Research Building to Open at Long Lake

This fall, Concordia students will have a unique opportunity to conduct research at a new eco-friendly classroom/lab building at Long Lake, near Detroit Lakes, Minn. Less than an hour's drive from campus, the college's 134 acres of property features prairie, lakeshore and forest, making it an excellent location for a variety of research.

The new building, scheduled to open its doors in October, will accommodate about 25 students. In addition to hosting retreats, and art and writing workshops, the building will enable science students to bring in samples from the land and water for examination. A pontoon boat and dock will make water research easier.

"It's a great place for students to do research projects and for other classes to get out," says biology professor Dr. Gerry Van Amburg.

Throughout the summer, Ellen Sobieck '11, Grand Marais, Minn., and Kyle Czech '12, Little Falls, Minn., conducted the first research on site, mapping out the property's plants, grasses and trees with a GPS. The students worked under the mentorship of Dr. Michelle Marko, an aquatic biologist, and Dr. Bryan Bishop, an entomologist, who were both involved in the development of the Long Lake property.

"As a first-year student, this is a great opportunity to do research in the field, to get into science-related work immediately," Czech says. "I will be able to apply what I'm learning here to my science classes."

In Pursuit of Green Chemistry

Dr. Donald Krogstad’s interest in discovering environmentally friendly processes for making pharmaceuticals and plastics took him to a country more often known for its pasta.

Krogstad, an associate professor of chemistry, received two grants – a Fulbright and one from the Petroleum Research Fund – to prepare and study water-soluble molecules at the Institute for the Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds of the National Research Council of Italy in Florence.

He, his wife and two children will spend a year in the country. They arrived there in mid-July.

ICCOM-CNR is one of the leading labs in the world for developing and studying molecules that accelerate chemical reactions without leaving behind hazardous substances. Recently, ICCOM, led by Dr. Maurizio Peruzzini, has been preparing water-soluble catalysts with the same phosphorus compound that Krogstad and several Concordia students have been studying.

"With my time in Italy, we can work together to advance the field and develop a long-standing collaboration that might benefit society," Krogstad says.

Student Lands Internship With NIH

Molly Turnquist '10, Braham, Minn., broadened her studies and work experience this summer with an internship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. She learned firsthand that research is a long, slow process with many steps and many people involved. From developing the idea to carrying out the study and analyzing the results can take years. It was one o the many lessons learned during her internship.

"Molly is a very dedicated and inquisitive student and it was quite exciting to have a student accepted for the summer practicum at NIH," says her adviser, dietetics program director Dr. Betty Larson. "She is very committed to her major and the prevention of chronic disease."  

Turnquist, a food/nutrition/dietetics major, worked in the prevention research branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She was involved in the developing stage of the study Cultivating Healthy Environments in Families (involving children with type 1 diabetes), which emphasized the importance of family meals, whole foods and healthy eating behaviors. She also analyzed data for the Family Management of Diabetes study, coding and evaluating answers to the questions presented by researchers during interviews with families who have children with type 1 diabetes.

Turnquist completed a research project, complete with a poster presentation at the end of her internship. She and another intern used the results of a previous study to examine the relationship between the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed and the levels of oxidative stress (free radical damage) found in reproductive-aged women. They were studying whether current dietary guidelines are adequate.

"It was an interesting and very educational summer," Turnquist says. "I was thankful for all the classes I have taken at Concordia, certainly Research Methods and Statistics."

Recruiting for Science, Math Scholarship

A $580,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will encourage new Americans and students of color to study science and mathematics at Concordia.

The grant will provide $6,000 annual scholarships to eligible students who major in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science – areas where there's a need for more workers and researchers.

Students will be selected based on financial need and demonstrated academic talent.

Twelve students will receive the scholarships in fall 2010 and another 12 in 2011. They will participate together in their first-year experiences, including an Inquiry Seminar and written communication course. Throughout their studies, the students will have opportunities to engage in academic success workshops, independent research projects, internships and workshops on career and graduate school placement.

"It's about helping and nurturing them so they can reach their potential," says Dr. Heidi Manning, chair of the Division of Sciences and Mathematics. "We have a strong science program here. This gives more students an opportunity to succeed in it."

Teachers Association Honors Waldsee

Waldsee, the German Language Village, has been designated a Center of Excellence for teaching German by the American Association of Teachers of German. The award recognizes exemplary programs that are willing to promote the study of German by serving as models.

Waldsee is only the ninth program in the country to be named a Center of Excellence.

"Criteria for designation include having a well-established German program with strong enrollment, rich and meaningful cultural offerings, strong support from parents, colleagues and administration, and more," says Dan Hamilton, one of Waldsee’s deans. "We are proud of this award, of our staff, our participants and our partnership with AATG and German teachers across the country."

Waldsee, now in its 49th year, offers summer programming for youth ages 7 to 18, day camps, study abroad experiences, family and adult weeks and weekends, as well as teacher workshops and seminars. Waldsee staff have written a series of curriculum books that take the magic of the Village and bottle it for use by German teachers everywhere. Waldsee’s culturally authentic site near Bemidji, Minn., is also where villagers and staff from all of Concordia Language Village’s 15 languages join together to celebrate International Day each summer.

The Center of Excellence program is designed to encourage schools and teachers to build strong middle school German programs, creating a strong foundation for high school language study.

The Forest Opens Year-Round

Concordia Language Villages' The Forest, located near Stillwater, Minn., recently opened for year-round programming in a variety of languages. The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation retreat center has hosted some of the Spanish Language Village, El Lago del Bosque, sessions for the past five summers, but now will also include other Language Village events, sessions and activities.

The Forest will hold field trips for elementary and middle school students supplementing their global studies, world language and social studies curriculum. For example, the Villages recently received a $50,000 grant from the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing to support overnight "Exploring China" field trips to The Forest for up to 800 students.

Students can also participate in one-week programs during spring break in March and attend weekends to help prepare for world language AP tests. In addition, professional development workshops for world language teachers and family and adult weekends are also planned.

"This strategic initiative by the college and the Villages will allow us to reach new villagers and introduce them to our mission," says Martin Graefe, director of year-round programs. "Global citizenship is a complex concept and the Language Villages is good at breaking down that concept into smaller impactful components through rich, active and fun learning experiences."

The Forest site and facilities, featuring the Language Villages' well-known culturally authentic cuisine, will be available for use by other nonprofits, schools and governmental groups for retreats, workshops, seminars and conferences. It features 900 acres of hardwood forest with 12 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, access to lakes and a wildlife sanctuary. The central Village area includes four lodges and dining facilities that can accommodate up to 115 people.

"Our expanded programming at The Forest provides opportunities for a new audience to explore and discover how learning a language opens doors to our neighbors and other cultures on a global and local level," Graefe says.

Exhibiting the Work of a Lifetime

An exhibition celebrating the career of art associate professor Duane Mickelson '74 also traces his artistic evolution from student to teacher.

"Transformations to Tricksters: Selections from 35 Years of Sculpture, 1974-2009, The Art of Duane Mickelson" will run in Cyrus M. Running Gallery and The Rourke Museum, Moorhead. Mickelson's earliest sculptures will be displayed on campus, while his more recent work will be shown in the Moorhead museum.

Mickelson graduated from Concordia with a degree in art education. He earned a master's degree in sculpture from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He has taught since 1978.

Reassembled automobile parts made up his first sculptures. He then progressed to works cast in bronze that incorporated other found objects. Most recently he has worked on "Tricksters," works inspired by Nordic mythology that combine found wood, welded steel, bronze and other materials.

"Even though subject matter, forms and material have changed over the years, I am always interested in the 'objectness' of the art form and enjoy the processes involved in realizing my ideas," says Mickelson.

The exhibition runs from Oct. 5 to Nov. 8 in the campus gallery and begins Oct. 9 at The Rourke.

Book of Dovre’s Homilies Now Available

A new book of homilies by Dr. Paul Dovre, "Holy Restlessness: Reflections on Faith and Learning," is now available in the campus bookstore. He will be signing copies of the book before and after the Homecoming All-Campus Worship Service Sunday, Oct. 18.

The book is a collection of sermons, chapel talks and homecoming homilies selected from his 25 years as president of the college. Dovre explores the theme of holy restlessness that "comes in trying to reconcile our need for unity as a people and the reality of our diversity, a restlessness found in the tension between suffering and hope."

In her forward, Concordia President Pamela Jolicoeur writes that the homilies draw on "real experiences in the college community, or Dr. Dovre’s own experiences growing up on the prairie as he modeled how the examined life was lived and how the dialogue of faith and reason enriched one’s spiritual life."

Jolicoeur notes that reading the homilies allows the reader to pause and appreciate the richness of their message.

Published by Augsburg Fortress, books can be purchased from the Cobber Bookstore by calling (800) 828-6409 or online.

The Concordia Orchestra Tour

The Concordia Orchestra is touring Oct. 31 through Nov. 8.

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 7 p.m.
Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center
Worthington, Minn.

Sunday, Nov. 1 • 7 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, S.D.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 • 7 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church, Denver

Thursday, Nov. 5 • 7 p.m.
Fossil Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Fort Collins, Colo.

Friday, Nov. 6 • 7 p.m.
Dakota Middle School Auditorium, Rapid City, S.D.

Saturday, Nov. 7 • 7 p.m.
Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck, N.D.

Sunday, Nov. 8 • 4 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead

See more tour details