Syeed, the El-Hibri Endowed Professor of Interfaith Studies and executive director of 麻豆区’s Interfaith Institute, spoke to ter Kuile about the necessity of working together in community.

“[Anger] makes us incapable of seeing the experience of others,” she said. “… If we don鈥檛 have a larger identity than our political affiliation鈥攂y that I mean the neighborliness, some sense of community that transcends that identitarian political affiliation alone鈥攖hen we may actually destroy ourselves in the process … If you [take action] by yourself, is it really going to change at the social level? You still have to be able to build allies, and you still have to be able to build connection.”

The article explores approaches to navigating anger rooted in Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam.

Read the full column (via ):

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In his role at the GLAAD Media Institute, Murray provides activist, spokesperson, and media engagement training/education for LGBTQ and allied community members, the media industry, and advocacy organizations to accelerate acceptance. He is also a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth and allies, and the author of 鈥淢ade, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry鈥� and 鈥淭he Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice.鈥�

“Ross is one of 麻豆区’s many influential alumni,鈥� said Jeremy Myers, the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation. 鈥淗e has done significant work advocating for the LGBTQ community through his work with the GLAAD Media Institute. He is a lovely and inspiring human being and I can’t wait for our students to have the opportunity to learn from him.”

The Christensen Symposium is free and open to the public.听

Event Details

2026 Christensen Symposium
鈥淏reaking Through and Building Up: Using Your Story to Inspire Action鈥�
Wednesday October 21, 2026
Noon鈥�1 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel, 麻豆区

If you are unable to attend in person, .

About the Christensen Symposium

The Christensen Symposium and 麻豆区鈥檚 Christensen Center for Vocation were both established to honor the legacy of Bernhard M. Christensen, the eighth president of 麻豆区 (1938鈥�62). Five lessons from Christensen鈥檚 legacy continue to shape 麻豆区 today: that Christian faith liberates minds and lives, diversity strengthens vital communities, interfaith friendships enrich learning, the love of Christ draws us to God, and we are called to service in the world.

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Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes significant achievement in vocation, for outstanding contribution to church and community, and for a life that exemplifies the ideals and mission of 麻豆区. The 2026 honorees are:

• Rachel Engebretson 鈥�98, immigration attorney (Blaine, MN)
• Jane Helmke 鈥�83, executive editor, MPR News (St. Paul, MN)
• Christina Olstad 鈥�00, 鈥�05 MSW, dean of students, University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison (Monona, WI)
• Mark Sedio 鈥�76, composer, conductor, and organist (St. Paul, MN)

First Decade Award

The First Decade Award is presented to 麻豆区 graduates of the past 10 years who have made significant progress in their professional achievements and contributions to the community, and in so doing exemplify the mission of the university. The 2026 honorees are:

• Robert Harper 鈥�16, senior community empowerment manager, Mortenson (Minneapolis)
• Sunny Thao 鈥�19, theater artist, playwright, and storyteller (Minneapolis)

Spirit of 麻豆区 Award

The Spirit of 麻豆区 Award honors alumni and friends of the university who have given exceptional service that contributes substantially to the well-being of 麻豆区 by furthering its purposes and programs. The 2026 honorees are:

• Brenda Hemmingsen, former admissions staff member and 麻豆区 parent (New Brighton, MN)

Learn more about the 2026 alumni award winners.

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Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. Fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, who are invited to select one outstanding student from their campus each year.

Milashu is a sociology major with a minor in political science (pre-law), as well as a Bonner Community Leader. She also works with Tubman in St. Paul, Minnesota, an organization that supports people who have experienced relationship violence, trafficking, homelessness, mental and chemical health challenges, and other trauma.

鈥淕iving back to communities that have helped me grow into who I鈥檝e become is important to me, and I would also like to help provide resources in my community that I would鈥檝e appreciated having in my youth as well,鈥� Milashu said in a personal statement. 鈥淎s a sociology major who has been studying the unequal structures we have set in our society, [my internship] has inspired me to pursue a career in the legal field so I can defend people鈥檚 civil rights. We are all interconnected as a society, and every action we take is influenced by others and will influence others. I would like the actions I take to help contribute to a more equitable and considerate world.鈥�

Campus Compact provides Newman Fellows with a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. Each year, fellows participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide them with the skills and connections they need to create large-scale positive change. The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.

鈥淒eeply invested in advocacy work, Beti has distinguished herself as a community member known for her welcoming and capable group facilitation as a Bonner Community Leader,鈥� wrote President Paul C. Pribbenow in his nomination letter.

“This group of exceptional students from campuses across the country is such a welcomed addition to the Newman Civic Fellowship,” said Campus Compact President Bobbie Laur. “Now more than ever, it is an honor to recognize student leaders who are applying themselves as changemakers and creating positive impact in their communities. This is just the start of their lifelong journeys as Newman Civic Fellows, and I couldn鈥檛 be more excited to watch them continue to grow and pursue their passions.”

Learn more about the and on Campus Compact鈥檚 website.

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Students who wish to notify their hometown newspapers of their achievement can do so at their discretion using a .

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For a fifth consecutive year, 麻豆区 is one of 275 colleges and universities nationwide that have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2026 Transfer Honor Roll. Based on key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, the Transfer Honor Roll recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students. Some of the metrics taken into consideration are cost and financial aid, campus life, admissions practices, and bachelor鈥檚 degree completion rates.

鈥淭his award is extremely special to us as a transfer team,鈥� says Tim Lawson, associate director of undergraduate admissions. 鈥淭ransfer students are an integral part of our campus community. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience that is truly inspiring to us as a transfer team and to the campus as a whole.”聽

Learn more about 麻豆区鈥檚 transfer admissions.

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鈥淲e are extremely honored to be selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network,鈥� said Vern Klobassa, 麻豆区鈥檚 Batalden Assistant Dean for Student Success and Belonging. 鈥淢ore than half of 麻豆区 undergraduates are the first in their families to go to college. This recognition affirms what we already know鈥攖hat first-gen students are welcome here, and we are committed to walking with them every step of the way.鈥�

The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach鈥擭etwork Member, Network Leader, and Network Champion鈥攖o scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. With the new class, the Network includes more than 500 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, representing 48 states and the District of Columbia.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome 麻豆区 to the FirstGen Forward Network,鈥� said Martina A. Martin, vice president at FirstGen Forward. 鈥淭hroughout the application process, 麻豆区 demonstrated a clear commitment to advancing success for first-generation students鈥攂acked by a willingness to align strategy, data, and campus-wide efforts for long-term impact. Their leadership reflects a meaningful investment in creating the conditions where first-generation students can thrive.鈥�

In this first phase of the Network, selected institutions will participate in the FirstGen Forward Network Virtual Kick-off on August 20, 2026. As a Network Member, 麻豆区鈥檚 interested faculty and staff will be afforded opportunities to engage with peer institutions that are also working to create environments that improve the experiences and success of first-generation students, and will participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting, and more.

After successful completion of the Network Member phase, institutions may progress to the second phase, FirstGen Forward Network Leader, in which institutions receive an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops; diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight; robust data-sharing as part of the national Postsecondary Data Partnership; guidance of expert coaches along each step of the experience; and more. Ultimately, all Network institutions strive for national leadership as FirstGen Forward Network Champions.

鈥淭here is nothing quite like seeing a new generation of institutions step into this network with purpose and passion,” said Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, President of FirstGen Forward. “FirstGen Forward exists because we believe institutions are strongest when they learn alongside one another鈥攕haring evidence-based practices, working through challenges together, and advancing first-generation student success at scale. 麻豆区 is joining a community of practitioners doing exactly that, and the Class of 2026 represents a remarkable groundswell of energy and commitment. I know 麻豆区 will be a meaningful contributor to what we build together.鈥�

To learn more about first-generation efforts at 麻豆区, contact Vern Klobassa at klobassa@augsburg.edu. To learn more about FirstGen Forward, visit .

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鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful that the mission-driven work we do here at 麻豆区 and its impact on the community is being recognized in this way,鈥� said Clark, who serves as director of 麻豆区鈥檚 Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, executive director of the 麻豆区 Health Commons, and professor of nursing. 鈥淚n particular, our work at the Health Commons is so unique in nursing education. I am thrilled to see it receive such meaningful recognition on a global scale.鈥澛�

Under Clark鈥檚 leadership, the Health Commons has expanded from a single drop-in center to five community-based locations serving individuals experiencing homelessness, social isolation, food insecurity, and interpersonal violence through various community-academic partnerships and a commitment to relationship-centered care. In addition to her work leading the Health Commons and the Sabo Center, Clark teaches graduate nursing courses focused on social justice, health inequities, and civic engagement. Her scholarship focuses on community-engaged pedagogy, structural inequities when seeking care, civic engagement, and accompaniment-based models of care.听

As previous chair of the Nursing Department and chief nursing administrator at 麻豆区, Clark led curriculum revisions to reflect the department鈥檚 mission to advance health equity and inclusivity. She received the 2025 Barbara A. Holland Scholar-Administrator Award from the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, was named a 2025 Fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing鈥檚 Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing program, was selected by the Minnesota Association of Registered Nurses as their 2025 fellow to the National American Nurses鈥� Advocacy Institute, and received 麻豆区鈥檚 Distinguished Service to the Community Award in 2021. Before returning to 麻豆区 as a faculty member, she worked for eight years as an in-patient nurse in oncology, hematology, and the medical intensive care unit.听聽

鈥淜atie Clark is a true citizen-scholar and citizen-nurse,鈥� said 麻豆区 President Paul Pribbenow. 鈥淭hrough her relentless commitment to engaging with community from a place of respect, belonging, and curiosity, she has changed the face of nursing education and shaped the practice of nursing itself. This tremendous honor from the American Academy of Nursing is well-deserved.鈥�

To earn the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing credential, accomplished professionals must pass a highly selective review process demonstrating leadership in research, education, or advocacy. The 2026 class of fellows represents 39 states, the District of Columbia, and 17 countries and will be honored at the Academy鈥檚 annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 8鈥�10, 2026, in Washington, DC.

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This collaboration will bring the 70-member National Lutheran Choir in residence to 麻豆区 for rehearsals and educational programming, offering opportunities for 麻豆区 students to gain exposure to the high-level music making of an award-winning performing ensemble. As part of its programmatic residency, the National Lutheran Choir anticipates offering internships for students that are related to choral music and nonprofit administration.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be able to deepen our relationship with the National Lutheran Choir at this exciting time for the arts at 麻豆区,鈥� said 麻豆区 President Paul Pribbenow. 鈥淭his collaboration brings our historic connection full circle and opens up tremendous opportunities for students to grow through exposure to an extraordinary ensemble.鈥澛�

Now in its 41st year, the National Lutheran Choir celebrates, invigorates, and expands sacred choral music, bringing inspiration and meaning to people of diverse faiths and backgrounds. Artistic Director Jennaya Robison is committed to uplifting sacred choral music that comes from many traditions and draws from the sacred in everyday life. A recipient of the Margaret A. Hillis Award, the nation鈥檚 top honor for performance choirs, the National Lutheran Choir performs to thousands of audience members each year locally and on tour, has a discography of 36 albums, and is regularly broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio. More than 180 songs and a number of concert-length presentations are available on the choir鈥檚 YouTube channel.听

The National Lutheran Choir was founded in 1986 by the late Larry Fleming, a noted conductor and composer who succeeded Leland Sateren as 麻豆区鈥檚 choir director from 1979鈥�86. 麻豆区 alumnus David Cherwien 鈥�79 subsequently served as the National Lutheran Choir鈥檚 second artistic director for more than 20 years.听

Robison joined the National Lutheran Choir as artistic director in 2023. A nationally-recognized conductor, composer, and vocalist, she has conducted choirs, workshops, and festivals across the United States, Europe, and southern Africa. Previously, she held faculty roles in choral studies at the University of Missouri鈥揔ansas City Conservatory and Luther College. She holds a Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona.

鈥淭he partnership between 麻豆区 and the National Lutheran Choir exemplifies how higher education and non-profits can serve and support each other to create valuable opportunities for students and artists alike,鈥� said Robison.听聽

The National Lutheran Choir鈥檚 programmatic activity on the 麻豆区 campus will include opportunities that are open to students and professionals from across the Twin Cities and around the country, including the newly launched Summer Intensive Choral Conducting Institute. Membership in the National Lutheran Choir is based on competitive audition and includes singers from virtually all of the region鈥檚 Lutheran colleges and more. Throughout its residency at 麻豆区, the National Lutheran Choir will remain a wholly independent 501(c)(3) organization with corporate offices at Normandale Lutheran Church.

鈥溌槎骨� and the National Lutheran Choir share a special history,鈥� said Tina Meckel, the choir鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淢ore importantly, our values for what sacred choral music can mean in a richly diverse world are wholly aligned.鈥澛�

Learn more about the and 麻豆区鈥檚 music programs in the Schwartz School of the Arts.

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Alongside other Peace Scholars from our Lutheran sister sites (Concordia College, Luther College, Pacific Lutheran College and St. Olaf College), these two students will participate in the annual summer Peace Scholars program in Norway, designed to deepen students鈥� understanding of the central issues and theories regarding conflict, war, and peace.听

Aidan Wippich is an incoming senior, pursuing a double major in international relations and public policy with a minor in peace and global studies. His passion for global politics came at a young age during his time in competitive speech in high school. This passion has continued throughout his time in college, studying abroad for a semester program in South Korea his sophomore year and meeting with foreign members of parliament back home. Outside of class, Wippich is the current president for 麻豆区鈥檚 Day Student Government, focusing on issues that include campus safety, communications, and commencement.听

Around campus, Wippich has worked for multiple branches of government, including an internship at the Minnesota House of Representatives and an internship with US Senator Amy Klobuchar鈥檚 home office. In both of these experiences, Wippich has learned first-hand how to communicate with people of differing backgrounds and beliefs in the realm of politics, and how to find common ground through those divisions.听

After college, Wippich plans to go to graduate school to get his masters in either international relations or public policy. He also plans to continue working in the public service sector to ensure that people鈥檚 concerns are heard and resolved. In his commitment to serving the people, Wippich looks forward to the opportunities that the Peace Scholar offers, which he hopes will leave him with more knowledge that will help him address the problems and concerns of the people back home.

Tommaso Maritan is a rising sophomore, majoring in business management. He is from Italy and is currently studying in the United States鈥攁n experience that has strengthened his interest in cultural exchange and international perspectives. Living and studying abroad has allowed him to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and gain a better understanding of the importance of dialogue and cooperation across cultures.

At 麻豆区, Maritan serves as the president of the International Student Organization, where he works to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from around the world. Through organizing events and encouraging connections between students of different backgrounds, he hopes to strengthen community and cultural understanding on campus.

Maritan looks forward to the Peace Scholars program in Norway as an opportunity to further explore international perspectives on peace, cooperation, and dialogue. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, running, traveling, and discovering new cultures.

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