News Archives - 2003

Garry Hesser looks on as Nadinne Cruz, apst executive director of HECUA gives opening remarks.

Garry Hesser, Augsburg College sociology professor, was recently honored for 25 years of service to HECUA. HECUA, the Higher Education Consortium of Urban Affairs, is a consortium of colleges Augsburg helped found more than 30 years ago, which gives students off campus hands-on experiences with social justice issues. HECUA has programs in the United States as well as abroad, including places such as Norway, Northern Ireland, Asia, Cuba and Minnesota.

A reception was held for Hesser at the College. Joel Tortenson, professor emeritus, founder of the Augsburg Sociology Department, and one of the pioneers of the HECUA program, along with numerous colleagues, friends and family members were there to honor Hesser.

Hesser has been in the sociology department at Augsburg for more than 30 years. Not only is he a popular professor, being named for both “Teacher of the Year” and “Distinguished Faculty” awards, Hesser initiated service learning at Augsburg in 1979.
He is active in numerous state, regional and national organizations. He has served on the HECUA board as president, interim executive director and is currently the vice president. He has led workshops on service-learning and experiential education on more than 40 campuses and professional meetings. Hesser was recently honored with the 2003 Distinguished Sociologist Award from the Sociologists of Minnesota.