Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

Summer Parking Permits on sale TODAY

submitted by westa@augsburg.edu

Summer parking permits will go on sale Today, April 24th at 9:00am. You will need to register your vehicle in order to purchase a permit on parking services, if you have not already registered it. If you have, please check to make sure all of your vehicle information is correct.
If you have a valid 2017-2018 Augsburg parking permit from either the Fall, Spring, or the Year, this will be valid to park in surface lots A, B, D, K, and L for the duration of the Summer term without having to purchase an additional Summer term parking permit.
For more information please visit the Department of Public Safety website and click on the Summer Parking page.
Thank you!

Teaching and Learning

Writing Personal Statements for the Health Sciences

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

Wednesday, May 2
11 am
103 Hagfors Center

URGO is hosting a personal statement workshop for pre-health applicants with Naty Lopez, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Lopez is a nurse and counselor by training. She completed her doctoral studies in health professions education at the University of Pennsylvania. Please contact Catherina Kipper at kipper@augsburg.edu to RSVP.

Three’s a Crowd – But in a Good Way

submitted by pippert@augsburg.edu

Are you required to attend all the CTL events in May? Absolutely not!

Should you attend some? Absolutely!…and we agree with Provost Kaivola that picking 3 is a reasonable expectation.

The CTL Fellows have worked hard to offer sessions requested and designed by faculty and staff in a new format (4-Days in May v. “the May calendar”). The offerings are varied, designed to help with the pressing needs of the day, and have have been built around the goal of community building.

Full event schedule (May 8-11) and descriptions available:
http://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/

Questions? Visit our website or contact us at ctl@augsburg.edu

RSVP

How are Your Colleagues Teaching with Technology?

submitted by tensen@augsburg.edu

Please join us for an opportunity to observe how your colleagues are employing various learning technologies in their teaching and research. CTL will supply sandwiches so you can munch as you stroll the exhibits where the faculty listed below will provide brief demos of ways they are using Moodle and other learning technologies to enhance their teaching and scholarship.
Stu Anderson (Google Forms for peer review)
Nishesh Chalise (Screencasting)
Katie Clark (VoiceThread)
Carol Enke (Rubrics & Grading guides)
Jenny Hanson (Moodle quizzing)
Diane Pike (Vocaroo for grading)
Ana Ribeiro (Moodle Lesson)
Kaycee Rogers (annotated video)
John Schmit (Moodle grading guides)
Liaila Tajibaeva (ArcGIS for research)
James Vela-McConnel (Moodle course design)

Is Your Moodle Gradebook Calculating Correctly?

submitted by tensen@augsburg.edu

As we approach the end of the term, ensuring the accuracy of your Moodle Gradebook becomes even more important than usual. Please be advised that by default, only non-empty grades in the Moodle Gradebook are aggregated, so if a student hasn’t submit work, entering a zero (or other minimum score) will ensure their missing work is reflected in their course total. If students have not submitted an assignment, instructors need to insert a 0 (rather than leaving the place blank) to affect the final grade. There is a quick way to add zeros for all students who haven’t already been given a grade for a particular activity–see http://go.augsburg.edu/bulkzero

Tuesday and Wednesday This Week = Last Two Days in the Writing Lab for Spring Semester

submitted by swanson@augsburg.edu

Only two days remain for you to get last minute help on anything you are writing this semester. The tutors will be back at work (on a more limited schedule) during May and through SS II. Stay tuned for the exact schedule!

Hours for the last two days of this semester:
Tuesday – 12:30–3 p.m.; 3:30–6 p.m., and 7:30–10 p.m.
Wednesday –11:10–1:40 p.m.; 3:30–6 p.m., and 6:30–9 p.m.

Considering Grad School? Register Now for On-Campus GRE Prep Course

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

Applying to graduate school this fall or fall 2019? Most masters and doctoral programs, as well as some health professional schools, require the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) for admission. GRE Prep is offered this summer on campus through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity. You’ll learn the most effective ways tackle the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections on the GRE.

The course meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-8 PM for four and a half weeks (May 14th – June 18th). The cost is only $125, which includes the official GRE test-prep book and a 6-month subscription to the online study tool, Magoosh; this is a fraction of the cost when compared to similar classroom GRE prep courses offered by Kaplan or the Princeton Review who charge over $1,000.

New this year, students can also earn a full-refund scholarship! Those who attend 9 of the 10 classes (including the final practice test), will receive a full refund for the course!

Students, Alum who graduated from Augsburg, and staff are also welcome to register.

Register now at the URGO website: http://www.augsburg.edu/urgo/grad/gre-prep/

Questions? Contact the URGO Office at urgo@augsburg.edu or x1446

Five students receive Fulbright awards, one named alternate

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

7 Augsburg seniors were named Fulbright Semi-Finalists this year! 5 were granted an award and 1 named an Alternate.

Kaylee Gueltzow (English Secondary Education & German): Kaylee will be an ETA in Germany where she also plans to organize a book club to spark conversation about the U.S.

Lyle Nyberg (Biology, Chemistry, & Mathematics): Lyle was named an Alternate to Zambia. Lyle applied to do research on malaria transmission at the Southern and Central Africa International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research.

Maddy Oswood (Spanish & Mathematics): Maddy will be an ETA in Spain where she also hopes to start an after-school art club where students can learn about both American and Spanish art.

Jubilee Prosser (Biology): Jubilee will be conducting public health research investigating the barriers to a sense of ownership of at-home water purification technologies in Kenya. She also plans to volunteer at the Maua Methodist Hospital in hygiene and water education for kids.

Blair Stewig (Biology): Blair will be conducting research on colorectal cancer at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Poland and will also shadow physicians and volunteer at the Maria Skłodowska Curie Memorial Cancer Centre.

Abby Tetzlaff (English): Abby will be an ETA in Germany. She currently teaches an English Language Learning class with MN Literacy Council’s Open Door, and in Germany she hopes to initiate an English-language conversation table open to older students and adults.

Jossel Franco (History): Jossel was named a Semi-Finalist for an ETA to Bulgaria. Though she will not be doing a Fulbright, Jossel received the Puente Cultural Services and Teaching Abroad Grant to teach English in Ecuador. She will be doing TEFL training, working at the CEDEI language institute, and volunteering as an English tutor.

If you are interested in Fulbright, contact urgo@augsburg.edu.

Holly Kundel Named 2018 Goldwater Scholar

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

We are excited to announce that junior biology major Holly Kundel has been recognized as a 2018 Goldwater Scholar. Kundel, who is also pursuing minors in environmental studies and mathematics, has been involved with research at Augsburg since the summer after her first year when she worked with Dr. Emily Schilling on a project related to the Canada Darner dragonfly. She is also a member of Tri-Beta, the Augsburg Honors Program, and Campus Ministry.

The Goldwater Scholarship will provide tuition assistance for Kundel’s senior year of undergraduate study and set her apart in her future graduate school applications. She aspires to earn a PhD in environmental biology, focusing specifically freshwater ecosystems and the impact of climate change on these systems, including pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration. “I believe that research on freshwater ecosystems is important because freshwater is a limited resource, and it is a resource that humans and other animals rely on for survival,” writes Kundel.

1280 of the top STEM undergraduates from around the country applied, and only 211 were awarded scholarships. Congratulations to Holly on this prestigious recognition!

General Announcements

Test-Optional Admissions Pilot

submitted by gorr@augsburg.edu

In the April 11 faculty meeting, the Augsburg faculty approved a test-optional admissions pilot recommended by the University Council Enrollment Committee and endorsed by the Faculty Senate. The four-year pilot program would make test score (ACT/SAT) submissions optional (except in specific circumstances) for traditional undergraduate first-year and transfer applications beginning in fall 2019.

More than 1,000 higher ed institutions across the U.S. have already adopted a test-optional approach. In Minnesota, the most notable example is Gustavus Adolphus College, which adopted a test-optional admission process more than a decade ago.

In addition to increasing Augsburg’s pool of completed applicants each year, a test-optional admissions policy aligns with Augsburg’s mission of intentional diversity. For a number of student populations, standardized test scores may not provide an accurate indication of academic ability — including, for example, people without access to test preparation courses, people with learning and physical differences, and English language learners.

The Admissions team will continue to counsel the majority of applicants to submit their ACT/SAT results. For all applicants, Augsburg will continue to consider high school GPA (grade point average) and practice a holistic admissions approach to assessing fit and preparedness. Applicants choosing not submit a test score as part of the admission assessment may submit it post-admission for proper placement into writing and math courses. Current alternative math and writing assessments will continue to be available.

For additional information about the test-optional process, see the first-year admissions website.

Staff – There is still time to sign up to help out with Commencement this week

submitted by burton@augsburg.edu

Commencement is this Saturday with the rehearsal on Thursday! We are again asking for help in having people sign up to work various shifts from the rehearsals to the actual events.

Please take a look at the link below and email Kia Burton (burton@augsburg.edu) to sign up for any shifts that you are able to work. If you are available for multiple feel free to request to sign up for more than one. Notice that there are separate tabs for different tasks and days needed. If you have any questions please let me know, and I am happy to get you the answers.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZGtgLUFoFcGbNSRYaJXLDfGWqK3R2TCSR4J0vO_LxI0/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZGtgLUFoFcGbNSRYaJXLDfGWqK3R2TCSR4J0vO_LxI0/edit?usp=sharing

Use Your Spanish Skills for Good and Earn $

submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu

Judge Spanish Debate – No Prior Experience Needed!

The Minnesota Urban Debate League is a nonprofit of Augsburg University. We provide debate programming to over 750 students in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, including our nearly 100 Spanish Debate League students.

We’re looking for debate judges for 2 tournaments this spring. Judges will earn $55 per tournament judged:

Wednesday, May 2nd
Highland Park High School
3:30 – 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 16th
Augsburg University
3:30 – 7:00 PM

Judges will observe rounds conducted completely in Spanish, determine winners for each round, and provide comments to help students improve their reading, critical thinking and Spanish language skills.

Participation in debate helps students improve their academic skills, including reading comprehension and critical thinking, and increases their confidence. Be a part of creating these outcomes for our Spanish Debate League students!

Please email udlvolunteers@augsburg.edu if you have any questions or would like to arrange volunteering as a group. If you plan on volunteering as an individual, use the calendar at this link to choose your dates to volunteer:

Volunteer with Us

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Awards Best Narrative to Filmmaker

submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu

Emily James ’18 was awarded Best Narrative – Fiction from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences during their annual Student Production Awards. James won the Crystal Pillar for her short film “Monday Train”.

The work was selected from over 130 works in the five state region. All work is evaluated for excellence in content, creativity, and execution by members of the Academy. Judging criteria comes from the National Emmy® office in New York.

This is the second win for an Augsburg student in as many years.

Congratulations to Emily James! (You can watch a recorded live stream of the Awards and see Emily accept her much deserved award.)

2018 Upper Midwest Student Production Awards

Augsburg Film Festival Winners

submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu

Augsburg University Fine Arts Film Scholars hosted the first annual intercollegiate student film festival on April 21st. Over 60 attendees viewed films from several Minnesota Colleges and Universities. Filmmakers and fans posed for pictures at our photo wall, enjoyed snacks, and participated in a Q&A with filmmakers whose work screened.

The work was selected from 35 entrants, juried, and judged. Awards were given to work that exemplified creativity, technical skills, and storytelling. Winners received a hand-crafted custom medallion and a certificate.

Congratulations to all the winners and the film scholars for throwing an awesome event!

Best Directing | “Sound Effects” – Joseph Berggren (Northwestern)
Best Documentary | “Light Rail” – Winston Heckt (AU)
Best Editing | “My Father” – Joseph Dutra (MCAD)
Best Sound | “Sound Effects” – Joseph Berggren (Northwestern)
Best Cinematography | “Honey” – Rebecca Schroeder (AU)
Best Screenplay | “The Interview” – Meredith Carstens (AU)
Best Narrative | “Monday Train” – Emily James (AU)
Best of Show | “Sound Effects” – Joseph Berggren (Northwestern)
Responsible Filmmaking | “Monday Train” – Emily James (AU)
Special Mention: Genre Oriented Film | “Vended” – Lukas Olson (AU)
Audience Choice Award | “Rodney and Jimmy” – Joel Myers (AU)

Donate gently used athletic shoes and equipment

submitted by ribeiro@augsburg.edu

The HPE department is collecting donations of gently used shoes and athletic clothing/ equipment (balls, gloves, bats, yard games, etc) for the Cedar Riverside Community School and the Sports Check it out program. A donation box is set at the 3rd floor of Kennedy Center by the office suites. You can also reach out to Dr. Ana Ribeiro (ribeiro@augsburg.edu) with any questions.

Event Announcements

Celebrating Professors Swanson, Dalglish & Waterman

submitted by green@augsburg.edu

This afternoon we’re celebrating three phenomenal English colleagues who have retired or are retiring: Kathryn Swanson, Cass Dalglish, and Cary Waterman. (Fortunately, Cass and Cary continue as mentors in the MFA, and Kathy will co-head a workshop on teaching writing at the MFA summer residency.) Today we recognize their impressive contributions to our English programs and to Augsburg over many years.

If you are an Augsburg colleague, past or present, or a current or former student of any of these three great profs, please join us for our Retirement Celebration for Kathy, Cass, and Cary, 2-4 pm, TODAY, Tuesday, 24 April, in the Marshall Room of the Christensen Center at Augsburg.

Stress Relief Yoga Tomorrow

submitted by lamberte@augsburg.edu

Good Morning! Please join us for yoga tomorrow from 12:15 pm- 1:00 pm in the Racquetball Court (Si-Melby 130). We will practice flowing breath to movement, staying in the present moment, and challenging our bodies through different poses during this 45 minute yoga practice. Please e-mail me if you have any questions or suggestions at lamberte@augsburg.edu. Yoga will continue throughout the summer!

Paws for Learning & Finals Week Schedule

submitted by detloff@augsburg.edu

We hope you were able to stop by on Friday to visit with our friends from Paws for Learning but if not, there are still chances to do that this week during finals. The dogs will be in today 4/24 10:30 – 12:00 pm in the Center for Wellness & Counseling Office (first floor Anderson Res Hall) and also from 2 – 3:30 pm on the Skyway Level of Lindell Library. They will be on campus one last time this academic year Wednesday 4/25 from 10:30 – 12:00 noon on the Skyway Level of Lindell Library near Gage Center. Questions, call the CWC office at 612-330-1707.

Keeping Track of Auggies

Auggie Wins a Prestigious Boren Award

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Sophomore Abdulkadir Sharif, who is double majoring in International Relations and Politics and is a TRIO/SSS Promise Scholar, just received the prestigious Boren Award Scholarship under the African Flagship Initiative Program. Through this award, Abdul will spend 8 weeks this summer with a cohort of learners studying Swahili at the University of Florida, followed by 4 months of intensive Swahili language study and cultural immersion in Tanzania. All of his expenses are paid and he will earn 24 credits.

Boren is established to teach American students less commonly taught languages and cultures in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad. After graduation, Abdul will spend at least one year of paid employment in the federal government. He would like to work for the U.S. State Department. Boren recipients receive Schedule A hiring authority, which gives them preference when applying to federal positions.
Boren Scholarships can be for a 6 months to a year of study abroad or can be an 8-week summer study abroad if you are a STEM major.
To discuss making an application for a Boren Award Scholarship, please contact one of our Boren Campus Representatives: Andrea Dvorak, Assistant Director of Off-Campus Study, Center for Global Education and Experience @ dvorak@augsburg.edu or Dixie Shafer, Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) @ shafer@augsburg.edu.

Classifieds

Think about tutoring in Cedar Riverside

submitted by truem@augsburg.edu

Trinity Congregation (here in Cedar Riverside) will be losing most of their Augsburg after-school tutors now that the semester has ended. They are looking for Augsburg staff and faculty who might want to spend a few hours each week (until mid June) assisting youth with their homework. It’s a fun way to get to know young people in our neighborhood. Staff can use Community Service time for this.
Hours are Monday-Friday 3:30pm-6:00pm. A person does not have to commit to the entire time slot to participate. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Kasi at tutoring@trinitycongregation.org