Augsburg College - Augsburgian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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spirit comes closest to being the catalyst for the sense of communi- ty that exists at Augsburg. That spirit is a quality that repre- sents a tradition. Freshmen bean- ies were replaced as symbols with an orientation process. In other words, the college wanted to tell you to be one of the family imme- diately. Hazing for freshmen just delayed the ultimate transfer of the Augsburg spirit. We want ev- eryone to be treated the same way . That type of statement re- flects that pervasive spirit that feeds on friendship, conversation and friendliness. Purpose. What does Education for Service really mean? The em- phasis of this institution may be clouded at times, but one that comes through strong and clear to me is service. That service is based on knowing thyself. When you get your c hance, you are try- ing to help others. It just seems that service permeates this insti- tution. Augsburg's purpose does not al- low for complacency. Graduates that find success in helping others through service seldom find fi- nancial success. Our school is bet- ter known for our teachers than our millionaire supporters. Our millionaire supporters practically don't exist. However, that pur- pose is worth enough for staff, faculty and students to make sac- rifices to keep it alive. Perhaps you think this reflection has been an excess of sentimen- talization about the college? Basi- cally, it's frustrating trying to de- scribe what is already quite ab- stract. That attitude I refered to could be described by one student govern- ment leader who said, This place is really screwed up, but I love it anyway. The benefits (the peo- ple) far out-weigh the disadvan- gates (the system's deficiencies). Spirit is demonstrated by seeing actual clusters of teachers and stu- dents up on the commons talking. Their talks don't fulfill any class requirement, but they share a lit- tle part of themselves with each other. That casual access is so rare and SO GOOD! Purpose is people working to get things done on campus for the benefit of the rest of the campus. It is reflected by a social work ma- jor sating They pay you more to work with things than with peo- ple. Why is that? People are more important than things, but people giving service must get their rewards from things other than salaries. Telling someone about Augsburg is virtually impossible. I want to shout out, Come and visit the campus! The only way to truly appreciate the best parts of the college is to be here awhile and experience them. My oldest sister, Gracia, gavic me stark advice when I was selecting which college to attend. When I told her that I might not go to Augsburg, she said with r lenched teeth, I want you to go to Augs- burg College so you will know who I am! Each of our experiences at Augs- burg are different, but the people here are so neat. I often wish that I could suck them dry of knowl- edge and insight. Buty there is never time. Augsburg gives each of us a gift. To some it is only a piece of parchment on a hot stuffy day in Si Melby. Others get that piece of parchment and a disproportion- ately big chunk of their lives handed to them over a four-year period of time.

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GO =3 Q s) GO D CD U CD • mam Q- 03 “O C i— O O V f— CD One of the most difficult things in the world is telling someone about Augsburg College. Most college descriptions are based on data-like sheets listing locations, buildings, faculty and distinguish- ing traditions. Our location is stu- pendous, but unknown to the outside world. Our physical plant is not admirable or even totally adequate. Our faculty is top- flight, yet not necessarily impres- sive to the rest of the world. Many of our traditions lack embodiment in visible rituals. Augsburg captures abstract quali- ties that don't transfer well to ad- missions materials. How does one describe the intellectual warmth of being able to discuss topics from class with students outside the walls of that class? what pic- ture interprets the insight a stu- dent may gain from talking to a teacher informally over a cup of coffee? Let me list some of these intangi- bles that comprise these abstract qualities. One is an attitude about oneself and about the college. Another is a spirit among the peo- ple that are a part of Augsburg. Finally, there seems to be a pur- pose about the goals of this insti- tution. Attitude. Augsburg has a careful attitude about itself. Few gradu- ates from this place wave pen- nants in the air shouting GO AUGGIES! Maybe you could call it a wants and all philosophy . People from here realize that it is not the greatest place on the face of the earth. They also realize that there are a lot of things that defi- nitely could be improved at Augs- burg. I like that. That realistic attitude allows a students freedom in ask- ing why. Augsburg has deep tradi- tions, but they all have a niche for the students to be fiercely inde- pendent and challenge what has been. Also, a student here is made aware of the need to question their reasons for seeking an edu- cation and to justify how it will! their expectations. Spirit. That is another elusive concept. Augsburg makes you aware of people around you. There is a joy and exuberance about many of the people here that is very nearly contagious. You appreciate people more and in complete ways. They become real to you because they become a part of your life. The spirit is al- most suffocating in friendliness. It reaches out and pulls you down from attempts at aloofness. That

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 In the three years. I've been at Augsburg, our team has consis- tently gotten better each year, with this season topping them all. We had more depth and skill in the freshmen and sophomores than one would expec t, making it possible to substitute freely when injuries plagued the other players. This was extremely important be- cause there were always at least 2 or 3 starters hurt. I really believe that if we were playing our best ball, no other team in the MIAC could tough us. The best thing of all is th.it even though we had our share of com- plaints, we were VERY VERY close and got along really well as a team. Phil I never got into watching soccer — until this year. Quite a season, but even more a very impressive team. They're good guys and they also know a little about soccer. The games were great, and it was fun to support such a fine team. Matt Sorgenfrei