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A P U B L I C A T I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S

Winter 2003-04 Vol. 66, No. 2

Peter Agre ’702003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry

Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/5/04 7:28 AM

I t is said that good things come tothose who wait. This winter issue of

Augsburg Now is all about both goodthings and waiting. You, the readers,are the ones who have been waiting for

always hope you are), even as we havealready entered into early spring. Onour part, it’s the good things that havecaused us to wait on its production.

About mid-winter, when the issueis usually mailed, we learned that PeterAgre, Augsburg Class of 1970 and 2003Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, wascoming to campus in late February.Since our winter issue already includeda story about Agre and the awarding ofhis Nobel Prize, we made the decisionto delay production so that we couldexpand the article to include hismemorable days with us here.

It’s a rare and wonderfulmoment when a college cancelebrate with one of its own,especially one whose vocation sorichly embodies the mission ofthe College. For Agre, his time atAugsburg was a time of discoveryand connections—exploring thesubjects that piqued his interestand connecting with professorswho made these subjects comealive and speak to him.

While in medical schoolAgre turned to research, where herealized his talents in researchcould serve to greater benefit inseeking the causes of illness. Andnow, while he has the ear of thescientific world, he is a strongadvocate for adequate funding inscience education to enable allcitizens to make responsibledecisions about ourselves, oursociety, and our environment.

The College also revels in therecognition our partnership withCedar-Riverside CommunitySchool received, as Augsburg waslauded by the Carter Foundationand Campus Compact as anoutstanding community partner.

Read about that in Around the Quad.Plus, we feature the Campus

Kitchen at Augsburg, a newcommunity partnership program thathas already brought us local mediaattention. Students and volunteerstransform surplus food from theCollege’s dining service and a localfood shelter into tasty meals that aredelivered to several neighborhoodcommunity agencies.

Last fall the College celebrated the10th anniversary of the Hispanic/LatinoStudent Services program, whichprovides support and encouragementto help these students succeed atAugsburg. You’ll read about the impactthis program has in strengthening theappreciation of cultural richness withinAugsburg’s learning community.

So, good things keep happening.And, we move into spring with thiswinter issue—fully aware that inMinnesota there could well still besome wintery snowflakes falling as youread this in April.

The next issue will be a combinedspring and summer issue to bring youexciting news about Access toExcellence: The Campaign for AugsburgCollege that Augsburg kicks off onApril 18 with a community festival.Join us!

Betsey NorgardEditor

LETTERSLettersEditor’s note

JIMMY CARTER IS HONORED AT THE NINTH ANNUAL PEACE PRIZE FESTIVALAND VISITS CHILDREN AT J.J. HILL SCHOOL

The Ninth Annual Peace Prize Festival at Augsburg brought together more than 700 area schoolchildren to honor President Jimmy Carter, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Displays andperformances were presented around the lives of past peace laureates. Carter was not able toparticipate, but special guests included Gro Bruntland, former prime minister of Norway; KnutVollebæk, Norwegian ambassador to the U.S.; and Professor Geir Lundestad, director of theNorwegian Nobel Institute.

On Feb. 21, while attending the 2004 Peace Prize Forum at St. Olaf College, President Jimmy Cartersqueezed in a visit to a special “mini-Peace Prize Festival” at J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul,where children prepared skits about Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Carter was accompanied by hiswife, Rosalynn, and President William Frame.


the winter Now (at least, editors

Augsburg Now is published quarterly by Augsburg College,2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis,Minnesota 55454.

EditorBetsey Norgard

Assistant EditorLynn Mena

Graphic DesignerKathy Rumpza

Class Notes CoordinatorSara Kamholz

PhotographerStephen Geffre

PresidentWilliam V. Frame

Director of Alumni andParent RelationsAmy Sutton

Director of Public Relationsand CommunicationDan Jorgensen

Opinions expressed in AugsburgNow do not necessarily reflect official College policy.

ISSN 1058-1545

Postmaster: Send correspondence,name changes, and addresscorrections to: Augsburg Now,Office of Public Relations andCommunication, 2211 RiversideAve., Minneapolis, MN 55454.

E-mail: [email protected]: 612-330-1181Fax: 612-330-1780

Augsburg College, as affirmed in its mission, does notdiscriminate on the basis of race,color, creed, religion, national orethnic origin, age, gender, sexualorientation, marital status, statuswith regard to public assistance, or disability in its education policies, admissions policies,scholarship and loan programs,athletic and/or school administered programs, except in those instances where religion is a bona fide occupationalqualification. Augsburg College is committed to providingreasonable accommodations to its employees and its students.

www.augsburg.edu

On the cover:

Peter Agre, Class of 1970, iscongratulated by King Carl XVIGustaf of Sweden upon receivingthe 2003 Nobel Prize inChemistry. © 2003, The NobelFoundation. Photo by HansMehlin.

A P U B L I C A T I O N F O R A U G S B U R G C O L L E G E A L U M N I & F R I E N D S

Winter 2003-04 Vol. 66, No. 2

Features

Departments

50 percent recycled paper (10 percent post-consumer waste)

2 Around the Quad

6 Sports

20 Alumni News

22 Homecoming 2003 Photos

26 Class Notes

35 In Memoriam

36 Auggie Thoughts

inside Calendarbackcover

88 An enormous honor fordiscovery of tinyproteinsby Betsey Norgard

Dishing up recipes forlearning and servingby Betsey Norgard

Connecting on campus—a home for Hispanic/Latino studentsby Betsey Norgard

1414

1616

Augsburg—a Keto family affairby Rebecca Welle ’04

1919

Augsburg Now Winter 04.3 4/1/04 11:50 AM Page 4

2

AROUND THE QUADAround the QuadNOTEWORTHY

Augsburg launches MBA programIn fall 2004, Augsburg will launch thecharter class of its new MBA program.The 21-month program will meet insmall cohort format, encouraging closecollaboration with faculty as well asfellow students. For information, e-mail<[email protected]> or call 612-330-1101.

Math student teams place high An Augsburg three-person math teamfinished fourth among 65 teams inNovember in the North Central SectionTeam Problem-Solving Contestsponsored by the MathematicalAssociation of America.

Another Augsburg team finished inthe top half of the competition. Teammembers were Tim Bancroft, AndrewHeld, Hung Nguyen, John Staton, DavidWallace, and Dan Wolf.

Physics student chapter is honoredAugsburg’s chapter of the Society ofPhysics Students was selected as anoutstanding chapter for 2002-03.

The award letter highlights depth andbreadth of “physics research, publicscience outreach, physics tutoringprograms, hosting and representation atphysics meetings, and providing socialinteraction for chapter members.”

This is the second time in four yearsthat Augsburg’s chapter has been amongthe top 10 percent recognized.

New and continued physics grantsAugsburg has received funding from theNational Science Foundation and NASAfor three multi-year research projects,each of which will provide funds forundergraduate student research. ProfessorMark Engebretson heads up both NSFprojects: the first, a five-year, $600,000grant to support continued studies usingthe MACCS array of magnetometers inArctic Canada; and the second, a three-year, $426,000 grant with DartmouthCollege to continue similar studies usingdata primarily from Antarctica. ProfessorKen Erickson heads up Augsburg’s effortsto use data from NASA’s polar satellite tostudy magnetospheric substorms, andsubsequent auroral displays. This$252,000 project is shared with PrincetonUniversity’s Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Paul Batalden’63 (left), Dartmouth Medical School, andDr. David Leach, Accreditation Council forGraduate Medical Education, presentedthe 2004 Batalden Seminar in AppliedEthics, “Transforming the Profession ofHealth Care.” This coincided with the two-day conference, “Building Minnesota’sHealthcare Workforce through Diversity,”sponsored by Augsburg, MinnesotaHospital Association, Fairview HealthServices, and UnitedHealth Group atwhich presenters included Minnesotasenator Sheila Kiscaden and former U.S.senator Dave Durenberger.

Augsburg speech teamscores top points at tourney

Competing at thestate and national

levels against schools ofall sizes, AugsburgSpeech Team membershave compiled a stringof impressive victories.

At the 22nd AnnualNovice National SpeechTournament, held inearly March at theUniversity of Houston,junior Ryan Sobolikplaced fourth in the nation inExtemporaneous Speaking, while theAugsburg team garnered sixth place in thelimited sweepstakes division.

“There were so many excellentspeakers, I was proud just to make it tothe finals,” said Sobolik, of Fargo, N.Dak.More than 50 colleges and universities,with over 1,000 competitors, participatedin the tournament.

Earlier, at the Minnesota CollegeForensic Association’s annual statetournament, senior Crystal Harles wonsecond place in Oratory. This gives her abid as one of two Minnesota students tocompete in the Interstate OratoryCompetition, the nation’s oldest and mostprestigious oratory tournament, to be heldin Phoenix in April.

Harles’ speech deals with internationalslavery and she said she tried to make theissue personal to help people understandthat their actions can make a difference incombating this situation.

Junior Heather Nystrom took sixthplace in the same competition, with whatshe calls a “tough sell … trying toconvince people to learn more aboutstatistical literacy, and apply it to theirdaily lives.” Through humor she tried tokeep people’s attention.

Augsburg’s team won a second placesweepstakes award in the limited entrydivision at this state tournament. Coachand communication studies professor BobGroven says that this carries special weightsince Minnesota’s state tournamentpresents some of the toughest competitionin the country.

Heather Nystrom ’05 and Crystal Harles ’04

Ryan Sobolik ’05

“Transforming the Profession of Health Care”

2 Winter 2003-04


3Winter 2003-04

Augsburg neighborhoodpartnership is honored

The long standingrelationship

between AugsburgCollege and theCedar-RiversideCommunity Schoolwas honored as one ofsix finalists for thenew CarterPartnership Awardthat was presented byPresident JimmyCarter and his wife,Rosalynn, as part ofthe Campus Compact10th anniversary event in February. Thepurpose of the award is to providerecognition for outstanding campus-community partnerships.

The award was presented to theGrant Community School Collaborative ofDuluth. But, Mrs. Carter added, “Everysingle one of the nominated partnershipsdeserves recognition. It doesn't matterwho wins.”

“It was a grand night for Cedar-Riverside Community School,” saidStephanie Byrdziak, the school’s assistant

director. “A president of the United Statesnow knows who we are and what we’vebecome. And Augsburg College has beenthere for us all these years. They are whatmakes a true community school.”

Mary Laurel True, associate director ofthe Center for Service, Work, andLearning, said it was wonderful to berecognized for a true, long-term, vitalpartnership. “It meant the world to us tobe able to let others know about ourneighborhood and the immigrants wholive here, and all the great work that wedo together.”

The Augsburg Board of Regentswelcomed three new members at its

January meeting. Dan Anderson ’65, Dr.Marshall Stanton, and Emily Anne Tuttlewere elected to six-year terms.

Dan Anderson ’65Dan Anderson was an All-Americanbasketball player at Augsburg, and wenton to play professional basketball withthe Minnesota Pipers and as a chartermember of the New Jersey Nets.

He is now president of SwensonAnderson Financial Group inMinneapolis, with a network of plannersacross Minnesota and neighboring states.He is also regional director for FinancialNetwork Investment Corporation, and a

general agent for a number of insurancecompanies. He serves on the board ofMetro Hope Ministries.

Marshall Stanton, M.D. Marshall Stanton is vice president, medicalaffairs for Cardiac Rhythm Management atMedtronic. He is a fellow of the AmericanCollege of Cardiology and is chairman ofthe Fellowship Committee of the NorthAmerican Society of Pacing andElectrophysiology.

He graduated from the University ofPennsylvania and the Medical College ofVirginia. He completed a residency ininternal medicine at Mayo Medical School;he returned there to join the faculty andbecame director of the CardiovascularTraining Program. He also completed a

fellowship in cardiology at IndianaUniversity School of Medicine.

Emily Anne TuttleEmily Anne Tuttle was the firstDemocratic woman elected to theMinnesota Senate and specialized inhealthcare policy. She was also elected tothe Hennepin County Board ofCommissioners. She currently serves onthe Minnesota Humanities Commissionand the boards of the Guthrie Theater,Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and theMinnesota Community Foundation.

She is a graduate of the University ofMinnesota and earned her master’sdegree in public administration from theJohn F. Kennedy School of Governmentat Harvard University.

Three new regents elected to board

Augsburg and Cedar-Riverside Community School staff werehonored at the Carter Partnership awards banquet.


Alumni, Friends, and Families—Come Celebrate!

Augsburg Community Festival

Sunday, April 18, 2004Noon–4:30 p.m.

Campus-wide activities

12:30 Campaign kickoff, free food,and giveaways—on the Augsburgcampus

12:45-4:30 Free activities for all ages

• Free food, music, exhibits, reading corner

• Science demonstrations• Lute Olson basketball clinic for

boys and girls• Hockey clinic/open ice skating • Health screenings• Theatre production—Machinal• Art exhibits• Celebration service…and much, much more. You don’twant to miss it!

Come back and join us on campus!

Access to Excellence: The Campaignfor Augsburg College

4 Winter 2003-04

Around the Quad

Thirty-two Augsburg first-year studentsare already wearing their graduation

robes, but they won’t be participating ingraduation ceremonies in May. Thestudents are part of an experiment thatnot only is teaching them about life inmedieval times but also is blending sevendisciplines into one exciting new cross-curricular program.

The experiment, titled “MedievalConnections,” not only has both exceededits professors’ broadest expectations, but itsoon could serve as a model for otherAugsburg courses and for liberal artsinstitutions across the nation. “When theCollege embarked on a new generaleducation curriculum this academic year,faculty were encouraged to seek ways topresent courses that were interdisciplinaryin nature,” noted Phil Adamo, assistantprofessor of history and leader of the newprogram. Adamo has been so pleased withthe results of the course that he plans toprepare a paper on it for possiblepublication in several national journals.

A core group of Augsburg faculty,including Adamo; Kristin Anderson, art;Phil Quanbeck II, religion; Joan Griffin,

English; and MerileeKlemp, music, met andput together the basicsfor the course.Philosophy colleagueBruce Reichenbach, andDarcey Engen, theatre,joined them to form theseven disciplinesrepresented by thecourse itself.

“The key idea thatstuck with us is that theuniversity/college thatwe know today comesout of the 12th century,” Adamo said.“Faculty and students wore robessomewhat similar to those that they dotoday, although today, of course, they’reprimarily used in ceremonies likegraduation.”

The students are both taught andlearn in a style reminiscent of theeducational experience faced by studentsfrom the “High Middle Ages”—the years1100-1300 A.D. To learn in this fashion,both students and faculty attend classgarbed in robes—the faculty memberswearing the robes that signify theiracademic background and highest degreeearned; the students wearing the robesthat they ultimately will again wear ongraduation day. While students do haveaccess to modern learning devices, such aspapers and ballpoint pens, they all have tolearn from one single book—a largevolume that was “constructed” by theprofessors in cooperation with artinstructor Tara Christopherson, and ischained in the library where the studentsmust go to read it. As students read, theycan write “marginalia” (comments) in thebook’s margins about what they have read,thus providing reading help for theirclassmates and others who follow. This issimilar to what would have happened inthe Middle Ages, Adamo said.

Sometimes a single professor teachesfor the three-hour class, but usually twoor three professors come, not only to

help teach but also to respond to oneanother and students’ questions. Inaddition, a wide range of faculty andothers who have learned about thecourse have been “dropping in” to sharetheir knowledge and expertise oneverything from medieval armor to what itwas like to be a “traveling Sophist.”

One recent guest professor was a monkfrom St. John’s University who talkedabout monastic life, the Gregorian chant,and how the Bible was written by hand,using a project to write a new Biblecurrently underway at his school as anexample.

Students begin each class with a prayerto the medieval “saint of the day,” workingin teams to prepare the prayers andpresentations on the saints. ThomasAquinas, for example, was selectedbecause he is the patron saint of allstudents. There are also long-term projectsfor each student, and the final class will bea medieval feast where some will cook,some will play or sing music, some willjuggle, and some will debate—all thekinds of things students might have donein a big medieval feast of the time.

“I think it’s a bit of genius here,”Quanbeck noted. “Thanks to ProfessorAdamo, we’re combining the theatrical,experiential, and academic and turning itinto something that makes it verymemorable. It changes students’ habitsand how they learn.”

A single book and black robes—a medievalexperience by Dan Jorgensen

In the Medieval Connections class, students wear robes, asstudents did in the Middle Ages.

Students in Medieval Connections learn froma single book chained in the library.


Where might you find a thousandTwin Cities middle school and

high school students on Sundayafternoons during the winter months? Alogical answer might be the ski slopes orthe malls, but in this case the answer isin church gyms playing in the Augsburg-Congregational Youth Basketball League.

Thirteen years ago, Augsburg CollegePastor Dave Wold had concerns aboutyoung people and their connection tochurches. Many dropped out of churchafter confirmation, and many youngpeople in city neighborhoods had noconnection to a church. Wold wasinterested in addressing these issues, aswell as getting the word out aboutAugsburg College.

Wold’s idea of a basketball leaguetook shape when he realized how manychurch gyms in the metro area were notbeing used, and especially in thinkingabout how many students enjoy playingbasketball but had no team to play on ifthey weren’t able to make their schoolteams.

Wold and a group of youth directorsand pastors developed the mission of the

league “to provide relaxed yet structuredgames in a Christian setting, allowingkids an opportunity for fun and exercisewhile building relationships withteammates, opponents, and God.”

Now, more than 70 churches and asmany as 1,000 students play in churchgyms on Sunday afternoons in themonths of January and February. Theseason climaxes on the first weekend inMarch at a tournament on Augsburg’scampus. More than 100 Augsburgstudents help out at the tourney asreferees, photographers, concessionsworkers, security people, etc.

Wold, along with league directorDavid Wrightsman and other youthprofessionals who run the league, seek tokeep the tournament as low cost aspossible. If churches can’t afford the fullparticipation fee, which pays mostly foruniforms and referee fees, they find waysto subsidize them.

As in any athletic division, there arerules. Each game begins with devotionsand ends with prayer, shared by bothopposing teams. During the game, theremust be equal playing time for all teammembers. And, each team is stronglyencouraged to take on service projects—in the church’s gym, in food programs, orin projects like Habitat for Humanity.

The league has succeeded in bringingyouth to the church. Half of the 70 teams

last year were made up of senior highboys, and half or more of these playerswere not members of the churches forwhich they played. Some youth chooseto play for a church team instead of theirschool team.

Wonderful friendships form throughthe games. Teams from city and suburbanchurches get to know each other, andplayers build relationships withteammates, coaches, youth workers, and pastors.

The story of Noah, an adoptedFilipino high school student, is oneexample of the faith and love in thisleague. Noah has faced challenges all hislife from a birth defect in his brain. Helearned to love basketball and foundtremendous support and friendship in hischurch team. His strength is in shooting,especially long shots. About five yearsago in the tournament, the two finalistteams remained locked in a close game.In the final seconds, it was Noah whosank the ball from a long, half-court shotto win the tournament for his team.

“That shows how great sport can beand how great people can be,” says Wold.

For information on theCongregational Youth Basketball League,contact Pastor Dave Wold at 612-330-1732 or <[email protected]>; or DavidWrightsman at the Urban Youth MinistryProject, 612-599-6911.

Every game in the 70-church Congregational Youth Basketball League starts with devotions andends with prayer, shared by both opposing teams.

More than 100 Augsburg students, led byPastor Dave Wold (right) help with varioustasks during the Congregational YouthLeague Tournament at Augsburg in March.

Basketball in a different leagueby Betsey Norgard

5Winter 2003-04

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Winter 2003-046

Sports

Members of the Augsburg Collegewomen’s hockey team took a trip

of a lifetime during the Christmasholiday break, as they traveled to Italyand Austria, playing three games againstlocal club teams and experiencing thebeauty of the two countries.

Ten Auggie players made the trip,along with head coach Jill Pohtilla,assistant coaches Barb Halbrehder andBill Halbrehder, Augsburg staff, andseveral family members. The eight-daytrip took the Auggies through the heartof northern Italy and to the historic citiesof Florence and Rome. Members of theteam raised money for two years to payfor the journey.

“Having an opportunity to learnabout another culture, first hand, issomething the players will never forget,”Pohtilla said. “I had a similar opportunityplaying hockey in Finland in 1980, and Iwill never forget some of the experiencesI had.”

On Dec. 29, after a day-long series offlights across the Atlantic, the Auggiesarrived in Milan, met Marc Smith, theirtour manager from GoPlay Sports Tours,and immediately began a day ofsightseeing to help counteract the effectsof jetlag.

In Milan, Italy’s largest city, the teamtoured the Duomo, a stunning baroquecathedral with 3,400 statues and 135spires, and walked across the city squareto a huge downtown shopping area, theGalleria Vittorio Emanuele.

After a night of needed rest in thenearby city of Bergamo, Augsburg was setto play its first game, against theHalloween Como team in the small townof Zanica.

Women’s hockey in Italy is still inrelative infancy, with only a handful ofteams in the northern part of the country.So, with only nine skaters and a goalie,Augsburg was competitive against all ofits opponents.

In fact, Augsburg dispatched of

Auggie women skate and tour in Italy, Austria by Don Stoner

Halloween Como by a 14-0 count.Freshman Stacy Anderson had a six-point day, with three goals and threeassists, while senior Christina Hughesalso had a hat trick (three goals). SeniorDottie Gilkerson, juniors Corrie Krzyskaand Laura Prasek, and sophomores CallaLundquist and Britt Pennington eachscored two goals, while senior AnnieAnnunziato contributed assists.

The team then moved on to theAlpine city of Bolzano, little city wherethe Auggies were then headquartered forthree days.

New Year’s Eve provided an incredibleday and night of new experiences,including a two-hour bus ride deep intothe Austrian Alps. As the team rode toAustria, jaws dropped at the stunningscenery of the Brenner Pass, one ofEurope’s most famous trade routes.

The team’s second game also provideda unique experience—a semi-outdoorrink in the small town of Kundl, Austria.

The rink was enclosed, but two of thefour sides were open to the elements.Many players said it was the first timethey had played on an outdoor rink,which made for an interesting game.

Like Italy, women’s hockey in Austriais also relatively new, but the KundlCrocodiles provided some strongcompetition. The team even recruitedother players from its league to play theAuggies, but in the end, the Minnesotaplayers’ years of experience proved toomuch, as Augsburg won 6-0.

Pennington was the star of the game,with a three-goal hat trick, withGilkerson, Hughes, and Annunziatoadding markers. Junior Jana Ford alsogot on the board for the Auggies with anassist. Augsburg outshot Kundl by a 29-10 margin, with junior goalie KristinJohnson getting her second straightshutout.

“One of the funniest moments for mewas when the Austrian team hosted a

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Members of the Augsburg women’s hockey team and others pose in front of the Colosseum inRome. Front row (L to R) Jana Ford, Corrie Krzyska, assistant coach Barb Halbrehder, KristinJohnson, Annie Annunziato, Maggie McDonald, Calla Lundquist, Britt Pennington, tourmanager Marc Smith. Back row (L to R) Dale Ford, Jacob Ford, Molly Ford, Dottie Gilkerson,Christina Hughes, assistant coach Bill Halbrehder, head coach Jill Pohtilla, Kristin Opalinski ‘03;sports information coordinator Don Stoner, Stacy Anderson, Laura Prasek, athletic trainer MissyStrauch, Mari Johnson, Heidi Ford.


7Winter 2003-04

brief get-together after our game. Thelanguage barrier was evident, and ittook a line from Finding Nemo to breakthrough. The players from both teamsknew the lines, ‘Keep swimming, keepswimming’ along with ‘Mine...mine...mine.’ We all laughed hard about it,”Pohtilla said.

On the trip back to Bolzano, theteam stopped for a couple of hours inthe Bavarian winter sports mecca ofInnsbruck, host city for two WinterOlympic games. As the team arrived, arunning race was taking place as part ofthe city’s New Year’s Eve celebration,providing a unique detour.

Arriving back in Bolzano, theAuggies joined thousands of Italians atthe city’s soccer stadium for a grandNew Year’s Eve party, complete withbands, fireworks, and plenty ofcelebrating.

New Year’s Day provided some of themost incredible scenery of the trip, asthe team traveled deep into the craggyhigh peaks of the Dolomite mountains,unique among the splinter ranges of theAlps. The cable car rides to the top ofthe mountain at a local ski area gave theAuggies plenty of stunning views forphoto opportunities and time forplaying in the snow.

The next day, Augsburg had its lastgame of the trip against the best team in

Italy, the Bolzano Eagles. Thegame was played at theBolzano civic arena, the largesthockey arena in the country,with seating for more than7,000 spectators.

Augsburg scored threegoals in the first eight minutesof the game and claimed a 6-2victory to complete the trip.Anderson had her second hattrick of the trip, with Prasek,Annunziato, and Krzyskaadding goals. The Auggiesdominated from start to finish,not allowing Bolzano’s goalsuntil the final two minutes ofthe game.

With the hockey complete, theAuggies became tourists, as the journeywent south into the fabled province ofTuscany. A night in the small city ofMontecatini was followed by a day ofsightseeing in Florence, the city thatspawned the Renaissance.

From the Duomo church with itsunique “dome within a dome” design tothe beautiful plazas, the Ponte Vecchiobridge and the stunning churches andpublic spaces, the dayin Florence, whileshort, was stillmemorable. Andseveral of the playersshowed off their“power-shopping”skills as well.

Back on the busand the four-hourjourney to Romewhere, yet again, thescenery wasoutstanding at everyturn. The eveningwas spent in two ofthe most famousplaces in Rome, theSpanish Steps and theTrevi Fountain.According to legend,if you throw a coin in

the famed Trevi Fountain, you willreturn to Rome someday, and everymember of the Augsburg group threwsome coins in the water.

Augsburg’s final full day in Italy wasa whirlwhind day of sightseeing acrossRome. Starting early, they toured theColosseum, the fabled arena wheregladiators battled before the emperors,and traveled up the hill to the RomanForum, an archeological wonder fromancient times.

From there, the group went to thePantheon, the oldest complete structurein Rome, a church of immense size andbeauty. The day ended in the holiest ofsites, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican,followed by a pizza dinner and a trip toa gelato shop for some authentic Italianice cream.

It was a trip filled with excitinghockey, memorable sights, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and an incredibleopportunity to come together as a teamin the process.

Don Stoner is sports informationcoordinator and accompanied the team ontheir trip.

Dottie Gilkerson (left) and Kristin Johnson (right) posewith a member of the Kundl Crocodiles after Augsburg’s6-0 win in Kundl, Austria, on Dec. 31.

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Jana Ford (2) and a Bolzano player pursue the puck duringAugsburg’s 6-2 victory over the HC Bolzano Eagles. Augsburg wonall three of its games against opponents from Italy and Austria,outscoring the foes by a 26-2 margin.

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8 Winter 2003-04

Augsburg’s focus onvocation

centers on listening for and respondingto a call in one’s life. Peter Agre’sillustrious career has exemplified thisprocess of understanding one’s passionsand talents, and discerning the work thatwould best use them in service to others.

Last fall, Agre’s life was unexpectedlyand dramatically changed by anothercall—a single telephone call that came at5:30 in the morning on October 8. Thevoice on the other end spoke politelywith a Swedish accent and informed himthat he had won the Nobel Prize inChemistry for 2003.

Since then, Agre’s life has been awhirlwind of travel, interviews,ceremonies, speeches, and thousands ofe-mails. Highlights have been the Nobelweek in Stockholm, honors at the WhiteHouse, and, most recently, a hometowntribute befitting a high school andcollege hero.

Agre is a Minnesota native, born inNorthfield where his father taughtchemistry at St. Olaf College. In 1959,Courtland Agre came to Augsburg aschemistry department chair, and withinthree years, with the help of newprofessors John Holum and Earl Alton,rebuilt and refurbished the department.Augsburg’s chemistry program thenreceived the prestigious approval fromthe American Chemical Society.

In his senior year at Roosevelt HighSchool in Minneapolis, Peter Agre wasvoted one of two most likely to succeed.He was not a focused student, however,and took more interest in theunderground student newspaper than inhis academic subjects. He refers tohimself as a “handful” for his teachers.

Already in his last year of highschool, Agre began taking classes atAugsburg and then enrolled full time.Here he truly connected with several

A N E N O R M O U S H O N O R F O RDISCOVERY OF TINY PROTEINSPETER AGRE ’70, THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY by Betsey Norgard

professors, most especially with JohnHolum in chemistry, and was able tocomplete a major in chemistry in two-and-a-half years, culminating in thedecision to became a medical doctor.

During medical school at JohnsHopkins University, Agre begangravitating toward research. “I wantedthe kind of career where I could helppeople and do useful work that helpedpeople—both as individual patients andby working on disease mechanisms,”Agre explains. “That’s what really got meinto the science.”

In his senior year in medical school,he began working in laboratories, ratherthan pursuing the advanced training of aspecialty. After a three-year medicalresidency at Case Western Reserve

University and a clinical fellowship atUniversity of North Carolina, hereturned to Johns Hopkins for a researchfellowship in cell biology. In 1984 hejoined the faculty and is now professor ofbiochemistry.

It was his roommate in medicalschool who first connected him with a“hot” research lab on campus staffed byan international group of researchers,with whom he remains close. “It wasactually the people doing science asmuch as the science that caught myinterest,” Agre explains. “I never felt soexcited about being with a group ofindividuals as with the people in thislaboratory.” Some of these researcherstraveled to Sweden to be with him at theNobel ceremony.

Nobel winner Peter Agre returned to campus and visited the chemistry labs where he spentconsiderable time as a student in the late 1960s. Here, he chats with student Mike Starnerabout the day’s project.


9Winter 2003-04

Prize-winningresearchAgre was honored for his work indiscovering the existence of proteins thathe named “aquaporins,” that areresponsible for the passage of wateracross cell membranes, a processessential to all living things.

Agre’s discovery was a result ofresearch serendipity—or “luck favoringthe well-prepared,” as it was described ina Johns Hopkins press release. In 1991,while engaged in other research, his labnoticed a small, ubiquitous protein,which they isolated and cloned—andwhich later proved to be the long-sought-after regulator of watermovement across cells. (See sidebar onpage 11).

Agre shares the $1.3 million prizewith Roderick MacKinnon, of RockefellerUniversity in New York, whose researchstudied similar questions of cell transportinvolving ions.

A week inDecember

The Nobel Prizes are awarded inStockholm, Sweden (except for the

Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in Oslo,Norway), on Dec. 10, the anniversary ofthe death of Alfred Nobel, whobequeathed the endowment that fundsthe annual awards.

For a week around this date, the 2003laureates presented lectures, spoke atpress conferences, made visits toacademic and medical institutions inScandinavia, and enjoyed the Nobelcollegiality. Agre describes the week as“Cinderella-like, except at midnighteveryone kept partying.”

Agre received his gold medal at thehighly formal prize ceremony, presented

to him by King CarlXVI Gustaf of Sweden,surrounded by theroyal family andprestigious academics.At the gala banquet,Agre presented a short“thank-you” speech onbehalf of MacKinnonand himself (see p.11).

The Augsburgcommunity was able toshare in the festivitiesvia a live webcast fromStockholm. InChristensen Center, acrowd gathered arounda large computermonitor, under a

banner congratulating Agre, and cheeredand clapped even while watching a veryfuzzy screen image.

Back home inMinnesota

In February Agre returned to the TwinCities for several days to visit his family,as well as to engage in yet another weekof whirlwind activities and talks. Hisfirst stop in Minneapolis was at his highschool alma mater, something he says hewanted to do for himself.

His message to students there is onehe repeated several more times duringthe week: “Whatever it is that capturesyour interest—you should go for it.There’s no limit in life. You can dowhatever you want.”

At Augsburg, to a filled HoverstenChapel, Agre presented the same lectureabout his research that he gave inStockholm during Nobel Week. Helikened the chance discovery ofaquaporin water channels to that ofdriving along a gravel road in the middleof nowhere in northern Minnesota andsuddenly coming upon a city of 200,000people. “You think to yourself, ‘now thisis really interesting,’ ” he quipped.

While on campus, Agre had a chance

Across the ocean and seven hours earlier, Augsburg students, staff, and faculty watched vialive webcast the formal proceedings of the Nobel Prize Ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10.

Don Shelby (right), host of the afternoon show on WCCO radio,enjoyed a radio interview with Peter Agre and President Frame.


10 Winter 2003-04

to greet several of his former Augsburgprofessors—chemistry professors JohnHolum and Arlin Gyberg, math professorHenry Follingstad, and biology professorRalph Sulerud, among others—andreiterated their contribution to shapinghis science interests and career direction.

During the week the Agre family alsogathered on campus, a homecoming for

a number of Agre Auggies. Of Courtlandand Ellen Agre’s six children, four areAugsburg graduates: Annetta AgreAnderson ’69; Peter ’70; James ’72, whoserves on the Science Advisory Board;and Mark ’81. Courtland Agre died in1995.

At 3M’s Tech Forum, Agre spoke to acrowd of 600 or more, presenting the

sequence of his findings that led to theaquaporin discovery and describingextensive research others have carriedforward in expanding the knowledge andseeking medical applications.

Courtland Agre was a chemist at 3Mbefore and after his teaching career,working with a team of scientists todevelop synthetic adhesives, and PeterAgre acknowledged that connection.

Later, at the State Capitol, Agreappeared with President Frame beforethe Senate Higher Education BudgetCommittee to plead the need for scienceeducation and adequate funding forresearch and education.

“Research is what lifts us,” Agre toldthe senators, and “no one is willing topay for excellent research.” Without it,for example, he said, no new antibioticscan be developed to combat the growingimmunity to current drugs. This criticalresearch, especially in Third Worldcountries, is not the kind of profitableresearch drug companies seek.

Cheerleadingfor science

Agre enthusiastically talks about usinghis public forum this year to advocatefor science education and the necessityfor every person to be educated inscience.

With science an integral part of 21st-century life, he stresses the importance

With the image projected on a large screen beside him, Peter Agre presented his research on“aquaporins” to over 600 employees as part of Tech Forum series at 3M.

Agre and President William Frame testifiedbefore the Minnesota Senate HigherEducation Budget Committee about the needfor adequate funding for education.


11Winter 2003-04

N O B E L B A N Q U E T ✷ D E C E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 0 3P E T E R A G R E ’ S ‘ T H A N K - Y O U ’ R E M A R K S

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Guests:

Written in 1895, Alfred Nobel’s will endowed prizes for scientific research in physics,chemistry, and medicine. At that time, these fields were narrowly defined, andresearchers were often classically trained in only one discipline. In the late 19thcentury, knowledge of science was not a requisite for success in other walks of life.Indeed, the 19th century painter James McNeil Whistler achieved artistic immortalitydespite failing chemistry at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an experiencewhich he remembered withamusement saying, “Hadsilicon been a gas, I wouldhave been a major general.”

But the depth of sciencehas increased dramatically,and Alfred Nobel would beastonished by the changes.Now in the 21st century, theboundaries separatingphysics, chemistry, andmedicine have becomeblurred, and as happenedduring the Renaissance,scientists are following theircuriosities even when theyrun beyond the formal limitsof their training. At the sametime, the need for generalscientific understanding bythe public has never been larger, and the penalty for scientific illiteracy never harsher.

In his masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner ofthe 1982 [Nobel] literature prize, describes the isolated village of Macondo where theinhabitants suffer from their own naiveté, trading their hard-earned gold to gypsies forwhat they believe to be amazing inventions—a magnet, a magnifying glass, and even anenormous, transparent crystal that fascinated them being so cold it was painful to touch.What they regarded as the greatest invention of their time was only a block of ice.

In a way, the inhabitants of Macondo resemble contemporary individuals withoutany background in science. Lack of scientific fundamentals causes people to makefoolish decisions about issues such as the toxicity of chemicals, the efficacy ofmedicines, the changes in the global climate. Our single greatest defense againstscientific ignorance is education, and early in the life of every scientist, the child’s firstinterest was sparked by a teacher.

Ladies and gentlemen: please join Dr. Roderick MacKinnon and me in applaudingnot the Nobel laureates but the heroes behind past, present, and future Nobel prizes—the men and women who teach science to children in our schools.

Tack så mycket.

© The Nobel Foundation, 2003

Peter Agre, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry, used theopportunity when speaking on behalf of the two chemistrywinners, to laud and praise science teachers for their role increating interest for their students.

AQUAPORINSa chance discoveryWater comprises about 70 percent ofthe human body and is constantlypassing across cell walls. Peter Agrewas the first to identify the particularprotein that serves as the channelthrough which the water passes. Itwas a discovery of chance for Agre’slab team. While researching bloodcells, they noticed a commonlyreoccurring mystery protein. It was acolleague of Agre’s who suggestedthat this might be the long-sought-after water channel.

By isolating, cloning, andintroducing this protein into frogeggs, Agre’s team was able to confirmthat it, indeed, allowed passage ofwater—and Agre named itAquaporin-1.

Since then, research around theworld has explored the presence ofadditional aquaporins—or “waterpores”—and extensively documentedtheir existence in bacteria, plants, andmammals. Not all are equallyunderstood, however. Agre quips thata particular one, Aquaporin-6, was“sent by God for our hubris in sayingthat we understand these proteins.”

While Agre’s research does notyield immediate cures or treatmentsfor disease, it has exploded theunderstanding of what he dubs this“molecular plumbing system” andprovided explanations forphysiological processes at sub-diseasestates. As Agre says, “We have theanswer—now what is the question?”

From here, research will focus onapplication of this information instudying a wide variety of diseases—kidney diseases, cystic fibrosis,diabetes, Sjogren’s Syndrome, amongthem. Beyond that, Agre says that theresearch can also benefitbiotechnology, and even agriculture.

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Winter 2003-0412

of being able to evaluate the validity ofdaily news, statements from governmentofficials, and so on. People withoutscience background are “totally at themercy of the government or bigcompanies that tell them a particularpollutant is not dangerous,” Agre says.

Equally worrisome to Agre is thesituation where decisions about foreignpolicy, such as signing the Kyoto Accord,are made by lawyers with no scientificbackground. Even though there arescientific advisors, he sees it as similar to

receiving somethingin translation.

In his banquetspeech at the NobelCeremony, Agrestated that “Oursingle greatestdefense againstscientific ignorance iseducation.” He thenapplauded the role ofteachers, whom hecalled the “heroesbehind past, present,

and future Nobel prizes.” (See the fulltext of this speech on p. 11.)

When talking with young people, healso encourages them to identify theirheroes. One of Agre’s heroes he enjoystalking about is Nobel chemistry andPeace Prize laureate Linus Pauling, theeminent scientist whose unwaveringopposition to nuclear testing led thefight to pass the limited test ban treaty.Pauling stayed with the Agre familywhile speaking in Minneapolis whenAgre was a teenager, and the strongsocial conscience of the renownedscientist profoundly impacted Agre.

Agre is taking advantage of his Nobelstature to speak out on issues affectingscience research, especially againstrestrictions placed on research as a resultof the war on terrorism. Together withother Nobel laureates, he has advocatedon behalf of a former professor, ThomasButler, who faced 69 felony charges andmassive fines for the mishandling that hevoluntarily reported of plague samplesused in bioterror research.

Learningfor life

In summing up, Agre believes thatalthough science is important, liberalarts are critical to educate people inmany different areas for a lifetime. Hetold the Senate higher educationcommittee, “All the good in my lifehappened because of my education.” Hebelieves that “part of being educated islearning that we learn our whole lives,

and we need to … have somebackground in different cultures, studyabroad.”

Agre told the press that “thedifference between laureates and thegeneral public is that when we get up inthe morning we really long to be atwork.” That’s a statement of calling. ■

Courtland Agre taught chemistry atAugsburg for 17 years, from 1959 tohis retirement in 1976. He alsoenjoyed an illustrious career inindustry at both DuPont and 3M in theearly research around syntheticadhesives.

Agre revitalized Augsburg’schemistry department and wasrecognized for his programs thatbrought high school students tocampus. Under his leadership,Augsburg’s department received initialapproval from the American ChemicalSociety.

Agre’s last visit to campus was atHomecoming in 1995 when Peter Agrewas honored as a DistinguishedAlumnus. Courtland Agre died a fewweeks later, in October 1995, fromcancer.

His wife, Ellen, when interviewedabout Peter’s Nobel Prize, toldMinnesota Public Radio her daughtersaid that before his death, Courtlandhad stated that one day Peter wasgoing to win the Nobel Prize.“Courtland would be rejoicing,” EllenAgre told the interviewer.


13Winter 2003-04

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1 E. Milton Kleven ’46 and his daughter, Barbara Kleven Birky, are among the attendees atthe dinner in honor of Peter Agre.

2 Bill and Kathy Urseth posed for a photo with Agre.

3 Augsburg regent James Haglund and his wife, Kathy, exchanged greetings with the NobelPrize laureate.

4 Proud mother Ellen Agre enjoys the light moments of Peter’s presentation in the campusconvocation about his research.

5 After his convocation in Hoversten Chapel, a throng of people waited to greet the Nobellaureate, including Philip Quanbeck Sr., to Agre’s left.

6 Agre reminisced with Professor Henry Follingstad, his former mathematics teacher, asmembers of the Department of Chemistry looked on. Clockwise, from lower left: ProfessorJoan Kunz, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Professor ArlinGyberg, who taught Agre as a student; Professor Sandra Olmsted ’69, chemistrydepartment chair; chemistry student Monica Koukal; and Follingstad.

7 Dean Malotky ’71 (center) and Peter Agre were a year apart in the chemistry department.Cheryl (Rogalla) Malotky ’72 (left) looks on as they talked.


Winter 2002-03

DISHING UPRECIPES FORLEARNINGAND SERVING

by Betsey Norgard

photos by Stephen Geffre


15

AS ANYONE WHOCOOKS KNOWS,finding creative ways to combineingredients is a challenge. In theCampus Kitchen at Augsburg, studentsreceive surplus food from the College’sfood service and other local food banksand transform these various ingredientsinto healthy and tasty meals forneighborhood residents in shelters andcommunity programs.

Augsburg is one of six campuses inthe country to join The CampusKitchens ProjectSM, a leadershipdevelopment program of DC CentralKitchen. The project focuses on makinguse of recycled food, students in service-learning, and teaching food preparationskills to the unemployed. It is also a greatopportunity for volunteers from thecampus and the community to combinetalents.

The Campus Kitchen at Augsburgopened in October with President andMrs. Frame cooking the first meals underthe direction of Augsburg’s Sodexho foodstaff. About 60 volunteers have beeninvolved weekly since then, serving 100 to300 meals—a total of more than 2,400meals in the five months.

Two or three nights a week, a team of

volunteers assesses the food ingredientsavailable that day, and cooks up meals ofentrees, desserts, soups, etc. The next dayanother volunteer team delivers the foodto one of three neighborhood agencies—Safe Place at Trinity Lutheran Church,the Brian Coyle Center Kids College,Catholic Charities’ Secure Waiting Place,and Peace House.

“One thing I will never forget is justthe look on their faces when they see thatwe have brought them some food,” saidfreshman Jennifer Ramos. “Along withbeing happy about the food, they areexcited to see us.” Volunteers spend timeat the centers after delivering the meals toget to know the people being served.

One of Augsburg’s first-year seminars,or AugSem, included a service-learningcomponent in the Campus Kitchen intopaired religion and history classes.

History professor Phil Adamo teachesBeginning of Western Culture, wherestudents study how resources arecollected, distributed, and controlled.Preparing and delivering the meals gavehis students some first-hand

understanding of how the process works.Project director Abby Flottemesch also

helps the students organize additionalactivities—clothing drives, special events,and projects. In February, the studentvolunteers prepared a Valentine’s Day mealfor teen parents and their children at theDivision of Indian Work in Minneapolis.

The Campus Kitchen at Augsburgdeveloped from the collaboration of theCenter for Service, Work, and Learningand Sodexho, the College’s food serviceprovider. “It’s a natural extension of ourcommunity service-learning interests,”President William Frame recently told theMinneapolis Star Tribune, adding that it fitAugsburg’s mission to be an “active citizenin the neighborhoods.”

In addition to fulfilling their AugSemrequirements, first-year students learn thebroader lessons embodied in the CampusKitchens motto—“Teach, Reach, Feed,Lead.”

“At the end of the day I feel betterknowing that I have made an impact onsomeone’s life,” says Ramos. ■

LEFT PAGE, TOP—Freshman Nicholas Stuber(center) is one of the Augsburg Seminar(AugSem) students who worked in theCampus Kitchen as part of his religion andhistory classes.

LEFT PAGE, CENTER—First-year studentslearn about the new Campus Kitchen atAugsburg. Front row (L to R): ChelseaHosch, Megan Christensen, and EmilySquadroni. Back row (L to R): MicahLenthe, Ted Toborg, Tayton Eggenberger,and Marisa Navarro

LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT—CampusKitchen supervisor Abby Flottemesch(right) and volunteer Bill Ogren ‘73 spoonout browned meat for the recipe beingcooked up that evening

LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM RIGHT—Senior JoshReichow scoops out cans of chili as part ofthe meal he is making in the CampusKitchen at Augsburg, with senior RhiaGronberg working in the background. Upto 300 meals per week are delivered toneighborhood community programs.

Doug Klunk (center), Sodexho food service director at Augsburg,explains the kitchen facilities to the first-year Augsburg Seminarstudents who will be working in the Campus Kitchen program.

Winter 2003-04


Winter 2003-0416

IN 2003, Augsburg’sHispanic/Latino Student Servicesprogram celebrated its 10th anniversary.Established in 1993, it is the newest ofthe four programs that provide servicesfor ethnic populations at the College.

During its first decade, the programgrew from the initial 13 students servedto over 40 students who now receiveassistance and academic support in areasof admissions, financial aid/scholarships,registration procedures, academicadvising, personal counseling, andadvocacy. The students also receive helpto obtain internships, employment, andcommunity referrals. While most activityin the program involves the day students,weekend and graduate students also takeadvantage of services on campus andcommunity networking.

Augsburg’s program is growing at thesame time the Hispanic/Latinopopulation in the state of Minnesota isexperiencing a triple-digit percentageincrease, according to the 2000 censusdata. The College’s location in the heartof the Twin Cities makes it accessible toHispanic/Latino youth of bothMinneapolis and St. Paul, and Augsburg’scommitment to a diverse student bodyenables it to offer the financial andacademic resources to reach thesestudents. Of the more than 40 studentsserved this year, 12 are internationalstudents, while more than double thatnumber come from the Twin Cities metroarea.

Eloisa Echávez, who received her

bachelor’s degree in 1994 and master’sdegree in educational leadership in1998, was the program’s founder anddirector for its first six years. She is nowexecutive director of La Oportunidad,Inc., a St. Paul community agency.

“During this time, I witnessed firsthand how the support that Hispanic/Latino students received made a greatimpact,” Echávez states. “I saw [them]

grow in every area of their lives, carryingproudly Augsburg’s mission andbecoming leaders in their respectivecommunities.”

For three years, Hispanic/Latinostudents have participated in ScholasticConnections, a College scholarshipprogram that pairs students of color withalumni of color in mentoring

C O N N E C T I N GC O N N E C T I N GO N C A M P U S —a home for Hispanic/Latino students

Dulce Monterrubio, from Mexico City, is both a senior international relations major and anenrollment counselor in the Enrollment Center.

by Betsey Norgard • photos by Stephen Geffre


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relationships. Adela Arguello, a juniorfrom Nicaragua, double-majoring infinance and economics, is one of threestudents currently “connected” to analumni mentor.

”This scholarship has been one ofthe instruments that has made possiblethe great experience of having acollege education in the U.S.,” shesays. “My mentor, Diane Love-Scott,and her husband, Rick, have both beengreat mentors and great friends in thepast two years.”

Love-Scott, who graduated in 1998and now is a social worker forHennepin County, was one of the firststudents involved in the program andspeaks about its impact. “Gettingconnected to the Latino program andbeing part of its development was anhonor. … Since there only were ahandful of Latino students, it felt like wewere a family. The Latino programallowed for a group of students to beheard and recognized that otherwisewould simply just have ‘blended’,” shesays.

Plus, becoming active in the Latinogroup helps students connect with otheractivities on campus. “My involvementwith campus life was greatly attributed tomy participation in the Hispanic/Latino

Student Association,” says JulianaMartinez, who graduated last year withan MIS major and business minor. “As atransfer student, it can be difficult toapproach other organizations and findcommon grounds with its members. Byfounding this student organization, theHispanic/Latino Student Services[program] opened the doors to host andsupport events together.”

In 2001, Augsburg was recognized asa “2001 Educator of Distinction” bySaludos Hispanos, a Los Angeles-basedcareer and education magazine and Website for its efforts in outreach and

recruitment. Included in that are theCollege’s efforts to provide financial aidand scholarships above and beyond whatis available through normal state andfederal sources.

Senior Victor Acosta received federalfunding and academic support that arehelping him excel as a physics major. Heis the recipient of a prestigiousGoldwater Scholarship for math andscience students and has spent twosummers engaged in research funded bythe National Science Foundation.

Part of the College’s and programmission is to help students prepare for

SCHOLASTIC CONNECTIONSStudents Renzo and Robert Amaya Torres (second and third from left) and Adela Arguello(second from right) and mentors (left to right) Franklin Taweh, Eloisa Echávez, Maria R. Johnson,and Diane Love-Scott are part of the Scholastic Connections program, pairing students of colorwith alumni mentors. Hispanic/Latino program director Emiliano Chagil stands at the right.

Winter 2003-04

Speaking on behalf of the mentors at the annual Scholastic Connectionsdinner, Diane Love-Scott ’98 commented that “a lot of the people sittingat these tables are a big part of what I am today.”

Juniors Renzo and Robert Amaya Torres, twin brothers fromColombia, spoke on behalf of scholarship recipients at theThanksgiving reception for scholarship donors last November.


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jobs in the workplace. Martinez found aposition as a technology coordinator at aSt. Paul community development center.

Charles Barton, a 2003 graduate ineducation, who has been featured in acontinuing series in the St. Paul PioneerPress, has decided to bide his time untilthe right teaching job opens up. In themeantime, he mentors at-risk kids andmanages a before- and after-schoolprogram at a metro-area school.

Students from the variousHispanic/Latino countries bring theircultural traditions to Augsburg’s campuslife. During Hispanic Heritage Month,mid-September to mid-October, a seriesof community speakers and presentationsfocused on cultural traditions and socialissues in Mexico, and Central and SouthAmerica.

Each year in Chapel during Advent,the Hispanic/Latino students present LasPosadas, a reenactment of Mary andJoseph’s journey to Bethlehem and searchfor lodging. The campus communityjoins in singing the procession along,and then celebrates with the festivebreaking of a piñata.

Program director Emiliano Chagilbelieves that Augsburg will grow as aresource to the burgeoning Hispanicpopulation. Augsburg’s weekend programis especially suited to help workingadults in the Hispanic communitycomplete an undergraduate education—the dream of many immigrants seekingbetter lives for their families. He credits

the support of the administration,especially that of Ann Garvey, associatedean for student affairs, in helping shapethe direction of the ethnic programs.

Chagil, a native of Guatemala whocame to the Twin Cities in 1980, has amaster’s degree in theology from theUniversity of St. Thomas School ofDivinity and considers himself atestament to what is possible.

ABOVE—Hispanic/Latino students andothers in Augsburg’s chapel joined to

sing the traditional songs of thecelebration of Las Posadas that

reenacted Mary and Joseph’s journey tofind lodging for the Christmas night.

LEFT—Emiliano Chagil, Hispanic/LatinoStudent Services director, congratulatesCharles Barton as he graduated with a

major in education last May

“The world is a wonderful world, butone must have faith, and believe in one’sself and trust others that our mission onEarth to better creation can only beaccomplished with a community,” Chagilsays. “Education is the right guidance forthe journey. Our nation is waiting forleadership and one must consider thechallenge. As commonly said in Spanish,‘Dios primero,’-— ‘Let God be first.’ ” ■

C O N N E C T I N GO N C A M P U SC O N N E C T I N GO N C A M P U SC O N N E C T I N GO N C A M P U SC O N N E C T I N GO N C A M P U SC O N N E C T I N G

Winter 2003-04


19Winter 2003-04

When considering their options forhigher education, this father and son duofrom Forest Lake, Minn., had no intentionof attending the same college. However,the educational paths of Alex and KevinKeto led them both down different roadsto Augsburg College.

Alex, who is currently a marketingmanager for Wendy’s International, Inc.,came to Augsburg in September 2002 toenroll in the College’s Master of Arts inLeadership (MAL) program. He had beenplanning to pursue graduate educationafter his son completed high school, andwanted something different than anM.B.A. Augsburg’s MAL focus onleadership intrigued him as different fromother comparable college programs.Believing that “you can never stoplearning,” he felt he had found a “perfectfit” at Augsburg. He feels the leadershipaspect of the program will benefit him inhis job and give him a competitive edge.“I hope to take what I know,” he says,“and add some leadership to incorporatementoring to develop some kind ofleadership program.”

Alex’s son, Kevin, choose a differentroad to Augsburg, which was in no wayinfluenced by his father. Kevin enteredAugsburg as a freshman last fall. Agraduate of Forest Lake High School, hewas involved in community servicethrough the National Honor Society(NHS) and was the point guard on thevarsity basketball team. As a teammember and co-captain, he helped runbasketball camps for younger players.

Kevin’s college selection pointedAugsburg’s way because he wanted toattend a school that had diversity, thatwas in the city, and where he couldcontinue to play basketball. To his greatjoy, he made the varsity team in his firstyear and found that college basketball wasa new experience he really enjoyed. Healso enjoyed having Alex in the stands at

many of his games, and isalready looking forward tonext year’s season.

Outside of basketball,although Alex and Kevinattend classes on the samecampus they hardly see eachother. Alex’s MAL classesmeet every other weekend,and Kevin studies during theweek. Even so, they still findtime to meet or talk everynow and then—as when theyneeded to clear a mix-up ontheir e-mails. One of Kevin’sprofessors, unaware that

Kevin was not the only Keto on campus,e-mailed him with praise for a paper hewrote, asking if it could be shared withthe class. Much to the professor’s surprise,the e-mail went to Alex, who wrote backexplaining the confusion. The professorthan e-mailed Alex back thanking him for

setting everything straight andcomplimenting the work of his son.

Although Alex plans to complete hisdegree in the next year, Kevin will not befar behind. Because of advancedplacement courses in high school, he ison an accelerated pace in his collegestudies. He has continued his servicework from high school and is currentlyvolunteering as a tutor for Somalichildren as part of his Christian vocationclass.

Kevin has already accepted a positionfor next year as a resident assistant inUrness Hall, where he will help newfreshman find their way around newclasses, a new campus, and newexperiences. ■

Becky Welle is a senior communicationsmajor and intern in the Office of PublicRelations and Communication.

AUGSBURGA K E T O F A M I L Y A F F A I Rby Rebecca Welle ’04

Father and son Alex and Kevin Keto enjoy arare moment together on campus. Both areAugsburg students, but their class schedulesrarely overlap.

Freshman guard Kevin Keto was drawn toAugsburg as a school in the city where hecould continue playing basketball—and havehis father in the stands for many games.

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From the Alumni Board president’s desk…

Alumni tour features Lutheran heritage inGermany and Eastern Europe

These areexciting times

for AugsburgCollege andAugsburg alumni.Several monthsago, the Collegelaunched the“Transforming

Education” marketing campaign.Billboards, radio and magazineadvertisements, and the Augsburg Website reflect that which all Augsburgalumni know: “Be yourself at Augsburg,and leave completely changed.”

One alumnus who exemplifies thetransforming nature of an Augsburgeducation is Peter Agre ’70. Shortly afterthe campaign was launched, the RoyalSwedish Academy of Sciences announcedthat Peter was one of two winners of theNobel Prize in Chemistry (see the featurestory on p. 8 for details). Peter’s award isa fantastic honor and all Augsburgalumni can be proud of his achievement.

Peter’s honor has personal meaningfor me. While a senior at Augsburg, Itraveled to Baltimore in the spring of1984 to visit the Johns HopkinsUniversity where I would matriculate inthe School of Medicine that fall. Peter,early in his career at the time, warmlywelcomed me to the city and into hishome. He gave me an exhaustive tour ofthe city and the medical school andintroduced me to many of his colleagues.Later, Peter was my teacher and mentoron the clinical wards. Despite his busyschedule, Peter always had time to talkand reminisce (especially aboutMinnesota and Augsburg). He was aterrific mentor and later a good friendand colleague. Congratulations, Peter!

In Alumni Board news, DanAnderson ’65, who joined the AlumniBoard last year, recently acceptedappointment to the Augsburg Board ofRegents. One of Dan’s primary roles onthe Board of Regents will be to representthe Alumni Board and alumni. Dan is a

dedicated supporter of the College, andthis appointment will surely benefit theentire Augsburg community.

These truly are exciting times forAugsburg and its alumni. Within aChristian context, the College remainscommitted to an education that isacademically excellent and“transforming.” One measure of the“transforming” nature of an Augsburgeducation is alumni participation in theaffairs of the College. Indeed, alumnihave not only increased theirparticipation in alumni events, but havealso increased their giving of time,talents, and financial gifts to Augsburg.On behalf of the Alumni Board, I thankyou for your generosity!

Paul S. Mueller ’84, M.D.President, Alumni Board

Augsburg alumni are invited toexplore Lutheran heritage in

Germany and Eastern Europe in a toursponsored by the Alumni Association,October 15-27. This custom createdtravel program features the places ofMartin Luther’s life and ministry in theGerman cities of Wittenberg andEisleben, as well as a special worshipservice at the American Church of Berlin,where Augsburg alumnus Rev. BenColtvet ’66 is currently pastor. Theitinerary also includes visits to Dresdenand Leipzig, as well as to two of Europe’smost beautiful capital cities, Prague andBudapest. In addition, tour participantswill have an opportunity to interact withthe local Lutheran community in

Bratislava, Slovakia, where theLutheran church dates back to the16th century.

Augsburg professor Dr. MarkTranvik and his wife, Ann, will hostthis tour from the Twin Cities.Tranvik has taught reformationhistory at Augsburg for 10 years andhas recently visited the places ofMartin Luther’s life in Germany.

Pre-registration is required byJune 15. A tour information andeducation meeting will be held May16 at 2 p.m. in the ChristensenCenter (Century Room). A tourbrochure is available for download in theAlumni News section of the Now Onlineat <www.augsburg.edu/now>. For further

information, contact Alumni/ParentRelations at 612-330-1178 or<[email protected]>.

ALUMNI NEWSAlumni News

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The 2004 Augsburg Alumni Directory isunderway. Have you returned your

questionnaire or contacted the publisher(Harris) toll-free to verify yourinformation? If you did not receive yourquestionnaire or have questions, contactAlumni/Parent Relations at 612-330-1178or 1-800-260-6590 or e-mail<[email protected]>.

The second annual Connections—AWomen’s Leadership Event, co-

sponsored by Augsburg College andThrivent Financial for Lutherans, washeld January 31. It was an inspirationalmorning for over 130 participantsincluding more than 25 currentAugsburg students.

“What makes this women’s eventunique compared to others is that weinvite students to participate in thisleadership development opportunity sothey may network and be encouragedby the experiences and stories of theamazing women who attend,” said SueKlaseus, vice president of Augsburg’sInstitutional Advancement andCommunity Relations.

Presenters included Jennifer Grimm ’99,international recording artist; JenniferMartin, senior vice president for corporateadministration at Thrivent and anAugsburg Board of Regents member; AnneFrame, a financial consultant and Augsburgleader; Annette Minor, attorney andconsultant with HD Minor, LLC; TammeraEricson ’93, attorney and member of theColumbia Heights City Council; Julie Sabo’90, former MN senator; and I. ShelbyAndress ’56, consultant and owner of I.Shelby Andress, Inc.

Presentations were wide-ranging andincluded motivational discussions of the

challenges of working in traditionallymale-dominated industries, finding balancebetween work and parenting, living a lifeof service, igniting your passion to followyour dreams, achieving financial security,dealing with grief after caring for aterminally ill loved one, and more.

In addition, participants were given theopportunity to break into smaller groupsfor networking at roundtable conversationsled by a host committee made up ofwomen leaders throughout the community,many of whom were Augsburg alumnae.

Watch for details of the third annualevent in upcoming issues of the AugsburgNow!

2004 AlumniDirectory

Acelebration of the tradition andheritage of the Lutheran Free Church

is planned for Sat., June 12. All alumni arewelcome to attend this special day ofworship, “singspiration,” testimonials,lectures, and conversation. Pre-registration is required by June 1; contactAlumni/Parent Relations for moreinformation at 612-330-1178 or<[email protected]>.

Lutheran FreeChurchcelebrationAugsburg’s two alumni athletics

organizations—A-Club and theAugsburg Women’s Athletic Club(AWAC)—merged in November. This newjoint venture unites all resources, talent,and passion into a single cause directed atsupporting the success of Augsburgathletics. On the immediate horizon, thenew A-Club will be a major fundraisingforce for the proposed South Wingexpansion of Si Melby Hall. The project isan important and necessary step inupgrading facilities for all students, staff,

physical education majors, andintercollegiate athletes. Look for anexpanded story about the merger in thespring/summer issue of the Augsburg Now.

The new A-Club’s first joint golftournament is June 28 at the 27-holePebble Creek course in Becker, Minn.Proceeds from this annual eventunderwrite various A-Club activities,including the Hall of Fame banquet.Contact the Athletics office at 612-330-1249 for more information.

A-Club and AWAC merge

Second annual Connectionsevent a success

SUMMER AUGGIE HOURS

Auggie Hours are held the secondTuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.Please join us!

May Toby’s on the Lake, Oakdale

June Solera, DowntownMinneapolis

July Dock Café, Stillwater

August Bar Abilene, Uptown Minneapolis

The second annual Connections—A Women’sLeadership Event in January was a successful andinspiring morning for over 130 participants. Thepresenters, pictured above, were: Front row (L toR): Annette Minor, Tammera Ericson ’93, Julie Sabo’90 (Back row): Anne Frame, Jennifer Martin, I. Shelby Andress ’56, Jennifer Grimm ’99.

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2003HOMECOMING

Fans expressed their Auggie pride at theHomecoming football game.

The Augsburg Spirit Squad cheered the Auggies onto their victory over Carleton College.

Members of the Class of 1993 gathered before the football game for a tailgating party tocelebrate their 10-year reunion.

Robert Stacke ’71, Augsburg associate professor of music, led the pepband at the Homecoming football game.

Students, alumni, faculty, and staffgathered for the second annualHomecoming reception celebratingAugsburg’s four ethnic programs: theAmerican Indian, Pan-Asian, Pan-Afrikan,and Hispanic/Latino student service areas.

Knut Hoversten ’30 (right) and his family werehonored with the 2003 Distinguished ServiceAward. Since Knut’s graduation from Augsburgin 1930, more than 40 members of theextended Hoversten family have also attended,including the family’s most recent Augsburggraduate, Kari Lucin ’03 (left).

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The Rev. Hans G. Dumpys ’56 (right), 2003 Distinguished Alumnus, enjoyedconversation following the Homecoming chapel service, which celebrated thegolden anniversary Class of 1953 and featured guest speaker Rev. ArthurRimmereid ’53.

Jane Jeong Trenka ’95 and Aaron Gabriel ’00 read their workat the English department’s wine and cheese reading andreunion. Trenka’s book, The Language of Blood: A Memoir(Borealis Books), is nominated for two Minnesota BookAwards and was chosen by the Barnes & Noble DiscoverNew Writers Program as a fall 2003 selection.

Jeremiah Knabe and Katie Scheevel were crowned 2003Homecoming King and Queen.

Brenda Henrickson Capek ’63 gathered with fellow alumni and faculty at thepsychology department’s 40th anniversary celebration and reunion.

Senior Jamie Smith, Auggie widereceiver, helped lead Augsburg to a19-0 victory over Carleton College.

Joel Nelson ’85 joined fellow alumniand faculty of biology, chemistry,math, physics, and psychology atthe science alumni gathering.

Ertwin Jones-Hermerding ’69 (pictured above) and the Rev.Hans G. Dumpys ’56 were honored at Homecoming Dinneras recipients of the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award. Otherhonorees included Tammera Ericson ’93 with the First DecadeAward and both John Benson ’55 and Sigvald V. Hjelmeland’41 with Spirit of Augsburg awards.

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CLASS OF 1963 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Diane Lindberg Lee, Joyce Gustafson Hauge, Barbra Beglinger Larson,Brenda Henrickson Capek, Paul Rasmussen, Jerelyn Hovland Cobb, Stephen “Gabe” Gabrielsen, Nancy JoubertRaymond. Row 2: Marilyn Peterson Haus, Sara Halvorson Strom, Karen Tangen Mattison, Mary Jo CherneHolmstrand, Mary Lower Farmer, Judy Hess Larsen, Faith Bakken Friest, Linda Johnson Merriam. Row 3: WilliamKallestad, Janet Evenson Potratz, Ron Starkey, Roger Bevis, Ellen Vlede Meliza, Brad Holt, Carol Anderson McCuen.Row 4: John Wanner, Glenn Peterson, Morris Bjuulin, Donald Gjesfjeld, David Steenson, Wayne Christiansen.

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1953

2003HOMECOMING

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CLASS OF 1953 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Beverly Nystuen Carlsen, Gloria Parizek Thorpe,Darlyne Deem Lamb, Ruth Ringstad Larson, Marilyn Elness Froiland, Gloria Ostrem Sawai, Ruth Aaskov, Erland E.Carlson. Row 2: Don Dillon, Dorothy Strommen Christopherson, Dorothy Skonnord Petersen, Betty Manger Anderson,Helen Lodahl Amabile, Eleanor Baker Dahle, Phyllis Vik Swanson. Row 3: Leroy (Roy) Petterson, Donovan Lundeen,Jerome Engseth, Donald Oren, Dave Rykken, Joseph Vahtinson, Lorne Hill, James Hamre. Row 4: Duane Christensen,Quentin Goodrich, Bill Oudal, Art Rimmereid, Roy Dorn, Herman Egeberg, Mark Raabe, Arthur Shultz, Howard “Howie”Pearson.


25Winter 2003-04

HOVERSTEN FAMILY (bottom left, L to R) Row 1 (seated): Chris Busch, Weston Busch, Tim Larson, Holly Mell, Janet Reily, KatelynMell, Megan Mell, Craig Mell. Row 2: Sister Mary Colleen Hoversten OSF, Garfield Hoversten, JoAnn Downing Osborne, JulianneMelll, Knut Hoversten, Chrestena Fixen, Marguerite Haster Hoversten, Phyllis Hoversten. Row 3: Lenice Gadmundson Hoversten,Joan Novy Hoversten, Kermit Hoversten, Ruth Hammer Hoversten, Jill Nafstad, Wendy Larson, Clara Amundson, Bernice Digre,Elizabeth Bade, Karina Peterson, Linda Singer, Chester Hoversten, Loretta Pletan Hoversten. Row 4: Allen Hoversten, PeterHoversten, Francis Hoversten, Norman Mell, Kevin Hoversten, Chet T. Hoversten, Clenora Hoversten, Marjorie Hoversten, PaulLarson, Vincent Hoversten, Clifford Digre, Annette Hoversten Hanson, Clarence Hoversten, Lorna Hoversten, Roger Larson, EliseLarson, Tom Hoversten. Row 5: Kari Lucin, Gregg Nafstad, Andrew Busch, Laurie Busch, Kyle Hoversten, Shannon SwansonHoversten, Tim Hoversten, Karla Singer, Pattie Sausser, Philip Hoversten, Jon Hoversten.

Recipients of Augsburg’sDISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

CLASS OF 1978 (L to R) Row 1 (seated): Kevin Hoversten, Dennis Meyer, Jennifer Abeln Kahlow, Ellen Wessel Schuler, DebbieZillmer Hoppe, Donadee Melly Peterson, Noreen Walen Thompson, Louise Dahl Wood. Row 2: Jonathan Moren, Bonnie LamonMoren, Amy Jo Thorpe Swenson, Cindy Peterson, Lora Thompson Sturm, Susan Shaninghouse, Bev Ranum Meyer, PaulaWinchester Palermo, Holly Crane Smith, Cynthy Mandl. Row 3: Tom Wingard, John Karason, Roberta Aitchison Olson, Dawn HeilTaylor, Kim Strickland, Julie Rasmussen, Kris Iverson Slemmons, Joel Hoeger, Steve Thompson. Row 4: Rick Swenson, DavidBackman, Eric Spore, David Wilhelm, Richard Swanson, Connie Lamon Priesz, Jerry Wood.

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26 Winter 2003-04

lessons and an Internet site.Baker is a professor of counseloreducation at North Carolina StateUniversity.

1959Don C. Olson traveled to SanLucas Toliman, Guatemala, inAugust; it was his seventh yeartraveling as a mission worker.

1961Kenneth J. Manske, Asheville,N.C., is a retired professor ofchemistry from Mars HillCollege. He and his wife, Janet,can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Nellie Jones von Arx,Farmingville, N.Y., retired in Junefrom Sunrise Medical Labs whereshe was a microbiology supervisorfor 16 years. Prior work included15 years as microbiologysupervisor at North ShoreUniversity Hospital in Glen Cove,N.Y.; 10 years in medicaltechnology at Mt. Sinai Hospital,Minneapolis; and over two years inU.S. Peace Corps, Sabah, Malaysia.

1965Neil Sideen, Howard Lake,Minn., is public televisioncoordinator for the City ofHoward Lake and is involved inaffiliated marketing on theInternet. He can be reached at<[email protected]>.

1966Rodger T. Ericson, an Air Forcelieutenant colonel, was deployedoversees to a forward operatinglocation to support the missionof Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1967Stuart Utgaard, Star Prairie,Wis., owns Sportsman’sWarehouse, a national chain ofhunting, fishing, and campingstores that was featured in theDecember 2002 issue of FishingTackle Retailer Magazine.

1968Frank Lawatsch, Benson,Minn., is hospital administratorat Swift County-BensonHospital, which was recentlyhonored as one of the top 100rural hospitals in America.

Rev. Mark S. Hanson,presiding bishop of theEvangelical Lutheran Church inAmerica and president of theLutheran World Federation,wrote a commentary publishedin the Oct. 18, 2003, St. PaulPioneer Press (“Pope has been afighter for Christian unity”)celebrating the 25th anniversaryof Pope John Paul II. Hansonmet with the pope last spring.

Diane Tiedeman, Richfield,Minn., is enjoying her retirementfrom teaching for BloomingtonPublic Schools. She likesspending time with family andfriends, planting flowers, andtaking care of her lawn.

1970Ray Hanson, Sterling, Va.,received a “Lightning Award”

from ITT Industries AESDivision. He also celebrated themarriage of his daughter in June.

1971Barbara (Lien)Nordaune,Glenwood,Minn., waselected to serveas associategrand

conductress of the Order ofEastern Star at its 2003 GrandChapter meeting in St. Cloud.In addition to her many duties,she will be traveling throughoutthe state and to otherjurisdictions to represent theGrand Chapter of Minnesota.Barbara is a member of theMinnewaska Chapter #129 inGlenwood, and works as acomputerized embroideryoperator at Cowing Robards inAlexandria. Her husband,Lyndon, owns and operatesMTM Marine.

Mark Saari, Rush City, Minn.,is principal of Rush City HighSchool.

CLASS NOTESClass Notes1947Raymond Klym, Bloomington,Minn., was inducted into theMinnesota Softball Hall of Fameand will be inducted into theMinneapolis South High SchoolWall of Honor in April. He canbe reached at<[email protected]>.

1948Clarence “Bobb” L. Miller,Coral Gables, Fla., was electedto the Volleyball Hall of Fame in1995 and the YMCA VolleyballHall of Fame in 1997, both inHolyoke, Mass.

1953Leland Fairbanks and his wife,Eunice, were honored by themayor of Tempe, Ariz., when hedeclared August 16, 2003, as “Dr.Leland and Eunice Fairbanks50th Anniversary Day” in tributeof their golden anniversary andtheir service to Tempe.

Gloria (Ostrem) Sawai receivedthe Distinguished Alumni Awardat Canada’s Augustana UniversityCollege 2003 Homecomingcelebration in October.

1954John “Jack” E.Seaver,Edgerton, Wis.,is enjoyingretirement withhis wife, Lois.He can be

contacted via e-mail at<[email protected]>.

1957Stanley B.Baker, Raleigh,N.C., publishedthe fourthedition of SchoolCounseling forthe Twenty-First

Century (co-authored by EdwinR. Gerler Jr.) by PearsonPrentice Hall publishers. Thenew edition features online

A L U M N I O N T H E R O A D

Clinton Peterson, Tracy, Minn., participated in the National Festivalof the States Concert Series in Washington D.C. in July as directorof the Tracy Community Band. Forty band members presentedconcerts at the Navy Memorial, the Fairfax Retirement Village formilitary officers, and the Lincoln Memorial. The Tracy CommunityBand was Minnesota’s representative in this festival.

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Rev. Arvid Dixen ’52 brings a Memorial Day message of peace by Jen Hass

Reprinted by permission of Quad Community Press in White Bear Lake, Minn.

Arvid “Bud” Dixen is convinced that most people think of Memorial Day as simply a signof summer’s arrival. And he’d like to change that.

The Korean War veteran and Circle Pines, Minn., resident said people could best spendtheir time this holiday weekend by visiting gravesites or war memorials. Even better, the73-year-old Dixen suggests, is to get involved with the peace movement.

His own history as a political activist is a long one, kindled by his war experiences and hisreligious training. After graduating from Augsburg College in 1952, Dixen was drafted intothe military and was a combat engineer in the Korean War. He said the experience fightingat the tender age of 21 for more than a year—and his religious views about how Christiansshould react to war—changed his mind about the necessity of such conflict.

“If people could live in dignity and basic peace, they’re not going to war,” he said. Dixenreturned home a changed man, not unlike other soldiers who came back from the so-called“forgotten war.” He became a preacher after attending Luther Seminary and worked duringthe next three decades at churches across the Midwest.

But it isn’t just peace that drove him into the streets and powered his sermons. Dixen wasjailed for three days with Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1962 for demonstrating againstsegregation in Albany, Ga. He helped promote the country’s first female Lutheran parish

pastor through the ranks atEdina Community LutheranChurch in the ’70s. Around thatsame time, he rallied church members to raise money for Dennis Banks andRussell Means, members of the American Indian Movement, who were arrestedfor taking control of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

“All of these things are tied together, to recognize the dignity and worth of everyperson,” he explained.

Today, Dixen has kept busy as a member of Veterans for Peace, People of FaithPeacemaking, and the St. Paul Affinity Group, which is made up of volunteerswith the international Nonviolent Peaceforce organization.

He has continued being a minister on a part-time basis for a small ELCA Lutheranministry called Kairos. And he still speaks out about basic human rights and howthey apply to the modern day—though he’s just as likely to be enjoying classicalmusic and reading with his cats, Mozart and Socrates, at his feet.

“We’re audacious enough to think we can stop people from starting war,” he said.“But it isn’t just an effort being made by white people—this is a worldwide effort.”

It’s a mission that has sent Dixen across the country to speak at political ralliesand faith forums, to write cabinet members in President George W. Bush’sadministration, and to contact reporters about how to best cover wars, speakingwith local establishments like the Star Tribune and KARE-11.

It has also sent him to protest locally, primarily at the intersection of LexingtonAvenue and Lake Drive in Circle Pines, where protesters gathered for the latestIraqi conflict.

Dixen isn’t a pacifist but believes in questioning all American military action. Heemphasizes caring for other nations, keeping the peace, and obeying the Christiandictate to “Love your enemies.”

“I consider myself a patriot,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m uncritical.”

A L U M N I P R O F I L E

Rev. Arvid “Bud” Dixen ’52 has worked topromote peace ever since his service as acombat engineer in the Korean War.

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Class Notes

David Cheung ’73: Tissue transplant pioneerby Lynn Mena

Peter Agre ’70 isn’t the only Auggie making news in thescience community. Agre’s discovery of aquaporins andhis resulting Nobel Prize in Chemistry (see p. 8) is butone very public example of the research and accoladesenjoyed by many of Augsburg’s esteemed science alumni.In fact, alumnus David Cheung ’73 is currently engagedin groundbreaking research that could very well lead to aNobel Prize of his own.

Cheung, a tissue transplant researcher, has successfullydeveloped new tissue treatment methods that allow non-living animal tissue to be rebuilt in humans as livingtissue. This is remarkable because not only has Cheungdemonstrated that non-living animal tissue can becomeliving tissue in humans—but he has also demonstratedthat non-living animal tissue has the potential to actuallygrow once it has been transplanted into another species.

“Ultimately, my goal is to reduce the need for allograft(human to human) transplant tissues or human livingcells (such as fetal cells) used in other popular tissueengineering techniques,” said Cheung.

“I would never have dreamt that such a thing waspossible when I was a chemistry major at Augsburg,” added Cheung, reflecting upon his journey from Augsburg to his current professionalresearch and success.

“Augsburg provided me with an environment of integrity and a value system that is consistent with the basic faith of the Lutheran church,”continued Cheung. “Along with academic training, guidance, and encouragement, this value system made me what I am today. It prepared meto face a world full of people who often compete with no rules, principles, or integrity. For that, I am so thankful to Augsburg.”

After graduating from Augsburg in 1973 with a B.A. in chemistry, Cheung received a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University ofMinnesota. He received his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Southern California, where he first started working on tissuetransplant research under Dr. Marcel Nimni (Nimni helped develop the Hancock Valve—an artificial heart valve made from pig heart valvesmounted on plastic frames wrapped in Dacron cloth). Cheung stayed on at USC and joined the faculty at the USC School of Medicine (nowcalled the USC Keck School of Medicine).

In 1995, Cheung left USC to join the International Heart Institute of Montana Foundation (part of the University of Montana and St. PatrickHospital and Medical Sciences Center in Missoula) as director of the Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Laboratory and as an adjunctassociate professor of pharmaceutical sciences and biological sciences.

In 2000, Cheung founded a medical device company called Philogenesis, Inc., located in Monrovia, Calif., a few miles from his home inArcadia, where he has been working on the commercialization phase of his current research (he has been traveling back and forth betweenMontana and California every month for the past seven years).

In addition, Cheung is a consultant to numerous medical device industries, as well as a volunteer associate professor in surgery andcardiology back at USC.

Cheung and his wife, Chuane-Chuane, have two children: Rebecca, a pharmacist and fellow at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif.;and Philip, a junior majoring in bioengineering. Cheung’s sister, Pearl (a 1971 Augsburg alumna) is a researcher with Cheung at Philogenesis(coincidentally, Pearl and Peter Agre were chemistry lab partners as Augsburg students).

“Science is about being able to think logically and creatively, an ability given by God,” said Cheung. “It is by God’s grace that I had anopportunity to receive my undergraduate education at Augsburg and continue on to a career in biomedical research after further graduatetraining.

“I hope that Augsburg’s current students can be encouraged to hold on to their faith long after their years at Augsburg,” continued Cheung. “I hope they are inspired to challenge the world and become future leaders.”


David Cheung ’73 (center) a tissue transplant researcher, has successfully developednew tissue treatment methods that allow non-living animal tissue to regenerateand grow in humans as living tissue. He stopped by the Augsburg campus inDecember for a visit with chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg (left) and Sandra(Larson) Olmsted ’69, associate professor of chemistry (right).

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1972Tim Nelson and Karen (Brien)’72 moved to Colorado inJanuary 2003 to be closer totheir grandchildren. Both oftheir granddaughters areredheads, in honor of great-grandfather LuVerne “Red”Nelson ’43. Tim works inBroomfield as a real estatebroker/consultant for RedhorseReal Estate, Inc.

1973Cheryl Paschke was namedEducator of the Year by YoungAudiences of Minnesota. Cherylhas been an advocate of YoungAudiences for many years, andmost recently worked as theirpartner in the award-wining“Classical Initiative Project.” Sheis a K-12 fine arts specialist forMinneapolis Public Schools,working as an orchestraconductor, music teacher, andarts coordinator.

Gary Anderson, Minneapolis,is a systems developmentmanager at Traveler’s Express inSt. Louis Park. He can bereached at<[email protected]>.

Rev. Michael F. Nelson,Cokato, Minn., is pastor ofNorth Crow River, Grace, andRedeemer Lutheran churches inthe rural Cokato-Dassel area. Hepreviously served as pastor ofTrinity Lutheran in Cass Lakeand Our Savior Lutheran inFederal Dam, both in Minnesota.His wife, Sue, teaches music atSt. Peter’s Elementary School inDelano.

Joyce (Catlin) Casey and herhusband, Paul, recently relocatedto Waconia, Minn., to be closerto Waterbrooke Fellowship inVictoria, where Paul is worshippastor. Joyce is a second gradeteacher at Albertville PrimarySchool, where she has taught for25 years.

1974Larry Walker,Minneapolis,who writesunder the nameLars Walker, isauthor of Bloodand Judgment, a

fantasy novel published inDecember (Baen Books). This isWalker’s fourth book for BaenBooks. Larry was a guest lecturerlast summer on the RoyalPrincess cruise ship during acruise from England to Norway.He lectured on the Vikings,sharing information he hasgathered in his book research.

1975Steven Walen, Lino Lakes,Minn., is a teacher for theAnoka-Hennepin ISD #11.

1976Shari (Simonson) Hanson,Delavan, Minn., works atWinnebago Elementary. Sherecently helped move herdaughter into the ninth floor ofUrness for her freshman year.Shari can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Marjorie Miller, Minneapolis,is executive director of SoutheastSeniors, a living-at-home blocknurse program.

1977Roselyn Nordaune, Plymouth,Minn., was featured in the“Super Lawyers 2003” section ofthe August issue ofMinneapolis/St. Paul magazine.She has practiced family lawsince 1980 and is a founder ofNordaune & Friesen in St. LouisPark.

Jean M. Herges, Phoenix,Ariz., was recently named CareerConsultant of the Year by theInternational Association ofCareer Consulting Firms(IACCF). Herges is vicepresident of consulting at

Andrew Stevens & Associates inPhoenix, as well as president ofWomen in Healthcare, anorganization serving executivewomen involved in healthcare orhealthcare related services. Shereceived a graduate degree inorganizational development andhas been working as a careerconsultant for over seven years;she was previously a flight nursefor 15 years.

Phil Olson, Bloomington,Minn., works at General Mills,Inc. He and his wife, Carol, havetwo daughters attendingAugsburg. He can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Rev. Jon Schneider,Minneapolis, is senior hospicestaff chaplain at North MemorialMedical Center. He and his wife,Carol, have four children.

1978David Wilhelm, River Falls,Wis., is a physician at WesternWisconsin Medical Associates.

1980Paul B. Kilgore, Duluth, Minn.,was featured in the Novemberissue of Minnesota Monthlymagazine. His short story,Roeschler’s Home, was a winner ofthe magazine’s 18th annualTamarack award.

1981Dennis Gilbertson, Rochester,Minn., is general manager of theSaturn dealership in Rochester. Hehas been a sales manager at threeother Rochester dealerships overthe past 16 years. He and his wife,Colette (Kehlenbeck) ’79, canbe reached at<[email protected]>.

1982Judy (Bodurtha) Doughertyand her husband, Chuck, ownthe Cover Park Manor, a bed andbreakfast in Stillwater, Minn.

1983Laurie (Bennett) Halvorson’99 WEC, St. Paul, is in herfourth year teaching fifth grade atComo Park Elementary School.

1984Lisa (Rykken) Kastler and herhusband, Brent, live inChamplin, Minn. Brent, whodesigned the magazine formatfor the Augsburg Now, has a newline of greeting cards called FunCards, which are available atlocal Kowalski stores.

1985Irwin James Narum Silrum,Bismarck, N.Dak., became thenew deputy secretary of state forNorth Dakota. He worked for 18years for the ELCA, mostrecently as executive director forCamp of the Cross Ministriesnear Garrison, N.Dak. His wife,Marci, is a producer and anchorfor a new 5 p.m. statewidenewscast for the CBS affiliate inBismarck.

Spark Your Spirit

October 5–9

Football Game vs.Gustavus AdolphusSaturday, October 9, 1 p.m.

Homecoming DinnerSaturday, October 9, 5:30 p.m.

Reunion CelebrationsClasses of 1954, 1964, 1979,and First Decade, 1999-2004

Watch your mail andupcoming issues of theAugsburg Now for completedetails. You can also stay up-to-date by visiting thealumni Web site at<www.augsburg.edu/alumni>.

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Class Notes

It all started at Augsburg by Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81

Following is a story submitted by Naomi (Christensen)Staruch ’81, in which she recounts how a gathering sheplanned in 1998 to reconnect with Augsburg friends has ledto frequent, ongoing get-togethers.

We came from various parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin,mostly. I hadn’t seen many of these people in ages. Wewere still good friends but we had, over time, lost touchas we became embroiled in our individual lives. As thedays and years passed, our paths crossed onlyoccasionally. This wasn’t right! We had been together onthe journey that transformed us into adults—there wereso many precious memories that shouldn’t be lost onheavily scheduled calendars, professional obligations, orfamily responsibilities.

I needed to see these people.

So I decided to throw a party. I picked the day, time, andplace—it would be in my backyard in south Minneapolis.I sent invitations to about 25 folks, and asked them toRSVP so I could plan food and beverages. I had heardfrom a few that they couldn’t make it, but I pretty muchassumed that everybody else would. Hah, we have a goodlaugh at that today!

At the prime time of the party, only two people hadarrived, Paul ’79 and Sally (Hough) ’79 Daniels, and theycalled a few blocks from the house to see if it was still okay to show up as they hadn’t returned their RSVP. It turned out that they were thelucky ones; they were the first to meet my husband-to-be, Steven. That was the “real” reason for that first party. I wanted to introduce the man Iwas about to marry (a native of Butler, Pa., of Slovakian heritage, a graduate of Oberlin College and the Eastman School of Music, a Minnesotatransplant), to my good friends from college days. Paul, Sally, Steven, and I had a great evening together. That could have been the end butinstead it was just another beginning.

I was confident that this idea of reconnecting Augsburg friends was a good idea. Steven and I tried again a few months later and this time thebackyard was full of college chums. We talked and laughed and told stories and talked and laughed some more. Even the non-Augsburgspouses were quickly inducted into the Auggie family. Amazingly, it seemed as though we had never been apart. Then someone mentioned theages of their children, or someone else revealed that they had held the same job since college, and even a few were approaching their 20thwedding anniversaries! Soon we were proclaiming that we really weren’t old enough for these things to be possible, as it seemed we had onlyjust graduated from college. Look at us—we are still so very young!

That first get-together was in September 1998, nearly 20-some years after our days on the Augsburg campus. Steven and I were thrilled thatmost of these Augsburg friends sang in the choir at our wedding in February 1999.

Now we intentionally get together two, three, even four times a year, just for fun. Involvement ebbs and flows as it is nearly impossible to finda time when every one is available for socializing—yet each time we are together we remember and celebrate the bond that ties us together.

It all started at Augsburg.


Thanks to a get-together she planned in 1998, Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81(front row, far right) succeeded in reconnecting with several Augsburg friends; thegroup now meets on a regular basis. Pictured here from a gathering in Novemberare: Front row (L to R): Sally (Hough) Daniels ’79, David Soli ’81, Richard ’81 andJean Ann Buller, Naomi (Christensen) Staruch ’81 (Back row): David ’79 and SusanCherwein, Katherine Skibbe ’79, John and Lori (Labelle) ’82 Bartz, Paul Daniels ’79.

1986Lisa M. Pestka Anderson,Rochester, Minn., wrote andperformed a one-woman show,Who Am I, and How Did I GetHere? at The Masque YouthTheatre and School in Rochester.

Augsburg theatre faculty, DarceyEngen ’88, directed the musicalcomedy.

Lisa Baumgartner, Sycamore,Ill., is an assistant professor inthe Counseling, Adult andHealth Education Department atNorthern Illinois University in

DeKalb. In May she was electedto the Adult Education ResearchConference Steering Committeefor a two-year term.

Patrick Guernsey, St. Paul, wasone of six AFSCME memberschosen from around the nationto question 2004 presidential

candidates at a Town Hall Forumin Des Moines, Iowa. The eventwas televised live on C-Span andCNBC. He has served aspresident of AFSCME local 552Hennepin County Probation andParole Officers since 1997.

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Kara Anne (Hansel) Buhr, St.Paul, started the Como BlockNursing Program so more seniorcitizens could stay in their ownhomes. She is a social workerand works primarily with eldersand hospice.

1987Louise (Butler) and PeterMason moved back toRichmond, Va., where Louiseworks with families at the FamilyIntervention Center of Virginia.The couple also runs an e-commerce business, Cyber-Mall, at <www.cyber-mall.net>.

Becky (Clifford) Jans, BlueEarth, Minn., is involved in thenational program “Musikgarten”to bolster the learning curve inpre-schoolers.

Alice (Dahl) Roth, St. Anthony,Minn., recently became assistantdean of Hamline University’sGraduate School of Education.

1988Christie (Moechnig) Wetzel,Wells, Minn., was elected to theUnited South Central SchoolBoard for a four-year term. Sheowns Idle Ladies Jewelry and isalso an independent distributorfor SeneGence International.Christie and her husband, Doug,have two children: Davis, 6, andLauren, 4.

Dave Stevens appeared onABC-TV’s That’s IncredibleReunion Show in August. He nowworks for ESPN, where he haswon three Emmy Awards, andpreviously worked at KSTP-TVsports for nine years.

1990Alisa Holen, Iowa City, Iowa,presented a pottery show, Father-Daughter Dance: Pottery Acrossthe Generations, with her father,Norman Holen, Augsburg artprofessor emeritus, last fall at theAnderson Center in Red Wing,Minn., where she also served asan artist-in-residence (she waspreviously a studio artist at the

center). The show was their firstjoint exhibit. Alisa is working onher master’s degree in ceramics atIowa State University.

Julie (Goede)Luers, EdenPrairie, Minn.,was awarded theNational Societyfor MarketingProfessional

Services’ highest honor, the 2003Marketing Achievement Award.A highly competitive award,SMPS selected Julie based on heraccomplishments andcontributions in the followingareas: research, education,professional leadership,marketing communications, andinnovation. Julie is marketingdirector of the nationalarchitectural firm, Hammel,Green and Abrahamson, and pastnational president of SMPS.

Nancy J. Nentl, Lakeville,Minn., is an assistant professor atMetropolitan State University’sCollege of Management, whereshe teaches marketing courses.She previously taught at theUniversity of Minnesota’sCarlson School of Managementand at the University of St.Thomas Graduate School ofBusiness. She owns her ownbusiness, Panoptics LLC, co-creating and writing businesssimulations for higher education.

Vicki (Janssen) McDougall,North Branch, Minn., completedthe K-12 principal licensureprogram at the University ofMinnesota-Twin Cities inSeptember. She is a high schoolteacher for North BranchSchools.

1991Jeff Ronneberg, Lino Lakes,Minn., is director of teaching,learning, and accountability forthe Spring Lake Park SchoolDistrict. He previously served asprincipal of WoodcrestElementary School. He and hiswife, Jill, have two children:Sam, 3, and Sydney, 1.

1992Matt Mirmak, Minneapolis, is aloan officer at Secure Mortgage,Inc., based in Bloomington,Minn.

1993DorisRubenstein ’93MAL, Richfield,Minn., celebratedthe publicationof her book, TheGood Corporate

Citizen: A Practical Guide (Wiley,John & Sons, Incorporated), inMarch. Doris owns PDP Services,a consulting firm that focusesprimarily on philanthropy andcitizenship, and her book sharesthe methods that PDP Servicesuses to help mid-marketcompanies create vibrant,strategic, and ethical policies andprocedures for their businessphilanthropy and volunteerprograms.

Jake Slegers is executivedirector of the AmericanChamber of Commerce(AmCham) in Slovakia.

1994Maria E. Johnson, Minneapolis,is starting her 10th year as amiddle school teacher at WebsterOpen School. She can be reachedat <[email protected]>.

Amber (Meier) Tarnowski,Hastings, Minn., completed herMaster of Art Conservation atQueen’s University in Kingston,Ontario, Canada. She is a KressFellow at Harvard, researchingways to apply microbiologytechniques to art conservationand preservation.

Kari (Schroeder) Prescott,Minneapolis, is a physician andopened her own practice indowntown Minneapolis lastJanuary. She can be reached at<[email protected]>. Sheand her husband, Scott, have ason, Simon.

1995Jody Rosenbloom (MAL),Northampton, Mass., was one offour recipients of the 2003Harold Grinspoon Award forExcellence in Jewish Educationin Western Massachusetts. Shealso contributed a chapter in therecently published book, TheUltimate Jewish Teacher’sHandbook (edited by NechamaSkolnik Moskowitz andpublished by ARE: Denver);Rosenbloom’s chapter is called“The Teacher/PrincipalRelationship.”

Tricia (Schafer) McCloy, WhiteBear Township, Minn., and herhusband, Peter, have threechildren: Kieran, 7, Casey, 4, andGavin, 3.

Becky (Herzan) Miller is in hersixth year of teaching fourthgrade for Rockford ISD #883.

1996Margaret (Lubega) Johnson,St. Paul, is pursuing graduatestudies.

Annette Marie(Anibas)Poeschel,Excelsior, Minn.,is the executivedirector of theIntercongregation

Communities Association foodshelf in Minnetonka, whichprovides food and assistance forfamilies in the west metrocommunity. In April 2003, theExcelsior Area Chamber ofCommerce presented her with its2003 Adult Hero Award,honoring her significantcontributions to the community.Annette can be reached via e-mail at <[email protected]>.

1998Meghan (Carlblom)Blomquist, Minneapolis,received her elementary educationteaching license in January.


32 Winter 2003-04

Class Notes

Laura (Paul) Newton,Minneapolis, was awarded aDOVE fellowship by theUniversity of Minnesota. Thefellowship is awarded to only afew students each year who areentering a master’s or Ph.D.program at the university andprovides full tuition and a$15,000 stipend. She is pursuinga Master of Social Work.

Raylene Dale, Woodbury,Minn., is technical director atMinnesota Lions Eye Bank inMinneapolis. She can be reachedat <[email protected]>.

1999Victoria Sadek, West St. Paul,auditioned for and received therole of “Mudonna,” the officialmascot for the St. Paul Saintsbaseball team. She is an Englishteacher at North Branch HighSchool, where she teaches Britishliterature, composition, anddetective literature. She alsocoaches cheerleading and is theone-act play director.

Tom Gronwold, Ashby, Minn.,is a high school social studiesinstructor and junior highfootball coach at Ashby School.He was previously a part-timeteacher at Jefferson High Schoolin Alexandria, Minn. He and hiswife, Michelle, have a daughter,Zoe, 6.

Wendy (Hoekstra)Vogelgesang, Litchfield, Minn.,is a second grade teacher at LakeRipley Elementary and recentlybecame a PartyLite consultant.

2000Ryan Mills, Philadelphia, Pa.,graduated from PrincetonTheological Seminary inPrinceton, N.J., with a Master ofDivinity degree. He entered theMaster of Sacred Theologyprogram at the LutheranTheological Seminary atPhiladelphia, and serves theLutheran Campus Ministry atPrinceton University.

Mary Beth (Grahn) Gruis,Kerkhoven, Minn., works at

Ridgewater College as an adjunctEnglish faculty member and isworking on her thesis at St.Cloud State University. She canbe reached at<[email protected]>.

Kenndy (Bade) Lewis ispursuing graduate studies ingerontology at St. Cloud StateUniversity.

2001Jessica Rivera, Le Center,Minn., was appointed by St. PaulLutheran Church as their 2003-04 intern. She will serve theparish by preaching, workingwith the youth group, andhelping with church services.

Heidi (Hoffman) Quezada,Minneapolis, is a warehousemanager for Second HarvestHeartland. She and her husband,Carlos, have three kids: Carmen,4, Ethan, 3, and Elan, 3. Heidican be reached at<[email protected]>.

Sarah Luce, Northfield, Minn.,is a teacher at Montgomery

Elementary School.

2002Brendan Anderson, Burbank,Calif., guest conducted atLutheran High School of OrangeCounty, Calif., in a performanceof his piece, I Believe, written forconcert band and choir, in abenefit concert for a scholarshipfund the school uses to sendstudents to music camps. TheAugsburg Concert Band alsoperformed Anderson’s piece withthe high school at the CrystalCathedral in May 2003 duringthe Concert Band’s Californiatour.

Kendra Roberg, Bloomington,Minn., is a research analyst forHennepin County PublicDefenders and is also pursuinggraduate studies.

Elizabeth Scanlan,Minneapolis, is a vocationalcoordinator for Access toEmployment.

2003Eric Bretheim, Minneapolis,works at Cargill.

Jeremy Jirele, Austin, Minn., isa staff accountant at LarsonAllen.

John Tieben, Duluth, Minn.,took part in the “White CoatCeremony” at the University ofMinnesota School of MedicineDuluth. The ceremony takesplace during orientation whenfreshmen students first enter themedical community.

Aaron Kolb, St. Paul, is astudent at Luther Seminary and apart-time youth minister at St.Stephens Lutheran Church inWhite Bear Lake. He can bereached at<[email protected]>.

WeddingsDebra Ann Balzer ’86, LakeShore, Minn., married RobertPlagemann in June. Debra isstarting her third year as careercenter director at Brainerd High

A L U M N I C R U I S E T O I R E L A N D A N D N O R W A Y

This past summer, Augsburg alumni and friends enjoyed a 12-night cruise to Ireland and Norway on thebeautiful Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas. The tour was sponsored by A-Club and the AlumniAssociation. Pictured from the tour are: Back row (L to R): Dick “Porkchops” Thompson ’61, David Alberg,Oliver Dahl ’45, Barbara Garin, Patrick Garin, Glen Gilbertson ’52 (Front row): Jane Thompson, Mary JaneAlberg, Eileen Dankowski, Irvyn Gilbertson.

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33Winter 2003-04

School; Robert is a partner inJMS Homes.

Daniel Nessel ’88, Brentwood,Calif., married Charmaine Trifonin June. Daniel works atPrudential Real Estate in LosAngeles; Charmaine works atColdwell Banker Real Estate.

Luke Peterson ’90 marriedHeidi Jacobson in November.Luke is a computer programmerat Midwest of Cannon Falls;Heidi is a business analyst atNorthwest Airlines.

Nancy Nordlund ’91,Minneapolis, married AllanBernard in September. Nancysupervises the customer contactcenter at the Federal ReserveBank of Minneapolis.

Lisa M. Nicosia ’01 marriedBrian Farrell ’95 in September.Lisa is a registered nurse atFairview Southdale Hospital inEdina, Minn.; Brian is anattorney at McCollum, Crowley,Vehanen, Moschet and Miller inBloomington.

Erika Timm ’95, Fridley, Minn.,married Samuel Rodriguez inSeptember. Erika is a physicianassistant at Allina Medical Centerin Champlin, Minn.; Samuel is adiabetes management consultantfor Medtronic in Minneapolis.

Stephen Oswood ’95,Minneapolis, married Laura

Slaughter in June. Stephen is aprogram manager at Restart,Inc., and can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Tim Ronneberg ’96 marriedMelanie Harding in September.Tim is completing his familypractice residency at St. John’sHospital and will begin work asa physician; Melanie is pursuingher MBA at the University ofMinnesota and works for theTarget Corporation in thefinance department.

Laurie H. Boros ’97, Pierz,Minn., married Rocky L. Boserin April 2003 in Hawaii.

Joseph Peter ’97, Farmington,Minn., married Shari Heggen inAugust. Joseph works atGourmet Award Foods; Shariworks at Park Dental.

Emma Manville ’98, WhiteBear Lake, Minn., married KevinNelson in October. They bothwork for St. Paul Public Schools,where Emma is a kindergartenteacher and Kevin is anelementary counselor.

Hanne Anderson ’99 marriedJason O’Brien in September2002. Hanne is a film editor at aproduction company in NewYork City, specializing in HighDefinition filmmaking.

Becky Esser ’99, Ramsey,Minn., married Derek

Anderson ’98 in October. Beckyis a buyer for Augsburg FortressPublishers; Derek is a computeranalyst for Interactive QualityServices.

NatashaHamann ’99,Shoreview,Minn.,married JoshSchaefgen inMarch 2003in Cancun,Mexico. Tashais a resident

physician at St. John’s Hospital;Josh is an actuary for Allianz LifeInsurance.

Amanda Krebsbach ’99, NewBrighton, Minn., married BenWest in June. Amanda is a fourthgrade teacher at Spring LakePark Schools.

Stephanie Lein ’00 marriedSam Walseth ’00 in HoverstenChapel in August. Stephanieworks at Theater Mu; Sam worksat Capitol Hill Associates in St.Paul.

Phoebe McDonald ’00 marriedNicholas Johnson ’01 inOctober. They reside inManhattan, where they bothwork in academic informationtechnology—Phoebe atColumbia University andNicholas at Brooklyn College.The couple previously worked inAugsburg’s IT department, whichis where they met.

Julie Peterson ’00 married KipKaufmann in October. Julie is afinancial planner assistant atOlson Weiss, LLC, inBloomington, Minn.; Kip is asenior IT systems analyst atCargill in Minnetonka.

Luke Peterson ’00 marriedHeidi Jacobson in November.Luke is a computer programmer;Heidi is a business analyst atNorthwest Airlines.

Skylar Hanson ’01 marriedJennifer Harrison in August.

Heidi Erickson ’01,

Minneapolis,married MattSegedy inMay 2003.Heidi worksin medicaldevice salesat LifeScan inSt. Paul; Mattis a

pediatrician with WayzataChildren’s Clinic.

Teresa Lewandowski ’01married Christian Dawson ’01in March 2003 in Invercargil,New Zealand. Teresa works atPhoenix Schools in Fair Oaks,Calif.; Christian works at SouthPointe Academy in Sacramento.

Solveig Grafstrom ’02,Huntsville, Ala., marriedJackson Harren in August.Solveig works for the U.S. Spaceand Rocket Center; Jackson isstudying industrial systemsengineering at the University ofAlabama, Hunstville.

Amy Huseby ’02 married RickGoebel in August. Amy is a PA-C in general surgery for

LUTE OLSON ’56 MARRIESCHRISTINE TORETTI

Lute Olson ’56 marriedChristine Toretti in April 2003.Olson, head basketball coachat the University of Arizona,met Toretti at an NCAAFoundation Dinner in April2002 in Atlanta. Toretti is thechairman and CEO of S.W.Jack Drilling, an oil and gasexploration drilling firm inIndiana, Pa.

In last year’s winter issue of the Augsburg Now (Vol. 65, No. 2),Eunice (Knudson) Iverson was incorrectly identified as being in thefirst row of the Class of 1942 photo printed on p. 18. Eunice wasactually in the middle row, second from left. In turn, we believethat Lannie (Olson) Seal is seated in the first row, second from left.Please view the photo in the “Alumni News” section of the NowOnline at <www.augsburg.edu/now>.

Upcoming Alumni Board MeetingsApril 20, June 15, and August 17

Meetings are open to the public and all alumni are invited toattend. Meetings are held in the Christensen Center at 5:30 p.m.For more information, contact Alumni/Parent Relations at 612-330-1178 or <[email protected]>.

A L U M N I B O A R D

C O R R E C T I O N


34 Winter 2003-04

Minn.—a son,ChristopherMichael, inApril 2003. Hejoins brothersDanny, 10, andJonathan, 8.

Paul is pastor at Family of GodLutheran Church in BrooklynPark.

Karin (Sabo) ’86 and NicholasMantor, Burnsville, Minn.—adaughter, Sarah Nicole, inSeptember. She joins siblingsEmily, Thomas, and John.

Deborah (Raetz) ’87 and DaleHansmeier, Apple Valley,Minn.—a son, Paul James, inApril 2003. Deborah is a specialeducation teacher at Como ParkSenior High, and can be reachedat <[email protected]>.

Devoney Looser ’89 andGeorge Justice, Columbia,Mont.—a son, Carl AnchorJustice, in September.

Bonnie (Gutknecht) ’91 andThurston Miller, Granger, Ind.—a daughter, Salinda Josephine,in May 2002. Bonnie can bereached at<[email protected]>.

Kimberly Anne (Swanson)’93 and Jeffrey Paul Meslow’92, Plymouth, Minn.—adaughter, Kayla Grace, inSeptember. She joins sister AllyJillian, 2. The Meslows can bereached at <[email protected]>.

Julie L.(Holmquist) ’93and Ted Sellers,Duluth, Minn.—a daughter,MeganElizabeth, in

November 2002. She joins sisterKatie Lynn, 3.

Ann(Gallagher) ’96and LeeStephenson’96, SturgeonLake, Minn.—adaughter, Grace

Ann, in May. Ann is a first-gradeteacher at Moose Lake Schools,and Lee teaches high schoolsocial studies.

Jeffrey Cameron ’96 and hiswife, Linda, Vadnais Heights,Minn.—a daughter, Allison, inSeptember. She joins sisterMegan, 2. Jeffrey was namedpartner at E.J. Brooks &Associates, a law firmspecializing in intellectualproperty law, and was named a“Rising Star” by Minnesota Lawand Politics magazine.

Liza (Lindquist) ’97 and TedJacobson, St. Louis Park,Minn.—a daughter, AnnieEstelle, in August 2002. Shejoins brother Cecil, 3.

Mary (Brooks)’98 and JonWroge,Norwood YoungAmerica,Minn.—adaughter,

Hanna Adaire, in January2003. She joins siblings Kylieand Cole. Mary is an Englishteacher for Central Public

Schools, and can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Kim (Eckstrom) ’99 and RiqueBeslin Jr., Centerton, Ariz.—adaughter, Rebecca Ann, inJune. She joins siblingsStephanie Kae, 2, and Darrell, 9.Kim is a systems administratorfor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,Corporate ISD Division, inBentonville.

Daria MarieReboin ’00 andDavidGordhamer,Apple Valley,Minn.—a son,Elijah Lee

Gordhamer, in March 2003.Daria is a microscopist/environmental analyst for EMSLAnalytical, and can be reached at<[email protected]>.

Carla Steen ’91 and Jeff Friedl,St. Paul, Minn.—a daughter,Lucy Steen Friedl, in January2003. Carla isdramaturg/publications managerat the Guthrie Theater inMinneapolis.

St. Cloud Medical Group; Rick isa systems analyst at BantaCatalog Group in Maple Grove,Minn.

Christopher Kambeitz ’02,Eden Prairie, Minn., marriedMelissa Ketchum ’01 inAugust. Christopher works insales at Cargill-North Star Steelin Edina.

Mara Koughan ’02, WhiteBear Lake, Minn., married BradLouque in August 2002.

Carrie Lister ’02, Fridley, Minn.,married Nicholas Matros in April2003. Carrie is an assistant sitedirector for the SouthdaleYMCA’s school-age childcaredepartment; Nicholas is a floortechnician for Reichow ParquetFlooring in Cedar, Minn.

Kristina Lutter ’02, Wayzata,Minn., married David Brackett Jr.in September. Kristina is apsychiatric technician atFairview Riverside MedicalCenter.

Troy Peterson ’02 marriedNicole Forcier in October. Troy isan account analyst at John B.Collins Associates; Nicole is asenior payroll specialist with BestBuy Enterprises.

Karen Tweeten ’02 marriedRussell Larson in September.Karen works at Jennings StateBank in Spring Grove, Minn.;Russell works at Larson WellDrilling of Mabel.

Derek Kuhlman ’03,Maplewood, Minn., marriedAngela Mold in July. Derekworks for 3 DiamondCorporation in Shoreview;Angela is a dental assistant atMetropolitan Pediatric DentalAssociates in St. Paul.

Elizabeth Lallak ’03,Tallahassee, Fla., married AaronSundstrom in January. She is acollege admissions counselor.

BirthsRev. Paul Burow ’84 and hiswife, Janeen, Brooklyn Park,

R O C H E S T E R P R O G R A M

Last summer, 21 of the 32 graduates in the Augsburg CollegeRochester Program, Class of 2003, gathered for a special ceremonyat the Willow Creek Golf Club. From left to right are, (front row):Patricia Engstrom, Stacy Stromback, Rebecca Maki, Rebecca King,Sheila Hoehn, Audrey Erwin and Debra Hillier; (back row): IngerHillier, Wayne Hansen, Donna Kuhlman, Vikki Bevins, Karen Kuntz,Robin Pankratz, Caroline Arpin, Diane Ryberg, Joel Hammill,Jennifer Bishop, Jeanne Townsend, Paula Schumacher-Weideman,Debra Zaffke, and Becky Krueger.

Class Notes

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35Winter 2003-04

In MemoriamLeonard C. Froyen ’30,Braham, Minn., died inSeptember; he was 97. He was ateacher, athletic director, andcoach of many sports at BrahamHigh School from 1930-73. In1967, he was inducted into theMinnesota Coaches Hall ofFame, and was the first personinducted into the Braham Hall ofFame in 1989.

Esther (Sather) Kennedy ’38,Edina, Minn., died in August;she was 88.

Rev. Hubert F. DeBoer ’41,Apple Valley, Minn., died inSeptember; he was 84. He servedvarious parishes in Minnesota,North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Rev. Michael D. Furney ’43,Mesa, Ariz., died in August; hewas 82.

Charles “Pat” Foley ’47,Minneapolis, died in August; hewas 82. He was a costaccountant for ADM Company

for over 20 years, part owner ofGalaxy Film Service for eightyears, and operated his own taxconsulting and accountingbusiness for the past 45 years.

Rev. Gilbert Feig ’49,Minneapolis, died in August; hewas 80. After serving parishes inNorth Dakota and Minnesota for23 years, he was a prominentbuilding contractor in the TwinCities for more than 25 years.

Betty Lee (Munson) Nyhus’53, Edina, Minn., died inNovember; she was 72. Sheserved in the American LutheranChurch’s women’s stewardshipdivision in Minneapolis, andafter the merger, served in theEvangelical Lutheran Church inAmerica’s stewardship division inChicago for 10 years.

Rev. Leo B. Vetvick ’53,Minneapolis, died in December;he was 84. He was a chaplainwith the Greater MinneapolisCouncil of Churches in the

Hennepin County Courts andJails for 20 years, serving as anadvocate, counselor, and pastorto those under the jurisdiction ofthe courts. He also taughtcourses in social problems andcriminology at Augsburg. Afterhis retirement in 1973, he servedas a visitation pastor atBethlehem Covenant Church. Heco-founded CoAm (CooperativeAdult Ministry), and was also anactive member of AMICUS, asupport organization foroffenders released from prison.

David. L. Mortrud ’63, ParkRapids, Minn., died in October;he was 63. He served as a USNavy submarine officer from1963-1974, and as a U.S. NavalReserves officer from 1974-1989,retiring with a rank of captain.As a civilian, he worked asinvestment counsel in the lawdepartment of Aetna Life &Casualty and as an investmentmanager with NorthwesternNational Life. He retired in 1998.

Ellen (Johnson) Strom ’65,Prior Lake, Minn., died inSeptember of ALS; she was 60.After teaching third grade inBloomington and beginning herfamily, she joined the GittlemanCorporation, and for the last 10years she was project managerfor the G.M. NorthrupFoundation. She was a devotedwife, mother, daughter, andfriend.

Larry Fleming, Minneapolis,died in December. A choralconductor and composer, heformerly directed the AugsburgChoir. He founded Augsburg’sannual Advent Vesperscelebration, as well as theNational Lutheran Choir.

Clayton L. LeFevere, Richfield,Minn., died in August; he was80. He was president and co-founder of LeFevere, Lefler,Kennedy, O’Brien and Drawz,and formerly served as chair ofthe Augsburg Board of Regents.

There are always some little knownheroes among us—folks we may never

have met, or have long since forgottenwhat they did. Such is the case, perhaps,for my good friend and former Augsburgstaff member, Wayne Moldenhauer—orjust plain “Mo” to those who knew him.

He died in September; he was 66.Mo was an ex-convict, and he came to

work at Augsburg in 1971, straight fromStillwater State Prison. He was one of thefirst students in the classes Augsburg hadoffered at the prison in 1969.

I am convinced that he, as much asanyone else, provided leadership thathelped shape the diverse character ofAugsburg as it is today. He raised over $1million for the College from 1971-1983 ingrants, scholarships, and contracts fornon-traditional student programs. He wasalso a teaching assistant in several classesfor students with disabilities.

In addition, he organized the first“non-medical” transportation for students

and others with disabilities—thebeginning model that later becametoday’s Twin Cities Metro-Mobility.After leaving the College, he wenton to serve as director of theCenter for Education of Non-Traditional Students (CENTS).Later, he organized and headedMinnesota’s Message Relay Service,providing telephonecommunication between deaf andhearing people.

Mo had no formal degrees oreven much “legitimate” workexperience until he came toAugsburg. Ironically, it was hisexperience “on the streets” thatinformed his skills as an organizer andfundraiser.

Mo is still a hero to those of us whocame to know him. But Augsburg was alsoMo’s “hero.” In December 1973, he wrote“An Open Letter to Augsburg College,”published in the Augsburg Echo. He wrote:

“Augsburg College has given me thegreatest present I could have thought toreceive. That present is the ability to enjoylife again—both as a person who can findstrength in his tears and frustrations andpeace in his strengths and successes. …”

Thanks, Mo—from all of us—foreverything.

A man called ‘Mo’by Vern Bloom, Augsburg professor emeritus, social work and sociology

Vern

Blo

om

Wayne “Mo” Moldenhauer (left) raised over $1 millionfor Augsburg from 1971-1983 and served as a teachingassistant in several classes for students with disabilities;he died in September.


Winter 2002-0336

CAUGGIETHOUGHTSAuggie

Thoughts

Greetings!I just read the article in the Star Tribune, “Augsburg Collegehas the Right Recipe.” And, yet again, I was overwhelmedwith gratitude for the work that is being done at Augsburg.I know you are doing amazing things with the studentsstudying at Augsburg, as well as in the community.

Over the past academic year I have started supervisingMSW (Master of Social Work) interns from ColumbiaUniversity. This has given me the opportunity to deeplyreflect on my own education and experience. In addition, Ihave come to the realization that Augsburg offers a holisticlearning experience that other schools are unable to offer.I am very grateful for the education I gained, the financialassistance I received, and the mentors that guided me. Itseems that not a day goes by when I do not think aboutAugsburg at least once. Some of my thoughts referenceacademic material, but more than that I reflect on the senseof generosity, hope, empathy, and faith I gained through myexperiences. It has been invaluable. Reading the stories ofthe students in the article reminded me that the same workis still happening.

On a personal note, I am still doing the same sort ofwork I started at Augsburg. After graduating fromColumbia in 2001 with my MSW, I have continued living

in Manhattan. Right now I am working for an organizationcalled Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, Inc. I work in a publichigh school three days a week doing individual and groupcounseling as well as educational outreach to students. Theother two days I am at a mental health clinic working withpatients in an individual setting. My client base is aged7–64, which adds a richness to the practice. Additionally, Iam getting married in June to a great man I met out here—I will soon be Keely (Blumentritt) Meshel! It is a veryexciting time in life.

I owe the faculty and staff at Augsburg a great deal ofthanks for the support I have received in my educationaland, now, professional career. And, it is wonderful to knowthat the good work is still being done by good people. Ifyou ever need anything from New York just let me know.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sincerely, Keely Blumentritt ’00

After reading about Augsburg in a recent Star Tribune article,

Keely Blumentritt ’00 was inspired to write her alma mater to

express her gratitude for the education she received, as well as

to update the College on her life and work in New York. The

letter, which was shared with others in the administration,

prompted President Frame to visit her while he was in New

York. Following his visit, President Frame said he was

profoundly moved by Blumentritt’s obvious joy and fulfilled

sense of calling in her chosen profession. She shares her letter

with Augsburg Now readers.

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CALENDARCalendarMusicFor more information on any of theseevents (unless otherwise noted), call 612-330-1265

April 18Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert7 p.m.—Hoversten Chapel

April 20Riverside Singers Spring Concert7 p.m.—Hoversten Chapel

April 21Chamber Music Recital & High Tea4 p.m.—Sateren Auditorium

April 25Augsburg Concert Band Spring Concert3 p.m.—Hoversten Chapel

May 2–8Augsburg Concert Band Tour of theMidwestPerformances in Minnesota, NorthDakota, Montana, and South DakotaFor information, call 612-330-1279

TheatreFor ticket information, call 612-330-1257

April 2–18MachinalBy Sophie TreadwellDirected by Darcey EngenApril 2, 3, 15, 16, and 17 at 7 p.m.; April4 and 18 at 2 p.m.Tjornhom-Nelson Theater

April 23Senior Acting Recitals7 p.m.—Tjornhom-Nelson Theater

ExhibitsFor gallery information, call 612-330-1524

April 2–May 2Juried Student Art ExhibitGage Family Art Gallery, Lindell Library

April 2–May 16Senior Art ExhibitChristensen Center Art Gallery

Seminars,Lectures, andFilmsFor information, call 612-330-1180

April 4–17Augsburg Native American Film Series 2004In conjunction with the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film FestivalVarious dates and times; to request aflyer via e-mail, call 612-330-1523 or e-mail <[email protected]>

April 18Student Documentary Film Showcase2-4:30 p.m.—Science Hall, Room 123 For information, call 612-330-1507 e-mail <[email protected]>

April 19Sverdrup VisitingScientist Lecture:“The Exploration ofMars: An OngoingSaga of Fact &Fiction, Dreams &Aspirations”Dr. Noel W. Hinners,senior researchassociate, Laboratory

for Atmospheric and Space Physics,University of Colorado-Boulder8 p.m.—Hoversten ChapelFor information, call 612-330-1551 or e-mail <[email protected]>

May 16Alumni Tour Information MeetingInformation about the AlumniAssociation-sponsored tour exploringLutheran heritage in Germany andEastern Europe Oct. 15-27 2-4 p.m.—Century Room, ChristensenCenterFor information, call 612-330-1178 or e-mail <[email protected]>

Other EventsApril 18Access to Excellence: The Campaign forAugsburg CollegeAugsburg community campaign kick-offevent, including science demonstrations,music, exhibits, athletic clinics, theatre,health screenings, reading corner, worshipcelebration, free food, activities for all ages,and much more.Noon-4:30 p.m.—Augsburg campusFor information, call 612-330-1613

April 30–May 1Commencement Weekend

April 30• Honors Convocation

4:30 p.m.—Hoversten Chapel• Commencement Dinner

6 p.m.—Commons, ChristensenCenter

• Commencement ConcertAugsburg Chamber Orchestra7:30 p.m.—Hoversten Chapel

May 1• Eucharist Service

8:30 a.m.—Hoversten Chapel• Baccalaureate Service

10 a.m.—Hoversten Chapel• Commencement Brunch

11 a.m.—Commons, ChristensenCenter

• Commencement Ceremony1:30 p.m.—Melby HallSeating begins at 12:30 p.m.Tickets required

• Commencement Reception3 p.m.—Murphy Square

June 12Lutheran Free Church celebrationA celebration of the tradition andheritage of the Lutheran Free Church9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.—Augsburg campusFor information, call 612-330-1178 or e-mail <[email protected]>

June 28A-Club Golf TournamentPebble Creek golf course, Becker, Minn.For information, call 612-330-1249


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