2025 marks two important milestones in the relationship between Norway and the United States—the 200th anniversary of the first organized emigration from Norway to North America and the celebration of 100 years of Norwegian-American educational cooperation. Here at Augsburg, it is also the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Augsburg Choir tour to Norway. 

A Century of Educational Cooperation

At an event in Oslo on May 15, Augsburg University alumni joined President Paul Pribbenow and His Majesty King Harald V in recognition of the deep and enduring educational ties between the U.S. and Norway.

The event, held at Fanehallen in Akershus Fortress and co-hosted by the Norway-America Association, brought together alumni from from six sister universities, all founded by Norwegian immigrants—institutions which for generations have been bridge-builders between Norway and the United States. With academics, diplomats, business leaders and guests from Norway and the United States, the evening served as a tribute to shared history, knowledge, and future cooperation. Former Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the Parliament’s Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, Ine Eriksen Søreide, gave the keynote speech. 

The six universities—Augsburg, Augustana University, Concordia College, Luther College, Pacific Lutheran University and St. Olaf College—were all founded by Norwegian immigrants. For over a hundred years, they have welcomed Norwegian students and maintained strong ties to Norway. At the event, Pribbenow delivered remarks about the importance of the long-term cross-Atlantic collaboration. 

“At a time when transatlantic relations are being challenged, it is more important than ever to strengthen student exchanges. The relationship with the United States is about more than trade and defence—it is also about knowledge, understanding and common values,” said Hanne K. Aaberg, Secretary General of the Norway-America Association (NORAM). 

NORAM works to promote mutual knowledge and understanding between Norway and North America. For over 100 years, NORAM has worked for transatlantic cooperation and helped more than 5,000 students with scholarships and advising.

Music and Memory

On May 17, members of the 1975 Augsburg Choir returned to campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their choir tour to Norway. 

The covered the tour: “In late spring of this year, the Augsburg Choir traveled to Norway as the cultural ambassadors for Minnesota to the first ceremonies in the National Theater in Oslo on Syttende Mai (Norwegian Independence Day – May 17). They traveled under an invitation from Nordmann’s Forbundet, who made all arrangements for them in the Scandinavian countries. Due to Nordmann’s Forbundet arrangements, the choir was well received in 19 cities throughout Norway and Sweden. The reviews were fantastic including, “Without a doubt they (the choir) rank among the ‘world’s elite’ as choirs …” Romesdals folkebald, Molde, Norway … The choir was the first group to be invited to Norway as part of the Sesquicentennial celebration.” Augsburg continued to be heavily involved in the year-long sesquicentennial celebration of the Norwegian immigration to the United States, culminating with a visit to campus by King Olav V in October 1975. 

Of the 65 alumni who participated in the 1975 tour, 49 were present for the 2025 reunion, along with several partners and spouses. It was a meaningful day filled with reconnecting, reminiscing, and joining together in song and laughter. The reunion was a special opportunity to honor the lasting friendships, shared history, and enduring power of music that have united Auggies for decades. .

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In a December ceremony in Oslo, President Paul Pribbenow conferred upon King Harald V of Norway the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. 

“We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s abiding support of Augsburg University and our sister Norwegian-American colleges and universities throughout the more than three decades of your reign,” said Pribbenow in his ceremonial remarks. “We share both a common heritage and profound commitments to peacemaking and global citizenship.”

His Majesty King Harald V of Norway acceded to the throne January 17, 1991. The future king attended the Norwegian Cavalry Officers’ Training School and went on to finish his military education at the Military Academy in 1959. Upon completion of his military service, he attended Balliol College at Oxford University from 1960 to 1962, studying social science, history, and economics. He holds the rank of general in Norway’s army and air force, and of admiral in the navy. 

King Harald and his wife, Queen Sonja, visited Augsburg in 2011. The recognition—originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed by the pandemic—is part of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial anniversary celebration. 

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Augsburg’s Mary Laurel True of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship has a Norwegian sweater with an interesting history. She writes:

Several years ago I bought what I thought might be a Norwegian sweater at Savers second hand store so that I would have appropriate attire for the celebration of Velkommen Jul at Augsburg College.

I wore it a little sheepishly the first year not knowing if the many members of the Augsburg Norwegian community would think that I was foolishly wearing a sweater from the wrong country.

While enjoying some traditional treats of the day, I was approached by one of the long-time Augsburg Associates volunteers, Evie Sonnack, who was looking with amazement at me as she asked, “Where did you get that sweater?” I said that I had bought it in a second hand store in Minneapolis. She happily told me the following story:

Evie’s mother-in-law and her sister were traveling around Norway in 1959 and decided to order handmade matching sweaters. One sweater was for herself, and one was for each of her daughter-in-laws. When Evie’s mother-in-law passed away, she was given her sweater. Evie kept it for several years and then donated it to a thrift shop.

She said that, in fact, the exact sweater that I was wearing was the one that her mother-in-law had ordered on that trip. She was sure of this as it had unusual features that made it easy to distinguish from other Norwegian sweaters of its kind—both had zippers (not pewter clasps) and a very distinct pattern.

The sweater I was wearing had found its way home to the Norwegian college for a Velkommen Jul celebration. I begged Evie to wear her 1959 red, white, and blue sister sweater to Velkommen Jul the next year. She did, and we marveled at the sweater’ reunion to each other after all these years!

Evie (nickname “Inch” because she’s so tiny) is an Augsburg alum 1943. She met her husband, Paul Sonnack ’42 at Augsburg. Paul’s father, Paul Sr. graduated from the Augsburg seminary and college in 1919.

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“We are honored to have Their Majesties visit Augsburg College, given our Norwegian heritage and our deep commitment to peacemaking and global citizenship,” said College President Paul C. Pribbenow.

Nearly 300 Norwegian students from Augsburg, sister colleges and state universities will attend the invitation-only student worship service with Their Majesties at 11 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel. Rev. Anne Loyning of Norwegian Seamen’s Church will preside.

Immediately following the worship service, at 12 p.m., President Pribbenow will dedicate a newly installed peace pole to Their Majesties as a gift. The pole, which is an international symbol of peace on earth and includes messages of peace in 11 languages representing those of the communities in Augsburg’s Cedar-Riverside and international locations.

“The peace pole was commissioned in recognition of Augsburg’s work with the Norwegian Nobel Institute to support peacemaking through the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the College’s Norwegian heritage, and its deep relationship with the country and people of Norway,” Pribbenow said. “The peace pole will become a gathering site for regular ceremonies of peace each academic year.”

After presentation of the peace pole, Their Majesties and students will gather for an invitation-only reception.

Prior to visiting Augsburg, Their Majesties will visit Luther College, St. Olaf College, and the Mayo Clinic. After visiting Augsburg, Their Majesties will meet with Governor Mark Dayton and guests for dinner. Their Majesties also will visit Duluth before departing Minnesota to visit New York for several days.

Their Majesties will visit Augsburg as part of their visit to the United States today through Oct. 22. This is the first visit by Their Majesties to Minnesota since 1991.

Photo: Sølve Sundsbø / The Royal Court

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Sonja Blackstone ’12 and professor Frankie Shackelford reflect on the violence in Norway which occurred this summer and its connections to Sept. 11, 2001. Blackstone and Shackelford were in Norway during the attacks for the Nobel Peace Scholars program.

9/11-7/22

By Sonja Blackstone

I was living two miles from downtown Oslo this summer, studying peace and conflict at the University of Oslo. On the afternoon of Friday, July 22 my friends and I were enjoying the beginning of our weekend when we thought we heard thunder. Twenty minutes later everything changed. Word of an explosion began murmuring through campus, students who had been downtown flooded back, scared, with stories of broken glass and people running. The first few hours after the explosion were wrought with confusion. Who could have done this? As an American, it was difficult not to feel reverberations of 9/11. As a Peace Scholar studying in Norway, it was almost impossible to understand how this could happen in “The Peace Nation.”

I was 13 on 9/11. We were in school, and we were watching the TV coverage of the first plane when the second plane hit. I remember thinking, “This is like some sort of action movie, when is Bruce Willis going to come in and save the day.” It was absolutely unreal.

Luckily the bomb in Oslo hurt very few people. It was a Friday afternoon in the middle of July, a time when most Norwegians are on holiday. A few hours later we heard the reports of the shootings on the island. The Norwegian media was reluctant to link the incidents, and we were all confused. By this time we had all been pumping adrenaline for several hours but it was Friday night and most of us had made plans to go to parties or socialize. At a short meeting the director of the summer school told us to continue our normal activities. Most of us unhooked ourselves from our laptops (the BBC had been running live coverage for hours) and went to try and relax.

In the morning we were awakened with the shock of the actual death toll for the shooting on the island. We were horrified again and all thought of relaxing or forgetting was gone. The bombing was no longer central now it was the great loss that we all felt. As bright students from our own countries, we mourned the loss of so many promising young adults.

The Norwegians immediately said they would remain an open democracy, not shutting down or closing off in fear. It is completely common in Norway to have access to public officials’ private information such as home telephone numbers or addresses. It is also likely that you could run into even high-ranking politicians in the grocery store. Immediately after 9/11 everything in American became about being safer, about trading liberties (large or small) for peace of mind.

I will admit that the attacks were very different. The US was victim to an attack from outsiders, who were attacking the very concept of America at its core. They were trying to destroy America as it stands, not a certain political party and not any specific agenda. The attacks were very grand, took a lot of planning, and were carried out by many people. The attacks in Norway were carried out by one man, a Norwegian citizen, unhappy with certain policies in the ruling party. The attacks were direct, targeting not only government property but specifically the youth of that party. Youth Parliament in Norway is not some little-tended-to after school activity. It is an active part of Norwegian government, and many future leaders of the party were present on that island. He didn’t take out the people in power; he took out the party’s future.

Perhaps it’s easier, ideologically, to calm a small country after a singular attack than to calm a large country after a broad base attack. What I know is that I would rather be in Norway after 7/22 than in America post 9/11. The openness of the Norwegian government and the people of Norway and the warmth and acceptance that they professed is absolutely preferable to the anti-Islam that still simmers in American culture.

Reflection on September 11th and July 22nd

Frankie Shackelford

As we mark the tenth anniversary of September 11th, the renewed images of horror and grief mingle in my mind with fresh ones from this summer in Norway. When the car bomb went off outside the main government buildings on the afternoon of July 22nd, I was a few kilometers away  at the University of Oslo watching a documentary on the life of Prime Minister Stoltenberg. The film followed him through strenuous days of policy debates, strategic planning, and brief naps in the office that the bomber had targeted. But the most memorable clip for me was Jens Stoltenberg sitting in a tent at Utøya, the small island that would soon be the focus of the global media, as he explained the formative role of the Labor Party’s annual youth camp, where he has spent time every summer since 1974.

When I emerged from the film with enhanced confidence in Labor’s leadership, the news of the bombing shattered my mental landscape. A few hours later the news of the shootings at Utøya would break my heart. Like the sharp contrast of the clear blue September skies with the smoke from the collapsing Trade Towers, the incongruity of a heinous act of terrorism in “the peace nation” was all the more shocking. Much like Americans in September 2001, Norwegians on July 2011 experienced a sudden end to their sense of invulnerability.

In the days that followed, as the sad stories of the 77 victims and the terrifying tales of over 500 survivors filled the news, Norwegians, like Americans, were incredulous. The most frequent adjective used in interview after interview was ufattelig (incomprehensible). A decisive break has occurred in the national self-perception. Just as all Americans who experienced it are forever marked by September 11th, all Norwegians will carry with them the shared tragedy of July 22nd. But there the comparison ends.

Whereas the terrorists on 9/11 were militant outsiders seeking revenge against greedy infidels, the perpetrator on 7/22 was an ultra-conservative insider, the beneficiary of a secure upbringing in a welfare state with 100% literacy, universal healthcare, and the second-largest sovereign wealth fund in the world to insure his future! More parallel with the Oklahoma City bomber, Anders Breivik directed his hatred at his own government. He blamed the Labor Party for envisioning and implementing a pluralistic society that threatened his narrowly western worldview. He aimed to eradicate their next generation of leaders. Whereas the American response to 9/11 was one of heightened homeland security and aggressive retaliation, the Norwegians have responded with restraint and dignity, calling for more democracy, more openness, more dialogue and compassion.

Norway will no doubt adopt increased security measures, since the Norwegian police have not routinely even been allowed to carry weapons. The single police helicopter, which was grounded on 7/22 with its entire crew on vacation, will surely be expanded into a more effective fleet, and surveillance of extremist viewpoints on the internet will be increased. The nation is in for an extended period of soul searching, but the outcome will not be a culture of fear like ours. Rather all signs point to an atmosphere of increased concern for one another’s well-being and more expressions of welcome for the immigrants who are enriching the formerly monochromatic cultural landscape.

The Labor Party Youth includes many children of immigrants, and several young Muslims were among the victims of the Utøya massacre. The first-ever Norwegian funeral to be officiated jointly by a Lutheran pastor and an Imam has been celebrated, and immigrants were well represented among the hundreds of thousands who turned out for the rose memorials held in every city and town. Far from achieving Anders Breivik’s aim of making Norway a bastion against “Eurabia,” his deed has served to chasten those with xenophobic leanings and to strengthen the collective will to integration and reconciliation. We can only hope that the remembrance of 9/11 this week will spawn a renewed sense of solidarity here.

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Even before they arrive in the fall, new international students work closely with Jim Trelstad-Porter, international student advisor, to ensure that they have completed all of the necessary steps to studying in the U.S. International students have a special orientation following their arrival and before Auggie Days begins. At this orientation they tour campus and the nearby neighborhoods, meet with staff in many departments including public safety and the library, and also have dinner, often hosted in the homes of faculty, staff, and other students.

This year Augsburg welcomes more than 60 new students, including first-year students and transfers, from Norway, China, Belgium, Malaysia, Turkey, Vietnam, Palestine, South Korea, Yemen, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, Sweden, Thailand, Nigeria, Uganda, and Canada. Welcome! We are glad you’re here.

Read more about international Auggies in the Summer 2011 issue of the Augsburg Now magazine.

Photo (top) submitted by Regina McGoff: Anh Nguyen Pham (Vietnam), Marie-Aimee Ishimwe (Belgium), and Odin Akselberg (Norway)

Photo (bottom) submitted by Erika McCreedy: Kathrine Stav, Pauline Soevik, and Joar Kristiansen (all Norway)

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It turned out to be a good decision.

That’s because Irvine was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship award and will spend the 2010-2011 academic year in Norway as a Roving Scholar in American Studies.

In the role, Irvine will prepare presentations on American studies topics and travel to schools across Norway to provide opportunities for Norwegian teenagers to learn about the United States. The schools will request the presentation that Irvine will give. Irvine, who will be based in Oslo with his wife and two children, will likely give between 250 and 300 presentations.

“I’ve talked with four or five roving scholars and they all said that it is the most exhausting year of your life and the best year of your life,” Irvine said.

Irvine, who earned his master’s degree in American Studies and was previously a high school teacher before coming to Augsburg, has begun sketching out abstracts for his presentations. One topic he is working on is the cultural and political divide in the United States as it comes through the media. Another is humor in contemporary American society that looks at programs such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

“I’ve always been interested in the possibility in working or teaching overseas,” Irvine said. “This roving scholar program was perfect.”

Irvine was already planning on taking a sabbatical next spring semester, so the timing works well.

“Augsburg’s been incredibly gracious,” Irvine said.

While he hoped he would be selected, Irvine didn’t really know what his chances were. He found out at the end of November that he made the first cut and had an interview via Skype with a committee in Norway in early January.

In recent weeks, Irvine has called his wife almost daily to ask if the mail arrived. A little more than a week ago, Irvine himself pulled the envelope out of the mailbox on a Saturday afternoon.

“It was thin and my heart sunk,” said Irvine, who thought a thin envelope meant rejection. “The envelope was shaking so much. When we got it open, at the end of the first line it said, ‘Congratulations.’ I was shaking.”

And now, Irvine is preparing to leave the country at the end of July for what will be an exciting adventure.

“I’m thrilled and anxious, it’s exciting and terrifying,” he said. “The more it sinks in, th

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The Institute recently opened “A Nordic Christmas,” a multicultural tribute to the Christmas holidays. The exhibit includes a room for each of the Nordic countries–Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and of course, Sweden.

The Norwegian exhibit, which was designed and created by the Augsburg Associates, features a holiday table setting with Farmers Rose China. An adjacent table shows the tools and creations of a Norwegian kitchen including krumkake and lefse. There’s also a Norwegian Christmas tree flanked by a bunad and a pastor’s robe with a ruff collar.

Augsburg art history professor Kristin Anderson filled in the exhibit with four cases displaying Augsburg images. One case is dedicated the Advent Vespers, Augsburg’s annual holiday celebration of music and message. Another case highlights the achievements of Peter Agre ’70. A third display shows the historic buildings of the Augsburg campus, while the fourth has contemporary images of campus life courtesy of Stephen Geffre.

A Nordic Christmas

November 1-January 18

The annual holiday exhibit at the American Swedish Institute features decorated trees and table settings for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. Members of the Scandinavian-American community use china, crystal, linens and other tableware from each of Scandinavian countries to set the holiday tables. A decorated tree accompanies each table and completes the festive atmosphere.

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After touring campus, Strommen will present a talk at 2 p.m., “Norway and United States in the 21st Century,” in the Christensen Center Student Art Gallery.

With a background in law, Strommen has practiced in that field both as an attorney and a judge. For the past 7 years, he has represented his country in various posts at the United Nations. He was appointed as Norway’s ambassador to the U.S. in October 2007.

His visit to Augsburg occurs in the middle of a 5-day tour of the Midwest to visit historical, cultural and educational institutions with Norwegian heritage. The purpose of the visit is “to discuss how to continue to cultivate the strong bonds that exist between Norway and the Midwest,” according to the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

In the Twin Cities, Strommen will meet with Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Vice President Walter Mondale, who will become the honorary consul general of Norway in Minnesota this summer when the official Norwegian Consulate General closes.

Strommen’s Midwest visit includes stops at all five colleges of Norwegian heritage that sponsor the Nobel Peace Prize Forum — Augsburg, Augustana College (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.), Luther College, and St. Olaf College.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

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From Feb. 11 – 14, Augsburg will be hosting 12 Vernepleier professors from Norway who will examine what the college and the local community have to offer prospective Norwegian students.

Vernepleier is a Norwegian term for a field of study that develops and delivers a holistic approach to working with persons with disabilities. Nadia Christensen, Augsburg’s Director of International Partners, describes Vernepleier as “similar to special education programs here in the U.S., but expanded to serve persons with disabilities beyond the learning environment.”

On Monday, the visiting scholars will meet with Augsburg faculty from Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Music Therapy, and Communication Studies. They will also meet with staff from Augsburg’s CLASS program and other programs on campus that are relevant to Vernepleier.

During the remainder of their stay, the Norwegian professors will be visiting program sites across the Twin Cities that provide services or opportunities to persons with disabilities.

The list of Norwegian faculty includes Marit Rustad, who is already on campus visiting with the Education department:

Knut Simonsen, Bergen University College

Inger Elisabeth Bergum, Molde University College

Karen Engeland, Akershus University College

Jon Ekeland, Sør Trøndelag University College

Frode Fjeldsbø, Rogaland University College

Terje Grøndahl, Østfold University College

Oddbjørn Johansen, Nord Trøndelag University College

Gro Kalvenes, Akershus University College

Leif Lysvik, Harstad University College

Janneke Quarles van Ufford, Agder University College

Marit Rustad, Harstad University College

Anne Thronsen, Telemark University College

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