Pics of the Day
The Pic of the Day is featured on student and faculty pages, as submitted by members of the Augustana community. Here are some recent images. (Click on a photo to see a caption.)
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Staff from TRIO-SSS and CORE came together to prepare for Coffee and Careers, where students met with staff to help them take the next steps in their careers. Resumes were reviewed, LinkedIn and Handshake profiles were made, appointments with both CORE and Study Away were booked, and confidence was built! The next Coffee and Careers will be Oct. 28, 1-2 p.m., in Olin 308. Pictured: Beth Ford, Daniela Corrent, Meredith Warren, Elissa Arbuckle, Christiana Headly
Geology students and faculty were trained by Illinois State Geological Survey hydrogeologist Riley Balikian during a one-hour lecture and three-hour field training. Throughout the year, Dr. Jeff Strasser and 14 students of geology, physics and engineering will conduct novel research using seismometers to map the buried Princeton Bedrock Valley of Illinois. In addition to conducting field work, students will gain experience operating precise instruments, collecting, processing and interpreting 3D-data, creating maps using GIS software, comparing results to online databases and contributing to the understanding, prediction and protection of groundwater resources.
Members of the Augustana College Triathlon Club represented the Vikings at Tri the Illini in Urbana-Champaign on Sept. 27. The team competed together in the sprint triathlon, marking an exciting race for the club and an opportunity to represent Augustana beyond campus. Go Vikings! 💙💛 Pictured: Mehdi Bekkali, Ismail Bennani, Walid Bekkali, Soulaima Ben Ismail, Fernando Peralta, Alh Bah, Abril Vila Gil, Alicia Fontenla Llaudes, and Paige Melton.
It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to bring the next Augustana class to campus! The admissions team receives more than 7,000 applications each year, and each one needs to be “recalced” to consistently evaluate different high school grading systems. Our newest ambassadors have been learning the process with LT Training Chair Lindsay Debuhr. They’re getting ready to put their training to work and welcome the next class of Vikings!
Students in Environmental Justice (ESGE 387) spent a recent morning with the leaders of West End Revitalization learning more about what environmental inequality, justice and advocacy look like in Rock Island’s West End.
Students in WGSS 350 discuss art, activism and the creative process with Sarah Welker '26. Welker's work is on display in the W Gallery (Old Main 311) through Sept. 30.
Augustana welcomed 28 companies for the Accounting & Finance Career Fair on Sept. 16. It was especially great to see Augustana alumni returning to campus to connect with current students and share opportunities in their organizations! Next up: The QC Expo Career & Grad School Fair on Sept. 23 at the Bend Event Center in East Moline. All majors and class years are welcome! Transportation provided. Find the list of participating employers and more information at careers.augustana.edu
Every year, our Admissions Ambassadors trade their tour-guide hats for their Move Crew shirts and help welcome our newest Vikings during early move-in on Thursday night. From carrying boxes to lending a helping hand, these movers and shakers are part of what makes Augustana feel like home.
At the Honors Program Reception on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Gävle rooms, Augustana welcomed the new cohort of honors students.
Sixteen Augustana students are spending Fall 2026 studying abroad throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Sonja Illy is at the University of Auckland, studying, meeting new people and exploring the uniqueness of New Zealand.
Nhi Phan is preparing for the Resume Rally! Is your resume ready for the upcoming fairs? Nhi and the other Career Mentors in CORE are ready to help students polish their resumes and get fair-ready! Resume Rally drop-in hours: Sept. 10 (7-8 p.m.), Sept. 14 (6-8 p.m.), Sept. 16 (6-8 p.m.) and Sept. 21 (6-8 p.m.) in the CORE Commons. Upcoming fairs: Accounting & Finance Fair (Sept. 16), QC Expo Career Fair (Sept. 23), Graduate School Fair (Sept. 30) and Study Away Fair (Nov. 4).
Stop by the Resume Rally and get ready to make a great impression! Contact careerdevelopment@augustana.edu with any questions.
President Andrea Talentino got to cheer on the cheerleaders - and football players - who represented Augustana in the City of Rock Island's 42nd annual Labor Day Parade.
President Talentino welcomed incoming Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy Fellows to her home on Aug. 27. Now in its fourth year, the academy offers a series of learning experiences and networking opportunities to engage and uplift future leaders from Illinois.
Welcome to all new and returning students! After convocation, incoming students posed in the iconic Augustana "A" for their first official photo as Vikings. This year's incoming class includes 765 students from 28 states and 36 countries. Check out the move-in video to relive the morning!
Augustana's very own Kenia Wilson was recently crowned Miss Scott County! She threw out the first pitch for the River Bandits baseball game on Aug. 26.
Emily Swanson's teammates successfully pass her through the "spider web" during the Campus Ministries Leadership Team Retreat, Aug. 21-23. The student leaders spent the weekend bonding and planning their fall calendar of services and events, while staying at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center in Oregon, Ill.
Second-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students at Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences and instructor Dr. Jeanea Morris came to Port Byron on Sunday and volunteered their time to help with sports physicals at Riverdale High School.
Community Advisors learn many important skills during CA training, including how to use fire extinguishers. Here, CA Fay Fqiyah practices putting out a fire with some guidance from Fire Marshal Jon Briggs.
Augustana College’s men’s and women’s golf teams recently traded their clubs for conversation during a Schmoozapalooza networking workshop with the Career Development & Vocation team. During the interactive session, student-athletes practiced building connections, starting conversations and asking for leads—learning that asking for a lead can be as simple as asking for directions. The workshop gave students practical strategies and confidence they can use as they build their professional networks and prepare for future opportunities.
Want to bring professional development to your group? Coaches, faculty members, and supervisors can arrange interactive workshops, such as Schmoozapalooza, for their students or teams by contacting careerdevelopment@augustana.edu.
This summer, Alivia Seehase ’28 participated in the Cancer Research Opportunities at Iowa (CROI), a 10-week undergraduate research program providing hands-on experience in cancer research, professional development, mentorship, and shadowing. Working in Dr. Shujie Yang’s lab, Alivia researched endometrial cancer, focusing on how the overexpression of SETDB1 promotes CD47, a signal that can help cancer cells evade the immune system. At the conclusion of the program, Alivia presented her summer research through a scientific poster and oral presentation, gaining valuable research, communication, and professional experience along the way.
This summer, James Vargas ’28 took his interest in medicine and research to Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he participated in the Lurie Cancer Center Summer Research Internship. James was placed in the lab of Amy Paller, MD, where he spent eight weeks conducting dermatology research focused on a pain pathway associated with a genetic blistering disorder. His summer research experience culminated in a final oral presentation titled: “Macrophage-Associated GPR183 Signaling as a Potential Neuroimmune Pain Pathway in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.” These experiences demonstrate how Augustana students put their education into action through meaningful research, professional experiences and career exploration.
Last Saturday, Augie Acres sold produce to Augie alumni, faculty and U.S. Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) at the QC Farmers' Market in downtown Rock Island. Pictured: Ryan Jednachowski, Liz Eisenband-Strunk, Eric Sorensen, Chris Strunk
Four Augustana TRIO students attended the SAEOPP McNair/TRIO Research Conference in Atlanta, Ga., where two students had the opportunity to present their undergraduate research. The conference was a great chance for students to share their work, connect with other TRIO scholars from across the nation and celebrate their academic accomplishments. Pictured (from left): Samara Singer, Karla Collazo, Kenia Wilson, Christiana Headley, Angela Gallentine.
Geology alumnus Grant Bell '15 ran through the Quad Cities as he runs the entire length of the Mississippi River, raising money for childhood cancer research. He's running more than 40 miles per day! Cheering him on last week were Sammy Lehr '27, and Drs. Jeff Strasser and Mike Wolf.
President Talentino congratulates Augustana Prison Education Program graduate and student speaker Justin Dismuke, beside commencement speaker President Emeritus Steven Bahls, at a joyful ceremony celebrating ten 2026 graduates.
Isaac Loyo and Carter Lavold use an acoustic Doppler device to measure discharge of Silver Creek in Davenport. Both students are conducting summer research with the Upper Mississippi Center.
The Augustana Choir performs the last concert of their Scandinavian tour in the beautiful Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden last week. President Andrea Talentino signed a memorandum of understanding with Uppsala University, making Augustana the only undergraduate institution in the U.S. to hold this honor.
Augustana College celebrated more than 500 candidates for graduation at its 166th commencement ceremony on May 23, 2026.
Seniors will become alumni on Saturday, May 23, after receiving their diplomas at the 166th ceremony, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Vibrant Arena at the Mark in Moline. This is a look from the podium at last year's graduation.
The students in the Ladies Physical Culture class at Augustana (circa 1900) probably never envisioned Title IX, much less the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies of today. Physical Culture was the first exercise and expression class for women at Augustana. Today's WGSS has made plenty of its own history, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary May 12.