Gift Announcements Archives - Page 2 of 10 - Giving to 含羞草传媒

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 含羞草传媒.

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 含羞草传媒 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 含羞草传媒鈥揵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 含羞草传媒.

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 含羞草传媒 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.

Sparking Innovation: The Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship

Posted on September 14, 2022

When Tom 鈥�72 and Karen Howe were thinking about how they could support Augsburg, they wanted to spark possibilities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. They decided to establish the Thomas 鈥�72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship at 含羞草传媒. Tom graduated from Augsburg in 1972 with a degree in business administration and he and Karen both have extensive leadership experience in the business sector. Tom was the owner and CEO of SwansonFlo Co from 1991-2022 while Karen was an account executive at the creative brand听agency, Yamamoto, and later went into business with their daughter, Liz, owning a pet boutique, LuLu & Luigi, in St. Louis Park and Wayzata.

Although he was studying business, Tom also participated on the wrestling team, made lifelong friends as a member of Gamma Phi Omega, (known today as the Gammas) and enjoyed taking classes that were outside of his major. Upon reflecting on what he took away from his time at Augsburg, Tom explained what the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion represents to him. 鈥淎lthough the building was built forty years after I graduated, the three disciplines taught in that space illustrate exactly what made a lasting impact on me,鈥� Tom shared. 鈥淢y business courses prepared me for a career, but I uniquely remember a religion class that explored all faiths and an astronomy class that examined our physical origins. They challenged my beliefs and expanded my mind. I may not have known it at the time, but Augsburg gave me much more than a degree.听Augsburg taught me critical thinking which is applied to every area of my life.”

Business and entrepreneurship followed Tom and Karen after graduating. Tom began working for his father鈥檚 company, Howe Inc. – a business that had been in the family for three generations. 鈥淚t was a great learning experience where I could contribute ideas and be part of the decision-making process, but I also had opportunities to fail and learn from my mistakes.鈥� Karen鈥檚 focus in home economics at the University of Minnesota contributed to her interest in the field. 鈥淚 enjoyed the marketing classes,鈥� Karen stated. 鈥淯nderstanding its [marketing] many facets became highly important in my day-to-day work.鈥� It was at Yamamoto where Karen honed her skills that prepared her to own her own business.听

Throughout the years, Karen and Tom have supported Augsburg in instrumental ways. At the heart of their philanthropy is their connection to Augsburg鈥檚 mission. 鈥淎ugsburg was founded as a Norwegian Lutheran college and provided an education to first-generation students. Today it continues to carry out that objective and provide students a three-dimensional education: make a living, make a life, and build a community,鈥� Tom said.听

Paul Mueller 鈥�84, chair of Augsburg鈥檚 Great Returns campaign shared, 鈥淲e are all grateful for Tom and Karen鈥檚 very generous gift to Augsburg. The Howes believe an Augsburg education will produce the next generation of business leaders who manifest ethical and conscious entrepreneurship鈥攂usiness leadership that makes the world a better place.鈥�听

Through the newly established Thomas 鈥�72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship, they hope to strengthen Augsburg鈥檚 business department and inspire innovation and leadership. 鈥淭wo-thirds of all students take classes or major in business. It introduces them to the free-market system, the positives of capitalism, and the power of freedom,鈥� Tom shared. Their accomplishments and desire to help current and future Auggies find success can all be tied back to the American dream. 鈥淵ou have to believe in yourself, get inspired, and figure out how your unique ideas can benefit society,鈥� Tom said. 鈥淭here are many ways people can find success and not everyone has the same starting point. You don鈥檛 have to know everything, but identify your talents and surround yourself with people who will complement your strengths.鈥� Karen added. For Tom and Karen, supporting Augsburg is an investment in future generations that has unlimited potential.

Provost and and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Paula O鈥橪oughlin shared, 鈥�We are incredibly grateful for the Howe’s generosity in establishing this endowed Professorship. Developing leaders through entrepreneurship among our students has been a signature commitment in Augsburg’s curriculum since our beginnings. The Thomas and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship in Entrepreneurship will enable us to broaden our offerings for students interested in starting their own businesses for years to come.鈥�

A Real Game Changer

Posted on July 11, 2022September 8, 2022

Basketball has played an important role in Patricia (Patty) Piepenburg鈥檚鈥�69 life. In her small hometown of Grove City, Minnesota, Patty discovered her natural athleticism. 鈥淚 grew up pre-Title IX, so the only exposure I really had to sports were through intramurals and gym class,鈥� she shared. Her high school team was organized through the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) where she and her teammates had to work hard to find other teams to play. They eventually convinced their advisor to play a neighboring town. In Patty鈥檚 words, it could be more accurately described as 鈥渟cheduling a time two schools could get together and do intramural activities.鈥� At the time, the rules were completely different for women鈥檚 basketball. It was played on half the court and each team had 6 players. Nonetheless, Patty fell in love with the game.听

A black and white photo of the Augiettes — *The 1966 Auggiettes (Patty pictured 2nd row, third in from the left)*

While she was a student at Augsburg, she participated on the Auggiettes women鈥檚 basketball team. During her four seasons, the team only lost four games, and were completely undefeated her junior year. She was also the leading scorer her last two years in school. A big part of the team鈥檚 success can be attributed to Patty鈥檚 coach at the time, LaVonne Johnson Peterson, or Mrs. Pete, more affectionately. 鈥淪he was a great teacher and friend. She played a big factor in me staying at Augsburg all four years,鈥� Patty shared.听

Patty graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1969. She taught and coached various grade levels in Atwater, Minnesota while also working double time to help her dad with their family farm. 鈥淭here came a point where I was just burned out and couldn鈥檛 do both anymore,鈥� Patty reflected on deciding to leave coaching and teaching after over 30 years. The family farm, conservation, and wildlife remain an important part of Patty鈥檚 life 鈥� she has even won awards for her conservation projects!

In 2011, Patty was inducted into . Although some of her teammates were inducted several years earlier, Patty wanted to be retired when she accepted the honor. 鈥淎 hall of famer is someone who not only contributed to the sports while they were in school, but it should also reflect what they went on to do after college,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt like I needed to earn my place.鈥�

Patty has given a generous gift to help update the Si Melby Women鈥檚 Locker room. The dedication will take place in October during Augsburg’s Homecoming Week and All-School Reunion, where Augsburg will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. When reflecting on what inspired this decision, Patty shared, 鈥淭rying to figure out your estate plans is difficult when you aren鈥檛 married and don鈥檛 have kids鈥� you want to channel it to where you think someone made a difference. I chose the women鈥檚 locker room because I would love to see a legacy.鈥� The advice Patty has for current and future generations of women athletes at Augsburg is, 鈥淎lways be prepared, be yourself, and willingly accept opportunities for leadership.鈥�

Public launch success for the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign

Posted on May 17, 2022June 14, 2022

On Friday, May 6, Augsburg alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends came together to celebrate the public launch of the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign. During the event, we shared that our public campaign goal is to raise $125,000,000. And we’ve already raised more than $105,000,000!

Thank you to Augsburg’s Board of Regents for fully funding this event and to anyone who has contributed to this historic campaign. We’re All In for our students, our community, and our world!

See why we’re all in:

Check out photos from our event! Photos are by Rebecca Slater.

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Creating a Legacy for Morgan

Posted on April 22, 2022April 22, 2022

Lori Larson and David Yesnes remember their son Morgan as a vibrant and generous person who loved to connect with others. Morgan valued deepening his knowledge. While studying at 含羞草传媒, Morgan discovered his affinity for history. He quickly developed an incredible passion for World War II. 鈥淭here was an event we were at where Morgan talked some guy鈥檚 ears off for over an hour about history!鈥� his sister Sydney remembered with amusement. Morgan faced daunting challenges with his health, however he didn鈥檛 let this stop him from living life to its fullest potential. Because of the experience Morgan had at Augsburg, creating the Morgan A. Yesnes Endowed History Scholarship in his memory was an easy decision for David and Lori to make. The family established their endowed scholarship in celebration of the joyous and resilient nature in which Morgan lived his life and in appreciation for 含羞草传媒鈥檚 commitment to serve all students, especially those who need financial and specialized learning support in housing and learning for an equitable education. Due to Morgan鈥檚 physical limitations, the family had to be selective about where Morgan could attend college. 鈥淲e had to choose a school that allowed for ease of mobility between buildings,鈥� Lori recalled. Augsburg was one of the few campuses in Minnesota that had skyways and wasn鈥檛 overwhelmingly big. 鈥淚t was also a great location because it was close enough to home but far enough for him to have independence,鈥� David added. They knew Augsburg was the right fit when they saw Morgan鈥檚 face immediately light up when he first arrived on campus.

One aspect about Augsburg Morgan鈥檚 family remembers with gratitude is the supportive environment Morgan experienced. 鈥淭he people in the CLASS center were so helpful when Morgan was in school. The accommodations he received helped him be independent鈥� the last thing he wanted was to feel different,鈥� Lori shared. This support, along with Morgan鈥檚 outgoing and caring nature, made it easy for him to find his place. He made friends by attending game nights in the student lounges, going to the occasional football game, and connecting with people in his classes.听

Lori, Sydney, and David sitting on a bench outside. Sydney is sitting between her parents and holding a glass water droplet. — Lori, Sydney, and David receiving a gifted water droplet from Augsburg for the endowed scholarship they created.

Morgan passed away on April 22, 2020 at the age of 24. Lori, David, and Sydney strive to live their lives in a way that honors Morgan and carries on his legacy of wanting to make a positive impact in people鈥檚 lives. When reflecting on what they hope their scholarship accomplishes, David shares, 鈥淚 want to give kids the opportunity to go to school, who might not otherwise have the chance due to financial barriers.鈥� 鈥淲e also want to give students a chance to grow and broaden their knowledge in a educational environment鈥� Really have that college experience and be part of a community,鈥� Lori said. The Larson Yesnes family believes that challenges and disadvantages should not prevent a bright future.

There is comfort and healing knowing that their gift is bigger than their family. The students who receive this scholarship will be connected to Morgan in a special way. The important lessons of resilience David, Lori, and Sydney learned through Morgan are something they hope they can pass onto future generations. 鈥淎lways live life to the fullest and never put limits on yourself and your dreams.鈥� Morgan鈥檚 enthusiasm delighted his teachers and inspired his peers. He lived a full, rich, and compassionate life.