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Lauren Goggin
More Than I Imagined Seniors reflect on accomplishments and look ahead

Lauren Goggin

Graduation year: 2017

Majors: Accounting and business administration (management)

Activities: Varsity tennis and Delta Chi Theta sorority

Internship: CliftonLarsonAllen in Dixon, Ill.

Post-grad plans: I will be working at Plante Moran in IT–Cybersecurity Consulting and studying for the CPA exam.

Why Augustana?

I was recruited for tennis. I fell in love with the team and felt at home when I visited our beautiful campus.

Are you where you thought you’d be four years ago?

I am far from where I thought I would be, and I am so happy that is the case. I came in undecided and had little direction. I met some amazing professors and mentors who have challenged me and motivated me to succeed. I don’t know what I would do without the Augie faculty.

Who helped you get to where you are now?

Dr. Delaney – He has been an outstanding advisor, mentor and teacher. He has been a great resource from helping me find my dream job to taking the additional time to explain course material. He always has faith in his students and is extremely reassuring when something is not going the way you anticipated. He has also been an Augie tennis supporter. He never fails to congratulate me on my success whether it is on a big win or an academic achievement.

Dr. Tapis – He is a very charismatic professor who can clearly and concisely explain course material. He uses real-life examples that help students put the pieces together in his courses. Dr. Tapis has also provided a free CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) boot camp to interested students and has helped many pass these difficult exams. He helped me pass the CISA exam last June and that has opened up many doors for me. I cannot thank him enough for believing in me and helping me achieve the unthinkable. 

Without both of these caring professors, I would not have the job of my dreams, the drive to succeed or the self-confidence to achieve my goals. I owe a great deal of my success to these two.

A peak experience?

There are so many peaks when you attend Augustana College, but I would have to say a peak experience of mine was making it to the regional tournament with the tennis team. It is a peak because of all the hard work each player put into our season, and it just speaks volumes on our confidence in each other’s abilities.

What surprised you?

I am surprised how well I have been able to manage my time with the different commitments I have taken on at Augustana. I also learned that I am able to do just about anything I set my mind to when I surround myself with the right people.

How did you use Augie Choice?

It went towards my internship at CliftonLarsonAllen in Dixon, Ill. The money was well spent.

What will you miss the most?

I have thought about this a lot recently, and I will miss the people the most. I will miss my teammates, friends, professors, coach and mentors. Also I will miss working for Christy Parker in the Business Office as well as the conversations with Sue Radtke in the accounting department. They are the sweetest secretaries you will ever meet, and they never fail to make your day a little better. These relationships will last a lifetime, and I thank Augustana for every memory I have shared with the amazing people I have met over the past four years.

Advice for the Class of 2021?

Try new things and challenge yourselves to see the bright side in every situation. Every day at Augustana College is truly a blessing. There is no time to be anything but happy with your experiences here. Four years goes too fast. Get involved and enjoy the ride because before you know it, you will be writing a “More Than I Imagined” blurb, too. 

“Lauren exemplifies what the student-athlete experience means at Augustana. During spring term of her junior year, Lauren took a review course offered by the accounting department for the CISA examination. Balancing academics, tennis and the review course left no room for error. Lauren rose to the occasion and passed the CISA exam, an exam typically taken by working professionals. Lauren was recognized this year by the Illinois Technology Foundation as one of its ‘Fifty for the Future.’ I am going to miss her dedication and persistence, but I know she will make Augustana proud.” 

– Dr. Gregory P. Tapis, assistant professor, accounting