Angie Truelsen
Graduation year: 2026
High school: Warren Township High School
Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois
Majors: Biology; environmental studies
Minor: Women, gender, sexuality studies
Activities: Sierra Club, Chi Omega Gamma sorority
Internships: Augustana's Upper Mississippi Center, Clean Power Lake County
Post-grad plans: Attend UW-Madison for a master's in water resource management
Why Augustana?
As someone who values the environment, I needed to be comfortable on campus in order to grow and achieve success. With all of the beautiful trees, rolling hills, the Slough and the wildlife, Augustana seemed like a clear choice. Additionally, the financial aid and the CORE office have allowed me more opportunities than I ever thought possible, whether it is study abroad or research positions for internships.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
No, I am not! I came into Augustana thinking that I would go into the health sciences as I always loved biology. However, my study abroad trip to Ecuador changed the course of my academic career for the better, and I adopted my second major: environmental studies! The courses, teachers and support systems here have made me realize my path and my passions that still remain with biology and overall life science.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My professors have had the greatest influence on my journey at Augustana. My advisor, Dr. Kevin Geedey, has helped shaped internship, research and course experiences while also helping me with letters of recommendation and course management.
Linda Peterson, from the biology central prep lab, has also assisted me into becoming the student and worker that I am today. She has taught me everything I need to know about biology labs and more, and she is one of my biggest support systems on campus.
A huge shoutout also belongs to my friends and my peers as I could not have had such a great four years without you all.
Peak experience?
My greatest experience has to be my study abroad program to Ecuador my freshman year. I was part of a program that assessed environmental justice in Cuenca, Ecuador, and it was my first time traveling internationally. It allowed me to see how other cultures compare to American culture. It also introduced me to an intersection of social justice and environmentalism that I was not aware of previously.
What surprised you?
I am surprised at how fast these last four years went. It feels like I was just moving in as a freshman yesterday, and suddenly I am a senior! I have grown so much, but my undergraduate career has simply flown by.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to study abroad in northern Sweden! I took a course called Geography of the Arctic, and at the end of spring semester, we traveled to Sweden to experience its culture, learn about its policies and understand the complexities of these different societies!
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the people. My friends, roommates, sorority siblings and professors have meant the world to me. It is going to be painful not to see them every day or live in the same place. However, I know these relationships will last me a lifetime if I let them. Second, I will miss the Slough path during fall when all of the leaves change. It is an unbeatable scene.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Study abroad! I studied abroad twice in two different hemispheres of the globe, and I would do it again in an instant. Get out of the United States and experience other cultures; it makes you a better student and a better human being.
"Angie achieved academic excellence in both her biology and environmental studies majors, but her accomplishments go much further than the classroom. Her work with our Augustana Sierra Club has put both her majors to use, and she has been an important bridge between Augustana and local community environmental initiatives. Her dedication to the environment is clear in every class and in every community project. Her work at Augustana makes the Quad Cities a better place."