bing pixel

网曝吃瓜

  1. Home
  2. Category: Faculty

Augsburg Professor Eric Buffalohead Discusses Native Americans in Film With ICT

Posted on

In a recent newscast, ICT (formerly Indian Country Today) interviewed 海角社区 Associate Professor Eric Buffalohead about persistent stereotypes of Native Americans in film. Buffalohead chairs the Department of American Indian, First Nations, and Indigenous Studies and is the co-editor, with Professor Elise Marubbio, of the book 鈥�.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e been teaching 鈥淎merican Indian in the Cinema鈥� for going on 30 years, and people have asked me, what鈥檚 the solution to some of these problems?鈥� said Buffalohead. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 contemporary representations. The big theme that you walk away from my course with is that most of our images are stuck in time, meaning that they鈥檙e somewhere in the past. People don鈥檛 see us as contemporary鈥攖hey see us as these images in the old West and very much stereotypes of plains or southwest Indians. They don鈥檛 see the real diversity of Indigenous people in the Americas.鈥�

The conversation with anchor Aliyah Chavez also touched on expanding representations in television through shows like 鈥淩utherford Falls鈥� and 鈥淩eservation Dogs,鈥� translation of major films into the Navajo and Comanche languages, and Professor Marubbio鈥檚 work on representations of Native women in film. Find the full interview in the ICT newscast archive (segment begins at 6:15).

Augsburg Faculty Awarded Fulbrights in Ireland and Slovenia

Posted on
George Dierberger headshot
George Dierberger
Joseph Erickson Headshot
Joseph Erickson

Augsburg faculty members George Dierberger and Joseph Erickson have been named Fulbright Scholars for the 2022鈥�23 academic year. Each year, the Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board select roughly 800 U.S. citizens to receive the Fulbright Scholar award for international travel, study, and teaching.

A competitive Fulbright application requires strong academic merit, demonstrated leadership potential, and a good match between an applicant鈥檚 strengths and a host institution鈥檚 needs.聽But for both of Augsburg鈥檚 faculty recipients, there鈥檚 a personal connection that makes receiving the Fulbright particularly rewarding this year.

Dierberger, an associate professor of business administration who also directs Augsburg鈥檚 MBA program, is mindful of family history as he prepares to spend three months in residence at the Atlantic Technological University in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. While this will be his first trip to Ireland, his great-great-grandfather hailed from County Cork. During the fall semester, Dierberger will develop case studies, lecture on innovation, help to build out a curricular focus on entrepreneurship, and partner with the Letterkenny business community to create an advisory council and internship opportunities.

Erickson, a professor of education and a psychologist by training, first visited Slovenia in 1994 through connections made by former Augsburg colleague Magda Paleczny-Zapp. Several of the graduate students tasked with assisting the Erickson family during that trip are now faculty themselves鈥攊ncluding a department chair at the University of Ljubljana. Erickson will spend the spring collaborating with a team in Ljubljana to adapt a tool used to measure racial attitudes in the U.S. for the Slovenian context. He and his colleagues will shape the new scale around nationalism, a key issue for a society at the crossroads of western and eastern Europe and a way station for refugee migration.

In addition to these faculty awards, Augsburg was recently named a top producer of Fulbright students among U.S master鈥檚 institutions, with three students receiving scholarships to teach English abroad in 2021鈥�22.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government鈥檚 flagship international educational exchange program. For over 75 years, the program has provided more than 400,000 participants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to challenges facing our communities and our world. 鈥嬧�婩ulbright alumni include 61 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and 40 who have served as a head of state or government.

鈥淧eople Do Their Own Healing鈥�: Minnesota Women鈥檚 Press Features Prof. Melissa Hensley

Posted on

The Minnesota Women鈥檚 Press recently featured an editorial by Melissa Hensley, associate professor of social work, on the value of peer support to reduce stigma in social service settings. The essay was part of a larger issue dedicated to stigma and addiction.

Hensley, who also serves as field director for Augsburg鈥檚 bachelor of social work program, spent many years as a provider of services to adults with serious and persistent mental illness in a residential setting.

鈥淧eer supporters, who use their own experiences with addiction or mental health to help guide others, are an example of person-centered care … [They] fill gaps in traditional mental health services by providing essential knowledge about the recovery process, such as how to cope with symptoms, develop healthy relationships, and balance employment,鈥� she writes.

鈥淪ocial workers like myself need to understand that our role is not to 鈥渇ix what is wrong.鈥� People do their own healing, and our job is to offer tools and resources.鈥�

Andy Aoki Named 海角社区鈥檚 Hawthorne Professor

Posted on

Headshot photo of Andrew Aoki, who is an Asian man wearing a gray pullover over a collared shirt. In the background is a tree with bright pink flowers.Andy Aoki, professor of political science, has been named to the M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professorship of critical race and ethnicity studies, effective June 1, 2022. He succeeds Professor William Green, the inaugural holder of the professorship, who retires at the end of the current academic year. Recently elected to chair Augsburg鈥檚 Department of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies, Aoki鈥檚 work as Hawthorne Professor will focus on building a strong foundation for the new department and strong connections with aligned disciplines.

A prolific writer and speaker on Asian American identities and racial politics, Professor Aoki joined the Augsburg faculty in 1988. He holds a BA in political science from the University of Oregon and an MA and PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At Augsburg, he teaches courses on American politics, political theory, and racial and ethnic politics. He has served as department chair of Augsburg鈥檚 political science department for a combined total of 18 years and as a senior fellow in the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship since 2014. He is currently serving as Faculty Senate President, a member of the faculty鈥檚 Budget Working Group, and chair of the workgroup charged with reviewing implications of the proposed 鈥渢wo college鈥� structure for faculty governance. He co-founded the Asian Pacific American Caucus, bringing together scholars and community leaders, and has twice been president of the American Political Science Association鈥檚 organized section on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics.

The M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professorship of critical race and ethnicity studies was created in 2020 on the recommendation of a working group of students, faculty, and staff who advanced, simultaneously, a vision for the creation of a new academic department in critical race and ethnicity studies at Augsburg. The professorship honors senior faculty with extensive records of achievement as well as demonstrated commitments to critical race and ethnicity studies. It seeks to embody the student and community orientation embedded in this interdisciplinary field of study, and it expresses Augsburg鈥檚 commitment to culturally-responsive pedagogy in the undergraduate and graduate curricula. It honors the legacy of Margaret Anita Gay Hawthorne (鈥淎nita鈥�) who drew upon the concept of Pan-Afrikanism to create a program at Augsburg unique to any college in the country.

President Paul Pribbenow offers these comments: 鈥淚t is a great privilege to appoint Professor Aoki to the Hawthorne Professorship. His appointment, following Professor Bill Green鈥檚 inaugural tenure in the position, illustrates that Augsburg鈥檚 commitment to critical race and ethnic studies鈥攏ow ensconced in a new department鈥攈as deep and abiding roots across the entire span of our academic mission. I am delighted to witness the many ways in which our focus on research and teaching that engages the lived experience of all our students is being taken up by faculty and students across the entire university.鈥�

Augsburg Sociology Students Visit Holocaust Museum

Posted on

Fourteen Augsburg sociology students recently joined the Jewish Community Relations Council鈥檚 annual trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Tim Pippert, the Joel Torstenson endowed professor of sociology, led the Augsburg group, who were also joined by a group from Minnesota Hillel.

鈥淔or us, it provided the opportunity to show how sociology is applicable in lots of different ways,鈥� Pippert said in an about the group鈥檚 experience. 鈥淪o I asked [the students] to think about this trip and the experience in the museum, as how does their sociological training inform what they witnessed? How did the theories that they鈥檝e read about, how does that play out in the symbolic representation of a horrific tragedy? How do you choose to tell that story? And what are the symbols that are used to tell that story?鈥�

Jeremy Myers Appointed to the Bernhard M. Christensen Chair in Religion and Vocation at 海角社区

Posted on

Headshot of Jeremy Myers wearing a gray button-down shirt over a black t-shirt against a background of windows海角社区 announced today that Jeremy Myers, associate professor of religion and executive director of the institution鈥檚 Christensen Center for Vocation, has been appointed to serve as the next Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation, effective on July 1, 2022. Myers will succeed Martha Stortz, PhD, who retired and was granted emerita status in 2020.

鈥淚t is a remarkable testament to Augsburg鈥檚 leadership at the intersection of faith, learning, and service that we have in our own faculty ranks a scholar so well prepared to continue the work begun by Marty and her predecessor, David Tiede,鈥� said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow. 鈥淛eremy is an innovative problem-solver, a collaborative colleague, and a creatively critical theologian.鈥�

The Christensen Chair was established in 2005 to honor the legacy of Bernhard M. Christensen, who served as president of what was then known as Augsburg College and Seminary from 1938 to 1962. The chair provides public leadership in interpreting and advancing Augsburg鈥檚 educational mission, pursues scholarship and teaches in the religion department, and serves as counsel to the president and Board of Regents.

鈥淛eremy has thought deeply about President Christensen鈥檚 legacy at this university and the lessons his leadership continues to have for Lutheran higher education in the current age,鈥� Pribbenow said.

鈥淒r. Myers鈥� vision for the Christensen Chair is grounded and shaped by the five lessons of Bernhard Christensen, the 海角社区 mission statement, and the realities and challenges of the 21st century, especially the 21st century church,鈥� said the members of a faculty and staff discernment committee that met with Myers about the role. 鈥淭his vision aligns with his innovative work guiding churches in 鈥榩lace-based vocational discernment鈥� and will help guide our Augsburg community in new and rich reflection on our own鈥攊ndividual and communal鈥攙ocational discernment. In candid conversation with Dr. Myers, we explored the expectations and opportunities of this position and his ability to meet those expectations and expand the opportunities. We think he is the right person for the job.鈥�

Myers, who earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree at the University of Minnesota and his master鈥檚 and PhD from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a distinguished scholar in vocation and congregational ministry. In addition to many articles and chapters, he is the author of Liberating Youth from Adolescence published by Fortress Press and a sought-after speaker at conferences and in congregations. He has secured millions of dollars in grants to support the work of the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg and has served on the steering committee of the Association of Teaching Theologians and on the board of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network.

Myers said the concept of vocation is a critical lens for thinking about transformational solutions to the problems we face in today鈥檚 world. 鈥淭he key ingredients of vocation鈥攖he neighbor, the self, the common good, and God (or something larger than us all)鈥攇ive rise to a method of discernment and discovery that is different from any other method currently being used to address society鈥檚 biggest issues. These ingredients produce a creative tension that leads to innovation, accountability, mutuality, and hope, and this approach to public life cannot be reserved for those who claim to live a religious life. The tables where vocation is being discussed and discerned need to become long and wide.鈥�

Myers will offer his inaugural address as the Christensen Professor at a symposium at Augsburg in September.

CGEE Instructor Antonio Ortega Featured on Public Television in Morelos, Mexico

Posted on

Student groupAntonio Ortega, a longtime Center for Global Education and Experience global faculty member, was recently interviewed on “Noticias de la Tarde” (Evening News) on Channel 3, the public radio and TV station in Morelos, Mexico.

Ortega discusses CGEE’s work in Mexico and the importance of the relationship between the US and Mexico, particularly for students that will go on to work with the Latinx population in the U.S. in fields like social work, nursing, and teaching.

To view English subtitles, select Subtitles/Closed Caption and then, in the settings, choose Auto Translate > English.

Professor William Green Speaks About Minneapolis Teachers Strike on WCCO and MPR

Posted on

William GreenWilliam Green, M. Anita Gay Hawthorne professor of critical race and ethnic studies at 海角社区, shared his expertise as a historian and former superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools in a on the Minneapolis teachers strike.

Green took part in two contract negotiations during his time as superintendent between 2006 and 2010. 鈥淭he trickiest moment is to persuade constituents the compromise they may have to negotiate may not be satisfying,鈥� he told WCCO. Green鈥檚 most recent book, 鈥淪trike!,鈥� covers the 1970 Minneapolis teachers strike and will be released this fall.

Green also was interviewed by MPR for their March 17 story, “.” Speaking about the teachers who were involved in that strike, Green said, “They are the pillars of middle-class society, yet they went out on the street, many of them had never done anything demonstrative like this before. Many of them had never participated in radical politics, so this was a culture shock.鈥�

Announcing El-Hibri Endowed Executive Directorship for the Interfaith Institute

Posted on
Nancy and Fuad El-Hibri
Nancy and Fuad El-Hibri

海角社区 announces that a significant gift has been made for a new leadership position: the聽El-Hibri Endowed Executive Directorship for the Interfaith Institute.

This new role is thanks to a gift from Fuad and Nancy El-Hibri. They聽first learned of Augsburg while researching higher education options for their son Karim, who was in recovery from substance issues. The family has been actively engaged with the university since then and Karim聽has meanwhile graduated from Augsburg’s StepUP program.

In 2019, 海角社区 established聽Interfaith at Augsburg: An Institute to Promote Interreligious Leadership. This program illustrates the many ways in which our commitment to interfaith learning and leadership can shape our work on campus and in the wider community, and this work requires a strategic leader and distinguished scholar to provide direction.

Learn more.

Star Tribune Highlights Augsburg-affiliated Sod House Theater Production

Posted on

Sod House Theater, co-founded by Darcey Engen 鈥�88, professor and chair of Augsburg鈥檚 Department of Theater聽Arts, is offering a new production in September and October: 鈥淎rla Mae鈥檚 Booyah Wagon.鈥�

The show was described as 鈥渁 delicious comedy鈥� in the Star Tribune鈥檚 weekly on August 26.

Engen and her husband, Luverne Seifert 鈥�83, who co-founded the theater with her, serve as its co-artistic directors.