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John Zobitz discusses weather patterns with International Business Times

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ibtimes_100dpi300x75pxlAssociate Professor of Mathematics and environmental science researcher John Zobitz helped to answer the question posed by many in the wake of a recent record-setting snowfall in the Buffalo, N.Y., area — Why is it so cold and snowy in November?

The reason is global warming, according to Zobitz and other scientists studying the Earth’s climate. Changes in the overall temperature of the planet have affected the jet stream, thereby causing unusual weather. “Yes, the globe is warming in temperature, but that means some places are warm a lot more, and some places are sometimes colder,” Zobitz said. “We happen to be on the cold side of that right now, and no matter how you want to slice and dice it, that’s the reality.”

Read more about how changes in the Earth’s temperature influence weather patterns on the International Business Times website.

Dave Conrad: The most important leadership skills

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PostBulletinA number of leadership skills are important, but which one is truly key? That’s hard to say, according to a new column by Dave Conrad in the Rochester Post-Bulletin. Conrad, Augsburg College’s assistant director of the Rochester MBA program, notes that leadership skills vary in relevance depending on individuals’ roles within the workforce. To learn why conceptual, relationship-building, and technical skills each play an important role, read “The most important leadership skills” on the Post-Bulletin website.

Pioneer Press deems Howling Bird ‘ready to take off’

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PioneerPressHowling Bird, a student-run press at Augsburg College, is Minnesota’s newest small publisher. Howling Bird will take flight December 1 with the announcement of the winner of the press’ first National Poetry Prize, according to the Pioneer Press.

The honored poet will receive $1,000 and publication by Howling Bird in a trade paperback. That book will be guided through the publication process, from editing and design to marketing and distribution, by three students in the newly established publishing concentration in Augsburg’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. To learn more about the MFA program and its students, read “Augsburg’s Howling Bird press ready to take off” on the Pioneer Press website.

Dave Conrad: Learn what stress is trying to tell you

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PostBulletinStress 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.

Phil Adamo shares origins of Halloween on KARE 11

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Phil Adamo on set with Diana Pierce at KARE 11Phil 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 College Media Experts: Halloween, Elections

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Origins of Halloween: Phil Adamo, associate professor of Medieval History

Phil Adamo, an associate professor of Medieval History at Augsburg College, is available to address by phone and/or on camera the:

  • Origins of Halloween as a pagan harvest festival
  • Historic reasons people wore Halloween costumes and had bonfires
  • Myth-busting whether Halloween was/is Satanic, a belief held by some Christian groups at various times throughout history

Elections: Andy Aoki, professor of political science

Andy AokiAndy Aoki regularly provides commentary to members of print and broadcast media on issues related to elections. Aoki is available this election week to offer comment on stories that include perspective on minority politics including:

  • Asian-American politics
  • Inter-racial coalitions
  • Multiculturalism

Learn more about Aoki at http://www.augsburg.edu/faculty/aoki/

Interviews

To arrange interviews with Adamo or Aoki, please contact Stephanie Weiss, director of news and media services, at 612.330.1476 or by email at weisss@augsburg.edu.

About Augsburg College

Augsburg College is set in a vibrant neighborhood at the heart of the Twin Cities, and offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to nearly 4,000 students of diverse backgrounds. Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Star Tribune features Midnimo partnership

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Minneapolis Star TribuneThe 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.

Dave Conrad: Embrace constructive conflict

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PostBulletinAugsburg 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

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MinnPostAugsburg 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

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image001Military 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.