Following chapel, join us from 11am-12pm in Oren Gateway Center Room 100 for a panel with Q&A moderated by Regent Matt Entenza. The panel will feature partners helping in planning Augsburg’s campus transformation into an Urban Arboretum. Learn how we will maximize green space to improve experiences for students, faculty, staff, and our neighbors!

Panelists include:
Tom Oslund Principal, Oslund & Associates, Landscape Architect
Dale Pederson ’70, Associate Professor, Biology
Ralph Sievert, Director of Forestry & Certified Arborist, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Augsburg College.

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Just two years ago, a small group of AWEsome women put up a bold goal—to raise $100,000 and sponsor a student study lounge in the Center for Science, Business, and Religion. We went on to surpass our goal and to date have raised $126,000. There is still time to be a part of this landmark campaign that will close on December 31, 2015.

This shows what a committed group of women can do. It is no surprise that the secret to making positive and lasting change in the world is hidden in plain sight. In fact, it is more than half of the population. Women vote more, volunteer more, and give more to charities than men. They control more than half of the total wealth in America!

Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy
This campaign has generated so much enthusiasm and renewed so many wonderful memories and stories of Augsburg legacy. Before the campaign closes on December 31, there is still time to honor a special person, a faculty member, Auggie family members, and classmates. The personalized brick wall will have a prominent space in the new building.

Some inspiring examples include:

“Thank You, Dr. Norma Noonan” • “Our friendship is a Phoenix: Britt, Wendy, Jen, Tash, Steph, Jodi” • Delta House ’72-’74: Lien, Lus, Tesmer, Turrittin • Mrs. Pete, Teacher, Mentor, Friend” • “Psalm 25:  O Lord … teach me your paths” • “Thank You Augsburg College!”; AWE-Inspired!

There is still time to participate! Contact Donna McLean at mclean@augsburg.edu to plan your tribute.

We are women.  We are Auggies.  Leading the way – creating confident, joyful donors!

The AWE-Inspired Philanthropy Council: Lisa Zeller ’82, ’89 MAL • Shelby Gimse Andress ’56 • Kris Pearson ’78 • Elizabeth Tweeton Odegaard ’04 • Rachel Olson Engebretson ’98

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In recognition of Augsburg College’s leadership in closing the higher education disparity gap for students of color in Minnesota, Wells Fargo has made a gift of $100,000 to the campaign to build the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR).

Wells Fargo joins several other corporations (including U.S. Bank, 3M, and General Mills) in supporting the CSBR.

In a statement, Dave Kvamme, CEO of Wells Fargo Minnesota, expressed admiration for Augsburg’s commitment to partnering with College Access programs like College Possible to help recruit, support, and retain first-generation and low-income students.

Nearly 120 alums of College Possible are currently enrolled at Augsburg and receiving intrusive advising to help them achieve academic success. Intrusive advising connects faculty advisors, academic advisors, coaches, and other academic partners on a near-daily basis to gain a better understanding of each student’s progress – using lead indicators like attendance, health, and financial stress to identify and address risks.

“Augsburg understands its student body and offers a wealth of student support services to meet the needs of its community,” said Jim McCorkell, CEO and Founder of College Possible. “Four different multicultural student offices, TRiO/SSS, academic skills coaches, disability services, and the StepUP program, which serves students in recovery, all exist to support the student experience. Rarely do I see a college as committed to access and success as Augsburg College.”

“We rely on partnerships with flagship companies like Wells Fargo not only to enrich the educational experience of our students but also to help improve how we share our own resources with our neighborhood and the broader community,” said Paul Pribbenow, President of Augsburg College.

The facility will be 135,000 square feet in size and, when fully completed, will include eight classrooms, 24 laboratories, and 6,000 feet of student and faculty research space. Centralized administrative services, kitchens, meeting rooms and lounges will provide opportunities for spontaneous, informal learning and will support cost-effective sharing of resources such as support staff and equipment.

“By encouraging students to think and act across the boundaries of ideas, values, and disciplinary perspectives, the CSBR will help Augsburg prepare them for civic agency in a complex world,” said Pribbenow.

In addition to this grant, Wells Fargo continues to fund a scholarship program through the Minnesota Private College Fund. The fund, started in 1976, provides scholarships at each of the 17 Minnesota Private Colleges, including Augsburg.

Delegates from Wells Fargo’s Diversity Council Leadership Team visited the campus on December 18, 2014 to present a check to a group of Augsburg student leaders.

Pictured in photo (left to right, from back): Ann Garvey, Vice President of Student Affairs; Carolyn Roby, Vice President at Wells Fargo Foundation of MN; MayKao Fredericks, Vice President Community Affairs – MN Region; Joel Taylor, System Engineer and Chair of Black/African American Member Network; Joe Ravens, Area Bank President; Wael Abdelkader, Mortgage Implementation Consultant and Chair of Middle East Team Member Network; Carla Foster, HR Consultant and Diversity and Inclusion Council Advisor; Jay Peterson, Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations; Paul Pribbenow, President; Karen Kaivola, Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Lauren Canales; Shoua Lee, Community Development Officer/Financial Education; Vincent Henry; Janet Morales, Manager of College Access Partnership, Koal Williams; Duina Hernandez; Laurel Rohloff, Nazih Safi, and Cuong Nguyen.

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Augsburg College and U.S. Bank celebrated the opening of a new campus Veterans’ Lounge with a dedication ceremony on November 10. The newly renovated Veterans’ Lounge, located in Room 110 of Oren Gateway Center, honors the contributions that student veterans have made to their country. The lounge will host meetings with veteran support staff and features a veteran recognition wall, a computer workstation, a study area, and other resources and materials.

Speaking on behalf of Augsburg were Student Veteran Representative Eric Olson (Army), Keenan O’Neill (Marine Corps), and Josh Pauer (Army). Several other student, staff, and faculty veterans were also on hand for the ceremony. Representing U.S. Bank was Paul Peel, an Army veteran and a 2012 graduate of Augsburg’s Master’s in Business Administration program. Peel now works in U.S. Bank’s Corporate Trust division.

U.S. Bank recently pledged $125,000 toward the building of the Center for Science, Business, and Religion at Augsburg College. The college has recognized U.S. Bank’s substantial contribution to the campaign by granting naming rights to the new Veterans’ Lounge. U.S. Bank and Augsburg College are both nationally recognized as top supporters of veterans and military families.

For its ongoing efforts to provide transitioning veterans the best possible experience in higher education, from navigating benefits and financial aid to securing an internship, Augsburg was named a 2015 Military Friendly® School.

To learn more about the Veterans’ Lounge and other Veterans’ support services, please email studentvetrep@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1151.

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