First Decade Award

Adam Seed ’01 [top left]

Adam has been called a man of honor, compassion, and service who lives the mission of Augsburg. After graduating from the Augsburg StepUP® program, Adam completed his bachelor’s degree at Brown University. Over and over again, he has given back to the Augsburg community where he once worked on the grounds crew not just financially but also personally and professionally. He currently works alongside his father and brother in their family real estate investment business in Rhode Island. Adam is a servant leader, which was evident since he first set foot on campus. He dreams big and nurtures his dreams to fruition. Adam and his wife Allison are the proud parents of their daughters Avery and Annika and their son Ashton.

Spirit of Augsburg Award

Norma Noonan [bottom left]

Since arriving at Augsburg in 1966, Norma Noonan has earned a reputation as a supportive and dependable program leader, a conscientious and caring mentor, and a servant leader. She led the Master of Arts in Leadership program, building it to a well-regarded interdisciplinary graduate studies program. A professor of political science, Noonan has also directed the international relations major and explored special interests in Russia, Russian foreign policy, political leadership, and women in leadership. She has directed the Center for Leadership Studies and also initiated the Called to Lead interdisciplinary adventure in blending the spiritual with the practical lives we lead. A frequent Twin Cities speaker on foreign policy and Russia, Noonan has often served as a commentator on Minnesota Public Radio and has authored numerous articles. She recently published a book, Women in Russian Politics and Society, for which she was a major contributor and co-editor.

Arlin Gyberg [top right]

Since 1967, Arlin Gyberg has mentored chemistry students who have become physicians, research scientists, and university professors—as well as a Rhodes Scholar, a Nobel Prize recipient, and a biodiesel entrepreneur. Gyberg was given an Outstanding Educator in America award in 1973 and was selected twice by the graduating class as an honored faculty in the science and mathematics division. He has done consulting, research, and teaching for numerous organizations including 3M, NSP nuclear power plants, the Minnesota prison system, and several educational institutions.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Wayne Jorgenson ’71 [bottom right]

With a degree business administration, Wayne Jorgenson entered the world of finance and now serves as senior vice president of investments at UBS Financial Services. In 1973, Jorgenson was one of the founders of a Civil War re-enactment unit known as the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, dedicated to preserving the history of the men who actually served in that unit during the War. The re-enactment group has acted as extras in several Civil War productions, including Dances with Wolves, Glory, The North and the South, and The Blue and the Gray. Jorgenson is said to be 100% dedicated to helping his clients protect, manage, and grow their assets and is a perfect blend of highly professional and delightful. He truly loves what he does and it shows in his awards, respect from colleagues, and referrals from satisfied clients.

Gaylord “Corky” Hall ’71 [top center]

Corky Hall is known for his leadership skills. Active in numerous activities while at Augsburg, he especially enjoyed sports, where his leadership skills shined as captain of a football team. He was signed by the Boston Bruins professional hockey club. He later went on to become an extremely successful businessman and entrepreneur, using his skills and training as an executive with General Mills and Carlson Companies. He created and owned several U.S. companies, including U.S. Communications (the nation’s second-largest promotional marketing agency). Later, he was recruited to create a marketing communications agency for Gage Marketing Group, the largest marketing services company in the U.S., after which he founded Hall Batko, a business and brand consultancy. Currently, he is founder and CEO of Stellus Consulting, which guides leadership teams in creating a strategic vision and building relationships that achieve that vision. Hall created the Minnesota Wild brand and has represented George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Jim Henson, among others. He is said to be a man who shares his many gifts and who has lived out the Augsburg mission of “education for service.” He conducts himself with the highest integrity, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and is an outstanding community citizen in every respect.

Judith Schaubach ’68 [bottom center]

Early in her career, Judy Schaubach discovered the importance of collective action in educational leadership. As president of the Minnesota Education Association (MEA), she was instrumental in forging an agreement with MEA’s long-time rival, the Minnesota Federation of Teachers. The new organization, Education Minnesota, was the first statewide merger in the nation recognized by both NEA and AFT, and as co-president, Schaubach modeled the spirit of new unionism. This involved organizing efforts for education support professionals, establishment of professional development activists who assess the quality of professional development in school districts, and building coalitions to bring together leaders from all levels of education. Championing the creation of the five-year Schools First! campaign, Schaubach traveled around the state to lead community forums to discuss challenges and opportunities for public schools in each community. She has shown a generation of young education advocates and union activists what can be accomplished with vision, passion, dedication, and commitment to a cause.

The post 2011 Homecoming Awards appeared first on News and Media.

In this case, it was Augsburg student Brian Krohn, who was working on a research project in 2006 and asked his chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg, “Is there a better way to make biodiesel?”

Gyberg connected him with McNeff, his former student, who read the academic literature suggested by Krohn and saw potential. McNeff, Gyberg, and McNeff’s colleague, Ben Yan, developed a process—which now carries their names, Mc-Gy-Yan—to make a biofuel that can be used in all diesel engines. The process is cleaner and faster than others, produces no waste, and can use all known feedstocks. Since it does not displace food crops for fuel, it has advantage over ethanol. A patent for the Mcgyan Process was issued in March 2011.

McNeff’s team has now turned its attention from technology to applications. They’ve experimented with various types of feedstocks for the process including waste oils, weeds, algae, and waste treatment residues, and all have been successful. How then could farmers benefit?

A portable unit on a truck is all that’s needed to enable farmers to produce biodiesel. They can plant a winter weed crop for fuel production, such as stinkweed; harvest it before they plant their main cash crop; and become energy self-sufficient.

By “harnessing the capacity of plants,” McNeff said, the Mcgyan Process unlocks huge potential. Algae is very promising—63 million gallons of biodiesel can be produced on 10 million acres of algae that don’t replace cropland. Cellulosic materials such as corn stalks, switchgrass, and wood chips are also favorable for large-scale production.

Their recent research was sparked by McNeff’s 12-year-old son, Charlie, who asked another right question, which led to a demonstration grant to produce Mcgyan biodiesel from yeast oil.

McNeff said they’ve learned a tremendous amount at every point from “many long hours and thousands of discussions.” He has documented the Mcgyan Process in a book, The Green Miracle, from the initial discovery to the current 3 million gallons per year produced at Ever Cat’s plant in Isanti, Minn.

“I look back, now, and have no idea how it all came together,” McNeff said. He added, “There are times in a scientist’s life where there is so much joy in the discovery process.”

Clayton McNeff is one of three campaign co-chairs for Augsburg’s Center for Science, Business, and Religion. He grew up working at SarTec, the family business started by his parents, Larry and Marie, who is an Augsburg regent and professor emerita. The family donates to Augsburg a portion of the profit from every gallon of biodiesel sold. With the new science center, Clayton wants to ensure that Augsburg students continue to have a place to keep asking the right questions.

The post Asking the right questions—Clayton McNeff speaks at Eye-Opener Breakfast appeared first on News and Media.

The plant, located about 40 miles north of campus in Isanti, Minn., is expected to produce about 3 million gallons of biodiesel per year when it is fully operational. The plant represents the first large-scale application of the Mcgyan process of making biodiesel.

The Mcgyan process, which came out of research by Augsburg undergraduate and Rhodes scholar Brian Krohn, creates biodiesel from waste oils. The process doesn’t require food stock to work and doesn’t create any waste products.

The Mcgyan process—named for alum and Ever Cat Fuels founder Clayton McNeff ’91, Augsburg chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg and Ever Cat scientist Ben Yan—has certainly attracted a lot of attention.

“When I see something like this, it’s everything that we talk about in Washington,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who spoke at the grand opening.

McNeff said Ever Cat Fuels is already planning to expand its facility in Isanti. In addition, the company is licensing the Mcgyan process and it is expected that other biodiesel facilities will be built across the country and the world.

“It gives us a chance to grow our way to energy independence,” McNeff said.

Biodiesel was previously produced using the Mcgyan process in a test facility in Anoka. Production at the Isanti facility began earlier this month. Some of the biodiesel produced is being used to run the facility. Most is being sent to blenders, who combine biodiesel and traditional diesel fuel. The percentage of biodiesel required to be used in the diesel sold at pumps across Minnesota will rise in upcoming years.

McNeff also said that a donation to Augsburg’s planned Center for Science, Business and Religion will be made for each gallon of biodiesel sold.

Augsburg was well represented at the grand opening and Gyberg and President Paul Pribbenow were recognized. Several other members of the president’s cabinet, faculty members, and staff members were also in attendance. In addition, Augsburg music students provided entertainment before the event started.

WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby was the master of ceremony for the event that had about 150 people in attendance. Shelby summed up the importance of the day.

“Energy change has begun in this room,” Shelby said. “This is incredible on almost every conceivable level. The process is carbon neutral, it doesn’t use food, there are no chemicals and without waste. We’re sitting on top of proof of the future of energy in America.”

Read the StarTribune’s coverage of the opening by Neal St. Anthony.

The post Ever Cat Fuels opens in Isanti appeared first on News and Media.

Brian’s answer to that question has led him from the laboratory to Capitol Hill. With the help of Augsburg faculty and alumni, Brian uncovered a way to produce biodiesel from a wide variety of organic sources, not just crops. The new process also creates biodiesel much faster than existing methods while producing virtually no waste.

“Our process can use any feedstock,” said Brian. “What this does is it makes biodiesel cheaper, and you’re not using a food source — like corn or soybeans — to make a fuel.”

With the concern that biofuels are driving up food prices, it is no surprise that Congress is showing interest in Brian’s research. Last week in Washington D.C., he and chemistry Professor Arlin Gyberg met with US. Sen. Amy Kolbuchar and the staffs of U.S. Reps. James Oberstar, Collin Peterson, and Keith Ellison. Brian and Gyberg also briefed both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

started with his URGO summer research project into biodiesel. After Brian’s initial research, his project adviser, Professor Gyberg, helped him verify his findings. Then, the two reached out to alumnus Dr. Clayton McNeff, vice president of Sartec corporation. Sartec was able to take Brian and Gyberg’s research discovery and turn it into a full-fledged production system that they named the “Mcgyan Process” after the various scientists involved in the project. Sartec has already made over 50,000 gallons of fuel using the Mycgyan process, and they are building a facility that will be producing 3 million gallons per year by the end of 2008.

Not only is Brian a part of a discovery that might change the biofuels industry, he has gotten a lot of attention from local, national, and even international press. What does he think of it all?

“I just thought it would be a fun summer research project,” he said just before his interview with ABC News.

Below is a sample of some of the media coverage Brian’s discovery has garnered:

ÌýÌý ABC News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

ÌýÌý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

ÌýÌý Star Tribune –

ÌýÌý Duluth Budgeteer News –

ÌýÌý Green Car Congress –

ÌýÌý Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

ÌýÌý Automotive World –

ÌýÌý Biodiesel Magazine –

The post From Science Hall to Capitol Hill appeared first on News and Media.

As has been reported on Inside Augsburg and outside media, Brian’s summer research under the eye of Professor Arlin Gyberg led to a revolutionary discovery of a highly efficient method of producing biodiesel from a wide variety of sources. Brian and Dr. Gyberg contacted Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus who also happens to be a vice president with Sartec Corporation. Sartec was able to provide the resources and expertise to turn Brian’s discovery into a full-fledged production system that will be producing millions of gallons of biodiesel by the end of the year.

Here is a list of some media sources that have covered Brian’s biodiesel discovery so far:

ABC News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

ÌýÌý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

ÌýÌý Star Tribune –

Ìý Duluth Budgeteer News –

Ìý Green Car Congress –

Ìý Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

ÌýÌý Automotive World –

ÌýÌý Biodiesel Magazine –

The post Brian Krohn interviewed by 'Good Morning America' appeared first on News and Media.

Krohn’s poster is titled “Fuel of the Future: Biodiesel. A Novel Method and Catalyst for the Production of Biodiesel.” He became interested in biodiesel fuels and received a grant from Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity Office (URGO) in summer 2006 to work with Gyberg. His goal was to experiment with alternate catalysts that could create a more efficient and environmentally friendly biodiesel. This research, done in collaboration with Augsburg alumnus Clayton McNeff ’91, vice president of SarTec Corporation, was successful and spurred the discovery of a new process to produce biodiesel.

On April 30, Krohn and Gyberg will meet individually with members of the Minnesota delegation to explain the research and its implications for the economy and environment. Later in the day all legislators are invited to a general poster session where students can present and talk about their work.

The Council on Undergraduate Research hosts the annual “Posters on the Hill” program to give students the opportunities to share their stories about the value of undergraduate research and how it has shaped their career plans with members of Congress.

The post Mr. Krohn goes to Washington appeared first on News and Media.