Augustana faculty-edited book explores the college's history in service of its mission

Augustana College announces the publication of “Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College,” a faculty-edited volume released by Southern Illinois University Press that examines how institutions wrestle with history, identity and responsibility over time.

“Called to Reckon” reflects Augustana’s conviction that education requires honest engagement with history. By examining moments of tension, change and accountability in the college’s past, the collection of essays models how institutions can learn from experience in service of their mission. This reflection is not backward-looking. It is essential to preparing students — and institutions — to lead with integrity in a complex world.

Edited by Dr. Jane E. Simonsen, professor of history and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Augustana, “Called to Reckon” brings together eight essays by current and former faculty, alumni and institutional leaders.

Drawing on archival research and interviews with students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members, the collection explores how Augustana’s mission has been shaped and challenged by moments of social change, student activism and evolving community relationships.

The essays place Augustana’s history in conversation with broader movements related to race, indigeneity, sexuality, religion and belonging, while also examining the college’s immigrant origins and Lutheran identity as enduring sources of reflection and accountability.

“During a time of deep social, political and spiritual division, institutions like Augustana have a responsibility to ask difficult questions about what we believe and how those beliefs are lived,” Dr. Simonsen said. “This book centers student experience and examines how a church-affiliated college has responded to calls to serve our neighbors, where it has fallen short, and how its values can provide a way forward in times of uncertainty.”

The book includes contributions by current and former Augustana faculty; alumni; Dr. Monica Smith, former vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion; with a preface by President Emeritus Steve Bahls and an epilogue by President Andrea Talentino.

“Institutions faithful to their mission listen when students and communities speak, and they take responsibility for learning from their own history,” Bahls said. “This collection reflects that posture of reflection and accountability, which is essential to education rooted in purpose.”

Talentino called the book a significant contribution to the continuing conversation on higher education’s role in preparing students for citizenship in a complex world.

“Augustana’s mission calls us to prepare students for leadership and service, wherever their lives take them,” Talentino said. “That preparation requires honesty about our history, humility about our learning and confidence in the values that guide us forward. 'Called to Reckon' contributes to that work by helping us understand how our mission has been challenged, strengthened and carried forward across generations. Engaging that thoughtfully makes us stronger, and better able to educate students with integrity, humility and purpose.”

The publication of “Called to Reckon” coincides with Augustana’s broader Ten Years of Becoming initiative, which marks a decade of institutional reflection on culture, connection and student experience. Together, these efforts underscore the college’s commitment to learning from its past as it prepares students for the future.

"Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College" is available through Southern Illinois University Press.