Augsburg MFA in Creative Writing mentor Jack El-Hai recently won the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction for his book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII.” El-Hai’s book tells the story of the remarkable relationship between Army psychiatrist Capt. Douglas M. Kelley and the elite of the captured Nazi regime, particularly Hermann Goring. As noted in the Star Tribune, El-Hai’s previous Book Award was for “The Lobotomist.” Visit the Star Tribune website to read, “Winners of the Minnesota Book Awards announced.”
David Murr ’92 discusses space weather with Star Tribune
David Murr ’92, Augsburg College associate professor of physics, was quoted in a recent Star Tribune science brief on advances in solar storm detection. Murr discussed researchers’ efforts to help governments and industry develop better assessments of the risks solar storms pose to the world’s technological infrastructure. Read the brief on the Star Tribune website.
Devean George ’99 featured in Star Tribune column
A housing project being developed by Augsburg alumnus Devean George ’99 was one of several items featured in a Star Tribune business column. The piece described George’s recent talk at an annual fundraiser for a North Side land trust that works to help families buy refurbished homes. George, who retired from the NBA in 2011, is readying to break ground on a multi-use project that will offer retail space and apartments in the neighborhood in which he was raised. Read Neal St. Anthony’s column, “Horizontal Integration of Minnetonka praised for sustained growth.”
Christopher Smith talks to Pioneer Press and Star Tribune
Augsburg College’s Christopher Smith, assistant professor of education, recently spoke with the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune about legislative efforts to repeal basic-skills exams for teachers. Smith, who co-chaired the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force, told media that although the majority of the task force members supported repeal of the exams, the group was not recommending repeal of teacher accountability. The Pioneer Press article was titled “Minnesota House Panel considers plan to eliminate teacher skills test,” and the Star Tribune piece was titled “Basic-skills exam for teachers remains despite efforts to scrap it.”
Devean George ’99 redevelopment project featured in Star Tribune
A redevelopment project by Auggie Devean George ’99, a former professional basketball player, was the focus of a Star Tribune business article by Neal St. Anthony. The story explores George’s childhood growing up on the North Side of Minneapolis, the inspiration for his commitment to his community, and also includes quotes from Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. Read “Developer Devean George is a player in North Side redevelopment.”
March 15 Regional Spelling Bee covered in Star Tribune
Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune writes about the upcoming Regional Spelling Bee to be at Augsburg College on March 15. This is the second year that Augsburg will host 50 middle- and junior-high school students who will compete for a chance to go to Washington, D.C., for the national event. Read “Minnesota’s field of 5 for National Spelling Bee nearly complete.”
Star Tribune writes about high-tech nature of Peace Prize Forum
Maureen Reed, executive director of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, spoke with the Star Tribune about the work of the Forum to bring Peace Prize Winners to the doorstep of Minnesotans. In addition, the story explored how the Forum has a global reach through the use of livestreaming technology that during 2014 brought in virtual attendees from nearly 45 countries. Read “Nobel Peace Prize Forum brings laureates, high-tech.”
Provost Kaivola talks to Star Tribune about first winter
Augsburg College Provost Karen Kaivola spoke with Star Tribune reporter Bill McAuliffe about the experiences of her first winter in Minnesota. Kaivola, who joined the College last summer after decades in Florida and spoke with McAuliffe for his story on the start of meteorological spring, said her first winter was “beyond the realm of her imagination” and that she is looking forward to spring, whatever that might mean. Certainly, Kaivola deserves kudos for surviving a winter that has nearly broken even native Minnesotans. Read the story on the Star Tribune website.
Heather Riddle discusses Give to the Max Day in Star Tribune article
Heather Riddle, Augsburg’s vice president of Institutional Advancement, was quoted in a recent Star Tribune article on the results of GiveMN’s annual Give the the Max Day. Riddle discussed how Augsburg staff and volunteers responded to technical difficulties with the GiveMN.org website. Visit the Star Tribune website to read, “Minnesotans donated record $17,145,000 on Give to Max Day.”
Augsburg College’s Give to the Max Day campaign also was mentioned in an Associated Press article on GiveMN website difficulties. The story was picked up by media ranging from WRAL radio in North Carolina to KAAL-TV in southern Minnesota and from the San Francisco Chronicle to The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
Andy Aoki discusses election in Star Tribune and on MinnPost
Andy Aoki, chair of political science, spoke with Star Tribune columnist Gail Rosenblum last week on why voters do and do not turn out at the polls during elections. Read “Did you vote? Thanks. Here’s why you did it” in the Star Tribune.
Aoki also was interviewed for the article, “Election seems to signal the ascension of a new Minneapolis DFL” on the MinnPost website. In this article, Aoki discussed turnout numbers in varying Minneapolis wards.