2024 Augustana College Alumni Awards

The Augustana Alumni Association recognizes the achievements, contributions and service of alumni and friends of the college each year.

The association solicits nominations and recommends candidates to receive Alumni Association awards. Each award may be presented to one or more alumni.

Here are the 2024 winners:

Finest Under Forty: Lisa Neverman '09 Woodroffe

Lisa Neverman '09 Woodroffe of Iowa City, Iowa, specializes in general pediatrics and primary care sports medicine at University of Iowa Health Care. She is the team physician and the director of the female athlete program for the Iowa Hawkeyes. After majoring in biology and French at Augustana, Woodroffe earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

 

Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Janice Edmund '65 Mauras

A retired community college English professor, Janice Edmund '65 Mauras of New York, N.Y., is a volunteer with the New York City Baha’i Community and with VOCAL New York, an organization that amplifies the voices of those affected by homelessness, incarceration, drug use and HIV/AIDS.

 

Outstanding Achievement Award: Michelle King '93

Michelle King '93 of Columbia, Md., is currently a senior executive with the federal government; she has worked for a federal government agency in different capacities for 30 years. For more than 25 years, she has been a member of the Junior League of Baltimore, which helps women and girls unlock their potential through personal and professional development. She has led various projects and committees to help women and children in Baltimore. In addition, she has led the league’s fund-raising committee and served on the board of directors as membership co-chair.

 

Richard A. Swanson Humanitarian Award: Joy Bussert '74

Joy Bussert '74 of Northfield, Minn., is a fourth-generation Lutheran pastor and a pioneer in advocating for women in ministry. After earning her divinity degree from Yale University and her doctorate from Union Theological Seminary, she has served in both parish ministry and grassroots movements. Bussert has been an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and, through her book “Battered Women,” she helped shift theological discussions toward empowerment and justice. Her ministry continues to raise critical, often challenging, questions about suffering and systemic issues within both the church and broader society, including anti-trafficking efforts.

 

Outstanding Service Award: Nancy Swanson '70 Moe

Since arriving on campus in the fall of 1966, Nancy Swanson '70 Moe has been cultivating deep and meaningful connections with classmates and others in the Augie community and beyond. Moe, who resides in Batavia, Ill., exemplifies faithful, tireless and joyful service to Augustana. It is evident in her 40-year career as a speech-language pathologist in the public schools; her leadership service as class representative and chairperson of key class reunions; her collaboration with the communication sciences and disorders department as a speaker and mentor to current students; and her generous philanthropy. Moe's life is one of giving of herself — in time, talent and treasure, and connecting with others on behalf of her alma mater.

 

Outstanding Service Award: David Moe '69

A standout golfer for the Vikings, David Moe '69 of Batavia, Ill., was a two-time All-CCIW selection. In 1969, he was the CCIW tournament’s individual winner and helped lead Augustana to the team championship. Throughout his life, Moe has used his connections, skills and resources to help others flourish. His deep investment in Augie athletics, as well as the close friendships he’s cultivated with current and former coaches, players and their parents, are testament to his loyal, generous support. The “David F. Moe ‘69 Augustana Golf Center” is scheduled to open soon.