The Augustana: Winter 2017

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 1

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

SNAPSHOTS

WINTER 2017

VIEW FROM SUMMIT AVENUE

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s one year ends and another begins, many of us find ourselves in a state of reflection — a time to look back on the highs and lows of the last 12 months and, for some, form resolutions to make the next 365 days better than the last.

I, too, have spent time lately reflecting — not just on the last year, but on the last 11 years during which I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve as Augustana’s president.

Unlike the desk in my office (which some might say is just a tad cluttered by paper, books, and notes), my memories seem to be organized like a helpful file cabinet, divided and sorted by the milestone events that have punctuated my life.

So I guess it was natural that in thinking back about my time at Augie, I found myself at the beginning — Oct. 6, 2006 — my inauguration.

It’s hard to put into words the emotions of that day. Of course, there were the obvious feelings of nervousness and excitement about the event itself, but more so I felt an enormous sense of responsibility — responsibility for the task ahead. The task of leading Augustana — a respected and revered institution, rich in history and tradition; a place loved and cherished by so many.

Inspired by author Jim Collins and by Augustana’s vision to become one of America’s premier church-related institutions, I spoke that day about the significance of going from good to great.

“For whom do we seek this objective of a premier designation among learning institutions? For whom do we seek to go from being very good, to being great,” I asked. “Obviously we do it for the students. But it is also alright that we do it for ourselves, and that we glorify God through our actions. A goal such as this stands before us and proclaims that no one person can accomplish it alone.

A goal such as this stands before the organization and calls its members to unleash their individual and collective creative energies. A goal such as this humbles everyone and calls upon them to grasp hands and push forth into the unknown with vigor and teamwork. Why? So that together we can attain the elusive and intrinsic reward of being part of a great endeavor; a journey to achieve a most worthy objective — to create an ‘Augustana Like Always’ and an ‘Augustana Like Never Before.’”

At the time, creating an “Augustana Like Always” and an “Augustana Like Never Before” was a rallying cry. It was a challenge to remain true to our roots and our mission while also aspiring to grow, explore and discover important ideas, and create new possibilities for our students, faculty and staff, and all those we encounter.

“It shall be a daunting, but truly glorious journey, and I am so pleased and proud to be along with you for the ride. Together with God’s help, the ‘Augustana Like Never Before’ is a dream which will come true,” I said at the time.

Together as a campus community, with support from our alumni and friends, and buoyed by the great city of Sioux Falls, I believe we have indeed created an “Augustana Like Never Before.”

For me, it’s been an honor to be part of each new program, major, partnership and facility we’ve introduced over the last number of years.

I believe that fall 2016, especially, will be remembered as one of those unforgettable periods in Augustana’s history.

The campus is full, big things are happening, and change is in the air. We’ve tried to provide a snapshot of the momentum and energy alive here in the pages that follow.

For Angie and me, the decision to retire wasn’t an easy one. We’ve cherished our years with Augustana. The opportunity to serve our students, to collaborate and learn from our outstanding professors, and to work with our amazing staff is something for which we will always be grateful.

For us, it has been, indeed, a truly glorious journey.

While we have been blessed with many victories over the last number of years, there is still much work to be done.

We continue to work hard at inspiring support for student scholarships. We know that an Augustana education is an invaluable investment yet, each year more families need additional financial support to make their student’s dreams of attending AU a reality.

With more support, we can offer more scholarships to students, easing the financial burden while allowing them to achieve their fullest potential.

You can help us on this mission by making a gift for student scholarships in honor of an Augie professor or staff member who had a significant impact on your life during Augustana’s first-ever Giving Day, set for Thursday, March 2. Watch for more details in your mailbox, your inbox and at augie.edu/givingday.

Looking ahead to the spring, I’ll be working with our Board of Trustees to create a seamless transition for Augustana’s 24th president — an individual whom I have no doubt will work hard to ensure that Augustana remains the Place for Possibilities.

Thank you for your trust, encouragement and belief in Augustana, and in me. Serving here has been the highlight of my career. I will be forever humbled and grateful for this opportunity.

It is my sincere hope that you will continue to pray for and support our Augustana throughout this transition and in the years ahead.

Yours, for Augustana, 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.

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.

Editor: Kelly Sprecher, Communications Co-Editor: Kaia Chambers, Communications Class Notes: Carolyn Cordie and Adrienne McKeown ‘00 Contributors: Rob Oliver, President Bob Preloger, Vice President for Advancement Amy Smolik, Communications Katie Foutz ‘00, Communications Bruce Conley, Sports Information Tim Evans, Sports Information Mike Shafer ‘18, Photography Jackie Adelmann ‘14, Photography Matt Addington ‘95, Photography

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

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

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.

CONNECT WITH US!

Augustana is an affirmative action, Title IX, equal opportunity institution. © Augustana University 2017

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FEATURES

4. HISTORIC ENDEAVOR The $35 million, 125,000 square-foot Froiland Science Complex is officially dedicated.

9. THE END OF AN ERA After serving Augustana for 25 years, President Rob Oliver prepares to step down.

20. SENIOR SPOTLIGHT AU senior Kofi Gunu has been named a 2018 Schwarzman Scholar.

22. STORYTELLERS ON CAMPUS Dr. Richard Swanson (religion) and Dr. John Pennington (music) collaborated this fall on the theatre production, “When the World Was Wild and Waste.”

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DEPARTMENTS

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14. NEWS FROM THE HUDDLE Faculty tenure and promotions.

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15. SNAPSHOTS Four Alumni. Four amazing lives.

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30. NAVY & GOLD Honoring a legendary coach.

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32. ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Working to advance Augustana.

ON THE COVER: “Foucault’s Dream,” the pendulum designed by Augustana Art Professor Scott Parsons ‘87 and David Griggs. Photo by Mike McElroy ‘88.

THE AUGUSTANA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

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Pathways Program Aims to Increase Number of Underrepresented College Students Served

Augustana University Sophomore Places Second in ‘Jeopardy!’ Semifinals

Men’s Basketball Wins NCAA DII National Championship

016 Oliver to Retire

Augustana Introduces New Core Curriculum

Construction Begins on New Student Housing

Full story: page 9.

Full story: page 8.

Full story: page 8.

Student Research On Display at Arthur Olsen Symposium

New Vikings Arrive on Campus; AU Class of 2020 Comes from 19 States, 10 Countries

Wilson, Ostendorf, Gunu, Housiaux and Jones Named 2016 Covenant Award Recipients

Augustana Choir Members Perform With Music Icon Barry Manilow

Forbes, U.S. News, Princeton Review Ranks Augustana Among America’s Top Colleges

Success Center Director Earns Fulbright to Study International Learning

AU Senior Working to Revolutionize the Job Search Process

Augustana University Reports Highest Enrollment in 26 Years

Class of 2016 Celebrates Commencement; Next Stop: Jobs, Grad School, Travel and More

EVIE Neil deGrasse Tyson to Speak at 2017 Boe Forum

Froiland Science Complex Dedicated

AU Welcomes New Faculty, Administrators

Full story: page 14.

Full story: page 4.

Full story: page 36.

Seniors Mason VanEssen and Katie Romano Reign Over Viking Days 2016

$1 Million Gift Honors Former Augustana Basketball Standout Sam Milanovich

From Cancer Pathways to Laser Spectroscopy and Beyond, Summer Research Runs the Gamut

Volleyball Advances to NCAA Tourney; Earns No. 8 Ranking in National Coaches Poll

Alumni Had a Blast at Viking Days 2016; Viking Days 2017 Set for Oct. 13-15

Augustana Senior Kofi Gunu Named Schwarzman Scholar See these stories and more at augie.edu/news

HISTORIC

ENDEAVOR The new $35 million Froiland Science Complex, the largest and most sophisticated building project in Augustana’s 156-year history, was dedicated in the fall of 2016.

THE FROILAND SCIENCE COMPLEX BY THE NUMBERS

80,000 feet of conduit (more than 15 miles!)

370,000 feet of building wire (more than 70 miles!)

220,000 feet of data wire

12,000 wire nuts

2,500 receptacles

Roughly 354 tons of steel and 65 tons of rebar

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78,435 feet of pipe (that’s14.8 miles!)

More than 40,000 joints

18 different piping systems

2,150 cubic yards of concrete

fter two years of construction, the Froiland Science Complex was officially dedicated on Friday, Sept. 23.

Nearly 500 alumni, friends and members of the campus community, including retired faculty members, turned out for the dedication event — held nearly 50 years to the day of the dedication of Augustana’s former science facility, the Gilbert Science Center.

At 125,000 square feet, the facility represents the largest and most complex building endeavor in Augustana’s 156-year history.

Construction on phase one, a 41,000-square-foot addition at the corner of 33rd Street and Summit Avenue, began in August 2014. Phase one opened in January 2016. Phase two of the project featured a complete renovation of the existing Gilbert Science Center, originally dedicated in the fall of 1966.

Designed by SmithGroupJJR and TSP Inc., the $35 million project features a new, high-fidelity nursing simulation center, multiple technology-rich “classatories” — rooms mixing traditional classroom elements and laboratory components, state-of-the-art research areas for faculty researchers and their student collaborators and glass-enclosed laboratories. The facility is home to the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, exercise and sport science, genetic counseling, mathematics, nursing and physics.

Designed with the environment in mind, the new facility is targeting a LEED-Silver designation.

The Complex was made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 1,000 donors, 469 of whom gave $1,000 or more in support of the project. In gratitude, their names are listed on the donor wall located inside the facility’s north entrance.

President Rob Oliver has called the project a result of dreams — dreams of past professors and those teaching on campus today.

“This facility honors the legacy of Dr. Sven Froiland, a champion for biological research on campus,” Oliver said. “At the same time, it also recognizes our extraordinary emeriti faculty members including Dr. V.R. Nelson (physics) and Dr. Roy Kintner (chemistry) who helped develop Augustana’s natural science division, as well as the amazing professors on campus today who are teaching, guiding and mentoring our students in preparation for lives of exploration, discovery and service.”

In addition to President Oliver, the dedication ceremony’s speakers included Becky Blue ‘81, chair of the Augustana Board of Trustees; Dr. Tom Froiland ‘65, the son of Dr. Sven Froiland, for whom the facility is named; Dr. Paul Egland, associate professor of biology and natural science division chair; and the Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde, campus pastor.

Students Allison Warne ‘17 and Ellen Voigt ‘17 read scripture and Dr. Martha Gregg (mathematics) recited a poem.

Music was provided by Gabriel Carlisle ’15, Luke Lynass ’12, Skyy Pineda ‘18, Dr. Paul Egland (biology) and Dr. Craig Spencer (biology).

Learn more about the Froiland Science Complex and see photos and video of the facility and the dedication at augie.edu/science.

CONTINUED: NEXT PAGE

A view of the Froiland Science Complex at night.

President Rob Oliver speaks at the dedication for the Froiland Science Complex.

Natural light fills the laboratories while students conduct experiments.

Benches, lights and plants native to the prairie fill the facility’s open atrium.

Biology professor Dr. Seasson Vitiello teaches in one of the new smart classrooms.

The Mikkelson Family Auditorium can be divided into two classrooms.

‘FOUCAULT’S DREAM’

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HISTORIC ENDEAVOR

“Foucault’s Dream” within the Froiland Science Complex staircase (decorated for Viking Days).

Photo by Matt Addington ‘95.

Designed by Scott Parsons ‘87, associate professor of art at Augustana University, and Denver-based artist David Griggs, “Foucault’s Dream,” the pendulum positioned at the Froiland Science Complex’s north entrance within the staircases, has been called a “true blend of art and science” by Augustana officials. The project was supported thanks to a gift from Howard ‘50 and Eunice ‘50 Hovland.

Made from glass, bronze, epoxy terrazzo, LED lighting and stainless steel, the piece is 15.5 feet by 15.5 feet wide and stands 38 feet tall.

It took close to a year to complete with the help of fabricators Silo Workshop of Denver and Alpine Terrazzo of Florida.

Parsons said the colors were selected intuitively from the cosmos.

“The pendulum reminds us of our own movement in the universe — that we are in motion. Our inspirations and references include the Hoop Dance, the idea of a ‘cosmic clock,’ Fibonacci patterns in the floor and the connection to the Visual Arts Center floor, and modeling comet orbits and planetary rhythms.”

Parsons reflected on the project this fall: “I am convinced where science and art share a connective thread are in the ways they point to the interconnectedness of all things.

A thread that binds the mystery of life to the deep questions of one’s age and one’s discipline. This thought reminds me now of the last line in the movie ‘Fannie and Alexander’ by Ingmar Bergman: ‘On the tenuous ground of reality, imagination spins out and weaves new patterns,’” Parsons said.

“This project was a joy and an easy one to design and collaborate on, as all the references are to my favorite places and things about the prairie, the sky, about what we do at Augie, and what I love about South Dakota. It was also wonderful to work with my friend and accomplished artist David Griggs.

“Credit should go to Darren Fujitani and Augustana’s Dr. Eric Wells (physics) who designed the pendulum mechanism which makes this a truly collaborative and wonderful project involving the sciences and the humanities.

“Justin Koepp of Electrical Construction Company, Brian Vander Aarde, and all the guys at Henry Carlson Company were of great help on the installation, especially Kyle Hubers and Chris Johnson. The architects at TSP Inc. were fantastic, as always too, especially Brian Heidbrink with his support, design and engineering.

“President Rob Oliver, Dr. Craig Spencer (biology) and Dr. Susan Hasseler, former SVP for academic affairs, were each advocates for art in the new Froiland Science Complex. It wouldn’t have happened without their advocacy and support. Frank Hughes, director of facilities, oversaw planning and Tom Meyer, vice president for finance and administration, made it all happen so that it was done well and done right,” Parsons said.

NOTES FROM THE GREEN

AUGUSTANA INTRODUCES NEW CORE CURRICULUM American Sign Language Interpreting Program Earns National Award Augustana University’s Interpreter Education Program received the SVRS Excellence and Innovation in Interpreter Education Award from Sorenson Communications, LLC. Each academic year, Sorenson recognizes one outstanding program that exceeds typical educational standards, leverages technology and incorporates interaction with the Deaf community in its program.

Augustana officials said the University is fortunate to have the support of both the state of South Dakota and its Deaf community. AU staffs its language lab with deaf staff members who mentor interpreting students seven days a week.

“I tell students when they enroll in our Interpreter Education Program they should be prepared to change their lifestyles. We want to ensure they know that this is a commitment to a culture,” said Director Marlee Dyce.

Construction Begins on New Student Housing Complex Construction has begun on a new $1.8 million student housing complex, to be located on Summit Avenue across the street from the University’s Madsen Center.

The new complex, to be named Summit Avenue II, will have a similar look and design to the existing Summit Avenue Apartments (shown above) — Augustana’s most popular housing option among students, according to AU officials.

The 13,780-square-foot Summit Avenue II will feature eight, four-bedroom units for a total of 32 bedrooms.

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As Augustana students made their way through the fall semester, AU professors were engaged in the delivery of an innovative new Core Curriculum, an endeavor University officials say will further distinguish Augustana as a premier institution of higher education.

“Some call it the liberal arts. Others call it teaching for 21st century skills. At Augustana, our new core curriculum is higher education designed for the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow,” said Dr. Mitch Kinsinger, associate vice president for academic affairs.

“In today’s world — and certainly in tomorrow’s — we’re increasingly challenged to think like innovators and entrepreneurs. Whether we work in health care, business, education, research, public service, or the arts, as members of the fastest-moving society in the history of time, we need to be innovative. We need to be nimble and ready for change.

“Today’s students need a tool kit designed to help them navigate uncharted waters and explore new terrain. They need a foundation that will help them prepare for jobs that don’t even exist today — jobs that are the solutions to problems we haven’t yet identified.

Augustana’s new Core Curriculum is that tool kit.”

— Dr. Mitch Kinsinger Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs “We need to be critical thinkers — able to develop complex solutions for complex challenges. And, most importantly, we need to be able to communicate those solutions effectively. As our world becomes smaller, we need to be able to think bigger and broader. And we need to do so with a global perspective. As access to information becomes more prevalent and more sophisticated, we need to know how to interpret data in strategic, analytical and ethical ways,” Kinsinger said.

The 54-credit Core Curriculum is summarized in the acronym SOPHIA, the Greek word for “wisdom,” and represents the categories of Science, Orientation, Perspectives, Humanities, Intersections and the Arts.

Central to the new core curriculum is a two-semester, integrative First-Year Seminar, designed to orient students to academics and campus life at AU. In addition to its collection of innovative courses, FYS also enables students to connect to their professors, fellow students, and critical campus resources, such as the Student Success Center.

FYS Director Dr. Stephen Minister, an associate professor of philosophy, taught an FYS class last fall entitled “What does it mean to be human?”

“At most universities, first-year students’ schedules are loaded with large, introductory survey courses, often taught by grad students or adjuncts.

Augustana’s FYS program is the exact opposite of this,” he said. “Augustana FYS courses engage first-year students in small, inquiry-based seminars with some of our best professors. The courses are capped at 18 students so that professors can get to know their students well and help them through the transition to university.”

AU officials say that in addition to preparing students for their academic careers at Augustana and beyond, FYS is also designed to spark and inspire students at the beginning of their Augustana experience as they imagine the possibilities and chart their course for success.

THE

END

OF AN

ERA AFTER SERVING AUGUSTANA FOR 25 YEARS, PRESIDENT ROB OLIVER PREPARES TO STEP DOWN

President Rob Oliver walks with students on campus in 2006.

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n September, Augustana University President Rob Oliver announced he will retire on July 31, 2017.

Oliver, 62, shared the news with Augustana faculty and staff at a meeting in the University’s Chapel of Reconciliation.

“For my wife, Angie, and I, the opportunity to serve Augustana has brought us incredible joy. Someone once said, ‘If you want an interesting life, surround yourself with interesting people.’ This campus is filled with the most interesting, passionate, dedicated and innovative people we’ve ever met. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with our amazing professors, to work alongside our talented staff, and to watch our students grow and develop lives of meaning and purpose. It’s been an honor and a privilege, truly,” Oliver said.

Oliver’s retirement will mark the end of 25 years of service to Augustana. He has served as president for 11 years. Prior to being named Augustana’s 23rd president in 2006, he served on the faculty as chair of the business administration department for two years. Before that, he was a member of Augustana’s Board of Trustees for 12 years.

Becky Blue ’81, chair of the Augustana Board of Trustees, praised Oliver for his leadership, vision and humility.

“In its 156-year history, Augustana has been blessed with great leaders — outstanding luminaries from different backgrounds, who each worked to advance the mission of this great place. Rob has been a phenomenal president. He has been the right president at the right time. He has led with faith and a servant’s heart, a great sense of community, a commitment to excellence, and a deep understanding of connecting liberal arts education to a world that needs it.

“We often say that Augustana is the place where great thinkers come to dream big dreams and forge new pathways toward a brighter tomorrow,” Blue said. “Rob has been one of Augie’s greatest thinkers and one of our best dreamers.

His ability to think strategically and communicate effectively,

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while inspiring and motivating others are the reasons why he’s such a great leader.

“You won’t hear him talk about his accomplishments though,” Blue continued. “That’s because Rob is best known for shining his light on the work of others. His encouragement, his compassion, and his humility make him a joy to work with, and a joy to work for.

“The Augustana Board of Trustees extends its deepest thanks and gratitude to Rob and Angie Oliver for their service to Augustana,” Blue said. “And we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

Dr. Marcia Entwistle ‘83, associate professor and chair of computer science and software engineering, said Oliver’s leadership “transformed a highly respected college into an even more remarkable university.”

“Rob tackled tough issues and was able to collaborate with faculty, students and administrators to direct a clear path forward for Augustana. We owe Rob a debt of gratitude that can best be repaid by continuing to serve our students, support our colleagues and enhance our university,” Entwistle said.

Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde, campus pastor, called Oliver’s ability to listen one of his greatest strengths.

“I have seen careful, attentive listening calm a myriad of storms, feed his strategic thinking, and build trust in the Augie community. Rob is visionary and has shown great resilience in persevering toward the vision of a growing, dynamic, faithful Augustana through very challenging times. And Rob is deeply faithful. He respects all the ways people see [and don’t see] and serve God. His steady participation in worship and integration of faithful prayer have contributed greatly to the vitality we enjoy in campus ministry. Not least he lives a deep and generous gratitude,” Rohde said.

Dr. Eric Wells, professor of physics, served as the Natural Science Division project leader during the design and construction of the Froiland Science Complex. The experience gave him a first-hand look at Oliver’s leadership style.

THE END OF AN ERA

President and First Lady Rob and Angie Oliver ride in the Viking Days parade in 2011.

“Rob is visionary and has shown great resilience in persevering toward the vision of a growing, dynamic, faithful Augustana.”

— Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde Campus Pastor “I’ve appreciated how Rob guided the institution forward while still being mindful, as much as possible, that there is an important difference between simply doing things and doing things well,” Wells said.

Professor of English Dr. Sandra Looney ‘62, has served under eight presidents during her 53-year tenure at Augustana.

She called Oliver a champion for the liberal arts.

“Rob Oliver, in his manner and message, manifests warmth, integrity and humility. I have appreciated his honesty in the challenges facing Augie, his guarded optimism and faith for the future. As he has expressed his gratitude to Augustana for his years as president, I express my gratitude for Rob’s rare gifts of leadership. He knows the transcendent qualities of the liberal arts. I will miss Rob Oliver,” Looney said.

Oliver informed alumni and friends of his decision to retire in a letter. In it, he said serving Augustana was the highlight of his professional career.

“This decision hasn’t been an easy one. Angie and I have cherished our 25 years serving Augustana, particularly the last 11 years as president. The opportunity to serve Augustana students, to learn from and collaborate with our amazing professors, and to work alongside our dedicated staff is something we will be forever grateful for,” he wrote.

Looking back on the past 11 years, Oliver said he is both proud and humble.

“Augustana has made some major strides over the last 11 years — significant efforts by our faculty and staff which I believe have made Augustana a stronger and more diversified university. For me, it was simply an honor to be part of each new facility, program, major and partnership we’ve introduced over the last number of years.”

“I’m proud to say that Augustana has remained true to its mission. We are a university inspired by Lutheran scholarly tradition and the liberal arts, dedicated to providing an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world.”

“I know that Augie will be a hard place to leave. But as we all know, life is a journey, not a destination. As much as we will miss Augustana, Angie and I are also excited about the next leg of our journey — our journey together. I’m proud to say we celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary last summer. Both our children are married now and we enjoy spending time with their families. And, just over a year ago, we became grandparents to a beautiful baby boy. His smile and laughter are constant reminders of God’s unending generosity, grace and love.”

CONTINUED: NEXT PAGE

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CHAIR OF THE BOARD: OLIVER WAS ‘THE RIGHT PRESIDENT AT THE RIGHT TIME’ Since assuming the presidency in 2006, Rob Oliver has led significant campus infrastructure projects and has navigated major change, including: • Record-setting financial support, even in the midst of a national recession. The $180 million in cash, pledges and deferred gifts received between the 2005-06 fiscal year and the 2015-16 fiscal year is the largest ever received by Augustana during a 10-year period.

• Significant projects on campus, made possible by the receipt of unprecedented charitable gifts, including: • A $7 million renovation of the Mikkelsen Library • The $12.1 million, 6,500-seat Kirkeby-Over Stadium • Huether Tennis Centre • Morstad Soccer Field • Karras Park at Ronken Field • The $35 million Froiland Science Complex • A sophisticated and complex plan to steer Augustana to the next horizon, developed in response to widespread enrollment challenges among colleges and universities nationwide — particularly private institutions, including Augustana, and public discourse about the importance and value of a college degree. Horizons 2019, Augustana’s five-year strategic plan, is designed to help the institution find and develop ways to: Serve more students and foster their success; provide substantive and innovative educational experiences; cultivate strategic partnerships; steward human, physical and financial resources; and pursue greater brand awareness and recognition.

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• A $74 million endowment — up from $47 million a decade ago. As a result, Augustana is able to award scholarships and financial aid to 100 percent of its full-time students.

• Significant growth in Augustana’s online educational offerings for undergraduate and graduate students as well as adult learners.

• A name change from College to University, designed to better represent the breadth and depth of undergraduate, graduate and adult learning happening on campus, as well as the direction charted for the institution by its strategic plan.

• Significant growth in the University’s undergraduate research and performing & visual arts programs.

• The introduction of Civitas, the University’s honors program, as well as the development of a new core curriculum, new academic majors and programs, and new centers on campus, including: • The Office of Graduate and Continuing Education • The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship • The Student Success Center • Increased enrollment. Augustana’s headcount for Fall 2016 is the highest in 26 years. For Fall 2016, Augustana’s total headcount – the sum of part-time, full-time and graduate students – was 1,937. That number includes students from 34 states and 38 countries.

THE OLIVER INNOVATION FUND

Oliver talks to audience members at The Spark, the gala event to celebrate Augustana’s sesquicentennial, held at the Washington Pavilion in 2011.

Strategic Partnerships Billie Streufert, executive director of Augustana’s Student Success Center, said Oliver’s efforts to build partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, health care centers, arts agencies, schools, churches and other industries in Sioux Falls and throughout the region have provided internship and career opportunities for Augustana students.

“President Oliver continually brought a distinctive understanding of employers’ needs and the region’s labor market.

Whether it was leading the Sioux Falls Chamber or serving on a number of boards, he genuinely listened to and responded to the workforce needs of area businesses, nonprofits, and healthcare or-

ganizations. This translated to many innovative partnerships and opportunities for students, such as new graduate programs, internships, and applied learning courses.”

As a result, a large percentage of AU students not originally from South Dakota choose to stay in the state to build their careers after graduation, making Augustana a net importer of intellectual capital and a key contributor to workforce development and the local labor market.

International Programs Today, nearly 50 percent of AU students will study abroad during their four years on campus.

Oliver’s decision to invest in the International Programs Office has been key to that growth, said IPO Director Donn Grinager.

“Rob knew that in order to grow, we’d need to have the infrastructure in place to support the growth,” Grinager said. We’ve increased the size of our staff, which in turn has enabled us to increase the number of international students we serve, as well as the number of domestic students who study abroad.

Over the past 10 years, Grinager said the number of international students who choose Augustana has continued to grow.

In the Fall of 2016, the campus community welcomed 156 international students from 38 countries around the globe. AU also served an additional 13 recent graduates who are now working in the U.S. through Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit of the F-1 student visa.

“Whether it’s international programs or any other area on campus, Rob is always supportive of being entrepreneurial and innovative,” Grinager said. “It’s why he’s so well-liked, well-respected and it’s why he’s been so effective as a leader.”

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THE END OF AN ERA

Viking Athletics Oliver’s commitment to advancing Viking athletics has led to significant accomplishments during his tenure at Augustana, including two NCAA national championships, seven straight seasons of top-15 finishes in the Learfield Cup Standings, and four seasons as the NSIC’s top athletic program. In 2015, Augustana announced Women’s Swimming as the University’s 19th sport.

“Rob knows and understands how athletics can provide life-long educational and personal growth opportunities for student-athletes,” said AU Development Officer and former Augustana Athletics Director Bill Gross.

“He’s also keenly aware of how a successful college athletics program can help propel an institution forward — from fan support to major investments by donors and community partners — all of which can lead to increased exposure, increased enrollment and more scholarship opportunities.”

Rob Oliver’s email signature includes one of his favorite scripture references from the book of Proverbs: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

During his 11-year tenure as president of Augustana University, Oliver’s vision was to create an “Augustana like never before” — positioning this university among America’s premier church-related, higher education institutions. He understood that in order to achieve this vision, a rigorous academic program would be central to the University’s mission. As a member of the Board of Trustees for 12 years and a professor in the business administration department for two, Oliver said he has long-admired the AU faculty’s disciplinary expertise, pedagogical prowess and ability to challenge students to bring out their best.

Following the news of his retirement, alumni and friends have stepped forward to honor his service to AU. “We wanted to create an opportunity to honor his 25 years of service to Augustana. A generous gift from an Augustana alumnus and former trustee, acknowledging Rob’s successful presidency, established the Oliver Innovation Fund,” said Bob Preloger, vice president for advancement at Augustana.

“Rob’s vision for the Fund is to provide venture capital to inspire the faculty to create transformative student-centered learning experiences that will prepare Augustana students to make meaningful impacts across the globe, thereby enhancing the academic program and stature of the University. The Oliver Innovation Fund will provide grants to faculty through an application process administered by the Office of the Dean of the University.

The Fund is designed to support ideas that foster creativity, embrace innovation and entrepreneurship and help the University achieve new levels of excellence.”

For more information about the Oliver Innovation Fund or to make a gift to the fund, contact Bob Preloger at 605.274.4922 or bob.preloger@augie.edu.

NEWS FROM THE HUDDLE

FACULTY TENURE, PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED The Augustana Board of Trustees approved faculty members for tenure and/or promotions at its December meeting.

“For these faculty, the receipt of an increased rank in promotion and/or tenure is a testimony and acknowledgement from their colleagues of excellence across their roles of teaching, scholarship and service,” said Dr. Jerry Jorgensen, interim senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “Being granted tenure and/or promotion is an important milestone in their professional careers. It is a commitment by the institution for each faculty member’s commitment to the institution and its students.”

Promoted to the Rank of Professor: DR. PATRICK HICKS As the writer-in-residence at Augustana University, Hicks teaches courses on creative writing as well as Irish literature. When not discussing the literary arts with students, Dr. Hicks teaches such honors courses as “Great Britain and the Great War” and “Eleutheria: Freedom and Literature.” He is the author of “The Commandant of Lubizec: A Novel of the Holocaust and Operation Reinhard” (2014), as well as six poetry collections, most recently “Adoptable” (2014) and “This London” (2010). His work has appeared in some of the most vital literary journals in the nation. He has been nominated seven times for the Pushcart Prize, won the “Glimmer Train Fiction Award,” and received several individual artist grant awards. His work with PBS’s “Over South Dakota” was nominated for an Emmy. In 2015, his collection of short stories, “The Collector of Names” was published and he is currently at work on a new novel. Before earning his Ph.D. from the University of Sussex (England), Dr. Hicks lived in Northern Ireland, Germany and Spain for many years. He gives fiction and poetry readings all across the nation.

DR. MICHAEL NITZ For the Communication Studies Department, Dr. Nitz teaches basic courseT in communication, as well as “Communication Research,” “Public Relations,” “Persuasion,” “Mass Media Effects,” “Persuasive Campaigns,” and “International Communication.” He is a Fulbright Scholar whose research interests are in international media coverage of political and environmental issues, as well as the role of late-night television comedy in the political process. He is also the coordinator of Norwegian programs. He recently received Augustana’s Jane Zaloudek Research Fellowship Award for work on Norwegian/German media coverage of the U.S. Presidential election. He is the campus advisor for the PRSSA (PR Student Society of America) chapter and has led several International PR courses in Europe. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Arizona.

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Granted Tenure and Promoted to the Rank of Associate Professor: DR. CECELIA MILES For the Biology Department, Miles teaches “Developmental Biology,” “Vertebrate Embryology,” “Introductory Biology” and “Biology and Human Concerns.” Her research is focused on the genetics of variation in egg size (per-offspring maternal investment) and how shifts in egg size affect key developmental events as well as fitness of parents and offspring. She received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University, her master’s degree in biological sciences from Florida Institute of Technology and her Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Florida.

She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago, doing research on resolving spatial patterning and egg size in Drosophila.

DR. MICHAEL RUETER For the Modern Foreign Languages Department, Rueter specializes in medieval Spanish literature and the writings of the Moriscos, the crypto-Muslim population living in Spain during the 16th and early 17th centuries. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he taught all levels of Spanish language and composition as well as introductory literature courses. Some of his research interests involve relations and exchange amongst the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities of medieval Iberia, as well as the themes of convivencia and reconquista.

DR. CASEY TRAINOR Teaching for the Psychology Department, Trainor’s classes include “General Psychology” and “Abnormal Psychology.” His research interests focus primarily on anxiety and anxiety disorders.

Specifically he is interested in the factors that contribute to the development of anxiety, the relationship between anxiety and sleep, and the relationship between anxiety and substance use. Trainor received his doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas.

DR. SEASSON VITIELLO For the Biology Department, Vitiello teaches “Genetics,” “Molecular Biology,” “Cell Biology” and “Cell Signaling.” Her primary research project focuses on using yeast molecular genetics to study cystinosis, a pediatric lysosomal storage disorder. She received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship there and at Sanford Research/University of South Dakota.

TYSON TO SPEAK AT BOE FORUM Neil deGrasse Tyson, award-winning astrophysicist, author, and host and narrator of FOX’s “Cosmos,” will speak at the Boe Forum on Public Affairs on Monday, March 20.

The event sold out in record time. Free tickets became available on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and sold out in just 10 minutes.

Tyson will speak on the topic of “Science and Discovery.”

“Since its inception in 1995, the Boe Forum on Public Affairs has sought to provide access to individuals who can address events, issues or problems of worldwide or national concern and of broad public interest. On the subject of science and discovery, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a prominent scientist, world-class speaker and excellent choice for our next Boe Forum,” said Dr. Harry Thompson, executive director of the Center for Western Studies.

In its March 2014 Q&A with Tyson, Rolling Stone says: “Calling Neil deGrasse Tyson America’s bestknown astrophysicist isn’t just recognizing his excellence and prominence in a fairly specialized field; it’s in no small part due to his ceaseless efforts above and beyond his work at the Hayden Planetarium and the American Museum of Natural History, appearing everywhere from ‘Jeopardy!’ to ‘The Daily Show’ to wittily explain big scientific ideas with pop culture references and a purring baritone.”

SNAPSHOTS FOUR ALUMNI. FOUR AMAZING LIVES. MEET THE 2016 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

Ariana Groen ‘15 zooms in.

Photo by Matt Addington ‘95.

Dr. Joanne Olson ‘72 speaks at the 2016 Alumni Achievement Award dinner.

A TEACHER OF NURSES MEET DR. JOANNE (THOMPSON) OLSON ’72, PROFESSOR OF NURSING, U OF ALBERTA, AND ASSOCIATE FACULTY, ST. STEPHEN’S THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE A recruiter for Augustana “breezed” into Kerkhoven, Minnesota, in the late 1960s and convinced Joanne (Thompson) Olson ’72 that she should attend Augustana instead of a diploma school for nursing. He sold her on the need to have a nursing degree from a college or university that could offer her a broad liberal arts education and that a degree in nursing could open doors including graduate degrees.

His name was Milton Harvey, a long-time Augustana administrator.

“A decision made nearly 50 years ago was the beginning of a great adventure,” Olson said.

Following graduation, Olson began her career as a rural public health nurse in Willmar, Minnesota. She went on to earn her master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota, and then worked in St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri. By 1979, she had embarked on a career as an academic. She earned her doctorate in nursing at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, in 1993. She is married to Dr. David Olson ’71.

The couple have made their home in Canada since 1981.

Today she serves as a professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Alberta, perhaps one of the largest nursing programs in Canada, and as an associate faculty at St. Stephen’s Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Olson also serves as a faith community nurse at Riverbend United Church. Olson’s teaching and research focuses on nurse-client communication, nursing education and spirituality in nursing. She co-authored a book on the theoretical basis of faith community nursing from the perspectives of theology and nursing.

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“My career seems like it has been many mini-careers, always changing, always interesting and never a dull moment,” she said. “[Throughout it all, I had] endless encouragement and I believe that nine-tenths of education is encouragement.”

Olson counts three things as her greatest professional accomplishments: her international leadership with Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing that contributed to moving that association from a U.S.based national society to a thriving global organization, being a pioneer leader in terms of introducing faith community nursing (parish nursing), and becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

While at Augustana, nursing professor Dr. Joyce Nelson fueled Olson’s growing passion for community health nursing and health promotion activities, she said.

“She exemplified how to teach and inspire and remains of one of my lifelong mentors,” Olson said.

Olson said one of the greatest rewards of her current role is getting to work with graduate students from all over the world. Up next professionally, for the first time in their careers, the Olsons are collaborating on a research project: studying the effects of the May 2016 wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alberta, on pregnant women who were among the 90,000 people evacuated.

The Olsons are interested in finding ways to reduce the stress of those women in an effort to promote healthy birth outcomes.

Olson’s best Augie memories include Elsie’s cinnamon buns; meeting her husband, David, in a biology lab; and many wonderful times with her roommate Susan (Dean) Arnott and other 1972 nursing class members.

Dr. David Olson ‘71 looks in on a newborn baby (photo courtesy University of Alberta).

A MEDICAL RESEARCHER MEET DR. DAVID OLSON ’71, PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY, PEDIATRICS AND PHYSIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA They were nearly always preceded by disappointments, he said, which over repetition taught him to take the risks that needed to be taken and to not be afraid of failure.

“Learning is about trying out options — those that you discover are not for you and those that are.

It’s about engaging life, which frequently involves disappointments, but it also entails rebounding from them,” Olson said. “This is part of the territory involved with taking risks, and risk-taking is necessary for major advancement.”

For Olson, an average day involves moving projects along, from grant applications to planning international meetings to working on patents. Rewards, he said, are seeing students do well as they become independent, critical thinkers and knowing that the research he’s conducting is making a difference and improving women’s pregnancy health.

He believes his greatest professional accomplishment to be studying the relationship between chronic stress in women and its effect on preterm birth, which he started 10 years ago. His research is now providing an opportunity to work with his wife, Dr. Joanne Olson ’72, as part of an intervention study on the pregnant women who were evacuated from Fort McMurray, Alberta, in May 2016 due to the wildfires.

His greatest satisfaction is having lived a life of service and his wonderful, loving family, he said.

He and his wife have two married daughters and three grandchildren. Olson’s father, Paul, was also an Alumni Achievement Award recipient.

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SNAPSHOTS: ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT

St. Paul, Minnesota, native Dr. David Olson followed in his grandmother’s and parents’ footsteps when he chose to attend Augustana. He left his home with marching orders that aligned with Augie’s motto: Enter to learn; leave to serve.

Those six words pack a lot of punch, Olson said.

“To me it means learn about yourself: your strengths, your weaknesses, your passions and your abilities; learn how to think critically; learn to use information to see opportunities and needs; make good judgments; make a difference; and ... serve others.”

Olson graduated in 1971 with a major in biology and minor in chemistry.

After Augustana, Olson went to the University of Minnesota where he earned his master’s degree and then attended St. Louis University for his doctorate.

His family then moved to London, Ontario, Canada, for his post-doctoral fellowship. It was here that Olson really sunk his teeth into the field of perinatology — the study of pregnancy, fetal development, birth and newborn health and development. He was the first basic scientist in the Pediatrics Department at Western University and he never looked back.

Today, Olson is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and physiology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. There, he was able to start a research center where most of his academic and scientific contributions have been made.

Looking back at his career, Olson counts achievements where he took the greatest risks as those that were the most valuable and served others the most.

Dr. Keith Bostian ‘73 (photo courtesy Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship).

A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER MEET DR. KEITH BOSTIAN ’73, DEAN, NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & MATHEMATICS AND OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION, KEAN UNIVERSITY Keith Bostian’s favorite class at Augustana was “Philosophy of Religion,” where he said he learned to think broadly about ideas and concepts that matter and to better understand different views of the world.

Bostian made his mark on the world through science and research after graduating in 1973 with majors in biology and chemistry. Initially, he had committed to attend an East Coast university but made a last-minute decision to attend Augustana, where he also played football and graduated in two and one-half years.

For his success, he credits the “outstanding Augustana faculty, a rich mentoring environment and the then stateof-the-art research laboratory at the Gilbert Science Center.”

The flexibility at Augustana allowed Bostian to test out of many introductory courses and gave him the opportunity to do independent research early on, he said.

Because of scheduling conflicts, he took some classes by recording. Instead of studying for final exams, he wrote a book on membrane biology.

“Augustana was hugely important in forming my adult character, and the liberal arts courses that I took (philosophy, religion, history of science, music) provided a broad platform for developing my interests and perspectives on the world,” he said.

After graduating from Augustana, Bostian went on to earn a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of London. He is a fellow of the American Academy for Microbiology, was a member of the faculty at Brown University, and was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow.

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His passions are science and research, which have been the cornerstones for his entire professional career, he said.

At NJCSTM, Bostian introduced an innovative program, the Research First Initiative, using early authentic research experiences in a rich mentoring environment, to engage underrepresented students in STEM education. He currently serves as the dean for the New Jersey Center for Science,Technology and Mathematics and Office of Technology Commercialization at Kean University.

He’s also raising funds for the Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit where he serves as the interim CEO. ILSE is working to accelerate life science discoveries to improve human health through new medicines, devices and transformative technologies.

He said his greatest professional accomplishment is helping develop two drugs that have saved hundreds of thousands of lives — pushed through because of his role as an innovator and his determination to advance them to the market.

Bostian lives in northern California with his wife, Liz O’Donnell. They have seven children between them.

He continues to work in advancing ILSE as a self-sustaining non-profit and works with early-stage biotechnology companies as they create new enterprises, new inventions and drugs. His advice to current and prospective students: utilize the opportunities at Augustana in order to be successful and chart your own course.

“Understand and pursue your interests, develop a passion for them, form a vision for yourself and your career goals, think big, and work for it,” Bostian said.

“Also, take advantage of your Augustana career to do it.”

John Peterson ‘03.

A FARMING ENTREPRENEUR MEET JOHN PETERSON ’03 OWNER AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR FERNDALE MARKET, CANNON FALLS, MINNESOTA is the beauty of the liberal arts, but I was somehow stretched most by the classes outside of my major because they pushed me to expand the way I saw the world and my place in it.”

He enjoys working with his father, Dick, in the family business. They raise turkeys free-range during the warmer months. All Ferndale turkeys are processed naturally with the practices remaining much the same as when Peterson’s grandfather started the farm in 1939.

“It’s been an absolute joy to launch and sustain a brand that’s built around my family’s farm and distinctive farming practices,” he said.

Entrepreneurship requires you to be a generalist, not a specialist, Peterson said, which makes a liberal arts degree perfect for a business owner.

“Augustana is filled with the right people, classes, experiences and encouragement to help students discover how they want to spend their lives. I certainly didn’t foresee the career I’m in today, but Augustana gave me the foundation that made it possible.”

Peterson and his wife, Erica ’04, live in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, with their 4-year-old son, Finn. They continue to stay in touch with friends made at Augie who share their curiosities, values and interests.

“Augustana helped shape my notion of vocation.

It’s my sincere hope that the work I do has a purpose and is for the benefit of others. That lens to see work as a way to serve and better our world was a seed that was planted at Augustana and it’s something that gives my work meaning,” he said.

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SNAPSHOTS: ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT

John Peterson’s workday is anything but 9-to-5 as the owner of Ferndale Market — named after the farm’s founders and Peterson’s grandparents, Fern and Dale. Ferndale Market is a multi-generational company that raises free-range turkeys in Cannon Falls, Minnesota — about 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities.

Peterson helped open their on-farm store in 2008 and today partners with more than 70 other local food producers to connect shoppers with local producers.

The store is open seven days a week and Ferndale products are available in several restaurants and retail stores throughout the region, including Sioux Falls.

“There’s no greater affirmation of our work than knowing we are literally providing nourishment for people around us,” he said.

Peterson graduated in 2003 with a major in communication studies/business and a minor in history.

Peterson is the recipient of the 2016 Horizon Award, an honor recognizing young alumni who have quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church.

Despite the fact that he didn’t take any classes in agriculture — or meat science or operations, all areas he taps into daily — Peterson credits Augustana for giving him the skills to be a lifelong learner and for instilling a curiosity to understand how and why things work, he said.

“I think I was most struck by the classes I almost unexpectedly found fascinating,” he said. “It really

Kofi Gunu ‘17

SENIOR NAMED SCHWARZMAN SCHOLAR The award will support Kofi Gunu’s master’s degree study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

A

ugustana senior Kofi Gunu, a political science and economics double major from Tamale, Ghana, has been named a 2018 Schwarzman Scholar, a prestigious honor that will support his master’s degree study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, the Schwarzman Scholars program bills itself as “... the premier training ground for future leaders, educating and preparing the world’s most exceptional men and women to confront the most difficult challenges of the coming century and develop an understanding of China necessary to lead in the future.”

Scholars receive full funding, including travel costs and a personal stipend, for a year of study and cultural immersion to develop a better understanding of China. At the conclusion of the program, scholars will hold a master’s degree in one of three disciplines: public policy, economics and business or international studies.

Gunu is one of just 129 Schwarzman Scholars selected from more than 2,700 applicants from

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around the world. Scholars were selected, according to the Schwarzman program, “through a rigorous and thorough selection process designed to evaluate leadership experience and potential, intellectual and academic ability — including the capacity to understand emerging trends, design solutions, and inspire others to a vision, as well as strength of character.”

The 2018 class of scholars will be the second class since the Schwarzman program’s inception and is made up of students from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Berlin School of Economics and Law, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, the United States Military Academy at West Point, Duke University, University of California at Berkeley, Princeton University, Yale University and others.

“I am overjoyed with the caliber of students who will make up the second class of Schwarzman Scholars. It has been truly inspiring for me to meet these people, who at such a young age have

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

already started to make an impact on the world,” said founder Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone. “Clearly their journey is just beginning, but it is our hope that the Scholars of the inaugural class, the Class of 2018 and every class thereafter will leave Schwarzman College with a better understanding of how to foster friendship, cooperation and collaboration among the peoples of the world.”

Gunu was inspired to apply for a Schwarzman Scholarship after he read an article about founder Stephen Schwarzman when he was in high school.

for him, given his interest in international relations and global leadership. At Tsinghua University, he will connect and collaborate with other young leaders on a variety of difficult issues.

The network he builds and the skills he acquires during his time in China will equip him for taking a prominent role in international politics. I look forward to seeing what he will make of this great opportunity.”

Gunu worked with Dr. Johnson and other professors on campus to build his Schwarzman application — a rigorous endeavor that required three essays: a personal statement, an essay on leadership, and an essay on current affairs; as well as multiple

“China is a really intriguing place to me.

It is poised to become the largest economy in the world and there are so many political and economic changes happening.”

— Kofi Gunu ’17

“In 2013, I chanced upon an article in The Economist magazine about how Schwarzman was looking into the feasibility of [creating this scholarship program]. I read that article and thought about how cool it would be to spend four years at Augustana then to go off to China to study its politics and society,” Gunu said.

Carpe Diem Ahead of the news about his Schwarzman Scholarship, Gunu was already well-known on campus as a student who works hard to find and maximize opportunities to learn, grow and serve.

As a child, Gunu traveled to the U.S. through a governmentrun youth exchange program created to reduce racial and cultural misconceptions by promoting cross-cultural interactions.

He went on to attend high school in Brandon, South Dakota.

At Augustana, he’s a member of Civitas, the University’s honors program. In 2015, he was named a Peace Scholar and spent seven weeks studying peace, justice, democracy and human rights in Norway. The following fall, he formed the Augustana Peace Club. In 2016, he was named the recipient of the Covenant Award for Liberal Arts and was selected as a finalist for the Hawkinson Foundation Scholarship.

He spent the fall semester of 2016 in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Lutheran College Washington Semester Program.

In Washington, he divided his time between working for the Council on Foreign Relations and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (RSouth Dakota).

Dr. Joel Johnson, professor of political science/government and international affairs, knows Gunu well and called him an exemplary student who combines “academic excellence with a mature pragmatism.”

“Kofi loves learning for its own sake, but he also knows how to employ his knowledge to advance the common good,” Johnson said. “The Schwarzman program is the perfect next step

letters of recommendation.

“I spent all of last summer working on those essays,” Gunu said. “Dr. Johnson and Dr. Sandra Looney (English) were so helpful to me in that process — not only to review my essays, but to also make sure I sounded like myself. Donn Grinager (international programs) and Drs. Mike Nitz (communications), Mike Mullin (history), and Joe Dondelinger (political science/ government and international affairs) were all helpful in the process as well.”

After submitting his application, Gunu was named one of 373 semi-finalists who were invited to in-person interviews at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

There, he participated in interviews with internationally known leaders including David Petraeus, former director of the CIA, and Cathy Engelbert, CEO of Deloitte.

Looking Ahead Gunu said he feels honored to have been named a Schwarzman Scholar and is excited for the opportunity to study in China.

“I think it’s just such a well-structured program to expose students to the politics and society of China,” he said. “China is a really intriguing place to me. It is poised to become the largest economy in the world and there are so many political and economic changes happening.

“China is also fast becoming a critical player on the African continent. Growing up in Ghana, I saw how active China was in some infrastructural projects close to where I was living. I want to learn more about that involvement and hopefully shape it to produce sustainable development in Africa.”

After his time in China, Gunu said he’s interested in building a career with an international organization.

“I’m very interested in working on development issues around the world. I’d love the opportunity to work for an organization like the United Nations or one of its agencies like the World Health Organization.”

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Joscelyn Schipper (front), Sage Backer, Juvyan Abobakr and Alyssa Volmer-Johnson (back, left to right) in “When the World Was Wild and Waste.”

Photos by Mike Shafer ‘18.

THIS FALL, DR. RICHARD SWANSON AND DR. JOHN PENNINGTON WERE...

STORYTELLERS ON CAMPUS

“Beginning is the key.

And these old stories give us a place to start.

These old stories do that in every culture, on every continent, after every catastrophe that cries for a new beginning.

And so we tell stories of how it all began.

And the world goes on again.”

— When the World Was Wild and Waste

A religion scholar and a composer walk into a theatre ...

It’s not a punchline. It’s a play.

To see “When the World was Wild and Waste,” written by Dr. Richard Swanson, professor of religion, and composed by Dr. John Pennington, professor of music, is to take a course in religion, world views and music all woven together through stories of creation.

In true liberal arts fashion, collaboration between a religion and music professor is commonplace at Augustana University. Pennington and Swanson have worked on three projects together including “When the World Was Wild and Waste,” which premiered in September in the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre.

“I love working with John because John is a genius,” Swanson said. “His musical sense is astonishing. I am an OK musician — I’m an old, brokendown trombonist. But I hand him a pile of words and he makes the kind of things you hear [in the show] out of a pile of words. Collaboration is really hard, but that’s why it’s good.”

Collaboration Creating this show began, for Swanson, about 10 years ago, he said.

Bringing it to the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre began last year when he and theatre instructor Jayna Fitzsimmons started workshopping it with students. From the script, to costuming and set design, to the music, students and professors collaborated on every aspect to bring this show to life from “a pile of words,” as Swanson calls it.

“When you get one of Richard’s scripts, it’s very exciting and also terrifying,” Fitzsimmons said. “You think of a more traditional script and it has this character saying this line and this other character says this other line and that’s not at all what you get from Richard.

“There’s not the type of line division or suggestions like the plays you’ve seen. There’s not a standard setting, characters don’t have names, et cetera, so we’re working all of that out as we go along.”

In the first few rehearsals, the five actors chosen for the show were told to just say a line when they felt like speaking and assigned themselves each character. For students Juvyan Abobakr ‘20, Sage Backer ‘18, Joscelyn Schipper ‘19, Alyssa Volmer-Johnson ‘19 and community member Sara Crosby, this was a show like they’d never seen before.

“We literally just took a text that was written like a book and everyone got to say what lines they wanted,” Abobakr said.

“We heard ‘just try it,’ a lot from Jayna,” Schipper said.

In their second rehearsal while going through a scene depicting a storm, the actors recalled Fitzsimmons telling them to read through it and then act it out without words. Because the words were all they had, Fitzsimmons wanted to challenge them to focus on creating the block-

“I love words. I am a word nerd.

I’m a serious word nerd, but until you take words and hand them to actors who put the words in their bodies or hand them to a musician who can make sounds, they’re just words.”

— Dr. Richard Swanson Professor of Religion

ing without relying on those words to drive the scene.

“That was one of the hardest, but most beneficial directions we got from Jayna,” Volmer-Johnson said.

Weaving the Stories Having studied origin stories for more than 20 years, Swanson decided to blend many of them together to create “When the World Was Wild and Waste.” During his last two years writing the script, Swanson enlisted the help of Sage Backer ‘18 (also in the cast).

“There are, depending on how you count, six or seven different origin stories in the Bible,” Swanson said. “The chief ones: Genesis 1 and 2 and Psalm 104 are just crawling with lovely, but different creation imagery. I started by translating those and just listening to them and seeing what else they caught.

“The second place that biblical stories we wove together came from a really important recognition. All of the stories and especially the Genesis ones were not stories the Jewish community cooked up because they had nothing to do on a Thursday. These stories are stories that come out of a time of desperate catastrophe. The thing that struck me is, in every culture that I studied and on every continent in every century, the stories — Native American stories, African stories — every story that I studied, showed significant signs of having come out of a disaster. Therefore, I went back and translated Lamentations and the stories about the destruction of Jerusalem and wove those together. Because that’s the context out of which the origin stories in fact sprung. They had to create a world in order to survive the death of the world in which they lived.”

CONTINUED: PAGE 26

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STORYTELLERS ON CAMPUS

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STORYTELLERS ON CAMPUS

“Bereshit bara Elohim En Arche When God began to create The world was a wild chaos Chaos surrounded our world and surrounds it still And then God began to create.”

— Excerpt from “GENESIS 2” ...

“When the World Was Wild and Waste”

At that point, Swanson says he began writing other stories and researching other catastrophes to make the connection clear to his audience. He said he hoped if there was one thing they would learn, it was this: “If there’s anything worth knowing about biblical texts at all it’s how it is a part of the world not separate from it.”

“I get paid to study the Bible for a living — this is a very weird thing,” he said. “There are people who do that who close the covers of the Bible around their head and that’s all they ever want to know. That’s never been enough for me, nor for my parents or my family for generations.

Anything worth studying is connected to the whole world.”

Composing the Music Collaboration between Pennington and Swanson started shortly after Pennington arrived at Augustana in 2008.

“I think within a couple of years Richard asked me to collaborate on a project,” Pennington said. “Richard knew I had done extensive work with spoken word and worked with creating a sound canvas, or a canvas of sound that the voice can react to — almost like in India with the drone.

It’s its own skill to be able to write music that is interesting but not too interesting so you can still hear the words. It actually takes a bit of humility through the whole process.”

In their second collaboration project, a choral work on the book of Job, Pennington recalls getting a ream of words from Swanson who said to just “go to it.”

“And I just read the text over and over and waiting for something to speak to me and an idea surfaces,” Pennington said.

When Swanson approached Pennington for “When the World Was Wild and Waste,” he said he was happy to see Swanson had denoted which parts of the script he thought would be “singable,” refining the process for Pennington.

“It’s a fascinating process when you’re dealing with somebody else’s words where it doesn’t actually feel like composition, it actually feels like excavation,” Pennington said. “The melody is already there, it’s already in the word, and all you’re doing is just trying to get rid of the sand and illuminate it.

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“I would say the text over and over and over and it seems unusual but it’s like it’s there. And then there is the craft of writing music for a show.

I’ve never really worked with a musical, but I love the musicals ‘Spring Awakening’ and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights.’ What Lin-Manuel is doing is using a more progressive or pop sensibility. And he’s also setting the spoken word.”

Pennington said he wanted to write the music in “When the World Was Wild and Waste” in a progressive style as well.

“I didn’t know if it would work or not but I wrote a couple of things in May and we met and what was fulfilling for me was sometimes you want to write for yourself and what you hear and your vision, but this time it was more for me about excavating what was there and also what would the actors enjoy singing? And what would these musicians enjoy playing? I was most interested in finding out what a college student would think is hip.”

So how did a religion scholar end up walking into the theatre in the first place?

“I stumbled into that almost 20 years ago by accidentally using performance in a class. Students wrote papers that were so much better than anything I’d ever been able to get out of students before,” Swanson said. “You only have to hit me twice with a 2 x 4 before I get the message, and I’ve been using performance as a motive of analysis of biblical text ever since.”

In the last 20 years, Swanson estimated he’s worked with maybe 70 Augustana students creating plays and works of art like “When the World Was Wild and Waste.”

“So mostly because I can’t stop,” he said on why he uses the theatre. “I learn more than I can learn any other way. Here’s the big thing — it’s the pile of words thing again. I love words. I am a word nerd. I’m a serious word nerd, but until you take words and hand them to actors who put the words in their bodies or hand them to a musician who can make sounds, they’re just words.

“Things happen when you do that. Some of those things I have dreamed about, and some of them until [the actors or John] showed me, I had no idea. And that means that because I get paid to study the Bible for a living, I do this to study the Bible. This is my research.”

NAVY & GOLD

RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND Not long ago, AU senior Nathan Hauge’s future as a competitive runner was uncertain.

He made a comeback thanks to a supportive coach and great teammates.

VIKING LIFE

Senior Nathan Hauge pushes toward the finish line at a meet this fall.

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I

n the fall of 2015, Augustana senior Nathan Hauge’s future as a competitive runner literally hung in the balance.

“Even when I wasn’t running I would get dizzy spells,” he said. “I had headaches and trouble concentrating.” While no culprit was found for the condition, medication brought it under control.

Hauge missed most of the 2015 men’s cross country season and didn’t resume running until May of 2016.

He applied for a medical redshirt, but there was no guarantee it would be granted. Augustana cross country has this thing about winning championships and Hauge wanted to be a contributor, not a spectator.

“There were times during the winter and spring when I thought about quitting,” he said. “But I felt if I didn’t try, it would be a bad way to end it. If you take a break from running it takes time to get back to where you were, so I started training in hopes of competing again.”

Summer workouts are part of Augustana head coach Tracy Hellman’s preparation for the fall season.

“We feel the off-season is important, yet we don’t put all our focus into it,” Hellman said. “I have come to understand the summer training period is necessary to get the body ready for the season.”

In August, a week before Augustana opened its team camp, Hauge learned his medical redshirt appeal had been approved by the NCAA. He was back in action and grateful for the opportunity.

Saying he has never felt better, Hauge put together his best season and helped the Vikings retain their dominance of conference and region competitions.

He finished fourth as Augustana claimed its eighth straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crown. He was the first Viking across the finish line behind teammate and individual champion Glen Ellingson.

Augustana hosted the Central Region Championship two weeks later and claimed the title for the fifth straight year.

Ellingson was third, Keegan Carda fourth, and Hauge 11th.

For his efforts, Hauge made the All-NSIC and All-Central Region teams.

“Nathan Hauge is a great example of how hard work and perseverance pays off,” said Hellman. “He wasn’t the highest recruited kid coming out of high school, but he ran some solid times and had some good potential.

He has really improved since coming to Augustana and has been a great leader for our team. Even in the midst of setbacks, he has kept his belief that he can be successful and to see him come back this year from a year off, and arguably run his best season, that is very special to see as a coach.”

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Hauge was the first Augustana runner to cross the finish line at the 2016 NCAA Division II national cross country championships in St. Leo, Florida.

Experience and senior leadership were keys to this year’s team success.

“We have four fifth-year seniors on our team,” said Hellman.”Experience is something you can’t coach or develop; it’s a product of time. They are outstanding individuals who are great leaders. They have instilled in our program the necessary ingredients to be successful outside of practice. They lead a very healthy and focused lifestyle, and you can see the results in how the team performed. We also had great talent with this 2016 team, but the biggest takeaway for this year’s success was the leadership and attitude of our upperclassmen.”

In his 16 years at Augustana, Hellman has built a formidable program. In 2011 he guided the women’s team to the national championship. The Vikings were runners-up in 2012. The 2016 men’s team was ranked No. 6 nationally heading to nationals.

“We are really proud of our program, our history and the current success we have had. I am very appreciative of everyone who has helped us get the program to the place it is today. We have had many great assistant coaches and administrators who have contributed to the many successes past and present. But, we are not satisfied, we are not content.”

This year Hellman was named conference men’s cross country coach of the year for the eighth consecutive year and Central Region men’s coach of the year for the fifth straight year. One of his top recruits, redshirt freshman Jesus Urtusuastegui from Sioux Falls, earned conference newcomer of the year distinction. Seven Vikings were

named All-NSIC and four All-Central Region.

“Our program really talks about tradition.

Tradition in what we have done and tradition in what we want to do,” said Hellman.

“We have also tried to keep the connection with our past teams and our current team.

Members of our past conference, regional, and national teams have stopped by during practice. They have reached out and communicated with our current group. We want our team to understand it doesn’t matter if you ran on the 2009 team or any of the other championship teams. The foundation is there and if one can continue to work hard and believe in the system success will follow.”

Athletic ability is only part of the equation.

“In our recruiting, we have found that the character of the person is the top priority,” Hellman said. “My thought is that our system will get them prepared and ready for the championship season that we peak for. But we need someone who has the mentality and focus that is necessary in a high level distance program. Obviously we look for good athletes and good students, but we really try to identify who would be great people to fit into our program.”

Hauge exceeded the criteria.

Editor’s Note AU senior Nathan Hauge was the first AU runner to cross the finish line at the 2016 NCAA Division II national cross country championships in St. Leo, Florida. Hauge earned All-America honors with his 38thplace finish. He completed the 10K course in 31:15.5. The Vikings finished 12th in the team standings.

Rapid City native Anna Sykora prepares to set in a match versus SMSU this fall.

SETTING THE TONE Three years after transfering to AU, senior setter Anna Sykora helped the Vikings reach new heights this season.

T

Sykora has found Augustana to be a good fit. A standout at Rapid City Stevens High School, she played one season at Division I Montana State before transferring. She started all 31 matches for the Bobcats and finished with the fourth best assists total in the Big Sky Conference.

“I knew it wasn’t right for me,” she said. “I love volleyball, but I was kind of falling out of love there. Volleyball at the college level is like a full-time job, but it was becoming a monotonous job.”

Sykora, who was recruited by Augustana as a freshman and sophomore at Stevens, began the 2014 season as a Viking. The transition was not without challenges, but she concentrated on improving as a setter and at the same time learning about leadership. Last season she earned more court time while continuing to learn.

Augustana closed out the 2016 regular season with wins at Northern State University and MSU Moorhead. Sykora was named NSIC setter of the week after posting 108 assists for the two matches.

Sykora has played for three coaches in her four years of collegiate competition.

She has no regrets about the move to Augustana, where she said her love for volleyball was rekindled.

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NAVY & GOLD

oday, the Augustana volleyball program is recognized as one of the best in the nation.

The season’s first NCAA Division II Central Region rankings had the Vikings at No. 6. They recorded the program’s first 20-win season since 2013 and at one point had defeated four of the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s top five teams. The Vikings were ranked seventh nationally as the regular season entered its final week.

This fall, Augustana solidified its position as a national championship contender with a 3-1 win against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs hadn’t lost a match when they took the floor in the Elmen Center and were ranked No. 1 in the country. The Vikings prevailed behind junior middle blocker Baily Koch’s 16 kills, seven blocks and four assists, and senior setter Anna Sykora’s career-high 57 assists. It was Augustana’s first win over a No. 1 AVCA team since 2002.

“We had really high expectations at the beginning of the season,” said Sykora. “We had the players, good chemistry, and we’ve been very steady throughout the season.”

The Vikings finished with a 27-6 record and their first appearance in the NCAA Tourament since 2008.

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HONORING

A LEGEND

Augustana names ďŹ eld at Kirkeby-Over Stadium after longtime coach Jim Heinitz.

DJ Luke pushes through during a game this fall on the Jim Heinitz Field at Kirkeby-Over stadium.

“Jim Heinitz faithfully served Augustana for more than 20 years — not only as a football coach, but as an exceptional leader of young men.

His guidance on and off the field helped shape his players’ lives and instilled in them the importance of working hard and serving others.”

— Rob Oliver President

T

Jim Heinitz with his family at the dedication of Jim Heinitz Field.

same years. The South Dakota Sportswriters Association also named Heinitz the Men’s College Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1992.

Heinitz guided five players who moved on to play professionally in the National Football League and in the Canadian Football League, including Heath Rylance, Troy Westwood, Corbin Lacina, Bryan Schwartz and Kevin Kaesviharn. Heinitz was also actively involved in fundraising for Augustana during his tenure as a coach as well as in the community serving as a member of the Brandon Valley School Board and four years with the Board of Directors of the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

He was also actively involved as a speaker at the South Dakota Boys State in Aberdeen and also served as president of the South Dakota chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I am very honored and humbled by this announcement,” Heinitz said. “Augustana has been a huge part of my life, and my family and I are very thrilled. We went through some great times and some tough times during my years as a coach and something like this really validates your hard work and everything you went through so this is very gratifying for me and my family.”

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NAVY & GOLD

he field at Augustana’s Kirkeby-Over Stadium was officially dedicated in a tribute to longtime coach and all-time wins leader Jim Heinitz this fall during a game against the University of Sioux Falls.

Heinitz ended his coaching career in 2004 as the longest tenured coach in Augustana football history after roaming the sidelines for 17 seasons. Heinitz coached the Vikings for eight seasons from 1985-1992 before returning in 1996 and spending nine more seasons as the head coach. He finished his career with 79 wins (51 in North Central Conference play) and two NCAA Playoff appearances.

“Jim Heinitz faithfully served Augustana for more than 20 years — not only as a football coach, but as an exceptional leader of young men,” Augustana president Rob Oliver said. “His guidance on and off the field helped shape his players’ lives and instilled in them the importance of working hard and serving others. After his retirement, Jim has continued to be a strong supporter of Viking football. It is a great honor indeed to name the field inside Kirkeby-Over Stadium in his honor.”

Heinitz was named the Vikings’ head coach late in 1984 and served for eight years. He joined the private business sector following the 1992 season and then returned to Augustana in December of 1995 to resume his coaching career.

“Coach Heinitz did more than coach football at Augustana,” said Augustana Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid. “He helped change the culture of Augustana athletics. We feel naming the field is an appropriate way to honor Jim’s legacy. Even after his coaching career, Jim and his wife, Becky, have remained strong supporters of Augustana.”

Heinitz came to Augustana in 1982 as the offensive line coach and was named head coach in November of 1984 and after patiently reconstructing the program, led the Vikings to consecutive playoff appearances in 1988 and 1989. He was named the North Central Conference Coach of the Year in 1988 and again in 1992 while also being named the Kodak College Coach of the Year in Region Four those

Paula Haiwick ‘94 (left) talks with Sally Boese ‘65, Dillon DeBoer ‘12, and Dennis Bly ‘94 during a fall meeting of the Alumni Council.

HELPING TO ADVANCE AUGUSTANA Alumni Council redefines its mission to connect and engage alumni and assist AU in growing enrollment and inspiring philanthropic support.

T

hough most students only spend four years at Augustana University, the impact can last a lifetime. Nearly 30,000 AU alumni are living in all 50 states and 38 different countries. They continue to share the Augustana story and its influence on their lives: making memories at class reunions, telling others about the value of an AU education and sharing their treasure with their alma mater.

Alumni events and activities are organized through the Augustana Alumni Association office as well as through the Alumni Council, a group of 22 graduates representing a cross section of decades, majors and geographical locations. Members of the Alumni Council are volunteers who are selected to serve four-year terms, which can be renewed one time. They meet twice a year in person: during Viking Days and in the spring, with regular conference calls throughout the year. Representatives from the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Advisory Council are also represented on the Alumni Council. Made up of graduates from the

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past 10 years, GOLD regularly holds social events and opportunities to attend Augustana activities and represents the voice of the young alumni.

At the fall 2016 meeting, the Alumni Council refined their mission in order to better connect alumni to the university and assist AU in meeting its goals in growing enrollment, raising philanthropic dollars and creating more opportunities to engage alumni. Throughout the 2016-17 academic year, the Alumni Council will continue to refine these three key areas and will strategically set goals and action steps that can be carried out by the council.

“The changes we have made to the Alumni Council were guided by our desire to more fully integrate the council into the campus community, as well as to make better use of the immense talents and diverse skills of our council members,” said Dennis Bly ’94, chair of the Alumni Council. “Passion for and commitment to Augustana is an awesome force and also a shared attribute of all our council members. The new committee structure will allow council members to better direct

ALUMNI NEWS MEET YOUR ALUMNI COUNCIL

ONCE A

Dennis Bly ‘94, Austin, Texas (President)

VIKING

ALWAYS A VIKING

Pamela Miller ‘94, Brookings, South Dakota (Vice President) Shannon Viereck ‘05, Yankton South Dakota (Secretary) David Bak ‘61, Irene, South Dakota Sally Boese ‘65, Midlothian, Virginia Michelle Connor ‘87, LeMars, Iowa Matthew Dreke ‘03, Sioux Falls Kayla Eitreim ‘05, Sioux Falls Tracey Fredrick ‘06, Saint Paul, Minnesota Paula Haiwick ‘94, Highmore, South Dakota

“The new ... structure will allow council members to better direct their skills and heighten their involvement in areas they are not only passionate about but also where they have highly-relevant skills and experience that will add significant value.”

— Dennis Bly ’94 Alumni Council President their skills and heighten their involvement in areas they are not only passionate about but also where they have highly-relevant skills and experience that will add significant value.”

A committee will focus on each of those three areas — growing enrollment, raising philanthropic dollars, and creating and developing alumni engagement — with council members each serving on one committee. A campus representative will also advise each of the committees. Council members can also serve on the Awards Committee, which determines the Alumni Achievement and Horizon award winners, and the Governance Committee.

Alumni Association Director Adrienne McKeown ’00 said alumni don’t have to be on the Council to make a positive impact on Augustana.

“It’s easy to forget about your college experience once you’ve graduated and gone on to pursue your career goals,” McKeown said. “But, there are so many ways to stay connected with AU — talking to young people about Augie, nominating fellow alums for awards, following AU on social media and liking or sharing our posts, or supporting our athletic teams, musicians and artists by attending events are all ways that alumni can continue to support Augustana without a big time commitment.

I really encourage our alums to get engaged however, fits best with their busy lives.”

Alumni Opportunities Take advantage of these ways to engage with AU: • The Augustana magazine is published three times per year and the Alumni eNews is sent out monthly to share information about campus activities and other AU news pertinent to alumni.

Suzanne Hegg ‘68, Bruce, South Dakota Pete Knapp ‘96, Polk City, Iowa Jeffrey Oakland ‘02, Sioux Falls Paul Ordal ‘95, Washington, D.C. Paul Rasmussen ‘03, Minneapolis, Minnesota Kristi Reierson ‘82, Watertown, South Dakota Steven Tims ‘11, Sioux Falls Kevin Veldhuisen ‘99, Sioux Falls Gina Verdoorn ‘05, West Des Moines, Iowa Stacia Walters ‘05, Shawnee, Kansas Michael Williams ‘77, Moorestown, New Jersey

MEET YOUR GOLD COUNCIL Seth Vogelsang ‘14, Beresford, South Dakota (President) Dillon DeBoer ‘12, Sioux Falls (Vice President)

• Class agents send Class Letters once or twice a year as a way for classmates to stay in touch.

Dane Bloch ‘09, Brandon, South Dakota (Secretary)

• Viking Days is held each fall. All classes are invited to participate in activities, from the parade, football game, worship, the Command Performance, Langskip 5K, Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, and the Blast.

Jordan Dalton ‘10, Sioux Falls

• Alumni events are held throughout the U.S. during the year, including opportunities to see AU music ensembles on tour.

• The Alumni Achievement and Horizon Awards are presented to recognize alumni who exemplify Augustana’s core values.

Nominations can be submitted online at augielink.com/awards.

Bethany (Rasmussen) Anderson ‘07, Madison, Wisconsin Thomas Elness ‘16, Sioux Falls Jesse Fonkert ‘14, Hartford, South Dakota Ben Hasche ‘08, Brookings, South Dakota Elizabeth (Davis) Hultgren ‘08, Omaha Emily Grandprey ‘14, Sioux Falls Megan Kalda ‘15, Sioux Falls Hannah Kuelbs ‘13, Sioux Falls Evan Pierce ‘14, Katy, Texas

Share Your Updates

Thomas Ries ‘15, Harrisburg, South Dakota

Stay in touch with Augie and fellow alumni using the alumni website, augielink.com. You can update your contact information quickly without logging in at augielink.com/update.

You also can find details about Alumni Achievement or Horizon award nominations, learn about AU events and more. Use the “Alumni Login” button to add news for Class Notes and search for classmates in the Alumni Directory.

Erin Schoenbeck ‘13, Sioux Falls Paige Schwitters ‘16, Sioux Falls Sawyer Vanden Heuvel ‘12, Sioux Falls Adam Walsh ‘11, Harrisburg, South Dakota Sara Weinreis ‘13, Sioux Falls Caroline Wermers ‘15, Sioux Falls Erin Williams ‘15, Watertown, South Dakota

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33

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES Visit augielink.com for daily updates and photos.

THE

2010s

CLASS OF 2016

C.J. Ham and Stephanie (Stevens) Ham ’15 welcomed a daughter, Skylar Rose, in July 2016.

Ashley Weber and Brennan Olson ‘13 were married in May 2016, and moved to Portland, Oregon. Ashley graduated from Yale University and is working as a physician associate at RestorePDX practicing orthopedic and regenerative medicine.

CLASS OF 2011

Suzie Kloucek married Josh Cleveland on Aug. 6, 2016, in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Christopher Bohlen and Ashley (Mercer) Bohlen ’08 welcomed a son, Joseph Richard, on Oct. 7, 2016.

Casey Schilling and Mariah Lammers were married on July 1, 2016.

Carli Ellwein and Brett Flemmer were married on June 5, 2015.

CLASS OF 2015 Jordan Dobrowski and Richard Oliver were married on Aug. 6, 2016.

Stephanie (Stevens) Ham and CJ Ham ‘16 welcomed a daughter, Skylar Rose, in July 2016.

CLASS OF 2014 Audrey Burkart is employed as a software test engineer and is working for CACI on the CAMMO contract.

Kelsey Junget was offered a job as a group sales executive with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, NBA Development League affiliate of the Miami Heat.

Emily Lynass and J.D. Carrels ‘13 were married on July 2, 2016, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Emily is a student activities coordinator with Presentation College in Aberdeen.

Jessica Spalding and Ryan Schnabel were married on Aug. 13, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 2013 J.D. Carrels married Emily Lynass ‘14 on July 2, 2016, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Kelli Bolton is employed with Rapid City Regional Hospital as the high school outreach athletic trainer at Custer High School.

Brennan Olson and Ashley Weber ’12 were married in May 2016, and moved to Portland, Oregon. Brennan is a M.D./Ph.D. student at Oregon Health & Science University.

Kaia Rugseth married Bendic Klevstadberget on March 23, 2016.

CLASS OF 2012

Rachael (Hoogendoorn) Kramer and Chase Kramer ’08 welcomed a baby girl, Veronica Therese, into the world on April 21, 2016.

Blake Ridgway and Lauren (Beaumont) Ridgway welcomed a baby girl, Hazel Graham, on July 20, 2016. Blake earned his doctorate of dental surgery from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He is currently practicing in Sioux Falls.

Jessi Roggatz married Brady Skoglund on July 23, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 2010 Matt Heesch and Maurine (Becker) Heesch welcomed a daughter, Eleanor Paige, on Jan. 15, 2016.

CLASS OF 2007 Michael Amolins and his wife, Miriah, welcomed the birth of their second child, Sawyer Michael, in April 2016.

He joins big brother Henry, (2).

Ryann (Miller) Glenn joined Husch Blackwell as an associate in the firm’s litigation practice service group in Omaha, Nebraska. She received her J.D. cum laude from the Creighton University School of Law in 2010.

Tiffany (Andersen) Hohn and her husband, Jason, welcomed a daughter, Katherine Marie, on Dec. 19, 2015.

Laura (Gooch) Schenk and her husband, Spencer, welcomed a daughter, Addison Jo, on Aug. 4, 2015.

Megan (Juran) Smith and her husband, Cody, welcomed a daughter, Chloe, on July 2, 2016. She joins big sister Jacqueline (2).

Nick Thompson and Paige (Fossum) Thompson welcomed their first child, Madeline Jean, on Sept. 18, 2015.

Karen (Vavricek) Bagniewski and her husband, Ned, welcomed a daughter, Kaia Lennon, on Aug. 30, 2016.

THE

2000s

CLASS OF 2009

Ella Bresson began an internship at the American College of Norway in Moss, Norway, developing a marketing plan and recruiting strategies to increase enrollment of students from the U.S. at ACN. Kelly Nyberg is now a morning co-host at Kickin Country 100.5 radio in Sioux Falls.

Emily Schirmer and Brian Damman were married on Sept. 17, 2016.

Molly Johnson and Nick VanHorn were married on Sept. 3, 2016.

Ashley (Mercer) Bohlen and Christopher Bohlen ‘11 welcomed a son, Joseph Richard, on Oct. 7, 2016.

34

Nathan Sletten has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 Grammy Music Educator Award.

Chris Zuraff is the associate pastor of mission and outreach and adult education at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 2008

Sawyer Vanden Heuvel accepted the position of synod director of communications and evangelical mission.

Chase Kramer and Rachael (Hoogendoorn) Kramer ‘11 welcomed a baby girl, Veronica Therese, on April 21, 2016.

Mark Moriarty is the Augustana University assistant baseball coach.

Mark has a Master of Arts in sports management and was previously employed with the Utica Blue Sox as a field manager.

Marcus Edgington and Whitney Smidt were married on Aug. 13, 2016.

Meredith Reynolds received her M.D. in May 2016. She is currently a resident at the University of Chicago, specializing in anatomic & clinical pathology.

Nick Jackson and Kristina Harris Jackson welcomed a daughter, June Elizabeth, on Feb. 17, 2016.

Ben Eisele and his wife, Kristen (Wilcox) Eisele, are first call/seminarians working in Gayville/Bergen, Meckling & Luther Center at USD in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Ben Hasche and Elise Chesley were married on July 30, 2016, in Sioux Falls.

THE AUGUSTANA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

CLASS OF 2006

Sarah (Schiferl) Baltzer and her husband, Tom, welcomed a daughter, Meredith, in June 2016.

Sarah (Vick) Behrendt and her husband, Jason, welcomed a daughter, Cora Ellen, on Jan. 22, 2016.

Amanda (Archer) Fosheim and her husband, Nick, welcomed a son, Jonathan David, on June 9, 2016.

Tracey Fredrick started a new job with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She is working in mentorship and policy writing.

Matt McDougall began his employment with the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center as the psychiatry medical director and inpatient psychiatrist.

Rena Olsen signed a two-book publishing deal with Putnam (Penguin Random House). Her first novel, “The Girl Before,” was released Aug. 9, 2016.

Kelsey Theel and Sam Collins welcomed a son, Harrison Lee, on July 31, 2016.

CLASS OF 2005 Deborah (Dressen) Bicknese, 63, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, passed away unexpectedly on June 17, 2016.

CLASS OF 2004 Carissa (Butterfield) Dice and her husband, Matthew, welcomed Charlotte Hope, on Aug. 4, 2016.

Eva Schmidt and Dane Hudelson were married on Aug. 27, 2016.

Brandi (Koester) Sestak has a new position at Nebraska Wesleyan University as the assistant dean for student success & residential education.

Emily (Drommerhausen) Sievers and her husband, Jaret, welcomed a daughter, Lia Julianne, on Sept. 10, 2016.

CLASS OF 2003 Dianna (Schneider) Gray and her husband, Ben, welcomed a daughter, Alice, in May 2016. She joins big brother Mason (2).

Angela (Teigland) Greenwald and her husband, Aaron, welcomed a daughter, Frances, in July 2016.

Nikki (Benson) Oakland and her husband, Justin, welcomed a son, Hudson, on Jan. 19, 2016.

CLASS OF 2002 Cody Smith and his wife, Morgan, welcomed a son, Owen Matthew, on Nov. 5, 2015.

Joshua Van Gorkom and his wife moved back to Indianapolis with their daughter, Reid, in 2015 after almost six years in Alaska.

CLASS OF 2001 Paula (Groeneveld) Vogel and her husband, Bryan, welcomed a daughter, Haley Marie, on June 17, 2016.

THE

1990s

CLASS OF 1999

Chance Stoeser and his wife, Erika, welcomed a daughter, Alissandra, on Aug. 22, 2016.

CLASS OF 1998 Jeffrey Knobloch, 38, of Grinnell, Iowa, died Aug. 13, 2016, at his home.

CLASS OF 1997 Saveng Louprasong works at Capital City Orthopaedics in Austin, Texas.

She resides in Round Rock, Texas.

CLASS OF 1996 Kristen (Sonnichsen) Andrix and her husband, Todd, welcomed a son, Soren Todd, on June 3, 2016.

ALUMNI NEWS CLASS OF 1995

CLASS OF 1970

Paul Ordal is employed in the office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer as a legislative assistant/director of special projects in Washington, D.C.

Evelyn (Dirks) Knoff, 96, died Oct. 21, 2016, in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 1993 Timothy Howell is the clinical education coordinator for the athletic training program and assistant professor for physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University.

CLASS OF 1990 Stacy Nedved, 48, of Wagner, South Dakota, died Aug. 29, 2016, at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

THE

1980s

CLASS OF 1982

Kathleen (Felker) Trandahl, circuit court judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, State of South Dakota, retired on Oct. 8, 2016 after serving on the bench for more than 22 years.

THE

1970s

CLASS OF 1977

Nanda (Olson) Gearhart passed away peacefully on June 12, 2016, in Niagara Falls, New York, from complications of a neurological disease.

Barb (Vance) Schmidt retired at the end of the 2016 school year after 39 years teaching biology and anatomy/ physiology at Rapid City Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota.

CLASS OF 1976 Jill Bormann, a nurse and researcher at the VA San Diego Healthcare System is bringing the mantra to modern health care. She is helping veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, AIDS patients, caregivers, and burned out hospital workers using a technique she calls mantram repetition.

Susan (Almquist) Grabinski passed away on Oct. 16, 2016.

THE

1960s

THE

1950s

CLASS OF 1959

THE

Edward Hammer died Aug. 24, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

CLASS OF 1969

Gary Schmidt was presented an award by the Potomac Valley Fire Company for his role in saving the life of a heart attack victim on the C & O Canal Towpath on Feb. 28, 2016.

CLASS OF 1968 David Langner, 73, passed away on Aug. 28, 2016.

Dixie (Luvaas) Vella, 71, died June 23, 2016, after a battle with multiple myeloma.

Emelie Jean Wang, 89, passed away on April 9, 2016, in Webster, South Dakota.

CLASS OF 1965 Nancy (Anderson) Gregory, 73, of Centerville, Ohio, died Nov. 1, 2016.

Marvin Gardner died Sept. 6, 2016, in Sioux Falls.

Donald Paulson passed away on July 11, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Russell Pohl, 91, formerly of Sioux Falls, died Oct. 26, 2016, in Denver, Colorado.

CLASS OF 1947 CLASS OF 1957 Oralee (McLane) Kasa, 81, of Huron, South Dakota, died Sept. 15, 2016, at Huron Regional Medical Center.

Erwin Anderson, 82, passed away on Oct. 1, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls.

Ralph Anderson, 87, of Shakopee, Minnesota, died on April 24, 2016.

Margaret (McGowan) Begeman, 85, of Humboldt, South Dakota, passed away on July 28, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls.

Robert Eichhorn, 82, a resident of Spooner, Wisconsin, died July 18, 2016, at Spooner Health Hospital.

James Hinrichs, 83, of Marshall, Missouri, died Sept. 29, 2016, at North Care Hospice in North Kansas City.

CLASS OF 1953

CLASS OF 1962

Darrell Anderson, 85, passed away on July 30, 2016.

Jeannine (Benney) Stolaas, 86, died June 24, 2016, at Covington Heights Care Center in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 1946 Elizabeth (Kautz) Foss died Aug. 1, 2016, in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1945 Nellie (Van Zanten) Burgers, 94, of Colton, South Dakota, died on Oct. 12, 2016.

Darlene (Berdahl) Sheddan passed away on Oct. 24, 2016.

CLASS OF 1943 Elizabeth (Brumbaugh) Levene passed away on June 28, 2016.

CLASS OF 1942

CLASS OF 1952

CLASS OF 1941

Bruce Williams passed away on Oct. 25, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Jean (Thompson) Ellwein, 86, died Oct. 22, 2016, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Harris Hinderaker, 96, of Willmar, Minnesota, died Aug. 25, 2016, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home.

CLASS OF 1961

Wallace Skoglund, 85, of Sun City West, Arizona, died on June 22, 2016.

CLASS OF 1951 Joanne (Steinlicht) Carmichael passed away on July 16, 2016.

Richard Lee Richards passed away on June 28, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa.

CLASS OF 1960

Elmer Koehn, 88, died March 8, 2016, in Apache Junction, Arizona.

CLASS OF 1973

Sandra (Waatti) Cordoba died in Prescott, Arizona, on Sept. 1, 2016.

CLASS OF 1950

Devon (Schulz) Hamner, 65, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died on July 4, 2016.

James Johnson, 78, passed away on Oct. 11, 2016, in Ruthven, Iowa.

Robert Doane passed away on Sept.

3, 2016, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Randall Knoll, 64, of Grant, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on July 28, 2016.

Karen (Nelson) Moen, 77, died Oct. 16, 2016.

Fred Lauer, 93, died July 27, 2016, at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System.

CLASS OF 1971

Julie (Morstad) Munson, 77, of Yankton, South Dakota, passed away on June 23, 2016, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.

Phyllis (Kirk) Westbrook, 92, passed away on Dec. 5, 2015.

Gary Barber, 66, passed away in Kalispell, Montana, on Aug. 1, 2016.

Linnie (Torness) Pope, 91, of Bloomington, Minnesota, died April 25, 2016.

Neal Jacobson, 95, died Sept. 18, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Society Village in Sioux Falls.

Margaret (Williams) Doescher died Oct. 26, 2016.

CLASS OF 1974

Ruth (Eneboe) Kittelson, 91, passed away on Aug. 25, 2016, at Bethesda Nursing Home in Sioux Falls.

Rita (Thelin) Vellenga, 85, of Sisseton, South Dakota, died June 23, 2016, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Joanne (Haverberg) Cole, 77, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Nov. 1, 2016.

Bryan Bethke, 64, of Sioux Falls, died June 26, 2016, at his residence.

Phyliss“Polly” (Larson) Christopherson died Aug. 29, 2016, in Tacoma, Washington.

Marjory (Elliot) Moon, 93, of Missoula, Montana, died July 22, 2016.

CLASS OF 1955

Annalee Rantapaa-Larson passed away on Sept. 9, 2016.

Charles Janssen, 76, passed away on Oct. 3, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Center in Lennox, South Dakota.

Maynard Anderson, 90, of Waverly, Iowa, died Aug. 27, 2016, at New Aldaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jerry Grotewold died Aug. 28, 2016.

CLASS OF 1963 Clara (Wang) Acker, of Watertown, South Dakota, died Aug. 1, 2016.

1940s

CLASS OF 1958

CLASS OF 1956 CLASS OF 1967

CLASS OF 1949

THE

1930s

CLASS OF 1939 Margot (Wangberg) Moller, 101, died Sept. 8, 2016.

Ingeborg (Aas) Zagona, 99, passed away on June 6, 2016.

CLASS OF 1938 Catherine (Early) Manning died Oct. 5, 2016.

Verona (Rogness) Schiller, 101, died on Aug. 13, 2016, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

CLASS OF 1937 Bertha (Stjernholm) Smith died April 20, 2008, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin, Minnesota.

THE AUGUSTANA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

35

NOTES FROM THE GREEN

AU WELCOMES NEW FACULTY, ADMINISTRATORS Full-time faculty joining Augustana this fall: MEGAN BELL An assistant professor of genetic counseling, Bell has a Master of Science in genetic counseling from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She is currently an Imagenetics genetic counselor at Sanford Health.

BRIAN HANEGAN A visiting instructor of music, Hanegan is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts with a specialization in saxophone performance from North Dakota State University. Before coming to Augustana, he was a graduate teaching assistant at NDSU where he assisted the Gold Star Marching Band and Jazz Lab Band.

He was also an artist teacher at the International Music Camp, International Peace Gardens.

DR. TIMOTHY HANNA A visiting instructor of psychology, Hanna holds a terminal degree in sociology from South Dakota State University. He has been a guest lecturer at both the University of South Dakota and SDSU several times. Hanna also is a lab member at the Baugh Neuro Lab. DR. SANDRA HOOVER-KINSINGER An assistant professor of education, HooverKinsinger has a terminal degree in philosophy of human development and educational psychology from the University of South Dakota.

She comes to us from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, where she was an assistant professor of psychology.

DR. CYNTHIA JOHNSON-EDLER An assistant professor of chemistry and academic chemical hygiene technician, JohnsonEdler has a doctorate in chemistry from South Dakota State University. Before joining us for the spring 2016 semester, she worked as a graduate assistant in the chemistry and biochemistry departments at SDSU. REBECCA LOMAN An assistant director of genetic counseling and assistant professor, Loman holds a Master of Science in clinical anatomy from Creighton University and a Master of Science in genetic counseling from the University of North Carolina. Loman currently works as a pediatric genetic counselor at Sanford Health.

36

THE AUGUSTANA MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

CATHY MARSH An assistant professor of business administration, Marsh has a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota.

She comes to us from the University of Sioux Falls and Southeast Technical Institute, where she was an adjunct faculty member.

DR. CARRIE OLSON-MANNING An assistant professor of biology, Olson-Manning has her doctorate from Duke University.

She comes to us from the University of Chicago where she worked in the Department of Ecology and Evolution.

DR. HEIDI SACKREITER An assistant professor of content literacy and language learning, Sackreiter holds a doctorate in education from the University of South Dakota with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She comes to us from South Dakota State University where she was an ESL Specialist. Sackreiter has also been an adjunct professor with Northern State University and Dakota State University for seven years.

DR. SATYA SADHU An assistant professor of chemistry, Sadhu holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from South Dakota State University. He was recently a post-doctoral research associate for the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at SDSU. JODY SERFLING An assistant professor of nursing, Serfling holds a Master of Science in nursing from South Dakota State University. She recently worked as an instructor in adult medical-surgical nursing at the University of South Dakota.

Serfling is also a staff nurse in the cardiopulmonary unit at Avera McKennan Hospital.

DR. LI SUN An assistant professor of elementary math and science, Sun has a terminal degree in mathematics education from the University of Houston, Texas. She was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Houston and also worked as a certified mathematics quality of instruction (MQI) rater at Harvard University.

TAYLOR ZUCK An assistant professor of genetic counseling, Zuck has a Master of Science in genetic counseling from the University of North Carolina.

She currently works at Sanford Health as a pediatric genetic counselor.

The Office of Advancement has welcomed four new, full-time administrators: AMY BENDA ‘89 Director of annual giving, Benda joined the advancement team in 2015. Since graduating from Augustana in 1989, Amy has experienced a diverse career path and, most recently, served as the Executive Director of the Sioux Falls CASA Program from 2002-2015.

ALI LANGSETH Director of major gifts, Langseth comes to Augustana after a seven-year tenure as CEO of Camp High Hopes in Sioux City, Iowa, where she provided executive management, working with a volunteer board of directors to define the strategy and vision of the organization, and was responsible for the management of donor relationships. A Sioux Falls native, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota where she majored in psychology and communication disorders.

ADRIENNE MCKEOWN ‘00 Director of the Alumni Association, McKeown joined Augustana in June 2016 after serving Citi in Sioux Falls as vice president and manager of Employee and Client Communications for the firm’s Consumer Learning organization. A 2000 Augustana graduate, she was a communications and journalism major with a minor in English.

AMY SMOLIK Assistant vice president for marketing & communications, Smolik joined Augustana in September 2016 after spending 17.5 years at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Before joining the Chamber, Smolik was the news editor at the Freeman Courier in Freeman, South Dakota. She holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, where she majored in journalism and minored in political science.

PARTING SHOTS

@augustanasd Pictures really are worth a thousand words.

Take a look at some of our favorite Instagram posts from 2016.

@augustanasd Casey Schilling ‘16 models the National Championship ring basketball players received at the #vikingdays football game in October. #repost #nsicmbb #weareau #augiemadness @goaugie

@augustanasd Peak fall colors outside the administration building. #campusbeauty #fallviews

@augustanasd *First snow*

@augustanasd New for Viking Days 2016: Augustana Performing and Visual Arts presented the Command Performance, featuring the Augustana Band, Augustana Orchestra, Augustana Choir, percussion ensemble, jazz band, concerto-aria soloists and more. Our inaugural arts hall of fame inductees were recognized.

See more at augie.edu/vikingdays.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE 2001 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA 57197

PAID PERMIT NO. 5 SIOUX FALLS, SD

GIVE

LIKE A VIKING AUGUSTANA GIVING DAY 3.2.2017 AUGIE.EDU/GIVINGDAY #GIVELIKEAVIKING