alumni Archives - Giving to 海角社区

Auggies Give to the Max in 2024!

Posted on November 4, 2024

On November 21, we invite all Augsburg alumni and friends to join us for Give to the Max Day, a celebration of generosity and community spirit! Between now and then, we need your support for our 38 fundraising initiatives that are seeking your generosity.

From the Augsburg Fund that supports scholarships for students, to targeted funding for departments, student organizations, and athletics, there’s a project for everyone to support!

Here’s how you can contribute to our Give to the Max efforts:

Make a gift:听Explore our list of projects and donate to the ones you want to support.
Gift of stock or IRA distribution: If you’re considering these options, please reach out to our advancement office at giving@augsburg.edu for more details.
Spread the word:听Share how 海角社区 has made a difference in your life. Whether through social media posts, emails to friends and family, or sharing our giving link, your voice can amplify our mission. We’d love to see your posts about Give to the Max Day 2024! Use the hashtag #AuggiesGive and tag @AugsburgUniversity and @AugsburgAlumni to connect with the larger Augsburg community.

Your support for Augsburg nurtures the exceptional education and community that sets us apart. Together, we can transform lives – your contribution to any of these projects fuels the very initiatives that are shaping the future of our students.

A Gift to Endow a Professorship in Chemistry

Posted on May 8, 2024

Terry 鈥�73 and Janet Lindstrom have made an incredible commitment to establish the Terry 鈥�73 and Janet Lindstrom Endowed Professor of Chemistry in support of the new School of Natural Sciences. Terry and Jan have remained dedicated to enriching students鈥� education and enabling them to discover their love for science and research. 鈥淓veryone deserves a passionate career,鈥� Terry reflected in a past interview.

Terry found his deep appreciation for science while conducting research during his undergraduate years. He graduated from Augsburg in 1973 with degrees in biology and chemistry. After earning his Ph.D. in pharmacology and biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, he embarked on a decades-long career at Eli Lilly and Company, retiring from his position as Distinguished Lilly Research Fellow in 2010.听

Terry serves as a member of Augsburg鈥檚 board of regents, where he chairs the enrollment management committee. He also stays engaged through volunteering at events such as the annual Agre Symposium, and meeting students when the opportunity arises. “My Augsburg experience was transformational as a result of the faculty and administration’s commitment to rigorous learning, understanding, and critical thinking. This commitment was further emphasized through intense experiential learning opportunities which made the academic work directly applicable to real-world issues. I knew my professors were genuinely invested in my success. These attributes continue at 海角社区 today and it is my honor and privilege to support this outstanding institution,” Terry said.

Along with this most recent gift, he and Jan established the Endowed Lindstrom Research Fund which supports students鈥� participation in summer research.

Endowed professorships like the Lindstrom Endowed Professor of Chemistry play a vital role in supporting faculty, promoting academic excellence, and ensuring the long-term success of students. 鈥淭his transformative gift affirms Augsburg鈥檚 longstanding commitment to excellence in the natural sciences,鈥� said President Paul Pribbenow. 鈥淚n a time when scientific knowledge has itself become contested, we are incredibly grateful to the Lindstroms for this investment to strengthen the critical leadership of our faculty.鈥澨�

鈥淲e are thrilled about the creation of this endowed professorship. This position, the first to be embedded within the School of Natural Sciences, will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and prepare generations of future Auggies to be scientific leaders in their communities,鈥� added Paula O鈥橪oughlin, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Terry and Jan for their unwavering dedication and investment in the future of our students.

Building Community in Athletics

Posted on June 9, 2023June 26, 2024

Grace Eastman 鈥�23 grew up in a small town north of the Twin Cities. Upon reflecting on her decision to attend Augsburg Grace shared, 鈥淎ugsburg gave me the vibes of a small town in a big city setting. It was important to me to have small class sizes and actually know my professors.鈥� Another driving factor was being able to play on the basketball team. In fact, pursuing an athletic career at Augsburg isn鈥檛 something new to Grace鈥檚 family. 鈥淢y uncle wrestled here in the 鈥�90s,鈥� she excitedly shared.听

Although she was excited to be recruited for basketball, she admitted she didn鈥檛 know too much about Augsburg before the Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR). 鈥淚 had only toured a couple of times before then, so I was unsure of what it would be like. But it was great meeting all the people and realizing I would enjoy what Augsburg has to offer.鈥�

Like many students, Grace鈥檚 Augsburg experience was possible in part due to the generosity of benefactors who support scholarship opportunities. Throughout the Great Returns campaign, donors have given to 150 endowed scholarships. 鈥淲ithout financial aid, I don’t think I would have been able to come here. It really took the stress of student loans off my back and helped me be a successful student all four years,鈥� Grace said, who is graduating with a degree in finance.听

Grace also shared what being on the basketball team has meant to her and how it enriched her college experience. 鈥淲e鈥檙e like our own little family,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eginning college can be scary, it鈥檚 like starting over, but I didn鈥檛 feel that way because I had already met my coaches and teammates ahead of time. I felt like I already had friends that I could talk to and could go to my coaches if I needed anything.鈥� Grace feels the tight-knit community and communication attributed to the team鈥檚 success.

Another contributing factor to success is found in the renovated women鈥檚 locker room. During Augsbrug鈥檚 Great Returns campaign, a significant initiative was updating the women鈥檚 locker room. Through the generosity of Patricia Piepenburg 鈥�69, the renovated space was unveiled in October of 2022. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely improved our experience and makes us feel valued as athletes. I used to think locker rooms were just for changing because that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 been like my whole life, but now that we have this new space, it became a place where we could build community. We鈥檙e able to hang out, watch TV, and create bonds after practice or games,鈥� Grace said.听

This initiative was especially significant because it happened 50 years after the passage of Title IX. When thinking about the legacy of people like Patricia who came before her, Grace shared 鈥淚t gives us a sense of pride to be part of something so historical, and motivates us to play because we understand and acknowledge the struggles women before us. When we won a championship last year it was the greatest feeling and I want to leave behind a legacy for future generations too.鈥� As she thought about how philanthropy has life-changing effects, she shared, 鈥淕ifts like these send the message that students like me matter and drive me to be the best version of myself. It is a blessing to have peoples鈥� support.鈥�

Learn more about Augsburg鈥檚 Great Returns efforts on our website.听

TJ Bramwell 鈥�03 Aids the Next Generation

Posted on February 24, 2023February 24, 2023

Dr. TJ Bramwell 鈥�03, a biology major, has native roots in Tomah, WI, but when he chose to attend Augsburg, he was not unfamiliar with the area. Bramwell鈥檚 father, Thomas D. Bramwell 鈥�78, also graduated from Augsburg.

He recalled his parents and grandparents watching him play running back for the Auggie football team throughout his four years of college.

鈥淧art of my interest in joining the football team was that it was right after Augsburg won the conference title,鈥� Dr. Bramwell said. 鈥淭hat excited me, as well as the academics.鈥�

His interest in science, specifically biology, emerged during middle school, developing further in high school, and culminated with his time in the classroom and on the football field at Augsburg.

鈥淏eing on the football team and seeing people get hurt, treated, and being able to come back and play again helped me realize that I wanted to be a doctor,鈥� Dr. Bramwell said. 鈥淚t helped me identify my ultimate goal of being an orthopedic surgeon and helping people.鈥�

He went on to do a few years of research at the Hennepin County Medical Center before getting accepted to medical school at Des Moines University and eventually completing a five-year orthopedic residency at Ohio University/Doctors Hospital, a journey that took nearly 15 years.

鈥淎 lot of what shaped my journey at Augsburg is the relationships I formed with my professors, specifically in the biology department,鈥� Dr. Bramwell said. 鈥淭hey helped me navigate the waters of constructing a resume and getting into summer research programs, things that are so important and at the heart of URGO.鈥�

Twenty years ago, when Dr. Bramwell attended Augsburg, URGO (Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity) did not exist. Now, URGO connects students with both new and existing research and scholarship opportunities on campus, across the U.S., and internationally.听

Dr. Bramwell said he gives to URGO because he wants to ensure students have the support they need to succeed, whether that鈥檚 MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) practice tests, study materials, or other contributions that will aid the next generation of medical professionals, and you can too.

Learn more and get involved.

Bruce 鈥�71 and Pam Santerre Believe in Second Chances

Posted on February 2, 2023

Bruce 鈥�71 and Pam Santerre believe in second chances, leading them to help others who want to evolve, and that鈥檚 why they give to the StepUP Program at 海角社区.

Bruce, a biology and education major, said growing up in northern Minnesota he felt like there were few career paths if he stayed, but he had other plans.听听

Upon visiting Augsburg, Bruce like many 鈥淎uggies鈥� fell in love with the campus and city life. He would go on to enroll at the university and join the football team, playing for four years while finishing his studies.

Unlike Bruce, Pam, an English major, was native to the cities. She lived in South Minneapolis, knew people who attended Augsburg, and her church had an affiliation with the school.

Pam said she knew she wanted to go to college, but at the time there weren鈥檛 many career opportunities for women. However, Pam would find her opportunity at Augsburg and work for a number of organizations while putting herself through school.

鈥淲e [Bruce and her] formed many lifelong friendships at Augsburg,鈥� Pam said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just one of the reasons why Augsburg is at the forefront of our minds鈥� when it comes to giving back.鈥�

The Santerres met at Augsburg and were married shortly after Bruce graduated. Six weeks later, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, for National Guard training.听

When he arrived back in Minnesota, Bruce began teaching as a substitute teacher for the Minneapolis school system. And Pam was working at the Lutheran Brotherhood, now Thrivent, which started her longtime career in information technology.

Pam received her master鈥檚 degree in theology and a certificate in spiritual direction, while working at Andersen Windows, where she later retired from. She continued her spiritual direction practice, companioning people who are exploring a deeper experience of the divine presence.听听

鈥淎 lot of what we do is at a spiritual level and basis,鈥� Bruce said. 鈥�This aligns with a core value in the StepUP program.鈥�

While completing his doctorate degree, Bruce, now a retired high school principal, wrote his dissertation on spirituality and leadership. He said part of that experience helped him understand the impact of spirituality in our [people鈥檚] lives鈥�.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a soft spot in our hearts for the work that the StepUP program is doing,鈥� they said. 鈥淪o many of those kids are overcoming some of the most incredible odds, and what we鈥檝e seen from Augsburg, in helping their students, we want to be a part of.鈥�

You too can play an integral part in helping 海角社区 students on their growth and evolution toward a brighter future. Learn more and get involved.

Justin Grammens 鈥�96 Helps STEM Students By Giving

Posted on December 16, 2022May 30, 2024

Justin Grammens 鈥�96 is a mathematics major who grew up in Minneapolis. His mother was a teacher for Minneapolis public schools, and his father worked as a doctor at Fairview Riverside, located across the street from Augsburg.

Grammens said he was familiar with the area and Augsburg, and one aspect that drew him to the school were the small class sizes which gave him a better connection to his classmates and instructors.

鈥淢y original plan was to start at a liberal arts school [Augsburg], then transfer to an engineering school,鈥� Grammens said. 鈥淏ut when I transferred from Augsburg, I was sitting in a classroom with hundreds of other students and being taught by a TA, and I felt like why am I here?鈥�

He ended up transferring back to Augsburg and completing his degree. But Grammens said it wasn鈥檛 just the small class sizes that inspired him to return to Augsburg, it was also the urban environment and the abundance of diversity that Augsburg offers.

At Augsburg, Grammens was able to build relationships with many different people that he maintained after graduation. He has even come back to campus on multiple occasions and spoken with students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields about his career.

Grammens is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas, teaching a class for their masters of software engineering program. He said that he is proud to bring the skills that he learned at Augsburg and share them with his students.

鈥淎 lot of the classes at Augsburg were exploratory and non-traditional,鈥� Grammens said. 鈥淚t was really about thought process, application, collaboration, and problem solving.鈥�

Around 2006, he started a company that was one of the first in the Twin Cities to develop mobile apps for major companies, and that鈥檚 when he said he felt like he had the income to give back.

鈥淚t breaks my heart if somebody is kicking butt in math, chemistry, or physics, and they know they want to be an engineer, but the barrier is just that they don鈥檛 have the money,鈥� Grammens said. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about giving to STEM programs because those students are working with technologies that are changing our lives, and I want to support that.鈥�

Grammens continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Augsburg students with annual donations to STEM programs, and you can too.

Donate to STEM programs and support Augsburg students as they conduct research with faculty, attend and present at national conferences, and hear from leading researchers.

Any gift made to any program will automatically count towards your class鈥� total for the Alumni Class Challenge!

Learn more ways to give.

Lewis Nelson 鈥�00 Encourages You to Get Involved with Giving

Posted on December 7, 2022December 7, 2022

Over one thousand miles away Lewis Nelson 鈥�00, a history major, sat in front of a map in his office, which was posted behind him on the wall, meticulously pinned with various places he had visited.

Graduating high school from a small town in Wisconsin, Nelson reflected on why he initially chose 海角社区鈥揵ecause of the urban environment, sense of community, and football.

But during his freshman year, Nelson, like many freshmen, felt the struggle of adapting to the new environment at first.

鈥淎nd then, I started meeting more people,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淚 began to participate in activities and student organizations, and I just got more involved on campus.鈥�

His pitch rose with excitement, speaking about how he became an orientation leader and joined the Augsburg Student Activity Council.

Once he was fully immersed in the culture, Nelson said he was enamored by Augsburg鈥檚 diversity, and through it he learned that he could get along with anybody from anywhere.

Not long after graduation, Nelson joined the U.S. Army, where his experience at Augsburg gave him a leg up on his peers, he said.

鈥淎ugsburg helped me cultivate vital skills such as critical thinking and leadership,鈥� said Nelson. 鈥淪kills that continue to serve me today, and that鈥檚 why I give.鈥�

Nelson鈥檚 giving journey began when he received a call from a student about the Augsburg Fund. Since then, Nelson has made a habit of giving.

He said giving to Augsburg gives him a sense of pride and keeps the legacy alive, and upholds the value of a degree that has meant so much to all the students that attend 海角社区.

鈥淭he feeling of giving back to the place that made me who I am today not only gives me personal pleasure, but it brings joy to other people鈥檚 lives鈥�,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥滻 encourage anyone to give what they can.鈥�

You can donate to the Augsburg Fund and/or student organizations like the ones that made such an impact on Nelson鈥檚 life by visiting Augsburg’s giving page.

Any gift made to any program will automatically count towards your class鈥� total for the Alumni Class Challenge!

Experience a life of giving with Wayne Kendrick 鈥�68

Posted on November 28, 2022May 7, 2024

When Wayne Kendrick 鈥�68, a religion and math major, enrolled at Augsburg as a junior, he was in the process of change.听

He spent years working towards becoming an actuary, but not long after his adult baptism, Kendrick would hear life calling him in a different direction.听

That鈥檚 when he started searching for Lutheran schools to attend. Kendrick said he wanted one with a different atmosphere than that which he had been accustomed to, mostly growing up in western South Dakota.听

Before even visiting Augsburg, Kendrick was drawn to the idea of a Lutheran college located in an area with vast cultural diversity and educational opportunities.

鈥淚 had a saying that I went by when I was in college,鈥� Kendrick said. 鈥淓ducation shouldn’t get in the way of your life’s education.鈥�

Kendrick recounted doing volunteer night patrols with the Way Center on the troubled streets of North Minneapolis and participating in a march for fair housing in Milwaukee with his college roommate and Father Groppi. He attributed these memories to an enriched college and life experience.听

鈥淎lthough I only attended Augsburg for two years, it had a real profound impact on my life,鈥� Kendrick said with a look of fondness and appreciation.听

After graduating, his giving journey began when he purchased a life insurance policy with Augsburg as the beneficiary. Kendrick would go on to enroll at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul and would later become a pastor.听

Kendrick continues to give back to the community that has influenced his life so immensely with multiple donations to the 厂迟别辫鲍辫庐 program and an annual gift to the Augsburg Fund.听

鈥淚 know without our [donor鈥檚] gifts, large or small, Augsburg simply wouldn鈥檛 exist,鈥� Kendrick said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just enough to be appreciative, one must also make sure that others can enjoy the benefits that we, ourselves, have enjoyed.鈥�

Join Kendrick and ensure students have an opportunity to receive the educational and life experiences they deserve by making your donation today!听

Any gift made to any program will automatically count towards your class鈥� total for the Alumni Class Challenge!

Learn more ways to give.

ANNE RICHTER SUPPORTS THE TEAMWORK IN GIVING

Posted on November 14, 2022November 18, 2022

Like many 海角社区 alumni, Anne Richter 鈥�86 said she was thankful to have professors and mentors that were passionate about teaching and giving students opportunities to excel in academics and athletics.听

Now, Richter wants to give present and future students the same opportunities and wonderful experiences she had at Augsburg.

鈥淎ugsburg helped me grow up and experience the world and was an important next step in my life,鈥� Richter said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where you find community, friendship, and a foundation.鈥�

This is the 40th year anniversary from when Richter chose to attend Augsburg in 1982 for academics and to play volleyball and softball. She graduated with a degree in psychology and would later go on to be inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.听听

After graduation, Richter got a graduate assistantship at St. Cloud State as an assistant volleyball coach. A position that her volleyball coach at Augsburg, Marilyn Pearson Florian, helped her secure.听听

Richter started giving back to Augsburg a few years ago when a gift officer approached her about supporting construction for a new volleyball women鈥檚 locker room, a cause that spoke to her.

Since then, Richter has given to the women’s softball and volleyball programs. She also made contributions to the Patricia Piepenburg 鈥�69 Women鈥檚 Locker Room, which recently opened during the Great Returns: We鈥檙e All In 鈥� All School Reunion.

Richter knows that giving is a team effort, that鈥檚 why she reaches out to other Augsburg alumni, friends, and athletes and encourages them to give.

One of her favorite giving campaigns is Give to the Max, Augsburg鈥檚 annual day of giving. Richter said she enjoys seeing all the different opportunities there are to give and is excited to know that Augsburg students are receiving help from people who care.

鈥淥ur [donor鈥檚] gifts are critical to the foundation of Augsburg,鈥� Richter said. 鈥淭hey allow the university to provide the best professors and facilities to support the best students.鈥�

and/or and support Augsburg athletes as they strive to excel on and off the field, and any gift made to any program will automatically count towards your class鈥� total for the Alumni Class Challenge!

Learn more ways to give.