Before her arrival at St. Bonaventure in January 2001, Dr. Foerst worked as research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was also affiliated with the Center for the Studies of Values in Public Life of Harvard Divinity School.

At the AI-Lab, Dr. Foerst served as the theological advisor for the Cog and Kismet Projects, two attempts to develop embodied, autonomous and social robots in analogy to human infants that might learn and develop more mature intelligences. She also initiated and directs “God and Computers,” a dialogue project initially between Harvard Divinity School, the Boston Theological Institute and MIT, and now to be continued at St. Bonaventure. In this function, Dr. Foerst has organized several public lecture series and public conferences on artificial intelligence, computer science, and concepts on personhood and dignity. She is a consultant with several projects that are exploring the connection of new media and religion, especially with Christian churches. Dr. Foerst has also presented various keynote addresses on the interaction between religion and science.

After Vocatio Chapel, Dr. Foerst will participate in a luncheon discussion in the Riverside Room of the Christensen Center at noon. To RSVP for the lunch, or for more questions about the Vocatio Chapel series, please contact Ross Murray at or 612-330-1151.

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Johnson is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School. Her major interests are medical education, medical ethics and women’s health. She founded the Mayo Breast Clinic in 1993 and continues in patient care, education and research for women with benign and malignant breast disease, and women at high risk for breast cancer.

Majoring in chemistry and biology at Augsburg, Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude, graduated from Mayo Medical School and completed her residency at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. In 1996 Johnson was named a Distinguished Alumna; in 2007 she rejoined Augsburg’s Board of Regents. She is married to Phil Quanbeck II, chair of Augsburg’s Department of Religion.

A luncheon at 11 a.m. follows the chapel service. To RSVP for the luncheon or for more information, e-mail Ross Murray at murray@augsburg.edu or call x1151.

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Pole Station in Antarctica. Katy Jensen, who now lives in St. Paul, was the Station Manager there from 1992 – 2002. She will be sharing her polar experience on Dec. 5 at 10:20 a.m. in the Hoversten Chapel as part of Augsburg’s Vocatio Series.

Jensen earned her degree from Colorado College and later joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Commissioned Officer’s Corps. After serving 2 years aboard research vessels conducting oceanographic mapping and surveying missions, she was assigned to the U.S. Antarctic Program. That turned into a 10-year-long adventure of days with endless sun and others of perpetual night.

Jensen’s speech in chapel is part of the “Science as Vocation” Vocatio Series, which is supported by Exploring Our Gifts: The Lilly Grant at Augsburg. There will be a lunch with Katy Jensen after chapel for those who would like to discuss her experiences. Please contact Ross Murray at murray@augsburg.edu to RSVP for the lunch.

Photo and information courtesy of the U.S. Antarctic Program’s “The Antarctic Sun.”

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Agre received his B.A. from Augsburg College and his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In 2003, Agre received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his discovery of the long-sought “channels” that regulate and facilitate water molecule transport through cell membranes, a process essential to all living organisms.

He currently serves as the vice chancellor for science and technology at Duke University Medical Center.  He was elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences in 2000 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003. He is also a founding member of Scientists and Engineers for America and serves on its board of advisors.

The Vocatio Chapel series is supported by Exploring Our Gifts: The Lilly Grant at Augsburg.

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