VIKING
LIFE STUDENT LIFE AT AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY
SUMMER 2019
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO
BE A VIKING
AUGIE.EDU
NATIONALLY
NAMED
RECOGNIZED
BEST COLLEGE
IN SOUTH DAKOTA BY
MONEY UNIVERSITY U.S. NEWS
MAGAZINE
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IN REGIONAL COLLEGE MIDWEST IN MOST INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS
4 # 8 #
IN BEST VALUE SCHOOLS IN BEST UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
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t’s been a wonderful summer at Augustana University. For the second year in a row, we celebrated a national championship for our Augustana Vikings. In 2018, our men’s baseball team won the College World Series and this year our women’s softball team brought home the 2019 NCAA Division II Softball Championship trophy. We are so proud of this outstanding team of players and coaches! June also brought the announcement of the Spring 2019 Dean’s List. I am proud to share that 644 students, nearly 42 percent of our undergraduates, earned this distinction. And we were also ranked by the career site, Zippia, as the second university nationwide for post-graduate employment. Throughout the summer, we’ve been putting the final touches on important campus improvements. This fall we will celebrate the opening of our newest apartment complex on Summit Avenue, the completed renovation of the Fryxell Humanities Center, and the first workouts at Larson Track and Field. Our Vikings will also notice an even more beautiful landscape as they navigate their way around campus. We continue to celebrate our 100 years in Sioux Falls, an exciting place to live and learn year-round. Recent months have brought continued recognition for our great city, including Top 10 placements for Best Cities for Entrepreneurs and Best Places to Live, and the No. 15 spot on the Happiest City in America list. Adding to the fun and energy of downtown Sioux Falls this summer is Levitt at the Falls, a new outdoor music venue offering a diverse lineup of 30 free shows. Since our founding, Augustana has prepared students to be leaders who explore, create and boldly discover what’s possible. There’s no better time than the present to assess how we will continue our important mission for the next 100 years and to plan for our future in an ever-changing higher education marketplace. In December, our Board of Trustees unanimously and enthusiastically approved the aspirational goals outlined in Vision 2030. You can read all about the vision, goals, and follow our progress by visiting augie.edu/ vision. Over the last two years, many alumni, students, and parents have shared their Augustana stories with me. The stories I’ve heard are powerful, and the overall sentiment is that their Augustana experiences, or those of their children, have shaped their understanding of others and their outlook on life. Augustana invested in them and challenged them to dream big and act boldly. Augustana served as the foundation of their success and of their commitment to service. As we prepare to begin a new academic year, we will continue to discover what’s possible, unleash even more potential, prepare even more servant leaders, and ensure a bold and bright future for the very special place that is Augustana University. I am excited about your interest in Augustana and I look forward to seeing you on campus as you imagine your bold future as an Augustana Viking.
Follow me on Twitter: @augiepres
Yours, for Augustana,
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 1
CO N T E N TS SUMMER 2019 4
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Recent Grads' Experiences
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MORE ACCOLADES FOR AUGUSTANA ATHLETICS
10 J-TERM TRAVEL: Discovering the World 12
WHAT'S NEW AT AU? Campus Transformations
13
PODCASTING TAKES AU INTO THE FUTURE
14 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: 19 Years of Student Research Symposiums 15
KENNEDY FESTIVAL: A Learning Experience for Students
16 "POWER, THE PRESS & THE PRESIDENCY" AT BOE FORUM 18
VISION 2030: Affirming Academic Excellence
20 Campus Map
VIKING LIFE At Augustana, we believe certain individuals are called to “Be a Viking.” They understand that in order to create an even better tomorrow, they must explore and discover bold concepts and important ideas today. Viking Life is published for prospective students by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing and the Office of Admission. Send correspondence and address corrections to: The Office of Admission, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57197 Admission contact info: email admission@augie.edu, or call 800.727.2844 University Leadership: Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president AU Admission Staff: Max Boyum Carrie Carroll Nancy Davidson Melissa Dykstra Madeleine Ellis Haley Elness Thomas Elness Wade Gemar Adam Heinitz Mo Hurley Wendy Mamer Carrie Pederson Pete Roberts
OUR MISSION 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.
OUR VISION
CONNECT WITH US!
Augustana aspires to become one of America’s premier church-related universities.
augie.edu/connect
CORE VALUES
Augustana is an affirmative action, Title IX, equal opportunity institution.
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 & Service.
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VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
© Augustana University 2019
98%
JOB PLACEMENT
FOR CLASS OF 2018
CLASS OF 2018 OUTCOMES REPORT
98% TOP 5 OF 2018 GRADS ARE EMPLOYED IN THEIR MAJOR OR CHOSEN FIELD
OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATIONS OF 2018 AU GRADS: • HEALTH CARE & TECHNICAL • EDUCATION • BUSINESS & FINANCIAL • SALES AND RELATED OCCUPATIONS • ARTS, DESIGN, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS
47,736 97%
$
MEDIAN SALARY REPORTED BY 2018 AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY GRADS
OF 2018 GRADS PARTICIPATED IN ENGAGED LEARNING: INTERNSHIPS, CLINICALS, STUDENT TEACHING, STUDY ABROAD, VOLUNTEERISM AND MORE
BE A
VIKING SCHEDULE YOUR CAMPUS VISIT TODAY!
AUGIE.EDU/MYVISIT 800.727.2844
Where ARE THEY NOW? TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR RECENT GRADS' EXPERIENCES, VISIT AUGIE.EDU/VIKINGLIFE
"My favorite class during my time at Augie was my Advanced Analytical Chemistry course. We were set to design a personal research experiment for the class, but I was approached by my chemistry professor, Dr. Weisshaar, and my anthropology professor, Dr. Hannus. The Historical District of Deadwood discovered old medicine bottles and I was offered the task of identifying the constituents of what remained in the bottles. It required a combination of chemistry lab skills and archaeological research. The results were presented at the Plains Anthropological Conference and I am currently working with professors to get it published in the Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry." HOPE MAUNDERS ‘19, Chemistry & Anthropology, Researcher, Inanovate Inc.
"Attending the sophomore retreat was a great opportunity for me to reflect on my vocation and spend time thinking about how I wanted to serve the world. I learned about numerous resources available at Augie that would help me succeed in the future. I also served as a mentor for this retreat and enjoyed sharing with other students about our questions and aspirations regarding our calling."
"The Student Success Center was instrumental in helping me find and secure the internships that I completed. I am now an Executive Team Lead for Target in the Nebraska District and am excited to have a store I can actually call ‘mine.’"
DARWIN GARCIA ‘19, Physics & Mathematics, Graduate Student, Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences; Biomedical Engineering & Physiology track
ALEXA BRUICK ‘19, Business Administration
I chose AU because it is one of only 15 colleges in the country to offer an accredited bachelor's degree in sign language interpreting. After touring and seeing the beautiful campus and learning about the program, I knew I had found the right school. It checked all my boxes - smaller size, liberal arts, the right distance from home, and a friendly, community feeling. LAUREN MILLS ‘18, Sign Language Interpreting, Self-employed Sign Language Interpreter
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VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
I will be teaching 5th Grade in the Omaha Public School District at Fontenelle Elementary. This university helped me reach outside of just South Dakota and grow in places all around the United States. I had the chance to learn just how important relationships with co-workers, peers, friends, and professors are within my life and how I can use that to help me in my career and the rest of my life. ROCHELLE RAMHARTER ‘19, Elementary Education & Special Education
"Augie was the last college I was going to visit my senior year, and after visiting ten other undergraduate programs, Augie definitely came out on top. Entering college, I knew I wanted to be a speech-language pathologist, and AU offered a unique hands-on program that piqued all of my interests. I also loved that Augustana really encouraged students to explore their passions. For me that meant joining the Angelus Choir, gaining impactful hands-on experiences in the Sioux Falls community, and studying abroad in England, Greece, and Norway."
"My favorite learning experience outside of the classroom had to be my summer internship with Sanford Medical Center in their Intensive Care Unit. What made the experience so great was it provided experiences that you wouldn’t normally get as a student. They allowed me to do 98 percent of the tasks an ICU nurse would normally do (with supervision, of course)." AUSTIN VANDERWEIDE '19, Nursing, Nurse, Sanford ICU
KATELYN DERBY ‘18, Communications Disorders & Special Education, Graduate Student, MSU-Moorhead; Speech-Language Pathology
"I plan on attending the University of South Dakota School of Law in Vermillion this fall. While the prospect of law school is pretty daunting, I feel like I’m more prepared than others who went to larger schools because of Augie's smaller class sizes, which make you not just punch your time card and show up to class and leave, but instead push you to consider issues critically and think on your feet in a way that a large lecture at a bigger school wouldn't." JACK BROWN ‘19, Government/International Affairs VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 5
BARROWS EARNS NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
Josh Barrows is the recipient of a 2019 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, an honor awarded to student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically while also serving as leaders in the community. Barrows, who was also recently named to the Google Cloud Academic AllRegion® first team for track & field, will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be used for postgraduate study. Barrows recently competed at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships and placed seventh in the 400m hurdles final after entering the meet with the 24th ranked time in the event. Barrows became the 39th Augustana student-athlete to win an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, with Kirby Hora earning the scholarship earlier this year. Barrows plans to go to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to complete a master’s degree in English Rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University with plans of pursuing an English Ph.D. afterward. n
MORE ACCOLADES FOR
AUGUSTANA ATHLETICS BASEBALL For the first time in program history, the Vikings clinched the NSIC regular season title with a 29-6 record in conference play. The defending national champion Vikings also won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament and the Central Region I Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. JT Mix, Jordan Barth, and Max Steffens all earned NCBA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Region First Team honors, while Riley Johnson was named to the second team. Steffens was also named a second team NCBWA All-American, while Barth was named a third team All-American. The National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) placed six Vikings on their Division II Central Region Teams. Max Steffens was named the Central Region Pitcher of the Year for the second time in the 2019 season, having won the honor from the D2CCA earlier. Head coach Tim Huber earned Central Region Coach of the Year. Jordan Barth (Utility) and Steffens (Starting Pitcher) were both named to the Central Region First Team. JT Mix earned a spot on the NCBWA Central Region Second Team in the second base spot. Honorable mention accolades were earned by Will Olson (Catcher) and Riley Johnson (Outfield). n 6
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
2019 NCAA DIVISION II SOFTBALL
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Playing as a family in a relentless pursuit of a national title, the Augustana Softball team, after losing game one, came back to knock off Texas A&M-Kingsville, 6-4, in game two and outlasted the Javelinas, 6-4, in game three to claim the 2019 Division II Softball National Championship. The title marks the second in program history for Augustana. The Vikings claimed the 1991 national title under legendary coach Sandy Jerstad. Augustana (61-11), also tied the program record for wins in a single season with 61. Augustana earned six spots on the DII all-tournament team, including pitcher Ashley Mickschl who was named most outstanding player. Mickschl pitched a total of 26.1 innings, allowing eight earned runs and striking out 14. Joining her on the all-tournament team were Maggie Kadrlik, Kendall Cornick, Ashley Mickschl, Shannon Petersen, Kara McDougall and Mary Pardo. Once the historic season was in the books, awards continue to roll in. The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Maggie Kadrlik, a psychology and sociology major with a children and youth studies minor, as a member of the Google Cloud Academic All-AmericaÂŽ DII softball team. This is the first time in her career the senior catcher was named a first-team academic Photo credit : Jamie Schw All-American. Kadrlik's selection to the academic All-America team aberow/NC AA Photos marks the fifth Viking softball student-athlete to receive the award and the first since 2012. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named the Augustana coaching staff the Central Region staff of the year. Augustana head coach Gretta Melsted is joined by assistant coaches Nat Wagner and Kelsey Thompson. The trio of coaches not only led Augustana to tie the school-record with 61 wins and the 2019 DII national title, but they also helped the Vikings break numerous single-season program records. Throughout the 2019 season, Augustana set single-season marks for runs (491), hits (699), doubles (129), HR (94), RBI (458), total bases (1155), stolen bases (131), and slugging percentage (.576). The Viking pitching staff was equally impressive, finishing top-10 in numerous single-season categories including wins (61), innings pitching (464.0), strikeouts (417), and opponent batting average (.197). Earlier this season, Coach Melsted claimed her 500th career win at Augustana and 600th overall victory. In 16 years as a head coach, Melsted has a career record of 609-312 (.661). Following an NSIC Tournament title, Coach Melsted and staff led the Vikings to a 10-2 record in the NCAA postseason. The Augustana Softball team capped the year as the nation's unanimous No. 1 DII program. In the final National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, Augustana collected all 16 first-place votes and 400 points, earning their top spot on the chart. n
IRON WILL
One of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2018-19 Augustana athletic season was honored by the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association. After tearing her ACL in January, women's basketball student-athlete Shelby Selland returned to the court just a month after her injury. This spring, the SDATA honored Selland and Athletic Trainer Sara Bortscheller with the annual Iron Will award, which serves to honor an outstanding athlete who successfully returned to competition following a serious athletic injury. It also serves to honor the certified athletic trainer who played a major role in working with the athlete. Selland graduated in May with a major in Elementary Education and minors in math and accounting. She was also awarded the 2018 Covenant Award for Liberal Arts. Bortscheller continues to work with numerous Viking athletic programs, including the 2019 DII Softball National Champions. n
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 7
2019
ALL-AMERICAN STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recognized four Augustana University seniors as 2019 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipients. Maggie Kadrlik (softball), Paul Meloche (track and field), Ashley Solano (track and field), and Kathryn Nasby (volleyball) all received the nation's top Strength and Conditioning honor. Nominated by assistant strength and conditioning coach Andy Stocks, the All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award is given to student-athletes whose achievements on and off the field reflect their dedication to strength and conditioning. Stocks is proud of all four Vikings studentathletes for not only their performance in the weight room but also their leadership and dedication to excellence. "These four seniors have demonstrated tremendous leadership, commitment, and performance in the weight room. Their work ethic is second to none and it's been a pleasure to coach them," Stocks said. n
WOMEN’S GOLF The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) 2018-19 Women's Golf postseason awards honored three Augustana student-athletes. Hannah Hankinson, a junior from Edina, Minn., was named the NSIC Women's Golfer of the Year for the first time in her career. This is the fourth consecutive year a Viking has won the award. The junior also earned a spot on the All-NSIC First-Team. McKayla Poppens, a Sioux Falls Roosevelt alumna, also landed a spot on the All-NSIC First-Team and Alex Stone, a sophomore from Crosslake, Minn., earned a spot on the All-NSIC Second-Team. Stone was named the NSIC Newcomer of the year last season. As a team, Augustana placed second at the NSIC Championships. n
EXCELLENCE
IN THE CLASSROOM Among the overwhelming on-the-field success this spring, Augustana student-athletes excelled in the classroom as well. The Northern Sun Conference honored 68 Augustana student-athletes by placing them on their All-Academic teams for the 2019 Spring season. In addition, 35 Viking student-athletes earned the conference’s top academic award, the NSIC AllAcademic Team of Excellence. To be eligible for the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence, a studentathlete must have a 3.60 cumulative GPA or higher. n 8
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
WOMEN'S TENNIS The Augustana Vikings women’s tennis team secured their ninth straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament title. Kornelia Staniszewska earned her fourth straight NSIC Player of the Year honor. Laura Arce Vieyra was named the Northern Sun Freshman of the Year, making this the fifth time a Viking has earned this distinction. Kornelia Staniszewska finished her illustrious Augustana tennis career with 69 wins in her four years and was named the 2019 ITA NCAA Division II Central Region Senior Player of the Year. The senior also earned All-NSIC First-Team honors in singles after going 19-0 on the season at No. 1 Singles and went 8-0 in conference play. In addition, Staniszewska earned All-NSIC First-Team honors in doubles action after going 20-0 while paired with Laura Arce Vieyra. Staniszewska is also a three-time All-American in singles action and has also garnered All-American status in doubles her freshman year. n
NCAA DIVISION II
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS The Augustana track and field team finished their season at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Kingsville, Texas. Josh Barrows placed seventh in the men's 400m hurdles with a time of 55.84 and earned First Team All-American honors in the final race of his collegiate career. Olivia Montez Brown finished second in the heptathalon and set a new school record for total points in the event with 5,260. Mackenzie Kelly placed seventh in the 3000m steeplechase and earned All-American honors for the first time. Kelly finished her college career with an 11th place in the 5000m run and earned her Second-Team All-American honors. Jesus Urtusuastegui placed seventh in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:00.14 which gave him his first All-American honors on the track. Nathan Schroeder clocked a 9:26.26 in the steeplechase and closed his Augustana track and field career with a 15th place finish. Josh Barrows and Olivia Montez Brown earned 2019 Google Cloud Academic All-District® first team honors. Seniors Kelly, Barrows and Schroeder earned five All-American honors, nine NSIC titles, 19 All-Region honors, 28 All-NSIC honors and 41 All-Academic awards (All-American/Region/NSIC) during their careers as a Viking. n
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 9
J-TERM TRAVEL: Discovering the World
A
ugustana University believes interpersonal, intercultural and international relations are a vital aspect of a student’s education. When we learn about others, we also learn about ourselves. J-Term is designed to be a time of curricular exploration and enrichment for students, giving them the opportunity to take advantage of travel courses, internships, special one-time topics courses and campus exchange programs, in addition to liberal arts core courses and those specific to their major. This year, we asked four students to journal about their thoughts, feelings and experiences while they traveled abroad. Read about their amazing experiences below.
ALLIE n 1/3/19 – Sioux Falls, S. D. I’m so excited for the adventures I will encounter while in Ecuador. I hope to push myself to try new things and become fully immersed in a new culture. In regards to nursing, I’m excited to share my skill set and knowledge I’ve learned thus far, to communities and people who need my help in the jungle, the city of Quito and in hospitals such as Hospital San Francisco and Hospital Voz Andes. I hope this experience opens my eyes to a different health care system and that I can understand the differences between the health care in the states and in Ecuador.
GREECE ECUADOR
LINNEA
ALLIE MERKEL LINCOLN, NEBRASKA SENIOR NURSING MAJOR
NORWAY
ECUADOR
ECUADOR
n 1/1/19 – Sioux Falls, S.D. As I start the new year, I embark on a new journey studying abroad in Greece. I’m excited to study with knowledgeable and kind professors, as well as learn about cultural psychology and healthcare in another country. There’s so much to learn from the American culture I live in, but also from other cultures I have yet to experience, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to check this one off my bucket list!
n 1/12/19 – Chania to Athens Ferry We have been able to visit private and public hospitals, view the countryside and sea surrounding Greece, visit with many Greeks about their culture and how it compares to America, as well as lounge and enjoy the people. I wasn’t expecting how close our group has become. I have made life-long friends on this trip. Our group has bonded over amazing meals and even learned a traditional Greek dance at one of them! Everything is different, but it is so good. Before I came to Greece I didn’t like olives or yogurt, but I have learned to love both. It’s amazing what different cultures can do to your taste buds.
n 1/23/19 – Sioux Falls, S.D. My time in Ecuador taught me a new way of nursing and caring for patients. With the hussle and busy pace of a hospital, it’s easy to complete tasks without getting to know and communicate with your patients. However, in Ecuador there is a significance in relationships and family. It’s important to take a few extra seconds to stop, look, listen and then act. In addition, my passion for working with children has been reconfirmed. I absolutely loved getting to play, care and work with the children. I learned the significance a smile can have. It was extremely challenging to communicate with individuals in Ecuador with the limited Spanish I have, but a smile goes a long way and can be translated in every language.
10 VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
EMMETSBURG, IOWA FRESHMAN PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
NORWAY
n 1/12/19 – Puerto Misahualli, Ecuador We are in the Amazon Rainforest to provide clinics and care to remote villages. I’m in love with the “rawness” this place brings. The jungle is such an untouched, undeveloped area and the people who live here only need the basic necessities to live. They have a different pace of life and live off of the land and use the rainforest for food, water, shelter and clothing. It has been a rewarding experience to serve these people. As we performed our clinicals from around 1,000 to 1,500 daily, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the children. Unfortunately, with the limited supplies we could only do so much. Often, they needed more help than we could give. It broke my heart to see the people depend so heavily on us as outsiders and nursing students for their health care. This shows how limited their health care really is. We take this for granted and often overlook what we have.
LINNEA ANKENY
n 1/20/19 – Hamar, Norway Norway is amazing! I feel immersed in the culture. I went cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and curling. The school I am observing is similar to a middle school in the United States. Students have more freedom and options within their classes. Students are currently learning three languages. The relationships between the teachers and students are more relaxed and less formal. Norway is doing well with including students of all abilities in the general education classroom. I’m inspired by the well-roundedness of the curriculum in these schools and I am reminded of the liberal arts education I am receiving at Augustana. We learn a little bit about every subject so we can better collaborate and understand others.
MADISON n 1/4/19 – Sioux Falls, S.D. As I prepare for my J-Term abroad, I have mixed feelings. I am excited about the adventures and cultural opportunities I will encounter. I do not know what to expect, which as a planner, is often hard for me to accept. I wish I could fast-forward to the middle of the trip where I am adjusted in Norway without worrying. This is the longest I will be away from home. I know I will gain a great amount of independence. I am looking forward to moving the Augie classroom outdoors.
GREECE
n 1/24/19 – Bergsaker Hall I’m home! It was bittersweet leaving Greece but it was just the perfect amount of time to explore and learn. This by far has been the best experience of my life. I could not have asked for a better group of people or university to have provided this experience. I know the people I met through this experience will always be friendly faces on campus and some will even be friends throughout life. I love Greece and I love Augie. My advice? Do it! It’s worth every penny.
SOPHIE n 1/2/19 – Yankton, S.D. China. I have been looking forward to this opportunity to study and perform abroad since I started attending Augustana two years ago. In fact, one of the reasons I came to Augie was to have opportunities like this. As a junior music education student, there is no way to describe how excited I am to travel halfway around the world to share music with people. After all, music is truly one of the only languages everyone can understand and appreciate. Now, with the adventure being so close and so real, I am starting to get a little nervous. For a girl that has never been outside of the country, let alone outside of the state, I am worried I will forget something I need or that there’s something I am not prepared for. Honestly, I think I am most nervous for the communication. n 1/23/19 – Beijing, China Where can I even begin to explain my experiences here so far? From our first day here, there has been so much that amazes me. Being from little Yankton, South Dakota, I couldn’t even fathom how big the cities were going to be. We learn a little about China in school and see some images of cities thinking they’re so big, but as I explore and witness it, these cities and the population of this country are MASSIVE.
CHINA
SOPHIE DROTZMANN MISSION HILL, S.D. JUNIOR MUSIC EDUCATION MAJOR
n 2/4/19 – Sioux Falls, S.D. One of the greatest highlights occurred in Wuhan at Hubei University. I was nervous going into the exchange because there were some guiding questions that really stretched me, but once we sat down with the students from Hubei, the conversation flowed so easily. At this university, their president told us he had always dreamt of being a conductor and said he used to sit at home waving chopsticks around with music as a young boy. As we were rehearsing for our concert that night, Dr. Unger had the president conduct us playing Spring Festival Overture, a piece to China as Stars and Stripes Forever is to us. The smile on that sweet gentleman’s face was one of the most heartwarming things I have ever seen and been a part of. With music being my future career, this was more meaningful and I was moved by the idea that this is what music can do for anyone. With the difference in languages, we couldn’t really have a conversation without a translator but we could all share that moment in music that we made together; a true connection with no need for translation.
CHINA
RAPID CITY, S.D. SOPHOMORE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS & SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJORS
CHINA
MADISON FEIST
GREECE
NORWAY
n 1/25/19 – Hamar, Norway As I say goodbye to the students and teachers, I realize how much I will remember. After two and a half weeks in a middle school, I begin to realize how much inspiration there is in observation. I observed a middle school to compare the special education practices in Norway with that in the United States. There are a lot of differences but I know that a teacher’s dedication to a student’s success remains the same. I grew close with an English teacher who was extremely honest and open about her profession in helping students with varying abilities. She told me that being a teacher is more than being an educator. You have to be a psychologist, a nurse, a disciplinarian, a mentor and a friend. It was hard for me to say goodbye to her today because she reminds me of so many motivated educators from the U.S. who have encouraged me to enter the field of education. I am overwhelmed at the amount of selfless love given from these teachers.
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 11
WHAT'S NEW AT AU? C
CAMPUS TRANSFORMATIONS
hanges are happening all around campus; some things we can see (like new buildings) and others we can’t (like new master’s programs). No matter how it appears, the future at AU is happening now. During J-Term, the first phase of renovations at The Huddle in Morrison Commons took place. A new grill area was debuted when students came back, and by the beginning of the spring semester, students were able to enjoy a new grill space and sub shop area. Construction crews also took full advantage of the quiet campus during spring break. When students returned, they celebrated the new Starbucks@Siverson. Out of all the renovations in the near and far future, why start with this one? “This project was brought to us by Sodexo as a way to enhance flexibility for students while also alleviating some congestion issues that were challenging for both the dining room and The Huddle,” says Corey Kopp, director of Campus Life. “This project has been percolating for a couple of years, as we have been looking for an opportunity to redefine The Huddle, create an opportunity to address wait times during peak hours and to offer Dining Dollars to make it possible for students to better control their own dining experience. This project moves us a big step in the right direction and makes an immediate impact while we wait for other, larger projects to unfold.” Kopp says the new offerings bring greater flexibility and control for students. “Students can now use their Dining Dollars for any item in The Huddle or the Starbucks@Siverson whenever they like. They have a new dining option in the Sub Connection and expanded Viking Grill and convenience store offerings as well.” n
NEW OUTDOOR CLASSROOM BREAKS GROUND
TRENDS FOR CAMPUS LIVING When it comes to their living situation, students are also looking for more independent living and privacy. That’s a trend that’s happening here at Augustana and on campuses across the country. Corey Kopp, director of Campus Life, says 85 percent of the living spaces here are found in traditional residence halls. However, he says over the last five years, apartments have become extremely popular. “That’s because students are still able to live within the umbrella of campus-owned facilities,” Kopp says. In response to that trend, Augustana built two new apartment buildings, Balcer and Nelsen, in 2017. And now, a new apartment building on Summit Avenue, across the street from Madsen Center and the Center for Western Studies will be open for incoming juniors and seniors in the fall. Of course, there will be some differences in structure. "The new building will house 40 students, as opposed to the 32 in each of the previous two apartment buildings. Additionally, we will be constructing eight, two-bedroom apartments in the new building, in addition to the six townhouse apartments that will be replications of what is found in both the Balcer and Nelsen Apartments. These house four students each,” Kopp adds. n 12 VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
Students at Augustana University will soon be able to take their learning outside the classroom. Ground was broken on a new outdoor classroom this spring, between the Froiland Science Complex and the Madsen Center. The project will be completed in time for the fall 2019 semester and will cost around $25,000. Dr. David O’Hara, Augustana’s director of sustainability, says, “I teach outside whenever I can. I’ve been trying lots of different places around campus to see what works well.” O’Hara’s dream project was made a reality in 2018 when a $375,000 sustainability grant was anonymously given to Augustana. Students in O’Hara’s fall 2018 Environmental Philosophy class jumped right in and helped conceptualize the project. Augustana senior Lucas Wylie created architectural plans while working as an intern under alum Chase Kramer, ‘08, an architect at TSP in Sioux Falls. “The outdoor classroom can have a variety of uses,” says O’Hara, “including classes, theatrical or music performances, campus visits, religious gatherings and other group meetings.” The outdoor classroom will be built in a semi-circular shape with three levels of seating. Each row of seats will be made from native South Dakota rock (Sioux quartzite, Black Hills granite and sandstone) because of their longevity and sustainability. O’Hara says the three layers of stone will be arranged in geologic order, with the oldest stone at the bottom and the youngest stone on top, so the classroom itself will be a picture of the geologic history of South Dakota. “When people build hotels today, most of those are built to last 30 years,” O’Hara said. “[When I teach] in Greece or Guatemala, there are buildings that are thousands of years old that are still functional because they’ve been built in a sustainable way, [with] local stone, almost no maintenance. That’s what I want to do here.” n
PODCASTING the future
takes au into
E
nter to Learn. Leave to Serve. More than just a motto, these words are a way of life at Augustana University. So, it should come as no surprise that Augie has chosen vocation as the subject of its first full-length podcast. The podcast will weave stories of vocation from Augustana students, current and retired professors and alumni across all stages of life. “Vocation isn’t just about doing what I want to do. It’s about doing what the world needs me to do,” says Campus Pastor Ann Rosendale, host of the upcoming podcast. “All of us have a vocation, or multiple vocations, from birth to death. We have different callings at different ages and stages.” While the idea for the podcast was planted by President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin a couple years ago, it did not take root until Dr. Peter Folliard, assistant professor of music, was working on a complementary project after being awarded the Oliver Innovation Grant. As the first recipients of the grant, Folliard, Dr. Katie McCollough, an assistant professor in communication studies, and Dr. Jeffrey Miller, professor of English/Journalism, used the funds to create a recording studio in Room 47 of the Humanities building. “Studio 47” soon took on a life of its own. “I started getting contacted by different stakeholders on campus who had an interest [in audio recording],” says Dr. Folliard. “There’s a need and a desire and an amazing talent from students at Augie with this [studio],” says Dr. McCollough.
In the midst of the installation, Dr. Folliard crossed paths with Pastor Rosendale and asked if she had any ideas for the studio. “Talk about giving someone an acorn and having them grow a forest,” he says. The yet to be named podcast, says Pastor Rosendale, “has been ministry as much as it is something the university is putting out there. It’s an outlet for people to tell their story. That’s what pastoral work is. I’m just doing it in front of a microphone now.” After listening to hours of interviews in the course of production, Drs. Folliard and McCollough agree. “It’s not just about the podcast,” says Dr. McCollough. “It’s a vocation unto itself.” “You are granted a privilege you are not used to,” says Dr. Folliard. “You almost get to be a confidante as a listener.” The three creators have high hopes for the podcast. As new professors, Drs. Folliard and McCollough credit the podcast project with giving them a better understanding of what makes Augustana’s intersection of faith and education so powerful. “Sometimes as teachers, we get caught up in our classes, and this is something bigger than that,” says Dr. McCollough. Hearing other people’s stories of living out their vocation is inspiring and puts your own vocation at the forefront of your mind, says Dr. Folliard. “That’s what we’re hoping the listener gains from listening to the podcast.” n
Augustana University professor Dr. Patrick Hicks hosts Poetry from Studio 47, a new weekly feature during South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s In the Moment, which highlights the life and work of poets. Poetry from Studio 47 is recorded at Studio 47, a world-class recording studio at Augustana University. The program is produced by Augustana University Orchestra Conductor Dr. Peter Folliard, who also wrote the opening music. The program features a variety of poets, but will focus on the poets of the Midwest and Great Plains. “We have a wealth of poetic talent in our state and it will be fun to share it with listeners,” says Dr. Hicks. “I think listeners are going to appreciate tuning in. Poems are essentially just little stories, and who doesn’t like a good story?”
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 13
B eyond the Classroom: 19 Years of Student Research Symposiums O
n Saturday, April 6, more than 70 students participated in the Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium. For the 19th year, students across all disciplines were invited to apply to present their research findings in either poster form or in a live presentation. Augustana alumnus Kaeti Hinck ‘07, kicked off the symposium with her keynote address, discussing her Nieman Fellowship research, which covers how our lives are shaped by the technology we use. “Drawing from my experience working at the intersection of journalism, technology, and design, [I] explore how we can navigate the flood of information with more urgency and how psychology and neuroscience can move us toward human-centered technology,” said Hinck.
Anna Stritecky presents her project, The New Colossus: An Analytical Approach, at the 2019 Arthur Olson Student Research Symposium.
Throughout the hallways and classrooms of the Fryxell Humanities Center, student presentations filled the rest of the afternoon. This year’s committee chair, biology professor Dr. Carrie OlsonManning, credited Augustana for providing research opportunities to every student. “It is experiential learning,” she said. “The students are not just wrestling with ideas, they are actually creating new knowledge.” To be accepted into the symposium, student researchers submitted abstracts of their work to the committee, each with the support of a faculty sponsor. While some students conducted research specifically for the symposium, most presented ongoing projects that will carry through their years at Augie. A substantial fraction of student presenters will go on to publish their work. The committee instituted some changes to the symposium this year, introducing several awards for student presentations. The winning abstracts were determined by the committee. “It makes our students better all around to participate in genuine research at some point,” said Olson-Manning, remembering her own undergraduate research. “It made classes more interesting and important because I needed the information to support my research. It makes everything real.” n TO SEE THE STUDENTS' PRESENTATIONS THAT WERE SHOWCASED, VISIT AUGIE.EDU/RESEARCH. 14 VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
Award Recipients • The Keynote Speaker’s Early Influence Award was given to Saakshi Kale ‘19 for her work entitled, “The State and the Citizen: From Ancient Greek and Indian Philosophy © Ana Knyazeva to Contemporary Society.” Kale received the award, sponsored by the English and journalism department, due to the social importance of her research and the impact it will have on society. Kale is from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and is a psychology major, with minors in philosophy and anthropology. • Erica Bien ‘20 was given the award for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration for her work entitled, “Loss of β1-Integrin Disrupts Signal Transduction Required for Smooth Muscle Contraction in Mouse Bladder.” This award is given to a student who has done research that involves more than one academic discipline and/or that requires collaboration between multiple parties. Bien demonstrated a keen ability to synthesize ideas and concepts from multiple disciplines. Bien is from Brookings, South Dakota, and is a biology major. • The Board of Trustees award was given to Charlie Iversrud ‘19 for his work entitled “Water Quality Analysis of Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala and Exploring Threat of a Major Fish Kill Should This Deep Tropical Lake Experience Turnover.” Iversrud was selected for doing research that lifts up the Augustana core value of Service. Iversrud is from Bloomington, Minnesota. He is a Spanish and biology major. • The President’s Cabinet award was given Samson Mettler‘19 for his research entitled “Persistent Transphobia in the Theatre: How 'Safe Spaces' Unintentionally Uphold Systemic Discrimination.” Mettler’s work was honored for both emphasizing and demonstrating the importance of the value of community. Mettler’s research highlights the core values of Excellence and Community. Mettler is from Sioux Falls. He is an interdisciplinary major, combining psychology, theatre, and special education.
The halls of the Fryxell Humanities Center were packed with students, faculty and staff supporting the presenters on April 6, 2019.
KENNEDY FESTIVAL: A
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
concert reading of his musical was the highlight of the 2019 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (Region 5) for Augustana University student Coleman Peterson. But the advice he received from the playwriting panel proved to be even more beneficial. “They gave me some very helpful insight as to what my next steps should be with the show and offered their opinions on the script from outside perspectives,” said Peterson, who co-wrote "Puberty: The Musical" in high school. “Some of what they mentioned were things that I had never even considered, so it was nice to get some fresh input from three new, trustworthy sources.” Peterson was among 32 Augustana students who participated in the festival, a weeklong event filled with performances, workshops, auditions and interviews in Sioux Falls, S.D. in January. Other students came from schools in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, leading to the slogan on its Twitter feed: “Great Plains. Great Plays.” “It’s a fantastic experience for all of our students,” said Dan Workman, chair of theatre at Augustana, which was a festival sponsor. “They get to meet future colleagues and see what else is happening in our region.” Peterson, who is in his third year and majoring in theatre and music, also performed in the Augustana Collaborative Theatre Society’s production of "Puberty: The Musical" in November. Peterson is a regional nominee for the 2019 National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award, which will be announced in April. ACTS’ performance of "Puberty: The Musical" earned six commendations during the January festival, and Augustana’s productions of "Real as Air" and "The Addams Family" also received commendations. Students Abby Giambattista and Kale Hellman reached the semifinals for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. “The experience was unlike anything I’ve ever had before,” Giambattista said. “I grew up with a very small theatre company with not very many resources, but of course that changed drastically as soon as I came to Augie. The festival, which I was only able to participate in because of our lovely school, was any and everything one could ever hope for in a theatre experience.” The festival is scheduled to return to Sioux Falls in 2020. n
FOR STUDENTS
Coleman Peterson performs in the Augustana production of “Clue: The Musical”
Abby Giambattista (left) and her partner Kale Hellman advanced to the semifinal round of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition. Around 340 actors and their partners competed in the preliminary round — Abby and Kale were among the 66 that moved on to the semi-final round.
"Puberty: The Musical" is a two hour, full-length musical, written specifically for high school and university age performers. The show features a large, diverse cast of over 18 characters. VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 15
“POWER, THE PRESS
AT BOE FORUM
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein take questions from the audience during the student press conference on March 19.
“I was expecting them to be larger than life. But really they are normal, kind gentlemen who are passionate about their craft. I was in awe.” 16 VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
—Kaatje Weiland, Editor-in-Chief, The EDDA
& THE PRESIDENCY”
I
n an era of fake news and attacks on journalism, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein shared their experiences as investigative reporters and brought an insider’s view of the power, press and the presidency to the 23rd Boe Forum on Public Affairs. The free ticketed event, presented by Augustana University and the Center for Western Studies, was attended by just under 4,000 people and held March 19 in the Elmen Center.
“These giants are the pinnacle of journalism. It gives me hope for future responsible, fair and accurate reporting.” —Jacob Knutson, Editor-in-Chief, The Mirror
VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 17
VISION 20
Striving for Innovation, Expansion
18 VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019
030
& Diversity
I
magine the world in 2030. Advances in technology, health care, transportation and education will have occurred a few times over. New economies, new jobs and new career fields will emerge and the next generation of college graduates will be leading the way. This will include the graduating class of 2030, who today are 10 and 11 years-old. They’re fourth-and fifth-graders. They are infinitely curious and becoming more and more independent. They are better at using smartphones and navigating their way around the internet than most adults. They still play tag and many love video games; they spend time with friends, have sleepovers and are becoming more mature every day. It’s hard to predict what their world will be like in 2030, but we do know that as their world changes, they’ll adapt accordingly. And that’s what Vision 2030 is all about: embracing change and adapting to it, with courage and creativity. The bold and imaginative strategic vision, which was unanimously approved by the Augustana Board of Trustees in December 2018, consists of aspirational goals and inspires the Augustana and Sioux Falls communities to continue growing together. Over the next 11 years, these goals will expand educational “I am convinced that opportunities to possibilities will present meet the needs of a themselves that we growing and diverse population. “Augustana cannot even imagine has been in the Sioux today — possibilities that Falls community for will impact more students 100 years,” Augustana President Stephanie and result in greater Herseth Sandlin says. impact to Augustana, our “It’s an ideal time to city, the region and the consider our legacy and plan effectively world.” for the first decade of our next century in this — Augustana President growing and dynamic Stephanie Herseth Sandlin city. Sioux Falls has always supported our graduates with employment, research, service and leadership opportunities.” Board Chair and 1983 graduate of Augustana Tom Davis agrees. “The university must dream big, be dynamic and adapt to change,” says Davis. “When we changed the name from Augustana College to Augustana University, we set forward a series of events. Part of this vision comes from that process.” Davis continues, “we enthusiastically endorsed the vision the president and her team put forward. For decades, Augustana has prepared students to be leaders who explore, create and discover what’s possible. The excitement for the board is grounded in the fact that we have been given an opportunity to serve this community in ways we’re not even aware of today.” n
For more information about Vision 2030, visit augie.edu/vision VIKING LIFE | SUMMER 2019 19
2001 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE • SIOUX FALLS, SD 57197 • 800.727.2844 • augie.edu NORTH CAMPUS 1. Old Main 2. East Hall 3. Administration Building (Admission) 4. Sioux Falls Seminary 5. Edith Mortenson Center (Theatre) 6. Morrison Commons (Box Office) 7. Granskou Hall 8. Stavig Hall 9. Tuve Hall 10. Nelson Service Center 11. Archeology Lab 12. Archeology Lab Annex 13. Service Center Annex 14. Moses Statue 15. Ole Statue 16. Center for Visual Arts (Eide•Dalrymple Gallery) 17. Fryxell Humanities Center (Hamre Recital Hall) 18. Chapel of Reconciliation SD Synod Office and Lutherans Outdoors SD 19. Mikkelsen Library 20. Center for Western Studies (Fantle Building) 22. Madsen Social Science Center 23. Froiland Science Complex 24. Bergsaker Hall 25. Solberg Hall 26. Huether Tennis Centre 27. Campus Green 28. Campus Garden
PERIMETER RESIDENTIAL 50. Nobel House 51. Menlo Annex 52. Terning House 53. Olsen House 54. Valhalla House 55. Lookout House 56. Nelsen Apartments 57. Loki House 58. Hillsboro House 59. Balcer Apartments 62. Costello Hall 63. Norse Inn 64. Campus House 66. Schoeneman Apartments 67. Global Education House 68. International Programs Office 69. Duluth Place Apartments 70. Norway House 71. Wahl House
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■P
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■P Public Parking
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SOUTH CAMPUS 30. Elmen Center/Hall Football Complex/Sanford Gymnasium 31. Karras Park•Ronken Baseball Field 32. Bowden Softball Field 33. Bill Hall Baseball•Softball Complex 34. Fellows’ Presidential Residence 35. Future Site of Viking Training & Performance Complex 36. Heritage Park; buildings A,B,C,D 37. Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Campus Learning Center) 38. Kirkeby•Over Stadium 39. Morstad Soccer Field 40. Baseball & Softball Concession/Restrooms
THIS IS A TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS.
8/18
AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY