Megan Lundblad
Graduation year: 2021
High school: Prospect High School
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.
Majors: Spanish, history
Minors: Latin American studies; women, gender and sexuality studies (WGSS)
Activities: Spanish Club, Búhos, Concert Band, Flute Choir, Campus Ministries
Internship: I assisted English teachers at a local secondary school and university in Córdoba, Argentina.
Post-grad plans: I will be taking a gap year to work while I explore further education and career opportunities.
Why Augustana?
I knew that as a small liberal arts school, Augustana would give me a wider perspective of the world while offering small class sizes and a tight-knit campus community. I also liked that Augustana offers so many ways to be involved on campus as well as have new experiences off-campus.
What really sealed the deal for me, though, was stepping onto campus and being surrounded by beautiful, old buildings and a picturesque natural environment.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
No. I came into Augustana unsure of what I wanted to study, and I am now graduating with two majors and two minors. Also, I knew that I wanted to study abroad and be involved on campus, but I had no idea how much these experiences would impact me and inform my future goals.
I will be forever grateful to Augustana for providing me with countless opportunities for academic and personal growth over these past four years.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My experience would not have been the same without the wonderful people who supported and believed in me.
I am so thankful to all of my professors for guiding me through my studies, but especially to my two amazing advisors. Dr. Heacock-Renaud and Dr. Hammond were always extremely generous with their time and advice, and continuously pushed me to accomplish and broaden my goals. They were instrumental in making it possible for me to study abroad and complete my two minors.
I also feel very lucky to have met such genuine and supportive friends here. Their constant encouragement and companionship made the tough days bearable and the fun ones unforgettable.
Lastly, I could never have accomplished all that I did here at Augie without the love and support of my family. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way and helping me reach for my dreams!
Peak experience?
My peak experience was studying abroad in Córdoba, Argentina, where for five months I continued to take classes for my majors while being completely immersed in the Spanish language and Argentine culture. I lived with a wonderful host family and traveled all over Argentina.
This experience helped me improve my conversational Spanish skills, see the world from a different point of view, and grow more confident in my own abilities. I would not trade this experience for the world!
What surprised you?
I was surprised by how supportive Augie faculty and staff are. I always felt like my professors had my best interests at heart and truly wanted me to succeed. They made the effort to get to know me and my classmates and consistently accommodated students' needs.
Outside the classroom, I felt that same level of support from our campus chaplains and my music directors.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to study abroad in Argentina for a semester!
What will you miss the most?
I will miss being a part of the Augustana campus community the most. Interacting with classmates, learning from professors and spending time with friends are things that I look forward to every day.
Augustana has become my home away from home over the past four years, and I will miss walking around campus and running into friends and classmates every day.
Advice for the Class of 2025?
Take advantage of experiences outside of the classroom. Get involved in clubs, sports, music ensembles; join a religious group; do an internship; study abroad; volunteer. College is just as much about personal growth, fostering relationships and exploring interests as it is studying for your degree.
"It has been a joy to watch Megan intellectually blossom throughout the last four years. Megan is, in many ways, an ideal student: bright, hardworking, organized, articulate and inquisitive. Her work in numerous departments on campus, from Spanish and history to WGSS, demonstrates her outstanding achievement as a scholar and her steadfast commitment to social justice. As she departs Augustana, I am excited to see what she will accomplish in her next chapter!"