Commencement 2019
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2019 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FRIDAY, THE TENTH OF MAY TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN U.S. BANK STADIUM MINNEAPOLIS THE AUGSBURG MISSION Augsburg University educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY U.S. BANK STADIUM 6 P.M. | FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019 PRELUDE Bluehound A Minneapolis-based rhythm and blues, funk septet, Bluehound began in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in 2015 and includes Augsburg alumni and current students. Andrew Meyer ’17, saxophone Alex Bouvier ’17, trumpet Dan Rowe ’17, trombone Nathaniel Gillen ’18, guitar Noah Quam ’18, keyboard/vocals Matthew Zyla ’19, bass Traiveon Dunlap, drums/vocals PROCESSIONAL “Crown Imperial,” William Walton (1902–1983) arr. for Organ and Bass Quintet by David Evan Thomas The Stone Arch Brass Quintet Marty Hodel and Dan Fretland, trumpets Neal Bolter, horn Larry Zimmerman, trombone Paul Budde, tuba Sonja K. Thompson, MM Assistant Professor of Music, University Organist THE ACADEMIC PROCESSION The procession will enter in the following order: CROSS BEARER Kali Kadelbach ’20 The processional cross signals Augsburg University’s roots in a Lutheran Christian identity. This identity grounds Augsburg’s values: excellence in the liberal arts, respect and love for one’s neighbor, and freedom of inquiry. All of these values are crucial in shaping informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. DRUMS Daniel J. Albert, PhD Assistant Professor of Music, Human Development, and Learning Reinaldo Moya, DMA Assistant Professor of Music, Composition 4 UNIVERSITY MARSHALS Monica C. Devers, PhD, CCC-SLP Dean of Professional Studies Ann L. Garvey, JD Vice President of Student Affairs Sarah L. Griesse, PhD Dean of Students Nathan J. Hallanger, PhD Director of Academic Administration Rebecca A. John ’13 MBA Vice President of Marketing and Communication CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Arts in Education Master of Arts in Leadership Master of Arts in Nursing Master of Business Administration Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Master of Music Therapy Master of Social Work Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Science FACULTY MARSHALS Robert J. Cowgill, PhD Associate Professor of English and Division Chair, Fine Arts and Humanities Stacy R. Freiheit, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology and Division Chair, Natural and Social Sciences UNIVERSITY FACULTY UNIVERSITY OFFICERS BOARD OF REGENTS MARSHAL Leif B. Anderson, MPA Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer BOARD OF REGENTS UNIVERSITY MACEBEARER John M. Zobitz, PhD Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics 5 THE PRINCIPALS Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President Matthew K. Entenza, JD Chair, Augsburg University Board of Regents Karen L. Kaivola, PhD Provost and Chief Academic Officer Garry W. Hesser, PhD Honorary Degree Recipient Joia Mukherjee, MD, MPH Honorary Degree Recipient R.T. Rybak Commencement Speaker Ankita Deka, PhD Associate Professor of Social Work Diane L. Pike, PhD Professor of Sociology Rev. Sonja M. Hagander, MDiv, MSc University Pastor, Director of Ministries, and Associate Director of the Christensen Center for Vocation Wendy Goldberg, MA Christensen Interfaith Fellow Rev. David R. Wrightsman, MDiv Associate University Pastor Fardosa Hassan ’12 Muslim Program Associate Darcey K. Engen ’88, MFA Professor of Theater Robert C. Groven, JD Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Film, and New Media Bibiana D. Koh, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work Marc C. McIntosh, DBA Assistant Professor of Business Administration 6 INVOCATION Rev. Sonja M. Hagander, MDiv, MSc University Pastor, Director of Ministries, and Associate Director of the Christensen Center for Vocation Wendy Goldberg, MA Christensen Interfaith Fellow WELCOME Karen L. Kaivola, PhD Provost and Chief Academic Officer Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President CONFERRING OF THE HONORARY DEGREE DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA Garry W. Hesser, PhD Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President Presented by Diane L. Pike, PhD Professor of Sociology CONFERRING OF THE HONORARY DEGREE DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA Joia Mukherjee, MD, MPH Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President Presented by Ankita Deka, PhD Associate Professor of Social Work PRESENTATION OF THE MARINA CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE AWARD Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President PRESENTATION OF THE RICHARD J. THONI AWARD Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President MUSICAL PERFORMANCE “The Climb,” Jon Mabe and Jessi Alexander Alexandra Bell ’19, vocals Presko Hanson ’19, vocals Destyn Land ’19, piano COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS R.T. Rybak Commencement Speaker REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CLASS OF 2019 Talea Plata ’19 7 PRESENTATION OF THE DOCTORAL DEGREE CANDIDATES Robert C. Groven, JD Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Film, and New Media CONFERRING OF THE DOCTORAL DEGREES Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President PRESENTATION OF THE MASTER’S DEGREE CANDIDATES Bibiana D. Koh, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work CONFERRING OF THE MASTER’S DEGREES Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President PRESENTATION OF THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE CANDIDATES Darcey K. Engen ’88, MFA Professor of Theater Robert C. Groven, JD Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Film, and New Media CONFERRING OF THE BACHELOR’S DEGREES Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President HONOR SONG Red Bone drum group Augsburg University is located on land originally inhabited by people of the Anishinaabe and Dakota nations. In recognition of that past, and in recognition of all the indigenous peoples across North America, the university includes an honor song in our commencement ceremonies. The honor song is performed by Red Bone, a local American Indian drum group comprised of singers from the Ho-Chunk, Lakota, and Ojibwe nations. They are a group of professionals who came together as singers, role models, and mentors to improve conditions for youth in the Twin Cities American Indian community. The honor song recognizes and honors all of today’s graduates of Augsburg University. WELCOME TO NEW ALUMNI Matthew K. Entenza, JD Chair, Augsburg University Board of Regents CHARGE TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Paul C. Pribbenow, PhD University President BENEDICTION Rev. David R. Wrightsman, MDiv Associate University Pastor Fardosa Hassan ’12 Muslim Program Associate RECESSIONAL “Jubilate,” Fela Sowande (1905–1987) arr. by David Evan Thomas “Walk Together, Children,” Andre Thomas (b. 1952) arr. by David Evan Thomas 8 The Stone Arch Brass Quintet Marty Hodel and Dan Fretland, trumpets Neal Bolter, horn Larry Zimmerman, trombone Paul Budde, tuba Sonja K. Thompson, MM Assistant Professor of Music, University Organist POSTLUDE Bluehound Andrew Meyer ’17, saxophone Alex Bouvier ’17, trumpet Dan Rowe ’17, trombone Nathaniel Gillen ’18, guitar Noah Quam ’18, keyboard/vocals Matthew Zyla ’19, bass Traiveon Dunlap, drums/vocals Flags in the ceremony represent both sovereign nations of American Indian students and countries of the international students graduating today. The Augsburg University Alumni Association welcomes the Class of 2019. COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER R.T. RYBAK R.T. Rybak served as mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2013 and is president and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation. As the leader of one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country, Rybak oversees the management of nearly $800 million in assets; the administration of more than 1,300 charitable funds created by individuals, families, and businesses; and the average annual distribution of more than $70 million in grants. Rybak is a senior advisor for municipal practice at Living Cities, which works with cross-sector leaders in cities across the country to build a new type of urban practice aimed at dramatically improving economic well-being. He also serves on the boards of the Northside Achievement Zone and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. A Minneapolis native, Rybak earned a degree in political science and communications at Boston College and spent almost 30 years working in journalism, commercial real estate, publishing, and the internet before being elected mayor of Minneapolis. Most recently he served as executive director of Generation Next, a coalition of civic, business, and school leaders focused on closing the racial achievement gap in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Rybak is the author of “Pothole Confidential,” a book about his 12 years as mayor of Minneapolis. 9 HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS GARRY HESSER Garry Hesser, PhD, is professor emeritus of sociology at Augsburg University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Phillips University, a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Notre Dame. During his time as a member of Augsburg’s faculty, he served as director of the metro-urban studies program and as division chair for the natural and social sciences. He taught undergraduate courses in community, urban sociology and urban planning, and creativity and problem solving in the Master of Leadership program. Hesser is the Martin Olav Sabo Professor of Democracy and Citizenship Emeritus