Specializations: Facilities

Specializations: Facilities

Specializations: Facilities

Specializations: Facilities

Specializations: Business offices

David L. Ellis

Professor of History

• Phone: 309-794-7363
• Email: DavidEllis@augustana.edu
• Office: Old Main 327

Originally from Tennessee, David Ellis received a B.A. in History and German from Wake Forest University. 

As part of his undergraduate experience, Ellis studied at the Free University of Berlin for a year and witnessed the opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which played an important role in his decision to pursue graduate study in German history.  

He received his doctorate from the University of Chicago, and he has taught at Augustana since 2001. 

In the classroom, Ellis encourages students to develop skills of historical thought and expression that enable them to critique both primary documents and scholarly accounts of the past, and he urges students to elaborate their own evidence-driven and self-critical analyses of the past.  

Ellis offers courses that address modern European history, modern Germany, revolutions in comparison, and women in Europe.  

Ellis also teaches in the first-year liberal arts sequence. Many of his courses incorporate both traditional approaches to scholarship and the pedagogy of Reacting to the Past, which leads students to engage with broader concerns of the liberal arts through extended role-playing simulations in specific historical scenarios.  

Ellis is a strong advocate of the value of foreign study, and he has led Augustana students on foreign terms, teaching in Rome, Paris, Wittenberg, Leipzig, and Berlin.  

Several of his students have received the Geifman Award, which is given annually for the best response to the Holocaust. 

Ellis’ research interests lie at the intersection of politics, religion, law, and culture. He is particularly intrigued by the nineteenth-century Awakening, a trans-Atlantic revivalist movement that occurred in both Protestant and Catholic areas.  

Most of Ellis’ publications address various aspects of the Awakening (die Erweckungsbewegung) in the German-speaking lands. Several focus on exploring the notable tension between Awakeners’ theological egalitarianism and the stalwart defense (by many Awakened leaders) of social and political hierarchy.  
 

Specializations: WVIK

Sunmin Cha

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Music

• Email: sunmincha@augustana.edu
• Office: Bergendoff 14D

Dr. Sunmin Cha is a dedicated educator with a wealth of performance and teaching experience. She believes that every student possesses a unique and beautiful voice, and her teaching is rooted in a personalized approach that enhances each student's vocal abilities and confidence.

Dr. Cha earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Lamar University, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Hanyang University. She has taught applied lessons to both classical and musical theater students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and she is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

As a soprano, Dr. Cha has performed leading roles in numerous operas, including Violetta in La Traviata, Mimì in La Bohème, and Liù in Turandot. She remains an active performer, showcasing her talents in various opera roles, concerts, recitals, and opera galas in both the United States and Korea.

Dr. Cha emphasizes individualized instruction, helping each student discover their unique vocal style while developing strong technical skills. Her teaching philosophy focuses on vocal technique, emotional expression, and empathy. She integrates core music subjects such as music theory, music history, and aural skills to enhance her students' overall musicianship. By concentrating on exercises related to breathing, resonance, and vocal production, she helps students understand vocal technique and uses body mapping to simplify the physiological aspects of singing.

Dr. Cha is passionate about forming strong emotional connections with her students, creating a warm and supportive environment where they can build confidence and grow. She strives to make the learning process enjoyable, ensuring that students not only improve their vocal skills but also find joy in their musical journey.

Lesley Frenell

Financial Aid Counselor

• Phone: 309-794-7709
• Email: lesleyfrenell@augustana.edu
• Office: Seminary Hall, Room 102

Meet with Lesley

Specializations: Financial aid