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“It was a little mustard seed of an idea,” said Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46, remembering the early days of the Augsburg College Associates, which this fall celebrated three decades of service to the College, resulting in about $1 million in total giving.

From their earliest days, the Associates focused on making connections, hosting events to raise awareness of Augsburg, and providing fundraising and volunteer leadership. Between 1985 and 1996, Trash and Treasure Sales brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the College. Since then, the Associates have devoted countless hours to organizing, cleaning, pricing, and selling household items at estate sales that have raised funds for large-scale projects.

Associates’ gifts shape campus

Take a walk around Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus, and you will see the impact of the Associates’ work on nearly every corner. Enjoy the sound of the Dobson Organ in Hoversten Chapel? You can thank the Associates’ $250,000 contribution for that. Walk through Christensen Center, and see the welcome desk, Augsburg Room, and Marshall Room, which were supported by the Associates.

Down the street, the renovation of the Ailene Cole Green Room in Foss Center and the Special Collections Room in Lindell Library were made possible by the Associates’ generosity. And, when the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion opens, the Adjunct Faculty Suite will be named in recognition of the Associates’ $50,000 gift to the building.

The Associates’ dedication and generosity also includes funding scholarships that total about $120,000.

Krumkake and Bunads – the Associates’ hospitality

In 1996, the Associates became involved with Augsburg’s annual open house, Velkommen Jul, a celebration of Norwegian culture replete with traditional foods—such as lefse and krumkake—and folk costumes—known as bunads. In 2010, the group started the Kaffe Stuga booth, providing traditional Norwegian coffee at the signature Taste of Augsburg event during Homecoming—as well as the annual Spring Tea.

When Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway visited Augsburg in 2011, Associates wearing traditional Norwegian attire greeted Their Majesties. In 2012, the organization received the Spirit of Augsburg award.

For 30 years, the Associates’ fellowship, fun-loving spirit, and dedication to the College have remained true. As current president Lennore Bevis ’69 said, “The whole attitude of our organization is members giving of themselves and serving the community.”

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“We’re excited to host Bill Nye during our Scholarship Weekend when bright students from across the United States visit campus to compete for our top academic scholarships,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “We want to give these scholarly, prospective Auggies the chance to grapple with some of the world’s deepest questions so they can experience what Auggies are called to do each and every day.”

Last year, during the 2014 Scholarship Weekend, nearly 100 prospective students and the public had the opportunity to be challenged by deep questions of compassion and humanity posed in a talk by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Nye, a mechanical engineer and seven-time Emmy Award winner as host and head writer of the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” program, will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Augsburg College’s Si Melby Gymnasium.

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This fall, Augsburg College’s Department of Music Therapy commemorated the 40th anniversary of its undergraduate program with a celebratory dinner in Hoversten Chapel. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered to hear from keynote speaker Alan Turry, the managing director of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy in New York City. Doug Schmitt, vice president of Minneapolis-based Schmitt Music Company, presided as master of ceremonies.

Established in 1974 by Roberta Kagin, associate professor of music, the Department of Music Therapy provides students with a holistic approach to health care through music medicine.

This year also marks the inception of the new Master of Music Therapy, the College’s ninth graduate degree program. The MMT program prepares students for careers in the growing music therapy field within hospitals, clinics, schools, and other organizations.

The evening concluded with the dedication of the installation of three outdoor, interactive musical instruments, which will be known as the “Ode to Joy” Music Plaza. These instruments, located on the south side of the Charles S. Anderson Music Hall, serve as a reminder of the importance of music in everyday life and will be enjoyed by members of the campus community and beyond for years to come.

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Join Mark Tranvik and Hans Wiersma, Augsburg College religion faculty members and Reformation historians, in discovering the lives and ministries of Martin and Katie Luther and influential Lutheran musicians J. S. Bach and Paul Gerhardt. Learn about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century German theologian and martyr, and Jan Hus, a 15th century Czech church reformer. Hear about the church’s role in the Peaceful Revolution that brought down the Berlin Wall and remember the sobering days of WWII at Buchenwald concentration camp. Explore the close connection among people, culture, and historical events, while understanding the Reformation as an ongoing influence in the 21st century. To receive updates about this alumni tour as plans are finalized, email alumni@augsburg.edu or call 612-330-1085 to be included on a mailing list.

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Alumni are recognizing this long-serving and award-winning professor by giving gifts to name a Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for Gyberg in the planned Center for Science, Business, and Religion.

Steve ’72 and Catherine Larson launched this $250,000 initiative with a lead gift of $125,000.

Steve, an infectious disease specialist and the CEO and board chair of Riverside Medical Clinic in Riverside, Calif., and one of the newest members of the Augsburg Board of Regents, still acknowledges Gyberg’s influence on his life and career after more than 40 years since graduation.

“Arlin’s influence on my vocation and life cannot be measured,” Steve said, and he recognizes that the CSBR will influence the entire Augsburg College community.

“A new building can bring new vitality,” he said. “I have seen it happen with our own medical group’s building. When we got a new building, it really enhanced our reputation. I think [the CSBR] will do the same for Augsburg.”

The newest donors to join in honoring Gyberg are Jon ’68 and Sharon DeVries. The couple, who has already given $50,000 to the CSBR for faculty offices, is giving an additional $10,000 to honor Gyberg.

Gyberg became a faculty member at Augsburg in 1967 during Jon’s senior year. While Jon never took a class with Gyberg, the two got to know each other when Jon worked in the research lab next to Gyberg’s office.

“Arlin is energetic, practical, friendly, outgoing, and realistic,” said Jon, who is a respected chemist at General Mills and has been inspired by Gyberg’s impact on the College.

Today Gyberg’s research focuses on environmental topics. He remains active in his research in areas as multi-faceted as catalytic systems to produce biofuels, active ingredients in energy drinks, over-the-counter children’s medicines, algae as a source of biodiesel and bioethanol, and the conversion of wood fibers to other useful chemicals. His consulting work includes serving Fortune 500 companies, such as 3M and Xcel Energy, and government and educational institutions.

Donors to the Gyberg initiative are turning to fellow alumni to help raise the final $50,000 needed to fund the CSBR lab. If you are interested in joining fellow alumni to honor Gyberg, send your gift, marked Gyberg Initiative, to: Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454. For gifts of appreciated securities, life insurance, or bequests, contact Doug Scott at 612-330-1575 or scottd@augsburg.edu.

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Ten days later, Edor passed away. He was honored in a memorial service on September 5.

“Few people in Augsburg’s history could claim as long and lasting an impact on this college as Edor Nelson,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “He touched the lives of many here at Augsburg through his years as football coach, his years as baseball coach, and his support in building the wrestling and men’s hockey programs.”

Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson ’79 said, “I’m so grateful that we had a chance to honor Edor on his 100th birthday. It’s an event that all of us in the Augsburg community will remember forever.”

Bruce Nelson ’71, current president of Augsburg’s A-Club service organization, said that his father’s support of athletes extended far beyond the playing field and graduation. This is why lead donors for the scoreboard project, Dan ’65 and Alice Anderson, Rick ’74 and Nancy Colvin, Rick ’72 and Tammie Ekstrand, Harvey ’52 and Joanne (Varner) ’52 Peterson, Mark ’53 and Jean Raabe, Alan Rice, and many others, chose to donate to the project to honor their coach and mentor.

Fundraising efforts for the new scoreboard have not yet met a $300,000 goal. To make a gift honoring Edor, contact Keith Stout, assistant vice president of major gifts, at 612- 330-1616 or stoutk@augsburg.edu. Donors to the scoreboard will be listed on a special plaque to be installed later this academic year.

In his 100 years, Edor represented true Auggie spirit as a soldier, educator, father, husband, and coach. Consider honoring his legacy with a philanthropic gift to athletics that will positively influence Auggies of tomorrow.

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As you may recall, President Pribbenow in the fall 2013 issue of Augsburg Now shared that the Augsburg College Board of Regents launched a strategic planning initiative in January of that year. The outcome of that work is a strategic vision statement that looks out to 2019, Augsburg’s sesquicentennial year:

In 2019, Augsburg College will be a new kind of student-centered, urban university, small to our students and big for the world.

This vision statement calls for the College to build on its key strengths, which include experiential learning, academic excellence, and strong alumni networks. A core part of the College’s plan is being “At the Table” by providing opportunities that enable students to discover their gifts, discern their vocations, and open doors to careers. One of the College’s greatest resources—we, the alumni—could be playing an even more crucial role in achieving the College’s commitment to increase internship opportunities available to students and graduates. Such hands-on roles are increasingly essential for amplifying the campus learning experience and competing successfully for jobs after graduation.

As alumni, we can provide students with opportunities and guidance that will prepare them for an important first step on their vocational journey. I had the pleasure of connecting with then-junior Gary Mariscal ’14 two years ago at the Student and Alumni Networking Event. It was my pleasure to talk with him during his interview process with National Sports Center, which led to his selection as a sports administration and event management intern. I also was able to connect him with Auggie alumni who have supported him in the process of finding meaningful work.

More recently, I celebrated with Gary when he decided to accept a position as a baseball fellow at Augsburg College, a role that will allow him to pursue a graduate degree through the College’s Master of Arts in Leadership program, while gaining experience coaching and mentoring students. He is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to make a difference at Augsburg.

Recently, the College community mourned the loss of two Augsburg legends, Ed Saugestad ’59 and Edor Nelson ’38. As I have reflected during the past year on the influence these coaches and educators have had on the lives of hundreds of students, and the legacy they created at the College, I’ve begun considering my own legacy and the influence I want to have as an alumni leader. I am not a legendary coach or a member of the faculty but I am a member of the Augsburg community and I, too, can make a difference.

As alumni, we all can make a difference at Augsburg by participating in a student and alumni networking event, speaking in a classroom, representing your company at an Auggies Connect with Employers event, or posting a job or internship opportunity with Augsburg’s Clair and Gladys Strommen Center for Meaningful Work.

Please join me in assisting current students on their vocational journey. It is one of the most important ways that alumni can ensure that Augsburg College and its students are “At the Table.”

Sincerely,

CHRIS HALLIN ’88, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT

P.S. Save the date for the next on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

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On any given day, Josh Linde ’07 knows he was born to create love, joy, and opportunities for others. He’s doing exactly that today. As a dedicated family man. As a successful social entrepreneur. And as a cofounder of Ethnotek Bags, a socially responsible company that builds high-quality laptop and travel bags that feature ethically sourced handmade textiles.

Linde will tell you that although the process of uncovering his vocation took twists and turns, it’s Augsburg College that deserves the credit for giving him the skills and practice to unearth where his gifts and talents meet the world’s needs.

“My whole education at Augsburg could be subtitled, ‘Vocation.’ I learned to be meditative. Directional. I learned to write and reflect and repeat that practice many times,” Linde said. “This reflection and practice has informed every decision I’ve made since being at the College.”

And he isn’t kidding.

Linde feels tremendous pressure to make Ethnotek Bags a stable venture. Families and villages across the globe—in Ghana, Guam, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam—depend upon the company for a living and to help maintain their cultures.

His ability to question deeply and reflect laid the foundation for what has become the nontraditional business practices that put the company’s global partners in the driver’s seat and that give Linde the assurance he’s living out his vocation to create opportunities for others.

“We ask our partners what their time is worth and then we pay that price. We don’t negotiate lower prices, and we aren’t looking to reduce those costs,” Linde said.

The company offers its partners a generous delivery time of 90 days, a bonus for on-time delivery, and a premium for early delivery. The extended delivery window is important for the company’s partners, many of whom work out-of-doors and can encounter significant weather-related work delays.

But for Linde, it makes Ethnotek Bags’ approach all the more rewarding. In the end, each bag made and sold by the company is an individual and complex story with the power to maintain cultures and change lives for the company’s suppliers and customers.

“Our bags have three layers of existence—utility, beauty, and as a living story,” Linde said. “When you own one of our bags, people ask about and reach out to touch the bag. Each bag creates a connection to and meaningful conversation about the people who made it.”

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