News Archives - 2004

The long standing relationship between Augsburg College and the Cedar Riverside Community School was recognized at the Campus Compact 10th Anniversary event last week. The collaboration was one of six finalists for the Carter Partnership Award, which was presented that evening for the first time by President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. The purpose of this award is to provide recognition for outstanding campus-community partnerships.

Even though the Augsburg-Cedar Riverside collaboration was not chosen as the winner of the award, it was an honor being one of the finalist out of 30 applicants.

"It was a grand night for Cedar Riverside Community School," said Stephanie Byrdziak from Cedar Riverside. "A president of the United States now knows who we are and what we've become. And Augsburg College has been there for us all these years. They are what makes a true community school."

President and Mrs. Carter presented the award to the Grant Community School Collaborative of Duluth. But Mrs. Carter added, "Every single one of the nominated partnerships deserves recognition. It doesn't matter who wins."
Mary Laurel True, associate director and coordinator for the Community Service-Learning program at Augsburg said it was wonderful to be recognized for a true, long-term, vital partnership. "It meant the world to us to be able to let others know about our neighborhood and the immigrants who live here, and all the great work that we do together."

Merrie Benasutti, also with Augsburg's Center for Service-Learning said that not only does this honor recognize Augsburg's efforts to build community relationships, "it also provides a transforming education for our students."