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Supporting Global Education

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Lee and John Roper-Batker
Lee ’88 and John Roper-Batker

Lee 鈥�88 and John planned early on in their lives to give back to a program that affected them so dramatically: Augsburg鈥檚 Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE).

鈥淚t鈥檚 where we met and fell in love! John was a student at Pacific Lutheran and I was at Augsburg,鈥� says Lee. “Our experiences in the program allowed us to recognize our shared values and commitment to equity, while enjoying life.”

Lee and John made lifelong friends through their CGEE trip to Central America, people who are still their good friends today. Their experience had a major impact on both of their careers. Before the trip, John planned on getting his PhD in plant ecology and doing research. However, he was so drawn to what he learned in Central America that he decided to become a teacher instead.

鈥淪tudying Freire and seeing the impact of liberating education in Mexico and Nicaragua opened my eyes to what education can bring about in a person鈥檚 life. CGEE allowed me to see teaching as an impactful, inspiring career,鈥� says John.

For Lee, the experience reinforced everything she was already doing.

鈥淚 was committed to advance gender and racial equity and justice. CGEE helped me realize the importance of listening to communities and centering their wisdom as the foundation of change. I also witnessed the courage to act. I have applied these principles throughout my career,鈥� says Lee.

CGEE also impacted how Lee and John would raise their daughter.

鈥淲e have a family mission statement! It鈥檚 written on a cocktail napkin somewhere鈥� but basically it鈥檚: create a family that is supportive and provides agency, love, kindness, joy, and growth as we move through the world and do our part to create change,鈥� says Lee.

Lee and John enrolled their daughter in a global exchange program in Guatemala when she was in high school, where she helped with the local community and learned Spanish. Their daughter, Astia, had such a good experience that she went on to do a semester in Ecuador during college. Both of these experiences impacted her life and career in much the same way as her parents. Lee and John are proud that today Astia provides bilingual medical care as a doctor.

鈥淢y parents raised me with the practice of tithing. I think that鈥檚 part of the reason I have a very comfortable relationship with using money as a resource for change. Philanthropy is just tithing on a macro level,鈥� says Lee.

Financially, Lee and John barely made their trip to Central America work. Lee was working full time and going to school full time. The reason they are giving back to Augsburg鈥檚 CGEE program today is to make the same experience available to students who might not otherwise be able to go.聽

鈥淭here are scholarships and grants that help with tuition, but things like living expenses, incidental money, airline tickets, and lost income from not working are generally not covered and can present a big barrier. We鈥檙e delighted to make this gift in the hope that it will help remove barriers. And we hope others will join us in supporting CGEE,鈥� says Lee.

The Roper-Batker family wants to use their resources to create more equitable outcomes in this world.聽

鈥淭o me, the question is how do you align your values with your philanthropy. It鈥檚 important to John and me that our legacy changes systems in order to multiply opportunities for many people; our wealth is not for family inheritance. It feels great to know that we will have a small part in creating a more level playing field so that any student can enjoy the transformative experience of immersion study abroad.”

If you are interested in giving back to Augsburg, please visit our giving page: /giving/how-to-give/.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all interconnected. We all need each other to survive and to create a world that鈥檚 free of violence, with equal opportunities, and full of love and kindness.鈥�

Supporting Future Student Experiences

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Carol Seiler 鈥�90, 鈥�93 MAL
Carol Seiler 鈥�90, 鈥�93 MAL

Carol Seiler鈥檚 personal mission is to contribute to the greater good. Whether this is through her job, through volunteer work, or through donations, she feels she must contribute through all aspects of her life. Her Augsburg experience, particularly in her undergraduate courses, affirmed this.聽

鈥淚 always need to feel like I’m contributing to something. I think we would all like to leave the world a better place,鈥� she says.

Carol has been supporting women鈥檚 organizations since the 70鈥檚. Having a service frame of mind is something she remembers from an early age, and something she learned from her father through his involvement in their local government.聽

When she graduated from high school, Carol was not encouraged to go to college. Instead, she was told what many women were told in that time: become a nurse, a secretary, or a teacher. But Carol wanted more. After working for many years at Honeywell, she wanted a change.

鈥淚 just woke up one morning and decided it was time [to go to college]. I looked at a few schools and found Augsburg. Augsburg was perfect for me because it was urban, diverse, had a small campus, classes were available nights and weekends, and I liked the curriculum. Once I stepped in a classroom I didn鈥檛 want to leave.鈥�

Carol joined Augsburg鈥檚 Weekend College and earned her Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Communications in 1990. She continued at Augsburg to earn a Master鈥檚 Degree in Leadership, graduating in 1993.

鈥淭he whole experience was really life changing. That鈥檚 why I want to leave this gift so that other people can have that experience. Especially women, and especially women of color who are historically underserved.鈥�

Carol is gifting a portion of her estate to the Augsburg Women Engaged Endowed Scholarship.

鈥淚 want to leave my estate gift to an organization that’s going to do good things in the world. I had such a wonderful experience at Augsburg and to help give someone else that opportunity is very rewarding.鈥�

When asked what she wishes to pass along to future generations, Carol said to never stop learning.聽

鈥淩ecognize and acknowledge your value in the world.鈥�

Carol worked for Honeywell for 35 years in their human resources department and credits Honeywell鈥檚 excellent education benefits for her success. She hopes that her estate gift will enable young women in the future to earn a degree and follow their passions.

Why I Give to the Augsburg Endowment Fund

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An anonymous donor sent a letter to us, along with their generous gift to the Augsburg Endowment Fund. We believe their words ring true to the heart of Augsburg, and ring true to the goal of raising our endowment fund.

I give to the Augsburg Endowment Fund with thanks and fond memories of my four years there. My husband and I have given scholarships to Augsburg for many years, even though we did not live in Minneapolis after our college days. Augsburg has always been valued and it is my hope that the school will always be there to educate and direct people to be responsible citizens of the world.

In grade school and high school, I was always the youngest in my class and became the first of my family to get a college education. The years at Augsburg actually became the place where I grew up and formed an outlook for life. The professors were there to educate, but also to motivate and guide me. The friends I made at Augsburg became my friends for life.

It is always a pleasure to see and hear the great things Augsburg students achieve. I specified these funds go to the Augsburg Endowment Fund for two reasons. First, Augsburg competes with many other small schools and the Endowment Fund should be much larger. Secondly, I want Augsburg to exist and thrive for many more years.

The school today serves the same purpose it did when I was in school, but it reaches a larger variety of people. It offers the opportunities of a city and still motivates great ethics. My Augsburg education taught me that life is an Avocation – a responsibility to the world.

Supporting Future Nurses at Augsburg

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Lloyd and Barbara AmundsonAt the end of 2020, Lloyd Amundson decided to start a nursing scholarship at Augsburg. But this wasn鈥檛 the first nursing scholarship he鈥檇 established. It wasn鈥檛 even the second. Lloyd and his late wife, Barbara, have multiple nursing scholarships set up around the country, from Maui to Sioux Falls and now at Augsburg.

鈥淣ursing scholarships have been our pride. My wife and I were sold on the nursing profession because we feel like they鈥檙e the masters of the health care industry. Doctors are good, of course, but when the doctor walks into a room, the nurses have everything ready for them to go,鈥� says Lloyd.

One of Lloyd鈥檚 passions is a nursing program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester he and his wife helped launch years ago, which helps nurses continue their education.

鈥淚 have a good friend named Leeann Johnson who has really been a good pusher for these things, so now we鈥檙e doing more to urge nurses to go on to higher education to earn a master鈥檚 degree in nursing.鈥�

Lloyd graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951. While in school, he didn鈥檛 know much about Augsburg other than it was a smaller school near the U of M and had a good athletics program. Lloyd followed Auggie Jeroy Carlson’s career. Also known as “Mr. Augsburg,” Jeroy played baseball, basketball, and football as a student and was part of four MIAC championship teams. Years later, Lloyd and his wife started going to Mayo Clinic and met Dr. Paul Mueller ’84. Paul is a Regent Emeriti of 含羞草传媒, is a past chair of Augsburg鈥檚 Board of Regents, and currently serves as Chair of Augsburg鈥檚 Great Returns campaign.

鈥淲e鈥檙e nuts for Mayo since they鈥檝e taken care of us over the years. My wife had pancreatic cancer, it was a routine checkup and Dr. Mueller caught it. He is a really, really good guy, a good doctor. He was such a supporter of my wife.鈥�

So when Lloyd was looking to establish another scholarship, he thought of the university that Dr. Mueller loves so much and started the Lloyd A. and Barbara A. Amundson Nursing Scholarship Honoring Dr. Paul Mueller ’84.

Lloyd hopes this scholarship will inspire more students to go into nursing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good job, it鈥檚 a responsible job, and we need more people in there. I would like to see this nursing program get a lot bigger. We鈥檙e working our way into a bad problem of not having enough nurses. As the population is getting older, like I am, we need to be careful to graduate enough qualified nurses.鈥�

Lloyd also hopes his gift will encourage others to create their own scholarships for students.

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to Augsburg nursing students, prioritizing students who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need, and are passionate about nursing.

Nancy Mueller, President Paul Pribbenow and Paul Mueller
Nancy Mueller, President Paul Pribbenow, and Paul Mueller ’84. Photo courtesy of Coppersmith Photography.

鈥淚 have had the pleasure of knowing Lloyd Amundson for many years. I also knew his wife, Barbara. Their love for each other and their communities was obvious. After his wife died several years ago, Lloyd has expressed his enduring love for her and compassion for others through generous philanthropy. Lloyd is a strong advocate for education, especially of future nurses. Lloyd appreciates the student-centric values of 含羞草传媒 and the outstanding nurses that graduate from Augsburg鈥攎any of whom now work at Mayo Clinic. Lloyd鈥檚 generous gift will support the training of many future Augsburg nursing students.鈥�

鈥� Paul Mueller 鈥�84

Chair of Augsburg鈥檚 Great Returns campaign

 

Donors who give annually to academic scholarships or create permanent scholarship endowments reduce student debt and provide financial support to those who may not otherwise be able to afford college. These gifts encourage students in highly valued academic disciplines, reward students for high achievement, and inspire students to pay it forward.

If you are interested in supporting an existing scholarship or creating a new scholarship, please visit Giving To 含羞草传媒.

Matching Challenge: Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Scholarship

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Eleanor and John Yackel

Eleanor and John Yackel first became acquainted with Augsburg through the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE). They took a trip to Nicaragua with the CGEE founder and first director, Professor , and loved the connections they made with Auggie students through travel. When they returned from their trip, they discussed ways to stay connected with students, stay connected with Augsburg, and ways to encourage travel in higher learning.

鈥淓leanor had the heart for sharing with others,鈥� says John. 鈥淪he was the driving force in guiding our philanthropic interests and goals.鈥�

In 1998, Eleanor and John established the first of many endowed scholarships to support students engaging in educational experiences through CGEE. Both believe that higher education serves a purpose greater than just getting a job and making money. Higher education is where students discover their passions and commit to social justice and service to the world.

So when John heard about the Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Scholarship initiative this fall, he knew Eleanor would have wanted to help.

鈥淢y first reaction when hearing about the Students of Color crowdfunding campaign was, 鈥極h I like that!鈥� It鈥檚 timely and necessary right now. Eleanor and I believed in Augsburg. Augsburg is a shining example of an institution that really cares. Their acceptance for all goes way back. Augsburg reaches out to those who are typically ignored. Their focus on their urban neighbors, reaching out to students of color, as well as students in recovery and students with disabilities. Racial and social justice was always important to my wife especially, which is why I鈥檓 offering $50,000 as a matching challenge for the Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Scholarship initiative in her honor.鈥�

John is calling on the Augsburg community to support students through the new Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies program. You may give online by clicking , or you can contact Ilse Rolf 鈥�93 in our Institutional Advancement office at 612-330-1512 or rolfi@augsburg.edu.

A Family Tradition of Giving – Kristine Pearson Endowed Scholarship

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Kris Pearson 鈥�78, established the Kristine Pearson Endowed Scholarship
Kris Pearson 鈥�78

Kris attended Augsburg carrying on a family tradition of Auggies majoring in Psychology. Her parents Jim E. Peterson ’50 and Gladys M. Dahlberg ’52 met at Augsburg, fell in love, and were married after Jim completed seminary at Luther Seminary.

鈥淚 remember my first week at Augsburg I called and said I want to come home. I missed my mom鈥檚 home cooked meals, I hated living in the dorms. My dad said no, you have to live there at least one year and have that college experience and then you can decide next year. He was right. Two weeks in I absolutely loved it,鈥� says Kris.

Kris pursued a career with the airline industry for many years. Then in 2009, she left to pursue a career in real estate with faith-based company Keller Williams. Faith has always been important to Kris and her family. Kris’s grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle were also Lutheran ministers.

鈥淢y parents tithed 10% regardless, before food or anything else. That was instilled in me very young. To the church, Augsburg, etc. In order to keep things running, they need money. I think it鈥檚 important for all alumni to give at any level. You don鈥檛 need to give $25K. Even $20 is important. If everyone gave that much, think of what that adds up to,鈥� says Kris.

Over the years, Kris has continued to stay involved with Augsburg, serving on the Board and Augsburg Women Engaged Advisory Council. And now she has established a new scholarship 鈥� the Kristine Pearson Endowed Scholarship 鈥� to support women becoming ordained ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

Jim '50 and Gladys '52 Peterson
Jim ’50 and Gladys ’52 Peterson

鈥淢y parents have a scholarship at Augsburg in memory of their parents, in Physicians鈥� Assistant studies. As I was doing estate planning I was thinking about where I would want some of my money to go. Augsburg means a lot to me because I鈥檓 an alumna, but also because my parents met there,鈥� says Kris. 鈥淚鈥檓 an ELCA delegate to my church, we have a female bishop which I love, and we don鈥檛 have enough women going into seminary.鈥�

Kris hopes her scholarship will help students overcome the financial burden of a higher education. She also hopes her scholarship will encourage others to think about endowing scholarships 鈥� now or as part of their retirement or estate plan.

鈥淭hankfully we have those that can give big gifts and we need them, but in order to serve our students, we need everyone to participate. My generation, the Boomers, are not the tithers our parents were. But I think we need to get back to giving more. I would encourage people to look at what $20/month would look like in their budget.鈥�

鈥淚 love Advent Vespers. I鈥檝e been going for 30+ years. This year, we鈥檙e not going to have Vespers, Velkommen Jul, and some of those things that rejuvenate us as an Augsburg community. So I would encourage people to take some time to go back and study the history of Augsburg and how Augsburg was founded, the campus, Murphy Square, and Luther Seminary鈥檚 affiliate history with Augsburg and be proud of the fact that you are part of a great institution.鈥�

Supporting Students in the Sciences – Karen ’67 and David ’67 Haugen

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David and Karen (Jacobson) Haugen Endowed Scholarship Fund supports students majoring in science.

Karen鈥檚 family has a long history with Augsburg. She attended Augsburg, graduating in 1967. Karen鈥檚 brother and nephew also went to Augsburg. Her uncle, Conrad Sunde, left his estate to Augsburg after multiple conversations with Jeroy Carlson, a senior development officer for Augsburg known as 鈥淢r. Augsburg.鈥�

鈥淚 have always thought of giving to Augsburg,鈥� Karen says.

Philanthropy also runs deep with her family. When Karen was 10 years old, her small town raised money to build a hospital. She remembers her family not having much money, but her parents still made a pledge.

David was the first in his family to go to college. Growing up in Minneapolis, Augsburg was the obvious choice for higher education because he could live at home and still work while in school. David鈥檚 parents also regularly gave to their church and supported missionaries, instilling a sense of philanthropy in him at a young age.

The Haugen鈥檚 both credit Augsburg鈥檚 great education as the start of their successful careers. David went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for biochemistry and felt he was as well prepared as any student.

鈥淭he buildings, campus, so many accommodations for people with disabilities, so much diversity. All the emphasis on working with people in the neighborhood is so inspiring. And seeing the new building and labs now is so impressive,鈥� says David.

The couple established the David and Karen (Jacobson) Haugen Endowed Scholarship Fund through a portion of their estate. The scholarship will support students majoring in the sciences.

鈥淔or us, giving a large sum of money now is not possible. But, we鈥檙e so glad we can do it from our estate, because that is possible. I鈥檓 glad this is an option,鈥� says Karen.

Karen and David hope that the scholarship will encourage students to consider a career in science, or at least an opportunity to be literate in science.

Participating in His Estate Gift

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<em>Augsburg students in Vanuatu, including Mark Johnson 鈥�75 and Professor Tim Pippert</em>
Augsburg students in Vanuatu, including Mark Johnson 鈥�75 and Professor Tim Pippert

A few years ago, Mark Johnson 鈥�75 updated his estate plans to include Augsburg. He wanted his estate gift to honor Professor Joel Torstenson, the 鈥渇ather鈥� of Sociology at Augsburg who started the Metro-Urban Studies program at Augsburg in 1971. Mark was one of the first students to graduate from Augsburg鈥檚 Metro-Urban Studies program, now called Urban Studies. He also went on Augsburg鈥檚 first Scandinavian Urban Studies Semester trip to Oslo, Norway. Mark鈥檚 gift will fund a professorship for faculty in the Urban Studies or Sociology departments.

Mark has been very involved at Augsburg since graduating in 1975. Along with joining the Board of Regents, Mark has been in constant contact with the Urban Studies and Sociology departments. And his connection has gone above and beyond monetary gifts.

鈥淐ommunity involvement is important,鈥� Mark said. 鈥淢y job was a chance to encourage people to reach out beyond themselves and to seek ways to be a bridge builder of relationships.鈥�

As Mark witnessed the impact of quality faculty in today鈥檚 educational environment, he wanted to support the transformational effect of an education rich in experiences. This is why he started the Torstenson Scholars in 2015.

Professor Joel Torstenson
Professor Joel Torstenson

Joel Torstenson came to Augsburg as a history major from rural West Central Minnesota. After graduating in 1938, he worked in education for farmer鈥檚 co-ops. He began teaching part-time at Augsburg upon earning a master鈥檚 degree in history and sociology. During the war years, he became involved in the peace movement and participated in establishing a cooperative farm community, which led to employment with Midland Cooperatives as an educational director and community organizer. In the fall of 1947, President Christensen invited him back to Augsburg to develop its programs in social work and sociology while completing his doctorate in sociology at the University of Minnesota.

Today, the legacy of Joel Torstenson lives on through the Torstenson Scholars program, sociology and metro-urban studies majors, the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, HECUA, and the college-wide 鈥淓ngaging Minneapolis鈥� requirement. Torstenson鈥檚 work also gave birth to the college-wide requirement that started as the 鈥淯rban Concern,鈥� which was succeeded by the 鈥淐ity Perspective,鈥� and is now known as the 鈥淓ngaging Minneapolis鈥� requirement.

Students in the Torstenson Scholars program are financially supported for one academic year, which includes a research trip with the Sociology or Urban Studies department. Mark鈥檚 funding has been used in four significant trips: a research trip to Vanuatu in September of 2018; two research trips to Williston, North Dakota, in 2017 and 2019 to study the effects of the oil boom on a small town; and a community research project in Two Harbors, Minnesota, Mark鈥檚 hometown.

As a Regent, Mark came to understand the significant positive impact of philanthropy at Augsburg.

鈥淭he question always has been: How can we manage change for the good of all?鈥� says Mark.

He didn鈥檛 want to wait for the day when the estate gift would arrive at Augsburg’s door. Instead, he decided to launch the Torstenson Professorship now so he can actively participate in the things that will be supported by gifts in his estate plan. Mark also wants to encourage his fellow Auggies to join him in honoring Professor Torstenson.

Mark has seeded the endowed professorship fund with a gift of $50,000 and an available match of another $100,000. He hopes others will join him by giving to the fund to remember Joel’s legacy.

鈥淛oel touched many lives and I think a contribution to the professorship is a great way to commemorate that. All contributors to this fund 鈥� a small gift or large gift 鈥� will be acknowledged equally,鈥� says Mark.

Until the endowed fund reaches $250,000, Mark is funding the professorship annually.

Briana Mitchell 鈥�19, Britta Andress 鈥�19, and Sociology Professor Tim Pippert in Vanuatu
Briana Mitchell 鈥�19, Britta Andress 鈥�19, and Professor Tim Pippert in Vanuatu

“We are so grateful to Mark Johnson for his generosity and vision in honoring the Torstenson legacy at Augsburg with this professorship,鈥� says President Paul Pribbenow. 鈥淚t is particularly meaningful to me that Professor Tim Pippert will be the first incumbent of the Torstenson Endowed Professor. I have had the privilege to teach with Tim and to witness his commitment to our students.鈥�

Professor Timothy Pippert joined the Augsburg faculty in 1999.聽 He holds bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His teaching interests center on family systems, juvenile delinquency, homelessness and affluence, statistics, research methods, and race, class, and gender. In 2011, he received the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning – Excellence in Teaching Award.

If you would like to donate to the Torstenson Professorship, or are interested in funding a new professorship, please contact Amy Alkire at alkirea@augsburg.edu or 651-323-4844.

Life Lessons Through Study Abroad

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Dennis and Anita King
Dennis and Anita King

Dennis King 鈥�70 credits Augsburg with helping him develop the tools and mind-set needed to succeed in life.

鈥淚 did not fully realize this during my professional career. It hit me when I retired and looked at my life in retrospect.鈥�

His career, first in Spanish Language Education and then International Business in Latin America, stretched his mind to work successfully in other cultures, languages, and with divergent points of view.

Dennis studied at Augsburg in the late 60鈥檚 when the Canadian Philosopher, Marshall McLuhan, was widely read regarding media. He coined the phrase 鈥淕lobal Village鈥� and in many respects predicted the World Wide Web and the inevitable move toward globalization.

鈥淎ll of this transformed me along the way.鈥�

Dennis established the Dennis and Anita King Endowed Fund to honor his wife, Anita. Dennis met Anita at Augsburg before she transferred to the University of Minnesota. Anita supported and participated in Dennis鈥檚 professional journey throughout their 42 years of marriage. Dennis hopes that this gift will help other Auggies on their path to find the same kind of fulfillment that he found.

鈥淚 believe the Study Abroad Program at 含羞草传媒 is the vehicle to do this.鈥�

Inspiration That Lasts a Lifetime: Naomi ’81 and Steve Staruch

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Naomi (Christensen) '81 and Steve Staruch with an Augsburg Water Droplet
Naomi (Christensen) ’81 and Steve Staruch with an Augsburg Water Droplet

When alumna Naomi 鈥�81 and her husband, Steve, updated their will this past April, they knew 含羞草传媒 would be part of their legacy.

鈥淎ugsburg and the people who have become my lifelong friends 鈥� both fellow students, alumni colleagues, and faculty 鈥� have been a large part of how my life continues to be molded and shaped.”

Naomi grew up in a family dedicated to faith. When she was a child, her father would often speak about stewardship and using what God gives us to continue God鈥檚 purposes here on earth.

鈥淚 recall a small white church coin bank that I received as a child. I collected my coins in that bank until it was time to make the gift to the church. Emptying the whole thing was exciting. I can see it as cathartic now, liberating in a way.”

Naomi graduated from Augsburg in 1981 with a degree in Elementary Education. As a student, she was captivated by Leland B. Sateren鈥檚 dedication to all things Augsburg music, especially in the context of sacred texts.

She reflects that, “singing for Lee made the scriptures come alive!” That experience, as well as 40+ more years of singing in several metro area choirs, is the reason she and Steve made a significant gift to the Leland B. Sateren Choral Music Scholarship.

Naomi also fondly remembers working for both President Oscar Anderson and President Chuck Anderson. “Despite their leadership responsibilities, both presidents made a point to have a working relationship with me as a student.” In addition, she was spellbound learning from and about Bernhard and Gracia Christensen through their devotion to the institution. These examples of leadership are inspiration to Naomi, enlightening how to best approach relationships of all sorts and informing the legacy gift to the Bernhard Christensen Center for Vocation.

The Staruch鈥檚 are photographed here with an Augsburg Water Droplet. Benefactors who choose to invest in an endowed scholarship receive a handmade glass water droplet crafted by Anchor Bend Glassworks.