Held in Oren Gateway Center, the festival falls at the end of each academic year and is a culmination of achievement featuring work across divisions and departments.

This year, more than 80 students will present their research to the Augsburg community during a poster session. Zyzzogeton is an opportunity to hear about the exciting scholarship happening on campus and refreshments will be served throughout the event.

Zyzzogeton is sponsored by the , (URGO), and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) programs. to read students’ poster session abstracts.

Augsburg’s Zyzzogeton celebration is the oldest festival of its kind in the United States. A “zyzzogeton” is a green leaf-hopper as well as one of the last words in the Webster Collegiate Dictionary, a fitting symbol to mark the end of the academic year.

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Augsburg College’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) provides summer research grants for students interested in professional study. Students further classroom learning with critical thinking and thoughtful analysis through faculty-led research that complements their degree programs.

This year, students’ topics include how individuals use tattoos to reflect self identity; studies of the motion of Daphnia magna, a water flea; the influence of rap music in the Arab Spring revolutions; and the expression of gender nonconforming identities, among others.

Augsburg’s research program is designed to help students achieve their educational goals, which range from attending graduate school to publishing work in academic journals, and from developing a mentor relationship to gaining extensive knowledge in their discipline.

Most URGO students devote 40 hours per week to the projects for 10 weeks, and half-time URGO students conduct 200 hours of research between May 21 and July 27. Each student works with an Augsburg faculty mentor to complete research that culminates in a final paper and their URGO Summer Research Conference presentation.

“The students have prepared interesting and academically sophisticated 15-minute presentations in which they’ll present their research methods and findings,” said Colin Irvine, URGO summer research coordinator. “The conference is open to the public, and we encourage everyone to support the students by attending a session or, if pressed for time, just one presentation.”

URGO students also participate each spring in Zyzzogeton, the annual celebration of the creativity and scholarship of Augsburg College undergraduate students.

Some students also conduct research through the academic department in which they are majoring. Others conduct summer research through the , a 10-week original research program meant to help prepare students for graduate school.

URGO Summer Research Conference

Wednesday, July 25

Kennedy Center Room 305

9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

Thursday, July 26

Sverdrup Hall Room 206

9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

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At Augsburg, we will mark this week with a series of events including Zyzzogeton, the annual celebration of student research and creativity. Events will be held Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Apr. 15 at 4:30 p.m., we also will recognize Day and Weekend graduating seniors who have achieved departmental or Latin honors as well as those who have been inducted into national honor societies at the honors convocation ceremony.

In addition, mathematics professor John Zobitz and Jeremy Anthony, a senior mathematics major, will meet with Minnesota’s Congressional representatives and present Anthony’s research work at the Council of Undergraduate Research’s event on Wednesday, Apr. 13 in Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, April 13

10:20-10:40 a.m. Prelude and Postlude in Chapel

Kate Adornato, flute; Anna Peterson, oboe; and Sam Cantrall

Hoversten Chapel

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Becky Shaheen, Music

“Exploring Techniques to Express Poetry Through Music by Analyzing Successful Art Songs and Experimental Composition”

Hoversten Chapel

1-1:30 p.m.

Thomas Westcott, Religion

“The Extraordinary Way of the Cross: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s View of Loving the Enemy and Responsible Action”

OGC 100

3-5 p.m.

Undergraduate Research Poster Session

Over 70 posters featuring undergraduate research and creative projects

OGC Atrium

7 p.m.

Ulysses Reading

Part of the two-week marathon reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses

Lindell Library, Room 301

Thursday, April 14

11 a.m.

Ulysses Reading

Boneshaker Books (Franklin and 23rd Avenues)

12:30-1 p.m.

Elle Thoni, Theater for Social Change

“Give Me Your Hands, If We Be Friends: Performing Shakespeare with Haitian Youth”

OGC 100

1-1:30 p.m.

Nathaniel Schenheit, Mathematical Economics

“An Economic Analysis of School Resources and Student Achievement”

OGC 100

4-5 p.m.

Murphy Square Writers and Friends: An Open Mic

(5 minute limit)

OGC 100

4 p.m.

Ulysses Reading

Mississippi Riverbank (S. 4th Street and W. River Parkway)

7 p.m.

Kou Lee, Music

Senior Recital

Sateren Auditorium

7 p.m.

Anything Goes

Augsburg College Theater Department

Tjornhom-Nelson Theater

8:30 p.m.

Susan Druck’s students in Liederabend, a recital

Sateren Auditorium

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Saido Abdirashid, David Crowe

Test the hypothesis that the ability of neural networks to encode information in a sequence of states is a general property of randomly-associating neural networks

Jeremy Anthony, John Zobitz

Short and long-term responses of ecosystem carbon uptake to environmental effects

Steve Bergquist, Dave Hansen

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air and Nostoc growth and metabolism

Alex Bischoff, Mary Horozaniecki

Create three caprices for string quartet that develop essential skill sets for learning musicians

Brandon Bukowski, Jennifer-Bankers-Fulbright

Human airway biology pertaining to asthma, allergies, and the inflammatory response

Kimberly Carlson, Arlin Gyberg and Vivian Feng

Effect of electromagnetic stimulation (a novel biostimulation technique) on the growth trend of an algae species in a home-designed photobioreactor with optimal energy efficiency

Matthew Charboneau, Michael Lansing

Explore and compare Catholic and Protestant temperance movements in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Minnesota

Leah Childers, Henry Yoon

Explore the brain correlates associated with a class of disorders called externalizing (EXT)

Alycia Dahlen, Christina Erickson

The impact of the Ramsey County-St. Paul Public Health Wakanheza project on family home day care providers in Ramsey County

Andrew Fox, Phil Adamo

Create an on-line companion volume of primary sources to Joseph Lynch and Phillip Adamo, The Medieval Church: A Brief History, 2nd edition (forthcoming)

Lucia Gayoso, Robert Cowgill

Write a full script adapting Argentinean writer Adolfo Bioy Casare’s short story El Perurio de La Nieve (The Perjury of the Snow)

Samantha Gerhardson, Dr. Paul Mueller and Abi Ottenberg (Mayo Clinic, Rochester)

Identify the sources for patients’ hesitation and resistance for using Latitude to improve care plan and overall implant effectiveness and report noncompliance data for patients diagnosed with heart failure

Walker Glasoe, Dave Hansen

Examine rate of nucleation of sulfuric acid particles and find more reliable data on the nucleation of ammonium sulfate particles and what role they play in atmospheric nucleation

Jacob Grothjan, Ralph Butkowski

Assess the “Biological Condition” of a restored section of Rice Creek in Anoka County, Minnesota

Justin Ingebretson, Matt Beckman

Determine if dopaminergic neurons control motor behavior in Daphnia magna

Rebekah Iverson, Jacqui deVries and Dal Liddle

Investigate the lives, careers, and work of female contributors (such as Ella D’arcy, Evelyn Sharp, and George Egerton) to the influential late-Victorian publication The Yellow Book

Walker Krepps, Henry Yoon

Investigate the ongoing brain activity in participants at rest (i.e., resting EEG)

Marcos Lester McSweeney, Ralph Butkowski

Characterize the physical habitat along Rice Creek in a mile-long, restored section and collect insects as they emerge from the water to enter their flying, adult life stage

Katrina Lutze, Sarah Myers

Compare numerous Minnesota theatres in order to establish their equivalence (in terms of certain artistic elements) and to investigate points of nonequivalence

Erica Malloy, Susan Boecher

Research and produce three wearable art pieces that examine the intersection between two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork and the confluence of craft, couture, and costume in regards to fashion and fiber

Camille McAloney, Dr. Jamie Modiano and Dr. Anindya Bagchi

Determine if polymorphisms in the introns of the TERT gene vary by breed in dogs

Aidan Nancarrow, Phil Adamo

Research the environmental history of medieval Siena and the relationship between medieval Sienese society and its natural environment

Alexander Pinaire, Matt Beckman

Model the movement of individual Daphnia magna (water flea)

Maggie Pint, Bill Capman

Determine possibility of creating a body mass index (BMI) for dogs

Katie Radford, Pete Ralston

Understand how relational aggression influences the members of Girl Scout troops

Ali Rapp, Kristen Chamberlain

Examine the disconnect between acceptable sexuality represented in popular media in the U.S. as opposed to acceptable sexuality for Japanese individuals

Becky Shaheen, Sonja Thompson

Study traditions of classical Art Song composition and identify specific techniques used in composition

Jacob Slattery, Merilee Klemp

Compare the Baroque oboe to the modern oboe with respect to construction, performance, and reed-making and to learn to play the instrument

Whitney Walter, Anthony Clapp

Examine aspects of accountability of activity and hanges in body composition

Kathleen Watson, Sarah Myers

Explore questions of Jewish American identify and its potential extinction through playwriting and dramaturgy

Kate Woolever, Tara Sweeney

Investigate how the incorporation of the nonverbal language of art in English Language Learner classrooms affects students and student-teacher relationships

Inside Augsburg showcases the experiences of Augsburg College students, alumni, staff, and faculty. Send your story idea to marcomm@augsburg.edu.

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But Josh Davis’ project isn’t like most. For more than two years, Davis has spent the vast majority of his free time working to construct a full suit of armor. Based on armor of the late 1400s, Davis’ work is currently on display on the Link Level of Lindell Library.

On Thursday, Davis, a senior who will graduate with a degree in medieval studies, will don the suit and put on a demonstration on the green space between Lindell Library and Oren Gateway Center. The 3:30 p.m., presentation entitled “How to Arm a Knight” is part of the two days of Zyzzogeton, which celebrates the creativity and scholarships of undergraduate students.

“I want to clear up the myths about armor,” Davis said. “It’s not that restrictive. It’s not that heavy. I just want to clear up the misconceptions.”

Davis became interested in medieval studies after arriving at Augsburg. He secured a part-time job at Arms and Armor, a company located just north of Dinkytown which produces historically accurate items, and started making armor.

After making a half suit of armor, Davis began work on the recently completed suit. He began the project in the fall of 2007 and finally completed it in the past 10 days. To call it a labor intensive process would be an understatement. After originally keeping track of the time he spent on the project, Davis stopped when he reached 1,000 hours, a mark that is the equivalent of 25 weeks of 8-hour work days.

“Basically it was three years of my social life,” Davis said. “It was a lot of late nights, overnights, whenever I had time. But it was what I loved to do. It was a release, it was relaxing, trying to see a shape in your head and then make it.

The suit is made out of sheet steel of varying thickness. It includes 20 individual pieces that fit like a puzzle to form the complete armor. Many of those pieces, however, are made of a number of smaller pieces of steel that were riveted together. Each leg, for example, is made up of what had been 13 separate pieces of steel, many of which were place on top of each other to increase strength.

Building the suit required Davis to shape the steel with a hammer—pounding heated steel over or into a form to produce the required curves – while using a pattern developed so it would still fit him. Davis also made each of the buckles and straps on the suit.

“The hardest part is finishing it,” Davis said. “I can rough out a form in an hour or two, but fine-tuning it, sanding out the hammer marks and making the hinges and buckles took a long time.”

In addition to historical texts, Davis based his suit on what he saw in England while studying abroad during the fall semester. After spending August in an international summer program on war and society in the middle ages, Davis spent the semester at Oxford. On weekends, he supplemented his knowledge through trips to museums and time spent with medieval enthusiasts.

That time helped Davis refine his armor and he said that he feels much better about the final product, especially the legs.

Davis said he hopes to make another set of armor for himself, this one out of spring steel, a metal that is more durable. In addition, he would like to find a way to make a career out of armor construction.

“I love to do this,” he said.

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URGO — the office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity — provides summer research grants for students interested in graduate or professional study. The program encourages undergraduate students to conduct research by requiring an understanding of current questions in a field, the ability to collaborate with others, and the persistence necessary to meet the demands of graduate study.

Students are involved in research activities 40 hours per week for nine weeks. They also participate in weekly research roundtable discussions, submit weekly progress reports to the URGO office, and are required to present their findings at Augsburg’s year-end Zyzzogeton festival.

Juniors Donnie McCarthy and Jamie Simmons will be playing with dragonfly larvae and poking around in their DNA. With biology professor Ralph Butkowski, the students will collect organisms, extract their DNA, isolate a particular gene, make copies of the gene using PCR, and then find the nucleotide sequence using a gene sequence analyzer machine. The goal of their research is to contribute to the international Barcode of Life Initiative (BOLI).

Stephanie Storlie, a senior majoring in psychology and youth and family ministry is conducting research at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development with professor Nicki Crick. Storlie will study relational aggression — the behavior featured in popular media sources like Rosalind Wiseman’s book “Queen Bees and Wannabes” and the film “Mean Girls.” Specifically, Storlie be developing a coding system for media to compare sources with the scientific research in this area.

Storlie writes, “This area of research is fairly new, and it will be very exciting to see how the many popular media sources compare to this new research that has been conducted.” She also noted that the Institute of Child Development will open a National Institute on Relation Aggression at the University’s St. Paul campus.

Junior chemistry major Shelly Tippelt is working at Anoka-based SarTec searching for ways to make algae a more economical and efficient source for biodiesel. Tippelt wrote, “I want to learn more about the research process and U.S. fuel problems and solutions.”

And Jason Potts will be helping athletes improve their 40-yard dash. The fifth-year HPE major is testing football players to see if decline (downhill) running has any effect on sprinting speed. Potts is hoping to learn if this type of running is better than running uphill or with resistance and if it might provide a better way to train in the offseason.

The 2008 researchers and their faculty mentors are:

Ashley Gruhlke — Su Doree

Daniel Volz — Sandra Olmsted

Donald McCarthy — Ralph Butkowski

Erick Turcios-Carerra — Brian Corner

Evelyn Tsen — Janet Fried

Jamie Simmons — Ralph Butkowski

Jason Potts — Anthony Clapp

Kellen Chamblee — Ronald Fedie

Matthew Harris — Brian Corner

Meghan Asleson — Yoji Shimizu (U of M)

Michelle Tippelt — Arlin Gyberg

Nathan White — robert tom

Nathaniel Johnson — Benjamin Stottrup

Robert Johnson — Arlin Gyberg

Sergio Romero-Garcia — Benjamin Stottrup

Stephanie Storlie — Nicki Crick

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The festival falls at the end of each academic year and is a culmination of achievement featuring work across divisions and departments. A “Zyzzogeton” is a green leaf-hopper as well as the last word in the Webster Collegiate Dictionary, which is a fitting symbol to mark the end of the academic year. Augsburg’s is the oldest festival of its kind in the country.

Randall Davidson, fine arts manager and Zyzzogeton coordinator, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the event. He said, “It is especially interesting to note that so many students are presenting their research in one department while getting a major in a different department. I think this is a remarkable demonstration of the intersections that take place in an Augsburg liberal arts education — your passion for learning can take you across typical boundaries that exist between disciplines.”

Zyzzogeton is sponsored by the Honors program, MBA, URGO, CTL, the Department of Fine Arts and the Office of the Dean.

2008 Schedule of Zyzzogeton Events

Wednesday, April 16

3 p.m. — Making Music History Fanfare, Lindell Library Atrium

Performance of Eric Stokes’ “The Greenhouse Effect” by music history classmates; sponsored by Associate Professor Klemp, Music Department.

3 – 5 p.m. — Research Poster Presentations, East Commons, Christensen Center

Undergraduate students present their research in disciplines including medieval studies, natural and social sciences, women’s studies, history, literature, and international business.

Full List of Poster Presenters

3 – 5 p.m. — Research-Based Oral Presentations, Various Locations, Christensen Center

Undergraduate students present their research in disciplines including medieval studies, natural and social sciences, women’s studies, history, literature, and international business.

Full List of Oral Presenters

5 p.m. — Reading by Krystal Mattison (History, American Indian Studies, Global Peace), Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Foss Center

Reading entitled “History of My Blood: a semi-staged reading of an original play based on portraits of generations from a multi-racial family.”

Thursday, April 17

High Noon — Agre Shootout, Edor Nelson Athletic Field

A rematch of this year’s Agre Challenge, the Agre Shootout will feature teams of students hurling a three-pound weight 60 yards using whatever mechanical means possible. Each team will have three attempts to place the weight as close as possible to the target. The winning team will be awarded $300 and bragging rights. Non-winning teams will be awarded tchotchkes and a hearty handshake.

3:30 p.m. — The Second Great Lutefisk vs. Lefse Debate, Marshall Room, Christensen Center, Professor Phil Adamo (Moderator)

Is lutefisk better than lefse? Each member of the two debate teams will have 10 minutes to make their case using their field of expertise. A distinguished panel of judges who know “The Truth” will rate the arguments on punctuality, elocution, and veracity. Edible and inedible refreshments will be served.

Team Lutefisk: President Paul C. Pribbenow (Theology) and Professor Doug Green (English)

Team Lefse: Professsor Tracy Biebelnicks (Mathematics) and Mr. Emiliano Chagil (Hispanic-Latino Student Services, Theology)

7 p.m. — “Top Girls,” Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Foss Center

Directed by Darcie Engen ’88, “Top Girls,” written by Caryl Churchill, takes the audience to a dinner party where women of history discuss the political and personal sacrifices women have made throughout history. Ticket reservations at 612-330-1257.

7 p.m. — Andrew Kane Recital, Sateren Auditorium, Music Building

Voice music performance.

8:30 p.m. — Annika Spargo Recital, Sateren Auditorium, Music Building

Violin music performance.

Friday, April 18

Ongoing — All-Student Juried Art Exhibition, Christensen Center Galleries

Visit the for more information on this exhibition.

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Music Therapy Vision Strength and Access (VSA) Day, Music Building

Augsburg music therapy students in collaboration with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Music Therapy Association and VSA Minnesota will engage in music and art therapy with nearly 100 middle school students from local special-education programs.

4:30 p.m. — Honors Convocation, Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center

Recognition of Augsburg students’ outstanding academic achievements

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. — Student Art Reception and Awards Ceremony, Christensen Center

A jury made up of Barbara Harman (printmaker, painter, book artist) and Andrea Blum (glass designer) reviewed 152 artworks submitted by 76 different student artists. Prizes for the best of show will be announced.

7 p.m. — “Top Girls,” Tjornhom-Nelson Theater, Foss Center

7:30 p.m. — Riverside Singers, Mayflower United Church of Christ, 106 E. Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis.

Riverside Singers and the Angelica Cantanti Youth Choir will perform a joint concert under the direction of Nancy Grundahl. Ticket information at 612-824-0761.

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