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Kuoth Wiel ’14 continues ‘The Good Lie’ benevolence

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ANCLogoKuoth Wiel ’14 appeared in an article by aNewsCafe – a California-based online news magazine – about a screening of the film “The Good Lie” sponsored by Genocide No More-Save Darfur, an organization aimed at bringing awareness of genocide in Sudan and aiding Sudanese refugees.

Wiel, who was a star in the film and continues her own humanitarian efforts, will make an appearance at the screening and partake in a question and answer session after the viewing.

To read about Wiel and learn more about Genocide No More-Save Darfur, visit the aNewsCafe news site.

Augsburg grad joins distinguished medical practice

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logo-3Bruce Cunningham ’77 was featured by the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal after joining the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minn., as a family physician.

Cunningham, who is a longtime Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree form Augsburg College and earned his Doctor of Osteopathy at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Iowa.

To read the article, visit the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal site.

EAST program scholars talk with Minnesota Public Radio

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MPRLogoMinnesota Public Radio’s Tim Post profiled Augsburg College’s East African Student to Teacher (EAST) program, which works to recruit and train teachers of East African descent in an effort to help close the K-12 achievement gap.

The program, directed by Audrey Lensmire, assistant professor of education, told Post that by “having more teachers of color in our K-12 system, their professional voice will be shared by their colleagues.”

Post spoke with two current EAST scholars, Abdiasis Hirsi and Asma Ibrahim. Hirsi, who teaches at Wellstone International High School, was born in Somalia and raised in Kenya. He shared with Post that when he was only 19, Hirsi helped start a school in Nairobi to teach English to Somali refugees. Ibrahim, who shared with Post that she was born in Pakistan to Somali refugees, said she had a difficult time as a student in connecting with her teachers in Owatonna. She hopes to become a teacher to help students who are like her become comfortable enough to learn.

EAST is funded by the Collaborative Urban Educator Program and received $390,000 for two school years including 2013-14 to 2014-15. Additional funding is now being sought from the Minnesota State Legislature. State Sen. Kari Dziedzic has introduced a bill to nearly double funding over the next two years.

Listen or read “East African teachers connect with younger versions of themselves” on the website of MPR News. Learn more about the EAST program.

Matt Beckman adviser to award-winning high-school researcher at Breck School

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AmInEngSocAssistant Professor of  Biology Matt Beckman spoke with the Star Tribune about the work he is doing as an adviser to a Breck School senior doing research on 200-year-old pollen samples.

Grant Two Bulls, a member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe, won the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s competition through his work and which is providing a look at the lives of his ancestors when they lived near Lake Calhoun.

“Here’s a high school senior doing pretty high-level research and then taking that data and speaking to national audiences about it in a really impressive way,” Beckman said to Kim McGuire, a reporter at the Star Tribune.

Read about the partnership between Beckman and Breck School in “Breck student’s science project is an award-winning mix of American Indian history and science.”

Learn about another Breck School student, Taylor McCanna, who was coached by David Murr, physics professor. McCanna took second place in one of the most prestigious international science fairs for her work with Murr.

Janelle Holte ’14 joins Peace Corps

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Janelle Holte ’14 has been accepted into the Midwest Peace Corps, according to the Aitkin Age.

Through volunteering, Holte will work to identify resources and agriculture projects that can be developed and implemented to generate income. She will also facilitate training in farm management and work with schools to enhance and expand environmental education.

Holte, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and communications, will join 202 Minnesota residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. She will serve in Jamaica.

“As I traveled more, studied abroad in college and volunteered, I realized that I thrive off of new experiences, meeting new people, and giving back to others any way I am able to,” Holte said in an interview.

Read “Aitkin’s Holte accepted into Peace Corps.”

Harry Boyte talks special education and civil rights

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Huffington-PostIn his latest Huffington Post article, Harry Boyte, Augsburg’s Sabo Senior Fellow, discussed special education and how it has become part of a “new” civil rights movement.

In the article, Boyte says that Augsburg College is a school that has gotten it right.

“The Augsburg special education program, dedicated to changing the entire special education profession from an approach which seeks to fix “problem kids” to an empowering pedagogy called Public Achievement which develops their public skills, is an outstanding example,” Boyte wrote in the article.

Read “The march is not over yet: a different education for the 21st century,” on the Huffington Post news site.

Jim Miles ’14 MBA writes first book, starts publishing company

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54f5e8514c92e.imageJim Miles ’14 MBA was featured by the Hibbing Daily Tribune for publishing his first book and launching a digital publishing company.

Miles’ book, “Hero,” is based on a comic book superhero-type but is written in novel form. In the Daily Tribune article, he describes it as a “genre-breaking novel for middle readers.”

Wrobel Street Publishing, Miles’ new company through which he published his novel, was named after his family members.

Miles holds a master’s degree from Augsburg College.

Brent Peroutka ’02 appears in Faribault Daily News

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54fdccabcd876.imageBrent Peroutka ’02 was featured in the Faribault Daily News due to his career in finance and community achievements.

Peroutka, who is a financial advisor at Comprehensive Wealth Solutions in Faribault, says the best part of his day is helping his clients achieve their goals.

“We can make a difference each and every day, whether it’s at home, at work, or in the community,” Peroutka said.

Peroutka holds a business administration/finance degree from Augsburg College and a master of business administration from St. Thomas University.

To read the article, visit the Faribault Daily News site.

Mai Vang ’14 interviewed by Pioneer Press

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logo-smallMai Vang ’14 appeared in a Pioneer Press article about the increase in socio-economic achievements for those in the Hmong community in the Twin Cities.

Vang, who’s family settled here in the 1970s, said hard work and determination has brought increased success for herself and others in the Hmong community in recent years.

Her parents, Vang said, motivated her to “…go to school and be successful.”

Vang holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Augsburg College.

To read the article, visit the Pioneer Press news site.

Sabrina Fiester ’15 takes part in MHTA legislative reception

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Sabrina Fiester ’15 was mentioned in a Minnesota High Tech Association article that described her role in a legislative reception held by the Twin Cities-based organization.

Fiester interns through the SciTechsperience Internship Program, which connects college students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with paid internships. She met with others in the science and technology community to discuss scientific innovation at the Science Museum of Minnesota.