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A legacy remembered: Martin Olav Sabo ’59

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Upon his passing, Augsburg College alumnus and former U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo ’59 was remembered as one of the most effective members of Congress ever to come from Minnesota. An editorial published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune noted that Sabo was a “career politician” in the best possible sense and that he gave his all to strengthen democracy.

Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow said that Sabo was, “a national leader and public servant, and an inspirational legend dedicated to revitalizing the role of higher education in equipping students for active engagement in citizenship and democracy.”

Following Sabo’s retirement from public service, Augsburg founded the Martin Olav Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship to carry on his legacy of important work. The Sabo Center is committed to fostering civic agency and engagement on campus and in the larger community.

Sabo’s career and accomplishments were recapped by national, state, and local media, including the following:

  • The New York Times: Martin Sabo, Minnesota Congressman Known for Compassion in Era of Partisanship, Dies at 78
  • WCCO-TV: Looking Back At Martin Sabo’s Impact
  • Pioneer Press: Martin Olav Sabo, longtime Minnesota representative, has died
  • Washington Post: Martin O. Sabo, Minnesota congressman for 28 years, dies at 78
  • KSTP-TV: Former DFL U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo Dies
  • WDAY-TV: Former U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo dies
  • BringMeTheNews: Longtime DFL lawmaker Martin Olav Sabo dies at age 78
  • Star Tribune: Martin Sabo, longtime DFL congressman and politician, dies
  • Minnesota Public Radio: Longtime Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo dies at 78
  • Politico: Martin Olav Sabo, longtime congressman, dies at 78
  • Star Tribune: Martin Olav Sabo: He gave his all to strengthen democracy
  • The Column: Rep. Martin Sabo, a longtime supporter of LGBTQ equality, dies at 78
  • Pioneer Press: Klobuchar, Dayton and others react to death of former U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo
  • CBS Minnesota: Political Leaders React To Martin Sabo’s Death
  • KARE-TV: Former congressman Martin Sabo dies at 78

Augsburg media expert says sustainable ceasefire agreement in Syria must include end to conflict-related sexual violence used as weapon

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Nobel Peace Prize Forum executive director an expert on mediation and conflict-related sexual violence

GinaTorryGina Torry, executive director of the Augsburg-hosted Nobel Peace Prize Forum, is the author of the United Nation’s “Guidance for Mediators: Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ceasefire and Peace Agreements,” which has been used to end conflict-related sexual violence against women and children.

She is available to address with media:

  • Why an end to sexual violence as a weapon is critical to ceasefire in Syria
  • Methods and tactics of conflict
  • Conflict-related sexual violence waged against civilians
  • How to identify when sexual violence is conflict related
  • Examples where ceasefire has included agreement to end use of sexual violence in conflict zones

“If left unaddressed, sexual violence can be used as a means to continue acts of war outside the purview of agreements and monitoring teams, which can trigger cycles of vengeance and vigilantism, and risk undermining confidence in agreements and possibly the mediation process itself,” Torry said.

Torry has worked closely with the UN, its member states, regional organizations, women’s civil society groups, and networks worldwide. She most recently served as executive director of the Peace Research Endowment, the North American presence of the Peace Research Institute Oslo. Prior to that, Torry worked for several years with the UN Department of Political Affairs Policy and Mediation Division.

To arrange an interview, contact Stephanie Weiss, news and media services director, at 612.330.1476 or by email at weisss@augsburg.edu.

 

Advisory: River Semester students return to Minnesota on Dec. 13

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Class will be welcomed Sunday night at Union Depot by family, friends

(MINNEAPOLIS) – After a semester living, studying and traveling from St. Paul to New Orleans on the Mississippi River, students in the nation’s first-ever River Semester – created by Professor Joe Underhill – return to Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 13.

The students, who departed St. Paul on Sept. 1 in 24-foot voyageur canoes for their journey to the Gulf of Mexico, are scheduled to arrive at 10 p.m. at St. Paul Union Depot. The group will be greeted by family, friends, and members of the Augsburg College community.

Visit Amtrak’s website for updated information on the track on which the train will arrive. Click the tab on the box that says “train status” and then look for the link in the bottom of the box that says “check status by city.” Enter “CHI” as the origination point and “MSP” as the destination.

River Semester Gallery Opening

The River Semester will be celebrated at a gallery opening from 5-7 p.m., December 16, and that will feature art, design, and typography that gives visitors a glimpse into the daily life of the River Semester students. The River Semester was incorporated into multiple classrooms led by Professor Christopher Houltberg, and as a way to help students understand how local, national, and global issues to highlight how design can act as a catalyst for change.

Christensen Center Student Art Gallery
Augsburg College, Christensen Center
22nd Avenue South at 7 1/2 Street, Minneapolis

Pioneer Press notes Phillip Adamo’s Professor of the Year award

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PioneerPressThe St. Paul Pioneer Press included Phillip Adamo, associate professor of history at Augsburg College, in its coverage of recent education news. Adamo was named the 2015 Minnesota Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. More information about Adamo and the award is available on Augsburg’s News and Media blog.

Read: Education notes: News from schools near you on the Pioneer Press site.

 

River Semester media attention grows as class travels down-river

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Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 2.35.52 PM[Updated November 13] — The Augsburg College River Semester, created and led by Joe Underhill, associate professor of political science, departed from St. Paul’s Harriet Island on September 1. As part of the kickoff, the River Semester class was joined by a group of nearly 100 students, parents, high school students and members of the Augsburg College community who paddled in a flotilla of 24-foot voyageur canoes from St. Paul to South St. Paul. Students participating in the semester-long program will earn as many as 16 credits in the arts, humanities, and sciences as they travel nearly 2,000 miles of the 2,350-mile Mississippi River.

The River Semester kickoff garnered a range of attention. Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed September 1 “Augsburg College River Semester Day” and many media outlets covered the launch of the class.

Since the students and faculty departed on their voyage, print and broadcast media have been sharing the story of this hands-on, interdisciplinary program. In fact, multiple stories have been picked up by the Associated Press and shared through the AP’s member media throughout the nation.

A snapshot of the ongoing media coverage is below. As additional coverage occurs, it will be added to this post.

November 9

  • Shorewood native spending college semester paddling Mississippi River, Shorewood (Wisconsin) Now

October 16

  • The Mississippi River is their classroom, The Hawk Eye, Burlington (Iowa)

October 15

  • College student trekking down the Mississippi, White Bear (Minnesota) Press

October 8

September 29

Continue reading “River Semester media attention grows as class travels down-river” →

Star Tribune tells story of Hagfors Center through leadership of Regent Emeritus Mike Good ’71

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MikeGood-StarTribuneThe Star Tribune’s Neal St. Anthony on Sunday, September 27, wrote a profile about Augsburg College Regent Emeritus Mike Good ’71 and his exemplary leadership as chair of the College’s successful capital campaign for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion.

St. Anthony reported that Good retired early in 2012 to “take on for Augsburg’s Board of Regents what Good considers a challenged that transcended his athletic and business career.” Under Good’s leadership, the capital campaign met its goal by exceeding $50 million.

Read “St. Anthony: Retired CEO Mike Good was the All American behind Augsburg’s business building.”

Dubuque a stop for college students studying and traveling Mississippi River in nation’s first-ever River Semester

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Class paddled more than 250 miles since leaving St. Paul on Sept. 1

River semester canoes filled with trip gear(MINNEAPOLIS) – The Mississippi River and four, 24-foot voyageur canoes are home and classroom for a group of Augsburg College students who will be in Dubuque from Sept. 28-30 as part of the nation’s first-ever River Semester.

The students, who have paddled more than 250 miles of river since departing St. Paul on Sept. 1 as part of their nearly 2,350-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico, will earn as many as 16 credits in biology, environmental studies, health and physical education, and political science.

“The canoes are a floating classroom where students translate into action what they learn on shore during lectures and from their reading and homework,” said Professor Joe Underhill, creator of this hands-on learning program.

“Each student also is responsible for personal research project, some in partnership with state and national agencies. Some of these projects contribute to the common good, and every project is a chance for teamwork and collaborative excellence.”

The dozen students participating in this hands-on learning program, created by Underhill, is offered in partnership with Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit and inclusive travel provider that specializes in experiential programming and outdoor travel for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

“We know that what happens in the boats transfers to the classroom and life,” said Chad Dayton, director of programs and partner relations for Wilderness Inquiry. “Students develop increased confidence, better relationships with faculty, and throughout their college careers, they have a shared experience to refer back to that can help with problem solving.” Continue reading “Dubuque a stop for college students studying and traveling Mississippi River in nation’s first-ever River Semester” →

Augsburg College hits $50 million campaign goal for new, signature academic building

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Center for Science, Business, and Religion reaches goal a year ahead of schedule

Members of the Board of Regents, students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrate the successful campaign for the new Center for Science, Business and Religion.
Members of the Board of Regents, students, faculty, staff, and alumni celebrate the successful campaign for the new Center for Science, Business, and Religion at Augsburg College.
The Center for Science, Business and Religion will transform the campus.
The Center for Science, Business, and Religion will transform the campus.

(MINNEAPOLIS/Updated 4:06 p.m.) – Augsburg College today announced the successful completion of a $50 million capital campaign for a unique, interdisciplinary academic building that brings together science, business, and religion. The campaign, the largest in the College’s history, met its goal a year in advance of the original schedule.

“Succeeding in today’s world requires an ability to thrive in a world that no longer has fixed boundaries,” said Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow. “That is why Augsburg College is building the Center for Science, Business, and Religion—a place that will support every student in their journey of vocational discernment and pursuit of careers in teaching, civic leadership, service to the church, scientific research, law, medicine, privately owned startup companies, and large corporations.” Continue reading “Augsburg College hits $50 million campaign goal for new, signature academic building” →

Advisory: Private College Commencement Season Kicks Off May 2-3 at Augsburg

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The first commencement celebrations of Minnesota’s private colleges takes place the weekend of May 2-3 at Augsburg College. Ceremonies for traditional day undergraduates are May 2 and for students of the adult undergraduate, Rochester, and nursing programs and students from eight graduate programs, on May 3. The schedules and details about media photo opportunities are below.

May 2: Traditional Day Undergraduate Program

11:15 a.m. – Student Line Up

Students of the traditional day undergraduate program line up outside Christensen Center (425 students). Nearly 30 percent of students eligible to graduate in the Class of 2015 are persons of color.

12:30 p.m. – Student Processional to Si Melby

Group proceeds, led by drummer, from Christensen Center down South 7-1/2 Street to Si Melby Hall. Faculty, in academic dress, line the streets and clap as students pass. (Photo Opp)

Continue reading “Advisory: Private College Commencement Season Kicks Off May 2-3 at Augsburg” →

Matt Beckman adviser to award-winning high-school researcher at Breck School

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AmInEngSocAssistant Professor of  Biology Matt Beckman spoke with the Star Tribune about the work he is doing as an adviser to a Breck School senior doing research on 200-year-old pollen samples.

Grant Two Bulls, a member of the Oglala-Lakota tribe, won the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s competition through his work and which is providing a look at the lives of his ancestors when they lived near Lake Calhoun.

“Here’s a high school senior doing pretty high-level research and then taking that data and speaking to national audiences about it in a really impressive way,” Beckman said to Kim McGuire, a reporter at the Star Tribune.

Read about the partnership between Beckman and Breck School in “Breck student’s science project is an award-winning mix of American Indian history and science.”

Learn about another Breck School student, Taylor McCanna, who was coached by David Murr, physics professor. McCanna took second place in one of the most prestigious international science fairs for her work with Murr.