News and updates from campus
Oct. 1, 2020
Greetings, alumni!
Don’t miss out!
Stay in the loop regarding upcoming events, news and updates from the college. Please confirm that we have your correct contact information, especially email, and we’ll send you your choice of three limited-edition Augustana stickers. They’re really fun —16 different styles to choose from.
No matter your interest, from basketball to art, music to mathematics, there’s an A sticker for you!
Homecoming and reunion updates
The health of students, faculty, staff and alumni is our highest priority, so due to COVID-19 there will not be the usual on-campus homecoming celebration.
But there will be some fun virtual events to mark our traditional festivities in the fall: a virtual beer tasting, Dome Dash, campus tours, and worship in Ascension Chapel. You can register for the Dome Dash now.
Watch for more details to come.
You may have heard that the OZOs were to have celebrated their 100th anniversary this fall, but they will be postponing those festivities until fall of 2021.
Be sure to mark your calendar for a special Spring Homecoming on May 7-9, 2021, when (if conditions allow) we will celebrate all that we love about Augustana and honor the reunion class years ending in 0s and 5s.
Ways you can get involved
Looking to reconnect with the college and help current students and recent grads? There are many opportunities to get involved on and off campus.
• Check out Viking Connections, the Augustana College Career Alumni Connector. Network to bring together accomplished alumni, current students and fellow alumni. It’s a great way to share what you know to help others.
• Pop-up admissions events. If you have a potential future Viking in your world, look into these mobile events coming to a town near you.
Fall sports, music and arts
At the end of July, the presidents of the CCIW institutions unanimously agreed to postpone fall athletic seasons to the spring.
CCIW conference staff will be exploring competition opportunities for fall sports, while maintaining conference competition for all spring sports. A decision on a start date for winter sports has not yet been made.
So, no football games this fall, but fingers crossed for basketball and the debut of new head coach Steve Schafer, and the return of 2018 graduate and star player, Dylan Sortillo as a new addition to the coaching staff. There will be lots of changes, updates, and re-arranged schedules for all the sports that have been put on hold, so keep watching.
Also, keep an eye out for decisions and adjustments regarding theatre and choir performances, and events like Christmas at Augustana. Perhaps there will be livestreams. As tough as times are, we are grateful that we have the technology to help us keep us connected, one way or another.
Class giving updates
Every year, we thank our dedicated alumni who have supported Augustana College during the previous fiscal year. It has been incredibly heartwarming to see the outpouring of support for our college. Thank you for your generosity to Augustana College, and for helping to ensure that our rich tradition of academic excellence continues for future generations. Your philanthropic leadership is vital to the college's continued success.
Thank you!
Here is a list of individual classmates, by graduation year, who made gifts to the college between July 1, 2019, and June 20, 2020. If you were unable to give last year, we encourage you to join your classmates and renew your support of the Augustana Fund this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2020.
Building updates
The Hanson Hall of Science expansion has been completed and is up and running, as is the Brodahl expansion and renovation.
The first semester of the new Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program is under way.
The Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance construction project is in progress, currently running on-time and on-budget. It even survived the derecho storm that blew through Rock Island Aug. 10 — a further sign that it will provide a solid foundation for all the great programs and events that will take place there, including aquatic sports in the new pool, and the new kinesiology major. The building is set to open in the spring.
Students back on campus
Faculty members worked all summer to provide in-person and virtual class opportunities for Augustana students. At the start of the school year, about 250 students had opted to be remote learners, at least for the first semester.
Lots of measures have been put into place to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Reports are that compliance and cooperation are reassuring. Masks and social distancing are a common sight on campus, and thankfully, the number of reported cases has been low. Let’s hope and pray that the progression continues to move in a positive direction, and we can all get back to “normal” soon!
Until that time, please stay in touch — with Augustana, and with each other.
Together we are Augustana Strong!