Despite medical complications from a severe malaria infection she survived several years ago, Lindsay Maess '05 has returned to Nigeria to care for two chimpanzee infants and a gorilla infant that were rescued from traffickers.
Featured stories
President's message: Strategically looking to our graduates for inspiration
President Andrea Talentino discusses developments with Bold & Boundless, Augustana's new strategic plan, in this message published in the Summer 2024 issue of the Augustana College Magazine.
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
Family, friends and faculty celebrated the 500 Augustana graduates representing 19 states and 20 countries at the college’s 164th Commencement Convocation.
First APEP student earns diploma
Augustana celebrated nearly 500 graduates in May at commencement, including David Staples — the college’s first graduate to have benefited from the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP).
Boelens relocating families from Ukraine to Iowa
Augustana professor Angela Boelens learned the Uniting for Ukraine program was having trouble finding a sponsor for a family. She made arrangements for the family to live in her Rock Island house. Soon she brought in a second Ukrainian family.
Symphonic Band Sesquicentennial Celebration Nov. 22-24
Preliminary plans include a celebration concert with a premiere of a commission by American composer Kevin Walczyk; an alumni band performance; and receptions and dinners.
Where has your A taken you?
For Benjamin Payne '16, his Augie "A" paved the way for a career in radio journalism. He shares his post-Augustana journey.
Alumni stories
Alumnus premieres cello piece in honor of Dr. Ehrlich's 45 years
Grant Estes '21, commemorating Dr. Janina Ehrlich's 45 years of service at Augustana, premiered "The Quarrel Between Winter and Summer," composed by faculty member Dr. Jacob Bancks, on April 14.
Adam '13 becomes first woman named to the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team
A longtime competitive athlete, Sarah Adam '13 is headed to Paris to make history. It's her hope that the United States falls in love with the Paralympics this summer.
Elliott '20 brings home Webby Awards for NASA
Christian Elliott '20 recently traveled to New York City for the 28th annual Webby Awards to accept honors for "Suiting up for Space," the April 2023 episode he wrote and produced as an intern for the podcast "NASA's Curious Universe."
Campus news
Geography alumni return to celebrate department's 75th anniversary
Eighty-five geography alumni returned to campus April 26-27 to celebrate the geography department's 75th anniversary. Professor Emeritus of Geography Dr. Norm Moline '64 kicked off the weekend’s public events by sharing the history of the department.
Dr. Gauri A. Pitale selected as Augustana's vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion
Dr. Gauri A. Pitale, an accomplished educator with extensive experience in DEI programming and advising student clubs and organizations, will join the college Feb. 29 to lead Augustana's Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Dunk-A-President (for a good cause)
President Andrea Talentino took a turn in the dunk tank for Phi Omega Phi's 2nd Annual Dunk-A-Poobah fundraiser to support Feeding America.
Athletics
Max Sellers first Viking men's volleyball All-American
Max Sellers '25, from Edwardsville, Ill., is the first All-American in Augustana men's volleyball history. The libero was recently named to the 2024 AVCA Division III All-American Second Team.
Sellers also was named to the AVCA All-Region team and, for the third straight season, named CCIW Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference. In addition, he holds multiple Augustana records, including the record he broke this season for digs in a single match.
National championship qualifiers miss 'official' commencement
Seniors Emma Odle and Aykeem Spivey had to miss their "official" Commencement Convocation on May 25 — for a pretty good reason! They were competing at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C., that weekend.
Chad Gunnelson, director of track & field and cross country, arranged for a special commencement ceremony before the student-athletes left campus for nationals. Both received their diplomas from President Andrea Talentino in front of family and friends in Hanson Hall.
Highlights
Men's tennis. Arthur Hermange '25 of Saclay, France, is the first Viking since 1987 to be selected for the singles field at the 2024 NCAA DIII Men’s Tennis Championships. (pictured)
Women’s swimming and diving. The Vikings blasted the competition for their second CCIW Championship in three years, winning the trophy by more than 200 points.
Men's swimming and diving. The Vikings won their second CCIW Championship in a row. Plus, it's the first time in Augustana history that both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams captured the CCIW Championship in the same season.
Congratulations, Vikings!
Aykeem Spivey '24 (left) of Gurnee, Ill., captured the first All-American honors since 2021 for the men’s track & field team, earning sixth place in the hammer throw at the DIII outdoor nationals.
On the first day of competition, Emma Odle '24 (center) of Inverness, Ill., qualified for the 3000-meter steeplechase with a 12th place finish and a time of 10:39.40 to secure a new personal best and beat her own program record.
Charlotte Frere '26 (right) of Preemption, Ill., conquered the discus throw event on the first day of the 2024 NCAA DIII National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The sophomore is the first women’s track & field outdoor national champion since Meghan Voiland ’07 McMillan in the pole vault in 2007.