President's message

The best thing about Augustana

People often ask me what surprises me about Augustana. My response is always the same — the best thing about Augustana is the extraordinary people. Prior to coming to Rock Island, I had never been part of a campus where the commitment to mission, coupled with dedication to the well-being of the students and the community, was so pervasive. As we came together at this year’s annual A Day employee recognition event, where among other highlights we celebrated more than 30 colleagues with 20 or more years of service, that devotion once again came into focus.

But the other thing that surprises me is the creativity of those people in finding new ways to make meaning through Lutheran, liberal arts education. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Jason Mahn, professor of religion and director of Augustana’s Presidential Center for Faith and Learning, and Dr. Amanda Baugous, professor of business administration, we received a $105,000 “Vocation across the Academy” grant from NetVUE — the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education. Beginning next fall, business majors can enroll in our Business Education Steeped in the Liberal Arts (BESLA) program.

Inspired by alumni who have shared their appreciation for the role liberal arts courses played in their business success, BESLA students will pursue a minor or second major in traditional arts disciplines, while engaging in co-curricular activities with mentors in business and nonprofit sectors in both the Quad Cities and Chicago region.

As Dr. Baugous explains, “The program includes academic components to encourage business students to pursue courses of study beyond their business curriculum and co-curricular events to carve out the time and space to consider how their personal values and interest could influence their pursuit of a purposeful professional career, as well as meaningful contribution to their current and future communities.”

Meanwhile, we learned in September that Augustana received the School’s Choice Award for Outstanding University Partner from the Cristo Rey Network, a national consortium of 40 Catholic, career-focused, college preparatory schools. It’s an important recognition for our strategic goal of maximizing student potential, and I’m grateful for the good work of Eric Rowell ’93 in admissions for his stewardship of our efforts.

Finally, for a fifth time, Augustana’s leadership in creating rich, inclusive experiences for all students has been recognized with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. Coming as it does during the first year of Dr. Gauri Pitale’s work as vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s an important recognition that we continue to fulfill the strategic goal of supporting a campus community that more closely resembles the world our students are preparing to lead and serve.

While each of these activities and recognitions represents a national distinction, I’m also grateful when we receive endorsement of our efforts here in Augustana’s home community. In a recent editorial titled “Augustana bucks higher ed woes,” the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal saluted the college for its enrollment and financial health during a time when many schools across the country are struggling.

Noting our balanced budgets, low debt load and commitment to strategic planning, the Journal observed, “There’s nothing revolutionary about that recipe, but it’s clear that many other institutions of higher education could learn a lot from Augustana’s approach.”

In the pages that follow, you’ll learn about good things happening at Augustana.

At the end of the day, all of this good news is made possible by the support of alumni and friends like you, so on behalf of my colleagues and our students, thank you!