2018 Winners

First place

Prize: $4,000 scholarship ($1,000/year)

Erica Amdel (Rockton, Ill.)

Majoring in Anthropology, I am intrigued by the values in societies and how humans are interconnected yet immensely diverse. I strive to immerse myself in different cultures to gain more insight on the colorful lives of other humans. Coinciding with my desire to study different cultures and their unique attributes, I also want to study art to understand how culture shapes art forms and how my experiences have shaped my own artwork. Sitting in on Professor Kaul’s Anthropology course helped me realize that my peers will be as excited as I am to learn and engage themselves in new experiences. 
 

Second place

Prize: $2,000 scholarship ($500/year)

Shane Griffin (Crete, Ill.)

I am a reader and a musician. I use my study halls at school to read novels, and then afterwards I'll go home and learn some jazz ballads. Music and books are what define and inspire me, and they motivate me when I'm at my lowest. My dream is to merge my two passions into a profession, and that's actually possible via Augustana by in majoring in music and LIS advising, I can start out on the path to becoming a music librarian. 
 

Annika Knudsen (Lawrence, Kan.)

What does it mean to be human? I'm still not sure, but a major in Neuroscience will help me get closer. I would love to take the Neuroscience and Law class that I had the opportunity to sit in on, because it's a fascinating intersection between the scientific study of thought and the applications in the real world. The study of neuroscience is perhaps the most important discipline involved in understanding the human condition, and I want to be a part of that. 

Honorable mention

Momo Wang (Macomb, Ill.)

I love to write. I love to write. I love to write. My dream is to be a professional author. With courses like ENGL-213 Book Publishing and a creative writing internship (not something every college offers!), the Creative Writing major at Augustana is not only invested in teaching us writing from the best professors but in our practical knowledge and financial future as well. I applied as Undecided, but I can’t imagine a future without writing. I know my ideas can make a difference, and Augustana can make a difference for me. 

Jouwana Bzal (Plainfield, Ill.)

Biology is here to help us understand our bodies and the way they work. The human body is what I understand and learning about it excites me. I want to major in Biology and Pre-medicine, because I am passionate about understanding how our body works in order to one day become a pediatrician and help cure sick children. Biology and Pre-med professors at Augustana, such as Dr. Troy Larson, whose biology information will increase my glucose level in blood because of my extra-enthusiasm, and my outside interests such as playing Piano will help maintain my homeostasis.

How to enter

1. Go to our list of majors and select a program that interests you.

2. In 100 words or less describe why you want to study this major. Include something you learn from the web pages on that field that you hope to do (example: a specific class you want to take, a hands-on experience you might do, a professor you want to connect with, etc.) Submit your short essay in the form at the bottom of this page.

If you are undecided in your major (like 30 percent of our first-year class) you can:

A. Pick a field or two that interest you and write using the prompt above.

B. Check out Augie Choice and describe how you might use your Augie Choice funding when you come to Augustana.

3. Follow @augieadmissions on Instagram or Twitter.

4. Post a photo on social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook) from our collection or a photo of your own, possibly from a visit to Augustana’s campus. Caption the photo by completing this statement: “As a (list your field) major at Augustana I will get to ..." OR "At Augustana, I may use my $2,000 Augie Choice funds to ..."

5. Use the hashtag #FutureViking in your post.

Scholarship details

First place — one $4,000 award ($1,000 renewable for four years)

Second place — two $2,000 awards ($500 renewable for four years)

Criteria

Winners will be selected based on creativity and content of both elements (essay and social media post).

Contest entries must be received by midnight on March 27.

Winners will be announced via social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook) by April 5.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2018 Augustana Major contest you must:

1. Be a prospective student enrolling for the 2018 fall term (domestic, international or transfer).

2. Apply and be accepted to Augustana College before April 1, 2018.

3. Follow the contest guidelines listed in the form below.

Awards will be listed in the Augustana financial assistance package of the first and second place winners.. Three awards will be offered. These awards are renewable annually as long as the student remains in academic good standing. New financial assistance packages will be sent to any winners who have already received their award letter from Augustana.

  •  One $4,000 award ($1,000 renewable for 4 years)

  •  Two $2,000 awards ($500 renewable for 4 years)