Viking Life: Fall 2023 by Augustana University

VIKING LIFE FALL 2023

S T U D E N T L I F E AT A U G U S TA N A U N I V E R S I T Y

WELCOME TO AUGUSTANA Dear future Vikings, As the president and vice president of the Augustana Student Association (ASA), we are thrilled to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all high school students considering Augustana University as their next educational journey. At Augustana, you will discover a vibrant community that values academic excellence, inclusivity, community and personal growth. Our campus, located in the heart of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers an inspiring backdrop for your academic pursuits, personal development and engaged hands-on learning. As a liberal arts institution with a strong emphasis on the student experience, our dedicated faculty, diverse student body, and numerous opportunities for involvement will empower you to explore your passions and build lifelong connections. We invite you to embark on this exciting adventure with us, where you will receive a robust education and experience the sense of belonging that defines the Augustana community. Here, you are so much more than just an application or a number. The Augustana community looks forward to welcoming you and making your time here a transformative and memorable experience. Together, we will shape the future and make a positive impact on the world. Join us at Augustana University, and become part of a community where your dreams and aspirations are supported and your potential is limitless. We can’t wait to meet you and help you embark on this remarkable journey of growth, learning and discovery. It’s a great day to be a Viking! SKOL!

Lauren Teller

Lauren Teller ‘24 President, Augustana Student Association

Henry Sule

Henry Sule ‘24 Vice President, Augustana Student Association

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

Inspired by Lutheran scholarly tradition and the liberal arts, Augustana provides an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world.

Augustana aspires to become one of America’s premier church-related universities.

Central to the Augustana experience are five core values. The community lives them and honors them, and they infuse the academic curriculum as well as student life: Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service.

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IN THIS ISSUE

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18 20

GALLERY: Viking Views

GALLERY: Viking Days

3-Year Degree Pathway

France Inspires Education Major

Physics Major Lands NASA Experience

Biology Professor Instills a Love for Science

History Student Preserves the Past

Theatre Professor Builds Community

Doggie of Augie

The Latest at AU

EDITOR

Andrew Kronaizl ‘23

CONTRIBUTORS

Keeley Meier ‘20 Jill Wilson

DESIGNER

Kami Gladis

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Daniel Bergeson ‘19 Wes Eisenhauer Jack Johnson ‘25 Sydney Sherwood ‘27

Viking Life is published for prospective students by the Office of Strategic Communications & Marketing and Office of Admission.

CONNECT WITH US

The Office of Admission CONTACT 2001 S. Summit Ave. action, Title IX, admission@augie.edu Augustana is an affirmative @AugustanaSD Sioux Falls, SD 57197 605.274.5516 equal opportunity institution. augie.edu/admission VIKING LIFE FALL 2023 | 3

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1) Students walk by the campus green during fall. 2) The Augustana Viking Marching Band performs before a Viking Football game at Kirkeby-Over Stadium. Students receive scholarships for participating in the marching band, and you can learn more at augie.edu/MusicScholarships. 3) Augustana graduates celebrate commencement in Spring 2023. 4) The Augustana Esports Team practices in the video game League of Legends. 5) The Augustana University Class of 2027 poses with President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Ace the Augie Doggie. 6) Students celebrate the Hindu festival Holi. 7) Members of the theatre department perform the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.” 8) Students relax in the Siverson Lounge, home to Viking Grounds — the university’s on-campus Starbucks. 9) Students play soccer on the campus green. 10) Augustana Hockey players celebrate after scoring a goal during their first home game in program history at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center on Oct. 14. The men’s hockey program launched in Fall 2023, and the university will be adding men’s and women’s club hockey in Fall 2024.

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GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES Augustana Offers Pathway to Earn Bachelor’s Degree in Three Years | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

ugustana will soon be home to students looking to start their careers a little faster, save some money or jump into a graduate program earlier with the addition of its Degree in 3 program. Beginning in the summer and fall of 2024, the program is a straightforward pathway for students to complete certain academic programs in three years instead of four. With Degree in 3, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in three years in accounting, business administration, chemistry, elementary education, management, multimedia entrepreneurship, nursing or sport management. “Degree in 3 might mean that a student is simply completing a single major or making use of summer classes,” said Dr. Joel Johnson, interim provost. “But, if time is their most important consideration, sometimes money as well, and they want to get through in three years, we’re working on ways to show them that it’s possible. “We’re trying to look at that whole universe of students who might be “We’re trying to look at that whole universe of interested in Augustana, and say, ‘We can tailor fit our education to you.’” students who might be interested in Augustana, Associate Vice President of Enrollment and say, ‘We can tailor fit our education to you.”’ Management Adam Heinitz ‘99 noted that, in recent years, Augustana has — Dr. Joel Johnson, interim provost had a number of students successfully complete a shorter degree plan. Degree in 3, he said, is an intentional and formal way to highlight and scale what Augustana has already been doing on a student-by-student basis. Johnson said the idea for Degree in 3 originated from conversations between the Offices of Enrollment and Academic Affairs as they discussed feedback| from potentialMEIER students BY KEELEY ‘20 and how to make an Augustana education a reality for more students. The program, Johnson said, will appeal to students for whom finances are a concern or those who would like to get into a profession a little faster. “We know there is demand for our graduates, and this is yet another way we can meet our community’s growing workforce needs,” Heinitz said. The Degree in 3 program will also appeal to students looking to jump into their professions a little faster with a master’s degree. Degree in 3 offers graduate programs in accounting, business administration and sports administration & leadership.

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“For example, we have a 4+1 MBA program, but if you are really time-conscious and want to get through quickly, there are ways to make it a 3+1 — meaning (after) high school, four years later, you have your MBA,” said Johnson. “That’s a pretty powerful thing to come away with.” The Degree in 3 program involves collaboration between many people and departments on campus — program directors, deans, department and division chairs, the Division of Student Affairs, Student Success Center and Office of Financial Aid. This includes working out course sequencing, summer course availability, financial aid for an accelerated bachelor’s degree, as well as student support, housing and dining during the summer months. “The Degree in 3 program really changes the equation on affordability for students, allowing them to not only spend less on their college degree, but also enter the workforce as one of our highly sought-after graduates with strong earning potential a full year ahead of a majority of their peers,” Heinitz said. Augustana faculty and staff are also working to build additional support into the program for students. This includes the possibility of a cohort model for students experiencing Degree in 3 together, as well as creative gateway courses for students taking advantage of their first summer after high school graduation to take college-level courses. “The traditional 4-year degree involves the student developing as a person, so if you accelerate that, you want to make sure that you’re not losing that opportunity and development,” Johnson said. “That’s part Learn more about of the support we’re building and figuring out how we make sure that the Degree in 3 program at students after three years are ready for that life beyond.” augie.edu/DegreeIn3. Johnson also noted that just because a student comes in on a 3-year track doesn’t mean they’ll only stay for three years. With Augustana’s DEGREE IN 3 PROGRAM abundance of study-abroad and research opportunities, student organizations, and new and developing academic programs, Degree OFFERINGS in 3 students may realize that they want to take advantage of that • Accounting traditional fourth year. However, the Degree in 3 program will be a well • Business Administration thought-out option for students continuing on an accelerated path. • Chemistry As the program rolls out, Johnson said he’s most excited to see the students who Augustana has been missing out on because of • Elementary Education perceived barriers — things like time and cost. He is hopeful the • Management program will seal the deal with students who may not have considered • Multimedia Entrepreneurship the university previously. n • Nursing • Sport Management GRADUATE PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR 3+1 • Accounting + Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) • Business Administration + Master of Business Administration (MBA) • Management + Master of Business Administration (MBA) • Sport Management + Master of Arts in Sports Administration & Leadership (MSAL) VIKING LIFE FALL 2023 | 7

STARS IN HIS EYES John Babineau ‘24 Interns at NASA Flight Center Augustana University student John Babineau ‘24 is a physics and math double major from Andover, Minnesota, as well as a member of the Augustana Wrestling Team. As part of Augustana’s dual-degree engineering program, he will attend Washington University in Missouri next year for mechanical engineering. Babineau is fulfilling a lifelong goal by interning at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. With NASA, Babineau is gaining hands-on experience in his dream field: the aerospace industry.

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WHAT DREW YOU INTO THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING? I have always been interested in physics and mathematics. Ultimately, the math major at Augustana becomes a lot more thought-provoking and conceptual the higher you go. My critical thinking was put to the test in the math and physics proof-writing courses.

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HOW HAVE YOUR PROFESSORS OR MENTORS HELPED YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE? I originally declined to work at NASA because I thought I couldn’t just pack up my life and move across the country. However, a few days later I got an email from Dr. (Drew) Alton in the physics department congratulating me on my position at NASA. Having never told anyone about my decision (to decline), I asked how he knew and he reminded me that he is on the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium board, which was going to cover my stipend for the internship. After realizing that I likely secured the internship, I reached back out (to NASA), went through another interview process and landed this position at the Goddard Space Flight Center. I was able to talk about my research with physics professor Dr. (Eric) Wells during the interview process, and Dr. (Nathan) Grau has been super supportive in making sure I am still able to graduate on time. However, I can say with confidence that without Dr. Alton’s email congratulating me on a position I didn’t have, I would not be here today.

WHAT DO YOUR JOB DUTIES INCLUDE? On paper, my project is testing flight adhesives for how varying storage conditions and amine blushing affects the bond strength and shelf life. I have also been involved in many more projects, such as developing testing apparatus for humidity control by 3D modeling & printing, as well as executing mechanical tests.

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WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP? I like the independence of working on my own project. I feel interns are often given busy work and that their tasks have little to no effect on the actual success of things — just taking a paperwork load off the superiors. While my project might not be super critical to the success of any particular mission, it will help the department understand the effects of storage conditions and amine blushing for years to come. My favorite memory, though, was being shown all the different facilities the first week and being blown away by the scale of it all. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO LEARN OR GAIN FROM THE INTERNSHIP? The value of this internship has been seeing some behind-the-scenes operations that an aspiring engineer likely never knows until they witness it firsthand. I hope to gain some valuable skills and connections. Along with that, being able to put NASA on my resume will help tremendously in applying for future positions.

WHY IS THIS EXPERIENCE IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR FUTURE ASPIRATIONS? After college, I plan to work in the aerospace industry. This internship has not only opened my eyes to all the possibilities out there but has also provided me with experience that will be applicable to any place I apply in the future. Augustana’s outstanding liberal arts education provides the skills to adapt to changing environments in the engineering field. n

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OPERATION EXCAVATION Emma Ostwinkle ‘25 Interns at Colonial Dig Site Augustana University student Emma Ostwinkle ‘25, of Monticello, Iowa, is double majoring in anthropology and history. Having visited national parks throughout her childhood, Ostwinkle knew where to turn when she started looking for internships. She spent the summer working at Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia, which includes Historic Jamestown, the battlefield of Yorktown and colonial plantations. Her work focused on increasing awareness of the history of enslaved African Americans through excavating areas of the park.

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WHAT SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR YOUR FIELD OF STUDY? I came to Augustana knowing that I wanted to study history and anthropology with my main goal being archaeology. History was always my favorite subject in school, so there never was really any question about what I wanted to study. I’ve always wanted to be part of discovering, protecting and sharing history. Archaeology is a subfield of anthropology, so originally I picked to study anthropology because of that. Now, I think studying both history and anthropology is really important. In my opinion, in order to fully understand the past, there needs to be a more holistic approach — tying in a historical line of thought with anthropological views that focus on culture and artifacts, as well as written or oral history.

WHAT DID YOUR JOB DUTIES INCLUDE? My work was pretty varied throughout the internship. I spent some days gathering historical research on the Travis family and plantation. We spent a total of three weeks in the field and doing excavations on the site, which is being threatened by climate change and shoreline erosion. I love being able to be out in the field digging, as I think it’s the best way to learn archaeology and learn a new cultural landscape. We were digging for areas on the plantation that were associated with the enslaved African Americans who lived and worked on the plantation. After the field work was complete, I spent time in the lab washing and photographing the artifacts, as well as time in the office digitizing field data. I also had the chance to help with site condition assessments, which meant going to various archaeological sites in the park and noting their current conditions and any disturbances or threats. 10 | VIKING LIFE FALL 2023

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HOW HAS YOUR WORK HELPED THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S PURPOSE? My work helped move the (historical) project forward. Next summer, they (the National Park Service) will be excavating the features that I helped find. After they excavate, more will be known about the layout of the plantation. Using that information and the artifacts found, they can piece together a more complete story about enslavement on the plantation and more about how the plantation was lived and worked on. There’s still a lot to do, and this is a continuous process. Every piece of work done contributes to what is known and helps us understand the landscape better.

WHAT WAS THE VALUE OF THIS INTERNSHIP FOR YOU? With this internship, I was able to expand my experience by working in an area with a different historical background. I also met and made connections with people who are working as archaeologists in the National Park Service, which helped me learn about the career path and gain experience for my future career. The internship really helped to solidify my career plans and passion for cultural resource management. Personally, I also met a lot of new people and made lifelong friends. I’ll remember the whole summer fondly, as it was such a great work environment with amazing people.

HOW HAVE YOUR PROFESSORS OR MENTORS HELPED YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE? My professors have helped me a lot. Both in the anthropology and history departments, I have experienced amazing support and encouragement to explore and fulfill my passions. They have all been so willing to help me achieve my goals and have given me recommendations on where to look for jobs, as well as resume and application advice. They also are always there to give me advice in furthering my education and my career.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? After Augustana, I plan to work as an archaeology field technician, either doing seasonal work for the National Park Service or doing projects with a cultural resource management firm for a few years before heading to grad school. I think Augustana has really prepared me to achieve those goals. The courses I’ve taken, along with advice and help from my professors, led me to having those goals in the first place and have given me the confidence to know I can reach them. n

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Meet the Augie Doggie

Golden Retriever Steals Hearts as Goodwill Ambassador | BY JILL WILSON

wenty years ago, the floppy-eared Augie Doggie mascot brought energy and excitement to football and basketball games. This year, the Augie Doggie is back at Augustana, doing a lot of the same things — engaging with students and staff, as well as attending various university events — serving as a goodwill ambassador for the university. However, the Augie Doggie is no longer a person behind a costume, but an actual dog. “I envision that everyone in the AU community will get to know who Augie Doggie is and his name. I want students to recognize him when they see him from across campus and want to spend time with him,” said Augustana Chief of Staff Pamela Miller ‘94. In late July, Miller got her wish. That’s when Ace — the Augie Doggie, sponsored by Nyberg’s Ace — officially became part of the Augustana University community, alongside Ole the Viking.

BRINGING BACK THE DOGGIE The suggestion to bring back the Augie Doggie came from a 1984 alumnus who attended Augustana when the mascot was first introduced — aware of what it meant to the college and its fans. “Wayne (Petersen) said, ‘I have an idea for you guys to bring the dog back,’ and he started telling us about what the (Minnesota) Wild does. They adopt a dog that becomes part of their culture for the time that it’s there,” Miller explained. Petersen, a member of the Augustana Hockey Promotional Development & Fan Engagement Subcommittee, is the senior director of community relations & hockey partnerships for the Minnesota Wild. His position includes overseeing the team’s Adopt-A-Dog program. The program began in 2018 after Petersen and the Wild heard that Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue named a litter of puppies after its players. A photo shoot turned into a calendar, which raised $50,000 for charity. A huge success, Petersen came up with the idea of having a team dog. “In the summer of 2019, we adopted our first team dog. Our president, now CEO, fostered Breezer and brought him into the office two to three days a week. He was at every game,” Petersen said. “It was our responsibility to do some basic social training with the dog and that’s when we started our relationship with a group called Soldier’s 6, which trains dogs to become service dogs. Then, they are placed usually with veterans, sometimes first responders with PTSD.” Petersen couldn’t help but smile when he heard Augustana took his idea and ran with it. “I think it’s pretty cool,” Petersen said. “I think it’s awesome that Augie Doggie is making a comeback.” 12 | VIKING LIFE FALL 2023

HOW ACE FOUND HIS PLACE

Ace, who is a 9-month-old English cream golden retriever, came to Augustana through B-Squad Dog Rescue, a foster-based rescue. The organization, based out of Brandon, South Dakota, “transports, heals, fosters and finds forever homes for at-risk dogs.” Ace, and his brother, Phil, were surrendered to B-Squad from a commercial breeder in Missouri due to health issues. After being surrendered, Ace was placed with a B-Squad Foster — Sam Kremer and Chrisanne Ebertz, who are roommates in the area. Then, perhaps it was fate that brought Ace, his foster family and Augustana together. While Miller was in conversation with B-Squad, trying to find the right dog for AU, Miller just happened to meet Kremer and Ace in downtown Sioux Falls one night. The rest, you can say, is history. “I met Pam and you could just tell she had such a big heart and a soft spot for dogs. She instantly fell in love with him and knew immediately he would be the perfect fit for this program. She made it her mission to adopt this dog,” said Kremer. On July 24, the women transferred Ace to his new home — a home of 2,000+ students and staff to love on him. “I love that he’s the first. I know that he’ll set the bar high,” said Kremer, proudly. “Stranger danger is not a thing for him. He loves to cuddle and never passes up the opportunity to give kisses. You can’t help but smile when he’s around, so I know he will fit in perfectly on campus and bring so much joy to everyone. He’s going to be a star for sure.”

IM-PAW-SIBLE TO SAY ‘NO’ There was no question who would be the Augie Doggie’s handler once it got to Augustana. Miller’s office has a shelf dedicated to her dogs, past and present, complete with a name plate that reads, “Ask me about my dogs.” And, you should only do it if you have an hour to spare! There are plenty of others who can’t say ‘no’ to the infamous Augie Doggie either. Augustana knew just who to turn to when it came time to find a lead sponsor — Nyberg’s Ace Owner and President Kevin Nyberg ‘79. “How could you say no?” asked Nyberg, after agreeing to sponsor the Augie Doggie for five years. “I’m so proud to be the first sponsor of the Augie Doggie. The students, faculty and alumni are all going to fall in love with this little guy, and it’s going to be a great venture.” And, a great venture it has been. Ace goes to work with Miller at AU several days a week, doing what he does best. “He’s very much a politician,” said Miller. “He knows how to work the room!” Ace is going through training with Paws Pet Resort, and Best Care Pet Hospital, the veterinary clinic that Ace visits, is providing his medical care in-kind. To keep up with the #AugieDoggie, follow Ace on Facebook and Instagram @doggieofaugie. n VIKING LIFE FALL 2023 | 13

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1) JayVian Farr ‘24 and Sam Skarstad ‘24 are crowned the 2023 Viking Days Royals. 2) Members of the Augustana Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Teams pump up students during the Viking Days Parade. 3) Students cheer on the Viking Football Team during the homecoming game. 4) Members of the Viking Days Royalty Court prepare to take pies to the face during the Viking Days kickoff celebration. 5) The Augustana University Marching Choir sings while walking in the parade. 6) The Viking Marching Band performs at the homecoming football game. 7) The Viking Days Royalty Court wear their Norwegian sweaters. 8) Cheerleaders celebrate together. 9) Students watch a fireworks display to celebrate 100 years of homecoming.

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Lessons from

Kayaking in

France

Around the World

Education Major Experiences Global Teaching Styles | BY ANDREW KRONAIZL ‘23

J Friends in N

orway

Waterfall in Fr

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ance

acob Hyland ‘24 had just returned from a month-long study-away trip to Norway when he received great news. He was selected as a recipient of the Joseph W. Yedlicka Award through Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society, which would give him the opportunity to travel to France in the summer of 2023. Hyland is an elementary education major with minors in special education and French. For him, these academic fields work well together, as having worldwide experiences and knowledge allows him to be inclusive and accessible in his teaching style. After graduation, Hyland plans to be an English teacher in a French-speaking country. “I want to experience different cultures because I want to help my students who come from different cultures,” Hyland said. Hyland has known he’s wanted to be an educator since before college, but he picked up his French minor after taking French language classes at Augustana. He was accepted into Pi Delta Phi, and his professors encouraged him to apply for the honor society’s scholarships, which support travel. As a scholarship recipient, Hyland spent six weeks studying French at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence in the southern part of the country. When he wasn’t in class comparing French school systems with American ones for assignments, he was able to explore the coastal region. “The school offered a lot of day trips, so I went to La Ciotat, Avignon — just a bunch of different smaller cities in the south of France,” Hyland said. “I went to Nice one trip, and the sea looked like Gatorade. It was crazy. It was just a blue that I’ve never seen before.” While the trip was a major life event for Hyland, he felt comforted by the individuals at Augustana who helped him along the way.

“Erin Kane (interim co-director of the International Programs Office) helped me make sure I had my passport in check and all the different documents that I would need to get over there,” Hyland said. “She just helped me with all the questions that needed to be answered.” In addition to the support they give to students traveling abroad, Hyland also said that the International Programs Office (IPO) and Augustana University as a whole encourage students to study away — enough so that more than half of Augustana students study away before graduation. This support comes in the form of scholarships for international programs and curricula that have international classes built in, which was the case for Hyland’s trip to Around the World Norway for January Interim (J-Term) 2023. “It was a credit I needed, so I could either take this in America and augie.edu/apply Join us for our Around the Worldaugie.edu/visit go to the same school districts I’ve already been to, or I could take it event on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Norway,” Hyland said. “Augustana provided scholarships, too.” at AU. You’ll learn about Because it was part of his major, the trip to Norway taught Hyland study-abroad opportunities, a lot about the teaching styles of other cultures, much like his trip to experience a cultural food fair France. Norway’s culture, Hyland said, promotes a relaxed education and have a chance to receive a environment that’s easy on elementary school students. $2,000 study-abroad stipend! “It was cool to bring back different skills that they are using.” RSVP at augie.edu/majors augie.edu/nursing While Hyland has experienced the education systems of different augie.edu/AroundTheWorld countries, he still appreciates the atmosphere of Augustana — the community feel, small class sizes and opportunities for connection. By combining his time at Augustana with his experiences across the globe, Hyland looks forward to making a difference through a teaching style that’s all his own while continuing to be inspired by his AU experiences. n augie.edu/AroundTheWorld

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SHARING A LOVE FOR STEM Biology Professor Involves Students of All Ages in Science

| BY ANDREW KRONAIZL ‘23

or Dr. Sally Mallowa, Augustana assistant professor of biology, teaching fulfills a lifelong passion. As a kid, she dreamt of being a nurse, but that desire evolved as she studied biology and became a professor. While she never ended up working in health care, Mallowa takes pride in educating and fostering the growth of her students who will. “I get to teach all of these people who are going to be nurses (and other health care professionals), and I think that’s really neat,” Mallowa said. Much of Mallowa’s love for her job comes from the opportunity she has to impact the lives of others — an impact that extends to the students in her classes and members of ExploSTEM, the Augustana club she advises, as well as the elementary, middle and high school students in the Sioux Falls area that take part in Augustana’s STEM camps and science outreach events. In all of these opportunities, Mallowa values the chance to get students interested and engaged in science, even if it’s not what they had in mind for their future. One of her favorite classes to teach is a general biology class intended for students who aren’t biology majors. “I think that biology for non-majors is the most important class I teach,” Mallowa said. “I think science is important. The classes for biology majors, those students already think science is important.” Mallowa aims to make her lessons engaging by focusing on real-world examples and problems. Instead of having students memorize the stages of cellular reproduction, she asks them to fill out a family tree and see the genetic traits they’ve inherited because of meiosis. To dive into the lifespan of cells, she focuses on how cancer has a more immediate impact on cells that divide quicker.

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“In 20 years, if they remember nothing else about my class, what do I want them to remember?” Mallowa reflected. “One of the things we’ve been talking about as an institution is having high-impact experiences, and I think that’s changed the trajectory of how I teach my class.” Mallowa’s passion for getting people engaged in science extends beyond the campus community. The club she advises, ExploSTEM, works to involve One of the things we’ve local elementary, middle and high been talking about as an school students in science events. Part institution is having high-impact of Mallowa’s drive in these outreach experiences, and I think that’s efforts is making STEM an accessible and changed the trajectory of how welcoming environment and inspiring a I teach my class.” love of science in all students. “We are seeing that the STEM pipeline — Dr. Sally Mallowa Assistant Professor of Biology is broken,” Mallowa said. “It has too few girls, too few people of color, too few Native Americans, and we need to be part of making impactful experiences for those students.” As part of her local outreach efforts, Mallowa gets a handful of Augustana students in her biology class intended for non-majors to present what they’ve learned to the local students. “They see themselves explaining concepts, and then they have confidence in themselves,” Mallowa said. “Most of them are not going to be teachers. They’re going to be journalists or football players — all kinds of different things. But, when they present in a classroom, they do really well and explain these concepts in a way students can understand.” The engaging experiences Mallowa creates aren’t limited to the classroom. During January Interim (J-Term), she offers a study-away course on food security in her home country of Kenya. “I feel like I have an opportunity to share my culture, my family and my country with my students in a way that you can talk about it in class, but it’s just something about study abroad that crosses all lines,” Mallowa said. Augustana students have recognized all the effort Mallowa puts into making science a fun and inclusive field. This past spring, the Augustana Student Association (ASA) awarded her with one of its Faculty of the Year Awards. Alongside professional accomplishments, she said that this year has been fulfilling. “On a personal level, it means a lot,” said Mallowa. n

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DIRECTING DREAMS Theatre Professor Encourages Students on Augustana, Community Stages

| BY ANDREW KRONAIZL ‘23

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ince 1997, actors have used the grassy Queen Bee Mill historic ruins in downtown Sioux Falls as a stage for performing Shakespeare. Since 2010, Dr. Jayna Fitzsimmons, Augustana assistant professor of theatre, has led this local community troupe — the Bare Bodkins Theatre Company — as its artistic director. Fitzsimmons, who joined Augustuana in 2010, has been involved with Bare Bodkins for most of her life. Growing up in the area, she attended performances throughout her childhood, and in 2006, she started acting for the troupe. “Having had that experience, I think that really has helped me over the years I’ve been the artistic director, not only in choosing what we do for our seasons, but also as I’m directing the productions,” Fitzsimmons said. “I can bring myself back in time and go, ‘OK, as an actor, I know that this is what it’s like performing in the space, or these are the challenges.’” For Fitzsimmons, this role builds upon the work she does as a professor. It provides experiences and knowledge she can bring back to her theatre students at Augustana. “I think sometimes it’s difficult for people outside of the theatre world to really see what we do as research just like someone would do in a lab, but it really is,” Fitzsimmons said. “We’re interpreting, we’re staging and we’re working collaboratively on something to breathe new life into it.” The value of Bare Bodkins extends beyond just Fitzsimmons, though. During her tenure as artistic director, she has encouraged Augustana theatre students to try out for the troupe. This has opened doors and provided them with unique experiences. “It’s a treat when I get to continue my work with my students in the summer, and it’s a new context of our work,” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s my students who are beginning their professional journeys working with a wide range of actors in other professional stages of their career. It’s really fun to see them develop and grow as performers over the summer.” Nolan Wipf ‘24 has been acting with Bare Bodkins since its 2021 season. Wipf, a vocal music education major, received a theatre scholarship when applying to Augustana and has been involved in the theatre department throughout his time at AU. Bare Bodkins provides Wipf with a unique acting experience.

“It strips away a lot of the shields that actors have to hide some of their insecurities,” Wipf said. “We don’t have elaborate costume designs or makeup or sets to distract from the work. It’s very emulative of the actual stuff that would be happening in the Globe Theatre (in London).” As an actor, the communal nature of Bare Bodkins allows Wipf to try new approaches to characters. Additionally, having a director with extensive knowledge of Shakespeare has given him confidence in these artistic endeavors. “I don’t know if there’s anyone I could think of who has more of an expertise on Shakespeare than Jayna, and that always makes me feel so comfortable to do what I want,” Wipf said. “If I’m unsure that my choice is accurate for something Shakespeare would have been alright with, I can just ask her.” For Tatiana Chance ‘23, acting in Bare Bodkins has given her a full-circle Shakespeare experience with Fitzsimmons. Chance’s first experience acting out Shakespeare was in high school when she attended a Shakespeare camp that Fitzsimmons taught. During that performance, she played the role of Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet.” During the 2023 season, Chance had the opportunity to reprise the role, this time with years of experience under her belt. “I got to go back through that role, take all the things I’ve learned from the Augustana Theatre Department and do 10 times better,” Chance said. Part of Chance’s joy for Shakespeare stems from Fitzsimmons’ approach to directing, both for the Bare Bodkins Theatre Company and for Augustana. “What I really enjoy about Jayna’s directing style is that it’s very actor-motivated,” Chance said. “You can tell when something is director-motivated versus when something is actor-motivated because it’s what is natural to your body and makes the most sense to you and your character. It’s less of a formula and more of a recipe you’re crafting together.” For Augustana students and faculty involved in Bare Bodkins, a driving purpose is to get the Sioux Falls community passionate about Shakespeare and theatre in general. “Bringing Shakespeare to life and having little kids enjoy it — seeming like they understand what’s going on, that’s brilliant,” Wipf said. “I love that we can bring something from more than 400 years ago and have some little 5-year-old go crazy for it.” Drawing from the experience of attending performances when she was younger, Fitzsimmons now thinks about how the company impacts the community. By making Shakespeare approachable, she strives to foster an artistic, welcoming atmosphere. “I think of this as a public service to our community, and I think our audiences think of it that way, too,” Fitzsimmons said. n

Theatre scholarships at Augustana are available for students of all majors. Learn more at augie.edu/ProDramatis.

VIKING LIFE FALL 2023 | 21

NEW AT AU BIOINFORMATICS Augustana is home to South Dakota’s first undergraduate program in bioinformatics — the application of computational tools to biology — as both a major and minor. Augustana is also the only university in the region to incorporate courses in both data science and artificial intelligence within its program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND QUANTITATIVE ECONOMICS Augustana began offering both criminal justice and quantitative economics as majors in October — adding to the list of interdisciplinary academic programs being developed as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.

GENDER, SEXUALITY & WOMEN’S STUDIES Augustana began offering a gender, sexuality & women’s studies minor this fall. The minor is housed within the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS). This is the second time that Augustana has introduced a minor in gender studies — the first in the 1991-92 academic year.

SOCIAL WORK Students can now receive a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), with all classes being offered in fall of 2024. The Master of Social Work (MSW) is targeted to launch at Augustana in the fall of 2025. Students who earn their BSW at Augustana can complete the MSW in one year. The Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program within the Sharon Lust School of Education is named after former Director of the Augustana Social Work Program and Assistant Professor Emerita of Social Work Dr. Harriet Emily (Johnson) Scott ‘59.

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BUNTROCK SCHOLARSHIP Continue your involvement in the ELCA and find your home in a community of faith by joining the Buntrock Scholars Program at Augustana. This competitive scholarship covers half of the net price of attendance at Augustana, up to $12,000.

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