The Augustana: Fall 2021

AUGUSTANA FALL 2021 • VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 1

THE

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R A L U M N I , PA R E N T S A N D F R I E N D S O F A U G U S TA N A U N I V E R S I T Y

AUGUSTANA TO DROP ANCHOR IN COSTA RICA

MEN’S HOCKEY COMING TO AUGUSTANA

FIRST BEACOM FELLOWS GAIN HANDS-ON RESEARCH

FEATURES

THE AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president EDITOR Keeley Meier ‘20 CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Davidson Joel Gackle Ryan Hilgemann Jill Wilson

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AUGUSTANA ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL DEANS FOR SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

PHOTOGRAPHERS Daniel Bergeson ‘19 Hunter Chear ‘22

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HEALTH SCIENCES MAKES MOVE TO VIRTUAL CADAVER TECHNOLOGY

DESIGNERS Kami Gladis Peg Ustad Sustainability is important to Augustana University. The pages within The Augustana are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

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

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

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CHARTING A NEW COURSE: AUGUSTANA TO DROP ANCHOR IN COSTA RICA

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OUR MISSION

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY HOME TO HOCKEY: VIKINGS ANNOUNCE MEN’S HOCKEY PROGRAM, BREAK GROUND ON MIDCO ARENA

CONTENTS

OUR VISION FALL 2021

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Viking Bold: Key Successes and Next Step Highlights

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Augustana Develops Model to Promote Students’ Overall Well-Being

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Alumnus’ Legacy Set In Stone After Unique Donation to Art Department

10 First Beacom Research Fellows Reflect on Learning Opportunities 15 Turf Wars Contributes to Kirkeby-Over Stadium Facelift 20 School of Music and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

Formalize Artistic Partnership 23 Ministry Around the World: AU Alumni Serve Near and Far 26 Alumni Achievement Award Winners 28 Class Notes/In Memoriam

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.

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.

CONNECT WITH US

Augustana is an affirmative action, Title IX, equal opportunity institution. ©Augustana University 2021

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e are excited to bring you the fall edition of The Augustana. As you will read, our Viking Bold journey is bringing us many reasons to celebrate.

We embarked on the new academic year in September with 2,022 students, including part- and full-time undergraduate and graduate students — the fourth largest student body in the last three decades at Augustana. Our 1,715 undergraduates hail from 34 states and a record-number 48 countries, as well as from the Armed Forces-Europe.

Our 466 first-year students represent the thirdlargest freshman class reported in the previous 30 years at the university — and include a record number of both legacy and international students.

As we follow our Viking Bold road map, we remain faithful and true to our enduring mission and commitments. The quality and value of an Augustana education continues to garner national recognition. For the third year in a row, career site Zippia ranked AU No. 2 in the nation for postgraduate employment. Also, for the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report named Augustana a top regional university in the Midwest in its 2022 Best College Rankings.

There are exciting academic updates to share, as well as news of alumni accomplishments. On page 8, you will read about Augustana’s new Anatomage Virtual Cadaver table — state-of-the-art technology made possible by generous alumni. Turn to page 23 to read how our graduates, serving in ministry near and far, are finding meaning and purpose through their vocation. Pages 26 and 27 feature our 2020

and 2021 Alumni Achievement and Horizon Award recipients, recognized for their leadership and significant impact as they live out AU’s core values. And, on page 12, you’ll learn the university will offer its own semester-long study abroad program in Central America with a physical location in Costa Rica, set to open by the spring of 2023. Generous alumni who are passionate about experiential learning provided the leadership gift for this exciting endeavor.

In May, we broke ground on a $50 million housing plan focused on new and enhanced facilities that will serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s students and staff, as well as inspire others in the community who utilize our campus.

The south residential village is taking shape, with the construction of the new residence hall and renovations to Bergsaker Hall well underway.

This fall, we announced the addition of women’s lacrosse as Augustana’s 22nd intercollegiate sport. Lacrosse will be the first collegiate lacrosse program in South Dakota, regardless of division or affiliation. The Vikings will compete at the NCAA Division II level, with play beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

As you will read on page 16, Oct. 5 marked the public announcement of Augustana Men’s Hockey — the university’s first sport to compete at the NCAA Division I level. The day included the groundbreaking ceremony for the Midco Arena — the hockey program’s campus home. We are incredibly grateful to T. Denny Sanford for providing the largest gift in the university’s history, Midco for providing the naming gift and all of our strategic partners and donors for paving the way as lead investors. Together, we bring the first collegiate hockey program to South Dakota and first athletics program in Sioux Falls to compete at the Division I level.

Highlighted on page 2 is more detail regarding the impressive progress made last year on Phase 1 of Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030. We are confident in our ability to continue building on the momentum we have created together, and look forward to realizing even more progress toward our strategic goals throughout this academic year.

This is a historic time for the university, our nation and the world.

Our ability to adapt and innovate will remain critically important as we navigate the ongoing complexities of a global pandemic, as well as the technology and national trends driving change in higher education. Guided by our strategic plan and with your continued support, I have every confidence we will continue to make great strides in our journey and further strengthen the university’s position in a highly competitive environment.

Thank you again for all of the ways you are supporting Augustana’s goals and vision. We appreciate your prayers, words of encouragement, engagement with the AU community and financial support.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2021

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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.

• Organize into a College of Arts & Sciences (Jan. 2021) • Establish a School of Education - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business Administration program (August 2020) - Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy (August 2020) - Implement Master’s of Science in Nursing (September 2021) - Implement Doctor of Nursing Practice (August 2023) • Establish a School of Music (August 2020)

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.

• Implement a student recruitment plan (July 2020)

• Renew & re-envision programs that engage middle and h students (April 2020)

• Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as end scholarships (July 2022)

• Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs within the College of Arts & Sciences (August 2020) • Develop Medical Humanities program (August 2020) • Develop Environmental Studies program (August 2021) • Develop programs associated with intercultural studies (August 2022)

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ACADEMICS ACADEMICS KEY SUCCESSES 2020-21: OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain

201 9-22 ATHLETICS

PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athl academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate through academic and wellness support, community engagem opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate ath 2020 to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete elevate the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to e embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serv community and integrating our mission with its needs.

PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION KEY SUCCESSES TECHNOLOGY (IT) 2020-21: ENROLLMENT • ACADEMICS Established the School of Business, with Dr. Marcia Entwistle & • Implemented the Canvas learning management system STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS announced as the inaugural dean • ENROLLMENT Obtained investment&grade rating and secured bond financing • Established the School of Health Professions, with Dr. Matt STRATEGIC to move forwardSCHOLARSHIPS with student housing and infrastructure project Volansky announced as the inaugural dean • Completed evaluation of options for a university customized • Approved the multimedia entrepreneurship major, which app to enhance communication and engagement with current launched this Fall 2021, and established the Midco Media Center and prospective students • Enrolled full cohort in the MBA program for Fall 2021 • Secured a major gift for academics associated with behavioral NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS: health and wellness and launched feasibility studies for mental • Complete new south residence hall and renovation of Bergsaker health, school counseling and social work programs Hall • Expanded programming for instructional technology through • Introduce new university app to campus colleagues and current the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship to organizations students and work withmodel enrollment while adapting the university business and operations to management to utilize the • Renew & re-envision programs that engage middle and high school Humanities program of (August 2020) ensure financial sustainability.

• Establish a School of Education • Develop strengthen theDoctorate focus technology integration - Medical Implement ofinstructional Physical Therapy (August 2020)

app for prospective students Implement Augustana Master’s of Business Administration program • Implement a student recruitment plan (July 2020) • Develop Environmental Studies program (August 2021) students (April 2020) 2020) (September 2021) - Implement Master’s of Science in(August Nursing • • Renew In &partnership with complete upgrade to fiber backbone re-envision programs that engageMidco, middle and high school • Develop programs associated with intercultural studies (August 2022) - Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy (August 2020) NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS: •students Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as endowed (April 2020) - Implement Doctor of Nursing Practice 2023) - Implement(August Master’s of Science in Nursing (September 2021)

and access points across campus • Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as endowed - Implement Doctor of Nursing Practicefor (August 2023)change • • Finalize and implement a new governance model the scholarships (July 2022) ATHLETICS scholarships (July 2022) Establish a School of Music (August 2020) • Establish a School of Music (August 2020) OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain in academic structure to a College of Arts and Sciences and • Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programsand within the College of athletic and enhance their collegiate experience Establish of a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs withinacademic the College of excellence Arts &Health Sciences (August 2020) • Schools Business, Education, Professions and Music through academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service • Develop Medical Humanities program (August 2020) Arts & Sciences (August 2020) opportunities;staffing transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December • Develop certificate programs• Develop andEnvironmental identifyStudies appropriate

program 2021)student-athletes the opportunity to compete ATHLETICS 2020(August to provide at a higher level, Develop Medicalto Humanities program 2020) • infrastructure launch the Virtual Viking platform • Develop(August programs associated with intercultural elevate thestudies profile(August of the 2022) university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the • TECHNOLOGY and/or identify new (August academic programs in • Assess Developexisting Environmental Studies program 2021) ATHLETICS (IT) community and integrating our mission with its needs.

OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain KEY SUCCESSES 2020-21: OVERALL intercultural studies GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced • Develop programs associated withneeds intercultural studies• (August 2022) Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience that serve thefeasibility educational, spiritual and holistic of Augustana’s School of Optometry • through Strategically from actively academic and wellnesspivoted support, community engagement, and serviceseeking Division I multi-sport • facilities Complete study for professional (December 2020) students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community who utilize our transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December opportunities; conference invitation during and build new softball/baseball complex 2021) • campus; Prepare the into launch thecampus Master Science •inDesign nursing transformfor Augustana a dynamicof digital throughof emerging 2020 to provide(September student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a Phases higher level, 1 and 2 ATHLETICS profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically excellent connectivity, and best practices in in cyber security that Enhance Student Success Center services forthestudent-athletes; have • elevate Completed feasibility studies to add Division II men’s swimming technologies, program with specialty tracks acute care nurse practitioner, PHYSICAL CAMPUS &• upgrades INFORMATION embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the serve student learning, enable innovative teaching and research, and support the in place for first DI transition year (June 2021) OVERALL GOALS: Recruititsand retaindiving exceptional to acrobatics maintain TECHNOLOGY (IT) community and integrating our2021; mission withwomen’s needs.

& diving Fall Fall student-athletes 2021; women’s university’s clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator by securing external

business processes and overall mission. OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include administration new and enhancedinternships • Create athletic and programming for female and and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience •academic Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference facilities thatresource serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s & tumbling Fall 2022; and women’s lacrosse Fall 2023 • Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and approvals diverse student-athletes (April 2020) (December students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community who utilize our through2020) academic and wellness support, community engagement, and service to implement a holistic Campus Master Plan (March 2020) •policies Design and new softball/baseball complex (September 2021) • and Review and revise sports team travel• andbuild procedures (June Developed financial proforma for men’s ice hockey to compete at campus; transform fellowship Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through emerging • allocation Develop the post-master’s genomics begin the

opportunities; transition Division • Designate physical spaces across campus, including atechnologies, multicultural center excellent connectivity, and best practices 2021) in cyber security that 2020-June Enhance Student Success Center servicesto forNCAA student-athletes; have I intercollegiate athletics by December • upgrades the inDivision Itransition levelyear beginning in 2023 and secured largest gift in fordevelopment of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree serve student learning, enable teaching and research, and support the place for first DI (June 2021) activities and dialogue focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2022)innovative 2020health to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, • Centralize and coordinate student-athlete care and performance university’s business processes and overall mission.

Create athletic administration internships and femaleprogram and •elevate Augustana’s history toprogramming launchforthe • • Establish Deepen and plan, grow relationships with tribal sustainability landscape master plan, campus heritage plan,colleges training (July 2022) the profile the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically • Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and resource diverse student-athletes (Aprilof 2020) and historic preservation management plan (March 2020) • •embrace Piloted biomechanics and performance-based programming • Expand mental health care allocation to implement a holistic Campus Master oversight Plan (March and 2020)contact for student-athlete • PHYSICAL Establish a campus in Costa Rica CAMPUS & INFORMATION Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedures (June Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the (June 2021) • Designate physical spaces across campus, including a multicultural center 2020-June 2021)

with the Augustana baseball program and Sanford Sports TECHNOLOGY (IT) and integrating ourcare mission with its needs.

To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journeyfor toactivities 2030,and anddialogue to seefocused on•diversity, and inclusion (July 2022)culture; 2019-22 •community Centralize and coordinate student-athlete and performance Defineequity Division I championship integrate into athletics’ policy and health Science the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

• Establish sustainability landscapeprocedure masterand plan,statements campus heritage (July 2022)Institute OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus toplan, include new enhanced (Juneplan, 2021) training

excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, OVERALL GOALS: Transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced • Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport confe learning, and research in order to provide an education of enduring worth; OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain facilities that serve the educational, spiritual and holistic needs of Augustana’s OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and (December 2020) establish new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the students, faculty and staff, and inspire others in the community who utilize our excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, • Design and build new softball/baseball complex (Septem intellect while responding to the needs and interests of students. These campus; transform Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through emerging experiences worth; and ways of thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; learning, andenrollment, researchdiversify in order toand provide education of enduring technologies, excellent connectivity, and best practices in cyber security that programs will grow revenue address an workforce • Enhance Student Success Center services for student-athl 2019-22 make Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students3,000+ serve student learning, enable innovative teaching and research, and support the OVERALL GOALS: Enroll undergraduate and graduate students priorities of thenew local community andprograms region. upgrades in place for firstand DI transition year (June 2021) establish academic grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the with innovative scholarship partnershipsuniversity’s among alumni and regionaland overall mission. business processes • Create athletic administration internships and programm provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, • Organize into a College of Arts & Sciences (Jan. 2021) organizations while adapting the university business model and operations to intellect while responding to the needs and interests of students. These • Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and resource diverse student-athletes (April 2020) ensure financial sustainability.

• Establish a School of Education experiences anda ways of thinking encourage and service; allocation to implement holistic Campus Master Plan (March 2020) learning, •acceptance programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedu - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business Administration program • Implement a student recruitment plan (July 2020) • make Designate physical spaces across campus, including a multicultural center 2020-June Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for2021) more students (August of 2020) priorities the local community andACADEMICS region. for activities andand dialogue focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2022) • Renew & re-envision programs middle highscholarship • Centralize and coordinate student-athlete health care and OVERALL GOALS: Establish new academic structures and centers that sustain that engage with innovative partnerships among alumni and regional - Implement Doctorate of Physical Therapy (August 2020) ENROLLMENT &school excellence, facilitate growth, and cultivatestudents innovative (April and impactful • Establish sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campus heritage plan, training (July 2022) 2020) teaching, - Implement into Master’s Science inof Nursing 2021) • Organize a of College Arts (September & Sciences (Jan. 2021) STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS learning, and research in order to provide an education of enduring worth; organizations while adapting the university business model operations tostudent-athlete mental and historic preservation management plan (March 2020) • Expandand oversight and contact for • Establish creative scholarship opportunities well as endowed OVERALLas GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and graduate students and - Implement Doctor of Nursing Practice (Augustestablish 2023) new academic programs grounded in the liberal arts that challenge the (June 2021) provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, ensure financial sustainability.

• Establish a School of Education intellect while responding to the needs andscholarships (July 2022) interests of students.

These • Establish a School of Music (August 2020) To learn more about Vikingencourage Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see experiences and ways of thinking learning, acceptance and service; • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into ath programs will grow enrollment, diversify revenue and address workforce - Implement Augustana Master’s of Business program make Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

• Establish a Center for Interdisciplinary Programs within the of Administration priorities of College the local community and region.

•theImplement a student recruitment plan (July 2020) procedure statements (June 2021) with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional Arts & Sciences (August 2020) (August 2020) • Organize into a College of Arts & Sciences (Jan. 2021)

facilities that serve the educational, spiritual and& holistic needs of Augustana’s ENROLLMENT Toothers learn more Bold: The Journey to 2030,our and to see students, faculty and staff, and inspirethe inabout theViking community who utilize latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS campus; transform Augustana into a dynamic digital campus through emerging technologies, excellent connectivity, and best practices in cyber security that ENROLLMENT & KEY serveSUCCESSES studentSCHOLARSHIPS learning,2020-21: enable innovative teaching and research, and support the STRATEGIC • Adopted retention software to enhance OVERALL GOALS: Enroll 3,000+ undergraduate and students and effective collaboration university’s business processes andgraduate overall mission. and historic preservation management plan (March 2020)

among faculty, student success and student life • Enhanced the human resources support structures around diversity policies, practices and initiatives to reflect institutional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for activities focused on diversity, and inclusion •• Implement a student and recruitment plan (July 2020)analytics Implemented adialogue predictive andequity modeling tool to(July 2022) • Renew & re-envision programs that engage middle and high school Establish sustainability plan, landscape master plan, campusplans heritage •students develop budget scenarios and sustainable financial forplan, the (April 2020) and historic preservation management • university Establish creative scholarship opportunities as well as endowedplan (March 2020)

provide a welcoming and inclusive environment as different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking encourage learning, acceptance and service; • Establish criteria for decision making, setting priorities, and resource make Augustana’s education more affordable and accessible for more students allocation to implement a holistic Campus with innovative scholarship partnerships among alumni and regional Master Plan (March 2020) organizations while adapting the university business model and operations to • Designate physical spaces across campus, including a multicultural center ensure financial sustainability.

scholarships (July 2022)

NEXT STEP HIGHLIGHTS: To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see

• Renew and re-envision programs that engage middle school and the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold. high school students • Implement Navigate retention software • Develop concept, structure and programming for a center ATHLETICS

focused on intercultural engagement OVERALL GOALS: Recruit and retain exceptional student-athletes to maintain

academic and athletic excellence and enhance their collegiate experience and wellness support, THE AUGUSTANA | FALLcommunity 2021 engagement, and service 2through academic

opportunities; transition to NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics by December 2020 to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, elevate the profile of the university, and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically embrace Augustana University as the hometown team by serving the

• Seek and receive invitation to Division I multi-sport conference

• Expand oversight and contact for student-athlete mental health care

(June 2021) (December NEXT STEP2020) HIGHLIGHTS: • Define Division I championship culture; integrate into athletics’ policy and

statements (June 2021) • •procedure Identify specific needs in facility, scholarships, staffing/operations Design and build new softball/baseball complex (September 2021) • Enhance to secure Division II Director’s Cup within five years Student Success Center services for student-athletes; have • upgrades Secure invitation Division I hockey conference in place forto first DI transition year (June 2021)

• Create athletic administration internships and programming for female and diverse student-athletes (April 2020) • Review and revise sports team travel policies and procedures (June 2020-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)

To learn more about Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, and to see the latest updates, visit augie.edu/VikingBold.

Augustana Develops Model to Promote

STUDENTS’ OVERALL

WELL-BEING | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

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ugustana has always been committed to the well-being of every student, and now, a model has been developed integrating the key dimensions of well-being, and highlighting the interdisciplinary connections to success.

Senior Director for Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Suzie O’Meara Hernes ‘97, one of the developers of the model, said it emerged last spring following a study that showed the need for increased mental health and wellness services and support for students.

“One element that came out of that study was the need for an overall Well-Being Model because any of the dimensions of well-being could have an impact on your overall mental health and wellness,” O’Meara Hernes said.

There are six dimensions featured within the model including physical, emotional, spiritual, academic, social and financial well-being — all designed to help foster student development and wellness. The dimensions point students to resources related to developing healthy habits for their body, caring for their emotional and mental health, as well as exploring their faith, meaning and purpose in life. Other dimensions of the model provide students with easier access to information that will help them achieve their goals through academic and career strategies, strengthen their community and sense of belonging through meaningful relationships and contributions, as well as build a solid foundation by understanding and managing their finances.

Dean of Students Mark Blackburn, another developer of the model, said faculty and staff are encouraged to point students to the model for available support and resources.

“I want to make sure students know what the model is, how to access it and then they can use it on their own

accord,” Blackburn said. “They no longer have to dig for phone numbers or emails. It’s very open and self-explanatory.”

Ericka Kim ‘22, a nursing major and third-year Viking Advisor (VA), said the Well-Being Model not only provides students with a landing page of resources, but pushes them to think consciously about their overall well-being.

“As VAs, we focus a lot on mental health and academics, but not as much on the financial dimension, for example,” Kim said. “I don’t know much about that, but it’s still part of my job to lead people to those resources.

“I think it also gives students autonomy to seek out resources on their own if they’re not comfortable talking about it.”

The Well-Being Model also incorporates the CliftonStrengths that Augustana utilizes to identify the top five strengths of each student, staff and faculty member.

“When you relate your strengths to the Well-Being Model, you can identify for yourself, ‘If I’m a good communicator, how does that work with the social dimension in the WellBeing Model? If I’m analytical, how can that strength be used within the academic dimension? Or, if harmony is one of my strengths, how can I use that in the emotional dimension of my well-being? And, how can I maximize my potential on those particular strengths?’” Blackburn said.

After finalizing the model over the summer, the resource has now been made easily accessible for everyone. First-year students were given a detailed overview of the model during Welcome Week sessions, and signs have been distributed around campus to lead students to the landing page on Augustana’s website. n The Well-Being Model can be found at augie.edu/WellBeing.

THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2021

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AUGUSTANA ANNOUNCES

INAUGURAL DEANS FOR SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

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ugustana University announced that Dr. Matt Volansky has been named the inaugural dean of the School of Health Professions and Dr. Marcia Entwistle as the inaugural dean of the School of Business. The announcement is part of the university’s strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — to establish new academic structures and centers that sustain excellence, facilitate growth and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning and research to provide an education of enduring worth.

“I’m so excited that Augie has made the long-term investment in innovation culture,” Volansky said. “I enjoy the challenge of collaborating with colleagues to develop innovation as a competency like leadership or ethics.”

Volansky, of Naples, Florida, joined Augustana in 2019, when he was hired as the director of the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Along with his role as dean of the School of Health Professions, Volansky will continue to develop and lead Augustana’s first-ever doctorate degree program through the process of accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) as the program was recently approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

“Dr. Volansky was chosen because of his professional experiences, expertise, broad understanding of health professions past, present and future, and most importantly, his expressed and demonstrated commitment to Augustana’s core values. These things make him perfectly suited for this role as dean,” said Dr. Colin Irvine, provost & executive vice president.

“We are supremely confident that he’s going to help lead our health-related academic programs to the next level. He’ll do so because he’s always learning about what’s happening in health care, and he’s good at learning with and from his colleagues. Matt gets the Augustana mission, and understands the critical role the liberal arts play in making Augustana graduates uniquely prepared to serve and lead in various roles.”

Volansky earned a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from the University of Toledo at Medical College of Ohio, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in health care from Baldwin-Wallace College, DPT from Northeastern University

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THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2021

| BY JILL WILSON

and Ph.D. in biomedical informatics from Rutgers University.

Volansky came to Augustana from the University of Mount Union, where he was an assistant professor and faculty senator in the Department of Physical Therapy. He has also been involved in private practice for more than 25 years.

“I’m hoping to be able to build a place where everybody can not only meet demands, but work together, so that we can create something that’s innovative and build that foundation of innovation and thought, where we’re allowed to try new things, where we’re allowed to fail, but yet, we continually learn from those and build something even better,” said Volansky.

The School of Health Professions incorporates a number of majors at Augustana, including nursing, fitness management, exercise and sport sciences, as well as genetic counseling.

“A School of Health Professions helps to facilitate collaboration, innovation and integration, among other outcomes and goals. It helps ensure and encourage partnerships and synergy among academic departments that prepare students to enter into health care fields.

Simultaneously, it helps AU integrate more deliberately and strategically with our partners to serve their needs and those of our students,” Irvine said.

As for the School of Business, Entwistle has committed to serve as dean for two years.

“I am humbled and excited to have been asked to serve as the inaugural dean,” Entwistle said. “I’m thrilled to be able to help Augustana through this transition as we establish the School of Business with our talented faculty. We will build on our strong tradition merging business education and the liberal arts as we prepare for a bright future. Sioux Falls is an extraordinary place to study business — we can’t wait to get started.”

Entwistle, originally from Ashton, Iowa, has been an Augustana faculty member for more than three decades.

The associate professor teaches courses in management information systems, systems analysis and computer programming in both the business administration and computer science departments. She earned her undergraduate degree from AU in 1983, as well as her MBA and Ph.D. from the University of South Dakota.

“We’re very excited about what this will mean to the Sioux Falls community and how we’ll be able to form partnerships and engage our community leaders even more.”

— Dr. Marcia Entwistle ‘83 Dean of the School of Business

“I’m so excited that Augie has made the long-term investment in innovation culture. I enjoy the challenge of collaborating with colleagues to develop innovation as a competency like leadership or ethics.”

— Dr. Matt Volansky Dean of the School of Health Professions

Entwistle was instrumental in developing and launching the university’s new MBA degree programs. AU’s first 4+1 MBA class began in September of 2020, providing undergraduate students the ability to earn both their bachelor’s degree and an MBA in five years. The 2-year program for working professionals kicked off this summer.

“We have an incredible opportunity right now. Sioux Falls is growing. Augustana is flourishing. Our students are realizing professional success and personal fulfillment during their time with us and immediately upon graduation as they launch their careers. How we lean into this movement matters, and I am confident Dr. Entwistle is the right person to ensure we are up to the challenge and the many exciting opportunities it represents for Augustana and Sioux Falls,” said Irvine.

The Schools of Health Professions and Business are two of four schools that have been launched at Augustana. Dr. Laurie Daily was named the inaugural dean of the Sharon Lust School of Education in April of 2020, and Dr. Peter Folliard, the inaugural dean of the School of Music in May of last year.

“We’re very excited about what this will mean to the Sioux Falls community and how we’ll be able to form partnerships and engage our community leaders even more. The business community has always been good to Augustana and now that we’re a school, we’ll be able to reach out in a different way. We have competitive and driven students and we’re anxious to see how this change will impact our ability to recruit the same level of students,” said Entwistle. n

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| BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

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wo years ago, Fred Lawyer ‘76 completed an 18-hour drive to Augustana’s campus. The purpose was to make a donation to the art department. Not just any donation though — it was in the form of a several hundred-pound stone.

The stone that he drove cross country to donate is used for printmaking, also known as lithography, and is a limited, irreplaceable resource. Printmaking dates back to the late 1700s, and is the process of printing from a flat, special limestone that is treated to repel ink except where it is required for printing.

“Over the years, the stones become thinner and thinner, but each stone, with proper handling, has the potential to create thousands of images in its lifetime,” said Professor of Art Dr. Lindsay Twa. Lawyer originally purchased the stone in the late-’70s from Graphic Chemical and Ink, a supplier of lithography materials, while studying for his Master of Fine Arts at Kansas State University. He then cut the stone down with a circular saw to the size it is today — about 24-by-32 inches. The stone traveled with him from Kansas to the University of South Alabama, where he landed a teaching job. However, Lawyer’s personal and the university’s presses were both too small to fit the newly acquired stone. For years, it sat in a crate until he brought the stone along on a trip to visit the late Carl Grupp.

Grupp, Augustana professor emeritus of art, was the founder of AU’s printmaking department and the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery. He was also Lawyer’s professor and friend, as well as one of his most impactful artistic influences.

“I could’ve taken it to the University of South Dakota or even Kansas State, my other alma maters, but I really thought it would get the best use and care at Augustana,” Lawyer said. “Plus, I very much have a soft spot for my whole Augustana experience and my time with Carl.

“The world is truly an emptier place without him. You just can’t replace people like Carl.”

Lawyer’s donation, Twa said, is priceless to Augustana’s printmaking studio.

“This stone will enable generations of student artists to create unique images of a scale that most others would only get to achieve as professional and advanced artists,” Twa said. “Augustana has long Lawyer (left) said that Grupp (right) was one of had a strong tradition in printmaking, and Fred is now paying it his most significant artistic influences and mentors. forward to our future students.”

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“This stone will enable generations of student artists to create unique images of a scale that most others would only get to achieve as professional and advanced artists.”

— Dr. Lindsay Twa Professor of Art

Lawyer, a retired art teacher, is pictured with the printmaking press he built in 1976 for Augustana Professor Emeritus of Art Carl Grupp.

FROM THE U.S. NAVY TO AUGUSTANA

Lawyer’s path to Augustana was not a straightforward one. One of seven children born to World War II veterans, Lawyer was born in an Army hospital and spent his childhood in Taiwan, Germany and California, before his family settled in Sioux Falls. In 1969, a week after he received his high school diploma, Lawyer was drafted. Three years after his high school graduation and serving honorably in the Navy, Lawyer started school at Sioux Falls College, now the University of Sioux Falls, but transferred to Augustana his sophomore year. Here, he met Grupp, and his affinity for printmaking developed.

“Printmaking is what they call ‘super drawing,’” Lawyer said. “You can do things that are impossible to do with just drawing, and I’m into mechanical stuff, so it became my forte. Of course, once I got into it, I had to have all the equipment. So, I got my own roller, and I built my own. My first press Some of Lawyer’s first lithography stones that I built, I used the metal frame from a bunk bed that I slept in when I had check blanks still on the backs. was a kid.”

The summer after Lawyer graduated from Augustana, he also built a press for Grupp, who kept it until Lawyer drove his lithography stone to AU. Grupp expressed concern that, eventually, the press would be hauled off as scrap metal. So, just a few months after his first trip, Lawyer made the 18-hour drive to Sioux Falls once again to retrieve the press he had built for Grupp decades earlier.

“After just one year, I had to replace the tires on my truck because they had cord separation from transporting all that weight — all that speed and distance,” Lawyer laughed.

Lawyer, who taught high school art in Alabama, said that he applied many things he learned from Grupp to his own teaching.

“He was really not that much older than me — more like an older brother — but he definitely was a father figure in my art world,” said Lawyer. “He taught me how to draw, and I can’t tell you how many great meals I had at Carl’s table with him and his family when I was building his press, and even before.”

Lawyer, who is now retired and resides in Mobile, Alabama, still practices printmaking, but not as much as he used to. The stone Lawyer donated can be found in Augustana’s Center for Visual Arts, where printmaking students will use it to create art for years to come.

“When I donated the stone, it was gratis,” Lawyer said. “I was just happy to do it.” n

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AUGUSTANA’S HEALTH SCIENCES MAKES MOVE TO

VIRTUAL CADAVER TECHNOLOGY: ‘The evolution of educational methods has been amazing’

| BY JILL WILSON

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ugustana University alumnus Greg Schultz ‘74, who was the first trained certified vascular surgeon in the region, believes that eventually virtual cadavers will, in most instances, take the place of the real thing. And, now, Augustana has one; one of only two known Anatomage Virtual Cadaver tables in South Dakota and one of only a few in the region.

The Anatomage table is state-of-the-art technology that allows students to explore, discover and study the human body.

The table offers the most realistic virtual cadaver with stunning visualization of full-body anatomy in life-size.

“I have not seen it anywhere,” said Schultz, a vascular surgeon with Sanford Vascular Associates in Sioux Falls, who has dedicated his career to developing cutting-edge technology. “When we were granted the opportunity to go and experience it, I thought it was amazing. I just reflect on how we continue to learn differently. When I initially started my medical training, there were no CAT Scans, there were no MRIs and, now, we are learning virtually. As a result of this technology, people in the future will look back and say, ‘Yeah, they actually used to work on real cadavers.’”

Augustana faculty began dreaming of a virtual cadaver when Dr. Steven Matzner ‘90, professor of biology, came back with pictures of one after attending a conference in Pennsylvania. Along with Matzner, Drs. Paul Greg Schultz ‘74 and Karen (Devick) Schultz ‘75 Egland, Jennifer A.A. Gubbels and Mark Larson got together and applied 8

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for a grant, which they received from the Oliver Innovation Fund. Schultz, and his wife, Karen (Devick) Schultz ‘75, a music major whose parents were also Augustana graduates, gifted the remaining dollars needed to purchase the virtual cadaver table this spring.

“My wife and I benefited from the tremendous Augustana educational experience.

In my liberal arts education, I truly learned how to learn and that prepared me well for the field of medicine in that physicians are indeed perpetual students,” said Greg. “As someone who has gained so much from the educational experience at Augustana, it made a great deal of sense to gift this educational tool that might stimulate the exceptional faculty and excite the gifted students of Augustana.”

Gubbels, associate professor of biology, said for a long time, anatomy classes at Augustana used cat cadavers as learning tools. With those becoming harder to come by, the classes switched to utilizing rabbits, which posed a problem for faculty in teaching students because the terminology for rabbits and humans isn’t always the same. Instead, the Anatomage table allows people to visualize human and/or animal anatomy at the highest level of accuracy.

“They take thin slices of real cadavers and image them and then incorporate those images into computer software,” said Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Kevin Natukunda, who has both a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and nursing, as well as a Ph.D. in genetics, and was initially trained on the virtual cadaver. “You can actually see the heart beating. If we are looking at a certain bone, we can rotate it and see all the angles because this is 3D. You can also isolate different features.

“The Anatomage table comes preloaded with the software that enables students to ‘dissect’ and explore the human body’s inner workings with precision and detail.

Students can repeatedly ‘dissect’ the cadavers, interact and learn anatomical systems and structures to better understand anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.”

“It’s like the body is laying on the table,” added Gubbels. “... a life-size computer screen that you look down upon, but it can also project. So, if the instructor is doing something on the table, it’s projected up onto the screen in the classroom so the whole class can see what you’re looking at.”

With the virtual cadaver delivered to campus just a few months ago, faculty say they will keep working with the technology to begin incorporating it into more and more courses; not just anatomy courses, but developmental biology and physiology — just to name a few.

“I’m particularly excited that this educational experience can easily be used by other fields of study like physical therapy, athletic training, nursing and even dentistry — fields that had not previously been exposed to cadaver anatomy,” Greg said.

Despite the technology, Natukunda and Gubbels said the social and natural sciences still come together. Even though the cadaver is virtual, they recognize and will always try to get their students to recognize that these were real people who donated their bodies to science.

“They all consented to have their bodies used in this way to further the knowledge of people that they had never met. It is amazing that their donation will affect so many people,” added Gubbels.

And, like those who sacrificed their bodies for science, donors like the Schultzes will have an impact on so many, for many years to come.

“The evolution of educational methods has been amazing in the field of education in general, and in particular, in health care,” said Greg. “Institutions that fail to embrace these new technological advances are destined to fall behind their peers and lose the interest of aspiring students. It’s my opinion that the best education can be achieved with the use of exciting advanced technologies along with a guiding mentor or professor to assist, stimulate and challenge those trying to learn.”

Augustana has always had exceptional faculty, and now the university has the newest technology. n

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First

BEACOM RESEARCH FELLOWS Reflect On Learning Opportunities | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20 Poppinga with Active Generations President & CEO Gerald Beninga and Director of Programming Nancy Wehrkamp

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generous donation from Lisa and Miles Beacom in February allowed Augustana students the chance to conduct impactful, hands-on research while better serving the Sioux Falls community.

Charlotte (Berg) Poppinga ‘21, Annie Olson ‘22, Grace Bucklin ‘22 and Gedion Alemayehu ‘23 had the opportunity to be the first Beacom Research Fellows. The 2-year pilot program, which is part of the Augustana Research Institute, made it possible for organizations with limited resources to access research, analytics and field-specific expertise in operations and data management.

Poppinga is a sociology major with an emphasis in family & community services and minoring in psychology and children & youth. The Rock Rapids, Iowa, native worked with Active Generations, researching aging trends as the non-profit organization prepares for the next generation of older adults. With a new location planned for the east side of Sioux Falls, the organization sought to understand the challenges they face and how the population is changing.

Poppinga, along with the other fellows, first went through the process of obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and then began her project in March.

After interviewing Active Generations staff members, she drafted a “scope of work” document, performed a literature review, contacted neighboring senior centers and began her rough draft. After the draft was finalized, Poppinga presented her findings to the organization’s Board of Trustees.

“Honestly, I am so glad that I got to experience this because undergraduates in social science fields don’t have many opportunities to actually do research,” Poppinga said.

Gerald Beninga, president & CEO of Active Generations, said that Poppinga’s research was not only helpful for

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their organization, but requested by similar organizations throughout the country.

“Charlotte’s research of our current programming and services, her contact with similar organizations in the United States and the analysis of the research was outstanding,” Beninga said. “Her detailed report helped support the design of our architectural process in evaluating a second location.”

Before becoming a Beacom Fellow, Poppinga had planned to pursue a career in social work for child protective services.

Working with Active Generations, however, led her in a new direction.

“I definitely didn’t think that I wanted to go down a research path,” Poppinga said. “I really enjoyed putting all this work together and presenting it. And, now, I’m thinking of getting my master’s degree in gerontology. This may have totally changed my career path.”

Olson had a similar career-altering experience with her research. The psychology major, who is minoring in biology and business administration, worked with the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative, a group formed to address funding and workforce issues for child care providers.

“Being a part of this made me realize I really like research, but I also really like working in the community,” Olson said.

“In the future, I’m excited to work with different people and help solve issues. Being a fellow made me sure that I want to pursue maternal and child health tracks in a public health program.”

Olson, who worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, Sioux Empire United Way and Sioux Falls Thrive, looked at what issues exist with the child care system locally, how those issues could be solved and how to garner support from local philanthropic and business sectors in the community.

“The cost of child care for any kid — birth to age five — is close to $10,000 a year,” Olson said. “The median wage for an average Sioux Falls resident is around $39,000 a year. So, if one parent is paying for that, that would be close to a fourth of their income. And, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, child care is supposed to cost no more than 7% of a person’s income.”

Christina Riss, Sioux Empire United Way’s community impact director, said that the pandemic further highlighted the challenges that exist within the child care industry. Riss worked closely with Olson to provide insight into Sioux Falls’ challenges.

“With a greater understanding of this local data, United Way is hopeful that additional opportunities will be identified to ensure quality child care remains accessible for all families in need of such services,” Riss said of Olson’s research.

Olson echoed Poppinga’s thoughts that undergraduate social science fields, such as psychology, don’t garner the same number of research opportunities as other fields. She said she is grateful for the Beacoms’ donation and hopes it will inspire others to invest.

“It’s definitely worth applying,” Olson said. “It’s a really good experience, and it was eye-opening to see that there are these real people who funded and created my experience. And, it’s right here at Augie.”

Lisa Beacom, who serves on the Sioux Falls Thrive Board of Directors, has seen firsthand the struggle that nonprofit organizations face and how programs like these can benefit both parties.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get some real-life experience while they’re in college,” Lisa said. “And, I like to hear about and follow all of the analysis.”

Alemayehu’s project, which transitioned into a group project, focused on EmBe, an organization dedicated to empowering women and families. Bucklin, who worked with Volunteers of America, extended their project into the school year. The second group of Beacom Research Fellows began their research in September.

Miles Beacom, CEO of PREMIER Bankcard in Sioux Falls, said this partnership with Augustana and its students is critical to the continued success of Sioux Falls.

“This project is a great one that really works with businesses, both in the nonprofit and profit sectors, that can’t afford to have another set of eyes look at their business and say, ‘How do we improve as an organization?’” Miles said. n For more information on the Beacom Research Fellows Program, visit augie.edu/BeacomFellows.

The Beacom family (left to right): Back: Iman, Lisa, Miles, Ashlee, Front: Erin, Ally Olson with Candy Hanson, Sioux Falls Thrive director of community collaboration

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CHARTING a new

COURSE Augustana to Drop Anchor in Costa Rica | BY JILL WILSON

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ugustana University has a long and rich history of study abroad. Before COVID-19 impacted the globe, 53% of AU’s 2019 graduates studied away — nearly five times the national average.

And, as the world reopens, Augustana is positioning itself to come out stronger, with even more opportunities for students to study away. If all goes as planned in Academic Year 2021-22, Augustana will have up to 16 courses taught by approximately 30 faculty members with more than 225 students participating across the globe.

“It’s a part of our core identity in a lot of ways,” said Ben Iverson, Augustana’s director of international programs & enrollment. “Certainly, we promote it (study away) with prospective students, but it starts with the faculty every year, who lead courses on practically every continent. Of course, they come back and talk about it and the students who went with them talk about it. So, it’s just part of the dialogue here.”

The numbers are impressive, but aren’t stopping the International Programs Office (IPO) from dreaming even bigger. As part of the long-term vision in Augustana’s strategic plan, Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, the university will offer its own semester-long study abroad program in Central America with a physical location in Costa Rica, set to open by the spring of 2023.

“It’s a new challenge and a lot of work, but it’s something we’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” Iverson said. “I think everybody in the IPO is just really excited to see this come together and see the first group of students go. But, if I’m dreaming really big, if the model is successful, if I look toward 2030 and beyond, I hope that it’s the kind of thing we might do again in two or three other locations. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a location on every continent?”

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But, Iverson jokes that they’ve got to make this one work first. The 2004 Augustana alumnus, who studied and lived in countries such as Spain, Norway and Nicaragua, said Costa Rica was “the natural, obvious choice on so many levels” and “there wasn’t a whole lot of debate about other locations.” He said starting a campus in Costa Rica would capitalize on existing interest as one of Augustana’s top semester-length study abroad destinations. The country is safe, close, allows for virtual learning and is most of all, affordable. Cost is by far the No. 1 reason students choose not to study away. In terms of tuition and fees, as well as room and board, the IPO envisions that the costs for students will look the same as costs on-campus at AU. The only added expenses will be plane tickets and the “extras” in which students choose to participate.

“I think our students recognize that they need to expose themselves to the way the rest of the world really is,” Iverson said. “It’s a really important experience for their future career trajectory. Employers and graduate schools want all of the skills that people develop when they study abroad — independence, confidence, the ability to travel, approaching problems from different perspectives, to work with people who don’t look like you, the ability to speak a foreign language, even just a little bit. I mean, what employer or graduate program wouldn’t want those things?”

Augustana is in the process of selecting a physical location for classes and housing, staff, transportation and dealing with all of the other logistics that come with laying down roots in another country. But, the university has had partners with strong connections to AU and operations in Costa Rica — such as Intertec and Sanford World Clinic — to lean on for advice.

“It’s all those kinds of details that we’re sorting out now. The things that we know how to do really well are designing the academic content and supporting activities. Our faculty are great at taking existing courses and envisioning all of the completely different experiential learning opportunities afforded by the Costa Rican setting,” said Iverson.

Micah ‘04 and Jaclyn (Sutton) Aberson ‘05 with their daughters Sutton and Andie

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES LEAD TO TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT

To help support the initiative, Augustana secured a leadership gift from alumni Micah ‘04 and Jaclyn (Sutton) Aberson ‘05, who are passionate about funding experiential learning opportunities like the ones that would take place in Costa Rica.

“We both have a deep passion for Augustana, so it starts there. And, within that deep passion for Augustana, we also have been blessed through our collective career opportunities to be in a position where we can do something and give something back. So, I think we both felt called to do something,” said Micah, executive vice president for Sanford Health, who oversees large parts of the organization.* “It was really by happenstance, but I do think that sometimes there’s divinity and coincidence. And, I think they’ve just sort of started to scratch the surface on what the potential could look like, as you take the programs and the offerings of Augustana. The relationships that Sanford has been able to establish and see how that sort of stew all comes together. And, I think that there’s great potential to do some pretty remarkable things in that country, both by way of education and training Augustana students, but also engaging the people of Costa Rica with an educational opportunity that’s different and apart from what they otherwise perhaps have access to.”

Growing up in Sioux Falls, Micah said his family vacationed, but they never traveled internationally. While attending Augustana, Micah said he realized that in order for him to develop spiritually and emotionally as a person, he needed to “view the world through a different lens” and “wanted to get off the beaten path a little bit.” Augustana’s Director of International Programs at the time, Donn Grinager, convinced him to go to South Africa.

“There were other students who were traveling to Western Europe, which I knew I was going to have an opportunity to see through music. So, I wanted to do something different and go on an adventure,” said Micah. “I would say that those six months that I spent internationally and in South Africa were the most transformational period of time in my life.”

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Jaclyn, who practiced law at Hagen, Wilka & Archer, LLP and now stays at home to provide a home base for their children, said giving back in “some small way” like this fills her heart. While at Augustana, she also had transformative experiences while studying away during January Interim (J-Term) and spring break service trips to places such as New York and the Pine Ridge Reservation, however, she missed an international experience in Hong Kong due to a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak at the time.

“I think Augie really helped me develop a curiosity about the world and then an understanding that my world is not the world, and I have a responsibility to learn more about the world,” Jaclyn said.

Micah added, “Thus, some of the passion that we have around international studies and allowing other students the opportunity to do that.”

“I think it’s so incredibly important for every single person to study away. Your world gets so much bigger.”

— Elizabeth Lee ‘22

Elizabeth Lee ‘22

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE ‘TICO TIME’

Augustana students like Elizabeth Lee ‘22 are the reason why the Abersons give. The Minnesota native is double majoring in Spanish and languages, literatures and cultures, as well as minoring in English as a second language (ESL). Lee is applying to graduate school for linguistics and ESL. Hoping to one day teach English abroad, she came to Augustana with the expectation because of its reputation of providing students opportunities to study abroad.

“I think it’s so incredibly important for every single person to study away,” Lee said. “Your world gets so much bigger. You learn so much about yourself, and also about what else is out there in the world — that there’s so much more than just where you came from and what you know.”

After having gone to India for a J-Term, she realized she wanted even more out of her next experience.

“You spend almost the entire time in the honeymoon phase and you don’t really ever click in and wrestle with the differences,” said Lee. “After going to India, I decided being a tourist isn’t for me. I would much prefer to live in a place and be able to interact with the people there.”

And, that’s exactly what she did in Costa Rica in the fall of 2019 on a semesterlength program through International Studies Abroad (ISA). While there, Lee ziplined and hiked volcanoes, but also worked with girls who have been taken out of sex-trafficking, experienced a home stay with her Mama Tica and Papa Tico, as well as life with a Brazilian roommate. She attended church and classes — one of which was one-on-one with a Spanish-speaking professor.

“One of the things I think that holds students back (from studying away) is being afraid of their friend group shifting or losing what they had,” said Lee. “But there are so many opportunities to meet people that you wouldn’t even think of, and by going away, you’re going to come back a better person for whomever is there to greet you.”

Lee’s biggest takeaway from her experience in Costa Rica was learning how to live in the moment, otherwise known as “Tico Time,” a phrase used to describe Costa Ricans’ nonchalant attitude toward time, and their relaxed attitude in general — something even more students at Augustana will have the opportunity to experience soon. n Visit augie.edu/international for more information.

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* Since the time of this writing, Micah has chosen to leave his role at Sanford Health, but continues his enthusiasm and commitment to the Costa Rica project, separate and apart from his employment with Sanford.

TURF WARS

Contributes to Kirkeby-Over Stadium

FACELIFT | BY RYAN HILGEMANN

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ugustana University’s Kirkeby-Over Stadium received a makeover during the summer of 2021 as a new turf was installed on Jim Heinitz Field, along with new field goal posts.

“I can’t express enough how thrilled we are with the results of the turf replacement at K-O Stadium,” Head Football Coach Jerry Olszewski said. “The previous surface served us very well since 2009, but had become worn and no longer a quality playing surface.”

The project, led by Mammoth Sports Construction, lasted less than a month as the original surface was torn out, the subsurface was slightly refreshed and the new surface was installed. The new surface, FieldTurf Vertex CORE, is the same that is used inside Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.

“Our new FieldTurf is the top-of-the-line surface and is of incredible quality,” Olszewski added. “It is used in several NFL stadiums and used by some of the largest Football Subdivision (FBS) programs in the country.

“It looks amazing and is a phenomenal playing surface for our student-athletes.”

Fans now see slightly more color on the turf as the sidelines are lined in navy and gold while the yard lines are marked with a shadow. One of the most impressive parts of the new turf is the Ole logo at midfield which spans 15 yards. The detail of the logo is prevalent, showing all the gradients of the helmet, along with the traditional colors of Ole’s face. There is also a navy border that runs the entirety of the outside of the field.

The new field goal posts went up shortly after the installation of the turf. The biggest difference is the color is more of a vibrant yellow as opposed to a traditional yellow.

“It was great when I saw our student-athletes train on the new surface for the first time,” Director of Athletics Josh Morton said. “We committed to finding the best turf solution with health, safety and performance in mind, and this product from FieldTurf fits all three.”

The turf was completely funded through private donations as part of the “Turf Wars” giving campaign. Turf Wars exemplified the community around Augustana and Viking Football, as giving spanned the entire country and decades of Viking football alumni and friends. The effort was led by honorary captains C.J. Ham ‘15 and Chad Greenway, alongside local captains Jim Heinitz and Joe Evenson ’03.

Ham is a current member of the Minnesota Vikings after a standout career competing for Augustana. Greenway, a South Dakota native, spent 10 seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings and has often been seen on Augustana’s campus as part of Legends for Kids. Heinitz is AU’s all-time winningest coach, while Evenson competed for and coached at AU. The original surface capped a decade at Kirkeby-Over Stadium that saw the Vikings go undefeated in the 2019 season, claim the program’s first-ever playoff win in 2010 and earn the NSIC South Division Championship in 2015. In addition, several notable Minnesota Vikings played on the surface including Ham, Vikings’ Pro Bowl fullback, and Jake Lacina, crowned the nation’s best college center in 2019 and Division II Rimington Trophy award winner in 2020. n

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Augustana University

HOME TO HOCKEY Vikings Announce Men’s Hockey Program, Break Ground on Midco Arena | BY JILL WILSON

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he news first broke in mid-June, but Augustana University formally announced on Tuesday, Oct. 5, that it will be home to the Viking Men’s Hockey program — set to take the ice in the fall of 2023. The public announcement came during a groundbreaking ceremony on AU’s campus for the program’s new Midco Arena, facilitated by a lead gift from T. Denny Sanford, Midco, Sanford Health and several other major donors.

“Thank you, Denny Sanford, for leading the way to bring Division I hockey to Augie, Sioux Falls and the great state of South Dakota. We’re proud to be one of the many sponsors and donors helping support Augustana in making this dream come true, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to put the Midco name on the arena. By bringing DI hockey to Sioux Falls, Augustana’s campus will become even more of an activity hub for the region while continuing to graduate leaders for years to come,” said Midco President & CEO Pat McAdaragh ‘81. “Midco is thrilled to be part of this initiative, and excited to welcome everyone to the Midco Arena.”

The program, which will compete at the NCAA Division I level, will be the Vikings’ 23rd collegiate sport and first of its kind in South Dakota.

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A CONVERSATION STARTER: THE BEGINNINGS OF HOCKEY AT AU

While Augustana is officially home to hockey now, the conversation surrounding the sport began in the spring of 2018 in the midst of Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s first year as president of the university.

“I decided to host multiple ideation sessions (with people from across campus),” said Herseth Sandlin. “I asked everyone to think and dream about the future. And, in at least three of those sessions, hockey found its way into the discussion.”

At the time, they were just discussions. Augustana hadn’t done much due diligence surrounding hockey until after an evaluation of an all-sports transition to Division I. When that didn’t unfold the way the university had hoped in 2020, the conversations began to grow at Augustana, and then, with a major donor.

This spring, Herseth Sandlin and Chief Strategy Officer & Executive Vice President Dr. Pam Homan ‘81 paid a visit to Sanford.

They brought with them investment proposals related to Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.

“I remember he (Sanford) was jotting down some notes on several things we had visited with him about,” recalled Herseth Sandlin. “Then, I said, ‘Denny, we’d now like to talk with you about hockey.’ I’m not sure if the topic surprised him or not. But,

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when I started to explain that the hockey program could compete at the Division I level and would be a good strategic fit and differentiator for Augustana, that’s when Denny started asking more questions and expressing interest in more information about the opportunity.”

They had found his passion. Once Augustana learned Sanford was willing to invest the single largest gift ever made to the university, it was a matter of making sure the Board of Trustees, as well as other strategic partners and donors were on board.

“It’s the right program at the right time for where Augustana is now, and it’s just been so affirming because of all the enthusiasm that our campus, alumni, community and donors have expressed,” said Herseth Sandlin. “This is more than a men’s hockey program at Augustana. This is a university-wide initiative that has great potential impact for our city and region.”

STANDING UP A MAJOR NEW PROGRAM

“It was probably about a week into my tenure when the president asked me what I thought about hockey. My answer was, ‘I love it. It’d be great, but it’s really expensive,’” Director of Athletics (AD) Josh Morton said. “I think when we knew he (Sanford) was excited, that got all of us excited.”

From an AD perspective, Morton said the most important moves they will make when it comes to standing up a hockey program involves two pieces — the head coach and facility.

Augustana plans to have a head coach in place by May 2022, giving the coach more than a year to build a roster.

Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate has been selected to manage the design, development and construction of the facility south of 33rd Street on S. Grange Avenue where the hockey team will practice and play games. First imagined by JLG Architects, the Midco Arena will house up to 3,000 seats, as well as luxury suites, providing a first-class experience for both student-athletes and sports fans. Augustana is conducting a feasibility study to help inform whether other elements should be incorporated into the design of the new facility (e.g., an auxiliary sheet of ice) to help meet campus programming and community needs.

“The hockey program, and what it means for our campus, is indescribable,” said Morton. “And, building a new facility — there’s something invigorating about it, not only for Augustana Athletics, but for the broader community. For Augustana to take that step — it separates us.”

Augustana is taking a collaborative approach in launching the program.

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AU has established a President’s Playmakers Committee, consisting of an Executive Committee and four subcommittees, which include the Head Coach Search, Facility Design & Programming, Athletic Program & Campus Integration, as well as Promotional Development & Fan Engagement.

These committees are already hard at work, because albeit a new program, the expectations are high.

“Since 2010, we’ve won four national championships in four different sports — that’s unheard of. We have broadbased excellence, so the bar is up there. The expectations are competitive excellence and strong academic performance,” said Morton.

As Morton said, along with other new programs, such as men’s swimming & diving, acrobatics & tumbling and women’s lacrosse, Augustana’s focus will be launching the men’s hockey program with excellence and continuing its quest to secure the Learfield Directors’ Cup. After at least five years of continuing to build and maintain momentum, the university feels it will be better positioned to make an allsports transition to Division I athletics.

T. Denny Sanford

MAKING HISTORY: FROM DRAKE SPRINGS TO DIVISION I

Members of the Augustana community are no strangers to hockey, including Ron Moquist, who moved to Sioux Falls in 1975. The South St. Paul, Minnesota, native is the husband of an Augustana alumna, a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, the former president & CEO of Raven Industries, Inc. and a major reason why hockey in the community has grown into what it is today.

Ron Moquist in 1981 with his son’s childhood hockey team

“I signed up my 6-year-old (Ian) in the hockey program and became the coach,” said Moquist. “I believe that was in 1978, and those are the days when we skated outdoors at the rink in Drake Springs Park.”

Within a few years, Moquist helped the effort to build an indoor rink — the Minnehaha Ice and Recreation Center. He said it wasn’t much to look at, but the 300 or so kids in the program were happy to be indoors.

“It was a big deal for us. A number of us worked 40-50 hours a week at our jobs and spent another 20 hours a week at the arena, trying to improve it, selling concessions and sharpening skates. It became like a second job, but was a lot of fun at the same time,” Moquist said.

Since then, the Stampede has paved the way in making Sioux Falls a well-known hockey destination for both players and fans, and the city now has the Scheels IcePlex, for which

Moquist was an honorary co-chairman. Now, nearly 45 years later, the former president of the Sioux Falls Youth Hockey Association and former director of the state association continues to help the community fill a void — this time with a program that will compete at the Division I level.

“I honestly believe this is going to be the hottest ticket in town. It’s going to add a level of excitement and entertainment that we don’t have in this community,” Moquist said. “This will just be one more thing that ties Augustana to it.”

And, people are taking notice as hockey continues to unfold — especially those who grew up in Sioux Falls, have ties to Augustana and are engrossed in the sport, like Wayne Petersen.

The 1984 graduate came to Augustana because of his father. Throughout his more than 30-year tenure, Pr. Pete Petersen served in many roles at the college, including as its first campus pastor, dean of students, assistant football coach, assistant athletic director, the voice of Augustana basketball and professor emeritus of health, physical education and recreation.

But, as a youngster, Petersen only knew of hockey through his dad, who played in high school and college in Minnesota.

“I used to skate, but I never played hockey and never had aspirations to play hockey because it really wasn’t an option when I was growing up in Sioux Falls, unlike it is now,” said Petersen.

Petersen didn’t know much about the sport until 2000 — not until the Minnesota Wild called him away from his position with the Twins, where he’s been for 21 years.

“Now, I absolutely love hockey,” said the Wild’s director of community relations & hockey partnerships. “It’s such a great game. It’s just a thrill to be a part of it.”

And, Petersen couldn’t have been more excited when he learned in June that his alma mater was looking to add the sport.

“I think it’s awesome. I think it’s going to be a golden opportunity to really shine the light on Sioux Falls and the university. There’s lots of opportunities to take the entire community and bring them on board. And, there’s nothing like a live hockey game.”

An experience the Vikings can’t wait to deliver. n

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Augustana’s School of Music and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

FORMALIZE ARTISTIC

PARTNERSHIP | BY JILL WILSON

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ugustana University’s School of Music (SoM) has formed an official partnership with the largest arts organization in the state — the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO).

“I think the main thing is that we want to support Augustana’s new School of Music. It’s a significant step forward for the university and its commitment to the arts in general, and music, in particular,” said Delta David Gier, SDSO’s music director of 17 years. “And, the orchestra, the South Dakota Symphony, is much bigger, much better than you would expect to find in a city the size of Sioux Falls. It’s a huge asset, culturally, to the city.”

The artistic partnership is “a drum” that Dr. Peter Folliard “has been beating for a long time.” Folliard was well aware of what a partnership with the SDSO would mean for AU, even when first arriving at the university as the conductor of the Augustana Orchestra in 2007. When he was announced as the dean of the School of Music in May of last year, Folliard said it was time to push on the gas and put pen to paper.

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“A major symphony orchestra and a school of music typically have synergies, intersections, partnerships. You have the New York Philharmonic and (The) Juilliard (School); you have the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Curtis Institute; now, you have the South Dakota Symphony and the Augustana School of Music,” Folliard said.

A RICH HISTORY

It’s not that the two organizations haven’t had any intersections in the past; in fact, they have a rich history together. The SDSO was formed in 1922 in conjunction with Augustana College as the Augustana Symphony Orchestra, with students and community members playing side by side, and changed to Augustana Town and Gown Symphony Orchestra in 1952. The SDSO was incorporated in 1965 as the Sioux Falls Symphony and declared the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in 1977.

Throughout the years, many Augustana faculty members have been a part of the SDSO, but the collaborations have lived through individual efforts.

“Pete (Folliard) has a lot of passion for the long-term sustainability of this deeper collaborative relationship with the South Dakota Symphony,” said Jennifer Teisinger, SDSO executive director. “He recognizes that the long-term stability needs a foundation in a formal agreement, not just a handshake and a conversation between colleagues.

“By codifying this signing of agreement, really putting attention on the words that we’re using, we’re saying that

we’re serious, and this collaborative relationship outlasts any of the people.”

Folliard said, “Now that we’ve launched a School of Music, the conversation has shifted to, ‘How can these two groups enrich one another and deepen the musical impact in Sioux Falls and the region?’”

THE IMPACT OF PARTNERSHIP

The formalized partnership between the SDSO and AU SoM lifts up the idea of artist teaching and experiential learning. As part of the agreement between the two, SDSO musicians have the opportunity to be an integral part of the instrumental faculty at the Augustana SoM. Whenever there is a vacancy, the two will work together to not only recruit talented musicians, but great teachers.

“Just like in a school of medicine, you would have a doctor who teaches and also practices as a health care provider. We have that same thing in music. A professional musician of the South Dakota Symphony who also teaches at Augustana.

That’s the model that we’re creating here,” Folliard said.

The SDSO already shares equipment with the SoM, but the partnership creates even greater opportunities for Augustana to become an artistic hub for creativity. SDSO groups can choose whether to rehearse and perform on campus. In turn, Augustana students will “be surrounded by the sound of professional musicians’’ and get to “rub elbows with the concertmaster or even conductor of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

The Augustana Town and Gown Symphony Orchestra in 1960, courtesy of the Edda

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

“Now that we’ve launched a School of Music, the conversation has shifted to, ‘How can these two groups enrich one another and deepen the musical impact in Sioux Falls and the region?’”

— Dr. Peter Folliard Dean of the School of Music

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21: “Augustana’s School of Music and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Formalize Artistic Partnership”

SDSO.” Sharing space with the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra (SDSYO) also means that members of the SDSYO can rub elbows with Augustana students, creating a better understanding of the pathway to becoming a musician.

“It’s important that a student in our region, our community, can see what it looks like; how they go from just starting the violin at school to wanting to be the concertmaster of their local symphony. This partnership helps outline that the student would benefit from education in their school, private instruction and joining the youth programs that the symphony offers. Then, attending the Augustana School of Music can help them in the progression towards the symphony. So, again, students can really see the path from where they are and where they want to be,” said Folliard.

Lighting the path not only creates another pipeline for the SDSO, but broadens their audience. Students at Augustana will have a greater awareness and access to the symphony by the very nature of the SDSO’s presence on campus. This creates an academic and artistic environment that encourages young people to engage more deeply in the arts.

“It’s really good for us to be able to demonstrate that (connection) for young people as they’re getting out of college and assuming leadership roles in the community,” Gier said.

And, thanks to the leadership of Gier, the SDSO has long been intentional about engaging the community — praised for its innovative programming, such as the Lakota Music Project and Music as Medicine Program. This, too, would provide more learning opportunities, as guest composers and artists of the SDSO will be integrated into SoM programming.

After more than 50 years, the two are closer than ever, and together, will enhance the overall impact of the arts.

“It makes a lot of sense that we would deepen our relationship now — now that Augustana has elevated its music department to the School of Music and we’re celebrating our centennial season next year. So, here we are, with this deepened relationship with Augustana, where we started, as the South Dakota Symphony is turning 100 years old.” Teisinger said, smiling, “It’s really, really quite serendipitously beautiful.” n

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Ministry Around the World: AU Alumni Serve Near and Far | BY KEELEY MEIER ‘20

A

cross the country and around the world, Augustana alumni are serving in ministry roles and living out AU’s core values of Christian faith and service — from a seminarian in Rome and volunteer in Serbia to a hospital chaplain in Colorado and theatre camp director in Iowa. Alumni have served with organizations such as Athletes in Action, Border Servant Corps, Pan De Vida and Mission to the World. They’ve found their callings in Australia, Madagascar, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway and Tanzania. Many are making a difference in the local community, as half of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churches in Sioux Falls are pastored by alumni. Many were part of the chapel staff or campus ministry outreach programs during their time at Augustana — nurturing their call to a vocation rooted in faith and service and leading them to accept the call to ministry in myriad forms around the globe.

HEIDI (KOSTBOTH) BINSTOCK ‘95

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA UNITED STATES

TINA GEISTFELD ‘18

BELGRADE, SERBIA EUROPE

JEAN BAREIS ‘84

DENVER, COLORADO UNITED STATES

ZACH JONES ‘16

ROME, ITALY EUROPE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23: “Ministry Around the World: AU Alumni Serve Near and Far”

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

Heidi (Kostboth) Binstock ‘95 never saw herself pursuing a life of ministry. The Beresford, South Dakota, native grew up in the Lutheran church but didn’t feel called to work ministerially until she began working with Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota at Atlantic Mountain Ranch in Custer.

“Working at the camp, getting that sense of call and proclaiming to people they are forgiven — I felt like I had a gift and passion for that,” Binstock said. “It was really about being able to see myself in that role.”

Binstock followed her husband, Greg Binstock ‘95, the associate head coach for Augustana’s Track & Field and Cross Country teams, to Bemidji, Minnesota, and landed a job as an interim youth director at First Lutheran Church.

While in Bemidji, Binstock was encouraged by the pastor at First Lutheran to apply to seminary. She studied at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and eventually found her way back to Sioux Falls — serving as associate pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

In 2014, Binstock became the first called pastor at WestSide Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, where she still works. Binstock, who entered Augustana as a mathematics major and graduated as an English major, credits the liberal arts education she received as an integral part of her journey.

“The gift of a liberal arts education is finding connections, and I think ministry really requires you to make connections for yourself and in people’s lives about what’s happening and then connecting them to faith,” Binstock said. “At Augustana, I really learned to listen and make those cross-disciplinary connections.”

Binstock’s advice for those looking to pursue a life of ministry is to talk to people who know them well.

“We have to hear what our neighbor thinks about us and how they see the gifts in us.”

BELGRADE, SERBIA Tina Geistfeld ‘18 has harnessed her ministerial gifts both near and far — from Sioux Falls and Nebraska to Serbia. The Truman, Minnesota, native graduated from Augustana with a biology major and emphasis in allied health. While at AU, Geistfeld was involved in campus ministry as an outreach team leader and chapel staff member.

After graduating, Geistfeld realized that she wanted to remain engaged in ministry, and in August of 2018, she left for Belgrade, Serbia, where she served with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), a year-long international service program for ELCA young adults. While in Serbia, Geistfeld also volunteered in a drop-off center that provided clothing, food and bathing facilities for Roma children.

“Every day there was very intentional,” Geistfeld said. “I was living out this decision to reflect on my faith and my spiritual beliefs within my daily actions and in serving these kids. It was a very eye-opening and enriching experience.”

Geistfeld’s idea to pursue a year of service evolved after she attended Augustana’s annual Sophomore Retreat. During the retreat, she listened to invited speakers talk about service opportunities. In the letter she wrote to her future self, she noted in all caps, ‘TAKE A SERVICE YEAR.’ Geistfeld received this letter right before graduation while in the middle of the YAGM application process and knew she was making the right choice.

After returning from Serbia in 2019, Geistfeld joined the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, where she accepted a year-long job placement in Omaha, Nebraska, at an end-of-life care facility, which was cut short due to the pandemic. She is now pursuing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Dakota, and has focused on an internal sense of ministry as she is navigating graduate school.

Geistfeld, who grew up in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, said that her ministerial experiences wouldn’t have been possible without Augustana.

“Being at Augustana, I got to experience taking my faith into my own hands for the first time, and I got to explore how I wanted to live out my faith because I had opportunities and organizations I could be a part of,” said Geistfeld. “Ministry as a whole is something I value so much, and it has helped me define what I understand to be important, impactful living.”

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DENVER, COLORADO Jean Bareis ‘84 followed a path in ministry that led her to her current role as a chaplain at the Denver Health Medical Center in Colorado. Bareis graduated from Augustana with an English, religion and secondary education triple major and earned her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Growing up, Bareis developed an interest in theology as a member of a youth group in a Presbyterian church in Rapid City, South Dakota.

While at Augustana, Bareis regularly attended chapel, participated in Bible study and, for a short time, a clown ministry group. In the summer of 1984, she worked alongside fellow Augustana students for Lutherans Outdoors as a camp counselor for young children.

Bareis found guidance and encouragement at Augustana from professors like the retired Drs. Murray Haar and Sandra Looney, who both encouraged her to follow her dreams.

“I recently found an article I had written for a magazine workshop class at Augie entitled ‘To Be or Not to Be … A Hospital Chaplain,’ for which I interviewed a chaplain at Sioux Valley Hospital (now Sanford Health), so I was definitely considering this line of work back then,” Bareis said. “The religion professors even recommended me for a scholarship to seminary, but I was not ready to take that step yet.”

Despite the encouragement, the idea of being in parish ministry was not always a definite calling.

“I lacked role models, because back then, we had very few women in the pulpit,” Bareis said. “I also began to identify as a lesbian in the ‘80s when there was quite a backlash against gays by conservative churches. I struggled with my sense of call and instead, taught English for several years.”

When Bareis received a full scholarship to seminary in the early-’90s, she felt that God was guiding her back into ministry.

She eventually found her way to the United Church of Christ after being drawn to its affirming stance and emphasis on social justice, and was ordained in 2011.

All of these experiences, at Augustana and beyond, led her to her work as a hospital chaplain, which she jokes is her destiny, as the daughter of a doctor and nurse, as well as the granddaughter of a minister.

“I was drawn to serving patients and staff of various ages, cultures and faith practices, and I find hospitals to be where the crux of life and death exists,” said Bareis. “I’ve never been one for superficial conversation, and this line of work demands being able to dig deep within oneself, as well as when ministering to others.”

ROME, ITALY Zach Jones ‘16 is pursuing a ministerial path after graduating from Augustana with a double major in mathematics and sociology. The former track & field student-athlete has lived and studied in Rome, Italy, since 2018, was ordained as a deacon at St. Peter’s Basilica in September and is anticipating ordination to the priesthood in 2022.

Jones, whose original career plans ranged from medicine to criminal justice, joined Augustana’s chapel staff as the Catholic ambassador halfway through his sophomore year. He remained in the role throughout his junior year, and during his senior year, was named the chapel president. The Iowa native, who grew up in the Catholic church, never considered his faith to be the center of his life until he became involved in campus ministry.

“At Augustana, there’s a search for truth that crosses all areas of study, and it led me to start asking those bigger questions about religion and God,” Jones said. “Both the service component and search for truth were really fostered at Augustana, which I think, led into a life of ministry very well.”

Jones formed a close relationship with Fr. Kevin O’Dell, Augustana’s former chaplain, Rev. Ann Rosendale ‘04, campus pastor, and Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde, retired campus pastor. Through these relationships, the idea of pursuing seminary and priesthood became a real possibility for him.

“I’m always very thankful for the Augie community and the openness to be a Catholic student on a Lutheran campus,” said Jones. “There are obviously differences among the denominations, but being able to focus on the community coming together as Christians — that was always very powerful for me.”

The foundation of ministry, Jones said, is living a life of prayer — as he believes God works in small steps and movements of the heart.

“If you are called to ministry, the Lord is going to get you there,” said Jones. n

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ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

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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 quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church. The recipient must have graduated within the last 15 years. Recipients of both awards must exemplify one of the shared core values of the university: Christian faith, liberal arts, excellence, community or service.

2020 DR. CAROL CASEY ‘76 serves as a professor of internal medicine gastroenterology & hepatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Veterans Affairs research career scientist. Casey earned her Ph.D. from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1984. The Mitchell, South Dakota, native has focused on the negative impact of alcohol on the liver, with her research funded by the National Institute of Health and featured in more than 120 publications.

Aside from her research, she also actively mentors as many as six scientists every year, and was recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Junior Faculty Award.

DR. BRENT LOKEN ‘94 is a lead food scientist at the World Wildlife Fund and leading expert in global sustainability, especially in the area of food systems.

Loken received his master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado Boulder, and Ph.D. in resource management and sustainability from Simon Fraser University in Canada. Loken is known for his work on endangered species conservation and has been featured in National Geographic and Scientific American, as well as on CNN. Along with rediscovering an extinct monkey species in Borneo, Indonesia, Loken served as the director of science translation at EAT where he was part of a team seeking to develop sustainable food practices for feeding a planet with 10 billion people.

DR. TIM RIDGWAY ‘80 serves as the vice president of health affairs and dean of the University of South Dakota (USD) Sanford School of Medicine.

After graduating from Augustana, Ridgway completed medical school at USD and residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As a physician, he received recognition as a Top Gastroenterologist in Sioux Falls by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals, the Presidential Award of the South Dakota Medical Association and has been listed among the “Best Doctors in America” for the past 10 years. Within Ridgway’s teaching roles, he was named the American College of Physicians Teacher of the Year in 2016, and received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award in 2013 from the USD Sanford School of Medicine. Most recently, Ridgway served as president of the South Dakota State Medical Association, and, at the USD Sanford School of Medicine as dean of faculty affairs, member of the Administrative Council and Executive and Faculty Development Committees, as well as dean of the Sioux Falls campus and executive dean.

HORIZON AWARD WINNERS INGRID (ARNESON) RASMUSSEN ‘05 serves as the senior pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rasmussen attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and earned her master’s degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Her years of study combined with her work in a free health care clinic led her to ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At the beginning of the pandemic, Rasmussen immersed herself in serving her congregation virtually when a stay-at-home order was issued. In May 2020, after the killing of George Floyd, Rasmussen reopened the church’s doors for medics needing a place to care for the injured, volunteers needing a place to drop supplies and those needing a place for prayers. Holy Trinity became the focal point of relief efforts for nonprofits in Minnesota.

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2021

LUANN (LOFTESNES)AAKHUS ‘76 spent 40 years in health care management, operations and business development, physician and health plan partnerships, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, patient and caregiver education programs, hospital devices, as well as medical products sales and service. After graduating from Augustana with a biology major, Aakhus earned her Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California. Aakhus’ entrepreneurial spirit led her to create an aerobics exercise company, bed and breakfast and hospital device sales and service company. She is currently the chief operating officer of Bicycle Health, a health care startup company committed to helping patients lead fulfilling and opioid-free lives.

MEL ANTONEN ‘79 was a dedicated journalist and storyteller who began his career in high school at the Watertown Public Opinion, and, after graduating from Augustana, the Argus Leader, where he covered sports, farm and political beats. Antonen covered Major League Baseball for 25 years at USA Today. He was a baseball analyst at CNN, ESPN and SiriusXM and was an analyst/ reporter at MASN-TV. The Lake Norden, South Dakota, native walked on Fenway Park’s left field with the late Yankee Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, and sat in a dugout with another Hall of Fame member, Minnesota Twins’ Harmon Killebrew.

Antonen, proud husband of Lisa, and father of Emmett, died Jan. 30, of a rare acute auto-immune disease and complications from COVID-19.

DR. ANDERS (AJ) DAVIDSON ‘08 is an active duty major in the United States Air Force (USAF) and a vascular surgeon at David Grant Medical Center (Travis AFB) and the University of California, Davis (UC-Davis). He is also an assistant professor of surgery through the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Davidson, a student-athlete, joined the USAF as a senior at Augustana, and following graduation, attended medical school at Creighton University, held a residency at UC-Davis, completed a master’s degree in clinical and translational research and continued surgical training with a fellowship at the University of Michigan. Davidson has published more than 30 peer-reviewed research articles, been awarded more than $850,000 in research grants and garnered national recognition from the military and trauma societies for his research into battlefield injury.

DR. LON KIGHTLINGER ‘77 served as the state epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) for nearly 20 years — career highlights from which include polio elimination, malaria and schistosomiasis control, as well as church building in Madagascar; disease control, immunization and infant mortality in South Dakota; and the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Ebola response team in Guinea. After graduating from Augustana with majors in biology and chemistry, Kightlinger received a Master of Science in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, specializing in infectious parasitic diseases and epidemiology. At 65 years old, he left retirement to again work with the SD-DOH to aid in the coronavirus response effort. Kightlinger is now re-retired in Pierre, South Dakota. He has a son, Andrew Kightlinger ‘08, and lost his beloved wife, Mynna, in 2007.

REV. DR. MEGAN ROHRER ‘01 (they/their/them) serves as the bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Rohrer, the first openly transgender pastor ordained in the Lutheran church, was ordained extraordinarily in 2006. In 2010, they were one of the first seven pastors received into the ELCA after policies regarding openly LGBT pastors changed. On May 8, 2021, Rohrer was elected the first openly transgender bishop in a mainline Christian denomination.

After graduating from Augustana with a religion major, Rohrer earned a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion. They have been listed in the Trans100, won OutHistory’s Since Stonewall Local History Competition and international awards for their documentary, “Zanderology.”

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CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES

Listed on the following pages are news and notes about your fellow alumni.

You can also stay in touch with us on social media: Facebook: Augustana (SD) Alumni | Twitter: @AugieAlumni

Visit augie.edu/alumni for updates, news, events and photos.

THE 2020s CLASS OF 2021 Moriah Goddard is a registered nurse with Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Noah Wicks joined the Agri-Pulse editorial team as an associate editor in June. AgriPulse is a resource for farm and rural policy information in Washington, D.C.

CLASS OF 2020 Keeley Meier has joined the Augustana University Strategic Communications & Marketing team as the university writer.

THE 2010s CLASS OF 2019 Cheyenne Chontos is the library technology coordinator/senior librarian at the South Dakota State Library.

Jeffrey Glassburner is the campaign manager for Virginia attorney general candidate Leslie Haley.

Hope Maunders and Evan Meyer ’17 were married on Oct. 3, 2020.

Julie Plonsky and Chet Peerenboom ’18 were married on June 12. Julie is a labor & delivery nurse at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 2018 Austin Jordan and Jensyn Rickenbach ’17 were married at Shipwreck Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, on June 30. Austin is a wrestling coach at Stillwater Area High School and trainer at Functional Pattern Minnesota.

Karliana Kelly is attending the University of South Dakota working toward her Ed.S. degree in school psychology. Her anticipated graduation is May 2022.

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Chet Peerenboom and Julie Plonsky ’19 were married on June 12. Chet is a risk & compliance coordinator for First Premier Bank Treasury Services in Sioux Falls.

Zach Reeg and Brittany Cech ’17 were married on Sept. 26, 2020. Zach is employed as the director of wealth management at IAMS Wealth Management in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Summer Smith and Jason Greenway ’16 were married on June 12.

Rachel Wisner married Yohannes Gulelat on Oct. 30, 2020.

CLASS OF 2017 Brittany Cech and Zach Reeg ’18 were married on Sept. 26, 2020.

Denae Doornink married Matthew Bigelow on Feb. 20.

Ashley Grussing married Jordan Kivel on Oct. 2, 2020.

Clarissa (Petersen) Lindstad is a science teacher at Brandon Valley Middle School in Brandon, South Dakota. She and husband, Lars Lindstad ’15, are parents to daughter, Vidaleen Kari, born in October 2019.

Nathan Merriman was promoted to the position of immunology, dermatology, biologics sales specialist for AbbVie Inc. on Jan. 4, after spending two years as a general medicine clinical representative.

Evan Meyer and Hope Maunders ’19 were married on Oct. 3, 2020.

Jensyn Rickenbach and Austin Jordan ’18 were married at Shipwreck Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, on June 30. Jensyn is a teacher at Partnership Academy in Richfield, Minnesota.

Mason Van Essen is an account executive with HenkinSchultz in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 2016 T.J. Davis and Kayla (Wallerich) Davis ’14 welcomed daughter, Cora Marie, in February.

Jason Greenway and Summer Smith ’18 were married on June 12.

C.J. Ham and Stephanie (Stevens) Ham ’15 welcomed a son, Cortez Thaddeus “Trip,” in February.

Katie (Connor) Mans and husband, Tanner, welcomed son, Connor Reid, in May.

CLASS OF 2015 Kyle Gilbert and Kennedy Schatz welcomed daughter, Asher Elizabeth, in May. Stephanie (Stevens) Ham and C.J. Ham ’16 welcomed son, Cortez Thaddeus “Trip,” in February.

Hayley (Burggraff) Hansen and husband, Jacob, welcomed son, Jack Henry, in April 2020. Hayley is a behavior analyst at SWWC Educational Learning Center (ELC) in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Carly (Klaassen) Herum is working for Iowa State University Extension & Outreach in Lyon County as an agriculture program coordinator. Carly and husband, Bryan, welcomed son, Clay Phillip, in July 2020.

Megan (Kalda) Kuipers and husband, Audie, welcomed daughter, Claire Dolores, in February.

Mitch Noyes is a counselor at Children’s Home Society in Sioux Falls.

Zachary Serrano is a producer and partnerships director at IPIC Theaters in Florida.

CLASS OF 2014 Melissa (Tuschen) Braun is a speechlanguage pathologist in the Watertown School District in South Dakota. She and husband, Kyle, are parents to son, Baker Darrell, born in August 2019.

Kayla (Wallerich) Davis and T.J. Davis ’16 welcomed daughter, Cora Marie, in February.

Jessica Hovland married Reed McEwen on June 5. Jessica earned her master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation counseling at South Dakota State University in 2021, and is a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Texas Workforce Commission in Abilene.

CLASS NOTES

Echo (Bartos) Kopplin graduated with a Doctor of Medical Science in May 2020.

Echo published an article in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery JOPA edition in January.

Crystal Lee earned her Master of Divinity at United Lutheran Seminary in 2021. She is the pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Yuriy Malashenko and wife, Lexi, welcomed daughter, Olivia Paulette, in March.

Evan Pierce is studying human resource management at the University of Southern California, with an anticipated graduation date in 2022.

at the Cook County Office of the Medical Examiner in Chicago, and accepted a position as an assistant medical examiner at the Cook County Office of the Medical Examiner to begin upon completion of her medical training in 2022.

Cody Schilling is the new Augustana assistant men’s basketball coach.

Kayla Vastenhout married Stephen Juba on Oct. 10, 2020. Kayla is employed at Sanford Imagenetics as a clinical staff scientist.

CLASS OF 2011

Brittany Van Iperen married Joseph Fenderson on April 10.

Adam Diamond married Kaitlyn Grabinski on Jan. 2. Adam is the vice president of risk & business insurance at USI Insurance.

CLASS OF 2013

Kelsey Wolter Knight and Brian Knight ’12 welcomed daughter, Anna, in September 2020.

Megan (Ulbricht) Bernhardt and husband, Jared, welcomed daughter, Kaylee Aloysia, in August 2019.

Michael Magnuson and Elizabeth (Waterman) Magnuson ’12 welcomed their first child, Morris Lee, in June.

Grace (Johnson) Martin and husband, James, welcomed son, Rowan Donald, in April.

Brandon Varilek earned his Ph.D. in nursing in 2020. He is an assistant professor at South Dakota State University.

Dylan West was admitted into the Summer 2021 cohort at the University of Colorado Denver to pursue a doctoral degree focusing on educational equity with a concentration in professional learning and technology.

CLASS OF 2012 Anthony Cullen is a technology & initiatives manager at AdvisorNet Financial.

Charlie Dubanoski is the 13th head baseball coach at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Brian Knight and Kelsey Wolter Knight ’11 welcomed daughter, Anna, in September 2020.

Elizabeth (Waterman) Magnuson and Michael Magnuson ‘13 welcomed their first child, Morris Lee, in June.

Meredith Reynolds completed a fellowship in pediatric & perinatal pathology at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, in June. In July, she began a second fellowship in forensic pathology

CLASS OF 2007 Jennifer (Fisher) Adams earned her Master of Music at the University of South Dakota in 2021.

Sarah Hanna-Addams defended her dissertation, entitled “The Role of CK1 in Necroptosis and Confirmation of Amyloid-Like Fibers in Necroptosis Using 2D SDD-Age,” in February 2020, and received her Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center. In March 2020, she began working at LakePharma, Inc. at its Irving, Texas, location and in April 2021, she was promoted to scientific manager II.

Anna (Isaacson) Lynch began her position as a staff attorney with Iowa Legal Aid in August.

Jeremy Aylward and wife, Andrea, welcomed son, Jack Joseph, in April. He joins sisters, Nora, Violet and Lucy. Jeremy was promoted to the coordinator of business operations for the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences and Parry Center for Clinical Skills & Simulation. Jeremy has been with the University of South Dakota for nine years.

CLASS OF 2010

CLASS OF 2006

Terra (Goplen) Falkena and husband, Tim, welcomed son, Flynn Fredrick, in January 2020, and daughter, Aurora Lynn, in February 2018. Terra received her master’s degree in the art of teaching, with a focus on music education from Morningside University in May 2020.

Logan Lee received tenure and is now an associate professor of economics at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.

Mary (Fodstad) Anderson earned her MBA in human resources at Capella University in 2021. She is an IT business analyst in Human Resources at Hennepin Healthcare.

Allison (Girtz) Antoine opened Kindermusik at the Lakes in Okoboji, Iowa, in 2017. She is the CEO and a passionate educator at Kindermusik.

THE 2000s

Christy Hallenbeck Ask is the new director of mission integration and senior pastor at the Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 2009

CLASS OF 2004

Jessica (Vogelaar) Olcott and husband, Creighton, welcomed son, Oliver, in June 2020. He joins big sister, Charlotte.

Sarah Madden Woods and husband, Robert, welcomed daughter, Abigail Sarah Louise, in February.

Amber (Chevalier) Silva and husband, Jorge, welcomed son, Max Lee, in August 2020. He joins siblings Evan, 4, and Bella, 2. Amber is a community wellness coordinator at Carris Health in Willmar, Minnesota.

Christa (Fishel) Walz is a nurse at Monument Health in Spearfish, South Dakota. She and husband, Gary Walz ’06, are the parents of four children, Carter, Madyson, Lexy and Josie.

CLASS OF 2003 Joseph Hoiberg earned his MBA at the University of Iowa in 2021.

CLASS OF 2000 Nate White, a former Sanford Health executive, was named president of Newpoint Healthcare Advisors, a national health care consulting firm.

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CLASS NOTES/IN MEMORIAM

THE 1990s CLASS OF 1996 Jennifer (Pederson) Schneringer earned her M.Ed. in literacy education in 2017, and is working on her Ph.D. in language and literacies for social transformation at the University of Missouri. She expects to earn her degree in 2027. She is employed as a reading specialist at Boonville R-I School District.

CLASS OF 1994 Jennifer Gerrietts-Masters is employed as a content marketing strategist at Xigent Solutions in Sioux Falls.

CLASS OF 1992 Jeff Partridge was appointed to the South Dakota Board of Regents by the governor of South Dakota on April 19.

Jeanne (Hieb) Saadi is employed as a talent acquisition coordinator at Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas. She attends Colorado State University-Global Campus and expects to graduate in 2021, with a degree in human resources management.

THE 1980s CLASS OF 1989 Kevin Koett is the vice president of student life/dean of students at Rowan University in New Jersey.

CLASS OF 1987 Susan Zemlin, the director of vocal music at Blaine High School, conducted her last concert on May 27, and retired after a long and notable career.

CLASS OF 1983 Christa Bosshard-Rodder is employed at Christoffel Blindenmission in Thalwil, Switzerland, as an administrative specialist.

CLASS OF 1989 CLASS OF 1982 Ken Jones is a professor of theology and philosophy at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. His chapter on avocation appeared in the book, Who I Am: Exploring Your Identity through Your Vocations.

His book, A Lutheran Toolkit, a primer on Lutheran theology, was published recently.

He is a fellow, contributing writer and speaker for 1517.org.

CLASS OF 1981 Lee Schoenbeck was elected to his fifth term in the South Dakota State Legislature in 2020. In January, he was elected president pro tempore — the top office in the Senate.

THE 1970s CLASS OF 1977 Everett Wayne Bad Wound returned from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he worked as a school psychologist, to his homeland of South Dakota, and retired in Rapid City, to live out his life as a quiet, shy person.

THE 1960s CLASS OF 1964 Robert Ramstad retired from the Department of Energy in Nevada, after 35 years of service. He then moved to Texas and worked as a security officer until 2020.

Visit augie.edu/classnotes and log in to share your news via our online directory.

CLASS OF 1986 Gregory May shared that he and his wife, Anne Marie, continue to be blessed and are still physicians in Aberdeen, Washington.

CLASS OF 1985 Brian Rieger is a software engineer at Rooster Park in Seattle, Washington.

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THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2021

Margery “Marge” (Ofstad) Thorburn, 72, of Sioux Falls, died at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, with family by her side, on Feb. 18.

Sherri (Schriever) Sherard, 59, of Chamberlain, South Dakota, died on April 11.

Thomas “Grumpy” Vallie, 73, of Sioux Falls, passed away at his home on Feb. 12.

CLASS OF 1988 Kimberly (Moen) Alvarez, of Pearland, Texas, passed away after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends, on March 31.

Laura (Thomas) Brandt, 55, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center on June 12.

CLASS OF 1983 Orlin Te Slaa, 63, passed away after a courageous fight with COVID-19, surrounded by loved ones, on May 25.

CLASS OF 1982 Dorothy (Koss) Fuchs, M.A., passed away on Oct. 5, 2009.

CLASS OF 1981 Eunice (Gatons) Cavanaugh, 88, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 27.

CLASS OF 1979 Jerome “Jerry” Yellow Elk died peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House on the campus of Avera Prince of Peace on April 17.

CLASS OF 1976

IN MEMORIAM

Pamela Blixt, 67, a longtime Minneapolis, Minnesota, resident, last living in Minnetonka, Minnesota, died of leukemia on March 1.

CLASS OF 1990

CLASS OF 1975

Amber (Ordal) Easton, 52, passed away on Feb. 22.

Bertha (Fling) Carter, M.A., 78, of Rosemount, Minnesota, passed away on May 17.

Shannon (Nelson) Peterson, 51, of Sioux Falls, passed away on March 11.

IN MEMORIAM

CLASS OF 1974

CLASS OF 1971

CLASS OF 1969

Orlo “Ole” Bjerk, 87, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22.

Melvin Ford, of Custer, South Dakota, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on April 7, 2006.

Donna (Hull) Bennett, 73, died at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, on March 22.

Steven Natvig passed away on Feb. 25.

Thomas Burkhart, 73, of Sioux Falls, passed away under hospice care at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, on March 28.

Dean Bunkowske, 69, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away on June 2.

Merlin Kamps, 69, passed away at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, surrounded by family, on June 30.

Joanne (Smith) Rasmussen, 69, of Austin, Minnesota, died at home on July 22, 2018.

Kim (Abraham) Moe passed away peacefully at home in Bonita Springs, Florida, with her husband at her side, on May 29.

Gretchen (Dirks) Stuckey, 71, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away in Cheyenne, on April 26.

CLASS OF 1973

Pauline (Ortman) Singer passed away on Nov. 23, 2020.

Stephen Willers, 74, passed away, surrounded by family, on April 12.

CLASS OF 1970

Larry Hovdestad, 72, died at home in Sioux Falls, on June 25.

Jess “Skip” Frakes Jr., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy on May 31, 2013.

CLASS OF 1972

Lawrence “Bud” Sittig passed away after a 7-week battle with COVID-19, surrounded by family, on May 22.

Barbara Iverson, 71, died at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, after a long and extensive health struggle, on June 11.

Gentry Stanley, 77, passed away after a month-long battle with COVID-19 while in the intensive care unit at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Gilbert, Arizona, on Feb. 1.

IMPACT THE FUTURE

CLASS OF 1968 Colleen (Meisel) Bee, 74, longtime employee of the Sioux Falls School District, passed away after a valiant fight with COVID-19, on Feb. 8.

Richard O. Olson, 75, passed away at home in Roseville, California, on May 20.

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31

IN MEMORIAM

CLASS OF 1967 Dennis Holien, 76, passed away in Sioux Falls, on Jan. 20.

Richard “Dick” Falor, 81, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Goodyear, Arizona, died on April 9.

Lloyd Kempema, 81, of Greeley, Colorado, passed away on March 17.

Melvin Feuerstein, 85, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Bethany Meadows in Brandon, South Dakota, on June 21.

Janette (Lund) Metzler died following a battle of several years with breast cancer on Feb. 14.

Orvan Jerome “Jerry” Hanson Jr., 78, passed away in Mesa, Arizona, on July 15, 2020.

Earl “Sherb” Sherburne died suddenly at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on June 17. Sherburne finished his career as a music educator at his alma mater, conducting Augustana’s Brass Choir and the Community Band.

Richard “Dick” Moga passed away from natural causes in Fredericksburg, Texas, on April 16.

Helen (Rasmussen) Sprecher, 75, of Howard, South Dakota, passed away peacefully after fighting a lengthy disease, surrounded by family, on April 2.

CLASS OF 1966

James B. Olson, 81, of Grand Island, Nebraska, and formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away at a care center in Grand Island, on March 13.

CLASS OF 1962 Royce Kjosa, of Lubbock, Texas, died on Feb. 16.

Ron Lerdal, 78, passed away after an 8-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease on April 16.

Arlen Olson, 85, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, died peacefully with his wife of 60 years by his side on March 15.

Thomas Magstadt, 76, passed away at home in Westwood Hills, Kansas, on June 9.

Donald Otten, 85, died in Reno, Nevada, on April 30.

CLASS OF 1965

CLASS OF 1961

Everine (Reid) Bradshaw, 100, passed away on Jan. 11.

Milton “David” Brue, 77, of Sioux Center, Iowa, formerly of Centerville, South Dakota, died at the Sanford Sheldon Care Center on May 30.

Korrine (Johansson) Reger, 82, of San Antonio, Texas, died from complications of a stroke on Feb. 14.

CLASS OF 1964 John Lundin, 80, of Springfield, South Dakota, passed away on July 2.

Karyl (Kittelson) Sandal, 79, of Philip, South Dakota, died at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, on June 15.

Lambert Van Olst, 89, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, died at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, California, on June 10.

CLASS OF 1963 Annette (Hillgren) Marchiafava Bray, 80, passed away on Feb. 15.

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THE AUGUSTANA | FALL 2021

Donald Quinn passed away peacefully on March 11, after living with dementia for the past few years.

John Remme, 82, passed away at his home in Worthington, Minnesota, surrounded by family, on April 30.

CLASS OF 1960 Steffen Helgaas died with his wife and children around him on April 23.

Ellen (Olson) Jensen, 83, of Naperville, Illinois, passed away on June 12.

Marilyn (Soma) Jerde, 83, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Piedmont, South Dakota, died, surrounded by family, on Feb. 13.

Newell Johnson, 83, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away at his residence, surrounded by family, on Dec. 9, 2020.

Lyle Loken, 82, died at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, on Feb. 10.

Leon “Lonnie” Vander Linden, 82, of Webster, South Dakota, passed away at Bethesda Nursing Home in Webster, on Feb. 3.

CLASS OF 1959 Edward Eifert, 83, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on March 14.

Ross Hansing passed away, surrounded by family, on Dec. 26, 2020.

Roberta (Reynolds) Kuni, 83, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away after a lingering illness on March 1.

Tanya (Thompson) Lehmann passed away comfortably in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on April 7.

Diana (Rehder) Oldenkamp passed away on June 5.

Dr. Olaf G. Malmin passed away on Feb. 22, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as the director of The Augustana Choir from 1970-92. During his 22 years at Augustana, he brought a visionary, passionate and exuberant enthusiasm to the podium, where he was most remembered for the joy of his teaching, artistic expression in his conducting, carefully programmed concert performances, example of living out his Christian faith, as well as offering personal support and encouragement to his students. During his tenure, The Augustana Choir was selected to appear on several American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) North Central conference programs and annually toured throughout the U.S., along with embarking on a major European performance tour.

IN MEMORIAM

Marilyn (Josephson) Russell, 82, died at the Lockwood House under the care of Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall, Minnesota, on Jan. 16.

Alice (Hoiland) Larson, 87, formerly of Bloomington, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at the Reflections Care Suites in Northfield, Minnesota, on March 20.

John Vickerman, 83, passed away on April 2.

A. Don Urben passed away on June 14.

Marilyn (Burke) Maurstad, 94, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, with her niece and pastor by her side, on May 3.

Deon (Gerry) Van Den Berg, 87, of Sioux Falls, died at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, on Feb. 13.

CLASS OF 1946

Muriel Winkel, 83, of Manteno, Illinois, formerly of Sioux Falls, and George, Iowa, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois, on Feb. 19.

CLASS OF 1958 Marilyn (Rongstad) Erickson, 84, of Hayfield, Minnesota, passed away at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota, on Nov. 20, 2020.

Lois (Hiaring) Hope, 84, of Volga, South Dakota, died on Feb. 19.

Orlyn Huwe died peacefully at his home in Rockford, Illinois, on June 20.

Donald Vollan, 84, of West Bend, Wisconsin, passed away on April 22.

CLASS OF 1957 James McBride, 89, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, formerly of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died at his home at Silver Creek on Main on Jan. 23.

William “Bill” Simpson passed away in Sioux Falls, on April 18.

CLASS OF 1954 Marlys (Randa) Brown, 88, of Sun City West, Arizona, formerly of Ventura, California, and Oelwein, Iowa, died at home on Feb. 23.

Donald Bursvold passed away on Feb. 10.

Louis “Louie” Kahnk, 89, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at the Minnesota Veterans Home on Feb. 13.

Marilyn (Sunde) Nelson passed away in the care of the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on May 10.

Marjorie (Clark) Oppold, of Hastings, Minnesota, formerly of Harrisburg, South Dakota, passed away after a short battle with cancer on Feb. 16.

CLASS OF 1953 Robert Johnston, 93, passed away in Denver, Colorado, on June 7.

Janet (Slieter) Burkholder, 86, of Pipestone, Minnesota, passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, on March 13.

CLASS OF 1952

Carol (Udseth) Kaus, 86, of Glenwood, Minnesota, died at Glenwood Retirement Village on Feb. 10.

Gordon Davis, 93, passed away peacefully on June 11.

CLASS OF 1955 Harvey De Jager, 87, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Sheldon, Iowa, died at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, on July 5.

Edna (Bauer) Fillingsness, 87, passed away on March 13.

Ethel (Brodin) Gierhan, 88, formerly of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away at her daughter’s home in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Feb. 26.

Frances (Pederson) Hall passed away on Dec. 5, 2020.

Janet (Miller) Johnson, 95, of Crooks, South Dakota, passed away at Bethany Home in Brandon, South Dakota, on April 20.

CLASS OF 1945 Gladys (Tieszen) Kittleson, 98, of Saratoga, California, passed away peacefully in Escondido, California, on March 13.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The class notes sent to Augustana University come directly from alums and/or family members. The editor does not edit submissions outside of grammar and spelling, which may not reflect the editorial style guide of the university.

Maxine (Nodland) Wilcox passed away on March 24.

CLASS OF 1956

Stanley Stensaas, 86, of New Hope, Minnesota, passed away on Jan. 24.

CLASS OF 1948

Doreen (Long) Andersen, 90, of Scotts Valley, California, passed away at Dominican Hospital on June 3.

Kenneth Fehrenz, 90, of Sioux Falls, passed away in Tucson, Arizona, on May 10.

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Joanne (Maurstad) Hadland passed away on May 10.

CLASS OF 1949 Harriet (Heinz) Boyd passed away in Sioux Falls, on July 13.

Lloyd “Dobie” Dobratz, 96, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on May 6.

Marguerite (Fosvick) Johnson, 93, passed away peacefully at Royal Oaks in Sun City, Arizona, on March 20.

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