Dara L. Wegman-Geedey

Professor and Acting Co-Chair (Spring) of Biology

• Phone: 309-794-3445
• Email: DaraWegman-Geedey@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson Science Building 306

I joined the Augustana faculty in 1995 and my teaching responsibilities include microbiology, immunology and cell biology as well as specialty courses from time to time in virology, public health and related areas. I advise students headed toward graduate programs in immunology, epidemiology, microbiology, and am the academic advisor for pre-optometry, pre-nursing, and pre-public health students.

Unlike most faculty members, I did not go to graduate school immediately following completion of my bachelor’s degree. I worked for four years at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals in Cleveland, beginning in pulmonary physiology as a junior research technician and moving on to clinical pediatric infectious disease as a research assistant. Given my experience in biomedical research, I enjoy helping senior biology majors who are not going directly to graduate or professional school to find entry-level research and technical jobs. 

Campus and community service is a critical part of my scholarly and vocational work. I am a member of the Council of Advisors for the Augustana Freistat Center for Studies in World Peace, am the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Rock Island, and am a member of the Rock Island County Medical Reserve Corps, a public health response team for disaster preparedness. I have taught courses on the biology of bioterrorism, genetic intervention in today’s society, and the human immune system for CommUniversity, an adult education program in the Quad-Cities. I am also the faculty advisor for Augustana Community Health Outreach Organization (ACHOO) and the director of the Augustana Nicaragua Joining Education Through Service (JETS) medical service-learning study abroad program. 

Specializations: Microbial ecology, Infectious disease epidemiology

Specializations: Business offices

Kirk D. Anderson

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Finance and Administration

• Phone: 309-794-7203
• Email: kirkanderson@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen Hall 201 - Business Office

Kirk Anderson on LinkedIn

Kirk Anderson '93 serves as the chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration. He rejoined his alma mater in December 2015, bringing more than 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, including 15 years spent at Kraft-Heinz Foods. As CFO, Anderson oversees the college’s financial operations, including budgeting, risk management, capital planning, food service operations and facilities.

Anderson is an advisor to the Board of Trustees, working closely with them to ensure the financial health of the institution.

"Looking back on my 35-year career as a student, finance and accounting professional, parent and now business officer, I will never forget the collective interest so many professors, coaches and staff had in ensuring I was prepared for life after Augustana. Today I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of this support team in preparing and ensuring students have the tools and experiences necessary to succeed." — Kirk Anderson

Recent initiatives:

• Campus Master Plan Committee, chair
• EIIA (Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators, Inc.) Board Member
• Greek Life advisor
• Men's/women's varsity golf team peer mentor
• Augustana selects 1993 alumnus to be CFO, VP of finance
• Vikings Hall of Fame

More than a leader

Kirk Anderson was inducted into the Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame in 2008 for his contributions to the Augustana basketball program, when the 1992-93 team finished second in the NCAA Division III national tournament. 

Anderson comes from a long line of Augistana graduates, as his mother, uncle, brother, wife and daughter all graduated from Augustana. He and his wife Cathy enjoy attending Augustana events, playing golf and spending time with their three daughters, Hannah, Lauren and Megan '22.

Specializations: Business offices, Shared service operations, Risk management

Jill Harris

Staff Accountant, Business Office

• Phone: 309-794-7351
• Email: jillharris@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen Business Office

Specializations: Business offices

Julie L. Bacon

Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid

• Phone: 309-794-7207
• Email: juliebacon@augustana.edu
• Office: Seminary Hall, Room 102

Meet with Julie

Specializations: Financial aid, Financial assistance

Elizabeth P. Ducey

Administrative Assistant for Residential Life

• Phone: 309-794-2691
• Email: BethDucey@augustana.edu
• Office: Andreen Hall

Partner and Graphic Designer, Green Leaf Design

Senior Graphic Designer, VICOMM, Inc.

Graphic Designer and Illustrator, LinguiSystems

Technical Illustrator, American Sunroof Co.

Technical Illustrator, Control Process

Technical Illustrator, Pace Development

Specializations: InDesign, Photoshop, Powerpoint, Excel, Illustrator, Word, CorelDraw, Acrobat Pro, Calligraphy, Logo design, Residential Life

Kristina E. Zimmerman

Information Technology Support Specialist

• Phone: 309-794-7476
• Email: kristinazimmerman@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen 165

Kristina Zimmerman is a graduate of Augustana College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in French. She has been working in technology since 2005 and has experience in a variety of areas including: general support, video editing, photo editing, ePortfolios, hardware support, and purchasing.

Specializations: ITS, Training, ePortfolios, Video editing, Apple products, Purchasing

Kevin M. Whitemore

Hardware Technician

• Phone: 309-794-7820
• Email: kevinwhitemore@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen 166B

Specializations: ITS

Kimberly Ann Murphy

Professor and Co-Chair of Biology, Director of the Center for Advancement of Community Health and Wellness

• Phone: 309-794-3444
• Email: KimberlyMurphy@augustana.edu
• Office: Hanson Science Building 307

I joined the biology department at Augustana in August of 2011. My interest in science has been life-long. 

In class, in the teaching lab, and in my research lab, my aim is to help students understand how science works, how to think like scientists, and to cultivate excitement for learning.

Although classroom instruction is essential for scientific knowledge, I have witnessed students blossom in the teaching lab and in the research lab.  My position at Augustana offers me the diversity to mentor students in the classroom and laboratory and continue my personal goals in research. 

My personal research has strengthened my abilities to develop scientific skills in students, and my current research projects, all designed to include undergraduate students, have transitioned with me to Augustana.

I received my Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University.  In graduate school, I combined biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology to study soybean sucrose transporters.  To broaden my knowledge as a scientist, I changed systems for my postdoctoral work at Syracuse University, which provided me with experience in microbiology and basic bacterial genetics. 

My current research activities are focused on identification and characterization of genes involved in fruiting body formation and motility in Myxococcus xanthus.  

My personal interests include hiking, travel for pleasure, watching sports, and I cherish time with my family and friends.

Specializations: Bacterial genetics, Upper Mississippi Center

Fernando Rios

Hardware Technician

• Phone: 309-794-7295
• Email: fernandorios@augustana.edu
• Office: Sorensen 166A

Specializations: ITS