jim Schewe, Salma Gelle, Adela Leville, and Kat Chaney sharing a $15,000 prize. The SmartAuger team of Luke Peters, Jakob Mohrlok, Manny Weiss, Nolan Mehle, and Destiny Azonwu won the $10,000 second prize, and the CorRen Medical team of Patrick McMonagle, Danny Ho, Char Waver, Pachia Vang, and Anthonella Laurens took third place and $5,000. The cash prizes were made possible by generous supporters of Augsburg’s business, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs, including Mike Nathan and Sara Armstrong, Tom ’72 and Karen Howe, Big Stone Capital Group, Modulate Capital, Bill Urseth ’71, and Blaze Credit Union.

“This year’s Auggie Cup was an incredible event full of synergy and teamwork,” said Dierberger. “Our MBA, undergrad business, and graphic design students all did a stellar job at presenting their ideas to the panel of judges and we are grateful they could be rewarded in a real way for their significant efforts.”

While the Auggie Cup is targeted towards business, entrepreneurship, and graphic design students, plans are underway for a campus-wide competition this spring. Students from any academic discipline will be invited to deliver a 2–3 minute pitch, with the potential for the winning ideas to become full Auggie Cup projects next fall.

Augsburg’s Interfaith Institute receives grant to develop Muslim interfaith leadership cohort

Posted on September 17, 2024

Augsburg University’s Interfaith Institute was recently awarded a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Funding will be used to create a Muslim-led cohort of students from colleges throughout the Midwest; these students will offer interfaith leadership opportunities for their campuses. Cohort members will receive skill-building around topics like best practices for interfaith engagement in higher education and how to address campus conflicts involving religion.

“We are excited for this opportunity to share Augsburg’s interfaith learnings with other campus communities,” says Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed Chair and executive director of the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg. “These students will become interfaith leaders who are equipped to facilitate dialogue and build bridges within their communities and throughout their professional lives.”

The project aims to build capacity on college campuses for Muslim students to lead interfaith engagement among their peers. Located in the culturally diverse Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, Augsburg is uniquely equipped to carry out this work, with 66% of undergraduate students identifying as Black, Indigenous, or as People of Color, and over 12% as Muslim. Interfaith engagement is a core aspect of Augsburg’s academic mission and strategic plan. The university launched the Interfaith Institute in 2018 and appointed Najeeba Syeed as the inaugural El-Hibri Endowed Chair and executive director in 2022.

The $189,630 grant will be distributed between August 2024 and July 2026. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations’ Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy program area supports organizations that invest in courageous multi-faith conversations and collaborations.