Augie Sweethearts: Ann McGovern Pedersen and Mark Pedersen, Class of 1982

Submitted by Ann McGovern Pedersen of Wheaton, Ill.

As you might guess with two accounting majors, my Augie Sweetheart and I met in Federal Taxation class! A romantic location! Amidst the IRS tax code, tax forms, and Mr. Reed's jokes, Mark and I got to know each other in our senior year. During the holiday break, I mailed a Christmas card to Mark. It was written entirely in French. He promptly visited me at my house off campus after the break in order to acknowledge and translate the card. I consider this visit to be our first date. We dated for three and a half years.

On Aug. 31, 1985, Mark and I were married at Faith Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn, Ill. We were married by Rev. Kenneth Stenman '59. We've been married for over 33 years now.

Mark and I keep a close connection with Augustana, the place where we first met. Over the years, we've attended many basketball and football games, concerts, plays, Homecoming, and alumni events. We hope to follow the Augie men's basketball team all the way to the NCAA Div. III final tournament in Fort Wayne next month!