Over 40 former athletes and alumni leaders met May 8-9 to learn more about the campaign for the Center for Science, Business and Religion (CSBR).聽 Attendees were welcomed by Edor Nelson ’38 who sent a video greeting and Athletics Director Jeff Swenson ’79 who helped host the event.
Homecoming 2013, September 22-28
Save the date for Homecoming 2013 which will be held on Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus September 22-28.
Come back to campus to enjoy Homecoming 2013 with alumni, parents,聽 and friends for a fun-filled week of events and celebration. New events along with traditional favorites make this one of the best times to come back to campus all year. Visit augsburg.edu/homecoming for more information and to get registered.
Tori Bahr ’09 and Paul Sanft ’05 Rein in Sarcoma
A Letter from Tori Bahr ’09
Four years ago I graduated from Augsburg College with a Biology and Chemistry degree. It was a great four years, but I knew more education was needed to get me to my ultimate career of becoming a physician. In August of 2010 I began medical school across the river at the University of Minnesota.
I was fortunate enough to receive the Rein in Sarcoma Scholarship this past year while at medical school. This foundation was started by Karen Wycoff who while in college was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma. She had never heard of sarcoma before her diagnosis. Shortly before her death Karen conceived and created the as a way to raise awareness of sarcoma cancers, to encourage sarcoma research, and to support other sarcoma patients and their loved ones. In the eleven years since its conception Rein in Sarcoma has raised over $1,000,000!
As a scholar I have been blessed to meet many people who have been touched by this awful disease. Unfortunately, sarcoma is too often misdiagnosed and many have stories of doctor after doctor not taking them seriously. While most cancers are diagnosed four months from the onset of symptoms, the average time to diagnosis for sarcoma is 14 months! It is time to change this story! Catching sarcoma early is the best way to improve outcomes.
Over the past three months my fiance, Paul Sanft (also an Auggie, class of 2005) and I have invited survivors and the loved ones of those that sarcoma took too soon to come tell their stories in front of the camera. The goal of this project is to change the sarcoma story from “never heard of it” to “we caught it early.” I am so thankful to have met these wonderful people. I will always carry their stories near my heart as I approach my future patients. Please help us change the sarcoma story by sharing this video with your friends, family, and colleagues!
-A special thanks to Zach Sobiech, a 17 year old from Minnesota, currently fighting osteosarcoma for providing the music. 聽He also was recently featured in People magazine.
-A special thanks to Paul Sanft at for donating the editing and filming.
Thank you for helping change the sarcoma story today!
Tori Bahr
University of Minnesota, MD candidate 2014
Rein in Sarcoma Foundation Scholar
Augsburg College, 2009
Alumni Association Welcomes 400 Members from the Class of 2013
More than 400 students participated in the Commencement ceremony at Augsburg College in May 2013. These newly minted graduates join the the Alumni Association which now includes over 28,000 former students.
This year’s graduation ceremony included a speech by former chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic Bill George who is the author of four best-selling books: 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis, True North, Finding Your True North, and Authentic Leadership and (with co-author Doug Baker) True North Groups.
Representative Jim Ramstad was a Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1981 to 1990 before entering the U.S. Congress. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009. He considers ending discrimination against those suffering from mental health and addiction problems a major part of his legacy, and worked under both Republican and Democratic majorities to pass a Mental Health Parity Bill, which was signed into law in December, 2008.
Both Bill George and Jim Ramstad received honorary degrees.
Mary E. Olson ’74, Owner of Airlie Winery
When an Auggie recently visited the Airlie Winery in Airlie, Oregon, he asked fellow-Auggie and winery owner Mary E. Olson 鈥�74 if the large 鈥淎鈥� in the landscaping (carved out of boxwood) stood for 鈥淎ugsburg.鈥� She just smiled and said, 鈥淪ure!鈥� Even though very few of the Auggies she encounters at the winery鈥攐r at other wine-tasting events around the country鈥攁re acquaintances from her student days, Olson still feels the connection.
Years after the Osceola (WI) native had graduated with a political science/English double major, she found her liberal arts education particularly useful as she left her work with US West after 22 years, and switched gears by following her dream of moving back to Oregon and owning a winery. In 1997, she purchased Airlie Winery, situated on the coastal edge of the lush hills of Oregon鈥檚 Willamette Valley鈥攁n area that has captured her heart. She says it鈥檚 Minnesota-friendly with better weather, and she fully intends to retire there. 鈥淢y winery is not a stop along the way,鈥� says Olson, 鈥渋t is a place to sit and stay.鈥�
When her friend and Airlie鈥檚 winemaker, Suzy, died suddenly in 2005 from a brain aneurism, friends and volunteers from other Oregon wineries came to the rescue and helped Olson until she could find a replacement鈥擳eam Oregon, she likes to call it. She views sustainability of the winery as a three-legged stool鈥斺�渢he earth, employees, and your customers鈥濃�攁nd she purchases grapes from a nearby vineyard that, like Airlie, is Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe. Being part of the Oregon Pinot Noir continues to be her dream-come-true.
Airlie鈥檚 website () provides an opportunity for Auggies to sign up to receive emails, as well as info on where you can find Airlie wines in your area. Airlie鈥檚 distributor (amy@oenodist.com) stands ready to add another shop to the list, and responds well to such customer requests.
Augsburg Student Research Program Grows to 65 Participants
A distinctive feature of an Augsburg education is our focus on linking classroom theory with off-campus learning experiences. Augsburg College is one of the few colleges or universities in the United States that intentionally includes an experiential element in our general education program required of all students.
For example, Austin Wagner is聽 a self described “nerdy” student researcher excited about聽 finding the beauty in mathematics.
This summer 51 student researchers will be gaining hands-on experience while working side-by-side with faculty on-campus this summer.聽 In addition, 14 students will be conducting research off-campus this summer including:
Katherine Aleman, Psychology, Research Intern at the Mayo Clinic
Elianna Bier, Physics, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Eric Bowman (McNair Scholar), Biology & Chemistry, University of Nebraska
Emma Capman, Physics, University of Maryland Robotics Center
Haley Diem, Environmental Studies, Field Research in Tanzania on Sustainable Agriculture
Kirubel Gezehegn, Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University and MIT
Ben Grant, Physics, Colorado School of Mines National Renewable Energy Lab
Anna Herauf, Biology & Chemistry, NDSU Program for Research on the Prairies
Dan Kornbaum, Physics, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Geospace Sciences REU at the University of Michigan.
Marie-Aimee Ntawkulityayo, International Relations, Research in Belgium on Ethnic Identity and Conflict in the Kivu Region of Eastern Congo
Promise Okeke, Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Malaria Research
Casey Powell, Biology, University of Minnesota Plant Pathology Lab
Ryan Sullivan, Computational Philosophy, Carnegie-Mellon University Summer Workshop on Cognitive Science and Epistemology
Ashley Waters (McNair), Chemistry, Chemistry Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota
Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 Encourages Others to Give Back
On May 7 Ben Krouse-Gagne ’11 helped host an Augsburg Fund Volunteer Night for a small and dedicated group of alumni and parents.聽 The goal of the evening was to say thank you to the generous alumni that have donated to The Augsburg Fund this year, and also to encourage those that haven’t yet donated to give before the end of the fiscal year on May 31.聽 Every gift makes a difference in the lives of today’s students.
Give today at .
Augsburg’s fundraising year ends May 31.
Auggie Night at the Minnesota Twins
Wednesday, June 19
5:00鈥�7:00 p.m., Pre-game at Hubert鈥檚
7:10 p.m., Twins vs. Chicago White Sox at Target Field
Continuing the tradition of years past, the Augsburg Alumni Association invites you and your family to a memorable evening at the ballpark. This special event will include a pre-game reception at Hubert鈥檚, just steps away from Target Field, followed by a Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox baseball game. Summer is the perfect time to spend an evening at these Twin Cities landmarks and is a great opportunity to spend time with your Auggie family as well!
Cost: $30 includes ticket to game with seating in the Pavilion, appetizers and two complimentary beverages at Hubert鈥檚.
Hubert鈥檚 is located at 600 1st Ave. N, Minneapolis. Target Field is located at 550 3rd Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55403. Register online at or by calling 612-330-1178.
President Pribbenow Featured in Central Corridor Video
The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative recently featured Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow in a video highlighting how together organizations are partnering to make neighborhoods places of opportunity that are accessible to people of all income levels, reflect community identities, and link all people to local amenities and regional opportunities.
The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative is a group of local and national funders that strongly supports the Central Corridor Light Rail Line because it offers opportunities to strengthen the regional economy and make the adjacent neighborhoods better places to live, work and access opportunity.
The Funders Collaborative supplements the programs and investment of our member foundations by working with community groups and public agencies to encourage collaboration, investment and planning 鈥渂eyond the rail”.
Five Augsburg Students Win Prestigious National Awards
Five Augsburg students were named in national fellowship and scholarship competitions this spring. Students from around the country applied for these programs, and Augsburg is proud to be represented by such dedicated students.
Brianna Noland, Mathematical Economics major, was one of 60 students nationally who was accepted to Posters on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Chosen from over 800 applicants, Brianna will have the opportunity to present her research on college loans and first-year retention at the Capitol, and to talk with current legislators. Dr. Stella Hofrenning served as Brianna’s research mentor on the project titled “An Economic Analysis of Financial Factors on Undergraduate Persistence” and will be accompanying Brianna to D.C. and to meetings with MN legislators. Special thanks to Jen Nagorski in Marketing and Communications and Tina Tavera of the McNair Scholars Program for layout and design advice on the poster.
Samantha Cantrall, Communication Studies major, received Honorable Mention for Posters on the Hill in Washington, DC., ranking within the top 80 applicants (out of 800 plus). Dr. Robert Stacke of the Music Department served as Samantha’s research mentor on the project titled “The Influence of Rap in the Arab Spring.”
Joe Buchman, Chemistry and Biology major, received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that will provide $40,500 each year for the first three years of his doctoral study in Chemistry. The selection of these fellows is very competitive and is based on the viability of the student’s proposed research. Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Vivian Feng and Dr. Joan Kunz all wrote letters on Joe’s behalf and helped him shape his research proposal. Joe has been admitted to doctoral programs in chemistry at University of Colorado-Boulder, Iowa State University, University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and the University of MN-Twin Cities. He has decided to attend the University of MN.
Allison Zank, Chemistry major, received the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a $7,500 award given to students from around the country who excel in STEM and intend to pursue a career in science, math, or engineering. Allison’s enthusiasm for research and its practical application was clear in her application, which was read and reviewed by Augsburg’s Goldwater committee, Dr. David Crowe, Dr. David Murr, Dr. Jody Sorensen, and Dr. David Hanson, as well as by Allison’s recommenders, Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Michael Wentzel, and Sandra Myers (U of M School of Dentistry). Allison is Augsburg’s first female Goldwater Scholar and one of only eight in the state to receive the award.
Ashley Waters was named Honorable Mention in this year’s Goldwater Scholarship Competition, one of only seven from the state. Ashley’s plans are to become a Chemistry professor to inspire the next generation of chemists. Dr. Michael Wentzel, Dr. Sandra Olmsted, and Dr. Ronald Fedie served as her letter writers with input from Richard Flint. Dr. Wentzel worked closely with Ashley on the writing of her research proposal and Augsburg’s Goldwater committee also read and provided feedback to help her develop a successful application.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!