Remembering four alumni
A tribute to John Lucken and Mary Thorson Lucken, Class of 1962
Mary and John Lucken were both such remarkable individuals in their own right, and together, they changed communities and trajectories of so many people’s lives.
Alumni support of Augustana and its students manifests itself in a variety of ways, and Mary and John gave their support across the board: from sharing sage career and work ethic advice at departmental student/faculty gatherings with their homegrown aronia berries and apples in hand, to opening their home in western Iowa and hosting a class field trip full of students and faculty (with bison burgers and floors to sleep the night on), to bolstering museum specimens and outreach programs, to making presentations to fellow alumni about the gratification of philanthropy, to supporting more than 70 students with major scholarships, to sponsoring field courses that granted hundreds of students formative, experiential learning opportunities, to contributing to college-wide capital projects.
Their support was all-encompassing.
Their legacy lives on at their alma mater and in the many scholarships, field trip sponsorships and museum specimens, and in the lives of so many students whose ultimate paths were paved and lit by their generosity.
I will always be inspired by the incredible impact both John and Mary had on me personally, the geology department, the Fryxell Geology Museum, the Augustana students and the campus, and the Rock Island, Ill., and Akron, Iowa, communities.
On behalf of the geology department, I am forever grateful.
Dr. Michael Wolf
Fritiof Fryxell Professor of Geology
Director of Fryxell Geology Museum
A tribute to Kim Brunner, Class of 1971
When I was president of Augustana College, I was fortunate to work with so many talented board members. Kim Brunner, who served as Augustana’s board chair from 2009 to 2013, was one of the best. He was wise, judicious and passionate about excellence.
Kim was a true partner with his wife, Donna, who attended Augustana with him. Students were first in their eyes. Both acted on their deep passion for Augustana students, not only with their financial support, but also levering their expertise for the benefit of students. With the guidance of Augustana’s talented theatre faculty and of their good friend and fellow board member Phil McKinley '73, they envisioned and funded the creation of the Kim and Donna Brunner Theatre Center, home of one of the premier collegiate theatres in the Midwest.
Kim’s passions were wide-ranging. He was passionate about Augie's students supporting the people of Africa by making connections and providing financial support. And he loved Augustana athletics from his days as a baseball player at the college. His support for Brunner Field paved the way for Augustana’s decades of baseball excellence.
But to me, Kim was more than a board chair. He was a friend and confidant. He inspired me to be better. And while he was able to, he shared with me his journey with illness in his later years, always philosophical and always with admiration for his loving wife who provided selfless care.
Like me, many are better people because of Kim Brunner.
Steve Bahls
President Emeritus of Augustana College
A tribute to Diane Griffin, Class of 1962
A world-renowned expert on alphaviruses, acute encephalitis, measles, HIV and malaria, Dr. Diane Griffin '62 was one of the most prominent scientific leaders of her generation. At the time of her death, she was chair emeritus of the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and vice president of the National Academy of Sciences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges struggled to find expertise to guide decision-making during uncertain times. Most days, there were more questions than answers. But Augustana was different because Diane, a member of the Board of Trustees and a pioneering infectious-disease virologist, made herself available whenever needed to advise and assist decision-makers at Augustana throughout the pandemic.
Diane was an expert, and one of our own! Her wisdom and informed judgment provided assurance during one of the more challenging times for her beloved alma mater. She approached her service as a trustee in the same way she did her work. She asked probing and challenging questions, often with a long pause waiting for an answer — which, I have confirmed from a college friend who earned a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins, was the way Diane engaged students, too.
Diane’s tough questions, high expectations and rigorous approach benefited her alma mater in extraordinary ways at an extraordinary time. She will be remembered by many for her intellect and willingness and ability to share her knowledge to help others.
W. Kent Barnds
Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, Augustana College