The Star Tribune included Augsburg College’s production of “Peer Gynt,” which runs April 10 through 13 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in its “Stage Spot” news column. The play marks the first time that the College has partnered with the University of Minnesota to deliver an innovative production that breaks rules and boundaries. Read more on the Star Tribune’s website.
MPR’s On Campus blog features Augsburg ‘Happy’ video
Minnesota Public Radio’s On Campus blog featured the Augsburg College “Happy” video, which was inspired by musician Pharrell Williams’ “24 Hours of Happy” project. Visit the MPR website to read “Something from Augsburg to hum the rest of the day” and to watch the video.
MFA mentor Jack El-Hai wins Minnesota Book Award
Augsburg MFA in Creative Writing mentor Jack El-Hai recently won the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction for his book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII.” El-Hai’s book tells the story of the remarkable relationship between Army psychiatrist Capt. Douglas M. Kelley and the elite of the captured Nazi regime, particularly Hermann Goring. As noted in the Star Tribune, El-Hai’s previous Book Award was for “The Lobotomist.” Visit the Star Tribune website to read, “Winners of the Minnesota Book Awards announced.”
David Murr ’92 discusses space weather with Star Tribune
David Murr ’92, Augsburg College associate professor of physics, was quoted in a recent Star Tribune science brief on advances in solar storm detection. Murr discussed researchers’ efforts to help governments and industry develop better assessments of the risks solar storms pose to the world’s technological infrastructure. Read the brief on the Star Tribune website.
Jack El-Hai appears on TPT
Augsburg MFA in Creative Writing nonfiction mentor Jack El-Hai and author David Lebedoff compared writing styles and personal methods on TPT’s Matters of Fact on March 30. El-Hai is the author of “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist,” and with Lebedoff discussed topics ranging from writers’ block to sources of inspiration and working in coffee shops. Watch Matters of Fact on the TPT website.
Star Tribune talks with Auggies about new thrift store
Mary-Laurel True, director of community engagement at Augsburg, spoke with the Star Tribune about Augsburg College’s involvement in the development of a thrift store founded and operated by young girls in the East African community. True was instrumental in helping the store get off the ground through her work with Augsburg MBA students who developed a business plan for the store founders. President Paul Pribbenow and Bruce Batten, director of the MBA program, were quoted in the story. Read “Minneapolis thrift store offers retail experience, grass-roots style.”
Michael Wentzel talks with KSTP TV about BBQ, beer, cancer
Michael Wentzel, assistant professor of chemistry at Augsburg College, spoke with KSTP TV about a new study that shows marinating meat in dark beer reduces the cancer-causing carcinogens that form when grilling. Wentzel said that a chemical in beer is shown to lessen the formation of harmful molecules during the grilling process and, therefore, can help lower the harm to people who eat grilled meats. Watch the KSTP story “Augsburg chemist: Marinating meat in beer reduces cancer-causing chemicals.”
Christopher Smith talks to Pioneer Press and Star Tribune
Augsburg College’s Christopher Smith, assistant professor of education, recently spoke with the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune about legislative efforts to repeal basic-skills exams for teachers. Smith, who co-chaired the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force, told media that although the majority of the task force members supported repeal of the exams, the group was not recommending repeal of teacher accountability. The Pioneer Press article was titled “Minnesota House Panel considers plan to eliminate teacher skills test,” and the Star Tribune piece was titled “Basic-skills exam for teachers remains despite efforts to scrap it.”
Christian Science Monitor talks to Hans Wiersma
Hans Wiersma, associate professor of religion, spoke with the Christian Science Monitor about whether a Baptist church in Kansas could continue after the passing of its charismatic founder. Fred Phelps Sr., the founder of Westboro Baptist Church, which is best known for picketing military funerals to show its opposition to homosexuality, recently was admitted to hospice care. Read Wiersma’s comments in the article “Could Westboro Baptist survive without founder Fred Phelps.”
MinnPost arts round-up includes Augsburg’s ‘Peer Gynt’
A first-ever collaboration between the theater departments of Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota on a production of Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” received news coverage in MinnPost. The ground-breaking production will take theatergoers on a fantastic voyage that includes oversized birds and trolls, original music and simultaneous scenes, all while attendees and performers travel a quarter-mile portion of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Read the full column on the MinnPost website.