events Archives - Alumni, Parents, and Friends

Join AWE for an evening of women in music

Posted on March 8, 2017May 24, 2017

Close-up of Riverside Singers performing. Text reads "Augsburg Women Engaged. Join AWE for an evening of women in music. Sunday, March 26 6-9 p.m." Join the Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) Philanthropy Council for an evening of choral music by, for, and about women!

Nancy Grundahl will lead the Augsburg College Riverside Singers in the annual WomanVoice: Voice of Hope choral concert. Women’s choirs from around the area, including the University of Minnesota Women’s Choir and Encore! of the Twin Cities Women’s Choir will join hearts and voices to sing music by, for and about women.

Sunday, March 26, 2017
6-7:15 p.m. Pre-concert reception sponsored by AWE
Oren Gateway Center lobby
7:30-9 p.m. Voice of Hope choral concert
Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center, Augsburg College

Space is limited. Parking permits will be provided. RSVP by March 20 to Becky Waggoner, Alumni Relations Program Coordinator, at 612-330-1085 or waggoner@augsburg.edu.

About the Riverside Singers
The Riverside Singers, directed by Nancy Grundahl, carry on the long tradition of treble choirs at Augsburg College. The singers participate with other Augsburg musical organizations in the annual Advent Vespers each Christmas season at Central Lutheran Church. Participating in chapel services several times during the year is an important part of the choir’s mission, as is hosting an invitational treble choir festival each fall.

About Nancy Grundahl
Nancy Grundahl is a conductor, composer and soloist and holds vocal performance degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota. In addition to her position with the Riverside Singers of Augsburg College, she is the conductor of the Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir, a youth choir based in Bloomington, Minn. and is the Director of Music at Mayflower U.C.C. in Minneapolis. More than sixty of her arrangements and compositions for choirs have been published by Kjos, Hal Leonard, Augsburg Fortress, Alliance, and Santa Barbara music publishers. She conducts honor choirs throughout the upper Midwest and is active as an adjudicator, clinician, soloist, and guest conductor.

About the Augsburg Women Engaged (AWE) Philanthropy Council
The AWE-Inspired Philanthropy Council was created in 2015 to function in an advisory and support capacity to Augsburg’s Office of Institutional Advancement. Our goal is to strengthen the culture of philanthropy among Augsburg women of all ages. We focus on ways to educate, engage and celebrate Augsburg’s alumnae donors and women in the community.

AWE-Inspired Philanthropy Council: Shelby Andress ’56; Debby Crowley ’76; Rachel Engebretson ’98; Lisa Latham ’83; Joni Marti MAL ’05; Lori Moline ’82; Kris Pearson ’78; Cindy Sisson ‘83; Danielle Stellner ’09; and Lisa Zeller ’81, MAL ’89.

Augsburg Associates Highlight Alumni Travel Program at Spring Brunch

Posted on March 7, 2017July 20, 2021

Kathy Swanson on the Augsburg alumni tour to Thailand and Cambodia.

Lori Moline smiles with a cliffside chateau in the background — Lori Moline ’82 of Seminars International

All Augsburg alumni are welcome to attend the annual spring brunch sponsored by the Augsburg Associates on Saturday, May 6, in Hoversten Chapel. From Velkommen Jul to fundraising for student scholarships, the Associates have been a volunteer-led support for Augsburg for more than 30 years. The theme for the annual brunch is Bon Voyage – Augsburg’s Alumni Travel Program. Katie Koch, director of alumni and constituent relations, will share her experiences and photos from the recent trip to Germany, which celebrated the 500^th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Professor Kathy Swanson, who led the January 2017 trip to Thailand and Cambodia, will highlight her travel stories and photos. Lastly, Lori Moline ’82 of Seminars International will talk about the history of the alumni travel
program and trips on the horizon that are now in the planning stages.

The event will be held in Hoversten Chapel and begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. and the program beginning at 10��.��. A delicious brunch will accompany the program. The cost of this event is $30 per person. There is also an opportunity to sponsor a student for $30. Friends, family, and all Augsburg alumnae welcome!

Register now at . You may also call Becky Waggoner at 612-330-1085 and provide your credit card number for payment. A parking permit will be emailed to guests prior to the event and will be available at the door to guests without email. If you are not able to attend, please consider making a donation to the Associates‘ scholarship fund at and THANK YOU!

Your donations to the Associates’ Scholarship Fund help to support students like Briana Ekstrom ’18, of Chaska. Briana is majoring in vocal performance, with a minor in music theater. Her goal is to become a vocal coach, and she is already thinking about graduate school.

16 Ways Your Give to the Max Day Gifts make Augsburg (and the World) a Better Place

Posted on November 17, 2016September 13, 2021

With so many amazing things are happening at Augsburg, it may be helpful to have a little guidance about just how much is happening this year for the 35 Augsburg groups raising funds this year.

How can you support these initiatives? Read on! We’ve collected some examples of how your gifts this Thursday can make a huge impact in the lives of Augsburg students, faculty, and community members. Thanks for your support!

You can see all of Augsburg’s Give to the Max Day projects, and make your gifts now.

Your gift to the Augsburg Fund helps ensure that Augsburg continues to provide financial aid and scholarships for more than 95% of our student body, keeping access to education for all a priority on campus.

2. Your gift to the Augsburg Health Commons means members of our Cedar-Riverside community who are struggling to provide for their families don’t have to worry about the cold winter ahead.

3. Your gift to Augsburg Campus Kitchens helps expand and improve our campus gardens, where students and community members work together to grow healthy food and integrate green practices into our cities. .

4. Your gift to Augsburg’s Biology Department supports cutting-edge research on issues affecting Minnesota’s agricultural sector, including the health of soybeans.

5. Your gift to Augsburg’s Chemistry Department gives students like Zach Swingen ‘16 the chance to work closely with Minnesota schools to build new curriculum that gets kids excited about science. .

6. Your gift to Augsburg’s Baseball and Softball teams gives our student-athletes a chance to train in Tucson, Arizona. It also gives Auggie Eagle a little break from the cold weather… !

7. Your gift to Augsburg’s SMART group will help raise awareness and advocate for issues related to sexual violence and recovery in the Augsburg community.

8. Your gift to the Augsburg Theater Department’s Production Fellowship helps fund students of color who are exploring a career in artistic production, making the industry more representative and giving future generations of creative people new role models.

9. Your gift to Augsburg’s Peace Scholars Fund helps support the motivated, global-minded group of students who are Augsburg Peace Scholars. .

10. Your gift to Augsburg’s StepUP® Program creates opportunities for students in recovery to spread their message of hope and acceptance throughout the Twin Cities in speaking engagements, activities, and community events.

11. Your gift to the Sabo Center’s Sabo Scholars continues that work that Augsburg alumnus Martin Olav Sabo ‘59 believed in and spent his life achieving—equipping young leaders to move beyond the classroom to listen, value, and support democracy in every facet of community life.

12. Your gift to Augsburg’s Women’s Volleyball program provides our 2016 MIAC Champions with the chance to take their game abroad, as they challenge themselves against tougher opposition and experience new cultures, all while proudly representing Augsburg..

13. Your gift to Augsburg’s Minnesota Urban Debate League program gives young people across the metro area the chance to build their communication skills and confidence, giving them the tools to be successful leaders in their community.

14. Your gift to Lindell Library support an expanded collection of local, Minnesota authors and a speaker series that honors the many contributions our residents have made to the stories of art, architecture, history, literature, politics, and native and immigrant groups.

15. Your gift to any of four Augsburg projects count double. Donations to AWE for Emergence, the Peace Scholars Program, STEM, Biology, and Chemistry will be matched for every dollar, thanks to generous donors willing to help us all do more, together,

16. Your gifts help Augsburg win the Colleges and Universities category that earns the College a $10,000 prize—and each hour on Give to the Max Day, one Golden Ticket of $1,000 will be awarded through a random drawing of all donations transacted during the previous hour. Additionally, two Super-Sized Golden Tickets of $10,000 each will be awarded randomly.

With 36 Augsburg programs participating in Give to the Max, it’s easy to choose the Auggie causes that speak to your heart. Just don’t expect to be satisfied with just one!

You’re Invited to the Advent Vespers Brunch on Dec. 3

Posted on October 27, 2016October 27, 2016

You’re invited to attend a special brunch on the Augsburg College campus before the 2 p.m. Advent Vespers worship service at on Saturday, December 3, 2016. This brunch is an opportunity for the Augsburg community to come together as part of the very special weekend. Enjoy special music, a year-end update from President Pribbenow and a keepsake copy of the Advent Vespers devotional book created by the campus ministry department.

Hoversten Chapel
Augsburg College Foss, Miles, Lobeck Center
625 22nd Avenue South, Minneapolis

Saturday, December 3, 2016
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$30 per person

Reserve your ticket now

Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attire: Business Casual

Brunch Parking: Valet parking available at 22nd Avenue entrance to the Foss, Miles, Lobeck Center

Following the brunch, guests are invited to Central Lutheran Church for the 2 p.m. Advent Vespers worship service to celebrate the Christmas season with music and praise. There is no need to reserve separate seats for the service. Reserved seating on the floor will be provided with your brunch ticket.

Advent Vespers is one of the largest worship services in the Twin Cities with more than 10,000 attendees spanning two days of services. Featuring 300 participants including choirs, instrumentalists, readers, and a full liturgical party, this service is a meaningful way to enter the Advent season.

For more information about the services go to:

For more information about the brunch, to ask questions about tickets or if you have any issues acquiring tickets, please contact the Augsburg College events department at events@augsburg.edu or 612.330.1104.

Homecoming registration is now open

Posted on July 25, 2016August 5, 2022

Homecoming planning is underway for a full weekend of activities on Sept. 22-24, 2016. The Alumni Association looks forward to hosting reunions for the classes of 1966, 1976, 1991, and 2006. If you’re a member of a reunion class, and you’d like to be involved as a reunion leader, you can help coordinate plans and activities for your class. Join your reunion committee by contacting alumni director Katie Koch ’01 at kochk@augsburg.edu.

New events this year increase the fun for everyone, including a host of themed Auggie Talks. Join us for 30-45 minute insightful sessions presented by professors and fellow alumni on topics spearheaded by class reunion groups. Check out the full schedule of events.

In addition, look forward to celebrating the awesome Auggies being honored at ��ǳ��𳦴ǳ��Բ��this year:
• Karim El-Hibri and Kyle Loven ’06 will receive the First Decade Award.

• Norm & Evangeline Hagfors and Dr. Robert (Bob) Stacke ‘71 will receive the The Spirit of Augsburg Award.

• Ron Nelson ’68, Lee Roper-Batker ‘88, and Dr. Ray Yip ’72 will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Rochester Alumni Gathering is July 17

Posted on June 27, 2016June 26, 2018

Calling all Rochester Auggies!

Please join us on Sunday, July 17, from 4-6 p.m. for a first-ever alumni family picnic in Rochester with hot dogs, hamburgers, fix-ins and sides at . We’ve rented a shelter—please bring lawn chairs and lawn games to enjoy! The gathering is free, but please register all guests so we can plan appropriately for food. Hosted by Alumni Relations, the Alumni Board, and Rochester campus staff.

RSVP today!

Celebrating Community with St. Paul

Posted on March 31, 2016January 16, 2017

If you were planning a pull-out-all-the-stops, 10-day, outdoor party in January for thousands of your friends, where would you hold it? The Caribbean? Arizona? Of course not! You’d plan it in St. Paul, Minnesota! And you’d call it the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Planning events like the St. Paul Winter Carnival is what Rosanne Newville Bump ’92 does for a living as President and CEO of the Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation—with support from the community, of course—and from plenty of volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Honored to be part of the festival’s history, Bump loves brainstorming regularly about what “fun factors” to add to the next year’s event. For example, this year’s event included three parades, a half marathon, an ice- and snow-carving competition, the country’s largest jigsaw puzzle competition, and an outdoors Birthday Bash in Rice Park to celebrate the festival’s 130^th birthday. As part of the fun, Bump partnered with Kemps Ice Cream to provide Birthday Cake Ice Cream samples for all attending. In addition, this year’s festival included a performance, also in Rice Park, by roots-rock band GB Leighton. Standing outdoors on a lovely winter evening with 1000+ others, singing along with the performers, near the ice castle and sparkling trees (all lit), was “magical,” says Bump.

Bump has learned that, each year, about 20% of the carnival plans are unlikely to go as planned, primarily because of unpredictable weather, so she and her colleagues need to figure it out as they go, making for “some adrenaline-filled days.” Unusually warm weather leading up to this year’s event meant that, in order to build the ice palace (this year, a mini version), ice had to be purchased, instead of harvested from local Lake Phalen. Even so, the palace still included the king’s chair, a light show, and TV monitors. Continue reading “Celebrating Community with St. Paul” →