News Center
Hopman '11 found her future in the past
Rebecca Hopman never expected to meet one of the most influential people in her life when she was a student worker in Augustana's Special Collections. But Lydia Olsson’s diaries sparked a connection across time for Hopman — and a career devoted to preserving stories like Olsson’s.
$1 million endowed gift to advance engaged teaching/learning
An anonymous alumna has stepped forward with a $1 million endowed gift to support Augustana’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELTS). Once fully mature, the endowment will provide an estimated $45,000 annually to build programs that will strengthen teaching/learning for the entire Augustana community.
Augustana invites the community to MLK Day keynote panel discussion
Augustana is hosting an MLK Day keynote panel discussion, “Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change" on Monday, Jan. 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, located at 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island. The event is free.
Class Notes
Alumni share their latest news!
Polyak '99 named 2026 Superintendent of the Year
The impact of Dr. Nick Polyak's leadership is clear in the relationships he builds, the opportunities he creates for students and faculty, and the example he sets. He traces his passion for education back to his time at Augustana, where he learned firsthand its power to change lives.
Augustana College and Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences agreement will strengthen health care education
Augustana and UnityPoint Health Trinity College have signed a definitive agreement to strengthen the future of health care education in the Quad Cities through the acquisition of Trinity College’s academic programs and operations by Augustana.
$10,000 Business Plan Competition open for 2026
The 10th annual Augustana College Business Plan Competition invites teams or individual students to present their ideas to a panel of business professionals.
Augustana College launches Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection in 2026
The launch marks a decade of impact and a renewed mission-driven commitment to prepare students for a diverse and changing world. New programming will celebrate and affirm diverse identities and creative traditions represented on campus.
Augustana Oratorio Society to perform Handel's 'Messiah'
George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed by the Augustana Oratorio Society, conducted by Dr. Jon Hurty. Soloists are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano; Steven Soph, tenor; and Jessye Wright, mezzo soprano. A professional orchestra will accompany the performance.
Augustana partners with local organizations to improve maternal care
Augustana's Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness (CACHW) is partnering with Community Health Care (CHC), Iowa Black Doula Collective, and Akwaaba QC to improve maternal care in the region.
2025 in review
In 2025, Augustana received national recognition for innovation and affordability; expanded opportunities for students in business, health care and STEM; strengthened community connections in support of the Bold & Boundless strategic plan; and provided students with access to hands-on research and educational experiences abroad.
Studying a link between sleep and Alzheimer’s, dementia
The July 10, 2025, issue of Science, one of the world’s top academic journals, features Dr. Samantha Keil ’12 as lead author on an article that summarizes what research has revealed about how the brain’s glymphatic system may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
2026 MLK Day celebration schedule
Augustana College's annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy will take place Jan. 19-23. The theme of the event is "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Compassion in Action." The keynote on Jan. 19 will be livestreamed by WAUG.
Augustana ranked No. 4 in enrolling international students
Augustana College once again moved up the ranks in the federal 2025 Open Doors Report among baccalaureate colleges for the number of international students it enrolls. Augustana's 2024-25 ranking is now #4 in the nation.
Celebrating 150 years in Rock Island
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Augustana’s first classes in Rock Island, the college’s unofficial historian Kai Swanson ’86 reflects on its early rural beginnings.
