Category: Keeping Track of Auggies

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 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 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 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/