It’s time once again to register for the biggest alumni event of the summer … the 12th annual Auggie Night at the Races, happening August 12 at Canterbury Park. Last year, more than 1,000 Auggies attended this event and donated hundreds of pounds of supplies for Health Commons.

Register today for this FREE and fun family event that includes admission into the park and a complimentary picnic buffet. This event is open to all alumni and friends and is hosted by the Alumni Board and Young Alumni Council. We would love to see you there!

What: August 12, 2016
Where: Canterbury Park, Shakopee (map)
When: 5-7 p.m, Auggie social hour and dinner buffet
Races start at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE

When you come to Canterbury, please consider bringing a donation for the Augsburg Central Health Commons. The Health Commons is a nursing-led free drop-in center dedicated to serving those in need. Items in strong demand include socks, diapers, and hygiene supplies. For almost 25 years, the Augsburg College Department of Nursing has operated a free health center for homeless or marginally placed individuals at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis. Basic supplies are needed to continue to serve the 1,500 people each year.

A full list of items includes: new white or black tube socks, diapers, diaper wipes, soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, razors, or other hygiene-related items. Your donation allows students to continue this important service-learning experience. Thank you for your strong support of this event each year!

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Furman fondly remembers the beautiful singing and enthusiasm of chapel, and the fellow alums she has known through the years. She has been a part of the Augsburg Associates for approximately 12 years, since she moved back to Minneapolis for the first time since college. She still remembers going to Velkommen Jul when she was a student. “It was quite splendid. I was very much in awe,” she says.

She is inspired by other Associates’ volunteers, among them Barbara Larson and Joyce Gustafson. “I admire them immensely. These women work so hard. It’s a privilege working with them,” she says.

One of the most special Christmases Furman remembers happened when she was teaching in the social work department of a school close to Oslo, on behalf of the University of North Dakota. It was 1998, and Furman, whose family is Norwegian on both sides, was able to stay with relatives and experience all the old Norwegian Christmas traditions to the fullest: enjoying all the special celebrations each day leading up to Christmas, going to church at 4 p.m., visiting relatives on Christmas Day. She stays in touch with her Norwegian roots beyond Velkommen Jul, and studies Norwegian at the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis.

She has wonderful memories of her own time at Augsburg, too. She especially enjoyed hearing President Christensen speak in the chapel with evident emotion on the theme of “unto whom much has been given, much is expected.” She came back from chapel overwhelmed with positive feelings. These early talks on the importance of service were inspirational for Furman, and helped motivate her toward a future in social work. She went on to receive her PhD, has written on the role of religion and spirituality in social work, and recognizes that these early memories left a lifelong impression. She is still grateful for the experience.

Donations made at Velkommen Jul help fund student scholarships, including the Christensen Scholars, a scholarship program supported by the Augsburg Associates’ gifts to The Augsburg Fund. Current Christensen Scholars Katherine Brafford ’17 and Boo Segersin ’15 will be helping the Associates make waffles on Friday.

“I always tell people,” Furman says, “tuition is high. We must give as much as we can to help as many students as possible.” Look for Lee and her basket this Friday!

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We love gathering together each year for this event that welcomes students from all backgrounds and faiths into long-cherished Augsburg traditions. But as we all know, these beautiful, long-wearing sweaters are not inexpensive.

Here is where you can help! Please consider donating any older or unworn Norwegian sweaters for our students to wear for this wonderful event and throughout the Christmas season. Sweaters must be clean and in reasonably good condition.  No matter who you are or your background, let’s share the wealth of Norwegian sweaters that is so proudly displayed here in Minnesota winters.

Please make your sweater donations by Wednesday, November 26 at noon. Please call 612-330-1085 with any questions. Sweater donations may be mailed or delivered to the Alumni and Advancement office at:

Oren Gateway Center
Suite 300
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis MN 55454

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