News Archives - 2011
King, Queen of Norway hosted Oct. 16 by Augsburg College
Augsburg College will host King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway on October 16 when Their Majesties attend a student worship service, peace pole dedication, and reception with Norwegian students from Augsburg and throughout the region.
"We are honored to have Their Majesties visit Augsburg College, given our Norwegian heritage and our deep commitment to peacemaking and global citizenship," said College President Paul C. Pribbenow.
Nearly 300 Norwegian students from Augsburg, sister colleges and state universities will attend the invitation-only student worship service with Their Majesties at 11 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel. Rev. Anne Loyning of Norwegian Seamen's Church will preside.
Immediately following the worship service, at 12 p.m., President Pribbenow will dedicate a newly installed peace pole to Their Majesties as a gift. The pole, which is an international symbol of peace on earth and includes messages of peace in 11 languages representing those of the communities in Augsburg's Cedar-Riverside and international locations.
"The peace pole was commissioned in recognition of Augsburg's work with the Norwegian Nobel Institute to support peacemaking through the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the College's Norwegian heritage, and its deep relationship with the country and people of Norway," Pribbenow said. "The peace pole will become a gathering site for regular ceremonies of peace each academic year."
After presentation of the peace pole, Their Majesties and students will gather for an invitation-only reception.
Prior to visiting Augsburg, Their Majesties will visit Luther College, St. Olaf College, and the Mayo Clinic. After visiting Augsburg, Their Majesties will meet with Governor Mark Dayton and guests for dinner. Their Majesties also will visit Duluth before departing Minnesota to visit New York for several days.
Their Majesties will visit Augsburg as part of their visit to the United States today through Oct. 22. This is the first visit by Their Majesties to Minnesota since 1991.
Augsburg Media Release and Details
Photo: Sølve Sundsbø / The Royal Court
