Staff Senate

The annual Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony took place on March 26th when we celebrated all of the staff’s contributions to the Augsburg community with food, fun, and good company! We announced the winners of the Outstanding Staff and Newcomer awards, the winner of the outstanding team/department award, and gave away prizes to attendees. Thank you to all staff for your hard work and accomplishments this year! Winners are noted in bold lettering below.

Download Pictures from the Event here.

Outstanding Team/Department Award:

University Events: Shannon Obey, Ryan Marcy-Strelow, Brittney Brown, Kitty Osborn

Outstanding Staff Award: 

• Chris Palahniuk – Biology Laboratory Manager
• Christine Oliver – Counselor, Center for Wellness and Counseling (CWC)
• Colleen Hagerman – Nursing Program Coordinator
• Gina Musto – Career Services Manager
• Ilse Rolf – Senior Systems and Stewardship Specialist
• Jenean Gilmer – Program Manager of Community-Engaged Learning
• Kristina Fruge – Director of Congregational and Community Initiatives
• Minasie Theophilos – Custodian
• Rachel Farris – Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications
• Sydney Fredericks – Benefits and Payroll Specialist

Newcomer Award:

• Elijah Owens – Community Director, Residence Life
• Izzy Rankin – Human Resources Generalist
• Jennifer Butler – Director of Student Initiatives 
• Marcus Carrigan – Program Associate for Career Services and Off-Campus Study
• Melizza Rodriguez – Program Assistant, TRIO/SSS
• Morgan Knutzen – Director of Career Services
• Sarah Morgan – Program Associate for Off-Campus Study

Celebrating Staff Members for their Years of Service at Augsburg!

5 Years

• Derrin Lamker – Head Football Coach
• Babette Chatman – Director of Ministry / University Pastor
• Mohamado Ibrahim – Building Operator
• Sherrie Luetgers – Program Manager of Masters in Physician Assistant Studies 
• Cruz Rodriguez – Assistant Director of McNair Scholars Program
• Jon Stentz – Alcohol and Drug Counselor, StepUP
• Nicholas Brundy – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Tyler LeClear Vachta – Associate Director of Human Resources
• Chris Dixon – Assistant Athletic Director / Director of Athletic Diversity & Inclusion / Head Track and Field Coach
• Wendy Assal – Associate Director of International Admissions

 10 Years

• Kristine Kammueller – Technical Services Coordinator, Lindell Library
• Ric Rutten – Painter
• Sir Yang – Building Operator II
• Lisa Stobb – Senior Accountant
• Lucy Hardaker – Associate Director of Marketing and Recruitment, Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE)
• Tony Valek – Head Men’s Wrestling Coach
• Kathy McGillivray – Director of the Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS)
• Eric Rolland – Head Golf Coach
• Nathan Tenut – Offensive Football Coordinator

15 Years

• Rebecca John – Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
• Jenny Wheatley – Gallery Director
• Bruce Nelson – A-Club Advancement Manager
• Katie Bishop – Special Assistant to the President
• Amy Cram Helwich – Executive Director of the Minnesota Urban Debate League
• Laura Simms – Physics Research Associate

20 Years

• Erin Voss – Programmer Analyst

25 Years

• Beth Carlson – Assistant Director of the Center for Wellness and Counseling (CWC)

30 Years

• Kristen Connell – Athletic Facilities Manager

The Augsburg University Staff Senate is a body of elected Augsburg University staff members who advocate on behalf of the staff, foster meaningful dialogue, and work to recognize and celebrate the impact of staff members on the University and community.

Upcoming events The Senate will host its first casual meet and greet on Wednesday, November 20th from 3:30 – 4:30pm in OCG 100. Watch for more details and additional dates for the Senate to listen to staff experiences.

Save the Date for some wellness with Mel on Monday December 9th at 12:30pm. Mel will tour the Fitness Center and share how you can use equipment to destress.

To contact the Staff Senate, please send messages with praises, shout-outs, concerns, issues or observations to staffsenate@augsburg.edu.

Congratulations to our Auggie Pride Award winners for the month of September, Olee Amata, Financial Analyst FP&A, and Tyler LeClear Vachta, HR Data and Reporting Analyst!

Regarding Olee, “In the last month or so, Olee has provided detailed information and support for some programs in the Professional Studies division. Her thoughtfulness and attention to our requests is deeply appreciated.”

In regards to Tyler, “Tyler has been so responsive to CGEE’s unique HR and Technology needs. He understands our business, and when he doesn’t he asks great questions to help solve the problem. He approaches his work from an acceptance/adaptation mindset — he doesn’t expect everyone (or department) to do things the same way. He finds approaches that follow University systems and policies, while also adapting to others’ unique set of needs.”

The Augsburg staff senate is happy to recognize their amazing work. Congratulations Olee and Tyler!!

2022 Award Recipients

Outstanding Newcomer Award Recipient
Stacy Severson, Director of Enrollment, Admissions

Outstanding Staff Award Nominees 
Karen Alexander, Access Services Librarian, Lindell Library
Natalie Jacobson, Campus Kitchen Coordinator, Sabo Center
Lydia Madden, Social Work Department Coordinator, Social Work
Charlotte Swanson, HR Specialist, Student Employment, Human Resources
Sandy Tilton, Employer Relations & Operations Associate, Strommen Center

Outstanding Department
Athletic Trainers: 
Missy Strauch
Marissa Lindback
Jess Brestel
Mac Ideson
Mary Becerril-Gonzalez

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendations. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.

Congratulations to our Auggie Pride Award winner for the month of April, Erin Moore, Unit Leader in the Education Department . In the last few months, Erin has coordinated and led the significant work needed to prepare the department Self-Study to be submitted to PELSB. Erin worked diligently with faculty and staff to prepare this important document. Although it was a team effort, Erin was instrumental in ensuring that all aspects of the self study were completed and this work will now lead into the site visit from PELSB in the upcoming academic year.!”The Augsburg staff senate is happy to recognize her amazing work. Congratulations Erin!!

Congratulations to the March Auggie Pride winner Karen Mulhausen. Karen is the Production Stage Manager and Scene Shop Supervisor in the Theater Department. “ Karen is a miracle worker. She works tirelessly behind the scenes (quite literally, in the scene shop!) creating and building sets from scratch. She would be an incredible asset in any professional theater, but then you add the educational element of doing this at Augsburg, training students properly and teaching them new skills — She’s simply a wonder!” Congratulations, Karen!

Congratulations to our two Auggie Pride Award winners for the month of September, Katie Detwiler and Jon Mergens, both staff members in the academic advising department. Katie and Jon have worked tirelessly in the last month to support new transfers, first-years, and returning students register for classes, navigate financial barriers, and prepare for the beginning of the semester. Academic advising is proud to have them here at Augsburg and our staff senate is happy to recognize their amazing work. Congratulations Katie and Jon!!