The Hibbing Daily Tribune wrote about Mike Fuenffinger ’15, a Hibbing native who recently won his second consecutive NCAA Division III national title while wrestling at Augsburg College. He also was named outstanding wrestler of the NCAA tournament and then was named the NCAA 2015 Division III Wrestler of the Year.
Hibbing Daily Tribune touts Mike Fuenffinger as
WCCO-TV story features Augsburg Commencement ceremony
In the WCCO-TV story “Augsburg College Celebrates Its Most Diverse Graduating Class In History,” Commencement participant Promise Okeke ’15 described his drive for an undergraduate degree and experiences at Augsburg.
The story also showed images of Augsburg’s traditional undergraduate Commencement event on May 2, noting that approximately 30 percent of the undergraduate Class of 2015 is comprised of students of color.
MPR features Midnimo program’s Aar Maanta residency
The Cedar Cultural Center and several other Minneapolis organizations hosted popular London-based Somali singer Aar Maanta in early April 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 Minnesota Public Radio story “Aar Maanta is the voice of a new Somali generation” discussed the ways in which Aar Maanta’s music resonates with Minnesotans and rejuvenates the Somali music scene.
Augsburg expands commitment to undocumented, DACA students
Augsburg College, on April 7, will recommit and expand its commitment to educating students of ability regardless of citizenship and immigration status in support of United We Dream’s National Institution Coming Out Day.
“We recognize that intellectually talented students of ability come from all walks of life,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow.
“Increasingly, undocumented students are raised right here, in the United States. Augsburg – and every higher education institution – must heed the call to educate students of ability. It is through this call that our colleges and universities can secure economic prosperity not only for students, but for our state and nation.”
Since 2007, Augsburg has set the bar among colleges and universities in Minnesota in its work with undocumented students. For example, Augsburg, for years, has fully reviewed applications of undocumented and/or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students who graduate from high schools in the United States. These student applications are considered for admission and for all types of private financial aid offered by Augsburg. Undocumented and DACA students admitted to Augsburg College are not classified as international students and are not distinguished from domestic students. Continue reading “Augsburg expands commitment to undocumented, DACA students”
Augsburg hosts Native American powwow
Augsburg College was mentioned by the Twin Cities Daily Planet as a result of the traditional powwow held annually by the college.
The event, which was sponsored by the Augsburg American Indian Student Association and American Indian Student Services, featured traditional Native American dancers, drummers, singers, and food.
To learn more about Augsburg’s annual powwow, visit the Twin Cities Daily Planet news site.
Augsburg wrestling’s record win draws media attention
In mid-March, Augsburg College won its 12th NCAA Division III wrestling championship and took home a number of awards from the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Head coach Jim Moulsoff was named Division III National Coach of the Year and Division III Rookie Coach of the Year. Tony Valek ’12 was named Assistant Coach of the Year, and Mike Fuenffinger ’15 won his second national title and the Outstanding Wrestler honor. Eric Hensel ’16 won Most Falls in Least Time, and Donny Longendyke ’15 earned his first national title.
Media coverage of Augsburg’s NCAA Championship win includes the following:
- The Daily News – “Moulsoff puts Augsburg back on top”
- KSTP – “Augsburg wrestling wins D-III Championship”
- NCAA video recap – “Augsburg wins the 2015 DIII Wrestling Championship”
- Star Tribune – “NCAA wrestling: St. Cloud State, Augsburg win national titles”
- White Bear Press – “Longendyke pins down national title”
- Jordan Independent – “Valek named DIII assistant wrestling coach of the year”
Augsburg College recognized for Muslim student organization
Augsburg College was mentioned in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as part of an article about Muslim student associations that boast women in leadership roles.
Augsburg’s Muslim Student Association, led by Muna Mohamed ’16, aims to promote unity among Muslim students and to raise awareness within the Augsburg community about the culture, history, and language of the Muslim community.
To learn more about Augsburg’s Muslim Student Association and similar organizations at other campuses, visit the Star Tribune news site.
EAST program scholars talk with Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota 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.
Mai Vang ’14 interviewed by Pioneer Press
Mai 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
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.