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905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 2 AUGSBURG NOW FALL 2009 VOL. 72, NO. 1 making The Magazine of Augsburg College English 111 Bishop Mark Hanson Annual report Velkommen Jul sweets Homecoming 2009 Professor Lisa Jack possible inside Augsburg Now 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 3 Editor Betsey Norgard [email protected] Creative Director Kathy Rumpza ’05 MAL [email protected] Creative Associate-Editorial Wendi Wheeler ’06 notes [email protected] from President Pribbenow Creative Associate-Design Jen Nagorski ’08 On Augsburg’s saga of access and excellence [email protected] Photographer Stephen Geffre [email protected] few years ago my good friend and predeces- founders who believed that education should be for Webmaster/Now Online sor as Augsburg’s president, Bill Frame, all, no matter their circumstances, and that the Bryan Barnes introduced me to Burton Clark’s work on the quality of that education should be of the highest [email protected] aconcept of saga as it relates to the distinc- order because that is what God expects of those Director of News and tive character and identity of colleges and universi- faithful servants who have been given the gift to Media Services ties. A saga, according to Clark, is more than a teach. This is our distinctive gift for the world, an Jeff Shelman story—all of us have stories. A saga is more of a educational experience like no other available to [email protected] mythology—a sense of history and purpose and those who might otherwise not have the opportunity. Sports Information Director direction that is told in vocabulary and narrative that This is our distinctive gift for students from many Don Stoner accounts for a college’s DNA, its essence even—and different backgrounds and experiences. This is our [email protected] it abides in the people, programs, and values that distinctive gift to have a community in which access Director of Alumni and define an institution. to education is celebrated and encouraged and, yes, Constituent Relations Clark contends that not every institution has a even demanded. We dare not keep back any of the Kim Stone saga. Sometimes this is a function of not being true educational opportunity with which we have been [email protected] to founding values. At other times it can be occa- entrusted because it is our distinctive gift from our www.augsburg.edu sioned by a change of location or core mission. Still ancestors and our gracious and loving God. other institutions have not found a way to link their You will read in the following pages about cur- Augsburg Now is published by pasts, presents, and futures in a coherent narrative. rent students and alumni who have been welcomed Augsburg College I believe firmly that Augsburg does have a saga, at Augsburg and offered a demanding and relevant 2211 Riverside Ave. and it runs deep in the culture and meaning of our education that serves them for a lifetime. In these Minneapolis, MN 55454 work here together. My exploration of Augsburg’s rich stories I trust that you will find—as I have come to Opinions expressed in Augsburg Now history has surfaced several themes that are central know in my experience here—that our saga, our do not necessarily reflect official to our saga. I think you will recognize them: DNA, our values, and character lead us to pursue College policy. Augsburg is shaped by an immigrant sensibility, by ever more avidly a commitment to making an ISSN 1058-1545 the pursuit of freedom through a liberal arts Augsburg experience available to all who will be approach to learning, by serving our neighbor and formed by our college’s rare and distinctive vision of Send address corrections to: the world, and by the centrality of faith to our vision education for lives of meaningful work and faithful Advancement Services CB 142 of education. service. It’s a saga worth retelling and celebrating! au Augsburg College Another central theme in our saga is powerfully 2211 Riverside Ave. illustrated in the articles in this issue of the Minneapolis, MN 55454 Augsburg Now. We believe deeply in making [email protected] Augsburg’s high-quality education accessible to all E-mail: [email protected] those who seek to learn at the intersections of faith, Telephone: 612-330-1181 learning, and service. Our commitment to an acces- Fax: 612-330-1780 sible education is a remarkable legacy from our PAUL C. PRIBBENOW, PRESIDENT 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 4 fall 2009 Features English 111 16 compiled by Wendi Wheeler ’06 Velkommen Jul’s sweet traditions 25 19- 19 compiled by Betsey Norgard Finding perspective 22 by Jeff Shelman Discovering joy in the challenges of leadership 25 by Jeff Shelman Making Augsburg possible 27 by Wendi Wheeler ’06 27 22 31 Annual report to donors, 2008-09 13 Departments 4 Around the Quad 6 Spotlight—Trip to Egypt 8 Auggies on the field w contents 9 It takes an Auggie 12 Auggie voices 31 13 Homecoming 2009 47 Alumni news 52 Class notes augsburg now 56 My Auggie experience On the cover Juventino Meza Rodriguez arrived in St. Paul from Mexico at age 15. Through determination, hard work, and a lot of support, he’s one of the many students helped into college by Admission Possible. 10% All photos by Stephen Geffre unless otherwise indicated. 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 5 auggies ARE ENGAGED First-year day students began their semester with City Service Day, spending an afternoon working on projects in the neighborhoods around Augsburg. 2 Augsburg Now 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 6 Fall 2009 3 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 7 around the quad Augsburg keeps going green Sustainability Awareness Month September on campus not only included the beginning of fall classes, but a month-long series of events and activities designed to raise awareness and change habits related to sustainability. Sustainability Awareness Month (SAM) was the brainchild of Augsburg students, several of whom participated in faculty-led study abroad programs, including Sustainable Cities in North America with Professors Lars Christiansen and Nancy Fischer in the summer of 2008. After students in the course worked with A’viands to create a composting program in Augsburg’s dining facilities last year, Augsburg was the afternoon location of the West Bank Farmers Market each week, bringing fresh, locally-grown vegetables to the Augsburg community. their next step toward a more environmentally friendly and sus- tainable campus was a month of events. “We want this to bring the campus together,” said senior Kjerstin Hagen, a leader on the project. “It takes all of us to Miller make this happen.” Peter Each week was centered around a different theme, with tabling, information, activities, and speakers, including nation- ally known author and activist, Bill McKibben. The themes for SAM were waste reduction and management, alternative trans- portation, alternative energy and consumption, and connecting communities through food. Community Garden and Farmers Market Augsburg’s community garden increased this summer as an addi- tional area was turned into garden plots. A total of 40 plots grew Augsburg students joined 5,000 groups around the world that marked the International produce and flowers for the Augsburg community and neighbor- Day of Climate Action sponsored by 350.org. The number signifies the highest safe level of hood residents and organizations. carbon emissions in parts per million. For those who didn’t grow their own vegetables in the commu- nity garden, fresh produce was available each week on campus bring about action to reduce atmospheric carbon emissions to 350 at the West Bank Farmers Market, a project of the Brian Coyle ppm, deemed the highest safe level by NASA scientists. Center and Augsburg Campus Kitchen. Three farm families sold Auggie students led bikers to the State Capitol for a rally on the their locally-grown and eco-friendly vegetables and herbs during Capitol lawn, sponsored by the Will Steger Foundation, Oxfam, 1Sky, the summer and into the early cold fall at Brian Coyle Center in and Augsburg in support of global climate change action. Rep. Betty the morning and at Augsburg by Foss Center in the afternoon. McCollum and Rep. Keith Ellison, among other legislators, told those gathered to “keep your voices loud.” 350 International Day of Climate Action The bikers arrived back on campus in time to join a crowd at half- Augsburg students planned a full day on October 24 as part of time on the football field for a photo that was posted online at the International Day of Climate Action, the project of Bill www.350.org. The halftime event was sponsored by Campus Ministry McKibben and 350.org. Activities around the world aimed to and Day Student Body Government. 4 Augsburg Now 905237_Augsburg Fall 09:Layout 1 11/10/09 9:52 AM Page 8 Mayor meets with students After returning from New Zealand last summer, Richmond Appleton ’09 was so enthusiastic that he wrote a letter to Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak. Appleton was in New Zealand for five weeks with 25 students led by biology professor Brian Corner and political science professor Joe Underhill to study Biodiversity and Environmental Politics. “Everyone is aware of the environment, of sustainability, of food production, and energy Ever Cat Fuels in Isanti, Minn., opened its plant to produce biodiesel from the Mcgyan process, which has student, faculty, and alumni roots at Augsburg.