Higher education
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, won a 2012 Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature. Ten awards were given nationally, only two of which went to baccalaureate colleges. Given by the lead organization of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, the award recognizes steps taken to reduce an institution’s carbon footprint. Luther’s climate-friendly actions include teaching sustainabil- ity within the academic curriculum; producing a third of the college’s electricity via a 1.65 megawatt wind turbine; constructing a $1.2 million solar energy field; biodiesel-powered vehicles; and state of the art recy- cling, composting and locally grown food practices.
Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., alumnus William Foege received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama May 29 for playing a crucial role in the eradication of smallpox in the 1970s. Foege was one of 13 peo- ple awarded the Medal of Freedom— the highest civilian honor in the country. Other recipients included astronaut John Glenn, former Secre- tary of State Madeleine Albright and singer Bob Dylan. “These extraor- dinary honorees come from differ- ent backgrounds and different walks of life,” Obama said on the White House website. “But each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our nation.”
The Chapel Choir of Capital Univer- sity, Columbus, Ohio, competed against more than 100 other groups at the World Choir Games in Cincin- nati in July. Its choir was invited to participate at the “Champions” level of competition based on qualifying appearances, recordings and musical artistry. It was the group’s first appear- ance at the World Choir Games. Capi-
44 The Lutheran •
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tal won gold medals in the categories of mixed choirs and sacred music.
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., held a four-day conference and walk for autism awareness called Lighting The Way. The June conference was held at the college’s Gilbert Science Center, while the walk took place at the Kikeby-Over Stadium. Autism experts Pamela Crooke and Beth Keeton were keynote speakers.
Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, announced that a fund in honor of alumnus Albert Ravenholt issued a $500,000 pledge to create the Albert Ravenholt Visiting Scholars Endow- ment. By 2016 the university hopes to host a scholar for up to two weeks on campus, engaging with students and faculty.
Shelley Olds, a 2003 graduate of Roa- noke College, Salem, Va., was slated to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics as part of the U.S. Olympic Road Cycling Team. Olds, 31, a rela- tive newcomer to cycling, captained the Roanoke women’s soccer team. She is the second Roanoke graduate to compete in the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Richard Emberger, a 1960 graduate who placed 10th in the decathlon at the 1964 Olympics.
To fight breast cancer, bioengineer- ing major Hayley Jensen of Califor- nia Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, took on a mountain. In June, Jensen, a junior CLU basketball player, climbed Mount Shasta—the fifth-highest mountain in California at 14,179 feet—and raised nearly $17,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund. Jensen’s family lost a close friend, Sherry Miller, to the disease in 2007.
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, added a Master’s of Accountancy pro- gram—its first master’s program. The
degree is offered as part of an existing five-year program. “We already had a high quality, five-year program and we knew the master’s program would give students a competitive edge in the job field,” said Melanie Thomp- son, associate professor of business administration and economics. The program prepares students to pass the CPA exam and launch account- ing careers. Senior Cassy Gonzales said she had no idea she’d be walking away with both a bachelor’s and mas- ter’s degree in accounting, “and have it cost the same amount if I would have only obtained my bachelor’s. … I’m ecstatic.”
Let’s hear it for delicious college caf- eteria food. Phillip Edwards, chef at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., won a silver medal and a fourth place finish at the national Culinary Challenge in July in Bos- ton. The challenge honors outstand- ing food preparation in U.S. colle- giate dining services. On staff since 2011, Edwards has reduced food waste, inspired his team’s creative culinary efforts and introduced new menu items based on student input.
Students at Gettysburg (Pa.) College will reap the benefits of a $1.3 mil- lion grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to enhance scien- tific research opportunities through revamped courses, hands-on research, science peer mentoring and more. Sean B. Carroll, HHMI vice president of science education, said the grant is part of a more than $50 million invest- ment in 47 colleges that “have shown they are superb incubators of new ideas and models that might be repli- cated by other institutions to improve how science is taught in college.” Véronique Delesalle, chair of Gettys- burg’s biology department, said the grant is “a bridge to allow us to reach the next level of excellence.”
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