Alum Feature: Aaron Dang ’13

ALUM FEATURE

ELEVATING EDUCATION: AARON DANG ’13

| BY NANCY DAVIDSON & JOEL GACKLE ...THEY CHALLENGED ME T eachers are essential. If it wasn’t clearly understood before COVID-19 arrived, it is now. Teachers are essential to children, parents and In his junior year of high school, Dang began thinking more seriously TO THINK ABOUT WHO I WOULD BE AS A TEACHER.” - AARON DANG ’13 society. Teachers are about his future. innovators, change-makers, advocates, After exploring a mentors and passionate leaders in variety of possibilities during and after baccalaureate degree. Throughout his their classrooms every day. Aaron high school, he eventually realized he experience he met faculty members

Dang ’13 is a teacher. enjoyed working with children and with whom he developed lasting

Dang’s father is a refugee from began his pursuit of an elementary relationships, including Professor

Vietnam. He spoke no English when he education major. of Special Education Dr. Steve Van arrived, so he relied on his Vietnamese Just as during his secondary years, Bockern ‘74 and Associate Professor to English dictionary for every word. his post-secondary experiences had and Teacher Education Program

He later met Dang’s mom, an Iowa been anything but awesome and he Director Dr. Sharon Andrews. native. Their short marriage brought felt something was missing — until he Dang said, “Everyone in the Augie the gift of two sons, who would find found his way to Augustana University. education department was important themselves navigating childhood in As often happens, it was a personal to me in ensuring I graduated on time, two cultural lifestyles. connection that brought him here. His with passion and they challenged me

As a child, Dang didn’t take school girlfriend, Kathy (Haag) Dang ‘10, now to think about who I would be as a too seriously. He loved time with his wife, graduated with an elementary teacher.” friends and reading, but that was education major and was teaching At the university, Dang says he the extent of it. His social nature and in Sioux Falls. She introduced him to felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t occasional mischief-making didn’t Augustana, and the rest, as they say, is felt anywhere else. It changed his always align with the expectations of history. disposition and how he felt about his teachers. While attending Horace From the moment Dang began to learning. For the first time he could say

Mann Elementary in Sioux Falls, Dang pursue a transfer to Augustana, he “learning is cool. “ and his brother were two of very few felt a sense of welcome and “The kind of education and

Asian students. There was limited connection. He met Assistant Professor instruction I got from working with diversity of any kind. Experiencing of Elementary Education Dr. Julie someone like Julie, too, gave me new racism and being presented with Ashworth ‘75 and the wheels began ideas of how to look at education. questions, based on assumptions turning rapidly. Ashworth and Becky Understanding it as a social obligation. that no child should encounter, did Fiala ‘83, field placement coordinator, Education is something that all kids nothing to encourage a love of school invested themselves in creating a plan should have access to no matter what, or learning. for Dang’s timely completion of his period, no matter any kind of label.

She taught me how to be an advocate for people of color, people with disabilities, people who are gifted; she helped me understand that we need to understand our students so much to be able to tap into each one of them and pull out the best in each one of them,” Dang said.

While Ashworth was most influential, the Circle of Courage, the framework for Augustana’s education department, was life-changing.

Serving as the conceptual framework for the Augustana University Sharon Lust School of Education, the Circle of Courage is based on a model of youth empowerment supported by contemporary research, the heritage of early youth work pioneers and Native American philosophies of child care. It was developed by Drs. Steve VanBockern ‘74, Larry Brendtro ‘62 and Rev. Dr. Martin Brokenleg, all now retired Augustana faculty members. The Circle of Courage is encompassed in four core values: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. The central theme of this model is that a set of shared values must exist in any community of learners, including public education and teacher training institutions, to create environments that ultimately benefit society. The Circle of Courage illustrates a professional who has a sense of self, mastery, knowledge, and sees oneself as an agent of social change but also seeks to foster those same ideals in those they serve.

Through Augustana and Ashworth, Dang found his home at Hawthorne Elementary, a Title I school in the Sioux Falls School District. Practicums and student teaching there led to his full-time position as a fifth grade teacher.

Dang shared, “All the moments with the kids, seeing the kids learn, is so satisfying. We want them to be able to have dialogue, to put their thoughts on paper, to communicate their thoughts in a certain way. When they give you the synthesis of their understanding; when you’ve helped build that; when you’ve put the stepping stones there; it’s so satisfying.”

Driven to always be learning, Dang began graduate work after his second year of teaching. He now holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in teaching. This further enhanced his confidence in the classroom and as an educational leader.

Two years ago, he was asked to assume the role of instructional coach, wherein he provides leadership in professional development, mission, aligning curricular values, goals and standards. New teachers are his first case load. He is their mentor when it comes to curriculum, lessons, engagement, student behavior, and more.

When asked to share his thoughts about Augustana’s new School of Education, he described it as bold and necessary. He says the school provides the opportunity to elevate an already great program and confirms we are here to make a difference. It further emphasizes that educators are so important.

Dang encourages students who are considering a career in education to look into it in a serious way. If you think you can help students in becoming good people, you should pursue it. He reminds us that patience and teaching are learned skills. If you’re willing to make the effort, to accept some feedback and constructive criticism to get better, and if you’re devoted to it, you will acquire all the skills to stand out and to make a difference.

To read more of Aaron’s story, visit augie.edu/magazine. n

The Circle of Courage model is embraced by all programs within the School of Education, which include the Teacher Education Program, the Sign Language Interpreting Program, the Communication Disorders Program, the Augie Access Program, and the online graduate programs in Education and Special Education.

Campus Pastor Ann Rosendale

A NEW FUTURE OF CAMPUS MINISTRY:

GROWING, LEARNING IN FAITH

| BY GRETA STEWART

When it comes to describing her work at Augustana University, Campus Pastor Rev. Ann Rosendale ’04, uses the word, ‘collaborative.’ And she lives that philosophy day in and day out.

She loves what she does and anyone who spends any time with her can see it in her eyes. She makes eye contact. She listens thoughtfully. She leans in when she talks. She truly wants to work with people. “Every pastor loves their people, of course,” she says. “I love students’ openness, honesty, curiosity, and energy. It keeps me going and keeps me young. And then there are staff colleagues, who are gifted and brilliant and inspiring and fun.”

Pr. Ann’s experience at Augustana started very early in her career. Originally from North Mankato, Minn., she says she knew what she didn’t want in her college experience: a big university. She wanted to be in a community and not just a number. “My mother likes to remind me that we toured a grand total of nine different schools trying to find the right fit for my college experience (thanks, Mom, for making all those visits for me). As I sorted through several options, Lutheran colleges felt like the kind of place where I could thrive because of their small size, caring faculty, strong community, and focus on shaping my heart and mind for a meaningful life of work and service. Touring Augustana gave me a strong sense that I would find belonging in this community.”

MINISTRY: A NATURAL CHOICE

Pr. Ann knew her strengths lay in a broad interest in ministry so her major of religion came easily to her. “It was a natural choice. I also majored in philosophy, in large part because of a professor who saw promise in my academic work and encouraged me to deepen my study of the discipline. I loved all of the classes in my majors (and many not in my majors) and am deeply indebted to faculty members who guided my learning. Not only did they grow me as a scholar, but they nurtured my sense of vocation and helped clarify my convictions. It’s fair to say I would not be a pastor without mentors like Drs. Ann Pederson, Murray Haar, and Richard Swanson. Their teaching continues to inspire my ministry, theology, and preaching today.”

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Pr. Ann attained her Master of Arts in Youth Ministries and Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2008. She served at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, and Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls prior to becoming campus pastor in 2012, serving alongside Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde until his retirement in January 2020. She was a Thrivent/ LECNA Fellow in 2016 and completed diversity advocacy training and certification at Augustana in 2019.

Some of the best things about her job include the variety she gets each and every day on and off campus. “I love the rhythms of the day, the week, and the year — rituals like worship and Viking Days and Vespers and Commencement that anchor the life of the campus,” she says. “One-on-one conversations with students are sacred moments for me. When a student comes in with big, challenging questions about faith and life, it is a privilege to be able to listen to their story and be a part of that young adult’s journey. The Sophomore Retreat is one of my favorite weekends of the year,” she adds. “We take 40 sophomore students to Joy Ranch (a camp just outside of Watertown, S.D.) for a weekend of thinking and talking about vocation. It’s a treat to see students discover the unique ways in which God is calling them.”

AN ENHANCED JOURNEY FOR CAMPUS MINISTRY

She says now is an especially and exciting time for Augustana, as we continue our strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030. “The two pieces of Viking Bold that I am most excited about are, first, the deepening of Augustana’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and, second, growing Augustana’s relationship with the city of Sioux Falls,” she states. “In fact, the two are related goals. Sioux Falls is a fantastic city and, in the 20 years that I have known it, it has only grown more wonderful as it has become a place of greater diversity. I appreciate how Viking Bold talks about growing our campus and our academic offerings in service to a city who has given our university so much. As we equip students and staff alike to respect, accommodate, and celebrate people who are different from ourselves, we will launch graduates who are better able to meet the growing and diverse needs of the fabulous city of Sioux Falls. This attitude of humility and learning from our neighbors is so clearly rooted in the way of Jesus and my work in Campus Ministry. It’s thrilling to see all of these pieces come together!”

In this next chapter of her life, she says she doesn’t want to transform Campus Ministry; rather enhance it. “I see us building upon so much that is already strong and good in Campus Ministry,” she says. “Enhancing worship begins with understanding what is at the center of our life together, the good news of Jesus Christ, offering us grace and wide welcome, and calling us to faithful living together as God’s people. As I plan worship with student and faculty preachers and musicians, I work hard to unpack the ‘why’ of worship, not just the how.”

She continues, “Recently I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the accessibility of worship to groups that may have historically felt less welcome in chapel or in the church in general; LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC, and others. How might we find more music that reflects the Black experience? Or prayers and poetry that speak to a gender non-binary person? And how is the Gospel expressed through people who are non-Lutheran, or even non-Christian? We want to continue to diversify not only our liturgy but our worship leadership. A mentor of mine from years ago coined the phrase, ‘God loves variety!’ I believe that we hear and know the Gospel more clearly when we can appreciate the myriad ways it is lived out and expressed.”

THE CONTINUATION OF AUGUSTANA’S CORE VALUES

Pr. Ann says a goal of hers is continuing to enhance Campus Ministry programming and leaning on a cadre of talented student staff to lead the way. “They have wise imagination for how to engage their peers and faculty members in growing faith and are always bringing new ideas for bible studies or service projects. This year I have two fabulous young women who are helping to shape interfaith programming at Augustana. One is Muslim and the other is Atheist. While the three of us come from very different perspectives, together we develop innovative programming that invites the Augustana community to grow through learning about religious traditions that are different from their own.”

As she thinks about what kind of impact she’d like to have for future generations of Augustana community members, she says, “I truly stand on the shoulders of giants in this work, a lineage of campus pastors and others who have laid a strong foundation for Campus Ministry. Their work lifts up Augustana as a place where faith and learning intersect.”

“Perhaps what I would want people to understand about Christian faith is that it’s relevant, it matters, and church/faith is often different than you assume it to be. I’ve often said that worship is practice for how we live the rest of our lives. We gather together as a community because we need regular reminders of how to be generous, how to say thank you, how to eat together, how to listen, how to serve and care for each other.”

And that’s something she lives out at home, as well. She says spare time is rare these days; keeping up with two young children: a four-year-old and two-year-old, who keep her and her husband busy. “But if I do have extra time on an afternoon,” she says, “I really enjoy calling friends near and far to catch up. Music is a way I connect with God and disconnect from life’s stressors.” She also has earned a reputation for beating her husband in their fantasy football league, and last fall she joined a curling team. “I think of myself as a lifelong learner and am always eager to try new things.”

The joy and pride in her work and trying new things is evident as she says, “I love all that I get to do — sing, write, pray, think, ask questions, create, worship, read, learn, listen, serve, laugh, play, stretch, grow!” n

BRINGING THE PAST TO PRESENT: The Center for Western Studies Home To 80 In-House Publications

| BY GRETA STEWART

The Center for Western Studies (CWS) was simply an idea by English Professor Herbert Krause in 1964. Krause, a poet, essayist, and novelist, was the first writer-in-residence at Augustana University. “He thought about establishing a school of writing but also wanted a collection of materials he could turn to for his research,” says Dr. Harry Thompson, executive director of CWS. “Krause was a historical novelist — and saw the Center as the Google of its day.”

With funding from the Danforth Foundation, which was encouraging private colleges to plan for the future, Augustana’s administration and faculty undertook a formal study in 1969-70, concluding that the future for Augustana lay in the West. “With the CWS concept already in place,” says Thompson, “President Charles Balcer and Vice President Tom Kilian proposed that the Board of Regents (now known as the Board of Trustees) consider officially establishing and expanding CWS in 1970, fifty years ago this year. At first, it was a library. But it didn’t take long before it grew to be an archives and then a publisher.”

In the early 1970s, the Center worked with a commercial publisher to reissue Krause’s three novels. By 1978, however, CWS was ready to publish under its own imprint, an expression of those first library resources and archives. Today, the Center serves as a repository for over 500 substantive collections and maintains a library in excess of 37,000 volumes on the American West. In addition, the Center holds extensive art and artifact collections and sponsors annual events such as the Boe Forum, the Dakota Conference, and the Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale. But what’s perhaps most unique? It serves as an in-house publishing venue. With 80 publications to its credit, the Center is a major academic publisher in South Dakota. It publishes on topics of all kinds, principally by authors at other universities but also by those who’ve graduated from or teach at Augustana.

Thompson says there are other university in-house publishers, but they tend to be at major research

universities, such as the University of Wisconsin and the University of Nebraska. Book publishing is expensive, so most of these presses are now only affiliated with their universities. “Ours is a direct result of our mission to the region,” he says. “Augustana has the distinction of being the only university in South Dakota to have a continuously operating academic press.” The Center belongs to the university but has its own program and staff funding and board of directors. “We’re largely endowed,” he says. “And we’re extremely grateful for that.”

When Thompson thinks about some of the publishing highlights over the years, he points to Natural History of the Black Hills, by former executive director Dr. Sven Froiland, Memory Songs, a collection of poetry by Lakota author Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, and A Harvest of Words, a collection of contemporary South Dakota poetry, edited by current Writer-in-Residence Patrick Hicks. “For 40 years there had been no new South Dakota history,” he says. “At the turn of the 21 st century, we started building a rationale for a state history by leading

scholars of the time, including Native American authors. It took four years but in 2005, the Center published A New South Dakota History, written by 16 authors and includes topics unique to a state history, such as: tourism, Indian health, Lakota family life, education, religion, newspapers, radio, and tv, small towns, African-Americans, visual and performing arts, women writers, and more. “This was a huge project for us, but a real contribution to regional history,” Thompson says.

Other highlighted books include The Quartzite Border, the intriguing story behind the surveying and marking of one of the nation’s longest state borders, and Outlaw Dakota, by attorney Wayne Fanebust, an account of how Chief Justice Peter Shannon handled the variety of crimes in Dakota Territory.

Most recently, The Interior Borderlands, edited by historian Jon Lauck, received a Midwest Book Award in history, with essays by Michael Mullin (History), Debbie Hanson (English), and Thompson. As the second volume in the Center’s new Public Affairs Series, it explores

OUR BOOKS questions of geographical ARE AMBASSADORS and cultural identity in the Midwest and Great Plains. FOR AUGUSTANA The award is sponsored by UNIVERSITY AND CWS.” the Midwest Independent Publishers Association, - DR. HARRY THOMPSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CWS representing the 12-state region. According to Thompson, a CWS book takes about a year to 18 months before it appears on bookshelves or Amazon and costs about $25,000 each to produce. Thompson, who has served the Center for 36 years, says the Center operates with a small staff and each performs a range of tasks. “I love the variety of what I do,” he says.

Thompson’s first three years at Augustana were spent working part time in the English department and CWS. He later received his Ph.D. in English, focusing on the writing of history. “It’s served me very well over the years,” he says. Thompson says the best part of his job is the opportunities which the job presents, which often come unforeseen. “For example, I’m working on a publishing project that blossomed during COVID-19 but will take three years to complete.” Thompson continues, “Our books are ambassadors for Augustana University and CWS. Through our books we’re sharing knowledge about this part of the country, which is Augustana’s home. It’s where Augustana settled in the nineteenth century. I like to think of the West as promising a bright future. People move West to start anew or to do something they’ve never done before. To live in the West is to look forward.”

And Thompson and the CWS board of directors are definitely looking forward when it comes to publishing and the Center itself.

The CWS strategic plan calls for the following over the next five years:

Move from the current $9.5 million endowment to $10 million; Emphasize public affairs programs, possibly developing a public affairs institute; Position CWS for the changing cultural scene in the Sioux Falls area; Develop a partnership with another western studies center farther west.

“CWS is a great model for what a center can be,” he says. “This is Dr. Krause’s dream and like him, I want the Center to thrive for another 50 years.” n

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50 TH ANNIVERSARY TIMELINE:

Prof. of English Herbert Krause creates Center for Western Studies Center for Western Studies receives Rockefeller Foundation grant Augustana Board of Trustees establishes Center for Western Studies as integral part of Augustana. Appoints Herbert Krause as director

Center for Western Studies Board of Directors established Prof. of History Gary Olson becomes executive secretary

Prof. of Biology Sven Froiland appointed executive director Publication program launched with Natural History of the Black Hills and Sundancing at Rosebud and Pine Ridge published First Artists of the Plains Art Show & Sale held

Railroad historian Donovan Hofsommer appointed executive director Prof. of English Dr. Arthur Huseboe ’53 appointed executive director First Dakota Conference sponsored by CWS held

First Boe Forum on Public Aairs, featuring Gen. Colin Powell $3.3 million Fantle Building opens A New South Dakota History receives American State & Local History Award Director of Research Collections & Publications Dr. Harry Thompson; appointed executive director $1.7 million endowment campaign, with NEH challenge grant, completed New permanent exhibit Voices of the Northern Plains opens Digital collections available on np3 site

The Interior Borderlands wins 30 th Annual Midwest Book Award

$2 MILLION GIFT HELPS CREATE AUGUSTANA’S

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

| BY JILL WILSON

On July 29, Augustana University announced a $2 million gift that helped in the creation of the Sharon Lust School of Education, located in the Madsen Social Science

Center on the university’s campus.

This generous donation comes from

John Lust ‘90 and Jeanelle (Robson)

Lust ‘91, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in honor of John’s mother, Sharon Lust.

“This gift will help empower generations of future educators and lifelong learners,” said John Lust, a former member of the Augustana

Board of Trustees. “We didn’t have to think about it very long. It just felt so perfect because of the legacy and passion my mother had for education.”

The Sharon Lust School of Education will help spur Augustana’s strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — that was unanimously approved by the Augustana Board of

Trustees in December 2019. Phase I of

Viking Bold includes establishing new academic structures and centers that sustain excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning and research.

“Augustana is enormously grateful to the Lust family for the transformative gift for the Sharon Lust School of

Education,” said President Stephanie

Herseth Sandlin. “Our vision for the School of Education builds on

Augustana’s longstanding tradition of providing an education of enduring worth as well as creating new and expanded interactions for research and learning and innovative forms of teaching that will inspire a new generation of teachers and educators.”

The Lusts have also established a scholarship for secondary education majors in honor and memory of

Jeanelle’s grandparents, LaVerne and Ava (Davis) Williams. They, too, dedicated their careers to education —

LaVerne as a superintendent of schools in several small towns in eastern South

Dakota and Ava as a teacher, having earned her teaching certification at

Augustana in 1929.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE NAME

Strong. Witty. Great educator.

These are just a few of the words Augustana alumnus John Lust uses to describe his mother, Sharon Lust.

John’s father died when he was just 11 years old and his sister, Julie O’Reilly ‘92, at 8 years old, but their mother never missed a beat.

“For us kids, of course, it was very difficult to lose our dad, but it was seamless in that we never felt we were lacking anything. She just kept everything moving,” said John.

Sharon graduated from the University of South Dakota. The single mother received her teaching certificate from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as a master’s degree in psychology. Sharon was a longtime educator at Simmons Middle School in Aberdeen from 1985-2000, and Aberdeen Central High School from 2000-2006.

It was evident that Sharon had a lasting impact on the students she taught. In June of 2007, a former student, who became a professor in Virginia, left his dissertation on Sharon’s front door. He had commemorated it to her.

The dissertation read, “This dissertation is dedicated to Mrs. Sharon Lust, my junior high reading teacher. Mrs. Lust is an exemplary teacher. In the classroom she is a brilliant and engaging instructor. Her reading class made a significant impact on me. She demands excellence from her students, but helps them to develop the skills they need to meet her expectations. Outside the classroom she is her students’ strongest advocate. For years after I finished her class she opened doors for me and other students by recommending us for contests, journals, and other academic opportunities. She is a model of everything I hope to be as a teacher and scholar.”

Sharon retired in 2006, but that did not mean she stopped educating others. John says she would correct spelling and grammar errors in the

THIS GIFT WILL HELP EMPOWER GENERATIONS OF FUTURE EDUCATORS AND LIFELONG LEARNERS.”

- JOHN LUST ’90

Aberdeen American News and mail them to the paper. In July of 2007, her Letter to the Editor was even published in Vanity Fair.

While teaching was her passion, Sharon’s grandchildren meant the world to her. Jeanelle Lust recalls when their eldest son was born and her mother-in-law would come to babysit.

Jeanelle said, “She (Sharon) would not put him down. She just held Joe the whole time and would say, ‘Well, I’m here. I can sleep when I get home.’”

DEEP CONNECTIONS TO AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

Dick Niebuhr ’66, a longtime Aberdeen resident, as well as a member of the Augustana Fellows and the Board of Trustees, was a close friend to the Lust family. Niebuhr made significant impacts in the form of gifts to his alma mater. Before he passed away in 2009, the Huron native donated $100,000 to endow the Vernon and Mildred Niebuhr Faculty Excellence Award, an annual award to recognize excellence in teaching. His second had come in the form of an estate gift of $2.5 million in 2013, to support scholarships for Augustana’s top incoming students.

John Lust said, “He (Niebuhr) was just extremely passionate. He never married and never had kids. Augustana was literally his family and the broader he could make his family the better.”

For Niebuhr, attending Augustana was a natural progression to life.

“It’s just what you did,” according to John. “If you asked him (Niebuhr) about Augustana, you had better have a half hour.”

Niebuhr had been the driving force behind John and his sister, Julie O’Reilly ‘92, attending the university.

“She (Sharon) was very supportive of us going to Augustana, even though both her and my dad were USD grads.”

And nearly 60 years after Jeanelle’s grandmother attended the university, Augustana is where John would meet his wife, Jeanelle.

At the time, John had been the president of the Augustana College Republicans and Jeanelle says she was under the misimpression that she was a Republican as well. She was also friends with the girl next door to where John was living — across from the Gilbert Science Center known as “The Chicken Coop.”

The two eventually moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Jeanelle was a lawyer for 25 years and John owned a car dealership for 12, but moved back to Sioux Falls last year after selling the business in 2007.

“There’s too much South Dakota in me. I never lost that feeling that (living in Nebraska) was temporary,” said John.

John joined the Fellows Cabinet in 2002, and the Board of Trustees in 2007, to which he dedicated 12 years. John and Jeanelle also dedicate their time as members of the steering committee on the Viking Bold campaign.

John and Jeanelle say they encouraged their children to look around at other colleges, but they had zero desire to look elsewhere. Joe Lust ‘20, graduated from Augustana in the spring. Their youngest son, Jack Lust ‘23, is a sophomore.

John says before this opportunity to contribute to his mother’s memory came along, nothing felt right. Now, more than a decade after Sharon’s death in 2010, he says the way in which they’re honoring his mother feels perfect. n