Andrew Johns
Graduation year: 2025
High school: Palatine High School
Hometown: Palatine, IIl.
Major: Kinesiology
Minor: Biology
Activities: Varsity cross country, varsity track & field
Post-grad plans: Pursue a master's in exercise sciences (undecided where)
Why Augustana?
Augustana provided me with an amazing team to run with while also providing incredible academic resources for my education. When I first visited Augustana and met professors, coaches and the team, I knew that Augustana was special.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
I genuinely did not think about my senior experience when I first came to campus. I knew I would grow as a student and as an athlete, and I am so grateful and proud to be the person I am today.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My coaches: Kyle Flores, Chad Gunnelson, Doug Sand, Mike Gille, Joe Loomis (esports)
My professors: Dr. Mettler, Dr. Edmonds, Dr. Storl
My teammates for cross country and track & field.
Peak experience?
My peak experience was definitely the J-term trip to Japan. It was in conjunction with kinesiology and Japanese students, and it was a blast. We spent three weeks traveling around Japan learning about culture and sports. I met some great people and learned a lot.
What surprised you?
Something that really surprised me was the diversity and the sense of community. I was worried when I first applied that I would not fit in or find friends, but I feel that Augustana strives to make itself a strong community where it is easy to make friends. I was instantly able to find my place on campus.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice on my J-term study abroad trip to Japan my junior year.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my athletics the most. Augustana genuinely has the best coaches for track and cross country in the nation. These coaches were able to push me past what I thought I was capable of. I am also going to miss my teammates. The team always kept my spirits up and were the first to look out for me in any circumstance.
Advice for the Class of 2029?
Trust the process. There were many times in my college career where I felt like I didn’t belong or couldn’t keep up, but every time I felt this sense of stress, there were plenty of people at Augie who were able to help me through it. My time at Augie made me stronger.
"I’ve had the pleasure of advising and teaching Andrew over the past three years in four different courses. As a dedicated student-athlete on the cross country and track teams, he has consistently and successfully balanced rigorous academics with his athletic commitments. His solid academic foundation and strong work ethic will serve him well as he pursues a career in physical therapy. I’m excited to see what he does next!"