This spring, hundreds of new alumni celebrated their graduation at Augsburg College Commencement ceremonies. While these events often are treated as a conclusion鈥攖he grand finale at the end of years of study and hard work鈥攊t鈥檚 important to remember that commencement, in its very definition, marks a beginning or start.
As Augsburg鈥檚 newest graduates prepared to launch into new challenges and opportunities with an Augsburg degree in hand, we began to wonder, 鈥淲hat was it about this campus鈥his curriculum鈥his College that they came to appreciate during their time as students?鈥�
So, we asked.
And the Class of 2014 answered.
This list, in no particular order, includes a brief sample of the things Auggies love about Augsburg. While it cannot represent all of the College鈥檚 valued traits, it does help depict just how unique the institution is. Our students, our alumni, our location, our heritage, and our mission help influence this place, just as the College鈥攊n turn鈥攕hapes many of these entities. Let鈥檚 take a look at why there鈥檚 so much to love about Augsburg College and why it鈥檚 such a privilege that
1. The Mission
Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.
It says it all, doesn鈥檛 it?
鈥淚 love Augsburg鈥檚 commitment to being an institution that prepares students for life beyond academics.鈥� 鈥擪imberly Club 鈥�14
2. Working to be “Green by 2019”
鈥淚 love [Augsburg鈥檚] effort to make the world a better place through means such as eliminating the carbon footprint.鈥� 鈥擬itchell Fuchs 鈥�14 MSW
3. Intentional diversity
鈥淚 appreciate Augsburg鈥檚 dedication not only to being a diverse community but also to giving students the opportunity to fully acknowledge this through various assignments and听campus activities.鈥澨�鈥擲ierra Barger 鈥�14
4. That small-college feel
鈥淎ugsburg is big enough to fit your needs, and small enough that you鈥檒l be noticed.鈥澨�擡lizabeth Hendrikson 鈥�14 MSW
5. The faculty
Professors, teachers, faculty members, instructors, mentors, and friends. The Class of 2014 used many names to describe the people at the head of the classroom and the backbone of their education. And, not surprisingly, these people were the most-cited aspect to love about Augsburg.
鈥淭he faculty are top notch and some of the most caring and听conscientious people I have ever met.鈥� 鈥擧olly Hanson 鈥�14 MAN
鈥淧rofessors are understanding and accommodating of non-traditional students鈥� individual circumstances.鈥澨�擬aya Sutton 鈥�14 MAE
鈥淚 love the close-knit community between students and professors.鈥� 鈥擜ndrew Dent 鈥�14
6. Life in the city
Augsburg is the only college of the ELCA located in the heart of a large urban area, and students use the Twin Cities as a metropolitan classroom where they can engage with College neighbors, community partners, and companies large and small.
鈥淚 love Augsburg because of its strong commitment to its mission and its dedication to being a College of the city. I have never been anywhere that has a clearer sense of its identity or that has tried harder to be a 鈥榞ood neighbor.鈥欌�澨�擬artha Truax 鈥�14 MAL, director of annual giving
7. Athletics
Augsburg teammates develop bonds akin to a 鈥渟econd family.鈥� From hockey to swimming and from basketball to lacrosse, approximately 450 students participate in varsity athletics at the College each year. It鈥檚 a good thing maroon is always in style.
鈥淭he bond that was built over the years of workouts, practices, games, wins, losses, and just hanging out was one of the biggest benefits to me throughout my college career.鈥澨� 鈥擥ary Mariscal 鈥�14 听
8. The dress code
Okay, okay. Wearing Norwegian sweaters to Velkommen Jul and bowties with formalwear isn鈥檛 actually required. But, it鈥檚 fun!
9. Experiential education
Augsburg was the first Minnesota college or university to receive the Presidential Award for Community Service. Each fall, incoming first-year and transfer students participate in City Service Day鈥攁 day on which the students volunteer at organizations matched to their degree programs and learn in the neighborhoods that surround Augsburg鈥檚 Minneapolis campus. Undergraduate students begin their experiential education on
Day 1, and it鈥檚 a priority that extends throughout each of Augsburg鈥檚 degree programs.
鈥淚 learned how to be a 鈥榗itizen professional,鈥� and work collaboratively with others to solve problems.鈥澨�擩udy Schlaefer 鈥�14 DNP听
10. Cohorts
Some of Augsburg鈥檚 programs follow a cohort model that allows students to travel together from course to course, fostering strong relationships between classmates and outlining a clear path toward a degree.
鈥淭he cohort model for the MBA program allows for great camaraderie!鈥� 鈥擜va Beilke 鈥�14 MBA
11. Global learning opportunities
Augsburg undergraduate and graduate students take courses around the world. Whether studying business in Germany, nursing in Namibia, or psychology in Slovenia, Auggies find that learning and living in a foreign culture catalyze academic, intercultural, and personal leadership skills and responsible global citizenship.
12. Dining together in Rochester
鈥淢eals for the Rochester students kept [our] energy up for long evening classes.鈥澨�擧eidi Ochtrup-Dekeyrel 鈥�14
听13. Small class sizes
Augsburg鈥檚 undergraduate classes average 13 to 17 students, which allows Auggies to learn from鈥攁nd with鈥攖heir professors and classmates.
14. Nearby restaurants
When it comes to dining out, the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood has something for everyone.
鈥淚 love that I can get a gyro, chicken curry, or Chicago-style hot dog all within a couple blocks of my dorm.鈥澨�擲amantha Cantrall 鈥�14
Tracy鈥檚 (just across I-94 on Franklin Avenue) serves up the 鈥淎ugsburger,鈥� which features two beef patties, sharp cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and a side of school spirit. Yum, yum.
鈥淭racy鈥檚 is amazing and within walking distance!鈥� 鈥擡mma Winegar 鈥�14
15. Auggie Days
Leading up to the start of the fall semester, this on-campus orientation for incoming first-year students is so memorable that people think of it as a highlight of their Augsburg experience鈥攅ven four years later. Part of the fun includes a Neighborhood Challenge relay in Murphy Square.
16. Peers (of course)
鈥淭he people鈥攆riendly, genuine, and approachable.鈥澨�擠enise Herrera 鈥�14 MAL,听senior admissions counselor
鈥淚 love the ability to build life-long relationships with people from many different backgrounds and from many different places around the world.鈥澨�擬atthew Schirber 鈥�14
17. The campus
Not every school is so lucky as to have a听7 陆 Street on campus.
鈥淚 love that you can walk anywhere on campus in less than 10 minutes.鈥澨�擬ollie King 鈥�14
18. StepUP
Augsburg鈥檚 StepUP Program helps students champion lives of recovery, achieve academic success, and thrive in a community of accountability and support. StepUP annually serves more than 100 students and is the largest residential collegiate recovery program in the United States.
19. The skyline
The Minneapolis campus has an eagle-eye view of downtown that鈥檚 perfectly fitting for the Auggie mascot. (We鈥檒l let you know how things are coming on the new Vikings stadium).
鈥淭here鈥檚 a stellar view of the city from the top of Mortensen.鈥� 鈥擩oe Vokracka 鈥�14
20. On-campus art galleries, pop-up exhibits鈥�
鈥uest speakers, music ensemble performances, and research festivals. It isn鈥檛 an exaggeration to say that there鈥檚 always something happening at Augsburg. Each spring, Zyzzogeton celebrates the creativity and scholarship of undergraduate students. It鈥檚 fun to say鈥攁nd to attend. The College also hosts scholars and professionals at the leading edge in students鈥� academic disciplines and showcases artwork by visiting artists and Auggies. The exhibition spaces around campus transform multiple times each year in order to present an array of innovative and inspirational pieces.
鈥淚 love the changing art exhibits.鈥� 鈥擶hitney Worley 鈥�14 MPA
21. The staff
You name it; they do it. In many ways, Augsburg locations are like small cities unto themselves where students eat, sleep, shop, socialize, learn, and live. Augsburg staff members foster an exceptional student experience at locations in Minnesota and around the world.
鈥淚 love the super helpful and nice financial aid advisers, and the well-organized Registrar鈥檚 Office staff.鈥� 鈥擧olly Reddy 鈥�14
22. The changing seasons
Winter sometimes can last a tad too long, but Minnesota鈥檚 seasons certainly add variety to Augsburg鈥檚 academic calendar. Each year the Quad features fall colors, spring blooms, summer picnics, and winter snow angels, which means the weather outside helps to emphasize the timeliness of the College鈥檚 in-house traditions.
23. Nearby sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes
Home of the Greenway and the Chain of Lakes, Minneapolis has 92 miles of on-street bikeways and 85 miles of off-street paths, not to mention an abundance of pedestrian-only zones.
鈥淚 love running and walking on the River Road.鈥澨�擫auren Rice 鈥�14
24. Arts and culture
Minneapolis has world-class museums, a vibrant dance scene, and more theater seats per capita than any U.S. city outside New York. It鈥檚 no wonder Minneapolis was named one of America鈥檚 most creative cities, and it鈥檚 no surprise that Auggies take advantage of the visual and performing arts in their midst.
鈥淚 love seeing new work at the Playwright Center just down the road.鈥� 鈥擧annah Youngquist 鈥�14
25. Its influence
A snapshot of graduation
The graduating class of 2014 added more than 750 Auggies鈥攆rom our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs鈥攖o the College鈥檚 alumni ranks.
Commencement ceremonies held May 3-4听featured the theme 鈥淭houghtful Stewards,鈥� which was inspired by the College鈥檚 mission statement and reflected the Augsburg community鈥檚 passion for social justice and sustainability.
鈥淎ugsburg changed how I think.鈥� 鈥擯eter Moore 鈥�14 MAL
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