Erin Blecha-Ward '07: "A Few Things I've Learned Working in Sports"
Erin Blecha-Ward '07 will speak about her career in professional and NCAA Division 1 sports.
Currently, she is the founder and president of Evolved Experience Solutions, a data analytics company for fan experience where her clients include such teams as the Dallas Mavericks, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Hawks.
She is also the executive director of the Fresno Football Club (FFC), a member of the United Soccer League beginning its inaugural season in 2018.
Previously, Blecha-Ward was the director for fan experience and events for the Atlanta Hawks and the director for fan experience and community relations for Stanford University athletics.
At Augustana, she was a communication studies major, a four-year member of the track and field team, a member of Delta Chi Theta, the founder of the student organization Athletes Giving Back, and a student worker in the Center for Vocational Reflection.
In addition to her B.A. from Augustana, Blecha-Ward has an M.A. in communications from the University of Arizona where her research focused on media effects, framing, interpersonal and intergroup interactions and stereotyping and sports.
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Augie's Awareness
The Student Government Association will present Augie's Awareness, a mental health awareness effort, from 7-9 p.m. There will be speakers, free T-shirts, and, above all, a focus on awareness.
Speakers will include Kevin Atwood and George Smith, who both lost sons to suicide.
2018 Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award winners
Caitlyn Lecour, a sophomore from Manhattan, Ill., was the winner of this year's Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award.
Augie Chess blitz tournament
Sign up online or at the door for the Augie Chess blitz tournament.
There will be free food for all participants.
Prizes:
1st place: $20 and a tournament chess board.
2nd place: $10 Subway gift card and a tournament chess board.
3rd place: $10 Subway gift card.
There will be three rounds of 10-minute games.
After the first round, higher score players will be paired with each other; same for lower score players.
After three rounds, the four highest scoring players will split into pairs, playing lightning game of 5 minutes with 1 second incremental (each player)
Winners will play with each other in a lightning game to determine first and second place, and losers will play with each other to determine third and fourth place.
Day of Silence
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance invites members of the Augustana community to join it in honor of Day of Silence There will be a moment of silence to reflect on the struggles experienced by members of the LGBT+ community in the past as well as currently.
Nationally, the Day of Silence has been held since 1996.
College Invitational opening reception
The 10th annual College Invitational at the Figge Art Museum will open with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and awards at 6:30. Admission is free to all Augustana students and staff with ID.
Students in the exhibition come from eight area colleges and universities, including Augustana College. Art professors from each of the participating colleges select the top works from their school.
The Figge will award cash prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of local artists.
Participants from Augustana with work in the show include:
Logan Enstrom, a junior art major from Rock Island.
Lu Gerdemann '17.
Eden Haas, a junior from Muscatine, Iowa, majoring in art and art education.
Brianna Jepson, a senior from Belvidere, Ill., majoring in art and art education.
Isabelle Bella, a senior graphic design major from Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines.
Audrey Mast, a senior from Carol Stream, Ill., majoring in art and psychology.
Amanda Olson, a junior from Moline majoring in anthropology.
The work will be view May 3-Aug. 12.
La noche de tapas (Tapas Night)
Spanish Club will host La noche de tapas (Tapas Night) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn how to cook a variety of Spanish tapas.
Baccalaureate Service
The Rev. Christina Garrett Klein '08, pastor of Edgebrook Lutheran Church, Chicago, will be this year's Baccalaureate speaker.
Liturgist will be the Rev. Richard W. Priggie ‘74, Augustana chaplain.
Music will be provided by the Augustana Symphonic Brass, Augustana Choir, and college organist Christopher Nelson.
See full schedule of events during graduation weekend here.
Dr. Peter Xiao Exhibition Talk, "Body, No Mind"
Dr. Peter Xiao, Augustana professor of art and graphic design, will talk about his work on view at Gallery West through May 31.
There will be live music by Roger Carlson, and snacks and drinks at this closing reception.
The Rock Island gallery is open from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Student Showcase
Leo Nguyen will perform stand-up comedy, and Erin Larkin will perform on guitar. There will also be a raffle held for a basket of chocolate.