We are excited to introduce the selected Peace Scholars for the 2023-2024 academic school year. Through a vigorous application and interview process, Theresa Akinjo and Heidi Danielsen, have shown that they are the strongest candidates to this program, and we are proud to know they will be representing Augsburg University while in Norway.

Alongside other Peace Scholars from our Lutheran sister sites (Concordia College, Luther College, Pacific Lutheran College and St. Olaf College), these two students will participate in the annual summer Peace Scholars program in Norway, designed to deepen students’ understanding of the central issues and theories regarding conflict, war and peace, as well as attend the University of Oslo International Summer School.

We want to thank Gary Smaby (The Smaby Family Foundation) and Liv Dahl for their generous financial support.

Theresa Akinjo is a rising senior studying Biopsychology. She is a first-generation Nigerian born and raised in Minnesota.

Theresa is a member of the Sankofa Circle Fellowship, where students are instilled with west African principles of success to further educate and dismantle anti-black racism and oppression as they continue onto their professional careers, whilst learning about the importance of equity and inclusion.

Alongside having a dedication to social justice and equity in the Black/African community, Theresa hopes to promote black physical and mental wellness and eradicate health disparities towards all marginalized communities. A lover of architecture and home design, Theresa dreams of designing homes to participate in an integrated affordable housing program.

Heidi Danielson is a rising junior at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN where she is majoring in Social Work. Previously she was involved in the Albert H. Small Normandy Institute, a rigorous program designed to fill in the educational gaps in World War II history. In the Normandy Institute, Heidi explored the societal impacts of World War II, published a biography for a fallen soldier, and gave a eulogy at the Normandy American Cemetery.

Her experience in France fostered a passion for international peace relations through seeing the gravity of loss and the atrocities committed during times of war. Outside of school, Heidi works as a daycare teacher and gymnastics coach, advocating for affordable, empathetic childcare.

In the future, Heidi strives to pursue a career in hospital social work and increase healthcare accessibility for marginalized communities. She hopes to use peace building skills to create a more equitable environment in her remaining time at college and later career.

Lecture on Conflict Resolution in Ukraine

Dr. Steinar Bryn shared his wisdom, thoughts and ideas regarding the complicated war on Ukraine on March 9, 2023. Several students—studying political science, social work as well as our two newly selected Peace Scholars— joined us in this important conversation.

Bryn has been a longtime friend of Augsburg University, especially due to his important work at the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue in Lillehammer (Norway), and has been instrumental in the Peace Scholars program (including our 5 sister colleges founded by Norwegian immigrants) for several years. Back in 2017, our Interfaith Scholars participated in dialogue training taught by Steinar Bryn as well.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and obtained a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. He has been connected to the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer throughout his working life, serving as a teacher, director and research scholar. From 1996 he took charge of Nansen Dialog, a dialogue and reconciliation project directed toward the Western Balkans. In that role, he facilitated several hundred dialogue meetings between people in deep conflict.

Dr. Steinar Bryn is recognized as one of the most experienced dialogue facilitators in Europe.

We had the pleasure of hosting the NORAM delegation to Augsburg’s campus early December 2022.

Noram (Norway America Association) is a non-profit membership association whose purpose is to strengthen the bonds between Norway and North America. The historical and political bonds between Norway, the United States and Canada are strong, and we have a shared value basis. NORAM works to ensure that new generations get to know each other on both sides of the Atlantic, including through study and research stays for Norwegians and North Americans over longer periods of time. For over 100 years, NORAM has strived for transatlantic cooperation and helped more than 5,000 students with scholarships and advising. 

If you are interested in checking out their resources (or applying for scholarships) please visit the Noram website.

On December 9, 2022, Paul Pribbenow had the privilege of conferring upon King Harald V an honorary degree from Augsburg University in recognition of His Majesty’s abiding support of Augsburg and our sister Norwegian-American colleges. It was a special moment to visit the castle in Oslo.

(Photo credit: Her Majesty Queen Sonja)

We are honored to say that Queen Sonja visited Minneapolis as Norway House opened its expansion on Franklin Avenue earlier this Fall 2022.

Our Norwegian exchange students had the honor of not just participating AND volunteering for the event, but also had a chance to meet a few other Norwegian Stars, like Morten Ramm og Erik Solbakken. As well as Mayor Jacob Frey. What a great opportunity for them!

JOIN US NOVEMBER 10, 2021

MIGRATION and IDENTITY

From 10.00 – 16.30

Curt Rice graduated from Augsburg in 1984, and has since then dedicated his life to education.  Curt and his wife, Tove Dahl (also an Augsburg alum and Dean of Skogfjorden, Concordia Language Village) have lived in Norway for decades, served in many higher education institutions, including OsloMet and the University of Tromsø.  Curt is ending his time at OsloMet to serve as the new rector of Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Augsburg’s Norway Hub and the ISSS office always look to create new and maintain established partnerships with Norwegian institutions.  We hope to add NMBU to our list of partners in the years to come.

Congratulations, Curt!

Media Release Link

#stayhome is the one of the biggest international slogans of March and of 2020, following the epidemic of Covid-19, forcing unprecedented changes to our lives, changes that most of us have never experienced before.

To prevent the spread of Coronavirus and to protect others, quarantine and lockdowns have been set in all over the world and people are encouraged to stay at home.

#stayhome has come out of this as a hashtag for people to share their activities and what they do when they stay at home during lockdown, and to encourage others to do the same instead of going outside.

Norwayhouse has put their own spin on this, with #blihjemme, a website with compilations of “koselige” (fun/cozy) things you can do at home. The site has compiled activities that you and your family can do at home while in quarantine and is updated every day with new content.

Follow the link to #blihjemme to check the page out and remember to stay updated on what is happening in your local news and on WHO’s public advice page for new information.

POSTPONED until further notice due to COVID-19

Thinking about studying in Norway in the near future?

Norway House is welcoming quests speakers to discuss higher education opportunities in Norway. Among them is the current Norwegian Ambassador to the USA, Kåre R. Aas, who will be promoting the possibilities and benefits of higher education in Norway.

This panel discussion is free and will take place at Norway House, Monday, March 16th, between 4:30 and 6:30. If you are interested in going, please sign up on the Facebook event page or by RSVP-ing on the Norway House event page (info@norwayhouse.org).

Augsburg University has many Norwegian partners that offer semester long exchanges. Please check in with the CGEE office on campus to design your own unique Norway study abroad experience.