Schedule 2006-2007
October 4-5, 2006
Chris Homan
Director of Iraq Programs
National Democratic Institute
After graduating from Augustana, Chris Homan worked as an elementary school teacher for several years. He now serves as director of the Iraq program for the National Democratic Institute. Chris has traveled to Iraq five times to oversee the election process, help train legislators and support efforts to encourage citizen participation.
January 10-11, 2007
Steve Johns
Co-founder
Ardesta, Inc.
Augustana alum Steve Johns is the co-founder of Ardesta, a venture capital firm that supports new technology businesses. Prior to forming Ardesta, Steve was vice president of Global Business Development for Gateway and worked for Price-Waterhouse-Cooper.
January 18-19, 2007
Jessica and Steven Spieth
Licensed counselors
Jessica Spieth works for Aunt Martha's Youth Services as a therapist for pregnant and parenting DCFS wards in a transitional living program. She also has a private practice through the Center for Psychological Services. Steven Spieth works as a school counselor for a private therapeutic day school, providing individual and group therapy to the students.
January 25, 2007
Dr. Paul Richardson
Director of Human Needs and Global Resources
Wheaton College
Dr. Paul Richardson oversees a program at Wheaton College that combines interdisciplinary study with service learning, so that students confront global issues of poverty, hunger, conflict and injustice. He has served on the boards of Bread for the World, the Congo Initiative and the Africa Exchange.
January 31-February 1, 2007
Dr. Jan Allen
Associate Dean
Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jan Allen works extensively with new graduate students, helping them decide whether or not to pursue an academic career and assisting them in balancing the many responsibilities of graduate study. Dr. Allen recently authored The New Faculty and Graduate Mentor: A Guide to Developing Teacher-Scholars for Mentors, Faculty, Administrators and Graduate Students.
March 14-15, 2007
Major General James Hasbargen
Commanding General
U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps
Major General James Hasbargen has served over 15 years on active duty, in a variety of command and staff positions. He was appointed to his current position in October, 2006. Maj. Gen. Hasbargen is an Augustana graduate and received his M.D. degree from University of Illinois-Chicago.
March 21-22, 2007
Perry Waughtal
Institute founder
Perry Waughtal came up with the idea for the Institute while reflecting on the most meaningful and enduring experiences from his college career. His continuing generosity has made the Institute a reality and supports its ongoing mission.
Click here to read more about Mr. Waughtal and his goals for the Institute.
March 29-30, 2007
Dr. Ike Brannon
Economic advisor to Senator Orrin Hatch
Dr. Ike Brannon graduated from Augustana and received his Ph.D. from Indiana University. He taught at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and served as the chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. He is currently the principal economic adviser to Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. Dr. Brannon focuses on issues of housing, energy and transportation.
April 18-19, 2007
Dr. Timothy Johnson
Medical expert
ABC News
Dr. Timothy Johnson has provided commentary on medical problems and answers for viewers of ABC's Good Morning America since the program's debut in 1975. He also provides on-air analysis of medical news for World News Tonight, Nightline and 20/20. Dr. Johnson is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Augustana College and received his M.D. from Albany Medical College and M.P.H. from Harvard University.
April 24, 2007
Jane Elliott
"Brown Eyes, Blue Eyes" teacher
Jane Elliott is best known for the "Brown Eyes, Blue Eyes" experiment, in which she divided her third-grade class into two groups based on eye color. The study gave each group a first hand experience of what it felt like to be discriminated against, in this case based on eye color. She will give an interactive lecture about power, perception and prejudice.
Learning to Lead and Serve Communities
Environmental Studies
Students in Drs. Jason Peters and Charlie Mahaffey's Environmental Studies Learning Community traveled to Kansas for the 28 th Annual Prairie Festival. The group heard a wide variety of nationally recognized speakers ranging from business people to scientists to poets, all considering conservation and sustainability.
Stories of the Bible
Jeff Barker, Professor of Theatre at Northwestern College, will meet with students in the Stories of the Bible Learning Community, combining courses in music and religion. Barker is the composer of the musical opera And God Said, which will be performed by Opera@Augustana in spring 2007.
Ethics and New Technology in Life Sciences
Major General James Hasbargen will meet with this Learning Community during his visit.
Business Communication
Perry Waughtal will meet with this Learning Community during his visit.
