The Augustana: Fall 2015

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1

The THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

A New Chapter

Fall 2015

VIEW FROM SUMMIT AVENUE

In the weeks since we announced that Augustana College has changed its name to Augustana University, we’ve received countless calls, emails, letters and comments via social media from students, alumni and friends.

Most of the feedback has been positive, like these comments from Michael Knight, class of 1982: “I think this is a terrific move for the school, and consistent with a broader vision of becoming a regional and national leader.”

For others though, the news was tough to digest.

“As an alumna, I am very disappointed and saddened by this change. It will always be Augustana College to me,” Liz DeVries Stevens ‘07 wrote in a comment to our Facebook page.

The reality is, change is hard. Yet, it’s important to understand that who we are is not changing. We will always be Augustana. The word “university” simply illustrates the depth and breadth of what we do now, while symbolizing our goals for the future.

The name Augustana – given to us 155 years ago this month by our founders and drawn from the Augsburg Confession – defines the culture of this place: a community of scholars, a shared passion for learning and discovery, a commitment to serving others, and heartfelt connections that span across the globe and through generations. Those are the threads that make up Augustana.

And those are not changing.

So, on the topic of reality, let me share some real numbers with you: • According to the latest research, in 2013, about 5.63 million students were enrolled in U.S. private colleges while 14.75 million were enrolled in U.S. public colleges.

Why the difference? Generally speaking, privates are smaller and are perceived to be more expensive.

• From 2010 through 2012, freshman enrollment at more than a quarter of U.S. private four-year schools declined 10 percent or more, according to federal data analyzed by The Wall Street Journal.

While far fewer numbers of students choose private colleges overall, emerging trends have exacerbated the gap. Trends such as declining numbers of graduating high school seniors, changing demographics, new technologies, stagnant household incomes, public perceptions about the value of a four-year college education, and the rising cost of higher education.

• The number of U.S. college students doubled between 1966 and 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported, as baby boomers pursued higher education, followed by their children. However, the number of high-school graduates peaked in 2011 and is projected to fall or flatten until 2024.

Higher ed institutions nationwide are struggling to adapt to these new realities. Between 2010 and October 2013, 45 schools merged, compared with 16 from 2006 through 2009, the Wall Street Journal analysis said, citing data from Higher Education Publications, which tracks the category.

In a preemptive fashion, the Augustana Board of Trustees and the senior leadership team began an intensive study of these realities several years ago.

We have been fortunate in our ability to maintain enrollment – our headcount this fall is steady at 1,837 compared to 1,823 last year – thanks in large part to the significant number of scholarships we are able to offer due to the generosity of our donors. We knew, however, that we could not ignore the significant sea change dramatically affecting similarly sized private, liberal arts colleges across the country.

The result of our investigation led to our decision to develop a new, five-year strategic plan for the institution. To create this plan, we gathered information from faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents, donors and friends.

What we gleaned from surveying and talking with our constituents was quite clear. We heard that Augustana needed to expand and enhance our academic offerings to better serve the needs of new students and a changing society. Due to our optimal location in the state’s largest city, we needed to build new and innovative strategic partnerships with area businesses, health care organizations, centers of education and non-profits to provide our students with valuable experiential learning opportunities and serve the city’s workforce needs. And, overwhelmingly, we heard that Augustana should consider bold moves in an effort to serve more students from the U.S. and around the world.

From there, we began the careful and thoughtful process of investing in change.

You’ll see the seeds and fruits of those investments in the pages that follow – significant initiatives like our new First Year Experience program, the Student Success Center, the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the English Language Center, new facilities and more.

Reality: These new endeavors, together with Augustana’s trademarks of excellence – our renowned professors, our robust undergraduate research programs, our commitment to providing global perspectives through study abroad, and our dedication to the exploration of faith and service – resulted in something bigger than the word “college.”

Reality: We invested in change to ensure Augustana’s future.

Following those investments, what was a college grew into what is now a university.

Reality: If, given today’s conditions, an institution of higher education doesn’t invest in change ... then, what?

Our 155 years of history, our culture, our values, and our mission are still with us. We will continue to be the Augustana like always, firmly committed to being a mission to the Lutheran Church that founded us on September 1, 1860.

At the same time though, we are an Augustana like never before. Stronger and more determined than ever to provide even more students with the education every individual deserves – an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world.

Thank you for your prayers and support as we begin to write the next chapter for the Augie we all know and love.

Proudly yours, for Augustana University, Rob Oliver President

CONTENTS

THE AUGUSTANA The Augustana is published three times per year for alumni, parents and friends of Augustana University by the Office of Advancement.

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE

Send correspondence, name changes and address corrections to: The Augustana, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57197 or via email at alumni@augie.edu.

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Visit the magazine online at augie.edu/magazine. Find more news about Augustana at augie.edu.

CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN

Editor: Kelly Sprecher, Communications Co-Editor: Kaia Chambers, Communications Class Notes: Carolyn Cordie, Mary Toso ‘90 Contributors: Rob Oliver, President Bob Preloger, Vice President for Advancement Katie Foutz ‘00, Communications Jackie Adelmann ‘14, Photography Michelle Diehl, Photography Tim Evans, Sports Information

SIOUX FALLS, SOU SEPTEMBER

DEPARTMENTS View from Summit Avenue

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.

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Notes from the Green Navy & Gold In the Spotlight Alumni News

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

FEATURES 2. The Place for Possibilities All the details on the Sept. 1 event officially announcing the name change from Augustana College to Augustana University.

8. New Facilities Learn about Augustana’s plans to build a new Student Activities Center, additional student housing and more.

14. Come Home Again for Viking Days Celebrate your Viking Spirit and come home again for Viking Days 2015, set for Oct. 16-18 on campus. Find all the details and see the complete schedule of events, including the Blast, the all-Augustana reunion and celebration on Saturday night.

CORE VALUES 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.

18. New Faces in Music Meet Dr. Jungho Kim, Augustana’s new director of Orchestras, and Dr. Christopher Unger, the new director of Bands.

CONNECT WITH US!

Augustana is an affirmative action, Title IX, equal opportunity institution. © Augustana University 2015

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A MOMENT IN HISTORY Augustana College Becomes Augustana University

“Today we are Augustana University, the place for possibilities.”

— Rob Oliver, President

Nearly 2,000 students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents and friends gathered in Kirkeby-Over Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to hear President Rob Oliver officially introduce Augustana University.

Following the announcement and the unveiling of the new logo, the stadium erupted in applause and cheering.

The faculty led the Augustana Class of 2019 onto the field for the Opening Celebration event.

Cheers followed President Rob Oliver’s official announcement of Augustana University.

Students and Ole the Viking posed for photos in their new AU t-shirts.

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gustana College is now Augustana University. The new name became effective on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and was announced before a crowd of nearly 2,000 students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents and friends during the Opening Celebration event held on the field inside Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

“Today is a celebration of our 155th anniversary. Today in 1860, Augustana was founded in the basement of the Norwegian Lutheran

and significant physical growth on campus.

The term “university,” officials said, speaks of the breadth of learning already happening on campus for both undergraduate and graduate students, with an emphasis on cutting edge research and leadership, and the direction charted for the institution by its strategic plan.

“Augustana has been serving students since 1860 and our goal is to continue to do just that,” said Oliver. “Yet, at the same time, we also recognize that the wants, needs and

and meet the demands of a workforce hungry for entrepreneurial and thoughtful professionals, we needed to invest in change, in growth, and in our ability to serve others,” he said.

“This name change to Augustana University is an illustration of that investment – an effort to complement Augustana’s 155-year-old mission to provide an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity, and integrates faith with programs and initiatives designed to serve the needs of 21st century students and the world we

“Today, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.

We’re part of this amazing place – a place where curiosity and discovery, creativity and innovation, challenge, wonder and intuition together, guided by our dedicated professors and staff, inspire students to pursue worthy objectives, nurture 21st century skills and abilities, and prepare for meaningful careers, and lives of purpose.

For Augustana University and its students, the possibilities are endless.”

– Rob Oliver, President

Church in Chicago, Illinois. That fall, 21 students enrolled at the place we then called Augustana Seminary.

In 155 years, we’ve come a long way.

But friends, I can assure you – in our 155-year history, there’s never been a day like today. Today Augustana College officially becomes Augustana University,” President Rob Oliver told the crowd, which included the entire freshman class, a group of men and women from 18 states and 16 countries around the world.

The decision to change the name of the institution follows action by the Augustana Board of Trustees after nearly two years of analysis and strategic planning, investments in academic programming, the introduction of new centers for undergraduate and graduate students,

expectations of higher education are changing.”

“We’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about how to take the Augustana experience to the next level – to inspire undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, to serve the needs of a changing society and a growing city, and to continue producing graduates who not only have the skills necessary to build meaningful careers, but who will go on to live lives of purpose and service.”

“As we studied economic and industry trends, and analyzed information gathered from faculty, staff, alumni, students, parents, community members and business leaders, it became obvious that in order to serve the needs of today’s students The AUGUSTANA

call home,” Oliver said.

Alumni were excited about the name change.

“I think Augie is very qualified to be considered a university and, with the increasing demand of grad programs, making such a bold move makes a statement to alumni, students, and prospective students alike that Augie is moving forward, not remaining stagnant,” Adam Jorde ‘13 wrote in a comment on the University’s Facebook page.

“All change is hard, but sometimes change is necessary to differentiate yourself from the rest. Nice move, Augie!”

Becky Blue ‘81, chair of the Augustana Board of Trustees, said the CONTINUED: PAGE 7 5

It’s a Great Day to Be AU! Students and Ole the Viking gather with President Rob Oliver after the event.

Signage around campus began changing on September 1.

New Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Build Strategic Partnerships

Live from New York!

Our news was distributed via PR Newswire, which included a 24-hour display in NYC’s Times Square.

name Augustana University is a “more apt term to describe who we are and and what we do here.”

“The opportunities we provide for post-graduate work currently, and even more in the near future, are consistent with the term ‘university.’ The high level of research happening here in multiple fields is certainly worthy of the university name,” Blue said. “Finally, our location and role in this vibrant city of Sioux Falls is fitting of the name Augustana University. The strategic partnerships we have forged in the areas of science, business, education, faith, and service also bring universitylevel internship and research experiences to both our undergraduate and graduate students.”

“We did not take this historical decision lightly,” Blue said. “Nearly all of the members of our Board are Augustana alumni and we share the deep connection our students, faculty, staff, and alumni hold towards the Augustana College name. We are excited about what Augustana University will mean to our current and future students

“We are excited about what Augustana University will mean to our current and future students who come here from South Dakota, the region, and around the world.”

– Becky Blue ‘81 Chair of the Augustana Board of Trustees who come here from South Dakota, the region, and around the world. It is through their leadership and service that the world will come to know Augustana College as Augustana University.”

In July, Augustana announced plans for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a new initiative designed to build strategic partnerships with industry leaders, business heads and curators of creativity.

Led by Dr. Pam Homan ‘81, the Center will develop collabora- DR. PAM HOMAN tions to enhance Augustana’s experiential learning opportunities for students and strengthen connections to the growing and changing needs of the city’s business community.

“The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is an idea whose time has come.

We’re excited to bring together the intellectual capital of our renowned faculty, the passion and curiosity of our bright students, and the great minds of our city’s business community in order to build a better tomorrow,” said President Rob Oliver.

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was approved by the Augustana Board of Trustees in alignment with the goals and objectives outlined in Horizons 2019, the institution’s five-year strategic plan.

CONTINUED: PAGE 8

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New Office to Lead Graduate and Continuing Education Efforts AUGUSTANA COLLEGE

In August, Augustana announced the addition of its first Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Led by South Dakota native Dr. Jerry Jorgensen, the Office will provide leadership to Augustana’s A rendering of what the new Student Activities Center existing graducould look like when viewed from Bergsaker Hall. ate and continuAugustana hopes to break ground on this new facility in the near future. ing education programs and will also facilitate Augustana University will offer: mology genetics, primary care genetthe development ics and more,” he said.

DR. JERRY and implemenJORGENSEN • Innovative enhancements to its tation of new undergraduate programming, such • The new Center for Innovation and programming. as the new First Year Experience, CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN and Entrepreneurship which, along with Working alongside faculty, staff new majors that relate to the needs SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA Augustana’s new Office of Graduate SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 and Augustana’s new Center for of a changing society. Augustana has and Continuing Ed – will give way to Innovation and Entrepreneuralso launched key student resources, exciting partnerships with leaders in ship, the Office will also work to such as the Student Success Center business, health care, technology and build collaborative educational – a central location for students to the nonprofit sector. These partnerreceive academic and career support. programming with businesses, ships will in turn create opportunities healthcare, education and other • More graduate and continuing edufor student internships, research, field organizations throughout the cation programs and a commitment work, and additional hands-on learnregion. to serving the needs of adult learners. ing experiences.

Guided by Horizons 2019, In addition to the graduate programs Augustana’s five-year strategic Augustana currently offers, University plan, new graduate programs • New facilities, including the Froiland in genetic counseling and officials see programs on the horizon Science Complex under construction public accountancy are under rd that are even more innovative and on the corner of 33 St. and Summit development, with anticipated more relevant to society’s needs.

Ave. launch dates of fall 2016. These programs will join current “Programs like our new master’s “When that project is complete next master’s programs in Education degree in genetic counseling, built in year, Augustana will be home to the and Sports Administration and collaboration with Sanford ImagenetLeadership. finest and most advanced science ics,” Oliver said. “When this program Also per its strategic plan, and research educational facility launches in 2016, it will be one of Augustana aims to grow its conin the region,” Oliver said. “From a only 32 such programs nationwide. tinuing education programming state-of-the-art nursing simulation with more workshops, seminars lab to high tech classatories and “The individuals who come through and certificate programs deglass enclosed labs, our students and signed for working professionals this program will go on to become faculty will have even more resources and lifelong learners. genetic counselors specializing in CONTINUED: PAGE 10 fields like cancer genetics, ophthal-

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SNAPSHOTS: FROILAND SCIENCE COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION June 2015

July 2015

July 2015

July 2015

September 2015

September 2015

Construction continues on the Dr. Sven G. Froiland Science Complex, the $35 million project that includes a 41,000-square-foot new addition to the Gilbert Science Center and a complete renovation of the existing facility. Greenhouse walls have been built.

Aluminum glazing frames are complete on the south side of the new wing and glass panels are being installed. Most of the stud framing and drywall hanging in the new wing and the west wing addition is complete. Stairways are being taped and finished. Walls on Level 2 are being painted. Phase 1 of the project will open in January 2016, with classes beginning in February.

See more construction photos and watch the progress live via our webcam at www.augie.edu/science.

Augustana to Launch New English Language Center on Campus

University officials are planning another student apartment complex modeled after the existing Summit Avenue Apartments, shown here.

to explore new advances in scientific and biomedical discovery.”

• Augustana has also announced plans to build a new, 125,000 square foot Student Activities Center on campus.

The new facility will be located on the corner of Grange Ave. and 33rd St. across from the Elmen Center.

When it’s complete, it will feature the city’s only eight-lane, 200-meter indoor competition track.

The Center will also offer an expanded fitness center with modern and technologically advanced equipment, academic spaces, a retail center, a multi-purpose recreational area and practice spaces.

“Our hope is to break ground on this exciting facility in 2016,” Oliver said.

• Also in 2016, Augustana plans to build a new student apartment complex, modeled after Summit Avenue Apartments, the University’s most sought-after student housing facility. This new building will be located on Summit Avenue just north of the existing complex.

• Looking ahead, as University officials plan Augustana’s next fundraising campaign, future plans envision enhancements to the Humanities Center and Kresge Recital Hall and updates to Morrison Commons.

“Our mission is not changing – it’s expanding to provide even more students – undergraduates, graduates and lifelong learners – with an education of enduring worth.”

– Rob Oliver President “Today, we are Augustana University, the place for possibilities,” Oliver said.

“At the same time though, we’re still Augie. We’ll always be Augie. Our mission is not changing – it’s expanding to provide even more students – undergraduates, graduates and lifelong learners – with an education of enduring worth.

“Today we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re part of this amazing place – a place where curiosity and discovery, creativity and innovation, challenge, wonder and intuition together, guided by our dedicated professors and staff, inspire students to pursue worthy objectives, nurture 21st century skills and abilities, and prepare for meaningful careers, and lives of purpose. For Augustana University and its students, the possibilities are endless.”

Learn more and view photos and videos at www.augie.edu/university 10

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Augustana has announced plans to launch a new English Language Center on campus, an initiative designed to enable more students from around the globe to achieve their dreams of higher education.

Once launched in Fall 2016, the Center will serve academically qualified students who need to grow their English language skills before beginning their American college careers.

The initiative is a partnership with English Language Schools (ELS) Educational Services, a global organization providing English language programs and university placement for students from 175 countries around the world.

Augustana’s English Language Center will offer qualified students conditional admission to Augustana upon successful completion of the program.

Once launched, the Center could also serve the needs of English language learners throughout the city and region-wide who want to further their academic English language skills. ELS also provides executive short-term programs in partnership with local and regional companies and organizations.

“We are pleased to announce this new partnership with ELS Educational Services, one of the largest and most successful providers of intensive English language programs in the country,” said Donn Grinager, director of Augustana’s International Programs Office. “Augustana will take full advantage of ELS’s worldwide network to strengthen our relationship with students, parents, schools and universities around the globe.”

This fall, Augustana will be home to 153 international students from 36 countries.

NOTES FROM THE GREEN

Augustana Earns National Rankings

Professor Robert Wright Authors Book on South Dakota’s Economic History

Augustana has again earned key rankings by the following national agencies and publications:

“Little Business on the Prairie: Entrepreneurship, Prosperity, and Challenge in South Dakota,” the latest book by Dr. Robert Wright, Augustana’s Nef Family Chair of Political Economy, examines South Dakota’s economic history through the lenses of its public policies, politics, and institutions of governance.

Published by the Center for Western Studies, the book ($16.95) demonstrates that even an economy a long distance from major markets and low population density, will still thrive if it is governed efficiently.

“The entrepreneurial energy of scores of South Dakotans first got me interested in the subject,” Wright said.

“The students in my history of entrepreneurship course further stimulated and encouraged me. Along with some important community members like Joe Kirby, they helped me to hit upon the notion that the Dakotas were really two Dakotas in three different ways — North and South; East and West; and most important Euroamerican and Native — and that, another author once wrote, made all the difference.”

Dr. Ron Michener, associate professor of economics at the University of Virginia, offered this early assessment of Wright’s new book: “Wright’s book should make him the darling of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, for never has the history of the state’s economic development been so admiringly and admirably detailed. The book is an avid exercise in South Dakota boosterism — scarcely a celebrity with roots to the state goes unmentioned. The most interesting portion of the discussion is Wright’s exploration of why the native American population of South Dakota has not shared in the state’s bounty. Wright — and this is like crack cocaine to libertarians — places the blame on government regulations that deny native Americans the

#2 IN THE MIDWEST BY U.S. NEWS Augustana is ranked No. 2 among the “Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest” according to the latest edition of “Best Colleges 2016” by U.S. News Media Group. Augustana also received high rankings in the report’s analysis of schools that offer students the best value. Among the regional colleges listed in the “Best Value Schools” study, we’re No. 2 in the Midwest.

TOP 15 NATIONWIDE FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY BY WASHINGTON MONTHLY We’re ranked the No. 13 baccalaureate college in the nation, according to a recent report from Washington Monthly.

The publication’s “2015 College Ranking” rates 344 baccalaureate institutions according to their contribution to the public good in three areas — social mobility: recruiting and graduating lowincome students; research: producing cutting-edge scholars and Ph.D.s; and service: encouraging students to give something back to their country.

AMONG THE BEST IN THE MIDWEST

BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW We are again ranked among the best in the Midwest, according to the nationally known education services company, The Princeton Review. Augustana is one of 159 premier institutions included in The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Midwest” section of its website feature, “2016 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

AMONG THE AMERICA’S TOP COLLEGES BY FORBES Augustana is again ranked among the nation’s best colleges and universities according to Forbes’ published annual list of “America’s Top Colleges.” Forbes ranked the top U.S. undergraduate colleges and universities based on student satisfaction, post-graduate success, student debt, graduation rates and nationally competitive awards.

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entrepreneurial freedom that others in the state enjoy. Since the book itself is an ode to the contributions of South Dakota’s entrepreneurs, Wright’s thesis that denying native Americans equal access to these opportunities has been a serious impediment rings true.”

University of California at Santa Barbara historian John Majewski had this to say about “Little Business on the Prairie:” ​ “​Robert Wright’s ‘Little Business on the Prairie’ is a spryly written economic history of a state and a region that scholars too often neglect. There is a clear argument in favor of low taxes and efficient regulation, but Wright provides much more than that.

The stories of individual entrepreneurs and firms brings to life a wealth of evidence and data. Thoroughly researched and richly illustrated, this book will appeal to policy makers, economists, and historians, as well as to those looking for a unique history of one of our nation’s most interesting states.​“

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Creating Pathways to SUCCESS

Augustana’s new Student Success Center is a central place for career and academic support services — a hub for educational and vocational engagement.

Graduates are given well-wishes by professors as they make their way through the Faculty Gauntlet following Commencement 2015.

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Welcome to Augustana’s new Student Success Center. We sat down with executive director Billie Streufert to learn more about this new initiative.

Q. What’s the mission of Augustana’s new Student Success Center?

A. The Student Success Center is a central place for career and academic support services – a hub for educational and vocational engagement. We empower students to discover and achieve their academic and professional goals from BILLIE STREUFERT the point of entry to graduation and beyond. By partnering with faculty and other campus offices we provide students with the support they need to learn, develop and make the most of their Augustana experience.

Our dedicated staff helps students make informed choices regarding their major or career; access an inclusive environment that permits them to learn; develop dynamic strategies to maximize their learning in the classroom; locate opportunities for relevant hands-on learning; and secure meaningful employment or admission into graduate school.

Q. Talk about the different ways the Center serves students, alumni, the community and employers.

A. One of the things I like most about the Student Success Center is that we live with a foot in many different worlds. From the point of entry we help students discover their passion and transition seamlessly into the college environment. When it comes time to launch their career, they have secured a variety of practical experiences – from internships, research, service-learning, relevant employment, campus leadership – that have prepared them for life after Augustana. Our commitment to their success does not end when they graduate, which is why we continue to provide career coaching to our alumni as they advance in the field. Many alumni also stay in touch to mentor students and advertise job openings with us.

As we form these ongoing relationships with both students and alumni, we have the joy of sharing their story and background with employers who are eager to connect with the talent at

The Student Success Center is located inside the Edith Mortenson Center.

Augustana. We also actively reach out to these organizations to build mutually beneficial partnerships and better understand their workforce needs, which we then share with faculty to inform our curriculum.

Q. The Strategic Plan was specific in outlining a desire to create a Student Success Center. Talk about why this is such an important endeavor for Augustana today.

A. Augustana has always been committed to success, but we realized this was especially paramount given the flattening nature of organizations. Graduates and alumni are finding an increasingly competitive job search, particularly because they are no longer just competing with the individuals in their community, but must now out-perform their peers around the nation and globe. In response to this rapidly changing labor market, we invested in our resources and the career development of students.

When we benchmarked our community to that of other colleges during our strategic planning, we felt fortunate.

Compared to other urban areas, we are located in a growing, award-winning city that offers an appealing quality of life and vibrant hands-on opportunities.

We wanted to engage students with this community and its organizations, not only to make students’ curriculum come alive in the real world and prepare them for life after graduation, but also to embody our value of service. We wanted to celebrate and affirm our commitment to educating the whole person – our distinct desire to prepare graduates to live lives of purpose, leadership, and service for the common good.

Our desire to help every student graduate also propelled us to act. Augustana The AUGUSTANA

has always exceeded national retention rate averages for private liberal arts colleges, but that was not good enough for us. We dedicated ourselves to ensuring that every student had the resources to thrive, persist, and be transformed into lifelong learners. This motivated us to provide additional individual support to struggling students, launch new events, such as the Sophomore Retreat or Experience Expo, and reimagine services, such as tutoring and accessibility services. In this regard, the Success Center’s mission can be best summed up by our motto, “Enter to Learn. Leave to Serve.”

Q. Tell us about the Student Success Center team.

A. Kaari Speer and Todd Alberty plan various events and provide individual support to students who have questions about learning strategies.

Samantha Turnquist supports employers or alumni who are interested in recruiting at Augustana and also helps students obtain relevant part-time employment.

Sandi Vietor serves as the director of internships and employer partnerships.

Working closely with the faculty, she helps students couple their strong academic background with hands-on experience. Known for her extensive network with organizations and time working as a recruiter herself at a Fortune 500 company, she facilitates seamless connections between employers and our educated workforce.

Susan Bies, director of accessibility and academic support, is dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible learning-living environments. She works with students who have disabilities and also oversees the comprehensive tutoring offered in partnership with academic departments.

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viking days CELEBRATE YOUR VIKING SPIRIT

COME HOME AGAIN! VIKING DAYS: OCTOBER 16-18

viking days 2015

Monday, Oct. 12 Coronation and Opening Ceremonies: It’s your chance to meet the 2015 Homecoming Court, find out who’s been named Viking Days King and Queen, and enjoy the fireworks display. Picnic begins at 5 p.m.; opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m., Elmen Center.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Langskip 5K: Check in at 8:30 a.m. Race begins at 9 a.m.

Registration required.

Friday, Oct. 16 SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS (complete schedule at www.augie.edu/vikingdays) Gallery Exhibits (All Day): Center for Western Studies: “Voices of the Northern Plains” and “Treasures from the Center for Western Studies Fine Art Collection.”

Viking Days Pancake Feed, 9:30 a.m. in the large white tent near Commons Drive on Grange Avenue; proceeds benefit the Performing and Visual Arts.

Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, Center for Visual Arts: “de la Mancha: Laster Out First: Sculptures and Community Collaborations” by Bridget Beck ‘00.

Honor Guard Coffee Reception: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Siverson Lounge, Morrison Commons.

Worship: 10 a.m., Chapel of Reconciliation. Featuring the Augustana Music Department.

Honor Guard Luncheon: 11:30 a.m., Falls Room, Holiday Inn City Center. A festive luncheon for graduates who have celebrated their 50th class reunion, including members of the Class of 1965 (celebrating their 50th reunion this fall).

Registration required.

Class photos taken at this event!

In Memoriam: 2 p.m. Class of 1965 gathers in the Chapel of Reconciliation to remember departed classmates.

Campus Tours: An afternoon tour begins at 3 p.m. at the Commons Concourse, Morrison Commons. Meet us at the Viking Days information table in the Commons for a group tour with a current Augustana student.

50th Reunion Social Hour and Banquet (1965): 5:30 p.m. Social/6 p.m. Dinner, Falls Room, Holiday Inn City Center.

Enjoy dinner, conversation and entertainment while you reminisce with your classmates. Registration required.

Class photos taken at this event!

Viking Days Parade: 10:30 a.m., University Place to 33rd Street on Grange Avenue. Bring your family, see friends and enjoy the student-made floats!

Augustana Soccer vs. Concordia-St. Paul: 11 a.m. at Morstad Field.

Cheer on the Viking women as they continue their success from last season.

Alumni Band Reunion/Pep Band Rehearsal: 11 a.m. Lillehaug Band Room. Band alumni are invited to participate in the pep band under the direction of Dr. Paul Schilf, during the Vikings football game.

Viking Days Tailgate and Viking Village: 11:30 a.m. outside Kirkeby-Over Stadium. Bring your family for lunch and games for the kids before the Vikings kickoff. Tickets will be available at the event.

50th Class Reunion Tailgate (1965): 11:30 a.m., Fellows’ Presidential Residence, 37th Street and Grange Avenue. The Class of 1965 is invited to a special tailgate lunch at the President’s House. Meet your classmates here before heading over to the football game.

Event is free; registration is required.

Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet: 6 p.m. Social Hour; 7 p.m. Dinner, Starlite Room, Holiday Inn City Center. Celebrate this year’s Athletic Hall of Fame honorees at this annual banquet. Registration required.

Gallery Reception and Artist’s Talk: 7 p.m., Atrium, Center for Visual Arts featuring alumna Bridget Beck ‘00.

Viking Days Football Game vs. Wayne State: 1 p.m., Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

SEE THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE, LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: WWW.AUGIE.EDU/VIKINGDAYS

october 16–18 Sunday, Oct. 18

Saturday, Oct. 17 (cont’d) Alumni Choir Rehearsal: 4:30 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall, Humanities Building. All choir alumni are invited to sing under the direction of Dr. Paul Nesheim, director of The Augustana Choir. Alumni will sing with The Augustana Choir at Viking Days worship on Sunday in the Elmen Center.

Alumni Achievement Award Dinner: 5:30 p.m., Starlite Room, Holiday Inn City Center. This is a special dinner event to honor our 2015 Alumni Achievement and Horizon Award winners.

Registration required.

Class of 1990 25th Reunion Dinner: 6 p.m., Palisades Room, Holiday Inn City Centre. Members of the Class of 1990 are invited to celebrate their 25th Class Reunion at a dinner ahead of the Blast, the all-Augustana celebration. This event will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and will be held in the Palisades Room at the Holiday Inn City Centre. Registration required.

Alumni Choir Rehearsal: 8:30 a.m., Elmen Center.

Viking Days Worship: 10 a.m., Elmen Center. Join us for this festive worship service with music by the Augustana Orchestra and The Augustana Choir. Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke ‘80 will provide the message at Viking Days worship. Steinke is the President of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Viking Days Brunch: 11:30 a.m., Ordal Dining Room, Morrison Commons. Tickets available at the door.

Augustana Soccer vs. Minnesota State University, Mankato: 1 p.m. at Morstad Field. Not ready to leave? Stick around for another fantastic athletic event. Free admission.

SATURDAY NIGHT: DON’T MISS THIS! All-Augustana Reunion & Celebration

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T S A L B E TH DON’T MISS THIS ONE! The Blast: An All-Augustana Reunion & Celebration of Viking Days Saturday, Oct. 17 7 p.m., Falls Room, Holiday Inn City Center This event is for all alumni, faculty/staff, parents and friends!

We’ll recognize the reunion classes ending in 5 and 0.

Registration required.

This fun event will feature: • An interactive photo gallery featuring historic photos from your time at Augie • Great food and a cash bar • DJ and dancing • Plenty of games • Door prizes!

(Register online to get two tickets for the drawing) • Special reunion class photos (1970-2010) • Share pictures from the night with the selfie photo booth

SEE THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE, LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: WWW.AUGIE.EDU/VIKINGDAYS

Meet Dr. Jungho Kim AUGUSTANA’S NEW DIRECTOR OF ORCHESTRAS

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In June, Augustana named Dr. Jungho Kim assistant professor of music and director of orchestras.

In his new role, Kim will serve as director of the acclaimed Augustana Orchestra, which was founded in 1922 as a collaboration between the University and the city of Sioux Falls. Upon its debut, the Augustana Orchestra served as the original South Dakota Symphony.

An award-winning musician, Kim most recently studied with Maestro Neil Varon at the renowned Eastman School of Music where he earned his doctorate in orchestral conducting and served as assistant conductor for the Eastman Philharmonia Orchestra and cover conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Kim began his professional career as a violinist for the Kyung-Ghi philharmonic orchestra in Seoul, South Korea.

After earning two master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati – one in violin performance and one in orchestral conducting – Kim was named associate conductor of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, a 90-year-old performing arts organization dedicated to cultural enrichment in Northwestern Iowa.

As a conductor, he has collaborated with world-famous artists such as Phil Smith, former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, and composer Huang Ruo. He has conducted the Northwestern Iowa Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, South Dakota AllState Orchestra, and the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. He has also led numerous workshops and master classes. Throughout his career, he has had opportunities to study and work with world-class conductors such as Kurt Mazur, Pinchas Zukerman, and JoAnn Falletta, in addition to his main teachers Xian Zhang, Mark Gibson and Neil Varon.

We caught up with Dr. Kim before classes began to learn more about him, what brought him to Augustana, and his plans for the future.

Q. What attracted you to Augustana?

A. The exemplary reputation of Augustana; high quality of education, excellent level of both students and faculty, and the tremendous support from the Augustana alumni that shapes the community as a whole has always been known to me ever since my family and I moved to Sioux City, Iowa, in 2005.

FALL AUGUSTANA ORCHESTRA CONCERTS Nov. 1: Augustana Choirs and Orchestra, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls Dec. 4 - 6: Augustana Christmas Vespers, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls Dec. 18: Augustana Christmas Vespers in the Twin Cities, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota Visit www.augie.edu/events for more details and ticket information.

While working as the associate conductor of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, I was asked to conduct one of the groups of the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra, whose rehearsals were held at Augustana every Saturday morning. I fondly remember sitting on a bench under a tree, with a cup of coffee and a score during break time, enjoying the beautiful campus and exuberant atmosphere. When an opportunity to teach at Augustana was presented, I was absolutely thrilled at the idea of joining many of the outstanding music faculty members who I had the joy of working with in Sioux City. It was simply a dream come true. Meeting and working with accomplished students and distinguished faculty members during the interview process made the decision of becoming a Viking very easy.

Q. What excites you most about your new role?

A. “What” I will be doing as a part of my new role is important, obviously, but it is “who” I get to work with that is by far the best part of it all. When I first found out I had to conduct an orchestra rehearsal on “Roman Carnival Overture” by the French composer Berlioz, I was frankly worried. The piece is notorious for its difficulties in many aspects for any orchestra to handle, and I simply did not know what to expect. A conductor always tries to predict what musical problems were to occur in rehearsals, and it largely depends on the technical level and experience of the orchestra which would be familiar to the conductor in normal circumstances. Not to mention that the orchestra played the piece amazingly well, it was the positive enthusiasm for music itself that the air was filled with, originating from every single person in the room that assured me what excite-

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ment it would bring to work with such inspiring people. Being able to work closely with the new Director of Bands Dr. Chris Unger, a close friend from grad school, just sealed it. I am very much looking forward to making great things happen at Augustana as a part of a great community.

Q. What can student performers and audience members expect from you as a conductor?

A. Student performers can expect to gain a broader perspective of music making in an orchestral setting, where knowing and executing their individual parts is only the most basic requirement for it. In the course of rehearsals and performances, students will experience that ensemble playing at a high level draws a parallel to our everyday lives – to listen and understand others in order to be heard and understood. The audience members can expect performances that put the focus on music itself rather than the orchestra or the conductor.

The sheer love and passion for music from every single person on stage will be expressed through some of the most memorable repertoire in the prosperous history of western music.

Q. Do you have any major goals planned for the orchestra this year?

A. As a new faculty member, I think it is more important to have a long term goal, a vision further down the road and to set foot in the right direction rather than focusing on a short term goal for a certain academic year. The specific goals for each year will naturally come along according to a comprehensive, inclusive goal – to gain valuable insights in the various aspects of life through study, discipline, and appreciation of art music.

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Meet Dr. Christopher Unger AUGUSTANA’S NEW DIRECTOR OF BANDS

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Dr. Christopher Unger was named assistant professor of music and director of bands for Augustana in May. In his new role, Unger will serve as only the fifth director of the acclaimed Augustana Band, which made its debut on campus in 1931.

An award-winning conductor, Unger most recently served as the interim director of bands at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Prior to his appointment at UBC, Unger served as the assistant conductor of both the Eastman Wind Orchestra and the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the legendary Eastman School of Music, a conservatory at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.

At Eastman, he was honored with the Frederick Fennell Fellowship for Advanced Conducting Study, the Evan Whallon Conducting Award, and the prestigious Walter Hagen Conducting Prize.

Unger holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the University of British Columbia. He earned his doctor of musical arts (DMA) in conducting from the Eastman School of Music in 2013.

His work at Eastman provided him the opportunity to act as a producer on the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 2013 release on Avie Records titled “StravinskyOctet/L’Histoire du Soldat.” In addition to conducting the wind ensembles, Unger worked with the Brass Guild, the Trumpet Ensemble and the Graduate Chamber Orchestra.

Prior to his graduate studies, Unger served as the instrumental music teacher at G.P. Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay, British Columbia. Under his baton, the instrumental ensembles at Vanier participated in regional and national festivals and received national recognition for their performances at Musicfest Canada. In his final year at Vanier, Unger was nominated for the CARAS/MUSICAN teacher of the year award.

Recently, he won the American Prize in Conducting in the Wind Ensemble Division (2013). Throughout his career he has worked with master wind conductors such as Donald Hunsberger, Frank Battisti, Charles Peltz, Michael Haithcock, Allan McMurray, Craig Kirchhoff, Michael Votta, Gary Hill and Rodney Winther. He maintains professional affiliations with the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Conductors Guild.

FALL AUGUSTANA BAND CONCERTS Nov. 8: Augustana Bands, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls Nov.14: 58th Annual Band Festival Gala Concert Event, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls Dec. 11: Christmas Instrumental Concert, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls Visit www.augie.edu/events for more details and ticket information.

Before classes began this fall, we caught up with Dr. Unger to learn more about what brought him to Augustana and his plans for the future.

Q. What attracted you to Augustana?

A. I was attracted to the position at Augustana because, as director of bands, I would have the opportunity to work with the renowned Augustana Band.

The band program at Augustana has a rich history and has been an artistic outlet for many generations of students. I am excited to be a part of the next chapter of this ensemble’s exciting history.

Q. Tell us what excites you most about your new role.

A. This is hard to respond to because I am excited about so many aspects of my new role. However, I would have to say it would be working with talented students and distinguished faculty.

Both the students and the faculty have been extremely helpful in my transition to this position and I am anxious to get to work on a number of new musical projects and initiatives while honoring the rich history and traditions that this ensemble has cultivated over the years.

Q. What can student performers and audience members expect from you as a conductor?

A. Student performers can expect that, as a conductor, I will be a passionate advocate for the music. They can expect that I will push for the highest artistic standards in a respectful manner, always keeping in mind that it is important to have a few laughs along the way. The audience can expect an invigorating selection of repertoire that will both entertain and challenge them as listeners.

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Q. Looking ahead, do you have any major goals planned for the band program this year?

A. Upon receiving the position at Augustana, I began to brainstorm goals for the upcoming concert season.

I will focus on three main goals for the 2015-16 concert season: • Design and implement an Apprentice Conductor Program with the Augustana Band: The Augustana Band will be seeking up to three apprentice conductors/coaches for the 2015-16 concert season.

These positions have been designed for students that have the desire to conduct ensembles in the future.

Students participating in this program will receive private conducting lessons, a conductor’s studio class, and will conduct the Augustana Band in concert.

• Integrate Technology and Pedagogy: An example would be a digital composer in residence.The Augustana Band will explore the connection between the composer and the work by working directly with composers in interactive Skype sessions.

We will create multi-camera video recordings of spectacular performances throughout the year to share with Band members and the public.

The Band will perform works that are composed for band and electronics.

• Students will participate in landmark performances: In conjunction with the Siouxland Trombone Festival, internationally renowned trombone artist Douglas Yeo will perform a solo with the Augustana Band in concert at the Washington Pavilion.

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NAVY & GOLD

FOOTBALL: Augustana Plows Past St. Cloud State in Season Home Opener Junior wide receiver Charlie Hayes caught 11 passes for a career-high 266 yards and four touchdowns to lead Augustana University (2-0) to a 41-27 victory over St. Cloud State University (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

VOLLEYBALL: Augustana Finishes Perfect Showcase Augustana Volleyball (7-1) upsets the No. 8 ranked Lakers of Grand Valley State (4-4) in four sets in their final match of the 2015 Augustana Showcase, held Sept. 11-12 on campus. Augustana was led by juniors Kelsey Kaufmann (11) and Dani Magdzas (10) in kills while senior Sydney Hunsley added 8 of her own. The Vikings had 15 in sets one and four and 12 in sets two and three for 54 in the match. The Lakers were held to just 39.

SOCCER: Vikings open up NSIC play with 2-0 Victory Over Wayne State Augustana soccer opened up Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with a 2-0 victory over Wayne State College on Sunday, Sept. 13. With the victory the Vikings improve their record to 3-1, 1-0 in the NSIC; with the loss the Wildcats drop to 0-2-2, 0-1 in the NSIC. Samantha Tymkowicz continues her scorching pace with her fifth goal of the season. Courtney Allen netted her first career goal at Augustana in the second half. Stephanie Stevens picked up her second assist of the season for Augustana.

CROSS COUNTRY: Season Opens with Strong Showing at Fifth Annual Augustana Twilight The Augustana men’s and women’s cross country teams opened up the 2015 season on Friday, Sept.

4, hosting the Fifth Annual Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls. The Viking women put together a first-place finish placing six runners in the top-25, including Leah Seivert’s first-place finish.

The Viking men placed five runners in the top-27 running to a second-place finish with Keegan Carda leading the way coming in seventh-place with a time of 19.31.59.

Find more Augustana Athletics news, scores, video and photos at www.goaugie.com 22

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NAVY & GOLD

COMPETING IN FALL 2016: Women’s Swimming

The Augustana University department of athletics is excited to announce the addition of women’s swimming as its 19th varsity program. Augustana women’s swimming will begin competition during the 2016-17 academic year.

South Dakota native Lindsie Micko has been named the first head coach of Viking women’s swimming. The team will train and have the ability to host dual and triangular meets at the Elmen Center swim- LINDSIE MICKO ming pool.

“We are extremely excited to add women’s swimming to our athletic department and sports offered,” director of athletics Slade Larscheid said.

“As an institution, we feel this addition is a perfect fit for our community and regional footprint. We also look forward to the opportunities this will bring for female student-athletes to represent Augustana and receive a championship experience both academically and athletically.”

Women’s swimming is the first sport added at Augustana since women’s

“As an institution, we feel this addition is a perfect fit for our community and regional footprint. We also look forward to the opportunities this will bring for female student-athletes to represent Augustana and receive a championship experience both academically and athletically.”

– Slade Larscheid Director of Athletics

soccer began competition in the fall of 2000.

“Women’s swimming as a sponsored sport for Augustana makes great sense at this time in our history,” Augustana President Rob Oliver said. “This is a program that the NSIC is seeking to grow to a championship level sport, is already sponsored by several conference members, and utilizes one of our existing campus facilities. Additionally, the academic profile of women who

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have dedicated themselves to excellence in this sport fits perfectly with the academic profile at Augustana. We look forward to welcoming these students to our Augustana Viking community.”

Augustana is one of seven Northern Sun Intercollegiate members to sponsor women’s swimming as a varsity sport. Augustana joins the University of Mary, Minnesota State, MSU Moorhead, Northern State, St. Cloud State and Sioux Falls.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NIEBUHR, ZALOUDEK AWARDS PRESENTED Two Augustana faculty members were recognized for their commitment to teaching and research at the 2015 Commencement ceremony, held on on Saturday, May 23: Dr. Mike Mullin (History) received the Vernon and Mildred Niebuhr Faculty Excellence Award, established to provide an annual award to recognize excellence in teaching. The selection process is based on votes from alumni celebrating their fifth anniversary and full-time faculty. The winner is chosen for brilliance in classroom teaching. The award, provided by an endowment created by Dick Niebuhr, is named in honor of his parents, Vernon and Mildred Niebuhr, “because they loved Augustana dearly and because they were my first and best teachers.”

Mullin received his Ph.D. from the University of California–Santa Barbara, where he also served as a lecturer in the history department. Trained as a colonial historian, with a special emphasis on American Indians, he teaches departmental courses in “American History to 1877,”“Revolutionary America,”“The Era of the American Civil War,”“Western Civilization,” and two different courses on American Indian history.

Dr. Matthew Pehl (History) received the Jane and Charles Zaloudek Faculty Research Fellowship, established to provide an annual fellowship to support research by a member of the Augustana faculty. The purpose of the fellowship is to support, with a $5,000 stipend, faculty scholarship that extends the scope of research beyond the normal confines of the classroom. The driving principle behind the development of the fellowship was the belief that, “faculty research, particularly when combined with undergraduate student research, expands thinking, emboldens the spirit of inquiry and has the potential to significantly improve the human condition.”

Pehl received his master’s in history from Utah State University, where he served as the S. George Ellsworth editorial fellow at the Western Historical Quarterly, and earned his Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University, where he was the recipient of a Crown Fellowship. He specializes in modern U.S. history, with a particular interest in 24

religious, urban, and working-class history.

Pehl teaches courses on post-Civil War U.S. history, the history of religion in the U.S., and the Methods course for history majors.

He also serves as faculty coordinator for the program in American Studies.

ANDREWS NAMED ASA AWARD RECIPIENT Acclaimed pianist Dr. Rick Andrews, professor of music, is the recipient of the 2014-2015 Augustana Student Association (ASA) Faculty Recognition Award. The award recognizes outstanding teaching and contributions to the Augustana Community by a faculty member.

Students nominate professors they feel display one or more of the five core values of the University (Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service) as well as how those faculty members have positively impacted their experiences at Augustana.

Andrews teaches applied piano, piano pedagogy, piano literature, and music theory. He previously taught on the faculties of Georgia College, Arkansas College, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the Interlochen National Music Camp, the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony Piano Camp, and the famed Piano Preparatory Program at Southern Methodist University.

He began his collegiate training as a student of Pierrette Mouledous at Eastfield College of the Dallas County Community College District. Later, his principal studies in performance were with Alfred Mouledous at Southern Methodist University where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, specializing in piano performance and piano pedagogy. Pedagogy studies were under the tutelage of Louise Bianchi and David Karp. Andrews continued performance studies at the University of Colorado under the guidance of Peter Amstutz and Paul Parmelee and received a doctor of musical arts in piano performance.

South Dakota in school administration and curriculum development. Van Bockern is principally known for his work with at-risk youth. In 1990, he co-authored a book with Augustana colleagues Larry Brendtro and Martin Brokenleg titled “Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future.”

That book has been translated into six different languages. In 1997, he and his colleagues created the not for profit organization called Reclaiming Youth International.

This youth advocacy, research and training organization has taken Van Bockern and colleagues to more than 32 countries.

Bob Preloger (VP for Advancement) completed requirements for the Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Saint Michael’s mosaics by Scott Parsons (Art) have won a 2015 Faith & Form Award in Liturgical Art from the annual Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards program, co-sponsored by Faith & Form Magazine and the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA). The award will be given in Philadelphia next May. “Our Bodies Are Selves,” is a new book by Dr. Ann Pederson (Religion/Philosophy/ Classics), Philip Hefner and Susan Barreto.

The book looks at what it means to be human in a world where medical technology and emerging ethical insight force us to rethink the boundaries of humanity/spirit and man/machine. This book gives us a fresh look at how our expanding biological views of ourselves and our shared evolutionary history shows us a picture that may not always illumine who and where we are as Christians. Offering up Christian theological views of embodiment, the authors give everyday examples of lives of love, faith, and bodily realities that offer the potential to create new definitions of what it means to be a faith community in an increasingly technological age of medicine.

KUDOS AROUND CAMPUS

Dr. Ryan Sougstad (Business Administration) received a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to develop an online dashboard to develop metrics and track progress toward community goals.

Dr. Steve Van Bockern (Education) was given an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in June, the University’s highest distinction. Van Bockern gave the commencement address to their 980 graduates. Van Bockern holds his master and doctorate degrees from the University of

Dr. Drew Alton (Physics) received a threeyear grant from NASA as part of the South Dakota Space Grant. The title is “South Dakota Space Grant Consortium Training Grant 2015-2018”, the award is for $1.03 million and Augie’s component is $98,400.

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Augustana’s first Writer-in-Residence, Herbert Krause (photo mural) presides over Siouxland novelist Frederick Manfred’s writing table, briefcase, typewriter, and buckskin boots in the “Tools of the Trade” exhibit.

CWS Unveils Expanded Exhibit Space In September, the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University unveiled its new exhibit expansion initiative, “Voices of the Northern Plains,” a dramatic re-visioning of the Center’s core museum exhibits.

Through “Voices of the Northern Plains,” visitors travel across 300 years of life in the Northern Plains (17002000) – from the Oneota at Blood Run to the Corps of Discovery’s ascent of the Missouri; from Dakota and Lakota adaptation of Euro-American technology during the period of Plains Indian dominance to resistance by Red Cloud and Crazy Horse during the Plains Indian Wars; from the coming of missionaries and homesteaders to the imaginative re-creation of the frontier era in the novels of Cather, Rölvaag, Krause, and Manfred; from the persistence of indigenous culture in the beaded headdress

by Joe Flying Bye and the words of Vine Deloria, Jr. to enduring immigrant values of the folk art of LeRoy Graber and Jim Savage and commitment to education in the Boe Forum on Public Affairs.

Dr. Harry Thompson, executive director of the Center, said the exhibit expansion features, in new and compelling ways, the remarkable treasures found in the Center’s collections.

“Homesteading the Plains” (left), “Journeys” (center), and “Northern Plains Folk Art Continuum” (right), are some of the major exhibit themes.

Special emphasis has been placed on sharing with the public the letters and photographs from the Center’s archives. These documents are further highlighted by such objects as a plow used to break the sod in Dakota Territory, the steering wheel from a steamboat that plied the upper Missouri River, and a bell from a locomotive engine that pulled cars laden with grain and passengers across the Dakota plains.

Additional features of the exhibit redesign allow CWS to place on display some of the remarkable examples of quill and beadwork from the Blue The AUGUSTANA

Cloud Abbey — American Indian Culture Research Center Collection.

The exhibits also introduce visitors to authors O.E. Rolvaag, Herbert Krause, and Frederick Manfred, whose lives are intertwined with CWS and whose writings help define the Northern Plains region.

In addition to “Voices,” currently on display in the Center is “Treasures from the Center for Western Studies Fine Art Collection,” an exhibit of rarely seen works from the Center’s own collection.

This display runs through Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Fantle Building.

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

Visit www.augielink.com for daily updates & photos.

THE

2010s

CLASS OF 2015 Megan Raposa is employed with the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls. She is an Argus911 reporter.

CLASS OF 2014 Echo Bartos and Kyle Kopplin were married in Canton, South Dakota on July 25, 2015.

Lauren Clements is currently attending the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She will graduate in 2017.

Kelsey Junget is an inside sales representative with the Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C.

Katelyn (Berg) Ramirez and husband, Edgar, welcomed a daughter, Aria Elizabeth, on April 30, 2015.

Katherine (Johnson) Nelson and husband, Benjamin Nelson ’08, welcomed a son, Connor Ramsey, on May 25, 2015.

Katie Melby received a BS in civil engineering from Montana State, and is now working as a structural engineer for KLJ in West Fargo, North Dakota.

Nikki Pals is working as a middle school special education teacher for the West Hancock School District in Kanawha, Iowa, and coaching middle school girls track.

Kayla Meyerhoff is attending graduate school at the University of Sioux Falls and is majoring in reading with an endorsement in leadership. She is the head coach of the competitive cheerleading squad at Roosevelt High School, and coached her team to a 2014-2015 state championship title.

Alexis (Clark) Seefeldt and husband, Cedric, welcomed a daughter, Avery Grace, on March 26, 2015.

John Piotrowski and wife, Brittany, welcomed a son, Logan Dean, on April 6, 2015.

Jake Shama is employed as a crime reporter at the Daily Republic in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Lauren (Beaumont) Ridgway earned her master of public health degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mariya Swella moved to Carlsbad, California, at the beginning of 2015 and started a new career at Callaway Golf Company as a customer service representative.

Blake Ridgway earned his doctorate of dental surgery from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He practices dentistry at Van Hofwegen Dental in Sioux Falls.

Ruthellen Tornberg married Paul Anderson on Aug. 9, 2014.

Bret Severtson and Megan Doyle were married on Sept. 5, 2014.

Carly (Blankenfeld) Hanson and husband, Jeremy, welcomed a daughter, Vianne, on March 17, 2015.

Brooke Walker graduated with a master’s degree in administrative student affairs from South Dakota State University in July 2015.

She is now working as a residence hall director at South Dakota State University.

Erika Zetterlund is attending graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder, majoring in astrophysics with an anticipated graduation date of 2019.

CLASS OF 2012 Christopher Borchardt and wife, Kayla, welcomed a son, Conner James, on July 9, 2015.

Isaac Krueger and Alexandra Burke were married on Sept. 6, 2014.

Brigett Lathrop married Chris McCallum on April 18, 2015, in Sioux Falls. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in December 2014 with an master’s degree in special education. She is employed as an elementary special education teacher with the Sioux Falls School District.

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Logan Lee is an assistant professor of economics at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

CLASS OF 2011 Andrea Berard began graduate school at Western Governor’s University and is pursuing a master’s degree in special education.

Matthew Reiff accepted a position with Sanford Health as a nurse in the cardio surgical area on April 20, 2015.

CLASS OF 2013 Brooke Gabbert has accepted a corporate quality assurance position at Grassland Dairy Products in Greenwood, Wisconsin.

band, Chad, welcomed a son, Jackson Allan, on April 18, 2015.

Elizebeth Wegleitner married Andrew Otten on August 2, 2014. She is working as a certified athletic trainer at Sanford Health in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

CLASS OF 2010 Melissa (Ulbricht) Ackermann and husband, Jacob, welcomed twin boys, Aaron James and Benjamin Daniel, into their growing family on Dec. 24, 2014. The healthy baby boys were greeted by proud big sister, Alivia.

Sara Bortscheller took a new position as the head athletic trainer at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota.

Adam Dittmer and Laurie (Waldner) Dittmer welcomed a daughter, Audrianna Rose, on Dec. 15, 2014.

Terra (Goplen) Falkena and husband, Tim, welcomed a son, Emerson Jay, on July 8, 2015.

Paige Fossum and Nick Thompson were married on Aug.16, 2014, at Lands Lutheran Church in rural Hudson, South Dakota. They reside in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.

Andraya Gacke married Jon Peterson on May 2, 2015.

Miranda (Erikson) Headrick and husband, Dustin, welcomed daughter, Ava Elaine, on April 21, 2014.

Elizabeth (Dolven-Kolle) Klavetter and husThe AUGUSTANA

THE

2000s

CLASS OF 2009 Betsy Deering married Jeff Stewardson on July 5, 2014.

Amanda (Schaeffer) Hodnefield and husband, Kyle, welcomed a son, Owen Daniel, on Feb. 27, 2015.

Nolan Miller is working in the trust department for Wells Fargo as an ag and commercial real estate manager. He is located in Sioux Falls and services the South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska regions.

CLASS OF 2008 Kelsey (Aakre) Buchholz and husband, Cory, welcomed their third little boy, Coyer Dean, on May 6, 2015. He is welcomed to the family by his big brothers Colton and Caylix.

Benjamin Nelson and Katherine (Johnson) Nelson ‘10, welcomed a son, Connor Ramsey, on May 25, 2015.

Christie (Schneider) Ness and Stuart Ness ’06, welcomed a son, David Dean, on April 6, 2015.

Brian Westerhuis has started his medical residency through Western Michigan University/ Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and his wife, Hillary (Plooster) Westerhuis ’01 have three children: Jake (age 9), Norah (age 6), and Jude (1).

CLASS OF 2007 Michael Amolins accepted a position as a curriculum director in the Harrisburg School District, where he has worked as a science teacher for the past six years. He and his wife, Miriah, live in Sioux Falls.

Drew Anderson earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He will stay on at UW-Madison as a postdoctoral researcher. In May, he began work at a joint appointment between the Wisconsin HOPE Lab and the Center for Financial Security. Drew studies the economics of higher education, including the effects of financial aid policy on student choices, and how colleges and universities make financing decisions.

ALUMNI NEWS Kelli (Johnson) Cloutier and husband, Dave, welcomed their son, Lucas David Cloutier, on June 10, 2015.

Megan DeNeui and partner, Stacy West, welcomed a son, Liam Robert West, on March 27, 2015.

Jessica (Cooper) Graumann and Aaron Graumann ’06, welcomed a daughter, Madison Jean, on March 23, 2015.

Sarah (Thomson) Marshall and husband, Marc, welcomed a daughter, Lucy Annabelle, on July 2, 2014.

Elizabeth (DeVries) Steven and husband, Brent, welcomed a son, Jackson John, in May 2015.

Ashlee Wendt graduated on May 8, 2015, from the University of South Dakota School of Law. She will be completing a one year clerkship with the South Dakota Supreme Court in Rapid City, South Dakota, working for Judge Kern.

Rachel Wiener completed her MSN from Creighton University in May 2014 and is working as a neonatal nurse practitioner in the NICU at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

CLASS OF 2006 Christie Hallenbeck Ask graduated from Luther Seminary in May. She and her husband, Jon Hallenbeck Ask ’11, are living in Bozeman, Montana.

Nancy (Caldwell) Dahlheimer and husband, Nick, welcomed a son, David Joseph, on Feb. 23, 2015.

Lacey (Horkey) Dixon and husband, Brian, welcomed a son, Drake Easom, on April 17, 2015.

Aaron Graumann and Jessica (Cooper) Graumann ‘07 welcomed a daughter, Madison Jean, on March 23, 2015.

Deming Haugland and wife, Sydney, welcomed a daughter, Isla Mae, on July 12, 2015.

Amy (Dreke) Larsen and husband, Jarrod, welcomed a daughter, Ella Rae, on April 2, 2015.

Stuart Ness and Christie (Schneider) Ness ‘08 welcomed a son, David Dean, on April 6, 2015.

Renata Olsen is a school-based therapy supervisor at Orchard Place Child Guidance Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She lives in Ankeny, Iowa.

Rebecca (Fischer) Seavey is the controller at Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union in Rochester, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 2005 Bryan Conner and Becca (Breitag) Conner welcomed a daughter, Ellie Elizabeth, on April 20, 2015.

FIVE TO RECEIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS DURING VIKING DAYS Five Augustana alumni will be honored for outstanding contributions to their fields of endeavor and for exemplifying the University’s values of Christian faith, excellence, the liberal arts, community and service during Viking Days, Oct. 16-18 on campus.

In recognition of their efforts to serve, inspire and improve our world, Augustana will present them each with the Alumni Achievement Award at a special dinner during Viking Days.

The following individuals will receive this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards: Rev. David Lerseth ‘64 worked in the church throughout his career and continues to serve today in his retirement. Beginning as a parish pastor in 1968, Lerseth has held many roles with the ELCA including assistant to the bishop for Iowa and the ELCA director for global mission support in Chicago. He founded Friends of Madagascar Mission in 2009 and continues to serve as president for this growing nonprofit ministry. Lerseth is class agent for the Augustana Class of 1964 and led the campaign in 2014 for a class scholarship totaling more than $60,000.

Dr. LuAnn Eidsness ‘75 is a physician and professor. She was the first female chair of internal medicine at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, a position she held for 14 years. She is known for her compassion and dedication to developing palliative medicine and the ethics curriculum at the School of Medicine.

Eidsness played a key role in creating a four-year bioethics curriculum for medical students at USD. Her professional accomplishments have been honored on numerous occasions on a state level.

Margaret (Spars) Dalton and husband, Joel, welcomed a son, McCabe Winchester, on April 8, 2015. He joins big sister Madeline, born March 27, 2012.

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Russell Greenfield ‘57 is both a professional and civic leader. Serving as a senior partner with the law firm of Boyce, Murphy, McDowell & Greenfield, he is an expert in his field.

Outside the office, he has served on numerous committees and foundations in Sioux Falls dedicated to developing the city and helping its citizens.

He was one of the first members of the Sioux Falls Development Council, which brought EROS and Citibank to the city. Additionally, Greenfield served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1993.

Ashley Ballou-Bonnema ‘09 is a recipient of the Augustana Horizon Award, an honor recognizing the rising careers of young alumni (less than 15 years after commencement). Since graduating from Augustana, BallouBonnema has shown dedication to her multiple vocations as a performer, a teacher, and a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, working to cure a disease she has battled her whole life.

She inspires all through her message of strength, bravery and hope on her popular blog, Breathe Bravely, and works tirelessly to raise funds to find a cure.

Nick Jackson ‘08 is also a recipient of the Augustana Horizon Award. Jackson has proven to be an outstanding classroom teacher and a visionary for the future of education. While teaching at State College Friends School in Pennsylvania, he worked toward certification from Columbia University to become a school administrator.

Jackson will realize this goal as he opens a new charter school in the fall of 2016 as head of school for The Boys School in Denver, Colorado.

Learn more and register for events at www.augie.edu/vikingdays.

Angela (Lucas) Foley and husband, Patrick, welcomed a daughter, Una Josephine, on Feb. 10, 2015.

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ALUMNI NEWS Fenecia (Homan) Foster and husband, Dan, welcomed a son, Elliot Christian, on June 18, 2015.

Marta (Madsen) Klug and husband, Jason, welcomed their first child, daughter Adaya Marie, on June 27, 2014.

Donald Olmstead, 33, died July 25, 2015, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Matthew Peirce is working as a sales manager for Able Energy in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nathan Sanders and Laura (Grieme) Sanders welcomed a daughter, Caroline, on Feb. 5, 2014.

Adam Schmidt and Jessica (Schwager) Schmidt welcomed a son, Grant Larry, on Dec. 12, 2014.

Meghan (Buyske) Schulte and husband, Ryan, welcomed a son, Dylan James, on Feb. 12, 2015. He joins big sister Charlotte and big brother Tyson and is already rocking the Augie blue and gold!

Kevin Stillson and Mara (Paulson) Stillson ‘01 welcomed daughter, Maisy Bernice, on April 7, 2015.

Heather (Campbell) Viamonte and husband, Malvin, welcomed a son, Luca Stefano, on July 16, 2014.

CLASS OF 2004 Kira Christensen and Joseph Dylla were married on May 2, 2015.

Stacy (Enestvedt) Knott married Jeremy Knott, on June 8, 2013. They live on their farm in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. They welcomed their daughter, Alaina Maurine Knott, on Jan. 31, 2014, joining older brother and sister, Noah and Katelyn. Stacy is working as a public health nurse for Renville County in Olivia, Minnesota.

Mindy Knudson-Dooley was named Custer, South Dakota, School District’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

Carly LaCroix graduated with her doctor of osteopathic medicine from Rocky Vista School of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2015.

Brooke (Andersen) Schubert and husband, Kyle, welcomed a son, Anders Everette, on July 6, 2014.

Michelle (Koepsell) Wiegand and husband, Jonathan, welcomed a son, Lucas Jonathan, on June 17, 2015. Lucas joins big sisters, Bralynn and Amanda.

Megan (Clarke) Wright and husband, Andy, welcomed a son, Abraham Walter, on Jan. 8, 2015.

Lindsey (Hibma) Wyatt and husband, Reuben, welcomed a son, Theodore James, on April 9, 2015.

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ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT FIVE Five former student-athletes will be inducted into the 2015 Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction will be held at the Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Oct. 16.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, Augustana will recognize Bill Gross (Lefty Olson Award), Jamie Parish (Ole Odney Award), and Linda Larson (Milt and Clara Harvey Award).

Members of the 2005 NCAA Division II national runner-up wrestling team will also be honored.

TOM MEESTER (wrestling) compiled a 137-18 record competing for the Vikings and was a three-time All-America with a trio of appearances in national competition. He posted back-to-back national championships at 184 pounds, becoming just the second two-time national champion in program history. He was tabbed the outstanding wrestler at the 2005 national championships by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). He was voted the North Central Conference (NCC) wrestler of the year for 2004-05, and won the outstanding wrestler award at the 2005 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. In NCC competition he was the 184-pound champion in 2004 and 2005, helping the Vikings to the league title in 2005. In his three years of collegiate action he never lost to a Division II opponent.

CHRISSA LANDWEHR (softball) was a four-time choice to the All-North Central Conference (NCC) softball team, 1998-2001. She shares the conference tournament record for offense after hitting .800 in 2001. She was selected the league’s player of the week four times. Three times during her playing days she finished among the top 30 hitters in the nation for triples. In 1998 she was among the top base-stealers in the NCAA. She led the nation in runs scored (65) in 1999, and was a four-time Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association AllAmerica choice. She holds Augustana career records for most at bats (889), runs scored in a career (268), most stolen bases in a season (41) and a career (108). She also owns the school record

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for most triples in a season (11) and a career (35).

JAY KIRSCH (baseball) was named to the All-North Central Conference baseball team in 1996, 1997, and 1999.

He is one of three Augustana players to make the NCC honor squad three times. A right-handed pitcher, Kirsch posted a 4-1 record in league play in 1996, and in 1997 led the conference in saves with five. In 1997 his 13 appearances was the most in the conference. He was 7-2 for all games in 1996 with a 3.44 earned run average.

Among his wins was a five-hit gem against South Dakota State University.

He led the Vikings in innings pitched in 1999 (50), posted a 3-4 record with a 2.90 earned run average. In a 1997 playoff game, Kirsch tossed 3½ innings of relief in Augustana’s 4-3 win against North Dakota State University.

ANGELA REINERS (volleyball) was chosen to the All-North Central Conference volleyball first team in 1996 and 1997. She was tabbed the conference’s player of the week for September 9, 1996, and again on November 17, 1997. She was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America second team in 1996. In addition to her athletic achievements, Reiners was an Academic All-NCC selection in 1997.

At Augustana she is eighth in career blocks (360), is a member of the 1,000 kill club (1003), and is third on the school career list for hitting percentage (.328). In 1996 she led Augie with a season hitting percentage of .390.

JOHN ZIMINSKE (football) a defensive lineman, was named to the All-North Central Conference football team in 1990. He was a second team choice in 1989 and was credited with 53 tackles, three quarterback sacks, and three tackles for losses. During the 1990 season he tied a school record with three sacks against the University of Northern Colorado, helping the Vikings to a 20-10 win. It was Augustana’s first-ever win in Greeley. He was credited with 40 tackles for the 1990 season.

ALUMNI NEWS CLASS OF 2003 Lenore (Meyer) Brahm and husband, Nicholas, welcomed a daughter, Estelle, on March 9, 2015.

Welcome Augustana Legacy Students!

Megan Breit-Goodwin earned her Ph.D. in mathematics education from the University of Minnesota in May 2015. She is a math instructor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Augustana Legacy Students Kaitlyn Junso, a biology major from Sioux Falls (right), and Sarah Nolan, a nursing major from Sioux Falls (left), move into their room in Solberg Hall. Kaitlyn’s father, Robert Junso ‘90 and Sarah’s mother, Anne Balfany Nolan ‘91, and grandmother Linda Balfany ‘65, all attended Augustana.

Anne (Madison) Flemming and husband, Robert, welcomed a son, Oliver Madison, on May 28, 2015.

Dianna (Schneider) Gray and husband, Ben, welcomed a son, Mason John, on June 19, 2014.

Josh King and Lindsay (Hovendick) King welcomed a son, Sawyer Joshua, on Dec. 30, 2014. He joins big brother, Spencer.

Justin Kulbel and Jaclyn (Feistner) Kulbel welcomed a daughter, Greta Jane, to their family on March 2, 2015. Greta joins big sister Emelia.

Shannon (Brantley) McCutcheon and husband, Justin, welcomed a daughter, Lauren Sydney, on April 14, 2015. Lauren joins big sister Elisa.

Christa (Gerrietts) Olson and husband, Michael, welcomed a son, William Richard, on April 24, 2015.

Leena Haugland Rapacz and husband, Andy, welcomed a daughter, Lydia Ingrid, on March 10, 2015.

Matt Wilber, a Dakota Wesleyan coach and former Augustana, USF and SDSU assistant has been named GPAC co-Coach of the Year.

CLASS OF 2002 Nicole (Koepsell) Kulbaba and husband, Walter, welcomed a son, Spencer, born on Jan. 9, 2015. They also have a son, Carter Frank, born on Nov. 20, 2011.

CLASS OF 2001 Megan Colon married Lieutenant Christopher Paone on June 28, 2014. She started working for Hiring Our Heroes in late February 2015.

Nathan Reyelts and wife, Kellie, along with older siblings, Annie (6), Evan (5), Collin (3) and Julia (2) welcomed Mollie Jean Reyelts to their family. She was born Jan. 10, 2015.

Mara (Paulson) Stillson and Kevin Stillson ‘05 welcomed daughter, Maisy Bernice, on April 7, 2015.

Hillary (Plooster) Westerhuis and Brian Westerhuis ’08 have moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Hillary is a stay at home mom/homemaker and Brian will begin his medical residency through Western Michigan University/Bronson Hospital. Their family of five includes children, Jake (age 9), Norah (age 6), and Jude (1).

We recognize the following Augustana Legacy Families and welcome these students to the AU Class of 2019.

Benjamin Borson, Kingston, Washington, son of Luke ’86 & Karen Borson.

Abigail Castle, Brandon, South Dakota, daughter of James ’82 & Lori Castle.

Mark Christenson, Huron, South Dakota, son of Thomas & Janet (Nicolai) Christenson ’89.

Brianna Florey, Watertown, South Dakota, daughter of David ’85 & Dawn Florey.

Kasey Geiger, Eagle Lake, Minnesota, daughter of Jeremy & Nicole (Wolle) Geiger ’94.

David Hanson, Clifton, Virginia, son of David ’80 & Elizabeth Hanson.

William Hartmann, Sioux Falls, son of Bradley & Annie (Jorgensen) Hartmann ’89.

Cale Hecht, Sioux Falls, son of Mark ’84 & Carmen (Smith) Hecht ’87.

Danni Honner, Sioux Falls, daughter of Steve & Dana (Nielsen) Honner ’93.

Alexandra Johnson, Sioux Falls, daughter of Mark Johnson ’87 & Carrie (Rames) Johnson ’88.

Kaitlyn Junso, Sioux Falls, daughter of Robert Junso ’90.

Christine Keller, Sioux Falls, daughter of Gregory & Michelle (Thomsen) Keller ’91.

Jonah Kistenmacher, Holstein, Iowa, son of James ’91 & Kristin (Johnson) Kistenmacher ’90.

Jessica Lindstrom, Shakopee, Minnesota, daughter of Mark & Laura (Norman) Lindstrom ’86.

Rachel Loon, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, daughter of Douglas ’86 & Jenifer (Warkenthien) Loon ’85.

Anna Mahowald, Sioux Falls, daughter of Ben ’84 & Kari (Johnson) Mahowald ’83.

Joshua Matzner, Sioux Falls, son of Steven Matzner ’90 & Jetty Duffy-Matzner.

Josee Mendel, Sioux Falls, daughter of Loren ’82 & Mary Mendel.

Tabitha Merkle, Fayette, Iowa, daughter of Jeffrey & Jean (Jackson) Merkle ’00.

Madelyn Miller, Hartford, South Dakota, daughter of Forrest Miller ’85 & Doreen DeHoogh-Miller ’85.

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Kjersti Nitz, Brandon, South Dakota, daughter of Michael ’89 & Jody Nitz.

Sarah Nolan, Sioux Falls, daughter of Rick & Anne (Balfany) Nolan ’91.

Dagne Ode, Pierre, South Dakota, daughter of David ’75 & Jeanne (Kilen) Ode ’79.

Mattea Oppold, Sioux Falls, daughter of Todd Oppold & Yvonne Seger Oppold ’83.

Emily Oyos, Sioux Falls, daughter of Martin ’80 & Mary (Lobb) Oyos ’83.

Lyndsea Popkes, Harrisburg, South Dakota, daughter of Gary ’92 & Laura (Yexley) Popkes ’92.

Nicholas Reiffenberger, Watertown, South Dakota, son of Daniel ’86 & Sarah Reiffenberger.

Jessica Ruf, Sioux Falls, daughter of Jennifer Miles ’83.

Gabriella Schmidt-Grimminger, Sioux Falls, daughter of Delf Schmidt-Grimminger & Maria Bell ’84.

Nathan Schroeder, Sioux Falls, son of Scott ’88 & Jane Schroeder.

Olivia Thompson, Sioux Falls, daughter of NolanThompson & Robin (Schultz) Krommendyk ’87.

Trey Townsend, Sioux Falls, son of Douglas Townsend & Carolyn Spaans ’92.

Rebecca Vande Braak, Sioux Falls, daughter of Mark & Catherine (Stratton) Vande Braak ’93.

Nathan Velander, Rochester, Minnesota, son of Jon & Jennifer (Robertson) Velander ’91.

Kailee Versteeg, Sioux Falls, daughter of Kenneth ’92 & Beth (Larson) Versteeg ‘93.

Sara Waldner, Hartford, South Dakota, daughter of Anna (Smith) Waldner ’93.

Zachary Waltman, Sioux Falls, son of Ronald & Patricia (Polasky) Waltman ’11.

Molly Winter, Rapid City, South Dakota, daughter of Paul ’89 & Jill (Nothdurft) Winter ’88.

LEGACY TRANSFER STUDENTS: Melanie Bolton, Renner, South Dakota, daughter of Al & Michelle (Koller) Bolton ’87.

Hannah Hahn, Sioux Falls, daughter of Ray & Lynette (Aaron) Hahn ’87.

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ALUMNI NEWS CLASS OF 2000 Bjorn Arneson and wife, Brittany, welcomed their first child, Leif Lester, on Jan. 9, 2015.

Jacob Conway provided this quick 15-year summary as of May 29, 2015: Married nine years; wife Rosemarie; son Noah (almost 3 years old); daughter KC (newborn), lives in San Diego, California, and work at Apple in the Bay Area.

Alison (Schipper) Pekarek celebrated 15 years working with Park Nicollet Health Services in St Louis Park, Minnesota. She is a supervisor in the patient financial services billing department.

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CLASS OF 1999 Dawn (Fick) Gordon recently completed her PhD in Nursing from SDSU. She continues to teach at Minnesota West Community College in Worthington, Minnesota.

1990s

Rebecca (Schaap) Wimmer has been named the new CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire.

CLASS OF 1998 Eric Hallstrom was recently appointed deputy commissioner of management and budget for the State of Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1992 Sara (Bakken) Lee recently received her master of public affairs degree, with a public health concentration, from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1991 Diana (Shelstad) Goldammer earned a doctorate in higher education leadership from Walden University. She has been at Dakota Wesleyan University since 2006, first in university relations before moving to a position as the director of student life in 2009.

Heidi (Hyland) Mann and family recently moved from Hendrum, Minnesota, to Ely, Minnesota. Heidi owns Final Touch Proofreading and Editing and is a copy editor and writer.

Their boys will be in 11th and 5th grades this school year.

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CLASS OF 1989 Reed Uthe, a middle school speech and drama teacher, was selected as one of seven Kansas Master Teachers for 2015. He teaches in the Blue Valley School District and is also an active participant in local theater in the Kansas City area.

1980s

Jonathan Rogness is an assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Minnesota, and is the director of the university’s “Talented Youth Math Program” (UMTYMP).

CLASS OF 1988 Dianne (Bickett) Auger has recently moved to Beresford, South Dakota, and will be the school counselor at Beresford Elementary beginning in August 2015.

CLASS OF 1997 Sarah Manning Hellevang and husband, Mark, welcomed a son, Austin Ty, on Jan. 23, 2015.

CLASS OF 1987 Erik Brendtro married John Sweet on Sept. 6, 2014. Erik is an optometrist in Minneapolis.

Tiffany (Malcom) Roiseland and husband, Kevin, welcomed a son, James Nils, on April 24, 2014.

CLASS OF 1986 Jen Walter is the new Bulldog softball coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Kristen (Thomas) Zeller and husband, Kevin, welcomed their third child on March 24, 2014.

They were blessed with a girl, Anna Fern. She joins older brothers Zachary and Owen.

CLASS OF 1995 Scott Klungseth has been appointed as Dakota State University’s faculty athletics representative. He teaches undergraduate classes in both exercise science and physical education at Dakota State University.

CLASS OF 1993 Michael Downie, DDS, MD is currently serving as president of the Minnesota Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is also president of the Saint Paul District Dental Society for 2015-2016. He is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with Twin Cities Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Hastings, Minnesota.

Claire Driver, 74, passed away April 24, 2015.

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CLASS OF 1985 Wallace Jackmon is working as a psychologist at Avera University Psychiatry Associates.

He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Dakota Master of Social Work program, and associate professor at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine-Psychiatry.

CLASS OF 1984 Susan Andrews-Budahl, 54, died on March 16, 2015 at Oakview Terrace Nursing Home in Freeman, South Dakota, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

John O’Brien served as the president of North Hennepin Community College from 20102013. For two years he was the senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the fifth largest higher education system in the The AUGUSTANA

U.S. On June 1, 2015, John began service as the President/CEO of EDUCAUSE, a national/ international higher education technology non-profit association.

CLASS OF 1981 Pamela (Baker) Homan retired as the superintendent of the Sioux Falls Public School District in June 2015. She was recently named executive director of the new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Augustana University. She began her new role on Aug. 31, 2015.

Brad Olsen, 56, died April 2, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas.

CLASS OF 1979 Mary E. Jones, licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist in Sioux Falls, was featured in the recent edition of Counseling Today, the national publication of the American Counseling Association.

The article, “Counseling Clients with Cancer,” featured her work in oncology mental health counseling. Dr. Jones is an associate professor for Capella University and provides consulting services locally.

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1970s

CLASS OF 1978 Randy Lee Her Many Horses of St. Francis, South Dakota, passed away March 6, 2015, at the age of 61.

Michael Sanders died after a courageous battle with cancer on May 1, 2015.

CLASS OF 1977 Mark Docken received a doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia in May 2014.

Beulah (Brinker) Olson, 94, Niagara Falls, New York, died May 14, 2015, in Schoellkopf Nursing Centre.

CLASS OF 1976 Karen M. Wyatt has written a book entitled “What Really Matters - 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying.” Karen is a longtime hospice and palliative care physician with considerable experience tending to the very specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the terminally ill.

CLASS OF 1975 Daniel DeZotell, 61, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away suddenly on Feb. 22, 2015 at his home.

CLASS OF 1974 Paul Chekola, 67, died on June 29, 2015 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls with his family at his side.

ALUMNI NEWS Ron Dannenbring and his wife, Sharon, are living in New York City this year, babysitting their grandson, Ben. Theodore Hofer, 62, died peacefully at home on July 12, 2015.

William Swacina, 68, passed away on Jan. 24, 2015, at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

Jay Werth is back in the non-profit fundraising campaign world as an “embedded” consultant contracted by Convergent Non Profit Solutions, a company headquartered in Atlanta.

CLASS OF 1973 Tom and Hannelore (Reinecke) Tweed reside in Washougal, Washington. Tom is senior pastor at Zion Ev. Lutheran and Hannelore is an AP English and history teacher at Camas High School. Their twin sons reside in Gig Harbor/ Tacoma, and they enjoy two grandkids, Ella (age 4) and Luke (6).

CLASS OF 1970 Gary Heckenlaible, 69, died March 14, 2015 at Hospice House in Rapid City.

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1960s

CLASS OF 1969 Stanley Meyer Jr., 71, passed away March 16, 2015.

Lon Nagel retired after 30 years with AXA Advisors, LLC (formerly Equitable Life) in Mankato, Minnesota. He went into the business to sell life insurance, and still calls himself a retired life insurance agent. He is looking forward to enjoying many pastimes in his retirement.

Mary Rippke, 67, passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on April 17, 2015, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Karon (Gerdes) Gubbrud is the president of the Minnehaha-Lincoln Republican Women and is a member of the board of directors of the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women. She recently returned from a seven week trip around China and Southeast Asia.

CLASS OF 1964 Obed Nelson retired from the ministry in June 2015. He had most recently served as a pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Robert Vaughn passed away on July 23, 2015 at Bayshore Community Hospital after a lengthy struggle with heart and lung diseases.

CLASS OF 1963 Linda (Haugland) Brost, 73, passed away April 24, 2015.

Sandra Greene, 73, passed away Feb. 19, 2015.

CLASS OF 1962 M. Nancy (Taylor) Aman died Oct. 1, 2014, at Bethesda Home in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

CLASS OF 1961 Deanna (Van Dyke) Hershberger, 75, passed away March 1, 2015.

Ronald Krosschell passed away June 28, 2015.

CLASS OF 1967 Philip Johnson, 72, passed away March 24, 2015, after a six and a half year-long battle with cancer.

Donna (Fladland) Iszler, 80, passed away April 5, 2015.

Roger Stensaas, 80, passed away March 8, 2015.

CLASS OF 1955 Marlene (Karstens) Niffenegger, 81, passed away Feb. 28, 2015.

Lorys (Getting) Westberg, 80, passed away on May 4, 2014, at Woodland Good SamaritanBethany in Brainerd, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1954 Donavon Claussen passed away May 1, 2015.

Eunice (Grant) Howe, 82, passed away on March 8, 2015.

Onalee (Knutson) Kleven passed away on May 29, 2015.

CLASS OF 1953 Helen (Ruttum) Peterson, 83, passed away on Oct. 25, 2014.

CLASS OF 1960 Leroy A. Anderberg passed away on Feb. 20, 2015.

CLASS OF 1952 Sally (Selland) Anderson passed away on April 17, 2015.

Carol (Muffly) Bryngelson, 77, died July 3, 2015 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Dorothy (Oleson) Gosmire, 84, passed away on April 30, 2015, surrounded by family at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.

Myrna (Meling) Foley, 77, passed away Feb. 20, 2015.

David Hofstad, 78, passed away April 13, 2015.

David Lappegard, 77, passed away Feb. 28, 2015.

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1950s

CLASS OF 1959 Andrew Olson, 82, passed away Jan. 11, 2015.

Theodore Stundahl Jr., 77, passed away April 5, 2015.

Jeanette (Jamtgaard) Silva passed away on May 21, 2015, at USD Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 1958 Janet (Sorensen) Binneboese, 78, of Hinton, Iowa, died March 14, 2015, at a Sioux City, Iowa care facility.

CLASS OF 1965 Shirley (Boe) Brubakken, 72, passed away July 21, 2015, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton, South Dakota.

Joyce (Windedahl) Herron, 78, passed away March 12, 2015, at a local nursing home.

Donna (Hanson) Gross, 72, of Garretson, South Dakota, passed away June 6, 2015.

CLASS OF 1956 James Gednalske, 80, passed away March 16, 2015.

Shirley (Repp) Lauer, 76, died June 13, 2015, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls with her family by her side.

David Hernes, 78, passed away May 4, 2015.

CLASS OF 1968 Pamela (Schanck) Schillerstrom, 68, passed away March 12, 2015 after a seven-year battle with cancer.

CLASS OF 1957 Darold Fredricks, 82, passed away April 16, 2015.

Johan Jensen passed away peacefully at home on Easter morning, April 5, 2015, surrounded by his family.

The AUGUSTANA

Ardys (Tofte) Olson, 84, died June 6, 2015, at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Community in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Jack Palmer, 86, passed away at Cherry Meadows in Appleton, Wisconsin, on June 2, 2015.

Robert Steensma and wife, Sharon, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 14-15, 2014, with their children and grandchildren in a private lodge at the foot of snow-capped Mount Timpanogos near Sundance, Utah.

CLASS OF 1951 Mary Ann (McElderry) Olson passed away on July 1, 2015.

Rosalyn (Westre) Stormo, 85, died May 24, 2015 after a long battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

CLASS OF 1950 Eddie Bernhard, 86, Harrisburg, South Dakota, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 25, 2015, at Avera Prince of Peace.

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ALUMNI NEWS Leon Evans, 87, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, passed away on May 13, 2015, at Southridge Healthcare Center in Sioux Falls.

Norma Nelson, age 87, of Philip, South Dakota, died June 9, 2015, at the Philip Nursing Home.

John Orr, 91, passed away on March 21, 2015.

Richard Stavig, 87, passed away April 5, 2015.

James Sumption passed away July 3, 2015, at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1942 Donna (Brown) Zorn died peacefully in her home in Asheville, North Carolina, on March 17, 2015.

THE

1930s

CLASS OF 1939 Helen (Brumbaugh) Hanson passed away on June 8, 2015.

CLASS OF 1936 Ella (Sorum) Bell, 101, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away June 13, 2015.

Altie (Sterud) Domsitz died June 2, 2015, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.

Helen (Hanson) Glaim passed away July 11, 2015.

CLASS OF 1934 Hedwig (Kumpf) Yock, 103, died June 20, 2014 in Clara City Care Center.

CLASS OF 1933 Clarence Leslie died peacefully on May 9, 2015.

Allan Tufteland, 88, of Sacramento, California, passed away Jan. 10, 2015.

THE

1940s

CLASS OF 1949 Earl Dean, 87, passed away March 29, 2015.

J. LeeRoy Eikanger passed away April 10, 2015.

Derwood Eisenberg, 94, passed away on Feb. 21, 2015.

J. Randolph Engh, 88, passed away May 20, 2015.

CLASS OF 1948 Robert DeLap was delivered safely home on Feb. 24, 2015, after a long and remarkable life.

Gertrude (Leih) Johnson, 88, died June 9, 2015 at Bethany Meadows Nursing Home in Brandon, South Dakota.

Robert Mandsager, 89, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away July 27, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

CLASS OF 1947 Ardys (Hanson) Olson, 89, passed away on Feb. 3, 2015.

CLASS OF 1946 Alice (Thomas) Mizell, 91, passed away on Feb. 25, 2015.

CLASS OF 1945 Audrey (Walstad) Phillips died peacefully at home on March 11, 2007.

CLASS OF 1944 Ole Wangberg, 94, passed away on April 26, 2015.

CLASS OF 1943 Betty (Boe) Cole, 92, a longtime Chicago resident, passed away June 14, 2015, after a brief illness.

Barbara (Matson) Sandvig, 94, of Hermitage, Tennessee, died on June 10, 2015, at her residence.

Dec. 4-6: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls Dec.18: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota www.augietickets.com

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The AUGUSTANA

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“Today is a celebration of our 155th anniversary. Today in 1860, Augustana was founded in the basement of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois. In 155 years, we’ve come a long way. But friends, I can assure you – in our 155year history, there’s never been a day like today. Today Augustana College officially becomes Augustana University.”

– President Rob Oliver Announcing the name change from Augustana College to Augustana University before nearly 2,000 students, alumni and friends on Tuesday, Sept. 1.