News Center
Empen '26 named Lincoln Academy student laureate
Augustana College senior Ian Empen, a double-major in geography and psychology from Rock Island, was named a student laureate by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are seniors who have excelled in curricular and extracurricular activities during their college careers.
Strategic by design: Liberal arts as the smartest strategy in a skills-driven age
At the fall launch of Augustana’s Futurist Thinking Series, faculty, alumni and civic leaders gathered to confront one of higher education’s most urgent questions: Do the liberal arts still matter in a world driven by microcredentials, AI and marketable skills?
Augustana Board of Trustees elects new members
Augustana College announces five new members of the college’s Board of Trustees. The trustees were selected during the college's May and October meetings of the board, and their terms officially started this fall. The new trustees will serve a term of four years.
At Augustana, these triplets found it all — and one shared goal
Antione, Trevion and Luniah Gilford wanted a lot from their college choice: strong athletic programs, generous financial aid, a welcoming environment and the majors they each had in mind. After considering all options, the trio from Plano, Ill., decided to make Augustana College their new home.
Augustana invites Quad Cities communities to partner in solving regional challenges
Augustana College invites local governments and nonprofits to share their biggest problems, and the college will bring the students, faculty and expertise to help solve them. Applications are due Nov. 15, 2025.
Symposium Day 2025 expresses voice and vision
This year’s Symposium Day theme, Voice and Vision, invited projects that explored how people speak and see, literally and metaphorically, across all disciplines. Speakers and participants illuminated what it means to speak boldly and see clearly.
Festival of Sankta Lucia set for Dec. 1
Augustana's annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia on Dec. 1, 2025, will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry.
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 in photos
About 2,000 alumni, friends of the college, students and families gathered on campus Sept. 26-28 for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Bingo was a hot ticket for alumni of the last 10 years, and QuadFest connected Vikings and guests of all ages.
Class Notes
Alumni share their latest news and photos!
Cooper partners with alumni to bring ‘Rag Doll’ to the stage
Shelley Cooper, an associate professor of musical theatre and two-time Off-Broadway award-winning solo actor/playwright, tapped into the skills of her former students to help create and produce her latest solo musical.
Augustana welcomes four sets of twins in the Class of 2029
Augustana’s Class of 2029 includes 744 students from 34 countries, speaking 23 languages — and unexpectedly, four sets of twins from other countries. The incoming siblings traveled from Pakistan, Ghana and Ethiopia to Rock Island to experience college together.
Haak's journey from crutches to all-conference competitor
A serious leg injury plus a concussion sidelined August Haak during his first semester on campus. It was tough going to be sure, but Haak stuck it out. His first year on campus tested his limits; his second revealed his potential. Find out how Haak doubled down to support his team's success, and his own.
Planetarium and geology museum to host Nov. 1 open house
Augustana's John Deere Planetarium and Fryxell Geology Museum will be open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 1, for the annual Fall Open House. The planetarium and geology museum will be open 7-8:30 p.m., with indoor and outdoor programs. There is no charge for admission.
Authors, activists to speak at Symposium Day Oct. 8
Bestselling author Kaveh Akbar will speak at Augustana College Oct. 8 as part of Fall Symposium Day: Voice and Vision. Check out the full-day schedule to learn about all the guest speakers and student/faculty research presentations. All are free and open to the public.
U.S. News ranks Augustana No. 34 in innovation
U.S. News & World Report has named Augustana one of the most innovative liberal arts institutions, recognizing how the college is reshaping a classic liberal arts education to meet the needs of today’s students. Among the top-tier liberal arts colleges, Augustana is ranked #34 in the nation — and #1 in Illinois.
