As of fall 2025, news and media updates have been integrated with the Augsburg Now alumni publication. This site archives news stories from before September 16, 2025. Please visit augsburg.edu/now or select "Augsburg Now" from the left navigation for current news.
What power can an individual have in a world of 6.5 billion people? Augsburg College encourages us all to consider the power of vision in a world of tension. The 2008-2009 convocation series offers an opportunity to hear today’s outstanding leaders and visionaries who engage us in conversations that contribute to making the world a safer place for future generations.
This is the ninth annual series incorporating long-standing endowed and special programs of Augsburg College. The first convocation of the year is the Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium with lectures on October 6 and 7. The speaker is Martha E. Stortz, author and professor of historical theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/The Graduate Theological Union. Stortz will speak on “Costly Discipleship: Forgiveness as a Practice” and “Costly Citizenship: Regarding the Other in a Culture of Fear.” Continue reading “Christensen Symposium focuses on citizenship and discipleship”→
The Augsburg Community Garden started as a small seed and has sprouted into a beautiful space on campus. The garden has gathered much attention and promises even more action for the next year. In order to celebrate the garden’s achievements, a Harvest Garden Party will be held on Thursday, October 2 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Community Garden on the west edge of campus behind parking Lot G.
The garden began as part of the Campus Kitchens Project, Augsburg’s program that recycles leftover food and serves meals at places of need. The initial purpose was to grow food for Campus Kitchens. Also, the garden would host Community Health Originates in Creating Environmental Sustainability (Project CHOICES) to teach urban students about food production and nutrition. These students would grow produce and learn how to cook healthy meals. Continue reading “Community garden bears much fruit…and veggies”→
The first Inter-Religious Dialog of the academic year will focus on Eid ul-Fitr and Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the East Commons, Christensen Center. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to hear about these two important holidays for Muslims and Jews, respectively.
Mohamed Sallam, director of Pan-Afrikan Student Services, will present on Eid ul-Fitr and Barbara Lehmann, associate professor of Social Work, will present on Rosh Hashanah. Both will be assisted by students.
Traditional holiday food will be available for sampling. Small group sessions will allow for discussions about individual religious backgrounds. Individuals from a variety of religions are being encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Ross Murray at murray@augsburg.edu.
When she arrived at Augsburg last fall, Elisabeth Clemans was disappointed there wasn’t a pep band. So she did what any entrepreneurial Auggie would do–she started one herself.
Elisabeth, a social work major from Winona, Minn., was very involved in marching band and pep band in high school and wanted to continue the activity in college. Augsburg had neither, so Elisabeth settled for playing her flute in the concert band. “I didn’t have enough contacts my first year to start a pep band,” she said, but when she returned to campus in July to work as an orientation leader, she started making calls. Continue reading “The leader of the band”→
Tuesday, we gathered in the chapel to remember our student Ahmednur Ali, who was tragically killed on Monday night as he was leaving the Brian Coyle Center. Later in the afternoon, we held a special community time during which we shared information with faculty, staff and students about the incident and the ongoing investigation. We heard from the Somali community police liaison, Ahmed Hassan, and Augsburg director of public safety, John Pack. We continue to express our deep sympathy to the Ali family and friends and to attend to the needs of the Augsburg community.
I want to reiterate the many resources that are available to all of you on campus: Center for Counseling and Health Promotion, Campus Ministry, student activities and services staff, residence life staff–any of us who can be a conversation partner. Please take advantage of these services. Continue reading “Community response to tragedy — meeting today at noon”→
While many Mexicans are heading north to Minneapolis, Augsburg students Courtnie Higgins and Sarah Mueller have headed south for a semester at Augsburg´s Center for Global Education (CGE) campus in Minneapolis’ newest sister-city, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
For Higgins (pictured right), the decision to study abroad in Mexico came quite easily. “I wanted to experience a new language and culture. In particular, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the complexities in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. To me, this was an opportunity to immerse myself in a different way of life that Mexico could offer that other countries in Europe couldn’t.” The decision came with a bit more difficulty for Mueller (pictured left). “I never thought I wanted to study abroad, but the experience has proved to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It makes you see the world and your place in it differently.” Continue reading “Study Abroad — A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity”→
I am very sad to confirm that Ahmednur Ali, a third-year Augsburg
student, was shot and killed Monday evening in Currie Park,
approximately 6 blocks west of the Augsburg campus in Minneapolis. The shooting
occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 22, and the College received official
confirmation of the student’s identity early this morning.
Our prayers are with Ahmednur’s family and friends. The Augsburg community will gather to remember Ahmednur in the Foss
Chapel at 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
We also invite Augsburg faculty, staff and students to attend a special Community Time at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon in the Foss Chapel.
– Paul C. Pribbenow
President of Augsburg College
NOTE: Pillsbury United Communities has established a fund to help Ahmednur’s family with funeral expenses. If you would like to contribute, you can send donations to Jennifer Blevins, Brian Coyle Center director, at 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55454. Make checks payable to “PUC – Ahmednur Ali Funeral Fund.”
Peter Yarrow, of the famed folksinging group Peter, Paul, and Mary, will perform in the Quad on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Yarrow’s connections to Augsburg date back more than 20 years, when he became interested in travel through the Center for Global Education. In 1990 he led a travel seminar for artists and musicians to El Salvador and Nicaragua, and in 1994 he returned to El Salvador with a small group to study the Salvadoran elections. Over the years, Yarrow has hosted gatherings that benefit CGE, and he has served on its advisory board. In 1990 he gave the Commencement Address at Augsburg.
Yarrow has been a lifelong activist for social and political causes, and in 2000 established Operation Respect, which seeks to reduce school violence by providing school programs and information that teach children around the world tolerance and respect for each other. Continue reading “Folksinger Peter Yarrow sings in the Quad”→
Augsburg College will host a panel discussion entitled “With Respect to Iran and the West: An Interface of Politics and Religion” from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, exploring how the nuances of cultural and religious differences affect the political relationship between Iran and the West, with the premise that informed and respectful dialog can reduce international tensions.
The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights was created in January of 2006 by former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik (pictured) to encourage dialogue around the intersection of peace and religious practice. In 2007, the Oslo Center formalized a partnership with the Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilizations, which is headed by former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, to build bridges of understanding between the “Islamic World” and the “West.” The two organizations have jointly organized workshops in both Oslo and Tehran, focusing on fostering human rights, tolerance for diversity, and reducing religious extremism. Continue reading “Panel explores relationship between Iran and the West”→
Augsburg adjunct faculty Bradley Greenwald, baritone and Sonja Thompson, piano will perform Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” (Poet’s Love), the song cycle at the heart of Theater Latte Da’s “Old Wicked Songs.” Greenwald and Thompson will perform at the Guthrie Theater on Sept. 21, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. in the Dowling Studio.
Bradley Greenwald performs opera, theater, music-theater, concert and recital repertoire with several Twin Cities’ arts organizations, including Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, Jungle Theater, Nautilus Music-Theater, Minnesota Dance Theatre, VocalEssence, Minnesota Orchestra, Lyra Baroque Orchestra, 10,000 Things, Skylark Opera, and Ballet of the Dolls. Thompson is the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship in music, the McKnight Fellowship for Theater Artists, and a 2006 Ivey Award. Continue reading “Augsburg music faculty perform at Guthrie Theater”→
What power can an individual have in a world of 6.5 billion people? Augsburg College encourages us all to consider the power of vision in a world of tension. The 2008-2009 convocation series offers an opportunity to hear today’s outstanding leaders and visionaries who engage us in conversations that contribute to making the world a safer place for future generations.
The Augsburg Community Garden started as a small seed and has sprouted into a beautiful space on campus. The garden has gathered much attention and promises even more action for the next year. In order to celebrate the garden’s achievements, a Harvest Garden Party will be held on Thursday, October 2 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Community Garden on the west edge of campus behind parking Lot G.
The first Inter-Religious Dialog of the academic year will focus on Eid ul-Fitr and Rosh Hashanah at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the East Commons, Christensen Center. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to hear about these two important holidays for Muslims and Jews, respectively.
When she arrived at Augsburg last fall, Elisabeth Clemans was disappointed there wasn’t a pep band. So she did what any entrepreneurial Auggie would do–she started one herself.
While many Mexicans are heading north to Minneapolis, Augsburg students Courtnie Higgins and Sarah Mueller have headed south for a semester at Augsburg´s Center for Global Education (CGE) campus in Minneapolis’ newest sister-city, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Peter Yarrow, of the famed folksinging group Peter, Paul, and Mary, will perform in the Quad on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Augsburg College will host a panel discussion entitled “With Respect to Iran and the West: An Interface of Politics and Religion” from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, exploring how the nuances of cultural and religious differences affect the political relationship between Iran and the West, with the premise that informed and respectful dialog can reduce international tensions.
Augsburg adjunct faculty Bradley Greenwald, baritone and Sonja Thompson, piano will perform Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” (Poet’s Love), the song cycle at the heart of Theater Latte Da’s “Old Wicked Songs.” Greenwald and Thompson will perform at the Guthrie Theater on Sept. 21, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. in the Dowling Studio.