To signify the beginning of the public phase of AUGUSTANA NOW, the Old Main dome was lit blue in the fall of 2018. It will remain blue until the campaign goal of $125 million is reached, at which time the dome will turn gold.
College prepares to celebrate successful campaign
Friends of Augustana College will gather virtually on New Year's Eve to celebrate the conclusion of a successful fund-raising campaign: AUGUSTANA NOW: A Campaign for Success in the World, for the World.
"The New Year's Eve event will celebrate the generosity of donors from across the country and around the world who helped Augustana surpass its goal to raise $125 million over the last two years, despite a pandemic and the resulting economic downturn," said W. Kent Barnds, executive vice president for external relations.
The final figure will be revealed by a group of Augustana students during the online event, beginning at 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
This celebration will mark the completion of President Steve Bahls' second successful fund-raising campaign, and means that he has cemented himself in the history of the college as the leader to raise the most money to benefit students.
During the online event, donors will be honored for their impact in several areas.
Augustana 2017 graduate Debo Balogun will emcee the event. Balogun lives in Chicago, where he is pursuing his dream of acting. Last year he was named one of the Chicago Tribune’s “Hot New Faces 2019: 10 new Chicago actors you should know,”