Faculty
Dr. Michael Nitz |
Dr. Michael Nitz (Ph.D., Arizona) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Coordinator of Norwegian Programs. He teaches the basic course in communication, as well as research methods, public relations, persuasion, mass media effects, campaigns, and international communication. He is a Fulbright Scholar whose research interests are in international media coverage of political and environmental issues, as well as the role of late-night television comedy in the political process. He recently received Augustana’s Jane Zaloudek Research Fellowship Award for work on Norwegian/German media coverage of the U.S. Presidential election. He is the campus advisor for PRSSA (PR Student Society of America) chapter and has led several International PR courses in Europe.
Dr. Scott Fish |
Dr. Fish received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin and teaches all levels of French language and Francophone cultures and literatures in the department's French program, and also leads a spring-break course to Paris. His primary research interests include André Gide, autobiography and autobiographical theory, seventeenth-century theater, and postcolonial Central and West African cinema. He has published articles and given conference presentations on Gide and Beckett. Dr. Fish has earned many awards for teaching including the first Outstanding Faculty Recognition Award given by the Augustana student body, and the 2006 Teacher of the Year Award from the South Dakota World Languages Association. Besides teaching at Augustana since 1995, Dr. Fish also serves as the National President of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society, and is a past president of the South Dakota chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French.
Dr. Joseph M. Dondelinger |
Dr. Dondelinger received his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and teaches the department’s courses in Comparative Politics and International Relations. He brings an unusual combination of background and skills to the department. He was born in Luxembourg and before becoming a U.S. citizen, he twice served as a member of the Luxembourg Mission to the United Nations. In addition to his native tongue, Luxembourgish, he speaks English, German and French fluently, and he is proficient in Russian. Besides teaching at Augustana, since 1985 Dr. Dondelinger has regularly offered courses for senior U.S. government executives at the prestigious Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA, first on Soviet and Russian politics and, since the late 1990s, on racial, ethnic, religious, cultural and nationalist conflicts. Dr. Dondelinger is the campus representative for the Truman Scholarship. His advising interests focus on careers in the foreign service and in international affairs.
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Timothy Sorenson |
Ben Iverson |
Ben graduated from Augustana College in 2004 with majors in International Studies and Spanish. Ben was a pitcher on the Viking baseball team. After graduation he worked as an International Coordinator at Bodoe University College in Norway. Ben is a native of Willmar, Minn. Ben is finishing year two of his Master’s program in International Education at SIT. So far this adventure seeker has traveled to Spain, Norway, Nicaragua, and Greece. Other cultural topics (Minnesota culture, that is) to discuss with Ben are the Minnesota Twins and hunting.
Donn Grinager |
Donn earned his bachelor's degree at Dakota Wesleyan University. Upon graduation, Donn was a member of the Peace Corps and served in Nepal. After earning a Master's degree in religion, he participated in the Japan Exchange Teaching Program. He has been at Augustana since 1992. Donn and his wife, Kristin, have two daughters, Nicole and Abbie. The entire family enjoys travel, both international and domestic. Last summer they did an intensive Spanish language program in Mexico and previously did a month-long program in Norway. When not working or spending time with his family, Donn can be found biking or playing intramurals (even after two knee surgeries) in the Elmen Center.
