Category: Keeping Track of Auggies

submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to Ian Loretz, who claimed a 3rd place trophy at yesterday’s Twin Cities Forensic League tournament. Ian competed in the Program Oral Interpretation event–an event in which contestants must create a thematically coherent program of literature from at least two genres of literature. Yesterday’s meet featured speakers from eight schools, including MSU-Mankato, UW-Eau Claire, the University of Minnesota, Bethel University, and the University of Northern Iowa.

submitted by doree@augsburg.edu

Auggie Jennifer Kochaver, a mathematics major and statistics minor, appears as a co-author with former Augsburg professors Brian Rood, Psychology, and Miles Ott, MSCS, and others on “Minority Stressors Associated with Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Testing in a U.S. Sample of Transgender Individuals” in AIDS and Behavior journal.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10461-018-2054-0

submitted by obrienk@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to John Kipper and Erika Idrovo-Cuesta on their acceptance to the PPIA Junior Summer Institute!

The Public Policy and International Affairs Summer Institute is a seven-week program of study that focuses on preparing students for graduate programs in public and international affairs and careers as policy professionals, public administrators and other leadership roles in public service. Erika Idrovo-Cuesta (McNair Scholar) will participate in the PPIA Law Fellows program at the Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley, which is designed to shape future leaders committed to representing under-served communities in the areas of public policy and law. John Kipper will be attending the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Policy where he will learn about some of the biggest issues facing the U.S. (e.g. global climate change and environmental justice; race equity and public safety; global security and human rights; diversity and educational access) and have the opportunity to develop a field-based research and community engagement project.

We are thrilled that two Auggies will be participating in this valuable and prestigious (only 20% of applicants admitted) program!

If you are currently a sophomore and are interested in applying for the PPIA summer institute for summer 2019, please contact urgo@augsburg.edu and check out the PPIA website at https://www.ppiaprogram.org/ppia/.

submitted by obrienk@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to John Kipper and Erika Idrovo-Cuesta on their acceptance to the PPIA Junior Summer Institute!

The Public Policy and International Affairs Summer Institute is a seven-week program of study that focuses on preparing students for graduate programs in public and international affairs and careers as policy professionals, public administrators and other leadership roles in public service. Erika Idrovo-Cuesta (McNair Scholar) will participate in the PPIA Law Fellows program at the Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley, which is designed to shape future leaders committed to representing under-served communities in the areas of public policy and law. John Kipper will be attending the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Policy where he will learn about some of the biggest issues facing the U.S. (e.g. global climate change and environmental justice; race equity and public safety; global security and human rights; diversity and educational access) and have the opportunity to develop a field-based research and community engagement project.

We are thrilled that two Auggies will be participating in this valuable and prestigious (only 20% of applicants admitted) program!

If you are currently a sophomore and are interested in applying for the PPIA summer institute for summer 2019, please contact urgo@augsburg.edu and check out the PPIA website at https://www.ppiaprogram.org/ppia/.

submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu

The Psychology Department would like to recognize student researcher K. Alexis Nagle & Dr. Stacy Freiheit (faculty sponsor) for their award-winning scholarship entitled “Ripples of Trauma: Perceptions of Guilt by Family and Friends of Sexual Assault Survivors”. This research involved a total of 706 adults who responded to a nationwide survey examining the impact of gender and survivor/perpetrator relationship on the guilt felt by supporters of sexual assault survivors. Results indicated that friends were more likely to feel guilt than parents, and parents felt more guilt if the survivor was a daughter. Congratulations on this important work!

submitted by beckmanm@augsburg.edu

Heather Hultquist, a former Administrative Assistant to NSM and a 2000 alumna of Augsburg co-authored: 2017 Financial Institution Payments Fraud Mitigation Report of Results. She is currently working in the Payments, Standards, and Outreach Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. See a link to the report below.

https://www.minneapolisfed.org/~/media/files/about/what-we-do/frb-mpls-2017-fi-pymts-fraud-mitigation-report.pdf?la=en

submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu

Prof. David Lapakko, Communication Studies, is conducting a webinar today on “Dramatistic Approaches to the Study of Argument.” The webinar is being sponsored and coordinated by Kendall Hunt publishers. Lapakko’s textbook, Argumentation: Critical Thinking in Action, is a Kendall Hunt title.

submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu

Dr. Denkinger – along with former undergraduate and psychology honors student Madeline Kinn – had their article “Own-age bias and positivity effects in facial recognition” approved for publication in the journal Experimental Aging Research. This article will likely appear in Volume 44 (5), and reflects months of dedicated work as well as mentorship. Congratulations!

submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to Ian Loretz, who took home a 3rd place trophy this past weekend at a speech tournament at St. Cloud State University. Ian competed in the Program Oral Interpretation event. Augsburg was one of 16 schools at this weekend’s “Icebox Classic” tournament in St. Cloud.

submitted by dvorak@augsburg.edu

AUGSBURG STUDENT ALANA GOODSON AWARDED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD!

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that Alana Goodson from Augsburg University is one of only two undergraduate students in Minnesota selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad this summer 2018. Alana is a freshman majoring in Biology. She will be studying this summer with the International Partners in Service Learning program in Cusco, Peru.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad or internship program. The Gilman scholarship supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and, since 2001, has enabled more than 24,000 outstanding Americans of diverse backgrounds to engage in a meaningful educational experience abroad. The program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study. The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Since 2008, fifty two Augsburg students have received Gilman scholarships, totaling $206,000.

If you receive a Pell Grant and are a US Citizen, please consider applying! Check out our upcoming workshops to learn the keys to winning this scholarship!

Thursday Feb 8
10:30-11:30 am – In-Depth Session
Cedar room

Wednesday Feb 21
10:30-11 am (Chapel time) Express Session
Cedar room

Gilman scholarship for Study Abroad

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Michael Grewe, LGBTQIA+ Director, is presenting at the Creating Change Institute, held Jan. 24-28, 2018. This year’s conference is partnering with the National LGBTQ Task Force to provide 19 day-long Institutes as part of the overall conference. Michael and colleagues are presenting The Allyship Institute, focused on those interested in ways to engage in allyship with LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as being accomplices to interrupting and dismantling systems of oppression. Participants will consider how allies dedicated to the work of collective liberation movements can help create inclusive and accessible environments in the different positions where they live, work, and worship.

submitted by velamcco@augsburg.edu

Prof. Tim Pippert of the Department of Sociology just published the article “‘Have You Been to Walmart?’ Gender and Perceptions of Safety in North Dakota Boomtowns” in The Sociological Quarterly. In his research, Tim examines how the hypermasculinized environment altered perceptions of safety and security for men and women living in the Bakken.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00380253.2017.1413602

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Michael Grewe, LGBTQIA+ Director, is presenting at the Creating Change Institute, held Jan. 24-28, 2018. This year’s conference is partnering with the National LGBTQ Task Force to provide 19 day-long Institutes as part of the overall conference. Michael and colleagues are presenting The Allyship Institute, focused on those interested in ways to engage in allyship with LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as being accomplices to interrupting and dismantling systems of oppression. Participants will consider how allies dedicated to the work of collective liberation movements can help create inclusive and accessible environments in the different positions where they live, work, and worship.

submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu

Professor Dave Matz (Psychology) recently published an article entitled Women’s Hair as a Cue to Desired Relationship and Parenting Characteristics in The Journal of Social Psychology. The essential findings are that lighter, and to a lesser extent longer, hair on women tends to be associated with perceptions of youth, health, and attractiveness. Furthermore, these characteristics can serve as signals to less easily observable characteristics that are directly related to reproductive and relationship potential. The article has garnered attention from a number of media outlets, including PsyPost and the Daily Mail (U.K.). Please help us congratulate Dr. Matz on this important achievement!

submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu

Dr. Nancy Steblay, Psychology Department, has been appointed as the Associate Editor for the journal “Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.” PPPL is a journal of the American Psychological Association and provides a forum for critical evaluation of public policy and legal issues in light of the scientific knowledge base in psychology. Congratulations Dr. Steblay on this prestigious honor!

submitted by reinert@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to the following students on receiving offers for full-time employment upon graduation at U.S. Bank. All of these students completed summer 2017 internships with U.S. Bank prior to receiving their job offers. Way to go Auggies!

• Garrett Galarneau – mathematics major
• Evan Hesse – management major
• Bob Laskowski – computer science and mathematics major
• Elizabeth Stolis – management major
• Kevin Tran – communication studies and marketing major

If you’ve received a job offer the Strommen Center would love to hear about it! Email the good news to careers@augsburg.edu.

submitted by belik@augsburg.edu

18 Augsburg math majors, minors, and enthusiasts competed in this year’s North Central Section of the Mathematical Association of America Team Competition. We had an Augsburg high number of 6 teams solving 10 problems in 3 hours. Our best team consisting of Yimeng “Daisy” Jiang, Wanxin Qi, and Xuequing “Sunny” Su, finished 7th among 67 teams from Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada. Congratulations to all participants!

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Amanda Erdman, Director, Residence Life, received an outstanding program award at Upper Midwest Regional-Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO) for her session titled “Tales from Planet Estrogen: Reflections and Insights from Women in Housing.”

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Eric Pegues, Assistant Director, Residence Life, received the Outstanding Program Award at the recent Minnesota College Professionals Association (MCPA) Conference. Eric’s program was titled “The Illusion of Inclusion.”

submitted by green@augsburg.edu

English Prof. Dallas Liddle’s poster presentation “Textual Analysis and the Hard Problem of Interdisciplinary ‘Information,'” has been judged one of the best posters presented at a recent major digital humanities conference. The conference of the scholarly organization HASTAC (Humanities, Arts, Science, and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory) was held November 3-4 at the University of Central Florida on the theme of “The Possible Worlds of Digital Humanities.” The poster award carries a cash prize of $100.

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Eric Pegues, Assistant Director, Residence Life, received the Outstanding Program Award at the recent Minnesota College Professionals Association (MCPA) Conference. Eric’s program was titled “The Illusion of Inclusion.”

submitted by romeroe@augsburg.edu

Marquell Moorer ‘18 has accepted a position as a Peace Corps Fellow in Mongolia/China. After graduation in May, he will become a Secondary English Teacher Trainer, serving for two years.

The Peace Corps Volunteer program is often called life-defining by the more than 220,000 Americans who have served. Volunteers get the chance to fully integrate into a host country community, where they live and work on projects ranging from education to business development. Peace Corps volunteers like Marquell serve for a minimum of 2 full years and may be eligible for loan forgiveness, graduate school discounts and other benefits.

Marquell studied abroad multiple times and has a wealth of intercultural experience to bring to his new role – congratulations Marquell!

https://www.peacecorps.gov/

submitted by pippert@augsburg.edu

Professor James Vela-McConnell recently published “Behind Closed Doors: Organizational Secrecy, Stigma, and Sex Abuse within the Catholic Church.” The article was published in vol. 48 of Studies in Symbolic Interaction. The volume’s edition title is Oppression and Resistance: Structure, Agency, Transformation.

This is the second scholarly publication by Professor Vela-McConnell this semester!

submitted by dvorak@augsburg.edu

Marquell Moorer ‘19 has accepted a position as a Peace Corps Fellow in Mongolia/China. After graduation in May, he will become a Secondary English Teacher Trainer, serving for two years.

The Peace Corps Volunteer program is often called life-defining by the more than 220,000 Americans who have served. Volunteers get the chance to fully integrate into a host country community, where they live and work on projects ranging from education to business development. Peace Corps volunteers like Marquell serve for a minimum of 2 full years and may be eligible for loan forgiveness, graduate school discounts, and other benefits.

Marquell has studied abroad multiple times and has a wealth of intercultural experience to bring to this new role – Congratulations Marquell!

Learn more about the Peace Corps!

submitted by lapakko@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to Cheyenne Kelly-Moll, a member of Augsburg’s Speech Team. On Saturday, Cheyenne was a finalist at the Larry Schnoor Invitational Speech Meet at Minnesota State-Mankato. In her event, prose interpretation, Cheyenne placed in the top 5 among the 30 contestants in preliminary competition, and she earned a 5th place trophy overall. Cheyenne was pitted against speakers from around the Upper Midwest, including UW-Eau Claire, Concordia/Moorhead, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, the University of North Dakota, the University of South Dakota, North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, and Gustavus.

submitted by doree@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to Nyssa Capman (Mathematics & Physics majors) and Jennifer Kochaver (Mathematics major, Sociology & Statistics minors) for their successful poster presentations at the Twin Cities American Statistical Association Chapter 2017 Fall Research Conference on Monday October 9. Kochaver presented research on “Minority Stressors Predict Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Testing in a U.S. Sample of Transgender Individuals.” Capman’s work on “”Mapping the Dynamics of Surface Water Bodies Using Earth-observing Satellite Data: A Comparative Study” was awarded Best Undergraduate Poster. Kudos to both!

submitted by nikpay@augsburg.edu

Jila Nikpay is presenting a talk about visual storytelling at Minnesota International NGO Network’s 2017 Summit this Saturday, Oct 14. The conference offers global innovators a unique opportunity to connect, share, and learn.

https://www.minnesotangos.org/content/breakout-speakers

submitted by berggg@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Biology Alumni Casey Regnier ’17 and Blake Miller ’17 are both currently volunteering with FEMA Corps, one of the many AmeriCorps programs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works to support American citizens and first responders during natural disasters and other emergencies. Regnier, who recently applied to physician’s assistant programs, was recently asked to lead a FEMA Corps team in Puerto Rico. Miller, who is currently in Houston, Texas providing Hurricane Harvey relief, plans to attend dental school after his year with AmeriCorps.

submitted by velamcco@augsburg.edu

Prof. Diane Pike is the principal author for the recently published “The Sociology Major in the Changing Landscape of Higher Education: Curriculum, Careers, and Online Learning,” a significant contribution to the scholarship of learning and assessment. The Sociology Department is proud of her ongoing contributions to the discipline.

http://asa.enoah.com/Bookstore/Curriculum-Development-and-Departmental-Management/BKctl/ViewDetails/SKU/ASAOE107L17

submitted by olsonl@augsburg.edu

Feeling haunted by the Halloween spirit? Call your friends and make a short horror film this fall! Augsburg University students are invited to submit their short films with spooky/scary content to be screened at the Augsburg Student Spooky Film Festival, hosted by Augsburg Art Club. The free screening will be held in Sateren Auditorium on Wed. October 25th, with popcorn and candy available. You will be able to vote on your favorite films at the end of the screening, and the filmmaker with the highest voted film will receive a prize. The time limit for films is 10 minutes, and films can be submitted by uploading a high-quality version of your work to Google Drive and then sharing it with olsonl@augsburg.edu. Contact olsonl@augsburg.edu or fitcho@augsburg.edu with any questions!

Facebook event page

submitted by eschenba@augsburg.edu

MSW student and Sabo Center Graduate Fellow, Monica McDaniel, is running for the Seward Community Co-op Board of Directors. Elections are now open and run through the evening of October 23rd. If you are a Seward Co-op member/owner you can vote online or in person at the store.

Monica has been a patron of the Seward Co-op for over 10 years and believes it to be a community space for everyone to engage in dialogue and action around issues relating to food justice. As a youth worker and farmer who has worked at the intersections of food production and consumption, she knows that our food system is disconnected from the land and communities, particularly those on the margins and with non-dominant identities. The Seward Co-op is well-positioned to repair and mend those disconnects, and Monica will help that happen. Please consider voting for her if you are a member/owner.

submitted by pike@augsburg.edu

The Department of Sociology is proud to congratulate James Vela-McConnell on the 2017 publication of “The Sociology of Friendship” a chapter of original work published in The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology, vol 2 edited by Kathleen Odell Korgen. This work examines a fascinating area of social life and an emerging important sociological topic.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/the-cambridge-handbook-of-sociology/7E1FA1A4C902C5211E96307D6A1C7CE3

submitted by devega@augsburg.edu

Andrea Dvorak, Assistant Director of Off-campus Study, will be presenting on Sustainability and Study Abroad at the IES Conference in Chicago next month.

More and more participants, schools, and providers are seeking to incorporate the importance of sustainability as a focus or at least an aspect of study for students on international programs in today’s world. Efforts to develop sustainable practices in the study abroad field will be discussed, as well as the development and implementation of sustainable practices at Augsburg’s CGEE Study Centers in Latin America and Namibia, and at the IES sustainability program in Freiburg.

View related article co-authors by Andrea Dvorak, Nancy Fischer, Lars Christianson and Joe Underhill published in 2015 in Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad.

A Necessary Partnership: Study Abroad and Sustainability in Higher Education

submitted by godie@augsburg.edu

The Young Women’s Cabinet, comprised of up to 25 young women and youth leaders (ages 16-24) from the eight identified communities, will be charged with ensuring that the work of the Working Groups and the Council stays grounded in the lived experiences of the young women and youth from each community and the community-specific challenges and solutions they identified. The YWCA St. Paul will facilitate the Young Women’s Cabinet and will provide leadership development to the young women and youth who sit on the Cabinet and Community-Specific Working Groups.

On September 9th, 2017, Governor Mark Dayton appointed former Auggie, Eron Godi, Class of 2017, and 24 other young Minnesota women to the Young Women’s Cabinet, as part of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota.

http://www.wfmn.org/ywi/

submitted by shapiro@augsburg.edu

I want to share my gratitude for you and say goodbye. On September 15, I will be leaving the Academic Skills Office to pursue a new opportunity. It has been a wonderful 11 years collaborating with you in support of our students. I wish you all my very best. Debbie

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

Professor Kathryn Swanson, English, has served as reviewer of five new or soon-to-be released novels for the Mystery and Detective Fiction Reading List published by the Popular Culture/American Culture National Association.

submitted by holleric@augsburg.edu

Stewart Van Cleve, Digital Archivist and Research Services Librarian, is the subject of a PBS interview (http://www.tpt.org/post/from-rewire-stewart-van-cleve-chronicles-local-lgbtq-history/) by local station TPT because of his role in their forthcoming documentary, “Out North: MNLGBTQ History” (http://www.tpt.org/out-north/), which premieres October 16. The interview highlights Van Cleve’s extensive research on the history of Minnesota’s LGBTQ community, culminating in publication of his book “Land of 10,000 Loves: A History of Queer Minnesota”, and his Twin Cities walking tours of historical LGBTQ sites.

The newest member of the Lindell Library team, Van Cleve started at Augsburg on July 10. He is responsible for developing and maintaining the Library’s digital archival collections and for managing its newly expanded Digitization Lab. Van Cleve also provides general reference and instructional services and is the Library’s designated liaison to the following academic departments: History, Leadership/MAL, Sociology, and Urban Studies. He holds degrees in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota and Portland State University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from St. Kate’s.

“Land of 10,000 Loves”, described in the interview as “a gorgeous illustrated portrait of Minnesota’s queer history”, can be read online (https://augsburg.on.worldcat.org/search?queryString=land+of+10%2C000+loves#/oclc/824353677) at no charge through Lindell Library’s ebook collection or purchased from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Land-10-000-Loves-Minnesota/dp/0816676453/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505148671&sr=8-1&keywords=land+of+10%2C000+loves) or other booksellers.

Lindell Library

submitted by zobitz@augsburg.edu

At the summer national meetings of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Dr. Suzanne Dorée was elected to Chair the MAA Congress for a 2-year term beginning February 2018. This fall she serves as Interim Vice Chair. In these roles, Dorée will run the Congress, help identify and develop future leaders for the organization, sit on the MAA Board of Directors, and serve on the MAA National Speakers Bureau. Congratulations Dr. Dorée!

submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu

I’m pleased to announce that Jim Matthias (MBA ’13) has accepted the position of Assistant Director of User Support. This position supervises all aspects of end-user support: the LFCs, Classroom Services and the Tech Desk.

Jim came to Augsburg in 2008 from Youth Encounter where he was their Director of Information Technology. Jim has served Augsburg as an Administrative LFC and has managed many projects over the years including an ID card system upgrade and Public Safety mobile command station deployment and most recently has been project managing a support redesign for Luther Seminary and Augsburg.

submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu

AUGSBURG STUDENT FATHA SHARIF ABDINASSIR AWARDED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD!

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that Fatha Sharif Abdinassir from Augsburg College is one of nearly 1,000 American undergraduate students from 386 colleges and universities across the United States selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad during the 2017-2018 academic year. Fatha is a junior majoring in Economics. She will be studying for a semester at our Exchange Partner school, Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad or internship program. The Gilman scholarship supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and, since 2001, has enabled more than 24,000 outstanding Americans of diverse backgrounds to engage in a meaningful educational experience abroad. The program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study. The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Since 2008, fifty one Augsburg students have received Gilman scholarships, totaling $201,000.

Learn more about the Gilman Scholarship

submitted by wades@augsburg.edu

Nursing faculty, Kathleen “Katie” Clark, was recently interviewed for a segment on the Changemaker podcast. Katie’s segment on the Health Commons is the first of three interviews in the “Belonging” – Changemaker podcast. Hope you get a chance to listen to the podcast that highlights stories from people making a difference. http://www.changemakerpodcast.com/episode-2-belonging/

changemakerpodcast.com | @changemakerpod | facebook.com/changemakerpodcast

Belonging

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

We learned that Mark Daniel Lukitsch, sophomore, age 19, of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away unexpectedly on August 5, 2017. Mark is survived by parents, Dan and Lisa; beloved sister, Megan; service dog, Avery; grandparents, Chuck and Linda Kersten, Pat and Sue McFarlin, Carl and Sandy Lukitsch; aunts and uncles, Kelly (Bill) Benning, Todd (LeAnn) Kersten, Courtney Lukitsch; cousins, Kersten and Sydney Benning; best friends, Brichelle, Zach, Jack, and countless others. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 11, at Rose of Sharon (6875 Jamaica Ave. Cottage Grove). The visitation will take place from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, at Kok Funeral Home (7676 80th St. S. Cottage Grove) and one hour prior to service at the church.

submitted by green@augsburg.edu

English Major and writer Eve Taft’s sestina “Medica” will appear in the the December issue of _Snapdragon: A Journal of Art and Healing_.

You’ll also find her poem “Waiting” in the current issue of the journal _South 85_.

South 85

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

We learned that Mark Daniel Lukitsch, sophomore, age 19, of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away unexpectedly on August 5, 2017. Mark is survived by parents, Dan and Lisa; beloved sister, Megan; service dog, Avery; grandparents, Chuck and Linda Kersten, Pat and Sue McFarlin, Carl and Sandy Lukitsch; aunts and uncles, Kelly (Bill) Benning, Todd (LeAnn) Kersten, Courtney Lukitsch; cousins, Kersten and Sydney Benning; best friends, Brichelle, Zach, Jack, and countless others. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 11, at Rose of Sharon (6875 Jamaica Ave. Cottage Grove).  The visitation will take place from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, at Kok Funeral Home (7676 80th St. S. Cottage Grove) and one hour prior to service at the church.

submitted by griesse@augsburg.edu

#LedForReal was the theme of the first Act Six Midwest Convention this weekend. All twenty-one of Augsburg’s Act Six Scholars attended the event. Cadre 1 includes Juniors Jhoseline Flores Castellanos, Bashiru Kormah, Destyn Land, Sunny Thao, Jasmine Valentino, and Brandon Williams. Cadre 2 includes Sophomores Hodo Dahir, Daniel Degollado, Eh Soe Dwe, Lourdes Juarez Olvera, Bonsa Mohamed, Christopher Oquist, and Cooper Vang. And Cadre 3 includes Incoming First Years Shamsa Ahmed, Ash Farah, Pierre Lawhon, Jada Lewis, Shawn Daye, Jessica Mendoza, and Lay Lay Zan. Bobby Yang, a member of Cadre 1, was also in attendance and #LedForReal, especially when he wrote and performed lyrics that included the names of all of his Cadre 1 classmates. Auggies Led For Real!!!

submitted by collen@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to Senior Event Planner, Sarah Cash Darvell, on passing her certification exam to become a Certified Special Events Professional® (CSEP). Becoming a CSEP is contingent upon a candidate fulfilling the practical experience requirement and successfully passing a rigorous multiple choice and written examination.

The CSEP designation, which is administered and awarded by the International Live Events Association (ILEA), is a reputable measurement of critical events industry knowledge. It is the only certification within the meetings/incentives/conventions/expositions (MICE) industry that signifies competency in all facets of the live events industry. As a recipient of the CSEP credential, Sarah has earned a unique distinction as a knowledgeable and experienced events professional and joins an elite global community of highly motivated events professionals who are committed to the enhancement of individual and professional performance.

Congratulations, Sarah!

submitted by schield@augsburg.edu

Milo Schield, Professor of Business Administration, had his invited editorial (GAISE 2016 Promotes Statistical Literacy) featured in a special Statistical Literacy issue of statistical education’s premier journal: SERJ. GAISE are the guidelines for teaching introductory statistics. In the GAISE 2016 update, multivariate data and confounding were added as important topics. Milo has argued that confounding, alternate explanations and hypothetical thinking are what connect statistics to the liberal arts. In his editorial, he asserted that by adding confounding this update is “the biggest change in statistical education in decades” and “has done more to advance the cause of statistical literacy than
any previous paper, book, group or committee.” According to Google Scholar, Milo’s papers have been cited over one thouand times. Milo was the principle investigator in the 2001 grant Augsburg received from the W. M. Keck Foundation to promote statistical literacy as an interdisciplinary curriculum.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

click here to view our blog.

submitted by kinnm@augsburg.edu

Two more Augsburg students have been named Fulbright Award winners. These awards now bring Augsburg’s total number of Fulbright winners for the 2017-2018 application cycle to four. The four Fulbright Scholars will be living abroad in the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud to announce Dustin Parks (2017, Economics and Finance) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Dustin will conduct research on entrepreneurial education in Peru.

We are also proud to announce Hannah Schmit (2017, Sociology, Religion, and Biology) as one of our newest Fulbright Scholars. Hannah will be an English teaching assistant in the Czech Republic.

For more details on our Fulbright Scholars, click here to view our blog.

 

submitted by hardaker@augsburg.edu

Augsburg student, Tylan Mitchell, was chosen to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Abroad Delegation. Tylan is a junior majoring in Management Information Systems.

The program was designed to provide African-American students living or attending school in Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member districts with the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and learn Mandarin during a two- week visit to China (June 1 – 18). Program selection is prestigious and competitive – Tylan is one of just 20 students from around the country selected to participate.

Congratulations, Tylan, on being selected for this amazing opportunity!

More information at CGEE’s Blog

submitted by rennera@augsburg.edu

Anna Renner ’17, biopsychology major, was accepted as a member of the incoming class of 2020 at Clarkson University for the Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

submitted by green@augsburg.edu

Auggie English major Eve Taft’s sci-fi story “Fermi’s Paradox” has just appeared in Quail Bell Magazine (linked below). The story is timely and quietly apocalyptic. Congratulations, Eve!

“Fermi’s Paradox”

submitted by lukasik@augsburg.edu

Matthew Byrnes, a graduate student in Education currently completing the requirements for his MAE degree, was awarded the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship. Mr. Byrnes will be studying Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Mr. Byrnes is one of approximately 550 competitively selected American students at U.S. colleges and universities who received a CLS award in 2017.

Award Press Release

submitted by alkirea@augsburg.edu

The Lindell Library has received a very generous monetary gift in honor of Boyd Koehler’s 50 years of service by a 1985 Augsburg graduate and former student library assistant. In accordance with the wishes of the donor and Koehler, the funds are being used to support Augsburg College’s commitment to intentional diversity and enhance teaching through the purchase of library materials in the areas of Native American studies, international writers examined in the MFA program, special education as it relates to the achievement gap and diversity studies, and social work.

submitted by belik@augsburg.edu

Alek Lukanen, a Mathematics and Computer Science double major, presented a poster at the annual Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI) Research Exhibition on Tuesday, April 25. This exhibition highlights work done using the MSI supercomputer cluster over the previous academic year. Alek’s work is a result of his URGO project started in the summer of 2016 titled “Equilibrium Statistics of Vortex Filaments and the Pivot Algorithm”. Congratulations, Alek, on a job well done!

submitted by johnsonm@augsburg.edu

Two Augsburg theater alums (Quinci Bachman ‘15 & Stephanie Lein Walseth ’00,) one soon-to-graduate theater major (Malick Ceesay,) & Augsburg Professor Emerita Martha Johnson are all part of the upcoming Full Circle Theater Company’s production of Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 DAYS/PLAYS: A 2017 Remix at Penumbra Theater, St. Paul, from May 26 – June 11.

Martha Johnson directed an earlier version of this production with a student cast at Augsburg in 2012. Full Circle’s version will feature 6 directors (including Stephanie Lein Walseth, Harry Waters Jr., Rick Shiomi, Lara Trujillo, James Williams, and Martha Johnson) and a cast of 10 professional actors. Well-known African dancer Patricia Brown will choreograph. Quinci Bachman will serve as co-sound designer and stage manager. Malick Ceesay will be props designer and assistant stage manager.

For tickets: 365days365plays.bpt.me or 1-800-838-3006 or visit our website http://www.fullcircletheatermn.org. We hope you’ll come!

Full Circle Theater Company website

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

Augsburg’s own D. E. Green (aka English Professor Doug Green) is one of several winners in the 2017 Sidewalk Poetry Contest in Northfield, MN.  Chosen from among 156 poems submitted for judging, ten poems have been selected for imprinting in city sidewalks later this summer. This is Professor Green’s third sidewalk poem. (“I love the idea of being walked on!”) Here’s the text:

Crystal winter fog–
you hang on air, coat trees,
fur the evergreen.

Read (and hear!) more about the 2017 Northfield Sidewalk Poetry Winners here.

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

Kathryn Swanson, English professor, was an invited seminar facilitator for Cohort 18 in the Physician Leadership College, Program of Executive Education for practicing physicians at the University of St. Thomas. Swanson led the discussion on Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilych.”

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Elise Linna (2018, physics with minors in mathematics and environmental studies and AugSTEM scholar) has received the Rossing Physics Scholarship for $5,000. Physics majors at ELCA colleges are eligible to apply. Since coming to Augsburg Elise has completed an URGGO summer research project, mentored by Dr. Emily Schilling, and summer of research with Dr. David Murr. This summer she will continue her work in Dr. Ben Stottrup’s lab. Her career goal is to obtain a master’s or doctorate in environmental engineering and work on the ecological restoration of our watersheds in urban areas. She finds her vocation in the realities she describes in her application essay: “Our valuable water resources are exposed to over-pumping and various sources of pollution, which is exacerbated by an increasing population. We must conduct research in order to devise plans to meet the water demands of our future.”

Congratulations, Elise.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Jubilee Prosser received the 2017 Boren Scholarship, $8,000 for summer language and cultural study in Tanzania, our first recipient ever, or at least within many years. Boren Scholarships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad.

Jubilee is double majoring in biology and environmental studies while minoring in political science. A Presidential Scholar and Honor Program Participant, she also conducted URGO summer research with Dr. Emily Schilling, completed the River Semester and a 4-month study abroad experience in Kenya. Her long-term plans are to earn a Master’s of Public Health degree in epidemiology or environmental health. Because of her long-term goals, Jubilee has decided to turn down the Boren award to conduct research with epidemiologist Mark Travers at the Roswell Park Institute for Cancer Research in Buffalo, New York. She is considering applying for Boren again at the graduate level.

Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Boren has opportunities for semester ($10,000) to one year ($20,000) study abroad experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the shorter summer experience for STEM undergraduates. If you are interested in learning more about the program talk to one of our Boren Campus Representatives: (1) Andrea Dvorak, Assistant Director of Off-Campus Study, Center for Global Education and Experience or (2), Dixie Shafer, Director of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO). You can also visit http://www.borenawards.org.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Augsburg senior Mike Alves (chemistry) has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in STEM disciplines. NSF received 13,000 applications this cycle and awarded 2,000 grants. Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $34,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution).

Mike is a transfer student from MCTC who was afforded the opportunity to conduct URGO research with Dr. David Hanson the summer prior to starting at Augsburg through AugSTEM grant (Rebekah Dupont PI) funding. That fall he continued working with Dr. Hanson and was admitted to the McNair Scholars Program. The following summer he conducted research at the University of California San Diego, where he has decided to pursue a PhD in chemistry and biochemistry.

Congratulations, Mike. We all look forward to observing your contributions to science.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Overview of 2016-2017 Fulbright Results
Of the seven Augsburg students named Fulbright semi-finalists, two were named awardees, two were named alternates, one is still waiting to hear from Peru and one, who applied to Turkey, learned the program has been cancelled this cycle due to political unrest.

Two Fulbright Winners; Two Fulbright Alternates
Rachel Frantz (2017, biology, lacrosse, cross country, choir) awarded English Teaching Assistant grant to Malaysia. She also has been admitted to a PhD program in Marine Biology with full funding at the University of Southern California–Los Angeles. She will attend six months of graduate school, teach for a year in Malaysia and then return to her PhD studies.

Hannah Frey (2015, international relations, history, Honors Program, orchestra) awarded an English Teaching Assistant grant to South Korea.

Hannah Schmidt (2017, sociology, religion, biology, Presidential Scholar, Honors Program, choir) named alternate for an English Teaching Assistant grant to Czech Republic.

Erica Byer (2017) English as a Second Language, music, German, Presidential Scholar, Honors Program, orchestra, band) named alternate for English Teaching Assistant grant to Bulgaria.

Congratulations to all applicants. Thanks to those who wrote letters of recommendation and served on interview committees.

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

English Professor Doug Green’s poem “Better in French,” has been selected to appear on a national poetry blog in celebration of National Poetry Month. “Better in French” first appeared online as an honorable mention in the October 2016 Goodreads Newsletter Contest. Congratulations, Doug!

Read Professor Green’s poem here.

submitted by liddle@augsburg.edu

Kathryn Swanson, professor of English, was an invited presenter in Mystery/Detective Fiction at the recent Popular Culture/American Culture conference in San Diego. She used Julie Schumacher’s epistolary novel “Dear Committee Members” as one example in her talk on “Extending the Boundaries.” Swanson discussed the world of academe as an insular community and therefore as an appropriate setting for the sub-genre of the cozy mystery.

submitted by eschenba@augsburg.edu

MSW student and Sabo Center graduate fellow Monica McDaniel recently published her paper “Social Justice Youth Work: Actualizing Youth Rights” in the Journal of Youth Development. Her work is an important contribution to the field of youth work. Read it here: http://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/488

Social Justice Youth Work: Actualizing Youth Rights

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

Please join the English department in celebrating Eve Taft! Her poem “Born of Woman” has been selected for publication in the January 2018 edition of the Badlands Literary Journal. Congratulations, Eve!

submitted by hensleym@augsburg.edu

Dr. Melissa Hensley, associate professor of social work, and Christine Dawson, Augsburg MSW alumna, co-authored an article that appears in the April, 2017 issue of the journal “Social Work.” The article is entitled “Social Workers and Self-Help Services: Forging Positive Relationships.”

submitted by truem@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Campus Kitchen wins National Napalitos award!

Nopalitos are the flat stems or paddles of the prickly pear cactus, and were the most unfamiliar ingredient that a Campus Kitchen has ever received and used successfully. This award goes to the Campus Kitchen leader who never faltered in the face of adversity and instead rose to every challenge and took every difficulty in stride.

“We never cease to be amazed by the hard work and creativity that Campus Kitchen leaders invest in their work. Last month at the Augsburg Campus Kitchen, the College’s main dining hall kitchen–where the students prepare meals–had a small fire. As a result, they did not receive food donations, nor did they have space on campus to cook. They called on their connections in the neighborhood and reached out to other campuses, and were able to get food donated once per week from a neighboring university, and use the kitchen at one of their client agencies. The shift leaders and volunteers did an incredible job getting food safely to the new cooking space, and turning it into delicious meals so that their service to their clients could go on. Through the process, they even made new partnerships for food sourcing that they plan to continue after they return to their regular routine. At a time when it would have been easy to give up, they overcame an unexpected difficulty with grace and a focus on providing uninterrupted service to those who depend on them.”

submitted by grewe@augsburg.edu

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2016-2017 Augsburg Leadership Awards:

STUDENT LEADERS
Linda Schrempp Alberg Endowed Leadership Award: Chung Lip
Student Leader of the Year: Marquell Moorer
Dean of Students Award: Grace Corbin, Kitana Holland, Malick Ceesay, Preenon Huq
Emerging Leader of the Year: Anne Liners
Civic Engagement Award: Karl Hahn
Peer Education Award: Bashiru Kormah
Social Justice Award: Sammy Coy

Outstanding First-Year Student of the Year: Mayli Camposeco
Outstanding Sophomore Student of the Year: Brandon Williams, Chad Berryman, Destyn Land
Outstanding Junior Student of the Year: Abe Johnson, Erika Idrovo-Cuesta, Francesca Chiari
Outstanding Senior Student of the Year: Amy Xiong, Karen Thao, Rachel Frantz, Winnie Godi

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Student Organization of the Year: Augsburg’s Sexual Misconduct-Awareness Raising Team
New Student Organization of the Year: Queer Indigenous and People of Color
Auggie Spirit Award (TIE): Augsburg Student Activities Council, International Student Organization
Civic Engagement Award: Augsburg Asian Student Association
Innovations in Programming Award: Pan-Afrikan Student Union
Social Justice Award: Hmong Women Together

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

In addition to being named a member of the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council, a decision-making body of experienced peer reviewers and team chairs, Kathryn Swanson (English) will be an invited presenter at two workshop sessions the HLC Annual Meeting in Chicago. With HLC staff, she will present information for institutions on the Standard, AQIP and Open Pathways, as well as those in candidacy. Swanson’s focus will be Criterion 4, the central locus for an institution’s assurance argument regarding the use of Assessment.

submitted by schield@augsburg.edu

Milo Schield, Professor in Business Administration, has been invited to talk on Statistical Literacy at the Field Institute MathEd Forum in Toronto on April 29. This forum is sponsored by the Center for Mathematics Education (CME). Milo’s work builds on the grant Augsburg received from the W. M. Keck Foundation. The goal of this grant was “to develop statistical literacy as an interdisciplinary curriculum in the liberal arts.”

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Vision Bagonza (’17, biology major, chemistry minor, honors program) has been selected to participate in the 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting taking place in late June in Lindau, Germany. Only the 400 most qualified young scientists are selected for this opportunity, described on the web site as: “Once every year, 30 to 40 Nobel Laureates convene at Lindau to meet the next generation of leading scientists: undergraduates, PhD students, and post-doc researchers from all over the world. The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings foster the exchange between scientists of different generations, cultures, and disciplines.” Vision was nominated for the honor by Augsburg’s Nobel Laureate, Dr. Peter Agre. In the past Dr. Agre nominated two other Augsburg students, Brian Krohn and Kirubel Gezejegn, who both received the award.

Throughout her undergraduate career, Vision has engaged in multiple research experiences, including the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Mayo Clinic Biomedical Ethics, and several years in Dr. Ben Stottrup’s biophysics lab. Her first summer research experience was funded by donor and board member Dean Sundquist. Congratulations, Vision.

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

The College appointed Patrice Salmeri to the donor-endowed position of Executive Director for Recovery Advancement to bring to fruition the strategic priorities of the StepUP Advisory Board and College. In her new role, effective June 2017, Salmeri will work to:

Reduce stigma associated with substance use disorder recovery by advising on and shaping policy issues.
Advise the Augsburg College president on issues and resources related to support for student recovery.
Support and inspire other colleges and universities across the nation to provide recovery programs modeled after Augsburg’s successful StepUP Program.
Develop and pilot programs for students who have graduated from or left the StepUP Program but still have coursework to complete.
Work with StepUP Program alumni and connect soon-to-graduate students with program alumni.

A search is underway to fill the position of Director of StepUP, previously held by Salmeri.

About Patrice Salmeri: The StepUP Program director since 2002, Salmeri has led StepUP Program growth from 30 students per year to over 100. Salmeri is recognized nationally as a leader and champion of recovery, is an expert on residential collegiate recovery, and is a sought-out national speaker on substance use disorder issues related to young people.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

Keneeshia Williams (’03 graduate in biology and chemistry) has accepted the position of Assistant Professor at Emory University/ Trauma-Critical Care Surgeon at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. While at Augsburg Keneeshia conducted aquarium research with Dr. Bill Capman as a McNair Scholar and was an M. Anita Hawthorne Leadership Scholar. She earned her Doctorate of Medicine from University of Illinois at Peoria, spent two years at Loyola University in the NIH training program in trauma and burn research and four years in a General Surgery Residence at Mount Sinai Hospital. She currently is a Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Surgery Fellow at the University of Arizona (working alongside the surgeon who served congresswoman Gabriel Giffords). Prior to starting medical school Keneeshia was set on a career in pediatrics or family medicine, until she had her first surgical rotation. Two years ago she visited Augsburg and inspired a new round of Augsburg health care professionals with her stories, advice and achievements.

submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu

It’s my pleasure to announce that 4 student films have been nominated for the Student Crystal Pillar Award from the Upper Midwest Emmy® Chapter. This award is sponsored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The award ceremony will take place Friday, March 31st and the Crown Plaza Aire MSP Airport/Mall of America. 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.)

For a complete list of nominees, visit: http://midwestemmys.org/20170302/2017-college-student-tv-award-nominees/

Our Fantastic Four:
“A Purposeful Jar” – Fiction
Joel Myers, Director
Grace Berg, Casting Director
Lauren Tabor, Screenwriter
Luke Mickelson, Audio Recordist/Boom Operator
Mark Lukitsch, Editor

“Don’t Let Go of the Rope” – Non-Fiction
Elle Abeler, Producer
Lukas Olson, Camera
Winston Heckt, Camera
Iain Hood, Camera/Editor
Joel Myers, Camera/Editor
Abby Tilford, Producer

“MIA” – Public Affairs/Community Service
Michaela Stein, Writer/Director/Editor/Camera
Yuri Garcia-Pena, Producer
Marin Genevois, Assistant Director/Assistant Camera
Ricardo Cortes, Assistant Director/Assistant Camera

“Interface” – Animation
Jake Moore, Producer

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

The College appointed Patrice Salmeri to the donor-endowed position as Executive Director for Recovery Advancement to bring to fruition the strategic priorities of the StepUP Advisory Board and College. In her new role, effective June 2017, Salmeri will work to:

• Reduce stigma associated with substance use disorder recovery by advising on and shaping policy issues.
• Advise the Augsburg College president on issues and resources related to support for student recovery.
• Support and inspire other colleges and universities across the nation to provide recovery programs modeled after Augsburg’s successful StepUP Program.
• Develop and pilot programs for students who have graduated from or left the StepUP Program but still have coursework to complete.
• Work with StepUP Program alumni and connect soon-to-graduate students with program alumni.

A search is underway to fill the position of Director of StepUP, previously held by Salmeri.

About Patrice Salmeri: The StepUP Program director since 2002, Salmeri has led StepUP Program growth from 30 students per year to over 100. Salmeri is recognized nationally as a leader and champion of recovery, is an expert on residential collegiate recovery, and is a sought-out national speaker on substance use disorder issues related to young people.

submitted by liddle@augsburg.edu

Kathryn Swanson, Professor of English, has received notice from the Higher Learning Commission that HLC staff recommended and the HLC Board of Trustees officially approved her appointment to the Institutional Action Council (IAC) for a four-year term beginning September 1, 2017. The IAC is the HLC body that reviews reports submitted by accreditation team chairs following site visits to colleges and universities seeking accreditation or reaccreditation.

submitted by ricomem@augsburg.edu

Augsburg’s annual Zyzzogeton Research Symposium showcases the work of over 80 undergraduate researchers in all academic disciplines and will take place on April 12th. Students who have conducted research over the course of the last year and would like to present a poster should register at the URGO website (www.augsburg.edu/urgo) by March 1st.

For questions about registration or the event, please contact Lara Crombie (crombie@augsburg.edu).

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Katie Lane, Disability Specialist, Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS) Office, presented on the Law and Disability to the Master of Arts in Leadership in Student Affairs class. Katie’s presentation covered ADA and reasonable accommodations.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

URGO is proud to announce that 7 Augsburg students/alums have been selected as Fulbright semi-finalists to the following countries: South Korea, Bulgaria (2 students), Czech Republic, Peru, Turkey, and Malaysia. The semi-finalist distinction means these applicants will be forwarded on to their host countries for further consideration. The U.S. Fulbright Commission typically sends twice the number of applicants as there are available positions to the host countries. Throughout the spring, host countries notify semi-finalists as to whether or not they have been selected as finalists. Being named a semi-finalist is considered a high level of achievement in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In addition to congratulating the semi-finalists, URGO wants to commend all students who applied for Fulbright as they worked equally diligently on their applications. We also want to thank the many faculty and staff interview panels as well as all letter writers who help provide a three-dimensional portrait of our Fulbright nominees.

Students: Please contact shafer@augsburg.edu if you have an interest in applying for, or simply learning more about, the Fulbright experience and application process.

Faculty: Please refer current students or alumni who you think might make solid candidates to shafer@augsburg.edu.

submitted by shafer@augsburg.edu

URGO is proud to announce that 7 Augsburg students/alums have been selected as Fulbright semi-finalists to the following countries: South Korea, Bulgaria (2 students), Czech Republic, Peru, Turkey, and Malaysia. The semi-finalist distinction means these applicants will be forwarded on to their host countries for further consideration. The U.S. Fulbright Commission typically sends twice the number of applicants as there are available positions to the host countries. Throughout the spring, host countries notify semi-finalists as to whether or not they have been selected as finalists. Being named a semi-finalist is considered a high level of achievement in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In addition to congratulating the semi-finalists, URGO wants to commend all students who applied for Fulbright as they worked equally diligently on their applications. We also want to thank the many faculty and staff interview panels as well as all letter writers who help provide a three-dimensional portrait of our Fulbright nominees.

Students: Please contact shafer@augsburg.edu if you have an interest in applying for, or simply learning more about the Fulbright experience and application process.

Faculty: Please refer current students or alums to shafer@augsburg.edu who you think might make solid candidates.

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

Anthony Wilder, Director, Urness Residence Hall, is presenting at the 38th Annual Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Annual Conference. His presentation is called “Is That a Texturizer?: Untangling Race and Gender of Natural Black Hair.” This presentation will explore the intersection of identity and black natural hair and its social implications.

Anthony also serves as the session chair for the Women, Gender and Sexuality: Race and Gender and will present with two other scholars.

submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu

The Augsburg Center for Global Education and Experience semester program,
Social Change in Central America: Exploring Peace, Justice and Community Engagement, program has been awarded a Notable Mention on GoAbroad’s list of Top Rated Study Abroad Programs of 2016! Of the thousands of programs listed on the GoAbroad website, the Augsburg CGEE program was one of the most highly rated programs of 2016!

Congratulations to the CGEE Staff, especially the Central America staff and faculty!

All Auggies have the opportunity to study abroad in Central America (or elsewhere) as part of their academic experience – stop by our office in Christensen Center to learn more!

See the Full List of Top Rated Organizations & Programs here:

GoAbroad’s Top Rated Organizations & Programs of 2016

submitted by bibus@augsburg.edu

Social work professor emeritus Tony Bibus’ letter on “Virtue Ethics” is published in the latest issue of the journal Social Work (2017, Vol. 62, #1, p. 95).

submitted by kilgorem@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Professor of English Doug Green is a participating writer at two upcoming writers’ events in Northfield. These events are free and open to the public.

Sunday, Jan. 15
Writers Resist/Northfield: Hope is Greater than Fear
512 Washington St S, Northfield, MN
An afternoon of readings by local writers, celebrating freedom of expression, our diverse American literary heritage, and the ideals of democracy. The event is free and open to the public. A coffee and cookie reception will follow.
Read more about the Writers Resist movement at http://www.writersresist.org/
See the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/390749251265797/

Thursday, Jan. 19
Writers’ Night: A Sense of Place
Northfield Public Library – 210 Washington St, Northfield, MN
Join the Northfield Poet Laureate and ten featured local writers for a reading of poetry and prose on the theme of “A Sense of Place.” Selections were chosen by judges in a blind selection process.
See the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/111916655981203/