The student program includes a “town hall” meeting with the dean of the College, a session on academic success, time to connect with campus organizations and academic departments at the “showcase,” and an introduction to technology resources as well as public safety. SOAR also includes special sessions for parents and guardians.

At SOAR, new students meet their student orientation leaders. These leaders will guide new students through orientation and serve as peer advisers throughout the fall semester. Students are organized into “neighborhood” groups that meet during the two-day orientation and go on excursions to learn about the neighborhoods surrounding campus.

Orientation activities continue with Auggie Days, a week-long series of events that begins with move-in day on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Welcome new Auggies and families!

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The student program includes a “town hall” meeting with President Pribbenow, learning about academic success, connecting with campus organizations and academic departments at the “showcase,” receiving their fall class schedules, and an introduction to technology resources as well as public safety.

At SOAR, new students connect with orientation leaders, students who will guide them through orientation and serve as peer advisers in their first semester on campus. Students are organized into “neighborhood” groups that meet throughout the two-day orientation and also go on neighborhood excursions to learn about the areas surrounding campus.

SOAR also includes special sessions for parents and guardians. Sally Daniels ’79, director of parent and family relations as well as a mom to two Auggie daughters, enjoys helping other parents with the transition to college life. “In my experience, parents come to SOAR to both support their soon-to-be Auggie and to confirm their own decision. The good news here is that’s exactly what happens.”

Daniels says that at SOAR, parents learn firsthand about Augsburg’s strong faculty and staff and come away feeling good about their decision. “The connection parents see in their students from the start of SOAR to the end is really powerful.”

Activities and orientation for new students continue with Auggie Days, a series of events held in the week before classes begin. Though some new students will move into the residence halls early, many will make the big move to campus on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Welcome new Auggies and families!

New Auggie Facts and Figures (as of July 18, 2011 – subject to change)

547 students deposited including first-year, international, and Day transfers

42 percent of the incoming class are first generation college students

24.5 percent have participated in a college readiness program like TRiO, Admission Possible, or AVID

325 are from Minnesota with the rest hailing from 18 other states and 6 other countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Germany, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Vietnam

Outside of Minnesota, the state most represented in the incoming class is Wisconsin with 22 students. The next is Florida with 5 students – you missed our Florida-like weather!

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In this spirit, we asked several Auggie faculty and staff to share their “You have to see/do/go to…” suggestions for getting to know our cities.

If you don’t find an adventure here that’s to your liking, ask a coach, professor, staff member, or another student for their ideas—or offer up some of your own!

Places to go, things to do

Lars Christiansen, Sociology and Metro/Urban Studies

An avid cyclist who bikes everywhere, Lars suggests three bike rides that are a MUST:

From Augsburg take Riverside to Franklin to west River Road, down to Minnehaha falls. Then, Minnehaha creek to the Chain of Lakes to the Midtown Greenway, over the Sabo bridge, to the trail along the LRT, then back to Augsburg.

Augsburg to Uptown and back via the Midtown Greenway, and then perhaps around Lake Calhoun.

Also Uptown to Downtown via the Kenilworth Trail and Cedar Lake Trail.

If you’re not sure what any of this means, find great bike trail maps on the City of Minneapolis website.

Nancy Fischer, Sociology and Metro/Urban Studies

Nancy is a St. Paul resident who reminds us that there is a lot to see and do ACROSS the river! Three must-see neighborhoods of St. Paul include:

Grand Avenue, stretching from Fairview Ave all the way to Dale where you can find many small restaurants and boutiques. For restaurants on Grand, Shish: A Mediterranean Grill is worth a visit; and Cafe Latte on Grand and Victoria is a requirement- it’s a true St. Paul institution, famous for its desserts and soups. One block from Grand is historic Summit Avenue where some of the largest, prettiest mansions of St. Paul’s “old money” elites stand.

University Avenue from Lexington Avenue to the Capital Building in St. Paul is a wonder of small (mostly Asian) ethnic eateries. If you made it a goal to try each one, it would probably take you at least 6 months. This area also currently displays the photographs of artist Wing Young Huie, who published Lake Street, USA.

And finally, everyone is talking about the Lowertown neighborhood of downtown St. Paul. It’s had a recent renaissance of condominiums, theaters, galleries and new restaurants. Mears Park in that area is charming and has many free concerts. Generally, downtown St. Paul has many fine examples of turn-of-the-century architecture in contrast to Minneapolis’s more modernist downtown. The architectural detail on the older buildings is exquisite.

Laurel Christianson, Student Affairs and David Langemo, Advancement Services

Both Laurel and David, and many other Auggies, suggest visiting and becoming a member of the Seward Co-op. Not only for the beautiful produce and wonderful array of organically grown and naturally-produced items, but for the lunches you can grab to go…nutritious, delicious, and oftentimes unique.

Carrie Carroll, Admissions

Take the light rail to Minnehaha Falls and rent a 2 or 4 (or more) person bike.

Visit the sculpture garden at the Walker Art Center at dusk. See the spoon, check out the metal horse and make a wish at the fish pond.

Ann Garvey, Student Affairs

Ann encourages you to check out some of the parks and architecture our cities have to offer. She suggests: Minnehaha Falls, Indian Mound Park (St. Paul river bluffs), the State Capitol building and grounds, Downtown Minneapolis skyways, and the houses that are across I-94 just off Franklin Avenue between 22nd and 23rd. Rebecca John of the department of marketing and communication agrees about the Milwaukee Road houses. “It’s like stepping back in time to walk along that bike- and pedestrian-only street. I know of nothing else like it in the entire Twin Cities!”

Darcey Engen, Theatre Arts

There are a lot of large and small theatre venues in the metro area. In addition to attending (or getting involved with) one of several Augsburg Theater Department productions throughout the academic year, Darcey recommends seeing a production at The Guthrie or Ten Thousand Things Theatre. She also suggests going to Open Eye Figure Theatre to see some original work by Michael Sommers. She says, “I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. You will experience something you’ve never experienced before.”

Casey Jarvela, Augsburg for Adults

I love the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (aka MIA) at 2400 3rd Avenue South (just a few blocks south of Franklin Avenue). A person could spend all day there, and admission is FREE every day for the general exhibits.

Barb Hutson, Advancement Services

Walk down Nicollet Mall from the IDS Building to Loring Park and then try to get back through the skyways!

Take the Minneapolis Queen boat ride through the locks on the Mississippi to get the best view of downtown Minneapolis and learn about our Mill City. Stop at the Mill City Museum afterwards for more fun info.

Go to Lake Harriet for a Sunday afternoon picnic and stay to watch a concert in the bandshell. It was the most impressive thing I planned for a family reunion last year!

Produce and other fun stuff

Minneapolis and St. Paul have incredible farmers’ markets that stay in business well into the fall months. Look for one in your neighborhood on the City of Minneapolis website. And don’t forget Augsburg’s market in connection with the Brian Coyle Center market held on Tuesdays. Watch your email and the Daily A-mail for more information including recipes!

Food – a smorgasbord of Auggie suggestions

St. Martin’s Table – Riverside and 20th. Warm soup, homemade bread. Nothing more to say, except desserts! Get there soon, because they are closing in December. *insert sad face here*

Pizza Luce – several locations with fantastic pizza, sandwiches, and pasta including the Lasagna Abruzzi, a cheesey, meaty mouthwatering caloric dream. Closest to Augsburg is on Franklin across the I-94 footbridge.

Café Latte – St. Paul on Grand Avenue and Victoria. Lots of great shopping nearby and some of the best desserts you can find!

Maashaa’Allah Restaurant – 605 Cedar Ave South. Incredible gyros and other African food all for great prices.

Victor’s 1959 Café – Grand and 38th in South Minneapolis. A tiny Cuban place with a fun, casual atmosphere. It has really great food including plate-sized banana or chocolate chip pancakes.

Maria’s Café – 1113 East Franklin Avenue. Great breakfast and lunch and some delicious coffee!

Galactic Pizza – Lyndale Avenue in Uptown. Fresh, local ingredients and superhero delivery drivers in 3-wheel electric cars. Eat pizza and save the environment!

Himalayan Restaurant – 2401 E. Franklin Avenue, a great buffet at a great price!

Red Stag – 509 First Avenue Northeast. A supper club with a contemporary flair that seems to have captured some old essence of Northeast Minneapolis. They also have great live music.

Psycho Suzie’s – 2519 Marshall Street NE. Show your tattoos and piercings at this hip, young bar and restaurant with great pizza, mini corndogs, deviled eggs, and other delectable treats. Great outdoor patio too!

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SOAR is an opportunity for students to find out what being an Auggie is all about. Through participation in community service projects, students will learn about our neighbors as well as what it’s like to live and learn in the city. It’s also a chance for students to meet classmates, talk with teachers, get an official Augsburg ID card, and take a first look at their fall course schedule.

Parents and family will have breakfast with President Pribbenow and have opportunities to talk with staff and faculty. They can learn about the Augsburg Promise and academic requirements for graduation and meet with Enrollment Services or Financial Aid counselors. Special parent and family sessions provide answers to many typical first-time questions, like “Does my child need a computer?” and “Will he come home every weekend?”

2008 session dates are:

SOAR 1: Tuesday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 16

SOAR 2: Thursday, July 17 – Friday, July 18

SOAR 3: Friday, July 18 – Saturday, July 19

Each session begins on Day One at 10 a.m. and ends on Day Two around 11 a.m. For more information, go to the .

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