LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

We are delighted to bring you the latest edition of The Augustana magazine, which was produced during our long, challenging winter in Sioux Falls. The Augustana University community demonstrated great flexibility in making the necessary adjustments throughout the season to ensure we stayed on course. The silver lining — abundant moisture makes for a beautiful spring on campus and throughout the city!

Our city’s downtown is dynamic and ever changing, and one of my favorite features is the Arc of Dreams. This landmark sculpture, created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere, serves as “a tribute to the dreamers of the past and present, and an inspiration to the dreamers of the future.” The extraordinary sculpture inspires gratitude for the visionary leaders and hardworking citizens of this great city. Here, dreams are turned into strategy and strategy into action, making Sioux Falls the vibrant, growing city it is today. Augustana University is blessed to serve as its premier higher education partner, and with the support of so many in the community, the dreams that became our Viking Bold strategic plan are coming true.

Phase II of our Viking Bold journey continues with strong momentum. In the pages ahead, you will read of the Augustana University Fintech Program by Pathward™. Developed and established with the support of Augustana’s strategic partner, Pathward™, N.A., (formerly MetaBank, N.A.), this new and innovative academic program will be the first of its kind in the region — preparing AU graduates to meet the future workforce needs created by the technology-fueled transformation occurring in the financial services industry.

In addition, together with The Promising Futures Fund (a fund of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and strong community partner of the Sioux Falls School District), Augustana is providing life-changing opportunities for local eighth grade students and rising ninth graders through high-impact campus visits and summer camp experiences. For example, we are excited to host students for a special podcasting camp in June, offered through the School of Music and Experience Augustana.

I want to thank all of you — alumni, parents and friends — for your incredible generosity in sustaining Augustana’s mission, providing more scholarship support for our students and supporting the Viking Bold campaign. In this issue, we feature Les and Carolyn Svendsen for their lifetime of faithful giving and planned gift to Augustana. You will find their story in the pages that follow.

Finally, Giving Day at AU is coming soon. I invite you to mark your calendars for Friday, May 12, and join us as we “Go for Bold!”

May God bless you and your family with the warmth of His love, good health and peace.

Warm regards,

Our Mission

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

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President

Our Vision

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

Our Values

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