Alumni Program Blog - Page 20 of 61 - Alumni, Parents, and Friends

Register now for “Breaking and Re-Making” a discussion on vocational calling in later stages of life with Dr. Marty Stortz

Posted on August 30, 2018October 16, 2024

All Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends are invited to register for a special lunch discussions as part of the 2018-19听 Calling in the Third Age series curated by Senior Fellow for the Jack Fortin.

On Wednesday, October 10 Augsburg will launch the 2018 Calling in the Third Age discussion series with a special opportunity to meet with Dr. Marty Stortz who is Augsburg’s Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation.听 Dr. Stortz will present and facilitate a discussion on “Breaking and Remaking”.听 Vocational calling in the latter stages of the life cycle all too often takes place amidst a litany of losses: loss of loved ones, loss of job or career, loss of income, loss of bodily function. But the vocational questions have not changed; they’re just inflected differently. Drawing on the wisdom of scripture and real-life illustrations, this talk explores those questions: Who am I? Who are my people? What will I do with my “one wild and precious life?”

Calling in the Third Age — a series of (bring your own) lunch discussions

Topic: Breaking and Remaking with Dr. Marty Stortz

Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Location: Luther Seminary at 2481 Como Ave,听St. Paul, MN 55108

Room: Olson Campus Center Dining Room C

The cost for this event is $15 and space is limited.听 Please register online here by October 10, 2018.

Augsburg’s Calling in the Third Age Series for 2018-19 will feature a number of popular speakers and discussion leaders.

October, 17, 2018听 Rev. Dr. Jack Fortin

Title: Living on the Brink: 鈥淭he Courage to Be Fully Alive in the Third Chapter of life鈥�

We will be discovering together how to live in the tension between 鈥淕ravity and Grace鈥�. Facing the limitations of 鈥淕ravity鈥� on the one hand, which is pulling our physical bodies down, while receiving the gift of 鈥淕race鈥�, which is lifting our spirits up, setting us free to live with a renewed sense of calling and purpose.

October 24, 2018听 Dr. Paul Pribbenow

Title: Vocation 2.0

Come and explore how our Lutheran colleges and universities have made the theological concept of vocation – one of the central gifts of our Lutheran Christian tradition – the center of their academic missions. We will discuss how our Lutheran understanding of vocation offers a powerful counter-message to the cultural expectation that we are always called to upwardly mobile, individual trajectories in our lives. Of relevance to those of us in the “third age,” our discussion will focus both on how Vocation 2.0 is important to our vocational journeys听and听how we can help support future generations of faithful folks called to service in the world.

February 13, 20, 27听 Rev. Dr. Mark Hanson

Title: 鈥淎 Personal Third-Chapter Challenge: 鈥�Discovering call amidst memory loss听in the context of cultural and religious diversity for the sake of the neighbor 鈥�

Session One (Feb. 13, 2019) – 鈥淕od鈥檚 call to serve when memory fades and love endures: personal reflections鈥� It has been 8 years since the diagnosis of memory loss became a reality in our lives. How does this reality shape our discerning God鈥檚 call?

Session Two (Feb. 20, 2019)- 鈥淥ur shared baptismal calling in a polarized culture.鈥� How shall we live as a community in Christ shaped by memory, witnessing to signs of God鈥檚 promised future and immersed in this present rapidly changing and often deeply conflicted context?

Session Three (Feb. 27, 2019) – 鈥淕od鈥檚 call to be neighbor: our shared vocation in a world of religious pluralism.鈥� Drawing upon Lutheran theological themes, leadership experiences and the dynamic community of 海角社区, we will explore how will live as people of Christian faith in contexts of religious diversity including with those who self define in other than religious categories.

Date TBD听 Rev. Dr. Rollie Martinson

Title: 听Elders Rising: The Promise And Peril of Elderhood: 听鈥淰ital and Resilient Aging: Living Well and Making a听Difference”

An 鈥渁ge wave鈥� of enormous proportions and life-changing-impact is washing over us. Understanding this 鈥渁ge wave鈥� provides older adults and those closest to them more options for greater vitality and resiliency.听Participants will come to better understand aging and develop their own 鈥減athway鈥� of听quality life during their senior years. Congregational and community leaders will discover how their organizations can become centers of expansive elder wellness and empowerment.

The Calling in the Third Age Series is curated by Jack Fortin who serves as Senior Fellow for Christensen Center for Vocation, a position he has held since 2008. Before coming to Augsburg, Jack was interim senior pastor at Colonial Church of Edina and held senior management positions with Lifelong Learning at Luther Seminary, Young Life, and World Vision. Author of , Jack鈥檚 academic interest has been unpacking Luther鈥檚 understanding of vocation as the primary means used by God for us to serve the neighbor, exploring how our vocation gets expressed through a lifespan of callings due to ordinary challenges within the scope of our daily lives.听 Jack serves on several non-profit boards and has written a book, The Centered Life. Jack has a BA from Rockford College majoring in sociology, an M. Div from Luther Seminary, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary. He is ordained and rostered in the Minneapolis synod-ELCA.

Follow the Alumni Instagram for Work Study Wednesday

Posted on August 30, 2018September 17, 2021

Alumni often reminisce about their student jobs, co-workers, and bosses. Augsburg parents are interested in what their students are experiencing.听 Because you are interested, we want to share how听on-campus work at Augsburg has evolved, and, how it hasn鈥檛 really changed at all.

On-campus jobs play a meaningful role in preparing students for future positions; not only do they help financially, but they help students network and learn valuable skills they can take with them into their jobs outside of Augsburg.

As we enter the new school year, The Augsburg听Alumni Instagram will be taken over by students…in a good way! See for yourself by following听.

Check out our Augsburg Alumni Instagram posts from:

April Johnson听鈥�18听听from admissions

Bridget Donovan听鈥�20听from the grounds crew

Justice Jones听鈥�20 from the art department

Destyn Land听鈥�19听from residence life

Make sure to connect with us at听, , , and .

Mike Matson ’06 to serve as Chaplain to Marine Special Operations Training Command

Posted on August 24, 2018September 17, 2021

Having served a commission in the Naval Reserve since 2009, Mike Matson is now called to active duty as a Chaplain to Marine Special Operations Training Command at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Anyone who鈥檚 met Mike Matson 鈥�06 will notice his qualities of curiosity, calm, and spiritual presence. Mike鈥檚 history with Augsburg began as a student and athlete. He then served for over five years as a chaplain to student athletes and as a coach. For the past year and a half, he鈥檚 served as Assistant Director of Leadership Gifts in the Advancement office.

Now he is taking on a new role: having served a commission in the Naval Reserve since 2009, he鈥檚 been called to active duty as a Chaplain to Marine Special Operations Training Command at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Mike, his wife Helen, and their five children (June age 8, Francesca and Theodore age 6, Charlie age 4, and Josephine 4 weeks) will move on August 26 and serve there for one year. He鈥檚 happy his whole family will move with him as these are high priority orders and the reserves requested his immediate departure to service.

鈥淪ince we just had our fifth child, Helen and I are especially glad we can all relocate together. Helen鈥檚 been a medical receptionist for two surgeons. This call will allow her to stay home with our kids full time while I serve our Special Forces.鈥�

When asked where the idea for this combined service came from, Mike commented, 鈥淚 believe every corner of the world needs an Auggie in it. I was shaped by my Augsburg education to go out and do more in the world. Staying in the reserves was one way to do that. I was able to contribute to the mission of Augsburg and use the values and skills Augsburg shaped in me to serve the community.鈥�

Mike鈥檚 been serving as chaplain to the 1st Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department which is the downtown area. Sometimes it鈥檚 been hard to shift between his roles of staff, father, husband, and chaplain.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned through my roles there are all kinds of people in the world. And I鈥檝e faced the polarization we are experiencing head on. I鈥檝e learned to appreciate how gently we have to hold the space and come to each moment with sincere appreciation. I practice seeing the holy in all of it. It is always there.鈥�

The Matson family at the headwaters to the Mississippi.

He goes on, 鈥淚 approach it all with curiosity. If I can鈥檛 believe the holy is there in each person and experience, then what鈥檚 the point. Jesus always showed us his curiosity. Without our curiosity I don鈥檛 think we can make any progress. My approach is to figure out how to connect with people. I am motivated by it.鈥�

In his time serving in Advancement he鈥檚 learned some things, too.

鈥淥ne big thing I鈥檝e learned is, what a gift it is to be a student! It鈥檚 not something to take for granted. So many students receive some form of scholarships. Usually those scholarships don鈥檛 come from someone with lots of income and assets. It comes because of a belief the donor has in the value of an Augsburg education. It comes from generosity and belief in the importance of investing in students. There鈥檚 a community behind every student. I never want to take that for granted.鈥�

As he turns his attention to the year of service unfolding before him, he will be carrying some of these lessons with him.

鈥淚 am called to the gray areas of life. And to do so vulnerably. I go with an openness to enter into those spaces. That is where the transformative can emerge.鈥�

He鈥檚 especially energized by the call to the Special Forces.

鈥淪o much of the military focus now is on specialized teams and special forces. The training of these elite forces is crucial. As we can imagine, it鈥檚 a grueling experience to go through this training. It peels back the layers of a person鈥檚 character and reveals our make-up. It鈥檚 a key time in a service member鈥檚 life. The military is doing all it can to offer support to the trainees.鈥�

On this high priority mission Mike will be participating in some of their training and in the same spaces with the Marines and special forces.

Mike Matson '06 has served 海角社区 as chaplain to student athletes, as a coach, and in alumni development. — Mike Matson ’06 has served 海角社区 as chaplain to student athletes, as a coach, and in alumni development.

He smiles, 鈥淚鈥檓 going to get my jump wings! Yes, that means he will learn to parachute!

As he travels with Helen and his children, he feels the strength of her support and her willingness to put the family through such a big experience.

“She has given me courage to be even more curious. And to mess up, too. We don鈥檛 always get things right. She鈥檚 helped me show eagerness to go out and seize the day. The greatest gift in all this is to say yes to life.鈥�

Mike and his family will return to Augsburg in a year.听鈥淚 feel very supported by this Augsburg community!”

鈥�-By Catherine Reid Day

Augsburg Theater Alumni Featured in a Sod House Theater Production

Posted on July 31, 2018September 17, 2021

Come and see some 海角社区 Theater alumni from several generations perform this incredibly fun and evocative production!

An Enemy of the People written by Henrik Ibsen adapted by Darcey Engen and Luverne Seifert with music by Brian Laidlaw and Ashley Hanson, will be presented by Sod House Theater and tour eleven rural cities in Minnesota from July 25 – August 26, with a run in Hastings early September (TBA), 2018. The Sod House is teaming with local talent that includes a number of 海角社区 alumni!

This classic play examines how a community responds when a local doctor threatens to expose that the water it relies upon for tourism is being poisoned. The play questions how far a community will go to protect their town鈥檚 secret in order to avoid financial ruin. It will be performed at site-specific locations that are important to the historical narrative of each community.听 Performance locations include town halls and river parks. 鈥淲e鈥檝e chosen communities to perform with that have recently experienced water pollution issues and whose lakes and rivers are a major contributor to their tourism economy,鈥� said Luverne Seifert, co-artistic director of Sod House Theater. After each performance, water experts from local organizations will facilitate conversations centered on local water issues in hopes that the play and community dialogue will inspire water conservation.

听

About Sod House Theater:

Sod House Theater is a Minneapolis based theater whose mission is to perform in venues that serve historical significance in small-town communities. The works they choose to perform are relevant to the small-town atmosphere. Their goal is to be interactive in the communities by performing with local actors and at historical sites. They have been touring greater Minnesota since 2011.

Tickets for 鈥淎n Enemy of the People鈥� are $15 for adults; $10 for Children, Students, and Seniors.

Tickets are available at. For show information call 612-414-2032.

Alumni who are leading the project:

Co-Artistic Director, Luverne Seifert 鈥�83; Co-Artistic Director, Darcey Engen 鈥�88; Production and Tour Manager Del Logeais 鈥�18.

Alumni who are performing in the Taylors Falls Production:

Peter Skjervold 鈥�83, Jenny Nordstrom Kelly 鈥�84, Lisa Pestka Anderson 鈥�86, Ali Fitzpatrick 鈥�11

Current students performing in Taylors Falls:

Madeleine Rowe 鈥�19, Hannah Dyson 鈥�20

6 Quick Questions With the New Conductor of The Masterworks Chorale

Posted on July 25, 2018December 15, 2021

Mark Sedio ’76 has been the transitional conductor for the Augsburg choir for the past two years. Mark has recently accepted a new role听as conductor for The Masterworks Chorale.听We had the chance听to chat with Mark about all things Augsburg and music. Check out these 6 Quick Questions with Mark Sedio:Favorite memory as a student at Augsburg:

Conversation with friends in the old “Chin Wag” before Augsburg Choir rehearsals.

What makes singing in a choir so great/powerful/exciting?

The act of making something beautiful together – a true act of community.听 The joy of performing a piece – the final result of hours and hours of rehearsal.听 Then, of course, all the non-musical things wrapped up in it all – singing with friends, the performance spaces, the stories about the history of a piece – all coming together.

What excites you about working with Masterworks?

The caliber of the singing is so very high and the possibilities are endless.

What are you looking forward to with Masterworks?

Over the past four years, it’s been great fun for me to have worked first with Cedar Singers and then the Augsburg Choir.听 Osmo V盲nsk盲, the conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, says it’s all about the music – and it is.听 How we form a phrase together, how we mold sound – not necessarily a pre-conceived notion of what an ensemble should sound like – but rather what we do with the sound we have.听 That’s the concept I used with both Cedars and Augsburg Choir – it works – and the outcome can be really thrilling.

Share something about working with the Augsburg Choir:

It’s hard to put into words what the 50-plus singers in the Choir came to mean to me.听 Again, it’s all about community.听 It was a joy to be able to make music together – and I think it showed in each and every performance.听 We had great fun – and it showed in their singing.听 I am extraordinarily proud of those wonderful musicians (some whom I knew since they were first-years in Cedar Singers).听 Their musicianship and growth over the years.听 To work with them was both an honor and sheer joy.

Share a Mark Sedio fun fact:

If I wasn’t able to do what I am doing (choral music, organ, composition), I’d LOVE to have a talk-show.

If you are interested in joining The Masterworks Chorale, the gatherings are open to听anyone interested in singing! The first gathering is Tuesday, September 4th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm听in the Choir Room (M2) in 海角社区’s Anderson Music Hall. For more information visit the听海角社区 Masterworks Chorale Facebook page .

For the 海角社区 Music Department website, .

Financial Aid Update for Parents

Posted on July 5, 2018

The Fall 2018 billing statements will be electronically sent to all registered students on July 10^th.听听To ensure that all financial aid has been applied for, and correct amounts are owed, please make sure your student has turned in all necessary documents to the Student Financial Services Office by June 30th.听听Students can go to听听and click on 鈥楻eview Your Financial Aid鈥� to check the status of their financial aid, or to see what documents are missing or incomplete.

All students are eligible to enroll in Augsburg鈥檚 Online Payment Plan; enrollment will open on July 10^th.^听听听Go to听听to sign up for the payment plan.

To ensure 5 monthly payments, the application听must听be completed by July 26th.

Tuition accounts must be paid-in-full to register for fall term, and for a diploma and/or transcript to be released; payments can be made online by going to听.听听听Students can go to听听and click on 鈥淩eview Your Student Account鈥� to see if they have an unpaid balance.听听Please see the听Parent听Information tab at听听听for instructions on making a payment听听and obtaining access to discuss your student鈥檚 financial information, etc.听听Please note that we will be unable to speak with any听parent/guardian that has not been authorized by the student.

Brett Batterson 鈥�80 Shines Bright on Tony Night

Posted on June 21, 2018July 2, 2024

Two people in formal attire on a red carpet in front of a metallic circular sculpture with text. Augsburg alumnus Brett Batterson 鈥�80 had big shoes to fill when he took the job as President and CEO of听Orpheum Theatre Group in Memphis, Tennessee.听Prior to his arrival,the听theatre听had听been听recognized听at听the听Tony Awards on three different occasions. Under Batterson鈥檚 leadership,听as part of the听Independent Presenters Network, the Orpheum Theatre Group听can听now claim听a share of the听2018听Tony Award for Best Musical! The Independent Presenters Network is an above-the-title producer of the 10-award winning show,听The Band鈥檚 Visit.

In high school, Batterson was an actor in his school鈥檚 theatre productions. When he came to Augsburg, one of his theatre professors, Michael Beery, showed Batterson his potential to create the scenes on the stage itself as a set designer.

鈥淚 had wonderful professors at Augsburg including Julie Driver and Ailene Cole, but听Michael听Beery had the most profound effect on my career.鈥� says Batterson.

Beery helped guide Batterson onto a path where he could find great success.听He did perform in one show at Augsburg, but spent the rest of his time behind the scenes creating and designing sets Three people working at a table with small tools and a dog on one person's lap. .

While still a student at Augsburg, Batterson had the opportunity to work at听The Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Jazz Dance Company and听Minnesota Opera Company.听Following Augsburg, he took the skills he learned and advice from Professor Beery and obtained his M.F.A. in set design from Tulane University. For 15 years he continued his stage design career until he discovered another passion听鈥� arts management. Batterson spent 10 years at Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit as the company鈥檚 Chief Operating Officer. Then another 11 years as the Executive Director of the national historic landmark Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. He has been in his current position as President and CEO of Orpheum Theatre Group in Memphis since 2016.

“Theatre education, like I had at Augsburg,听builds better people,” said Batterson, “Whether they go into theatre or not, they will go into the world better prepared听to succeed.”

Young Alumni Council: Lauren (Grafelman) Lesser ’12

Posted on June 21, 2018September 17, 2021

Lauren (Grafelman) Lesser '12 The Young Alumni Council was formed to specifically represent the interests of young alumni in service of 海角社区’s mission and goals.听 Each council member helps connect and engage young alumni by planning and executing networking, fundraising, social, and volunteer events and programs.听听for more information about requirements and qualifications.

As part of one of our series, we will be profiling members of the Augsburg Young Alumni Council (or YAC). This week, we spoke to Lauren (Grafelman) Lesser 鈥�12, who is currently the YAC Vice-President.听

Name and Graduation Year?

Lauren (Grafelman) Lesser ’12

Time spent as a YAC council member?

2 years.

What made you want to be a part of the YAC?

I enjoyed my time at Augsburg and I wanted to find a way to stay connected to the community. Additionally, I want to help others get re-connected with the Augsburg Community.

What is your favorite YAC memory or event?

My favorite event was the brewery tour. It was so fun to see so many familiar and new faces. Everyone really enjoyed hanging out as a group and it was a beautiful day!

Favorite memory from studying at Augsburg?

The summer after my freshman year, the band went on a trip to Romania. It was an amazing 10 day experience filled with new cultures, new foods, and new friends!

Why should other young alumni join the YAC?

People should join YAC to help their classmates re-connect to Augsburg and to help plan fun events that bring people together.

Interesting random fact about you?

I have lived in 7 states and went to 3 different high schools.

Are you interested in learning more about the Young Alumni Council? Visit http://www.augsburg.edu/alumni/leadershipboards/yac/ for information on applications and eligibility.

Alumni in the Spotlight: Jazmine Darden

Posted on June 7, 2018September 17, 2021

Jazmine Darden鈥�13 graduated from 海角社区 with a double major in Mathematics and Physics. During her time at Augsburg, she was passionate about helping people and was heavily involved with the GISE and GEMS program (Girls in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science and Guys in Science and Engineering are after-school and summer programs designed specifically for K-8th-grade girls and boys in the Minneapolis Public School District). After graduating, Darden worked with Minneapolis Public Schools for 2 years.

鈥淎ugsburg drew me out of my shell,鈥� said Darden, 鈥淚 was incredibly shy before I started at Augsburg, but I gained confidence during my time there and the University made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted with my life.鈥� Jazmine Darden in graduation cap and gown

鈥淎ugsburg is such an open-minded place, and one of the key lessons I learned during my time studying was to follow my heart鈥� Darden added.

Darden was unsure of what career path she wanted to pursue, and on a whim, she decided to have a look at Dunwoody College. After taking a campus tour and realizing she was interested in 3D printing technology, she enrolled in the Engineering, Drafting and Design program.

She started the program in August 2015 and was accepted into the Women in Technical Careers scholarship program in her second semester. During her time at Dunwoody, Darden had some internships in the technology sector but soon realized she didn鈥檛 envision herself working in the corporate world. She spoke to the dean of her program and told him she wanted to start her own business.

Darden then took a class at Hennepin Tech where they collectively built 3D printers. Recently, she purchased a second 3D printer and began working alongside her mother who runs an embroidery business. Darden now works on custom projects included 3D Printing, screen printing t-shirts, and Jaz Music Box sublimation printing.

To enhance her printing skill, she decided to undertake a certificate program at Dunwoody specifically for 3D printing. At that time, Dunwoody was looking for someone to teach the class, and Darden was instead offered the instructor position.

鈥淚 built this class from the ground up. I got to design the curriculum and make it so that this certification program was unique and cutting edge.鈥�

In a full circle, Darden is currently partnering with the Minneapolis Public School system with the GISE and GEMS program Jazmine Darden with drums (and eventually other schools) to host a new and exciting project this summer. This summer project will give middle school students a college experience and the opportunity to learn more about 3D printing technology. In this summer project, participants will design and 3D print a Bluetooth speaker, including the outer shell and setting up speaker wiring.

In her spare time, Darden also works as a lead tech hand, makes merchandise and is the website coordinator for Prince Tribute band, Chase and Ovation, and spends her weekend touring the United States (and soon internationally) with the group.

鈥淐hase and Ovation are like family to me. I鈥檓 always busy, but I love everything I am currently doing鈥� she added, 鈥淭here鈥檚 no such thing as busy when you鈥檙e always having a good time.鈥� said Darden.

As an alumna, Darden makes it very clear that she believes her confidence, ability to follow her heart and only do what she loves, stems from her time here at Augsburg.

鈥淎ugsburg creates honest and open-minded people, who are taught that anything is possible, and to always follow your dreams.鈥�

Young Alumni Council: Evan Decker ’12 ’18 MBA

Posted on May 31, 2018December 15, 2021

The Young Alumni Council was formed to specifically represent the interests of young alumni in service of 海角社区’s mission and goals.听 Each council member helps connect and engage young alumni by planning and executing networking, fundraising, social, and volunteer events and programs. for more information about requirements and qualifications.

As part of a new weekly series, we will be profiling members of the Augsburg Young Alumni Council (or YAC). This week, we spoke to Evan Decker ’12, ’18 MBA, who is currently the YAC President.听

Name and Graduation Year?

Evan Decker ’12, ’18 MBA.

Time spent as a YAC council member?

3 years鈥�.

What made you want to be a part of the YAC?

I wanted to give back to the University, network, and develop my leadership skills. The council has provided many opportunities in all of these areas.

What is your favorite YAC memory or event?

Picking just one is hard. If I had to, I’d say my favorite event each year is the networking event. It’s not necessarily a YAC event but YAC is heavily involved, and I enjoy the opportunity to network with students and other alumni.

Favorite memory from studying at Augsburg?

It’s also difficult to choose one. I really enjoyed living in Mort – nothing like living on the same floor/in the same building as all your friends.

鈥╓hy should other young alumni join the YAC?

Why not? I feel like for the amount of time and energy I put into it I get much more in return. It’s an amazing opportunity to practice skills that are applicable in many other areas of life while hanging out with cool people. The networking opportunities are endless, and we get to plan and attend fun events!

Interesting random fact about you?

I had a pet tarantula growing up. She only managed to escape her cage once!

Are you interested in learning more about the Young Alumni Council? Visit http://www.augsburg.edu/alumni/leadershipboards/yac/ for information on applications and eligibility.