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.
Augsburg’s Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first graduating class on Saturday night. Several members of the graduating Class of 1997 as well as many other graduates and professors attended.
A reception was held at 4 p.m. in the Oren Gateway Center, with a dinner and program following at 5:30 p.m. in the Christensen Center.
“It was truly special to have so many classmates and original faculty join us to celebrate,” says David Barlow, a graduate of the Class of 1997 and current assistant professor in the program. “We are fortunate to be part of a fabulous profession that makes a difference in so many lives.” Continue reading “PA Program Celebrates 10 Years of Graduates”→
This year Augsburg College is celebrating Augsburg’s past, present and future during Homecoming, Oct. 8-13, “Auggie Adventure.” The week begins on Monday, Oct. 8 with a student kick-off event, coronation of homecoming king and queen and pep rally. Other events scheduled throughout the week include the ASAC Homecoming Variety Show, International Student Homecoming Reception, and the Pan-Afrikan Alumni Reception on Oct. 10.
On Thursday, Oct. 11 the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet will be held from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., recognizing those who have participated in the long and proud athletic history of Augsburg College. The week continues with the Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct. 12, beginning at 10 a.m., honoring the Distinguished Alumni, First Decade and Spirit of Augsburg Award recipients. Beginning at 2 p.m., a Campaign Celebration and tour of the new Oren Gateway Center will begin. Continue reading “Homecoming 2007 – "Auggie Adventure"”→
The Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium will be held Sept. 24 and 25, with speaker Dr. Rolf Jacobson, writer and educator. Jacobson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and associate editor of “Word and World.” He also taught at Augsburg College from 2000-2003.
Jacobson’s two-day theme is “Everyday Life in Light of the Gospel.”
Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. “Why Do You Weep?” Sadness, Grief and the Gospel
Sept. 25, 11 a.m. “How Can I keep From Singing?” Laughter, Joy and the Gospel
Both events are free and open to the public and will be held in Hoversten Chapel.
The Center for Global Education, Augsburg Abroad and the Pan-Afrikan Student Union are celebrating National Braai Day on Monday, Sept. 24 with a barbecue in Murphy Park beginning at 4:30 p.m.
For South Africans, a braai is a community-wide event filled with food, dancing and good conversation. The Augsburg community is invited to attend this barbecue with a South-African twist.
Augsburg is launching the Vocatio Chapel series on Sept. 19, at 10:20 a.m. with Nobel-Prize laureate and alumnus Dr. Peter Agre. The yearlong chapel series will focus on the theme “Science as Vocation.” Agre will speak about his calling to work in the field of chemistry.
Agre received his B.A. from Augsburg College and his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In 2003, Agre received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his discovery of the long-sought “channels” that regulate and facilitate water molecule transport through cell membranes, a process essential to all living organisms. Continue reading “Dr. Peter Agre '70 to Launch Vocatio Chapel Series”→
One by one, 16 classrooms in Old Main, Foss Center, and Science Hall were transformed over the summer from tired, outdated rooms into lighter, brighter, more comfortable, and more flexible spaces. Worn carpets, dim lighting, and tablet-arm chairs gave way to new carpeting and paint, whiteboards that replaced blackboards, user-friendly technology, and tables and chairs. It’s all part of a plan to improve the teaching and learning spaces across campus to better meet student and faculty needs.
The project began in spring 2006 when Dean Barbara Farley and David Warch led a small group of faculty and staff to explore current thinking and research about the kinds of spaces—both formal and informal—where teaching and learning occurs. The goal was to design areas that support multiple teaching and learning styles, and that offer easy-to-use technologies. For instance, rather than individual desks or chairs with tablet arms, small tables and chairs better provide for multiple room arrangements and configurations. Continue reading “"16 Classrooms Project" Complete”→
Several Augsburg theatre alumni have joined forces to create and stage the musical “Love and War,” now showing at Pioneer Place in St. Cloud.
Michael Kelley ’04 and Tim McVean ’05 and friend Josh Iley co-star, Sarah Nargang ’04 directs, and James Lekatz ’07 choreographs. The show also features a four-piece live band.
“Love and War” features a series of letters, poems, and music relating to soldiers and their loved ones at home. It incorporates video, precision sound, lighting techniques, and unique choreography and music, and takes place amidst nearly three tons of dirt. Continue reading “Theatre Alumni Produce "Love and War"”→
Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg’s Director of Events and Conferences, was part of the team that helped the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) earn the “Spirit of Excellence – Chapter of the Year” award for the second year in a row. None of the 40 other ISES chapters has ever won this award two years running.
Jodi, who is now the Midwest Regional Vice President for ISES after serving as president of the local chapter in 2005, spoke at the ISES International Education Conference in Montreal, Quebec, in August of this year. She represented seven chapters in the Midwest, including Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Columbus.
The Spirit of Excellence award recognizes chapters that are excelling in the areas of communications, membership, programming and education, and special projects. Jodi also won an “ISES Esprit” award for “Best Team Effort” with a team of 11 other event professionals from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The award was given for the “ISES Minnesota Star Awards,” a local awards ceremony Jodi started three years ago for ISES members. Continue reading “Jodi Collen Achieves International Excellence with ISES”→
On Monday, Sept. 17, Augsburg College will host nationally recognized speaker, trainer and performer Elaine Penn for a mini-convocation entitled “Be the Change: Help Create a Better World.” The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will be followed by lunch and conversation in the East Commons (class schedules will not change).
The presentation will focus on diversity, leadership and building an inclusive campus community. This mini-convocation is part of an all-day event in which Elaine will also speak to student athletes, faculty and staff.
Elaine’s background as a campus professional, college coach, athlete and musician has helped her speak (and sing) with college audiences since 1996. She received her Master of Education Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1988. Continue reading “Penn Presents Mini-Convocation on Monday”→
The Auggie Student Involvement Fair will be held on Friday, September 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Christensen Center Main Lobby.
The fair-style event allows students to learn about student organizations at Augsburg. Anywhere from 30 to 35 student organizations will be represented.
“Every student on campus should attend the Auggie Student Involvement Fair,” says Will O’Berry, assistant director of Campus Activities and Orientation and organizer of the event. “There is something to interest everyone. And if there is not, the Campus Activities staff is always present to assist with the formation of new groups with new ideas.”
The activities fair is just one of the support mechanisms provided
for student organizations through Campus Activities and Orientation.
Augsburg’s Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first graduating class on Saturday night. Several members of the graduating Class of 1997 as well as many other graduates and professors attended.
This year Augsburg College is celebrating Augsburg’s past, present and future during Homecoming, Oct. 8-13, “Auggie Adventure.” The week begins on Monday, Oct. 8 with a student kick-off event, coronation of homecoming king and queen and pep rally. Other events scheduled throughout the week include the ASAC Homecoming Variety Show, International Student Homecoming Reception, and the Pan-Afrikan Alumni Reception on Oct. 10.
The Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium will be held Sept. 24 and 25, with speaker Dr. Rolf Jacobson, writer and educator. Jacobson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and associate editor of “Word and World.” He also taught at Augsburg College from 2000-2003.
The Center for Global Education, Augsburg Abroad and the Pan-Afrikan Student Union are celebrating National Braai Day on Monday, Sept. 24 with a barbecue in Murphy Park beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Augsburg is launching the Vocatio Chapel series on Sept. 19, at 10:20 a.m. with Nobel-Prize laureate and alumnus Dr. Peter Agre. The yearlong chapel series will focus on the theme “Science as Vocation.” Agre will speak about his calling to work in the field of chemistry.
One by one, 16 classrooms in Old Main, Foss Center, and Science Hall were transformed over the summer from tired, outdated rooms into lighter, brighter, more comfortable, and more flexible spaces. Worn carpets, dim lighting, and tablet-arm chairs gave way to new carpeting and paint, whiteboards that replaced blackboards, user-friendly technology, and tables and chairs. It’s all part of a plan to improve the teaching and learning spaces across campus to better meet student and faculty needs.
Several Augsburg theatre alumni have joined forces to create and stage the musical “Love and War,” now showing at Pioneer Place in St. Cloud.
Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg’s Director of Events and Conferences, was part of the team that helped the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) earn the “Spirit of Excellence – Chapter of the Year” award for the second year in a row. None of the 40 other ISES chapters has ever won this award two years running.
On Monday, Sept. 17, Augsburg College will host nationally recognized speaker, trainer and performer Elaine Penn for a mini-convocation entitled “Be the Change: Help Create a Better World.” The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will be followed by lunch and conversation in the East Commons (class schedules will not change).
The Auggie Student Involvement Fair will be held on Friday, September 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Christensen Center Main Lobby.