Augsburg University News and Announcements
submitted by belik@augsburg.edu
Dr. Christopher Smith led an active hour-long presentation “Wind Racer Re-Revisited” at the April 12-13 Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Duluth. Augsburg students and alumni spotted at this conference focused on grades K-12 mathematics education: Krystal Bollinger (’25), Kaleb Saindon (’17), Amanda Procopio (’15), and Kathy Berlin (’13).
submitted by haines@augsburg.edu
Augsburg mathematics and computer science students Khandakar Saad (’25) and Ivie Taft (’26) attended the Annual Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society Conference, April 12-13 at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Dr. Haines accompanied the students.
Ivie presented her work based on a class project from Dr. Bělík’s Numerical Analysis course. The presentation “Deformations on a Beam: Computational Approximation” was very well received.
Thanks to those who contributed to the Give to the Max Day campaign that funded the travel, lodging, and food.
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
A new book by President Paul Pribbenow, Associate Professor Katie Clark, Professor Tim Pippert, and former staff member Green Bouzard explores how Augsburg deepened its commitment to the public purposes of higher education over the last half century.
“Radical Roots: How One Professor Changed a University’s Legacy” tells the story of Augsburg sociology professor Joel Torstenson. In the 1960s, Torstenson challenged Augsburg to embrace its urban setting and to design curricular, co-curricular, and community engagement programs to advance the mission of “Education for service.”
The compelling story of Torstenson’s legacy at Augsburg over the past 60 years offers lessons for colleges and universities across the country committed to democratic engagement in their work at the intersections of mission and place.
If you’re interested in a complimentary copy of the book, please reach out to Cyndi Berg at bergc2@augsburg.edu.
Video: Paul Pribbenow, Katie Clark, and Tim Pippert on “Radical Roots”
submitted by schield@augsburg.edu
Milo Schield, faculty Emeritus in the department of Business Administration, is giving a paper (Statistical Literacy: Quantitative Rhetoric for the 21 Century) at the 2024 AAC&U conference on General Education in their “Innovation and Emerging Ideas” session Friday April 12. Schield is teaching Statistical Literacy at New College of Florida and online at the University of New Mexico. Statistical literacy is designed for data consumers. It has less than a 30% overlap with traditional statistics courses which are designed for data producers. Statistical literacy studies how everyday statistics are constructed and manipulated. It doesn’t use computer software or Algebra. It has a strong focus on the use of ordinary English to describe and compare rates and percentages (conditional probabilities) presented in statements, tables and graphs. It deals with disparities and how they can be changed by the context (what is taken into account) without taking a position on whether these disparities are due to discrimination. This course is being required for graduate students in statistics at the University of New Mexico. Students like this math-English critical thinking course. Most agree or strongly agree that Statistical Literacy should be required of all college students for graduation. Kendall-Hunt published Schield’s Statistical Literacy textbook in 2023.
https://gepa.secure-platform.com/site/solicitations/102003/sessiongallery/94097
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Luke Omodt, a junior majoring in physics and chemistry, has been named a Goldwater Scholar, which is the top STEM award in the country. Goldwater named 438 scholars across the country, seven of whom come from MN colleges and universities. Luke is currently doing computational materials science research with Professor Hickox-Young in physics and will be working with him this summer funded by Dean and Amy Sundquist. In the past Luke conducted research with Professor Dasgupta in physics and at the U of M and Cornell University. Congratulations Luke!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Emma Joswiak-McLaughlin for being awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Bulgaria! Emma is a senior graduating this coming May with a degree in Secondary Education: Communication Arts and Literature. She is heavily involved in the Augsburg community as a member of the National Communication Studies honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, and the National Education Association’s Aspiring Educators Club. Emma has also worked for Augsburg’s Writing Center for two years as a tutor and is currently student-teaching at Southwest High School in Minneapolis. To prepare for her Fulbright grant, Emma has been volunteering at a number of animal rescue organizations, learning Bulgarian in her spare time, and trying not to poison her loved ones with her attempts at cooking Bulgarian cuisine. Kudos to Emma!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Elizabeth Goff ’25 is majoring in psychology and has a double minor in studio art and religion. She won the Critical Language Scholarship Spark, which teaches a full year of a language critical to the U.S. Over the summer Elizabeth will be studying Russian virtually. Only 10% of applicants win the award nationwide. She hopes to use this new knowledge to help her with her research in the future. Congratulations Liz!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Elizabeth Goff ’25 is majoring in psychology and has a double minor in studio art and religion. She won the Critical Language Scholarship Spark, which teaches a full year of a language critical to the U.S. Over the summer Elizabeth will be studying Russian virtually. Only 10% of applicants win the award nationwide. She hopes to use this new knowledge to help her with her research in the future. Congratulations Liz!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Luke Omodt, a junior majoring in physics and chemistry, has been named a Goldwater Scholar, which is the top STEM award in the country. Goldwater named 438 scholars across the country, seven of whom come from MN colleges and universities. Luke is currently doing computational materials science research with Professor Hickox-Young in physics and will be working with him this summer funded by Dean and Amy Sundquist. In the past Luke conducted research with Professor Dasgupta in physics and at the U of M and Cornell University. Congratulations Luke!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Emma Joswiak-McLaughlin for being awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Bulgaria! Emma is a senior graduating this coming May with a degree in Secondary Education: Communication Arts and Literature. She is heavily involved in the Augsburg community as a member of the National Communication Studies honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, and the National Education Association’s Aspiring Educators Club. Emma has also worked for Augsburg’s Writing Center for two years as a tutor and is currently student-teaching at Southwest High School in Minneapolis. To prepare for her Fulbright grant, Emma has been volunteering at a number of animal rescue organizations, learning Bulgarian in her spare time, and trying not to poison her loved ones with her attempts at cooking Bulgarian cuisine. Kudos to Emma!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Luke Omodt, a junior majoring in physics and chemistry, has been named a Goldwater Scholar, which is the top STEM award in the country. Goldwater named 438 scholars across the country, seven of whom come from MN colleges and universities. Luke is currently doing computational materials science research with Professor Hickox-Young in physics and will be working with him this summer funded by Dean and Amy Sundquist. In the past Luke conducted research with Professor Dasgupta in physics and at the U of M and Cornell University. Congratulations Luke!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Emma Joswiak-McLaughlin for being awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Bulgaria! Emma is a senior graduating this coming May with a degree in Secondary Education: Communication Arts and Literature. She is heavily involved in the Augsburg community as a member of the National Communication Studies honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, and the National Education Association’s Aspiring Educators Club. Emma has also worked for Augsburg’s Writing Center for two years as a tutor and is currently student-teaching at Southwest High School in Minneapolis. To prepare for her Fulbright grant, Emma has been volunteering at a number of animal rescue organizations, learning Bulgarian in her spare time, and trying not to poison her loved ones with her attempts at cooking Bulgarian cuisine. Kudos to Emma!
submitted by goffe@augsburg.edu
Elizabeth Goff ’25 is majoring in psychology and has a double minor in studio art and religion. She won the Critical Language Scholarship Spark, which teaches a full year of a language critical to the U.S. Over the summer Elizabeth will be studying Russian virtually. Only 10% of applicants win the award. She hopes to use this new knowledge to help her with her research in the future. Congratulations Liz!
submitted by jirilloc@augsburg.edu
We are excited to introduce the selected Peace Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic school year. Through a vigorous application and interview process, Sara Sirag and Anna Hudak, 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.
submitted by jirilloc@augsburg.edu
We are excited to introduce the selected Peace Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic school year. Through a vigorous application and interview process, Sara Sirag and Anna Hudak, 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.
submitted by mouakao@augsburg.edu
BSW senior Bryce Premo is a recipient of the BSW Student of the Year Award, and Professor Emeritus Tony Bibus receives posthumously the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bryce and Dr. Bibus are recognized for “advancing the field of social work and driving positive change in our communities.”
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
Read the latest issue of the digital Augsburg Now magazine! You’ll see how Auggies are making a difference in the world—from a professor donating a kidney for a student to an alumna working at the intersection of water, climate change, and conflict. And, of course, you’ll find alumni news, a message from President Paul Pribbenow, and much more.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
Read the latest issue of the digital Augsburg Now magazine! You’ll see how Auggies are making a difference in the world—from a professor donating a kidney for a student to an alumna working at the intersection of water, climate change, and conflict. And, of course, you’ll find alumni news, a message from President Paul Pribbenow, and much more.
submitted by belik@augsburg.edu
Two Augsburg teams consisting of MSCS and PHY majors participated this past Saturday at the annual Konhauser Problemfest featuring 18 other teams from Carleton, Macalester, St. Olaf, and St. Thomas. This year’s contest was hosted by Macalester College. One of Augsburg teams was among the announced top 7 teams, taking home the 5th place, which may be the best finish Augsburg has ever had in this challenging competition!
Congratulations to all of Augsburg’s participants: Kodjo Agboyibo (MAT major), Ariana Beeby (CSC + MAT major), Linus Bendel-Stenzel (CSC major), Krystal Bollinger (MAT with Secondary Education Concentration major), Max Figura (CSC + MAT major), and Sean Gaffaney (PHY major + MAT minor).
submitted by ericksoc@augsburg.edu
Ebony Eromobor graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from Augsburg some years ago. In this interview with Kare 11 News, she shares about the importance of mental health care and building a mental health care workforce. Way to go Ebony! Augsburg is proud to have you as an alum!
Black mental health: Breaking barriers for patients and providers
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The Augsburg community mourns the loss of Millicent (Millie) Orenge, who passed away earlier this month. Services for Millie will be held at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel in Edina at 5000 West 50th and Highway 100. Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 4, from 2–6 p.m. and on Wednesday, February 7, from 11 a.m.–noon. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, February 7, from noon–1 p.m.
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The Augsburg community mourns the loss of Millicent (Millie) Orenge, who passed away earlier this month. Services for Millie will be held at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel in Edina at 5000 West 50th and Highway 100. Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 4, from 2–6 p.m. and on Wednesday, February 7, from 11 a.m.–noon. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, February 7, from noon–1 p.m.
submitted by rolfn@augsburg.edu
We write to share the sad news that Ione Evangeline Agrimson Hanson ’68 passed away on January 11, 2024, at the age of 77.
Ione was part of a family with strong commitments to Augsburg, including her grandfather, aunts and uncles as well as four of her children who are Augsburg graduates. While attending Augsburg, Ione also met Mark Hanson ’68. During their life together, she and Mark raised six children.
Ione completed her studies at Augsburg with a degree in social work. Later, she earned an MSW at Hunter College of Social Work. Her vocation as a social worker focused on children and their well-being including serving as Director of Social Work for Children’s Medical Center – Minneapolis and St. Paul. As a person of faith Ione was involved in the Lutheran Church in varied contexts. She embraced the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with people throughout the world while traveling with Mark when he served as ELCA Presiding Bishop and President of the Lutheran World Federation.
Diagnosed in 2010 with memory loss, Ione and her family did not let memory loss define Ione’s personhood or diminish her dignity.
A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, with a visitation one hour before. Visit Central Lutheran’s website to watch online (*LINK*www.centralmpls.org).
Memorials suggested to Augsburg University, The Foundation at Children’s Minnesota, ELCA World Hunger or Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
A full obituary may be viewed *LINK*here.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
The Department of Marketing and Communication wants to know: “What’s one thing you learned as an Augsburg athlete that’s impacted your career?”
Email marcomm@augsburg.edu with your story and an optional photo (from headshots to throwback photos of you in your Auggie jerseys, we’re thrilled to have them).
We know there are many Auggie alumni working at Augsburg, and we’d love to share your sports story in our next issue of Augsburg Now.
Students, feel free to share something you’ve learned as an Auggie athlete beyond your career dreams, if you like.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
The Department of Marketing and Communication wants to know: “What’s one thing you learned as an Augsburg athlete that’s impacted your career?”
Email marcomm@augsburg.edu with your story and an optional photo (from headshots to throwback photos of you in your Auggie jerseys, we’re thrilled to have them).
We know there are many Auggie alumni working at Augsburg, and we’d love to share your sports story in our next issue of Augsburg Now.
Students, feel free to share something you’ve learned as an Auggie athlete beyond your career dreams, if you like.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
The Department of Marketing and Communication wants to know: “What’s one thing you learned as an Augsburg athlete that’s impacted your career?”
Email marcomm@augsburg.edu with your story and an optional photo (from headshots to throwback photos of you in your Auggie jerseys, we’re thrilled to have them).
We know there are many Auggie alumni working at Augsburg, and we’d love to share your sports story in our next issue of Augsburg Now.
Students, feel free to share something you’ve learned as an Auggie athlete beyond your career dreams, if you like.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
The Department of Marketing and Communication wants to know: “What’s one thing you learned as an Augsburg athlete that’s impacted your career?”
Email marcomm@augsburg.edu with your story and an optional photo (from headshots to throwback photos of you in your Auggie jerseys, we’re thrilled to have them).
We know there are many Auggie alumni working at Augsburg, and we’d love to share your sports story in our next issue of Augsburg Now.
Students, feel free to share something you’ve learned as an Auggie athlete beyond your career dreams, if you like.
submitted by hardaker@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to CGEE-Mexico instructor, Fatima Mendoza, for being invited to participate in the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions of Mexico (ANUIES) Civic Kitchen; a space of collective development of social abilities to prototype action-leading proposals around gender violence in Mexican universities, that will take place in the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua from November 21 to Nov., 25.
This 5-day workshop called Civic Kitchen, puts together a heterogeneous group of people from different social sectors such as educators, scientists, social researchers, politicians, students, civilians, civil association actors, etc., to generate a dialogue based on different participative-action innovative methodologies, to generate a series of documented prototypes of projects that will be implemented in the universities that are part of the ANUIES, in search of bringing solutions to the pivotal issues that the Mexican society faces. Fatima is giving a presentation on teaching environmental studies using critical and experiential pedagogies creatively.
Congratulations to Fatima, on being selected for this honor!
submitted by belik@augsburg.edu
Nine Augsburg students majoring in Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and Physics competed in the 25th annual North Central Section Mathematical Association of America Heuer Memorial Team Contest. Kodjo Agboyibo, Phoebe Alva Rosa, Ariana Beeby, Krystal Bollinger, Max Figura, Sean Gaffaney, Jimmy Hemera, Kebba Janneh, and Yuva Gottimukala Suresh formed three teams that wrestled with ten challenging mathematics problems from a wide range of mathematical fields using only whiteboards, markers, paper and pencil, and three hours on a Saturday morning! Thanks to Unbounded Math Club and their advisor Rich Flint for nourishing the competitors with breakfast snacks and lunch pizza. If you would like to test mathematical skills, old problems (and solutions!) can be found at https://www.northcentral.maa.org/teamcontest.
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The Star Tribune featured Augsburg in an article about the impact of direct admissions last week, including an interview with the Strategic Enrollment Management division’s Stephanie Ruckel. Check it out here:
“Minnesota’s Direct Admissions program is changing how students apply to college”
submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu
In IT this week we are saying farewell to Matt Schornstein (’04) who has been in the department since 2004. Matt has led our infrastructure team since 2011. He and his team run the IT you use daily but don’t see — WiFi, wired networks, servers. Matt has led that team through over a decade of incredible growth and change in technologies. And with the shared services agreement in 2016, he added Luther Seminary’s network to what he oversaw.
We appreciate all that Matt has accomplished and he will be sorely missed. Matt’s last day is Friday the 27th. We wish him well on his next IT adventure.
We have put together a kudoboard for people to contribute messages to Matt about his time at Augsburg. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/Fb9iQMfY
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu
In IT this week we are saying farewell to Matt Schornstein (’04) who has been in the department since 2004. Matt has led our infrastructure team since 2011. He and his team run the IT you use daily but don’t see — WiFi, wired networks, servers. Matt has led that team through over a decade of incredible growth and change in technologies. And with the shared services agreement in 2016, he added Luther Seminary’s network to what he oversaw.
We appreciate all that Matt has accomplished and he will be sorely missed. Matt’s last day is Friday the 27th. We wish him well on his next IT adventure.
We have put together a kudoboard for people to contribute messages to Matt about his time at Augsburg. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/Fb9iQMfY
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by martin25@augsburg.edu
I have 2 Tickets to the Wolves VS. Maccabi game for Tuesday the 17th at 7PM at the target center. Section 23, Row R, Seats 3 and 4. I don’t need them, asking for $25 each. Email me at martin25@augsburg.edu if interested.
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Parker Kulm, who finished in 2nd place this past weekend in Poetry Interpretation at a speech meet at MSU-Mankato. The tournament featured speakers from ten schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Check out these CGEE blog posts from a couple of Auggies who are currently studying abroad!
Kathryn Ramach is currently abroad on the program Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/25/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-northern-ireland/
Lorpu Sumo is currently abroad on the program Communication and Media Studies: Migration & Social Change in Mexico. Read about her first few weeks here: https://www.augsburg.edu/global/2023/09/22/student-ambassador-post-first-weeks-in-mexico/
Interested in going abroad yourself? Applications for spring 2024 CGEE programs are due November 1st, apply today!
submitted by martin25@augsburg.edu
I have 2 Tickets to the Wolves VS. Maccabi game for Tuesday the 17th at 7PM at the target center. Section 23, Row R, Seats 3 and 4. I don’t need them, asking for $25 each. Email me at martin25@augsburg.edu if interested.
submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu
Alondra Alamilla, Max Helmueller, and Max Jacobson were selected to be 2023 Twin Cities Film Festival Film Fellows. The competitive program gives select college students from the region an up close and personal look into the world of film festivals.
They will immerse themselves in the film festival events attending an industry night party, a filmmaker brunch, film screenings + Q&A’s with filmmakers, educational panels & workshops, and networking events. This program is intended to educate, inspire, and connect collegiate filmmakers with people who share their passions.
Congrats to the Alondra, Max J., and Max H. We are so proud!
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
Newsweek covered the Minnesota Urban Debate League’s 11th annual Mayors Challenge event, which took place at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis last week. The coverage is part of Mightier, a partnership with the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues to illustrate the ways in which debate strengthens the skills young people need to promote civil discourse in a multicultural democracy. The Mayors Challenge is an annual event at which exceptional high school debaters show off their skills and engage with local and state political leaders before a crowd of supporters. This year’s featured attendees included Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, First Lady Gwen Walz, and Governor Tim Walz (via Zoom).
MNUDL is an Augsburg program that provides resources and programming to support competitive academic debate for more than 1,000 students at 40 partner schools in the Twin Cities.
Read more: “Minneapolis Mayor Inspired By ‘Intellectual Battle’ At Debate Fundraiser”
submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu
We want to send our congratulations to the Minnesota Urban Debate League’s Faculty Director, Dr. Bob Groven. Bob was honored with the Communication and Theatre Association of Minnesota (CTAM) Outstanding Individual Award earlier this week. The award was given to recognize his contributions to speech and debate in Minnesota through his college and high school coaching, contributions to the MNUDL, work at Augsburg University, and more.
Learn more about the other CTAM award winners here: https://sites.google.com/view/ctam/home
submitted by schield@augsburg.edu
Milo Schield, Professor Emeritus in Business Administration, has been hired as a Visiting Professor by New College of Florida in Sarasota. He was hired to teach his Statistical Literacy course to students in non-quantitative majors. This course emphasizes critical thinking about everyday statistics: how they are constructed and manipulated. While emphasizing that association is not always direct causation, his course notes that sexual and racial disparities are not always systemic discrimination. Both inferences require critical thinking to evaluate the strength of the evidence. His Statistical Literacy textbook was published by Kendall-Hunt this week and is being used by 170 students in five sections of Math1300 at the University of New Mexico this fall. All of this is a result of the major grant received by Augsburg College from the W. M. Keck Foundation “to develop Statistical Literacy as an interdisciplinary curriculum in the liberal arts.” Milo is a Fellow in the American Statistical Association , is on the Advisory Board for the International Statistical Literacy Project and is a past-President of the National Numeracy Network.
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The Star Tribune visited campus last week to spend time with Joe Underhill and a handful of River Semester students as they made final preparations to set sail down the Mississippi in early September. River Semester is a program of Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience.
Read the article:
“Forget study abroad. These college students will spend the semester on the Mississippi River.”
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
Tom Witschen, the longtime broadcast voice of Augsburg University athletics, died on August 24. Witschen called more than 4,000 collegiate and high school games during his four-decade career as a broadcaster in the Midwest, including more than 2,000 Augsburg events in football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s hockey, wrestling, baseball and softball. He received Augsburg’s Distinguished Athletic Service Award in 2015.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bradshaw Funeral Home, 1078 Rice Street in St. Paul, Minn. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 380 Little Canada Road E., Little Canada, Minn., with visitation beginning one hour prior.
Read the full remembrance on the Augsburg Athletics website.
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
Sophomore Henry Nelson and Augsburg cross country coach Nick Larson were featured last week on KARE-11 about Henry’s return to Augsburg and running after a serious car accident in the spring. Watch now:
“From fearing he’d never walk again to running cross country for Augsburg”
submitted by boeh@augsburg.edu
Wallethub recently published an article explaining car premiums after an interview with Professor Jeanne Boeh, Chair of the Business Administration Department.
https://wallethub.com/edu/ci/average-car-insurance-cost/88076#expert=Jeanne_M._Boeh
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
This week, Minnesota Public Radio highlighted StepUP’s growing relationships with other area colleges and universities, featuring interviews with StepUP Director Ericka Otterson, Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator Nell Hurley, and Ethan Laugen ’24. StepUP Counselor Jon Stentz and Cassidy Disrud ’23 also provided key context for the piece. Kudos to our StepUP community for this important recognition!
MPR: “Amid addiction need, Augsburg’s student recovery program seeks more participants”
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The family of Gabriel Benson ’19 reached out to share the sad news that Gabe passed away unexpectedly last week. A memorial service will be held this Sunday, June 18, in Hoversten Chapel. Visitation starts at 2:00 p.m. with service at 3:00 p.m. A light reception will follow. The obituary notes, “To honor them, please wear something Gabe-esque, with sparkle or glamour.”
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
The family of Gabriel Benson ’19 reached out to share the sad news that Gabe passed away unexpectedly last week. A memorial service will be held this Sunday, June 18, in Hoversten Chapel. Visitation starts at 2:00 p.m. with service at 3:00 p.m. A light reception will follow. The obituary notes, “To honor them, please wear something Gabe-esque, with sparkle or glamour.”
submitted by green@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Augsburg’s own Tina Tavera, who is one of 15 recipients of the 2023 National Latinx Artist Fellowship! For the full story, check out the current Minn Post article at the link below, which mentions the great work Tina does with McNair Scholars right here on campus.
submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu
Abdulkadir Sharif ‘20 has finished his first semester at Georgetown School of Foreign Service studying for a Master’s in International Security funded by a Pickering Fellowship. This summer, as part of his Pickering Fellowship, Abdul will be interning in D.C. with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of the Global Leaders Division. He will be focusing on public diplomacy efforts in the Western Hemisphere and Sub-Saharan Africa. Next summer he will have an overseas placement with the foreign service. Once he completes his internships and master’s he will enter the foreign service as a U.S. diplomat. In addition to winning a Pickering, Abdul won a Boren African Flagship Initiative award where he studied Swahili at the University of Florida and in Tanzania. He also won a Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Scholarship to study at Princeton as well as an Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in the Netherlands. Abdul’s accomplishments are inspiring. Congratulations, Abdul!
submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu
Abdulkadir Sharif ‘20 has finished his first semester at Georgetown School of Foreign Service studying for a Master’s in International Security funded by a Pickering Fellowship. This summer, as part of his Pickering Fellowship, Abdul will be interning in D.C. with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of the Global Leaders Division. He will be focusing on public diplomacy efforts in the Western Hemisphere and Sub-Saharan Africa. Next summer he will have an overseas placement with the foreign service. Once he completes his internships and master’s he will enter the foreign service as a U.S. diplomat. In addition to winning a Pickering, Abdul won a Boren African Flagship Initiative award where he studied Swahili at the University of Florida and in Tanzania. He also won a Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Scholarship to study at Princeton as well as an Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in the Netherlands. Abdul’s accomplishments are inspiring. Congratulations, Abdul!
submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu
Shamsa Ahmed returned from her Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in South Korea. Soon she travels to D.C. to complete a paid congressional internship as part of her Payne Fellowship. In the fall, she will begin a Master’s of International Affairs at Columbia University, supported by the Payne Fellowship and additional dollars awarded to her by Columbia. Next summer she will participate in a paid overseas internship. When she finishes her Master’s at Columbia she will have a position waiting for her with USAID. Congratulations, Shamsa!
submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu
Shamsa Ahmed returned from her Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in South Korea. Soon she travels to D.C. to complete a paid congressional internship as part of her Payne Fellowship. In the fall, she will begin a Master’s of International Affairs at Columbia University, supported by the Payne Fellowship and additional dollars awarded to her by Columbia. Next summer she will participate in a paid overseas internship. When she finishes her Master’s at Columbia she will have a position waiting for her with USAID. Congratulations, Shamsa!
submitted by mcdaniem@augsburg.edu
Yesterday, past and current Environmental Stewardship team (ESC) members gathered in the Community Garden to celebrate this year’s accomplishments, reminisce about fun times we’ve had together, eat local food, and reflect on what the work and team has meant to each of us. Thank you Alexa Carrera, Alyssa Parkhurst, Annabella Castillo, Elan Quezada Hoffman, Elijah Abdullah, Gigi Huerta Herrera, Grace Muchahary, Malachi Owens, Mercy Zou Taithul, Summer Bordon, Wren Doyle, Yousra Tinsley, and Zoe Barany for your leadership, stewardship, and collective action.
In a tradition started this year, graduates from 2022 and 2023 ESC teams planted Arikara Yellows Beans. This planting acts as a symbol of the gifts each of our graduates, Alexa, Alyssa, Elan, Gigi, Grace, Mercy, and Zoe, have given to the work of advancing environmental sustainability at Augsburg and in our neighborhood. Read more on the Sabo Blog!
submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu
The competitive short film festival Z-Fest, hosted by Z Systems, announced this years nominations and among the nominations are two Augsburg alums and one current student!
Kobe Markworth (’22) was nominated for Best Actor, Best Fight Scene, and Best Audio/Sound Design for the film “The Dumpling”.
Thomas VandenDolder (’15) earned not one but two nominations for Cinematography for
“Peanut Butter and Jelly” directed by Vanessa M.H. Powers and “The Part We Keep” directed by Owen Royce.
VandenDolder was also nominated alongside Chance Reiniesch (’23) for Lighting on “Peanut Butter and Jelly”.
Z Fest will hold a Best of Fest Screening on Friday May 12th at the Emagine Theater in Willow Creek. The Best of Fest Awards ceremony happens on May 19th.
We are so pleased to see our students and alum working together and sharing the love of film!
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
URGO is pleased to announce that nine students will be conducting research off-campus this summer!
– Cecilia Cole
– Tatiana Cuzco
– Aiden Deacon
– Jason Jopp
– Iszavier Moe
– Elias Muy
– Luke Omodt
– Bjorn Solberg
– Lorainne Wongbi
Congratulations!
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
Ethan Prince ‘26 has been named a Critical Language Scholar (CLS) finalist in their Spark Virtual Institute, and will study Chinese this summer. Ethan is a Music, Human Development, and Learning major, and is involved with the Augsburg Orchestra and Concert Band. Congratulations, Ethan!
Odalys Lozado ‘23 was named an alternate for CLS In-Person Institute to study Portuguese in Spain. Odalys graduates this year and is a Biopsychology major and a McNair Scholar. Congratulations, Odalys!
Students interested in applying for the next CLS cycle should email urgo@augsburg.edu to schedule an appointment. Applications are due in November.
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
Zoe Barany ‘23, Environmental Studies, was named a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to the Czech Republic for the 2023-2024 academic year. Zoe has served as Augsburg’s Environmental Stewardship Coordinator for several years, and is currently a Teaching Assistant for the Environmental Sustainability Living Learning Community. Zoe was a Sabo Scholar and has won numerous leadership awards. Last summer, Zoe conducted research at the University of Minnesota, and this summer will be a Conservation Scholar at Yale University.
Upon returning from Fulbright, Zoe plans to obtain a Master in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy. Congratulations, Zoe!
submitted by eschenba@augsburg.edu
Angel Young will represent Augsburg as the Newman Civic Fellow with Campus Compact next year. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a year-long program that recognizes and supports student public problem solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. Fellows are nominated based on their potential for public leadership and their work with communities. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Angel!
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Ahlam Gass and Abdirisak Mohamud, both recipients of a nationally competitive study abroad scholarship through Fund for Education Abroad. Well done, Auggies!
Ahlam will study in Australia this summer and Abdirisak will study at American College of Greece in the fall semester.
The Fund for Education Abroad strives to increase access to study abroad for a diverse cohort of students, including students with financial need, students of color, first-generation college students, and community college students. The Fund for Education abroad has two application cycles per year, and Auggies looking to study abroad in spring, or summer 2024 are invited to apply.
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
Earlier this month, the Augsburg Innovation Scholars team of Tom Erickson ’24, Lorraine Wongbi ’23, Lily Yang ’23, and Connor Thorsten ’23 presented to Mayo Clinic licensing managers and innovators about an implantable cardiac med tech device. Over months of research and preparation, they dug into questions like: Is it safe? Is it effective? Is it helpful? What is the potential patient population? Who are the competitors? What is the path to finishing product development and bringing it to market?
Kudos to these outstanding scholars and faculty mentors Jacob Enger and Tim Monko on a successful presentation in Rochester!
Learn more about Innovation Scholars and their work with the Mayo Clinic.
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Congratulations to Ahlam Gass and Abdirisak Mohamud, both recipients of a nationally competitive study abroad scholarship through Fund for Education Abroad. Well done, Auggies!
Ahlam will study in Australia this summer and Abdirisak will study at American College of Greece in the fall semester.
The Fund for Education Abroad strives to increase access to study abroad for a diverse cohort of students, including students with financial need, students of color, first-generation college students, and community college students. The Fund for Education abroad has two application cycles per year, and Auggies looking to study abroad in spring, or summer 2024 are invited to apply.
submitted by devega@augsburg.edu
Augsburg CGEE Guatemala Program Director, Irma Velásquez Nimatuj, along with Nancy Postero, Katharina Ruckstuhl, and John-Andrew McNeish are the editors of The Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Development. This Handbook inverts the lens on development, asking what Indigenous communities across the globe hope and build for themselves. In contrast to earlier writing on development, this volume focuses on Indigenous peoples as inspiring theorists and potent political actors who resist the ongoing destruction of their livelihoods. To foster their own visions of development, they look from the present back to Indigenous pasts and forward to Indigenous futures.
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
URGO’s Health Professions Specialist Bridget Lavish successfully defended her dissertation, Bondage and Balm: A Feminist Narrative Inquiry of Midlife Women, Domestic Labor, and Health during COVID-19, on Monday, March 27. She will graduate from Oklahoma State University with a PhD in Health and Human Performance in May.
submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu
Savanna Gorbunow has been nominated for the Student Crystal Pillar Award from the Upper Midwest Emmy® Chapter for Directing! This award is sponsored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The award ceremony will take place Friday, March 31st and the Graduate Hotel in Minneapolis. The ceremony recognizes excellence in media production for high school and college/university students within the NATAS – Upper Midwest Region (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa & western Wisconsin).
The event is sold out, but the ceremony is televised and will be streamed for online and mobile devices on the Upper Midwest Emmy® YouTube channel and The Emmy® App.
For a complete list of nominees, visit: https://midwestemmys.org/students-teachers/2023-student-production-awards-nominees-and-recipients/
submitted by farrisr@augsburg.edu
Curious about how members of our community are working to address homelessness in the Twin Cities? Read about how Katie Clark ’10 MAN, ’14 DNP, associate professor of nursing and executive director of Augsburg Health Commons, and Emily Bastian ’07 MSW, vice president of ending homelessness at Avivo Village, bring their skills, energy, and intelligence to serving unhoused neighbors. Check out their stories and suggestions of how you can get involved in the latest issue of Augsburg Now.
submitted by green@augsburg.edu
Doug (D. E.) Green, Professor emeritus in English, will be reading with NYC poet & fellow Shakespearean Heather Dubrow at Eat My Words Bookstore, 7pm, Wed, 29 Mar. You’ll hear works from his latest chapbook, “Catastrophizing in Catastrophe” (2023), as well as from “Jumping the Median” (2019) and brand new unpublished work. You can find further information here. Please join us.
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Follow Global_Auggies on Instagram and keep up with students and faculty this spring break week as they explore and learn in both Guatemala and Los Angeles!
All year there are posts featuring student experiences off-campus, program announcements, and other global inspiration!
submitted by belik@augsburg.edu
An Augsburg University team consisting of a Computer Science major Alinase Phiri, a Mathematics major Kebba Janneh, and a Mathematics and Computer Science double major Max Figura participated this past Saturday in a mathematical competition, Konhauser Problemfest, hosted this year by St. Olaf College. While the famous Pizza Theorem Traveling Trophy remained in Carleton hands (as it has for 10 of the past 13 contests), the Augsburg team had a formidable showing of fully solving 3 out of 10 problems and partially 2 more. Congrats, the team, and see you again, and hopefully others too, next year, this time at Macalester!
https://www.macalester.edu/mscs/studentopportunities/competitions/konhauserproblemfest/
submitted by weber3@augsburg.edu
Have you ever left a meeting and the minute you sign off or walk away you just smile as a wave of gratitude washes over you? That happened to me after meeting with Jaelyn Arndt, an Augsburg alum and current Assistant Director of Communications at the NCAA.
We at the Christensen Center for Vocation (CCV) were intrigued to hear Jaelyn’s story after a tweet last summer where she answered the question “What is your calling?” She credits the Auggie support system for helping her find her dream. We, at CCV are curious to know the various ways we see vocation lived out on a daily basis in the lives and work of our Augsburg colleagues, students, alums, and our neighbors in the Cedar-Riverside and Seward neighborhoods.
By vocation we mean the ways we are compelled, empowered, challenged, freed, and responsible to show up (individually and collectively) in ways that help our neighbors and neighborhoods thrive. We believe every individual and every institution experiences a vocational tug.
This is a story about how an Augsburg alum became an engaged neighbor through learning about her own vocation.
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
URGO is pleased to announce that Maya Merrit ’23 has been selected for the competitive Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute for 2023. She will attend the institute held this summer at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she will participate in challenging policy coursework, leadership development training and graduate school preparation over seven weeks.
Maya is majoring in Urban Studies and Environmental Studies and has been involved on campus as an officer of the Environmental Action Committee, and works with Campus Kitchen and Augsburg Community Garden. She has served the off campus community, and worked with Hennepin County Government Public Works as a transportation data collection intern.
Congratulations to Maya!
submitted by pearsong@augsburg.edu
URGO is pleased to announce that Maya Merrit ’23 has been selected for the competitive Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute for 2023. She will attend the institute held this summer at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she will participate in challenging policy coursework, leadership development training and graduate school preparation over seven weeks.
Maya is majoring in Urban Studies and Environmental Studies and has been involved on campus as an officer of the Environmental Action Committee, and works with Campus Kitchen and Augsburg Community Garden. She has served the off campus community, and worked with Hennepin County Government Public Works as a transportation data collection intern.
Congratulations to Maya.
submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu
MNUDL Program Director and Augsburg Master of Arts in Education alum, Jake Swede, was honored with the 2023 James Graupner Distinguished Service Award by the Minnesota Debate Teachers Association at the MSHSL State Debate Tournament this week.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of Minnesota’s debate community and the education of all students in debate. Find the full list of past awardees here: https://mdta.org/about-mdta/mdta-james-graupner-distinguished-service-award/
Please send him your congratulations via social media:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNUDL/posts/pfbid0oDyWnquDrs1G83MtUTNSNjVc7VYSpThBiqtX1e4LrkLeFsBUQps46N4XYcku7XfDl
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnZ741ApfWE/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MNUrbanDebate/status/1614321813437169664
submitted by devega@augsburg.edu
Emilie Lenz, currently Sr. Financial Aid counselor at Augsburg University, will join CGEE as the Off-campus study program associate. Emilie has served at the financial aid department liaison to CGEE since she began her work at Augsburg. Starting on January 23 her work in CGEE will focus on advising Augsburg students who are planning semester or affiliate summer programs.
Emilie graduated from Luther College in Decorah Iowa with her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies, while studying at Luther she studied abroad for a semester in Madrid, Spain. After Luther while deciding what to do with her life, she went back to Spain and taught English to middle schoolers for a few years before coming back to the United States to pursue her master’s degree at Concordia University Saint Paul in Leadership and Management. While obtaining her master’s degree, she worked in the student engagement office with a primary focus on study abroad and advised many students on both short and long-term programs! Emilie believes in helping students discover their best and truest selves while learning about the world in the best way possible, studying abroad and away!
We are so excited to have Emilie join the CGEE team.
submitted by devega@augsburg.edu
Emilie Lenz, currently Sr. Financial Aid counselor at Augsburg University, will join CGEE as the Off-campus study program associate. Emilie has served at the financial aid department liaison to CGEE since she began her work at Augsburg. Starting on January 23 her work in CGEE will focus on advising Augsburg students who are planning semester or affiliate summer programs.
Emilie graduated from Luther College in Decorah Iowa with her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies, while studying at Luther she studied abroad for a semester in Madrid, Spain. After Luther while deciding what to do with her life, she went back to Spain and taught English to middle schoolers for a few years before coming back to the United States to pursue her master’s degree at Concordia University Saint Paul in Leadership and Management. While obtaining her master’s degree, she worked in the student engagement office with a primary focus on study abroad and advised many students on both short and long-term programs! Emilie believes in helping students discover their best and truest selves while learning about the world in the best way possible, studying abroad and away!
We are so excited to have Emilie join the CGEE team.
submitted by devega@augsburg.edu
Emilie Lenz, currently Sr. Financial Aid counselor at Augsburg University, will join CGEE as the Off-campus study program associate. Emilie has served at the financial aid department liaison to CGEE since she began her work at Augsburg. Starting on January 23 her work in CGEE will focus on advising Augsburg students who are planning semester or affiliate summer programs.
Emilie graduated from Luther College in Decorah Iowa with her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies, while studying at Luther she studied abroad for a semester in Madrid, Spain. After Luther while deciding what to do with her life, she went back to Spain and taught English to middle schoolers for a few years before coming back to the United States to pursue her master’s degree at Concordia University Saint Paul in Leadership and Management. While obtaining her master’s degree, she worked in the student engagement office with a primary focus on study abroad and advised many students on both short and long-term programs! Emilie believes in helping students discover their best and truest selves while learning about the world in the best way possible, studying abroad and away!
We are so excited to have Emilie join the CGEE team.
submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu
The MN Urban Debate League is a program of Augsburg University. Please join us in sending congratulations to our Executive Director, Amy Cram Helwich, for winning the John Fischer Rotary Hope Award. This award was established in 1987 to honor John Fischer, the founder of the Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club. It is presented annually to a person and/or charitable organization (501(c)(3)) outside of the club for his/her/its outstanding leadership and service in bringing hope to others.
Thank you so much to Scott Benson, former MNUDL Advisory Board Member, for the nomination and his continued support of debate. The award includes a $2,500 grant for the MNUDL! The City of Lakes Rotary does great work in Minneapolis, and we are so grateful to have their partnership and support!
submitted by swanson@augsburg.edu
Kathryn Swanson, English professor emerita, received notice that _Reading the Cozy Mystery_ has won the the 2021 International Crime Fiction Book Prize. Her chapter is “Extending Cozy Boundaries” and explores ways the traditional “cozy” has developed and changed in recent years.
submitted by belik@augsburg.edu
Eight Augsburg students majoring in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics competed in the 24th annual North Central Section Mathematical Association of America Heuer Memorial Team Contest. Shadin Elkhair, Max Figura, Sean Gaffaney, Jimmy Hemera, Diana Ortiz, Alinase Phiri, Devonna Singer, and Bjorn Solberg formed three teams that wrestled with ten challenging mathematical problems from a wide range of mathematical fields using only whiteboards, markers, paper and pencil, and three hours on a Saturday morning! Thanks to Unbounded Math Club and their advisor Rich Flint for nourishing the competitors with snacks and pizza. If you would like to test mathematical skills, old problems (and solutions!) can be found at http://sections.maa.org/northcen/teamcomp.html.
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Staff Union Colleagues,
After 19 months of bargaining, it is time for us to vote to ratify our historic first union contract!
The Union will hold two ZOOM information and voting sessions. You must attend one of the sessions in order to vote. Vote will be held by private ballot at the end of the information session that reviews the language in the contract. Ratification happens by a simple majority of those who vote.
Tuesday, October 25 at 12-1 pm
Wednesday, October 26 at 7-8 pm
This is our contract – your vote matters! On October 19, you were sent an email with the zoom registration links. If you have not received the email, please contact an Augsburg Staff Union Steward ASAP:
Karen Alexander alexank@augsburg.edu
Katie Asfeld asfeldk@augsburg.edu
Chris Bogen bogen@augsburg.edu
Elizabeth Charnell charnell@augsburg.edu
Natalie Jacobson jacobsn@augsburg.edu
Katie Lane lanek@augsburg.edu
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Don’t let your Study Abroad & Away Application fall behind–applications are due soon!
***NOVEMBER 1*** applications are due for the following semester programs:
• Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland
• Decolonizing the Mind: Racial and Environmental Justice in Namibia & South Africa
• Liberal Arts, Migration and Social Change in Mexico
• New Activisms, Human Rights and Social Justice in Central American and the Yucatán
• Social Work in a Latin American Context in Mexico
***NOVEMBER 1*** applications are due for the following SPRING BREAK programs:
• Faith, Vocation, and Social Change in Guatemala, Central America (Keystone or Search for Meaning course + Augsburg Experience!)
• Picturing America: Race, Gender, and Hollywood (Humanities course + Augsburg Experience)
Contact the study abroad office with any questions about the programs or your application progress: abroad@augsburg.edu
submitted by dittmann@augsburg.edu
Boyd Koehler, associate professor emeritus and
longtime librarian at Augsburg, has just received
the “Above and Beyond” award by the Minnesota
Library Association.
Koehler, whose career at Augsburg spanned 50 years
(1967-2017), has been recognized “for services that
demonstrate innovation and outstanding dedication
and have statewide impact.”
More specifically, Koehler worked to create
a more diverse library staff as a means of ensuring
a higher comfort level among library users and
reducing research anxiety among students of color,
international students, students with disabilities–and
all students for that matter–during their college journey.
Additionally, he fostered interest in professional
librarianship as a career for many Augsburg students.
submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu
Four Augsburg film majors have been named 2022 TCFF Film Fellows. They are among 19 college and university students selected by the Twin Cities Film Festival to engage in immersive learning during the festival. They will attend an industry night mixer, watch films, join festival filmmakers for brunch, and engage in conversations about films and filmmaking. Fellows are often invited to other special events throughout the year as the TCFF lifts up the voices of collegiate filmmakers.
The 2022 TCFF Film Fellows from Augsburg are:
Lilly Douglas
Savanna Gorbunow
Victoria “Tori” Helm
Owen Hicks
Congrats filmmakers!
submitted by devega@augsburg.edu
The StarTribune profiled Playwrights’ Center/Augsburg CGEE instructor Sofya Levitsky-Weitz in an article last week. The article highlights the connection between the Playwrights’ Center and “some of most in-demand TV writers this fall”
Read the article: https://www.startribune.com/neal-justin/6370468
Among Sofya’s works are:
Plays: “Cannabis Passover,” “This Party Sucks”
TV: “Gaslit,” “The Dropout,” “The Bear”
In 2020, Augsburg CGEE and the Playwrights’ Center launched an exciting new partnership to offer courses taught by the nation’s leading playwrights. Through online courses, university students connect with peers across the country and are taught by leading professional playwrights who are actively working in the field. These courses are open to students across the country as well as to Augsburg students in the theater, creative writing, and MFA programs.
This fall Sofya Levitsky-Weitz is teaching Writing for Television.
Learn more about the courses offered through Playwrights’ Center/Augsburg CGEE
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
Are you a Staff/Faculty member who has studied abroad or away in the past? We want to hear from you!
The Study Abroad and Study Away office is looking to feature Staff and Faculty study abroad stories on our Instagram page with Throwback Thursday posts. These posts are to encourage Augsburg students to study abroad and away!
Check us out on Instagram: global_auggies
Questions? Email abroad@augsburg.edu
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Are you a Staff/Faculty member who has studied abroad or away in the past? We want to hear from you!
The Study Abroad and Study Away office is looking to feature Staff and Faculty study abroad stories on our Instagram page with Throwback Thursday posts. These posts are to encourage Augsburg students to study abroad and away!
Check us out on Instagram: global_auggies
Questions? Email abroad@augsburg.edu
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
Are you a Staff/Faculty member who has studied abroad or away in the past? We want to hear from you!
The Study Abroad and Study Away office is looking to feature Staff and Faculty study abroad stories on our Instagram page with Throwback Thursday posts. These posts are to encourage Augsburg students to study abroad and away!
Check us out on Instagram: global_auggies
Questions? Email abroad@augsburg.edu
submitted by jepsen@augsburg.edu
After four years as our communications director, event coordinator, tech/ equipment/ supply support, data manager, arts and crafts denizen, and snack wrangler– aka TRIO/SSS Program Assistant– Annie is moving on to nonprofit youth service, with the organization 826 MSP. There she will lead the Writers’ Room at South High School in Minneapolis.
Annie’s last day is TODAY (!) so please stop by the TRIO SSS office to wish her well if you are able.
submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu
The Study Abroad and Away Office is on Instagram! Follow us for student takeovers, program updates, and more!
Follow us: @global_auggies
submitted by schield@augsburg.edu
Augsburg professor emeritus, Milo Schield, is giving a talk to the Mathematics department at Metropolitan State University on Thursday, Sept 1 at 12:10 PM, . His title is “Offering a Confounder Based Statistical Literacy Course”. Milo is the Statistical Literacy coordinator at the University of New Mexico. The UNM statistical literacy course (Math 1300) is a copy of Augsburg’s GST 200: first offered in 2008. This event will be held in Room L120 inside Founder’s Hall. For those traveling East on I94, note that the Sixth Street exit is currently closed. Take exit 242C in downtown St. Paul heading south on Wall Street. Make an immediate left onto 7th Street heading east.
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
The Study Abroad and Away Office is on Instagram! Follow us for student takeovers, program updates, and more!
Follow us: @global_auggies
submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu
David Lapakko, Associate Prof. of Communication Studies, will once again be recognized at this year’s Great American Think-Off, a philosophy competition held annually in New York Mills, MN. He will be presented with an Honorable Mention award for his essay submission at this year’s Think-Off debate on Saturday night. In the past, Lapakko has been a Think-Off debate finalist in 2013, 2015, and 2019, with Honorable Mention essay awards in 2016, 2018, and 2022. This year’s question is, “Which should be more important: personal choice or social responsibility?”, with Lapakko arguing on behalf of social responsibility.
submitted by green@augsburg.edu
Professor Doug (D. E.) Green is reading with fellow poets Becky Boling, Heather Candels, Steve McCown, and Julie Ryan at the Northfield Public Library tonight, Thursday, 2 June at 6:30pm. If you’re in the area, please join us. For more information, go to the NPL website.
submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu
We are pleased to announce SEVEN Auggies were selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in the last round of applications to receive up to $5,000 toward a study abroad program! The applicant pool is highly competitive, but the hard work and determination of these students paved the way for their amazing accomplishment.
Winners include:
Aaron Davis is a Management/Marketing double major who plans to study at Augsburg’s exchange partner American College of Greece in Athens this Fall 2022
Blessing Kasongoma is a International Business/Marketing double major who plans to study at Augsburg’s exchange partner American College of Greece in Athens this Fall 2022
Sameera Mohamed is an MIS major who just left for a short-term faculty-led program in Greece with Augsburg faculty in Business
Mohamed (Khadar) Muhumed is an MIS major who just left for a short-term faculty-led program in Greece with Augsburg faculty in Business.
Since 2008, eighty-two Augsburg students have received Gilman scholarships. This round alone, Auggies won over $30,000!
It takes a village to support students in their application process. Many thanks to Maren Stoddard Mack, Emilie Lenz and the whole financial aid team, staff in TRIO, MSS, Academic Advising, and URGO and, of course, faculty mentors/advisors.
Congrats to all seven winners!!
