At first glance, the choice to refurbish the chairs in Hoversten Chapel is just good financial management. The move to refresh versus replace the chairs saved the College more than $40,000.

But that’s only the surface of the decision.

What really went on gets to the heart of what it means to be a good steward. It makes exceptional what could be written off as a one-dimensional, mundane decision. It is a concrete example of how the College can live out its mission to be an engaged member of the community, a thoughtful steward, and a responsible leader.

When the College this past summer opted to refurbish the 17-year-old chairs, staff requested a bid from All About Upholstery, a locally owned business.

“We had worked with Tonya, the owner, on a smaller project in the old coffee shop, and she was great,” said Matt Rumpza, director of purchasing and central support services. “By making the decision to re-upholster the chairs, we were making an environmentally friendly and cost-sensitive decision. We felt that given our mission, our interest in being a good community neighbor, and our desire to be environmentally mindful, this was a no-brainer.”

DuRoche lives, works in Cedar-Riverside neighborhood

Tonya DuRoche, who lives in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, worked with her team to refresh 597 chairs. The job included new upholstery, replacing the seat and back cushions, regluing joints, and touch-up varnishing. It was rewarding work, too.

“It might sound cheesy,” she said, “but contributing to the comfort of students who are studying and those who are practicing their spirituality in the chapel is a way to contribute to the future.”

DuRoche, who is committed to her community and other local businesses, sources nearly all of her fabrics from a family-owned company in Minneapolis. That means the money spent by Augsburg to have All About Upholstery do the work had a multiplier effect in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Studies show that money spent locally stays in a community longer than money spent at companies with headquarters outside of that community, state, or region.

Money spent locally has greater impact on community, state

In fact, the 2004 Andersonville Study of Retail Economics found that $100 spent in locally owned independent stores returns $68 to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. Money spent at a national chain only returns $43 to the community.

DuRoche also hires and trains local employees. She completes a mix of residential and large-scale commercial work for tribal businesses such as casinos and helps stabilize other local businesses by providing suppliers with a fairly steady stream of business. In turn, her suppliers are able to provide a stable income for their employees. This interconnected way of doing business is important to her.

“It’s a way to be an entrepreneurial role model, to give back to our community,” said DuRoche, a member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. “I’ve always wanted to be an artist or work in the medical field. This gives me the chance to offer a kind of healing by creating beauty in surroundings.”

To learn more about the work DuRoche does through All About Upholstery, visit her page.

The post Chapel chair upholstery project woven into local economy appeared first on News and Media.

Las Posadas is a procession reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in their search for lodging (posada), awaiting the birth of baby Jesus. It is cultural tradition in many Spanish-speaking communities around the world.

According to an on Mexican arts and culture, in traditional Las Posadas celebrations, a party is held each night for nine days in a neighborhood home. At dusk, guests gather outside the house with children dressed as shepherds, angels and sometimes, Mary and Joseph. An angel leads the procession of “pilgrims,” followed by Mary and Joseph or by guests carrying their images. The adults follow, carrying lighted candles.

The travelers sing a song asking for shelter, and the hosts sing a reply, opening the doors to the guests and offering food and drink.

At Augsburg, Las Posadas marks the Advent season, a time of waiting for God’s will, hoping for peace and reconciliation, renewing faith, and reflecting on the value of true hospitality.

The Las Posadas celebration culminates with the Augsburg community sharing fellowship through food, music, and breaking piñatas.

The post Las Posadas reenacts journey of Mary and Joseph appeared first on News and Media.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has more than 2.5 million members nationwide and $71.5 billion in assets under management (March 31, 2008). In 1990, Nicholson was appointed executive vice president and CFO of Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial) and, in 1997, he was named chief operating officer. Prior to joining Thrivent Financial, Nicholson was a principal with Tillinghast-Towers Perrin and was senior vice president for Ministers Life and Casualty Company.

Last fall Augsburg was awarded a $229,000 grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation to fund . This three-year project is designed to connect Augsburg alumni with current students in order to expand alumni volunteerism at the College and to increase alumni giving and participation in on-campus and regional events.

Nicholson serves on the board of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, the Minnesota Business Partnership, and the United Way of Fox Cities. He has served on the board of Luther Seminary and the board of regents of St. Olaf College. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

This event is sponsored by Campus Ministry and dollar/sense, a week-long series on financial independence and responsibility which will be held February 23-27.

The post Thrivent CEO to speak at chapel appeared first on News and Media.

Velkommen Jul is an annual Christmas celebration you don’t want to miss. The event will feature Scandinavian Yuletide music, tasty treats including krumkake and the ever-popular yet odious lutefisk, handcrafted items, Norwegian bunads, and a visit from St. Nicholas during chapel.

The Augsburg College Associates, who number around 100, are a service auxiliary of volunteers whose mission includes fundraising for special projects and scholarships in support of Augsburg College. In the nearly 20 years since their founding, the Associates have given to Augsburg more than a half million dollars from their fundraising. They host Velkommen Jul as a service to the Augsburg community and as a way to celebrate its Norwegian heritage.

The post Velkommen Jul ushers in Christmas season appeared first on News and Media.