The Agre Challenge for the CSBR

Jim Agre is one member of a large family with close associations to Augsburg. His father, Courtland Agre, came to Augsburg in 1959 to serve as distinguished professor of chemistry, recruited from Berkeley by Bernhard Christensen. Of his five siblings, Jim and three others graduated from Augsburg, three of them with chemistry majors. And one of them, Peter ’70, went on to gain the remarkable distinction of winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. As a recent graduate, Jim stayed involved with the college for many years by coaching the Augsburg soccer team. Today Jim works just across the street from Augsburg as a member of the medical staff at the University Medical Center, Fairview.

The Courtland Agre Challenge is designed to raise money to honor Dr. Agre through the naming of the 2nd floor Center for Science, Business, and Religion atrium, as the Courtland Agre Atrium. The 2nd floor of the CSBR will be the location for Chemistry classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices. The Atrium will be a “main thoroughfare and hub” for students, faculty and staff.

This challenge has identified and enlisted several Augsburg alums. Now the opportunity is available to all whose education and lives have been impacted by Dr. Courtland Agre to participate in this Challenge.

Because of people like these, our work is gaining momentum. So many believe in the power of an Augsburg education to make great discoveries, to change lives, to serve and improve our communities.

The Agre Challenge for the CSBR is $250,000. On Give to the Max Day, November 14, we intend to raise $1000 that will help us achieve our audacious goal and have at least 25 new donors contributing to our worthwhile cause. Thank you for your suuport.