Kaia Chambers, Author at Augsburg Now /now/author/chambek2/ Augsburg University Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:59:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 Alumni Class Notes, Spring–Summer 2020 /now/2020/08/28/alumni-class-notes-6/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 01:00:31 +0000 /now/?p=10449 The post Alumni Class Notes, Spring–Summer 2020 appeared first on Augsburg Now.

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1930-1939 | 1940-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009 2010-2019 Graduate Programs


1938

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference featured Edor Nelson ’38 in the Legendary Leaders series released on its website and social media. Nelson, who passed away in 2014, was an instructor for the health and physical education department for 32 years, coached Augsburg’s baseball team from 1946 to 1979, and led the program to seven MIAC titles. He also was Augsburg football’s head coach, and he helped start the men’s wrestling program and relaunch men’s hockey.

1953

Leland Fairbanks ’53, MD, was selected as the Commissioned Officers Association Retiree of the Year by the United States Public Health Service. The award, which recognizes excellence in service and volunteer activities, was presented during a virtual meeting in June. Fairbanks’ career has included work focused on family health, holistic care, smoke-free communities, and training other health professionals.

1976

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference featured Marilyn Pearson Florian ’76 in the Legendary Leaders series. Pearson Florian coached women’s basketball and volleyball at Augsburg and also was the women’s athletic director. During her tenure, Augsburg added four MIAC women’s sports, including cross country, golf, ice hockey, and swimming and diving. She also initiated the induction of women into Augsburg’s Athletic Hallof Fame in 1988 and created an athletic lettering program for female student-athletes in 1989.

1979

Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 shares his optimism about Augsburg’s new women’s wrestling program. See story

1989

Mark MuhichMark Muhich ’89 was hired as managing attorney to supervise public defender services in Minnesota’s Carlton and St. Louis counties. Muhich is a Hibbing, Minnesota, native who has been a part-time public defender at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Virginia, Minnesota. Muhich previously taught political science and criminal justice at Mesabi Range College and taught in the law enforcement program at Vermilion Community College.

1993

Chad Shilson ’93 comments on Augsburg’s women’s wrestling program, in which his daughter, Emily Shilson ’23, competes. See story

 

1995

Dave Kerkvliet sebeka bandBrothers Dave Kerkvliet ’95 and Tim Kerkvliet ’01 were featured on the Education Minnesota website when they introduced four band students of Sebeka, Minnesota—where Dave teaches—to the rock band 311 at a performance at The Armory in Minneapolis. Dave has taught band for 24 years and is a lifelong musician and fan of rock bands. He connected those passions and organized this meeting between his students and lead singer and guitarist Nick Hexum and drummer Chad Sexton prior to 311’s performance.

 

1997

Shelly Boyum-Breen ’97 connects the launch of Augsburg’s women’s wrestling with the need to tell more sports stories that include females and diverse communities. See story

Derrin Lamker Derrin Lamker ’97 was named Augsburg University Football head coach in December. Lamker played baseball, basketball, and football as an Auggie student-athlete. During his football career, he was the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference MVP and led the Auggies to a MIAC title in 1997, the same year he received Kodak All-American Honors. Lamker was named the Northwest Suburban Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2013, and 2014 during his tenure as head coach of Osseo High School, where he coached for 11 years and won a class 6A state championship. Before taking the head coach position at Augsburg, Lamker also served as offensive coordinator and head coach at Edina High School. Augsburg University Football hosted an alumni gathering in January to hear from Lamker and to meet the incoming coaching staff, which includes Greg Clough ’86, defensive coordinator, and Jack Osberg ’62, volunteer coach. Alumni who graduated between 1971 and 2019 attended.

1999

Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, hired Martin Hlinka ’99 as an assistant coach for its men’s hockey program. After his work as an assistant coach with the Salzburg Red Bulls junior program, Hlinka served as a lead on-ice skills instructor with Synergy Hockey in St. Louis. Hlinka scored 125 points in 85 games from 1995 to 1999 while on Augsburg’s hockey team, and he also played football, earning All-American status as a kicker. Hlinka played professional hockey for 15 years in the American Hockey League, United Hockey League, and Germany.

Jose Luis VillaseThe City Pages publication featured the work of Jose Luis Villaseñor ’99 and the nonprofit organization he founded, Tamales y Bicicletas, which exists to empower youth, develop healthy Latinx and immigrant communities, promote sustainable transportation, increase access to healthy foods, and improve the environment. The organization’s community garden in south Minneapolis provides space to teach urban farming and lay the groundwork for sustainable local food.

2000

Joe SeehusenJoe Seehusen ’00 married Kathryn Tighe on a ranch in Grand Lake, Colorado, in September. The couple resides in the Denver area, where they work in real estate. Seehusen encourages his Auggie friends to reach out the next time they’re in Colorado.

Michelle BashamIn December, Michelle Basham ’00 was elected as the new president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis. Basham previously was the executive director at The Bridge for Youth, served as CEO of YWCA Delaware, and held leadership positions at CommonBond Communities, FamilyWise, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She also co-founded the Nonprofit Emerging Leaders Academy.

 

2002

Adrienne Kuckler Eldridge Adrienne Kuckler Eldridge ’02 joined the staff of Augsburg’s Christensen Center for Vocation. She coordinates the theology and public leadership undergraduate program, is the program director for the Augsburg Youth Theology Institute, and is the director of the Public Church Scholars program, an accelerated degree pathway that allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in
theology and public leadership and a Master of Divinity in five years. The program is a partnership between Augsburg and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for students who are called to ministry and public leadership as an ordained pastor.

2003

Nick Rathmann ’03 completed his final term on the AugsburgAlumni Board of Directors. He has been on the board for the past seven years, serving in executive leadership roles for four years, including a two-year term as board president. Rathmann now continues volunteering his time by serving on the A-Club board.

Reginaldo Haslett-MarroquinReginaldo Haslett-Marroquin ’03 delivered a convocation address at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, last October. He is a founding member of the National Fair Trade Federation, started the fair-trade Peace Coffee Company, and is president and CEO of Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that works to develop regenerative food supply chains and to advocate against extractive agriculture. Haslett-Marroquin is also the author of “In the Shadow of Green Man,” in which he tells stories from his upbringing in Guatemala and shares his vision for regenerative farming practices.

Stolle Extended FamilyBrent Stolle ’03 and Bethany (Schneck) Stolle ’05 welcomed their second son, Isaac, in February 2019. Isaac joined his three-year-old brother, Weston. Bethany is the design research lead for Blackboard, an education technology company. Brent works for Nvidia as a software engineering manager. The family lives in Kirkland, Washington.

2004

Jason Edwards ’04 has been teaching sixth grade science and reading at Discovery Middle School in Fargo, North Dakota, for 11 years. He also coaches girls cross country and track and field at Fargo Davies High School. The USA Track and Field Association chose him as the Coach of the Year for Girls Cross Country, and he is the North Dakota representative for the “40 under 40” coaching award from Coach and Athletic Director magazine. While at Augsburg, he competed in cross country and track and field, earning school records in the indoor 600 meter dash and indoor 4×400 meter relay team.

2005

Andrea (Ladda) Brown ’05 received an award for her accomplishments with the City of Minneapolis’ Police Conduct Oversight Commission regarding the body-worn camera policy, which led to the discovery of ketamine abuse by paramedics and police officers. Her work also led to the creation of the MPD dashboard, where race disparities statistics and officer misconduct have been made public and searchable, and the co-responder model—mental health professionals accompanying police officers responding tocalls—which started as a pilot program in Minneapolis and is now used in New York, Texas, and Utah. [Editor’s note: These events occurred prior to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.]

2006

Kelsey Crockett Kelsey Crockett ’06 and wife, Stacey, welcomed a child, Mason Avery Crockett, into their family in January. Kelsey continued his software management work when the family moved from Nashville to Dallas for Stacey to begin a doctoral program at the University of Texas—Southwestern.

2007

babyJenessa (Payano) Stark ’07 graduated from Yale University with her Master of Science in Nursing with specialties as a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. To fulfill the health professional shortage area service obligation of her National Health Service Corps scholarship, she is moving to Navajo Nation to work as a full-scope midwife at a tribally run Indian Health Service hospital in Arizona. She will be accompanied by her husband and children, including a son, Zaiel, whom the family welcomed in January.

P. C. HillstromP. C. Hillstrom ’07, director of educational equity at Osseo Area Schools, received two statewide honors this year: the Outstanding Administrator of the Year award from the Minnesota Indian Education Association and the Ron McKinley “All My Relations” award from the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership. Hillstrom has worked for Osseo Area Schools since 2015.

 

2008

Artist Alison Price ’08 was featured in the Minnesota Women’s Press regarding her new series of art, “Witnessing Waves.” Price, a child of two immigrant parents, talked about a stump along the Mississippi River and how the river’s waters aided migration to the region. This piece of nature influenced Price’s collection, which started during her time at Augsburg. “The series is imbued with symbolism. DNA strands weave along the riverbanks and through the roots and ground, reminding us of our interconnectedness with all, reinforcing the idea that we are fundamentally tied to each other and the planet,” Price said.

Chris Stedman book IRLChris Stedman ’08 wrote a new book that will be published in October. The book, “IRL: Finding Realness, Meaning, and Belonging in Our Digital Lives,” explores being human in our increasingly digital world and is available for pre-order.

2009

Kristin OvertonKristin (Daniels) Overton ’09 and husband, Jesse, welcomed the birth of twin boys, Mattis and Henry, last September.

Tori BahrTori Bahr ’09, a medical doctor at the complex care clinic of Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, was presented with Augsburg University’s 2019 First Decade Alumni Award in January. Bahr previously worked at the University of Minnesota Medical Center’s Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Program, where she became chief resident. Bahr’s new position at Gillette Children’s Hospital includes treating patients with medically complex diseases, using advanced technology, and championing transition care.

Wedding party photoAlissa Nollan ’09 married James Nystrom in St. Anthony, Minnesota, last July. The wedding party included Jennifer Nollan ’89, Whitney (Holman) Mead ’10, and Katie Pendo ’10

2010

Sylvia BullSylvia Bull ’10 (pictured on the right) was ordained as an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor in 2017 and has served as associate pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck, North Dakota, for three years.

Toddler and infantMike Polis ’10 welcomed a second child, Sophia June, in January. His first child, Lydia Mae, loves being an older sibling. Polis is in his second year of real estate and is excited for another year of selling and buying homes.

 

2012

eric and theresa arlienEric Arlein ’12 and Theresa (Bulger) Arlien ’14 welcomed a daughter, Cora, last July.

 

2015

Tanner Wiseman ’15 and friends from Lakeville, Minnesota, filmed the series “Destination Fear,” which aired on the Travel Channel last fall. The show follows the group’s cross-country road trip where they stayed overnight in 10 haunted places. The group began making videos together for YouTube in middle school and high school, and this show indulges their passion for exploring abandoned places.

Charlie Scott and Grant Hemmingsen Augsburg University Men’s Basketball hosted an alumni reunion in January that included a pick-up game, lunch, watching the men’s team take on Concordia College—Moorhead, and a social hour. Auggies from several generations joined in the festivities. Auggie alumni lead the men’s basketball programs at both Augsburg and Concordia. Assistant Coach Charlie Scott ’07, ’15 MAL and the Auggies defeated the Cobbers, who were led by Head Coach Grant Hemmingsen ’07.

 

2017

Legal assistant Sean Adams ’17 researched eyewitness identification procedures with an Augsburg faculty member. See story “Mistaken Identity.

Austin Conery ’17 researched the reliability of eyewitness testimonies and now uses his experience to understand and apply studies in his role at a mental health provider. See story “Mistaken Identity.”

2018

Chung Eang Lip ’18 wrote about his career path in the public health field for Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health student voices webpage. He focused on the importance of kindness and storytelling on his journey to becoming a public health professional.

Dua Saleh In September, City Pages featured Dua Saleh ’18 for their work in poetry, rapping, and singing. Saleh released “Nûr” in 2019, and “ROSETTA” in 2020, EPs produced by Psymun, the St. Paul, Minnesota, producer whose connections with mainstream hip-hop provide broader exposure for Twin Cities performers. As the recipient of the Cedar Commissions emerging musicians program, Saleh performed “Strings and Heart Beats,” a project described as “an immersive Afrodiasporic experience.”

Natalie Johnson ’18 contributed to National Science Foundation-funded research that evaluated the reliability of eyewitness identification. See story “Mistaken Identity.”

 

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Christine Diindiisi McCleave ’13 MAL is the executive director of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, formed in 2012, which seeks justice and healing for Native American children and their descendants. The organization recently received a $10 million grant from the Kendeda Fund that will support a new 10- year plan focused on education, advocacy, and healing. MPR News interviewed DiindiisiMcCleave, who outlined the organization’s efforts to highlight the history of Native boarding schools and the impact they had on Native communities.

Diana Pierce ’16 MAL narrated and produced a documentary, “Country Music: Made in Minnesota,” which aired on Pioneer PBS last September. The half-hour documentary touches on stories about artists from the Minnesota communities of Alexandria and Dovray; as well as the WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and the Flame Bar in Minneapolis. The program features interviews with artists from Detroit Lakes, Minneapolis, and Pipestone, Minnesota, plus other figures who contributed to the development and popularity of country music in the state.

 

Submit a Class Note

Tell us about the news in your life— your new job, move, marriage, and milestones.

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In Memoriam, Spring–Summer 2020 /now/2020/08/28/in-memoriam-10/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:36:38 +0000 /now/?p=10509 Clarence T. Hoversten ’41, Hendricks, Minnesota, age 101, on November 6. Eileen M. Quanbeck ’46, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 95, on January 27. Dorothy C. (Quanbeck) Johnson ’48, North Branch, Minnesota, age 92, on February 18. Henry W. Roufs ’49, San Diego, age 97, on October 10. Kermit F. Hoversten ’50, Austin, Minnesota, age

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Clarence T. Hoversten ’41, Hendricks, Minnesota, age 101, on November 6.

Eileen M. Quanbeck ’46, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, age 95, on January 27.

Dorothy C. (Quanbeck) Johnson ’48, North Branch, Minnesota, age 92, on February 18.

Henry W. Roufs ’49, San Diego, age 97, on October 10.

Kermit F. Hoversten ’50, Austin, Minnesota, age 91, on January 29.

Russel M. Smith ’50, Lakeville, Minnesota, age 91, on November 21.

Raymond P. Strot ’51, Minneapolis, age 91, on December 29.

Marjorie K. (Danielson) Johnson ’53, St. Paul, Minnesota, age 88, on December 4.

Wilmer J. Oudal ’53, Eagle River, Alaska, age 88, on February 2.

Leroy M. Petterson ’53, Rochester, Minnesota, age 88, on December 17.

Herbert W. Chilstrom ’54, Green Valley, Arizona, age 88, on January 19.

Donald J. Dill ’54, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, age 86, on December 15.

Beverly M. (Jorgensen) Olander ’55, Rochester, Minnesota, age 86, on November 18.

Wanda E. (Warnes) Olson ’56, Lewiston, Minnesota, age 84, on November 14.

Glenn C. Thorpe ’56, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, age 85, on February 8.

Robert G. Jamieson ’57, Edina, Minnesota, age 86, on January 16.

Phyllis G. (Knudson) Seim ’58, Stillwater, Minnesota, age 83, on January 24.

Joseph P. Nystuen ’59, Cold Spring, Minnesota, age 82, on November 10.

Margaret A. (Lundahl) Ruesch ’59, Worthington, Minnesota, age 83, on December 30.

M. Kenneth Gjerde ’61, Fairfield, Montana, age 83, on December 22.

Ruth (Stenson) Kalpin ’61, Alexandria, Minnesota, age 80, on November 10.

Donald N. Myhres ’61, Lee, Illinois, age 95, on November 13.

Robert J. Ilstrup ’62, Minneapolis, age 82, on September 25.

Ellen A. (Paulson) Keiter ’64, Charleston, Illinois, age 77, on December 10.

Jeanne S. (Wanner) Morreim ’66, Cloquet, Minnesota, age 76, on January 26.

Janice K. (Thompson) Crockett ’68, Shakopee, Minnesota, age 73, on January 15.

Thomas L. Docken ’69, Stacy, Minnesota, age 73, on December 9.

Virginia K. (Golberg) Baynes ’70, Portland, Oregon, age 71, on September 14.

Marilyn J. Gisselquist ’73, Minneapolis, age 90, on February 21.

Zee Anne A. (Zimmerman) Reishus ’73, Wood Lake, Minnesota, age 68, on January 24.

Diane L. Loeffler ’75, Minneapolis, age 66, on November 16.

Walter J. Bradley ’78, Davenport, Iowa, age 63, on February 9.

Katharine E. Skibbe ’79, Minneapolis, age 62, on October 7.

Irene W. (Waslien) Stemmer ’88, Wayzata, Minnesota, age 93, on November 8.

Bruce A. Vassar ’93, Edina, age 57, on December 6.

LouJean J. (Gulbransen) Reid ’94, Austin, Minnesota, age 73, on January 20.

Lee (Gilbert) Schotzko ’04, Afton, Minnesota, age 49, on October 1.

Benjamin M. Blair ’14, Decorah, Iowa, age 31, on January 26.

 

The “In memoriam” listings in this publication include notifications received before March 1, 2020.

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In Memoriam: Edwin ‘Skip’ Gage /now/2020/08/28/in-memoriam-edwin-skip-gage/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:35:18 +0000 /now/?p=10503 The Gage family is part of a legacy that has supported valuable student services that are crucial to Augsburg University’s identity and community. Edwin “Skip” Gage passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Skip and his wife, Barbara Carlson Gage, have been integral to the Augsburg community for many years. All four of their children attended

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Edwin “Skip” Gage headshotThe Gage family is part of a legacy that has supported valuable student services that are crucial to Augsburg University’s identity and community.

Edwin “Skip” Gage passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Skip and his wife, Barbara Carlson Gage, have been integral to the Augsburg community for many years. All four of their children attended Augsburg, including alumni Geoff Gage ’89 and Rick Gage ’96. Barbara served on the Board of Regents, including four years as chair of the board and as co-chair of Augsburg’s Access to Excellence campaign.

Skip and Barbara initiated the Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services and contributed substantial time and gifts to the StepUP Program. Skip believed the values taught as part of the fabric of Augsburg’s community have been as important as the educational experience and the culture of family and service that is imparted to all of Augsburg’s students.

Through the Gage family’s leadership, CLASS was established. In 1989, Skip and Barbara commissioned the first study that evaluated learning disability programs at the college level. They partnered with Augsburg faculty to build a learning disability endowment program, and Skip led the drive to raise $500,000 in addition to $500,000 his family pledged. Skip and Barbara have supported many campus projects throughout the years, including Anderson Plaza, the Gage Center for Student Success, the Gage Family Art Gallery, the James G. Lindell Library, and the Scandinavian Center, which cultivated knowledge and interest in Scandinavian culture on campus for 15 years. In 2016, the Gage family was honored with the Toby Piper LaBelle Award for their consistent support of young people in recovery.

In his professional life, Skip built what came to be known as the Carlson Marketing Group. He served as chair and then chair emeritus of the InnerCity Tennis Foundation and worked with Barbara in many community efforts with the Banyan Community, Northside Achievement Zone, and Urban Ventures.

Skip’s vision aligned with Augsburg’s institutional calling and reinforced the university’s commitments to global perspectives, living faith, active citizenship, and meaningful work. Skip and Barbara’s gifts and leadership over the years have sustained Augsburg’s commitment to serve its students and neighbors.

“The Gage family has and continues to have a significant impact on the Augsburg community,” said Donna McLean, former Augsburg director of leadership gifts. “Thanks to the generosity of the Gage family, the lives of so many students have been meaningfully enhanced through CLASS and other campus programs that provide impactful learning experiences.”

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Lifelong Auggie Friendships /now/2020/08/28/lifelong-auggie-friendships/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:30:37 +0000 /now/?p=10442 Top Image:[L to R] Derek Francis ’08, GregHildebrandt ’08,Bryan Ludwig ’08, and Sama Sandy ’08

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Auggies and their families gather for a group photo

[L to R]: Derek Francis ’08, Bryan Ludwig ’08, Greg Hildebrandt ’08, and Sama Sandy ’08brought their families together for an evening of fun earlier this year. The group members tout themselves as the “1107 Family,” named for the number of the room they shared in Mortensen Residence Hall. The Facebook post from their meetup shows how a friendship between four Auggies became a close-knit group of 17.

A group of Auggies who celebrate life milestones together A group of Auggies who celebrate life milestones together gathered for the 70th birthday of Sue Gibbons Casey ’71[front, center]. She’s surrounded by [clockwise] Pam (Hermstad) Santerre (attended Augsburg 1968–69), Ginny (Dahlen) Baali ’72, Kris (Parbst) Rohde ’72, Kathy Quick ’72, Nancy (Olson) Hrdlicka ’72, and Linda (Engstrom) Akenson ’72.

Augsburg alumni and roommates gather or a group photo
Pictured are [front, L to R]: Stacy (Waterman) Newton ’01, Sara Thedinga ’01, Merry-Ellen (Krcil) Bryers ’01, and Ann (Peterson) Fisher ’01. [Back, L to R]: Amy Carlson ’01, Laura Waldon ’01, Emily (Brinkman) Waldon ’01, Jaime KingsleyLoso ’01, and Erica Huls ’01.
These Augsburg alumni and “5th Floor Girls” of Urness Tower initially reunited after their graduation at mini-reunions and holidays. In recent years, they took trips to destinations like Boston; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Stillwater, Minnesota.


Top Image:[L to R] Derek Francis ’08, GregHildebrandt ’08,Bryan Ludwig ’08, and Sama Sandy ’08

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Student Emergency Fund Established /now/2020/08/28/student-emergency-fund/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:05:23 +0000 /now/?p=10432 A Student Emergency Fund was established in March to support Augsburg students with financial relief as we all grapple with the challenges of COVID-19. In these disruptive times, many students are experiencing the loss of income and jobs as segments of the economy shut down, struggles to provide for their families,obstacles in returning home to

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A Student Emergency Fund was established in March to support Augsburg students with financial relief as we all grapple with the challenges of COVID-19. In these disruptive times, many students are experiencing the loss of income and jobs as segments of the economy shut down, struggles to provide for their families,obstacles in returning home to out-of-state residences, and uncertainty about their ability to finance their Augsburg education.

With this fund, students are able to request emergency funding for basic needs, including food, rent, transportation, and medication. They may also request funding for academic materials—such as books, supplies, laptop computer rentals, and wireless internet—to ensure their education is not impacted by a lack of attainable resources.

Give to the Student Emergency Fund at .

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Opera Takes the Stage /now/2020/08/28/opera-takes-the-stage/ Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:01:07 +0000 /now/?p=10421 The Augsburg University Department of Music had a unique opportunity to produce and perform “Tienda,” a new chamber opera by Augsburg Assistant Professor of Music Reinaldo Moya and opera lyricist Caitlin Vincent, which premiered February 21 and 22. This production, presented as a part of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration, was performed in Foss Center’s Hoversten Chapel

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Opera singer performingThe Augsburg University Department of Music had a unique opportunity to produce and perform “Tienda,” a new chamber opera by Augsburg Assistant Professor of Music Reinaldo Moya and opera lyricist Caitlin Vincent, which premiered February 21 and 22.

This production, presented as a part of Augsburg’s sesquicentennial celebration, was performed in Foss Center’s Hoversten Chapel and included a cast of student singers, the Augsburg Choir, and the Augsburg Orchestra. The opera tells the story of Luis Garzón, a Mexican musician who immigrated to Minneapolis in 1886 and opened a small Mexican grocery store, or tienda, in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the 1920s. Garzón’s store served as a community hub for new arrivals from Mexico, many of whom had fled the Mexican Revolution and found work toiling on the sugar beet farms of rural Minnesota. “Tienda” explored the immigrant experience: what must be left behind—and what cannot be forgotten—on the journey to a new home.

Other sesquicentennial projects

To commemorate Augsburg’s 150th anniversary, the university invited faculty and staff to apply for funding to support unique projects that aligned with theirinterests and expertise while uplifting Augsburg’s mission, academic excellence, and traditions. These projects showcased the university’s history, its distinction inthe arts, and its high-quality scholarship. Learn more about sesquicentennial projects at .

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Auggies in Nation’s Capital Begin Series of Alumni Gatherings /now/2020/08/27/auggies-in-nations-capital-begin-series-of-alumni-gatherings/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 23:59:05 +0000 /now/?p=10434 Last October, a group of Augsburg alumni gathered in Arlington, Virginia, for a dinner and reception hosted by Jeff Peterson ’63. At the end of the gathering, Jessica Spanswick ’10 suggested the group should spend more time together. Spanswick coordinated the group’s next gathering for a social hour and trivia in Washington, D.C., the following

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Auggies meet in the Washington D.C. area
Auggies meet in the Washington D.C. area.

Last October, a group of Augsburg alumni gathered in Arlington, Virginia, for a dinner and reception hosted by Jeff Peterson ’63. At the end of the gathering, Jessica Spanswick ’10 suggested the group should spend more time together.

Spanswick coordinated the group’s next gathering for a social hour and trivia in Washington, D.C., the following month. That’s how the informal DMV-area (the district, Maryland, and Virginia) Augsburg alumni group was born. With help from Augsburg’s Institutional Advancement team, they were able to invite even more Auggies in the area to attend social hours, networking events, and dinners.

In February, Augsburg staff met with the group to discuss how to increase alumni involvement across the country and support the university through Give to the Max Day 2020.

Want to plan an alumni gathering in your area when pandemic health precautions allow? Email alumni@augsburg.edu to receive help reaching out to fellow Auggies.

Auggies around a table
L to R: Chris Bogen ’09, Robyn Hiestand ’98, Kari Arfstrom ’89, Jonathan Chrastek ’10, Jessica Spanswick ’10, Katie Pendo ’10, Kaia Chambers

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Give to the Max 2020 /now/2020/08/27/give-to-the-max/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 23:03:28 +0000 /now/?p=10440 Give to the Max Day 2019 was a huge success for programs across campus! $421,000 raised 1,656 donors Auggie passion is the fuel that drives strong donations on Give to the Max Day, and that’s why it’s Augsburg’s biggest fundraising day of the year. It’s exciting and inspiring to hear your personal stories about Augsburg

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Give to the Max Day 2019 was a huge success for programs across campus!

$421,000 raised
1,656 donors

Auggie passion is the fuel that drives strong donations on Give to the Max Day, and that’s why it’s Augsburg’s biggest fundraising day of the year. It’s exciting and inspiring to hear your personal stories about Augsburg and why you’re passionate about supporting a particular project.

What do you want to lift up at Augsburg? Send in a 45- to 90-second video of yourself sharing what you were most passionate about at Augsburg, and you might be featured in the next Give to the Max Day campaign.

Send in a video, volunteer, or help lead a project in November by contacting Chris Bogen ’09, campaign coordinator, at bogen@augsburg.edu by September 1, 2020.

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A September to remember /now/2019/11/21/a-september-to-remember/ Thu, 21 Nov 2019 21:32:34 +0000 http://www.augsburg.edu/now/?p=9672 It wouldn’t be right to mark 150 years of Augsburg with a small affair—so we threw a huge, once-in-a-lifetime party. On Friday, September 27, Auggies of all kinds dressed up and headed to Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel—The Depot in downtown Minneapolis for the Sesquicentennial Gala, a night of dinner, dancing, revisiting the university’s history, and rallying support to propel Augsburg into the next 150 years.

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Sesquicentennial Gala

150 MarkIt wouldn’t be right to mark 150 years of Augsburg with a small affair—so we threw a huge, once-in-a-lifetime party. On Friday, September 27, Auggies of all kinds dressed up and headed to Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel—The Depot in downtown Minneapolis for the Sesquicentennial Gala, a night of dinner, dancing, revisiting the university’s history, and rallying support to propel Augsburg into the next 150 years.

Gala at a glance

  • 1,000 Auggies attended the gala.
  • Thanks to our generous guests, we raised a total of $1.4 million in support of Augsburg’s mission.
  • Paul Mueller ’84 and Nancy (Mackey) Mueller ’85 issued a challenge and pledged to match every gift at the $1,000 level dollar for dollar up to $100,000.

Campaign Chair Paul Mueller ’84 joins President Paul Pribbenow on stage.
Campaign Chair Paul Mueller ’84 joins President Paul Pribbenow on stage.

“Augsburg is astonishing. Which is really to say that the people of Augsburg are astonishing—Brilliant. Committed. Resilient. You might try to hide it or downplay it, but it is undeniably, unequivocally, tangibly bursting forth from everything you do. It has been nearly 15 years since I first stepped on campus. And, today, the world is noticing Augsburg, what it is, and does, and stands for. Not just in the Twin Cities, but nationally and internationally.”

—from President Paul Pribbenow’s gala remarks

Donte Collins ’18 embraces English Professor Doug Green.
Donte Collins ’18 embraces
English Professor Doug Green.

“Auggie, you are called into the world. Into your wonder. Your why. To wrestle with reason. To spot the problem. And propose new parts. To walk toward your fears. To find the heart. We are Called. We are Auggies.”

—from “We Are Auggies,” a spoken-word piece written and performed by Donte Collins ’18


Gala attendees pose for a photo.
Gala attendees pose for a photo.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a guest speaker for the evening, takes a selfie with Augsburg Day Student Government leaders Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20 and Lucia Davila ’20.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a guest speaker for the evening, takes a selfie with Augsburg Day Student Government leaders Arianna Antone-Ramirez ’20 and Lucia Davila ’20.
Provost Karen Kaivola and students dance to live music.
Provost Karen Kaivola and students dance to live music.

Homecoming

Auggies continued the celebration Saturday, September 28, with a full day of Homecoming festivities, including Taste of Augsburg, a chapel service, the football game, and the Augsburg Music Department Collage Concert. The classes of 1969, 1979, and 2009 celebrated milestone reunions.

Students grilling

family at the grill

football player catching a football

The post A September to remember appeared first on Augsburg Now.

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Take a limited-edition campus tour /now/2019/11/21/take-a-limited-edition-campus-tour/ Thu, 21 Nov 2019 21:04:16 +0000 http://www.augsburg.edu/now/?p=9714 Two walking tours are available on campus this year: “Augsburg Nooks andCrannies” and “Augsburg Campus: Past and Present.” Led by Kristin Anderson,university archivist, each tour lasts one hour and is limited to 20 people. The toursmove through indoor and outdoor spaces to learn about the evolution of the campusfrom 1872 to the present. The Nooks

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Two walking tours are available on campus this year: “Augsburg Nooks andCrannies” and “Augsburg Campus: Past and Present.” Led by Kristin Anderson,university archivist, each tour lasts one hour and is limited to 20 people. The toursmove through indoor and outdoor spaces to learn about the evolution of the campusfrom 1872 to the present. The Nooks and Crannies tour includes a visit to the oldchapel and gymnasium in Old Main, the Old Main attic, an Art Deco filling station,and other little-known spots of interest.

Augsburg Campus: Past and Present

  • Wednesday, April 8
  • Wednesday, April 22
  • Tuesday, May 5

Augsburg Nooks and Crannies

  • Wednesday, April 15
  • Wednesday, April 29
  • Wednesday, May 6

Save your spot on a tour.
RSVP required: eventrsvp@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104.

The post Take a limited-edition campus tour appeared first on Augsburg Now.

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