Jon Jaworowski '23: Thanking a mentor

"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that: it lights the whole sky." – lyrics from "The Sun Never Says" by Dan Forrest

The song pays homage to the relationship between the sun and the earth and the generosity the sun provides without asking for anything in return.

The same can be said about the experience of many Augustana College donors. Their education has provided indescribable benefits throughout their lives, leading them to make a philanthropic investment in their beloved alma mater.

This now includes Jon Jaworowski '23, who made a generous commitment to the Hurty Challenge mere months after graduation.  

Jaworowski, who grew up in Rockford, Ill., and now teaches music to elementary school students in the Rockford Public School District, was involved in music while in high school. He had always known about Augustana, the private liberal arts college located on the west side of the state in Rock Island. His choir teachers went to Augustana and sang in the Augustana Choir.

One year, Jaworowski worked at the Augustana Choir Festival as a high school student, where he met and worked with Dr. Jon Hurty.

After that, he said, "Augustana was the first and last school I looked at."

Looking back, he values the broad perspective a liberal arts education provided while he was studying to become a music teacher. His music education professors, Dawn Farmer, Jesse Rathgeber and Michael Zemek, were formative to his experience, much like his role models in high school. He confesses that, as a student, he occasionally wondered how his liberal arts education would apply to his future career — but using the lessons he’s learned in his day-to-day work has given his education new meaning.

His greatest role model in college was Dr. Hurty, and that relationship jump-started his giving. Dr. Hurty, his “Augie Dad,” had a huge impact on his life and career as a student. He helped him grow as a musician and a person. Jaworowski genuinely felt he could go to him for anything.

“Dr. Hurty was a shining light at the end of the day,” he recalled.

Choir was the activity Jaworowski loved most during his time at Augustana. He appreciated that he and his ensemble peers were there for the same reason: to make beautiful music. And he was inspired by Dr. Hurty’s ability to bring out the joy and love for music in others.

Ultimately, donating was his way of giving others those same opportunities and transformative experiences. 

After graduation and a summer of reflection, Jaworowski wondered how he could give back. He was a recipient of the Jane Anderson Lindberg Scholarship, established by Jane’s friends and family to support those dedicated to the teaching and performance of music, and he wanted to pay it forward.

He decided to make a lasting impact by committing to the Hurty Challenge.

“Once I decided to give, it lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” he said.

Later, at the 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend, Jaworowski watched the Augie Choir perform "The Sun Never Says” by Dan Forrest. The piece is significant and emotional for him: he and the choir performed it in 2019, just before his college life was uprooted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The performance reminded him of his transformative experience as a student and all of the mentors who helped him along the way. Visiting the newly renovated Larson Hall, where he rehearsed as a student in the Augustana Choir, and hearing the song he sang in 2019 was an extremely touching moment. It spoke to the strength of Augie’s choir program.

Upon returning home that weekend, he increased his pledge.  

“Giving is one of the many ways that I can stay connected to the choir,” he said.

Though his gift is but a small percentage of the cost to renovate Larson Hall, he understands that every dollar matters. And he’s proud to know the ensemble is rehearsing in a state-of-the-art space.

So, why should young alumni give to Augustana, even in small amounts?

Jaworowski reflected on that same question after graduation. He considered all that Augustana provided for him, including lifelong mentors, career opportunities and generous financial aid.

“Young alumni should support Augie because of the amazing things Augustana does for students and alumni,” he said. “Gifts of all amounts add up to benefit students.”

Jaworowski stays connected to Augie by attending as many choir performances as possible, following the college and music department on social media and talking to friends who still attend Augustana.

He’s a bright and bold example of why generosity matters.