Gregory McKusky, who received a B.A. in physics, joins family and faculty inMurphy Park after <strong>the</strong> Commencement ceremony.A graduate poses for a picture following <strong>the</strong> ceremony.Jennifer Hagen, who graduated with a B.S. inchemistry, relaxes with friends.THE AUGSBURG COLLEGE CLASS OF <strong>2004</strong>623 Candidates for graduation347 Day program candidates152 Weekend <strong>College</strong> candidates83 Graduate program candidates (12 Master of Arts in Leadership,30 Master of Social Work, 14 Master of Arts in Nursing, 24Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 3 Master of Artsin Education)33 Rochester program candidates8 United Hospital candidates10 Countries represented (China, Colombia, Republic of Korea,Laos, Liberia, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Spain, Taiwan)19-64 Age range of graduates in <strong>the</strong> Class of <strong>2004</strong>MASTER OF ARTS IN NURSING—CLASS OF <strong>2004</strong>A grad poses with her family after receiving abouquet of roses.The Master of Arts in Nursing program celebrated its third class of graduates. Here,graduates and faculty posed for a picture following <strong>the</strong> ceremony.30Spring/<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2004</strong>
COMMENCEMENT<strong>2004</strong>The 135TH YEAR of <strong>Augsburg</strong> <strong>College</strong>THE CLASS OF <strong>2004</strong>’SOLDEST AND YOUNGESTEDUCATION HAS NO AGE LIMIT by Jessica BrownABBEY PAYEUR,AGE 19, OF CHAMPLIN,MINN.,AND MARYANN KINNEY, AGE 64, OFROCHESTER, MINN., ARE THE YOUNGESTAND OLDEST OF AUGSBURG’S GRADU-ATING CLASS OF <strong>2004</strong>.PAYEUR ALREADY HAD A TWO-YEARCOLLEGE DEGREE WHEN SHE FINISHEDHIGH SCHOOL AND COMPLETED ABACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ELEMENTARYEDUCATION AT AUGSBURG IN TWO YEARS.SHE PLANS TO TEACH AND RETURN LATERFOR GRADUATE SCHOOL.KINNEY HAS BEEN A STAFF NURSE ATSAINT MARYS HOSPITAL IN ROCHESTERFOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS AND DECIDED TOSEEK A MASTER’S DEGREE IN NURSING. SHEHAS NO PLANS TO RETIRE SOON, BUTWANTS TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH LOWINCOME AND HOMELESS POPULATIONS.By some accounts, at age 64, MaryannKinney should be making plans for herretirement. Would she like to travel?Spend more time with friends? Instead,she walked down <strong>the</strong> aisle of <strong>Augsburg</strong>’sgymnasium in Melby Hall, adorned incap and gown.Kinney graduated with a Master ofArts in nursing degree and isn’tconsidering leaving <strong>the</strong> workforceanytime soon. “I probably should thinkabout my retirement, but I’m just goingto keep on going,” she says.This hospice volunteer for <strong>the</strong> past18 years has always spent much of hertime serving o<strong>the</strong>rs. A nurse since 1978,she has worked in Appalachia and withorphaned children in Romania.“Nursing is a profession where care isalways our key element,” says Kinney.After three attempts at attaining amaster’s degree, <strong>the</strong> fourth time provedto be a charm. She began at <strong>Augsburg</strong> in<strong>the</strong> fall of 2001. Kinney was finally ableto reach her goal, with <strong>the</strong> help of asupportive supervisor at Saint MarysHospital in Rochester, where shecurrently works, and close attentionfrom <strong>Augsburg</strong> faculty whom she says,“build on your strengths and work withyour weaknesses.”To Kinney, it was well worth <strong>the</strong>effort. “To keep up with all of <strong>the</strong>changes that are going on in nursing,you really need an advanced degree,”she says. “Unfortunately, many nurseswho get <strong>the</strong> degree get out of nursing.They go on to get more administrativeroles. <strong>Augsburg</strong>’s program prepares youto stay in nursing. I think most of <strong>the</strong>students that finish here stay in patientcare.”Kinney has a deep appreciation for<strong>Augsburg</strong>’s commitment to <strong>the</strong>community and <strong>the</strong>ir awareness of <strong>the</strong>broader issues, outside of what justaffects <strong>the</strong> campus. After graduation shewould like to do work with povertystrickenor homeless populations, areaswhere she gained experience throughher work at <strong>Augsburg</strong>’s Central NursingCenter, located in Central Lu<strong>the</strong>ranChurch in downtown Minneapolis.Kinney was also afforded <strong>the</strong> rareopportunity to do her clinical practice inLondon, England, at St. Christopher’shospice under <strong>the</strong> tutelage of founderDame Cicely Saunders. Saunders, at age85, still works at <strong>the</strong> hospice every day.She was a true inspiration to Kinney andreinforced a desire to work with thoseless fortunate.Kinney is no less of an inspiration inher own right, “I carry a bag of dirt inmy pocket. I have for a long time. I liketo keep it with me to remind me toalways stay ‘grounded’,” she says. Oftenwhen o<strong>the</strong>rs around her seem to befeeling overwhelmed she will share hersecret—“I take it out of my pocket andeveryone knows that <strong>the</strong>y have to getgrounded.” At <strong>the</strong> very least it offersthose around her a moment to pause andsmile.Kinney is grateful to <strong>Augsburg</strong> forhelping her achieve her goal, “I think<strong>Augsburg</strong> is awesome. Not only are <strong>the</strong>school, <strong>the</strong> classes, and <strong>the</strong> professorsgreat, but I was also really impressedwith <strong>the</strong> students. I can’t believe hownice <strong>the</strong>y are,” she says. “The greatestgift one can give to ano<strong>the</strong>r is a chance.That is what <strong>Augsburg</strong> did for me. It isalmost impossible as a staff nurse to haveone’s educational needs met. <strong>Augsburg</strong>went that mile.”Jessica Brown is a communicationspecialist in <strong>the</strong> Office of Public Relationsand Communication.Spring/<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2004</strong>31
Change language