The Augustana: Fall 2022 by Augustana University

THE AUGUSTANA FALL 2022 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 1

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

s we were preparing to bring you the fall edition of The Augustana, I decided to do what so many of our students do — climb the Ole statue! It’s a great place to survey the physical progress of Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030! From this vantage point, you can see Ralph H. Wagoner Hall, our beautiful new living and learning community. It was terrific to welcome Ralph and Susie Wagoner, Augustana’s 21st president and first lady, home to AU this fall for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony — a wonderful celebration of their deep impact — past and present — on the university and our Viking family. It was a great day to be a Viking! Sitting atop Ole, you can also take in the transformation of the campus green, which will bring expanded opportunities for recreation and education, and the newly renovated Bergsaker Hall — home to both first-year and upper-level students. Bergsaker’s expansive new south windows in the reimagined common areas provide a great view of the continued construction of Midco Arena. Establishing creative scholarship opportunities, in addition to more endowed scholarships, was among the goals in Phase I of Viking Bold. With the generous support of alumni and friends, we’ve made tremendous strides in both areas. Together, they’ve made a significant impact on another key goal — increasing enrollment. This fall, we were excited to welcome 2,086 students — full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students — representing 37 states and 49 foreign countries. This marks the university’s fourth largest enrollment in four decades. The student body includes 553 first-year full-time undergraduate students — the largest incoming class since 1970 and second-largest in Augustana’s history, including a record 92 new international students. Among the many reasons students choose to enroll at Augustana is the university’s reputation for academic excellence. I am pleased to share that in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best College Rankings, Augustana is ranked No. 9 in Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and listed in other Best Regional Universities Midwest categories, including No. 8 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and No. 9 in Best Value. These rankings are a direct reflection of the great work of our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as our outstanding students and alumni. In the pages ahead, you will read more about the significant achievements of the first phase of our Viking Bold journey, as well as stories which highlight the university’s enduring commitment to its mission and core values.

With faith, hope and optimism, we step into Phase II of our strategic plan. With your engagement, prayers and financial support, we will continue to empower this amazing generation of students, preparing them to be God’s hands to serve, to lead and to love. Sincerely,

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

OUR VALUES

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

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

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

IN THIS ISSUE

12 20

14 24

Updates on Viking Bold

Students in Ministry

Upgrades to South Residential Village Family Connections for International Students

100 Seasons of Football

Victories in Athletics

Pathways for Native American Students

Achievements of Alumni

A New Governance Model in Academics

Vikings of the Future

Renovations to Home of Viking Softball

Notes About Classmates

EDITOR

DESIGNERS

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keeley Meier ‘20 Carolyn Cordie • Nancy Davidson Ryan Hilgemann • Jill Wilson

Kami Gladis • Peg Ustad Daniel Bergeson ‘19 • Brent Bartels

CONNECT WITH US

@AugustanaSD THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

KEY SUCCESSES OF 2021-22

ACADEMICS

OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning, and research in order to provide an education of enduring worth; establish new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the intellect while responding to the needs and interests of students. These programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce priorities of the local community and region.

ENROLLMENT & STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS

OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different b experiences and ways of thinking encourage learning, accepta make Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible fo with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and re organizations while adapting the university business model an ensure financial sustainability.

ACADEMICS • Organize into a College of Arts & Sciences (Jan. 2021) OVERALL GOALS: new academic structures and centers that sustain • ENROLLMENT Establish a School of Education •ACADEMICS Finalized and implemented a Establish new governance model for & the inaugural AVID Media Creation Summer OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic excellence, structures and centers that sustain • Implemented facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business Administration program ENROLLMENT & ACADEMICS • Implement a student recruitment plan (July 2020) STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS excellence, facilitate growth, andacademic cultivate innovative andresearch impactful teaching, learning,structure and in order to include provide an education of College enduring worth; the change in to the (August 2020) STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS Camp and a graduate partnership Promising Futures OVERALL GOALS: Enroll established 3,000+ undergraduate and students and with OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain • Renew & re-envision programs that engage middle and h learning, and research in order to provide an education enduring worth; grounded establish newofacademic programs in the liberal arts that challenge the Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy (August 2020) ENROLLMENT & OVERALL GOALS:and Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate graduate students and provide aand welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, of Arts & Sciences, Sharon Lust School ofandEducation (April 2020) establish new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the intellect while responding to the needs interests of students. These - Implement Master’s of Science in Nursing (September 2021) student students to fund middle and high school participation excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different experiences and waysbackgrounds, of thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; intellect while responding to the needs andprograms interests will of students. These diversify revenue grow enrollment, and address workforce • Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as end - Implement Doctor of NursingSCHOLARSHIPS Practice (August 2023) STRATEGIC Schools Business, Health Professions and Musicworth; experiences and ways of thinking encourage learning, acceptance service; make Augustana’s educationand more affordable and accessible for more students learning, andof research in order to and provide education of enduring priorities ofaddress the localan community and region. scholarships (July 2022) programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue workforce • with Establish aaccessible School of for Music (August 2020)among alumni • Implemented Navigate retention software innovative scholarship partnerships and regional make Augustana’s education more affordable and more students OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and of thenew local community andprograms region.• Organize establish academic grounded inofthe arts that challenge the into a College Artsliberal & Sciences (Jan. 2021) • organizations Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs within the and College of while adapting the university business model operations to with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional •priorities Secured Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation provide amodel welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, • intellect Organize into a College of Arts & Sciences (Jan. 2021) Artsbusiness & financial Sciences (August 2020) ensure sustainability. Establish a School Education of students. organizations while adapting the university andWomen operations to in Philanthropy (WIP) initiative to secure while responding to •the needs andofinterests These • Launched for the launch of the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business program • •experiences Develop Medical Humanities program (August ensureAdministration financial sustainability. andrecruitment ways ofplan thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; • Establish a School of Education Implement a student (July 2020) 2020) programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce Impact Scholarships (August 2020) - Implement Augustana Master’s ofcertificate Business Administration program • •make Develop Environmental Studies program (August 2021) and post-graduate programs with specialty • Implement a student recruitment plan (July 2020) Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students Renew & re-envision programs that engage middle and high school Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy (August 2020) priorities of the local community and region. (August 2020) • Develop programs associated with intercultural studies (August 2022) students (Apriland 2020) • Renew & re-envision middle high school - Implement Master’s care of Sciencenurse in Nursing (September 2021) programs that engage with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional tracks inDoctorate adult-gerontology - Implement of Physical Therapy (Augustacute 2020) • Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as endowed students (April 2020) Doctor of Nursing Practice (August 2023) • Organize a College ofNursing Arts- Implement & Sciences (Jan. 2021) - Implementinto Master’s of Science in (September 2021) organizations while adapting the university business model and operations to ATHLETICS practitioner (AG-ACNP) and adult-gerontology clinical scholarships 2022) as well(July as endowed • Establish School of Music (August 2020) • Establish creative scholarship opportunities - Implement Doctor of Nursing Practice (Augusta2023) OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athl ensure financial sustainability. • Establish a School of Education scholarships (July 2022) academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate nurse specialist (AG-CNS) • Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs within the College of • Establish a School of Music (August 2020) PHYSICAL CAMPUSthrough & academic and wellness support, community engagem Arts & Sciences (August 2020) Administration program - Implement Augustana Master’s • Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs withinof theBusiness College of • Implement INFORMATION a student recruitment plan (July 2020) opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate ath TECHNOLOGY • Develop Medical program (August 2020) • Arts Established a2020) relationship withHumanities the Native American & Sciences (August (August 2020) 2020 to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete • Renew & re-envision programs that engage middleelevate andthehigh • Develop Environmental Studies program (August 2021) profile school of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to e • Develop Medical Humanities program (August 2020) Connections Leadership Team in the(August Sioux 2020) Falls School - Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serv • (August Develop 2021) programs associated with intercultural studies (August 2022) students (April(IT) 2020) • Develop Environmental Studies program •TECHNOLOGY Completed construction of Wagoner Hall andandrenovation community integrating our mission with its needs. - Implement Master’saofpath Science in Nursing (September 2021) District to develop for Native American students ACADEMICS OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced • Develop programs associated with intercultural studies (August 2022) and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport confe • of Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well• Seek as endowed Bergsaker OVERALL GOALS: (August Establish new academic and centers that sustain ATHLETICS Implement Doctor of Nursing Practice 2023)structures ENROLLMENT & Hall to -engage with Augustana faculty, staff and students facilities that serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s (December 2020) excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retainothers exceptional student-athletes to maintain students, faculty andSCHOLARSHIPS staff,(July and inspire in the community who utilize our STRATEGIC scholarships 2022) learning, and researchof in order to provideATHLETICS an education of enduring worth; academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience • to Establish a School Music (August 2020) • Design introduce anofinstitutional sense belonging to this transform Augustana a dynamic digital campus through •campus; Introduced atointo new university app to campus and build new softball/baseball complex (Septem OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate students andemerging establish new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes maintain through academic andconnectivity, wellness support, engagement, provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as differentin backgrounds, technologies, excellent and bestcommunity practices cyber securityand thatservice • Enhance Student Success Center services for student-athl intellect while responding to the needs and interests of students. These underserved population academic and athletic their collegiate experience • Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs within the College of excellence and enhance opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December experiences and ways of enable thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; learning, innovative teaching and research, and support the upgrades in place for first DI transition year (June 2021) programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce •serve Instudent with completed through academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service make Augustana’s education more affordable andMidco, accessible for more students 2020 to partnership provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, upgrade to fiber university’s business processes and overall mission. priorities of the local community and region. • Create athletic administration internships and programm Arts & Sciences (August 2020) with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December elevate the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically • Developed a customized program to ofestablish physical optic backbone and points acrossdiverse campus • OrganizeCAMPUS into a College Arts Sciences (Jan.a2021) •organizations Establish criteria for decision making, settingaccess priorities, and resource student-athletes (April 2020) while adapting university business model andby operations to PHYSICAL && INFORMATION 2020 to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete ataathe higher level, embrace Augustana University asCampus the hometown team serving allocation to implement holistic Master Plan (March 2020)the • campus Develop Medical Humanities program 2020) ensure financial sustainability. • explored Establish(August a School ofa Education • Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedu in Costa RicaTECHNOLOGY and partnership with (IT) community and integrating our mission with its needs. elevate the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business Administration program physical spaces across began campus, a multicultural center of Midco 2020-June 2021) •••• Designate Designed and Arena Implement a student recruitment (Julyincluding 2020)construction PHYSICAL CAMPUS &Studies INFORMATION OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced embrace Augustana as the hometown team by serving the toplan (August 2020) Seek and receive invitation Division I multi-sport • Harrisburg Develop Environmental program (August 2021)and School expand undergraduate University for activities and dialogue focused diversity, equity andconference inclusion • Centralize and coordinate student-athlete health care and Renew re-envision programs that on engage middle and high school (July 2022) facilities thatto serve the educational, holistic needs of Augustana’s TECHNOLOGY (IT) District community and2020) integrating our mission• with its&needs. - Implement Doctoratespiritual of Physical Therapy (August (December 2020) students (April 2020) and sustainability plan, landscape masterconstruction plan, campus heritage plan, (July 2022) green students, and staff, inspire othersininNursing the community who utilize our ••• Establish Designed began of thetraining campus OVERALL GOALS:programs Transform theassociated physical campus to faculty include new andand enhanced - Implement Master’s of Science (September 2021) opportunities for high school students inreceive the • research Develop with intercultural studies (August 2022) •digital Seekcampus and invitation to Division I multi-sport conference Design and build new softball/baseball (September 2021) historic preservation management (March 2020) • and Establish creative scholarship opportunitiesplan ascomplex well as endowed transform Augustana intoofaNursing dynamic through emerging - Implement Doctor Practice (August 2023) • Expand oversight and contact for student-athlete mental facilities that serve the educational, spiritualcampus; and holistic needs of Augustana’s (December 2020) scholarships (July 2022) technologies, excellent connectivity, best2020) practices in cyber security that country • Enhance Student Success Center services for student-athletes; have (June 2021) students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community utilize our and • Establish awho School of Music (August serve student learning, enable innovative teaching and research, and support the Design and build new softball/baseball complex 2021) To learn more aboutfor Viking The year Journey 2030, and to see upgrades in(September place first DIBold: transition (Juneto 2021) campus; transform Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into ath • Establish a Centeremerging for Interdisciplinary• Programs within the College of ATHLETICS university’s business processes and overall mission. the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. Arts & Sciences (August excellent connectivity, and best in cyber security that2020) • Enhance Student for student-athletes; have internships and programming for female and procedure statements (June 2021) •technologies, Established minors in practices brewing & fermentation and Success Center services • Create athletic administration serve student learning, enable innovative teaching and research, and support theprogram OVERALL GOALS:(April Recruit • Establish for decision making, setting priorities, resource • criteria Develop Medical Humanities (August 2020) diverse student-athletes 2020) and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain upgrades inand place for first DI transition year (June 2021) neuroscience university’s business processes and overall mission. allocation to implement a holisticStudies Campus Master Plan (March 2020) • Develop Environmental program (August 2021) ATHLETICS •academic Review revise sports team travel policies and procedures (Junetheir collegiate experience • Create athletic administration internships andand programming for female and and athletic excellence and enhance • Develop associated withincluding intercultural studies (August 2022)(April 2020) 2020-June 2021) • Designate physical spaces across campus, a multicultural center • Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, andprograms resource diverse student-athletes through academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service for activities and dialogue equity and inclusion (July 2022) allocation to implement a holistic Campus Master Plan (March 2020) focused on diversity, Centralize coordinate student-athlete health care and performance • Review and revise sports team travel• policies andand procedures (June ATHLETICS opportunities; Establishasustainability plan, campus training (July 2022) transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December • Designate physical spaces across campus,•including multicultural plan, centerlandscape master 2020-June 2021)heritage plan, OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain and historic preservation management plan (March 2020) for activities and dialogue focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2022) •2020 Expand andperformance contact for student-athlete mental health care to compete at a higher level, academic and athletic and enhance their collegiate experience tooversight provide student-athletes the opportunity • Centralize and coordinate student-athlete health care excellence and through (Juneacademic 2021) and wellness support, community engagement, and service • Establish sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campus heritage plan, training (July 2022) elevate the profile theI intercollegiate university, andby inspire opportunities; transition to NCAAof Division athletics December Sioux Falls to enthusiastically To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and and historic preservation management plan (March 2020) • Expand oversight and contact for student-athlete mental healththecare 2020 to provide student-athletes opportunity to compete at a higher level, the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the procedure statements (Juneand 2021) elevate the profile of the university, inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically (June 2021)

• Hired inaugural head coach for Viking Men’s Hockey Program PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION • Secured invitation to a Division I hockey conference ROLLMENT • & Developed the church-relations model to &identify PHYSICAL CAMPUS INFORMATION ATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS embrace Augustana University as the hometown team serving the with its needs. TECHNOLOGY (IT) community and integrating ourbymission To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and •community Finalized the design for Midco Arena TECHNOLOGY (IT) ministry opportunities forstudents partnership and mutual with and integrating our mission with its needs. LL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate and the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical to include newtoand enhanced OVERALL campus GOALS: Transform the physical campus include new and enhanced procedure statements (June 2021) • Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference e a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, • Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference facilities that serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s local and regional congregations nces and ways of thinking encourage and service; spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s 2020) facilities that learning, serve acceptance the educational, • (December Launched Viking Women’s Diving, Men’s Swimming & students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community who utilize our (December 2020) ugustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students campus; transform Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through emerging • Design and build new softball/baseball complex (September 2021) faculty andthe staff, and inspire others in theWell-Being community who utilize our Diving, and recruited the inaugural class of Viking • students, Implemented dimensions of the Model novative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional technologies, excellent connectivity, and best practices in cyber security that • Enhance Student Success Center services for student-athletes; have •upgrades Design and build new softball/baseball complex (September 2021) ations while adapting the university business model and operations to aserve campus; transform Augustana into dynamic digital through emerging student learning, enablecampus innovative teaching and research, and support the in place for first DI transition year (June 2021) Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes for students university’s business processes and overall mission. financial sustainability. • Create athletic administration internships and programming for female and

ENDURING COMMITMENTS

technologies, excellent connectivity,• and best practices in cyber security that Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and resource

• serve Developed professional development and competitive allocation to implementand a holistic Campus Master Plan (March 2020) the student learning, enable innovative teaching research, and support w & re-envision programs that engage middle and high school • Designate physical spaces across campus, including a multicultural center business processes overall mission. ents (April 2020) university’s compensation plan forand faculty and staff for activities and dialogue focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2022) blish creative scholarship opportunities as well as endowed • Establish sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campus heritage plan, Establish criteria for decisionand making, setting priorities, and resource arships (July 2022) • • Expanded awareness engagement in the and historic preservation management planTwin (March 2020) allocation to implement a holistic Campus Master Plan (March 2020) Cities, Minnesota, area To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see

ement a student recruitment plan (July 2020)

HLETICS

the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. • Designate physical spaces across campus, including a multicultural center for activities and dialogue focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2022)

• Establish sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campus heritage plan, and historic preservation management plan (March 2020)

To view a full list of Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 To learnImore about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see Phase successes, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

LL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain mic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience h academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service unities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically ce Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the THE AUGUSTANA unity and integrating with its needs. | FALL 2022 2 our mission

the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference ember 2020)

gn and build new softball/baseball complex (September 2021)

•diverse Enhance Student Success Center services for student-athletes; have student-athletes (April 2020) upgrades in place for first DI transition year (June 2021)

• Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedures (June 2020-June 2021)

• Create athletic administration internships and programming for female and diverse student-athletes (April 2020)

• Centralize and coordinate student-athlete health care and performance training (July 2022) • Expand oversight and contact for student-athlete mental health care (June 2021)

• Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedures (June 2020-June 2021)

• Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and procedure statements (June 2021)

• Centralize and coordinate student-athlete health care and performance training (July 2022) • Expand oversight and contact for student-athlete mental health care (June 2021) • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and procedure statements (June 2021)

Students, Alumna Answering Call to Serve Through Ministry | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

s a university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and inspired by Lutheran scholarly tradition, Augustana is a place rooted in faith. Augustana is also a continued pathway for students looking to follow their call to a life of ministry. “Augustana walks with students as they grow in faith and their sense of who and what God is calling them to become,” said Rev. Ann Rosendale ‘04, campus pastor. “Young adults are often still figuring out their own beliefs, so it can feel like a big leap to go to seminary and commit oneself to professional ministry. And, sometimes we lack the confidence that God can use us, so we need mentors who can affirm our giftedness.” Since the early 2000s, Augustana has sent 125 graduates to seminary. This includes graduates of various denominations, such as Roman Catholic, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist. Augustana Campus Ministry, led by Rosendale and Associate Campus Pastor Rev. Jon Splichal Larson ‘06, brings representatives from the seven ELCA seminaries to campus every fall to visit with interested students.

Campus ministry offers travel stipends for students needing financial assistance to visit seminaries during their junior and senior years at AU. Scholarships are also offered to Augustana graduates after they complete their first year of seminary and current students working at summer Bible camps. Rosendale sees students from an array of different backgrounds and majors enter a career in ministry from biology, government & international affairs and environmental studies majors to musicians, studentathletes and Augustana Student Association (ASA) senators. “There is no question that the church is changing and it is a challenge not only to raise up pastors and deacons, but to grow congregations,” said Rosendale. “The church needs leaders who can think well and innovatively, outside the box, to imagine the church anew. I believe the graduates we are sending to seminary have both the faith and creativity that the church needs. These are young adults who are smart, passionate, caring, grounded and energized. It is a joy to see the ways that they are tending Christ’s church and God’s world!” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE IN SEMINARY TOLD ME, ‘JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU GET HERE. THE PEOPLE COMING INTO THE MINISTRY ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD.’ ” — Madeline Trosvig ‘23

‘HELP PEOPLE AND SPREAD LOVE’ When Madeline Trosvig ‘23 chose to attend Augustana, she felt a wave of peace wash over her. Since then, the university has helped in her journey to the life of ministry and service she plans to pursue after graduation. Trosvig’s path to ministry began in high school at her home church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The church hired its first female pastor with whom Trosvig developed a close relationship. “It changed my life — having a female pastor who I was able to open up, talk and dive deeper into my faith with,” Trosvig said. “She took me in like her own child. After that, I started to feel this call because I got super involved with helping out at church.” From there, Trosvig directed the church’s children’s choir, led youth groups and worked at Bible camps. When she began her college search, she knew she wanted to major in religion. After meeting with Dr. Richard Swanson, professor of religion, during her campus tour, she was sold on Augustana. Trosvig, who has since added classics as a second major, joined the chapel staff during her second year at Augustana. “Being in campus ministry has played a huge role in my path — working with a team is so helpful,” said Trosvig. 4

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

“Seeing how faith can work through different people is really good, especially with young adults, because we’re different. The staff is so diverse and has so many different views of God and religion, but we still all work together for something good.” Trosvig is in ministerial roles outside of Augustana as well — serving as coordinator of High School Faith Formation at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. She works closely with high schoolers, leading youth groups and family fun nights, along with Bible studies. “I get to do what I love every day,” she said. “I have the best high schoolers, and the church is this amazing community. It was like God meant for me to be there.” For Trosvig, the community drew her to a life of ministry and is something she believes is vital to welcoming more people into fellowship in a shifting world. “I think about what my future looks like and if it’s stable, but God works in so many ways outside of the building that we call the church,” Trosvig said. “The church is the people, and I think community is central to Christianity. If we’re in communities where we love each other and can uplift and worship God — that’s powerful. “I also know that God is working through all these young seminarians,” she continued. “Some friends that are

in seminary told me, ‘Just wait until you get here. The people coming into the ministry are going to change the world.’ So, I think we’re headed in a good direction. There are still things we need to work on, but I need to stay in ministry — to help people and spread love.” Trosvig’s position with Spirit of Joy allows her the opportunity to get more young people involved with the church. For her, it’s not about the church itself but the relationship they build with God that lasts into their adult lives. “I think meeting people where they’re at in their faith journey is so critical,” said Trosvig. “I always tell my high schoolers to bring their friends to youth group, and they’re like, ‘My friends don’t believe in God.’ I say, ‘Bring them. They don’t need to believe in God to experience fellowship and community.’ With young kids, especially, who have all this stuff thrown at them on social media, you just need to have an uplifting and welcoming space.” Trosvig is looking into a number of ways to continue her ministerial journey after Augustana. She’s leaning toward a year with the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) Program, with her sights set on a placement in Jerusalem. She’s also looking to apply to seminaries across the country to work toward becoming a deacon — either in a church or camp-ministry setting. Until then, Trosvig plans to enjoy her final year at Augustana while continuing to serve at Spirit of Joy, attending campus ministry events and learning from her favorite professors. “The Augustana Religion Department has helped me so much in my faith journey,” said Trosvig. “What you learn in those religion classes changes your life. The courses here are so formative, and I can’t emphasize that enough.” n

PURSUING PASTORAL PATHS

Thomas Bonnema ‘23 is a religion and philosophy double major from Willmar, Minnesota. After Augustana, Bonnema has his sights set on attending Luther Seminary, with the goal of becoming a youth pastor. He works with middle and high schoolers at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, and is on the chapel staff at AU. “I feel that becoming a pastor is how God is calling me,” said Bonnema, who was first called to ministry in fifth grade. “The more pastors you have, the more opportunities people have to learn about God.” For Bonnema, these opportunities come from an open mindset and transparent values. “I think that the outward view of Christianity is that you have to be perfect to be part of it,” said Bonnema. “People want to appear perfect, but nobody is, so showing people that will make it more approachable.”

Emily Fleckenstein ‘22, a religion major, began her studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in September. Fleckenstein, a Hinton, Iowa, native, said she was called to ministry at 12 years old and has felt that call strongly ever since. “The call was a priority for me because it sets my heart on fire,” Fleckenstein said. “But, it’s also what the world needs — more love. I think my ministry is really rooted in that love for all people, regardless of tradition or physical identifiers. And, I think it’s our responsibility to tend to each other’s wounds.” After seminary, Fleckenstein wants to serve as a pastor for a smaller congregation like the one she grew up in. Her home church, Augustana Lutheran in Sioux City, Iowa, provided her with many opportunities in ministry — assisting with services and leading confirmation classes, Bible studies and music for worship. In addition to her home church, Fleckenstein felt prepared entering seminary because of her AU education. “The religion and philosophy faculty are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” said Fleckenstein. “They really care about building relationships and building your arsenal of knowledge. They prepare you for the world.” THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

FIGHT ON! 6

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

AUGUSTANA FOOTBALL CELEBRATES 100 SEASONS OF BLUE AND GOLD | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20 & RYAN HILGEMANN

hen Augustana Football played its first game on Oct. 2, 1920, some of the players had never seen a game before, let alone played one. The newly-formed team played against Beresford High School, followed by a game against Canton High School and rematch against Beresford. The inaugural team ended its first season with a 1-2 record. Now, more than a century later, Augustana Football is in its 100th season of competition — celebrating growth, touchdowns and plenty of victories.

1932

1920 Inaugural season of Viking Football; first game against Beresford High School on Oct. 2

First winning season with a 4-3 record

1923

First South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) Championship

1943-44 World War II cancels seasons

Joins North Central Conference (NCC); first NCC Championship

1942

BUILDING CHAMPIONS The program began as part of the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC), then transitioned to the North Central Conference (NCC) in 1942, before joining the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in 2008. While Augustana found success in the NCC with two championships and back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances, Jim Heinitz, AU’s all-time winningest and longest-serving head coach, said the NSIC has served as a great conference for the university. “In the NSIC, everyone looks at Augustana as ‘That’s going to be a tough game,’” Heinitz said. “So, I think it’s been a healthy transition.” Voice of Augustana Football Jeff Fylling ‘78, who has provided play-by-play radio commentary for the Vikings since 1984, has witnessed the hard work of many of the program’s coaches. “I think what the coaches went through, especially in the NCC days and being the smallest school, to build the program and be competitive was the hardest thing,” Fylling said. “Hats off to them.” Since its start, Augustana Football has had 21 head coaches at its helm, beginning in 1920 with J.A. Johnson, former dean of men and athletic director. Now, Jerry Olszewski, best known as “OJ,” is in his ninth year of leading the charge. “I’m a competitive human being, so I love the Xs and Os, but it’s about the mentoring of young men,” Olszewski said. “You get a lot of trials and tribulations over the course of a career, and after 30 years in the profession, I still look to the relationships that were formed. You get to be an active part of their lives, and that goes beyond football once they leave.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

1988

1959

First NCAA playoff appearance

Second NCC Championship

Home games move from Viking Stadium (where Moses statue stands today) to Howard Wood Field

1958

Les Josephson ‘64 becomes first football alumnus to play in the NFL

First back-to-back playoff appearance

1989

1964

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HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE Augustana Football has also seen three home fields since its inception — the first, Viking Stadium, was located where the Moses statue stands on AU’s campus today. In 1958, home games moved to Howard Wood Field. In 2007, former President Rob Oliver announced that Viking Football would once again have its own home and construction would begin at 37th Street and Lake Avenue. On Sept. 5, 2009, Kirkeby-Over (K-O) Stadium opened with a 32-21 Viking win over Emporia State in front of more than 6,000 fans. Fylling, who’s also the voice of Augustana Men’s & Women’s Basketball, said Kirkeby-Over is a top facility and one he appreciates, especially on game days. “It’s as good of a Division II venue as there is in the country — bar none,” said Fylling. “It’s also a great place for me to see straight down to the field. I love doing games there. And, the fans are right down by the game.” The field on which the team plays is Jim Heinitz Field — dedicated in 2016, in honor of the all-time winningest coach. “I’m also the all-time losingest coach,” Heinitz joked. “The dedication is humbling and a real blessing in our family’s life. My mother had the chance to come to the dedication and walk out onto the middle of the field. It was really special.” The Vikings have also sent several players to the pros. Les Josephson ‘64 was the first Augustana football alumnus signed as a free agent in the NFL in 1964, and later selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1968. Bryan Schwartz ‘94, Corbin Lacina ‘93, Kevin Kaesviharn ‘98 and Minnesota Vikings Fullback CJ Ham ‘16 also found success in the NFL. Viking Football has also seen dozens of others play for other professional leagues, such as the Sioux Falls Storm and other arena football leagues, as well as the Canadian Football League. Ham, named to the Pro Bowl in 2019, and a Minnesota Vikings team captain, credits Augustana Football with where he is today. “Being an Augustana football alum means the world to me,” said Ham. “The coaches, like OJ, invest so much time in the players. We weren’t just numbers. It wasn’t just about winning games. It was about making a real connection and becoming a man. I really owe that to them, and I just loved everything about it.”

2010

2008 Joins Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)

Most wins in a season (11); first playoff victory

Home games move to Kirkeby-Over (K-O) Stadium

2009

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2020 COVID-19 pandemic cancels season

Dedication of field in K-O in honor of Jim Heinitz, all-time winningest and longest-serving head coach

2016

First NSIC Championship; installation of new turf and field goal posts on Jim Heinitz Field

2021

HEAD COACHES THROUGH THE YEARS Jerry Olszewski (2013-present) Mike Aldrich (2010-12) Brad Salem ‘92 (2005-09) Jim Heinitz (1985-92 & 1996-2004) Denny Moller (1993-95) Head Coach Jerry “OJ” Olszewski

RECOVERING FUMBLES The program, which has seen incredible overall growth in its span, has also encountered hardships, including three canceled seasons. The ‘43 and ‘44 seasons were canceled due to World War II, and the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Zoom became our friend,” Olszewski said. “We tried to connect with them (the players) as often as we could by unit, position and team. I think a lot of growth and development happened during that time, but the isolation was tough.” Despite the canceled season and masked practices, Olszewski believes AU benefited from the work they continued to put in during the pandemic — leading to the program’s first NSIC Championship in 2021. “There have been special seasons in my time here, but 2021 is probably the favorite because we had to go through a lot of things just to (be able) to do what these kids love to do,” said Olszewski. Olszewski, Fylling and Heinitz believe Augustana, as a whole, is a strong foundation for the football program. “I would say close to 100% of the players come to Augustana, first and foremost, for an education,” Heinitz said. “And, if there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it’s that when they do come, they get a great education. It’s a place that does care. You come here, and you’ll set your path for life.”

BE THE ROCK As for the future of Augustana Football, Olszewski looks forward to continuously raising the bar and providing opportunities for his players to compete on a national stage. In 2022, the Vikings were picked as the NSIC preseason favorites. “There’s a bar of excellence that our players have helped establish,” said Olszewski. “We call it, ‘Be the Rock,’ where we hold each other accountable to the standards we set. And, it’s important to our team to continue to push excellence so all alumni are proud to be a Viking for life.” But, what Olszewski is most excited about is his team and the heart they bring to the field. “They care,” Olszewski said. “They legitimately care for one another, and they take pride in wearing that Viking on their helmet.” Throughout the 100th season, Augustana Football is looking to raise $100,000 for the Augustana Football Excellence Fund to support a championship-level program and student-athlete experience. To donate, visit augielink.com/100in100. n

Lyle Eidsness ‘63 (1981-84) Joel Swisher (1977-80) Ralph Starenko (1969-76) James Malmquist (1962-68) Bob Burns (1956-61) Pinky Falgren (1954-55) Vic Pederson (1953) Linn Wells (1951-52) Jerry Thompson (1948-50) Bob Fitch (1947) L.A. Olson (1931-42 & 1946) Harry Lackey (1945) H. Paul Dee (1927-30) Martin Cole (1925-26) Carl Anderson (1922-24) J.A. Johnson (1920-21) THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CREATING PATHWAYS Augustana Partners with Sioux Falls School District to Introduce Sense of Belonging to Native American Students

| BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

new partnership between Augustana University and the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) is providing Native American students in Sioux Falls the opportunity to experience life on Augustana’s campus and guidance on the path to higher education. As of the 2021-22 academic year, the school district had more than 1,600 Native American students enrolled in 40 different federallyrecognized tribes and more than 2,200 students altogether, which includes those who identify as Native American but are not enrolled in a tribe. In Spring 2022, under the leadership of Dean of Students Mark Blackburn and Anna Brokenleg ‘07, Augustana and the SFSD piloted a program with 40 Native American students — 20 from George McGovern and Whittier Middle Schools, and 20 from Lincoln and Washington High Schools. The students visited AU’s campus four times, where they took tours and heard from Native American AU students.

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“We talked about different ways that Augustana could help Sioux Falls’ Native students see college as a possibility,” Brokenleg said. “A lot of them would be first-generation college students, so it’s important for them to understand what that pathway looks like, what financial aid options are there and just see all the different opportunities.” As the SFSD teacher on special assignment (TOSA) chairperson for the Office of Indian Education, Brokenleg provides support services for Native American students in all grades. Brokenleg grew up in Sioux Falls and attended school in the SFSD from kindergarten through high school. She also spent her childhood running around Augustana’s campus with her dad, Dr. Martin Brokenleg, professor emeritus of Native American studies. She graduated from Augustana in 2007, as an elementary education major, and in 2019, earned a Master of Education with an emphasis in special populations from Augustana — making this new partnership an endeavor close to her heart. Each campus visit centered around one of the four quadrants of the Circle of Courage Model — created in 1990 by three Augustana professors, one of whom is Brokenleg’s dad. The Circle of Courage — the framework for the Augustana Sharon Lust School of Education and Teacher Education Program — is a model of youth development based on the principles of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. The students visited the Model Classroom in the Madsen Center, Anatomage Virtual Cadaver Table in the Froiland Science Complex, Midco Media Center and Edith Mortenson Center Theatre. “The kids really had a great experience,” said Brokenleg. “I think being able to go on to a college campus and feel really welcome was great. The goal has really been to demystify the college experience so they can feel comfortable and know it’s the right choice for them.” After the visits, Blackburn received heartfelt notes from the students, describing how much they enjoyed their time on campus.

“I have letters saying, ‘Thank you for having us on campus. I really enjoyed everything you had to show us. I look forward to visiting again very soon. And, I’m coming to Augustana,’” Blackburn said. “It warms my heart. I saw a lot of change, not only for Augustana, but for their mindset about college.” Brokenleg, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, has seen the challenges Native American students face and hopes to create a positive change in the world of education. “For a lot of Native people, we have mixed experiences with education,” said Brokenleg. “Almost all Native families have been touched by the history of boarding schools in the United States, which has impacted the historical and generational trauma in our communities. So, I think

Forty Native American students from the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) got the opportunity to visit Augustana’s campus four times last spring, where they heard from Native American AU students. Each campus visit centered around one of the four quadrants of the Circle of Courage Model, which is pictured below.

it’s important for students to see how that’s different today, and how education can play a really powerful role in their lives. “We, as Native people, have dealt with a lot of erasure,” Brokenleg continued. “Having opportunities like this, where they see other Native students in higher education, is really important. It’s also great if they can see a Native college professor or astronaut — all these different careers and opportunities that they might not have seen themselves in before.” For Blackburn, the program is about providing opportunities and identifying support for ending the cycle of trauma. “If we can be a change agent at Augustana, if we can define the narrative for our Native American brothers and sisters by providing

them the opportunity to have a phenomenal education, where they’re supported here at the university, that’s an ideal situation,” said Blackburn. Both Blackburn and Brokenleg have plans to continue the program, as well as ideas on how to expand it, including the addition of summer camps, credit-earning opportunities and day-long visits. “Because of my personal history with Augustana, it’s fun to watch things come full circle, and to see how connections between people, districts and educational communities can grow to support all of our students,” Brokenleg said. “And, I know that we have at least one of our students who was part of the partnership who’s attending Augie this fall.” n

“Having opportunities like this, where they see other Native students in higher education, is really important.” important.”

— Anna Brokenleg ‘07

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

A NEW ACADEMIC MODEL:

AU Operationalizes Shared Governance System | BY JILL WILSON

n 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. The U.S. was gearing up to fight in World War II and Superman was making his first comic book appearance. This same year, Augustana faculty organized into the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences divisions. For the most part, the governance system stayed this way for the next 80+ years — until now. Over the course of the last 18 months to two years, members of a Governance Task Force engaged their colleagues and other faculty — “inviting all questions, concerns and possibilities” — to update and develop a new model at AU, fully operational beginning Fall 2022. “We wanted to knit together existing departments, divisions and programs with cross-institutional structures and functions that support transformational experiences — 2-, 3- and 4-year experiences,” said Executive Vice President & Provost Dr. Colin Irvine, who joined the university in 2018. Irvine said the university didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken. That’s why the divisions were built into the new model, along with the division chairs who rotate and serve as the liaisons between the provost and faculty. What’s new are three affiliations: a humanities, natural sciences and social sciences affiliation, which include the three divisions as part of the College of Arts & Sciences, as well as four schools — the Sharon Lust School of Education, School of Business, School of Health Professions and School of Music. Each school has a dean, which is a more permanent position than the division chair. Departments are housed in a division and programs with a school; each department still has a rotating chair and each program has a director, which is a permanent, non-rotating position.

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES DEPARTMENTS

DEPARTMENTS

• Art • Communication & Media Studies • English/Journalism • Language, Literatures & Cultures • Religion/Philosophy/Classics • Theatre

• Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science • Mathematics • Physics

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

PROGRAMS

• Vocal • Instrumental

• Exercise Science • Athletic Training (MSAT) • Nursing (BSN, MSN, PGC) • Genetic Counseling (ASGCGP) • Physical Therapy (DPT)

DEPARTMENTS

• Economics • Government & International Affairs • History • Psychology • Sociology

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

SHARON LUST SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

PROGRAMS

• Accounting (MPA) • Augie Access • Business • Communication Administration Disorders (B.A., MBA) • Sign Language Interpreting • Sports Administration & • Teacher Education Leadership (MSAL) • Education (M.Ed.) • Special Education (M.Ed. in SPED & M.Ed. SPED — ABA) • Social Work

Augustana’s Curriculum Council “As far as I’m aware, we’re the only school in the country that has both approved two exciting new division chairs and deans because we’re very intentional about bringing those minors for Fall 2022 — adding two kinds of roles together,” Irvine said. to the list of interdisciplinary “(We wanted to) eliminate and/or prevent barriers for vocational discernment academic programs developed as and faculty innovation. We don’t want our students to ever think, for instance, that they are exclusively in the School of Music or the School of Education. part of the university’s strategic Instead, we want to make it easy and encouraging for them to pick up majors, plan, Viking Bold: The Journey drop majors, change their minds and add programs as their experiences to 2030. enlighten them to do so.” The way in which faculty work behind the scenes has also changed. In BREWING & FERMENTATION addition to meetings with full faculty, affiliation, College of Arts & Sciences and • Students can choose between school, ex officio administrators and elected faculty meet as part of councils two tracks: applied brewing and committees, some of which have been restructured. or brewing management. As part of the new structure, a Faculty Coordinating Council (FCC) will help They will learn the science three councils develop their agendas: the Faculty Affairs Council (FAC), which behind fermentation or business has the Promotion, Tenure & Leave (PT&L) Committee below it, as well as the principles of the craft brewing Undergraduate Curriculum (UCC) and Graduate Curriculum Councils (GCC). industry. “That represents a change,” said Faculty President and Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Egland. “We used to just have a Curriculum Council, which was a lot of NEUROSCIENCE work and they always felt like they had more than they could do, so now we • Along with prerequisites, split this out and let the people who have expertise in graduate (programs) core classes of behavioral elect their own people and run their affairs and same thing goes for undergrad.” neuroscience and There are then several committees that report to the UCC, as well as an neurophysiology will provide Elections & Appointments Committee (EAC) that runs the elections for all of students with a strong these offices and appoints people to these committees. foundation in biology and “We wanted to empower councils and committees that gather and evaluate psychology. and synthesize information through programs and proposals,” said Irvine. “Alongside that, we’ve also created time for divergent kinds of discussions among the full faculty. Too often the full faculty has gathered and we have business work to do that’s important, but we don’t have enough time to discuss big issues and big goals around higher education, around what matters institutionally.” “The faculty developed this, voted on it and approved it,” said Egland. “This is a system that was developed by us. This was our doing and we’re also going to be responsible for fixing it if it’s not right.” n

One faculty member from each affiliation, faculty president, faculty secretary, chairs of three other councils

One tenured faculty member from each affiliation, one NTT, four deans & division chairs

Three faculty members from each affiliation (one with tenure), three students, registrar, provost, institutional assessment representative

Six faculty members teaching graduate courses from schools, three at-large from College of Arts & Sciences, two graduate students, three non-voting administrators, one provost-appointed representative from Office of Academic Affairs

, Two tenured faculty members from each affiliation, provost (non-voting)

One faculty member from each affiliation, one provost-appointed representative from Office of Academic Affairs

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

| BY RYAN HILGEMANN

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

hen Augustana Softball takes the field for its 2023 season, the team will be doing so on the completely renovated Bowden Field. Home of Viking Softball for more than 30 years, Bowden Field, at 33rd and Lake Streets, was demolished following the 2021 season to make way for the new, state-ofthe-art stadium — made possible by the generous support of Al and Terri Bowden. Throughout the design process, three things were top of mind: student-athlete, fan and championship experiences. “Bowden Field is a game-changer in so many ways,” Augustana Softball Head Coach Gretta Melsted said. “Our players, coaches and fans have a home in the newly renovated Bowden Field that is jaw-dropping. It will enhance everyone’s experience who comes to the ballpark. “The thought and effort behind designing this field were truly incredible and time-intensive as we wanted to make sure that studentathletes and fans walk away having as good of an experience as possible.” All that remains of the original field are the foul poles, flag pole and scoreboard. The stadium, built to seat more than 300 fans, features chairback seating behind home plate and bleacher seating down the first baseline. The family plaza is set up between the Vikings’ third-base dugout and home plate, with a party deck attached to the press box and suite area.

Photos courtesy of Jurgens Photography

THE TIME AND EFFORT BEHIND DESIGNING THIS FIELD WERE TRULY INCREDIBLE...”

— Gretta Melsted, Augustana Softball head coach

As fans enter the east side of the stadium, they’ll be greeted by a ticket booth. Through the gates, fans will pass through the family plaza to reach the stadium seating where every seat produces a clear view of the action. The addition of turf on the entire field will allow Augustana to compete in many weather conditions. The dugouts have hanging heaters, much like those in MLB stadiums, and are deep — providing plenty of space for the team and equipment. The home dugout is attached to a lounge area that studentathletes can use before or after games, or as a quick place to cool off between innings. “The new Bowden Field will be reflective of the program — a championship facility,” Augustana Director of Athletics Josh Morton said prior to the groundbreaking. “Our student-athletes of today and tomorrow deserve it, and it’s because of our softball players of the past and their competitive excellence that we are able to build it.” Augustana officially broke ground on the stadium following the 2021 season, and work was completed this summer. The softball team practiced on the field’s turf at the end of the 2022 season and has full use of the stadium for fall workouts. Bowden Field was rededicated in a ceremony on Sept. 22. The first official game in the renovated stadium is anticipated in March of 2023. Thanks to the fully-turfed field, the Vikings will be able to play games at home earlier in the year, paving a way through the South Dakota winters. “Bowden Field has always been a source of pride for our student-athletes and program, and now we have taken it to an entirely new level,” Melsted said. “We couldn’t be more proud to call Bowden Field and Augustana University our home.” n THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

AU Celebrates Renovations and Ralph H. Wagoner Hall | BY JILL WILSON

he southwest end of Augustana University’s campus is almost unrecognizable — both inside and out. Announced in Spring 2021 — as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — the university’s housing plan focused on new and enhanced facilities is nearly complete. The new south residential village has taken shape with the completion of a new residence hall, renovation of A.J. Bergsaker Hall and construction of a newly imagined campus green. Changes to Charles Orin Solberg Hall — in the midst of a major facelift — will put the finishing touches on the south residential village.

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

RALPH H. WAGONER HALL

AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT BEHIND THE NAME Hosted by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Augustana community gathered together at a ceremony this fall to celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication of Ralph H. Wagoner Hall — named after Augustana’s 21st president. When President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin informed Wagoner that his name was going to be on the building, Wagoner recalled, “I bawled like a baby. I didn’t know what to do.” Taking a few seconds to control his emotions and collect his thoughts, Wagoner said, “I’m honored. Beyond words, I’m honored. I hope I deserve it.” “We all made it work,” said Wagoner, referring to those who worked alongside him during his time as president, from 1993-2000. “Those people made a difference in my life; not just in the lives of students and their colleagues, but they made a difference in my life.” The man who coined the phrase, “It’s a great day to be a Viking,” said the faculty and staff worked hard to break down walls and build bridges between Augustana and the Sioux Falls community. Under Wagoner’s leadership, the Center for Western Studies (CWS) hosted the first Boe Forum on Public Affairs, Augustana constructed the Nelson Service Center, dedicated the Madsen Social Science Center and the Old Gymnasium was renovated into the Edith Mortenson Center. Augustana’s five shared core values were also established by a committee of students, faculty and staff and approved by the Board of Trustees during his administration. “That makes me feel good, the way they (the faculty) did it and took them to everybody,” said Wagoner. “They (the core values) really were put to the map, so to speak. And, I’m just so proud of those people, and so proud of the people that bought off on them.” In 2009, Ralph and Susie also established The Ralph and Susie Wagoner Student-Faculty Research Project Endowment Fund. Wagoner Student Street, which connects the Morrison Commons and Edith Mortenson Center, is named in honor of the former president and first lady, who was a counselor at Augustana. “I would hope when people think of ‘Wagoner,’ they think of the relevance she (Susie) had. She was always with me,” Wagoner said of his wife of 60 years. “She saved a number of kids she worked with in the Wellness Center, along with her colleagues.” On Sept. 23, the Wagoners traveled from their home in Apalachicola, Florida, to get a first-hand look at the new facility that bears his name — a facility that incorporates both living and learning environments with opportunities to innovate, build community and facilitate inclusion.

Wagoner Hall features semi-suites with four beds and a shared bathroom, a multipurpose space with integrated technology, as well as many lounge and study areas.

The L-shaped residence hall — located north of Bergsaker and east of Solberg Halls — stands 3-stories tall with room for up to 208 beds. Inside the front doors, the entire Augustana community has access to a lounge area with natural light flowing in through a wall of windows. Just a few steps ahead, to the left, is yet another wall of windows, which includes the main feature of the building — referred CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

to as the “Jewel Box.” The Jewel Box is a multipurpose space with integrated technology for students, faculty, staff and members of the community to host meetings, classes big and small, as well as cooking demonstrations with video-recording capabilities. Past the Jewel Box are bathrooms, vending machines, more lounge and study areas, the hall director’s apartment and office, meeting spaces for Augustana’s resident advisors, known as Viking advisors (VAs) at AU, as well as a break room for custodial staff. The first floor also has a meditation room at the request of students. Beyond all of this is a secure entrance; only students living in Wagoner Hall have access to the elevator and living spaces on the first, second and third floors. Listening to input from students as part of its housing study, Augustana got away from the more traditional-style housing that the university offers in other residence halls — incorporating semi-suites into the design. With the exception of ADA-compliant and single rooms for VAs, most of the units consist of four beds, a shared bathroom and their own heating and cooling units. Besides their living units, on each floor, students also have more private lounge and study areas. “Semi-suite style living is the hot ticket right now. That’s one piece of it, but also, we’re growing. If we truly double down on our missioncritical pieces of being a residential campus, we’ve got to practice what we preach. Living on campus in a residence hall is convenient, but also part of the whole experience of going to college,” said Dean of Students Mark Blackburn. And, many of these rooms have a spectacular view of the south residential village’s new courtyard, which includes an intramural sand volleyball court and a space for hammocks. 18

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

A FRESH LOOK AT A.J. BERGSAKER AND

CHARLES ORIN SOLBERG HALLS While Wagoner Hall was being constructed, one of Augustana’s existing residence halls was offline — undergoing a massive renovation. Most visible to the public, along 33rd Street, balconies were eliminated from Bergsaker Hall — replaced with four stories of windows. There’s no mistaking the campus from passersby as AU branding adorns the walls, which can be seen through the windows, especially at night. And, come Fall 2023, those windows will provide students one of the most spectacular views on campus — a view of Midco Arena, home of Viking Men’s Hockey. Inside, not much in Bergsaker was untouched. The hall was reconfigured, but houses the same number of beds as before — 240 total. The bathrooms were also reconfigured and updated on each floor. The lobby received fresh new finishes and includes a kitchen, lounge area and laundry nearby. Moving in and out of the hall is substantially easier now that an elevator has been installed, improving accessibility and lofts are more easily adjustable. When Augustana student Liz Fossum ‘24 was asked about the changes to “Berg,” her first word was “jaw-dropping.” “It looks like a completely different building with the upgrades. It looks so modern, super nice,” said Liz of the place she lived in her first year at the university; the same hall that her father, Scott Fossum ‘88, lived in as a resident advisor 30+ years prior. And, it didn’t take long for the Mitchell, South Dakota, native to discover her favorite part. “The laundry room,” said the communications and international studies double major. “It’s such an essential part of college life — just getting a larger number of washers and dryers for students to use — that’ll be a huge step for the community that’s living there now.”

Liz Fossum ‘24 in her Bergsaker Hall room in 2020

Augustana kept with the more traditional-style units in Bergsaker, with bathrooms separate from the living units. Each room now has its own heating and cooling systems and each floor has lounges and spaces for studying with integrated technology in them. The last to receive renovations is Solberg Hall, which originally opened in 1955. The hall is offline and receiving much of the same treatment as Bergsaker Hall — set to open in Fall 2023. As an Augustana Cultural Exchange (ACE) ambassador to international students and a student ambassador for the Office of Admission, Fossum can’t wait to show prospective students what Augustana has to offer. “I feel like most students come here because they feel the community on campus and that personal support,” said Fossum. “But in the long run, for a student deciding between two places, it’s just an extra bonus.”

A REIMAGINED CAMPUS GREEN Augustana is also making improvements to the east of the south residential village with a reimagined campus green — set to be complete in Fall 2023. The “green,” located in the center of campus, is undergoing renovations to include a 100-yard football field with lights, seating areas with charging stations, an additional outdoor classroom with amphitheater-style seating and a water feature. The renovated green also has designated spaces for intramural sports, such as flag football, frisbee golf, softball and spikeball. “Our intramural program and sport clubs have been without an outdoor play space for years, so we are very excited to see the field in the campus green be part of the renovation project,” said Director of Recreational (Rec) Services Mark Hecht. “As exciting as the space is for our flag football program and sport clubs, it’s even more exciting that this area will have lights.” An outdoor classroom on the south end of the green will be Augustana’s second — the first was built in 2019, and is located by the Madsen Center. The original has since inspired area school districts to build similar classrooms. “I’m a big fan of ‘influencing the influencer’ because that’s when change happens,” Blackburn said. “It’s also about sustainability and flexibility. If faculty want to utilize the outdoor classroom, but the one by the Madsen Center is full, it’s another space.” To prevent flooding, a retention pond on campus was relocated closer to Bergsaker Hall along 33rd Street and includes a water feature. The sidewalks that run alongside and between the green and academic buildings were also reconstructed. The renovated green was recently sodded, which is why it can’t be utilized until at least the spring, as the root systems need time to develop for the grass to grow. Regardless of when, Blackburn can’t wait for students to utilize it. Photo courtesy of Confluence “Just to see the smiles on students’ faces as they gather with one another and share ideas, and they’ll have a larger space for special events and activities — that’s what I’m most excited for,” Blackburn said. “It just shows that they (the administration) listened to the student body when they were talking about what we needed here on campus. That’s huge, just to know that our voices are heard,” said Fossum. “They’re investing in our students and the future.” n THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

HOME away from CAMPUS Friendship Families Provide AU International Students With Outside Support System | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

omesickness is a common side effect of the college experience and transitioning to a new phase of life. This is multiplied for students who are thousands of miles from home, in an unfamiliar country, speaking a language that’s not their first. For Augustana’s growing population of international students — a record-breaking 92 new international students for the 2022-23 academic year — the International Programs Office (IPO) works hard to combat homesickness with initiatives like the Friendship Family Program. The Friendship Family Program is designed to give international students a family contact in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. Friendship families make a commitment to befriend a new student, provide opportunities to have home-cooked meals and participate in various cultural or community activities throughout the year. Families don’t provide lodging, and can volunteer for a semester, academic year or duration of the student’s time at AU. “The Friendship Family Program is important for students because it broadens their community of support at a formative time in their lives while they are far away from their families, home culture and the comfort of a ‘home’ space,” said Heather Edmunds Reed, associate director of IPO and senior international student advisor. “Likewise, by simply being themselves, students are role models to the children in their families, ambassadors of their home countries and provide rich language and cultural opportunities for families.” The program, which was formalized in the early 2000s, paired more than 50 students with families in the last academic year and has had more than 100 families participate since its start.

The Youngbergs — Karin (far left), Mark (far right) and Krista ‘14 (center) — along with Krista’s “Norwegian brothers,” Emil Saue ‘16, Sigbjørn Bøtun, Tor-Inge Myrhol ‘13 and Henrik Holmberg ‘13 (L-R) 20

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

‘OUR HOME IS OPEN TO YOU’ Karin and Mark Youngberg began volunteering as a friendship family when their daughter, Krista ‘14, was a sophomore at Augustana working in the IPO office. Now, 10 years later, the Youngbergs have been “parents” to 13 international students — all from Norway. “That’s my heritage, and my parents’ heritage,” Karin said. “They (the students) come to family events, and my dad gets to speak to them in Norwegian. To watch him speak like that, he becomes younger.” Their first student, Morten Tveit ‘13, kicked off a succession of students who fit right into the Sioux Falls family. “He was my first Norwegian brother,” said Krista. “He still wishes my mom a happy Mother’s Day, and a happy Norwegian Mother’s Day. He calls her ‘Grandma’ now, too.” For Karin, sending mail, giving them Easter baskets, taking them to dinner, hosting for holidays or bringing the students to family events are just small ways she can make them feel more at home. But, it goes beyond the small details, too. “You watch your own kids grow up and move away, and now my (international) kids who have left here are into their careers, having kids, getting married or losing a sibling or grandparent — that’s all part of it,” Karin said. “I want to be a mom, even if it’s just little things to make them feel like somebody outside of Augie is there if they need them.” “Why not do it?” Krista asked. “You have an opportunity to not only make them feel welcome but actually welcome them. They’re going to meet friends here, but I think there’s something to be said about someone older and that type of connection.” The Youngbergs look forward to adding more international “kids” to their family and expanding their worldviews. “I think it’s saying, ‘I’m willing to learn from you, and our home is open to you,’” Karin said.

Elise Dybdahl Sandnes, Karin Youngberg, Lotte Melbø Solvang and Mark Youngberg

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Krista Youngberg ‘14 and Morten Tveit ‘13 in Bergen, Norway, celebrating Syttende Mai — Norway’s Constitution Day

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME BUT ACTUALLY WELCOME THEM.” — Krista Youngberg ‘14

Karin Youngberg and her “international kids” at Dow Rummel Village, having a traditional Norwegian meal with Karin’s dad, Eldon Anderson (far right)

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

VIKING VICTORIES 2021-22

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ACADEMIC ALL-NSIC STUDENT-ATHLETES

127

ALL-NSIC ATHLETES

NSIC INDIVIDUAL & TEAM CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

ALL-AMERICA HONORS

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA HONOREES

NSIC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

NSIC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

7 22

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NSIC COACHES OF THE YEAR

Photos courtesy of Jurgens Photography

MYLES BRAND AWARD WINNERS

LEARFIELD DIRECTORS’ CUP STANDING

3 73 THE PUCK DROPS HERE

NSIC ALL-SPORTS STANDING

NSIC ELITE 18 AWARD WINNERS

ALL-REGION HONORS

| BY RYAN HILGEMANN

n May, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) announced the CCHA Board of Directors voted unanimously to welcome Augustana University as the league’s ninth member. The CCHA competes in the highest level of NCAA Division I Hockey and is regarded as one of the top player development leagues in the world for the National Hockey League (NHL). The Augustana Men’s Hockey Program will begin a transitional schedule, playing 16 games (one series against each member) in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons before playing a full league schedule beginning with the 2025-26 season. This spring, Augustana named Garrett Raboin the inaugural head coach of the Viking Hockey Program. Raboin, a Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, native, previously served as assistant coach for the University of Minnesota of the Big Ten Conference. Raboin then selected Andy Boschetto as assistant coach. Groundwork on Midco Arena began in May, and the team will take center ice in October 2023. n THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

2022 A lumni Achievement

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

AWARD WINNER

| BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

ach year, Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to Augustana University alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their fields of endeavor, communities and/or churches. The Horizon Award recognizes young alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church. Recipients of both awards must exemplify one of the shared core values of the university: Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community or service.

HORIZON

MITCH LUNNING ‘09 is the director of Avera Sports Kairos Volleyball. The Viking Wrestling alumnus graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and computer information systems. After Augustana, he served as a financial advisor at Waddell & Reed Financial and volleyball coach with Sioux Empire Volleyball Club. Lunning returned to his alma mater for two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for Augustana Volleyball. In 2012, he founded Kairos Elite Volleyball Club in Sioux Falls — a nationallyrecognized brand with teams that have won six Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships, garnered 37 All-Americans, 18 top-5 finishes and have had 92 alumni play collegiately. Kairos merged with Avera Sports in 2014, and is now based out of the Avera Human Performance Center in Sioux Falls. Kairos works with athletes from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. In 2016, Lunning received the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association’s Thirty Under 30 Award. Lunning and his wife, Lisa (Hoegh) ‘09, have three children.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

LEE SCHOENBECK ‘80 is the president pro tempore of the South Dakota Senate, a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and partner at Schoenbeck & Erickson, PC — licensed to practice law in South Dakota, the Federal District Court and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court. After graduating from Augustana, the Webster, South Dakota, native then graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1984. Schoenbeck has served in the South Dakota Legislature in some form for each of the last six decades — as an intern, state senator, head of the Senate and member of the House of Representatives. Schoenbeck is active in the Catholic Church, Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota, as well as outdoor and conservation groups. He and his wife, Donna, have been married for 35 years and have four children, including Erin (Schoenbeck) Byre, who is a 2013 AU alumna.

DR. ERIC MUNSON ‘87 is the head of the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The chemistry and physics major followed in the footsteps of his parents, Don ‘59 & Julie (Morstad) Munson ‘60, in graduating from Augustana. After studying on a Fulbright Fellowship in Munich, Germany, Munson earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 1993, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley in 1994. He then taught in the chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences departments at the Universities of Minnesota, Kansas and Kentucky, respectively. Munson is a co-inventor on two patents and has published more than 100 research, review and book chapters. Munson has twice served as chair of the faculty committee for the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE), is active in the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and serves on the Council of Experts for the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

TERESA RESCH ‘04 is the vice president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors — responsible for team operations staff and a liaison between basketball and business operations. After graduating from Augustana, the Viking Volleyball all-conference student-athlete earned an MBA in sports administration from St. Thomas University in Florida. She began her career as an event intern at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, and later served the NBA League Office in various roles, where she assisted in the operations of the Basketball Without Borders Camp, established the first camp to feature women campers and was involved in the expansion of NBA’s relationship with the U.S. Department of State’s SportsUnited Program. Prior to joining the Raptors, Resch served as the Ultimate Hoops National Basketball operations manager for Life Time Fitness. She initially joined the Raptors as its director of basketball operations & player development. Resch has played instrumental roles in overseeing plans for the team’s new practice facility, launching Raptors 905, its G-League affiliate, and transitioning the Raptors to Tampa, Florida, for the 2020-21 season. THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

THE STUDENTS WE’VE HOSTED OVER THE YEARS ARE LIKE FAMILY TO ALL OF US. LOVE GROWS IN THIS PROGRAM.” — Heather Edmunds Reed, associate director of IPO and senior international student advisor

‘SOMEONE IN MY CORNER’ Vedant Thakkar ‘24, a biology major from Vadodara, India, knows firsthand the value of having a support system outside of Augustana. As part of the Friendship Family Program, he was paired with De Knudson, a Sioux Falls civic activist and IPO Advisory Board member. “She is such a wonderful person, and I don’t know how to describe it, but if I was describing what I’m feeling right now — it’s safe. I feel safe,” Thakkar said. “If I have something bothering me, I know I have someone in my corner who I can talk to. “I think what I appreciate about her most is that she introduces me to things I never thought about,” he continued. “She took me to watch plays with her, and I realized that I love plays so much. She’s taken me to concerts and the Washington Pavilion, or to roam around Sioux Falls.” Knudson has hosted Thakkar for Thanksgiving and Christmas, which he said gave him an authentic American experience. She has also been a career and networking resource for the future scientist. Since arriving on campus in August 2020, Thakkar has only been able to return home to India once. He said that being an international student comes with more challenges than other students might face, such as visa restrictions and financial burdens. However, Thakkar enjoys the extra source of support and being able to share his culture and experiences with Knudson — who loves to learn from “superstar international students.” “I tell my friends that you get more than you give in this program,” said Knudson, who has had friendship students from Kenya, Yemen, Pakistan and Norway, among other countries. “I think we are in a position, as Vedant Thakkar ‘24 and De Knudson friendship families, to exhibit real Sioux Falls hospitality.” For Knudson, it’s about remembering that international students are so far from home, many don’t have cars on campus and don’t often get to travel home. “I’m a very busy lady, but I really am there for them,” Knudson said. “When Vedant calls me, wherever I am, I take his call 24/7.” Knudson, who often encourages those around her to volunteer, said the outcome of the commitment includes invaluable lessons and lifelong friendships. “I highly recommend others consider this opportunity,” Knudson said. “It’s wonderful for people of all ages — married couples, single people, younger, older. And, you don’t have to be affiliated with Augustana to do this. “I want these international students to leave Sioux Falls feeling like they had every opportunity possible.” Edmunds Reed, who also hosts international students annually, agrees that the benefits of the program are immeasurable. “As part of a friendship family myself, I have seen my own children be mentored and loved by international students,” Edmunds Reed said. “The students we’ve hosted over the years are like family to all of us. Love grows in this program.” n To learn more about the Friendship Family Program, visit augie.edu/friendship. 26

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

augie.edu/FutureVikingPhoto

‘44 Elyse Nyberg Caroline (Wermers) ‘15 & Erik Nyberg ‘12

‘44 ‘40 & ‘38

Chandler Palkert Kirsten (Nyberg) ‘14 & Caleb Palkert

‘44 Jaxon Dibble Megan (Brown) ‘15 & Zach Dibble ‘17

Edith & Arthur Alberty Ann Rosendale ‘04 & Kyle Alberty

‘40 & ‘44 ‘44 ‘44

Joel & Hollyn Hansen Hayley (Burggraff ) ‘15 & Jake Hansen

Astrid Fonkert Kelsey (Junget) ‘14 & Jesse Fonkert ‘14

‘37, ‘35 & ‘34

Cade & Claire Kroger Kelsey (Hourscht) ‘11 & Travis Kroger

Elliot Foster, Elijah Homan & Naomi Foster Fenecia Homan ‘05 (Elliot & Naomi) • Pam (Baker) ‘81 & Tim Homan ‘81 (grandparents of all)

‘44 Norah Stevens Meredith (Lind) ‘10 & Blake Stevens

‘44 ‘44 Sloan Cwach Mallory Schulte ‘14 & Ryan Cwach

Auden Strenger Alyssa (Anderson) ‘10 & Nathaniel Strenger

‘27 Sam Siegfried Josh ‘01 & Kayli Siegfried

‘44 Brooks Oliver Isabella (Eveleth-Jensen) ‘21 & Andrew Oliver

‘43 & ‘44 Cora & Thea Davis Kayla (Wallerich) ’14 & TJ Davis ‘16 THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CLASS NOTES 🌐

augie.edu/alumni

Augustana (SD) Alumni

THE 2020s ‘22 Maria Werger is an agroecology specialist at Ecdysis Foundation in Estelline, South Dakota.

‘21 Emily Worden and James Uthe ’20 were married on June 25.

‘20 James Uthe and Emily Worden ’21 were married on June 25. Gillian Wilkins is a research associate at Plant Transformation by Corteva Agriscience.

THE 2010s ‘19 Will Hoiseth and Brooke Christenson ’18 were married on July 1. Sarah (House) Spilde was named 2021 Tea Area School District Teacher of the Year. Anna Stritecky is a pursuit coordinator of transportation at HDR in Washington, D.C.

‘18 Brooke Christenson and Will Hoiseth ’19 were married on July 1. MacKenzie Essig and Clay Kopplin ’16 were married on Aug. 4.

‘17 Andrea Carstensen is a business development officer with Minnwest Bank in Sioux Falls. She earned an MBA at the University of Sioux Falls in 2019. Cortney Mabry married Ben Stevens in Castle Rock, Colorado, on June 24. Mabry is a volunteer program manager at a resource center in Denver for people experiencing homelessness. She is working toward a master’s degree in communication through Regis University. 28

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

@AugieAlumni

Megan (Minatra) and Jake Shama ’14 welcomed daughter, Kaira Everest, in May.

Jesse and Kelsey (Junget) Fonkert welcomed daughter, Astrid, in May.

Rachel (Nevin) Solan and husband, Teryn, welcomed daughter, Leah Elaine, in February.

Mo Hurley is a cancer survivorship program/oncology navigation coordinator at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. She is the author of several children’s books and a poetry anthology. She also has a new podcast, “Fear Falls Radio Theatre.”

‘16 Mary Brunick married Collin Lewis on Oct. 3, 2020. TJ Davis and Kayla (Wallerich) Davis ’14 welcomed daughter, Thea Grace, in February. She joins big sister, Cora. Christian Einertson was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on Aug. 7, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Farmington, Minnesota. He now serves as head pastor. Clay Kopplin and MacKenzie Essig ’18 were married on Aug. 4.

‘15 Danielle (Anderberg) Bates is the facility ambassador at JLL Serving Schneider Electric in Andover, Massachusetts. She earned a master’s degree in education/ teaching at the University of Sioux Falls in 2018. Ashley Gaspar married Craig Kracht on Oct. 16, 2021. Hayley (Burggraff) Hansen and husband, Jacob, welcomed twins, Joel David and Hollyn Dee, in January. Caroline (Wermers) and Erik Nyberg ’12 welcomed daughter, Elyse Evelyn, in June. Jaclyn Schreurs married Justin Talsma on March 4. Megan (Raposa) Sonsalla released the Sioux Falls Simplified Welcome Guide, a primer for all things Sioux Falls. Matt Stoffel married Christine Pietz on Sept. 4, 2021. Stoffel is a marketing manager at Showcraft in Burnsville, Minnesota.

‘14 Kayla (Wallerich) Davis and TJ Davis ’16 welcomed daughter, Thea Grace, in February. She joins big sister, Cora.

Kyle and Echo (Bartos) Kopplin welcomed daughter, Cerulean Jade, in April. Evan Pierce is vice president of people & culture for the Boston Celtics. Jake and Megan (Minatra) Shama ’17 welcomed daughter, Kaira Everest, in May. Zack Truelson is senior vice president of index operations with Syntax Indices in Brooklyn, New York.

‘13 Isaac Jorgensen is a commercial real estate sales and leasing agent with Bender Commercial Real Estate Services in Sioux Falls. Grace (Johnson) Martin is a payment onboarding manager at Pathward, formerly known as MetaBank, and lives in Madison, South Dakota. Brooke (Walker) Merry and husband, Brock, welcomed daughter, Carlee Rose, in October 2021. Merry is a recruitment and outreach coordinator at South Dakota State University. Tina (Skeie) Tveter is an advisor with the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion in Norway. She earned an MFA in creative writing at Sierra Nevada College in 2018, and a teaching degree at the University of Oslo in 2021. Tveter and husband, Michael ‘13, are parents to Robin, born in 2018, and Arya, born in 2021. Kadyn Wittman is the director of marketing and development at the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls.

‘12 Anthony Cullen married Laura Mertes on Aug. 28, 2021. Erik and Caroline (Wermers) Nyberg ’15 welcomed daughter, Elyse Evelyn, in June.

CLASS NOTES

Maggie Olson is a self-employed writer for Maggie Olson Communications. Dawn Wille is a training coordinator at LifeScape.

‘11 Eric Ellingworth is a southeast area scout for the Dallas Cowboys. Spencer and Tonya (Olson) Ferrell welcomed daughter, Lucy Eloise, in April. She joins big sister, Penelope, 3. Todd Mulder is the elementary assistant principal at New Millennium Academy in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

‘10 Kara (Kingma) Neu is a teaching assistant professor at the University of Denver. She and husband, Todd, have two children, Vernon and Maebel. Alyssa (Anderson) Strenger and husband, Nathaniel, welcomed son, Auden, in January.

THE 2000s ‘09 Ashley Ballou-Bonnema is a professional musician and founder of the nonprofit organization Breathe Bravely, with its flagship program, sINgSPIRE, dedicated to giving voice to cystic fibrosis. She recently published The Ripple of Words. Johanna (Gronewold) Kallemeyn and husband, Paul, welcomed son, Leo, in May 2021. She is a nurse practitioner with Sanford Health. Paula Lemar is living her best life filled with freedom and joy. Brenna (Olson) Theede and husband, Ryan, welcomed daughter, Selah Grace, in December 2021. Clarissa Thompson and husband, Wade, welcomed son, Thomas Wayne, in March.

‘08 Elizabeth (Sauer) Bertrand and husband, Timothy, welcomed daughter, Michelle Marie, in February. She joins siblings Caelan, 12, Abigail, 10, Isaac, 8, Noah, 5, Matthew, 5, and Tyler, 1.

Kelsey (Aakre) Buchholz and husband, Cory, welcomed daughter, Kenley, in May. She joins big brothers Colton, Caylix and Coyer. Chase Kramer is the director of design at TSP, Inc. in Sioux Falls.

‘07 Alicia (Kurkowski) Frelich and husband, Thomas, welcomed daughter, Zoey Marie, in December 2020. Rachel (Wiener) Lista and husband, Matt, welcomed daughter, Charlotte, in May. Michelle (Sonnek) Slatcher and husband, Zachary, welcomed son, Noah Micheal, in April 2021. Noah joins big brother, Nolan.

‘05 Gregory Asplund is the assistant principal at the International Academy of Denver in the Denver Public Schools. Ashley (Peterson) Kracke was named Teacher of the Year by the Sioux Falls School District in March. Nicholas Kuhlman is a flavor scientist at the University of Adelaide in Australia. John Preloger and wife, Alyssa, welcomed daughter, Eloise (Ellie) Marie Jean, in April.

‘01 Jacey (Wheeler) Messer is a senior associate at H Street Law in Washington D.C. She and husband, Mitchell ’02, have three children, Morgen, Mayve and Madec. Michel (Steffen) Rempel is the director of global case processing at ProPharma Group in Minnesota.

THE 1990s ‘96 Karl Breddin is the senior pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, South Dakota. Peter Kingu is the founder and managing director at Quantum Consulting. He and his wife, Mary, live in Tanzania and have three sons. Sarah (Meyer) Tuntland is the director of corporate operations at SDN Communications.

‘93 Diana (Stanley) Baschnagel is an elementary school counselor in the Rapid City Area Schools. She earned a master’s degree in school counseling in 2022.

‘04 Micah Aberson is the president of Mammoth Sports. Christine Lennon is an underwriting specialist at National Indemnity Company. Kimberly (Van Loan) McFarlane earned a Master of Arts in nursing leadership at Augsburg University in 2022.

‘03 Billy Lyle is the director of anesthesia at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls.

VIKING ATHLETICS APP! SCAN TO DOWNLOAD:

‘02 Patricia Halling is a practice resource attorney at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Menlo Park, California. Thomas Jacobson is a pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Thornville, Ohio. Jacobson and his wife, Theresa, have three children.

• • • • •

EVENT SCHEDULES LIVE SCORES & STATS EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONS GAMEDAY INFORMATION NOTIFICATIONS THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

CLASS NOTES/IN MEMORIAM

THE 1970s

‘92 Robert Fouberg is the president and CEO of Dacotah Bank. Kristin Langstraat earned a Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, New York. She is a chaplain and manager of clinical pastoral education at the University of Minnesota Medical Center/M Health Fairview in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Tom Keleher retired after 42 years at Twin Cities Public TV (PBS) in St. Paul, Minnesota, as the engineering supervisor for local and national studio and field television productions.

‘73 Marlene Hardick is a retired social worker.

‘91 Kristen Anderson is the bridge pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield, Minnesota. Kimberly Campbell is attending Wartburg Theological Seminary working toward a Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) certification with an anticipated completion date in 2024. John Chenoweth is the interim chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

THE 1980s ‘87 Michele (Bonnema) Christensen is the chief operating officer at Housing Catalyst in Fort Collins, Colorado. Paul Limburg retired as a physician at the Mayo Clinic in July.

‘86 Paul Nevin is a grants administrator for the State of Minnesota.

‘82 Russell Mayland retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as a system specialist. Dorothy (Miller) Rosby won the 2022 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition in the humor category. She is a syndicated humor columnist in Rapid City, South Dakota.

‘81 Aaron Molskness is the vice president of engineering at Meati Foods in Boulder, Colorado.

‘77

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

‘71 Carol (Saltee) Oakland received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Athletic Development Directors in February.

THE 1960s ‘60 Arley Fadness is the author of Capturing the Younger Brothers Gang in the Northern Plains: The Untold Story of Heroic Teen Asle Sorbel, released in June. Daryl Ferguson is the author of American Conquistador, published by Fragata Publishing in May.

IN MEMORIAM ‘04 Anne “Annie” (Kiesow) Boehrns, 44, of Sioux Falls, died at home after a long struggle with mental illness on May 16. Jason Lorang, 42, passed away peacefully of natural causes at home in Helena, Montana, on March 31.

‘97 Matthew “Matt” Wenge, 49, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on April 9.

‘94 Brenda Christensen, 59, of Sherman, South Dakota, passed away at Avera Dells Area Hospital in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, following a brief illness on May 27.

‘92 Jacky “Jack” Bryan, 70, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on July 14.

‘90 Dixie (Winge) Arends passed away on July 6.

‘89 Carolyn (Wroge) Raedeke, 80, of Keizer, Oregon, passed away from myositis on July 7.

‘88 Mark Kirschbaum, M.A., 68, passed away on March 6.

‘85 Bruce Prouse, 59, of Sioux Falls, passed away suddenly in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on May 22.

‘83 Dean Seidel passed away at home on March 25, 2020. Julie (Pihelgas) Terveen, 61, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 8.

‘80 Beverly (Heruth) Velarde died suddenly at Sage West Healthcare in Wyoming on June 26.

‘79 Timothy Weatherill, 64, died after a brief but valiant battle with lung cancer on March 17.

‘78 Alan Maurer, 72, of Larchwood, Iowa, died at Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls on May 10. Paul Weinand, 66, of Pipestone, Minnesota, passed away at Avera Flandreau Hospital on June 27.

IN MEMORIAM

‘77 Mary Auen, 67, formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away at home in Dubuque, Iowa, on Feb. 13. Mark Norem, 67, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, on April 3.

‘76 Dennis Firestone, M.A., died in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on June 5. Lewis Thompson, 61, of Osseo, Wisconsin, died at Mayo Clinic Health System-Oakridge in Osseo on Sept. 29, 2015. Clark Wendt, 69, of Platte, South Dakota, passed away at Platte Care Center Avera on May 19.

‘74 Phyllis (Breen) Krueger, 91, passed away due to complications following a stroke on May 3. Katherine (Norgaard) Mezger, 69, of Lampasas, Texas, passed away after a 31-month battle with non-smoker lung cancer on May 6.

‘73 Barbara (Knight) Englund, a 35-year teacher in Omaha Public Schools, passed away peacefully at home on March 3.

‘72 Robert Dieren, 74, of Sioux Falls, died at Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village on May 22. Georgia Kushman, 69, passed away at Regional Health Home Plus Hospice House in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Dec. 17, 2019. Mark Odland Jr., 71, of Carlos, Minnesota, passed away on Feb. 18.

‘71 Terry Brink, 77, passed away peacefully at home on June 9. Joyce (Devries) Tracy, 77, of Marionville, Missouri, passed away at home on May 1.

‘70 Gary Jerke, 74, of Tripp, South Dakota, died of an apparent heart attack on June 28.

‘69 Philip Saetveit, 73, passed away in Hilo, Hawaii, following an illness on Dec. 2, 2020.

‘68 Jacqueline (Osbon) Groth, 83, died at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Alexandria, Minnesota, on March 16. Cheryl (Oakland) Oster passed away at home on April 27. S. Jean Paulson, 76, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 1.

‘67 Derrold Hofer, 82, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Ava’s House on June 30. Beverly (Wieczorek) Libra, 77, of Sioux Falls, died at Dougherty Hospice House on June 27. Delores “Dee” (Remmerde) Sanford, 91, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on Feb. 22.

‘66 Ronald Nygaard, 80, of Viborg, South Dakota, formerly of Davis, South Dakota, passed away at Pioneer Memorial Hospital on April 16. David Oyan, 78, passed away peacefully at Dougherty Hospice House on May 29. Eldon Thurow, 85, died unexpectedly at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls on Feb. 28. Carol (Knutson) Touhey, 77, of St. James, Minnesota, died at Mayo Clinic Health System-St. James on Feb. 13.

‘65 Wade Haboush of Richmond, Virginia, and Aitanite, Lebanon, passed away on March 4. Judy Johnson, 76, passed away at Northshire Residence in Spencer, Iowa, on May 25, 2020.

Carol Eller ‘69, originally from Richland Center, Wisconsin, passed away on Sept. 9, at the age of 75. Eller served in many roles at Augustana for 30 years, including director of Central (now Creative) Services, coordinator of accounting for building & grounds and accounts payable representative in the business office. Eller’s inquisitive mind and strong belief in the importance of education made her dedication to Augustana’s mission and purpose unparalleled.

James R. Peterson, 79, of Watertown, South Dakota, formerly of Revillo, South Dakota, passed away on April 11. Doug Schetnan, 78, of Dundas, Minnesota, passed away at home on June 22.

‘64 John Arneson passed away on Feb. 12. Jean (Looby) Fritz, 80, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 2. James Klaassen, 79, passed away at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato, Minnesota, on July 16. Fredrick Thompson, 80, of Burbank, California, passed away at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center on Dec. 23, 2021. Marian (Heide) Vaughn, 80, of Matawan, New Jersey, died unexpectedly after a sudden and short illness on March 25.

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

IN MEMORIAM

‘63 Melvin Anderson, 81, passed away peacefully at the Banner Desert Medical Center Hospice in Mesa, Arizona, following a stroke, on March 20. Gerald “Jerry” Bloch passed away on June 11. Kenneth Slater, 80, of Carroll, Iowa, formerly of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away at St. Anthony Regional Hospital on Feb. 11.

‘62

Max Rittgers, 83, passed away at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, Florida, on Feb. 3. William “Bill” Stalheim passed away on April 29. Ruth (Knabel) Zinter passed away at CentraCare Health Systems in Long Prairie, Minnesota, on Feb. 27.

‘59 Marilyn (Timm) Caddle, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Jan. 8.

Steven Carlson, 82, of Luverne, Minnesota, died at Sanford Hospice Cottage on May 10.

Kenneth DeBoer, 86, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 9.

Kay (Rich) Coddington, 82, passed away in Sioux Falls on July 1.

Nadine (Kruse) Wickersham-Krull passed away in her sleep on July 1.

Ronald Ferguson passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, due to complications from a brain bleed on Oct. 21, 2017.

Elizabeth “Betty” (Molskness) Rist passed away on Feb. 1.

Joan (Gullickson) Borgwardt Halverson, 82, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away at UW Health University Hospital on July 16. Phyllis Score, 100, of Menomonie, Wisconsin, passed away on her 100th birthday on March 26.

‘61 Larry Boe died unexpectedly in Roswell, Georgia, on Feb. 23. Bette (Diebold) Gilchrist passed away peacefully at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia, on May 5. Robert “Bob” Kallesen, 83, of Brookings, South Dakota, died at the United Living Community on June 15. John Kittelson, 85, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Ava’s House on March 9. Arlen Knutson, 83, passed away at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls on June 14. Weslie Plummer, 84, of Minot, North Dakota, died in a Minot nursing home on May 15.

‘60 Janice (Stillson) Abbott, 84, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on June 30.

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

Constance “Connie” (Christensen) Tiggelaar, 85, of Sioux Falls, died at Avera Prince of Peace on April 20.

‘58 Anita (Schneider) Bynum died unexpectedly in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 7, 2021. Virginia (Kostman) Chilson, 86, of Webster, South Dakota, passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls on May 18. Arlo Feiock, 85, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, formerly of Bemidji, Minnesota, died at North Star Manor in Warren, Minnesota, on April 18. Ronald Giedd, 86, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Springfield, Missouri, on April 29. Arvin Hernes, 89, of Blair, Nebraska, passed away at home on July 5. John Norberg, 89, of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully of natural causes at home on May 18. Lawrence “Larry” Pawlowski, 90, died at Wyoming Medical Center on March 12. Richard L. Peterson, 85, passed away at Sanford Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls on April 2. Arlys (Hetland) Sewalson, 85, passed away on April 20.

‘57 Anne (Shepler) Christopherson passed away on April 26. Juleen “Julie” (Wieland) Flaa, 87, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away at Angels Heart Adult Family Home in Lynnwood, Washington, on June 18. Carole (Schlunsen) Nesheim, 86, passed away in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 28.

‘56 Artha Jane “Janie” (Shipton) Rognrud, 90, of Burnsville, Minnesota, formerly of Richfield, Minnesota, passed away on June 1.

‘55 Earl Colgan Jr., 89, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Good Samaritan Society-Sioux Falls Village on March 12. Marlys (Erickson) Stanga Haslow passed away on Feb. 10.

‘54 Donna (Madison) Anderson, 89, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls on April 30.

‘53 Elmer Brandt, 92, of Westbrook, Minnesota, passed away at Our House Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, Minnesota, on April 20. Janice (Johnson) Pfeifer, 92, passed away on March 25.

‘52 Douglas Hough, 91, of Brandon, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at home on March 31. Thelma (Iverson) Moberly, 95, passed away on March 9.

‘51 Joey (Grunwald) Aldern passed away peacefully at home in Vermillion, South Dakota, on May 22.

IN MEMORIAM

Dorothy “Dot” Herbert, 93, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on March 17.

Helen (Vick) Hill, 95, passed away peacefully at the HopeWest Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, on March 20.

Ruth (Olson) Jones, 93, passed away on Feb. 10.

Estelle (Erickson) Natwick, 96, passed away at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, on April 12.

Colleen (Tracey) Simmons passed away on June 24.

‘50 Louise (Oberlander) Poliseno, 95, of Little Falls, Minnesota, passed away at Highland Senior Living on July 14. Myrna (Jorgenson) Smith passed away on April 29.

‘49 Mary (Risty) Datri passed away at home in Tucson, Arizona, on June 4. Colleen (Sundvold) Hofelman, 94, passed away peacefully at Pipestone County Hospice House on July 21.

‘47 Lois (Fry) Staufacker, 97, passed away on June 18.

‘46 Morrise (Brumbaugh) Ness, 97, passed away on Feb. 21.

‘41 Howard Lee, 102, passed away peacefully in Brookings, South Dakota, on April 3. Bernielle “Benjie” (Rud) Shelton, 102, passed away peacefully at Manor Grove in Kirkwood, Missouri, on Feb. 5.

‘39 Luthard Eid, 105, passed away at home on Jan. 2. Ruth (Skartvedt) Toxey, 102, of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away on Dec. 7, 2021.

Dorothy (Juttelstad) Peterson, 98, died in Sioux Falls on April 20.

‘44 Thelma (Jensen) McElhaney, 98, of Sioux Falls, died at Touchmark at All Saints on March 10.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The class notes sent to Augustana University come from alumni and/or family members. They may be edited for length and clarity, along with grammar and spelling to reflect the editorial style guide of the university.

‘48 Marcella (Hoy) Gordon, 96, passed away on May 18.

‘42 Ruth (Rice) Nichols, 102, of Amarillo, Texas, died on March 6.

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THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2022

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