AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY 2022-23 ANNUAL REPORT
DEAR DONORS, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president Dr. Pam Homan '81, chief strategy officer & executive vice president Dr. Joel Johnson, interim provost Pamela Miller ‘94, chief of staff Shannan Nelson, chief financial officer & executive vice president BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 2022-23 Jill Weber Aanenson ‘93, chair Pat McAdaragh ‘81, vice chair Melinda Keith ‘89, secretary Manaal Ali ‘20 Scott Barth ‘91 Dr. Maria Bell ‘84 Dennis Bly ‘94 Cheryl Collins Blaine Crissman ‘84 Greg Daniels ‘75 Tom Davis ‘83 Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl Dr. Damien Fair ‘98 Paul Harmel ‘72 Rickard Hedeby ‘83 Dr. Gene Hoyme ‘72 Jillian Klein ‘01 Dr. Cheryl Leuning ‘72 Dr. Paul Limburg ‘87 Craig Lloyd Ronald Moquist Kevin Nyberg ‘79 Dr. Mohammad Zeeshan Qamar Rev. Nyla Schoeld Keith Severson ‘79 Kathy Walsh Todd Williams ‘83 To view the graditude report and full listing of those who supported Augustana University in the 2022-23 fiscal year, visit augie.edu/donors.
2 | Annual Report 2022-23
As we reflect upon the past year at Augustana University, we are filled with immense gratitude for your support. Through your annual and endowed scholarships, you have been instrumental in shaping the future of countless students, providing them with the opportunity to excel academically and personally. Buoyed by your generosity, the university welcomed 2,158 part- and full-time undergraduate and graduate students this fall — the largest student body in 44 years. The 2022-23 Augustana University Annual Report provides details regarding the impact of your financial investments. You will also find stories of alumni who are making an impact for AU and their communities through their leadership, service and philanthropy. Our transformational Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 strategic plan continues with great momentum. In the midst of Phase II, we are energized, determined and optimistic. There is no limit to what we can accomplish together! We hope that you take pride in the knowledge that your generosity is making a difference for Augustana, our students and communities around the world. You have created a legacy of enduring impact. Our gratitude for you is beyond measure. Sincerely,
Pamela (Pam) J. Homan ’81, Ed.D. Chief Strategy Officer & Executive Vice President Augustana University
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 VALUES
Christian. Liberal Arts. Excellence. Community. Service.
OUR VISION
Augustana University aspires to be one of America’s premier church-related universities.
THE POWER OF THE
Augustana Connection University at the Core of Amolins’ Life Trajectory
| BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20
D
r. Michael Amolins ‘07 made his first Augustana connection in third grade through his teacher, now Assistant Professor Emerita of Education Dr. Julie Ashworth ‘75 — although between learning the science of whales and apples, college wasn’t top of mind. Amolins’ second Augustana connection came at a time he needed it most. “I came from fairly humble beginnings,” Amolins said. “My parents were awesome. They were amazing supporters and ready to do whatever they needed to ensure I had a path to college. Not having gone to college themselves, we looked to others for additional guidance on what those steps should look like. “I was very fortunate that I had a handful of people
around me that helped guide that process,” he continued. “A few of them were educators, one of which was Gene Erickson.” Erickson, a 1955 Augustana graduate, was Amolins’ high school chemistry teacher. One day, Erickson asked Amolins if he had ever considered a career in chemistry. Erickson then connected him to Augustana where Amolins had a few friends in the music department. “Between the connections I made with the chemistry department and music program, that was what drew me in,” Amolins said. “I have always considered myself a jack of all trades; I don’t really have one specific interest. Augustana was the first time I had ever been exposed to the liberal arts philosophy. That was really appealing to me that, ‘Wow, I don’t have to give all of these interests up, I can continue to study all of them.’” Annual Report 2022-23 | 1
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As a jack of all trades, Amolins — a chemistry ACS major with minors in math and music — did what Augustana students do best when he arrived on campus: got involved with everything. He participated in the Augustana Band, Northlanders Jazz Band, Augustana Pep Band, a saxophone quartet, Viking Varieties and the American Chemical Society (ACS). In addition, he served as a chemistry tutor, laboratory coordinator and undergraduate research instructor. Amolins was also a presidential, Y.T. Johnson Science and Pro Musica Scholar. He was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship in 2006, and was an Augustana Covenant Award recipient for liberal arts in 2007. As a member of the Augustana Band, Amolins got the opportunity to travel to China, New York City and Washington, D.C. During his senior year, he lived in a theme house dedicated to music. For their service projects, Amolins and his housemates performed at nursing homes and put on concerts for the community. “On top of having fun with friends, music and research very clearly defined my time at Augustana,” said Amolins. While at Augustana, Amolins performed research on campus, at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois, and Purdue University. His on-campus research with Drs. Gary Earl and Duane Weisshaar, professors emeriti of chemistry, earned him invitations to a national conference in California and international meeting in Italy, where he was the only American and undergraduate student. Following graduation, Amolins earned a Master of Science in medicinal chemistry from the University of Kansas (KU), where he began to consider a new path: teaching. “I liked laboratory research, but I struggled with the fact that, in research, 95% of the answers are ‘no,’” said Amolins. “At the same time, what was really developing in me was a passion for learning about chemistry and sharing that with others.” After graduating from KU, Amolins got his teaching certification and, in 2009, began to teach high school chemistry in Harrisburg, South Dakota. Amolins, however, remained a jack of all trades, completing a Doctorate of Education in curriculum & instruction from the University of South Dakota (USD) in 2014. The following year, he moved to his current position as director of instruction & federal programs for the Harrisburg School District (HSD). “I wanted to make a greater impact on the community,” Amolins said of the transition to administration. “I knew I could do a lot with the students I was reaching, but I wanted to think more globally in terms of where the district was going, what opportunities we could provide.” Since stepping into his role, Amolins has secured nearly $2 million in grants for the district — a skill, he said, harkens back to his Augustana days, where he first learned to write a grant. The grants Amolins has brought in for
Harrisburg have primarily been dedicated to curriculum and programming initiatives, with many of them connected to his alma mater. One of the initiatives includes Harrisburg’s Student Transitioning in Educational Programming (STEP) Academy, a transition program for 18-21 year olds with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Several students from the STEP Academy have gone on to the Augie Access Program — Augustana’s postsecondary comprehensive transition program designed to increase career employment, social, academic and independent living outcomes. Amolins has also been partnering with Dr. Fenecia Homan ‘05, dean of the Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University, to bring a cybersecurity program to Harrisburg High School. He worked with Dr. David O’Hara, Augustana director of environmental studies & sustainability, and Emily Oyos ‘19, of Friends of the Big Sioux River, on the development of a conservation campus at Harrisburg’s Freshman Academy. Thanks to one of those grants, HSD was able to bring an electric vehicle into its high school automotive program — connecting Amolins back to his research at Argonne National Laboratory studying hydrogenpowered fuel cells, which eventually led to fully electric vehicles. “Thinking back on it, at the time, I didn’t really think it was going to be a thing,” Amolins said. “Look how far we’ve come. Now we’re doing this at a high school.” Alongside serving as an assistant professor for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program within the Sharon Lust School of Education, perhaps Amolins’ most impactful Augustana connection has been introducing the university to Seeds of Change — a science immersion program in northern Costa Rica for high school students. “Initially it was for Harrisburg students,” said Amolins. “Then, I started seeing the potential value for Augustana.” Because of Amolins’ initial connection, Augustana now offers credit to high schoolers who participate in the 10-day immersion program. Seeds of Change also offers an immersion course in bioinformatics — one of Augustana’s newest major and minor offerings. With all of the Augustana connections in his life, Amolins always remembers where it all started and why
he stays connected. “How can you possibly thank an institution that has completely changed the trajectory of your life? I owe so much to the time and influences that Augustana has afforded me,” said Amolins. “I bleed blue and gold, of course. But, more than anything, I know what my experience at Augustana did for me, and now, I have an opportunity to do that for students who are at the school now.” But, with all that Amolins has poured into both the Augustana and Harrisburg communities, he knows that his educational foundation wouldn’t have been possible without one thing. “It’s really simple: I wouldn’t have gone to Augustana had I not gotten scholarships,” Amolins said. “So, any way I can give back to the university I’m going to, because the life I’m living is because of what I received from the university.” Part of that life is the best role Amolins said he has: husband and father. He and his wife, Miriah, have two sons, Henry, 10, and Sawyer, 7. Amolins holds on to his title as “jack of all trades” as he coaches baseball, robotics and is a Cub Scout den leader. And, as Henry and Sawyer are already loyal Vikings fans, Amolins might just be fostering his next and best Augustana connection. n
I BLEED BLUE AND GOLD, OF COURSE. BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING, I KNOW WHAT MY EXPERIENCE AT AUGUSTANA DID FOR ME, AND NOW, I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT THE SCHOOL NOW.”
Annual Report 2022-23 | 3
ALUMNA COMMITTED TO MAKING THE
Impossible Possible
Former NWS Forecaster Encourages More Women to go Into STEM-Related Fields | BY JILL WILSON
Thirty-four years, seven months and 13 days of government service — that’s how long Augustana alumna Julia Berg ‘88 worked at the National Weather Service (NWS) in South Dakota and Nebraska. A long career, which Berg said she owed in part to Augustana. Berg, originally of Spirit Lake, Iowa, was first introduced to Augustana by her father — a farmer who once passed on the opportunity to attend the college. “It (Augustana) was small. I came from a small town,” said Berg, who resides in Glenvil, Nebraska. “I’m an extreme introvert and knowing this now, I can look back on it and say, ‘It was small enough that I didn’t feel intimidated, or at least, quite as intimidated.’” Berg said because she was an introvert and also had a part-time job, she wasn’t involved in many activities at Augustana — she was happy being a “wallflower” and liked being at home. In fact, Berg finally declared a major the second semester of her senior year — interdisciplinary studies in mathematics and geography — because meteorology did not exist at Augustana in the traditional sense.
6 | Annual Report 2022-23 4
“As I was growing up, as a farmer’s daughter, when the weather forecast would come on, you were quiet,” said Berg. “And, my mom’s dad, just because he enjoyed the weather, had taken the high (temperature), the low and the amount of precipitation and snowfall for like 50 years. So, between the two of them, I kind of got interested in weather.” In high school, Berg recalled telling them that she wanted to do what she thought was impossible. She wanted to be a forecaster for the NWS.
IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS ARE NOT IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU WORK HARD FOR THEM. But, she first had to get her foot in the door. Berg’s academic advisor at Augustana had a connection at the NWS in Sioux Falls, who offered her a part-time job as a student. After she graduated, the NWS made her a full-time employee, even during a hiring freeze. A while later, the NWS was going to eliminate her position, but offered her another opportunity if she was able to get the equivalent of a degree in meteorology. “In 11 weeks, I took 12 credits in meteorology from San Jose State University — that was my summer. They paid for my room, board, books, tuition and wages. I was one of 18 people chosen from across the whole United States. I was the only female, and I was the youngest by nine years. It was kind of like having 17 older brothers,” said Berg. “It was quite an accomplishment. It was not an easy thing to do.” Berg worked in the NWS Sioux Falls office for 11 years before moving to the Aberdeen, South Dakota, office for
another five years. In 2003, Berg moved to Nebraska to serve as a forecaster for the NWS in Hastings up until she retired in February 2022. Along with her long tenure came a plethora of weather-related anecdotes. “I canceled Christmas in 2009,” recalled Berg. “We had a winter storm coming through between the 23rd and the 25th of December. We were just starting to do what we called Impact-Based Warnings. We were looking at potentially 12 inches of snow; we were looking at winds; we were looking at traveling. How much more impact do you want? So, it was enough to get people to pay attention to what was going on and travel a little earlier before the holidays.” And, don’t think she hasn’t heard any and all of the criticism that comes with the title; the criticism that often comes with trying to predict mother nature. “I would just tell them, ‘Come sit in my seat; do what I do.’ I’m looking at five screens. I’ve got multiple forecast models that are telling me different things. I can’t tell you how many times in a day I would be looking at two forecast models and one of them would have a ridge, which would mean nice weather, and another had a low, which would mean bad weather,” said Berg. “So, which one is it going to be?’” Regardless of the criticism and long hours, Berg kept at it for more than three decades. In retirement, Berg lives on an acreage south of Hastings with several horses and her corgi, Dakota, and is enriched with many hobbies, including knitting, crocheting and photography. Her closest family members, including her brother, father and mother, have since passed away, which led her to think about what to do with her estate — her legacy. That brought her back to Augustana. “Every semester, I would go in and talk to the business office. I would say, ‘I still want to go to Augustana, but I don’t have the money.’ And, they would find money for me to go to college,” recalled Berg. “I knew how much my dad had taken out for college loans, and I knew the approximate cost of my college education and I realized that Augustana had basically written off a third of my college education. And, the reason they were able to do that was because of donors.” Berg said she wouldn’t be where she is today if it hadn’t been for those donors. So now, she has committed to pay it forward with an estate gift that will establish the Julia C. Berg Endowed Sciences Scholarship at Augustana. Berg’s hope is to give back to those just like her — to wallflowers; to those in need; to those who were once little girls driven to break a glass ceiling or two in the world of science. One day, Berg hopes their impossible will be possible, too. n Annual Report 2022-23 | 5
Fostering Education Dave and Jan Johnson ‘All in’ on Supporting Alma Mater
| BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20
Jan (Hovey) ‘75 and Dave Johnson ‘74 were close together yet worlds apart for more than two decades until the two Augustana alumni met, built their success stories and began to make an impact on their communities and alma mater. The Johnsons grew up just 10 miles from each other — Jan in Bruce, South Dakota, and Dave in Estelline, South Dakota. Although they shared a Lutheran parish growing up and their years at Augustana overlapped, the couple didn’t meet until 1977. “I was singing at her cousin’s wedding in early December,” Dave said. “I had come home from a European trip where I blew out my MCL (medial collateral ligament). So, I had a cast on from my hip to my ankle. After the wedding, she comes up to me and says, ‘What happened to you?’” “I am not very forward,” Jan interjected. “In fact, I’m very shy.” After Dave told her about his skiing injury, Jan asked when the cast would be coming off. “I said, ‘Jan. 11,’” recalled Dave. “She said, ‘Jan. 11 — that’s my birthday. Maybe we should celebrate.’” He agreed to a celebration more than a month away. “This was before cell phones, and I didn’t get her phone number, so there was no contact whatsoever,” Dave said. “But, five or six weeks after we had our first meeting, we both showed up (for the date).” A year later, they were married. 8 | Annual Report 2022-23 6
A Family Business Although the Johnsons never met while students at Augustana, they both credit the institution with providing them a solid educational background for their success. Dave was drawn to Augustana through the influence of three of his older siblings who attended — Paul Johnson ‘59, Harriet (Johnson) Scott ‘59 and Cyndi Johnson ‘69. Dave, an economics major, sang in the Augustana Choir under the direction of the late Dr. Olaf Malmin, and spent his junior year abroad in Germany and England. Jan had always loved English, literature and writing, and when it came time to think about college, she had only heard excellent things about the Augustana English Department. When she arrived at Augustana, she solidified English as her major and joined the English club and Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society of education. Following Augustana, Dave attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1975, back in South Dakota, Dave’s father was ready to sell his bank, so Dave made the decision to give banking a shot. Just a few months after returning home, Dave’s father passed away unexpectedly, and Dave took over management of the bank, now known as Reliabank, at just 23 years old. “Dave became a banker by fire,” said Jan. Dave is the CEO & chairman of family-owned Reliabank, but plans to retire the CEO part of his job in February after nearly 50 years in banking. Jan is
also involved in the family business — serving on the Reliabank Board of Directors, IT Committee and will eventually succeed Dave as chair of the board. “I never would have dreamt back when I was 21 years old that I would become a banker … never in my wildest dreams, but I have,” said Jan. While learning the banking industry, Jan also taught high school English for 28 years in Estelline and four years in Watertown, South Dakota. “Then, my dream job landed in my lap, which was teaching composition at Mount Marty College (now University) in Watertown,” Jan said. “I did that for 12 years before I retired.” Between banking and teaching, the Johnsons welcomed their sons, Reid and Ethan, who both work for Reliabank. Fostering Education Despite their busy schedules as bank owners and, now, grandparents of seven, the Johnsons have never lost sight of their passions — incorporating each of them into the way they give back to their community and alma mater. The couple’s generosity was recognized in September when they were named the state’s 2023 Outstanding Philanthropists by the South Dakota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “It stems from our ELCA Lutheran faith,” Dave said of their desire to give back. “The writer of Luke challenges us saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ We’ve taken that to heart.” “We have been very fortunate in our lives,” added Jan. “We feel that we have many gifts that have been given to us, so it’s really important to us to give back to things and places that mean a lot to us. And, Augie gave us a really good start.” Throughout the years, the Johnsons have been faithful supporters of Augustana — sponsoring the Jan, Reid & Ethan Johnson Jumping Pit within the Larson Track & Field Complex and a nursing office in the Froiland Science Complex. The Johnsons were also major
supporters of Old Trails and New Roads in South Dakota History, published by Augustana’s Center for Western Studies (CWS). In 2022, Dave and Jan gave a transformative gift to the School of Music, designated for the purchase of new pianos. Augustana received its first shipment of 31 state-ofthe-art Yamaha pianos in the spring and summer of 2022. Hamre Recital Hall, faculty studios and the PedersonHoman Center Keyboard Lab were the first to receive new pianos. The second phase, set to begin in 2026, will include the large-ensemble rehearsal rooms, recording studio and practice rooms in the lower level of the Fryxell Humanities Center. “I’ve got music in my family,” said Dave. “My grandmother was a piano and violin teacher. I sang in my mother’s choirs. I mean, I started going to choir before I even had memory of it because my mom would bring me as an infant. I also developed a hobby of singing the national anthem … I’ve sung for Augie Basketball, Volleyball, Football — even Minnesota Twins’ games.” The Johnson’s most recent philanthropic endeavor with the university has been supporting the Augustana Hockey Program and Midco Arena. Dave and Jan are sponsoring the Reliabank Classroom, which will be located inside Midco Arena on Augustana’s campus. “Education is very important to us, so a classroom in a sports facility is right up our alley,” said Jan. And, it’s education they always come back to when the Johnsons consider what’s important and where it all started. “Augustana gave both of us a really good background to be successful in our respective careers,” Jan said. “As we’re ending our careers, we’re able to go back to Augustana and give back so that the next generation has the same opportunities we had. It’s just so important to foster education, and if our dollars can help do that, we’re in.” n
Annual Report 2022-23 | 7
2022-23 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
SUPPORT
Thank you for investing in the university's future and ensuring an Augustana education remains within reach for the passionate, talented and deserving students we serve. Please consider making a gift today. Visit augie.edu/giving for more information.
Foundations
8%
Parents
(current & former)
3%
Business/ Corporations/ Organizations
24%
Alumni
% OF DOLLARS RECEIVED BY SOURCE
33%
Friends/Faculty & Staff
Church & Religious Organizations
(current & former)
REVENUE
<1%
32%
$89,298,307
$38,816,583
Total Revenue
$26,477,247
$4,375,409
NET TUITION
OTHER INCOME
GIFTS & GRANTS
$8,664,324
$10,964,744
NET INVESTMENT GAIN
EXPENSE
AUXILIARY INCOME
$68,502,871
$11,504,896 AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES
$30,880,754 INSTRUCTION
$4,653,215
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
$10,442,526 INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
$7,755,000
10| |Annual 8 AnnualReport Report2022-23 2022-23
Total Expense
student services
$1,976,044
PUBLIC SERVICE
$1,290,436 RESEARCH
Total Support
Capital
$4,074,806
Restricted
$4,940,198
Endowment
$601,801
other Annual Fund &unrestricted
$12,248,840
New Planned Gifts
120M
20%
100M
FIXED INCOME
80M 60M
65%
40M
15%
EQUITIES
REAL ESTATE
ENDOWMENT
$41,346,401
$19,480,756
20M 0
2019
2020
2022
2021
ORIGINAL GIFT
2023
MARKET INCREASE
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
$2,387,062
$2,476,889
$2,754,787
$2,898,779
$3,223,229
$1,447,727
$1,688,525
$1,663,747
$1,988,387
$1,967,936
annual distribution total
annual distribution total
Scholarships
OTHER
annual distribution total
$3,834,789
Scholarships
OTHER
annual distribution total
$4,165,414
Scholarships
OTHER
annual distribution total
$4,418,534
Scholarships
OTHER
$4,887,166
Scholarships
OTHER
$5,191,165
Annual Report 2022-23 | 9