Vangie’s deep connection to �鶹�� began when her father, Elnar Gundale ’33, emigrated from Norway and attended �鶹�� Seminary. Vangie attended classes on �鶹��’s campus from 1957-1959 as part of the Nurse’s Training Program through the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital. And three of Vangie’s siblings – John Gundale ’67, Stephen Gundale ’70, and Ruth Gundale ’73 – also attended �鶹��.

Vangie married Norm, a University of Minnesota graduate, and together they had two children, Mark and Rachel. Norm joined �鶹��’s Board of Regents in 1989 and both Norm and Vangie have faithfully served on �鶹��’s President’s Council since its inception in 2018. They embodied Christ’s teaching to love your neighbor, a core tenant of �鶹��’s mission.

Dr. Paul Mueller ’84 shared, “We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Vangie Hagfors and extend our condolences to our friend, Norm, and the entire Hagfors family. Vangie understood the tremendous value of an �鶹�� education rooted in our Lutheran faith. Over the years, the Hagfors have been leading benefactors of �鶹��. Their lead gift in 2015 resulted in the construction of the campus’ signature building, the Hagfors Center for Science, Business and Religion, in which our students—and future leaders—learn about and explore the intersections of these three disciplines.”

�ճ����Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is a multi-discipline complex that opened in January of 2018 and serves more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year.

Vangie’s gentle and generous spirit will be missed dearly by the �鶹�� community. She truly clothed herself in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” as we read about in Colossians 3:12.

President Paul Pribbenow shared that “It is a most sad day for all of us who have come to know and love Vangie. Her historic ties to �鶹�� through her father, the Rev. Elnar Gundale ’33, are fittingly celebrated in the beautiful Gundale Chapel in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion, and her deep faith was an inspiration to all of us. One of the greatest joys of my time at �鶹�� has been to witness the remarkable vision and generosity of Norm and Vangie, whose legacy is forever secure in the remarkable Hagfors Center – a transformative academic building that still takes my breath away with both its architectural beauty and its impact on our students and faculty each day. Along with her family and friends, we grieve Vangie’s death and celebrate a life so faithfully led.”

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 24, at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. Visitation will be held from 3 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, October 23, at Bradshaw, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, and one hour prior to the service at church. Read Vangie’s .

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“Under Heather’s leadership, generous Auggies have given millions of dollars for strategic campus improvements, created new scholarships for talented �鶹�� students, and made impacts well into the future. I am thrilled for Heather and confident in the great group of �鶹�� advancement leaders she’s encouraged, who will continue the culture of generosity at �鶹�� moving forward,” says Matt Entenza, chair of �鶹��’s Board of Regents

Heather joined �鶹�� in September 2012, during the capital campaign for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. Under Heather’s leadership, that campaign successfully raised more than $55 million from more than 1,000 donors. Heather herself closed three of the largest gifts for the Hagfors Center campaign, totaling more than $25 million.

“Heather’s leadership in Institutional Advancement has been nothing short of transformational,” says Robert Groven, associate professor of Communication Studies, Film & New Media, and director of the Minnesota Urban Debate League at �鶹��. “She built a true culture of collaboration and philanthropy across campus and throughout �鶹��’s worldwide network of alumni. Heather’s creativity and relationships helped to break nearly every fundraising record in �鶹�� history!”

Heather’s commitment to lead �鶹��’s development and constituent relations work has made a great impact on the university. During her time at �鶹��, Heather helped reimagine alumni relations and supervised an Alumni Board that has hosted many successful events in recent years, including �鶹��’s Sesquicentennial Gala and Homecoming in 2019. She has also helped lay the foundation for �鶹��’s first ever All School Reunion, to take place Fall 2022.

Beyond Heather’s fundraising skills was her ability to build an exceptional team in Institutional Advancement. The team has been working hard on the quiet phase for �鶹��’s next campaign, the Great Returns Campaign, which is already poised to reach a level of giving that will make it the largest single campaign in �鶹�� history.

“When I first met Heather, it was obvious that she found joy in both the art and science of philanthropic fundraising. When she came to �鶹�� nine years ago, she brought that joy, along with her strong professional experience and skills, and helped transform the culture of philanthropy for our university. There are obvious signs of her good work—the Hagfors Center, the Great Returns Campaign, Give to the Max Day records, and so on—but perhaps most importantly, she has invited all of us into the wonder of how philanthropy can transform an institution. Heather’s impact on �鶹�� will be clear well into our next 150 years,” says President Paul Pribbenow.

President Pribbenow has asked Assistant Vice President of Advancement, Amy Alkire, to serve as interim vice president for Advancement. Assistant Vice President for Special Projects Sarah Erkkinen and Senior Director of Advancement Kristen Cooper will work closely with Amy and President Pribbenow on organizational planning during this transition.

The �鶹�� Community shares our gratitude for Heather’s work as she embarks on a new adventure. We thank her for her unyielding commitment and dedication over the past nine years and wish her all the best.

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Join Auggie women on a special exploration of the new Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. This tour, led by Religion professor Marty Stortz, will begin with reflection in the Gundale Chapel, highlighting the vocational journey of �鶹�� students; then a visit to the Food Lab; and along the way, reflect on the inspirational art that captures the intersections between science, business, and religion.

About Auggie Talks:

They’re back by popular demand! Join us for 30-minute, insightful sessions presented by professors and fellow alumni on topics spearheaded by your class reunion groups. Talks will be published as they become available on social media and in upcoming communications.

Space is limited. Please register today for Auggie Talks.

Other Auggie Talks:

• HOMECOMING AUGGIE TALK: THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE, YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW – HOSTED BY THE CLASS OF 1978
• HOMECOMING AUGGIE TALK: STRENGTHENING EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION: A NEW ERA – HOSTED BY THE CLAIR & GLADYS STROMMEN CENTER FOR MEANINGFUL WORK
• HOMECOMING AUGGIE TALK: ADVOCATING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUALITY WITHIN THE LAST DECADE – HOSTED BY THE CLASS OF 2008
• HOMECOMING AUGGIE TALK: RESIDENCE LIFE THEN AND NOW – HOSTED BY THE CLASS OF 1993

The post Homecoming Auggie Talk: A Hagfors Center Pilgrimage – Hosted by AWE (�鶹�� Women Engaged) appeared first on Alumni, Parents, and Friends.

• Please allow for extra travel time as we expect extra traffic due to pre-Superbowl activities.
• Free valet parking will be provided in the roundabout in front of the Hagfors Center on 21st Avenue.
• Throughout the afternoon, students and faculty will be on hand to provide laboratory tours and to share the transformational difference this new facility makes to their educational experience.
• Food and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon including a mac and cheese bar, roasted vegetables and dip, a dessert bar with choke cherry ice cream, meringue and fruit purée, mini lemon tartlets, and more.

For further information please click here.

The post Join us for the Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center Grand Opening this Saturday! appeared first on Alumni, Parents, and Friends.

One of the current physical centerpieces of the campus, Science Hall, was constructed in 1947-1948 and opened for fall semester classes in 1949. Like the new Hagfors Center, which will realign how the campus is used, this multi-functional building became a hub, not only for science classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls, but also for campus life.

It was home to administrative offices, faculty offices, the student lounge, student org offices, the home economics department, and a prayer chapel on the fourth floor. Originally a library was envisioned as a part of this capital project, but was built separately years later. The Lisa Odland Observatory, which was constructed on the roof and accessed by an exterior stairway, was added in 1960.  The building cost $450,000 and was supported by Lutheran Free Church members, as well as alumni and other friends.  It was reported that part way through the fundraising campaign, 350 students gave a total of $3,611, towards their overall goal of $6,000. Alumni who gave financially to make this building an integral part of the �鶹�� experience include Luther A. ’29 and Clarette (Jorenby) ’29 Arnold, Paul R. ’42 and Maxine Fridlund, Lisa Odland, Johan N. Sverdrup, and General Leif J. Sverdrup ’18.

As we eagerly await the grand opening of the Hagfors Center, this series we will pay homage to the important people who made the original science hall a possibly. In “Did you know? Alumni behind the Science Building” we will explore each week specific generous donors of “Old Science” Hall, and highlight the importance of the building to �鶹�� College.

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The post Collaborate with Artists on Hagfors Center Artwork appeared first on Alumni, Parents, and Friends.

You’re invited to an Art & Identity campaign kickoff to meet the artists and view original artwork available for sponsorship. More than 25 pieces are available for sponsorship, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Each unique work was created for the Hagfors Center by area artists, including alumni, faculty, and staff.

Art & Identity Campaign Kickoff
Monday, November 21
9-11 a.m.
Courtyard Marriott, East Town Ballroom
1500 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454

RSVP to this event

Learn more about this artful articulation of �鶹��’s mission and see some of the first artwork available for sponsorship at the Art & Identity Campaign page.

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Following chapel, join us from 11am-12pm in Oren Gateway Center Room 100 for a panel with Q&A moderated by Regent Matt Entenza. The panel will feature partners helping in planning �鶹��’s campus transformation into an Urban Arboretum. Learn how we will maximize green space to improve experiences for students, faculty, staff, and our neighbors!

Panelists include:
Tom Oslund Principal, Oslund & Associates, Landscape Architect
Dale Pederson ’70, Associate Professor, Biology
Ralph Sievert, Director of Forestry & Certified Arborist, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Augsburg College.

The post Planting Seeds for an Urban Arboretum • October 14 appeared first on Alumni, Parents, and Friends.