Christine Horner, autism creature

Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow’s bow tie collection has a reputation of its own. He is never seen on campus without a bow tie around his neck. While they may seem like frivolous accessories, according to multiple student reports his bowties serve a more nefarious purpose.

Disturbing accounts regarding Pribbenow’s bow ties have arisen from several students in recent weeks. Marcus* wrote to the Echo describing an encounter with Pribbenow in a Hagfors Center hallway. “It was only for a second, but he was adjusting his bow tie in the reflection of the vending machine. Then I saw his head wobble. It didn’t just shake back and forth, but it actually came off his neck for a second. I could be wrong, but I swear it happened,” he claimed. 

Other students have also described similar accounts. Lana* said, in an interview with the Echo, that while walking past him in Oren Gateway Center last February, she saw Pribbenow “quickly grab his neck like he was strangling himself” after his bow tie fell off. “I know that was a while ago, but it’s been on my mind since then and I just had to tell somebody.” In another interview with the Echo, Raymond* described an incident in Lindell Library just before closing last week. “I was in one of the stalls in the gender neutral bathrooms when someone walked in and went to the sink. They were chuckling. I looked through the cracks of the stall and it was President Pribbenow. I saw him take off his bow tie, then his head… then I just busted out of the stall and ran. I just ran.” 

Former Augsburg biology major Sandra* reached out to the Echo to tell of her experience. She expressed in an interview with the Echo that she was passionate about science and dreamed of a career in STEM before witnessing Pribbenow’s head fall off. “I just don’t understand why this wasn’t covered in any of my biology classes. It doesn’t seem real. It shouldn’t be possible.” Shortly after her sighting, she dropped out of Augsburg.

The Echo has also received anonymous handwritten letters slipped under the office door, each of them detailing similar sightings. One individual shoved a printed copy of Alvin Schwartz’s “The Girl with the Green Ribbon” with a note attached that said, “OPEN YOUR EYES.”

Due to the overwhelming amount of allegations, the Echo staff will hold an info session on Thursday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the Echo office, located in the basement of Christensen Center. We welcome anyone with information to come forward. Any students who need support in the meantime are encouraged to use the Center for Wellness and Counseling’s crisis support line: (612) 330-1707.

The Echo has reached out to Pribbenow for comment, but he has yet to respond.

*name changed for anonymity