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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For some 麻豆区 students, that journey includes someone who has known them much longer: a sibling.

For three sets of 麻豆区 siblings, sharing a college experience has meant finding common ground in academics, activities, and identity, while still having space to chart their own paths. They are all different, but each has found something meaningful in having someone familiar to study with, lean on, and celebrate alongside.

Finding a place to thrive

For Abi Hilden 鈥�25 and Elliot Hilden 鈥�27, 麻豆区 became a place where their shared interests in theater, writing, and student media could flourish, and where they could both feel fully themselves.

Abi discovered 麻豆区 first, drawn to its Twin Cities location and diverse community. When Elliot began considering colleges, Abi knew 麻豆区 could be a fit for him.

鈥淎bi knows me better than anyone on the planet and knew 麻豆区 would have the environment that would help me feel connected and able to thrive,鈥� Elliot said. 鈥淚 felt, even before stepping on campus, I had a good sense of what I could do and achieve at 麻豆区.鈥�

That prediction proved accurate almost immediately. Abi was Elliot鈥檚 orientation leader, giving him a trusted guide during his introduction to 麻豆区.

Their 麻豆区 experiences would remain closely intertwined. Both participated in theater, , and orientation leadership. The siblings even took several classes together. But they were also intentional about maintaining separate identities, especially after they had spent earlier school years navigating the dynamic of Elliot being known as 鈥淎bi鈥檚 little brother.鈥�

鈥淲e were both very clear that we were going to be here for each other and do a lot of the same stuff. But I also emphasized to Elliot, 鈥榊ou need to find your own people; the things I鈥檝e done can鈥檛 be your only stuff,鈥欌�� Abi said.

Since Abi鈥檚 graduation, Elliot has had more opportunities to make those spaces his own, including leading The Echo and preparing to direct a student-produced play. It鈥檚 written, fittingly, by Abi.

鈥淭o have a four-year institution where you get to be fully present and be yourself, was and has been really impactful for me,鈥� Elliot said.

Opening doors for each other

For Savannah Mitchell 鈥�26 MAE and Cherish Lee 鈥�29, their overlapping 麻豆区 experience began with an opportunity Savannah wanted to make sure her sister didn鈥檛 miss.

Savannah came to 麻豆区 as the first graduate assistant for 麻豆区 Family Scholars, a program supporting students with foster care backgrounds. She was pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in education after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marine science from the University of Hawai鈥檌.

When Cherish was considering her next steps after high school, Savannah told her about Minnesota鈥檚 and the resources available at 麻豆区. Soon, Cherish was applying, touring campus, and moving in.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what 麻豆区 was until Savannah started to work there,鈥� Cherish said. 鈥淜nowing my sister would be there to lean on helped me go into a new college.鈥�

During those first weeks, that 鈥渓eaning on鈥� was often literal: Cherish would stop by Savannah鈥檚 office between classes, text her during orientation, and turn to her with questions. Savannah helped her navigate everything from her application to move-in.

But it didn鈥檛 take long for Cherish to build a community of her own. She became involved with the 麻豆区 Family Scholars Council, eventually taking on a leadership role. Savannah watched as her younger sister met people, pursued new ideas, and embraced campus life in her own way.

鈥淪he met so many people on campus I never had time to meet or interact with,鈥� Savannah said. 鈥淪he would introduce them to me, or come to me saying, 鈥榃e鈥檙e trying to start this club on campus.鈥� I was so impressed she was doing that. She is way more out there socially than I am.鈥�

The sisters describe themselves as 鈥減olar opposites,鈥� but their academic paths reveal a common theme of care. Savannah studied marine science, while Cherish is majoring in biochemistry with minors in psychology and criminology, and is considering forensic science or medical school.

鈥淚 chose science because I think it鈥檚 the best way to help people. Savannah went into it to help animals,鈥� Cherish said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檙e both smart and wanted to find our own ways to use those smarts to help.鈥�

For Savannah, it took time to recognize how remarkable their shared experience was.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 thinking at the time what a blessing it is that we both get to go here at the same time, both in these great programs that are helping us,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow, I know it is [a blessing].鈥�

Sharing the court鈥攁nd a calling

When Evelyn Perkins 鈥�27 arrived at 麻豆区 in 2023, she was searching for a college experience shaped by community. She quickly found it and became deeply involved as a community advisor, basketball player, campus employee, and member of the .

Before long, she started thinking 麻豆区 could offer her older brother, David Perkins 鈥�28, something meaningful, too.

David had previously attended the University of Wisconsin鈥擡au Claire, but left before completing his degree. When he began considering a return to college, Evelyn encouraged him to look at 麻豆区.

鈥淭he biggest reason I came was because of her,鈥� David said. 鈥淗er testament to her experience at 麻豆区, being able to have someone I could lean on and trust, that brought me.鈥�

By then, a coaching opportunity had helped David discover a passion for teaching, which brought his path even closer to Evelyn鈥檚. Education runs deep in the Perkins family. Both of their parents are educators, and Evelyn said she has known since childhood that she wanted to teach.

鈥淚 never would have thought we鈥檇 be at the same college, in the same department, playing the same sport,鈥� Evelyn said. 鈥淚 surprisingly have not struggled sharing those parts of my life with him. I鈥檝e enjoyed hearing about him having a professor I had and talking about our different experiences. It鈥檚 been really rewarding.鈥�

Some of their favorite shared experiences are 麻豆区 milestones: basketball media day, the Auggie Awards, and road trips. Others are much more ordinary鈥攍ifting weights, conditioning, or sitting together during finals week鈥攂ut are treasured just the same.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 sound like a big moment, but it鈥檚 those small things that become routine when you realize, 鈥楾his is really cool I get to do this with my brother,鈥欌�� Evelyn said.

A shared experience, an individual path

Across all three families, attending 麻豆区 together has offered something beyond convenience or familiarity. It has given siblings a front-row seat to one another鈥檚 growth.

They have introduced each other to communities, opened doors to opportunities, and provided reassurance during uncertain moments. At the same time, each sibling has found ways to build a unique 麻豆区 experience.

College is often remembered for the people who become like family. For these Auggies, part of what makes the experience special is getting to bring family along for the journey.

Top image: Both current students at 麻豆区, the Perkins siblings find time to connect on campus.

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鈥淚 know you鈥檙e not supposed to have favorite chapel services, but this one ranks up there,鈥� University Pastor Babette Chatman said from the front of Hoversten Chapel, smiling at 麻豆区 community members and their pets.听

Blessing of the Animals is an annual chapel service in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. In remembrance of his love for all sentient beings, individuals around the world bring their animal companions to church for a Blessing of the Animals for St. Francis Day on October 4. 麻豆区 Campus Ministry provided that same opportunity for Auggies on Friday, October 2. Some community members submitted photos of their pets that played on a slideshow throughout the service. Others brought their creatures to campus for an in-person blessing.听

University Pastors John Schwehn and Chatman presented a litany interspersed with the audience singing 鈥淎ll God鈥檚 Creatures Got a Place in the Choir.鈥� Schwehn then presented a sermon, sharing how a kitten found in his backyard last year became an integral part of their family. He described how everyone in that chapel was connected鈥攏ot because they were all part of the 麻豆区 community, or because they were all Christian, or because they were all even the same species. He said all pets and people were connected because they were created by God in the image of love, as St. Francis deeply believed.听

Chatman and Schwehn then traveled between rows of seats to greet every animal. They blessed them by placing their hands onto each furry creature and offering a benediction over them. For those who couldn鈥檛 bring their animals in person, they offered a blessing over a shared image.听

The service ended with this closing prayer:聽

鈥淏less them who will never be entirely tamed and so remind us that you love what is wild, that you rejoice in what lives close to the earth, that your heart beats in the heart of these creatures you have entrusted to our care.鈥澛�

2026 Blessing of the Animals

Photos by Douachee Lee and Darcia Cole

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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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What does a university president do?

This is a fairly common question I receive from students, so I always ask back, 鈥淲hat do you think my job is?鈥�

The responses are familiar: You are the CEO of a good-sized organization. You are a fundraiser. You give lots of speeches. You spend time lobbying in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.

All of that is true, but what else? I am an educator-president, I tell them. I do all the rest of the job鈥攁nd it is all important鈥攕o that I can come to campus every morning inspired by our students鈥� educational journeys.

I have been privileged to co-teach courses throughout my 20-plus years as 麻豆区鈥檚 president. Last spring, I co-taught my final course with Assistant Professor of Sociology Ashley Baber, and it was eye-opening for this educator-president.

Now, I will admit that I am an educator of a certain age who was formed by traditional pedagogical methods鈥攂ut I experienced in the classroom last semester what it means to teach the students who are in front of us today.

Each week, when I came into the classroom, Ashley would have put on the sound system some piece of contemporary music that I didn鈥檛 recognize. One week, it was Chance the Rapper, whose Chicago-based experiences inform his (often profane!) lyrics, and tell a compelling story of life in the city for those marginalized and victimized. As the students explored the story behind those lyrics, they came forward with insights and nuances that stretched my understanding.

This is pedagogy that adapts to the learner and refuses to stifle creativity or the voices that matter: the voices of students. Our course showed me what our students deserve in their college experience, not as an entitlement, but as a gift that invites them into the wonder of learning for the moment we find ourselves in.

And that serves as a foundation for another aspect of teaching and learning for this generation: How do we honor what our students bring to the classroom from their own lived experiences that reflect perspectives beyond traditional Western values and attitudes? I believe our students are teaching me the value of what might be called 鈥渄emocratic excellences.鈥�

In a discussion of climate justice, a Native student shares ways of caring for creation that don鈥檛 always pop up in the literature. In a discussion of architecture, a formerly unhoused student describes the brutalist features of urban architecture that are meant to exclude rather than offer sanctuary. In a session on immigration, a refugee student provides a compelling alternative narrative of our country鈥檚 broken immigration system.The challenge for those of us who teach this generation is to embrace these forms of wisdom, these democratic excellences, that make our teaching and learning richer and more authentic.

Adaptive pedagogy and democratic excellences鈥攍essons even an educator-president of a certain age can learn. And lessons that we must embrace if we hope to meet the needs and aspirations of our students today.

Faithfully yours,
Paul C. Pribbenow

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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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Her answer kickstarted her son鈥檚 lifelong interest in intelligence and individual differences. Today, Yoon specializes in individual differences and behavioral genetics as co-director of 麻豆区鈥檚 biopsychology major. Since joining 麻豆区 in 2009, he has embraced the flexibility to pursue new, meaningful directions. So when generative artificial intelligence burst on the scene in recent years, he was interested both as a scientist and as a teacher.

鈥淎t first, I thought it might be a flash in the pan,鈥� Yoon said. 鈥淏ut when I began to delve into it, I realized this might be a monumental moment not just for technology, but in the history of our species.鈥�

Like any good researcher, he went to work, developing an annotated guide and toolkit of AI resources. Yoon divided them into categories that made sense to a psychologist: how AI works, potential impacts on instruction and teaching, implications for the science of learning and cognition, and ethics. In the last 18 months, he has published , contributed to Lindell Library鈥檚 student-facing AI- and digital-literacy work, created and led multiple faculty workshops on AI through , and developed . Now, he鈥檚 developing a focused operational-readiness discovery project with student-facing administrative offices.

In all of these arenas, Yoon starts with the end goal in mind. 鈥淭he right question is: 鈥榃hat are my learning outcomes or work objectives, and would AI be appropriate to help?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淣ot: 鈥楬ere鈥檚 this AI tool, how should I use it?鈥欌��

Reflecting his own curiosity, Yoon鈥檚 research interests intersect with multiple issue areas, from substance use risk to criminal justice reform. Across his 麻豆区 career, Yoon has mentored nearly 80 student researchers in scholarly activities. His students have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, clinical psychology and neuropsychology, addiction research, and other STEM fields. Many of his students have completed projects in 麻豆区鈥檚 electroencephalogram (EEG) lab, where a major focus of Yoon鈥檚 research, in partnership with 厂迟别辫鲍笔庐, has been to examine whether certain measures of brain activity may serve as candidate markers associated with substance-use risk. Others are engaged in research into the scientific validity of polygraph interrogation or 鈥渓ie detector鈥� tests, which can contribute to false confessions and wrongful convictions. 麻豆区 students work on real cases of people who have been told they failed a polygraph test but were later exonerated. In related work, Yoon served as an expert consultant for an amicus brief submitted to the Texas Court of Appeals; in 2025, the court affirmed a lower court鈥檚 decision to suppress the post-polygraph statement as involuntary.

That kind of engagement, to Yoon, is what AI cannot replace in the college experience. 鈥淢ore than ever, I believe that students need hands-on experiences, like the ones they get in the lab: learning to formulate a research question, design an experiment, collect data, think critically, and communicate what they find. This is more important than ever in the shadow of AI.鈥�

Working alongside Yoon, 鈥渁 brilliant academic peer,鈥� has been one of the highlights of his time at 麻豆区, said Ben Denkinger, professor of psychology. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Yoon and Denkinger jointly developed a course called 鈥淧sychology in a Post-Pandemic World,鈥� which sought to grapple with the deepening political polarization in the U.S. Students in the course explored misinformation and disinformation, how people come to hold conspiratorial beliefs, and moral psychology. They also practiced developing the skills to have conversations about challenging topics.

Since teaching the course, Yoon has become involved with , a nonpartisan organization that seeks to build bridges across political differences. In a world where science itself has become politicized, he sees his role as helping others understand how automatic and emotional processes can shape our reactions鈥攐ften outside our awareness鈥攁nd how understanding those processes can help all of us avoid contributing to increasingly polarized discourse.

鈥淚n this era of social media and news polarization, it鈥檚 difficult for all of us not to default to threat and fear responses,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut to me, a healthy democracy depends on our ability to keep having productive conversations across our differences. If we can develop a deeper understanding of where each of us is coming from, it can help us engage more constructively with one another.鈥�

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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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1977

Neil (Pauluk) Paulson 鈥�77 noted that a new Oxford House in Port Orange, Florida, for women, with children, who completed drug or alcohol treatment, opened in July. It will house seven-plus people who are working on their sobriety. OxfordHouseFL.org will manage the house and its residents. Previously the house was a foreclosure, owned by a woman with several alcohol-related arrests. Paulson hopes the community can be bettered by facilities like this.

1990s

1992

Laura (Kompelien) Delavie 鈥�92 published her book, “The Green Heart: Our Path to Peace.” An illustrated parable for adults and thoughtful readers of all ages, it asks us to consider: What if the path to peace begins not on battlegrounds but within our own hearts? With questions for reflection and discussion, the book acts as a conversation starter.

2000s

2006

David Nash 鈥�06 is the author of 鈥淭he Burntwood Anthology,鈥� a collection of six stories of dark fiction published by Unsolicited Press. The book is a braided narrative of Northwoods horror, eerie introspection, subtle witchcraft, and self-proclaimed kings getting what they deserve.

2020s

2020

Kylie (Rischer) Mead 鈥�20 is a physician assistant on the Same Day Clinic team at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minnesota. She was previously a physician assistant at St. John鈥檚 Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota, and Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, Minnesota.听

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