News Archives - 2002

Augsburg College has been awarded a $55,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education International Education Programs. This grant from the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program will allow 12 Augsburg faculty members to participate in a short-term study seminar in Namibia this summer, July 1 to August 5. Augsburg College philosophy professor Bruce Reichenbach is the project coordinator.

"The purpose of this study is to create a core of people (from Augsburg College) who will have a common African experience to heighten awareness of African issues on campus," Reichenbach said.

More specifically the goals of the project, "Challenges to Nation Building: Namibia after Twelve Years" are: to educate by on-site experiences a core of Augsburg's faculty about the history, cultures, politics, economics, religion, health care and overall development of Namibia in southern Africa; to create a climate of discussion about Africa on campus; to impact the curriculum of Augsburg College, which currently is deficient in courses or segments of courses related to Africa; to involve faculty in developing international seminars for and recruiting Augsburg students to study at the Center for Global Education Center in Namibia; and to develop a nucleus of colleagues who will commit to exploring programming that connects Augsburg College with institutions in Africa.

Faculty attending the seminar include: Donna De Gracia, instructor, Physician Assistant Program; Don Gustafson, professor, history; Brad Holt, professor, religion; Linda Holt, instructor, nursing; Barbara Lehmann, assistant professor, social work; Sharon Patten, associate professor, social work; David Schwain, assistant professor, business administration; Bev Stratton, associate professor religion; and Reichenbach.

While in Africa, Reichenbach said the team will be looking at cultural issues, visiting urban and rural centers, and meeting with people and leaders in all segments of society, including the faculty and administration at the University of Namibia.