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River Semester media attention grows as class travels down-river

Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 2.35.52 PM[Updated November 13] — The Augsburg College River Semester, created and led by Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science, departed from St. Paul’s Harriet Island on September 1. As part of the kickoff, the River Semester class was joined by a group of nearly 100 students, parents, high school students and members of the Augsburg College community who paddled in a flotilla of 24-foot voyageur canoes from St. Paul to South St. Paul. Students participating in the semester-long program will earn as many as 16 credits in the arts, humanities, and sciences as they travel nearly 2,000 miles of the 2,350-mile Mississippi River.

The River Semester kickoff garnered a range of attention. Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed September 1 “Augsburg College River Semester Day” and many media outlets covered the launch of the class.

Since the students and faculty departed on their voyage, print and broadcast media have been sharing the story of this hands-on, interdisciplinary program. In fact, multiple stories have been picked up by the Associated Press and shared through the AP’s member media throughout the nation.

A snapshot of the ongoing media coverage is below. As additional coverage occurs, it will be added to this post.

November 9

October 16

  • The Mississippi River is their classroom, The Hawk Eye, Burlington (Iowa)

October 15

  • College student trekking down the Mississippi, White Bear (Minnesota) Press

October 8

September 29

Continue reading “River Semester media attention grows as class travels down-river”

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:

Bill Nye presentation garners media attention

Bill Nye addressed 1,800 people at Augsburg College on Valentine’s Day 2015 and shared his love for science. The sold-out event, titled “How Science Can Save the World,” was part of Augsburg’s annual Scholarship Weekend.

Scholarship Weekend happens every spring and gives prospective students the chance to meet with future classmates and professors, and to interview or audition for the President’s Scholarship and for Fine Arts Scholarships.

Local media outlets that covered Bill Nye’s appearance include:

Carol Enke receives Marie Berg Award, appears on KSTP

Screen Shot 2015-02-06 at 1.39.40 PMThe Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership, organizers of the Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day, recognized inspiring and influential leaders on February 4. Carol Enke, an Augsburg College health-physical education instructor, was honored at the event with the Marie Berg Award for Excellence in Education and later appeared on KSTP-TV in a story about the event.

CSBR donation garners media attention

CSBR2Augsburg College received an array of media coverage due to a $10 million donation made to the Center for Science, Business and Religion.

The donation will go toward naming a new building that will be used for the College’s biology, business, chemistry, computer science, math, physics, psychology, and religion programs.

Media coverage on the donation included the following:

Visit the CSBR site to learn more about the campaign.

Jennifer Simon talks about powwow with KSTP

Jennifer Simon is interviewed on cameraJennifer Simon, director of Augsburg College’s American Indian Student Services, talked to KSTP TV about the College’s 6th Traditional Powwow. Simon shared highlights of the powwow, including recognition of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for a gift of $250,000 for endowed scholarships to support American Indian students.  Watch “Traditional Powwow at Augsburg College Thanks Local Sioux Tribe.”

A version of the story also was featured on KAAL-TV in Rochester and can be viewed on KAAL-TV.

Michael Wentzel talks with KSTP TV about BBQ, beer, cancer

Mike Wentzel talks to KSTPMichael Wentzel, assistant professor of chemistry at Augsburg College, spoke with KSTP TV about a new study that shows marinating meat in dark beer reduces the cancer-causing carcinogens that form when grilling. Wentzel said that a chemical in beer is shown to lessen the formation of harmful molecules during the grilling process and, therefore, can help lower the harm to people who eat grilled meats. Watch the KSTP story “Augsburg chemist: Marinating meat in beer reduces cancer-causing chemicals.”

Joe Erickson featured on KSTP 5

Joe Erickson, professor of education, was featured in a story about the impact of school cancellations due to weather on the learning of K-12 students. Erickson said “time on task” is key in student learning and that since schools have closed a total of five days, it may be beneficial for the state to push back standardized tests.