Augsburg’s David E. Venne, assistant professor of physics, recently was featured in Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Outdoors” where he spoke about astronomy and his hobby, astrophotography. To see some of his photography of the cosmos, visit his Astrobin page.
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.
A recent Steamboat Today article described the involvement of Augsburg College’s Center for Global Education in helping Colorado Mountain College students explore South Africa’s social and cultural aspects through an experiential learning opportunity. Read “CMC class trades essays and finals for trip to South Africa” on the newspaper website. Harry Boyte, co-director of Augsburg College’s Center for Democracy Citizenship, recently published the article “Beyond Mandela — South Africa’s Lesson for the World” on the Huffington Post. Read the story online. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet on March 1 will deliver the keynote speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. His Holiness, the spiritual leader of Tibetans and Buddhists worldwide, will speak on topics of faith, peace and human values. “At the heart of Augsburg’s mission are our commitments to educating informed global citizens and to embracing the links between faith and learning,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “The opportunity to host His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum offers our students an inspiring example of someone who has lived out his faith to make peace and to make a difference.” His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in honor of his opposition to the use of violence and advocacy of peaceful solutions founded upon tolerance and mutual respect. The strategies used by His Holiness, who at the time served as the religious and political leader of the Tibetan people, were undertaken to allow preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of his people. His constructive solutions extend beyond human rights advocacy to include global environmental problems. Continue reading “His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama delivers keynote speech at Nobel Peace Prize Forum” Augsburg College JIVE will perform January 24 at the Cedar Cultural Center to benefit victims and families of the New Year’s Day fire on Cedar Avenue. The fire, which claimed the lives of three residents who lived in the apartments above 516 Cedar Ave. S., destroyed the Otanga Grocery Store and displaced tenants of 10 residential units. “Augsburg has a very long history of working with our neighborhood. We are honored to partner with our neighbors and to support our friends who have been impacted by this tragedy,” said Mary Laurel True, director of community engagement for the College’s Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning. The benefit, a collaboration between Augsburg College, The Cedar, and KFAI radio, will feature musicians who represent the cultural past and present of the West Bank neighborhood. Entertainers include: Spider John Koerner, The Brass Messengers, Martin Devaney, Phil Heywood, Jon Rodine, Southside Desire, DJ Go Getta with SYAV (Somali Youth Against Violence). Continue reading “Augsburg JIVE to perform at benefit for our Somali neighbors” Members of the Augsburg College community were featured in a range of print and broadcast media stories that had broad local, state, national and international impact. Faculty, students, and staff shared their expertise on scholarship and pedagogy, experience as Auggies, and insight on current and special events. Here are the top 15 stories from 2013. The stories listed below – in chronological order – are only a small fraction of the many times Auggies made the news and celebrated accomplishments. Hans Wiersma, associate professor of religion, was part of a Christian Science Monitor article that discussed devout Muslim Nidal Malik Hasan’s request for a Bible. Read the article online. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people in Fort Hood, Texas, during 2009. Timothy D. Pippert, associate professor of sociology, was quoted in an NPR story on the manner in which colleges shape their image while marketing to prospective students. Pippert discussed findings from the review of more than 10,000 images and research conducted with Augsburg undergraduate students. Read or listen to the story on the NPR website. MINNEAPOLIS – Members of the public are invited to sign a “Book of Condolences” Dec. 10-13 to honor the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela and to mourn the loss of this world icon. The book is sponsored by the Honorable LaJune Thomas Lange ’75, who serves as Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa for the State of Minnesota. Continue reading “Augsburg College hosts public ‘Book of Condolences’ to honor President Nelson Mandela” LaJune Lange, an Augsburg College Board of Regents member and South Africa consul general, spoke about Nelson Mandela on WCCO-TV following the death of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.View the news story on the WCCO website.
Center for Global Education recognized for work in South Africa
Harry Boyte writes for Huffington Post
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama delivers keynote speech at Nobel Peace Prize Forum
March 1 presentation to deliver messages on faith, peace, human values
Augsburg JIVE to perform at benefit for our Somali neighbors
Top 15 Auggie News Stories of 2013
Hans Wiersma speaks with Christian Science Monitor
Tim Pippert discusses research on college marketing materials
Augsburg College hosts public ‘Book of Condolences’ to honor President Nelson Mandela
Augsburg College Regent LaJune Lange appears on WCCO