Spring 2018

Advice and insights from a religion alumna

Pre-seminary students and the “Working with Faith” class gathered in Evald Great Hall with 2016 graduate Catie Nelson to discuss gap years after graduation, seminary study, and the changing nature of ministry in a diverse and changing world.

Nelson traveled to all seven of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminaries before making her final decision to attend Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C. (where she also plays flag football).

After graduating from Augustana with a religion and communication studies double major, she traveled overseas to participate in Young Adults in Global Mission, a one-year gap program.

Studying in Rome

Thirty-seven Augustana students accompanied Dr. Dan Lee for the Rome program. The group (seen at right pose for a photo at the Colosseum), also visit Vatican City. Prior to the trip, they do coursework at Augustana. 

The program includes meetings with church officials, visits to sites of significance and discussions related to the experiences. The program is open to students of any major.

Excellence in Liberal Arts awards

Religion students Ethan Doan, Hannah Griggs, Michele Hill, Madison Kinder and Eileen Ruppel were recipients of the 2017-2018 Excellence in Liberal Arts awards.

This award is generously gifted by Dr. Dan Lee, professor of religion, and his wife, Ruth Lee. The purpose is to reward students’ academic achievements, the amount of scholarly work done in the liberal arts including the humanities, achievement in co-curricular programs and leadership and service on campus and off campus.

Awards range from $400 to $4,000 and may be used for international study or summer programs in the humanities.  

Presenting at conference

Seniors Hannah Griggs, Madison Kinder, Sara Hovren, and Adiba Hasan attended the 2018 conference of the Midwest American Academy of Religion in Muncie, Ind. They are pictured with Dr. Jason Mahn, associate professor of religion and director of Augustana's Presidential Center for Faith and Learning

The seniors were selected to present their research on their Senior Inquiry projects in religion.  

Outstanding work in religion

Religion and English double-major Juliana “Mina” Magalhães received the 2017-2018 Floyd and Louise Anderson award for her outstanding work in religion.

The award was established by Sharon L. Anderson Telleen ’68 (daughter), Barbara R. Anders Lindquist ’71 (daughter), Katherine Telleen Stebe (granddaughter), Paul Telleen (grandson), Anders Lindquist ’04 (grandson) and Britt Lindquist Simonson (granddaughter), in memory of Floyd and Louise Anderson.

The award is given to a student in the junior year, selected by religion faculty for recognition of excellence in religious studies (as measured and defined by the faculty).

Faculty publications and presentations

Dr. Nirmala S. Salgado, professor of religion

Presentations

“Cultivating Piety Among Sri Lankan Buddhist Nuns.” American Anthropological Association Conference. Washington D.C. December 2017

“Monasticism, Contemplation, and the Disciplined Life of Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka.” 15th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. University of Hong Kong. Hong Kong. June 2017.

Publications

“Tradition, Power, and Community Among Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka,” Journal of Buddhist Ethics. Volume 24 (2017): 369-399.

Dr. Eric Stewart, associate professor of religion

Presentations

“Masculinity in Ambrose’s De Officiis.” St. Ambrose of Milan: (Re-)Constructing Community. An International and Interdisciplinary Conference hosted by the Academy of the Study of St. Ambrose. St. Ambrose University. Davenport, Iowa. April 2018.

“The Masculinity of Jesus: Imagining Jesus the Man in the Gospel of Mark and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.” Trinity Lutheran Church. Moline, IL. May, 2018.

“The Bible and Sexual Orientation.” First Congregational United Church of Christ. Moline, IL. March, 2018.

Publications

“Men and Masculinity in the New Testament,” Oxford Bibliographies in Biblical Studies. Edited by Christopher R. Matthews. New York: Oxford University Press, Feb. 22, 2018. DOI: 10.1093/OBO/9780195393361-0256.

“Ri(gh)ting a Wrong Rite: The Trial and Death of Jesus as Failed Ritual in the Paradosis Pilatou.” Neotestamentica 50.2 (2016): 353-372.